George III: March 1775

Calendar of Home Office Papers (George III): 1773-5. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1899.

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'George III: March 1775', in Calendar of Home Office Papers (George III): 1773-5, (London, 1899) pp. 327-336. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/home-office-geo3/1773-5/pp327-336 [accessed 28 March 2024]

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March 1775

1 March.
Ireland, v. 451, No. 74 a, b.
898. Thos. St. George to Lord Rochford.
Having, as guardian to his nephew, presented a memorial to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland with respect to the title of Lord St. George, now become extinct, transmits a memorial of the same nature to his Lordship. Wishing to have the claims of the heirat-law of the ancient family of St. George recorded in both kingdoms, asks that the memorial may be preserved in the office so as to be forthcoming if occasion should require.—Barrack Office, Dublin.
The memorial enclosed, setting forth the family history, &c. 3½pp.
2 March.
Treas. & Cust., v. 5, No. 4.
899. Grey Cooper to John Pownall, Esq.
Signifying the desire of the Lords of the Treasury that Mr. Edward Bishop, Naval Officer of Quebec, should be placed on the civil establishment of Quebec for an allowance of 182l. 10s. per annum in compensation for his office, determined by the Act passed for making more effectual provision for the government of the province of Quebec.—Treasury Chambers.
4 March.
Dom. Entry Bk.,
"Dom. despatched," 1771–6, p. 187.
900. Mr. Pownall to Lord Barrington.
Lord Dartmouth has received the King's commands to signify H.M.'s pleasure to Genl. Gage that in case he finds it necessary at any time to augment his forces at Boston, he may send for the 7th Regt. at Quebec, and what remains of the 14th at St. Augustine, &c.—Whitehall.
4 March.
Ireland, v. 451, No. 69. Entry Bk.,
1770–5, p. 336.
901. Earl Of Rochford to the Lord Lieutenant Of Ireland.
Enclosing for further inquiry a letter from Michael Gaven, a soldier in the 58th Regt. at Gibraltar, whose examination and deposition were transmitted on 15 Sept. 1774, relative to a transaction that happened about six years ago in the co. of Donegal.—St. James's. A draft. 1 p.
4 March.
Isle of Man,
v. 2, 1775–83, No. 1.
902. Henry Hope, Lieut.-Governor Of The Isle Of Man, to Lord Suffolk.
Announcing the death on the 25th ult. of Mr. Mylrea, to whom His Majesty continued the salary of a Deemster during life. Hopes some different resolution may now be adopted with respect to filling up that vacancy from what seemed to prevail in October last. Is still more confirmed in the sentiments then submitted upon this subject, having seen the inconvenience resulting to the Island in general ever since, as well as to the remaining Deemster, by the reduction of one of the most useful and necessary magistrates in this country.
Having received orders for the removal of the companies stationed in the island to Ireland, asks whether he is to remain as Lieut.-Governor until Governor Wood's return, or not.—Isle of Man. 3 pp.
8 March.
Channel Islands,
v. 15, 1770–7, No. 73.
903. M. Corret, Lieut.-Governor Of Jersey, to Lord Rochford.
Communicating reports current in the island, &c. relative to military and naval preparations of the French.—Jersey. 1½ pp.
8 March. 904. Lord Lieutenant Of Ireland (Harcourt) to Lord Rochford.
Two letters of this date:—
Ireland,
v. 451, No. 82.
1. Recommending the further prorogation of the Parliament of Ireland to 4 July next.—Dublin Castle. 1 p.
Ibid.,
v. 451, No. 83, a, b.
2. I found myself this morning under the indispensable necessity of sending the enclosed paper to the Commander-in-Chief in order to ascertain and establish the mode of conveying my orders to him, the General having declared to Mr. Waite an unwillingness to receive any orders without my signature; and that he should consider such as might be signified to him by my Secretary for the time being only as notifications, to which, however, he should refuse paying obedience till such time as he could learn from me whether they had been issued by my direction. I thought it extremely material to make the Commander-in-Chief acquainted with my intention of adhering strictly to the usual official methods of transacting business in former administrations; and, whatever his ideas might have been before he came over, I hoped that an inspection of the office books might have convinced him of the impracticability of carrying on business if the Lord Lieutenant is debarred of the discretionary power of issuing his orders either under his own signature or by his Secretary for the time being. Experience has convinced me of the necessity of exercising this right, for in many instances it is impossible for the Lord Lieutenant to sign the orders sent to the Commander-in-Chief. The office books here have been kept with the greatest regularity; they plainly show what the practice has been in former administrations, &c. [Names the papers he intended to send over on the morrow as proofs.] The General desired my leave to transmit the paper I sent him, to be laid before His Majesty. I told him by all means, for if he had still any doubts, it might be the properest step to take. Were it not for the absolute necessity of deciding this matter, I should have avoided any step giving His Majesty one moment's trouble or uneasiness. To His Majesty's determination it will be my duty to submit most cheerfully, &c.—Dublin Castle. Holograph. Marked "Private."
The enclosure. It directed that letters from the Chief Secretary for the time being were to be considered as if they came under the Lord Lieutenant's own signature. 5 pp. and 2 halves.
Ibid.,
No. 84 a, b.
Same date. Lieut.-Genl. Eliott to Lord Rochford on the same subject, and with a similar enclosure. As it coincided in no shape with the opinion I submitted to your Lordship at the time when Sir John Blaquiere and I attended upon you by appointment, and I declared that unless the Commander-in-Chief was exempted from implicitly obeying my Lord Lieutenant's commands communicated to him under signature of the Chief Secretary only, I found myself unequal to undertake (with any advantage to H.M.'s service) an employment which in every other respect is much more distinguished than ever I could have looked up to. Since my last arrival here, until receiving the above order, my Lord Lieutenant never mentioned his intentions; but in some conversations with Mr. Waite, authorised (as I understood) by my Lord Lieutenant, I begged he would assure his Excellency of my readiness to put in forwardness all business intimated by his Secretary, though not under his Excellency's signature, provided he would please to give me his sanction to these intimations the first time I was admitted to his presence after my receiving them, or if the orders, verbally or in writing, were sent by an aide-decamp, the responsible military channel.—Dublin.
The enclosure, a more complete copy. 4 pp.
9 March.
Ireland,
v. 452, No. 2.
905. Lord Lieutenant Of Ireland (Harcourt) to Lord Rochford.
On the subject of the letters sent over to show the practice in respect to the orders issued to the Commander-in-Chief. Orders were occasionally issued, not only during the government of the Lords Justices, but also during the residence of different Lord Lieutenants, as frequently, indeed much more so, by the Secretary for the time being, than even under the signature of the Lord Lieutenant; and therefore I am at a loss to conceive how such orders can ever be conceived as notifications only, which seems to imply the necessity of subsequent orders to give them the stamp of authority. If the Lord Lieutenant is to be called upon to certify to the Commander-in-Chief that every notification coming from his Secretary was previously approved of by him, and issued by his particular direction, it would occasion so much unnecessary trouble that, from my own experience, I know it would be impossible to go through the fatigue of the military department without neglecting other business of equal importance. I have experienced His Majesty's transcendent goodness to me in so many instances, and so far beyond any little merit of my own, that, if I might be permitted to have a wish, it would be most humbly to entreat His Majesty not to bestow one moment's thought on what may or may not be for the ease of my government, but to determine upon what may appear most conducive to His Majesty's service in general, and tend most to facilitate the government of this kingdom in succeeding administrations.—Dublin Castle. Holograph. Marked "Private." 2½pp.
10 March.
Ireland,
v. 452, No. 1 a to dd.
906. The Same to the Same.
Enclosing 27 copies of letters from different Chief Secretaries, signifying the orders of Government to the several Commandersin-Chief from 1728 to 1762, referred to in the private letter of this date.—Dublin Castle.
The enclosures.
11 March.
Ireland, v. 451, No. 81 a, b. Entry Bk.,
1770–5, p. 340.
907. Lord Rochford to the Lord Lieutenant Of Ireland.
Enclosing the Order in Council desired by his Excellency and the Privy Council in Ireland, authorising the proclamation as to the gold coin.—St. James's.
Copy of the enclosure. 2½ pp.
13 March.
Ireland, v. 451, No. 85. Entry Bk.,
1770–5, p. 341.
908. The Same to the Same.
Informing him of the permission given by His Majesty to Lieut.-Colonel James Abercrombie, of the 22nd Foot, to join Lieut.-General Gage. Also as to a promise given to Ensign Ackland, of the 33rd Regt., that he should be permitted to purchase a company.—St. James's. A draft. 1½ pp.
13 March.
Isle of Man, v. 2, 1775–83, No. 2.
909. Lord Suffolk to Captain Hope, Lieutenant-Governor, Isle of Man.
In answer to letter of 4th inst. With respect to the duties of Deemster will be soon able to write more fully. He is to remain in his situation of Lieut.-Governor till Governor Wood's return, or further signification of His Majesty's pleasure.—St. James's. A draft. 1 p.
14 March.
Ireland, v. 451, No. 88. Entry Bk.,
1770–5, p. 345.
910. Lord Rochford to the Lord Lieutenant Of Ireland.
Captain Henry Hope, commanding officer of the three companies of the 27th Regiment in the Isle of Man, having been appointed to act there as Lieut.-Governor in the absence of the Governor, the King has given orders that Capt. Hope should continue in that employment till further specification of H.M.'s pleasure. Asks whether there is any objection to Capt. Hope's remaining in the Isle of Man for some short time after the three companies have joined their regiment in Ireland.—St. James's. A draft. 2 pp.
16 March.
Ireland,
v. 451, Nos. 89 and 90.
911. The Same to the Same.
Drafts of two letters:—
1. Directing that recruiting to the amount of 600 men should, at this critical juncture, take place at large in Ireland. 2½ pp.
2. Signifying His Majesty's approbation of the further prorogation of Parliament.—St. James's. 1 p.
18 March.
Ireland,
v. 452, No. 12 a b, and No. 13 a, b.
912. Lord Lieutenant Of Ireland (Harcourt) to Lord Rochford.
Two letters, &c.:—
1. Enclosing a memorial from Sir Robt. Hamilton, Colonel of the 40th Regiment, praying His Majesty to dispense with his joining his regiment, now under orders for foreign service.
The enclosure. 2½ pp.
2. Enclosing a copy of the proclamation signed in Council for discontinuing the currency of foreign coin in Ireland from the date of the proclamation (18 March 1775).—Dublin Castle.
The enclosure. 4½pp.
18 March.
Law Officers' Entry Bk., 1762–95, p. 217.
913. Lord Rochford to the Attorney and Solicitor General.
Sending an extract from a letter from Sir John Hort, H.M.'s Consul at Lisbon, relative to the fraudulent use of Mediterranean passes, and copy of part of an Order in Council of 1722, for their opinion how far the King's Consuls would be justifiable in law in withholding the clearances of vessels till the masters thereof should submit either to the due inspection of their passes, or make affidavit that they had none; and in case they are not authorised in law to do this, whether, without passing a Bill expressly for that purpose, the same end might not be attained by inserting in the present usual bonds given by masters of vessels on being furnished with Mediterranean passes, clauses for exhibiting instantly to H.M.'s Consuls, &c. the ship's register, the pass and the clearance of the Custom House at the last port from which she had proceeded.—St. James's.
20 March.
Ireland, v. 452, No. 14.
914. Lord Lieutenant Of Ireland (Harcourt) to Lord Rochford.
Proposing that Parliament should be prorogued until 22 Aug., the Secretary of the Post Office having represented that the revenue of the Post Office will sustain great loss if it should be prorogued to 4 July only. It was formerly the practice to regulate the times of prorogation, so that, in the interval between session and session, two terms in the winter and one in the summer were kept out of privilege for the relief and benefit of persons having law suits with members of either house; but as the Act of 11 & 12 Geo. III. allows suitors this relief at all times, His Excellency's motive for proposing the prorogation in question was without any consideration of the revenue of the Post Office, which is represented as standing greatly in need of this further prorogation.—Dublin Castle. 2 pp.
22 March.
Ireland,
v. 452, No. 19.
915. Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (Harcourt) to Lord Rochford.
In answer to letter of the 14th inst. as to Captain Hope. Cannot possibly have any objection to his remaining in the Isle of Man for such time as His Majesty shall think proper.—Dublin Castle. 1½ pp.
18 & 22 March.
Adml. Office, v. 166, No. 11 a, b. Let. Bk.,
Sec.'s, 1771–5, p. 238.
916. Lords of the Admiralty to the Earl of Dartmouth.
Enclosing a copy of a letter from the Navy Board on the subject of a claim for indemnity put forward by the owner of a transport carrying out requisites for Gen. Gage for the troops at Boston, the said transport having taken in merchandize entered by several merchants, which, if she is obliged to put into any port in North America where there are no King's ships or troops, may expose her to the outrage of the inhabitants. For Her Majesty's pleasure thereupon.—Admiralty Office.
The enclosure. 3 pp.
Ibid., No. 12. Dom. Entry Bk.,
"Dom. despatched." 1771–6, p. 188.
Draft of reply, dated 22 March. Although every possible protection will be afforded to the ship and cargo, yet the owner is not to expect from Government indemnification for outrages committed in consequence of his having taken on board articles of merchandize on private account. 1 p.
23 March.
Ireland, v. 452, No. 10. Entry Bk.,
1770–5, p. 347.
917. Lord Rochford to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.
In answer to the private letter of the 8th. After perusing the precedents, His Majesty is convinced you have not attempted to introduce a new mode of proceeding, and entirely approves your conduct; but it is His Majesty's wish, and he has not the least doubt that you will contribute every aid in your power, as far as the absolute necessary forms of office will permit, to enable Lieut.General Eliott (whose zeal and abilities the King equally values) to promote and improve the discipline of the army. At the same time, His Majesty has no intention to break into the line of your proper authority. Your Excellency may therefore continue to tread in the steps of your predecessor whenever you think it necessary. 2 pp.
Ibid., No. 11. Entry Bk., p. 348. Same date. The same to Lieut.-General Eliott. To similar effect, and concluding, "Therefore it is with peculiar satisfaction "I can acquaint you that our royal master throws not the least "blame on your conduct." 1½ pp. Both drafts.
24 March.
Ireld. Entry Bk.,
1770–5, p.349.
918. Lord Rochford to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.
Signifying His Majesty's compliance with the prayer of Sir Robert Hamilton, Bart, Colonel of the 40th Regiment, that His Majesty would dispense with his joining his regiment, now under orders for foreign service.—St. James's.
24 March.
Isle of Man,
v. 2, 1775–83, No. 3 a, b.
919. Charles Lutwidge to William Eden, Esq.
Sending an extract taken from some papers in his possession relating to the government of the Isle of Man and its present state. Also a pamphlet, supposed to be wrote by Mr. Searle, late Attorney General in that island, before he was appointed to that office. Mr. Buske will be in town in about a fortnight, when, no doubt, he will wait upon you.—Charing Cross.
The extracts, but not the pamphlet. [The first-mentioned enclosure has been described in a former volume. See Home Office Calendar, 1760–65, No. 2103.] 4 pp.
25 March.
Ireland,
v. 452, No. 31 a, b.
920. Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (Harcourt) to Lord Rochford.
Enclosing a letter from Colonel Paterson, Dep. Adjutant-General, who, from the length of services, and from the wounds he carries about him, might perhaps have obtained H.M.'s leave to stay in Ireland to attend to the duties of his office, if he could have prevailed on himself to make use of those pleas when there was rather more appearance of service in America than some people suppose there is at present. Being unwilling to prejudice so good a man in H.M.'s opinion, I would submit it entirely to your Lordship's judgment whether it might be advisable to apply for the King's leave for him to stay in Ireland. The AdjutantGeneral, when in health, being a member of the British Parliament, is frequently obliged to be absent, which lays this service under such difficulties that some person must be appointed to do the duty of the office if Col. Paterson should not remain in Ireland.—Dublin Castle. A holograph. Marked, "Private."
The enclosure, viz., a letter from Col. Paterson, beginning, "The affairs of America bear so very different an aspect from what they did at the time I took the resolution of going with my regiment, that I am inclined to think there would not be at present any impropriety in my attending to my duties in Ireland rather than those of my regiment." 4½ pp.
27 March.
Admiralty, v. 166, No. 13 a to d. Let. Bk.,
Sec.'s, 1771–5, p. 240.
921. Lords Of The Admiralty to the Earl of Dartmouth.
Enclosing a copy of a letter from Vice-Admiral Graves, dated 20 Feb., with copies of a letter from Capt. Wallace, of H.M.'s ship "Rose," and of one mentioned in Capt. Wallace's.—Admiralty Office.
The enclosures. They relate to a scheme, of which Captain Wallace was apprized, for destroying the "Rose." 100 armed men were to be concealed in the hold of one of the passage ships to Providence, which often came close to the man-of-war, and, on a proper opportunity, to rise and take possession of her. The person giving the information was persuaded that "no project is too hazardous or too wicked for some of the rebellious fanatics of New England to attempt." Captain Wallace writes, "I hope in God to make them pay dear for their frolie, should they attempt it." Parts of 5 pp.
27 March.
Ireland,
v. 452, No. 39.
922. Representation from the Lord Lieutenant and Council of Ireland to His Majesty, as to the necessity of issuing a proclamation in Ireland, directing that all weights to be made use of in Ireland for weighing the gold coin current therein should be ascertained by the duplicates of H.M.'s standard weights of Great Britain, &c. A copy. 2 pp.
28 March.
Dom. Entry Bk.,
"Dom. despatched," 1771–6, p. 189.
923. Earl of Dartmouth to the Attorney and Solicitor General.
Two letters:—
(1.) Asking for their opinion of the manner of proceeding against persons arrested for high treason within the province of New Hampshire, the Act passed in the province in the 13th of Queen Anne having been disallowed by Order in Council of 1718; so that it is conceived there is no law of that province at present existing for the trial and punishment of that offence.—Whitehall.
(2.) Their opinion whether the commissions to the Governors of H.M.'s colonies in America, and the charters heretofore granted to Massachusetts Bay, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, vest in the Governors or Proprietaries authority over any troops employed in N. America, and not raised and paid by the said provinces; and whether (notwithstanding the powers contained in such commissions and charters) His Majesty may not for the present direct that the orders of the Commander-in-Chief, and, under him, of the Major and Brigadier-Generals, shall be supreme in all cases relative to the operations of the said troops.
29 March.
Ireland,
v. 452, No., 27. Entry Bk., 1775–7, p. 2.
924. Lord Rochford to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.
Signifying His Majesty's approval of the prorogation of Parliament to 22 Aug. next.—St. James's. A draft. 1 p.
29 March.
Ireland,
v. 452, No. 38.
925. Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (Harcourt) to Lord Rochford.
As to General Eliott's resignation of the command of the troops in Ireland, which I thought very unnecessary, and indeed improper, for reasons sufficiently obvious. The General's resolution does not appear to be the effect of any sudden warmth or passion, but of the most deliberate and serious reflection, from which he could not be diverted by anything I could offer. He expressed his concern at being obliged to take a step that might appear disrespectful to His Majesty, which was the furthest from his thoughts, for in fact it proceeded only from a thorough persuasion of his not being able to do the King any essential service in the command. He was pleased to express a personal regard and esteem for me, and to overrate any little civilities I may have shown him. My concern would be much greater than it is, if I were not conscious of having done nothing more than my station required.—Dublin Castle. Holograph. Marked "Private." 2½ pp.
29 March.
Ireland,
v. 452, No. 40.
926. Lieutenant-General Eliott to [the Same].
In answer to letter of the 23rd. My doubts were founded upon what I did and do feel, that H.M.'s army in Ireland cannot be regulated to the greatest advantage unless the person who is charged with this important trust can enjoy uninterruptedly my Lord Lieutenant's confidence in the whole military department. This seems to me impossible whenever an intermediate hand is employed for conveying his Excellency's intentions to the Commander-in-Chief previous to any communications upon the several subjects, and exclusive of any representations which in very many cases seem unavoidable, if it can be supposed that the man entrusted with the command is more qualified for that employment, from his long experience of military duties, than most gentlemen in civil capacities, whose thoughts have been employed on other matters, and who, from the duties of their office, cannot possibly spare time even to trace an outline for the government of an army so important to this kingdom, and so liable to derangement if its various dispositions and movements are not daily attended by the most watchful eye. This is my general supposition, upon which I ground my difficulties, which appear to me so insurmountable that I have this day ventured to request leave to resign.—Dublin. 3 pp.
30 March.
Scotch Correspondence, 1763–95, p. 33.
927. Earl Of Suffolk to the Lord Justice Clerk.
As to the recommendation of Joseph Reinagle, jun., to succeed his father as one of H.M.'s household trumpeters [in Scotland]. Signifying His Majesty's compliance therewith.—St. James's.
31 March.
Ireland,
v. 452, No. 34.
928. Lord Rochford to the Lord Lieutenant Of Ireland.
As to recruiting in Ireland. You enter so fully into the idea of our wishes on this occasion, and are at the same time so perfectly sensible of the necessity of raising the 600 men with expedition, that you must be the best judge of the mode of performing the service. It is therefore left entirely to your judgment and discretion to direct their being raised in those parts (Ulster), where the object can be equally well attained and less liable to objections, in which view it was judged expedient to give your Excellency at first the fullest latitude. But it will be highly necessary to conduct this business in such a manner as may not render less effectual the future resources whenever the exigency of recruiting in Ireland at large may hereafter require the exerting every possible means for raising what may be wanted.—St. James's. A draft. Marked "Private." 2 pp.
—March.
Dom. Geo. III.,
pcl. 88, No. 4.
929. Seizure Of Ships.
"Propositions by the Advocate General, being heads of a Bill for the better regulation of law proceedings in causes of seizure of ships and goods, to be tried in the British colonies and plantations, and elsewhere in His Majesty's dominions; and for amending an Act of the fourth of His present Majesty." A draft. 9 pp.