Journals of the Board of Trade and Plantations: Volume 2, February 1709 - March 1715. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1925.
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'Journal, January 1714: Journal Book Q', in Journals of the Board of Trade and Plantations: Volume 2, February 1709 - March 1715, (London, 1925) pp. 495-505. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/jrnl-trade-plantations/vol2/pp495-505 [accessed 19 April 2024]
Journal, January 1714
January 5, 1713/14. Present:—Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Moore, Mr. Pytts, Mr. Vernon.
Maryland.
Letter from Lord Bolingbroke.
Commission and instructions, Captain Hart, Governor.
A letter from the Lord Viscount Bolingbroke, of the 1st instant, directing by her Majesty's command draughts of a commission and instructions to be prepar'd for John Hart, esquire, to be Governor of Maryland, was read; and thereupon ordered that the same be prepar'd accordingly.
Virginia.
Colonel Blakiston, Jenings and Ludwell.
Letter from Colonel Spotswood, Lieutenant Governor.
Councillors.
Colonel Blakiston, Mr. Jenings and Mr. Ludwell, of Virginia, attending, they presented to their lordships a letter from Colonel Spotswood, of the 16th November, 1713, recommending Mr. Nathanael Harrison as a fit person to succeed his father, deceased, in the Council of Virginia, which was read; and their lordships agreed to take the same into consideration at the first opportunity.
Memorial from Colonel Blakiston.
Exchange of land for the Governor.
Represent to Lord Treasurer.
A memorial from Colonel Blakiston, in behalf of Colonel Spotswood, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, praying the Board's interposition with her Majesty, that the may exchange a piece of land for the use of the Governor for the time being, was read; and ordered that this matter be represented to my Lord High Treasurer.
Letter from Mr. Lowndes. Petition of Ludwell. Salary for imployment about bounds with
Carolina.
A letter from Mr. Lowndes, of 4th December, 1713, referring to the Board, by order of the Lord High Treasurer, the petition of Mr. Ludwell and others [v. infra], for allowance of 250l. for their trouble about settling the bounds between Carolina and Virginia, was read; and ordered that the papers in this office relating to that matter, be laid before the Board at their next meeting.
St. Christopher's.
Mr. Crisp.
Debenture.
Mr. Joseph Crisp attending, and producing a letter of attorney from Mrs. Susannah Cole, one of the sufferers of St. Christopher's, which, being examin'd at the Board, the debenture number'd 129 was deliver'd to him.
January 7. Present:—Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Moore, Mr. Sharp, Mr. Pytts, Mr. Vernon.
Virginia.
Ludwell's allowance about bounds with
Carolina.
Their lordships again took into consideration the reference from my Lord Treasurer upon Colonel Ludwell's petition for an allowance
Letter to Lord High Treasurer.
[v. supra, fo. 85] to him and others employed to meet Commissioners from Carolina, in order to settle the bounds between that province and Virginia (mention'd in the last minutes), as also the several papers in this office relating to that matter, and gave directions for preparing a letter to my Lord Treasurer thereupon.
Virginia.
Letter from Colonel Spotswood.
Representation from the Council. Decay of tobacco trade.
A letter from Colonel Spotswood, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, of the 14th September, 1713, together with a representation from the Council of that colony to this Board, relating to the decay of the tobacco trade [fo. 183], were read; and their lordships agreed to reconsider that matter at the first opportunity.
Letter from Mr. Carkesse.
Collector of Virginia.
Damaged tobacco sent to England.
Answer to Mr. Carkesse.
A Letter from Mr. Carkesse, Secretary to the Commissioners of the Customs, dated the 31st of December, 1713, with an extract of a letter from the Collector of Virginia, relating to the sending of damaged tobacco from thence, and desiring what account thereof is before this Board, was read; and ordered that a copy of the abovemention'd representation from the Council of Virginia be sent to Mr. Carkesse, for the information of the Commissioners of the Customs.
January 8. Present:—Mr. Moore, Mr. Sharp, Mr. Pytts, Mr. Vernon.
Trade.
Letter from Lord Bolingbroke.
Prussain Resident's memorial.
Settlements on the coast of Africa.
Monsieur Bonet to come to the Board.
A letter from the Lord Viscount Bolingbroke, of the 20th May, 1713, referring to the Board a memorial from the Resident of Prussia, relating to their settlements on the coasts of Africa, and what the King is willing to take for them [fo. 85], with copy of a letter from Hamburgh on that subject by a person employ'd by the States-General, was read; and thereupon ordered that a letter be writ to Monsieur Bonet (the said Resident) to know what day their lordships may discourse with him upon that matter.
Letter from Mr. Burchett.
A letter from Mr. Burchett [fo. 80, 86], secretary of the Admiralty, dated the 24th, in answer to one writ him the 23rd of December, 1713, relating to Mediterranean passes, was read; and thereupon ordered that the Italian merchants have notice to attend the Board on Tuesday next; and further ordered that Sir Charles Hedges be desir'd to come to the Board at the same time.
Virginia.
Letter from Colonel Spotswood. Exchange of land with Colonel Ludwell.
Letter to Lord Treasurer sign'd.
A letter from Colonel Spotswood, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, dated the 30th June, 1713, relating to the exchange of part of a tract of land enjoy'd by the Governor of that colony, for another belonging to Colonel Philip Ludwell, was read; and a letter to my Lord Treasurer thereupon, was sign'd.
Letter to the Lord Treasurer; petition of Ludwell, salary for employment about bounds with
Carolina, sign'd.
A letter to my Lord Treasurer, upon the petition of the foremention'd Colonel Ludwell [fo. 82], in behalf of himself and Mr. Nathaneal Harrison, Commissioners for settling the bounds with Carolina, praying for a recompence for that service, was also sign'd.
January 12. Present:—Lord Guilford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Monckton, Mr. Moore, Mr. Sharp, Mr. Pytts, Mr. Vernon.
Trade.
Mr. Bonet at the Board.
Sale of King of Prussia's settlements in Africa.
Monsieur Bonet, Resident from the King of Prussia here, coming to the Board [fo. 84], as he had been desir'd, his memorial relating to sale of the King of Prussia's settlements on the coast of Africa,
Memorial sent to the African Company for their thoughts, and to bring some that know those settlements.
mention'd in the last minutes, was again read; and after some discourse with him thereupon, ordered that a copy of the said memorial be sent to the Royal African Company [fo. 89, 130], and that they be desir'd to let their lordships have their thoughts thereupon on Tuesday next in the morning, and that they bring along with them some commanders of ships, or others persons, that know the said settlements.
Sir Charles Hedges and Italian merchants at the Board.
Mediterranean passes.
Twelve months too short time for recalling them.
Two years reasonable.
They are desir'd to send their thoughts in writing.
Sir Charles Hedges and several Italian merchants, coming to the Board [fo. 84, 93], as they had been desir'd the said merchants’ petition, complaining that Jews and foreigners obtain her Majesty's Mediterranean passes &ca., as also Mr. Burchett's letter of the 24th of last month, were read; whereupon the merchants said they thought that twelve months for recalling such passes as are already out, was too short a time, and that two years’ time would be but reasonable for the limitation of such passes as shall be granted for the future. And after some further discourse with these gentlemen, they were desir'd to put their thoughts in writing, and to let their lordships have it as soon as they cou'd conveniently, which they promis'd to do accordingly.
Maryland.
Letter to Lord Bolingbroke. Draught commission for Captain Hart,sign'd.
A letter to my Lord Bolingbroke, inclosing the draught of a commission for Captain Hart to be Governor of Maryland, was sign'd.
January 13. Present:—Lord Guilford, Mr. Sharp, Mr. Pytts.
Pennsylvania.
Solicitor General's report on laws.
Deaught representation.
Mr. Solicitor General's report upon four parcesl of Pennsylvania laws, transmitted to him the 3rd of August, 1713, passed in the years 1708, 1709, 1710, 1711, and 1712, was read; whereupon their lordships gave directions for preparing the draught of a representation to her Majesty thereupon.
January 14. Present;—Lord Guilford, Sir Philip Meadows, Sir John Hynde Cotton, Mr. Pytts, Mr. Vernon.
Pennsylvania.
Representation on laws agreed.
The draught of a representation upon several laws pass'd in Pennsylvania [fo. 89], mention'd in yesterday's minutes, was agreed, and order'd to be transcrib'd.
New England.
Draught representation. Dummer's memorial. Capture of ships of Tertudas.
Agreed.
The draught of a representation upon Mr. Dummer's memorial [fo. 54, 89], relating to the capture of several English ships by the Spaniards at Tertudas, referr'd to the Board by the Lord Viscount Bolingbroke's letter of the 24th, and mention'd in the minutes of the 25th September, as also upon the abstract of the case of several ships seiz'd by the Spaniards at Tertudas, referr'd likewise to the Board by his lordship's letter read the 4th of December last, was agreed, and ordered to be transcrib'd.
January 15. Present:—Lord Guilford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Moore, Sir John Hynde Cotton, Mr. Sharp, Mr. Pytts, Mr. Vernon.
New England.
Representation.
British ships seiz'd at Tertudas.
Letter to Lord Bolingbroke sign'd.
A representation, relating to some British ships being seiz'd at Tertudas [fo. 88], with a letter inclosing the same to the Lord Bolingbroke (as agreed at the last meeting), were sign'd.
Pennsylvania.
Representation on laws sign'd.
A representation upon several laws passed in Pennsylvania [fo. 88, 159] (as mention'd in the last minutes), was sign'd.
Trade.
Letter from Mr. Pery excusing the African Company's attendances.
Prussian settlements.
Another time appointed. Mr. Bonet to have notice.
A letter from Mr. Pery, of the 15th instant [fo. 86, 105], signifying that the Royal African Company cannot attend the Board on Tuesday next, in relation to the King of Prussia's settlements on the coast of Africa, as they had been desir'd; whereupon ordered that Mr. Pery be acquainted with the Board's desire that some members of the Company attend them on Tuesday sevennight, and that Monsieur Bonet, his Prussian Majesty's Resident, have notice thereof.
Letter from Mr. Delavall, Portugal minister.
Portuguese books of rates.
A letter from Mr. Delavall [fo. 9], her Majesty's Minister in Portugal, dated the 6th of January, 1714, new style, acknowledging the receipt of the Board's letter of the 18th of September last, and promising to endeavour to procure such books relating to the trade of that country, as desir'd, was read.
Letter from Lord Bolingbroke.
Fishery.
Address of House of Commons.
Letter from Mr. Secretary Bromley.
Fishery.
Papers from Scotland relating to it.
Mr. Clement and Sleford summoned.
A letter from the Lord Viscount Bolingbroke [P. fo. 448], of the 10th August, 1713 (mention'd in the minutes of the 11th of the same month) referring to the Board an address of the House of Commons relating to the fishery of this kingdom, was again read; and a letter from Mr. Secretary Bromley, of the 11th December, 1713, requiring this Board to consider how the fishery of Great Britain may be carry'd on to the best advantage, was also read. Whereupon ordered that all the papers receiv'd some time ago from Scotland, in relation to the fishery, be look'd out and laid before the Board at their next meeting [fo. 91], and that Mr. Clement and Mr. Sleford have notice to attend the Board on Monday morning next.
Letter to Mr. Drummond.
Edicts, rules &c. about Dutch herring fishery.
Ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Drummond, her Majesty's Commissary for commerce in Flanders, to desire him to transmit to this Board all such laws, edicts, rules &c., relating to the catching, curing, packing, and all other matters concerning the herring fishery of Holland, as he can procure.
January 18. Present:—Lord Guilford, Mr. Monckton, Mr. Moore, Mr. Pytts, Mr. Vernon.
Trade.
Fishery.
Mr. Clement to put his proposals in writing.
Mr. Clement attending [fo. 90, 96], as he had been desir'd the last meeting, their lordships had some discourse with him in relation to the fishery of this kingdom, and he being desir'd to put what he had to offer upon this subject in writing, he promis'd to do it, and lay the same before their lordships on Wednesday next.
Papers from Scotland.
Then their lordships read a letter from the Lord Provost of Edinburgh of the 14th April, 1711, with a memorial from the Committee of the Convention of the Royal Boroughs &c. [Trade,. Bun. M., No. 49, Book G., fo. 65], relating to the fishery of North Britain.
Mr. Sleford to attend.
Ordered that Mr. Sleford have notice that the Board desire his attendance either to-morrow or on Thursday morning next.
January 19. Present:—Lord Guilford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Monckton, Mr. Moore, Sir John Hynde Cotton, Mr. Pytts, Mr. Vernon.
Nova Scotia.
Newfoundland.
Letter from Mr. Cuminge.
Fishery.
Fortifications, English and French.
Letter to Lord Viscount Bolingbroke.
A letter from Mr. Archibald Cuminge, dated at Boston the 11th of December, 1713, relating to what is necessary for securing the fishery of Newfoundland, to illegal trade there, and to the settlements and fortifications intended by the French at Cape Briton, as likewise proposing fortifications to be erected in Nova Scotia, was read; and a letter to the Lord Viscount Bolingbroke prepar'd and sign'd, inclosing a copy thereof.
Trade.
Italian merchants’ memorial.
Mediterranean passes.
Sent to Sir Charles Hedges.
Mr. Thomas Ball [fo. 86], and other merchants trading to Italy attending, presented to the Board a memorial containing what they proposes for remedying the inconveniency of foreigners enjoying the benefit of English Mediterranean passes, which was read. Whereupon ordered that a copy of the said memorial be sent to Sir Charles Hedges [fo. 100], with the Board's desire of his opinion thereupon on Friday next.
Nova Scotia.
Newfoundland.
Letter from Colonel Vetch. Designs of the French.
A letter from Colonel Vetch, late Commander in Chief at Annapolis Royal in Nova Scotia, dated at Boston the 12th of December, 1713, relating to the designs he has discover'd of the French about their settlements and fortifications to be made at Cape Briton, &c., was read.
Jamaica.
Letter from the Governor.
A letter from the Lord Archibald Hamilton, Governor of Jamaica, dated the 11th of July, 1713 [fo. 234], was read; and the papers therein referr'd to laid before the Board, vizt.:
Papers therein referr'd to.
The Governor of Carthagena's demand of reparation for a summe of money taken out of a Spanish vessel by Captain Jackson, after the suspension of arms, with several authentick attestations of that affair.
Petition of John Fryday (condemn'd in Jamaica for clipping of Spanish money) to the Lord Archibald Hamilton for a pardon.
Second letter from him.
A letter from his lordship, of the 3rd of August, 1713, was read; and the following papers therein referr'd to, laid before the Board, vizt.:
Papers therein referr'd to.
Receiver General's account current to the 25th March, 1713.
Minutes of Council, from the 20th of January to the 28th of July, 1713.
Third letter from the Governor.
A letter from his lordships of the 27th of October, 1713, was read, and the following papers therein referr'd to, laid before the Board, vizt.:
Papers therein referr'd to.
Minutes of the Council of Jamaica, from the 18th of August to the 20th of October, 1713.
Minutes of the Council of Jamaica in Assembly, from the 1st to the 15th of October, 1713.
Minutes of the Assembly of Jamaica, from the 1st of October, 1713, to the 15th of the same month.
Jamaica.
Barbadoes.
Members of Assembly absenting from their duty.
Ordered that the secretary lay before their lordships to-morrow morning what has been formerly done by this Board upon occasion of several members of the Assembly of Barbadoes absenting from their duty.
Trade.
Letter from Lord Viscount Bolingbroke.
Treaty.
Portugal.
A letter from the Lord Viscount Bolingbroke, of the 30th of last month [fo. 49, 110], relating to the draught of a Treaty of Commerce with Portugal, was read.
January 20. Present:—Lord Guilford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Monckton, Sir John Hynde Cotton, Mr. Pytts.
Miscellanies.
Incident accounts and salaries.
The secretary laid before the Board the following accounts of the incident charges of this office, from Midsummer to Christmas, 1713, amounting to 196l. 9s. 9d. vizt.:
Letter to Lord High Treasurer.
Whereupon a letter to the Lord High Treasurer for laying before his lordship the arrears of salary due to this Board, and officers in its service, together with the said accounts, was sign'd.
Trade.
Mr. Clement with memorial.
Herring fishery.
Mr. Clement attending [fo. 91, 98], presented to their lordships a memorial relating to the herring fishery, which was read; and being ask'd several questions thereupon, he said that in the latter end of May or beginning of June, there has been every year for some years past, a considerable shoal of herrings, which are the largest and fattest that are taken upon our coast, which comes from the westward, and may be taken in good quantities off of Rye and Hastings; that he himself has taken and cur'd above a thousand in a morning; that he doubted not but, if the experiment was made with two vessels, as propos'd in his abovesaid memorial, that the said vessels and more might be landed and sent to Hamburgh or Rotterdam before the Dutch begun their fishery. He added that all the early herrings that come to Billingsgate, which may be between one and two thousand every morning, are taken at Rye and Hastings.
January 21. Present:—Lord Guilford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Monckton, Mr. Moore, Sir John Hynde Cotton, Mr. Pytts, Mr. Vernon.
Maryland.
Memorial from Sir Thomas Lawrence.
Instruction to Governor about secretary's office.
A memorial from Sir Thomas Lawrence, secretary of Maryland, praying that an instruction may be given to Mr. Hart, appointed Governor of that province, in relation to the secretary's office there, was read. Whereupon ordered that her Majesty's letter of the 15th January, 1707, his last memorial, and others papers Sir Thomas now refers to, be laid before the Board at the first opportunity.
Jamaica.
Letter from Mr. Secretary Bromley. Memorial from Dutch envoy. Kupius's estate to be consider'd with Swymmer's petition.
Mr. Thurston acquainted with it.
A letter from Mr. Secretary Bromley, of the 15th instant, referring to the Board a memorial from the envoy of Holland, relating to the estate of William Kupius [fo. 60] of Jamaica, deceas'd, was read; whereupon their lordships resolving to take this matter again into consideration on Thursday morning next, together with the petitions of Anthony Swymmer, esquire, and Johanna Kupius, mention'd in the minutes of the 17th July and 4th November last, ordered that Mr. Thurston, who appears in behalf of the said Swymmer, have notice thereof, in order to his laying before the Board what he may have to offer in his behalf.
Barbadoes.
Letter from Mr. Beresford; his suspension.
A letter from Mr. Beresford, dated the 16th September, 1713, relating to his being suspended from the Council of Barbadoes by Mr. Lowther, for marrying a gentleman without the Governor's licence, was read.
Trade.
Representation from Hasting. Fishery.
A representation from the Mayor, Jurats and Freemen of the town and port of Hasting [fo. 96, 99], relating to the preservation and encouragement of the English fishery, being communicated to the Board by Mr. Moore, was read.
Barbadoes.
Mr. Heysham and Royle. Act about the Three Houses Spring.
Colonel Cleland summon'd.
Mr. William Heysham, agent for Barbadoes, and Mr. Royle attending, Mr. Heysham presented to the Board a memorial, desiring their lordships’ report to her Majesty for confirming an Act pass'd there in June last, relating to the spring or rivulet call'd the Three Houses Spring &c. [fo. 105], which memorial being read, and their lordships understanding that Colonel Cleland has some objections to the said Act, ordered that he have notice to attend the Board thereupon on Tuesday morning next.
Trade.
Memorial from Mr. Harris; sending negro's to the Brazils.
A memorial from Mr. Harris and other merchants [fo. 69], relating to our furnishing the Brazils with negro's, as also a letter from Mr. Harris, dated yesterday, inclosing the same to the secretary, were read.
Circular letters to several mayors, &c. Fishery.
Ordered that the secretary write circular letters to the Mayors of Exeter, Dartmouth, Plimouth, Barnstable, Yarmouth, Bristol and Leverpool; as also to the collectors of her Majesty's Customs at Falmouth and Biddiford, signifying that their lordships having now under consideration the improving and enlarging the fishery of this kingdom, they desire the said mayors respectively to consult such merchants and fishermen as are most experienced in this matter, and to let the Board have an account of the difficulties the fishery labours under, and how it may be improv'd and carry'd on to the best profit and advantage to the nation.
January 22. Present:—Lord Guilford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Monckton, Sir John Hynde Cotton, Mr. Pytts, Mr. Vernon.
Trade.
Sir Charles Hedges about Italian merchants’ memorial.
Mediterranean passes.
Sir Charles Hedges [fo. 93], coming to the Board upon the memorial of several merchants trading to Italy, containing their proposals for remedying the inconvenience of Jews and other foreigners enjoying the benefit of her Majesty's Mediterranean passes (mention'd in the minutes of the 19th instant), and her Majesty's proclamation of the 17th instant, relating to such passes, being read, Sir Charles was pleas'd to declare that though the end propos'd by the said merchants would be effectually answer'd by the foremention'd proclamation, yet he was of opinion it would be of more service to the publick for this affair to remain as it did, than that any such particular directions shou'd be given in it as the merchants propos'd, inasmuch as a diminution of the validity of any English passes, otherwise than by a revocation, and the granting of new ones, would afford the Algerines occasion not only of being always strict in examining English ships, and retarding them in their voyages, but of giving great molestation on pretence of false passes, which inconvenience would affect the whole navigation of Great Britain in the Mediterranean, and seem'd more neccessary to be avoided, than the permitting a few foreigners to gain by freight under the names of her Majesty's subjects; wherein their lordships concurr'd. And it was further observ'd at the Board, that what was alledg'd by the merchants as a detriment to them did not appear so great an injury to the publick as was represented, the masters and sailors of such ships as have the protection of English passes being necessarily to be her Majesty's subjects; that according to the treaty with the Ottoman Port, all ships under English colours are protected and pass as English, even the ships of such countries as happen to be at war with the Turks, for which those foreign ships pay the Turky Company a considerable acknowledgment, to the great advantage of this kingdom.
Several letters from Mr. Secretary Bromley, with papers relating to the Spanish Netherlands.
A letter from Mr. Secretary Bromley [fo. 44, 150], of the 9th September, 1713, with the copy of one from Mr. Drummond, of the 12th of the same month, new style, relating to commerce in Flanders, &c., were read.
A letter from Mr. Secretary Bromley of the 27th November, 1713, referring to the Board the extract of a letter from Mr. Loggan, Consul at Bruges, relating to the priviledges formerly enjoy'd by the British merchants in that city, was read.
A letter from Mr. Secretary Bromley, of the 8th December, 1713, together with the following papers relating to the duties levy'd in the Netherlands, were read, vizt.:
Report of the Council of Finances, with a copy of the order not to raise the Customs in the frontier places in the new conquests of the Spanish Netherlands.
List of the Custom Houses established at Newport, and in the cities and towns of the Dutch barrier in the new conquest of the Spanish Netherlands.
A letter from Mr. Secretary Bromley, of the 24th December, 1713, referring to the Board the following papers, relating to the trade of the Netherlands, was read, as were likewise the said papers, vizt.:
Extract of a letter from Mr. Laws to Mr. Secretary Bromley.
List of the tariff and ordinances [R. fo. 110], by which the Customs are rais'd in the Netherlands.
Copy of a letter to Mr. Laws, by order of the magistracy of the country of Waes. A memorial relating to the land demanded by the Dutch there, and a specification thereof.
Copy of a report of the Council of the Finances at Brussels, upon the complaints of the French Commissaries, relating to the duties paid in the Netherlands, on goods coming from and entring France.
Translations to be made.
Ordered that translations be made of such French papers as are referr'd to in Mr. Secretary Bromley's two last mentioned letters, and laid before the Board at their next meeting.
January 26. Present:—Lord Guilford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Monckton, Sir John Hynde Cotton, Mr. Pytts.
New England.
Trade with Surinam.
Mr. Heysham and Dummer summon'd.
Their lordships again taking into consideration the memorial of Mr. William Heysham [fo. 21, 107], agent for Barbadoes, mention'd in the minutes of the 6th October last, relating to the trade carry'd on for rum, sugar and molosses, between Surinam and her Majesty's plantations on the northern continent of America; their lordships thereupon ordered that the said Mr. Heysham and Mr. Jeremiah Dummer, agent for New England, have notice to come to the Board on Thursday morning next.
Jamaica.
Mr. Compere.
Petition of the creditors of Finch against an Act about Finch's estate.
Mr. Leonard Compere [fo. 131], her Majesty's Receiver General of Jamaica, attending, presented to the Board a petition of the creditors of Thomas Finch, merchant in Jamaica, praying their lordships to represent their case to her Majesty that the Act for vesting the said Finch's estate in trustees for the payment of 3,800l., may not be confirm'd. Whereupon their lordships agreed to take the said petition into consideration to-morrow morning, and gave directions that in the meantime all the papers and proceedings in the office relating thereunto, be look'd out, and laid before the Board at that time.
Barbadoes.
Colonel Cleland and others. Objections against Act about the Three Houses Spring.
Hearing appointed.
Colonel Cleland and others attending, with objections against An Act, pass'd in Barbadoes in June, 1713, relating to the spring or rivulet call'd the Three Houses Spring [fo. 99, 112], which Mr. Heysham, agent for that island, in his memorial, mention'd in the minutes of the 21st instant, desir'd might be confirm'd; whereupon their lordships appointed Tuesday, the 2nd of February next, for considering the said Act, at which time the parties are to be heard by their counsel.
Trade.
Letter from Mr. Pery. African Company. Prussian settlements.
A letter from Mr. Pery [fo. 89, 111], secretary to the Royal African Company, of the 22nd instant, excusing the said Company's not attending the Board this day, as they had been desir'd the 15th instant, upon the memorial from the Resident of Prussia, was read; and their lordships agreed to hear what the said Company have to offer upon the abovementioned memorial on Friday morning next, the 29th instant.
Letter to Monsieur Bonet, Prussian Resident.
Then their lordships gave directions that Monsieur Bonet, the aforesaid Resident, be acquainted that they have appointed the Royal African Company to attend them, in relation to his memorial, on Friday next. After which, their lordships will desire to know what day will be most convenient for him to discourse further with them upon that subject.
January 27. Present:—Lord Guilford, Mr. Monckton, Mr. Moore, Sir John Hynde Cotton, Mr. Pytts, Mr. Vernon.
Miscellanies.
Poor.
Letter to Lord Mayor of London &c.
Their lordships taking into consideration the great numbers of poor that are daily in the streets of London and parts adjacent, and the scandal and inconveniencies thereof; ordered that draughts of letters be prepar'd to the Lord Mayor of London, the Steward of the Liberty of Westminster, and the Bailiff of the borough of Southwark, desiring them respectively to appoint some proper officers to come to the Board on Thursday next, with whom their lordships may discourse on that subject, in order to lay a representation thereof before her Majesty.
Trade.
Letter to Lord Provost of Edinburgh. Fishery.
Ordered that the draught of a letter be prepared to the Lord Provost of Edinburgh [fo. 109], desiring him to confer with the principal merchants of the royal boroughs of Scotland, and to transmit what they have to add to their memorial inclosed in a letter from the Lord Provost of the said city, dated the 14th, and read at this Board the 24th of April, 1711, relating to the fishery.
January 28. Present:—Lord Guilford, Mr. Monckton, Mr. Moore, Sir John Hynde Cotton, Mr. Pytts, Mr. Vernon.
Barbadoes.
New England.
Mr. Heysham.
Letter from Mr. Harley.
Memorial about pernicious trade with Surinam.
Mr. Dummer, agent for Massachusets Bay.
Representation.
Mr. William Heysham [fo. 104, 110], agent for the island of Barbadoes, attending, and being call'd in, a letter from Mr. Harley, of the 4th November last, referring to the Board a memorial to the Lord High Treasurer from the said Mr. Heysham, relating to the detriment her Majesty's sugar plantations suffer by rum, sugar and molosses being carry'd from Surinam into New England and other places on the continent, was read; and Mr. Dummer, agent for the province of the Massachusets Bay, attending also, he acquainted their lordships that he had not heard of any such commerce between the said province and Surinam, except it were in molosses only for making beer. Whereupon these gentlemen withdrawing, ordered that the draught of a representation to her Majesty be prepar'd upon this matter.
Jamaica.
Mr. Thurston. Mr. Swymmer's petition.
Kupius's escheated estate.
Attorney General's report about escheats.
Draught of representation.
Mr. Thurston, agent for the Lord Archibald Hamilton, Governor of Jamaica, attending in behalf of Mr. Swymmer of that island, he was call'd in, and Mr. Lowndes's letter of the 12th February, 1712/18, by order of the Lord High Treasurer, referring to this Board the petition of the said Swymmer, relating to the escheated estate of Mrs. Kupius [P. fo. 417], mention'd in the minutes of the 17th of July last, together with the said petition, were again read; and Mr. Attorney General's report upon an account of escheats in Jamaica, with observations on the same, which were sent him the 21st of July aforemention'd, was also read; whereupon directions were given for preparing the draught of a representation to her Majesty [fo. 115], relating to the said escheated estate, and Mr. Swymmer's foresaid petition.
Trade.
Letter to Lord Provost of Edinburgh. Fishery.
The draught of a letter from the secretary to the Lord Provost of Edinburgh [fo. 107, 148], order'd yesterday to be prepar'd in relation to the fishery, was agreed, and order'd to be sent.
January 29. Present:—Lord Guilford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Monckton, Mr. Moore, Sir John Hynde Cotton, Mr. Pytts, Mr. Vernon.
Maryland.
Hart's instructions.
Letter to Lord Viscount Bolingbroke.
The draughts of instructions to John Hart, esquire, for the government of Maryland, and of those which particulary relate to the Acts of Trade and Navigation, being laid before the Board, the same were agreed, and a letter, for inclosing them to the Lord Viscount Bolingbroke, was sign'd.
Colonel Blakiston.
Representation from the Assembly about Sir Thomas Laurence's complaints.
Colonel Blakiston, agent for the province of Maryland, attending, he communicated to their lordships a representation from the Assembly of Maryland to her Majesty, relating to the complaints of Sir Thomas Laurence, secretary of the said province, against them.
Trade.
Letter from Lord Bolingbroke.
Latin draught of Treaty of Commerce. Portugal.
Sir Philip Meadows to examin it.
A letter from the Lord Viscount Bolingbroke, of the 27th instant, with a Latin draught of a Treaty of Commerce with Portugal [fo. 95, 188], compar'd and corrected by the Latin treaty of 1654 and others, for what observations this Board may have to make thereupon, was read; whereupon Sir Philip Meadows was desir'd to examine the foremention'd Latin draught with the English one transmitted by their lordships to my Lord Bolingbroke the 20th of November last; which he was pleas'd to undertake accordingly.
New England.
Trade with Surinam.
Mr. Heysham and Dummer summon'd.
Upon consideration of the draught of a representation relating to the commerce lately complain'd of between New England and Surinam; ordered that Mr. William Heysham [fo. 107, 114], agent for Barbadoes, and Mr. Jeremy Dummer, agent for the Massachusets Bay, have notice to attend the Board on Tuesday morning next.
Virginia.
Letter from Mr. Lowndes.
Mr. Byrd's memorial for leave to come for England.
Letter to Lord Treasurer.
A letter from Mr. Lowndes, of the 25th instant, signifying the Lord High Treasurer's desire of knowing if this Board have any objection to the granting leave for Mr. Byrd [fo. 115], Receiver General of Virginia, to return to England, as pray'd in his inclos'd memorial, was read, together with the said memorial; whereupon ordered that a letter be prepar'd to the Lord High Treasurer, acquainting his lordship that the Board have no objection to it in the manner propos'd by Mr. Byrd.
Trade.
African Company.
Prussian settlements in Africa.
Mr. Pindar [fo. 105], with several other members of the Royal African Company attending, as they had been desir'd, upon the memorial from the Prussian Resident, relating to the forts and settlements belonging to the King of Prussia on the coast of Africa (mention'd in the minutes of the 12th instant), the said memorial was read; and these gentlemen being ask'd what they had to offer thereupon, they said that it would be a very great detriment to us, if the French, who have no settlement on the Gold Coast, should purchase those from the King of Prussia; and therefore it would be an advantage to us, in order to prevent the French having any settlement on the said Gold Coast, to purchase the said Prussian forts and settlements; but that the African Company cannot pretend to buy them, unless they were settled in a Company exclusive of all others trading there. After some further discourse upon this matter, these gentlemen were desir'd to draw up what they had to offer in writing, and let their lordships have the same as soon as possible, which they promis'd accordingly.