Journal, July 1704: Journal Book I

Journal, July 1704

July 4. Present:—Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Jamaica.

Alteration made by Sir Bartholomew Gracedieu &c.

to their memorial about present state of Jamaica.

The memorial from Sir Bartholomew Gracedieu and Sir Gilbert Heathcote [fo. 77, 79] relating to the present state of the Island of Jamaica which had been returned to them the 28th of the last month for alterations, being now received back, was read; and thereupon ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Burchet [fo. 79] to desire to be informed of the naval strength at present at Jamaica.

Draught of a letter to Mr. Secretary Hedges about defence.

The draught of a letter to Mr. Secretary Hedges in answer to his of the 16th of the last month relating to the sea and land force at Jamaica, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

July 5. Present:—Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Jamaica.

Letter from Mr. Burchet about naval strength.

A letter from Mr. Burchet [fo. 78, et infra] in answer to one writ him yesterday relating to the naval strength at Jamaica, was read.

Massachusets &c.

Representation on Colonel Dudley's letters.

Their lordships took into consideration the draught of a representation [fo. 82] upon Colonel Dudley's late letter relating to the state of the provinces of the Massachusets Bay and New Hampshire, and made some progress therein.

July 6. Present:—Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Jamaica.

Answer to Mr. Secretary Hedges's letter about sea and land force.

A letter to Mr. Secretary Hedges, in answer to his of the 16th of the last month [fo. 70, 78, et supra], relating to the sea and land force at Jamaica, was signed.

Plantations General.

Additional instructions about number of seamen &c. for navigating English ships.

The draught of an additional instruction [fo. 82] to the several Governours and proprietors in America, relating to the number of seamen allowed by an Act past in the last session of Parliament, for navigating of English ships during the war, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

Mr. Attorney General's report about renewal of commissions for trying of pirates.

Representation to be drawn thereupon.

Mr. Attorney General's report, in answer to a letter writ him the 31st of March last [H. fo. 467] relating to the renewal of the commissions for the tryal of pirates in the plantations, was read; and thereupon ordered that a representation be drawn in pursuance of Mr. Attorney General's report [fo. 83].

Newfoundland.

Letter from the commander there.

A letter from Captain Lloyd, commander of the forces at Newfoundland, with several depositions relating to Placentia [fo. 81] dated May the 13th, 1704, was read.

Bermuda.

Letters from the Governour.

A letter from Colonel Bennet to the Board of the 11th of January last, as also one of the 20th of April last, were read; and the papers therein refer'd to are as follows, viz.:—

Papers of publick proceedings.

Copy of Mr. Holdbeach and Mr. Bell's examination on oath concerning a Spaniard taken up for piracy, the 8th of September, 1702.

Copy of the condemnation of the French prize called St. Lawrence the Victorious, at a Court of Admiralty the 28th December, 1703.

Account of the sale of the French prize called St. Lawrence the Victorious.

Copy of the tryals of several pirates at a court of Admiralty held the 12th of October, 1703.

An Act for raising a publick revenue for the support of these her Majesty's Islands, past in February, 170¾.

Copy of an Act for raising a publick revenue for the support of the government of these his Majesty's Islands, past in November, 1698, to which is annexed the depositions taken about the original of this Act.

July 7. Present:—Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Newfoundland.

Letter to be writ to Mr. Secretary Hedges with Monsieur Tilly's examination.

Ordered that a letter be prepared to transmit to Mr. Secretary Hedges the copy of Monsieur Du Tilly's examination [fo. 80, 83] received from Newfoundland in Captain Lloyd's letter mentioned in yesterday's minutes.

Plantations General.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Hedges, with additional instructions about navigating ships.

A letter to Mr. Secretary Hedges [fo. 80, 106] with additional instructions to all the Governours and proprietors in America relating to the number of seamen allowed by an Act past the last session of Parliament, for navigating of English ships during the war, was signed.

Massachusets.

Representation on Colonel Dudley's letter of 20th April.

A representation, upon Colonel Dudley's letter [fo. 79] of 20th of April last, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

July 10. Present:—Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

New England.

Partridge.

Naval Stores.

Ordered that Mr. Partridge [fo. 86] have notice to attend the Board on Thursday next.

New Jersey.

Order of reference on Dockwra's petition about the Island of Staten.

An Order of Council of the 6th instant refering to this Board the petition of Peter Sonmans and William Dockwra for their selves and the rest of the proprietors of the eastern division of New Jersey relating to their title to the Island of Staten, was presented to the Board by the said Sonmans and Dockwra and read; whereupon they were directed to bring to their lordships what papers or proofs they had to make good their said title, in order to be sent to the Lord Cornbury to return his answer in behalf of the Queen.

Newfoundland.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Hedges about a French prisoner.

A letter to Mr. Secretary Hedges [fo. 81] inclosing the copy of the examination of the Sieur Du Tilly, a French prisoner at Newfoundland, was signed.

Plantations General.

Representation about commissions for tryal of pirates.

A representation [fo. 80, 87] offering to her Majesty that the several commissions for the trying of pirates in the plantations be renewed, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

Bermuda.

Representation to be prepared upon a Revenue Act.

Ordered that a representation [fo. 84] be prepared for laying before her Majesty an Act past at Bermuda in November, 1698, entituled an Act for raising a publick revenue for the support of the government of those his Majesty's islands, for her Majesty's royal approbation.

Massachusets.

Representation on Dudley's letter.

A representation [fo. 82, 96, 97] upon Colonel Dudley's letter of the 20th of April last, was signed.

July 11. Present:—Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Bermuda.

Draught of a representation upon Act of Revenue.

Their lordships took into consideration the draught of a representation [fo. 83, 85] upon an Act past in Bermuda in 1698 for raising a public revenue for the support of the government of those islands, and made some progress therein.

Jamaica.

Letter to Mr. Lowndes about Act for raising a publick revenue.

Ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Lowndes [fo. 52, 89] to desire to know if the Lord High Treasurer have any objection why her Majesty should not approve of the Act lately past at Jamaica for raising a publick revenue.

Bermuda.

Sollicitor General's report on Acts.

Representation to be prepared thereupon.

Mr. Sollicitor General's report [fo. 57] upon the Acts past at Bermuda in 1690, 1691, 1693 and 1694, was read; and the said Acts having been read the 14th May, 1703 [H. fo. 113], their lordships gave directions for preparing a representation thereupon [fo. 85].

July 12. Present:—Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Prior.

New Jersey

Letter to Mr. Harris to dispatch the new seale.

Ordered that Mr. Harris be desired to dispatch the seal for New Jersey, there being yet none sent to that province from her Majesty.

Bermuda.

Representation upon Act of Revenue.

A representation [fo. 84, 87] for confirming an Act past at Bermuda in 1698 for raising a publick revenue for the support of the government &c. was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

Representation on several Acts.

A representation [fo. 84, 90] upon the Acts passed at Bermuda in 1690, 1691, 1693 and 1694 was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

Virginia.

Letter to Colonel Nicholson about naval stores.

A letter to Colonel Nicholson [fo. 69, 87] relating to the production of naval stores in Virginia, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

July 13. Present:—Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Leeward Islands.

Memorial about Colonel Johnson's being made Lieut.- Governor of Nevis by Colonel Codrington.

Colonel Whetham presented to their lordships a memorial [fo. 92] on the behalf of Colonel John Johnson, who was appointed Lieutenant Governour of Nevis by Colonel Codrington the 1st of July, 1703, praying that the said Johnson may have her Majesty's commission for that post, and that the salary be allowed him from that day, which was read.

Plantations General.

New England.

Partridge.

Naval Stores.

Mr. Partridge attending according to order [fo. 82], and several questions being asked him relating to the production of naval stores in New England, he said that he would undertake to import a ship's load of pitch and tar by Christmas next, or 10,000 barrels if required in a year's time, upon contract with the Navy Board. That having about two years ago sent over from New England 10,000 barrells of turpintine, which remain yet unsold, not being able to get the value of the freight for it, he would not venture now to import pitch and tar without a certainty of a market. As for a premium of three pounds per ton to be allowed upon the importation of pitch and tar, he thought that was not a sufficient incouragement, but being desired, he promised to consider thereof, and offer to their lordships his opinion thereupon [fo. 90].

Bermuda.

Representation upon Revenue Act.

A representation [fo. 85, 107] upon an Act past at Bermuda in 1698 for raising a publick revenue for the support of the government of those islands, was signed.

Virginia.

Letter to the Governour about naval stores.

A letter to Colonel Nicholson [fo. 85, 161] relating to the production of naval stores in Virginia, was signed.

Plantations General.

Representation about renewal of commissions for trying pirates.

A representation [fo. 83, 97] offering to her Majesty that the commissions for the tryal of pirates in America be renewed, was signed.

Leeward Islands.

Order of Council upon representation relating to the case of Peter Van Belle.

An Order of Councill of the 6th instant upon a representation [fo. 65] of the 13th of the last month relating to the petition and case of Peter Van Bell about some negroes of his seized at St. Christophers and condemned at a court of Admiralty at Nevis in May, 1699, directing the Board to write to Sir William Mathew, Governour of the Leeward Islands, according to the said representation, was read, and directions given for preparing a letter accordingly [fo. 88].

July 14. Present:—Lord Dartmouth, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Bermuda.

Mr. Davis about tobacco.

Mr. Davis attending, and being asked several questions relating to the tobacco at Bermuda, he said there was but little tobacco made there, and what was exported (besides what was carryed by the seamen for their provisions) was to the Leeward Islands, and that but in small quantities. That Mr. Nodin has some times received some from thence, but that it was so strong and bad that it could not be used here.

Leeward Islands.

Letter to the Governour about Peter Van Bell.

A letter to Sir William Mathew, in pursuance of the Order of Councill of the 6th instant [fo. 87] relating to Mr. Peter Van Bell, was signed.

Plantations General.

Copy of instructions to privateers given to Mr. Penn.

Mr. Penn having desired a copy of the additional instructions to be given to privateers in America [fo. 22], the Secretary was permitted to give him a copy thereof.

Jamaica.

Copy of an Order of Council on the representation about Major General Selwyn's present.

Copy of an Order of Councill of the 6th instant upon a representation of the 21st of the last month [fo. 71], relating to a present of 2,000l. to the heire at law of the late Major General Selwyn, Governour of Jamaica, approving the same, was read.

Letter to Mr. Lowndes about Act of Revenue.

A letter to Mr. Lowndes desiring to know whether the Lord High Treasurer have any objection to laying the Act for raising a revenue in Jamaica before her Majesty for her royal confirmation [fo. 84, 94] as directed the 11th instant, was agreed and ordered to be sent.

Leeward Islands.

Two Acts of Nevis sent to Attorney or Sollicitor General.

Two Acts past at Nevis the 23rd of February last, entituled An Act for the establishing of courts and settling due methods for the administration of justice in this island, and An Act for the better government of negroes and other slaves, were laid before the Board, and ordered that they be sent to Mr. Attorney or Mr. Sollicitor General for their opinion in point of law.

July 18. Present:—Lord Dartmouth, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Bermuda.

Representation on Acts.

A representation [fo. 85, 96] upon the Acts past at Bermuda in 1690, 1691, 1693 and 1694, was signed.

Plantations General.

New England.

Naval stores.

Partridge.

Mr. Partridge presented to their lordships a memorial [fo. 87, 91] relating to the production of naval stores in the plantations, which was read, and he was desired to produce the substance of the said paper with plain proposals against to-morrow morning, which he promised to doe.

Bermuda.

Letter from the Lieutenant Governour.

A letter from Colonel Bennet, dated at Bermuda the 10th June last, was read, and the papers therein refer'd to are as follows:—

Publick papers.

An Act past the 9th day of February, 170¾

Four Acts past at Bermuda the 12th May, 1704.

Journal of Assembly from the 7th February, 170¾, to the 12th May following.

Another letter from the Lieutenant Governour desiring to command the company of Captain Sandys, deceased.

Mr. Bennet presented to their lordships another letter from his brother, Colonel Bennet, dated at Bermuda the 31st May last, desiring their lordships assistance in procuring him the command of the soldiers at Bermuda in the place of Captain Sandys, lately dead, which was read. And Mr. Bennet was acquainted that if his brother's petition to her Majesty, which he also communicated to the Board, was refer'd to the Board, their lordships would do what they could for Colonel Bennet's service.

Jamaica.

Letter from the Governour.

A letter from Colonel Handasyd, dated at Jamaica the 4th May last was read; and thereupon ordered that a letter be prepared to Mr. Secretary Hedges [fo. 92] to inclose an extract of what relates to the French prisoners sent home.

Another letter about the arrival of the fleet.

Another letter from Colonel Handasyd, dated at Jamaica the 19th May last, giving an account of the arrival of the fleet at Jamaica.

July 19. Present:—Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Prior.

New England.

Mr. Partridge's proposal for furnishing 10,000 barrells of tar.

Letter inclosing it to Mr. Secretary Hedges.

Mr. Partridge [fo. 90] presented to their lordships a proposal, as directed in yesterday's minutes, for supplying her Majesty with 10,000 barrills of tar yearly for seven years, or for a lesser time, which was read; and thereupon a letter inclosing the same to Mr. Secretary Hedges, was signed.

Jamaica.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Hedges with extract of one from Colonel Handasyd about French prisoners sent home.

A letter to Mr. Secretary Hedges [fo. 91] inclosing the extract of a letter from Colonel Handasyd, relating to some French prisoners sent home, as directed in yesterday's minutes, was signed.

July 21. Present:—Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Leeward Islands.

Certificate about Lieutenant Governour of Nevis.

A certificate from Colonel Wetham [fo. 86, 115] that Colonel John Johnson was made Lieutenant Governour of Nevis the 1st July, 1703, by Colonel Codrington was now received and read.

Barbados.

Mr. Attorney General's report on Acts.

Mr. Attorney General's reports upon the Acts past at Barbados from the 5th November, 1700, to the 10th March, 170½, as also the said Acts, were read.

New Hampshire.

Wharton's memorial about salary for Lieutenant Governour.

A memorial from Mr. Wharton in behalf of Mr. Usher, Lieutenant Governour of New Hampshire, praying that a salary may be settled upon him, was read; whereupon the secretary was directed to acquaint the said Wharton that no salary having been allowed from England to any Lieutenant Governour of New Hampshire, their lordships did not think this a proper season to move her Majesty in that affaire; but if he can perswade the Assembly to pass any Act in his behalf, their lordships would not be against offering it to her Majesty for her royal approbation.

July 25. Present:—Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Massachusets.

Letter to the Governour about Mohegan Indians.

A letter to Colonel Dudley, Governour of the Massachusets Bay, relating to the complaints of the Mohegan Indians, was signed.