Journal, January 1737: Volume 46

Journal of the proceedings of His Majesty's Commissioners for promoting the trade of this Kingdom, and for inspecting and improving his plantations in America and elsewhere, from the eleventh of January, 1736–37, to the fourteenth December, 1737.

Journal, January 1737

Tuesday, January 11. Present:—Earl Fitz-Walter, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Brudenell, Col. Bladen, Sir A. Croft, Mr. Plummer.

Trade.

Cadiz.

The Board taking into consideration the letter from Sir William Chapman, read the 17th ult., promising a further account of the national duties payable at Cadiz, gave directions that Sir William should be reminded thereof.

Trade.

Africa.

Ordered that a letter be wrote to Mr. Travers, who attended the Board the 13th ult., to know whether he had received any further account from Havre of steps taken to reclaim the Royal George [v. 12th inst.].

Massachusetts.

Mr. Wilks.

A letter from Mr. Wilks, agent for the Massachusets Bay, upon the subject of the paper currency of that Province, was read; and their lordships, after some discourse with him thereupon, agreed to consider further thereof, at another opportunity.

Wednesday, January 12. Present:—Earl Fitz-Walter, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Plummer, Col. Bladen.

Barbados.

Letter from Mr. Dottin, President of the Council and Commander in Chief at Barbados, dated 2nd October last, acquainting the Board with the death of Mr. Peers, one of the Council there, and with the non-attendance of Mr. Ashley, another of them, and inclosing publick papers, was read.

Ordered that the draught of a Representation be prepared, proposing Thomas Harrison, Esq., to supply the place of Mr. Peers.

Trade.

Africa.

Letter from Mr. Travers, in answer to one wrote to him yesterday, signifying his not having received any answer to his letters wrote to his agent at Havre, relating to the Royal George, but that so soon as he does, he will attend the Board, was read; and the Board deferred yet for some time, the further consideration of the reference from the Duke of Newcastle (Secretary of State), mentioned in the minutes of the 10th ult., relating to the French Senegal Company's pretence to an exclusive trade to the Gum Coast.

South Carolina.

Georgia.

The Board then took again into consideration and read the order of the Committee of Council, mentioned in the minutes of the 14th ult., referring to the Board the petition from the Council and Assembly of South Carolina, complaining of the magistrates of Georgia etc. Their lordships likewise read the Georgia Acts, inclosed in a letter from Mr. Martin (Secretary to the Trustees), read the 15th ult., and agreed to consider further of this affaire to-morrow morning.

Thursday, January 13. Present:—Earl Fitz-Walter, Mr. Brudenell, Mr. Plummer, Col. Bladen, Mr. Pelham, Sir A. Croft.

South Carolina.

Georgia.

The Secretary acquainting the Board, that the Trustees of Georgia, who were to have attended the Board this morning, upon the subject of the complaint of the Council and Assembly of South Carolina, mentioned in yesterday's minutes, had desired the consideration of this affaire might be postponed till Wednesday next; but their lordships agreed upon Tuesday next, the 18th inst., and ordered that all parties should have notice.

Barbados.

The representation, proposing Thomas Harrison, Esq., to be of the Council of Barbados in the room of Mr. Peers, Junr., ordered yesterday to be prepared, was agreed to, and signed.

Trade.

Naples.

The Board taking again into consideration the letter from the Duke of Newcastle, read the 9th ult., inclosing the extract of one from the Consul of Naples, relating to a Giunta of Commerce established there, as also

Trade.

Germany.

Adriatic.

A letter from Lord Harrington, read the 9th ult., with several papers relating to our trade at Fiume and Buccari, two Imperial ports in the Adriatick, and to the appointing a Consul there; ordered that Mr. Jackson (an Italian merchant) be desired to attend the Board on Wednesday next.

Trade.

Ostend.

The Board then took again into consideration the letter from Lord Harrington (Secretary of State), read the 10th of Aug. last, relating to some encroachments, complained of by Consul Deane of the magistrates of Ostend, and the papers upon this subject, read the 18th of the same month, and a letter from Mr. Deane, read the 16th of Sept. last, and the letter to him of the 21st of the same month, desiring several papers; but no answer having been received from Mr. Deane, the Board postponed the further consideration of this affair.

Nevis.

Memorial from Mr. Smith, Secretary to the Leeward Isles, complaining of An Act, passed at Nevis in 1732, for establishing a Court of Kings Bench and Common Pleas etc. was read; and directions were given, that Mr. Smith and the agent for Nevis should be desired to attend the Board to-morrow morning.

Trade.

Plantations General.

Some proposals for preventing a clandestine trade, lately begun in the Plantations, was read, and directions were given, that Mr. Parker, who brought these proposals, should be desired to attend on Tuesday the 25th inst. [Tuesday, 25th inst., Tuesday, February 1st and 2nd].

Pennsylvania.

Letter from Mr. Logan, President of the Council, and Commander in Chief of Pennsylvania, dated 5th Aug. last, acquainting the Board with the death of the late Governor, Mr. Gordon, was read.

New Hampshire.

Massachusetts Bay.

Petition of Mr. Graves to Col. Dunbar, Lt. Govr. of New Hampshire, complaining of ill treatment from the Massachusets Bay, recommended by Col. Dunbar, was read; and ordered that a copy thereof be sent to Mr. Belcher, Govr. of the Massachusets Bay, for his answer thereto; and that it be inclosed to Col. Dunbar, to be delivered to Mr. Belcher.

Nova Scotia.

Letter from Capt. Towry, dated at Lisbon, the 16th of November last, with a state of the fishery at Canço for the year 1736, was read.

Newfoundland.

Letter from Capt. Lee, Govr. of Newfoundland, dated at St. John's, the 25th Sept. last, with his answer to queries, relating to the fishery at Newfoundland:—schemes of that fishery for the years 1735 and 1736, and the usual bonds taken from the Captains of New England ships, was read; and resolved to speak with Captain Lee when he arrives in England.

Their lordships observing, by the above answers to queries, that the Company, now at Placentia, are not provided with small arms, ordered that Col. Philipps, part of whose regiment, that company is, have an extract of what Capt. Lee has wrote as above.

Friday, January 14. Present:—Earl Fitz-Walter, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Plummer.

Nevis.

Mr. John Sharpe.

Mr. Wavel Smith.

Mr. Smith, Secretary to the Leeward Isles, attending, as he had been desired, as also Mr. Sharpe, in behalf of Col. Butler, agent for Nevis, in relation to the Act of that Island for establishing a Court of King's Bench etc., passed in 1732, the Board took again into consideration Mr. Smith's memorial against the Act, read yesterday; and after some discourse upon the subject thereof, Mr. Smith promised to lay before the Board in writing his objections thereto; and it was agreed that Mr. Sharpe should have a copy thereof, and of Mr. Smith's aforesaid memorial, in order to lay before the Board his answer to it.

Tuesday, January 18th. Present:—Earl Fitz-Walter, Mr. Pelham, Col. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer, Sir A. Croft.

South Carolina.

Georgia.

Trustees, Lord Tyrconnel, Mr. Oglethorpe, Mr. Vernon.

Mr. Fury, Agent.

The Board take again into consideration the order of the Committee of Council, referring to the Board a complaint from the Council and Assembly of South Carolina, against the people of Georgia, read the 14th ult., which was now again read; and Lord Tyrconnel, with some of the Trustees of Georgia, attending, as they had been desired, as also Mr. Fury, agent for South Carolina, Mr. Fury desired to be heard by his Counsel in support of the said complaint; and that some time might be allowed him for that purpose; and their Lordships were pleased to appoint Tuesday, the 8th of the next month, for hearing all parties upon this subject.

Trade.

Ostend.

A letter from Mr. Deane, Consul at Ostend, dated 11th Oct. last, with a paper containing extracts of some letters from the Arch-duchess to the several towns under the district of the Consul of Ostend, acknowledging Mr. Deane as such; and another paper, containing additional reasons for insisting on redress in Smith's case (read the 10th of Aug. last) was now read, and directions were given for writing to Mr. Deane for proofs with regard to privileges claimed by him as English Consul.

Wednesday, January 19. Present:—Earl Fitz-Walter, Col. Bladen, Mr. Brudenell, Mr. Plummer, Mr. Pelham.

Trade.

Naples.

Mr. Jackson.

Mr. Jackson attending, as he had been desired, the letter from the Duke of Newcastle, read the 9th ult., with the extract of one from Consul Allen at Naples, relating to a Giunta of Commerce, established at Naples, was again read, and Mr. Jackson being asked whether he had anything to offer in behalf of our Commerce there, he said, the merchants here knew of no grievances in our trade there to complain of; and that in general he only desired that the English trading to Naples may be put upon the foot of the most favoured nation. And

Trade.

Adriatic.

The Board then read again the letter from Lord Harrington, mentioned in the minutes of the 9th ult., with some papers, relating to our trade at Fiume and Buccari, two Imperial ports in the Adriatick, and to the appointing a Consul there; and Mr. Jackson acquainted the Board, that in his opinion the Consul at Venice should appoint a Deputy at the above ports, if it should be necessary; but that our trade in those ports consisted only in salt and timber.

Ordered the draught of letters to the Duke of Newcastle and to Lord Harrington, in answer to their above-mentioned letters, be prepared.

Massachusetts Bay.

New Hampshire.

The letters, ordered the 13th inst. to be prepared, upon the subject of Mr. Graves's petition to Col. Dunbar, then read, to Mr. Belcher, Govr. of the Massachusets, and to Col. Dunbar, Lt. Govr. of New Hampshire, were agreed to, and ordered to be sent; as likewise

Newfoundland.

The letter to Col. Philipps, relating to his company at Placentia, ordered to be prepared at the same time.

Friday, January 21. Present:—Earl Fitz-Walter, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Ashe, Sir O. Bridgeman.

New Jersey.

A letter from Mr. Morris of New Jersey, dated the 5th of November last, with five papers, relating to his right to the chief command of that Province, at present disputed by Mr. Hamilton, the Commander in Chief, was read; and directions were given for preparing the draught of a letter to the Duke of Newcastle (Secretary of State) for inclosing to him copies of the above letter from Mr. Morris, and of the papers.

Tuesday, January 25. Present:—Earl Fitz-Walter, Col. Bladen, Mr. Plummer, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Ashe, Sir O. Bridgeman.

South Carolina.

Mr. Fury.

Georgia.

Mr. Fury, agent for South Carolina, attending, presented a memorial, praying further time be allowed him, and that the hearing, proposed for the 8th of next month, upon the complaints of South Carolina (mentioned in the minutes of the 18th inst.) against the Colony of Georgia, may be deferred for some time, was read, and their lordships agreed to postpone that affaire for some time further; ordered that the Trustees for Georgia have notice thereof. [vide 18th inst.]

New Jersey.

Letter from Mr. Hamilton, President of the Council and Commander in Chief of New Jersey, with minutes of Council and other papers, relating to Mr. Morris's having demanded the Government from Mr. Hamilton, was read, and their lordships taking into consideration the letter to the Duke of Newcastle upon this subject, ordered to be prepared at the last meeting, the same was agreed to, and signed.

Trade.

Ostend.

The letter to Mr. Deane, Consul at Ostend, ordered to be prepared the 18th inst., was agreed to.

Naples.

The letter to the Duke of Newcastle, ordered to be prepared the 19th inst., relating to the Giunta of Commerce established at Naples etc., was agreed to.

Adriatic.

The letter to Lord Harrington, ordered to be prepared the 19th inst., relating to the appointment of a Consul in the Adriatick, was agreed to.

New York.

Letter from Mr. Clarke, Lt. Govr. of New York, dated 27th of Oct. last, relating to the factions in New York, and inclosing Acts, and publick papers, was read.

Ordered that a letter be prepared, for inclosing an extract of the said letter to the Duke of Newcastle.

Ordered that the Acts be sent to Mr. Fane, for his opinion thereupon in point of Law.

Wednesday, January 26. Present:—Earl Fitz-Walter, Col. Bladen, Mr. Brudenell, Mr. Plummer, Mr. Ashe, Sir A. Croft, Sir O. Bridgeman, Mr. Pelham.

North Carolina.

Mr. McCulloch.

The Board taking again into consideration, the letter from Mr. Johnston, Governor of North Carolina, dated the 15th of Oct., and read the 17th December last, and Mr. McCulloch, his agent, attending, the Board had some conversation with him upon the several matters mentioned in the above letter, and gave directions for sending the Biennial Law, mentioned in the said letter, to Mr. Fane, for his opinion thereupon in point of law, and to reconsider this letter to-morrow sennight. [3rd February, v. fol. 27.]

New York.

The letter to the Duke of Newcastle, with an extract from Mr. Clarke, Lt. Govr. of New York, ordered yesterday to be prepared, was agreed to and signed.

Trade.

Naples.

The letter to the Duke of Newcastle, relating to the Giunta of Commerce at Naples, agreed to yesterday, was signed.

Trade.

Adriatic.

The letter to Lord Harrington, relating to the appointment of a Consul in the Adriatick, agreed to yesterday, was signed.

Newfoundland.

A letter from Col. Philipps, relating to his company at Placentia being without arms, in answer to one wrote to him the 19th inst., was read, and the Board resolved to reconsider this letter on Wednesday, the 16th of next month.

Thursday, January 27. Present:—Mr. Pelham, Col. Bladen, Sir O. Bridgeman, Mr. Plummer, Sir A. Croft, Mr. Brudenell.

New England.

New Hampshire.

Rhode Island.

Connecticut.

The Board take into consideration the draughts of two reports, one upon the state of the paper currency in the Massachusets Bay, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Rhode Island; the other upon several Laws of the Massachusets Bay, passed there in 1733 and 1734, and resolved to consider further of these reports on Tuesday next.