Journal, May 1764: Volume 71

Journal, May 1764

Tuesday, May 1st. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice, Lord Orwell.

Nova Scotia.

Read a letter from Captain Samuel Thompson to the Board, dated April 28th, 1764, recommending to their lordships to comply with the request of the Mickmacks relative to presents to them.

fo. 175.

Their lordships took the said letter into consideration, as also that from Mr. Stephens, Secretary to the Admiralty, upon the same subject, mentioned in the minutes of yesterday, and a letter from the Secretary to Mr. Stephens, and also one to Captain Thompson, in answer to those received from them, were approved.

Massachusetts.

Read a letter from Thomas Hutchinson, esquire, Lieutenant Governor of Massachusets Bay, dated February 8th, 1764, desiring the Board's permission to be agent for the province, in case the general Court shall request him to accept that office.

North Carolina.

fo. 176.

The Earl of Hillsborough having acquainted the Board, that the Governor of North Carolina had, in a private letter to him, desired him to interceded with his Majesty for his royal leave to return to England for twelve months, for the recovery of his health, and to settle his private affairs, a letter to the Earl of Halifax, desiring him to lay the Governor's request before his Majesty, was agreed to and signed.

East and West Florida.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty, concerning the method of appointing ministers in the new established colonies, having been prepared pursuant to order, was approved, transcribed and signed.

East Florida.

Read a letter from the Earl of Halifax to the Board, dated April 20th, 1764, inclosing, for their lordships' consideration,
fo. 177.
Extract of a letter from Major General Gage to the Earl of Halifax, New York, 10th March, 1764, relative to large tracts of land purchased from the Spaniards in the Province of East Florida, and the disposition of the Indians in those parts.
State of Florida, Pensacola, Mobile, etc.
Description of the Bays Tampa and Charles, translated from the Spanish.

Ordered that the Secretary do acquaint Mr. Sedgwick, Secretary to the Earl of Halifax, with the steps which have been taken with respect to the purchases of large tracts of land from the Spaniards in Florida.

Newfoundland.

fo. 178.

The letter from Captain Pallisser, Governor of Newfoundland, desiring a perusal of the Board's report upon the French Ambassador's memorial concerning the position of Pointe Riche, mentioned in yesterday's minute, was further considered; and Captain Pallisser attending, the report was delivered to him for his perusal; and it was signified to him, that the Board desired he would neither communicate the contents of it to any person, or quote any part of it upon any occasion.

East and West Florida.

Their lordships took into further consideration the estimates of the money granted by Parliament for the support of the civil establishments of East Florida and West Florida, and the draughts of letters to the Governors, containing the Board's directions thereupon, having been prepared, were read and considered.

East Florida.

Read a letter from the Earl of Halifax to the Board, dated the 1st of May, 1764, returning the warrant signed by his Majesty, for empowering the Governor of East Florida to use the new Seal for that province.

fo. 179.

Ordered, that the Seal, together with the warrant for using it, be delivered to Governor Grant.

The Board took into consideration the several applications made for grants of land in the new established colonies, and the following memorials were read, vizt.,
Memorial of Henry Kennan to the Board. dated February 14th, 1764, praying for a grant of the Island of Amelia in East Florida.
Petition of Henry Gordon to the Board, praying for a grant of land near the river de St. Juan, and encouragement for the making of pot ashes.
West Florida.
Memorial of Mathew Weld, esquire, dated February 9th, 1764, praying in behalf of his son Ensign Nathaniel Weld, for a grant of a tract of land near Pensacola sufficient for settling a plantation.
fo. 180.
Memorial of Jacob Blackwell praying for a grant of five thousand acres of land near Pensacola, and containing his proposals for settling the same.
Letter from H. Douglas, esquire, to the Secretary, dated 12th March. 1764, containing his proposals for settling a township in West Florida.
Memorial of Charles Blanchard praying for a grant of lands in Pensacola.
Petition of James Razor praying for a grant of land in West Florida, or elsewhere.
Memorial of Thomas Seamark praying for a grant of land in West Florida.
East Florida.
Memorial of Denys Rolle, esquire, containing his proposals for settling a colony at or near St. Mark's. between St. Mark's and the River Apalachicola, or on that river.

fo. 181.

Their lordships, upon consideration of the foregoing memorials, agreed to take them into further consideration on Friday next, and directed the Secretary to give notice to the several petitioners to attend.

Miscellanies.

The Secretary laid before the Board an account of the petty expences and incidental charges of this office from the 10th of October, 1763, to the 5th of January, 1764, amounting in the whole to six hundred and twenty six pounds, nineteen shillings; and a letter to the Lords of the Treasury, desiring payment thereof, and of the salaries due to the Secretary and under officers in the service of this Board, was signed.

fo. 182.

Friday, May 4th. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough. Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Eliot. Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice, Lord Orwell, Mr. Gascoyne, Mr. Dyson.

Miscellanies.

A Commission under the Great Seal, bearing date the 2nd of May, 1764, constituting and appointing Wills, Earl of Hillsborough, Soame Jenyns, Edward Eliot, Edward Bacon, George Rice, esquires, Francis, Lord Orwell, Bamber Gascoyne and Jeremiah Dyson, esquires, to be his Majesty's Commissioners for promoting the trade of this kingdom, and for inspecting and improving his Majesty's colonies in America and elsewhere, was opened and read.

fo. 183.

fo. 184.

The Secretary laid before the Board an Act passed in the last Session of Parliament, entituled, an Act for preventing frauds and abuses in relation to the sending and receiving of letters and packets free from the duty of postage, by which it is enacted, that no letter shall be exempted from paying the duty of postage, except all letters and packets sent from the Plantation Office, and which shall appear by an indorsement made thereupon by some person properly authorized, as herein after mentioned, to make the same, to be upon his Majesty's service, and shall be sealed with the Seal of the office; and that it shall and may be lawful for the Commissioners for Trade and Plantations to authorize and direct two persons in their office, a list of whose names shall be from time to time transmitted by them to the General Post Office in London, to make and subscribe an indorsement upon each letter or packet which shall concern the publick business of their office, signifying that such letter or packet is upon his Majesty's service, and to seal the same with the Seal of their office.

Whereupon their lordships thought fit to authorize and appoint Richard Rogers esquire, Deputy Secretary, and Silas Bradbury esquire, Sollicitor and Clerk of Reports, to indorse, sign and seal all letters and packets from their office on the publick business thereof according to the following specimen, vizt.,

fo. 185.

Mr. Rogers and Mr. Bradbury were called in and acquainted therewith, and strictly enjoined to conform to the directions of the Act, after which a letter to the Postmaster General, notifying their appointment, and inclosing covers indorsed, signed and superscribed agreable to the above specimen, was signed.

Nova Scotia.

Read a letter from Mr. Stephens, Secretary to the Lords of the Admiralty, to the Secretary, dated May 2nd, 1764, in answer to one from him of yesterday's date, concerning the presents to be sent to the Indians; and acquainting him, that directions will be given to Captain Percival agreable to the plan proposed by the Board.

fo. 186.

Ordered, that the draught of a letter to the Governor of Nova Scotia, containing the Board's directions upon this affair, be prepared.

East and West Florida.

Their lordships took into further consideration the memorials for lands in East and West Florida, mentioned in yesterday's minutes, and several of the parties attended and were heard.

Their lordships took into consideration that part of the instructions to the Governors of East Florida and West Florida concerning grants of lands. which directs the reservation of a quit rent. and a representation to his Majesty, proposing an alteration thereof, was ordered to be prepared.

Grenada.

fo. 187.

Read a letter from Robert Melvill, esquire, Governor of East Florida, dated May 4th, 1764, informing the Board that Mr. Anthony Bacon, merchant, offers to supply the government with two ships to be stationed at the Island of Tobago, and inclosing,
Letter from Mr. Anthony Bacon, dated May 4th, 1764, to Governor Melvill, containing his proposal for furnishing two hulks for the service abovementioned.

A representation to his Majesty, humbly to lay before him the abovementioned letters and proposal, was agreed to and signed.

fo. 188.

Tuesday. May 8th. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice, Mr. Lord Orwell, Mr. Gascoyne, Mr. Dyson.

East and West Florida.

Their lordships took into further consideration the draughts of letters to the Governors of East Florida and West Florida, containing the Board's directions to them respecting the application of the money granted by Parliament upon estimates for the service of those colonies, and the said draughts having been agreed to, it was ordered, that they should be transcribed.

Nova Scotia.

fo. 189.

The draught of a letter to the Governor of Nova Scotia, containing the Board's directions in respect to the application made by some Chiefs of the Micmac Indians to the captain of one of his Majesty's ships of war, for the supply of sundry presents, having been prepared pursuant to order, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

East and West Florida.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty, proposing an alteration in that part of the instructions to the Governors of East Florida and West Florida, which relates to the reservation of a quit rent upon all grants of land, having been prepared pursuant to order, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Their lordships took into further consideration the application made for grants of lands in East Florida and West Florida, and a representation to his Majesty, recommending the following grants to be made under certain conditions and limitations, was signed, vizt.,
To Denys Rolle, esquire, twenty thousand acres of land in East Florida.
Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Douglas, ten thousand acres of land in West Florida.
Matthew Weld, esquire, twenty thousand acres of land in West Florida.
Giles Phillipps, esquire, ten thousand acres of land in West Florida.
Jacob Blackwell, esquire, five thousand acres of land in West Florida.
Edmond Browne of New Grove, esquire, Thomas Browne, esquire, Captain Thomas Browne, Lieutenant Montford Browne and Lieutenant William Browne, twenty thousand acres of land in West Florida.
James Bruce, esquire, 4,000 acres of land.

Nova Scotia, Georgia, East Florida.

fo. 191.

The Secretary laid before the Board memorials prepared by the agents of Nova Scotia, Georgia and East Florida, to be presented to the Lords of the Treasury, desiring that the sums granted upon estimates for the service of those colonies may be issued to them, the said agents respectively praying their lordships to certify to the Treasury their approbation of the said memorials.

Ordered, that the said memorials be delivered back to the agents, and that it be signified to them that their lordships do not think fit to grant the certificate requested.

Plantations General.

Read a letter from the Earl of Halifax to the Board, dated May 8th, 1764, inclosing a resolution of the House of Commons of the 5th of April, 1764, and signifying the King's pleasure that their lordships do prepare the account of the tender and amount of the bills of credit, mentioned therein, in order to be laid before that House the next Session of Parliament.

fo. 192.

Ordered, that copies be made of the resolution of the House of Commons for the abovementioned address to be transmitted to the Governors of the respective colonies in which paper bills of credit have been created, and that letters to the said Governors be prepared, inclosing the said copies, and desiring the account therein required may be made out and transmitted to the Board with all possible dispatch.

Thursday, May 10th. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice, Lord Orwell, Mr. Gascoyne, Mr. Dyson.

Nova Scotia.

fo. 193.

Read an Order of his Majesty in Council, dated 26th March, 1764, referring to the Board, for their consideration and report, a copy of a memorial of the Duke of Richmond, praying for a grant from his Majesty of the Island of Cape Breton and its appurtenances, in fee, to the memorialist and several others of the nobility and gentry.

Novia Scotia.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council for Plantation Affairs, dated 19th March, 1764, referring to the Board, for their consideration and report, the memorial of the Honourable William Howe, praying, on behalf of himself and other officers, for a tract of land therein described, on the Island of Cape Breton, in order to establish a colliery on that island.

Read a letter from the Honourable William Howe to the Earl of Hillsborough, dated April 11th, 1764, containing his proposal of paying two shillings for every chaldron of coals, that may be exported from Cape Breton.

fo. 194.

Read a memorial of Sir Samuel Fludyer, baronet, Sir Thomas Fludyer, knight, Adam Drummond and Anthony Bacon, esquires, to the Board, containing their proposals for a lease of all the coals on the Island of Cape Breton.

Ordered, that the above mentioned papers be taken into further consideration on Monday next, and that notice be given to Sir Samuel Fludyer and the other gentlemen associated with him to attend.

New York.

Read a memorial of Major Philip Skene to the Board, praying for a grant of a tract of land, specified in a memorandum annexed, which he began to settle in 1759 by the encouragement of Sir Jeffrey Amherst.

Read a letter from Philip Skene, esquire, to the Secretary, dated 12th of March, 1764, requesting that the lands near Crown Point, which he settled under the encouragement of Sir Jeffrey Amherst, may be granted to him.

fo. 195.

Ordered, that the said memorial and letter be taken into consideration on Tuesday next, and that notice be given to Major Skene to attend.

Trade.

Mr. George Glass attended and presented to the Board a memorial addressed to his Majesty in Council, and accompanied by an explanatory paper, relative to a discovery made by him of an harbour in a country not claimed by any European power, and not included within the limits of any charters granted to particulars companies, in which harbour it is alleged a very advantageous commerce may be established, and thereupon he prays for a grant of an exclusive trade to such harbour, for a certain term of years upon certain conditions.

fo. 196.

Their lordships, after some discourse with Mr. Glass upon his proposals, ordered the draught of a representation to his Majesty thereupon to be prepared.

Nova Scotia.

Several of the officers, who originally made proposals to the Board for undertaking settlements in the Island of St. John's, and who withdrew those proposals and were associated with the Earl of Egmont in his plan, attended, and acquainted the Board, that they were informed his Lordship's plan was rejected in Council, and therefore desired the consideration of their former proposals might be resumed, whereupon each respectively was desired to deliver in a separate memorial.

fo. 197.

Friday, May 11th. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice, Lord Orwell, Mr. Gascoyne, Mr. Dyson.

Nova Scotia.

Their lordships took into consideration that part of the instructions to the Governor of Nova Scotia concerning grants of land, which directs the reservation of a quit rent, and a representation to his Majesty, proposing an alteration thereof, was agreed to and signed.

East Florida.

fo. 198.

Information having been given to their lordships, that there was a very valuable sea cow fishery on the southern coast of East Florida, it was ordered, that the draught of a representation to his Majesty should be prepared, proposing that an instruction should be given to the Governor of the said colony to reserve to his Majesty all such fisheries, to receive such proposals, as should be offered for renting the said fisheries and to transmit those proposals to this Board.

Nova Scotia.

Their lordships took into further consideration the several proposals already read and considered, for undertaking settlements in his Majesty's Province of Nova Scotia; and the following memorials containing further proposals were read and considered, vizt.,
Memorial of Florentius Vassall, praying for a grant of the Island of Passamaquidda and 40,000 acres on the continent, adjoining to the upper part of the Bay and River Tatamagushe.
fo. 199.
Memorial of the Earl of Catherlough, praying for a grant of the Island of Great Manan and 40,000 acres on the continent, and on the west side of the Bay and River Tatamagushe, and on the sea shore.
Memorial of Viscount Falmouth, praying for a grant of the Island Madame, and 40,000 acres on the continent, beginning on the east side of the River and Bay Tatamagushe, and extending eastward on the sea coast.
Letter from John Henniker, esquire, to the Board, dated March 9th, 1764, praying for a grant of 100,000 acres in Nova Scotia near the Bay of Tatamagushe, including the west side of the Bay, and any little islands on the coast.
Letter from John Major, esquire, dated 9th March, 1764, praying for a grant of 100,000 acres in Nova Scotia, near the Bay of Tatamagushe, including the east side of the Bay and any little islands where the lands may be granted him.
fo. 200.
Memorial of Humphry Bradstreet, late Captain of a Company of Foot in the Provincial Service, praying for a grant of lands at the Island of St. Peters, Louisbourgh, and such other encouragement as the Board shall think fit.
Memorial of Mr. Richard Byron, praying for a grant of lands in Nova Scotia.
Quebec.
Memorial of Henry Sparke of Dartmouth, merchant, praying for a grant of a tract of land in Gaspey, Port Daniel or Bona Adventura, or any other place in the Bay of Chaleur, for carrying on a fishery.

Several of the petitioners attended and were heard, and others appointed to attend another day.

fo. 201.

Plantations General.

The draughts of circular letters to the Governors of the American Colonies, inclosing printed copies of several Acts passed in the last Session relating to America, having been transcribed pursuant to order, were signed; as were also letters to the Governors of the respective colonies in which paper bills have been created, transmitting copies of the resolution of the House of Commons, mentioned in the minutes of the 8th instant, respecting the said bills.

fo. 202.

Monday, May 14th. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice, Mr. Gascoyne, Mr. Dyson.

Nova Scotia.

Their lordships took into further consideration the memorial of Sir Samuel Fludyer and others his associates, containing proposals for accepting a lease from his Majesty of a colliery in the Island of Cape Breton, and the memorialists attending, their lordships had some discourse with them upon the subject matter of their memorial, and then they withdrew.

fo. 203.

Read a letter from Montague Wilmot, esquire, Governor of Nova Scotia, to the Board, dated December 10th, 1763, relating to the proceedings of the Sieur Jacques Robins, in inviting the Acadians to return to that province, and settle under his protection at Miramichi Bay.
Letter from M. Jacques Robins to the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, respecting the settlement at Mirimichi in the Gulph of St. Lawrence, 10th June, 1763.
Letter from M. Jacques Robins to Lieutenant Governor, respecting his settlement at Mirimichi, 24th May, 1763.

fo. 204.

Their lordships took the said letter into consideration, and also a memorial from the Sieur Robins, relative to his intended settlement at Miramichi Bay, and Mr. Simond, a merchant of the City of London, to whom the Sieur Robins referrs for information respecting his character and conduct, attending, their lordships had some discourse with him concerning M. Robins, and, Mr. Simond being withdrawn, it was ordered, that the draught of a letter to the Governor of Nova Scotia, disapproving the conduct and proceedings of Monsieur Robins, should be prepared.

Jamaica.

Read a letter from the Earl of Halifax to the Board, dated May 12th, 1764, signifying his Majesty's orders, in respect to Spanish vessells coming into the ports of Jamaica in distress, or for refreshment, and that the Board should transmit those orders to the Governor of Jamaica.

The draught of a letter to the Governor of Jamaica, conformable to his Majesty's orders, was prepared, agreed to and signed.

fo. 205.

Read an Order of his Majesty in Council, dated May 9th, 1764, approving the report of the Committee of Council for Plantation Affairs, on this Board's representation upon the Earl of Egmont's second memorial; and directing, that no grants of land in the Island of St. John be made upon other principles than those contained in the Board's representation.

East and West Florida.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council for Plantation Affairs, dated May 14th, 1764, approving a representation of the Board, proposing additional instructions for the Governors of East and West Florida, for revoking those parts of the general instructions, which relate to the reservation of quit rents; and requiring other quit rents to be reserved; and containing directions for preparing and laying before them draughts of additional instructions, agreable thereto.

fo. 206.

Nova Scotia.

Read an order of the Lords of the Committee of Council for Plantation Affairs, dated May 14th, 1764, directing the Board to prepare and lay before their lordships, a draught of an additional instruction to the Governor of Nova Scotia, concerning an alteration of the quit rents.

Ordered, that draughts of additional instructions to the Governors of East Florida, West Florida, and Nova Scotia, conformable to the two last mentioned orders of the Committee of Council, be prepared.

Georgia.

Read a memorial of Isaac Levy, esquire, desiring copies of resolutions and matters that passed at a conference between the Creek Indians and the Governor of Georgia in 1755, relative to the Islands of St. Catherine, etc.; and two papers respecting the claims of Mr. Bosomworth and his wife.

fo. 207.

Their lordships, upon consideration of the said memorial, ordered, that copies should be made of the papers referred to in the said memorial, and delivered to Mr. Levy.

Tuesday, May 15th. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice, Mr. Gascoyne.

Trade.

fo. 208.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty, upon Mr. Glass's memorial, praying for a grant of an exclusive trade for a certain term of years to a new discovered harbour, having been prepared, was read and considered, together with an explanatory memorial from Mr. Glass, containing a more particular state of his proposals, and the said representation, having been agreed to, was transcribed and signed.

Nova Scotia.

Their lordships took into further consideration the Order of his Majesty in Council, referring the Duke of Richmond's memorial, praying for a grant of the Island of Cape Breton, and a representation to his Majesty thereupon was agreed to and signed.

East Florida.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty, proposing that an instruction may be given to the Governor of East Florida, not to grant away those parts of the coast of that province frequented by sea cows, having been prepared pursuant to order, was agreed to and signed.

fo. 209.

Nova Scotia, East and West Florida.

The draughts of additional instructions to the Governors of Nova Scotia, East Florida and West Florida, containing directions with respect to the quit rent to be reserved in future upon all lands granted in those provinces, having been prepared pursuant to order, were approved; and it was ordered, that draughts of reports to the Lords of the Committee of Council thereupon should be prepared.

New York.

Their lordships took into further consideration Major Skene's memorial praying for a grant of land in the Province of New York, and Major Skene attending, their lordships had some discourse with him upon the subject matter of his memorial, and, being withdrawn, the following letters and papers received from the Lieutenant Governor of New York, were read and considered, vizt.,
fo. 210.
Letter from Mr. Colden, Lieutenant Governor of New York, to the Board, dated December 9th, 1763, relative to Major Skene's petition for lands, and inclosing.
Petition of Major Philip Skene to Mr. Colden, dated December 9th, 1763, for a grant of lands to himself and others, adjacent to Wood Creek in the County of Albany.
Minutes of Council on the petition of Major Skene.

Ordered, that the draught of a representation to his Majesty be prepared, proposing that an order be given to the Governor of New York, to pass a grant to Major Skene of twenty thousand acres of land in that province.

fo. 211.

Plantations General.

Ordered, that the draught of a circular letter to the Governors of his Majesty's Colonies and Plantations in America, be prepared, directing them to transmit an account of all fees demanded and taken in their respective governments, and by what authority established.

Wednesday, May 16th. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Rice, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Gascoyne, Mr. Dyson.

Plantations General.

fo. 212.

The draught of a circular letter to the Governors of his Majesty's Colonies and Plantations in America, requiring an account to be transmitted of all fees demanded and taken in their respective governments, having been prepared pursuant to order, was approved and ordered to be transcribed.

Nova Scotia.

The draught of a letter to the Governor of Nova Scotia, containing the Board's sentiments and directions with respect to the conduct and proceedings of the Sieur Robins, having been prepared pursuant to order, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

fo. 213.

Sir Samuel Fludyer and the other gentlemen associated with him in the proposals for a lease of a colliery in the Island of Cape Breton attended, and presented an explanatory memorial, containing a more particular state of their proposals; and, after some further discourse with them, they withdrew, and the said memorial was read and considered, together with a paper delivered to the Earl of Hillsborough by Mr. Gerrish, containing a scheme for leasing the coal mines upon terms of advantage to the Crown.

Nova Scotia, East and West Florida.

The draughts of reports to the Committee of Council, with additional instructions to the Governors of Nova Scotia, East Florida, and West Florida, respecting the quit rents, having been prepared pursuant to order, were agreed to and signed.

Quebec.

fo. 214.

Their lordships took into further consideration the memorial of Denys Vitry, pilot, praying for a grant of a district of land at or near Cape Gaspée, in order to establish a pilotage, which memorial is mentioned in the minutes of the 23rd of January; and it was ordered, that the draught of a letter to the Governor of Quebec should be prepared, desiring him to cause the tract described in Mr. Vitry's memorial to be surveyed, and a particular account thereof transmitted, and, in the meantime, not to make grants of any lands within the said district.

New York.

Read a memorial of David Middleton on the behalf of James Napier, esquire, praying for a grant of land upon Hudson's River.

Ordered, that the draught of a representation to his Majesty be prepared, proposing that an order should be given to the Governor of New York to make a grant to Mr. Napier of 10,000 acres of land in that province, upon the usual terms and conditions of quit rent and cultivation.

fo. 215.

Read a memorial of Lieutenant Donald Campbell of New York, to the Board, praying for a grant of one hundred thousand acres of land in New York, promised to his father by the Governor of that province.

Lieutenant Campbell attending, their lordships had some discourse with him upon the subject matter of his memorial, and relative to the fees demanded and taken by the officers of government in New York, upon passing patents for lands.

Ordered, that the draught of a representation to his Majesty be prepared, proposing that orders may be given to the Governor of New York to grant to Lieutenant Campbell, his two brothers and his three sisters, thirty thousand acres of land in that province, upon the usual conditions of quit rent and cultivation.

fo. 216.

Their lordships agreed to take into further consideration tomorrow morning the information which they have received, respecting the fees taken by the officers of government in New York, upon the passing patents for lands, and the Secretary was directed to write to General Monckton, and to the late Governor Sir Charles Hardy, to desire their attendance at the Board at twelve o'clock.

Thursday, May 17th. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice, Mr. Gascoyne, Mr. Dyson.

New York.

fo. 217.

Plantations General.

Their lordships took into further consideration the information received, concerning the fees demanded and taken by the officers of government in New York upon the passing patents for lands, and General Monckton and Sir Charles Hardy attending, their lordships had some discourse with them upon this subject; and, they being withdrawn, it was ordered, that the draught of a representation to his Majesty should be prepared, proposing an additional instruction should be given to the Governors of his Majesty's Colonies and Plantations in America, directing each of them to issue a proclamation in his Majesty's name, enjoining and requiring all officers of government not to demand or take any other fees, than what are established by law, upon pain of being removed from their offices, and punished with the utmost severity of the law.

fo. 218.

Nova Scotia.

Read a memorial of the Sieur D'Arrigrand to the Board, praying for the confirmation of a grant from his most Christian Majesty of a tract of land on the Island of Cape Breton.

The Sieur Arrigrand attending, their lordships had some discourse with him upon the subject of his memorial, which was ordered to lye by for further consideration at another opportunity.

Quebec.

Read a memorial of Monsieur Lotbiniére, praying his Majesty's confirmation of two concessions of lands upon the Lakes Champlain and St. Sacrament.

Their lordships agreed to take the said memorial into consideration tomorrow morning, and the Secretary was ordered to give notice to Monsieur Lotbinière to attend.

fo. 219.

Newfoundland.

Read a letter from the Earl of Halifax to the Board, dated February 25th, 1764, referring, for their consideration and report, a copy of a memorial presented by the French Ambassador on behalf of the Sieurs Favry du Ponceau, Favry de Chanteloup and Foucher; who, by a grant from his most Christian Majesty, are possessed of certain lands and a fishery in the Baye de Philippeaux on the Coast of Labrador.

Copy of a memorial of the Sieurs du Ponceau and Foucher.

Brevet de concession, the 20th of February, 1759.

Ordered, that the draught of a representation to his Majesty, upon the subject matter of the said reference, be prepared.

fo. 220.

Friday, May 18th. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice, Mr. Dyson.

Bermuda.

The Secretary laid before the Board draughts of general instructions and of those relating to the observance of the laws of trade, prepared for the Governor of Bermuda pursuant to order, and the said draughts having been approved, were ordered to be transcribed, and a representation to his Majesty thereupon was agreed to and signed.

The following representations and letter were signed, viz.,

Plantations General.

fo. 221.

Representation to his Majesty, proposing an additional instruction to the Governors of his Majesty's Colonies and Plantations in America, concerning the fees demanded and taken in the several offices of government in the Plantations.

New York.

Representation to his Majesty, upon Major Skene's memorial praying for a grant of lands in the Province of New York.

Representation to his Majesty, upon Lieutenant Donald Campbell's memorial praying for a grant of lands in the Province of New York.

Representation to his Majesty, upon the application made in behalf of Mr. Napier, for a grant of lands in the Province of New York.

Representation to his Majesty, proposing Roger Morris, esquire, to be of the Council of New York in the room of John Chambers, esquire, deceased.

fo. 222.

Newfoundland.

Representation to his Majesty upon the memorial of the Sieurs de Ponceau and Foucher.

Letter to the Earl of Halifax, inclosing the said memorial.

Quebec.

Letter to the Governor of Quebec respecting the land petitioned for by the Sieur Vitry, in order to establish a pilotage for the River St. Lawrence.

Their lordships took into consideration Monsieur Lotbinière's memorial, mentioned in the minutes of yesterday, and Monsieur Lotbinière attending, their lordships had some discourse with him upon the subject matter of his memorial, and it was ordered to lye by for further consideration at another opportunity.

fo. 223.

Massachusetts.

Read an Order of the Committee of Council for Plantation Affairs, dated February 4th, 1764, referring to the Board, for their consideration and report, a petition of Francis Bernard, esquire, Governor of the Massachusets Bay, for the royal confirmation of a grant, made to him by the legislature of the said province, of the Island of Mount Desart within the Territory of Sagadehock.

Ordered, that the draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee of Council be prepared, proposing that the grant of the Island of Mount Desart, made by the General Court of the Massachusets Bay, may be confirmed.

fo. 224.

Read an Order of the Committee of Council for Plantation Affairs, dated 4th February, 1764, referring to the Board, for their consideration and report, a petition of James Duncan and others, praying for the royal confirmation of a grant made to them by the legislature of the Massachusets Bay, of six townships within the Territory of Sagadehock.

Their lordships agreed to take the said order into consideration on Tuesday next, and the Secretary was ordered to give notice thereof to the sollicitor for the grantees, and also to Richard Jackson, esquire, who is referred to for information touching the grant.

fo. 225.

Tuesday, May 22nd. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice, Mr. Dyson.

Massachusetts.

Their lordships took into further consideration an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council, referring to this Board, for their consideration and opinion, a petition of several persons, praying his Majesty's confirmation of a grant made to them by the General Court of the Massachusets Bay, of six townships upon the east side of Penobscot River, and, Mr. Jackson attending as desired, their lordships had some discourse with him upon the subject matter of the said petition, and he being withdrawn, it was ordered, that the draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee thereupon should be prepared.

fo. 226.

Plantations General.

Read the following orders of a Committee of Council for Plantation Affairs, vizt.,
Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council, dated 21st May, 1764, that the Board do prepare and lay before them draughts of instructions to the Governors of his Majesty's Colonies, conformable to their representation relating to tables of fees; and that they add a clause, requiring the said Governors to transmit exact tables of all fees legally established in their respective governments.
East Florida.
fo. 227.
Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council, dated 21st May, 1764, that the Board do prepare and lay before their lordships, the draught of an additional instruction to restrain the Governor of East Florida from granting, without the King's orders, the parts of the coast frequented by the Manati or sea cows, where they have their echouries.

Ordered, that draughts of additional instructions, conformable to the said orders, be prepared.

New York.

Read a letter from General Monckton, Governor of New York, to the Earl of Hillsborough, dated May 21st, 1764, inclosing an account of fees as received from the Secretary's Office at New York.

Wednesday, May 23rd. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice, Mr. Gascoyne, Mr. Dyson.

East and West Florida.

fo. 228.

Their lordships took into consideration the state of affairs relative to his Majesty's Colonies of East and West Florida, and the following papers were read and considered vizt.,
Two letters from the Secretary to the Society for the propagation of the Gospel in foreign parts, to Mr. Pownall, signifying that the Society recommend to this Board the Reverend Mr. Hart and the Reverend Mr. Dawson to be appointed ministers at Mobile and Pensacola in West Florida.
Letter from Major Francis Ogilvie, Commander in Chief of East Florida, to the Board, dated January 26th, 1764, respecting the calling an Assembly and the Spanish inhabitants.

Ordered, that the Secretary do write to the Governors of East Florida and West Florida, to desire their attendance at the Board on Friday next in the forenoon.

Plantations General.

fo. 229.

East Florida.

The draught of additional instructions to the Governors of his Majesty's Colonies and Plantations in America, respecting fees demanded and taken in the several offices in the Plantations, having been prepared pursuant to order, was approved and ordered to be transcribed; as was also the draught of an additional instruction to the Governor of East Florida, respecting the sea cow fishery upon the coast of that province.

Ordered, that the draughts of reports to the Lords of the Committee of Council, with the said additional instructions, be prepared.

Trade.

fo. 230.

Read an Order of his Majesty in Council, dated this day, approving the Board's representation upon Mr. Glass's memorial respecting the discovery of a harbour, to which an advantageous trade may be carried on, and declaring that his Majesty will comply with the memorialist's request, provided he discloses to this Board the situation of the said harbour, and that it shall appear to correspond with the allegations of the memorial.

Mr. Glass attending, their lordships had some discourse with him, and it appearing that the harbour was within the limits of a territory, to which a free trade is allowed by Act of Parliament to all his Majesty's subjects, their lordships declined entering into the further consideration of Mr. Glass's proposals.

Newfoundland.

fo. 231.

Read a letter from Hugh Pallisser, esquire, Governor of Newfoundland, to the Secretary, dated 20th May, 1764, acquainting him that he arrived in Plymouth Sound on the 13th, and shall sail thence for his government immediately.

Thursday, May 24th. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice, Mr. Gascoyne, Mr. Dyson.

Quebec.

Read a letter from the Earl of Halifax, dated the 21st of May, 1764, inclosing,
Copy of a letter from Governor Murray, representing the necessity of providing a settlement for a body of people descended from the Canadians, now settled on the lands reserved to the Indians by the proclamation.

fo. 232.

Ordered, that the draught of a letter to the Governor of Quebec be prepared, directing him to transmit to the Board, as soon as possible, a particular account of the number and situation of the Canadian subjects, who live within the limits of the territory. reserved to the Indians by his Majesty's Proclamation of the 7th of October last, and that he would assign his reasons for not corresponding with this Board, upon the subject matter of his letter to the Earl of Halifax.

Friday, May 25th. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice, Mr. Gascoyne, Mr. Dyson.

fo. 233.

Georgia, East and West Florida.

The Secretary laid before the Board the following paper received from Mr. Jenkinson, Secretary to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, vizt.,
Copy of a letter from the Secretary of the Treasury to the agents for the Colonies of Georgia, East Florida and West Florida, signifying that Board's disapprobation of their conduct in applying for the money granted by Parliament for the service of those colonies, without acquainting the Treasury, that this Board had not thought fit to approve such application, and also signifying the direction of the Lords of the Treasury, as to the manner in which the said grants of Parliament are to be applied under the direction of this Board.

Ordered, that notice be given to the agents of Georgia, East and West Florida, to attend the Board on Monday next.

fo. 234.

The Governors of East Florida and West Florida attending pursuant to order, their lordships had some discourse with them touching the state of those colonies, and the conduct to be pursued by them in the administration of the governments entrusted to their care.

Monday, May 28th. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice, Mr. Gascoyne.

Plantations General.

fo. 235.

The Secretary laid before the Board a memorial prepared by Richard Cumberland, esquire, agent and attorney for Samuel Holland, esquire, Surveyor of Lands in America, to be presented to the Lords of the Treasury, desiring payment of the salary and allowances to the said Surveyor, according to the grant of Parliament for that service, and the said memorial was approved, and it was ordered, that Mr. Cumberland should present it to the Lords of the Treasury, for their lordships' directions thereupon.

Georgia, East and West Florida.

The agents of Georgia, East Florida and West Florida attending pursuant to order, their lordships had some discourse with them upon the subject matter of the letter to them from the Secretary to the Lords of the Treasury, as also upon the subject matter of that clause in their Commissions, upon which they ground a pretence to carry on correspondence with the officers of the Crown and others, concerning the affairs in general of the said provinces respectively.

fo. 236.

Ordered, that the draught of a letter to the Governors of Georgia, East Florida and West Florida, respecting their correspondence with this Board, be prepared.

The Governor of West Florida attending, their lordships had some further discourse with him respecting the affairs of his government, and the general instructions from his Majesty to the said Governor.

Post Meridiem.

Their lordships read again, further considered and approved the draughts of letters to the Governors of East and West Florida, containing directions in respect of the grant of Parliament for supporting the civil establishment of those colonies.

fo. 237.

Georgia.

Their lordships then took into consideration the estimate of the civil establishment of the Colony of Georgia from Midsummer 1763 to Midsummer 1764, and agreed to the following distribution of the sum of two thousand, one hundred and twenty pounds granted upon the said estimate for the salaries of the Governor and other civil officers of government, vizt.,

fo. 238.

Ordered, that the draught of a letter to the Governor of Georgia, containing the Board's directions in respect to the grant of Parliament for the service of that colony, from Midsummer 1763 to Midsummer 1764, be prepared.

West Florida.

Read a memorial of George Johnstone, esquire, Governor of West Florida, respecting the defective state of the regiment stationed in that province.

Ordered, that a copy be made of the said memorial to be transmitted to the Earl of Halifax, and that a letter to his Lordship thereupon be prepared.

Read a memorial of George Johnstone, esquire, Governor of West Florida, respecting the expediency of a sailing boat being established for that colony.

fo. 239.

Ordered, that the Secretary do transmit a copy of the said memorial to the Secretary to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury for the directions of that Board upon it.

Quebec.

The draught of a letter to the Governor of Quebec, concerning his correspondence with the Board, and directing him to transmit information of the state of the Canadian settlements, referred to in a letter from him to the Earl of Halifax, having been prepared pursuant to order, was approved and ordered to be transcribed.

Nova Scotia.

Their lordships took into consideration the several applications made for grants of land in the Province of Nova Scotia, and the Secretary was ordered to give notice to the proponents to attend the Board on Friday next.

fo. 240.

Plantations General.

East Florida.

The draughts of reports to the Lords of the Committee of Council, with draughts of additional instructions to the Governors of the several colonies and islands, respecting the fees demanded and taken in publick offices, and with an additional instruction to the Governor of East Florida, respecting the sea cow fishery upon the coast of that province, having been prepared pursuant to order, were approved, transcribed and signed.

fo. 241.

Tuesday, May 29th. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice, Mr. Gascoyne.

Nova Scotia.

fo. 242.

Their lordships took into further consideration the reference from the Lords of the Committee of Council of the petition of Colonel Howe, in behalf of himself and others, for a grant of lands and of the colliery, in Cape Breton; as also the proposals of Sir Samuel Fludyer and others his associates, for accepting a lease of the said colliery on certain conditions, and it was ordered, that the draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee of Council thereupon should be prepared.

Georgia, East and West Florida.

The draughts of letters to the Governors of Georgia, East Florida and West Florida, containing the Board's directions with respect to the grants of Parliament for the civil establishments of those colonies, from Midsummer 1763 to Midsummer 1764, were signed; as were also letters to the said Governors respecting their correspondence with this Board.

fo. 243.

Ordered, that certified copies of the first mentioned letter, and of the estimates of the civil establishments of Georgia, East Florida and West Florida, together with lists of the names of the civil officers appointed for the said colonies, and their salaries respectively, be delivered to the agents for the said colonies respectively, and also that a certified copy of the distribution of the sum granted in gross for the salaries of the civil officers in Georgia, be delivered to the agent for that colony.

Quebec.

The draught of a letter to the Governor of Quebec, concerning the Canadian settlements and his correspondence with the Board, having been transcribed pursuant to order, was signed.

East Florida.

Governor Grant attended and received the seal of the province, with a warrant for using it, several additional instructions signed by his Majesty, and other publick papers.

fo. 244.

Wednesday, May 30th. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice, Mr. Gascoyne.

West Florida.

The draught of a letter to the Earl of Halifax with Governor Johnstone's memorial, respecting the defective state of the regiment stationed in West Florida, was approved, transcribed and signed.

Bermuda.

The Governor of Bermuda attended and received the code of general instructions signed by his Majesty, and also those relating to the observance of the laws of trade.

Trade.

fo. 245.

Read and considered a letter from the Secretary to the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa, to Mr. Pownall, dated, containing the report of the said Committee upon the several points referred to them respecting the establishment made by the French at Albreda in the River Gambia.

Thursday, May 31st. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice, Mr. Gascoyne.

Massachusetts.

fo. 246.

Their lordships took into further consideration the reference from a Committee of Council of the petition of the proprietors of the six townships, laid out by the Governor of Massachusets Bay upon the east side of Penobscot River, and the agent for the province attending with Mr. Jackson, their lordships had some discourse with them on the subject of the said petition.

Georgia, East and West Florida.

fo. 247.

The Secretary laid before the Board memorials of the agents of Georgia, East Florida and West Florida, stating the salaries which will be due to the civil officers in the said colonies on the 24th of June, and desiring the Board's directions for the payment thereof, and their lordships approved thereof, and directed that the said agents do pay the several salaries therein mentioned to the officers, or their lawful attornies, or to bills drawn by the said officers respectively, as the same shall become due, pursuant to the grant of Parliament, and agreable to the directions contained in their lordships' letters to the Governors of Georgia, East Florida and West Florida, respecting the said salaries, copys whereof have been delivered to the said agents.

Trade, Albreda.

Their lordships took into further consideration the state of the establishment made by the French at Albreda in the River Gambia, and the Secretary was ordered to give notice to the Committee to attend with their Secretary tomorrow morning.