Journal, January 1717

Carolina.

Order of Council.

January 2. Present:—Sir Jacob Astley, Mr. Cokburne, Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Addison, Mr. Molesworth.

Robert Johnson.

Governor.

his security.

Colonel Blakiston, for their characters.

An Order of Council of the 6th of the last month (upon a repn. of this Board of the 22nd of Novr. foregoing) approving Robert Johnson esqr. for Govr. of Carolina and directing security to be taken for his observing the Acts of Trade &c. [fos. 145, 166], in that government, was read; as were likewise two letters from Mr. Andrew Broughton and Mr. William Bonner offering to be sureties for Mr. Johnson upon this occasion; whereupon Mr. Johnson attending was told their lordships were unacquainted with the said gentlemen, to which he answered that they being well known to Col. Blakiston, he could inform the Board of their characters; and their lordships gave directions for signifying to Col. Blakiston their desire of speaking with him on Friday morning next.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Secretary Methuen.

Wich.

Herring trade Hamburgh.

A letter from Mr. Secry. Methuen of the 14th of the last month upon several letters and other papers from Mr. Which his Majesty's resident at Hamburgh relating to our herring trade [fos. 48, 166] with that city, was read; and the papers referred to in Mr. Secretary's said letter were laid before the Board vizt.:—
Papers therewith.
Extract of a letter from Mr. Wich his Majesty's resident at Hamburgh to the Lord Visct. Townshend, dated the 16th Octr., 1716.
Extract of a letter from Mr. Wich to his lordship, dated 30th Octr., 1716.
Extract of another letter from Mr. Wich to the Lord Viscount Townshend, dated 8th Decr., 1716.
Extract of the protocol of the Senate of Hamburgh, dated the 8th June, 1716.
Extract de protocol du Senat d'Hamburgh, Octr., 16th, 1716.
Copy of Mr. Wich memorial to the Senate of Hamburgh.
Extract du protocol d'Hamburgh, Octr. 30th, 1716.
Copy of the treaty with the city of Hamburgh for the herring trade, dated 31st Janry., 1711, with the ratification thereof.

Letter to Mr. Tilson.

Whereupon ordered that the Secry. [fo. 165] write to Mr. Tilson [fo. 174] to desire copies of what the Lord Visct. Townshend has writ from time to time to Mr. Wich upon this subject, since the new convention has been on foot.

January 4. Present:—Sir Jacob Astley, Mr. Cokburne, Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Cooke, Mr. Addison, Mr. Molesworth.

Carolina.

Letter from Colonel Blakiston about sureties for Mr. Johnson.

Acts of trade.

Letter to Mr. Lowndes with draught of a bond &c.

A letter from Col. Blakiston to the Secry. dated yesterday, relating to the characters and circumstances of Mr. Broughton and Mr. Bonner [fos. 164, 168], who have offered to be sureties for Mr. Johnson's observing the Acts of Trade and Navigation in his govmt. of Carolina was read; whereupon a letter to Mr. Lowndes with the draught of a bond to be executed for that purpose by the said Mr. Broughton and Mr. Bonner, as the Lords Commrs. of the Treasury shall direct, was agreed, and ordered to be sent.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Secretary Methuen.

Treaty of commerce France and Hanse towns.

A letter from Mr. Secry. Methuen of the 3rd instant, inclosing the copy of a treaty of commerce concluded between France and the Hanse towns the 28th of Septr. last, was read, whereupon directions were given for abstracting the copy of the said treaty.

January 9. Present:—Earl of Suffolk, Sir Jacob Astley, Mr. Cokburne, Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Addison, Mr. Molesworth.

Jamaica.

Letter from Mr. Secretary Methuen.

Melmoth's petition.

Mr. Knight Deputy Receiver General.

Melmoth summoned.

A letter from Mr. Secry. Methuen of the 3rd instant for the opinion of this Board upon the petition of Mr. Melmoth to his Royal Highness, in behalf of Mr. Knight, Deputy Receiver General of Jamaica, relating to money issued out by the said Knight by order of the Govr. and Council of that island for the publick service thereof, which the Assembly are endeavouring to oblige the said Receiver to answer again, as set forth in the said petition, and praying directions may be immediately sent to Jamaica to stop any proceedings therein, till his Royal Highness's pleasure be further known, was read, together with the petition; whereupon ordered that Mr. Melmoth be acquainted that their lordships desire to speak with him on Friday morning next.

Carolina.

Mr. Lowndes's objections to draught of bond.

Johnson.

Acts of trade.

Persons summoned.

The Secretary acquainted the Board that Mr. Lowndes, sending for him to the Treasury, had made some objections to the draught of a bond transmitted to that office the 4th instant to be entered into by Mr. Broughton and Mr. Bonner [fos. 166, 171], for Mr. Johnson's observing the Acts of Trade &c. in his Govnt. of Carolina; ordered that Mr. Attorney General, Mr. Johnson and Col. Blakiston be desired to attend the Board on Friday morning next.

Jamaica.

Letter from Colonel Heywood.

A letter from Col. Hey wood, Commander in chief of Jamaica, dated 11th August, 1716, was read, and the papers therein referred laid before the Board vizt.:—
Papers referred to.
Copies of 4 letters to Lord Archd. Hamilton, late Govr. of Jamaica, from the Govrs. of the French settlements at Hispaniola, dated in June and July, 1716, complaining of piracies committed there &c.

2nd letter from Colonel Heywood.

Another letter from Col. Heywood dated the 18th of Septr., 1716 was read, and the papers therein referred to, laid before the Board vizt.:—
Papers referred to.
Copy of a letter from Col. Heywood to the Govr. of the Havana, dated August 16th, 1716.
Copy of a letter from Col. Heywood to the Govr. of St. Iago de Cuba, dated 24th Augt., 1716.
Copy of an address from the Independent Company of Spanish Town to the Govr.

3rd letter from Colonel Heywood.

A letter from Col. Heywood of the 10th of Octr., 1716, was likewise read, and the papers therein referred to, in like manner laid before their lordships vizt.:—
Papers referred to.
Copy of a letter from Stephen Smith, a pirate, to the Govr. of Jamaica, dated 23rd Sept., 1716, offering upon pardon to surrender.
Minutes of the Council of Jamaica from 25th July to 19th Septr., 1716.

Letter to Colonel Heywood.

Whereupon a letter to Col. Heywood, acknowledging the receipt of his three letters &c. abovementioned, and relating to the want of some minutes of the Council of Jamaica, was agreed and signed.

New Jersey.

Letter from Brigadier Hunter with one from Mr. Cox.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Methuen.

A letter from Brigadier Hunter Govr. of New Jersey &c. to the Secry. dated the 16th of Novr., 1716, together with an inclosed copy of another from Mr. Cox, relating to intended complaints against the said Govr. were read; whereupon ordered that a copy of the said letter and that from Mr. Cox, be prepared to be sent to Mr. Secry. Methuen.

January 11. Present:—Earl of Suffolk, Mr. Cokburne, Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Addison, Mr. Molesworth.

New Jersey.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Methuen with one from Brigadier Hunter about designs against him.

The draught of a letter to Mr. Secry. Methuen, pursuant to the last minutes for inclosing to him the copy of one from Brigadier Hunter Govr. of New Jersey &c. to the Secry. of this Board, and of a letter from Mr. Cox, late one of the Council of that province, relating to some designs against the said Govr.'s reputation here, was signed.

Carolina.

Attorney General.

Draught of a bond.

Mr. Johnson, acts of trade &c.

Alterations.

Mr. Attorney General attending, the draught of a bond, mentioned in the last minutes for Mr. Johnson's observing the Acts of Trade [fos. 168, 187], &c. in his government of Carolina, was communicated to Mr. Attorney, and by his advice the word, executoribus, [journal Dd.fo. 30] inserted instead of successoribus, according to the statute of the 33rd of King Henry the 8th chapter 39, and some other amendments made.

Jamaica.

Mr. Melmoth &c.

Mr. Knight, Deputy Receiver General.

Extracts of letters left.

Mr. Melmoth attending, together with the following gentlemen, trading to or concerned in Jamaica, vizt.:—Sir Justus Beck, Mr. Morris, Col. Thompson, Col. Edlyn, Major Ascough, Mr. Moore, Mr. Forrard, Mr. Rigby, Mr. Gregory, Mr. Broderick, Mr. Wm. Cokburne, Col. Oldfield, Mr. Bowles, Mr. Compere, Major Hemmings, Mr. Parrot, Mr. Mitchel, and Mr. Wood, the said Melmoth's petition in behalf of Mr. Knight, Deputy Receiver General of that island, referred to this Board by Mr. Secry. Methuen's letter of the 3rd as mentioned in the minutes of the 9th instant, was again read; whereupon Mr. Melmoth and the other gentlemen being asked what proofs they had to offer for supporting the allegations of the petition, they referred to the minutes of the Council of Jamaica of the 14th Febry., 1715/16, to shew that the Govr. and Council had ordered the sum of 3729l. 8s. 5d. out of the hands of Mr. Major to the Receiver General, with a list of the outstanding debts, as set forth in the said petition, and Mr. Rigby (late of the Council of that island), acquainted their lordships that the Govnt. of Jamaica being in great straights for money, and in danger of a second mutiny among the soldiers for want of subsistence, the Assembly having voted, what was formerly advanced to the soldiers out of the private pockets of the Govr. and Council, illegal, there appeared a necessity for this proceeding; that the said sum of money ordered out of the majors hands had been issued by the Receiver General for the public use of the government, pursuant to warrants from the Govr. in Council and chiefly for the soldiers, which he said would appear, from time to time by the minutes, affirming of his own knowledge, that there were several orders to the Receiver Genl. for such payments; and Mr. Broderick likewise said he saw three of the said payments; and an account was presented to the Board of several sums of money paid by the Receiver General for public service from the 14th Febry., 1715, to the 17th July, 1716, amounting in all to 4980l. 17s. 4½d.; it being then asked what proofs they had, that the Assembly of Jamaica would oblige the Receiver General to repay the said sum, they produced the minutes of Assembly of the 4th Octr., 1716, signed by the Clerk of the Assembly (which had not yet been transmitted to this Board) wherein it was voted that a clause be brought in for that purpose, and several letters were produced by Sir Justus Beck, Mr. Broderick and others in confirmation thereof, the extracts of which letters were left with the Secretary.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Methuen.

Mr. Melmoth and the forementioned gentlemen being withdrawn, a letter on this head, to Mr. Secretary Methuen, was agreed and signed.

January 16. Present:—Sir Jacob Astley, Mr. Cokburne, Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Cooke, Mr. Addison, Mr. Molesworth.

St. Christophers.

Mr. Isaac Duport.

Debentures.

Mr. Isaac Duport attending, and his powers of attorney from several of the sufferers at St. Christophers by the French invasion, being examined at the Board, the seventeen debentures, according to their following numbers were delivered to him vizt.:—No. 150, 603, 606, 607, 613, 616, 619, 628, 630, 637, 642, 643, 646, 650, 651, 652, 656.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Tilson.

Letters to Mr. Wich.

Herring trade.

Hamburgh.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Methuen.

A letter from Mr. Tilson of the 4th instant, together with the extracts of several letters from the Lord Visct. Townshend to Mr. Wich, was read, as likewise the extract of a letter from Mr. Wich to Mr. Secry. Methuen, dated the 5th of this month N.S. all relating to the herring trade [fos. 166, 180] at Hamburgh. And their lordships taking into consideration Mr. Secry. Methuen's letter of the 14th of last month, upon the same subject, together with the several extracts and papers therein referred to, directions were given for preparing an answer to Mr. Secrys. said letter.

Trade.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Methuen for treaties between England and the Hanse towns.

The Board taking likewise into consideration the copy of a treaty of commerce concluded with France and the Hanse Towns the 28th of Septr., 1716, transmitted to their lordships with Mr. Secry. Methuen's letter of the 3rd mentioned in the minutes of the 4th instant; ordered that another letter be prepared to desire Mr. Secry. will please to let them have copies of such treaties as are now in force or have been formerly made between this kingdom and the Hanse Towns, in order to be compared and considered with the copy abovementioned.

Trade.

Letter to Mr. Martyn, Inspector General, for account of imports and exports.

Ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Martyn, Inspector General of his Majesty's Customs, for an account of the imports and exports to and from this kingdom for the year ending at Christmas, 1715, to know when the like account for the following year will be ready, and to signify the Board's desire of speaking with him so soon as the first mentioned account shall be prepared.

The twenty copies of orders of Council undermentioned, upon several letters and representations of this Board, were read vizt.:—

Jamaica.

Order of Council confirming Sadler's act.

Copy of an Order of Council of the 18th May, 1704, upon a repn. for confirming an Act passed in Jamaica, to reimburse John Sadler gent. &c. approving the same, as likewise four more Acts of that island.

Maryland.

Order of Council.

Approving instructions of trade for Lord Guilford.

Copy of an Order of Council, of 17th June, 1715, upon a repn. of 15th Dec. for taking security for the Govr. of Maryland, and approving the Dt. of instructions prepared for the Lord Guilford thereupon, relating to the Acts of Trade &c.

Virginia.

Order of Council.

Decrease of 2sh. per hogshead.

Copy of an Order of Council of 9th upon a repn. of the 2nd of Septr., 1715, relating to the decrease of the revenue of two shillings per hogshead &c. in Virginia.

Antigua.

Order of Council.

Dean.

Ship seized.

Copy of an Order of Council of 18th October, 1715, upon a repn. of 16th Septr. foregoing, about restoring to Mr. Dean his ship &c. seized at Antigua.

New England.

Order of Council.

Colonel Burges instructions.

Copy of an Order of Council of 15th upon a repn. of the 8th Septr., 1715, with draught of instructions for Elizeus Burges esqr. Govr. of New England, and recommending persons to be of the Council, approving the same.

Barbadoes.

Bahamas.

Trade.

Order of Council.

Mount Lucy Plantation.

Settlement of Bahamas.

African company's petition.

Copy of an Order of Council of 12th January, 1715/16, upon 3 repns. one relating to an Act of Barbadoes to dock the intail of Mount Lucy Plantation, another on the petition of the proprietors of the Bahama Islands, touching the settlement thereof, and the third on the petition of the Royal African Company for shipping to incourage that trade, referring them to the Lords of the Committee.

Jamaica.

Order of Council.

Broderick a councillor.

Order of Council.

Copy of an Order of Council of 10th March, 1715, upon a representation recommending Wm. Brodrick esqr. to be of the Council of Jamaica, approving the same.

Recalling Lord Archibald Hamilton and appointing Colonel Heywood Governor.

Copy of an Order of Council of 21st May, 1716, upon the draught of a warrant for revoking Lord Archibald Hamilton's commissions and appointing Col. Heywood Govr. of Jamaica, approving the same.

Trade.

Order of Council.

Exportation.

Woollen manufactures.

Copy of an Order of Council of 6th April, 1716, upon a repn. relating to the decrease of the exportation of the woollen manufactures, referring it to the Lords of the Committee.

New England.

Order of Council.

Colonel Shute's commission.

Copy of an Order of Council of 17th May, 1716, upon a repn. of 10th Do. with draught of commissions for Col. Shute to be Govr. of New England, approving the same.

Jamaica.

Order of Council.

Colonel Heywood's instructions.

Copy of an Order of Council of 27th May, 1716, approving the draught of instructions for Col. Heywood to be Govr. of Jamaica.

Order of Council approving Pitt's commission.

Copy of an Order of Council of 25th June, 1716, approving the draught of a commission for Thomas Pitt senr. esqr. to be Govr. of Jamaica.

Leeward Islands.

Order of Council.

Stores of war.

Copy of an Order of Council, 6th July, 1716, upon a representation and account of stores of war, wanted in the Leeward Islands.

New England.

Order of Council.

Lands.

Colonel Partridge.

Copy of an Order of Council of 20th Septr. upon a repn. of 16th August, 1716, about granting some lands in New England, to Col. Partridge, approving the same.

Barbadoes.

Jamaica.

Antigua.

Order of Council.

approving three acts.

Summers-Read-Murray.

Copy of an Order of Council 12th Novr., 1716, approving three Acts, one relating to Mr. Sommers, of Barbadoes, another to Mr. Read of Jamaica, and a third to Mr. Murray of Antigua, upon respective repns. from this Board.

St. Christophers.

Order of Council.

Lyddall, Clayton &c.

Copy of an Order of Council 12th Novr. upon a repn. 17th Augt., 1716, upon the petition of Lyddle, Clayton &c. touching the discouragement they lie under from the uncertain tenure of their plantations in the late French part of St. Christophers.

Nevis.

Order of Council approving two acts.

Copy of an Order of Council of 6th Decr., 1716, upon a repn. for confirming two Acts passed at Nevis, one about slaves, the other for making a fortification there, approving the same.

Leeward Islands.

Order of Council.

Stores of war.

Copy of an Order of Council of 17th upon a repn. of 14th Decr., 1716, relating to a supply of stores of war wanted in the Leeward Islands.

Pennsylvania.

Two orders of Council.

Approving Keith.

Penn's instructions.

Copies of two Orders of Council of 17th Decr., 1716, upon a repn. of the same date, approving Mr. Keith, for Deputy Govr. of Pennsylvania, and relating to instructions to be given Mr. Penn, concerning the Acts of Trade.

St. Christophers.

Order of Council.

Thauvet's plantation.

Copy of an Order of Council of 21st Decr., 1716, upon a repn. of the 20th Dr. relating to Capt. Thauvet's being restored to a plantation in the late French part of St. Christophers.

January 17. Present:—Mr. Cokburne, Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Addison, Mr. Molesworth.

Trade.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Methuen.

Convention with Hamburgh.

Another letter to Mr. Methuen.

Treaties with the Hanse towns.

The draughts of two letters to Mr. Secry. Methuen, directed yesterday to be prepared, one relating to the project of a convention with Hamburgh about the herring trade [fo. 174], the other to desire of Mr. Secry. the copies of any treaties of commerce made between this kingdom and the Hanse Towns, were agreed and signed.

Bahama's.

Letter from Mr. Walker.

Pirates.

An anonymous letter, appearing by the papers undermentioned to be from Mr. Thomas Walker, dated in August, 1716, relating to the present state of the Bahama Islands, and to pirates there, was read, and the papers therein referred to, laid before the Board vizt.:—
Papers referred to.
Copy of Thomas Walker junr.'s depositions relating to the pirates at the Bahama Islands and his father's life being threatened by one of them named Hornigold.
Copy of the deposition of Richard Ward, relating to Mr. Walker's preventing the Spaniards from the Havana invading the Bahama Islands on account of the robberies committed by the pirates there.
A Copy of General Francis Nicholson's letter to Thomas Walker.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Methuen.

Whereupon a letter to Mr. Secry. Methuen for transmitting to him copies of the said letter and depositions, in order to the receiving his Royal Highness's pleasure upon these and former advices concerning pirates &c. at the Bahama Islands, was signed.

January 22. Present:—Sir Jacob Astley, Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Addison, Mr. Molesworth.

Trade.

Letter from Lord Townshend.

Extracts from Mr. Whitworth.

Germany.

A letter from the Lord Visct. Townshend of the 28th of August last, referring to the consideration of this Board, some extracts of letters &c. from Mr. Whitworth, relating to trade in Germany, was read, together with the said extracts.

Trade.

Letter from Lord Townshend.

Petersburg.

Muscovy trade.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Stanhope.

A letter from the Lord Visct. Townshend, of the 12th September last, with the copy of one from Petersburg, dated to 10th of August foregoing relating to the trade of Muscovy, was read, and a letter prepared and signed to Mr. Secry. Stanhope in answer thereto.

January 25. Present:—Mr. Cokburne, Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Molesworth.

St. Christophers.

John Mills.

Debenture.

Mr. John Mills attending, and his power of attorney from Samuel Earle, one of the sufferers by the French invasion at St. Christophers, being examined at the Board, the debenture numbered 617 was delivered to him.

Trade.

Mr. Bignell from Inspector General.

Mr. Martyn.

The Secry. acquainting their lordships that Mr. Bignell from the Inspector General of the Customs office had been with him to desire an explanation of the letter writ to Mr. Martyn the 17th instant, relating to the accounts of exports and imports, ordered that Mr. Martyn, or in his absence, Mr. Bignell, be desired to attend this Board on Thursday morning next, with their ledger for the year ending at Christmas, 1715.

Barbadoes.

Letter from Mr. Lowther.

A letter from Mr. Lowther, Govr. of Barbadoes dated the 25th of Octr., 1715, was read, and the papers therein referred to laid before the Board vizt.:—
Papers referred to.
List of papers referred to in the foregoing letter.
Copy of a letter from Mr. Lowther to the Govr. of Martinique, dated 22nd August, 1715.
Copy of a letter from Monsr. Duquesne Govr. of Martinique, to Mr. Lowther dated 30th of Septr., 1715.
Copy of Mr. Lowther's commn. appointing Commrs. to make contracts for timber, iron work &c. for repair of the fortifications &c.
State of the magazines the 19th July, 1715.
A list of negroe slaves imported and exported from the 24th of April, 1714 to the 24th of April, 1715.
Naval officers list of ships entered and cleared at Barbadoes from Lady Day 1715, to midsummer following.
Lists of causes determined in the several courts of Chancery Errors and Common Pleas in Barbadoes, from the 12th of May, to the 21st of Septr., 1715, both inclusive as also of such causes as then remained depending in the said Courts.
Minutes of Council of Barbadoes from the 12th of May to the 2nd of August, 1715.
Minutes of the Assembly of Barbadoes from the 22nd of June to the 20th of Septr., 1715.
Nine Acts passed in Barbadoes in July, Septr. and October, 1715.

January 31. Present:—Sir Jacob Astley, Mr. Cokburne, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Addison.

Plantations General.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Secretary Methuen.

Naval stores from the plantations.

Letter to Mr. Bignell for account of naval stores imported.

A letter from Mr. Secry. Methuen of 29th instant, signifying his Majty's. pleasure that this Board transmit an account to be laid before his Majesty, of the quantities of naval stores furnished by his Majesty's Plantations in America, with their lordships opinion what incouragements may be proper to be given in order to procure greater quantities of such naval stores from those colonies was read; whereupon a letter to Mr. Bignell in the absence of Mr. Martyn Inspector General of the Customs, was drawn up and agreed for an account of several species of naval stores imported into this kingdom from Christmas, 1714, to Christmas, 1715, of rozin and turpentine from Christmas, 1707, to Christmas, 1715, and of cordage exported from Christmas, 1708, to Christmas, 1715.

Plantations General.

Trade.

Letter to Mr. Lowndes for account from the Custom House.

And their lordships gave directions for preparing a letter to Mr. Lowndes, desiring him to move the Lords Commrs. of his Majesty's Treasury, that the Board may have an account from the Custom House of the imports and exports of several other species of goods.