Journal, April 1754: Volume 61, Part 2

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, April 1754: Volume 61, Part 2', in Journals of the Board of Trade and Plantations: Volume 10, January 1754 - December 1758, (London, 1933) pp. 24-34. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/jrnl-trade-plantations/vol10/pp24-34 [accessed 19 March 2024]

Journal, April 1754

Tuesday, April 2. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane, Mr. Oswald.

Leeward Islands.

Read a letter from Lieutenant-General Fleming to the Secretary dated the 30th March, 1754, acquainting him that he has no objection to attending the Board on the subject of the complaint he made against two Custom House officers in St. Christopher's.

Lieutenant-General Fleming attending, was called in, and having acquainted their lordships that during his administration of the Leeward Islands he met with great obstructions from Walter Pringle, waiter, and James Smith, searcher of his Majesty's Customs in the Island of St. Christopher's, and that the present defenceless state of that island was to be imputed to the conduct of these two gentlemen, by which he was prevented from carrying his Majesty's instructions relative to the mode of raising money for the supply of government into execution; their lordships ordered the Secretary to write to the Secretary to the Lords of the Treasury, desiring he would move their Lordships that those two officers may be removed from their employments.

Nova Scotia.

Read a letter from Colonel Hopson to the Secretary, dated the 30th March, 1754, in answer to one from him, and signifying that he has no intentions of returning to take upon him the government of Nova Scotia.

Virginia.

Read the following letters and papers received from Mr. Dinwiddie, Lieutenant-Governor of Virginia, viz:—
Letter from Mr. Dinwiddie to the Board, dated 29th December, 1753, relative to the Assembly's disputing his right to receive a fee for affixing the Seal to patents for lands, etc.
Copy of minutes of Council of Virginia of the 15th, 17th, 19th, December, 1753.
Copy of four resolves of the House of Burgesses of Virginia relating to Mr. Dinwiddie's fee of a pistole for sealing patents.
Copy of case relative to the fee of a pistole, with Sir Dudley Ryder's opinion upon it.
Copy of an address of the Council of Virginia to the King.
Copy of an Order in Council, dated 9th September, 1689, forbidding the Lord Howard to take a fee of 200lb. tobacco for the use of the publick Seal.
An Act for settling certain differences therein mentioned.
Letter from Mr. Dinwiddie to the Board, dated January 29th, 1754, relative to his having appointed George Wyth, Esquire, Attorney-General in the room of Mr. Randolph, and to the death of Mr. Lewis, one of the Council.
Account of his Majesty's revenue of 2s. per hogshead from 25th April to 25th October, 1753.
Account of his Majesty's revenue of quit rents for the year 1752.
Letter from Mr. Dinwiddie to the Board, dated 29th January, 1754, relative to the French forces on the River Ohio, and inclosing:—
Copy of the Governor's letter to the French Commanding Officer by Major Washington.
Lieutenant-Governor Dinwiddie's instructions to Major Washington.
Lieutenant-Governor Dinwiddie's Commission to Major Washington.
The French commander's letter to Lieutenant-Governor Dinwiddie.
Major Washington's journal to and transactions with the commandant of the French forces on the Ohio.
Major Washington's passport.
Minutes of Council from the 1st November, 1753, to the 19th December following.
Journal of the House of Burgesses from the 1st November, 1753, to the 19th December, 1753.
Naval office lists of shipping entered inwards and outwards in the different districts of Virginia from Lady Day, 1753, to Michaelmas following.
A map describing the situation of the French forts on the River Ohio.

Ordered that the letter which relates to the proceedings of the French upon the Ohio and the papers transmitted with it, be copyed to be laid before his Majesty's Secretary of State, and that the draught of a letter to him thereupon be prepared.

Ordered that the Secretary do write to Mr. Randolph, AttorneyGeneral of Virginia, to attend the Board to-morrow morning.

Ordered that the draught of a representation to his Majesty be prepared proposing that William Byrd, Esquire, may be appointed of the Council of Virginia in the room of John Lewis, Esquire, deceased.

Miscellanies.

The Secretary laid before the Board an account of the incidental charges of this office from the 5th of January to the 5th of April, 1754, amounting to three hundred sixty five pounds, six shillings and three pence, and the draught of a letter to the Lords of the Treasury desiring payment thereof, and of the salaries due to the Secretaries and under officers in the service of this Board for the same time, was signed.

Virginia.

The Secretary laid before the Board the following Order of Council received from Mr. Joshua Sharpe on Friday last, viz.:—
Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council, dated 12th December, 1751, referring the petitions of several merchants of London and Liverpool praying the repeal of a clause in an Act passed in Virginia in 1749, for declaring the law concerning executions, etc.

Mr. Joshua Sharpe, agent for the petitioners, attending, was called in, and their lordships after having reprimanded him for not having sooner laid this Order before them, acquainted him that they would take it into consideration the first opportunity, and that notice would be given to him to attend upon it.

Plantations General.

The Secretary having acquainted their lordships that he was desired by Mr. Stephens to move the Board for a copy of their report upon his petition, it was ordered that a copy should be made and delivered to him.

Virginia.

The Secretary having acquainted the Board that Mr. Abercromby had desired him to move their lordships for a copy of the bill prepared by the Council of Virginia relative to the pistole fee, and also for copies of the proceedings in the year 1689, relative to the fee established in Virginia for grants under the Great Seal, these papers were ordered to be copied and delivered to him.

Wednesday, April 3. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Mr. Oswald.

Virginia.

Mr. Randolph, Attorney-General of Virginia, attending, as desired, was called in, and their lordships acquainted him that they thought it their duty, upon seeing him attending upon business at this office, to call upon him to know whether he has any or what leave to be absent from the colony; to which he replied, that he came over here as agent in support of an address to his Majesty from the Assembly of Virginia, relative to the fee demanded by the Lieutenant-Governor for grants of land; that when he was first applied to to undertake this service, he declined accepting it, considering it as inconsistent with his office of Attorney-General, but upon their insisting that he should accept it, he thought proper to acquiesce, and asked the LieutenantGovernor leave to be absent, who refused to grant him leave, but that he had then so far engaged in the thing, that he could not recede, and that he did not apprehend he was acting contrary to the rights and prerogative of the Crown.

His Majesty's warrant directing his appointment being read, he was asked whether he considered himself as any longer AttorneyGeneral of Virginia, to which he replied that he did understand that during his absence he was not Attorney-General, and that any other person might be appointed to that office.

Mr. Randolph was then ordered to withdraw.

Nova Scotia.

The Secretary laid before their lordships a letter from Colonel Mascarene to Mr. Hopson, which he desired might be communicated to the Board acquainting him that he could not execute the Commission he gave him to act as Commissioner for Nova Scotia at the interview proposed to be held with the Indians to the eastward of New England, unless he was impowered to draw for such sums of money as should be necessary to enable him to purchase presents for them, and to defray the other expences incident to this service.

Ordered that a paragraph be added to the letter to Colonel Lawrence directing him to supply Mr. Mascarene with such sums or credit for such sums of money as should be absolutely necessary for this service, and that the Secretary do write to Colonel Mascarene to acquaint him therewith.

Ordered that the agent for the settlement of Nova Scotia do procure one hundred small musquets and a proportionable quantity of ammunition to be sent over to Nova Scotia and lodged in the storehouse at Halifax for his Majesty's service.

Mr. Brewse, Engineer in the service of Nova Scotia, attending, was called in, and acquainted their lordships that the following materials, etc., would be wanted to enable him to erect the battery ordered to be made on the eastern shore of the harbour of Halifax, viz.:—

Wheel barrows 300
Iron shod shovels 500
Pick axes and helves 500

Ordered that a representation to his Majesty be prepared proposing that these materials should be sent over to Halifax as soon as possible.

North Carolina.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council, dated 26th March, 1754, approving a representation of this Board upon the present state of North Carolina, and directing the Board to prepare instructions for Mr. Dobbs upon the several points mentioned in the said representation conformable thereto.

Ordered that the draughts of general instructions and of those relative to the Acts of Trade be prepared for Mr. Dobbs, and that instructions upon the several points mentioned in the above Order be inserted therein.

South Carolina.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council, dated the 26th March, 1754, approving a representation of this Board proposing the repeal of an Act passed in 1766, for emitting £210,000 in bills of credit, and directing the draught of an instruction to be prepared for Mr. Glen conformable to said representation.

New Jersey.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council, dated 26th March, 1754, approving a report of this Board on the petition of the Assembly of New Jersey, and directing the draught of an additional instruction to be prepared for Mr. Belcher, conformable to the said report.

Ordered that the draught of an additional instruction for Mr. Belcher conformable to the above Order be prepared, and also the draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee of Council thereupon.

Trade.

Africa.

Read a letter from Mr. Hollier, Secretary to the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa, inclosing:—
Memorial of the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa to the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations relative to the points in dispute with the Dutch upon the Coast of Africa.

Ordered that the draught of a letter to Lord Holdernesse thereupon be prepared.

New Jersey.

Read a letter from Robert Hunter Morris, Esquire, Chief Justice of New Jersey, to the Board, dated the 31st March, 1754, upon several matters relative to that province, and inclosing:—
Memorial of the Council of the Proprietors of the Eastern division of New Jersey to Jonathan Belcher, Esquire, Governor of that province.
Copy of the affidavits of John Herring, Richard Gardner and Peter Decker, relative to an assault made on them by Thomas Dekey and sons on the 20th July last in the highway near to the partition line between New York and New Jersey.
Letter from Mr. Read to Robert Hunter Morris, Esquire, dated the 10th of November, 1753.

Mr. Morris attending was called in, and their lordships after some conversation with him upon the several points therein contained, agreed further to consider of it at another opportunity.

Plantations General.

The Secretary laid before the Board the following copies of Orders in Council received from the Clerk of his Majesty's Council, viz.:—
Jamacia.
Copy of an Order in Council, dated 28th February, 1754, approving the draught of an additional instruction prepared by this Board for Charles Knowles, Esquire, relative to twelve laws passed in Jamaica in 1751 and 1752.
Copy of an Order in Council, dated 31st January, 1754, approving the draught of a warrant prepared by this Board for appointing John Scot, Esquire, to be of the Council of Jamaica in the room of John Palmer, Esquire.
Copy of an Order in Council, dated 28th February, 1754, confirming two Acts passed in Jamaica in December, 1751, and November, 1752.
Copy of an Order in Council, dated 28th February, 1754, repealing seven Acts passed in Jamaica in 1751 and 1752.
Barbados.
Copy of an Order in Council, dated 28th February, 1754, confirming two Acts passed in Barbados in August, 1752.
New Hampshire.
Copy of an Order in Council, dated 31st January, 1754, approving the draught of a warrant prepared by this Board, appointing Joseph Newmarch, Esquire, to be of the Council of New Hampshire.

Antigua.

Read a memorial of Edward Otto Bayer, Esquire, to the Board of Trade, praying to be restored to his place and rank in the Council of Antigua.

It appearing to their lordships that there was a vacancy in the Council of Antigua by the death of John Tomlinson, the draught of a representation to his Majesty proposing that Mr. Bayer should be restored to his seat and rank was ordered to be prepared.

Thursday, April 5. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Mr. Stone, Mr. Oswald.

Virginia.

The draught of a letter to Sir Thomas Robinson, inclosing copies of a letter and several papers lately received from Mr. Dinwiddie, Lieutenant-Governor of Virginia, having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 2nd instant, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty, proposing that William Byrd, Esquire, be appointed of the Council in Virginia in the room of John Lewis, Esquire, deceased, having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 2nd instant, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Trade.

Africa.

The draught of a letter to Lord Holdernesse upon the papers relative to the disputes with the Dutch upon the Coast of Africa, having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of yesterday, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

New Jersey.

The draught of an additional instruction to Mr. Belcher, Governor of New Jersey, relative to a paper currency in that province, and the draught of a report thereupon having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of yesterday, were agreed to, and the draught of the report having been transcribed, was signed.

Nova Scotia.

The draught of a letter to Colonel Lawrence, President of the Council of Nova Scotia, having been transcribed pursuant to the minutes of the 29th of March, was signed.

Antigua.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty, proposing that Otto Bayer, Esquire, be restored to his rank and seat in the Council of Antigua, having been prepared, pursuant to the minutes of yesterday, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Virginia.

Read a letter from Sir Thomas Robinson, Secretary of State, dated 3rd April, 1754, directing this Board to prepare a warrant for his Majesty's signature containing his Majesty's leave of absence to William Beverley, Esquire, one of the Council of Virginia.

The draught of a warrant having been accordingly prepared was agreed to, and a letter to Sir Thomas Robinson inclosing it was signed.

Jamaica.

Read an Order in Council, dated 2nd April, 1754, confirming the suspension of Benjamin Hume, Esquire, and directing this Board to prepare a warrant for appointing Ballard Beckford, Esquire, to be of the Council of Jamaica in his room.

The draught of a warrant having been accordingly prepared was agreed to, and a representation to his Majesty was signed.

Nova Scotia.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty, proposing that directions be given to the Board of Ordnance to send over sundry materials for erecting a battery on the eastern shore of the harbour of Halifax, having been prepared pursuant to yesterday's minutes, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Newfoundland.

Read the following letter and papers received from Captain Bonfoy, Governor of Newfoundland, viz.:—
Letter from Captain Bonfoy to the Board, dated at Woolwich, the 6th January, 1754, inclosing:—
A general scheme of the fishery and inhabitants of Newfoundland for the year 1753.
Answers to several articles of his Majesty's instructions.
A report of the state of Fort William and Fort George at St. John's, 1753.
A state and remain of ordnance and stores at St. John's, 1st of August, 1753.
A return of his Majesty's garrison at Placentia, September 3rd, 1753.
A return of Captain Aldridge's company in Colonel Hopson's regiment, and a detachment of the train of artillery at St. John's.
A return of Captain Ord's company of the artillery in Newfoundland, 26th July, 1753.
An inventory of ordnance, carriages, ball, powder, etc., in the garrison of Placentia, the 3rd September, 1753.

Georgia.

Read the following letter and papers received from the President and Court of Assistants of Georgia, viz.:—
Letter from the President and Court of Assistants to the Board, dated 20th September, 1753, inclosing:—
An account of vessels cleared out at the Port of Savannah in Georgia from March, 1752, to 6th January, 1753.
An account of vessels entered at the Port of Savannah in Georgia from February, 1752.
An account of the produce of Georgia exported from the 1st of January, 1752, to the 6th January, 1753.
Minutes of Council from the 29th November, 1752, to the 3rd of September, 1753.

New Jersey.

Read the following letters and papers received from Mr. Belcher, Governor of New Jersey:—
Letter from Governor Belcher to the Board, dated November 28th, 1753, inclosing the following papers, viz.:—
A list of ships and vessels entered inwards at Perth Amboy between 25th December and 24th June, 1752.
A list of ships and vessels cleared outwards at Perth Amboy between 25th December and 24th June, 1752.
A list of ships and vessels entered inwards at Perth Amboy between 24th June and 25th December, 1752.
A list of ships and vessels entered inwards at Perth Amboy between 24th June and 25th December, 1752.
A list of ships and vessels entered inwards at Perth Amboy between 25th December and 24th June, 1753.
A list of ships and vessels entered inwards at Perth Amboy between 25th December and 24th June, 1753.
A list of ships and vessls entered and cleared at the Port of Bridlington between April 5th, 1753, and 10th October following.
Treasurer of East New Jersey's account of receipts and payments from October, 1751, to May, 1753.
Treasurer of West New Jersey's account from October, 7th, 1752, to 24th September, 1753.
Minutes of Council of New Jersey of the 17th and 22nd of August, 1753.
Letter from Mr. Belcher to the Board, dated 20th December, 1753, relative to some disputes which have arisen in New Jersey for want of a boundary line between that province and New York, and inclosing:—
Minutes of Council of the province of New Jersey in September and November, 1753.

Massachusets.

Read the following letter and papers received from Mr. Shirley, Governor of the Massachusets Bay, viz.:—
Letter from Mr. Shirley to the Board, dated January, 1754, acquainting their lordships with his having received the King's commands, in case of any hostile attempt on his Majesty's dominions, and containing the contents of his letter to Lord Holdernesse thereupon, and inclosing:—
Extract of a letter from Mr. Smith to Governor Shirley, dated at Cape Cod, 24th December, 1753, giving an account of preparations made by the French in 1753, towards the building a fort on the Rivière Blanche.
Extract of a letter from the Commanding Officer at Oswego to the Governor of New York (dated 8th November, 1753) and by him communicated to Mr. Shirley.
Copy of the address of the Assembly to Governor Shirley on the subject of Lord Holdernesse's letter to that Governor.
Copy of a letter from the Governor of Canada to Governor Shirley, dated at Montreal, December 1st, 1753.

Ordered that the foregoing letter and papers be copied for his Majesty's Principal Secretary of State, and the draught of a letter to Sir Thomas Robinson thereupon having been prepared, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Read a letter from Mr. Willard, Secretary of the Massachusets Bay, to the Secretary of this Board, dated the 20th October, 1753, transmitting:—
Minutes of Council from the beginning of September, 1752, to the end of August, 1753; and minutes of the General Assembly for the same time.

Barbados.

Read a letter from Ralph Weekes, Esquire, President of the Council of Barbados, to the Board, dated December 15th, 1753, transmitting:—
A list of the members of his Majesty's Council of Barbados.
Minutes of Council from the 4th of May to the 31st of October, 1753.
Minutes of Assembly from the 17th April to the 30th October, 1753.
Two Acts passed the 11th June and 31st October, 1753.

Barbados.

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

Virginia.

The Secretary acquainted the Board that Mr. Paris had desired him to move their lordships for copies of the following papers, viz.:—
The charter of laws and orders concluded upon in a great and general court of the Virginia Company under their common Seal, anno 1618.
Instruction from King Charles the First to the Governor and Council of Virginia, anno 1634.
The Commission to Lieutenant-Governor Dinwiddie as to granting out lands and the Seal.
The instructions to him, particularly the 51st, about settling fees.
The instruction, No. 64, whereby he is directed to take care that no man's goods be harmed, but by known laws.
The order of Governor and Council of Virginia for demanding the pistole, 22nd April, 1752.
The subsequent minutes of Governor and Council, where the Council advised him to recede from that demand.
Mr. Dinwiddie's letter to the Board of Trade, desiring their lordships' approbation of his demand of that fee.
Letter from the Board of Trade to Mr. Dinwiddie, dated 17th of January, 1754.
Act of Assembly to encourage persons to settle on the waters of the Mississipi, 20th April, 1752.
Letter from the Board of Trade to Mr. Dinwiddie, dated 29th November, 1752.
Act of Assembly for further encouraging persons to settle on the waters of Mississipi, 19th December, 1753.
Minutes of Assembly from 27th February to 20th April, 1752.
Minutes of Assembly from 1st November to 19th December, 1753.
Lists of patents and certificates laid by the Clerk of the Secretaries' Office before the House of Burgesses, the 8th December, 1753.

Ordered that copies be made and delivered to him.

Read an order of the Lords of the Committee of Council, dated the 2nd instant, referring to the consideration of this Board the humble petition of the Ohio Company to his Majesty praying an enlargement of their grant of lands and for ascertaining their boundaries.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council, dated the 2nd instant, referring to the consideration of this Board the humble address of the House of Burgesses to his Majesty praying that he would be graciously pleased to grant lands lying to the westward of the ridge of mountains, which separates the Rivers Roanock, James and Potowmack in small parcels free from the payment of quite rents for the term of ten years.

South Carolina.

Read a memorial of John Hammerton, Esquire, Secretary and Register of South Carolina, to the Board of Trade, complaining of the ill usage he has received from James Glen, Esquire, Governor of South Carolina.

Massachusets.

Read a letter from Mr. Pemberton, naval officer of Boston, to the Board, dated November 20th, 1753, inclosing:—
List of vessels entered and cleared in the four quarters from Michaelmas, 1752, to Michaelmas, 1753.

New York.

The Secretary laid before the Board an address of the General Assembly of New York to his Majesty transmitted by Mr. Delancy, Lieutenant-Governor of that province, to be laid before his Majesty, and the draught of a representation thereupon having been prepared was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Read the following reports received from Mr. Lamb, viz.:—
Barbados.
Mr. Lamb's report upon six Acts passed at Barbados in February, 1748, 1749 and 1750.
New York.
His report upon six Acts passed at New York in October and November, 1748.
His report upon thirty Acts passed at New York in September and November, 1750.
His report upon fourteen Acts passed at New York in November, 1751.
His report upon nine Acts passed at New York in November, 1752.
New Jersey.
Mr. Lamb's report upon six Acts passed at New Jersey in December, 1748.
His report upon five Acts passed at New Jersey in March, 1749, and one Act in February, 1750.
His report upon twelve Acts passed at New Jersey in June and October, 1751.
His report upon eleven Acts passed at New Jersey the 8th June, 1753.
St. Christopher's.
His report upon four Acts passed at St. Christopher's between January, 1749, and December, 1750.
His report upon two Acts passed at St. Christopher's in May and June, 1752.
South Carolina.
His report upon four Acts passed at South Carolina in June, 1749.
His report upon nine Acts and two Ordinances passed at South Carolina in May, 1752.
His report upon seven Acts passed at South Carolina in April, 1753.
Antigua.
His report upon twelve Acts passed at Antigua between January, 1748, and April, 1750.
His report upon three Acts passed at Antigua in January, 1750–1.
Virginia.
His report upon forty-four Acts passed at Virginia in April, 1752.
His report upon a private Act passed in Virginia in April, 1752.
His report upon two private Acts passed in Virginia in October, 1744.
New Hampshire.
His report upon two private Acts passed in New Hampshire in 1742.
Nevis.
His report upon an Act passed at Nevis in June, 1752.
Jamaica.
His report upon three private Acts passed in Jamaica in 1746.

South Carolina.

Read the following letters and papers from Mr. Glen, Governor of South Carolina, viz.:—
Letter from Mr. Glen to the Board, dated in March, 1753, containing his observations on his Majesty's instructions to him relating to the Acts of Trade and Navigation in pursuance of the Board's letter to him of the 3rd June, 1752.
Letter from Mr. Glen to the Board, dated the 25th of June, 1753, relating to Indian affairs, and inclosing:—
Printed proclamation against the Northern Indians, dated the 7th April, 1753, with the resolution of the Assembly of South Carolina upon that subject.
A treaty between the government of South Carolina and the Creek Nation, 1753.
Letter from Mr. Glen to the Board, dated July 30th, 1753, relative to Indian affairs, and inclosing:—
Journal of the Council from the 4th February, 1752, to the 15th February, 1753.
Journal of the Upper House of Assembly from the 7th of March to the 16th of December, 1752.
Journal of the Assembly from the 14th of November, 1751, to the 21st April, 1753.
Seven Acts passed in South Carolina the 21st April, 1753.
An account of the presents granted by his Most Gracious Majesty for the use of the Indians in alliance with the provinces of South Carolina and Georgia.
Letter from Mr. Glen to the Board, dated the 25th of October, 1753, written when he was in the woods above 200 miles from Charles Town on his way to the Cherrokee Nation, where he proposes to build a small fort, and inclosing a copy of a letter he has writ upon this subject to one of the gentlemen of the Council of that province.

Ordered that the above mentioned Acts be sent to Mr. Lamb for his opinion thereon in point of law.

Read a letter from Mr. Pinckney, one of the Council of South Carolina, to Mr. Pownall, dated September 11th, 1753, relating to the necessity of building a fort among the Cherokee Indians.

Plantations General.

Ordered that the Secretary do write to the Governors of the several colonies in America to desire they would transmit as soon as possible all such papers as they have neglected to transmit, and also their answers to the Board's general queries.