Journal, March 1715: Journal Book Q

Journal, March 1715

March 2. Present:—Lord Berkeley of Stratton, Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Cokburne, Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Cooke, Mr. Docminique.

Trade.

Order of Committee of Council.

Petitions of Turkey Company.

Italian merchants, silk weavers &c., mourning &c.

Letters to the several merchants.

An Order of a Committee of Council, dated the 28th of the last month, referring to this Board the petitions of the Turkey Company, Italian merchants and silk weavers of London and Canterbury [fo. 451; R. fo. I.], relating to the mourning, and complaining of the great decay of their trade by the proceeding of the French trading to Turkey and the West Indies, was read, together with the several petitions. Whereupon order'd that letters be writ to Sir Gerard Conyers, Deputy Governor of the Turkey Company, Sir Edward Gould, who trades to Italy, and Mr. Peter Lekeux, one of the Assistants of the Company of Silk Weavers, to desire they will respectively consult such of the petitioners as they may think proper, and bring to this Board in writing, on Monday morning next, whatever they may have further to offer on the subject of the said petitions.

Newfoundland.

Then their lordships proceeding, as agreed at the last meeting [fo. 445], to consider several papers relating to Newfoundland.

Letters from

The six letters after mention'd, from several persons, being all in answer to what the secretary writ to them the 7th of September, 1714 [fo. 315], relating to a survey to be made of Newfoundland, were read, vizt.:
Mayor &c. of Dartmouth.
Letter from the Mayor and magistrates of Dartmouth, recommending Mr. John Roop.
Mayor of Leverpoole.
Letter from the Mayor and magistrates of Leverpool.
Collector of Bydeford.
Letter from the Collector of the Customs at Biddeford, recommending Mr. George Withiel.
Mayor of Barnstable.
Letter from the Mayor of Barnstable recommending Mr. George Withiel.
Johnson.
Letter from Mr. Henry Johnstone, of Carmarthen, desiring the Board not to send over Captain Taverner.
Provost of Edinburgh.
Letter from the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, of the 2nd October, in answer to one writ him the 7th September, 1714, in relation to a survey to be made of Newfoundland.

Petition of Cleeves.

Mrs. Taverner's answer.

After which, the petition of William Cleeves, of Pool, against Captain Taverner, Surveyor at Newfoundland [fo. 349], mention'd in the minutes of 23rd December last, was read; as likewise Mrs. Taverner's answer thereto, in behalf of her husband, with his case annex'd.

Letter from Moody.

A letter from Colonel Moody, comander at Placentia, dated the 9th of September, 1714, relating to the evacuation of the French, and to the advantages he has procur'd the English in purchasing fish there, was read.

Memorial from Smith.

Letter from Moody referr'd by Mr. Secretary Stanhope.

Then the memorial from Mr. James Smith, with the letter from Colonel Moody to the Lord Viscount Bolingbroke, referr'd to this Board by Mr. Secretary Stanhope's letter of the 24th [fo. 399], mention'd in the minutes of the 26th, of January last, were read, and their lordships resolv'd to proceed at the first opportunity in considering the other papers transmitted with Mr. Secretary's foresaid letter.

Bermuda.

Letter from Mr. Secretary Stanhope.

Bennet to be Lieutenant Governor.

A letter from Mr. Secretary Stanhope, of the 23rd of the last month, directing the draughts of a commission and instructions to be prepared for Colonel Bennet to be Lieutenant Governor of his Majesty's Bermuda Islands [R. fo. 150], was read, and directions were given for preparing the said draughts accordingly.
Berkeley.

March 3. Present:—Lord Berkeley of Stratton, Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Cokburne, Mr. Hutcheson, Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Cooke, Mr. Docminique.

Jamaica.

Letter from Thurston; one from the Governor.

Letters from him, and representations thereupon &c. to be laid before the Board.

A letter from Mr. Thurston, together with one to him from the Lord Archibald Hamilton, Governor of Jamaica, of the 3rd of January last, relating to the subsistance of the forces there, the apprehended dissolution of the government of that island, and the clamours of some of the Assembly, were read. Whereupon ordered that the Lord Archibald Hamilton's letters for some time past, and the answers and representations made upon the same, be laid before the Board to-morrow morning.

Virginia.

Instructions for Earl of Orkney.

A draught of instructions to the Earl of Orkney, for the government of Virginia, were agreed and ordered to be transcribed [fo. 359], as was likewise the usual draught of instructions for his lordship, with particular regard to the Acts of Trade.

Trade.

Portugal merchants.

Will write to Lisbon about grievances in trade.

Mr. Milner, Mr. Goddard and Mr. Bulteel attending [fo. 440, 451], pursuant to the letter writ to several merchants the 25th of the last month, in relation to the trade to Portugal, the extracts of letters referr'd to this Board by that from the Lord Viscount Townshend's of the 20th of December, mentioned in the minutes of the 4th January, 1714/15, were read to them; whereupon these gentlemen acquainted the Board that their former complaints lying before their lordships, they had nothing new to offer at present, but that they would write to-night to their correspondents at Lisbon for an account of the grievances mention'd in the extract from the British Factory there.

Trade.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Stanhope.

Their lordships then sign'd a letter to Mr. Secretary Stanhope [fo. 450, 452], informing him that their lordships could make no report upon this matter till they had an answer to the letter, which the foremention'd merchants intended to write to Lisbon. Berkeley.

March 4. Present:—Lord Berkeley of Stratton, Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Cokburne, Mr. Hutcheson, Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Cooke, Mr. Docminique.

Trade.

Turkey Company.

The secretary acquainted the Board that the Deputy Governor of the Turkey Company [fo. 446; R. fo. 1] had sent to inform their lordships that the letter writ him the 2nd instant could not possibly be comply'd with before the said Company had held a general Court, which was appointed for Tuesday next.

Maryland.

Letter (sic) Baltemore.

Order of Council.

Lord Proprietor's nomination of Hart for Governor.

Representation thereupon.

The Lord Baltemore, proprietor of Maryland, attending, presented to the Board an Order of Council of the 23rd of the last month, referring to them a petition from his lordship, praying his Majesty would please to approve his nomination of John Hart, esquire [fo. 422], to be Governor of that province, was read, together with the said petition; wherefore a representation [R. fo. 73], signifying that their lordships have no objection against his Majesty's approving the said Hart for Governor of the said province, was agreed and signd.

Trade.

Bradley and other Oporto merchants,

to attend on Wednesday.

The secretary acquainted their lordships that Mr. Nathaniel Bradley [fo. 451, 463], and other merchants trading to Oporto, came to the office yesterday after the Board was up, in order to have offer'd some thing in relation to the British trade to that kingdom. Whereupon ordered that they have notice to bring the same to the Board in writing on Wednesday morning next.

Bermuda.

Bennet's commission.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Stanhope.

The draught of a commission for Benjamin Bennet, esquire, to be Lieutenant Governor of his Majesty's Bermuda Islands, being laid before the Board, a letter for transmitting the same to Mr. Secretary Stanhope was sign'd.

Trade.

Letter from Sir Joseph Hodges.

Papers deliver'd Mr. Moore.

Letter to Mr. Moore.

A letter from Sir Joseph Hodges, of the 2nd instant, inclosing a list of papers delivered to Mr. Moore by his father, the late Sir William Hodges, relating to the Spanish trade, and desiring the same may be return'd, was read; whereupon ordered that the secretary write to Mr. Moore to desire he will send the said papers to this office.

Jamaica.

Instructions for the Governor.

Mr. Rigby summond.

Their lordships then took into consideration the draught of instructions to be given to the Lord Archibald Hamilton for the government of Jamaica [fo. 359], and read several letters and papers, formerly received from his lordship, relating to that island; and thereupon order'd that Mr. Rigby be desired to attend this Board as soon as conveniently he can.

Jamaica Acts.

Further order'd that the several Acts of the Assembly of Jamaica, which have not been presented to the Crown, be look'd out, to be laid before the Board. R. Molesworth.

March 7. Present:—Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Cokburne, Mr. Hutcheson, Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Cooke, Mr. Docminique.

Newfoundland.

Captain Wade about trade and fishery.

Summon'd.

The secretary acquainting the Board that Captain Wade [fo. 456], commander of one of her Majesty's ships last year at Newfoundland, had attended and signify'd his readiness to communicate to their lordships his thoughts concerning the trade and fishery of that island, whenever their lordships shall please to appoint; order'd that he be desired to attend the Board to-morrow morning.

Trade.

Merchants about mourning &c.

Sir Edward Gould, Mr. Ward, Mr. Lekeux, Mr. Carter and several other merchants and others attending, pursuant to the letters writ the 2nd instant upon the several petitions to his Majesty from the Turkey Company and Italian merchants and silk weavers [fo. 446], relating to the mourning, and the prejudice of their trade by the proceedings of the French trading to Turkey and the West Indies, the following papers were respectively presented to the Board and read, vizt.:
Representations of Italian merchants of silk manufacturers of London and Canterbury.
Representation of the merchants of London trading to Italy, relating to their petition to his Majesty about the mourning &c.
Representation of the silk manufacturers in and about London, in behalf of themselves and their trade.
Reasons touching the petition lately presented to his Majesty from the Corporation of Silk Weavers in Canterbury.

Memorial from Sir Edward Gould about former memorials presented by him.

Sir Edward to have copies.

After which, Sir Edward Gould presented to the Board a memorial, desiring that several former memorials or schemes of trade delivered to the late Board of Trade, relating to the commerce of Great Britain with several parts of Italy, might be redeliver'd to him, which said memorial was read; whereupon Sir Edward was acquainted that their lordships could not part with the said papers, but that if he pleased he shou'd have copies thereof.

Jamaica.

Progress in considering Governor's letters &c.

Then their lordships made a further progress in considering the several letters and papers received some time ago from the Lord Archibald Hamilton [fo. 450, 461], Governor of Jamaica, with what has been done thereupon; the said letters and papers now read and laid before the Board were Bundle N., from number 39 to number 80, with the Board's letter of 20 July, 1713, to the Lord Archibald Hamilton, as likewise their letters to the late Lord Treasurer and Lord Bolingbroke of the 12th of February and 9th of March, 1713/14, the former upon Mr. Swymmer's petition about the escheat of Kupius, and the latter concerning the regiment at Jamaica. R. Molesworth.

March 8. Present:—Lord Berkeley of Stratton, Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Cokburne, Mr. Hutcheson, Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Cooke, Mr. Docminique.

Nova Scotia.

Colonel Nicholson to hasten his memorial.

Ordered that Colonel Nicholson be desired to lay before this Board, as soon as may be, what he has to offer in relation to Nova Scotia, and particularly what he can propose to make that place of advantage to Great Britain.

Leeward Islands.

Mr. Alford.

Debentures.

Mr. Daniel Alford attending in behalf of some of the sufferers at Nevis, and his powers of attorney being examined at the Board, the two debentures number'd 403 and 491, the former in the name of Elizabeth Marden, the latter in the name of Carew Broadbelt, were delivered to him.

Newfoundland.

Captain Wade giving account of Newfoundland.

Captain Wade [fo. 453], comander of one of her Majesty's ships last year at Newfoundland, attending, as desired, and their lordships inquiring what information he could give in relation to that place, he said that he had been long acquainted with the Newfoundland trade and fishery, which he thought was of the greatest consequence to this kingdom, though very ill managed.

About making settlements detrimental to the fishery.

That it was his opinion the making settlements in Newfoundland would ruin and defeat the good ends proposed for the advantage of this kingdom; for that the planters, or such as remain there, destroy the stages, and incroach upon the ships’ and boats’ rooms, which ought to be free for those who come to fish.

Pretended purchasers from the French.

That great prejudices might ensue from the planters’ pretended purchases from the French, who, he had heard, were allow'd by her Majesty to dispose of their immoveable as well as moveable effects, which wou'd be a very great discouragement to that trade; for that they exact summs of money for the building of stages, and upon those pretended purchases, which ought to be free, as heretofore.

Before so many inhabitants fishery better.

More seamen made.

That before there were so many inhabitants at Newfoundland, there were more fishing ships &c. sent yearly from England than of late years; and by those fishing ships carrying more fresh men than are now usually sent, the number of our seamen increased then much more than at present.

Security of stages &c. left behind.

Ferriland fit for a fortification.

And Captain Wade being asked how the stages, boats and other crafe or utensils left behind would be protected without inhabitants, when the fishing ships had left the country, he answer'd that he did not propose, nor did it seem practicable, to withdraw all the present inhabitants from Newfoundland, of whom there wou'd be always enow to look after and preserve the conveniencies and utensils necessarily left behind, by the assistance of a few platforms in proper places.

Newfoundland to depend on naval strength.

That at Ferryland there is a place naturally fit for a fortification, though he was of opinion the defence of Newfoundland ought chiefly to depend upon a naval strength.

Character of fishermen and planters there.

That the fishermen who now reside there, are many of them of a very ill character, commit many rogueries, and abuse the masters of fishing ships &c., coming from England, of whom they get supplies of cloathing, provisions, liquors &c.

Fresh men sent to New England.

Trade with enumerated goods.

That many of the fresh men are sent away to New England, of which there was an instance, wherein Captain Wade endeavour'd to prevent it, and an illegal trade is carry'd on there by vessels from his Majesty's plantations trafficking the enumerated goods, particularly tobacco (of which he seized a quantity), for several sorts of European commodities, which had never been landed in Great Britain.

Remedy by Parliament.

All which irregularities the captain was of opinion cou'd not otherwise be prevented than by Parliament.

Condition of Placentia.

Fortifications not answer the charge.

Their lordships then inquiring whether he had been at Placentia, and what condition that place was in, Captain Wade said he had not been there, but that he heard the fort was in a bad condition, and he further declared his opinion that no considerable fortifications at Newfoundland wou'd ever answer their charge.

Nova Scotia to be fortify'd.

That in order to preserve our interest in those parts, a fortification on the coast of Nova Scotia wou'd be of great use, and without some such thing to be a check upon the French at Cape Briton, the British interest in America, and particularly the trade and fishery of Newfoundland, and that on the coast of Nova Scotia and New England, wou'd be in great danger.

Fishery last year.

And being further asked, in relation to the fishery last year, he said it had been very bad, but that at the latter end of the season, by trying on the bank, they had pretty good success; that some quantities of fish had been bought of the French, who, in his opinion, might reasonably have been allowed six months after the surrender of Placentia to retire; that the best fishing last year on the coast of Newfoundland had been at Trepassy or Cape Race, of which the French were formerly possess'd.

Survey of Newfoundland.

Taverner.

Captain Wade being likewise ask'd his opinion concerning the survey of the coasts &c. of Newfoundland, and Captain Taverner, who is now employ'd about it, he said it wou'd be of use in making us acquainted wth several good fishing places, where the French have still the liberty of fishing, some of which are very dangerous; but that he thought Captain Taverner incapable of performing that service as it ought to be, and he was of opinion it wou'd best be done by some person commissionated by the Admiralty in a small vessel of about 20 guns, which wou'd be capable to defend itself &c.

To bring a memorial in writing.

Captain Fairley summond.

Upon the whole, Captain Wade was desired to reduce his thoughts into writing upon these several matters, and to lay the same before this Board as soon as possible, which he promised to do accordingly; and in the meantime he referr'd their lordships for a further account of Newfoundland to Captain Fairley, who had been lately at Placentia. Whereupon ordered that Captain Fairly be acquainted with the Board's desire of speaking with him as soon as he conveniently can.

Jamaica.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Harris.

Hispaniola &c.

Letter from Mr. Harris [fo. 437], dated yesterday, upon two letters sent him by the secretary, desiring he wou'd reduce into writing what he had said, or might further occur to him, to be laid before the Board, relating to Hispaniola, was read.

Newfoundland.

Mr.Secretary Stanhope referr'd to Attorney General difficulty about Act of Parliament and Treaty of Peace.

Letter to Mr.Burchet.

Heads of inquiry and instructions for commodore.

The secretary acquainting the Board that Mr. Secretary Stanhope had referr'd to Mr. Attorney General their lordships’ difficulty about the inconsistence of the late Treaty of Peace [fo. 446], with the Act of Parliament, mention'd in the minutes of the 28th of the last month, relating to Newfoundland, but that Mr. Attorney had made no report upon that matter. A letter to Mr. Burchet, secretary to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, with a draught of the usual heads of enquiry and instructions for the Commodore of the Newfoundland convoys, mention'd in the minutes of the 22nd of the last month [fo. 437], was agreed and order'd to be sent.

Jamaica.

Letters and papers from the Governor.

Then their lordships made a further progress in considering several letters and papers received some time since from the Lord Archibald Hamilton, Governor of Jamaica [fo, 455; R. fo. 2]; the said letters and papers were Bundle N., from Nos. 97 to 108; and the two representations of the 12th of March, 17 13/14, were likewise laid before the Board.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Moore.

Papers he had from Sir Joseph Hodges about Spain.

Letter to Sir Joseph Hodges for copies.

A letter from Mr. Moore, of the 8th, in answer to the secretary's of the 4th instant, relating to some papers about the Spanish trade, which Mr. Moore had formerly received from Sir William Hodges, and has now return'd to Sir Joseph Hodges, was read. Whereupon ordered that the secretary write to Sir Joseph Hodges to desire their lordships may have the perusal or copies of the said papers.
R. Molesworth.

March 9. Present:—Lord Berkeley of Stratton, Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Cokburne, Mr. Hutcheson, Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Cooke, Mr. Docminique.

Jamaica.

Letter from Mr. Rigby about attendance on the Board.

A letter from Mr. Rigby, dated at Colchester the 7th instant, signifying that his affairs make it inconvenient for him to attend the Board sooner than about a fortnight hence, but that if their lordships comand it before that time, he shall be ready to wait

Letter to hasten him.

on them, was read. Whereupon ordered that he be desired to make all the dispatch he can, in order to his giving their lordships some information in several matters before them relating to Jamaica.

Nova Scotia.

Letter from Colonel Vetch.

French removing with effects &c. Sumons to Vetch &c. and

A letter from Colonel Vetch, dated this day, relating to the circumstances of Nova Scotia and the French inhabitants removing thence with their cattle and other effects to Cape Breton, was read. Whereupon ordered that Colonel Vetch be desired to bring Mr. Shirif to this Board on Tuesday morning next [R. fo. 9, 12], with such other persons, mention'd in the said letter, as he judges can give any account of what he represents.

Nicholson.

And further ordered that Colonel Nicholson be desired to attend at the same time.

Trade.

Oporto merchants.

Portugal.

Grievances.

Copy of representation from British Factory and letters &c.

Mr. Bradley, Mr. Brailsford and another gentleman concern'd in the British trade at Oporto, attending [fo. 452], they presented to the Board the copy of a representation from the British Factory there, transmitted to Great Britain in 1711, relating to the grievances in their trade, with some amendments, and the extracts of letters lately received, giving account of further grievances therein, which were severally read; and these gentlemen added in discourse to the same purpose as what is contain'd in several articles of the said papers, and likewise acquainted their lordships with several instances of their oppressions, contrary to the articles of peace, particularly as to the denial of the lawfull franquia. Mr. Bradley said the Portugueze in Villa de Coude had sent officers forcibly on board a vessel, wherein his friends were interested, bound to another port, and unfortunately driven into that place by stress of weather; that the Portuguese took or damaged that whole cargo, and though application was several times made to the British ministers at Lisbon, and the matters of fact proved in the most authentick maner, they cou'd never be spirited effectually to insist upon redress from the King; nor is there the least justice to be expected from any of their Courts. In relation to the duty in specie on fish, it was at first imposed by force, in all probability because ‘tis contrary to the treaty, though their having long exacted it makes them look upon it as their right, which in the beginning was not so great a burthen as at present, by reason of the overweight then allow'd the merchants, which very much eased the duty.

And these gentlemen alledging, as it is represented in the said papers, that the Swedes have the privilege of sending home bullion from Portugal in return for their commodities, and that we ought likewise to enjoy that liberty, since, by the third article of our treaty, we are allow'd the same privileges as any foreign nation whatsoever, they acquainted the Board that a whole house of the Factory at Oporto had been ruin'd by prosecutions on pretence of shipping off money.

In relation to the importation of rice directly from Carolina and other his Majesty's plantations to Portugal, as proposed in the forementioned representation, these gentlemen were asked what quantities they thought might be annually imported into Portugal; who answer'd that they beleiv'd about 6,000 barrils, which would be worth about four pounds a barril there, and they were of opinion that trade might be a considerable benefit to Great Britain, and his Majesty no loser in his duties by their being paid in Carolina.

As to the privileges we have, by the 11th article of peace, to trade to the Brazils, that liberty is intirely deny'd us, and the Portuguese are so jealous of our maintaining any correspondence or commerce with that country, that they even prohibit their own subjects, whom they suspect to be concern'd with the subjects of Great Britain; those (sic) these gentlemen said they heard, though they had no certainty of it, that the French had lately acquired a priviledge of going directly from French to the Brazils, and by letters from Rio de Geneira they understood several French ships had some time ago touch'd at the Brazils, under pretence of being driven thither by stress of weather, and had furnish'd those parts with several sorts of European goods.

Report to be made.

Upon the whole, their lordships acquainted Mr. Bradley and the other gentlemen, that the several grievances they complain of shou'd be taken into consideration, and reported to his Majesty; whereupon they withdrew.

St. Christopher's.

Letter from Mr. Pringle about lands in French part.

A letter from Mr. Pringle, by order of Mr. Secretary Stanhope, dated yesterday, with a memorandum relating to the disposal of lands, in settling the French part of the island of St. Christopher's, was read; and their lordships resolved to take the same into consideration with the other papers in the office relating to that island.

Newfoundland.

Letter from Mr. Secretary Stanhope for report about garrison and trade.

A letter from Mr. Secretary Stanhope, of the 7th instant, for dispatch of the Board's report relating to the garrison and trade of Newfoundland [R. fo. 1], was read; and their lordships resolv'd to proceed to-morrow morning in considering the several papers relating thereto.
Berkeley.