Journal, January 1777

At a meeting of his Majesty's Commissioners for Trade and Plantations.

Friday, January 17th. Present:—Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Keene, Mr. Gascoyne, Mr. Greville, Mr. Eden.

fo. 1.

Lord George Germain, one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, attends.

Nova Scotia.

fo. 2.

The Board being informed by the agent for the Province of Nova Scotia, that a doubt had arisen between him and Governor Legge respecting the propriety of paying a bill of forty seven pounds, ten shillings drawn on him by Mr. Legge, for one moiety of six months' fuel, during Mr. Legge's absence from his government, and Mr. Legge, who attended, being called in, and heard in support of his claim; the Board were of opinion, that Mr. Legge, during his absence from his government, was, by the 95th article of the general instructions given to him, intitled to one moiety of the sum allowed for fuel, and informed the agent that he might accordingly pay the said bill without any hazard on his part.

Jamaica.

Their lordships took into consideration the state of the Council in the Island of Jamaica, and being informed that John Ellis, esquire, one of the said Council, has been long absent from his duty, and the Governor having represented, that the publick business was retarded by the want of a due number of councillors, the draught of a representation to his Majesty, recommending that James Wildman, esquire, may be appointed of the Council in the Island of Jamaica, in the room of the said Mr. Ellis, was approved, transcribed and signed.

fo. 3.

Trade.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated 10th January, 1777, referring to this Board, for their consideration and report, the petition of Francis Minoch, for leave to export twenty iron guns and shot to Lisbon, on board the ship Love.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated 8th January, 1777, referring to this Board the petition of Thomas Monkland, for leave to export six thousand sword blades to the East Indies, on board the ship Rochford, John Beard, commander.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated January 16th, 1777, referring to this Board the petition of Thomas Monkland, for leave to export six thousand sword blades to the East Indies, on board the ship Besborough, Alexander Montgomerie, commander.

fo. 4.

Their lordships, upon consideration of the three foregoing petitions, were of opinion, the exportation prayed for should be allowed; and it was ordered, that draughts of reports to the Lords of the Privy Council should be prepared accordingly.

Trade.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated January 10th, 1777. referring to this Board the petition of John and George Dyer, for leave to export certain military stores to Jamaica and the Mosquito Shore.

Their lordships deferred making any resolution on the foregoing petition, until the petitioners, who were desired to attend on Tuesday next, shall give their lordships satisfaction on some particulars, about which it is necessary to have further information.

fo. 5.

Nova Scotia, Georgia, East Florida, West Florida, St. John's, Senegambia, Plantations General.

Lord George Germain signified to the Board his Majesty's pleasure, that they do prepare and lay before the House of Commons, estimates of such sums as will be necessary for maintaining and supporting the civil establishments of Nova Scotia, Georgia, East Florida, West Florida, and the Island of St. John in North America, and the Province of Senegambia in Africa; and also the estimate for continuing the service of general Surveys of his Majesty's dominions in North America in such manner as may be compatible with the present state of affairs in America.

St. John's.

fo. 6.

Read a letter from Mr. Robinson, Secretary to the Lords of the Treasury, to Mr. Cumberland, dated December 14th, 1776, approving of the estimate for the Island of St. John in North America, prepared by this Board pursuant to a minute of the 8th of November, 1776; and desiring that the said estimate may be laid before the House of Commons, together with the other plantation estimates for the year 1777.

Plantations General.

Read a letter from Mr. Robinson, Secretary to the Lords of the Treasury, to Mr. Cumberland, dated January 15th, 1777, referring to this Board a memorial of Joseph Frederick Wallet Des Barres, esquire, and desiring that their lordships will take the said memorial into consideration, and insert in the estimate for general surveys, to be laid before Parliament, such a sum as they may think a reasonable and proper allowance for executing the work therein mentioned.
fo. 7.
Memorial of Joseph Frederick Wallet Des Barres, esquire, stating, that he has been employed by the directions of Lord Viscount Howe in engraving several plates from surveys taken of different parts of the coasts of America, and praying, that as this work was undertaken upon assurances that the charge thereof should be paid by Government, that payment may be ordered him accordingly.

fo. 8.

Read a memorial of Mr. Pollock, on behalf of William Gerard de Brahm, esquire, Surveyor of Lands in the Southern District of North America, stating the hardships he labours under by the vessel ordered and appointed for his service being taken from Charles Town by the commanding officer of the King's ships, his own property being on board the said vessel, and praying, that if the annual allowances for surveys should be thought fit to be discontinued during the present rebellion, that this Board will recommend a sufficient allowance to him in reward of his long services.

Georgia.

John Graham, esquire, Lieutenant Governor of Georgia, attending, was called in, and informed the Board of his great sufferings from his attachment to his Majesty, which had rendered him obnoxious to the leaders of the present rebellion; and therefore praying the Board to take his case into consideration, and to recommend to the Lords of the Treasury that an annual allowance may be made him, and inserted in the estimate of that province.

fo. 9.

East Florida.

William Knox, esquire, agent for East Florida, attending, was called in, and informed the Board, that Governor Tonyn had directed him to request that provision may be made on account of the extraordinary services incurred in that province by putting it into a state of defence; and that this Board will recommend to the Lords of the Treasury that a sum may be inserted in the estimate for that province for the year 1777.

Ordered, that the sum of one thousand pounds be added to the article for contingencies in the estimate for East Florida for the purposes abovementioned.

West Florida.

fo. 10.

Read a memorial of Christopher Nesham, esquire, agent to the Province of West Florida, desiring the directions of the Board in respect to a letter, the extract of which is annexed, from Governor Chester to Mr. Ellis, the late agent, informing him that he shall draw several bills to defray the expence of the publick defences, which are now carrying on in that province.

Ordered, that the sum of one thousand pounds be added to the contingent article in the estimate for West Florida for the purposes abovementioned.

Senegambia.

Read a letter from Mr. Robinson, Secretary to the Lords of the Treasury, to Mr. Cumberland, dated December 20th, 1776, referring to this Board, for their opinion,
fo. 11.
The memorial of John Clarke, esquire, Governor, of Senegambia, praying that the annual indents annexed to his memorial, may be forwarded by the agent for that province by the earliest opportunity, for the payment of the annual duties, presents and contingent expences of that government.

Ordered, that the Secretary do write to Mr. Robinson in answer to the foregoing letter.

Trade.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council, dated 11th of December, 1776, referring to this Board, for their examination and report,
An account of sundry goods of the growth, product and manufacture of Great Britain, and of other goods and merchandizes exported from the Port of London for account of the East India Company between the 29th of September, 1775, and the 29th of September, 1776.

Trade.

fo. 12.

The Secretary laid before the Board the following paper, vizt.,
Navigation of Great Britain to Hamburgh, and of all the Maritime States for the year 1775.

Tuesday, January 21st. Present:—Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Keene, Mr. Gascoyne, Mr. Greville, Mr. Eden.

Lord George Germain, one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, attends.

Nova Scotia, Georgia, East Florida, West Florida,

fo. 13.

St. John's, Senegambia, Plantations General.

Their lordships, pursuant to his Majesty's commands, signified to the Board by Lord George Germain the last meeting, took into consideration the estimates of such sums as will be necessary for the support of the civil establishments of Nova Scotia, Georgia, East Florida, West Florida, and the Island of St. John in North America, and of the Province of Senegambia in Africa; and also for continuing the service of the general Surveys of his Majesty's dominions in North America for the year 1777.

Nova Scotia.

Read a memorial of John Pagan, Land Officer of his Majesty's Customs in the Port of Glasgow, in behalf of himself and company, stating the great inconveniences arising from a want of a proper division of the lands belonging to the said company, lying upon Pectow River in the Province of Nova Scotia, and praying that this Board will recommend their case to his Majesty.

fo. 14.

Ordered, that a copy of the Act passed in the Province of Nova Scotia in October, 1767, for partition of lands in coparcenary, jointenancy and tenancy in common, etc. be given to Mr. Pagan.

Trade.

Their lordships took into further consideration the petition of John and George Dyer, mentioned in the minutes of the last meeting, and one of the petitioners attending, was called in; and their lordships having entered into an examination of such points as they thought necessary, were of opinion, the exportation prayed for should be allowed; and the draught of a report to the Lords of the Privy Council having been prepared accordingly, was approved, transcribed and signed.

fo. 15.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated 17th January, 1777, referring to this Board the petition of George Gibbons, for leave to export certain arms and accoutrements to Jamaica, for the use of the militia of that island, on board the ship Industry, Thomas Darling, master.

Their lordships, upon consideration of the above petition, were of opinion, that the exportation prayed for should be allowed; and the draught of a report to the Lords of the Privy Council thereupon having been prepared, was approved, transcribed and signed.

The following draughts of reports to the Lords of the Privy Council having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 17th instant, were approved, transcribed and signed, vizt.,
fo. 16.
Report upon the petition of Francis Minoch, for leave to export military stores to Lisbon.
Report upon the petition of Thomas Monkland, for leave to export sword blades to the East Indies, on board the ship Rochford.
Report upon the petition of Thomas Monkland, for leave to export sword blades to the East Indies, on board the ship Besborough.

St. Vincent's.

Read a letter from Valentine Morris, esquire, Governor of the Island of St. Vincent, to the Board, dated August, 1776, in answer to a letter from their lordships of the 24th of May, 1776, relative to the Militia Act, and the transmitting of publick papers.

Nova Scotia.

fo. 17.

Their lordships took into consideration nine Acts passed in the Province of Nova Scotia in June, 1776, together with Mr. Jackson's report thereupon; and it was ordered, that the draught of a representation to his Majesty should be prepared, proposing the disallowance of one of the said Acts, intituled, an Act for taking, examining and stating the publick [accounts] of this province.

Bahamas.

Their lordships also took into consideration eight Acts passed in the Bahama Islands in December, 1775, and March, 1776, together with Mr. Jackson's report thereupon.

Plantations General.

The Board took into consideration the memorial of Mr. Des Barres, mentioned in the minutes of the 17th inst., and Mr. Des Barres attending, their lordships had some conversation with him thereupon.

fo. 18.

Tuesday, January 28th. Present:—Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Gascoyne, Lord Robert Spencer.

Lord George Germain, one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, attends.

Plantations General.

Their lordships took into further consideration the memorial of Mr. Des Barres, mentioned in the minutes of the 21st inst., and it was agreed, that the sum of two thousand pounds should be inserted in the estimate for general surveys for the year 1777, to be allowed Mr. Des Barres on account.

Senegambia.

fo. 19.

Lord George Germain communicated to the Board a letter to his Lordship from John Peter Demarin, Superintendant of Trade for the Province of Senegambia, praying that an allowance may be made him for a place of residence.

Read a letter from Mr. Robinson, Secretary to the Lords of the Treasury, to Mr. Cumberland, dated January 23rd, 1777, transmitting a memorial of Edward Morse, esquire, Chief Justice of the Province of Senegambia, praying that a house may be appointed for his residence at Senegal, or that he may be allowed sixty pounds a year in lieu thereof; upon which memorial the Lords of the Treasury desire the opinion of this Board.

Ordered, that Mr. Cumberland do write to Mr. Robinson, and acquaint him, for the information of the Lords of the Treasury, with the opinion of the Board upon the above memorial.

Senegambia.

fo. 20.

Read a letter from Mr. Robinson, Secretary to the Lords of the Treasury, to Mr. Cumberland, dated the 23rd of January, 1777, transmitting a letter from Mr. Hansard, agent to Matthias McNamara, esquire, Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Senegambia, relative to a bill drawn by the said Lieutenant Governor for one thousand, four hundred and fifty pounds, on account of contingencies of that government, and desiring him to lay the said letter before this Board, for their lordships' opinion thereupon.

Ordered, that Mr. Cumberland do write to Mr. Robinson in answer to the above letter.

Nova Scotia.

The Secretary informed the Board, that he understood the Reverend Mr. Bennet of Nova Scotia had been employed as a missionary to the Indians in that province, and submitted, whether any and what compensation should be made to that gentleman upon the estimate for that service.

fo. 21.

Their lordships were of opinion, that no provision could properly be recommended on this account, until further information was obtained by memorial from the party or otherwise.

Trade.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated 22nd January, 1777, referring to this Board the petition of Timothy Goldsmith, for leave to export to Alexandria in Egypt, one hundred barrels of gunpowder, etc.

Their lordships, upon consideration of the above petition, were of opinion, that the exportation prayed for should be allowed; and it was ordered, that the draught of a report to the Lords of the Privy Council thereupon should be prepared.

fo. 22.

East Florida.

Read a letter from Mr. Knox to Mr. Cumberland, dated January 21st, 1777, transmitting, by the direction of Lord George Germain,
Copy of an humble address and petition to his Majesty of several refugees from the rebellious provinces now in East Florida.
List of grants of land made in East Florida in consequence of his Majesty's Orders of Council.
Copy of Governor Tonyn's letter to Lord Germain, inclosing the above papers.

Ordered, that examination be made into the state of the grants of land in the Province of East Florida.

Grenada, Tobago.

fo. 23.

Their lordships took into consideration an Act passed in the Island of Tobago in April, 1776, for rendering a certain tract of mountainous land, proper for attracting rains, unalienable, together with Mr. Jackson's report thereupon; and it was ordered, that the draught of a letter to the Governor of Grenada should be prepared, recommending him to get another law passed, in which the operation of the Act shall be limited.

Leeward Islands, St. Christopher's.

Their lordships also took into consideration two Acts passed in the Island of St. Christopher in May, 1776, together with Mr. Jackson's report thereupon.

Grenada.

Their lordships likewise read and considered ten Acts passed in the Island of Grenada in January, February and July, 1776, together with Mr. Jackson's report thereupon.

fo. 24.

Nova Scotia, Georgia, East Florida, West Florida, St. John's, Senegambia, Plantations General.

Estimates of such sums as will be necessary for supporting the civil establishments of Nova Scotia, Georgia, East Florida, West Florida, and the Island of St. John in North America, and of the Province of Senegambia in Africa, and also for continuing the service of the general Surveys of his Majesty's dominions in North America for the year 1777, having been prepared and agreed to, Mr. Gascoyne was desired to present them to the House of Commons, pursuant to his Majesty's commands; and it was ordered, that the Secretary should transmit to the Treasury copies of the said estimates, with a paper notifying the particulars wherein they differ from the estimates for the like services for the last year.