Journal, January 1720: Journal Book W

Journal, January 1720

January 7. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen.

Plantations General.

Trade.

A letter from Mr. Pulteney, dated at Paris, 2nd January, 1720, N.S., relating to the Mississippi Company, was read.

Letter from Mr. Pulteney.

Letter from Mr. Pulteney.

Letter to him.

Another letter from him, dated the 9th of January, 1720, N.S., relating to the Mississippi Company, and to a considerable number of weavers from Spittle Fields being gone to France to settle at Honfleur was read, and ordered that the Secretary return Mr. Pulteney the Board's thanks for the exact information he has constantly sent them.

Newfoundland.

Letter from Mr. Secretary Craggs.

Commons Address.

Fishery.

A letter from Mr. Secretary Craggs of 4th January, 1719—20, inclosing an Address of the House of Commons, desiring a state of the Fishery at Newfoundland, was read. And ordered that an account of that Fishery, as desired, be prepared in order to be laid before the House.

January 12. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Bladen.

Trade.

Papers.

Weavers' Petition against printed Calicoes.

Mr. Chetwynd. to the House of Commons.

The Secretary laid before the Board the copies of papers in this office relating to the Weavers' petition against the use of printed calicoes, (mentioned in the Minutes of 7th October last), prepared, pursuant to a letter from Mr. Secretary Craggs of 22nd December, 1719, and Mr. Chetwynd was desired to present them to the House of Commons accordingly; the list of which papers is as follows, viz.
List.
Letter from Mr. Delafaye, Secretary to the Lords Justices, dated 1st of October, 1719, referring to the Commissioners for Trade and Plantations a petition from the Company of Weavers against foreign wrought silks and printed calicoes as also a State of the silk and woollen manufactures.
Account of calicoes imported and exported for six years from 1699 to 1715, both inclusive.
The Italian merchants' representation to the Board upon the Weavers' petition.
Memorial from Mr. Badcock, Mr. Feary and other Mercers of London, relating to the decay of their trade.
Memorial from the Bailiffs, Wardens and Assistants of the Weavers' Company in support of their petition relating to the prejudice their trade receives from foreign wrought silks, calicoes &c.
Memorial from Mr. David Martin, stating the advantages of the woollen and silk manufactures and the prejudice they receive from foreign wrought silks, calicoes and printed linnens &c.
Letter from Mr. Popple to Mr. Woolley, Secretary to the East India Company, relating to the Weavers' petition.
Representations from the Silk Weavers of Canterbury, relating to the decay of their trade.
Memorial from Mr. Thomas Eader upon the Weavers' petition.
List of the names of the principal calico printers, and account of the number of persons imployed by them.
Letter from Mr. David Martin with a supplement to his above mentioned memorial.
Mr. Lekeux's answer to several queries upon the Weavers' petition.
Letter from Mr. Lekeux, concerning the persons to be writ to at Canterbury and Norwich upon the Weavers' petition.
Memorial from the Corporation of Norwich and Company of Weavers there, upon the Weavers' petition.
Letter from Mr. Woolley, Secretary to the East India Company, desiring a copy of the Weavers' petition for the consideration of the said Company.
Representation from the Levant Company relating to the great use of calicoes.
The Turkey Company's petition to the king relating to the mourning, dated 2nd March, 1714/15.
Memorial from the Turkey Company in support of the above petition, which are both referred to in the aforementioned representation.
Representation of several Merchants, Traders and Factors in behalf of themselves and many thousands of poor, imployed in the linnen manufacture in Scotland.
Account of the number of apprentices bound to Weavers annually for ten years ending in August, 1719.
Copies of several depositions relating to manufacturers and artificers taken from Great Britain to France.
Representation from several linnen drapers and other dealers in printed calicoes and printed linnens.
Reasons of the Company of Silk Throwers against the wearing of calicoes.
Letter from Mr. Lekeux, concerning the quantities of calicoes clandestinely run from Holland and reimported after the drawbacks are obtained &c., with extract of a letter from Dorchester to a Mercer in London thereupon.
Memorial from the East India Company upon the Weavers' petition relating to calicoes.
Representation of the printers of calicoes and linnens.
Computations made by some persons concerned in the weaving trade at Norwich of the quantity of calicoes and printed linnen annually consumed in Great Britain, the frauds in the duties thereon and prejudice to the woollen manufacture.
Representation from the Commissioners of Trade and Plantations upon the Weavers' petition relating to calicoes.

Newfoundland.

Fishery.

Mr. Chetwynd.

The House of Commons.

An account with the abstract of the Fishery at Newfoundland from 1710 to 1719, being prepared, as directed by Mr. Secretary Craggs letter of 4th January, 1719—20, was laid before the Board, and Mr. Chetwynd was also desired to lay the same before the House of Commons.

Barbados.

Letter from Mr. Secretary Craggs.

Complaints against Mr. Lowther.

A letter from Mr. Secretary Craggs of the 8th of January, 1719— 20, inclosing several papers of complaint against Mr. Lowther, Governor of Barbados, was read, and the said papers laid before the Board viz.
Mr. Cox's memorial complaining against Mr. Lowther.
Mr. Lansa's petition complaining against Mr. Lowther.
A paper containing matter of complaint against Mr. Lowther.
Papers.
Account of money paid Mr. Lowther since his being Governor allowed by the Committee of Accounts.

Agents and others summoned.

Whereupon resolved to take that matter into consideration on Wednesday seven-night and ordered that the agents of Barbadoes, and the gentlemen who are concerned in those papers, be desired to attend the Board that day.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Carkesse.

Account Dyeing goods.

A letter from Mr. Carkesse of the 29th December, 1719, with account of dying goods imported and exported, the duties and drawbacks in three years, to Christmas, 1718, was read.

Order of Council.

Exports to East Indies.

An Order of Council of the 8th of January, 1719–20, referring to the Board an account of several goods exported to the East Indies, from 29th September, 1718, to 29th September, 1719, was read.

January 13. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen.

Trade.

Sir Edward Gould.

Petition.

Grievances.

Naples.

To put in writing.

Sir Edward Gould, attending with some Neapolitan merchants, presented to the Board a petition relating to some grievances on the British Trade, (which they desire to have redressed), and to the abatement of the high duties laid thereon, which have been increased one third within 4 or 5 years past, which was read. And their Lordships, after some discourse with them, desired them to put in writing what they had further to offer upon that subject, which they promised to do accordingly.

Letter to Mr. Carkesse.

Imports.

and Exports.

Ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Carkesse for a copy of the account of the quantity and value of all goods and merchandize imported and exported at the Port of London from Michaelmas, 1668, to Michaelmas, 1669.

Barbados.

Letter from Mr. Pulteney.

St. Lucia.

Letter from Mr. Pulteney to the Board, dated at Paris, the 15th of January, 1720, N.S., relating to St. Lucia, was read.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Pulteney.

Another letter from Mr. Pulteney to the Board, dated the 19th of January, 1720, N.S., relating to the Mississippi Company, was read.

Barbados.

Letter from Mr. Pulteney.

St. Lucia.

Another letter from Mr. Pulteney to the Secretary dated the 15th of January, 1720, N.S., relating to St. Lucia, was read.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Carkesse.

German Ports.

A letter from Mr. Carkesse of the 30th of December, 1719, in answer to one writ him the 18th, concerning what Ports are esteemed German, and how far the German trade extends, was read.

January 14. Present:—Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Bladen.

Barbados.

Trade.

Letter to Mr. Pulteney.

Their Lordships taking again into consideration Mr. Pulteney's letters of 15th and 19th inst. to the Board, and one of 15th to the Secretary, gave directions for copying the several papers in this office to answer his queries, and ordered that the Secretary acquaint Mr. Pulteney therewith, and return him the Board's thanks for his punctual correspondence with them.

January 15. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen.

Newfoundland.

Order of Council.

Colonel Moody's petition.

House at Placentia.

An Order of Council of 8th of January, 1719—20, referring to the Board the petition of Colonel Moody relating to some houses and land he had at Placentia in Newfoundland, that are seized for the use of the Crown to build a Fort upon &c., was read; whereupon ordered that he be acquainted that the Board desire that he would bring on Wednesday seven-night what papers he may have to prove his title to the same.

Antigua.

Act.

Brown and Elliot.

Church.

Mr. Nivine and Mr. March.

summoned.

Their Lordships taking into consideration the Act passed at Antego in 1715—16, entituled; An Act to indemnify Anthony Brown and John Elliot of the aforesaid Island, gentlemen, from a certain Bond and Articles of Agreement by them entered into with George Pullen, carpenter, for the building a Church in the parish of St. Phillips in the said Island and to charge the said parish with the same. Ordered that Mr. Nivine and Mr. Marsh be acquainted that the Board have appointed next Tuesday seven-night to hear what either of them may have to offer upon the said Act.

January 19. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen.

Miscellanies.

Incidental Accounts.

The Secretary laid before the Board the account of petty expenses and incidental charges in the service of the Commissioners for Trade and Plantations from Christmas, 1718, to Christmas, 1719, amounting in the whole to £565 17s. 11¾ d. viz.

Miscellanies.

Letter to Lords of the Treasury.

Whereupon a letter to the Lords of the Treasury desiring payment thereof, and of the salary due to the Secretary and under Officers at Christmas, 1719, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

January 20. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen.

Barbados.

Sir Robert Davers and others.

Complaint against Mr. Lowther.

Sir Robert Davers, Sir Charles Cox, Mr. Waters, Mr. Woodbridge, Mr. Thomas Tryon and several other Barbadoes gentlemen attending, the reference from Mr. Secretary Craggs, dated 7th January, 1719/20, inclosing several papers with complaints against Mr. Lowther, Governor of Barbadoes, mentioned in the Minutes of 12th inst., was again read with the several papers therein referred to.

Mr. Tryon.

Lansa's petition.

Spanish ships.

Trading there.

Receiving money.

St. Lucia.

But Mr. Tryon acquainted their Lordships, that Mr. Lansa's petition was, by order of Council, before the Lords of Committee for hearing of Appeals, and shewed their Lordships their original order of reference from His Majesty in Council to the said Lords' Committee for that purpose. Wherefore they withdrew that part of their complaint from this Board, and only insisted on two points, viz. Mr. Lowther's permitting a Spanish ship to trade there contrary to several acts of Parliament, particularly the 12th and 15th of Charles the 2nd, and 7th and 8th of William the 3rd, and his receiving several large sums of money by way of present, contrary to his instructions, of which they presented to the Board a particular account. These gentlemen being asked what they knew concerning St. Lucia, they said that in August last they had accounts of 300 French families settled there; but that Mr. Secretary Craggs had acquainted them, the French Court had sent orders to recall them.

Agents.

Copies of Complaints.

These gentlemen being withdrawn and the agents of Barbadoes attending, their Lordships asked them whether they had any instructions relating to the two above mentioned articles against Mr. Lowther; they said they had none, but desired their Lordships would order them copies of the said complaints.

Minutes of Council.

Spanish ships.

Acts of Parliament.

The said Agents being withdrawn, the Minutes of Council of Barbadoes of 19th December, 1718, relating to the said Spanish ship was read, with the Acts of Parliament prohibiting such trade with the English Plantations.

Mr. Lascells.

Mr. Lascells, the collector of the Customs at Barbadoes, attending, their Lordships asked him what he knew concerning the aforesaid Spanish ship; to which he answered that he did not remember anything of that matter, but would look over his papers.

Mr. Lascells being withdrawn, their Lordships resolved to take this matter into further consideration on Thursday seven-night.

Trade.

Letter to Mr. Carkesse.

Act, running of uncustomed goods.

Ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Carkesse to know what effect the Act passed in 1718 has had, entituled An Act against the clandestine running of uncustomed goods and for the more effectual preventing of frauds relating to the Customs; and whether the Commissioners of the Customs can propose anything further to make that Act more effectual.

Barbados.

Mr. Lowther to send Revenue Accounts.

Ordered that in the next letter to Mr. Lowther, he be desired to send over all the accounts of His Majesty's Revenue during his administration in that Island.

January 21. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen.

Miscellanies.

Letter to the Lords Treasury.

Incidental Accounts.

A letter to the Lords of the Treasury desiring payment of the accounts of petty expenses and incidental charges in the service of the Commissioners for Trade and Plantations from Christmas, 1718, to Christmas, 1719, amounting in the whole to £565 17s. 11¾d. agreed last Tuesday, was signed.

Barbadoes.

Letter to Mr. Pulteney.

St. Lucia.

A letter from Mr. Pulteney to the Board, in answer to his letters of 15th and 19th inst., N.S., inclosing the copies of those papers he desired in relation to St. Lucia, was signed.

January 22. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen.

Barbadoes.

Agents' memorial.

Complaints against Mr. Lowther.

Memorial of the Agents of Barbadoes, desiring copies of the complaints exhibited against Mr. Lowther, Governor of that Island, was read; and their Lordships resolved to take that matter into consideration at another opportunity.

Plantations General.

Trade.

Query to Mr. West.

Their Lordships agreed to have Mr. West's opinion on the following query. "Whether Spanish ships, coming from Spanish ports in America and laden with the products of those Countries, are prohibited by Acts of Trade, and particularly those of the 12th and 15th of King Charles the 2nd, and that of 7th and 8th of King William, to unload and sell their cargoes in any of the British Plantations in America, and to load again there." And ordered that he be desired to attend the board on Tuesday morning next thereupon.

January 26. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen.

Antigua.

Mr. Nivine and Mr. Marsh.

Building Church.

The Secretary acquainted the Board, that Mr. Nivine and Mr. Marsh had told him that they were not yet prepared in relation to the Antego Act about building a New Church &c., (mentioned in the Minutes of 15th inst.), and desired that the consideration of that matter might be put off till this day seven-night; whereupon agreed that it be put off, and that they have notice thereof accordingly.

Plantations General.

Trade.

Mr. West. Query.

Answer.

Mr. West, attending as he had been desired, their Lordships asked him whether Spanish ships, coming from Spanish ports in America and loaden with the products of those countries, are prohibited by Acts of Trade, and particularly those of the 12th and 15th of King Charles the 2nd and that of 7th and 8th of King William, to unload and sell their cargoes in any of the British Plantations in America and to load again there; in answer to which he said that the 1st clause in the Act of Navigation, passed in the 12th and 13th of King Charles the 2nd, prohibited such trade with the British Plantations. Their Lordships then desired that he would take that query home and let their Lordships have in writing his further opinion upon the same.

Bahamas.

Carolina.

Letter from Mr. Secretary Craggs.

with papers.

Mr. Buck summoned.

A letter from Mr. Secretary Craggs, of 21st January, 1719/20, and the papers therein referred to, relating to the Bahama Islands, were read; and their Lordships agreed to read the other papers relating to South Carolina, received with the said letter, to-morrow morning.

Ordered that Mr. Samuel Buck be acquainted that the Board desire to speak with him on Thursday morning next, in relation to the above said papers about the Bahama Islands.

January 27. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen.

Plantations General.

Trade.

Letters from Mr. Pulteney.

Mississippi Company.

Three letters from Mr. Pulteney to the Board, dated at Paris 27th January, 1st and 3rd February, 1720, N.S., all relating to the Mississippi Company, were read.

Barbados.

Letter from Mr. Pulteney.

St. Lucia.

A letter from Mr. Pulteney to the Secretary, dated 26th January, 1720, N.S., desiring a copy of Monsieur Tallard's memorial in January, 1699/1700, relating to St. Lucia, was read.

Another about it.

As also another letter from him to the Secretary of 3rd February, 1720, N.S., relating to St. Lucia.

Newfoundland.

Colonel Moody.

Order of Council.

Petition.

Authentic papers.

Colonel Moody, attending as he had been desired, the Order of Council of 8th inst., referring to the Board his petition relating to some of his houses and land seized for the use of the Crown to build a fort upon, was again read. And being asked how he could make out his title to the same, he said he had several authentic papers to prove all the allegations in his petition, which he would leave with the Secretary to-morrow morning. And he acquainted their Lordships that there were several officers lately come from Placentia that could inform their Lordships of the matter, and that he would bring them to the Board the first opportunity.

January 28. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen.

Barbadoes.

Mr. Lascells, collector.

Spanish sloop trading.

Mr. Lascells, the collector of the Customs of Barbadoes, attending, their Lordships asked him whether he had looked over his papers in relation to the Spanish sloop, said to have traded at that Island in December, 1718, he said he had been at the Custom House and examined all his accounts which are there, as also all the Naval Officer's Accounts, and that he could find no mention made of any such vessel; that no ship or sloop could come there and unload, without his knowledge, because they must first make an entry of their loading, or else are seizable, he added that there might have been a debate in Council upon such a ship, and that the Governor might have given the Spaniard leave to unload, and he not know it, but that he was positive no such sloop had unloaded there, nor did he remember that ever either any Spanish or French vessel had traded there in all his time.

Agents.

Copies of complaints against the Governor.

The agents of Barbadoes attending, acquainted the Board that if their Lordships pleased to let them have copies of the complaints against Mr. Lowther and of the Minutes of Council relating thereunto, they could be ready by Wednesday to give their Lordships an answer to them.

These gentlemen being withdrawn, their Lordships ordered that Mr. Cox's memorial in relation to the Spanish sloop, and the account of the money Mr. Lowther has received, should be copied and given to the said agents; and that they might read the Minutes of Council that relate thereto, but not have copies.

Bahamas.

Mr. Buck.

Copy of papers for his remarks.

Mr. Buck attending, and the two papers transmitted to the Board by Mr. Secretary Craggs the 21st inst. in relation to the Bahama Islands, [fo. 62] being again read, he desired the Board would let him have copies of the said papers, which was agreed to and Mr. Buck was desired to bring in writing what he had to offer upon them on Tuesday morning next.

Barbadoes.

Mr. Maine about printing Mr. Lowther's Declaration against Mr. Gordon's Book.

Mr. Maine attending, he acquainted the Board that Mr. Lowther had directed him to desire the Board's consent to print the declaration Mr. Lowther had made in answer to Mr. Gordon's Book, entituled, The Miserable State of Barbadoes, and Mr. Lowther's letter transmitting the same to the Board. Their Lordships told him, they would not give their consent, or concern themselves therein.

January 29. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham.

Barbadoes.

The following orders of Council were laid before the Board and read, viz.

Order in Council.

Representation

Councillor.

Copy of an Order in Council of 22nd October, 1719, approving a representation of the 30th September last, recommending Mr. Richard Lightfoot to supply a vacancy in the Council of Barbadoes.

Trade

Order of Council.

Wool.

Copy of an Order in Council of 8th January, 1719—20, upon a representation of the 25th November, 1718, on the petition of the merchants and others concerned in the woollen manufacturing in Northumberland and Leeds, relating to the exportation of wool.

Jamaica.

Order of Council.

Lord Archibald Hamilton.

Money advanced.

Copy of an Order in Council of the 8th January, 1719—20, upon a report of the 5th of December last, relating to the repaying the Lord Archibald Hamilton and Council of Jamaica what they disbursed for the subsistence of the soldiers there &c.

New York.

Order of Council.

Representation.

Councillor.

Copy of an Order in Council of the 8th January, 1719—20, approving a representation of the 5th December last, recommending Mr. Francis Harrison to supply a vacancy in the Council of New York.

Pennsylvania.

Order of Council.

Representation.

Act.

William Clarke's estate.

Copy of an Order in Council of the 8th January, 1719—20, approving a representation of the 9th December last, for repealing an Act passed in Pennsylvania in 1718, relating to the estate and inheritance of William Clark, deceased.

Nevis.

Order of Council.

Representation.

Act.

Negroes.

Copy of an Order in Council 8th January, 1719—20, approving a representation of 12th November last, for confirming an Act passed at Nevis in 1718–19, for raising a Poll Tax on Negroes &c.