Journal, March 1752: Volume 60

Journal, March 1752

Wednesday, March 4. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin.

Leeward Islands.

Virgin Islands.

Their lordships pursuant to the minutes of the 26th of last month, took into consideration a letter from Mr. Purcell, Lieutenant-Governor of the Virgin Islands, mentioned therein, and General Mathew, Governor of the said Islands, attending together with Mr. Boyd, as desired, they were called in and their lordships had some discourse with them upon the subject of the said letter.

General Mathew then laid before the Board the following paper:—
Letter from Don Juan Joseph Colono, Governor of Porto Rico, to General Mathew, dated the 22nd of November, 1749, relating to the protection given by him to slaves deserting from the British Islands.

Mr. Boyd then laid before the Board the two following papers, viz.:—
Extract of a letter from James Purcell, Esquire, LieutenantGovernor of the Virgin Islands, to Mr. Boyd, a merchant in London, dated the 26th November, 1751.
Extract of a letter from James Purcell, Esquire, LieutenantGovernor of the Virgin Islands, to Mr. Boyd, a merchant in London, dated 19th December, 1751.

Leeward Islands.

General Mathew and Mr. Boyd being withdrawn their lordships ordered an extract to be made of so much of Mr. Purcell's letter to the Board as relates to the protection given by the Governor of Porto Rico to slaves deserting from our settlements and also a copy of the Governor of Porto Rico's letter to Mr. Mathew thereupon in order to be transmitted to one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State and that the draught of a letter inclosing the same be accordingly prepared.

Ordered that the Secretary do write to General Mathew desiring he would lay before the Board in writing his thoughts in what manner the Virgin Islands may be put upon a more regular footing, that is to say, whether it may be necessary to establish an Assembly or Assemblys there, and if so, of what number of members the same should consist, in what proportion each of the said islands should send members to the Assembly, and in which of the Islands they should meet, what courts of justicature should be established there and by what authority, and in what manner any new regulations may be rendred most agreable to the people with whatever else may occur to him upon this subject.

Pennsylvania.

The draught of an instruction to the Lieutenant-Governor of Pennsylvania in conformity to the Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council mentioned in the minutes of the 14th of February, was laid before the Board.

Ordered that the Secretary do transmit a state of the case of the powers contained in the charter of Pennsylvania relative to the passing of laws with the following querys to his Majesty's Attorney and Sollicitor-General for their opinion thereupon:—
1st. Whether consistent with the powers and directions of the charter the Crown can give instructions of any kind whatever, other than such as relate to the laws of trade and navigation concerning the plantations, to a Governor or Lieutenant-Governor of Pennsylvania.
2nd. Whether consistent with the charter the Crown can give instructions to a Governor or Lieutenant-Governor of the said province relative to the passing of laws in general.
3rd. Whether consistent with the said charter the Crown can give instructions to a Governor or Deputy Governor of the said province not to give his assent to any particular law or laws without a clause be inserted therein suspending and deferring the execution or effect thereof untill his Majesty's pleasure can be known thereupon.
4th. Whether consistent with the said charter the Crown can give instructions to a Governor of the said province to endeavour to obtain a clause to be inserted in any particular Act or Acts suspending and deferring the execution thereof untill his Majesty's pleasure can be known thereupon.

Thursday, March 5. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Oswald.

Plantations General.

Their lordships took into consideration the draught of a Bill to prohibit the British sugar planters from having foreign sugar plantations, mentioned in the minutes of the 19th of February, which Bill had been amended and altered by Mr. Sharpe.

New Jersey.

Read a letter from Mr. Belcher, Governor of New Jersey, to the Secretary of this Board, dated at Burlington, the 12th of October, 1751, desiring a copy of an Act passed in the last session of Parliament for altering the present style in all writings for his information and government.

Ordered that the said Act together with one passed this sessions for amendment thereof and likewise the Act passed this sessions for avoiding and putting an end to certain doubts and questions relating to the attestation of wills and codicils concerning real estates in that part of Great Britain called England and in his Majesty's colonies and plantations in America be transmitted to the Governors of all his Majesty's colonies and plantations respectively.

South Carolina.

Georgia.

Read Mr. Attorney and Sollicitor-General's report, dated the 25th of February, 1752, upon a memorial of the Trustees for establishing the colony of Georgia in America, relating to some difficulties therein suggested concerning the administration of justice and execution of government in that province upon the surrender of the charter, etc.

Ordered that the draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee of Council upon the memorial of the Trustees of Georgia referred by their lordships' order mentioned in the minutes of the 14th of February, be prepared.

New York.

Read the following letters and papers lately received from Mr. Clinton, Governor of New York, viz.:—
Letter from Mr. Clinton, Governor of New York, to the Board, dated the 19th November, 1751, inclosing:—
Copy of minute of Council relating to the trade carried on at Oswego with the Indians, dated 18th October, 1751.
Copy of a minute of Council on the Assembly's recommending Mr. Abraham Wendell to reside among the Indians, dated 28th October, 1751.
Copy of minute of Council respecting the appointment of commissioners for managing the Indians' affairs, dated 17th November, 1751.
Copy of a Bill entituled An Act for applying the sum of £500 for the management of Indian affairs and for repairing the garrison at Oswego.
Copy of minute of Council shewing the necessity of settling lands purchased of the Indians on the Lake Onondaga.

Read a letter from Mr. Clinton, Governor of New York dated 25th November, 1751, mentioning again Mr. Colden's services and inclosing:—
His speech to the Council and Assembly of New York the 4th September, 1750.
Votes of the Assembly from 1st October to the 23rd November, 1751.
The address of the Council of New York, the 23rd November, 1751.
Minutes of Council of the 15th and 19th July, 1751, containing the minutes of Council and the Conferences with the Indians in June and July, 1751.

Friday, March 6. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Townshend, Mr. Oswald.

Nova Scotia.

The draught of a letter to Colonel Cornwallis, Governor of Nova Scotia, having been transcribed pursuant to the minutes of the 28th of February, was laid before the Board and signed.

New Jersey.

Read a letter from Mr. Belcher, Governor of New Jersey, to the Board, dated at Elizabeth Town, the 12th December, 1751, transmitting the following public papers, viz.:—
Journal of the Council at a session of the General Assembly held at Burlington in September and October, 1751.
Printed votes of the Assembly for the same time.
Eight Acts passed at Burlington, the 23rd of October, 1751.
Naval Office lists of vessels entered and cleared at Perth Amboy and Burlington from Michaelmas, 1749, to Midsummer, 1751.

Ordered that the above-mentioned Acts be sent to Mr. Lamb for his opinion thereon in point of law as soon as conveniently may be.

Their lordships then took the above-mentioned letter and papers into consideration and it appearing that a copy of an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council of the 30th of July, 1751, upon a report of this Board to the Council relative to the state of New Jersey was laid before the Council of the said province in a legislative capacity from the Governor and entered at length upon the Journals on the 3rd of October, 1751, their lordships ordered the draught of a report to the Council thereupon, and also upon the proceedings of the Assembly with respect to the Bill for support of Government to be prepared.

Trade.

Africa.

Read the following papers received from Mr. Hollier, Secretary to the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa, viz.:—
Copies of letters from Thomas Melvill, Esquire, President of the Council at Cape Coast Castle, dated 26th August and 16th September, 1751, to the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa relating to the state of affairs upon that coast.
Copy of a letter from Mr. Melvill to the Dutch General at Lamine, dated 31st July, 1751, and of the said General's answer thereto.

Tuesday, March 10. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane, Mr. Townshend, Mr. Oswald.

Plantations General.

The Secretary acquainted the Board that he was desired by Mr. Sharpe to inform their lordships that the merchants and planters interested in and trading to the sugar colonies had directed him to represent to the Board that they were of opinion that the alterations proposed to be made in a Bill to prohibit the British sugar planters from having foreign sugar plantations would render it ineffectual and that they should write to the planters resident in the Islands for their sentiments upon it.

Ordered that the further consideration of the said Bill be postponed.

Leeward Islands.

Virgin Islands.

The draught of a letter to the Earl of Holdernesse relating to the protection given by the Governor of Porto Rico to slaves deserting from the Virgin Islands, having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 4th instant, was laid before the Board, agreed to, and ordered to be transcribed.

South Carolina.

Georgia.

The draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee of Council upon the memorial of the Trustees for establishing the Colony of Georgia relative to the future government of that colony upon the surrender of their charter, having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 5th instant, was laid before the Board, agreed to, and ordered to be transcribed.

New Jersey.

The draught of a representation to the Council upon some papers laid before the Board by Robert Hunter Morris, Esquire, Chief Justice of the province of New Jersey, relative to some late proceedings there, having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 6th instant, was laid before the Board, agreed to, and ordered to be transcribed.

Wednesday, March 11. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane, Mr. Townshend, Mr. Stone, Mr. Oswald.

Miscellanies.

Trade.

Plantations General.

Read the following Order of his Majesty in Council, viz.:—
At the Court of St. James's the 11th day of March, 1752.
Present:—The King's most excellent Majesty,
Lord President.
Lord Privy Seal.
Lord Chamberlain.
Duke of Athol.
Duke of Newcastle.
Earl of Holdernesse.
Earl of Jersey.
Earl of Cholmondeley.
Earl of Buckinghamshire.
Earl of Harcourt.
Lord Berkley of Stratton.
Lord Cornwallis.
Mr. Vice Chamberlain.
Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Lord Chief Justice Willes.
Sir John Rushout.
Sir John Ligonier.
Sir George Lee.

His Majesty having taken into his consideration the flourishing state and condition of the manufactures, trade and commerce of these kingdoms, and also the state and condition of his colonies and plantations in America and elsewhere, with respect as well to their trade and commerce as to their civil policy and government; and whereas it doth appear to his Majesty that the said colonies and plantations have of late years been greatly improved, the wealth of his subjects much increased, and the navigation of these kingdoms extended by the mutual intercourse between them and the said colonies and plantations, and by the trade and commerce arising therefrom; and his Majesty being sensible of how great importance it is to his crown and government, and how much it will contribute to the satisfaction, convenience, and advantage of his subjects, that all due care be taken, and proper and necessary regulations made for the further improvement and extension of the manufactures and commerce of these kingdoms, and for the encouragement, protection and security of the said colonies and plantations, his Majesty is therefore graciously pleased with the advice of his Privy Council, to order and it is hereby ordered, that the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations do with all diligence, care and concern apply themselves to a faithfull and vigorous execution and discharge of all the trusts and powers vested in them by their Commission under the Great Seal; and whereas nothing can more effectually tend to the peace, welfare and good government of the said colonies and plantations than the appointment of able, discreet, and prudent persons to be Governors, Lieutenant-Governors and other officers and magistrates; it is therefore hereby further ordered that the said Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations do from time to time, as vacancies shall happen by deaths or removals, present unto his Majesty in Council for his approbation, the name or names of such person or persons, as the said Commissioners from the best of their judgment and information shall think duly qualified to be Governors or Deputy Governors, or to be of his Majesty's Council or of his Counsel at Law, or Secretaries in the respective plantations; and likewise to present to his Majesty for his approbation the names of all other officers which have been or may be found necessary for the administration of justice and the execution of government there, excepting only such as are or may be appointed for the direction and regulation of his Majesty's customs and revenues, and such as are or may be under the directions and authority of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty; and when any person or persons shall have been approved by his Majesty in Council for any of the above-mentioned offices, the said Lords Commissioners shall (unless his Majesty shall otherwise direct) prepare and make out proper draughts of such commissions, warrants or instructions as may be thought necessary to be given to such officers in order to be laid before his Majesty in Council for his royal approbation, and when any person or persons shall be presented to his Majesty for any of the other offices of an inferior nature, not judged necessary to be laid before his Majesty in Council, and yet shall have otherwise received his Majesty's approbation; the said Lords Commissioners shall in those cases (unless his Majesty shall otherwise direct) prepare and make out proper draughts of commissions or warrants necessary to be given to such officers, in order to be laid before his Majesty for his royal approbation accordingly. And it is hereby further ordered, that the said Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations do execute and perform all other things necessary or proper for answering the intentions of their said Commission. And whereas the Governors of all his Majesty's colonies and plantations in America more immediately under his Majesty's government, are in particular cases as well as in general, directed by his Majesty's instructions to transmit unto his Majesty by one of his principal Secretaries of State, and to the Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, accounts from time to time of all their proceedings, and of the condition of affairs within their respective governments; And whereas it will tend to the benefit of the said colonies, the ease and convenience of his Majesty's subjects, and the greater regularity and dispatch of business, if the correspondence be confined to, and pass through but one channel, it is therefore further ordered that the said Lords Commissioners do prepare the draught of an additional instruction to be sent to the Governors of all his Majesty's said colonies and plantations respectively, signifying his Majesty's pleasure that in all cases wherein by his Majesty's instructions they are directed to transmit any particular or general accounts of their proceedings, or of matters relative to their governments, they do for the future transmit the same to the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations only, in order that they may be laid before his Majesty; provided nevertheless that whenever any occurrencies shall happen within their respective governments of such a nature and importance as may require his Majesty's more immediate directions by one of his principal Secretaries of State, and also upon all occasions and in all affairs whereon they may receive his Majesty's orders by one of his principal Secretaries of State, the said Governors shall in all such cases transmit to the Secretary of State only, an account of all such occurrencies and of their proceedings relative to such orders; And it is hereby further ordered that a copy of this Order be transmitted to the said Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations to be entered upon the books of the Plantation Office, and that the said Commissioners do likewise transmit copies thereof to the Governors of his Majesty's Colonies and Plantations respectively, to the end that all persons concerned may govern themselves accordingly. W. Sharpe.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty with the draught of an additional instruction to the Governors and Commanders in Chief of such of his Majesty's colonies and plantations in America as are more immediately under his Majesty's government in conformity to the above-mentioned Order, having been prepared, was laid before the Board, agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Ordered that copies of the above-mentioned Order be made with all convenient speed and that draughts of letters to the Governors or Commander in Chief of all his Majesty's colonies and plantations in America respectively inclosing the said copies be prepared.

Ordered that a copy of the above-mentioned Order be entered upon the books of this office relative to Miscellanies, Trade and the Plantations in General.

Their lordships took into consideration the draughts of additional instructions to the Governors of such of the colonies and plantations in America as are more immediately under his Majesty's government, directing them to revise their laws and frame a new and well digested body of laws, and also the draughts of instructions to the Governors of Maryland, Connecticut and Rhode Island, directing them to transmit a copy of their laws, and the said draughts were agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

The draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee of Council upon the said draughts having been prepared, was laid before the Board, agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

Virginia.

Read the following letters and papers received from Lewis Burwell, Esquire, President of the Council and Commander in Chief of Virginia, viz.:—
Letter from Col. Burwell to the Board, dated the 21st August, 1751, containing several particulars relative to the present state of the colony and transmitting:—
An account of the bounds of the colony of Virginia and of its back settlements, and of the lands towards the mountains and lakes, dated the 8th of May, 1751.
A brief account of the travels of Mr. John Peter Salley, a German, living in the county of Augusta in the colony of Virginia, to the westward of that colony as far as the river Missisippi between March, 1741–2 and May, 1745.
A map of the colony of Virginia from actual surveys.
Account of his Majesty's revenue of 2s. per hogshead etc. arising within the colony of Virginia from the 25th October, 1750, to 25th April, 1751.
Letter from Colonel Burwell, Esquire, to the Board, dated 5th November, 1751, transmitting:—
Account of his Majesty's revenue of quit rents etc., arising in Virginia for the year 1750.
Account of his Majesty's revenue of 2s. per hogshead etc. arising in Virginia from the 25th April to the 25th October, 1751.

Ordered that the draught of a representation to his Majesty be prepared upon that part of Mr. Burwell's letter of the 21st of August, 1751, which relates to his having stayed the execution of a fine of £25 current money imposed for an assault upon the highway proposing a remission of the said fine.

Ordered that the draught of a letter to the Earl of Holdernesse transmitting the said representation be likewise prepared.

Read a letter from Robert Dinwiddie, Esquire, LieutenantGovernor of Virginia, to the Earl of Halifax, dated London, the 10th of September, 1751, inclosing a memorial to the Board proposing some additions to be made to his instructions for the government of that colony, relative to presents to the Indians, an exemption of foreign protestants from parochial regulations, and the establishment of a fee to the Governor for grants of land.

Ordered that the Secretary do write to Mr. Hanbury, a merchant of London trading to and interested in Virginia to desire his attendance at the Board to-morrow morning.

Massachusets.

Mr. Bollan, agent for the province of the Massachusets Bay, attending, was called in, and he presented to the Board a map or chart of that province taken pursuant to their lordships' directions signified to the Governor thereof.

Thursday, March 12. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane, Mr. Townshend, Mr. Stone, Mr. Oswald.

Virginia.

Their lordships took into further consideration the memorial of Mr. Dinwiddie, Lieutenant-Governor of Virginia, mentioned in the preceding day's minutes, and Mr. Hanbury attending as desired their lordships had some discourse with him upon the several points therein contained, and being withdrawn, the draught of a letter to Mr. Dinwiddie was ordered to be prepared.

Plantations General.

The draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee of Council, inclosing draughts of additional instructions to the Governors or Commander in Chief of such of his Majesty's colonies and plantations in America as are more immediately under his Majesty's government, directing them to revise their laws, and also draughts of instructions to the Governors of the colonies of Maryland, Connecticut and Rhode Island, directing them to transmit authentick copies of their laws, having been transcribed pursuant to the preceding day's minute, was laid before the Board and signed.

Leeward Islands.

Virgin Islands.

The draught of a letter to the Earl of Holdernesse relating to the protection given by the Governor of Porto Rico and St. lago de Cuba to slaves deserting from our settlements, having been transcribed pursuant to the minutes of the 10th instant, was laid before the Board and signed.

Montserrat.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty proposing the repeal of an Act passed in Montserrat in February, 1748–9, for regulating the Assembly, etc. having been transcribed pursuant to the minutes of the 25th of February, was laid before the Board and signed.

New Jersey.

The draught of a representation to the Lords of his Majesty's Council upon some papers laid before the Board by Mr. Morris, Chief Justice of New Jersey, relative to some late proceedings there, having been transcribed pursuant to the minutes of the 10th instant, was laid before the Board and signed.

South Carolina.

Georgia.

The draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee of Council, upon the memorial of the Trustees for establishing the colony of Georgia, relative to the future government of that colony upon the surrender of their charter, having been transcribed pursuant to the minutes of the 10th instant, was laid before the Board and signed.

Friday, March 13. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane, Mr. Townshend, Mr. Stone, Mr. Oswald.

Plantations General.

The draughts of letters to the Governors or Commanders in Chief of the several colonies and plantations in America, inclosing copies of his Majesty's Order in Council of the 11th instant containing regulations with respect to the said colonies and plantations and the conduct of Governors and other officers there, having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 11th instant, was laid before the Board, agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Virginia.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty, proposing the remission of a fine imposed upon John Sparkes of the colony of Virginia for a misdemeanour, and also the draught of a letter to the Earl of Holdernesse inclosing the same, having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 11th instant, were laid before the Board, agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

Nova Scotia.

Read a letter from the Earl of Holdernesse to the Board, dated the 11th of March, 1752, signifying his Majesty's appointment of Colonel Peregrine Thomas Hopson to be Governor of Nova Scotia and that the Board do prepare draughts of his Commission and instructions.

Ordered that draughts of a Commission and instructions for the said Governor be prepared and laid before the Board.

Tuesday, March 17. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Mr. Fane, Mr. Oswald.

Nova Scotia.

The draught of a Commission for Colonel Peregrine Thomas Hopson to be Governor of Nova Scotia or Acadie, having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 13th instant, was laid before the Board, agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty upon the said draught of a Commission having been prepared, was laid before the Board, agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Virginia.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty proposing the remission of a fine of £25 current money of Virginia, and also the draught of a letter to the Earl of Holdernesse inclosing the same, having been transcribed pursuant to the minutes of the 13th inst. were laid before the Board and signed.

Bahamas.

Read the answer and humble memorial of John Tinker, Esquire, Governor of the Bahama Islands, to the complaint of George King, formerly gunner of the Rainbow pivateer, John Lawrence Commander.

Leeward Islands.

Read the two following letters from General Fleming, Commander in Chief of the Leeward Islands, viz.:—
Letter from Lieutenant-General Fleming to the Board, dated at St. Christophers, 13th December, 1751, transmitting:—
An Act passed at Nevis the 9th day of June, 1751, entitled An Act to repeal an Act, entitled An Act to prevent Papists and reputed Papists from settling in this Island for the future, and for the better government of those that are already settled.
Letter from Lieutenant-General Fleming, dated the 20th December, 1751, desiring the Board's favourable recommendation of Constantine Phipps, Esquire, to supply a vacancy in the Council of that Island by the late resignation of Richard Wilson, Esquire.

Wednesday, March 18. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane, Mr. Townshend, Mr. Oswald.

South Carolina.

Read a memorial of Mr. McNaire relative to the Governor of South Carolina having drawn up a false affidavit against him, and inclosing in proof thereof the following papers:—
1. Letter from Mr. Matthew Roche, merchant in Charles Town in South Carolina to Mr. McNaire, dated May 30th, 1750, containing the remarks of the Council of South Carolina upon Samuel Vening's affidavit, and of the Governor's proceedings with the Assembly.
2. Letter from Mr. William Pinckney, Secretary of the province of South Carolina and Commissioner of the Indian trade, dated at Charles Town, April 1st, 1750, relating to the Governor's proceedings to invalidate the service Mr. McNaire had done in bring[ing] over the Choctaw Indians to the British interest.
3. Another letter from the said Mr. Pinckney, dated May 18th, 1750, relating to the same purpose, particularly with regard to the Governor's inducing Samuel Vening to make an affidavit against Mr. McNaire which, as said above, appeared to the Council to be false. Though the name of the said Mr. Pinckney is tore from the last letter at the gentleman's own request, it will appear to be his own by comparing it with the letter No. 2.
4. Governor Glen's warrant to Mr. McNaire to publish a proclamation amongst the Indians.

Their lordships then took the said memorial and papers into consideration and also the draught of a letter to the Earl of Holdernesse upon Mr. McNaire's petition, ordered to be prepared by the minutes of the 27th of February last and made some progress therein.

Thursday, March 19. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane, Mr. Townshend, Mr. Oswald.

Nova Scotia.

The Secretary acquainted the Board that an officer from the Board of Ordnance had desired him to move their lordships for payment of £2,425 18s. 2d. disbursed by that office for the service of Nova Scotia, and included in the account of exceedings for the year 1751.

Ordered that the Secretary do write to Mr. Scrope, Secretary to the Lords Commissioners of his Majesty's Treasury, to desire that their lordships would give the necessary directions for payment of the said sum.

Bermuda.

Read the following letters and papers from Mr. Popple, Governor of the Bermuda Islands, viz.:—
Letter from Mr. Popple to the Secretary of this Board, dated 8th October, 1751, transmitting:—
Naval officer's lists of vessels entered and cleared in the port of St. George's from the 25th December, 1747, to the 25th December, 1750.
Letter from Mr. Popple, Governor of Bermuda, dated 22nd October, 1751, recommending to the favour of the Board George Forbes, Esquire, to supply a vacancy in the Council there by the death of Samuel Burrows, Esquire.
Letter from Mr. Popple, Governor of Bermuda, to the Secretary of this Board, dated Queen's Treasury, the 24th January, 1752, transmitting:—
List of officers civil and military in the Bermuda Islands commissioned by Governor Popple. Dated, Secretary's Office, 7th December, 1751.
List of the Secretary's fees according to law. December 5th, 1751.
Collector's list of fees. November 28th, 1751.
List of fees in the Naval Office, November 26th, 1751.
The Provost Marshall's general account from January, 1747–8, to August, 1751.
Letter from John Pigot, Esquire, giving an account of the number of negroes imported into the Islands since November, 1744.
A register of christenings and burials in St. George's parish from June, 1744, to October, 1745.
A register of christenings and burials in four several parishes from December, 1744, to November, 1745.
A register of christenings and burials in four parishes from November 1743 to November, 1751.
Major Hinson's account of payments of the money arising by the sale of timber sold from off the School Land in Pembroke Tribe.
Major Hinson's account. Sales of timber sold from off the School Lands in Pembroke Tribe.
The Treasurer's accounts of receipts and disbursements of the rents of his Majesty's lands from the 2nd of September, 1746, to the 17th of September, 1750.
An account of timber sold on his Majesty's land in Pagett's Tribe. January 8th, 1746–7.
Account of the sale of trees blown down on the Island in the Sound, and on his Majesty's land in Pagett's Tribe.
Mr. Leonard White's receipts and disbursements on account of his Majesty's rents collected from the 1st July, 1744, to the 1st July, 1750.
The Treasurer's account of duties arising by the importation of liquors and money received for raising the Flatt's Bridge, from November, 1747, to September, 1750.
The Treasurer's account of the duties arising by the importation of liquors and money received for raising the Flatts Bridge, from September, 1750, to November, 1751.
Minutes of Council the 19th November, 1751.
Naval officer's lists of vessels entered and cleared in the port of St. George's from the 24th December, 1750, to the 24th of June, 1751.

Jamaica.

Read a letter from Mr. Moore, Deputy Secretary of Jamaica, to the Board, dated the 9th of July, 1751, transmitting a list of persons naturalized in that Island between the 1st June, 1750, and the 1st June, 1751.

Pennsylvania.

Read a letter from Mr. Peters, Secretary of Pennsylvania, to the Secretary of this Board, dated the 1st June, 1751, transmitting the two following certificates:—
Certificate of foreigners naturalized in the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in September Term, 1750.
Certificate of foreigners naturalized in Pennsylvania in April Term, 1751.

Massachusets.

Read a letter from Mr. Willard, Secretary of the Massachusets Bay, to the Secretary of this Board, dated at Boston, November 1st, 1751, transmitting:—
Minutes of Council from the 6th March, 1749–50, to the 30th August, 1751.
Minutes of General Assembly from the 26th September, 1750, to the 22nd June, 1751.
Eighteen Acts passed at Boston between the 6th October, 1750, and the 26th April, 1751.
Ten Acts passed at Boston in June and July, 1751.

Ordered that the said Acts be sent to Mr. Lamb for his opinion thereon in point of law.

Read a letter from Mr. Phips, Lieutenant-Governor of the Massachusets Bay, to the Board, dated at Boston 9th October, 1751, excusing himself for not writing to the Board since the government devolved upon him.

Ordered that the draught of a letter in answer thereto be prepared.

Nova Scotia.

Read a letter from Colonel Cornwallis, Governor of Nova Scotia, dated at Halifax, the 19th December, 1751, advising the Board that he had drawn upon Mr. Kilby for the sum of £168 7s. 6d. in favour of Messrs. Webb and Ewer and desiring their lordships to give directions for payment of the same.

Ordered that a copy of the said letter be made and delivered to Mr. Kilby.

Newfoundland.

Read the following papers received from Captain Drake, Governor of Newfoundland:—
Letter from Captain Drake, dated London, January 11th, 1752, inclosing an account of the remains of stores in the garrison of Placentia on the 11th September, 1751, with a return of his Majesty's troops in that garrison at the same time.
Letter from Captain Drake to the Board, dated on board his Majesty's ship Boston in the Downs, November 22nd, 1751, transmitting the following papers, viz.:—
Answers to queries contained in his Majesty's instructions to Captain Drake, Governor of Newfoundland, together with the proceedings of a Court of Oyer and Terminer begun and held at St. John's the 12th of September, 1751.
Scheme of the fishery at Newfoundland, 1751.
Remains of stores at St. John's, Newfoundland, 1st August, 1751.
Return of his Majesty's troops at St. John's, Newfoundland, the 20th August, 1751.

South Carolina.

The draught of a report to the Earl of Holdernesse upon the petition of Mr. McNaire was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Tuesday, March 24. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane, Mr. Townshend, Mr. Oswald.

Nova Scotia.

Read a letter from Colonel Cornwallis, Governor of Nova Scotia, to the Board, dated at Halifax the 16th of February, 1752, relating to the present state of affairs in that province.

Plantations General.

Santa Lucia.

Read a letter from his Majesty's Commissaries to the Board, dated at Paris, the 18–29th March, 1752, inclosing a list of words and expressions in the answer to the French memorial relating to Santa Lucia, which French Commissaries have desired may be changed for others less harsh.

Ordered that the Secretary do prepare the draught of an answer to the said letter.

Jamaica.

Read the following letters and papers received from Mr. Trelawney, Governor of Jamaica:—
Letter from Mr. Trelawney, Governor of Jamaica, dated the 17th of July, 1751, inclosing the three following papers, viz.:—
Copies of letters from Brigadier Heredia to the Viceroy of Mexico and Governor of Merida, relating to the Mosquito Shore. Dated in 1751.
Copies of letters from Mr. William Pit, Lieutenant Lawrie and Engineer Jones to Governor Trelawney. Dated in April, 1751.
Copy of a letter from Brigadier Heredia to the Marquiz de Ensenada, dated at Granada, 26th April, 1751, relating to the Mosquito Shore.
Letter from Mr. Trelawney to the Board, dated the 15th June, 1751, relating to the nomination of a Commissioner for publick accounts, and mentioning his hopes of returning to England in the spring.
Letter from Mr. Trelawney to the Board, dated 1st September, 1751, in answer to one from Mr. Hill, Secretary to this Board, relating to his not having sent the publick papers required by his instructions.
Letter from Mr. Trelawney, Governor of Jamaica, to the Board, dated 15th September, 1751, containing an account of the hurricane which happened there on the 11th of September.
Letter from Mr. Trelawney to the Board, dated 16th September, 1751, inclosing his speech to the Council and Assembly of that Island, relating to uncultivated grants of land, etc.

Nova Scotia.

Their lordships took into consideration a letter from Mr. Scrope, Secretary to the Lords Commissioners of his Majesty's Treasury, relating to the proposal of allowing 3d. per day in lieu of provisions to the settlers and troops in Nova Scotia, mentioned in the minutes of the 21st February last, and ordered the Secretary to write an answer thereto.

Thursday, March 26. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Mr. Fane.

Plantations General.

The draught of a letter to his Majesty's Commissaries at Paris, having been prepared pursuant to the preceding minutes, was laid before the Board, agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Saturday, March 28. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane.

Jamaica.

Read a letter from the Earl of Holdernesse, dated the 28th March, 1752, notifying his Majesty's appointment of Charles Knowles, Esquire, to be Governor of Jamaica, and signifying his Majesty's pleasure that the draughts of a proper Commission and instructions be prepared.

The draught of a Commission for the said Charles Knowles, Esquire, having been prepared was laid before the Board, agreed to, and ordered to be transcribed, and the draught of a representation to his Majesty thereupon was also agreed to, transcribed and signed.