Journal, January 1708: Journal Book M

Journals of the Board of Trade and Plantations: Volume 1, April 1704 - January 1709. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1920.

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'Journal, January 1708: Journal Book M', in Journals of the Board of Trade and Plantations: Volume 1, April 1704 - January 1709, (London, 1920) pp. 444-458. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/jrnl-trade-plantations/vol1/pp444-458 [accessed 24 March 2024]

In this section

Journal of the proceedings of Her Majesty's Commissioners for promoting the trade of this Kingdom, and for inspecting and improving her plantations in America and elsewhere, from the second January, 1707–8, to the twenty-eighth January, 1708–9.

M.

Journal, January 1708

January 2. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Lord Herbert of Cherbury, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton.

Virginia.

Representation upon the Revenue Act.

A representation upon an Act past in Virginia in 1705 [L. fo. 424; fo. 3], entituled An Act for raising a publick revenue for the better support of the Government of this her Majesty's colony and dominion of Virginia, and for ascertaining the salary of the Councill, was agreed, and ordered to be transcribed.

Maryland.

Letter to Mr. Attorney General with laws.

Ordered that the laws transmitted with Colonel Seymour's letter of the 10th of September last, mentioned in the minutes of the 29th of the last month [L. fo. 421; fo. 61], be sent to Mr. Attorny General for his opinion on such of the said laws as are of a publick nature only.

Trade.

Answer of seperate Traders to Africa to queries &c.

Extract of a letter and copies of affidavits delivered by them.

Mr. Paggen, Mr. Way, Mr. Milner, Mr. Harris and other merchants attending in relation to the trade to Africa [L. fo. 406], presented to their lordships their answer to the queries sent them the 15th of the last month, together with a supplement to the said answer. They also delivered to the Board an extract of a letter from Captain Paul Sorrel, dated at Portsmouth the 27th of the last month, with copies of two affidavits, the one of the said Sorrel's, the other of John Love, in confirmation of what is contained in the foregoing papers.

Mr. Way's answer to queries.

Mr. Harris's heads of inquiries about African trade.

Mr. Benjamin Way likewise presented to their lordships his answer to the like queries sent him the aforesaid 15th of the last month [L. fo. 406]. Mr. Harris also presented a paper containing some heads of inquiries to be considered touching the trade to Africa, all which papers were read.

Query about charge of forts &c. to be explain'd.

But it being observed that these gentlemen had not fully answered the 6th query, relating to the charges of the forts and factories in Africa [fo. 11], their lordships desired them to explain that matter in writing, which they promised to do accordingly.

January 5. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Lord Herbert of Cherbury, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton.

Virginia.

Representation upon Revenue Act sent my Lord Sunderland.

A representation for repealing an Act past in Virginia in 1705 [fo. 1, 45], for raising a publick revenue there, together with a letter inclosing the same to the Earl of Sunderland, were signed.

Newfoundland.

Capt. Chamberlain about his not delivering the mony and cloaths sent t. e soldiers.

Captain Chamberlain, commander of her Majesty's ship the Advice, attending as ordered the 31st of the last month [L. fo. 424], and being asked several questions in relation to his not delivering at Newfoundland the mony and cloaths for the soldiers there; he said that about seven leagues from St. John's harbour he met Commodore Underdown returning to England; that there were with him about 30 sail of merchant ships; that had Captain Chamberlain gone into the harbour to deliver the money and cloaths, the wind being off the coast, it would have been next morning before he could have got in, and in all probability he should have lost the homeward bound fleet. And Commodore Underdown, being the only convoy to that fleet, he thought it to be of more importance to take Captain Chamberlain along with him, and therefore ordered him accordingly. Besides Commodore Underdown acquainted the said Chamberlain that the soldiers having got considerable plunder from the French, they were not in any immediate want of mony or cloaths.

Mr. Latham.

State of forts and stores.

Mr. Latham, late engineer at Newfoundland, being lately arrived from thence, attending, and being asked the state of the forts and stores of war, provisions &c., he promised to give their lordships the same in writing in a short time.

Mr. Thurston.

Muster Roll deliver'd him.

Mr. Thurston attending, the muster roll of the Company at Newfoundland, lately received from Commodore Underdown and Major Lloyd, was delivered to him [L. fo. 420], and he was desired to bring Commodore Underdown to the Board [fo. 5] on Wednesday morning next.

Letter to Board of Ordnance.

Latham.

Ordered that paragraph F. of Captain Lloyd's letter of the 21st of October last [fo. 5], in favour of Mr. Latham, be sent to the Board of Ordnance.

Ordered that the 4th paragraph of the African Company's petition alledging that the Company's factors having opportunity, confederate with the captains of private traders, in defrauding the Company, be sent to Mr. Peter Paggen [fo. 8], to be communicated to the rest of the separate traders for their answer.

January 7. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Lord Herbert of Cherbury, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton.

Newfoundland.

Letter to Board of Ordnance.

Mr. Latham.

A letter to the Board of Ordnance, inclosing paragraph F. of Major Lloyd's late letter in favour of Mr. Latham [fo. 4], as directed at last meeting, was signed.

Commodore Underdown about mony and cloathing for the soldiers &c.

Recruits.

Commodore Underdown attending, as directed at the last meeting [fo. 4], and being asked several questions in relation to his bringing back the Advice man-of-war from Newfoundland, he said that he met Captain Chamberlain, commander of the Advice, about seven leagues from St. John's Harbour, who delivered him his Royal Highness's orders for bringing the Advice back with him; and what he further added upon this subject, was to the same purpose as what Captain Chamberlain said at the Board the 5th instant. He added that the soldiers at his coming away, were, by the plunder they had got from the French, better cloathed than they were the last years; that the company was full, and he believed Major Lloyd recruited the same by inlisting of green men that go in the fishing ships to Newfoundland; and he further added that Major Lloyd had subsisted the Company out of his own money. And he being desired to send their lordships a copy of his foresaid orders [fo. 13], he promised to do the same.

Proprieties.

Order of Committee of House of Lords.

Charge against the Proprieties &c.

New England Proprieties.

An order from the Committee of the House of Lords appointed to consider the report of this Board, delivered in the 28th of November last, requiring a copy of the charge prepared by this Board against the Proprieties [fo. 8], as also the opinion of the Attorney and Solicitor General in relation to the said Proprieties, was read, and directions given for laying the said papers before the Board accordingly. And a report of Mr. Attorney and Mr. Solicitor General to her Majesty, upon an extract of the representation of this Board, dated the 10th of July, 1704, relating to the Proprietary and Charter Governments, being communicated from the Councill Office, the same was read, and a copy thereof taken.

January 8. Present.:—Earl of Stamford, Lord Herbert of Cherbury, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton.

Trade.

Dr. D'Avenant's account of gold and silver exported.

Dr. Davenant, Inspector General of the Customs, presented to their lordships the following accounts:—
An account of gold and silver exported between the 29th of September, 1704, to the 29th of September, 1707.
Wooll imported from Ireland.
An account of wooll imported from Ireland, between the (sic) 24th of June, 1707, which were read.

Bermuda.

Representation.

Complaints against Jones.

Their lordships took into consideration the draught of a representation upon the complaints against Mr. Jones, secretary and provost marshall of Bermuda [L. fo. 408; fo. 22], and made a progress therein.

January 9. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton.

Trade.

Letter to Mr. Paggan on the petition of the African Company.

Ordered that the secretary write to Mr. Peter Paggan for his answer to a letter writ him the 5th instant [fo. 5, 16], relating to an allegation in the 4th article of the petition of the Royal African Company to her Majesty.

Proprieties.

Papers relating to misfeazances of Charter Governments sent to the House of Lords.

The secretary, as directed the 7th instant, laid before the Board the papers required by an order from the Committee of the House of Lords, touching the irregularities of the Proprietary and Charter Governments [fo. 6], which were delivered to the Earl of Stamford, to be laid before the said Committee by his lordship.

The said papers are as follows, vizt.:—
List of papers aforesaid.
1704, July the 10th.
August 16th.
Extract of a representation from the Commissioners of Trade and Plantations to her Majesty, dated the 10th of July, 1704, upon Colonel Dudley's letter of the 20th April, 1704, relating to Rhode Island's refusing assistance to the Massachusets Bay &c. [New England, E. fo. 361].
Copy of a report of Mr. Attorney and Solicitor General to her late Majesty in 1694, relating to Pennsylvania, mentioned in the foregoing extract [Pensilvania Entries, fo. 43].
Copy of an order of the 3rd of August, 1704, refering the foregoing extract to Mr. Attorny and Mr. Solicitor General for their report thereupon to her Majesty [New England, E. fo. 379].
Copy of the report of Mr. Attorney and Mr. Solicitor General in pursuance of the foregoing order.
Charge against the proceedings of the Charter Government of Connecticut [Proprieties, E. fo. 140].
Charge against the proceedings of the Charter Government of Rhode Island [Ibid., fo. 134].
1705. December the 20th.
Copy of a representation from the Commissioners of Trade and Plantations to her Majesty of the 20th of December, 1705, upon Colonel Dudley's letter of the 25th of July foregoing, relating to Connecticut and Rhode Island &c. [New England, F. fo. 65].
1705–6. January 2nd.
Copy of an Order of Councill on the foresaid representation, directing the Commissioners of Trade and Plantations to lay before her Majesty, the misfeazances of the Proprieties [Ibid., fo. 68].
January 10th.
Copy of a representation from the Commissioners of Trade and Plantations to her Majesty, of the 10th January, 1705/6, touching the misfeazances of the Proprietary and Charter Governments [Proprieties, E. fo. 238].
February 12th.
Copy of her Majesty's Order in Council of the 7th of February, 1705/6, directing the said representation to be lodged with Mr. Secretary Hedges [Ibid., E. fo. 320].
February 19th.
Copy of a letter from Mr. Secretary Hedges to the Commissioners of Trade and Plantations, inclosing the draught of a Bill relating to the Proprietary Governments, dated the 18th of February, 1705/6 [Ibid., E. fo. 323].
February 20th.
Copy of a letter from the Commissioners of Trade and Plantations, to Mr. Secretary Hedges, returning the draught of a Bill relating to the Propriety and Charter Governments in America, with some amendments, dated the 19th February, 1705/6 [Proprieties, E. fo. 324, 325].

Newfoundland.

Answers of the Commodores under consideration.

Then their lordships took into consideration the answers of the Commodores of the Newfoundland Convoys [fo. 58] to the heads of enquiries that have been given them for the years 1701, 1702, 1704, 1706 and 1707, and made some progress therein.

Trade.

Merchants about African Company.

Mr. Way, Mr. Harris, and Mr. Milner attending, presented to their lordships a suppliment to their answer to the 6th query relating to the trade to Africa [fo. 2], which had been sent them the 15th December last, as also another paper containing further remarks relating to the 10 per cent. paid to the Company by seperate traders, which were read. They also presented to their lordships their proposals for enlarging and improving the trade to Africa in a regulated Company as that to Turkey or Russia, which was also read.

January 12. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Lord Herbert of Cherbury, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney.

Plantations General.

Order of House of Lords for preparing the draught of an Act about rates of foreign coine.

An order from the Committee of the House of Lords of the 10th instant, directing this Board to prepare the draught of an Act of Parliament for establishing the rate and value of the foreign coins in the plantations [fo. 14, 18], was read, and directions given for preparing the said draught accordingly.

Barbadoes.

Letter from the Governor.

A letter from Mr. Crow, Governor of Barbadoes, dated the 12th of November last, was read.

Mrs. Sharp at the Board with Minutes of Assembly about Holder and Cleland.

Mrs. Sharp attending, presented to their lordships a copy of the minutes of Assembly of Barbadoes of the 3rd and 6th of November last [fo. 65], relating to Colonel Holder and Colonel Cleland, which were read. She also communicated to the Board a letter from Colonel Sharp to herself, relating to the present disorders in that island, which was read.

Newfoundland.

Letter from the Commodore about his instructions.

A letter from Commodore Underdown of this day's date to the secretary, promising to lay before this Board a copy of his instructions [fo. 6], so soon as he shall have obtained leave from his Royal Highness so to do, was read.

Barbadoes.

Order of Council on representation for Mr. Frere's being of the Council.

Copy of an Order of Councill of the 18th of December last, upon a representation of the 21st of October foregoing [L. fo. 335], proposing that Colonel Tobias Frere be restored to his place in her Majesty's Councill of Barbadoes, which he formerly held, approving the said representation, was read.

Order of Council on representation for Mr. Pilgrim's being of the Councill.

Copy of another Order of Councill of the same date, upon the same representation [L. fo. 335], proposing Major John Pilgrim to be a member of her Majesty's Councill in Barbadoes, approving the said representation, was read.

January 13. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Lord Herbert, Mr. Pulteney.

Barbadoes.

Major Pilgrim about Mr. Beresford.

Major Pilgrim attending, communicated to their lordships a letter which he received from Mr. Beresford, signifying that having received her Majesty's order for confirming him of the Councill of Barbadoes [L. fo. 265; fo. 39], of which he had been made a member by the late president, Colonel Sharp, Mr. Crow refused to admit him, unless he came in after those which have lately been put in by himself.

Plantations General.

Draught of a Bill about coin.

The draught of a Bill for establishing the rate and value of the foreign coines in the plantations was agreed [fo. 12, vide infra], and ordered to be transcribed.

Jamaica.

Memoriall from Mr. Wood about Spanish trade.

A memorial from Mr. William Wood, setting forth how far the encouraging and protecting the trade from Jamaica to the Spanish West Indies is of advantage to this kingdome &c., was read.

January 15. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Lord Herbert of Cherbury, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney.

Plantations General.

Letter to Mr. Attorney General with the draught of a Bill about rate of foreign coin.

A letter to Mr. Attorney General, inclosing the draught of a Bill for settling and ascertaining the current rates of foreign coins in her Majesty's colonies and plantations in America [vide supra, fo. 17], together with a copy of her Majesty's proclamation for settling the rates and values of the said coins in the plantations [I. fo. 78], as also a computation by Sir Isaac Newton of the weight and value of the said coins [I. fo. 74], desiring him to inform their lordships whether the frame of the said draught (which is agreable to the form of the said proclamation) will answer the end for which it is designed, or whether it will be more effectual, in case the several species of foreign coin be specified in the enacting clause of the Bill aforemention'd, was signed.

Newfoundland.

Memorial from Mr. Merret about convoys.

Mr. Solomon Merret attending, presented to their lordships a memorial signed by several merchants trading to Newfoundland [fo. 17], relating chiefly to early convoys, which was read, and their lordships resolved to take the same into consideration at the first opportunity.

January 16. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Lord Herbert of Cherbury, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton.

Trade.

Memorial from the seperate traders to Africa.

Mr. Richard Harris and Mr. Isaac Milner attending, presented to the Board a memorial signed by themselves and other merchants, in answer to a letter to Mr. Paggan, upon an assertion of the Royal African Company [fo. 8, 356], setting forth that the Company's factors having opportunity, confederate with the private traders to defraud the Company, and giving reasons why forts are not necessary to their trade, was read: the said gentlemen added in discourse that when they had leave from the said Company to inspect their books in relation to forts &c., Mr. Beaumont, their accountant, had refused to admit them to take any notes.

Trade.

Draught of a representation on African trade under consideration.

Then their lordships took into consideration the draught of a representation upon the petition of the Royal African Company to her Majesty [fo. 18], and made some progress therein.

January 19. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Lord Herbert of Cherbury, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton.

Newfoundland.

Petition from Pool about early convoys.

Sir William Phiphard attending, presented to their lordships a petition from the mayor, merchants and other inhabitants of Pool, trading to Newfoundland [fo. 15], praying early convoys for that trade, which was read.

Plantations General.

Bill about coin returned by the Attorney and Solicitor General.

The secretary acquainted their lordships that Mr. Attorney and Mr. Solicitor General, upon their returning to him the draught of a Bill relating to the rates of foreign coin in the plantations sent to Mr. Attorney the 15th instant [fo. 14], had said that they had no objection to the same, but that they had desired to be excused from giving any opinion thereupon in writing, for that they being members of Parliament, the said Bill might probably come before the House of Commons, and therefore they were not willing to prejudge the same.

The foregoing Bill &c. delivered to my Lord Herbert, to lay the same before the House of Lords.

Then the draught of the said Bill, together with a copy of her Majesty's proclamation for settling the rates and values of foreign coines in the plantations [fo. 15], as also a computation of Sir Isaac Newton [ibid.], of the weight and value of the said coines, were delivered to my Lord Herbert, and his lordship desired to lay the same before the Committee of the House of Lords [fo. 12], pursuant to their lordships' order mentioned in the minutes of the 12th instant.

Trade.

Draught of report on African trade under consideration.

Their lordships again took into consideration the draught of a representation on the petition of the Royal African Company to her Majesty [fo. 16, vide infra], mentioned in the minutes of the 16th instant, and made a further progress therein.

January 20. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Lord Herbert of Cherbury, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton.

Trade.

Report on trade to Africa under consideration.

Their lordships again took into consideration the report [vide supra; fo. 42] relating to the trade to Africa (mentioned in yesterday's minutes), and made a further progress therein.

The Royal African Company summon'd.

Ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Perry, secretary to the Royal African Company [fo. 25], to acquaint him that the Board desire to speak with any of the members of the said Company on Fryday morning next.

Papers from Mr. Pollexfen about African trade.

The secretary having received two papers from Mr. Pollexfen relating to the trade to Africa [fo. 25], he laid the same before the Board, which are as follows: vizt.
Copy of some observations upon the patent of the Royal African Company, given the 2nd of July, 1677.
Considerations on the trade of Africa, humbly offered to the honorable House of Commons, in behalf of the Bill now before them.

January 21. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Lord Herbert of Cherbury, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton.

New York.

Copy of order of Councill on representation upon the Act about Bayard and Hutchins.

Copy of an Order of Councill of the 8th instant, upon a representation of the 3rd of November last [L. fo. 356], for confirming an Act transmitted from New York in 1704, entituled An Act declaring the illegality of the proceedings against Colonel Bayard and Alderman John Hutchins, for pretended high treason and for reversing and making null and void the said judgment and all proceedings thereon, approving the said representation, and confirming the said law, was read.

Copy of Order repealing an Act with the like title.

Another copy of an Order of Councill of the same date, upon the same representation [ibid.] upon another Act of New York, with the like title as the former, transmitted hither in 1705, repealing the said Act, was read.

Proprieties.

Copy of Order on representation about coin.

Copy of an Order of Councill of the 8th instant, upon a representation of the 10th of June last [L. fo. 216, vide infra], relating to the disobedience of the Charter and Propriety Governments to her Majesty's proclamation for settling the rates of foreign coin in the plantations, referring the same to Mr. Attorney and Mr. Solicitor General to consider the said representation [fo. 45], and to report to her Majesty thereupon, was read.

Maryland.

Copy of Order on representation about Sir Thomas Lawrence's complaints.

Copy of an Order of Councill of the 8th instant, upon a representation of the 23rd of October last [L. fo. 340], relating to the complaints of Sir Thomas Lawrence, secretary of Maryland, approving the said representation, and directing the Earl of Sunderland to prepare a letter for her Majesty's royal signature thereupon to Colonel Seymour [fo. 38], was read.

Pennsylvania.

Copy of an Order on representation for repealing the Act about qualification of magistrates.

Copy of an Order of Councill of the 8th instant, upon a representation of the 30th of December last [L. fo. 422], proposing the repeal of an Act past in Pennsylvania, entituled An Act directing the qualifications of all magistrates and officers, also the manner of giving evidence, approving the said representation, was read.

Proprieties.

Letter from Mr. Solicitor General for copies of Charters granted Proprietors.

A letter from Mr. Solicitor General to the secretary [vide supra], signifying that it will be necessary for him and Mr. Attorny General to have copies of the charters granted to the Proprietary Governments, to enable them to answer such questions as their lordships may propose to them in relation to the said Governments, and offering that his clerk should transcribe the same, was read; whereupon ordered that the books in this office, wherein the said charters are entred, be delivered one at a time to his clerk, and that he do give a receipt upon the delivery of each book for the return thereof, when he shal have done with the same.

Bermuda.

Jones.

Their lordships took into consideration the draught of a report upon the complaints of the Councill and Assembly of Bermuda against Mr. Jones, secretary and provost marshall of that island [fo. 8, 50], and made some progress therein.

January 22. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton.

Newfoundland.

Memorial [from] Mr. Thurston about necessaries for soldiers.

Letter to the Earl of Sunderland with representation thereupon.

A memorial from Mr. Thurston touching necessaries to be sent to the soldiers at St. John's in Newfoundland, was read; whereupon a representation relating to the said necessaries and convoys [fo. 44], together with a letter to the Earl of Sunderland, inclosing the same, were agreed and signed.

Massachusets.

Letter from the Governor.

A letter from Colonel Dudley, Governor of the Massachusets Bay, dated the 10th of October last, was read.

Miscellanies.

New Privy Seal for establishment of this Commission.

A new Privy Seal, dated the 21st instant, for the establishment of this commission being passed and brought to the Board, and there being eleven hundred and fifty pounds for the secretary, and the rest of the officers employed in the service of this commission, the secretary laid before their lordships the state of the office, as follows, vizt.:

State of the office

Per annum.
l. s. d.
For himself, as secretary 500 0 0
For Adrian Drift, deputy secretary or chief clerk 100 0 0
For William Barker, clerk 80 0 0
For Bryan Wheelock, clerk 70 0 0
For Maurice Carrol, clerk 60 0 0
For Justinian Loggan, clerk 50 0 0
For Nathaniel Estwick, clerk 50 0 0
For Samuel Gellibrand, clerk 40 0 0
For Matthew Bertin, clerk 40 0 0
For Daniel Child, doorkeeper 40 0 0
For Samuel Clark, doorkeeper and assistant messenger 45 0 0
For John Gray, messenger and assistant doorkeeper 45 0 0
For Mary Wright, necessary woman 30 0 0
In all amounting to the aforesaid summe of 1,150 0 0

January 23. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Lord Herbert of Cherbury, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton.

Barbadoes.

Memorial from Sir Francis Windham complaining of Mr. Crow's decreeing in his own cause.

Sir Francis Windham attending, presented to their lordships a memorial setting forth that in right of his wife he is by a judgment obtained in the Court of Common Pleas in Barbadoes against the late Sir Willoughby Chamberlain, deceased, entituled to 1,600 pounds, besides a trust of 4,000 more still owing from the estate of the said Sir Willoughby, and that Mr. Crow, Governour of that island, sitting as Chancellor in his own cause, has overturned all his proceedings, and obtained a decree in his own favour in three Chancery Courts &c., which was read.

Leeward Islands.

Order of Council on representation upon two Acts about Governor's house rent.

Draught of instruction to be prepared.

An Order of Councill of the 8th instant, upon a representation of the 7th of November last [L. fo. 360], upon two Acts past in the Leeward Islands for house rent for Colonel Park, Governor of the said islands, approving the said representation, and directing this Board to prepare the draught of an instruction to the said Colonel Park thereupon [fo. 42], was read, and directions given for preparing the same accordingly.

Trade.

Royal African Company.

Proof of the allegations of their petition &c.

Mr. Pinder, Deputy Governor of the Royal African Company, with other members of the said Company attending, according to appointment [fo. 19], and being asked how they made good the allegations of their petition, they said that as to the first, that the ten per cent. does not near answer the charge of the forts and castles, that does appear by the accounts of the said charge, and the account of the ten per cent. delivered into their lordships.

As to the 2nd, That the blacks enjoy the whole benefit of the trade, by advancing the price of negroes and depretiating the value of our commodities, they said that the price of negroes, which is now about ten pound per head in Africa (whereas formerly it was not above 3l.) is a sufficient proof; and they inferr'd that this is occasioned by the private traders, for that they beleive the negroes are not so dear in the places where the private traders do not interfere with the Company, as on the coast of Angola, Calabar, and other places towards the Cape of Good Hope. And they owned that Widdah is one of the places from whence the greatest quantities of negroes are had.

As to the 3rd, That the blacks grow insolent, and are incouraged by private traders to insult the Company's Forts &c., they said that they were informed of this by letters from their factors; that one of the private traders, having made a bargain for some negroes, carried them to Barbadoes without paying for the same, but that the Company, in order to secure peace and a friendly correspondence with the negro kings, sent to Barbadoes and bought the said negroes, and returned them to the king, from whom they were so taken. But these gentlemen owned at the same time that they have frequently joyned with one negroe king, in deposing or conquering another, as they found it most conducing to their interest.

As to the 4th, That the Company's factors confederate with the private traders in defrauding the Company, they said that they had been defrauded by some of their factors, who have sent effects of the Company's to this kingdom, and they did not conceive that could be done but by the concurrence of the masters of private traders.

As to the 5th, That other nations take advantage of our confusions to the detriment of our trade, which if settled upon a right establishment would be considerably improved; they said that the Dutch chiefly take advantage thereby, and have refused several times to intermeddle in reconciling differences between the negro kings, and especially between the Company and the said kings; and that what they meant by a right establishment was a joint stock, exclusive of all others; but, if that could not be obtained, they should be content to be confined in their trade from Cape Blanco to Cape Lopez, if the private traders were prohibited from coming there.

Then these genetlemen being asked whether they thought forts were absolutely necessary, they said they were for protecting their trade and securing their effects left in the country; that the said forts were a certain market for negroes to come to; that if all the forts on the coast were in the hands of any one nation, no negroes could be brought off without their permission; that if the Company were settled upon a right foot as before mentioned, they could build more forts in other places to good advantage; that the said forts are a protection to them against any insults from the negroes, but they own'd that they were not capable of resisting an attack from an European enemy that should come before them with ships of war; they owned also that the French had built a fort at Widdah, within gunshot of theirs, but that it was by the neglect of their agent there that the French obtained permission to do it from the king of that country. They added that when they bought the forts of the old Company, they cost them between 40 and 50 thousand pounds; and that one of their forts, which they bought of the King of Denmark, cost them 4,000l.

Then being asked whether the ten per cent. arising here from the exports of the Company and private traders, was invested in goods in order to be sent to Africa, they said that what with salaries of their officers, pay of their soldiers (which are paid here in England) and stores of war sent to Africa, very little of the ten per cent. remained, but that what did remain, was invested in goods.

Then their lordships, comparing the charge of the forts since the passing of the Act, which amounts to 273, 172l. 16s. 7d., with the value of their exports for the same time, which amounts to 293, 740l. 6s. 8d., and deducting from that summe the charge of their forts, there then remained but 20,567l. 10s. 1d. for what they have employed in trade during the said term. Their lordships further observe that, if the said 293, 740l. 6s. 8d. has been wholly employed in trade, then it did not appear that the Company had laid out anything upon their forts and castles. To which Mr. Pindar, the Deputy Governor, replied that they had always considerable effects at their forts, vizt.: At Cape Coast Castle to the value of 20,000l., and at the other forts in proportion; which effects have been applied to the use of the forts as occasion required. Upon which their lordships took notice, that those effects being included in their exports their foregoing observations were right, to which Mr. Pindar said that he would bring their lordships a more particular account of those two articles [fo. 40].

They owned that they had taken up money upon bottomry bonds, but did not say to what summe, and that they had taken up above 40,000l. in species bonds, the interest whereof was punctually paid by the Company as it became due.

They likewise owned that when they called in mony, they divided it again at about 3 per cent. per share, sinking the principal, which they did as an encouragement to the particular sharers.

The said Mr. Pindar further owned that in 1698 they made an order, that whoever wou'd pay twelve pounds should have a share in the Company; whereupon 57,096l. was paid in, which made 4,758 additional shares. Upon this their lordships observed that the 6,252½ original shares computed at the said rate amounted to 75,030l., which added to the summe paid in by the additional shares, make 57,787l. 5s. less than what the Company say the ballance of their books was in that year; to which Mr. Pindar only replied that though they admitted the new shares at twelve pounds each, yet they did not esteem their own original shares so low, which might cause that difference, though at the same time he owned that even then the shares were sold upon the Exchange from ten to eleven pounds each.

Then being asked what number of negroes they thought the plantations might annually require, they said that was uncertain, and they could give no particular account of it.

Then they acquainted their lordships that the private traders had imported into the plantations the following number of negroes from 1704 to 1707, inclusive, vizt.:

To Jamaica 11,510
To Barbadoes 2,093
To Antego 698
To Nevis 250
To Virginia 2,734
Amounting in all to 17,285

Miscellanies.

Incidents.

The account of incident charges of this office, from Michaelmas 1707, to Christmas following, were laid before the Board, and are as follows, vizt.:

l. s. d.
The secretary's account of petty expences, amounting to 23 13 0
The stationer's account, amounting to 23 14 0
The postman's account, amounting to 10 18 1
Amounting in the whole to 58 5 1

Letter to the Lord Treasurer.

And a letter to the Lord High Treasurer, to desire the payment thereof, was signed.

January 26. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Lord Herbert of Cherbury, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton.

Leeward Islands.

Letter from Col. Park with address upon the losses by the hurricane and application of 4½ per cent.

A letter from Colonel Park, Governor of the Leeward Islands, dated the 22nd of October last [fo. 37], inclosing an address from the Lieutenant Governor, Council and Assembly of St. Christopher's to her Majesty, relating to their great losses by the hurricane there, and to the application of the 4½ per cent., was read.

Letter to the Earl of Sunderland.

Whereupon ordered that a letter be writ to the Earl of Sunderland [fo. 37], inclosing the said address.

Another letter from Col. Park.

Another letter from Colonel Park [fo. 37], dated the 10th of November last, was read; and the papers therein referr'd to laid before the Board, and are as follows, vizt.:
Papers therein referr'd to.
Naval Officer's list of ships from the 13th July, 1706, to the 9th November following.
Minutes of Council at Antego from the 14th July, 1706, to the 13th of January, 1706/7.
Extract to be sent the Earl of Sunderland.
Whereupon ordered that paragraph B of the said letter [fo. 37], relating to the want of ships of war be sent to the Earl of Sunderland.

Third letter from Col. Park.

Copy to be sent the Earl of Sunderland.

A third letter from Colonel Park [fo. 37], dated the 18th of November last, was read; and thereupon ordered [fo. 38], that a copy of the said letter be likewise sent to the Earl of Sunderland.

Plantations General.

Letter from Mr. Dummer.

A letter from Mr. Dummer, dated the 23rd instant, giving account of the proceedings of the Antegoa packet boat to and from the West Indies, was laid before the Board.

Jamaica.

Two letters from Brigadier Handasyd.

Two letters from Brigadeer Handasyd, Governour of Jamaica, [fo. 37], the one dated the 9th of November, the other the 5th of December last, were read, and the papers therein referr'd to in the last of them laid before the Board, and are as follows, vizt.:
Papers therein referr'd to.
Copy of a letter from Colonel Park to Brigadier Handasyd, advising him of Monsieur Du Casses arrival at Martinico with 10 men-of-war &c. Dated the 18th November, 1707.
Minutes of Council of Jamaica from the 28th of May, 1707, to the 26th of November following [fo. 102].

Barbadoes.

Letter from Mr. Crow.

A letter from Mr. Crow, Governor of Barbadoes, dated the 8th of October last, was read, and the papers therein referr'd to laid before the Board, and are as follows, vizt.:
Papers therein referr'd to.
An Act appointing the summe of 500l. [fo. 53] to be paid yearly to his Excellency Mitford Crow, esq., Captain General and Governor-in-Chief of [t]his and other her Majesty's Charribbee Islands, lying and being to windward of Guardaloupa, past the 25th of July, 1707.
An Act for the enabling Thomas Mogridge, of this island, surveyor, and all others claiming power from him, to injoy the sole power and profit of building purchase mills, past the 9th of September, 1707.
An Act appointing an oath to be taken by executors, administrators, and guardians, past the first of November last.

January 27. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Mr. Pulteney.

Miscellanies.

For want of a quorum the Board adjourn'd.

Their lordships having staid a long time, and not being able to make a quorum, they adjourned till to-morrow morning.

January 28. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Lord Herbert of Cherbury, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney.

Jamaica.

Reference from the Earl of Sunderland on Mr. Percival's petition to succeed the Attorney General of Jamaica.

Letter to Mr. Solicitor General inquiring of Mr. Percival's abilities for that place.

A reference from the Earl of Sunderland of the 23rd instant [fo. 51], upon the petition of Mr. Dixey Percival to her Majesty, praying that he may succeed Mr. Robert Hodgskin, the present Attorny General of Jamaica, in case of the said Hodgskin's resignation or death, was read; and thereupon ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Solicitor General, inclosing a copy of the said petition [fo. 50], for his opinion whether the said Percival, in regard to his abilities and knowledge in the law, be a person fit to be recommended to her Majesty for that trust.

Letter to Sir Gilbert Heathcote thereupon.

Ordered that a letter be likewise writ to Sir Gilbert Heathcote [fo. 51], upon the said petition, to be by him communicated to any other of the merchants trading to Jamaica, for what they may have to offer thereupon.

Plantations General.

Order of Committee of the House of Lords Bill about foreign coin.

An order from the Committee of the House of Lords of yesterday's date, desiring this Board to prepare the draught of a Bill for inforcing obedience to her Majesty's proclamation of the 18th of June, 1704 [I. fo. 74], for settling the rates and value of foreign coins in the plantations, was read, and directions given [fo. 42] for preparing the draught of the said Bill accordingly.

Jamaica.

Leeward Islands.

Letters to the Governors.

The draughts of letters to the Governors of Jamaica and the Leeward Island [fo. 33, 34, 40], in answer to theirs mentioned in the minutes of the 26th instant, were agreed, and ordered to be transcribed.

Barbadoes.

Queen's letter to the Governor for restoring Cols. Sharpe, Cox, Mills and Walker to their places in Council.

Her Majesty's letter to Mr. Crow, Governor of Barbadoes [L. fo. 349; fo. 45], directing him to restore Colonel Sharp, Colonel Cox, Colonel Mills, and Colonel Walker to their places and precedencies in her Majesty's Councill of that island, being brought to the Board, was read; and a copy thereof to be taken and the original to be sent to Mr. Crow.

Barbadoes.

Leeward Islands.

Letter to the Earl of Sunderland with an address from St. Christophers and Extracts &c. of Col. Park's and Mr. Crow's answer.

A letter to the Earl of Sunderland, inclosing an address from the Lieutenant Governor, Council and Assembly of St. Christopher's to her Majesty [fo. 33], relating to the distressed condition of that island, and the application of the 4½ per cent. there, as likewise an extract of a letter from Colonel Park [fo. 33], Governor of the Leeward Islands, together with the copy of another letter from him [fo. 33], and also an extract of a letter from Mr. Crow, Governor of Barbadoes, as directed the 26th instant, was agreed and signed.

Maryland.

Copy of her Majesty's letter to Col. Seymour.

Ordinary licences.

A copy of her Majesty's letter to Colonel Seymour, Governor of Maryland [fo. 21, 41], directing him to restore the ordinary licences to Sir Thomas Lawrence, secretary of that province &c., was read.

Barbadoes.

Letter from Mr. Crow.

A letter from Mr. Crow, Governor of Barbadoes, dated the 5th of November last, was read, and the papers therein referr'd to laid before the Board, and are as follows, vizt.:
Papers therein referr'd to.
Minutes of Councill of the 28th October, 1st and 4th November, 1707, relating to Colonel John Holder.
Minutes of Assembly of the 3rd of November last, relating to Colonel John Holder &c.
Minute of Council of the 5th of June last, desiring Mr. Crow to sit in the Grand Sessions.
Minutes of Councill of the 23rd July and 2nd of September, 1707, appointing Committees to revise the laws, to inspect the magazeens and forts &c.

January 29. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Lord Herbert of Cherbury, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton.

Barbadoes.

Memorial from Mr. Berresford complaining of Mr. Crow's not admitting him to his former place in the Council.

A memorial from Mr. Beresford [fo. 14], setting forth that Mr. Crow, Governor of Barbadoes, had refused to admit him into the Council of that island according to the precedency he held when made a member thereof by Colonel Sharp, but had obliged him to sit at that Board as youngest Counsellors, was read, and a clause thereupon added to the following letter to Mr. Crow.

Leeward Islands.

Memorial from Mr. Baron praying his case about a ship condemn'd by Col.

Codrington may be recommended to Col.

Park.

Mr. Samuel Baron, merchant, attending, presented to the Board a memorial relating to the ship America, seized and condemn'd at Antego in March, 1700, by Colonel Codrington, then Governor of the Leeward Islands, praying that their lordships would please to recommend the same in such manner to Colonel Park, the present Governor there, that he might obtain speedy redress therein, was read; and thereupon ordered that a postscript be added in the following letter from their lordships to Colonel Park accordingly.

Jamaica.

Barbadoes.

Leeward Islands.

Letters to the Governors.

The letters to the Governors of Jamaica, Barbadoes and the Leeward Islands [fo. 37], as agreed at the last meeting, were signed.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Perry with memorial from the Royal African Company.

Charge of forts.

A letter from Mr. John Perry, inclosing a memorial from the Royal African Company [fo. 30], together with a particular account of the charge of the said Company's forts and garrisons on the coast of Africa, were read.

Newfoundland.

Order of Council on petition of Mr. Benger &c. about a plantation in Newfoundland.

An Order of Councill of the 22nd instant, referring to this Board the petition of Mr. Benger and his wife [fo. 46], touching their being unjustly dispossessed of a plantation in Newfoundland, was read; and thereupon ordered that the persons concerned in the said complaint have notice to attend the Board on Wednesday morning next.

New Jersey.

New York.

Copy of an Order of Council on representation about Budge.

A copy of an Order of Council of the 8th instant, upon a representation dated the 23rd of October last [L. fo. 340], relating to the complaint of Mr. Budge against the Lord Cornbury, Governor of New York, concerning the seizing and condemnation of a ship belonging to the said Budge, directing the Earl of Sunderland to prepare a letter to the Lord Cornbury thereupon for her Majesty's royal signature, was read.

Maryland.

Order of Council on a petition of Sir Tho.

Lawrence for recompence of damage in his office.

An Order of Council of the 22nd instant, referring to this Board the petition of Sir Thomas Lawrence, secretary of Maryland [fo. 38, 55], complaining of damages sustained in his office there, from the proceedings of the Assembly in that province, and praying to be recompenced for the same, was read; and their lordships agreed to reconsider the said order and petition at the first convenient opportunity.

Leeward Islands.

Col. Lillingston.

Copy of letter about muster rolls &c.

Misbehaviour of Lt.-Col. Jones.

Colonel Lillington attending, presented to their lordships the copy of a letter writ him the 11th of November last from Antego by Mr. Buors, relating to the muster rolls not being sent, and to the misbehaviour of Mr. Jones, his Lieutenant Colonel there, was read, and he was acquainted that this matter was not properly cognizable by this Board.