Journal, September 1728: Journal Book E.E

Journal, September 1728

September 3. Present:—Mr. Bladen, Mr. Cary.

New York.

Mr. Attorney and Solicitor General's report upon the Act preventing prosecutions.

Mr. Attorney and Mr. Solicitor General's report upon an Act, passed at New York in 1727, for preventing prosecutions by informations, was read; whereupon ordered that the draught of a representation be prepared for the repeal of the said Act.

Bahamas.

Mr. Curphew presents lists of the inhabitants.

Mr. Curphew, Chaplain to the garrison at the Bahamas, attending, presented to the Board a list of the inhabitants of the said islands, which was read.

Miscellanies.

Mrs. Clarke's petition for arrears due to her late husband, letter to be prepared.

The Secretary then laid before the Board a petition from Mrs. Clarke, widow and sole executrix to Samuel Clarke, late chamberkeeper and assistant messenger to this office, praying payment of the money disbursed by her late husband for incidental charges during his late Majesty's reign, which was read; and directions were given to prepare the draught of a letter, for recommending the same to the Lords of the Treasury.

September 10. Present:—Mr. Bladen, Mr. Cary.

Bahamas.

Persons attend, complaints against Captain Phenney.

Mr. Mulcaster, Mr. Noden and Mr. Jackson, agents for Captain Phenney, Governor of the Bahamas, attending, as they had been desired, as also Mr. Curphew, Chaplain to the garrison there, with Mr. Newson, Mr. Sydenham, Mr. Mouncey and Mrs. Vere, their Lordships took again into consideration the letter from the Lord Viscount Townshend, dated the 13th, and mentioned in the Minutes of the 27th of the last month, inclosing several papers with complaints against Captain Phenney; and their Lordships desiring Mr. Newson, Mr. Sydenham and Mr. Mouncey would give the Board an account of what they knew, concerning the present state of those islands, and the behaviour of Captain Phenney; Mr. Newson and Mr. Sydenham acquainted the Board, that it being now six years since they had been there, they could not say anything of their own knowledge, but they added that they always heard that Captain Phenney had a very good character.

Mr. Mouncey then acquainted the Board, that he had lived at Providence about four or five years, and that he came from thence about two years ago; that during the time he was there, he had heard no complaint against Captain Phenney; but that his wife had engrossed all the trade of the islands, by obliging the masters of all the sloops that traded thither to sell their cargoes to her, and by retailing to the inhabitants whatever goods or provisions they wanted at an advanced price: that everything had been much cheaper before she arrived there than since: that the discouragement people met with from her had obliged several to leave the islands.

Mr. Mulcaster then presented to the Board a memorial, as did likewise Mr. Jackson, in answer to these complaints, which were severally read; and their Lordships resolved to consider further thereof at another opportunity.

Letter from Captain Phenney, with papers.

A letter from Captain Phenney, Governor of the Bahamas, dated the 16th of March, 1727–8 [vide fo. 190 duplicate], was read, and the papers, therein referred to, were laid before the Board, viz:—
Minutes of Council, from the 10th of March, 1726–7, to the 16th of December, 1727.
The Treasurer's account of public cash for the year, 1727.
Naval officer's account of vessels entered and cleared, from Christmas, 1727, to Lady Day, 1728.
An account of ordnance and other stores of war sent to the Bahamas, and remaining there, with what is wanting in 1727–8.
Bill of mortality for the year 1727.
Governor Phenney's answer to several queries for the year 1727, relating to the state and trade of those islands.

South Carolina.

Letter from Mr. Thomas Lowndes upon the settlement of Palatines, and memorial from Mr. Missing, to know what they may have further to offer.

The Secretary then laid before the Board a letter he had received from Mr. Thomas Lowndes, dated yesterday, in relation to the settlement of some Palatines in South Carolina, and a memorial from Mr. Missing upon the same subject, which was read; whereupon ordered that they be desired to let the Board have, as soon as may be, what they may have further to offer upon this subject.

September 25. Present:—Mr. Bladen, Mr. Cary.

Bahamas.

Complaints aganinst Captain Phenney, representation to be prepared.

Their Lordships taking again into consideration the letter from the Lord Townshend, and the several papers, therein referred to, (mentioned in the Minutes of the 14th of August last), containing some matters of complaint against Captain Phenney, Governor of the Bahama Islands, gave directions for preparing the draught of a representation thereupon.