Journal, February 1726

February 2. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Plummer, Sir John Hobart.

Plantations General.

General Nicholson, Colonel Spotswood,

Brigadier Hunter, Colonel Shute, Colonel Philipps and others.

Mr. Gray's proposals for preventing insults of the Indians, considered.

General Nicholson, Governor of South Carolina, attending, as he had been desired, as also Colonel Spotswood, late Lieut. Governor of Virginia, Brigadier Hunter, late Governor of New York and New Jersey, Colonel Shute, Governor of New England, Colonel Philips, Governor of Nova Scotia, Colonel Gardiner, Major Cosby, Mr. Younge, Agent for South Carolina, and Mr. Gray; their Lordships took into consideration his proposals (mentioned in the Minutes of the 27th of the last month) for preventing the insults of the Indians, on the Continent of America, which were again read. And their Lordships desired the gentlemen present would give the Board their opinion upon the said proposals, which they did accordingly, viz.:— That the path, proposed by Mr. Gray to be cut on the back of the English Settlements on the Continent, could not be completed for much more money than Mr. Gray has set down; and that supposing the path was cut, it would be of no advantage, but might be attended with very ill consequences, as it would create a jealousy among the Indians that were friends to the English. But that, even if this proposed path could answer Mr. Gray's design, they had no reason to think that the Assemblies of the several Plantations could be induced to raise so great a sum of money.

Their Lordships then resolved to take no further notice of these proposals.

Virginia.

Mr. Attorney and Mr. Solicitor General's report on queries about the grants to Colonel Spotswood.

The Board then took into consideration and read Mr. Attorney and Mr. Solicitor General's report upon some queries, sent them the 13th of August, 1724, relating to the grants of land made in Virginia by Colonel Spotswood during his government. And the Colonel desiring their Lordships would please to appoint a day for hearing, what he had to offer upon this subject, their Lordships resolved to consider further thereof on Friday sen'night.

Nova Scotia.

Colonel Philipps and Major Cosby to attend again.

Their Lordships acquainted Colonel Philipps and Major Cosby, that they had resolved to take into consideration several papers relating to Nova Scotia on this day sen'night, and desired they would then please to attend again, which they promised to do accordingly.

February 3. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Plummer.

St. Christophers.

Letter from Mr. Meure.

Mr. Pym Burt recommended to be of the Council.

Draught of representation.

A letter from Mr. Meure, dated this day, inclosing one from Mr. J. Davy Breholt, certifying the death of Mr. John Davis, late one of the Council of St. Christophers, was read; and William Pym Burt, Esquire, being recommended by Mr. Chetwynd to supply the vacancy, their Lordships gave directions for preparing the draught of a representation accordingly.

Trade.

Leghorn.

Memorial from merchants about national duties.

A memorial from several merchants trading to Leghorn, in relation to the payment of some national duties there, was read. And their Lordships agreed to take the same into further consideration to–morrow morning.

February 4. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Plummer, Sir John Hobart.

St. Christophers.

Representation, new councillor.

A representation ordered yesterday to be prepared, proposing William Pym Burt, Esquire, to supply the vacancy in the Council of St. Christophers in the room of Mr. John Davis, deceased, was agreed and signed.

Leeward Islands.

Letter to the Governor agreed.

The draught of a letter to Colonel Hart, Governor of the Leeward Islands, directed to be prepared the 27th of the last month, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

Trade.

Leghorn.

Merchants' memorial, the subscribers summoned.

Their Lordships taking again into consideration the merchants' memorial, (mentioned in yesterday's Minutes), in relation to some national duties paid at Leghorn; ordered that the merchants, who subscribed the said petition, be acquainted with the Board's desire to speak with them on Thursday morning next.

February 8. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Plummer.

Leeward Islands.

Letter to the Governor signed.

The letter to Colonel Hart, Governor of the Leeward Islands, agreed the 4th inst., was signed.

New England.

Letter from Mr. Armstrong, Woods.

Letter to be prepared to the Treasury.

The Secretary laid before the Board a letter from Mr. Armstrong, Deputy–Surveyor of the Woods in New England, to Mr. Burniston, in relation to the state of the said woods, which was read. Whereupon ordered that the draught of a letter be prepared to the Lords of the Treasury thereupon.

Jamaica.

Mr. Stevenson's memorial, praying an additional report about state of the revenue.

Their Lordships took again into consideration a memorial from Mr. Stevenson, Agent for Jamaica, mentioned in the Minutes of the 14th of the last month, desiring the Board to make an additional report to that of the 19th of February, 1724–5, upon the state of the Jamaica Revenue, since it appears by the Journal of the Assembly, (mentioned in the Minutes of the 27th day of April, 1725), that the provision made for discharging the public debts is so full and ample, that after they are all paid, there will remain an overplus of £6,343 1s. 0½d. Their Lordships also took into consideration the said Journal of Assembly, and observing that the said overplus of £6,343 1s. 0½d. could not arise, but upon supposition that all the debts outstanding upon the revenue, the additional duty, deficiency and general tax bills amounting to £22,779 13s. 7d., would be paid, they resolved not to make any representation, as desired by Mr. Stevenson's memorial, till they receive an account that the said debts are got in.

Barbadoes.

Letter to Mr. Carkesse, duty of 4½ per cent.

Ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Carkesse, Secretary to the Commissioners of the Customs, for an account of the produce of 4½ per cent, in Barbadoes for 9 years past since Christmas, 1714, distinguishing the amount each year; as also another account of the same duty arising in the Leeward Islands for the same time.

Leeward Islands.

Mr. Smith's complaints against Colonel Hart.

Colonel Hart's agents to prepare for his defence.

The Secretary acquainted the Board, that Mr. Smith had desired that the agents for Colonel Hart, Governor of the Leeward Islands, might be informed, that he was now prepared to make out the several allegations in his petition, (mentioned in the Minutes of the 26th of February, 1724–5), relating to Colonel Hart's having deprived him of several branches of his office of secretary to the Leeward Islands. Whereupon ordered that the said agents be acquainted therewith, and desired to prepare for the said Governor's defence, their Lordships intending shortly to appoint a day for hearing the merits of the said petition.

February 10. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Plummer, Sir John Hobart.

Newfoundland.

Answer to heads of inquiry.

An answer to the heads of inquiry, in relation to the fishery at Newfoundland for the year 1725, was read and ordered to be compared with the answers of former years.

Nova Scotia.

Fishing at Canso,

An account of the fishery at Canso, for the year 1723, was read.

draught of representation, letter to Lords of Admiralty.

Colonel Philips, Governor of Nova Scotia, attending, as he had been desired, with Major Cosby, a gentleman lately come from Canso, their Lordships had some discourse with them, in relation to the settlement of that province, and to the fishery at Canso. And their Lordships gave directions for preparing the draught of a representation upon this subject, as also a letter to the Lords of the Admiralty, desiring that one of those ships, that shall be appointed to go convoy to Newfoundland this year, shall be directed to attend and protect the fishery of Canso.

Trade.

Leghorn.

Mr. Jackson and other merchants about national duties, draught of representation.

Mr. Jackson attending, as he had been desired, with two more of those merchants, who signed the memorial, in relation to the national duties to be paid at Leghorn, which was read the 3rd instant; their Lordships, after some discourse with them upon the manner of paying the said duties, gave directions for preparing the draught of a representation thereupon.

February 11. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Plummer.

Virginia.

Colonel Spotswood and Mr. Leheup, Mr. Attorney and Mr. Solicitor General's reports on queries about grants to Colonel Spotswood.

Colonel Spotswood to be heard.

Colonel Spotswood, late Lieut.–Governor of Virginia attending, as he had been desired, as also Mr. Leheup, Agent for that colony, their Lordships took into consideration and read Mr. Attorney and Mr. Solicitor General's report upon several queries from Major Drysdale, Lieut.–Governor of Virginia, in relation to some grants of land in that colony, wherein Colonel Spotswood being concerned, desired their Lordships would please to appoint a day for hearing what he had to offer upon this subject, before they should come to any determination thereupon, which their Lordships were pleased to promise accordingly.

February 15. Present:—Mr. Docminique, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Plummer, Sir John Hobart.

New England.

Letter to the Treasury agreed about destruction of the woods.

The draught of a letter to the Lords of the Treasury, directed to be prepared the 8th inst., in relation to the destruction of the woods in New England, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed, as also

Newfoundland.

Nova Scotia.

Letter to the Admiralty.

Man of War for the fishery at Canso.

The draught of a letter to the Lords of the Admiralty, ordered to be prepared the 10th inst., desiring that one of the men of war, that shall be appointed for this year's convoy to Newfoundland, may be directed to attend and protect the fishery at Canso.

Nova Scotia.

Letter to Board of Ordance, plan and estimate of forts.

Ordered that a letter be writ to the Board of Ordnance, desiring a copy of the plan of the forts proposed to be built in Nova Scotia, with the estimate of each sent them by Major Mascarene about the year 1720.

Leeward Islands.

Hearing appointed.

Mr. Smith's complaint against Colonel Hart.

Mr. Smith, Secretary to the Leeward Islands, attending with Mr. North, his solicitor, desired their Lordships would please to appoint a day for hearing him, in relation to his complaint against Colonel Hart, Governor of the Leeward Islands, and their Lordships were pleased to appoint Thursday sen'night.

Trade.

Memorial from Mr. Carter about salt.

A memorial from Mr. Carter, proposing to improve the manufacture of salt, was read, and he was desired to attend this day sen'night.

February 16. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Plummer.

New England.

Letter to the Treasury, woods.

The letter to the Lords of the Treasury, in relation to the destruction committed in the woods of New England, agreed yesterday, was signed, as also

Newfoundland.

Nova Scotia.

Letter to the Admiralty.

Man of War for Canso.

A letter to the Lords of the Admiralty, agreed at the same time, desiring that one of the men of war, that are to be appointed convoy to Newfoundland this year, may attend and protect the fishery at Canso.

Jamaica.

Mr. Hughes's caveat against Act about Pera Plantation, to put his observations in writing.

A caveat from Mr. Hughes, in behalf of Mr. Lynch Salusbury Cotton, against the confirmation of an Act, passed at Jamaica, in 1722, entituled, an Act for encouraging the speedy settling of 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 prefixt time, was read. And their Lordships ordered that he should be desired to put into writing what he had to offer upon this subject.

St. Christophers.

Reference on Mr. Douglas's petition, Mr. Brown's Plantation.

A reference from Mr. Delafaye, by order of the Lords Justices, dated the 30th of December last, upon the petition of Mr. Douglas, in behalf of Mr. Brown, praying to be quieted in the possession of his plantation at St. Christophers, was read. And their Lordships resolved to consider further thereof at their next meeting.

Leeward Islands.

Hearing of Mr. Smith's complaints put off.

The Secretary then informed the Board that Mr. Sharpe, whom he was yesterday directed to acquaint with their Lordships having appointed to—morrow sen'night for hearing Mr. Smith's complaint against Colonel Hart, Governor of the Leeward Islands, could not possibly attend their Lordships on that day, and that he desired the said hearing might be deferred till to–morrow fortnight. Their Lordships were pleased to agree thereto, and ordered that Mr. Smith should have notice thereof.

February 18. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Plummer.

Virginia.

Order in Council, petition from Bristol, duty on negroes. Parties summoned.

An Order in Council of the 29th January, 1725–6, referring to the Board a petition from several merchants of Bristol, complaining of a duty being paid on negroes to the naval officer at Virginia, and praying relief therein, was read. Whereupon ordered that Mr. Leheup, agent for the Colony, and Mr. George Serjeant, who presented the said petition to the Board, be acquainted that their Lordships desire to speak with them thereupon on Thursday next at 11 o'clock in the morning.

St. Christophers.

Mr. Douglas's petition, Brown's Plantation.

Brown's plantatio.

Mr. Douglas summoned.

A reference from Mr. Delafaye, by order of the Lords Justices upon the petition of Mr. Douglas, in behalf of Mr. Jeremiah Brown, praying to be quieted in the possession of his plantation at St. Christophers, mentioned in the Minutes of the last meeting, was again read and considered. And their Lordships gave directions that Mr. Douglas should be acquainted with the Board's desire of speaking with him thereupon on Wednesday morning next.

February 23. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Plummer, Sir John Hobart.

Mr. Douglas about Mr. Brown's Plantation.

Draught of representation.

Mr. Douglas attending, as he had been desired, with Mr. North, his solicitor, their Lordships took again into consideration his petition in behalf of Mr. Brown, mentioned in the Minutes of the 16th inst., praying that he may be quieted in the possession of his plantation in St. Christophers. And after some discourse with Mr. Douglas, their Lordships gave directions for preparing the draught of a representation thereupon.

Trade.

Mr. Carter about experiments in salt.

Mr. Carter attending, as he had been desired, their Lordships took again into consideration his proposals, mentioned in the Minutes of the 15th inst., for improving the manufacture of salt, a sample of which he produced. But as he was not yet able to give an account of the strength or of the effect it would have in curing fish, he was directed to make some further experiments, and then to attend the Board again.

Trade.

Africa.

Duke of Newcastle.

Letter from Duke of Newcastle.

Memorial from the Royal African Company.

A letter from the Duke of Newcastle, dated the 21st inst., referring to the Board a memorial from the Royal African Company, setting forth the hardships their trade labours under, and desiring relief therein, was read. And their Lordships resolved to consider further thereof at another opportunity.

February 24. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Plummer.

St. Christophers.

Draught of representation on Mr. Douglas's petition. Mr. Brown's Plantation.

The draught of a representation upon Mr. Douglas's petition in behalf of Mr. Brown, directed yesterday to be prepared, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

Trade.

Draught of representation.

National duty for factory at Leghorn.

The draught of a representation upon the reference from the Lords Justices, of the 29th of October, 1725, mentioned in the Minutes of the 4th of October last, upon some extracts of letters from Mr. Coleman, Resident at Florence, Mr. Skinner, Consul at Leghorn, and Mr. Crowe, Chaplain to the English Factory there, relating to some Italian merchants refusing to pay a small duty, agreed upon by the Factory for goods landed there from British vessels, directed to be prepared the 10th inst., was likewise agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

Virginia.

Mr. Serjeant and Mr. Leheup.

Merchants of Bristol's complaint against duties on negroes.

Copies to be sent to the Lieut.- Governor, for a statement thereof.

Mr. George Serjeant attending, as he had been desired, as also Mr. Leheup, Agent for Virginia, in relation to the Order in Council of the 29th of January last, referring to the Board a petition from several merchants of Bristol, complaining of a duty being paid upon negroes to the naval officer at Virginia, mentioned in the Minutes of 18th inst.; their Lordships, after some discourse with these gentlemen thereupon, gave directions for sending a copy thereof to Major Drysdale, Lieut.– Governor of Virginia, and that he be desired to give their Lordships an account how the money already collected, has been applied.

Nova Scotia.

Letter from Mr. Short, Board of Ordnance, plans and accounts.

A letter from Mr. Short, Secretary to the Board of Ordnance, dated the 23rd, in answer to one from Mr. Popple of the 15th of February, 1725–6, desiring some plans and accounts in that office, relating to the Province of Nova Scotia, was read.

Jamaica.

Order in Council, Miranda and Da Costa, indigo condemned at Jamaica.

A copy of an Order in Council of the 29th January, 1725–6, referring to the Lords of the Committee the representation of this Board, dated the 22nd of December last, on the petition of Mr. Miranda and Da Costa, relating to some indigo condemned at Jamaica, was read.

Virginia.

Order in Council, new councillor.

A copy of an Order in Council of the 29th, upon a representation of the 14th of January, 1725–6, for appointing John Grimes, Esquire, of the Council of Virginia, was read.

St. Christophers.

Order in Council, new councillor.

A copy of an Order in Council of the 12th, upon a representation of the 4th of February, 1725–6, for appointing William Pym Burt, Esquire, of the Council of St. Christophers, was read.

Leeward Islands.

Mr. Smith's complaints against Colonel Hart.

Persons summoned for hearing.

Mr. Smith, Secretary to the Leeward Islands, attending, acquainted their Lordships that Mr. John Barker, Mr. Broadbelt, Mr. Gerish and Mr. Fleming were able to clear up some points in the matters in dispute between Colonel Hart and himself, and therefore prayed their Lordships would please to give directions that they might be desired to attend the Board in order thereto. Whereupon ordered that the aforenamed gentlemen be acquainted with the Board's desire of speaking with them thereupon on Thursday morning next.

Trade.

Africa.

Separate traders for copies of Company's papers and praying to be heard.

Agreed and copies ordered.

Mr. Morrice, Mr. Harris, Mr. Elton and Mr. Brereton attending, desired their Lordships would please to give them copies of the African Company's petition, which they were informed was referred to the Board; and that they might have an opportunity of being heard in behalf of the separate African traders, before the Board should make any representation upon this matter. To which their Lordships agreed, and ordered in the mean time that they should have copies accordingly.

February 25. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer.

Trade.

Leghorn.

Representation, national duties for the factory.

A representation in relation to some national duties paid at Leghorn, agreed yesterday, was signed. As also,

St. Christophers.

Representation on Mr. Douglas's petition, Mr. Brown's plantation.

A representation upon Mr. Douglas's petition, agreed at the same time, praying that Mr. Brown may be quieted in the possession of his plantation at St. Christophers.

Nova Scotia.

Letter from Mr. Burchet, a Man of War for Canso.

A letter from Mr. Burchet, Secretary to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, dated yesterday, signifying their Lordships having ordered Captain St. Lo, Commander of the Ludlow Castle, now at Boston in New England, to proceed from thence directly to Canso, and guard and protect the fishery there, was read.

Trade.

Africa.

Letter to Mr. Lynn, for what the company have further to offer.

Ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Lynn, Secretary to the Royal African Company, to know whether the said company have anything to offer upon the subject of their petition, mentioned in the Minutes of the 23rd inst.