Journal, April 1764

fo. 141.

Tuesday, April 3rd. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice, Lord Orwell, Mr. Gascoyne.

Nova Scotia.

Mr. Gerish, now upon his departure for Nova Scotia, attending without was called in, and a box containing his Majesty's Commission to Governor Wilmot, the general instructions and those relating to the observance of the laws of trade, together with a letter from the Board to the Governor, and other papers, was delivered to him, which he was desired to take charge of.

fo. 142.

One of the Clerks of the Council having desired, that a copy might be made, for the use of the Lord President, of the Board's representation to his Majesty on the Earl of Egmont's first memorial, ordered, that a copy be immediately made thereof and delivered to him.

Wednesday, April 4th. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice, Lord Orwell, Mr. Gascoyne.

Bermuda.

The draught of a Commission for George James Bruere, esquire, to be Governor of the Bermuda Islands, having been prepared pursuant to order, was approved, and a representation to his Majesty thereupon agreed to, transcribed and signed; as was also a letter to the Earl of Halifax inclosing the same.

fo. 143.

Nova Scotia.

Messrs. Mure, Cathcart and Spence attending without were called in; and after some conversation with their lordships relative to the settlements they are desirous of making on the Island of St. John, they withdrew.

Friday, April 6th. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice, Lord Orwell, Mr. Gascoyne.

Grenada.

Read a memorial of Robert Melvill, esquire, Governor of the Island of Grenada, and the islands dependent thereon, proposing that the number of the members of the Council for the said islands may be augmented beyond what is mentioned in the 2nd Article of his Majesty's Instructions to the said Governor.

Virginia.

Mr. Montague, agent for the Colony of Virginia, attending, was called in; and had some discourse with their lordships on the subject of the Bill now depending in Parliament, respecting the paper bills of his Majesty's colonies in North America, and then he withdrew.

Mr. Athawes likewise attending was called in, and delivered to the Board a paper containing an article which he thought might properly be inserted in the abovementioned Bill, and had some conversation with their lordships thereupon.

fo. 145.

Saturday, April 7th. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice, Lord Orwell.

Trade.

Sir George Younge presented to the Board a memorial from nine of the proprietors of the salt rock pits in and about Northwich, containing an account of the late contract with Mr. Ryngaut, and proposing that an exclusive trade should be allowed to him; and after some discourse with their lordships on that subject, he withdrew.

Grenada.

Read an Order of Council of the 26th of March, 1764, approving a plan and proclamation for the more speedy and effectual settlement of his Majesty's Island of Grenada, etc.

Ordered, that the plan be copied, and a copy of the same be delivered to Governor Melvill.

fo. 146.

Plantations General.

Read a letter from Samuel Holland, esquire, Surveyor General of the Northern District of North America, to the Secretary, dated the 6th of April, 1764, desiring the Board's directions for the regulation of his conduct as Surveyor General of the Northern District, and containing further proposals relative to the service he is intrusted with.

Ordered, that Captain Holland's Commission as Surveyor General be entered in one of the books of this office; and several minutes were taken, from which the Secretary was directed to draw up instructions for regulating Mr. Holland's conduct and proceedings in the survey of the colonies within the said district.

Newfoundland.

fo. 147.

Read a letter from the Earl of Halifax to the Board, dated the 5th of April, 1764, signifying the King's pleasure upon the additional instructions for the Governor of Newfoundland respecting the French fishery, and that they be inserted in the draught of general instructions preparing for the Governor of Newfoundland, and inclosing,
Copy of a letter from the Lords of the Admiralty to the Earl of Halifax, dated the 3rd of April, 1764, relative to the proper day at which the fishing season on the Coasts of Newfoundland should be understood to expire.

Ordered, that the said additional instructions be incorporated into the draught of instructions preparing for the Governor of Newfoundland.

fo. 148.

Tuesday, April 10th. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice, Lord Orwell, Mr. Gascoyne.

Newfoundland.

The Secretary laid before the Board a draught of instructions for the Governor of Newfoundland, prepared pursuant to their lordships' order, and the said draught having been approved, a representation to his Majesty thereupon was signed.

fo. 149.

Friday, April 13th. Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Rice, Lord Orwell, Mr. Gascoyne.

Grenada.

Their lordships had some conversation with Governor Melvill, upon the subject matter of the appointment of a Council for the islands under his government; and a representation to his Majesty, proposing certain persons to be of the said Council, and containing other propositions with respect to the said Council, was agreed to and signed.

Trade.

fo. 150.

Mr. Rossiter and others, being a Committee of the Company of Felt Makers of the City of London, attended and presented to the Board a minute of the proceedings of a General Court of the Masters, Wardens and Assistants of the said Company, held on the 2nd of April, 1764, by which it was unanimously ordered, that the thanks of that Court should be given to this Board for their lordships' countenance and support in the application for the Bill "for repealing the duties payable upon beaver skins imported, and making other regulations respecting that commodity."

East Florida.

Read a memorial of the Governor of East Florida, setting forth the expediency of establishing a schooner for the service of that colony, and inclosing an estimate of the expence of such establishment.

fo. 151.

Their lordships, upon consideration of the said memorial and estimate, directed the Secretary to transmit copies of them to the Secretary to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, to be laid before the Board, to the end that, if they thought such service expedient and proper, it might be provided for in like manner as the same establishment is provided for in the Colony of Georgia.

Quebec, West Florida, Grenada.

Read an Order of Council on the 11th of April, 1764, approving new Seals for the Colonies of Quebec, West Florida and the Grenada Islands, and directing this Board to prepare draughts of warrants to the Governors for using the said Seals, and when the said warrants shall have been signed by his Majesty, to transmit them with the said Seals to the respective Governors.

fo. 152.

Warrants having been accordingly prepared in the usual form, were approved, and a letter to Lord Halifax inclosing them, and desiring him to lay them before his Majesty for his royal signature, was signed.

East Florida, West Florida.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council for Plantation Affairs, dated the 7th of March, 1764, that this Board do prepare and lay before them draughts of additional instructions for the Governors of East and West Florida, requiring them not to admit claims of lands in those provinces, under grants from the Spaniards, except the same shall have been approved of by his Majesty's law officers here.

fo. 153.

The draught of an additional instruction to the said Governors, conformable to the order, was prepared and approved, and a report to the Lords of the Committee of Council thereupon was signed.

Trade, Africa.

Read a letter to Mr. Pownall from Samuel Poirier, esquire, Secretary to the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa, signifying the desire of the Committee to receive their lordships' directions upon the following paper, vizt.,
Copy of a letter from the Governor and Council of James Fort, Gambia to the African Committee, dated the 29th of January, 1764, containing an account of the re-establishment of the French factory at Albreda in the River Gambia.

fo. 154.

An extract having been made of so much of the said letter as relates to the re-establishment of the French factory at Albreda, a letter to the Earl of Halifax, inclosing the said extract, and desiring him to lay it before his Majesty, was signed.

Ordered, that the Secretary do acquaint the Committee with the step their lordships have thought proper to take upon this occasion.

Tuesday, April 17th. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Eliot, Lord Orwell, Mr. Gascoyne.

Plantations General, Quebec.

fo. 155.

The Secretary laid before the Board a letter from him to Captain Holland, appointed Surveyor of Lands for the Northern District of North America, containing instructions with respect to the execution of that office, which was approved and delivered to Captain Holland; who was likewise entrusted with the care of a box containing a letter to the Governor of Quebec, signed this day by the Board, and also his Commission and instructions, and other publick papers.

East Florida, West Florida.

Their lordships took into consideration the estimates of the civil establishment of the Colonies of East Florida and West Florida, and it was ordered, that the draughts of letters to the Governors, containing the Board's directions upon the several articles of the said estimates should be prepared.

Newfoundland.

fo. 156.

Read a letter from the Mayor of Waterford to the Secretary, dated the 9th of February, 1764, acquainting him with the opinion of the merchants of that city trading to Newfoundland, that the establishment of a complete form of civil government there would not be advantageous to the trade and fishery of that island.

Read a letter from Arthur Holdsworth, esquire, to the Secretary, dated the 29th of March, 1764, containing the sentiments of the merchants of Dartmouth respecting the form of government in Newfoundland.

Read a letter from the Mayor of Dartmouth to the Secretary, dated January 31st, 1764, in answer to one from him, giving the reason why the answer from the merchants, on the expediency of establishing a compleat form of civil government in Newfoundland, has not yet been made.

Trade.

Read a letter from William Wood, esquire, Secretary to the Commissioners of the Customs, to the Secretary, dated the 3rd of April, 1764, inclosing,
fo. 157.
An account of the quantity of fir and oak timber, oak plank, balks, battens, deals, masts, spars and staves, imported into England from Christmas 1752 to Christmas 1762, distinguishing each year, etc.
The like account of the quantity of rough flax and flax seed for the same year.
The like account of the quantity of iron imported from Christmas 1742 to Christmas 1762.

Africa.

Read the following papers received from the Secretary to the Company of Merchants trading to Africa, viz.,
Copys of two letters from the Governor and Council of Cape Coast Castle to the African Committee, dated 15th and 27th of August, 1763; also of an Act of Council there, 15th August, 1763.
fo. 158.
Copies of two letters from the African Committee to the Governor and Council of Cape Coast Castle, dated December 31st, 1763 and 11th of January, 1764.
Letter from Samuel Poirier, esquire, Secretary to the African Committee, dated 2nd of April, 1764, inclosing,
Copy of a letter from the African Committee to the Governor and Council of Cape Coast Castle, dated the 31st of March, 1764.
Copy of a letter from the Governor and Council of James Fort, Gambia to the African Committee, dated 16th December, 1763.

East and West Florida.

Read a letter from Dr. Burton to the Secretary, dated the 19th of March, 1764, presenting the thanks of the Society for the propagation of the Gospel in foreign parts to the Board, and requesting that houses may be provided for the missionaries, and assistance given them till they are settled.

fo. 159.

Thursday, April 19th. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Rice, Lord Orwell, Mr. Gascoyne.

Newfoundland.

Read a letter from the Earl of Halifax, dated March 29th, 1764, signifying his Majesty's commands, that this Board should consider and report their opinion upon the following paper transmitted with the said letter, vizt.,
Copy of Count Guerchy's memorial upon the position of Pointe Riche in Newfoundland.

Read a letter from Edward Sedgwick, esquire, Secretary to the Earl of Halifax, to the Board, dated April the 3rd, 1764, inclosing,
Extract of Mr. Prior's letter to Lord Bolingbroke, Paris, 8th of January N.S. 1713, relative to Pointe Riche and Cap Raye.

fo. 160.

Their lordships, after full consideration of the abovementioned letter and papers, ordered the draught of a representation to his Majesty thereupon to be prepared.

Quebec, West Florida, Grenada.

Read a letter from the Earl of Halifax, dated 17th instant, inclosing three warrants signed by his Majesty, impowering the Governors of Quebec, West Florida and the Grenada Islands to use the Seals prepared for those colonies.

Ordered, that the Seal for the Province of Quebec, together with the warrant for using it, be put up in the box for Governor Murray, entrusted to the care of Captain Holland; and the other Seals and warrants be delivered by the Secretary to the respective Governors.

fo. 161.

Friday, April 20th. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Rice, Lord Orwell, Mr. Gascoyne.

Newfoundland.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty, in answer to the French Ambassador's memorial concerning the position of Pointe Riche, having been prepared pursuant to order, was agreed to, transcribed and signed; as was also a letter to the Earl of Halifax desiring him to lay it before his Majesty.

Trade, Africa.

Read a letter from the Earl of Halifax, dated yesterday, signifying his Majesty's commands, that the Board should prepare and lay before his Majesty, a state of the British right to Albreda in the River Gambia.

fo. 162.

Ordered, that the Secretary do write to the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa, desiring them to furnish the Board with all such information touching this factory, as they are able to procure, or the records in their possession will furnish.

Quebec.

Read a letter from Charles Jenkinson, esquire, Secretary to the Lords of the Treasury, to Mr. Pownall, dated 17th of April, 1764, desiring him to move the Board for such part of the instructions to the Governor of Quebec, as relates to the revenue of that province.

Ordered, that an extract be made and delivered to Mr. Jenkinson, of such parts of the King's instructions to the Governor of Quebec as relates to the revenue.

fo. 163.

Monday, April 30th. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice, Lord Orwell, Mr. Gascoyne.

Newfoundland.

Read a letter from Thomas Graves, esquire, Governor of Newfoundland, to the Board, dated at Portsmouth, March 18th, 1764, containing observations upon the civil constitution of that country, and inclosing,
Answers to the several queries in the King's instructions to the Governor of Newfoundland.
Estimate of the losses which the settlers of the Islands of St. Peter's and Miquelon, have sustained.
A general scheme of the fishery and inhabitants of Newfoundland for the year 1763.
fo. 164.
An estimate of shipping at the sundry fishing places in and about Newfoundland, etc., who either catched, cured or carried fish to market for the year 1763.

The Secretary laid before the Board instructions for the Governor of Newfoundland signed by his Majesty, and received from the Secretary of State's Office.

It happening that an alteration had been made in the 3rd article of these instructions from the draught prepared by this Board, and laid before his Majesty on the 10th instant, it was ordered, that a note of the said alteration should be made in the entry of the said draught, which being done, the instructions were delivered to the Governor, who attended to receive them.

fo. 165.

East Florida.

Read an Order of his Majesty in Council, dated April 25th, 1764, approving a new Seal for East Florida, and directing the Board to prepare a draught of a warrant for transmitting it to the Governor of that province, and impowering him to make use of it; and likewise to lay the said draught before the Earl of Halifax for the royal signature, and afterwards to transmit it, with the said Seal, to the said Governor.

A warrant having been prepared in the usual form was approved, and a letter to the Earl of Halifax inclosing it, and desiring him to lay it before his Majesty for his royal signature, was signed.

Grenada.

fo. 166.

Read an Order of his Majesty in Council, dated April 18th, 1764, approving the Board's representation of the 13th instant, relative to his Council for the government of Grenada; and ordering, that the persons, whose names are thereunto annexed, be members of the said Council, and that their lordships prepare and lay before his Majesty a draught of an additional instruction to the Governor, agreeable to the propositions contained in the said representation.

The draught of an additional instruction, conformable to the said order, having been prepared, was agreed to, and a representation to his Majesty thereupon was signed.

West Florida.

fo. 167.

Read a letter from his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury to the Board, dated April 29th, 1764, recommending the Reverend Mr. Hart as a fit person to be minister at Mobile.

East Florida.

Read a letter from Dr. Burton to Mr. Pownall, dated April 17th, 1764, signifying that the Society for the propagation of the Gospel in foreign parts had recommended Mr. Forbes to be minister at St. Augustine's.

The gentlemen mentioned in the said letters attending were called in, and acquainted that the Board would take the necessary steps for their appointment to the respective ministries to which they are recommended by the Society for the propagation of the Gospel in foreign parts.

Some doubts and difficulties having occurred as to the regular method of appointing ministers in the new established colonies, it was ordered, that the draught of a representation to his Majesty thereupon should be prepared.

fo. 168.

Read a letter from the Earl of Halifax to the Board, dated April 26th, 1764, signifying his Majesty's commands, that their lordships pursue such enquiries as may decide the question relative to the situation of Pointe Riche, by the most authentick additional evidence.

Ordered, that diligent search and enquiry be made for all other evidence of maps or other records, which may serve to support his Majesty's just claim as to the true position of Pointe Riche.

Nova Scotia.

Read a letter from Philip Stephens, esquire, Secretary to the Lords of the Admiralty, to the Secretary, dated April 21st, 1764, inclosing,
fo. 169.
Copy of a letter from Captain Thompson to Mr. Stephens, dated April 16th, 1764, informing the Lords of the Admiralty, that two of the Mickmack Indians had requested him to bring the things mentioned in the said letter.

Ordered, that the said letter and paper be taken into further consideration tomorrow morning.

Bermuda.

Read a letter from George James Bruere, esquire, Governor of Bermuda, to the Secretary, dated April 25th, 1764, desiring him to inform the Board, that he is ready to depart for his government on receiving his Majesty's instructions.

A letter to the Earl of Halifax desiring him to move his Majesty, that proper directions may be given for providing a proper passage for Governor Bruere, his family and baggage, was agreed to and signed.

fo. 170.

Newfoundland.

Read a letter from Hugh Pallisser, esquire, Governor of Newfoundland, to the Secretary, dated April 30th, 1764, desiring him to move the Board, that he may be permitted to peruse the memorial of the French Ambassador on the situation of Pointe Riche, and their lordships' representation upon it.

Ordered, that the said letter be taken into further consideration tomorrow morning.

Plantations General.

The draught of a circular letter to the Governors of the American colonies, inclosing printed copies of the following Acts passed in the last session relating to America, was agreed to and ordered to be transcribed for signing, vizt.,
fo. 171.
fo. 172.
An Act for granting certain duties in the British colonies and plantations in America; for continuing, amending and making perpetual an Act passed in the sixth year of the Reign of his late Majesty King George the Second, (intituled an Act for the better securing and encouraging the trade of his Majesty's sugar colonies in America), for applying the produce of such duties, and of the duties to arise by virtue of the said Act towards defraying the expences of defending, protecting and securing the said colonies, and plantations; for explaining and Act made in the 25th year of the reign of King Charles the Second, (intituled an Act for the encouragement of the Greenland and Eastland trades, and for better securing the plantation trade); and for altering and disallowing several drawbacks on exports from this kingdom, and more effectually preventing the clandestine conveyance of goods to and from the said colonies and plantations, and improving and securing the trade between the same and Great Britain.
An Act for preventing frauds and abuses in relation to the sending and receiving of letters and packets free from the duty of postage.
fo. 173.
An Act to prevent paper bills of credit hereafter to be issued in any of his Majesty's colonies or plantations in America, from being declared to be a legal tender in payments of money; and to prevent the legal tender of such bills as are now subsisting, from being prolonged beyond the periods limited for calling in and sinking the same.
An Act for granting a bounty upon the importation of hemp, and rough and undressed flax from his Majesty's colonies in America.
An Act for the encouragement of the whale fishery in the Gulph and River of St. Lawrence and on the coasts of his Majesty's colonies in America.
An Act for repealing the duties now payable upon beaver skins imported, and for granting other duties in lieu thereof; and for granting certain duties upon the exportation of beaver skins and beaver wool, and for taking off the drawback allowed on the exportation of such skins.
fo. 174.
An Act for vesting the Fort of Senegal and its dependencies in the Company of Merchants trading to Africa.