Journal, April 1710: Journal Book N

Journal, April 1710

April 3. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Sir Charles Turner.

Virginia.

Col. Spotswood.

Commissioners of the Customs.

Observations on the Earl of Orkney's instructions.

Letter to Mr. Carkesse.

Colonel Spotswood, Deputy Governor of Virginia, having left some observations made by the Commissioners of the Customs on the Earl of Orkney's instructions relating to trade and navigation [fo. 383], the same were laid before the Board and read, and directions given [fo. 398] for writing a letter to Mr. Carkesse thereupon.

Trade.

Letter from the Earl of Sunderland.

Petition of blanket weavers at Witney.

Persons summon'd.

A letter from the Earl of Sunderland, of 27th March, 1710 [fo. 400], referring to their lordships a petition of the blanket weavers at Witney to her Majesty, directing the Board to consider how far the granting what is desired by the said petition may tend to a monopoly of that manufacture, to the prejudice of her Majesty's other subjects, was read. Whereupon order'd [fo. 401] that persons concern'd in the said petition have notice to attend the Board on Thursday morning next.

Mr. Reneu.

Lustring Company.

Memorial of their hardships, with remedies proposed.

Mr. Reneu attending, as he had been desired [fo. 395], the Earl of Sunderland's letter of the 27th of the last month, relating to a design on foot for breaking the Lustring Company, was again read, and Mr. Reneu being asked several questions, he said that that Company has laboured under very great discouragements and suffered great losses, in so much that their stock, which was once 60,000l., is not now above 16,000; that in consideration of their said discouragements and losses, one-half of the Directors of that Company were for dissolving the same, and dividing the stock remaining; but that he had prevailed with them to defer the doing thereof for two months, in order to try whether they could obtain any encouragement to enable them to carry on the Lustring manufacture. He then delivered to their lordships a memorial [fo. 400, 404], which he said contained a particular of all the hardships that Company has suffer'd, together with the remedies proposed for redress thereof; which their lordships resolved to take into consideration the first opportunity.

April 4. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton, Sir Charles Turner.

Virginia.

Letter to Mr. Carkessc.

Instructions for trade &c.

A letter to Mr. Carkesse [fo. 396], upon some observations made by the Commissioners of the Customes, upon the instructions relating to the Acts of Trade and Navigation (mentioned in yesterday's minutes), was agreed and ordered to be sent.

Jamaica.

Letter to the Governor.

A letter to Brigadier Handasyd, Governor of Jamaica [fo. 395], was signed.

Newfoundland.

Letters from Dr. Jackson in behalf of Mr. Campbell.

Addition to the report on Mr. Campbell's petition.

A letter from Dr. Jackson, late chaplain to the garrison at St. John's in Newfoundland, to the secretary [fo. 394, 417], inclosing one to their lordships relating to the services performed by Mr. Colin Campbell, when the fort there was invested by the French, was read; and directions given for incerting what is therein set forth in the representation to be laid before her Majesty, upon the petition of Mr. James Campbell, touching the losses he has sustained in Newfoundland, as directed the 20th of the last month.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Secretary Boyle &c.

Pitch and tar.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Boyle.

Their lordships, taking into consideration the letter from Mr. Secretary Boyle, of the 28th of the last month [fo. 396, vide infra], inclosing an extract of a letter from the Lords of the Admiralty, upon part of a representation to her Majesty, of the 14th of February last, relating to the pitch and tar trade, made some observations thereupon, and gave directions for preparing the draught of a letter for transmitting the same to Mr. Secretary Boyle.

April 5. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Lord Dartmouth, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton.

Trade.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Boyle.

Observations on a letter from the Admiralty about pitch and tar trade.

A letter to Mr. Secretary Boyle, inclosing the copy of a letter from the Lords of the Admiralty to himself [vide supra], with the Board's observations thereupon, relating to the pitch and tar trade, directed the last meeting, was signed.

Jamaica.

Order on representation upon two acts.

An Order of Council, of the 30th of the last month [fo. 394], upon a representation of 24th ditto, proposing the confirmation of 2 Acts past in Jamaica in April, 1709, for securing Port Royal and appointing way wardens &c., approving the same, was read.

Trade.

Lustring Company.

Copy of a grant to them.

Ballance of their books.

The letter from the Earl of Sunderland, of the 27th of the last month [fo. 396], relating to the Lustring Company, was again read, as was also the memorial delivered to their lordships by Mr. Reneu the 3rd instant [fo. 397], and their lordships taking notice that the said memorial mentions a grant of his late Majesty King William to the Lustring Company of 2,400l. per annum for 7 years, dated before Namure in the year 1695, ordered that Mr. Reneu have notice to lay before their lordships a copy of the said grant or warrant on Monday, the 17th instant, and further ordered that the Company be desired to let their lordships see the ballance of their books [fo. 403], mentioned in the said memorial to have been made in January last.

Letter to Capt. Baker for account of seizures in Kent and Sussex &c.

Ordered that Captain Baker be desired to let their lordships have an account of what seizures of wooll or other goods, and particularly of lustring and alamodes, have been made on the coasts of Kent and Sussex [fo. 406], and what proceedings have been thereupon, from January 31st, 1708/9.

April 6. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Lord Dartmouth, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Sir Charles Turner.

Trade.

Blanket weavers.

Blackwell Hall.

Factors summon'd.

The blanket weavers of Witney attending [fo. 397, 405], as they had been directed the 3rd instant, their petition was again read, and being asked several questions thereupon, they said that the blankets made by them, are sent up to Blackwell Hall, and there sold to merchants, and by them transported into most parts of Europe and into the plantations; that they make blankets from 5 shillings to 50 shillings per pair; that the river near Witney is the only water in England they know of that can serve for the making of blankets; that they have try'd several other rivers, but none would do; that the reason of their desiring to be incorporated was, that they might have power to make by-laws for regulating the length, breadth, weight and price of their blankets; for, being now under no such regulation, in order to under sell one another, they do not work up the said blankets as they ought to be; that they did not desire to exclude any persons in other parts of this kingdom from making of blankets as they thought fit, but only that such as are within 10 or 20 miles of Witney should be obliged to be of their Corporation. The petitioners being withdrawn, ordered that one or two of the principal Blackwell Hall factors concerned in the blanket trade be desired to attend the Board on Monday, the 17th instant.

Miscellanies.

Incident charges.

The accounts of incident charges of this office, from Christmas, 1709, to Ladyday, 1710, were laid before the Board, and are as follows:—

Letter to the Lord High Treasurer.

And a letter to the Lord Treasurer, to desire the payment thereof, as also of the salary due to the secretary and the under officers in this commission, was signed.

Leeward Islands.

Col. Hamilton's commission to be Lieutenant General.

Copy of Colonel Hamilton's commission to be Lieutenant General of the forces in the Leeward Islands, upon the death or absence of Colonel Parke, and to take upon him the government &c., was read.

April 17. Present:—Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton.

Trade.

Mr. Reneu.

Ballance of the Lustring Company's books.

Report from the Lords of the Treasury about an allowance to the Company.

Letters from Mr. Blathwayt and Mr. Vernon thereupon.

Encouragement proposed by Mr. Reneu for the Company.

Mr. Reneu attending, as he had been directed the 5th instant [fo. 400], he presented to their lordships the ballance of the Lustring Company's books, as it was stated the 13th of January last, together with the continuation of the said ballance to this day, the 17th instant; he also communicated to their lordships a report from the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, to the Lords Justices in 1695, relating to the allowing the said Company 2,400l. per annum as an equivalent in lieu of the duties on silks imported by them, with a letter from Mr. Blathwayt, and another from Mr. Vernon, then Secretary of State, signifying his late Majesty's approbation of the said report, which were read; and Mr. Reneu being asked what would be a sufficient encouragement to enable the said Company to carry on their trade, he said that, the 2,400l. per annum having been granted the Company for seven years, and the Company having received it only one year, if her Majesty would be graciously pleased for six years to come to continue to allow them 2,400l. per annum, and to grant to the said Company her part of the seizures that shall be made on lustrings and alamodes, and the penalties on such as import them contrary to law, he beleived the Company would be thereby enabled to carry on the trade to the benefit of this kingdom, and to the particular advantage of her Majesty, in the increase of the revenues of the Customs.

Representation on Mr. Reneu's memorial.

Letter to him thereupon.

Mr. Reneu being withdrawn, their lordships gave directions for preparing the draught of a representation upon Mr. Reneu's memorial [fo. 397, 416], mentioned in the minutes of the 5th instant; and further ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Reneu to signify to him their lordships’ intentions to dispatch this matter as soon as possible.

April 19. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Lord Dartmouth, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Garret.

Blanket makers.

A letter from Mr. Daniel Garret, of yesterday's date, to the secretary, acquainting him that Pitman is consulting some persons relating to the blanket makers’ petition [fo. 401, 442] (mentioned in the minutes of the 6th instant), in order to give their lordships a full account of that matter, was read; whereupon ordered that the said Mr. Pittman have notice to attend the Board on Tuesday morning next.

Leeward Islands.

Order on representation.

Pouch and Gashet.

Instructions thereupon.

Copy of an Order of Council, of the 30th of the last month [fo. 386], upon a representation of the 14th ditto, on the petition of Francis Pouch &c., touching some goods belonging to them, seized on board a flag of truce at Martinico, approving the same, and directing the Earl of Sunderland to prepare instructions for her Majesty's royal sign manual and signet, as is proposed by the said representation accordingly, was read.

Maryland.

Order on representation upon Sir Thomas Lawrence's petition.

Instructions thereupon.

Copy of an Order of Council, of the 30th of the last month [fo. 386], upon a representation of the 14th ditto, on a petition of Sir Thomas Lawrence, secretary of Maryland, complaining of the hardships he has sustain'd in his office there, approving the same, and directing that such instructions as is proposed by the said representation be given to the person whom her Majesty shal next appoint Governor of that province, was read.

Leeward Islands.

Letter from Lieutenant Governor of Mountserrat.

Attempt of the French.

A letter from Colonel Hodges, Lieutenant Governor of Montserrat, of the 4th February last, relating to an attempt made by the French on that island, was read, and directions given for preparing an answer thereunto.

Newfoundland.

Letter from the Mayor of Dartmouth.

Convoys.

Letter to Mr. Burchet.

A letter from the Mayor of Dartmouth [fo. 343, 407], relating to the sailing of the convoys for Newfoundland, was read; whereupon a letter to Mr. Burchet, inclosing a copy thereof, to be laid before the Lords of the Admiralty, was agreed and ordered to be sent.

Heads of inquiry for the Commodore.

Ordered [fo. 417] that heads of enquiry for the Commodore of the Newfoundland convoy, be prepar'd as usual.

Trade.

Capt. Baker.

Memorial of seizures of French silks &c.

Letter to Mr. Carkess.

Queen's share of forfeited lustrings &c.

Mr. Henry Baker attending [fo. 400], he presented to their lordships a memorial, in answer to a letter writ him the 5th instant, for an account of what seizures have been made, particularly of lustrings and alamodes, on the coasts of Kent and Sussex, since his last account deliver'd to their lordships, which was read; whereupon ordered [fo. 414] that a letter be writ to Mr. Carkesse, to know whether her Majesty's share of the forfeitures on the seizures of lustrings and alamodes be appropriated, and, if so, by what Act.

Trade.

Woollen manufactures in Austria.

Letter to Mr. Beare.

Their lordships, taking into consideration the memorial from the Court Chancery of Austria [fo. 371, 455] relating to the woollen manufactures at Lintz, mentioned in the minutes of the 16th February last, ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Thomas Beare, to acquaint him that if he or Mr. Harris have anything to offer on the said memorial, they would do it as soon as may be, by reason their lordships will be obliged to make their report to her Majesty out of hand.

April 20. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Lord Dartmouth, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton.

Newfoundland.

Letter from Mr. Burchet.

Convoys &c.

Letter to the Mayor of Dartmouth.

A letter from Mr. Burchet, of yesterday's date [fo. 406], in answer to one writ him the same day, inclosing the copy of a letter from the Mayor of Dartmouth, relating to the sailing of the convoys for Newfoundland, was read; whereupon an answer to the letter from the said Mayor of Dartmouth, transmitting a copy of the fore-mention'd letter from Mr. Burchet, was agreed and ordered to be sent.

New England.

Letter from Col. Dudley.

Papers therein referr'd to.

A letter from Colonel Dudley, Governor of the Massachusets Bay and New Hampshire, dated the 31st of January, 170 9/10, relating to those provinces, was read, and the papers therein referr'd to, were laid before the Board, and are as follows, vizt.:
Representation from the principal merchants of the Massachusets Bay, to Colonel Dudley, relating to the further encouragement of naval stores from New England.
List of causes and judgments in the several inferior Courts of Justice in New England in 1708 and 1709.
Account of the charge accruing to the Massachusets Bay on the intended expedition against Canada.
Account of ordnance stores at Fort Anne at Salem, and expence of powder there, from the 24th of June, 1708, to the 24th June, 1709.
An account of powder expended at her Majesty's fort at Marble Head, from the 24th June, 1708, to the 24th June, 1709.
An account of the ordnance and stores belonging to her Majesty's fort in Marble Head, June 24th, 1709.
Account of the expence of powder at Fort William and Mary at New Castle in New Hampshire, from the 24th June, 1708, to the 24th of June, 1709.
Account of ordnance powder &c. at Fort William and Mary at New Castle in New England, taken the 24th June, 1709.
An account of the ordnance, ammunition and stores of war expended at her Majesty's Castle William at Boston, in New England, from the 24th of June, 1709.
Three proclamations, the one for a fast, the 2nd for a thanksgiving, and the 3rd about the Act for the incouragement of the trade to America.
Minutes of Council of the Massachusets Bay from the 15th of June, to the 30th of December, 1708, inclusive.
Minutes of Council in Assembly of the Massachusets Bay, from the 25th of May, 1709, to the 21st of September following.
Minutes of Assembly of the Massachusets Bay, from the 16th of February, 1708/9, to the 28th following.
Several Acts past at a General Assembly in May, July and October, 1709.
New Hampshire.
Representation from the principal merchants of New Hampshire to Colonel Dudley, relating to the further incouragement of naval stores from New England.
Copy of an address to her Majesty from the Governor, Council and Assembly of New Hampshire, returning their thanks for the stores of war sent them, and praying that the expedition against Canada may be revived.
Copy of an address to her Majesty from the Governor, Council and Assembly of New Hampshire, relating to Mr. Allen's title to lands &c., and to the intended expedition against Canada.
Proportion of New Hampshire and Rhode Island, for the expedition against Canada.
Proportion of ordnance carriages, powder, shott &c., to be issued for supply of New Hampshire.
Copy of Colonel Dudley's warrant to Mr. Vaughan and others, to take care of the stores of war sent by her Majesty for the province of New Hampshire.
Minutes of Council of New Hampshire, from the 3rd of June, to the 21st November, 1709.
Minutes of Council in General Assembly of New Hampshire from the 4th May to the 6th of December, 1709.
Several Acts past at an Assembly in New Hampshire in May, June, July and December, 1709.

New England.

Extract about expedition against Canada sent the Earl of Sunderland.

Part of the merchants’ representation about pitch and tar sent Mr. Burchet.

Whereupon ordered [fo. 414] that paragraph B of the said letter, and what else relates to the intended expedition against Canada therein mentioned, be sent to the Earl of Sunderland, for his information, and that the 7th paragraph in the aforementioned representation from the principal merchants of the Massachusets Bay to Colonel Dudley, relating to the prices of pitch and tar and rozin to be delivered in the river of Thames, over and above the premium, be sent to Mr. Burchet, for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, and such directions as they shall judge convenient to give therein.

Second letter from Col. Dudley.

A second letter from Colonel Dudley to the secretary, of the same date, acknowledging the receipt of several packets sent to him, to be forwarded to New York, Maryland and Virginia &c., was read.

Third letter from Col. Dudley.

Difference between Mr. Bridger and Mr. Collins's agents’ cutting of masts.

Extracts sent to Mr. Burchet.

Mr. Colins summon'd.

Answer to Col. Dudley.

A third letter from Colonel Dudley to the secretary, dated the 3rd of February, 170 9/10, touching the difference between Mr. Bridger and Mr. Collins's agents in relation to the said agents’ cutting of masts contrary to contract, both for number and measure &c., was read; whereupon ordered that extracts of the said letter, relating to that matter, be likewise sent to Mr. Burchet for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, and that Mr. Colins have notice to attend their lordships on Tuesday morning next, and that an answer to the said letters [fo. 424] from Colonel Dudley be prepared.

New Hampshire.

Letter from Mr. Usher.

Act for raising 5,000l.

A letter from Mr. Usher, Lieutenant Governor of New Hampshire, of the 8th of February, 170 9/10, relating to that province, was read; whereupon ordered that the Act therein mention'd for raising 5,000l. &c., be laid before their lordships for their consideration.

Virginia.

Letter from Col. Jenings.

Extract about loss of a man-of-war &c.

sent to Mr. Burchet.

A letter from Colonel Jennings, President of the Council of Virginia, of the 11th of January, 170 9/10, was read; whereupon ordered that paragraph C and D, relating to the loss of her Majesty's ship the Garland. [fo. 418], and that the Enterprize, ordered to attend that Colony, is not sufficient without a smaller vessell, be sent to Mr. Burchet, for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty.

New foundland.

Letter from William I’ Anson with papers from Major Lloyd.

A letter from William I’ Anson, who was in the service at St. John's in Newfoundland when the same was surprized by the French in 1708, was read, and the papers therein referr'd to, were laid before the Board, and are as follows:—
Narrative of William I’ Anson relating to the state of Fort William at St. John's in Newfoundland, when it was surprized by the French, with the manner of its being taken.
Copy of an account deliver'd to Major Lloyd in Quebeck of several English prisoners taken by the French, and of their treatment by them and the Indians.
Which letter and papers their lordships agreed to take into further consideration at a convenient opportunity.

April 21. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Lord Dartmouth, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton.

New England.

Letter to the Earl of Sunderland.

Extract of Col. Dudley's letter.

Expedition against Canada.

A letter to the Earl of Sunderland [fo. 411], inclosing an extract of Colonel Dudley's letter read yesterday, relating to the late intended expedition against Canada, was signed.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Carkesse.

Seizures of lustrings and alamodes.

A letter from Mr. Carkesse, in answer to one writ him the 19th instant [fo. 407], relating to her Majesty's share of the seizures and forfeitures on the lustrings and alamodes, was read.

New England.

Letters from Mr. Addington.

Two letters from Mr. Addington, secretary of the Massachusets Bay, to the secretary of this Board, dated the 25th of January and 11th of February last, were read.

Letter from Mr. Bridger.

Letter to Mr. Solicitor General.

Clause of the Massachusets Charter.

Masts.

Letter to Mr. Burchet with extract of Mr. Bridger's.

A letter from Mr. Bridger, dated in February last, relating to the waste made in her Majesty's woods in New England, was also read, and upon consideration of paragraph B of the said letter, and the charter of the Massachusets Bay, ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Solicitor General [O. fo. 9] to desire his opinion whether by the last clause of the said charter, whereby all trees fit for masts growing upon any land not heretofore granted to any private persons are reserved to the Crown, the lands granted to towns, villages &c., are included in the exception; and further ordered [fo. 421], that paragraph H of the said letter be sent to Mr. Burchet for the information of the Lords of the Admiralty, and that in the letter to Mr. Burchet notice be taken of what is mentioned in paragraph N of the said letter, relating to Mr. Collins's contract with the Navy Board.

Two letters from Mr. Bridger.

Waste of woods.

Two letters from Mr. Bridger to the secretary of this Board, dated the 7th and 9th of February last, relating to the waste made in the woods in New England by Mr. Collins's agent there &c., was read, and ordered that extracts be made in order to discourse with the said Collins when he shall come to the Board.

April 25. Present:— Earl of Stamford, Lord Dartmouth, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton.

Jamaica.

New seal.

Letter to the Earl of Sunderland, with draught of warrant for using the same.

Mr. Roos, her Majesty's seal cutter, having deliver'd to their lordships a new seal for the Island of Jamaica, a letter to the Earl of Sunderland, inclosing the draught of a warrant for her Majesty's signature, allowing and directing that the said seal be accordingly made use of in the said island, was signed.

Trade.

to Sweden.

Letter from Mr. Secretary Boyle.

A letter from Mr. Secretary Boyle, of the 21st instant [fo. 419], directing this Board to lay before her Majesty their thoughts on the present state of our trade to Sweden, was read; and directions were given for laying before their lordships all the papers in this office that any way relate to the said trade.

Lustring Company.

Representation.

Mr. Renue summond.

Their lordships took into consideration the draught of a representation, relating to the Lustring Company [fo. 404, 418], mentioned in the minutes of the 17th instant, and made a progress therein; and thereupon order'd [fo. 420] that Mr. Reneu have notice to attend the Board on Thursday morning next.

Newfoundland.

Representation.

Campbell.

The draught of a representation upon the petition of Mr. James Campbell [fo. 398, 422], relating to the losses he has sustain'd at Newfoundland, mention'd in the minutes of the 20th of the last month, was agreed, and ordered to be transcribed.

New York.

Sachems.

Three of the Sachems lately arriv'd from New York coming to the Board, their lordships acquainted them by their interpreter Mr. Abraham Schuyler, that they were glad to see them here, and that they would be ready to give them all the assistance possible in anything that might relate to their service; whereupon the said Sachems returned their lordships thanks, and desired their protection from time to time as occasion might require.

April 26. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Lord Dartmouth, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton.

Newfoundland.

Letter from Mr. Burchet.

Heads of inquiry to the Commodore.

A letter from Mr. Burchet, of the 24th instant [fo. 406], acknowledging the receipt of one to him from the secretary of this Board of the 21st ditto, with the heads of enquiry &c., signifying that the said heads of enquiry are given in charge to Captain Aldred, of the Rochester, Comodore of the Newfoundland convoy, was read.

Virginia.

Letter from Mr. Burchet.

Loss of man-of-war.

Another sent.

Another letter from Mr. Burchet, of the 25th instant, in answer to one writ him the 21st ditto [fo. 412], relating to the loss of the Garland man-of-war in Virginia, signifying that the Triton's Prize, a sixth rate, is ordered to be forthwith fitted for a voyage to that Colony, to join the Enterprize cruising there, was also read.

Trade.

Draught of representation.

Lustring Company.

Mr. Chetwynd's letter.

Trade with Savoy &c.

Italian merchants summon'd.

The draught of a representation, relating to the Lustring Company [fo. 416], mentioned in yesterday's minutes, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed. And their lordships, taking into consideration the extract of a letter from Mr. Chetwynd, Envoy at Turin [fo. 69], referr'd to this Board by the Earl of Sunderland (read the 2nd May, 1709), relating to a trade between this kingdom and the territories of the Duke of Savoy, ordered [fo. 422] that Mr. Robert Ball and any other of the Italian merchants have notice to attend the Board on Friday morning next.

Turkey Company.

Copy of their petition about trade with France.

Several members of the Turkey Company attending, they presented to their lordships the copy of a petition from themselves to her Majesty, setting forth that before the late war they had liberty to export great quantities of Turkey goods from England to France, which they were not allow'd to do during the last peace, and praying that in the treaty of peace now on foot such provisions may be made as may restore so beneficial a trade to this kingdom, which petition was read; and they were acquainted that in the project of a treaty of commerce with France, provision was made that the trade from this kingdom to France should be upon the same foot as in 1664. However, if her Majesty should be pleased to refer the said petition to the consideration of this Board, they would give them all the assistance possible in this matter.

Trade.

with Sweden.

Letter to Mr. Carkess for accounts of imports and exports.

Their lordships taking into consideration Mr. Secretary Boyle's letter of the 21st instant [fo. 416, 422], mentioned in the minutes of the 25th ditto, touching the present state of our trade with Sweden, and having read several papers in this office relating thereto, ordered [fo. 444] that a letter be writ to Mr. Carkesse to move the honorable the Commissioners of her Majesty's Customs, that this Board may have an account of the imports and exports to and from Sweden for 3 years last past. Their lordships further agreed to proceed in the consideration of the remaining papers in this office to-morrow.

April 27. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton.

Trade.

Mr. Renu.

Representation about the Lustring Company.

Mr. Renue attending [fo. 416, 424], the draught of the representation relating to the Lustring Company, mentioned in yesterday's minutes, was communicated to him; whereupon he thank'd their lordships, and said that with the encouragements therein proposed the Company would be able to subsist and carry on the trade to Turin, to the advantage of this kingdome.

Ireland.

Order of Council.

Earl of Wharton's report about a fort on the River Kilmare.

Mr. Kemeys's proposals for building the same.

Papers relating thereto.

An Order of Council of the 20th of April, 1710 [fo. 425], on a report from the Earl of Wharton, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, to her Majesty on a proposal of Mr. Kemeys for the building a fort in the river of Kilmare, on the south-west coast of that kingdome, was read, and the said Kemeys attending at the same time, communicated to their lordships his proposal for building the said fort, with the copy of his memorial to her Majesty thereupon, as also two certificates, one from the merchants of London, the other from the merchants of Dublin, importing the advantage such a fort will be for the security and encouragement of trade &c.; which order and papers their lordships agreed to take into further consideration on Monday morning next.

New England.

Mr. Collins about waste of woods &c.

Extract of Mr. Bridger's letter given him for answer.

Mr. Collins attending [fo. 415], paragraph H of Mr. Bridger's letter of — February last, mentioned in the minutes of the 21st instant, relating to the waste made in her Majesty's woods &c. in New England, was read, whereupon the said Collins acquainted their lordships that Mr. Bridger's new complaint was groundless, for that he had not cut any masts since the time he was last at this Board, upon a former complaint made against the agent there by the said Bridger; that as to the 2 old masts then said to be cut out of contract, he would produce to their lordships a certificate from the Commissioners of the Navy Board that he deliver'd the same here according to their directions. He then desired that their lordships would please to let him have a copy of the aforemention'd paragraph H, to which he would make answer, and lay the same before their lordships in writing.

Newfoundland.

Letter from Mr. Campbell.

Draught of report about his losses to be perused by him.

A letter from Mr. James Campbell, of this day's date, to the secretary of this Board [fo. 417, 458], desiring that he might have the perusal of the draught of the representation on his petition relating to the losses he has sustain'd in Newfoundland, mentioned in the minutes of the 25th instant, was read; whereupon ordered that he have the perusal of the said representation, and that he be acquainted, if he have any observations to make thereon, that he do the same in writing.

Trade.

to Sweden.

Then the Board proceeded further [fo. 419, 424], in the consideration of the trade to Sweden.

April 28. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Lord Dartmouth, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton.

Trade.

Italian merchants.

Extract of Mr. Chetwynd's letter.

Trade with the territories of the Duke of Savoy.

Mr. Ball and other Italian merchants attending [fo. 418], the Earl of Sunderland's letter of the 21st of April, 1709, with the extract of Mr. Chetwynd's letter, relating to trade between this kingdom and the Duke of Savoy's territories, were read; and these gentlemen being asked whether they were willing to undertake the opening and carrying on of that trade, they said that the trade was already begun by the Lustring Company, and that they were the most proper persons for carrying of it on. Then being asked some questions in relation to the properest ports for that trade, they said that at present Genoa or Leghorn were the most commodious. But if the Duke of Savoy could get Savona to be made a free port, that would soon become a place of great trade, having a better harbour than Genoa, and for that reason they believ'd the Genoese would never consent to it, for that it would ruin their own city; as to Villa Franca, they said that could be of no use in this proposed trade, for that there was no passage from thence for goods to Turin: these gentlemen being withdrawn, their lordships resolv'd to take into consideration Mr. Chetwynd's fore-mention'd letter, as also the treaty of commerce between King Charles the Second and the Duke of Savoy, concluded in September, 1669.