Journal, May 1704: Journal Book I

Journal, May 1704

May 1. Present:—Lord Viscount Weymouth, Mr. Cecill, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Plantations General.

Instructions for privateers.

The instructions for privateers [fo. 11] being received back from Mr. Secretary Hedges, with his desire that the alterations made by the Board should be only as additional instructions, and not inserted in the body of the former instructions. Ordered that it be done accordingly, and directions were given for preparing a letter to Mr. Secretary Hedges thereupon [fo. 24].

Leeward Islands.

Journal about expedition to Guardaloupa to be copied.

Captain Walker's journal of the proceedings at Guardaloupa, being communicated to the Board from the Councill Office, ordered that a copy thereof be taken.

Virginia.

Mr. Blair's affidavit against Colonel Nicholson.

Captain Moody's affidavit.

Mr. Commissary Blair presented to their lordships his further affidavit against Colonel Nicholson [fo. 21, 30], relating to the clergy, the college and himself. He also presented to their lordships Captain James Moody's affidavit, which were ordered to be communicated to Mr. Thrale, who was directed to bring his answer to the whole complaints, so far as he is able, in writing on Thursday morning next.

May 2. Present:—Lord Viscount Weymouth, Mr. Cecill, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Barbados.

Letter to the agents about stores.

Ordered that a letter be writ to the agents of Barbados [fo. 38], inquiring what has been done in reference to the stores of war for Barbados.

Letter to the Governour.

The draught of a letter to Sir Bevill Granville, Governour of Barbados, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

New England.

Bridger.

Naval stores.

Mr. Bridger presented to their lordships a memorial [H. fo. 428], offering to import 14,000 barrells of pitch and tar from New England in five years, the pitch at twenty-three shillings per hundred and the tar at thirty-six shillings per barrill, which was read. Whereupon he was acquainted that no contract could be made to tye her Majesty to take the said stores, but that, if upon the importation they appear to be good in their kind, there was no doubt but the Navy Board would make use thereof.

Plantations Genera.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Hedges.

Instructions to privateers.

A letter to Mr. Secretary Hedges, inclosing the additional instructions to be given to privateers [fo. 22, 326], as directed in yesterday's minutes, was signed.

Massachusets Bay.

Letter from the Governour, with minutes relating to Pemaquid.

A letter from Colonel Dudley [fo. 42] of the 19th of Deecmber last, was read, and the minutes of Councill in Assembly from the 27th May, 1702, to the 19th November, 1703, relating to the rebuilding the fort at Pemaquid and to salaries for the Governour, Lieutenant Governour &c. therein refer'd to, was laid before the Board.

New Hampshire.

Letter from Colonel Dudley to the Secretary.

A letter from Colonel Dudley to the Secretary, dated the 3rd of January last, inclosing the following papers, was read, viz.:

Publick papers.

List of fines and forfeitures in New Hampshire for seven years ending December, 1702.

Act relating to the inhabitants doing military service in equal proportion, and for raising money for a stock of provisions to be in each town ready for a march against the enemy.

A list of causes tryed at the inferior court at New Hampshire.

Minutes of Councill and Assembly from 2nd September, 1703, to the 11th December following.

Minutes of Councill from 22nd October, 1703, to the 22nd December following.

Account of several causes in the court of New Hampshire.

List of causes tryed in the Admiralty court held in the Massachusets Bay from the 20th August, 1703, to December following.

Massachusets.

Letter from the Governour to the Secretary.

A letter from Colonel Dudley to the Secretary, dated the 3rd of March last, was read, and the papers therein refer'd to laid before the Board, viz.:

Public papers.

Copy of Colonel Dudley's speech to the Assembly of New Hampshire, relating particularly to Mr. Allen's title to waste lands, February the 20th, 170¾.

Copy of the Assembly of New Hampshire's answer to Colonel Dudley's speech of the 20th February &c., February 21st, 170¾.

Journal of Major Hilton's march against the enemy Indians, from 9th February, 170¾, to the 23rd ditto.

Letter from Mr. Addington to the secretary.

A letter from Mr. Addington, secretary of the Massachusets Bay, dated the 27th of December last, was read, and the papers therein refer'd to laid before the Board, and are as follows:—

Public papers.

Minutes of Councill in Assembly from the 10th March, 170²/3, to the 27th ditto.

Minutes of the Councill from the 14th September, 1702, to the 25th of February, 170²/3.

Minutes of the Councill from the 4th March, 170²/3, to the 14th May following.

Minutes of Councill in Assembly from the 26th May, 1703, to the 31st July following.

Four Acts past at a General Assembly held in March, 1702.

Six Acts past at a General Assembly held in May, 1703.

An Act for reversing the attainder of Abigal Faulkner and others past at a General Assembly held the 26th May, 1703.

Five Acts past at a General Assembly held in May, 1703.

Four Acts past at a General Assembly held in May, 1703.

List of the causes heard in the several courts of the province of the Massachusets Bay from 28th September, 1703, to the 30th November following.

Massachesets.

Letter from Mr. Addington to the secretary.

A letter from Mr. Addington, secretary of the Massachusets Bay, dated the 4th of March last, inclosing the minutes of the Councill of that province from the 20th May, 1703, to the 21st of October following, was read.

New Hampshire.

Letter from Lieutenant Governour.

A letter from Mr. Usher, Lieutenant Governour of New Hampshire, to the Board, dated the 30th of December last, was read, and the papers therein refer'd to laid before the Board, which are as follows:—

Papers of publick proceedings.

Copys of several letters from Mr. Usher, Lieutenant Governour of the province of New Hampshire, to Colonel Dudley, with Colonel Dudley's answer, relating to the state of the said province &c.

Mr. Usher's account of the present state of the government of New England &c.

Copy of Mr. Attorney and Mr. Sollicitor General's opinion relating to warrants issued out for raising money by Mr. Usher, Receiver General of New England in 1686, dated 2nd December, 1689.

Minute of Councill in Assembly of 13th July, 1696, relating to Mr. Usher's management of affaires.

Some minutes of Councill in September, 1696, and November, 1703, relating to Captain Walton, formerly commander of the fort, and Captain Hinks, put in by the Earle of Bellomont.

Letter from Captain Walton to Mr. Usher about Captain Hinks's refusing to deliver the fort to him upon Mr. Usher's warrant &

John Hornabrooks' account of the Indian enemy's cruelty &c. since they broke the peace.

An account of stores belonging to the Fort William and Mary in 1696.

An account of mony issued out of her Majesty's revenue since the year 1698, by order of Mr. Partridge, late Lieutenant Governour of New Hampshire.

New Yorke.

Letter from the Governour.

A letter from the Lord Cornbury, dated the 18th of December last, was read.

May 3. Present:—Lord Viscount Weymouth, Mr. Cecill, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Plantations General.

Letters.

The drafts of letters to Colonel Codrington, Colonel Handasyd and Captain Bennet were agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

Virginia.

Bills.

Mr. Jennings presented to their lordships a clause [fo. 21, 31] to be added instead of the preamble to the Bill for establishing the general court and for regulating and settling the proceedings therein, which was read and ordered to be added accordingly.

Letter to Mr. Attorney General for the Virginia laws in his hands.

Ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Attorney General to desire his speedy report upon the Acts of Virginia sent him the 28th of May last.

Newfoundland.

Heads of inquiry.

Ordered that the usual heads of inquiry [fo. 98] with the additional instructions be sent to Mr. Burchet to be given to the Commodore of the Newfoundland convoy.

May 4. Present:—Lord Viscount Weymouth, Mr. Cecill, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Barbados.

Letter to Sir Bevil Granville about Commodore Walker.

An Order of Councill of this day requiring the Board to write to the Governour of Barbados to examin the proceedings of the president and Councill of that island in not sending Colonel Codrington notice of Commodore Walker's being arrived there, was read, and a letter to Sir Bevil Granville was accordingly writ and signed.

Letters to Jamaica, Barbados, Leeward Islands.

Letters to the Governours of Barbados, Jamaica and the Leeward Islands were signed.

Virginia.

Mr. Thrale's answer to complaints.

Mr. Thrale presented to their lordships his answer to the complaints [fo. 23, 41] exhibited by Mr. Blair and others against Colonel Nicholson, Governour of Virginia, which was read, and ordered that a copy be given to Mr. Blair for their reply. And Mr. Blair, complaining that Colonel Nicholson does preside and act in the uper house of Assembly, which he conceived he ought not to doe, he was directed to state his question in writing, and their lordships would resolve thereupon.

New England.

Bridger's proposals about pot-ashes.

Mr. Bridger presented to their lordships a proposal for producing pott-ashes in the plantations, praying that he and those concerned with him may have a patent exclusive of others, for carrying on of that undertaking, was read; and thereupon ordered that the said proposal be sent to Mr. Attorney General for his opinion whether her Majesty may grant such exclusive patent or no.

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

Virginia.

Bills.

Mr. Blair presented to their lordships a clause [fo. 29, 94] for preventing the prophanation of the Lord's day to be added to the Bill for the effectual suppression of vice &c., with a proviso to be added at the end of the said Bill relating to the tryals of the clergy, and another clause to be added to the Bill concerning marryages relating to the marrying of servants. Which were read and ordered to be added accordingly.

Letter to Mr. Blair for the charter of the college.

Ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Blair to desire of him a copy of the charter for the colledge in Virginia.

Newfoundland.

Departure of convoys.

A letter from Mr. Burchet signifying that the convoys for Newfoundland are ready to saile, was read.

Letter from Mr. Thurston about mony for soldiers at Newfoundland.

A letter from Mr. Thurston, desiring that the Lord Treasurer may be moved that the money for the soldiers in Newfoundland may be speedily issued, was read, and a letter writ to Mr. Lowndes accordingly.

Newfoundland.

Mony, cloathes, &c. to be sent.

Another letter from Mr. Thurston praying that his Royal Highness the Lord High Admiral may be moved for directions to the commanders of the Newfoundland convoy to receive on board the money, cloathes, medicines &c. for the soldiers there, was read, and a letter writ to Mr. Burchet accordingly.

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

Plantations General and New England.

This Board to attend a committee of Council on Thursday about naval stores.

A letter from Mr. Secretary Hedges of yesterday's date signifying that the Lords of the Committee of Councill desire to speak with this Board on Thursday next in relation to the production of naval stores in the plantations [fo. 40], was read, and thereupon ordered that the papers in this office be lookt out in order to the preparing an abstract to tbe laid before their lordships.

Virginia.

Jennings.

Naval stores.

Mr. Jennings attending, his memorial [fo. 40] relating to the production of pitch and tar in Virginia was again read, unto which he added that if Colonel Nicholson was directed to give all incouragement possible for the producing the said stores out of green trees and not such as are fallen (in those counties which are not proper for tobacco), and if there could be any assurance that the said stores would be taken off here in England, he did not doubt but great quantities might be produced there.

Bermuda.

Copy of an Order of Council for Mr. Jones's re-admission into his places.

Copy of an Order of Councill of the 20th April last upon the representation of the 4th ditto offering that Mr. Jones, Provost Marshall and Secretary of Bermuda [fo. 2] be restored to his said places from which he had been suspended, was read.

New Hampshire.

Three letters from Mr. Usher.

Three letters from Mr. Usher, two of the 19th of January, and one without date, were read.

Massachusets.

Letter from the Governour to the secretary.

A letter from Colonel Dudley to the secretary, of the 28th of December last, was read.

Leeward Islands.

Attorney General's report on two Acts of Nevis.

Representation to be drawn thereupon.

Mr. Attorney General's report upon two Acts [H. fo. 450] past at Nevis the 23rd of October last, as also the said Acts were read; and thereupon ordered that a representation be drawn [fo. 34] to offer the said Acts to her Majesty for her Royal approbation.

May 9. Present:—Mr. Cecill, Sr. Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

New Jersey.

Letter from Colonel Quary about proceedings of Assembly.

A letter from Colonel Quary, dated at Perthamboy in New Jersey the 20th of December last, relating to the proceedings of the Assembly of that province, was read; and their lordships agreed to take that letter into further consideration when they shall hear from the Lord Cornbury in relation to that province.

Leeward Islands.

Draught of a representation upon two acts of Nevis.

The draught of a representation [fo. 33, 35] upon two Acts past at Nevis in October last was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

Pennsylvania.

Mr. Penn about the affaires of that government.

Mr. Penn attending, and assuring their lordships that he had given and would give further directions to his deputy governour and his other friends in Pennsylvania, that they take care of her Majesty's revenue, and that the Acts of trade and navigation be duly observed and justice impartially administred, and thereupon desiring that their lordships would write to Colonel Quary advising him to live peaceably and amicably with the government there, and not to give them any unnecessary molestation, their lordships ordered that the draught of such a letter be prepared [v. infra].

Jamaica.

Acts.

Their lordships took into consideration the Acts past at Jamaica in November last [fo. 8, 36] and made some progress therein.

May 10. Present:—Mr. Cecill, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Plantations General.

Letter to Mr. Borrett.

Laws.

The secretary acquainting their lordships that Mr. Attorney General made some difficulty in giving his opinion upon the laws of the plantations [H. fo. 288] without the agents attending upon him to pay him fees, ordered that Mr. Borrett [fo. 37] be acquainted that their lordships desire to speak with him.

Pennsylvania.

Letter to Colonel Quary.

The draught of a letter to Colonel Quary [v. supra. fo. 36 (sic), rectius 34] as ordered in yesterday's minutes, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

Leeward Islands.

Representation upon two Acts of Nevis.

A representation upon two Acts [fo. 34, 67] past at Nevis in October last, was signed.

Letter from Sir William Mathew.

A letter from Sir William Mathew, signifying that he, with the rest of the West India fleet are put back to Plymouth, was read.

New Yorke.

Accounts of the revenue.

The accounts of the revenue of New Yorke from the 31st of July, 1703, to the 29th of September following, being now received, were laid before the Board.

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

Pennsylvania.

Letter to Colonel Quary.

A letter to Colonel Quary [fo. 35], in pursuance of the minutes of the 9th instant, was signed and one copy thereof ordered to be sent to Mr. Wilcox, Colonel Quary's agent, for conveyance.

Jamaica.

Acts.

Their lordships made a further progress in the Acts past at Jamaica in November last [fo. 35].

Plantations General.

Virginia.

Letter to Mr. Attorney General for report on the laws.

Ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Attorney General to desire his speedy report [fo. 35, 37] upon the laws of the plantations, and particularly those of Virginia in his hands [H. fo. 136; L. fo. 189].

May 12. Present:—Lord Dartmouth, Sir Philip Meadows, M. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Plantations General.

Mr. Borret about plantation laws.

Mr. Borret attending according to order [fo. 35], and being asked why Mr. Attorney General's report on the Acts of the plantations was not dispatched, he said there was some difficulties in relation to his fees, and promised to put the same in writing and attend their lordships therewith.

Trade.

Letter to Mr. Bridger for the price, freight &c. of pitch, tar &c.

Ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Bridger [fo. 38] for an account of the price of pitch, tar, &c. in Norway and the east countrys, and that which is made in the plantations, also the freight from the said places in time of peace and war.

New England.

Acts under consideration.

Then their lordships took into consideration the Acts of the Massachusets Bay, from the 12th February, 170 0/1;, to the 28th May, 1701, and made some progress therein.

May 15. Present:—Lord Dartmouth, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Trade.

Plantations General.

New England.

Naval stores.

A letter from Mr. Bridger, in answer to one writ him the 12th instant [fo. 37, 40] relating to the freight of pitch, tar &c. from Sweden, Denmark and from the plantations, was read.

Barbados.

Stores.

A letter from Mr. Bridger, in answer to one writ him the 2nd instant [fo. 23] inquiring what progress was made in procuring the stores of war for Barbados, was read.

Leeward Islands.

Petition of Peter Van Bell.

An order of Councill of the 9th of March last, upon the petition of Peter Van Bell relating to some negroes of his that had been seized at St. Christopher's in 1698, praying that the Governour of the Leeward Islands may be directed to transmit the proceedings of the Admiralty court of Nevis, where he had been cast, in order to the hearing the appeal before her Majesty in Councill, was read; and thereupon ordered that a copy of the said petition be sent to Mr. Attorney General for his opinion [fo. 54] whether her Majesty may hear the said appeal in Councill and direct the proceedings of the Admiralty court there to be transmitted for that purpose.

Jamaica.

Revenue Act.

A memorial from Mr. Compere [fo. 8, 43] relating to the Act for settling the revenue at Jamaica, as also the said Act, was read.

Acts to be reported.

Their lordships gave directions for preparing a report upon the Acts past at Jamaica from the 17th March, 170½, to the 2nd November, 1703.

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

Leeward Islands.

Journal about expedition to Guardaloupe.

A copy of Commodore Walker's journal [fo. 22] relating to the expedition to Guardaloupe, being now made, was laid before the Board.

Carolina.

Mr. Byfield &c. about difficulties made to their charter by Mr. Attorney General &c.

Mr. Byfield and others of the Pennsylvania company attending, acquainted their lordships that Mr. Attorney and Mr. Sollicitor General [fo. 20, 193] made difficulties in relation to the charter for importing pitch and tar from Carolina, and presented to their lordships the queries made by Mr. Attorney and Mr. Sollicitor General thereupon, with their answers thereunto, which were read.

Virginia.

Price of pitch and tar.

Mr. Perry and other Virginia merchants attending [fo. 32, 69] and being asked what might be the freight of pitch and tar from Virginia, they answered that it might be now about 8l. per ton, that freight from the Baltick in times of peace was about 2l. per ton and about 6l. per ton in time of war.

Plantations General and New England.

Report to the Committee of Council about naval stores.

Their lordships agreed the draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee of Councill relating to naval stores [fo. 32, 43] and ordered the same to be transcribed.

May 17. Present:—Lord Bishop of London, Lord Dartmouth, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Prior.

Trade.

Bridger, about price of pitch and tar from the Northern Crowns.

Mr. Bridger attending [fo. 38] was desired to give their lordships in writing an account of the price here of pitch and tar brought from the Northern Crowns, and as near as he can to compute what may be the price of it in those countries, and what may be the freight of it from thence.

Jamaica.

Representation upon Acts.

A representation upon Acts [fo. 2; H. fo. 460] past at Jamaica from 17th March, 170½, to the 2nd November, 1703, was signed.

Virginia.

Colonel Ludwell &c.

Reply to Mr. Tharale's answer to their complaints against the Governour.

Colonel Ludwell, Mr. Blair and others [fo. 30, 49] presented to their lordships a reply to Mr. Thrales' answer to their complaints against Colonel Nicholson, which was read, and they were directed to draw up the substance of the material part of their complaint into short articles, upon which their lordships would take further resolutions.

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

Miscellanies.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Harly about his being of this commission.

Ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Secretary Harley [fo. 44] to acquaint him that being one of her Majesty's Principal Secretary's of State, he is one of the Commissioners of this Board, and that their lordships would be glad of his assistance when his other affaires will permit.

New England.

Letter from Mr. Burchet about a map sent from Colonel Dudley.

A letter from Mr. Burchet relating to the map sent by Colonel Dudley from New England, was read; and thereupon ordered that a letter be writ to the Postmaster General to make inquiry about the said map.

Extract of Colonel Dudley's letter about ships of war sent to Mr. Burchet.

Extract of the fore-going letter about a descent on Port Royal, sent to Mr. Secretary Hedges.

Ordered that copy of paragraph K in Colonel Dudley's letter of the 19th December last [fo. 24, 44] relating to ships of war for New England, be sent to Mr. Burchet for the information of his Royal Highness's Councill, and further ordered that copy of paragraph L in the said letter, relating to a descent upon Port Royal in Accadie, be sent to Mr. Secretary Hedges.

Letter from Colonel Romer for leave to return to England.

Letter to the Board of Ordnance thereupon.

Mr. Champante presented to their lordships a letter from Colonel Romer, ingineer in New England, dated at Boston the 4th January last, desiring, by reason of his ill state of health, to come to England, was read; and thereupon ordered that a letter be prepared to the Board of Ordnance [fo. 44] with the opinion of this Board that he be permitted to come home accordingly, and that another ingineer be sent for the service of New England, New Yorke and the neighbouring continent. And further ordered that the inscription refer'd to in his said letter for the castle at Boston, be sent to Colonel Dudley with the approbation of this Board.

New Hampshire.

Representation upon an Act for obliging the inhabitants to do military service.

A representation upon an Act past in New Hampshire in October last [fo. 132] for obligeing the inhabitants to do military service and for raising money for a stock of provisions to be in each town ready for a march against the enemy, was signed.

Plantations General and New England.

Report to the committee about naval stores.

A report to the Lords of the Committee of Councill [fo. 40, 60] relating to the proceedings of this Board in reference to naval stores, and a letter transmitting the same to Mr. Secretary Hedges, were signed.

Jamaica.

Letter to the Lord Treasurer with an Act for a publick revenue &c.

Ordered that a letter be prepared [fo. 39, 44] to transmit the Act of Jamaica for a publick revenue, to the Lord High Treasurer for his lordship's inspection before it be offered to her Majesty for her royal assent.

New Yorke.

Stores of war.

A memorial from Mr. Thrale (presented to their lordships some while ago) relating to stores of war for New Yorke, was read.

May 19. Present:—Lord Dartmouth, Mr. Cecill, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen.

Plantations General.

Copy of Lord Treasurer's report about rate of foreign coin.

A report from the Lord High Treasurer [fo. 1, 47] to her Majesty upon a report from the officers of the Mint to his lordship relating to the rates of foreign coyn in the plantations, being communicated to the Board, was read, and a copy thereof ordered to be taken.

Miscellanies.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Harley about his being of this commission.

A letter to Mr. Secretary Harley [fo. 41] as directed in yesterday's minutes, was signed.

Jamaica.

Act about revenue sent to Lord Treasurer.

A letter to the Lord High Treasurer [fo. 43, 51] with the Act for settling a publick revenue at Jamaica, was signed.

New England.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Hedges about descent on Port Royal &c.

A letter to Mr. Secretary Hedges [fo. 42] inclosing paragraph L in Colonel Dudley's letter of the 19th of December last, relating to a descent upon Port Royal in Accadie, was signed.

Letter to Board of Ordnance about Colonel Romer's coming home.

A letter to the Board of Ordnance [fo. 42, 95] upon Colonel Romer's desire to come to England, was signed.

Newfoundland.

Letter from Mr. Craggs with extract of a letter from Captain Loyd, about a privateer commissioned by Colonel Codrington.

Copy of the said extract sent to Colonel Dudley and Sir William Mathew.

A letter from Mr. James Craggs inclosing the extract of a letter from Captain Lloyd, dated at Newfoundland the 11th of October last relating to Captain George Bald, commander of a New England privateer commissionated by Colonel Codrington, who had plundered most of the inhabitants at Ferryland of their cloathes, money &c. was read; and thereupon ordered that a copy of the said extract be sent to Colonel Dudley, Governour of New England, and to Sir William Mathew, Governour of the Leeward Islands, with directions to make inquiry into that matter, and then proceed against him or his sureties as shall be found necessary.

Massachusets.

Acts.

Their lordships took into consideration the Acts past in the Massachusets Bay from the 27th of May, 1702, to the 15th of October following, and made some progress therein, and ordered that the Act for establishing a naval office, and for ascertaining the fees be sent to Mr. Lowndes, to be communicated to the Commissioners of the Customes, for their opinion thereupon.

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

Plantations General.

Letters.

The draughts of letters to the Lord Cornbury [fo. 47], Colonel Dudley, Mr. Usher [fo. 50] and Colonel Seymour, were agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

Plantations General.

Prizes.

A letter from Mr. Lowndes [fo. 19] of the 19th instant, with the draught of a letter for her Majesty's signature to the several Governours in America relating to prizes, was read, and ordered that copies [fo. 53] of the said letters be prepared to be sent to Mr. Secretary Hedges, in order to be laid before her Majesty.

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

Miscellanies.

Letter to Mr. Chamberlaine for copy of charter for Propagation of the Gosple.

Ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. John Chamberlaine for a copy of the charter to the Society for Propagation of the Gosple in foreign parts, as also an account of their proceedings therein.

New Hampshire.

Letter from Mr. Usher and papers.

A letter from Mr. Usher to their lordships of the 19th and one of the 25th of February last to the secretary, as also the papers therein refer'd to were laid before the Board.

Letter from Mr. Story, secretary.

A letter from Mr. Story, secretary of New Hampshire, of the 9th of March last, was laid before the Board.

New York, Maryland, New Hampshire

Letters to Governours.

Letters to the Lord Cornbury, Colonel Seymour and Mr. Usher were signed.

Plantations General.

Letter to Mr. Newton. Coin.

Ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Newton [fo. 44, 50], to acquaint him that their lordships desire to speak with him on Fryday morning next, in relation to the proclamation to be issued for settling the rates of foreign coins in the plantations.

Miscellanies.

Letter from Mr. Clifford about his accounts.

A letter from Mr. Jeronimy Clifford [fo. 54] inclosing his account currant relating to the damages sustained in his affaires at Surinam, was read, and thereupon ordered that the said account be sent to Mr. Samuel Shepherd, Mr. Jacob Oosterland and Mr. John Gardner for their report upon this, as upon his other papers sent them the 2nd of March last [H. fo. 428].

New Hampshire.

Letter from collector of the customes and papers.

A letter from Mr. Sampson Sheaf, collector of the Customes in New Hampshire, dated the 28th of February last, was read, and the papers therein refer'd to laid before the Board, viz.:—

Copy of Colonel Romer's memorial to the Governour of the Massachusets Bay in relation to forts.

Mr. Sheaf's answer to Mr. Wybird's memorial relating to the seizing of four baggs of cotton wooll imported into the province of New Hampshire.

Account of what persons were killed and carryed away by the French and Indians from the 4th July to March 1st in New England.

New England.

Letters from Mr. Plaisted, surveyor of the woods.

A letter from Mr. Ichabod Plaisted, deputy surveyor of the woods in New England, dated the 18th of December last, was read.

May 24. Present:—Lord Bishop of London, Lord Dartmouth, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

New England.

Bishop of London's caveat against an Act.

The Lord Bishop of London desired that an Act past in the Massachusets Bay entituled An Act more effectually providing for the support of ministers, being an addition to the Act intituled An Act for the settlement and support of ministers and school masters, made in the fourth year of the reign of King William and Queen Mary may not be confirmed by her Majesty, until he be heard thereupon.

Virginia.

Complaints.

Colonel Ludwell, Mr. Blair, Mr. Fouace and Mr. Beverley [fo. 41, 58] presented to their lordships a paper entituled An abstract of the chief articles of Governour Nicholson's mal-administration in Virginia, with the proofs noted in the margin, which was read; and their lordships entring into the examination of the said proofs, and finding that several of them were in general terms, the affidavits formerly presented to the Board by these gentlemen were returned to them, and they were desired to add to those general articles particular instances of the matters of fact they complain of.

Ordered that the minutes of Council of Virginia during Colonel Nicholson's government be communicated to Mr. Blair, he being one of the Councill.

Upon occasion of what is said in the foresaid complaints relating to the auditing of the publick accounts, ordered that Mr. Bird be acquainted [fo. 51] that their lordships desire to speak with him on Monday next in the afternoon.

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

Plantations General.

Mr. Newton attending in relation to the rate of coin in the plantations.

Mr. Newton attending, [fo. 47, 51, 74] and being asked several questions in relation to the table of the weight and value of foreign coins, annexed to the report of the officers of the Mint to the Lord Treasurer, he said that table was not intended to be inserted in the proclamation to be issued by her Majesty, but only to serve as a guide for proportioning the value of the several species of coin in the plantations; but as a Sevil piece of eight of 17½ dwt. is to pass at six shillings, in order to make that matter more plaine, he promised to bring a calculation [fo. 74] of the said species proportionate thereunto.

Massachusets.

Letter to the Governour.

A letter from the Board to Colonel Dudley [fo. 46], governour of the Massachusets Bay, was signed.

Newfoundland.

Salary for the minister there.

A letter from Mr. Thurston relating to the salary for the minister at Newfoundland, was read; and thereupon ordered that it be taken into consideration when the Bishop of London shall be at the Board.

Jamaica.

Observations on the Revenue Act.

A letter from Mr. Lowndes [fo. 44, 52] with the Lord Treasurer's observations upon the Act for settling a publick revenue at Jamaica, was read.

May 29. Present:—Mr. Cecill, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Virginia.

Extracts of what relates to the auditor of Virginia in the complaints against Colonel Nicholson given to Mr. Bird.

Mr. Bird attending according to order [fo. 49, 54], an extract was given him of the several papers relating to the complaint against Colonel Nicholson, which have any reference to the auditing the publick accounts of Virginia, and his answer desired thereunto; but in case he is not able to answer fully to each particular, he was directed to transmit the same to his father for his reply.

Plantations General.

Order of Council upon the representation on foreign coin in the plantations.

An Order of Council of the 18th instant [fo. 44, 50] upon the Lord Treasurer's report on a representation of this Board of the 23rd November last, for settling the rates of foreign coynes in the plantations, directing Mr. Attorney and Mr. Sollicitor General to prepare the draught of a proclamation, according to the said representation, being read, their lordships gave directions for preparing the rough draft of such a proclamation [v. infra] to be sent with the abovesaid order to Mr. Attorney General.

May 30. Present:—Lord Dartmouth, Mr. Cecill, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Jamaica.

Revenue Act.

Letter to Mr. Lowndes.

Their lordships again taking into consideration the Act for raising a publick revenue in Jamaica [fo. 51, 84] and the Lord Treasurer's observations mentioned in the minutes of the 26th instant thereupon, a letter was writ to Mr. Lowndes in answer to his inclosing the said observations.

Plantations General.

Proclamation about foreign coines.

The draught of a proclamation [v. supra, fo. 74] for settling the rates of foreign coin in the plantations, as mentioned in yesterday's minutes, was agreed and ordered to be sent to Mr. Attorney General.

May 31. Present:—Lord Dartmouth, Mr. Cecill, Mr. Blathwayt, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Prior.

Plantations General.

Letters for her Majesty about prizes.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Hedges thereupon.

The draughts of the letters for her Majesty's signature [fo. 46, 106] to the several Governours in America relating to her Majesty's and the Lord High Admiral's share of prizes being now prepared according to the minutes of the 22nd instant, a letter transmitting the said draughts to Mr. Secretary Hedges, was signed.

Trade.

East India exports.

An Order of Councill of the 18th instant directing the following accounts of goods exported to the East Indies and others that shall be returned to the Councill to be lodged in this office and made use of as the Board shall see occasion, was read. The accounts are as follows, viz.:—

An account of goods exported by the new East India Company from the 29th of September, 1700, to the 29th September, 1701.

Account of goods exported from the 29th September, 1702, to the 24th June, 1703.

Account of goods exported between the 25th of June, 1703, and April, 1704.

Leeward Islands.

Mr. Attorney General's report about Van Bell.

Mr. Attorney General's report [fo. 38] in answer to a letter writ him the 16th of May upon the petition of Peter Van Bell, was read; and thereupon ordered that Mr. Delafaye [fo. 56] and the sollicitor for the said Van Bell have notice to attend the Board to-morrow morning.

New Hampshire.

Letter from Mr. Allen.

A letter from Mr. Samuel Allen, proprietor of New Hampshire, of the 24th December last, was read.

Miscellanies.

Letter from Mr. Clifford.

A letter from Mr. Jeronomy Clifford [fo. 47, 73] of the 23rd instant, was read.

Virginia.

Complaints.

Mr. Bird presented to the Board [fo. 51] his answer to the extract of complaints against Colonel Nicholson relating to the auditing the accounts in Virginia, which was delivered to him the 29th instant, and the same was read: and Mr. Blair being present, he said that they did not insist in their complaints upon having the Auditor and Receiver General's places in two distinct officers, if the accounts of the revenue be regularly audited before the Council, as usual.