Journal, April 1707: Journal Book L

Journals of the Board of Trade and Plantations: Volume 1, April 1704 - January 1709. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1920.

This free content was digitised by double rekeying. All rights reserved.

'Journal, April 1707: Journal Book L', in Journals of the Board of Trade and Plantations: Volume 1, April 1704 - January 1709, (London, 1920) pp. 339-347. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/jrnl-trade-plantations/vol1/pp339-347 [accessed 18 March 2024]

Journal, April 1707

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

Nevis.

St. Christophers.

List of persons' names to be Commissioners to examine into the losses of the inhabitants, communicated to several members of Parliament.

Mr. Blathwayt acquainted the Board that, having communicated the list of the persons' names proposed to be Commissioners to examine into the losses sustained at Nevis and St. Christopher's (mentioned in yesterday's minutes) [fo. 117] to Mr. Clayton and other members of Parliament named in the same list, they said that they were very honest men and fit to be in that commission.

Letter to the Earl of Sunderland in answer to his relating to the said Commissioners.

A letter to the Earl of Sunderland, in answer to his of the 29th of the last month [fo. 117], relating to the said Commissioners, signifying that the Board had no objections to any of them, was signed.

New Hampshire.

Letter to Mr. Usher.

A letter to Mr. Usher, Lieutenant Governor of New Hampshire, was signed [fo. 117].

Newfoundland.

Letter from Captain Moody in answer to complaints.

Copy thereof, &c. to be sent to the Victualling Office.

A letter from Captain Moody, in answer to some complaints made against him by Major Lloyd, commander of the garrison at Newfoundland, which was transmitted to the Board by the Commissioners of the Victualling Office in their letter of the 15th of the last month [fo. 110], was read; and thereupon ordered that copies of the letter and affidavits therein referr'd to, be sent to the Commissioners of the Victualling Office for their information [fo. 122].

Letter from Dr. Jackson in answer to complaints against him.

A letter from Dr. John Jackson, late minister of the garrison at St. John's in Newfoundland, inclosing an answer to some complaints made against him to Commadore Underdown by some persons there [K. fo. 258], as also a letter from Mr. Adams, chyrurgeon of the said garrison, to himself, was read.

Virginia.

Laws under consideration.

Their lordships took again into consideration the collection of the Virginia laws (mentioned in the last minutes) [fo. 118, 120], and read eleven of the said laws.

New Yorke.

Report from Mr. Attorney General about letters of administration.

A report from Mr. Attorney General, in answer to a letter writ him the 6th of December last [fo. 6], upon an extract of the Lord Cornbury's letter of the 3rd of October last, relating to the granting of letters of administration, was read.

Leeward Islands.

Mr. Attorney General's report relating to the tryal of Mr. Pogson for murdering Colonel Johnson.

Another report from Mr. Attorney General, in answer to a letter writ him the 11th of February last [fo. 61], upon an extract of a letter from Colonel Park, Governor of the Leeward Islands, relating to the tryal of Mr. Pogson for the murder of Colonel Johnson, late Lieutenant Governor of Nevis, &c., was read, and directions given for preparing a representation thereupon [fo. 122].

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

Virginia.

Laws under consideration.

Their lordships proceeded further in the consideration of the Virginia laws [fo. 119, 123], and read six of the said laws.

Barbados.

Order of Councill on Mr. Squire's petition about his being deny'd the practice of the law, &c.

An Order of Council, of the 27th of the last month, referring to this Board the petition of Mr. Squire, counsellor at law in Barbados, complaining that the late Governor, Sir Beville Granville, and the Councill did, and do still, refuse to suffer him to follow his profession there, and praying relief therein, was read, and thereupon ordered that Mr. Chilton have notice to attend the Board to-morrow morning [vide infra].

New York.

Captain Congreve and the recruits, &c. taken.

Letters to Mr. Sloper and Mr. Lodwick thereupon.

Upon information that the Resolution gally, having on board Captain Congreve and the recruits, cloathing &c. for New Yorke, was taken and carryed into the Groyn; ordered that letters be writ to Mr. Sloper and Mr. Lodwick, to know if they have received any such advice, as also what number of soldiers were on board the said gally when taken, and what stores of war &c., there was for the garrison at New York.

April 3. Present:—Mr. Cecill, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen.

Barbados.

Mr. Chilton at the Board about Mr. Squire's being refused to practice the law.

Mr. Squire's character.

Representation upon his petition.

Mr. Chilton attending [supra], and being asked what he knew in relation to Mr. Squire's being hindred to practice the law in Barbados, he said he knew no other reason but that the said Squire had made an affidavit last year in the House of Lords against the proceedings of Sir Beville in the administration of the government. He added that the said Squire was an honest man, of good ability, and well affected to her Majesty's government. Whereupon a representation for offering that the said Squire be permitted to practise the law [fo. 153], was agreed and signed.

Leeward Islands.

Representation about Mr. Pogson's tryal for killing Colonel Johnson.

Letter to the Earl of Sunderland, with the said representations.

Another representation upon the tryal and acquittal of Captain Pogson [fo. 120, 153], for the murder of Colonel Johnson, late Lieutenant Governor of the Leeward Islands, was also agreed and signed, together with a letter to the Earl of Sunderland, inclosing the said representations.

Newfoundland.

Letter to Commissioners of the Victualling Office with Captain Moody's answer to Major Lloyd's complaints.

Draught of a letter to the Commissioners of the Victualling Office, as directed in the minutes of the 1st instant [fo. 119], inclosing a copy of Captain Moody's answer to Major Lloyd's complaints against him was agreed and signed.

Barbados.

Mr. Weston at the Board with

Mr. Weston attending, presented to the Board two Orders of Councill, which are as follows, viz.:—
Order of Council on the petition of Mr. Sandford and Mr. Dorn complaining of the judge of the court of oyer and terminer.
An Order of Councill of the 27th of the last month, referring to this Board the petition of John Sandford and John Dorn, esquires, complaining of the proceedings of the chief judge at a court of oyer and terminer held in Barbados [fo. 128], praying relief therein, was read.
Order of Council on a petition from three of the Council against the President thereof.
Order of Councill of the same date with the foregoing, referring to this Board the petition of William Cleland, James Colleton and John Holder [fo. 128], complaining of the proceedings of William Sharp, esquire, President of the Council there, was read.

New England.

Mr. Attorney General's report about Vetch and Rouse.

Parties concerned to be summoned.

Mr. Attorney General's report upon several papers, acts and queries, sent him in a letter of the 27th of February last [fo. 83], relating to fines laid in New England on Vetch, Rouse &c., for trading with the French, was read; and thereupon ordered that Mr. Vetch and others concerned with him do attend the Board on Monday morning next [fo. 125], and likewise that Sir Charles Hobby, Mr. Wharton and Mr. Phips have notice to attend at the same time.

Virginia.

Laws under consideration.

Then their lordships again proceeded in the consideration of the Virginia laws [fo. 120, 124], and read five of the said laws.

April 4. Present:—Lord Dartmouth, Mr. Cecill, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen.

Virginia.

Laws under consideration.

Their lordships again proceeded in the consideration of the Virginia laws [fo. 123 and infra], and read ten of the said laws.

Trade.

Account of coinage.

A letter from Sir Isaac Newton, master worker of the Mint, to the secretary, in answer to one writ him the 3rd of March last [fo. 93], for an account of the gold and silver coined in the Tower from Michaelmas, 1705, to Lady Day, 1707, was read.

April 7. Present:—Lord Dartmouth, Mr. Cecill, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen.

Virginia.

Laws consider'd.

Their lordships again proceeded in the consideration of the Virginia laws [supra and fo. 142, 158], and read one of the said laws.

New England.

Mr. Attorney General's report relating to Vetch and others trading with the enemy.

Two papers against their being tryed again.

Representation to be prepared thereupon.

Mr. Vetch and others attending [fo. 123], Mr. Attorney General's report upon two Orders of Councill of the 20th of February last and several queries relating to the said Vetch, mention'd in the minutes of the 3rd instant, was read, and Mr. West thereupon prayed that they might not be tryed again, by reason they had already suffered by imprisonment and loss of ship and goods &c., and offered to their lordships' consideration two papers containing reasons for their not being tryed again. Whereupon ordered that a representation be prepared agreeing with Mr. Attorney General's foresaid report [fo. 126].

Virginia.

Letter from the Earl of Sunderland about commission and instructions for Colonel Hunter, with a memorial relating to his salary.

Letter to Mr. Lowndes with the said memorial.

A letter from the Earl of Sunderland, signifying her Majesty's having appointed Colonel Robert Hunter to succeed Colonel Nott in the government of Virginia [fo. 126], and directing the Board to prepare a commission and instructions for the said Colonel Hunter in the same manner as those for Colonel Nott [fo. 127; Instructions, fo. 130], and inclosing a memorial relating to the said Governor's salary, was read; and directions given for preparing the same accordingly. And further ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Lowndes, inclosing a copy of the said memorial, as being under the direction of the Lord High Treasurer.

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

Virginia.

Colonel Hunter about a clause in his instructions for his removing to New Yorke in case of sickness.

Colonel Hunter attending [fo. 125], and praying that a clause might be added to his instructions, that, in case he should fall sick in Virginia, he might be permitted to go to New York for the recovery of his health; their lordships agreed to add such a clause accordingly.

New England.

Draught of representation about Vetch and others under consideration.

Then their lordships took into consideration the draught of a representation [fo. 125, 131], agreeing with Mr. Attorney General's report upon two Orders of Councill, and several queries relating to Mr. Vetch and others, as directed in the minutes of the 7th instant, and made some progress therein.

April 16. Present:—Lord Dartmouth, Mr. Cecill, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Virginia.

Representation with draught of Colonel Hunter's commission.

Letter to the Earl of Sunderland inclosing the same.

A draught of a commission [fo. 125, 132] for Colonel Robert Hunter to be her Majesty's Lieutenant and Governor General of Virginia, was agreed, and a representation for laying the same before her Majesty was signed, as also a letter to the Earl of Sunderland, inclosing the same.

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

Barbadoes.

Mrs. Sharpe at the Board in behalf of her husband, and Mr. Cox of his brother.

Copies of the complaints against Mr. Sharp and Mr. Cox to be given them.

Mrs. Sharpe, in behalf of her husband, President of the Councill of Barbadoes, Mr. Cox, in behalf of his brother, one of the Councill of that island, and several other Barbadoes gentlemen, attending, the Order of Councill of the 27th of the last month, referring to this Board the petition of Colonel Cleland, Colonel Colleton and Colonel Holder [fo. 123, 139], complaining of the proceedings of the President there, was read; as also another Order of the same date, referring to the Board a petition of Mr. Sandford and Mr. Dorne [fo. 122, 139], complaining of the proceedings of Mr. Cox, Chief Judge of the Court of Oyer and Terminer in Barbadoes. Whereupon Mrs. Sharpe and Mr. Cox desired that they might have copies of the said complaints in order to their putting an answer in writing thereunto, which was ordered to be given them accordingly.

Mr. Heysham and others at the Board complaining of Colonel Cleland, desiring he may be put out of the Council.

Mr. Robert Heysham and his brother with other Barbadoes gentlemen attending, complained of Colonel Cleland's proceedings in that island, and desiring that he might be put out of the Council for that, if he continued in that post, they and a great many others would be obliged to withdraw their effects from that island. Whereupon they were acquainted that her Majesty had referr'd all those complaints to Mr. Crow before his going from hence, and that, if they had any new matter of complaint against the said Cleland, their proper method would be to make their application by way of petition to her Majesty.

Newfoundland.

Letter from Mr. Thurston about delay he meets with in the Treasury touching the soldiers' clothing, to be sent Mr. Taylor.

A letter from Mr. Thurston to the secretary, signifying that he had not yet obtained my Lord Treasurer's directions for the cloathing for the soldiers at Newfoundland, was read; and thereupon ordered that the said letter be carryed to Mr. Taylor, to be laid before my Lord High Treasurer.

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

Jamaica.

Copies of three Orders of Council on a representation relating to recruits for Colonel Handasyd's regiment, and appointing Mr. Stewart and Mr. Ascough to be of the Councill.

Copy of an Order of Councill of the 20th of the last month, upon a representation of the 19th of February last [fo. 73], relating to recruits for Colonel Handasyd's regiment in Jamaica, referring the same to the Earl of Sunderland, was read.

Copy of a second Order of Councill, of the same date with the foregoing, upon the same representation, proposing Mr. John Stewart to be of the Councill of Jamaica [fo. 73], approving the same, was read.

Mr. Ascough to be of the Councill.

Copy of a third Order of Councill, of the same date with the foregoing, upon the same representation, proposing Mr. John Ascough to be of the Councill of Jamaica [fo. 73], approving the same, was read.

Virginia.

Draught of instructions for Colonel Hunter under consideration.

Their lordships took into consideration the draught of instructions to Colonel Robert Hunter for the government of Virginia [fo. 125, 133], and made some progress therein.

Letter to Mr. Burchet about Colonel Hunter's commission of Vice-Admiral.

Colonel Hunter attending, and praying that Mr. Burchet may be writ to, to move his Royal Highness that he may have a commission as Vice-Admiral as usual; ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Burchet accordingly [fo. 131].

Miscellanies.

Accounts of incidental charges.

The accounts of the incident charges of this office, from Christmas, 1706, to Lady Day, 1707, were laid before the Board, and are as follows, viz.:—

l. s. d.
The secretary's account of petty expences, amounting to 10 16 5
The stationer's account, amounting to 22 12 6
The postman's account, amounting to 34 11 4

Letter to the Lord Treasurer thereupon.

And a letter to the Lord Treasurer, to desire his lordship's orders for payment thereof, was signed.

April 21. Present:—Mr. Cecill, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen.

Virginia.

Letter from Mr. Burchet about Colonel Hunter's being Vice-Admiral of Virginia.

A letter from Mr. Burchet, in answer to one writ him the 18th instant [fo. 130], signifying that Colonel Hunter will be appointed Vice-Admiral of Virginia [fo. 138], as usual, was read.

New England.

Representation on Mr. Attorney General's report relating to Mr. Vetch, &c.

A representation upon Mr. Attorney General's report relating to Mr. Vetch and others [fo. 126 133], concerned with him in illegal trade in New England (mentioned in the minutes of the 8th instant) was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

Bermuda.

Memorial from Mr. Jones desiring a day to be heard to the complaints against him.

A memorial from Mr. Jones, secretary and provost marshal of Bermuda, praying that the Board would appoint a day for a hearing upon the late complaints exhibited against him by the Governor of that island [fo. 116] was read; and thereupon ordered that the secretary write to Sir John Bennet to notify to him that the Board will take those matters into consideration in a fortnight or three weeks hence, and to desire him to signify the same to Mr. Nodin (now at the Bath) that he may attend at the same time [fo. 148].

Virginia.

Order of Council on a representation with Colonel Hunter's commission, approving the same, and an alteration about the power of Presidents.

(Plantations General) and directing draughts of instructions to be prepar'd to the several Governors thereupon.

An Order of Councill of the 17th instant, upon a representation of the 16th ditto [fo. 127, 154], with the draught of a commission for Colonel Hunter to be Governor of Virginia, approving the alteration made by the Board in the clause relating to the devolution of the government, for preventing controversies and disputes that may happen between the President and Counsellors in the plantations [fo. 59], and directing this Board to prepare draughts of instructions for her Majesty's signature accordingly [infra], was read, and directions given for preparing the same.

April 22. Present:—Mr. Cecill, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Plantations General.

Additional instructions for preventing disputes between Presidents and counsellors, &c.

Representation thereupon, and letter to the Earl of Sunderland.

The draught of an additional instruction [supra and fo. 151] to the several Governors in America, in pursuance of her Majesty's order of the 17th instant, mentioned in yesterday's minutes, for preventing disputes and controversies that may happen between the Presidents and counsellors in the plantations, were agreed, and a representation for laying the same before her Majesty [fo. 154], together with a letter inclosing the same to the Earl of Sunderland, was signed.

Virginia.

Representation with both Colonel Hunter's instructions.

Letter to the Earl of Sunderland therewith.

A representation with the instructions to Colonel Hunter for the government of Virginia [fo. 130, 138, 154], as also with instructions relating to the acts of trade, and a letter to the Earl of Sunderland inclosing the same, were signed.

New England.

Representation upon two orders relating to Mr. Vetch and others.

Letter to the Earl of Sunderland therewith.

A representation upon her Majesty's orders of the 20th of February last [fo. 81, 131, 329], upon the petitions of Samuel Vetch, John Borland and others relating to their having been condemned by the Assembly of the Massachusets Bay, for trading with the French, with a letter inclosing the same to the Earl of Sunderland, were signed.

April 29. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Lord Dartmouth, Lord Herbert of Cherbury, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton.

Miscellanies.

Her Majesty's new commission.

A new commission from her Majesty was opened and read, whereby (besides the great officers as in other commissions of this Board) the Earl of Stamford, the Lord Dartmouth, Lord Herbert of Cherbury, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Stepney, Mr. Pulteney and Mr. Monckton are appointed Commissioners for promoting the trade of this kingdom, and for inspecting and improving her Majesty's plantations in America and elsewhere.

New York.

Letter from the Lord Cornbury.

A letter from the Lord Cornbury, dated at New York the 14th of December last, complaining of the proceedings of Captain Fane, commander of her Majesty's ship the Lowstaff, upon the death of Captain Miles, late commander of the Triton's Prize at New York, as also complaining of his want of a vice-admiralty commission for that province, was read, and the following papers, viz.:—
Papers referr'd to therein.
Letter to Mr. Burchet for his Royal Highness's directions thereupon.
Copy of a commission granted by Captain Fane, commander of the Lowstaff, to Richard Davis, to take upon him the command of the ship Triton Prize, in the room of Captain Miles deceased, together with four affidavits relating thereunto, were laid before the Board; and thereupon ordered that copies of the said letters and papers be sent to Mr. Burchet [fo. 141] for his Royal Highness the Lord High Admiral's directions thereupon.

Barbados.

Letter from Colonel Sharp, President.

A letter from the President of the Councill of Barbadoes, dated the 9th of February last, was read, and the papers therein referr'd to laid before the Board and are as follows:—
Papers therein referr'd to.
Deposition of Captain Vring about his having seen in the latitude of 37 degrees 18 sail of large ships in his way to Barbadoes.
Copy of Colonel Sharp's speech to the new Assembly of Barbadoes.
Answer to the protest made by the members of Councill against the dissolution of the Assembly, after it was done.
Minutes of Councill of Barbadoes from the 27th of December, 1706, to the 9th of February, 1706/7.
Minutes of Assembly from the 4th of September, 1706, to the 3rd of February, 1706/7.
An Act appointing commissioners to take an account of such Bills as have issued by virtue of a late Act of this island, intituled, an Act to supply the want of cash and to establish a method of credit for persons having real estates in this island.
Extract of Colonel Sharp's letter to be sent the Earl of Sunderland.
And thereupon ordered that a copy of paragraph L of the foresaid letter, relating to a French squadron in those parts [fo. 138], be sent to the Earl of Sunderland.

Leeward Islands.

Letter from Colonel Park.

Copy thereof to be sent the Earl of Sunderland.

A letter from Colonel Park, Governor of the Leeward Islands, dated the 15th of February last, giving also an account of the said French squadron, and complaining of the ill condition of the regiment there, was read; and ordered that a copy of the whole letter be also sent to the Earl of Sunderland [fo. 138].

Jamaica.

Letter from Colonel Handasyd.

Papers therein referr'd to.

A letter from Colonel Handasyd, Governor of Jamaica, dated the 8th of March last, was read, and the papers therein referr'd to laid before the Board, and are as follows, viz.:—
Minutes of Council in Assembly from the 29th of January to the 8th of February, 1706/7.
Minutes of Assembly from the 7th of January to the 5th of February, 1706/7.
Seven Acts past at Jamaica the 6th and 8th of February, 1706/7.

Extract of Colonel Handasyd's letter to be sent to the Earl of Sunderland.

And thereupon ordered that a copy of paragraph D, relating to the French squadron aforesaid, be in like manner sent to the Earl of Sunderland [fo. 138], to be laid together with the others above mentioned before her Majesty.

Miscellanies.

Days to be appointed for hearing merchants, &c.

Their lordships taking into consideration that the business of this office might be better carryed on if the Board was not so frequently interrupted by persons attending at all times; they agreed that, as soon as they should have an opportunity of consulting with the merchants [fo. 141], to appoint two days in the week as shall be found most convenient for the hearing of all persons that may have business at the Board.

April 30. Present:—Lord Dartmouth, Lord Herbert of Cherbury, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton.

Plantations General.

Letter to Mr. Lowndes for Acts of the Union.

Ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Lowndes, desiring him to move my Lord High Treasurer that the Board may have 40 of the Acts for the union between England and Scotland.

Virginia.

Instructions relating to trade lent to Colonel Hunter to shew the Commissioners of the Customes.

Colonel Hunter attending, and acquainting the Board that the Commissioners of the Customes desired to have the perusal of his instructions [fo. 133]; ordered that a copy of his instructions relating to trade and navigation be lent to him to be communicated to the Commissioners of the Customes accordingly.

Colonel Hunter then communicated to their lordships his commission from his Royal Highness the Lord High Admiral to be Vice-Admiral of Virginia [fo. 131]; whereupon ordered that a copy be taken and kept in the office.

Jamaica.

Barbadoes.

Leeward Islands.

Letter to the Earl of Sunderland with extracts of letters.

A letter to the Earl of Sunderland, inclosing to him the extracts of Colonel Handasyd's, and Colonel Sharp's letters [fo. 136, 137], and the copy of one from Colonel Park, as directed in yesterday's minutes, was signed.

Barbadoes.

Letters and papers about the late disorders considered.

Their lordships took into consideration the several papers lying before the Board, relating to the late disorders in Barbadoes, and read the President's letter of the 2nd of January last, as also the Orders of Councill of the 27th of March [fo. 128] upon the petitions of three of the Councill of that island, as also of Mr. Sandford and Mr. Dorn, as likewise the representations of this Board of the 17th of October and 22nd of November last; and resolved to proceed further in the consideration of those matters [infra], as opportunity should serve.