Journal, April 1755: Volume 62

Journal, April 1755

Wednesday, April 2. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Edgcumbe.

Jamaica.

Read the following letters and papers received from Mr. Knowles, Governor of Jamaica, viz.:—

Letter from Mr. Knowles, Governor of Jamaica, to the Board, dated 20th November, 1754, inclosing:—
Minutes of Council from the 8th of January to the 11th of November, 1754.
Journal of the Council in Assembly from the 8th of October to the 8th of November, 1754.
Minutes of Assembly from the 21st of October to the 8th of November, 1754.
Two Acts passed at Jamaica, the 31st October, 1754.
Letter from Mr. Knowles to the Board, dated 29th October, 1754, inclosing:—
His affidavit concerning the President of the Council of Jamaica coming to England without his leave, and
Certificate from the gentlemen of the Council of Jamaica on that head.

Ordered that the abovementioned Acts be sent to Sir Mathew Lamb for his opinion thereon in point of law.

New York.

Read a letter from Mr. Delancy, Lieutenant Governor of New York, to the Board, without date, giving an account of the practices of the French to stir up the Five Nations against the English, and transmitting:—
Copy of a letter from Lieutenant Holland to the Lieutenant Governor of New York, containing a message from the Governor of Canada to several chiefs of the Five Nations. Dated Oswego, January 1st, 1755.
Copy of the report of the proceedings of the Commissioners appointed on the part of New York to settle the line or boundary between that province and Massachusets Bay. Dated the 9th August, 1754.
Map referred in the report of New York Commissioners appointed to settle the line between that province and the Massachusets Bay.
Two reports of a committee of his Majesty's Council of New York relating to the controverted line between that province and New Jersey.
Votes and proceedings of the General Assembly of the colony of New York from the 20th of August, 1754, to the 7th December following.

Ordered, that an extract of that part of Mr. Delancy's letter which relates to the intelligence he has lately received of the practices of the French on the Five Nations of Indians, be laid before his Majesty, and that the draught of a letter to Sir Thomas Robinson, one of his Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, inclosing the same, be prepared.

Virginia.

Read the following letters and papers received from Mr. Dinwiddie, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, viz.:—
Letter from Mr. Dinwiddie to the Board, dated at Williamsburg, the 20th of January, 1755, relating to the present state of that colony and transmitting:—
Journal of the House of Burgesses from the 17th of October, 1754, to the 2nd of November following.
Four naval office lists of ships and vessels entered and cleared in the port of Accomack between Lady Day and Michaelmas, 1754.
Seven Acts passed in Virginia, the 2nd of November, 1754.
Letter from Mr. Dinwiddie to the Board, dated Williamsburg, the 10th of February, 1755, containing his observations on the additional instruction given to him in December, 1753, relative to the appeals to his Majesty and inclosing:—
The present state of Virginia, dated in January, 1755.

Ordered that the abovementioned Acts be sent to Sir Mathew Lamb for his opinion thereon in point of law.

Thursday, April 3. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Mr. Fane, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Edgcumbe.

New York.

New Jersey.

The Secretary having acquainted the Board that Mr. Alexander Charles was attending without and had something to offer on behalf of his brother, Mr. Robert Charles, agent for the province of New York, he was called in and acquainted their lordships that his brother being extremely ill and unable to attend them as appointed, had desired him to move their lordships to defer the consideration of the papers relative to the disputed boundary between New York and New Jersey for a few days, in which time he hoped to be able to attend. And Mr. Paris, agent for the Proprietors of New Jersey, attending on this subject pursuant to the Board's order of the 25th of last month, was also called in, and having expressed his desire that this affair might come under consideration as soon as possible, their lordships desired Mr. Charles to acquaint his brother that they expect his attendance as soon as his health will permit, and that he will give previous notice to their lordships and to Mr. Paris.

New York.

The draught of a letter to Sir Thomas Robinson, inclosing an extract of Mr. Delancy's letter and a copy of Mr. Holland's letter received with it having been prepared pursuant to yesterday's minutes, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Leeward Islands.

Ordered, that the consideration of the Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council referring an extract of a letter from Mr. Thomas, Governor of the Leeward Islands, and a petition of John Sharpe, Esquire, agent for the Island of Antigua, mentioned in the minutes of the 26th of last month, be deferred to Wednesday the 30th inst.

Friday, April 4. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Mr. Fane, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Edgcumbe.

Georgia.

Mr. Martyn, agent for the colony of Georgia, attending as desired, their lordships took into consideration Mr. Ottolanghi's letter, mentioned in the minutes of the 20th of March last, and Mr. Martyn having acquainted their lordships that in the time of the late trustees Mr. Ottolanghi received a salary of fifty pounds a year, and that since the surrender of their charter he had received no other reward for his care and trouble in carrying on the silk works than the sum of £100, which the Board directed last year to be advanced to him in lieu of five years' rent of the house he used to live in, their lordships directed Mr. Martyn to pay Mr. Ottolanghi, out of any moneys remaining in his hands applicable to the expences of the silk culture, the sum of one hundred pounds, and to signify to Mr. Ottolanghi that being well satisfied with his services they had ordered this gratuity as a reward for his past services and an encouragement to continue his care and attention to the silk works.

Tuesday, April 8. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Grenville, Mr. Fane, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Pelham.

North Carolina.

Read the following letters and papers received from Mr. Dobbs, Governor of North Carolina, viz.:—
North Carolina.
Letter from Mr. Dobbs to the Board, dated the 9th of November, 1754, acquainting the Board with his arrival there, the 31st of October.
Letter from Mr. Dobbs to the Board, dated the 19th of December, 1754, transmitting the following publick papers, viz.:—
Mr. Dobbs's speech to the Council and Assembly of North Carolina at his first meeting them.
Mr. Dobbs's second speech to the Council and Assembly of North Carolina.
Address of the Council of North Carolina to Governor Dobbs.
Address of the General Assembly of North Carolina to Governor Dobbs.
Letter from Mr. Dobbs to the Board, dated the 11th of January, 1755, inclosing:—
Address from the House of Assembly to Governor Dobbs of the 9th of January, 1755.
Journal of the House of Burgesses of February and March, 1754.
Journal of the House of Burgesses of December, 1754, and January, 1755.
Letter from Mr. Dobbs to the Board, dated the 8th of February, 1755, transmitting:—
An abstract of the shipping and tonnage, and number of negroes entered in North Carolina at a medium of seven years ending 1st January, 1755.
Letter from Mr. Dobbs to the Board, without date, transmitting:—
Copy of a memorial of the merchants, traders and planters of North Carolina to the Board.
Copy or duplicate of a proposal made for altering and fixing a boundary line between North and South Carolina, with reasons to support the same.
Copy of the resolution of the Assembly upon the Deputy Auditor's letter.
Copy of the Governor's speech at the end of the sessions.
Reasons given by the Governor for not passing a Bill.
A return of the number of Indian Nations within and adjoining to North Carolina.

Ordered, that the Secretary do transmit to the Earl of Granville an extract of so much of Mr. Dobbs's letter of the 9th of November as relates to the expediency of a survey of the several counties in North Carolina, and contains a proposal that his lordship should join in the expence of surveying such of them as are divided between his lordship and the Crown.

Ordered, that the Secretary do transmit to the Secretary to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury an extract of so much of the said letter as relates to the expence of surveying the countys and to the expediency of the Governor having a power to suspend the Receiver General of the quit rents for neglect of duty.

North Carolina.

Ordered, that an extract be made of so much of Mr. Dobbs's letter of the 9th of November as relates to the expediency of sending from hence a quantity of powder and ball for the use of the province and of having an Independent Company stationed there, to be laid before his Majesty in Council and that the draught of a representation to his Majesty thereupon be prepared.

Jamaica.

Their lordships being informed that Mr. Hammond, sollicitor for the petitioners of the town of Kingston in Jamaica in the affair relative to the removal of the seat of government, was attending without and had something to offer to the Board, he was called in and moved their lordships that he might have copies of any papers which might have been lodged in this office relative to that affair by Mr. Paris, sollicitor for the petitioners of St. Iago de la Vega, whereupon their lordships acquainted Mr. Hammond that there were no papers lodged in the office by Mr. Paris relative to this affair, but those of which he had already had copies, and then he withdrew.

Their lordships being informed that Mr. Paris, sollicitor for the petitioners of the town of St. Iago de la Vega in Jamaica in the affair relative to the removal of the seat of government, was attending without and had something to offer to their lordships' consideration, he was called in and acquainted the Board that having received letters from his correspondents and constituents in Jamaica, acquainting him that Mr. Knowles had dissolved the third Assembly, and that nothing could so effectually tend to put an end to the disorder and confusion in that Island as his Majesty's determination upon the affair relative to the removal of the seat of government, and therefore directing him to move their lordships to proceed immediately to a hearing upon it, he thought it his duty to attend their lordships and acquaint them therewith, and that he should give notice to Mr. Hammond to attend the Board with him to-morrow, when he should himself move their lordships to appoint an early day to hear what all parties might have to offer upon this affair. And then Mr. Paris withdrew.

Wednesday, April 9. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Grenville, Mr. Fane, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Edgcumbe.

North Carolina.

The Secretary laid before the Board the following papers received with Mr. Dobbs's letters, mentioned in yesterday's minutes, viz.:—
Minutes of Council of North Carolina from the 1st of February, 1753, to the 28th September, 1754.
Journal of the Upper House of Assembly, beginning 14th December, 1754, and ending the 15th January, 1755.
Twelve Acts passed in North Carolina in January, 1755.

Ordered that the said Acts be sent to Sir Mathew Lamb for his opinion thereupon in point of law as soon as conveniently may be.

The Secretary having acquainted the Board that he was desired by Mr. Abercromby, agent for the province of North Carolina, to move their lordships that he may have a copy of the Quit Rent Law passed in that province, it was ordered that a copy of it should be made and delivered to him.

Virginia.

Their lordships took into consideration a letter from Mr. Dinwiddie, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, mentioned in the minutes of the 2nd instant, in which he represents the prejudice arising to his Majesty's service and to the security of his colonies from the trade carried on from the said colonies to Louisbourg and other French settlements in North America, and some doubts and difficulties having occurred with respect to the legality or illegality of the trade and the measures which may be legally pursued to put a stop to it, the Secretary was ordered to write to his Majesty's Attorney General to desire his attendance at the Board to-morrow morning or Friday morning as should be most convenient to him, that their lordships may have some discourse with him upon this subject.

Jamaica.

The Board being informed that Mr. Paris and Mr. Hammond, sollicitors for the petitioners of the towns of St. Iago de la Vega and Kingston in Jamaica, in the affair relative to the removal of the seat of government were attending without and had something to offer to their lordships' consideration, they were called in, and Mr. Paris, for the reasons set forth in yesterday's minutes moved their lordships that the order for hearing the merits of this affair on the 8th of May might be discharged, and that an earlier day might be appointed for that purpose, which being objected to by Mr. Hammond on account of his not having had notice of the motion time enough to consult his counsel and constituents upon it, it was ordered that the further consideration of Mr. Paris's motion should be postponed till Tuesday next, that Mr. Hammond might have time to consult his counsel upon it, and then they withdrew.

New York.

New Jersey.

The Board being informed that Mr. Paris, sollicitor for the Proprietors of East New Jersey, and Mr. Charles, agent for the province of New York, in the affair relative to the boundary line between the said provinces were attending without they were called in, and Mr. Charles having declared he had no authority or directions from his constituents to join in a Commission for settling the said boundary, their lordships heard what Mr. Paris had to offer in support of his application for a repeal of the Act passed in New York in December, 1754, mentioned in the minutes of the 14th of March, and then they withdrew.

Thursday, April 10. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Grenville, Mr. Fane, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Edgcumbe.

North Carolina.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty with an extract of Mr. Dobbs's letter of the 9th of November relating to the defenceless state of the province, and the want of an Independent Company being stationed there, having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 8th instant, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Miscellanies.

The Secretary laid before the Board an account of the incidental charges of this office from the 5th of January to the 5th instant, amounting to three hundred, ninety seven pounds, eight shillings, and a letter to the Lords of the Treasury desiring payment thereof and of the salaries due to the Secretaries and under officers in the service of this Board for the same time, was laid before the Board and signed.

Georgia.

The Secretary laid before the Board the following paper received from Mr. Martyn, agent for Georgia, viz.:—
Certificate of several manufactures and traders well versed in the knowledge of raw silks, dated London, the 29th March, 1755, concerning the goodness and colour of a parcel of Georgia raw silk lately imported by the Juno, Captain McClellan.

Ordered that a copy of the said paper be transmitted to Mr. Reynolds, Governor of Georgia, with directions to publish it in the colony.

Jamaica.

Their lordships took into consideration Mr. Knowles's letter of the 20th of November, 1754, mentioned in the minutes of the 2nd instant, in which he gives an account of his having dissolved the Assembly there, and ordered the Secretary to transmit a copy thereof with the resolution of the Assembly, upon which that dissolution was founded, to his Majesty's Attorney and Sollicitor General for their opinion whether the said resolution was legal and consistent with his Majesty's right and prerogative.

Read the following letters and papers received from Mr. Knowles, Governor of Jamaica, viz.:—
Letter from Mr. Knowles, dated the 31st of December, 1754, giving the Board an account of the present state and condition of that Island and transmitting the following publick papers, viz.:—
List of landholders with the number of acres each possess.
Form for inserting the state of the Island.
Ditto as returned for the parish of St. Andrew.
Lists of new comers, tradesmen, etc., who have received the encouragement the law directs since the passing the Act for that purpose from 1734 to 1753.
Report of the Committee of the Assembly of Jamaica with regard to the encouragement given to new settlers.
Account current of the bath in St. Thomas in the East.
Account of the expence of Mosquito Point and Rock Fort.
Contingent charges of the fortifications.
List of quit rent bonds and escheat bonds.
Dockets of the patents of land vested in his Majesty for the use of new comers by virtue of the laws made for encouragement of new settlers since 1734.
A list of ships that have entered at Jamaica from Africa between the 22nd September, 1752, and the 25th September, 1754, with the number of negroes imported and exported.
Queries from the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations with Governor Knowles's answers.
Two plans, one of Mosquito Point and one of Rock Fort.
Letter from Mr. Knowles to the Board, dated the 16th of January, 1755, transmitting the following publick papers, viz.:—
State of his Majesty's revenue in Jamaica, forts and fortifications, etc., from the 25th of March to the 10th of August last.
An account of gunpowder and tonnage duty from the 25th March to the 29th September, 1754.
An account of ordnance and other stores belonging to the Island at Mosquito Point, January 1st, 1755.
An account of small arms and other stores belonging to the Island at Mosquito Point, January 1st, 1755.
An account of stores belonging to the Island at Port Royal, January 1st, 1755.
An account of stores belonging to the Island at Spanish Town, January 1st, 1755.
Naval office lists of ships and vessels entered and cleared at Jamaica between the 29th of September and 25th of December, 1755.
Letter from Mr. Knowles to the Board, dated the 20th of January, 1755, relating to an application which had been made to him for making Westmorland and Montego Bay ports of entry and clearance.
Letter from Mr. Knowles to the Board, dated the 21st of January, 1755, transmitting the following papers:—
Governor Knowles's speech to the Council and Assembly of Jamaica, with their addresses and the Governor's answers. Dated the 21st January, 1755.
Printed minutes of Assembly from the 26th of September, 1752, to the 25th of November, 1753.

Ordered, that the Secretary do transmit to the Secretary to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury to be laid before that Board a copy of Mr. Knowles's letter in which he mentions the application which had been made to him for the making certain places in that Island ports of entry and clearance.

Friday, April 11. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Grenville, Mr. Fane, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Edgcumbe, Mr. Pelham.

Jamaica.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty with an extract of that part of the journals of the Council of Jamaica in the year 1754 lately received from Mr. Knowles, which contains the proceedings against Mr. Delap, late Provost Marshall of that Island, and his commitment and imprisonment, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

North Carolina.

Their lordships took into consideration the letters from Mr. Dobbs, Governor of North Carolina, mentioned in the minutes of the 8th inst.

Ordered, that the draught of a representation to his Majesty be prepared proposing that an additional instruction may be given to Mr. Dobbs, impowering him to grant any quantity of land to new settlers in the frontiers near the mountains, not exceeding six hundred and forty acres to any one person, provided that they be obliged to cultivate three acres per year for every hundred acres contained in the grant.

North Carolina.

Ordered, that the draught of a representation to his Majesty be prepared proposing that an additional instruction be given to Mr. Dobbs impowering him to give his assent to any laws which shall be passed by the Council and Assembly of North Carolina for erecting or dividing counties and townships within the said province, provided that such counties and townships be not impowered by such laws to send representatives to the Assembly, and directing him when any new township shall be so erected to incorporate the same by charter, in case he shall think it for his Majesty's service to do so.

Ordered that the draught of a representation to his Majesty be prepared proposing the repeal of an Act passed in North Carolina in 1749 entitled:—
An Act to confirm the several Acts of Assembly of this province therein mentioned as revised by the Commissioners appointed by an Act of the General Assembly of this province intituled, An Act for appointing Commissioners to revise and print the laws of this province, and for granting to his Majesty for defraying the charge thereof, a duty on wine, rum and distilled liquors and rice imported into this province, and such other laws of this province as have been passed since the said revisal, and to direct the printing of the said laws.

Virginia.

The Honourable William Murray, Esquire, his Majesty's Attorney General, attending as their lordships desired, their lordships stated to him the difficulty and doubts which had occurred to them with respect to the trade carried on from the northern colonys to Louisbourg and the orders which were given in the year 1717 to the Governors of his Majesty's colonys to endeavour to put a stop to the trade which was then complained of to have been carried on to the French settlements as contrary to the Treaty of Neutrality in 1686; whereupon Mr. Attorney General gave it as his opinion that it was the intent of the 5th and 6th articles of that treaty to give power to the two Crowns reciprocally to seize and confiscate the ships and cargoes belonging to the subjects of each other which should trade contrary thereto, and consequently that ships belonging to the subjects of France that shall be found trading in the British plantations will be liable to be seized and condemned, and that on the other hand ships belonging to the subjects of Great Britain that shall be found trading in the French colonys and settlements will in like manner be subject to seizure, but that it was not the intent of the treaty to provide, nor could it be provided that either of the contracting powers should seize the ships or goods of their own subjects for contravening the said articles: That this being the case, he apprehended the trade was not illegal in itself and could not be put a stop to, but by some positive law: That in case the Crown should be advised to issue a proclamation forbidding such trade, the only method that could be taken with respect to persons trading contrary to such proclamation would be a prosecution for a misdemeanour which would be found to be wholly ineffectual, but that he apprehended the issuing any proclamation of this kind would be not only ineffectual but improper and inadviseable.

Nova Scotia.

The Secretary having acquainted the Board that Mr. Kilby, agent for Nova Scotia, had pursuant to their lordships' orders purchased a vessel named the Halifax, burthen about 125 tons, to be employed in his Majesty's service in the province of Nova Scotia, their lordships ordered him to write a letter to Mr. John Taggert, commander of the New Casco, directing him to go on board the Halifax and take command thereof, and as soon as wind and weather permits to sail to Nova Scotia and to observe such orders and directions as he shall from time to time receive from the Commander in Chief of the said province.

Tuesday, April 15. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Fane, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Edgcumbe.

North Carolina.

Their lordships made a further progress in the consideration of the letters from Mr. Dobbs, Governor of North Carolina, mentioned in the minutes of the 8th instant.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty proposing that an additional instruction may be given to the Governor of North Carolina impowering him to assent to new laws for erecting counties and townships in that province under certain limitations having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 11th instant, was agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty proposing that an additional instruction be given to the Governor of North Carolina impowering him to grant lands on the frontiers of that colony near the mountains under certain limitations and restrictions having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 11th instant, was agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

South Carolina.

North Carolina.

Read a letter from Charles Pinckney, Esquire, one of the Council of South Carolina, to Mr. Pownall, dated the 5th of July, 1754, inclosing a memorial to the Board relating to the boundary line between South and North Carolina and quieting the Catawba Indians in their settlements, dated June the 29th, 1754.

Jamaica.

Their lordships being informed that Mr. Paris and Mr. Hammond, sollicitors for the petitioners of the towns of Kingston and St. Iago de la Vega in Jamaica in the affair relative to the removal of the seat of government were attending without, and also Mr. Ord, manager for the petitioners of the town of Kingston, they were called in, and Mr. Hammond being asked if he had consulted his counsel upon Mr. Paris's motion for appointing an early day for hearing the merits of this affair, Mr. Ord acquainted the Board that they had in consequence of the order for the hearing on the 8th of May given notice to the evidence accordingly to attend on that day and had so regulated their affairs in other respects that it would be very inconvenient if not impracticable for them to proceed to a hearing before that day, and therefore hoped the order would not be discharged, which being submitted to their lordships by Mr. Paris, it was ordered that the hearing should stand fixed for the 8th of May, and then they withdrew.

Wednesday, April 16. Present:—Mr. Grenville, Mr. Fane, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Edgcumbe, Mr. Pelham.

North Carolina.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty proposing that an additional instruction may be given to the Governor of North Carolina impowering him to give his assent to new laws for erecting counties and townships in that province under certain limitations having been transcribed pursuant to the preceding day's minutes, was laid before the Board and signed.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty proposing that an additional instruction may be given to the Governor of North Carolina impowering him to grant lands on the frontiers of that colony near the mountains under certain limitations having been transcribed pursuant to the preceding day's minutes, was laid before the Board and signed.

New York.

Their lordships took into consideration a draught of general instructions and also of those relating to the Acts of Trade and Navigation for Sir Charles Hardy, his Majesty's Governor of New York, prepared pursuant to their lordships' order, and the said draughts having been agreed to were ordered to be transcribed, and the draught of a representation to his Majesty thereupon to be prepared.

Thursday, April 17. Present:—Mr. Grenville, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Edgcumbe.

South Carolina.

Their lordships took into consideration the draught of general instructions and of those relating to the Acts of Trade and Navigation for William Henry Lyttelton, Esquire, Governor of South Carolina, and the same having been agreed to, were ordered to be transcribed, and the draught of a representation to his Majesty thereupon to be prepared.

Friday, April 18. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Mr. Fane, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Edgcumbe.

Virginia.

The draught of a letter to Mr. Dinwiddie, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, having been transcribed pursuant to the minutes of the 15th of January last, was laid before the Board and signed.

Nova Scotia.

Read a letter from the Right Honourable Henry Fox, Esquire, Secretary at War, dated the 11th of April, 1755, acquainting the Board that the present barracks in Nova [Scotia] are insufficient for the troops upon that establishment and desiring they would give directions for additional barracks.

Ordered, that a copy of the said letter be transmitted to the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia and that the draught of a letter to him be prepared signifying the Board's order that he do forthwith take the necessary measures for building additional barracks and to recommend to him to be as frugal as possible in the execution of this service.

Read a letter from Mr. Bogdani, dated Office of Ordnance, the 18th of March, 1755, acquainting Mr. Pownall for the information of this Board that the Board of Ordance had received a letter from Sir Thomas Robinson with a list of ordnance and stores, and signifying his Majesty's pleasure that that Board should forthwith give directions for getting the same in readiness to be sent to Nova Scotia; and that orders had been given accordingly.

Read a letter from Mr. Bogdani, dated Office of Ordnance, the 15th instant, signifying that the Board has occasion to send some Commission officers and recruits to compleat the company of artillery at Halifax, and desiring that this Board will please to give the necessary directions that the said officers and men may be accommodated with passage and provisions on board the ship Halifax.

Ordered, that the Secretary do signify to Mr. Bogdani that their lordships will give the necessary directions that the four officers and fourteen men mentioned in his letter be received and accommodated on board the Halifax, but that their lordships cannot give any directions for furnishing them with provisions.

Ordered, that the Secretary do give the necessary directions to Captain Taggert, commander of the Halifax, to make proper provision on board his vessell for the reception and accommodation of the abovementioned officers and recruits.

Tuesday, April 22. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Grenville, Mr. Fane, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Edgcumbe.

New York.

Read a letter from Daniel Horsmanden, Esquire, one of the Council of New York, dated the 20th of April, 1754, intreating the Board's favourable recommendation that he may be restored to his place at that Board.

New York.

South Carolina.

The draughts of representations to his Majesty with the draughts of general instructions and of those which relate to the observance of the Acts of Trade and Navigation for the Governors of New York and South Carolina having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 17th and 18th instant, were laid before the Board, agreed to and signed.

Plantations General.

The following representations to his Majesty and letters to the Secretary of State were agreed to and signed:—
New Jersey.
Representation proposing that Thomas Pownall, Esquire, may be appointed Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey.
New York.
Representation proposing that James Delancy, Esquire, may be appointed Chief Justice of New York.
North Carolina.
Representation proposing that Peter Henley, Esquire, may be appointed Chief Justice of North Carolina.
Virginia.
Representation proposing that Peyton Randolph, Esquire, may be appointed Attorney General of Virginia.
South Carolina.
Letter to Sir Thomas Robinson, one of his Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, desiring him to move his Majesty that Mr. Joseph Stephenson may be appointed Naval Officer of South Carolina, and inclosing the draught of a warrant for his Majesty's signature, directing the said appointment.

Wednesday, April 23. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Mr. Fane, Mr. Edgcumbe.

North Carolina.

Read a letter from Mr. Dobbs, Governor of North Carolina, to Lord Halifax, dated November 26th, 1754, with an account of the state of the fort built at Cape Fear, and inclosing:—
North Carolina.
Address of the Grand Inquest for several counties to Governor Dobbs upon his arrival in North Carolina.
Plan of Fort Johnson with some alterations.

Their lordships took into consideration an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council, dated the 3rd of April, 1753, referring a memorial of Mr. Dobbs, praying for ordnance stores for the fort built at Cape Fear mentioned in the minutes of the 27th of February, 1754, and ordered the draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee of Council to be prepared.

Massachusets.

Read a letter from Mr. Shirley, Governor of the Massachusets Bay, to the Board, dated January 12th, 1755, with his observations upon an Excise Act passed there in December, 1754, and inclosing:—
An Act for granting unto his Majesty an Excise upon spirits distilled and wine and upon limes, lemons and oranges, passed the 19th December, 1754.
Message from the Assembly to the Governor, relative to the Excise Act.

Ordered, that the Secretary do deliver the abovementioned Act to the Clerk of his Majesty's Council in waiting to be laid before his Majesty in Council.

Trade.

Africa.

The Secretary laid before the Board the following paper received from the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa, viz.:—
Copies of a letter from Thomas Melvil to the Committee, dated October 8th, 1754; from William Husbands to the Committee, October 29th, 1754; and from John Apperley to the Committee, dated October 30th, 1754.

Thursday, April 24. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Grenville, Mr. Fane.

Pennsylvania.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council, dated the 15th April, 1755, referring to the consideration of this Board the humble address of the representatives of the freemen of the province of Pennsylvania to his Majesty.

Ordered, that the said address be taken into consideration on Tuesday next and that the Secretary do give notice thereof to Mr. Penn, Proprietary of the province of Pennsylvania, and to Mr. Partridge, agent for the said province.

Jamaica.

Read a letter from Mr. Knowles, Governor of Jamaica, to the Board, dated the 25th of January, 1755, acquainting the Board of his having dissolved the Assembly of that Island and inclosing:—
Copy of his message to the Assembly of Jamaica and of the Assembly's answer.
Copy of a minute of the Council of Jamaica of the 24th January, 1755.

Jamaica.

Ordered, that the Secretary do transmit copys of the said letter and papers to his Majesty's Attorney and Sollicitor General and desire their opinion whether Mr. Dawes (mentioned therein), by having been convicted in England of uttering treasonable expressions against his Majesty and sentenced to enter into a recognizance for his good behaviour for seven years is disqualified during that time from being elected a member of and sitting in the Assembly in Jamaica, he having taken the oaths and made and subscribed the declaration, and taken and subscribed the oath of abjuration.

Massachusets.

Read a letter from Mr. Bollan, dated the 21st of March, 1755, relating to the defects in the laws of trade and navigation for preserving the king's woods in America.

Ordered, that the Secretary do acquaint Mr. Bollan that their lordships shall be ready at any time to receive anything he may have to offer upon the several points contained in his letter, and as he represents that he is in an ill state of health, it will be very agreeable to their lordships to receive his sentiments in writing.

Georgia.

Read a memorial of the Rev. Mr. Thomas Bosomworth to the Board with affidavits, etc., annexed.

Upon consideration of the foregoing memorial, their lordships were of opinion that they could not properly take cognizance of that part of the memorial which relates to Mrs. Bosomworth's claim of part of the presents ordered by his Majesty for the Indians in 1748, the whole of that matter having been under the consideration of his Majesty's Secretary of State: That as to that part which relates to the complaint of the settlers in the southern frontiers and the defenceless state of those frontiers in the time of the Trustees, their lordships were of opinion that the several matters contained therein had been provided for by his Majesty's having taken the government of the colony under his own immediate directions.

Bermuda.

Read a letter from Francis Jones, Esquire, President of the Council of Bermuda, dated the 13th November, 1754, in answer to Mr. Pownall's letter of the 6th of May last, transmitting:—
Minutes of Council from the 19th November, 1751, to the 6th of August, 1754.
Minutes of Council in Assembly from the 10th of February, 1752, to the 17th of October, 1754.

Ordered, that in the draught of the instructions now preparing for the Governor of Bermuda, two articles be inserted with respect to the practice complained of, by the President of the Assembly choosing a Speaker every fourth session and to the impropriety of having the quorum of the Assembly consist of so large a number of the members.

North Carolina.

The draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee of Council upon Mr. Dobbs's memorial relating to ordnance stores for the fort erected at Cape Fear River in North Carolina having been prepared pursuant to the preceding minutes, was agreed to transcribed and signed.

Friday, April 25. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Fane.

Nova Scotia.

The Secretary laid before the Board a memorial prepared by Mr. Kilby, agent for Nova Scotia, to be presented to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury praying that . . . . . . . may be issued to him to discharge certain warrants directed to him for payment of money due to the contractor for supplying the troops in that colony with provisions and likewise to pay certain bills drawn upon him, the said agent, by the Lieutenant Governor for the service of the colony, and the said memorial having been approved of, Mr. Kilby was ordered to present it to the Lords Commissioners of his Majesty's Treasury for their Lordships' directions upon it.

Tuesday, April 29. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Fane, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Pelham.

Pennsylvania.

Their lordships pursuant to the minutes of Thursday last took into consideration the address of the Assembly of Pennsylvania to his Majesty complaining of the Lieutenant Governor having refused his assent to an Act for emitting £20,000 in bills of credit, and Mr. Thomas Penn, one of the Proprietarys of the said province, Mr. Partridge, agent for the Assembly, with Mr. Joshua Sharpe his sollicitor, and Mr. Paris, sollicitor in behalf of the Lieutenant Governor, attending without pursuant to notice given them for that purpose, they were called in, and the order of reference being read, Mr. Joshua Sharpe in behalf of his client moved for leave to be heard upon it by his counsel, and that the further consideration of this affair might be postponed in order that he might have time to instruct his counsel accordingly. Whereupon their lordships fixed Tuesday the 6th of May for taking this address into further consideration, and then the partys withdrew.

New Jersey.

Read the following letters and papers received from Mr. Belcher, Governor of New Jersey, viz.:—
Letter from Mr. Belcher to the Board, dated the 24th of August, 1754, transmitting the following Treasurers' Accounts and navy office lists, viz.:—
Samuel Smith, Esquire, Treasurer for West New Jersey, his accounts and payments from the 12th of October, 1753, to the 6th of April, 1754.
Andrew Johnston, Esquire, Treasurer for East New Jersey, his account of receipts and payments from the 8th of June, 1753, to the 20th of June, 1754.
A list of vessels entred at Perth Amboy between the 5th of July, 1754, and the 5th of January following.
A list of ships and vessels cleared outwards at Perth Amboy for the same time.
A list of ships and vessels entred and cleared at Burlington from Midsummer, 1753, to Lady Day, 1754.

Nova Scotia.

Read a memorial of Mr. Henry Meriton, surgeon, praying for a reward for his services in attending the settlers sent to Nova Scotia in 1749 during their passage.

Upon consideration of the foregoing memorial their lordships were of opinion that the employment offered to the memorialist by the Governor of Nova Scotia was the only proper reward for the services alledged by him to have been performed in attending the settlers during their passage.

Read a letter from Mr. Lawrence, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, dated Halifax, the 24th of December, 1754, acquainting the Board that everything has been very quiet since his last and that the Indians have not made the least attempt to disturb the new settlement of Lawrence Town.

Read a letter from Mr. West, Secretary to the Lords of the Treasury, dated the 19th of November, 1754, inclosing the memorial of the Board of Ordnance for being reimbursed the sum of money paid by them for the service of Nova Scotia, and referring the said memorial to the consideration of this Board.

South Carolina.

Read a memorial of Mr. Crokatt, agent for South Carolina, for obtaining a Commission for trying of pirates in South Carolina.

Ordered that the Secretary do give notice to Mr. Crokatt to attend the Board on Thursday morning next at eleven o'clock.

Massachusets.

Read a letter from Mr. Bollan, agent of the Massachusets Bay, to the Board, dated the 22nd of February, 1755, inclosing the following letter to him from Mr. Phineas Stevens:—
Letter from Mr. Phineas Stevens, dated at Boston, the 28th of December, 1754, to Mr. Bollan inclosing:—
The humble petition of sundry of his Majesty's subjects inhabitants of a tract of land situate upon Connecticut River about thirty miles north of Fort Dummer within the province of New Hampshire known by the name of number four, reciting their unhappy situation, great distress and dangerous case.

New Hampshire.

Ordered, that the abovementioned petition to his Majesty be laid before their Excellencies, the Lords Justices in Council, and that the draught of a representation to his Majesty therewith be prepared.

Plantations General.

Read a letter from Mr. Bollan to the Secretary, dated the 28th of April, 1755, in answer to one from him relating to the defects in the laws of trade, etc.

Resolved that the Board do on Friday next take into consideration the state of his Majesty's woods in North America, and the several Acts of Parliament relating thereto, and that the Secretary do give notice to Mr. Walker of the province of New Hampshire to attend the Board on that day.

New Jersey.

Read a letter from Mr. Belcher, Governor of New Jersey, dated the 28th of December, 1754, inclosing his answer to the Board's queries relating to the present state and condition of that province.

Wednesday, April 30. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Fane, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Pelham.

Antigua.

Their lordships pursuant to the minutes of the 3rd instant, took into consideration the Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council, referring the petition of John Sharpe, Esquire, agent for the Island of Antigua, praying for an augmentation of the regiment stationed in the Leeward Islands, and ordered the draught of a report thereupon to the Lords of the Committee of Council to be prepared.

Bermuda.

The Secretary laid before the Board a draught of general instructions for William Popple, Esquire, Governor of Bermuda, prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 7th of February last, which was agreed to and ordered to be transcribed, and the draught of a representation thereupon to their Excellencies, the Lords Justices, having been prepared, was also agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.