Journal, November 1753: Volume 61

Journal, November 1753

Wednesday, November 14. Present:—Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane, Mr. Stone.

Newfoundland.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council for Plantation Affairs, dated 26th July, 1753, referring to the consideration of this Board the petition of Frederick, Lord Baltimore, Lord Proprietary of the provinces of Maryland and Avalon in America to his Majesty, praying that his Majesty will be pleased to allow and approve of John Bradstreet, Esquire, to be Governor of the said province of Avalon on the nomination and appointment of the petitioner as Lord Proprietor of the said province.

Ordered that the Secretary do transmit a copy of the above petition to his Majesty's Attorney and Sollicitor General together with such papers or records in this office as any ways relate thereto, and desire their opinion upon it.

Maryland.

Pennsylvania.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council for Plantation Affairs, dated 26th July, 1753, referring to the consideration of this Board the petition of Frederick, Lord Baltimore, Lord Proprietary of the provinces of Maryland and Avalon in America to his Majesty, praying his Majesty to appoint proper persons to join with such as shall be named by the petitioner and the Proprietors of Pennsylvania in marking out the limits of that province and of Maryland.

Ordered that the Secretary do write to the agent for the Proprietors of Pennsylvania to acquaint him of the abovementioned Order having been received and to desire he will attend their lordships with the agent of Lord Baltimore in order that a day may be fixed for hearing what each party may have to offer.

Barbados.

Read a letter from the Earl of Holdernesse, dated the 2nd August, 1753, desiring that their lordships would prepare a proper instrument containing his Majesty's licence to the Governor of Barbados to be absent from his government for twelve months.

The draught of a warrant for his Majesty's signature having been accordingly prepared was agreed to and a letter to Lord Holdernesse inclosing it was signed.

Plantations General.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council for Plantation Affairs, dated the 26th July, 1753, directing the Board to prepare and lay before them draughts of such instructions to the Governors of all his Majesty's plantations in America, as were given to the Governors of the Leeward Islands and New York relating to appeals from the courts there in cases of error.

The draught of an instruction conformable to the above order having been prepared, was agreed to, and the draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee of Council thereupon was ordered to be prepared.

New York.

Read a letter from the Attorney and Sollicitor General to Mr. Pownall inclosing their report upon the case referred to them relative to Mr. Clinton's appointment of Mr. Delancy to be Chief Justice of New York.

The Secretary acquainted their lordships that a copy of the above report had been given to the Governor of New York before his departure for his government.

Barbados.

Read a report of his Majesty's Attorney and Sollicitor General upon an Act passed at Barbados in 1713 relating to the spring or rivulet called the Three Houses Spring in the parish of St. Philip's.

The Secretary laid before the Board a memorial of the inhabitants of the parish of St. Philip's in Barbados praying the confirmation of the above Act.

Ordered that the draught of a representation to his Majesty be prepared proposing the confirmation of it.

North Carolina.

Read a letter from the Attorney and Sollicitor General to the Secretary, dated 20th July, 1753, with their report upon the case referred to them relative to the Act of North Carolina for ascertaining the number of representatives.

Ordered that the draught of a representation to his Majesty be prepared upon the state of affairs in his Majesty's province of North Carolina.

Nova Scotia.

Read a letter from Mr. West, Secretary to the Lords of the Treasury, to the Board, dated the 11th of October, 1753, desiring their lordships would order an account to be made out of the expence of Nova Scotia for the year 1754.

Ordered that the agent for Nova Scotia do prepare the draught of an estimate to be laid before the Board as soon as possible.

Friday, November 16. Present:—Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane, Mr. Stone, Mr. Oswald.

Barbados.

Read a letter from Mr. Weekes, President of the Council and Commander in Chief of Barbados, dated the 5th of September, 1753, giving an account of the present state of the Council in that Island and recommending to their favour his son Nathaniel Weekes, Esquire, to supply a late vacancy in the Council by the death of James Carter, Esquire.

It appearing to their lordships that Edward Jordan, Esquire, had been some time since recommended by the Governor to supply the first vacancy in the Council, their lordships ordered the draught of a representation to his Majesty to be prepared proposing his appointment in the room of James Carter, Esquire.

Ordered that the draught of a letter to Mr. Weekes be prepared.

Leeward Islands.

Read two letters from Mr. Thomas, Governor of the Leeward Islands, dated at Antigua, the 13th and 25th of August last, giving an account of his arrival, of his having appointed Rowland Oliver, Esquire, to be of the Council in the room of Charles Dunbar who has resigned, and of his having reviewed the Regiment of Foot stationed there and transmitting:—
Minutes of Council from the 10th of November, 1752, to the 14th of June, 1753.
Eight Acts passed at Antigua between the 8th of January, 1752, and 4th of August, 1753.

Ordered that the draught of a representation to his Majesty be prepared proposing the confirmation of Mr. Oliver.

Ordered that an extract of so much of Mr. Thomas's letter as relates to the state of the Regiment be transmitted to the Secretary at War.

Ordered that the draught of a letter to Mr. Thomas be prepared.

Ordered that the Acts transmitted by Mr. Thomas be sent to Mr. Lamb for his opinion in point of law.

Plantations General.

Read the following copies of Orders in Council, viz.:—
New York.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated the 19th of July, 1753, approving the draught of a Commission prepared by this Board for Sir Danvers Osborn, Baronet, appointed Governor of New York.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated the 10th of August, 1753, approving the draught of general instructions as also of those which relate to the Acts of Trade and Navigation prepared by this Board for Sir Danvers Osborn, Governor of New York.
Virginia.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated the 10th of August, 1753, approving a report of the Lords of the Committee of Council for Plantation Affairs, dated the 7th ditto, and directing thirty cannon etc. to be sent for the use of the forts proposed to be built on the River Ohio in Virginia.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated the 10th August, 1753, approving a representation of this Board to his Majesty proposing the confirmation of a private Act passed in the colony of Virginia in April, 1752, relating to certain lands whereof David Garland is seized.
Jamaica.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated 10th of August, 1753, approving a representation of this Board to his Majesty proposing the confirmation of a private Act of Jamaica passed in 1746 relating to Robert Halhead.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated the 10th of August, 1753, approving a representation of this Board to his Majesty proposing the confirmation of a private Act passed in Jamaica in November, 1752, relating to Robert Halhead of St. Thomas in the Vale, surgeon.

Pennsylvania.

Read two letters from Mr. Peters, Secretary of the province of Pennsylvania, dated the 1st of June last, transmitting list of persons naturalized in that province pursuant to the Act of the 13th of his present Majesty.

Trade.

Africa.

Read a letter from Mr. Milnes, dated 22nd August, 1753, transmitting by order of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty for the information of this Board the following papers relating to the forts and settlements on the coast of Guinea, viz.:—
Extract of a letter from Captain Cokburne to Mr. Clevland, dated the 19th of August, 1753.
The state of Seccondee Fort.
The state of Dixcove and Seccondee Forts.

Ordered that the Secretary do transmit copies of the papers to the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa.

New Jersey.

Read two letters from Mr. Belcher, Governor of New Jersey, one dated the 28th of May, the other the 8th of August last, acquainting the Board with his having admitted Mr. Lewis Morris Ashfield to the Council Board, that the province is in a state of perfect tranquility, and transmitting the following papers, viz.:—
Minutes of the Council of the 7th and 8th of June, 1753.
Minutes of Council in Assembly from the 23rd of May to the 8th of June, 1753.
Printed Journals of the Assembly from 16th May to the 8th June, 1753.
Eleven Acts passed at New Jersey the 8th of June, 1753.

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

North Carolina.

Read two letters from Mr. Rowan, President of the Council of North Carolina, dated the 28th of May and 28th of June last, transmitting the following papers:—
Journals of the Upper House and also of the House of Burgesses of that province.
A printed copy of the Acts passed in the last Assembly of that province in March, 1753.

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

Ordered that the draught of a letter to Mr. Rowan be prepared.

Bahamas.

Read two letters from Mr. Tinker, Governor of the Bahama Islands, dated the 15th of May and 12th of July last, acquainting the Board of his arrival and of the present state of those Islands.

Ordered that the draught of a letter to Mr. Tinker be prepared.

The Secretary acquainted the Board that he was desired by letter from Mr. Tinker to move their lordships that Robert Stewart and Nehemiah Duncomb, Esquire, whom he had long since appointed to be of the Council of those Islands in the room of Thomas Barnett and Benjamin Saunders, deceased, might be confirmed; their lordships ordered the draughts of representations to his Majesty to be accordingly prepared.

Trade.

Read a letter from Mr. Wood, Secretary to Commissioners of the Customs, dated the 10th of August, 1753, transmitting:—
A leidger of imports and exports for the year 1750.

Trade.

Africa.

Read a letter from the merchants of Bristol, dated Merchants Hall, July the 18th, 1753, containing their thanks for the Board's determination upon their application that the officers of the Company might be restrained from trading in slaves.

Tuesday, November 20. Present:—Mr. Pitt, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane, Mr. Stone, Mr. Oswald.

Leeward Islands.

The draught of a letter to the Secretary at War, inclosing the extract of one from Mr. Thomas, Governor of the Leeward Islands, was laid before the Board, agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Thursday, November 22. Present:—Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane, Mr. Stone, Mr. Oswald.

Plantations General.

Read a letter from the Earl of Holdernesse to the Board, dated the 21st of November, 1753, inclosing a resolution of the House of Commons, dated the 19th instant, and signifying his Majesty's pleasure that this Board do lay before that House a copy of the lists therein desired.

A copy of the lists mentioned in the resolution of the House of Commons, having been prepared, was laid before the Board, and Lord Dupplin was desired to present it to the House of Commons.

Jamaica.

Read the following letters and papers received from Mr. Knowles, Governor of Jamaica, viz.:—
Letter from Mr. Knowles, Governor of Jamaica, to the Board, dated the 27th June, 1753, relative to the complaint made against him by the Board of Ordnance.
Letter from Mr. Knowles to the Board, dated June 27th, 1753.
Letter from Mr. Knowles to the Board, dated June 27th, 1753.
Letter from Mr. Knowles to the Board, dated 1st August, 1753.
Letter from Mr. Knowles to the Board, dated 16th August, 1753.
Journal of the proceedings of the Commissioners of Forts and Fortifications at Mosquito Point between June, 1743, and December, 1747.
Copy of the dockets of the sale of two parcels of land at Mosquito Point for the use of the Ordnance Board, with observations. Dated in the year 1742.
An account of the Powder Duty in Jamaica from the 29th September, 1745, to the 29th September, 1752.
An account of the Powder Duty in Jamaica from the 29th September, 1752, to the 29th September, 1753.
A plan of the forts and new works designed for the defence of the channel between Port Royal and Kingston.
Naval Office lists of shipping entered and cleared at Kingston in Jamaica between 29th September and 25th December, 1752.
An account of the state of his Majesty's revenue in Jamaica as it stood on the 25th March, 1753.

Ordered that such of the afore-mentioned letters and papers as contained Mr. Knowles's answer to the complaint made against him by the Board of Ordnance be copied to be laid before his Majesty in Council and that the draught of a report therewith be prepared.

Ordered that a copy be made of Mr. Knowles's letter (No. 2) of the 27th June, 1753, to be laid before his Majesty in Council and that the draught of a representation therewith be prepared.

Ordered that the draught of a representation to his Majesty be prepared proposing Edward Manning, Esquire, to be of the Council of Jamaica in the room [of] Hampson Needham, deceased.

Barbados.

Their lordships took into consideration an Act passed in the Island of Barbados in 1717 entitled An Act to prohibit Masters of Ships and other Vessels from landing Aliens or Foreigners in this Island without a Licence for doing so from the Governor etc. and ordered the draught of a representation to his Majesty proposing the repeal of it.

Miscellanies.

The Secretary having acquainted the Board that Mr. Robert Blucke, one of the clerks of this Office, was dead, Mr. Grenville recommended Mr. Francis Dancer to supply the vacancy, and he was accordingly admitted, and their lordships agreed that in case Mr. Dancer's appointment should terminate by his resignation, Mr. Grenville should in that case substitute another in his place.

Tuesday, November 27. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane, Mr. Stone.

Barbados.

The draught of a representation upon an Act passed in Barbados in 1713 relating to the Three Spring Rivulet, was agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

Jamaica.

The draught of a report to the Lords of the Council with the copy of a letter from Mr. Knowles, Governor of Jamaica, relative to the complaint of the Board of Ordnance, was agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

Plantations General.

The draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee of Council inclosing the draught of additional instructions to the Governors of several of his Majesty's colonies in America relative to appeals from the courts there in cases of error was agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

Barbados.

The draught of a letter to Mr. Weekes, President of the Council of Barbados, was agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

The following representations to his Majesty were signed, viz.:—
Jamaica.
Representation proposing Mr. Manning to be of the Council of Jamaica in the room of Mr. Needham.
Barbados.
Representation proposing Mr. Jordan to be of the Council of Barbados in the room of Mr. Carter.
Antigua.
Representation proposing Mr. Oliver to be of the Council of Antigua in the room of Charles Dunbar.
Bahamas.
Representation proposing Mr. Stewart and Mr. Duncomb to be of the Council of the Bahama Islands in the room of Mr. Barnett and Mr. Saunders.

Wednesday, November 28. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Oswald.

Barbados.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty upon the Act of Barbados passed in 1713, having been transcribed was signed.

The draught of a letter to Mr. Weekes, President of the Council of Barbados, having been transcribed was signed.

The following draughts of letters having been prepared pursuant to their lordships' orders, were agreed to and ordered to be transcribed, viz.:—
Jamaica.
Leeward Islands.
Draught of a letter to Mr. Knowles, Governor of Jamaica.
Draught of a letter to Mr. Thomas, Governor of the Leeward Islands.
Bahamas.
North Carolina.
Draught of a letter to Mr. Tinker, Governor of the Bahamas.
Draught of a letter to Mr. Rowan, President of the Council of North Carolina.

Jamaica.

The draught of a report to the Lords of the Council with a copy of a letter from Mr. Knowles, Governor of Jamaica, ordered to be transcribed by the preceding minute, was signed.