Journal, April 1765: Volume 72

Journal, April 1765

fo. 116.

Monday, April 1st. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice, Lord Orwell, Mr. Gascoyne, Mr. Dyson.

Trade.

Their lordships took into further consideration the memorial of the merchants of London trading to North America, proposing a bounty to be given on the importation from thence of deals and timber; and several of the merchants concerned in the trade to North America attending, they were heard in what they had to offer on the subject matter of the proposals contained in the said memorial, and were desired to attend again tomorrow.

fo. 117.

Tuesday, April 2nd. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice, Mr. Gascoyne, Mr. Dyson.

Trade.

The merchants of London trading to North America attend again on the subject matter of their proposals for granting a bounty upon deals and timber imported from thence, and presented a second memorial explanatory of their former propositions, and also a memorial relative to the encouragement of the importation of iron from North America, by granting a bounty thereupon, to be paid by a duty of 40./- a ton on Swedish iron.

fo. 118.

Mr. Girton, a manufacturer of iron at Birmingham, who attended with the merchants, gave evidence to the Board of the goodness of American iron, declaring that it answered to all the purposes of Swedish iron, with equal advantage, and was equal in goodness.

Wednesday, April 3rd. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice, Mr. Gascoyne, Mr. Dyson.

Trade, Africa.

Their lordships had under further consideration the subject matter of the bounty upon timber and iron from North America, and also the draught of a Bill for vesting in his Majesty all that part of the Coast of Africa lying between the Port of Sallee and Cape Rouge.

fo. 119.

Thursday, April 11th. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice.

Newfoundland.

Read a letter from the Earl of Halifax to the Board, dated April 8th, 1765, transmitting several papers received from the French Ambassador relative to the French fishery on the Coast of Newfoundland and in the Gulph of St. Lawrence; and signifying the King's pleasure, that their lordships should examine into the complaints and demands contained therein, and report their opinion, how far they appear to be founded, and whether it be expedient and necessary, that any and what additional instructions should be given to Commodore Palliser thereupon.
Copy of a letter from his Excellency, the French Ambassador, to the Earl of Halifax, London, 7th April, 1765.
fo. 120.
1. Pêche dans le Golfe Saint Laurens.
2. Pêche aux Isles St. Pierre et Miquelon.
3. Fixation de la duree de la peche.
4. Fixation de la position de Pointe Riche.
5. Vexations et Avanies commises par les Anglois en 1764 contre les pecheurs François.
6. Menaces faites par le Governeur de Saint Jean au S^r Galiot, Captaine du Navire la Valeur de St. Mâlo, et aux autres Francois qui, comme lui, ont eu communication avec les sauvages Esquimaux.

fo. 121.

Commodore Palliser, Governor of Newfoundland, attending, their lordships had some discourse with him on the subject matter of the above mentioned reference, and then he withdrew.

Ordered, that the Secretary do transmit to Commodore Palliser the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 6th Articles of the complaints abovementioned, desiring him to report to the Board, as soon as possible, such information as he is able in respect to the facts stated therein, and also to state whether there is any and what subject of complaint against the French in their conduct in carrying on the concurrent fishery in Newfoundland.

Miscellanies.

fo. 122.

The Secretary laid before the Board an account of the petty expences and incidental charges of this office, from the 10th of October 1764 to the 5th of January 1765, amounting in the whole to six hundred, twenty four pounds, two shillings, and a letter to the Lords of the Treasury, desiring payment thereof, and of the salaries [due to the Secretary] and under officers in the service of this Board, was signed.

Bahama.

Read a letter from William Shirley, esquire, Governor of the Bahama Islands, to the Board, dated May 29th, 1764, acquainting their lordships with his having restored Mr. Gambier to his seat in the Council, and inclosing,
List of councillors in the Bahama Islands.
A representation to his Majesty, proposing that Samuel Gambier, esquire, may be appointed of the Council of the Bahama Islands, was agreed to and signed.

West Florida.

Read a memorial of Mr. John Firby, stating that the Earl of Halifax has, by his letter to George Johnstone, Governor of West Florida, directed the said Governor to appoint him schoolmaster of Pensacola, and praying an allowance for his passage.

fo. 123.

Ordered, that the agent for West Florida do pay to Mr. Firby the sum of twenty five pounds out of the surplus money of the last year's grant of Parliament towards defraying the expence of his passage to West Florida.

Friday, April 12th. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice.

Newfoundland.

Their lordships took into consideration the state of the Island of Newfoundland, and the following papers were read and considered, vizt.,
fo. 124.
Letter from Hugh Palliser, esquire, Governor of Newfoundland, to the Board, dated 23rd January, 1765, containing remarks on several publick papers inclosed, relative to his government.
General scheme of the fishery and inhabitants of Newfoundland, etc., 1764.
State of the French fisheries at Newfoundland, etc., 1764.
Plantation goods imported at Great and Little Placentia, Newfoundland, 1764.
Plantation goods imported at Harbour Grace in Newfoundland, 1764.
Plantation goods imported at St. John's, Newfoundland, 1764.
Plantation goods imported at Ferryland in Newfoundland, 1764.
Bonds given by Mungo Davidson and Richard Yates, 17th June, 1764, and by other masters of vessels in the Island of Newfoundland.
fo. 125.
Governor Palliser's observations upon and answer to the several articles of his instructions.

Saturday, April 13th. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice.

Newfoundland.

Their lordships took into further consideration the state of Newfoundland, and, after some time spent therein, it was ordered, that the draught of a representation to his Majesty thereupon should be prepared.

fo. 126.

Read a letter from Commodore Palliser, Governor of Newfoundland, dated this day, returning the several articles of complaint from the Court of France referred to him, with his observations upon each of them.

Their lordships took into consideration all the papers referred to in Lord Halifax's letter concerning the complaints and propositions of the Court of France, with respect to the Newfoundland fishery, and, after some time spent therein, it was ordered, that the draught of a representation to his Majesty thereupon should be prepared.

West Florida.

fo. 127.

Upon further application from Mr. Firby, appointed schoolmaster in West Florida, representing that the sum allowed him by the Board will not be sufficient to defray the expence of himself and family to that province, it was ordered, that the agent should advance him six months salary from Midsummer last out of the grant of Parliament of last year, to be replaced out of the grant of Parliament for this year, when the same is issued; and it was further ordered, that the agent should take all such precaution or security for Mr. Firby's actual embarkation for the colony, as he shall think necessary to secure his going to that province.

New Hampshire.

Read a memorial of Mr. Traill of New England, praying in behalf of himself and Mr. Cutt, for the grant of two townships.

Mr. Traill attending was called in and acquainted, that, as the Board has received his Majesty's commands to report upon a specific proposition for a grant of thirty thousand acres, and as what they had recommended in their report of the 7th of February last, was consonant to the practice of granting lands in New Hampshire, they did not think it was proper for them to make any alteration in that report.

fo. 128.

Monday, April 15th. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice, Lord Orwell, Mr. Gascoyne, Mr. Dyson.

Trade.

Their lordships took into further consideration the merchants' proposals respecting the bounties on timber and iron from America, and several of them attending, their lordships had further discourse with them thereupon.

Newfoundland.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty upon the complaints and propositions of the Court of France respecting the Newfoundland fishery, having been prepared pursuant to order, was agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

fo. 129.

Tuesday, April 16th. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice, Mr. Gascoyne, Mr. Dyson.

Newfoundland.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty upon the complaints and propositions of the Court of France respecting the Newfoundland fishery, having been transcribed pursuant to order, was signed; as was also a letter to the Earl of Halifax inclosing the same, and desiring him to lay it before his Majesty.

fo. 130.

Monday, April 22nd. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice, Lord Orwell, Mr. Gascoyne, Mr. Dyson.

Quebec.

Messrs. Strettel, Wakefield and others, being a committee from the merchants of London trading to Canada, attended and presented a memorial stating and complaining of several arbitrary proceedings and unconstitutional establishments in Quebec, and the said memorial having been read, several original letters were produced to verify the facts therein set forth.

The committee being withdrawn, their lordships agreed to consider further of the said memorial on Thursday next.

fo. 131.

Plantations General.

The merchants of London trading to America attend again on their proposals respecting bountys on timber and iron, and produce memorials of the manufacturers of iron in London, Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Walsal and Willenhall in support of the proposition respecting iron, which memorial was read, and also a letter from Sheffield, stating that the manufacturers there decline joining in this application, and containing reasons against laying an additional duty on Swedish iron.

Several manufacturers gave evidence of the goodness of American iron, and of its fitness for all purposes to which Swedish iron is applyed.

Miscellanies.

fo. 132.

The following persons having been employed in the office as clerks for a considerable time, and having on such tryal given sufficient proofs of their qualifications, were admitted as clerks upon the establishment from Christmas last in the following order, vizt.,
Mr. William Roberts to the 5th seat at the recommendation of Mr. Eliot.
Mr. Edward Owens to the 6th seat at the recommendation of Mr. Bacon.
Mr. Chamberlain Davis to the 7th seat at the recommendation of Mr. Rice.
Mr. James Selwyn Samber to the 9th seat at the recommendation of Mr. Gascoyne.

fo. 133.

Tuesday, April 23rd. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice, Lord Orwell, Mr. Gascoyne, Mr. Dyson.

Newfoundland.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty upon the state of Newfoundland, having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 13th instant, was read and considered.

fo. 134.

Their lordships took into consideration the memorial of the Society of the Unitas Fratrum, relative to the establishment of missionaries upon the Coast of Labrador, mentioned in the minutes of the 26th of February last, and Mr. Hutton, Secretary to the said Society, attending, with several of the persons nominated to go upon this service, their lordships acquainted them, that they should give all possible countenance, protection and assistance to so commendable an undertaking, but that they could not recommend the making any grant of lands, untill some survey and report had been made of the country.

The gentlemen expressing themselves well satisfied with the assurances given them by the Board, it was ordered, that a letter should be wrote to the Secretary to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, desiring that orders may be given for a free passage to Newfoundland for the four persons appointed to establish a mission upon the Coast of Labrador, and that the person, who shall be appointed to visit that coast, may be directed to give them such protection and assistance, as shall be necessary for their purpose, and consistent with his Majesty's service.

fo. 135.

Thursday, April 25th. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice, Lord Orwell, Mr. Dyson.

Quebec.

Their lordships took into further consideration the memorial of the merchants of London trading to Canada, mentioned in the minutes of the 22nd instant, and the committee attending, their lordships had some discourse with them thereupon.

Ordered, that the draught of a representation to his Majesty be prepared upon that part of the memorial, which relates to the outrage and violence committed upon the person of Mr. Walker, a Justice of the Peace at Montreal.

Trade.

Their lordships took into further consideration the proposals of the merchants respecting a bounty upon timber from America, and after some time spent therein, their lordships came to the following resolutions thereupon, vizt.,
fo. 136.
That it may be proper to allow bounties upon the importation of deals, plank, board and timber from North America upon the following plan,
For every hundred, containing six score sound merchantable deals, planks or boards not less than ten feet long, ten inches broad and 1¼ inch thick, twenty shillings, and so in proportion for any greater length and for any greater thickness, not exceeding four inches.
For every load containing forty cubic feet of sound merchantable squared timber, not to be less than ten inches square, twelve shillings.
These bounties to be continued for five years, at the expiration of which, the bounty upon deals to be reduced to fifteen shillings, and that upon timber to eight shillings, and to continue at that rate for five years longer, when the bounty upon deals may be further reduced to ten shillings, and that upon timber to five shillings, for a further period of five years.

fo. 137.

Ordered, that the said resolutions be communicated to the Treasury in a letter from Mr. Pownall to Mr. Jenkinson.

Their lordships took into consideration the memorials of the merchants of the City of Cork and Town of Belfast in Ireland, relative to the inconvenience the trade of that kingdom sustains by the enumeration of lumber and iron, which memorials are mentioned in the minutes of the 23rd of July and 20th November, 1764; and it appearing to their lordships, that the complaints of the inconvenience were well founded, it was ordered, that a letter should be wrote to the Treasury, recommending that the said enumeration, so far as regards Ireland, may be taken off.

Newfoundland.

The draught of a representation upon the state of Newfoundland was further considered, agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

fo. 138.

Monday, April 29th. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice, Lord Orwell, Mr. Gascoyne, Mr. Dyson.

Newfoundland, Quebec.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty upon the state of Newfoundland, having been transcribed was signed; as was also a representation to his Majesty upon the memorial of the merchants trading to Canada upon the case of Mr. Walker.

Barbados.

Read a letter from the Governor of Barbados to the Board, dated February 23rd, 1765, informing their lordships of the death of Nathaniel Weekes, esquire, one of the Council, and recommending persons proper to succeed him; and respecting the efforts of the French to effect a strong settlement at Cayenne.

fo. 139.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty, proposing that Conrade Adams, esquire, may be appointed of the Council of Barbados, in the room of Nathaniel Weekes, esquire, deceased, was signed.

Newfoundland.

Read a letter from Mr. Stephens, Secretary to the Admiralty, to the Secretary, dated April 27th, 1765, informing him that the Lords of the Admiralty had given directions for the passage and accommodation of the four missionaries to Labrador.

The members of the Society of the Unitas Fratrum, appointed to establish a mission upon the Coast of Terra Labrador, attending, their lordships acquainted them with the orders given by the Lords of the Admiralty, and the Secretary was ordered to prepare and sign an attestation or certificate under the office Seal, declaring that this Board has taken the said persons under their protection, and requiring all officers, civil and military, to give them aid and assistance.

fo. 140.

Tuesday, April 30th. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice, Lord Orwell, Mr. Gascoyne, Mr. Dyson.

Newfoundland.

Their lordships agreed upon heads of enquiry for the Governor of Newfoundland, respecting the state of the Terra Labrador and the fisheries established thereon, and the Secretary was ordered to transmit the same to Captain Pallisser.

Read an Order of the King in Council, dated March 29th, 1765, referring to the Board, for their consideration and report, the petition of Joshua Mauger, Gregory Olive and John le Breton, merchants, agents for Thomas Meader and several others, setting forth the losses they have sustained by the surrender of the Island of St. Peter to the French in pursuance of the late Treaty of Peace; and praying relief.

fo. 141.

Their lordships took the said order of reference into consideration, and ordered, the draught of a report thereupon to be prepared.

South Carolina.

Read a memorial of several French Protestants stating their distress, and petitioning the Board, that they may be settled in the Province of South Carolina.

Ordered, that the said memorial be taken into further consideration on Monday, the 6th of May, and that the memorialists be desired to attend.

Trade.

Their lordships read and considered several memorials from the manufacturers of hats in the town of Glasgow, the city of Coventry and town of Atherstone, etc., etc., setting forth the inconveniences their trade with America is subject to, by that clause in an Act of the 5th of his late Majesty, which prohibits the carrying hats from one colony to another.

fo. 142.

It appearing to their lordships, upon a consideration of the said memorials, that the proposition of altering the Act of the 5th of his late Majesty, was of great extent and importance, and doubtfull in its utility in respect to the manufactures of this kingdom, their lordships did not think it adviseable so late in the Session, to recommend what is proposed by the memorialists.