Journal, November 1715

November 1. Present:—Mr. Cokburne, Mr. Cooke, Mr. Docminique.

Trade.

Mr. Smith about our herring trade at Hamburgh.

Mr. Smith attending as he had been desired, [v. Supra], the letter from the Lord Viscount Townshend mentioned in the minutes of the 28th of the last month, with the extracts of Mr. Wych's letters inclosed relating to our Herring Trade at Hamburgh were communicated to him, and their Lordships discoursing with him upon this subject, he said that the herring caught on the western coast of Scotland in the months of May and June were better than those taken either before or after, which together with their not being to be found in so great quantities before midsummer was the occasion they bore a much higher price abroad, and incouraged the merchants to transport them sometimes by land from Glascow to Leith to ship off there with more expedition for the Sound and other foreign markets—that he had not heard these early herrings were ever refused or questioned at Stockholm or other ports in the Sound to which they were carried—that the herrings caught in the winter or the spring sooner than May were lean fish, and only the remains of the preceding year—that the Dutch were so sensible of the goodness of herrings taken in May and the beginning of June, that they formerly made frequent attempts of carrying on their Fishery sooner than midsummer day, but that the vessels and boats they imployed being very numerous, and the herring not shoaling before that time, neither constantly coming at the same time yearly, nor keeping the same stations, many of the Dutch vessels had made but very unsuccessfull voyages, which induced the States General to establish a regulation whereby none of their subjects are permitted to take any herrings sooner than the 24th of June—that the true reason in his opinion why the Dutch give out that herrings caught before that time are not so good as others was to prevent our reaping that advantage in the Fishery which our situation naturally gives us, but that such suggestion ought not to be of any weight.

Mr. Smith then acquainted their Lordships that he knew of no other gentlemen of North Britain at present in town, that could give them any information relating to the said Fishery.

Leeward Islands.

Order on representation upon Captain Walton's petition.

Virgin Islands.

His further petition to be considered.

An Order of Council of the 18th of Octr. on a repn. of this Board dated the 9th of Septr. last upon the petition of Capt. Walton [fo. 250, 273] relating to the Virgin Islands, the said Order referring to their Lordships a further petition of Captain Walton relating to his being sent with a man of war to view the said Islands &c. was read; and their Lordships resolved to take the same into further consideration at the next opportunity.

November 4. Present:—Mr. Cokburne, Mr. Cooke, Mr. Docminique.

Trade.

Letter to Lord Townshend about herring trade at Hamburgh.

The draught of a letter to the Lords Viscount Townshend in answer to his Lordships of the 27th of the last month [fo. 262, 407], upon the extracts of letters from Mr. Wich, relating to the opposition of the Dutch Minister at Hamburgh, to our importing into that City such herrings as are caught before midsummer day, was agreed and signed.

November 8. Present:—Mr. Cokburne, Mr. Cooke, Mr. Docminique.

Newfoundland.

State of the fishery.

Letter from Mr. Cumming.

List of ships &c.

A letter from Mr. Archibald Cumming, dated at Ferryland, the 10th of the last month, relating to the state of the Fishery &c. at Newfoundland [fo. 259], was read; and the list of ships imployed there from St. Peters to Bonavista this year, with account of fish and train made &c. referred to in the said letter was laid before the Board.

November 10. Present:—Mr. Cokburne, Mr. Cooke, Mr. Docminique.

New York.

Letter from Mr. Secretary Stanhope with extracts of one from Hunter about presents to 5 Nations &c.

A letter from Mr. Secry. Stanhope, dated yesterday, referring to the Board an extract of a letter from Brigadier Hunter Govr. of New York &c. relating to presents for the five nations of Indians, and about augmenting His Majesty's Forces in that province, was read.

Memorial from Mr. Champante on the same subject.

A memorial from Mr. Champante, agent for New York, upon the same subject, was likewise read; whereupon their Lordships resolved to take that matter into further consideration the first opportunity.

Letter from Brigadier Hunter.

A letter from Brigadier Hunter dated at New York the 21st of May, 1715 was read, and the following papers therein referred to, were laid before the Board, vizt.
Papers referred to.
A. Memorial from the Council and Assembly of New York upon the Earl of Clarendon's objections against an Act for paying the debts of that province.
C. Brigadier Hunter's speech to the General Assembly of New York the 3rd of May, 1715.
D. Copy of the Earl of Clarendon's letter to Brigadier Hunter dated the 31st July, 1710.
E. Repn. of the General Assembly of New Jersey to Brigadier Hunter, relating to their differences with the Lord Cornbury (now Earl of Clarendon) and his Male administration.
F. Account of Male administration in the Government of New York, written by the late Chief Justice Mompesson under the Heads of Grants, Revenues, Courts of Common Law, Govrs. granting warrants in his own name and Huy and Cry.

2nd letter from him.

Another letter from Brigr. Hunter, dated the 13th of August, 1715 [fo. 380], was read, and the list of Acts passed at New York in 1715, referred to in the said letter, was laid before the Board.

3rd letter from him.

A letter from Brigr. Hunter, dated the 29th of Septr., 1715 [fo. 380], relating to the five nations of Indians, was read, and the following papers therein referred to, were laid before the Board, vizt.
Papers referred to.
1. First proposal of the five nations of Indians to Brigadier Hunter the 27th of Augt., 1715.
2. Proposal of the five nations of Indians to Brigadier Hunter the 27th of Augt., 1715 explained and rectified.
3. Brigadier Hunter's answer and proposals to the five nations of Indians the 29th of Augt., 1715.
4. Reply of the five nations of Indians to Brigr. Hunter, 31st Augt., 1715.
5. Propositions from a farr nation of Indians with Brigr. Hunter's answer.
D. Propositions of the five nations of Indians to the Commrs. for Indian affairs, and sent to Brigr. Hunter, relating to their being supplied with arms and ammunition to attack the Indians of Carolina.
Copy of an address from the Grand Jury of New York to Brigr. Hunter.
The case of the Brigantine Eagle of New York, condemned in the Court of Admiralty the 16th of Augt., 1715.

November 11. Present:—Mr. Cokburne, Mr. Cooke, Mr. Docminique.

New York.

Establishment.

Letter to Mr. Strahan.

Ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Strahan who is concerned for the Forces at New York, for a copy as soon as possible of the Establishment [fo. 276] for the four Independent Companies there, together with an account of their whole annual charge.

Newfoundland.

Sir Wm. Lewin and Captain Cobb.

Complaints against Colonel Moody &c.

Sir Wm. Lewin attending [fo. 16] with Captain John Cobb, Master of the Cobb Galley of London, Sir Wm. was pleased to signify, that he had formerly mentioned to their Lordships several irregular practices of Col. Moody at Newfoundland; Captain Cobb was ready and willing to give the Board a particular account thereof; whereupon their Lordships having some discourse with the Capt., he said, that he was present when Placentia was evacuated by the French—that Col. Moody contracted and sold to him 1,000 quintals of fish, which the Col. commanded from the French by several orders upon particular persons to whom he gave such Bills of Exchange as he's informed have never been yet paid—that some of those persons refused complying with the said orders, and as he has reason to believe purchased exemptions from the Col. tho' the full quantity of fish agreed for, was at last delivered to Capt. Cobb, for which the Captain gave Col. Moody good Bills of Exchange that have been punctually satisfied—that after Capt. Cobb's vessell was loaden Col. Moody desired to see the Captain's part of the contract, with intention to destroy it, and make a better bargain for himself, but was disappointed by the Captain's sending a copy to Col. Moody, which he tore in expectation it had been the original—that upon this disappointment which the Capt. let him know, Col. Moody said he would have some of the fish again and must be favourable to the French, against which Capt. Cobb making some remonstrances Col. Moody threatened to send more of his lobsters (meaning soldiers) on board to compel the Capt. to return some of the fish, but that was prevented by the Capt's. sailing away. Capt. Cobb was then asked, whether Col. Moody had obliged any of the English to part with their fish, he said none, and further acquainted the Board, that the foreign ships that year at Newfoundland brought chiefly Wine, Brandy, Salt &c. for account of Spaniards, but commanded by French; that there was one Capt. O'Brien an Irish Papist with the foresaid species of goods—that at St. Peters the Fishery had been very successful, two hund redand fifty quintals of fish having been taken per boat.

Captain Cobb to make affidavit thereof, and to bring a list of ships employed in Newfoundland last season.

Their Lordships then desired Capt. Cobb to make an affidavit of the particular matters of fact, which he knew relating to Col. Moody's ill conduct, and an account of what he had heard or was credibly informed about it, and to bring a list of ships imployed last season at Newfoundland, with whatever else he might have further to offer concerning the trade and Fishery there.

Letters to Mr. Secretary Stanhope and Mr. Pulteney or papers &c. received from Colonel Moody &c.

State of Newfoundland.

Letters to Mr. Secretary Stanhope and to Mr. Pulteney Secretary at War desiring copies of any letters or papers they may have received from Col. Moody or other officers or persons relating to the state of the trade and Fishery at Newfoundland, were signed.

Leeward Islands.

Captain Walton about

Virgin Islands.

2 Commissions produced.

Capt. Walton attending [fo. 265] in relation to his petition referred to the Board by the Order of Council mentioned in the minutes of the 1st instant, he produced to their Lordships Her late Majesty's Commission to him to be Capt. of foot which was dated the 15th of April, 1706 and Col. Park's Commn. to him to be Lieut. Govr. of the Virgin Leeward Islands, dated the 11th of Septr., 1707, and upon some discourse with him he said, that the forementioned commission from Her Majesty was given him in order to his supplying the first vacancy of a captain's post that should happen in Her Majesty's Forces at the Leeward Islands, that he immediately embarked here and arrived at Antegoa the 13th of July, 1706, but no such vacancy happening in the troops there, Col. Parke gave him the foresaid Commn. of Lieut. Govr. as an equivalent for the benefit intended him by Her Majesty in the Commission of Capt., and that Col. Parke promised to use his endeavours to have a salary of 200l. per annum settled on him the said Walton, as other Lt. Govrs. of the Leeward Islands—that after living near two years at Spanish Town, the Principal of the Virgin Islands without any provision made for him, he was advised by Col. Parke to come for England, and lay before Her Majesty the state of those Islands with his observations thereupon, which he accordingly did in the year 1710, as likewise at several times since as may appear from several papers in this office upon that subject, and that he now humbly hoped his services would be taken into consideration.

November 15. Present:—Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Cokburne, Mr. Cooke, Mr. Docminique.

Miscellanies.

Letter to Commissioners of the Treasury.

The Secretary laid before the Board the following accounts of the incident charges of this office for the last quarter vizt.

Salary incidents.

whereupon a letter to the Lords Commrs. of His Majesty's Treasury praying payment thereof, and of the salaries due to this Office was signed.

Trade.

Order of Council.

East India exports.

An Order of Council of the 18th of the last month referring back to the Board the examination of an account of the Exports of the East India Company [fo. 279], between Septr., 1714 and Septr., 1715, was read.

2nd Order on the Boards representation about East India exports.

Another Order of Council of the same date referring back to the Board their representation of the 15th of Septr., 1715 [fo. 252] relating to the East India Company's Exports, and directing their Lordships to inquire into the occasion of the decrease in the Exportation of Cloth, and consider how that trade may be better regulated, was read.

New York.

4 Independant companies.

Establishment.

Letter from Mr. Strahan.

A letter from Mr. Strahan dated yesterday with a copy of the Establishment [fo. 270] for the 4 Independent Companies of Soldiers at New York, was read.

Letter from Mr. Champante about presents for 5 Nations of Indians.

A letter from Mr. Champante, Agent for the province of New York, dated this day relating to the Species and quantities of things to be sent as presents from His Majesty to the 5 nations of Indians [v. Infra] in that province, according to the proposal of Brigadier Hunter his Majesty's Govr. there, was read; and directions given for preparing a letter to Mr. Secry. Stanhope thereupon.

November 17. Present:—Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Cokburne, Mr. Cooke, Mr. Docminique.

New York.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Stanhope.

Presents to the 5 Nations &c.

The draught of a letter to Mr. Secry. Stanhope directed to be prepared the 15th instant relating to presents for the five nations of Indians [v. supra. fo. 278] at New York and to an augmention of His Majesty's Forces there, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

The following copies of five Orders of Council were severally read vizt.

New England.

Order on representation.

Col. Burges instructions.

Copy of an Order of Council of the 15th upon a repn. of the 8th of Septr., 1715 with the draughts of instructions to Col. Burges [fo. 248] for the Governments of the Massachusets Bay and New Hampshire.

Leeward Islands.

General Hamiltons instructions.

2nd Order on representation.

Copy of an Order of Council of the 9th Septr. upon a repn. of the 31st of Augt., 1715 with the draughts of General Hamiltons instructions [fo. 233] for the Govnt. of the Leeward Islands.

New Jersey.

3rd Order on representation.

Act about Gordon.

Copy of an Order of Council of the 31st of Augt., 1715 upon a repn. of the 10th of the same month for confirming An Act of New Jersey [fo. 212] to enable Thomas Gordon Esqre. Treasurer of that province to pay the sum of £999 13s. 3d. &c.

New York.

4th Order on representation.

New Councillor.

Copy of an Order of Council of the 9th of Septr. upon a repn. of the 31st of Augt., 1715 [fo. 235], proposing Mr. Clark to be of the Council of New York.

Virginia.

5th Order on representation.

Act about bearing offices.

Copy of an Order of Council of ye 31st of Augt., 1715, upon a repn. of the 6th of July [fo. 158] for repealing An Act of Virginia declaring who shall not bear office in that Colony.

Letter from Colonel Spotswood.

His speech to the Assembly.

A letter from Col. Spotswood, Lieut. Govr. of Virginia dated the 9th of Augt., 1715, was read; and his speech to the Assembly of that Colony referred to in the said letter was laid before the Board.

November 18. Present:—Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Cokburne, Mr. Cooke, Mr. Docminique.

New York.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Stanhope.

Presents for the 5 Nations &c.

The draught of a letter to Mr. Secry. Stanhope ordered yesterday to be transcribed [fo. 276, 381], relating to presents for the five nations of Indians at New York, and to an augmentation of His Majesty's forces there, was signed.

November 22. Present:—Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Cokburne, Mr. Cooke, Mr. Docminique.

Trade.

Order of Council on the Admiralty report about Naval assistance desired by the African Company.

Members thereof &c. summoned.

An Order of Council of the 18th of the last month [fo. 280, 305], referring to the Board a report from the Lords of the Admiralty relating to some naval assistance desired of His Majesty by the Royal African Company, was read; whereupon ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Perry their Secry., desiring him to acquaint them that their Lordships would be glad of speaking with any members of the said Company at ten of the clock on Thursday morning next. Further ordered that Mr. Robert Heysham, Mr. Humphrey Morris and Mr. Richd. Harris [fo. 282] be acquainted that the Board desire to speak with them or any other gentlemen they shall think fit to bring with them at ten of the clock on Friday morning next, upon the same subject.

Trade.

Order of Council about decrease of East India exports of cloth.

Persons summoned.

thereupon.

Upon further consideration of the Order of Council of the 18th October [fo. 275] mentioned in the minutes of the 15th instant relating to the trade to the East Indies and the decrease of the Exports of Cloth, ordered that Mr. Isaac Leoffs [fo. 285] be acquainted that the Board desire to speak with him at ten of the clock on Tuesday morning next, and one or two Blackwell Hall Factors of each Hall relating to the increase or decrease of our Woollen Trade.

Antigua.

Act about Anne Hathorn.

Sent to the Attorney General.

An Act passed in Antigua the 3rd of March, 1714, to enable Baptist Looby of the said Island Esqr. and Margaret his Wife, Guardians of the body and estate of Anne Hathorne an enfant &c. to sell and dispose of the lands therein mentioned was read; whereupon ordered that the same be sent to Mr. Attorney General [fo. 286] for his opinion upon it in point of law, as soon as conveniently he can.

November 24. Present:—Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Cokburne, Mr. Cooke, Mr. Docminique.

Trade.

Members of the African Company &c. attending on the Naval assistance desired by them.

Order of Council on the Admiralty report.

Abstracts of letters about damages sustained by the trade.

Mr. Blake, Mr. Sedgwick, Mr. Elliot and Mr. Gohier, members of the Royal African Company, attending with Mr. Perry Secretary of the said Company, they were asked several questions relating to the necessity or use of the naval assistance, which they desire of His Majesty on the coast of Africa, as mentioned in the Order of Council of the 18th of October [fo. 278] on a report from the Lords of the Admiralty, read the 22nd instant; whereupon they said they had the same occasion at present for a man of war as before the Peace, for that their trade was in great danger from the natives of Africa, as likewise from French and Dutch rivals, the French having two Settlements in the mouth of the River Gambia, and claiming the sole right to trade in that River, where they had lately seized two interlopers' ships; that the Dutch have had a mighty difference with His Majesty's subjects at Wida which inconveniences might be prevented for the future by the countenance of one man of war at least, tho' two may be necessary, and they presented to their Lordships the abstracts of several letters received from their Factors relating to the damages and insults that trade has lately sustained; that they did not desire to make use of His Majesty's ships against any other than their foreign rivals, and hoped that as the Government had allowed them ships for their protection and incouragement in time of war, the Company might have the same indulgence, whilst their trade continued in equal danger.

Memorial desired.

Their Lordships then desired these gentlemen would prepare and bring to the Board a memorial in writing [fo. 295] setting forth the necessity and use of the ship they desire and what instructions they propose for the commander, and likewise to add a state of the trade to Africa in general, as it is now carried on; which they accordingly promised.

Letter to Mr. Burchet for account of ships of war, formerly attending the African coast &c.

Ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Burchet, Secry. to the Rt. Honble. the Lords Commrs. of the Admiralty to desire of their Lordships, that this Board may have an account of what ships of war have been appointed from time to time since 1690 [fo. 305], to attend on the coast of Africa both in war and peace, with copies of the usual instructions given them in relation to that trade.

Separate traders queried on African trade.

Mr. Heysham, Mr. Morris, Mr. Harris &c. [fo. 279] who are concerned in the separate trade to Africa, and had been desired to come to the Board tomorrow, attending now, were asked several questions relating to the trade to those parts, whereupon they said; that in time of peace there is no occasion for ships of war, nor have they heard of insults or disturbances given His Majesty's subjects by any foreign nation, tho' they have ships lately arrived, particularly one in July last, by which they had an account, that when the master was on the coast of Africa, there were 12 ships at the same time trading there; that one Capt. Cooke, Commander of a company's ship, had assaulted one of the separate traders; that the Prussians are very useful to us in their settlements, protecting all our ships as Free Ports, and an instance was given of a Govr. at a Danish Settlement having taken great care of an English vessell driven thither in distress, which he faithfully disposed of and remitted the value—that the greatest insults committed are by the Company's Factors—that the French indeed have taken a ship for trading as alledged within the French Limits, but have not otherwise extended their pretentions—that they (the French) have a settlement at the Island Goree and by combination with the king of Portadally draw ignorant people in, and piratically commit depre dations, the French commonly taking the ships, and the King the goods, (as was the case of the ship Neptune, during the last Peace); that these irregularities are of a national concern, and ought to be redressed by the Court of France, from whence if any favourable orders should be obtained, they would be of little use, since the French Senegal Company are worth little or nothing—that what injuries are done by the natives of Africa, cannot be prevented by a man of war, nor did these gentlemen think there was occasion for any, except it were to carry some stores, provisions, or other effects, our Company are sending to their Forts and Settlements, which it is believed, is the sole use for a ship of war, tho' other reasons are pretended.

Present state of the African trade desired in writing.

Their Lordships then desired these gentlemen to give them the best account they can in writing of the present state of the African trade [fo. 302], or what they might have to offer relating thereto, which they accordingly promised.

Bahama Islands.

Advantage of settling them represented.

Persons able to give a further account thereof.

And the Bahama Islands being mentioned in discourse, Mr. Heysham and the other gentlemen represented the great advantage it would be to the trade of this kingdom, if those Islands were settled, particularly Providence; whereupon they named Mr. Boon, one Mr. Hawkins, of the Tower, and Capt. Buttler, Commander of a man of war, as persons able to give their Lordships the best information concerning them.

Newfoundland.

Inquiry to be made of Mr. Burchet after Commodore Kempthorn.

Ordered that inquiry be made of Mr. Burchet [fo. 285], whether Commodore Kempthorn be returned from Newfoundland, and if not, whether he be ordered directly home, or whether the Lords of the Admiralty have received any further account from him since what was sent by their Lordships to Mr. Secry. Stanhope the 12th of the last month.

November 29. Present:—Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Cokburne, Mr. Cooke, Mr. Docminique.

Newfoundland.

2 letters from Mr. Burchet.

Advices from the Commodore &c.

Mr. Gaudy.

Captain Maine.

Two letters from Mr. Burchet [fo. 284], Secry. to the Lords Commrs. of the Admiralty, dated the 24th and 28th instant, relating to advices from the Commodore and others at Newfdland., and to Mr. Gaudy [fo. 286] who has surveyed those parts, as also concerning Captain Mayne, who is lately arrived from Newfoundland, and the Isle of May, were read; and an answer agreed and ordered to be sent.

Trade.

Woollen.

Blackwell Hall Factors to attend on Friday.

Mr. Brooksbank and Diston summoned.

The Secretary acquainting the Board, that Mr. Isaac Leoffs [fo. 279, 291] had been with him, to acquaint their Lordships that the Blackwell Hall Factors who were desired to attend this day in relation to our Woollen Cloth Trade could not possibly do it before Friday next; ordered that letters be writ to Mr. Brooksbank and Mr. Diston to desire them to attend with Mr. Leoffs at that time.

Newfoundland.

Mr. Gaudy with draughts of the coast and harbours there.

Queried about Colonel Moody.

Mr. Gaudy, the person mentioned in the first of Mr. Burchet's foresaid letters to be lately arrived from Newfoundland, attending, he shewed their Lordships the draughts [fo. 285, 329] he had made of the coast and several harbours there; and being asked some questions in relation to Col. Moody, Lieut. Govr. of Placentia, he said Col. Moody had let two fishing rooms the one for £25, and the other for £30, which he had purchased of the French.

Letter to Mr. Burchet.

Abovesaid draughts to be printed.

Mr. Gaudy being withdrawn, a letter was writ to Mr. Burchet [fo. 296] by their Lordships order, acquainting him that they think it would be of good service to the publick if the said dts. were printed so as to be dispersed before the next fishing season.

Antigua.

Attorney Generals report on an Act.

Representation confirming thereof.

Mr. Attorney Genls. Report [fo. 279, 287] upon the Act passed at Antigua the 3rd of March, 1714, to inable Baptist Looby of the said Island Esqr. &c. to sell and dispose of lands &c. sent him the 23rd instant, was read; whereupon directions were given for preparing the draught of a repn. to His Majesty in order to the confirmation thereof.

St. Christophers.

Mr. Attorney Generals report on state of Mr. Durepaires case.

Letter to him touching his naturalization.

Mr. Attorney General's Report [fo. 262, 287] upon the case of Mons. Durepaire sent him ye 25th of the last month, relating to some lands claimed by the said Durepaire in the late French part of St. Christophers was likewise read; whereupon ordered that a letter be writ to Mons. Durepaire to know whether himself or wife have been naturalized or endenized; and if they have, to desire he will bring with him to morrow morning the Instrument of Naturalization or endenization.

November 30. Present:—Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Cokburne, Mr. Cooke, Mr. Docminique.

Antigua.

Representation on an Act.

A representation [fo. 286, 323], ordered yesterday to be prepared for approving An Act passed in Antigua the 3rd of March, 1714, to inable Baptist Looby of the said Island, Esqr. &c. to sell and dispose of lands &c. was signed.

St. Christophers.

Memorial from Monsieur Durepaire.

His pretentions to land in French part.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Stanhope.

A memorial from Mons. Durepaire [fo. 286, 290], relating to some lands claimed by him in right of his wife in the late French part of St. Christophers, was read, and Mr. Durepaire being asked whether himself or wife had been naturalized or endenized, he said they had not; whereupon directions were given for preparing an answer to Mr. Secretary Stanhope's letter mentioned in the minutes of the 21st of the last month upon that subject.

Newfoundland.

Captain Mayne in relation to the Isle of May.

Salt.

Captain Mayne attending, and their Lordships having some discourse with him concerning the Isle of May [fo. 334] from whence he lately arrived, he said that whereas there did not formerly use to be above five or ten vessels at a time loading salt at that Island, there had this year been above 120, imployed in that trade, without any molestation, of all which vessels he communicated to their Lordships a list, and further said that there had been 22 other ships loading salt at the adjacent Island of Bonavista, being of about 200 tuns one with another—that the property of the Island is Portugueze, being inhabited only by free negroes, but by King Charles the Second's marriage Treaty, the sole right of gathering salt there was granted to the English, and is now enjoyed by His Majesty's subjects—that some French called there, and had only as much salt as was necessary for the use of their ships— but some Dutch would have loaded salt had he not prevented them— that the salt we get at the Isle of May, was first designed for our Fishery at Newfoundland and other parts of America, but that by dividing the salt lakes which are on a flat sandy ground, the quantity of salt, which is or might be made, would suffice most part of the World, and we accordingly carry great quantities to many places in Europe —that there have arisen some irregularities by the first of our ships possessing themselves of more ground on the Island than they can imploy (as the fishing ships at Newfoundland) for which he had proposed some remedies to the Lords of the Admiralty and communicated to the Board a copy thereof.

Captain Mayne queried about this years fishery.

The Captain being then asked if he knew any thing of this years fishery at Newfoundland, he said, he had advice from St. Johns that fish there were very scarce, and tho' at 30 rials per quintals, it was thought would fall to 24 for want of ships to carry it off.

Bahama Islands.

Order of Council on Lord Proprietors representation.

New Governor.

An Order of Council [fo. 297] of the 31st of August, 1715, upon a certificate or representation of the Lords Proprietors of the Bahama Islands, approving Roger Mostyn Esqr. for Govr. of those Islands, and referring the said repn. to be considered by this Board, who are to report what may be further necessary to be done thereupon was read; whereupon ordered that the several papers in this office relating to the Bahama Islands be laid before the Board.