Journal, February 1710: Journal Book N

Journal, February 1710

February 1. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton.

Trade.

Plantations General.

Brise's memorial.

Illegal trade.

Letter to Mr. Carkess about prevention thereof.

Their lordships again taking into consideration the memorial from Mr. Brise [fo. 351], relating to illegal trade carried on between the British plantations and the islands of Curacoa and St. Thomas, mentioned in yesterday's minutes, order'd that a letter be writ to Mr. Carkesse, secretary to the Commissioners of her Majesty's Customs, for their opinion whether the said illegal trade may not be prevented by appointing brigantines of 10 or 12 guns to cruise off of those islands, with power to examine and seize such vessells as shall be found trading contrary to law, or whether they can think of any other method more effectual for preventing the said trade.

Newfoundland.

Mr. Campbell.

Account of his losses.

Affidavits upon his petition.

Mr. James Campbell attending, presented to their lordships an account of the losses he had sustained in Newfoundland [fo. 124], together with four affidavits to prove the allegations set forth in his petition to her Majesty, referred to this Board the 2nd of June, 1709, and read the 3rd of the same month; which their lordships agreed to take into consideration at a convenient opportunity.

Trade.

Memorial from merchants of Whitehaven &c.

Isle of Man.

Heads of a bill against illegal trade.

A memorial from the merchants of Whitehaven, Cockermouth and Penrith [fo. 362], complaining of an illegal trade carried on at the Isle of Man; with the heads of a Bill proposed to be passed into an Act for remedy of the said illegal trade, were read; whereupon their lordships agreed [fo. 345, 366] to reconsider the same when they shall have received from the Commissioners of the Customes the accounts of exports to the said Isle of Man, desired by the secretary's letter of the 23rd of the last month.

Letter to Governor of the Hamburgh Company.

Woollen manufacture &c. in Austria.

Ordered that a letter be writ to the Governor of the Hamburg Company to desire the opinion of the said Company as soon as possible [fo. 312, 371] upon the copy of a memorial from the Private Court Chancery of Austria to the Royal Court Chancery of Bohemia, relating to the importation of the English woollen manufacture into those countries.

Second memorial from Mr. Hughs.

Trade in Germany.

A second memorial from Mr. Hughs [fo. 351], touching his proposal for the advancement of the trade of this kingdom in Germany, mentioned in the minutes of the 20th of the last month, was read; whereupon ordered that the draught of a letter be prepared to Mr. Secretary Boyle thereupon.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Boyle.

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

Newfoundland.

Fishing ships, convoys &c.

Letters from the Mayors of Dartmouth, Weymouth, Biddeford.

The following letters were read, vizt.: A letter from the Mayor of Dartmouth, of the 29th of the last month [fo. 343], signifying that 8 ships are preparing to sail from that town, and desiring 6 convoys; a letter from the Mayor of Weymouth, signifying that 4 ships are to sail from thence to Newfoundland, and desiring 4 convoys; a letter from the Mayor of Bideford, signifying that 12 or 14 ships are to sail from thence, and desiring 8 convoys.

Memorial from Mr. James Campbell.

Two from Mr. Colin Campbell and Mr. Cummings about fortifying Ferryland.

Letter to Mr. Burchet.

A memorial from Mr. James Campbell, relating to the trade to Newfoundland [fo. 346], and to convoys to be sent thither, and 2 memorials, the one from Mr. Collin Campbell, the other from Mr. Archibald Cumings, relating to the fortifying Ferryland, were all read; whereupon their lordships gave directions for preparing an answer to Mr. Burchet's letter of the 21st of the last month.

Barbadoes.

Order on Mr. Gordon's petition and of planters &c. against an Act.

Clerks and Marshals of Courts &c.

An Order of Council of the 26th of the last month [fo. 238, 370], referring to the Board the petition of Mr. Gordon, provost marshal of Barbadoes, as also the petition of several planters and inhabitants of that island against an Act past there in 1667, relating to clerks and marshals of Courts, was read.

Certificate about their appointment &c.

Certificate from several gentlemen and merchants trading to Barbadoes, relating to the appointment of marshals in the Court of Common Pleas in that island, was read.

Order on the petition of Mr. Skene against the said Act.

An Order of Council of the 26th of the last month [fo. 238, 370], referring to this Board the petition of Mr. Skeen, secretary of Barbadoes, complaining of an Act past there in 1667, relating to the appointment of clerks &c. and praying a repeal of the said Act, was read; and Mr. Gordon and Mr. Tryon attending with Mr. Walters and Mr. Walker, Mr. Gordon communicated to their lordships the extracts of a letter from Mr. Le Guay, late marshal of the Bridge Court, signifying that the Governor and Judges demanded so much money of him that he was obliged to quit that employment, which was read. Their lordships also read the forementioned Act, past in 1667, and taking notice that there was some small perquisites settled upon the Judges by the said Act, Mr. Walker acquainted their lordships that the said Judges had other perquisites, vizt., 20 shillings for the acknowledgement of deeds before them, and 5 shillings for judgments, besides other things of the like nature; these gentlemen further added that they did not doubt in case the fore-mentioned Act should be repealed, but the Assembly there would pass a new Act, if recommended to them for settling fees and perquisites for the said Judges. These gentlemen being withdrawn, their lordships gave directions for preparing the draught of a representation upon the fore-mentioned Orders of Council.

Trade.

Letter to Swedish merchants for their memorial.

Ordered that a letter be writ to the Swedish merchants [fo. 349, 364], to desire them to let their lordships have on Tuesday morning next, if possible, the memorial they promised their lordships the 27th of the last month.

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

Newfoundland.

Convoys.

Letters from the Mayors of Exeter, Barnstable, Foway.

The three following letters were read (vizt.): A letter from the Mayor of Exeter [fo. 343], signifying that four ships are preparing to sail from thence to Newfoundland, and that they desire six convoys; a letter from the Mayor of Barnstable, signifying that four ships are to go from that town to Newfoundland, and desiring six convoys; a letter from the Mayor of Foway, signifying that no ships will go from thence to Newfoundland this year.

Letter to Mr. Burchet.

Convoys &c.

A letter to Mr. Burchet, in answer to one from him of the 21st of the last month [fo. 340, 370], relating to the number of ships to be sent this year from London and the out-ports to Newfoundland, and to convoys necessary for the said trade, was agreed and order'd to be sent.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Jackson at Stockholm.

Pitch and tar.

Their lordships, taking into consideration the letter from Mr. Jackson, her Majesty's Commissary at Stockholm [fo. 349, 363], to Mr. Secretary Boyle, relating to the pitch and tar trade &c., mentioned in the minutes of the 27th of the last month, the same was again read.

Letter from Commissioners of the Navy upon Mr. Jackson's foregoing.

Heads of a report.

Merchants &c.

summon'd.

The copy of a letter from the principal officers and commissioners of her Majesty's Navy to Mr. Burchet [fo. 349], upon extracts of the foregoing letter touching the conduct of the tar company at Stockholm, was likewise read; whereupon their lordships agreed upon several heads in order to the preparing a report to her Majesty upon the pitch and tar trade, and further order'd [fo. 359] that Colonel Nicholson, Colonel Lodwick and Mr. Byfeild have notice to attend the Board to-morrow morning.

Letter to Mr. Carkess.

Account of naval stores imported &c.

Ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Carkesse, secretary to the Commissioners of the Customes [fo. 384], for an account of naval stores imported from Christmas, 1708, to Christmas, 1709, specifying the allowance of premiums, as in the last account received from Mr. Savage.

February 8. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton.

Trade.

Plantations General.

Several gentlemen about naval stores from the plantations

Colonel Nicholson, Colonel Lodwick, Mr. Byfeild, and Mr. Marshal attending [fo. 358, 363], and being acquainted with what was at present under their consideration, vizt., the supplying of this kingdom with pitch and tar from the plantations; and being asked several questions, they said that there is no doubt but this kingdom might be fully supply'd from the plantations; that Mr. Byfeild had a year or two ago offered to contract with the Navy Board for all the tar they should want for the use of the Navy, to be imported from Carolina, but that he could not do it at so cheap a rate as the Stockholm Tarr Company did, by reason of the dearness of freight from the plantations, the freight from Carolina being about 10l. per tun, that from New England 8l., and that from New York 7l. 10s. per tun: but they doubted not that in time of peace it might be had for about 5l. per tun from the Northern Colonies, the freight from Sweden is but 3l. per last.

Being asked at what rate tar might be bought in the plantations, they agreed it might be delivered there at 6l. per tun, and perhaps cheaper in time of peace.

They said that the insurance to the plantations without convoy was generally about 16 guineas per hundred pound, and with convoy about 8 guineas.

Then being asked the difference of the prices between the Stockholm pitch and tar, and that from the plantations, they said the last Stockholm tar was sold for 10l. the last, and the pitch from 13l. to 14l. per tun, but that the tar is now much dearer by reason of the scarcity of it, at least 20l a last; that the Plantation tar cannot at present be sold under 18l. per last, and the pitch 14l. per tun, which is occasioned in a great measure by the method of the payment of the premium at the Navy Board, which is in bills payable in course, but carrying no interest after six months, as the other Navy bills do, which last-mentioned bills are at present at 23l. per cent discount, whereas those issued for the said premiums are at 35l. But if the foresaid premium was paid in money, as the bounty upon corn, or at least if there was interest allowed after six months upon the bills issued for the said premium, then the plantation tar might be sold in proportion so much cheaper.

These gentlemen being further asked, if the ships to be imployed in the pitch and tar trade might not make two voyages a year, they said that the same ships could not do it, if they were to sail from the port of London; but that it might be done from Plymouth, in which case they must sail from thence with little or no loading, which would make the freight of the tar home still dearer; however, they thought that it might easily be done, in case there were sufficient stores ready in the plantations, by two different setts of ships, the one to sail at or about the time the other shall arrive from the plantations.

New England.

Merchants summon'd.

Ordered that the New England merchants have notice to attend the Board on Fryday morning next.

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

Bermuda.

Letter to Col. Benet.

A letter to Colonel Bennet, Lieutenant Governor of Bermuda, relating to illegal trade carried on between Curacoa and Bermuda, was signed.

Trade.

Memorial of merchants.

Illegal trade at the Isle of Man.

Draught of representation.

Their lordships, taking into consideration the memorial from the merchants of Whitehaven, Cockermouth and Penrith, complaining of an illegal trade carry'd on at the Isle of Man [fo. 354, 367], with the heads of a Bill proposed for remedy thereof (mentioned in the minutes of the 1st instant), the same was again read and directions given for preparing the draught of a representation thereupon.

Plantations General.

Letter from Mr. Dummer.

Proceedings of Sophia Packet Boat.

A letter from Mr. Dummer, of the 31st of the last month, giving an account of the sailing of the Sophia packet boat out and home, as likewise of the great number of privateers in the West Indies, was read.

Trade.

Order of Council.

Prices of bread and corn.

Letter to Mr. Carkess.

The Order of Council of the 22nd January last, directing their lordships to inform themselves of the prices of bread corn in this kingdom [fo. 344, 367], and what methods are best for a supply of this city therewith (mentioned in the minutes of the 24th of the last month), was again read; whereupon order'd that a letter be writ to Mr. Carkesse, to desire that the return to the letter writ Mr. Savage, the 23rd of the last month, for the price of corn in the several out-ports, may be dispatch'd as soon as possible, in order to their reporting thereon to her Majesty.

Newfoundland.

Merchants.

Memorial about convoys and against Major Lloyd or Capt.

Moody's commanding the garrison there.

Mr. Solomon Merret, Mr. Gold and other Newfoundland merchants attending, they presented to their lordships a memorial relating to convoys to be sent this year to Newfoundland [fo. 346, 378], and praying that neither Major Lloyd nor Captain Moody may be sent to command the garrison there, was read; whereupon order'd that the said memorial be compared with the representation of this Board of the 29th of January, 1706/7, to see what difference there is in what is now desired, and what was then ordered.

February 10. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney.

Trade.

Letter to Mr. Jackson at Stockholm about Swedes to be imployed in Great Britain to make pitch and tar &c.

Their lordships again taking into consideration Mr. Jackson's letter [fo. 358, 366] relating to the pitch and tar trade at Stockholm, ordered that the secretary write to him for his opinion whether it be not practicable to procure half a dozen or more Finlanders or other Swedes, well skill'd in the making of pitch and tar, to be imploy'd in that manufacture in Great Britain, and if to be done, on what terms such people are to be had.

Trade.

Carolina.

Naval stores.

Memorial from Mr. Byfeild.

Mr. Byfeild attending, presented to their lordships a memorial in behalf of himself and company [fo. 359, 365], containing his proposal for contracting to furnish her Majesty's Navy with pitch and tar from Carolina, which was read; and he added in discourse that he did not beleive that those commodities could now be had in Sweden at the rate he offer'd them for.

Trade.

Plantations General.

Brice's protection.

Letter to Mr. Burchet.

Mr. Brice praying their lordships that his protection from pressing might be renewed [fo. 337, 392], order'd that a letter be writ to Mr. Burchet in favour of the said Brice accordingly.

Trade.

Swedish merchants.

Memorial about passes between England and Denmark.

Sweden, Muscovy and Poland.

Mr. Wordsworth and 20 other Swedish merchants attending [fo. 349], presented to their lordships a memorial relating to passes agreed by the treaty between England and Denmark in 1670, which was read; and they added in discourse that, tho’ the pass as settled by that treaty was sufficient to protect their ships outward bound, yet no mention being made therein of their return, otherwise than by the general words, vizt., Or else find a freight, which words they thought too uncertain to depend upon, and therefore desired that her Majesty would be pleased to direct her Minister in Denmark to move that Court that those words might be further explained, either by agreeing to a new form of a pass, whereby the oath of the British factor, or master of ship freighting and loading goods there, shall be an authentick proof that the property of the said goods is British; or else that the Court of Denmark do declare that they understand the present form of the pass to be effectual to secure British ships in their return home. They further desired that the same thing may be done at the Court at Sweden, Muscovy and Poland; the 2 latter having many privateers and small craft in the Baltick, they were afraid of disturbances from them.

Naval stores.

Then being asked some questions in relation to pitch and tar [fo. 363], they said that there was now at Stockholm, loaden on board Swedish ships, about 1,000 last of pitch and tar, 300 whereof, the remains of last year's contract, were for the use of her Majesty's Navy, the rest intended for a market here, which not being able to get away before the war broke out in the North, an embargo was laid on those ships, for fear of their meeting with the Danes. If that tar had arrived here in time, it would have been sold between 11l. 10s. and 12l. per last.

Letter to Sir Charles Hedges with copy of passport,

merchants’ objections, &c.

These gentlemen being withdrawn, their lordships gave directions for preparing the draught of a letter to Sir Charles Hedges [fo. 366, for his opinion. 369], inclosing a copy of the form of the pasport mentioned in the aforesaid treaty of 1670, and stating to him the objections of the merchants thereunto, and desiring his opinion, whether an amendment proposed by their lordships to the said pass will not be sufficient to protect their ships according to their desire.

February 13. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Sir Charles Turner.

Trade.

Representation on Mr. Jackson's letter.

Pitch and tar trade.

The draught of a representation upon a letter from Mr. Jackson, her Majesty's Commissary at Stockholm [fo. 363, 368], referr'd to this Board by Mr. Secretary Boyle's letter of the 24th of the last month, read the 27th ditto, relating to the present state of the pitch and tar trade of this kingdom from Sweden, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

Letter to Sir Charles Hedges.

Form of passports between England and Denmark.

Merchants’ objections.

A letter from the secretary to Sir Charles Hedges [fo. 365], inclosing the form of the passport agreed by the treaty between the Crowns of England and Denmark in 1670, and stating to him the objections of the merchants thereunto, and desiring his opinion therein &c., as directed at the last meeting, was agreed and ordered to be sent.

Letter from Mr. Carkesse.

Corn exported from London and the A letter from Mr. Carkesse, secretary to the Commissioners of the Customes, of the 10th instant, inclosing an account of corn exported from the port of London [fo. 354], from Michaelmas, 1709, to Christmas following, the bounty allow'd thereupon, and the market prices at Christmas last.

out-ports &c.

Representation thereupon.

An account of the quantities of corn exported from the out-ports, from Michaelmas to Christmas, 1709, with the bounty money allow'd thereupon, and the market prices as they were at Christmas last, which letter and accounts, as also her Majesty's Order in Council of the 22nd of the last month [fo. 362, vide infra], touching the prices of corn &c., were read, and directions given for preparing the draught of a representation for laying the same before her Majesty.

Newfoundland.

Letter from the Mayor of Plymouth.

Ships to be sent thence.

A letter from the Mayor of Plymouth, of the 10th instant, signifying that three ships will be sent from thence this year to Newfoundland &c., was read.

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

Trade.

Representation about corn.

A representation relating to the price of corn [vide supra, fo. 385], as directed at the last meeting, was signed.

Representation touching illegal trade in the Isle of Man.

The draught of a representation on the memorial of the merchants of Whitehaven, Cockermouth and Penrith [fo. 362, 368], complaining of an illegal trade carry'd on at the Isle of Man, as directed the 9th instant, was agreed, and order'd to be transcribed.

Trade.

Plantations General.

Representation about pitch and tar trade.

A representation relating to the present state of the pitch and tar trade of this kingdom from Sweden [fo. 366, 391], together with a letter to Mr. Secretary Boyle, inclosing the same, as agreed yesterday, were signed.

Trade.

Memorial from Mr. Hughs about trade in Germany.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Boyle thereupon.

An additional memorial from Mr. Hugh Hughs to his proposals read the 20th of the last month [fo. 339, vide infra], for establishing a Commissioner for the better carrying on the business of trade and commerce in Germany, was read; and the draught of a letter to Mr. Secretary Boyle thereupon, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

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

Trade.

Isle of Man.

Representation.

A representation relating to an illegal trade carried on at the Isle of Man [fo. 367, 385], agreed at the last meeting, was sign'd.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Boyle.

Mr. Hughes’ comerce in Germany.

A letter to Mr. Secretary Boyle on the proposals of Mr. Hugh Hughs [vide supra], for carrying on the business of trade and commerce in Germany, also agreed at the last meeting, was signed.

Trade.

Letter from Sir Charles Hedges.

Passes for the Baltick.

Representation.

A letter from Sir Charles Hedges, of the 14th instant [fo. 365, 371], in answer to one writ him the 13th ditto, relating to passes for ships trading into the Baltic, was read, and directions given for preparing the draught of a representation on the memorial from the Swedish merchants relating to that subject.

Carolina.

Letters from the Lords Proprietors.

Illegal trade with Curacoa and St. Thomas.

A letter from the Lords Proprietors of Carolina, of the 2nd instant [fo. 338], in answer to one writ them the 19th of the last month, touching illegal trade carried on to Curacoa and St. Thomas, was read.

Jamaica.

Order on representation.

Act about Estate of G. Ivy.

Copy of an Order of Council, of the 5th of the last month, upon a representation of the 4th ditto [fo. 325], proposing the confirmation of an Act pastin Jamaica in April, 1709, to enable trustees to make sale of certain lands, part of the estate of George Ivy, deceased, &c., approving the said representation, was read.

Barbadoes.

Order on report of Committee of Appeals.

Lillington and Walker.

Noli Prosequi to be enter'd.

Copy of an Order of Council of the 26th of January, 170 9/10, upon a report from the Lords Committee for hearing appeals, touching the difference between Mr. Lillington and Mr. Walker, about 2,000l. fine paid by the said Lillington in Barbadoes for having spoken words against Sir Bevil Granville, then Governor of that island, and directing a noli prosequi to be enter'd on the recognizances of the said Walker, and Mr. Norman Mackaskell, was read.

Newfoundland.

Sir Alexander Cairns.

Petition of merchants of Biddiford.

Convoys &c.

Sir Alexander Cairns attending, presented to their lordships a petition from the merchants of Biddiford, relating to the ships to be sent from thence to Newfoundland [fo. 358], and to convoys, which was read; whereupon Sir Alexander was acquainted with what their lordships had already done in that matter, by their secretary's letter to Mr. Burchet of the 7th instant.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. White.

Prohibition of tann'd leather at Bruges.

A letter from Mr. Daniel White, of the 12th February, n.s., in answer to one writ him by the secretary the 19th of January last, relating to the prohibition of tanned leather at Bruges, and to what had been done for taking off the said prohibition, was read.

Barbadoes.

Representation on petitions of Mr. Gordon and Skene.

The draught of a representation upon the petitions of Mr. Gordon, provost marshal of Barbadoes, and Mr. Skene, secretary of that island [fo. 356, 372], directed the 3rd instant, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

February 16. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Mr. Pulteney, Sir Charles Turner.

Trade.

Proposal of the Chancery of Austria about woollen manufactures comunicated to Mr. Harris.

Order'd that the substance of the proposal of the Private Court Chancery of Bohemia [fo. 354, 407], relating to the importation of the English woollen manufactures into those countries be communicated to Mr. Harris, member of Parliament for Exeter.

Representation on memorial of Swedish merchants.

The draught of a representation on the memorial from the Swedish merchants [fo. 369, 376], relating to passes for ships trading into the Baltick, was agreed and order'd to be transcribed.

New York.

Letter from Mr. Lownds on petition of Mr. Rayner.

Grants to the Palatines.

Mr. Rayner summon'd.

A letter from Mr. Lowndes, referring to the Board, by order of the Lord High Treasurer, a petition of Mr. Rayner [fo. 376], praying some consideration for his finding out and preparing grants of lands to be settled on the Palatines in New York, was read; whereupon order'd that Mr. Rayner have notice to attend the Board to-morrow morning.

Barbadoes.

Representations on the petitions of Mr. Gordon and Skene.

A representation upon the petitions of Mr. Gordon and Mr. Skeen [fo. 370, 385], agreed at the last meeting, was signed.

Jamaica.

Letter from the Governor.

Extracts about soldiers comunicated to Capt.

Gardner and about condition of men-of-war &c. sent to Mr. Burchet.

A letter from Brigadier Handasyd, Governor of Jamaica, dated the 17th of December, 1709, was read; whereupon order'd that paragraph C of the said letter relating to the number of soldiers dead in Jamaica, and to recruits, be communicated to Captain Gardiner, as also that paragraph H of the same letter, relating to the bad condition the men-of-war are in at Jamaica, and to the islands being infested with French privateers, be sent to Mr. Burchet, for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, and that the secretary do prepare the draught of an answer to the foresaid letter.

Leeward Islands.

Letter from Col.

Parke.

Minutes of Council of Antigua.

A letter from Colonel Parke, Governor of the Leeward Islands, of the 25th of November, 1709, touching his proceedings with the Assembly of Antego in relation to their pretending to have their Speaker sign Acts after the Governor, was read; and the minutes of Council in Assembly of Antego, from the 8th of June, 1709, to the 21st of November following, were laid before the Board.

Second letter from him.

A second letter from Colonel Parke to the secretary, of the 25th of November, 1709, relating to the hearing of the complaints against him, and to his having been shot through the arm &c., was read.

Third letter from Col.

Parke.

Act about Freeman.

A third letter from Colonel Parke, of the 24th of November, 1709 [fo. 376], relating to an Act pass'd at Antegoa in 1700, to enable Robert Freeman &c., to sell three parcels of land in that island, was read; as likewise the petition of the said Freeman praying that the said Act may receive her Majesty's royal confirmation; whereupon ordered that all the papers in this office relating to the said petition be laid before their lordships.

Barbadoes.

Letter from Mr. Crow.

A letter from Mr. Crow, Governor of Barbadoes, dated the 25th of September, 1709, was read.

Second letter from him.

Three suspended counsellors.

A second letter from Mr. Crow, Governor of Barbadoes, of the same date, promising to obey her Majesty's order for reinstating the 3 suspended counsellors, was read.

Third letter from Mr. Crow.

Papers.

Papers therein referr'd to.

A third letter from Mr. Crow, dated the 18th of November, 1709, was read; and the papers therein referr'd to were laid before the Board, and are as follows, vizt.:
Address of the Assembly of Barbadoes to Mr. Crow, containing reasons against repealing a clause in the Act appointing a Committee to settle the publick accounts, relating to the appointing clerks and marshals.
Mr. Crow's speech to the Assembly of Barbadoes, the 31st of October, 1709.
Commissioners of the Fortifications’ estimate of necessaries wanting for repair of several forts and batteries in Barbadoes.
List of papers sent from Barbadoes the 25th of September, 1709.
Copy of Mr. Crow's order to Judge Beckles for taking of depositions in behalf of Mr. Sharp, Walker and Beresford.
Mr. Upton's deposition of his having delivered Judge Beckles, Mr. Crow's order for examining witnesses pursuant to her Majesty's order on the representation of Mr. Sharp, Walker and Beresford.
Deposition of Mr. Upton, relating to Mr. Walker's delivering to Mr. Crow her Majesty's order for readmitting the 3 suspended Counsellors.
Mr. Upton's deposition relating to his attendance on Mr. Sharpe for a copy of his, Mr. Walker's and Mr. Beresford's representation against Mr. Crow.
Naval officers’ list of ships enter'd and cleared at Barbadoes, from the 25th of June to the 24th of September, 1709.
Minutes of Council, from the 12th of July to the 8th of November, 1709.
Minutes of the Assembly of Barbadoes, from the 24th of August to the 15th of November, 1709.

February 17. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Sir Charles Turner.

Plantations General.

Book for abstracts of ships enter'd and cleared.

Trade.

Book for exports and imports.

Ordered that a particular book be kept, in which shall be entred an abstract of all the list of ships enterd and clear'd from the plantations, as also an abstract of such accounts of imports and exports from and to this kingdom, as shall be received from the Custom House here.

Trade.

Representation.

Passes for ships trading into the Baltick.

A representation relating to passes for ships trading into the Baltick, as agreed at the last meeting [fo. 371, 385], together with a letter inclosing the same to Mr. Secretary Boyle, were signed.

Antigua.

Act about Freeman.

The several papers in this office relating to an Act past at Antego in 1700 [fo. 373], entituled An Act to enable Robert Freeman and Mary his wife to sell 3 parcels of land lying in several places in this island, containing in the whole about 180 acres, for the farther settlement of this island, were read; and it appearing by the said Act that the deeds of sale made by the said Robert Freeman and Mary his wife were to be consented to and attested by the Governor and four of the Council of that island, which Colonel Park, in his letter, mention'd in yesterday's minutes, certifies not to have been done, their lordships are of opinion that they cannot lay the said Act before her Majesty for her approbation, and order'd that when Mr. Freeman calls here, he be acquainted therewith.

New York.

Mr. Rayner about his petition.

His salaries.

Mr. Rayner attending [fo. 371, 381], his petition mentioned in yesterday's minutes, was again read; and being asked how his salary as Attorney and Advocate General arose, he said that he was allow'd as Attorney General 150l. sterling, payable here, and 100l. New York money by an establishment there, payable out of that revenue; but, as the Assembly frequently appropriated the revenue there, he was afraid that part of his salary would become precarious, and therefore desired that it might be paid out of the quit rents. His salary as Advocate General was 100l. New York money, payable out of the forfeitures incurred upon the breaches of Acts of Parliament made here relating to illegal trade, and the Receiver General esteeming that part of the revenue to be properly under the directions of the Lord High Treasurer, had refused to pay it him without directions from hence. Whereupon he was directed to get from Mr. Blathwayt a certificate of the establishment of his salaries at New York.

Jamaica.

Escheats.

Letter to Mr. Lowndes.

Their lordships taking into consideration what Brigadier Handasyd writes in his letter of the 14th of June, 1709 [fo. 264, 378], relating to escheats found for her Majesty at the Grand Court in Jamaica, and proposing a disposal thereof, order'd that a letter be writ to Mr. Lowndes for laying the same before the Lord High Treasurer for her Majesty's directions therein.

February 20. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Sir Charles Turner.

Jamaica.

Escheats.

Letter to Mr. Lowndes.

The letter to Mr. Lowndes from the secretary relating to escheats in Jamaica [fo. 377], directed at the last meeting, was agreed, and ordered to be sent.

Maryland.

Sir Thomas Lawrence to prove the allegations of his petition.

Ordered that Sir Thomas Lawrence have notice to attend the Board on Fryday morning next [fo. 351, 382], and that he do bring with him what proofs he may have to make good the allegations set forth in his petition, read the 31st of the last month.

Newfoundland.

Representation.

Their lordships, taking into consideration the draught of a representation relating to the present state of Newfoundland [fo. 363, 379], made a progress therein.

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

Newfoundland.

Representation.

The draught of a representation relating to the present state of defence of Newfoundland and to convoys for this year's trade [fo. 378, 381], mentioned in yesterday's minutes, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

Bahamas.

Order of Council about taking those Islands into her Majesty's protection.

Earl of Sunderland to lay that matter before her Majesty.

A copy of an Order of Council of the 26th of January, 170 9/10, upon a report from Mr. Attorney and Mr. Solicitor General, and a representation of this Board of the second of February, 1708/9 [fo. 19], relating to her Majesty's taking the Bahama Islands into her protection, approving the said report and representation, and directing the Earl of Sunderland to lay that matter before her Majesty, in order to her appointing a Governor of the said Bahama Islands, was read.

New York.

Mr. Birchfield, Surveyor General of the Customs.

Mr. Maurice Birchfield attending, acquainted their lordships that he was appointed Surveyor General of the Customes at New York, and that he should be glad to receive their lordship's commands, he being upon his departure thither. Whereupon he was desired to inform their lordships from time to time, of everything that might be for the advancement of trade in those parts, which he promised to do accordingly.

Plantations General.

Trade.

Memorial from Mr. Holt.

Illegal trade.

A memorial from Peter Holt [fo. 336], relating to illegal trade carried on between Curacoa and St. Thomas, and the British plantations &c., was read.

Leeward Islands.

Papers about Pouch and Gashet.

Extracts to be made of Minutes of Council of Antigua thereupon.

Their lordships again taking into consideration the Order of Council of the 15th of December last [fo. 335, 386], together with the several papers relating to the petition of Francis Pouch and Daniel Gashet, complaining of goods seized on board a flag of truce at Martinico, mentioned in the minutes of the 13th and 16th of January last; ordered that extracts of what may relate to the said Pouch be made from the minutes of Council of Antego from the 27th July, 1708, to the 23rd of April, 1709, and laid before their lordships.

Newfoundland.

Order on petition of Mr. Campbell.

His sufferings.

An Order of Council of the second of June, 1709 [fo. 124, 387], on the petition of Mr. Campbell, relating to the sufferings on account of the trade in Newfoundland, requiring their lordships to report a full state of the petitioner's case, was read; and found to be the same as another order of the same date, read the 3rd of the aforesaid month, only with this difference, that the last mention'd order requires the opinion of the Board, which this does not.

Virginia.

Earl of Orkney, Col. Spotswood, his Deputy Governor of Virginia.

The Earl of Orkeney attending, with Colonel Spotswood [fo. 318, vide infra], he acquainted their lordships that he had nominated the said Spotswood to be his Deputy Governor of Virginia.

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

Newfoundland.

Representation.

A representation touching the present state and defence of Newfoundland [fo. 379; O. fo. 110], agreed at the last meeting, was signed.

Virginia.

Draught of instructions for the Earl of Orkney.

Letter to the Earl of Sunderland.

The draught of instructions to the Earl of Orkney for the government of Virginia [vide supra, 383], was agreed, and a letter to the Earl of Sunderland, inclosing the same, was signed.

New York.

Letter to Mr. Lowndes on petition of Mr. Rayner.

The draught of a letter to Mr. Lowndes, in answer to one from him of the 2nd instant [fo. 376], on the petition of Mr. Rayner, mentioned in the minutes of the 17th instant, was agreed, and ordered to be transcribed.

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

Maryland.

Sir Thomas Lawrence about his petition.

Memorial in proof of his allegations.

Representation on his said petition.

Sir Thomas Lawrence attending, as he had been appointed [fo. 378], his petition, referr'd to this Board by her Majesty's Order in Council of the 26th of January last, was read, and Sir Thomas being asked what proofs he had to the several allegations therein set forth, he presented to their lordships a memorial containing extracts of letters from Colonel Quary and Mr. Phileman Lloyd, his Deputy, which was read; their lordships taking notice that what is mentioned in the said extract relating to Colonel Seymour is generally either hearsay, or directly contrary to what appears in several of the minutes of Council and Assembly, Sir Thomas declared that he was desirous to wave that part of his said petition, which reflected upon the said Colonel Seymour, and prayed that their lordships would only report his case with relation to the Assembly's refusing to comply with her Majesty's directions, signified by her letter to the late Governor Colonel Seymour, dated the 15th of January, 170⁷/8, which their lordships agreed to do accordingly. Sir Thomas being withdrawn, directions were given [fo. 384] for preparing the draught of a representation upon the said petition accordingly.

Virginia.

Earl of Orkney's instructions for trade.

Letter to the Earl of Sunderland.

The draught of instructions to the Earl of Orkney [fo. 381, 396], relating to the Acts of Trade and Navigation being in the usual form, was laid before the Board, and a letter to the Earl of Sunderland, inclosing the same, was signed.