Journal, August 1779: Volume 86

Journal, August 1779

fo. 169.

Thursday, August 5th, Present:—Lord Robert Spencer, Mr. Eden, Mr. de Grey, Mr. Gibbon.

Africa.

The Secretary acquainted the Board, that on the 31st of last month, he had pursuant to order, written to the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa, transmitting a copy of the Board's resolution of the 30th of July, and desiring an answer to the requisitions contained in the said resolutions.

Senegambia.

fo. 170.

Read a letter from Mr. Robinson to Mr. Cumberland, dated August 5th, 1779, transmitting a memorial of Thomas Bullock, esquire, agent for Senegambia, to the Lords of the Treasury, "praying an issue of £2,300 out of the unappropriated grant of Parliament for the support of that province for the year 1776, to enable him to pay salaries to the civil officers of the said province," and desiring, that Mr. Cumberland will lay the said memorial before the Lords of Trade, for their opinion what may be fit to be done therein.

Ordered, that the Secretary do write to Mr. Robinson, and acquaint him, for the information of the Lords of the Treasury, that this Board have no objection to state against the prayer of Mr. Bullock's memorial.

Bahama.

fo. 171.

Lord George Germain laid before the Board, by his Majesty's commands, the several following papers relative to complaints of the misconduct of Montfort Browne, esquire, Governor of the Bahama Islands, in the administration of his government, and his Lordship acquainted the Board, that it was his Majesty's pleasure that they do take the same into their consideration, and represent to his Majesty what it may be adviseable for his Majesty to do thereupon.
Extract of a letter from Governor Browne to Lord [George] Germain, dated New Providence, January 11th, 1779.
Extract of a letter from Governor Browne to Lord George Germain, dated January 15th, 1779.
Extract of a letter from Governor Browne to Lord George Germain, dated February 27th, 1779.
Extract of the 2nd letter from Governor Browne to Lord George Germain, dated February 27th, 1779.
Copy of a letter from Samuel Gambier, esquire, to Lord George Germain, dated New Providence, 27th February, 1779.
fo. 172.
Copy of messages that passed between Governor Browne and Mr. Gambier on removing him from his places.
Letter from Lieutenant Governor and four members of Council of the Bahama Islands, to Lord George Gambier, dated February 12th, 1779.
Letter from Lieutenant Governor and four members of Council to Lord George Germain, dated February 22nd, 1779.
Copy of a proclamation by Governor Browne, dated Nassau, January 4th, 1779.
Copy of a letter from Parr Ross, esquire, to Lieutenant Governor Gambier, dated Nassau, 6th February, 1779.
Letter from Lieutenant Governor and four members of Council to Lord George Germain, dated New Providence, March 30th, 1779.
Narrative of the transactions, etc. on the invasion of the Island of New Providence by the rebels in 1776.
fo. 173.
Copy of a letter from Mr. Chief Justice At wood to Governor Browne, dated Nassau, February 23rd, 1779.
Copy of a protest of Lieutenant Governor and four members of the Council, dated March 30th, 1779.
Copy of a remonstrance of his Majesty's Council and the General Assembly upon the charges made by the Governor, dated 12th March, 1779.
Copy of Governor Browne's answer to the foregoing remonstrance, dated March 17th, 1779.
Copy of affidavit of George Dorset, mariner, dated April 2nd, 1779.
Copy of a letter from Lieutenant Governor Gambier and four members of the Council, to Lord George Germain, dated 3rd March, 1779.
Copy of an affidavit of William Watherstone, esquire, 10th March, 1779.
Copy of an affidavit of John Grant, esquire, February 11th, 1779.
fo. 174.
Extract of a letter from Governor Browne to Lord George Germain, dated Nassau, April 1st, 1779.
Memorial of Montfort Browne, esquire, Governor of the Bahama Islands, to Lord George Germain.
Copy of the minutes of Council of the Bahama Islands, from the 17th December, 1778, to the 9th March, 1779, both days inclusive.
Extract of a letter from Governor Browne to Lord George Germain, dated Nassau, April 3rd, 1779.
Copy of a letter from Lieutenant Governor Gambier and four members of the Council of the Bahama Islands, to Lord George Germain, dated 10th May, 1779.
Copy of a memorial of the inhabitants of New Providence to Governor Browne, dated 23rd April, 1779.
Copy of Governor Browne's answer to the memorial of the inhabitants abovementioned.
fo. 175.
Copy of the deposition of John Young, mariner, dated April 19th, 1779.
Copy of the deposition of Captain Henry Johnson, dated April 7th, 1779.

Their lordships having, in obedience to his Majesty's commands, taken the foregoing papers into their consideration, together with such other papers as have been received from the Bahama Islands, relative to the subject of complaints against Governor Browne, which papers are mentioned in the minutes of the 13th of April and 15th of June last; after mature deliberation, it was ordered, that the draught of a representation to his Majesty thereupon should be prepared.

fo. 176.

Friday, August 6th. Present:—Mr. Greville, Mr. de Grey, Mr. Gibbon.

Lord George Germain, one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, attends.

Senegambia.

The Secretary acquainted the Board, that pursuant to order, he had this day written to Mr. Robinson, in answer to his letter of the 5th instant, upon the subject of Mr. Bullock's memorial.

Bahama.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty upon the complaints against Montfort Browne, esquire, Governor of the Bahama Islands, having been prepared pursuant to the order of yesterday, was approved, transcribed and signed.

Leeward Islands.

fo. 177.

Read a letter from William Mathew Burt, esquire, Governor of the Leeward Islands, to the Board, dated Saint Christopher's, May 7th, 1779, transmitting the following papers, together with his observations thereon; and acquainting their lordships with the death of Otto Bayer and Francis Farley, esquires, members of the Council of Antigua; of his appointment of Mr. Jeffreson to be of the Council for that island; and of Mark Dyer, esquire, to be of the Council for the Virgin Islands.
Two Acts passed in the Island of Antigua in November and December, 1778.

Ordered, that the draught of a letter to Governor Burt be prepared, in answer to the foregoing.

Barbados.

The Secretary laid before the Board the following publick papers received from the Island of Barbados, vizt.
fo. 178.
Minutes of Council of the Island of Barbados from July 8th, 1777, to April 13th, 1779.
Minutes of Assembly from October 1st, 1777, to April 13th, 1779.
Eight Acts passed in the Island of Barbados in March, May and September, 1778, and January, 1779.
Abstract of christenings and burials from January 1st, 1777, to December 31st following.
Treasurer's return of new negroes imported from July, 1777, to May, 1779.
Storekeeper's certificate of powder money collected from March 18th, 1778, to May 26th, 1779.

Ordered, that the several Acts beforementioned be sent to Mr. Jackson, for his opinion thereupon in point of law.

fo. 179.

West Florida.

Lord George Germain laid before the Board, by his Majesty's commands, the following paper, containing several complaints against Peter Chester, esquire, Governor of West Florida; and his Lordship acquainted the Board, that it was his Majesty's pleasure, that they do take the same into their consideration, and after mature examination, represent to his Majesty their opinion thereupon.
fo. 180.
The humble petition and memorial of the gentlemen, freeholders and principal inhabitants of the Province of West Florida, to his Majesty, stating, that Governor Chester hath in many instances acted contrary to his Majesty's instructions: that he hath violated the rights and liberties of the people, and hath brought upon them calamities which he might have prevented: and praying, that his Majesty, for the peace and quiet of his loyal subjects, and for the safety of the province, will be pleased to recall Governor Chester, and in his place appoint such a person as may be agreable to his Majesty's wisdom.

Resolved, that this Board will meet on Thursday the 19th instant, to take the said paper into consideration, and to hear the several parties interested therein, who may chuse to appear either in support of the charges contained in the said memorial, or in defence of the Governor against the said accusations.

Ordered, that the Secretary do acquaint the several parties with the above resolution.

fo. 181.

Saturday, August 14th. Present:—Mr. Greville, Mr. Eden, Mr. de Grey, Mr. Gibbon.

Bahama.

Lord George Germain, one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, attended, and his Lordship acquainted the Board, that the King had been pleased to appoint John Maxwell, esquire, to be Governor of the Bahama Islands, in the room of Montfort Browne, esquire, and that it was his Majesty's pleasure, that this Board should prepare and lay before his Majesty in Council, draughts of a Commission and instructions for the said Governor.

The draught of a Commission appointing John Maxwell, esquire, to be Governor of the Bahama Islands, having been prepared accordingly, was approved, and a representation to his Majesty thereupon was signed.

fo. 182.

Ordered, that draughts of general instructions, and of those which relate to the observance of the Acts of Parliament for the regulation and encouragement of trade and navigation, for John Maxwell, esquire, appointed Governor of the Bahama Islands, be prepared with all convenient dispatch.

Trade.

Read the three following Orders of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated August 6th, 1779, vizt.,
Order referring the petition of Thomas Porteus, praying leave to export to Lisbon, on board the ship Nuestra Senhora de Conçeição e Sto. Antonio e Almas, sundry military stores, for the use of the Hannah, private ship of war.
fo. 183.
Order referring the petition of Messieurs Charles and Edward Hague, praying leave to export to Flushing, on board the ship Success, sundry ordnance therein mentioned, for the use of ships engaged in the Guinea trade.
Order referring the petition of John Brown, praying leave to export from Liverpool to the Island of Antigua, on board the ship Molly, sundry military stores therein mentioned, for the use of ships fitting out there.

Their lordships, upon consideration of the three foregoing petitions, were of opinion, that the exportation prayed for should be allowed; and the draughts of three reports to the Lords of the Privy Council thereupon having been prepared, were approved, transcribed and signed.

fo. 184.

Thursday, August 19th, Present:—Lord Robert Spencer, Mr. Greville, Mr. Eden, Mr. de Grey, Mr. Gibbon.

Lord George Germain, one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, attends.

Africa.

fo. 185.

fo. 186.

Read a report of the Committee of Merchants trading to Africa, dated August 5th, 1779, in answer to the resolutions of this Board of the 30th of July last, communicated to them by order, stating, that for certain reasons set forth they had suspended Richard Miles from his several offices of Governor of Cape Coast Castle, one of the Council, President Treasurer and Warehouse Keeper; and also that they had suspended Thomas Westgate, Governor of Annamaboe, one of the Council, and Vice President, together with Robert Collins and Martin Watts, as two of the Council, and were of opinion, that, two new officers should be appointed in the Commission to be sent to Africa; and that the first or principal Commissioner should pro tempore be appointed Governor of Cape Coast Castle, President of the Council, Treasurer and Warehouse Keeper; that the second should be appointed Vice President of the Council, and Governor of Annamaboe; and that two others should be taken from the officers at present in the service in Africa, who should likewise be appointed councillors; that to these four the supplies for the service of the year 1780 should be consigned, and all publick business trading to reform the abuses, which have crept into the establishment, should be referred to them; in transacting whereof, if the votes should happen to be equal, the President ought to have a casting vote; and that care should be taken to fill up vacancies which may happen in the Commission, by directing those first appointed to succeed according to seniority, and nominating juniors to take their place in Council.

Their lordships having taken this opinion and report into their consideration, approved thereof as to the consignment of the supplies for the year 1780, to two, or (if the Committee shall so think fit) to four Commissioners.

That, as the Committee have, for the reasons stated in their report, thought fit to suspend their Governors of Cape Coast Castle and Annamaboe, it may be proper that the two principal Commissioners should be appointed to those vacancies.

fo. 187.

Africa.

That the salaries and allowances to these Governors, which according to the Committee's report amount to eight hundred pounds per annum to one, and four hundred and fifty pounds per annum to the other, appear, so far as this Board can judge, to be a sufficient compensation for the duties of the Commission; it is therefore recommended to the Committee to prepare and report a draught of instructions to be sent out with such fit and proper persons, as the Committee shall appoint to execute that Commission.

fo. 188.

Ordered, that the Secretary do write to the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa, transmitting a copy of the foregoing minutes and proceedings; and also to the Secretary of the Treasury, transmitting to him a copy of the said minutes and proceedings for the information of the Lords of his Majesty's Treasury: and recommending to their lordships the issue of the grant of Parliament for the service of Africa for the year 1780.

West Florida.

fo. 189.

This day having been appointed to hear the several parties interested in the memorial complaining of the conduct of Peter Chester, esquire, Governor of the Province of West Florida, mentioned in the minutes of the 14th instant, and the said parties appearing with their counsel, vizt., Mr. Pigot for the complainants, and Mr. Maddox for the Governor, a memorial was presented on the part of the complainants, praying for further time for the purpose of collecting their proofs and vouchers in support of the said charges; and the counsel on the opposite side at the same time declaring, that he was not commissioned and instructed on behalf of Governor Chester, to enter upon a defence of his proceedings in the matters whereof he was accused, the Board resolved to transmit to Governor Chester a copy of the said charges, and ordered, that the draught of a letter to Governor Chester should be prepared after the usual form and manner, for that purpose; and the said draught having been prepared, was approved, transcribed and signed.

Their lordships read and considered the following Acts, together with Mr. Jackson's reports thereupon, vizt.,
Antigua.
Two Acts passed in the Island of Antigua in November and December. 1778.
Barbados.
Eight Acts passed in the Island of Barbados in March, May and September, 1778. and January, 1779.

fo. 190.

Jamaica.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty, proposing that William Lewis, esquire, may be appointed one of the Council of the Island of Jamaica, in the room of Richard Welch, esquire, resigned, having been prepared, was approved, transcribed and signed.

Trade.

Read the four following Orders of the Lords of the Privy Council, vizt.,
Order dated July 23rd, 1779. referring the petition of William Miles, praying leave to export to Newport in Rhode Island, on board the ship Three Sisters, sundry military stores, for the purpose of arming private ships of war.
fo. 191.
Order dated August 13th, 1779, referring the petition of Charles and Edward Hague, praying leave to export to Flushing, on board the ship John and Mary, sundry ordnance, for the use of ships employed in the African trade.
Order dated August 13th, 1779, referring the petition of Robert Mangles, for leave to export to Jamaica, sundry military stores, on board the ship Charlotte packet, for the use of privateers.
Order dated 18th August, 1779, referring the petition of Lester, Jeffery and Street, praying leave to export from Poole to Newfoundland, on board the several [ships] bound there, sundry military stores, for the use of the several vessels, and the defence of the plantations.

Their lordships, upon consideration of the said petitions, were of opinion, the exportation prayed for should be allowed; and the draught of four reports to the Lords of the Privy Council thereupon having been prepared, were approved, transcribed and signed.

fo. 192.

Thursday, August 26th, Present:—Mr. Eden, Mr. de Grey, Mr. Gibbon.

Lord George Germain, one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, attends.

Trade.

Read the two following Orders of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated August 20th, 1779, vizt.,
Order referring the petition of James Jones, praying leave to export to Flushing, on board the ship Aurora, sundry ordnance, for the use of ships in the African trade.
fo. 193.
Order referring the petition of James Getley, praying leave to export from Bristol to the Island of Jamaica, on board the ship Mary, sundry ordnance and stores, for arming vessels fitting out there.

Their lordships, upon consideration of the said petitions, were of opinion, that the exportation prayed for should be allowed; and the draughts of two reports to the Lords of the Privy Council thereupon having been prepared, were approved, transcribed and signed.

Africa.

The Secretary acquainted their lordships, that pursuant to order of the 19th instant, he had on the same day written to Mr. Robinson, for the information of the Lords of the Treasury, transmitting copies of papers relative to the African Committee.