Journal, April 1761

fo. 197.

Wednesday, April 1. Present:—Lord Sandys, Mr. Stone, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Yorke.

Miscellanies.

fo. 198.

A Commission under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date the 21st of March, 1761, constituting and appointing the Lord Chancellor or the Lord Keeper of the Great Seal, and several other great officers of State now and for the time being, and also Samuel, Lord Sandys, Andrew Stone, Soame Jenyns, Edward Eliot, Edward Bacon, John Yorke, Esquires, Sir Edmund Thomas, baronet and George Rice, Esquire, his Majesty's Commissioners for promoting and encouraging the trade, manufactures and colonies of Great Britain, was opened and read, as were also several clauses in the Acts of the 25th and 26th of his late Majesty, for regulating and promoting the trade to Africa and to the Levant Seas, by which certain powers and directions are vested in and given to the Commissioners for Trade and Plantations.

Plantations General.

fo. 199.

The Secretary acquainted the Board, that Mr. Major, his Majesty's Engraver, having been lately removed from that employment and another person appointed, had returned to him the instructions in writing, which had been given to him by the Board on the 2nd of December last, for his guidance and direction in preparing draughts of publick Seals for the Plantations, pursuant to an Order of his Majesty in Council; whereupon it was ordered, that the Secretary should give notice to the person appointed his Majesty's Engraver in the room of Mr. Major, to attend the Board on Friday, the 10th instant.

Read the following letters and papers received from the Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica, viz.
Jamaica.
Letter from Henry Moore, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica, dated January 2nd, 1761, containing some short observations upon two Acts lately passed for taxing non-residents and imposing a stamp duty, and inclosing,
Minutes of Council of Jamaica on the 18th and 19th of December, 1760, containing their advice to the Lieutenant Governor that he should assent to two laws for taxing non-residents and imposing a stamp duty.

fo. 200.

Ordered, that the said letter and papers be taken into further consideration, when the Acts therein referred to shall have been received.
Letter from Henry Moore, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica, dated the 3rd January, 1761, acquainting the Board that the disturbance in that island from the insurrection of the negroes had entirely ceased.
Letter from Henry Moore, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica, dated the 14th January, 1761, acquainting the Board with his having received and obeyed the orders for proclaiming his Majesty in that island, and transmitting,
Copy of the proclamation of his most sacred Majesty in the Island of Jamaica on the 10th of January, 1761.
fo. 201.
Copy of a congratulatory address to his Majesty from the Lieutenant Governor and Council of the Island of Jamaica.

Ordered, that a copy be made of the said address to the end that the original may be transmitted to Mr. Secretary Pitt, to be presented to his Majesty; and a letter to Mr. Pitt, inclosing the said address, having been prepared, was agreed to and signed.
Letter from Henry Moore, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica, dated the 20th of January, acquainting the Board with what he had done with respect to the complaint of Mr. Furnell against Mr. Witter.
fo. 202.
Copy of an address of the Lieutenant Governor, Council and Assembly of the Island of Jamaica to his Majesty, praying that the detachments from the corps in that island may be sent back, with such other reinforcements as shall be thought proper.

Ordered, that a copy be made of the said address, to the end that the original may be laid before his Majesty in Council; and a representation to his Majesty, with the said address, having been prepared, was agreed to and signed.

Trade.

Read a memorial from the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa, in relation to two free negroes taken on board a vessel bound to the West Indies and detained at Martinico.

fo. 203.

Ordered, that the Secretary do transmit a copy of the said memorial to Mr. Thomas, Governor of the Leeward Islands, and desire him to take such measures as he shall judge most proper and effectual for obtaining an order from the Governor of Martinico for the discharge of the said negroes.

The Secretary laid before the Board the following papers received from the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa, viz.
Africa.
Copy of a letter from Joseph Debat, Esquire, Governor, and the Council at James Fort, Gambia, to the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa, dated October 11th, 1760; ditto: from the Committee to the Governor and Council at Gambia, February 28th, with a postscript, March 5th, 1761; also of a letter from Mr. Mutter to the Committee, dated Cape Coast Castle, October 15th, 1760.
fo. 204.
Copy of a letter from Mr. Westgate to Mr. Senior, Cape Coast Castle, July 23rd, 1760; Mr. Senior's answer, July 23rd, 1760; Mr. Senior to Mr. Whyte, dated Cape Coast Castle, July 12th, 1760; Mr. Whyte's answer, July 18th, 1760; Act of Council at Cape Coast Castle, held on Mr. Senior's resignation, July 26th, 1760; Mr. Mutter to the Committee, Cape Coast Castle, August 10th, 1760; Mr. Senior to the Committee, Cape Coast Castle, August 12th, 1760.

New York.

Read a petition of John de Noyelles (late one of the fifty foreign officers which engaged in his Majesty's service in America, under the authority of an Act of the twenty fifth of his late Majesty), stating some hardships and difficulties he has been exposed to, with respect to his property as an alien, and praying relief.

fo. 205.

Ordered, that a copy be made of the said petition to be transmitted to the Commander in Chief of his Majesty's Province of New York, and that the draught of a letter to him, containing their lordships' sentiments and directions upon the said petition, be prepared.

South Carolina.

Read the following letters and papers received from the Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina, viz.
Letter from William Bull, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina, to the Board, dated 28th January, 1761, acquainting their lordships with his having appointed John Drayton, Esquire, a councillor, and William Simpson, Esquire, Chief Justice of that province.
fo. 206.
Letter from William Bull, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina, to the Board, dated January 29th, 1761; containing a circumstantial account of the preparations for carrying on the war, and of the state of Indian affairs; and inclosing,
Account of the vessels entered and cleared at the Port of Charles Town between 5th January, 1760, and 5th January, 1761; and of the imports and exports during the same time.
Letter from William Bull, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina, to the Board, dated February 17th, 1761; giving an account of his proceedings on the receipt of the orders for proclaiming his Majesty; of his having called a new Assembly, and of the present state of Indian affairs.
fo. 207.
Letter from William Bull, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina, dated 17th February, 1761, informing the Board, that he will endeavour to collect copies of the printed laws of that province, and transmit them to their lordships; and sending copies of laws lately passed, and other publick papers.
Minutes of Council from the 4th of July, 1759, to the 30th of June, 1760.
Minutes of the Upper House of Assembly from 23rd of November, 1758, to the 11th of March, 1760.
Minutes of Assembly from 4th February to the 20th of August, 1760.
Eight Acts passed in May, June, July and August, 1760.

fo. 208.

Ordered, that the above mentioned eight Acts be referred to Sir Matthew Lamb for his opinion thereupon in point of law.

Resolved, that Mr. Bull's letter of the 28th of January, relative to the state of the Council, be taken into consideration, when the Governor's instructions shall have been prepared.

Barbados.

Read a letter from Charles Pinfold, Esquire, Governor of Barbados, dated 13th December, 1760, giving an account of his proceedings on the receipt of the orders for proclaiming his Majesty, etc., etc., and of the present tranquillity of the island under his government.

Leeward Islands.

fo. 209.

Read a letter from George Thomas, Esquire, Governor of the Leeward Islands, dated 24th December, 1760, giving the Board an account of his proceedings on the receipt of the orders for proclaiming his Majesty, etc., etc.

Virginia.

Read a letter from Francis Fauquier, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, to the Board, dated 2nd February, 1761, acquainting their lordships that one of the four transports appointed to convey the Massachusets provincial troops from Louisbourg to Boston, had put into the province under his government in great distress.

North Carolina.

fo. 210.

Read a letter from Arthur Dobbs, Esquire, Governor of North Carolina, to the Secretary, dated 9th February, 1761, giving an account of his proceedings on the receipt of the orders for proclaiming his Majesty, etc., etc.
Minutes of Council from the 18th of November, 1760, to the 7th of February, 1761.
Council in Assembly from the 5th of November to the 6th of December, 1760.
Thirteen Acts passed the 3rd of December, 1760.

Ordered, that the abovementioned thirteen Acts be referred to Sir Matthew Lamb for his opinion thereupon in point of law.

New Jersey.

fo. 211.

Read a letter from Thomas Boone, Esquire, Governor of New Jersey, dated January 12th, 1761, acquainting the Secretary with his having received his letter, directing the transmission of three or four sets of the printed laws, and another notifying the late King's death; and desiring some regulations may be made respecting the posts passing through Perth Amboy.

Ordered, that the Secretary do transmit an extract of so much of Mr. Boone's letter, as relates to the regulation which he desires may be made in the route of the post through the Province of New Jersey, to the Secretary to the Postmaster General, to the end such directions may be given therein as shall be thought expedient and proper.

Plantations General.

fo. 212.

The Secretary laid before the Board twenty four Orders of his Majesty in Council, approving the Board's recommendation of the following persons to be governors and other officers in America, and directing the proper Commissions, warrants and draughts of instructions to be prepared, viz.

Nova Scotia.

Henry Ellis, Esquire, Governor of Nova Scotia; Jonathan Belcher, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor; Jonathan Belcher, Esquire, Chief Justice of the said province.

New York.

Robert Monckton, Esquire, Governor of New York; Cadwallader Colden, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor; Benjamin Pratt, Esquire, Chief Justice; and John Tabor Kemp, Esquire, Attorney General of the said province.

New Jersey.

Josiah Hardy, Esquire, Governor of New Jersey; Christopher Coates, Esquire, Secretary; and Joseph Warrell, Esquire, Attorney General of the said province.

North Carolina.

Thomas Falkner, Esquire, Secretary and Clerk of the Crown in North Carolina; Robert Jones, junior, Esquire, Attorney General of the said province.

South Carolina.

fo. 213.

Thomas Boone, Esquire, Governor of South Carolina; William Bull, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor; David Graeme, Esquire, Attorney General; and Charles Skinner, Esquire, Chief Justice of the said province.

Georgia.

James Wright, Esquire, Governor of Georgia; William Grover, Esquire, Chief Justice; William Clifton, Esquire, Attorney General; James Habersham, Esquire, Secretary; and Gray Elliot, Esquire, one of his Majesty's Council in the said province.

Jamaica.

Henry Moore, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica; and John Kennion, Esquire, to be of the Council in the said island.

Leeward Islands.

fo. 214.

George Thomas, Esquire, Governor of the Leeward Islands; Gilbert Fleming, Esquire, Lieutenant General of the said islands, and Lieutenant Governor of the Island of St. Christopher's; Lord Hawley, Lieutenant Governor of Antigua; Ralph Payne, Esquire, Chief Justice of the Island of St. Christopher's; and Thomas Warner, Esquire, Attorney General of the said Leeward Islands; James Johnston, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor of the Island of Nevis; and Thomas Cottle, Esquire, Sollicitor General of the said Leeward Islands.

Guadeloupe.

William Burke, Esquire, Secretary and Register of the Island of Guadeloupe.

Barbados.

Henry Freer, Esquire, a member of the Council of Barbados.

Commissions and warrants having been prepared in the usual form were approved, and representations to his Majesty thereupon were signed.

fo. 215.

Plantations General.

Ordered, that the draughts of general instructions, and of those relating to the observance of the laws of trade be prepared for the Governors of Nova Scotia, New York, New Jersey, South Carolina and Leeward Islands.

Friday, April 10. Present:—Lord Sandys, Mr. Stone, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Yorke.

Plantations General.

fo. 216.

Mr. Seaton, his Majesty's Engraver of Seals, attending without, pursuant to order, was called in, and being asked if he had received any directions for preparing draughts of new Seals for the Plantations, he said he had not, but that when he should have received any order for that purpose he should not fail to acquaint their lordships therewith; Mr. Seaton then withdrew.

Georgia.

The Secretary laid before the Board a memorial prepared by his Majesty's agent for the affairs of Georgia, to be presented to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, praying that the sum granted by Parliament for the service of that colony for the year 1761, may be issued to him in the usual manner to discharge such demands as had arisen and might arise in respect to that service; and the said memorial having been approved, it was ordered, that the agent should present it to the Lords Commissioners of his Majesty's Treasury for their lordship's directions upon it.

fo. 217.

The Secretary laid before the Board the draught of an additional instruction to the Governor of Georgia, prepared pursuant to an order of the Board of the 10th of March last, impowering and directing the said Governor to grant by patents to the possessors of lands between Savannah and Pipemaker's Creek, that quantity of land, which they severally possess by grants or allotments from the late Trustees, subject to the payment of an annual quit rent.

The said draught having been approved, was ordered to be transcribed, and the draught of a representation to his Majesty thereupon to be prepared.

Nova Scotia.

fo. 218.

The Secretary acquainted their lordships with the directions he had given pursuant to an order of the Board of the 11th of February last, for the sale of the Snow Halifax, late in the service of the Province of Nova Scotia, and at the same time laid before their lordships a letter he had received from Messrs. Devonshire and Strettele, agents at Cork for the sale of the said vessel, containing a state of their proceedings and inclosing an account of the money arising from the said sale and of what had been paid on account of wages due to the master and ship's company of the said vessel.

fo. 219.

Ordered, that a copy of the said letter and account be delivered to the Treasurer of Nova Scotia, to the end that it may be placed upon the publick accounts of the colony and the ballance due to the master of the vessell, for which he had improperly drawn upon the Secretary, be duly discharged.

Read a letter from Dr. Bearcroft, Secretary to the Society for the Propogation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, to Mr. Pownall, dated 31st of March last, inclosing the extract of a letter to him from the Society's missionary at Lunenburgh in Nova Scotia, relating to the ruinous condition of the church there.

fo. 220.

Ordered, that the Secretary do transmit a copy of the said letter and extract to the Commander in Chief of the Province of Nova Scotia, to the end that he may recommend the repairing the church at Lunenburgh to the consideration of the legislature there.

North Carolina.

Read the duplicate of a letter from Arthur Dobbs, Esquire, Governor of North Carolina, dated December 12th, 1760, acquainting the Board with his having rejected a bill for granting an aid to his Majesty, and complaining of the conduct of the Assembly in several particulars.

Their lordships, after full consideration of the said letter, agreed upon the minutes of a letter to Mr. Dobbs in answer to his, which was ordered to be prepared for their lordships' signing at the next meeting.

Virginia.

fo. 221.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council for Plantation Affairs, dated the 5th of March, 1761, referring to this Board for their consideration and report an humble address and representation of the Council and Burgesses of Virginia, respecting several laws of that colony lately repealed by his Majesty, and praying that the restriction in the Governor's instructions relative to the passing temporary laws, and repealing laws not confirmed by the Crown, may be taken off.

Ordered, that the said order of reference be taken into consideration, when the agent for the colony shall have given notice that he is prepared to attend upon it.

fo. 222.

Tuesday, April 14. Present:—Lord Sandys, Mr. Stone, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Yorke.

Georgia.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty with the draught of an additional instruction to the Governor of Georgia respecting lands between the Town of Savannah and Pipemaker's Creek, having been prepared pursuant to order, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

North Carolina.

A letter to Arthur Dobbs, Esquire, Governor of North Carolina, in answer to his of the 12th of December last, was agreed to and signed.

Nova Scotia.

fo. 223.

Their lordships then took into consideration twenty one Acts passed in the Province of Nova Scotia in December, 1759, together with Sir Matthew Lamb's report thereupon; and the said Acts having been severally read, as also Sir Matthew Lamb's report, it was ordered, that the draught of a representation to his Majesty should be prepared, proposing that the following Act should be declared void, viz.
An Act to prevent the importing disabled, infirm and other useless persons into this province.

fo. 224.

It was further ordered, that the draught of a letter to the Commander in Chief of Nova Scotia should be prepared, acquainting him that their lordships' sentiments upon the Act for preventing private trade with the Indians, are the same as those expressed in the Board's letter to him of the 3rd of March last, and also signifying to him their disapprobation of the law for raising money to build a market house by lottery, and forbidding him to assent to any law of that nature for the future.

Wednesday, April 15. Present:—Lord Sandys, Mr. Stone, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Yorke.

Nova Scotia.

fo. 225.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty, proposing the repeal of an Act passed in the Province of Nova Scotia in December, 1759, for preventing the importation of disabled, infirm and other useless persons, having been prepared pursuant to order, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Their lordships then took into further consideration an Act passed in the said province at the same time, entituled,
An Act to enable Proprietors to divide lands held in common and undivided.
and several material objections appearing to their lordships against the said Act, it was ordered, that the draught of a representation to his Majesty should be prepared, proposing that the said Act may be declared void.

New Jersey.

Read a letter from Thomas Boone, Esquire, Governor of New Jersey, dated the 15th of December last, transmitting,
fo. 226.
Memorial of Robert Hunter Morris, Esquire, claiming to be Chief Justice of that province, under a Commission granted to him in 1738, by the then Governor thereof, and desiring as such to be inserted in all Commissions of the peace and of oyer and terminer.

Ordered, that the said letter and memorial be copied to be laid before his Majesty in Council, and that the draught of a representation to his Majesty thereupon be prepared.

New York.

fo. 227.

Their lordships then took into consideration nine Acts passed in the Province of New York in 1759, together with Sir Matthew Lamb's reports thereupon; and the said Acts and reports having been severally read, it was ordered, that the said Acts should lye for future consideration, when the operation and effect of them should be further known.

Several doubts having occured to their lordships with respect to the practice, which has prevailed of some time in the Province of New York of naturalizing foreigners by Act of the Legislature there, it was agreed to take up the further consideration of this matter at another opportunity.

Friday, April 17. Present:—Lord Sandys, Mr. Stone, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Yorke.

Nova Scotia.

fo. 228.

The draught of a letter to the Commander in Chief of Nova Scotia, containing their lordships' sentiments upon several laws passed in that province in 1759, having been prepared pursuant to order, was approved, and ordered to be transcribed; as was also a representation to his Majesty, proposing the repeal of an Act of the said province passed at the same time, for enabling Proprietors to divide lands held in common, etc.

New Jersey.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty, with the copy of a letter from the Governor of New Jersey, and of a memorial presented to him by Mr. Morris, claiming to be Chief Justice of that province, having been prepared pursuant to order, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

fo. 229.

Read a letter to the Secretary from Charles Boone, Esquire, dated the 16th instant, desiring he would move the Board to intercede with his Majesty that Thomas Boone, Esquire, lately appointed Governor of South Carolina, may, on account of his private affairs, have leave to return to England from New Jersey, before he goes to his government of South Carolina.

Ordered, that the draught of a representation to his Majesty be prepared, proposing that Mr. Boone may have leave to return to England, agreeable to his brother's request.

Massachusetts.

fo. 230.

Their lordships then took into consideration twenty six Acts passed in the Province of Massachusets Bay between January and April, 1760, together with Sir Matthew Lamb's report upon several of the said laws; and the said laws having been severally read, as also Sir Matthew Lamb's report thereupon, it was ordered, that the draught of a letter to the Governor of the Massachusets Bay should be prepared, expressing the Board's dissatisfaction at the practice, which has of late so much prevailed in that province of raising money for temporary and inconsiderable services by lottery.

Ordered, that an Act passed in the said province in February, 1760, for regulating fees, be taken into further consideration on Friday the 25th instant, and that the agent for the province have notice to attend on that day.

Trade.

fo. 231.

Read a letter from the Secretary to the Commissioners of the Customs, to Mr. Pownall, dated the 16th of April, transmitting the leidger of exports and imports for the year 1758.

Tuesday, April 21. Present:—Lord Sandys, Mr. Stone, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Bacon.

Nova Scotia.

fo. 232.

The draught of a letter to the Commander in Chief of Nova Scotia, containing their lordships' sentiments upon several laws passed in that province in 1759, having been transcribed pursuant to order, was signed; as was also a representation to his Majesty proposing the repeal of an Act passed in that province at the same time, for enabling Proprietors to divide lands held in common.

South Carolina.

Massachusetts.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty, proposing that Mr. Boone, Governor of South Carolina, may have leave to come to England before he goes to his government, having been prepared pursuant to order, was agreed to, transcribed and signed; as was also a letter to the Governor of Massachusets Bay, expressing their lordships' disapprobation of the practice which has of late prevailed in that province of raising money for temporary and inconsiderable services by lottery.

Virginia.

fo. 233.

Read a letter from Francis Fauquier, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, dated February 17th, 1761, containing an account of the ceremonial of proclaiming his Majesty in that province.

Massachusetts.

The Secretary laid before the Board, draughts of general instructions and of those relating to the observance of the laws of trade, prepared for the Governor of Massachusets Bay, pursuant to an order of the Board of the 4th of March last; and the said draughts having been read, were approved with some alterations and additions, and it was ordered that the draught of a representation to his Majesty thereupon should be prepared.

fo. 234.

Wednesday, April 22. Present:—Lord Sandys, Mr. Stone, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Yorke.

Massachusetts.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty with draughts of general instructions, and of those for the observance of the laws of trade, for the Governor of the Massachusets, having been prepared pursuant to order, was approved and ordered to be transcribed.

Plantations General.

Ordered, that the Secretary do prepare a draught of heads of enquiry, relative to the state of his Majesty's Plantations in America, to be transmitted to the several Governors thereof, and also the draught of a letter to accompany the same.

Georgia.

fo. 235.

Read a letter from James Wright, Esquire, Governor of Georgia, dated the 20th of February, 1761, acquainting the Board with the ceremonial of the proclamation of his Majesty in that province, and that he had reprieved a person under sentence of death for murther, until his Majesty's pleasure should be known.

Ordered, that an extract be made of so much of the said letter, as relates to the reprieve of the person under sentence of death for murther, to be laid before his Majesty, and that the draught of a letter to Mr. Secretary Pitt therewith be prepared.

fo. 236.

Virginia.

North Carolina.

Barbados.

Jamaica.

The Secretary laid before the Board draughts of general instructions and of those for the observance of the laws of trade, for the Governors of Virginia, North Carolina, Barbados and Jamaica, prepared pursuant to order of the 4th of March, and the said draughts having been read, were agreed to, with several alterations and additions, and it was ordered that draughts of representations to his Majesty thereupon should be prepared.

Friday, April 24. Present:—Lord Sandys, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Yorke.

Massachusetts.

fo. 237.

Their lordships took into further consideration an Act passed in the Province of Massachusets Bay in February, 1760, for regulating fees, and Mr. Bollan, agent for the said province, attending without, pursuant to order, he was called in; and the points upon which the Act appeared to their lordships to be liable to objection, having been fully stated to him, he said that he was not prepared at present, on account of a close attendance upon the Treasury Board, to answer to those objections; but urged some arguments to shew the expediency of a new regulation of fees, which their lordships observed to him, was not at present the question before them, and therefore it was agreed, that the further consideration of the Act should be postponed to Tuesday, the 5th of May, when Mr. Bollan was desired to attend, prepared to answer to those objections, which had been stated to him.

fo. 238.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty with draughts of general instructions, and of those for the observance of the laws of trade for the Governor of Massachusets Bay, having been transcribed pursuant to order, was signed.

Virginia.

Barbados.

Jamaica.

The draughts of representation to his Majesty, with draughts of general instructions and of those for the observance of the laws of trade for the Governors of Virginia, Barbados and Jamaica, having been prepared pursuant to order, were approved and ordered to be transcribed.

Georgia.

The draught of a letter to Mr. Secretary Pitt, with the extract of one from the Lieutenant Governor of Georgia, relating to a reprieve granted by him to a person under sentence of death for murther, having been prepared pursuant to order, was approved and ordered to be transcribed.

Plantations General.

fo. 239.

The Secretary laid before the Board a draught of heads of enquiry, relative to the state of his Majesty's Plantations in America, prepared pursuant to order, to be transmitted to the respective Governors of the said plantations; and the said draught having been approved, with several alterations and additions, it was ordered, that fair copies should be made thereof for each colony, and the draught of a letter, to accompany the said heads of enquiry, having been also prepared, was approved and ordered to be transcribed.

Tuesday, April 28. Present:—Lord Sandys, Mr. Stone, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Yorke.

Newfoundland.

fo. 240.

Read a letter from Mr. Secretary Pitt, dated April 13th, 1761, signifying his Majesty's commands that this Board should prepare, to be laid before his Majesty, draughts of a Commission and instructions for Captain James Webb, his Majesty having been pleased to direct that he should be appointed Governor of Newfoundland; and the said draughts were accordingly ordered to be prepared.

Georgia.

Virginia.

Barbados.

Jamaica.

Plantations General.

fo. 241.

The draught of a letter to Mr. Secretary Pitt, with the extract of one from the Lieutenant Governor of Georgia, relating to a reprieve granted by him to a person under sentence of death for murther, having been transcribed pursuant to order, was signed; as were also three representations to his Majesty, with the draughts of general instructions, and of those relating to the observance of the laws of trade, for the Governors of Virginia, Barbados and Jamaica; and also letters to the Governors of his Majesty's Plantations, with heads of enquiry respecting the state of the said plantations.

New York.

Bermuda.

New Hampshire.

The Secretary laid before the Board draughts of general instructions and of those relating to the observance of the laws of trade, prepared pursuant to order, for the Governors of New York, Bermuda and New Hampshire, and the same having been approved, with several alterations, it was ordered that they should be transcribed; and draughts of representations to his Majesty thereupon prepared.

Wednesday, April 29. Present:—Lord Sandys, Mr. Stone, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Bacon.

Newfoundland.

fo. 242.

The Secretary laid before the Board the draughts of a Commission and instructions for the Governor of Newfoundland, prepared pursuant to order, and the said draughts having been approved, with some alterations in the draught of instructions, were ordered to be transcribed, and a representation to his Majesty, with the draught of the Commission, was signed.

Ordered, that the draught of a representation to his Majesty, with the instructions for the Governor of Newfoundland, be prepared.

New Jersey.

Georgia.

fo. 243.

The Secretary also laid before the Board draughts of general instructions and of those relating to the observance of the laws of trade, prepared pursuant to order, for the Governors of New Jersey and Georgia, and the said draughts having been approved, with some alterations and additions, it was ordered, that they should be transcribed, and draughts of representations to his Majesty thereupon prepared.

South Carolina.

Their lordships took into consideration the state of his Majesty's Council for the Province of South Carolina, and ordered a representation to his Majesty to be prepared, proposing that Charles Skinner, John Drayton and John Rattray, Esquires, may be appointed to fill up three vacancies in the said Council, occasioned by the resignation of George Saxby and Edward Fenwick, Esquires, and by the death of John Cleland, Esquire.