Journal, January 1769

fo. 1.

At a meeting of his Majesty's Commissioners for Trade and Plantations.

Tuesday, January 10. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Fitzherbert. Mr. Roberts. Mr. Robinson.

Miscellanies.

A Commission under the Great Seal of Great Britain, dated the 30th of December, 1768, constituting and appointing the Great Officers of State, together with Some Jenyns, Edward Eliot, George Rice, John Roberts, William Fitzherbert, Thomas Robinson, and Wilmot, Lord Lisburne, to be Commissioners for promoting the commerce, and inspecting and improving the Colonies of Great Britain, and containing in the clause, which dispenses with the attendance of the Great Officers, an exception in respect to the Earl of Hillsborough, one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, was opened and read.

fo. 2.

Read a letter to the Secretary from one of the principal clerks of the Treasury, in the absence of the Secretary, dated the 3rd instant, desiring him to move the Lords Commissioners of Trade, that they will cause an account to be made up and transmitted to the Treasury Board of the money that will be wanting to clear the debt in their lordships' office to the 5th of January, 1769.

The Secretary having accordingly prepared such an account, it was laid before the Board, and the Secretary was ordered to certify the same, and to transmit it to Mr. Cooper, secretary to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury.

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

fo. 3.

The Earl of Hillsborough signified to their lordships his Majesty's commands, that they should prepare and lay before the House of Commons estimates of what will be wanting for the support of the civil establishment of the colonies of Nova Scotia, Georgia, East Florida and West Florida, and for general surveys of his Majesty's dominions in America for the year 1769.

Nova Scotia.

His Lordship also communicated to the Board, by his Majesty's command, several papers relative to these services, vizt.
Copy of a letter from Michael Francklin, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, to the Earl of Hillsborough, dated July 11th, 1768, relative to the appointment of a salary for a new missionary sent to that colony by the Society for the propagation of the Gospel.
Letter on the subject of a Canadian priest for the Indians of Nova Scotia, July 20th, 1768.
fo. 4.
Letter, 21st of May, 1768, from Michael Francklin, Esquire,
Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, transmitting,
Memorial of Leonard Lockman, Esquire, late surgeon on the establishment at Lunenburg in Nova Scotia, praying that his allowance may be continued to him.
Detail of the services of Leonard Lockman, Esquire.
Copy of a letter from Lord William Campbell to the Earl of Hillsborough, dated Halifax, September 13th, 1768, inclosing,
Estimate of the charge of supporting and maintaining the civil establishment of his Majesty's colony of Nova Scotia for the year 1769.
Copy of a letter from Lieutenant Governor Francklin to the Earl of Hillsborough, dated Halifax, August 29th, 1768, relative to the expediency of continuing a magistrate at Louisbourg.
East Florida.
Copy of a letter from Governor Grant to the Earl of Hillsborough, dated St. Augustine, June 18th, 1768, relative to the continuance upon the estimate of the bounty for beneficial articles of culture.

fo. 5.

Nova Scotia, Plantations General.

Their lordships took into consideration the state of the services for Nova Scotia and general surveys, and draughts of estimates were ordered to be prepared.

Nova Scotia.

Ordered, that Mrs. How, whose case relative to her demands on the Government of Nova Scotia, was referred to the Board by Lord Hillsborough in April last, do attend the Board on Tuesday next.

Georgia, East Florida, West Florida.

Ordered, that the agents for Georgia, East Florida and West Florida do attend the Board on Tuesday next, and that they be desired to come prepared to lay before the Board, accounts of the ballances in their hands of the moneys granted for the support of the civil establishments of those colonies in former years.

Newfoundland.

fo. 6.

Read a petition of Thomas Pipon, Esquire, Deputy of the States of the Island of Jersey, stating some difficulties, under which their trade to Newfoundland labours, and praying relief by the method therein mentioned.

Read a letter from Governor Pallisser to the Secretary to this Board, dated December 30th, 1768, transmitting,
Letter written in the name of the merchants of Jersey, adventurers in the Newfoundland fisheries, representing that two of their ships having been condemned in the Vice Admiralty Court for the reasons they mention, they are apprehensive they shall be obliged to abandon the fish trade.

Their lordships agreed to take these papers into consideration on Tuesday next, and it was ordered, that notice should be given to Mr. Pipon and to Governor Pallisser to attend.

Trade.

fo. 7.

Read a memorial of the Company of Cordwainers of the city of London to this Board, praying their lordships to recommend to his Majesty in Council, that a bill may be brought into Parlia ment this present session for allowing a bounty on the importation of raw hides and skins, and for taking off the drawback allowed on the exportation of leather not made into wares.

Ireland.

Read a letter from the Commissioners of the Revenue in Ireland to this Board. dated December 10th. 1768, transmitting,
Account of the quantity of raw hides, tanned leather and skins exported out of the kingdom of Ireland for ten years, ending the 25th of March, 1768.

Read a letter from Mr. Stanley, Secretary to the Commissioners of the Customs, to the Secretary to this Board, dated December 31st, 1768, transmitting,
An account of the quantity of raw hides and raw calf skins imported from Ireland into England from Christmas 1757 to Christmas 1767, distinguishing each year, and the amount of the duties paid thereupon.

fo. 8.

Their lordships agreed to take these papers into consideration on Thursday se'nnight, and it was ordered, that the Cordwainers' Company, and also some of the principal tanners should be desired to attend.

Trade, Africa.

The Secretary laid before the Board several papers received from the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa, vizt.
Copy of a letter from Gilbert Petrie, Esquire, Governor of Cape Coast Castle, to the African Committee, dated May 15th, 1768.
Copy of a letter from the African Committee to Gilbert Petrie, Esquire, November 10th, 1768.
Copy of a letter from the African Committee to Mr. Thomas Trinder, chief of Fort Appolonia, November 10th, 1768.

Russia.

fo. 9.

Several papers received from his Majesty's consul at St. Petersburgh were laid before the Board and read, vizt.
Trade.
Letter from Samuel Swallow, Esquire, his Majesty's consul in Russia, to the Board, dated October 17th, 1768, on the state of commerce there, and transmitting,
A printed translation of the Tariff or present book of rates, and also five papers relative to exports and imports.
Letter from Samuel Swallow, Esquire, to the Board, dated 28 October/8 November, 1768, relative to the establishment of a whale fishery at Kola, and inclosing,
Copy of a publication issued from her Imperial Majesty's Commission of commerce.

fo. 10.

Tuesday, January 17. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Robinson.

Georgia, East Florida, West Florida.

Their lordships took into consideration the state of the civil establishments in the colonies of Georgia, East Florida and West Florida, and the agents for the said colonies attended pursuant to order, and laid before their lordships states of the several ballances in their hands of the money granted by Parliament in former years for the services of the said colonies.

Nova Scotia.

fo. 11.

The Secretary acquainted the Board, that Mrs. How not being able, on account of sickness and infirmities. to attend the Board on the subject of her demands for services in Nova Scotia, had desired him to acquaint the Board, that, her late husband having left all his fortune to her disposal, as sole executrix, no other person than herself had any interest in whatever should be allowed her on account of those services.

Newfoundland.

Their lordships took into consideration the petition of the Deputy of the States of Jersey, respecting the fishery carried on from that Island in the North American seas; and Mr. Pipon attending, as also Captain Pallisser, Governor of Newfoundland. their lordships had discourse with them on the subject matter of the said petition; and their lordships being, upon mature deliberation, doubtfull of the propriety of what was requested by Mr. Pipon, did not think fit to make any representation upon his petition, but recommended to him to apply to Parliament for relief in the case to which his said petition refers.

fo. 12.

Thursday, January 19. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Fitzherbert, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Robinson.

Trade.

Read a letter from Mr. Stanley, Secretary to the Commissioners of his Majesty's Customs, to the Secretary to this Board, dated January 19th, 1769, transmitting.
An account of the quantities of tanned and wrought leather, distinguishing each species, exported from England to foreign parts between Christmas 1758 and Christmas 1767, distinguishing each year, and the places to which exported.

fo. 13.

Their lordships took into consideration the memorial of the Company of Cordwainers, mentioned in the minutes of the 10th instant, and several of the Company attending, together with a considerable number of principal tanners and coach-makers, their lordships heard what the Cordwainers had to offer in support of their memorial. After which the several parties concerned were asked, if they were agreed in any proposition for relief in the matter complained of, respecting the present state of the leather manufacture. Whereupon the Tanners observed, that they did by no means concur with the Cordwainers in the remedies suggested by them, and offered to the consideration of the Board a paper in writing, containing their remarks upon, and objections to what the Cordwainers proposed.

fo. 14.

It appearing, however, in the course of what was suggested to the Board by different gentlemen, that there were several points upon which they appeared to concur, their lordships recommended to them to have another meeting together, in order to see, whether they could not suggest some measure, in which all parties might concur, and which might be for the general benefit of all interests, and for the public advantage; in which case their lordships would, if such measure appeared to them to be of a commercial advantage, represent thereupon to his Majesty in Council.

The gentlemen present thanked their lordships for their candour and attention in this business, and agreed to have a meeting in a few days; and it was ordered, that the Cordwainers should have a copy of the paper offered to the consideration of the Board by the Tanners.

Virginia.

The Board was moved in behalf of several persons interested in three private Acts passed in the colony of Virginia in the years 1744 and 1767, to report the same to his Majesty for his royal confirmation, vizt.
fo. 15.
An Act to dock the intail of certain lands therein mentioned, and to vest the same in Francis West in fee simple, and to settle other lands of greater value to the same uses.
An Act to dock the intail of eight hundred acres of land in the county of Amelia, where of Anne Hall, wife of John Hall, is seized in fee tail, and for vesting the same in trustees in fee simple and for other purposes therein mentioned.
An Act to vest certain lands whereof Thomas Moore is seized in fee tail in trustees to be sold, and the money laid out in the purchase of other lands and slaves.

fo. 16.

Their lordships took the said Acts into consideration, together with reports of his Majesty's Counsel at Law thereupon; and it appearing that the Acts were not liable to any objection, and had passed through the accustomed forms required in the case of private Acts, it was ordered, that a representation to his Majesty, proposing that they may be confirmed, should be prepared.

Saturday, January 21. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Fitzherbert, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Robinson, Lord Lisburne.

Lord Lisburne attended and took his seat at the Board.

Georgia, East Florida, West Florida.

fo. 17.

Their lordships took into consideration the state of the services in the colonies of Georgia, East Florida and West Florida, in respect to the sums which may be necessary to support the civil establishments thereof and other contingent expences for the year 1769, and estimates thereof were agreed to and ordered to be prepared.

Trade, Spain.

Read a letter from Lord Weymouth, one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, to this Board, dated January 9th, 1769, referring several papers on the subject of a memorial, complaining of the conduct of the British vice consul in the port of Gijon, in Spain, for having exacted unusual and unprecedented sums for consulage for himself and for Mr. Banks, under whom he acted.
Extract of a letter from Sir James Gray, his Majesty's ambassador at Madrid, to Lord Weymouth, dated December 19th, 1768.
Copy of a letter from Consul General Brusby to his Excellency, Sir James Gray, Madrid, December 19th, 1768.
fo. 18.
Rules for consular dues in the department of Galicia and Asturias, as observed by the late Consul Parker and his successor Consul Jordan, on all British vessels arriving in the ports of those districts.
Originals of the attestations in Spanish, referred to in Mr. Consul General Brusby's letter to Sir James Gray.

Ordered, that the Secretary do cause the original papers in the Spanish language to be translated.

Tuesday, January 24. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Rice, Mr. Fitzherbert, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Robinson, Lord Lisburne.

Newfoundland.

fo. 19.

Read two memorials presented to this Board, the one on behalf of the Governor of Newfoundland. the other on behalf of Messieurs Bayne and Brymer, claiming to be proprietors of a fishing post on the Labrador coast, relative to certain regulations and proceedings of the said Governor, by which the said Bayne and Brymer apprehend themselves to be aggrieved, and on the ground of which they had commenced a suit in the Court of King's Bench against the said Governor, but that the Court recommend to the parties to make application to this Board.

Their lordships, upon consideration of the said memorials, ordered notice to be given to the respective parties to attend on Thursday next.

New York.

The Earl of Hillsborough laid before the Board, by his Majesty's command, a memorial of Captain Robert Stobo, setting forth his having purchased from Monsieur de Muy, a Canadian. a tract of land on Lake Champlain, and praying that his title may be confirmed by the Crown.

fo. 20.

Captain Stobo attending, was heard in what he had to offer in support of his memorial, and their lordships, after full consideration of the circumstances of the case, as stated by the memorialist, acquainted him, that they were very desirous of giving all due attention to any proposition he could make, respecting the subject of his memorial, that should correspond with those rules of proceeding, necessary to be adhered to in such cases; that if his title under the purchase from the French was a good one, any confirmation of it by the Crown would be unnecessary; if it was not a good one, no Act of the Crown could make it so, and would answer no other purpose than that of involving him in suits at law with other persons, who might claim the lands under grants from the Governor of New York.

fo. 21.

The Earl of Hillsborough also communicated to the Board, by his Majesty's command, a memorial of Captain David Pryce, setting forth his services in America, that he had applied by his agents for five thousand acres of land in New York, to which he apprehended himself intitled by his Majesty's proclamation of the 7th of October, 1763, but was refused, on account of his not making the application in person, and therefore praying, that he may have his Majesty's order for such a quantity of land in New York or elsewhere, as shall be thought reasonable.

Ordered, that notice be given to Captain Pryce to attend the Board on Tuesday next.

East Florida.

Read a memorial of Thomas Wynne, Esquire, member of Parliament for Carnarvonshire, praying for a grant of twenty thousand acres of land in East Florida.

fo. 22.

West Florida.

Read a memorial of Thomas Comyn, merchant, praying for a grant of ten thousand acres of land in West Florida.

East Florida.

Read a memorial of Thomas Astle, Esquire, for a grant of ten thousand acres of land in East Florida.

Ordered, that the several memorialists be desired to attend the Board on Tuesday next.

Read a petition of William and Stephen Haven for six thousand acres of land in East Florida.

The Earl of Hillsborough having acquainted the Board with the representation which had been made to him, touching the ability of the memorialists, and the plan they had proposed for carrying a settlement into effectual execution, it was ordered, that the draught of a representation to his Majesty upon their petition should be prepared.

fo. 23.

Newfoundland.

Read a letter from Hugh Pallisser, Esquire, Governor of Newfoundland, to this Board, dated December 24th, 1768, transmitting.
A general scheme of the fishery and inhabitants of Newfoundland, for the year 1768.
A general account of the French fisheries at Newfoundland.
St. Pierre's and Miquelon in the Gulph of St. Lawrence and on the Banks, 1768.

Thursday, January 26. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns. Mr. Fitzherbert, Mr. Rice, Mr. Robinson, Lord Lisburne.

Newfoundland.

fo. 24.

Their lordships, upon further consideration of the memorials of the Governor of Newfoundland, and of the persons claiming to have been proprietors of a fishing post on the Labrador coast touching certain regulations and proceedings of the said Governor respecting the fishery on that coast, were of opinion, that the said memorials relate to questions of private right and property, not determinable by this Board; and therefore their lordships apprehend, that the memorialists are mistaken in their application, which ought to have been to the Lords of his Majesty's Privy Council.

The parties in this business attending without, were called in and acquainted with their lordships' resolution.

Nova Scotia.

Read a memorial of Sir William Mayne, Baronet, and others to the Board, dated January 24th, 1769, praying for a grant of one hundred thousand or one hundred and twenty thousand acres of land in Nova Scotia.

fo. 25.

Ordered, that notice be given to the several gentlemen interested in the said petition to attend the Board on Tuesday next.

East Florida.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty upon the petition of Messieurs Stephen and William Haven, praying for a grant of six thousand acres of land in East Florida, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Tuesday, January 31. Present:—Earl of Hillsborough, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Fitzherbert, Mr. Robinson, Mr. Rice, Mr. Roberts, Lord Lisburne.

Nova Scotia.

fo. 26.

Sir William Mayne and several other gentlemen, associated with him in a petition for a grant of one hundred thousand acres of land in Nova Scotia, attended, and were heard in support of their petition; but not being able to verify the allegations thereof, they desired to withdraw the same.

East Florida.

Mr. Wynne also attended upon the subject of his petition for twenty thousand acres of land in East Florida; and it being objected, that the petition was in too general terms, he desired leave to withdraw the same, in order to the preparing another petition, more explicit with regard to his intentions.

The same objection was also stated to Mr. Astle's petition for ten thousand acres of land in East Florida; and Mr. Astle attending, desired leave to withdraw the same, in order to the preparing another, that might state further evidence of his intention and ability to carry a settlement in that colony into execution.

West Florida.

fo. 27.

Mr. Comyn, a petitioner for ten thousand acres of land in West Florida, attended and stated to the Board, that he was a merchant of London trading to that colony; that he had one son established there, and another upon the point of going out; that he had substance and effects there, to extent of fifteen thousand pounds, and had lately imported a cargo of negroes, part of which he intended to put upon his land.

Mr. Comyn having mentioned Mr. Hannay, as a person to whom he was known, he was desired to attend again on some other day, and to bring Mr. Hannay with him.

New York.

Captain Pryce attended in support of his petition for a grant of land in New York or in any other of his Majesty's colonies, and explained his wish to be for lands in New York; whereupon he was desired to attend again some other day, and bring with him a certificate from Sir Jeffery Amherst of the services set forth in his petition.