Journal, May 1756: Volume 63

Journals of the Board of Trade and Plantations: Volume 10, January 1754 - December 1758. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1933.

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'Journal, May 1756: Volume 63', in Journals of the Board of Trade and Plantations: Volume 10, January 1754 - December 1758, (London, 1933) pp. 232-238. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/jrnl-trade-plantations/vol10/pp232-238 [accessed 19 March 2024]

Journal, May 1756

Tuesday, May 4. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Talbot, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Rigby, Mr. Hamilton.

Jamaica.

Mr. Bromfield, late an officer of the revenue in Jamaica under the Receiver General, attending, as desired, was called in and gave their lordships an account of the manner in which he was removed from his office, which he held under a warrant from the Governor by the Deputy Receiver General, and then he withdrew.

Ordered, that the Secretary do write to Mr. Graham, the Receiver General, to desire his attendance at the Board to-morrow morning at twelve o'clock, and that Mr. Bromfield be desired to attend again at the same time.

South Carolina.

Read a letter from Mr. Bogdani, Secretary to the Board of Ordnance, dated 1st May, 1756, desiring the advice and opinion of this Board upon an application made by Mr. Beswick for leave to export gunpowder to South Carolina.

Ordered, that the Secretary do write to Mr. Beswick to desire his attendance at the Board to-morrow morning at 12 o'clock.

Georgia.

Read a letter from Mr. Reynolds, Governor of Georgia, to the Board, dated January 8th, 1756, recommending an advertisement in the Gazette requiring all persons that had grants of lands from the late Trustees to lay in their claims by a fixed time.

Leeward Islands.

Read a letter from George Thomas, Esquire, Governor of the Leeward Islands, to Mr. Pownall, dated December 18th, 1755, acknowledging the receipt of his letter of September 19th, 1755.

Proprieties.

Read a letter from Robert Hunter Morris, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania, to the Board, dated February 23rd, 1756, relating to the present state of that colony.

Read a letter from Robert Hunter Morris, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania, to the Board, dated the 5th of March, 1756, inclosing:—
An account of the present state of defence of the province of Pennsylvania.

Rhode Island.

Read a letter from Mr. Partridge to Mr. Pownall, dated April 17th, 1756, relating to the cannon and stores in the fortification in Rhode Island.

New Hampshire.

Read a letter from Benning Wentworth, Esquire, Governor of New Hampshire, to the Board, dated February 20th, 1756, relative to packet boats, and the intended expedition against Crown Point.

Trade.

Africa.

The Secretary laid before the Board the following papers received from the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa.
Copies of letters from Tobias Lisle and the Council at James Fort, Gambia, and from Robert Caulton, Surveyor of the same fort, to the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa, of January 8th and 10th, 1756.
Copies of letters from the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa to the Governor and Council at James Fort, Gambia, of February 11th and March 25th, 1756; from Thomas Melvil to the Committee; from John Apperley to Thomas Melvil; and from John Apperley to the Committee, in 1755.

Trade.

Read a letter from the Earl of Holdernesse, one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, to the Board, dated April 28th, 1756, referring the project of a Treaty of Commerce between Great Britain and the Crown of Prussia, proposed by that Crown, and signifying his Majesty's commands that the Board should report their opinion upon it; and inclosing:—
Project d'un Traité de Commerce à conclure entre S.M. le Roi de Prusse et S.M. le Roi de la Grande Bretagne.
Traite d'alliance et de Commerce entre Charles II. Roy de la Grande Bretagne et Charles XI. Roy de Suède, de l'année 1661.
Tractatus Foederis inter S. Regiam Majestatem Magnae Britanniae Carolum II. et Regiam Majestatem Sueciae Carolum XI. Albae Aulae conclusus, 21 Octobris, 1661.
Translation of a Treaty between King Charles Second and the King of Sweden, Whitehall, October 21st, 1661.

Ordered, that the several treaties of Commerce, which have been made at different times between the several powers in Europe, be examined and compared with each other, and that a state thereof be laid before the Board as soon as conveniently may be.

Ordered, that a state be made from the books in this office of all such papers as any ways relate to the trade and commerce carried on from this Kingdom to Sweden, and the proceedings had thereupon since the Treaty of 1661.

Wednesday, May 5. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Talbot, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Rigby, Mr. Hamilton.

Georgia.

The draught of a letter to Mr. Reynolds, Governor of Georgia, having been transcribed pursuant to the minutes of the 29th of April, was signed.

Jamaica.

Mr. Graham, Receiver General of the Island of Jamaica, attending as desired, together with Mr. Bromfield, mentioned in the minutes of yesterday, they were called in; and their lordships heard what they had to offer with respect to the complaint made by Mr. Knowles against the Deputy Receiver General, and Mr. Graham moved their lordships for an extract of so much of Mr. Knowles's letter as relates to this affair; and then they were ordered to withdraw; and after some time spent in the consideration of this affair, Mr. Graham was again called in, and their lordships acquainted him that he should have an extract of Mr. Knowles's letter, and directed him forthwith to write to his deputy, and require him to transmit a full answer to the matters complained of, to be laid before the Board; and then Mr. Graham withdrew.

South Carolina.

Mr. Beswick attending, as desired, was called in, and their lordships having heard what he had to offer with respect to his application for leave to export one hundred and seventy two barrels of gunpowder to South Carolina, he withdrew; and their lordships ordered the Secretary to write a letter to the Secretary to the Board of Ordnance, containing their lordships' sentiments and advice upon this affair.

Tuesday, May 11. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Talbot, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Rigby, Mr. Hamilton.

Plantations General.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty upon the present state of the defence of several of the colonies in America having been transcribed pursuant to the minutes of the 29th of April, was signed.

New Jersey.

A letter to Mr. Belcher, Governor of New Jersey, desiring that he will, upon all occasions when he may be summoned by the Commanders in Chief of his Majesty's forces to attend any councils of war or other general meetings, and finds himself unable to attend, appoint Thomas Pownall, Esquire, the Lieutenant Governor, to attend such councils as representing the province of New Jersey, was signed.

North Carolina.

Read the following letters and papers received from Mr. Dobbs, Governor of North Carolina, viz.:—
Letter from Arthur Dobbs, Esquire, Governor of North Carolina, to the Board, dated Newbern, December 15th 1755, in answer to the Board's letters of the 16th of June and 19th of September, 1755.
Minutes of Assembly in the Upper House from December 14th, 1754, to January 15th, 1755.
Minutes of Assembly from December 14th, 1754, to January 15th, 1755.
Minutes of Assembly in the Upper House from September 25th to October 15th, 1755.
Minutes of Assembly from September 25th to October, 15th, 1755.
Six Acts passed in North Carolina on the 13th of October, and eight on the 15th of October, 1755.
Letter from Arthur Dobbs, Esquire, Governor of North Carolina to the Board, dated at Newbern, December 16th, 1755, containing his opinion with respect to a plan for the defence of the frontiers of the British colonies in America, and for the direction of Indian affairs.

Ordered, that the said Acts be sent to Sir Mathew Lamb for his opinion thereupon in point of law.

Thursday, May 13. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Talbot, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Hamilton.

Nova Scotia.

The Secretary laid before the Board a memorial prepared by Mr. Kilby, agent for the settlement of Nova Scotia, to be presented to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, praying that the sum of one thousand, nine hundred and eighty five pounds, one shilling, may be issued to him for the following services, viz.:—

£ s. d.
For quarter's salary due to the Chief Justice, the 25th of March last 125 0 0
To discharge a balance due upon a bill of exchange drawn by Governor Lawrence for £1923 3s. 6d., for which only £1023 3s. 6d. had been received by a mistake in stating it in his last memorial at that sum 900 0 0
To discharge a warrant directed to him to pay Chauncy Townsend, Esquire, for provisions supplied the augmentation of Colonel Hopson's regiment 960 1 0
£1985 1 0

Nova Scotia.

The foregoing memorial having been approved of, Mr. Kilby was directed to present it to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury for their Lordships' directions upon it.

Plantations General.

A letter to Mr. Fox, one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, proposing that Edmund Atkins, Esquire, may be appointed agent for the affairs of the Indians on the frontiers of Virginia, North and South Carolina, and Georgia, together with the draught of a warrant for his appointment, was prepared and agreed to, and the letter having been transcribed, was signed.

Virginia.
Read a letter from Mr. Dinwiddie, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, to the Board, dated February 24th, 1756, inclosing:—
Journals of the House of Burgesses from May 1st to July 9th, 1755.
Journals of the House of Burgesses in August, October and November, 1755.
Fourteen Acts passed in Virginia in August and November, 1755.
Lists of shipping entred and cleared in the several ports of Virginia for the last six months ending at Michaelmas, 1755.

Ordered, that the said Acts be sent to Sir Mathew Lamb for his opinion thereon in point of law.

Trade.

Their lordships took into consideration the project of a Treaty of Commerce with the King of Prussia, mentioned in the minutes of the 4th instant, and ordered the Secretary to send a copy thereof to Doctor Hay, his Majesty's Advocate General, for any observations he may have to make thereupon, and also another copy to the Commissioners of his Majesty's Customs for their observations upon such parts as relate to their office.

Tuesday, May 18. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Talbot, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Hamilton.

Plantations General.

Ordered, that the Secretary do transmit copies of those articles of his Majesty's general instructions to his Governors in America, which relate to the colours to be worn by private ships, and to the granting letters of marque and reprizal, to the Secretary to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty for that Board's opinion, whether any or what alterations are necessary to be made therein on account of his Majesty's declaration of war against the French King.

Pennsylvania.

Read an Order of his Majesty in Council, dated the 17th of May, 1756, approving William Denny, Esquire, to be Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania, being nominated thereto by the Proprietaries, and directing this Board to take the usual security for his observance of the Acts of Trade, and to prepare the draught of such instructions as are usually given to the Proprietaries on the like occasions.

The Secretary at the same time laid before the Board a paper signed by the said Proprietaries in the usual form, declaring that the nomination of the said William Denny to be Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania and the three counties of Newcastle, Kent and Sussex, shall not be construed to set aside or diminish the Crown's right to the said counties.

The Secretary laid before the Board a paper signed by the said William Denny, proposing the following persons as good and sufficient sureties to enter into the usual bond for the said Lieutenant Governor's observance of the Acts of Trade and Navigation, viz.:—William Berners of Wolverston Hall in the county of Suffolk, Esquire, and Henry Berners of Sackville Street in the parish of St. James, Westminster, in the county of Middlesex, Esquire.

Their lordships having approved of the said two gentlemen to be his sureties, the draught of a bond in the usual form was agreed to, and the Secretary was directed to send it to the Secretary to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, that their Lordships might give the necessary orders for the usual security being taken in his Majesty's Exchequer.

Trade.

Portugal.

Read a letter from Mr. Fox, one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, dated the 15th instant, referring to the Board a memorial signed by several merchants trading to Portugal, complaining of several grievances which the trade from Great Britain to that kingdom at present lyes under; together with a comparison of the duties paid there on certain merchandizes by the English and other nations; and a letter from several merchants in Norwich to their representatives in Parliament in behalf of the abovementioned memorial.

Ordered, that the solicitor do obtain from the records in the Rolls Chapel a copy of the secret article of the Treaty with Portugal in 1654.

Trade.

The Secretary laid before the Board a comparative view of the several Treaties of Commerce made between England and other states, prepared pursuant to their lordships' order of the fourth instant, and copies thereof were ordered to be made for the use of the members of the Board, and also copies of the project of a Treaty of Commerce proposed by the King of Prussia.

Thursday, May 20. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Talbot, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Rigby, Mr. Hamilton.

Georgia.

The Secretary laid before the Board a memorial prepared by Mr. Martyn, agent for the affairs of the colony of Georgia, to be presented to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, praying that the money granted by Parliament for the support of that colony from the 24th of June, 1755, to the 24th June, 1756, may be placed in his hands to answer the demands made upon him on account of that service; and their lordships having approved of the said memorial, Mr. Martyn was ordered to present it to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury for their directions upon it.

Plantations General.

Ordered, that the draught of a representation to his Majesty be prepared, proposing that an additional instruction should be given to the governors of his Majesty's colonies and plantations in America, directing them to use their utmost endeavours to prevent all correspondence between his Majesty's subjects in the said colonies and the subjects of the French King, and to prevent his Majesty's enemies being supplied with provisions or warlike stores from the said colonies as well by sea as by land.

Tuesday, May 25. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Talbot, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Rigby, Mr. Hamilton.

Trade.

Sweden.

The Secretary laid before the Board pursuant to their order, a state of all such papers upon the books in the office as relate to the Treaties of Commerce made at different times with the Crown of Sweden, and the proceedings had thereupon; and the said paper having been read, the Secretary was ordered to write to such of the merchants as are concerned in the trade, as well to the dominions of the King of Prussia as to the East country in general, to desire their attendance at the Board on Friday next, the 29th instant.

Plantations General.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty, proposing that additional instructions should be given to the governors of the several colonies in America, directing them to use their utmost endeavours to prevent all correspondence between his Majesty's subjects in the said colonies and the subjects of the French King, and to hinder his Majesty's enemies being supplied with provisions and warlike stores from the said colonies, having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 20th instant, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Friday, May 28. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Talbot, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Rigby, Mr. Hamilton.

Trade.

Sweden.

Mr. Amyand, Mr. Nettleton, Mr. Shiffner, Mr. Wordsworth, Mr. Weyland,

Their lordships took into further consideration the project of the Treaty of Commerce with the King of Prussia; and several of the principal merchants concerned in the trade to the East country, Sweden and the dominions of the King of Prussia, attending, as desired, they were called in; and the project of the treaty having been read to them, they moved the Board for a copy of it, in order that they might communicate it to the rest of the merchants concerned in this trade; for which purpose they proposed having a general meeting on Wednesday next, after which they would with all possible dispatch lay before the Board such observations as should occur to them upon it, and then they withdrew.

Ordered, that a copy of the project of the Treaty of Commerce with the King of Prussia be made, and delivered to the merchants for their consideration.