Journals of the Board of Trade and Plantations: Volume 9, January 1750 - December 1753. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1932.
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'Journal, May 1751: Volume 59', in Journals of the Board of Trade and Plantations: Volume 9, January 1750 - December 1753, ed. K H Ledward( London, 1932), British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/jrnl-trade-plantations/vol9/pp187-202 [accessed 6 December 2024].
'Journal, May 1751: Volume 59', in Journals of the Board of Trade and Plantations: Volume 9, January 1750 - December 1753. Edited by K H Ledward( London, 1932), British History Online, accessed December 6, 2024, https://www.british-history.ac.uk/jrnl-trade-plantations/vol9/pp187-202.
"Journal, May 1751: Volume 59". Journals of the Board of Trade and Plantations: Volume 9, January 1750 - December 1753. Ed. K H Ledward(London, 1932), , British History Online. Web. 6 December 2024. https://www.british-history.ac.uk/jrnl-trade-plantations/vol9/pp187-202.
Journal, May 1751
Friday, May 3. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Herbert, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane.
Nova Scotia.
Read a letter from Mr. Fox, his Majesty's Secretary at War, dated the 30th of April, 1751, in answer to one from the Board, dated the 21st of last month, relating to provisions issued to non-effectives in Nova Scotia.
Read two letters from Mr. Robert to Mr. Hill, dated the 11th and 30th of April, 1751, relating to his proceedings with Monsieur du Pasquier in Switzerland.
Ordered that the Secretary do send Mr. Dick a copy of Mr. Robert's letter dated the 30th of April.
New Hampshire.
The draught of a letter to his Grace the Duke of Bedford with copies and extracts of some letters and papers received from Mr. Wentworth having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 30th of April, was laid before the Board, agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.
Massachusets.
It appearing to the Board that Mr. Phips, Lieutenant-Governor of his Majesty's province of the Massachusets Bay, had been very negligent of his duty in not sending any account to the Board of the state of affairs in that province since the administration of the government devolved upon him, the Secretary was ordered to write a letter to him reminding him of this neglect and to require him to pay a more due obedience to his instructions for the future.
Leeward Islands.
Read a letter from Gilbert Fleming, Esquire, Lieutenant-Governor of the Leeward Islands, to the Board, dated at Antigua,
January 25th, 1750–1, inclosing:—
Minutes of Assembly of Antigua from the 14th of May to
the 8th of November, 1750.
Minutes of Assembly of Montserrat from the 25th of June
to the 25th of December, 1750.
Three Acts passed at Antigua in November, 1750, and
January, 1750–1.
Ordered that the Acts be sent to Mr. Lamb for his opinion thereupon in point of law, as soon as conveniently may be.
Tuesday, May 7. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane.
New Hampshire.
The draught of a letter to his Grace the Duke of Bedford, ordered to be transcribed by the minutes of the 3rd instant, was laid before the Board and signed.
Nova Scotia.
Ordered that the Secretary do write an answer to the two letters from Monsieur Robert mentioned in the minutes of the 3rd instant.
Nevis.
Vide minutes of December 18 last.
This day being appointed for taking into consideration the Act passed in the Island of Nevis in 1748 for establishing a Register's office, the minutes of the 18th of December last were read; but one of their lordships having acquainted the Board that he was informed that there was good reason to believe that the legislature of the said Island were now passing a new law for the same purpose, in which they proposed to appoint Mr. Smith to be the Register, the consideration of this affair was further postponed, until their lordships should receive some further account of this affair from the Island.
Newfoundland.
Read a letter from his Grace the Duke of Bedford, dated 30th April, 1751, directing the Board to prepare a new Commission and instructions for Francis William Drake, Esquire, appointed Governor of Newfoundland.
Ordered that the draught of a Commission and instructions be forthwith prepared, together with the draught of a representation thereupon to his Majesty, and of a letter to his Grace the Duke of Bedford inclosing the same.
Their lordships at the same time took into their consideration a letter from Captain Drake, dated the 26th December, 1750, representing the necessity of having a power of executing as well as trying capital offenders; and the Secretary was directed to send a copy thereof to his Majesty's Attorney General for his opinion thereupon, and to desire to know whether he has any or what objection to give such power.
Barbados.
Their lordships then took into consideration the letters which have been received from Mr. Grenville, Governor of Barbados, since the Board's last letter to him, and ordered the draught of an answer thereto to be prepared.
Wednesday, May 8. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane.
Jamaica.
The draught of a representation to his Majesty upon the proposal of Mr. Price of the Island of Jamaica for draining and improving two morasses or lagunes there having been transscribed pursuant to the minutes of the 30th of April, was laid before the Board and signed.
Newfoundland.
The draught of a commission appointing Francis William Drake, Esquire, Governor of Newfoundland, having been prepared pursuant to the preceding day's minutes, was laid before the Board and approved of, and the draught of a representation thereupon to his Majesty, and of a letter to his Grace the Duke of Bedford having been also prepared, were agreed to, transcribed and signed.
Barbados.
The draught of a letter to Mr. Grenville, Governor of Barbados, in answer to those received from him since the Board's last letter having been prepared pursuant to the preceding day's minutes, was laid before the Board, agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.
Jamaica.
Read two reports of Mr. Lamb, the one dated the 1st of December, 1750, upon six Acts, the other dated the 6th of February, 1750–1, upon sixteen Acts passed in the Island of Jamaica in the year 1749.
Jamaica.
Their lordships taking the said Acts into consideration, as also nine others passed in this Island in 1747 and 1748, came to the following resolutions thereupon, viz.:—
Resolved, that the following Acts are proper to be confirmed,
whereupon ordered, that the draught of a representation to his
Majesty for this purpose be accordingly prepared.
An Act for making free negroes, Indians and Mulattoes,
evidence in all causes against one another in all the courts
of this Island.
An Act for causing the streets, ways and avenues leading
into and out of the town of St. Iago de la Vega to be
cleansed and for keeping the same constantly clean and in
good repair.
An Act for the better order and government of the negroes
belonging to the several negro towns and for preventing
them from purchasing of slaves.
An Act for raising companies in the several negro towns and
encouraging them to reduce rebellious and runnaway
slaves.
An Act for amending and rendering more effectual an Act
intituled An Act for causing the streets, ways and avenues,
leading into and out of the town of St. Iago de la Vega, to be
cleansed and for keeping the same constantly clean and in
good repair.
An Act for vesting the toll heretofore granted to William
Peete, by virtue of an Act intituled An Act for impowering
William Peete to keep the Ferry and erect the toll gate or
turnpike between St. Catherine's and St. Andrew's and taking
up runaway negroes, in trustees for repairing the roads
between Rio Cobre in the parish of St. Catherine, and Waterhouse Savannah in the parish of St. Andrew, and other
purposes therein mentioned.
An Act to inflict further and other punishments on runnaway
slaves and such as shall entertain them.
An Act to enable the directors of the Bath of St. Thomas
the Apostle to grant certain lots and parcels of the Bath
land in fee and adding directors to those already appointed
and for rendering the said Bath more useful to the publick.
An Act for the total remission of several debts due to the
publick from divers of the new settlers at Norman's Valley,
Manchionel and Portland, and for vesting a lot of land
upon the bay or harbour at Manchionel in each of the
settlers there for the convenicney of landing, storeing and
shipping their goods to market in lieu of other lots adjacent
to the barracks.
An Act to appoint proper and certain days for the freeholders
of the several parishes within this Island to meet and
chuse the vestrymen and other parochial officers and for
protecting freeholders from arrests on the days of election
of members to serve in the Assembly.
An Act for balancing the several accounts of his Majesty's
old revenue, and for applying so much of the surplusage
of his Majesty's old and new revenues as may be necessary
to discharge a certain sum advanced and paid by the
Receiver General, to the use of the parties heretofore raised
for the reduction of rebellious negroes.
An Act for the relief of minors and persons absent from this
Island in the giving in their lands and payment of their
quit rents, and also for the relief of persons who have made
mistakes and errors in such givings and payments.
An Act to prevent the clandestine killing and marking of
cattle and for the better regulating of hunting.
Resolved, that as the following Acts were passed for a temporary
service and are either expired, are near expiring, or have had their
effect, it is not necessary to report to his Majesty thereupon, viz.:—
An Act for laying a duty on all wines, rum and other spirituous
liquors retailed within this Island and applying the same
to several uses.
An Act for raising several sums of money and applying the
same to several uses for subsisting for twelve months the
officers and soldiers of the regiment of foot of which his
Excellency, Edward Trelawney, Esquire, is colonel, and
preventing the exportation of several commodities into
the French, Dutch and Spanish Islands, and for preventing
several frauds committed by persons trading to and from
the northern colonies.
An Act for raising a certain number of negroes to be employed
in his Majesty's service for a time therein limited.
An Act to oblige the several inhabitants of this Island to
provide themselves with a sufficient number of white men
capable of bearing arms or white women or children or
pay certain sums of money, in case they shall be deficient,
and applying the same to several uses, and to enlarge the
time for the several parishes of this Island to return the
accounts of quit rents given in such parishes to the Receiver
General, and for authorizing and impowering the commissioners for erecting a house or edifice for the use of the
Council and Assembly for the better preserving the publick
records and for the reception of the small arms, to purchase
lands and tenements adjoining to the parade in St. Iago de
la Vega, for the use of the said house or edifice.
An Act for appropriating the sum of £6,806 2s. 11d. to the
use of the forts and fortifications and other uses and for
laying a duty on the tonnage of shipping for the use thereof
and for appointing commissioners for ordering and inspecting the works to be performed in and about the same.
An Act for raising several sums of money and applying the
same to several uses for subsisting for six months the
officers and soldiers of the regiment of foot of which his
Excellency Edward Trelawney, Esquire, is colonel, and
for preventing the exportation of several commodities
into the French, Dutch and Spanish Islands and for
preventing several frauds committed by persons trading
to and from the northern colonies.
An Act for laying a duty on all wines, rum and other
spirituous liquors retailed within this Island and applying
the same to several uses.
An Act for raising several sums of money and applying the
same to several uses for subsisting for twelve months the
officers and soldiers of the regiment of foot of which his
Excellency Edward Trelawney, Esquire, is colonel, and
preventing the exportation of several commodities into
the French, Dutch and Spanish Islands, and for preventing
several frauds committed by persons trading to and from
the northern colonies.
An Act for laying a duty on all wines, rum and other
spirituous liquors retailed within this Island and applying
the same to several uses.
An Act for establishing commissioners for settling the publick
accounts.
An Act for building of a guard house and barracks in the
town of Kingston.
An Act to impower the Honourable Benjamin Hume,
Esquire, the present Receiver General, to retain in his
hands as commissioner the surplusages of the several
funds, those arising by the revenue only excepted.
Mr. Lamb in his report to their lordships, dated the 6th of
February last, having taken notice to their lordships, that the
Receiver General of the Island of Jamaica had made complaint
of the first of the following Acts, as setting aside his patent from
his Majesty, by the nomination of a commissioner for the receipt
and issue of the publick money, and it appearing to their lordships
that such nomination was expressly contrary to his Majesty's
instructions to his Governor, their lordships ordered the Secretary
to write to Mr. Sharpe, agent for the Island of Jamaica, to desire
his attendance at the Board to-morrow morning, in order to have
some discourse with him upon this Act, as well as upon the other
following Act, which is liable to the same objection.
An Act for the better and more effectual encouragement of
white families to become settlers in this Island, and for
giving a bounty to certain artificers to come and exercise
their several trades.
An Act to amend an Act intituled an Act to repeal part of
an Act, intituled An Act for the more effectual punishment
of crimes committed by slaves and to oblige the several parishes
to pay for all negroes executed in each respective parish.
The following Act being referred to in the address of the
legislature of the Island of Jamaica, relating to the taxing
absentees in a greater proportion than residents, mentioned in
the minutes of the……, their lordships agreed to consider
this Act when that affair is again taken up.
An Act to oblige the several inhabitants of this Island to
provide themselves with a sufficient number of white men
or white women or children or pay certain sums of money
in case they shall be deficient and applying the same to
several uses.
Jamaica.
The Secretary having acquainted the Board that the Lord
Bishop of London had desired he might attend the Board when
the following Act was taken into consideration, it was agreed to
defer the consideration thereof until a day could be fixed for that
purpose.
An Act for regulating and settling the livings of the clergy
and ascertaining the same and giving the Bishop of
London ecclesiastical jurisdiction over them.
The following Act being of a private nature was agreed to be
laid aside for further consideration when the parties concerned
shall apply.
An Act for the encouragement of Archibald Bontien, his
Majesty's Engineer for this Island, in his projections of
making machines or mills for grinding sugar canes in the
said Island.
The following Act having a relation to his Majesty's revenues,
the Secretary was ordered to send a copy thereof and also of a
letter from Mr. Trelawney thereupon to the Secretary to the
Lords Commissioners of his Majesty's Treasury to be laid before
that Board.
An Act for the more effectual carrying into execution a clause
in an Act for encouraging white people to come over and
become settlers in this Island and for the more easy and
speedy settling the north east part thereof for making Port
Antonio a port of entry and clearance for all ships and
vessels.
North Carolina.
Mr. Abercromby, agent for Mr. Johnston, Governor of North Carolina, attending, moved their lordships to appoint a day for taking into consideration the complaint of Mr. McCulloch against the said Governor, to the end that a report might be made to their lordships upon the state of that province and the Governor's conduct now under their lordships' consideration.
Ordered that the Secretary do write to Mr. McCulloch to desire he would fix a day with Mr. Abercromby for bringing on this affair before their lordships and give the Board notice thereof.
Thursday, May 9. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane.
Barbados.
The draught of a letter to Mr. Grenville, Governor of Barbados, in answer to two received from him, having been transcribed pursuant to the preceding day's minutes, was laid before the Board and signed.
Jamaica.
Mr. Sharpe, agent of the Island of Jamaica attending, as desired, their lordships acquainted him with the difficulties which they were under with respect to several laws passed in Jamaica, wherein the Assembly have taken upon them to appoint a commission for the receipt and issue of publick money contrary to his Majesty's instructions; whereupon Mr. Sharpe informed their lordships that these acts of the Assembly arose from the resentment against the Receiver General for having appointed a person to be his deputy that was obnoxious to them, but that this affair being now accommodated, the Assembly had in their last money bills receded from this encroachment upon the Crown's prerogative.
Resolved, that in the Board's next letter to Mr. Trelawney it be recommended to him to prevail with the Assembly to re-enact the law for the encouragement of white persons to settle in this Island, and also that for the further punishment of negroes, not liable to the same objection.
Nevis.
Read Mr. Lamb's report upon five Acts passed at Nevis between March, 1748 and July, 1749, dated 1st December, 1750.
Montserrat.
Read Mr. Lamb's report upon six Acts passed at Montserrat between August, 1748 and August, 1749, dated December 1st, 1750.
Their lordships taking the said Acts into their consideration came to the following resolutions thereupon.
Resolved, that the following Acts are proper to be confirmed,
whereupon ordered, that the draughts of two representations to
his Majesty for that purpose be accordingly prepared.
An Act to prevent negroes from going off this Island without
licence of their owners.
An Act to encourage persons to come and settle upon the
Island of Nevis.
An Act for the more speedy recovering certain debts becoming
due to persons trading to this Island of Montserrat.
An Act for appointing Henry Wilmot agent for this Island
and for providing a recompence for his trouble.
An Act to prevent the abuses in carrying on the inland trade
of this Island.
Resolved, that as the following Acts were passed for a temporary
service, and are either expired, are near expiring or have had their
effect, it is not necessary to make any report thereupon.
An Act to prevent slaves from selling any thing without a
ticket from their masters.
An Act for raising a poll tax on negroes and other slaves
belonging to the plantations and inhabitants of the Island
of Nevis.
An Act to raise a levy or poll tax upon the slaves and to tax
the houses in the town of Plymouth and parts adjacent.
Resolved, that the following Act do lye by probationary.
An Act for constituting a court merchant.
The Secretary having acquainted the Board that Mr. Sharpe,
agent for several of the inhabitants of Montserrat, had desired to
be heard against the following Act, he was directed to desire Mr.
Sharpe would agree with Mr. Wilmot, agent for the Island, who
appeared in support of it, upon a day to bring it to an hearing
before the Board.
An Act to regulate the Assembly of this Island and the
elections of the members thereof.
Resolved, that in the Board's next letter to Mr. Fleming, he
be desired to recommend to the Assembly to re-enact the following
law, not liable to the objection stated in Mr. Lamb's report.
An Act to prevent the carrying off any person or persons
from this Island without a lawful ticket.
North Carolina.
Mr. Abercromby and Mr. McCulloch attending, Mr. McCulloch moved the Board for a copy of Governor Johnston's answer to his complaint against him, which was agreed to by the Board, and ordered to be delivered to him; and it was recommended to him to prepare with all possible dispatch to be heard upon it.
Nova Scotia.
Read a letter from Mr. John Dick, merchant at Rotterdam, to
Mr. Hill, dated May 14th, 1751, N.S., relating to his agreement
with the passengers on board the Speedwell., and to his preparations
for M. du Pasquier's people, and transmitting:—
Certificate concerning the goodness of the provisions and
victuals bought by Mr. John Dick at Rotterdam for the
use of the passengers on board the ship Speedwell, bound
for the port of Halifax in Nova Scotia, dated at Rotterdam,
the 10th of May, N.S., 1751.
Ordered that the Secretary do write an answer to Mr. Dick's letter.
Friday, May 10. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Townshend.
Nova Scotia.
Read a letter from Mr. Dick to Mr. Hill, dated at Rotterdam,
May 18th, 1751, N.S., acquainting him with the departure of the
Speedwell, Joseph Wilson master, with foreign protestants for
Nova Scotia; and inclosing:—
List of the number of freights and persons of foreign
protestants on board the Speedwell, Joseph Wilson master,
bound for Nova Scotia.
List of such foreign protestants on board the Speedwell, as
not being able to pay their freight have engaged to work
it out in the government works.
Copy of a letter from Mr. Dick to Governor Cornwallis,
dated May 18th, 1751, N.S.
Tuesday, May 14. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane.
Jamaica.
The draught of a representation to his Majesty proposing the confirmation of several Acts passed in the Island of Jamaica in 1747, 1748 and 1749, having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 8th inst., was laid before the Board, agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.
Montserrat.
The draught of a representation to his Majesty proposing the confirmation of three Acts passed in the Island of Montserrat between August, 1748 and August, 1749, having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 9th inst., was laid before the Board, agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.
Nevis.
The draught of a representation to his Majesty proposing the confirmation of two Acts passed in the Island of Nevis in 1749, having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 9th inst., was laid before the Board, agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.
Nova Scotia.
Read a letter from Mr. John Peter Robert to Mr. Hill, dated at Neufchatel, the 17th of May, n.s., 1751, relating to his proceedings there in embarking several foreign protestants.
Nova Scotia.
Read a letter from the Commissioners of the Victualling, dated the 8th of May, 1751, desiring they may have an account from this office of the number of people debarked from the Baltimore transport at Nova Scotia, and the respective times of their entering upon the victualling books there.
Ordered, that the Secretary do acquaint the said Commissioners by letter, that no returns have been transmitted to this office of the number of people debarked from on board each ship respectively, or of the respective times when they were entered upon the victualling books.
Virginia.
Read three reports of Mr. Lamb, dated the 31st of January, 1750, upon eighty seven Acts passed in Virginia in 1748 and 1749.
Their lordships taking the said acts into consideration made some progress therein.
Wednesday, May 15. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane.
Virginia.
Their lordships made a further progress in the consideration of the laws passed in Virginia, mentioned in yesterday's minutes.
Nova Scotia.
Read a letter from Mr. John Peter Robert to Mr. Hill, dated at Neufchatel, the 10th of May, N.S., 1751, inclosing copy of one he writ to Monsieur Villettes the 8th instant May.
Thursday, May 16. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane, Mr. Townshend.
Virginia.
Their lordships made a further progress in the consideration of the Virginia laws.
Newfoundland.
Read a report of his Majesty's Attorney General, dated the 16th of May, 1751, in answer to a letter from Mr. Hill, signifying this Board's desire to have his opinion as to giving the Governor of Newfoundland a power of executing criminals convicted of capital offences where he sees just cause, as well as of trying such offences.
Ordered, that a draught of instructions for Capt. Drake, Governor of Newfoundland, be forthwith prepared, and that an alteration be made in the seventieth article of those given the last year, agreeable to the opinion of his Majesty's Attorney General.
Ordered, that the draught of a report to his Majesty upon the said draught of instructions be prepared, and also a letter to his Grace the Duke of Bedford, inclosing the same, and that there be inserted in the said draught of a letter a state of the observations of Capt. Drake, relative to the great number of Irish Roman Catholics, who settle in Newfoundland.
Friday, May 17. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Grenville, Mr. Dupplin.
Newfoundland.
A draught of instructions for Francis William Drake, Esquire, appointed Governor of Newfoundland, having been prepared pursuant to the preceding day's minutes, was agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.
Newfoundland.
The draught of a representation to his Majesty upon the said draught of instructions, and the draught of a letter to his Grace the Duke of Bedford inclosing the same, having been also prepared pursuant to the said minutes, were laid before the Board, agreed to, transcribed and signed.
Leeward Islands.
Their lordships took into consideration a letter from Mr. Fleming, Lieutenant-General of the Leeward Islands, mentioned in the minutes of the 3rd instant, and ordered an extract to be made of such parts thereof as relate to his transactions with the Governor of Porto Rico, concerning the protection given by him to runaway slaves and to the captures at Crab Island, to be transmitted to his Grace the Duke of Bedford, and that the draught of a letter to his Grace thereupon be accordingly prepared.
Ordered, that the draught of an answer to Mr. Fleming's said letter be prepared.
Tuesday, May 21. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane.
Jamaica.
The draught of a representation to his Majesty proposing the confirmation of several Acts passed in the Island of Jamaica in 1747, 1748 and 1749, having been transcribed pursuant to the minutes of the 14th instant, was laid before the Board and signed.
Montserrat.
The draught of a representation to his Majesty proposing the confirmation of three Acts passed in the Island of Montserrat between August, 1748 and August, 1749, having been transcribed pursuant to the minutes of the 14th instant, was laid before the Board and signed.
Nevis.
The draught of a representation to his Majesty proposing the confirmation of two Acts passed in the Island of Nevis in 1749, having been transcribed pursuant to the minutes of the 14th inst., was laid before the Board and signed.
Leeward Islands.
The draught of a letter to his Grace the Duke of Bedford, inclosing the extract of one from Mr. Fleming, Lieutenant-General of the Leeward Islands, relating to his transactions with the Governor of Porto Rico concerning the interruption given by him to the English wood cutters and fishermen at Crab Island, and also the protection given at Porto Rico to negroes deserting his Majesty's settlements, having been prepared pursuant to the preceding minutes, was laid before the Board, agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.
The draught of a letter to Mr. Fleming, in answer to the last received from him, having been prepared pursuant to the preceding minutes, was laid before the Board, agreed to, transcribed and signed.
Virginia.
Their lordships made a further progress in the consideration of the Virginia laws.
Wednesday, May 22. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Mr. Fane, Mr. Townshend.
Virginia.
Their lordships made a further progress in the consideration of the Virginia laws.
Leeward Islands.
The draught of a letter to his Grace the Duke of Bedford, inclosing the extract of one from Mr. Fleming, LieutenantGeneral of the Leeward Islands, having been transcribed pursuant to the preceding day's minutes, was laid before the Board and signed.
Thursday, May 23. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Grenville, Mr. Fane, Mr. Townshend.
Georgia.
Read an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council for Plantation Affairs, dated the 25th of May, 1751, referring to the consideration of the Board some parts of the memorial of the Trustees for establishing the Colony of Georgia relating to the further government of that colony.
Agreed to take this affair into consideration after the holidays.
The Secretary laid before the Board the following copies of
Orders of Council received from that Office:—
Virginia.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated the 16th of January,
1750-1, approving a representation of this Board to his
Majesty, proposing Philip Ludwell, Esquire, to supply a
vacancy in the Council of Virginia by the death of Colonel
Lee, President and Commander in Chief of that colony.
Plantations General.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated the 22nd March, 1750–1,
directing upon occasion of the death of his late Royal
Highness Frederick, Prince of Wales, an alteration to be
made in the Book of Common Prayer, in such parts where
the Royal Family is appointed to be prayed for; and that
the same form be observed in all his Majesty's plantations
in America.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated the 24th of April, 1751,
directing (upon his Majesty's having been pleased to
create his Royal Highness Prince George, Prince of Wales)
an alteration to be made in the Book of Common Prayer,
in such parts where the Royal Family is appointed to be
prayed for; and that the same form be observed in all his
Majesty's plantations in America.
New Jersey.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated April 30th, 1751,
approving a representation of this Board to his Majesty,
proposing David Ogden, Esquire, to supply a vacancy in
the Council of New Jersey by the suspension of John
Coxe, Esquire.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated April 30th, 1751, approving
a representation of this Board to his Majesty, proposing
Lewis Ashfield, Esquire, to supply a vacancy in the Council
of New Jersey by the death of Richard Smith, Esquire.
Nevis.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated April 30th, 1751, approving
a representation of this Board to his Majesty, proposing
James Brown, Esquire, to supply a vacancy in the Council
of Nevis by the death of William Pym Burt, Esquire.
Leeward Islands.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated April 30th, 1751, approving
the draught of an additional instruction prepared by this
Board for General Mathew, Governor of the Leeward
Islands, relating to the vesting the power of presiding in
the Court of Chancery, in the absence of the CaptainGeneral, Lieutenant-General and Lieutenant-Governor from
Antigua, in the President of the Council of the said
Island.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated April 30th, 1751, approving
the draught of an additional instruction prepared by this
Board for William Mathew, Esquire, Governor of the
Leeward Islands, relating to the deputation of a person to
exercise the office of Ordinary, during his absence from any
of the said Islands.
Newfoundland.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated May 13th, 1751, approving
the draught of a Commission prepared by this Board for
Francis William Drake, Esquire, appointed Governor of
the Island of Newfoundland in America.
Pennsylvania.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated May 13th, 1751, approving
a representation of this Board to his Majesty, proposing
the confirmation of six Acts passed in the province of
Pennsylvania in January, 1749–50.
Virginia.
Their lordships proceeded further in the consideration of the Virginia laws, and having gone through the same, came to the following resolutions thereupon, viz.:—
Resolved that the following laws relative to the particular
circumstances and government of this colony, and no ways
derogatory of his Majesty's authority and instructions, or
contrary to the laws of this kingdom, are proper to be laid before
his Majesty for his royal approbation.
An Act for the better management and security of orphans
and their estates.
An Act directing the manner of granting probates of wills
and administration of intestates' estates.
An Act for establishing county courts and for regulating
and settling the proceedings therein.
An Act to prevent frivolous and vexatious suits.
An Act for prescribing the method of appointing sheriffs,
and for limiting the time of their continuance in office,
and directing their duty therein.
An Act declaring the laws concerning executions and for
the relief of insolvent debtors.
An Act directing the method of trial of criminals for capital
offences, and for other purposes therein mentioned.
An Act for better securing the payment of rents, and
preventing the fraudulent practices of tenants.
An Act for the settlement and regulation of ferries, and for
the dispatch of public expresses.
An Act concerning seamen.
An Act for the better securing the payment of levies and
restraint of vagrants, and for making provision for the
poor.
An Act directing the duty of surveyors of land.
An Act for preventing trespasses by unruly horses, cattle,
hogs, sheep or goats, and by taking away boats or other
vessels.
An Act concerning tithables.
An Act to prevent the clandestine transportation or carrying
of persons in debt, servants or slaves out of this colony.
An Act for prevention of abuses in tobacco shipped on
freight.
An Act prescribing the method for proving book debts.
An Act concerning water mills.
An Act for appointing public storehouses and ascertaining
the prices of storage.
An Act concerning highways, mills, dams and bridges.
An Act for clearing rivers and creeks.
An Act for regulating ordinaries and restraint of tipling
houses.
An Act for preventing excessive and deceitful gaming.
An Act concerning marriages.
An Act ascertaining the damage upon protested bills of
exchange, and for the better recovery of debts due on
promissory notes, and for the assignment of bonds,
obligations and notes.
An Act for dividing the County of Orange.
An Act for dividing the County of Gooch Land.
An Act for continuing the Act intituled, An Act for reducing
the laws made for laying a duty upon liquors into one Act
of Assembly.
An Act for enabling the justices of Prince William to levy
tobacco on the inhabitants of the said county, to defray
the charge of clearing the road therein from the Pignutto
the Blue Ridge.
An Act for destroying crows and squirrels.
An Act for establishing a town on the land of Richard
Littlepage, gentleman, in the county of New Kent.
An Act to impower the vestry of the parish of St. Martin's
Brandon in the county of Prince George, to sell the glebe
land in the said parish, and to purchase a more convenient
glebe in lieu thereof.
An Act for dividing the parish of Raleigh in the county of
Amelia, and erecting the same into four distinct parishes.
An Act for establishing the towns of Petersburg and
Blandford in the county of Prince George, and for
preventing the building of wooden chimneys in the said
towns.
An Act for giving a certain sum of money to trustees for the
clearing roads over the Great Mountains.
An Act to impower Thomas Dansie to make a causeway
through the marsh opposite to his wharf.
An Act for the better support of the clergy, and for the
regular collecting and paying the parish levies.
An Act to restrain the taking of excessive usury.
An Act concerning the publick prisons, and directing the
method of appointing the keepers thereof.
An Act for encouraging adventurers in iron works.
An Act for encouraging the making tar and hemp.
An Act for making provision against invasion and
insurrections.
An Act to impower the trustees of Leeds Town to make a
causeway through the marsh opposite thereto, and for
appointing a public ferry.
An Act for dividing the country of Isle of Wight into two
distinct countries, and for other purposes therein mentioned.
An Act for obliging the country of Gooch Land and parishes
of St. James Northam and Southam to repay the country
of Albemarble and parish of St. Anne's a sum of money
and tobacco therein mentioned.
An Act for erecting a town in the country of Prince William.
An Act for giving a reward for killing wolves.
An Act against stealing hogs.
An Act for preventing losses from drivers passing with horses
and cattle through this colony, and for laying a duty on
horses imported, and the more effectual preventing horse
stealing.
An Act for inspecting pork, beef, flour, tar, pitch and
turpentine.
An Act for establishing a town near Warwick in the country
of Henrico.
An Act for erecting a town at Hunting Creek Warehouse in
the country of Fairfax.
An Act for dividing the country of Henrico into two distinct
countries.
An Act to impower the vestry of the parish of Newport in
the country of Isle of Wight to sell the glebe lands in the
said parish, and to purchase a more convenient glebe in
lieu thereof.
An Act for dividing the parish of Truro, and dissolving the
vestry of the parish of Suffolk, and other purposes therein
mentioned.
An Act for repealing several Acts of Assembly therein
mentioned.
An Act concerning strays.
Resolved, that the following laws being liable to many objections
are proper to be laid before his Majesty for his disapprobation.
An Act declaring slaves to be personal estate, and for other
purposes therein mentioned.
An Act for the distribution of intestates' estates.
An Act for establishing the general court, and for regulating
and settling the proceedings therein.
An Act for the limitation of actions and avoiding of suits.
An Act concerning servants and slaves.
An Act to prevent the tending of seconds.
An Act for allowing fairs to be kept in the town of Suffolk,
and preventing hogs and goats going at large therein, and
for altering the times of holding fairs in the town of
Newcastle.
An Act for the better support of the College of William and
Mary.
An Act for establishing a town in Augusta County, and
allowing fairs to be kept therein.
An Act to prevent the building of wooden chimneys in the
town of Walkerton, and also to prevent the inhabitants
thereof from raising and keeping hogs.
Resolved, that the following laws do lye by probationary:—
An Act concerning juries.
An Act for rebuilding the capitol in the city of Williamsburg.
An Act for confirming the grants made by his Majesty within
the bounds of the Northern Neck as they are now
established.
An Act for continuing an Act, intituled, An Act for the better
regulating and collecting certain officers' fees, and for other
purposes therein mentioned.
An Act for obliging the justices of the Isle of Wight to build
a bridge near Blackwater Swamp.
An Act for appointing a treasurer and other purposes
therein mentioned.
An Act for reviving the Act to impower the justices of Elizabeth
City County to erect pounds, and for other purposes therein
mentioned.
An Act to enable the Pamunkey Town Indians to sell a certain
tract of land, and for other purposes therein mentioned.
An Act to enable the Nottoway Indians to sell certain lands,
and for other purposes therein mentioned.
An Act directing the trial of slaves committing capital crimes,
and for the more effectual punishing conspiracies and
insurrections of them, and for the better government of
negroes, mulattoes and Indians, bond or free.
An Act for regulating the practice of attorneys.
An Act for annexing certain lands to the town of Tappahanoch,
and vesting the same in the feoffees of the said town, and
for other purposes therein mentioned.
An Act to restrain the keeping too great a number of horses
and mares, and for amending the breed.
An Act for altering the method of holding courts in the
counties of Brunswick, Fairfax, Lunenburg, Frederick,
Albemarle and Augusta.
An Act for dissolving the vestry of the parish of Cumberland
in the county of Lunenburg and electing a new vestry in
the said parish.
Resolved, that the following laws, which relate to his Majesty's
Revenue and Customs, be sent to the Commissioners of his Majesty's
Treasury.
An Act for settling the titles and bounds of lands, and for
preventing unlawful hunting and ranging.
An Act for amending the staple of tobacco and preventing
frauds in his Majesty's Customs.
An Act for preventing frauds in the Customs and in clearing
of ships, for ascertaining collectors' and naval officers'
fees, and to prohibit and prevent the casting ballast or
dead bodies into the rivers or creeks.
Virginia.
The two following laws are expired and have had their effect:—
An Act for the raising a public levy, and other purposes
therein mentioned.
An Act for paying the burgesses wages in money for this
present session of Assembly.
Ordered that the draught of a representation to his Majesty upon the said Acts be prepared, conformable to the aforementioned resolutions.