Journal, January 1745: Volume 53

Journal, January 1745

Tuesday, January 8. Present:—Lord Monson, Colonel Bladen, Mr. Plumer.

Trade.

Africa.

Read a letter from Mr. Hayes, Deputy Governor of the Royal African Company of England, to the Secretary of this Board, dated December 31st, 1744, containing his observations on the several questions proposed to him by the Board, when he attended them last, relative to the trade to Africa, etc.

Read also a letter to the Secretary of this Board from Mr. Spence, Secretary to the Royal African Company, dated January 1st, 1744–5, inclosing answers drawn up by their Accountant, to queries from this Board to the Directors of the said Company.

Thursday, January 10. Present:—Lord Monson, Colonel Bladen, Mr. Plumer, Mr. Brudenell.

Trade.

Africa.

The Board had under consideration the draught of a report on the state of the trade to Africa, etc., and made a further progress therein.

Ordered that the Secretary write to the Secretary of the Admiralty, to know whether this Board may have leave to annex to their report to the House of Commons the several papers transmitted hither from the Board of Admiralty, relating to the forts and settlements on the coast of Africa.

Friday, January 11. Present:—Lord Monson, Colonel Bladen, Mr. Plumer.

Trade.

Africa.

The Board made a further progress in the draught of a report upon the state of trade to Africa, etc.

Tuesday, January 15. Present:—Lord Monson, Colonel Bladen, Mr. Plumer, Sir John Philips, Mr. Pitt.

Miscellanies.

The Secretary presented to the Board a new Commission under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date the 5th of January, 1744–5, continuing John, Lord Monson, Martin Bladen, Edward Ashe, James Brudenell, Richard Plumer and Robert Herbert, Esquires, Commissioners for promoting the Trade of this Kingdom, and appointing Sir John Philips, baronet, and John Pitt, Esquire, in the room of Benjamin Keene, Esquire, and Sir Charles Gilmour; and the said Commission having been read, Sir John Philips and John Pitt, Esquire, took their places at the Board accordingly.

Trade.

Africa.

Read a letter from Mr. Corbett, Secretary to the Lords of the Admiralty, dated the 11th instant, in answer to one of the 10th from the Secretary of this Board, signifying that the Lords of the Admiralty have no objection to this Board's annexing copies of the papers, lately transmitted from their office, to the report now preparing to be laid before the House of Commons upon the state of the trade to Africa.

Barbadoes.

Read a letter from Sir Thomas Robinson, Governor of Barbados, to the Board, dated October 28th, 1744, signifying his want of directions concerning prisoners of war, and recommending again Mr. Carter and Mr. Barwick for Councillors.

Trade.

Africa.

Edward Southwell, John Hoblyn, Esquires.

Thomas Brereton, Richard Gildart, Esquires.

Ordered that the Secretary write to the members for Bristol and Liverpool, and acquaint them that the Board, having under their consideration a report concerning the trade to Africa and the state of the forts and settlements there, desire the favour of their company on Tuesday next, the 22nd instant, in order to have some discourse with them upon that subject.

Wednesday, January 16. Present:—Lord Monson, Colonel Bladen, Mr. Plumer, Sir John Philips.

Massachusetts.

Read an Order of the Committee of Council, dated the 8th instant, referring to this Board the memorial of Mr. James Woodside, late minister of the gospel at Brunswick, in New England, offering to his Majesty, for his service, a garrison at the head of Casco Bay, in New England, built and perfected by him and his son at their sole charge; desiring only that his Majesty would order a few soldiers to the said garrison, and that his son may have his Majesty's commission to command them there, who formerly commanded at Fort George.

Trade.

Read a letter from Mr. Lowndes to the Secretary, dated the 14th instant, inclosing a proposal calculated for the benefit of the trade of Great Britain, and humbly presented to this Board by the said Mr. Lowndes.

Barbadoes.

The Board reconsidered Sir Thomas Robinson's letter, mentioned in yesterday's minutes, and ordered the Secretary to send to Mr. Sharpe, agent for Barbados, to attend this Board to-morrow morning.

Nova Scotia.

Read a letter from Lieutenant Colonel Mascarene, President of the Council and Commander in Chief of Nova Scotia, to the Board, dated at Annapolis Royal, September the 22nd and 25th, 1744, complaining of his being not only deserted by the French inhabitants, but now distressed by them, and in great want of necessaries, and praying for a supply; inclosing likewise the memorial of Captain Gorham to the President and Commander in Chief of Nova Scotia, and to the Honourable Council of that province, setting forth the great services, he and his associates have done for the defence of the province, and praying a recommendation to his Majesty for a grant of the Isle of Sables, with a minute of the Council of Nova Scotia, approving that memorial.

Massachusetts.

Nova Scotia.

Read a letter from Mr. Shirley, Governor of the Massachusetts Bay, to the Board, dated at Boston, the 9th of November, 1744, giving account of the state of Nova Scotia, and what he has done for the preservation of it, what more wants to be done, especially from this Kingdom, for its defence; and the success of a bomb ketch in taking a French ship.

Ordered that copies of this letter, and of the other from Colonel Mascarene, together with a copy of Captain Gorham's memorial, be transmitted to his Grace the Duke of Newcastle, and that the draught of a letter for that purpose be prepared.

Bahamas.

Read a letter from Mr. Tinker, Governor of the Bahama Islands, to the Board, dated at New Providence, July 9th, 1744, giving account of their weak state of defence, and desiring assistance from hence.

Thursday, January 17. Present:—Lord Monson, Colonel Bladen, Mr. Plumer, Sir John Philips, Mr. Pitt.

Massachusetts.

Mr. James Woodside, whose memorial was referred to this Board by order of the Lords of the Committee of Council, and read yesterday, attending, the Board, after some discourse with him on the subject of the said memorial, agreed to take the same into consideration the first opportunity.

Ordered that the Secretary send to the agent for the Massachusets Bay to desire his attendance here on Thursday morning next [24th instant].

Leeward Islands.

Read a letter from General Mathew, Governor of the Leeward Islands, to the Board, dated at St. Christophers, September 30th, 1744, transmitting the several public papers following, viz.:—
St. Christophers.
Minutes of Assembly, from the 3rd of March, 1741–2, to the 3rd of November, 1743.
Seven publick Acts, passed between April and September, 1744, and one, passed in October, 1744, received with the duplicate letter, dated 6th November.
Montserrat.
An Act to prevent the Exportation of Provisions. Passed the 3rd of August, 1744.

Antigua.
Minutes of Council, from the 9th November, 1743, to the 24th April, 1744.

Three Acts passed in June and September, 1744.

Nevis.
Minutes of Assembly, from the 23rd of April, to the 9th of August, 1744.
Four Acts, passed in July and August, 1744.

Ordered that the said Acts be sent to Mr. Fane, for his opinion in point of law thereupon.

New Hampshire.

Read a letter from Mr. Wentworth, Governor of New Hampshire, to the Board, dated at Portsmouth, November 15th, 1744, relating to some disputes between the planters, who have grants from the Massachusets, and those who have them from New Hampshire; and about raising of hemp; and recommending a new Councillor, for one lately deceased.

Massachusetts.

Nova Scotia.

The draught of a letter to his Grace the Duke of Newcastle, for inclosing copies of letters from Governor Shirley and Colonel Mascarene, having been laid before the Board, the same was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Friday, January 18. Present:—Lord Monson, Mr. Plumer, Sir John Philips, Mr. Pitt.

New York.

Read a letter from Mr. Clinton, Governor of New York, to the Board, dated the 9th of October, 1744, transmitting the following publick papers, viz.:—
Governor Clinton's speech to the Sachems of the Six Indian Nations, at Albany, the 18th June, 1744.
Answer made by the Sachems of the Six Indian Nations to Governor Clinton's speech, dated the 20th of June, 1744, at Albany, and his reply thereto.
Copy of a commission from the Governor of Connecticut to Deputy Governor Wolcott, and Mr. Stanly, dated the 7th of June, 1744.
Copy of a commission from Mr. Shirley, Governor of the Massachusets, dated at Boston, the 8th June, 1744, appointing five Commissioners to join with Commissioners from the other Governments in North America, and agree upon stipulations for the mutual defence of the several Colonies.
Copy of proposals from the Commissioners of the Massachusets Bay, dated at Albany, 20th June, 1744.
Governor Clinton's speech to the Assembly of New York, the 18th of July, 1744.
Copy of an Act of General Court of Connecticut, dated at Newhaven, the 13th October, 1743.
Printed Votes, from the 17th of July, to the 21st of September, 1744.

Ordered that an extract of the latter part of the said letter be prepared, and inclosed in a letter from the Secretary to Mr. Wood, Secretary of the Customs, in order for his laying the same before the Commissioners of the Customs, for their information.

Newfoundland.

Read a letter from the Duke of Newcastle, dated January 17th, 1744–5, directing the Board to prepare draughts of a commission and instructions for Richard Edwards, Esquire, Commander of his Majesty's ship the Princess Mary, to be Governor of Newfoundland, and the same were accordingly ordered.

Tuesday, January 22. Present:—Lord Monson, Colonel Bladen, Mr. Plumer, Sir John Philips, Mr. Pitt.

Trade.

Africa.

Mr. Gildart, member for Liverpool, attending, as desired by the minutes of the 15th instant, the Board had some discourse with him on the subject of the trade to Africa; the other gentlemen, that were wrote to at the same time, did not attend.

Trade.

Denmark.

Read a letter from the Lord Harrington, of the 18th of this instant January, signifying to the Board, that it is his Majesty's pleasure that they do prepare, for his information, an account of all the contraventions made by Denmark to the Treaty of Commerce, concluded with that Crown in the year 1670, that they shall judge necessary to be redressed before the request of the Court of Denmark, founded upon that Treaty, can be complied with, on his Majesty's part.

Ordered that the extracts be made out of the several papers in the Office, relating to the grievances complained of by the English, and the several infractions of the Treaty of 1670 by the Danes, and that the same be laid before the Board.

Newfoundland.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty, for accompanying the draught of a commission for Captain Edwards, Commander of his Majesty's ship the Princess Mary, appointed Governor of Newfoundland, together with the draught of a letter to his Grace the Duke of Newcastle, for inclosing the same, ordered by the minutes of the 18th instant, being laid before the Board, were agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Wednesday, January 23. Present:—Lord Monson, Colonel Bladen, Mr. Plumer, Sir John Philips, Mr. Pitt.

Virginia.

Read two letters from Colonel Gooch, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, to the Board, one dated August 20th, 1744, inclosing accounts of his Majesty's Revenues in that Colony, viz., the quit rents, and the 2s. per hogshead, from October, 1743, to April, 1744; The other, dated the 30th of the same month, acquainting the Board with the death of Mr. Byrd, and recommending Mr. John Lewis to supply the vacancy in the Council.

Trade.

Denmark.

The several extracts, ordered by yesterday's minutes, having been made and laid before the Board, the same were taken into consideration, the Lord Harrington's letter, mentioned in yesterday's minutes, was again read, and directions were given for preparing the draught of a letter in answer thereto.

Miscellantes.

The Secretary laid before the Board an account of the incidental charges of this office, from Michaelmas, to Christmas, 1743, amounting in the whole to £301 2s. 6d., and a letter to the Lords of the Treasury desiring payment thereof, and of the salaries due to the Secretary and under officers for the same time, was agreed to and signed.

Thursday, January 24. Present:—Lord Monson, Colonel Bladen, Mr. Plumer, Sir John Philips, Mr. Pitt.

Massachusetts.

Mr. Kilby, agent for the Massachusets, attending, as desired by the minutes of the 17th instant, the Board had some discourse with him on the subject of Mr. Woodside's memorial, mentioned in the same minutes, and having heard what he had to say, and considered his objections to the said memorial, ordered that a copy of the said memorial, and of the Order of Council referring the same, be sent to the Governor of the Massachusets, and that a letter be wrote to him, desiring his opinion thereupon; Ordered that at the same time the draught of a letter, in answer to those received from the Governor, since the Board's last to him, be prepared.

The Board, at the same time, took again into consideration the Act for the more effectually guarding and securing our Sea Coasts etc., mentioned in the minutes of the 15th of November last, and having had some discourse with Mr. Kilby thereupon, agreed that the said Act should lye by, till he should write a letter to Mr. Shirley for an explanation of certain clauses in the same Act, and receive an answer thereto.

Trade.

Denmark.

The draught of an answer to Lord Harrington's letter, ordered by yesterday's minutes, having been prepared, was laid before the Board, and some progress made in the consideration thereof.

Friday, January 25. Present:—Lord Monson, Colonel Bladen, Mr. Plumer, Sir John Philips, Mr. Pitt.

Newfoundland.

The Board took under consideration the draught of instructions to Captain Edwards, appointed Governor of Newfoundland, and made some alterations therein, on account of the present war with France.

Trade.

Africa.

The Board reconsidered the draught of a report to the Honourable House of Commons upon the subject of the trade to Africa, etc., and having agreed thereto, the same was ordered to be transcribed.

Trade.

Denmark.

The Board made a further progress in the consideration of the draught of an answer to Lord Harrington's letter, mentioned in yesterday's minutes.

Tuesday, January 29. Present:—Lord Monson, Colonel Bladen, Mr. Plumer, Sir John Philips, Mr. Pitt.

Trade.

Denmark.

The Board having reconsidered the draught of an answer to Lord Harrington's letter, mentioned in the preceding minutes, agreed to the same, and ordered it to be transcribed.

Thursday, January 31. Present:—Lord Monson, Colonel Bladen, Mr. Plumer, Sir John Philips, Mr. Pitt.

Trade.

Africa.

The draught of a report, to the Honourable House of Commons, having been transcribed, as was ordered by the minutes of the 25th instant, was laid before the Board and signed; and Colonel Bladen was desired to present the said report, together with the papers referred to therein, to the House of Commons.

Trade.

Denmark.

The draught of an answer to Lord Harrington's letter having been transcribed, as ordered by yesterday's minutes, was laid before the Board and signed.