Journal, August 1714: Journal Book Q

Journal, August 1714

August 3. Present:—Lord Guilford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Moore, Sir John Hynde Cotton, Mr. Sharp, Mr. Vernon.

Nevis.

Mountserrat.

Memorial from Colonel Douglas.

French invasion.

Leeward Islands Entry G. 139. Bund. O. 64.

A memorial from Colonel Douglas, late Governor of the Leeward Islands, relating to the invasion of the French on the islands of Nevis and Mountserrat, was read.

Hudson's Bay.

Abstract of damages sustain'd there.

Captain Merry &c. attending, presented to their lordships an abstract of the damages the Hudson Bay Company have sustain'd by the French in times of peace [fo. 241, 282], which was read.

Nova Scotia.

New England.

New York.

Memorial from Colonel Vetch.

Memorial from Colonel Vetch [fo. 277, 348], in answer to a letter writ him the 28th instant, inclosing copies of the 10th and 15th articles of the Treaty of Peace &c., for what he might have to offer thereupon in relation to Nova Scotia, New England, and New York, was read.

Plantations General.

Circular letters for proclaiming King George.

Order'd that the draughts of circular letters to all the Governors in America, ordering them to proclaim King George in their respective Governments, be prepared to be sign'd, and sent away, when the Board have received directions from the Lords Justices for that purpose.

August 4. Present:—Lord Guilford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Moore, Sir John Hynde Cotton.

Hudson's Bay.

Company's memorial.

Boundaries.

Memorial from the Hudson's Bay Company, describing the limits which they desire may be fix'd between them and the places appertaining to the French &c. [fo. 278], in answer to a letter writ them the 28th last month, inclosing the 10th and 11th articles of the Treaty of Peace with France, was read.

Mountserrat.

Nevis.

Letter to General Hamilton and Sir John St. Leger thereupon.

Ordered that a letter be writ to General Hamilton and Sir John St. Leger, inclosing a copy of the 11th article of the Treaty of Peace etc., desiring them to bring in writing by Fryday next what they may have to offer thereupon in relation to Mountserrat and Nevis.

Trade.

Account of hardships laid on the African Company by the French.

Mr. John Perry [fo. 278], secretary to the Royal African Company, attending, presented to their lordships accounts of damages and losses sustain'd and injuries done the said Company in time of peace by the French, with some reasons concerning the forced capitulation of Gambia in 1702, in answer to a letter writ them the 28th last month, inclosing the 10th article of the Treaty of Peace with France, was read.

August 5. Present:—Sir Philip Meadows, Sir John Hynde Cotton, Mr. Sharp, Mr. Vernon.

Trade.

Mr. Dolliffe touching Spanish queries.

The secretary acquainted the Board the Mr. Dolliffe [fo. 277, 288] had call'd at the office to know their lordships’ pleasure, when they would be attended by him and the rest of the Spanish merchants, in relation to the queries sent him the 28th last month; whereupon ordered that a letter be writ him signifying that their lordships have agred to receive what they have to offer upon the said Spanish queries on Tuesday morning next at 11 a clock.

August 6. Present:—Lord Guilford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Moore, Sir John Hynde Cotton, Mr. Sharp, Mr. Vernon.

Plantations General.

Order of Council with draft of a proclamation for proclaiming the King in America.

An Order of Council, of the 5th of August, 1714, referring to the Board the draught of a proclamation approved of by the Lords Justies for proclaiming the King in his Majesty's respective plantations in America [fo. 287], and directing their lordships to prepare as many draughts properly fill'd up for the several and respective colonies and plantations there, as shall be necessary for that purpose, was read.

Representation with draughts thereof.

And a representation, transmitting to their Excellencies the Lords Justices such draughts as aforesaid, was signd.

Nevis.

Inhabitants’ objections to the French demands.

General Hamilton's memorial.

General Hamilton attending, presented to the Board a memorial containing objections to the demands of the French from the inhabitants of Nevis, which their lordships agreed to consider at the first opportunity.

August 11. Present:—Lord Guilford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Moore, Sir John Hynde Cotton, Mr. Sharp, Mr. Vernon.

Miscellanies.

Incidents.

The secretary again laid before their lordships the accounts of incidental charges in the service of this Board from Christmas, 1713, to Midsummer, 1714, [fo. 270, 330], which are as follows, vizt.:
The stationer's account, from Christmas, 1713, to Lady Day, The stationer's account, from Lady Day, 1714, to Midsummer following.
Account of petty expences, from Christmas, 1713, to Lady Day, 1714.
Account of petty expences, from Lady Day, 1714, to Midsumer following.
The post officer's account, from Christmas, 1713, to Lady Day, 1714.
The post officer's account, from Lady Day, 1714, to Midsumer following.
Mr. Clark's account of wood and coals.

Letter to Lord Treasurer.

Whereupon a letter to the Lord High Treasurer, praying payment thereof, as likewise of the salaries due to this office, was signed.

Newfoundland.

Letter from Mr. Campbell with a memorial about Placentia &c. inclosed to Lord Bolingbroke.

A letter from Mr. James Campbell to the secretary, with a memorial containing several matters relating to Placentia, and the surveying the coast of Newfoundland, and preserving the fishery there, were read, and a letter to the Lord Viscount Bolingbroke, inclosing a copy of the said memorial, as also another from Captain Taverner, therein referr'd to, together with a letter to the late Lord Treasurer thereupon, was signed.

Newfoundland.

Mr. Slyford's memorial about the fishery &c. to be given Mr. Campbell.

Their lordships gave directions for copying Mr. Slyford's memorial relating to the fishery [fo. 197], together with his objections to Captain Taverner's scheme, that Mr. James Campbell may transmit them to the said Taverner for his observations.

Plantations General.

Order of Lords Justices approving the draughts of a proclamation for proclaiming the King in America.

Letter inclosing the same &c. sent Mr. Secretary Burchet.

An order from the Lords Justices, of the 10th August, 1714, approving the draughts of a proclamation laid before their lordships the 6th instant for proclaiming his Majesty King George in the plantations in America [fo. 284], and directing the Board to take care for the speedy conveyance of them, and of the orders from the Privy Council upon the same subject, by the two vessels appointed for that purpose, was read; and letters from the Board to the several plantations in America, inclosing the same orders and draughts of proclamations, were sign'd; and thereupon ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Burchet, secretary of the Admiralty, inclosing the same, in order to be forwarded by the said two vessells.

The particulars thereof.

The said letters were as follow: To the Governors or Commandersin-Chief of Jamaica, Barbadoes, the Leeward Islands, Bermuda, Virginia, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Massachusets Bay, and New Hampshire, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland; to the Governor of Carolina, to the Governor and Company of Rhode Island and Connecticut, to the Governor and Company of Hudson's Bay, and to the Deputy Governor of Pennsylvania.

August 12. Present:—Lord Guilford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Moore, Sir John Hynde Cotton, Mr. Sharp, Mr. Vernon.

Trade.

Spanish queries answer'd.

The Spanish merchant's answer to queries inclosed to Mr. Dolliffe the 28th of the last month [fo. 283, 293], in relation to the trade to Spain, was read.

Letter from Lord Viscount Bolingbroke with extracts from Mr. Burch about British consuls in Spain, and donative.

A letter from the Lord Viscount Bolingbroke of the 11th August, 1714, with extracts of letters from Mr. Burch, the British minister at Madrid, relating to difficulties about confirming the commissions of the British consuls in Spain [fo. 296], as also several papers relating to a donative demanded of the British merchants at Cadiz, were read.

Letter to Mr. Dolliffe thereupon.

Whereupon order'd that a letter be writ to Mr. James Dolliffe, inclosing a copy of the foregoing extracts of letters from Mr. Burch, relating to the British consuls, and to desire him to consult with other Spanish merchants, and to let their lordships have on Tuesday next in writing an account of the ancient usage in that particular, as also what they have to offer in relation to the donative lately demanded of the British merchants at Cadiz.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Russell about French trade to the Spanish West Indies.

Letter to Sir Joseph Hodges.

Spanish licence.

A letter from Mr. Charles Russell, of Cadiz, to the Board, relating to the French trade to the Spanish West Indies, was read, and thereupon order'd that a letter be writ to Sir Joseph Hodges, desiring him to lend their lordships for a few days his original Spanish licence [fo. 293], which had been communicated to the Board by his father, for permitting some French to trade to the Spanish West Indies.

August 13. Present:—Lord Guilford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Moore, Mr. Sharp, Mr. Pytt[s], Mr. Vernon.

Nova Scotia.

Colonel Vetch in relation thereto.

Colonel Vetch attending, and being asked how the French behav'd themselves upon the reduction of Nova Scotia, he said that upon the taking of that country from them, the inhabitants swore allegiance to her late Majesty, but soon after all the forces (except the garrison that remain'd in Annapolis Royal) were withdrawn, they rose in a body, took arms, were by a priest at the head of them absolv'd of their said oath, and block'd up the fort and garrison for several months, not did they return to their obedience till the peace was proclaim'd.

Newfoundland.

Letter from Colonel Moody about his proceedings in Placentia.

Mr. Campbell attending, communicated to the Board a letter from Colonel Moody, Lieutenant Governor of Placentia, touching his proceedings there in relation to the French fishery, which was read.

Newfoundland.

Letter from Lord Bolingbroke on several heads in Colonel Moody's letter.

Letter from the Lord Viscount Bolingbroke, of the 12th instant [v. infra], upon several heads contain'd in Colonel Moody's letter to his lordship relating to Newfoundland, for the Board's consideration, was read, and directions given for preparing the draught of an answer thereupon.

August 14. Present:—Mr. Moore, Mr. Sharpe, Mr. Pytts, Mr. Vernon.

Hudson's Bay.

Nova Scotia.

St. Christopher's.

Letter from Lord Bolingbroke.

Letter from the Lord Viscount Bolingbroke, of the 12th instant, for an account of what has been done since the peace, relating to Hudson's Bay, Nova Scotia and St. Christopher's &c., was read, and an answer thereunto immediately drawn up and sign'd.

Newfoundland.

Letter to Lord Bolingbroke thereupon.

Colonel Moody.

Letter to the Lord Viscount Bolingbroke, in answer to his lordship's of the 12th instant [v. supra], mention'd in yesterday's minutes, upon several heads contain'd in Colonel Moody's letter to his lordship, in relation to Newfoundland, was sign'd.

August 16. Present:—Lord Guilford, Sir Philip Meadows Mr. Sharp, Mr. Pytts.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Secretary Bromley with papers from Bruxels.

Letter from Mr. Secretary Bromley, of the 6th instant [fo. 294, 300], inclosing two papers from the Council of State at Bruxels, was read, together with the said papers, which are as follows, vizt.:
Memorial from the Council of State at Bruxels, representing the disadvantages the subjects of the Low Countries labour under in their trade with Great Britain.
Project of a Treaty of Commerce for the British subjects and those of the Imperial Low Countries.

Mr. Drumond summond.

Whereupon ordered that the same be taken into consideration on Wednesday morning next, and that Mr. Drummond be desired to attend at the same time.

August 17. Present:—Lord Guilford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Moore, Mr. Sharpe, Mr. Pytts, Mr. Vernon.

Plantations General.

Circular letter about illegal trade.

Their lordships agreed on the draught of a circular letter to all the Governors of the plantations, directing them to take care that no illegal trade be carryd on between their respective governments and the French settlements in America [fo. 297], by any of his Majesty's ships of war or other vessels, and ordered the same to be transcribed.

Trade.

Letter from Sir Joseph Hodges with Spanish contract.

Letter from Sir Joseph Hodges, inclosing a Spanish contract for two ships, and a patack for the Honduras, and one for Carraceas [fo. 289, 351], was read, and directions given for getting the said contract translated.

Letter to Mr. Dolliffe about Spanish merchants’ attendance.

The Spanish merchants not coming as they were expected, ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. James Dolliffe [fo. 288, 296], to acquaint him that their lordships are desirous to know what day will be most convenient for him and the other Spanish merchants to attend.

August 18. Present:—Lord Guilford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Moore, Mr. Sharp, Mr. Pytts, Mr. Vernon.

Trade.

Mr. Drummond's observations on the Bruxels memorial and project of a Treaty of Comerce.

Copies thereof given him.

Mr. Drummond attending, as he had been desired the 16th instant, their lordships communicated to him Mr. Secretary Bromley's letter of the 6th [fo. 292], with a memorial from the Council of State at Bruxells, about disadvantages the subjects of the Imperial Low Countries labour under in their trade with Great Britain, together with the project of a Treaty of Commerce between the said Low Countries and this kingdom; all which papers were read, and Mr. Drummond made several observations thereupon, particularly upon the 1st article of the foremention'd memorial, relating to the duties payable here on the Flanders linnen. He said that ‘twas true that the Flanders linnen did pay higher duties than those imported by Hamburgh and Holland; the Flanders coarse linnen from 8 to 18 stivers an ell pay as much as the Dutch fine; that about the year 1709, two pence per ell was taken off of the Dutch linnen in general, but not off of those of Flanders, which he thought a hardship upon them, and he beleiv'd they wou'd be satisfy'd if the same favour was shewn to them. Another reason for their complaint, he said, was that the Flanders linnen pays duties by the yard, and the Dutch ad valorem. After some further discourse with Mr. Drummond thereupon, their lordships gave Mr. Drummond copies of the above-mention'd memorial and treaty, for his observations thereupon, which he promised to bring their lordships to-morrow morning.

Trade.

Mr. Drumond's Treaty of Comerce amended.

Memorial from British merchants in Flanders.

He then communicated to their lordships the draught of a Treaty of Commerce with Flanders (mentioned in the minutes of the 6th of November, 1713) [fo. 39, 299], as it had been amended, pursuant to their lordships’ letters to Mr. Secretary Bromley, the 2nd of December, 1713, and 6th of March, 1713/14 [fo. 55, 152]. He further communicated to their lordships a memorial he had received from the British merchants in Flanders, containing the heads of what they desired might be provided for in the Treaty of Commerce. Whereupon ordered that a copy of the said memorial be kept.

Trade.

Spanish merchants’ memorial about British consuls in Spain, and in relation to the donative demanded there.

Mr. Dolliffe, Mr. Weyland, with several Spanish merchants attending [fo. 293], presented to their lordships a memorial in answer to a letter writ Mr. Dolliffe the 12th instant, upon the papers in my Lord Bolingbroke's letter of the 11th [fo. 288, 298], relating to the difficulty the King of Spain makes of admitting the British consuls in Spain, and relating to the donative demanded of the British subjects there, which was read, as also the extracts of two letters they had lately received from Spain, signifying that soldiers had been quarter'd upon the British subjects for non-payment of the said donative, and that they expected to have the number of soldiers doubled upon them every day they persisted in their refusal.

Queries answer'd in relation to the duties on Spanish wooll.

These gentlemen being then ask'd some questions in relation to the duties on the exportation of Spanish wooll, they said that they desired the said duties should stand as they do now, and not be lower'd; that they had consulted the Blackwell Hall factors, who were of the same opinion, for that the duties in Spain upon wooll are all the same upon coarse or fine alike; that we export only the fine, and the French, who are our rivals in the coarse woollen manufactures, only the coarser sort; so that, were the duties lower'd, the French wou'd be enabled thereby to outsel us abroad.

Memorial to be brought thereupon.

These gentlemen being then desir'd to give their lordships a memorial of this matter in writing, they promised to do it accordingly.

August 19. Present:—Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Moore, Mr. Sharpe, Mr. Pytts, Mr. Vernon.

Barbadoes.

Plantations General.

Circular letters about illegal trade in America.

Circular letters to all the Governors of the plantations [fo. 293], directing them to take care that no illegal trade be carry'd on between their respective governments and the French settlements in America, by any of his Majesty's ships of war or other vessels, agreed the 17th instant, were signed.

Trade.

Papers about British consuls in Spain and to a donative, consider'd.

Letter to Lord Bolingbroke thereupon.

Their lordships, taking into consideration the letter from the Lord Bolingbroke of the 11th of August, 1714, inclosing extracts of letters relating to difficulties about confirming the commissions of the British consuls in Spain [fo. 296, 299], and several papers relating to a donative demanded of the British merchants at Cadiz; as also the memorial presented to their lordships by the Spanish merchants yesterday; ordered that the draught of a letter to the Lord Bolingbroke be prepared thereupon.

Newfoundland.

Papers ordered Mr. Campbell.

Mr. Campbell desiring to have copies of the Board's letter of 2nd April last to the late Lord Treasurer [fo. 170], and of the memorial from Captain Taverner relating to his survey of Newfoundland therein referr'd to, order'd that the same be given him accordingly.

August 20. Present:—Lord Guilford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Moore, Sir John Hynde Cotton, Mr. Sharp, Mr. Pytts, Mr. Vernon.

St. Christopher's.

Memorial from Mr. Duport praying his &c. petition about lands there may be consider'd.

A memorial from Mr. Duport [fo. 308], praying the Board to take into consideration Mr. Lowndes's letter of 14th May, 1714, upon a petition from the said Duport and other French refugees, relating to lands in St. Christopher's, was read, and their lordships agreed to consider that matter on Tuesday next.

Trade.

Letter to Lord Bolingbroke about British consuls in Spain and to a donative.

Letter to the Lord Viscount Bolingbroke, in answer to one from him of the 11th August, 1714, with extracts of letters relating to difficulties about confirming the commissions of the British consuls in Spain [fo. 298], and relating to a donative demanded of the British merchants at Cadiz, mention'd in yesterday's minutes, was sign'd.

Mr. Drumond's observations on his Flanders Treaty of Commerce.

Mr. Drumond presented to the Board the draught of a Treaty of Commerce with Flanders in English [fo. 295], being a translation of that mention'd in the minutes of 18th instant, with several notes and observations in the margents.

August 23. Present:—Lord Guilford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Moore, Sir John Hynde Cotton, Mr. Pytts.

Trade.

Memorial of grievances in commerce between the Netherlands and Great Britain, with Mr. Drumond's observations thereupon.

Letter to Mr. Carkesse with extract thereof about Flanders linnen.

Memorial of several grievances relating to the commerce between the Netherlands and this kingdom, referr'd to in Mr. Secretary Bromley's letter of the 6th (and read the 16th) instant [fo. 292, 301], was again consider'd, together with some observations thereupon by Mr. Drumond; whereupon ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Carkesse, inclosing the three first paragraphs of the said memorial relating to Flanders linnens, and desiring the opinion of the Commissioners of the Customs in writing, on Wednesday next, on the said paragraphs, or that some of their officers may then attend their lordships [fo. 303].

Treaty of Commerce between Great Britain and Imperial Low Countries.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Bromley thereupon.

Project of a Treaty of Commerce between this kingdom and the Imperial Low Countries, referr'd to in Mr. Secretary Bromley's above-mention'd letter of the 6th instant, was again consider'd; and directions given for preparing the draught of a letter to Mr. Secretary Bromley thereupon.

August 24. Present:—Lord Guilford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Sharpe, Mr. Pytts, Mr. Vernon.

Nevis.

Mr. Mills.

Debentures deliver'd.

Mr. John Mills attending, and the powers of attorney from several of the sufferers at Nevis to the said Mr. Mills being examin'd at the Board, the six debentures number'd 204, 481, 508, 533, 549 and 586 were delivered to him.

Mr. Langdon.

Ditto.

Mr. Langdon attending with a letter of attorney from Mr. Connohore, a sufferer at Nevis, it was examin'd at the Board, and the debenture number'd 501 delivered to him.

Trade.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Bromley on Flanders papers.

A letter to Mr. Secretary Bromley, in answer to his of the 6th instant, referring to their lordships the draught of a Treaty of Commerce [fo. 300, 308], between this kingdom and the Imperial Low Countries, for their consideration, was signed.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Carkesse, with exports and imports to and from Spain.

A letter from Mr. Carkesse, in answer to three writ him the 22nd, 23rd and 28th last month [fo. 278, 344], for an account of the species and value of goods exported to and imported from Spain for three years in time of peace &c., was read, and the two papers therein referr'd to were laid before the Board, and are as followeth, vizt.:
Papers referr'd to.
An account shewing the species and quantities of goods and merchandizes, and the amount of the value imported and exported between the kingdoms of England and Spain, in three distinct years, in the time of the Ryswick Peace, from Christmas, 1698, to Christmas, 1701, with a state of the said three years’ trade, and a comparison shewing the excess thereof.
An account shewing the species and quantities of goods and merchandize, and the amount of the value imported and exported between the kingdoms of England and Spain, in one year and a half, since the cessation of arms from Michaelmas, 1712, to Lady Day, 1714, with a state of the said year and half's trade, and a comparison shewing the excess thereof.

August 25. Present:—Mr. Moore, Sir John Hynde Cotton, Mr. Sharp, Mr. Pytts, Mr. Vernon.

Trade.

Spanish.

Letter from Mr. Bicknel.

Letter from Mr. John Bicknell to Mr. Moore, relating to the Spanish trade, was laid before the Board, and read.

Letter from Lord Viscount Bolingbroke about English clergyman at Canaries and trade to Yvica.

Mr. Dolliffe and Mead sumon'd thereupon.

A letter from the Lord Viscount Bolingbroke, of the 23rd of June, 1714, for the Board's opinion upon the translations of two letters from Spain relating to an English clergyman at the Canaries [fo. 312], and about the trade to Yvica [fo. 247, 311], mention'd in the minutes of the 24th of June last, was again read; and thereupon ordered that letters be writ to Mr. James Dolliffe and Mr. John Mead, desiring them to attend their lordships to-morrow or on Fryday next.

Trade.

Custom House officer's remarks on Bruxell's memorial.

A letter from Mr. Carkesse [fo. 300], of this day's date, signifying that the Commissioners of the Customs had sent Mr. Towers, Deputy to the Collector inward, and Mr. Baynes, one of the land surveyors, pursuant to their lordships’ desire of the 23rd instant, was read; and the said gentleman attending accordingly, their lordships communicated to them the memorial of grievances from the Council of State at Bruxels [fo. 300], mention'd in the minutes of the 23rd instant. Whereupon these gentlemen said that there were several mistakes in that memorial, particularly in that article wherein it is said that Flanders linnen are appraised at 17s. 6d. sterling per English yard, for they are appraised but at 14s. 6d. the English ell; that Flanders linnen does not pay more than the Dutch linnens; that by an Act of the 6th of the Queen (folio 350), the ²/3 subsidy is taken off all European linnens. But the real hardship they lye under is that the coarse linnens pay as much as the fine, which is the same for all other nations; that the tickens of Holland and Flanders pay alike, but those from Hamburgh higher; that velvets and silks from Italy pay 8d. per pound less than those from Flanders or Holland; that the alien duty here is one quarter part of the first subsidy, and is about 1/16 of the whole duty. After some further discourse with these gentlemen, their lordships delivered to them a copy of the above-mention'd memorial of grievances, and desired them to put their observations in the margent thereof [fo. 307], which they promised to do against Fryday next.

August 26. Present:—Sir Philip Meadows, Sir John Hynde Cotton, Mr. Pytts, Mr. Vernon.

Barbadoes.

Four letters from the President.

A letter from Colonel Sharp, President of the Council of Barbadoes, to the Board, dated June the 4th, 1714, was read, as were likewise the three papers therein referr'd to, which are as follows, vizt.:
Papers referr'd to.
Copy of the President's speech to the Council and Assembly of Barbadoes.
Minutes of Assembly of Barbadoes of the 7th of June, 1714.
Copy of the General Assemblie's address to the President of Barbadoes.

Another letter from Colonel Sharp, dated the 24th of April, 1714, was read, with papers therein referr'd to, which are as follows, vizt.:
Copies of several letters &c. between Mr. Sharp, President, and the rest of the Council of Barbadoes, relating to Mr. Lowther's refusal to surrender the government imediately upon her Majesty's orders being produced by Mr. Sharp.
Copy of an address from several of the inhabitants of Barbadoes to her Majesty, upon Mr. Sharp's being appointed Commanderin-Chief there.
Copy of an address of thanks from the clergy of Barbadoes to her Majesty, upon Mr. Sharp's being appointed Commander-in-Chief of Barbadoes.

A third letter from Mr. Sharpe, dated the 27th April, 1714, and the following paper therein referr'd to, were read:
Copy of an article in the Governor's instructions relating to devolution of government.

A fourth letter from Mr. Sharp, dated the 8th May, 1714, was read, as likewise the following paper therein referr'd to:
Copy of Mr. Sharp's speech to the Council and Assembly of Barbadoes.

Placentia.

Two letters from Colonel Moody about peace proclaim'd and harbour there.

Two letters from Colonel Moody, Governor of Placentia, of 22nd June and 3rd July, 1714, signifying his having proclaim'd the peace both with France and Spain, and describing the commodiousness of the harbour of Placentia for the improvement of our fishery, were read.

August 27. Present:—Lord Guilford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Moore, Sir John Hynde Cotton, Mr. Sharpe, Mr. Pytts, Mr. Vernon.

Trade.

Custom House officer's observations on the Bruxels memorial.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Bromley.

Letter from Mr. Towers [fo. 305], Deputy Collector of the Customs inwards, inclosing his observations on the memorial of grievances complain'd of by the Council of State at Bruxels, relating to the trade of those countries with this kingdom, delivered to him the 25th instant, was read; and a letter to Mr. Secretary Bromley, transmitting the said memorial [fo. 301], and their lordships’ observations thereupon, in order to be laid before the Lords Justices, was signed.

St. Christopher's.

Mr. Duport desiring to withdraw the petition of French refugees.

Mr. Duport attending, and desiring to withdraw the letter of reference from Mr. Lowndes of the 14th of May, 1714 [fo. 298], upon a petition from him and other French refugees relating to lands in St. Christopher's, ordered that the same be given him.

Plantations General.

Proprieties.

Mr. Attorny General's report.

Temporary laws.

Mr. Attorney General's report, in answer to a letter writ him the 10th of June last [fo. 229], relating to the passing and transmitting of temporary plantation laws, was read, and a representation thereupon ordered to be drawn.

Trade.

Mr. Drumond.

Observations on Flanders papers.

Mr. Drumond's observations on the project of a Treaty of Commerce with Flanders, and on the memorial of grievances there, were received from him.

August 30. Present:—Lord Guilford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pytts, Mr. Vernon.

Plantations General.

Proprieties.

Report to the Committee of Appeals about temporary laws.

A report to the Lords of the Committee of Appeals from the plantations, pursuant to an order from them of the 5th of June last [fo. 228, 314], and mention'd in the minutes of the 9th, requiring the Board to examine and report by what grants or authorities several of her Majesty's plantations do claim a power of making temporary laws, so as to be able to evade her Majesty's prerogative of repealing such laws as may be thought unfit to be confirmd, was agreed, and order'd to be transcribed.

Bermuda.

Memorial from Sir John Bennet about his brother's demands on that government.

Memorial from Sir John Bennet, on behalf of his brother, Captain Bennet, late Governor of Bermuda, was read, as was likewise a letter from the said Captain Bennet, of the 25th of September, 1713, desiring the Board's directions to Captain Pulleyn, the present Governor of Bermuda, that he endeavour to procure satisfaction of his demands of that government. Whereupon ordered that a letter be prepared to the said Captain Pulleyn thereupon.

St. Christopher's.

Letter from Mr. Cunynham.

Depositions.

Letter to Colonel Smith.

Letter from Mr. Cunynham, of the 1st of June, 1714, representing the conduct of the gentlemen who are to take depositions for the effectual proving his complaints against General Douglas and Lieutenant Governor Lambert, was read; and a letter to Colonel Smith, President of the Council of Nevis, directing him to appoint proper persons to receive the said depositions, was ordered to be drawn.

August 31. Present:—Lord Guilford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Moore, Sir John Hynde Cotton, Mr. Sharpe, Mr. Pytts, Mr. Vernon.

Newfoundland.

Letter from Mr. Addison to summon the Board about Captain Taverner.

A letter from Mr. Addison, of yesterday's date, requiring the Board to attend their Excellencies the Lords Justices to-morrow morning, in relation to Captain Taverner's being made surveyor of Newfoundland [fo. 312], was read; and thereupon ordered that the several papers in this office relating to that matter be look'd out and copy'd against to-morrow morning.

Trade.

Spanish merchants touching the prohibition of our commerce to Yvica.

Mr. Dolliffe, with other Spanish merchants, attending [fo. 303], as he had been desired the 25th instant, in relation to the King of Spain's prohibiting the British commerce to Yvica, their lordships communicated to him the copy of the letter from the Secretary of State at Madrid to the British minister there, upon the subject. Whereupon Mr. Dolliffe said that he beleiv'd the reason of this proceeding was that the King of Spain had lately laid so high a duty on the salt made at Lamatt, near Cape Paul, in the Mediterranean, that the salt that used formerly to be bought there for four dollars the tun and half, was now sold for sixteen, which obliged people to go to Yvica, where they had it much cheaper; another reason of this prohibition, he thought, might be because Yvica is a dependant of Majorca, as Majorca is of Barcelona, and therefore he wou'd not allow any trade to be carry'd on whereby the Barcelonians might be relieved in any manner. He added that he never knew our trade to Yvica had ever been prohibited before.

Clergyman at the Canaries.

Then being ask'd if he knew anything of an English clergyman in the Canaries [fo. 303], (mentioned in another letter from the Spanish secretary to the British minister at Madrid,) he said that he did not, but he wou'd send some Canary merchants to their lordships.