Journal, February 1756: Volume 63

Journal, February 1756

Tuesday, February 3. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Talbot, Mr. Jenyns.

Jamaica.

Read a letter from Charles Knowles, Esquire, Governor of Jamaica, to the Board, dated the 12th of November, 1755, inclosing:—
Lists of ships that have entered and cleared in that Island between the 25th of March and 25th of June, 1755.

Read copy of an Order of his Majesty in Council on the 27th January, 1756, permitting and allowing the Governor of Jamaica to resign his government.

Maryland.

Read a letter from Caecilius Calvert, Esquire, Secretary to the province of Maryland, dated January 20th, 1756, to the Secretary to this Board, transmitting a collection of the whole body of laws now in force in that colony.

New Jersey.

Read the following letters and papers received from Mr. Belcher, Governor of New Jersey, viz.:—
Letter from Mr. Belcher to the Secretary, in answer to one from him, dated the 19th of September, 1755, desiring an account of the state of the defence of that province.
Letter from Mr. Belcher to the Board, dated the 6th of December, 1755, relating to the real state and defence of New Jersey and transmitting the following public papers, viz.:—
Queries from the Board of Trade to Mr. Belcher with his answers thereto, so far as relates to the state of defence of the province under his government.
Treasurer of West New Jersey's account from 15th of April, 1754, to the 5th of November, 1755.
Treasurer of East New Jersey, his account from the 21st of June, 1754, to the 21st of November, 1755.
Printed votes and proceedings of the General Assembly of New Jersey in July, August and November, 1755.
Transcripts of the Journals of his Majesty's Council from the 1st of August to the 14th of November, 1755.
Lists of ships and vessels entered and cleared at Port Perth Amboy in New Jersey between the 5th of January and 5th of July, 1755.
Six Acts passed in New Jersey in August, 1755.

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

Jamaica.

Ordered, that the Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council for Plantation Affairs, dated the 10th of September, 1755, referring to the Board an address of the Council and Assembly in Jamaica to his Majesty, imploring his assent to several laws passed there relating to the removal of the Courts of Justice and the Records from St. Iago de la Vega to Kingston be taken into consideration on Tuesday next, the 10th instant, and that the Secretary give notice to the agent for the Island, and to Mr. Paris, sollicitor in behalf of the planters, proprietors and occupiers of lands and tenements in the town of St. Iago de la Vega and the neighbourhood thereof, and also to Mr. Hammond, sollicitor in behalf of the merchants of Kingston, etc.

Barbados.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty proposing that Charles Pinfold, Esquire, may be appointed Governor of Barbados, having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 27th of January last, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Wednesday, February 4. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Talbot, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Rigby.

Nova Scotia.

Their lordships took into consideration a letter from Mr. Lawrence, Governor of Nova Scotia, dated the 8th of December, 1755, inclosing the Chief Justice's proposals for convening an Assembly in that province, and the Secretary reported to their lordships the several precedents which appeared upon the books of this office with regard to the convening Assemblys in Nova Scotia.

Ordered, that the draught of a letter to Mr. Lawrence inclosing their lordships' sentiments and directions upon this point be prepared.

Bahamas.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty with the copy of a letter from the Governor of the Bahama Islands relating to the defenceless state thereof, having been transcribed pursuant to the minutes of the 29th of January, was signed.

Newfoundland.

The draught of a letter to Mr. Fox, one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, inclosing an extract of a letter from the Governor of Newfoundland relating to five prisoners now under sentence of death in that Island for a murder, having been transcribed pursuant to the minutes of the 29th of January, was signed.

New York.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty with an extract of a letter from the Governor of New York and copys of his speech to the Assembly and their address in answer thereto, so far as relates to the establishment of perpetual revenue, having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 23rd of January last, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Bermuda.

The draught of a letter to Mr. Popple, Governor of Bermuda, in answer to two from him, dated the 7th and 16th of December last, having been transcribed pursuant to the minutes of the 28th of January last, was signed.

Thursday, February 5. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Talbot, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Rigby.

Nova Scotia.

The draught of a letter to the Governor of Nova Scotia containing the Board's sentiments and directions with respect to the Chief Justice's proposal for convening an Assembly in that province, having been prepared pursuant to yesterday's minutes, was agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

South Carolina.

Read a memorial of Charles Pinckney, Esquire, one of the Council of South Carolina, dated February 4th, 1756, relating to the complaints of the Cherokee Indians and the danger to which that province is exposed from the want of a fort in the Upper Cherokee country.

Ordered, that the said memorial be taken into consideration on Tuesday next, and that the Secretary do desire Mr. Pinckney's attendance at the Board on that day.

Jamaica.

Their lordships took into consideration an Act passed in the Island of Jamaica in 1749, entituled:—
An Act for the more effectual carrying into execution a clause in an Act intituled, an Act for encouraging white people to come over and become settlers in this Island, and for the more easy and speedy settling the North-East part thereof, for making Port Antonio a port of entry and clearance of all ships and vessels.
and ordered the draught of a representation to his Majesty to be prepared proposing the repeal thereof.

Virginia.

Read Sir Mathew Lamb's report upon an Act passed in Virginia in December, 1753, entituled:—
An Act to dock the intail of certain lands whereof Gerard Alexander is seized, and for settling other lands and slaves of greater value to the same uses.
and ordered the draught of a representation to his Majesty to be prepared proposing the confirmation thereof.

North Carolina.

Read an Order of his Majesty in Council, dated the 3rd instant, approving a representation of this Board proposing that Edward Brice Dobbs, Esquire, may be appointed of the Council in North Carolina in the room of James Craven, Esquire, deceased, and a warrant for his appointment to be prepared.

A warrant having been prepared in the usual from was agreed to and a representation to his Majesty therewith was signed.

Bermuda.

Read a copy of an Order in Council, dated the 27th of January, 1746, approving a warrant appointing Thomas Hunt, Esquire, to be of the Council in Bermuda in the room of William Riddell, Esquire, deceased.

Trade.

Africa.

The Secretary laid before the Board the following papers received from the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa, viz.:—
Copies of sundry letters from the Governor and Council at James Fort in the river Gambia, to the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa, anno 1755.
Copies of letters, etc., from Thomas Melvil, Esquire, Governor of Cape Coast Castle, to the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa, anno 1755.
Copies of several letters to and from the Committee relating to affairs on the coast of Africa, 1755.

Ordered, that the said papers be taken into consideration on Wednesday next, and that the Secretary do give notice to the Committee to attend.

Tuesday, February 10. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Talbot, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Rigby.

Jamaica.

Their lordships took into consideration an Order of the Lords of Committee of Council for Plantation Affairs, dated the 10th of September, 1755, referring an address of the Council and Assembly of the Island of Jamaica to his Majesty, imploring his Majesty's assent to several laws passed there relating to the removal of the Courts of Justice and Records from St. Iago de la Vega to Kingston, and Mr. John Sharpe, agent for the Island, and Mr. Hammond, sollicitor for the merchants and others of the town of Kingston attending with Mr. Henley, their counsel, and Mr. Paris, sollicitor for the planters and occupiers of lands, houses and tenements in St. Iago de la Vega and its neighbourhood, attending also with Mr. Forrester and Mr. Evans, his counsel, they were called in, and their lordships having heard what the counsel had to offer for and against the confirmation of the said laws, the parties withdrew, and their lordships agreed further to consider this matter to-morrow morning.

Virginia.

A representation to his Majesty proposing that John Earl of Loudoun may be appointed Captain General and Governor in Chief of the colony of Virginia in the room of the Earl of Albemarle, deceased, was signed.

Jamaica.

A representation to his Majesty proposing that Henry Moore, Esquire, may be appointed Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica was signed.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty proposing the repeal of an Act passed in Jamaica in 1749, having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 5th instant, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Virginia.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty proposing the confirmation of a private Act passed in Virginia in December, 1753, having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 5th instant, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

South Carolina.

Their lordships took into consideration Mr. Pinckney's memorial relating to the expediency of building a fort in the upper Cherokee country in the province of South Carolina; and Mr. Pinckney attending as desired was called in, and their lordships having heard what he had to offer he withdrew, and it was agreed further to consider this matter to-morrow morning.

Wednesday, February 11. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Talbot, Mr. Jenyns.

Trade.

Africa.

Their lordships took into consideration the several letters between the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa and the chief officers upon the coast, mentioned in the minutes of the 5th instant, and the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa attending as desired, they were called in, and having explained to their lordships that part of Mr. Melvil's letter to them, dated the . . . . , which seemed to their lordships to express an apprehension that the price of slaves upon the coast might fall, they withdrew.

Plantations General.

Read a letter from Mr. Harding, Secretary to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, dated the 5th of February, 1756, signifying their lordships' desire that this Board would consider what part of the money granted by Parliament for the assistance and encouragement of the four New England colonies, New York and New Jersey, may be properly allotted to each colony, and to what persons it should be consigned.

Ordered, that the draught of a letter to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury thereupon be prepared.

South Carolina.

Their lordships took into consideration Mr. Pinckney's memorial relating to the expediency of building a fort in the upper Cherokee country, mentioned in the minutes of yesterday, and ordered the Secretary to write to Mr. Lyttelton, Governor of the province, to desire his attendance at the Board on Tuesday next.

Jamaica.

Their lordships took into consideration the address of the Council and Assembly of Jamaica to his Majesty relating to the laws for removing the Courts of Justice and Records from St. Iago de la Vega to Kingston and ordered the draught of a report thereupon to be prepared.

Thursday, February 12. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Talbot, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Rigby.

Plantations General.

The draught of a letter to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury relating to the allotment of the money granted by Parliament for the assistance and encouragement of the four New England colonies, New York, and New Jersey, having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of yesterday, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Jamaica.

The draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee of Council for Plantation Affairs upon the address of the Council and Assembly of Jamaica, relating to the laws for removing the Courts of Justice and Records from St. Iago de la Vega to Kingston, having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of yesterday, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Monday, February 16. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Talbot, Mr. Jenyns.

New York.

New Hampshire.

New Jersey.

North Carolina.

Virginia.

Their lordships took into consideration the letters which have been received from the Governors of New York, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, and also from the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, since the Board's last letters to them, and ordered draughts of letters in answer thereto to be prepared.

Pennsylvania.

Read an Order of the Committee of Council for Plantation Affairs, dated the 12th day of February, 1756, referring to this Board a petition to his Majesty of sundry inhabitants of Pennsylvania, setting forth the distressed and defenceless state of that province and praying relief.

Ordered, that the said Order of reference be taken into consideration on Wednesday next, and that the Secretary do give notice thereof to the agent for the petitioners and to the agents for the province.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council for Plantation Affairs, dated the 12th day of February, 1756, referring to the Board six Acts passed in the province of Pennsylvania in the months of April, June, August, September and November last.

Ordered, that the said Acts be sent to Sir Mathew Lamb for his opinion thereupon in point of law with all possible dispatch.

Tuesday, February 17. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Talbot, Mr. Jenyns.

South Carolina.

Their lordships pursuant to the minutes of the 11th instant, took into consideration Mr. Pinckney's memorial relating to the expediency of building a fort in the upper Cherokee country in Carolina, and Mr. Lyttelton, the Governor, attending as desired, he was called in and the memorial having been read, their lordships directed him immediately upon his arrival in his government to inquire in whose hands the money granted by the Crown for this service had been deposited and whether any and what steps had been taken for carrying this necessary measure into execution, and in case the money given by the Crown should be insufficient, to press the Assembly to make such addition thereto as would render it effectual, but at all events to avail himself of the sum in hand to begin the work, and if he found any difficulty with the Assembly to make a full representation of this matter to the Secretary of State and to this Board, and then Mr. Lyttelton withdrew.

New Hampshire.

Read the following letter and papers received from Mr. Wentworth, Governor of New Hampshire, viz.:—
Letter from Mr. Wentworth to the Board, dated the 23rd of December, 1755, in answer to Mr. Pownall's letter, dated the 19th of September last, for a state of that province with respect to the fortifications, and what may be necessary for their further security.
Letter from Mr. Wentworth, Governor of New Hampshire, dated the 23rd of September, 1755, in answer to one from Mr. Pownall, dated the 19th of September last.
An exact state of his Majesty's forts and batterys within the province of New Hampshire, also the military force within the same.
Treasurer's account for the province of New Hampshire to February 1st, 1755.
List of one and fifty Acts passed in the province of New Hampshire between the 19th of September, 1752, and the 18th of September, 1755, with his reasons for passing the same.
Minutes of Council and Council in Assembly from the 3rd of May, 1750, to the 22nd of December, 1755.
Naval officer's accounts from the 24th of June, 1751, to the 25th of March, 1755.
One and fifty Acts passed in the province of New Hampshire between the 18th of September, 1752, and the 18th of September, 1755.

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

New York.

New Hampshire.

New Jersey.

North Carolina.

Virginia.

The draughts of letters to the Governors of New York, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, and to the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, in answer to those received from them since the Board's last letters, having been prepared pursuant to the preceding day's minute, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Proprieties.

Delaware.

The Secretary laid before the Board a letter to him from Mr. Paris, which was ordered to be entred upon the Journal and is as follows, viz.:—
Sir,
If any petition should come before my Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations praying for a grant from the Crown of Islands in Delaware in America, I pray that I may have notice thereof, and may have the liberty of being heard in opposition thereto, before any report shall be made upon such petition, or that the same be taken into consideration, and desire that this my request may be entred on your books as a caveat, and am
Sir,
Your most Obedient humble Servant
Ferdinand John Paris.
Surry Street, Strand,
16 February, 1756.
To Mr. Secretary Pownall.

Wednesday, February 18. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Talbot, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Rigby.

Jamaica.

Read an Order of his Majesty in Council, dated the 17th of February, 1756, approving a representation of this Board to his Majesty proposing that Henry Moore, Esquire, may be appointed Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica, and directing a Commission to be prepared.

A Commission in the usual form having been prepared accordingly was approved and a representation to his Majesty therewith was signed.

Virginia.

Read an Order of his Majesty in Council, dated the 17th of February, 1756, approving a representation of this Board to his Majesty proposing that John, Earl of Loudoun, may be appointed Captain General and Governor in Chief of Virginia, and directing the draughts of a Commission and of general instructions to be prepared.

Ordered, that the draughts of a Commission and of general instructions be prepared with all possible dispatch.

Barbados.

Read an Order of his Majesty in Council, dated the 17th of February, 1756, approving a representation of this Board to his Majesty proposing that Charles Pinfold, Esquire, may be appointed Captain General and Governor in Chief of Barbados, and directing draughts of a Commission and general instructions to be prepared.

Ordered, that the draughts of a Commission and general instructions be prepared with all possible dispatch.

Pennsylvania.

Read a letter from Mr. Fox, one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, dated the 17th of February, 1756, transmitting to the Board several petitions to his Majesty of sundry of the inhabitants of Pennsylvania setting forth the distressed and defenceless state of that province and praying relief, and signifying his Majesty's commands that the Board do consider what measures it may be proper to take in relief of the great grievances the petitioners lye under.

Their lordships pursuant to the minute of the 16th instant took into consideration an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council for Plantation Affairs referring a petition to his Majesty of sundry of the inhabitants of Pennsylvania setting forth the distressed and defenceless state of that province, and Mr. Paris, solicitor for the petitioners, and Mr. Joshua Sharpe, solicitor in behalf of the Assembly, with the agent for the said province attending as desired, they were called in and Mr. Joshua Sharpe moved their lordships for leave to be heard by counsel upon the said petition, and that time might be allowed them to prepare for that purpose, whereupon the partys were ordered to withdraw; and their lordships having agreed to allow the partys to be heard by their counsel respectively, and to postpone the further consideration of this affair to Thursday the 26th instant, they were called in again and acquainted therewith.

Thursday, February 19. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Fane, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Talbot, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Rigby.

Plantations General.

The Secretary having acquainted the Board that the several memorials, letters and representation of this Board to his Majesty, as also to his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, relating to encroachments committed by the French in North America were copyed pursuant to their lordships' orders of the 15th of January, a letter to Mr. Fox, one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, acquainting him therewith and that the Board waited his Majesty's further commands thereon was signed.

Pennsylvania.

The Secretary laid before the Board a list of papers upon record in this office of which Mr. Paris, sollicitor for sundry of the inhabitants of Pennsylvania in support of their petition to his Majesty relating to the defenceless state of that province, had desired to have copies.

Ordered, that copies of the said papers be made and delivered to Mr. Paris.

Friday, February 20. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Fane, Mr. Talbot.

Trade.

Africa.

The Secretary laid before the Board a draught of a letter prepared by the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa to be transmitted to the Board of Ordnance relating to the necessity of speedily sending out materials for compleating the fort at Anamaboe, to which draught their lordships proposed an amendment and ordered the Secretary to return the said draught to the Committee with the amendment.

Virginia.

Barbados.

The draughts of Commissions constituting and appointing John, Earl of Loudoun, Captain General and Governor in Chief of Virginia, and Charles Pinfold, Esquire, Captain General and Governor in Chief of Barbados, having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 18th instant, were agreed to, and representations to his Majesty therewith were signed.

Tuesday, February 24. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Fane, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Talbot, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Rigby.

Plantations General.

Read a letter from Mr. Fox, one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, dated this day, signifying the king's commands, that this Board do cause the papers mentioned in the address of the House of Lords to his Majesty on the 5th of December last, to be laid before that House.

The Secretary laid before the Board copies of the memorials, letters and representations of this Board to his Majesty or either of his principal Secretaries of State relating to encroachments committed by the French in North America from the time of the Treaty of Aix la Chappelle, ordered to be prepared by the minutes of the 15th of last month, together with a list of the said copies, and the Earl of Halifax was desired to present them to the House of Lords pursuant to his Majesty's commands.

Jamaica.

The Secretary laid before the Board copies of such of the papers relating to affairs in the Island of Jamaica, mentioned in an address of the Commons to his Majesty on the 23rd of January, as are to be found upon record in this office together with a list of the said copies ordered to be prepared by the minutes of the 27th of January last, and Mr. Oswald was desired to present them to the House pursuant to his Majesty's commands.

Nova Scotia.

The Secretary laid before the Board a draught of general instructions prepared for Mr. Lawrence, Governor of Nova Scotia pursuant to their lordships' orders, and their lordships took the said draught into consideration and made some progress therein.

Wednesday, February 25. Present:—Mr. Oswald, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Talbot, Mr. Jenyns.

Their lordships took into further consideration the draught of general instructions for the Governor of Nova Scotia, and having gone through the same they were ordered to be transcribed, and a draught of instructions for the said Governor's observance of the laws relating to the Plantation trade were ordered to be prepared.

Thursday, February 26. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Fane, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Talbot, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Rigby.

Pennsylvania.

Their lordships pursuant to the minutes of the 18th instant took into consideration an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council for Plantation Affairs, referring a petition to his Majesty of sundry of the inhabitants of Pennsylvania, setting forth the distressed and defenceless state thereof and praying relief, and Mr. Paris, solicitor for the petitioners, attending with Mr. York and Mr. Forrester his counsel, and also Mr. Joshua Sharpe, sollicitor for the Assembly, attending with Mr. Henley and Mr. Pratt his counsel, the agents for the province and several of the people called Quakers, they were called in and their lordships having heard what the counsel had to offer as well on the one side as the other, they were ordered to withdraw.

Friday, February 27. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Talbot, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Rigby.

Pennsylvania.

Their lordships took into consideration the petition of sundry of the inhabitants of the province of Pennsylvania setting forth the defenceless and distressed state of that province, and after some time spent therein, ordered the draught of a report thereupon to the Lords of the Committee of Council to be prepared.

Nova Scotia.

The Secretary laid before the Board a draught of instructions for the Governor of Nova Scotia relating to his observance of the laws of trade, prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 25th instant, and the said draught having been agreed to was ordered to be transcribed and a representation to his Majesty upon the said instructions and also upon the general instructions agreed to the said 25th instant was ordered to be prepared.

Jamaica.

Read the following letters and papers received from Mr. Knowles, Governor of Jamaica, viz.:—
Letter from Mr. Knowles to the Board, dated November 19th, 1755, relating to the restoring Mr. Hyde to his seat at the Council Board.
Letter from Mr. Knowles to the Board, dated at Kingston, the 1st of December, 1755, transmitting:—
Minutes of Assembly from the 23rd of September to the 23rd of October, 1755, with a prorogation for one hour.
Minutes of Assembly from the 23rd of October to the 19th of November, 1755.
Two Acts passed the 20th of November, 1755.
Letter from Mr. Knowles to the Board, dated the 13th of December, 1755, in answer to Mr. Pownall's letter of the 19th of September, last, and inclosing the following paper:—
The state of Jamaica with Governor Knowles's opinion of what is wanting for its further defence.

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

Ordered, that the abovementioned minutes of Assembly from the 23rd of September to the 23rd of October with a prorogation for one hour be copied to be laid before the House of Commons pursuant to their address to his Majesty on the 23rd of January last.

Trade.

Africa.

Read a letter from Mr. Poirier, Secretary to the Committee of Merchants trading to Africa, to the Secretary to this Board, dated February 25th, 1756, acquainting him that the Committee had agreed to the amendment made by the Board to the Committee's letter to the Board of Ordnance concerning stores to be sent to Anamaboe for compleating the fort.