Journal, January 1764: Volume 71

Journal, January 1764

fo. 1.

At a meeting of his Majesty's Commissioners for Trade and Plantations.

Monday, January 2. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Gascoyne.

Quebec.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty, upon the several papers referred to the Board by the Earl of Halifax, concerning the complaints of Sieur de la Fontaine of Quebec against Governor Murray, having been prepared pursuant to order, was agreed to, transcribed and signed; as was also a letter to the Earl of Halifax inclosing it, and desiring his Lordship to lay it before his Majesty.

Plantations General.

fo. 2.

Read a letter from the Earl of Sandwich to the Board, dated the 29th of December, 1763, desiring to be informed whether Government intends to defray the charges of transporting settlers to Florida, and acquainting them with a report spread in Holland, that the French Protestants are kept in jayl at Plymouth, till their departure for America; and inclosing,
Extract of a letter from Mr. Woodford to the Earl of Sandwich, dated Hamburgh, 20th of December, 1763, relative to the transporting of settlers to Florida.

South Carolina.

fo. 3.

Their lordships took into consideration that part of Lord Sandwich's letter, which relates to the report spread in Holland that the French Protestants, destined to be settled in Carolina, had been confined in prison at Plymouth; and Mr. Majendie, one of the trustees for the affairs of the said Protestants, attending, he was desired to make the proper enquiry concerning the truth of such report, and acquaint their lordships with the result.

Trade, Brussels.

Read a letter from the Earl of Sandwich to the Board, dated the 29th of December, 1763, inclosing,
Extract of a letter from Sir James Porter to the Earl of Sandwich, dated Brussels, 20th December, 1763, relative to rock salt, and an intended augmentation of the duties on all salt.
Copy of a memorial relating to rock salt, presented 12th of November, 1763 by Sir James Porter to the Government General of the Netherlands.
Copy of a memorial delivered to Sir James Porter by Count Cobenzl, December 17th, 1763, relative to the duties on salt.

fo. 4.

Their lordships, upon consideration of the said letter and papers, and of the former letter from the Earl of Sandwich upon this subject, mentioned in the minutes of the 21st of December, ordered the Secretary to write to the Mayor of Liverpool, to desire he would acquaint the merchants of that place, concerned in the exportation of rock salt to Flanders, that their lordships desire they would depute some proper person or persons to attend their lordships' Board upon the subject matter of those papers.

fo. 5.

Monday, January 9th. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Rice, Mr. Gascoyne.

South Carolina.

Mr. Majendie, one of the trustees for the French Protestants going to settle in South Carolina, attended, and acquainted their lordships that, upon the fullest enquiry, he found there was no foundation for the report spread in Holland, that the said Protestants had been confined in prison at Plymouth; whereupon their lordships directed that the draught of a letter to the Earl of Sandwich, acquainting him with the result of their enquirys, should be prepared.

fo. 6.

Quebec.

Read a letter from the Earl of Halifax to the Board, dated the 5th of January, 1764, signifying the King's approbation of their representation of the 2nd of January, on the case of the Sieur de la Fontaine, and directing them to transmit to the Governor of Quebec copies of the Sieur de la Fontaine's papers, and require him to answer the complaint against him, etc.

Ordered, that the draught of a letter to the Governor of Quebec be prepared, conformable to what has been usual on like occasions.

fo. 7.

Tuesday, January 10th. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice, Mr. Gascoyne.

South Carolina.

Quebec.

The draught of a letter to the Earl of Sandwich, acquainting him with the result of the Board's enquiries concerning the report spread in Holland, that the French Protestants, going to settle in South Carolina, were imprisoned at Plymouth, having been prepared pursuant to order, was agreed to, transcribed and signed; as was also a letter to the Governor of Quebec, directing him to make answer to the complaints of the Sieur de la Fontaine.

Ordered, that a copy of the said letter be given to the Sieur de la Fontaine's son.

fo. 8.

Trade.

Brussels.

Read a letter from Richard Phelps, esquire, to the Secretary, dated the 6th of January, 1764, inclosing,
Extract of a letter from Mr. Thomas Mortimer to Sir James Porter, dated Bruges, December 23rd, 1763, relative to rock salt.
Copy of a letter from Sir James Porter to the Earl of Sandwich, dated Brussels, 27th December, 1763.

Read a letter from Mr. George Campbell to the Secretary, dated Liverpool, January 6th, 1764, in answer to one from him of the 2nd instant, relative to rock salt, and inclosing,
Extract of a letter from Mr. J. B. Ryngaut to Mr. Campbell, dated Ghent, December 20th, 1763, giving him hopes of getting into the rock salt trade again.

fo. 9.

Plantations General.

Read a memorial of Mr. Peter Hasenclever, desiring a Commission for Mr. Francis Caspar Hasenclever to act as an agent for the Board, to engage persons in Germany or Holland to settle in America, for the cultivation of hemp and flax, and the working of mines.

Their lordships, upon consideration of the said memorial, did not think themselves authorized to give any testimonial of the nature of that requested by Mr. Hasenclever, but the Secretary was ordered to give him a certificate of their lordships' approbation of his plan.

fo. 10.

Read a letter from the Commissioners of the Navy to the Board, dated the 2nd of January, 1764, in answer to the Secretary's letter, relative to the advantages that arose to that branch of his Majesty's service under their direction from the bounty upon the hemp imported from America.

Trade.

The Secretary laid before their lordships an account of the quantity of hemp imported into England between Christmas 1752 and Christmas 1762, distinguishing each year, and from what parts, received from the Commissioners of the Customs.

Plantations General.

Ordered, that the merchants' memorial, concerning the revival of the bounties upon hemp from America, be taken into consideration on Monday, the 23rd instant, and that notice be given to the merchants to attend.

Quebec.

Ordered, that the memorial of the merchants trading to Canada, mentioned in the minutes of the 21st of December last, be taken into consideration on Friday, the 20th instant, and that notice be given to them to attend.

fo. 11.

Plantations General.

Their lordships took into consideration the state of the paper currency in the American colonies, not comprized in the Act of the 24th of his late Majesty, for restraining such currency in the New England governments, and agreed to consider further thereof on Thursday, the 19th instant; and the Secretary was ordered to write to the principal merchants trading to those colonies, and also to the agents, to desire their attendance on that day.

fo. 12.

Read a letter from Charles Jenkinson, esquire, Secretary to the Lords of the Treasury, to Mr. Pownall, dated the 9th of January, 1764, desiring him to move the Board to prepare and transmit to the Lords of the Treasury, estimates of the charges of the civil establishments of Nova Scotia, Georgia, East and West Florida, and other necessary expences for the service of the colonies; and acquainting him that, it is the King's intention to cause the charges of the civil establishments of the Governments of Quebec and Grenada to be defrayed, if possible, out of their respective revenues.

Ordered, that the said letter be taken into consideration on Thursday morning.

Plantations General.

Thursday, January 12th. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Rice, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Gascoyne.

fo. 13.

Their lordships took into consideration the letter from Mr. Jenkinson, mentioned in the preceding minutes, and the following draughts of estimates were ordered to be prepared, vizt.,
Estimate of the charge of maintaining and supporting the civil establishment of his Majesty's Colony of Nova Scotia for the year 1764.
Estimate of the civil establishment of the Colony of Georgia and other incidental expences attending the same from the 24th of June, 1763, to the 24th of June, 1764.
Ditto: of East and West Florida for the same time.
Estimate of the expence attending general surveys of his Majesty's Dominions in North America for 1764.

Post Meridiem.

fo. 14.

Their lordships had under consideration the state of Indian affairs in America, and several minutes of a plan for the future regulation of them were taken down.

Friday, January 13th. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Rice, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Gascoyne.

Nova Scotia, Georgia, East Florida, West Florida, Plantations General.

The draughts of estimates of the expence of supporting the civil establishments of the Colonies of Nova Scotia, Georgia, East and West Florida, and of making general surveys of America, having been prepared pursuant to order, were laid before the Board and considered.

Plantations General.

fo. 15.

Their lordships took into further consideration the state of Indian affairs, and some further minutes were taken for a plan for the future regulation of them.

Monday, January 16th. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Rice, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Gascoyne.

Plantations General.

Their lordships made a further progress in the consideration of a plan for the future regulation of Indian affairs in America.

fo. 16.

Thursday, January 19th. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Rice, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Gascoyne.

Plantations General.

Their lordships took into further consideration the state of the paper currency in the American colonies, not included in the Act of the 24th of his late Majesty, and several of the principal merchants trading to the said colonies, and also the agents attending as desired, were respectively heard in what they had to offer for and against the extending the Act of the 24th of his late Majesty, for restraining paper currency in the four New England governments, to the other colonies.

fo. 17.

Friday, January 20th. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice, Mr. Gascoyne.

Quebec.

fo. 18.

Their lordships took into consideration the memorial of the merchants trading to Canada, mentioned in the minutes of the 21st of December last, and some few of the subscribers to the said memorial attending, they were called in, together with some other merchants and others trading to and interested in the said colony, who presented a memorial, setting forth that the subject matter of the said first memorial was kept secret from them, and therefore desiring that nothing might be done upon it, until they had an opportunity of being heard; whereupon both the said memorials were read, and the gentlemen were respectively heard in what they had to offer upon the several points therein contained, and being withdrawn, their lordships resolved, that the said first memorial should lye by for further consideration at another opportunity.

Post Meridiem.

Miscellanies.

Read a letter from the Earl of Albemarle to the Secretary, dated January 20th, 1764, desiring him to move the Board for a copy of an opinion given by Sir Edward Northey in 1703, as to the Crown's rights of levying duties in a conquered country.

Ordered, that the Secretary do transmit to the Earl of Albemarle a copy of the paper referred to in his Lordship's letter.

fo. 19.

Pennsylvania.

The Secretary having acquainted the Board, that he was desired by the Proprietaries of Pennsylvania, to move their lordships for a copy of the report made by Sir William Johnson of his proceedings; in consequence of his Majesty's orders to enquire into the complaints of the Indians, of their having been defrauded of lands by the Proprietaries; it was ordered, that a copy of the said report should be made and delivered to them.

Grenada.

The Secretary having acquainted the Board, that he was desired by the agent for the Earl of Cardigan to move their lordships, for copies of the reports made by this Board, upon the applications of the Duke of Montague, for grants of the Islands of Sta. Lucia and St. Vincent's in 1722, and of Tobago in 1727; it was ordered, that copies should be made and delivered to the said agent.

fo. 20.

Nova Scotia.

The Secretary having acquainted the Board, that he was desired by Mr. McNutt to move their lordships, for a copy of their representation to his Majesty upon the petition of the officers, settled on St. John's Island, for a grant of the lands upon which they are settled; it was ordered, that a copy should be made of the said representation and delivered to Mr. McNutt.

Plantations General.

Their lordships took into further consideration the draughts of the estimates, mentioned in the minutes of the 12th instant, and the said draughts having been agreed to, the Secretary was ordered to transmit them to the Secretary to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, to be laid before that Board.

fo. 21.

Trade.

Brussels.

Read a memorial of the proprietors of salt rock pitts and white salt, and other dealers in salt in and about Northwich, to the Board, relative to their contract with Mr. Ryngaut.
State of the case of Mr. Ryngaut drawn up by George Campbell, esquire.
Copy of a contract between the proprietors and Mr. Campbell.

Mr. Blackbourn, a merchant of Liverpool and one of the proprietors of the rock salt pitts at Northwich, attending, was called in, and, their lordships having fully heard what he had to offer upon the subject matter of the papers, relative to the duties upon this commodity in the Austrian Netherlands, he withdrew, and it was ordered, that the draught of a letter to the Earl of Sandwich, containing the Board's sentiments upon this affair, should be prepared.

fo. 22.

Nova Scotia.

Read a letter from the Earl of Halifax to the Board, dated the 18th January, 1764, transmitting, for their lordships' consideration and report, the copy of a memorial of the Earl of Egmont, requesting from the King a grant of the whole Island of St. John.

Saturday, January 21st. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice, Mr. Gascoyne.

Virginia.

fo. 23.

Read a petition of the merchants of Glasgow trading to Virginia, respecting the measures proper to be taken with regard to the paper currency in that province, dated 10th of January, 1764.

Plantations General.

Their lordships again took into consideration the state of the paper currency in the several American colonies, not included in the Act of the 24th of his late Majesty, and made some progress therein.

Monday, January 23rd. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice, Mr. Gascoyne.

Plantations General.

fo. 24.

Ordered, that the consideration of the memorial of the merchants of London trading to America, concerning the revival of the bounties upon hemp, be postponed to Thursday next, and that the Secretary do give notice thereof to the merchants and to the agent.

Read the following memorials, praying for grants of lands in America, vizt.,
Quebec.
Memorial of Denys Vitry to the Board, praying for a grant of a tract of land on the north side of the Bay of Gaspée, for establishing a pilotage and carrying on the fishery.
Nova Scotia.
Memorial of Samuel Holland, Joseph Peach and Benjamin Hallowell, praying that a township may be granted to them upon the River St. John in Nova Scotia.
fo. 25.
Newfoundland.
Memorial of Mr. Samuel Gridley to the Board, dated the 2nd of January, 1764, desiring their lordships' favourable report on the application of his father Colonel Richard Gridley, for a grant of the Islands of Magdalene.
Nova Scotia.
Memorial of Michael Francklin and others to the Board, dated September 3rd, 1763, praying for a grant of 100,000 acres of land in Nova Scotia, and containing their proposals for the settlement of them.
Estimate of the expence to Mr. Francklin and others, if their proposals are accepted.
Memorial of Samuel Smith of London, merchant, praying for a grant of a township in the Island of St. John in Nova Scotia.
fo. 26.
Memorial of John Cathcart, late purser of his Majesty's ship Diana, to the Board, praying for the grant of a township on the north side of St. John's Island.
Georgia.
Memorial of Denys Rolle, esquire, to the Board, in behalf of himself and others, praying that Cumberland Isle on the Coast of Georgia may be granted to them.

Ordered, that the said memorials be taken into consideration on Tuesday, the 31st instant, and notice given to the parties to attend, and that Governor Ellis, Mr. Graham, one of the Council of Georgia, and Mr. Knox, agent for the province, be also desired to attend, upon the subject matter of Mr. Rolle's application for the Island of Cumberland.

Nova Scotia.

Read the following letters from the four merchants, whose applications for lands in St. John's Island are now before the Board, vizt.,
fo. 27.
Letter from Mr. Mill to the Secretary, dated 30th December, 1763, containing further proposals for settling a township on the south side of the Island of St. John.
Letter from Mr. Cathcart to the Secretary, dated 30th December, 1763, containing further proposals for settling a township on the north side of the Island of St. John.
Letter from Hutchinson Mure, esquire, to the Secretary, dated 30th December, 1763, containing further proposals for settling a township on the north side of the Island of St. John.
Letter from Mr. Spence to the Secretary, dated 30th December, 1763, containing further proposals for settling a township on the north side of the Island of St. John.

fo. 28.

Read a letter from the officers, who have presented a petition praying for lands in the Island of St. John, dated the 19th of January, 1764, desiring to withdraw that petition, and to be admitted as associates with the Earl of Egmont, in a plan proposed by him for the settlement of that island.

Read a letter from several admirals and other officers of rank in his Majesty's sea and land service, desiring to be admitted as associates in the Earl of Egmont's proposals for the settlement of the Island of St. John.

Read a letter from Edward Sedgwick, esquire, to the Secretary, dated the 13th of January, 1764, transmitting, by the Earl of Halifax's direction,
Extract of a letter from Lieutenant Colonel Tulleken, dated Louisbourg, 25th October, 1763, to the Earl of Halifax, relative to frequent applications for grants of land and fisheries on the Islands of Cape Breton and St. John's.

fo. 29.

West Florida.

Mr. Ellis, intended agent for West Florida, and employed in the purchase of goods for presents to the Indians dependant upon that government, attended, and laid before the Board a list of the goods he had been advised to purchase, and also an additional list prepared by Governor Johnston, and desired the Board's directions and opinion upon the said list.

Ordered, that the Secretary do write to Governor Johnston and acquaint him, that, the Board desire to speak with him upon this subject, when it shall be convenient to him.

Post Meridiem.

Plantations General.

fo. 30.

Read a letter from the Earl of Halifax to the Board, dated 16th January, 1764, transmitting, for their lordships' consideration and report, a copy of a letter from the governors and Indian agents of the southern provinces of North America.
Copy of a letter from the governors and agents of the southern colonies of North America to the Earl of Halifax, dated November 10th, 1763, relative to the dispositions of the Indians, expediency of giving them speedy supplies of goods, and establishing the Indian commerce.

Newfoundland.

Read a letter from the Mayor of Poole to the Secretary, dated 17th December, 1763, acquainting him, that it is the opinion of the merchants of that town, that the establishment of a civil government in Newfoundland would be a disadvantage to the trade and fishery of that island.

Read a letter from Mr. Milner to the Secretary, dated Poole, 21st December, 1763, relative to the establishment of a civil government in Newfoundland.

fo. 31.

Read a letter from the Provost of Glasgow to the Secretary, dated the 22nd of December, 1763, approving of the establishment of a civil government in Newfoundland, and inclosing,
Virginia.
Printed memorial of the merchants of Glasgow trading to Virginia, respecting the state of the paper currency in that colony.

Newfoundland.

Read a letter from the Mayor of Exeter to the Secretary, dated December 24th, 1763, acquainting him, that it is the opinion of the merchants of that place, that the establishment of a civil government in Newfoundland will be prejudicial to the trade of that island.

Read a letter from Mr. Weston, Deputy Town Clerk of Plymouth, to the Secretary, dated December 27th, 1763, respecting the establishment of a civil government in Newfoundland.

fo. 32.

Read a letter from the Mayor of Cork to the Secretary, dated December 29th, 1763, in answer to his letter on the expediency of establishing a complete form of civil government in Newfoundland.

Read a letter from the Sovereign of Belfast to the Secretary, dated December 31st, 1763, respecting the establishment of a civil government in Newfoundland.

Read a letter from the Master of Merchants' Hall, Bristol, to the Secretary, dated the 10th of January, 1764, in answer to his letter relative to the establishment of a civil government in Newfoundland.

fo. 33.

Thursday, January 26th. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice, Mr. Gascoyne.

Plantations General.

Their lordships took into consideration the application of the merchants, concerning a revival of the bounties upon hemp imported from the British colonies, and the principal merchants trading to America attending, with the agents of the respective colonies, and others interested therein, they were called in; and their lordships, having heard what they had to offer in support of their proposition, they withdrew, and their lordships, upon full consideration, resolved to represent in favor of what was proposed under proper limitations and conditions.

fo. 34.

fo. 35.

The merchants and others being called in again, they were acquainted with their lordships' sentiments upon this matter, and their lordships then proceeded to take into consideration a proposition, intended to be made to Parliament by the merchants trading to Virginia, Maryland, Carolina and Georgia, and the agents of the said colonies, for leave to import salt directly from foreign parts into the said colonies, under certain restrictions, and the gentlemen having been fully heard in what they had to offer, their lordships acquainted them, that, unless they could shew that those colonies could not be supplyed at reasonable rates with salt from Great Britain, which, from the great improvements and discoveries lately made in the production and manufacture of salt in Lancashire, there was great reason to believe they might be supplyed with, their lordships could not recommend a regulation, that in its operation would check, if not suppress, the manufacture and produce of the mother country.

The agents of Carolina and Georgia, and several merchants trading to that country, then proceeded to state several arguments in support of the proposition made last year, for leave to export rice directly to all parts from South Carolina and Georgia, and, having been fully heard, their lordships agreed to consider further of this matter the first opportunity.

Virginia.

The merchants trading to Virginia moved their lordships, for a copy of the Board's letter to the Lieutenant Governor of that colony, upon the subject matter of the complaints concerning the paper currency, which was ordered to be made and delivered to them.

Post Meridiem.

fo. 36.

Plantations General.

Read the following letters to Mr. Pownall from the Secretary to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, vizt.,
Letter from Mr. Jenkinson to Mr. Pownall, dated the 20th of January, 1764, inclosing a memorial of several merchants of London trading to his Majesty's colonies in America, and of the several agents in behalf of their respective provinces, praying the revival of so much of an Act as relates to the encouragement of the culture of hemp, and desiring the opinion of this Board thereupon.
Memorial of the several merchants, etc., to the Lords of the Treasury, respecting hemp.
fo. 37.
Trade.
Letter from Mr. Whately, Secretary to the Treasury, to Mr. Pownall, dated 25th January, 1764, acquainting him, that application had been made to the Lords of the Treasury for the revival of the Act of Parliament for the encouragement of the whale fishery, and desiring him to move this Board for their opinion, how far it may be adviseable to encourage the said application.
Letter from Mr. Whately, dated 25th of January, 1764, inclosing for the opinion of this Board,
A petition of the merchants of New England and London to the Lords of the Treasury, desiring their countenance in an application to Parliament to take off the duty upon whale fins, etc.
fo. 38.
Letter from Mr. Whately to Mr. Pownall, dated 25th January, 1764, inclosing a memorial of several persons employed in making beaver hats, and desiring the opinion of this Board, whether it may be adviseable to take off the drawback, and to lay a duty on the exportation.
Memorial of the beaver hat makers to the Lords of the Treasury, setting forth the great advantage that would accrue to that trade, if the duties on beaver skins were taken off.

Read a memorial of several persons employed in making and vending beaver hats, etc., setting forth the great hardship that trade labours under by an allowance of a drawback upon the exportation of beaver skins.

fo. 39.

Several of the principal makers and venders of hats attending, they were called in, and their lordships having heard what they had to offer in support of the allegations of their memorial, agreed to consider further of their memorial on Wednesday next, when they were desired to attend again.

Ordered, that the Secretary do write to the Governor of the Hudson's Bay Company, and to the principal importers and exporters of beaver skins, to desire their attendance at the Board on that day.

Ordered, that the Secretary do write to the Commissioners of the Customs for the following accounts, vizt.,
fo. 40.
An account of the quantity of hats exported from England to foreign parts from Christmas 1735 to Christmas 1738, distinguishing each year, and to what places exported.
The like account from Christmas 1750 to Christmas 1753.
The like account from Christmas 1759 to Christmas 1762.
An account of the quantity of beaver skins imported into and exported from England between Christmas 1735 and Christmas 1738, distinguishing each year, and the places from which imported, and to which exported, with the amount of the duties paid and drawbacks allowed thereon.
The like account from Christmas 1750 to Christmas 1753.
The like account from Christmas 1759 to Christmas 1762.
fo. 41.
An account of the quantity of beaver wooll exported from England from Christmas 1735 to Christmas 1738, distinguishing each year, and the places to which exported.
The like account from Christmas 1750 to Christmas 1753.

Grenada.

Read a report of his Majesty's Advocate and Attorney General upon a list of cases referred to them, relative to the seizure of effects of the French inhabitants, and the forfeiture, sale or escheatage of lands in the Island of Grenada.

Their lordships took the said report into consideration, as also the Earl of Halifax's letter of the 27th of September last, mentioned in the minutes of the 4th of October, and a letter to his Lordship thereupon, and inclosing a copy of the abovementioned report, was agreed to and signed.

fo. 42.

Plantations General.

Ordered, that the consideration of the state of the paper currency in North America be resumed on Thursday next, the 2nd of February, and that the Governor of New York, the Proprietaries, Chief Justice and agent of Pennsylvania, the late Governors of Massachusets Bay, Georgia, New Jersey and South Carolina, and the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, be desired to attend.

Friday, January 27th. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice, Mr. Gascoyne.

Newfoundland.

fo. 43.

Mr. Elton and Captain Darby of Bristol, owners of a vessel trading to Newfoundland, attended, and presented to the Board the following memorial, vizt.,
Memorial of Captain Darby to the Board, stating the injurious treatment he has received from Mr. George Milner of the Island of Newfoundland, and praying such relief as their lordships shall think proper.

Their lordships, having heard what the gentlemen had to offer in support of the allegations of the memorial, they were ordered to withdraw.

Jamaica.

Several gentlemen, having plantations and being otherways interested in the Island of Jamaica, attended, and presented to the Board the following order of reference, vizt.,
fo. 44.
Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council for Plantation Affairs, dated the 29th of June, 1761, referring to the consideration of this Board, a petition of the planters of the Island of Jamaica residing in Great Britain to his Majesty.

The gentlemen being withdrawn, and the agent for the island sent for, he moved the Board that he might be allowed time to prepare to be heard by his counsel against the said petition, and it was recommended to him to consult the gentlemen interested in the petition, that a day convenient to all parties might be fixed for hearing the merits of the petition, which he engaged to do and then withdrew.

fo. 45.

West Florida.

Governor Johnstone attending, their lordships had some discourse with him upon the subject matter of the list of goods for presents to the Indians in West Florida, and Mr. Ellis, the gentleman appointed to purchase the goods, was called in, and it was signified to him, that he should follow such directions as the Governor should think proper to give him in this business.

fo. 46.

Monday, January 30th. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Rice, Mr. Gascoyne.

Grenada.

Read a letter from Robert Melvill, esquire, Governor of the Grenada Islands, dated January 23rd, 1764, submitting to their lordships, whether it would not be expedient that two 40 or 50 gun ships should be stationed at Tobago.

Ordered, that the draught of a representation to his Majesty be prepared, proposing that two ships of war be fitted out for Tobago, for the service mentioned in Governor Melvill's letter.

fo. 47.

West Florida.

Read the following letters to the Secretary from George Johnstone, esquire, Governor of West Florida, vizt.,
Letter from Governor Johnstone, dated January 29th, 1764, desiring that an order may be obtained from the Admiralty for a ship to convey him to his government.
Letter from Governor Johnstone, dated January 29th, 1764, proposing that the presents intended for the Indians should go in the said ship that is to carry the said Governor, and inclosing,
An assortment of goods proper for Indian presents for West Florida.

Grenada, West Florida, East Florida.

fo. 48.

Ordered, that the draught of a letter to the Earl of Halifax be prepared, desiring him to move his Majesty, that the proper directions may be given for the appointment of ships of war to carry the Governors of Grenada, West Florida and East Florida, with their servants and baggage, to their respective governments, and to represent to his Lordship the expediency of the goods, for presents to the Indians of East and West Florida, being sent on board such ships, to save the expence of freight and insurance.

Trade, Africa.

fo. 49.

The Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa attended, and moved the Board to report to his Majesty upon the petition of Mr. Touchet, for an exclusive grant of the trade to Senegal, in order to pave the way for an application, which they intended to make to Parliament, to annex that territory to the lands within their jurisdiction; and Mr. Touchet attending also, with Mr. Eyre, his sollicitor, it appeared, upon reference to the former proceedings of the Board, that a hearing of the parties by counsel upon Mr. Touchet's petition, had been appointed, and was at the request of Mr. Touchet, postponed, until he should signify that he was prepared to proceed, whereupon he was directed to signify to the Board, on or before Thursday next, whether he intended to proceed upon the said petition, and then the gentlemen withdrew.

Plantations General.

fo. 50.

Their lordships took into further consideration the several applications of the merchants, the agents of the colonies, the makers and venders of hats, and other persons interested in the trade and commerce with the colonies, touching the revival of the bounties upon hemp, the duties upon beaver skins and whalefins and other points mentioned in Mr. Jenkinson and Mr. Whately's letters to the Secretary.

Jamaica.

The Secretary having acquainted the Board, that he was desired by Mr. Pickering, interested in the complaints of the planters of Jamaica, concerning the laws for double taxing absentees, to move their lordships for copies of the following papers, they were ordered to be made and delivered to him, vizt.,
Copy of the petition of the absentees from Jamaica against the Act.
Copy of the last Act of Jamaica relative to absentees.
Copy of a report of the Board of Trade, the 1st May, 1747, upon a former application relative to absentees.

fo. 51.

Tuesday, January 31st. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice, Mr. Gascoyne.

Grenada, East Florida, West Florida.

fo. 52.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty, proposing that one or more ships of war may be prepared and properly fitted to be sent to Tobago, to lye as hulks for the reception of the Lieutenant Governor and other officers of Government, and for the reception of the sick, until habitations can be erected on shore, having been prepared pursuant to order, was agreed to, transcribed and signed, as was also a letter to Lord Halifax, desiring him to move his Majesty, that orders may be given for preparing two ships of war to carry the Governors of Grenada, and East and West Florida to their respective destinations, and for receiving on board the presents intended to be given to the Indians dependent upon the two last mentioned governments.

Georgia, East Florida.

fo. 53.

Mr. Rolle, in whose name a petition had been presented by Dr. Willan, praying for a grant of the Island of Cumberland upon the Coast of Georgia, attending, was called in, and having acquainted their lordships, that the said petition was presented by Dr. Willan without any authority from him, he delivered a memorial, signed by himself, praying in general terms for grants of land upon the heads of the Alatamaha River, and between those heads and the River Apalachicola, as also upon Sitilla River, in order to make a settlement and carry on a trade down the said rivers, as well into the Atlantick Ocean as the Gulph of Mexico, under his own personal inspection, and their lordships having heard what he had to offer upon it, he was desired to deliver in some further proposals, pointing out in a more particular manner the nature of his plan, and the quantity and situation of the lands he desired, and then he withdrew.

Trade, Africa.

Read a letter from Mr. Whately, Secretary to the Lords of the Treasury, dated the 30th of January, 1764, inclosing two memorials, one from the African Committee, the other from Samuel Touchet, esquire, relative to the Fort of Senegal and its dependencies.

Newfoundland.

fo. 54.

The Secretary having acquainted the Board, that he was desired by Governor Johnstone to move the Board in behalf of Captain Ruthven, for a copy of Captain Darby's memorial concerning what passed in Newfoundland between him and Mr. Milner, in which Captain Ruthven's name was inserted and proceedings complained of, it was ordered, that a copy should be made and delivered to Captain Ruthven.

Plantations General.

Their lordships took into further consideration the state of paper currency in the American colonies.

Nova Scotia.

Read a letter from Messrs. Mure, Mill, Spence and Cathcart to the Board, desiring to be admitted associates in the plan proposed by Lord Egmont for the settlement of the Island of St. John and that their former proposals may be withdrawn.

fo. 55.

Ordered, that the consideration of the other memorials praying for grants of lands in America, mentioned in the minutes of the 23rd instant, be postponed, none of the parties interested attending.