Journal, May 1717

May 3. Present:—Sir Jacob Astley, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Molesworth.

Miscellanies.

Incidentals.

The Secretary laid before the Board the accounts of the incidental charges of this office, from midsummer, 1716, to Lady Day, 1717, as follows, vizt.:—

Letter to the Treasury.

Salary.

Whereupon a letter to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, desiring payment thereof, and of the salary due to this Board, was signed.

Newfoundland.

Representation.

Tulon, St. Peters.

The draught of a representation, mentioned in the minutes of the 16th April last, upon the complaint of Ambrose Weston and Willm. Cleeves, relating to Olivier Tulon, a Frenchman's fishing at St. Peters near Newfoundland, as also upon the petition of the said Tulon, relating to his case, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

Barbadoes.

Mr. Heysham recommending a councillor.

Mr. Heysham attending, recommended to their lordships William Roberts, of Barbadoes, esqr. as a person fitly qualified to serve his Majesty in the Council of that island, in the room of Col. Alleyne, who, Mr. Heysham said, by advice from thence, was lately deceased; whereupon their lordships promised to take the same into consideration at the first opportunity.

May 6. Present:—Sir Jacob Astley, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Molesworth.

Newfoundland.

Letter from Mr. Burchett.

Heads of inquiry.

Letter to Mr. Carkesse.

Account of liquors.

A letter from Mr. Burchett, Secretary to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, dated ye 24th of November, 1716, together with the answer of commadore Hagar to the heads of inquiry given him last year, relating to the Newfoundland trade and fishery, were read. Whereupon ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Carkesse, Secretary to the Commissioners of the Customs, to desire an account of what liquors, or other goods, were brought to Newfoundland from his Majesty's several Plantations in America, during the three last years, that any officer of the customs resided at that island.

Newfoundland.

Letter from Mr. Burchett.

Commodore.

Heads of enquiry.

Another letter from Mr. Burchett, dated the 15th of the last month, signifying that Capt. Passenger is to be commadore of this years convoy to Newfoundland, and is to set sail for that place the beginning of this month, was read; whereupon a draught of heads of enquiry and additional instructions, as usual, for the said commadore, were agreed and ordered to be sent to Mr. Burchett, with signification of this Board's desire that the same may be given by the Lords of the Admiralty to Captn. Passenger accordingly.

Barbadoes.

Letter from Sir John Colleton.

Mr. Colleton of the Council.

A letter from Sir John Colleton, dated the 22nd of April, signifying that his kinsman Mr. John Colleton, of Barbadoes, and he have finished all matters and controversies between them, and recommending the said Mr. Colleton to supply the present vacancy in his Majesty's Council of that island, was read.

Carolina.

Letter from Mr. Secretary Addison.

Inhabitants representation for assistance.

A letter from Mr. Secretary Addison of ye 30th April, referring to the Board a representation of the inhabitants of South Carolina praying his Majesty's assistance with three or four hundred men for their speedy finishing the Indian war, was read; and their lordships resolved to take the same into consideration on Wednesday morning next.

Jamaica.

Attorney General's report.

Act against negroes.

Representation.

Mr. Attorney General's report upon an Act passed in Jamaica in November, 1716, to prevent negroes being evidence against Dorothy the wife, and John, Thomas, and Francis, sons of John Williams, a free negro, was read; and directions given for preparing the draught of a representation to his Majesty thereupon.

Virginia.

Merchants memorial, two acts.

A memorial from several Virginia merchants, relating to the Act passed there, for preventing frauds in tobacco payments, and the Act [fos. 98, 253] relating to the Indian Trade, was read.

Their representation, another act.

Letter to Mr. Perry.

A representation from several merchants trading to Virginia, against an Act passed there, relating to foreign debts, was likewise read; whereupon ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Micajah Perry, desiring to speak with him on Friday morning next, and the other gentlemen who have signed the said representation and meml.

Newfoundland.

Representation.

Tulon, Fishing, St. Peters.

The draught of a representation, ordered at the last meeting to be transcribed, upon the complaints of Ambrose Weston and William Cleeves, relating to Olivier Tulon, a Frenchman's fishing at St. Peters near Newfoundland, as also upon the petition of the said Tulon, relating to his case, was signed.

May 8. Present:—Sir Jacob Astley, Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Molesworth.

Jamaica.

Representation.

Act against negroes.

The draught of a representation, ordered at the last meeting to be prepared, upon an Act passed in Jamaica in November, 1716, entituled, an Act to prevent negroes being evidence against Dorothy the wife, and John, Thomas, and Francis, sons of John Williams, a free negro, was agreed and signed.

Carolina.

Colony's case.

Letter from lords proprietors.

The case of the colony of South Carolina, in America, was read.

A letter from the lords proprietors [fos. 47] of Carolina, dated the 27th of July last, was read.

Letter from Mr. Secretary Addison, inhabitants representation, assistance hence.

Agents summoned.

A letter from Mr. Secretary Addison, referring to the Board a representation from the colony of South Carolina to his Majesty, praying assistance of men for finishing the Indian war, as mentioned in the minutes of the 6th instant, was again taken into consideration; whereupon ordered that Mr. Boon and Mr. Beresford be acquainted that the Board desire to speak with them at ten of the clock on Friday morning next.

Ireland.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. C. Stanhope.

Representation from Ireland.

Sugar from France.

Letter to Mr. Attorney and Mr. Solicitor General.

A letter from Mr. Charles Stanhope, Secretary to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, dated April the 20th, 1717, together with a representation from the Commissioners of the Revenue in Ireland [Trade Bundle 0. 161. Ireland entry 294], upon what this Board writ to their lordships of the Treasury, the 27th of March last, relating to sugar [Trade entry L. 70] brought from France or the French Plantations to Ireland, were read; whereupon directions were given for preparing the draught of a letter to Mr. Attorney, and Mr. Solicitor General, with some queries on that subject [Trade entry L. 100].

Newfoundland.

James Campbell's memorial.

Colonel Moody.

Leave to come home.

A memorial from Mr. James Campbell, relating chiefly to the affairs of Col. Moody, Lieut. Governor of Placentia, and the garrison there, and particularly desiring the Board to move his Majesty for leave to Col. Moody to come to this kingdom, was read.

St. Christophers.

Act.

William Matthew, infant, sent Attorney General.

An Act passed at St. Christophers in Novbr., 1716, to enable William Matthew esqr. an infant under the age of 21 years, to convey a certain parcel of land, &c. being laid before the Board, ordered that it be sent to Mr. Attorney General, for his opinion in point of law.

May 10. Present:—Sir Jacob Astley, Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Molesworth.

Carolina.

Agents.

Ill state of the province.

Governor's letter to lords proprietors.

Number of men to be sent there.

Mr. Boon and Mr. Beresford, agents for Carolina, attending, as they had been desired, were acquainted with his Majesty's having been pleased to refer to this Board the representation inclosed in Mr. Secretary Addison's letter of ye 30th of the last month, relating to the present miserable state of South Carolina, and to a supply of men desired by that province, for reducing the Indians, with whom they are at war; and being asked whether the said representation was presented to his Majesty by them, and what they had to offer relating to that matter; they said, they had lately received, and presented to the Lord Carteret, a letter from the Governor and Council of the said province to the lords proprietors, dated the 26th of January last, upon the same subject, of which they produced a duplicate, which was read, and a copy taken thereof. That upon their application to the Lord Carteret, Palatine of the said province, and presenting him the printed case, his lordship had promised them to lay a state of the condition of the said province before his Majesty, and to desire the necessary supplies, which they believed his lordship had done by the forementioned representation. These gentlemen being then asked what number of men from hence they thought necessary for subduing the Indians, and how long they proposed such men should continue in Carolina, they declared their opinion that not less than 600 men would be effectual, 200 whereof might be disbanded in 12 months, 200 in 18 months, and 200 in two years after their arrival in Carolina. Mr. Boon and Mr. Beresford added, that the Lord Carteret had declared to them, he was willing to surrender his share in the proprietorship, if the not doing it were such an obstacle as to hinder the relief of the province.

Virginia.

Merchants memorial, Acts.

Foreign debts.

Frauds in tobacco payments.

Mr. Perry.

Virginia.

Virginia.

Mr. Hyde.

Mr. Byrd.

Mr. Perry, junr., Mr. Hyde, and Mr. Byrd attending, in relation to the Acts passed in Virginia, upon which they and other merchants presented to the Board a memorial and representation, as mentioned in the minutes of the 6th instant, their lordships had some discourse with them about the Act passed in 1663, concerning foreign debts, and resolved to take the same into further consideration the first opportunity. In relation to the Act entituled, an Act to prevent frauds in tobacco payments, &c., it being suggested in the memorial, that many objections against it were omitted, they were asked what they had further to alledge; whereupon Mr. Perry said, he believed that Act was not less then 300l. per annum out of his pocket in his particular trade, in loss of time, and payment of seamen's wages &c. in Virginia, for carrying the tobacco from the planter to the residence of the tobacco agents, the former refusing absolutely to do it; that they cannot now employ their factors as formerly to buy the different sorts of tobacco fit for the different markets to which they used to send it, being now obliged to take that sort the agent delivers, and tho' they have agreed with a planter for his crop, it is often changed at the agent's, and no man is sure of having the same, or as good tobacco as he bought, there being abundance of bad tobacco marked by the agents, and as bad as formerly, notwithstanding this Act, and the great load it lays upon the trade, of which ill sort of tobacco, Mr. Perry assured their lordships, he had received 300 hogsheads. Mr. Hyde and Mr. Perry being asked why they did not complain when others had formerly done it, concerning this Act, Mr. Perry answered, that at first he looked upon this as a good law, but that he has since reason to believe that if it were punctually executed (as it is not), the Customs here would be lessened near an eighth, and he thought the Act would at last sufficiently condemn itself. And Mr. Hyde said, that his trade being chiefly to Maryland, which since the passing this Act had a considerable advantage over Virginia, he had no particular reason to complain of it. Mr. Byrd alledged, that the generality of Virginia were against it, which is the reason they will not be at the trouble of carrying their tobacco to the agents. To which Mr. Hyde added, that that act being obtained by the Governor and his friends, the apprehensions of losing consignments might prevent complaints here.

Indian trade act.

Mr. Perry.

Virginia.

As to the last mentioned Act, and that relating to the Indian Trade [fos. 247, 254], Mr. Hyde said, they complained thereof as British merchants, not as planters, alledging further that the Act about the Indian Trade, is contrary to the Governor's instructions, and to several Acts of Parliament. Mr. Perry further said, that since the passing the said Act relating to the Indian Trade, the quantity of skins imported from Virginia is less than formerly and the price from 1s. 6d. to 3s. 6d. for which he had sold them, is now advanced to 7s. and 10s., tho' this might indeed be partly occasioned by the Indian War. That the Indian Company in Virginia employ factors of their own, of whom Mr. Cary is one, and will not buy the goods of any other British merchant, whereby the latter is excluded the benefit of that trade, which Mr. Perry said, himself had enjoyed for thirty years. And these gentlemen concluded, that it would be of advantage, if no plantation-law, of so general a nature, were to take place, till a competent time after the same were passed there.

Acts.

Their lordships gave directions for sending the said Acts passed in Virginia, entituled,
An Act for preventing frauds in tobacco payments, and for the better improving the staple of tobacco.
An Act to continue an Act for preventing frauds in tobacco payments, and for the better improving the staple of tobacco, and for supplying and remedying certain defects and inconveniencies in the said Act, and
An Act for the better regulation of the Indian trade [fos. 253, 262],

sent Attorney General.

to Mr. Attorney General, for his opinion thereupon in point of law, as soon as may be.

May 13. Present:—Sir Jacob Astley, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Molesworth.

Carolina.

Letter from Mr. Secretary Addison, representation from that province.

Letter to lords proprietors.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Addison.

Their lordships taking into further consideration the letter from Mr. Secretary Addison, of the 30th of last month, upon a representation relating to assistance of men desired for Carolina, mentioned in the minutes of the 10th instant; ordered that ye draught of a letter be prepared to the lords proprietors of that province, desiring to know what they have done for the protection of that province, since the receipt of the arms and ammunition, his Majesty was graciously pleased to send thither; in what state the province is at present; and what their lordships propose to do for its further security; as also that the draught of an answer be prepared to Mr. Secretary Addison's said letter.

Trade.

Ireland.

France.

Letter from Attorney General.

Query.

Letter to him.

A letter from Mr. Attorney General, dated the 10th instant, returning one writ him and Mr. Solicitor General by the Secretary the same day, with a query relating to the product of the French Plantations, being imported into Ireland on account of a mistake therein, was read; and another letter ordered to be writ to him upon that subject.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Secretary Addison.

Mr. I. Chetwynd, envoy to Spain, instructions.

Spanish merchants summoned.

A letter from Mr. Secretary Addison, of the 9th instant, signifying his Majesty's having appointed Mr. Chetwynd, of this Board, envoy extraordinary and plenipotentiary to the Court of Madrid; and relating to instructions for him concerning the trade of his Majesty's subjects in the dominions of Spain, was read; whereupon ordered that Sir Joseph Hodges, Sir William Chapman, Mr. Christopher Hayne, and Mr. Edward Rudge be acquainted that their lordships desire an opportunity of discoursing with them, and any other gentlemen they may think proper, on that subject at eleven of the clock on Friday morning next. Further ordered that Mr. Roe be acquainted therewith, and that the Board desire to speak with him at the same time.

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

Carolina.

Letter to lords proprietors.

The draught of a letter, ordered at the last meeting to be prepared, to the lords proprietors of Carolina, relating to the state of that province, its protection and further security, was agreed and signed.

Nova Scotia.

New England.

Mr. Coram and others, settlement.

Memorial.

what they expect &c.

to bring in writing.

Mr. Coram, with several gentlemen and disbanded officers, &c. who desire to make a settlement in North America, attending, a memorial, with a copy of King Charles the Second's grant to the Duke of York, of the lands they sue for, and proposals from them upon that subject, were read; after which they were called in, and presented to their lordships another memorial, signed by several French gentlemen, who are willing to engage in the undertaking, which was read; whereupon they were asked what particular encouragement they expected, to which they answered, that they proposed to take up no more lands than each family could cultivate. That they hoped for seven years exemption from quit-rents, and arms and ammunition for 1200 men for their defence; to be a separate government, with power to make laws among themselves, etc. the patentees to be of the Council; and they referred themselves to his Majesty's gracious favour for what further encouragement he should think fit to bestow upon them. Upon the whole, the Board desired they would reduce into writing, and present to their lordships, as soon as they could, a particular account of every thing they proposed, his Majesty should grant, in relation to the land, their future government, and the assistance to be given them in any respect towards their first settlement, or improving their intended colony, which they promised to do accordingly.

Bermuda.

Act returned by Mr. Lechmere.

[Jennings] sent to the present Solicitor General.

Their lordships being acquainted, that Mr. Lechmere, his Majesty's late Solicitor General, had returned the Act passed in Bermuda the 14th of October, 1713, entituled, an Act to vest certain lands in Smith's tribe for payment of the debts of Richard Jennings, &c., without any report; ordered that a copy of the said Act be sent to Sir William Thomson, his Majesty's present Solicitor General, for his opinion thereupon in point of law.

Pennsylvania.

Plantations General.

Trade.

Mr. Gee.

Naval store company.

Hemp, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Joshua Gee attending, presented to their lordships the copies of a letter and of an affidavit from Bristol, both dated the 6th instant, relating to the progress made by the naval store company of merchants, towards setting up the manufacture of hemp in Pennsylvania and the three lower counties on Delaware river; which were read.

May 16. Present:—Sir Jacob Astley, Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique.

Barbadoes.

Order of Council representation.

Mr. Colleton, Council.

An Order of Council, of the 6th July upon a representation of the 28th June, 1716, on the petition of Sir Edward Ernley, relating to Mr. John Colleton's being appointed of the Council of Barbadoes, was read.

Leeward Islands.

Barbadoes.

Letters to the Governors.

The draughts of letters, ordered lately to be prepared to General Hamilton, Governor of the Leeward Islands, and to Mr. Lowther, Governor of Barbadoes, were agreed and signed.

Plantations General.

Circular letters.

Trade with French Plantations.

Treaty of neutrality 1686.

The draughts of circular letters to the several governors of his Majesty's Plantations, which were ordered the 9th of last month to be prepared, pursuant to his Majesty's pleasure, signified by Mr. Secretary Methuen, relating to the carrying on a trade between his Majesty's and the French Plantations, and concerning the treaty of neutrality in America, concluded between Great Britain and France in 1686, were likewise agreed and signed.

May 17. Present:—Sir Jacob Astley, Mr. Chetwynd, Sir. Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique.

Newfoundland.

Letter from Mr. Burchett, heads of enquiry, &c.

A letter from Mr. Burchett, of the 13th instant, signifying that the heads of inquiry, &c., transmitted to the admiralty, with the secretary's letter of the 9th are sent to the commadore appointed for Newfoundland; was read.

Trade.

Letters from Mr. Secretary Addison.

Letters from Cadiz, book of rates, judge conservator.

Two letters from Mr. Secretary Addison, of the 30th of last month, one referring to this Board the translation of the king of Spain's patent for appointing Don Francisco Garcia consul at Gibraltar; the other referring to their lordships an extract of letters from Cadiz, upon affairs relating to trade, particularly a new book of rates intended to be settled there, and a judge conservator for the British merchants, were read.

Spanish merchants, at the Board.

Mr. Hayne, new tariff.

Judge conservator.

Grievances at Alicant.

Consul at Gibraltar.

The merchants undermentioned, who are concerned in trade with Spain, vizt.: Mr. Hayne, Mr. Frankland, consul at Bilboa, Mr. Rudge, Mr. Hammond and Mr. Roe attending, as desired, they were acquainted, that his Majesty having appointed a minister to go soon from hence to Spain, it would be of service, if they had any grievances to redress, or any thing to offer, wherein his Majesty might interpose with the king of Spain for the advantage of his subjects of Great Britain in point of trade, that they present the same to the Board in writing, as soon as possible; and their lordships having some discourse with them concerning our trade in Spain, Mr. Hayne said, as to the new intended tariff or book of rates at Cadiz that he understood, that woollen goods were to be rated high, and silks and linnen lower, on account of the latter being liable to be introduced more easily than the former, without paying custom. As to the judge conservator, he used to be chosen by the majority of the factory and that the distinction now made of British subjects naturalized in Spain, from those not naturalized, and refusing the former to rate in the choice of such conservator, was a novelty, and a point, he believed as yet undetermined by the civilians. With regard to the particular grievances we labour under at Alicant, the other merchants now present referred themselves to Mr. Hammond, who communicated to the Board the state of the case of his Majesty's subjects settled there, which was read; in relation to the king of Spain's appointing a consul at Gibraltar, these gentlemen said, they had no objection thereto.

Letter from Mr. Blanche, aliens duties, woollen manufacture.

A letter from Mr. Blanche dated the 16th of last month, about reviving aliens duties and relating to the woollen manufacture of this kingdom, was read.

May 20. Present:—Sir Jacob Astley, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique.

Nova Scotia.

New England.

French protestants.

Coram, settlement.

The Marquis de Wignacourt, Mr. Longville and other French protestants attending with Mr. Coram, and several persons who petition for a settlement in North America, they presented to the Board a plan for making the said settlement, which was read; and their lordships resolved to take the same into consideration the first opportunity.

New England.

Letter from Mr. Cumming.

Plantation goods.

Irregularities.

Letter for Mr. Cumming.

Letter to Colonel Shute.

Imports and exports.

A letter from Mr. Cuming, the Custom House officer at Boston in New England, to Mr. Cokburne, dated the 2nd of March last, relating to goods imported there from foreign plantations; to the raising of money for the support of his Majesty's government on the continent, and to irregularities in the propriety-governments, having been communicated to the Board by Mr. Cokburne, was read, and directions given to the Secretary for writing to Mr. Cuming thereupon, and for preparing a clause in the next letter from the Board to Col. Shute, governor of the Massachusets Bay, to desire exact accounts for three years past, af all imports and exports of foreign and other goods into and out of the provinces of the Massachusets Bay and New Hampshire, distinguishing each year, as likewise from and to what places each commodity is brought and carried, and to transmit the like accounts annually, or oftener, for the future.

Virginia.

Letter to Mr. Attorney General.

Acts.

Letter to Mr. Solicitor General.

Their lordships being informed that Mr. Attorney General is indisposed, ordered that a letter be writ to him, to desire that in case he has not been able, or cannot now look over the three Acts of Virginia [fos. 254, 281], sent him the 10th instant, he would please to deliver them to be transmitted to Mr. Solicitor General, for his opinion thereupon; and that a like letter be writ to Mr. Solicitor General, as the said letter to Mr. Attorney, of the 10th.

May 22. Present:—Sir Jacob Astley, Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique.

Massachusets.

Letter from Colonel Shute.

Acts.

Letter to him.

A letter from Col. Shute, Governor of the Massachusets Bay, &c. dated the 27th of Febry. last, together with the six Acts passed in that province, in November foregoing, were laid before the Board, and the said letter read; whereupon the draught of a letter to Col. Shute was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

New England.

Letter to Mr. Cumming.

The draught of a letter from the Secretary to Mr. Cuming, the custom house officer at Boston in New England, directed at the last meeting to be prepared, was agreed and ordered to be sent.

Nova Scotia.

New England.

Settlement, Coram.

Patentees.

An amended plan for a settlement proposed to be made in North America by Mr. Coram, the Marquis de Wignacourt and others, being presented to the Board, was read; whereupon ordered that the Secretary inquire of Mr. Coram, whether the gentlemen who petition for the lands between Nova Scotia and New England, have yet agreed upon the persons to be the patentees proposed; and desire Mr. Coram to let the Board have a list of their names as soon as possible.

Letter to Mr. Dummer.

Settlement.

Ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Dummer, to know whether he has any thing to offer in behalf of the province of the Massachusets Bay, for or against the forementioned settlement between Nova Scotia and New England; and that he would let their lordships see what powers and instructions he has in that case.

May 23. Present:—Sir Jacob Astley, Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Molesworth.

Bermuda.

Solicitor General's report.

Act.

Joining's debts.

Representation.

Mr. Solicitor General's report upon an Act passed in Bermuda in October, 1713, entituled, an Act to vest certain lands in Smith's Tribe in trustees to be sold for payment of the debts of Richard Jennings, &c., was read; and the draught of a representation to his Majesty in order to the confirmation of the said Act, was agreed and signed.

New England.

Letter to Colonel Shute.

The draught of a letter to Col. Shute, Governor of the Massachusets Bay, etc. ordered yesterday to be transcribed, was signed.

Nova Scotia.

Letter from Captain Williams, to succeed Caulfield.

A letter from Captn. Williams, dated at Annapolis Royal in Nova Scotia, 9th March 1716/17, relating to the death of Major Caulfield, and desiring to succeed him as Lieutenant Governor of that place, was read.

Leeward Islands.

Letter from Mr. Secretary Addison, memorial, Danish envoy, St. Thomas, answer.

A letter from Mr. Secretary Addison, of the 11th instant, referring to this Board a meml. from the Danish envoy, relating to the island of St. Thomas and other islands adjacent to it, was read, together with the said memorial; whereupon directions were given for preparing the draught of an answer thereto.

Carolina.

Letter to Mr. Shelton, lords proprietors, answer.

Ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Shelton, Secretary to the lords proprietors of Carolina, to desire he will put them in mind of the letter from this Board, of the 15th instant, in order to its being answered as soon as possible.

May 24. Present:—Sir Jacob Astley, Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique.

Mr. Shelton.

letter to him.

Papers.

The Secretary acquainted the Board that Mr. Shelton, from the lords proprietors of Carolina, had been at the office, upon a letter writ him yesterday, and said, that the Lord Carteret would wait upon this Board any morning next week on ye subject of their lordships letter of the 15th instant; whereupon directions were given for writing to Mr. Shelton, to inform Lord Carteret, that the Board would be glad of meeting his lordship here on Thursday morning next. Their lordships also gave directions for looking out in the meantime all the papers in this office, relating to the affairs of Carolina for a year past.

Nova Scotia.

New England.

Patentees, settlement.

The marquis de Wignacourt, Mr. Coram, and several others attending, presented to the Board a list of persons proposed to his Majesty to be patentees in trust for settling his Majesty's land and islands between. Nova Scotia and the province of Mayne in New England, which list was read; and being asked if all the persons therein named, had consented to be patentees in trust, they said, all of them had consented to it except Sir Joseph Hodges, whom they had not had an opportunity of seeing.

Former memorial, returned.

The marquis and others abovementioned desiring that the memorial they presented their lordships the 20th instant, might be returned, for that the amended plan which they presented to the Board the 22nd instant, was more full and correct, the said memorial was returned them accordingly.

Mr. Dummer, petition for a saving.

Mr. Dummer, agent for the province of the Massachusets Bay, attending, presented to the Board a petition against a grant of the land lying between Penobscot and Kennebeck rivers, and praying that if any grants should be made of lands in the eastern parts of New England, there may be a particular and express saving had of the tract of land between the rivers of Penobscot and Kennebeck to the proprietors; which petition was read.

Massachusets.

Agents instructions.

Letter to Mr. Dummer.

purchases, grants etc.

Mr. Dummer at the same time communicated to their lordships his instructions as agent from the Governor, Council, and Assembly of the Massachusets Bay, relating to the grant and settlement desired by Mr. Coram and others dated at Boston the 3rd of December, 1716, on which his petition abovementioned is founded; whereupon directions were given for taking a copy of the said instructions. Mr. Dummer being withdrawn, ordered that the Secretary write to him, to desire he will lay before the Board on Monday morning next a list of ye purchases, as also to produce the confirmations or grants from the Council of Plimouth, mentioned in his said petition.

May 30. Present:—Sir Jacob Astley, Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Molesworth.

Plantations General.

Jamaica.

Letter from Mr. Secretary Addison, piracies; merchants summoned.

A letter from Mr. Secretary Addison, of the 27th instant, referring to the Board a petn. from several merchants, &c., of Bristol, relating to piracies committed in the West Indies, particularly in the seas about Jamaica, was read, together with the said petition; whereupon ordered that Col. Long, Sir Gilbert Heathcote, Mr. Richard Harris, Mr. Humphrey Morice, Col. Carver, and Mr. Samuel Buck be acquainted that the Board desire to speak with them, and any others those gentlemen shall think fitting at ten of the clock tomorrow morning.

Massachusets.

Mr. Dummer.

Mr. Turner.

Charter, Attorney General.

Mr. Dummer, agent for the province of the Massachusets Bay, attending, with Mr. Turner, the former presented to the Board a petition from himself, praying that the said petition, together with the charter of the province, may be laid before Mr. Attorney General, for his opinion relating to the property and disposal of the lands between the rivers of Kennebeck and Penobscot, which was read.

New England.

Nova Scotia.

Sir B. Lake's petition, saving.

Mr. Turner also presented to their lordships a memorial and petition from Sir Bibye Lake, praying that there may be a saving in any grants to be made, of lands near Kennebeck river, of the rights of the said Sir Bibye, which was read.

Coram.

Mr. Dummer and Mr. Turner being withdrawn, ordered that their papers abovementioned be communicated to Mr. Coram, for what he may have to offer thereupon.

Carolina.

Lord Carteret.

A message being brought from the Lord Carteret, that his lordship could not possibly wait on the Board this morning, in relation to the affairs of Carolina, but would do it tomorrow or Tuesday, ordered that his lordship be acquainted that the Board will be here tomorrow from ten to twelve a clock.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Secretary Addison, patent, Consul, Port Mahon.

A letter from Mr. Secretary Addison of ye 27th instant, referring to the consideration of the Board a patent from the king of Spain, appointing a consul at Port Mahon, was read.

May 31. Present:—Sir Jacob Astley, Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Molesworth.

New England.

Nova Scotia.

Letter from Duchess of Hamilton, Partridge, reservations, etc.

A letter from the Duchess of Hamilton, in behalf of her son the duke; as likewise a letter from Mr. Partridge, both relating to reservations which they desire may be made in any grant to be made of lands on the frontiers of New England, were read, and ordered to be communicated to Mr. Coram.

Carolina.

Lord Carteret, state of the province.

Suspend report, till next advices.

The lord Carteret, one of the lords proprietors of Carolina, coming to the Board, their lordships had some discourse with him relating to the present state of that province, and to the representation from the inhabitants of South Carolina referred to the Board by Mr. Secretary Addisons' letter of the 30th of the last month, mentioned in ye minutes of the 6th instant; his lordship, among other things, said, that the Assembly of South Carolina being dissolved, they had now no agent; but that the persons, who style themselves such, had desired him to present their paper to the king, which his lordship had done, when the same was drawn so as to be supported by the letters those gentlemen produced from thence; that his lordship had since private letters from Carolina, which bring advice of a peace being made with the Indians, which, his lordship observed, seems probable, since the Yamasees, the first authors of the war, were cut off; that there had never been a regular war with the said Indians in Carolina, but many settlements, which were made too scattered and remote from each other, had been destroyed at several times, tho' the whole colony was never in so apparment danger of being lost, as was suggested; that if the said province be supplied with the men they desired, the Assembly had never agreed how to dispose of or provide for them: that the lords proprietors would be glad to have more men sent thither in any manner, but that it could not be expected his Majesty, should send and maintain them there: that the province may be run in debt, as alledged; but that the lords proprietors have applied all their profits towards its support, and bought and sent 250 muskets, which they have heard, are actually arrived in Carolina. My lord, added, that he did not doubt but when Col. Johnson, the present Govr. arrives, he will find all things quiet in the said province; and therefore his lordship desired the Board would suspend their report to his Majesty upon the forementioned reference, till fresh advices should arrive from thence.

Bahama's.

Lord Carteret, settling.

In relation to the Bahama Islands, the lord Carteret was asked, what steps the lords proprietors had taken towards settling them, to which his lordship answered, that several proposals had been made for that purpose, but none yet offered that seemed practicable; that for his own part, my lord said, he should be ready to relinquish to the crown the right of government as the proprietors of the Jerseys had done, reserving the quit-rents and profits of the lands.

Plantations General.

Jamaica.

Merchants.

Pirates.

Colonel Lawes.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Addison.

Sir Gilbert Heathcote, Mr. Erle of Bristol, Mr. Humphrey Morice, Col. Long, Col. Lawes, Mr. Micajah Perry, Mr. Richard Harris, Mr. Carver, Col. Lynch, Col. Oldfield, Capt. Rogers, Mr. March. Mr. Buck, Mr. Gaudin, Mr. Jonathan Perry, Mr. Joseph Wyeth, Mr. Lamego, Mr. Abr. Dias Fernandes and Mr. Bravo attending, as desired, they were acquainted that the Board having under consideration a petition from Bristol, relating to ye pirates which infest the West Indies, particularly the seas about Jamaica, their lordships should be glad to know what the said gentlemen might have to propose for suppressing those pirates, and better securing the trade of his Majesty's subjects in America; whereupon they all agreed, that the case was very desperate, since the said pirates were grown so strong and numerous, robbing in the northern parts of America, as well as about the islands, using great barbarities to some of the men they take, and forcing others to enter with them, (upon which subject Mr. Micajah Perry, and Mr. Wyeth produced extracts of letters); that there is immediate occasion of dispatching from hence two or three men of war of 26, 30 or 40 guns; that it is almost impracticable to reduce them without mercy, as well as force; and therefore they proposed that a pardon should be offered to all such pirates, as should come in and surrender themselves within a certain time to be limited; Col. Lawes further said, he was of opinion that a fourth and two fifth rate men of war were necessary always to attend about Jamaica: that in time of peace, those seas were seldom without some pirates, and that to keep them in awe, two men of war had always been put upon that station: Mr. Erle and Mr. Gaudin particularly observed, that tho' the pirates abovementioned might be reduced for the present yet they would not be effectually prevented for the future, without the settlement of Providence at least, if not the rest of the Bahama Islands, which by their situation, are so much in the way of trade, and having shoal water near many of them, made the men of war of little service there. The said gentlemen being withdrawn, a letter to Mr. Secretary Addison, in answer to his of the 27th instant, upon the forementioned petition from Bristol, was agreed and signed.