Journal, March 1727: Journal Book D.D

Journal, March 1727

March 2. Present:—Earl of Westmoreland, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer.

Virginia.

Mr. Fane's opinion.

Lord Orkney's Instructions.

Letter to the Duke of Newcastle ordered.

Mr. Fane's opinion, with respect to Major Gooch's putting the Lord Orkney's instructions [fos. 32, 66] into execution, was read; whereupon ordered that the draught of a letter be prepared to the Duke of Newcastle, in answer to one from his Grace upon this subject, mentioned in the Minutes of the 15th of the last month.

New England.

Letter from Mr. Scrope.

A letter from Mr. Scrope [fo. 51] inclosing to the Board a state of the destruction committed in the king's woods in New England, and signifying the Lords of the Treasury's desire that the Board will prepare a Bill for preventing the same, was read; whereupon ordered that the draught of a Bill be prepared for this purpose.

Antigua.

Act.

Parish of St. Peters.

Representation ordered.

Their Lordships taking again into consideration the Act, passed at Antego in January 1725,–6 [fos. 46, 54], intituled, An Act for dividing the parish of St. Peters in the said Island, and for erecting a new parish to be called the parish of St. George, mentioned in the Minutes of the last meeting, gave directions for preparing the draught of a representation for confirming the said Act.

Trade.

Virginia.

Mr. Nichols' answer to merchants' memorial.

Mr. Nichols, attending with Mr. Latimer, Mr. Austin, Mr. Hill and Mr. Latham [fos. 14, 96], presented to the Board his answer to the Virginia merchants' memorial, (mentioned in the Minutes of the 20th January last), against his scheme for improving the Tobacco trade, which their Lordships agreed to read and consider this day sevennight, and desire these gentlemen would then attend.

Maryland.

Letter to Mr. Scrope. Bond

A letter to Mr. Scrope [fos. 43, 45, 69] inclosing a bond to be entered into by Mr. Calvert's sureties, for his observing the Acts of Trade, ordered to be prepared the 24th of the last month, was agreed and ordered to be sent.

New Jersey.

New York.

Letters to Mr. Burnet.

A letter to Mr. Burnet, Governor of New Jersey, ordered to be prepared the 22nd of the last month [fo. 37], was agreed and signed.

A letter to Mr. Burnet, Governor of New York, directed to be prepared the 24th of the last month [fo. 42], was agreed and order to be sent.

March 3. Present:—Earl of Westmoreland, Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Plummer.

Trade.

African Company desiring the Board's report on their petition.

Mr. Parsons, Mr. Hayes and some other Directors of the African Company [Jour. C.C. fo. 244] [fo. 63] attending, presented to the Board an extract of two letters, which they had received from their chief merchants at Cape Coast Castle, relating to the designs of the Dutch upon Seccundee, one of the said Company's forts, which was read; and the Directors desired their Lordships would please to make their report upon the Royal African Company's petition, (mentioned in the Minutes of the 23rd February, 1725–6) [Jour. C.C. fo. 34], in relation to the hardships they lye under and to the decay of their trade.

Plantations General.

Draught of a bill to preserve the woods, sent to Mr. Fane.

The draught of a Bill for the better and more effectual preservation of His Majesty's woods in America, directed yesterday to be prepared [fos. 47, 58], was read, and ordered to be sent to Mr. Fane, for his opinion thereupon.

Jamaica.

Mr. Hunter appointed Governor.

A letter from the Duke of Newcastle, dated the 14th of last month [fo. 52], signifying the king's appointment of Robert Hunter, Esq., Governor of Jamaica, and directing draughts of a commission and instructions to be prepared for him, was read; and their Lordships gave directions for preparing the draught of his commission and instructions accordingly.

March 7. Present:—Earl of Westmoreland, Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Ashe.

Jamaica.

Brigadier Hunter's remarks on his instructions.

A letter from Brigadier Hunter [fo. 51, 53], Governor of Jamaica, with some remarks upon his instructions, was read; and their Lordships resolved to consider further thereof to-morrow morning.

Letter to Lord Archibald Hamilton.

Independent companies.

In the meantime ordered that a letter be writ to the Lord Archibald Hamilton [fo. 54], to know whether the debt due to him and the Council of Jamaica, for subsisting the two independent companies there, is yet discharged.

March 8. Present:—Earl of Westmoreland, Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Plummer.

Jamaica.

Commission and instruction considered.

Their Lordships took into consideration the draught of a commission and instructions [fos. 52, 64] for Brigadier Hunter, appointed Governor of Jamaica, ordered to be prepared the 3rd inst., and made a progress therein.

94th Instruction sent to Mr. Burchet.

Ordered that a copy of the 94th instruction to the Governor of Jamaica, in relation to the securing pirates' effects, be sent to Mr. Burchet, to be laid before the Lords of the Admiralty, that the instruction given to the men of war, stationed at Jamaica, may not, for the future, interfere therewith.

March 9. Present:—Earl of Westmoreland, Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer, Sir John Hobart.

Antego.

Representation on the Act.

Parish of St. Peter.

The representation for confirming the Act [fos. 48, 202] passed at Antego in January, 1725, entituled, An Act for dividing the parish of St. Peter in the said Island, and for erecting a new parish to be called the parish of St. George, ordered to be prepared the 2nd inst., was agreed and signed.

Jamaica.

Letter from Ld.

Archibald Hamilton.

Independent Companies.

A letter from the Lord Archibald Hamilton [fos. 52, 53, 59], in answer to one writ to him the 7th inst., in relation to the money due to him and the Council of Jamaica for subsisting the two independent companies, was read; and their Lordships taking again into consideration the draughts of Brigadier Hunter's commission and instructions, they were agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

March 10. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer.

Virginia.

Letter from Mr. Leheup.

Liquor Act.

A letter from Mr. Leheup [fo. 60], inclosing one from Mr. Carter, Commander in Chief at Virginia, desiring the Board will please to make their report in favour of the Act, passed there in May, 1726, entituled, An Act for laying duty on liquors, was read; and their Lordships taking into consideration the Minutes of the 20th of December last [Jour. C.C. fo. 366], when the Board resolved that the said Act should lye by for some time, and finding that no objections have been laid before the Board against the same, their Lordships gave directions for preparing the draught of a representation for confirming the said Act.

Act.

Richard Randolph.

Their Lordships taking also into consideration their Minutes of the 11th January last [fos. 6, 60], when they resolved that the Act passed in Virginia in May, 1726, entituled, An Act to confirm the title of Richard Randolph to certain intailed lands, and to several other lands of greater value and two negro slaves to the same uses, should lye by for two months, and finding that no objections have been laid before the Board against the same, their Lordships gave directions for preparing the draught of a representation for confirming the said Act.

New York.

Mr. Leheup's memorial.

Draught of an Act, Practice of Law.

A memorial from Mr. Leheup, inclosing the extract of a letter from the Speaker of the Assembly of New York, dated the 24th of December last, desiring the Board will please to consider of, and give their opinion upon, the draught of an Act to be passed there, for amending the practice of the Law, and to regulate the giving of special bail, was read; and their Lordships gave directions for sending the same to Mr. Fane [fo. 197], for his opinion thereupon in point of law.

Mr. Colden's letter, about the Act, partition of lands.

sent to Mr. Fane.

A letter from Mr. Colden, Surveyor General of New York, with a memorial, complaining of the Act, passed there in November, 1726, for the easier partition of lands held in common, and promoting the settling and improvement thereof, and for confirming former divisions in the settled Townships of this Colony, was read; whereupon ordered that the same be sent to Mr. Fane, for him to consider at the same time that he considers the said Act, which was sent to him the 23rd of the last month.

March 14. Present:—Earl of Westmoreland, Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer.

Plantations General.

Mr. Fane's report upon draught of the Bill.

Woods.

Mr. Fane's report, [fos. 61, 60] upon the draught of a Bill for the better and more effectual preservation of His Majesty's woods in America, was read; and their Lordships gave directions that he should be acquainted that the Board desire to speak with him thereupon to-morrow morning.

Jamaica.

Brigadier Hunter's commission sent.

The draught of a commission [fos. 54, 63] for Major General Hunter to be Governor of Jamaica, directed to be prepared the 3rd inst. [fo. 51], was laid before the Board; and a representation, for laying the same before His Majesty, was signed, as also a letter for inclosing the said draught of the commission and representation to the Duke of Newcastle.

March 15. Present:—Earl of Westmoreland, Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer.

Newfoundland.

Letter from the Secretary at War.

Merchants' petition against Colonel Gledhill.

A letter from Mr. Pelham [fo. 62], Secretary at War, referring to the Board a petition from several masters and commanders of vessels of Barnstaple and Bideford, complaining against Colonel Gledhill, Lieutenant Governor of Placentia in Newfoundland, was read; and the draught of a representation to His Majesty thereupon was ordered to be prepared.

Virginia.

Representation, Liquor Act.

The draught of a representation, [fos. 55, 61] for confirming an Act, passed in Virginia in May, 1726, for laying a duty on liquors, directed to be prepared the 10th inst., was agreed and ordered to be transcribed; as also

Representation, Richard Randolph's Act.

The draught of a representation [fos. 56, 62], for confirming an Act, passed in Virginia in May, 1726, to confirm the title of Richard Randolph to certain entailed lands, and to several other lands of greater value and two negro slaves to the same uses.

Plantations General.

Woods.

Ordered that a letter be prepared [fos. 58, 62] for inclosing to Mr. Scrope the draught of a Bill, read the 14th inst., for the better and more effectual preservation of His Majesty's woods in America.

March 16. Present:—Earl of Westmoreland, Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer, Sir John Hobart.

Virginia.

General Nicholson, praying to be heard against the Liquor Act.

The Secretary acquainting the Board that General Nicholson [fos. 60, 77] desired to be heard before the Act, passed in Virginia in May, 1726, for laying a duty on Liquors, was confirmed, their Lordships resolved to consider further thereof on Thursday fortnight, and ordered that General Nicholson and Mr. Leheup, agent for the Colony, be acquainted that the Board desire to speak with them thereupon at the same time.

Plantations General.

Letter to Mr. Scrope.

Draught of the Bill.

Woods.

The letter to Mr. Scrope [fos. 60, 256], directed yesterday to be prepared, for inclosing to him the draught of an Act for the better and more effectual preservation of the king's woods in America, was agreed and ordered to be sent.

Newfoundland.

Representation Colonel Gledhill.

The representation [fos. 59, 142], ordered yesterday to be prepared, upon the reference from Mr. Pelham, Secretary at War, in relation to some complaints against Colonel Gledhill, Lieutenant Governor of Placentia in Newfoundland, was agreed and signed, as also a letter for inclosing the same to Mr. Pelham to be laid before His Majesty.

Virginia.

Representation Richard Randolph's Act.

The representation [fos. 60, 202], ordered to be prepared the 10th inst., for confirming an Act, passed in Virginia in May, 1726, to confirm the title of Richard Randolph to certain entailed lands, and to certain other lands of greater value and two negro slaves to the same uses, was agreed and signed.

Jamaica.

Letter from Mr. Wescomb.

Duties on South Sea Company's negroes.

A letter from Mr. Wescomb [fos. 59, 68], Secretary to the South Sea Company, dated the 14th inst., in relation to the duties payable upon the said Company's negroes, landed at Jamaica for refreshment, was read; and ordered that Mr. Wescomb be acquainted with the Board's desire of speaking with some of the Directors thereupon, on Wednesday morning next.

Post Meridiem.

Present:—Earl of Westmoreland, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Plummer, Sir John Hobart.

Trade.

Representations, African trad.

Their Lordships taking again into consideration the draught of a representation [fos. 50, 64], ordered to be prepared the 14th of June, 1726 [Jour. C.C. fo. 243], upon the state of the African Trade, the same was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

March 17. Present:—Earl of Westmoreland, Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer.

Trade.

Representation signed.

The draught of a representation [fo. 63] upon the state of the African trade, agreed yesterday, was signed; as also a letter for inclosing the same to the Duke of Newcastle.

Lord Townsend's letter.

Trade to Bremen.

Their Lordships taking again into consideration the letter from Lord Townsend [fos. 29, 70] of the 8th of November last, mentioned in the Minutes of the 9th of the same month [Jour. C.C. fo. 331], referring to the Board two extracts of letters from Mr. Wich, relating to the improvement of the British trade to Bremen, gave some directions for preparing the draught of a representation thereupon, and

Mr. Elkin summoned.

In the meantime, ordered that Mr. Elkin be acquainted that the Board desire to speak with him [fo. 70] upon the Bremen trade, on Thursday morning next.

Sardinian edict.

Duties on woollen manufactures.

Their Lordships taking again into consideration the Duke of Newcastle's letter [fos. 7, 69], of the 27th July, 1726, inclosing an edict made by the king of Sardinia, laying new duties on several species of woollen manufactures imported into his dominions, read the 11th of August last [Jour. C.C. fo. 299], gave directions for preparing the draught of a representation thereupon.

March 21. Present:—Earl of Westmoreland, Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer.

Trade.

Light-house, Pater Noster.

A letter from the Lord Townsend [fo. 71], of the 4th inst., referring to the Board a memorial from Monsr. Skutenhelm, Secretary from the king of Sweden, setting forth the misfortunes to ships trading to the Baltick, and proposing the building a light-house at Pater Noster, was read; whereupon ordered that Mr. Lyle, Mr. Nisbett and Mr. Norris be acquainted that the Board desires to speak with them, and any other merchants trading to the Baltick, on Friday morning next.

Virginia.

Earl of Orkney's Commission and Instructions.

A Councillor dead.

The Earl of Orkney, Governor of Virginia [fos. 47, 72], attending, their Lordships had some discourse with him upon the Duke of Newcastle's letter, mentioned in the Minutes of the 15th of the last month, desiring the opinion of the Board, whether the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia is authorized to act, by virtue of copies of the Lord Orkney's commission and instructions; and their Lordships particularly asking the Lord Orkney whether his commission, appointing him Governor of Virginia, since His Majesty's accession, had been sent to Virginia, he answered in the negative; but their Lordships informing him, that it was absolutely necessary to be sent there, he said, that Major Gooch, the present Lieutenant Governor, should take it with him. His Lordship further acquainted the Board, that Mr. Ludwell, one of His Majesty's Council of Virginia, was dead; and their Lordships gave directions that the draught of a representation [fo. 69] should be prepared, for appointing William Dandridge, Esq., to supply his vacancy.

March 22. Present:—Earl of Westmoreland, Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Plummer.

Trade.

South Sea Company cannot attend.

A letter from Mr. Wescomb [fos. 63, 106], Secretary to the South Sea Company, signifying that the Directors cannot attend this day, as they had been desired, but promising to attend at any other time that the Board shall think fit, was read; and their Lordships ordered that an answer should be made to Mr. Wescomb's said letter.

Maryland.

Remembrancer's certificate.

Security, Acts of Trade.

Mr. Carkesse reminded of the Secretary's letter.

Mr. Calvert's instructions.

A certificate from His Majesty's Remembrancer's Office [fos. 49, 77] that Mr. Calvert, lately appointed Deputy Governor of Maryland, had given security for his observing the several Acts of Trade; whereupon ordered that Mr. Carkesse be reminded of the Secretary's letter to him of the 7th inst., desiring he will move the Commissioners of His Majesty's Customs for their opinion upon Mr. Calvert's instructions for trade, then sent to him.

Virginia.

Representation, new Councillor.

A representation [fos. 67, 202], ordered yesterday to be prepared, for appointing William Dandridge, Esq., to be of the Council of Virginia, in the room of Philip Ludwell, deceased, was agreed and signed.

March 23. Present:—Earl of Westmoreland, Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Plummer, Sir John Hobart.

Trade.

Sardinian edict.

Papers.

The Secretary laid before the Board two papers [fo. 65] which he had received from Mr. Delafaye in relation to the king of Sardinia's edict, mentioned in the Minutes of the 11th of August, 1726, laying new duties upon several species of woollen manufactures imported into his dominions, which were read, viz:—
Article 9^me du Traité du 9 Sept^re 1704, entre Sa Majesté et la Reine Anne d'Angleterre.
Reasons offered by the Sardinian minister in support of the said edict.

The Secretary then acquainted the Board, that Mr. Elkin [fo. 65], who was desired to have been at the Board this day, will attend their Lordships at any time after the Holy Days.

March 24. Present:—Earl of Westmoreland, Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Plummer, Sir John Hobart.

Trade.

Memorial, light-houses.

Sent to Swedish merchants

The Swedish merchants [fos. 66, 84] attending, as they had been desired, their Lordships gave directions for sending a copy of the memorial from Monsr. Skutenhelm, setting forth the misfortunes to ships trading to the Baltick, and proposing the building a light-house at Pater Noster, referred to in Lord Townsend's letter of the 4th, mentioned in the Minutes of the 21st inst., to them for their answer thereto.

and to Sir Nathaniel Gould, etc.

Ordered that a copy of the said Memorial [fo. 84] be sent to Sir Nathaniel Gould, and that he be desired to communicate the same to some of the Russia merchants, and to let the Board have his and their opinion thereupon as soon as may be.

Virginia.

Lord Orkney's instructions.

A letter from the Lord Orkney [fos. 66, 70], Governor of Virginia, inclosing one from Colonel Spotswood, late Lieutenant Governor of that Province, wherein he excuses himself from returning to His Lordship the original instructions to the Governor of Virginia, was read; and the Board gave directions for writing to Colonel Spotswood to desire he will send the said instructions to this office.

A Councillor recommended.

Ordered that the draught of a representation be prepared [fo. 74] for appointing John Custis, Esq., recommended by the Lord Orkney's said letter, to be a Councillor in Virginia, in the room of Edmund Jennings, Esq., at present incapable of acting by reason of his great age and infirmities.

March 28. Present:— Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer.

Virginia.

Lord Orkney's instructions.

Letter to the Duke of Newcastle.

The Secretary laid before the Board the original instructions to the Earl of Orkney [fos. 72, 74], Governor of Virginia, received from Colonel Spotswood, as desired by the letter, writ him the 24th inst., and their Lordships gave directions for preparing the draught of an answer to the Duke of Newcastle's letter of the 13th, and mentioned in the Minutes of the 15th of the last month [fo. 32], in relation to the instructions for the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia.

Plantations General.

Ecclesiastical jurisdiction in the Plantations.

A letter from the Duke of Newcastle [fo. 76], dated the 27th inst., referring to the Board the copy of a commission under the Great Seal to the Bishop of London, for exercising ecclesiastical jurisdiction in the Plantations, and directing an instruction to be prepared to the Governors for supporting the same, was read.

March 29. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer.

Virginia.

Letter to the Duke of Newcastle.

Commission and instructions.

The letter to the Duke of Newcastle [fo. 73], ordered yesterday to be prepared, in relation to the Earl of Orkney's commission and instructions for the Government of Virginia, was signed; as also

Representations,

Councillor of Virginia.

The representation [fos. 72, 202], ordered to be prepared at the same time, for appointing John Custis, Esq., to be of the Council of Virginia, in the room of Colonel Jennings, incapacitated through age.

Trade.

Accounts from Mr. Oxenford.

The following accounts, received from Mr. Oxenford, were laid before the Board, and read, viz:—
Silk raw, imported and exported, with the duties and drawbacks for seven years, to Christmas, 1726.
Silk thrown, imported and exported, with the duties and drawbacks for seven years, to Christmas last.

Jamaica.

Commission for an Attorney General.

The Secretary then laid before the Board a commission under the Broad Seal, appointing Alexander Henderson, Esq., to be Attorney General of Jamaica, which was read, and ordered to be entered.