Journal, March 1747: Volume 55

Journals of the Board of Trade and Plantations: Volume 8, January 1742 - December 1749. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1931.

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'Journal, March 1747: Volume 55', in Journals of the Board of Trade and Plantations: Volume 8, January 1742 - December 1749, (London, 1931) pp. 234-240. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/jrnl-trade-plantations/vol8/pp234-240 [accessed 24 March 2024]

Journal, March 1747

Tuesday, March 3. Present:—Lord Monson, Mr. Plumer, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Leveson Gower.

Massachusets.

The Right Honourable Henry Fox, Esquire, his Majesty's Secretary at War, being present, and Mr. Bollan attending, he was called in, and a paper specifying the several errors in casting up the account of the Massachusets province, proved before and authenticated by Governor Shirley, mentioned in the preceding minute, was laid before the Board, and the Clerk of the Reports acquainted the Board, that he had examined the said account with the agent, and found the particulars contained in the said paper to be true; the agent then laid before the Board a second Muster Roll of the Company under the command of Ephraim Baker, dated the 30th September, and certified by Thomas Waldo, Commissary of Musters, which Muster Roll was brought over by Ephraim Baker, for the same purpose as the former, and appeared to agree with the particulars of the said Captain Baker's Company, stated in the account laid before the Board. The agent being asked if he had anything further to lay before the Board, he produced a paper entitled, Establishment of the Pay of Officers in the Expedition against Capt Breton, certified under the seal of the province, by Spencer Phips, Lieutenant Governor of the province of the Massachusets Bay, and attested to be a true copy under the hand of J. Willard, Secretary of the said province, containing the several votes of the House of Representatives and Council of the said province, and consented to by the Governor, for the allowances of the respective officers employed upon the expedition; and it appearing by the vote, first mentioned in the said account, that five shillings per week was allowed to each man for subsistance, after his enlistment, whereas in the account laid before the Board, such subsistance is charged at six shillings per week, the agent was asked concerning such difference; and he laid before the Board a vote of the House of Representatives of the 2nd of March, 1744, certified under the seal of the province by Spencer Phips, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor thereof, and attested to be a true copy by J. Willard, Secretary, which vote was read and is as follows, viz:—
"Voted that the officers of the several Companies be impowered under the direction of his Excellency the Governor and Council, to agree with Persons either in town or country to billet the soldiers under their care, after the best rate they can, not exceeding 7s. 6d. per week, the Subsistance Money to be paid upon proper Certificates given.
Signed, J. Cushing, Speaker."

The agent then laid before the Board the several following papers as evidence of the number of men raised for the expedition, which several papers were certified by Spencer Phips, Lieutenant Governor of the province of the Massachusets Bay, under the seal

Massachusets.

of the said province, and attested to be true copies by Josiah Willard, Secretary, viz.:—
Report of the Committee of both Houses upon the subject of his Excellency's messages of the 19th and 22nd instant, in which report is contained the following paragraph:—
And they humbly propose that his Excellency the Captain General be desired to give forth his proclamation to encourage the enlistment of 3000 volunteers under such proper officers as he shall appoint.
Province of the Massachusets Bay.
In the House of Representatives, May 31st, 1745.
Voted that his Excellency, the Captain General be desired forthwith to give Orders that four hundred effective men be enlisted to inforce the Army upon Cape Breton.
Province of the Massachusets Bay.
In the House of Representatives, June 18th, 1745.
Voted that his Excellency, the Captain General be desired forthwith to give orders that six hundred effective men be enlisted to reinforce the Army upon Cape Breton.

The agent then laid before the Board several papers, certified under the seal of the province, and attested to be true copies by the Secretary, as evidence of the provision made by the government of the Massachusets Bay, for the supply and support of the garrison of Louisbourg, after the same was taken, which papers were read, and are as follow, viz.:—
Governor Shirley's message to the House of Representatives, urging the necessity of supplying the garrison at Louisbourg with provision, cloathing and ammunition for a year, and for the comfort of the soldiers. July 29th, 1745.
Vote for making up deficiency in rum, etc. August 2nd, 1745.
Vote for payment to each sentinel twenty-five shillings per month more than former allowance, for their continuance during the winter season. September 26th, 1745.

The agent then proceeded to give some proof with respect to the vessels employed in the service in the expedition to Cape Breton; and for that purpose laid before the Board a paper, certified under the province seal by Mr. Shirley, which was transmitted to the said agent, and to Mr. Kilby, agent for the said province, in order to make claim of prize money, which said paper contained a list of the number of men on board the Massachusets frigate, on the 20th of May, 1744, attested upon oath by Edward Tyng, Captain, David Phipps, Lieutenant, Christopher Blackader, Master, John Brown, Boatswain, by which appeared that there were on board the said vessels one hundred sixty three men at the taking of the Vigilant on the 30th of May, 1745. The agent then laid before the Board the papers, which were read and are entitled as follows, viz.:—
Ship Molyneux Frigate,
A Muster Roll of the Company in his Majesty's service, under the Command of Jonathan Snelling, Captain.
Portlidge Bill, Ship Molyneux Frigate, Jonathan Snelling Commander.
which two said papers, not appearing to be signed by the said Jonathan Snelling, or anywise attested, the agent proposed to use his endeavours to bring the said Snelling in order to declare the truth thereof, which he was desired to do; he then laid before the Board a paper certified under the province seal by Mr. Shirley, containing three attested copies of certificates of the Committee of Council of the said province, of the value of money, and of the Bills of Publick Credit of the said province, agreeable to a law passed therein, in the 15th year of his Majesty's reign, by which certificates it appeared that 7s. 6d. province Bills emitted in and since the year 1741, was equal in value to one ounce of silver, and that £142 10s. in said Bills was equal in value to £100 sterling in good Bills of Exchange, payable in London, which said certificates were severally dated in July and January, 1745, and in August, 1746.

South Carolina.

The Board took into consideration the Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council, referring the petition of Thomas Lowndes, mentioned in the minutes of the 9th of December, last, and ordered a report thereupon to be prepared.

Wednesday, March 4. Present:—Lords Monson, Mr. Plumer, Mr. Leveson Gower, Mr. Fane.

Massachusets.

Mr. Bollan attending, as also Mr. Snelling, Commander of the ship Molyneux Frigate, employed in the service of his Majesty in the expedition against Cape Breton, the Muster Roll and Portlidge Bill, mentioned in the preceding minutes, were shewed to the said Snelling, who declared the same to be a true Muster Roll and Portlidge Bill of the ship Molyneux Frigate under his command. Whereupon the Board ordered the draught of a representation upon this affair, to be prepared.

New Jersey.

Read a letter from Mr. James Alexander and Robert Hunter Morris, two of his Majesty's Council of New Jersey, without date, giving an account of the present state of that province, and of some riots committed at Newark in the said province, and inclosing:—
State of the facts concerning the late riots at Newark, in the county of Essex, and in other parts of New Jersey, December 24th, 1746.

Ordered that a letter to his Grace the Duke of Newcastle be prepared, for inclosing an extract of so much of the above letter, as relates to the riots at Newark.

Miscellanies.

The Secretary laid before the Board an account of the incidental charges of this office from Lady day to Midsummer, 1746, amounting in the whole to £268 0s. 5d., and a letter to the Treasury, desiring payment thereof, and of the salaries due to the Secretary and under officers for the same time, was agreed to and signed.

Thursday, March 5. Present:—Lord Monson, Mr. Plumer, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Leveson Gower, Mr. Fane.

South Carolina.

New Jersey.

The draught of a report on the reference of Thomas Lowndes' petition, ordered to be prepared by the minutes of Tuesday, was laid before the Board, agreed to, and ordered to be transcribed; as was likewise the draught of the letter to the Duke of Newcastle, ordered to be prepared by the minute of yesterday.

Bermuda.

The Board then took into consideration an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council, referring the petition of Alexander Smith, William Selby and Vincent Mathias, mentioned in the minutes, the 5th of February last, and ordered the draught of a report thereupon to be prepared.

Friday, March 6. Present:—Lord Monson, Mr. Plumer, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Leveson Gower, Mr. Fane.

Bermuda.

The draught of a report upon the petition of Alexander Smith and others, ordered to be prepared by the preceding minute, was laid before the Board, agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

South Carolina.

New Jersey.

The report upon the reference of Thomas Lowndes' petition, as also the letter to the Duke of Newcastle, with an extract of one from the Council of New Jersey, ordered to be transcribed by the minutes of Thursday, were laid before the Board and signed.

Tuesday, March 17. Present:—Mr. Plumer, Mr. Leveson Gower, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane.

Jamaica.

Read Mr. Lamb's report, dated 3rd March, 1746–7, upon fifteen Acts, passed in Jamaica, in May, 1746, to which he has no objection, in point of law.

Virginia.

Read Mr. Lamb's report, dated February 5th, 1746, upon twenty-seven Acts passed in Virginia, the 12th of April, 1746, to which he has no objection, in point of law.

Rhode Island.

The Secretary laid before the Board the Rhode Island original account of charges in the reducing and securing Cape Breton, amounting to the sum of £36,096 1s. 2d. of their currency, together with several Acts of Assembly, thereunto annexed.

Jamaica.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council, dated the 17th of February, 1746–7, referring to this Board the petition of the planters of his Majesty's Island of Jamaica, and of other persons interested in lands, slaves and cattle in that Island, against an annual tax, commonly called the Deficiency Law, and agreed to take the same into consideration the first opportunity.

Friday, March 20. Present:—Lord Monson, Mr. Plumer, Mr. Leveson Gower.

Massachusets.

The Board took into consideration the draught of a representation to his Majesty, upon the petition of the legislature of the province of the Massachusets Bay, praying for a reimbursement of the expences they were at, in taking and reducing Cape Breton, etc., referred by Order of Council, dated the 15th of January, 1746–7, mentioned in the minutes of the 4th instant, and made a further progress therein.

Tuesday, March 24. Present:—Lord Monson, Mr. Plumer, Mr. Leveson Gower, Mr. Fane.

Massachusets.

The Board took into consideration the draught of a representation upon the Order of Council, referring the petition of the legislature of the province of the Massachusets Bay, mentioned in the preceding minute, and made a further progress therein.

Connecticut.

Mr. Palmer attending, laid before the Board a paper entitled, "Colony of Connecticut's accounts of disbursements in the expedition against Cape Breton"; and then he withdrew.

Jamaica.

Mr. Paris attending, moved the Board to take into consideration, the petition of the planters of his Majesty's Island of Jamaica, referred by the Lords of the Committee, mentioned in the minutes of the 17th instant; whereupon the Board acquainted him, that they would consider the same the first opportunity, and give him notice thereof.

North Carolina.

At the same time Mr. Paris likewise acquainted the Board, that, pursuant to their directions, he had enquired whether the Act, passed in North Carolina in the year 1745, had been continued in use in that province from the time of passing thereof, and was informed, the same had been continued in use for that time; whereupon the Board took into consideration the memorial of the merchants against the said Act, entituled, "An Act concerning Attorneys from foreign Parts, and for giving Priority to Country Debts," mentioned in the minutes of the 3rd of February last, and ordered the Secretary to send a copy thereof to the Attorney and Solicitor General for their opinion concerning the validity of the said Act, and whether the same is repealable by the Crown.

Wednesday, March 25. Present:—Mr. Plumer, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Grenville, Mr. Fane.

New York.

The Secretary laid before the Board the following papers from New York, received with a duplicate of Governor Clinton's letter to the Board, dated December 9th, 1746, the original of which (not dated) is mentioned in the minutes of the 5th of February last, viz.:—
Minutes of the Council of New York, beginning the 29th of July, 1745, ending the 11th of February, 1745–6, and from the 5th of March, 1745–6, to the 13th of September, 1746.
Printed votes and proceedings of the General Assembly of New York, from the 3rd of June to the 15th July, 1746.
Eight Acts, passed at New York, in June and July, 1746.

Ordered that the said Acts be sent to Mr. Lamb, for his opinion thereon, in point of law.

The Secretary laid before the Board the following copies of Orders of Council, viz.:—
Antigua.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated 23rd of July, 1746, forbidding the Governor of the Leeward Islands to pass any Act whereby absentees shall be taxed more than residents in any of the said Islands.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated 23rd of July, 1746, approving a representation of this Board, proposing Andrew Leslie, Esquire, to supply a vacancy in the Council of Antigua, by the death of Thomas Watkins, Esquire.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated 17th November, 1746, approving a representation of this Board, proposing J. Thomlinson, Esquire, to supply a vacancy in the Council of Antigua upon the resignation of D. Mathew, Esquire.
Virginia.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated the 23rd of July, 1746, approving a representation of this Board proposing the repeal of an Act, passed in the Colony of Virginia, in June, 1742, to enable Frances Greenhill to sell and dispose of her Lands, etc.
New Jersey.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated 22nd of August, 1746, approving the draught of a commission prepared by this Board for Jonathan Belcher, Esquire, appointed Governor of New Jersey in America.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated 22nd August, 1746, approving a representation of this Board, proposing the confirmation of an Act, passed at New Jersey, in 1743, concerning acknowleding Deeds in that Province, and the Estate or Right of a Femme Convert.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated 12th of February, 1746–7, approving a representation with draught of instructions prepared by this Board for Jonathan Belcher, Esquire, appointed Governor of New Jersey.
Virginia.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated the 22nd of August, 1746, approving a representation of this Board, proposing the confirmation of a private Act of Virginia, passed in October, 1744, relating to some Land in the County of King William, whereof William Banks is seized in Fee Tail.
Barbados.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated the 23rd of July, 1746, approving a representation of this Board, proposing John Gibbons, Esquire, to supply a vacancy in the Council of Barbados, by the death of James Dottion, Esquire.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated the 25th of September, 1746, approving the draught of a commission prepared by this Board for Henry Grenville, Esquire, appointed Governor of Barbados.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated 4th of November, 1746, approving a representation with the draught of instructions prepared by this Board for Henry Grenville, Esquire, appointed Governor of Barbados.
Jamaica.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated the 17th of December, 1746, approving a representation of this Board, proposing the confirmation of a private Act, passed at Jamaica in 1745, relating to Mary Johnston Rose of the Parish of St. Catherine, a free Mulatto Woman, and her two sons, Thomas Wynter and William Fuller, begotten by white Parents.
Pennsylvania.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated the 17th of December, 1746, approving a representation of this Board, proposing the confirmation of four Acts, passed at Pennsylvania, in February, 1742.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated 17th of December, 1746, approving a representation of this Board, proposing the confirmation of an Act, passed at Pennsylvania, in February, 1742, for naturalizing foreign Protestants, etc.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated 17th December, 1746, approving a representation of this Board, proposing the repeal of an Act, passed at Pennsylvania, in 1742, imposing a Duty on persons convicted of heinous Crimes, etc.
Maryland.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated 15th January, 1746–7, approving a representation with the draught of instructions relating to the Acts of Trade, prepared by this Board for Samuel Ogle, Esquire, Governor of Maryland.

Thursday, March 26. Present:—Mr. Plumer, Mr. Leveson Gower, Mr. Fane.

Massachusets.

The Board took into consideration the draught of a representation upon the Order of Council, referring the petition of the legislature of the province of the Massachusets Bay, mentioned in the minutes of the 24th instant, and made some progress therein.

Tuesday, March 31. Present:—Lord Monson, Mr. Plumer, Mr. Leveson Gower, Lord Dupplin.

Massachusets.

The Board took again into consideration the draught of a representation, mentioned in the preceding minute, and made a further progress therein.