Journal, August 1739: Volume 47

Journal, August 1739

Wednesday, August 1. Present:—Lord Monson, Mr. Pelham, Colonel Bladen, Mr. Plummer.

Connecticut.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council, dated July 24th, 1739, referring to this Board the petitions of John and Samuel Mason, complaining of the proceedings of the Government of Connecticut, in conjunction with several of the Commissioners from Rhode Island, appointed by his Majesty's Commission of Review, with other Commissioners to adjust and determine several matters in dispute between the Mohican Indians and the Colony of Connecticut; and the Board was pleased to direct the Secretary to write to Mr. Wilks, agent, desiring him to send them the return, which they are informed he has received from the Commissioners of Review.

Bahamas.

Mr. Shelton attending (as appointed by the minutes of Thursday last), the Board had some discourse with him on the subject of his petition, referred to them, and the Board was pleased to order the draught of a report to be prepared.

Trade.

Denmark.

Russia.

Read a letter from Lord Harrington, dated July 31st, 1739, inclosing a memorial presented to the king by M. Sohlenthal, Envoy Extraordinary from the Danish Court, concerning the difference of the Passports given by the Russians and other Nations, and the Board was pleased to direct the Secretary to write a letter to Mr. Holden, desiring his attendance on this day sennight. [Wednesday, August 8th.]

Thursday, August 2. Present:—Lord Monson, Mr. Pelham, Colonel Bladen, Mr. Plummer.

Bahamas.

Read the petition of Chaloner Jackson, praying their lordships would please to transmit to the Lords of Committee of Council, the several evidences, which were brought to prove the petitioner's complaint against Governor Fitzwilliams, pursuant to an Order of the said Committee of the 23rd of January last, and the Board ordered the said petition to lye by, till the petitioner applies again.

North and South Carolina.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council, dated July 31st last, referring to this Board Mr. McCulloch's memorial, praying that the 15th and 16th, instructions given to him, may be likewise given to the Governors of South and North Carolina, and that he may be a member Extraordinary of the Council in those provinces, and the Board were pleased to order that Mr. McCulloch do attend on Wednesday next. [August 8th.]

South Carolina.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council, dated July 31st last, referring to this Board the memorial of James Glen, Esqr., Governor of South Carolina, (desiring some alterations may be made in the draught of his general instructions) and referring back the said draught to be reconsidered. And the said Mr. Glen attending, was called in, and the Board had some discourse with him on the subject of his said memorial, and then he withdrew, and the Board agreed to consider upon a report the first opportunity.

Bahamas.

The draught of a report to the Lords of the Treasury, ordered by the minutes of yesterday on the subject of Mr. Shelton's petition, was agreed to and signed.

Friday, August 3. Present:—Lord Monson, Mr. Pelham, Colonel Bladen, Mr. Brudenell, Mr. Plummer.

Georgia.

Read an order of the Lords of the Committee of Council, dated July the 31st last, referring to this Board an Act, prepared by the Trustees, for establishing the Colony of Georgia, for appointing and regulating of Pilots, for the conducting of ships and vessels into the several Ports within the province of Georgia in America etc. and the Board ordered that the said Act be sent to Mr. Fane, for his opinion thereon.

Antigua.

The draught of a report, ordered to be prepared by the minutes of July 27th last, upon the subject of the Antigua Act, relating to the reducing and settling interest in that Island, was agreed to, and signed.

New York.

Read a letter from George Clarke, Esqr., Lieutenant-Governor and Commander in Chief of New York, dated 15th, 1739, inclosing the copy of a letter to him from the Commissioners for Indian Affairs at Albany, with his answer, relating to some lands the French talk of settling in those parts, which belong to the king of Great Britain, and the Board ordered that copies of the said letters be transmitted in a letter to his Grace the Duke of Newcastle.

South Carolina.

The Board had under consideration Mr. Hammerton's petition, mentioned in the minutes of July 26th, and after some time spent therein, ordered the draught of a report to be prepared.

South Carolina.

The Board having taken into consideration the memorial of James Glen, Esqr., Governor of South Carolina, referred to this Board by an Order of the Committee of Council, as mentioned in the minutes of yesterday, to be prepared.

Trade.

Denmark.

The Board being informed that Mr. Holden, who was writ to, to attend on next Wednesday, as appears by the minutes of the 1st instant, ordered that a letter should be writ to Mr. Nettleton, desiring his attendance that day. [Wednesday 8th.]

Wednesday, August 8. Present:—Lord Monson, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Brudenell, Mr. Plummer.

New Hampshire.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council, dated July 31st, 1739, referring to this Board the memorial of Joseph Gulston, Esqr., Benning Wentworth, Esqr., Richard Chapman and John Tomlinson, merchants, relating to the defenceless condition of the province of New Hampshire (the only Fort being ruined), and praying that effectual means may be taken to protect their property in that province, and the Board, having had some discourse with the persons above mentioned (then attending), ordered the draught of a report to be prepared.

Massachusetts.

Read a memorial from Mr. Belcher and Mr. Partridge, agents for Mr. Belcher, Governor of the Massachusetts Bay, praying that their lordships would be pleased to suspend any report upon the complaints, they are informed are exhibited against the Governor, till he has been served with regular copies, and time given for his answer to the same.

Trade.

Denmark.

Russia.

Mr. Thornton, Mr. Church, and Mr. Benson, Russia merchants, attending, instead of Mr. Holden and Mr. Nettleton, who had been sent to, but did not come, the Board had some discourse with them, in relation to the Danish Envoy's memorial, mentioned in the minutes of the 1st instant; and at their desire the Board was pleased to direct the Secretary to send them a copy of the said memorial for their consideration, in order to give their thoughts thereon.

South Carolina.

Read a letter to the Secretary from Mr. Glen, Governor of South Carolina, praying that he and Mr. Fury may have the liberty to attend the Board with Mr. McCulloch, and previous to their making any report in Mr. Hammerton's business; and their lordships were pleased to order that a letter should be writ to him, desiring his attendance to-morrow morning. [August 9th.]

New York.

The draught of a letter to his Grace the Duke of Newcastle, transmitting copies of the letters from Mr. Clarke, Lieutenant Governor of New York, mentioned in the minutes of the 3rd instant, was agreed to and signed.

Thursday, August 9. Present:—Lord Monson, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Plummer.

Massachusetts.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council, dated July 1st, 1739, referring to this Board the petition of John North, Esqr., John Wordling, Gentleman, and others, subscribers thereunto, residing in the Eastern parts of the Massachusets Bay, in New England, containing several articles of complaint against Jonathan Belcher, Esqr., Governor of that province, together with a petition from James Woodside, clerk, agent for the petitioners, and the Board ordered that James Woodside, clerk, be wrote to, to attend here on Wednesday next. [August 15th.]

South Carolina.

Mr. Glen, Governor of South Carolina, attending, prayed to be heard before the report upon Mr. Hammerton's petition be made, and the Board appointed Wednesday next for the hearing what objections he has to offer. [August 15th.]

North and South Carolina.

Mr. Glen likewise having moved for copies of Mr. McCulloch's memorial, referred to this Board, as mentioned in the minutes of the 2nd instant, and also for a copy of the 15th and 16th instructions to the said Mr. McCulloch, as Controller, annexed to the said memorial, the Board were pleased to give directions that he should have copies of the same.

Barbados.

Ordered that Mr. Byng, Governor of Barbados, be desired to attend the Board to-morrow, in relation to a Councillor wanting in Barbados.

Friday, August 10. Present:—Lord Monson, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Brudenell, Mr. Plummer.

Barbados.

Mr. Byng, Governor of Barbados, attending, as desired by the minutes of yesterday, the Board had some discourse with him in relation to the naming a Councillor to supply the vacancy made by the resignation of Mr. Colleton, and at his desire it was agreed to insert the names of eleven Councillors only in his instructions, and wait till he shall transmit from the Island a list of persons qualified to serve in that station.

Bermudas.

Mr. Noden, agent for Bermudas, attending, the Act, passed in the Bahama Islands, December 17th, 1734, and mentioned in the minutes of July 5th last, was taken into consideration; and Mr. Noden having read his observations thereon, and his objections thereto, prayed that the Board would please to report against the said Act, and their lordships ordered the draught of a report to be prepared accordingly.

South Carolina.

The draught of a report upon the memorial of Mr. Glen, Governor of South Carolina, mentioned in the minutes of the 2nd instant, was agreed to, and signed.

New Hampshire.

The draught of a report upon the memorial of Joseph Gulston, merchant, and others, mentioned in the minutes of the 8th instant, was agreed to, and signed.

Barbados.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty, accompanying the draught of instructions for Robert Byng, Esqr., of Barbados, as also a letter to his Grace the Duke of Newcastle, enclosing the same, were agreed to, and signed.

Wednesday, August 15. Present:—Mr. Pelham, Mr. Brudenell, Mr. Plummer.

New Hampshire.

Read a memorial from Mr. Partridge, agent for New Hampshire, to the Board, against the application lately made by Mr. Tomlinson and others, for appointing a separate and distinct Governor of the province of New Hampshire, and that it may be no longer under the Governor of the Massachusets Bay.

New Hampshire.

Read likewise at the same time a letter from Capt. Tomlinson, praying to be heard against some unjust insinuations, which he is informed are in the said memorial, whenever their lordships shall please to take the same into their consideration.

Massachusetts.

Mr. James Woodside, Junr., attending, instead of his father, James Woodside, clerk, agent for several petitioners of the Eastern Parts of the Massachusets Bay, mentioned in the minutes of the 9th instant, informed the Board that his father was in expectation of further evidence in support of the complaints exhibited against Jonathan Belcher, Esqr., Governor of that province, and prayed that their lordships would defer taking the same into consideration, till further application, and the Board agreed to defer the consideration thereof.

Barbados.

Read a letter from Mr. Dottin, President and Commander in Chief of Barbados, dated May 28th, 1739, transmitting several public papers, and promising others by the first opportunity, and signifying that he has been informed that the French have made considerable settlements on those Islands, which ought to have been evacuated, and reap great advantages thereby.

North and South Carolina.

Mr. Glen, Governor of South Carolina, and Mr. McCulloch, Controller, attending, the Board had some discourse with them on the subject of Mr. McCulloch's memorial, referred to this Board by an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council, dated July 31st last, and mentioned in the minutes of the 2nd instant, and Mr. Glen having delivered in a paper with his objections to the said memorial, their lordships took the same into consideration, and ordered the draught of a report to be prepared.

South Carolina.

Mr. Glen attending, with Mr. Hammerton, the Board had some discourse with them on the subject of the claim of Register of Lands, made by Mr. Hammerton; and Mr. Glen likewise delivered in at the same time a paper of his objections to the said claim, which was read.

Connecticut.

Mr. Paris attending, moved the Board that Mr. Wilks might be writ to, to produce such papers as he has in custody, relating to the Commission of Review in the controversy between Connecticut and the Mohican Indians, and their lordships directed that a letter be writ accordingly, desiring him to attend the Board to-morrow; Mr. Paris also left at the Board a copy of the proceedings of the Commissioners. [To-morrow.]

Bahamas.

Bermudas.

Ordered that letters be writ to Mr. Fitzwilliams, Governor of the Bahamas, and to Mr. Noden, agent for Bermudas, desiring their attendance at the Board to-morrow on the subject of the Bahama Act, mentioned in the minutes of July 5th last.

Thursday, August 16. Present:—Mr. Pelham, Mr. Brudenell, Mr. Plummer.

South Carolina.

Read a letter from Mr. Hammerton to the Secretary, praying the Board to grant him a copy of Mr. Glen's objections, mentioned in yesterday's minutes, to his claim of the Office of Register of Lands; and the Board ordered him a copy of the same.

Connecticut.

Mr. Wilks, agent for Connecticut, attending, acquainted the Board that he had had no regular return from the Commissioners of Review, but that he had wrote for the same, which as soon as is laid before the Board, they will proceed to take it into consideration.

Bahamas.

Mr. Fitzwilliams, Governor of the Bahamas, attending, the Board had some discourse with him on the subject of the Bahama Act, mentioned in yesterday's minutes, and the said Act was read, and Mr. Noden's objections, who was likewise present, to some parts of the said Act, were likewise read; and the Board having taken the same into consideration, directed that the draught of a report, which had been ordered by the minutes of the 10th instant, should be deferred.

Bermudas.

Ordered that the Secretary write a letter to Governor Fitzwilliams, desiring he would send to this Board, in writing, the Tonnage Duty paid in Bermudas by shipping, and also the rate that is required for licences, mentioned in the said Act.

Wednesday, August 29. Present:—Colonel Bladen, Mr. Plummer.

Bahamas.

Read a letter from Mr. Fitzwilliams, Governor of the Bahama Islands, to the Secretary, dated August 18th, 1739, in answer to one writ to him by order of the Board, mentioned in the minutes of the 16th instant, in which he acquainted their lordships that the Duty paid by ships is about twelve pence per ton, and that the rate required for a licence to fish, cut wood etc., is but 12 reals.

Trade.

Denmark.

Russia.

Read a letter from Mr. Bryan Benson to the Secretary, dated August 16th, 1739, in answer to one sent him and other merchants trading to Russia, by order of the Board, as mentioned in the minutes of the 8th instant; in which he promises in a little time the sentiments of the Russia merchants upon the memorial of the Danish Envoy, mentioned in the minutes of the 1st instant.

Plantations General.

Read a letter to the Secretary from Mr. Thomas Lowndes, in which he acquaints him that he has communicated to the merchants of London, a method to regulate the paper currency of America, which as soon as he shall receive back, he intends to lay before this Board.

Massachusetts.

Read a letter to the Secretary from Mr. Willard, Secretary of the Massachusets Bay, transmitting the several public papers following:
The Treasurer's General Account from May, 1737, to May, 1738.
Minutes of Council, from September 4th, 1738, to February 20th, 1738–9.
Minutes of the Assembly for the Session in April, 1738, and from November 29th, 1738, to January 26th, 1738–9.
Fifteen Acts, passed at Boston, in January, 1738–9.

Georgia.

Read Mr. Fane's report upon an Act, prepared by the Trustees, for establishing the Colony of Georgia, referred to this Board by an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council, dated July 31st last, and mentioned in the minutes of the 3rd instant, to which he has no objection in point of law, and the Board gave directions for preparing the draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee, upon the said Act.

Thursday, August 30. Present:—Colonel Bladen, Mr. Brudenell, Mr. Plummer.

North and South Carolina.

The draught of a report upon the subject of Mr. McCulloch's memorial, referred to this Board by an Order of the Committee of Council, dated July 31st last, and mentioned in the minutes of the 2nd instant, was agreed to, and signed.

South Carolina.

The draught of a report upon the subject of Mr. Hammerton's second petition, referred to this Board by an Order of the Committee of Council, dated July 27th, 1738, and mentioned in the minutes of the 4th of October following, was agreed to, and signed.

Jamaica.

Barbados.

The Board, having taken into consideration the several letters received from the Governors of Jamaica and Barbados, since their last to them, ordered the draughts of answers to be prepared, which were accordingly read and agreed to, and ordered to be transcribed.

Friday, August 31. Present:—Colonel Bladen, Mr. Brudenell, Mr. Plummer.

Jamaica.

Barbados.

The draughts of the 2 letters, mentioned in the preceding minutes of yesterday, having been transcribed and laid before the Board, were signed.

Georgia.

The draught of a report upon the subject of the Georgia Act, mentioned in the minutes of the 29th instant, was agreed to, and signed.

Leeward Islands.

Read three letters from Governor Mathew, dated April 21st, 1739, June 2nd, 1739, and June 30th, 1739, and the draughts of an answer to them, and the rest of the letters writ by him to the Board since their last to him, was agreed to, and signed.

Bermudas.

The Board having had under consideration the several letters received from the Governor of Bermudas, since their last to him, ordered the draught of an answer to be prepared, which was accordingly read, and agreed to, and ordered to be transcribed.