Journal, September 1775: Volume 82

Journal, September 1775

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Thursday, September 7th. Present:—Mr. Eliot, Mr. Jolliffe, Mr. Keene.

Several orders of the Lords of His Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council were read, the titles of which are as follows, viz:—
Plantations General, Trade.
Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated September 4th, 1775, referring to this Board, for their consideration and report, ten petitions of sundry merchants in London and Liverpool, praying leave to export military stores to the coast of Africa for trade, and for the use of the vessels in their respective voyages.
Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated September 4th, 1775, referring to this Board, for their consideration and report, six petitions of sundry merchants, praying leave to export military stores to Ostend, Lisbon, Rotterdam, Oporto, Scanderoon and Dunkirk, for the several
uses and purposes therein expressed.
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Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated September 4th, 1775, referring to this Board, for their consideration and report, the petition of James Mather, of London, merchant, praying that the ship Ann, William Read, Master, bound to the river Mississippi in West Florida, with gunpowder and arms on board (for which the petitioner obtained a licence on the 4th of May last, viz:—for two hundred trading guns, one hundred and fifty barrels of gunpowder, and twenty tons of ball), may be permitted to proceed on her voyage.
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Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated September 4th, 1775, referring to this Board, for their consideration and report, the petition of James Hambrough, of London, merchant, praying leave to export one hundred and eighteen barrels of gunpowder to Harve de Grace, for the use of an African ship fitting out at that place; and also praying leave to export to Nantes and Bourdeaux, three hundred barrels of gunpowder, being the remainder of five hundred and fifty barrels the petitioner was allowed to export to those places, for the use of French ships trading to Africa, by two orders in Council, of the 30th of March and 4th of May last.
Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated September 4th, 1775, referring to this Board, for their consideration and report, five petitions of sundry merchants, praying leave to export several quantities of military stores to Jamaica, the Leeward Islands, Georgia, the river Mississippi, and West Florida, for the uses in the said petitions mentioned.
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Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated September 4th, 1775, referring to this Board, for their consideration and report, the petition of Thomas Eagle, Master of the ship Juno, now lying at the port of Liverpool, bound to Africa, praying that the said ship may be permitted to proceed on her voyage to Africa, with one hundred and fifty barrels of gunpowder and seven hundred and fifty trading guns, for which the petitioner obtained a licence on the 27th of June last.
Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated September 4th, 1775, referring to this Board, for their consideration and report, the petition of John Shoolbread, of London, merchant, praying that the ship Woortmans, Captain Wyatt, with three hundred and twenty nine kegs (or fifty barrels) of gunpowder on board, may, on her arrival in the Downs from Helvoetsluys, be permitted to proceed on her voyage to Africa, being part of the stores, which the petitioner was allowed to export by order in Council of the 7th of January last.

Their lordships, upon mature consideration of the above mentioned orders of reference, came to the following resolutions, viz:—

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That no gunpowder, arms or ammunition ought to be allowed to be exported to Africa, but upon full proof of the burthen of the vessel in which they are to be exported, the place of her destination, and the number of slaves she intends to trade for; and the quantity to be more or less, according to the evidence to be produced of these circumstances.

That no licence whatever be given for the exportation of gunpowder, arms or ammunition to any of the colonies in arms against Government, or, for the present, to any foreign port or place in Europe.

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That no gunpowder, arms or ammunition be allowed to be exported to any other of the colonies or Islands, except upon condition that the exporter do give security in treble the value to land it at such place as shall be appointed, there to be deposited in some warehouse, and under the custody of some person appointed by the Governor of the said colony or Island, and the bond not to be cancelled till certificates are produced, attested upon oath before a magistrate, from the store-keeper, that such gunpowder, arms or ammunition have been issued and disposed of in trade, or otherways, for the immediate use of the inhabitants of such colony or Island only.

Mr. Mather, one of the persons, whose petition is annexed to the abovementioned order of reference, attending, and having given to their lordships satisfactory information touching such points as their lordships thought fit to interrogate him upon, he withdrew; and the draught of a report to the Lords of the Council upon his petition, having been prepared, was approved and signed.

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Mr. Hambrough, another of the petitioners, attending, his petition was read, but it appearing to fall within the cases mentioned in the second of the above resolutions, he was informed that, for the present, his request could not be complied with.

Mr. Thompson, agent for Mr. Fisher, another of the petitioners, praying leave to export arms and ammunition to Africa, attended, but not being able to give their lordships any satisfactory information touching the object and destination of the voyage proposed, or of the burthen of the vessel to be employed, he was desired to write to his constituents for further instructions.

Monday, September 11. Present:—Mr. Eliot, Mr. Keene.

Trade.

Three orders of the Lords of His Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council were read, the titles of which are as follows, viz:—
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Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated September 7th, 1775, referring to this Board, for their consideration and report, the petition of William and John Camden and John Calvert of London, merchants, praying that the ship Juno, Thomas Wilson, master, bound to Africa, but stopped in the Downs, for having sixty barrels of gunpowder and two hundred and fifteen trading guns on board, may be permitted to proceed on her voyage.
Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated September 7th, 1775, referring to this Board, for their consideration and report, the petitions of Christopher and Richard Puller of London, merchants, and Samuel Shaw of Liverpool, praying that they may be permitted to export in the snow Betty and Jenny, Alexander Thomson. master, fifty barrels of gunpowder, three hundred muskets, one hundred cutlasses, and three hundred weight of lead shot, to the coast of Africa, for trade.
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Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated September 7th, 1775, referring to this Board, for their consideration and report, the petition of John Fletcher of London, merchant, praying that he may be permitted to export in the ship Thames eleven thousand, four hundred weight of gunpowder to Africa, for trade on that coast.

Messrs. Camden and Calvert, and also Mr. Fletcher, whose petitions are annexed to the abovementioned orders of reference, attending, and having severally given to their lordships satisfactory information touching such points as their lordships thought fit to interrogate them upon, they withdrew, and draughts of reports to the Lords of the Council upon their petitions, having been prepared and approved, were signed.

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Mr. Lever, whose petition is annexed to the fifth order of reference, mentioned in the minutes of the 7th instant, attending, and having given to their lordships satisfactory information touching such points as their lordships thought fit to interrogate him upon, he withdrew, and the draught of a report to the Lords of the Council upon his petition having been prepared and approved, was signed.

Pennsylvania.

Read an order of the King in Council, dated August 23rd, 1775, approving the appointment of John Penn, Esquire, to be Deputy Governor of Pennsylvania and the three Counties of Newcastle, Kent and Sussex, under the conditions therein mentioned; requiring him to qualify himself for that trust before the Governor of New York, or any other Governor in the neighbouring provinces; and directing this Board to prepare and lay before his Majesty a draught of such instructions, as have been usually given.

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The Secretary having laid before the Board a declaration under the hands and seals of Lady Juliana Penn, testamentary guardian of the person and estate of her son John Penn, eldest son and heir of Thomas Penn, Esquire, lately deceased, and the said John Penn the infant, with the consent of his said guardian, in the usual form, respecting the government of the three Lower Counties on Delaware river, a draught of instructions for the said Deputy Governor, was ordered to be prepared.

Thursday, September 14th. Present:—Mr. Eliot, Mr. Keene.

Trade.

Two Orders of the Lords of His Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council were read, the titles of which are as follows, viz:—
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Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated September 12th, 1775, referring to this Board, for their consideration and report, the petition of several merchants and commanders of vessels trading to and from the Levant seas, praying, for the reasons therein contained, that those vessels may be permitted to take on board and export the usual quantity of gunpowder and ammunition that are allowed them by law for their defence.
Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated September 12th, 1775, referring to this Board, for their consideration and report, the petition of Peregrine Cust, of London, merchant, praying that Messrs. John Yate and Co., of Liverpool, merchants, may be permitted to export to the coast of Africa the sundry military stores therein mentioned, on board the ship Derby, for trade, and for the defence of the said ship.

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Messrs. Clark and Milligan, whose petition is annexed to the order referring five petitions, mentioned in the minutes of the 7th instant, attending, and having given to their lordships satisfactory information touching such points as their lordships thought fit to interrogate them upon, they withdrew; and the draught of a report to the Lords of the Council upon their petition having been prepared and approved, was signed.

Mr. Puller, whose petition is annexed to the second order of reference, mentioned in the minutes of the 11th instant, attending, and having given to their lordships satisfactory information touching such points as their lordships thought fit to interrogate him upon, he withdrew; and the draught of a report to the Lords of the Council upon his petition having been prepared and approved, was signed.

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Pennsylvania.

A draught of instructions for the Deputy Governor of Pennsylvania, having been prepared pursuant to order, was approved, and a representation to his Majesty thereupon was signed.

Tuesday, September 19th. Present:—Mr. Eliot, Mr. Keene.

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

Trade.

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Read an Order of the Lords of His Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, dated September 14th, 1775, referring to this Board, for their consideration and report, the petition of James Bloy, of London, merchant, praying leave to export to the coast of Africa, on board the brig Camelia, Robert Aynsley, master, twenty barrels of common trading gunpowder, one hundred trade guns, and one hundred cutlasses, for trade on the African coast.

Mr. Bloy, whose petition is annexed to the aforementioned order of reference, attending, and having given to their lordships satisfactory information touching such points as their lordships thought fit to interrogate him upon, he withdrew; and the draught of a report to the Lords of the Council upon his petition having been prepared and approved, was signed.

Mr. Joseph Barton, agent to Mr. Roger Fisher and his sons, whose petition is annexed to the first order of reference, mentioned in the minutes of the 7th instant, attending, and having given to their lordships satisfactory information touching such points as their lordships thought fit to interrogate him upon, he withdrew; and the draught of a report to the Lords of the Council upon Mr. Fisher's petition having been prepared and approved, was signed.

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Several of the merchants and commanders of vessels trading to and from the Levant seas, whose petition is annexed to the first order of reference, mentioned in the minutes of the 14th instant, attending, and having given to their lordships satisfactory information touching such points as their lordships thought fit to interrogate them upon, they withdrew; and the draught of a report to the Lords of the Council upon their petition having been prepared and approved, was signed.

Thursday, September 21st. Present:—Mr. Eliot, Mr. Keene.

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

Trade.

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Several Orders of the Lords of His Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council were read, the titles of which are as follows, viz:—
Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated September 20th, 1775, referring to this Board, for their consideration and report, the petition of Christopher and Richard Puller, of London, merchants, praying that they may be permitted to export the several military stores, therein specified, to Africa, on board the brigantine Neptune, Abraham Hall, master, for the African trade.
Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated September 20th, 1775, referring to this Board, for their consideration and report, the petition of Messrs. Murrell and Moore, merchants in London, praying that they may be permitted to export to Scanderoon, on board the ship Royal Charlotte, Alexander Christal, Commander, six chests of arms, twenty barrels of gunpowder, and twenty barrels of bird shot, for trade there.
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Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated September 20th, 1775, referring to this Board, for their consideration and report, the petition of Messrs. Lowbridge and Richard Bright, merchants in Bristol, praying leave to export certain military stores therein specified to Kingston in Jamaica, on board the ship Rebecca, on account of Messrs. Bright, Duncomb and Sandars, merchants there, for the use of trade with the natives on the Musquito shore.
Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated September 20th, 1775, referring to this Board, for their consideration and report, the petition of Messrs. French and Hobson, on behalf of Messrs. Hodgson and Sandys, of Liverpool, merchants, praying leave to export sundry military stores therein specified to the river Gambia in Africa, on board the ship Two Brothers, William Dawson, master, for the African trade.
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Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated September 20th, 1775, referring to this Board, for their consideration and report, the petition of Francis Peale, on behalf of Messrs. Barber, Sandys, Kendall and White, of Liverpool, merchants, praying leave to export sundry military stores therein specified to Sierralione on the Windward Coast of Africa, on board the ship Sally, George Wilkinson, master, for the African trade.
Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated September 20th, 1775, referring to this Board, for their consideration and report, the petition of Christopher and Richard Puller, of London, merchants, for permission to export a further quantity of military stores on board the Betty and Jenny, Alexander Thompson, master, for Africa, to compleat a proper assortment of goods.

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Mr. Cust, whose petition is annexed to the second order of reference, mentioned in the minutes of the 14th instant, attending, and having given to their lordships satisfactory information touching such points as their lordships thought fit to interrogate him upon, he withdrew; and the draught of a report to the Lords of the Council upon his petition having been prepared and approved, was signed.

Messrs. Christopher and Richard Puller, whose petition is annexed to the first of the aforementioned orders of reference, attending, and having given satisfactory information touching such points as their lordships thought fit to interrogate them upon, they withdrew; and the draught of a report to the Lords of the Council upon their petition having been prepared and approved, was signed.

Friday, September 29th. Present:—Mr. Eliot, Mr. Keene.

Three Orders of the Lords of His Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council were read, the titles of which are as follows, viz:—
Trade.
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Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated September 22nd, 1775, referring to this Board, for their consideration and report, the petition of Messrs. Tennant, Cust, Massingberd and Birch, of London, merchants, praying that leave may be given to Messrs. Thomas Spencer Dunn and Co., of Liverpool, merchants, to export to the coast of Angola in Africa, on board the ship Sally, certain military stores specified in a certificate annexed to their said petition.
Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated September 22nd, 1775, referring to this Board, for their consideration and report, the petition of Messrs. Tennant. Cust, Massingberd and Birch, of London, merchants, praying that leave may be given to Messrs. Thomas Spencer Dunn and Company, of Liverpool, merchants, to export to the coast of Angola in Africa, on board the ship York, certain military stores specified in a certificate annexed to their said petition.
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Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated September 27th, 1775, referring to this Board, for their consideration and report, the petition of Messrs. Beckford and James of London, merchants, praying leave to export to Savannah la Mar in the Island of Jamaica, ten barrels of gunpowder on board the ship Earl of Effingham, for the use of eight different plantations in that Island.

The agents for Messrs. Eagle, Puller, French, Tennant, and Beckford, whose petitions were referred by orders of the Lords of the Privy Council, mentioned in the minutes of the 7th and 21st instant, and this day, attended, and having severally given to their lordships satisfactory information touching such points, as their lordships thought fit to interrogate them upon, they withdrew; and draughts of reports to the Lords of the Council upon their petitions, having been prepared, were approved and signed.