Journal, January 1707: Journal Book L

Journals of the Board of Trade and Plantations: Volume 1, April 1704 - January 1709. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1920.

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'Journal, January 1707: Journal Book L', in Journals of the Board of Trade and Plantations: Volume 1, April 1704 - January 1709, (London, 1920) pp. 306-317. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/jrnl-trade-plantations/vol1/pp306-317 [accessed 18 March 2024]

Journal, January 1707

1706–7.

January 2. Present:—Mr. Cecill, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Barbados.

Letter from Mr. Delafay about inserting counsellors' names in Mr. Crow's instructions, and two new clauses.

A letter from Mr. Delafay, of yesterday's date, signifying the Earl of Sunderland's desire that the names of the present counsellors of Barbados be inserted in Mr. Crow's instructions for the government of that island [K. fo. 414], as also inclosing two new clauses to be added to the said instructions, the one relating to the said counsellors, and the other to the native inhabitants of the islands in the neighborhood of Barbados, was read, and the said additions made accordingly.

Maryland.

Act about ports.

Colonel Blakiston to give his thoughts thereon in writing.

Colonel Blakiston attending [supra, and fo. 31], their lordships again took into consideration the Act lately pass'd in Maryland, for the advancement of trade, and erecting ports and towns in that province, and there appearing several particulars in the said Act which render the same unfit for her Majesty's royal approbation, Colonel Blakiston was desired to give their lordships his further thoughts in writing thereupon.

Trade.

Letter to Sir William Gore for the Hamburg Company's observations about dutys on Dutch linnen.

Ordered that a letter be writ to Sir William Gore, Governor of the Hamburgh Company, to desire the said company's observations upon the memorial deliver'd them the 18th of the last month relating to the duties on Holland linnens [fo. 16, 27].

January 3. Present:—Mr. Cecill, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Barbados.

Heads of complaint against several of the Council delivere'd to the Earl of Sunderland

The Earl of Sunderland having desired a copy of the heads of complaints exhibited to this Board against several of the Councill of Barbados, the said heads were copyed and delivered to his lordship accordingly.

Plantations General.

Letter from the Earl of Sunderland directing all representations to be sent to him.

A letter from the Earl of Sunderland, signifying his desire that all the representations of this Board may for the future be sent to him, before they are presented to her Majesty [fo. 35], was read; and the secretary thereupon sent to his lordship to acquaint him that the Board would comply with his lordship's desire therein.

Barbados.

Mr. Royle about extracts out of the minutes relating to Mrs. Burgess.

Granted.

Mr. Royle attending, and desiring to have extracts out of the minutes of Barbados relating to the appeal of Mrs. Burgess, ordered that, if there be anything in the said minutes relating thereunto, an extract be given him accordingly.

Pennsylvania.

Mr. Wilcocks about Act concerning magistrates.

Mr. Penn summon'd thereupon.

Mr. Wilcocks attending, and desiring their lordships' report upon an Act of Pennsylvania for the qualification of magistrates [fo. 10, 286], ordered that Mr. Penn have notice to attend the Board upon that matter, and that Mr. Wilcocks attend at the same time.

January 7. Present:—Mr. Cecill, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Barbados.

Mr. Meine about Mr. Lyon's complaint against him.

Mr. Patrick Meine attending, and desiring a copy of the memorial of Mr. Lyon [K. fo. 419], presented to the Board the 22nd of November last, against him; ordered that a copy be given him accordingly.

Maryland.

Letter from Mr. Sollicitor General about Lord Baltimore's patent and laws.

A letter from Mr. Sollicitor General to the secretary, desiring the perusal of the Lord Baltimore's patent and of all the laws of Maryland, in order to his report upon those sent him the 19th of June, 1706, was read [K. fo. 338; fo. 369], and thereupon ordered that the said patent and laws be sent him accordingly.

Leeward Islands.

Mr. Churchill about house rent for Colonel Park.

Acts consider'd.

A letter from Mr. William Churchill, desiring their lordships' favourable report upon the Acts of Antigoa and St. Christopher's for house rent for Colonel Parke, Governor of the Leeward Islands, was read, and the Acts taken into consideration, and ordered that Mr. Churchill have notice to attend the Board to-morrow morning [fo. 34].

Maryland.

Sir Thomas Lawrence desiring to peruse the minutes of Council, &c.

Sir Thomas Lawrence attending, and desiring to have the perusal of the minutes of Councill and journals of the Assembly of Maryland, in relation to an Act of that province [K. fo. 172; fo. 48], by which he thinks himself (as secretary) injured; ordered that he have perusal of what relates to that business accordingly.

Trade.

Memorial from Hambourg Company with observations about duties on Dutch linnen imported.

Sir William Gore, Governor, and several members of the Hambourgh Company [fo. 25, 29], presented to their lordships a memorial with their observations upon the Dutch memorial relating to the duties paid here on linnens imported from Holland, setting forth that there are several sorts of German linnens, by reason of the high duties upon them, that cannot be imported into England; that there are others which pay 50 per cent.; that there are but small quantities of fine linnens imported, and those pay about 25 per cent., which makes it more necessary that there be an abatement of the duties upon German linnens than upon those of Holland.

Sir William Gore's further observations on Monsieur Vryberg's memorial.

Whereas Monsieur Vryberge [fo. 21, 29] proposes an equivalent of 16 per cent. to be laid upon the Holland's linnen, in case the duties now paid be taken off, Sir William Gore, in the name of the Hambourgh Company, informed the Board that the German linnens are already charged so high that their trade is considerably diminished, yet, were the payment of the duties ad valorem made practicable, they would willingly agree to have their linnens taxed at 26 per cent; that the said company would further agree to the rating of linnens ad valorem, but there appears such inconveniencies in that practice that they do not conceive it possible to be done; besides that it will be subject to great frauds by the packing of fine linnens in the middle, and coarse on the outsides of the bales; to prevent which the said bales must be opened, viewed, and measured by the officers of the Customes, which, as it may on the one hand very much rumple and damnify the said linnens, so it will on the other hand be a great impediment in the dispatch of business.

Trade.

Letter to Mr. Lowndes with Monsieur Vryberg's memorial and other papers about duties on Dutch linnens imported.

These gentlemen being retired, ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Lowndes [fo. 30], inclosing to him a copy of Monsieur Vryberge's memorial [fo. 28] to her Majesty, a copy of the memorial from Flanders relating to the duties upon their linnens, an extract of Mr. Stepney's letter relating to Flanders linnen, and a copy of the above-mentioned memorial from the Hambourg Company; and that Mr. Lowndes be desired to move the Lord High Treasurer that this Board may have the opinion of the Commissioners of her Majesty's Customes [fo. 38] upon the said papers.

Letter to Dr. Davenant for an account of linnens imported.

And further ordered that a letter be writ to Dr. Davenant, desiring an account of linnens imported to England from 1704 to 1705.

Plantations General.

Letter from Mr. Dummer about sailing of his packet boat.

A letter from Mr. Dummer, giving an account of the sailing of the Jamaica packet boat out and home, was read.

January 8. Present:—Mr. Cecill, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Prior.

Trade.

Letter to Mr. Lowndes with papers relating to Holland linens, &c. for opinion of the Commissioners of the Customes.

The draught of a letter to Mr. Lowndes, inclosing the papers relating to the linnen of Germany, Holland and Flanders [fo. 29, 36, 38], as directed in yesterday's minutes, was agreed, and ordered to be transcribed.

Barbados.

Order of Council on petition of the Council and Assembly about 4½ per cent.

An Order of Councill of the 19th of November last, referring to the Board a petition of the Council and Assembly of Barbados, praying that the duty of 4½ per cent. may be applyed to the use of the fortifications there without being remitted to England [fo. 34], as also desiring that a regiment may be sent thither for the security of that island, was read, and their lordships resolved to take the same into consideration to-morrow morning.

January 9. Present:—Lord Dartmouth, Mr. Cecill, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Virginia.

New England.

Maryland.

Commissioners of the Customes about settling ports in Virginia.

Præmium on pitch and tar.

Convoy for Virginia and Maryland.

Sir Matthew Dudley and Mr. Godolphin (two of the Commissioners of the Customes) acquainted their lordships that they came from their Board to discourse with their lordships upon three heads, viz.: the settling of ports in Virginia; the allowing a præmium upon the pitch and tar lately imported from New England; and the settling of a stated convoy for Virginia and Maryland [fo. 21, 33]; the two first of which had been referr'd to them by the Lord High Treasurer, and upon which they were preparing reports.

Ports in Virginia.

As to the Acts for settling of ports in Virginia [fo. 24, 157], they said that there were several things in it which rendered it unfit for her Majesty's royal approbation; that the settlement of ports would be of great advantage to trade, and in the collecting her Majesty's revenue, but that the settlement of towns, as proposed by the Act, would be very detrimental by drawing the inhabitants off from their planting tobacco in the country to the cohabiting and setting up handicraft trades; that, if ports were once settled, towns would follow of course, but they thought it by no means proper to allow any previous priviledges to those that shall inhabit in the said towns; that it was necessary certain places be fixed, at which ships trading thither shall be obliged to enter and clear at; but that the said ships might be permitted to lade and unlade at such places as should be most convenient for them.

The Board hereupon having declared their concurrence in opinion with what had been said, these gentlemen acquainted them that they would make their report to my Lord Treasurer to that purpose.

Præmiums on pitch and tar.

As to the præmiums to be allow'd upon pitch and tar, they communicated to the Board the draught of a report they had prepared upon that subject to the Lord High Treasurer, proposing that as the Act of Parliament restrains the præmiums to good and merchantable pitch and tar, the Navy Board may have the examination of those commodities now arrived from New England, in order to allowing or refusing the said præmiums; for they thought that their officers by the Act of Parliament were only obliged to give certificates of the quantity and not of the goodness of such pitch and tar. Whereupon the said Act was read, and, after some discourse thereupon, they agreed to have a special view taken of the said pitch and tar, and that what was found to be good should be allowed, and the rest rejected; upon which the Board acquainted them that the not allowing the præmiums upon what is now imported would strike a damp upon that trade in the begining, and thereby be of ill consequence to England. That the words, good and merchantable, ought not to be taken in a strict sense; for though the said commodities may not be fit for the use of her Majesty's royal navy, yet they may be fit for the other shipping of England, and for several other occasions, so that good and merchantable may be justly applyed to them, and thereby this undertaking incouraged, to the great advantage of this nation.

Convoys for

Virginia and Maryland.

As to the settling of stated convoys for Virginia and Maryland [fo. 21, 48], they said, that having received a letter from the Council of Virginia, desiring their assistance in procuring such convoys, they were desirous to have the opinion of this Board therein, before they made any report to my Lord Treasurer. Whereupon their lordships communicated to them their representation of the 20th of the last month, upon that subject, wherewith they were well satisfyed, and desired a copy thereof, in order to the making theirs to concurr therewith, which was ordered to be sent them accordingly.

January 10. Present:—Mr. Cecill, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Barbados.

Representation to be prepared on the petition of the Council &c., about application of 4½ per cent.

Their lordships took into consideration the petition from the Councill and Assembly of Barbados relating to the application of the 4½ per cent. there [fo. 30, 35], and to their desire of regular forces (read the 8th instant); and gave directions for preparing a report thereupon.

Leeward Islands.

Mr. Churchill about Acts for Colonel Park's house rent

Mr. William Churchill attending, as directed the 7th instant [fo. 27], and being ask'd some questions in relation to the Acts past at Antigoa and St. Christopher's for settling house rent for Colonel Parke [fo. 52], he communicated to the Board a letter to himself, wherein Colonel Parke writes that, though the St. Christopher's house rent be settled upon him during his government, yet he is not to reap any advantage thereby for any longer time than whilst he is actually upon that island; and therefore, the Antigoa Act being for the same purpose, he computes that he shall not make above 400l. sterling a year of both the said Acts; whereupon their lordships gave directions for preparing a letter to the Secretary of State thereupon [fo. 57].

January 13. Present:—Mr. Cecill, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Plantations General.

Letter to the Earl of Sunderland promising to lay all the representations before him.

A letter to the Earl of Sunderland, in answer to his of the 3rd instant [fo. 26], desiring that the representations of this Board may be communicated to his lordship before they be laid before her Majesty in Councill, signifying their readiness to comply with the same, was signed.

Barbados.

Draught of representation about 4½ per cent.

The draught of a representation upon the Barbadoes petition relating to the application of the 4½ per cent. in that island [fo. 34, 37], and to a regiment of regular forces, as directed at the last meeting; was laid before the Board, and a progress made in the consideration thereof.

Trade.

Letter from Monsieur Vryberge recommending Mr. Tavernour sent to England by the States General about linnen manufactures.

Mr. Tavernor at the Board.

Answer to Monsieur Vryberge's letter.

A letter from Monsieur Vryberge, Envoy Extraordinary of Holland, to the secretary, recommending Mr. Tavernour, sent to England by the States General, as a person able to give their lordships an information in any matters relating to the linnen manufactures of Holland, was read; and Mr. Tavernor being called in, he was acquainted that what was already before their lordships relating to the said manufacture, was referr'd to the Commissioners of the Customes [fo. 30, 37], and that their report was expected thereupon; and that, if he had anything further to offer upon that subject, the proper method was for him to make his application to a Secretary of State. And a letter was immediatly writ by the secretary to Monsieur Vryberge to the same purpose.

January 14. Present:—Mr. Cecill, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Barbados.

Representation about application of 4½ per cent.

Letter to the Earl of Sunderland therewith.

A representation upon the Barbados petition relating to the 4½ per cent. there [fo. 35, 92], and to a regiment of regular forces, together with a letter to the Earl of Sunderland, were signed.

January 15. Present:—Lord Dartmouth, Mr. Cecill, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Secretary Harley enclosing one from Monsieur Vryberge, with calculation of duties proposed to be laid on thread, &c.

imported.

Answer.

A letter from Mr. Secretary Harley, of yesterday's date, referring to the Board a letter from Monsieur Vryberge to himself, together with a calculation of duties which he proposes to be laid here upon thread and filleting imported from Holland [fo. 36, 38, 39], was read; and thereupon a letter writ to Mr. Secretary Harley, signifying that the Board having desired the opinion of the Commissioners of her Majesty's Customes upon Monsieur Vryberge's former memorial relating to the Holland linnens, which they daily expected, they were desirous to receive the same before they compleated the report which they had already prepared upon that subject.

Trade.

The foregoing papers to be sent to Mr. Lowndes.

Ordered that the above-mentioned papers from Monsieur Vryberge be sent to Mr. Lowndes, and that he be desired to move my Lord Treasurer that the Board may have the opinion of the Commissioners of the Customes upon them also.

January 16. Present:—Mr. Cecill, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Trade.

Presentment from the Commissioners of the Customes to the Lord High Treasurer upon Monsieur Vryberge's memorial.

Copy thereof taken.

A presentment from the Commissioners of her Majesty's Customes to the Lord High Treasurer upon the memorial of the Envoy of Holland [supra, and fo. 29, 39], relating to the duties paid here on Holland linnen, being communicated to the Board from the Treasury, was read, and a copy thereof taken.

Draught of a report upon the same subject under consideration.

Then the Board proceeded in the consideration of their report upon the same subject [infra], and made a further progress therein.

January 17. Present:—Mr. Cecill, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Newfoundland.

Order of the House of Commons for a state of Newfoundland trade.

An order of the House of Commons, of yesterday's date, directing this Board to lay before that House a state of the Newfoundland trade [fo. 42], with relation to the fishery, was read, and directions given for preparing the same accordingly.

Trade.

Representation about duties on Holland linenns, &c. Letters to Secretaries of State therewith.

A report upon the memorial from Flanders and Holland, relating to the duties laid here upon their linnens, thread and filleting [supra, and fo. 29, 65], was signed, and sent to the Earl of Sunderland and Mr. Secretary Harley.

Newfoundland.

Letter from Major Lloyd to Mr. Secretary Hedges about state of Newfoundland.

A letter from Major Lloyd, commander of the garrison of St. John's at Newfoundland, to Mr. Secretary Hedges, relating to the present state and defence of that place, dated the 12th of October last, was read; and the papers therein referr'd to laid before the Board, and are as follows, viz.:—
Papers referr'd to therein.
Stores of war proposed by Major Lloyd to be sent next year to Newfoundland, if his proposal for taking Placentia be approved of.
Major Lloyd's proposal to the inhabitants of Newfoundland for taking Placentia.
An Address to her Majesty by the inhabitants of St. John's &c. in favour of Major Lloyd &c.
An Address to her Majesty by the commanders of merchant ships in favour of Major Lloyd.
An Address to her Majesty by the people of Consumption Bay, in favour of Major Lloyd.

January 20. Present:—Lord Dartmouth, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Newfoundland.

Letter from Mr. Templeman about quantity of fish caught, &c.

A letter from Mr. Templeman, one of the fishing admirals at Newfoundland, lately returned from thence, giving an account of the good understanding between Major Lloyd and the inhabitants there &c., with an inclosed account of the boats and stages at St. John's, &c., number of fish caught there this year, dated at Bristoll the 7th of December last, was read.

Letter from Mr. Secretary Hedges with several papers from Commadore Underdown.

A letter from Mr. Secretary Hedges, of the 30th of November last, inclosing several papers received from Captain Underdown, Commadore of the Newfoundland convoy, were read. The said papers are as follows, viz.:—
Letter from Captain Underdown, Commadore of the Newfoundland convoy, to Mr. Secretary Hedges, dated the 11th of November, 1706.
A survey of the provisions in St. John's Fort in Newfoundland, September the 20th, 1706.
The planns of the forts and batteries at St. John's in Newfoundland.
Copy of Captain Latham's memorial relating to the state of the forts and batteries at St. John's in Newfoundland.
Muster roll of the company at Newfoundland, taken the 4th of October, 1706.
A plann of a plot of ground near Fort William in Newfoundland.
Account of the inhabitants, stages, fishing ships, and fish caught at Newfoundland in 1706.
List of officers of the militia appointed by the Commadore at Newfoundland in September, 1706.
Survey of the stores of war at the forts and batteries in Newfoundland, taken the 20th of September, 1706.

Mr. Thurston to attend.

Whereupon ordered that Mr. Thurston have notice to attend the Board to-morrow morning, and that at the same time the muster roll of the company of soldiers at Newfoundland, taken the 4th of October last, be given to him.

Trade.

Account of linnens imported to England.

An account showing the quantities of the several sorts of linnen imported to England from the East country, Germany, Holland, Ireland, Russia, Scotland and Sweden, between the 25th day of December, 1704, and the 25th day of December, 1705, was read.

Newfoundland.

Draught of a report to the House of Commons under consideration.

Their lordships took into consideration the draught of a report [fo. 39, 43], pursuant to an order of the House of Commons (mentioned in the minutes of the 17th instant), relating to the state of the Newfoundland trade, and made some progress therein.

Barbados.

Copy of an order of Council approving Mr. Crow's instructions.

Copy of an Order of Councill of the 2nd instant, upon a representation of the 19th of November last [K. 415], with the draught of instructions for Mitford Crow, esquire, for the government of Barbados, approving the same, was read.

Copy of an Order of Council repealing the Act for ascertaining the sitting of Assembly.

Copy of an Order of Councill of the 2nd instant, upon a representation of the 22nd of November last [K. 418], for repealing An Act lately past in Barbados for ascertaining the continuance of the General Assemblies, was read.

Copy of an Order of Council for taking off Mr. Hodges's suspension, &c.

Copy of an Order of Councill of the 2nd instant, upon a representation of the 22nd of November last [K. 419], upon the petition of Mr. Hodges, proposing that his suspension from practising the law in Barbados may be taken off, approving the same, was read.

January 21. Present:—Lord Dartmouth, Mr. Cecill, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Newfoundland.

Answer to the House of Commons consider'd.

Their lordships made a progress in the consideration of the draught of their answer to the House of Commons [fo. 42, 44], relating to the trade and fishery of Newfoundland.

January 22. Present:—Mr. Cecill, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Newfoundland.

Memorial from Mr. Thurston about necessaries to be sent to the garrison at St. John's.

Letter to Board of Ordnance for account of stores sent, and charge of maintaining the garrison.

Mr. Thurston presented to the Board a memorial of necessaries to be sent to the garrison at St. John's at Newfoundland; and at the same time their lordships writ a letter to the Board of Ordnance, desiring to know what stores of war have been sent thither for the years 1705 and 1706, as also the charge of maintaining the forts and garrison, which letter was delivered to Mr. Thurston to procure an answer thereto [fo. 49].

Draught of answer to the House of Commons.

The draught of an answer to the order of the House of Commons relating to the fishery of Newfoundland [fo. 43, 45], was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

January 23. Present:—Mr. Cecill, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Carolina.

Mr. Byfield at the Board about pitch and tar.

Mr. Byfield attending, acquainted their lordships that having lately imported from Carolina thirty two lasts of pitch and tar, as good as any from the Baltick, and having offer'd the same to the Commissioners of her Majesty's Navy, they would not give him so much for it as they doe for that of Sweden. He therefore desired their lordships to represent his case to her Majesty, with their opinion that it would be for her Majesty's service, and for the promoting of naval stores in the plantations, that the Navy Board do contract with him for such quantities of those commodities at certain fixed rates; whereupon he was acquainted that his properest method would be to begin by a petition to her Majesty in Councill, which probably will be referr'd to this Board, who would then make their report thereupon.

Newfoundland.

Answer to an order of the House of Commons.

An answer to the order of the House of Commons of the 16th instant [fo. 44, 51], relating to the trade and fishery of Newfoundland, as agreed at the last meeting, was signed.

January 24. Present:—Lord Dartmouth, Mr. Cecill, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Newfoundland.

Petition of the merchants of Barnstable about convoys, and fortifying Ferryland.

A petition from the merchants at Barnstable trading to Newfoundland, desiring a convoy for their ships; as also that Ferryland may be fortifyed, or that a man-of-war may attend there yearly, was read.

Mr. Merret, &c. at the Board with a memorial on the same subject.

Representation to be prepared.

Mr. Merret and several Newfoundland merchants attending, presented to the Board a memorial, setting forth that they had suffered very much in their trade, by reason of the late sailing of the convoy last year, and praying that a convoy of six ships of war be appointed for that trade, as the last year, and that they be directed to sail by the 10th of March at the latest, was read; and directions given for preparing a representation thereupon [fo. 52].

Virginia.

Several letters and papers from the President and Councill of Virginia were laid before the Board, the list whereof is as follows, viz.:—
Letter from the President of the Councill.
A letter from Mr. Jennings, President of the Councill of Virginia, relating to the quiet state the country is in; to the great crop of tobacco gather'd and laid up; to the want of goods for prevention of their applying themselves to the woollen manufactures; to a list of patented lands, and the stop put thereto till orders arrive from hence about the same. Dated the 14th of October, 1706.
Letter from the President and Council.
Papers therein referr'd to.
A letter from the President and Councill of Virginia to the Board, dated the 26th of October, 1706 [fo. 58].
Copy of the articles of agreement between the Governor of Carolina and John Kimber, mariner, for the conveying 65 French prisoners to Virginia, in order to their being sent from thence to England.
A list of patents for land, October 26th, 1706.
Proceedings in Councill, relating to land in the Forks of Rappahanock River, to which the proprietors of the northern neck claim a right, May the 2nd, 1706.
Account of the invasion made by the French upon South Carolina in August, 1706.
Minutes of Councill of Virginia from the 15th of October, 1706, to the 28th following.
Letter from the President.
A letter from Mr. Jennings, President of the Councill of Virginia, relating to some prisoners sent from Carolina; to the pretensions of the proprietors to some lands; to Blackwater land; to Colonel Smith's being admitted into Councill, and to his own salary, and to the country's being in quiet. Dated the 8th of November, 1706.

Letter to the Earl of Sunderland upon the first letter relating to convoys.

Then their lordships read the first of the said letters, and signed a letter to the Earl of Sunderland, inclosing an extract thereof, which relates to the sending of a convoy thither [fo. 33, 73].

January 27. Present:—Lord Dartmouth, Mr. Cecill, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Maryland.

Memorial from Sir Thomas Lawrence in answer to the Assembly's reasons for taking away the ordinary licences.

A memorial from Sir Thomas Lawrence, containing his answer to the reasons of the Assembly of Maryland for taking away the ordinary licences from him [fo. 27, 96], was laid before the Board, and their lordships resolved to take the same into consideration, together with the papers lately received from Maryland, at the first opportunity.

Newfoundland.

Letter from the Board of Ordnance about stores of war sent to Newfoundland.

A letter from the Board of Ordnance [fo. 44], inclosing:—
An account of the annual charge of the ingineers, gunners and artificers, with the charge of repairing the fortifications at Newfoundland, as also the charge of stores of war sent thither.
An account of stores sent to Newfoundland in the year 1705, with the particular value.
An account of stores sent to Newfoundland in the year 1706, with the value of the same;
which was read; and the said accounts added to the report to the House of Commons, which was signed the 23rd instant.

Representation relating to necessaries for the garrison, and convoys.

A representation relating to necessaries to be sent to the garrison of St. John's in Newfoundland [fo. 50], and to convoys for this year's fishery, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

Connecticut.

Memorial from Mr. Wyeth, &c. complaining of several laws.

Copy thereof sent to Sir Henry Ashhurst.

A memorial from Mr. Wyeth and Mr. Field, complaining of several laws of Connecticut, was laid before the Board; and ordered that a copy thereof be sent to Sir Henry Ashhurst [fo. 93] for his answer.

Newfoundland.

Memorial from Mr. Merret, &c. about disposal of French prisoners.

A memorial from Mr. Merret [fo. 58], and other Newfoundland merchants, relating to the disposal of French prisoners in Newfoundland, was read; and their lordships resolved to acquaint him, the next time he calls, that he ought to apply himself to a Secretary of State in this particular.

January 28. Present:—Mr. Cecill, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Newfoundland.

Draught of representation about trade and fishery.

Mr. Thurston to attend.

The draught of a representation relating to the trade and fishery of Newfoundland [fo. 49, 52], as agreed at the last meeting, was again read; and thereupon ordered that Mr. Thurston [fo. 51] have notice to attend the Board to-morrow morning.

New York.

Connecticut.

Letter from Mr. Attorney General.

Commission of Review about Mohegan Indians' complaint.

A letter from Mr. Attorney General, enclosing the draught of a Commission of Review of the difference between the Mohegan Indians and the government of Connecticut [K. fo. 370] was read, and a representation ordered to be prepared for laying the same before her Majesty [fo. 52].

January 29. Present:—Mr. Cecill, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Newfoundland.

Representation to the House of Commons return'd from Mr. Secretary Harley.

Mr. Blathwayt to present it to the House.

The report to the House of Commons, which was signed the 23rd instant [fo. 45], being returned from Mr. Secretary Harley, to whom it had been delivered for her Majesty's approbation, Mr. Blathwayt was desired to present the same to the House, which he promised to do accordingly.

Mr. Thurston at the Board about soldiers' provisions.

Mr. Thurston attending, and being asked some questions in relation to the provisions for the soldiers at Newfoundland [fo. 50], he said that the sixpence a day deducted out of their pay for provisions amounted to above nine hundred pounds a year, but that provisions for a whole year amounted to twelve hundred pounds, so that her Majesty was further pleased to allow them three hundred pounds a year; whereupon he was desired to procure from the Victualling Office a particular account of the several species of victuals sent yearly to Newfoundland [fo. 57].

Newfoundland.

Representation about necessaries for the soldiers, and convoys.

Letter to the Earl of Sunderland therewith.

A representation relating to necessaries to be sent for the soldiers at Newfoundland [fo. 46, 50, 65], and to convoys for this present year's fishery, was signed, as also a letter inclosing the same to the Earl of Sunderland.

New York.

Connecticut.

Representation upon draught of Commission of Review in the case of the Mohegan Indians.

A representation laying before her Majesty the draught of a Commission of Review of the difference between the Mohegan Indians and the government of Connecticut [fo. 64], as also a letter inclosing the same to the Earl of Sunderland, as directed at the last meeting, were signed [fo. 50].

Leeward Islands.

Colonel Jory about exchange of mony, &c.

Colonel Jory attending [fo. 34 (Acts about house rent, fo. 57)], and being asked what the value of one thousand pounds current money of the Leeward Islands might be in England, he said that was according as there might be occasion for bills of exchange; that the last bills that came over were drawn at sixtysix pounds thirteen shillings four pence sterling for one hundred pounds there; so that at that rate one thousand pounds, their money, would come to six hundred sixty-six pounds thirteen shillings four pence. Then, being ask'd what the value of an hundred thousand pounds of Muscovado sugar might be, he said that the African Company, of which he is a member, had some come over by the last ships which cost them there twenty shillings a hundred-weight, but that the usual price is twelve shillings sixpence per hundred; so that at that rate an hundred thousand pounds of that sugar is worth five hundred fifty-eight pounds.

A house at Nevis for the Governor.

He added that there is a house at Nevis constantly kept for the Governor [fo. 34], and that Colonel Park has received directions from her Majesty to make his constant residence at that island [fo. 55].

Pennsylvania.

Letter from Mr. Penn desiring the Board to report on his proposals of surrender.

A letter from Mr. Penn, desiring their lordships to proceed upon his proposal of surrendring his government of Pennsylvania to her Majesty [K. fo. 106], was read; and Mr. Penn desired to attend their lordships on Fryday morning next [v. infra].

January 31. Present:—Mr. Cecill, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Pennsylvania.

Mr. Penn at the Board about surrender of the government.

Report to be prepared thereupon.

Mr. Penn attending [v. supra], his letter mention'd in the last minutes was again read, and after some discourse upon the particulars which he desires from her Majesty upon his surrender of his government of Pennsylvania, particularized in the paper delivered by him the 1st of September, 1705, he said that if their lordships would report in general that the province of Pennsylvania was granted to him in consideration of his father's sufferings and service, and in lieu of a considerable debt due to his said father, that he has been at extraordinary charge in cultivating and settling the said province, which is now so well improved that it yeilds a considerable revenue to her Majesty, and that it would therefore be for her Majesty's service to have the government thereof in her own hands, he would himself by way of petition humbly pray her Majesty to grant him the particulars mentioned in the abovesaid paper. Whereupon their lordships gave directions for preparing a report accordingly [fo. 55].

Newfoundland.

Memorial from Dartmouth about convoys.

A memorial from the Mayor and merchants of Dartmouth trading to Newfoundland, relating to convoys, was read.