Journal, July 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, July 1754: Volume 61, Part 2', in Journals of the Board of Trade and Plantations: Volume 10, January 1754 - December 1758, (London, 1933) pp. 54-62. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/jrnl-trade-plantations/vol10/pp54-62 [accessed 19 March 2024]

Journal, July 1754

Tuesday, July 2. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Oswald.

Massachusets.

Virginia.

Pennsylvania.

Read a letter from Mr. Shirley, Governor of the Massachusets Bay, to the Board, dated at Boston, the 23rd of May, 1754, transmitting:—
Copy of Lieutenant-Governor Hamilton's letter to Governor Shirley, dated at Philadelphia, the 6th of May, 1754.
Copy of Major Washington's letter to Lieutenant Governor Hamilton, dated April, 1754.
Copy of summons from the commander of the French troops on la Belle Riviere to the commander of the British troops at the mouth of Mohongialo, dated 16th April, 1754.
Copy of a speech from the Half King to the Governors of Virginia and Pennsylvania, from the fort on Ohio, the 18th of April, 1754.

Massachusets.

Ordered that an extract of so much of the said letter as relates to Mr. Shirley's intended march to Kennebeck River, and to the intelligence he has received from Halifax and Annapolis Royal, be laid before his Majesty, and the draught of a letter to Sir Thomas Robinson, one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, inclosing the said extract, having been prepared, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Virginia.

The draught of a letter to Sir Thomas Robinson inclosing the address of the House of Burgesses of Virginia, having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 27th of June, was agreed to transcribed and signed.

Read a letter from Mr. Dinwiddie, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, to the Board, dated at Williamsburg, the 10th of May, 1754, transmitting:—
Account of his Majesty's revenue of 2s.per hogshead, etc.,
arising within the colony of Virginia, from the 25th of October, 1753, to the 25th April, 1754.
Copy of the French commander's summons to Ensign Ward, dated in his camp, the 16th of April, 1754.
Copy of Colonel Washington's letter to the Lieutenant Governor, dated at Wills Creek, the 25th of April, 1754.
The Half King's speech to the Lieutenant Governor the 18th of April, 1754.
Copy of the Lieutenant Governor's answer to the Half King's speech, May 8th, 1754.
Copy of Ensign Ward's deposition before the Governor and Council the 7th May, 1754.

Ordered that an extract of so much of the said letter as contains an account of the measures Mr. Dinwiddie is taking in order to oppose the designs of the French on the Ohio, and copies of the affidavit of Ensign Ward and of the letter from Major Washington to Mr. Dinwiddie, be laid before his Majesty, and that the draught of a letter to Sir Thomas Robinson inclosing the said papers be prepared.

St Christopher's.

The draught of a letter to Sir Thomas Robinson, desiring him to move his Majesty that William Ottley, Esquire, one of the Council of St. Christopher's, who is now resident here on account of his private affairs, may have his Majesty's leave of absence for twelve months, having been prepared was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Bermuda.

The Secretary acquainted the Board that William People, Governor of Bermuda, had desired him to move their lordships that Samuel Trott might be appointed of the Council of the said Islands in the room of Charles Dunbar, Esquire, who has never attended his duty there, and is now resident at Antigua; and the draught of a representation to his Majesty proposing Samuel Trott in the room of the said Charles Dunbar, having been prepared, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Wednesday, July 3. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Oswald.

Virginia.

Read an Order of Council, dated 21st June, 1754, rejecting (agreeable to a report of the Lords of the Committee) the address from the House of Burgesses of Virginia against the Lieutenant Governor's taking a pistole fee for grants of land; and directing this Board to write to Mr. Dinwiddie relative to his conduct herein, and to make such other regulations with respect to grants of land as may be most for the benefit of his Majesty's service and the welfare of the said colony.

The draught of a letter to Mr. Dinwiddie having been prepared, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Plantations General.

The draught of a letter to Sir Thomas Robinson having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 21st of last month, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Nova Scotia.

The Secretary laid before the Board a memorial prepared by Mr. Kilby, agent for Nova Scotia, to be presented to the Lords of the Treasury, praying that the sum of £1,895 19s. 0d. may be issued to him to be by him paid to William Baker, Esquire, for provisions delivered to the troops in Nova Scotia between 28th of January and 24th March, 1754; and their lordships approved the said memorial, and directed Mr. Kilby to present it to the Lords of the Treasury for their Lordships' directions upon it.

Virginia.

Their lordships took into consideration the several letters received from Mr. Dinwiddie, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, since their last letter to him, and gave directions for preparing an answer to them; and the draught of a letter to Mr. Dinwiddie having been accordingly prepared, was agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

Jamaica.

Mr. Gregory, President of the Council of Jamaica, attending, was called in, and their lordships acquainted him that in Mr. Knowles's letter of . . . . . , he was charged with having left the Island without the said Governor's leave, and asked his reason for so doing. Whereupon he informed their lordships, that he apprized Mr. Knowles of his intention of coming hither some months before his departure; that he had the honour of the said Governor's company to dinner, and of dining at the Governor's a few days before his departure; that Mr. Knowles recommended him as a passenger to Captain Cockburne of the Glory man of war, and when he passed the fort, ordered him the unusual honour of a salute of eleven guns; he further acquainted their lordships, that he purposes, if his health will permit, to return to Jamaica in the ensuing autumn; but if he should be obliged for the recovery of it to stay longer, he hopes their lordships will procure him his Majesty's leave of absence.

New York.

Their lordships took into consideration the several letters received from Mr. De Lancey, Lieutenant Governor of New York, since their last letter to him, in order to their being answered and made some progress therein.

Massachusets.

The Secretary laid before the Board the following paper received from Mr. Bollan:—
A journal of the capture of John Pattin, containing a description of sundry forts and settlements in Canada, and upon the Great Lakes and rivers between that and the Mississippi.

Thursday, July 4. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Grenville, Mr. Oswald.

Virginia.

The draught of a letter to Mr. Dinwiddie having been transcribed pursuant to the minutes of yesterday, was signed.

New York.

Their lordships proceeded in the consideration of Mr. De Lancey's letters, and gave directions for preparing a letter in answer to them.

New Jersey.

Read a letter from Mr. Belcher, Governor of New Jersey, to the Board, dated at Elizabeth Town, the 14th of May, 1754, transmitting:—
Minutes of Council of New Jersey from the 7th of February to the 23rd March, 1754.
Minutes of Council from the 23rd to the 30th of April, 1754.

Ordered that an extract of so much of the said letter as relates to the Assembly's having declined granting any supply for the defence of that or the neighbouring colonies against the encroachments of the French, together with a copy of Mr. Belcher's speech to the said Assembly and of their message in answer, be laid before his Majesty, and that the draught of a letter to Sir Thomas Robinson inclosing the same be prepared.

Their lordships took into consideration several letters received from Mr. Belcher since their last letter to him, and gave directions to the Secretary to prepare the draught of a letter in answer to them.

Friday, July 5. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Stone.

Massachusets.

Read an Order in Council, dated the 21st of June, 1754, signifying that his Majesty had received the humble address of the Council and House of Representatives of the Massachusets Bay very graciously, and directing this Board to acquaint his Majesty's Governor of the said province therewith.

The following letters from the Board to his Majesty's Governors in North America was signed, viz.:—
New York.
Letter to Mr. De Lancey, Lieutenant Governor of New York.
New Jersey.
Letter to Mr. Belcher, Governor of New Jersey.
Massachusets.
Letter to Mr. Shirley, Governor of the Massachusets Bay.
New Hampshire.
Letter to Mr. Wentworth, Governor of New Hampshire.

North Carolina.

Mr. Dobbs, Governor of North Carolina, attending without, was called in, and the following points were recommended to his attention upon his arrival in North Carolina.

To enquire into the state of the paper currency which by Mr. Rowan's last letter appears to have been created and issued there; to send over the Act for issuing it, and not to apply any part of it, which now remains in the trustees' hands, to answer contingencies untill he receives further directions from his Majesty, unless in cases of emergency and absolute necessity.

To take every prudent and effectual method of keeping up that spirit which has appeared in the colony to oppose the hostile encroachments of a foreign power, and in case of a requisition from any of the colonies for assistance, to direct the troops under his command in such manner as should appear to him to be best for the general interest and security of his Majesty's colonies.

To endeavour to get an Act passed for establishing a powder duty, in case that formerly passed should be expired.

To consider that article of his Majesty's instructions which relates to the security to be given by persons applying for grants of land, that they will not enter upon it untill a Patent be finally passed, and in case it should appear to him that the carrying it into execution would be attended with any particular hardship or inconvenience, to make a full representation of the case to the Board.

To inquire into the state of the proceedings with respect to the boundary line between North and South Carolina, and to consult with the Governor of South Carolina upon what will be a proper line, and report his opinion fully to the Board.

The following Orders of the Lords of the Committee of Council for Plantation Affairs were laid before the Board and read, viz.:—
Jamaica.
Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council for Plantation Affairs, dated the 14th day of June, 1754, referring to this Board for their consideration and report the most humble petition of the merchants, factors and agents residing in the Island of Jamaica in behalf of themselves and their constituents and all others the merchants of Great Britain, Ireland and the colonies of North America trading to the same, praying that the seat of government may be removed from St. Iago de la Vega to Kingston, etc., as also four other petitions from the said Island, in support of the said petition of the merchants.
Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council for Plantation Affairs, dated the 14th day of June, 1754, referring to this Board for their consideration and report the humble petition of the inhabitants of St. Iago de la Vega in the Island of Jamaica and of the planters and other proprietors and occupiers of lands and settlements in the neighbourhood of the same, praying that his Majesty would be graciously pleased to suspend giving judgment upon the above mentioned petition and memorial from Kingston, untill such time as the petitioners shall be able to obtain copies thereof and have time and opportunity of laying before his Majesty their answer thereto; and also the copy of a letter from Charles Knowles, Esquire, Governor of Jamaica, to the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, dated 15th February, 1754, transmitting the said petition and taking notice of the riotous manner in which it was set on foot, and of the indecent behaviour of Mr. Fuller, the Chief Justice, on that occasion.

Jamaica.

The Secretary having acquainted the Board that Mr. Paris, sollicitor in behalf of the inhabitants of St. Iago de la Vega and proprietors and occupiers of land in the neighbourhood of the same, Mr. Hammond, sollicitor in behalf of the merchants, factors and agents residing in Jamaica and their constituents, and of all other the merchants of Great Britain and Ireland and the colonies of North America trading thither, and Mr. Fuller, brother to the Chief Justice of Jamaica, were attending without, they were called in; and Mr. Paris acquainted the Board that the gentlemen concerned for the Kingston petition had given him copies of the petition, memorial and other papers referred to in the Kingston petition, and moved their lordships to suspend taking that part of the above mentioned orders of reference into consideration which related to the removal of the seat of government, until he had an opportunity of transmitting the said copies to his constituents in Jamaica for their answer thereunto, which was consented to by Mr. Hammond on behalf of his constituents; Mr. Paris then moved their lordships in behalf of the Chief Justice for an immediate hearing upon that part of the above mentioned orders of reference, which relates to Mr. Knowles's complaints against him, that he might have an opportunity of clearing himself from so injurious a charge, and the same was likewise requested by his brother.

Whereupon it was agreed that the said orders of reference as well that part which relates to the removal of the seat of government from St. Iago de la Vega to Kingston, as that part which relates to the Governor's complaint against Mr. Fuller, the Chief Justice, should be taken into consideration the first day of the Board's meeting in January next, but if in the mean time Mr. Fuller's agents were desirous of laying anything before the Board by way of answer to Mr. Knowles's complaint, they were at liberty to do it, but that their lordships could not form any opinion or make any report upon it until the whole of the matters contained in the orders of reference was finally heard.

Ordered that the parties have each respectively copies of the foregoing orders.

Monday, July 8. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Mr. Oswald.

Georgia.

Ordered that the Secretary do write to the Secretary to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, desiring him to move their Lordships to appoint such officers of his Majesty's Customs and Revenue for the province of Georgia, as are usual in other colonies, as their Lordships shall think necessary.

Nova Scotia.

The Secretary laid before the Board a memorial of Mr. Kilby, agent for Nova Scotia, to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, praying that two thousand, six hundred, forty five pounds and ten pence may be issued to him for the service of that colony; and their lordships were pleased to approve the said memorial, and to direct Mr. Kilby to present it to the Lords of the Treasury for their Lordships' directions thereupon.

Miscellanies.

The Secretary laid before the Board an account of the incidental charges of this office from the 5th of April to the 5th of July, 1754, amounting to three hundred, thirty four pounds, four shillings and seven 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.

Tuesday, July 23. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Mr. Oswald.

Pennsylvania.

Read certificate from the office of his Majesty's Remembrancer that security had been given in the Exchequer for Robert Hunter Morris, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania, the 19th of July, 1754.

The Secretary laid before the Board a draught of instructions relative to the Acts of Trade and Navigation to the Proprietaries of Pennsylvania for the government of Robert Hunter Morris, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor of that province, which having been agreed to were ordered to be transcribed, and a representation to his Majesty thereupon was signed.

St. Christopher's.

Read a letter from Sir Thomas Robinson, dated the 16th of July, 1754, signifying his Majesty's pleasure that this Board do cause a warrant to be prepared for his Majesty's signature, granting licence of absence for twelve months to William Ottley, Esquire, one of the Council of St. Christopher's, now resident in this kingdom, for the settlement of his private affairs.

The draught of a letter to Sir Thomas Robinson with a warrant containing his Majesty's leave of absence to the said William Ottley, Esquire, having been prepared were agreed to, and the letter having been transcribed was signed.

Leeward Islands.

Their lordships took into consideration a letter from Mr. Thomas, Governor of the Leeward Islands, relative to the suspension of Mr. Frye, mentioned in the minutes of the 22nd of May, and ordered the draught of a representation to his Majesty proposing the confirmation of the said suspension.

St. Christopher's.

Nevis.

Ordered that the draughts of representations to his Majesty be prepared proposing that James Losack, Esquire, may be appointed of the Council of St. Christopher's in the room of Richard Rowland, Esquire, who has resigned his seat on account of his age and infirmities, and that William Mills, Esquire, may be appointed of the Council of Nevis in the room of William Jones, Esquire, deceased.

Leeward Islands.

Read a letter from George Thomas, Esquire, Governor of the Leeward Islands, to the Board, dated at Antigua, the 22nd of May, 1754, relating to the present state of that Island and transmitting:—
Governor Thomas's message to the Assembly of Antigua.
The answer of the Assembly of Antigua to Governor Thomas's message.

Ordered that an extract be made of so much of the said letter as contains Mr. Thomas's proposals concerning the regiment doing duty in the Leeward Islands and the building of barracks for them, and that a representation to lay the same before the King in Council be prepared.

Ordered that the draught of a letter to Mr. Thomas in answer to the several letters received from him be prepared.

Montserrat.

Read a petition of Edward Daniel, Esquire, one of the Council of Montserrat, praying that he may have such rank and precedence in his Majesty's said Council as he apprehends he is entitled to by the pretensions herein set forth.

Read a petition of Nicholas Daniel, Esquire, one of the Council of Montserrat, praying that he may have such rank and precedence in his Majesty's said Council as he apprehends himself entitled to by the pretensions herein set forth.

St. Christopher's.

Read a letter from the Rev. Mr. Perrott, one of the Council of St. Christopher's, dated the 20th of July, 1754, now resident here upon his private affairs, and praying the Board's favourable recommendation to his Majesty for a further term of twelve months to stay in England to finish the business that brought him here.

The draught of a letter to Sir Thomas Robinson desiring him to move his Majesty for leave of absence for Mr. Perrott, having been prepared, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Massachusets.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council, dated the 14th of June, 1754, referring to the consideration of this Board thirty one Acts passed in the province of the Massachusets Bay in January, April and June, 1753.

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

Wednesday, July 24. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Mr. Oswald.

The following letters and representations were laid before the Board and signed.

Georgia.

Representation to his Majesty proposing that John Reynolds, Esquire, may be appointed Governor of Georgia.

Representation to his Majesty proposing that James Habersham, Esquire, may be appointed Secretary and Register of Records in the province of Georgia.

Representation to his Majesty proposing that William Clifton, Esquire, may be appointed Attorney General of the province of Georgia.

Montserrat.

Representation to his Majesty proposing that the suspension of Mr. Frye, President of the Council of Montserrat, may be confirmed.

St. Christopher's.

Representation to his Majesty proposing that James Losack, Esquire, may be appointed of the Council of St. Christopher's in the room of Richard Rowland.

Nevis.

Representation to his Majesty proposing that William Mills, Esquire, may be appointed of the Council of Nevis in the room of William Jones, Esquire.

Leeward Islands.

Representation to his Majesty upon Mr. Thomas's letter relative to an additional subsistence for the regiment in the Leeward Islands and to an allowance for completing the barracks.

Georgia.

Letter to Sir Thomas Robinson desiring him to move his Majesty that Alexander Kellet, Esquire, may be appointed Provost Marshall of the province of Georgia.

Letter to Sir Thomas Robinson desiring him to move his Majesty that William Russell, Esquire, may be appointed Naval Officer of Georgia.

Thursday, July 25. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Mr. Oswald.

Jamaica.

Their lordships being informed that Mr. Paris, sollicitor for the inhabitants of the town of St. Iago de la Vega in Jamaica in the affair relative to the removal of the seat of government to Kingston, and Mr. Hammond, sollicitor for the Kingston petition, were attending without, they were called in, and Mr. Paris moved their lordships that the Governor of Jamaica might be ordered to affix the Great Seal of that Island and the usual attestation to such affidavits and copies of Acts and papers out of offices of Record as the inhabitants of St. Iago de la Vega and the Chief Justice shall send over by way of answer to the Kingston petition and to Mr. Knowles's complaint against the Chief Justice.

Mr. Hammond being asked if he had anything to object, said that he had no authority to consent to such a motion, and was satisfied that the Governor would do his duty without such an order.

Ordered that the Secretary do write to Mr. Knowles to acquaint him with what has passed, relative to the application for the removal of the seat of government, and to acquaint him that their lordships think it necessary in a matter of such general concern and in order to prevent all possibility of delay that the publick Seal of the Island and the usual attestation should, upon payment of the usual fees, be affixed to all such affidavits and copies of Acts and publick papers out of offices of Record as all or any of the parties concerned herein shall think it necessary to transmit in support of their respective applications or in justification of their conduct.

Ordered that the parties respectively have copies of this order.