Journal, July 1724

July 1st. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer.

Jamaica.

Plantations General.

Letter from Duke of Newcastle about dispatch of Revenue Bill and other Acts.

Answer.

A letter from the Duke of Newcastle, dated this day, desiring the Board to report upon the draught of the Revenue Bill, transmitted with the Duke of Portland's letter of the 4th of March last, mentioned in the Minutes of the 25th last month, and also upon the several other acts of the other plantations, was read; and an answer thereto was agreed, transcribed and signed.

Jamaica.

Representation for a new Councillor signed.

The representation, ordered yesterday to be prepared, for appointing Samuel Moore to be of the Council of Jamaica, in the room of Captain Morant, was agreed and signed.

New York.

Letter to Mr. Balam, Inspector General.

Imports and exports at New York of sugar and some other goods.

Ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Balam, Inspector General of the Imports and Exports, for an account of sugar, molasses, rum and spirits imported into New York, from Christmas, 1714, to Christmas, 1722, distinguishing the several places, from whence such commodities were exported; as also an account of the exports of them for the same time, and under the like distinctions.

July 2. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer.

South Carolina.

Letter from Mr. Burchet, with copy of one from Mr. Blakeway about French Naval Stores at Mississippi.

A letter from Mr. Burchet, of 24th last month, inclosing the copy of one from Mr. Blakeway, Judge of the Admiralty in South Carolina, relating to the progress made by the French in the improvement of Naval Stores at Mississippi, was read.

New Jersey.

Letter from Lord Carteret about gold and silver mines.

Mr. Attorney and Solicitor General's report on the subject.

Draught of representation.

Their Lordships then took into consideration a letter from the Lord Carteret, in relation to gold and silver mines, said to be found in New Jersey, mentioned in the Minutes of the 14th February, 1722–3, as also Mr. Attorney and Solicitor General's report upon this subject, read this day, and ordered the draught of a representation to be prepared thereupon.

Nova Scotia.

Colonel Vetch and other officers concerned in the petition for a tract of land, desired to attend.

Ordered that Colonel Vetch and the several officers concerned in the petition for a tract of land in Nova Scotia, mentioned in the Minutes of the 16th of the last month, be acquainted that the Board desire to speak with them on Tuesday next.

July 7. Present:—Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer.

New York.

Indian Trade Act.

Hearing.

Mr. Sharpe in behalf of several merchants.

Mr. Sharpe attending, as he had been desired, with several New York merchants, their Lordships took again into consideration the Order in Council of 30th April, mentioned in the Minutes of the 1st of May last, referring to the Board their petition against the renewing of an Act, passed in New York in November, 1720, entituled, An Act for the encouragement of the Indian trade, and rendering of it more effectual to the inhabitants of this Province, and for prohibiting the selling of Indian goods to the French; and Mr. Sharpe in behalf of the several merchants, acquainted their Lordships, that he conceived this Act, though its intention of gaining the Indians to the English interest might be good, would have quite a contrary effect, because if the trade with the French was prevented, and the merchants should discontinue that with the Indians, as he was informed they would, the French might lay hold of this opportunity to furnish themselves with goods from Europe, and supply the 5 Nations of Indians, and thereby gain them to their interest; and this by reason of their situation, would not be in the power of the English to prevent. That they were 2 or 300 leagues distant from Albany, and that they could not come to trade with the English but by going down the River St. Lawrence, and that from thence through a lake, which brought them within 18 leagues of Albany; and that the French having made settlements along the said River, it would be in their power, whenever they pleased, to cut off that communication. That this Act had been so great a discouragement to the British trade in general, that there had not been by far so great a quantity of beaver and other furs imported into Great Britain, since the passing the said Act, as there was before, nor half the quantity of European goods exported. That several merchants, who had sent over to New York considerable quantities of European goods, had received advice from their correspondents, that should another act of the like nature be passed, they could not find a vent for them, and desired they would send no more; upon the whole Mr. Sharpe desired in behalf of the merchants, that Mr. Burnet might be directed not to pass any act of the like nature for the future.

Draught of representation to be prepared.

These gentleman being withdrawn, ordered that the draught of a representation be prepared upon that subject.

Letter to Mr. Balam, Inspector General.

Account of imports and exports at New York.

Ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Balam, Inspector General of the Customs, desiring an account of the exports and imports to and from New York since 1720, as far as they are made up.

Nova Scotia.

Mr. Bampfield with several officers about restrictions in the grant they petition for.

Mr. Bampfield attending, as he had been desired, with the several officers, who petitioned for a tract of land in Nova Scotia, their Lordships had some discourse with them in relation to some restrictions to be inserted in their grant, and resolved to consider further thereof at another opportunity.

July 8. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer.

Trade.

Spain.

Letter from Duke of Newcastle again considered.

Their Lordships taking again into consideration the Duke of Newcastle's letter of the 11th, (mentioned in the Minutes of the 24th last month), relating to the trade with Spain, gave some directions for preparing the draught of a representation thereupon.

Jamaica.

Mr. Attorney and Solicitor General's report on Bills about Revenues and Laws.

Augmentation of Duke of Portland's salary.

Mr. Attorney and Mr. Solicitor General's report upon two bills, passed in Jamaica by the Council and Assembly in 1724, the one entitled, An Act for granting a revenue to His Majesty, His heirs and successors, for the support of the Government of this Island, and perpetuating the Acts and Laws thereof as they now stand and are used; and the other entitled, An Act to augment the salary of His Grace the Duke of Portland during his residence in this Island as Governor, was read; and their Lordships resolved to consider further thereof to-morrow morning.

Miscellanies.

Incident Charges.

The Secretary laid before the Board an account of the incidental charges of this office, from Michaelmas, 1723, to Midsummer, 1724, amounting in the whole to £502 5s. 10½d., viz:—

Incident Charges and Salaries.

Letter to Lords of the Treasury.

Whereupon a letter to the Lords of the Treasury desiring payment thereof, as likewise nine months salary due to the secretary and other officers in the service of this Commission, was agreed and signed.

July 9. Present:—Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer.

New York.

Indian Trade Act.

Draught of representation on merchants' petition.

The draught of a representation upon an Order in Council of 30th April, 1724, referring to the Board a petition and representation of several merchants against an Act supposed to be renewed at New York, relating to the Indian Trade, directed to be prepared the 7th inst., was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

Trade.

Spain.

Representation about state of trade with Spain.

A representation in relation to a state of the trade between Great Britain and Spain, agreed the 8th inst., was signed.

July 14. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer.

Jamaica.

Revenue Bill.

Mr. Attorney and Solicitor General's report on state of the Island.

Draught of a letter to Duke of Newcastle.

Their Lordships, taking again into their consideration the draught of the Revenue Bill, passed by the Council and Assembly of Jamaica, mentioned in the Minutes of the 8th inst., as also Mr. Attorney and Mr. Solicitor General's report upon the state of the said Island, read this day; ordered the draught of a letter to be prepared to the Duke of Newcastle, in relation to the said Bill.

Trade.

Spain.

Mr. Keen.

State of grievances in trade to Spain.

Mr. Keen, appointed consul at Madrid, attending, as he had been desired, presented to the Board a state of the grievances complained of by the merchants trading to Spain, which was read; and their Lordships resolved to consider further thereof at another opportunity.

New York.

Indian trade Act.

representation on merchants' petition.

A representation upon the petition of several merchants trading to New York, complaining of an Act proposed to be passed there for encouraging the Indian trade, agreed the 9th inst., was signed.

July 15. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer.

Jamaica.

Revenue Bill.

Representation signed.

A letter to the Duke of Newcastle, upon the draught of a Bill, passed by the Council and Assembly of Jamaica, in January, 1723–4, ordered yesterday to be prepared, was agreed and signed.

Nova Scotia.

Representation upon petition of officers for a grant of land.

Ordered that a representation be prepared upon the petition of several officers and soldiers, praying for a grant of land upon the River Le Have in Nova Scotia, mentioned in the Minutes of the 7th inst.

New Jersey.

Letter to Duke of Newcastle.

Gold and silver mines.

A letter to the Duke of Newcastle, in relation to some gold and silver mines in New Jersey, agreed the 2nd inst., was signed.

Trade.

Jamaica.

Letter from Mr. Harris.

Account of Debenture fees.

Custom House holidays, charges, etc.

A letter from Mr. Harris and some other Jamaica merchants in relation to the debenture fees, Custom House holidays and other charges on ships bound to Jamaica, was read.

Miscellanies.

Letter from Mr. Scrope.

A porter appointed for the office.

Mr. Giles Griffin.

A letter from Mr. Scrope, (vide supra fo. 118), signifying the Lords of the Treasury having consented to the appointing a porter to attend the service of this office with a salary of £40 per annum, was read; and Colonel Bladen at the same time recommending Mr. Giles Griffin to supply this place, the Board was pleased to agree thereto.

July 16. Present:—Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer.

Trade.

Plantations General.

Draught of representation.

Sugar and tobacco trades.

Their Lordships, taking into consideration the state of the sugar and tobacco trades, directed that the draught of a representation be prepared thereupon.

Mr. Godin desired to attend.

Ordered that Mr. Godin be acquainted that the Board desire to speak with him on Tuesday morning next.

Nova Scotia.

Representation on petition of officers, etc., for a grant of land.

The representation upon the petition of several officers and soldiers, praying for a grant of land upon the River Le Have in Nova Scotia, mentioned in yesterday's Minutes, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

July 21. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer.

Trade.

Plantations General.

Letter from Messrs. Lequesne.

A letter from Messrs. Lequesne, dated this day, in relation to the sugar and tobacco trades, was read, and

Sugar and tobacco trades.

Mr. Godin.

His memorial on same subject.

Draft of representation considered.

Mr. Godin attending, as he had been desired, presented to the Board a memorial upon the same subject, which was read, and their Lordships, after some discourse with him thereupon took into consideration the draught of a representation upon this head, ordered to be prepared the 16th inst., and made a progress therein.

Post Meridiem.

Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer.

Trade.

Plantations General.

Sugar trade.

Letter from Mr. Torriano.

Discourse with him.

A letter from Mr. Torriano, in relation to the sugar trade, was lead; and Mr. Torriano attending, their Lordships had some discourse with him in relation thereto.

Letter from Mr. Worsam.

Remarks about sugar trade.

Draught of representation.

Sugar and tobacco trades.

A letter from Mr. Worsam, to Colonel Bladen, dated the 2nd inst., with some remarks relating to the trade of our sugar plantations, was read; and their Lordships then took into further consideration the draught of a representation upon the sugar and tobacco trades, mentioned in this day's Minutes, and made a progress therein.

Jamaica.

Letter from Mr. Scrope, and Lords of the Treasury's observations on Bill for perpetuating Revenue and laws.

A letter from Mr. Scrope, secretary to the Lords of the Treasury, dated the 16th inst., with their Lordships observations upon the draught of a Bill for perpetuating the Revenue and laws of Jamaica, was read.

Nova Scotia.

Representation about conditions and restrictions in the grant to Col. Vetch and other officers, etc.

The representation upon an Order in Council of 17th April, mentioned in the Minutes of the 13th May, directing the Board to report what conditions, restrictions and limitations are proper to be contained in the grant of land petitioned for by Colonel Vetch and the other officers, who were in actual service at the reduction of Port Royal, now Annapolis Royal, and the country and places adjacent in Nova Scotia, agreed the 16th inst., was signed.

July 22. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer.

Trade.

Plantations General.

Anonymous memorial about sugar trade.

Draught of representation on sugar and tobacco trades.

The Secretary laid before the Board an anonymous memorial from several merchants in relation to the sugar trade, with some proposals for encouraging the same, which was read; and their Lordships took again into consideration the draught of a report, in relation to the sugar and tobacco trades, and made a progress therein.

New York.

Letter to the Governor about Indian Trade Act.

Ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Burnet, Governor of New York, to acquaint him with the merchants' objections against renewing An Act of that Province, lately expired, for encouraging the Indian Trade, and mentioned in the Minutes of the 7th instant, and to desire his answer thereto, as soon as possible.

Jamaica.

Letter to Duke of Bolton upon his caveat against an Act.

Ordered that the Duke of Bolton, who has entered a caveat in this office, against an Act, passed in Jamaica in 1722, entitled, An Act for settling the North East part of this Island, be acquainted that the Board desire he will let their Lordships have, as soon as possible, his objections against the same.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Tigh.

Account of ships passing the Sound.

Letter to him.

A letter from Mr. Tigh, consul at Elsinore, dated 31st December, 1723, inclosing accounts of ships which passed the Sound, to and from the Baltic, in the year 1723, was read; whereupon ordered that a letter be writ to him, to thank him for the said accounts, and to desire he will continue the same for the future.

South Carolina.

Letter from Mr. Yonge about complaints of the Sieur Couturier against the Governor.

Draught of a letter to the Duke of Newcastle.

A letter from Mr. Yonge, agent for South Carolina, dated the 30th April last, relating to the complaints made by the Sieur Couturier against Gen. Nicholson, Governor of that province, was read, whereupon ordered that the draught of a letter be prepared to the Duke of Newcastle thereupon.

The following copies of Orders in Council were laid before the Board and read, viz:—

Plantations General.

Order in Council on representation, with draught of instructions about duties on European goods in the plantations.

Copy of an Order in Council of the 4th July, 1724, referring a representation of this Board, dated 4th of June, 1724, with the draught of an instruction to prevent duties being laid on European goods imported into the plantations in English shipping, to a Committee of Council.

Massachusetts.

Order in Council on representation concerning an Act for apportioning and assessing a tax.

Order in Council.

Order of Council of 12th May, 1724, referring to a Committee of Council a representation of this Board for repealing An Act, passed in the Massachusetts Bay in 1723, for apportioning and assessing a tax of £6,205 16s. 7½d.

Remission of certain additional taxes to the Quakers.

Order in Council of the 2nd of June, 1724, upon a report of the Committee of Council, for remitting certain additional taxes imposed on the Quakers in the Massachusetts, and for releasing some of the said Quakers imprisoned for not assessing the said taxes.

South Carolina.

Order in Council, on representation concerning Colonel Johnson's Act.

Order in Council of 12th May, 1724, referring to a Committee of Council a representation of this Board, for confirming An Act, passed in South Carolina in 1721, for vesting the fee simple of a plantation and house called the Governor's House in Robert Johnson, Esq.

Order in Council, confirming that Act.

Order in Council of 2nd of June, 1724, upon a representation for confirming An Act, passed in South Carolina in 1721, for vesting the fee simple of a certain plantation and house, etc., in Robert Johnson, Esq.

Bermuda.

Order in Council on representation repealing an Act.

Order in Council.

Order in Council of 4th July, 1724, approving a representation of this Board, for repealing An Act, passed in Bermuda in 1723, to supply the deficiency of the several funds, etc.

Enquiry about Colonel Hope's behaviour in passing Acts once repealed.

Order in Council of 4th July, 1724, directing a Committee of Council to enquire into Colonel Hope's behaviour in relation to passing laws, that have been once repealed, in Bermuda.

Barbadoes.

Order in Council on representation about Act to raise a levy, etc.

Order in Council of 4th July, 1724, referring a representation of this Board, of 4th June, for repealing An Act to raise a levy and to supply the want of cash etc. to a Committee of Council.

St. Christophers.

Order in Council on representation.

New Counsellor.

Order in Council of 12th May, 1724, approving a representation of this Board, for constituting Mr. Peter Soulegre a member of the Council of St. Christophers, in the room of Mr. Milward, deceased.

St. Christophers.

Montserrat.

Order in Council on representation upon several Acts.

Order in Council of 12th May, 1724, referring to a Committee of Council, a representation of this Board, upon several acts passed in St. Christophers and Montserrat.

Leeward Islands.

Order in Council.

Explanation of instructions about Governor's additional salary.

Order in Council of 2nd June, 1724, referring to a Committee the letter from the Board to the Duke of Newcastle, about an explanation of His Majesty's instructions to Colonel Hart, Governor of the Leeward Islands, relating to an additional salary.

Antigua.

Order in Council.

Augmentation of Governor's Salary.

Order in Council of 4th July, 1724, allowing Colonel Hart to pass another Act in Antego, to augment his salary.

Colonel Hart to be acquainted therewith.

Ordered that Colonel Hart be acquainted with the said Order.

Newfoundland.

Letter from Mr. Burchet.

Commodore of Convoy.

Monsr. Chammorel's complaint.

A letter from Mr. Burchet to Mr. Popple, dated 5th December, 1723, signifying that the Commodore of the Newfoundland Convoy will attend the Board as soon as he arrives, in relation to the complaint made by Monsr. Chammorel, was read.

Barbadoes.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Woolley.

Thanks of the East India Directors about wrecked goods saved.

A letter from Mr. Woolley, of 14th May, 1724, returning the thanks of the Directors of the East India Company to this Board, for the advice given them by the secretary's letter of 7th May, 1724, about goods secured from a wreck at the Cape of Good Hope, by the Captain of the Salisbury, was read.

New Hampshire.

Letter from Mr. Burchet.

Extract from Colonel Wentworth about a company for Naval Stores,

A letter from Mr. Burchet to the secretary, dated 7th February, 1723–4, enclosing an extract of one from Mr. Wentworth, Lieutenant Governor of New Hampshire, relating to a company proposed to be set up there, for raising Naval Stores, was read.

Post Meridiem.

Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer.

South Carolina.

Letter to Duke of Newcastle.

The Sieur Couturier's complaint against Governor Nicholson.

The letter to His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, relating to the Sieur Couturier's complaint against General Nicholson, Governor of South Carolina, agreed this morning, was signed.

Trade.

Plantations General.

Mr. Drummond about sugar and tobacco trades.

Mr. John Drummond, attending, their Lordships had some discourse with him in relation to the sugar and tobacco trade.

Draught of representation on that subject.

Their Lordships then took into consideration the draught of a representation upon the same subject, mentioned in this day's Minutes, and made a progress therein.

July 23. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer.

Massachusetts.

Letter from Mr. Willard, Secretary of the province.

Public papers therein referred to.

A letter from Mr. Willard, secretary to the province of the Massachusets Bay, dated 20th May, 1723, was read; and the papers, therein referred to, were laid before the Board, viz:—
Minutes of Council in Assembly, from 30th May, 1722, to the 19th January following, both days inclusive.
Act passed in that province in November, 1722.

Another letter from Mr. Willard.

Public papers sent to the Governor.

A letter from Mr. Willard to the secretary, dated 31st December, 1723, giving account of what public papers he has sent to the Governor, to be laid before the Board, was read.

A third letter from Mr. Willard.

Papers sent to the Governor.

Another letter from him to the secretary of 30th May, 1724, giving an account of what papers he has sent to the Governor, to be laid before the Board, was read.

An answer to Mr. Willard.

Whereupon directions were given for preparing an answer thereto.

Letter from Mr. Dummer, Lieutenant Governor.

A letter from Mr. Dummer, Lieutenant Governor of the Massachusetts Bay, dated the 22nd May, 1723, was read.

New York.

Letter from Mr. Oxenford.

Account of sugar and other goods imported and exported.

A letter from Mr. Oxenford, in answer to one writ him the 1st inst., for an account of sugar, molasses, rum and spirits exported and imported to and from New York, was read.

An account of imports and exports to and from New York, from Christmas, 1720, to Christmas, 1722, was laid before the Board and considered.

Pennsylvania.

Letter from Sir Wm. Keith, with two Acts.

A letter from Sir William Keith, Governor of Pennsylvania, to the Board, dated 12th December, 1723, transmitting 2 Acts passed in that province, was read.

Acts to be sent to Mr. West for his opinion.

Whereupon ordered that all the Acts passed in Pennsylvania, upon which Mr. West has not hitherto made any report, be sent to him, for his opinion thereupon in point of law.

Answer to Sir Wm. Keith.

And directions were given for preparing an answer to Sir William Keith's said letter.

South Carolina.

Mr. Shelton.

His verbal report from Lords Proprietors upon Monsr. Purry's proposal to settle a Swiss colony.

Mr. Shelton, attending, signified to their Lordships that he had consulted the Lords Proprietors of Carolina, in relation to the petition of Peter Purry, a Swiss, who proposes to settle a colony of his countrymen in that province, mentioned in the Minutes of the 9th of last month, that he had orders to acquaint the Board that the Lords Proprietors usually sold their land at twenty pounds every thousand acres, and reserved a quit rent of a penny an acre, but in this case, as they were willing to encourage the settlement of the province, their Lordships agreed to give the land, if the grantees would pay after three years time 2d. per acre. This their Lordships desired Mr. Shelton to put into writing, and let them have, as soon as he could.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Oxenford.

Rice imported and exported.

A letter from Mr. Oxenford, with an account of rice imported and exported from 1712 to 1722, was read.

New Hampshire.

Letter from Mr. Wentworth, Lieutenant Governor.

Papers therein referred to.

A letter from Mr. Wentworth, Lieutenant Governor of New Hampshire, dated the 20th of August, 1723, was read; and the papers, therein referred to, were laid before the Board, viz:—
Account of Stores of War expended in Castle William and Mary, from May, 1722, to May, 1723, and of what remained.
Minutes of Council in Assembly, from 10th December, 1722, to 1st June, 1723.
Two acts passed there, one in 1722, and the other in 1723.

New Hampshire.

Another letter from Mr. Wentworth.

Another letter from him, dated 27th December, 1723, was likewise read, and the papers, therein referred to, were laid before the Board, viz:—
Libel and proceedings in the Court of Admiralty against a ship seized for having masts on board, designed for Portugal.
Copy of a deputation given by Mr. Wentworth, Lieutenant Governor, to Mr. Hale, to be a deputy surveyor of His Majesty's woods there.
Naval Officer's list of ships, entered inwards and cleared outwards, from 25th June to 25th September, 1723.

Plantations General.

New England.

Mr. Burniston, Surveyor of the Woods to attend.

Ordered that Mr. Burniston, Surveyor General of His Majesty's Woods on the Continent of America, be acquainted that the Board desire to speak with him at eleven of the clock on Wednesday morning next.

Trade.

Plantations General.

Draught of representation on sugar and tobacco trades.

Their Lordships took into consideration the draught of a representation upon the sugar and tobacco trades, mentioned in yesterday's Minutes, and made a progress therein.

Post Meridiem.

Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer.

Trade.

Plantations General.

Letter from Mr. Drummond.

Duties on sugar in Holland.

A letter from Mr. John Drummond, dated this day, giving an account of the duties paid on sugars in Holland, was read.

Draught of representation on sugar and tobacco trades.

Their Lordships made a further progress in the draught of a representation relating to the sugar and tobacco trades, mentioned in this day's Minutes.

July 24. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer.

Representation on sugar and tobacco trades.

The draught of a representation, relating to the sugar and tobacco trades, mentioned in the Minutes of the last meeting, was agreed and signed.

Jamaica.

Order in Council.

Additional instruction to Duke of Portland, about continuing the old Revenue Act and laws for one year.

Draught of instructions to be prepared.

An Order in Council of the 23rd instant, requiring this Board to prepare the draught of an additional instruction to the Duke of Portland, Governor of Jamaica, as proposed in their Lordships' letter to the Duke of Newcastle, of the 15th of this month, for passing an Act in that Island, to continue for one year the revenue and laws depending upon the present Revenue Act there, was read; and directions given for preparing the draught of an instruction accordingly.

New York.

Letter from Mr. Bampfield.

An Act about estate of Thomas Lewis.

Sent to Mr. West for his opinion.

A letter from Mr. Bampfield, dated this day, desiring their Lordships would please to lay before His Majesty, for confirmation, an Act, passed in the province of New York, intituled, An Act for settling the estate of Thomas Lewis, late of the city of New York, deceased, was read, whereupon ordered that the said Act be sent to Mr. West, for his opinion thereupon in point of law.

July 29. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Plummer.

Jamaica.

Draught of additional instruction for Duke of Portland.

Continuance of Revenue Act and laws for one year agreed: representation thereon.

Their Lordships took into consideration the draught of an additional instruction, directed at the last meeting to be prepared, to the Duke of Portland, Governor of Jamaica, for passing an Act in that Island to continue for one year the revenue and laws depending upon the present Revenue Act there, which was agreed, and a representation, to lay the said draught before His Majesty, was signed.

July 30. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Plummer.

Plantations General.

New England.

Mrs. Burniston, her husband, Surveyor General of the Woods, indisposed.

Mr. Wentworth has the present care of the Woods.

Letter from Mr. Wentworth to Mr. Burniston concerning the Woods.

Mr. Burniston to attend.

Answer to Mr. Wentworth's letters.

Mrs. Burniston, attending, acquainted their Lordships, that Mr. Burniston, her husband, Surveyor General of the Woods on the Continent of America, was out of town and very much indisposed, so as not to be able to wait on the Board at present; whereupon being asked, who had now the immediate care of the said Woods, particularly in New England, she said, Mr. Wentworth, Lieutenant Governor of New Hampshire, had been desired by her husband to take care thereof. And she produced to their Lordships a letter from him to Mr. Burniston, dated the 5th of June last, on that subject, which was read; the Board then desired to speak with Mr. Burniston, as soon as conveniently might be; and Mrs. Burniston being withdrawn, their Lordships gave directions for an answer to the letters lately received from the said Mr. Wentworth.

Jamaica.

Letter to the Duke of Portland.

A letter to His Grace the Duke of Portland, Governor of Jamaica, was agreed and signed.