Journal, June 1704: Journal Book I

Journal, June 1704

June 1. Present:—Mr. Cecill, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Bermuda.

Letter from Captain Bennet.

A letter from Captain Bennet, Lieutenant Governor of Bermuda, to the Board, dated the 19th of October last, was read, and directions given for preparing an answer thereunto. The papers therein refer'd to were as follows, viz.:—

Papers relating to piracy referred to therein.

Proceedings against several persons on account of piracy, with affidavits relating thereunto, and their remonstrance to Captain Bennet thereupon.

Copy of proceedings against Daniel Smith for piracy, and his examination taken before Sir Charles Hedges in September, 1700.

Copy of the proceedings in Colonel Day's time against Samuel Gilbert for seizing a Spanish periago &c.

Wine and brandy sent to Captain Bennet by Nodin.

A certificates from Mr. Nodin relating to the wine and brandy sent by him from hence to Captain Bennet, was read.

Depositions relating to anchoring in St. George's harbour, and Captain Bennet's care of a wreck.

A deposition of William Bilton and Samuel Gilbert relating to vessells anchoring in St. George's harbour before they go up into the country, sworn December the 1st, 1703, and a deposition of the said Bilton relating to the kind usage he received from Captain Bennet, when his vessell laden with logwood was cast away at Bermuda, sworn December 1st, 1703, were read.

Leeward Islands.

Representation to be prepared on petition of Mr. Van Bell.

Mr. Delafaye attending [fo. 54], Mr. Attorney General's report upon the petition of Mr. Peter Van Bell, was read, and directions given for preparing a representation [fo. 61] to her Majesty thereupon.

Jamaica.

Memorial from the Provost Marshall.

Mr. Edward Hyde, Provost Marshall of Jamaica, presented to their lordships a memorial praying their assistance in recovering his dues from those who have acted as his deputies there, was read. Whereupon he was desired to bring a full state of his case, in order to their lordships writing to the Governour of Jamaica thereupon.

June 2. Present:—Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Prior.

Bermuda.

Letter to Mr. Sollicitor General about laws.

Ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Sollicitor General to desire his report [fo. 84] upon the Acts of Bermuda remaining in his hands. [H. fo. 166.]

June 7. Present:—Lord Bishop of London, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Massachusets.

Bishop of London about act for support of ministers.

The Lord Bishop of London communicated to the Board a copy of the proceedings of the Governour and Councill of the Massachusets Bay, upon a petition to them relating to the execution of An Act for the settlement and support of ministers &c., which was read, and ordered to be taken into consideration with the said Act the first opportunity.

Newfoundland.

Letter to Mr. Burchet about the minister.

His lordship further communicated to the Board an abstract of letters from Mr. Jackson, minister at Newfoundland, which was read; and thereupon ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Burchet [fo. 63] to desire that instructions be given to the Commodore that he give countenance to the said minister, and that he endeavour to perswade the captain and soldiers and the inhabitants there to be kind to him and to live in friendship and amity with him.

Virginia.

Mr. Blair and Beverley's affidavits of the Governor's maladministration.

Representation to be prepared thereupon.

The Virginia gentlemen attending, [fo. 49, 62, 63], Mr. Blair and Mr. Beverly presented to their lordships their affidavits containing particular instances of mal-administration of Colonel Nicholson; whereupon their lordships gave directions for preparing a representation offering [fo. 59] to her Majesty that the complaints against Colonel Nicholson be sent to Mr. Bird, Mr. Jennings, Mr. Custis, Mr. Basset, Mr. Duke and Mr. Diggs, and that they be impowered to examin thereinto, and to receive the Governour's defence by affidavits or otherwise as he shall think fit, and such affidavits as shall be offered against him, as also that, if the (sic) find it necessary for his justification, he have leave to come home, and that Colonel Seymour have a commission as Commander in Cheif of Virginia, either upon Colonel Nicholson's death or during his absence.

And a letter to be writ to the governor not to disturb Mr. Wallace &c., one of the complainants.

Mr. Wallace, one of the said complainants, acquainting their lordships that being obliged to return to his parish in Virginia, he was under great dread of the Governour's resentment; whereupon ordered that a letter be writ to Colonel Nicholson [fo. 67] directing him not to molest or disturb the said Wallace, but to permit him to execute his ministry in a peaceable manner.

June 8. Present:—Lord Dartmouth, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Virginia.

Draught of representation upon complaints.

The draught of a representation [fo. 58, 66] upon the Order of Councill of the 30th of March last, relating to complaints against Colonel Nicholson, Governour of Virginia, was agreed.

June 9. Present:—Mr. Cecill, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Plantations General.

New England.

Letter from Mr. Secretary Hedges about a premium on importation of naval stores.

Trade.

Letter to Mr. Sansom for account of the duties on pitch, tar and rozin.

Premium.

A letter from Mr. Secretary Hedges of the 2nd instant, upon a report of the Boards, to a committee of the Councill [fo. 43, 75] of the 18th of the last month, relating to naval stores, requiring their lordships to consider of a premium to be allowed upon the importation of pitch and tar from the plantations, was read; and thereupon ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Sansom [fo. 70] to be informed of the duties upon pitch, tar and rozin imported in the different sorts of shipping from Sweden, Denmark and the Baltick. And further ordered that Mr. Bridger and Mr. Partridge [fo. 65] be desired to attend the Board on Monday next in the afternoon. And their lordships agreed to offer, in answer to Mr. Secretary Hedges's letter, that a premium of 3l. per ton be allowed upon the importation of pitch and tar from Carolina and Virginia, and 2l. per ton upon the said commodities from any other of the plantations for three years; and further that the Parliament be moved to take off the duties of pitch, tar and rozin imported as aforesaid.

Virginia.

Complaints.

Ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Perry to desire him to bring on Monday next to the Board any letters he may have received from Colonel Nicholson relating to his defence.

Leeward Islands.

Representation about Van Bell agreed.

A representation [fo. 56, 65] upon the Order of Councill of the 9th of March last, on the petition of Peter Van Belle [fo. 38] relating to some negroes of his seized at St. Christophers, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

New foundland.

Letter from Mr. Thurston about mony for the soldiers.

A letter from Mr. Thurston [fo. 63] acquainting their lordships with the difficulties he had in procuring the money for the soldiers in Newfoundland, was read; and thereupon a clerk was sent to the Pay Office to speak with the cashier there, who returning brought answer that the money would be paid either to-morrow or on Monday next.

Plantations General.

Letter from Mr. Secretary Hedges about plantation letters carried to France.

A letter from Mr. Secretary Hedges of the 3rd instant, about the method of transmitting letters from the plantations, so as that the French, in case they should take any of the plantation ships, may not have intelligence of the state of the plantations, was read, and thereupon ordered that Sir Gilbert Heathcote and Sir Bartholomew Gracedieu [fo. 64] be desired to attend the Board on Tuesday next in the morning.

June 12. Present:—Lord Bishop of London, Lord Dartmouth, Mr. Cecill, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Virginia.

Mr. Perry about part of a letter from Colonel Nicholson to himself, to distribute mony to several.

A paper entituled, part of Governour Nicholson's letter to Mr. Micajah Perry [fo. 58], July 30th, 1703, being sent into the Board from Mr. Robert Beverly, containing orders to the said Perry for distributing money to several persons on the behalf of Colonel Nicholson, was read, and Mr. Perry attending, he was asked whether he had received any such letter, but he declined giving any direct answer, but said he might perhaps have orders that in case Mr. Thrale or Mr. Povey should negotiate any affaires for Colonel Nicholson to pay them the charge thereof.

Virginia.

Premium for importing naval stores.

Mr. Perry and Mr. Beverley were asked what premium to be allowed by her Majesty upon the importation of naval stores here they thought might be fitting incouragement for the bringing the said stores from the plantations. They said they would consider of it, and bring their answer in a few days.

Newfoundland.

Letter from Mr. Burchet about the minister.

A letter from Mr. Burchet, in answer to one writ him the 9th instant [fo. 58] relating to an instruction to be given the Newfoundland Commodore in favour of Mr. Jackson, the minister there, was read.

Letter from Mr. Thurston about his having the soldiers' mony.

Letter to the Secretary at War.

Letter to Mr. Burchet.

A letter from Mr. Thurston [fo. 61, 97] signifying that he had now received the money for the soldiers at Newfoundland, and praying that a letter be writ to the Secretary at War for two horse granadiers to conduct the said money to Deal, in order to be put on board the convoy there, and that a letter be writ to Mr. Burchet to desire that the sailing orders for the said convoy be not sent down till Thursday next, was read, and the said letters ordered to be writ accordingly.

Virginia.

Complaints.

Colonel Ludwell, Mr. Blair and the other Virginia gentlemen attending [fo. 58] explained themselves further upon the several articles of complaints exhibited by them against Colonell Nicholson.

June 13. Present:—Lord Dartmouth, Mr. Cecill, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Plantations General.

Plantations letters carried to France.

Sir Gilbert Heathcote and Sir Bartholomew Gracedieu attending [fo. 62] according to the minutes of the 9th instant, Mr. Secretary Hedges's letter relating to intelligences had in France from letters taken upon her Majesty's subjects who are made prisoners coming from the plantations, was read, whereupon they said they would write to their friends at Jamaica, that they do not send over any accounts of the state of that island, and desired that directions might be sent to the Governors of all the plantations that orders be given to the masters of ships coming for England that they throw over the packets in case of danger. Upon which occasion they further offered that a greater naval strength than is now at Jamaica, and that the recruits for the companies there be forthwith dispatched thither [fo. 66]. Whereupon their lordships gave directions for preparing a letter to Mr. Secretary Hedges accordingly.

New England.

Naval stores, Partridge.

Mr. Partridge attending according to order [fo. 60] and being asked several questions relating to naval stores, he said that few masts or little timber was to be expected from New England, unless the country to the eastward of New Hampshire be seated and secured, and promised to draw up proposals relating thereunto. And as for pitch and tar, he said he would ingage to import 10,000 barrells in a year, and he thourght that a premium of forty shillings per ton to be allowed upon the importation here might be a reasonable incouragement; but he promised to consider of it, and to bring his proposals on Fryday next [fo. 68].

Naval stores, Bridger.

Mr. Bridger attending also and being asked what premium upon the importation of pitch and tar here might be a sufficient incouragement for the bringing in of those commodities, he said that he thought 4l. per ton would not be too much, and promised to bring his further answer [fo. 69] in writing in a few days.

Leeward Islands.

Representation on Peter Van Bell's case.

A representation upon the petition of Peter Van Bell [fo. 61, 87] relating to some negroes of his seized at St. Christophers, was signed.

Virginia.

Representation upon complaints.

A representation upon the Order of Councill of the 30th of March last [fo. 59, 67] relating to complaints against Colonel Nicholson, was signed.

Miscellanies.

Memorials from Mr. Drift and Mr. Estwick.

A memorial from Mr. Drift, and another from Mr. Estwick relating to a difference between them in reference to their precedency in the business of this office, were read; and thereupon ordered that the clerks do continue and be advanced according to their graduation, as mentioned in the minutes of the 13th May, 1703 [H. fo. 111], unless their lordships shall at any time see cause to make any alteration herein. And further ordered that the secretary distribute the business of the office among the clerks, as he shall find most for the service of the Board.

June 14. Present:—Lord Dartmouth, Mr. Cecill, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen.

Plantations General.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Hedges about intelligence carried to France.

A letter to Mr. Secretary Hedges [fo. 65, 70] in answer to his of the 3rd instant relating to intelligence had in France by letters taken on board plantation ships, as ordered in yesterday's minutes, was signed.

Leeward Islands.

Letter from Colonel Codrington.

A letter from Colonel Codrington to the secretary of this Board dated at Nevis the 2nd of March last, was read.

Order of Council confirming two Acts of Nevis.

Copy of an Order of Councill of the 11th May last upon a representation of the 10th ditto [fo. 35] for confirming two Acts past at Nevis in October last, approving the said representation, was read.

Virginia.

Draught of a letter to the Governour in favour of Mr. Wallace.

The draught of a letter to Colonel Nicholson [fo. 59, 97] in favour of Mr. James Wallace, one of the complainants against the said Colonel Nicholson, recommending to him not to discourage or any ways molest the said Wallace upon that account, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

June 16. Present:—Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Virginia.

Order of Councill.

Complaints against Colonel Nicholson.

An Order of Councill of the 15th [fo. 66] upon a representation. of the 13th instant, relating to the complaints against Colonel Nicholson, directing that the said complaints be transmitted to Colonel Nicholson, and that he return an answer thereunto, was read. And thereupon the draught of a letter [fo. 73] for transmitting the said order and copies of the complaints to Colonel Nicholson, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

June 17. Present:—Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr Prior.

Virginia.

Letter to Mr. Borret about Bills.

Ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Borret [fo. 14, 94] to desire him to attend Mr. Attorney General for his report upon the Virginia Bills in his hands.

New England.

Partridge's proposal about tar.

Mr. Partridge presented to the Board [fo. 65] his proposals for the importation of 10,000 barrells of tar annually for such term of years as shall be thought fit, upon contract at forty shillings per barrell, and demanding one quarter part of the money beforehand and a premium of 3l. per ton upon the importation, offering also to give security for performance thereof, was read; whereupon ordered that a letter be prepared to inclose the said proposals to Mr. Secretary Hedges.

June 20. Present:—Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Plantations General.

New England.

Bridger's proposal about premium.

Naval stores.

Mr. Bridger's proposal [fo. 65] offering that a premium of 4l. per ton be allowed upon the importation of pitch and tar from the plantations, was read.

Virginia.

Mr. Perry, about pitch and tar and a premium upon importation.

Mr. Perry attending, [fo. 40, 85] and being asked some questions upon the same subject, he said that he and others had written to their friends in Virginia for incouraging the production of pitch and tar there, and were sending a ship thither to bring home samples of what is made in the country, but he thought that a premium of 3l. per ton would be too small an incouragement for the begining that undertaking and settling the importation of pitch and tar as a trade from the plantations.

Plantations General.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Sansom about duties on pitch and tar.

A letter from Mr. Sansom, Secretary of the Customes, in answer to one writ him the 9th instant [fo. 60] for an account of the duties upon pitch and tar, was read.

Jamaica.

Reference from Mr. Secretary Hedges about a present of 2,000l. to the heir of Major General Selwyn.

A reference from Mr. Secretary Hedges [H. fo. 443; fo. 71] of the 16th instant upon the petition of Captain Gardner in the behalf of the heire at law of the late Major General Selwyn, Governour of Jamaica, praying for her Majesty's leave to receive a present of 2,000l. given by the Assembly of Jamaica to the said heir, was read, and directions given [fo. 71] to prepare a representation accordingly.

Plantations General.

Letter from Mr. Secretary Hedges about intelligence had in France &c.

And about naval and land forces for Jamaica.

A letter from Mr. Secretary Hedges of the 16th in answer to one writ him the 14th instant, relating to intelligence [fo. 66, 76] had in France, by letters taken in ships coming from Jamaica &c. and requiring this Board to represent to her Majesty [fo. 71] the danger of Jamaica for want of a greater naval strength and land force, and what increase of both may be needfull, was read; and thereupon ordered that Sir Gilbert Heathcote and Sir Bartholomew Gracedieu have notice to attend the Board on Thursday next.

June 21. Present:—Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Jamaica.

Representation for a present of 2,000l. to the heir of Major General Selwyn.

A representation [fo. 70, 89] upon the reference from Mr. Secretary Hedges, mentioned in yesterday's minutes, relating to a present of 2,000l. to the heir at law of the late Major General Selwyn, was signed.

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

Jamaica.

State of defence.

Sir Gilbert Heathcote and Sir Bartholomew Gracedieu and Dr. Sloan attending, Mr. Secretary Hedges's letter mentioned in the minutes of the 20th instant, was read; [fo. 70] and they being asked several questions relating to the present state of Jamaica [fo. 76], they said that there were four men of war remaining during the winter at Jamaica as a guard for that Island, one whereof was lost; that four others sailed with Sir Cloudsly Shovell's fleet in order to relieve those now there; that by letters received from their friends and correspondents they had accounts that the inhabitants thought themselves in great danger, being in daily expectation of attempts from the enemy, and not being in any state of defence to receive them; that these apprehensions had made several of the most considerable planters think of coming away; that with less than ten or twelve men of war (three whereof to be 4th rates, the rest 5th and 6th rates) with two fire ships, they could not think themselves secure; that with this assistance they might not only be safe themselves, but also in a condition to annoy the French and prevent their trading with the Spaniards. And they desired that the ships of war that shall be sent may go out full manned, and that the captains of the said ships may have strict orders not to press men there, otherwise they shall lose all their seafaring men, twelve hundred having been frightened away by Admiral Graydon's pressing men there. They further said that powder and shot might be wanting, but they could not tell the quantity; and being desired, they promised to draw up a memorial upon these heads and present it accordingly. As for recruits and additional companies to be sent, they refer'd themselves to Captain Gardner, agent for the soldiers there. Whereupon ordered that Captain Gardner have notice to attend the Board on Tuesday morning next.

Virginia.

Letter to Colonel Nicholson with copies of complaints.

A letter to Colonel Nicholson [fo. 68, 95] to transmit to him copies of all the complaints that have been exhibited against him, was signed and ordered to be inclosed to the Lord Cornbury, and then sent to Mr. Wilcox to be forwarded by a New Yorke ship that goes along with the Newfoundland convoy.

New England.

Earle of Limerick.

The Earle of Limerick presented to the Board Mr. Attorney General's opinion about Roman Catholicks being capable of receiving grants of lands in the plantations, which was read.

Miscellanies.

Clifford.

A letter from Mr. Jeronomy Clifford [fo. 54, 117] of the 20th instant, signifying that Mr. Shepherd, Mr. Gardner and Mr. Oosterland had not yet finished the examination of his accounts, and praying that their lordships would please to hasten them therein, was read; and thereupon ordered that a letter be writ to those gentlemen to desire them to dispatch that affaire as soon as conveniently they can, which was inclosed in another letter to Mr. Clifford, that he may have it delivered as he sees fitting.

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

Plantations General.

Newton.

Weight and value of foreign coines.

Mr. Newton presented to their lordships [fo. 50, 51] a table of the weight and intrinsic value of foreign coines in England, [M. fo. 15] with a computation for proportioning all the said coines to a Sevill piece of eight, which is to be raised from 4s. 6d. (its real value) to six shillings in the plantations, which was read.

Order of Council for sending proclamations about coin to the plantations.

Draught of letters to transmit the same.

An Order of Councill of the 15th instant directing the Board to transmit to the several Governors in America copies of her Majesty's proclamation [fo. 51] for settling and ascertaining the current rates of foreign coines in the plantations, was read; and ordered that draughts of letters be prepared [fo. 77] accordingly; and further ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Lowndes to desire that the Board may have 400 copies of the said proclamations.

Leeward Islands.

Letter from Colonel Codrington to the secretary.

A letter from Colonel Codrington to the secretary of this Board, dated at St. Christophers the 13th May last, was read.

Massachusets.

Letter from the Governour.

A letter from Colonel Dudley to the Board, dated the 20th of April last, was read.

Plantations General.

New England.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Hedges about premium on pitch and tar.

A letter to Mr. Secretary Hedges in answer to his of the 2nd instant relating to a premium proposed [fo. 60, 68, 69] to be allowed by her Majesty upon the importation of pitch and tar from the plantations, was signed.

June 27. Present:—Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Jamaica.

State of the regiments.

Captain Gardner presented to their lordships a state of the regiments now at Jamaica, with an account of the additional companies and recruits to be sent over, which was read.

Memorial from Sir Gilbert Heathcote &c. about state of Jamaica &c.

A memorial from Sir Gilbert Heathcote [fo. 71] and Sir Bartholomew Gracedieu, relating to the present state of Jamaica with reference to a naval strength and land force, was read; and thereupon ordered that they be desired to attend the Board to-morrow morning [v. infra].

Bermuda.

Address in favour of the Governour.

Mr. Bennet presented to their lordships the duplicate of an address to her Majesty in favour of Captain Bennet from the Councill, justices and other officers, civil and military, and other inhabitants of Bermuda, the original whereof he said he intended to lay before her Majesty.

Plantations General.

Circular letter about intelligence had in France, &c.

The draught of a circular letter [fo. 70, 77] to the several Governours in America relating to intelligence had in France, by letters taken on board of ships coming from the plantations, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

June 28. Present:—Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Jamaica.

Sir Gilbert Heathcote and Sir Bartholomew Gracedieu about defence &c.

Sir Gilbert Heathcote and Sir Bartholomew Gracedieu attending [v. supra], they were desired to explain some things in their memorial mentioned in yesterday's minutes, and to add thereunto the number of ships of war they thought necessary for the defence of the Island of Jamaica, and the said memorial being returned to them [fo. 78] they promised to make those additions accordingly.

Plantations General.

Circular letter about coin.

The draught of a circular letter [fo. 74, 78] to all the Governours in America for transmitting her Majesty's proclamation for settling and ascertaining the rates of foreign coines in the plantations, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

June 29. Present:—Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Trade.

Silver and gold coined.

Mr. Newton presented to the Board an account of gold and silver coined from the 1st of March, 170½, to the last of Aprill, 1704.

Plantations General.

Circular letters about intelligence had in France &c.

Circular letters to all her Majesty's Governours [fo. 76] in America relating to intelligence had in France by letters taken on board plantation ships, were signed.

Plantations General.

Circular letters about foreign coin.

Circular letters to all her Majesty's Governours and proprietors in America [fo. 77; K. fo. 2] enclosing her Majesty's proclamation [M. fo. 15] for settling and ascertaining the rates of foreign coines in the plantations, were signed.