Journal, January 1710: Journal Book N

Journal, January 1710

January 2, 170 9/10. Present:–Earl of Stamford, Lord Dartmouth, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Sir Charles Turner.

Bermuda.

Hearing of complaints against Mr. Jones &c.

This day having been appointed to proceed in the hearing of the complaints of the Assembly of Bermuda against Mr. Jones, secretary and provost marshal of that island [fo. 311] (which were begun to be heard the 9th and 10th of May last), as likewise those of Mr. Jones against Colonel Bennet, Governor of the said islands, Sir John Bennet, in behalf of the island with Sir Thomas Parker and Sir Peter King, their counsel, on the one side, and the said Jones, with Mr. Eyre, her Majesty's Solicitor General, and Mr. Phipps, his counsel, attended on the other side.

Counsel for Mr. Jones.

Representation.

Letter to the Earl of Sunderland.

The counsel for Mr. Jones, in answer to what had been offered by the counsel on the other side at the fore-mentioned hearing, would again have offered proofs to invalidate the indictments and convictions on record against the said Jones, which had been given in as proofs to some of the articles against him. But the counsel on the other side objecting thereunto, and their debates having continued some hours, they were in the end ordered to withdraw; upon which their lordships agreed to represent this matter specially to her Majesty for her pleasure, whether this Board shall hear what Mr. Jones's counsel have to offer against the validity of the said indictments and convictions, or whether the said Jones shall be concluded by that evidence. Then the counsel on both sides being called in, they were acquainted therewith. Whereupon Mr. Jones desired that the hearing of the whole matter, as well the complaints against him as his against the Governor, might be respited till her Majesty's pleasure be known upon what their lordships proposed; but the counsel for the Governor desired that their lordships would proceed upon the articles exhibited by Mr. Jones against the Governor; to which Mr. Jones not consenting, both sides agreed to respit the matter till her Majesty's pleasure (as Mr. Jones desired) was known. Ordered [fo. 325] that a letter be writ to the Earl of Sunderland, stating the case, for her Majesty's pleasure thereupon accordingly.

January 3. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Sir Charles Turner.

Virginia.

Letter from Col. Jenings.

A letter from Colonel Jenings, President of the Council of Virginia, dated the 8th of October last, was read; and the papers referr'd to therein, were laid before the Board, and are as follows, vizt.:
Papers therein referr'd to.
Copy of a letter from Colonel Jenings to Sir Nathanael Johnson, Governor of Carolina, relating to goods seized belonging to Virginia Indian traders, with his answer thereto, and affidavits concerning the same.
Proclamations published in Virginia upon several occasions.
Minutes of Council of Virginia from the 4th of June, 1708, to the 12th of September, 1709.

Letter to Mr. Burchet, with an extract about a guardsloop &c.

Whereupon ordered that paragraph H of the said letter, relating to the guardship attending that colony, and to the benefit that will be received there in the assistance of a sloop &c., be sent to Mr. Burchet, for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty.

Bermuda.

Letter to the Earl of Sunderland upon the hearing complaints.

A letter to the Earl of Sunderland, upon the hearing of the complaints from Bermuda [fo. 324], as ordered at the last meeting, was signed.

January 4. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Sir Charles Turner.

Barbadoes.

Two letters from the Earl of Sunderland, with memorial from Mr. Berwick desiring to be of the Council.

Memorial from Mr. Owen thereupon.

Draught of an answer.

Two letters from the Earl of Sunderland, the one dated the 27th of July [fo. 327], inclosing a memorial from Mr. Samuel Berwick to his lordship, praying that he may be appointed a member of her Majesty's Council of Barbadoes; the other dated the 28th of December, 1709, desiring to know if their lordships have any objection against the said Berwick's being of the said Council, were read, as also a memorial from Mr. Owen in favour of the said Berwick, whereupon directions were given for preparing the draught of a letter to the Earl of Sunderland in answer thereunto.

Jamaica.

Representation on an Act.

George Ivy.

A representation upon an Act past in Jamaica in April, 1709 [fo. 279, 369], to enable trustees to make sale of certain lands, part of the estate of George Ivy &c., proposing a confirmation of the said Act, was signed.

Barbadoes.

Order of Council.

Petition of Mr. Gordon, provost marshal.

against Mr. Downs.

Draught of a representation.

Order of Council of the 15th December, 1709 [fo. 335], referring to the Board the petition of Mr. Gordon to her Majesty, complaining against Richard Downes, esquire, Judge of the precinct of St. Michael's, in Barbadoes, for refusing to admit the petitioner's deputy in the Court of Common Pleas there &c., was read, and Mr. Gordon attending at the same time, he communicated to their lordships part of two letters he had received from his attorneys in Barbadoes touching the said Downes's having refused to admit his deputy in the Court of Common Pleas there. Whereupon, he was desired to lay extracts of the said letters before their lordships, which he promised to do accordingly; and being withdrawn, their lordships gave directions for preparing a draught of a representation for laying the same before her Majesty.

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

Barbadoes.

Letter to the Earl of Sunderland about Mr. Berwick's desire to be of the Council.

A letter to the Earl of Sunderland, in answer to his lordship's of the 27th of July and 28th of December last [fo. 325], relating to Mr. Berwick's desire of being appointed a member of her Majesty's Council of Barbadoes, as directed the 4th instant, was signed.

New York.

Letter from the Earl of Sunderland on report about Palatines.

A letter from the Earl of Sunderland, of the 7th instant [fo. 315, 338], signifying her Majesty's approbation of the Board's report of the 5th of the last month, relating to the Palatines to be sent to New York, was read.

Trade.

Swedish merchants’ memorial.

Passes.

Sir Charles Hedges.

Sir Gilbert Heathcote, with several merchants trading to Sweden, attending, presented to their lordships a memorial relating to that trade, and to the settling of passes for British ships sailing through the Sound, was read; whereupon ordered [fo. 333, 345] that Sir Charles Hedges be acquainted that their lordships would be glad to speak with him, touching this matter, on Fryday morning next.

Plantations General.

Trade.

Memorials from Holt.

Illegal trade.

Extracts to be sent to the respective Governments concerned.

Letter to Mr. Holt about a person to be protected.

Two memorials from Mr. Holt (mentioned in the minutes of the 15th of the last month) [fo. 313, 336], relating to the trade of Curacoa and St. Thomas, and particularly the illegal trade carried on with the British plantations in America, were read; whereupon ordered that extracts of the said memorials be transmitted to such of the Governors of the plantations mentioned to have been concerned in the said trade, and that a clause be added in the letters to be sent to the said Governments, requiring the said Governors to make strict enquiry into the truth of the several matters of fact alledged in the aforesaid memorials, and that they do cause such persons as shall be found to have been guilty thereof to be duly prosecuted according to law, and to give an account of their proceeding therein. Then the secretary acquainting the Board that Mr. Holt had mentioned another person who is able to give further information of the illegal trade between her Majesty's plantations and the islands of Curacoa and St. Thomas, provided he could obtain a protection from being pressed while he attended the Board; ordered that a letter be writ to the said Holt to know the name of the said person in order to the procuring him such a protection accordingly.

Virginia.

Letter to Col.

Jenings.

The draught of a letter to Colonel Jenings, President of the Council of Virginia, as directed the 3rd instant, was agreed, and ordered to be transcribed.

New England.

Letter to Mr. Bridger.

The draught of a letter to Mr. Bridger, Surveyor General of her Majesty's woods on the Continent of America, was also agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

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

Barbadoes.

Leeward Islands.

Bermuda.

Letter from Mr. Burchet.

New Seals sent to Mr. Townsend.

A letter from Mr. Burchet, of yesterday's date, in answer to one writ him the 9th instant, touching the sending of new seals to the plantations by the men-of-war now going to those parts, was read; whereupon ordered [fo. 349] that the seals for the governments of Bermuda, Barbadoes and the Leeward Islands be sent to Portsmouth to be delivered by Mr. Townsend to the captains of the men-of-war shortly to sail to those islands.

Maryland.

New England.

New Hampshire.

Connectieut.

Rhode Island.

Carolina.

Letters to the Governors.

The draughts of letters to the Governors of Maryland, New England, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Carolina, were agreed [fo. 335, 338], and ordered to be transcribed.

New York.

Memorial from Mr. Rayner.

His salary &c.

A memorial from Mr. Raynor, Attorney General of New York, relating to his salary there &c., was read. Whereupon the secretary was directed to acquaint him that the matters therein contain'd did not belong to their lordships, and that therefore they did not think fit to meddle with it.

Leeward Islands.

Letter from Mr. Ayon by order of Col. Parke.

A letter from Mr. Ayon, by order of Colonel Park, relating to an attempt made to assassinate him, dated at Antego, the 20th of September, 1709, was read.

New Jersey.

Order on representation.

Counsellors.

Copy of an Order of Council of the 25th December, 1709 [fo. 321], upon a representation of the 23rd ditto, proposing that Mr. Gordon and Mr. Gardner to be of the Council of New Jersey, and that Mr. Morris be restored to his place in the said Council, approving the same, was read.

Order on representation.

Draughts of instructions.

Copy of an Order of Council of the 25th of December, 1709 [fo. 321], upon a representation of the 23rd ditto, laying before her Majesty the draught of an instruction to Colonel Hunter for the government of New Jersey, as also of an additional instruction for composing the differences there, approving the same, was read.

New York.

New Jersey.

Order on representation.

Instructions about Acts of Trade.

Copy of an Order of Council of the 25th December, 1709 [fo. 321], upon a representation of the 23rd ditto, laying before her Majesty draughts of instructions to Colonel Hunter for New York and New Jersey, relating to the Acts of trade, approving the same, was read.

New York.

Order on representation.

Counsellors.

Copy of an Order of Council of the 25th December, 1709 [fo. 321], upon a representation of the 23rd ditto, proposing that Mr. Peartree be dismissed the Council of New York, and that Mr. Staats and Mr. Walters be appointed members thereof, approving the same, was read.

Order on representation.

Two Instructions.

Copy of an Order of Council of the 25th of December, 1709 [fo. 321], upon a representation of the 23rd ditto, with the draught of an instruction to Colonel Hunter for the government of New York, as also of an additional instruction relating to a table of fees in that province, approving the said representation, was read.

Virginia.

Order on representation.

Act about ports &c.

Copy of an Order of Council of the 15th of December [fo. 291], upon a representation of the 30th November, 1709, for repealing an Act passed in Virginia for establishing ports and towns, approving the same, was read.

1709–10.

Maryland.

Order on representation.

Acts about Ports.

Copy of an Order of Council of the 15th of December [fo. 291], upon a representation of the 30th of November, 1709, for repealing three Acts passed in Maryland, relating to ports and towns, approving the same, was read.

Order on representation.

Act about protested bills of exchange.

Copy of an Order of Council of the 15th of December [fo. 289], upon a representation of the 29th November, 1709, for repealing an Act relating to protested bills of exchange, approving the same, was read.

New York.

Order on representation.

Confirming nine Acts.

Copy of an Order of Council of the 15th December, 1709 [fo. 319], upon a representation of the 29th November last, proposing the confirmation of nine Acts passed at New York, approving the same, was read.

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

Miscellanies.

Incident charges.

The accounts of incident charges of this office, from Michaelmas, 1709, 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 Treasurer, desiring the payment thereof, as also of the salaries due to this office, was signed.

Bermuda.

Letter from Colonel Bennet with papers.

Answer.

A letter from Colonel Bennet, Lieutenant Governor of Bermuda, dated the 30th of October, 1709 [fo. 335], together with the proceedings of a Court of Exchequer, relating to some Spanish coin &c., found by John Hilton, referr'd to therein, were read, and directions was given for returning an answer thereto.

Leeward Islands.

Order of Council.

Petition of Pouch and Gashet.

Goods in a flag of truce at Martinico.

Mr. Duport summon'd.

Order of Council of the 15th December, 1709, referring to the Board a petition to her Majesty from Francis Pouch and Daniel Gashet, complaining of some goods seized on board a flag of truce at Martinico &c., praying restitution thereof, was read; whereupon order'd [fo. 335] that Mr. Duport, agent for the petitioners, have notice to attend the Board on Monday morning next, and that he do bring with him what proofs he may have to make good the allegations in the said petition.

New York.

Papers from Mr. Kocherthal about planting vines in America, and his maintenance.

The secretary laid before the Board two papers from Mr. Kocherthal, the Lutheran minister lately returned from New York, the one entituled Considerations and observations about the planting of vines in the British dominions in America; the other, An abstract and translation of 4 letters written to the said Kocherthal, the German minister, concerning his maintenance in that province.

Trade.

With Sweden &c.

Passes.

Sir Charles Hedges.

Letter to Mr. Crawley.

Sir Charles Hedges coming to the Board, as he had been desired [fo. 327, 348], the memorial received from the Swedish merchants, the 11th instant, was again read. Whereupon he said that in relation to passes, there was only the treaty of 1670 between the Crowns of England and Denmark, which made any mutual provision in that case; that the Convention in 1691 (Denmark not being then in war) only provided for passes for Danish ships, and that he was of opinion that the form of those passes in the foresaid treaty of ‘70, were sufficient to secure our merchants here, and he added that no Danish ship had ever yet been condemned here, that had passes in due form, as agreed by the fore-mentioned Convention, and he further acquainted their lordships that Richard Crawly, esquire, register of Doctors’ Commons, would furnish their lordships with the forms of such passes, and of the oaths taken by the Danes in relation to their ships and goods; whereupon ordered, that a letter be writ to Mr. Crawly for the said forms, and for a copy of the instructions given to privateers in relation thereunto.

Proposal of the Private Court of Chancery of Austria.

Woollen manufactures.

Hamburg Company and Mr. Harris summon'd.

The proposal of the Private Court Chancery of Austria to the Royal Court Chancery of Bohemia [fo. 312, 344], relating to the importation of the English woollen manufactures in those countries, mentioned in the minutes of the 15th of December last, was again read; whereupon ordered that the Hamburgh Company, as also Mr. Harris, a member of Parliament for Exeter, have notice to attend the Board on Wednesday morning next.

January 16. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton, Sir Charles Turner.

Barbadoes.

Letter from Mr. Gordon desiring to withdraw a petition.

A letter from Mr. Gordon, provost marshal of Barbadoes, to the secretary, of the 13th instant [fo. 326], praying that he may withdraw his petition mentioned in the minutes of the 4th instant, was read; whereupon their lordships agreed to respit that matter till the said Gordon should make further application therein.

Bermuda.

Letter to Col. Bennet.

The draught of a letter to Colonel Bennet, Lieutenant Governor of Bermuda [fo. 332, 338], was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

New England.

New Hampshire.

Connecticut.

Rhode Island.

Carolina.

Maryland.

Letters to the Governors and Mr. Bridger, Mr. Usher &c.

The letters to Colonel Dudley, Mr. Usher, Mr. Bridger, the Governor and Company of Connecticut, the Governor of Carolina, the Governor of Rhode Island, the President of the Council of Maryland, agreed the 12th instant [O. fo. 201; fo. 329, 339], were signed.

Leeward Islands.

Mr. Duport.

Pouch and Gashet.

Goods seized in a flagg of truce.

Papers relating thereto.

Mr. Duport attending, as he had been desired, the Order of Council of the 15th of December, 1709 [fo. 333, 380], referring to the Board a petition to her Majesty from Francis Pouch and Daniel Gashet, complaining of some goods having been seized, belonging to them on board a flag of truce at Martinico, praying restitution of the said goods mentioned in the minutes of the 13th instant, was again read; and Mr. Duport being asked whether he had brought proofs to the allegations set forth in the said petition, he deliver'd to their lordships several papers, together with an abstract thereof, relating to that matter, which their lordships agreed to take into consideration at a convenient opportunity.

Trade.

Plantations General.

Brise.

Illegal trade.

Mr. Samuel Brise, mariner, attending [fo. 328, 380], and being asked several questions in relation to illegal trade carried on in the plantations, he said that he lived four years at Curacoa; that he came from thence about a year ago, and that during his stay there he has seen several ships come in with tobacco from Virginia; that at St. Thomas he has seen several ships come in from Carolina with provisions; that he was 18 months a prisoner at Martinico, where he has seen flags of truce arrive from Antego, with beef, pork and flower for sale. Then being desired to give their lordships a full account of that matter in writing, he promised to do the same accordingly, and acquainting their lordships that he was afraid of being pressed in coming so far from home, and desiring that he might have a protection. Ordered [vide infra] that a letter be writ to Mr. Burchet to move the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty for such a protection.

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

Plantations General.

Trade.

Protection of Samuel Brise.

Memorial from him about illegal trade with Curacoa and St. Thomas.

Extracts to be sent the several Governors.

The secretary laid before their lordships a protection signed by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty for Samuel Brise for one month [vide supra, fo. 364], as was desired the 16th instant, and the said Brise attending, with Peter Holt, the said protection was delivered to him. He then presented to their lordships a memorial relating to illegal trade [fo. 351], carried on between St. Thomas, Curacoa, and our Plantations in America, which was read. And being asked several questions in relation thereto, he said that the places where the persons concerned in that illegal trade landed their goods at Jamaica, which they brought from St. Thomas and Curacoa, were at St. Ann's, St. Lucy's, Blewfeilds and Black River. And the said Brise being withdrawn, ordered that extracts of the said memorial be transmitted to the Governors of each respective plantation mentioned to have been concerned in the said trade, in like manner as those of Peter Holt's, mentioned in the minutes of the 11th instant.

Jamaica.

Barbadoes.

Leeward Islands.

Bermuda.

Virginia.

Carolina.

Pennsylvania.

Letters to the Governors &c.

Letters to the Governors of Jamaica, Barbadoes, Leeward Islands and Bermuda [fo. 329, 335], as likewise to the President of the Council of Virginia, Lords Proprietors of Carolina, and to Mr. Penn, were signed.

Leeward Islands.

Letters from Col. Parke.

Two letters from Colonel Park, Governor of the Leeward Islands, dated the 14th and 19th of November, 1709 [fo. 341], were read; and directions given for preparing answers thereunto.

Trade.

Ordered that the secretary do return an answer to the letter from Mr. Whyte, dated at Bruges the 6 of November last, relating to the prohibition of English tanned leather.

January 20. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton.

New York.

Additional instruction for Col. Hunter.

Palatines.

Letter to the Earl of Sunderland.

The draught of an additional instruction to Colonel Hunter, Governor of New York [fo. 327], relating to the settling of the Palatines in that province, and employing them in the production of naval stores, was agreed, and a letter to the Earl of Sunderland, inclosing the same, was signed.

1709–10.

Newfoundland.

Letter from the Custom House officers at Sandwich.

A letter from the Custome House officers at Sandwich, of the 3rd instant, to the secretary, acquainting him that no ships have gone from thence to Newfoundland between December, 1708, and December, 1709, was read.

Memorial from Capt. Moody.

State of Newfoundland.

Proposal to Col. Dudley &c.

Capt. Moody summon'd.

A memorial from Captain Moody, relating to the present state of Newfoundland [fo. 299, 342], together with his proposal to Colonel Dudley, Colonel Nicholson and Colonel Vetch, for reducing Placentia, with their answer, were read; whereupon ordered that Captain Moody have notice to attend the Board on Monday morning next.

New Hampshire.

Act to incourage the making tar.

Clause in a letter to Col. Dudley.

An Act past in New Hampshire, the 18th of November, 1708, entituled An Act for the incouragement of the inhabitants of her Majesty's province of New Hampshire, in the making of tar to be transported into her Majesty's kingdom of Great Britain, and otherwise for the incouragement of trade, was read; whereupon ordered [fo. 335, 341] that the secretary do make enquiry at what rate tar is sold for in New England, and that a clause touching the said Act be added to the letter to Colonel Dudley, signed the 16th instant.

Trade.

Reference on Hughs’ petition about trade in Germany.

A reference from Mr. Secretary Boyle, upon the petition of Hugh Hughs [fo. 351, 368], relating to the advancement of the trade of this kingdom in Germany, was read; and their lordships agreed to take the same into consideration at a convenient opportunity.

Barbadoes.

Leeward Islands.

Letters from Mr. Burchet and Mr. Townsend.

New Seals.

A letter from Mr. Burchet, of yesterday's date, inclosing the copy of one from Mr. Townsend, Commissioner of the Navy at Portsmouth, dated the 17th instant [fo. 349], touching the new seals to be sent to Barbadoes and the Leeward Islands, was read; and directions given that the seals be sent by the men-of-war bound to Jamaica, who are ordered to call at Barbadoes and the Leeward Islands.

Jamaica.

Memorial from Mr. Baber, Compere and Winter against act about fees.

Draught of representation.

A memorial from Mr. Baber, secretary, Mr. Compere, Receiver General, and Mr. Winter, clerk or register of Jamaica, against an Act past in that island, for regulating fees, was read [fo. 262, 387]; and directions given for preparing the draught of a representation thereupon.

January 23. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Sir Charles Turner.

Newfoundland.

Letter from Mr. Burchet about a convoy.

Sir Wm. Phippard, Mr. Campbell &c. to attend.

Letters to the Mayors of the out-ports.

A letter from Mr. Burchet, of the 21st instant [fo. 343, 358], desiring to know what number of men-of-war will be necessary to be sent to Newfoundland this years, was read; whereupon ordered [fo. 343] that Sir William Phiphard, Mr. James Campbell, and Mr. Merret, be desired to attend the Board on Wednesday morning next, and that letters be writ to the Mayors of the out-ports, desiring them to consult with the merchants trading to Newfoundland, and to let this Board know how many ships they intend to send thither this year, and what convoys they think necessary for the protection of the several harbours and the trade there.

New England.

New Hampshire.

Postscript to Col. Dudley.

The postscript to be added to Colonel Dudley's letter, as directed the 20th instant [fo. 339, 343], relating to the Act past in New Hampshire for encouraging the inhabitants to make tar, was agreed and ordered to be added to the said letter accordingly.

1709–10.

Leeward Islands.

Letter to Col. Park.

A letter to Colonel Park, Governor of the Leeward Islands, as directed the 19th instant [fo. 338, 344], was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

Trade.

Isle of Man.

Letter to Mr. Savage for account of exports thither.

And of corn exported.

Their lordships having had information of some irregularities practised in the trade to the Isle of Man, ordered [fo. 344, 387] that a letter be writ to Mr. Savage, secretary of the Customes, to desire an account of the goods exported from this kingdom to the said Isle of Man, since the begining of this present war, and further ordered that Mr. Savage be desired to let their lordships have an account of the quantity of corn exported from this city and the out-ports between Michaelmas and Christmas last, with the bounty money allowed thereupon, and the market prices as they were at Christmas last.

Newfoundland.

Capt. Moody.

Captain Moody attending [fo. 339], as he had been desired, and being asked several questions in relation to Newfoundland, he said that when he came away the inhabitants were resolved to quit the island, but that, upon his assuring them of her Majesty's protection and relief, he had perswaded the inhabitants of St. John's to build themselves houses in the ruined fort; that he had settled 500 families on a little island in Ferryland Harbour, and that they all resolved to come away next summer, if a sufficient force was not sent thither to protect them, and a good fort built to secure their effects; that the fort at St. John's by its scituation, being surrounded with hills that command it, it was of little use, and that Ferryland, which is strong by nature, was the best place to be fortify'd; and he acquainted their lordships that he had presented a full memorial of this matter to the Earl of Sunderland, which was now under her Majesty's consideration. He added that he beleived there would be sent but few ships to Newfoundland this year.

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

Newfoundland.

Convoys.

Letter to Mr. Burchet.

Their lordships, taking into consideration Mr. Burchet's letter of the 21st instant, relating to convoys for Newfoundland [fo. 340, 346, 363], mentioned in yesterday's minutes, ordered [fo. 341, 350, 355, 359, 406] that the secretary do acquaint him that their lordships are in expectation of returns to the several letters writ to the outports (also mentioned in yesterday's minutes) for an account of what ships they intend to send to Newfoundland this year, and that, so soon as the same shall be received, he shall be acquainted therewith, for the information of the Right Honorable the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty.

New England.

Postscript to Col. Dudley.

The postscript to Colonel Dudley's letter [fo. 341], as agreed at the last meeting, was signed.

Leeward Islands.

Letter to Col. Parke.

A letter to Colonel Park, Governor of the Leeward Islands [fo. 341], also agreed at the last meeting, was signed.

Trade.

Order of Council.

Price of bread and corn.

1709–10.

Answer expected to the letter to Mr. Savage.

An Order of Council of the 22nd instant [fo. 362], directing this Board to inform themselves of the prices of bread corn in the several ports of this kingdom, and to report to her Majesty what methods they conceive most proper to be taken for the better supply of this city with corn at reasonable rates, was read, and the secretary having yesterday writ to Mr. Savage upon the same subject [fo. 341, 345], their lordships agreed to respit this matter, till an answer from Mr. Savage be returned.

Trade.

Memorial from Lubec and other papers about trade with the Hans Towns.

Merchants summond.

A memorial from the city of Lubec, to Mr. Wych, her Majesty's envoy to the Hans Towns [fo. 334, 327], praying that they may have leave to trade to this kingdom as heretofore, was again read, together with the several papers transmitted therewith, mentioned in the minutes of the 15th December last; whereupon ordered that the merchants trading to Lubec have notice to attend the Board on Thursday or Fryday morning next.

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

Trade.

With Sweden.

Passes, instructions for privateers &c.

Merchants’ memorial.

They're summond.

The instructions to privateers, forms of passes, and certificates relating to the Convention with Denmark and the Treaty with Sweden was read, and their lordships taking into consideration a memorial from the merchants trading to Sweden [fo. 327, 348], relating to that trade, and to the settling of passes for British ships sailing through the Sound (mentioned in the minutes of the 11th instant), ordered that Sir Gilbert Heathcote and the said merchants be acquainted that their lordships are desirous to speak with them on Fryday morning next.

Letter from Mr. Carkesse.

Corn exported.

A letter from Mr. Carkesse, of yesterday's date [fo. 344, 354], in answer to one writ Mr. Savage the 23rd instant, promising an account of corn exported, and of exports from England to the Isle of Man, since the begining of the war, was read.

Plantations General.

Pirates.

Lord Marquis of Carmarthen's memorial.

A memorial from the Marquis of Carmarthen [fo. 313], relating to the reduction of the pirates at Madagascar, mention'd in the minutes of the 15th of December, was again read, together with the several other papers in this office upon the same subject.

Newfoundland.

Mr. Merret.

Convoys.

Mr. Merret attending, as he had been desired [fo. 343, 363], the letter from Mr. Burchet, of the 21st instant, relating to convoys to be sent this year to Newfoundland for the protection of the trade there (mentioned in the minutes of the 23rd instant), was again read; and he being asked several questions, he said that he would consult some of the merchants concerned in that trade, and lay before their lordships a memorial thereupon.

Mr. Campbell, his brother, and Mr. Cumings.

Convoys.

State of Newfoundland.

Mr. James Campbell, with his brother, and Mr. Comings, both lately arrived from Newfoundland, attending [fo. 343, 355], Mr. Burchet's fore-mentioned letter was communicated to them; whereupon Mr. Campbell said that it was impossible to tell what ships would be sent to Newfoundland, till it was known what steps would be taken for securing the inhabitants and their effects left there in winter; that the ships of war sent there in summer was indeed a protection of the harbours and the trade during their stay there; but, unless the inhabitants and their effects as aforesaid could be secured by a fort to be built in some convenient place, he beleived very few ships would be sent thither this year. Then Mr. Cummings being asked several questions, he said that he left Newfoundland the 25th of October last; that there were about 400 persons left at St. John's, of which there were about 250 men; that they had built themselves small hutts within the ruined fort, and had about eight or nine guns, and 20 barrells of powder left them by the ships of war, but were not in a condition to defend themselves, in case they were attacked, for want of small arms and shot for their guns; that when the French took the fort they carried away about 50 or 60 of the soldiers prisoners, and burnt all the stages and cook rooms, but such as were ransomed; that, when he came away, there might be about 30 stages standing; that the fort of St. John's, by its scituation, was of little use for the security of the inhabitants; that the fittest place for a fort was on Ferryland Down, in Ferryland Harbour, which, being a peninsula, might be made with small charge impregnable, and that Ferryland Harbour, though not so large as St. John's, will hold above 50 sail of ships, and that it is more commodious then St. John's, by lying very near Capling Bay, where their best bait is taken for their fishing. Then these gentlemen being desired to put what they had to offer in writing, they promised to do the same accordingly.

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

Trade.

Swedish merchants.

Passes.

Mr. Wordsworth and another Swedish merchant attending, as they had been desired the 25th instant, they were acquainted with the substance of what Sir Charles Hedges had said at the Board the 13th instant [fo. 333], in relation to passes for our ships trading through the Sound; whereupon they said that they were desirous to provide against the Swedes, as well as against the Danes; that in the Treaty with Sweden of 1661, there is no provision made for certificates of the property of goods homeward bound, neither is there any such provision in the Treaty with Denmark of 1670; that the trade to the Northern Crowns being now carry'd on otherwise than it was formerly (vizt., our ships going out in ballast and taking in their loading in the Baltick), it will be difficult in case their ships be stopt by either of the said Northern Crowns to prove the property of the said goods, unless there were a mutual agreement made between her Majesty and the said Northern Crowns, and that till some such agreement be made, they were loath to venture their estates in that trade. They added that they would reconsider the said Treatys with Sweden and Denmark [fo. 357, 364], and then lay before their lordships a further account of what they desired.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Secretary Boyle referring one from Mr. Jackson at Stockholm.

Pitch and tar.

Extract to be sent Mr. Burchet for opinion of Commissioners of the Navy.

A letter from Mr. Secretary Boyle, of the 24th instant, referring to the Board the copy of a letter from Mr. Jackson, her Majesty's Commissary at Stockholm [fo. 351, 358], relating to the pitch and tarr, was read; and directions given for making an extract of Mr. Jackson's said letter, in order to be sent to Mr. Burchet, for the opinion of the Commissioners of the Navy thereupon.

Barbadoes.

Leeward Islands.

Bermuda.

Letter from Mr. Burchet.

Receipt for seals.

A letter from Mr. Burchet, of the 26th instant [fo. 329, 340], transmitting Captain Spann's receipt for the new seals for Barbadoes, Bermuda, and the Leeward Islands, was read.

Newfoundland.

Copy of letter from Mr. Collins.

State of Newfoundland.

Copy of a letter from Mr. John Collins, who is left Commanderin-Chief of Newfoundland, to Colonel Nicholson, giving an account of the state of that place, dated the 8th of November, 1709, was read.

January 31. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton, Sir Charles Turner.

Newfoundland.

Convoys.

Letters from the Mayors of Bristol and Poole.

Two letters from the Mayors of Bristol and Pool (in answer to those writ them the 24th instant) [fo. 343]; the one signifying that there are about 12 ships designed to be sent this spring from Bristol to Newfoundland, and that the merchants of that city desire six men-of-war for convoy; the other that nine ships are intended to be sent this year from Pool thither, and that the merchants of that port desire five ships of war for the convoy, were read.

Maryland.

Order on petition of Sir Thomas Lawrence.

An Order of Councill of the 26th instant, referring to the Board the petition of Sir Thomas Lawrence, secretary of Maryland [fo. 384], complaining of hardships he has sustain'd in his said office, from the proceedings of Colonel Seymour and Mr. Bladen, was read; and Sir Thomas attending at the same time, he was acquainted that their lordships intended to take this matter into further consideration on Tuesday morning next, and that they expected he should then come prepared [fo. 378] to make good the allegations set forth in his said petition.

Trade.

Letter to Mr. Burchet.

Extract of Mr. Jackson's from Stockholm about tar trade.

A letter from the secretary of this Board to Mr. Burchet [fo. 349], inclosing to him the extract of a letter from Mr. Jackson, her Majesty's Commissary at Stockholm, relating to the tar trade (mentioned in the minutes of the 27th instant) and desiring him to move the Right Honorable the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty that this Board may have the opinion of the Commissioners of the Navy thereupon, was agreed and ordered to be sent.

Mr. Hughs's memorial about trade in Germany.

Mr. Hughs attending [fo. 339, 354], his memorial relating to the advancement of the trade of this kingdom in Germany, mentioned in the minutes of the 20th instant, was again read; and being asked if he had anything more to offer on that subject, he acquainted their lordships that he desired her Majesty would please to constitute him her commissary for trade in Germany, and if anything further occurred to him proper to be laid before their lordships, he promised to do the same in writing.

Trade.

Plantations General.

Second memorial from Samuel Brise about illegal trade, to be extracted &c.

A second memorial from Samuel Brice [fo. 337, 353], relating to illegal trade carried on between Curacoa and the British plantations in America, was read; whereupon ordered that extracts be made thereof, to be transmitted to the Governors of the respective colonies mentioned to have been concerned therein, in like manner as his former memorial, and that from Mr. Holt, mentioned in the minutes of the 11th and 19th instant.

Trade.

To Lubeck.

Memorial of merchants.

Their opinion on two Acts of Parliament.

Some merchants trading to Lubeck attending, presented to the Board a memorial [fo. 313, 383], containing their opinion upon that from the city of Lubeck to Mr. Wych, mentioned in the minutes of the 15th of December last; which said memorial was read, and these gentlemen added in discourse that, in consideration of the present war between the Northern Crowns, they thought, if the Act of the 12th Car. 2nd, commonly called the Act of navigation, and the Act of 14 Car. 2nd, commonly called the Act of frauds, were dispensed with in favour of Lubeck, during the continuance of the said war, it might be of advantage to this kingdom, by the more frequent and cheaper importation of naval stores from Lubeck, that being a neutral port, than from the other ports in the Baltick.