Journal, February 1717

February 4. Present:—Mr. Cokburne, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Addison, Mr. Molesworth.

Trade.

Plantations General.

Accounts from the Custom House.

The three following accounts being recd. from the Inspector Genl's. office at the Custom House, were laid before the Board, vizt.:—
Naval stores.
An Account of rozin and turpentine from Christmas, 1707 to Christmas, 1715.
An account of cordage exported from Christmas, 1708 to Christmas, 1715.
An acct. of pitch tar, masts, yards and boltsprits imported from Christmas, 1714 to Christmas, 1715.

Letter to Mr. Lowndes for other accounts.

Then the letter ordered at the last meeting to be prepared to Mr. Lowndes, desiring him to move the Lords Commrs. of his Majesty's Treasury, that this Board may have an account from the Custom house of the imports and exports of several other species of goods, was agreed and ordered to be sent.

Barbadoes.

Letter from Mr. Lowther.

Answer.

The letter from Mr. Lowther Govr. of Barbadoes, dated the 25th of October, 1715, and the papers therein referred to, all mentioned in the minutes of the 25th of the last month, were laid before the Board, the said letter again read, and directions thereupon given for preparing an answer to Mr. Lowther.

Carolina.

Certificate.

Deputy Remembrancer.

Johnson.

Acts of trade.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Methuen.

A certificate from Mr. Hardinge, Deputy Remembrancer, of Security being given in his Majesty's exchequer for Mr. Johnson's [fos. 171, 192] observing the Acts of Trade &c. in the Govnt. of Carolina, was read; whereupon ordered that the draught of a letter to Mr. Secry. Methuen be prepared wherewith to lay before his Majesty the usual draught of instructions to be given to the lords proprietors of Carolina, relating to the Acts of Trade and Navigation.

February 6. Present:—Sir Jacob Astley, Mr. Cokburne, Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Cha. Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Addison, Mr. Molesworth.

Trade.

Letters to Commissioners of the navy.

Naval stores.

Ordered that the Secretary write to the Commrs. of the Navy, for an acct. of the several species and quantities of naval stores that have been delivered for the use of the royal navy, from what places those stores have been imported at what rates and upon what conditions of payment they have been bought each year from 1696 to Christmas last.

Barbadoes.

Letter to Mr. Lowther.

Their lordships took into consideration the draught of an answer to Mr. Lowther's letters (mentioned in the last minutes) and made a progress therein.

Barbadoes.

Plantations General.

Trade with the French settlements in America.

Treaty of neutrality 1686.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Methuen.

And their lordships taking notice, that in one of his letters, Mr. Lowther mentions a trade carried on between his Majesty's Plantations and those of the French in America, and desiring directions therein; their lordships found upon examination of the treaty of neutrality in America concluded in Novr., 1686, between this kingdom and France, such trade is forbid by the 5th and 6th articles; whereupon they immediately agreed and signed a letter to Mr. Secry. Methuen desiring to be informed, whether the said treaty of 1686, is to be looked upon as still in force, in order to their sending the necessary directions in this matter to Mr. Lowther, according to his desire.

February 7. Present:—Mr. Cokburne, Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Addison, Mr. Molesworth.

Jamaica.

Letter from Colonel Heywood.

A letter from Col. Heywood, commander in chief of Jamaica, dated the 14th of Novr. last, was read; and the papers therein referred to, laid before the Board vizt.:—
Papers referred to.
Copy of an address from the Assembly of Jamaica to Col. Heywood, commander in chief of that island.
Minutes of the Council of Jamaica, from 20th Septr. to 9th Novr., 1716.
Lists of Acts passed in Jamaica in 1716.

Leeward Islands.

Letter from Colonel Hamilton.

Mr. Nevin and Duport summoned.

A letter from Col. Hamilton, Govr. of the Leeward Islands, dated the 30th of April, 1716, was read, and their lordships made a progress in the consideration thereof; whereupon ordered that Mr. Nevin and Mr. Duport be acquainted that the Board desire to speak with them at ten of the clock tomorrow morning.

February 8. Present:—Mr. Cokburne, Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Cha. Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Addison, Mr. Molesworth.

St. Christophers.

Letter from General Hamilton.

Nevin and Duport queried about Mrs. Renoult a papist.

Their lordships took again into consideration the letter from Genl. Hamilton, Govr. of the Leeward Islands, of the 30th of April last, mentioned in yesterday's minutes; and Mr. Nevin with Mr. Duport attending as they had been desired, they were asked what they knew of Mrs. Renoult, who Col. Hamilton names among others, that have obtained grants of the late French lands in St. Christophers, upon fallacious suggestions; whereupon Mr. Nevin said, she was reputed a papist, and never had a right to 500 acres, tho' she pretended to much more; and Mr. Duport informed their lordships that he believed it might be easily proved she had frequented mass, and that her character was not the best, but he further said, that Mrs. Renoult having four daughters here of the protestant religion and of good reputation, the sollicitation of that grant to their mother was chiefly in view of the daughters interest, who were very deserving.

Mrs. Assaillie.

Mr. Duport.

Nevin.

As to Mrs. Assaillie, another who has obtained a warrant for a grant in the said island, they were enquired of concerning her in like manner as about Mrs. Renoult; whereupon Mr. Duport said, he knew Mrs. Assaillie's father in St. Christophers, who being a protestant, was obliged to sell his plantation in the then French part for a small matter, and removed to the English quarter with his family, living a long time out of possession of his said plantation, but that he believes Mrs. Assaillie received but little of the consideration money; Mr. Nevin said, that the plantation claimed by Mrs. Assaillie is possessed by General Hamilton, the present Govr. of the Leeward Islands, who commanding the English forces under Col. Codrington at the reduction of the French part of St. Christophers, had a grant from him of that plantation during the war, and that the same was granted to him by the name of Zubere's Plantation, who was then last in possession of it.

Jamaica.

Mr. Secretary Methuen.

New Governor.

Mr. Secry. Methuen coming to the Board, their lordships acquainted him with the substance of Col. Heywood's letter (mentioned in yesterdays minutes) and that they thought it for his Majesty's service that a new Govr. be immediately sent to Jamaica.

February 11. Present:—Mr. Cokburne, Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Molesworth.

Trade.

Johnson, navy-office.

Naval stores.

Johnson summoned.

The Secretary acquainting their lordships, that Mr. Johnson, from the navy-office, had been with him, to desire, this Board might be informed, the quantities of naval stores, required by the letter writ to the Commissioners of the Navy, the 6th instant, could not be prepared in less than twelve months, but that their lordships might have an account of the prices in about a month; ordered that the Secretary let Mr. Johnson know the Board's desire of speaking with him thereupon on Wednesday morning next.

Carolina.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Methuen.

Instructions.

Lords proprietors.

Colonel Johnson.

Acts of trade etc.

The draught of a letter to Mr. Secretary Methuen, ordered to be prepared the 4th instant, for laying before his Majesty the usual draughts of instructions to be given the lords proprietors of Carolina, for Mr. Johnson's observing the Acts of Trade [fo. 187], &c. in the government of that province, was signed.

February 13. Present:—Sir Jacob Astley, Mr. Cokburne, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Addison, Mr. Molesworth.

Trade.

Johnson, navy-office.

Naval stores.

Mr. Johnson, of the navy-office, attending, as desired, and being asked wherein the difficulty lay, of preparing immediately, the account desired by this Board, the 6th instant, of the quantities as well as prices of the several species of naval stores, bought for the use of the royal navy; he said, it would require many months to procure from his Majesty's several yards, returns of the quantities of each species of naval stores purchased there, which had not been yet made to the navy board: that the quantities of such stores imported, might be best known from the commissioners of the customs; but as for the species and prices, an account might be prepared thereof at the navy-office, in a month or six weeks.

Whereupon he was desired, that the species and prices, as required by their lordships might be dispatched with all expedition.

Carolina.

Plantations General.

Pennsylvania.

Boon and others summoned.

Naval stores.

Ordered that Mr. Boon and Mr. Beresford [fo. —], who have appeared as agents for Carolina, and Mr. Joseph Pace and Joshua Gee, merchants, be desired to attend the Board on Friday morning next; the former of the two last mentioned, with any other gentlemen concerned in bringing naval stores from the plantations, as he shall think fit to bring with him; and Mr. Gee, with some of those concerned in the design of raising hemp in or near Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania.

Letter from Mr. Secretary Stanhope.

Earl of Sutherland's memorial.

3 lower counties.

Papers before Attorney General.

Letter to him and Mr. Solicitor.

A letter from Mr. Secretary Stanhope, of the 29th December last, referring to this Board the memorial of the Earl of Sutherland, praying for a grant of the three lower counties adjoining to Pennsylvania, was read, together with the said memorial; and the Earl of Sutherland attending, acquainted the Board, that his several papers, whereby he proposed to prove that the lands be desired, were in the crown, and might be disposed of by his Majesty, were before Mr. Attorney General; and his lordship desired, the Board would please to press Mr. Attorney to hasten his report thereupon. A letter to Mr. Attorney, and Mr. Solicitor General on this subject, was agreed and ordered to be sent.

Newfoundland.

Order of Council.

Weston and Cleeves.

Irregularities.

St. Peters.

Mr. Lewen summoned.

An Order of Council, of the 21st Decbr. last, referring to this Board the representation, &c. of Ambrose Weston, and William Cleeves, relating to irregularities in the fishery at St. Peters, &c. near Newfoundland, was read, as likewise the said representation. Whereupon ordered that Mr. George Lewen, mentioned in the said Order of Council, be desired to attend their lordships on Friday morning next, and bring with him the several papers referred to, in the said representation.

February 15. Present:—Sir Jacob Astley, Mr. Cokburne, Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique.

Pennsylvania.

Mr. Gee.

Naval stores.

Hemp.

Answer in writing.

Mr. Joshua Gee, attending, as desired, their lordships had some discourse with him, relating to the furnishing this kingdom with naval stores from America and particularly the design of cultivating and improving of hemp in or near the province of Pennsylvania, and being asked what calculation the persons engaged in that design, had made, what stock they had raised &c.; as likewise concerning any further encouragement that may be necessary to be given for importing the said stores hither. He promised to consult some of the persons concerned in that undertaking, and to bring to the Board in writing, what they had to offer relating thereto, on Wednesday morning next.

Massachusets.

Carolina.

Mr. Dummer and others.

Naval stores.

Mr. Dummer agent for the province of the Massachusets Bay, with Mr. Borland and Col. Vetch, coming likewise to the Board, and afterwards Mr. Boon and Mr. Beresford, who appear for the province of Carolina, together with Mr. Godin, Capt. Cole and Mr. James Crane, they were asked several questions about such species of naval stores that might be produced in those provinces and what further præmium they thought necessary to encourage the bringing those stores to Great Britain; whereupon they also promised to bring to their lordships memorials on that subject in writing, on Wednesday morning next.

February 18. Present:—Sir Jacob Astley, Mr. Cokburne, Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Addison, Mr. Molesworth.

Newfoundland.

Letter from Mr. Secretary Methuen.

Tulon's petition and papers.

A letter from Mr. Secretary Methuen of the 12th instant, for the opinion of this Board, upon the petition and other papers presented to his Majesty by Olivier Tulon, an inhabitant of St. Peters near Newfoundland, complaining of the proceedings of Messrs. Weston, Cleeves and Burdell, was read. And the Secretary acquainting their lordships that Mr. Lewen who appears for the said Weston, &c., had desired copies of the said petition and papers, ordered that he have copies thereof accordingly.

Leeward Islands.

Letter from General Hamilton.

A letter from General Hamilton Governor of the Leeward Islands, dated the 14th of December last was read, and the papers therein referred to, laid before the Board vizt.:—
Papers referred to.
Copy of the depositions of John Kenney and Josiah Carver, taken 10th December, 1716, relating to pirates.
Copy of the deposition of Abijah Savage, relating to pirates.
List of inhabitants in the Virgin Islands.
Letter from Mr. Hornbe, of Spanish Town, to General Hamilton, Governor of the Leeward Islands, dated 15th November, 1716, relating to the inhabitants of the Virgin Islands, and to pirates in those parts.
Lists of persons recommended by General Hamilton to be of the several Councils in the Leeward Islands.
A bound book containing laws of Nevis, and of the Leeward Islands in general.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Methuen.

Leeward Islands.

Whereupon a letter was immediately prepared and signed, wherewith to transmit to Mr. Secretary Methuen, copies of the said deposition, and of that part of General Hamilton's letter which relates to pirates, and the want of a man of war.

Depositions etc. sent Mr. Burchett.

Ordered that the Secretary likewise transmit copies of the said depositions, and extract of General Hamilton's letter to Mr. Burchett, to be laid before the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty.

Letter from General Hamilton.

Act, house-rent.

Messrs. Nevin and Tryon summoned.

A letter from General Hamilton, dated the 14th of April, 1716, relating to an Act passed in the Leeward Islands, for an allowance to him for house-rent, was read; whereupon ordered that Mr. Nevin and Mr. Rowland Tryon, be acquainted that the Board desire to speak with him on Thursday morning next.

Letter from General Hamilton.

Answer.

Then the letters from General Hamilton of the 10th and 30th of April, mentioned in the minutes of 15th June last, and 7th instant, were again read; and some directions given for preparing an answer thereto.

February 20. Present:—Sir Jacob Astley, Mr. Cokburne, Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Addison, Mr. Molesworth.

Trade.

Plantations General.

Mr. Dummer, Joshua Gee.

Naval stores.

Mr. Dummer, as likewise Mr. Joshua Gee, attending, their lordships had some further discourse with each of them, on the subject of supplying this kingdom with naval stores from America; whereupon they were severally desired to reduce into writing what they had said, or might have further to offer, relating thereto. Mr. Dummer being withdrawn.

Persons summoned.

Ordered that he be desired to bring his memorial on Monday morning next; and that Mr. Pace, Mr. Danson, and Mr. Sandford be likewise desired to attend at the same time.

Barbadoes.

Leeward Islands.

Letter from Mr. Lowndes.

Stores of war.

4½ per cent.

Answer.

A letter from Mr. Lowndes, dated yesterday, with a report from the Board of Ordnance, upon the representations of this Board of 22nd June and 14th December last, relating to stores of war for the Leeward Islands, and the application of the duty of 4½ per cent. arising there, and in Barbadoes, was read, as likewise the said report; whereupon directions were given for preparing an answer to Mr. Lowndes.

February 21. Present:—Sir Jacob Astley, Mr. Cokburne, Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Addison, Mr. Molesworth.

Leeward Islands.

Messrs. Nevin and Tryon.

Act.

1,000l. per annum.

Governor's house-rent.

Mr. Nevin and Mr. Rowland Tryon attending, as desired and being asked whether they knew anything of an Act of Antigua, referred in General Hamilton's letter of the 14th April last, for settling one thousand pounds per annum that country money upon him as Governor, in lieu of house-rent, during his government; Mr. Tryon said, he had lately received the said Act, and now presented the same to the Board. Their lordships had then some discourse with these gentlemen concerning returns from the Leeward Islands to this kingdom, and how much one thousand pounds in those islands would produce here in sterling money; whereupon Mr. Nevin and Mr. Tryon were desired to bring what they had said in writing, and to offer any other reasons they might think fit to induce his Majesty to confirm the said Act, which they promised accordingly.

Newfoundland.

Mr. Lewen.

Weston and Cleeves.

Mr. George Lewen attending, in relation to the Order of Council, mentioned in the minutes of the 13th instant, he was asked if he had any thing to offer in support of the representation of Weston and Cleeves, therein referred; to which he answered, that the papers he had lately brought, which are mentioned in that representation, would make the allegations clear, and that Mr. Franklin, consul at Bilboa, who is now in London, was able to give their lordships a further account of it; Mr. Lewen was then desired to put into writing what he might think necessary to add upon the subject of the said representation, and bring the same on Wednesday morning next.

Mr. Franklin summoned.

Ordered that the said Mr. Franklin, Consul at Bilboa, be acquainted that the Board desire to speak with him thereupon at the same time.

Leeward Islands.

Barbadoes.

Letter to Mr. Lowndes.

Stores of war.

4½ per cent.

The draught of a letter, ordered the 20th instant, to be prepared, in answer to that from Mr. Lowndes, of the 19th relating to stores of war for the Leeward Islands, and the duty of 4½ per cent. there, and in Barbadoes was agreed, and ordered to be sent.

February 25. Present:—Sir Jacob Astley, Mr. Cokburne, Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Addison, Mr. Molesworth.

New England.

Plantations General.

Trade.

Mr. Dummer and others.

Memorial Naval stores.

Mr. Dummer attending, as desired, with Mr. Sandford, Mr. Pace, Mr. Fanueil, Mr. Jetsen, Mr. Lloyd, Mr. Borland, and Mr. Stoddard, Mr. Dummer presented to their lordships a memorial relating to the species and quantities of naval stores that may be raised in New England, and upon what terms they may be imported here, which memorial was read; and the other gentlemen above mentioned being asked if they concurred therein, they acquainted the Board, that they had perused the said memorial, and approved thereof as their own sentiments, several of the particulars being of their own knowledge.

Mr. Dummer representing in the said memorl. that a master of a ship, now in town, reported that he had made chain-plates and rudder-irons for his ships out of New England iron; he was desired to bring the said master to the Board, and any thing further they might have to offer, in writing, on this subject.

Carolina.

Plantations General.

Trade.

Mr. Boon and others.

Naval stores.

Twine.

Mr. Boon and Mr. Beresford, agents for Carolina, as also Mr. Baron and Mr. Crane, who are concerned in the trade to that province, attending with two rope-makers, vizt.:—Mr. Stephen Hughs and Mr. Alexander Allen, the memorial lately presented by some of these gentlemen and others, relating to the raising naval stores in Carolina, was read; and several samples of twine, which had been made up some with the Swedish tar only, some with a mixture of Swedish and Carolina tar, and some with Carolina tar alone, were shewn to their lordships.

Carolina tar.

Swedish tar.

Trade etc.

Plantation tar.

These gentlemen then added in discourse, that New England and the West Indies are supplied with Carolina tar, besides what is brought to Great Britain directly from Carolina; that there is now made in that province, tar enough of the cool sort fit for cordage, to supply the demands of Great Britain; Mr. Crane affirming he had lately an hundred barrels from thence, which he tendered to ye officers of the navy, who answered, they did not want it; and Mr. Allen said that there is not at present two hundred barrels of Swedish tar to be bought in London, which small quantity would be worked up in seven days; that therefore, as well in his Majesty's yards, as elsewhere, they do certainly use plantation tar, whatever may be pretended to the contrary; Mr. Allen further affirmed, that the tar lately imported by Mr. Beresford from Carolina, was better than ever yet came from thence, and in his judgment was equal in goodness with the Swedish tar; but that for interest sake they did not generally own the plantation tar to be so good as Swedish, that the former might be bought the cheaper; Mr. Hughs who said, he had been sixteen years acquainted with Carolina tar, concurred with Mr. Allen, that the same was now lately become equally good with the Stockholm. And as to the different qualities of tar, with respect to its consistence they said, the thinner sort was most proper to be used on wood and the thicker for ropes. It was further observed by some of the gentlemen present, that Finland, where most of the Swedish tar was produced, being now depopulated, we could not at present be furnished from thence; whereupon they were desired to procure some proof whether the plantation tar, said to be used in his Majesty's yards, were approved there, or only made use of by necessity; and that they would put into writing, and bring to their lordships what they might have further to offer in relation to naval stores.

February 27. Present:—Sir Jacob Astley, Mr. Cokburne, Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique.

Newfoundland.

Merchants petition.

Man of war.

Pirates.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Methuen.

A petition from the merchants and traders of Bydeford to Newfoundland, relating to a man of war for securing the ships bound thither on the fishery against pirates, &c., being brought yesterday to this office by Capt. Cleeveland, and Mr. Jos. Davie, the same was now read, and a letter to Mr. Secretary Methuen thereupon immediately agreed and signed.

Pennsylvania.

Mr. Gee.

Naval stores.

Mr. Joshua Gee attending, presented to their lordships a memorial relating to the production and importation of naval stores and iron &c., from Pennsylvania, and other parts of America, which was read; and upon consideration of several Acts of Parliament for encouraging the importation of several species of such stores from thence, the said memorial was, at Mr. Gee's request, returned to him for some additions and amendments.

Trade.

Newfoundland.

Mr. Frankland and others.

Memorial.

Bilboa.

Fish.

St. Peters.

Mr. Lewen, memorial.

Mr. Frankland, consul at Bilboa, attending with Mr. George Lewen, Mr. Haynes, and Mr. Arbuthnot; Mr. Frankland presented to the Board, a memorial containing a relation of the facts concerning Capt. Willm. Measurer's usage and treatment at Bilboa in November, 1716, on account of a cargo of fish brought thither from St. Peters on the coast of Newfoundland, being the same referred to in the papers annexed to the Order in Council upon Mr. Weston and Cleeve's representation of the irregularities in the fishery there, which was read the 13th instant; and Mr. Lewen likewise presented to their lordships a memorial of his sentiments of the case of the said Weston and Cleeves, and the Newfoundland trade in general, with an affidavit of Mr. Weston and Cleeves, all which papers their lordships resolved to take into consideration the first opportunity.

February 28. Present:—Sir Jacob Astley, Mr. Cokburne, Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Addison, Mr. Molesworth.

Trade.

Newfoundland.

Irregularities.

Fishery.

Weston, Cleeves.

Tulon.

Their lordships taking into consideration the irregularities in the fishing at Newfoundland, and some complaints of proceedings there, the Order of Council of 21st December with the representation of Ambrose Weston and William Cleeves, mentioned in the minutes of the 13th instant, as likewise Mr. Secretary Methuen's letter of the 12th, with the petition and papers thereto annexed, relating to Olivier Tulon, mentioned in the minutes of the 18th of this month, were again read.

Lewen's memorial etc.

Tulon.

Valier summoned.

The memorial presented yesterday by Mr. Lewen relating to the case of the said Weston and Cleeves, about seizing some fish taken by Olivier Tulon at St. Peters, and relating to the Newfoundland trade in general, was likewise read; as also the affidavit of Weston and Cleeves therein referred to; whereupon their lordships gave some directions for preparing the draught of a representation, relating to the trade and fishery of Newfoundland; and ordered that Mr. Valier, agent for the forementioned Tulon, have notice to attend the Board on Monday morning next.