Journal, March 1709: Journal Book N

March 1708–9.

March 1. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Mr. Pulteney, Sir Charles Turner.

Barbadoes.

Mr. Gordon and several Barbadoes gentlemen.

Mr. Gordon, provost marshall of Barbadoes, attending [fo. 1, 34] with Sir Robert Davers, Mr. Fullerton, Mr. Waters and several other Barbadoes gentlemen, his petition to her Majesty, complaining that the Assembly of that island have in several Acts past there named marshals &c., mentioned in the minutes of the first of the last month, was again read. Then the said Gordon presented to the Board the following papers, which were also read and are as follows, vizt.:
Certificates about the place of provost marshal.
Certificates of Mr. Woodbridge and Mr. Meine, relating to the place of the marshal of the Admiralty of Barbadoes.
Certificate of Mr. William Heysham and Mr. Foulerton, concerning the right of the provost marshal to be marshal of the Court of Common Pleas &c. in Barbadoes.
Certificate of Mr. Waters relating to the provost marshal of Barbadoes's right to be marshal of the Courts of Common Pleas in that island.

Lord Willoughby's commission and instructions and an Act to be laid before the Board.

And thereupon Sir Robert Davers, Mr. Fullerton and Mr. Walters acquainted their lordships in substance with the same matter as is in the said certificates; and these gentlemen observing that the Lord Willoughby had by his commission and instructions [fo. 34] a power of passing laws in that island, which were to continue but for two years only; ordered that the said commission and instructions be laid before the Board to-morrow morning.

Ordered that an Act past in Barbadoes, entituled An Act directing how the clerks and marshals of the several Courts of Common Pleas within this island shall be appointed and what they receive, be also laid before the Board to-morrow morning.

Bermuda.

Hearing between Col.Bennet and Mr. Jones adjourn'd.

The secretary acquainted their lordships that Mr. Jones had been with him [fo. 24, 38] to let him know that his Council, as well as Sir John Bennet's Councill, had agreed on Monday next for hearing the Bermuda complaints, if their lordships had no objections thereunto. Whereupon ordered that Sir John Bennet and Mr. Jones have notice that the said hearing is put off till Monday, the 7th instant, accordingly.

Trade.

Representation upon memorial about sale of leather &c. at Bruges.

The draught of a representation upon the memorial of several merchants trading to Bruges [fo. 23, vide infra] relating to the sale of tann'd leather and calves’ skins in that city, as directed the 21st of the last month, was agreed, and ordered to be transcribed.

March 2. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton, Sir Charles Turner.

Trade.

Representation about sale of leather &c. at Bruges.

A representation upon the memorial of several merchants trading to Bruges [vide supra, fo. 72], relating to the sale of tann'd leather and calve skins in that city, as agreed at the last meeting, was signed.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Savage.

A letter from Mr. Savage of the 1st instant [fo. 30], in answer to one writ him the 22nd of the last month, together with the following papers referr'd to therein, were read.
Accounts of corn exported.
Account of corn exported to foreign parts from the out ports from Christmas, 1707, to Christmas, 1708.
Account of corn exported from the port of London to foreign parts from Christmas, 1707, to Christmas, 1708.

Barbadoes.

Lord Willoughby's commission, instructions, and an Act about clerks and marshals’ fees &c.

The secretary laid before their lordships the Lord William Willoughby's commission and instructions for the government of Barbadoes [fo. 32, 46], an Act past in that island entituled An Act directing how the clerks and marshals for the several Courts of Common Pleas within this island, shall be appointed, and what they receive, as directed at the last meeting; whereupon ordered that the draught of a representation be prepared, upon the reference from the Earl of Sunderland [fo. 31, 46] of the 25th of the last month, relating to Mr. Gordon, provost marshal of Barbadoes.

Order of Council, restoring Mr. Sharp, Walker and Beresford to their places in Council &c.

Copy of an Order of Councill of the 13th of the last month [fo. 14, 143], upon a representation of the 11th ditto, proposing that Mr.Sharp, Mr.Walker and Mr.Berresford be restored to their places in the Council of Barbadoes, from which they had been suspended by Mr. Crow, approving the same, and directing the Earl of Sunderland to prepare a warrant for her Majesty's royal signature [fo. 27, 143], requiring the Governor to readmit the said members into their respective places in the said Councill of Barbadoes accordingly, was read.

Barbadoes.

Letter from Sir John Cook and Mr. Farrer proposing Mr. Bond to be of the Council.

Certificate of merchants in his behalf.

A letter from Sir John Cook and Mr. Farrer, desiring Mr. Bond may supply the first vacancy in the Councill of Barbadoes, with a certificate from several merchants in favour of the said Bond, was read, and ordered that his name be added to the list of persons recommended to fill up vacancies in the said Councill.

Trade.

Merchants about exportation of corn.

Sir William Hodges, Mr. Thompson and Mr. Gaskin attending [fo. 30], as they had been desired the 28th of the last month, and, being asked several questions in relation to the plenty of corn in this kingdom, and to the demands there may be thereof in foreign parts, they said that they did believe there might be an overplus of corn in this kingdom to supply foreign markets, by reason that the price of corn was low, the best wheat being from 40 to 43 shillings a quarter at Bear Key; that as to the demands from abroad, they have been very great, insomuch that they have weekly shipp'd off from the port of London, 1,000 or 1,500 quarter of wheat, rye and barley for near seven years last past; that particularly for Spain and Portugal they have sent considerable quantities within these four months, which with the prospect of a very good crop this year in those kingdoms, is the reason that the demands from thence are ceased; that they are in expectation of great demands of corn from Flanders, Mr. Thompson himself having a commission for 10,000 quarters of malt and barley; that they are also in expectation of demands from Holland, the Dutch having lately sent great quantities to Cadiz, in Swedes and Danish ships, and that their grainaries were never so empty. And Mr. Gaskin said he had already received a commission for sending 1,000 quarters of wheat to Holland. They added that there are general complaints of the badness of the last year's corn in this kingdom, and that they have sent large quantities of rye from hence to New Castle for the supply of the north. These gentlemen being withdrawn, their lordships gave directions for preparing an answer to the Earl of Sunderland's letter of the 21st of the last month, relating to the exportation of corn to foreign parts.

Letter to the Earl of Sunderland.

March 3. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Mr. Pulteney, Sir Charles Turner.

Jamaica.

Letter from Sir John Cook.

Opinion about seizure of a brigantine.

A letter from Sir John Cook, her Majesty's Advocate General, in answer to one sent him the 25th of the last month [fo. 29] for his opinion upon the seizure of a brigantine in Jamaica, was read, and thereupon ordered that in the next letter to Brigadier Handasyd he be acquainted how that matter stands.

New Hampshire.

Memorial from Mr. Vaughan.

Supply of men and small arms.

A memorial from Mr. George Vaughan, agent for New Hampshire, desiring that a supply of men and small arms may be sent from hence for the defence of that province, was read; whereupon order'd that Mr. Vaughan have notice to attend the Board on Monday morning next.

New foundland.

Letter from Custome House officer of Lime Regis.

A letter from Mr. Thomas Janse, collector of the Customs at Lime Regis, dated the 14th of the last month, signifying there was but one ship went from thence to Newfoundland between Christmas, 1707, and Christmas, 1708, was read.

March 4. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton.

Trade.

Letter to the Earl of Sunderland.Exportation of corn.

A letter to the Earl of Sunderland, upon a reference from his lordship of the 21st of the last month [fo. 30], relating to the exportation of corn to Spain and Portugal &c., as directed the 2nd instant, was signed.

Bermuda.

Hearing between Col.Bennet and Mr. Jones adjourn'd.

Sir John Bennet and Mr. Jones attending [fo. 32, 68], in relation to the hearing of the Bermuda complaints appointed for the 7th instant, they were acquainted that their lordships could not then hear the same, by reason that the African business was to be heard at the House of Commons that day, and therefore desired them to think of a proper day, with regard to the circuits; whereupon, after some discourse, their lordships agreed that they would hear the said complaints on Monday, the 2nd of May next.

Trade.

Mr. Van Ryssen &c. Pass for a foreign ship to sail to the coast of Scotland for fish.

Letter to the Earl of Sunderland.

Mr. Van Ryssen and another gentleman attending [fo. 30], the said Van Ryssen's petition, mentioned in the minutes of the 28th of the last month, was read; setting forth that he intended to send a ship from the River Hever in Holstein to North Britain, there to buy fish of her Majesty's subjects, without going on shore; that the said ship was to carry no goods but salt and cask, to cure and pack the said fish &c.; and thereupon praying for her Majesty's pass to sail &c. with goods and merchandizes not contraband. Whereupon their lordships observing that the prayer of the said petition is not agreeable to what is set forth in the first part thereof, they ask'd Mr. Van Ryssen several questions, unto which he said that he did not intend to carry any other goods than salt and cask as aforesaid, and that the words in the prayer were put in without any design of carrying anything else. But their lordships making some further difficulties thereupon, they said that they would wave their petition and sail without a pass, as they have several times formerly done. Whereupon their lordships gave directions for preparing a letter to the Earl of Sunderland upon this matter.

Mr. Diharce about his petition.

Pass for a Spanish ship.

Letter to the Earl of Sunderland.

Mr. Diharse attending [fo. 30], his petition mentioned in the minutes of the 28th of the last month, was again read, praying for her Majesty's pass for a Spanish ship to sail from Bilboa or any other port in Spain with the goods and manufactures of that kingdom to Newfoundland or New England &c. Whereupon Mr. Diharse being acquainted that his prayer was directly contrary to the Act of Navigation, he said he desired to wave his petition, and would not proceed any further therein. He being withdrawn, their lordships gave directions [fo. 41] for preparing a letter to acquaint the Earl of Sunderland therewith.

Letter from Mr. Secretary Boyle with memorial from Monsieur Bonnet.

Trade with Neufchattel.

A letter from Mr. Secretary Boyle of the 28th of the last month [fo. 41], referring to the Board a memorial from Monsieur Bonet, resident from the King of Prussia, proposing the importation of wines from Neufchatel into this kingdom, was read; and their lordships agreed to take the same into consideration on Monday morning next.

March 7. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Mr. Pulteney, Sir Charles Turner.

Trade.

to Neufchattel.

Monsieur Bonnet's memorial.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Boyle.

Upon consideration of Mr. Secretary Boyle's letter of the 28th of the last month [fo. 40, 48], referring to this Board the memorial of Monsieur Bonnet, proposing a trade between this kingdom and Neufchattel mentioned in the minutes of the 4th instant, their lordships signed a letter to Mr. Secretary Boyle, acquainting him that they should be glad to confer with Monsieur Bonnet one day next week, touching the said proposal.

March 10. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton, Sir Charles Turner.

Trade.

Letter to the Earl of Sunderland.

Passes.

A letter to the Earl of Sunderland [fo. 40] upon a reference from his lordship of the 20th of the last month, relating to two passes, the one for a ship to sail from Holstein to North Britain, the other from Bilboa to the Plantations, as directed the 4th instant, was signed.

Jamaica.

Letter to the Governor.

Escheats.

A letter to Brigadier Handasyd, Governor of Jamaica, inclosing her Majesty's instructions touching escheats and forfeitures, was signed.

Virginia.

Letter to Col. Jenings.

Patenting lands.

A letter to Colonel Jennings, President of the Council of Virginia, inclosing her Majesty's instructions [fo. 5] relating to the method of patenting of lands in that colony, was signed.

March 11. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Mr. Pulteney, Sir Charles Turner.

Newfoundland.

Mr. Campbell desiring perusal of papers.

Mr. Campbell attending, and desiring the perusal of several papers presented by him and others to their lordships, relating to Newfoundland in the years 1702 and 1703; ordered that he have the perusal of the said papers accordingly.

1708–9.

Carolina.

Letter from Lords Proprietors.

Boundaries between that province andVirginia.

Representation thereupon.

A letter from the Lords Proprietors of Carolina of the 7th instant, in answer to one writ them the 27th of January last [M. fo. 418], relating to the boundaries between that province and the colony of Virginia, acquainting this Board that they have appointed John Lawson and Edward Mosely, esquires, to be their commissioners for surveying the lands in dispute, and for settling and ascertaining the bounds between the said province and Virginia; as also that, if any dispute should arise in the determination of the said bounds, they were willing to submit the same to her Majesty's determination, was read; and directions given [fo. 44] for preparing the draught of a representation thereupon.

Trade.

Capt. Baker's memorial.

Owling trade with France.

Their lordships, taking into consideration the memorial from Captain Henry Baker [fo. 6], relating to his proceedings for preventing the exportation of wooll from the coasts of Kent and Sussex, from the 20th of November, 1707, to the 4th of February, last, read the same day, and comparing the same with a former memorial presented to the Board by the said Baker the 21st November, 1707, upon the like subject, it does appear to their lordships that the practice of the owling trade does continue to be much the same as it was at that time.

March 14. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton, Sir Charles Turner.

Virginia.

Carolina.

Representation about setting of boundaries.

A representation relating to the settling and ascertaining the boundaries between the colony of Virginia and the province of Carolina [fo. 43, 72], as directed at the last meeting, was signed.

March 15. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Sir Charles Turner.

Jamaica.

Letter from Mr. Blathwayt to know the names of the present counsellors &c.

A letter from Mr. Blathwayt, one of the clerks of her Majesty's Councill, desiring to know the names of the present Councillors in Jamaica, and where they may be supposed to be now residing, was read, and directions given for returning an answer thereto.

New Hampshire.

Representation proposing two counsellers.

Their lordships, taking into consideration paragraph D of Colonel Dudley's letter of the 27th of May, 1708 [M. fo. 327] (read the 10th of November last), relating to the difficulty he meets with in getting a quorum of the Council in New Hampshire to attend the service of that Board &c., a representation [fo. 73] proposing that Mark Hunkins and Thomas Packer, esquires, may be constituted members of the said Councill in the room of George Jaffrey and Henry Dow, deceased, was signed.

Trade

with Bruges.

Letter to Mr. White.

Their lordships, being informed that Mr. David White, agent at Bruges for the merchants trading from hence to that city, was able to give a good account of the state of the trade there, ordered [fo. 67] that the secretary do write to the said White, desiring him to give an account of the state of the trade in those parts in general, and if he conceives any advantages may be made by improving the said trade, or by removing any obstructions or difficulties it lies under, that he gives their lordships as particular account thereof as possible for their consideration.

1708–9.

Letter to Dr. Davenant.

Naval stores imported.

Ordered that a letter be writ to Dr. Davenant, Inspector General of her Majesty's Customes [fo. 51], for an account of naval stores imported into this kingdom from Christmas, 1706, to Christmas, 1708.

March 16. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Sir Charles Turner.

Barbadoes.

Certificate from the Council Office upon

An Act about clerks and marshals of the Courts in Barbadoes.

Representation on Mr. Gordon's petition.

A certificate from Mr. Blathwayt, dated the 14th instant, signifying that it does not appear by the Councill books that an Act past in Barbadoes the 5th of September, 1667 [fo. 34, 121], intituled An Act declaring how the clerks and marshals of the Courts of Common Pleas within this island shall be appointed, and what fees they shal receive, was ever confirmed or repealed by the Crown, was read, and directions given [fo. 34, 47] for finishing the draught of the representation on Mr. Gordon's petition mentioned in the minutes of the 2nd instant.

New York.

New England.

Naval stores.

Letters to the Lord Lovelace and Col. Dudley.

Their lordships taking into consideration the letters and papers in this office transmitted by the late Earl of Bellomont when Governor of New York and New England, relating to the production of naval stores in those provinces, ordered [fo. 52] that letters be prepared to the Lord Lovelace, and to Colonel Dudley, desiring them to give their lordships an account of what shal occur to them concerning the said stores, with their opinion what methods will be most proper for the further promoting the production of those commodities in the Plantations, and also for preserving the masts and timber in those parts.

March 18. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr.Pulteney, Mr.Monckton, Sir Charles Turner.

Barbadoes.

Representation on the petition of Mr. Gordon.

Their lordships took into consideration the draught of a representation upon the petition of Mr. George Gordon, Provost Marshal General of Barbadoes [fo. 46, 49], and made a progress therein.

Trade.

Monsieur Bonet upon his memorial about importing wines from Neufchatel.

Monsieur Bonnet, resident from the King of Prussia, attending, his memorial, which was read the 4th instant [fo. 41, 49], relating to the importation of wines of Neufchatel into this kingdom, was again read; and he being asked several questions in relation to that matter, he said that in times of peace the said wines might be brought hither all by water carriage, but that in time of war the transport would be more difficult, for that the said wines must be carried by land to Franckfort; that as to the prime cost of the said wine, he believed it might be about 3d. or 4d. a quart; that he was informed the people of Neufchatel had drawn up a scheme and a proposal for carrying on of this trade, which they had delivered to the Governor of that place; but Monsieur Bonet, not having seen the said scheme, and having only directions from the King of Prussia to present the abovementioned memorial, he was not able to give particular answers in relation to the quantities of wine that might be imported from thence, or to the quantities of our woollen and other manufactures they might take in lieu of the said wines, and to several other particulars which their lordships had inquired of; and therefore he desired he might have in writing such queries as their lordships thought proper, which he would send to Berlin, and doubted not but in a short time to receive particular answers thereunto. Monsieur Bonet being withdrawn, their lordships resolved on Monday next to take the same into consideration.

March 21. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Sir Charles Turner.

Tradeto Neufchattel.

Queries about importation of wine.

Their lordships again taking into consideration the memorial from Monsieur Bonet [fo. 48] (mentioned in the minutes of the 18th instant), agreed to several queries relating to the importation of wines from Neufchattel to this kingdom, and ordered [fo. 50] that the same be sent to the said Monsieur Bonet for his answer thereto.

Barbadoes.

Representation on the petition of Mr. Gordon.

Their lordships also took into consideration the draught of a representation upon the petition of Mr. Gordon [fo. 47, 51], mentioned in the aforesaid minutes, and made a further progress therein.

New York.

Copy of an Order of Council repealing an Act about coin.

Copy of an Order of Council of the 3rd instant, upon a representation of the 22nd of the last month [fo. 25, 52], proposing the repeal of An Act past at New York for regulating and preventing the corruption of the currant coin, approving the said representation, was read, and the originals, which are in the office, ordered to be sent to the Lord Lovelace.

March 23. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton, Sir Charles Turner.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Carkass.

Duties on Rhenish wine.

A letter from Mr. Carkasse, inclosing an account of the several duties payable here, upon the importation of Rhenish wine by the subjects of this kingdom and by foreigners, was read, and the secretary acquainted their lordships that he had sent a copy thereof [fo. 49] in his letter directed to be writ to Mr. Bonet the 21st instant.

Letter to Dr. Davenant.

Portugal.

Imports and exports

Naval stores.

Ordered that the secretary do write to Doctor Davenant [fo. 9, 53], to acquaint him that unless he do deliver to this Board some day the next week the account desired by their lordships the 7th of February last, of the value of goods exported to and from Portugal; &c., they shall be obliged to make complaint thereof to the Lord High Treasurer; also that he be reminded of the account of naval stores &c. [fo. 46] desired by the secretary's letter of the 16th instant.

Barbadoes..

Representation on Mr. Gordon's petition.

Their lordships again took into consideration the draught of a representation upon the petition of Mr. Gordon, provost marshal of Barbadoes [fo. 49, vide infra], mentioned in the minutes of the 21st instant, and agreed, and ordered the same to be transcribed.

March 24. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton, Sir Charles Turner.

Barbadoes.

Representation on Mr.Gordon's petition.

A representation upon the petition of Mr. Gordon, provost marshal of Barbadoes [vide supra, fo. 238], agreed at the last meeting, was signed.

New York.

New Jersey.

Letter to Lord Lovelace about naval stores and coine.

The draught of a letter to the Lord Lovelace, relating to naval stores, and inclosing an Order of Council of the 3rd instant [fo. 50], repealing an Act past at New York about coin &c., mentioned in the minutes of the 21st ditto, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

1708–9.

New England.

Letter to Col. Dudley about naval stores.

The like draught of a letter to Colonel Dudley, relating to naval stores [fo. 47, vide infra], was also agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

March 28, 1709. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Monckton, Sir Charles Turner.

1709.

New Jersey.

New York.

New England.

Letters to the Governors.

Naval stores.

The letters to the Lord Lovelace and Colonel Dudley [vide supra], aǵreed at the last meeting, were now signed.

New Hampshire.

Letter from Mr. Usher.

A letter from Mr. Usher, Lieutenant Governor of New Hampshire, dated the 21st of December last, relating to an allarm of the French, was read.

March 30. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Monckton, Sir Charles Turner.

Trade.

Dr. Davenant.

Portugal exports and imports.

Doctor Davenant attending [fo. 51], presented to their lordships an account of exports and imports to and from Portugal from Christmas, 1706, to Christmas, 1707, and promised to bring their lordships an account of the imports of naval stores for the said time, on Monday next.

Letter to Mr. Savage.

Price of corn.

Portugal exports and imports.

Naval stores.

Ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Savage, secretary to the Commissioners of her Majesty's Customes [fo. 58], for an account of the price of corn in the out ports of this kingdom, for an account of exports and imports to and from Portugal from Christmas, 1707, to Christmas, 1708, as likewise for an account of naval stores, including the out ports, for the same time.

March 31. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Monckton.

Miscellanies.

Incident accounts.

The account of incident charges of this office from Christmas, 1708, to Lady Day, 1709, were laid before the Board, and are as follows, vizt.:

Letter to the Lord High Treasurer.

Salaries.

And a letter to the Lord High Treasurer, to desire the payment thereof, as also of the salaries due to this office, was signed.