Journal, February 1760: Volume 67

Journal, February 1760

fo. 30.

Friday, February 1. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Sloper.

Massachusetts.

The draught of a letter to the Governor of the Massachusets Bay, in answer to two received from him, having been prepared pursuant to order, was agreed to, and ordered to be transcribed.

South Carolina.

fo. 31.

Mr. Wright, agent for the province of South Carolina, attending pursuant to order, was called in; and being asked, if he had received from his constituents any accounts of the state of that province in respect to the hostilities of the Cherokees, of a later date than the 23rd of October last, which is the date of the Governor's last letter to the Board, he laid before their lordships the following paper containing several extracts of letters to him from the Speaker of the House of Assembly upon that subject; and then he withdrew, viz.
Extracts of letters from the Speaker of the Assembly of South Carolina to Mr. Wright, the agent, concerning the state of affairs respecting the hostilities of the Cherokee Indians.

Ordered, that the said paper of extracts, and also the letters and papers received from Governor Lyttelton, respecting the hostilities of the Cherokees, be copied, to be transmitted to Mr. Secretary Pitt, and that the draught of a letter to him thereupon be prepared.

Jamaica.

fo. 32.

The draught of a letter to Mr. Secretary Pitt with the copy of one from the Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica, and also the copy of a deposition referred to therein, respecting the murder by the Spaniards of the masters of two English vessels trading at Carpenter's river upon the Mosquito shore, having been prepared pursuant to order, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Nova Scotia.

The Secretary laid before the Board the following Orders of the House of Commons, viz.
"Martis 29° die Januarii 1760.
"Ordered,
"That there be laid before this House an account of the money paid, and charges incurred, by supporting and maintaining the settlement of his Majesty's colony of Nova Scotia from the 1st of January, 1758, to the 31st of December following.
fo. 33.
"Ordered,
"That there be laid before this House an account of the money paid, and charges incurred, by supporting and maintaining the settlement of his Majesty's colony of Nova Scotia from the 1st of January, 1759, to the 31st of December following.
"J. Dyson
Cl. Dom. Com."

fo. 34.

The account of the money paid and charges incurred by supporting and maintaining the settlement of Nova Scotia for the year 1758, prepared by the agent, and mentioned in the minutes of the 22nd ult., having been again laid before the Board, Mr. Hamilton was desired to present it to the House of Commons; and at the same time to acquaint the House, that the latter order for laying before them an account of the money paid, and charges incurred by supporting and maintaining the settlement of Nova Scotia for the year 1759, cannot be at present complied with, by reason the proper officers in the said colony have not transmitted any accounts of the expenditure, or any vouchers for the payment of money for the year 1759: but that as soon as the accounts and vouchers shall be received, the account shall be made up with all possible dispatch, and laid before the House.

fo. 35.

The Secretary laid before the Board a memorial, prepared by the agent for Nova Scotia, to be presented to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, praying that the sum of four thousand, five hundred pounds may be issued to him to discharge two bills drawn upon him by the Governor of that province for the purchase of dollars for the use of the government; and the said memorial having been approved, it was ordered, that the agent should present it to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, for their lordships' directions upon it.

Jamaica.

Their lordships took into consideration an Act passed in the island of Jamaica in November, 1758, intituled,
An Act for ascertaining the value of Spanish milled money, and for rendring the payment of debts more certain;
fo. 36.
together with Sir Matthew Lamb's report thereupon; and having made some progress therein, agreed to consider further thereof on Tuesday next.

Their lordships then took into consideration an Act passed in the island of Jamaica in October, 1759, intituled,
An Act for vesting certain lands, tenements and premises therein mentioned in John Scott, Esquire, and his heirs, free and discharged from the uses, limitations and trust in his marriage settlement contained, and for making a more certain and better provision for the issue of the said marriage;
together with Sir Matthew Lamb's report thereupon.

fo. 37.

Ordered, that the said Act be taken into further consideration on Wednesday next, and that notice be given to the agent concerned for the parties interested in the Act to attend.

Nova Scotia.

Massachusetts.

New Jersey.

Barbados.

The Secretary having observed to the Board, that great inconveniencies had arison from the Acts of each session of Assembly in Nova Scotia, Massachusets Bay, New Jersey and Barbados having been transmitted in one collection under one Seal, he was ordered to write to the Governors of the said colonies, to desire they would give orders to the proper officers to take care for the future, that each Act was sent separately under the Seal, as directed by his Majesty's instructions.

fo. 38.

Tuesday, February 5. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Sloper, Mr. Bacon.

South Carolina.

The draught of a letter to Mr. Secretary Pitt, with copies of the letters and other papers, received from the Governor of South Carolina, concerning the hostilities of the Cherokee Indians, having been prepared pursuant to order, was agreed to, and ordered to be transcribed.

Massachusetts.

The draught of a letter to the Governor of the Massachusets Bay, in answer to two received from him, having been transcribed pursuant to order, was signed.

fo. 39.

Jamaica.

Their lordships took into further consideration the Act passed in Jamaica in November, 1758, for ascertaining the value of Spanish milled money, &c. and after some time spent therein, agreed to consider further thereof on Tuesday next, the 12th instant; and the Secretary was directed to give notice to the agent to attend on that day.

Wednesday, February 6. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Sloper, Mr. Bacon.

Jamaica.

fo. 40.

Their lordships took into further consideration an Act, passed in the island of Jamaica in October, 1759, intituled, An Act for vesting certain lands, tenements and premises therein mentioned in John Scott, Esquire, &c. and Mr. Stanhope, agent for the parties interested in the Act, attending pursuant to notice given him for that purpose, he was called in, and having acquainted their lordships, that the trustees for the settlement referred to in the Act were advised, that the said Act was not regularly and properly framed, and that he was authorized to acquaint their lordships therewith, and to move their lordships for a copy of Sir Matthew Lamb's report thereupon, their lordships ordered a copy thereof to be made and delivered to him, and the Act to be laid aside.

fo. 41.

Their lordships upon further consideration of the Act passed in Jamaica in 1758 for ascertaining the value of Spanish milled money, &c. agreed to postpone the consideration of it until Tuesday, the 19th instant; and that the Secretary do give notice thereof to the agent, and also to such of the principal persons interested in and trading to the island of Jamaica, as may be able to give their lordships information upon the subject matter of the said Act.

South Carolina.

The draught of a letter to Mr. Secretary Pitt, with copies of the letters and papers lately received from the Governor of South Carolina, concerning the hostilities of the Cherokees, having been transcribed pursuant to order, was signed.

Tuesday, February 12. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Sloper, Mr. Bacon.

Plantations General.

fo. 42.

Read a letter from Mr. Wood, Secretary to the Commissioners of the Customs, to Mr. Pownall, dated the 7th February, 1760, inclosing the following accounts, viz.
An account of the quantities of hemp imported into England from the British American Colonies from Christmas 1712 to Christmas 1728, distinguishing each year.
An account of the quantities of pig and barr iron imported into England from the British American Colonies from Christmas 1750 to Christmas 1758, distinguishing each year.

Virginia.

The Secretary having acquainted the Board, that the agent concerned for the parties interested in an Act passed in Virginia in April, 1759, intituled,
fo. 43.
An Act to dock the intail of certain lands whereof Tunstall Banks is seized, and for settling other lands and certain slaves therein mentioned of greater value to the same uses;
had desired him to move their lordships to lay the said Act before his Majesty for his royal confirmation: it was ordered, that the said Act should be sent to Sir Matthew Lamb for his opinion thereupon in point of law.

North Carolina.

Georgia.

fo. 44.

The Secretary laid before the Board two orders of his Majesty in Council, dated the 10th of August, 1759, the one repealing an Act passed in the province of North Carolina in 1757, intituled, An Act to impower the Justices of the Supreme Courts to take the acknowledgement or proof of deeds, and for allowing them a salary; the other confirming two Acts passed in Georgia in 1758, intituled, An Act to prevent private persons from purchasing lands from the Indians; and for preventing persons trading without licence; and, An Act for limiting the time for persons claiming lands by virtue of warrants of survey, allotments, nominal titles, or possession, derived from and under the late Honourable Trustees for establishing the Colony of Georgia, &c.

Ordered, that an abstract of so much of the last mentioned Act, as relates to the time limited for persons, claiming lands in Georgia under the titles described in the Act, to make good their claims, be published in the Gazette for the information of such persons, resident in Great Britain as may claim lands under those titles.

fo. 45.

Ordered, that the abovementioned Orders in Council be transmitted to the Governors of the provinces of North Carolina and Georgia, together with copies of the Board's reports upon the Acts mentioned therein.

Newfoundland.

Read a letter from Richard Edwards, Esquire, Governor of Newfoundland, to the Board, dated at Spithead, January 25th 1760, inclosing
Return of Captain Ross's Company in the 40th Regiment, and the detachment of the Regiment of Artillery in garrison at St. John's, &c., 20th October, 1759.
Return of Captain John Hamilton's Company in the 40th Regiment in garrison at Placentia, with the detachment of the Regiment of Artillery, 31st July, 1759.
fo. 46.
Return of ordnance stores at St. John's and Placentia in Newfoundland.
General scheme of the fishery of Newfoundland for 1759.

New Jersey.

The Secretary laid before the Board the following publick papers, viz.
Votes of the General Assembly of New Jersey from the 8th to the 17th March, 1759.
Five Acts passed in the province of New Jersey in March, 1759.
South Carolina.
Journal of the Commons House of Assembly of South Carolina from the 23rd of October, 1758, to the 7th of April, 1759.
Fourteen Acts passed in the province of South Carolina in December, 1758, and April, 1759.

fo. 47.

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

Wednesday, February 13. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Sloper, Mr. Bacon.

Massachusetts.

New Jersey.

The Secretary laid before the Board draughts of general instructions and of those relating to the observance of the Acts of Trade, prepared pursuant to order for the Governors of the Massachusets Bay and New Jersey; which draughts were approved, and representations to his Majesty thereupon were signed.

fo. 48.

Jamaica.

The Secretary laid before the Board ten Acts passed in Jamaica in October, 1759, received from that island.

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

Tuesday, February 19. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Sloper, Mr. Bacon.

Jamaica.

fo. 49.

Their lordships, pursuant to their resolutions of the 6th instant, took into further consideration the Act passed in Jamaica in 1758 for ascertaining the value of Spanish milled money, &c. and the agent for the island, together with some of the gentlemen interested in and trading to the island of Jamaica, attending, as desired, they were called in: but many other of the gentlemen, whose attendance was desired, not being come, which the agent said he apprehended was occasioned by a very late attendance yesterday in the House of Commons, and a meeting held after it, it was agreed to postpone the further consideration of this matter till Friday, the 29th instant; and the Secretary was ordered to give notice thereof to such of the gentlemen who were wrote to, and had not attended.

New Hampshire.

Massachusetts.

Connecticut.

New York.

The gentlemen present being withdrawn, the Secretary laid before the Board the following papers received from Mr. Secretary Pitt, viz.
fo. 50.
Letter from Mr. Secretary Pitt, dated 15th February, 1760, referring to the Board, for their consideration and report, the memorials of the Colonels of the Massachusets provincial Regiments, &c.
Copy of the memorial of Phineas Lyman, &c. commanding the forces of the Massachusets and Connecticut, to General Amherst, dated November 10th, 1759, containing proposals for settling the new road from Crown Point to No. 4 upon certain encouragement.
Copy of the memorial of Major of Brigade Skene to General Amherst, praying for a tract of land therein described.
Copy of General Amherst's letter to the Colonels of the Regiments of the Massachusets Bay and Connecticut, in answer to their memorial.
fo. 51.
Extract of a letter from Major General Amherst to Mr. Secretary Pitt, dated New York, December 16th, 1759, on the two above mentioned memorials.

The said papers being read and considered, the draught of a letter to Mr. Secretary Pitt thereupon was ordered to be prepared.

Nova Scotia.

fo. 52.

General Cornwallis, attending upon the subject matter of the papers referred to him on the 7th of December last concerning the claims of the widow of the late Captain How, employed in his Majesty's service in Nova Scotia in the years 1749 and 1750, acquainted their lordships, that it was not his intention to have allowed the said Captain How twenty shillings per day and above the allowance to him of ten shillings per day as Commissary and Judge Advocate: but that he meant only to make Captain How's pay twenty shillings per day in the whole.

Ordered, that the Secretary do acquaint the Governor with what General Cornwallis has represented upon this subject.

Wednesday, February 20. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Sloper, Mr. Bacon.

New Hampshire.

Massachusetts.

Connecticut.

New York.

fo. 53.

The draught of a letter to Mr. Secretary Pitt upon the subject matter of his letter to their lordships, concerning the proposals made to General Amherst by the Colonels of the Provincial Battalions, and by Major of Brigade Skene, for settling some lands lying between Crown Point and Connecticut River, having been prepared pursuant to order, was agreed to, and ordered to be transcribed.

South Carolina.

Read a letter from William Henry Lyttelton, Esquire, to the Board, dated at Fort Prince George, December 29th, 1759, acquainting their lordships, that he has put an end to the Cherokee War; and inclosing
Copy of a treaty of peace and friendship concluded by Governor Lyttelton with the Cherokee Indians on the 26th of December, 1759.

fo. 54.

Ordered, that the said letter and paper be copied to be transmitted to Mr. Secretary Pitt, and that a letter to him upon the subject matter thereof be prepared.

Jamaica.

Read a letter from Henry Moore, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica, dated 4th December, 1759, concerning the dissatisfaction of Mr. Nedham and Mr. Wynter, on finding that Major Clark, by the date of his mandamus, is entitled to precede them in Council.

Nova Scotia.

Read the following letters and papers received from the Governor of Nova Scotia, viz.
Letter from Charles Lawrence, Esquire, Governor of Nova Scotia, to the Board, dated 10th December, 1759, in answer to their lordships' letter of the 1st of August last, and in justification of his conduct in passing grants of part of the evacuated lands, without waiting for further orders from hence.
fo. 55.
Letter from Charles Lawrence, Esquire, Governor of Nova Scotia, to the Board, dated 27th December, 1759, transmitting several publick papers.
Address of the Assembly to Governor Lawrence, dated 24th December, 1759, setting forth the necessity of making some provision for the poorer sort of grantees of the new townships, to support them, until the dykes, which have been carried away by a violent inundation, can be repaired.
Copy of the Memorial of a committee and proprietors of an intended township at Annapolis, setting forth the damage done by the late inundation; the want of a sufficient quantity of cleared land, on which to settle the number of families specified in the grant; and praying relief.
fo. 56.
Copy of the Memorial of a committee for the proprietors of the township of Liverpool at Port Segnior, praying, for the reasons set forth, that the settlers may be transported at the expence of the Government, and have an allowance of provisions.
Letter from Mr. Lawrence, Governor of Nova Scotia, to the Board, dated 12th January, 1760, transmitting the following papers.
Address of the General Assembly to the Governor, praying that he would use his interest with this Board, that a minister and schoolmaster may be sent over for the service of the settlement at Lunenburg.
Estimate of stationery wanted at the publick offices at Halifax for the year 1760.
fo. 57.
Number of panes of glass requisite for the lanthorn of the lighthouse.

Ordered, that the two last mentioned papers be delivered to the agent for the settlement of Nova Scotia, to the end he may procure the particulars therein required.

Thursday, February 21. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Sloper, Mr. Bacon.

South Carolina.

The draught of a letter to Mr. Secretary Pitt, inclosing the copy of a letter from Governor Lyttelton, and also a copy of the treaty concluded with the Cherokees, having been prepared pursuant to order, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

fo. 58.

New Hampshire.

New York.

The draught of a letter to Mr. Secretary Pitt upon the subject matter of his letter to their lordships, concerning the proposals made to General Amherst by the Colonels of the provincial Battalions, and by Major of Brigade Skene, for settling some lands lying between Crown Point and Connecticut River, having been prepared pursuant to order, was signed.

Nova Scotia.

Their lordships took into consideration the several letters and papers lately received from the Governor of Nova Scotia; and, after some time spent therein, ordered the draught of a letter to him, in answer thereto, to be prepared.

fo. 59.

Friday, February 29. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Sloper, Mr. Bacon.

Jamaica.

fo. 60.

fo. 61.

fo. 62.

Their lordships took into further consideration the Act passed in the island of Jamaica in 1758 for ascertaining the value of Spanish milled money, &c. and several of the gentlemen interested in and trading to that island attending without, they were called in; and their lordships having desired their opinion, whether the state of the coin in Jamaica, as well in respect to its internal police and economy as its external trade and commerce, was such, before the passing of this Act, as required any new regulations? and if so, whether the provisions of this Act are just and proper? Mr. Alderman Beckford said, he was satisfied the island would not have passed this Act, if they had not thought it right to do so: that he had instructions from the people there to support it; but as he was convinced, that it would, if confirmed, greatly affect credit, he could not support it; that it was not founded upon principles of justice; that by raising the nominal value of the coin, creditors would be greatly injured; and if they were once suffered to pass Acts of this kind, there was no knowing where it might stop; that the nature of the trade with the Northern Colonies exhausted their cash, the traders from which, in return for their lumber, take only a small part in produce, but chiefly cash, with which they go and purchase a cargo at the French or Dutch islands at 50 per cent advantage; that this cannot be prevented by raising the nominal value of the coin, for all commodities will rise in proportion; that it is well known, that the raising the coin in France had only the effect to induce other countries to pour in their base money upon them; this will have the same effect; the marks will certainly be counterfeited; that he must again repeat, he did not believe the island meant any injustice, their object being to keep a sufficient quantity of cash for circulation; that there never was, he believed, such a scarcity of coin for circulation as to require such a measure; that he never knew such, and therefore upon the whole was against the Act.

Mr. Fuller said, he was of the same opinion with Mr. Beckford: that it was certainly an injustice to all creditors; that measures of this kind had always this effect, when tried in other countries; that it never can answer to keep money in the island; that the balance of trade being against the island, money will and must go out; that it will not answer the purpose intended, and will only hurt creditors, and alter the rate of exchange.

fo. 63.

Mr. Vassall declared himself of the same opinion with Mr. Beckford and Mr. Fuller, and agreed with Mr. Beckford, that there never was such a scarcity of cash for circulation in the island of Jamaica as to render such an Act at all necessary.

Sir Alexander Grant declared his opinion likewise against the Act, and said, that the only way to lessen the balance of trade against the island, and increase the cash, would be to lower the price of their commodities.

fo. 64.

Mr. Morant, lately arrived from Jamaica, and who was there when the Act was passed, said, that the scarcity of cash for circulation was so great, that there was absolute necessity of doing something; that the merchants were consulted, and various schemes proposed; but that none appeared so good as this; that the scarcity was so great, that not half the taxes could be paid, nor the troops subsisted.

Mr. Elletstone, who is likewise lately arrived from Jamaica, and was there when the Bill passed, said, that the Bill was of absolute necessity from the great scarcity of cash; but that if any other better method can be thought of, it will be very acceptable to the island; that the effect of this Bill had been to raise the price of dollars to six shillings and sixpence, at which they were now passed and taken by general consent, so that not more than twelve thousand pounds had been stamped.

fo. 65.

The gentlemen being withdrawn, their lordships agreed to take the Act into further consideration on Tuesday next; and the Secretary was ordered to give notice to the agent of the island to attend.