Journal, November 1765: Volume 72

Journal, November 1765

fo. 311.

Friday, November 1st. Present:—Earl of Dartmouth, Mr. Rice, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Fitzherbert.

New York.

Their lordships took into further consideration the memorial of the Earl of Ilchester and others, and also the petition of the officers, in respect of the lands in New York claimed by Van Renselaer, and made a further progress therein.

Bahamas.

Read a memorial from Mr. Andrew Symmer to the Board, August 21st, 1765, proposing the making an effectual settlement at Inagua and Turks' Island.

fo. 312.

Their lordships took the said memorial into consideration, together with the following letters and papers from the Earl of Halifax, late one of his Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, touching the expediency of some further establishment for the improvement and security of the Bahama Islands.
Letter from the Earl of Halifax to the Board, dated October 30th, 1764, inclosing a paper relative to the making some such settlement on the Island of Inagua, as may secure the possession of that island, and supply the necessary conveniencies to the British cruizers; and signifying his Majesty's pleasure, that their lordships should report their opinion, how far such a settlement may be expedient.
Extract of a letter from Governor Shirley to the Earl of Halifax, dated New Providence, July 20th, 1764.
fo. 313.
Letter from the Earl of Halifax to the Board, January 16th, 1765, referring to their lordships' consideration,
Copy of a letter from Governor Shirley to the Earl of Halifax, October 3rd, 1764, relative to the advantages the two Exuma Islands are capable of affording in annoying the French, and preserving the British trade in the West Indies.

Mr. Symmer, the subscriber to the abovementioned memorial, attending, was called in, and their lordships had some discourse with him upon the subject matter thereof, and he was desired to deliver in a further memorial, stating with greater precision what he thinks immediately necessary, in respect of the two objects of his application, vizt., the fortifying Turks Islands, and making some establishment for the regulation of their commerce.

fo. 314.

Thursday, November 7th. Present:—Earl of Dartmouth, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Dyson.

Nova Scotia.

Virginia, New York, New Hampshire.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty upon the petition presented to General Gage by the Acadians in Pennsylvania and Maryland, having been prepared pursuant to order, was agreed to and ordered to be transcribed; as were also draughts of letters to the Governors of Virginia, New York, and New Hampshire, ordered to be prepared on the same day.

New York.

fo. 315.

Their lordships took into further consideration the memorial of the Earl of Ilchester and others, and also the petition of the officers in respect to the lands in New York claimed by Van Renselaer, and, after some time spent therein, it was ordered, that the draught of a report thereupon should be prepared.

Senegambia.

Read an Order of his Majesty in Council, dated November 1st. 1765, directing draughts of a Commission and instructions for the Governor of Senegambia, agreable to the propositions thereunto annexed; and likewise the form and device of a Seal for that province; and such directions to be given by this Board, in regard to the said propositions, as to them may appertain.

fo. 316.

Friday, November 8th. Present:—Earl of Dartmouth, Mr. Rice, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Dyson, Mr. Fitzherbert.

Nova Scotia, Virginia, New York, New Hampshire.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty upon the petition presented to General Gage by the Acadians in Pennsylvania and Maryland, having been transcribed pursuant to order, was signed, together with a letter to Mr. Secretary Conway inclosing it; as were also the letters to the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, and to the Governors of New York and New Hampshire.

Jamaica.

Read a letter from William Henry Lyttelton, esquire, Governor of Jamaica, to the Board, August 20th, 1765, relative to the motives which induced him to dissolve the new Assembly.
fo. 317.
Governor Lyttelton's speech to the General Assembly at their meeting on the 13th of August, 1765.
Printed copy of the journal of the Council, August 16th, 1765, containing the Governor's speech upon his dissolving the Assembly.
An approbation in the Revenue Act of 1728.

Ordered, that the above mentioned letter be forthwith copied to be laid before his Majesty, and a representation to his Majesty thereupon having been prepared and agreed to, was signed.

Virginia.

Read a letter from Francis Fauquier, esquire, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, to the Board, August 15th, 1765, requesting licence to return to England for one year.

fo. 318.

Ordered, that the draught of a letter to Mr. Secretary Conway be prepared, desiring he would move his Majesty that Mr. Fauquier may have leave to return to Great Britain for the time he requests.

Barbados.

Read a letter from Charles Pinfold, esquire, Governor of Barbados, to the Board, dated September 3rd, 1765, relative to the case of Mr. Thomas Harris, who was convicted of an assault with an intent to ravish his wife's sister.
Minute of the conviction of the Reverend Mr. Harris, in June, 1765; petition of the vestry of St. Lucy's Parish presented to the Governor, June 27th.
Order of the reference and opinions of the Attorney and Sollicitor General on the case of the Reverend Mr. Harris.
The Reverend Mr. Harris's answer to the petition of some of the inhabitants of St. Lucy's.
fo. 319.
Replication of the petitioners to Mr. Harris's answer.
Mr. Harris's second answer, August 26th, 1765.

Ordered, that the said letter and papers be taken into further consideration on Tuesday next, and that the Secretary do wait upon the Bishop of London, and desire the favour of his Lordship's assistance at the Board on the subject matter of the said papers.

Ordered, that the agent for Barbados have notice to attend the Board at the same time.

Plantations General.

Read an Order of the King in Council, dated May 15th, 1765, referring to the Board, for their report, a petition of Thomas Mant, Major of Brigade to Colonel Bradstreet, on an expedition to Detroit in 1764, praying for grants of 150 acres of land on the River Detroit to each of the families proposed to be settled by the petitioner, and the major part of the officers concerned in that expedition; and also of some lands to themselves.

fo. 320.

Ordered, that the said memorial and order of reference be taken into consideration on Thursday next, and that Major Mant be desired to attend.

Upon this occasion their lordships read and considered the following memorial and petition, vizt.,
Memorial of the merchants trading to Canada, to the Board, September 6th, 1765, proposing the appointment of a proper person to preside over the civil department at Michilimakinac and Detroit, and recommending Mr. Simon McKenzie to that employ.
Petition of Mr. Simon McKenzie to the Board, dated September 6th, 1765, praying that he may be appointed agent for Indian affairs at Michilimakinac and Detroit.

fo. 321.

Ordered, that the said memorial and petition be further considered, when their lordships shall enter upon the consideration of what may be necessary in respect to Indian affairs in general.

Bahamas.

Mr. Symmer attended and delivered in a further memorial in respect to the expediency of fortifying Turks' Island, and making some establishment there for the regulation of commerce, upon consideration of which, and of the papers relative to this business, mentioned in the minutes of the 1st instant, and after some time spent therein, it was ordered, that the draught of a representation to his Majesty upon the subject matter of these papers should be prepared.

fo. 322.

Tuesday, November 12th. Present:—Earl of Dartmouth, Mr. Rice, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Dyson, Mr. Fitzherbert.

Barbados.

Their lordships (the Lord Bishop of London being present) took into consideration the letter and papers received from the Governor of Barbados, respecting the case of the Reverend Mr. Harris, and the difficulties which occur for want of some authority to compell the clergy, and punish their negligence and immorality; and after some time spent therein, it was ordered, that the draught of a representation to his Majesty, humbly to lay before his Majesty the said letter and papers should be prepared, and the letter and papers copied to be annexed thereto.

fo. 323.

It appearing from the information of the agent for the Island of Barbados, who attended pursuant to order, that an Order in Council made in March last for passing a Commission under the Great Seal, impowering the Governor of Barbados to deprive, after summons and enquiry, ministers absenting themselves from their cures without leave, had not been issued out on account of no person appearing to take out the said order and pay the fees, it was ordered, that the Secretary should write to the Secretary to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, desiring him to move that Board to give the necessary directions to their solicitor to take out the said order and pass the said Commission.

North Carolina.

Read a letter from William Tryon, esquire, Governor of North Carolina, to the Board, dated August 12th, 1765, relative to the Acts lately passed there, and to the proceedings of the Assembly; also inclosing the following papers, vizt.,
fo. 324.
Minutes of Council in Assembly from the 3rd to the 18th of May 1765.
Journal of the Lower House of Assembly from the 3rd to 18th May, 1765.
Four Acts passed in May 1765.

Ordered, that a copy be made of the Act for making provision for an orthodox clergy, for the Lord Bishop of London, who said he would consider the same, and favour the Board with his observations upon it, and also with his opinion as to the proper form and method of induction of ministers to vacant cures in North Carolina.

New Jersey.

fo. 325.

The Lord Bishop of London presented a memorial stating the prejudice and inconvenience of the marriage rites in New Jersey being performed by the civil magistrates, which their lordships agreed to consider at another opportunity, and, in the mean time, directed enquiry to be made, whether there is any law of that colony, now in force, warranting such practices.

Upon consideration of the doubts and difficulties which have occurred in respect of the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Bishop of London in the Plantations, it was ordered that extracts should be made, for the Bishop of London, of such parts of the journals of the Council for Trade, antecedent to the establishment of this Board, as contain any orders or resolutions in respect thereto.

North Carolina.

Their lordships then took into consideration the other parts of the letter from Governor Tryon, and made some progress therein.

fo. 326.

Thursday, November 14th. Present:—Earl of Dartmouth, Mr. Dyson, Mr. Fitzherbert.

New York.

The draught of a report upon the memorials of Captain John Campbell and other officers his associates, and of the Earl of Ilchester, Lord Holland and their associates, praying to have the lands they have respectively petitioned for located on the tract claimed by Van Renselaer, having been prepared pursuant to order, was read, approved and ordered to be transcribed.

Senegambia.

fo. 327.

Read a letter from the Right Honourable Mr. Secretary Conway to the Board, dated 11th November, 1765, notifying the appointment of Charles O'Hara, esquire, to be Governor of Senegambia, and signifying the King's pleasure, that draughts of a Commission and instructions be prepared for him.

Their lordships took the said letter into consideration, together with the Order of his Majesty in Council of the 1st instant, containing directions in respect to the execution of the plan for the establishment of a government at Senegambia; and the draught of a Commission appointing Charles O'Hara, esquire, Governor of the said province, having been prepared, was approved and ordered to be transcribed.

Their lordships then took into consideration a device for a new Seal for the said province, conformable to the directions of his Majesty's Order in Council, and the form of such device having been approved, it was ordered, that the draught of a representation to his Majesty thereupon, and also upon the draught of the abovementioned Commission should be prepared.

fo. 328.

Virginia.

The draught of a letter to Mr. Secretary Conway, proposing that the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia may have leave to come to England for twelve months, having been prepared pursuant to order, was approved, transcribed and signed.

Plantations General.

Their lordships, at the request of Mr. Mant, postponed the consideration of the reference of his petition concerning Detroit to Tuesday next, the 19th instant; and Mr. Mant having represented that Sir Jeffery Amherst could give their lordships such information of the state of that place as might be usefull in the consideration of the establishment he proposes, the Secretary was ordered to write to him to desire his attendance at the Board on that day.

fo. 329.

Friday, November 15th. Present:—Earl of Dartmouth, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Dyson, Mr. Fitzherbert.

Jamaica.

Read a letter from William Henry Lyttelton, esquire, Governor of Jamaica, to the Board, dated September 12th, 1765, recommending Thomas Tredell, esquire, to be of the Council in the room of Sir Henry Moore, Governor of New York.
The internal state of the British settlements at the Mosquito Shore, by Captain Joseph Otway, Superintendant, dated July 12th, 1765.

Senegambia.

The draught of a Commission for the Governor of Senegambia, having been transcribed pursuant to order, was laid before the Board, and a representation to his Majesty thereupon, and proposing a device for a Seal for the said province of Senegambia, was signed.

fo. 330.

East Florida.

Their lordships took into further consideration the memorial of the agents for Messrs. Fish and Gordon of South Carolina, claiming a large tract of land in Florida, upon pretence of purchase from the Spaniards, and it was ordered, that notice should be given to the said agents to attend the Board on Thursday next.

Barbados.

The draught of a representation upon the letters and papers lately received from the Governor of Barbados respecting the case of the Reverend Mr. Harris, having been prepared pursuant to order, was approved and ordered to be transcribed.

fo. 331.

Tuesday, November 19th. Present:—Earl of Dartmouth, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Fitzherbert.

New York.

Barbados.

The draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee of Council upon the memorial of Captain Campbell and other officers, his associates, and the memorial of the Earl of Ilchester, Lord Holland and others, their associates, praying for a location of their respective applications for lands on the tract claimed by Van Renselaer, having been transcribed pursuant to order, was signed; as was also a representation to his Majesty upon the letter and papers lately received from the Governor of Barbados, respecting the case of Mr. Harris.

Plantations General.

fo. 332.

Their lordships took into consideration the petition of Major Mant, and the order of reference thereupon, respecting the establishment of a Governor at Detroit; and Sir Jeffery Amherst attending as desired, their lordships had some discourse with him on the subject matter of the said petition, and it was agreed to take the same into further consideration on Thursday next.

Thursday, November 21st. Present:—Earl of Dartmouth, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Rice, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Fitzherbert.

Trade.

fo. 333.

Read a memorial of the Weavers' Company of London, stating the disadvantages that important branch of manufacture now labours under from the importation and wear of foreign silks and velvets, and praying this Board to take their case into consideration, and point out such relief as shall be thought expedient.

A Committee of the said Company attending, their lordships informed them, that they would take their memorial into consideration on Tuesday, the 3rd of December; on which day they should be desirous to hear what the Weavers might have further to offer in support thereof.

Ordered, that notice be given to the principal silk mercers of this application of the Weavers, and that they be desired to attend on the same day.

Plantations General.

fo. 334.

Their lordships then took into consideration the memorial of Major Mant, relative to the settlement and establishment proposed to be made at Detroit, and, after some time spent therein, it was agreed that any determination upon this matter would, in the present state of the interior country, be premature, and that it ought to be postponed until the consideration of what may be proper to be established in respect to the whole of the service, to which the memorial refers, should be taken up.

Major Mant attending was called in, and acquainted with their lordships' opinion, with which he expressed himself satisfied.

East Florida.

fo. 335.

Their lordships then took into further consideration the memorial of the agents for Messrs. Gordon and Fish, claiming an extravagant grant of land in East Florida, under pretence of purchase from the Spaniards; and the said agents attending, were called in and informed, that, as it did appear to their lordships, that their pretended purchase was not only inconsistent with the spirit of the Treaty, but did also operate to the prejudice of the national rights and interests, it would be their duty to advise his Majesty to take every method, which justice and the nature of the case would admit of, to oppose and set aside so extraordinary a claim; that, if however the claimants had, in consequence of what was suggested in their memorial, any propositions to make for relinquishing their claim, their lordships would represent the same to his Majesty.

Whereupon the said agents offered, in behalf of their constituents, to surrender the said claim on condition of being repaid the money actually and bonâ fide paid for the purchase, and a grant from his Majesty of one hundred thousand acres of land in such part of the tract purchased, as the claimants should choose.

fo. 336.

Their lordships then desired that the agents would, for the greater precision, reduce their propositions into writing, which they promised to do and to lay it before the Board.

Jamaica.

Read a memorial of Captain Smith Speer, employed by the Superintendant of the Mosquito Shore, to go in a flag of truce to the Spanish Governor of St. Fernando de Omoa, stating the hardships he sufferred in that service, and the expences he was at, and praying a compensation for and re-imbursment of the same, also offering to communicate an accurate chart of the sea coast of the Spanish territories in those parts.

fo. 337.

Captain Speer attending, was called in, and several questions having been asked him and some papers adduced in support of his memorial having been examined, it was ordered, that the draught of a letter to the Secretary of State on the subject matter of his memorial should be prepared.

Friday, November 22nd. Present:—Earl of Dartmouth, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Rice, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Fitzherbert.

Jamaica.

The draught of a letter to General Conway upon the subject of the memorial and account of Captain Speer, having been prepared pursuant to order, was agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

fo. 338.

New York.

Read an Order of the Committee of Council for Plantation Affairs, inclosing a copy of the report of his Majesty's Attorney and Solicitor General upon a question referred to them relative to the alteration made by this Board in the 32nd Article of the instructions to the Governor of New York respecting appeals; and directing this Board to strike out the words in cases of errors only, inserted in the said instructions, and to send a copy of the said report of the Attorney and Solicitor General to the Governor of New York.

The said 32nd Article having been altered agreable to the directions of the said order, the draught of instructions so altered, was ordered to be redelivered to the Clerk of the Council, and a report thereupon to the Lords of the Committee was approved and signed.

fo. 339.

Ordered, that a copy be made of the report of the Attorney and Solicitor General annexed to the above order, and that the draught of a letter to the Governor of New York, inclosing it, be prepared.

Ordered, also that a copy of the Board's representation to his Majesty upon the draught of instructions to the Governor of New York be made, to be transmitted to him with the said report of the Attorney and Solicitor General, in which it is referred to.

fo. 340.

Tuesday, November 26th. Present:—Earl of Dartmouth, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Fitzherbert.

Jamaica, New York.

The draught of a letter to the Secretary of State upon the subject of Captain Speer's memorial, having been transcribed pursuant to order, was signed; as was also a letter to the Governor of New York, with a copy of the report of the Attorney and Solicitor General on a consideration of the alteration made by the Board in that article of the Governor's instructions which relates to appeals.

Grenada.

fo. 341.

A Committee of the merchants of London in and trading to the Island of Grenada, attended, and in behalf of the said merchants moved the Board that directions might be given to Governor Melvill to call an Assembly for the service of that island, alleging several reasons in support of their proposition, both as to the general utility and expediency of it, and the propriety of having a separate Assembly for Grenada only.

Their lordships desired that, for the greater precision, they would reduce their proposition into writing, stating the several reasons they had to offer in suport of it, which they promised to do, and to attend the Board again another day.

Upon this occasion the following letter and paper received from Governor Melvill, were read and considered, vizt.,
fo. 342.
Letter from Robert Melvill, esquire, Governor of Grenada, to the Board, dated April 20th, 1765, relative to his intention to form a General Assembly of all the islands under his government, and inclosing
Address of his Majesty's subjects of Grenada to Governor Melvill, April 19th, 1765, stating their distresses, and praying that a complete legislature may be constituted.

Thursday, November 28th. Present:—Earl of Dartmouth, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Fitzherbert.

Virginia.

fo. 343.

Read a letter from the Right Honourable Mr. Secretary Conway to the Board, dated November 20th, 1765, informing their lordships that he had laid before his Majesty the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia's request to return to England for twelve months, but that the King does not think this a proper season for the Lieutenant Governor to be absent from the province committed to his charge.

Massachusetts.

The draught of a letter to the Lieutenant Governor, informing him of his Majesty's pleasure in the above case, and containing also an answer to the several letters lately received from him was agreed to and ordered to be transcribed; as was also the draught of a letter to the Governor of Massachusets Bay, in answer to several received from him.

North Carolina.

fo. 344.

Their lordships took into further consideration a letter from the Governor of North Carolina, mentioned in the minutes of the 12th instant, and the draught of an answer thereto having been prepared, was agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

Senegambia.

It appearing to their lordships, that it would be necessary that two row boats, one of ten oars and the other of six, should be provided for the service of the River Gambia, it was ordered that the draught of a letter to Mr. Secretary Conway should be prepared, desiring that directions might be given to the proper office for that purpose.

Quebec.

fo. 345.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council for Plantation Affairs, dated November 15th, 1765, containing their resolutions in respect to the ordinance of the Governor and Council of Quebec for the establishment of Courts of Judicature, and directing an additional instruction to the Governor conformable thereto to be prepared.

Ordered, that a draught of such additional instruction be prepared and laid before the Board.

Grenada.

The Committee of the merchants of London, proprietors of lands in and trading to Grenada, attended, and presented to the Board a memorial containing reasons in support of their proposition for constituting a separate Assembly for the Island of Grenada.

Ordered, that the draught of a representation to his Majesty be prepared, proposing that instructions may be sent to Governor Melvill, directing him to constitute a separate Assembly for the Island of Grenada, and also recommending an alteration in the constitution of the Council, conformable thereto.

Grenada.

fo. 346.

Read a letter from George Scott, esquire, Lieutenant Governor of Dominica, to the Board, dated March 26th, 1765, relative to the state of Grenada during his government of that island, and of the present state of the Island of Dominica.

Friday, November 29th. Present:—Earl of Dartmouth, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Fitzherbert.

Senegambia.

fo. 347.

The draught of a letter to Mr. Secretary Conway, desiring directions may be given for sending two row boats to Gambia, having been prepared pursuant to order, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Quebec.

The draught of an additional instruction to the Governor of Quebec, respecting the alteration made by the Council in the ordinance for establishing Courts of justice, having been prepared pursuant to order, was approved and ordered to be transcribed, and a report thereupon to the Lords of the Committee of Council was signed.

Massachusetts.

North Carolina, Virginia.

The draughts of letters to the Governors of Massachusets Bay and North Carolina, and to the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, having been transcribed pursuant to order, were signed.

East Florida.

fo. 348.

Read a memorial of the agents of Messrs. Gordon and Fish, containing proposals of the terms on which they are willing to relinquish the claim of the said Gordon and Fish to the lands in East Florida, pretended to be purchased of the Spaniards.

Ordered, that this memorial, together with the order of reference of their original petition, be taken into consideration on Thursday next.

Senegambia.

Read a letter from William Sharpe, esquire, Clerk of the Council, to the Secretary, dated November 16th, 1765, signifying the desire of the Lords of the Committee that this Board would prepare and transmit to them, heads of instructions for the person appointed Superintendant of trade for the Province of Senegambia.

Ordered, that the Secretary do prepare heads of instructions for the said Superintendant of trade, and lay the same before the Board at their next meeting.

fo. 349.

Trade, Africa.

Read the following letters and papers received from the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa, vizt.,
Letter from Mr. Poirier to the Secretary, dated November 4th, 1765, transmitting,
Copy of a letter from William Mutter, esquire, Governor of Cape Coast Castle, to the African Committee, dated July 20th, 1765.
Copy of an Act of Council held at Cape Coast Castle, July 10th, 1765, containing resolutions relating to a war then carrying on between the Fantees and Ashantees.
Copy of a letter from Messrs. Hippisley, Petrie and Grossle to the African Committee, July 5th, 1765.
Copy of a letter from the African Committee to the Governor and Council of Cape Coast Castle, October 29th, 1765.
fo. 350.
Extract of a letter from Mr. Goodson, Chief of Whydah, to William Mutter, Governor of Cape Coast Castle, dated November 10th, 1764.
Copy of a letter from William Mutter, esquire, Governor of Cape Coast Castle, to the African Committee, January 21st, 1765.
Copy of a letter from the African Committee to William Mutter, esquire, dated 8th February, 1765.
Copy of a letter from William Mutter, esquire, Governor of Cape Coast Castle, to the African Committee, February 10th, 1765.
Copy of a letter from William Mutter, esquire, to the African Committee, April 25th, 1765.
Copy of a letter from the captain of a French Snow signed Painseau to Mr. John Cockburn, Chief of Tantumquerry.
fo. 351.
Letter from Captain Duboys, master of a French Snow, to Mr. John Cockburn, Chief of Tantumquerry.
Letter from Mr. John Cockburn to Captain Duboys, master of a French Snow.
Letter from Captain Duboys to Mr. Cockburn.
Letter from Mr. Cockburn to William Mutter, esquire, Governor of Cape Coast Castle.

Ordered, that the abovementioned letter from William Mutter, esquire, dated July 20th, 1765, in which he gives an account of the state of hostilities in which the Gold Coast is at present involved by the war between the Ashantees and Fantees, be taken into further consideration on Thursday next, and that notice be given to the Committee to attend on that day.