Journal, February 1777: Volume 84

Journal, February 1777

fo. 25.

Tuesday, February 4th. Present:—Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Gascoyne, Mr. Keene, Mr. Greville, Mr. Eden.

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

Trade.

The draught of a report upon the petition of Timothy Goldsmith, for leave to export military stores to Alexandria in Egypt, having been prepared pursuant to order, was approved, transcribed and signed.

Nova Scotia.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty, proposing the disallowance of an Act passed in the Province of Nova Scotia in June, 1776, for taking, examining and stating the publick accounts of this province, having been prepared pursuant to order, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

fo. 26.

Trade.

The following Orders of the Lords of the Privy Council were read and considered, vizt.,
Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated 31st January, 1777, referring to this Board the petition of James Phyn, for leave to export sundry military stores, therein specified, to Canada, on board the ship Glasgow.
Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated 31st January, 1777, referring to this Board the petition of Messrs. Davis, Strachan and Company, for leave to export sundry military stores, therein specified, to Canada, on board the ships Canadian, and the Martha.
Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated 22nd January, 1777, referring to this Board the petition of Robert Hunter, for leave to export sundry military stores to Canada.
fo. 27.
Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated 22nd January, 1777, referring to this Board the petition of Richard Morland, for leave to export sundry military stores to Quebec, on board the ship Montreal.
Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated January 27th, 1777, referring to this Board the petition of Messrs. Watson and Rashleigh, for leave to export to Montreal Trade.
certain military stores for the Indian trade, on board the ship St. Lawrence.
Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated 3rd February, 1777, referring to this Board the petition of Messrs. Dunlop and Wilson, for leave to export to Canada, on board the ship Neptune, twenty five barrels of gunpowder.
fo. 28.
Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated 3rd February, 1777, referring to this Board the petition of John Strettell, for leave to export to Canada, on board the ships Hector and The New Adventure, sundry military stores for trade.

Their lordships observed, that, as the quantities of powder and military stores petitioned for were very great, and as the ships, in case of being separated from their convoy, did not in general appear to be sufficiently armed to repel the piratical vessels fitted out by the American rebels, it were to be wished, that the petitioners would apply for soldiers or recruits to be put on board their ships, in like manner as was done last year; and Lord George Germain signified to the Board, that he would assist them in that application.

Messrs. Watson, Morland and Davis, three of the abovementioned petitioners, were called in, and acquainted with the foregoing opinion of the Board.

fo. 29.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated 27th January, 1777, referring to this Board the petition of Messrs. Davis, Strachan and Company, for leave to export to St. Augustine in East Florida, on board the ship Betty and Jenny, sundry military stores for the Indian trade.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated 31st January, 1777, referring to this Board the petition of Robert Gordon, for leave to export to Jamaica, on board the ship Savanah La Mar, sundry military stores for the use of the ship Caesar, now loading at Jamaica and bound to Bristol.

Their lordships, upon consideration of the two foregoing petitions, were of opinion, that the exportation prayed for should be allowed; and draughts of reports to the Lords of the Privy Council were ordered to be prepared accordingly.

fo. 30.

Leeward Islands, Virgin Islands.

The Secretary laid before the Board the draught of an Act for confirming titles to lands and for quieting possessions in the Virgin Islands; and Matthew Burt, esquire. Governor of the Leeward Islands, attending, a copy of the said draught was delivered to him, and it was recommended to the Governor to get a law passed conformable thereto with a suspending clause.

St. John's.

Read a memorial of Walter Patterson, esquire, Governor of the Island of St. John, to Lord George Germain and to this Board, exhibiting several charges against Thomas Desbrisay, esquire, Lieutenant Governor of the said island.

Ordered that a copy of the charges set forth in the above memorial be delivered to Mr. Desbrisay, and that he be desired to attend this day sennight.

fo. 31.

East Florida.

Lord George Germain communicated to the Board a letter to his Lordship from Dr. Andrew Turnbull, praying to be restored to his seat in the Council for East Florida, from which he had been suspended by Governor Tonyn.

The Secretary acquainted the Board, that Dr. Turnbull had requested him to move their lordships for a copy of the proceedings of the Council of East Florida against him.

Ordered, that a copy of the proceedings of the Council of East Florida, so far as relates to Dr. Turnbull's suspension, be delivered to him.

St. Vincent's.

Their lordships approved of the following leases of lands in the Island of St. Vincent being assigned to the persons therein named, and the Secretary was ordered to certify the same.
fo. 32.
Assignment by Jean Depouy, Marie Elizabeth Vincent, and Magdelaine Riviere of a lease of twenty eight acres of land in the Island of St. Vincent to Patrick Wilkie.
Assignment by Veuve Antoine Arnaud of a lease of fifteen acres of land in the Island of St. Vincent to Patrick Wilkie.
Assignment by Elizabeth Clouet of a lease of thirty five acres of land in the Island of St. Vincent to Patrick Wilkie.

East Florida.

fo. 33.

Their lordships took into consideration the state of the grants of lands in East Florida, pursuant to the minutes of the 28th of last month, and it was ordered, that the draught of a representation to his Majesty thereupon should be prepared.

Grenada.

Read a letter from Mr. Knox to Mr. Cumberland, dated 31st January, 1777, transmitting, by direction of Lord George Germain, to be laid before this Board,
Copy of a memorial of the members of the Council of Grenada, suspended by Lieutenant Governor Young, to Lord Macartney.
Copy of Lord Macartney's letter to Lord George Germain, inclosing the above memorial.
Memorial of the Council and Assembly of Tobago, addressed to Lord George Germain and to this Board.

Africa.

fo. 34.

Lord George Germain acquainted the Board, that his Majesty, in pursuance of an humble address from the House of Commons, had been pleased to signify to him his commands, that this Board should enquire into and prepare, in order to be laid before that House, a report of the general state of the trade to Africa, the condition of the forts and settlements there belonging to the African Company, and in what manner the several sums of money granted by Parliament for maintaining and supporting the same, have been applied.

Friday, February 7th. Present:—Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Keene, Mr. Eden.

Africa.

fo. 35.

Their lordships took into consideration the report to be made to the House of Commons of the general state of the trade to Africa, the condition of the forts and settlements there belonging to the African Company, and in what manner the several sums of money granted by Parliament for maintaining and supporting the same, have been applied, mentioned in the last minutes.

Read a letter from Mr. Stephens, Secretary to the Lords of the Admiralty, to Mr. Cumberland, dated December 27th, 1776, transmitting copies of reports made by Captain Cornwallis, late commander of his Majesty's ship the Pallas, respecting the state and condition of his Majesty's forts, and settlements on the coast of Africa, vizt.,
State and condition of Tantumquerry Fort, February 28th, 1776.
State and condition of Appolonia Fort. January, 1776.
fo. 36.
State and condition of Dicks Cove Fort. January, 1761.
State and condition of Commenda Fort, February 16th, 1776.
State and condition of Seccondee Fort, February 14th, 1776.
State and condition of Bance Island Fort in the River Sierra Leon, in January. 1776.
State and condition of Winnebah Fort.
State and condition, etc. of Williams Fort. Whydah, March 8th. 1776.
State and condition of James Fort. Accra.
State and condition of Annamaboe Fort, February 25th, 1776.
State and condition of Cape Coast Castle, February 10th. 1776.

Ordered, that the Secretary do write to the following persons, vizt.,
fo. 37.
To the African Committee, desiring their attendance, together with their Secretary, at this Board, on Tuesday next, at 12 o'clock in the forenoon.
To the Secretary of the Customs for an account of the tonnage of the several ships, cleared from Great Britain to Africa, from the 1st of January. 1757, to the 1st of January, 1777, with the names of the said ships, distinguishing to what part of the coast the same were bound, together with the value of the goods exported to and from Africa, in the aforesaid time.
To the Mayors of Bristol and Liverpool, and also to the Master of the Merchants' Hall at Bristol, requesting a report of the general state of the trade to Africa, together with any other information and advice thereto relating, as to them shall seem proper.

fo. 38.

Trade.

The following drafts of reports to the Lords of the Privy Council, having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 4th instant, were approved. transcribed and signed, vizt.,
Report upon the petition of Messrs. Davis, Strachan and Company, for leave to export military stores to St. Augustine in East Florida.
Report upon the petition of Robert Gordon, for leave to export sundry military stores, for the use of the ship Caesar, now loading at Jamaica and bound to Bristol.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated February 5th, 1777, referring to this Board the petition of Isaac Dent, for leave to export a certain quantity of gunpowder to Newry in Ireland, on board the ship Priscilla, for consumption in that kingdom.

fo. 39.

Their lordships, upon consideration of the aforementioned petition, were of opinion, that it would not be expedient to allow the exportation prayed for.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated February 5th, 1777, referring to this Board the petition of John Turner, merchant, for leave to export certain sundry military stores to Canada, on board the ships Hector, Neptune and Rosamond.

Their lordships deferred making any resolution on the foregoing petition, until they should re-assume the consideration of the Canada petitions, mentioned in the minute of the 4th instant.

fo. 40.

Tuesday, February 11th. Present:—Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Gascoyne, Mr. Greville, Mr. Keene, Mr. Eden.

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

Africa.

fo. 41.

The Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa, with their Secretary, attending pursuant to the minute of the last Board, were called in; and the minute of the 4th instant, containing his Majesty's commands, that this Board should prepare a report, in order to be laid before Parliament, of the general state of the trade to Africa, etc., having been read to them, they were acquainted, that, in proceeding upon this business, the Board must necessarily have recourse to several books and papers in their possession, and they were desired to give directions to their Secretary to furnish them with such books and papers as their lordships may think proper to call for, and to attend the Board when required, which the Committee promised to comply with.

Ordered, that the Secretary to the African Committee be desired to attend the Board on Friday next, with an account of the several sums of money that have been received by the Committee from the Treasury by grants of Parliament from 1757 to 1776 inclusive; likewise with the books received from Africa, which account for the manner in which the said several sums of money have been expended there within the period abovementioned; and also with the copy book of letters from the Committee to their Governors in Africa, with their answers thereto during the said period.

fo. 42.

Senegambia.

John Clarke, esquire, Governor of the Province of Senegambia, attending to take leave of the Board, was called in, when it was recommended to him strictly to observe his Majesty's intructions, and by no means enter into engagements for trade himself, or permit any of the servants of government so to do; he was further advised, in conformity to his Majesty's instructions, to protect and encourage a free and open commerce, and in particular to enquire how the gum trade has been lost to this country, and, in due time, to report to their lordships what measures may be adviseable to be taken for recovery of the same.

Trade.

fo. 43.

Their lordships resumed the consideration of sundry petitions of the merchants trading to Canada, for leave to export military stores to that province, mentioned in the minutes of the 4th instant; and Lord George Germain having informed the Board, that he had made enquiry whether Government could send soldiers or recruits to the said province on board the different ships, mentioned in the aforesaid petitions, and found that it would be done, it was agreed, that the exportation prayed for should be allowed upon the usual terms, with this additional restriction, that the masters shall take on board their ships a number of soldiers or recruits, according to the proportions for each ship as shall be expressed in the reports upon the several petitions; and it was ordered, that drafts of reports to the Lords of the Privy Council thereupon should be prepared accordingly.

fo. 44.

Read the following Orders of the Lords of the Privy Council, vizt.,
Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated the 7th of February, 1777, referring to this Board the petition of Messrs. Graham, Johnston and Company, for leave to export certain military stores therein mentioned, to Pensacola in West Florida (for the use of John Stuart, esquire, Superintendant of Indian Affairs), on board the ship Eden.
Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated the 7th of February, 1777, referring to this Board the petition of John Clarke and David Milligan, for leave to export certain military stores, therein mentioned, to West Florida, for the Indian trade, on board the ship Eden.
fo. 45.
Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated the 10th of February, 1777, referring to this Board the petition of James Baird, for leave to export certain military stores to Pensacola in West Florida, on board the ship Juno.

Their lordships, upon consideration of the foregoing petitions, were of opinion, that the exportation prayed for should be allowed under the usual restrictions, and provided the master of each ship do take on board a certain number of soldiers or recruits, if they can be had; and it was ordered that drafts of reports to the Lords of the Privy Council thereupon should be prepared accordingly.

St. John's.

Read a memorial of Thomas Desbrisay, esquire, Lieutenant Governor of the Island of St. John, to the Board, praying, that he may be allowed a further time to answer the complaints exhibited against him by Governor Patterson, mentioned in the minutes of the 4th instant.

fo. 46.

Ordered, that Governor Patterson be informed that the Board intend taking his memorial into consideration on Tuesday, the 25th instant, and that Lieutenant Governor Desbrisay be likewise acquainted therewith, and deired to attend on that day.

East Florida.

The Secretary moved the Board, at the request of Lord Marchmont, for a copy of the complaints exhibited by Dr. Turnbull against Governor Tonyn, mentioned in the minutes of the 10th of December last.

The Secretary was requested to wait upon Lord Marchmont, and inform his Lordship what have been the Board's proceedings in this case.

fo. 47.

Tobago.

Read a memorial of the Council and Assembly of the Island of Tobago to Lord George Germain and to this Board, setting forth their distressed situation, on account of his Majesty's Receiver General having commenced a number of personal prosecutions for the instalments due on lands in that island sold by his Majesty's Commissioners, and praying, that their lordships will be pleased to take their case into consideration, and to represent the same to his Majesty.

St. Vincent's.

Read a letter from Mr. Knox to Mr. Cumberland, dated February 3rd, 1777, transmitting, by direction of Lord George Germain, to be laid before this Board,
fo. 48.
Extract of a letter from Valentine Morris, esquire, Governor of the Island of St. Vincent, to Lord George Germain, dated the 6th of September, 1776, relative to the inconvenient extent of the parish of St. George, and recommending that a new parish may be constituted and the number of the members of the Assembly increased.

It was agreed that the foregoing extract should be taken into further consideration on Tuesday, the 18th instant.

Africa.

Their lordships taking into consideration the variety of matter referred to this Board by his Majesty in the minutes of the 4th instant, directing a report to be made upon the general state of the trade to Africa, etc., it was desired, that Mr. Gascoyne and the Honourable Mr. Greville would prepare and adjust the proper information in that business, and those gentlemen consenting thereto, they agreed to hold separate meetings for that purpose. (fn. 1)

fo. 49.

Tuesday, February 18th. Present:—Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Gascoyne, Mr. Joliffe, Mr. Keene, Mr. Greville, Mr. Eden.

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

Trade.

The following reports to the Lords of the Privy Council having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 7th and 11th instant, were approved and signed, vizt.,
Report to the Lords of the Privy Council upon the petition of James Phyn, for leave to export sundry military stores to Canada, on board the ship Glasgow.
fo. 50.
Report to the Lords of the Privy Council upon the petition of Messrs. Davis, Strachan and Company, for leave to export sundry military stores to Canada, on board the ships Canadian and the Martha.
Report to the Lords of the Privy Council upon the petition of Robert Hunter, for leave to export military stores to Canada.
Report to the Lords of the Privy Council upon the petition of Richard Morland, for leave to export sundry military stores to Quebec, on board the ship Montreal.
Report of the Lords of the Privy Council upon the petition of Messrs. Watson and Rashleigh, for leave to export to Montreal certain military stores for the Indian trade, on board the ship St. Lawrence.
Report to the Lords of the Privy Council upon the petition of Messrs. Dunlop and Wilson, for leave to export to Canada, on board the ship Neptune, twenty five barrels of gunpowder.
fo. 51.
Report to the Lords of the Privy Council upon the petition of John Strettell, for leave to export to Canada, on board the ships Hector and the New Adventure, sundry military Rosamond.
Report to the Lords of the Privy Council upon the petition of John Eraser, for leave to export sundry military stores to Canada, on board the ships Hector, Neptune and Rosamond.
Report to the Lords of the Privy Council upon the petition of Messrs. Graham, Johnston and Company, for leave to export sundry military stores to Pensacola in West Florida, on board the ship Eden.
Report to the Lords of the Privy Council upon the petition of John Clark and David Milligan, for leave to export certain military stores to West Florida, for the Indian trade, on board the ship Eden.
fo. 52.
Report to the Lords of the Privy Council upon the petition of James Baird, for leave to export certain military stores to Pensacola in West Florida, on board the ship Juno.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated the 13th of February, 1777, referring to this Board the petition of Messrs. Davis, Strachan and Company, for leave to export to St. Augustine, on board the ship Appalachiesla, sundry military stores therein specified, for the Indian trade.

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.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated the 17th of January, 1777, referring to this Board the petition of Rawlinsons and Chorley, for leave to export to Tortola, on board the ship James, sundry military stores, therein specified, for the armament of two or three vessels belonging to their correspondents at Tortola.

Their lordships, upon consideration of the above petition, were of opinion, that it would not be expedient to allow the exportation prayed for.

fo. 53.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated the 17th of February, 1777, referring to this Board the petition of the Carron Company, for leave to export to Ferrol in Spain, on board the ship Christian, sundry iron guns, therein specified, for the use of his Catholic Majesty.

Their lordships observing, that the quantity of artillery to be exported was very great, and the security of it a matter of much national importance, Mr. Lowes, who signed the above petition, attending, was called in and informed, that the Board could not recommend the petition in its present state; but as the contract was an engagement of great consequence, and the intentions of the Company not to be doubted, any proposal that he could make, consistent with safety, would be attended to.

Tobago.

fo. 54.

The draft of a letter to Lord Macartney, Governor of Grenada, upon an Act passed in the Island of Tobago in April, 1776, for rendering a certain tract of mountainous land, proper for attracting rains, unalienable, having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 28th of last month, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

St. Vincent's.

Their lordships resumed the consideration of the extract of a letter from Governor Morris, recommending that a new parish may be constituted, and the number of the Assembly increased, as mentioned in the minutes of the 11th instant; and it was ordered, that the draft of a representation to his Majesty thereupon be prepared.

East Florida.

Read a memorial of Dr. Andrew Turnbull to the Board, stating that he had been suspended from his offices as Secretary and Clerk of the Council in East Florida by Governor Tonyn, and praying to be reinstated, for the reasons set forth in a paper annexed to his said memorial.

fo. 55.

Their lordships having taken the above memorial and paper annexed into consideration, and such parts of the proceedings of the Council of East Florida as relate to the above suspension, having been read, together with the letters which passed between Governor Tonyn and the memorialist, were of opinion, that they could not comply with the prayer of the petition.

Africa.

Several of the merchants of London trading to Africa, attended, and delivered in a memorial of the said merchants to the Board, respecting the state of that trade, which was read, and they were acquainted, that their lordships had referred the African business to a Committee of the Board, who would be ready on any day to hear whatever they may have to offer upon the subject of their memorial.

Africa.

The said merchants having represented to their lordships, that Captain David Dunn, who was upon his departure for Ireland, could give very material testimony to the facts set forth in their memorial, the Secretary was directed to write to the said Captain Dunn, and desire his attendance on the Committee tomorrow morning, at 10 o'clock.

fo. 56.

Plantations General.

Ordered, that drafts of letters to the several Governors of his Majesty's Colonies and of the islands in America be prepared, desiring them to transmit, for the use of the Board, an entire copy or collection of all the printed laws within their respective governments, comprised, as they may be. in one or more volumes, and continued down to such era as they shall have been so collected, together with one other entire copy or collection to be, for the use of their counsel; and further directing the said Governors to take care in future, that the single Acts, as soon as they are printed, may be transmitted as above, one copy for the use of the Board, and one for that of their counsel.

East Florida.

fo. 57.

The address and petition to his Majesty of several refugees from the rebellious provinces now in East Florida, mentioned in the minutes of the 28th of last month, was further considered.

Trade.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated the 19th of February, 1777, (sic) referring to this Board the petition of David Grant, for leave to export to Quebec and Montreal, sundry military stores for the Indian trade.

Their lordships, upon consideration of the above petition, were of opinion, that the exportation prayed for should be allowed under the like restrictions as the other Canada petitions, mentioned in the minutes of the 11th instant: and the draft of a report to the Lords of the Privy Council thereupon having been prepared accordingly, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

fo. 58.

Tuesday. February 25th. Present:—Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Gascoyne. Mr. Keene, Mr. Greville.

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

East Florida.

The Secretary acquainted the Board, that he was desired by Dr. Turnbull to move their lordships for leave to withdraw his memorial, mentioned in the minutes of the 10th of December last, preferring several complaints against Patrick Tonyn, esquire, Governor of East Florida, which their lordships were pleased to comply with.

St. John's.

fo. 59.

Their lordships took into consideration the memorial of Walter Patterson, esquire, Governor of the Island of St. John, exhibiting several charges against Thomas Desbrisay, esquire. Lieutenant Governor of the said island, mentioned in the minutes of the 4th instant: and Governor Patterson, as also Lieutenant Governor Desbrisay attending, with Mr. Buller, his counsel, they were called in. and the several parties having been heard in what they had to offer on the subject of the said complaints, their lordships thought proper to dismiss any further proceedings upon this business.

St. Vincent's.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty, recommending that a new parish may be constituted in the Island of St. Vincent, and the number of the Assembly increased, having been prepared pursuant to order, was approved, transcribed and signed.

Newfoundland.

Read a letter from Mr. Knox to Mr. Cumberland, dated February 20th, 1777, transmitting, by direction of Lord George Germain, for the information of this Board,
fo. 60.
Copy of a letter from the Earl of Dartmouth to Governor Shuldham, dated the 9th of March, 1773, signifying his Majesty's commands, that he do take the most effectual care for the support and protection of the establishment formed by Mr. Reed at the Magdalene Islands for carrying in the sea cow fishery.
Copy of a letter from Mr. Gridley to Mr. Read, relative to the sea cow fishery, and the annoyance given thereto by two New England schooners.
Remarks upon the sea cow fishery.

Nova Scotia.

fo. 61.

Lord George Germain communicated to the Board a letter to his Lordship from Mariot Arbuthnot, esquire, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, inclosing a memorial of Mr. Arthur Gould, Register of the said province, praying, for the reasons therein contained, that he may have permission to make Nipisiquit, in the eastern part of the province, the place of his residence.

Ordered, that the draught of a letter to the Governor of Nova Scotia thereupon be prepared.