Journal, November 1723

November 7. Present:—Mr. Docminique, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Plummer.

Ireland.

Trade.

Letter to Mr. Lowndes, about Mr. Thompson's services with Barnes.

Their Lordships taking again into consideration Mr. Tilson's letter, mentioned in the Minutes of the 23rd of last month, as also the draught of an answer directed then to be prepared, the said answer was agreed and ordered to be sent.

November 12. Present:—Mr. Docminique, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Plummer.

Virginia.

Letter from Major Drysdale, Lieut. Governor.

Papers therein referred to.

A letter from Major Drysdale, Lieut. Governor of Virginia, to the Board, dated 16th May, 1723, was read, and the papers, therein referred to, were laid before the Board, viz:—
The Governor's speech to the Assembly.
The Council and Assembly's address to the Governor.
Another letter from him.

Another letter from Major Drysdale to the Board, dated 29th June, 1723, was read, and the papers, therein referred to, were laid before the Board, viz:—
Papers therein referred to.
List of papers transmitted with this letter.
Address of the Council and Assembly to the King, upon the detection of the late conspiracy and sending Major Drysdale to be their Lieutenant Governor.
Account of the revenue of quit rents, from 25th April, 1722, to 25th April, 1723.
Account of the revenue of 2s. per hogshead on tobacco, from 25th October. 1722, to 25th April, 1723.

Act sent to Mr. West.

Ordered that the Act passed in Virginia in May, 1723, entituled, An Act for the better and more effectual improving the staple of tobacco, be sent to Mr. West, for his opinion thereupon in point of law.

Letter from Mr. Lynn, African Company, against Act about duty on liquors and slaves.

Hearing appointed.

Letter from Mr. Lynn, secretary to the African Company, dated 29th August, 1723, desiring to be heard against an Act of Virginia laying a duty on liquors and slaves, was read; whereupon ordered that he be acquainted that the Board have appointed next Tuesday to hear what the Royal African Company may have to offer against the said Act.

Mr. Richard Harris summoned.

A letter from Mr. Harris, dated 23rd September, in relation to the forementioned Act, was read, whereupon ordered that he have notice to attend the Board at the same time.

and Mr. Le Heup, the agent.

Ordered that Mr. Le Heup, agent for Virginia, be acquainted that the Board desire to speak with him also at the same time.

Virginia.

North Carolina.

Letter to Mr. Shelton, boundaries.

Ordered that Mr. Shelton, secretary to the Lords Proprietors of Carolina, be reminded of the secretary's letter of 29th August, 1717, enclosing proposals signed by Colonel Spotswood, late Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, and by Mr. Eden, late Deputy Governor of North Carolina, for determining the controversy relating to the bounds between those two governments.

November 13. Present:—Mr. Docminique, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Plummer.

Trade.

Mr. Chapman about woollen manufactures at Venice by English hands.

Intercepted letter.

The Board's advice to Mr. Chapman.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Walpole.

Mr. Peter Chapman, a person concerned in the woollen manufacture at Froome in Somersetshire, attending, presented to their Lordships the copy of an intercepted letter from Venice, which was read, as also the copy of one which he had writ upon this subject to the Lord Carteret, in relation to a woollen manufactory established at Padua in the Venetaian territories, which is chiefly carried on by manufacturers seduced, for that purpose, from Great Britain, and to one Coward, who is lately come from thence, and is now using his endeavours at Froome and Exeter to inveigle away more. Their Lordships, after some discourse with him thereupon, advised him to apply to some neighbouring Justice of the Peace in the same county, in order to prevent so pernicious a practice, and agreed the draught of a letter to Mr. Secretary Walpole, enclosing the said intercepted paper.

Newfoundland.

Letter from Mr. Delafaye, complaint of French fishers disturbed at the Bank.

A letter from Mr. Delafaye of the 8th of November, 1723, referring to the Board an extract of a letter from Mr. Crawford at Paris, and other papers, complaining that two Frenchmen were disturbed in their fishery at Newfoundland, was read, and the papers, therein referred to, were laid before the Board, viz:—
Papers enclosed.
Extract of a letter from Mr. Crawford to Mr. Delafaye, dated Paris, 13th November, 1723.
Extrait du Registre des Declarations des Capitaines de Vaisseaux particuliers venant de la mer tenu au Bureau des Classes, a Nantes, du 9me Octobre, 1723.
Extrait des Registres du Greffe du Siege Genl. de l'Amiraute, de Nantes, du 11me Octobre, 1723.

To be further considered.

And their Lordships resolved to consider further thereof to-morrow morning.

Bermuda.

Representation about proofs against Mr. Brooke.

The draught of a representation, mentioned in the Minutes of the 24th of last month, upon an Order of Council of 14th August last, mentioned in the said Minutes, requiring the Board to report whether any or what proofs have been transmitted by Colonel Hope, to support his charge against Mr. Thomas Brooke, collector of the Customs at Bermuda, etc., was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

November 14. Present:—Mr. Docminique, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Plummer.

Newfoundland.

Representation about complaint of French fishers on the Bank, progress.

Their Lordships took into consideration the draught of a representation upon Mr. Delafaye's letter, mentioned in last Minutes, concerning the two Frenchmen that were disturbed in their fishery at Newfoundland, and made a progress therein.

Letter to Mr. Burchet, for information from the Admiralty.

Ordered that copies of two French depositions, referred to in Mr. Delafaye's said letter, be sent to Mr. Burchet, for the information of the Lords of the Admiralty, and that he be desired to inform the Board whether their Lordships have received any account of the said matter.

Colonel Moody about French or other foreigners fishing on the Bank.

Colonel Moody attending, their Lordships had some discourse with him in relation to the fishery at Newfoundland, and asking him what limits the people there understood to be prescribed to the French for their fishery by the Treaty of Utrecht, he said, that they understood, that the French had liberty to fish and cure from Cape Bonavista to the northernmost part of the island, and thence westward to Point Riche, and that the Great Bank being about fifty leagues distant from that island, was looked upon to be free to all nations. Colonel Moody being withdrawn,

Captain Taverner summoned.

Ordered that Captain Taverner be acquainted that the Board desire to speak with him on Wednesday next.

Trade.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Walpole.

Woollen manufacture in Venetian territories.

The draught of a letter to Mr. Secretary Walpole, agreed yesterday, in relation to the woollen manufacture established at Padua in the Venetian territories, was signed.

Bermuda.

Representation, proofs against Mr. Brooke.

The draught of a representation upon an order of the Committee of Council, read the 24th of the last month, requiring the Board to give an account whether any and what proofs have been transmitted by Colonel Hope, Lieut. Governor of Bermuda, against Mr. Brooke, collector of the Customs there, agreed yesterday, was signed.

Massachusets.

Order of Committee, petition of Richardson and Partridge, release of Quakers.

Acts to be considered.

Act sent to Mr. West.

An order of the Committee of Council, of the 24th of the last month, on the petition of Mr. Richardson and Mr. Partridge, praying release of some Quakers imprisoned for not collecting a tax assessed by two Acts of the Massachusets Bay in New England, passed in 1722 and 1723, directing the Board to report on the said Acts, was read. And the secretary acquainting their Lordships that the Act, mentioned in the said order to be passed in 1723, was not yet received; ordered that the Act, passed in 1722, be sent to Mr. West, for his opinion thereupon in point of law.

Mr. Partridge summoned.

Ordered that Mr. Partridge be acquainted that the Board desire to speak with him on Wednesday next.

November 19. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer.

Newfoundland.

Letter from Mr. Burchet, French fishermen.

A letter from Mr. Burchet, secretary to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, of the 15th, in answer to one writ him the 14th instant, about two French fishermen being disturbed by an English man of war in their fishery on or near the Banks of Newfoundland, was read.

Letter from Commodore Cayley, scheme of the fishery.

A letter from Mr. Cayley, Commodore of the Newfoundland convoy, dated 19th October, 1723, enclosing a scheme of the fishery, and promising answers to the heads of inquiry, was read, and the papers, therein referred to, were laid before the Board, viz:—
Salmon fishery.
Commodore Cayley's order that Messrs. Masters and Watson shall not be molested in improving a salmon fishery.
Scheme of the fishery of Newfoundland for 1723.

Scheme of fishery to be compared.

Ordered that the said scheme be compared with that of the last year.

Trade.

Order of Council, East India exports.

Letter to Mr. Balam, Inspector General for accounts.

Order of Council, of the 4th November, 1723, referring to the Board an account of the East India Company's exports between Michaelmas, 1722, and Michaelmas, 1723, was read. Whereupon ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Balam, Inspector General of the exports and imports, to remind him of the letters writ him the 18th July, 2nd November, 1722, and 21st of March last, desiring an account of the quantities and value of all goods imported by the East India Company, from Christmas, 1718, to Michaelmas, 1722, and that he be desired to send the said accounts as soon as possible.

Virginia.

Royal African Directors and Mr. Le Heup, etc.,

about Act laying duty on liquors and slaves.

Mr. Lansdale, Mr. Hayes and Mr. Tryon, three of the directors of the Royal African Company, attending, as they had been desired, as also Mr. Peter Le Heup, agent for the Colony of Virginia, Mr. Carey, Mr. Byrd and Mr. Perry, in relation to an Act passed in Virginia the last sessions there, entituled, An Act to lay a duty on liquors and slaves, the said Act was read, and their Lordships, after some discourse with them thereupon, desired to know what objections the said Company had thereto. Whereupon Mr. Tryon acquainted their Lordships in behalf of the Company, that they apprehended the duties laid by this Act would tend greatly to the discouragement of the British trade, but chiefly to the slave trade; that he could not conceive this Act could be in any way beneficial even to the colony of Virginia, as it had passed the Assembly but by a majority of one or two at most; that as no negro could be landed, before the duty laid by this Act was paid, he thought it a great hardship, since it frequently happened, that in 300 negroes imported 40 or 50 were not worth £5 per head, and that therefore he thought it would be more advisable to have laid this duty on the gross sale. In answer to which Mr. Le Heup said, that as there had formerly been Acts passed, which laid a duty of £5 per head on negroes, which was levied in like manner as prescribed by this Act, and as there had been no objections made thereto, he could not imagine there could be any reason to complain of the present duty, which does not amount to half that sum. And as the colony of Virginia had expended most of their money in promoting the manufacture of naval stores, upon the incouragement of the Act of Parliament lately passed here, entituled, An Act giving further encouragement for the importation of naval stores, and for other purposes therein mentioned, it would be very hard not to allow them leave to raise money after this way to supply their deficiencies, and therefore he desired their Lordships would please to recommend this Act to His Majesty for His Royal confirmation. Their Lordships then acquainted the said Company, that if they had any further objections to make thereto, they were ready to receive them.

Act sent to Mr. West.

These gentlemen being withdrawn, ordered that the said Act be sent to Mr. West, for his opinion thereupon in point of law.

November 20th.—Present: Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe.

Newfoundland.

Captain Taverner about French or other foreigners fishing on the Bank.

Captain Taverner attending, as he had been desired, their Lordships had some discourse with him in relation to the trade and fishery of Newfoundland and asking him particularly what nations chiefly used the fishery on the Bank ? He said, that none fished there but the French and English, though it is reputed common to all nations, the French use it most, and that the English do not lay any particular claim to it exclusive of other nations, and that the nearest part of it is 35 leagues distant from the coast of New foundland.

Massachusets.

Order of Council on petition of Quakers.

Release of Quakers imprisoned for not collecting a tax.

Mr. Richardson and Partridge.

Hearing to be appointed.

An Order of the Committee of Council, on the petition of Mr. Richardson and Partridge, praying release of some Quakers imprisoned for not collecting a tax assessed by two Acts of the Massachusets in 1722 and 1723, directing the Board to report their opinion on the said Acts, mentioned in the Minutes of the 14th inst., was again read. And Mr. Richardson, Mr. Partridge and Mr. Sharpe attending, as they had been desired, in relation to the said two Acts, their Lordships acquainted them that the Acts passed in 1723 had not yet been sent over from New England, and that they had sent the Act passed in 1722 to Mr. West, for his opinion thereupon in point of law. Their Lordships further acquainted them that, when Mr. West shall have made his report upon the said Act, they should have a day appointed them in order to hear what they might have to offer against the said Act.

November 22nd. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen.

New Hampshire.

Letter from Mr. Delafaye.

Memorial from Mr. Newman, military stores for the Province.

Former accounts of stores to be laid before the Board.

A letter from Mr. Delafaye of the 2nd of the last month, referring to this Board, by order of their Excellencies the Lords Justices, a memorial from Mr. Newman, agent for New Hampshire, relating to the want to military stores in that province, and praying a supply thereof from His Majesty, was read, as likewise the said memorial and the copy of an Order of Council in January, 1708–9, thereto annexed. Whereupon directions were given that the several accounts of the expence and remains of military stores, which had been transmitted to this office by the Governors of New Hampshire since the year 1708, be looked out and laid before the Board.

November 26th. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe.

Newfoundland.

Representation.

French fishermen chased from the Bank.

The draught of a representation to their Excellencies the Lords Justices, upon Mr. Delafaye's letter of the 8th, which was read the 13th inst., relating to the complaints of the French that some of their vessels have been chased from their fishing at the Bank of Newfoundland, by the English, was agreed and signed.

Letter from Mr. Delafaye.

Monsieur Chammorel's complaint on same subject.

A letter from Mr. Delafaye, dated yesterday, referring to the Board by order of their Excellencies the Lords Justices, the copy of a memorial from Monsieur Chammorel, Secretary from His Most Christian Majesty, with a paper inclosed, containing a complaint from a French fisherman, of his being disturbed in his fishery on the Bank of Newfoundland by an English ship, was read, as likewise the said memorial and paper.

Virginia.

Acts.

Sent to Mr. West.

Their Lordships took again into consideration an Act passed in His Majesty's Colony of Virginia in 1723, entituled, An Act for the better securing the payment of levies and restraint of vagrant and idle people, and for the more effectual discovery and prosecution of persons having bastard children, which was read. Whereupon directions were given for sending the same to Mr. West, together with the other public Acts passed in that colony in 1720, 1722 and 1723, not yet considered, for his opinion in point of law.

South Carlina.

Mr. Yonge's letter about Swiss company deserted from the French.

A letter from Mr. Yonge, agent for South Carolina, dated the 4th, and mentioned in the Minutes of the 6th December last, was again read, as likewise the several papers, therein referred to, concerning a company of Swiss, who deserted from the French settlements near the River Mississippi, and brought with them their captain to Carolina, whereupon their Lordships agreed to reconsider the same, when any complaint from the French relating to that proceeding shall come before the Board.

Plantations General.

Letter from Mr. Cumings.

Scheme for maintaining troops by laying duties, etc.

A letter from Mr. Archibald Cumings, dated at Boston in New England the 3rd November last, enclosing a scheme for maintaining five or six thousand regular troops upon the continent of America, for the better defence of the same against the French and Indians, was read, together with the said scheme.

Plantations General.

New England.

Newfoundland.

Letter from Mr. Cumings about the said scheme, fishery, etc.

Another letter from the said Mr. Cumings, dated 17th November last, was read. And their Lordships gave directions for comparing what he mentions in his said letters, relating to the fishery of New England, with the accounts received of the Newfoundland fishery.

November 27th. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Ashe.

Jamaica.

Act, Pero Plantation.

Mr. West's report.

Mr. West's report upon an Act passed at Jamaica in 1722, entituled, An Act for encouraging the speedy settling the plantation commonly called Pero or Pera Plantation situate at Port Morant in the parish of St. Thomas in the East in this island, and for obliging all persons entituled to the equity of redemption thereof to redeem the same by a prefixed time, was read. As also,

Letter from Mr. Gordon about the said Act.

Answer.

A letter from Mr. Gordon, dated at Barbadoes 8th July, 1723, desiring to be heard against the said Act.

Ordered that Mr. Gordon be acquainted that the Board are ready to hear what he may have to offer thereupon.

Letter to Mr. Banks.

with Mr. Gordon's objections.

Ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Banks, who appeared in behalf of the said Act, to acquaint him with Mr. Gordon's objections thereto.

Newfoundland.

Letter from Mr. Delafaye.

Monsieur Chammorel's memorial.

Letter to Mr. Burchet.

A letter from Mr. Delafaye, of 25th November, 1723, referring to the Board, by order of the Lords Justices, the copy of a memorial from Monsieur Chammorel, the French secretary, complaining of a French vessel being driven by an English one from her fishing station at the Bank of Newfoundland, was again read, whereupon ordered that a copy of the said complaint be sent to Mr. Burchet, for the information of the Lords of the Admiralty.

November 28th. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Ashe.

New Jersey.

Representation and additional instruction about alteration in electing Assembly.

Their Lordships taking into consideration the draught of a representation and additional instruction, ordered to be prepared the 1st of October last, relating to an alteration proposed by Mr. Burnet, Governor of New Jersey, to be made in the choice of an Assembly there;

Mr. Richier, etc., summoned.

Ordered that Mr. Richier be acquainted that the Board desire to speak with him and the other proprietors of New Jersey on Tuesday morning next.

Leeward Islands.

Letter from Mr. Delafaye.

Remonstrance about ill-treatment of English at Martinique.

A letter from Mr. Delafaye of 22nd inst., enclosing the copy of a letter from Mr. Crawford, in relation to remonstrances made by him at the Court of France, upon the ill-treatment some English subjects met with at Martinique, was read.

Information to be given Colonel Hart.

Whereupon ordered that a copy of Mr. Crawford's said letter be sent to Colonel Hart, Governor of the Leeward Islands, for his information.

Barbados.

Letter from Mr. Worsley.

Their Lordships then reading again the letter from Mr. Worsley, Governor of Barbados, of 16th July, 1723, and the papers, therein referred to, mentioned in the Minutes of 23rd October last, resolved to consider further thereof to-morrow morning.

November 29th. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Ashe.

Barbados.

Letter from Mr. Worsley.

A letter from Mr. Worsley, Governor of Barbadoes, dated 24th September, 1723, was read, and the papers, therein referred to, were laid before the Board, viz:—
Papers therein referred to.
Minutes of Council in Assembly, from 24th May, 1923, to 7th August following.
Minutes of Assembly, from 30th July, 1723, to 17th September following.
Minutes of Council upon hearing the complaints against Mr. Cox, late Commander of that island.
Representation of Mr. Manley, Collector of the Customs, to Mr. Worsley, relating to illegal trade between Barbadoes and the French islands.
List of naval bonds forfeited in Barbadoes that ought to be prosecuted.
A list of estreats, etc., at the Grand Sessions, June, 1723.
Lists of gunners, matrosses and stores of war in the several fortifications in that island in 1723.
List of causes in Chancery in 1723.
List of causes depending in the several courts of Common Pleas, from January, 1722–3, to July, 1723.
Papers relating to a dispute between the officers of the casual revenue and the Custom House officers.
Two Acts passed in 1723, appointing agents, and laying a duty on wines, etc., imported.

Letters and papers from Mr. Worsley, to be reconsidered.

Their Lordships then resolved to consider further of Mr. Worsley's said letter and papers, at the next meeting.

Act sent to Mr. West.

Ordered that the Act for laying an imposition or duty on wines and other strong liquors imported this island in order to raise money for carrying on the fortifications for paying of such persons as are or shall be imployed at the public charge, and for such other public uses as are herein appointed, be sent to Mr. West, for his opinion thereupon in point of law.