Journal, April 1762

Thursday, April 1. Present:—Lord Sandys, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice, Mr. Roberts.

Virginia.

fo. 113.

Read a letter from the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, dated Williamsburg, November 30th, 1761, relating to the settlement of lands to the westward of the Alleghany Mountains, and proposing that commissioners should be appointed to ascertain the boundary line between Pennsylvania and Virginia, jointly with the commissioners appointed by the Proprietors of Pennsylvania, to run the division line between that province and Maryland; also transmitting,
Release from the Indians of the Six Nations of all the lands in Virginia, made at the Treaty at Lancaster in 1744.
Confirmation of the said deed of release by the Ohio Indians made at Logstown in 1752.
Conference between the King's generals, governors, etc., and the Western Indians since the Treaty at Easton.

Ordered, that the said letter and papers be taken into consideration on Tuesday next, and that the Proprietors of Pennsylvania be desired to attend.

Georgia.

fo. 114.

Read a letter from James Wright, Esquire, Governor of Georgia, dated the 28th of December, 1761, desiring their lordships' directions for the disposition of a sum of money in his hands, which has arisen by the sale of some forfeited lots of lands near the Town of Savannah.

Ordered, that the said letter be taken into consideration on Wednesday next, and that the agent be directed to attend.

Newfoundland.

fo. 115.

Their lordships took into consideration the memorial of Messrs. Bradford, Northcott, Luckman and Mortimer, praying that some improvements, which they have made in the harbour of White's Arm in Newfoundland for carrying on the fishery, may be confirmed to them by grant from the Crown; and it appearing that the species of property, which they desire may be confirmed to them by the Crown, is confirmed to them by the provisions of the Act of the 10th and 11th of William the third, for regulating the Newfoundland fishery, and that what they propose is fully provided for by the said Act, their lordships did not think it necessary to proceed any further in this business, and the Secretary was ordered to acquaint the memorialists, who were appointed to attend tomorrow, with their lordships' resolution herein.

Jamaica.

Antigua.

The Secretary laid before the Board two Orders of his Majesty in Council of the 15th of February last, repealing five Acts passed in the Island of Jamaica in the years 1756, 1759 and 1761; also an Order of his Majesty in Council of the 11th of March last, repealing an Act passed in the Island of Antigua in April, 1761; and the Secretary was directed to transmit the said orders to the respective Governors of Jamaica and the Leeward Islands, together with copies of their lordships' representations to his Majesty upon the said Acts, dated the 27th of January, and 1st of March last.

fo. 116.

Tuesday, April 6. Present:—Lord Sandys, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Roberts.

Nova Scotia.

Their lordships had under consideration the draught of a Bill, ordered to be brought into the House of Commons, for importing salt from Europe into the Colony of Nova Scotia in America.

Virginia.

fo. 117.

Their lordships took into further consideration the letter from the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, mentioned in the minutes of Thursday last, relating to the settlement of lands to the westward of the Alleghany Mountains, and proposing that commissioners should be appointed to ascertain the boundary line between Pennsylvania and Virginia, jointly with the commissioners appointed by the Proprietors of Pennsylvania to run the division line between that province and Maryland; and Thomas Penn, Esquire, one of the Proprietaries of the Province of Pennsylvania, attending as desired, their lordships had some discourse with him upon both the points contained in the said letter; and in respect to the first of these points, Mr. Penn stated to their lordships the nature of the agreement made by his agents with the Indians at the Treaty at Easton, in so far as that agreement related to the lands lying to the westward of the Alleghany Mountains.

fo. 118.

With respect to the second point contained in the said letter, Mr. Penn said, that he had no intention at present of running the boundary line of his province further to the westward than the western limits of Maryland; that he thought that such a measure would give discontent and umbrage to the Indians, and that he should at no time proceed to run the line beyond the extent of Lord Baltimore's grant, without giving previous notice to the Crown.

Mr. Penn being withdrawn, it was ordered, that so much of Mr. Fauquier's letter, as relates to the settlement of lands to the westward of the Alleghany Mountains, be taken into consideration tomorrow morning; and it appearing that General Stanwix had, during his command at Pittsburg, conferences with the Indians upon this subject, it was ordered, that the Secretary do request the favor of his attendance at the Board tomorrow morning.

Nova Scotia.

Their lordships had under consideration Mr. McNutt's memorial, containing proposals for the introduction of settlers into Nova Scotia from the North of Ireland.

fo. 119.

Virginia.

The Secretary laid before the Board two private Acts passed in Virginia in April, 1761, entituled,
An Act to dock the intail of certain lands whereof Carter Henry Harrison is seized, and for settling other lands to the same uses.
An Act to impower the executors of the will of Gawin Corbin, gentleman, deceased, to sell certain entailed lands and slaves for the payment of his debts, and for settling other lands of greater value to the same uses.

fo. 120.

The said Acts having been read, and also Sir Mathew Lamb's report upon them, and it appearing, that they had passed through all the necessary forms required by his Majesty's instructions, and had also clauses inserted therein suspending their execution, untill his Majesty's pleasure should be known, it was ordered, that the draught of a representation to his Majesty should be prepared, proposing that they may be confirmed.

Read a letter from Francis Fauquier, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, dated the 24th of February, 1762, containing his observations upon an Act, lately passed there, for securing the credit of the paper currency, relating also to the mode of appointing the Provincial Treasurer, and acquainting the Board that the regiment, raised there for his Majesty's service, had been disbanded, upon intelligence received that a peace had been made with the Cherokees.

The Secretary laid before the Board the following publick papers received with the above letter from Mr. Fauquier, viz.
fo. 121.
Journal of the General Assembly from October 6th, 1760, to April 10th, 1761.
Ditto, from November 3rd, 1761, to the 14th of the same month.
Journal of the House of Burgesses from October 6th, 1760, to the 20th of January, 1762.
Ditto, from the 3rd to the 14th of November, 1761.
Ditto, from the 14th to the 21st of January, 1762.
Account of his Majesty's revenue of quit rents, etc., arising within the Colony of Virginia for the year 1760.
Account of his Majesty's revenue of 2/- per hogshead, etc., from the 25th of April, 1761, to the 25th of October following.
Naval Officers' lists of the several ports in Virginia for the year 1761.
Sixteen Acts passed in Virginia in November, 1761, and January, 1762.

fo. 122.

Ordered, that the Acts be sent to Sir Mathew Lamb for his opinion upon them in point of law.

Wednesday, April 7. Present:—Lord Sandys, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Roberts.

Virginia.

fo. 123.

Their lordships took into further consideration so much of Mr. Fauquier's letter, as relates to the settlement of lands to the westward of the Alleghany Mountains; and General Stanwix attending as desired, their lordships had some conversation with him upon this subject, and he gave it as his opinion that the making settlements upon the lands to the westward of the Alleghany Mountains, would infallibly irritate and provoke the Indians, and might be attended with fatal consequences.

General Stanwix being withdrawn, several minutes were taken, from which the Secretary was ordered to prepare the draught of a letter to Mr. Fauquier containing their lordships' sentiments and directions, as well upon that part of his letter to the Board, which relates to the making settlements on the lands to the westward of the Alleghany Mountains, as upon that part of it, which relates to the boundary line between Virginia and Pennsylvania.

Georgia.

fo. 124.

Their lordships took into consideration the letter from Mr. Wright, Governor of Georgia, mentioned in the minutes of the 1st instant, and several minutes were taken, from which the Secretary was ordered to prepare the draught of a letter in answer thereto.

Nova Scotia.

Their lordships then took into consideration Mr. Alexander McNutt's further proposals for introducing settlers into Nova Scotia; and, after some time spent therein, it was ordered, that the draught of a representation to his Majesty should be prepared, containing their lordships' opinion upon the said proposals.

New York.

Read a letter to the Secretary from Mr. Charles, agent for New York, dated the 6th instant, desiring a copy of Sir Mathew Lamb's report upon an Act lately passed in New York, for the more effectual collecting his Majesty's quit rents, etc. and desiring that he may be heard by himself or his counsel upon the said Act, if objected to.

fo. 125.

Ordered, that the Secretary do acquaint Mr. Charles, that a day will be appointed immediately after the Easter Holidays to consider of the said Act, when their lordships will also take into consideration the request contained in his letter.

Nova Scotia.

Ordered, that the Secretary do transmit to the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia copies of their lordships' several orders and resolutions, upon a consideration of his letters to them of the 3rd of November, 1761, and 11th of January last, and also a copy of the estimate, laid before Parliament, of what will be necessary for the support of the civil establishment of that colony for the year 1762.

North Carolina.

New York.

fo. 126.

The Secretary laid before the Board two Orders of his Majesty in Council, dated the 11th of March last, repealing three Acts lately passed in North Carolina, and one Act passed in New York.

Ordered, that the Secretary do transmit the said orders of repeal to the respective Governors of New York and North Carolina, together with copies of their lordships' representations to his Majesty in Council upon the said Acts.

Thursday, April 8. Present:—Lord Sandys, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Roberts.

Nova Scotia.

fo. 127.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty, containing the opinion of the Board upon Mr. Alexander McNutt's further proposals for introducing settlers into Nova Scotia, having been prepared pursuant to order, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Virginia.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty, proposing the confirmation of two private Acts passed in the Colony of Virginia in April, 1761, having been prepared pursuant to order, was agreed to, transcribed and signed; as was also the draught of a letter to the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, containing their lordships' sentiments and directions upon those parts of his letter to the Board, which relate to the making settlements on the lands to the westward of the Alleghany Hills and the boundary line between Virginia and Pennsylvania.

Georgia.

The draught of a letter to James Wright, Esquire, Governor of Georgia, in answer to one from him, dated the 28th of December, 1761, having been prepared pursuant to order, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

fo. 128.

Miscellanies.

The Secretary laid before the Board an account of the petty expences and incidental charges of this office, from the 5th of January to the (fn. 1) 5th instant, amounting in the whole to four hundred, forty one pounds, fourteen shillings; and a letter to the Lords of the Treasury, desiring payment thereof, and of the salaries due to the Secretary and under officers in the service of this Board, was signed.

fo. 129.

Tuesday, April 20. Present:—Lord Sandys, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Yorke, Sir Edmund Thomas, Mr. Roberts.

Leeward Islands.

Their lordships took into consideration the letter from the Governor of the Leeward Islands, mentioned in the minutes of the 26th of March, notifying his appointment of William Warner, Esquire, to be of the Council of Antigua, and it was ordered, that the draught of a representation to his Majesty should be prepared, proposing a confirmation of the said appointment.

Nova Scotia.

fo. 130.

Read a memorial of Sir Allan McLean, bart., praying for a grant of two hundred thousand acres of land upon the River St. John's in Nova Scotia, on condition of settling thereon four hundred families within a limited time.

Ordered, that the said proposal be taken into further consideration on Wednesday the 28th instant, and that notice be given to the memorialist to attend on that day.

Wednesday, April 21. Present:—Lord Sandys, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Eliot, Sir Edmund Thomas, Mr. Roberts.

New York.

fo. 131.

The Secretary laid before the Board an Act passed in the Province of New York in January last, entituled, an Act for the more effectual collecting his Majesty's quitrents in the Colony of New York, and for partition of lands in order thereto; and the said Act having been read, together with Sir Mathew Lamb's report thereupon, and also several other papers, relative to proceedings of this Board upon former Acts of the like kind passed in this province, it was agreed to take the same into further consideration tomorrow morning.

Thursday, April 22. Present:—Lord Sandys, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Yorke, Sir Edmund Thomas.

Leeward Islands.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty, proposing that William Warner, Esquire, may be appointed of the Council of Antigua, having been prepared pursuant to order, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

fo. 132.

New York.

Their lordships took into further consideration an Act lately passed in the Province of New York, for the more effectual collecting his Majesty's quitrents, and for partition of lands in order thereto, and, after some time spent thereon, it was agreed to take the same into further consideration tomorrow morning, and the Secretary was ordered to give notice thereof to the Auditor General of his Majesty's Revenues in America, and to desire the favor of his attendance.

fo. 133.

Friday, April 23. Present:—Lord Sandys, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Yorke, Sir Edmund Thomas.

New York.

The Secretary having acquainted the Board that Mr. Cholmondely, the Auditor General of his Majesty's Revenues in America, who was desired to attend today upon the subject matter of the New York Act, mentioned in the preceding minutes, was not in town, their lordships agreed to postpone the further consideration of the said Act to Wednesday next, the 28th instant.

Plantations General.

fo. 134.

The Secretary acquainted the Board with the result of several conferences, which he had with his Majesty's Advocate and Attorney General upon the subject matter of a Bill, proposed to be offered to the consideration of Parliament, for the more speedy and effectual trial and punishment of persons guilty of murder within the Admiralty jurisdiction in the Plantations, mentioned in the minutes of the 23rd of March last; and the draught of a Bill for this purpose having been accordingly read and considered, it was agreed to, and Lord Sandys was desired to present the same to the House of Lords.

Trade.

Africa.

The following papers received from the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa, were laid before the Board and read, viz.
Copy of a letter from Joseph Debat, Esquire, Governor, and the Council at James Fort, Gambia, 20th August, 1761, to the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa.
fo. 135.
Copy of a letter from Charles Bell, Esquire, Governor of Cape Coast Castle, to the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa, dated 10th September, 1761.
Copy of a letter from the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa, to the Governor and Council of James Fort, Gambia, March 1st and 17th, 1762.

Wednesday, April 28. Present:—Lord Sandys, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Yorke, Sir Edmund Thomas.

Nova Scotia.

Resolved, that the consideration of Sir Allan McLean's petition, praying for a grant of land upon the River St. John's in Nova Scotia, be postponed to another opportunity, and that the Secretary do give notice thereof to the memorialist.

fo. 136.

New York.

The Secretary having acquainted the Board that the Auditor General of his Majesty's Revenues in America was not yet returned from the country, it was resolved that the New York Act for the better collecting his Majesty's quit rents and for partition of lands, should be taken into further consideration at another opportunity.

Jamaica.

Read a letter from William Henry Lyttelton, Esquire, Governor of Jamaica, dated February 27th, 1762, containing an account of the further intelligence he had received of the enemy's design to invade that island, and the measures he had taken to put it into a posture of defence; and inclosing,
Copy of a letter from Rear Admiral Rodney to Charles Holmes, Esquire, dated January 23rd, 1762.
fo. 137.
Copy of a manifesto dated at Madrid, the 15th of December, 1761.
Deposition of Moses Pereira da Costa, lately arrived from Port au Prince, containing further intelligence concerning the design of the enemy.
Extract of a letter from Captain William Lesly of his Majesty's ship Port Royal to Arthur Forrest, Esquire.
Governor's speeches to the General Assembly on the 4th of February and their addresses in answer.

Georgia.

fo. 138.

Read a letter from James Wright, Esquire, Governor of Georgia, dated 20th February, 1762, containing an account of the measures he has taken to put the province into a better state of defence; also acquainting the Board with the death of Sir Patrick Houston, one of the Council, Register of Grants and Receiver of Quit Rents; with the particulars of some negroes and cattle escheated to his Majesty by the death of a half breed Indian without heirs, and with the appointment of a person to be joint agent with Mr. Martyn for the affairs of that province; also transmitting,
Answers to the Board's general heads of inquiry relative to the state of that province.
Minutes of Council from the 3rd of July to the 15th of September, 1761.
Two Acts passed the 19th of December, 1761.

Ordered, that the Acts be sent to Sir Mathew Lamb for his opinion thereupon in point of law.

fo. 139.

Ordered, that an extract be made of so much of Mr. Wright's letter, as relates to the negroes and cattle escheated to his Majesty by the death of a half breed Indian without heirs, to be laid before his Majesty in Council, and that the draught of a representation to his Majesty thereupon be prepared.

South Carolina.

Read a letter from Thomas Boone, Esquire, Governor of South Carolina, dated Charles Town, February 28th, 1762, acquainting the Board with the good effects of the peace made with the Cherokees, and with the measures he is taking to establish a trade with them; also transmitting,
Minutes of Council from the 1st of July, 1760, to the 18th of December, 1761.
Journals of the General Assembly from the 6th of October, 1760, to the 18th of December, 1761.
Two Ordinances and eight Acts passed in January, June and July, 1761.

fo. 140.

Ordered, that the Acts be sent to Sir Mathew Lamb for his opinion thereupon in point of law.

Maryland.

Read a letter from Horatio Sharpe, Esquire, Deputy Governor of Maryland, dated the 14th of January, 1762, inclosing his answers to the Board's general heads of enquiry, relative to the present state of that province.

fo. 141.

Friday, April 30. Present:—Lord Sandys, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Yorke, Sir Edmund Thomas.

Trade.

Russia.

Their lordships took into consideration the Earl of Bute's letter, dated the 17th day of August, 1761, referring to them the project of a treaty of commerce with Russia, offerred on the part of the late Zarina, and several papers upon the books of this office, relative to the negociations for a treaty of commerce with Russia in 1734, were read and considered.

Footnotes