Journal, January 1779: Volume 86

Journal, January 1779

fo. 1.

At a meeting of his Majesty's Commissioners for Trade and Plantations.

Tuesday, January 12th. Present:—Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Gascoyne, Mr. Eden, Mr. de Grey.

Lord George Germain, one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, attends.

St. Vincent's.

Read a letter from Mr. Knox to Mr. Cumberland, dated January 6th. 1779, transmitting, by direction of Lord George Germain, the following papers, and desiring that they may be laid before the Lords of Trade, for their Lordships' information, vizt.,
Letter from Mr. John Fraser, dated November 24th, 1779, (fn. 1) transmitting the following paper, intituled,
Proofs in support of the charges contained in the petition of the Assembly of St. Vincent's to his Majesty, complaining of the arbitrary, corrupt and illegal proceedings of his Excellency Governor Morris.
fo. 2.
Letter from Mr. Michael Keane, styling himself a late member of the Assembly of St. Vincent's, to Lord George Germain, dated November 25th, 1779, (fn. 1) upon the subject of the foregoing paper.

The Secretary also laid before the Board a paper received from Mr. Knox, intituled.
Affidavits verifying the allegations and charges contained in the petition of the Assembly of the Island of St. Vincent to his Majesty, complaining of the arbitrary, illegal and irregular proceedings of his Excellency Governor Morris.

The Secretary at the same time laid before the Board the following papers, heretofore referred by directions of Lord George Germain, and transmitted by Mr. Knox for their Lordships' consideration, vizt.,
Letter from Mr. Knox to Mr. Cumberland, dated February 20th, 1778, transmitting.
fo. 3.
Copy of a letter from Governor Morris to Lord George Germain, dated St. Vincent's, October 3rd, 1777.
Copy of the minutes of Council of St. Vincent's on the 11th October, 1777.
Copy of a memorial of his Majesty's Council of the Island of St. Vincent's to Lord George Germain, stating the proceed ings of Governor Morris with respect to the disposition of the Crown lands; together with Governor Morris's observations on the said memorial, and a certificate of the Secretary of the said island.
Copy of an account of a communication from Governor Morris to the Legislative Assembly respecting the runaway negroes.
Extract of a letter from Governor Morris to Lord George Germain, dated St. Vincent's, 4th of October, 1778.
Extract of a letter from Governor Morris to Lord George Germain, dated St. Vincent's. October 13th, 1778.
fo. 4.
Letter from Mr. Knox to Mr. Cumberland, dated March 2nd, 1778, transmitting,
Letter from Governor Morris to Lord George Germain, dated St. Vincent's, 13th and 16th of November, 1777, inclosing, Remarks on the several articles alleged against Governor Morris in the Address of the Assembly to his Majesty.
The humble petition to his Majesty of the representatives of the people in the Assembly of the Island of St. Vincent's.
Extracts from the minutes of the Assembly of St. Vincent's on the 11th July, 1774, 13th July, 1776; 7th of March, 3rd of April, 6th and 15th of May, 11th and 12th of June, and 3rd, 4th and 18th of July, 1777.
Petition of the Assembly to General Morris to grant a noli prosequi to stop proceedings against intruders on lands.
fo. 5.
Governor Morris's answer to the foregoing petition, with his reasons for rejecting it.
Affidavit of Resolve Smith, dated November 20th, 1777, respecting a vessel and cargo, in which it was said Governor Morris had interest.
Certificate relating to the General Morris sloop, Captain Carter, dated November 11th, 1777.
Letter from Governor Morris to Lord George Germain, dated St. Vincent's, November 20th, 1777, justifying his conduct respecting the grants of lands made by him.
Extract of a letter from Governor Morris to Lord George Germain, dated St. Vincent's, December 4th, 1777, acquainting his Lordship, that he had dissolved the Assembly on the 24th of November.
Letter from Governor Morris to Lord George Germain, dated St. Vincent's, December 5th, 1777, in further vindication of his conduct.

fo. 6.

Lord George Germain having signified to their lordships, that his Majesty's commands had been transmitted to Governor Morris for his return to England in order to answer all matters of complaint against him, it was for this reason,

Resolved, that the full consideration of what the foregoing papers contain, whether in accusation or defence of Mr. Morris's proceedings, be postponed until his arrival, of which there was daily expectation.

West Florida.

Read a letter from Mr. Knox to Mr. Cumberland, dated January 6th, 1779, transmitting, by direction of Lord George Germain, for the consideration of the Board,
fo. 7.
Copy of a letter from Peter Chester, esquire, Governor of West Florida, to Lord George Germain, dated Pensacola. June 1st. 1778. acquainting his Lordship, that James Jones, Esquire, a member (by mandamus) of his Majesty's Council for that province, having put himself under the protection of the Court of Spain, and having absented himself without leave since October, 1773. he had, by the advice of his Council, thought fit to suspend the said James Jones as a member of the said Council until his Majesty's pleasure should be known.

Ordered, that the draught of a representation to his Majesty be prepared, proposing, for the reasons abovementioned, that James Jones, esquire, may be removed from his seat in the Council of West Florida.

Senegambia.

fo. 8.

Read a letter from Mr. Robinson to Mr. Cumberland, dated December 23rd. 1778. transmitting, by directions of the Lords of the Treasury, a letter from Thomas Parkin to Sir Grey Cooper. dated December 14th, 1778, upon the subject of the contingent accounts of Matthias McNamara. esquire, and desiring that the said letter may be laid before the Lords of Trade.

The Secretary acquainted the Board, that Mr. McNamara had attended pursuant to order, to produce such vouchers as he had to offer in support of the charges contained in his account of disbursements between the 1st of August, 1776, and the 7th of April. 1777, which were referred by the Lords of the Treasury to the consideration of this Board, and are mentioned in the minutes of the 1st of December last.

The Secretary, at the same time, laid before the Board the two following papers which he had caused to be prepared upon the subject of the said accounts, together with the copies of three papers which were produced by Mr. McNamara, vizt.,
Lieutenant Governor McNamara's account of disbursements for his Majesty's service between the 1st of August, 1776, and 7th April, 1777, as referred by the Lords of the Treasury, methodized under ten heads.
fo. 9.
A state of the vouchers produced by Matthias McNamara. esquire, late Lieutenant Governor of Senegambia, for the charges contained in the account of his disbursements in the service of Government between the 1st of August, 1776. and the 7th of April, 1777, amounting to £5597 10s. 4d.
Copy of a certificate of the Mayor of the village, and of a receipt for the payment of bargemen and guardsman, dated August 22nd, and January 11th, 1777.
Copy of a return of lime and bricks burned and made for the use of his Majesty at Senegal in the year 1777, by Lieutenant Governor McNamara.
Copy of a return of craft, etc., belonging to Government at Fort Lewis, Senegal, the 8th April, 1777.
Copy of a return of craft belonging to James Fort, Gambia, 5th February, 1777.

fo. 10.

Their Lordships having taken the said papers into their consideration, together with all other papers relative to the said accounts referred by the Lords of the Treasury, mentioned in the several minutes of the 1st, 8th, 14th, and 22nd of December last; and having heard what Mr. McNamara, who attended, had to offer, it was ordered, that the Secretary do write to Mr. Robinson, and transmit to him copies of the papers abovementioned, acquainting him at the same time, that the said papers contain all the information in the power of this Board to give to the Lords of the Treasury upon Mr. McNamara's accounts.

Trade.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated January 4th, 1779, referring to this Board, the petition of Robert Mangles, praying leave to export certain military stores to Montserrat, on board the ship Thomas.

fo. 11.

Their Lordships, upon consideration of the foregoing petition, were of opinion, that the exportation therein prayed for should be allowed; and the draught of a report to the Lords of the Privy Council thereupon having been prepared, was approved, transcribed and signed.

Africa.

The Secretary laid before the Board the following papers received from the Committee of Merchants trading to Africa, vizt.,
Copy of a letter from the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa, to the Governor and Council at Cape Coast Castle, dated December 30th, 1778.
Copy of resolutions and orders of the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa, dated the 25th of March, and 15th, 18th, 23rd and 24th December, 1778.
Copy of the establishment of officers and servants at Cape Coast Castle and all the out forts in Africa, dated December 16th, 1778.
Copy of a letter from the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa, to the Governor and Council at Cape Coast Castle, dated 30th December, 1778, respecting a black man, who was taken off the Coast.

fo. 12.

Their Lordships, read and considered the following Acts together with Mr. Jackson's reports thereupon, vizt.,
St. Christopher's.
Four Acts passed in the Island of St. Christopher's in September and December, 1777, and in April, 1778.
Montserrat.
Two Acts passed in the Island of Montserrat in March, 1778.
Antigua.
Three Acts passed in the Island of Antigua in February, March and April, 1778.
Tobago.
Two Acts passed in the Island of Tobago in April, 1778.

St. Christopher's.

fo. 13.

Ordered, that the draught of a representation to his Majesty be prepared, proposing the confirmation of one of the foregoing Acts passed in the Island of St. Christopher's, intituled, an Act to repeal part of an Act made in the thirteenth year of the reign of his Majesty King George the Third, intituled an Act for repealing a former Act, intituled, an Act for appointing Henry Wilmot. esquire, agent for the Island of St. Christopher's in Great Britain, in the room of John Sharpe. esquire, lately deceased, etc., etc.

Quebec.

Their Lordships having taken into their consideration the several papers relating to the amoval of Peter Livius, esquire. from the office of Chief Justice of the Province of Quebec by Sir Guy Carleton. late Governor of that province, mentioned in the minutes of the 25th September. 8th of October, 1st, 8th, 15th, 21st and 22nd of December last. after mature deliberation, it was ordered, that the draught of a representation to his Majesty thereupon should be prepared.

fo. 14.

Tuesday, January 19th. Present:—Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Gascoyne, Lord Robert Spencer. Mr. Greville. Mr. de. Grey.

Lord George Germain. one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State. attends.

Trade.

Read the two following Orders of the Lords of the Privy Council, vizt.,
Order dated January 11th. 1779. referring the petition of Mr. Robert Mangles, praying leave to export certain military stores to Jamaica, by the ship Kingston, for the purpose of arming privateers.
Order dated January 11th. 1779. referring the petition of Bridges. Eade and Wilton, praying leave to export gunpowder to Barbados, by the ship Britannia, for the use of that island.

Their Lordships, upon consideration of the above two petitions, were of opinion. that the exportation therein prayed for should be allowed; and the draughts of two reports to the Lords of the Privy Council thereupon having been prepared, were approved, transcribed and signed.

fo. 15.

Their Lordships read and consideration the following Acts together with Mr. Jackson's reports thereupon, vizt.,
Nova Scotia.
Eleven Acts passed in the Province of Nova Scotia in June, 1778.
Jamaica.
Twenty three Acts passed in the Island of Jamaica in December, 1777. and June. 1778.
Grenada.
Three Acts passed in the Island of Grenada in March, 1776, and April. 1778.
Nevis.
One Act passed in the Island of Nevis in March, 1778.

Nova Scotia.

fo. 16.

Some objection appearing to two of the foregoing Acts passed in the Province of Nova Scotia, it was ordered, that the draught of a letter to the Governor of the said province should be prepared, stating the opinion of the Board upon the Act intituled, an Act to prevent forestalling, regrating and monopolizing cord wood in the town of Halifax; and that another Act of the said province intituled, an Act to impower the Governor, Lieutenant Governor or Commander in Chief to appoint sheriffs in such counties where it may be found necessary, should be taken into further consideration at another opportunity, when Mr. Fenton, Provost Marshall for the said province, by Sign Manual, should be desired to attend.

Virgin Islands.

Their Lordships also read and considered a report of Mr. Jackson's upon the draught of a Bill for confirming titles to lands and for quieting possessions in the Virgin Islands, together with a memorial of [George] Suckling, Chief Justice of the said islands, by whom the draught beforementioned was prepared.

Resolved, that the draught of a letter be prepared to the Governor of the Leeward Islands, recommending to him to lay before the Legislature of the Virgin Islands the draught of a Quieting Bill heretofore transmitted, mentioned in the minutes of the 4th of February, 1777, if that be not already done in consequence of their Lordships' letter to Governor Burt on that and other subjects, dated the 6th of January last.

fo. 17.

Quebec.

Their Lordships made some progress in the draught of a representation to his Majesty, upon the memorial of Peter Livius, esquire, referred by command of his Majesty, and prepared pursuant to order of the last Board.

St. Christopher's.

West Florida.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty, proposing the confirmation of an Act passed in the Island of St. Christopher for repealing an Act intituled an Act appointing Henry Wilmot, esquire, agent, etc., etc., having been prepared pursuant to order of the 12th instant, was approved, transcribed and signed; as also a representation to his Majesty, proposing the removal of James Jones, esquire, from the Council of West Florida, prepared pursuant to order of the last Board.

Senegambia.

fo. 18.

The draught of a representation made in pursuance of the order taken the 20th day of August last, having been proposed to be read, and their Lordships upon review of the case being of opinion, that there was no matter sufficient against Mr. Morse whereon to found advice to the Crown for his removal from the office of Chief Justice of the Province of Senegambia, it was resolved, that no further proceedings should be had in the matter, as the complaints did not come before the Board in reference, but originated by memorials presented to them.

West Florida.

The Secretary laid before the Board the following paper, vizt.,
Copy of a list of the Council for West Florida, signed by Governor Chester, dated January, 1778, noting such as are absent, the time they have been absent, and by what leave.

fo. 19.

Tuesday, January 26th. Present:—Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Gascoyne, Mr. Eden, Mr. de Grey.

Lord George Germain, one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, attends.

Senegambia.

The Secretary informed the Board, that pursuant to order of the 12th instant, he had on the 23rd written to Mr. Robinson upon the subject of Mr. McNamara's accounts, and had submitted the copies of papers mentioned in the minute of the 12th instant, for the information of the Lords of the Treasury.

Quebec.

Their Lordships resumed the consideration of the draught of the representation to his Majesty, upon the memorial of Peter Livius, esquire, which was prepared pursuant to order of the 12th instant, and is mentioned also in the minutes of the 19th instant, in which they made further progress.

Trade.

fo. 20.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated January 22nd, 1779. referring to this Board, the petition of William Richards, praying leave to export to New York, on board the ship Edward, sundry military stores therein specified, for the purpose of fitting out privateers.

Their Lordships, upon consideration of the above petition, were of opinion, that the exportation prayed for should be allowed; and the draught of a report to the Lords of the Privy Council thereupon having been prepared, was approved, transcribed and signed.