Journal, February 1782: Volume 89

Journal, February 1782

fo. 28.

Friday, February 1st. Present:—Lord Grantham, Mr. Stuart, Mr. Sloane, Mr. Storer, Mr. Gibbon, Sir Adam Ferguson, Mr. Talbot.

The minutes of the last Board were read, approved and signed.

Nova Scotia.

fo. 29.

fo. 30.

The Secretary informed the Board, that Mr. Butler, according to order of the proceeding meeting, attended without, together with Mr. Brook Watson, of London, merchant, and the said gentlemen being admitted and questioned in the matter of the duties of impost and excise on Molasses, Rum, etc. issued to his Majesty's troops in Nova Scotia, it appeared that these duties formed the principal and almost entire revenue of the Province; that they amount upon Rum to eighteen pence per gallon excise, to which is added an impost of ten pence per ditto, except on Rum imported from the West Indies in provincial bottoms by inhabitants of the colony and purchased by merchandize, one third part of which shall be the merchandize of the colony, in which case it is subject to an impost of five pence per gallon only; that the like impost is laid upon Molasses with the like exemption of one moiety under similar circumstances; that they understand the daily allowance to the troops is half a gallon of Spruce, or half a pint of Rum per man; that the duties now exacted were never demanded upon Rum or Molasses issued to his Majesty's troops till lately; that they see no reason why the bill, as it is now framed, should not be sufficient for the prevention of frauds and abuses in the introduction and distribution of those supplies; that the duties now exacted from the Commissary upon a gross calculation may amount to between three and four thousand pounds; that the provincial revenue could admit of the proposed exemption seemed to appear from the dimished state of the public debt, which upon the last return amounted to£10,029 12s. 10d. currency, whereas in times past it had been known to amount to more than double that sum; and Mr. Butler added for himself, that, as a member of his Majesty's Council, he was of opinion, it ought to have passed, and that in fact, it was carried by a majority upon division in Assembly of one voice only.

fo. 31.

The gentlemen then withdrew, and their Lordships observing, that the Address of the Assembly being before his Majesty, they could proceed no further in the matter, until a reference should be made by his Majesty's commands for that purpose.

fo. 32.

Mr. Leslie attending, according to order of the preceeding Board, was called in, and set forth, that he understood Mr. Lovegrove's papers in support of his complaints were now in London, tho' they had not yet come to his hands, prayed to be indulged till Tuesday seven-night the 12th of February; and their Lordships thinking it reasonable to grant him this short indulgence, ordered, that the complaints of William Lovegrove against certain civil officers of Nova Scotia be dismissed on that day, unless Mr. Leslie shall then appear, and signify his readiness to support the same on behalf of the complainant.

Trade.

Read an order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated February 1st, 1782, referring to this Board, the petition of Messrs. Phyn and Ellice, praying leave to export to Quebec, on board the ship Quebec, sundry military stores, for trade in that Province.

Their Lordships being of opinion, that the exportation prayed for should be allowed; the draught of a report to the Lords of the Privy Council was thereupon ordered to be prepared.

fo. 33.

Leeward Islands.

Antigua.

Read a letter from Governor Shirley to the Board, dated Antigua, November 26th, 1781, transmitting,
St. Christopher's
Minutes of the Council in Assembly of the Island of St. Christopher, commencing the 7th day of July, 1780, and ending the 28th day of December following, both days inclusive.
Montserrat.
Transcript of the minutes of the Council in Assembly at Montserrat, commencing the 1st day of October, 1780, and ending the 1st day of April, 1781.
Antigua.
Minutes of Council in Assembly, from the 1st of November, 1780, to the 9th of August, 1781.
Assembly Journals commencing 22nd February, 1781,
fo. 34.
An Act (No. 149), passed August 9th, 1781.

Ordered, that the above Act be referred to Mr. Jackson, for his opinion thereupon in point of law.

fo. 35.

Tuesday, February 5th. Present:—Lord Grantham, Mr. Gibbon, Mr. Stores, Mr. Sloane, Mr. Talbot.

The minutes of the last Board were read, approved and signed.

Trade.

The draught of a report to the Lords of the Privy Council on the petition of Messrs. Phyn and Ellice, for leave to export military stores to Quebec, having been prepared pursuant to order of the last Board, was approved of, transcribed and signed.

fo. 36.

Read an order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated February 1st, 1782, referring the petition of Richard Morland & Co., for leave to export to Quebec, on board the ship Integrity, sundry military stores, for the use of the Indian trade in that Province.

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

Barbados.

Read a letter from Mr. Knox to Mr. Cumberland, dated February 2nd, 1782, inclosing,
fo. 37.
Copy of a letter from Governor Cuninghame to Lord George Germain, dated Barbados, 28th September, 1781.
Extract of a letter from Major General Christie to Lord George Germain, dated Barbados, 30th November, 1781.

Leeward Islands.

Read a letter from Mr. Fisher to Mr. Cumberland, dated February 2nd, 1782, inclosing copy of a letter from Governor Shirley to Lord George Germain, dated Antigua, 9th of October, 1781, together with copies of several public papers which have already been transmitted in the Governor's letter to the Board of the 26th of November, 1781, and appear in the minutes of the 1st of February.

fo. 38.

Antigua.

Read a letter from Thomas Shirley, esquire, Governor of the Leeward Islands, to the Board, dated Antigua, October 6th, 1781, acknowledging the receipt of two letters from the Board, of the 20th of June last, on the subject of complaints against Chief Justice Dasent and others; the objections to the Militia Act, and transmitting,
St. Kitts.
Copy of the Journal of the Assembly of St. Christopher's, from the 2nd of March, to the 7th of May, 1781.
One Act passed in St. Christopher's, in May, 1781, (No. 59).
Antigua.
One Act passed in Antigua, a duplicate of No. 148, mentioned in the minutes of the 20th June last.
Nevis.
Copy of the answer of the Honorable John Dasent, esquire, Chief Justice of Nevis, to the petition of the Grand Jury of the said Island.

fo. 39.

Their Lordships read and considered, several papers transmitted in Governor Burt's letter of July 29th, and laid before the Board on September 23rd, 1780, on the subject of complaints exhibited by the Grand Jury of the Island of Nevis against John Dasent, esquire, Chief Justice, Joseph Browne and John Bodie, esquires, assistant Justices in that Island, and having made a progress therein; resolved, to resume the consideration of the said charges with the answer thereunto at their next meeting, on Saturday the 9th instant.

St. Kitts.

Ordered, that the Act above mentioned (No. 59), passed in St. Kitts, be sent to Mr. Jackson, for his opinion thereupon in point of law.

fo. 40.

Friday, February 8th. Present:—Lord Grantham, Mr. Gibbon, Sir A. Ferguson, Mr. Sloane, Mr. Storer, Mr. Talbot.

The minutes of the last Board were read, approved and signed.

Nova Scotia.

fo. 41.

Read a letter from Lord George Germain, one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, signifying to the Board, his Majesty's commands, that they take into their consideration the copy of a bill, framed by the Assembly of Nova Scotia, for explaining and amending sundry Acts of that Province, relating to the duties of impost and excise on Rum, and other distilled spirituous liquors; and alluded to in the Address of that Assembly to the King; and that the Board should report their opinion thereupon to his Majesty.

Ordered, that the said copy of a bill, framed but rejected by the Assembly, be referred to Mr. Jackson, for his opinion thereupon in point of law.

fo. 42.

Their Lordships, at the same time, observed, that as the address above-mentioned, submitted to his Majesty, the reasons upon which the said Assembly ground their objection of the bill, after it had been framed and engrossed, it seemed to them necessary that the King's pleasure should be signified for their taking into consideration the said Address, previous to their forming any representation to his Majesty thereupon.

Leeward Islands.

Nevis.

fo. 43.

Their Lordships having, in conformity to the resolution of the preceding Board, resumed the consideration of the charges against the Chief Justice and Assistant Justices of Nevis, with the answer of the said Chief Justice, and other papers thereunto appertaining; which appearing to the Board, to involve certain points of law, it was ordered, that the Secretary do prepare and lay before the Board, at a future meeting, a summary state of these proceedings, in order that the same may be referred to Mr. Jackson, for his opinion and report.

fo. 44.

Tuesday, February 12th. Present:—Lord Grantham, Mr. Stuart, Mr. Sloane, Mr. Storer, Mr. Gibbon, Sir A. Ferguson, Mr. Talbot.
The minutes of the last Board were read, approved and signed.

East Florida.

Read a letter from Patrick Tonyn, esquire, Governor of East Florida, dated St. Augustine, July 30th, 1781, inclosing,
fo. 45.
The speech of his Excellency, Governor Tonyn, to both Houses of Assembly, on Thursday, the 29th day of March, 1781, being the first session of the first General Assembly of the said Province, with the Addresses of the two Houses and his Excellency's answers.

Read a letter from Governor Tonyn, dated St. Augustine, November 30th, 1781, inclosing a triplicate of his letter of July 30th, 1781, and informing their Lordships of a dispute between the two Houses of Assembly, concerning a Negro Act, which had obliged him, after an adjournment and a prorogation, to dissolve the Assembly; and that he had issued writs for calling another Commons House of Assembly, to meet the 7th of January following.

fo. 46.

fo. 47.

Their Lordships observing, upon the first of these letters, that the Governor expresses great satisfaction in the conduct of the Assembly, which he had, in obedience to the King's commands, called together, and states, in very strong terms, their loyalty to the King, attachment to the British constitution, and the many wholesome regulations they have enacted, for the security of his Majesty's Government and Province, take notice, with regret, that, in his second letter, he sets forth, that he had thought himself obliged, after an adjournment and prorogation, to dissolve the said Assembly, on account of a dispute between them and the Council, concerning a Negro Act; and the reasonings thereupon, as far as the same are explained in the Governor's said letter, not appearing to the Board to be sufficient to render that measure necessary or expedient, it was thought proper, that a letter should be written by their Lordships, to Governor Tonyn, stating their observations and opinion upon the said cause of dispute, and the proceedings had thereupon.

Ordered, that the said letter be prepared according to direction thereupon.

Bermuda.

Read a letter from Mr. Fisher, to the Secretary, dated January 12th, 1782, transmitting, by order of Lord George Germain, for the information of the information of the Board,
Minutes of Council of the Island of Bermuda, from April 21st to September 19th, 1781.
Minutes of Council in Assembly, of the Island of Bermuda, from June 18th to September 29th, 1781.
Journal of the House of Assembly of the Island of Bermuda, from March 5th to September 29th, 1781.

fo. 48.

Jamaica.

Read a letter from Mr. Fisher, dated February 5th, 1782, to the Secretary, transmitting, by order of Lord George Germain, for the information of their Lordship,
Copy of a letter from Governor Dalling, to his Lordship, dated Jamaica, June 30th, 1781, containing his reason for passing a law of that Island, called the Judges bill.

Barbados.

Read a letter from Governor Cuninghame, to the Board, dated Barbados, September 28th, 1781, transmitting several public papers, being the same as those enclosed in Mr. Fisher's letter of the 12th of October, mentioned in the minutes of the 17th of November, 1781.

fo. 49.

Read a letter from John Adlam, esquire, deputy Naval Officer, to the Board, dated Barbados, August 15th, 1781, transmitting,
A list of all ships and vessels that have entered inwards, at the Naval Office, at the port of Bridge Town, in the Island of Barbados, from November 11th, 1780, to February 11th, 1781, with the particular quantity and quality of the lading of each vessel.
A list of all ships and vessels which have cleared outwards, from the Naval Office, at the port of Bridge Town, in the Island of Barbados, from the 11th of November, 1780, to the 11th of February, 1781, with the particular quantity and quality of the lading of each vessel.

fo. 50.

Read a letter from John Adlam, esquire, to the Board, dated August 15th, 1781, transmitting,
Barbados.
List of vessels entered inwards, at the Naval Office, in Barbados, from May 11th to August 10th, 1781, with the particular quantity and quality of the lading of each vessel.
List of vessels cleared out, at the Naval Office in Barbados, from May 11th to August 10th, 1781, with the particular quantity and quality of the lading of each vessel.

Read a letter from John Adlam, esquire, to the Board, dated Barbados, September 26th, 1781, transmitting,
fo. 51.
List of all ships and vessels which have entered inwards, at the Naval Office, at the port of Bridge Town, in the Island of Barbados, between the 11th day of February and the 10th day of May, 1781, with the particular quantity and quality of the lading of each vessel.
List of all ships and vessels which have cleared outwards, at the Naval Office, at the port of Bridge Town, in the Island of Barbados, between the 11th day of February and the 10th day of May, 1781, with the particular quantity and quality of the lading of each vessel.

Read a report of Richard Jackson, esquire, dated December 5th, 1781, upon three Acts passed in Barbados, in November, 1780, and May, 1781, No. 133, 134, and 135.

fo. 52.

Trade.

Read an order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated February 8th, 1782, referring to this Board, the petition of John Fraser, praying leave to export to Quebec, on board the ships, Mazon and Susannah, sundry military stores, therein specified, for trade in that Province.

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

Nova Scotia.

fo. 53.

Mr. Leslie, agreeably to order of the 1st of February, attending, on the part of William Lovegrove, complainant against sundry civil officers of the Province of Nova Scotia, set forth, that the papers which he was in expectation of, and for which he exhibited the Ship Master's Receipt, dated at Halifax, November 23rd, 1781, were not come to hand, and that he apprehended they were lost or mislaid; the Board, according to their said order of the 1st of February, signified to Mr. Leslie, that he was to consider the said complaints as dismissed, and he had notice accordingly.

Plantations General.

Their Lordships took into their consideration the estimates for the several Provinces, to be prepared for Parliament, and made some progress therein.

West Florida.

fo. 54.

Nova Scotia.

West Florida.

East Florida.

Read a letter from Mr. Knox, to the Secretary, of the 9th instant, written, by order of Lord George Germain, for the information of the Board, respecting a provision to be made for the civil officers of West Florida, who have been deprived of their employment by the surrender of that Province to the Spaniards; also respecting an allowance to be made to Jonathan Binney, esquire, of Nova Scotia, in the estimate for that Province, and, proposing, that £1000, formerly allowed upon the estimate of East Florida for Indian services, be inserted in this year's estimate.

Nova Scotia.

Read a letter from Sir Andrew Snape Hammond, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, to the Board, dated Halifax, 23rd November, 1781, inclosing,
Duplicate of the estimate for supporting the civil establishment of the Province of Nova Scotia, for the year 1782.

fo. 55.

Read certificate of the Secretary of Nova Scotia, specifying the time Mr. Binney served at Canso, etc., with three other papers respecting his services and losses, etc.

Read memorial of Joshua Wingate Weeks, dated Halifax, November 24th, 1781, to the Board, stating his being ordered by the Society for propogation of the Gospel, to reside at Annapolis, which he represented as impossible, till the war is over, and prays the Board to indulge him with staying at Halifax, a proper person being paid by him for officiating at Annapolis.

Ordered, that the Secretary do request the attendance of the Revd. Dr. Morice, Secretary to the Society for propogating the Gospel in Foreign Parts, at the Board, on Friday next, on the subject of the above memorial.

fo. 56.

West Florida.

Ordered, that Peter Chester, esquire, late Governor of West Florida, be desired to attend the Board, at one o'clock on Friday next.

Georgia.

Ordered, that Mr. West, agent for Georgia, be desired to attend at the same time.

Plantations General.

Resolved, that the Board will resume the consideration of the estimates at their next meeting.

fo. 57.

Friday, February 15th. Present:—Lord Grantham, Mr. Stuart, Mr. Sloane, Mr. Storer, Mr. Gibbon, Sir A. Ferguson, Mr. Talbot.

The minutes of the last Board were read, approved and signed.

Trade.

Read an order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated February 13th, 1782, referring to this Board, the petition of Robert Hunter, for leave to export to Canada, on board the ships London and Bellona, sundry military stores, therein specified, for the Indian trade.

fo. 58.

Their Lordships being of opinion, that the exportation prayed for, in the afore-mentioned petition, should be allowed; and the draughts of two reports to the Lords of the Privy Council, having been prepared, were approved, transcribed and signed.

Nova Scotia.

Read a letter from Lord George Germain, one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, dated the 7th instant, signifying his Majesty's pleasure, to the Board, that they should take into their consideration the Address of the Assembly of Nova Scotia, mentioned in the minutes of the 8th instant, together with the bill therein referred to, and represent to his Majesty thereupon.

fo. 59.

Barbados.

Read a letter from Mr. Fisher, to the Secretary, dated the 5th instant, transmitting, by direction of Lord George Germain, Copy of a letter from Governor Cuninghame, to Lord George Germain, dated Barbados, 18th November, 1781, inclosing;
Tobago.
Petitions of the Tobago Merchants, to Governor Cuninghame; Attorney General's opinion thereon; and the passport to the vessel referred to in the said petitions.

West Florida.

fo. 60.

Their Lordships then resumed the further consideration of the estimates, and Peter Chester, esquire, attending, according to order taken at the last meeting, he was admitted; and their Lordships having examined into the state of the several civil officers, usually provided for by grant of Parliament, it appeared that, upon the capitulation of the 10th of May, 1781, they had all left the Province, except the Chief Justice and Attorney General, who were detained on account of the Courts meeting in July ensuing, under the terms of the said capitulation, which officers had not returned to England, nor could Mr. Chester give any account where they at present are.

fo. 61.

Mr. Chester retiring, and Mr. Leake, one of the clerks of the Treasury, officiating agent on the part of Mr. Nesham, being in attendance, was called in, and being asked by their Lordships, whether he had paid any salaries or allowances to the civil officers of West Florida, beyond the date of the capitulation, he answered, that he had received directions from the Lords of the Treasury, to pay no salaries beyond that term; Mr. Leake further informed the Board, that he had no balance of public monies in his hands; on the contrary, that he had advanced, beyond the grant received, in answering bills for contingent services, but that he had acted therein by the directions of the Treasury; he further set forth, in answer to their lordships' enquiry, that he believed Mr. Nesham had a considerable balance in hand, which he had not yet brought to account.

fo. 62.

Mr. Leake retiring, their Lordships were of opinion, upon consideration of what had been set forth, that no estimate could properly be brought into Parliament for the Province of West Florida, but as what had appeared upon examination seemed proper to be communicated to the Lords of the Treasury.

Ordered, that the Secretary do communicate the above particulars, in his general letter of remarks upon the several estimates, addressed to Sir Grey Cooper, Baronet, for the information of their Lordships of his Majesty's Treasury.

Georgia.

fo. 63.

Read a letter from Mr. West, agent for Georgia, to the Secretary, dated on the 14th instant, signifying, that he had frequently applied to Mrs. Campbell (executrix to the late Dr. Campbell, agent for Georgia), but had not been able to get any information with regard to the balance in hand.

Ordered, that the Secretary do write to Mrs. Campbell in consequence of the above information.

Barbados.

fo. 64.

The Secretary, at the desire of Mr. Estwick, moved the Board for certain papers, necessary for supporting the charges of the Assembly of Barbados against Governor Cuninghame; also, that the Honble. Mr. Henry Grenville and Charles Pinfold, esquire, heretofore Governors of Barbados, and Thomas Workman, esquire, deputy Secretary, be desired to attend on the day appointed for hearing the said charges, they being material witnesses on that occasion.

Ordered, that the copies of the papers prayed for be granted, also, that the Secretary do write to the several gentlemen above mentioned, desiring their attendance on Tuesday, the 26th instant.

fo. 65.

A subsequent memorial being presented by Mr. Estwick to the Board, containing amongst other matters, arguments and observations upon the papers given in by Governor Cuninghame as his defence against the charges of the Assembly of Barbados, with extracts numbered 1 and 2 thereunto annexed, and praying for the papers and attendance of the witnesses referred to in the preceding orders; their Lordships, upon consideration thereof, were of opinion, that any reasoning upon the papers given in by Governor Cuninghame as his defence, (of which Mr. Estwick has a copy, and to which he will have an opportunity of replying on the day of hearing) cannot with propriety be now received and considered; and for as much also as the prayer of this memorial is already satisfied by the preceding order, and the extracts thereunto annexed are to be found, and may be resorted to amongst the records of this office.

fo. 66.

Ordered, that the Secretary do return to Mr. Estwick the said memorial and extracts, signifying to him their Lordships' reasons as above given for so doing.

Jamaica.

The Secretary laid before the Board, the following public papers, transmitted by the Governor of Jamaica, viz:—
Minutes of Privy Council of Jamaica, from 12th of June, 1780, to 24th day of May, 1781.
Journal of Assembly of Jamaica, from 7th November, 1780, to 13th day of January, 1781.
Journal of the Council in Assembly in Jamaica, from 7th of November, 1780, to the 13th January, 1781.

Hemp and Flax.

Devon.

Read a letter from Mr. Christopher Gullett, Clerk of the Peace for the county of Devon, to Mr. Cumberland, dated Exeter, December 27th, 1781, acknowledging the receipt of his letter with the enclosures, and transmitting,
fo. 67.
Order of the Justices for the county of Devon, at their Quarter Sessions, on 3rd of October, 1781.

Dorset.

Read a letter from Mr. Wallis, Clerk of the Peace for the county of Dorset, dated Dorchester, January 8th, 1782, acknowledging the receipt of Mr. Cumberland's letter of the 21st December, 1781, with the enclosures.

Plantations General.

The estimates of such sums as will be necessary for the support of the civil establishments of Nova Scotia, Georgia, East Florida and the Island of St. John, in America, for the year 1782, having been prepared and laid before their Lordships, were approved of, and Mr. Stuart was desired to present them to the House of Commons.

fo. 68.

Tuesday, February 19th. Present:—Lord Grantham, Mr. Stuart, Mr. Sloane, Mr. Storer, Mr. Gibbon, Sir A. Ferguson, Mr. Talbot.

The minutes of the last Board were read, approved and signed.

Barbados.

fo. 69.

The Secretary informed the Board, that agreeable to their Lordships' directions at their last meeting, he had furnished Mr. Estwick with copies of the papers he had prayed for; also, that he had written to the Honble. Mr. Henry Grenville, Mr. Pinfold, and Mr. Workman, according to order; he further informed the Board, that he had returned to Mr. Estwick the memorial and extracts mentioned in the minutes of the last meeting, signifying to him their Lordships' reasons for so doing according to order.

Trade.

Read the following order of the Lords of the Privy Council, viz:—
Order dated February 15th, 1782, referring to this Board, the petition of Messrs. Baugh, Ames & Co., for leave to export military stores to Antigua, on board the ship Renown, for the use and defence of the inhabitants of that Island.

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

fo. 70.

Africa.

Read a letter from Mr. Rutherford, Secretary to the African Committee, to Mr. Cumberland, dated on the 16th instant, inclosing,
Copy of the said Committee's petition to the Honorable the Commons of Great Britain in Parliament assembled; praying, that the House would grant such sums as may be necessary for the effectual support, maintenance and defence of the forts and settlements in Africa, etc., and for payment of the debt due to Richard Miles, esquire, amounting to about £3,465 sterling, and likewise such other relief as to the great wisdom of the honorable House should seem meet.

West Florida.

Read a letter from Mr. Knox, to the Secretary, dated the 19th instant, inclosing, by direction of Mr. Ellis, one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State,
fo. 71.
Memorial from Peter Chester, esquire, late Governor of West Florida, to the Secretary of State, dated January 31st, 1782, praying for a continuation of his salary or such other relief, as hath in like cases been granted, also;
Memorial from Elias Durnford, esquire, late Lieutenant Governor of the said Province, to the like effect.

Nova Scotia.

The Revd. Dr. Morice, Secretary to the Society for the propoga tion of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, attending, communicated to the Board by order of the said Society,
fo. 72.
A resolution of the 15th instant, signifying that they had thought proper to appoint the Revd. Mr. Jacob Bailey, Missionary at Annapolis, in Nova Scotia, in the room of the Revd. Mr. Joshua Wingate Weeks; and requesting, that the Board will be pleased to grant the same stipend to Mr. Bailey, as Mr. Weeks and former missionaries have had.

Ordered, that the agent for the Province be directed to inform the Lieutenant Governor, to draw for the usual allowance in favour of Mr. Bailey in the room of Mr. Weeks, agreeable to the request of the Society.

St. John's.

fo. 73.

Mr. Stuart, in his place, informed the Board, that he had thought it necessary, previous to his carrying into Parliament any estimate for the Island of St. John, to go into a minute examination of all past proceedings and arrangements had on the part of Government relative to that establishment since its first formation; and having stated circumstantially to the rest of the Board the result of his investigation, it was,

Resolved, that the Board, will upon an early day resume this enquiry, as a matter well worthy their future consideration, so as to inform themselves fully of the present condition and importance of this Island, the state of the revenue arising, or which ought to arise, from the collection of the Quit Rents, and the expediency or inexpediency of continuing in future any and what demands upon Parliament for the support and maintenance of the civil establishment.

fo. 74.

Ordered, that a letter be written to the Governor, desiring him to answer to certain points of enquiry necessary for the information of the Board.

Read a memorial of Peter Stewart, esquire, Chief Justice of the Island of St. John, dated October 30th, 1781, stating his losses in the public service, and the insufficiency of his salary, and praying relief.

Nova Scotia.

Ordered, that the draught of a representation to his Majesty, upon the Address of the Assembly of Nova Scotia, and the draught of a bill therein referred to, be prepared, in obedience to his Majesty's commands for that purpose, signified by Lord George Germain, in his letter of the 7th instant, mentioned in the minutes of the 15th.
fo. 75.
Friday, February 22nd. Present:—Lord Grantham, Mr. Stuart, Mr. Sloane, Mr. Storer, Mr. Gibbon, Sir A. Ferguson, Mr. Talbot.

The minutes of the last Board were read, approved and signed.

Barbados.

fo. 76.

Read a memorial of Samuel Estwick, esquire, agent for the Assembly of Barbados, of the 21st instant, stating, that Mr. Dunning, whom he had retained as Counsel on behalf of the said Assembly, in their charges against Governor Cuninghame, will be prevented by indispensable avocations from attending on the 26th instant, and praying that the hearing which was fixed for the said 26th, of the present month, may by their lordships' indulgence be postponed to that day fort-night, viz. to Tuesday, the 12th of March.

Mr. Larpent, agent on behalf of the Governor, attending, was called in, and their Lordships having acquainted him with the requisition of the above memorial, received for answer, that altho' he and his Counsel were fully prepared for attending and entering on the Governor's defence upon the day appointed, yet that he submitted himself to the pleasure of the Board, and was ready on his part to acquiesce in the accomodation prayed for.

fo. 77.

Their lordships thereupon agreed to grant the prayer of Mr. Estwick's memorial, and it was signified to the parties, that the hearing, which stood fixed for the 26th of February, should be postponed to the 12th day of March.

At the same time their Lordships were pleased to order, that in case either of the said agents should again apply for altering the day now appointed, answer should be given, that the Board having uniformly expressed a desire of going thro' the affairs relating to the complaints against Governor Cuninghame, and having with great fairness granted the respective requests of the parties for the delay, which each thought necessary for the clause of their clients, will not admit any proposal for further delay, except at the joint requisition of both the agents upon agreement betwixt them.

fo. 78

Nova Scotia.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty, upon the Address of the Assembly of Nova Scotia, and the draught of a bill therein referred to, being prepared pursuant to order of the preceding Board, was approved of, transcribed and signed.

The draught of a letter to Sir Andrew Snape Hammond, baronet, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, containing observations upon certain Acts passed in that colony in July last, and on the bill framed by the Assembly, referred to in the preceeding article; signifying also a dismissal of William Lovegrove's complaints, being prepared pursuant to order of the 21st of December 1781, was approved of, transcribed and signed.

fo. 79.

Read a report of Mr. Jackson, dated February 20th, 1782, upon the draught or sketch of a bill framed by the Assembly of Nova Scotia, but not passed into law, intituled,
An Act to explain and amend the several Acts made by the General Assembly of this Province, relating to the duties of an impost and excise on Molasses, Rum and other distilled spirituous liquors.

Leeward Islands.

Antigua.

Read a report of Mr. Jackson, dated February 5th, 1782, upon an Act passed in the Island of Antigua in August, 1781, (No. 149) for an additional support, etc., of his Excellency, Governor Shirley.
Ordered, that a representation to his Majesty be prepared, recommending Sir John Ogilvie, baronet, to be appointed of his Majesty's Council in Antigua; which being prepared accordingly, was approved of, transcribed and signed.

fo. 80.

Nevis.

The Secretary, pursuant to order of the 8th instant, having prepared and laid before the Board, a summary state of the proceedings of the Chief Justice and Justices of Nevis, mentioned in that day's minutes, for the purpose of referring the same to Mr. Jackson, for his opinion and report, it was approved of, and,

Order was given for its being referred accordingly.

East Florida.

The draught of a letter to Patrick Tonyn, esquire, Governor of East Florida, being prepared agreeable to the directions of their Lordships, contained in the minutes of the 12th instant, and laid before the Board, it was approved of, transcribed and signed.

fo. 81.

St. John's.

Read a letter from Walter Patterson, esquire, Governor of St. John's, dated September 11th, 1781, acknowledging the receipt of their Lordships' letter of the 13th of December, 1780, and that every obedience would be paid to its contents.

Trade.

Read an order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated February 20th, 1782, referring to this Board, the petition of Messrs. Phyn and Ellice, for leave to export to Quebec, on board the ships Jeamie and Eweretta, sundry military stores therein specified.

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

fo. 82.

Georgia.

The Secretary informed the Board, that having complied with their Lordships' order, directed by the minutes of the 15th instant, communication had, in consequence, been made to him, by the Secretary to the Commissioners of Accounts, for the information of their Lordships, "That the accounts of the sums of money annually granted by Parliament to the late Dr. Campbell, agent for Georgia, with the application thereof, were under the examination of the said Commissioners, and a considerable progress made therein, and that he was of opinion, that the balance of public monies in the hands of the executrix, Mrs. Campbell, would appear to be small if any."