Journal, October 1756: Volume 63

Journal, October 1756

Friday, October 1. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Pelham.

Plantations General.

Read a letter from Mr. Fox, one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, dated the 27th of September, 1756, transmitting the copy of a letter to him from the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, proposing an embargo to be laid in Ireland upon all ships and vessels bound to neutral ports with provisions, also a copy of his letter to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland thereupon, and signifying his Majesty's commands that this Board should send instructions to the several governors in the West Indies and North America to lay the like embargo in their several governments as is directed to be laid in Ireland.

Upon consideration of this letter and papers a difficulty occurred to their lordships with respect to that regulation by which ships bound from one colony to another are to be obliged to sail under convoy, whereupon a letter to Mr. Fox thereupon having been prepared, was signed.

Trade.

Africa.

The Secretary laid before the Board the following papers received from the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa, viz.:—
Copies of letters from Charles Bell, Esquire, Captain Justly Watson, Mr. John Apperley, Tobias Lisle and Council, in March, April, May and June, 1756, to the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa.
Copies of two letters from the Governor and Council of James Fort, Gambia, to the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa, and one from the Committee to the President and Council of Cape Coast Castle, 1756.
The account of the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa, distinguishing each particular, anno 1756.

Several of the Committee attending without were called in and acquainted their lordships with their apprehensions of the great danger there was in the present conjuncture, that our trade and settlement at Anamaboe upon the coast of Africa would fall into the hands of the French unless speedy measures are taken to compleat the forth building there, the workmen of which were entirely at a stand for want of materials, and the chief (fn. 1) there under whose directions the works have been hitherto carried on, is in so bad a state of health that his life is despaired of, as a proof of which they laid before the Board the following paper, viz.:—
Extract of a letter from Mr. Farquar, dated at Tantumquerry, March 12th, 1756, relating to the indisposition of Mr. Apperley, Chief (fn. 1) of Anamaboe, and the state of the fort there.

Trade.

Africa.

The Committee being withdrawn, their lordships, after some time spent in the consideration of this affair, ordered the Secretary to transmit to the Secretary to the Board of Ordnance, a copy of Mr. Apperley's, the Chief of Anamaboe's, letter, and of the abovementioned extract of the letter from Mr. Farquar, and acquaint him for the information of that Board, that their lordships think it of very great consequence that this fort should be compleated as speedily as possible, and that they hope that the engineer sent over there to survey the several forts, and who they are informed has been some time since returned, will be called upon for his report, that the Ordnance may give such directions therein as they shall think most adviseable.

New York.

Read a letter from Sir Charles Hardy, Governor of New York, to the Board, dated the 2nd of August, 1756, giving an account of his proceedings with the Assembly and of the state of the forces in that government.

Thursday, October 7. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Hamilton.

Miscellanies.

The Secretary having acquainted the Board that the post of door-keeper to this office was vacant by the death of Giles Griffin, their lordships were pleased to appoint Edward Serle to supply the vacancy, upon the recommendation of Mr. Stone.

Plantations General.

Read a letter from Mr. Fox, one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, dated October 2nd, 1756, containing his Majesty's further directions with respect to the embargo to be laid in America upon all ships and vessels bound to neutral ports with provisions.

Ordered, that the draught of a circular letter to the several governors of his Majesty's colonies and plantations pursuant to his Majesty's commands be prepared.

Pennsylvania.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council for Plantation Affairs, dated the 18th of August, 1756, referring to the consideration of this Board two Acts passed in Pennsylvania in March and April, 1756.

Massachusets.

Read an Order of the Committee of Council for Plantation Affairs, dated the 18th of August, 1756, referring to the consideration of this Board thirty seven Acts passed in the province of the Massachusets Bay in September, October, November and December, 1755, and in January, February, March and April, 1756.

The Secretary acquainted their lordships that the Acts referred by the abovementioned Order had been sent in the usual manner to Sir Mathew Lamb for his opinion thereupon in point of law.

New York.

The Secretary laid before the Board the following Act passed in the province of New York on the 9th of July, 1756, entitled:—
An Act for enabling the surviving executors of the last will and testament of Philip van Cortlandt, Esquire, to sell and dispose of so much of the real estate whereof he died seized as will be sufficient to pay his debts.

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

Nova Scotia.

The Secretary acquainted their lordships that he was desired by Mr. Waldo of New England, to move their lordships for leave that he may have a copy from their lordships' books of a letter from the Secretary of this Board to the Secretary of the Treasury, dated March the 22nd, 1733–4, relating to the claim of Mrs. Agatha Campbell to lands in Nova Scotia; and a copy thereof was accordingly ordered to be made and delivered to Mr. Waldo.

Friday, October 8. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Hamilton.

Plantations General.

The draught of a circular letter to the governors of his Majesty's colonies and plantations in America directing an embargo to be laid upon all ships and vessels, bound to neutral ports with provisions, having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of yesterday, was agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

Ordered, that a copy of the said circular letter be made to be transmitted to Mr. Fox, one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, and a letter inclosing the said copy, and proposing that it should be communicated to the Commissioners of his Majesty's Customs that they may sent proper orders to their officers in the plantations thereupon, was agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

Leeward Islands.

Antigua.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council for Plantation Affairs, dated the 18th of August, 1756, referring a petition of the agent for Antigua relating to the augmentation of the regiment there.

Ordered, that the Secretary do write to Mr. Sharpe, agent for the Island of Antigua, and acquaint him that their lordships desire to have some conservation with him upon the subject matter of his petition, on such day as shall be most convenient to him and best suits his ill state of health.

North Carolina.

Read an Order of Council, dated the 18th of August, 1756, referring to the consideration of this Board the humble petition of Henry McCulloch to his Majesty, praying that he would be graciously pleased to order that the sum that was deducted from the arrears of salary due to him may be set off against the quit rents of such lands as he and his associates are entitled to in North Carolina, etc.

The petitioner attending without was called in, and after some conversation had with him upon the subject matter of his petition, he was ordered to withdraw, and the draught of a report thereupon to the Lords of the Committee of Council was ordered to be prepared.

Georgia.

Read a memorial of Henry Ellis, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor of Georgia to the Board, dated the 5th instant, setting forth the defenceless state of that colony, and the want of a ship of war to be stationed on that coast, 500 arms and Indian presents.

Mr. Ellis, Lieutenant Governor of Georgia, attending without was called in, and their lordships after some conversation had with him upon the subject matter of his memorial, came to the following resolutions thereupon, viz.:—
That such parts of the memorial as relate to the expediency of having a ship of war stationed upon the coast of Georgia should be laid before the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, and the Secretary was accordingly directed to transmit an extract of that part of the memorial which relates to this subject to the Secretary to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty and desire him to communicate the same to their Lordships.
That that part of the memorial which relates to the expediency of sending out presents for the Creek Indians should be laid before the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, and the Secretary was accordingly ordered to transmit an extract of that part of the memorial which relates to this subject to the Secretary to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury and desire him to communicate it to their Lordships, acquainting them with the motives which have induced this Board to lay the same before them.
That that part of the memorial which relates to the necessity of sending over to Georgia 500 arms be laid before his Majesty for his directions thereupon, and the draught of a representation to his Majesty was accordingly ordered to be prepared.

Their lordships then took into consideration four laws passed in the colony of Georgia in 1755, and agreed that the law for striking £7000 in bills of credit, passed with a clause suspending its execution untill his Majesty's pleasure can be known, do lay by for further consideration, when Mr. Ellis shall have represented to their lordships what effect and operation such a measure may have in the colony in its present situation, and the advantages or disadvantages which will arise therefrom to the commerce and settlement thereof, which Mr. Ellis was desired to do by the first opportunity and then he withdrew.

Nova Scotia.

Read a letter from Charles Lawrence, Esquire, Governor of Nova Scotia, dated the 5th of August, 1756, acquainting their lordships with the circumstances of an engagement between two of his Majesty's ships of war and two French ships of war off Louisbourg, and that he was preparing to go to New York to meet the Earl of Loudoun.

The draught of a letter to Mr. Lawrence in answer to the above, was agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

New Hampshire.

Read a letter from Benning Wentworth, Esquire, Governor of New Hampshire, to the Board, dated the 18th of July, 1756, inclosing:—
Copy of a letter from Sir William Johnson to Major General Abercrombie, dated at Fort Johnson, the 12th of July, 1756.
Piscataqua Naval office lists between Michaelmas, 1755, and Lady Day, 1756.

New York.

Read a letter from Sir William Johnson, Baronet, to the Board, dated the 17th July, 1756, relative to his meeting the Shawanese and Delaware Indians, etc., and his proceedings thereupon.

Massachusets.

Read a letter from Mr. Willard, Secretary of the Massachusets Bay, dated the 12th of June, 1756, transmitting copies of the laws certified under the public Seal of the province, passed between the 5th of September, 1755, and the 20th of April, 1756.

Connecticut.

Read a letter from Thomas Fitch, Esquire, Governor of Connecticut, to the Board, dated 29th June, 1756, giving an account of the zeal and vigour which that colony has exerted in raising men for the expedition against Crown Point, and inclosing:—
List of ships and vessels belonging to the colony of Connecticut to the 3rd of May, 1756.
Forty five Acts passed in Connecticut between October, 1750, and January, 1756.

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

New Jersey.

Read a letter from Mr. Partridge, agent for New Jersey, to Mr. Pownall, dated the 27th of July, 1756, with an extract of one from Mr. Belcher, dated the 9th of last month, relating to the Assembly having proceeded in the public affairs of the province with great chearfullness and unanimity.

Read a letter from Mr. Belcher, Governor of New Jersey, to the Board, dated the 23rd of April, 1756, giving an account of the death of James Alexander, Esquire, one of the Council of that province, and recommending his son, William Alexander, Esquire, to succeed him, and inclosing:—
Copy of the sixth article of his instructions.

Read a letter from Mr. Belcher, Governor of New Jersey, to the Board, dated June 15th, 1756, acknowledging the receipt to the Board's letter of the 17th of February last.

Read a letter from Mr. Belcher, Governor of New Jersey, to the Board, dated 17th of July, 1756, inclosing the following papers, viz.:—
Minutes of Council from the 29th of May to the 3rd of June, 1756, and of the 29th and 30th of that month.
Minutes of Council in Assembly from the 20th of May to the 2nd June, 1756.
Printed Journals of the Assembly for the same time.
Eight Acts passed in the province of New Jersey in May and June, 1756.

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

Read a letter from Mr. Belcher, Governor of New Jersey, dated the 12th of August, 1756, in answer to the Board's letter of the 11th of May last.

Virginia.

Read a letter from Robert Dinwiddie, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, to the Board, dated the 11th of June, 1756, acquainting their lordships with the death of Mr. Burwell, one of the Council of that colony, and inclosing the following papers, viz.:—
Account of his Majesty's revenue of 2s. per hogshead arising in Virginia from the 25th of October, 1755, to the 25th of April, 1756.
Printed Treaty held with the Catawba and Cherokee Indians in the months of February and March, 1756.
Lists of shipping entered inwards and outwards from Michaelmas, 1755, to Lady Day, 1756.

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

Maryland.

Read a letter from Horatio Sharpe, Esquire, Deputy Governor of Maryland, dated the 2nd of June, 1756, acquainting their lordships with the Assembly's having granted £40,000 currency, and with the purposes to which that sum is appropriated.

North Carolina.

Read a letter from Arthur Dobbs, Esquire, Governor of North Carolina, to the Board, dated the 14th of June, 1756, inclosing:—
Copy of a conference held with the King and warriors of the Catawbas by Mr. Chief Justice Henley, at Salisbury in North Carolina, in May, 1756.

South Carolina.

Read a letter from William Henry Lyttelton, Esquire, Governor of South Carolina, dated the 3rd of June, 1756, acquainting the Board with his arrival in that province, and that Mr. Beaufin, one of the Council, desired leave to resign his seat.

Ordered, that the draught of a representation to his Majesty be prepared proposing that Henry Drayton, Esquire, may be appointed of the Council of South Carolina in the room of Mr. Beaufin.

Bahamas.

Read a letter from John Tinker, Esquire, Governor of the Bahama Islands, to the Board, dated the 23rd of March, 1756, giving an account of the arrival of a supply of arms and ammunition, and to the great want of gun-carriages.

Bermuda.

Read a letter from William Popple, Esquire, Governor of the Bermuda Island, dated the 10th of July, 1756, acknowledging the receipt of the Board's letter of the 4th of February last.

Barbados.

Read a letter from Ralph Weekes, Esquire, President of the Council and Commander in Chief of Barbados, to the Board, dated the 13th of July, 1756, inclosing the following papers, viz.:—
List of the members of his Majesty's Council of Barbados, certified the 6th of July, 1756.
An abstract of all persons, born, christened and buried in Barbados from the 1st January, 1755, to the 31st of December following.
Treasurer's return of powder from the 8th of March, 1755, to the 8th September following, and the 8th September, 1755, to the 8th of March following.
Treasurer's return of Negroes from the 9th of May, 1755, to the 9th of May, 1756.
Minutes of Council from June, 1755, to June, 1756.
Minutes of Assembly from May, 1755, to May, 1756.
Four Acts passed at Barbados between July, 1755, and April, 1756.

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

Plantations General.

The Secretary laid before the Board the following copies of Orders of Council received from the Clerk of the Council in waiting, viz.:—
Jamaica.
Copy of his Majesty's Order in Council, dated the 17th of February, 1756, approving the Commission prepared by this Board for Henry Moore, Esquire, to be Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica.
Barbados.
Copy of his Majesty's Order in Council, dated the 17th of February, 1756, approving the draught of a Commission prepared by this Board for Charles Pinfold, Esquire, to be Captain General and Governor in Chief of Barbados.
Virginia.
Copy of his Majesty's Order in Council, dated the 17th of February, 1756, approving the draught of a Commission prepared by this Board for John, Earl of Loudoun, to be Captain General and Governor in Chief of Virginia.
Copy of his Majesty's Order in Council, dated the 17th of February, 1756, approving a representation of this Board to his Majesty proposing the confirmation of an Act passed in the colony of Virginia in December, 1753, to dock the intail of certain lands whereof Gerard Alexander is seized, and for settling other lands and slaves of greater value to the same uses.
Jamaica.
Copy of his Majesty's Order in Council, dated the 18th of March, 1756, approving an instruction prepared by this Board for Henry Moore, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica, directing him so soon as the administration of Government shall devolve on him, to dissolve the Assembly and call another.
Barbados.
Copy of his Majesty's Order in Council, dated the 18th of March, 1756, approving the draughts of general instructions and of those which relate to trade and navigation, for Charles Pinfold, Esquire, Governor [of] Barbados.
Virginia.
Copy of his Majesty's Order in Council, dated the 18th of March, 1756, approving a representation of this Board proposing the confirmation of an Act, passed in Virginia in July, 1755, to confirm and establish an agreement between William Withers and Augustine Washington.
Copy of his Majesty's Order in Council, dated the 18th of March, 1756, approving the draughts of general instructions, as also of those relating to the Acts of trade and navigation, prepared by this Board for the Earl of Loudoun, Captain General and Governor in Chief of Virginia.
Nova Scotia.
Copy of his Majesty's Order in Council, dated the 18th of March, 1756, approving the draughts of general instructions as also of those relating to the Acts of trade and navigation prepared by this Board for Charles Lawrence, Esquire, Captain General and Governor in Chief of Nova Scotia.
Barbados.
Copy of his Majesty's Order in Council, dated the 17th of May, 1756, directing that the supply of Ordnance and stores in the annexed estimated should be forthwith sent to the Island of Barbados.
Copy of his Majesty's Order in Council, dated the 17th of May, 1756, upon an application made by the late Governor of Barbados for a supply of cannon and stores, directing such supply to be forth with sent to the said Island.
Plantations General.
Copy of his Majesty's Order in Council, dated the 30th of June, 1756, directing that copies of the Commissions and instructions issued in this kingdom to private ships of war, upon the occasion of the present war with France, and of the warrants issued by the Lords of the Admiralty to the Judge of the Admiralty Court requiring him to issue such Commissions be transmitted to the governors of all his Majesty's colonies and plantations.
Copy of his Majesty's Order in Council, dated the 30th of June, 1756, approving the draughts of additional instructions prepared by this Board for the governors of his Majesty's colonies and plantations, directing them to use their utmost endeavours to prevent the French being supplied with provisions or warlike stores.
North Carolina.
Copy of his Majesty's Order in Council, dated the 7th of July, 1756, directing that the supply of ordnance and stores for the defence of Fort Johnson on Cape Fear River, and also the supply of ammunition for the defence of the province of North Carolina contained in the annexed estimates should be forthwith sent to the said province.
Copy of his Majesty's Order in Council, dated the 7th of July, 1756, upon an application made by the Governor of North Carolina for a supply of cannon and stores for Fort Johnson on Cape Fear River and directing such supply to be forthwith sent thither.
Copy of his Majesty's Order in Council, dated the 7th of July, 1756, upon an application made by the Governor of North Carolina for a supply of gunpowder and ball, and directing such supply to be forthwith sent to the said province.
Virginia.
Copy of his Majesty's Order in Council, dated the 7th July, 1756, approving a warrant prepared by this Board for the appointment of Philip Ludwell, Esquire, to be of the Council of Virginia in the room of William Beverley, Esquire, deceased.
Massachusets.
Copy of his Majesty's Order in Council, dated the 7th July, 1756, approving and confirming 57 Acts passed at Boston in the years 1753 and 1754.
Pennsylvania.
Copy of his Majesty's Order in Council, dated the 7th of July, 1756, approving the draught of instructions prepared by this Board for the Proprietaries of Pennsylvania for the direction of William Denny, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor of that colony.
Read copy of his Majesty's Order in Council, dated 7th July, 1756, repealing two Acts passed in Pennsylvania in August and November, 1755.
Copy of his Majesty's Order in Council, dated 7th July, 1756, approving and confirming five Acts passed in Pennsylvania in April, June, September and November, 1755.
Copy of his Majesty's Order in Council, dated the 7th of July, 1756, rejecting the petition of Cadwallader Evans of Pennsylvania praying for a grant of all the Islands situate in the river and bay of Delaware.

Saturday, October 9. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Stone, Mr. Oswald.

Virginia.

South Carolina.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty proposing that John Tayloe, Esquire, may be appointed of the Council of Virginia, and that Henry Drayton, Esquire, may be appointed of the Council of South Carolina, having been prepared pursuant to the preceding day's minute, were agreed to, transcribed and signed.

North Carolina.

South Carolina.

The draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee of Council for Plantation Affairs, upon the petition of Henry McCulloch, late Inspector and Comptroller of the quit rents in North and South Carolina, having been prepared pursuant to the preceding day's minutes, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Nova Scotia.

The draught of a letter to Colonel Lawrence, Governor of Nova Scotia, having been transcribed pursuant to the preceding day's minute, was signed.

Plantations General.

The draught of a circular letter to the several governors of his Majesty's colonies in America relating to the embargo to be laid upon all ships and vessels bound to neutral ports with provisions, having been transcribed pursuant to the preceding day's minutes, were signed; as was also a letter to Mr. Fox, one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, inclosing a copy of the said circular letter.

Georgia.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty praying that 500 small arms and a proportion of powder and ball should be sent to the colony of Georgia, having been prepared pursuant to the preceding day's minute, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Wednesday, October 13. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Stone, Mr. Oswald.

Virginia.

South Carolina.

Read two Orders of his Majesty in Council approving the representation of this Board proposing that John Tayloe, Esquire, may be appointed of the Council of Virginia, and that Henry Drayton, Esquire, may be appointed of the Council of South Carolina, and directing warrants in the usual form to be prepared.

Warrants in the usual form having been prepared, were agreed to, and representations to his Majesty thereupon were signed.

Miscellanies.

The Secretary laid before the Board an account of the incidental charges from the 5th of July to the 10th of October, 1756, amounting to three hundred, ninety three pounds, eighteen shillings and two pence, and 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.

Wednesday, October 27. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Rigby, Mr. Hamilton.

New York.

Read Sir Mathew Lamb's report upon a private Act passed in New York in July, 1756, for enabling the surviving executors of the last will and testament of Philip van Cortlandt, Esquire, to sell and dispose of so much of the real estate whereof he died seized, as will be sufficient to pay his debts.

Ordered, that the draught of a representation to his Majesty be prepared proposing that the said Act may be confirmed.

Pennsylvania.

The Secretary having acquainted the Board that Mr. Charles, agent for the Assembly of Pennsylvania, was attending without and desired leave to be admitted, he was called in and acquainted their lordships that he had a motion to make to their lordships respecting the province of Pennsylvania, and desired that a day might be fixed for hearing it, as he intended to give notice to the Proprietaries to attend; whereupon their lordships fixed Wednesday next, the 3rd of November, and then he withdrew.

Antigua.

The Secretary having acquainted the Board with the death of Mr. Sharpe, agent for the Island of Antigua, their lordships agreed to take the petition relating to the augmentation of the regiment there, mentioned in the minutes of the 8th instant, into consideration on Tuesday next, and the Secretary was directed to give notice thereof to the merchants interested in and trading to that Island.