Journal, February 1765

Friday, February 1st. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice, Lord Orwell, Mr. Gascoyne, Mr. Dyson.

West Florida.

Read the following letters and papers received from the Governor of West Florida, vizt.,
fo. 43.
Letter from George Johnstone, esquire, Governor of West Florida, to the Secretary, dated at Kingston in Jamaica, September the 3rd, 1764, acquainting him with his arrival there, and the measure he is taking for the improvement of the said province under his government.
Letter from Governor Johnstone, to the Secretary, dated Jamaica, September 25th, 1764, relative to the want of cash at Pensacola, and the seizure of some Spanish vessels by the captains of his Majesty's ships; and acquainting him with his having drawn on the agent for two hundred pounds contingent money.
Letter from Governor Johnstone to the Secretary, dated September 25th, 1764, acquainting him with a purchase he has made of rum for Indian presents, and his draught on the agent.
fo. 44.
Copy of a letter from Sir William Burnaby to Governor Johnstone, dated 13th September, 1764, relative to twelve puncheons of rum.
Invoice of twelve puncheons of rum.
West Florida.
Letter from Governor Johnstone to the Secretary, dated October 31st, 1764, acquainting him with his arrival in his government, and containing his sentiments on the Spanish and Indian trades, and other affairs relative to the said province.
Copy of a talk from the Mortar to John Stuart, esquire, at Little Tallapees, 22nd July, 1764.
Letter from Governor Johnstone to the Secretary, dated November 9th, 1764, respecting a dispute between him and Captain Mackinen, commanding the 35th Regiment, with regard to his being admitted as Governor of the Garrison at Pensacola.
fo. 45.
Copy of Governor Johnstone's preamble to his Majesty's instructions for the speedy and effectual settlement of the Province of West Florida.
Letter from Governor Johnstone to Captain Mackinen, dated November 3rd, 1764.
Copy of a note from Governor Johnstone to Captain Mackinen.
Copy of a letter from Captain Mackinen to Governor Johnstone, dated November 5th, 1764.
Copy of a letter from Captain Mackinen to Governor Johnstone, dated November 6th, 1764.
Copy of a letter from Governor Johnstone to Captain Mackinen, dated November 7th, 1764.
Copy of a letter from Captain Mackinen to Governor Johnstone, dated November 7th, 1764.

fo. 46.

Mr. Ellis, agent for the affairs of West Florida, attending was called in, and it was signified to him that he should accept and pay the bills drawn upon him by the Governor of West Florida, mentioned in the minutes of the 14th ult. and place the same to the account of the respective services for which they are drawn.

Ordered, that extracts be made of those parts of the letters from the Governor of West Florida, which relate to the interruption given to the Spanish trade to Pensacola by the captains of his Majesty's ships stationed in those seas, and to the weak and debilitated state of the land forces, to be transmitted to the Earl of Halifax, and a letter to his Lordship to accompany the same was signed.

Ordered, that the Secretary do transmit the like extracts to Mr. Jenkinson, to be communicated to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

fo. 47.

Ordered, that a copy be made of the Governor's letter of the 9th of November, relative to the dispute with the commanding officer of the troops stationed in West Florida, and also copies of the letters therein referred to, to be transmitted to the Earl of Halifax, and a letter to his Lordship; to accompany the same, was agreed to and signed.

Trade, Russia.

The Governor of the Russia Company attended with two other principal merchants concerned in the trade to that Empire, and presented to the Board their report in writing upon the project of a new treaty of commerce with Russia, offerred on the part of that Court, and the said report was read and considered.

fo. 48.

Monday, February 4th. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice, Lord Orwell, Mr. Gascoyne, Mr. Dyson.

Plantations General, Virginia.

Read a letter from the Earl of Halifax to the Board, dated February 1st, 1765, informing their lordships, that the King will not re-imburse Mr. Timberlake's expences in maintaining the three Cherokees brought from Virginia, but that it is his pleasure, that the agent for Virginia should contract for their passage to that colony, and that his Majesty will give orders for paying the expence of their passage, and of a small present to them on their departure.

fo. 49.

Lieutenant Timberlake attended, and being informed of his Majesty's intentions with respect to the Indians now with him, he was desired to take care of them for a few days longer, and the Secretary was directed to give notice to the agent of Virginia to attend tomorrow.

Nova Scotia.

Read a letter from Mr. Whately, Secretary to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, to Mr. Pownall, dated January 23rd, 1765, inclosing a memorial of Mr. Alexander Grant, contractor for the supply of goods for the Indian trade in Nova Scotia, and signifying the desire of that Board to be informed of the facts to which the memorial referrs, with the opinion of this Board what may be proper to be done.

Their lordships, after consideration of this letter and of the several papers which contain a state of the transactions to which the memorial refers, gave directions to the Secretary for a letter to be written by him to Mr. Whately upon this subject.

fo. 50.

Bermuda.

Read a letter from Mr. Whately, Secretary to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, to Mr. Pownall, dated 3rd January, 1765, relative to the intention of the Lords of the Treasury to allow a reward to the Commissioners for the sale of lands in the Bermuda Islands, if this Board approve their proceedings.
Account of the sale of lands in the Bermuda Islands belonging to the Crown.
Letter from three Commissioners appointed by Governor Popple for the disposal of the Crown lands in the Bermuda Islands.

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

fo. 51.

Tuesday, February 5th. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice, Lord Orwell, Mr. Gascoyne, Mr. Dyson.

Plantations General, Virginia.

The agent for Virginia attends, and being acquainted with his Majesty's orders in respect to the Cherokee Indians, is desired to prepare an estimate of the expence that will attend their passage back to Virginia, and some proper presents to them upon their departure.

Nova Scotia.

The Secretary's letter to Mr. Whately, upon the subject matter of Mr. Alexander Grant's memorial to the Treasury, was read and approved.

Bermuda.

fo. 52.

Their lordships took into further consideration Mr. Whately's letter to the Secretary, respecting the application of the Commissioners for the sale of lands in Bermuda, for an allowance for that service, and directions were given to the Secretary for a letter to be written by him to Mr. Whately on that subject.

New Hampshire.

Read a letter from the Earl of Halifax to the Board, dated January 2nd, 1765, transmitting, for their consideration and report,
Copy of the memorial of Mr. Robert Traill, in behalf of himself and Samuel Cutt, praying for a grant of thirty thousand acres of land in New Hampshire.

Their lordships took the said reference and memorial into consideration, and ordered the draught of a letter to Lord Halifax thereupon to be prepared.

fo. 53.

Trade, Russia.

Read a letter from Mr. J. Fremantle, dated January 26th, 1765, desiring a translation of the project of a new treaty with Russia, for the use of the Commissioners of the Customs.

Ordered, that a translation be made of the said project, and transmitted to the Commissioners of the Customs.

Thursday, February 7th. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice, Lord Orwell, Mr. Gasycone, Mr. Dyson.

New Hampshire.

fo. 54.

The draught of a letter to the Earl of Halifax, upon the subject of Mr. Traill's memorial, mentioned in the minutes of the 5th instant, having been prepared pursuant to order, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Bermuda.

The Secretary's letter to Mr. Whately upon the subject of the application of the Commissioners for the sale of lands in Bermuda, for an allowance for that service, was approved.

Jamaica.

fo. 55.

Their lordships took into consideration the annual Tax Act of Jamaica, imposing duties upon negroes imported and exported into that island, together with the former proceedings upon Acts of the like nature, and the arguments of the counsel for and against the said Act, and were of opinion, that the said duties were an inexpedient and improper restraint upon trade, and that this practice should not be continued, unless the exigencies and necessities of the island should appear absolutely to require it; but some difficulties arising as to the Board's method of proceeding upon the case before them, it was referred to further consideration on another day.

Tuesday, February 12th. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr Jenyns, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice, Lord Orwell, Mr. Gascoyne, Mr. Dyson.

Trade, Africa.

Read a letter from Mr. George Glas to the Board, dated Santa Crux, Teneriffe, 15th December, 1764, giving an account of his confinement there, and of the reasons thereof, and praying that the Board would interpose to procure his enargement.

fo. 56.

Mr. Bacon, concerned with Mr. Glas in the service in which he was engaged when seized by the Spanish officers, and also Mr. Franklin in partnership with Mr. Bacon, attended and produced to the Board a letter to them from Mr. Glas to the same effect as that received by their lordships.

Ordered, that a copy be made of Mr. Glas's letter to the Board, to be transmitted to the Earl of Halifax, and a letter to his Lordship, to accompany the same was agreed to and signed.

Plantations General, Virginia.

Read a letter from Mr. Montagu, agent for Virginia, to the Secretary, dated 7th of February 1765, respecting the three Indians now in this kingdom, and inclosing,
An estimate of the expences that will attend the conveyance and accommodation of three Indians to Virginia, and the procuring a few presents for them.

fo. 57.

The Cherokee Indians, concerning whom his Majesty's orders have been signified to this Board, attended, with Mr. Montagu, and the chief of them being asked if he had any thing to offer on the part of the nation to which he belongs, he said, that the chief matters entrusted to him by his nation were to represent that there were valuable mines of yellow and white metal and of iron in their nation, which they were very desirous the English should work; that they wanted also to have proper persons amongst them to teach their young people religion, and to read and write, and that they had been involved in difficulties by straglers from the European settlements on the frontiers settling upon their lands, and he mentioned the names of two, who came from North Carolina.

They were informed that all due attention would be given to what they had represented, and then they withdrew.

fo. 58.

Wednesday, February 13th. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Rice, Mr. Dyson.

Plantations General, Virginia.

Their lordships took into consideration the letter from Mr. Montague to the Secretary, mentioned in yesterdays minutes, and also the estimate therein referred to, and copies of the said letter and estimate having been made, a letter to the Earl of Halifax, inclosing the same for his Lordship's further directions thereupon, was agreed to and signed.

Virginia.

Read a letter from Francis Fauquier, esquire, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, to the Board, dated December 24th, 1764, relative to the proceedings of the Assembly of that province.
fo. 59.
Copy of a Bill for the preservation of the breed of cattle in this colony and for putting a stop to the contagious distemper now raging amongst them.

Their lordships, upon consideration of the said Bill and of the Lieutenant Governor's observations upon it, agreed to recommend to Mr. Fauquier to pass the same into a law, if the evil, to which it is intended as a remedy, should still exist; and it was ordered, that the draught of a letter to Mr. Fauquier for that purpose should be prepared.

West Florida.

Read a letter from the Earl of Halifax to the Board, dated February 9th, 1765, informing their lordships that he had laid before the King their letters of the 1st instant, concerning the seizure of Spanish vessels in the port of Pensacola, the want of an additional number of troops, and the dispute which has arisen concerning the command of the troops in that province, and signifying his Majesty's pleasure on those points.
fo. 60.
Extract of Mr. Secretary at War's letter to the Earl of Halifax, dated War Office, February 7th, 1765, containing some additional orders transmitted to the Commander in Chief of his Majesty's Forces, and to the governors of the several colonies on the Continent of North America.

Ordered, that the draught of a letter to the Governor of West Florida, in answer to his letter to the Secretary of the 31st of October last, and signifying his Majesty's commands in respect to Spanish vessels coming into the ports of that province by distress, or for refreshment, be prepared.

South Carolina, Georgia, East Florida, Bahama, Barbados, Leeward Islands, Grenada.

Ordered, that the draughts of letter to the Governors of South Carolina, Georgia, East Florida, Bahama, Barbados, Leeward Islands and Grenada, signifying his Majesty's commands in respect to Spanish vessels coming into the ports of those governments in distress or for refreshment, be prepared.

fo. 61.

Thursday, February 14th. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Rice, Lord Orwell, Mr. Dyson.

Virginia, West Florida.

The draught of a letter to the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, containing the Board's directions in respect of the Bill for preventing the spreading of the infection amongst the cattle, having been prepared pursuant to order, was agreed to and ordered to be transcribed; as was also the draught of a letter to the Governor of West Florida in answer to one from him.

South Carolina, Georgia, East Florida, Bahama, Barbados, Leeward Islands, Grenada.

The draughts of letters to the Governors of South Carolina, Georgia, East Florida, Bahama, Barbados, Leeward Islands and Grenada, signifying his Majesty's commands in respect of Spanish vessels coming into the ports of those governments in distress or for refreshment, having been prepared pursuant to order, were agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

fo. 62.

Nova Scotia.

The Secretary laid before the Board a bill drawn upon the agent of Nova Scotia by the Governor, for services incurred in that province, relative to the grants of Parliament, as also a letter to the Board containing advice of the said bill, and it appearing, upon an examination of the account of the services annexed to the said bill, that it did correspond with the directions contained in the Board's letter of the 20th of March last, it was ordered, that the agent should pay the said bill.

fo. 63.

Friday, February 15th. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr, Jenyns, Mr. Rice, Lord Orwell, Mr. Dyson.

South Corolina, Georgia, East Florida, Bahama, Barbados, Leeward Islands, Grenada, Virginia.

The draughts of letters to the Governors of South Carolina, Georgia, East Florida, Bahama, Barbados, Leeward Islands and Grenada, having been transcribed pursuant to order, were signed; as was also the letter to the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, agreed to at the same time.

Plantations General, Nova Scotia, Georgia, East Florida, West Florida.

Read a letter from Charles Jenkinson, esquire, Secretary to the Lords of the Treasury, to the Secretary, dated February 14th, 1765, signifying that the Chancellor of the Exchequer had received the King's commands, that this Board should prepare, and lay before the House of Commons, estimates of the expences of the civil establishment of Georgia, East and West Florida, Nova Scotia, and of the surveys in North America.

Georgia, East and West Florida, Nova Scotia.

fo. 64.

Ordered, that draughts of estimates of the expence of supporting the civil establishments of Georgia, East and West Florida, from Midsummer 1764 to Midsummer 1765, and of Nova Scotia for the year 1765, be prepared; as also a draught of an estimate of the expence of making general surveys of his Majesty's dominions in North America for the year 1765.

Monday, February 18th. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice, Lord Orwell, Mr. Dyson.

Trade, Africa.

Their lordships took into further consideration the draught of a representation to his Majesty, upon the state of the several forts and establishments upon the Coast of Africa, more especially of those at Senegal and Gambia, mentioned in the minutes of the 28th ult.; and the said draught having been agreed to, was ordered to be transcribed.

fo. 65.

Plantations General.

Their lordships took into consideration the heads of a plan for the future management of Indian affairs, and the regulations of commerce with the said Indians, agreed to on the 15th of June last, and also the returns which have been received from Sir William Johnson, the Superintendant for the Northern District, and from several of the governors of his Majesty's colonies in America, of their respective opinions and observations upon the said plan, and some progress was made therein.

Tuesday, February 19th. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice, Lord Orwell, Mr. Gascoyne, Mr. Dyson.

fo. 66.

Georgia, East and West.

Florida, Nova Scotia, Plantations General.

The draughts of estimates of the expence of supporting the civil establishments of the Colonies of Georgia, East Florida and West Florida from Midsummer 1764 to Midsummer 1765, and of the Colony of Nova Scotia for the year 1765, and also of the general surveys of North America for the same time, having been prepared pursuant to order, those for Georgia, East Florida and West Florida, and for general surveys, were agreed to and ordered to be transcribed; and it was agreed to take the estimate for Nova Scotia into further consideration on Thursday morning.

Virginia.

The Secretary acquainted the Board, that he was desired by the agent for Virginia to move their lordships that he might have copies of such old grants and charters for the Colony of Virginia. as are upon record in this office, and it was ordered, that copies thereof should be made and delivered to the said agent.

fo. 67.

Plantations General.

Read a letter from Samuel Holland, esquire, Surveyor General of the Northern District of America, to the Secretary, dated November 20th, 1764, containing an account of his proceedings in the survey of the Island of St. John's.

Ordered, that an extract be made of so much of the said letter as relates to the refusal of the captain of the vessel appointed to attend Captain Holland, to assist him with his boats and men, to be transmitted to the Admiralty, and that the Secretary do transmit the same to the Secretary of that Board, to be laid before their lordships.

Trade, Africa.

Read a letter from John Fremantle, esquire, dated 14th February, 1765, to the Secretary, inclosing,
An account of the quantity of gum arabick or senega imported from Africa from Christmas 1760 to Christmas 1763.
Ditto: re-exported from England for the same time.

fo. 68.

Thursday, February 21st. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice, Lord Orwell, Mr. Gascoyne, Mr. Dyson.

Trade, Africa.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty upon the state of the several forts and establishments upon the Coast of Africa, more especially of those at Senegal and Gambia, having been transcribed pursuant to order, was signed.

Ordered, that the Secretary do give notice to the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa to attend the Board tomorrow morning at 11 o'clock.

Nova Scotia.

The consideration of the estimate of the civil establishment of Nova Scotia for the year 1765 was postponed.

fo. 69.

Friday, February 22nd. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice, Lord Orwell, Mr. Dyson.

Trade, Africa.

The Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa attending as desired, their lordships communicated to them the result of their considerations of the state of the several establishments upon the Coast of Africa, more especially those of Senegal and Gambia.

Monday, February 25th. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice, Lord Orwell, Mr. Dyson.

Trade.

fo. 70.

Their lordships took into further consideration the project of a treaty of commerce with Russia offerred on the part of Her Imperial Majesty, and a report of his Majesty's Advocate General upon the said project, and also of the Commissioners of the Customs, which report had by mistake been transmitted to the Treasury and received from that office, were read and considered.

Ordered, that a copy be made of the said project, and that the observations which have occurred to the Board upon the several articles, as also such other observations as arise out of the report of the merchants, mentioned in the minutes of the 1st instant, and out of the report of his Majesty's Advocate General, be set down opposite to those articles to which they refer, and that the draught of a representation to his Majesty upon the whole be prepared.

Plantations General.

fo. 71.

Their lordships took into consideration the reference from the Earl of Halifax of the papers received from his Majesty's Embassador in France, respecting the existance or non-existance of the Treaty of Neutrality in 1686, and a report of his Majesty's Attorney and Sollicitor General, as also a report of his Majesty's Advocate General, upon that question, were read and considered.

Ordered, that the draught of a representation to his Majesty upon that part of the reference from the Earl of Halifax, which regards the existance or non-existance of the Treaty of 1686, be prepared.

Leeward Islands, Tortola.

Read a memorial of John Purcell, esquire, Lieutenant Governor of the Virgin Islands, to the Board, stating that several negroes have lately deserted from Tortola to Porto Rico, and praying their lordships to take measures for their being returned, and for the prevention of such desertion for the future.

fo. 72.

Ordered, that a copy be made of the said memorial to be laid before his Majesty, and that the draught of a letter to the Earl of Halifax, inclosing it, be prepared.

Tuesday, February 26th. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice, Lord Orwell, Mr. Dyson.

South Carolina.

Mr. Boone, Governor of South Carolina, attends, and states some doubts and difficulties which had occurred upon the construction of those articles of his instructions which relate to appeals, and Mr. Boone being withdrawn, their lordships agreed to take this matter into consideration at another opportunity.

Trade.

fo. 73.

The makers and venders of hats in the Cities of London and Westminster attended, with a memorial respecting some clauses proposed to be inserted in a bill now depending in Parliament, which they apprehend will prove destructive to the manufacture of hats by encouraging the destruction of rabbits; and the said memorial having been read, the memorialists were acquainted that their lordships would give due attention to this bill in its progress in Parliament.

fo. 74.

Mr. Willday, a manufacturer and exporter of hats to America, attends, and presents a memorial stating the inconveniences attending his trade, from hats not being allowed to be exported from one colony to another, and praying the Board's assistance to obtain a repeal of so much of the Act of the 5th of George the first, as prevents British manufactured hats being exported from one colony to another under certain regulations. The memorialist having been heard in what he had to offer in support of his memorial, he withdrew, and their lordships agreed to consider further thereof at another opportunity.

Newfoundland.

Mr. Hutton, Secretary to the Society of the Unitas Fratrum, attends and presents certain documents to authenticate the nomination of Henry Reuss, Count and Lord of Plauen, to be Advocate and Director General of that Society, and of his appointment of Messrs. Broderson, Metcalf, Haven and Hill to be missionaries and preachers in America; and the said Messrs. Broderson, Metcalf, Haven and Hill attending, presented a memorial setting forth their plan for making a settlement and establishing a mission on Terra Labrador in North America.

fo. 75.

The said memorial having been read, the memorialists were acquainted, that it should be taken into consideration as soon as other pressing business would admit, and then they withdrew.

Thursday, February 28th. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice, Lord Orwell, Mr. Dyson.

Trade, Russia.

The Secretary laid before the Board a copy of the project of a treaty of commerce with Russia, with observations upon the several articles, prepared pursuant to order, and also the draught of a representation to his Majesty thereupon, and the same having been read and approved, it was ordered, that they should be transcribed.

fo. 76.

Plantations General.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty upon the objections made by the Court of France to the validity of the Marine Treaty of 1686, having been prepared pursuant to order, was approved of, and it was ordered that it should be transcribed.

Leeward Islands.

The draught of a letter to the Earl of Halifax inclosing the memorial of Mr. Purcell, Lieutenant Governor of the Virgin Islands, concerning the protection given at Porto Rico to slaves deserting from the said islands, having been prepared pursuant to order, was approved, and it was ordered that it should be transcribed.

Trade, Africa.

Read an Order of the King in Council, dated February 22nd, 1765, approving the Board's representation relative to erecting the districts of Senegal and Gambia into a province, and directing their lordships to take proper measures in Parliament for enabling his Majesty to carry into execution the plan proposed by the said representation.

fo. 77.

It was agreed that Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice, Lord Orwell, Mr. Gascoyne and Mr. Dyson, should take the proper steps in the House of Commons, in consequence of the above order.

Trade.

Their lordships then took into consideration an Order of his Majesty in Council on the 11th of July last, upon the application of Mr. Glas for a grant of an exclusive trade to a harbour lately discovered by him upon the Coast of Africa, which order is mentioned in the minutes of the 16th of July last, and it was agreed that Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Rice, Lord Orwell, Mr. Gascoyne and Mr. Dyson, should take the proper steps in the House of Commons thereupon.