Journal, February 1719: Journal Book V

Journals of the Board of Trade and Plantations: Volume 4, November 1718 - December 1722. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1925.

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'Journal, February 1719: Journal Book V', in Journals of the Board of Trade and Plantations: Volume 4, November 1718 - December 1722, (London, 1925) pp. 32-42. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/jrnl-trade-plantations/vol4/pp32-42 [accessed 24 March 2024]

Journal, February 1719

February 3. Present:—Earl of Holdernesse, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Pulteney.

Bahamas.

Letter from Mr. Craggs.

Spaniards and pirates.

Mr. Buck.

Letter from Mr. Dawes.

Jamaica.

A letter from Mr. Secretary Craggs, of the 29th of the last month inclosing the copy of one from Mr. Gale to Col. Pitt, relating to the designs of the Spaniards and pirates against the island of Providence, was read, and Mr. Buck, one of the undertakers for settling the Bahama Islands, attending, presented to their Lordships a petition setting forth the dangers those islands are liable to from the attempts which are theratened by the Spaniards, and praying their Lordships to represent the same to His Majesty, that they may have immediate succour, which petition was read, and directions were given for preparing the draught of a letter in answer to that abovementioned from Mr. Secretary Craggs. Mr. Buck communicated to the Board a letter on this subject from Mr. Dawes of Jamaica, of which an extract was ordered to be taken.

Leeward Islands.

Letters to Mr. Craggs.

St. Thomas.

A letter to Mr. Secretary Craggs in answer to that from him, dated the 31st of December last, upon the Danish envoy's memorial relating to some assistance desired by the Danes for the island of St. Thomas, was signed.

Pennsylvania.

Mr. Draftgate.

Act.

Mr. Draftgate attending in relation to his memorial against an Act of Pennsylvania concerning feme sole traders, their Lordships had some discourse with him on that subject, and being acquainted that the Act had not yet been transmitted to this office, he communicated a copy thereof which he said he had received from Pennysylvania.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Lovegrove.

Consulship of Lisbon and Madera.

Representation.

A letter from Mr. Lovegrove dated relating to the separating or uniting the consulships of Lisbon and Madera, was read, as was likewise the affidavit of Captain Walter Parrott, relating to the arbitrary proceedings of the Govr. of Madera: whereupon directions were given for preparing the draught of a representation upon the petition of several merchants in favour of Mr. Rider's being appointed independent consul at Madera, mentioned in the Minutes of the 31st of Dec. last.

Newfoundland.

Mr. Bridger's memorial.

Fishing admiral.

A memorial from Mr. Bridger relating to a dispute concerning the qualifications required by law for a master of a ship to be fishing adml, of a harbour at Newfoundland, was read; and their Lordships agreed to consider the same, when the next instructions are prepared for a commodore of the Newfoundland convoy.

February 4. Present:—Earl of Holdernesse, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Bladen.

Bahamas.

Letter to Mr. Craggs.

Spaniards and pirates.

A letter to Mr. Secry. Craggs, in answer to one from him, read yesterday, relating to the designs of the Spaniards and pirates against the island of Providence and the rest of the Bahama Islands, was agreed and signed.

New England.

Letter from Mr. Dummer.

Fishery.

Several summoned.

A letter from Mr. Dummer, agent for the province of the Massachuset's Bay, to the secretary, dated yesterday, relating to several persons attending the board, who can give their Lordships an account of the fishery at Marble Head, was read: whereupon ordered that Col. Vaughan, Mr. Sheaf and Mr. Gilbert, Mr. Storks and Capt. Wentworth be acquainted that the Board desire to speak with them to-morrow morning.

Trade.

Letters from Earl Stanhope.

British trade.

Their Lordships then proceeded, according to appointment, to take into further consideration the letter from Earl Stanhope and the papers, therein referred to, from the Lord Polwarth, relating to the grievances in the British trade with Denmark, mentioned in the minutes of the 29th of the last month, and the said letter from Earl Stanhope, with the extract of Lord Polwarth's, were read, as likewise the printed treaty of commerce concluded between Great Britain and Denmark in the year 1670: whereupon ordered that letters be writ to acquaint the Eastland and Russia Companys and the Norway merchants, that if they have anything to offer for the advantage of the British trade with the dominions of Denmark, the Board desire to receive it as soon as conveniently may be, in writing.

Ordered that Mr. Tigh, consul at Elsinore, be desired to transmitt to this Board one of the printed tariffs, mentioned in the 18th article of the foresaid treaty of commerce with Denmark.

New England.

Plantations General.

Letter from Mr. Bridger.

Waste in the woods.

A letter from Mr. Bridger, late surveyor of His Majestie's woods on the continent of America, dated at Portsmouth in New Hampshire, the 24th of October, 1718, complaining of his being superseded in that post, and relating to the great waste committed in those woods, was read: whereupon directions were given for preparing a letter to the Lords of His Majestie's Treasury and an extract of Mr. Bridger's said letter to be transmitted therewith.

Trade.

Plantations General.

Letter from Mr. Carkesse.

Account of timber.

A letter from Mr. Carkesse, secretary to the Commissioners of the Customes, dated yesterday, inclosing an account of timber imported from Christmas, 1712, to Christmas, 1717, with the amount of the duties thereon, was read, and the said account laid before the Board.

February 5. Present:—Earl of Holdernesse, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Pulteney.

Pennsylvania.

Letter from Mr. Keith.

An act.

Letter to Mr. West.

A letter from Mr. Keith, Deputy Governor of Pennsylvania, dated the 17th of October, 1718, inclosing an Act passed in the Assembly of that province in May, 1718, entituled An Act for the advancement of justice and more certain administration thereof, was read, and the said Act being laid before the Board; ordered that the same be sent to Mr. West, one of His Majestie's Council at Law, for his opinion thereupon.

Barbadoes.

Letter from Mr. Lascells.

Mr. Lascells.

Complaints against Colonel Berwick.

A letter from Mr. Lascells, dated the 29th of the last month, desiring to have notice when any complaints shall come against Col. Berwick of Barbadoes, was read; and their Lordships agreed to take the said letter into consideration, when such complaints shall arrive.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Tilson.

French manufactures.

A letter from Mr. Tilson, of the 29th of the last month, inclosing, by order of the Earl Stanhope, the extract of a letter from Mr. Gullman at Francfort relating to a more than ordinary introduction of the manufactures of France into Germany, was read, together with the said extract.

New Hampshire.

Letter from Mr. Armstrong.

A letter from Mr. Armstrong, Collector of the Customes in N. Hampshire, dated the 27th of December last, was read, and the papers therewith transmitted were laid before the Board, viz:—
Papers.
Copy of a letter from Mr. Bridger and Mr. Armstrong to Sir Matthew Dudley, dated the 20th of October, 1718, relating to the woods in the province of New Hampshire, and the naval stores that may be produced there.
An account of foreign plantation commodities and other merchandize imported into New Hampshire in the years 1715, 1716 and 1717, and
An acct. of timber exported from New Hampshire to Spain and Portugal from the year 1712 to the year 1718.

Letter to him.

Whereupon ordered that the secretary acknowledge the receipt of Mr. Armstrong's said letter and thank him in the name of the Board for the same.

Massachusets Bay.

Nova Scotia.

Mr. Dummer.

Colonel Vaughan, Captain Wentworth, Mr. Newman, etc.

Sir Alexander Cairnes, Mr. Doughlas, Colonel Vetch and Mr. Capon.

Fishery.

Mr. Dummer, agent for the province of the Massachusets Bay, attending, as also Col. Vaughan, Capt. Wentworth, Mr. Newman and others acquainted with the fishery on the coast of New England; Sir Alexander Cairnes, Mr. Douglas, Col. Vetch and Mr. Capon, who desire a tract of land on the east of Nova Scotia, being present, their Lordships enquired of Col. Vaughan and the other gentlemen first mentioned whether any and what acknowledgement was paid for the curing of fish at Marble Head on the coast of New England, whereupon Col. Vaughan said, he did not know of any payments for curing fish there, except what was paid by strangers to the proprietors of stages and other conveniencies, as likewise for shoremen employed for that purpose, and as to what value such payment might be, he said he could not tell; but for his own part he said he would willingly give 2 shillings per quintal, if such proprietors of stages, &c., at Nova Scotia undertook to furnish stages and a shore man to make and cure the fish; and being asked whether there was any publick common place for curing fish on the coast of New England near Marble Head, he said he believed there had been formerly, but did not know of any at present; but said there was such places in the eastern parts of the Massachusets Province.

Sir Alexander Cairnes.

Sir Alexander Cairnes then proposed to their Lordships that the acknowledgement for curing fish on the coast of Nova Scotia, within the limits of the grant he desires, should be the same as the New Englanders pay on their own coast, and be in every respect on the same foot, and if any dispute should arise concerning what had been the custom in New England, he was content the courts of the Massachusets Bay should decide it. In answer to which Mr. Dummer alledged that it was a disadvantage to the fishery not now to be prevented, that the beaches on the coast of New England proper for curing fish were in particular hands, which inconvenience might be prevented in Nova Scotia by leaving the coast common to all His Majestie's subjects, and excepting the same out of any particular grants the Crown may make, but Sir Alexander observed that it would be reasonable that such strangers as came to cure fish at Nova Scotia and were protected therein by the settlements made at the charge of the grantees, should pay some acknowledgement for such protection, which at present they have not. It being represented to the Board by some of the gentlemen present that stages and other conveniences for the fishery were built in New England by the proprietors of the land, Sir Alexander was asked whether he should expect any consideration for making and curing fish, where no stages or other such conveniences should be built, to which he answered that he thought a small acknowledgement reasonable, as in New England, on account of protection as aforesaid.

Letter to Mr. Ackworth.

Ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Ackworth, Surveyor of His Majestie's Navy, desiring to know whether the Commissioners of that Board do not think it proper there should be a clause in the said grant which Sir Alex. Cairnes and others desire, reserving such trees to the Crown as are proper for masts and other trees fit for the Royal Navy, and in that case to send the draught of such a clause as the said commissioners approve.

February 6. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Holdip.

Fishery.

A letter from Mr. Holdip, Secry, to the Commissioners for the Duty on Salt, dated yesterday, desiring a copy of the letter lately received from Mr. Fuller, His Majestie's Consul and the rest of the British factory at Leghorn, complaining of the ill state of the fishery, was read, and directions given for sending the said Mr. Holdip extract of so much of Mr. Fuller's letter and of the representation inclosed as relates to the trade for fish.

New England.

Plantations General.

Letter to the Treasury.

Woods.

A letter to the Lords of the Treasury directed the 4th instant to be prepared, upon one from Mr. Bridger, late Surveyor of His Majestie's woods on the continent of America, relating to the great waste committed in the said woods and to the execution of that office, was agreed and signed.

February 10. Present:—Earl of Holdernesse, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Bladen.

Leeward Islands.

Order of the House of Commons.

Sufferers at St. Christophers and Nevis.

The copy of an order of the Committee of the House of Commons, to whom the petition of several sufferers and the agents and factors of other sufferers at Nevis and St. Christophers in the behalf of themselves and others, is referred, dated the 6th instant, and requiring the proper officers of this Board to lay before the said Committee this morning the return of the Commission for examining into the claims of the said sufferers, the Attorney General's opinion on certain cases, accounts of the debentures issued and all other books and papers relating to the losses of the said sufferers, was read, and the secretary accordingly attended the Committee with the returns, accounts, books and papers required by the said order.

New England.

Plantations General.

Letter from Mr. Bridger.

Letter to him.

A letter from Mr. Bridger, late Surveyor of His Majestie's woods on the continent of America, dated the 30th of last December, was read, whereupon directions were given to the secretary for preparing an answer to Mr. Bridger's late letters.

Trade.

Mr. Parkin.

Mr. Sparke, etc.

Petition of cutlers.

Mr. Parkin, Mr. Sparke and others concerned in the manufacturing of iron, steel and brass, tin, copper, &c., attending, presented to the Board a petition relating to a bill depending in the House of Commons upon application from the Company of Cutlers in Hallamshire in the county of York, the said petition setting forth that the Bill is of a publick nature, tho' fees are expected for it as for a private bill, which the Corporation are unwilling to pay, and praying their Lordships would take the premises into consideration, and provide such remedies as to them should seem meet, the said petition was read, and the petitioners were acquainted that it would be proper for them to apply in this affair to the Speaker of the House of Commons.

New York.

Mr. Philip's petition.

Livingston's act.

The petition of Mr. Philips, agent for New York, praying their Lordships favourable report to His Majesty in order to the Royal approbation of an Act of that province entituled An Act to repeal an act of general assembly entituled An Act to oblidge Robert Livingston to account according to the purport of an act entituled An Act appointing and enabling commissioners to take and state the publick accounts of this province.

Pennsylvania.

Letter from Mr. Keith.

A letter from Mr. Keith, Deputy Governor of Pennsylvania to the Secretary, dated 23rd of October, 1718, acknowledging the receipt of letters writ to him, was read.

Nova Scotia.

Letter from Captain Doucett.

A letter from Capt. Doucett, Lieutenant Governor of Annapolis to the Board dated the 20th of June, 1718, was read, together with the papers therein referred to entituled as follows, viz:—
Papers.
Capt. Doucett's answer to the French inhabitants of Minis.
The priest's answer to Capt. Doucett.
Capt. Doucett's answer to the priest.
Capt. Doucett's letter to the Governor of Cape Breton, and
A copy of Capt. Doucett's letter to the Marquiss de Vaudreuill, Governor of Canada and Quebeck.

Letter from Captain Doucett.

Colonel Philips summoned.

A letter from Capt. Doucett to the Board dated 23rd of July, 1718, together with the copy of a letter from Monsr. St Ovide de Brouillan, the French Governor at Cape Breton, relating to the French inhabitants in Nova Scotia, the Indians, the bounds of that country and to deserters, &c., were likewise read: whereupon ordered that Col. Philips, His Majestie's Governor of Nova Scotia, be acquainted that the Board desire to speak with him at ten of the clock on Thursday morning next.

Nova Scotia.

New England.

Letter from Mr. Secretary Craggs.

Fishery.

Letter to Mr. Burchett.

A letter from Mr. Secry. Craggs, of the 9th of December last, referring to the consideration of the Board the copy of a letter from Mr. Vaughan and the extract of another from Nathaniel Shannon, relating to the fishery on the coast of Nova Scotia, New England, &c., was read, together with the said copy, and extract: whereupon ordered that the Secretary transmitt to Mr. Burchett a copy of the said extract and desire to know what accounts, if any, are come to the Admiralty concerning the matters mentioned in the said extract.

Trade.

Representation.

Consulships.

The draught of a representation, ordered the 3rd instant to be prepared, upon the petition of several merchants relating to the consulships at Madera and Lisbon was read, and a progress made in the consideration thereof.

February 12. Present:—Earl of Holdernesse, Lord Bishop of London, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Bladen.

Trade.

Letter from Earl Stanhope.

Herring trade.

Letter to Earl Stanhope

A letter from Earl Stanhope, dated yesterday, inclosing extracts of Mr. Wich's letters of the 7th and 10th instant N.S. with the copy of a convention for the herring trade, &c., with Hamburgh, signed there the 8th of this month N.S. by the said Mr. Wich, His Majesty's Minister there, and the deputies of the Senate of that citty, was read, together with the said extracts and copy of the convention: whereupon a letter in answer to that abovementioned from Earl Stanhope was drawn up, agreed and signed.

Nova Scotia.

Colonel Philips.

Col. Philips attending as desired, their Lordships inquired of him whether he knew of any directions being given upon the representation made some time ago to His Majesty by this Board, containing their Lordships' opinion on the Colonel's memorial relating to the province of Nova Scotia, Col. Philips said he believed there were no orders yet given therein, and acquainting the Board that he daily expected letters from the said province, he was desired to inform the Board as soon as the said letters arrive, or when he has reason to think they have miscarried, which he accordingly promised.

Newfoundland.

Letter from Board of Ordnance.

Fortifications.

Mr. Rope.

Letter to Mayours of Pool, Bideford, Barnstable, Exeter and Dartmouth.

A letter from the Board of Ordnance of the 10th instant relating to the charge of carrying some materials to Placentia in Newfoundland for building a stone redoubt at the entrance of that harbour, was read, and Mr. Rope, mentioned in the said letter, attending, their Lordships upon some discourse with him, thereupon gave directions for writing to the mayors of Pooll, Bideford, Barnstable, Exeter and Dartmouth to recommend to them the carrying such materials as ballast or at as easy rates as may be.

Nova Scotia.

Mr. Ackworth.

Sir Alexander Cairnes.

Mr. Ackworth, Surveyor of the Navy, coming to the Board, presented to their Lordships a paper containing exceptions and reservations approved by the Commissioners of the Navy, to be made in the grant desired by Sir Alexander Cairnes and others of lands in Nova Scotia, which was read; and their Lordships agreed to take the same into further consideration on Tuesday morning next.

Maryland.

Order of Council.

Licence of leave for Mr. Hart.

An Order of Council of the 6th instant referring to the Board a petition from the Lord Guilford, guardian of the Lord Baltemore, Proprietor of Maryland, praying that John Hart, Esq., Deputy Governor of that province, may have His Majestie's leave to be absent from that Government for 12 months to recover his health, was read, and their Lordships agreed to consider further thereof at another opportunity.

February 17. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Pulteney.

Nova Scotia.

Mr. Ackworth coming to the Board, their Lordships took into further consideration the paper of exceptions and reservations, (mentioned in the Minutes of the 12th instant), to be made in the grant desired by Sir Alexander Cairnes and others of lands in Nova Scotia, and some amendments were agreed by their Lordships and Mr. Ackworth to be made thereto, whereupon the said papers with the said amendments was ordered to be transcribed.

Maryland.

Order of Council.

Mr. Hart's petition.

Upon further consideration of the Order of Council, dated the 6th, and mentioned likewise in the Minutes of the 12th instant, on the petition of the Lord Guilford praying that John Hart, Esq., Deputy Govr. of Maryland, may have His Majestie's leave to be absent from that Government for 12 months, directions were given for preparing a letter to the Lord Guilford, desiring to know what security will be given that the Commander in Chief of the said province in Mr. Hart's absence shall observe the Acts of Trade and Navigation, and cause the same to be put in execution there.

February 18. Present:—Earl of Holdernesse, Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Pulteney.

Maryland.

Letter to Lord Guilford.

Security for Commander in Chief.

A letter, directed yesterday to be prepared, to the Lord Guilford relating to security to be given for the Commander in Chief of Maryland for observing and causing the Acts of Trade and Navigation to be duly put in execution there, in the absence of John Hart, Esqr., Deputy Governor of that province, was agreed and signed.

February 19. Present:—Earl of Holdernesse, Mr. Chewtynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Bladen.

Newfoundland.

Letter from Mr. Skutt.

Materials to be sent to build a redoubt.

Letter to Mr. Skutt.

A letter from Mr. Skutt, major of Poole, dated the 16th, in answer to one writ him the 14th instant about tunnage for limestone and other materials to be carried to Placentia in Newfoundland for building a redoubt there, was read, and a letter agreed, wherewith to transmitt a copy of that from Mr. Skutt to the Office of Ordnance for the information of that Board.

Trade.

Representation.

Consulships of Madera and Lisbon.

The draught of a representation, mentioned in the Minutes of the 10th instant, upon the petition of several merchants relating to the consulships of Madera and Lisbon, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

February 20. Present:—Earl of Holdernesse, Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Pulteney.

New England.

Letter to Mr. Bridger.

New Hampahire.

Letter to Mr. Armstrong.

The draughts of a letter ordered to be writ by the Secretary to Mr. Bridger, late Surveyor of the woods on the continent of America, and to Mr. Armstrong, collector of the Customes in New Hampshire were agreed, and ordered to be sent.

St. Christophers.

Letter from Colonel Codrington.

Lands.

Representation.

A letter from Col. Codrington relating to his petition referred to this Board, concerning some lands claimed by him in the late French part of St. Christophers, was read, and directions given for preparing the draft of a representation to His Majesty thereupon.

Antigua.

Memorial from Dr. Wickam, Colonel Morris.

A meml. from Dr. Wickam in behalf of Col. Thos. Morris, suspended from the Council of Antigua, was read; whereupon ordered that the said Dr. Wickam be acquainted that the Board have appointed Friday morning next for hearing what he may have to offer concerning the said Col. Morris.

New York.

Mr. West.

Act about Colonel Leviston.

Mr. West attending, their Lordships took into consideration an Act passed at New York relating to Col. Livingston, mentioned in the Minutes of the 10th instant, and the said act being read, the same was referred to Mr. West for his opinion in writing thereupon.

Virginia.

Acts.

Then the following Acts passed in Virginia in April, 1718, were severally read, and their Lordships agreed to let them lye by, viz:—
An Act for settling the fees of the Secretary, County Court clerks, Sheriffs, Coroner and Constable, and for ascertaining the fees of the Attorneys to be allowed in a Bill of Costs.
An Act for granting 1000l. out of the publick fund for the maintaining and educating scholars at the colledge of William and Mary.
An Act to impower Harry Beverly, and others to build a bridge over the Dragoon Swamp, and
An Act to enable Michael Meggison of the county of King and Queen, planter, to sell certain lands in the county of Gloucester, entailed on him and the heirs of his body, upon his settling other lands of a greater value to the same uses.

Miscellanies.

Incidental charges.

The Secretary laid before the Board the accounts of the incidental charges of this office for nine months ending at Christmas last, amounting in the whole to four hundred and nine pounds one shilling and two pence three farthings, viz:—

Account of petty expenses and incidental charges in the service of the Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, from Lady Day, 1718, to Christmas following.

l. s. d.
Acct. of petty expenses from Lady Day, 1718, to Midsummer following, amounting to 71 18 11
The like acct. from Midsummer, 1718, to Michaelmas following, amounting to 67 18
The like acct. from Michaelmas, 1718, to Christmas following, amounting to 64 0 10
The Stationer's acct. from Lady Day, 1718, to Midsummer following, amounting to 25 19 9
The like acct. from Midsummer, 1718, to Michaelmas following, amounting to 41 16 3
The like acct. from Michaelmas, 1718, to Christmas following, amounting to 33 19 10
The Postman's acct. from Lady Day, 1718, to Midsummer following, amounting to 15 12 0
The like acct. from Midsummer, 1718, to Michaelmas following, amounting to 27 6 6
The like acct. from Michaelmas, 1718, to Christmas following, amounting to 27 7 4
Mr. Clarke's acct. for wood and coals 33 1 5
Total 409 1

Letter to the Treasury.

Whereupon a letter to the Lords of the Treasury praying payment thereof and of the salaries due to the Secry. and under officers at Christmas last, was signed.

February 24. Present:—Earl of Holdernesse, Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Bladen.

Newfoundland.

Letter from Mr.Buck.

Letter from Mr. Burrell.

Fortifications.

Letter to the Ordnance.

A letter from Mr. Buck, Major of Bideford, dated the 20th, and another from Mr. Burrell, Mayor of Exeter, dated the 21st instant, both relating to the carrying of materials for building a redoubt near the harbour of Placentia in Newfoundland, were read; and directions given for sending copies thereof to the Secry. of the Office of Ordnance for the information of that Board.

Virginia.

Letter from Colonel Spotswood.

Representation.

New Councillor.

A letter from Col. Spotswood, Lieut. Governor of Virginia, dated the 27th of September, 1718, was read, and directions given for preparing the draught of a representation to propose Mr. Digges to be of the Council of Virginia in the room of Mr. Byrd, who has been absent from that colony three years and one half.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Craggs.

Lake Erie.

Further ordered that the draft of a letter be prepared to Mr. Secry. Craggs to inclose a copy of what Col. Spotswood writes in his said letter relating to the Lake Erie, and to remind him of the letter from this Board, dated the 15th of October last, on the same subject.

February 25. Present:—Earl of Holderness, Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Bladen.

Antegoa.

Letter from Mr. Nivine. Colonel Frye and Mr. Parrot summoned.

A letter from Mr. Nivine, agent for the Island of Antegoa, dated this day, desiring that Col. John Frye and Mr. Wm. Parrot, merchant, may be summoned to attend the Board on Friday next, was read, and directions given to desire those gentlemen to attend at that time.

Nova Scotia.

Order of Committee.

Grant of land.

Exceptions etc.

Representation.

Their Lordships taking into further consideration the order of the Committee of Council for Plantation Affaires, mentioned in the Minutes of the 18th of December last, relating to a grant of land on the coast of Nova Scotia desired by Sir Alexander Cairnes and others, as also several exceptions and reservations proposed by Mr. Ackworth to be made in the said grant with amendments thereto, directions were given for preparing the draught of a representation in answer to the said order.

Jamaica.

Letter from Mr. Burchet.

Money due to Commissioners for victualling the Navy.

Letter to Sir Nicholas Lawes.

A letter from Mr. Burchet, Secry to the Lords of the Admiralty, dated yesterday, relating to a sum of mony due to the Commissioners for victualling His Majesty's Navy from Mr. Stukely their agent in Jamaica, was read, and directions given for preparing a letter to Sir Nic. Lawes, Governor of that island, in relation to that matter.

Plantations General.

Order of Council.

Pirates' effects, etc.

An Order of Council of 6th inst. referring to the Board two memorials from the Lords of the Admiralty, relating to an article in His Majesty's instructions to his Governors in America concerning Pirates' effects, and about incroachments on the jurisdiction of the Admiralty Courts, was read, together with the said memorials and a progress made in the consideration thereof.

Trade.

Representation.

Consulships at Madera and Lisbon.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Craggs.

A representation as agreed the 19th instant upon the petition of several merchants relating to the consulships at Madera and Lisbon consulships at was signed, together with a letter inclosing the same to Mr. Secretary Craggs.

February 26. Present:—Earl of Holderness, Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Bladen.

Trade.

Letter from Earl Stanhope.

Herring trade.

Letter to the Lord Provost of Edinburgh.

A letter from the Earl Stanhope of 24th instant inclosing the extracts of two letters from Mr. Wich, Resident at Hamburgh, dated the 17th and 24th instant, N.S. as likewise the copy of His Majesty's ratification of the late Convention with that city concerning our herring trade, &c. was read, together with the said extracts and copy of the ratification; whereupon ordered that a copy of the said ratification be prepared in order to be transmitted to the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, to be communicated to the Royal Boroughs and others concerned in the fishery of North Britain.

February 27. Present:—Earl of Holderness, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Bladen.

Antegoa.

Doctor Wickham, Colonel Codrington, etc, about Colonel Morris.

Mr. Nivine.

Colonel Frye.

Mr. Rowland Tryon, etc.

Mr. Nivine.

Affidavits.

Doctor Wickham attending according to appointment, as also Col. Codrington and other gentlemen, with Mr. Solicitor Genl. in behalf of Col. Thos. Morris, who is under suspension from his place in his Majesty's Council of Antegoa, and Mr. Nivine, agent for the said island attending likewise, together with Col. Frye, a member of the said Council, Mr. Rowland Tryon, and other gentlemen on the other side: Mr. Nivine declared, he did not apprehend the matter of the said suspension was now to be heard by Council, for which reason he had not retained any, but said he was ready to answer what might be offered in relation to the character of the said Col. Thos. Morris, and referred himself to the affidavits and what else the Govr. has transmitted as reasons for the said suspension; whereupon their Lordps. proceeded to consider the allegations on each side and proofs of the matters of fact; the minutes of the Council of Antegoa dated the 3rd of Feb., 1717—18, with the several affidavits therein contained against Col. Morris, relating to disrespectfull words spoken by him of His Majesty, and the resolution for the said Col. Morris's suspension, were read; as likewise Col. Morris's letter of the 8th of Feb., 1717—18, mentioned in the Minutes of this Board of the 3rd of April last, together with eleven despositions or affidavits in vindication of Col. Morris, which appear to be originals and not copies, as mentioned in the said Minutes.

Mr. Solicitor.

Mr. Sollicitor observed to their Lordps. that the several depositions now read against Col. Morris, except that of Robt. Glover, were only upon hearsay, some of them at the second or third hand, and inconsistant with each other, that Col. Morris was actually upon his duty, and acted according to law in endeavouring to quell an affray when the words he is charged with were pretended to be spoken, and that those words were capable of being misunderstood for what in all probability was really said by Col. Morris, because the word Ting being the name of the person, who had refused to act as constable. though Col. Morris commanded him in His Majesty's name, night easily be mistaken for king, and as to the validity of the said Glover's evidence Mr. Sollr. particularly observed, that from an attested copy of certain interrogations exhibited to Mr. Robert Jefferson, before Col. Morris and Mr. Parry, as Justices of the Peace. wherein the said Glover was accused of vindicating the murder of Col. Parke, late Governor of the Leeward Islands, there was some ground to think the said Glover prejudiced against Col. Morris. That the depositions now read of the company Col. Morris was in, who are persons of good credit, all concur, that they were attentive to what passed, and heard no such expressions as are alledged to be used by Col. Morris, nor believe any such were used, or that the King's name was mentioned but as drinking his health, and that Glover, who swears he heard the words, was observed to be in a house on the opposite side of the street, and not to be seen out of it at the time of the affray. That the very person to whom Glover swears the words were spoken by Col. Morris, has declared upon oath that he doth not remember nor believe that Col. Morris mentioned the King otherwise than drinking his health as aforesaid, not that the said Glover was in the company of Col. Morris that day. not out of his house on the opposite side of the street: that it appears by the foresaid Minute of Council, that Col. Morris was denyed to be heard and to produce evidence in his own vindication, which he hoped the Board would consider and represent to His Majesty in order to Col. Morris's being restored to his place in the said Council of Antegoa: his affection to His present Majesty and good character being no ways impeached.

Mr. Nivine.

Mr. Nivine then observed to their Lordps. that the affidavits in favour of Col. Morris amount to no more than that the deponents did not hear any such words spoken by Col. Morris, and Col. Fry acquainted the Board that the reason why the persons in company with Col. Morris were not examined in Council, or their depositions taken and admitted, was, that the words charged against Col. Morris were spoken in the street when the said Morris was only with his servant to whom they were spoken, and none of the company came out of doors but Col. Morris.

The gentlemen abovementioned being withdrawn, their Lordps. agreed to consider further of this matter at another opportunity.

Barbados.

Mr. Gordon's petition.

A petition from William Gordon of the island of Barbados, clerk, praying copies and certificates of several minutes and papers relating to the complaint made against him by the agents of Barbados, and now depending before the Lords of the Committee for hearing appeals &c., was read: and the Board agreed to consider thereof when Mr. Gordon shall specify the particular minutes or papers whereof he desires copies, &c.