Journal, November 1726

November 2. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Bladen, Sir John Hobart.

Barbadoes.

Letter from the Governor.

A letter from Mr. Worseley, Governor of Barbadoes, dated the 22nd of August, 1726, was read; and the papers, therein referred to, were laid before the Board, viz:
Papers therein referred to.
Minutes of Council, from the 15th March, 1725–6, to the 8th of June following.
Minutes of Assembly, from the 5th of July, 1726, to the 2nd of August following.
Minutes of the Court of Chancery, from the 13th of April, 1726, to the 6th of July following.
List of Causes in the Court of Common Pleas.
Proceedings of the Grand Sessions in June, 1726.
Fines and forfeitures of the Grand Sessions in 1726.
An Act for laying an imposition or duty on wines and other strong liquors imported into this island, in order to raise money for carrying on the fortifications, for payment of such persons as are or shall be imployed at the public charge, and for such other public uses as are herein appointed. Passed 2nd August, 1726.

Barbadoes.

Letter to Mr. Fane.

Act about duty on wines, etc.

Ordered that the said Act be sent to Mr. Fane, for his opinion thereupon in point of law.

Virginia.

Letter from the President.

A letter from Mr. Carter, President and Commander-in-Chief of Virginia, dated the 4th of August, 1726, signifying his having taken upon him the Government, called the Council and continued all officers in their places, and transmitting duplicates of some papers sent with Major Drysdale's letter of 10th July last, was read.

Massachusets.

Letter from Mr. Dummer, the agent, votes of Assembly.

A letter from Mr. Dummer, agent for the Massachusets Bay, inclosing the votes of Assembly, from the 25th May, 1726, to the 28th of June following, was read.

Leeward Islands.

Mr. Smith about an Act of St. Christophers.

Mr. West's report.

The Act referred to Mr. Fane.

Mr. Wavel Smith, Secretary to the Leeward Islands, attending, and desiring their Lordships would please to report upon the Act, passed at St. Christophers in 1724, for the establishing a Court of King's Bench and Common Pleas, and for the better advancement of justice in the Island of St. Christophers, and for settling certain fees and repealing a former Act of the said island, intituled, An Act for establishing of Courts and settling due methods for the administration of justice; their Lordships took into consideration and read Mr. West's report upon the said Act, but considering that Mr. West only says that he has no objection in point of law to the said Act, ordered that it be referred to Mr. Fane, for his opinion how far this Act interferes with Mr. Smith's patent with respect to his fees as Secretary, and what effect the repeal of the said Act would have upon the constitution of St. Christophers.

November 3. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Bladen, Sir John Hobart.

Trade.

Spain.

Letter to Mr. Bernard about Spanish book of rates.

Ordered that Mr. Bernard, who attended the Board the 25th of March last, in relation to the Spanish book of rates, mentioned in the Minutes of the 18th of the same month, be reminded of his having promised to attend the Board again, when he should have received an account from his correspondence in Spain of this affair.

New England.

Plantations General.

Copy of a letter from Mr. Armstrong.

Woods.

The copy of a letter to Mr. Burniston, Surveyor of the Woods in New England, from Mr. Armstrong, his deputy, dated the 20th July last, relating to the destruction of the woods, was read.

Massachusets.

New Hampshire.

Boundaries, woods.

Nova Scotia.

The draught of a representation, ordered to be prepared the 20th inst., in relation to the boundaries between New England and New Hampshire, to the destruction of the woods there, and to the 200,000 acres of land to be set apart for His Majesty's use in Nova Scotia, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

November 9. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Plummer, Sir John Hobart.

Trade.

Bremen.

Letter from Lord Townshend, letters from Mr. Wich about trade to Bremen.

A letter from Lord Townshend, dated the 8th inst., referring to the Board extracts of letters from Mr. Wich, Envoy Extraordinary to the Hanse Towns [fo. 359 Journal D.D. fo. 22], relating to the improvement of the trade of His Majesty's subjects to the city of Bremen, particularly in herrings, was read, and their Lordships resolved to consider further thereof to-morrow morning.

Bahamas.

Appointing an Assembly, want of stores, draught of representation.

Their Lordships then taking into consideration the last letters from Captain Phenney, Governor of the Bahama Islands, in relation to the appointing an Assembly, and the want of stores of war there, gave directions for preparing the draught of a representation thereupon.

Massachusets.

New Hampshire.

Letters to Lieut. Governors.

The draughts of two letters to the Lieut. Governors of the Massachusets Bay and New Hampshire, ordered to be prepared the 20th of last month, were agreed and ordered to be sent.

Jamaica.

Letter to the Resident Ayscough, with queries.

Ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Ayscough, Commander in Chief of Jamaica, for his answer to the queries sent to the Duke of Portland the 31st of March, 1724.

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

Trade.

East India.

Order in Council.

East India exports.

An Order in Council of the 4th inst. referring to this Board an account of exports to the East Indies, from Michaelmas, 1725, to Michaelmas, 1726, was read.

Antigua.

Order referring to a committee the Act about Andrew Murray.

Copy of an Order in Council of 4th November, 1726, referring to a Committee the representation of this Board, for confirming an Act passed at Antigua for selling certain lands, lately belonging to Andrew Murray, etc., was read [Journal D.D. fo. 108].

Virginia.

North Carolina.

Order to committee on representation, boundaries.

Copy of an Order in Council of 4th November, 1726, referring to a Committee the representation of this Board, relating to the boundaries between Virginia and North Carolina, was read.

Barbadoes.

Mr. Fane's report.

Act about duties on wines, etc.

Mr. Fane's report upon an Act, passed at Barbadoes in August, 1726, for laying an imposition or duty on wines and other strong liquors imported into this island, in order to raise money for carrying on the fortifications, for payment of such persons as are or shall be imployed at the public charge, and for such other public uses, as are herein appointed, was read.

Trade.

Spain.

Letter from Mr. Bernard, Spanish book of rates.

A letter from Mr. Bernard, of the 4th November, 1726, signifying that, when he receives an account of the Spanish book of rates, he will bring it to the Board, was read. [Journal D.D. fo. 142.]

Nova Scotia.

Letter from Captain Doucet.

A letter from Captain Doucet, Commanding Officer at Annapolis, dated the 16th August, 1726, was read, and the papers, therein referred to, were laid before the Board, viz:
Papers therein referred to.
Copy of the Articles of Peace agreed by Captain Doucet with (and signed by) the Indians.
Copy of an Instrument signed by Captain Doucet on an agreement of peace with the Indians.
Certificate of Captain Doucet's being an honest and a loyal man.

The Secretary to acknowledge the receipt.

Whereupon ordered that the Secretary do acknowledge the receipt of the said letters and papers.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Oxenford, calicoes and chintz imported.

A letter from Mr. Oxenford, inclosing an account of the quantities and values of calicoes and chintzes imported since Christmas, 1722, dated the 15th of July, 1726, was read.

Letter from Mr. Carkesse, Customs House ledger.

A letter from Mr. Carkesse, of the 4th of May, 1726, transmitting a copy of the Inspector General's ledger, from Christmas, 1721, to Christmas, 1722, was read.

Bahamas.

Representation about an Assembly and stores of war.

The representation, ordered yesterday to be prepared, in relation to the necessity of an Assembly to be appointed for the Bahama Islands, and to sending of stores of war there, was agreed and signed; as also

Massachusetts.

New Hampshire.

Representation, boundaries, woods.

Nova Scotia.

The representation relating to the boundaries between the Massachusets Bay and New Hampshire, to the woods there, and to the two hundred thousand acres of land in Nova Scotia to be set apart for His Majesty's use.

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

Virginia.

Letter from Mr. Elton, case of a ship about dutics on rum, etc.

A letter from Mr. Elton, inclosing the case of the owners of the John and Betty, John Gale, commander, in relation to some duties paid in Virginia on rum, with a copy of Sir Philip Yorke's opinion thereupon, was read.

Letter to Mr. Elton, Sir Philip Yorke's opinion.

Whereupon ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Elton, to desire he will send to the Board Sir Philip's original opinion.

Mr. Fane's opinion desired.

Mr. Fane being present, their Lordships desired he would acquaint the Board at their next meeting, whether the Virginia Act, now under his consideration, which imposes the aforesaid duty, took place at the time when the said duty was paid.

November 16. Present:—Mr. Docminique, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Plummer, Sir John Hobart.

Jamaica.

Letter from Duke of Portland.

A letter from the Duke of Portland, Governor of Jamaica, dated the 1st of June, 1726, was read, and the papers, therein referred to, were laid before the Board, viz:
Papers therein referred to.
His Majesty's account current, from the 29th September, 1722, to the 7th April, 1725.
His Majesty's account of fortifications, from the 29th September, 1722, to 7th April, 1725.
His Majesty's account of impost, from the 30th September, 1723, to 7th April, 1725.

Nova Scotia.

Letter to Captain Doucet.

A letter to Captain Doucet, Lieut. Governor of Annapolis Royal, directed to be prepared the 10th inst., was agreed and ordered to be sent.

Virginia.

Mr. Fane's opinion on the case of the owners of a ship about duties on rum, etc.

Mr. Fane attending, as he had been desired, he acquainted their Lordships that he had considered the case given to him yesterday of the owners of the John and Betty, as also of the Virginia Act, passed in May, 1726, which lays a duty of three pence a gallon on rum imported into that colony, and that he is of opinion the rum imported by the said ship is not lyable to the imposition of 3d. per gallon, supposing that the place where the ship cast anchor was within the limits of the port, and at the time mentioned in the foregoing case, because the Act, which lays that duty, was not to take place till from and after the 10th of June, 1726.

Trade.

Bremen.

Mr. Vougel and Mr. Drummond summoned.

Their Lordships taking again into consideration the letter from the Lord Townshend, read the 9th inst., referring to the Board extracts of letters from Mr. Wich, Envoy Extraordinary to the Hanse Towns, relating to the improvement of the trade of His Majesty's subjects to the city of Bremen, particularly in herrings, gave directions for acquainting Mr. Vougel that the Board desire to speak with him thereupon on Tuesday morning, and Mr. Drummond on Wednesday morning next.

November 17. Present:—Mr. Docminique, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Plummer, Sir John Hobart.

Bahamas.

Mr. Noden.

The King's warrant remitting a forfeiture for payment of public debts.

Mr. Noden, agent for Captain Phenney, Governor of the Bahama Islands, attending, presented to the Board a warrant from His Majesty for remitting £183 17s. 4d., His Majesty's part of a forfeiture in the said islands, and for applying the same to the payment of their public debts, pursuant to a letter from the Board to the Lords of the Treasury, dated the 14th of September last, which warrant was read and ordered to be entered, and the original returned to Mr. Noden.

Letter to the Governor and Council.

Their Lordships were then pleased to agree and sign a letter to the Governor and Council of the Bahama Islands, acquainting them therewith.

November 22. Present:—Mr. Docminique, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Plummer, Sir John Hobart.

Trade.

Bremen.

Mr. Vougel gives account of the trade of Bremen, etc.

Mr. Vougel attending, as he had been desired, their Lordships took again into consideration the letter from the Lord Townshend, mentioned in the Minutes of the 9th inst., in relation to the opening a trade to Bremen for herrings, and desired Mr. Vougel would give the Board some account of the trade of that city and the navigation of the River Weser, upon which that city is situated; whereupon he acquainted their Lordships, that the trade of that city consisted in butter, cheese, herrings and all sorts of fish, but chiefly in brown Westphalia linen: that the trade was at present greatly decreased from what it was formerly, by reason of some duties laid upon all commodities going to that city, and collected at Elsfleth in Oldenburgh: that at present the Danes being more strict than formerly in collecting that duty, and the River Weser not being navigable for large vessels at forty miles distance from the town of Bremen, the trade was almost lost. Mr. Vougel being asked by their Lordships whether he could think of any method for renewing the trade of that city, he desired their Lordships would allow him some time for considering thereof, and that then he would wait upon their Lordships again.

Mr. Elkin summoned.

Ordered that Mr. Henry Elkin be acquainted that the Board desire to speak with him this day sevnight.

Virginia.

Letter from Mr. Elton, case of the owners of the ship John and Betty.

Letter to the President of Virginia thereupon.

A letter from Mr. Elton, dated at Bristol, the 19th inst., inclosing Sir Philip Yorke's original opinion upon the case of the owners of the John and Betty, as desired by the Secretary's letter of the 15th instant, was read; whereupon ordered that a copy of the said case and opinion be sent to Mr. Carter, Commander in Chief of Virginia, and that he be directed to examine into the truth of the several allegations mentioned in the said case, and if he finds them to be true, that he cause restitution to be made to the owners.

Another to Mr. Elton.

Ordered that the original opinion be returned to Mr. Elton, after it is entered in the books of this office, and that he be acquainted with the substance of the foregoing letter to Mr. Carter.

Antigua.

Act for dividing a parish.

Ordered that the Act, passed in Antego in 1725, for dividing the parish of St. Peters in the said island, and for erecting a new parish to be called the parish of St. George, be sent to Mr. Fane, for his opinion thereupon in point of law.

Bermuda.

Several letters and papers from Colonel Hope.

Letter from Colonel Hope, Lieut. Governor of Bermuda, dated the 25th of November, 1724, with several papers annexed, relating to a complaint upon the seizing and condemning a sloop called, the George and Elizabeth of South Carolina, was read.

A letter from Colonel Hope, dated the 20th of April, 1726, recommending six persons to supply vacancies in the Council of Bermuda, etc., was read.

A letter from Colonel Hope, dated the 18th of July, 1726, desiring that Captain Francis Jones may succeed Major Henry Tucker in the Council of Bermuda, was read:

Mr. Noden summoned.

And their Lordships observing that the letter, dated the 25th November, 1724, was not received till the 2nd of August last, ordered that Mr. Noden, agent for the said islands, be acquainted that the Board desire to speak with him to-morrow morning.

Representation, two new Councillors.

Ordered that the draught of a representation be prepared for recommending Captain John Butterfield and Captain Francis Jones to supply the vacancies, occasioned by the death of Captain Samuel Rayner and Major Henry Tucker, as mentioned in Colonel Hope's two last letters.

November 23. Present:—Mr. Bladen, Mr. Plummer, Sir John Hobart.

Mr. Noden about a letter from the Governor not delivered in time.

Mr. Noden, agent for Bermuda, attending, as he had been directed, and their Lordships desiring he would inform the Board how it came to pass, that the letter from Colonel Hope, Governor of Bermuda, dated the 25th of November, 1724, had never been delivered to the Board till the 2nd of August last, he said, that he had received it by the way of Barbadoes, and that the letter must have layn there, he having delivered it to the Board so soon as he received it.

Trade.

Bremen.

Mr. Drummond about our trade in herrings, etc., with that city.

Mr. John Drummond attending, as he had been desired, their Lordships had some discourse with him in relation to Lord Townshend's letter for opening a trade to Bremen for herrings, mentioned in yesterday's Minutes, and particularly asking him whether he knew of any methods for renewing the trade to Bremen, at present almost entirely lost; he said, he would consider thereof, and wait upon the Board at another opportunity.

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

Bermuda.

Representation, two new Councillors.

The representation for recommending Captain John Butterfield and Captain Francis Jones, to be of the Council of Bermuda, in the room of Captain Samuel Rayner and Major Henry Tucker, deceased, ordered to be prepared the 22nd inst., was agreed and signed. [Journal D.D. fo. 108.]

November 29. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Sir John Hobart.

Ireland.

Plantations General.

Trade.

Letter from Duke of Newcastle, memorial from Ireland.

Plantations trade.

A letter from the Duke of Newcastle, of the 17th, referring to the Board a copy of a letter from the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, of the 10th inst., inclosing a memorial of several merchants there, complaining of an Act of Parliament of the 7th and 8th of King William, which prohibits the importation of any sort of goods laden in the Plantations into Ireland, without being first landed in England, was read.

A copy sent to Mr. Carkesse for opinion of Commissioners of Customs.

Whereupon ordered that a copy of the said memorial be sent to Mr. Carkesse, for the Honourable Commissioners of His Majesty's Customs opinion thereupon.

Trade.

Bremen.

Mr. Elkin giving account of the trade to that city; herrings.

Mr. Elkin attending, as he had been directed, their Lordships desired he would give the Board some account of the trade to Bremen; whereupon he acquainted their Lordships, that the herring trade to Bremen was at least four times as much as at Hamburgh, and that he believed, if our merchants would take the proper care to have their herrings well cured and packed and sent to Bremen, it might be a means of introducing our herrings all over Germany: that, as many things were to be observed with respect to this branch of trade, and to others carried on to Bremen, he would put his thoughts in writing upon this subject, and wait upon their Lordships as soon as possibly he could.

Trade.

Sardinia.

Piedmont.

King of Sardinia's edict, duties on woollen manufactures.

Mr. Loubiere summoned.

Their Lordships took again into consideration the letter from the Duke of Newcastle inclosing the King of Sardinia's edict for laying new duties upon several species of woollen manufactures made in Great Britain, mentioned in the Minutes of the 11th of August last, and gave directions that Mr. Loubiere, a merchant trading there, should be acquainted that the Board desire to speak with him on Tuesday morning next.