Journal, February 1745: Volume 53

Journal, February 1745

Friday, February 1. Present:—Lord Monson, Colonel Bladen, Mr. Plumer, Sir John Philips.

New York.

Read a letter to the Secretary from Mr. Scrope, Secretary to the Lords of the Treasury, dated January 31st, 1744, transmitting:—
A representation made to their lordships by Mr. Walpole, Auditor and Surveyor General of his Majesty's Revenues in America, dated January 24th, against an Act, passed in the province of New York, in May, 1742, for regulating the Payment of the Quit Rents, together with other papers annexed, for the consideration of this Board, and desiring that they will make proper representations to the king in Council thereon.

Ordered that the Secretary write to Mr. Guerin, to desire he would inform the Board whether he is agent for the province of New York; and if he is, that he would attend them on Tuesday next; if not, that he would acquaint them who is.

Trade.

Ordered likewise that the Secretary write to the Secretary of the Customs, to desire he will procure and send the Board, as soon as conveniently he can, an Account of the value of Woollen manufactures exported from England, from Christmas, 1740 (where the last account from Mr. Oxenford ends), to this time, distinguishing each year, and how much from the out ports, and an Account of the imports from Africa, from Christmas, 1738, to Christmas last, distinguishing each year, and how much to the Port of London, and how much to the out Ports.

Tuesday, February 5. Present:—Lord Monson, Colonel Bladen, Mr. Plumer, Sir John Philips, Mr. Pitt.

Virginia.

The Board being informed that William Byrd, Esquire, one of the members of the Council of Virginia, was deceased, ordered the draught of a representation to his Majesty, for recommending William Nelson, Esquire, as a person every way qualified to serve his Majesty in that station, to be prepared, which was accordingly done and signed.

Trade.

Woollen Manufacture.

Coals.

Read a letter from Mr. Lowndes to the Secretary, desiring him to acquaint the Board he has laid his scheme for re-establishing the woollen manufacture before the Speaker of the House of Commons; and that his coal scheme, together with his letter to this Board on that subject, are in the Press.

New York.

Mr. Guerin, who had been wrote to, as ordered by the minutes of Friday last, attending, informed the Board, that he was not agent himself for the province of New York, neither did he know who was, but believed that there was not any one appointed by the province.

Plantations General.

The Board took into consideration Mr. Paris's request, mentioned in the minutes of the 19th of December last, and agreed that he should have copies of those papers relating to paper currency, which Mr. Hammersly has had by order of the Board.

Wednesday, February 6. Present:—Lord Monson, Colonel Bladen, Mr. Plumer, Mr. Pitt.

Newfoundland.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty for accompanying the draught of instructions to Captain Edwards, appointed Governor of Newfoundland, and a draught of a letter to his Grace the Duke of Newcastle, for enclosing the same, having been prepared, and laid before the Board, the same were agreed to, transcribed and signed.

North and South Carolina.

Read a letter from Mr. McCulloch, Commissioner for supervising and controlling the Revenues and Grants of Lands in North and South Carolina, to this Board, dated at Cape Fear, the 27th of July, 1744, inclosing copy of a letter to Mr. Johnston, Governor of North Carolina, dated also at Cape Fear, the 6th of July, 1744, inclosing likewise the following papers, viz.:—
Observations in relation to his Majesty's Order of Council, dated the 19th of May, 1737, most humbly submitted to the Right Honourable Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations by Henry McCulloch.
Copy of the representation of Henry McCulloch, to his Excellency Gabriel Johnston, Esquire, in council, with observations thereon.
Copy of a representation of Henry McCulloch, in behalf of Murray Crimble, James Huey and their associates, to Gabriel Johnston, Esquire, Governor of North Carolina.

Ordered that enquiry should be made if he has any agent here, and that the said agent should be desired to attend, and in case he has none, that Messers Crimble and Huey have the same notice given them.

Thursday, February 7. Present:—Lord Monson, Colonel Bladen, Mr. Plumer, Sir John Philips, Mr. Pitt.

North and South Carolina.

The Board having been informed that Mr. Howson was agent to Mr. McCulloch, ordered a letter to be wrote to him, to desire his attendance here Tuesday next [12th instant], in order to have some discourse with him on the subject of a letter and other papers received from Mr. McCulloch, and read, as mentioned in yesterday's minutes.

Friday, February 8. Present:—Lord Monson, Colonel Bladen, Mr. Plumer, Mr. Pitt.

Massachusetts.

The draught of an answer to Governor Shirley's letters, ordered by the minutes of the 24th of January, having been laid before the Board, the Board considered the same, and having made some alterations therein, agreed to reconsider it the next meeting.

Tuesday, February 12. Present:—Lord Monson, Colonel Bladen, Mr. Plumer, Sir John Philips, Mr. Pitt.

Trade.

Africa.

Read two Orders of the House of Commons, dated February 8th, 1744–5, directing this Board to lay before that House two papers, viz.:—
Copy of a letter from Charles Hayes, Esquire, Deputy Governor of the Royal African Company of England, to Thomas Hill, Esquire, Secretary to the Board of Trade, dated December 31st, 1744, containing his observations on the nature of the trade to Africa; as also,
Copy of a letter from Mr. Spence, Secretary to the said Company, to Thomas Hill, Esquire, Secretary to the Board of Trade, dated January 1st, 1744–5, inclosing answers drawn up by the Accountant to the Royal African Company, to queries from the Board of Trade to the Directors of the said Company.

And copies thereof having been prepared, and laid before the Board, Mr. Plumer was desired to present the same to the House.

North and South Carolina.

Mr. Howson, agent for Mr. McCulloch, attending, the Board, after some discourse had with him on the subject of the letter and other papers received from the said Mr. McCulloch, the Board (sic) acquainted him, that as the grievance, complained of in his said letter, related to his private and not his public capacity, they could not give him any assistance therein, but were of opinion he ought to apply to the Council for relief.

Wednesday, February 13. Present:—Lord Monson, Colonel Bladen, Mr. Plumer, Sir John Philips, Mr. Pitt.

Nova Scotia.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council, dated February 5th, 1744–5, referring an extract of a letter to this Board from Lieutenant Colonel Mascarene, President of the Council and Commander in Chief of Nova Scotia, dated 25th of September last, together with Captain Gorham's memorial to the said President and Council, setting forth the good service he has done that province, and praying a grant may be made to him and his associates of the Isle of Sables, and proposing to make a settlement there; and also the resolution of the said President and Council thereupon.

Ordered that the Secretary write to Mr. Kilby, agent for New England, and Mr. King Gould, agent for Nova Scotia, to attend Friday next, in order to have some discourse with them on the subject of the said extract and memorial.

Masschusetts.

Thursday, February 14. Present:—Lord Monson, Colonel Bladen, Mr. Plumer, Sir John Philips, Mr. Pitt.

The Board reconsidered the draught of a letter to Mr. Shirley, Governor of the Massachusets, mentioned in the minutes of the 8th instant, and referred the same to another opportunity.

Friday, February 15. Present:—Lord Monson, Colonel Bladen, Mr. Plumer, Sir John Philips, Mr. Pitt.

Nova Scotia.

Mr. Kilby and Mr. Gould, who had been desired by the minutes of Wednesday last, to attend, having been prevented by business, Mr. Bradstreet, formerly Lieutenant in General Philips's regiment, was desired by Mr. Gould to attend: who informed the Board, that he had been several times ashore on the Isle of Sables, which is about twenty miles long and two miles broad, that grass and wild peas were the only produce, the soil being all sand, with Plenty of fresh water, that the use made of the island was to feed cattle. Being asked whether lighthouses might be of service to the navigation, he informed the Board, that they might be, on the South-West side for sloops and fishing boats, and ships from New England to Europe; but that the he apprehended they would be of little, use off the North-East side, where there are great shoals of sand: that the navigation there was dangerous on account of the strong currents; that ships from New England, etc., generally sail between the Island of Cape Sables and Nova Scotia in their passage to Newfoundland.

Tuesday, February 19. Present:—Lord Monson, Colonel Bladen, Mr. Plumer, Sir John Philips, Mr. Pitt.

Plantations General.

Mr. Alderman Baker, and Mr. Yeamans, attending, were called in, and had some discourse with the Board upon the subject of a Bill, intended to be brought into the House of Commons this sessions by them, which they produced and read, entitled, A Bill to prevent the issuing of Paper Bills of Credit in the British Colonies and Plantations in America, to be legal Tenders in payment for money.

South Carolina.

Georgia.

The Board took into consideration an Act, prepared by the Georgia Trustees, and referred to this Board (together with two others), by an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council, dated the 25th of January, 1742–3 [vide Journal 4 March, 1742–3], and mentioned in the minutes of May 11th, July 11th and 9th of August, 1744 [Journal 1744, fos. 65, 89, 107], entitled, An Act for the establishing Tenures of Lands in Georgia, and reducing the Quit Rents thereof, and after some progress made therein, agreed to reconsider the same to–morrow morning.

Wednesday, February 20. Present:—Lord Monson, Colonel Bladen, Mr. Plumer, Sir John Philips.

Plantations General.

South Carolina.

Georgia.

The Board took again into consideration the Act of the Trustees for establishing the Colony of Georgia, mentioned in the preceding minute, and also two other Acts, mentioned in the minutes of the 4th March, 1742–3, and agreed to proceed thereon to–morrow.

Massachusetts.

The draught of a letter to Mr. Shirley, Governor of the Massachusets Bay, mentioned in the minute of the 14th instant, having been reconsidered, was agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

Thursday, February 21. Present:—Lord Monson, Colonel Bladen, Mr. Plumer, Sir John Philips, Mr. Pitt.

Plantations General.

Ordered that the Secretary write to Mr. Alderman Baker, and acquaint him the Board is desirous of having some further discourse with him on the subject of the Bill relating to Paper Money, mentioned in the minutes of the 14th instant.

Georgia.

South Carolina.

The Board proceeded to the further consideration of the Acts of Georgia, mentioned in the minutes of yesterday, and gave directions for preparing the draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee of Council upon the said Acts.

Massachusetts.

The draught of a letter to Mr. Shirley, Governor of the Massachusets Bay, agreed to yesterday, and ordered to be transcribed, was laid before the Board and signed.

Nova Scotia.

Mr. Kilby attending, the Board had some discourse with him on the subject of Captain Gorham's memorial, praying a grant of the Isle of Sables, and proposing the building of lighthouses there.

Friday, February 22. Present:—Lord Monson, Mr. Plumer, Sir John Philips, Mr. Pitt.

Nova Scotia.

Massachusetts.

New York.

New Jersey.

Connecticut.

Rhode Island.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council, dated the 5th instant, directing this Board to prepare a draught of an additional instruction, to be sent to the Governors of New York and New Jersey, to afford all the assistance in their power to the province of Nova Scotia, as far as may be consistent with their own safety, being directed by their general instructions, in cases of distress of any other of his Majesty's plantations, to assist them with what aid their government can spare; and likewise to prepare a draught of an instruction, proper to be sent hereupon to the governments of Connecticut and Rhode Island.

Ordered that draughts of such instructions be prepared accordingly.

Plantations General.

Read a letter from Count Zinzendorf, Bishop of the Moravians, dated at Marienborr, the 31st December, 1744, complaining of some religious grievances and hardships imposed upon the Moravians in several parts of America, and desiring the good offices and interposition of the Board in their favour; referred the further consideration of this affair, till proper evidence of the facts be produced.

Nova Scotia.

Ordered that the draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee of Council be prepared, pursuant to their Order, mentioned in the minutes of the 13th instant, relating to the memorial of Captain Gorham.

Tuesday, February 26. Present:—Lord Monson, Mr. Plumer, Sir John Philips.

Trade.

Africa.

Wollen Manufacture.

Read a letter from Mr. Wood, Secretary to the Commissioners of the Customs, dated the 21st instant, in answer to one from the Secretary of this Board, transmitting the following accounts, viz.:—
An account of the value of woollen manufacture exported from England, from Christmas, 1740, to Christmas, 1743, distinguishing each year, and how much from London, and how much from the out ports.
An account of the value of imports from Africa from Christmas, 1743, distinguishing each year, and how much to the port of London, and how much to the out ports.

Nova Scotia.

The Board took into consideration the draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee of Council on the subject of the memorial of Captain Gorham, ordered by the minutes of Friday last, and agreed to reconsider the same to–morrow morning.

Nova Scotia.

Massachusetts.

New York.

New Jersey.

Connecticut.

Rhode Island.

The draught of an additional instruction to the Governors of New York and New Jersey, and also the draught of an instruction to the colonies of Connecticut and Rhode Island, together with the draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee of Council, for Accompanying the same, ordered by the minutes of Friday last, having been prepared, the Board took the same into consideration and, made some progress therein.

Wednesday, February 27. Present:—Lord Monson, Colonel Bladen, Mr. Plumer, Sir John Philips, Mr. Pitt.

Nova Scotia.

Massachusetts.

New York.

New Jersey.

Connecticut.

Rhode Island.

The draught of an additional instruction to the Governors of New York and New Jersey, and of Connecticut and Rhode Island, together with the draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee of Council, for accompanying the same, as mentioned in the preceding minute of yesterday, having been reconsidered by the Board, was agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

Nova Scotia.

The draught likewise of a report to the Lords of the Committee of Council on the subject of Captain Gorham's memorial, mentioned in the same minutes, having also been reconsidered by the Board, was agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

South Carolina.

Georgia.

The Board took into consideration the draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee of Council, referring to this Board three Acts, prepared by the Trustees of Georgia, which was ordered to be prepared by the minutes of the 21st instant, and having agreed to the same, ordered it to be transcribed.

Thursday, February 28. Present:—Lord Monson, Colonel Bladen, Mr. Plumer, Sir John Philips.

Nova Scotia.

Massachuisetts.

New York.

New Jersey.

Connecticut.

Rhode Island.

A report to the Lords of the Committee of Council for accompanying the draughts of instructions to the Governors of New York and New Jersey, and to the Governors of Connecticut and Rhode Island, as ordered yesterday, being transcribed, was signed.

Nova Scotia.

A report to the Lords of the Committee of Council on the subject of Captain Gorham's memorial, having been transcribed, as ordered yesterday, was likewise signed.

South Carolina.

Georgia.

Three Acts.

A report to the Lords of the Committee of Council upon three Acts, prepared by the Trustees for establishing the Colony of Georgia, having been likewise transcribed, as ordered yesterday, was signed.

St. Christophers.

Read Mr. Fane's report upon two Acts, passed at St. Christophers, in July and September, 1744, wherein absentees from that Island are doubled-taxed, dated the 27th instant.

Antigua.

St. Christophers.

Mr. John Sharpe attending, applied to the Board that the originals of two laws, one of Antigua, entituled, An Act to supply the want of Fines, etc.—the other of St. Christophers, entituled, An Act against fraudulent Conveyances, together with his Majesty's order for confirming the same, might be looked out, they being to be produced before the House of Lords, upon a Bill depending there.

Antigua.

Ordered that the same be accordingly ready, when wanted.

Antigua.

At the same time Mr. Sharpe moved the Board that they would, as soon as conveniently may be, consider and report upon a private Act, passed at Antigua, the 17th January, 1743–4, entituled, An Act for Sale of certain Lands, Tenements, and Slaves in the Island of Antigua, late of George Byam, merchant, deceased, and for placing out at Interest the Money arising by such Sale in the publick Funds, or in Government or real Securities in the said Island.