Journal, February 1713: Journal Book P

Journal, February 1713

February 2. Present:—Lord Guilford, Mr. Monckton, Mr. Gwyn, Mr. Foley.

Barbadoes.

Letter from the Governor about
Surinam
and passing the Excise Bill.

A letter from Mr. Lowther, Governor of Barbadoes, dated 20th December last, giving an account that Surinam had been taken by the French, and ransom'd at 75,000l. sterling, and that the Assembly at Barbadoes had at last passed the Excise Bill, without intrenching on the Queen's prerogative, was read; and the papers therein referr'd to were laid before the Board, and are as followeth, vizt.:

Papers referr'd to.
Copy of a commission and instructions from Mr. Lowther to Brigadier Maxwell and others, to go to Martinico, to treat about a truce with the French there.
Copy of a proclamation by Mr. Lowther, in relation to a truce with the French.

Bermuda.

Letter from the Governor.

Hurricane.

A letter from Captain Bennet to the secretary, dated at Bermuda the 13th of September last, giving an account of a violent hurricane that happen'd there on the 8th of the same month, was read.

Newfoundland.

Nova Scotia.

Col. Nicholson's instructions.

Then their lordships took into consideration [fo. 297] a draught of instructions for Colonel Nicholson, Governor of Nova Scotia and Commander in Chief of the forces at Newfoundland, which was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

February 4. Present:—Lord Guilford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Monckton, Mr. Foley.

Virginia.

Letter from the Governor.

A letter from Colonel Spotswood, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, dated the 8th May last, was read, and the papers therein referr'd to laid before the Board, and are as follows, vizt.:
Papers referr'd to.
Accompt of pork bought in Virginia for the use of her Majesty's forces at Canada, 1711.
Acts pass'd in Virginia in November, 1711.

Carolina.

Extract thereof about assistance sent to North Carolina transmitted the Lords Proprietors.

Order'd that a copy of paragraphs C [and] D of Colonel Spotswood's foremention'd letter relating to the forces sent from South Carolina against those who had attack'd the province of North Carolina, and to the assistance given on that occasion by the Lieutenant Governor and Council of Virginia, be sent to the Lords Proprietors of Carolina [fo. 282], for their lordships’ information.

Virginia.

Maryland.

Property of lands on the boundaries.

Copies of grants and other papers to be lookt out.

And upon consideration of what Colonel Spotswood writes in paragraph K [fo. 282] of his said letter, relating to disputes about the property of lands in the Fork of Potomack, ordered that the copies in this office of the grant of the said lands to the Lord Culpeper of the Virginia Charter, and of the charter granted to the Lord Baltimore for the province of Maryland, be look'd out and laid before the Board at the next meeting.

Virginia.

Representation about Col. Basset's precedency in the Council.

Further ordered that a representation be prepared upon paragraph N of the same letter, relating to Colonel Basset's being admitted in the same place and precedency in the Council of Virginia, which he formerly enjoy'd.

February 5. Present:—Lord Guilford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Monckton, Mr. Gwyn, Mr. Foley.

Trade.

Letter from the Lord Bolingbroke, &c., about instructions for commissaries to settle the trade of the Netherlands.

Merchants summond thereupon.

A letter from the Lord Viscount Bolingbroke, of the 4th instant [fo. 283], signifying her Majesty's pleasure that the Board prepare instructions for the Comisaries to be appointed by her Majesty for settling the trade of the Netherlands, and inclosing copies of several papers received from the Earl of Orrery, and extracts of the Barrier Treaty relating thereunto, was read; whereupon order'd that Mr. Dorpere, Mr. White, Mr. Thomas Scawen, Mr. Edward Atkins, and Mr. John Waller, merchants, be desired to attend the Board on Monday morning next.

Virginia.

Nova Scotia.

Col. Nicholson's account of disbursements for the Canada expedition.

Colonel Nicholson attending, and their lordships inquiring of him what he knew in relation to the disbursements in supplying Colonel Hunter with provisions for the expedition against Canada, mention'd in paragraph I of Colonel Spotswood's letter, dated the 8th May last, he said that 800l. had been paid to the Earl of Orkney in part of that charge, and that several merchants were soliciting for ye remainder.

Virginia.

Maryland.

Instructions to be prepar'd for Col.

Nicholson.

Boundaries.

Their lordships, taking into further consideration what Colonel Spotswood writes in paragraph K of his foresaid letter [fo. 280], relating to disputes between the proprietors of Maryland and of the Northern Neck in Virginia, where the Baron de Graffenried, with several Switzers, intended to settle; ordered that a draught of instructions be prepared for Colonel Nicholson to endeavour the adjusting that affair; and that Mr. Blathwayt be desired to let their lordships have a copy of the late Lord Culpeper's patent granted in 1688 for lands in the said Northern Neck.

Virginia.

Carolina.

Letter to the Lords Proprietors about assistance given by Virginia.

A letter to the Lords Proprietors of Carolina, inclosing an extract of Colonel Spotswood's letter of 8th May last [fo. 280], relating to his endeavouring to assist that Government against the Indians, as directed the last meeting, was signed.

Nevis.

St. Christopher's.

Five debentures.

Their lordships then signed five debentures for the sufferers at Nevis and St. Christopher's.

February 9. Present: —Lord Guilford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Monckton, Mr. Moore, Mr. Gwyn.

Nevis.

St. Christopher's.

Mr. Duport about his debentures being prepar'd.

Mr. Duport attending, desired the Board wou'd please to give directions that the debentures for the sufferers at Nevis and St. Christopher's, for whom he appears, may be prepared for their lordships’ signature; whereupon order'd that the said debentures be prepared accordingly.

Persons authorized to receive debentures to leave attested copies of their power.

Order'd that all persons who are authorized by letters of attorney to receive debentures, do leave in this office attested copies of their said letters of attorney or other powers, and that notice be given thereof to such as are concern'd.

Days appointed to sign debentures.

Their lordships resolv'd to proceed every Wednesday and Friday in signing the said debentures.

Trade.

Letter from Lord Bolingbroke about instructions for comissaries for comissaries to settle the trade in the Netherlands.

A letter from the Lord Viscount Bolingbroke, of the 4th instant [fo. 281, 285], directing the Board to prepare instructions for the Commissaries to be appointed to meet on her Majesty's behalf at Brussels, to settle the trade of the Netherlands, was read, as likewise the following papers referr'd to therein:
Papers referrd to.
Extract of a letter from the Earl of Orrery to the Lord Viscount Bolingbroke, inclosing a copy of a memorial from the States of Flanders relating to their trade with Great Britain.
Copy of a letter from the Earl of Orrery to the Lord Bolingbroke, with the heads of a treaty to be concluded with the Emperour, before the surrender of the Spanish Low Countries to him.
Translation of the 6th, 9th and 13th articles of the Treaty for the Succession and Barrier, concluded with Holland the 19/30 of January, 17 12/13.

After which their lordships agreed to proceed to-morrow to draw an answer to my Lord Bolingbroke's said letter.

February 10. Present:—Lord Guilford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Monckton, Mr. Moore.

Trade.

Letter from Lord Bolingbroke with a representation from the States of Flanders to the Earl of Orrery about duty of the Vat Gelt.

A letter from the Lord Viscount Bolingbroke, of the 22nd of the last month, referring to the Board a representation from the Deputies of the States of Flanders to the Earl of Orrery, relating to the duty of the Vat Gelt, for their lordships’ opinion thereupon, was read.

Letter to the Lord Bolingbroke about instructions for commissaries to settle the trade of the Netherlands.

The draught of a letter to the Lord Viscount Bolingbroke [fo. 283, 286], in answer to his lordship's of the 4th instant, mentioned in yesterday's minutes, relating to instructions for the Commissaries to be appointed on her Majesty's part for settling the trade of the Netherlands, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

Plantations General.

Memorial from Col.

Nicholson, &c., touching an establishment for himself and officers.

Colonel Nicholson attending [fo. 278], presented to the Board (as directed the 29th of last month) a memorial, relating to the allowances for himself, his secretary, and clerks to be employed under him, in the execution of his commissions in North America, which was read; as likewise a copy of the establishment for the Commissioners appointed to inspect the publick accounts abroad, received with the said memorial; and upon consideration thereof, ordered that the draught of a letter be prepared (in answer to Mr. Lownds's, mention'd in the minutes of the 27th of last month), offering to the Lord High Treasurer the opinion of this Board that four pounds per diem may be proper to be allow'd Colonel Nicholson for his own salary, and twenty shillings per diem for that of his secretary, besides 600l. per annum for salaries of three clerks, and other charges incident to the execution of his said commissions.

February 11. Present:—Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Monckton, Mr. Moore, Mr. Gwyn.

Nevis.

St. Christopher's.

Debentures sign'd.

Their lordships signed seventy-seven debentures, vizt., from number six to number eighty-two, both inclusive, for the sufferers at Nevis and St. Christopher's.

Trade.

Letter to Lord Bolingbroke.

Netherlands.

A letter to the Lord Bolingbroke [fo. 285], in answer to his lordship's of the 4th instant, relating to instructions for the Comissaries to be appointed on her Majesty's part for settling the trade in the Netherlands, was signed.

Plantations General.

Letter to Lord Treasurer.

Establishment for Col. Nicholson, &c.

A letter to the Lord High Treasurer, in answer to one from Mr. Lowndes of the 27th of the last month [fo. 277], signifying his lordship's desire that the Board do consider of the respective salaries and allowances proper for Colonel Nicholson, his secretary and clerks, and other charges incident to the execution of his commission in North America (as directed in yesterday's minutes), was signed.

Leeward Islands.

Debentures delivered.

Lieutenant General Hamilton attending the Board, with Mr. Rowland Tryon and Mr. Miles Stapleton, in relation to the debentures to be issued for the sufferers at Nevis and St. Christopher's, and the powers of attorney to Mr. Tryon and Mr. Stapleton being examin'd, the five debentures numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, were deliver'd to these gentlemen according to their respective claims.

February 12. Present:—Lord Guilford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Monckton, Mr. Moore.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Harley about instructions and an establishment for Mr. Neale, appointed surveyor of Minorca.

Answer.

Mr. Henry Neale attending, a letter from Mr. Harley, secretary to the Right Honourable the Lord High Treasurer, of the 3rd instant, signifying his lordship's desire that the Board prepare proper instructions for the said Neale in the execution of his commission of Surveyor of the Island of Minorca, and to report what allowance is fit to be made for himself and clerks &c., necessary for that service, was read; and Mr. Neale's commission being likewise read and consider'd, their lordships gave directions for taking a copy thereof, and agreed to represent their opinion that it may be fit to allow forty shillings per diem for the said Mr. Neale himself, twenty shillings per diem for a deputy surveyor and clerks, and three hundred pounds per annum for defraying the necessary charges and expences of the said commission; and a letter to the Right Honourable the Lord High Treasurer was imediately drawn up and signed.

February 13. Present:—Lord Guilford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Monckton, Mr. Gwyn.

St. Christopher's.

Debentures signed.

Their lordships signed forty-seven debentures, vizt., from number eighty-three to number one hundred and twenty-nine, both inclusive, for the sufferers by the French invasion at St. Christopher's.

February 17. Present:—Lord Guilford, Mr. Monckton, Mr. Moore, Mr. Gwyn.

Trade.

Memorial from the East India Company about some of their goods being prohibited, and high duties laid on others, in France.

Mr. Herne and Mr. Dawson attending, presented to the Board a memorial from the East India Company, setting forth that, in the begining of the reign of King Charles the Second, great quantities

Letter to the Earl of Dartmouth with a copy of the said memorial.

of East India goods were exported from England to France, the duties on importation there being moderate; that towards the latter end of that reign, and since, some sort of the East India goods have been absolutely prohibited there, and very high duties laid on others, to the great loss of this nation; that it wou'd be an advantage to her Majesty if the said prohibitions and high duties were taken off; and praying their lordships’ favourable interposition, when a Treaty of Commerce with France shall commence, that the English merchants may be on the same foot of trade touching East India goods as they were in the beginning of King Charles the Second's reign; whereupon their lordships ordered that a copy of the said memorial be sent with a letter to the Earl of Dartmouth, which was immediately drawn up and signed.

Jamaica.

Letter from Mr. Baber for copy of an Act to prevent persons executing but one office in that island.

A letter from John Baber, esquire, secretary of Jamaica, desiring the copy of An Act pass'd there to prevent any one person's having more than one office of trust in that island, was read; whereupon ordered that a copy thereof be given him accordingly.

February 19. Present:—Lord Guilford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Monckton, Mr. Gwyn, Mr. Foley, Sir John Hynde Cotton.

Plantations General.

Letter from Mr. Lowndes with a representation and instructions for recovering arrears of prizes.

A letter from Mr. Lowndes, by order of the Lord High Treasurer, inclosing a representation from Mr. Baker and Mr. Gosselin [fo. 278], with the draught of instructions to be given Colonel Nicholson for recovering the arrears of prizes in the plantations, was read; and thereupon ordered that the same be added to the instructions already prepar'd for Colonel Nicholson.

Trade.

Order of Council.

A copy of an Order of Council of the 9th February, 17 12/13, relating to the rate at which the money lately coin'd at Barcelona shall pass in the island of Minorca, was read.

Nova Scotia.

Barbadoes.

Jamaica.

New York.

Letter from Mr. Harley with establishments received from the Board of Ordnance.

Col. Nicholson &c. summond.

A letter from Mr. Harley, secretary of the Treasury, of the 13th instant [fo. 296, 326], by order of my Lord Treasurer, referring to this Board the establishments received from the Board of Ordnance for Barbadoes, Jamaica, New York and Annapolis, was read; whereupon ordered that Colonel Nicholson, Mr. William Heysham and Mr. Thurston be desired to come to the Board on Tuesday morning next, at which time their lordships will reconsider that affair.

Jamaica.

Letter from the Earl of Dartmouth with papers touching disputes between the Governor and Comander of the squadron.

A letter from the Earl of Dartmouth, of the 14th instant, inclosing several letters and papers relating to disputes between my Lord Archibald Hamilton, Governor of Jamaica, and Sir Hovenden Walker, Comander of the squadron in those seas, was read; and their lordships agreed to take that matter into consideration on Wednesday next.

February 20. Present:—Lord Guilford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Monckton, Mr. Moore, Mr. Gwyn, Mr. Foley, Sir John Hynde Cotton.

Trade.

Memorial from the Blackwell Hall merchants about the decay of their trade in Ffrance.

Mr. Diston, Mr. Cornish, with several Blackwell Hall factors attending [fo. 273, 294], presented to their lordships a memorial, which was read, setting forth that the French have bought this year three times more wooll in Spain than in any one year since that kingdom has been in the possession of the House of Bourbon; that the French have four peices of eight allow'd by King Philip as a drawback upon every 175l. of wooll exported to France; that all the said wooll exported to England is charged with an additional duty of two peices of eight for the same quantity; that by these means our trade in the woollen manufactures to Spain and the Spanish West Indies will be very much prejudiced; that the woollen manufacture in France being very much improved, they are informed that the French King will continue the duty of 32 sols per all upon English woollen cloths, which they apprehend will amount to a prohibition; that about the year 1687, when woollen cloth were allow'd to be imported into France, it was only to be done in French bottoms; upon this article, these gentlemen observed that before that time we had a considerable trade there for our cloth; that unless by the Treaty we are allow'd to import our cloth in English bottoms, the importing of it in French bottoms will do us no good, for that may easily be prevented by the French King's forbidding his subjects to bring cloth from England; and therefore they pray'd their lordships would be pleased to lay their memorial before her Majesty, for her Majesty's pleasure thereupon; whereupon their lordships agreed to send the said memorial in a letter to the Earl of Dartmouth.

Trade.

Mr. Lane with another memorial to the like effect.

Both the foregoing sent the Earl of Dartmouth.

Mr. Lane, with several others, merchants, traders in druggets &c., attending, presented to their lordships another memorial [fo. 292, 295], much to the same purpose as the foregoing, which was read; and their lordships then drew up and signed a letter to the Earl of Dartmouth [fo. 299], inclosing both the said memorials.

Nevis.

St. Christopher's.

Debentures sign'd.

Their lordships then sign'd 36 debentures for the sufferers of Nevis and St. Christopher's, which were number'd as follows, vizt.: No. 130, 131 and 132, and from No. 134 to 159, both inclusive, as also from No. 161 to 167, both likewise inclusive.

February 24. Present:—Lord Guilford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Monckton, Mr. Moore, Mr. Gwyn, Mr. Foley, Sir John Hynde Cotton.

Trade.

Letter from the Earl of Dartmouth.

East India Company's memorial.

The secretary &c. summond.

A letter from the Earl of Dartmouth, of the 20th, in answer to one writ his lordship the 17th instant [fo. 294, 306], inclosing the copy of a memorial from the East India Company, was read; whereupon ordered that a letter be sent to the secretary of the said Company, signifying their lordships’ desire to speak with some gentlemen of that Company on the subject of their said memorial, deliver'd to the Board the 17th instant.

Memorial from the Company of Weavers relating to the silk and woollen manufactures.

Copy thereof sent Lord Dartmouth.

Mr. Richier, Mr. Lekeux and several other persons from the Company of Weavers attending, presented to their lordships a representation from the said Company, under the seal of that Corporation, setting forth the encouragement the silk manufacture of this kingdom has received from the Crown and divers Acts of Parliament and its great increase of late years, and praying that in settling the commerce with France care may be taken that the silk and woollen manufacture may lye under no discouragements by reason thereof, which was read; and their lordships agreed [fo. 298] to send a copy thereof, with a letter, to my Lord Dartmouth, for her Majesty's pleasure thereupon; and at the same time their lordships comunicated to them the above-mention'd letter from the Earl of Dartmouth.

Nova Scotia.

Barbadoes.

Jamaica.

New York.

The Board of Ordnance letter relating to the establishments comunicated to agents &c. Their opinion on it.

Col. Lilly summond.

Colonel Nicholson, Mr. William Heysham, agent for Barbadoes, and Mr. Thurston, agent for the Lord Archibald Hamilton at Jamaica, attending, their lordships communicated to them the extract of a letter [fo. 291] from the Board of Ordnance to the Lord High Treasurer, relating to the establishments for Barbadoes, Jamaica, New York and Annapolis, mention'd in the minutes of the 19th instant; whereupon Mr. Heysham said that he had no instructions touching what related to Barbadoes, that he did not know how the debt mention'd in the said extract accru'd, but that he wou'd inform himself of some other Barbadoes gentlemen, and wait upon their lordships on Fryday next; whereupon ordered [fo. 303] that Mr. Lilly, the engineer, lately arrived from thence, have notice to attend at the same time.

Mr. Thurston said [fo. 325] that having no instructions, he wou'd in like manner inform himself against Fryday next.

Colonel Nicholson said that he thought the proposal of the Board of Ordnance for reducing the establishments for the garrison of Annapolis was reasonable, but as for the engineer at New York, who is also engineer at New England, he thought it necessary to continue him there yet a year longer, there being a fort to be built in the Indian country; whereupon their lordships agreed that when they shall make a representation upon this matter, to propose that what relates to the recalling the engineer at New York be left to Colonel Nicholson, and that he represent his opinion after he shall have been upon the place, and examin'd into what is to be done there.

Their lordships agreed the instructions to be given Colonel Nicholson [fo. 279, 298], as also a letter to my Lord Treasurer, inclosing the same, and ordered the same to be transcribed.

St. Christopher's.

Debenture.

Their lordships deliver'd to Colonel Charles Matthew a debenture for his loss on the island of St. Christopher's, No. 145.

February 25. Present:—Lord Guilford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Monckton, Mr. Moore, Mr. Gwyn, Mr. Foley, Sir John Hynde Cotton.

Plantations General.

Letter to Lord Treasurer with Col.

Nicholson's instructions.

Nova Scotia.

A letter to the Lord High Treasurer [fo. 297, 326], with instructions for Colonel Nicholson, appointed to be her Majesty's Commissioner in North America, pursuant to his lordship's desire, signify'd the 27th of the last month and 5th instant (as directed in yesterday's minutes), was signed.

Trade.

Letter to the Earl of Dartmouth with Company of Weavers’ memorial.

A letter to the Earl of Dartmouth [fo. 296, 305], with the copy of a memorial from the Bayliffs, Wardens and Assistants of the Company of Weavers, London, on behalf of themselves and trade, in relation to settling the commerce with France, was sign'd.

Carolina.

Lords Proprietors’ commission to Col.

Nicholson, impowering him to inquire into disorders there.

Letter to Lord Treasurer thereupon.

Colonel Nicholson attending, laid before the Board a commission from the Lords Proprietors of Carolina, dated January the 31st, 17 12/13, impowering him to enquire into disorders that have lately happend in that province, and to do other things therein mention'd, which was read, and a copy thereof ordered to be taken; and Colonel Nicholson expressing his doubt whether he might be warranted in the execution of his said commission without her Majesty's particular leave, a letter to the Lord High Treasurer thereupon was imediately drawn up and signed.

February 26. Present:—Lord Guilford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Monckton, Mr. Gwyn, Mr. Foley, Sir J. Hynde Cotton.

Trade.

Letter from the Earl of Dartmouth about persons to be sumon'd to make good the allegations in the two memorials inclosed to him in the Board's letter of the 20th instant.

Letters to several of them thereupon.

A letter from the Earl of Dartmouth of the 24th instant [fo. 294, 306, 316], signifying her Majesty's pleasure that the Board give notice to the persons who signed the two memorials inclosed in their lordships’ letter to him of the 20th of this month, relating to the woollen manufactures, that they attend their lordships to make good their allegations &c., was read; whereupon ordered [fo. 307] that the secretary write to Mr. Davis, Mr. Diston, Mr. Cornish, Mr. Methwen, Mr. Lane and Mr. Harrison, signifying the Board's desire to speak with them and the other gentlemen concern'd on Wednesday next at 11 a clock.

Virginia.

Letter from the Governor.

A letter from Colonel Spotswood, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, to the Board, dated May 15th, 1712, was read.

Second letter from him.

A letter from Colonel Spotswood, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, to the Board, dated July 26th, 1712, was likewise read; and the papers therein referr'd to laid before the Board, which are as follows, vizt.:
Papers referr'd to.
Proclamations issued in Virginia, between July, 1711, and 21st July, 1712.
Account of her Majesty's revenue of 2s. per hogshead, from April, 1711, to April, 1712.
Account of her Majesty's revenue of quit rents in Virginia, from 1st June, 1711, to 25th April, 1712, with the Governor's and Auditor's certificate thereupon.
List of civil officers, tithables, parishes, ministers and militia in Virginia in the year 1712.
Minutes of Council of Virginia, from 24th July, 1711, to 21st July, 1712, inclusive.

Representation to be prepared on an extract thereof about discovery of mines.

Their lordships then gave directions [fo. 302] for preparing the draught of a representation upon paragraph L of Colonel Spotswood's last-mention'd letter, relating to the discovery of silver mines in Virginia.

Virginia.

Carolina.

Another extract relating to massacres in North Carolina sent the Lords Proprietors.

And ordered that paragraphs O, P and Q of Colonel Spotswood's said letter of 26th July, 1712 [fo. 302], relating to the massacres committed by the Indians in North Carolina, and other disorders in that province, be sent to the Lords Proprietors of Carolina, for their lordships’ information.

Plantations General.

Letter to Mr. Blathwayt for an account of the revenue in the plantations.

Ordered that the secretary write to Mr. Blathwayt, Auditor General of her Majesty's plantations in America [fo. 302], to desire an account of the state of the revenue in the said plantations for the last year.

Virginia.

Third letter from the Governor.

Another letter from Colonel Spotswood, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, to the Board, dated the 15th of October, 1712, was read; and directions given for preparing answers to the said letters.

February 27. Present:—Lord Guilford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Monckton, Mr. Moore, Mr. Gwyn, Mr. Foley, Sir J.H. Cotton.

Plantations General.

Letter to Mr. Blathwayt for a state of the revenue.

A letter from the secretary to Mr. Blathwayt, Auditor General of the plantations [fo. 301, 261], desiring him to let their lordships have a particular state of the revenue of each of her Majesty's Governments in America, for the last year, as for what time he is able (as directed in yesterday's minutes), was signed.

Virginia.

Letter to the Earl of Dartmouth with extract of one from Col. Spotswood.

Mines.

A letter to the Earl of Dartmouth, inclosing paragraph L of Colonel Spotswood's letter to the Board [fo. 300], dated 26th July, 1712, relating to some silver mines on the back of Virginia (as directed yesterday), was signed.

Virginia.

Carolina.

Letter to Lords Proprietors with extract of one from Col.

Spotswood.

Massacres.

A letter to the Lords Proprietors of Carolina [fo. 301], inclosing paragraphs O P Q of Colonel Spotswood's foremention'd letter, relating to the massacres committed by the Indians in North Carolina, and other disorders in that province, was signed.

Virginia.

Carolina.

Order of Council on a representation about boundaries.

An Order of Council of the 8th January, 17 12/13 [fo. 261], upon a representation from this Board of 19th December, 1712, relating to the boundaries between Virginia and Carolina, approving the same, and directing the Earl of Dartmouth, principal Secretary of State, to prepare letters mandatory for her Majesty's royal signature, to the Lords Proprietors of Carolina and Governor of Virginia, for appointing Commissioners to settle the said boundaries &c., was read.

New York.

Order on a representation touching appeals.

Order of Council, of the 8th January, 17 12/13, upon a representation from this Board, dated November 25th, 1712, touching leave for the clergy of New York to appeal from the Governor and Council there, to her Majesty in Council here, approving the said representation [fo. 247], and directing her Majesty's principal Secretary of State to prepare a letter for the royal signature accordingly, to be sent to her Majesty's Governor of that province, was read.

Barbadoes.

Col. Lilly in relation to the state of the fort, &c. there.

Colonel Lilly, the engineer, lately arrived from Barbadoes, attending, as he had been desired [fo. 296], and being asked in what state the new fort at Barbadoes was, he said that it was begun in Sir Beville Granville's time, and half finished in 1706, and during Colonel Sharp's presidentship a further progress was made in it; but in Mr. Crow's time the Assembly gave no money towards it, so that nothing has been done since. It has cost the country in money about 4,000l., and in negroes’ labour about 5,000l., and he beleiv'd that for about 11,000l. more, including negroes’ labour as above, it might be finished and perfected; that it wou'd contain at least 300 soldiers; that it comanded Needham's fort, and was capable of securing the island.

Guners to be continued.

Then being asked whether he thought it necessary that the gunners there shou'd remain? He said that there were 15 gunners there, upon the Ordnance establishment; that supposing the new fort shou'd not be finished, yet there being 370 guns at least mounted on the several batteries, which are absolutely necessary for the defence of the island, he did think it necessary the gunners shou'd not be recall'd, there being no person on the island that understood the art of gunnery.

Barbadoes.

Mr. Heysham's opinion on the foregoing subject.

Colonel Lilly being withdrawn, and Mr. William Heysham, agent for that island, attending, and being asked some questions upon the same subject, he said that he beleivd the Assembly wou'd not raise any more money for finishing the fort, that the island wou'd not be against recalling the engineer and the gunners, and that he thought their matrosses might well be able to manage their gunns.