Journal, April 1758: Volume 65

Journal, April 1758

Tuesday, April 5. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Sloper.

Virginia.

South Carolina.

Jamaica.

Read three Orders of his Majesty in Council, dated the 1st of April, 1758, approving three representations of this Board, proposing Robert Carter, Esquire, to be a councillor in Virginia in the room of William Fairfax, Esquire, deceased; John Guerard, Esquire, to be a councillor in South Carolina in the room of James Kinloch, Esquire, deceased; and Norwood Witter, Esquire, to be a councillor in Jamaica in the room of Henry Archbould, Esquire, deceased; and directing their lordships to prepare warrants in the usual form.

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

Georgia.

Read the following letters and papers received from the Lieutenant Governor of Georgia, viz.:—
Letter from Henry Ellis, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor of Georgia, to the Board, dated Savannah, the 11th of March, 1757.
Letter from Henry Ellis, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor of Georgia, to the Board, dated 20th March, 1757.
Letter from Henry Ellis, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor of Georgia, dated 7th December, 1757, and inclosing:—
Copy of the Rev. Mr. Bosomworth's proposals, delivered to Lieutenant Governor Ellis, for surrendering his pretensions to certain lands and islands in Georgia.
Copy of articles of agreement between the Rev. Thomas Bosomworth and Isaac Levi of Broad Street, London, Esquire, dated 14th October, 1754.
Letter from Henry Ellis, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor of Georgia, to the Board, dated 15th December, 1757, in answer to their lordships' letter of 9th June, requiring an account of iron made in that province.

Wednesday, April 6. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Hamilton.

Miscellanies.

The Secretary laid before the Board an account of the petty expences and incidental charges of this office from the 5th of January to the 5th of April, 1758, amounting in the whole to four hundred and seven pounds, four shillings; 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.

Georgia.

Read a letter from Henry Ellis, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor of Georgia, to the Board, dated the 1st of January, 1758, and inclosing:—
Copy of a letter from Lieutenant Governor Ellis to the Governor of St. Augustine, dated Savannah, 27th August, 1757.
Copy of the Governor of Florida's letter to Lieutenant Governor Ellis, dated St. Augustine, 19th September, 1757.
Copy of a letter from Lieutenant Governor Ellis to the Governor of St. Augustine, dated 28th November, 1757.
Lists of ships and vessels entered and cleared at the Port of Savannah in the Province of Georgia between the 26th day of December, 1756, and the 5th of April, 1757; and between the 6th of April, 1757, and the 5th of July, following.

Ordered, that an extract be made of so much of Mr. Ellis's letter of the 1st of January last, as relates to his correspondence with the Governor of St. Augustine, and also copies of the letters which passed between the said Governor and him, together with an extract of so much of the said Lieutenant Governor's said letter to the Board, as relates to the expediency of some military force being kept up in the colony, to be laid before his Majesty, and that the draught of a letter to Mr. Secretary Pitt, inclosing the said extracts and copies, be prepared.

Their lordships then took into consideration the whole of Mr. Ellis's correspondence, and after some time spent therein, ordered the draught of a letter to him to be prepared.

Maryland.

Read a letter from Horatio Sharpe, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor of Maryland, to the Board, dated Annapolis, 22nd of October, 1757, inclosing:—
An account of the quantity of iron that was exported from the Province of Maryland between the 31st of December, 1749, and the 1st of May, 1756.

Connecticut.

Read a letter from Thomas Fitch, Esquire, Governor of Connecticut, to the Board, dated 18th November, 1757, in answer to one from their lordships of the 9th June, requiring an account of the quantity of iron made in that colony.

New York.

Read a letter from James Delancy, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor of New York, to the Board, dated 1st December, 1757, in answer to their letter of 9th June, requiring an account of iron made in that province, and inclosing:—
Account of iron made at Mr. Livingston's works from 1750 to 1756 inclusive.

Plantations General.

Ordered, that copies or extracts be made of all such letters from any of the governors or commanders in chief of his Majesty's colonies upon the continent of America as contain returns to the Board's circular letter to them of the 9th of June last, requiring an account of the quantity of iron made in the said colonies, in order that the said copies and extracts may be laid before the House of Commons, pursuant to their Address to his Majesty in the last session of Parliament.

Tuesday, April 11. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Sloper.

Virginia.

Their lordships, pursuant to the minutes of the 15th of last month, took into consideration an Act passed in the Colony of Virginia in June, 1757, intituled, An Act to impower Armistead Churchill, gentleman, to sell and dispose of certain entailed lands; and the Secretary having acquainted the Board, that Mr. Combes, who had entered a caveat against any report being made for the confirmation of this Act without his having an opportunity of being heard upon it, was attending without, pursuant to notice given him for that purpose; but that Mr. Walton, who had applyed for the confirmation of the said Act, and who had likewise notice given him to attend, was not without; Mr. Combes was called in, and acquainted their lordships, that he was ready to submit to their lordships, what he had to offer upon this Act; but as the other party was not present, he had no objection to the consideration of it being postponed to any other time their lordships should think proper; whereupon their lordships agreed to postpone the consideration of it to Tuesday, the 13th of June next, and the Secretary was ordered to give notice thereof to both parties; and then Mr. Combes withdrew.

Georgia.

The draught of a letter to Mr. Secretary Pitt, with two extracts of one from Mr. Ellis, Lieutenant Governor of Georgia, and copies of papers received therewith, having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of Wednesday last, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

New York.

New Jersey.

Pennsylvania.

Connecticut.

Read a letter from Mr. Secretary Pitt, dated April 6th, 1758, relative to the loss of the Commission for trying pirates in New York, and inclosing:—
Extract of a letter from Lieutenant Governor Delancy to Mr. Secretary Pitt, dated New York, 13th February, 1758.

Ordered, that the Secretary do send a copy of the said extract of a letter from the Lieutenant Governor of New York, to the agent for the said province, and desire him forthwith to take out a duplicate or exemplification under the Great Seal, of the Commission for tryal of pirates issued at his Majesty's accession for the Provinces of New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Connecticut, and transmit the same to the said Lieutenant Governor.

Barbados.

Read a letter from Charles Pinfold, Esquire, Governor of Barbados, to the Board, dated 7th January, 1758, and inclosing:—
Mr. Tyrrell's letter acquainting his Excellency with publishing his Commission at Tobago, and the state of that island.

Barbados.

Ordered, that an extract be made of so much of the said letter as relates to the publication of the Governor's Commission in the Islands of Tobago, Santa Lucia, Dominica and St. Vincent's, together with a copy of Captain Tyrrell's letter, to be transmitted to Mr. Secretary Pitt, and that the draught of a letter to him, inclosing the same, be prepared.

Jamaica.

Read the following letters received from Mr. Moore, Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica, viz.:—
Letter from Henry Moore, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica to the Board, dated December 12th, 1757, and inclosing:—
Minutes of the last session of Assembly.
Thirteen Acts passed the last session.
Naval officer's lists from September 25th, 1756, to June 25th, 1757.
Letter from Henry Moore, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica, to the Board, dated 7th February, 1758, and inclosing:—
Extract from the minutes of Assembly of Jamaica in October and November, 1756, relative to their inspection of the barracks, and the return of Colonel Walsh's regiment, with a list of each.

Bahamas.

Read a letter from John Tinker, Esquire, Governor of the Bahama Islands, to the Secretary, dated October 18th, 1757, and inclosing:—
The Treasurer's accounts from Midsummer, 1755, to Midsummer, 1757.
Lists of shipping inwards and outwards to the 5th of July, 1757.
Minutes of Council from . . . . . . . .
List of the councillors in the Bahama Islands.

Leeward Islands.

Read a letter from George Thomas, Esquire, Governor of the Leeward Islands, to the Board, dated November 5th, 1757, in answer to their lordships' letter on the state of the councils of the several islands.

New York.

Read the following letters and papers received from the Lieutenant Governor of New York, viz.:—
Letter from James Delancy, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor of New York, to the Board, dated the 5th of January, 1758; and inclosing:—
List of stores destroyed by fire at Fort St. George, 15th December, 1757.
State of the case of the schooner Joseph and her cargo.
Journal of the Assembly from 6th to 24th December, 1757.
Letter from James Delancy, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor of New York, to the Board, dated 13th February, 1758, and inclosing:—
Thirteen Acts passed in New York in December, 1757.

New York.

Read a memorial of William Kempe, Esquire, Attorney General for the Province of New York, complaining of an Act passed in that province, for preventing malicious prosecutions by his Majesty's Attorney General.

Ordered, that the said memorial be taken into consideration, when Sir Mathew Lamb shall have made his report upon the said Act.

Wednesday, April 12. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Sloper.

Nova Scotia.

The Secretary laid before the Board a memorial prepared by Mr. Cumberland, agent for Nova Scotia, to be presented to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, praying that the sum of fifteen thousand, five hundred and sixty-eight pounds, four shillings and two pence, may be issued to him out of the money granted for the service of that colony, to pay bills drawn by the Governor for dollars supplyed the Treasury there, and also to discharge other demands relative to the service of the said colony; and the said memorial having been approved, it was ordered, that Mr. Cumberland do present it to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury for their directions upon it.

Georgia.

Read a letter from Henry Ellis, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor of Georgia, to the Board, dated 18th February, 1758, giving an account of several Acts lately passed or still depending in the Assembly, and of the present state of the province.

Read a memorial of William Little, Esquire, late Secretary to Governor Reynolds, containing observations on the silk culture in Georgia.

Miscellanies.

The Secretary having acquainted their lordships, that Mr. Gellibrand, their Deputy Secretary or first clerk, was dead, their lordships ordered that Mr. Richard Rogers do succeed to the office of Deputy Secretary or first clerk in the room of and upon the same foot as Mr. Gellibrand; and that the rest of the clerks upon the establishment have salaries according to their respective precedencies, viz.:—

Barbados.

The draught of a letter to Mr. Secretary Pitt, with the extract of one from the Governor of Barbados, and the copy of a paper received therewith, having been prepared, pursuant to the preceding minutes, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Tuesday, April 18. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Hamilton.

Miscellanies.

The Secretary acquainted the Board, that he was desired by Mr. Pelham to move their lordships, that Mr. Robert Green might be appointed to supply the vacancy in the establishment of the clerks in this office occasioned by the appointment of Mr. Rogers to be Deputy Secretary in the room of Mr. Gellibrand deceased; and he was admitted accordingly upon the usual salary or allowance of forty pounds per annum.

Georgia.

The Secretary laid before the Board the following paper delivered to him by the Governor of Georgia, which was read and considered, viz.:—
The answer of John Reynolds, Esquire, Governor of Georgia, to the state of facts respecting his conduct and the state of that colony during his residence there as Governor.

Wednesday, April 19. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Hamilton.

Georgia.

Their lordships took into further deliberation the paper received from the Governor of Georgia, mentioned in yesterday's minutes; and upon a full consideration thereof and of the whole tenor of the said Governor's conduct, and the state of the Province of Georgia during his administration, agreed to represent to his Majesty, that they did not think it adviseable for his Majesty's service, that he should be continued Governor thereof, and humbly to propose, that Henry Ellis, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor of the said colony, may be appointed Governor; and the draught of a representation was accordingly ordered to be prepared.

The draught of a letter to Mr. Ellis, Lieutenant Governor of Georgia, having been prepared, pursuant to the minutes of the 6th instant, was agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

Friday, April 21. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Sloper.

Georgia.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty of their lordships' opinion, that it is not expedient for his Majesty's service that Mr. Reynolds should be any longer continued Governor of Georgia, and humbly proposing that Henry Ellis, Esquire, may be appointed Governor in Chief in his room, having been prepared pursuant to the preceding minutes, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

The draught of a letter to Henry Ellis, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor of Georgia, in answer to several received from him, having been transcribed pursuant to the preceding minutes, was signed.

South Carolina.

Their lordships took into consideration the several letters and papers received from the Governor of South Carolina since the Board's last letter to him; and the draught of a letter in answer thereto, having been prepared, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Jamaica.

The Secretary laid before the Board a petition to his Majesty of John Anthony Balaguier, Esquire, Secretary of the Island of Jamaica, delivered to him by the agent for the petitioner, complaining that the Council of that Island had refused to admit his deputy to act as clerk of the said Council, and praying the interposition of his Majesty in support of the rights of his office; which petition was read, and their lordships resolved to consider further thereof on Tuesday next.

Trade.

Africa.

Their lordships being informed that Mr. Touchet, from the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa, was attending without, and had something to offer to the consideration of the Board, he was called in, and acquainted their lordships, that the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa having been informed, that an application was intended to be made to Parliament, that the direction of the affairs of Africa and of the trade therewith, might be put under this Board, they had deputed him to signify to the Board, that, if that was thought a proper measure, they should in no shape oppose it, hoping at the same time, that the Board, if satisfyed of their conduct in the direction of this branch of publick service, would support the present system.

Whereupon their lordships acquainted Mr. Touchet, that the application, which he mentioned to be intended to be made to Parliament, was entirely without their consent or approbation; that they considered themselves as unfit and unable to undertake the direction of the affairs and trade of Africa, not only from their nature and the manner in which they are carried on, but also from the multiplicity and extent of the other business within their department, assuring Mr. Touchet at the same time, that they are well satisfyed with the conduct and management of the Committee. Mr. Touchet then withdrew.

Tuesday, April 25. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Sloper.

Jamaica.

Their lordships took into further consideration Mr. Balaguier's petition to his Majesty, mentioned in the preceding minutes, and made a further progress therein.

New York.

Read a letter from James Delancy, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor of New York, dated New York, 17th March, 1758, containing an account of his proceedings in consequence of his Majesty's orders for raising a body of men for the service of the ensuing year; and inclosing:—
The Governor's speech and Council's address and his answer.
The Assembly's address and the Governor's answer.
Copy of a letter from General Abercrombie to Lieutenant Governor Delancy.
Copy of a message from the Governor to the Assembly on 15th March, 1758.
Copy of the Assembly's resolves for providing 2,680 men, on 15th March, 1758.

Wednesday, April 26. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Sloper.

Jamaica.

Their lordships took into further consideration Mr. Balaguier's petition to his Majesty, and also the minutes of the Council of the Island of Jamaica, relating to the appointment of their clerk; and after some time spent therein, ordered the draught of a representation to his Majesty thereupon, to be prepared.

Massachusets.

Read a letter from Andrew Oliver, Esquire, Secretary of the Massachusets Bay, to the Secretary, dated the 10th of January, 1758, transmitting the following papers, viz.:—
Treasurer's accounts from 8th February, 1753, to 25th May, 1757.
Minutes of the General Court from 11th August, 1756, to 25th April, 1757.
Laws passed between 26th May, 1756, and 1st September, 1757.

Ordered, that the aforementioned Acts be delivered to the Clerk of the Council in waiting, to be laid before his Majesty in Council.

Nova Scotia.

Read a petition of Ann Wenman, matron of the orphan house at Halifax in Nova Scotia, praying for a yearly salary in consideration of her services and expences in the execution of that trust.

Ordered, that the Secretary do transmit a copy of the said petition to the Governor of Nova Scotia, for him to do in it as the nature of the case and the services of the petitioner shall appear to him to merit and require.

Plantations General.

The Secretary laid before the Board copies and extracts of the several letters and papers received from the Governors or Commanders in Chief of his Majesty's colonies in America, respecting the quantity of iron made in the said colonies between Christmas, 1749, and the 5th of January, 1756, together with a list of the said papers; and Mr. Oswald was desired to present them to the House of Commons, pursuant to their address to his Majesty of the 25th of May, 1757.

Georgia.

Read and considered a letter from Mr. Secretary Pitt, dated March 7th, 1758, signifying his Majesty's commands, that the Board do acquaint him, at what distance the settlement mentioned in the Board's letter to him, of the 1st of March, to have been made to the southward of the River Alatamaha, is from any of those his Majesty's subjects are possessed of in those parts; what is the number of the settlers; and what orders it may be most adviseable to give for preventing the bad consequences apprehended from such settlement.

Thursday, April 27. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Sloper.

Georgia.

Their lordships took into further consideration the letter from Mr. Secretary Pitt, relating to the settlement made by Edmund Gray and his adherents to the south of the Alatamaha, mentioned in the preceding minutes; and after some time spent therein, ordered the draught of a letter to Mr. Pitt thereupon to be prepared.

Friday, April 28. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Sloper.

Jamaica.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty upon Mr. Balaguier's petition having been prepared, pursuant to the minutes of Wednesday last, was agreed to, transcribed and signed; as was also the draught of a letter to Mr. Secretary Pitt, respecting the settlement made by Gray and his adherents, ordered to be prepared by the minute of yesterday.