Journal, November 1774: Volume 81

Journal, November 1774

fo. 69.

Saturday, November 5. Present:—Mr. Gascoyne, Lord Robert Spencer, Mr. Keene, Mr. Greville.

The Earl of Dartmouth, one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, attends.

Grenada.

fo. 70.

Georgia.

Massachusetts.

Their lordships proceeded pursuant to the minutes of Monday upon the consideration of the Laws of Grenada mentioned therein, and Mr. Montagu, agent for the island, attending, with Mr. Mansfield, his Counsel, and many of the principal merchants of London and others trading to and interested in the island of Grenada attending also, a paper delivered by them, stating their objections to the Act for amending and explaining the Court Act, was read, and they were also severally heard in what they had to offer thereupon; after which Mr. Mansfield was heard in support of the Act, and the parties being withdrawn, a representation to his Majesty upon both the Laws was agreed to and signed; as was also a representation to his Majesty upon three Laws passed in the province of Georgia; and a report to the Lords of the Committee of Council upon twenty Laws passed in the province of Massachusets Bay.

Miscellanies.

The Secretary having reported to the Board that, by reason of the great addition made of late years to the books and papers of this office, the rooms assigned for the accommodation of their lordships and their officers were become insufficient to contain the same, it was ordered, that the Secretary should write to the Secretary to the Lords of the Treasury, desiring, either that the other state papers, now kept in the rooms adjoining to these apartments on the south, may be removed, or that some other place, within his Majesty's palace of Whitehall, may be appointed for carrying on the business of this department.

fo. 71.

Monday, November 28. Present:—Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Gascoyne, Mr. Keene, Mr. Greville.

The Earl of Dartmouth, one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, attends.

Africa.

Jamaica.

fo. 72.

The Secretary to the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa attending was called in, and presented to the Board a memorial of the said Committee under their common Seal; also a memorial of the merchants of London trading to Africa, and one from the master, wardens and commonalty of the Society of Merchants Adventurers of the city of Bristol, complaining that the Legislature of the island of Jamaica had imposed an additional duty of 40 shillings per head upon negroes imported into that island, and praying that orders may be given, that the said additional duty may be refunded, and that no Act of the like nature be allowed to pass for the future, without a clause suspending its execution until the King's pleasure shall have been known.

The said memorials having been read, it was agreed to take them into consideration when the Act referred to shall have been reported upon by Mr. Jackson, and the Secretary was ordered to write to Mr. Jackson, desiring he would make his report as soon as conveniently may be.

Grenada.

Read a memorial of Major General Melville, setting forth the substance of a former memorial relative to his services as Governor of Grenada, presented by him to Lord Dartmouth, which his Lordship had transmitted to the Treasury, and had been by their order referred to this Board, and praying that they would report their opinion, whether, upon the whole of the matter therein stated, it would be just and reasonable that the claim of the memorialist should be complied with or not.

fo. 73.

Their lordships finding, upon reference to their books, that a report had been already made to the Treasury upon the former memorial of Governor Melvill, referred by that Board, they were of opinion, that the case to which the present memorial refers was not now before them.

Quebec.

The Earl of Dartmouth acquainted the Board, that the King had been graciously pleased to signify his Majesty's pleasure, that Guy Carleton, Esquire, should be appointed Governor of Quebec, in pursuance of the provision made by an Act of the last session of the late Parliament for making more effectual provision for the government of the said province, and that it was his Majesty's command, that this Board should prepare and lay before his Majesty draughts of such Commission and instructions as might be necessary in consequence of the said Act.

fo. 74.

Ordered, that this business be taken into consideration on Thursday next, and that in the meantime the Secretary do prepare heads of a proper Commission.

Pennsylvania.

Read an order of the King in Council, dated August 12th, 1774, referring to this Board, for their consideration and report, eight Acts passed in the province of Pennsylvania in January, 1774.

Massachusetts.

Read an order of the Lords of the Committee of Council for Plantation Affairs, dated November 15th, 1774, referring to this Board, for their examination and report, eight Acts passed in Massachusets Bay in June, 1774.

Ordered, that the Laws referred to in the above mentioned orders be forthwith sent to Mr. Jackson, for his opinion thereupon in point of law.

fo. 75.

Barbados.

Read a letter from the Honorable Edward Hay, Governor of Barbados, dated August 31st, 1774, containing observations on seven Acts lately passed in that island.
Certificate of money collected in lieu of the gunpowder duty from August 23rd, 1773, to August 24, 1774.
List of members of Council, August 26th, 1774.
Abstract of births, christenings and burials from January 1st to December 31st, 1773.
Treasurer's return of negroes imported into the island of Barbados from August 11th, 1773, to August 11th, 1774.
Seven Acts passed in September and November, 1773, and February, March, April and May, 1774.

Ordered, that the Acts be sent to Mr. Jackson, for his opinion thereupon in point of law.