Journal, May 1714: Journal Book Q

Journal, May 1714

May 3. Present:—Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Monckton, Mr. Sharpe, Mr. Pytts, Mr. Vernon.

New England.

Letter to Lord High Treasurer.

Hall &c. Disbanded soldiers.

A letter to the Lord High Treasurer, agreed at the last meeting, upon the petitions and proposals of Daniel Hall and other disbanded soldiers [fo. 194, 361], relating to a settlement in North America, the coynage of copper &c., was signed.

St. Christopher's.

Settling late French part.

Their lordships then resumed the consideration of settling the late French part of the island of St. Christopher's [fo. 192, 196], and made a progress therein.

May 4. Present:—Lord Guilford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Monckton, Mr. Sharpe, Mr. Pytts, Mr. Vernon.

St. Christopher's.

Settlement of late French part.

Representation and letter to Lord High Treasurer on several petitions &c.

Their lordships, taking into consideration the settlement of the late French part of the island of St. Christopher's [fo. 195, 198], the draughts of a representation to her Majesty, and of a letter to the Lord High Treasurer in pursuance of the Order in Council of the 24th June [fo. 193], mentioned in the minutes of the 9th of July last, upon an address from the Council and Assembly of the said island, and Mr. Lowndes's letters of the 21st of September, which was read the same day, and of the 5th, mentioned in the minutes of the 30th of the last month, referring to the Board the petitions of Captain Stephenson [fo. 193], and of several French refugees &c., were agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

Newfoundland.

Trade.

Mr. Sleford.

proposal about the fishery.

N. 127. Letter to Mr. Sleford.

Proportion of salt for curing fish.

Mr. Sleford attending [fo. 287, 236], presented to the Board a proposal for setting up the fishery for herrings, ling and codd on our own coasts, improving our fishery at Newfoundland, and regaining the whale fishing at Greenland, with reasons in behalf thereof, which were read. Whereupon ordered that Mr. Sleford be desired to let their lordships know what may be the exact quantity of salt necessary for well curing the following sorts and quantities of fish, vizt.:
A last or 12 barrils of white herrings.
Ten barrils of red herrings for the Mediterranean.
Ten barrils of red herrings for Holland for present spending.
One hoggshead of pilchards, q^t. 50 gallons.
One hundred and twenty mud codd of 24 inches.
One hundred and twenty dry codd.

May 5. Present:—Lord Guilford, Sir Philip Meadows,
Mr. Monckton, Mr. Moore, Mr. Sharpe, Mr. Pytts.

St. Christopher's.

Representation.

Letter to Lord High Treasurer.

The representation to her Majesty and letter to the Lord High Treasurer [fo. 196], agreed yesterday, relating to the settlement of the late French part of the island of St. Christopher's [fo. 328], were sign'd.

New England.

Letter from Lord Viscount Bolingbroke.

Petition of Sir Bibye Lake.

Lands in New England.

Letter from Mr. West.

Mr. West summond.

A letter from the Lord Viscount Bolingbroke, dated the 23rd of April, 1714 [fo. 202, 238], referring to the Board a petition from Sir Bibye Lake, desiring that his title to some lands near Kennebeck River in New England, may be confirm'd to him by letters patents, was read, as also a letter from Mr. West, of the 27th of the last month, by way of caveat against Sir Bibye Lake's claim to an island near Pemaquid; whereupon ordered that the said Sir Bibye Lake and Mr. West have notice to attend their lordships on Wednesday morning next.

May 7. Present:—Lord Guilford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Monckton, Sir John Hynde Cotton, Mr. Sharpe, Mr. Pytts, Mr. Vernon.

Trade.

Hudson's Bay.

Mountserrat.

Letter from Lord Bolingbroke.

Letter to Mr. Martin.

A letter from the Lord Viscount Bolingbroke of the 13th, mentioned in the minutes of the 14th April, 1714 [fo. 180, 206], was again read; and upon the memorial from the Hudson's Bay Company and the petition in behalf of the inhabitants of Mountserrat, referr'd to the Board by his lordship's said letter, ordered that the secretary write to Mr. Martin [fo. 205], signifying the Board's desire that her Majesty's commissaries appointed to treat with those of France, will inform themselves and let their lordships know whether the French commissaries are impower'd to treat upon the subject matters of the foresaid memorial and petition, pursuant to the 10th, 11th and 15[th] articles of peace with France.

Trade.

Extract of letter from Mr. Fleetwood.

Naples.

Letter to merchants about Mr. Fleetwood's coming to England.

Further ordered, upon the extract of a letter from Mr. Fleetwood [fo. 181], her Majesty's Consul at Naples, referr'd likewise to the Board by the Lord Viscount Bolingbroke's foremention'd letter, that the secretary write to Mr. Porten, Mr. Hopegood and Mr. Frome [fo. 206], for their opinion in writing as soon as may be, whether Mr. Fleetwood's coming to England for six months as he desires, will be of prejudice to the trade in those parts.

Fishery.

Then their lordships resolved to take again into consideration the fishery of this kingdom on Tuesday morning next.

May 10. Present:—Lord Guilford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Monckton, Mr. Moore, Mr. Sharpe, Mr. Pytts, Mr. Vernon.

Newfoundland.

Fishery.

Letter from Mr. Loundes.

Paper from Mr. Jaqueau.

Mr. Jaqueau to attend.

A letter from Mr. Lowndes, of the 8th instant [fo. 204], by order of the Lord High Treasurer, together with a paper from Mr. Moses Jacqueau concerning the clandestine practices of foreign merchants, with relation to the Newfoundland fishery, were read; whereupon directions were given to acquaint the said Jacquea[u] that their lordships desire to speak with him at ten of the clock on Wednesday morning next.

Trade.

Treaty of Commerce.

Portugal.

Then their lordships resumed the consideration of the draught of a Treaty of Commerce with Portugal [fo. 191, v. infra], and made a further progress therein.

May 11. Present:—Lord Guilford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Monckton, Mr. Sharpe, Mr. Pytts, Mr. Vernon.

Trade.

Portugal.

Treaty of Commerce.

Their lordships made a further progress in considering the draught of a Treaty of Commerce with Portugal [v. supra, 203], and resolved to proceed on the same subject to-morrow morning.

May 12. Present:—Lord Guilford, Mr. Monckton, Sir John Hynde Cotton, Mr. Sharpe, Mr. Pytts.

New England.

Letter from Mr. West, upon Sir Bibye Lake's petition.

Sir Bibye acquainted therewith.

Letter to Mr. West.

A letter from Mr. West, dated this day, signifying that by reason of his indisposition, he was not able to attend their lordships, pursuant to the notice given him, upon Sir Bibye Lake's petition relating to some lands near Kennebeck River in New England, referr'd to the Board by the Lord Viscount Bolingbroke's letter of the 23rd of April [fo. 198, 240], mentioned in the minutes of the 5th instant, was read; and Sir Bybye Lake attending, according to appointment, he was acquainted with the purport of Mr. West's forementioned letter, and that their lordships would take this matter into consideration on Wednesday morning next, when they desired he would be present, and directions were given for writing to Mr. West, to desire his attendance likewise at the same time, or that he will let their lordships have in writing what he has to say against the petitioner.

Virginia.

Letter from Colonel Blakiston.

Mines.

Memorial from Earl of Orkney.

Letter to Lord High Treasurer.

A letter from Colonel Blakiston, agent for Virginia, dated the 17th of March last, relating to the incouragement of some mine adventures in that colony, was read; whereupon their lordships taking again into consideration the memorial from the Earl of Orkney [fo. 154] upon the same subject, referr'd to the Board by order of the Lord High Treasurer, signify'd by Mr. Lowndes's letter of the 4th, and mention'd in the minutes of the 11th of March last, a letter to the Lord High Treasurer in answer to the said reference, was signed.

Trade.

Portugal.

Treaty of Commerce.

Merchants summond.

Their lordships, resuming the consideration of the Treaty of Commerce with Portugal [fo. 201, 207], made a further progress therein, and gave directions that Sir Samuel Clarke, Alderman John Ward, Mr. Milner, Mr. William Brooke, Mr. Thomas Dade and Mr. John Lordel be desired to attend the Board on Fryday morning next.

Newfoundland.

Fishery.

Mr. Jacqueau's paper.

Queries.

Mr. Jacqueau attending, the letter from Mr. Lowndes of the 8th [fo. 200], mentioned in the minutes of the 10th instant, upon his paper relating to the clandestine practices of foreign merchants, about the trade to Newfoundland, together with the said paper, were read; whereupon, after some discourse with Mr. Jacqueau [fo. 236], he was desired to give their lordships his thoughts in writing as soon as conveniently he can, upon the following queries, vizt.:
First. What methods did the French use in their fishery, and what defects have you observed therein?
2nd. What is the best method to manage and improve the Newfoundland trade?
3rd. What quantity of salt is necessary to cure 120 dry cod, also 120 mud cod?

Letter from Mr. Burchet.Heads of inquiry.

A letter from Mr. Burchet, secretary to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, dated the 10th instant, for such heads of inquiry as this Board may have to give the comander of the convoy [fo. 207], now ready to proceed for Newfoundland, was read, and directions given for preparing several heads of enquiry as usual.

May 13. Present:—Lord Guilford, Mr. Monckton, Mr. Moore, Sir John Hynde Cotton, Mr. Sharpe, Mr. Pytts, Mr. Vernon.

Trade.

N. 128.

Hudson's Bay.

Mountserrat.

Letter from Mr. Martin.

Comissaries.

France.

A letter from Mr. Martin [fo. 199, 245], secretary to her Majesty's comissaries appointed to treat with those of France, dated yesterday, signifying that the latter had declared they were not impower'd to treat about Hudson's Bay and the island of Mountserrat, but that the Envoy of France had signify'd that a general mention thereof was made in his instructions, and he should receive further and more particular orders from his Court whenever demanded, was read.

Trade.

Hudson's Bay.

Entry A. 126.

Mountserrat.

Letter to Lord Viscount Bolingbroke.

Naples.

Fleetwood.

A letter to the Lord Viscount Bolingbroke, in answer to his lordship's of the 13th [fo. 199] (mention'd in the minutes of the 14th) of the last month, upon a memorial from the Hudson's Bay Company, a petition in behalf of the inhabitants of Mountserrat, and an extract of a letter from Mr. Fleetwood, Consul at Naples, was sign'd.

Letter to merchants.

Mr. Flectwood's return.

Ordered that a letter be writ to Sir George Thorold, to the same purport as what was written to Mr. Hopegood, Mr. Porten and Mr. Frome the 7th instant [fo. 200], in relation to Mr. Fleetwood's return from Naples.

Leeward Islands.

Mr. Walker.

A debenture.

Mr. Thomas Walker attending, and producing to their lordships a letter of attorney from Joseph Hayton, executor of the last will of his father, John Hayton, planter, late one of the sufferers by the French invasion at Nevis, and Mr. Walker likewise producing a certificate from Joseph Hayton, brother of the deceased John Hayton, signifying his desire to withdraw his petition or claim formerly made for the losses sustain'd by his brother (which petition and certificate are annex'd to the copy of the foremention'd letter of attorney No. 381, with others of the like nature), the debenture number'd 423, in the name of the said John Hayton, was delivered to Mr. Walker.

Newfoundland.

Heads of inquiry.

Letter to Mr. Burchet.

Several heads of inquiry for the commander of the Newfoundland convoy, in answer to Mr. Burchet's letter of the tenth, read the 12th instant [fo. 205], being agreed by the Board, a letter was writ by the secretary inclosing to Mr. Burchet the said heads of inquiry.

Trade.

Portugal.

Treaty of Commerce.

Then their lordships made a further progress in considering the draught of a Treaty of Commerce with Portugal [fo. 203, 208].

May 14. Present:—Lord Guilford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Monckton, Mr. Moore, Sir John Hynde Cotton, Mr. Sharpe, Mr. Pytts.

Trade.

Portugal merchants about Treaty of Commerce.

Sir Samuel Clark, Mr. Lordel, Mr. Milner and another Portugal merchant attending [fo. 207, 217], as they had been desired the 12th instant, their lordships communicated to them several articles of the draught of a Treaty of Commerce with Portugal, mention'd in yesterday's minutes.

Upon the second article, Mr. Milner said that they had no objection to that article, and that what the Portugal merchants desired was, that the whole treaty of 1654 might be confirm'd. Whereupon their lordships observing to them that several articles of that treaty were obsolete, being only adapted to the circumstances of the time that treaty was made, and therefore their lordships, in the forming the present draught, had only omitted the said obsolete articles. And being asked what was meant by the duty of consulado, mentioned in the said second article, they said that it was a duty of 3 per cent. paid upon the exportation from Portugal of sugar and tobacco imported from the Brazils, and upon some other goods particularly oyle, paid a duty of 10 per cent. and the 3 per cent. consulado, and though in reality the duties on some goods amounts to about 22 or 23 per cent., yet what by abatements and otherwise the said duties were reduced very low, and the merchants made very easy therein.

The 4th and 7th articles being read to them, they said they had no objection thereto.

Their lordships read to them what they intended to insert instead of the 10th article, and particularly that part which stipulates that goods, which have once paid custom and duties in any of the ports of Portugal, may freely be transported to any other port in Portugal, without paying any further duty. Upon which they said that that provision was absolutely necessary, for that, if a ship arrive with goods at one of their lesser ports of entry, though she pay the duty of all her lading there, and should carry part of it to a superior port as Lisbon or Oporto, she must pay the duty over again for such part; but, if the ship arrive at a superior port, and carry part of her lading to an inferior, she pays the duty but in the superior.

They added that they beleived that the provision in the above mention'd article, if observed, would remedy that inconvenience. They further said that there was another, which though they did not think proper to have it inserted in the present draught, lest it shou'd cause any difficulty in the obtaining of this treaty, they desired, however, her Majesty's minister in Portugal may have instructions to endeavour to get it done by a separte article, and that was the abolition of the duty called sacca; that is, if a ship arrive with cargo to the value of 1,000l. and export from Portugal goods to the value of 2,000l. (and the same for a greater or less value), they are obliged to pay 10 per cent. for all that the export exceeds the import; and, as Mr. Methuen had obtain'd the abolition of the sacca at Lisbon and Oporto, they hoped it would not be difficult to obtain the same throughout that kingdom.

These gentlemen agreed to the 11th article, as also to their lordships’ intention of omitting the 15th article; the first part whereof is obsolete, and the rest of it fully provided for by the second article of this project.

These gentlemen being withdrawn, ordered that the said draught be transcribed fair.

May 20. Present:—Lord Guilford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Monckton, Mr. Moore, Sir John Hynde Cotton, Mr. Sharpe, Mr. Pytts.

Trade.

Letter from Lord Bolingbroke.

Instructions for Lord Bingley.

Spain.

Letter to secretary of South Sea Company.

A letter from the Lord Bolingbroke, of the 15th instant, desiring their lordships’ dispatch of the instructions for the Lord Bingley [fo. 190], relating to comerce with Spain, was read; and a letter to the secretary of the South Sea Company, acquainting him with the purport of the said letter, and desiring him to know whether the directors have anything to offer upon that matter, was immediately drawn up and sent.

Mr. Gilligan. Memorial about instructions.

Lord Bingley.

Mr. Gilligan attending, a memorial containing some heads of instructions proposed by him for the Lord Bingley, was read; and being asked some questions thereupon, he said that he thought Mr. Russell, of Cadiz, and Mr. Brown, of Port St. Mary's, two fit persons to be her Majesty's commissaries, and that he only mentioned Sir Francis Arthur and Mr. Crean as persons proper to be consulted. He added that he thought Madrid a fitter place to treat in than Cadiz.

Sir William Hodges and Mr. Mead

to consult merchants.

Alcavalas and cientos.

Duty on cocheneal.

Turkey trade.

Sir William Hodges and Mr. Mead attending, and being acquainted with the purport of my Lord Bolingbroke's foremention'd letter, and asked what they had to offer thereupon, they desired to be excused till they had consulted the rest of the Spanish merchants, which they said they wou'd do, and let their lordships have their thoughts in writing on Tuesday next; and in discourse they said that in the 9 or 10 per cent. duty formerly paid at Cadiz and Port St. Mary's, the alcavalas and cientos were always included; that cocheneal formerly paid but 1/12 per cent. upon exportation, and that now it will pay 10, which they said was a great prejudice to our Turkey trade.

Trade.

Particular of customs at Cadiz.

N. 131, 132.

Then Sir William Hodges [fo. 216] presented to the Board a particular of customs, used to be paid in the Custom House of Cadiz on English goods.

Letter to Lord Viscount Bolingbroke.

After these gentlemen were withdrawn, a letter was writ to my Lord Bolingbroke, to acquaint him that the merchants could not be ready before Tuesday next.

May 24. Present:—Lord Guilford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Monckton, Mr. Moore, Mr. Sharpe, Mr. Pytts.

Barbados.

Letter from Lord Bolingbroke, recalling gunners. Mr. Heysham thereupon.

A letter from the Lord Viscount Bolingbroke, of the 20th instant, referring to the Board a letter from the principal officers of the ordnance, relating to the expediency of recalling or leaving the gunners at Barbadoes, was read; and Mr. William Heysham, agent for that island, attending, and being asked several questions upon that matter, he said, that the fort which was begun in Sir Bevil Granville's time, not being above half finish'd, he did not think there was any necessity of keeping the gunners there, for that the matrosses, who formerly carry'd on the ordnance service there, and who were paid by the Assembly out of the duty on wines, might very well do it again, especially in time of peace; he also thought that there was no need of a storekeeper from the ordnance here, for that the Assembly used to appoint and pay one there.

Letter to Lord Viscount Bolingbroke.

Mr. Heysham being withdrawn, their lordships look'd back upon their minutes of the 24th and 27th of February, 1712/13, as also read their letter to my Lord High Treasurer of the 31st of March, 1713, relating to the establishments for Barbadoes, Jamaica &c., and immediately writ a letter to my Lord Bolingbroke in answer to his lordship's beforemention'd.

Letter to Mr. Attorney General thereupon.

Sir Charles Orbe, Colonel Long and others attending [fo. 230], complain'd to their lordships of an Act lately pass'd in Jamaica for the more effectual relief of the freeholders and inhabitants of Kingston, and desiring that the same might be repealed, as injurious to their properties; and the secretary acquainting their lordships that the said Act was arrived this morning, their lordships order'd it to be sent imediately to Mr. Attorney General for his opinion in point of law.

Trade.

Letter from Sir William Hodges.

Spanish merchants’ meeting.

Account of duties in Spain.

Letter to Sir William Hodges.

N. 132.

Entry I. 200.

A letter from Sir William Hodges [fo. 214, 218], of this day's date, signifying that the Spanish merchants could not be ready to meet (as they had been desired the 20th instant) till to-morrow night, and inclosing an account of the duties on wooll in Spain, was read, and an answer imediately return'd to Sir William, that their lordships desire to have their thoughts in writing upon the Spanish trade [fo. 218], on Thursday next at ten of the clock in the morning at furthest.

May 25. Present:—Lord Guilford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Monckton, Mr. Sharpe, Mr. Pytts.

Trade.

Portugal.

Treaty of Commerce.

Their lordships made a further progress in considering the draught of a Treaty of Comerce between Great Britain and Portugal [fo. 208, v. infra].

May 26. Present:—Lord Guilford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Monckton, Mr. Moore, Mr. Sharpe, Mr. Pytts.

Trade.

Portugal.

Treaty of Commerce.

Entry I. 202.

Letter to Lord Bolingbroke.

Their lordships made a further progress in considering the draught of a Treaty of Commerce between Great Britain and Portugal [v. supra, fo. 220], and agreeing upon the draught of a letter to the Lord Viscount Bolingbroke thereupon, the same was order'd to be transcribed.

Trade.

Spanish merchants.

Letter to Secretarys of State.

The Board being inform'd that the Spanish merchants design'd to attend their lordships to-morrow morning, upon the affair of commerce in relation to which instructions are to be prepared for the Lord Bingley [fo. 216, v. infra], a letter to the Lord Viscount Bolingbroke and another to Mr. Secretary Bromley, to acquaint them therewith, were signd.

May 27. Present:—Lord Guilford, Mr. Secretary Bromley, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Monckton, Mr. Moore, Sir John Hynde Cotton, Mr. Sharp, Mr. Pytts, Mr. Vernon.

Trade.

Spanish merchants.

Memorial.

Entry I. 203.

Merchants to reconsider the matter and give further explanations.

Sir William Hodges, Mr. Dolliffe, Mr. Mead, Mr. Haines and several other Spanish merchants attending [v. supra], they presented to their lordships a memorial, pursuant to the minutes of the 20th instant, relating to the customs, valuation of goods, the commerce and conservators in Spain, as also to the comissaries and the place of meeting, which was read; and it not appearing to their lordships that the said memorial was so full and plain as necessary for the preparing instructions for the Lord Bingley, they were desired to reconsider the matter, and to let their lordships have it on Tuesday next in writing:
An explanation as to the duties upon goods exported from Spain [fo. 221].
An explanation of the millons.
The names of such persons as they think proper to be comissaries, and the place for their meeting.

Conservators in Spain.

Necessity of such an officer.

And in discourse these gentlemen desired that my Lord Bingley might have instructions to endeavour that conservators may be appointed in Spain as formerly; for without it they could not pretend to trade there but with the utmost hazard both of their persons and estates, being for want of such an officer lyable to the several courts and jurisdictions of that kingdom, and even to the inquisition itself.

Alcavalas and cientos besides 10 per cent.

They added that the alcavalas and cientos were formerly included in the 9 or 10 per cent. duties they then paid, and that now our goods are to pay 10 per cent. besides the alcavalas and cientos (as by the present treaty of commerce), the duties will be double what they were before.

Memorial from Mr. Roe.

St. Ander.

Trade N. 134.

These gentlemen then presented to the Board a memorial sign'd by Mr. Roe, praying that a Custom House may be settled at St. Ander, which was read.

Letter to Lord Viscount Bolingbroke.

Portugal.

Treaty of Commerce.

Entry I. 206.

A letter to the Lord Viscount Bolingbroke, inclosing the draught of a Treaty of Commerce between Great Britain and Portugal [fo. 217, 230, 371], and the additions and observations of this Board thereupon, mention'd in yesterday's minutes, was signed.

May 28. Present:—Lord Guilford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Monckton, Mr. Sharpe, Mr. Pytts, Mr. Vernon.

Trade.

N. 135.

Reference.

Fishmongers.

Summon'd.

A reference from Mr. Secretary Bromley, of the 20th instant, upon a petition to her Majesty from the fishmongers of London [fo. 222, 231], complaining of mismanagements in the fishery, was read; whereupon order'd that Mr. Clement, Mr. Dixon, Mr. Tuckwell and Mr. Borrow be acquainted that the Board desire to speak with them on Wednesday morning next.

May 31. Present:—Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Monckton, Mr. Sharp, Mr. Pytts, Mr. Vernon.

Trade.

Letter from Sir William Hodges.

N. 136.

Spanish merchants’ consultation.

A letter from Sir William Hodges [fo. 219, 225], dated this day, relating to a further consultation among the Spanish merchants, before they attend the Board on Wednesday next with their opinion on the exports, millones, and fit persons for commissaries, to meet in Spain for settling some points of commerce between Great Britain and the kingdom &c., was read.

Fishery.

Paper from Mr. Roop.

Then their lordships made a further progress in the consideration of the fishery of this kingdom, and a paper from Mr. Roop, relating to the curing of fish, was read.