Journal, September 1719: Journal Book V

Journal, September 1719

September 9. Present:—Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pulteney.

Trade.

Representation.

Hardships at Venice.

A representation upon Mr. Delafaye's letter of 14th August last, relating to the hardships the British trade lies under at Venice, was signed.

Nevis.

St. Christophers.

Debentures.

Their Lordships taking further into consideration the debentures, agreed the 9th July last, in pursuance to the Act of Parliament for relief of such sufferers of the Island of Nevis and St. Christophers, as have settled in either of those islands, and made due proof of such settlement before the 25th of December, 1712, signed the following debentures.

For the sufferers on Nevis who resettled on St. Christophers viz.

Debentures.

September 10. Present:—Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pulteney.

Miscellanies.

Incidental Accounts.

The Secretary laid before the Board the account of incidental charges of this office, from Christmas, 1718, to Midsummer, 1719, amounting to £269 4s. 3¾d.

Letter to Treasury.

Whereupon a letter was writ to the Lords of the Treasury to desire payment thereof.

Newfoundland.

Pretensions of Guipuscoans.

Representation agreed.

The draught of a representation upon Mr. Delafay's letters of the 4th and 14th of the last month, relating to the pretensions of the Guipuscoans to fish in Newfoundland, mentioned in the Minutes of 5th of the same month, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

Trade.

Letter from Lord Provost of Edinburgh.

Herring Trade.

Representation.

Letter to Lord Provost.

A letter from the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, of 21st July last, in answer to one writ him the 16th of April, relating to the herring trade and the late convention with Hamburgh, was read, and ordered that the draft of a representation be drawn up thereupon: as likewise that the Secry. write to the Lord Provost to give him an account of what has been done upon his above said letter.

The following letters and papers from Mr. Bridger, late Surveyor of the Woods in America, were read, viz.
New England.
Letters and Papers from Mr. Bridger.
Letter from him to the Secry., dated at Boston, the 29th of June, 1719.
Two letters, dated the 26th of June and 9th of July, 1719.
A letter, dated the 13th of June, 1719, relating to the bad condition of the woods, and character of the Deputy Surveyor appointed by his successor &c.
A letter dated 19th June, 1719.
A letter, dated the 17th of July, 1719, with copy of his memorial to Col. Shute, Govr. of New England, concerning the right of the Crown of England to the woods in the Province of Maine.
Minute of the Council of New Hampshire, acknowledging Mr. Bridger's service in projecting two Acts for the encouragement of naval stores in that province, passed in May, 1719.
Copy of an Act, passed in New Hampshire, the 2nd of May, 1719, for the encouragement of naval stores in that province.

Extracts to Lords Justices

Treasury and Admiralty and Commissioners of the Navy.

And directions were given for preparing extracts thereof to be laid before their excellencies the Lords Justices, the Lords of the Treasury, the Lords of the Admiralty, and the Commissrs. of the Navy respectively. And the Board agreed to take into further consideration that part of Mr. Bridger's said letter of the 26th of June, which relates to the woollen and cotton manufactures in the plantations.

September 11. Present:—Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pulteney.

Newfoundland.

Representation on Guipuscoans' pretensions.

A representation as agreed yesterday upon Mr. Delafaye's letters of the 4th and 14th of the last month, relating to the Guipuscoans' pretensions to fish at Newfoundland, was signed.

Ordered that Mr. Danson be desired to acquaint Mr. Byth that the Board would be glad to speak with him at ten of the clock on Thursday morning next.

September 16. Present:—Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Pulteney.

New England.

Letter from Mr. Bridger.

Complaints against the Governor and Bridger.

A letter from Mr. Bridger, late Surveyor of His Majesty's Woods in America, to the Secry. of this Board, dated the 25th of July last, relating to the complaints intended to be made by Mr. Smith, Advocate of the Admiralty at Boston in New England, and Mr. Cooke against the Govr. and against the said Mr. Bridger, was read. Ordered that the Secry. acquaint Mr. Bridger with the receipt of this and former letters.

Pennsylvania.

Orders in Council, Repealing Acts.

The copies of two Orders in Council of the 21st of July and 25th August upon a representation of this Board, dated 9th of July, 1719, for repealing several Acts of Pennsylvania, were read.

New York.

Order of Council, Repealing an Act.

The copy of an Order of Council of the 9th of July upon a representation of the 19th of June, 1719, for repealing an Act of New York, relating to the easier partition of lands in joint tenancy, or in common, was read.

Montserrat.

Order of Council.

New Councillors.

The copy of an Order in Council of the 9th of July, upon a representation of the 18th of June, 1719, for appointing three new councillors in Montserrat, was likewise read.

Copies to be sent to the respective.

Governors.

Whereupon directions were given for transmitting, with the next letters from this office, copies of the forementioned Orders in Council to the respective Governors or Commanders of the Plantations to which they relate.

The four undermentioned copies of Orders in Council were also read, viz.

Nova Scotia.

Order of Council, approving Colonel Philips' Commission and Instructions.

The copy of an Order in Council of the 25th upon a representation of the 19th of June, 1719, approving the drafts of a commission and instructions for Col. Philips to be Govr. of the Province of Nova Scotia and Placentia in Newfoundland.

Trade.

Order of Council, Treasury. Colonel Kane's petition making salt. Minorca.

Copy of an Order of Council, of 25th June, 1719, referring to the Lords of the Treasury the petition of Col. Kane and the representation of this Board of 11th June, 1718, relating to the making of salt in Minorca.

Virginia.

Order of Council, Representation.

Removal of Mr. Byrd from the Council.

Copy of an Order of Council, of 25th June, referring to the Lords of the Committee a representation, dated the 9th of April, 1719, relating to the removal of Mr. Byrd from the Council of Virginia, and

New York.

Order of Council, Representation.

Merchants' petition.

Act.

Copy of an Order of Council, of 25th upon a representation of the 4th June, 1719, relating to a petition of several merchants against an Act of New York for discharging several debts of the Province, both which matters are referred to the Committee.

Maryland.

Letter from Lord Guilford, for Proprietor, Letters.

Boundaries, Acts, Naval stores.

A letter from the Lord Guilford, guardian to the Lord Baltemore, Propr. of Maryland, dated the 9th inst., acknowledging the receipt of the letters from this Board of the 7th and 26th of the last month, concerning the boundaries of that province, and the Acts about manufacturing naval stores &c., was read.

Leeward Islands.

Letter from Mr. Delafaye, Earl of Cadogan, Directors, Dutch West India Company.

Soldiers and Blacks to St. Eustatia.

Copies to General Hamilton.

A letter from Mr. Delafaye, Secry. to the Lords Justices, of the 17th of the last month, together with the copy of one from the Earl of Cadogan, and another from the directors of the Dutch West India Company, concerning the soldiers and blacks, who ran away from His Majesty's Leeward Islands to St. Eustatia, were severally read. Whereupon ordered that copies of the said letter from the Earl of Cadogan, and from the said directors, be sent with the next dispatches to Genl. Hamilton, Govr. of the Leeward Islands.

Barbados.

Letters from Mr. Weir.

French at Martinique.

Negroes at St. Vincent, St. Lucia.

Two letters from Mr. Thomas Weir, of the 20th of June last, and the 12th inst. relating to a design of the French at Martinico to attack the negroes at the Island of St. Vincent, and to possess themselves of St. Lucia, were read, whereupon ordered that the said Weir have notice to attend the Board on this day seven night.

Leeward Islands.

Letter from Mr. Hedges Minutes and Acts.

A letter from Mr. Hedges, late Secry. of the Leeward Islands, dated at Antego, the 24th of March, 1718/19, relating to the sending over of Minutes of Council and Assembly, and Acts from thence, was read.

Nevis.

Debentures Delivered.

Mr. Coope and Mr. Truman attending, and their powers of attorney from several of the sufferers by the French invasion of Nevis in 170⁵/6, being examined at the Board, the four debentures No. 657, 659, 661 and 662, were delivered to them.

Leeward Islands.

Letters and Papers from General Hamilton.

Then their Lordsps. took into consideration the letters undermentioned from Genl. Hamilton, Govr. of the Leeward Islands, which were severally read, and the Acts and papers therewith received were laid before the Board, viz.
A letter from General Hamilton, dated 11th of March, 17 18/19, with Two Acts passed at Montserrat in 1718, with his observations thereon &c.
The deposition of Thomas Farrin relating to pirates.
Letter from General Hamilton dated the … of May, 1719, with Copy of Mr. Gerrish and Mr. Pinney two of the members of the Council of Antego's licenses of absence, both dated the 18th May, 1719.
Minutes of the Assembly of St. Christophers, from the 26th of March, 1713, to the 23rd of Dec., 1718, in three parcels.
Minutes of Council at Montserrat, from 23rd March, 1712/13, to the 13th of January, 1718/19.
Minutes of Council in Assembly at Nevis, from the 19th of Sept., 1715, to the 23rd of March, 1718/19.
Letter from Genl. Hamilton, dated the 5th of June, 1719, with An Act passed at Antego to alter an Act for raising a tax of £500 current money for paying public debts &c.
Letter from Genl. Hamilton, dated the 5th of June, 1719, with an Act, passed at Nevis, entituled,
An Act for raising a poll tax on negroes and other slaves &c. Letter from Genl. Hamilton, dated the 20th of July, 1719, with Answers to certain queries sent from this Board.
Copy of a licence of absence for Mr. Broadbelt, one of the Council of Antego.
Copy of two grants of land in St. Christophers to Mr. Newth and Mr. Milliken.
Letter from General Hamilton, dated the 24th of July, 1719, with Seven Acts passed at Antego in 1719, and a list thereof.

Acts to Mr. West.

Whereupon ordered that all the said Acts, together with Genl. Hamilton's reasons for passing the same, be sent to Mr. West for his opinion about them. That inquiry be made for Mr. Talmash, Lieut. Govr. of Montserrat, and notice given him to attend the Board, as soon as may be.

Answer.

Directions were likewise given to the Secretary, for preparing an answer to Genl. Hamilton's said several letters.

September 17. Present:—Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Pulteney.

Trade.

Inspector General, to transmit accounts of Imports and Exports.

Ordered that Mr. Martyn, Inspector Genl. of the Customs, be desired to transmit to the Board, as soon as possible, an account of the total amount or value of all goods and merchandizes imported and exported into and out of this kingdom, expressing to and from what foreign countries, with the excess arising thereon, from Christmas, 1716, to Christmas, 1717, and the like account for the year ending at Christmas, 1718, when the same shall be completed.

Mr. Martyn, Ledger for 1717.

Further ordered that Mr. Martyn be desired to dispatch the copy of his Leidger, from Christmas, 1716, to Christmas, 1717, for this office, as soon as conveniently he can.

Massachusets.

Paper.

Bridgets letter.

Their Lordships taking into consideration the paper, said to be part of a letter from Mr. Dummer, Agent for the Massachusets Bay, to the Speaker of the Assembly of that province, referred to in Mr. Bridger's letter of the 29th of June last, and mentioned in the Minutes of the 10th inst., and the Secry. laying before their Lordsps. the Minutes of the Board of the 11th, 14th and 21st of March, 17 17/18, and acquainting them that their journal had been searched pursuant to their order, but no mention found therein of such a discourse between the Board and Mr. Dummer, as represented in the said paper; Their Lordships agreed to take that matter into further consideration at a full Board.

Leeward Islands.

General Hamilton's answer to queries.

Extract to Commissioners of Customs.

The answers of Genl. Hamilton, Govr. of the Leeward Islands, to the queries transmitted to him with their Lordsps'. letter of the 8th of August, 1718, and mentioned in yesterday's Minutes, were read, whereupon ordered that a copy of the 6th Art. of the said answers be sent to the Commissrs. of His Majesty's Customs for their information, and several directions were given for preparing a reply to General Hamilton.

Nova Scotia.

Letter from Mr. Carkesse.

Extract from Collector.

A letter from Mr. Carkesse, Secry. to the Commissrs. of the Customs, dated 3rd inst., together with an inclosed extract of one from the Collector of Nova Scotia relating to that province, were read.

Leeward Islands.

Plantations General.

Barbadoes.

Letter from Mr. Carkesse, Mr. Dunbar.

Our Plantations negroes by the Dutch.

Letter to Mr. Pery and Mr. Harris.

A letter from Mr. Carkesse, of the 11th inst., together with an extract of one from Mr. Dunbar, Surveyor Genl. of Barbadoes &c., the Leeward Islands &c., relating to the British Plantations in America being supplied with negroes by the Dutch, were read. Whereupon a letter to Mr. Pery, Secry. of the Royal African Company and to Mr. Richard Harris, one of the separate traders to Africa, for their opinion in this matter, was agreed and ordered to be sent.

September 23. Present:—Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Pulteney.

St. Christophers.

Captain Smith.

Debentures Delivered.

Capt. John Smith attending and his powers of attorney from the guardians of the orphans of Edward Moore, decd. and from Wm. Kitt, who were sufferers by the French invasion of the Island of St. Christophers &c. in 1706, being examined at the Board, the two Debentures numbered 668 and 669 were delivered to the said Capt. Smith.

Barbadoes.

St. Lucia.

St. Vincents.

Mr. Weir.

French.

Negroes.

Mr. Weir attending, as he had been desired, their Lordships had some discourse with him on the subject of his letter, dated the 20th of June, 1719, and mentioned in the minutes of the 16th inst. And upon several questions which were asked Mr. Weir, he acquainted the Board in substance, as follows, viz. That he had writ all he knew concerning the French settling at St. Lucia, and as to the settlement of the negroes at St. Vincent's, he said it arose from two ships from Guinea, that happened formerly to be successively shipwracked there, the negroes saving themselves upon that island, who are now computed at 4000. That there are no English at St. Vincent's, and at St. Lucia only some few French families very poor, who after fishing and taking turtle there, sometimes return to Martinique, though he said, one Monsr. St. Martin was lately arrived at Martinique to be Govr. of St. Lucia. That St. Lucia has two fine large harbours, which Capt. Hume, of His Majesty's ship the Scarborough, is acquainted with, in one of which a first rate ship of war may careen close by shore. That the produce of this island would be the same at Barbadoes and the Leeward Islands, and that the Governor of Barbadoes had forbid the English going to settle there, though the property of the Island is claimed for the Crown of Great Britain, some British men of war and sloops having formerly loaded a quantity of timber at that island, which the French had squared; complaint was made by the French to Col. Sharpe, then President and Commander in Chief of Barbadoes, who answered that the Island of St. Lucia belonging to Great Britain they should apply themselves there. And Mr. Weir added in relation to the title to St. Lucia and St. Vincent's, that the French themselves allow one half of those Islands to belong to the English. Mr. Weir also represented in discourse to the same effect, as is mentioned in his said letter, concerning the designs and preparations of the French against the Island of St. Vincent, and the Spaniards at St. Domingo, whereof he said Capt. Harry, named in the said letter, gave him information. The Board then enquiring more particularly as to the settlement and product &c. of Martinique and their supplies, Mr. Weir said, that the Island of Martinique is not half settled, though it is the best settled of any the French have. That he had sugars at Martinique for 9 livres the French, and which is 8 per cent. better than our English weight, when at the same time sugars at Antego were 20 sh. per cent. That the said Island of Martinique is supplied with salt provisions from Ireland, with flower from Old France and large quantities of provisions from Barbadoes, being the products of the Continent of America.

Letter to Mr. Delafaye.

Lords Justices.

Mr. Weir being withdrawn, ordered that a copy of his said letter, and of what he has now informed the Board, be sent to Mr. Delafaye, to be laid before their excellencies the Lords Justices.

Leeward Islands.

Nova Scotia.

Letter to the Bishop of London.

St. Christophers.

Accadie.

Utrecht Treaty.

A letter to the Lord Bishop of London, relating to the solemn and authentic letters or instruments, by virtue whereof it was to appear that the Island of St. Christophers, as likewise Nova Scotia or Accadie, were to be possessed alone hereafter by the British subjects, as mentioned in the 12th Art. of the Treaty of Peace with the French at Utrecht, was agreed and signed.

New England.

Letter from Mr. Tilson, Treasury, Bridger, Surveyor of the Woods.

A letter from Mr. Chris. Tilson, of the 16th inst., inclosing, by order of the Lords of the Treasury, a letter from Mr. Bridger, late Surveyor of the Woods in America, relating to his being displaced, and to the duty of such an officer, for the consideration of this Board was read, together with the said letter.

Letter from Mr. Armstrong.

Deputy to Mr. Burniston, Surveyor.

A letter from Mr. Armstrong, Collector of New Hampshire, dated Letter from the 16th of July last, relating to his being appointed Deputy Surveyor of the Woods in America by Mr. Burniston, was read. And their Mr. Burniston, Lordships resolved to take the same, with that above mentioned Surveyor. from Mr. Bridger, into further consideration.

New England.

Letters to Mr. Ackworth. and Mr. Burchet.

Extracts of Bridger's.

Letters from the Secretary of this Board to Mr. Ackworth, Surveyor of His Majesty's Navy, and to Mr. Burchet, Secry. of the Admiralty, for inclosing the extracts of several letters from Mr. Bridger, late Surveyor of the Woods in America, were agreed and ordered to be sent.

Trade.

Hamburg, letter to Mr. Wych, Herrings.

Letter to the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Herrings.

The draught of a letter to Mr. Wych, Resident at Hamburgh, relating to the herring trade there, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

A letter from the Secry. of this Board to the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, relating to the herring trade at Hamburgh, was agreed and ordered to be sent.

Pennsylvania.

Letter to Mr. Keith.

A letter from the Secry. of this Board to Mr. Keith, Deputy Governor of Pennsylvania, was agreed and ordered to be sent.

Leeward Islands.

Letter to General Hamilton.

Their Lordsps. then took into consideration the draught of a letter to Genl. Hamilton, Governor of the Leeward Islands, and made a progress therein.

Plantations General.

Mr. Perry.

Boundaries.

Ordered that Mr. Micajah Perry be acquainted that the Board desire to speak, on Wednesday morning next, with the two gentlemen lately arrived from Virginia, who were present with him at the Board the 19th of the last month, in relation to the boundaries between the British and French Plantations in America.

September 25. Present:—Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Pulteney.

St. Christophers.

Nova Scotia.

Letter from the Bishop of London.

Cession of Accadie.

A letter from the Lord Bishop of London, in answer to that writ him the 23rd instant, relating to the cession of the late French part of St. Christophers, and of the Province of Nova Scotia by the French King, to the Crown of Great Britain, was read.

New England.

Extract of Mr. Bridger's to Mr. Carkesse.

Manufactures.

Ordered that an extract of Mr. Bridger's letter of 26th June last, relating to the woollen manufactures and cotton, be sent to Mr. Carkesse, to be laid before the Commissrs. of the Customs, and he be desired to move the said Commissioners, that orders may be given to their Officers in New England to return an account from time to time of what manufactures they find in those parts, and that this Board may have copies thereof.

Leeward Islands.

Letter to Antigua

General Hamilton.

The draught of a letter to Genl. Hamilton, Govr. of the Leeward Islands, was agreed, and ordered to be transcribed.

Trade.

Letter to Mr. Fuller, Consul at Leghorn.

Ordered that the Secry. prepare a letter to Mr. Fuller, Consul at Leghorn, to acknowledge the receipt of his letter, and the representation of the factory there, mentioned in the Minutes of the 4th of December last, and acquaint him with what their Lordsps. have done thereupon.

September 30. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Pulteney.

Barbadoes.

Letters and Papers from Mr. Lowther.

The undermentioned letters from Mr. Lowther, Govr. of Barbadoes, were severally read, and the Acts and papers therein respectively referred to, except the duplicates of those formerly received, were laid before the Board, viz.
A letter from Mr. Lowther to the Board, dated 9th of May, 1718.
List of papers transmitted with Mr. Lowther's letter of the 9th of May, 1718.
Minutes of Council from the 19th Feb., 1716, to the 18th Feb. following.
Minutes of Assembly from the 10th of Jan., 1716, to 8th April, 1718.
Ten Acts passed in Barbadoes in 1717.
List of the Christenings and Burials in the several parishes of this Island, from April, 1716, to April, 1717.
Naval Officers Lists, from 25th March, 1717, to 25th December following.
List of Causes determined in the Court of Errors from 31st July, 1717, to the 18th Feb. following, as likewise those depending.
Chancery List of Causes determined since the 2nd Aug., 1717, to 9th May, 1718.
List of Causes determined in the Court of Common Pleas since the 24th May, 1716, to the 24th Sept., 1717, as likewise those depending.
Minutes of Council with an order relating to the public accounts, mentioned in Mr. Lowther's letter of 9th May, 1718.
A letter from Mr. Lowther to their Lordships, dated 9th November, 1718.
List of papers transmitted by Mr. Lowther, Govr. of Barbadoes, with his letter of 9th Nov., 1718.
Copy of the Minutes of Council, from 19th Feb., 1717, to 30th Sept., 1718, both days inclusive.
Copy of the Minutes of Assembly, from 8th April, 1718, to 29th July following.
Fifteen Acts passed in Barbadoes in 17 17/18 and 1718.
Lists of Christenings and Burials in the several parishes of this Island, from the 24th of April, 1717, to the 24th of April, 1718.
Naval Officer's List from 26th December, 1717, to 24th of June following.
List of the Causes which have been determined in the Court of Errors &c., from the 18th of Feb., 1717, to the 16th Sept., 1718, as also such as are still depending.
List of the Causes that have been determined in the Court of Chancery, from the 19th of May, 1718, to 9th October following, as also such as are still depending.
List of the Causes that have been determined in the several Courts of Common Pleas from 24th September, 1717, to 24th September following, as also such as are still depending.
List of the Causes that have been determined in the several Courts of Common Pleas from 24th September, 1717, to 24th September following, as also such as are still depending.
State of the several fortifications within this Island.
Minutes of the Commrs. of Contracts, relating to the fortifications.
Mr. Sutton's account of the tax on negroes' heads that was raised for the repair of the fortifications.
An estimate of the public debts of the Island by the Committee appointed by law for settling the public accounts.
Mr. Lascel's account courant and sales of the pirate ship Blanco,
A letter from Mr. Lowther to the Secry. of this Board, dated the 30th of May, 1719.
List of public papers therewith received.
Minutes of Council, from the 19th of February, 17 16/17, to the 16th of September, 1718.
Minutes of Council, from the 30th of September, 1718, to the 22nd of April, 1719.
Minutes of Council, from the 24th of April, 1714, to the 6th of April, 1715.
Minutes of Assembly, from the 19th of August, 1718, to the 12th of May, 1719.
Six Acts passed in Barbadoes in 1718, 17 18/19, and 1719.
Naval Officers' list of ships entered and cleared at Barbadoes from 24th June to 29th September, 1718.
List of Causes which have been determined in the Court of Errors and Grievance, from the 16th Sept., 1718, to the 22nd April, 1719, as also such as are still depending.
Papers from Mr. Lowther.
List of Causes, Pleas &c. determined in the High Court of Chancery in Barbadoes, from 14th of October, 1718, to the 22nd of May, 1719.
List of Causes determined and depending in the several Courts of Common Pleas in Barbadoes, from the 26th of Jan., 17 18/19, to the 4th of April, 1719.
Proceedings of the Grand Sessions, held at Barbadoes, in December, 1718.

Letter to him.

Whereupon directions were given to the Secretary to prepare the draft of a letter to Mr. Lowther.

Representation.

Richard Lightfoot to be of the Council.

A representation of the Lords Justices proposing Richard Lightfoot, Esqr., to be of His Majesty's Council of Barbadoes in the room of John Mills, Esqr., decd., was agreed and signed.