Journal, February 1709: Journal Book N

Journal of the proceedings of Her Majesty's Commissioners for promoting the trade of this Kingdom, and for inspecting and improving her plantations in America and elsewhere, from the first of February, 1708–9, to the twenty-sixth May, 1710.

N.

February 1708-9.

February 1, 1708–9. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton, Sir Charles Turner.

Barbadoes.

Reference on the petition of Mr. Gordon, provost marshal of Barbadoes against Acts.

Letter from Mr. Burchet in his favour.

Mr. George Gordon, provost marshal of Barbadoes, presented to their lordships a reference from the Earl of Sunderland of the 25th of the last month [fo. 31], upon a petition of the said Gordon's to her Majesty, complaining that several Acts of Barbadoes have named marshals for the levying and executing the writs and executions that have issued, pursuant to the said laws, and that the Courts of Common Pleas and Admiralty have also appointed their own marshals, whereby he is deprived of the benefit of her Majesty's grant to him of provost marshal general of the said island, and praying that he may be restored to the execution of his said place, was read, as also a letter from Mr. Burchet, recommending the said Gordon to their lordships. Whereupon Mr. Gordon was desired to bring to their lordships what proofs he has of the allegations in his said petition, which he promised to do accordingly.

Bahama's

Representation on their State.

The draught of a representation upon the petition of several merchants &c. relating to the weak state of the Bahama Islands [M. fo. 424; fo. 3], and praying her Majesty to take the same under her immediate protection, as directed the 28th of the last month, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

Virginia.

Carolina.

Letter to Lords Proprietors.

Virginia Traders.

A letter to the Lords Proprietors of Carolina [M. fo. 424; fo. 3], desiring their answer to what had been writ them the 10th of November last, relating to the seizure of goods in Carolina belonging to the Virginia Indian traders, was also agreed, and ordered to be transcribed.

February 2. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton, Sir Charles Turner.

Bahama Islands.

Representation of their present state &c.

A representation, upon the petition of several merchants &c. to her Majesty [fo. 2, 19], relating to the Bahama Islands, as agreed at the last meeting, inclosing the copies of two reports from Sir Edward Northey and Sir Simon Harcourt, the one to her Majesty relating to the disorders in the Government of Rhode Island and Connecticut, the other to this Board, touching the Bahama Islands &c., was signed.

1708-9.

Virginia.

Carolina.

Letter to the Lords Proprietors.

Virginia traders.

A letter to the Lords Proprietors of Carolina [fo. 2, 6], touching goods seized in that province, belonging to Virginia Indian traders, as agreed at the last meeting, was also signed.

Virginia.

Additional instructions about patenting lands.

The draught of an additional instruction to Colonel Hunter, Governor of Virgina [M. fo. 412; fo. 5], relating to the patenting of lands in that Colony, as directed the 24th of the last month, was agreed, and ordered to be transcribed.

Barbadoes.

Mr. Crow's answer to complaints.

Then their lordships again took into consideration Mr. Crow's answer to the complaints against him by three of the members of the Council in Barbadoes [M. fo. 415, vide infra], mentioned in the minutes of the 24th of the last month, and made a further progress therein.

February 3. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton.

Barbadoes.

Mr. Crow's answer to complaints.

Their lordships proceeded in the consideration of Mr. Crow's answer to the complaints exhibited against him by three of the Council of Barbadoes [vide supra, fo. 5] (mentioned in yesterday's minutes), and made some observations thereupon.

February 4. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Sir Charles Turner.

Virginia.

A Letter to the Earl of Sunderland.

Additional instruction.

Patenting land.

A letter to the Earl of Sunderland [fo. 3, 42], inclosing the draught of an additional instruction to Colonel Hunter for her Majesty's royal signature, relating to the patenting of lands in Virginia, was signed.

Pennsylvania.

Maryland.

Order of Council on Mr. Penn's petition.

Boundaries.

An Order of Council of the 27th of January, 1708/9 [M. fo. 404; fo. 151], upon a petition of Mr. Penn to her Majesty, dismissing the petition of the Lord Baltimore referr'd to this Board by an Order of Council of the same month, and discharging the Board from any further proceedings thereon, was read.

Barbadoes.

Mr. Crow's answer to complaints.

Their lordships again took into consideration Mr. Crow's answer to the complaints against him [fo. 4, 11] (mentioned in yesterday's minutes), and went through the same, and gave directions for preparing the draught of a representation thereupon.

Trade.

Captain Baker memorial.

Proceedings against exportation of wooll &c.

Captain Baker attending [fo. 43], presented to their lordships a memorial in answer to the letter writ him the 20th of December, 1708, for an account of his proceedings for preventing the exportation of wooll &c., was read.

February 7. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Sir Charles Turner.

Virginia.

Carolina.

Letter from Lords Proprietors.

Virginia traders.

A letter from the Lords Proprietors of Carolina [fo. 3, 184], in answer to one writ them the 2nd instant, relating to the goods of the Virginia traders seized in Carolina, was read.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Perry secretary of the Royal African Company.

Ships importing and negroes carryed to Jamaica and Antigua.

A letter from Mr. John Perry, secretary to the Royal African Company, of the 5th instant [M. fo. 416; fo. 11], desiring to have the names of the ships that have in each year (since the passing the Act to settle the trade to Africa) imported negroes into Jamaica and Antego, as likewise the number of negroes imported by the separate traders into the said islands, was read, whereupon ordered that the Company be acquainted that they may have the accounts of the said number of ships and negroes, if they will send one of their own clerks to transcribe the same, for that the clerks in this office have not time to do it.

Leeward Islands.

Letter from Col. Parke.

A letter from Colonel Parke, Governor of the Leeward Islands, dated the 1st of October, 1708, was read, and the papers therein referr'd to, were laid before the Board, and are as follows, vizt.:
Papers therein referr'd to.
Account of imports into Antigua from 25th September, 1707, to the 25th December following.
Account of imports in Antigua from the 25th of December, 1707, to the 25th of March, 1708.
Account of imports into Antigua from the 25th of March, 1708, to the 25th of June following.
Account of imports into Antigua from the 25th of June, 1708, to the 25th of September following.
Account of exports from Antigua from the 25th of December, 1707, to the 25th of March, 1708.
Account of exports from Antigua from the 25th of March, 1708, to the 25th of June following.
Account of exports from Antigua from the 25th of June, 1708, to the 25th of September following.
Account of the exports from Antigua from the 25th of September, 1708, to the 25th of December following.

Letter from Col. Parke.

Another letter from Colonel Park of the same date, touching the complaints against him, was also read, and the papers referr'd to therein were laid before the Board, and are as follows, vizt.:
Papers therein referr'd to.
Address of the Councill of Antigua to Colonel Parke, in relation to the complaint transmitted against him &c..
Copy of a letter writ by the Council of Antigua to the Agent of that island here, relating to the complaints against Colonel Parke.
An account of the riot in Antigua, with the opinion of the Attorney General and of the Queen's Councill.
Copy of the record of a riot that happen'd in Antigua the 18th September, 1708.
Fifteen depositions relating to the riot in Antigua.

Extracts about illegal trade &c. to be sent Mr. Lowndes.

Whereupon ordered that what the said Colonel Parke writes in the said letter relating to illegal trade in the said islands, together with paragraph C of his letter of the 14th of November last, on the same subject, read the 21st of the last month, be sent to Mr. Lowndes, to be laid before the Lord High Treasurer.

Trade.

Letter to Dr. Davenant. Exports and imports to and from Portugal.

Ordered that a letter be writ to Doctor Davenant, Inspector General of her Majesty's Customes [fo. 51], for an account of the value of goods exported and imported to and from Portugal, since Christmas, 1706, to Christmas, 1708.

February 9. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton, Sir Charles Turner.

Newfoundland.

Letter from Mr. Campbel with copy of one from Newfoundland.

A letter from Mr. James Campbell, of yesterday's date, inclosing the copy of a letter to him from Harbour Grave Island in Newfoundland, dated the 4th January, 1708, giving an account of the

1708-9.

Fort of St. John's taken. taking of the fort at St. John's in Newfoundland by the French, who by scaling ladders made themselves masters thereof without any resistance &c., was read.

New Hampshire.

Order of Council.

Stores of war.

Letter to Col. Dudley.

An Order of Council of the 27th of the last month [fo. 14], upon two representations from the Board of Ordnance to her Majesty, relating to stores of war to be sent to the province of New Hampshire &c., directing this Board to signify to the Governor of the said province that he do pursuant to his instructions transmit to their lordships a true account of remains of stores there, and of what shall be expended from time to time &c., was read; and directions given for preparing the draught of a letter to Colonel Dudley thereupon, accordingly.

Trade.

Opinion of merchants &c. of Jamaica upon the African trade.

The opinion of the merchants and planters of Jamaica in relation to the African trade [fo. 6, 234], transmitted to Mr. Milner and Mr. Morris in a letter from Mr. Thomas Mitchell and Mr. Richard Basnet, dated at Kingston the 13th of December, 1708, having been communicated to the Board by Mr. Milner, was read.

Carolina.

Certificate.

Major Tynt's security.

A certificate from her Majesty's Remembrance Office in the Exchequer, dated the 3rd instant, setting forth that Major Edward Tynt appointed Governor of the province of Carolina [M. fo. 408], had given security in a bond of two thousand pounds for his due observance of the Acts of Trade and Navigation in that government, was read, and directions given for preparing the draught of a letter to the Earl of Sunderland [fo. 16], inclosing the draught of instructions for the Lords Proprietors of that province to be by them given to the said Major Tynte.

Barbadoes.

Draught of representation upon Mr. Crow's answer to complaints.

The draught of a representation upon the answer of Mr. Crow, Governor of Barbadoes, to the complaint exhibited against him by three of the members of Councill in that island as directed the 4th instant [fo. 5, 14], was agreed, and ordered to be transcribed.

Leeward Islands.

Letter from Col. Parke.

A letter from Colonel Parke, Governor of the Leeward Islands, dated the 14th of November, 1708, touching the complaints of Mrs. Bowden, was read; as were also the papers therein referr'd to, which are as follows, vizt.:
Papers therein referr'd to.
Copy of Mrs. Bowden's petition to her Majesty, complaining of Colonel Parke having dispossess'd her of a plantation &c., praying relief therein.
Answer of the Lieutenant Governor and Council of St. Christopher's to the complaints of Mrs. Bowden against Colonel Parke, dated the 31st of October, 1708.
An agreement made between Colonel Parke and Mrs. Bowden for several negroes, oxen &c., belonging to the said Bowden in St. Christopher's, to the value of 575l., together with her receipt for the same, also the affidavits of Mr. Lambert, Mr. Burrel and Mr. Payne &c.
Examination of several persons before the Lieutenant Governor and Council of St. Christopher's, relating to the complaints of Mrs. Mary Bowden &c.
Affidavits of Stephen Payne, Rachel Symmonds, John Helden, Jedidiah Hutchinson and Thomas Young, relating to the complaint of Mrs. Mary Bowden &c.

Representation thereupon.

Whereupon ordered that the draught of a representation be prepared for laying what the said Colonel Parke writes in relation to the said complaints before her Majesty.

February 11. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr.Pulteney, Mr. Monckton, Sir Charles Turner.

Miscellanles.

Order of a Committee of House of Commons.Pensions.

An Order of a Committee of the House of Commons [fo. 15], appointed to consider of methods for the more effectual execution of the laws now in force for excluding from the House of Commons, officers of (sic), and such as receive pensions during pleasure, requiring the Board to lay before the said Committee on Tuesday morning next an account of such pensions during pleasure, as paid by their lordships, with the names of the persons to whom the same are payable, was read, and directions given for preparing an answer thereunto.

Barbadoes.

Complaints against Mr. Crow.

Representation.

Letter to Earl of Sunderland.

A representation, upon Mr. Crow's answer to the complaints of three of the members of Council of Barbadoes against him [fo. 11, 27, 34], as agreed the last meeting, together with a letter to the Earl of Sunderland, inclosing the same, were signed.

New England.

Letter to Col. Dudley on order about stores of war.

A letter to Colonel Dudley, Governor of the Massachusets Bay, and New Hampshire, pursuant to an Order of Council of the 27th of the last month [fo. 10], relating to his transmitting hither an account of the expenditure of stores of war &c., as directed the 9th instant, was agreed, and signed.

Leeward Islands.

Draught of representation.

Complaints against Col. Parke.

The draught of a representation upon what Colonel Parke writes [fo. 12, 16], touching Mrs. Bowden's complaints against him, as directed the 9th instant, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

Draught of letter to Mr. Secretary Boyle on same subject.

The draught of a letter to Mr. Secretary Boyle, in answer to one from him of the 4th of August, 1708 [M. fo. 412; fo. 17], inclosing an extract of a letter dated at Antego the 9th of March foregoing, complaining of Colonel Park's proceedings there, as directed the 21st of January last, was agreed, and ordered to be transcribed.

February 14. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton, Sir Charles Turner.

Miscellanies.

Answer to an Order of Committee of the Commons.

Pensions.

An answer to an Order of the Committee of the House of Commons of the 10th instant [fo. 13], requiring an account of such pensions during pleasure as are paid by this Board &c., directed the 11th instant, was signed.

Bermuda.

Hearing between Bennet and Jones put off.

Notice given thereof.

The secretary acquainting their lordships that Sir John Bennet had been with him to desire that the hearing of the complaints from Bermuda, appointed for Munday, the 21st instant, might be further put off till the Wednesday following, by reason his Council were otherways ingaged, and could not attend, their lordships consented thereto, and gave directions that Sir John Bennet and Mr. Jones have notice that the said hearing was put off till Wednesday, the 23rd instant accordingly.

Barbadoes.

Papers in behalf of Mr. Skene.

Mr. Tryon and Mr. Fullerton attending [M. fo. 394; fo. 16], in behalf of Mr.Skeen, secretary of Barbadoes, presented to their lordships the following papers, vizt., the affidavit of Captain John Wentworth, Captain Thomas Lemmon and Captain Goswell, commanders of ships trading to Barbadoes, setting forth that the usual fees paid by them to the secretary of that island for a licence to sail, hath never been less than three shillings and ninepence; the certificate of Mr. Woodbridge, one of the justices at the Court of Oyer and Terminer at the tryal of the aforesaid Skeene, shewing that he had a fair and full tryal; the certificate of Sir Robert Davers and several other gentlemen and merchants trading to Barbadoes, giving a good character of the said Skeene &c.;. which affidavit and certificates were read, and directions given for preparing the draught of a representation upon her Majesty's order of reference of the 30th of September, 1705 [M. fo. 394; fo. 15, 20], relating to the aforesaid Skeene.

Leeward Islands.

Representation Mrs. Bowden's complaint.

A representation upon what Colonel Parke writes in his letter of the 14th of November, 1708 [fo. 14], touching the complaints of Mrs. Bowden against him, mentioned in the minutes of the 11th instant, was signed.

Carolina.

Letter to the Earl of Sunderland.

Instructions.

Acts of trade &c.

A letter to the Earl of Sunderland, inclosing the draught of instructions to the Lords Proprietors of Carolina [fo. 11, 17], relating to the Acts of Trade and Navigation to be given by them to Major Tynte, appointed Governor of that province, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

February 15. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Mr. Pulteney, Sir Charles Turner.

Carolina.

Letter to the Earl of Sunderland.

Lords Proprietors.

Instructions about Acts of Trade for Major Tynte.

A letter to the Earl of Sunderland, inclosing the draught of instructions to the Lords Proprietors of Carolina [fo. 16], relating to the Acts of Trade and Navigation to be given to Major Tynte, appointed Governor of that province, as agreed at the last meeting, was signed.

Leeward Islands.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Boyle.

Complaints against Col. Parke.

A letter to Mr. Secretary Boyle, in answer to one from him of the 4th of August, 1708 [fo. 14], relating to some complaints against the proceedings of Colonel Parke, Governor of the Leeward Islands, as agreed the 11th instant, was signed.

Barbadoes.

Copy of an Order of Council.

Complaints against Mr. Crow.

Copy of an Order of Councill of the 30th of December, 1708, upon a representation of the 3rd ditto [M. fo. 353; fo. 27], relating to the complaints of Mr. Sharp, Mr. Walker, and Mr. Beresford against Mr. Crowe, Governor of Barbadoes, approving the same, and directing the Earl of Sunderland to prepare letters to the said Mr. Crow, for his answer to the said complaints, was read.

Newfoundland.

Orders on representation about necessaries for Newfoundland.

Copy of an Order of Council of the 27th January, 1708/9, upon that part of a representation of the 19th ditto [M. fo. 406], relating to provisions for the garrison in Newfoundland, and to money in lieu of malt and hopps as usual, referring the same to the Lord High Admiral, was read.

Copy of an Order of Councill of the 27th of January, 1708/9, upon that part of a representation of the 19th ditto, touching the accounts of provisions in Newfoundland, transmitted by the Commodore &c., approving the said representation and referring the same to the Commissioners for Victualling the Navy, was read.

Copy of an Order of Councill of the 27th of January, 1708/9, upon that part of a representation of the 19th ditto, relating to the boom at Newfoundland, referring the same to the Office of Ordnance, was read.

Copy of an Order of Councill of the 27th January, 1708/9, upon that part of a representation of the 19th ditto, relating to the payment of the soldiers in Newfoundland, referring the same to the Lord High Treasurer, was read.

Bahama's

Order on representation.

Ruin'd state of the Bahama Islands.

Copy of an Order of Councill of the 3rd of February, 1708/9, upon a representation of the 2nd ditto [fo. 3, 379], relating to the ruined state of the Bahama Islands, and to the fortifying Providence there, referring the said representation to Mr. Attorney and Mr. Solicitor General for their report thereupon, was read.

Trade.

Memorial from several merchants.

Leather prohibited at Bruges.

Mr. Woodroff &c. summon'd.

A memorial from several merchants trading to the Spanish Netherlands, complaining that the magistrates at Bruges will not permit them to sell any tanned leather or calves’ skins there &c., was read. Whereupon ordered [fo. 22] that Mr. Woodroff and others concerned in the said complaint, have notice to attend the Board on Monday, the 21st instant, and that they do bring with them such proofs to the allegations mentioned in their said memorial as they are able to get.

February 18. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Mr. Pulteney, Sir Charles Turner.

Barbadoes.

Skene.

Representation.

A representation upon her Majesty's Order of Reference of the 30th of September, 1708 [fo. 16, 57], on the petition of Mr. Skeen, secretary of Barbadoes, to her Majesty, praying that the proceedings against him may be reviewed &c., as directed the 14th instant, was signed.

New York.

Letter from the Lord Cornbury.

A letter from the Lord Cornbury, Governor of New York, dated the 18th of October, 1708, was read, as also the papers referr'd to therein, which are as follows, vizt.:
papers therein referr'd to.
Copy of an address from the Governor, Councill and Assembly of New Yorke to her Majesty, relating to the Act of Parliament about the rates of foreign coine &c.
An Act for the regulating and preventing the corruption of the current coin &c.

Representation.

Whereupon directions were given for preparing a representation thereupon.

Miscellanies.

Order of a Committee of the House of Commons.

Pensions.

Answer.

An Order from a Committee of the House of Commons [fo. 15, 24], appointed to consider of methods for the effectual execution of the several laws now in force for excluding from the House of Commons, officers, and such as receive pensions during pleasure; requiring this Board to lay before them the establishment of this office, and whether the persons within named are interessed for themselves or in trust for any other person, and for whom, was read; and directions given for preparing an answer thereunto.

February 21. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney.

New York.

Act about coin.

Representation.

The draught of a representation upon an Act past at New York, for the regulating and preventing the corruption of the current coin, [fo. 20, 25], as directed at the last meeting, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

Trade.

Merchants about tann'd leather and calve skins prohibited at Bruges.

Mr. Barons, Mr. Woodroff, Mr. Mors, and other merchants trading to Bruges, attended as they had been directed the 15th instant [fo. 19], their memorial relating to the sale of tann'd leather and calves’ skins in Bruges was again read, and these gentlemen being asked several questions, Mr. Mors said that he had lived 25 years in Bruges, and came from thence in June, 1704, that all the time of his abode there, tann'd leather and calves’ skins, imported from this kingdom, were permitted to be sold in that city, paying a duty of about 5 or 6 per cent. to the Crown of Spain, and another duty upon sale to the city; that the prohibition of selling the said commodities there did begin but since his departure from thence, and Mr. Woodroff produced several letters whereby he is informed from his correspondents there that the magistrates of Bruges will not permit the sale of the forementioned leather imported from hence into that city; and that this has been done in favour of the tanners there, who are not above 16 in number. They added that this would be a considerable damage to our trade, for that our exports in leather and other commodities to that city, did amount to above 50,000l. per annum, and in all probability during this time of war, that so many soldiers are in Flanders, our exports might be considerably increased. These gentlemen being withdrawn, their lordships gave directions [fo. 33] for preparing the draught of a representation thereupon, with their opinion that her Majesty be pleased to give directions to her Minister there, that he interceed with the magistrates of Bruges, that the said prohibition be taken off.

Leeward Islands.

Mr. Baron.

Attorneys in his suit against Col. Codrington.

Then Mr. Baron attending again, acquainted their lordships that being dissatisfied with the proceedings of his agent, Colonel Thomas, in the suit depending between him and the said Barons and Colonel Codrington, late Governor of the Leeward Islands, he had appointed three other attornys to manage that matter, vizt.: Mr. Edward Byam, Mr. William Byam, and Mr. Samuel Byam, and therefore he desired their lordships would please to write to Colonel Parke that he make use of his interest with the said three gentlemen that they accept of this trust. He also communicated to their lordships a state of his case &c. Whereupon ordered that the papers in this office relating to the said Barons’ case be laid before their lordships to-morrow morning.

Miscellanies.

Answer to the Committee of the House of Commons.

Office establishment.

An answer to an Order of the Committee of the House of Commons of the 15th instant [fo. 21], requiring the establishment of this office &c., mentioned in the minutes of the 18th ditto, was signed.

February 22. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Monckton, Sir Charles Turner.

Bermuda.

Hearing between Col.Bennet and Mr. Jones put off.

The secretary acquainting their lordships that Mr. Solicitor General had been yesterday to desire that the hearing the complaints from Bermuda appointed for to-morrow might be further put off till some day next week [M. fo. 417; fo. 32], by reason his business would not permit him to attend till then; their lordships agreed thereto, and gave directions that Sir John Bennet and

1708-9.

Notice given to both parties.

Mr. Jones should have notice that the said hearing was accordingly put off till Wednesday, the 2nd of March next, when their lordships do expect both sides should be then ready for the said hearing, that there may be no further delay therein.

New York.

Representation on Act about coin.

A representation upon an Act past at New York [fo. 21, 50], for regulating and preventing the corruption of the current coine, as agreed at the last meeting, was signed.

Trade.

Letter from the Earl of Sunderland.

Corn.

Whether to be exported.

Letter to Mr. Savage for account of corn exported.

Merchants concern'd in that trade.

A letter from the Earl of Sunderland of yesterday's date [fo. 30, 38], requiring this Board to consider whether there be plenty sufficient of corn in England to supply her Majesty's allies therewith, and in case there be, what methods are proper for preventing its being carried to France &c., was read; whereupon ordered [fo. 28], that a letter be writ to Mr. Savage for an account of all sorts of corn that have been exported to foreign parts from London and the out ports (if it can be done) from Christmas, 1707, to Christmas, 1708, and also that inquiry be made at Bear Key of the several prices of corn, and who are the principal merchants concerned in the trade of that commodity.

Jamaica.

Letter from Brigadier Handasyd.

A letter from Brigadier Handasyd, Governor of Jamaica, of the 27th of October, 1708, was read, and the two following papers therein referr'd to laid before the Board, vizt.:
Contract made between the French King and the Duke of Anjou &c. for transporting goods from Old France and Spanish goods to the West Indies.
Proceedings in relation to a brigantine [fo. 29] seized by the naval officer in Jamaica.

Letter to Mr. Burchet, Want of sailors

Whereupon ordered [fo. 29] that paragraph I of the said letter, relating to the great want of sailors there &c., be sent to Mr. Burchet for the information of the Lord High Admiral.

February 23. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Sir Charles Turner.

Jamaica.

Letters from Brigadier Handasyd.

A letter from Brigadier Handasyd, Governor of Jamaica, dated the 23rd of November, 1708, was read.

Another letter from Brigadier Handasyd, of the 4th of December, 1708, was also read, and directions given for preparing answers thereunto.

Barbadoes.

Queen's letters to Mr. Crow upon complaints against him, and for restoring Messrs.

Sharp, Walker and Beresford to their places in Council.

A letter from her Majesty to Mr. Crowe, Governor of Barbadoes, dated the 22nd of January, 1708/9 [fo. 18], upon a representation of this Board of 3rd December last, relating to the complaints against him, requiring him to transmit his answer thereto, and that he do permit depositions to be taken by the complainants there, was read.

A second letter from her Majesty to Mr. Crow, dated the 19th instant [fo. 14, 35], upon a representation of this Board the 11th of February, 1708/9, ordering that Mr. Sharp, Mr. Walker and Mr. Beresford be restored to their respective places in the Councill of Barbadoes, from which they had been suspended by the Governor, was likewise read; and directions given for transmitting both the said letters to Mr. Crow accordingly.

1708–9.

Jamaica.

Barbadoes.

Leeward Islands.

Letters to the Governors.

Letters to the Governors of Jamaica, Barbadoes and the Leeward Islands [fo. 28], were agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

Trade.

Price of corn.

Then the secretary acquainted their lordships that he had an account from Bear Key, that the prices of corn there were, vizt., wheat at 42 and 44 shillings per quarter, rye at 24 and 26 shillings, barley from 15 to 18 shillings, oats from 10 to 14 shillings, beans from 14 to 16 shillings, and pease from 24 to 26 shillings per quarter, mentioned in yesterday's minutes.

February 24. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Savage.

Corn exported.

A letter from Mr. Savage, secretary to the Commissioners of her Majesty's Customes, of yesterday's date [fo. 25, 30], in answer to one writ him the 22nd instant, promising an account of all sorts of corn exported to foreign parts from London and the out ports, from Christmas, 1707, to Christmas, 1708, was read.

Jamaica.

Barbadoes.

Leeward Islands.

Letters to the Governors.

Letters to the Governors of Jamaica, Barbadoes and the Leeward Islands [fo. 29, 27], as agreed at the last meeting, were signed.

Jamaica.

Letter from Mr. Burchet.

Want of seamen in ships of war at Jamaica.

A letter from Mr. Burchet of this day's date, in answer to one writ him yesterday [fo. 26, 28], relating to the want of seamen on board her Majesty's ships of war at Jamaica, was read; and directions given for inclosing a copy thereof in the afore-mentioned letter to Brigadier Handasyd.

Letter to Sir J. Cook for his opinion about seizure of a Spanish brigantine without commission.

Their lordships taking into consideration the proceedings in the Admiralty Court at Jamaica [fo. 26, 37], in relation to a Spanish brigantine taken by the Kingstone gally in that island without any commission for the doing thereof; ordered that a letter be writ to Sir John Cook, her Majesty's Advocate General, transmitting a copy of the said proceedings, and desiring his opinion whether the said brigantine having upon her arrival at Jamaica been seized by the naval officer in port, the cognizance thereof does lay in the Court of Admiralty there, or in what other Court the same may be tried.

February 28. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Sir Charles Turner.

Trade.

Reference on the petitions of Mr. Van Ryssen and Mr. Diharce about passes for ships.

A letter from the Earl of Sunderland of the 20th instant [fo. 39, 40], referring to this Board the petitions of Mr. Daniel Van Ryssen and Mr. Peter Diharce to her Majesty, praying that they may have two passes for two ships, the one being to go to the Plantations, the other to North Brittain, was read; whereupon ordered that the petitioners have notice to attend their lordships on Friday morning next.

Letter to Mr. Savage

The letter from the Earl of Sunderland [fo. 25, 38], requiring this Board to consider whether there be plenty sufficient of corn in England to supply her Majesty's allies therewith &c., mentioned in the minutes of the 23rd instant, was again read; and directions given that a letter be writ to Mr. Savage [fo. 28, 34] to desire him to hasten the account of corn exported to foreign parts from Christmas, 1707, to Christmas, 1708, and that Sir William Hodges, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Trimmer, and Mr. Gaskin, corn merchants, have notice to attend the Board on Wednesday morning next.

1708–9for accounts of corn exported. Corn merchants summon'd.