Journal, January 1735: Volume 44

(fn. 1) [Journal of the proceedings of His Majesty's Commissioners for promoting the trade of this Kingdom, and for inspecting and improving his plantations in America and elsewhere, from the first of January, 1734–35, to the eighteenth of December, 1735.]

Wednesday, January 1st. Present:—Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen.

1734–5.

Trade.

Plantations General.

Production of naval stores on the continent.

A letter from Captain Ogle, Deputy Governor of Maryland, of the 16th October, 1734, relating to such encouragement as he thought necessary to induce the inhabitants there to cultivate naval stores and other products, that do not interfere with the products and manufactures of Great Britain [fo. 2].

A letter from Major Gordon, Deputy Governor of Pennsylvania, of 31st October. 1734, upon the same subject.

Letter from Colonel Johnson, Governor of South Carolina, of 9th November, 1734, upon the same subject, with a paper entituled,
Linen and hempen manufactures of Great Britain considered, and shewing what advantages may accrue by raising those materials in South Carolina.

Sugar Islands.

State of the Leeward Islands.

Letter from Mr. Mathew, Governor of the Leeward Islands, to the secretary, of the 31st of August and 14th September, 1734, with papers, and particularly a state of those islands, and
Minutes of the Council of Nevis from the 2nd of April, 1734, to the 25th of June following,
Answer to the Lords' address about trade and products in the plantations preparing.
were all read, and their lordships taking into consideration the draught of a representation (mentioned in the minutes of the 8th of August last) to the House of Lords, relating to a state of the islands, with regard to their trade, strength and fortifications, and to proposals for inducing the planters on the continent to apply themselves to the production of naval stores and other products, that do not interfere with the products of this kingdom, they made a progress therein [vide fos. 1, 10, 13].

South Carolina.

Mr. Fury to have a copy of Quit Rent Act.

Thursday, January 2nd. Present:—Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen.

Mr. Fury, agent for South Carolina, attending, desired their lordships would please to let him have a copy of the draught of the heads of a bill for securing his Majesty's quit rents etc., in South Carolina, drawn by the Attorney and Solicitor General, that he might have an opportunity of making his remarks thereon before the same should be sent to Carolina, and the same was ordered accordingly [fo. 229].

Plantations General.

Answer to House of Lords, production of naval stores etc.

The Board then taking into consideration the draught of a representation to the House of Lords, relating to naval stores etc., mentioned in yesterday's minutes, ordered that a letter be wrote to Mr. Oxenford for an account of the quantities of pitch, tar and turpentine imported to this kingdom from the plantations since the passing the last Act, which gave premiums on the importation thereof [fo. 2, 10].

Leeward Islands.

Treaty of neutrality between French and Dutch governors.

A letter from the Duke of Newcastle of 24th December, 1734, inclosing the copy of a treaty of neutrality and defence, between the French and Dutch governors of Martinique and St. Martin; and their lordships observing the extract of a letter from General Mathews, Governor of the Leeward Islands, said he had sent to the agent his observations upon the said treaty; ordered that a letter be wrote to Mr. Coope, to desire he will lay the same before the Board [fo. 5].

Trade.

Consul in the Pope's dominions.

The letter from the Duke of Newcastle, read the 3rd of the last month, with several papers, relating to the settling an English consul in the Pope's dominions, was again read, and their lordships, taking the same into consideration, gave directions for preparing the draught of a representation thereupon [fo. 16].

Antigua.

A councillor dead, Mr. Martin to supply the vacancy.

A letter from General Mathews, Governor of the Leeward Islands, to the secretary, dated the 9th of October, 1734, acquainting him with the death of John Morris Esqr., one of the Council of Antigua, and recommending at the same time Josiah Martin Esqr., to supply his vacancy, was read, and a representation for that purpose was accordingly agreed and signed.

French and Dutch governor's treaty.

Mr. Yeamans, Mr. Sharpe and Mr. Coope, summoned to attend the Board on Tuesday morning next, in relation to the aforementioned treaty between the French and Dutch governors of Martinique and St. Martin [fo. 4, 6].

Tuesday, January 7th. Present:—Mr. Docminique, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Brudenell.

Leeward Islands.

Treaty between the French and Dutch governors.

A letter from Mr. Coope, agent for St. Christophers, relating to the treaty of neutrality lately concluded between the French governor of Martinique and the Dutch governor of St. Martins, was read, and their lordships resolved to consider further thereof to-morrow morning.

Mr. Yeamans, agent for Antigua, attending, their lordships asked him whether he had received any directions from the Governor of the Leeward Islands, relating to the above mentioned treaty; and he acquainted their lordships that he had not, but that in his opinion the said treaty might be of very ill consequence to the Leeward Islands in case of a rupture.

Antigua.

Powder Act to be revived.

Mr. Yeamans then presented to the Board a memorial setting forth that the Island of Antigua had very little powder at present in their magazine; that the Act of that island, obliging all ships trading thither to pay a tonnage duty in powder, was near expiring; and desiring leave for the governor to pass a new Act to the same purpose, which memorial being read, their lordships resolved to consider further thereof at another opportunity [fo. 15].

Wednesday, January 8th. Present:—Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen.

Jamaica.

Impost on negroes.

The draught of a representation upon the Act of Jamaica laying a duty on negroes imported and exported there, mentioned in the minutes of the 4th of the last month, was agreed [fo. 9].

Leeward Islands.

Treaty between Dutch and French governors.

The Board taking again into consideration the letter from the Duke of Newcastle, relating to a treaty between the French and Dutch governors of Martinique and St. Martin, read the 2nd instant, directions were given for preparing the draught of a representation thereupon [fo. 6, 16].

Trade.

Treaty with Russia.

A letter from the Lord Harrington, with a copy of the treaty of commerce concluded with Russia, at Petersburgh, the 2nd of December 1734, was read, and their lordships resolved to consider further thereof to-morrow morning [fo. 12].

Thursday, January 9th. Present:—Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Brudenell.

Russia Treaty.

The Board taking again into consideration the letter from the Lord Harrington, with the Russia Treaty, read yesterday, directions were given for writing to the Russia Company to know whether they have any objection thereto.

Jamaica.

Impost on negroes.

The representation upon the Act of Jamaica laying an impost on negroes, agreed at the last meeting, was signed [fo. 8, 65].

Tuesday, January 14th. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Sir O. Bridgeman, Mr. Brudenell, Sir A. Croft.

Plantations General.

Trade, strength and products, in answer to the House of Lords.

The representation to the House of Lords, pursuant to his Majesty's orders, upon their addresses of the 1st and 5th of April, 1734, relating to the state of the British islands in America, with regard to their trade, strength and fortifications, and to such encouragements as may be necessary to engage the inhabitants of the British colonies on the Continent of America in the cultivation of naval stores, and of such other products as may be proper for the soil of the said colonies, and do not interfere with the trade or produce of Great Britain, was signed [vide fo. 2, 3, 12].

Maryland.

Explanatory charter.

The draught of a representation to the Lords of the Committee of Council upon the Lord Baltimore's petition for an explanatory charter to the grant of Maryland, ordered to be prepared the 31st of the last month, was agreed [vide Journal of 1734 fo....., et infra fo. 12].

New England.

Boundary line between Massachusets and New Hampshire.

Letter from Mr. Attorney and Mr. Solicitor General, dated January 10th, 1734/5, in answer to the query from what part of Merrimack River the three miles were to be taken for the boundary line between the Massachusets Colony and New Hampshire to begin, was read, and directions were given for making an answer thereto.

Trade.

Running of wool and India goods.

A letter from Mr. Grady, dated at Dublin, the 27th of December, 1734, relating to a scheme he has to propose for preventing the exportation of wool and woollen manufactures from Ireland, and the importation of Indian goods there, without paying the king's duty, was read; and directions were given for making an answer thereto.

Thursday, January 16th. Present:—Mr. Docminique, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Sir O. Bridgeman, Sir A. Croft.

Russia Company.

A letter from Mr. Holden, Governor of the Russia Company, dated January, 15th 1734/5, promising to attend the Board about the treaty of commerce with Russia, was read [fo. 9, 15].

Plantations General.

Pitch, tar and turpentine imported.

A letter from Mr. Oxenford with an account of pitch, tar and turpentine imported from the plantations from Michaelmas 1729 to Christmas, 1733, was also read, and

Maryland.

Boundaries, explanatory charter.

A representation upon the Lord Baltimore's petition for a new grant to confirm the limits of Maryland notwithstanding the words hactenus inculta, agreed yesterday, was signed [fo. 11, 88].

Tuesday, January 21st. Present:—Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Ashe, Sir A. Croft.

Plantations General.

Representation to the House of Lords on the state of trade etc., in the plantations.

A memorial from Mr. Yeamans, agent for Antigua, shewing what encouragements are wanting to promote the trade of the Sugar Islands, and to render them more beneficial to Great Britain, was read, and their lordships thereupon revised their representation to the House of Lords, relating to the state of the British islands in America, with regard to their trade, strength and fortifications, and to encouragements necessary to engage the inhabitants on the continent to cultivate such products etc., as do not interfere with the products or manufactures of this kingdom, signed the 14th instant [fo. 12, 14].

Wednesday, January 22nd. Present:—Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Sir O. Bridgeman.

Plantations General.

Representation to House of Lords revised.

Their lordships took again into consideration and revised their representation to the House of Lords, relating to a state of the British islands in America etc., mentioned in yesterday's minutes [fo. 13].

Tuesday, January 28th. Present:—Mr. Docminique, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Sir O. Bridgeman, Sir A. Croft.

Trade.

Representation on the Russia Treaty ordered.

Their lordships taking again into consideration the letter from the Lord Harrington with the Russia Treaty, mentioned in minutes of the 9th instant, gave directions for preparing a draught of a representation thereupon [fo. 12].

Wednesday, January 29th. Present:—Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Sir O. Bridgeman, Sir A. Croft.

Representation signed.

The representation upon the treaty with Russia, ordered to be prepared yesterday, was signed, as also a letter, for inclosing the same to the Lord Harrington.

Antigua.

Powder duty to be revived.

An order of the Committee of Council of the 13th instant, referring to the Board a petition of Mr. Yeamans, praying that the governor may be permitted to pass an Act in the Island of Antigua to revive the powder duty on vessels trading to and from that island, was read, and directions were given for preparing the draught of a representation thereupon.

Friday, January 31st. Present:—Mr. Docminique, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Sir O. Bridgeman, Sir A. Croft.

Trade.

Consul in the Pope's dominions.

The draught of a representation about settling a consul in the Pope's dominions was agreed, and [fo. 4, 17].

Leeward Islands.

Treaty between French and Dutch islands.

The draught of a representation upon the treaty of neutrality between the French governor of Martinique and the Dutch governor of St. Martin, was also agreed [fo. 8, 17].