Journal, August 1749: Volume 57

Journal, August 1749

Tuesday, August 1. Present:—Mr. Pitt, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Sir Thomas Robinson, Mr. Townshend.

Mr. Law, agent for Mr. Chauncy Townshend, attending, with Mr. Kilby, and being desired to inform the Board what quantities of provisions had been sent to Nova Scotia by Mr. Townshend, in consequence of his contract with the Lords Commissioners of his Majesty's Treasury for supplying the settlers there, acquainted their lordships that nine months full provisions, excepting bread and flour, had been sent; whereupon he was desired to acquaint Mr. Townshend that their lordships recommended to him not to send any more provision till further notice, as there was great reason to apprehend what was already sent might be sufficient for the number of persons settled there.

Massachusets.

New Hampshire.

The draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee of Council upon the petition of the province of the Massachusets Bay, praying a reimbursement of their expenses in supporting Fort Dummer, and also a letter from Mr. Wentworth upon that subject, ordered to be prepared by the minutes of the 3rd of March last, was laid before the Board and taken into consideration.

Trade.

Africa.

Read a letter from Mr. Alderman Bethel to Mr. Hill, dated the 1st of August, 1749, acquainting him with his having communicated his letter of the 18th of last month to the several merchants of London interested in the trade to Africa, who had agreed upon a meeting on the 9th of August, hoping in the mean time that a sufficient supply of money would be sent out for the preservation of the forts upon the coast of Africa, which they were informed were in great distress.

Ordered that the Secretary do acquaint Mr. Alderman Bethel that their lordships are concerned for the distress of the forts in Africa, but that the disposal of the money granted by Parliament entirely depends upon the Lords of the Treasury.

Nova Scotia.

The draught of a letter to Colonel Cornwallis, Governor of Nova Scotia, having been transcribed, pursuant to the minutes of the 27th of last month, was laid before the Board and signed.

Wednesday, August 2. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Sir Thomas Robinson.

Massachusets.

New Hampshire.

Their lordships took into further consideration the draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee of Council, relative to Fort Dummer, mentioned in the preceding minutes, which was agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

North Carolina.

The draught of a letter to Mr. Johnston, Governor of North Carolina, in answer to several from him, was laid before the Board, agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

Trade.

Africa.

Mr. Douglas and several other merchants of London and Bristol, attending, were called in, and presented to the Board a memorial of the Master, Wardens, Assistants and Commonalty of the Society of Merchant Adventurers within the city of Bristol, under their common Seal, praying that the sum of £10,000, voted the last session of Parliament, may be issued for the security and protection of the forts and settlements upon the coast of Africa.

Whereupon their lordships acquainted them that the issue and disposal of the said £10,000 was entirely under the direction of the Lords Commissioners of his Majesty's Treasury.

Newfoundland.

Read a petition of Corbyn Morris, Esquire, agent for Newfoundland, praying the Board's leave to inspect several papers in this office (a list whereof are annexed to the petition), relative to the trade and government of that Island.

Ordered that Mr. Morris have liberty to inspect the papers mentioned in the list annexed to his petition.

New Jersey.

The draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee of Council, upon the petition of Mr. Partridge, agent for the province of New Jersey, praying the confirmation of two Acts, passed there in 1747–8, having been transcribed, pursuant to the minutes of the last month, was laid before the Board and signed.

Thursday, August 3. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Townshend.

St. Christopher's.

Their lordships took into consideration Lieutenant General Fleming's protest against the Levy Bill of St. Christopher's, passed in 1747; and Mr. Fleming attending, as desired, their lordships had some discourse with him thereupon; and being withdrawn, ordered the draught of a letter to Mr. Mathew, Governor of the Leeward Islands, to be prepared, desiring him for the future not to give his assent to any Act of the like nature, whereby a power of the disposal of public money may be given to the Assembly.

Miscellanies.

The Secretary laid before the Board an account of the incidental charges of this office, from Michaelmas to Christmas, 1748, amounting to three hundred and sixty-seven pounds, fourteen shillings and four pence, and a letter to the Lords of the Treasury, desiring payment thereof, and of the salaries due to the Secretaries and under-officers in the service of this Board for the same time, was agreed to and signed.

Massachusets.

New Hampshire.

The draught of the report to the Lords of the Committee of Council, relating to Fort Dummer, having been transcribed, pursuant to the preceding minutes, was laid before the Board, and signed.

Jamaica.

Their lordships took into consideration several letters received from Mr. Trelawney, Governor of Jamaica, and the draught of a letter in answer thereto, having been prepared, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Plantations General.

Ordered that the Secretary do forthwith transmit to the respective Governors of the colonies in America, all such Acts, passed in the last session of Parliament, as in anywise relate to the said colonies, or the trade thereof.

Thursday, August 10. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Lord Dupplin.

Nova Scotia.

Read a letter from Lieutenant Colonel Mascarene, late Commander in Chief of Nova Scotia, to the Board, dated at Annapolis Royal, the 2nd of June, 1749, acquainting them that the French are building a fort, and making a settlement at the River St. John's.

Ordered that the draught of a letter be prepared, for inclosing a copy of the above letter to his Grace the Duke of Bedford, one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, and to desire him to lay the same before his Majesty for his directions thereon; and the said draught having been prepared, was laid before the Board, agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Saturday, August 19. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane.

Nova Scotia.

Read a letter from Colonel Cornwallis, Governor of Nova Scotia, dated at Chebucto, the 22nd June, 1749, acquainting the Board with his arrival there the day before, and that after the first eight days, they met with contrary winds all the passage; containing also some particulars relating to the country, it's inhabitants, etc.

The draught of a letter to the Duke of Bedford, inclosing the above, was laid before the Board, agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Massachusets.

Read a letter from Mr. Shirley, Governor of the Massachusets Bay, to the Board, dated Boston, the 4th of July, 1749, giving an account of a settlement making by the French at the River St. John's in Nova Scotia, and other attempts, which will affect his Majesty's interest in those parts, and transmitting:—
Extract of a letter from Governor Shirley to Colonel Cornwallis, dated 3rd July, 1749, relating to the settlement making by the French at the River St. John's.

The draught of a letter to his Grace the Duke of Bedford, inclosing copies of the above letter and paper, having been prepared, was laid before the Board, agreed to, transcribed and signed.

New York.

Read a letter from Mr. Clinton, Governor of New York, to the Board, dated at Fort George, the 7th of July, 1749, containing some account of the faction in his government, and of the evil designs of the French to disturb the peace in North America, and inclosing the following publick papers, viz.:—
Copy of a letter from Captain Marshall, captain of one of the Independent Companies in New York, to Governor Clinton, dated at Albany, 23rd June, 1749, inclosing a letter from the commandant at Crown Point to the said Captain Marshall, dated at Fort Frederick, the 27th June, N.S., 1749.
Copy of a letter from Colonel Johnson to Governor Clinton, dated at Albany, the 28th of June, 1749.
Governor Clinton's speech to the Council and General Assembly of New York, the 28th of June, 1749, together with the address of the Council to him thereupon, and his answer, the 30th of that month; also, extract of the votes of Assembly of that province, the 5th of July, 1749, with their address to the Governor.
Extracts from the minutes of the Council of New York at Fort George, 1st July, 1749.

The draught of a letter to his Grace the Duke of Bedford, inclosing a copy of Mr. Clinton's letter, and of that to him from Captain Marshall, was laid before the Board, agreed to, transscribed and signed.