Journal, November 1721: Journal Book X

Journal, November 1721

November 1. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer, Sir John Hobart.

Trade.

Treaty. Dantzig.

Sir Randolph Knipe summoned.

Their Lordships made a progress in considering the draught of a treaty between His Majesty and the City of Dantzig, as likewise the several letters and papers from the Lord Townsend on that subject, mentioned in the Minutes of the 25th and 26th past, and ordered that Sir Randolph Knipe be acquainted that the Board desire to speak with him, and with such other gentlemen concerned in the trade to Dantzig, as he shall think fit, at ten of the clock, on Friday morning next.

Plantations General.

Attorney and Solicitor General.

Order in Council.

Instruction.

Governors.

Trade, East Indies.

Mr. Attorney and Mr. Solicitor General attending, their Lordships had some discourse with them in relation to His Majesty's Order in Council, of the 2nd inst., mentioned in the Minutes of the 5th of the last month, requiring the Board to prepare an instruction to all His Majesty's Governors in the plantations, for preventing any trade there from the East Indies, and afterwards made a progress in considering the draught of an instruction pursuant to the said Order.

November 3rd. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer, Sir John Hobart.

Plantations General.

Instruction.

Governors.

Trade, East Indies.

Representation.

The draught of an instruction to the several Governors of His Majesty's plantations in America, pursuant to his Majesty's Order in Council, mentioned in yesterday's Minutes, for preventing any trade there from the East Indies, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed, and a representation directed to be prepared, wherewith to lay the same before His Majesty.

Trade.

Sir Randolph Knipe.

Mr. Wordsworth.

Treaty.

Dantzig.

Points in dispute.

Dantzig treaty.

Mr. Wordsworth.

Salt.

Sir Randolph Knipe attending, as desired, as likewise Mr. Wordsworth, a gentleman who had resided some time at Dantzig, they were acquainted that the Board desired to speak with them upon occasion of a project now on foot for a new treaty of commerce between this kingdom and the City of Dantzig, whereupon their Lordships, having some discourse with these gentlemen, and particularly requiring their opinion, and asking several questions upon the two main points in dispute, viz. The allowing to the British merchants the liberty of carrying goods from Dantzig into other countries by the River Vistula or Frish Haff, and the exemption of British inhabitants house keepers at Dantzig from certain taxes or impositions laid upon burghers and other house keepers there; Mr. Wordsworth said, in relation to the first, that the City of Dantzig never would hitherto allow any strangers other than Poles or Prussians to carry goods thence to Koningsberg by the Vistula and Frish Haff; that the burghers of those two cities have mutually the privilege of that river, and that it would be an advantage if we could obtain the like, and the liberty of carrying goods into the neighbouring countries, particularly of carrying those goods by the Vistula, which having paid the duty of importation at Dantzig, and upon landing, are declared to be designed for Koningsberg; that British merchants have sometimes sent goods by the said river under the names of burghers of Dantzig, paying such burghers for the use of their names; that the goods imported at Dantzig and which cannot be sold to advantage there, are shipped off again by sea, and pay a duty upon re-export, which duty he thought very unreasonable, and was of opinion it ought to be abolished; and in particular relation to salt, both these gentlemen observed that that commodity, being brought into the Port of Dantzig, pays a duty of importation, and though not landed, must likewise pay a duty of exportation; Mr. Wordsworth added on this head, that such goods, as the burghers of Dantzig or others in their names send by the Vistula to Koningsberg, pay no duty at the later place.

Taxes on housekeepers.

As to the taxes laid on housekeepers at Dantzig, these gentlemen acquainted the Board, that there are few British factors who keep their own houses there, but generally are lodgers with burghers; that they supposed the taxes, complained of, fell chiefly upon such as were married and settled at Dantzig, and that the merchants, here, did not desire their factors should marry there.

These gentlemen were then desired to let their Lordships have in writing, as soon as conveniently they could, their thoughts in relation to any grievances in the trade of Great Britain with Dantzig or what else they might have to offer on that subject, which they promised to do accordingly.

November 7. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer, Sir John Hobart.

Miscellanies.

Mr. Thomas Holford, dead.

Mr. John Spencer succeeds.

Mr. Henry Popple next.

The Board being acquainted that Mr. Thomas Holford, late one of the clerks in the service of this Board, died the 4th inst., their Lordships were pleased to admit Mr. John Spencer, (recommended by Mr. Chetwynd), to supply the present vacancy of a clerk's place in this office, at the rate of forty pounds per annum, and ordered that Mr. Henry Popple should supply the next vacancy which might happen.

Jamaica.

Duke of Portland's instructions.

Their Lordships then made a progress in the consideration of the Duke of Portland's instructions for the Government of Jamaica.

Nova Scotia.

Letter from Colonel Philips.

A letter from Colonel Philipps, Governor of Nova Scotia, etc., dated the 16th of August last, giving an account of affairs in that province, was read.

New England.

Letter from Colonel Shute.

A letter from Colonel Shute, Governor of New England, dated July the 19th, 1721, was read, with
Papers.
Votes of the Assembly, the 22nd of June, 1721.
Colonel Shute's speech to the general Assembly of the Massachusets Bay, in March, 1720–21.

November 8. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer.

Plantations General.

Trade.

Mr. Gee.

Memorial.

Iron, hemp. etc.

Mr. Joshua Gee attending, a memorial from him, relating to the trade of this kingdom and of His Majesty's plantations in America, particularly with respect to iron, hemp, timber and to several enumerated commodities being restrained to be imported directly to Great Britain from the said plantations, was read, and their Lordships, having some discourse with him on several points thereof, agreed to consider further of the same at another opportunity.

Letter to Mr. Carkesse.

Duties.

Importation.

Timber.

Ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Carkesse to desire him to move the Honourable the Commissioners of His Majesty's Customs, that this Board may have on Friday next, if possible, an account of the duties payable upon the importation of timber, of all kinds, from foreign parts, and from His Majesty's plantations in America.

November 9. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer, Sir John Hobart.

Plantations General.

Bill, encouragement Naval stores.

Lords' amendments.

Mr. Gurney.

Mr. Gee's memorial.

Bill, Naval stores.

The copy of a Bill which passed the House of Commons in 171819, intituled, An Act for giving further incouragement for importing Naval Stores, (Plantations General L. No. 22), was read, together with the amendments made by the House of Lords, and Mr. Joshua Gee and Mr. John Gurney attending, their Lordships had some discourse with them on the subject of the said Bill, as likewise of Mr. Gee's memorial, mentioned in yesterday's Minutes, relating to the trade of this kingdom and of His Majesty's plantations, and their Lordships made a progress in the consideration thereof.

November 10th. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer, Sir John Hobart.

Trade.

Letter to Sir R. Knipe.

Dantzig treaty.

Ordered that the Secretary write to Sir Randolph Knipe, to desire this Board may have in writing on Tuesday morning next, what he and Mr. Wordsworth or any other gentlemen have to offer, relating to the British trade with Dantzig and the treaty between Great Britain and that city.

New England.

Letter from Colonel Shute.

A letter from Colonel Shute, Governor of New England, without date, about disputes with the Assembly, and insolvency of the Indians, was read; as likewise one to the Secretary, dated the 10th of September last, transmitting the following papers, viz.
Papers.
Several speeches of the Governor, and answers, etc., of the Assembly.
Votes of Assembly, Massachusets, from 31st of May to the 20th of July, 1721.
Votes of Assembly, Massachusets, from 23rd of August to the 9th of September, 1721.

Copy.

Letter to Lord Carteret.

Whereupon their Lordships gave directions for preparing an extract of Colonel Shute's said letter, without date, to be sent to the Right Honourable the Lord Carteret.

Plantations General.

Mr. Byrd, Naval stores.

Hemp, duty, premium.

Pitch and tar.

Lumber.

Iron.

Mr. Byrd, late arrived from Virginia, attending, their Lordships had some discourse with him relating to the production of naval stores and the encouragement necessary to be given for importing the same from His Majesty's plantations into this Kingdom; and he, being asked several questions, acquainted their Lordships, as to hemp, that the taking off the present duty, and continuing the praemium of £6 per ton upon importation here, would be sufficient encouragement; that the present bounty upon pitch and tar being not well paid, and those commodities bearing now but a low price in Great Britain, he apprehended they would decline making so much of those stores, particularly in Virginia; in relation to lumber, he said, he never knew any carried from Virginia to Portugal or the Mediterranean, as it is reported to have been done from some of the more northern colonies; and that he saw no inconvenience in confining those goods to His Majesty's dominions; and as to iron, he said, the Lieut. Governor of Virginia has a good work where they cast pigs and sows, but are not yet arrived to the making of barr iron; and that he was of opinion the plantations would be content, if encouragement were given here for pig and sow iron only.

November 14. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer, Sir John Hobart.

Montserrat.

Mr. Lewis Piers' petition.

Patent.

Plantation.

Copy, Piers's papers.

Letter to Mr. West.

Mr. Lewis Piers attending, in relation to his petition, praying for letters patent to confirm his title to a plantation in Montserrat, as mentioned in the Minutes of the 19th November, 1719; their Lordships, after some discourse with him, ordered that copies of his petition and other papers should be sent to Mr. West, for his opinion thereupon.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Molesworth.

Envoy, Turin, hemp.

Answer.

A letter from Mr. Molesworth, Envoy Extraordinary at Turin, dated the 12th instant, N.S., in relation to the produce of hemp in those parts, was read, and directions were given for preparing the draught of an answer thereto.

Plantations General.

Letter from Mr. Carkesse.

Duties.

Timber imported.

A letter from Mr. Carkesse, of the 10th inst., with an account of the duties payable upon importation of timber, of all kinds, from foreign parts, and from the British plantations in America, was read.

November 15. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer, Sir John Hobart.

New York.

Letter from Mr. Burnet, for Monsieur Durand.

Letter to Lord Carteret.

Extract, Monsieur Durand's journal.

Niagara.

A duplicate of a letter from Mr. Burnet, Governor of New York, dated the 12th of July last, with a postcript of the 20th of the same month, recommending to the favour of this Board Monsieur Durand, late one of the French Missionary priests at Canada, who has now renounced the Popish religion, was read, and the said Durand attending, and praying their Lordship's recommendation to the Right Honourable the Lord Carteret, directions were given for preparing the draught of a letter to his Lordship for inclosing an extract of so much of Mr. Burnet's said letter as relates to the proceeding of the French and Indians, with a copy of the said Durand's journal of their proceedings about Niagara.

Trade.

Letter to Mr. Molesworth.

Turin.

The draught of a letter to Mr. Molesworth, His Majesty's Envoy Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary at Turin, in answer to that from him, mentioned in yesterday's Minutes, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

November 16. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Plummer.

Trade.

Letter to Mr. Molesworth.

A letter to Mr. Molesworth, His Majesty's Envoy Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary at Turin, agreed at the last meeting, was signed.

November 17. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer.

New York.

Letter to the Lord Carteret.

Extract, Mr. Burnet's.

Monsieur Durand.

Niagara.

A letter to the Lord Carteret, inclosing the extract of a letter from Mr. Burnet, Governor of New York, dated the 12th of July, 1721, with a postcript, dated the 20th of July, 1721, in favour of Monsieur Durand, late Missionary priest to the Canada Indians, as also an account of what passed among the French, about the settlement at Niagara, was signed.

Trade.

Sir Randolph Knipe.

Dantzig.

A letter from Sir Randolph Knipe, of the 14th inst., relating to the trade between this kingdom and Dantzig, was read.

November 21. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Sir John Hobart.

Trade.

Treaty.

Dantzig.

Letter to Lord Townshend.

Their Lordships made a progress in considering the draught of a new treaty of commerce with Dantzig, and directions for preparing an answer to the Lord Viscount Townshend's letters of the 25th August, and 21st and 24th of the last month, on that subject.

Letter to Lord Carteret.

Mr. Molesworth, Turin, hemp.

A letter to the Lord Carteret, inclosing a copy of the letter from Mr. Molesworth, His Majesty's Envoy Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary at Turin, in relation to the produce of hemp in those parts, as mentioned in the Minutes of the 14th inst., was agreed and signed.

November 22. Present.—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Plummer, Sir John Hobart.

Barbadoes.

New York.

Letter from Captain Evans, petition.

St. Lucia.

Letter to Lord Carteret.

A letter from Capt. Evans, dated the 20th inst., relating to his petition for a grant of the island of St. Lucia, within the government of Barbados, was read, and the draught of a letter to the Right Honourable the Lord Carteret, was thereupon agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Oxenford.

Iron, etc.

Duties.

Answer.

A letter from Mr. Oxenford, from the Inspector General's Office at the Custom House, dated the 21st inst., relating to an account of iron, hemp, timber and other wood imported, from Christmas, 1712, to Christmas, 1720, with the amount of the duties thereon, was read, and an answer thereto agreed, and ordered to be sent.

Jamaica.

Instructions.

Duke of Portland.

Their Lordships then made a further progress in considering the draught of instructions for the Duke of Portland, appointed Governor of Jamaica.

November 24. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen.

Trade.

Representation.

Treaty.

Dantzig.

Letter to Lord Townshend.

The draught of a representation upon the new project of a treaty of commerce between Great Britain and the city of Dantzig, was agreed and signed, together with a letter for inclosing the same to the Right Honourable the Lord Viscount Townshend.

Barbadoes.

New York.

Letter to Lord Carteret.

Captain Evans, St. Lucia.

A letter to the Right Honourable the Lord Carteret, upon the petition of Captain Evans, for a grant of the island of St. Lucia within the government of Barbados, as agreed at the last meeting, was signed.

Carolina.

Reasons taking off rice.

Some reasons lately received from Mr. Boon, for the taking off the enumeration of rice from Carolina, whereby it is restrained to be imported thence directly to this Kingdom, were read.

November 28. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer, Sir John Hobart.

Jamaica.

Instructions.

Their Lordships made a further progress in considering the draught of instructions for the Duke of Portland, appointed Governor of Jamaica.

Letter to Commissioners of the Navy.

Ordered that the Secretary write to the Commissioners of His Majesty's Navy, to desire a continuance to the present time of the account received from them in April, 1717, of the prices given for each species and size of foreign stores bought for the Royal Navy between the years 1697 and 1716, and from whence imported, and likewise to desire an account of the quantities of each species, from whence come, bought and confirmed in the Royal Navy, from 1696 to this time.

November 29. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer, Sir John Hobart.

Jamaica.

Duke of Portland's instructions.

Their Lordships made a further progress in considering the draught of instructions for the Duke of Portland, appointed Governor of Jamaica.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Carkesse, hemp imported.

A letter from Mr. Carkesse, Secretary to the Commissioners of His Majesty's Customs, dated the 18th inst., was read, and the account of hemp imported for five years, to Christmas, 1717, with the amount of the customs, inclosed in the said letter, was laid before the Board.

Barbadoes.

Order of Council.

Additional instructions.

Settling Tobago.

An Order of Council, of the 11th inst., approving the draught of an additional instruction to the late Lord Belhaven, appointed Governor of Barbados, about settling the island of Tobago, was read.

Letter from Lord Carteret.

Mr. Worsley.

Commission and instructions.

A letter from the Lord Carteret, dated yesterday, signifying His Majesty's having appointed Henry Worsley, Esqr., Governor of Barbadoes, and requiring the draughts of his commission and instructions for that government to be prepared, was read; whereupon directions were given for preparing the said draughts accordingly.

November 30. Present:—Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer, Sir John Hobart.

Trade.

Order of Council.

East India exports.

Representation.

An Order of Council, of the 11th instant, referring to this Board an account of the East India Company's exports, from Michaelmas, 1720, to Michaelmas, 1721, was read, whereupon directions were given for examining and comparing the said accounts with those of former years, and for preparing the draught of a representation thereof, to be laid before His Majesty.