Journal, February 1754: Volume 61, Part 2

Journal, February 1754

Friday, February 1. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Mr. Oswald.

Bermuda.

Their lordships took into consideration the Order of the Committee of Council referring the petition of the Governor of Bermuda, mentioned in the preceding minutes, and Mr. Popple attending, as desired, was called in, and their lordships after hearing what he had to offer upon it, ordered the draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee of Council to be prepared.

Georgia.

The Secretary laid before the Board a letter to Mr. Martyn, agent for Georgia, received from Mr. Otolangi, instrusted with the care and direction of the silk culture in that colony, relating to the present state of it, and containing proposals of what will be further necessary for the insuing season.

Their lordships took the said letter into consideration, and Mr. Martyn attending, was called in, and received their lordships' directions to prepare the draught of an answer to Mr. Otolangi's letter, and to lay it before them as soon as possible.

Tuesday, February 5. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Grenville, Mr. Oswald.

New Jersey.

Their lordships took into consideration two Orders of the Lords of the Committee of Council referring a petition of the Assembly of New Jersey and a remonstrance of Mr. Partridge, agent for the province, praying that the Governor may have leave to assent to an Act for emitting £60,000 in bills of credit upon loan; and Mr. Partridge attending, with Mr. Field, his counsel, and also several persons trading to and interested in the said province, they were called in, and their lordships having heard what they had to offer in support of the petition and remonstrance, they withdrew, and their lordships agreed to take this affair into consideration at another opportunity.

Pennsylvania.

Mr. Paris, sollicitor for the Proprietarys of Pennsylvania, attending, was called in, and moved their lordships for copys of some papers upon record in this office relative to the disputes between the Proprietors of Pennsylvania and Maryland concerning their respective rights, a list of which papers having been laid before the Board, their lordships directed copys to be made and delivered to Mr. Paris.

Wednesday, February 6. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Mr. Oswald.

Georgia.

Mr. Martyn, agent for Georgia, attending, was called in and laid before their lordships the draught of a letter to Mr. Otolangi, intrusted with the care of the silk culture in Georgia, prepared pursuant to their lordships' orders, and also the draught of a letter to the President and Court of Assistants, which said draughts, having been read, were agreed to.

Thursday, February 7. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Grenville, Mr. Oswald.

North Carolina.

Mr. Dobbs, Governor of North Carolina, attending, their lordships took into consideration the draught of a report upon the state of that province, prepared pursuant to their lordships' order, and having made some progress therein, agreed further to consider of it on Tuesday next, and to defer the consideration of Mr. Dobbs's petition for a salary and for ordnance stores for the fort built in North Carolina untill Wednesday next.

Tuesday, February 12. Present:—Mr. Pitt, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Oswald.

Trade.

Africa.

Their lordships took into consideration the letter from the Duke of Newcastle, referring the copy of a letter from Mr. Yorke, his Majesty's Envoy in Holland, and other papers relative to the disputes with the Dutch upon the coast of Africa, mentioned in the minutes of the 31st of last month, and two of the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa, attending with Mr. Hollier, their Secretary, the papers were read, and the Committee moved for a copy of that which states the right of the Dutch to the villages of Busha and Atchuah, whereupon their lordships acquainted them, that they were not at present authorized without further directions to give copies of any of these papers.

The gentlemen being withdrawn their lordships agreed further to consider of this affair at another opportunity.

North Carolina.

Their lordships agreed that the consideration of the papers, mentioned in the preceding minutes relative to the affairs of North Carolina should be postponed to another opportunity.

Monday, February 18. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Grenville, Mr. Townshend.

New York.

The draught of letters to the Lieutenant-Governor of New York and to Mr. Pownall, Secretary to the late Governor, having been prepared, pursuant to the minutes of the 24th of January, were laid before the Board, agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

Bermuda.

The draught of a report upon the petition of the Governor of Bermuda relative to the points in dispute between him and the Assembly, having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 1st inst., was laid before the Board, agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

Wednesday, February 20. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Mr. Oswald.

Nova Scotia.

The Secretary laid before the Board a memorial prepared by Mr. Kilby, agent for Nova Scotia, to be presented to the Lords of the Treasury, praying that the sum of five thousand, six hundred, twenty-eight pounds, fifteen shillings and ten pence may be issued to him to discharge certain expences incurred in the service of Nova Scotia.

The memorial having been approved of by their lordships, Mr. Kilby was directed to present it to the Lords Commissioners of his Majesty's Treasury for their lordships' directions upon it.

Friday, February 22. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Mr. Townshend, Mr. Oswald.

North Carolina.

Their lordships took into further consideration the draught of a representation upon the state of the province of North Carolina, mentioned in the minutes of the 7th instant, and made some progress therein.

Monday, February 25. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Mr. Oswald.

North Carolina.

Their lordships took into further consideration the draught of a representation upon the state of the province of North Carolina, mentioned in the minutes of the 7th instant, and made some progress therein.

Monday, February 25. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Mr. Oswald.

North Carolina.

Their lordships took into further consieration the draught of a representation to his Majesty upon the stat of the province of North Carolina, which having been agreed to, was ordered to be transcribed.

Bermuda.

The draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee of Council upon the petition of the Governor of the Bermuda Islands, having been transcribed, pursuant to the minutes of the 18th instant, was signed.

Trade.

Africa.

The Earl of Halifax having acquainted the Board that his Grace the Duke of Newcastle had consented that copies of the papers relative to the disputes with the Dutch upon the coast of Africa, referred by him to the Board, might be given to the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa, the Secretary was directed to send copies of the said papers to the Committee, and to desire their opinion upon the several points therein contained.

Tuesday, February 26. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Grenville, Mr. Oswald.

New York.

The draught of a letter to Mr. Delancy, Lieutenant-Governor of New York, and of one to Mr. Pownall, Secretary to the late Governor, having been transcribed, pursuant to the minutes of the 18th instant, were signed.

North Carolina.

Mr. Dobbs, Governor of North Carolina, attending, their lordships took into consideration his memorial relative to his salary mentioned in the minutes of the 31st of January, and ordered the draught of a representation to his Majesty thereupon to be prepared.

Their lordships took into consideration a memorial of Mr. Dobbs to his Majesty (referred to this Board by the Lords of the Committee of Council) relative to military stores for the fort built in that province, mentioned in the minutes of the 31st of January, and Mr. Dobbs was desired to attend again to-morrow morning with the agent of the province, and to lay before their lordships evidence in support of the allegations of the said memorial.

Read a memorial of Mr. Henry McCulloch to the Board, setting forth the hardships he labours under, and praying their lordships to recommend his case to his Majesty's consideration.

Their lordships agreed to take the said memorial into consideration to-morrow morning, and the Secretary was directed to write to Mr. McCulloch to desire his attendance.

Trade.

Africa.

Read a letter from Mr. Harding, Secretary to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, to the Board, dated 15th February, 1754, referring to their lordships' consideration the claim of Mr. Roberts, late Governor for the late African Company, for extra charges incurred in 1750, and some certificates produced by him in testimony of his services.

Their lordships agreed to take the said letter into consideration on Thursday, March 7th, and the Secretary was directed to desire Mr. Roberts's attendance on that day.

Barbados.

Read a petition of Francis Reynolds, Esquire, Provost Marshall of Barbados, relative to the illegal methods taken to deprive him and his deputy of their legal fees.

Their lordships agreed to take the said petition into consideration to-morrow morning, and the Secretary was directed to write to the Governor of Barbados to desire his attendance.

Nova Scotia.

Read a memorial of Chauncy Townsend, contractor for supplying with provisions the settlers at Nova Scotia, praying the Board to report upon that part of his former petition which relates to the money due to him for bread supplied in lieu of flour.

Ordered that the draught of a report to the Lords of the Treasury upon the foregoing memorial be prepared.

Plantations General.

Read a representation of Thomas Stephens, relative to his making pot-ash in the plantations, and desiring such encouragement, as the Board shall think proper to enable him to return to America to divulge his method.

Their lordships agreed to take the said representation into consideration on Thursday next, and the Secretary was directed to write to Mr. Stephens to desire his attendance.

Nova Scotia.

Read a memorial of Colonels Hopson and Cornwallis, relative to a ballance due to the regiment commanded by them to replace the 4d. per diem deducted from the said regiment for provisions, etc.

Their lordships agreed to take the said memorial into consideration on Friday, the 8th of March, and the Secretary was directed to write to the memorialists, and to Mr. Gould, late agent to the regiment, and to Mr. Kilby, agent for Nova Scotia, to desire their attendance.

Plantations General.

The Secretary laid before the Board the following accounts received from the Commissioners of his Majesty's Customs, viz.:—
An account of the quantity of pig and barr iron imported into England from his Majesty's colonies and plantations from Christmas, 1749, to Christmas, 1752, distinguishing each colony and each year.
Nova Scotia.
An account of the total value of the exports to Nova Scotia from Christmas, 1751, to Christmas, 1752.

Wednesday, February 27. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Mr. Oswald.

North Carolina.

Mr. Dobbs attending with Mr. Abercromby, agent for North Carolina, they were called in, and their lordships took into consideration Mr. Dobbs's memorial to his Majesty for ordnance stores for the fort built at Cape Fear, and Mr. Abercromby produced to their lordships several papers in proof of the allegations of the memorial, but it appearing to their lordships that they had not sufficient information whereon to ground a report to the Council upon this affair, the further consideration of it was postponed until Mr. Dobbs should be able to transmit to their lordships more particular information with respect to the several matters set forth in his memorial.

Jamaica.

Read an Order of Council, dated 26th February, 1754, upon a representation of this Board, proposing the repeal of 12 Acts passed in Jamaica in 1751 and 1752, and directing the draught of an additional instruction to be prepared for Mr. Knowles relative to those Acts.

The draught of an additional instruction to Mr. Knowles, conformable to the said Order, and also of a report to the Lords of the Committee of Council therewith, having been prepared, were agreed to, and the draught of the report having been transcribed, was signed.

North Carolina.

Mr. McCulloch attending as directed, was called in, and their lordships acquainted him, that as that part of his memorial, which related to Lord Granville's line was a matter of private property, and had never been under the consideration of this Board, and as the other part of his memorial which related to the arrears of salary due to him, and the insufficiency of the warrant he had obtained from the Treasury, was a matter entirely within the jurisdiction of the Lords of the Treasury, they did not think it proper or adviseable for this Board to enter into a consideration of those points.

Barbados.

Mr. Grenville, Governor of Barbados, attending, as desired, and also Mr. Sharpe, agent for the Island of Barbados, their lordships took into consideration Mr. Reynolds's petition, mentioned in yesterday's minutes, and after some time spent therein, agreed further to consider of it to-morrow morning when Mr. Grenville was desired to attend again.

Thursday, February 28. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Grenville, Mr. Oswald.

Barbados.

Their lordships took into further consideration Mr. Reynolds's petition, mentioned in yesterday's minutes, and Mr. Reynolds and Governor Grenville attending, were called in, and their lordships after hearing what they had to offer upon it, ordered the draught of a letter to the President of the Council of Barbados to be prepared.

New Jersey.

Their lordships took into further consideration the memorial of the Assembly and remonstrance of the agent of New Jersey relative to a paper currency in that province, mentioned in the minutes of the 5th instant, and the Secretary having acquainted the Board that Mr. Morris, Chief Justice of that province, was attending without, and had something to offer to their lordships upon this affair, he was called in, and their lordships after some conversation with him upon this subject ordered the draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee of Council to be prepared.

Plantations General.

Their lordships took into consideration Mr. Stephens's representation mentioned in the minutes of the 26th inst. and Mr. Stephens attending, as desired, with Mr. Hanbury and Mr. Tomlinson, they were called in, and Mr. Stephens having desired leave to withdraw his representation their lordships were pleased to consent to his request, and Mr. Hanbury begged leave to lay before the Board the following propositions in the behalf of Mr. Stephens, viz.:—
That the proposer do forthwith publish his method, and in consideration thereof,
That Parliamentary security be given for one shilling per hundred weight, be paid to Mr. Stephens for every hundred weight of good and merchantable pot-ash, which shall be made in and imported from his Majesty's plantations in North America into Great Britain during the term of fourteen years from the 29th of September next.
And that upon the importation of the first thousand tons the further sum of one thousand pounds shall be paid to Mr. Stephens provided that quantity be so made and imported before the 29th of September, 1758.

And their lordships having heard what they had to offer in support of the proposals, they withdrew, and the draught of a report to the Lords of the Treasury upon Mr. Stephens's memorial was ordered to be prepared.

Thursday, March 7. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Grenville, Mr. Oswald.

New York.

Read the following letters and papers received from Mr. De Lancey, Lieutenant-Governor of New York, viz.:—
Letter from James de Lancey, Esquire, to the Board, dated 24th December, 1753, relative to Indian affairs, to the boundary line between New York and New Jersey, recommending the ministers and elders of the Dutch church, and inclosing:—
Copy of the resolution of the Assembly of New York, dated 11th December, 1753, to make provision for the usual presents to the Indians and for the expence of the Lieutenant-Governor's journey to meet them this year.
Letter from James De Lancey, Esquire, dated 3rd January, 1754, acquainting the Board with the resolution of the principal members of the Assembly never to depart from the method of granting an annual support of government, and desiring their lordships' directions for his future conduct, inclosing:—
Copy of the minute of the Commissioners for Indian Affairs at Albany, December 18th, 1753, containing the answer of three of the Five Nations to the message from said Commissioners of the 28th December, 1753.
Minutes of Council, from the 12th of October to the 12th of December, 1753.
Minutes of Council in Assembly from the 30th of October to the 12th of December, 1753.
Votes and proceedings of the General Assembly of New York from the 30th of October to the 12th of December, 1753.
An humble address of the Assembly of New York to his Majesty, dated 11th December, 1753.
Fifteen Acts passed at New York, the 12th of December, 1753.

Ordered that the said Acts be sent to Mr. Lamb for his opinion in point of law.

Ordered that the Secretary do write to Mr. De Lancey to acknowledge the receipt of the above-mentioned papers, and to signify to him their lordships' approbation of his passing a distinct Act for defraying the expences of the meeting with the Indians, it appearing to be a contingent and temporary service, separate and distinct from the other services of government.

Ordered that the Secretary do write to the administrators of the late Sir Danvers Osborn, Baronet, at New York, desiring them to deliver the goods intended for presents to the Indians, now in their hands, to the Lieutenant-Governor to be given to the Indians pursuant to his Majesty's orders.

Ordered that the above-mentioned letters from Mr. De Lancey be taken into further consideration at another opportunity.

Trade.

Africa.

Their lordships pursuant to the minutes of the 26th of February, took into consideration the letter from Mr. Harding, referring the claim of Mr. Roberts for money due to him on account of services performed on the coast of Africa; and Mr. Roberts attending, was called in, and their lordships made some progress in this affair, and agreed further to consider of it on Tuesday next.

Jamaica.

Read the following letters and papers received from Mr. Knowles, Governor of Jamaica, viz.:—
Letter from Mr. Knowles to the Board, dated 22nd November, 1753, with a state of the Council and recommending four gentlemen to vacant seats.
Letter from Mr. Knowles to the Board, dated 9th November, 1753, transmitting:—
Extract of a minute of Council of 23rd October, 1753, relative to the suspension of Mr. Hume from the Council.
Report from the Committee appointed to inspect the revenue accounts.
The request of the joint Committees of the Council and Assembly to the Governor, desiring him not to let a writ of extent issue against Mr. Hume, Receiver General.
Letter from Mr. Knowles to the Board. dated 29th August, 1753, containing his reasons for suspending Mr. Hyde from his seat in the Council, and transmitting:—
Copy of minutes of Council in Jamaica on Mr. Hyde's suspension.
Orders and decrees of the Court of Chancery in the cause between Brown and wife against Hyde and others.
The whole proceedings in the Court of Chancery in the cause of Brown and Hyde.
The case of Edmund Hyde as handed about by himself.
Affidavit of Edmund Hyde in the Court of Chancery.
Records out of the Secretary's Office in Jamaica, relating to Edmund Hyde. executor to L. Miller, Esquire.

Ordered that the above-mentioned letters be taken into further consideration on Friday, the 15th instant, and that the Secretary do write to Mr. John Sharpe to desire his attendance.

Ordered that the draught of a representation to his Majesty be prepared, proposing that Ballard Beckford, Esquire, be appointed of his Majesty's Council in Jamaica in the room of Benjamin Hume, suspended.

Barbados.

The draught of a letter to the President of the Council of Barbados, having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 28th of February, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.