Journal, February 1770: Volume 77

Journal, February 1770

fo. 25.

Wednesday, February 7. Present:—Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Fitz herbert, Mr. Rice, Mr. Robinson, Lord Lisburne.

The Earl of Hillsborough, one of His Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, being present, their Lordships took into further consideration several applications for grants of land in His Majesty's Colonies in America, vizt.
East Florida.
Memorial of Godfrey Thornton, merchant, to the Board, praying for a grant of ten thousand acres of land in East Florida.
Nova Scotia.
Memorial of John Greeve of Lurgan in the Kingdom of Ireland to the Board, dated February 5th, 1770, praying for a grant of twenty thousand acres of land in Nova Scotia.
West Florida.
fo. 26.
Petition of Edward Wildman to the Board, praying for a grant of five thousand acres of land in the Province of West Florida.

Nova Scotia, East Florida, West Florida.

East Florida.

The persons interested in the two first memorials attending, were called in, and gave evidence to the satisfaction of the Board, with respect to their ability and intention to carry their proposals into execution, and the Governor of West Florida, having recommended Mr. Wildman as a person of ability, who was going out with him to that Colony with a view to settle there, it was ordered, that draught of representations to His Majesty should be prepared, proposing that their respective petitions should be comply'd with, and the said draughts having been accordingly prepared and approved, were signed; as was also a representa tion upon the memorial of Mr. John Cornwall for a grant of ten thousand acres of land in East Florida.

fo. 27.

Quebec.

Mr. Dutens, who sometime since obtained an Order for a grant of lands in Quebec, on the conditions prescribed in His Majesty's Instructions, attended, and pray'd their Lordships would inter cede with His Majesty, that the said terms and conditions might be changed into those on which lands in that Colony, possessed by His Majesty's new subjects, are held: whereupon he was informed, that his request in general seemed not unreasonable, but he was desired to suspend any further solicitation of it until the arrival of Governor Carleton, who was expected in a few months, and from whom the Board expected to receive such lights, in respect to the tenure of lands, as might enable them to judge with greater propriety of what was proposed.

East Florida.

fo. 28.

Mr. John Todd, whose petition for a grant of land in East Florida is mentioned in the minutes of the 6th of December last, attended, and prayed a further consideration of that petition, when the Board, after hearing what he had further to offer, adhered to their opinion, that he had not ability to carry the settlement of the lands into execution, or had anything particular to propose, that might induce a deviation from the ordinary method of granting lands by the Governor and Council upon the spot.

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

Their Lordships took into further consideration what sums will be necessary for the support of the Civil Establishments of Nova Scotia, East Florida, West Florida and Georgia, and for defraying the expence of general surveys for the ensuing year; and estimates of these services having been prepared, were approved, and Mr. Rice was desired to present them to the House of Commons, pursuant to His Majesty's Commands.

fo. 29.

Grenada.

Their Lordships made a further progress in the consideration of the draught of a representation to His Majesty on the petition of the six Grenada Councillors suspended by Mr. Fitzmaurice.

Thursday, February 8. Present:—Mr. Rice, Mr. Robinson, Mr. Fitzherbert, Lord Lisburne.

New York.

fo. 30.

The Earl of Hillsborough, one of His Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, being present, their Lordships read and considered a letter from Mr. Colden, Lieutenant Governor of New York, dated the 6th of last month, acquainting the Board with his having given his assent to an Act for emitting one hundred and twenty thousand pounds in paper Bills of Credit, stating his reasons for that step, and inclosing the said Act.

The Earl of Hillsborough also, by His Majesty's commands, laid before the Board an extract of a letter to him on that subject, and signified His Majesty's pleasure, that the Board should take the same into their consideration, and represent to His Majesty in Council their opinion thereupon.

A representation to His Majesty in Council having been accordingly prepared, was approved and signed.

Virginia.

The Earl of Hillsborough, by His Majesty's command, laid before the Board a letter to him from the Governor of acquainting him with the death of Mr. Prestly Thornton, one of the Council of that Colony, and recommending the Reverend Mr. Horrocks, the Bishop of London's Commissary, to supply that vacancy.

fo. 31.

A representation to His Majesty in Council, proposing that the said Mr. Horrocks may be appointed of the Council of Virginia, in the room of Mr. Thornton, having been prepared, was approved and signed.

Massachusetts.

The Earl of Hillsborough, by His Majesty's command, laid before the Board, an extract of a letter to him from the Lieutenant Governor of Massachusets Bay, and also copy of a petition therein referred to from the Commissioners of the Customs in North America, complaining of their being assessed to the Province Tax for the salaries allowed them out of His Majesty's Revenue, as Commissioners of the Customs; and his Lordship signified His Majesty's pleasure, that the Board should consider thereof, and report their opinion thereupon to His Majesty, by one of His Majesty's principal Secretaries of State.

fo. 32.

Ordered, that the Secretary do transmit the said papers, together with a copy of the last annual Tax Act of the Massachusets Bay, to His Majesty's Attorney and Solicitor General, for their opinion, whether the Commissioners of the Customs and their officers are liable to be assessed in the manner complain'd of by them.

Virginia.

The Earl of Hillsborough, by His Majesty's command, laid before the Board an Address of the House of Burgesses of Virginia to the Governor, together with a paper thereto annexed, containing reasons for allowing salt to be imported into that Colony from foreign European Ports, and his Lordship signified His Majesty's pleasure, that the Board should consider thereof, and take such steps thereupon as they should think fit.

fo. 33.

Ordered, that the said papers be taken into consideration on Wednesday, the 14th instant, and that notice be given to the agent for Virginia to attend on that day.

Trade.

Their Lordships took into consideration Dr. McBride's letter to the Secretary, mentioned in the minutes of the 25th ultimo, and ordered, that notice should be given to the Tanners therein mentioned to attend the Board on Wednesday next, the 14th instant.

South Carolina.

Read a memorial of the agent for South Carolina, praying the Board to take such steps as they shall think necessary, for obtaining a continuance of the bounty on Indigo.

Ordered, that the Secretary do write to the Commissioners of the Customs, for an Account of the quantity of Indigo imported from the British Colonies, and the amount of the Bounties paid thereon from Christmas, 1763, to Christmas, 1769.

Grenada, Dominica.

fo. 34.

The draught of a Report on the petition of Sir George Cole brooke and others, praying that the Island of Dominica may be separated from the Government of the Grenades, having been transcribed, was laid before the Board, and it was ordered, that the same should be taken into further consideration on Wednesday next, the 14th instant, and that the gentlemen, who attended on this business on the 17th of last month, should be desired to attend again on that day.

Wednesday, February 14. Present:—Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Rice, Mr. Fitzherbert.

Grenada, Dominica.

fo. 35.

Their Lordships made a further progress in the consideration of the draft of a Report upon the memorial of the proprietors of lands in the Island of Dominica, relative to the expediency of erecting that Island into a separate Government, independent of the Grenades; and several of the memorialists attending, as also Sir William Young, Lieutenant Governor, and Mr. Maitland, agent for that and the other ceded islands, their Lordships had some discourse with them on the subject matter of their proposals contained in the said memorial.

Virginia.

The agent for Virginia attends on the subject matter of the proposal for a permission to import salt into Virginia directly from foreign European ports, and states several reasons in support of the said proposal; but says that he has not yet received any instructions from his constituents relative to this business.

Trade.

fo. 36.

Messrs. Pope, Gutteridge and Miller, principal Tanners in the Borough of Southwark, attended upon the subject of Dr. McBride's letter to the Secretary of the 27th of December last, and having been heard thereupon, their Lordships resolved,

That, if Dr. McBride should think fit to authorize Messrs. Pope, Gutteridge and Miller to make trial of his method of tanning, and any report should be made by them to their Lordships in consequence thereof, they would not fail to lay the same before His Majesty, if it should appear to merit the attention of the publick.

Grenada.

Their Lordships made a further progress in the consideration of the draught of a representation to His Majesty on the petition of the six Councillors of Grenada suspended by Mr. Fitzmaurice.

fo. 37.

Thursday, February 15. Present:—Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Fitz herbert, Mr. Rice, Lord Lisburne.

Grenada.

Dominica.

Their Lordships made a further progress in the consideration of the draught of a representation to His Majesty on the petition of the six Councillors of Grenada, suspended by Mr. Fitzmaurice; and of the draft of a Report to the Lords of the Committee of Council on the memorial of the proprietors of lands in Dominica, relative to the expediency of erecting that Island into a separate Government, independent of the Grenades.

Virginia.

Their Lordships took into further consideration the proposal for a permission to import salt into Virginia directly from foreign European Ports, and came to a resolution, that it would not be expedient for the present to recommend that measure.

fo. 38.

Massachusetts.

Read a report of His Majesty's Attorney and Solicitor General upon the papers referred to them, relative to the complaint made by the Commissioners of the Customs at Boston, of their being assessed for their salaries to the Provincial Tax.

Upon the further consideration of this matter, a representation to the King thereupon was agreed to and signed, and Lord Hillsborough, who was present at the Board, was desired to lay it before His Majesty.

Proprieties, Pennsylvania.

Read a memorial of the Proprietaries of Pennsylvania, setting forth that they had been informed an application was made to the King for a grant of part of the lands lately ceded to His Majesty by the Indians, that they apprehended their interests may be affected by such a grant, and therefore desiring to have copies of all the papers relative to such application.

fo. 39.

West Florida.

The Secretary laid before the Board draughts of General Instructions and of those for the observance of the Laws of Trade for the Governor of West Florida, prepared pursuant to order, and the said draughts having been approved, a representation to His Majesty in Council thereupon was signed.

Trade, Africa.

Several papers received from the Admiralty and from the Committee of the Company of merchants trading to Africa, were laid before the Board and read, the titles of which are, as follows, vizt.:
Letter from Philip Stephens, Esquire, Secretary to the Lords of the Admiralty, to the Secretary to this Board, dated February 13th, 1770, transmitting copies of accounts of the state and condition of the Forts and Settlements on the coast of Africa.
fo. 40.
Copy of a letter from Thomas Trinder, Esquire, Governor of Fort Appolonia, to the African Committee, dated March 30th, 1769.
Do: from John Grossle, Esquire, Governor of Cape Coast Castle, to the African Committee, July 24th, 1769.
Do: from Thomas Trinder, Esquire, Governor of Tantumquerry Fort, to the African Committee, August 13th, 1769.
Copy of an estimate of materials, with the prices thereof, requisite for repairing Tantumquerry Fort.
Copy of a letter from John Grossle, Esquire, Governor of Cape Coast Castle, to the African Committee, dated September 8th, 1769.
An estimate of materials wanted for repairing and compleating Annamaboe Fort, dated September 4th, 1769.
Copy of a letter from Thomas Trinder, Esquire, Governor of Tantumquerry Fort, to the African Committee, dated August 9th, 1769.
fo. 41.
Copy of a letter from the masters of ships in Annamaboe Road to Mr. Grossle and the gentlemen of the Council at Cape Coast Castle, complaining of the number of factories.
Copies of four letters from Mr. Camplin, by order of the African Committee, to the Governor and Council of Cape Coast Castle, dated the 30th of November; the 6th and 20th of December, 1769, and 7th of February, 1770.

Georgia.

The draught of a Report to the Committee of Council for Plantation affairs, upon Mr. Yonge's petition for a grant of five thousand acres of land in Georgia, was approved and signed.

fo. 42.

Monday, February 19. Present:—Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Rice, Mr. Fitzherbert.

South Carolina.

The Earl of Hillsborough, one of His Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, being present, their Lordships read and considered an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council for Plantation affairs, on the 13th instant, referring to this Board the copy of a letter to the Earl of Hillsborough, from the Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina, relative to a late very extraordinary Order of the Commons House of Assembly of that Province, relative to the issue and remittance to Great Britain of ten thousand, five hundred pounds that currency, for the support of the Constitution of Great Britain and America.

fo. 43.

The Earl of Hillsborough at the same time communicated to the Board a case laid before the Attorney General relative to this transaction, together with his opinion upon the said case, and certain questions grounded thereupon.

Grenada.

Read a memorial of Governor Melville, executor to the late Robert Pringle of Grenada, setting forth the circumstances of a lease of some lands belonging to a lunatic in Dominica, which had been agreed to be assigned to the said Robert Pringle by the guardians of said lunatic, under a Decree of the Court of Chancery, and praying that such assignment to him, as executor, may be approved by this Board.

Trade.

Read a letter from Mr. Stanley, Secretary to the Commissioners of the Customs, to the Secretary to this Board, dated February 16th, 1770, transmitting,
fo. 44.
An Account of the quantity of Indigo of the growth and production of the British Colonies in America imported into England from the said Colonies from Christmas, 1763, to Christmas, 1769, distinguishing each year.

West Florida.

Read a memorial of Phineas Lyman, Esquire, Major General of the Provincial Forces during the late war in America, praying the Board to recommend him to His Majesty for a grant of one hundred and fifty thousand acres of land between the River Iberville and the North line of West Florida in the country of the Natchez.

fo. 45.

Wednesday, February 21. Present:—Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Rice, Mr. Fitzherbert.

Proprieties, Pennsylvania.

The Earl of Hillsborough, one of His Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, being present, Mr. Henry Wilmot, Attorney for the Proprietaries of Pennsylvania, attends on the subject of their memorial, mentioned in the minutes of the 15th instant, and is acquainted that, so soon as the persons applying for a grant of lands therein referred to, shall have stated in what part of the country ceded by the Indians, they desire to have the lands they ask for located, notice thereof shall be given to the Pro prietaries of Pennsylvania, in case it shall appear that their interests can in any respect be affected by such location.

fo. 46.

Grenada.

Mr. Wilmot also attends as Solicitor for Governor Melville in the case referred to in his memorial, mentioned in the minutes of the 19th instant, and some difficulties in point of law arising in respect to the request contained in the said memorial, it was agreed, that it should lye by for further consideration, when His Majesty's pleasure shall have been signified as to the person to whom the Board is to apply for advice in matters of law.

South Carolina.

Mr. Boone, some time since Governor of the Province of South Carolina, attends, on the subject of the reference from the Com mittee of Council, mentioned in the minutes of the 19th instant, and states to their Lordships such information as he is able to give relative to the subject matter of the said Order of reference, so far as regards the practice and usage in Carolina of granting and issuing of publick money.

fo. 47.

Nova Scotia, Cape Breton.

Mr. McDonald, who served as a Lieutenant in His Majesty's Army in North America, attends, upon the subject of a memorial by him presented to the King, and referred to this Board by order of the Lords of the Committee of Council, praying for a grant of certain lands in the Island of Cape Breton, and the memorialist is acquainted, that, as no plan for the settlement of that Island has as yet been agreed upon, their Lordships do not think it advisable to recommend any particular application for lands there, for the present, but that his request will be attended to, when any plan is agreed upon.

Trade.

fo. 48.

Mr. Hodgson, stating himself to be a merchant concerned in the importation and traffic of Naval stores, attends, and delivers a memorial from the merchants of Hull concerned in that branch of Trade, stating objections to any alteration in the premium on Naval stores from America, and praying that no steps may be taken for such alteration without their being heard thereupon.

Friday, February 23. Present:—Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Rice, Mr. Fitzherbert, Lord Lisburne.

South Carolina.

The Earl of Hillsborough, one of His Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, being present, the order of the Lords of the Committee of Council on the subject of the late extraordinary proceeding in the Commons House of Assembly of South Carolina is further considered, and a report thereupon is agreed to and signed.

fo. 49.

Dominica.

Grenada.

The draught of a report on the memorial of the proprietors of lands in Dominica, relative to the expediency of erecting that Island into a separate Government, independent of the Grenades, is agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

Monday, February 26. Present:—Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Fitzherbert.

Jamaica.

fo. 50.

The Earl of Hillsborough, one of His Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, being present, their Lordships read a memorial of the agent of Jamaica, praying their Lordships to recommend to His Majesty, for His Royal confirmation, an Act passed in that Island in December last, entituled an Act for vesting in Trustees several messuages and tracts of land, part of the estate of Ballard Beckford, Esquire, deceased, in Trust to sell and dispose of the same for the payment of the debts of the said Ballard Beckford, and other purposes therein mentioned.

Upon consideration of the said memorial and of an attested copy of the Act, produced by the agent, it was agreed, that the same should lye by for further consideration at another opportunity.

West Florida.

fo. 51.

Read a letter from Mr. Bradshaw to Mr. Pownall, inclosing a memorial presented to the Treasury Board by the agent for West Florida, relative to a Bill, drawn upon him by Lieutenant Governor Browne, for the amount of a demand made by the Attorney General of that Colony, for publick business transacted by the said Attorney General, upon which demand the Lords of the Treasury desire the opinion of the Board.

Ordered, that the said letter and memorial be laid before the Board at their next meeting on Thursday, and that the agent have notice to attend.

Trade.

The Secretary laid before the Board the following memorial, transmitted to him by Mr. Brickdale, one of the representatives for the City of Bristol, vizt.:
Memorial of the merchants of Bristol concerned in the Importation of Naval stores from America, stating objections to any alteration in the bounty granted by Parliament upon the importation of such Naval stores.

The said memorial was read, and it was agreed, that it should lye by for further consideration at another opportunity.

fo. 52.

New York.

The Secretary laid before the Board an Act passed in New York in January last, and transmitted by Mr. Colden, entituled an Act to facilitate and explain the duty of the Loan Officers in this Colony, and it appearing to have been passed in consequence of and to relate to the Act for emitting one hundred and twenty thousand pounds in paper Bills of Credit, which Act has been disallowed by His Majesty, a representation to His Majesty, laying this Act before His Majesty for his disallowance also, was agreed to and signed.

Virginia.

Read an order of the Lords of the Committee of Council for Plantation affairs, dated the 10th instant, referring to this Board, for their consideration, a memorial of Edward Bell, praying, for the reasons therein contained, that His Majesty would be pleased to grant to the memorialist one hundred and twenty thousand acres of land upon the Ohio River in North America.

fo. 53.

Ordered, that the said reference and memorial be laid before the Board on Thursday next, and that Mr. Bell have notice to attend.

Jamaica.

The Earl of Hillsborough having laid before the Board a letter to him from Mr. Lewis of the Council of Jamaica, signifying a request to be allowed to resign his seat at that Board, a repre sentation to His Majesty thereupon, proposing that Richard Welch, Esquire, may be appointed of the said Council, in the room of Mr. Lewis, was ordered to be prepared.