Journal, November 1776: Volume 83

Journal, November 1776

Tuesday. November 5th. Present:—Mr. Gascoyne. Lord Robert Spencer, Mr. Jolliffe, Mr. Keene, Mr. Greville, Mr. Eden.

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

Virgin Islands.

fo. 172.

Their lordships took into consideration the copy of a Quieting Bill made in the Virgin Islands in July 1775, mentioned in the minutes of the 20th of last month, together with Mr. Jackson's report thereupon; and Lieutenant Governor Nugent and Mr. Jackson attending, their lordships had some conversation with them on the subject of the said Bill; in the course of which Lieutenant Governor Nugent proposed, on the part of the legislature of the Virgin Islands, to get the copy of another bill drawn by some able and sufficient lawyer here, free from the objections stated by Mr. Jackson against the present bill; which bill should be laid before their lordships for their opinion, before it was transmitted to the said islands.

Virgin Islands, Leeward Islands.

Read a memorial of John Pownall, esquire, agent for the Virgin Islands, to the Board, stating that the Commander in Chief of the Leeward Islands, in the absence of the Governor, had stopped several bills passed in the Virgin Islands with suspending clauses; and praying, that Governor Burt may receive instructions before his departure to complete such laws, as the Assembly of the said islands have proposed for the publick good; and that their lordships would likewise be pleased to recommend the establishment of a Council for those islands under his Majesty's immediate authority.

Ordered, that Governor Burt and Lieutenant Governor Nugent, as also the agent for the Virgin Islands, be desired to attend the Board on Friday next, the 8th instant.

Their lordships took into consideration the appointment of a Council for the Virgin Islands, and it was agreed to resume this business at the next meeting.

Africa.

fo. 174.

Mr. Camplin, Secretary to the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa, attending, was called in, and having signified that the said Committee had some matters of consequence to communicate, upon which they wished to receive the opinion of this Board, their lordships were pleased to appoint Friday next at 12 o'clock, when they were desired to attend.

Trade.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated the 16th of October, 1776, referring to this Board the petition of Messrs. Peter Thellusson and Company, for leave to export to La Rochelle, by the way of Dunkirk, certain military stores therein specified, for the use of three French ships trading to Africa.

fo. 175.

Their lordships, upon consideration of the abovementioned 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 accordingly, was approved, transcribed and signed.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated October 30th, 1776, referring to this Board the petition of Messrs. Davis and Protheroe, for leave to export to St. Christopher's, on board the ship Love and Unity, twenty five barrels of gunpowder.

Their lordships, upon consideration of the abovementioned petition, were of opinion, that it would not be expedient to allow the exportation prayed for.

fo. 176.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated November 5th, 1776, referring to this Board the petition of several merchants of Liverpool, praying that they may not be restrained from shipping such quantity of arms and ammunition for the defence of their ships, as their safety requires.

Their lordships, upon consideration of the abovementioned petition, directed the draught of a report to the Lords of the Council thereupon to be prepared.

Trade.

The Secretary laid before the Board the following accounts, or state, of the British and French commerce at Hamburgh and Bremen, received from his Majesty's Minister at Hamburgh, vizt.,
State of the British imports at Hamburgh in 1775, with the valuation of them.
State of the French imports at Hamburgh in 1775, with the valuation of them.
fo. 177.
State of the British imports at Bremen in 1775, with the valuation of them.
State of the French imports at Bremen in 1775, with the valuation of them.

Senegambia.

Their lordships took into consideration the forming a body of instructions for the Governor of Senegambia; and Governor Clarke attending, their lordships had some conversation with him thereupon; and he was desired to attend again on Friday next.

fo. 178.

Friday, November 8th. Present:—Mr. Gascoyne, Mr. Keene, Mr. Greville.

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

Africa.

fo. 179.

The Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa attending, were called in, and set forth to the Board, that certain expences having been incurred for the relief and protection of two trading towns on the coast of Africa. and effects to the amount of one thousand. two hundred pounds having been advanced on this account by the Company's servants, for repayment of which they had taken a certain number of slaves as hostages from the said towns. they requested the advice of the Board. whether or not it would be expedient for them to reimburse their said servants, upon the policy of preventing the probable interference of the Dutch, in case the said servants should proceed to indemnify themselves. by selling the slaves deposited in their hands; and whether their lordships were of opinion, that the Committee, in case they discharged these monies advanced by their servants, would be warranted in stating it as a charge upon a future grant of Parliament, they having no publick monies in hand to apply to that service.

fo. 180.

In answer to the above. their lordships informed the Committee, that they desired to be excused taking on themselves the directing or advising of measures. which were clearly not within the powers and jurisdiction of the Board. as limited and defined by the Act of the 23rd of his late Majesty: but that, if the Committee chose to communicate to the Board any papers or proceedings relative to the Company's affairs. their lordships were ready to receive the same as matter of information. and considered such communications as properly coming within the directions of the Act abovementioned.

Leeward Islands, Virgin Islands.

Governor Burt attending. and also Mr. Pownall, agent for the Virgin Islands, they were called in, and their lordships, after some conversation with them relative to the appointment of a Council for the said islands. agreed to a list of persons properly qualified to fill that station.

Senegambia.

fo. 181.

Read a memorial of the Merchants and Adventurers of London trading to Senegal. dated November 4th, 1776, exhibiting several charges against Matthias McNamara. esquire. Lieutenant Governor of Senegambia. and praying. that they may be heard, for the reason therein contained. as speedily as may be, in support of their allegations against the said Lieutenant Governor; and that such relief and redress may be granted to them, as the nature of the case may required, and as to their lordships shall seem meet.

The solicitor on the part of the complainants attending, was called in. and acquainted by their lordships, that as the Secretary of State intended taking the first opportunity of moving his Majesty for the recall of Mr. McNamara, the Board, upon his return. would be ready to hear the parties upon the matters set forth in their petition.

fo. 182.

Ordered. that the draught of a letter to Lieutenant Governor McNamara be prepared, transmitting a copy of the memorial abovementioned. directing him to lose no time in preparing such proofs and depositions, as he may think necessary for his own defence, and to give full licence for the same purpose to all persons, on behalf of the memorialists.

St. John's.

fo. 183.

The Secretary laid before the Board a letter to him from Mr. Robinson, Secretary to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, dated November 6th, 1776, transmitting, for the information of this Board, a copy of the minute made by the Treasury Board, respecting the disposal of the arrears of quitrents now due in the Island of St. John; as also of the growing quitrents till the 1st of May, 1779; and desiring him to move their lordships to prepare an estimate, with as much economy as the necessary service of the said island will admit, for defaying the expences of the civil establishment thereof for one year, from the 1st of January next, to be laid before the Lords of the Treasury, in order that the same may be presented to Parliament.

Ordered, that an estimate be prepared accordingly, and transmitted to Mr. Robinson.

Senegambia.

fo. 184.

The Secretary also laid before the Board a letter to him from Mr. Robinson, dated October 24th, 1776, transmitting, by order of the Lords of the Treasury, a memorial of Hugh Josias Hansard, agent to Lieutenant Governor McNamara, stating that the Lieutenant Governor has paid, as by an account, certificate and receipt annexed to his memorial, the sum of one thousand, one hundred and fifty five pounds, four shillings and three pence for the outfit of the Lord Dartmouth armed vessel, and praying payment of the same; upon which memorial their lordships desire the opinion of this Board.

Trade.

The draught of a report to the Lords of the Council upon the petition of the merchants of Liverpool, mentioned in the minutes of the 5th instant, having been prepared pursuant to order, was approved, transcribed and signed.

fo. 185.

Tuesday, November 12th. Present:—Mr. Gascoyne, Lord Robert Spencer, Mr. Keene, Mr. Greville.

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

St. John's.

The Secretary laid before the Board an estimate of the expence necessary for the support of the civil establishment of the Island of St. John, prepared pursuant to the minute of the 8th instant, which was approved, and ordered to be transmitted to Mr. Robinson for the information of the Lords of the Treasury.

Senegambia.

fo. 186.

The Secretary also laid before the Board a letter to him from Mr. Robinson, desiring him to acquaint their lordships, that the Board of Treasury will be ready to confer with them on the affairs of Senegambia on Thursday next, the 14th instant, at 12 o'clock at the Treasury Chambers.

After deliberation, it was resolved, that Mr. Gascoyne and Mr. Greville be desired to meet the Lords of the Treasury at the time and place proposed.

Senegambia.

The draught of a letter to Lieutenant Governor McNamara, transmitting a copy of the memorial of the merchants and adventurers of London trading to Senegambia, mentioned in the minutes of the 8th instant, having been prepared pursuant to order, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

fo. 187.

Governor Clarke attending, was called in, and their lordships took into consideration the appointment of a Council for the province of Senegambia.

Nova Scotia.

Read a letter from Mariot Arbuthnot, esquire. Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, to the Board, dated the 3rd of October, 1776, acknowledging the receipt of their lordships' letter of the 30th of June last, containing observations on four bills passed by Governor Legge, and also a copy of the Governor's commission.

Pennsylvania, Connecticut.

fo. 188.

The Secretary laid before the Board a letter to him from Henry Wilmot, esquire, agent for the Proprietors of Pennsylvania, desiring him to remind the Board, that the hearing between Connecticut and Pennsylvania stands adjourned to the 30th instant; and signifying that they, on the part of Pennsylvania, shall be ready to hear it on that day. or at any other time their lordships will be pleased to appoint.

Ordered, that the Secretary do acquaint Mr. Wilmot, that, whenever the rebellious colonies return to their allegiance, the Board will be ready to proceed in hearing the claims between Connecticut and Pennsylvania.

Bahamas.

Read a second report of Mr. Jackson upon an Act passed in the Bahama Islands for the better regulating and government of the salt ponds at Turks' Islands, mentioned in the minutes of the 20th of September last.

fo. 189.

Bahamas.

Ordered, that the Act. having a suspending clause, do lay by until any person or persons, on behalf of the Bahama Islands, shall move for a confirmation thereof.

Friday, November 22nd. Present:—Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Gascoyne, Mr. Jolliffe, Mr. Keene, Mr. Greville, Mr. Eden.

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

Senegambia.

fo. 190.

Mr. Gascoyne and Mr. Greville reported to the Board, that they had attended the conference with the Lords of the Treasury on the affairs of Senegambia, pursuant to the minutes of the 12th instant.

Leeward Islands.

Their lordships took into consideration the state of his Majesty's Councils in the Leeward Islands, and Governor Burt attending, the Board had some conversation with him thereupon; and he recommended the following gentlemen as proper persons to supply vacancies, vizt..

James Tobin and Robert Thompson, esquires, to be of the Council of the Island of Nevis. and Irish, esquire, for the Island of Montserrat.

fo. 191.

Ordered, that the Secretary do write to such members of his Majesty's Councils in the Leeward Islands as are now in England, to acquaint them, that unless they do, in a reasonable time, signify their intention of immediately returning to the said islands, or shall produce his Majesty's leave of absence, the Board will be obliged in duty to recommend that their seats be filled up by other persons.

St. Vincent's.

Read an extract of a letter from Governor Morris to Lord George Germain, dated St. Vincent, July 17th, 1776, communicated to the Board by his Lordship, stating that Rowland Ash, esquire, one of the members of his Majesty's Council there, had entirely quitted that island, and expressing his concern that the name of William Crooke, esquire, should be omitted in his instructions, who, he hopes will be reinstated; also proposing Duncan Campbell and Thomas Ottley, esquires, as proper persons to be of the Council.

fo. 192.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty, recommending William Crooke, esquire, to be of the Council for the Island of St. Vincent, having been prepared, was approved, transcribed and signed.

Africa.

Read a memorial of the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa, laying before the Board the facts, and proceedings of the said Committee, relative to the towns of Lagos and Mumford, as stated in the minutes of the 8th instant.

Senegambia.

Their lordships took into further consideration the draught of instructions for the Governor of Senegambia, and agreed to proceed therein on Tuesday next.

fo. 193.

Tuesday, November 26th. Present:—Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Gascoyne, Mr. Keene, Mr. Greville, Mr. Eden.

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

Trade.

fo. 194.

Read a letter from Stephen Cottrell, esquire, Clerk of the Council, to Mr. Cumberland, dated November 21st, 1776, transmitting, for the information of this Board, copies of two letters from the Secretary of the Customs, containing an information and affidavit of Captain Wyvill Todd of the ship Meanwell belonging to Scarborough, respecting a quantity of gunpowder shipped by Messrs. Hambrough and Company of Bread Street Hill, London, to Havre de Grace, for the use of a vessel fitting out for Africa; but instead thereof, was shipped on board a vessel bound for Philadelphia; also inclosing a copy of the order of Council allowing the exportation.

Ordered, that Mr. Hambrough be desired to attend the Board on Tuesday next.

Senegambia.

A representation to his Majesty, with the draught of instructions for John Clarke, esquire, Governor of Senegambia, was approved and signed.

Trade.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated November 25th, 1776, referring to this Board the petition of Joseph Denison and Company of London, merchants, for leave to export to Antigua, on board the ship Ariadne, twenty barrels of gunpowder, for trade there.

fo. 195.

Their lordships, upon consideration of the aforementioned petition, were of opinion, that it would not be adviseable to allow the exportation prayed for.