Journal, July 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.

This free content was digitised by double rekeying. All rights reserved.

'Journal, July 1719: Journal Book V', in Journals of the Board of Trade and Plantations: Volume 4, November 1718 - December 1722, (London, 1925) pp. 81-88. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/jrnl-trade-plantations/vol4/pp81-88 [accessed 24 March 2024]

Journal, July 1719

July 1. Present:—Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen.

Carolina.

Account of Hostilities.

Letter to Mr. Rhett.

Their Lordps. being informed that Mr. Rhett had lately received from Carolina an account of new hostilities committed by the Indians in that province; Ordered that the said Mr. Rhett be desired to communicate to the Board, as soon as may be, what advices he has received upon that subject.

New Hampshire.

Memorial from Colonel Vaughan.

A memorial from Col. Vaughan, late Lieut. Govr. of New Hampshire, dated 23rd of June, 1719, was read.

Pennsylvania.

Laws.

Their Lordps. then took into consideration the draught of a representation upon several laws passed in Pennsylvania, between Oct., 1712, and May, 1715, and made some progress therein.

July 2. Present:—Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen.

Nevis.

St. Christophers.

Memorial from Agents for sufferers.

State of that matter.

A memorial of the agents for the sufferers of Nevis and St. Christophers, desiring that debentures may be issued out for the losses of those who re-settled on either of those islands, pursuant to an Act passed last session of Parliament, was read. Whereupon directions were given that a state of that matter be drawn out, and laid before the Board at their next meeting.

Maryland.

Letter from Mr. Carkesse.

Fess.

Letter to Mr. Carkesse.

A letter from Mr. Carkesse, Secry. to the Commissrs. of the Customs, dated the 1st inst., for a copy of such passed in Maryland as relate to the fees in any of the Courts of Judicature in that province, was read. And the Secry. ordered to acquaint Mr. Carkesse, that those Acts, the Commissrs. desire, are very long, but as soon as they can be transcribed they shall be transmitted to them.

Pennsylvania.

Letter from Mr. Keith.

A letter from Mr. Keith, Deputy Govr. of Pennsylvania, to the Board, dated the 15th Jan., 1718/9, was read. And the under mentioned accounts, therewith transmitted, were laid before the Board, viz:—
Papers.
Naval officer's account of wine imported at Philadelphia from the Madera and Western Islands, from Christmas, 1715, to Christmas, 1718.
The collector of Philadelphia's account of goods imported there from the Madera and Western Islands between Christmas, 1715, to Christmas, 1718.

Letter from Mr. Keith.

French settlements.

Another letter from Mr. Keith, Deputy Govr. of Pennsylvania, to the Secry., dated at Philadelphia, the 16th Feb., 1718/9, was read, together with a very particular report from the said Mr. Keith, relating to the progress the French nation has made in a passage from their settlements on St. Lawrence River, or Canada, to that on Mississipi, as desired by the Board's letter to him, dated the 19th of March, 1717/8.

July 3. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Bladen.

Trade.

Letter to Mr. Martyn.

Calicoes.

Ordered that the Secretary write to Mr. Martyn, Inspector Genl. of His Majesty's Customs, for an account of the total importation of white calicoes and re-exportation of the same to all foreign parts for the last two years respectively, ending at Christmas last.

Orders of Council.

The following copies of Orders of Council, were laid before the Board and severally read, viz:—

Pennsylvania.

Order of Council.

Copy of an Order in Council of the 26th, approving a representation of 1st May, 1719, for confirming an Act passed in Pennsylvania in 1718, for the advancement of justice, &c.

Massachusets Bay.

Order of Council. Act.

Copy of an Order of Council, dated the 26th of May, approving a representation of the 24th April, 1719, for repealing an Act passed in the Massachusets Bay in 1718, for granting to His Majesty several rates and duties of import and tonnage of shipping.

Order of Council. Act.

Copy of an Order of Council, dated 26th May, 1719, signifying the Lords Justices' disallowance of the last mentioned Act for granting several rates and duties of impost and tonnage of shipping, and that Mr. Secry. Craggs gave the Governor of the Massachusets Bay a severe reprimand for consenting to the passing an Act so contrary to his instructions, &c.

New York.

Order of Council. Act.

Copy of an Order in Council, dated the 26th May, 1719, approving a representation of the 7th Oct., 1718, for repealing an Act passed at New York in 1714, for shortening of law suits and regulating the practice of the law.

Antigua.

Order of Council.

Acts.

A like Order was the same day made with the before mentioned, mutatis mutandis, for repealing two Acts of Antego. One, to prohibit the importation of French and other foreign sugars &c., passed in 1716; The other, for laying an additional duty upon wines and other strong liquors imported, passed in 1718.

Jamaica.

Order of Council.

Acts.

Copy of an Order in Council, dated 26th May, 1719, approving two representations for repealing two Acts passed at Jamaica in 171¾, and 1715/6, intituled An Act for ascertaining the number of ports of entry in this Island, and obliging officers to keep deputies at such ports &c. also, An Act for the effectual discovery of persons disaffected to His Majesty's Government &c.

July 7. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen.

Trade.

Letter to Mr. Carkesse.

Calicoes.

Ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Carkesse, to desire he will move the Commrs. of His Majesty's Customs that this Board may have, as soon as conveniently may be, an account of the Dutch calicoes condemned here for the two last years respectively, ending at Christmas last.

Letter to Mr. Naylor.

Calicoes.

Ordered likewise that a letter be writ to Mr. Naylor to move the Commissioners of the Excise that this Board may have, as soon as conveniently may be, an account what the duty in printed calicoes has amounted to for the same time.

Jamaica.

Letter to Sir Nicholas Lawes.

Letter to Mr. Charles Stanhope.

Their Lordships took into consideration the draught of a letter to Sir Nicholas Lawes, Govr. of Jamaica, and made a progress therein. And upon further consideration of paragraph G. of the letter from Sir Nicholas Lawes, dated 1st of September last, relating to His Majesty's share of seizures in that island; Directions were given for preparing the draught of a letter to Mr. Charles Stanhope to inclose a copy of the said paragraph for the orders of the Lords of His Majesty's Treasury thereupon.

Letter to Mr. West.

Ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. West to remind him of the Secry's. letter of the 25th of the last month and to desire his opinion, as soon as conveniently may be, upon the two Acts of Jamaica, intituled
Acts.
An Act to oblige the several inhabitants of this Island to provide themselves with a sufficient number of white people, or pay certain sums of money, in case they shall be deficient, and applying the same to several uses &c.
An Act for the encouragement of voluntary parties to suppress rebellious negroes.

State of the Revenue.

Letter to Mr. West.

The secretary laid before the Board a state of the money in the hands of several receivers of the revenue of Jamaica, and the clauses of several Acts of the Assembly of that Island relating thereto, as directed the 26th of the last month. Whereupon a letter from the secretary with several queries to Mr. West on that subject was agreed and ordered to be sent.

New York.

Letter from Mr. C. Stanhope.

Revenue.

Letter to Mr. Basket.

A letter from Mr. Charles Stanhope, one of the Secrys. to the Lords of the Treasury, dated 2nd inst., desiring of this Board copies of the several clauses in the Governor of New York's instructions relating to the revenue there, and an account of the Acts past for the last ten years in that province, concerning the levying, issuing, disposing or accounting for any monies raised in the said province, as also copies of the instructions relating to grants of lands in New York, was read, and directions given for preparing the draught of an answer, after enquiring of His Majesty's printer, how soon he shall have finished printing the New York laws in his hands.

July 8. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen.

Jamaica.

Letter to Sir Nicholas Lawes.

The draught of a letter to Sir Nicholas Lawes, Govr. of Jamaica, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

New York.

Laws.

Letter to Mr. Charles Stanhope.

The secretary acquainted the Board, that Mr. Basket, His Majesty's printer, had signified to him that the New York laws now in his hands would be finished in a short time. Whereupon the draught of a letter to Mr. Charles Stanhope from the Secry., in answer to that mentioned in yesterday's Minutes, relating to several clauses in the Govr. of New York's instructions, and Acts of Assembly of that province concerning the levying and disposing of money, was agreed and ordered to be sent.

Jamaica.

Letter to Mr. Charles Stanhope.

The draught of another letter to Mr. Charles Stanhope, directed yesterday to be prepared, for inclosing a copy of par. G. of Sir Nic. Lawes's letter of 1st September last, relating to His Majesty's share of seizures in Jamaica, was agreed and ordered to be sent.

Pennsylvania.

Letter from Mr. Delafaye.

Mr. Penn's son assuming the Government.

A letter from Mr. Delafaye, Secry. to their Excellencies the Lords Justices, of the 4th instant, referring to the Board the 3 undermentioned papers received from Mr. Keith, relating to the late Mr. Penn's son assuming the government of Pennsylvania, was read, and their Lordps. gave some directions for preparing the draught of a representation thereupon. The said papers were intituled
Papers.
Copy of Mr. Keith's letter to Mr. Secry. Craggs, dated at Pennsylvania, 14th May, 1719.
Copy of the proceedings of the Council held at Philadelphia, the 28th of April, 1719, and Copy of the proceedings of Council held at Philadelphia, the 11th day of May, 1719.

Bahamas.

Letter to Captain Rogers.

Directions were likewise given for preparing the draught of a letter to Capt Rogers, Governor of the Bahama Islands.

July 9. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen.

Jamaica.

Letter to Sir Nicholas Lawes.

A letter to Sir Nic. Lawes, Govr. of Jamaica, agreed yesterday, was signed, as also

Pennsylvania.

Representation.

Laws.

A representation upon several laws passed in Pennsylvania, between the 14th Oct., 1712, and 27th March, 1713, and between 14th Oct., 1714, and 28th May, 1715, was agreed and signed.

Nevis and St. Christophers.

Sufferers.

Mr. West attending, their Lordps. took into consideration the Act of Parliament for relief of such sufferers of the Islands of Nevis and St. Christophers as have settled in either of those islands, and made due proof of such settlement before the 25th day of December, 1712. And the memorial of the agents for the sufferers at Nevis and St. Christophers, desiring to have debentures for the losses of those they solicit for, mentioned in the Minutes of 2nd June, and agreed the draught of a debenture for that purpose, which they delivered to Mr. West for his further consideration.

July 15. Present:—Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Janthial.

Discoveries in Trade.

A letter from Mr. Janthial, relating to some discoveries beneficial to the trade and navigation of this kingdom, that he is willing to make, was read. Ordered that he be acquainted that the Board desire to speak with him thereupon on Wednesday next at 11 o'clock in the morning.

Carolina.

Indian war.

Extracts of letters relating to the Indian War in Carolina, dated in April, 1719, was read. Ordered that copies thereof be sent to Mr. Delafaye, to be laid before their Excellencies, the Lords Justices.

Trade.

Letter from Commissioners of the Customs.

A letter from the Commrs. of Excise to the Board, dated the 10th inst., in answer to one from Mr. Popple of the 7th to their secry. for an account of the duty on printed calicoes, for the two last years, was read.

Letter from Mr. Carkesse.

Calicoes.

A letter from Mr. Carkesse, of the 10th, in answer to one writ him the 7th instant, for an Account of the Dutch calicoes condemned here, for the last two years, was read.

An account of calicoes imported and exported from Christmas, 1716, to Christmas, 1718, was read.

Jamaica.

Monies in the Receiver's Hands.

A state of the money in the hands of the several receivers in Jamaica, was read.

Report.

Acts.

Mr. West's report upon 2 Acts passed at Jamaica in 1718, the one, to oblige the inhabitants of that island to provide themselves with a sufficient number of white people, or pay certain sums of money &c. The other, for the encouragement of voluntary parties to suppress rebellious and runaway negroes, was read.

Virginia.

Mr. West's reports.

Mr. West's report, concerning the King's right of collating to vacant benefices, was read.

The King's right to Vacant Benefices Acts.

Mr. West's report on 2 Acts passed at Virginia in 1710, and 1713, was read.

Nevis and St. Christophers.

Sufferers.

Ordered that the Secry. write to Mr. West, to know whether the debentures to be issued for the relief of the sufferers at Nevis and St. Christophers, that have duly resettled on either of the said islands, pursuant to the Act passed last session of Parliament, mentioned in yesterday's Minutes, ought to be on stamped paper, or not.

July 16. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen.

New Hampshire.

Letter to Colonel Shute.

A letter to Col. Shute, Govr. of New Hampshire, was agreed and signed.

Pennsylvania.

Representation.

Proceedings of the Council.

A representation upon a letter from Mr. Delafaye, of 4th inst., relating to the proceedings of the Council of Pennsylvania and to Mr. Penn's son assuming Govt. was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

Bahamas.

Letter from Captain Rogers.

Letter from Capt. Rogers, Govr. of the Bahama Islands, to the Secry., dated at Nassau on Providence, the 27th May, 1719, was read and the papers therein referred to laid before the Board, viz:—
Papers.
Deposition of Capt. Wm. South, Commander of the private sloop of war called the Endeavour, of New Providence.
Minutes of Council at Nassau on Providence, from 14th Nov., 1718, to 26th May, 1719.

Letter from Captain Rogers.

Letter from Capt. Rogers to the Board, dated at Nassau in Providence, 29th May, 1719, was read.

Answer ordered.

Ordered that the Secry. prepare an answer to Capt. Rogers's abovementioned letters.

July 21. Present:—Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Pelham.

Nevis and St. Christophers.

Sufferers.

A letter from Mr. West of 16th inst., signifying that it is indifferent in law, whether the debentures to be granted to the sufferers at Nevis and St. Christophers, pursuant to the Act passed last session of Parliament for that purpose, be on stamped paper or not, was read. Whereupon directions were given that the said debentures be transcribed.

Plantations General.

Letter from Mr. Delafaye.

Instructions to be prepared for Colonel Bladen.

A letter from Mr. Delafaye, of 16th inst., signifying that the Lords Justices have appointed Col. Bladen to go to the Court of France, to settle such matters relating to the respective limits of the plantations of the two Crowns in America, and to the different pretensions of the two nations on each other in those parts, as by the late Treaties of Peace and Commerce were left undecided; and directing the Board to prepare powers and instructions for him in that behalf, was read. Whereupon ordered that a letter be writ to the Hudson's Bay Company and to the Agent of Montserrat, for a particular account of their respective losses, or of the demands they may have to make of the French upon this occasion.

Pennsylvania.

Proceedings of that Council.

A representation upon a letter from Mr. Delafaye, of 4th inst., relating to the proceedings of the Council of Pennsylvania and to Mr. Penn's son assuming the Govt., agreed the 16th inst., was signed.

July 22. Present:—Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen.

Nova Scotia.

Mr. Janthiel's memorial.

Affairs of the Garrison.

Mr. Janthiel attending, presented to the Board a memorial, relating to the garrison and other affairs in Nova Scotia, which was read, and being asked what sort of a country Nova Scotia was, he said, that if it was taken care of, it would be capable of many improvements, that the people had little or no education at all, and that they were much more subjected to the French than to the English.

Plantations General.

Mr. Delafaye's letter further considered.

Persons summoned.

Their Lordps. taking into further consideration Mr. Delafaye's letter of 16th inst., relating to Col. Bladen's being appointed to go to France, to settle several things about the plantations belonging to the two Crowns in America, mentioned in yesterday's Minutes; Ordered that a letter be writ to Dr. Cox, to acquaint him, that the Board desire to speak with him on Friday morning next, and that he would bring with him a copy of the grant from King Charles the 2nd to him of some lands in the Bay of Mexico, called Carolana. And that Col. Blakiston, Mr. Tryon, Mr. Dummer, Mr. Philips and Mr. Gee, be acquainted that the Board desire to speak with them on Friday morning next. And that a letter be writ to Capt. Hyde, to desire him to lend the Board for two or three days his map of the Bay of Mexico and the French Settlements at Louisiana.

July 23. Present:— Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen.

New England.

Letter from Mr. Cumings.

Imports and exports.

A letter from Mr. Cumings, Surveyor of the Customs at Boston, dated the 23rd May, 1719, with an account of the Imports and Exports there from Midsummer to Christmas, 1718, was read.

Letter from Mr. Bridger.

Woods.

A letter from Mr. Bridger, late Surveyor of His Majesty's Woods on the Continent of America, to the Secretary, dated at Portsmouth, in New Hampshire, 24th April, 1719, giving an account of the state of those woods, was read.

July 24. Present:—Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Bladen.

Plantations General.

New York.

Boundaries.

Mr. Philips, Mr. Gee and Capt. Hyde attending, their Lordships asked them whether they could give a particular account of what has been esteemed the ancient boundaries between the British Settlements and those of the French in North America, and whether the French have made any incroachments or seizures upon us, and in that case what were our losses. Mr. Philips, Agent for New York, said that having never been in that province, nor received any information in relation to the boundaries thereof, he could not give their Lordships any satisfaction at present, but that he would speak to Col. Vetch, who he believed knew more than any other in this Kingdom, and bring their Lordships the best account he was able to get.

Pennsylvania.

Boundaries.

Carolina.

Then Mr. Gee said that the boundaries of Pennsylvania, for which he appeared, were described by the Charter of that province. But, however, he would consider thereof and give their Lordships the best information he was able. He added in relation to Carolina, that the French have made settlements and built forts all along behind the Appellacian Mountains, and even in some places on this side of them; so that in effect they have encroached upon what would seem to be the natural bounds of that province, viz.: the said mountains, though he has heard that their Charter extends westward, as far as California.

Maryland.

Capt. Hyde, who appeared for Maryland, said much to the same purpose as Mr. Gee.

Montserrat.

Losses.

Mr. Rowland Tryon and Mr. Guerish, lately arrived from Montserrat, attending at the same time, they were desired to give their Lordships the most particular account they were able of the losses sustained by the inhabitants of Montserrat by the invasion of the French in 1705/6, as also of the capitulation of Nevis. Whereupon Mr. Guerish said, that being now sent over by the people of that island, he had brought with him a particular account of that whole matter taken there upon oath, and should be ready to lay it before their Lordps. whenever they pleased. Whereupon all these gentlemen were desired to bring what they had to offer in that matter in writing on Tuesday 7 night.

Carolina.

The King's right.

Doctor Cox attending, laid before the Board his grant of some land &c., with two maps and a demonstration of the just pretensions of the King of England unto the Province of Carolana alias Florida, and of the present proprietary under His Majesty, and promised to bring to the Board whatever else should be necessary, to give them any light into that matter on Tuesday Sevennight.

July 28. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen.

Leeward Islands.

Losses.

A letter from Mr. Nivine of 23rd July, 1719, signifying his not being able to give an account of the losses of Montserrat, till the latter end of this week, was read.

Hudsons Bay.

Losses.

Abstract of the damages sustained by the Hudsons Bay Company from the French in times of peace, was laid before the Board. Whereupon ordered that the Hudsons Bay Company be acquainted that the Board desire to speak with some of them on Tuesday next at Ten o'clock in the morning.

July 29. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen.

Bahamas.

Letter to Captain Rogers.

A letter to Capt. Rogers, Govr. of the Bahama Islands, was agreed and signed.

Trade.

Tonnage and poundage.

Letter to Mr. Carkesse.

Their Lordships taking into consideration an account of the gross receipt of the Customs, viz. of the old subsidy of tonnage and poundage inwards and outwards for seven years from Michaelmas, 1681, to Michaelmas, 1688; Ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Carkesse, to desire that the same account be separated, so that the amount of the said duties inwards may be distinguished from the amount of the duties outwards.

Plantations General.

Boundaries.

Ordered that an account of the several boundaries of His Majesty's plantations in America, should be taken from each of their respective Charters, as also of Doctor Cox's grant of some land called Carolana Florida.

July 30. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen.

Plantations General.

Circular letter.

Boundaries.

Ordered that a circular letter be prepared to all the Govrs. of His Majesty's Plantations on the Continent of America, to desire them to send over an exact account of the boundaries between the English and French plantations, and the best map they can get.

Ordered that a letter be writ to Col. Vetch, to acquaint him that the Board desire to speak with him on Tuesday morning next, and to General Nicholson for Wednesday.