Journal, June 1758: Volume 65

Journal, June 1758

Thursday, June 1. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Sloper.

Nova Scotia.

Read a letter from Charles Lawrence, Esquire, Governor of Nova Scotia, to the Board, dated 12th February, 1758, relating to the accompts of the province, and inclosing:—
List of bills drawn by Governor Lawrence since the list sent by Admiral Holburne.

Trade.

Africa.

The Secretary laid before the Board the following paper received from the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa, viz.:—
Copies of a letter from Tobias Lisle and Council to the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa, dated James Fort, Gambia, 23rd October, 1757.
Of proceedings respecting two French privateers, dated 23rd October, 1757.
Of a letter from Robert Caulton of the same date, and
Of another letter from Tobias Lisle and Council, dated December 14th, 1757.

Georgia.

The Secretary also laid before the Board the following papers received from the Lieutenant Governor of Georgia without any letter, viz.:—
Grants of lands registered in the province of Georgia from the 27th July, 1757, to the 28th January, 1758.
Minute of Council from 2nd of May to the 5th July, 1757.
Minutes of the Upper House of Assembly from the 16th June to the 28th July, 1757.
Minutes of Assembly from the 16th June to the 28th July, 1757.
Five Acts passed in the province of Georgia in July, 1757.

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

Bermuda.

Their lordships then took into consideration the draught of an additional instruction to the Governor of the Bermuda Islands, impowering and directing him to dispose of the Crown lands in those Islands, under certain regulations and restrictions, mentioned in the minutes of the 23rd of June, 1757; and the same having been agreed to was ordered to be transcribed, and the draught of a report thereupon to the Lords of the Committee of Council to be prepared.

Tuesday, June 6. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Rigby, Mr. Hamilton.

New Jersey.

Their lordships, pursuant to the minutes of the 30th ultimo, took into consideration the Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council for Plantation Affairs, referring the petition and remonstrance of the agent for New Jersey, respecting the bill prepared by the House of Representatives of that province, for emitting sixty thousand pounds in Bills of Credit upon loan, and twenty nine thousand pounds for the King's use; and the said agent attending, together with Mr. Morris, late Chief Justice, and one of the Council in the said province, they were called in, and their lordships having heard what they had to offer upon it, they withdrew; and the draught of a representation thereupon to the Lords of the Committee of Council, was ordered to be prepared.

Massachusets.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council for Plantation Affairs, dated May 9th, 1758, referring to the consideration of this Board fifty-seven Acts passed in the province of the Massachusets Bay in June, August, September and October, 1756, and in January, February, March, April, June and August, 1757.

Massachusets.

The Secretary having acquainted the Board, that several of the principal merchants and others trading to and interested in the province of the Massachusets Bay, had desired him to move their lordships, that they might be heard against one of the said Acts passed in August last, respecting bankrupts and their creditors, their lordships appointed Tuesday next, the 13th instant, for the consideration of the said Act, and directed the Secretary to give notice thereof to the said merchants and others, and also to the agent for that colony.

The draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee of Council for Plantation Affairs upon seventy-three Acts passed in the province of the Massachusets Bay in the years 1754, 1755 and 1756 having been transcribed, pursuant to the minutes of the 30th ultimo, was signed.

Bermuda.

The draught of an additional instruction to the Governor of the Bermuda Islands, impowering and directing him to dispose of the Crown lands in those Islands, under certain regulations and restrictions, as also the draught of a report thereupon to the Lords of the Committee of Council, having been transcribed, pursuant to the minutes of the 1st instant, the draught of the report was signed.

Thursday, June 8. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Hamilton.

New Jersey.

The draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee of Council for Plantation Affairs upon the petition and remonstrance of the agent for New Jersey, mentioned in the preceding minutes, having been prepared pursuant to order, was agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

Massachusets.

Read the following letters and papers received from the Governor of the Massachusets Bay, viz.:—
Letter from Governor Pownall to the Board, dated Boston, March 6th, 1758, relative to his preparations for the ensuing campaign.
His Excellency, Governor Pownall's message to his Majesty's Council and House of Representatives.
Copy of an Act providing for the reception and accommodation of his Majesty's forces in this province.
Copy of a message from his Excellency, Governor Pownall, to his Majesty's Council and House of Representatives of the Massachusets Bay, March 23rd, 1758.
Copy of a message from the Council and House of Representatives of Massachusets Bay, in answer to Governor Pownall's message of the 23rd of March.
Copy of an Act to prevent bribery and corruption.
Letter from Governor Pownall to the Board, dated March 26th, 1758, relating to Commissioners meeting to concert the measures of the campaign.
Letter from Governor Pownall to the Secretary, dated April 3rd, 1758, transmitting Exercise for the militia of the province of the Massachusets Bay.

Maryland.

Read a letter from Horatio Sharpe, Esquire, to the Board, dated March 16th, 1758, inclosing:—
A particular account of the quantity of pig and bar iron that was made in the province of Maryland, between Christmas, 1749, and January 5th, 1756.

Pennsylvania.

Read a letter from William Denny, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania, to the Board, dated November 6th, 1757, and inclosing:—
An account of iron made at the several forges in the province of Pennsylvania from Christmas, 1749, to the 5th of January, 1756.

Bermuda.

Their lordships took into consideration two letters from William Popple, Esquire, Governor of the Bermuda Islands, dated the 31st January and 18th April, 1757, the one containing his sentiments with respect to the invalidity of the Liquor Act passed in 1698, the other respecting an address of the legislature of those Islands to his Majesty upon the state of the fortifications, and also respecting a proposal under the consideration of the House of Assembly there for establishing one town at each end of the principal Island, and obliging the merchants and others to reside at one or other of the two towns; and after some time spent therein, agreed to consider further thereof to-morrow morning.

Miscellanies.

The Secretary having acquainted the Board, that several of the rooms and apartments in the office were in great want of painting and whitewashing, and that it would be greatly for the convenience of the under officers residing in the attick story, that some alterations should be made in the waterpipes, which convey the water to and from their respective apartments; their lordships directed him to acquaint the Secretary to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury therewith, and desire him to lay the same before their lordships for their directions thereupon.

Friday, June 9. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Hamilton.

Bermuda.

Their lordships took into further consideration several letters and papers received from the Governor of the Bermuda Islands, mentioned in the minutes of yesterday, and after some time spent therein, agreed to consider further thereof on Wednesday next, and the Secretary was directed to give notice thereof to Mr. Mathias, agent for the said Islands, and to Mr. Tucker, referred to in Mr. Popple's letters, as a person capable of giving information upon the several points mentioned therein.

New Jersey.

The draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee of Council upon the petition and remonstrance of the agent for New Jersey, respecting the bill for emitting eighty-nine thousand pounds in Bills of Credit, mentioned in the minutes of the 6th instant, having been transcribed, was signed.

Tuesday, June 13. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Hamilton.

Massachusets.

Their lordships, pursuant to the minutes of the 6th instant, took into consideration an Act passed in the province of the Massachusets Bay in August last, respecting the bankrupts and their creditors, and several of the principal merchants and others trading to and interested in that province, attending without, and also the agent for the province, they were called in, and their lordships having heard what the merchants had to offer against the said Act on the one side, and also what the agent had to offer in support of it on the other side, they withdrew.

Ordered, that the several Acts passed in the Massachusets Bay in 1756 and 1757, referred to the consideration of this Board by Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council, mentioned in the minutes of the 6th instant, be sent to Sir Mathew Lamb for his opinion thereupon in point of law; and that he be desired to 'take the Act respecting bankrupts and their creditors into his immediate consideration, and report his opinion thereupon in point of law, with all possible dispatch.

Wednesday, June 14. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Hamilton.

Bermuda.

Their lordships took into consideration the several letters and papers received from the Governor of the Bermuda Islands, mentioned in the minutes of the 8th instant; and Mr. Mathias, agent for the said Islands, attending without, with Mr. Tucker, lately arrived from thence, they were called in; and their lordships having had some discourse with them upon the several points contained in the said letters and papers, they withdrew; and their lordships agreed further to consider thereof on Wednesday, the 21st instant.

Wednesday, June 21. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Hamilton.

Massachusets.

The Secretary having acquainted the Board, that he had, in obedience to their lordships' orders, sent the Act passed in the Massachusets Bay in August last, respecting bankrupts and their creditors, to Sir Mathew Lamb for his opinion thereupon in point of law; but that he was gone into the country, and would not return in three weeks, their lordships not thinking it adviseable, in a matter which so greatly affects the interests of the merchants trading to that country, to wait for Sir Mathew Lamb's report, ordered the draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee of Council upon the said Act to be prepared.

Bermuda.

Their lordships took into further consideration the letters and papers received from the Governor of the Bermuda Islands, mentioned in the preceding minutes, and after some time spent therein, ordered the draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee of Council upon the address of the legislature of those Islands respecting the state of their fortifications, to be prepared; and also the draught of a letter to the Governor upon the several points contained in his letters, and the Secretary was at the same time directed to write to the Secretary to the Commissioners of the Customs, stating the proposition contained in the said Governor's letters, and explained by Mr. Tucker, for establishing two Ports of entry and clearance and loading and unloading ships in those Islands, and desiring him to move the Commissioners of the Customs to report to their lordships their opinion upon the said proposition, and in case they approve it, what will be the most effectual method of carrying it into execution.

Georgia.

The Secretary laid before the Board a memorial prepared by Mr. Martyn, agent for the colony of Georgia, to be presented to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, praying that the sum granted this year for the support of that colony may be issued to him, to enable him to satisfy the demands made upon him for that service; and the said memorial having been approved, it was ordered that Mr. Martyn do present it to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury for their directions upon it.

Virginia.

Read two memorials of the merchants of London and Bristol, trading to Virginia, setting forth the great loss and damage they are likely to sustain from an Act passed there in the last year, for establishing a paper currency in the said province, and declaring the same to be legal tenders in all payments.

Ordered, that the said memorials and the Act therein referred to, be taken into consideration on Wednesday, the 5th of July, and that the Secretary do give notice thereof to the merchants, and also to Mr. Dinwiddie, late Lieutenant Governor of the said province, and to the agent.

Friday, June 23. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Hamilton.

Massachusets.

The draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee of Council, upon an Act passed in the province of the Massachusets Bay in August, 1757, respecting bankrupts and their creditors, having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 21st instant, to and ordered to be transcribed.

Bermuda.

The draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee of Council upon the address of the legislature of the Bermuda Islands, respecting the state of their fortifications, having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 21st instant, was agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

South Carolina.

Read a letter from Samuel Martin, Esquire, Secretary to the Lords of the Treasury, dated June 15th, 1758, referring to this Board a memorial of Mr. Wright, agent for South Carolina, to the Lords of the Treasury, relative to Indian Affairs, for their consideration and report thereupon.

Their lordships took the said letter and memorial into consideration, and Mr. Wright, the memorialist, attending without was called in; and their lordships having heard what he had to offer upon it, he withdrew; and the draught of a report thereupon to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury was ordered to be prepared.

Nova Scotia.

Read a letter from Charles Lawrence, Esquire, Governor of Nova Scotia, dated the 9th of May, 1758, acquainting the Board with the arrival of Admiral Boscawen at Halifax, and with the receipt of their letter respecting the establishing a House of Representatives.

Newfoundland.

Read a letter from James Rivers, Esquire, Secretary to Mr. Pitt, to Mr. Pownall, dated this day, desiring him to move the Board that Mr. Pitt may have copies of any papers in their office, respecting a claim made by the subjects of the Crown of Spain of a right to fish upon the coasts of Newfoundland.

Ordered, that copies be made of all papers upon the books of this office respecting such claim, and that the said copies be delivered by the Secretary to Mr. Rivers for Mr. Pitt's use.

Monday, June 26. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Stone.

Jamaica.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council for Plantation Affairs, dated the 15th instant, referring to the consideration of the Board the draught of a bill prepared by the Attorney and Solicitor General for dividing the Island of Jamaica into three Counties, and for appointing Justices of Assize and oyer and terminer in two of the said Counties.

Their lordships took the said order of reference and bill into consideration; and after some time spent therein, a report thereupon to the Lords of the Committee of Council, was signed.

Thursday, June 29. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Jenyns.

Georgia.

The Secretary laid before the Board draughts of general instructions and of those relating to the observance of the laws of trade for Henry Ellis, Esquire, Governor of Georgia, prepared pursuant to their lordships' order, which draughts were approved, and a representation to his Majesty thereupon, was signed.

Bermuda.

Massachusets.

The draughts of reports to the Lords of the Committee of Council upon the address of the legislature of the Bermuda Islands respecting their fortifications; and upon the Act passed in the Massachusets Bay province in August last respecting bankrupts and their creditors, having been transcribed pursuant to order, were signed.

South Carolina.

The draught of a report to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury upon the memorial of the agent for the province of South Carolina, respecting a sum of-money to be allowed for presents to the Indians, having been prepared pursuant to order, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Bahamas.

Read a letter from John Tinker, Esquire, Governor of the Bahama Islands, to the Board, dated the 25th of February, 1758, relating to the present state of those Islands.

Their lordships took the said letter into consideration, together with the address of the Council and Assembly of those Islands, respecting their fortifications, mentioned in the minutes of the 17th of January last; and after some time spent therein, ordered the draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee of Council thereupon to be prepared.