Journal, May 1722: Journal Book Y

Journal, May 1722

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

Letter from Attorney General.

Form of a bond.

Copy.

Additional instructions.

Governor, Massachusets.

Acts of Trade.

East Indies.

A letter from Mr. Attorney General, with the form of a bond to be entered into, by the Governors of Connecticut and Rhode Island and Providence Plantation, for observing the several Acts of Trade and Navigation, was read; whereupon a copy of the said form was ordered to be annexed to the additional instructions prepared for the Governor of the Massachusets Bay, relating to the said Acts of Trade and Navigation, more particularly with relation to the trade from the East Indies.

Plantations General.

Trade.

Representation.

Additional instructions.

Acts of Trade.

East Indies.

A representation, wherewith to lay before His Majesty the draughts of additional instructions to the Governors of His Majesty's several plantations in America, relating to the Acts of Trade and Navigation, more particularly with regard to the trade from the East Indies, was signed.

Plantations General.

New England.

Mr. Bridger's petition.

Woods.

Waste.

Act.

Naval stores.

Recommendation.

Treasury.

A petition from Mr. Bridger, late Surveyor General of His Majesty's woods on the continent of America, setting forth the great necessity there is of the care of a person knowing in those woods and country, to prevent waste in the said woods, since the passing of the Act, (in the last session of Parliament), to encourage the importation of naval stores from America, and praying this Board's favourable recommendation of him to the Lords of the Treasury, that he may be restored to his said employment of Surveyor General, was read; whereupon directions were given for looking out and laying before the Board what had been formerly represented on this subject.

Bahama's.

Letter from Lord Carteret.

Assembly.

Funds.

Fort, etc..

A letter from the Lord Carteret, of the 28th of the last month, referring to this Board the request of the Governor, Council and principal inhabitants of the Bahama Islands, that His Majesty would be pleased to grant them leave to elect an Assembly, in order to their being thereby enabled to raise funds for rebuilding the fort at the island of Providence, and for other publick services, was read; and their Lordships agreed to reconsider the same.

Then the undermentioned letters and papers, lately received from the Bahama Islands, were read, viz.:—

Letters from Captain Phenney.

A letter from Captain Phenney, Governor, and the Council of the Bahama Islands, dated the 30th of November last.

A letter from the said Captain Phenney, dated the 26th December, 1721.
Papers.
List of the members of His Majesty's Council in the Bahama Islands, and of Persons fit to supply vacancies therein.
Minutes of Council in December, 1721, relating to Mr. Carrington's suspension from the Council of the Bahama Islands.
Minutes of Council in December, 1721, relating to Mr. Howell, Lieutenant in the Independant Company at the Bahama Islands.
Minutes of Council in December, 1721, relating to several articles exhibited by Mr. Goheir against Mr. Fairfax for maladministration, when Deputy Governor of the Bahama Islands.
Copy of the records of the Court's proceedings in the cause relating to Mr. Goheir at the Bahama Islands, in 1721.
Gunner's inventory of stores in Fort Nassau on New Providence, taken the 12th November, 1721.

Letter from Captain Phenney.

A letter from Captain Phenney, dated the 10th of January, 1721–22.

Mr. Carrington.

Account.

Harbour Island.

Then Mr. Carrington, late one of the Council of the Bahama Islands, attending, their Lordships had some discourse with him relating to the said islands, wherein, upon several questions being asked him, he said, that as to the number of inhabitants, he computed there were at present 84 or 85 families on the island of Providence; on Harbour Island, 29 or 30; on Elutheria, 27 or 28, and on Cat-Island, 12 or 15 families; and reckoning 5 persons to each family at a medium, the number of inhabitants might be about 750; that the ground is generally very rich and fertile, particularly the first year after burning down the wood, and produces everything that is raised in the other islands of that part of America, particularly sugar canes of a great size; that Harbour Island is a better plot of ground than the island of Providence; that, though the inhabitants of Harbour Island, Elutheria and Cat Island, are all seafaring persons, they keep families to cultivate their plantations; and that the people of the Bahama Islands in general are inclined to cultivate and improve the lands, were they not discouraged by the conduct of some of the agents of the lessees. Mr. Carrington was then desired to give their Lordships the best account he could of the state of the Bahama Islands in writing, which he promised to do.

Mr. Goheir.

Ordered that Mr. Goheir be acquainted that this Board desire to speak with him at eleven of the clock on Thursday morning next.

Memorial from Mr. Trott.

Lands.

A memorial from Mr. Trott, desiring to be heard in relation to some lands belonging to him in the Bahama Islands, was read; whereupon ordered that a copy thereof be given to Mr. Goheir for what he may have to offer, concerning that matter.

Leeward Islands.

Mr. Nivine, agent.

Acts.

Antigua.

Mr. Nivine, agent for the islands of Antegoa, St. Christophers and Mountserrat, having desired the Board's more immediate consideration of several Acts of those islands; the Act passed in Antegoa in 1718, entituled, An Act to quiet present possessors of land, to limit actions and avoid suits in law, mentioned in the Minutes of the 28th of July last, was again read, and some observations made thereon, as noted on the back of the said Act.

May 3. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Plummer, Sir John Hobart.

Bahamas.

Mr. Goheir.

Number.

Assembly.

Families.

Mr. Goheir, attending, as desired, the letter from the Lord Carteret, mentioned in the Minutes of the 1st instant, relating to the request of the Governor, Council and principal inhabitants of the Bahama Islands, for leave from His Majesty to elect an Assembly, was again read. And Mr. Goheir being asked several questions relating to the state of the said islands, particularly what he thought might be a convenient number for the said Assembly, and what might be a fitting proportion for each island; he said, 20 or 24, but if their Lordships should think fit to propose 30, he was of opinion that the island of Providence should elect 20, Harbour Island and Elutheria 6, and Cat Island 4, and so in proportion, if the whole should be a greater or less number; that there might be near 220 families on the island of Providence, about 17 upon Cat Island, and 25 upon Eleutheria and Harbour Island, making in all upwards of 250 families; that when the Spaniards last attacked the island of Providence the Militia there was 575 men; that of the Palatines, which were sent thither, there remained but 14 families, which were settled in the West part of the said island of Providence, the rest having withdrawn themselves, chiefly to avoid paying the charge of their passage thither; that the inhabitants of the said islands are half of them very illiterate, not able to write or read; that they are generally unwilling to work or cultivate plantations there, and that of the fifteen hundred acres of land, which he had granted out for the benefit of the lessees, there is but very little of it cultivated.

Mr. Goheir.

Memorial in writing.

Mr. Goheir being desired to give their Lordships a memorial in writing of the state of the said islands, with his thoughts concerning the number and manner of electing an assembly there, he promised to do it.

Mr. Trott's memorial.

Lands.

Mr. Goheir.

Answer.

Then the memorial of Mr. Trott, mentioned in the last Minutes, relating to some lands which he alledges belong to him in the Bahama Islands, was again read, and Mr. Goheir promised to give their Lordships an answer thereto.

Trade.

Letters from Mr. Carkesse.

Rates.

Swedes, etc.

Weighing and measuring goods.

Two letters from Mr. Carkesse, secretary to the Commissioners of His Majesty's Customs, dated the 18th and 24th of April, 1722, upon the letters writ him the 28th of March and 16th of April foregoing, relating to the rates the Swedes and other foreigners pay in the ports of Great Britain for weighing and measuring their goods, and what His Majesty's subjects pay for the same, were read; whereupon Mr. Docminique was pleased to acquaint the Board that he would make inquiry into that affair.

May 8. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Plummer, Sir John Hobart.

Nevis.

Commission.

Major General Sibourg.

Lieutenant Governor.

His Majesty's commission, constituting Major General Charles Sibourg, Lieutenant Governor of Nevis, being laid before the Board, a copy was ordered to be taken thereof and entered.

New England.

Letter to Lords of the Treasury.

Woods.

Their Lordships then took into consideration the draught of a letter to the Lords of the Treasury, relating to the necessity of sending a proper person to take care of His Majesty's woods on the continent of America, and made a progress therein.

May 9. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Plummer.

Rhode Island.

Letter from Mr. Kay.

Acts.

A letter from Mr. Nathaniel Kay, dated at Rhode Island the 27th of February last, relating to several Acts of that Government, particularly one passed in 1721, for raising and emitting £40,000 in Bills of Credit by way of loan, was read, and a copy of the said Act, therewith received, was laid before the Board.

Carolina.

Letter from Mr. Lloyd.

Agent's instructions.

Memorial to Lord Carteret.

A letter from Mr. Lloyd, one of the agents for Carolina, was read, and a copy of the said agent's instructions, as likewise a memorial to the Lord Carteret thereupon, inclosed in the said letter, were laid before the Board, which their Lordships agreed to consider at the first opportunity.

May 10. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Plummer, Sir John Hobart.

Plantations General.

New England.

Letter to the Treasury.

Proper person.

Woods.

A letter to the Lords of the Treasury, relating to the necessity of sending a proper person to take care of His Majesty's woods on the continent of America, was agreed and signed.

Nova Scotia.

Letter to Lord Carteret.

Canso.

Fishery.

Surveyor.

Wood-lands.

A letter to the Lord Carteret upon what Colonel Philips, Governor of Nova Scotia, writes in his letter of the 1st of October, which was read the 18th of the last month, relating to the settlement at Canco, the fishery on the coast of Nova Scotia, and the want of a surveyor to set apart certain tracts of wood-lands in that province, for the use of the Royal Navy, was agreed and signed.

New York.

Letter from Mr. Burnet.

Captain Holland.

Lieutenant Banks.

A letter from Mr. Burnet, Governor of New York and New Jersey, dated the 18th of March last, in favour of Captain Holland and Lieutenant Banks, who he desires may be confirmed in the command of one of the four Independant Companies at New York, the former as Captain, and the latter as Lieutenant, was read.

New Jersey.

Letter from Mr. Burnet.

Assembly.

Their Lordships then taking into further consideration the said Mr. Burnet's letter of the 1st of August, mentioned in the Minutes of the 9th of January last, relating to the Assembly of New Jersey; ordered that Brigadier Hunter, late Governor of that province, be acquainted that the Board desires to speak with him at eleven of the clock to-morrow morning.

May 11. Present:—Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Plummer, Sir John Hobart.

New York.

Brigadier Hunter.

Captain Holland.

Superseding military commissions.

Brigadier Hunter attending, as desired, their Lordships had some discourse with him upon the letter from Mr. Burnet, Governor of New York, dated the 18th of March last, relating to Captain Holland, to whom Mr. Burnet has given a commission for the command of one of the four Independent Companies at New York, in the room of Captain Warren, deceased. And Brigadier Hunter acquainted the Board, that a commission having been lately granted here for that company, the Earl of Cadogan had, in compensation for Captain Holland's being superseded, procured the said Captain Holland half pay as Captain, and his son a commission of Lieutenant. On this occasion Brigadier Hunter observed that the superseding of commissions given to military officers by His Majesty's Governors in the plantations, was a discouragement to the inferior officers, who went thither; and that such inconveniences might be prevented, if, instead of Lieutenants and Ensigns only, there were some Half Pay Captains sent out, of whom the Governors might supply the vacancies that should happen among the troops in America.

New Jersey.

Mr. Burnet's letter.

Election of Assembly.

Brigadier Hunter.

Salem.

Hunterdon.

Representatives.

Their Lordships then reconsidering that part of Mr. Burnet's letter, of the 1st of August, which was read the 9th of January last, relating to the election of members to serve in the general Assembly of the province of New Jersey, and some alteration proposed to be made therein, paragraph C of the said letter was read before Brigadier Hunter, whereupon he said, he was of the same opinion with Mr. Burnet as to the reason why the town of Salem had the priviledge of choosing two representatives, and thought it but just that the new county of Hunterdon should have equal priviledge with the rest in choosing representatives, but submitted it to the consideration of the Board, whether Mr. Burnet's proposal on this subject should not be recommended to the Assembly itself.

Jamaica.

Letter from Lord Carteret.

Additional instruction.

Duke of Portland.

Memorial.

Colonel Dubourgay.

Salary.

Lieutenant Governor.

Instruction.

Representation.

Letter to Lord Carteret.

A letter from the Lord Carteret, of the 10th inst., requiring this Board to prepare the draught of an additional instruction for his Grace the Duke of Portland, Governor of Jamaica, upon a memorial from Colonel Dubourgay, relating to the payment of the salary of the said Colonel Dubourgay, as Lieutenant Governor of that island, was read, together with the said memorial; whereupon the draught of such an additional instruction was accordingly prepared, and a representation signed, wherewith to lay the same before His Majesty, as likewise a letter for inclosing them to the Lord Carteret.

May 17. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Plummer.

Miscellanies.

Letter from Lord Carteret.

Mr. Alured Popple, secretary on his father's death.

Mr. Thomas Gedney, clerk.

A letter from the Lord Carteret, of the 14th inst., to the Board, signifying His Majesty's pleasure that their Lordships do admit Alured Popple, Esq., into the place of secretary to this Board, in the room of his father William Popple, Esq., deceased, was read; and the said Alured Popple was admitted accordingly; by which there being a vacancy of a clerk's place, their Lordships were pleased to appoint Mr. Thomas Gedney, (recommended by Lord Westmorland), to supply the same at the rate of forty pounds per annum.

New York.

Letters from Mr. Burnet.

Answer.

Their Lordships then took into consideration the several letters from Mr. Burnet, Governor of New York, not yet answered, and made a progress therein.

Letter to Mr. West.

Acts.

Ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. West to desire him to hasten his opinion upon the several New York Acts not yet reported upon.

May 18. Present:—Mr. Pelham, Mr. Plummer, Sir John Hobart.

Letter from Mr. Burnet.

Reasons.

Two per cent. Act.

A letter from Mr. Burnet, Governor of New York, dated the 3rd of November last, containing his reasons for confirming the two per cent. Act, was read.

Another.

Bill.

Another letter from Mr. Burnet, dated the 30th of November last, with his observations upon the Bill for facilitating the partition of lands, etc., and desiring directions in this affair, was read, and the papers therein referred to were laid before the Board, viz:—
Papers.
The Surveyor General's representation, dated the 19th of July last, relating to the said Bill.
The Surveyor General's representation, dated the 30th of November last, relating to the said Bill.
Act.
Copy of an Act for facilitating the partition of lands in joint tenancy or in common, promoting the settling and improving thereof, and rendering the payment of the quit-rents due thereupon, certain and easy, with the amendments made thereto by the Council.

Mr. Bampfield.

Warrant.

New councillors.

Philip Livingston.

Indian Secretary.

Presents for the Indians.

Stores.

Garrison.

Mr. Bampfield attending, their Lordships asked him several questions upon the subject of the abovementioned letters, particularly whether the warrant for putting Cadwallader Colden and James Alexander, Esq., into the Council of New York, in the room of Peter Schuyler and Adolphus Phillips, Esq., was sent to Mr. Burnet, Governor of the said province, and whether the warrant for making Philip Livingston, Esq., secretary to the Indian affairs, was also sent, both which warrants Mr. Bampfield said he had transmitted to Mr. Burnet several months ago. Their Lordships further asked him what had been done for procuring the presents for the Indians, and the necessary stores of war for the garrison; upon which he acquainted their Lordships that he had obtained an order from the Treasury for the payment of the money for the presents, which were bespoke, but that in relation to the stores of war, the Board of Ordnance were unwilling to furnish any more, till the debt, already contracted by that province upon the same account, was discharged.

John Conrad Weiser's memorial.

Palatines.

Lands.

A memorial from Mr. John Conrad Weiser, in behalf of the Palatines at New York, relating to some lands for their settlement, was read.

Scheef's memorial.

Lands.

Palatines.

A memorial from Mr. John William Scheef, relating to lands desired by the Palatines at New York, for their better settlement, was read.

Weiser's petition.

against Mr. Long.

A petition of Mr. John Conrad Weiser, Deputy of the Palatines at New York, praying the Board will not countenance or encourage Mr. Long, his late interpreter in their affairs, was read.

Testimonial.

Solicitations.

Palatines.

Secretary's certificate.

Another petition of the said Mr. Weiser, praying for a testimonial of his solicitations in Great Britain in behalf of the Palatines at New York, was read; and their Lordships were pleased to order that the secretary do certify the said Mr. Weiser's having several times attended this Board, in behalf of the said Palatines.

May 22. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer.

Letters from Mr. Burnet.

Answer.

Their Lordships taking into consideration those letters from Mr. Burnet, Governor of New York, not yet answered, gave some directions for preparing the draught of an answer thereto.

May 23. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer.

Nova Scotia.

Letters from Colonel Philips.

Letter from Lord Townshend.

Their Lordships took again into consideration the several letters from Colonel Philips, Governor of Nova Scotia, unanswered, as also a letter from the Lord Viscount Townshend, dated the 26th of February, 1720-21, inclosing several letters and papers from the said Colonel Philips, which was read, and the said letters and papers were laid before the Board, viz.:—
Papers.
Copy of a letter from Colonel Philips to Mr. Secretary Craggs, dated the 27th of September, 1720.
Copy of a letter from Colonel Philips to Mr. Secretary Craggs, dated 24th of November, 1720.

Colonel Gardner.

Captain Daniel.

Canso a free port.

Advantage.

Fishery.

And Colonel Gardner, attending with Captain Daniel, their Lordships had some discourse with them upon the said letters, particularly upon Colonel Philips's desire of making Canco a free port, whereupon Colonel Gardner acquainted their Lordships that he understood Colonel Philips's desire to be only for English vessels to import all sorts of provisions for seven years, duty free, as is done at St. John's in Newfoundland; that this would encourage the settling of Canco, which is a place of the greatest consequence for the fishery of any in the Plantations; but that at present the Commissioners of the Customs had sent an officer there, who had obliged them to pay a duty upon all eatables and drinkables.

Letter to Lord Carteret.

Forts at Canso.

fishery.

Ordered that the draught of a letter be prepared to the Lord Carteret, to desire him to lay before His Majesty, the necessity there is of building forts on the coast of Nova Scotia, particularly at Canco, to secure the fishery there, from the French and Indians.

May 24. Present:—Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Plummer, Sir John Hobart.

Massachusets.

Letters from Colonel Shute.

Their Lordships took into consideration several letters from Colonel Shute, Governor of the Massachusets Bay, and made a progress therein.

May 25. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer.

Order of Council.

Report.

Captain Gookin's petition.

An Order of Council of the 17th inst., upon a report of this Board, in relation to Captain Gookin's petition for some islands in Delaware River, was read. Whereupon ordered that Captain Gookin, Colonel Cox and Mr. Gee be acquainted that the Board desire to speak with them on Thursday morning next.

Nova Scotia.

Letter to Lord Carteret.

Building forts.

Canso.

Fishery.

A letter to the Lord Carteret, [vide fol. 107], (ordered to be prepared the 23rd inst.), to desire him to lay before His Majesty the necessity there is, of building forts on the coast of Nova Scotia, particularly at Canço, to secure the fishery from the French and Indians, was agreed and signed.

New England.

Their Lordships then took again into consideration several letters from Colonel Shute, Governor of New England, besides the two undermentioned, which were read, and the papers, therein referred to, laid before the Board, viz.:—
Letters from Colonel Shute.
Papers.
Letter from Colonel Shute, dated the 13th of March, 1721–22.
Copy of a letter from Monsieur Vaudreuil, Governor of Canada, to Father Rale, dated 25th September, 1721.
Copy of a letter from M. Negon, Intendant of Canada, to Father Rale, dated at Quebeck the 14th of June, 1721.
Conference between Colonel Shute and the Indians, at George Town, on Arrowsick Island, in August, 1717.
Letter from Colonel Shute, dated the 13th of March, 1721–22.
The Treasurer of New Hampshire's account of the publick revenue for 1719 and 1720.

Letter to Lord Carteret.

Whereupon their Lordships agreed and signed a letter to Lord Carteret, to inclose the two intercepted letters from Monsieur Vaudereuil and Monsieur Negon to Father Rale, a Jesuit, to incite the Indians against us, as also a copy of that part of Colonel Shute's letter which relates thereto.

Letter to Attorney General.

Charter.

Instruction.

Power of appointing Attorney General.

Ordered that a letter, [vide fol. 168], be writ to Mr. Attorney General, inclosing an extract of the New England Charter, as also of the Governor's 40th instruction, to desire his opinion in point of law, who has the power of appointing an Attorney General there.

Plantations General.

Letter to Mr. Basket.

Laws.

Ordered that Mr. Basket be acquainted that the Board desire he would print those Plantation laws, which he is now about, with all possible dispatch.

May 30. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Plummer.

New England.

Letters and papers.

Their Lordships took again into consideration several letters and papers from New England, and made a progress therein.

May 31. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer.

Pennsylvania.

New Jersey.

Captain Gookin.

Colonel Cox and others.

Order of Council.

Islands Delaware River.

Improvements.

Mr. Sharpe.

Islands' names.

Captain Gookin, late Deputy Governor of Pennsylvania, Colonel Cox, Mr. Gee, Mr. Clement and Mr. Sharpe attending, as they had been desired, the Order of Council, of the 17th inst., upon a report of this Board, in relation to the said Captain Gookin's petition for some islands in Delaware River, (mentioned in the minutes of the 25th inst.), was again read, and their Lordships had some discourse with the abovesaid gentlemen, in relation to what improvements Colonel Cox, Mr. Gee and Mr. Clement said, had been made thereon. Mr. Sharpe then acquainted their Lordships, in behalf of Captain Gookin, that he was willing to make any reasonable allowance to those people that have settled and improved any of the said islands. Whereupon their Lordships were pleased to order that the said gentlemen should meet and agree what islands had been improved, and give their Lordships in writing, on Thursday morning next, a particular account of the names of the said islands, and also of what improvements had been made thereon, and what distance they were from the shore; which they promised to do accordingly.

Colonel Cox.

Burlington.

Colonel Cox then presented to the Board an account he had made of Burlington island, as to its situation and use to Burlington town, which was read.

New England.

Letters to Mr. Attorney and Mr. Solicitor General.

Charter.

Instructions.

Three years,

Acts.

A letter, [vide fol. 116], to Mr. Attorney and Mr. Solicitor General, inclosing an extract of the New England Charter, as also of the Governor's instructions, to desire their opinion whether the three years in which His Majesty is either to repeal or confirm the Acts passed there, are to be deemed to commence from the time that they are received by the Board, or by one of His Majesty's principal secretaries of State, or from the time they shall be presented to His Majesty for his pleasure thereon, was agreed and ordered to be sent.