Journal, December 1777

Tuesday, December 2nd. Present:—Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Gascoyne, Lord Robert Spencer. Mr. Greville. Mr. Jolliffe, Mr. Eden, Mr. De Grey.

Lord George Germain, one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, attends.

fo. 226.

St. Vincent's.

The Secretary laid before the Board the opinion of Richard Jackson, esquire, upon the case referred to him pursuant to the minute of the 25th of last month, respecting grants of land made by Governor Morris in the Island of Saint Vincent; and Mr. Jackson attending, was questioned as to the mode of the Crown's resuming the said grants.

Ordered, that the draught of a representation to his Majesty thereupon be prepared.

fo. 227.

Their lordships took into consideration the extract of a letter from Valentine Morris, esquire, Governor of the Island of Saint Vincent, to Lord George Germain, of the 16th of September, mentioned in the minutes of the last Board: and their lordships referring to a representation to his Majesty of the 25th of February, it appeared, that such part of the Governor's proposition, as relares to increasing the number of the Assembly, had been already complied with.

Plantations General.

fo. 228.

Mr. Hodgson late Superintendant on the Mosquito Shore attending, was called in and informed, that his paper intituled, Captain Hodgson's answer to the arrangement of accusation against him contained in a writing called an answer, delivered to Lord George Germain by Robert White on the 30th of January, 1776, being extreemly voluminous, would be put in circulation and considered by the Board; whereupon if any thing occurred, which would make his future attendance necessary, notice would be given him accordingly.

Grenada.

fo. 229.

Their lordships resumed the consideration of the Market Act passed in the Island of Grenada in October, 1776, together with a letter from Lord Macartney relative thereto, mentioned in the minutes of the 18th of March last, and also Mr. Jackson's report thereupon; and after some consideration had upon the expediency of the said law, it was ordered, that Samuel Williams, esquire, one of his Majesty's Council for that island, now in England, be desired to attend the Board on Tuesday next.

Trade.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated the 29th of November, 1777, referring to this Board the petition of James Baillie, praying leave to export to the Island of Grenada, on board the ship Aurora, George Hannell, master, sundry military stores therein specified, for the defence of that island, and for the protection of the different droghers, employed in carrying the produce from the bays to the ships.

fo. 230.

Their lordships, upon consideration of the foregoing petition, were of opinion, that the exportation prayed for should be allowed; and it was ordered, that the draught of a report to the Lords of the Privy Council thereupon should be prepared accordingly.

Tuesday, December 9th. Present:—Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Gascoyne, Mr. Jolliffe, Mr. Greville, Mr. Eden, Mr. De Grey.

Lord George Germain, one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, attends.

Senegambia.

fo. 231.

fo. 232.

Mr. Dowding, agent for the merchants trading to Senegal, whose memorial exhibiting several charges of complaint against Matthias McNamara, esquire, Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Senegambia, is mentioned in the minutes of the 8th of November, 1776, attending, was called in; and having signified to the Board that the merchants were prepared to support the said charges, whenever their lordships pleased to appoint, he was acquainted, that, as soon as Mr. McNamara's health would permit him to attend, the Board would be ready to hear them; and Mr. Dowding having at the same time delivered a memorial, signed by Mr. Duley, complaining of certain proceedings of John Clarke, esquire, Governor of Senegambia, in his particular, which being read, their lordships informed Mr. Dowding, on his behalf, that a letter would be wrote to Governor Clarke on the subject of his complaints, and also inclosing a copy of his memorial.

Grenada.

fo. 233.

Mr. Williams, one of the Council of Grenada, attending, was called in. and their lordships had some conversation with him respecting the policy of the Market Act of Grenada, mentioned in the minutes of the 2nd instant, which Mr. Williams stated to be attended with very prejudicial consequences to the island in the supply of provisions: and the Board, in consideration of the Act being near its expiration, ordered, that the draught of a letter to Lord Macartney should be prepared, stating their objections to the measure, and advising him not to pass any law of the like nature in future.

Trade.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated December 3rd, 1777. referring to this Board a petition of Philip De Gruchy and John Fiott. praying leave to export to the Island of Jersey, on board the ship Lively, sundry military stores therein specified, for the use of four ships employed from thence in the Newfoundland trade.

fo. 234.

Their lordships, upon consideration of the foregoing petition, were of opinion, that the exportation prayed for should be allowed: and the draught of a report to the Lords of the Privy Council thereupon having been prepared accordingly, was approved, transcribed and signed; as was also a report on the petition of James Baillie, mentioned in the minutes of the 2nd instant.

fo. 235.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated December 6th. 1777. referring to this Board the petition of Ralph Dundass, commander of the ship Royal Henry, in the service of the East India Company, praying leave to export to Bombay four thousand sword blades for his own private trade.

Their lordships, upon consideration of the foregoing petition, were of opinion, that the exportation prayed for should be allowed; and it was ordered, that the draught of a report to the Lords of the Privy Council should be prepared accordingly.

St Vincent's.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty upon the grants of lands made by Governor Morris in the Island of Saint Vincent, having been prepared pursuant to order, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

fo. 236.

Bermuda.

Read a letter from George James Bruere, esquire, Governor of the Bermuda Islands, to the Board, dated May 14th. 1777, transmitting.
Votes and proceedings of the General Assembly, commencing the 1st of May, 1775, and ending the 13th of July, 1776. inclusive.
Votes and proceedings of the General Assembly from the 14th of October, 1776, to the 10th of October, 1777. inclusive.
Minutes of Council from the 4th of May, 1775. to the 11th of July. 1776.
Minutes of Council in Assembly from the 1st of May, 1775, to the 13th of July. 1776.
fo. 237.
Minutes of Council in Assembly from the 14th of October, 1776, to the 10th of October, 1777.

Senegambia.

Their lordships took into consideration an Ordinance passed by the Council for his Majesty's Province of Senegambia in July, 1777, to prevent the sale and delivery of negroes exported from his Majesty's Province of Senegambia in Africa to any foreign port, and to oblige masters of vessels to deliver their cargoes of negroes exported from his Majesty's Province of Senegambia in Africa, in some English port or place in the West Indies or elsewhere, together with Mr. Jackson's report recommending its repeal.

fo. 238.

Ordered that the draught of a letter to Governor Clarke be prepared, stating to him the objections in point of law which bear against the regulation proposed by the Council; and advising him to forbear giving his assent to any law or ordinance upon this construction.

Nova Scotia.

fo. 239.

Their lordships took into consideration several Acts passed in the Province of Nova Scotia in June, 1777, together with Mr. Jackson's report thereupon; and it appearing that an objection laid against a clause contained in the Act, for more effectually preventing the desertion of seamen and soldiers for his Majesty's Navy & Army in this province, their lordships were of opinion, that the Governor should be apprized by letter of the objection; but that the general expediency of the Act was such as made it improper, in the present circumstances of the colony, to propose to his Majesty to repeal it.

Dominica.

Their lordships approved of the following lease of lands in the island of Dominica being assigned to any British subject, and the Secretary was ordered to certify the same.

fo. 240.

Assignment by Jean Jacques Pelletier and Jean, his wife, of a lease of ten acres of land in the island of Dominica to any other persons, being British subjects.

Tuesday, December 26th. Present:—Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Eden, Mr. Greville, Mr. De Grey.

Lord George Germain, one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, attends.

Senegambia.

fo. 241.

Mr. Macnamara, brother to Matthias Macnamara, esquire, Lieutenant Governor of Senegambia, attended, and having acquainted the Board, that the Lieutenant Governor still continued incapable of business, their lordships were pleased to signify, that they should defer any proceedings in the matter relating to him till a future opportunity.

Trade.

fo. 242.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated December 10th, 1777, referring to this Board a petition of Messrs. Hooker and Company, in behalf of the captains or commanders, now actually employed in the East India Company's service, praying that each of the said commanders may have leave to export to the Company's settlements, on board the ships they respectively command, five barrels of the best double sealed battle gunpowder, to be disposed of for the purpose of fowling.

Their lordships, upon consideration of the above petition, were of opinion, that the exportation prayed for should be allowed; and the draught of a report to the Lords of the Privy Council, having been prepared accordingly, was approved, transcribed and signed; as was also a report upon the petition of Ralph Dundass, mentioned in the minutes of the 9th instant.

fo. 243.

Nova Scotia.

Read a memorial of Sir Herbert Mackworth, baronet, and the Acadia Company to this Board, setting forth that the said Company have adopted (amongst other measures) a plan of purchasing mandamus's for grants of lands in Nova Scotia, and are now in possession of such claims to the amount of forty thousand acres, and praying for a grant of Isle Madame or Richmond Isle, situated on the south east coast of Nova Scotia.

Ordered, that the attendance of Governor Legge and Mr. Des Barres be desired at the next meeting of the Board, on the subject of the above memorial.

fo. 244.

Leeward Islands, Antigua.

Their lordships took into consideration three Acts passed in the island of Antigua in February, May and June, 1777. together with Mr. Jackson's report thereupon.

Read a letter from Mr. Knox to Mr. Cumberland, dated 17th of November, 1777, transmitting, by direction of Lord George Germain,
Extracts of two letters from William Matthew Burt. Esq., Governor of the Leeward Islands, to Lord George Germain, dated the 6th of May, and 7th of June. 1777, containing his remarks upon one of the abovementioned Acts of Antigua, respecting their forts and fortifications.

fo. 245.

Ordered, that the draught of a representation to his Majesty be prepared, proposing the disallowance of the Act for the regulation of his Majesty's forts and fortifications in the island of Antigua. for the reasons contained in Mr. Jackson's report.

Nova Scotia.

Their lordships took into further consideration several Acts passed in Nova Scotia in June, 1777, mentioned in the minutes of the 9th instant, together with Mr. Jackson's report thereupon.

Virgin Islands.

fo. 246.

Their lordships also took into consideration five Acts passed in the Virgin Islands in October, 1776, together with Mr. Jackson's report thereupon.

Ordered, that the draught of a representation to his Majesty be prepared, proposing the confirmation of the five following Acts, intituled,
An Act confirming all marriages by Members of the Council and Justices of Peace for the Virgin Islands.
An Act for establishing a Militia, and regulating the same in these islands.
An Act for laying a duty of powder on all vessels trading to and from those islands for the protection of the trade of the same.
fo. 247.
An Act for the supplying the want of fines and recoveries, etc.
An Act for dividing these islands into districts and parishes, to ascertain the number of representations, with the qualifications of electors and candidates, and preserving the freedom of elections, as well as regulating the future Assemblies of these islands.

Ordered, that the draught of a letter to Governor Burt be prepared, containing the observations of the Board upon several particulars in the foregoing Acts of the Virgin Islands.

Miscellanies.

fo. 248.

Their lordships were pleased, at the request of Mr. Palmer, senior clerk in the office, and in consideration of his long and faithful services, to allow of his retiring from the duties of his occupation, retaining to himself the full income of his salary and allowance as senior clerk; and whereas the said Mr. Palmer did in conjunction with Mr. Goddard, officiate in the absence of Mr. Ambrose Serle, as Solicitor or Clerk of the Reports, upon certain terms and conditions expressed in the minutes of the Board of the 7th and 21st of May, 1776, their lordships were at the same time pleased to appoint Mr. Grey Elliot to officiate jointly and equally with Mr. Goddard, as Solicitor or Clerk of the Reports.

fo. 249.

December 30th. Present:—Mr. Greville, Mr. Eden.

Lord George Germain, one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, attends.

Trade.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated December 17th, 1779, referring the petition of Richard Champion, praying leave to export to Tortola, on board the ship Champion, sundry military stores, for the use of a schooner.

Their lordships, upon consideration of the said petition, were of opinion, the exportation should be allowed, and the draught of a report thereupon having been prepared, was approved, transcribed and signed.