Journal, June 1706: Journal Book K

Journal, June 1706

June 3. Present:—Mr. Cecill, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

New England.

Letter from Col. Dudley.

Extracts sent to Mr. Secretary Hedges relating to drift whales and attacking the French in Canada.

A letter from Colonel Dudley, Governor of New England, to the Board, dated the 1st of February last, was read; and thereupon ordered [L. fo. 100] that paragraphs D and E, relating to drift whales and Admiralty's right thereunto, be sent to Mr. Secretary Hedges for his information [fo. 329], and for such directions as shall be thought fit to be given thereupon; and further ordered that copy of paragraph G, relating to the attacking the French in Canada, be sent also to him, to be laid before her Majesty. The papers referr'd to in the foregoing letter were laid before the Board, and are as follows, vizt.:
Papers referr'd to in the foregoing letter.
Articles offered to Monsieur Vaudreville by Colonel Dudley for exchange of prisoners.
Copy of a treaty offered by Monsieur Vaudreville, Governor of Canada, to Colonel Dudley, concerning the exchange of prisoners.
Proclamation appointing a day of thanksgiving for the success of her Majesty's arms in the Spanish Netherlands.

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

Massachusets.

Letter from gentlemen imployed in providing masts in favour of Col. Dudley.

A letter from several gentlemen imployed in the providing masts for the Royal Navy, to the Board, dated at Berwick in the province of Maine the 15th of February last, in favour of Colonel Dudley, Governor of the Massachusets Bay, was read.

Another from gentlemen at Boston in favour of Capt. Povey.

Another letter from several gentlemen of the Church of England at Boston, to the Board, dated the 4th of February last, in favour of Captain Povey, Lieutenant Governor of the Massachusets Bay, was read.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Hedges with extracts of one from Col. Dudley.

A letter to Mr. Secretary Hedges, inclosing the extracts of Colonel Dudley's letter [fo. 327], as directed in yesterday's minutes, was signed.

Barbados.

Acts considered.

Representation to be prepared.

Then their lordships took into consideration the Acts past at Barbados in September, October, November and December, 1704, and in January, 170⁴/5 [vide infura], and read the same, and gave directions for preparing a representation thereupon.

June 5. Present:—Mr. Cecill, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Barbados.

Acts read and considered.

Their lordships again took into consideration the Acts of Barbados and read those past there in February and March, 170⁴/5 [vide supra and fo. 330], and began to read those past in June, July and August, 1705, and resolved to proceed thereon to-morrow morning.

Plantations General.

Letter to Mr. Savage for account of Naval stores imported last year, and of blubber, oyle or fins from New England.

Order'd that a letter be writ to Mr. Savage, secretary to ye Commissioners of the Customes [fo. 332], to know what naval stores have been imported from the Plantations the last year, as likewise what quantity of whale blubber, oyle or fins has been imported from New England the two last years.

June 6. Present:—Mr. Cecill, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Barbados.

Acts considered.

Representation to be prepared thereupon.

Their lordships again went on with the consideration of the Barbados Acts [fo. 329, 332], and read those past in June, July, August and November, 1705, and those past in January and February 170⁵/6, and gave directions for preparing a representation thereupon to be laid before the Board to-morrow morning.

Trade.

Letter from Governor of the Russia Company about Muscovite ships trading to England.

Answer.

A letter from Sir Benjamin Ayloffe, Governor of the Russia Company, in answer to a letter writ him the 24th of the last month [fo. 325], relating to Muscovite ships trading to England, and desiring their lordships to offer their opinion that, according to the constitution of the English Government, the Muscovy Company cannot be deprived of that trade but by Act of Parliament, was read; and their lordships, not apprehending that the subjects of the Czar of Muscovy are excluded from the trade of England, provided they conform themselves to the Acts of Parliament relating to foreigners, ordered that a letter be writ to Sir Benjamin Ayloffe, to acquaint him with the Board's opinion herein, and that, if the company will bring to the Board Mr. Attorney General's opinion upon the perusal of their charter [fo. 339], their lordships will represent the same to her Majesty accordingly.

June 7. Present:—Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Secretary Hedges directing the project of a treaty of commerce to be prepared with Venice.

Merchants concern'd to give their proposals in writing.

A letter from Mr. Secretary Hedges of yesterday's date, signifying her Majesty's pleasure that the Board prepare a project of a treaty of commerce with the Republick of Venice, was read; and thereupon ordered that the merchants concerned in that trade be desired to give the Board such observations and proposalls in writing [fo. 47, 333] as they may have to offer upon this occasion.

Bahamas.

Letter from Mr. Secretary Hedges upon a representation about fortifying those islands.

A letter from Mr. Secretary Hedges of the 6th instant, upon a representation of the 24th of the last month [fo. 316, 332], directing the Board to prepare a scheme for the fortifying and defending the Bahama Islands, was read; and their lordships agreed to take the same into consideration at their next meeting.

Barbados.

Representation on Acts.

A representation upon the Acts past in Barbados from the 17th of November, 1701, to the 21st of March, 170⁴/5 [fo. 330, 356, 357], was signed.

June 11. Present:—Mr. Cecill, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Plantations General.

Letter from Mr. Savage about naval stores and whale finns and oyle imported from New England.

A letter from Mr. Savage, secretary to the Commissioners of the Customes, in answer to one writ him the 5th instant [fo. 329], inclosing an account of naval stores imported from the Plantations from the 25th of December, 1704, to the 25th of December, 1705, as also an account of whale finns and oyle imported from New England, from the 25th of December, 1703, to the 25th of December last, was read.

Bahamas.

Defence of those islands. Mr. Graves to attend.

Their lordships taking into consideration Mr. Secretary Hedges's letter mentioned in the last minutes relating to the Bahama Islands [fo. 331], ordered that Mr. John Graves have notice to attend the Board [fo. 335] on Thursday morning.

New Hampshire.

Acts considered.

Their lordships then entred into the consideration of a collection of laws in force in New Hampshire [fo. 359], and read several of the said laws, together with Mr. Attorney General's report thereupon, and gave notes for preparing a representation upon the whole, so soon as their lordships shall have gone through the said collection.

Trade.

Memorial from Venetian merchants.

Mr. Jamineau and Mr. Wall attending in behalf of the rest of the Venetian merchants [fo. 331, 341], presented to their lordships a memorial, containing several articles propos'd by them for the remedying the hardships they lye under in their trade at Venice, was read; and their lordships agreed to consider the same at their next meeting.

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

Jamaica.

Letter from Board of Ordnance about a bond for stores borrowed of Col. Handasyd for Carolina.

A letter from the principal officers of her Majesty's Ordnance of the 11th instant, in answer to one writ them the 28th of the last month [fo. 321], signifying their having writ to Colonel Handasyd, Governor of Jamaica, for putting in execution the bond of one thousand pounds given him by Mr. Robert Daniel for return of stores borrowed for the use of Carolina by the said Mr. Daniel, if he do not comply therewith, was read.

Nevis.

Copy of an Order of Council on representation for repealing two Acts.

Copy of an Order of Councill of the 2nd of May, 1706, [fo. 307], upon a representation of the same day for repealing two Acts past at Nevis the —— approving the said representation, was read.

Copy of another order on the same representation for confirming two Acts.

Copy of another Order of Councill of the same date [fo. 307] upon the same representation for confirming two Acts past at Nevis in 1704 and 1705, approving the same, was read.

Carolina.

Copy of an order on a representation for repealing two laws.

Copy of an Order of Councill of the 10th instant [fo. 316], upon a representation of the 24th of the last month, for repealing two laws past in Carolina, approving the same, and directing the Lords Proprietors to declare the said laws null and voyd accordingly, was read.

Copy of an Order of Councill about proceeding against the Charters by Quo Warranto.

Copy of another Order of Councill upon a representation of the same date [fo. 316], directing Mr. Attorney and Mr. Sollicitor General to report to her Majesty what may be most necessary for proceeding against the charters of Carolina by way of Quo Warranto, was read.

Mr. Graves at the Board about state of the Bahama Islands.

Mr. Graves attending, and being ask'd several questions in relation to the Bahama Islands [fo. 332, 336], he said that when he came away in December last there was about 27 families remaining on the Island of Providence and about 4 or 500 inhabitants scattered in the other islands; that they have about 14 sloops at Providence; that if one hundred soldiers with officers were sent there with the stores and provisions mentioned in his memorial presented to their lordships the 14th of Aprill last, he did not doubt but that in a little time, with the assistance of the inhabitants who may be all summoned to Providence, they would be able to defend themselves against the Spaniards; and that, till the fort could be repaired and houses built, he propos'd to build hutts in two or three days' time sufficient to lodge the said soldiers and inhabitants secure from all weather.

Plantations General.

Mr. Bridger with copy of his commission for Surveyor General of the Woods.

Circular letters in his favour delivered to him.

Mr. Bridger attending, presented to the Board a copy of his commission [fo. 123, 197], constituting him Surveyor General of the Woods on the Continent of America &c., and at the same time acquainted their lordships that he was now upon his departure for those parts; whereupon ordered that the circular letters to her Majesty's Governors (mentioned in the minutes of the 4th of February last) [fo. 197], directing them to give him all due incouragement in that undertaking, and to transmit hither from time to time accounts of Mr. Bridger's proceedings in relation to naval stores, be delivered to him, which was done accordingly.

June 14. Present:—Mr. Cecill, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Bahama Islands.

Answer to Mr. Secretary Hedges's letter about security of those islands.

The letter from Mr. Secretary Hedges relating to the fortifying and securing the Bahama Islands [fo. 335], mentioned in the minutes of the 7th instant, was again read; and an answer [fo. 337, 352] thereunto agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

Newfoundland.

Mr. Jackson. Certificate of his good behaviour.

Mr. John Jackson, late minister of St. John's Harbour in Newfoundland, attending, and praying a certificate of his good behaviour in the execution of his holy office [fo. 258, his answer to complaints], during the space of five years in the said harbour, that he may meet with such incouragement as may be a support to himself and family; ordered that the secretary do give him such a certificate accordingly.

June 17. Present:—Lord Dartmouth, Mr. Cecill, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Ireland.

Letter from Mr. Southwell with explanation of the Lords Justices' proposal for inlarging the term of Mr. Cromelin's patent about the linnen manufacture.

Letter to the Lord Treasurer thereupon.

A letter from Mr. Southwell, signifying that he had received an explanation from the Lords Justices of Ireland of their proposal [fo. 301, 310] concerning the inlargement of the terme of Mr. Cromelin's patent for setting up the linnen manufacture in Ireland, vizt., that their intention was only to add six years more to the term of the present patent; but, in regard he has now lost this year's season for planting flax, and cannot presently remove to the South of Ireland, as is proposed, they desire there may be another year added thereunto, so that he may have twelve years in his patent from Lady day next, was read; whereupon a letter was immediatly writ to the Lord High Treasurer, signifying the desire of the Lords Justices of Ireland in this matter, and the Board's concurrence therewith.

Bahama Islands.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Hedges with a scheme for defending those islands.

A letter to Mr. Secretary Hedges [fo. 336], in answer to his of the 6th instant, inclosing a scheme for the fortifying and defending the Bahama Islands, was sign'd.

Pennsylvania.

Letter from Mr. Evans.

Letter to Mr. Attorney General with an Act, &c.

A letter from Mr. John Evans, Deputy Governor of Pennsylvania, dated the 19th January, 170⁵/6 [fo. 353], relating chiefly to two Acts lately passed in that province, vizt.: An Act directing the qualifications of all magistrates and officers, also the manner of giving evidence, and An Act for the better proportioning the rates of money &c., was read; and thereupon ordered that a copy of the first of the said Acts, with an extract of Mr. Evans's letter relating thereunto, be sent to Mr. Attorney General for his opinion thereupon [fo. 354] in point of law. The papers referr'd to in the foresaid letter were laid before the Board and are as follows, vizt.:
Papers referr'd to in Mr. Evans's foregoing letter.
Minutes of Councill of the 9th of January, 170⁵/6, upon a conference between that Board and the Assembly, relating to the administering of oaths in judicial affairs.
Address of the Assembly to the Deputy Governor upon the same subject.
An Act directing the qualifications of all magistrates and officers, also the manner of giving evidence.
An Act for the better proportioning the rates of money in payments made upon contracts according to the former regulation.

Maryland.

Book of laws sent to Mr. Sollicitor Generall.

Ordered that the book of Maryland laws past there in 1705 [L. fo. 27], be sent to Mr. Sollicitor General for his opinion thereupon in point of law.

June 18. Present:—Lord Dartmouth, Mr. Cecill, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Trade.

Letter from Governor of Russia Company about Muscovite ships trading to England.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Harley to be prepared thereupon.

A letter from Sir Benjamin Ayloffe, Governor of the Russia Company [fo. 331], in answer to one writ him the 6th instant, signifying that the Company did not think it adviseable to apply to Mr. Attorney General in relation to the permitting of Muscovite ships to come to England lest the Czar should hear that they insist upon the priviledge granted them solely of trading to Russia, was read; whereupon their lordships gave directions [fo. 341] for preparing a letter to Mr. Secretary Harley, in answer to his of the 20th of May upon that subject.

Connecticut.

Order of Council upon a report from Committee of Appeals relating to the Mohegan Indians.

Heads of a representation. thereupon agreed.

An Order of Councill of the 10th instant, upon a report from the Lords of the Committee for hearing of appeals, on the petition of Sir Henry Ashhurst, complaining of a decree made by Commissioners in favour of the Mohegan Indians against the Government of Connecticut [fo. 183, 343], reversing that part of the decree which relates to costs, directing a Commission of Review to be prepared, and naming the Lord Cornbury to be one of the Commissioners, and referring of it to this Board to propose to her Majesty such persons as they shall judge necessary to be inserted in the said commission, as also prepare minutes to be sent to Mr. Attorney General for his instructions in drawing the same, as also to consider of the petition of the agent of the said Mohegans, praying that the said commission may be executed in Connecticut without any charge to the Indians, was read; and their lordships agreed [fo. 344] to offer that all the Councill of New Yorke be inserted as Commissioners in the said commission, and that her Majesty be pleased to give directions that the said commission be executed in Connecticut without any charge to the Indians.

Plantations General.

Order of Councill upon a petition of several gentlemen about consumption of English manufactures in the Plantations.

An Order of Councill of the 10th instant upon the petition and proposal of Richard Butler, William Ashton, Henry Pacy and others, for an annual consumption of English woollen manufactures in the Plantations, was read; and their lordships resolved [fo. 348] to take the same into consideration at the first opportunity.

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

Trade.

Second memorial from the Venetian merchants about grievances in their trade.

A second memorial from the Venetian merchants [fo. 333, 342] relating to grievances they meet with in their trade, being received yesterday, was read.

Draught of letter to Mr. Secretary Hedges relating to treaty of commerce with Venice.

Venetian merchants to attend.

Their lordships then took into consideration the draught of a letter to Mr. Secretary Hedges in answer to his of the 6th instant, relating to a Treaty of Commerce with the Republick of Venice, and made a progress therein, and ordered that the Venetian merchants have notice [fo. 343] to attend the Board on Tuesday morning next.

Draught of letter to Mr. Secretary Harley relating to Muscovites trading to England in their own ships.

The draught of a letter to Mr. Secretary Harley [fo. 339, 342], in answer to his of the 20th of the last month relating to the Muscovites trading to England in their own ships, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

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

Leeward Islands.

Letter from Col. Hodges, Lieut.-Gov. of Mountserrat, relating to spoils committed by the French on Nevis.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Hedges with a copy thereof.

A letter from Colonel Hodges, Lieutenant Governor of Mountserrat, dated the 6th of April last, giving an account of the spoils committed by the French on the Islands of Nevis, was read; and a letter to Mr. Secretary Hedges inclosing a copy thereof, was signed.

Trade.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Harley about Muscovites trading in their own ships.

A letter to Mr. Secretary Harley [fo. 341, 352], relating to the Muscovites trading to England in their own shipping (as agreed the last meeting) was signed.

Grievances of the Venetian merchants considered.

Their lordships made a further progress [fo. 341, 343] in considering the grievances the Venetian merchants lye under in relation to their trade at Venice.

June 25. Present:—Lord Dartmouth, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Connecticut.

Sir Henry Ashhurst about Commission of Review relating to the Mohegan Indians.

Sir Henry Ashhurst attending [fo. 339], he proposed to their lordships the naming of the Councill of the Massachusets Bay for Commissioners in the Commission of Review, in the difference between the Mohegan Indians and the Government of Connecticut, but being desired to put into writing what he had to offer upon that affair [fo. 344], he promised to do it accordingly.

Trade.

Mr. Wall and Jamineau about Venetian trade.

Draught of letter to Mr. Secretary Hedges relating to a treaty of commerce.

Mr. Wall and Mr. Jamineau attending in behalf of the Venetian merchants [fo. 341, 342], their lordships made a further progress in considering the draught of a letter to Mr. Secretary Hedges [fo. 346] relating to a treaty of commerce with the Republick of Venice.

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

Connecticut.

Sir Henry Ashhurst with list of persons he desires may be incerted in the Commission of Review relating to the Mohegan Indians.

Sir Henry Ashhurst presented to their lordships [fo. 343] a list of the names of several persons he desired might be inserted in the Commission of Review of the difference between the Government of Connecticut and the Mohegan Indians, which was read; and he was thereupon acquainted that their lordships, to avoid all difference that might happen, thought it most proper not to name any of the persons proposed by him as agent of Connecticut or by the agent of the said Indians [fo. 340], and that they had therefore agreed to offer the Councill of New Yorke with the Lord Cornbury as proper persons in this behalf.

Representation offering the Lord Cornbury and the Councill of New Yorke to be of the said Commission.

A representation offering that all the Councill of New Yorke with the Lord Cornbury may be Commissioners [fo. 340, 352] in the Commission of Review of the difference between the Government of Connecticut and the Mohegan Indians, was signed.

Jamaica.

Letter from Col. Handasyd about proceeding of the French in the Leeward Islands, and about an Act for subsistence of the soldiers, &c.

Letter to Mr. Attorney General for his opinion on the said Act.

A letter from Colonel Handasyd, Governor of Jamaica, dated the 12th of the last month, giving an account [fo. 348] of what he had heard of the proceedings of the French in the Leeward Islands, and desiring their lordships' determination upon the Act to provide an additional subsistence for her Majesty's officers and soldiers, and for other uses, was read; and thereupon ordered [fo. 286, 356] that Mr. Attorney General be desired to expedite his opinion upon the said Act.

Plantations General.

Letter from Mr. Dummer about proceedings of the French.

A letter from Mr. Dummer, dated the 24th instant, giving an account of the proceedings of the French in the West Indies, was read.

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

Pennsylvania.

Mr. Penn with list of Acts past in Pennsylvania.

Letter to the Deputy Governor thereupon.

Mr. Penn communicated to their lordships a list of the Acts lately past by his Deputy Governor in Pennsylvania; and thereupon desired their lordships to signify to the said Deputy Governor their satisfaction with the Assembly's having past an Act for the support of that Government: whereupon a letter to Mr. John Evans, Deputy Governor of Pennsylvania, was signed accordingly.

Trade.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Hedges about treaty of commerce with Venice

A letter to Mr. Secretary Hedges, in answer to his of the 6th instant [fo. 343], relating to a treaty of commerce with Venince, was signed.