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1 July.
Dom. Geo. III., v. 13, No. 56.
Let. Bk., Sec's., 1771–5, p. 145. |
219. Anthony Todd, Secretary, to John Pownall, Esq. |
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A very large box by the last New York mail was entirely
broken to pieces, so that the Acts of Assembly and other bulky
papers it contained were quite loose, and the merchants' letters in
the mail much damaged by the box, which has been often the
case, besides that the conveyance of so extraordinary a weight
much retards the mail. The Postmasters-General therefore hope,
as this is entirely meant for the greater convenience and quick
despatch of correspondence, that Lord Dartmouth will see it in
the same light, and direct the Governors to send in the mails such
despatches only as are done up in paper covers, and that all bulky
matters not in immediate haste, made up in boxes or otherwise,
are to be sent by private ships to London or by the packet boats
to Falmouth and forwarded from thence by some other conveyance
than the post.—General Post Office. 2 pp. |
1 July.
Scotland, v. 47, No. 79. |
220. David Dickson to Lord —. |
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Relative to an enclosure (the nature of which does not appear)
which it was necessary to offer to the King by the Secretary of
State before the Council could take any notice of it, and without
an answer to which he could not safely go to Scotland. Would be
happy if the matter were referred to Lord Mansfield, or any committee of which his Lordship was a member. The matter was
connected with another case pending at Mr. Dickson's suit in the
Court of King's Bench, against the receiver appointed by the Court
of Session over his estate.—London. 2 pp. |
2 July.
Ireland, v. 446, No. 33. |
221. Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (Harcourt) to Lord
Rochford. |
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Recommending the further prorogation of Parliament to 12th Oct.,
then to meet for despatch of business.—Dublin Castle. |
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Received 7th, from Sir R. Wilmot. 1 p. |
3 July.
Dom. Geo. III., v. 11, pp. 60–1. |
222. Governor Hutchinson to J. P[ownall]. |
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The papers I enclosed to the Secretary of State a few days ago
will show to what length the Council, as well as the House, have
gone, the former more extravagant than the latter. It is immaterial to both whether their resolves are true or not. They carry
weight among the people, which is all they aim at, and this is all
effected by half a dozen or so who hope to serve themselves or
their friends by my removal. They have certainly managed this
affair with very great art, as well as by sticking at no falsehood,
ever so glaring. I think it would be giving up Government
entirely to comply with their request, yet I fear what they desire
will be necessary in a short time, as every attempt by me to
support Government will meet with much greater opposition than
ever before or from anybody else. The Lieut.-Governor may
remain; the resentment is against me, though they bring his name
in. I have no doubt this plot originated in England, and that a
correspondence has been kept up ever since Mr. Whateley's death.
The leaders give out that they take no step without advice or
direction from England. I have withstood them as long as I
could, but I am now left without any support in the province. It
was not in the power of human wisdom to guard against this last
villany. To have the cabinets of the dead plundered and so
infamous an act countenanced and encouraged by a legislative
body is without precedent. I hope I shall not be left destitute, to
be insulted and triumphed over. I fall in the cause of Government, and whenever superseded I hope for some appointment not
dishonorary, though of a less pecuniary emolument. You know
how tender I have been of their constitution, avoiding everything
tending to take away their charter, or any rights they hold by it.
It might do great service if this, in a proper way, could be made
known to them.—Massachusetts Bay. |
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Received 26th Aug. |
5 July.
Dom. Geo. III., v. 13, No. 26.
Dom. Entry Bk., "Dom. despatched," 1771–6, p. 101. |
223. Earl of Dartmouth to the Earl of Rochford. |
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Enclosing a copy of a letter from Governor Leyborne (No. 9 of
13th April 1773), and copies of the enclosures therein, containing
an account of his proceedings in consequence of a petition of
complaint from the planters in the island of Carriouacou of the
protection given in the island of Marguaritta to slaves deserting
from Carriouacou. As to the propriety of negotiations and the
establishment of a cartel with the Court of Spain on the subject.—Whitehall. 1¼ pp. |
7 July.
Dom. Geo. III., v. 12, No. 43 a, b, c.
Let. Bk., Sec.'s, 1771–5, p. 150. |
224. Lords of the Admiralty to the Earl of Dartmouth. |
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Send copies of a letter from Sir G. B. Rodney, Commander-inChief of H.M.'s ships at Jamaica, dated 6th May last, and of the
petition accompanying it, giving an account of the seizure of
13 North American vessels by the French in Hispaniola, for the
reasons mentioned in the petition.—Admiralty Office. |
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The enclosures. Admiral Rodney says that the seizure seemed
to give the principal merchants of Jamaica great satisfaction, as it
might lead the Americans for the future to trade with Jamaica
instead of Hispaniola. Loud complaints were made by the English
merchants of the injury done to the mother country and the sugar
colonies in general by the notorious and clandestine trade of the
Americans with the French islands. Admiral Rodney, however,
as the petitioners were British subjects and had applied to him
for redress, intended to inquire into the cause of their detention.
The petition is from the captains or owners of the vessels. 5½ pp. |
9 July.
Dom. Geo. III., v. 12, No. 44.
Let. Bk., Sec.'s, 1771–5, p. 146. |
225. The Same to the Same. |
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In connexion with the memorial from the officers of H.M.'s
troops employed in the reduction of the Charibbean Indians in
St. Vincent, praying a grant to them of part of the conquered
lands, in proportion to their different ranks, to enable them to
defray their extraordinary expenses, their Lordships would represent, in justice to Vice-Admiral Parry and the officers of H.M.'s
ships employed conjointly with the troops on this service, that
they also had a considerable share in the fatigue, and were also
put to very great and extraordinary expenses upon the occasion,
and would recommend them to partake in like manner of H.M.'s
bounty.—Admiralty Office. 1½ pp. |
9 July.
Dom. Geo. III., v. 13, No. 27 a to d.
Lord Rochford's letter in Dom. Entry Bk., v. 25, p. 378.
Let. Bk., Sec.'s, 1771–5, p. 147. |
226. Earl of Rochford to the Same. |
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Enclosing a copy of a letter received from Lord Stormont, containing an account of his conversation with the French minister
as to the intentions of the French on the coast of Africa. Also a
copy of one Lord Stormont had received from the Duke d'Aiguillon,
and of another written to the latter by Mons. de Boynes, showing
the instructions which have been given to the French commanding
officer in Africa, as well as their friendly dispositions for preventing any just cause of complaint on our part against the
proceedings of the French African Company. As to whether any
further information should be asked from the French Court thereon.—St. James's. |
|
The enclosures. Mons. de Boynes' letter was very satisfactory,
disclaiming in the strongest terms all projects that could give us
the least cause of complaint, and containing an extract of a letter
which M. de Boynes had written to the person at the head of the
expedition, in which he said, "If you are the cause of any misunderstanding between the two nations vous en repondrez sur
votre tête." The Duke was to the full as explicit, and said that
if these people, who traded entirely on their own bottom, did anything contrary to treaty, they might be seized and punished with
impunity. [See No. 198.] 10 pp. or parts. |
9 July.
Dom. Geo. III., pcl. 86, No. 26. |
227. Sir John Fielding to the Earl of Suffolk. |
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Assisted yesterday at the Middlesex General Quarter Sessions
to carry into execution the late Act of Parliament for regulating
the wages of journeymen weavers in Spitalfields, &c.; and the
wages were then settled by a numerous and unanimous Bench to
the entire satisfaction of those masters and journeymen weavers
who appeared there. I sincerely hope this step will prove a
radical cure for all tumultuous assemblies from that quarter. By
this statute your Lordship has conveyed contentment to the minds
of thousands of His Majesty's subjects. The Act for appointing
clergymen with proper salaries to attend the gaols, according to
my proposals, was also carried into execution. This preventive
step will, I am persuaded, be attended with very salutary effects.
I hope your Lordship will take advantage of my Lord North's
leisure to settle the affair regarding my preventive plan now
lying before him for His Majesty's approbation. 2½ pp. |
9 July.
Dom. Geo. III., pcl. 86, No. 27 a, b. |
228. Sir John Fielding. |
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Sir John Fielding to Mr. Eden. When he wrote to Lord Suffolk
this morning he little thought he should have occasion to trouble
him again to-day, but has this moment been informed by a friendly
brother magistrate that some complaint has been made by the
magistrates at Hicks's Hall against him. None of the justices
have ever given him notice of any such intention, so that it was
impossible for him to give any answer to such charge; but being
informed some time ago that there was such a thing in agitation,
he wrote immediately to Sir John Hawkins, the chairman, to
know if it were true. Has enclosed a copy of his letter to Sir
John, and the original letter in answer, which, when he considers,
he must remain in a state of astonishment. Be the nature of the
charge what it may, is confident it is as groundless as anything
can be; but, as he would wish to prove it so, hopes he will be
indulged with the nature of the complaint. One may guard in
some degree against the malice of common enemies, but poisoned
arrows like these thrown in the dark are dreadful. Will spare no
pains to get at the bottom of this iniquitous design. Was yesterday at Hicks's Hall, and staid the whole time the Court sat, but
did not hear a syllable of this matter; so that, whatever the transaction is, it was done above-stairs. His station will soon become
insupportable if, without the least notice or the least opportunity
of undeceiving those who labour under prejudices so unfairly
impressed, he is to be thus attacked in the dark. Indeed, it is a
melancholy proof that the magistrates use one another worse than
they dare do the most common criminal. Asks that the enclosures
may be returned.—Bow Street. 2½ pp. |
|
Copy of reply from Mr. Fraser, Mr. Eden being out of town.
Has never heard a syllable of the complaint alluded to in Sir John's
letter. Lord Suffolk is at present in Wiltshire, but when he
returns will not fail to communicate Sir John's letter to him.—St. James's. 1 p. |
9 July.
Ireland, v. 446. No. 34. |
229. Earl of Rochford to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. |
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Signifying His Majesty's inclination that Mr. Robert Aylmer, a
Major in the service of Spain, but born in Ireland, visiting Ireland
for six months on account of private family affairs, should remain
unmolested during that time, as far as immediately depends on
Government.—St. James's. "Private." A draft. 1¼ pp. |
12 July.
Ireland, v. 446, No. 49. a to d. |
230. Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (Harcourt) to Lord
Rochford. |
|
Enclosing a report and state from the Board of General Officers,
as to the revised prices of the several commissions in the Dragoon
regiments in Ireland. Suggests that before this regulation takes
place, a similar increase upon the several commissions in the
regiments of Horse upon this establishment should be established,
according to the state also enclosed.—Dublin Castle. |
|
The enclosures. Received 20th, from Sir R. Wilmot. 7 pp. |
14 July.
Dom. Geo. III., v. 12, No. 7.
Dom. Entry Bk., "Dom. despatched," 1771–6, p. 103. |
231. J. Pownall to Lord Viscount Barrington. |
|
Enclosing a copy of a certificate transmitted to this office by
Major General Haldimand.—Whitehall. A draft. ½ p. |
14 July.
Dom. Geo. III., v. 13, No. 57.
Dom. Entry Bk., "Dom. despatched," 1771–6, p. 102. |
232. The Same to Anthony Todd, Esq. |
|
In answer to letter of the 1st inst. Lord Dartmouth does not
think it proper that any public papers transmitted by H.M.'s
Governors in America, whether in boxes or otherwise, should be
trusted to the conveyance of merchant ships, when they can be
sent by the packets; but he has no objection to large and bulky
packages being sent up to London from Falmouth by any convenient conveyance, an early notice being sent by letter of their
being forwarded. Also signifies H.M.'s pleasure that the agent do
take care to inform him, Mr. Pownall, of the arrival and sailing
of the different American packet-boats.—Whitehall. A draft.
1¼ pp. |
14 July.
Ireland v. 446, Nos. 37 and 38.
Entry Bk., 1770 5, pp. 196–7. |
233. Lord Rochford to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. |
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Drafts of two letters:— |
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1. Giving permission for the grant of leave of absence to the
major of a regiment on the Irish establishment in which the
Lieut.-Colonel was exempt from duty, &c. 1¾ pp. |
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2. Signifying H.M.'s approbation of the prorogation of Parliament to 12 October, &c.—St. James's. 1½ pp. |
16 July.
Channel Islands, v. 15, No. 57. |
234. M. Corbet, Lieutenant-Governor of Jersey, to the
Earl of Rochford. |
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Laid the order of the Privy Council deferring the determinatior
of the States' assumed authority in levying taxes, &c. before that
assembly on the 10th, when a committee was appointed to frame
an answer from those who countenanced that measure; and doubt
less those who supported the royal prerogative, so fortunately
reserved, will equally presume to trouble his Lordship with their
sentiments on that head. The repeal of the Articles of Elizabeth
relating to petitions is gratefully considered as a distinguished
mark of royal attention.—Jersey. |
|
Received the 26th. 1½ pp. |
18 July.
Ireland, v. 446, No. 50. |
235. Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (Harcourt) to Lord
[Rochford]. |
|
When I expressed my wishes that Mr. Blaquiere might receive
some mark of H.M.'s favour, I considered it as the likelies
means of enabling him to carry on the business of his station with
that credit and success so essentially necessary to the well-being
of this Government. This was my view, exclusive of my regard
and friendship for Blaquiere. The people on this side the water
even those who support Government, are extremely attentive to
every minute circumstance that concerns a Lord Lieutenant or his
secretary, and are very apt to pay them a greater or lesser degre
of regard and respect in proportion to the credit and support they
are supposed to have from home. Hence my wish to se
Mr. Blaquiere honoured with a red riband. |
|
Hitherto appearances have not been unfavourable, which is al
I can take upon me to say; for I cannot answer for events which
must depend upon the orders I am to receive, and upon the
approbation or disapprobation of what has been proposed for
carrying on this Government. Shall return to Dublin in a few
days. Was desirous of seeing this part of the country, and could
not have a better opportunity of doing it than by waiting on the
Primate, who has done more essential service to the Crown by
paying a proper attention to his duties than any of his predecessors
The emigrations from the North of Ireland are considerable
though from the best accounts it does not appear that they are so
great as have been reported. This northern part of the kingdon
has suffered of late by the check that has been given to the line
trade, on which it almost solely depends, for the land is not so
good as in the south and south-west parts of the kingdom. To
the absence of the nobility and gentry whose incomes are draine
from hence, and to the unreasonable rise of rents in most places
the late disturbances among the lower people seem to have been
in some measure owing. If they are now quiet, it may be attri
buted more to the troops quartered among them than to any other
cause.—Armagh. "Private." Holograph. 3½ pp. |
19 July.
Ireland, v. 446, Nos. 39 to 47.
Entry Bk., 1770–75, pp. 198–201. |
236. Lord Rochford to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. |
|
Nine drafts of letters of this date:— |
|
1. In answer to letter of 6 May as to Major Walker. His
Majesty has not given any commands thereupon. ¾ p. |
|
2. Relative to the memorial of General Dilkes, whose request to
have a regiment. His Majesty cannot grant until he is ready to
appoint a commander-in-chief for the troops in Ireland, as he
intends it to be given him hereafter in part compensation on his
being discontinued on the Staff. "Private." 1 p. |
|
3. As to the date of a commission. 1½ pp. |
|
4. As to payment for transport, &c. of troops to the Isle of
Man. 1 p. |
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5. As to the succession to the lieut.-colonelcy of the 12th
Dragoons. 1 p. |
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6. As to the re-instatement of Lieut.-Colonel Duncan in the
55th Regiment, &c. 2¼ pp. |
|
7. As to General Gisborne's memorial. The answer already
given him is approved of by the King. 1 p. |
|
8. As to Major-General Pierson's memorial. Till the General
has been a complete year in Ireland, he cannot have a just plea to
quit the command. 1 p. |
|
9. Announcing the appointment of Major-General Erle to the
command of the 28th Regiment, &c. 1 p. |
21 July.
Dom. Geo. III., v. 13, No. 28.
Dom. Entry Bk., "Dom. despatched," 1771–6, p. 103. |
237. Earl of Dartmouth to the Earl of Rochford. |
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On the subject of the papers communicated to him relative to
the proceedings of the company lately established in France for
the commerce of the coast of Africa. Must confess that there are
many circumstances contained in those papers, and more especially
in the letter of Mons. de Boynes to the Due d'Aiguillon concerning the views and designs of that company, which make this
affair more serious than it first appeared to be. It now comes
out that this company is to have its establishment on the islands
of Goree, and there is good ground to suppose that a trade for
gum at Arguin and Portendic is the main object they have in
view. The state of our rights upon that part of the coast of
Africa which now forms the province of Senegambia, and the
nature of the commerce for gum, which is the great object of the
arrangements there, show that any attempts on the part of the
subjects of France to establish themselves at, or even to resort to,
Arguin or Portendic, would be equally injurious to the one, and
ruinous to the other. Recites the words of the Treaty of Paris to
show that the cession comprehended everything enjoyed by the
Senegal Company except Goree, and the reasons in support of this
interpretation; the words "all the rights and dependencies of the
said River Senegal," having been inserted, according to Mr. Pownall,
who was particularly consulted upon that article, in order to
prevent too narrow a construction of the extent of the cession
intended. The Court of France did, indeed, in 1764 draw into
question the extent of that cession by claiming a right to trade at
some places on the coast of Africa to the south of Senegal between
that river and the River Gambia; but the futility of such claim
was fully exposed in a representation made by the Board of Trade
in December 1764, which Board at the same time recommended
that immediate possession should be taken of Arguin and Portendic,
and that the whole coast possessed by the Senegal Company
extending from Cape Blanco to Cape Rouge should be erected into
a province by the name of Senegambia. Recites the instructions
given to the officers of the two ships of war then fitting out for
the coast of Africa in consequence of this recommendation, and
how the proposition to erect a province of Senegambia soon after
received the sanction of Parliament, and was carried into immediate execution. From this reduction of our rights, and from the
slightest view of the nature of the gum trade, is persuaded his
Lordship will agree with the opinion that we ought to guard
against every attempt to prejudice either the one or the other, and
will perhaps think that as the Court of France has already endeavoured to establish a claim to possession upon the coast in question,
no general declaration of the nature of those now made by that
court, however strong, ought to be considered as satisfactory, at
least so long as the actual plan and design of this new company is
artfully concealed. Submits, therefore, whether it may not be
advisable at once to declare that we shall consider any attempts
made to form establishments or carry on commerce upon that part
of the coast of Africa lying between Cape Blanco and Cape Rouge
as a violation of our rights.—Whitehall. A draft. 7½ pp. |
21 July.
Dom. Entry Bk., v. 24, p. 352. |
238. Earl of Suffolk to the Rev. Dr. Maskelyne. |
|
Signifying His Majesty's permission for him to absent himself
from the Royal Observatory at Greenwich for six weeks according
to the regulations in that case established.—St. James's. |
22 July.
Dom. Geo. III., v. 2, No. 48. |
239. Josias Cunningham. |
|
"An account of cash paid and disbursed by Mr. Francis, in the
matter of Josias Cunningham, from the time of his cutting the
orange trees in Kew Gardens in July 1771 to the 22nd of
July 1773, being the day he was found by inquisition to be a
lunatic." The total amount, including 25l. for Mr. Francis's
trouble, was 180l. 18s. 6d. 5¼ pp. |
9 & 23 July.
Scotland, v. 47, Nos. 80 and 81. |
240. Parish of Liffe and Benvie. |
|
Copies of two letters to the Lord Advocate, relative to the
presentation to the united parishes of Liffe and Benvie, viz.:— |
|
(9 July), from Alex. Duncan at Dundee, asking whether Lord
Gray's right to the presentation was good, &c. |
|
(23 July), from Lord Gray, maintaining that the patronage
never was in the Crown, though his rights seemed a little lame
through a loss of papers, &c., but that it would nevertheless be
"very improper" to give unnecessary trouble or bring unnecessary
expenses upon him: and that if the Crown could avail itself of the
misfortunes of a subject to come at any part of their property
(were it much more valuable than a fourth vice of a patronage to
a Scotch kirk) it ought not. The originals of these letters were
returned to the Lord Advocate. 2 pp. and 2 halves. |
25 July.
Scotland, v. 47, No. 82 a, b. |
241. Lord Cathcart to Lord [Suffolk]. |
|
Enclosing a memorial presented yesterday from a Committee of
the General Assembly at a Board of the Commissioners of the
Annexed Estates. The meeting thought right not to entertain
the subject of it farther than to make the Committee acquainted
that it had been for some time in contemplation to erect four new
parishes in the Highlands where the present parishes seemed too
extensive, and that His Majesty had approved of it in such gradations and at such times as were consistent with the completion of
objects already undertaken and approved of; and the Committee
was also asked which of the four new parishes seemed to them to
deserve being undertaken. |
|
This answer will be very satisfactory to the General Assembly,
and prevent future applications on that head. It will remain with
the Board to begin or postpone the establishment of one of the
new parishes as reasons for or against it may preponderate. If
they undertake it, it will appear a consequence of H.M.'s commands
of 28 Feb. 1766, and not of any necessity arising from any belief
in them of the increase of Popery at this time; and if they delay
it, the want of unappropriated funds will be a sufficient answer.—Caroline Park. "Private." |
|
The memorial. 5 pp. and 2 half pp. |
27 July.
Dom. Geo. III., v. 13, No. 29 a, b, c.
Let. Bk., Sec.'s, 1771–5, p. 149. |
242. Earl of Suffolk to the Earl of Dartmouth. |
|
Enclosing an extract of a letter from Sir Joseph Yorke, and a
translation of the resolutions of the States General referred to
therein, showing the determination of their High Mightinesses to
send over two persons to be joined in a commission with Mons. de
Welderen, their Minister, in order to inquire into the particulars
of the late complaint, and to remove every future cause of dispute
between H.M.'s servants on the coast of Africa and the Dutch West
India Company.—St. James's. |
|
The enclosures. 6 pp. |
28 July.
Ireland, v. 446, No. 56 a, b. |
243. Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (Harcourt) to Lord
Rochford. |
|
Transmitting a memorial from the Colonel of the 42nd or Royal
Highland Regiment of Foot, praying permission for the officers to
wear their sashes over the left shoulder as formerly, and not round
the loins as directed by a late regulation. |
|
The memorial enclosed. |
|
Received 4 Aug. 3 pp. |
28 July.
Isle of Man, v. 1, 1761–74, No. 111. |
244. Governor of the Isle of Man (Wood) to Lord
[Suffolk]. |
|
Asking for leave of absence, and stating arrangements for delegating his powers to the commanding officer. Will allow him 5s.
a day, "which is more than I can well afford, having received no
salary for upwards of three years and a half past; and having
nothing that deserves the name of perquisite, I have not been a
little distressed in supporting my public character." Had not
been absent from his Government since the Island became vested
in the Crown,—upwards of eight years.—Isle of Man. Received
2 Aug. 2 folio pp. |
29 July.
Ireld. Entry Bk., 1770–5, p. 202. |
245. Lord Rochford to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. |
|
Signifying the King's approbation of proposed arrangements in
connection with the relief of the detachment in the Isle of Man.—St. James's. |
31 July.
Dom. Geo. III., v. 13, No. 58.
Dom. Entry Bk., "Dom. despatched," 1771–6, p. 107. |
246. Earl of Dartmouth to the Honourable Daines
Barrington. |
|
Relative to his letter of 26th inst. enclosing a letter from Prince
Masserano to Dr. Morton, desiring that the King of Spain may be
furnished with specimens of the natural productions of the King's
dominions in America, in return for those which the King of Spain
has ordered to be procured from his dominions in that quarter of
the world, to be sent to the Royal Society. The King approves
the intention of the Royal Society; and therefore, whenever they
have made any collections which they think worthy of the notice
of the King of Spain, if they will acquaint him (Lord Dartmouth),
he will immediately take the King's pleasure for transmitting
them.—London. A draft. 1½ pp. |
