Journal, March 1730: Journal Book G.G

Journal, March 1730

March 3. Present:—Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Sir O. Bridgeman.

Trade.

Spain.

Losses.

The letter to the Duke of Newcastle, inclosing the copy of a memorial from Mr. Butler Chancey, complaining of his ship's having been taken by the Spaniards, in her voyage between the Bay of Honduras and Boston in New England, agreed at the last meeting, was signed.

Barbadoes.

Counsellor.

A representation proposing Thomas Maxwell, Esq., to be of the Council of Barbadoes, in the room of Mr. Haggot, deceased, agreed at the last meeting, was signed.

Jamaica.

Counsellor.

A representation proposing Alexander Henderson, Esq., to be of the Council of Jamaica, in the room of Mr. Forbes, deceased, agreed at the last meeting, was signed.

Nova Scotia.

Settlements.

An Order of the Committee of Council referring back to the Board the instruction prepared by them for Colonel Phillips and Colonel Dunbar with respect to the settlement of some Irish and Palatine families in Nova Scotia, to be altered, in relation to the powers thereby given of granting lands, read at the last meeting, was again considered, and some alterations being made in the said instructions, their Lordships agreed to consider further thereof to-morrow morning.

New York.

Nova Scotia.

Leeward Islands.

Bahamas.

New Seals.

The letter to the Duke of Newcastle with the draughts of warrants to the Governors of New York, Nova Scotia, Leeward Islands and Bahamas for using the new seals, ordered to be prepared at the last meeting, was agreed and signed.

March 6. Present:—Mr. Docminique, Mr. Bladen, Sir O. Bridgeman, Sir T. Frankland.

Trade.

Africa.

Order of the House of Commons.

Papers.

An Order from the House of Commons, dated yesterday, requiring copies of this Board's reports about the African trade, dated the 15th of March, 1711–12, and the 17th of March, 1716–7, was read; and the Secretary laying before the Board copies of the said reports, Colonel Bladen was desired to present them to the House accordingly.

Massachusetts.

Answer to queries.

A letter from Mr. Belcher, Governor of the Massachusetts Bay and New Hampshire, in answer to some queries about the paper currency in the Massachusetts Bay, was read.

New Hampshire.

Boundaries.

A memorial from Mr. Newman, agent for New Hampshire, relating to the boundaries between that province and the Massachusetts Bay, was read.

Governor's Instructions considered.

The draught of instructions for Mr. Belcher, mentioned in the Minutes of the 23rd of January last, being laid before the Board, their Lordships made a progress in the consideration thereof.

March 10. Present:—Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Cary, Sir T. Frankland.

Barbadoes.

Santa Lucia.

Letter from the Duke of Newcastle, with papers.

A letter from the Duke of Newcastle, dated the 6th inst., was read, and the following papers, therein referred to, were likewise read, viz:—
Copy of a letter from Mr. Poyntz to His Grace the Duke of Newcastle.
Copie du mémoire sur I'Isle de St. Alouzie, envoyé a M. le Comte de Broglie, par M. le Garde des Sceaux, le 2me Mars., 1730.
Copie du mémoire sur l'Isle de St. Alouzie, envoyé a M. le Comte de Broglie, par M. le Garde des Sceaux, le. . . . . . .

And their Lordships resolved to consider further thereof tomorrow morning.

Trade.

Africa.

Order of the House of Commons.

Papers.

An order from the House of Commons, dated the 7th inst., requiring a copy of the Board's report relating to the African trade, dated the 3rd February, 1707, was read, and a copy ordered to be made accordingly.

March 11. Present:—Mr. Docminique, Mr. Bladen, Sir O. Bridgman, Mr. Cary, Sir T. Frankland.

Massachusetts.

New Hampshire.

Governor's Instructions agreed.

The draughts of instructions for Mr. Belcher, appointed Governor of the Massachusetts Bay and New Hampshire, mentioned in the Minutes of the 6th of the last month, were agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

Plantations General.

New York.

New Jersey.

Virginia.

Nova Scotia.

Jamaica.

Barbadoes.

Bermuda.

Bahamas.

Produce of whales.

The Secretary acquainting the Board that he had received, from the Duke of Newcastle's office, instructions under His Majesty's Signet and Privy Seal to the several Governors of New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Nova Scotia, Jamaica, Barbadoes, Bermuda and Bahamas, to prevent their appropriating to their own use the produce of whales, under the pretence of their being royal fish; a letter to the several Governors therewith was agreed and ordered to be sent.

Barbadoes.

Santa Lucia.

King's Title.

Their Lordships then took again into consideration the letter from the Duke of Newcastle, read yesterday, in relation to the King's title to Santa Lucia, St. Vincent's, Dominica and Santa Cruz, and made a progress therein.

March 12. Present:—Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Sir O. Bridgeman, Mr. Cary, Sir T. Frankland.

Nova Scotia.

Mr. Hintz, recommended to the Treasury.

The late Mr. Hintz's son attending, presented to the Board a memorial from Colonel Williamson of the Tower, recommending him as honest and well affected to the present government, which was read; and Mr. Hintz being asked whether he could and was willing to undertake the transporting of certain Palatine families into Nova Scotia, as proposed by his father; he said, that he had formerly been employed by his father in settling the Palatines in Ireland, from whence his father had sent for him over to assist him in transporting those, who were to go to Nova Scotia: that he knew very well what steps his father had already taken in this affair, and was willing to undertake the completing of it; whereupon their Lordships gave directions for preparing a letter to Mr. Scrope, to recommend him to the Lords of the Treasury.

Bermuda.

Mr. Dinwiddie recommended to be a counsellor.

A letter from Colonel Hope, recommending Mr. Dinwiddie to be of the Council of Bermuda, in the room of Captain Tucker, deceased, was read; and the draught of a representation ordered to recommend the said Dinwiddie accordingly.

Plantations General.

Foreign Coins.

A memorial of several merchants trading to America, praying that the Act of the 6th of Queen Anne, relating to the rates of foreign coins in America, may be strictly put in execution and paper currency abolished;

South Carolina.

Additional Instructions.

Additional instructions proposed for a Governor of South Carolina;

Paper Currency.

The merchants' answer to queries about a paper currency;

The merchants' proposal for creating a paper currency in South Carolina, and

Answer to queries.

Colonel Johnson's answer to queries, in relation to the paper currency, were severally read.

Persons summoned.

Ordered that Mr. Horace Walpole be acquainted that the Board desires his assistance here to-morrow morning, in relation to the paper currency of this province.

Ordered that Colonel Johnson be desired to attend at the same time.

March 13. Present:—Mr. H. Walpole, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Sir O. Bridgeman, Mr. Cary, Sir T. Frankland.

South Carolina.

Paper Currency.

Colonel Johnson attending, as he had been desired, their Lordships took again into consideration the memorial from the merchants trading to South Carolina, read the 4th of last month, proposing a paper currency, the South Carolina papers read yesterday, and the undermentioned, which were this day read, viz:—

Charts of the sea coasts.

A letter from Mr. Thomas Lowndes, dated the 8th of December, 1729, proposing that charts of the sea coasts and bays of His Majesty's dominions should be made, and that North Carolina should be made a district of Virginia.

Patent Officers.

A letter from him to the Secretary, dated the 23rd of December, 1729, signifying the names of the Patent Officers in South Carolina;

Settling Palatines.

A memorial from him, with letters enclosed, about settling Palatines in South Carolina;

A letter from Mr. Missing, about peopling South Carolina;

Paper Currency.

A state of the paper currency of South Carolina and a proposal in relation to the same;

A proposal for better improving and settling South Carolina;

And their Lordships resolved to consider further thereof on Tuesday next.

Nova Scotia.

Mr. Hintz, recommended to the Treasury.

The letter, directed yesterday to be prepared, to Mr. Scrope, for recommending Mr. Hintz to the Treasury, was agreed and ordered to be sent.

Trade.

Africa.

Inconveniences in the trade.

Persons summoned.

An Order of the Committee of Council, dated the 12th inst., referring to the Board the copy of a letter directed to the Lord Townsend, relating to some inconveniences our trade to Africa at present labours under, was read; whereupon ordered that Mr. Tinker be desired to attend the Board upon this subject on Tuesday morning, and Mr. Morice, Mr. Hayes and Captain Bonham on Wednesday next.

March 17. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe. Sir O. Bridgeman, Mr. Cary, Sir T. Frankland.

Leeward Islands.

Santa Cruz.

His Majesty's title.

Colonel Hart to attend.

The Secretary, observing to the Board that upon examining the papers in this office, in order to state His Majesty's title to Santa Cruz, pursuant to the Duke of Newcastle's letter read the 11th inst., he had found that Colonel Hart in his letter of the 10th July last, and read the same day, says the French King had given directions for removing the inhabitants from this Island to strengthen his settlements at St. Domingo in 1671, and that General Hamilton had related the same fact to have happened in 1691; ordered that a letter be writ to Colonel Hart to desire he will reconsider his said letter with respect to this fact, and let the Board have his answer thereto.

Trade.

Africa.

Mr. Tinker attends.

Mr. Tinker attending, as he had been desired, their Lordships took again into consideration the Order of the Committee of Council, referring to the Board the letter to the Lord Townsend, relating to the African trade, read at the last meeting, and desiring Mr. Tinker would inform the Board what goods were commonly exported to the Coast of Africa, and from whence they were bought: he acquainted the Board, that most ships trading to Africa, took in great part of their loading at Holland: that all the woollen manufactures carried to Africa were exported from hence, as were likewise guns, but that gunpowder, knives with lignum vitae handles, black hussar knives, almost all the India goods, beads, tobacco pipes, old sheeting, blue paper, Silesia, spirits and cowries were taken in, in Holland: that indeed these sorts of loading were hazardous, because he had known several English ships seized by the Dutch Governors on the coast of Africa as Dutch interlopers for having these Dutch commodities on board.

Their Lordships, after some further discourse with Mr. Tinker upon this subject, desired him to let the Board have a further account of this matter in writing on Tuesday morning next, which he promised accordingly.

Bermuda.

Mr. Dinwiddie, Counsellor.

The representation, ordered to be prepared the 12th inst., for recommending Robert Dinwiddie, Esq., to be of the Council of Bermuda, in the room of Captain Daniel Tucker, was agreed and signed.

Plantations General.

Instructions.

Ecclesiastical jurisdiction.

The draught of instructions for His Majesty's Governors in America, ordered to be prepared the 17th of the last month, for enforcing the Bishop of London's commission to exercise ecclestiastical jurisdiction in the plantations being agreed, a representation thereupon, and a letter, for enclosing the same to the Duke of Newcastle, was agreed and signed.

March 18. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Bladen, Sir O. Bridgeman, Mr. Cary, Sir T. Frankland.

Trade.

Africa.

Persons attend.

Mr. Morice, Captain Bonham and Mr. Hayes attending, as they had been desired, their Lordships took again into consideration the Order of the Committee of Council, relating to the inconveniences the trade to Africa labours under, mentioned in yesterday's Minutes, and desired these gentlemen would inform the Board, whether they did not take in part of their loading from Holland, and if so, what was the reason, why those goods taken in, in Holland, might not be had in this Kingdom; to which Mr. Morice said, that, except gunpowder and spirits, they did not go to Holland for any part of their loading; that the duty of 4s. 8d. per cwt. on salt petre and 5s. 4d. on brimstone, was the occasion of gunpowder being about one third dearer in this kingdom than in Holland: that the price of gunpowder in Holland is about £2 2s., but here it it is sold for about £3 15s. per cwt.: that the East India Company being obliged to furnish the government with 300 tun of salt petre each year, if demanded, they were obliged to keep that quantity ready, and consequently raised the price thereof, as it occasioned a scarcity. As to spirits, he said, the reason of their being cheaper in Holland than in this kingdom, was the bounty given upon the exportation of corn, which, he said, paid the freight to Holland, and the excise paid here, which was 8s. or 10s. per gallon; being asked particularly as to the following goods used in the African trade, he said, that blue paper, Silesias and other German linen being exported from Hamburgh, it was cheaper here than in Holland, the Dutch having it by land carriage: that old sheets were cheaper in Holland: that arms were better and cheaper here than in Holland: that iron and beads were cheaper in Holland, and that cowries were cheaper here. Mr. Morice said further that, in a ship of 7 or £8000 value they did not take from Holland in their manufactures above £1000, and of that only such as were cheaper there than here; being asked whether any foreigners were concerned in the African trade from this kingdom, he said, that every ship was obliged to be registered, and to take out a Mediterranean pass, upon both which occasions an oath is required and taken, that no foreigner is owner or concerned in this said ship. Their Lordships then asked Mr. Morice, whether the Dutch factories upon the coast of Africa had not sometimes seized English vessels for having Dutch goods on board, to which he answered, that so far from it, our vessels, taking part of their loading in Holland, always received passes from the Dutch West India Company. These gentlemen being withdrawn, their Lordships resolved to consider further of this matter on Tuesday morning next.

North Carolina.

Public Seal.

An Order in Council of the 21st of February last, approving a representation of this Board of the 3rd of the same month, and directing a public seal to be prepared for North Carolina, was read; and their Lordships gave directions that Mr. Rolles, His Majesty's engraver, should prepare a draught thereof.

South Carolina.

A patent for two baronies.

Sent to Mr. Attorney and Solicitor General.

The Secretary then laid before the Board the copy of Sir Nathaniel Johnson's patent for two baronies, and the dignity of a Cassique in South Carolina, which he had received from Colonel Johnson, appointed Governor of that province; and their Lordships, taking the same into consideration, gave directions that a copy thereof should be sent to Mr. Attorney and Mr. Solicitor General, for their opinion in point of law, whether such old grants of large tracts of land, to be taken up in any part of the province, and without limitation of time, were valid, if not yet put in execution.

Colonel Johnson's proposals for better improving and settling South Carolina, with reasons against reserving a quit rent of one penny per acre, were read, as also

North Carolina.

Quit Rents.

The representation of Captain Burrington, with his reasons against advancing the quit rents in North Carolina.

North and South Carolina.

Quit Rents.

Ordered that copies of so much of the said papers, as relate to quit rents, be given to Mr. Walpole, auditor of the Plantations.

March 19. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Sir O. Bridgman, Mr. Cary, Sir T. Frankland.

Leeward Islands.

Santa Cruz.

King's title.

Colonel Hart attending, acquainted the Board, in answer to the Secretary's letter to him of the 17th inst., relating to the time that the French retired from Santa Cruz to strengthen their settlements at St. Domingo, that, according to the information he had received in the Leeward Islands, it was in the year 1671.

Colonel Hart being withdrawn, ordered that a letter be wrote to Mr. Gerrish to desire he will inform the Board what he knows concerning this fact.

Massachusetts.

Methods, raising and issuing money.

Representation, Instructions, agreed.

The copy of an Order in Council, dated the 2nd of December last, approving the draught of an additional Instruction to the Governor of the Massachusetts Bay; prescribing the methods hereafter to be observed in the raising and issuing of money, and requiring the Governors not to take or demand any fees on shipping, but what are legal and have been customary, was read.

The draught of a representation, upon the draughts of general instructions, and of those which relate to trade, for Mr. Belcher, Governor of the Massachusetts Bay and of New Hampshire, agreed the 11th inst., was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

March 19. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Bladen, Sir O. Bridgeman, Mr. Cary, Sir T. Frankland.

Plantations General.

Naval Stores.

An Order from the House of Lords, dated the 19th inst., requiring an account of the several proposals made to the Board by the merchants, or that the Board has formed, for furnishing this kingdom with Naval Stores from the plantations; an account of the establishment of Governors and Governments of the plantations, as the Board found them, when this office was first established; the variations that have since been made therein to this time; who are the present Governors, and when appointed? was read, and their Lordships resolved to consider further thereof on Tuesday morning next.

New Hampshire.

Massachusetts.

Representation, Governor's Instructions, signed.

The representation, with the draughts of instructions for Mr. Belcher, Governor of the Massachusetts Bay and New Hampshire, agreed yesterday, was signed, as also

A letter, for enclosing the same to the Rt. Honble. the Lord Viscount Townsend.

March 24. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Cary, Sir T. Frankland.

Barbadoes.

Santa Lucia.

Representation, King's right.

Their Lordships, taking again into consideration the letter from the Duke of Newcastle, with several papers, relating to His Majesty's right to Santa Lucia, St. Vincent's, Dominica and Santa Cruz, read the 10th inst., gave directions for preparing the draught of a representation thereupon.

Nova Scotia.

Instructions, setting out lands, report ordered.

The draughts of Instructions for Colonel Phillips, Governor of Nova Scotia, and for Colonel Dunbar, Surveyor General of the Woods, in relation to the setting out lands for the Irish families and Palatines, who are willing to settle there, mentioned in the Minutes of the 3rd inst., were agreed, and the draught of a report thereupon to the Committee, was ordered to be prepared.

North Carolina.

New Seal.

The draught of a report, with the draught of a new seal for North Carolina, directed to be prepared the 18th of inst., was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

Trade.

Africa.

Colonel Bladen then acquainted the Board, that Mr. Tinker, who was to have attended this day, desired some further time, to complete what he was to lay before the Board, in relation to the African trade.

South Carolina.

Duties on negroes.

Sir William Chapman, Mr. Godin, and Mr. Jeffries attending, presented to the Board a petition in behalf of the merchants of London and Bristol, desiring the duties imposed on the importation of negroes in South Carolina may be taken off, which was read; and these gentlemen were desired to attend again to-morrow morning, with Colonel Johnson, Mr. Wragg and Mr. St. Julien.

March 25. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe.

North Carolina.

New Seal.

The representation with the draught of a new seal for North Carolina, agreed at the last meeting, was signed.

Nova Scotia.

Instructions.

The report to the Lords of the Committee, with the draughts of instructions for Colonel Phillips and for Colonel Dunbar, mentioned.

Barbadoes.

Santa Lucia.

King's right.

The representation upon the Duke of Newcastle's letter, mentioned in yesterday's Minutes, in relation to Santa Lucia, St. Vincent's, Dominica and Santa Cruz, was signed, as also

A letter, for enclosing the same to the Duke of Newcastle.

A letter from Mr. Gerrish, in answer to one wrote to him the 19th inst., signifying his not being able to give any account when the French abandoned Santa Cruz, was read; whereupon ordered that a letter be wrote to Mr. Soulegre, late one of the Council of St. Christophers, for what information he can give the Board upon this subject.

Swiss Settlement.

A memorial from Mr. Purry, concerning a Swiss settlement proposed to be made by him in South Carolina, was read, and their Lordships resolved to consider further thereof at another opportunity.

Duties on Negroes.

Colonel Johnson, Mr. Wragg and Mr. Jeffries attending, as they had been desired, the memorial from the merchants, read yesterday, desiring to be eased from the duties imposed in South Carolina upon the importation of negroes, was again considered, and a letter from Sir William Chapman was read, excusing his attendance this day, and proposing that for the future these duties may be paid by the buyer, whereupon, after some discourse with these gentlemen, their Lordships agreed to insert an article in the Governor's instructions, directing him to endeavour to get an Act passed for repealing so much of the former Acts, as imposes these duties upon the importer, and for the future obliging the buyer to pay them, but the importer not to be absolutely discharged from these duties, until he produces a certificate that the duty is paid.