Journal, December 1718: Journal Book V

Journal, December 1718

December 2. Present:—Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Bladen.

Newfoundland.

Fishery.

The heads of a Bill being prepared in relation to the trade and fishery of Newfoundland, a progress was made in the consideration thereof.

December 3. Present:— Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Bladen.

Newfoundland.

Fishery.

Their Lordships made a further progress in considering the heads for a Bill in relation to the trade and fishery of Newfoundland.

December 4. Present:—Earl of Holderness, Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Bladen.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Conley.

Fishery.

Conley summoned.

A letter from Mr. Conley offering to make some discoveries relating to the curing of pilchards and other fish, if he may be incouraged, was read; whereupon ordered that he be acquainted, the Board would speak with him any morning that they meet.

Letter from Mr. Fuller.

Ships taken.

Memorial inclosed.

Fishery.

Edicts inclosed.

Sir Edward Gould summoned.

A letter from Mr. Fuller, Consul at Leghorn, dated the 11th Nov., 1718, relating to ships taken by Spanish privateers, and inclosing a memorial from the factory relating to our trade there, particularly in fish, was read; and 2 edicts or ordinances at Florence, relating to the farm of tobacco in Tuscany, referred to in the said memorial, was laid before the Board, whereupon ordered that Sir Edward Gould be acquainted that the Board desire to speak with him and any other merchants trading to Leghorn at 11 o'clock on Tuesday morning next.

Massachusets Bay.

New Hampshire.

Letter from Colonel Shute.

Papers.

A letter from Col. Shute, Govr. of the Massachusets Bay and New Hampshire, dated the 29th of September last, was read, and the papers therein referred to, were laid before the Board viz:—
Mr. Bridger's memorial to Col. Shute, relating to the waste committed in the woods in New England.
Copy of an affidavit of Archibald Mc.Pheadris relating to a declaration of Mr. Elisha Cooke about cutting the woods in the province of Maine.
Copy of an affidavit of Samuel Plaisted relating to Mr. Elisha Cooke's declaration about the right to the woods in the province of Maine.
Account of His Majesty's revenue in the province of the Massachusets Bay from May, 1717 to May, 1718.
Accounts of the revenue of New Hampshire for the years 1715 and 1716.
Accounts of the revenue of New Hampshire for the years 1716 and 1717.
Accounts of foreign commodities imported at Boston from Midsummer 1717, to Midsummer 1718.
An account of powder expended at His Majesty's fort William and Mary from 8th October, 1717, to 10th July, 1718.
Account of ordnance, ammunition and other stores of war expended at Castle William from Midsummer 1717, to Midsummer 1718.
An account of ordnance, ammunition and other stores of war at His Majesty's Castle William at Boston in New England, June 24th, 1718.

Whereupon some directions were given for preparing an answer to Col. Shute's said letter.

Pennsylvania.

Letter from Mr. Keith.

Answer.

Letter to Mr. Joshua Gee.

A letter from Mr. Keith, deputy Governor of Pennsylvania to the secretary of this Board, dated 2nd of June, 1718, was read; Whereupon ordered that the secretary acknowledge the same, and that Mr. Joshua Gee be reminded of bringing the laws of Pennsylvania expected from him.

Plantations General.

Agents summoned.

Ordered that the persons who appear as agents for any of the colonies or plantations in America, have notice to produce to the Board the powers whereby they act as agents, in order to their being entered in the office.

December 5. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Bladen.

Virginia.

Letter from Mr. Secretary Craggs.

Address from Virginia inclosed.

Answer.

A letter from Mr. Secretary Craggs, of 20th November, 1718, inclosing the copy of an address from the House of Burgesses of Virginia to His Majesty, for the opinion of this Board thereupon, was read, and directions given for preparing the draught of and answer to the said letter.

New Jersey.

Private Acts.

Memorandum.

Their Lordships taking into further consideration the two private acts of New Jersey passed there in 1716, mentioned in the Minutes of the 28th of the last month; the one relating to the lands of William Hall, Esqr., the other to enable John and Sycha Pettinger to sell an estate; ordered that in the next letter to the Governor of that province he be acquainted that the said acts do lye by, that other acts may be passed for the same purposes, with the proper saving clauses, as directed by His Majesty's instructions; and that such private acts, as shall be transmitted for the future without the said clauses, will be laid before His Majesty for his disapprobation.

Acts sent to Mr. Solicitor General.

Their Lordships proceeding to take into consideration the Act passed in the said province of New Jersey in 1716 entituled An Act to naturalize Jacob Arents and his three children. Ordered that the same be sent to Mr. Solicitor General for his opinion thereupon; and particularly how far the said Act of New Jersey is consistent with the Act of Parliament of the 12th of Charles II entituled An Act for the encouraging and increasing of shipping and navigation: the act of the 7th and 8th of William III entituled An Act for preventing frauds, and regulating abuses in the plantation trade, or any other Acts of Parliament relating to the trade and navigation of this kingdom; and what priviledges a person naturalized in any of his Majesty's plantations will be entitled to.

December 9. Present:—Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen.

Virginia.

Colonel Blackiston.

Minute appointing him agent.

Colonel Blackiston attending, presented a copy of a minute of the Council of Virginia, dated the 16th of August, 1705, whereby he is nominated agent for that colony, which was read, and a copy ordered to be taken thereof.

Pennsylvania.

Mr. Gee.

Abstract of laws.

Mr. Joshua Gee attending, presented to their Lordships an abstract of several of the laws of Pennsylvania, with the reasons for passing the same; whereupon he was acquainted that the Board could not receive those abstracts as the laws, but only matter of information. And Mr. Gee acquainting their Lordships, upon inquiry, that he could have recourse to the laws themselves; directions were given to the secretary to search to what time there were laws of Pennsylvania in this office, and to write to Mr. Gee for such as have been passed since and transmitted to this kingdom.

Plantations General.

Orders of Council.

Proceedings of the Spaniards.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Craggs.

The Board then taking into consideration His Majesties orders of Council, published in the Gazette of Saturday the 6th instant, relating to the arbitrary and violent proceedings of the Spaniards against His Majesties subjects, and their ships etc. A letter to Mr. Secretary Craggs, about extending the time for pardoning of pirates, was prepared and signed.

Post Meridiem. Present:—Earl of Holderness, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Bladen.

Trade.

Mr. Lowndes's letter.

Duties on salt, etc. Fishery.

Letter to the Treasury.

Their Lordships took again into consideration Mr. Lowndes's letter of the 16th mentioned in the Minutes of the 17th of July last relating to the duties on salt and the drawbacks on fish with their Lordships answer to the Lords of the Treasury thereupon, dated the 15th of August, together with several accompts from the Salt Office and letters and papers from Consuls lately read, on that subject, as also a memorial from Mr. Clement, relating to the fishery; and an account received from the Custom House of pilchards and herrings exported from several parts in 7 years preceding 1694, which two last mentioned papers were now laid before the Board; whereupon directions were given for preparing another letter to the Lords of the Treasury relating to the said duties and drawbacks.

December 10. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Bladen.

Barbados.

Sir Charles Cox.

Complaints against Mr. Cox.

Sir Charles Cox attending, and desiring to have copies of any papers of complaint which are or may be transmitted to this Board by Mr. Lowther, Governor of Barbadoes against Mr. Cox, the said Sir Charles' brother, he was acquainted that he might have copies when any such complaints arrive.

Virginia.

Letter from Mr. Byrd.

Council.

A letter from Mr. Byrd, of Virginia, dated the 4th instant, desiring to be heard in behalf of some of the Council of that colony, who he understands have been proposed to be removed, was read.

Massachusets Bay.

Mr. Dummer appointed agent.

A commission from Col. Shute, Govr. of the Massachusets Bay to Jeremy Dummer, Esqr., appointing him agent for that province, being brought to the Board, the same was read, and a copy ordered to be taken thereof.

December 11. Present:—Earl of Holdernesse, Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Bladen.

Trade.

Mr. Solicitor General's and Mr. West's reports.

Artificers in foreign parts.

A report from Mr. Solicitor General, and another from Mr. West, one of His Majesty's Council at Law, upon the letters writ them about restraining artificers from going into foreign parts, to exercise their trades, and about recalling such as were abroad, were read.

Letter to the Treasury.

Duties on salt.

Fishery.

The draught of a second letter to the Lords of the Treasury, relating to the duties on salt, and drawbacks on fish exported, was agreed, and ordered to be transcribed.

December 12. Present:— Earl of Holdernesse, Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Bladen.

Plantations General.

Letter from Mr. Tickell.

Duties on American timber.

A letter from Mr. Tickell signifying Mr. Secretary Craggs' desire of a copy of a report made by this Board about 3 years ago, concerning the taking off the duties on American timber, was read and directions given for sending Mr. Secretary a copy of the said report.

Trade.

Letter to the Treasury.

Duties on salt.

Fishery.

A second letter to the Lords of the Treasury, as agreed yesterday, relating to the duties on salt and drawbacks on fish exported, was signed.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Craggs.

Manufactures in France.

A letter to Mr. Secretary Craggs, in answer to his of the 6th of November last, upon several papers relating to the setting up several manufactures in France by British subjects, and about recalling such of the said subjects as were abroad, was agreed and signed.

New Jersey.

Mr. West.

Report on 3 Acts.

Mr. West attending, presented to their Lordships his report upon three Acts of New Jersey transmitted to him with the Secretary's letter of the 27th of the last month, relating to the shortening of lawsuits, enforcing the observation of an ordinance for establishing fees and about acknowledging and recording of deeds, which report was read; and their Lordships agreed to take the said Acts into consideration this day sevennight.

Their Lordships then proceeded to consider the Acts passed in New Jersey which were severally read and ordered that they lye by, being entituled as follows, viz:—
Acts.
An Act to prevent unreasonable burning the woods, passed in 1716—17.
An Act for preventing the waste of timber, pine and cedar trees and poles within this province of New Jersey and to lay a duty on all pipes and hogsheads, slaves exported out of the same to any of the neighbouring colonies, passed in 1713—14.
An Act to repeal part of an Act for preventing the waste of timber, etc.
An Act for repealing an Act for laying a duty on wheat exported out of the eastern division of New Jersey, and
An Act to enable some persons in each county to inspect the rolls of all the assessments in the said counties.
The 3 Acts last mentioned being likewise passed in 1716—17.

December 16. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Pulteney.

Plantations General.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Craggs.

A letter to Mr. Secretary Craggs to know the king's pleasure, whether His Majesty's Governours in America should have any directions sent them from this Board upon the present posture of affairs, was agreed, and signed.

Leeward Islands.

Letter from General Hamilton.

A letter from General Hamilton, Governour of the Leeward Islands, to the Secretary of this Board, dated 10th of September last, was read.

Letter from General Hamilton.

A letter from General Hamilton, Governor of the Leeward Islands, to the Board of the same date, was likewise read and the papers therein referred to were laid before their Lordships, viz:—
Papers.
General Hamilton's proclamation for encouraging the settlement of St. Christophers and discouraging the people's dispersing themselves on Crabb Island.
Account of the qualifications of the present grantees of the French part of St. Christopher.
General Hamilton's answer to the complaint of Christopher Stoddard relating to a plantation granted to Mr. Millikin.
Present state of the French part of St. Christophers, and
Three depositions relating to the Spaniards seizing English vessels at Saltatudas.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Craggs.

Whereupon ordered that an extract of so much of the said letter as relates to the Spaniards at Saltatudas and copies of the said depositions on that subjects be sent to Mr. Stanyan to be laid before Mr. Secretary Craggs, for his information.

Letter from General Hamilton.

Another letter from General Hamilton to their Lordships, dated 14th of October, 1718, was read and the papers therein referred to, were laid before the Board, viz:—
Papers.
Copy of the minutes of the Councill and Assembly relating to the additional instructions, etc., relating to passing of laws which may affect the trade or shipping of this kingdom, etc.
An Act reviving an Act for laying a duty of one pound of pistol powder per ton, on all vessells trading to and from this island, passed 2nd Oct., 1718, and
An Act for laying an additional duty upon wines and other liquors imported, passed 2nd Oct., 1718.

Whereupon their Lordships agreed to take the said acts into consideration on Friday morning next.

Letter from General Hamilton.

A letter from General Hamilton to the Board, dated 4th of Nov., 1718, relating to the Minutes of the Council and Assembly of Antigua, was read.

Answer.

And their Lordships gave directions for preparing an answer to General Hamilton's said letters.

Post Meridiem. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Bladen.

Newfoundland.

Fishery.

Their Lordships took again into consideration the heads of a bill relating to the trade and fishery of Newfoundland, and made a further progress therein.

December 17. Present:— Earl of Holdernesse, Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Bladen.

Bahamas.

Letter from Captain Rogers.

A letter from Capt. Rogers, Governour of the Bahama Islands, dated at Providence the 31st October and 4th Nov., 1718, was read and the papers therein referred to, was laid before the Board, viz:—
Papers.
A list of those that are dead which came over with the Governor.
Copy of the proceedings of the Governor and Councill from the 1st of August to the 28th September, inclusive.
The depositions of Thomas Bawling, etc., taken by the Spaniards, September the 8th, 1718.
An Account of the Spaniards surprising the wrecks.
Copy of the necessary warlike stores wanting to fortify Providence.
Mr. Taylor's depositions concerning the taking of Cat Island.

Jamaica.

King's share of prizes.

Letter to Mr. Carkesse.

Their Lordships then took into consideration the draught of a letter to Sir Nicholas Lawes, Governour of Jamaica, in answer to the late letters from him; and directions were given for sending paragraph G. of his letter, dated the 1st of September last, relating to His Majesty's share of prizes, as also a copy of the Collectors' of the Customs' account of Jamaica from Lady-day, 1718, to Midsummer following, to Mr. Carkesse, secretary to the Commissioners of His Majesties Customes, in order to know on what occasion the method of securing the said share has been altered.

December 18. Present:—Earl of Holdernesse, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Bladen.

Jamaica.

Letter from Sir Nicholas Lawes.

A letter from Sir Nicholas Lawes, Governour of Jamaica, dated 10th of Oct. last, was read.

Nova Scotia.

Order of Council.

Sir Alexander Cairnes' petition.

An order of the Committee of Council for Plantation affairs, dated the 15th instant, relating to the petition of Sir Alexander Cairnes and others, for granting to them a tract of land upon the Coast of Nova Scotia, was read; and it being intimated that Sir Alexander desired to be heard, before the Board comes to any determination thereupon, their Lordships were willing to hear him when he shall apply for that purpose.

Trade.

Account of imports and exports.

An account from the Custom-house of all the imports and exports compared and of the excess of either, from or to each country, from Christmas, 1716, to Christmas, 1717, was laid before the Board.

December 19. Present:—Earl of Holdernesse, Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Pulteney.

New Jersey.

Acts about shortening law suits.

Mr. West's report.

Mr. Smith's memorial.

Mr. Smith.

Their Lordships taking again into consideration three acts passed in the province of New Jersey, relating to the shortening of law suits, inforcing the observation of an ordinance for establishing fees, and about acknowledging and recording of deeds, Mr. West's report thereupon mentioned in the Minutes of the 12th instant, was read, as likewise a memorial from Mr. Smith, secretary of the said province, mentioned in the Minutes of the 27th of January, 1717—18, relating to the reduction of the fees of his office, and what Brigadier Hunter the Govr. writes on the same subject, in his letter dated 12th of November, 1715; and Mr. Smith attending, was called in, and asked if he had anything to add to his memorial above mentioned, to which he replied that he had not, but upon inquiring of him concerning the proffits of his office of Secretary of New Jersey, he said, his deputy informed him that the amount of the two last years was about 69l., which would be 34 or 35l. sterling.

Letter to Brigadier Hunter.

Mr. Smith being withdrawn, directions were given for preparing a letter to Brigadier Hunter, relating to the said Acts.

Antigua.

Mr. West.

Mr. West attending, their Lordships proceeded to the consideration of the two Acts passed at Antigua, the 2nd of October last, entituled
Acts.
An Act for laying an additional duty upon wines and other liquors imported, and
An Act reviving an act for laying a duty of one pound of pistol powder per ton on all vessels trading to or from this island.

Whereupon directions were given for preparing the draught of a representation to His Majesty in order to the repeal of the first of the said two acts, and their Lordships observing that the last mentioned act revives and act which has not been transmitted to this office, resolved that the Governour be writ to thereupon.

Newfoundland.

Representation.

A representation to His Majesty relating to the trade and fishery at Newfoundland was agreed and signed.

December 24. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen.

Antigua.

Representation.

A representation to His Majesty in order to the repeal of an Act passed at Antigua the 2nd October, 1718, entituled An Act for laying an additional duty upon wines and other strong liquors which shall be imported into this island, was agreed and signed.

Newfoundland.

Representation.

Fishery.

A representation for laying before His Majesty the heads of a bill to be offered to the Parliament relating to the Newfoundland trade and fishery, was agreed and signed.

Trade.

Letter to Mr. Solicitor General and to Mr. West.

Ordered that the secretary write to Mr. Sollicitor General and to Mr. West, to desire them to prepare as effectual a clause as they can, to be inserted in an Act of Parliament, to prevent British manufacturers going from this kingdom to settle in other nations for the future, and likewise to desire that the Board may have the said clause before the 7th of the next month.

December 31st. Present:—Mr. Secretary Craggs, Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen.

Plantations General.

Mr. Gee.

Trade.

Memorial.

Iron and timber, etc.

Mr. Joshua Gee, attending, presented to the Board a memorial relating to our trade for iron, and timber, etc., with the dominions of the Northern Crowns, and some encouragement to be given for importing those commodities from His Majesties plantations, which was read, and after discoursing with Mr. Gee thereupon, their Lordships agreed to take the said memorial into further consideration on Friday morning next, and signed letters to Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer and Mr. Smith, one of His Majesty's Tellers, to desire the favour of discoursing with them at that time.

New England.

Letter from Mr. Tilson.

A letter from Mr. Tilson of the 24th instant inclosing by order of the Rt. Honble. the Earl of Stanhope the copy of a letter to his lordship from William Comes, relating to ship timber imported at Cadiz from New England, was read, together with the said copy of a letter.

Trade.

Madera merchants petition, with a reference.

Merchants summoned.

Mr. Secretary Craggs was pleased to lay before the Board a petition of several merchants trading to Madera with a reference thereof to their Lordships dated yesterday, the said petition praying His Majesty would please to appoint Mr. Rider, Consul at the said island, independent of His Majesty's Consul General at Lisbon; whereupon ordered that Mr. Micajah Perry, Mr. Samuel Buck, Mr. Stephen Godin, Mr. Henry Lyel and Mr. Richard Harris, who have signed the said petition, be acquainted that the Board desire to speak with them on Wednesday morning next.

Pennsylvania.

Laws.

The secretary of the Board then acquainting their Lordships that the said Mr. Gee had this day delivered to him two parcels of acts passed in Pennsylvania in the years 1712, 1713, 1714 and 1715, it was agreed to take the said laws into consideration the first opportunity.