Journal, September 1722: Journal Book Y

Journal, September 1722

September 5. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Plummer.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Drummond excusing attendance.

Hardships on British masters of ships to Amsterdam.

A letter from Mr. Drummond, signifying his not being able to attend the Board till to-morrow in relation to the Lord Townshend's letter of 17th of August, 1722, concerning some hardships put upon masters of British ships at Amsterdam, (mentioned in the Minutes of the 27th of the last month), was read.

September 6. Present:—Mr. Bladen, Mr. Plummer.

Trade.

Sir Matthew Decker and Mr. Drummond upon Lord Townshend's letter about hardships on masters of ships at Amsterdam.

Sir Peter Delme, Mr. Lockwood, Mr. Dunster summoned.

Sir Matthew Decker and Mr. John Drummond attending as they had been desired, their Lordships had some discourse with them upon the Lord Townshend's letter of the 17th of the last month, and the papers therein referred to, in relation to some hardships put upon masters of British ships at Amsterdam, and mentioned in yesterday's Minutes: and these gentlemen being asked whether what was therein complained of was a hardship on British trade, they said, they did not conceive it to be either a hardship or novelty; that as the Dutch are at war with the Algerines, they have obliged all their own ships that go from Holland to the Mediterranean to have twenty guns, fifty men, and ammunition in proportion, to protect them from the said Algerines, and pay one per cent. on the value of their cargo to the Levant Company, for the payment of their consuls; that should the English be exempted by the Dutch from what they themselves are obliged to, the English would engross the whole trade to the Mediterranean, especially since they could go with fewer men and no arms, being at peace with the Algerines. These gentlemen being withdrawn, ordered that Sir Peter Delme, Mr. Lockwood and Mr. Dunster be acquainted that the Board desire to speak with them on Wednesday morning next, in relation to the Lord Townshend's aforesaid letter.

September 12. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Plummer, Sir John Hobart.

New England.

Letter from Colonel Shute.

Insults of the Indians.

Declaration of war.

Letter to Lord Carteret.

A letter from Colonel Shute, Governor of New England, dated the 27th of July last, relating to insults committed by the Eastward Indians, and inclosing a declaration of war against the said Indians, was read; and a letter to the Lord Carteret thereupon, was agreed and signed.

New Hampshire.

Memorial from Mr. Newman.

Boundaries.

A memorial from Mr. Newman, agent for the province of New Hampshire, desiring the boundaries of the said province may be fixed, was read, and their Lordships agreed to take that matter into further consideration at another opportunity.

Antigua.

St. Christophers.

Acts.

Their Lordships taking into consideration the three undermentioned Acts, passed at Antego and St. Christophers in 1722, entituled,
An Act to lay a duty on goods imported into this island and for raising an annual sum for the better support of his Excellency John Hart, Esq., Captain General and Governor in Chief in and over all His Majesty's Leeward Charibbee Islands in America during his government. Passed at Antego in February, 1721–22.
An Act for laying of certain duties upon sugars, molosses and other goods of the growth and manufacture of St. Christophers to be exported out of the said island. Passed at St. Christophers in April, 1722.
An Act for the settling the sum of two thousand pounds per annum of current money of the island of St. Christophers, during the term, therein mentioned, upon his Excellency John Hart, Esq., the present chief Governor of all His Majesty's Leeward Charibbee Islands in America, for the more honorable support of the said Governor and the dignity of this His Majesty's Government. Passed at St. Christophers in April, 1722.

Mr. West's reports.

Mr. Nivine.

Antigua Act.

Draught of representation on Acts of St. Christophers.

Mr. West's reports thereupon being read and Mr. Nivine, agent for the said islands, attending, he was informed that as the aforesaid Act of Antego affects the trade of Great Britain by laying a duty of three per cent. on the importation of European goods, and as there is not inserted in the said Act. the clause to suspend its taking effect till approved by His Majesty, it is contrary to Colonel Hart's instructions; and that for these reasons the Board could not lay the same before His Majesty for his confirmation thereof. Upon which Mr. Nivine desired their Lordships would suspend taking any resolution thereon, till he had an opportunity of laying before their Lordships what he might have to offer in behalf of the above said Act, which he was directed to do accordingly, and ordered that the draught of a representation be prepared for confirming the other two Acts passed at St. Christophers.

Trade.

Sir Peter Delme.

Mr. Lockwood and Mr. Dunster.

Excuses from attending.

Summoned for Friday.

Sir Peter Delmé, Mr. Lockwood and Mr. Dunster, who had been desired to attend the Board this day, sending their excuses; ordered that they be desired to come to the Board on Friday next.

September 14. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Plummer, Sir John Hobart.

Trade.

Sir Peter Delmé and others about hardships on British masters of ships at Amsterdam.

Sir Peter Delmé, Mr. Lockwood and Mr. Dunster attending, as they had been desired, in relation to the Lord Townshend's letter of the 17th, (mentioned in the Minutes of the 29th of the last month), inclosing copies of several letters and papers about some hardships put upon masters of British ships at Amsterdam, they informed their Lordships, that they conceived the state of this matter to be as follows.

That the Turkey Company in Holland have usually levied there a duty of one per cent. upon all goods loaden for the Levant, towards the maintenance of their consuls and officers there, which hath been submitted to without complaint. But the States General, not thinking it safe, whilst they are in war with the Algerines, for single ships of their own country to sail to the Levant, unprovided of a sufficient force to defend themselves against the Corsaires, have made a regulation by which no Dutch ship is allowed to clear for the Levant, that does not carry twenty men and fifty guns, and have extended the same order to all other nations, lest foreigners should sail from Holland on better terms than their own subjects; that some persons, in order to elude this regulation, have entered for other ports in the Streights, though they really intended to proceed to the Levant.

Draught of answer to Lord Townshend thereupon.

These gentlemen being withdrawn, the draught of an answer to the Lord Townshend's beforementioned letter, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

St. Christophers.

Representation on Acts,

Are presentation upon two Acts. passed at St. Christopher's in April, 1722, the one for laying a duty on sugars, etc., to be exported the said island, the other for settling two thousand pounds per annum on Colonel Hart during his government, (mentioned in the last Minutes), was agreed and signed.

September 19. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Plummer.

Antigua.

Memorial from Mr. Nivine upon an Act laying a duty on goods imported, etc.

A memorial from Mr. Nivine, agent for Antegoa, in relation to An Act passed there in February, 1721–22, to lay a duty on goods imported, and for raising an annual sum for the better support of his Excellency John Hart. Esq., was read.

Leeward Islands.

Letter from Colonel Hart.

A letter from Colonel Hart. Governor of the Leeward Islands, dated the 21st of June last, was read, and the papers, therein referred to, were laid before the Board, viz.:—
Papers therein referred to.
Five Acts passed at St. Christophers in June, 1722.
Two Acts passed at Montserrat, in March, 1721–22, and May, 1722.
Journal of the Assembly of Antegoa, from the 1st of January to the 24th of February, 1721–22.

Letter from Colonel Hart.

Another letter from Colonel Hart, dated the 11th of July last, was read.

Nevis.

St. Christophers.

Draughts of representations to be prepared about counsellors.

Ordered that the draughts of two representations be prepared for proposing William Pym Burt, Esq., and Major Richard Abbot to be of the Council of Nevis in the room of Joseph Symmonds and Roger Pemberton, who refuse to act; and Major Richard Holmes to be of the Council of St. Christophers in the room of Mr. George Liddell, deceased.

Montserrat.

St. Christophers.

Acts to be sent to Mr. West for his opinion.

Ordered that the following Acts, passed at Montserrat at St. Christophers in 1721 and 1722. be sent to Mr. West for his opinion thereupon in point of law, viz.:—
An Act to repeal an Act whereby the duties on wines and other liquors and upon licences are given to the Honorable Thomas Talmash, Esq., and for appointing the former duties to be levied on wines and other strong liquors imported into this island. Passed at Montserrat in 1721.
An Act for raising a levy or poll tax, and for taxing and assessing of the houses in the town of Plimouth to pay off the publick debts of this island. Passed at Montserrat in 1721.
An Act for granting to His Majesty, his heirs and successors, certain duties upon the import of dry goods and liquors, etc., and for the payment of five hundred pounds annually to his Excellency John Hart, Esq., Captain General and Governor in Chief of all His Majesty's Leeward Charibbee Islands in America. Passed at Montserrat in 1721-22.
An Act for raising a levy or poll tax for taxing the several houses within the town of Plimouth, and for assessing each respective trader within the said island. Passed at Montserrat in 1722.
An Act for the continuance of such part of an Act for employing negroes on the fortifications of this island, and for rendering more effectual and explaining an Act entituled, An Act for raising a tax by the poll on all slaves in this island, as also for raising £500 on the island trade of the same, as relates to the employing of negroes upon the said fortifications. Passed at St. Christophers in 1722.
An Act for regulating the Militia of this island. Passed at St. Christophers in 1722.
An Act for raising of gunpowder and small arms upon the tonnage of vessels trading to and with this island, for the use of His Majesty's fortifications within this island. Passed at St. Christophers in 1722.
An Act for the good government of servants, for ordering the rights between masters and servants, for encouraging the importation of servants, for directing a due performance of contracts, and for payment of wages to artificers, workmen and labourers. Passed at St. Christophers in 1722.
An Act for attainting several negroes therein mentioned, and for the more effectual preventing negroes from running away from their masters' service, and for explaining and rendering more effectual an Act entituled, An Act for the better government of negroes and other slaves. Passed at St. Christophers in 1722.

New York.

Draught of representation.

Exorbitant grants of lands.

Their Lordships then took into consideration the draught of a representation in relation to the exorbitant grants of land in NewYork, and resolved to consider further thereof at another opportunity.

September 20. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Plummer.

St. Christophers.

Representation proposing a Councillor.

Nevis.

Representation.

Councillors.

A representation proposing Major Richard Holmes to be of the Council of St. Christophers in the room of Mr. George Liddell. deceased, ordered yesterday to be prepared, was agreed and signed.

Another representation proposing William Pym Burt, Esq., and Major Richard Abbot to be of the Council of Nevis, in the room of Joseph Symmonds and Roger Pemberton, Esqs., who refuse to act, ordered yesterday to be prepared, was likewise agreed and signed.

St. Christophers.

Letter from Mr. Lowndes about papers concerning the late French lands.

Answer.

A letter from Mr. Lowndes, secretary to the Lords of the Treasury, dated this day, desiring copies of all papers relating to the French lands in St. Christophers, was read; and ordered that Mr. Lowndes be acquainted that the papers he therein desires, were transmitted to the Lords of the Treasury the 16th of October, 1717.

September 25. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen.

New York.

Draught of representation.

Exorbitant grants.

The draught of a representation in relation to the exorbitant grants of land at New York, mentioned in the Minutes of the 19th inst., was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

Ireland. Trade.

Mr. Barnes and Mr. Thompson.

Memorial.

Wool from Ireland to France.

Mr. Barnes and Mr. Thompson attending, presented to the Board a memorial in relation to great quantities of wool being carried from Ireland to France, which was read: and they were desired to bring to the Board in writing what they had to offer upon this subject on Wednesday, the 3rd of next month, at which time their Lordships resolved to take this matter into further consideration.

Antigua.

Representation.

Act for better support of Colonel Hart.

The draught of a representation for repealing an Act passed at Antegoa in 1721–22, entituled. An Act to lay a duty on goods imported into this island, and for raising an annual sum for the better support of his Excellency John Hart. Esq., Captain General and Governor in Chief in and over all His Majesty's Leeward Charribbee Islands in America during his government, was agreed and signed.

Nova Scotia.

Letters from Colonel Doucett.

Robberies by Indians.

A letter from Colonel Doucett. Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, dated at Annapolis, the 29th of June, 1722. complaining of robberies committed by the Indians, who are incouraged by the French, was read, and the papers, therein referred to, were laid before the Board, viz.:—
Papers referred to.
Journal of the Collector of the Customs of Annapolis's sailing to some other parts of Nova Scotia and of his being seized by the Indians.
Declarations of two masters of vessels who had been plundered by the Indians.
Copy of what Colonel Doucett designs to represent to the Indians in case they send an Embassy.

French missionaries.

Indian hostilities.

Papers referred to.

Another letter from Colonel Doucett, dated the 2nd of July, 1722, relating to the French missionaries instigating the Indians to acts of hostility against the English, was read, and the papers, therein referred to, were laid before the Board, viz.:—
Mr. Winniett's letter to Colonel Doucett, relating to his sloop being seized by the Indians at Minas.
Copy of a letter from Pere Gaulin to Colonel Doucett, relating to Mr. Winniett and the Indians at St. John's River.
Copy of a letter from Pere Gaulin to Colonel Doucett, relating to a new settlement of the Indians at Chebanacady.
Copy of a letter from Colonel Doucett to Pere Gaulin.

Draught of letter to Lord Carteret.

Whereupon ordered that the draught of a letter to the Lord Carteret be prepared upon Colonel Doucett's said letters.

September 26. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen.

New York.

Representation.

Exorbitant Grants.

Letters to Lord Carteret. and to Lords of the Treasury.

A representation, in relation to the exorbitant grants of land at New York, agreed yesterday, was signed, as also a letter to inclose the same to the Lord Carteret, and another to the Lords of the Treasury, to inclose a copy of the said representation for their Lordships' information.

Nova Scotia.

Indian robberies.

A letter to the Lord Carteret, in relation to several robberies committed by the Indians at Annapolis Royal in Nova Scotia, ordered yesterday to be prepared, was agreed and signed.

St. Lucia.

St. Vincent.

Letter to Mr. Lowndes.

Duke of Montagu's grant.

Ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Lowndes, secretary to the Lords of the Treasury, to desire a copy of the Duke of Montagu's grant of the islands of St. Lucia and St. Vincents.

September 27. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Plummer.

Trade.

Letter to Lord Viscount Townshend.

Hardships on British masters of ships at Amsterdam.

A letter to the Lord Viscount Townshend, in answer to his Lordship's of the 17th of the last month, relating to some hardships complained of by the English merchants at Amsterdam, agreed the 19th inst., was signed.