Journal, April 1709: Journal Book N

Journal, April 1709

April 4. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr.Monckton, Sir Charles Turner.

New York.

Letter from the Lord Lovelace.

A letter from the Lord Lovelace, Governor of New York, dated the 18th of December, 1708, giving an account of his passage thither, was read.

Jamaica.

Letter from the Governor.

A letter from Brigadier Handasyd, Governor of Jamaica, dated the first of February, 1708/9 [fo. 59], together with an account of prizes taken and brought into that island, were read.

Order of Council about Councillors to hear the appeal of Sir Ch. Orbey.

An Order of Council of the 31st of the last month, directing this Board to propose to her Majesty the names of two persons to be members of her Majesty's Councill in Jamaica, was read; whereupon ordered [fo. 56, 60] that Mr. Richard Lloyd have notice to attend the Board on Wednesday morning next.

April 6. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton, Sir Charles Turner.

Jamaica.

Mr. Lloyd.

Order of Council about new counsellors for that island.

Mr. Richard Lloyd attending [fo. 55], according to appointment, the Order of Council of the 31st of the last month, directing this Board to propose to her Majesty the names of two persons to be members of her Majesty's Council of Jamaica, mentioned in the minutes of the 4th instant, was again read; and Mr. Lloyd being asked, if he knew any persons in that island fitly qualified to be of the said Council, he said that Major John Cossley, Captain John Carver, and Francis March were persons fit to serve her Majesty in that station, and the said Lloyd being withdrawn, ordered that Sir Gilbert Heathcot have notice to attend the Board to-morrow morning upon the same subject.

Pennsilvania.

Letter from Mr. Penn for copies of papers about boundaries &c.

A letter from Mr.Penn of this day's date, desiring that he may have copies of such letters and directions in this office, as have been given in relation to the settling the boundaries between the provinces of Pennsylvania and Maryland, was read; whereupon ordered that he have copies thereof accordingly.

Barbadoes.

Order of Council on the petition of Mr. Skene about incroach-ments on his office.

Mr. Fullerton summon'd.

Order of Council of the 31st of the last month, referring to this Board the petition of Alexander Skene, esquire, secretary of Barbadoes, to her Majesty [fo. 20, 60], complaining of several incroachments upon his said office; and praying redress therein, was read; and directions given that Mr. Fullerton have notice to attend the Board on Monday morning next; and that he then come prepared to make good the allegations set forth in the said petition.

Trade.

Referrence from the Earl of Sunderland on the petition of Sir William Hodges for two passes.

Sir William Hodges summoned.

A letter from the Earl of Sunderland of yesterday's date [fo. 62], referring to the Board the petition of Sir William Hodges to her Majesty, praying for a pass for the Marquis de Preu and his family, who is going Governor to Carthagena, and another pass for the ship on board which the said Marquis shall take his passage thither, was read; whereupon ordered that Sir William Hodges have notice to attend the Board on Monday morning next.

Leeward Islands.

Order of Council referring the complaints against Col. Park.

An Order of Council of the 31st of the last month, referring to this Board the address and petition of the merchants and inhabitants of Antegoa &c., together with 22 articles of complaint against Colonel Parke, Governor of the Leeward Islands [fo. 63, 148], was read; whereupon ordered that the complainants have notice to attend the Board on Wednesday morning next.

Jamaica.

Letter from Mr. Dummer about trade in the West Indies.

The Governor to be writ to thereupon.

A letter from Mr. Dummer of the first instant, inclosing the copy of a letter from Mr. William Bignal, dated at Kingston in Jamaica, the 17th of January last, relating to the trade in the West Indies, was read; and directions given that in the next letter to be writ to Brigadier Handasyd, he be writ to thereupon.

April 7. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton, Sir Charles Turner.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Savage about price of corn and naval stores imported.

A letter from Mr. Savage, of the first instant, in answer to one writ him the 31st of the last month [fo. 53], inclosing the following accounts, was read.
Account of the price of corn and grain in the out ports of this kingdom.
Account of naval stores imported into this kingdom from Christmas, 1706, to Christmas, 1707.

Jamaica.

Letter from the Governor to be answered.

Their lordships taking into consideration the letter from Brigadier Handasyd of the first of February last [fo. 55], read the 4th instant, gave directions for preparing an answer thereto.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Daniel Pulteney about our trade to Denmark.

Merchants to attend.

A letter from Daniel Pulteney, esquire, her Majesty's envoy at the Court of Denmark [M. fo. 238; fo. 67], in answer to one writ him the first of June last, relating to our trade in those parts, was read; whereupon ordered that Mr. Gold, and other merchants trading to the East country, and the Baltic, have notice to attend the Board on Thursday morning next.

April 8. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney.

Jamaica.

Representation about new counsellors.

A representation upon an Order of Councill of the 31st of the last month [fo. 55], mentioned in the minutes of the 4th instant, relating to counsellors for Jamaica, was signed.

April 11. Present:—Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton, Sir Charles Turner.

Barbadoes.

Mr. Fullerton &c. Petition of Mr. Skene, secretary of Barbadoes.

Mr. Tryon summon'd.

Mr. Fullerton with Major Woodbridge, Mr. Mein and Mr. Walters attending, Mr. Skene's petition, mentioned in the minutes of the 6th instant [fo. 57, 63], was again read; and these gentlemen being asked several questions, Mr. Fullerton said that he was in Barbadoes in Colonel Stead's government: that the then deputy secretary acted as publick and private secretary. When Colonel Kendal was Governor, the then secretary did the same, but that he gave the Governor 150 or 200l. per annum, that he might not be made uneasy in the place of private secretary; that the succeeding Governors have all done the same, exacting more or less from the private secretary; that Mr. Crow did receive 400l. for one year from the petitioner, who, finding he lost considerably by it, would not pay it any longer; whereupon Mr. Crow appointed Arthur Upton his private secretary, and has given him, and taken from the petitioner, the business of letters of administration, letters of guardianship, letters testamentary, warrants of appraisements to appraise estates, licences for marriage, warrants to survey lands, drawing protests as notary publick, warrants to summon evidence &c., all which are allowed the publick, secretary by an Act of that island past 1670 (Book of Printed Laws, fo. 97). The other gentlemen said in substance the same as Mr. Fullerton had done. They being withdrawn, ordered that Mr. Rowland Tryon have notice to attend the Board on Wednesday morning next.

Trade.

Sir William Hodges about his petition for passes for the Marquis de Preu.

Representation thereupon.

Sir William Hodges attending, his petition mentioned in the minutes of the 6th instant [fo. 57], praying for two passes, the one for the Marquis de Preu and his son, the other for the ship that shall carry him to his Government of Carthegena, was again read, and Sir William being asked what advantage would accrue to any of her Majesty's subjects by this; he said that ‘tis probable some quantities of British goods would be sent to the Spanish West Indies in this ship; and that the Marquis de Preu will in all probability be a friend to us in our trade from Jamaica to Carthagena, and on that coast. Sir William added that he did not insist on a pass for the ship to come back. He being withdrawn, their lordships gave directions [fo. 64] for preparing the draught of a representation thereupon.

April 13. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton, Sir Charles Turner.

Barbadoes.

Mr. Tryon.

Skene's petition.

Representation thereupon.

Mr. Tryon attending, according to appointment, he was acquainted with the substance of Mr. Skene's petition to her Majesty [fo. 60, 66], mentioned in the minutes of the 11th instant, and being asked if he had anything to offer in behalf of Mr. Crow, he said that the Governor had writ to him that he had removed the petitioner from being his private secretary, but had not given him any instructions to appear in that matter; and being withdrawn, their lordships gave directions for preparing the draught of a representation thereupon.

Leeward Islands.

Letter from the Earl of Sunderland.

Additional complaints against Col. Parke.

A letter from the Earl of Sunderland, of yesterday's date [fo. 58, 148], inclosing some additional articles of complaint against Colonel Park, Governor of the Leeward Islands, was read.

Merchants about the said complaints.

Mr. Nevin and several other merchants trading to the Leeward Islands, attending upon the complaints against Colonel Park [fo. 66, 70], and being asked several questions in relation thereto, Mr. Nevin said that they were ready to produce all the proofs they have here to make good the allegations set forth in the said complaints, and desiring that the Governor may be obliged to come home to answer to the said complaints against him; they were acquainted that if they expected this should be done, it would be reasonable that then they give security to indemnify him, the said Governor, in case he should clear himself from the said accusations, otherwise the articles of complaints must be transmitted to him for his answer; whereupon these gentlemen said they would consider of it, and give their lordships an answer in writing on Fryday next.

Trade.

Letter to the Earl of Sunderland.

Sir William Hodges’ petition.

Passes.

The draught of a letter to the Earl of Sunderland upon the petition of Sir William Hodges [fo. 62, 66], praying for two passes, the one for the Marquis de Preu and his son, the other for the ship that shall carry him to his Government of Carthagena, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

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

Jamaica.

Letter from the Earl of Sunderland about two newcounsellors.

Papers relating to one of them to be lookt out.

A letter from the Earl of Sunderland, of the 6th instant, inclosing the copy of a letter from Brigadier Handasyd, dated the 6th of August last, recommending Mr. William Broderick and Mr. Francis Oldfield to be members of the Council of Jamaica &c., was read; whereupon ordered that the papers and objections to Mr. Broderick's being of the said Council, formerly lodged in this office, be laid before the Board on Monday morning next.

Newfoundland.

Letter from Mr. Burchet about heads of enquiry.

Answer.

A letter from Mr. Burchet, of yesterday's date, desiring to know if this Board have any heads of enquiry to be made at Newfoundland this year [fo. 126], was read. Whereupon ordered that an answer be writ to Mr. Burchet to acquaint him, for the information of the Lord High Admiral, that while we were in possession of that place, their lordships thought it necessary that yearly heads of enquiry should be given to the Commodore of the convoy; but not knowing in what condition or circumstances our settlements there may be in since the surprizing of St. John's by the French, their lordships do not see what proper queries can be framed, but that however they do think it will be of service, that the Commodore do transmit to them the best accounts he can get of the trade of this year, and of the state he shall find the island in.

Trade.

Letter to Earl of Sunderland about passes for Marquis de Preu.

A letter to the Earl of Sunderland, on the petition of Sir William Hodges [fo. 64], for two passes for the Marquis de Preu &c., as agreed at the last meeting, was signed.

Barbadoes.

Draught of representation on complaints of Mr. Skene agreed.

The draught of a representation upon the petition of Mr. Skene, secretary of Barbadoes [fo. 63, vide infra], complaining of several incroachments on his office, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

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

Barbadoes.

Representation on Mr. Skene's petition.

A representation upon the petition of Mr. Skene, secretary of Barbadoes, to her Majesty [vide supra, fo. 238], complaining of several incroachments on his office there, agreed at the last meeting, was signed.

Leeward Islands.

Letter from the Earl of Sunderland with petition against Col. Parke.

A letter from the Earl of Sunderland, of the 15th instant [fo. 63, 148], inclosing a petition to her Majesty from several merchants at Bristol trading to Antego, complaining of Colonel Park's conduct in the government of the Leeward Islands, was read.

Trade.

Governor or Deputy Governor of Eastland Company summond.

Upon consideration of the letter from Mr. Daniel Pulteney, her Majesty's Envoy at Copenhagen [fo. 59, 204], mentioned in the minutes of the 7th instant; ordered [fo. 79] that the Governor or Deputy Governor of the Eastland Company have notice to attend the Board on Wednesday, the 4th day of May next.

Letter from Mr. White at Bruges about state of trade there.

Answer to be return'd.

A letter from Mr. Daniel White, merchant at Bruges, of the 17th instant, n.s., to the secretary [fo. 45, 259], in answer to one writ him the 18th of the last month, for a state of the trade in that city, and how the same may be improved, together with a memorial delivered by the said White to Mr. Laws at Bruxells, touching the magistrates at Bruges refusing to permit the sale of tann'd leather &c., there imported from this kingdom, were read; and directions given for preparing an answer thereunto.

April 19. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Monckton.

Jamaica.

Letter from the Governor.

A letter from Brigadier Handasyd, Governor of Jamaica, dated the 2nd of August, 1708, was read.

Jamaica.

Letter to Brigadier Handasyd.

A letter to Brigadier Handasyd, was agreed [fo. 69], and ordered to be transcribed.

New York.

Melchior Giles about his passage.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Boyle thereupon.

The secretary acquainting the Board that Melchior Giles, one of the poor Lutherans [M. fo. 309], who came the last year from Germany, and who had leave (when the others went to New York) to stay behind on account of his wife's illness, was now desirous to proceed with his children on his voyage on board of a merchantman bound thither, his wife being dead; a letter to Mr. Secretary Boyle, acquainting him therewith, and desiring him to lay the same before her Majesty, that her pleasure therein may be signified to the Navy Board for the transportation of the said Giles and his children in like manner, as was done for those that went along with the Lord Lovelace, was signed.

April 21. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton, Sir Charles Turner.

Bermuda.

Sir John Bennet and Mr. Jones summon'd.

Ordered that Sir John Bennet and Mr. Jones be acquainted [fo. 38, 70] that their lordships having something to propose to them which they beleive will put the examination of the complaints from Bermuda into the best and most expeditious method, desire to speak with them thereupon on Monday, the 2nd of May next.

Jamaica.

Letter to the Governor.

A letter to Brigadier Handasyd, Governor of Jamaica [fo. 68, 167], agreed at the last meeting, was signed.