Journal, May 1705: Journal Book I

Journal, May 1705

May 2. Present:—Mr. Cecill, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

New York.

Copy of an order of Council on representation about recruits.

The copy of an Order of Councill of the 1st of March upon a representation [fo. 291] of the same date relating to recruits for New Yorke, refering the same to the Lord High Treasurer, was read.

Leeward Islands.

Copy of an order approving Colonel Park's commission.

The copy of an Order of Councill of the 29th of March upon a representation of the same date [fo. 345], approving Colonel Park's commission for the government of the Leeward Islands, was read.

Virginia.

Copy of an order of Councill approving Colonel Nott's commission.

The copy of an Order of Councill of the 5th of Aprill upon a representation of the same date [fo. 351] approving Colonel Nott's commission for the government of Virginia, was read.

Plantations General.

Copy of an Order of Councill on representation with new seals, &c.

The copy of an Order of Councill of the 23rd of Aprill upon representation of the 20th ditto [fo. 364, 377], with new seals and warrants for using the same in the plantations, approving the said representation, was read.

Virginia.

Order of Councill approving Colonel Nott's instructions.

The copy of an Order of Councill of the 23rd of Aprill, upon a representation of the 20th ditto [fo. 365], approving the draught of Colonel Nott's instructions for the government of Virginia, was read.

Bermuda.

Order of Councill for a new lieutenant for the company of soldiers.

The copy of an Order of Councill of the 26th of Aprill upon a representation of the same date [fo. 369], relating to a new lieutenant for the company of soldiers at Bermuda, approving the same, was read.

New Jersey.

Maryland.

Plantations General.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Hedges about instructions for Lord Cornbury, instructions about ports for Colonel Seymour and warrants for using the seals.

The secretary acquainted the Board that her Majesty had not signed the additional instructions to the Lord Cornbury [fo. 370, 377], relating to his government of New Jersey, the additional instruction to Colonel Seymour relating to the settling of ports in Maryland, nor the warrants for using the new seals in the plantations; whereupon their lordships immediatly writ a letter to Mr. Secretary Hedges, desiring him to lay the said instructions and warrants before her Majesty that, if possible, they may be sent by Colonel Nott, who is now gone to imbark on board one of the convoys for Virginia.

Miscellanies.

Sir letters from Mr. Clifford.

Answer.

Six letters from Mr. Jeronomy Clifford [fo. 319, 379], dated the 17th and 26th of March, the 17th, 20th and 30th of Aprill, and 1st instant, were read, and a letter thereupon writ to Mr. Clifford in answer thereunto.

Pennsylvania.

Mr. Penn about surrender.

Mr. Penn attending, his papers mentioned in yesterday's minutes to have been received from Mr. Clement [fo. 370, 386], were again read and returned to Mr. Penn for a further explanation.

May 3rd. Present:—Lord Dartmouth, Mr. Cecill, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pollexfen. Mr. Prior.

Virginia.

Letter from the Attorney General vindicating the Governor.

A letter from Mr. Thompson, Attorney General of Virginia, in vindication of Colonel Nicholson, being now received, was read.

Bermuda.

Mr. Bennet.

Letter to Mr. Jones to forbear reflecting on the Governor.

Mr. John Bennet having acquainted the Board that he was informed by letters from his brother, the Lieutenant Governor of Bermuda, that Mr. Jones continued still to reflect and asperse his said brother, a letter was ordered to be writ by the Secretary to the said Jones, admonishing him to forbear reflecting on the Governor, and to live peacefully and respectfully with him.

Barbados.

Mr. Attorney General's report on Acts.

Mr. Attorney General's report upon the Acts past at Barbados in March, 170½, and Aprill, 1702, as also the Acts themselves were read, and notes taken for a representation thereupon.

Trade.

Virginia.

Reference from Mr. Secretary Harley about tobacco trade to Moscow.

A reference from Mr. Secretary Harley of the 24th of the last month, upon a petition of several merchants and manufacturers of tobacco, complaining of the proceedings of the contractors with the Czar of Muscovy, was read; and thereupon ordered that Mr. Vaux [v. infra], secretary to the said contractors, be summoned to attend the Board to-morrow morning.

May 4. Present:—Mr. Cecill, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Trade.

Virginia.

Mr. Vaux about importation of tobacco at Moscow by contractors.

Virginia merchants to be summon'd.

Mr. Vaux [v. supra], secretary to the contractors with the Czar of Muscovy, attending, the petition of the merchants and manufacturers of tobacco, mentioned in yesterday's minutes, was again read; and Mr. Vaux acquainted their lordships that about a year ago the contractors sent over so great a quantity of tobacco in leaf that they had above three thousand hogsheads remaining upon their hands (the Muscovites being now desirous of rowl'd tobacco) and could not dispose of the same unless it were spun and rowled up; whereupon they had sent only one man and his wife to manufacture that tobacco and none else, and that they were desirous that the said man and his wife might be sent for back. He added that Mr. Joseph Martin and Mr. Robert Atwood had made a new contract with the Czar, by a clause of which they were obliged to send over manufacturers of tobacco; but they were to be released from that clause upon oath made that they could not procure such manufacturers. Mr. Vaux was thereupon desired to attend the Board again on Tuesday morning next; and ordered that Sir Jeoffry Jeoffries, Mr. Perry and other of the petitioners have notice to attend the Board at the same time [fo. 378].

Connecticut.

Memorial from Sir H. Ashhurst upon Quakers' petition.

Sir Henry Ashhurst presented to their lordships a memorial, in answer to the petition of the Quakers [fo. 366, 398] against an Act of Connecticut mentioned in the minutes of the 17th of the last month [fo. 360], which was read.

Barbados.

Acts.

Mr. Attorney General's report upon the Acts past at Barbados in August, September, October and November, 1702, was read, and a progress made in considering the said Acts.

May 8. Present:—Lord Dartmouth, Mr. Cecill, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Barbados.

Complaints to be reconsidered.

Colonel Maycock, Colonel Tyrrell, Mr. Lillington and Mr. Bernard attending, they communicated to their lordships the copy of an Order of Councill of the 23rd of the last month [fo. 344, 380], refering back to this Board the consideration of the complaints against Sir Beville Granville, Governor of Barbados, and desired to know whether their lordships had received the original order and papers refer'd to therein, who were acquainted that the Board had not received the same. Whereupon Mr. Bernard went to Sir John Stanley, who, coming to the Board, acquainted their lordships that the reason of his not producing the said papers was that they were busy in minuting the same, which they intended to lay before the Board on Thursday morning next.

Copy of Sir Bevil Granvill's proclamation against spreaders of false news.

Then Mr. Lillington communicated to their lordships the copy of a proclamation by Sir Beville Granville against the spreaders of false and malicious reports, as also the copy of Sir Beville Granville's order to the Postmaster of Barbados, relating to the delivering out of letters upon their arrival there by the packet boat, which were read.

Plantations General.

Jamaica.

New seal.

Mrs. Furnese presented to the Board a new seal for the island of Jamaica; whereupon [fo. 383, 418] the secretary was ordered to give her a receipt for all the seals he has lately received from her [fo. 371 &c.; K. fo. 303] viz.:—For New Hampshire, the Massachusets Bay, New Yorke, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, Jamaica, Barbados, the Leeward Islands and Bermuda.

Maryland.

Additional instruction about ports.

New Jersey.

Additional instruction about members of Assembly.

Plantations General.

Warrants for new seals.

Sent to the Postmaster Generall.

The additional instructions to Colonel Seymour, Governor of Maryland, relating to ports, and to the Lord Cornbury [fo. 372; K. (fo.) 108] relating to his government of New Jersey, as also her Majesty's warrants to all the Governors in America, except Jamaica, for using of new seals, being now received from Mr. Secretary Hedges; ordered that the said instructions, with the warrants and seals for the governments on the continent be inclosed to Colonel Nott, Governor of Virginia [fo. 391], and that all be sent to the Postmaster General with the desire of the Board that they be sent to Plymouth by a safe conveyance to be delivered to the said Colonel Nott on board the Kingston man-of-war, when that ship shall arrive there.

Trade.

Virginia.

Merchants about manufacturing tobacco in Muscovy.

Sir Jeffry Jeffries, Mr. Perry, Mr. Paggen, Mr. Corbin and other Virginia merchants attending [fo. 375], and being acquainted with what Mr. Vaux, secretary to the contractors with the Czar of Muscovy, had said at the last meeting; they answered that though there was but one man and his wife sent over to manufacture the tobacco there, yet that was sufficient to teach that trade to the Czar's subjects; that the tobacco now there was so old and tough that it could not be spun and rowled without being mixt with Circatia tobacco, which was evidently a detriment to the Virginia and Maryland trade; and they affirmed that great quantities of tools for that manufacture had been sent over to Muscovy, and therefore they insisted that the said man and his wife ought to be sent for home, and the tools brought away with them. And in order thereunto they desired that the contractors themselves [fo. 381], viz.:—Mr. Edward Haistwell, Mr. Nathaniel Gould Mr. William Dawson and Mr. Samuel Heathcote be ordered to attend the Board on Thursday morning next, as also that the new contractors with the Czar, mentioned in the minutes of the 4th instant, have notice to attend at the same time, which was ordered accordingly.

New Jersey.

Memorial from Mr. Dockwra about Mr. Sonman's being of the Councill.

A memorial from Mr. Dockwra proposing Mr. Sonmans to be of the Councill of New Jersey [fo. 357, 393] was read; whereupon their lordships agreed to take that matter into consideration on Thursday morning next.

May 9. Present: — Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Trade.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Hedges.

Raworth.

May 9. Present:—Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

A letter to Mr. Secretary Hedges, in answer to his of the 21st of the last month [fo. 365, 383], desiring to know wherein Mr. Raworth had not complyed with the literal sense of her Majesty's licence for two merchant ships with a convoy to go to the Canaries, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

Miscellanies.

Order of Councill.

Clifford's petition.

Letter to the merchants about his accounts.

An Order of Councill of the 3rd instant upon the petition of Jeronomy Clifford, recommending the said Clifford [fo. 372] to the Lord High Treasurer for some allowance towards his subsistence whilst his difference with the Dutch relating to Surinam is depending, and directing the Board to press the persons to whom Mr. Clifford's accounts are refer'd to hasten their report thereupon [fo. 381], was read, and ordered that the secretary write to Mr. Shepherd and Gardner accordingly.

Newfoundland.

Letter from Mr. Secretary Hedges about command of the garrison.

A letter from Mr. Secretary Hedges of the 4th instant, inquiring the reasons for putting the command of the garrison and soldiers at Newfoundland into the hands of the Commadore of the convoy, and what inconvenience may arise if the same be not done, was read, and directions given for preparing an answer thereunto [fo. 384].

May 10. Present:—Lord Dartmouth, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Barbados.

Agents with Order of Councill refering to Sir Bevil Granville's answer to first complaints.

Sir John Stanley with the Barbados agents and Colonel Maycock, Mr. Bernard and other complainants attending, Sir John Stanley presented to their lordships an Order of Councill of the 23rd of the last month [fo. 376, 384], refering to the Board a book under the seal of the island of Barbados, containing an answer to the first complaints of the absenting members of Assembly and of the suspended counsellors, with several other papers therein refer'd to, and an index to the whole; whereupon Mr. Maycock and Mr. Bernard desired that they might have copies of the said index, that they might be apprised of what was contained, in the said book, and also copies of anything therein contained, as they may see occasion; but they were acquainted that the Board themselves would first inspect the book, and then order them copies of whatever they might require.

Miscellanies.

Mr. Shepherd's, &c.'s (sic) observations on Mr. Clifford's accounts.

Mr. Samuel Shepherd and Mr. John Gardner [fo. 379] presented to the Board their observations upon Mr. Jeronomy Clifford's accounts refer'd to them the 2nd of March, 170¾ whereupon ordered that the said accounts be sent to Mr. Clifford [fo. 386] for his perusal.

Trade.

Virginia.

Merchants about manufacturing tobacco in Muscovy.

Mr. Haistwell, Mr. William Dawson and Mr. Samuel Heathcote, [fo. 378, 385], contractors with the Czar of Muscovy, attending, the petition of the merchants and manufacturers of tobacco mentioned in the minutes of the 3rd instant, was again read; whereupon they acquainted their lordships that they had been so careful of the Virginia and Maryland trade, that in their contract with the Czar of Muscovy they had inserted a clause whereby the Czar was obliged to destroy the Circassia tobacco but that he had not observed the same, for, upon pretence that he stood in need of the Circassian, he durst not destroy their tobacco, but promised however that it should be used only in their own country; that in pursuance of their own contract they had sent over five thousand hogsheads the first year, and finding that after two years there was but 1,000 sold, and their factors informing them that it would be lost if not made up into rolls, and hearing of a man and his wife expert in that manufacture who (by reason of his debts) was running away to Narva, they agreed with him and sent him over to Moscow to spin and roll the remainder of their tobacco there, and none other, which is privately in their own houses; so that the Muscovites cannot learn their mystery; that there is no Circassis tobacco mixed with what they have there, and that they will do all that in them lies to bring back the said man and his wife and tools, so soon as they shall have done the work they were sent for. Whereupon they were desired to bring to the Board in writing [fo. 387] what they thought fit to propose in order to the bringing the said man home, which they promised to do accordingly so soon as Mr. Gould, who was equally concerned with them, shall come to town, which they expect will be in a few days. And they added that they would willingly comply with whatever method the Board should think fit.

New contract for importing tobacco into Muscovy.

Then Mr. Joseph Martin and Mr. George Morley attending, communicated to their lordships a new contract which their correspondents at Moscow had lately made with the Czar for importing tobacco, by a clause of which they were obliged to send over men to spin and roll tobacco, with a certain quantity of liquor for that purpose; but they were to be excused from that clause upon their signification by a notarial act that they could not procure such men &c., and therefore they said that as they were convinced that clause was prejudicial to the interest of England they should be glad that her Majesty would be pleased to interpose her authority in forbidding them to send men as aforesaid; and they thought that her Majesty's Order in Councill for that purpose would be sufficient to excuse them from that clause. However, he desired to be excused from putting anything of this matter in writing.

Memorial from Mr. Perry &c. about ill consequence of manufacturing tobacco in Muscovy.

Mr. Perry and other Virginia merchants attending, presented to their lordships a memorial containing what they had to offer for preventing the ill consequences that may arise from manufacturing tobacco in Muscovy.

Jamaica.

Representation with new seal.

A representation to her Majesty with a new seal and warrant for the island of Jamaica [fo. 377, 418; K. fo. 43], was signed.

Leeward Islands.

Representation with Colonel Park's instructions.

A representation with Colonel Park's instructions relating to his government of the Leeward Islands [fo. 344; K. fo. 43], as also relating to the Acts of trade, was signed.

Trade.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Hedges about Canary merchants.

A letter to Mr. Secretary Hedges in answer to his of the 21st of the last month [fo. 379], relating to Mr. Raworth and the Canary merchants, was signed.

May 16. Present:—Lord Dartmouth, Mr. Cecill, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pollexfen.

Newfoundland.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Hedges about the Commadore's commanding at land.

A letter in answer to Mr. Secretary Hedges's letter of the 4th instant [fo. 380, 401], relating to the putting of the command of the garrison at Newfoundland into the hands of the Commodore during his stay there, was agreed and signed.

May 22. Present:—Lord Dartmouth, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Barbados.

Book in defence of the Governor under consideration.

The agents to be summon'd.

Their lordships took into consideration the book delivered to the Board the 10th instant [fo. 380, 386] by the agents of Barbados as a vindication of Sir Beville Granville, and read the answer of the Councill and Assembly of that island to the first petitions of the four suspended counsellors and absenting members of the Assembly; as also the narrative of occurrences in Barbados for two years, contained in the said book; and thereupon ordered that the agents of Barbados have notice to attend the Board to-morrow morning.

Trade.

Virginia.

Merchants about man and woman rolling tobacco at Moscow.

Letter to the new contractors.

Mr. Perry with several Virginia merchants attending, and desiring to know what resolution the contractors with the Czar of Muscovy [fo. 381] had taken for bringing back the man and his wife and tools they had sent to Moscow for spinning and rolling tobacco there, they were acquainted that those gentlemen had promised to send their answer in writing, but had not yet done it. Whereupon Mr. Perry and the other merchants desired their lordships to press the said contractors to a speedy resolution, for they only sought delays till they could perfect another new contract with the Czar; and thereupon ordered that letters be writ to them accordingly [fo. 387, 388].

May 23. Present:—Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Miscellanies.

Three letters from Mr. Clifford.

Representation with Mr. Shepherd's and Gardner's report.

Three letters from Mr Jeronomy Clifford [fo. 381], dated the 12th and 20th instant, relating to his accounts, were read; whereupon a representation [fo. 387] was agreed to by their lordships for laying before her Majesty the report received from Mr. Shepherd and Mr. Gardner the 10th instant, upon the said Clifford's accounts, and ordered to be transcribed.

Pennsylvania.

Mr. Penn's patent on which he would surrender.

Mr. Penn attending, presented to the Board a draught of a patent [fo. 373, 388], upon the granting of which he is willing to surrender the government of Pennsylvania to her Majesty, which was read.

Barbados.

Mr. Bernard about copies of papers.

Mr. Bernard and Mr. Lillington attending [fo. 384, 399], and desiring copies of such papers as might relate to the four suspended counsellors of Barbados, they were acquainted that, so soon as the Board had gone through in reading the book and papers lately transmitted by Sir Beville Granville, and refer'd to them by an Order of Councill (as mentioned in the minutes of the 10th instant) their lordships would give them notice thereof, and then order them such copies as they should require.

Trade.

Virginia.

Letter from Mr. Gould with memorial about contract with the Czar.

Draught of representation.

A letter from Mr. Gould [fo. 382, 385, 408] of yesterday's date, inclosing a memorial signed by himself and three other gentlemen concerned in the contract made with the Czar of Muscovy for the importation of tobacco into his dominions; whereupon their lordships took into consideration the draught of a report [v. infra] in pursuance of a reference from Mr. Secretary Harley (as mentioned in the minutes of the 3rd instant), and made some progress therein.

May 24. Present:—Mr. Cecill, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Miscellanies.

Representation with Mr. Shepherd &c.'s report on Clifford's accounts.

A representation [fo. 386, 397; K. fo. 23] for laying before her Majesty the report of Mr. Shepherd and Mr. Gardner upon Mr. Clifford's accounts, was sign'd.

Trade.

Virginia.

Representation.

Tobacco trade to Muscovy.

Their lordships again took into consideration the draught of a representation [v. supra and 389] relating to the tobacco trade to Muscovy, and made a further progress therein.

Pennsylvania.

Mr. Penn about draught of his patent of surrender.

Mr. Penn attending, and desiring that the draught of a new patent [fo. 386, 392] which he presented to the Board yesterday might be dispatch'd, and the said draught returned to him for his making some alteration therein, a copy thereof was ordered to be taken, and the original to be returned accordingly; and their lordships at the same time acquainted him that they would take the said draught into consideration with all speed.

Trade.

Virginia.

New contractors about importation of tobacco to Moscow.

Mr. Martin and others attending according to appointment [fo. 385], their new contract with the Czar of Muscovy for the importation of tobacco to Russia &c., was read, and a copy taken of that article obliging them to send thither several persons, cutters and rollers, and other materials proper for the manufacturing of tobacco in the Czar's dominions. Mr. Martin said his son and two other factors now at Moscow had made this new contract with some of the Burgomasters there (in the name of the Czar) without the privity or consent of their principals here. Mr. Martin added that he did not believe the persons did design any prejudice to the Virginia and Maryland trade; but, at the same time, declared that, as he had not sent over any persons or instruments for cutting and rolling of tobacco to Russia since the making of this contract, so he would not send any; and that he did submit that the Board might represent this matter so as that an order might issue from her Majesty to forbid the contractors to proceed any further in this undertaking, otherwise they could not avoid complying with the articles of the said contract to that effect.

Letter to Mr. Vaux about persons' names sent to Muscovy.

Ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Vaux, secretary to the contractors with the Czar of Muscovy [fo. 390] to know the name of the man and his wife sent thither to spin and rowl the leaf tobacco now there.

May 25. Present:—Mr. Cecill, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Trade.

Virginia.

Draught of representation about tobacco trade to Moscow.

A further progress was made in the draught of a representation [fo. 387, 390] upon the petition of the Virginia merchants, relating to the manufacturing of tobacco in Muscovy.

May 26. Present:—Lord Dartmouth, Mr. Cecill, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Trade.

Virginia.

Representation on tobacco trade to Moscow.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Harley therewith.

The representation mentioned in yesterday's minutes relating to the tobacco trade to Russia [fo. 389], as also a letter to Mr. Secretary Harley inclosing the same, were signed.

Leeward Islands.

Copy of Counsellors' names in Colonel Matthew's instructions given to Colonel Park.

Colonel Park attending, and desiring a copy of the list of the counsellors' names inserted in the late Sir William Matthew's instructions, a copy thereof was ordered to be given him accordingly.

Trade.

Virginia.

Letter to Mr. Vaux about name of the man and woman sent to Moscow.

A letter from Mr. Vaux, secretary to the contractors with the Czar of Muscovy, in answer to one writ him the 24th instant [fo. 389], about the names of the man and his wife sent to Moscow, was read.

May 30. Present:—Lord Dartmouth, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Newfoundland.

Commission for trying pirates sent to Mr. Burchet.

Ordered that the commission for trying of pirates in Newfoundland be sent to Mr. Burchet, with the desire of the Board that it be transmitted to the Commodore of the convoy there, with directions that he leave the same with the commanding officer of the garrison at his departure from thence.

Virginia.

Letter from Colonel Nott about receipt of the seal for Virginia.

Maryland.

New Jersey.

A letter from Colonel Nott, dated in Plymouth Sound the 19th instant, acknowledging the receipt of the Virginia seal sent him with the secretary's letter of the 8th instant [fo. 377], as also a packet for Colonel Seymour, in which were inclosed the seals of Maryland, New Jersey, New Yorke, the Massachusets and New Hampshire, was read.

New York.

Massachusets.

New Hampshire.

Barbados.

Bermuda.

Letters to the Governors with seals and warrants.

Letters to Sir Beville Granville, Governor of Barbados, and Colonel Bennet, Lieutenant Governor of Bermuda, inclosing her Majesty's seals for those islands, and warrants authorizing the use thereof, were signed.

Trade.

Order of Councill with account of goods and bullion exported by East India Company.

An Order of Councill of the 17th instant, transmitting to this Board an account of goods, bullion &c., exported from the Port of London by the managers of the united trade of the English company trading to the East Indies, between Aprill, 1704, and Aprill, 1705, was read.

Antegoa.

Memorial from Colonel Yeamans about payment of his salary as Lieutenant Governor.

A memorial in the name of Colonel Yeamans, relating to his salary as Lieutenant Governor of Antegoa, was read, and thereupon ordered that those who apply in his behalf be acquainted that their first application must be to the Lord High Treasurer, and that, if it be refer'd to this Board, their lordships will report their opinion thereupon.

Pennsylvania.

Mr. Penn's patent.

Notes thereon.

The draught of a new patent presented to the Board by Mr. Penn the 23rd instant [fo. 388 and infra] was again read and considered, and several notes made thereupon.

May 31. Present:—Mr. Cecill, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Pennsylvania.

Notes on Mr. Penn's patent.

The notes upon Mr. Penn's new patent [v. supra and 398], mentioned in yesterday's minutes, were agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

New Jersey.

Mr. Sonmans to be of the Councill.

Ordered that in the next letter to the Lord Cornbury he be acquainted with Mr. Dockwra's desire that Mr. Sonmans be of the Councill of New Jersey [fo. 378], and that their lordships are inclinable to gratify him therein if his lordship hath no objection thereunto.

Virginia.

Letters from Colonel Nicholson.

A letter from Colonel Nicholson of the 30th of October last to the Board, together with the following papers therein refer'd to were read, viz.:—

Public papers.

1. Copy of a proclamation for prorogueing the Assembly to the 18th Aprill, 1705, dated the 23rd of October, 1704.

2. Copy of Mr. Robert Beverly's letter and narrative and proceeding thereon in Councill, September 28th, 1704.

3. Copy of the proceedings of the grand jury upon Mr. Beverly's letters &c.

4. Copy of the proceedings in Councill and General Court concerning Mr. Selden and Beverly &c., dated the 8th August, 16th, 19th and 21st October, 1704.

5. Copy of the proceedings relating to the tryal and condemnation &c. of some Nansiatico Indians for the murder of Mr. Rowley and his family.

Extract of Mr. Beverley's letters sent to the Council.

Ordered that an extract of Mr. Beverly's letters relating to his tryal before a committee of the Privy Councill be sent to the Clerk of the Councill in waiting to be laid before my Lord President.

Virginia.

Letters from Colonel Nicholson, &c.

The following letters from Colonel Nicholson, with the papers therein refer'd to, were laid before the Board and are as follows:—

Letter from Colonel Nicholson, Governor of Virginia, to the Board, dated the 1st March, 170⁴/5.

Copy of a commission to Colonel John Smith to be Quarter-Master General of all the counties between the rivers of New Yorke and Rappahanock.

Minutes of Councill from the 8th of August, 1704, to the 10th February, 170⁴/5.

Letter from Colonel Nicholson, Governor of Virginia, to the Board, dated the 2nd of March, 170⁴/5.

Copies of several proclamations issued in Virginia from the 28th June, 1704, to the 15th December following.

Copy of Mr. Auditor Bird's will &c.

Mr. Auditor Bird's accounts of the two shillings per hogshead from the 25th Aprill to the 25th October, 1704; as also the state of the revenue in his hands at the time of his decease.

Letter from Colonel Nicholson to the Board, dated the 3rd of March, 170⁴/5.

A remonstrance from the clergy of Virginia to the Board in favour of Colonel Nicholson &c.

Copies of several addresses from the clergy of Virginia, viz.:— To her Majesty upon the late victory &c., to the Bishop[s] of Canterbury and London, and the other to the Governor in his favour.

Copies of two reports from Sir Edward Northey, the one dated the 7th of Aprill, 1702, the other the 29th July, 1703, relating to the clergy of Virginia with a list of them &c.

Copy of a certificate of the rector and seven of the trustees and governors of the colledge of Virginia about Colonel Nicholson's presenting papers &c. in order to justify himself from the charge against him relating to the said colledge.

Copy of the proceedings of Councill about Colonel Light foot and Colonel Carter's asserting things found otherwise in the journals of Councill.

Copies of all letters &c. relating to Captain Teate, Commander of her Majesty's ship the Strombulo; as also copies of the commissions for the holding a Court of Admiralty on the condemnation of several prize goods.

Letter from Colonel Nicholson, Governor of Virginia, to the Board, dated the 6th of March, 170⁴/5.

Extract of one of the late Archbishop Tillotson's sermons &c.

A ballad dispersed in Virginia about Colonel Nicholson and Commissary Blair.