Journal, January 1709: Journal Book M

Journal, January 1709

January 3, 170 8/9. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Lord Herbert of Cherbury, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton, Sir Charles Turner.

Carolina.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Lloyd.

A letter from Mr. John Lloyd, merchant, of the 30th of the last month, in answer to one writ him the 18th ditto [fo. 381], relating to the trade carried on between Carolina and Portugal &c., was read; and directions given [fo. 390] for preparing the draught of a letter to the Earl of Sunderland thereupon.

Barbadoes.

Order on petition of Mr. Skene.

An Order of Council of the 20th of September last [fo. 295, 392], referring to this Board the petition of Mr. Alexander Skeen, secretary of Barbadoes, to her Majesty, praying that he may not be dismissed from his said imployment till the proceedings against him be reviewed, and he be heard thereupon by his agent here, was read.

Petition from masters of ships and affidavits in behalf of Mr. Skene.

A petition from several masters of merchant ships, together with their affidavits that the said Mr. Skeen has not exacted or taken exorbitant fees from masters of ships trading to Barbadoes, was also read, and directions given [fo. 392] for laying before their lordships on Friday morning next all the papers in this office relating to the complaints against the said Skeen.

Maryland.

Memorial from Sir Tho. Lawrence.

Ordinary licences.

Sir Thomas Lawrence attending, presented to their lordships a memorial with an account of the ordinary licences [fo. 56, 403], together with the valuation of the same from October, 1703, to October, 1707, &c., [which] were read; whereupon ordered that copies thereof be sent to Colonel Seymour for his observations thereupon.

Newfoundland.

Letter from Major Lloyd.

Moody and Benger's complaint.

Letter to Mr. Thurston.

Soldiers listed at Newfoundland.

A letter from Major Lloyd, commander of the garrison at St. John's in Newfoundland, together with several papers inclosed therein, containing answers to divers complaints exhibited against the said Lloyd by Captain Moody and Mrs. Benger [fo. 385], mentioned in the minutes of the 22nd of the last month, were read; whereupon ordered that the secretary do write to Mr. Thurston [fo. 389], agent to the company of soldiers at Newfoundland, for an account of the soldiers listed there by the said Major Lloyd, and further ordered that the papers and transactions of this Board touching the complaints of the said Benger be laid before their lordships on Monday morning next.

Massachusetts.

New Hampshire.

Letter from Colonel Dudley.

Negro trade from Africa.

Two letters from Colonel Dudley, Governor of the Massachusets Bay and New Hampshire, dated the 1st and 10th of October, 1708, touching the number of negroes brought to the said provinces directly from Africa, together with a list of vessells clear'd at Boston for Africa, from the 25th June, 1698, to the 25th of December, 1707, were read.

January 5. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Lord Herbert of Cherbury, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Sir Charles Turner.

Newfoundland.

Mr. Thurston.

List of Recruits.

Mr. Thurston, agent for the soldiers at Newfoundland, attending [fo. 388], as he had been desired, in relation to the men inlisted by Major Lloyd, commander of the garrison there, he presented to their lordships a list of the said recruits, which was read.

Maryland.

Pennsylvania.

Boundaries.

Lord Baltimore and Mr. Penn summon'd.

Their lordships, taking into consideration that the Lord Baltimore and Mr. Pen had come to no resolution in relation to the boundaries between Maryland and Pennsylvania, ordered [fo. 382, 396] that the Lord Baltimore and Mr. Penn have notice to attend the Board on Wednesday morning next.

Carolina.

Trade.

Letter to the Earl of Sunderland.

A letter to the Earl of Sunderland upon an information of an illegal trade carried on between Carolina and Portugal [fo. 387], mentioned in the minutes of the third instant, was signed.

Virginia.

Patenting lands.

Representation.

The draught of a report relating to the patenting of lands in Virginia [fo. 386, 391], as directed the 23rd of December last, was agreed, and ordered to be transcribed.

January 7. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Lord Herbert of Cherbury, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton, Sir Charles Turner.

Barbadoes.

Order of Council on Mr. Pilgrim's petition about his estate.

Mr. Pilgrim and Mr. Fullerton summond.

An Order of Councill of the 30th December, 1708 [fo. 399], referring to the Board the petition of Mr. Thomas Pilgrim to her Majesty, praying to be restored to his estate in Barbadoes, of which he had been dispossessed by Mr. Crow, Governor of the said island, was read; whereupon ordered [fo. 399] that the said Pilgrim and Mr. Fullerton have notice to attend their lordships on Thursday next, with such proofs as they may have to make good the allegations set forth in the said petition.

Bahama's.

Order of Council on merchants' petition about fortifying Providence.

Hearing appointed.

Letter to the Lords Proprietors.

An Order of Council of the 30th of December, 1708, referring to the Board the petition of divers merchants, commanders of ships, and inhabitants of the Bahama Islands, to her Majesty, praying that the harbour of New Providence may be fortified, for securing the petitioners' trade in their passage through the said islands and the petitioners' trade in their passage through the said islands and the Gulph of Florida &c., was read; whereupon ordered that some of the persons concerned in the said petition have notice to attend their lordships on Friday next, and that a copy of the said referrence be sent to the Lords Proprietors of the said islands, and that they be acquainted that the petitioners are to be heard here on Fryday next [fo. 393], at which time their lordships, if they have anything to offer, will be heard also.

Virginia.

Patenting lands and boundaries.

Carolina.

Representation.

A representation relating to the patenting of lands in Virginia, and to the boundaries between that province and Carolina [fo. 390, 412], as agreed the 5th instant, was signed.

Barbadoes.

Complaints against Mr. Skene.

Mr. Tryon and Fullerton summond.

Their lordships took into consideration the several papers in this office, relating to complaints against Mr. Skeen, mentioned in the minutes of the 3rd instant [fo. 387], and went through the same; whereupon ordered [fo. 394] that Mr. Tryon and Mr. Fullerton have notice to attend the Board on Tuesday morning next.

Carolina.

Order of Council approving Major Tynt Governor.

His sureties.

An Order of Councill of the 30th of December, 1708, approving Major Edward Tynt to be Governor of the province of Carolina, and directing this Board to take care that he do give the usual security for his due observance of the Acts of trade and navigation, was read, and the said Tynt attending [fo. 397], he was desired to bring the names of the persons he designed to be security for him, which he promised to do accordingly.

January 10. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Lord Herbert of Cherbury, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton, Sir Charles Turner.

Bahama Islands.

Hearing of the merchants about fortifying Providence put off.

Upon information that most of the Lords Proprietors of the Bahama Islands are out of town, and that it is uncertain how soon they may return; ordered [fo. 391, 418] that the hearing of the merchants and others concerned in the petition to her Majesty, relating to the said islands (mentioned in the minutes of the 7th instant) be put off from Friday, the 14th, to Friday, the 28th instant, and that the secretary do signify the same to Mr. Graves, to the end he may acquaint the said merchants therewith accordingly.

New England.

Maryland.

Virginia.

Letters to the Governors &c.

The draughts of letters to Colonel Dudley, Colonel Seymour, and Colonel Jennings [fo. 398], were read, and ordered to be transcribed.

January 11. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton, Sir Charles Turner.

Trade.

Papers from the separate traders to Africa.

Three papers lately received from the separate traders to Africa [fo. 362], were laid before the Board, and are as follows, vizt.:
Answer of the separate traders to several queries relating to that trade, sent them in the secretaries letter of the 8th of December, 1708, as also the two following papers referr'd to therein mark'd H and I, vizt.:
An account of ships sent from the ports of London and Bristol, for the coast of Africa, between Michaelmas, 1707, and Michaelmas, 1708, as well by the Company as separate traders, with the ten per cent. duty paid on each ship &c., as also an account of ships belonging to the separate traders that have been lost or miscarried for the above time.
An account of ships arrived with negroes at the plantations between Michaelmas, 1707, and July, 1708, together with an abstract of the number of negroes arrived at Barbadoes, between the 8th of April, 1698, and 29th of April, 1708.

Plantations General.

Trade.

Letters to Secretaries of State for orders on representations &c.

Ordered that the draughts of letters be prepared to the Earl of Sunderland and to Mr. Secretary Boyle [fo. 397], desiring to know what has been ordered upon some of the representations of this Board, upon which their lordships have not been informed of her Majesty's pleasure.

Barbadoes.

Mr. Fullerton and Mr. Tryon.

Complaints against Mr. Skene.

Mr. Fullerton and Mr. Tryon attending [fo. 392; N. fo. 15], according to appointment, touching her Majesty's order of referrence relating to Mr. Skeen, secretary of Barbadoes, mentioned in the minutes of the 7th instant, Mr. Fullerton said that there were now only two articles with which the said Skeen now stood charged, the one for exacting exorbitant fees, the other in relation to the 210l. given him by Mr. Guy Ball. To the first of these Mr. Fullerton said he was already enabled to clear the said Skeen, and make it appear that the complaint was unjust, and that in reasonable time he did not doubt but to prove that the said Skeen was innocent of the other matter charged against him. He added that he would in a few days acquaint their lordships when he should be ready to make Mr. Skeen's defence to the articles aforesaid.

Trade.

Papers from the Royal African Company.

The three following papers, being lately received from the Royal African Company [fo. 361], were laid before the Board, vizt.:
A letter from the Royal African Company, with their answer to several queries sent them in the secretaries letter of the 8th of December, 1708, relating to that trade.
Account of the Royal African Company's forts and castles in Guinea, from Michaelmas, 1707, to Michaelmas, 1708, with their charge; also an account of negroes imported into the plantations from the 29th September, 1707, to the 29th September, 1708. Account of money called in and number of ships sent out.
Some general observations and particular remarks on the report of the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, dated the 3rd of February, 170⁷/8, upon the petition of the Royal African Company.

January 12. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton, Sir Charles Turner.

Maryland.

Pennsylvania.

Boundaries.

Lord Baltimore and Mr. Penn.

Draught of report.

The Lord Baltimore and Mr. Pen attending, as they had been desired the 5th instant [fo. 390], his lordship acquainted the Board that he has had several meetings with Mr. Pen, in relation to the settling the boundaries between Maryland and Pennsylvania, but that they had not come to any agreement therein; whereupon they were acquainted that the Board was ready to hear them either by Council, or as they shall think fit, in pursuance of her Majesty's Order in Council of the 8th of January, 170⁷/8 [fo. 47]. But Mr. Penn declined coming to any such hearing, and insisted upon having the boundaries of his province settled according to the Order of Council of the 23rd of November, 1685 [Maryland Entries, volume the 1st, folio 18], and he presented to their lordships a paper, entituled The Case against the Lord Baltimore, and his lordship insisting to have the boundaries of his province settled pursuant to the limitations in his patent, their lordships gave directions for preparing a draught of a report upon the papers relating to the said boundaries that now lye before them.

Carolina.

Sureties for Major Tynt nominated Governor.

Letter to Mr. Lowndes.

Major Tynt, nominated by the Lords Proprietors of Carolina, and approved of by her Majesty, to be Governor of that province, attending, and acquainting their lordships that Abraham Blackmore, of the Inner Temple, esquire, and David Ward, major of Marines, were to be his sureties [fo. 392, 408], ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Lowndes touching the said Major Tynt's giving security in a bond of 2,000l. for his due observance of the Acts of Trade and Navigation accordingly.

Plantations General.

Trade.

Letter to the Earl of Sunderland for orders on representations.

A letter to the Earl of Sunderland [fo. 394], inclosing a list of representations to her Majesty, to know what has been done therein, as directed in yesterday's minutes, was signed.

Another to Mr. Secretary Boyle.

A like letter to Mr. Secretary Boyle [fo. 394, 404] upon the same subject, also directed in yesterday's minutes, was signed.

New England.

Maryland.

Virginia.

Letters to the Governors.

The letters to Colonel Dudley, Colonel Seymore, and Colonel Jenings [fo. 393], as agreed the 10th instant, were signed.

January 13. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton, Sir Charles Turner.

Leeward Islands.

Order of Council repealing two Acts.

An Order of Councill, of the 30th of December, 1708 [fo. 386, 401], upon a representation of the 23rd of the same month, proposing the repeal of two Acts past in the Leeward Islands, relating to Courts of Justice there, approving the said representation, was read.

Newfoundland.

Order of Council.

Provisions, stores &c. to be sent.

Papers from Commadore Mitchell.

Representation thereupon.

An Order of Councill, of the 9th instant [fo. 400], directing this Board to consider what quantity of provisions, stores and necessaries are requisite to be sent this year to Newfoundland, as well for the defence of the forts and garrison as the improvement of the trade and fishery there, was read, as also the several papers transmitted to their lordships by Commodore Mitchell [fo. 374], mentioned in the minutes of the 9th of the last month, and directions given for preparing the draught of a representation thereupon.

Maryland.

Pennsylvania.

Order on Lord Baltemore's petition.

Boundaries.

Mr. Penn summon'd.

An Order of Councill, of the 9th of January, 1708/9 [fo. 404], referring to this Board the petition of the Lord Baltimore to her Majesty, praying that an Order of Council obtained by Mr. Penn in 1685, for dividing an istmus of land lying between the river and Bay of Delaware and the eastern sea on the one side, and Chesapeack on the other, may be set aside, was read; whereupon ordered that Mr. Penn have notice to attend the Board on Monday morning next.

Barbadoes.

Mr. Pilgrim and Mr. Fullerton.

Petition against Mr. Crow.

Papers relating thereto.

Representation thereupon.

Mr. Pilgrim and Mr. Fullerton attending [fo. 390], according to appointment, the Order of Councill, referring to this Board the petition of the said Pilgrim to her Majesty, praying to be restored to his estate in Barbadoes, taken from him by Mr. Crow, Governor of the said island, mentioned in the minutes of the 7th instant, was again read; and Mr. Pilgrim produced to their lordships the writings by which he holds the estate, to prove his title thereto, as likewise the extracts of several letters from Major Pilgrim, his brother, with three others from his son, his cousin and nephew, all dated at Barbadoes, touching Mr. Crow's having levied upon the said estate, which were also read; and it appearing that the petitioner has not been dispossess'd of his lands, as set forth in his said petition, their lordships gave directions [fo. 406] for preparing the draught of a representation, for laying the same before her Majesty.

Newfoundland.

Mr. Thurston.

Provisions and stores to be sent thither.

Mr. Thurston attending [fo. 398, 402], in relation to the provisions to be sent this year to Newfoundland, and being asked if he had any account from Major Lloyd of the state of the said provisions, or of the stores of war there, he said that he had not, but would lay before their lordships to-morrow morning a memorial of what would be wanting for the soldiers this year.

January 17. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton, Sir Charles Turner.

Leeward Islands.

Letter to Col. Parke with representation and Order repealing two Acts.

The draught of a letter to Colonel Park [fo. 398, 406], Governor of the Leeward Islands, inclosing the copy of a representation for repealing two Acts past in the said islands, relating to the administration of justice &c., together with the Order of Councill repealing the said Acts, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

Copy of an Order on representation proposing counsellors for St. Christopher's and Antigua.

Copy of an Order of Councill, of the 25th of November, 1708 [fo. 338], upon a representation of the 22nd ditto, proposing Mr. Francis Phips and Mr. William Byam to be members of her Majesty's Councill, the one at St. Christopher's, the other at Antego, approving the same, and directing the Earl of Sunderland to prepare warrants for her Majesty's signature for constituting and appointing them members of the said Councills, accordingly, was read.

Barbadoes.

Copy of an Order on representation for a new counsellor.

Copy of an Order of Councill, of the 30th of December, 1708 [fo. 370], upon a representation of the 14th ditto, proposing a dismission of Mr. Scot from the Council of Barbadoes, and that Mr. John Frere be appointed a member of her Majesty's Councill in that island in his room, approving the same, and directing the Earl of Sunderland to prepare a warrant for her Majesty's signature, for constituting and appointing him a member of the said Councill, accordingly, was read.

Jamaica.

Copy of an order on representation confirming two Acts.

Copy of an Order of Councill of the 26th June, 1708 [fo. 211], upon a representation of the 22nd ditto for confirming two Acts passed in Jamaica to prevent negroes being evidence against Manual Bartholomew and John William, free negroes, approving the said representation, was read.

Maryland.

Copy of an order on representation repealing an Act about Lord Baltimore's farmers.

Copy of an Order of Councill of the 25th November, 1708 [fo. 341], upon a representation of the 23rd ditto, proposing the repeal of an Act past in Maryland in 1707, giving power to the farmers of the Lord Baltemore's rents to recover the arrear thereof, after expiration of their lease, approving the same, was read.

Newfoundland.

Memorial from Mr. Thurston.

Necessaries for the garrison.

A memorial from Mr. Thurston [fo. 400, 403], agent for the soldiers at Newfoundland, containing an account of necessaries to be sent this year for the service of the garrison there, was read; whereupon ordered that the said account of necessaries be incerted in the report directed to be prepared the 13th instant.

Maryland.

Sir Thos. Lawrence.

Ordinary licences.

Sir Thomas Lawrence attending [fo. 388], and desiring that the copies of his last memorial, relating to the ordinary licencies in Maryland, together with his valuation thereof, read the 3rd instant in answer to the account of the said licences transmitted by Colonel Seymour in his letter of the 7th of September, 1708, mentioned in the minutes of the 17th of December following, may not be sent to him, till the other papers daily expected from thence shall arrive; he was acquainted that their lordships would take the same into consideration, and Sir Thomas being withdrawn, their lordships resolved that copies of the said memorial and valuation of the ordinary licences abovementioned, be sent as at first directed.

January 18. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Sir Charles Turner.

Newfoundland.

Representation.

Necessaries wanting there.

The draught of a representation [fo. 402, 406], relating to necessaries wanting at Newfoundland, as directed the 13th and 17th instant, was agreed, and ordered to be transcribed.

New Hampshire.

Letter from Board of Ordnance.

Stores.

A letter from the Board of Ordnance, of this day's date, desiring a copy of the account of ordnance, powder, shot &c., remaining at Fort William and Mary in the province of New Hampshire [fo. 311, 406], marked B, annexed to the representation of this Board, signed the 8th of November, 1708, was read, and directions given for sending them a copy of the said account accordingly.

Maryland.

Pennsylvania.

Mr. Penn.

Boundaries.

Mr. Penn attending [fo. 399; N. fo. 5], he acquainted their lordships that he had presented a petition to her Majesty, praying that the Order of Councill upon the petition of Lord Baltemore to her Majesty for setting aside the Order of Councill obtained by him the said Penn in 1685, touching the boundaries between Maryland and Pennsylvania, might be suspended, and that he did beleive her Majesty's pleasure thereupon would be signified to this Board very speedily, whereupon he was acquainted that unless he did procure her Majesty's Order in a reasonable time to stay proceedings, their lordships should think themselves obliged to make a report upon the said order.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Secretary Boyle.

Order on representation about Bremen ships &c.

Passes for Spanish ships.

A letter from Mr. Secretary Boyle, of yesterday's date [fo. 398], in answer to one writ him the 12th instant, acquainting their lordships that her Majesty had given directions to the Lord High Admiral, conformable to the representation of this Board, of the 17th of November, 1708 [fo. 335], relating to convoys for Bremen ships; and that, as yet, nothing had been ordered upon another representation of this Board, of the 12th of the same month [fo. 333], in relation to the granting passes for ships to sail from Spain to Great Britain or Holland, was read.

Miscellanies.

Accounts of incidents &c.

The accounts of incident charges of this office from Michaelmas, 1708, to Christmas following, were laid before the Board, and are as follows, vizt.:

Letter to the Lord High Treasurer.

And a letter to the Lord High Treasurer, to desire the payment thereof, as also of the salary due to the secretary and the other officers in the service of this commission for the same time, was signed.

January 19. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Sir Charles Turner.

Barbadoes.

Representation on Mr. Pilgrim's petition.

A representation upon the petition of Mr. Thomas Pilgrim [fo. 400], praying to be restored to an estate in Barbadoes taken from him by Mr. Crow, Governor of the said island, as directed the 13th instant, was signed.

Newfoundland.

Representation.

Necessaries wanting.

A representation relating to necessaries wanting at Newfoundland [fo. 403; M. fo. 18, 19], as agreed at the last meeting, was signed.

New Hampshire.

Letter to the Board of Ordnance with account of stores.

A letter to the Board of Ordnance [fo. 404], inclosing a copy of the account of ordnance, powder, &c. remaining in Fort William and Mary in New Hampshire, mentioned in yesterday's minutes, was signed.

Leeward Islands.

Letter to Col. Parke.

A letter to Colonel Park, Governor of the Leeward Islands [fo. 401], inclosing the Order of Councill of the 30th of December, 1708, for repealing two Acts past in the said islands, relating to Courts of justice, was signed.

Newfoundland.

Letter from Custome House Officers of Sandwich.

A letter from the Custome House officers at Sandwich, acquainting this Board that no ships have traded from thence to Newfoundland, from the 25th of December, 1707, to the 25th of December, 1708, was read.

Plantations General.

Letter from Mr. Dummer.

Privateers.

A letter from Mr. Dummer, of the 17th instant, giving an account of the sailing of the Frankland packet boat to and from the West Indies, and that great complaints are made against the Act of Parliament about privateers, was read.

Barbadoes.

Letter from Mr. Sharp, Walker and Beresford, suspended counsellors.

A letter from Colonel Sharp, Mr. Walker and Mr. Berresford [fo. 409], three of the members of Councill in Barbadoes, giving an account of their being suspended from the Councill by Mr. Crow, dated the 2nd of November, 1708, was read.

Newfoundland.

Letter from Major Lloyd.

A letter from Major Lloyd, commander of the garrison at St. John's in Newfoundland, dated the 15th of November, 1708, together with the two following papers referr'd to therein, were read.

Papers therein referr'd to.
Copy of a letter from Monsieur de Costebelle to Commodore Mitchell, dated at Placentia the 18th of October, 1708, sent by Mr. Woodward, who was prisoner there.
Captain Woodward's account of the state of the French at Placentia in Newfoundland in November, 1708.

Letter to the Earl of Sunderland.

Whereupon ordered [fo. 409] that a letter be writ to the Earl of Sunderland, inclosing a copy of the said account.

Carolina.

Major Tynt his sureties.

Major Tynte, Governor of Carolina, attending [fo. 397; N. fo. 11], he acquainted their lordships that Mr. Blackmore, one of the sureties he proposed the 12th instant, being to go into the country, he was obliged to propose Mr. Morgan in his stead, and prayed their lordships would please to direct the letter to Mr. Lownds might be alter'd; whereupon ordered that Mr. Morgan's name be inserted, and that of Mr. Blackmore left out, as Major Tynte had desired.

Leeward Islands.

Letter from Col. Parke.

Their lordships took into consideration a letter from Colonel Park, Governor of the Leeward Islands [fo. 409], dated the 3rd of November, 1708, and made a progress therein.

January 20. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton, Sir Charles Turner.

Barbadoes.

Letter from Major Pilgrim to the Earl of Stamford.

Complaints against Crow.

Letter to the Earl of Sunderland.

Suspension of counsellors.

The Earl of Stamford communicated to the Board a letter from Major John Pilgrim, one of the members of Councill in Barbadoes, to his lordship, of the 2nd of November, 1708, complaining of Mr. Crow's proceeding, which was read, and directions were given for preparing the draught of a letter to the Earl of Sunderland [fo. 407, 410], relating to the suspension of Colonel Sharp, Mr. Walker, and Mr. Beresford, from the Council in that island.

Plantations General.

Letter from Mr. Dummer.

A letter from Mr. Dummer, of yesterday's date, giving an account of the sailing of the Cotton packet boat, to and from the West Indies, was read.

Trade.

Letter to Mr. Baker. Account of his proceedings against exportation of wooll.

Ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Henry Baker [fo. 383], to hasten his answer to the letter writ him the 20th of December, 1708, for an account of his proceedings for preventing the exportation of wooll on the coasts of Kent and Sussex since his last account.

Newfoundland.

Letter to the Earl of Sunderland.

State of the French at Placentia.

A letter to the Earl of Sunderland [fo. 408], inclosing a copy of Captain Woodward's account of the state of the French at Placentia in Newfoundland, as directed in yesterday's minutes, was signed.

Leeward Islands.

Letter from Col.

Parke with address &c. in answer to complaints against him.

Letter to the Earl of Sunderland.

A letter from Colonel Park [fo. 408], Governor of the Leeward Islands, dated the 3rd of November, 1708, inclosing an address from the Lieutenant Governor and Councill of St. Christopher's, to her Majesty, in behalf of the said Colonel Park, justifying him from some complaints that are said to be coming against him, were read; whereupon a letter to the Earl of Sunderland, inclosing the said address, was signed.

Letter from Col.

Parke.

Another letter from Colonel Park, of the 13th of November, 1708, was read, and the papers therein referr'd to were laid before the Board, and are as follows, vizt.:
Papers therein referr'd to.
Account of imports into Nevis, from the 25th May, 1706, to the 25th of October, 1708.
Account of exports from the island of Nevis, from the 25th of May, 1706, to the 25th of October, 1708.
Account of the number of negroes imported to Mountserrat, from the 24th June, 1698, to the 25th December, 1707.

Letter to Mr. Lownds.

Illegal trade at Mountserrat.

Whereupon ordered that the last paragraph of the said letter, relating to a Danish ship trading at Mountserrat, be sent to Mr. Lownds, to be laid before the Lord High Treasurer.

January 21. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton.

Barbadoes.

Letter to the Earl of Sunderland.

Suspended counsellors.

A letter to the Earl of Sunderland [fo. 409, 415], relating to Mr. Crow's having suspended Colonel Sharp, Mr. Walker, and Mr. Beresford, from their places in the Councill in Barbadoes, was signed.

Trade.

Leather and calf skins to be sold in Bruges.

Letter to Mr. Diston for persons concern'd to attend.

Mr. Pulteney communicated to the Board a paper entituled, Reasons why leather and calf skins should not be hindred to be sold in the city of Bruges, which was read; and directions given for writing a letter to Mr. Josiah Diston, a member of Parliament, to desire him to signify to such persons as are here in town, and that are concerned in this matter, that they attend the Board on Wednesday next, and bring with them a memorial in writing, stating the matter of fact they complain of, as also that they do bring such proof as they are able of the allegations mentioned in the paper aforementioned.

Leeward Islands.

Letter from Col.

Parke in answer to complaints.

A letter from Colonel Park, Governor of the Leeward Islands, dated the 14th of November, 1708 [fo. 275], in answer to the complaints against him, mentioned in the Board's letter of the 16th of August, 1708, were read, and the papers therein referr'd to were laid before the Board, and are as follows, vizt.:
Papers therein referr'd to.
A declaration from the officers belonging to the regiment in the Leeward Islands, in commendation of Colonel Parke &c.
Affidavits of the officers of the regiment in the Leeward Islands, relating to the complaints against Colonel Parke, sworn in Council the 12th November, 1708

Whereupon their lordships gave directions for preparing a letter to Mr. Secretary Boyle [fo. 269; N. fo. 14], in answer to his of the 9th of August last, touching the said complaints.

Trade.

Order of House of Commons about African trade.

An Order of the House of Commons, dated yesterday, requiring this Board to lay before that House a state of the African trade, together with their observations thereupon, was read, and directions given [fo. 416], for preparing a report thereupon.

January 24. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Sir Charles Turner.

Virginia.

Carolina.

Order of Council on representation relating to patenting lands and to bounds.

Draught of a letter to proprietors to be prepared, proposing a Commission about setling bounds.

Additional instruction to be prepared to Col.

Hunter about method of patenting lands.

An Order of Councill of the 13th instant, upon a representation of the 7th ditto [fo. 391; N. fo. 3], relating to the patenting of lands in Virginia, and to the bounds between that colony and Carolina, approving the same, and directing the Board to propose to the Lords Proprietors of Carolina the issuing such a commission as is mentioned in the said representation &c., and that the manner of patenting lands in Virginia be in the methods proposed by the President and Councill of that colony &c., which Order of Councill was read; whereupon ordered [fo. 418] that, as to the first direction in the foregoing Order, relating to the commission, the draught of a letter to the Proprietors be prepared thereupon, and that, as to the method of patenting of land &c., mentioned in the said Order, ordered that the draught of an additional instruction to the Governor be prepared for her Majesty's royal signature.

Barbadoes.

Letter from the Governor.

A letter from Mr. Crow, Governor of Barbadoes, dated the 23rd of September, 1708, was read, and the papers therewith transmitted were laid before the Board and are as follows, vizt.:
Papers of publick proceedings.
Mr. Crow's speech to the Assembly of Barbadoes, upon the representation of Mr. Sharp, Mr. Walker, and Mr. Beresford, complaining of his male administration, to which is annexed an extract of the said complaints.
Address of the Assembly of Barbadoes to Mr. Crow, upon divers complaints made by three of the Council touching his male administration &c.
Minutes of Council of the 30th August, 1708. Major Pilgrim sworn a member thereof. The Governor's reasons for adjourning the same.

Another letter from the Governor.

Another letter from Mr. Crow, dated the 2nd of November, 1708, was read, and the papers therein referr'd to were laid before the Board, and are as follows, vizt.:
Papers of publick proceedings.
Representation of Mr. Sharp, Mr. Walker, and Mr. Beresford, to Mr. Crow, touching his male administration.
Mr. Crow's answer to the representation of Mr. Sharp &c. [N. fo. 186], complaining of his administration &c.
Depositions and other papers, referr'd to in Mr. Crow's answer to Mr. Sharp &c.
The Assemblie's address of thanks to Mr. Crow for taking away the custome of ten per cent. deposit money in the Chancery.
Deposition of Mr. Alleyn and Mr. Salters about Mr. Berresford.
Minutes of Council of the 25th of September, 1708, suspending Mr. Sharp, Walker and Berresford.
Mr. William Walker's project for managing the government of Barbadoes, with Colonel Cleland's explanation thereof.
Naval officers' list of ships from the 25th June to the 24th September, 1708.

Letter to Mr. Savage on what Mr. Crow writes about officers of the Custome House.

And their lordships made a progress in the consideration of the said papers, and gave directions for writing to Mr. Savage, secretary of the Customes, upon paragraph B of the said letter, relating to the remissness of the Custome House officers in the performance of their duty in that island.

Letter to the Earl of Sunderland about Mr. Crow's suspending three of the Council.

A letter to the Earl of Sunderland, informing his lordship that Mr. Crow had now given an account (received last Saturday night) of his having suspended Mr. Sharp, Mr. Walker, and Mr. Beresford from the Councill of Barbadoes [N. fo. 4; fo. 410], was signed.

Trade.

Referrence from the Earl of Sunderland on the petition of Mr. Diharce for a pass for a Spanish ship &c.

A reference from the Earl of Sunderland, of the 18th instant, upon the petition of P. Diharce in behalf of Gabriel Bowvy of Bilboa to her Majesty, praying her Majesty's passport for a Spanish ship to go from Bilboa to Ireland, there to lade beef, and to carry the same to the Spanish plantations in the West Indies, and afterwards to return to Bilboa, or any other port in Spain, with goods not prohibited, was read; whereupon ordered [fo. 417] that the forementioned Diharce have notice to attend the Board on Thursday morning next.

January 25. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton, Sir Charles Turner.

Trade.

Africa.

Report to the House of Commons.

Their lordships took into consideration the draught of a report to the House of Commons [fo. 412, 418], in pursuance of an order of that House, dated the 20th, and mentioned in the minutes of the 21st instant, requiring a state of the African trade, and this Board's observations thereupon, which was agreed, and ordered to be transcribed.

January 27. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton, Sir Charles Turner.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Perry for copies of complaints (if any) against the African Company from America.

Answer.

A letter from Mr. John Perry, secretary to the Royal African Company [N. fo. 6], desiring copies of such complaints as they are apprehensive this Board may have received from the Plantations in America, relating to the trade to Africa, was read, and directions given for returning an answer thereunto.

Maryland.

Letter from Mr. Burchet.

Captain Huntington's answer to complaints.

A letter from Mr. Burchet, of the 24th instant, in answer to one writ him 18th December last [fo. 377] on the complaint of Colonel Seymour, Governour of Maryland, against Captain Huntington, for not sending notice of the time of his sailing from these parts, inclosing the said Huntington's answer to Colonel Seymour's complaint, was read.

Trade.

Mr. Dilharce.

Pass for a Spanish ship.

Mr. Peter Diharce attending according to appointment [fo. 415], in relation to the pass desired by him for a Spanish ship mention'd in the minutes of the 24th instant, and being asked if the said ship was to go empty from Bilboa to Ireland, he said that he could not tell, nor did he know to what port in the Spanish West Indies she was bound, and therefore he promised their lordships to write to his correspondent for a better information therein, and so soon as he should receive the same, he would acquaint their lordships therewith.

Bermuda.

Hearing between Bennet and Jones adjourn'd.

The secretary acquainted their lordships that Sir John Bennet and Mr. Jones were desirous that the hearing, appointed for the first of February, might be put off till after the term [N. fo. 24]; ordered that they be acquainted that their lordships have agreed to adjourn the said hearing to Monday, the 21st of February next.

Trade.

Answer to order of the House of Commons.

African trade.

An answer to an Order of the House of Commons of the 20th instant [fo. 416], requiring a state of the African trade, was signed, and Mr. Pulteney was desired to present the same to the House, which he promised to do accordingly.

Carolina.

Virginia.

Letter to the Lords Proprietors.

Bounds.

A letter to the Lords Proprietors of Carolina [fo. 413; N. fo. 43], relating to the boundaries between that province and Virginia, as directed the 24th instant, was signed.

January 28. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton, Sir Charles Turner.

Bahama Islands.

Hearing upon the petition of several merchants about the state of those islands &c.

This day having been appointed for hearing the allegations in the petition of several merchants &c. [fo. 393], praying her Majesty to take the Government of the Bahama Islands into her hands, as also for hearing what the Lords Proprietors of the said islands might have to offer against the prayer of the said petition; Mr. Graves, with several other persons, attended on the one side, in behalf of the petitioners with Mr. Ayloff, their councill; and Mr. Ashley, with Mr. Phipps, councill for the Lords Proprietors, with several other gentlemen, attended on the other.

Then her Majesty's Order of Council, of the 30th of December, 1708, referring to the Board the foresaid petition, was read; whereupon the council were acquainted that they need not unnecessarily take up time in setting forth the advantage of the Bahama Islands to this kingdom, or the ill consequence it might be were they in the possession of the enemy, their lordships being fully apprized thereof.

Mr. Ayloff then said, that being so, he would only apply himself to show their lordships that the said islands had been several times plundered and ravaged by the French and Spaniards; that the Lords Proprietors have not taken any care for the security of her Majesty's subjects there, and have ever refused to do it, when they have been applied to, upon that account; and that if this did appear to their lordships, he hoped they would be of opinion that her Majesty do take the said islands under her imediate protection and government.

To prove that the Lords Proprietors had not taken care for the security of the said islands, and that they have been several times ravaged by the enemy, he called upon Mr. Graves; but Mr. Phipps admitting that the said islands have been several times plundered, Mr. Graves only said that he had lived in the said islands (on and off) for about 22 years, and that in all that time the proprietors had never sent but four barrils of powder, that he had himself apply'd several times to the said proprietors for stores of war, and other assistance, which sometimes they promised to give, but however nothing was sent; that about four years ago he delivered a memorial to their lordships, setting forth the ill state of the said islands and the necessity of protecting the same from the attempts of the enemy, but that he could obtain nothing, and that some of the said Lords Proprietors told him they would not be at any expence upon that account.

Then Mr. Ayloff produced John Ireland, who said he had lived 26 years there, and that all that time he never heard of any stores of war sent from the proprietors; that he was there about two years ago, and that there were not then above twelve families in those islands, whereas formerly there used to be, at the Island of Providence alone, above 150 families; that the side of the fort next the sea is down; that the guns are spiked up, and thrown over the wall; and that there is no form of government there.

Here Mr. Ayloff was desirous to rest the matter, hoping that their lordships were fully satisfied of the ill condition of the said islands, and that it was through the neglect of the proprietors.

Then Mr. Phipps admitted as above that the said islands have been plunder'd, but said he hoped to make it appear to their lordships that it was not through any default of the Lords Proprietors, but from the ill temper of the people there, for the Lords Proprietors had from time to time sent over Governours for the protection of the inhabitants, and that during such Governours' stay there the inhabitants had not been molested; and that their misfortunes have befallen them only since their having seized and sent home Captain Hasket, who was their Governor; and Mr. Phipps calling upon the foresaid Graves and Mr. Dogget (who had been secretary to the said Hasket) to make good this allegation, and asked them several questions the said Graves said, that Captain Hacket (sic) was Governor, that he was seized by the people and sent home, but that it was done for his tyranical and arbitrary proceedings; that the fort had 26 guns in it at the time when the said Hasket was seized, but that there was not above one barrell or a barrell and a half of powder, about six rounds of shot, and no small arms there at that time.

And the foresaid Dogget said that in his time there was in the magazine but a few carthridges filled with powder, that the fort was down to the seaside, as aforesaid, in Captain Hasket's time, and that, while the proprietors had Governors there, those islands have been plunder'd by the Spaniards, even in times of peace.

Then Mr. Phipps proceeded, and said that after the forementioned Hasket had been brought home, the proprietors sent over another Governor, Mr. Birch, who not staying upon the islands, they named another Mr. Holden, who had not yet receiv'd her Majesty's approbation; and he called upon Mr. Graves again, who said that 'twas true the foresaid Birch had been sent over, but that upon his arrival there he found the islands in so miserable a condition that, though the inhabitants offered him their assistance, and several masters of ships offered him powder and ammunition, yet he would not so much as publish his commission, but went away for Carolina.

Mr. Phipps then added that the said Birch deserting the islands was not to be imputed to the proprietors, who had done all that is possible for them to do, for these islands cannot be effectually secured without a maritime force, and he observed that the revenue of the said islands was about 800l. a year, which their lordships have wholly applied to the defence thereof; and he referred to Mr. Ashley, one of the proprietors, who said that the proprietors receiving no benefit or advantage from thence, he supposed the revenue was applied to the use of the publick there, but how much the annual revenue was he did not know, they not having received any account thereof from thence; and being asked by Mr. Phipps what stores of war the forementioned Holden was to have carried over with him, he said that there had been and agreement with Holden that he should carry over a considerable quantity with him; upon which the Board took notice, that the said Holden had acquainted them the 12th of June, 1707 (when his business was depending) that the Lords Proprietors did not intend to send over any stores of war; but that he intended to carry over a small quantity himself for sale.

Upon this Mr. Ayloff observed that, whatever the revenue of those islands might have been, when they were settled, it was not likely, now they are deserted, and have but 12 families inhabiting there, that it should amount to 800l. a year, and he concluded that he hoped it did appear to their lordships, even from the defence of the proprietors, that they intirely abandoned and neglected the defence of the said islands.

Both sides being withdrawn, their lordships gave directions for preparing the draught of a report upon the forementioned petition [N. fo. 2], with their opinion that her Majesty be pleased to take the said islands into her immediate protection and government.

Carolina.

Virginia.

Letter to the Lords Proprietors of Carolina.

Complaint about Indian traders.

Ordered that the draught of a letter be prepared to the Lords Proprietors of Carolina [fo. 325; N. fo. 2], for their answer to the complaint made by Colonel Jennings, of goods seized in Carolina, belonging to the Virginia traders, sent to their lordships in the Board's letter of the 10th of November last.