Journal, November 1749: Volume 57

Journal, November 1749

Wednesday November 1. Present:—Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane, Mr. Townshend.

Trade.

Africa.

Read a letter from Mr. Spence, Secretary to the Royal African Company, dated the 13th of October, 1749, transmitting:—
The representation and proposals of the Royal African Company of England, relating to the extending and improving that trade.

Read a letter from Mr. Alderman Bethel to Mr. Hill, dated ……, 1749, transmitting the scheme of the merchants of London for the extending and improving the trade to Africa.

Ordered that a letter be wrote to Mr. Alderman Bethel, returning the said scheme, and desiring that it may be signed, as usual in such cases.

Read a letter from Mr. Hardman of Liverpool, dated the 27th of October, 1749 (in answer to one from the Secretary of this Board, dated the 17th of July last), transmitting:—
The humble representation of the merchants of Liverpool, relating to the extending and enlarging the trade to Africa.

Nova Scotia.

Read a letter from Mr. Clevland, Secretary to the Admiralty, dated the 25th August, 1749, signifying that the evidence against Thomas Barrett, late on board the Merry Jack transport, bound for Nova Scotia, for the supposed murder of James Ryon, was not sufficient to try him upon, and that he was discharged.

Read a letter from Mr. Clevland, Secretary to the Admiralty, dated 11th September, 1749, to the Secretary of the Board, acquainting him that his letter, relating to the behaviour of the captains of the transports at Portsmouth, had been transmitted to the Commissioners of the Navy.

Read the following copies of Orders of Council, viz.:—
South Carolina.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated the 28th of June, 1749, upon the petition of William Livingston, Esquire, and his associates, praying for a grant of 200,000 acres of land in South Carolina, in order to settle one thousand Protestants thereon within the space of ten years.
Massachusets.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated the 28th of June, 1749, approving a representation of this Board to his Majesty, proposing the confirmation of an Act, passed in the Massachusets Bay in January last, for drawing in the Bills of Credit of the several Denominations, which have at any time been issued by this Government, etc.
New Jersey.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated the 28th of June, 1749, approving a representation of this Board to his Majesty against an Act, passed in the province of New Jersey in December, 1743, for ascertaining the fees to be taken by the several officers in that province.
Nevis.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated the 28th June, 1749, approving a representation of this Board to his Majesty, proposing Joseph Herbert, Esquire, to be one of the Council in the Island of Nevis.

Pennsylvania.

Read an Order of Council, dated the 5th of October, 1749, referring to the consideration of this Board, four Acts passed in the province of Pennsylvania, the 4th of February, 1748–9.

Ordered that the said Acts be sent to Mr. Lamb, for his opinion thereupon, with all possible dispatch.

New Jersey.

Read a letter from Mr. Paris to Mr. Pownall, dated the 11th of September, 1749, inclosing copy of a letter to him from two gentlemen of the Council of New Jersey, dated at New York, the 22nd July last, with an account that the 15th of July in the night, a number of people in disguise broke open the gaol of Essex at Newark, and rescued the two prisoners there.

Read Mr. Lamb's report upon an Act, passed in January, 1747–8, to oblige the several sheriffs in the province of New Jersey to give security and take the oaths or affirmation therein directed for the due discharge of their offices, and to prevent their too long continuance therein.

New York.

Read a letter from Mr. Clinton, Governor of New York, to the Board, dated the 28th July, 1749, relating to the obstinacy of the faction, and transmitting:—
Governor Clinton's order to the Treasurer of New York, the 27th June, 1749, sent him by the Deputy Secretary.
The Treasurer's answer to the Deputy Secretary, 24th July, 1749.

Ordered that the draught of a letter to his Grace the Duke of Bedford, inclosing a copy of the aforementioned letter from Mr. Clinton, be prepared.

Leeward Islands.

Read a letter from General Mathew, Governor of the Leeward Islands, to the Board, dated at Antigua, the 6th of July, 1749, transmitting the following papers, viz.:—
Minutes of Assembly of St. Christopher's, from the 8th of February, 1748–9, to the 17th of March following.
Three Acts, passed at Nevis in June and July, 1749.
An Act for appointing Henry Wilmot, Esquire, agent for the island of Montserrat. Passed 11th of May, 1749.
A private Act of St. Christopher's. Passed the 14th of June, 1749.

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

Barbados.

Their lordships took into consideration a letter from Mr. Grenville, Governor of Barbados, dated the……and ordered the draught of an answer thereto to be prepared.

Jamaica.

Their lordships took into consideration two letters lately received from Mr. Trelawney, Governor of Jamaica, mentioned in the minutes of the… instant, and ordered the draught of an answer thereto to be prepared.

Nova Scotia.

The draught of a letter to the Lords Commissioners of his Majesty's Treasury, inclosing the extract of one from Mr. Cornwallis, having been transcribed, pursuant to the minutes of yesterday, was laid before the Board and signed.

The draught of a letter to his Grace the Duke of Bedford, inclosing extracts of Mr. Glen's answer to the Board's general queries, having been transcribed, pursuant to the minutes of yesterday, was laid before the Board and signed.

Tuesday, November 7. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane, Sir Thomas Robinson.

Trade.

Plantations General.

Their lordships took into consideration a state of the demands of the Northern colonies on the intended expedition to Canada, and it appearing to their lordships that the account relating to the expences incurred in the colony of Virginia, referred from the Treasury, contained only the amount of the pay of one company raised in the said colony, without any muster rolls [or] vouchers for the same, and Sir William Gooch, Lieutenant Governor of the said colony, attending, acquainted the Board that he had transmitted the whole account of that, together with the muster rolls and other vouchers, certified by him, to his Majesty's Secretary of State; whereupon the Secretary was directed to write to Mr. Aldworth, Secretary to his Grace the Duke of Bedford, to desire that if any such account had been transmitted to his Grace's office, it might be laid before their lordships.

Read a memorial of Mr. Partridge, desiring to have copies of Governor Shirley's objections to the New Jersey and Rhode Island's accounts of the expence they were at in the late intended expedition to Canada.

Ordered that he have copies thereof delivered to him.

Read a letter from Mr. West, Secretary to the Lords of the Treasury, dated the 2nd November, 1749, signifying that there are not any demands on the part of the province of the Massachusets Bay upon the account of the intended expedition to Canada, other than those already referred to this Board.

Wednesday, November 8. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane, Sir Thomas Robinson, Mr. Townshend.

Trade.

Plantations General.

Their lordships made a further progress in the consideration of the state of the account relating to the intended expedition to Canada.

Jamaica.

The draught of a letter to Mr. Trelawney, in answer to two received from him, having been prepared, pursuant to the minutes of the 1st instant, was laid before the Board and ordered to be transcribed.

Barbados.

The draught of a letter to Mr. Grenville, Governor of Barbados, ordered to be prepared by the minutes of the 1st instant, was laid before the Board, agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

Trade.

Africa.

Read a letter from Mr. Clevland, Secretary to the Lords of the Admiralty, dated the 7th of November, 1749, inclosing:—
Account of the state and condition of the British forts and settlements on the coast of Africa, and belonging to the Royal African company of England, taken by Captain O'Brien Dudley, commander of the Chesterfield man-of-war, dated the 28th January, 1747–8.

Thursday, November 9. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane, Mr. Townshend.

Trade.

Plantations General.

Read a letter from the Commissioners of the Navy, dated the 7th of November, 1749, inclosing an account of Bills drawn on them by Governor Shirley, on account of the intended expedition to Canada.

South Carolina.

Read a letter from Mr. Glen, Governor of South Carolina, to the Board, dated the 12th of August, 1749, containing several particulars relative to the present state of that province.

Ordered that the draught of a letter to his Grace the Duke of Bedford be prepared, for inclosing to his Grace an extract of so much of the above letter, as relates to the Frenchmen taken prisoners by the Chickasaw Indians, and Mr. Glen's intentions of sending them to Great Britain.

Friday, November 10. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane, Sir Thomas Robinson, Mr. Townshend.

Jamaica.

Read the following letters and papers from Mr. Trelawney, Governor of Jamaica, viz.:—
Letter from Mr. Trelawney, Governor of Jamaica, to the Board, dated the 4th of September, 1749, containing his reasons for passing a law relating to making Port Antonio a free port of entry.
An account of negroes imported and exported at Jamaica, between the 1st of July, 1739, and the 1st July, 1749.
Letter from Mr. Trelawney, Governor of Jamaica, to the Board, dated the 4th of September, 1749, transmitting:—
Sixteen Naval Officer's lists of shipping entered and cleared at Kingston and Port Royal to June, 1749.

The draught of a letter to Mr. Trelawney, Governor of Jamaica, having been transcribed, pursuant to the minutes of the 8th instant, was laid before the Board and signed, and a postscript added thereto, acknowledging the receipt of the aforementioned letters and papers.

Massachusets.

Read a letter from Mr. Willard, Secretary of the Massachusets Bay, to the Secretary of this Board, dated at Boston, the 9th September, 1749, transmitting:—
Minutes of Council, from the 14th of September, 1748, to the 25th February following.
Minutes of General Assembly, from the 26th October, 1748, to the 22nd of April, 1749.
Twelve Acts, passed at Boston, between November, 1748, and April, 1749.

South Carolina.

The draught of a letter to the Duke of Bedford, inclosing an extract of one from Mr. Glen, Governor of South Carolina, ordered to be prepared by yesterday's minutes, was laid before the Board, agreed to, transcribed and signed.

North Carolina.

Read a letter from Mr. Johnston, Governor of North Carolina, dated at Edenton, the 15th of July, 1749, giving the Board an account of the present state of his Majesty's Council in that province.

Barbados.

The draught of a letter to Mr. Grenville, Governor of Barbados, having been transcribed, pursuant to the minutes of the 8th instant, was laid before the Board and signed.

Monday, November 13. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane.

Bermuda.

Read the following letters and papers from Mr. Popple, Governor of Bermuda, viz.:—
Letter from Mr. Popple, Governor of Bermuda, to the Board, dated the 8th of July, 1749, relating to the king's lands, the Governor's allowances for slaves, a pinnace, and firing.
A memorial concerning his Majesty's lands in Bermuda.
Letter from Mr. Popple, Governor of Bermuda, to the Board, dated July 8th, 1749, relating to flags of truce, Acts of Assembly and the whale fishery.
Letter from Mr. Popple, Governor of Bermuda, to the Board, dated July 8th, 1749, relating to his appointment of new Judges.
Letter from Mr. Popple, Governor of Bermuda, to the Board, dated July 8th, 1749, relating to a share of his salary claimed by the President, and transmitting:—
Case in relation to the salary and profit of government, with an opinion of counsel thereon.
Letter from Mr. Popple, Governor of Bermuda, to the Board, dated the 8th of July, 1749, relating to the arrears of salary.
Letter from Mr. Popple, Governor of Bermuda, to the Board (without date), relating to his being paid out of the Liquor Act.
Letter from Mr. Popple, Governor of Bermuda, to the Board, dated July 8th, 1749, acquainting them with the proceedings of the Assembly and transmitting:—
Copies of letters between Governor Popple and the Speaker of the Assembly, dated in June and July, 1749.

Letter from Mr. Popple, Governor of Bermuda, to the Board, dated July 8th, 1749, containing articles of a charge against several of the inhabitants of that island.
Case of the whale fishery, with queries upon that subject.
Extract from the minutes of Assembly of Bermuda in May, 1732, relating to the whale fishery.
Extracts from the minutes of Assembly of Bermuda, the 31st of December, 1693, and of 30th November, 1698, relating to a present of £300 to be given to John Goddard, Esquire, etc.
Extract from the minutes of Council in Assembly of Bermuda in June, 1749, and also from the minutes of Council there in May and June, 1749.
Copies of letters that passed between Governor Popple and the Speaker of the Assembly of Bermuda in June and July, 1749.
Letter from Mr. Popple, Governor of Bermuda, to the Secretary, dated the 9th of July, 1749, transmitting:—
Answer of Governor Popple and the Council of Bermuda to the Board's general queries, sent him some time ago by Mr. Hill.

Nova Scotia.

Read a memorial of David Carnagie, late surgeon to the passengers on board the ship London bound for Nova Scotia, relating to the service done by him in attending the settlers on board the said transports.

Tuesday, November 14. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Sir Thomas Robinson.

South Carolina.

Read a memorial of Mr. James Crokatt, merchant, agent for the province of South Carolina, dated November 14th, 1749, relating to his intention of applying to Parliament for liberty of carrying salt directly from Europe to South Carolina.

Bermuda.

Read the following letters and papers from Mr. Popple, Governor of Bermuda, viz.:—
Letter from Mr. Popple, Governor of Bermuda, dated the 24th July, 1749, transmitting:—
Letter from the chief and assistant judge of the Court of King's Bench, etc., in the Bermuda Islands, to Governor Popple, with several papers relating to a case stated by them upon an Act for the better regulating jurors to serve in the several Courts to be held for those islands. Passed in March, 1738–9.
The case with papers annexed, referred to in the foregoing letter, from the chief and assistant judge in the Bermuda Islands, to Governor Popple.
Letter from Mr. Popple, Governor of Bermuda, to the Board, dated the 4th of August, 1749, inclosing a copy of a clearing from Georgia, lately brought into those Islands, signifying the difficulties he lyes under in such cases, and desiring information from this Board and the Commissioners of the Customs in many things lately transmitted home.

Ordered that a state of all the correspondence between this Board and Governor Popple be prepared, in order to be transmitted to his Grace the Duke of Bedford, pursuant to his Grace's letter, mentioned in the minutes of the 22nd of July last.

Wednesday, November 15. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane, Mr. Townshend.

Trade.

Plantations General.

The Secretary laid before [the] Board an account of the arming, cloathing and other contingent expences of a company raised in the colony of Virginia, for the service of the intended expedition to Canada, together with an account of the full pay of the said company to the time of its discharge, and the several muster rolls belonging thereto, received from the office of his Grace the Duke of Bedford, in pursuance of a letter to Mr. Aldworth, mentioned in the minutes of the 7th instant.

Ordered that a state of the said account be added to the general state of the account of the expences incurred on like service.

The Secretary likewise laid before the Board an additional account of several contingent expences arisen in the province of Massachusets Bay, on the said expedition, received from Mr. Shirley.

Ordered that a state of the said additional account be added to the state of those already prepared.

Massachusets.

The Board took into consideration an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council of the 1st of January, 1746–7, referring thirty-seven Acts, passed in the province of the Massachusets Bay in 1745 and 1746, mentioned in the minutes of the 10th of April, 1747; and after some time spent therein, ordered the draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee of Council to be prepared.

New Jersey.

Rhode Island.

Read two memorials of Mr. Richard Partridge, agent for the province of New Jersey and colony of Rhode Island, to the Board, containing his reply to Mr. Shirley's objections to the account of the charge of the said province and colony on the intended expedition to Canada; agreed to consider the same when the state of the accounts shall be again taken into consideration.

South Carolina.

Mr. Crokatt attending, upon the subject of his memorial, mentioned in yesterday's minutes, was acquainted by the Board that they had no objection to his applying to Parliament for the purposes mentioned in his memorial.

Friday, November 17. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Townshend.

Massachusets.

The draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee of Council upon thirty-seven Acts, passed in the province of the Massachusets Bay in 1745 and 1746, having been prepared, pursuant to the minutes of yesterday, was laid before the Board, agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

Tuesday, November 21. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Herbert, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane, Sir Thomas Robinson, Mr. Townshend.

Trade.

Plantations General.

The Right Honourable William Pitt, Paymaster General of his Majesty's Forces, and the Right Honourable Henry Fox, his Majesty's Secretary at War, attending, the state of the account of the expences incurred on account of the intended expedition to Canada and for other services was taken into consideration, and after some progress made therein, their lordships agreed further to consider the same, Monday next, the 27th instant.

Trade.

Plantations General.

Read a letter from Mr. Scrope, Secretary to the Lords of the Treasury, dated 15th November, 1749, transmitting the enclosed memorial from Mr. Tomlinson, agent to six companies sent from New England to Nova Scotia in 1747, praying payment of their arrears; also the memorial of Governor Shirley, relating to some extraordinary expences for his Majesty's service in the province of the Massachusets Bay.

Mr. Shirley attending, laid before the Board an account of the expences incurred on account of the said auxiliary companies, and other extraordinary services in North America since the year 1745.

Ordered that a state of this account be prepared, and added to the general state against the next meeting.

Wednesday, November 22. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane, Mr. Townshend.

Nova Scotia.

Their lordships took into consideration the memorial of Mr. Carnagie, mentioned in the minutes of the 13th instant, and after some time spent therein, the Solicitor and Clerk of the Reports was directed to pay him five guineas for his services in taking care of the settlers during their passage to Nova Scotia, and place the same to the account of the incidental expences arising in the office on account of the said expedition.

New Hampshire.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty upon two Acts, passed in the province of New Hampshire in 1743 and 1745, ordered to be prepared by the minutes of the……instant, was laid before the Board, agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

South Carolina.

The Secretary laid before the Board an Ordinance for appointing James Crokatt, Esquire, agent to solicit the affairs of this province in Great Britain.

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

Monday, November 27. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane.

Trade.

Plantations General.

The Right Honourable William Pitt, Paymaster General of his Majesty's Forces, and the Right Honourable Henry Fox, his Majesty's Secretary at War, being present, their lordships took into further consideration a state of the accounts of the Northern colonies on the intended expedition to Canada and for other extraordinary services, and made some progress therein.

Ordered that the Secretary do write to the Treasurer of his Majesty's Navy to desire that Mr. Shirley, Governor of the Massachusets Bay, may have leave to inspect the Bills drawn by him on that office on account of the intended expedition to Canada, or for other services, and that an exact list of such Bills, distinguishing what have been paid and what may remain unpaid, and for what services, and at what rates drawn, may be made out and transmitted to their lordships.

Ordered that the Secretary do write to Mr. Tomlinson, agent for the six auxiliary companies, raised for the protection of Nova Scotia, to desire his attendance at the Board on Friday next.

Trade.

Plantations General.

Ordered that the Secretary do write to the Secretary to the Lords of the Treasury for a copy of a report made to them by the Paymaster General of his Majesty's Forces and his Majesty's Secretary at War, upon the account of Mr. Bladen, Governor of Maryland, relative to the intended expedition to Canada.

Ordered that the Secretary do write to Mr. Thomas, late Governor of Pennsylvania, to desire he will lay before the Board an account of the money disbursed by him on the intended expedition to Canada.

Read a letter from the Duke of Bedford, dated the 22nd instant, transmitting the memorials of Colonel Moore, Samuel de Lucena, and of Captain Benjamin Goldthwaite, for the Board's consideration, amongst other accompts, of expences incurred on the late intended expedition against Canada, and those of North America.

Massachusets.

The draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee of Council upon thirty-seven Acts, passed in the province of the Massachusets Bay in 1745 and 1747, having been transcribed, pursuant to the minutes of the 17th instant, was laid before the Board and signed.

Tuesday, November 28. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Sir Thomas Robinson, Mr. Townshend.

South Carolina.

The draught of a letter to Mr. Glen, Governor of South Carolina, ordered to be prepared by the minutes of the……instant, was laid before the Board, agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

Thursday, November 30. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Herbert, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin.

Bermuda.

The Secretary laid before the Board a letter to him from Mr. Vincent Mathias, agent for Mr. Popple, Governor of the Bermuda Islands, desiring he would move the Board to lay before his Majesty's Attorney and Solicitor General, for their opinion, a letter from the chief and assistant of the Court of King's Bench in the said Island to Mr. Popple, together with a case stated by them upon an Act, passed there in 1738–9, for the better regulating of Jurors, received with Mr. Popple's letter to the Board of the 24th July, 1749; and also the case stated by Mr. Popple in his letter to the Board of the 8th of July, 1749, upon the Assembly's refusal to allow him the arrears of salary granted to former Governors in lieu of the whale fishery, prior to the date of his Majesty's instruction impowering him to grant licences as heretofore, and further desiring that the Board would make a representation to the Duke of Bedford upon Mr. Popple's letters, referred by him to their consideration.

Mr. Mathias attending, was called in, and acquainted by their lordships that they would lay the above-mentioned two cases before his Majesty's Attorney and Solicitor General, and that directions were given for preparing a representation upon Mr. Popple's letters.

Ordered that the Secretary do transmit the above-mentioned two cases, relating to the Act for the better regulating of Jurors and to the whale fishery, and all such papers as have any relation thereto, to his Majesty's Attorney and Solicitor General, for their opinion thereupon.

Trade.

Africa.

Read a letter from Mr. Corbett, Secretary to the Lords of the Admiralty, dated 25th instant, inclosing Captain Jasper's observations on the state of the British forts and settlements on the coast of Africa, for the information of this Board.

New Hampshire.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty upon two Acts, passed in New Hampshire in 1743 and 1745, having been transscribed, pursuant to the minutes of the 22nd instant, was laid before the Board and signed.

The draught of a letter to Mr. Wentworth, Governor of New Hampshire, ordered to be prepared by the minutes of the…… instant, was laid before the Board, agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.