Journal, December 1711: Journal Book P

Journal, December 1711

December 3. Present:—Earl of Winchelsea, Sir Philip Meadows,
Mr. Monckton, Sir Charles Turner, Mr. Baillie, Mr. Moore, Mr. Gwyn.

Virginia.

Letter from Lord Dartmouth about damag'd gunpowder.

Col. Spotswood to be acquainted therewith.

A letter from the Earl of Dartmouth [fo. 22, 35], inclosing a report from the Board of Ordnance, in answer to what was writ his lordship the 20th of the 1st month, relating to the damag'd gunpowder in Virginia, and to Colonel Spotswood's desire that the same may be changed, was read; whereupon ordered that in the next letter to Colonel Spotswood he be acquainted with what the Board of Ordnance report upon that subject.

Nevis.

St. Christopher's.

Representation.

Debentures.

A representation, relating to debentures for the sufferers of Nevis and St. Christopher's, agreed the last meeting [fo. 33, 47], was signed.

Virginia.

Representation for two new counsellors.

A representation [fo. 34, 63], proposing Mr. William Basset and Mr. William Fitzhugh to be members of her Majesty's Council in Virginia, agreed the last meeting, was also signed.

Pensylvania.

Draught of a representation on an Act directing an affirmation.

The draught of a representation, as directed the last meeting, upon an Act past in Pennsylvania [fo. 33] entituled An Act directing an affirmation to such who for conscience sake cannot take an oath, was agreed, and ordered to be transcribed.

New Hampshire.

A new counsellor recommended.

A memorial from Mr. Newman [fo. 63], setting forth the want of counsellors in New Hampshire, and praying that Mr. John Wentworth may be appointed a member thereof, was read.

December 4. Present:—Earl of Winchelsea, Sir Philip Meadows,
Mr. Monckton, Sir Charles Turner, Mr. Moore, Mr. Gwyn.

Virginia.

Report about gunpowder to be changed.

Letter to be prepared thereon.

Their lordships again taking into consideration the letter from the Earl of Dartmouth, dated the 30th of the last month [fo. 34, 41], mentioned in yesterday's minutes, inclosing a report from the Board of Ordnance, touching the damaged gunpowder in Virginia, gave directions for preparing the draught of an answer to his lordship's foresaid letter.

Pensylvania.

Representation for repealing an Act.

A representation upon the Act past in Pennsylvania [fo. 33, 63] entituled An Act directing an affirmation to such who for conscience sake cannot take an oath, proposing a repeal thereof, agreed the last meeting, was signed.

Jamaica.

Council about Act for vesting Finch's estate.

Mr. Compere attending with Mr. Serjeant Webb, his council in behalf of Mr. Finch, of Jamaica, in relation to an Act past in that island for vesting the real and personal estate of the said Finch for payment of 3,800 pound [fo. 32, 72], and Mr. Daniel, agent for Mr. Simpson and Mrs. Gandy, with Mr. Dodd, their council, also attending, in relation to the said Act (mentioned in the minutes of the 28th and 29th of the last month), Mr. Dodd acquainted their lordships that he was not fully prepared to speak to the matter now before their lordships, by reason some letters that were expected from Jamaica were not yet arrived, but beleiving they would come to hand in a fortnight or thereabouts, he desired their lordships would please to grant them a delay for that time; and Mr. Serjeant Webb agreeing thereto, the same was granted accordingly.

New York.

Palatines.

Mr. Perry and Mr. Duprè attending, in relation to the bills drawn by Colonel Hunter for the subsistance of the Palatines at New York, they were acquainted that their lordships would take the same into consideration on Thursday morning next.

New foundland.

Answer to heads of inquiry.

A letter from Mr. Crow, Commodore of the Newfoundland convoy [O. fo. 260; fo. 48], containing an account of the present state of defence of St. John's; his answer to the heads of enquiry sent to Mr. Burchet the 12th of March, 1711; also an account of the strength of Quebec; as likewise the rules and orders he left at St. John's, was read; and their lordships made a progress in considering the papers therein referr'd to.

December 6. Present:—Earl of Winchilsea, Sir Philip Meadows,
Mr. Monckton, Sir Charles Turner, Mr. Baillie, Mr. Moore, Mr. Gwyn.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Secretary St. John about duties laid by the Dutch on British manufactures.

Mr. Livinus Dorpere summon'd.

A letter from Mr. Secretary St. John, of the 4th instant [fo. 42, 53], desiring their lordships to inform him what new Custom Houses have been erected, and what new duties the Dutch have laid or exacted upon the trade and manufactures of Great Britain, going out of the Spanish Low Countries into the towns of the New Conquests, which they are possess'd of by the Barrier Treaty, was read; and directions were given for writing a letter to Mr. Livinus Dorpere, to desire him to come to the Board on Monday morning next, to give their lordships what information he can in this matter, and to bring along with him such other Flanders merchants as he may think proper.

New York.

Several gentlemen in relation to Palatines.

Mr. Dupre's memorial touching their number.

His character of Mr. Levingston.

Mr. Micajah Perry, Mr. Duprè and Mr. Keil, attending in relation to the Palatines at New York [fo. 28], the observations that had been made by the Earl of Clarendon, and referr'd to in Mr. Lowndes’ letter, read the 28th of the last month, were communicated to them; whereupon Mr Dupre delivered to their lordships a memorial relating to the numbers of the Palatines there. And he said that, as for Mr. Levingston, of whom Colonel Hunter had bought the lands the Palatines are settled on (being 6,000 acres for 200l.), he was a man that had got a great estate by trade; that he had subsisted formerly the troops at Albany; that, some dispute happening about his accounts, the Assembly of New York pass'd an Act for seizing his estate; whereupon he did account; and that Act was afterwards repealed by Assembly. Besides this, he had never heard anything objected to the said Levingston's character; that having a bakehouse and a brewhouse upon his lands, the Governor did contract with him for furnishing the Palatines with bread and beer, at the same price they were sold at New York; and that, if any of the beer or bread should not prove good, it was to be returned to him. He further gave leave in the deed of sale of the said 6,000 acres, that the Palatines might cut any trees upon his other lands, except white pines, which he reserved to himself for timber.

Reasons against the Palatines settling on the Mohaques River.

As to the settlement of the Palatines upon the Mohaques river, that was found impracticable by reason of the distance, it being above 50 miles higher up in the country than where they are now; by reason of the great falls above Schenoctady, and for that there would be a land carriage of about 20 miles; whereas where they are ships of 6 or 700 tun may come up to their settlements. Mr. Keil added that, if they were upon the Mohaques river, the carriage of provisions to them would come to more than the prime cost of the said provisions; that the pine lands are within three miles of the Palatines’ settlements, where there are in quantities enough of those trees to last many years.

Their manner of subsisting.

Then being asked if her Majesty should allow them the two years’ subsistance desired, how they would subsist themselves, they being to be still employ'd in producing of tar, they said, that before that time expired, which they reckon'd would be about December next, the Palatines would have cleared sufficient ground to maintain their families with Indian wheat, potatoes, yams and other pulse; that the Governor did intend to lay out 200l. or 300l. in cows, horses, hogs, &c., for them; that the manufacturing the tar, which will not take them up above two or three months in the year, and that at different seasons, would be no great hindrance to their cultivating their ground; besides their wives and children may be usefull in that work during the men's absence.

Method to reimburse her Majesty.

To be more particularly stated in writing.

Their lordships then enquiring how the Queen should be reinbursed the money in case it should be advanced, they said that by the contract the tar is to be sold, and the net produce to be placed to her Majesty's credit. But it being objected that, if the Palatines receive no benefit by their labour, they would not work, and so the Queen would never be repaid; to which these gentlemen reply'd, that they computed by the number of trees already prepared, they might make about 30,000 barrils the first year, which, at 8 shillings sterling per barril, comes to 12,000 pound. That if her Majesty, instead of receiving the whole, would be graciously pleased to allow the Palatines 3s. out of the 8s. per barril, they would have incouragement enough to go on with their work. Upon this those gentlemen were desired to draw up their thoughts upon this matter in writing [fo. 44], more particularly on the method of reinbursing her Majesty, and let their lordships have the same as soon as possible.

North Carolina.

Letter from the Lords Proprietors for an account of the massacre there.

Answer.

A letter from the Lords Proprietors of Carolina, of the 4th instant [fo. 31, 62], desiring this Board to transmit to them the substance of such accounts as they have received, relating to the massacre in North Carolina, was read; and an answer, inclosing the said accounts, was signed.

Virginia.

Letter to the Earl of Dartmouth about exchange of damaged gunpowder.

A letter to the Earl of Dartmouth, upon the report of the Board of Ordnance, as directed the 4th instant [fo. 35] relating to the exchange of the damaged gunpowder in Virginia, was signed.

December 10. Present:—Earl of Winchilsea, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Monckton, Sir Charles Turner, Mr. Baillie.

Trade.

Mr. Dorpere about Custom Houses erected and duties laid on our goods by the Dutch.

Order of the Council of State relating thereto.

Mr. Livinus Dorpere attending, as he had been desired [fo. 37] and being asked what new Custom Houses have been erected, and what new duties the Dutch have laid or exacted upon the trade and manufactures of Great Britain, going out of the Spanish Low Countries into the towns of the New Conquests, which they are possessed of by the Barrier Treaty, he communicated to their lordships an Order of the Council of State of Flanders [fo. 50], relating to the said duties, which he said he thought by computation might amount to about eight per cent.; but, as he had not a particular account of those duties, he had writ to a friend of his at Ghent for it, and expected it by the first post after the receipt of his letter; in the meantime he promised to lay before their lordships a memorial in writing, explaining the forementioned order.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Secretary St. John with Mr. Ball's petition praying two passes.

A letter from Mr. Secretary St. John, of the 8th instant, inclosing a petition from Mr. James Ball [fo. 47] in behalf of the owners and freighters of the ships the London of London and the Mary galley of Waterford, bound from Ostend to Cadiz and other parts of Spain, &c., praying her Majesty's passports for the said ships, was read; whereupon ordered that Mr. Ball be desired to lay before their lordships in writing on Thursday next an account of the lading of the said ships.

Barbadoes.

Memorial from Mrs. Ernle desiring to be heard against Sir John Colleton's caveat.

A memorial from Mrs. Ann Ernle [vide infra] desiring that she may be heard by counsel to the caveat lodged in this office by Sir John Colleton (and read the 8th of July, 1709) against Mr. John Colleton's being appointed a member of the Council of Barbadoes, was read, and their lordships agreed to reconsider the said memorial.

December 11. Present:—Earl of Winchilsea, Sir Philip Meadows, Sir Charles Turner, Mr. Baillie.

Barbadoes.

Hearing appointed between Mrs. Ernle and Sir John Colleton.

Their lordships taking into consideration the memorial from Mrs. Ernly read yesterday [vide supra, (fo.) 50], desiring to be heard by counsel upon the caveat lodged in this office against Mr. John Colleton's being appointed a member of the Counsel of Barbadoes, their lordships agreed to hear what she may have to offer by her said council in relation to that matter on Tuesday morning next, and thereupon ordered that she be acquainted with it, and that Sir John Colleton have also notice thereof, that he may come prepared with counsel, to make such answer at the same time as he may judge proper.

New York.

Memorial from Mr. Perry, &c. upon the observations sent them relating to the Palatines.

Mr. Perry, Mr. Keil and Mr. Duprè attending [fo. 41], they presented to their lordships a memorial upon the observations that had been communicated to them the 6th instant, relating to the Palatines at New York, referr'd to in Mr. Lowndes's letter of the 26th of the last month, which memorial was read; and directions were given for preparing the draught of a letter to my Lord Treasurer [fo. 70], in answer to Mr. Lowndes's foresaid letter.

Trade.

Memorial from the Turkey Company, praying they may be allow'd their former priviledges in France.

Sir Richard Onslow and several of the members of the Turkey Company attending [fo. 52], they communicated to their lordships the copy of a memorial they intended to present to her Majesty, praying that in case of a treaty of peace with France, they may be allow'd the same priviledges in their trade to that kingdom, as they enjoy'd before the war, and particularly that the duty of 20 per cent. on all goods from Turkey and the Levant, imported from thence or Great Britain into the ports of France, may be taken off, as was done for the Dutch by the Treaty of Commerce between them and the French in 1697; which memorial was read.

Barbadoes.

Memorial from Mr. Hodges complaining of the Governor, &c.

A memorial from Mr. Thomas Hodges, Attorney General of Barbadoes, relating to his place there, and complaining of the Governor's having refused to allow his Deputy, was read [fo. 17, 107], as also a copy of her Majesty's licence, giving him leave to come from thence to England for six months, for the recovery of his health.

December 13. Present:—Earl of Winchilsea, Sir Philip Meadows, Sir Charles Turner, Mr. Moore, Mr. Gwyn.

Barbadoes.

Representation proposing a new counsellor.

Their lordships taking into consideration the vacancy in the Council of Barbadoes by the death of Mr. George Lillington, ordered [fo. 48] that the draught of a representation be prepared, proposing Mr. Thomas Maxwell as a person fitly qualify'd to fill up the said vacancy.

Barbadoes.

Letter from the Governor.

A letter from Mr. Lowther, Governor of Barbadoes, dated the 27th of October last, was read, and the papers therein referr'd to were laid before the Board, vizt.:
Papers therein referr'd to.
An Act for giving further time for payment of the levy lately raised on the inhabitants of this island. Dup.
Minutes of Council of Barbadoes, from the 23rd of June, 1711, to the 15th August following. Dup.

Letter from Mr. Skene with Minutes of Council.

A letter from Mr. Alexander Skene, secretary of Barbadoes, dated the 26th October last, inclosing the Minutes of Council of that island, from the sixth of March, 1710, to the 29th of May, 1711, was read.

Trade.

Letter to Mr. Secretary St. John about the African trade.

A letter to Mr. Secretary St. John, desiring that he will please to inform himself when the lords who are of this Commission will be at leisure to enter into the consideration of the trade to Africa referr'd to this Board [fo. 57, 78] and acquaint their lordships therewith, was signed.

Memorial from the African Company relating to their case.

Several of the members of the Royal African Company attending, they presented to their lordships a memorial, containing the case of the said Company and of their creditors, which was read; and they were acquainted with the substance of the forementioned letter to Mr. Secretary St. John.

Nevis.

St. Christopher's.

Memorial from Mr. Duport, &c. in behalf of the sufferers there.

Debentures.

Mr. Duport, Mr. Campbell and several other gentlemen attending, in relation to the sufferers of Nevis and St. Christopher's, they presented to their lordships a memorial [fo. 34, 147], relating to the debentures directed to be issued by the Act pass'd last Session of Parliament, which was read; and they were acquainted that their lordships had laid the difficulties they lye under in relation to that matter before her Majesty.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Ball.

Passports.

A letter from Mr. James Ball, in answer to one writ him the 10th instant [fo. 43], relating to two passports desired by him for two ships bound from Ostend to Cadiz and other ports of Spain, was read; whereupon ordered that he have notice that they obtain the proper certificates to prove that the property of the said ships and goods are English.

December 14. Present:—Earl of Winchilsea, Mr. Monckton, Sir Charles Turner, Mr. Baillie, Mr. Moore.

New York.

Mr. Dupre's memorial about subsistance of Palatines.

Mr. Dupré attending, he presented to their lordships a memorial, signifying that he could give no account of the disposition of the sum of ten thousand pound, issued from the Treasury for the subsistance of the Palatines at New York, was read.

Newfoundland.

Answer to the heads of enquiry.

The Commodore of the Newfoundland Convoy's answer to the heads of enquiry mentioned in the Minutes of the 4th instant [fo. 37], was read.

Barbadoes.

Representation.

New counsellor.

The draught of a representation, proposing Mr. Maxwell to be one of the Council of Barbadoes, in the room of Mr. Lillington, deceased [fo. 45], was agreed, and ordered to be transcribed.

December 17. Present:—Earl of Winchilsea, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Monckton, Sir Charles Turner, Mr. Baillie, Mr. Moore.

Barbadoes.

New counsellor.

A representation, proposing Mr. Thomas Maxwell [fo. 48, 63] to be a member of her Majesty's Council of Barbadoes, in the room of Mr. George Lillington, deceased, agreed at the last meeting, was signed.

Trade.

Complaint of a seizure made of leather at Ostend.

Complainant's case to be translated.

A letter from Mr. John Loggan, her Majesty's Consul at Ostend, dated the 16th instant, n.s., inclosing the printed case in Dutch of Mr. Peter Willaert, a merchant of that city, relating to the importation of English tanned leather, and to the seizure of a considerable quantity of the same belonging to the said Willaert by the tanners there, was read; whereupon ordered that enquiry be made for a person to translate the said case into English.

Miscellanies.

Letter to Lord Treasurer. Allowance for incidents.

A letter to the Lord High Treasurer, desiring that 400l. per annum may be allowed by the new establishment now passing, for defraying the incidental charges of this office, and that the postage of letters for the future be certify'd to his lordship by the Postmaster General, was signed.

December 18. Present:—Earl of Winchilsea, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Monckton, Sir Charles Turner, Mr. Baillie, Mr. Moore, Mr. Gwyn.

Barbadoes.

Mrs. Ernle adversus Sir John Colleton.

Mrs. Ernle attending [fo. 43], with Mr. Peer Williams, her council, against the caveat lodged in this office by Sir John Colleton, that Mr. John Colleton might not be a member of her Majesty's Council in Barbadoes, and Sir John Colleton also attending, with Mr. Lutwich, his council, in defence of his said caveat, both sides were heard in relation to that matter.

Trade.

General state of trade.

Their lordships then taking (sic) into consideration the draught of a representation, relating as well to the general state of the trade of this kingdom [fo. 7, 61, 77], as to the state thereof in all foreign parts, and made a progress therein.

Memorial of Mr. Dorpere about duties laid on goods by the Dutch.

Mr. Livinus Dorpere attending, he presented to their lordships a memorial, containing some observations on the ordnance of the States General [fo. 42, 51] directing the payment of certain duties on the importation and exportation of all sorts of merchandizes, into and out of Lille, Doway, Orchees, Tournay, Mevin, &c.; which memoriall was read.

December 19. Present:—Earl of Winchilsea, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Baillie, Mr. Moore, Mr. Gwyn.

Trade.

Duties laid on goods by the Dutch.

Their lordships again took into consideration the letter from Mr. Secretary St. John, of the 4th instant [fo. 37, 50], mentioned in the minutes of the 6th, and the memorial from Mr. Dorpere read yesterday, relating to the duties laid by the Dutch upon all merchandises imported into and exported from Lisle, Doway, &c., and gave directions for preparing the draught of an answer to Mr. Secretary St. John's foresaid letter.

Letter from Mr. Secretary St. John.

Treaty of Commerce with France, &c.

Answer.

A letter from Mr. Secretary St. John, of the 18th instant, relating to a Treaty of Commerce with France, and to the Barrier Treaty with the Dutch, was read [fo. 66, 130], and ordered that the draught of a Treaty of Commerce prepared in 1709, together with the copy of the representation about her Majesty's right to the several plantations in America, be copied, and a letter prepared inclosing the same to Mr. Secretary St. John.

December 21. Present:—Earl of Winchilsea, Mr. Monckton, Mr. Moore, Mr. Gwyn.

Trade.

Hudson's Bay.

Letter from the Earl of Dartmouth, referring two petitions from the Turkey and Hudson's Bay merchants.

A letter from the Earl of Dartmouth of the 18th instant [fo. 44, 101], referring to their lordships two petitions to her Majesty from the merchants trading to Turkey and Hudson's Bay, and desiring to know [fo. 81] what their lordships may judge proper to be offer'd in relation to those trades at a general peace, was read, and the petitions referr'd to in the said letter were laid before the Board, vizt.:
A petition from the Governor and Company of Merchants trading into the Levant seas, praying that in the negociation for peace such provision be made as may restore to them so beneficial a trade.
A petition from the Governor and Company of Adventurers of England trading into Hudson's Bay, praying that, in a Treaty of Peace with the French, they may be obliged to renounce all right and pretentions to the Bay and Streights of Hudson, and to quit and surrender all ports and settlements erected by the French, &c.

December 22. Present:—Earl of Winchilsea, Mr. Monckton, Mr. Baillie, Mr. Moore, Mr. Gwyn.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Secretary St. John about custom houses erected by the Dutch, &c.

A letter to Mr. Secretary St. John, directed the 19th instant, in answer to one from him of the 4th [fo. 37], desiring to know what new custom houses have been erected and what new duties exacted by the Dutch upon the manufactures of Great Britain, going out of the Spanish Low Countries into the towns of the New Conquests, was signed.

Barrier Treaty.

A letter from Mr. Tilson, inclosing a copy of the Barrier Treaty between her Majesty and the Dutch, with copies of the two separate articles relating thereunto, dated the 29th of October, 1709, was read.