Journal, May 1755: Volume 62

Journal, May 1755

Thursday, May 1. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Fane, Mr. Pelham,

Jamaica.

Read the following reports from his Majesty's Attorney and Sollicitor General:—
Report of his Majesty's Attorney and Sollicitor General in answer to Mr. Pownall's letter of the 5th instant, relative to Governor Knowles's dissolving the Assembly for calling in question his Majesty's right in issuing writs to elect members of the Assembly without waiting for a message from them, etc.
Jamaica.
Report of his Majesty's Attorney and Sollicitor General, in answer to Mr. Pownall's letter of the 25th instant, upon a question whether Mr. Dawes, a member of the Assembly in Jamaica, had a right to sit, he having been convicted in England of uttering treasonable expressions against his Majesty.
Nova Scotia.
Report of his Majesty's Attorney and Sollicitor General in answer to Mr. Hill's letter of the 31st of March upon a question, whether the Governor and Council of Nova Scotia have a power of enacting laws.

Ordered that a copy of the last mentioned report be transmitted to the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia by the first opportunity.

South Carolina.

Their lordships took into consideration several laws passed in the province of South Carolina since the year 1721, relative to the constitution of the Courts of Justice and of the Assembly and to the province quit rents and trade of that province, to the end that proper directions might be given to the Governor upon these points before his departure for his government.

Ordered, that the draught of a representation to their Excellencies, the Lords Justices, be prepared proposing the repeal of an Act passed in the province of South Carolina in 1738, entitled:—
An Act for easing the port charges to coasting vessels entering into and clearing out from port to port within this province; and to prevent any impotent, lame or infirm person or persons being imported, brought to or landed in any part within this province, who shall be likely to become burthensome or be a charge to the publick.

Friday, May 2. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Fane, Mr. Pelham.

Bermuda.

The draught of a representation to their Excellencies, the Lords Justices with a draught of general instructions for Mr. Popple, Governor of the Bermuda Islands, having been transcribed pursuant to the minutes of the 30th of April, was signed.

New Hampshire.

The draught of a representation to their Excellencies, the Lords Justices with the petition of the inhabitants of No. 4 in New Hampshire, mentioned in the minutes of the 29th of April, having been prepared, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Nova Scotia.

The draught of a letter to Colonel Lawrence, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 18th of April, was agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

South Carolina.

Their lordships made a further progress in the consideration of the laws passed in the province of South Carolina since the year 1721 mentioned in the preceding minutes.

Read Sir Mathew Lamb's report upon an Act passed in the province of South Carolina in May, 1754, entitled:—
An Act for incorporating Charles Town Library Society.

Ordered that the draught of a representation to their Excellencies, the Lords Justices, be prepared proposing the confirmation of the said Act.

Ordered, that the Secretary do transmit copies of the two following Acts passed in the province of South Carolina to the Commissioners of his Majesty's Customs for their opinion thereupon, viz.:—
An Act for the entry of vessels, passed the 8th of October, 1698.
An addition and explanatory Act to an Act for the entry of vessels, passed the 18th of December, 1739.

Tuesday, May 6. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Fane, Mr. Edgcumbe, Mr. Pelham.

Pennsylvania.

(For the Proprietaries, Mr. Hume Campbell, Mr. York.)

(For the Assembly, Mr. Henley, Mr. Pratt.)

(For the Lieutenant Governor, Mr. Forrester.)

Their lordships pursuant to the minutes of Tuesday last, took into further consideration the address of the Assembly of Pennsylvania to his Majesty, complaining of the Lieutenant Governor having refused his assent to an Act passed by them for emitting £20,000 in paper bills of credit, and Messrs. Penns, Proprietaries of the said province, Mr. Partridge, agent for the Assembly, and Mr. Paris, sollicitor in behalf of the Lieutenant Governor, attending with their counsel, they were called in, and their lordships having heard what the counsel for the Assembly had to offer in support of the address, and also what the counsel for the Lieutenant Governor and for the Proprietaries had to offer in their behalf, the counsel were ordered to withdraw.

Wednesday, May 7. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Fane, Mr. Pelham.

Pennsylvania.

Their lordships being informed that Mr. Penn, one of the Proprietaries of Pennsylvania, was attending without and had something to offer to their lordships' consideration, he was called in and acquainted their lordships that as his counsel had yesterday in his name declared that he had not given any such instruction to the Lieutenant Governor of that province as was suggested in the Assembly's address, and that he was ready to communicate to his Majesty's ministers any or all his instructions, he thought it his duty to attend their lordships personally to repeat that declaration, and to assure the Board that so far from having given any such instruction, he had particularly recommended to the Lieutenant Governor to concur with the Assembly in any proper measure for the good of his Majesty's service at this conjuncture.

Pennsylvania.

Their lordships expressed themselves well satisfied with these assurances and acquainted Mr. Penn that they were not desirous of seeing any of the instructions he may have given to his Lieutenant Governor.

Mr. Penn then laid before the Board the following papers and withdrew, viz.:—
Printed votes of the Assembly of Pennsylvania in October, 1753, and April, 1754.
Three printed Gazettes of Pennsylvania in December, 1754, and two in January, 1755.

Ordered that the draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee upon the address of the Assembly of Pennsylvania be prepared.

Nova Scotia.

The draught of a letter to Mr. Lawrence, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, having been transcribed pursuant to the minutes of the 2nd instant, was signed.

Georgia.

The Secretary laid before the Board a memorial prepared by Mr. Martyn, agent for Georgia, to be presented to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, praying that £2957 10s. 6d. granted by Parliament for the service of that colony may be issued to him out of the receipt of his Majesty's Exchequer, and the said memorial having been approved of, it was ordered that Mr. Martyn should present it to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury for their Lordships' directions upon it.

New York.

Read a letter from Mr. Delancy, Lieutenant Governor of New York, transmitting the following publick papers, viz.:—
Printed votes of the Assembly of New York from the 4th to the 19th of February, 1755.
Three Acts passed at New York in February, 1755.

Ordered that the said Acts be sent to Sir Mathew Lamb for his opinion thereupon in point of law.

Thursday, May 8. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Grenville, Mr. Fane, Mr. Edgcumbe, Mr. Pelham.

Jamaica.

Their lordships pursuant to the minutes of the 25th of March, took into consideration the several petitions, memorials and other papers relating to the removal of the seat of government in Jamaica from St. Iago de la Vega to Kingston, and to the Governor's complaint against the Chief Justice: and the agents for the several parties interested in this affair attending with their counsel, they were called in, and Mr. Hume Campbell and Mr. Henley, counsel for the petitioners in behalf of the application for the removal of the seat of government, opened to their lordships the nature of the several proofs they had to offer in support of those petitions and several witnesses were examined upon oath touching the same. After which the counsel were ordered to withdraw and the further consideration of this matter was postponed till Tuesday next the 13th instant.

Georgia.

Read a letter from Mr. Reynolds, Governor of Georgia, to the Board, dated the 9th of March, 1755, acquainting their lordships of his having sent to England one Antoine Waspy, whom he suspects to be a spy, to be examined by this Board.

Georgia.

Read a letter from Mr. Clevland, Secretary to the Lords of the Admiralty, dated the 5th instant, acquainting Mr. Pownall for the information of this Board that Antoine Waspy, mentioned in Mr. Reynolds's letter, is secured on board the Hunter tender in the river Thames.

Ordered, that copies of the said letters be transmitted to his Majesty's Secretary of State, and that the draught of a letter to him be prepared desiring that he would give such directions concerning the said Antoine Waspy as he should think proper.

Ordered, that the Secretary do acquaint Mr. Clevland, Secretary to the Lords of the Admiralty, with the steps their lordships have taken in consequence of his letter.

South Carolina.

The draught of a representation to their Excellencies, the Lords Justices, proposing the repeal of an Act passed in South Carolina relating to port charges, having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 1st instant, was agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

The draught of a representation to their Excellencies, the Lords Justices, proposing the confirmation of an Act passed in South Carolina relating to the Charles Town Library Society having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 2nd instant, was agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

Friday, May 9. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Grenville, Mr. Pelham.

Georgia.

Read the following letters and papers received from Mr. Reynolds, Governor of Georgia, viz.:—
Letter from Mr. Reynolds to the Board, dated the 25th of December, 1754, transmitting:—
Two lists of ships and vessels entered and cleared in the port of Savanna in Georgia between the 29th of October and the 25th of December, 1754.
Letter from Mr. Reynolds to the Board, dated the 25th of January, 1755, transmitting:—
The humble remonstrance to the Council and House of Representatives of the province of Gerogia to his Majesty, dated the 22nd of January, 1755.
Address of the Council and Assembly about lands to Governor Reynolds, dated 22nd January, 1755.
Letter from Mr. Reynolds to the Board, dated the 28th of February, 1755, transmitting:—
Minutes of the Journal of the Governor and Council of Georgia from the 12th December, 1754, to the 20th of February, 1755.
Minutes of the Journal of the Council in Assembly of Georgia from the 7th day of January, 1755, to the 21st of February following.
Journal of the Assembly of Georgia from the 7th of January to the 21st of February, 1755.
Four Acts passed in Georgia in January and February, 1755.

Georgia.

Ordered, that the Acts be sent to Sir Mathew Lamb for his opinion thereupon in point of law.

Ordered, that the remonstrance of the Council and House of Representatives to his Majesty be laid before the Lords Justices, and that the draught of a representation to their Excellencies, the Lords Justices, be prepared for that purpose, and the draught of a representation having been prepared accordingly, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Ordered, that an extract of so much of Mr. Reynolds's letter of the 28th of February, as relates to the expediency of speedily ascertaining the southern boundarys be laid before their Excellencies, the Lords Justices and that the draught of a representation to their Excellencies be prepared for that purpose; and the draught of a representation having been prepared accordingly, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Ordered, that the Secretary do write to Governor Reynolds to acknowledge the receipt of the said letters, and to acquaint him with the steps their lordships have taken in consequence thereof.

South Carolina.

The draught of a representation to their Excellencies, the Lords Justices, proposing the repeal of an Act passed in South Carolina relative to port charges, having been transcribed pursuant to yesterday's minutes, was signed.

The draught of a representation to their Excellencies, the Lords Justices proposing the confirmation of an Act passed in South Carolina relative to Charles Town Library Society, having been transcribed pursuant to yesterday's minutes, was signed.

Plantations General.

Read the following copies of Orders in Council, viz.:—
Georgia.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated 9th of January, 1755, approving a report of this Board with a warrant directing the Governor to swear and admit Clement Martin, Esquire, to be of the Council of Georgia.
Barbados.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated the 9th of January, 1755, approving a report of this Board with a warrant directing the Governor to swear and admit Henry Thornhill, Esquire, to be of the Council of Barbados in the room of Abel Dottin, Esquire.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated 25th of February, 1755, approving a representation of this Board proposing the confirmation of four Acts passed in Barbados between March and October, 1753.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated 25th of February, 1755, approving a representation of this Board proposing the confirmation of an Act passed in Barbados in June, 1753, "to provide for the expences of his Honour the President's table, etc."
Virginia.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated the 25th of February, 1755, approving a representation of this Board proposing the confirmation of a private Act passed in Virginia in April, 1752, for docking the intail of 250 acres of land, whereof Rebecca Clinch died seized, and vesting the same in trustees, etc.
Virginia.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated the 11th of March, 1755, approving a representation of this Board proposing the confirmation of a private Act passed in April, 1752, for docking the intail of certain lands in Thomas Chamberlayne, gentleman, etc.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated the 25th of February, 1755, approving a representation of this Board proposing the confirmation of a private Act passed in Virginia in December, 1753, for docking the intail of certain lands and vesting the same in Robert Chew, etc.
New York.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated the 25th of February, 1755, approving a representation of this Board proposing the confirmation of an Act passed at New York in December, 1753, to enable the minister, elders, etc. of the Protestant Dutch Church to dispose of their lands, etc.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated the 6th of February, 1755, approving a representation of this Board with the draught of a warrant for passing a Commission for Charles Hardy, Esquire, to be Governor of New York.
Montserrat.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated the 25th of February, 1755, approving a representation of this Board proposing the confirmation of an Act passed in Montserrat in June, 1752, to repeal an Act entitled, An Act for settling the Militia of this island, etc.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated the 25th of February, 1755, approving a representation of this Board proposing the confirmation of an Act passed in Montserrat in December, 1753, for providing an honourable support for his Excellency the Governor.
St. Christopher's.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated the 25th of February, 1755, approving a representation of this Board proposing the confirmation of an Act passed in November, 1753, in the Island of St. Christopher's for the support of his Excellency the Governor.
Copy of an Order in Council, dated the 25th of February, 1755, approving a representation of this Board proposing the confirmation of an Act passed in St. Christopher's in December, 1752, against excessive, deceitfull and disorderly gaming.
Nevis.
Copy of an Order in Council, dated the 25th of February, 1755, approving a representation of this Board proposing the confirmation of an Act passed in Nevis in November, 1753, for providing an honourable support for his Excellency the Governor.
South Carolina.
Copy of an Order in Council, dated the 6th of February, 1755, approving a representation of this Board with a warrant for passing a Commission for William Henry Lyttelton, Esquire, to be Governor of South Carolina.
Massachusets.
Copy of an Order in Council, dated the 11th of March, 1755, approving a representation of this Board proposing the confirmation of twelve Acts passed in the province of the Massachusets Bay in 1750 and 1751.

Trade.

Africa.

Read the following papers received from Mr. Poirier, Secretary to the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa, viz.:—
A narrative of the proceedings of the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa, relative to the building the fort at Annamaboe, July, 1752, to June, 1754.
An account of the expences incurred in building the fort at Annamaboe.

Tuesday, May 13. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Mr. Fane, Mr. Edgcumbe, Mr. Pelham.

Jamaica.

Their lordships pursuant to the minutes of Thursday last, took into further consideration the several petitions, memorials and other papers relative to the removal of the seat of government in the Island of Jamaica, etc. and the several parties attending with their counsel, they were called in and several other persons were examined upon oath, and written evidence was produced in support of the Kingston petition, after which Mr. Henley summoned up the evidence, and Mr. Forrester, counsel in behalf of the planters and others occupiers and possessors of lands and houses in St. Iago de la Vega and its neighbourhood, opened the nature of the several proofs they had to offer in support of their petitions and then the counsel withdrew.

Plantations General.

Read the following Orders of the Lords Justices in Council, viz.:—
New Jersey.
Order of the Lords Justices in Council approving a representation of this Board, recommending Thomas Pownall, Esquire, to be Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey, and directing a proper Commission to be accordingly prepared.
New York.
Order of the Lords Justices in Council, dated the 13th instant, approving a representation of this Board, recommending James Delancy, Esquire, to be Chief Justice of New York, and directing a proper warrant to be accordingly prepared.
North Carolina.
Order of the Lords Justices in Council, dated the 13th instant, recommending Peter Henley, Esquire, to be Chief Justice of North Carolina, and directing a proper warrant to be accordingly prepared.
Virginia.
Order of the Lords Justices in Council, dated the 13th instant, approving a representation of this Board, recommending Peyton Randolph, Esquire, to be Attorney General of the colony of Virginia, and directing a proper warrant to be accordingly prepared.

The proper warrants and a Commission having been prepared in the usual form pursuant to the directions of the said Orders, were approved, and representations therewith were signed.

Wednesday, May 14. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Grenville, Mr. Fane.

Jamaica.

Their lordships proceeded further in the consideration of the several petitions, memorials and other papers relative to the removal of the seat of government in the Island of Jamaica, and the partys attending with their counsel were called in, and several witnesses were examined upon oath, and written evidence was produced on the part of the petitioners of the town of St. Iago de la Vega.

Thursday, May 15. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Grenville, Mr. Fane.

Jamaica.

Their lordships made a further progress in the consideration of the several petitions, memorials and other papers relating to the removal of the seat of government in Jamaica, and the partys attending with their counsel were called in, and the counsel for the petitioners of St. Iago de la Vega proceeded further in the examination of several witnesses upon oath in support of the answer to the Kingston petition, and the counsel being ordered to withdraw, their lordships agreed to take this affair into further consideration on Friday the 30th instant.

Tuesday, May 27. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Pelham.

Nova Scotia.

The Secretary laid before the Board a memorial prepared by Mr. Kilby, agent for Nova Scotia, to be presented to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, praying that £7571 18s. 7d. may be issued to him for the service of that province and the said memorial having been approved of Mr. Kilby was directed to present it to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury for their Lordships' directions upon it.

Leeward Islands.

The draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee of Council for Plantation affairs upon the extract of a letter from the Governor of the Leeward Islands to this Board, and a petition of the agent of the Island of Antigua to his Majesty, setting forth the expediency of augmenting the regiment stationed in those Islands, having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 30th of April, was agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

Pennsylvania.

The draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee of Council for Plantation affairs upon the address of the House of Representatives of the province of Pennsylvania to his Majesty complaining of the Lieutenant Governor for having refused his assent to a Bill for emitting £20,000 in bills of credit, having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 7th instant, was agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

Massachusets.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council for Plantation affairs, dated the 7th of May, 1755, referring to the Board an Act passed in the province of the Massachusets Bay in December, 1754, for granting unto his Majesty an excise upon spirits distilled and wine, and upon lines, lemons and oranges, and directing the Board to examine the same and report their opinion thereupon.

Ordered, that the said Act be taken into consideration on Friday the 10th of June, and that the Secretary do give notice thereof to Mr. Bollan, agent for the province, and to Mr. Kilby, agent for the town of Boston.

New York.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council for Plantation affairs, dated the 7th of May, 1755, referring to this Board a petition to his Majesty of Joseph Hauser and Philip Ludig in behalf of themselves and others, inhabitants of the city of New York, praying that his Majesty will grant his Letters Patent for collecting within the kingdom of England charitable contributions to enable them to erect a building for the publick worship of Almighty God; and directing the Board to consider the same and report their opinion thereupon.

North Carolina.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council for Plantation affairs, dated the 7th of May, 1755, approving a representation of this Board proposing that an additional instruction should be given to the Governor of North Carolina, impowering him to give his assent under certain limitations to any laws for re-establishing the towns and counties heretofore erected by virtue of laws repealed by his Majesty, and directing the Board to prepare the draught of an additional instruction agreeable to the said report.

Ordered, that the draught of an additional instruction be prepared conformable to the said Order.

New Jersey.

Read an Order of the Lords Justice in Council, dated the 13th of May, 1755, rejecting the petition of the House of Representatives of New Jersey relative to a Bill prepared by them for emitting £70,000 in bills of credit directing that the said Bill should not be enacted and that this Board do signify the same to the Governor and apprize him of the objections thereto.

Ordered, that the Secretary do transmit a copy of the said Order and of the Board's report upon the Assembly's petition to Mr. Belcher, Governor of that province.

South Carolina.

Ordered, that the draught of a representation to their Excellencies, the Lords Justices be prepared, proposing that James Michie, Esquire, be appointed of the Council of South Carolina in the room of William Bull, Esquire, deceased.

Ordered, that the Secretary do write to Mr. Middleton, one of the Council of South Carolina, now residing in England, and desire to know whether he has any intentions of returning to that province.

Wednesday, May 28. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Pelham.

South Carolina.

The draught of a representation to the Lords Justices proposing that James Michie, Esquire, may be appointed of the Council of South Carolina in the room of William Bull, Esquire, deceased, having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of yesterday, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

New York.

Their lordships took into consideration an Act passed in the province of New York in December, 1754, for submitting the controversy concerning the boundary line between that province and New Jersey to his Majesty, mentioned in the minutes of the 9th April, and ordered the draught of a representation to the Lords Justices proposing the repeal of it to be prepared.

North Carolina.

Read a letter from Mr. Child, by order of Lord Granville to Mr. Pownall, dated the 29th of April, 1755, in answer to one from him to his Lordship, inclosing by order of the Board an extract of a letter to their lordships from Mr. Dobbs, Governor of North Carolina, relating to the expediency of resurveying the several counties in that province.

Ordered, that a copy of the said letter be transmitted to Mr. Dobbs, Governor of North Carolina.

Newfoundland.

Read a letter from Mr. Amyand, Secretary to the Lords Justices, dated the 27th of May, 1755, signifying their pleasure that this Board should prepare draughts of a Commission and instructions for Captain Richard Dorrill of the Penzance as Governor of Newfoundland.

Ordered, that the draughts of a Commission and instructions be forthwith prepared in the usual form.

Georgia.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council for Plantation affairs, dated the 15th of May, 1755, referring to this Board an extract of a letter from the Governor of Georgia, proposing an alteration in the southern limits of that colony and directing the Board to consider thereof and report their opinion what they conceive proper to be done.

Their lordships took the said Order into consideration, and having made some progress therein agreed to take it into further consideration to-morrow morning.

South Carolina.

Ordered, that the Secretary do write to Mr. Lyttelton, Governor of South Carolina, and acquaint him that the Board is desirous of having some conversation with him upon the affairs of that province and desire his attendance to-morrow morning at eleven o'clock.

Jamaica.

Ordered, that the Secretary to write to Mr. Clevland, Secretary to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, and desire he would move that Board that their lordships may have a copy of a report made to them in the year 1748 by Admiral Knowles and the rest of the commanders of his Majesty's ships stationed at Jamaica with respect to the unhealthiness of the town of Kingston, etc.

Georgia.

Their lordships took into consideration that part of the Governor of Georgia's letter of the 28th of February, 1755, wherein he mentions the uneasiness of the inhabitants of Savannah on account of a claim made by Mr. Abercromby of a barony formerly granted by Lord Granville within that colony, and ordered the Secretary to give notice to Mr. Abercromby to attend the Board to-morrow morning, in order that their lordships may have some discourse with him thereupon.

Thursday, May 29. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Oswald.

Georgia.

Their lordships took into consideration the Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council, mentioned in the preceding minutes, referring to the Board an extract of a letter from the Governor of Georgia relating to the uncertainty of the southern limits of that colony and made a further progress therein.

Their lordships took into further consideration the Governor of Georgia's letter of the 28th of February, 1755, relating to a claim made to a barony in that colony, mentioned in the preceding minutes, and Mr. Abercromby attending as desired was called in, and being desired to give their lordships some account of this claim he acquainted them that this barony claimed in Georgia was purchased by Alderman Baker and some other gentlemen of Mr. Roberts, to whom it was granted by Lord Granville, that it was surveyed on the 15th of February, 1731, antecedent to the date of the Georgia charter, and the survey recorded in the proper office in Carolina on the 10th of April, 1732. And then Mr. Abercromby withdrew.

South Carolina.

Mr. Lyttelton, Governor of South Carolina, attending as desired was called in, and their lordships had some conversation with him upon the state of that province, more particularly with respect to the laws relating to the Courts of Justice, the Assembly and the Revenue, and their lordships stated to him the several defects of those laws and recommended to him to use his utmost endeavours to get them amended and then he withdrew.

Friday, May 30. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Fane, Mr. Pelham.

Leeward Islands.

The draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee of Council upon an extract of a letter from the Governor of the Leeward Islands and a petition of the agent for Antigua relating to the augmentation of the regiment stationed there, having been transcribed pursuant to the minutes of the 30th of April, was signed.

Pennsylvania.

The draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee of Council upon the address of the House of Representatives of Pennsylvania to his Majesty relating to the Lieutenant Governor having refused his assent to an Act for emitting £20,000 in paper bills of credit having been transcribed pursuant to the minutes of the 27th instant, was signed.

Newfoundland.

The Secretary laid before the Board the draught of a Commission appointing Richard Dorrill, Esquire, Governor of Newfoundland, prepared pursuant to their lordships' order, which having been agreed to was ordered to be transcribed and the draught of a representation to the Lords Justices thereupon was signed.

North Carolina.

The draught of an additional instruction to Mr. Dobbs, Governor of North Carolina, impowering him to give his assent to any law or laws for establishing counties, townships and precincts in that province under certain regulations, together with the draught of a report to the Lords of Committee of Council thereupon, having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 27th instant, was agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

Georgia.

The Secretary laid before the Board a memorial prepared by Mr. Martyn, agent for the colony of Georgia, to be presented to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, praying their Lordships' orders with respect to the ballance of the money granted by Parliament for the service of that colony now in his hands, and the said memorial having been approved it was ordered that Mr. Martyn should present it to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury for their directions thereupon.

Jamaica.

Read a letter from Mr. Clevland, Secretary to the Lords of the Admiralty, to Mr. Pownall, dated the 29th instant, inclosing for the information of this Board the two following papers, viz.:—
Copy of a report made to the Lords of the Admiralty by Admiral Knowles and the rest of the commanders of his Majesty's ships stationed at Jamaica in 1748, concerning the unhealthfulness of the town of Kingston and the state of the hospital belonging to his Majesty's navy near that town. Dated Port Royal, 15th January. 1748–9.
Extract of a letter from Rear Admiral Knowles to the Secretaries of the Admiralty, dated at Cornwall in Jamaica, the 24th of January, 1748–9.

Their lordships took into further consideration the several memorials, petitions and other papers relating to the removal of the seat of government in the Island of Jamaica, and the parties attending with their counsel were called in, and a witness having been examined upon oath on the part of the petitioners of St. Iago de la Vega, Mr. Evans summed up the evidence which had been offered on their part and their lordships after hearing what Mr. Richard Beckford had to offer in support of the petition from the town of St. Iago de la Vega ordered the counsel to withdraw and agreed to take this affair into further consideration on Tuesday next.