Journal, November 1750: Volume 58

Journal, November 1750

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

New York.

Read Mr. Lamb's report upon twenty Acts passed at New York between September, 1747, and July, 1748.

Agreed that the said Acts be taken into consideration together with the state of affairs in the province of New York ordered to be prepared.

Jamaica.

Read Mr. Lamb's report upon a private Act, passed at Jamaica in May, 1747, to naturalize Charles Scott of the parish of Kingston, a free Mulatto.

Jamaica.

Resolved that the said Act do lye by untill the parties concerned shall apply thereupon.

Read Mr. Lamb's report upon nine Acts passed at Jamaica between July, 1747, and August, 1748.

Their lordships taking the said Acts into consideration made some progress therein and agreed further to consider thereof at another opportunity.

Virginia.

Mr. Lee, President of the Council of Virginia, having, in a late letter to the Board, acquainted them that the seal of that province had been broken, their lordships ordered the draught of a representation to his Majesty to be prepared proposing a new one to be sent.

Friday, November 2. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane, Mr. Townshend.

South Carolina.

Their lordships resumed the consideration of Mr. Glen's letter, mentioned in the minutes of the 25th of October last.

Mr. Crokatt, agent for the province of South Carolina, attending, their lordships had some discourse with him upon the subject of the paper currency of that province.

Ordered that the draught of a representation to his Majesty, upon the Act, passed in the province of South Carolina in 1746 for emitting £200,000, proposing the repeal thereof [vide Journal of the year 1748, page 49] be laid before the Board as soon as conveniently may be.

Ordered that the draught of a letter to Mr. Glen, in answer to the two last from him, be prepared.

New Jersey.

Ordered that the consideration of Mr. Belcher's letter relating to the suspension of Mr. Coxe from the Council of New Jersey be postponed until next week.

Trade.

Plantations General.

Ordered that the consideration of the merchants' memorial relating to illicit trade between the Northern colonies and foreign settlements in the West Indies, be postponed till next week.

South Carolina.

Ordered that the Secretary do transmit an extract of such part of Mr. Glen's answers to the Board's queries, as relates to the want of more Custom House officers in that province, to the Secretary to the Lords of the Treasury, to be laid before that Board.

Ordered that an extract of so much of Mr. Glen's letter to the Board, as relates to the disorders in the Secretary's office of the province, be made, to be transmitted to his Grace the Duke of Bedford and that the draught of a letter to his Grace thereupon be prepared.

Monday, November 5. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane, Mr. Townshend.

Nova Scotia.

Read the following letters and papers from the Honourable Edward Cornwallis, Esquire, his Majesty's Governor of Nova Scotia, viz.:—
Letter from Colonel Cornwallis, Governor of Nova Scotia, dated at Halifax, the 16th September, 1750, containing his observation on the Board's complaint against Mr. Davidson, Secretary of that province.
Letter from Colonel Cornwallis, Governor of Nova Scotia, dated the 22nd of September, 1750, containing an account of the success of the detachment sent to take post at Chiconecto and relating to other affairs of Government, transmitting:—
Report of the Committee appointed to examine Mr. Davidson's accompts, etc., dated September 20th, 1750.
Chart of the Islands of Canso and Sable, describing part of the province of Nova Scotia.

An extract of so much of the last mentioned letter, as relates to the success of the detachments under Lieutenant-Colonel Lawrence, having been ordered to be made, the draught of a letter to the Duke of Bedford for inclosing the said extract, was prepared, agreed to, transcribed and signed.

South Carolina.

The draught of a letter to the Duke of Bedford, inclosing extracts of two letters from Mr. Glen, Governor of South Carolina, having been prepared pursuant to the preceding day's minutes, was laid before the Board, agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Virginia.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty, proposing that a new seal should be sent to the colony of Virginia, having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 1st instant, was laid before the Board, agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Trade.

Plantations General.

Read a letter from Mr. Bollan, dated at Boston the 24th October, 1749, inclosing (as required by the Board) his proposals for the better securing and regulating the plantation trade.

Ordered that the merchants' memorial relating to illicit trade betwixt the Northern colonies and the French and other foreign sugar settlements be taken into consideration on Tuesday the 13th instant, and that the Secretary do write to the merchants and other persons interested in and trading to his Majesty's colonies in America as also to the agents of the said colonies respectively, desiring their attendance at the Board on that day.

Tuesday, November 6. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane, Mr. Townshend.

Plantations General.

Read a letter from William Shirley and William Mildmay, Esquires, his Majesty's Commissaries at the Court of France, dated the 3–14 of November, 1750, in answer to the Board's last letter to them.

Read a memorial of George Watson setting forth his services in several parts of America, more particularly amongst the Indians in South Carolina, and desiring to be employed in such a manner as shall be thought most proper.

Barbados.

Read a memorial of John Brathwaite of Barbados, Esquire, praying that this Board would resume the consideration of an Act passed in Barbados in 1713 relating to the three Springs rivulet, upon which there had been some proceeding in 1713.

Ordered that the Secretary do transmit a copy of the said memorial to John Sharpe, Esquire, agent for the Island of Barbados and desire him to give notice thereof to the inhabitants of the parish of St. Philip and to all other parties concerned, which may have anything to offer in support of the Act.

Barbados.

Mr. Hamersley, agent for the memorialist, attending, was acquainted with the above direction given by the Board, and that as soon as a return should be made from the Island of Barbados, a day would be appointed for taking the said memorial into consideration of which he should have early notice.

Nova Scotia.

Read a letter from Mr. John Dick, merchant, at Rotterdam, to the Secretary, dated the 13th of November, N.S., 1750, inclosing two letters from his agents in Saxony relating to their expectation of getting a number of foreign protestants to go to Nova Scotia.

New Jersey.

Their lordships took into consideration a letter from Mr. Belcher, Governor of New Jersey, inclosing his reasons for the suspension of Mr. Coxe from his seat in the Council of that colony, mentioned in the minutes of the 2nd instant, and ordered the draught of a representation to his Majesty to be prepared proposing the confirmation of the said suspension.

Ordered that the draught of a letter to Mr. Belcher acquainting him therewith, be prepared.

Leeward Islands.

St. Christopher's.

Ordered that the Secretary do write to Mr. Mathew, Governor of the Leeward Islands, to desire he would inform the Board what sum was allowed to Mr. Fleming for his share of losses by depredations of the enemy in consequence of an Act passed in the Island of St. Christopher's in 1746, and whether the 400 pistoles which he acquainted the Board Mr. Fleming had drawn out of the Treasury payable to himself was not on that account.

Wednesday, November 7. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane, Mr. Townshend.

Nova Scotia.

Read a letter from Colonel Cornwallis, Governor of Nova Scotia, to the Board, dated the 22nd of September, 1750, containing advice of several bills drawn by him for the service of the settlement in Nova Scotia.

Ordered that the Secretary do deliver a copy of the above letter to Mr. Kilby, agent for the said settlement.

South Carolina.

Their lordships took into consideration an Act, passed in the province of South Carolina in 1721, for nominating a publick treasurer, etc., and Mr. Crokatt, agent for the said province, attending and being acquainted that their lordships had some objection to the said Act, moved their lordships to postpone the further consideration of it untill he should have wrote to his constituents to know if they have anything to offer in support thereof, which was agreed to by the Board and the consideration of the said Act was accordingly postponed.

The draught of a letter to Mr. Glen, Governor of South Carolina, having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 2nd instant, was laid before the Board, agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

Nova Scotia.

Read a letter from Mr. Otis Little, Commissary of the Stores in Nova Scotia, to the Board, dated at Halifax, the 27th of September, 1750, inclosing the four following papers, viz.:—
State of the provisions on the contract of Chauncy Townshend, Esquire, for 3,000 people.
Nova Scotia.
Account of provisions received and delivered from June, 1749, to 15th September, 1750, on the contract of Chauncy Townshend, Esquire.
Abstract of provisions charged to and issued from the stores in 1749, 1750.
Abstract of provisions issued from the stores in Halifax in 1749, 1750.

Thursday, November 8. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane, Mr. Townshend.

Bermuda.

Read the following letters and papers received from William Popple, Esquire, Governor of the Bermuda Islands, viz.:—
Letter from Mr. Popple, Governor of Bermuda, to the Board, dated the 26th March, 1750, transmitting several papers relating to the piloting of vessels.
Copy of depositions taken before Governor Popple and Justice Burt the 12th March, 1749–50, concerning the behaviour of Mr. Jonathan Burch to the pilot at the East End.
Some proceedings at a hearing before Governor Popple, on the 20th March, 1749–50, in relation to the pilot at the East End.
Queries from Governor Popple to the Attorney General of Bermuda, upon the Act passed there in 1674 for settling the Governor's and all his officers' fees.

Letter from Mr. Popple, Governor of Bermuda, to the Board, dated 9th April, 1750, complaining of Mr. Pigot, Collector of the Customs in those Islands, transmitting:—
Copy of two letters from the Collector of the Customs at Bermuda to Governor Popple, dated in March, 1749–50.
Copy of affidavits, relating to some complaints by Governor Popple against the Collector of the Customs at Bermuda.

Two letters from Mr. Popple, Governor of Bermuda, to the Board, dated the 28th May, 1750, transmitting the two following papers:—
Copy of the Address of the General Assembly of Bermuda to Governor Popple, May 12th, 1750.
Copy of the Governor's speech to the Assembly of Bermuda of the 11th May, 1750.

Letter from Mr. Popple, Governor of Bermuda, dated 30th June, 1750, with a postscript of the 3rd and 6th of July, transmitting:—
Copy of Governor Popple's intended answer to the Assembly's second address of the 23rd June, 1750.
Copy of a letter from Governor Popple to the President of the Council of Bermuda, dated the 25th June, 1750.
Copy of a letter from the President of the Council of Bermuda to Governor Popple, dated 26th June, 1750.
Copy of a letter from the President (intended as a return from the Council) in answer to a letter from Governor Popple, dated 26th June, 1750.
Bermuda.
A speech intended to have been made by Governor Popple to the gentlemen of the Council of Bermuda, 26th June, 1750.
Sketch of an address to his Majesty from the Governor and Council of Bermuda, on the state of the country.
Copy of a letter from the President of the Council of Bermuda to Governor Popple, dated the 28th June, 1750.
Copy of a letter from Governor Popple to the president of the Council of Bermuda, dated the 28th June, 1750.
Copy of the oath of a councillor of the Bermuda Islands.
Copy of a letter from Governor Popple to the President and Council of Bermuda, dated 3rd of July, 1750.
Minutes of Council, commencing the 2nd January, 1749–50, and ending the 23rd June, 1750.
Minutes of Council in Assembly, commencing the 7th May, 1750, and ending the 23rd June, 1750.
Letter from Mr. Popple, Governor of Bermuda, to the Board, dated the 7th July, 1750, relating to the Committee of Assembly's demand of certain records from him and transmitting the Secretary's deposition thereon.

Read the following letters and papers from Mr. Mathias, agent for Mr. Popple, viz.:—
Letter from Mr. Vincent Mathias to the Earl of Halifax, dated the 12th March, 1749–50, inclosing the following papers, viz.:—
Answer to the plan delivered by Messrs. Fielding and Selby to the Board relative to the state of the Bermuda Islands.
Copy of the articles of complaint exhibited against Mr. Popple, Governor of Bermuda, by the inhabitants of the said Islands.
Copy of a letter from Governor Popple, to Mr. Vincent Mathias, dated 21st November, 1749, containing some observations upon the complaints against him, by way of answer thereto.
List of those persons who signed an address to the king with complaints against Governor Popple.
Copies of several letters and other papers referred to in Mr. Popple's letter to Mr. Mathias containing his answer to the articles of complaint exhibited against him.
Extract of a letter from Mr. Popple, Governor of Bermuda, dated 21st July, 1750, to Mr. Mathias, inclosing:—
Copy of an address of the Council of Bermuda to his Majesty complaining of the conduct of Mr. Popple.
Mr. Popple's observations upon the address of the Council of Bermuda to his Majesty complaining of his conduct.

Bermuda.

Their lordships then took into consideration a letter from Mr. Aldworth, Secretary to his Grace the Duke of Bedford, to the Secretary of this Board, mentioned in the minutes of the 22nd of July, 1749, transmitting to him several letters from Mr. Popple to the Duke of Bedford, and signifying his Grace's directions that the Board should take the same into consideration and report their opinion thereupon; whereupon their lordships ordered extracts of such parts of the said letters as relate to illegal trade, his observations upon the seeming difference betwixt his 71st instruction and the laws of trade, and his difficulties concerning the execution of the Sail Duck Act to be sent to the Commissioners of his Majesty's Customs for their opinion thereupon.

Nova Scotia.

Mr. Davidson, Secretary to the province of Nova Scotia, lately arrived from thence, attending, laid before their lordships several accounts of money disbursed for the use of the settlement of the said province from August, 1748, to September, 1750.

The titles of the said accounts being read, their lordships required from him the vouchers thereof which he informed their lordships he had left with Colonel Cornwallis at his request not having been examined.

He then desired leave to take copies of the said accounts to be transmitted to the province, not having left copies there when he came away, which their lordships agreed to and recommended to him to take care that such copies be made as soon as possible.

Their lordships then informed him that several complaints having been laid before them touching his conduct in the execution of his office, they had ordered the particulars thereof to be delivered to him in writing to which they expected he should in like manner give in an answer.

Mr. Davidson then proceeded to give their lordships some account of the state of the said province and the progress of the settlement, and acquainted them that the two ships sent out from hence this year with settlers, as well as that sent by Mr. Dick from Holland, were arrived safe at Halifax, but that Mr. Dick's ship was something sickly; that the Governor had contracted with the Palatines to work out their freight at 1s. per day, which was the occasion of other labourers refusing to continue, and by their insurrections the Palatines were made uneasy and demanded higher wages, and that he believed Colonel Cornwallis would allow them an additional sixpence; that the Swiss petitioned to go to Piziquid where there were several deserted houses and a mill.

That the Alderney's people, consisting of about 300, were settled on the other side the harbour at the saw mill where there was a blockhouse; that they were supplied with provisions and had begun to clear the ground for a town; that they were allowed the use of the saw mill and some boards which had been prepared; that the people employed in the fishery were desirous of having a village there.

That the Swiss were employed at Gorham's Point out of the town of Halifax.

That the people of the Nancy and Alderney were in good health at their arrival owing to ventilators, there being none on board Mr. Dick's ship; that the principal person sent over by Mr. Dick died there.

Nova Scotia.

That the old settlers were struck off their provision on the 22nd of September, there being then about 3,200 upon the books, of which about 2,700 were old settlers, but that many of them being necessitous, he supposed would be put on again; that the people were not discontented upon this occasion.

That the price of labour would be the same as in New England, at about 2s. per day, though the people were at first very exorbitant in their demands.

That there was much sickness on board one of the Irish transports when she arrived; that there were five large ships in all much crowded with women and children, who upon the regiments marching to Chigenecto were left in great distress.

That the climate was wholesome, always clear in the winter.

That there were 750 houses built and many of them very good ones; that they make 200,000 bricks this year, but that there was no limestone found as yet which obliged them to fetch it from Boston at a great price.

That several fires had happened at Halifax, but no great damage done, and that they had two engines which were of great use.

That little or no ground was cleared as yet without the town, occasioned by the high price of labour; that no method had been or could be thought of to induce the people to clear the ground; and that not one person had asked for his allotment of land; but that he apprehends they will hereafter find the necessity of clearing.

That the fishery had succeeded well, there being about 30,000 quintals cured this year, which he computes will bring £10,000 clear profit to Great Britain.

That about 1,000 people had come from the colonies; the best of settlers.

That but very few of those, which came from England, had left the settlement, there being a penalty of £50, which in one or two instances, however, had been paid.

That the people in general were much addicted to drink; that to prevent it there was a penalty of £20 and corporal punishment upon any one selling liquors without lycence, and those who had licences were under high penalties to observe the regulations prescribed them; but that there was no punishment for persons taken in drunkenness.

That there were several good Justices of the Peace of which Mr. Collier was chief, who constituted a County Court.

That there was only one clergyman, one being dead, that he behaved well and lived with the Governor; that the church was finished, and had been preached in once, and that the people attended divine service very regularly; that the dissenters were allowed a pastor of their own persuasion.

That the surgeons behaved well, but that only two apothecaries were struck off their pay.

That he believed there had been £100,000 of private money laid out in the colony.

Nova Scotia.

That as to the state of defence of Halifax, he believed the entrance of Chibucto harbour could not be well secured by a battery upon Cornwallis Island; that ships might land men at Sandwich Point or in the river to the South of the town; that George's Island had nine 32-pounders mounted upon it for the defence of the town, and that the strength of the place was such that he believed 2,000 men would not give any alarm.

That if the French and Indians were reduced the province could be perfectly secured; that in the last action at Chigenecto only seven or eight Indians were supposed to be killed and only one found upon the field; that 100 houses were deserted at Chigenecto by the inhabitants, which might be reckoned to contain 1,000 inhabitants who were gone over to la Corne; that 1,000 more were gone over to the Island of St. John's, but it was apprehended that they would be necessitated to return.

That the French agent referred to in Colonel Cornwallis's letter had been tried and condemned but not executed, Colonel Cornwallis intending to transmit his case home.

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

Nova Scotia.

Mr. Davidson attending, their lordships had some further discourse with him concerning the state of the province of Nova Scotia and of the settlements making there.

Ordered that Mr. Kilby be wrote to, to attend the Board on Monday next and that Mr. Davidson do attend at the same time.

The Secretary then laid before their lordships a paper containing articles of complaint against Mr. Davidson for his conduct in the execution of his office as Secretary of the said province of Nova Scotia, prepared pursuant to their lordships' directions, which having been read and agreed to, was ordered to be transcribed and delivered to Mr. Davidson for his answer thereto.

Monday, November 12. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane.

Nova Scotia.

Mr. Davidson and Mr. Kilby attending, as desired, their lordships had some discourse with them upon the subject of the state of the money granted by Parliament last year for the service of the settlement of Nova Scotia now remaining in the Exchequer unissued, and of the bills drawn and not paid or which may be drawn before the expiration of this year by Colonel Cornwallis for that service.

Ordered that Mr. Kilby do prepare a state of this affair in writing with his opinion of what may be proper to be done thereupon and lay the same before the Board as soon as possible.

Read a letter from Monsieur de Burger, pastor to the foreign protestants, lately gone to settle in the province of Nova Scotia, dated at Halifax, the 21st September, 1750, relative to the settlement of the said foreign protestants.

Read a memorial from Monsieur du Pasquier, lately arrived from Nova Scotia, containing proposals for transporting and settling 300 Swiss protestants in that province.

Ordered that Monsieur du Pasquier be desired to attend the Board on Friday next.

New York.

Read a letter from Mr. Clinton, Governor of New York, to the Board, dated at Fort George, the 12th of September, 1750, relating to the designs of the French amongst the Indians and inclosing:—
Copy of a letter from Mr. Glen, Governor of South Carolina, to Mr. Clinton, Governor of New York, dated the 7th of July, 1750, relating to the war carried on betwixt the Five Nations of Indians and the Catawbas.
Extract of a letter from Colonel Johnson to Mr. Clinton, Governor of New York, dated the 18th August, 1750, relating to Indian affairs.
Governor Clinton's speech to the Council and general Assembly of New York, on the 4th September, 1750.
Address of the Council of New York to Governor Clinton, the 6th September, 1750, in answer to his speech.

St. Christopher's.

Read a letter from General Mathew, Governor of the Leeward Islands, to Mr. Pownall, the 8th instant, relating to the sum allowed to General Fleming as his share of the losses sustained by depredations of the enemy on the coast of St. Christopher's, and acquainting him for the information of the Board that no part of the sum drawn out of the Treasury by Mr. Fleming was on that account.

Ordered that a letter be wrote to General Mathew, desiring to know at what time it was that Mr. Fleming received the 400 pistoles, mentioned by him to have been drawn out of the Treasury payable to himself.

Plantations General.

Nova Scotia.

Read a letter from his Majesty's Commissaries at the Court of France, dated the 7–18 November, 1750, containing a further account of their proceedings with the Commissaries of the Crown of France and inclosing:—
Mémoire des Commissaires Francois au Sujet des limites d'Acadie.

Read a letter from Mr. Shirley, one of his Majesty's Commissaries at Paris, to Mr. Pownall, dated the 3–14 November, 1750, inclosing a duplicate of a letter to him from Cadwallader Colden, Esquire, relative to the boundaries of the province of New York.

Read a letter from Mr. Aldworth, Secretary to his Grace the Duke of Bedford, to the Secretary of this Board, dated the 12th of November, 1750, transmitting to him several letters and other papers from his Majesty's Commissaries at the Court relative to the conferences with the French Commissaries concerning the limits of Acadia for this Board to consider and report their opinion upon.
Memorial containing a state of the evidences produced by his Majesty's Commissaries.
Memorial proving his Majesty's right to Nova Scotia or Acadie with its' ancient limits.
A letter from the Commissaries to the Duke of Bedford, Paris, 7–18 November, 1750, inclosing:—
Mémoire des Commissaires François au Sujet des limites d'Acadie.
A letter from Mr. Shirley to the Duke of Bedford, Paris, 7–18 November, 1750.

Plantations General.

Nova Scotia.

Ordered that the draught of a letter to his Grace the Duke of Bedford, desiring a copy of Monsieur Durand's memorial relative to the limits of Acadie, referred to in Mr. Shirley's letter to the Duke of Bedford, dated the 7–18 November, be prepared.

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

Trade.

Plantations General.

Several merchants, sugar planters and others, interested in and trading to the sugar Islands attending with Mr. Sharpe, their sollicitor, in support of their memorial relating to the trade carried on betwixt the Northern colonies and the French and other foreign settlements; and the agents of the several Northern colonies respectively and other persons interested in and trading thereto attending, in opposition thereto; their lordships took the said memorial into consideration, and the same having been read,

Mr. Sharpe observed to their lordships that as this affair had been already decisively determined in Parliament by the Act passed in 1733, for the encouragement of the sugar Colonies, which Act from the spirit and expression of it was plainly intended for a prohibition, he should not enter into any arguments to prove the mischiefs of such a trade, but should shew that the Act had proved ineffectual and propose an absolute prohibition.

That he should shew in what manner and to what degree the Northern colonies, more especially Rhode Island, had carried on this trade; in time of war by flags of truce, sometimes with only one, two, or three prisoners, and sometimes purchasing prisoners for the purpose, and since the war in an open regular course; that it was a known fact that the Northern colonies consumed a great quantity of French and other foreign rum, sugar, molasses, etc., and as well known that they never paid any duties for it; that vessels have cleared from Rhode Island for Jamaica, have gone to some other British settlements, have sold their lumber for specie refusing rum and molasses, and have then gone to some foreign settlement and bought a cargo of rum and molasses with that specie and sometimes linnens, silks, East India goods and other prohibited merchandize.

Mr. Sharpe was then proceeding to lay before the Board some evidence in support of the facts alledged by him, when Mr. Paris, sollicitor in behalf of the province of Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Connecticut and New Jersey, moved their lordships for a copy of the memorial and that a reasonable time might be allowed to transmit the same to the colonies for their answer thereto, in which motion he was seconded by all the other agents of the several Northern colonies respectively.

Whereupon both parties were ordered to withdraw and the request of the said sollicitor and agents being taken into consideration, their lordships ordered.

That the Secretary should write to the Secretary to the Commissioners of the Customs desiring him to move that Board for the following accounts to be made out and laid before their lordships with all possible dispatch, viz.:—
Trade.
Plantations General.
An account of the amount of the duties paid in the Northern colonies upon the importation of rum, spirits, molasses, syrups, sugar and paneles of the growth and produce of any foreign settlements, from the year 1733 to the present time, in pursuance of an Act, passed in the sixth year of his present Majesty, for the better securing and encouraging the trade of his Majesty's Sugar Colonies in America, distinguishing each colony.
An account of the quantity and value of goods exported from Great Britain to the Northern colonies, distinguishing each colony respectively, betwixt the years 1720 and 1730, and betwixt the years 1739 and 1749.

That enquiry be made at the Council Office whether any or what time was allowed to the agents of the Northern colonies by that Board in the year 1730 to answer to a petition then brought against them by the sugar planters for carrying on an illicit trade to the French and foreign settlements.

The parties being then called in, their lordships acquainted them that as it was necessary that they should be informed of several particulars, before they could give a determinate answer to the request of the agents of the Northern colonies, they desired they would attend again on Thursday the 22nd instant and that the agents of the Northern colonies would in the meantime get the best information they could, what are the prices of rum, spirits, molasses, syrups, sugars and paneles in each colony respectively.

Ordered that a copy of the memorial of the sugar planters be delivered to each of the agents for the Northern colonies.

Nova Scotia.

The draught of a letter to his Grace the Duke of Bedford desiring a copy of Monsieur Durand's memorial, relating to Nova Scotia having been prepared pursuant to the preceding day's minutes, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Rhode Island.

Read the two following papers received from Mr. Tomlinson, a merchant trading to the Northern colonies, viz.:—
Letter from Mr. Edward Scott, dated at Newport on Rhode Island, the 14th of September, 1750, to Alexander Grant, Esquire, in London, relating to emissions of paper money in that colony.
Letter from Mr. Patrick Grant, dated at Newport on Rhode Island, the 15th September, 1750, to Alexander Grant, Esquire, in London, relating to the emissions of paper money in that colony.

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

South Carolina.

The draught of a letter to Mr. Glen, Governor of South Carolina, having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 7th instant was laid before the Board and signed.

Nova Scotia.

Read the following letters and papers from Colonel Cornwallis, Governor of Nova Scotia, viz.:—
Letter from Colonel Cornwallis, Governor of Nova Scotia, to the Board, dated 18th August, 1750, containing advice of bills drawn by him upon Mr. Kilby for the service of the settlement.
Letter from Colonel Cornwallis, Governor of Nova Scotia, to the Board, dated September 2nd, 1750, giving an account of the arrival of the Anne having on board the foreign protestants from Holland.
Letter from Colonel Cornwallis, Governor of Nova Scotia, to the Board, dated the 24th of September, 1750, containing advice of bills drawn by him upon Mr. Kilby for the service of the settlement.
State of cash expended, due and drawn for and of the grants of Parliament, 1749 and 1750.

Ordered that copies of the aforementioned letters from Colonel Cornwallis containing advice of the bills drawn by him be delivered to Mr. Kilby.

Read a letter from Messrs. Delancy and Watts to the Board, dated at New York, the 4th October, 1750, relating to money advanced by them for the service of the settlement of Nova Scotia and inclosing several papers relative thereto.

Read a letter from Mr. John Dick to the Secretary, dated at Amsterdam, the 20th of November, N.S., 1750, inclosing copy of one from Captain Spurrier of the Anne, dated at Halifax in Nova Scotia, the 21st of September, 1750, containing an account of his arrival and of the reception of the foreign protestants.

Ordered that extracts be made of such parts of the several letters received from Colonel Cornwallis since the last year as any ways relate to the disposal of publick money and the credit of the colony.

Bermuda.

Ordered that the draught of a letter to Mr. Popple, Governor of Bermuda, in answer to such as have lately been received from him, be prepared.

Barbados.

Read a letter from Mr. Grenville, Governor of Barbados, to the Board, dated 18th of August, 1750, containing an account of his transactions with the Commandant of Martinique relative to the execution of the French King's orders for the evacuation of the Islands of Santa Lucia, St. Vincent's, Dominica and Tobago, and transmitting:—
Copy of Governor Grenville's letter to Monsieur Hurault de Ligny, dated July 12th, 1750.
Copy of Monsieur Hurault de Ligny's letter to Governor Grenville, dated at Martinique, the 29th July, N.S., 1750.

Ordered that the draught of an answer to the said letter be prepared.

Friday, November 16. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Townshend.

South Carolina.

Read a petition of Alexander Gordon, Deputy Clerk of the Council of South Carolina, and assignee to John Hammerton, Esquire, Secretary of the said province; dated at Charles Town, 15th of June, 1750, inclosing several papers relating to his hard case in being removed from his office.

Letter from Alexander Gordon to Governor Glen, dated 14th November, 1749, relating to his being removed from that office.
First memorial of Mr. Gordon to the Governor, dated the 15th November, 1749.
Mr. Gordon's memorial to Governor Glen, dated December 13th, 1749.
Copy of a protest intended to have been given in to the Governor by Mr. Gordon.

Their lordships being informed by the Secretary that no minutes of Council relative to the suspension of Mr. Gordon, have been as yet transmitted to the office, their lordships ordered a postscript to be added to the letter to Mr. Glen, Governor of South Carolina, signed on the 15th instant, desiring he would transmit as soon as possible a state of this case together with the minutes of Council relative thereto.

Massachusetts.

Read a letter from Mr. Phips, Lieutenant-Governor and Commander in Chief of the Massachusetts Bay, to the Board, dated at Boston, the 12th of October, 1750, inclosing the following paper, viz.:—
Certificate relating to slitting mills, etc., in the province of the Massachusetts Bay, dated the 10th of October, 1750.

New York.

Read a letter from Mr. Clinton, Governor of New York, dated at Fort George, the 29th of August, 1750, inclosing the best accounts he can procure of the limits and boundaries of that province, and also the extent of the country belonging to the Five Nations of Indians.
Authentick copy of Letters Patent from King Charles the 2nd to James, Duke of York, dated 29th June, in the 26th year of his reign.
Authentick copy of a Deed from the Praying Indians of the Mohawk Castle to Godevridus Dulles, dated the 5th June, 1696.
Copy of Letters Patent from King William the 3rd to Godfrey Dellius, dated the 3rd September, 1696.
Authentick copy of a Deed from the Sinneka, Cayouga and Onondaga Sachems to his late Majesty King George, the 14th of September, 1726.
Authentick extract from the minutes of the Commissioners of Indian Affairs on the 7th and 13th of September, 1726.
Authentick papers to prove the boundaries of the Government of New York, dated in August, 1750.
The depositions of Henry Barclay and Hermanus Rutgers, sworn before the Mayor of New York the 1st of August, 1750.

Nova Scotia.

Their lordships took into consideration the memorial of Monsieur du Pasquier, mentioned in the minutes of the 12th instant, and the memorialist attending, their lordships had some conversation with him upon the subject matter of the said memorial and he was ordered to attend again at another opportunity.

Trade.

Plantations General.

The Solicitor acquainted the Board that in pursuance of their lordships' directions he had examined the books of the Council relative to their proceedings upon the memorial of the sugar planters in the year 1730, complaining of the trade carried on between the Northern colonies and the French and other foreign Sugar Islands, and that it appeared that on the same day that the said memorial was presented, there was also presented another petition from the several Northern colonies, and a day was accordingly appointed for hearing the merits on both sides, which after being postponed several times, came at length to be heard in February, 1730–1, when the counsel in behalf of the Northern colonies moved for time to send over the memorial to the said colonies for their answer thereto, which motion was complied with and three months granted for that purpose, but that before the expiration of that time, the sugar planters petitioned for leave to withdraw their memorial having then made application to Parliament.

Montserrat.

The Secretary having acquainted the Board that their representation to the Lords Justices proposing five new Councillors for the Island of Montserrat, signed the 23rd of October last, had not been laid before their Excellencies on account of the king's arrival from his German Dominions, the said representation was ordered to be cancelled and the draught of a representation to his Majesty to the same effect, having been prepared, was transcribed and signed.

Tuesday, November 20. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane, Mr. Townshend.

Plantations General.

The Secretary laid before the Board the two following papers, which he had received from Mr. Aldworth by order of the Duke of Bedford, in consequence of the Board's letter to his Grace, mentioned in the minutes of the 12th instant.
Memorial of Monsieur Durand, respecting the limits of Acadie.
Answer to the said memorial.

Read a letter from Mr. Aldworth by order of the Duke of Bedford, dated the 19th of November, 1750, inclosing two papers his Grace received from Governor Shirley at Paris, for the Board's report upon them and the other papers, transmitted in a former letter from Mr. Aldworth.
Letter from Mr. Shirley to his Grace the Duke of Bedford, dated Paris, November.…, 1750.
Paragraphs intended to have been inserted in the memorial containing a state of the evidence in proof of the limits of Acadie or Nova Scotia but omitted.

Their lordships then took the said papers into consideration, and after some time spent therein ordered the draught of a letter to the Duke of Bedford thereupon to be prepared and also the draught of such a memorial upon the subject of the Crown's right to Acadie or Nova Scotia, as may be proper to be presented by his Majesty's Commissaries to the Commissaries of his Most Christian Majesty.

Leeward Islands.

Read a letter from General Mathew, Governor of the Leeward Islands, dated the 14th of November, 1750, referring to the minutes of the Council of St. Christopher's in June, 1742, the proceedings upon Mr. Fleming's giving an order to the Treasurer for the payment of a sum of money to his own use.

The Secretary then laid before the Board the minutes of Council of St. Christopher's in June, 1742, referred to by General Mathew, by which it appeared that the sum issued out of the Treasury to Governor Fleming (asserted by Mr. Mathew's to be for his own use) was allowed as a satisfaction to an Engineer, who had been employed by Governor Fleming to view and report a state of the fortifications of that island.

Nova Scotia.

The Secretary laid before the Board the following paper received from Mr. Charles, viz.:—
Mr. Charles' account of disbursements and expenses as agent to the transports hired for carrying settlers to Nova Scotia in 1749 and as agent to the Board at Rotterdam in 1750.

Ordered that Mr. Kilby do make enquiry at the Navy Office whether any allowance was made there to Mr. Charles for the extraordinary services charged by him in the above account.

Read a letter from Colonel Cornwallis, Governor of Nova Scotia, to the Board, dated at Halifax, the 1st September, 1750, relating to the difficulties he is under in getting dollars for the service of the colony and the failure of the credit of his bills.

The Earl of Halifax communicated to the Board:—
An extract of a letter from Colonel Cornwallis, Governor of Nova Scotia, to his Lordship, dated at Halifax, the 31st August, 1750, containing several particulars relative to the state of the settlement.

Georgia.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council for Plantation Affairs, dated the 15th November, 1750, referring to this Board a memorial of the Trustees for establishing the colony of Georgia, praying the confirmation of an Act, prepared by them, for admitting into the said colony under proper restrictions negroes and black slaves.

Ordered that the Act therein mentioned be sent to Mr. Lamb for his opinion thereupon as soon as conveniently may be.

Trade.

Plantations General.

Ordered that the Secretary do write to Mr. Wood, Secretary to the Commissioners of his Majesty's Customs, to desire that in the account of the duties paid upon the importation of foreign rum, sugar, molasses, etc., into the Northern colonies since the year 1733, it may be distinguished what has been brought in as prize and what as merchandize; and likewise to desire he would move the said Commissioners of the Customs for an account of any information which may have been given them of any foreign linnens and silks of the manufacture of Europe, as well as East India goods, being illegally imported in the Northern colonies and from thence into Great Britain.

Thursday, November 22. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Fane, Mr. Townshend.

Plantations General.

Read a letter from Captain Tomlinson to Mr. Hill, dated the 15th November, 1750, with an account of the price of rum and molasses in New England lately in sterling money as the exchange then was.

Plantations General.

Mr. Stanley from the Commissioners of the Customs, attending, was called in and acquainted their lordships that the account of the duties paid upon the importation of foreign rum, sugar, molasses, etc., into the Northern colonies, required by their lordships, could not possibly be made out in less than ten days.

Read a letter from Mr. Wood, Secretary of the Customs, to Mr. Pownall, dated this day, acquainting him that directions had been given for a distinction to be made in the account of the duties paid upon foreign rum, etc., in the Northern colonies, of what was brought in as prize and what as merchandize, and relating to European linnens, silks, etc., being illegally imported into the said Northern colonies.

The merchants, sugar planters and others interested in, and trading to the Sugar Islands, and also the agents of the several Northern colonies attending, as desired, with their respective sollicitors, their lordships acquainted them that not having yet received information upon one point necessary for their determination upon the request of the agents of the Northern colonies made by them at their last meeting, it would be impossible for them to give that determination untill they had received such information, which they were assured of having in about ten days and therefore desired the parties would attend again on this day fortnight.

Nova Scotia.

Read a letter from Mr. Davidson, dated the 21st instant, transmitting the accounts of expenses incurred in his Majesty's province of Nova Scotia, from August, 1749, to September, 1750, and relating to some errors in the summing up the said accounts.

Ordered that the said accounts be delivered to Mr. Kilby and that he be directed to examine the same and make a report to the Board of such observations as shall occur to him thereupon.

Monday, November 26. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane.

Plantations General.

Read a letter from the Duke of Bedford, dated the 26th instant, inclosing an extract of one from Lord Albemarle, dated at Paris, November 22nd—December 2nd, 1750, and signifying his Majesty's repeated orders that the Board do make their report upon the papers relative to his Majesty's title to Nova Scotia before referred to them.

The draught of a letter to his Grace in answer thereto was prepared, agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Wednesday, November 28. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane, Mr. Townshend.

Plantations General.

Read a letter from the Duke of Bedford, dated the 27th of November, 1750, signifying his Majesty's orders that the Board do not take any notice of the Islands of Cançeau in the memorial they are preparing, with respect to his Majesty's right to Nova Scotia or Accadia.

Plantations General.

Their lordships took into consideration the draught of a memorial, containing a state of the proofs relative to his Majesty's right to the province of Accadia or Nova Scotia, prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 20th instant, and the same having been agreed to, was ordered to be transcribed, as was also the draught of a letter to the Duke of Bedford containing the Board's observations thereupon.

Thursday, November 29. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane, Mr. Townshend.

Plantations General.

The draught of a letter to his Grace the Duke of Bedford inclosing a memorial to be delivered to the Commissaries of his Most Christian Majesty containing a state of the proofs of his Majesty's right to the entire province of Accadia or Nova Scotia, having been transcribed pursuant to yesterday's minutes, was signed.

Nevis.

Mr. Paris, sollicitor in behalf of Wavell Smith, Esquire, Secretary of the Leeward Islands, attending, moved the Board for a representation to his Majesty proposing the repeal of the Act, passed at Nevis, for establishing a Register Office; whereupon Mr. Paris was desired to give notice to Mr. Sharpe, who had before appeared at the Board as agent for that Island in favour of the Act, that a day might be appointed for hearing what both of them might have to offer thereupon.

Massachusetts.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council for Plantation Affairs, dated the 15th November, 1750, referring to this Board twenty-seven Acts passed in the province of the Massachusetts Bay in 1749 and 1750.

Ordered that the said Acts be sent to Mr. Lamb for his opinion thereupon in point of law as soon as conveniently may be.

Nova Scotia.

Read a letter from Mr. Davidson, Secretary to the province of Nova Scotia, dated the 26th instant, containing his answer to the articles of charge against him in the Board's letter to Colonel Cornwallis, Governor of the said province.