Journal, March 1731

March 3. Present:—Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Sir O. Bridgeman.

Virginia.

Letter from Mr. Manley for a copy of Mr. Leheup's memorial, Tobacco Act.

Copy ordered.

A letter from Mr. Manley, dated the 27th of the last month, desiring, for the service of the Commissioners of the Customs, a copy of the memorial presented to this Board by Mr. Leheup, relating to the Act, passed in Virginia, for amending the staple of tobacco, was read; ordered that a copy be sent accordingly.

New England.

Letter from the Duke of Newcastle, with papers.

A letter from the Duke of Newcastle, dated the 27th of the last month, was read, and the papers, therewith transmitted, were laid before the Board, viz:—
A letter from Mr. Belcher to the Duke of Newcastle, dated the 11th of January, 1730–1.
A letter from Mr. Belcher to the Duke of Newcastle, dated the 14th of January, 1739–1.
Declaration of Joseph Heath, Commander of His Majesty's Fort Richmond in Kennebeck River, attested on oath, relating to what passed between him and Col. Dunbar at Frederick's Fort or Pemaquid.
Copies of two letters from Mr. Auchmuty, Advocate General in New England, to Mr. Belcher, Governor of the Massachusetts Bay, dated the 12th and 14th of December, 1730, relating to a conversation between Mr. Belcher and Col. Dunbar, relating chiefly to the settling the lands to the eastward of the Massachusetts.
Attested copy of information and complaint of Josiah Grover, and other papers, relating to a riot and forcible seizure of a schooner at New Harbour, near Frederick's Fort or Pemaquid, by some Irish people settled there by Col. Dunbar.
Copy of the instructions given by Mr. Belcher, Governor of the Massachusetts Bay, to the Lieut. Governor of that province and others to view and report the state of the several fortifications, with a particular account of what passed at Frederick's Fort or Pemaquid between Col. Dunbar and them on that occasion.

Answer ordered.

Whereupon ordered that the draught of an answer be prepared thereto.

Plantations General.

Trade.

Ireland.

Their Lordships then taking again into consideration the letter from the Duke of Newcastle, with the several papers therewith transmitted, mentioned in the last Minutes, gave directions that Walter Cary, . . . . . Hamilton and Nathaniel Gould, Esqs., with Mr. Tryon, Mr. Coleman, Mr. Trueman, Mr. Wilks, Mr. Wragg, Mr. Sandford, and Mr. Partridge, should be desired to attend the Board on Wednesday next upon this subject.

March 4. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Sir O. Bridgeman.

Antigua.

Gregson's Act.

Pennsylvania.

Act, Courts of Judicature, hearing ordered.

The Secretary acquainted the Board that Mr. Sharpe, who attended the 10th of November last, in relation to the Act, passed at Antigua in 1725–6, to enable William Gregson of London, gentleman, to sell and dispose of a certain plantation in the said island, formerly belonging to Roger Williams, and to the Act, passed at Pennsylvania in 1727, for establishing Courts of Judicature in this province, desired that another day might be appointed for hearing each party upon these Acts; and their Lordships were pleased to appoint Tuesday seven-night for that purpose, and ordered that all parties should have notice thereof.

March 5. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Sir O. Bridgeman.

New England.

Difficulties Colonel Dunbar meets with.

The Secretary laid before the Board a letter from Mr. Auchmuty, Judge Advocate in New England, to Mr. Jeremiah Dunbar, which Mr. Dunbar had desired him to communicate to the Board for their information, relating to the difficulties Col. Dunbar, Surveyor of the Woods, must labour under in the execution of his employment, so long as he will discharge his duty, was read.

Letter to the Duke of Newcastle.

The letter to the Duke of Newcastle, ordered to be prepared the 3rd inst., upon several letters and papers from Mr. Belcher, Governor of New England, relating to Colonel Dunbar, was agreed and signed.

March 6. Present:—Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Ashe, Sir O. Bridgeman.

New York.

Order of the Committee of the House of Commons for representation, Canada Trade, ordered.

An Order from the Committee of the House of Commons, dated the 5th inst., desiring a copy of the representation from His Majesty's Surveyor General at New York, transmitted by William Burnet, Esq., late Governor there, to the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, relating to the trade of Canada, was read, and ordered that the Secretary do prepare a copy accordingly and deliver the same to the Committee.

March 9. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Sir O. Bridgeman, Mr. Brudenell.

Massachusetts.

Order of the Committee of the House of Commons.

Trade to the French Islands.

An Order of the Committee of the House of Commons, dated the 8th inst., desiring a copy of the representation from the Lords of Trade to His late Majesty, concerning the state of the northern Colonies in the year 1721, was read; and Mr. Forster, who moved for the said report, attending, it appeared that all he desired was two paragraphs in that part of the general report in 1721 under the title of the Massachusetts Bay, which relate to the production of that province and to the trade thereof to Surinam and to the French islands, and copies thereof were accordingly ordered to be laid before the said Committee.

Antigua.

Mr. Fane's report, Chancery Act.

Mr. Fane's report upon the two Acts of Antigua for constituting a Court of Chancery there, was read; and their Lordships resolved to consider further thereof on Friday morning next.

March 10. Present:—Mr. Docminique, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Brudenell.

Trade.

Ireland.

Plantations General.

Trade from Ireland to the Plantations.

Mr. Carey, Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Tryon, Mr. Yeamans, Mr. Gerrish, Mr. Wilks, Mr. Harris, Mr. Partridge, Mr. Wood, and some other gentlemen, concerned in the trade to Ireland and the plantations, attending, as they had been desired, their Lordships took again into consideration the letter from the Duke of Newcastle, with the several papers, relating to the trade from Ireland to the plantations, mentioned in the Minutes of the 3rd inst., and desiring the plantation merchants would inform the Board, whether they had any objection to a liberty being granted to Ireland to import from our own plantations all such commodities as are not enumerated: they said, they had none. Mr. Carey then presented to the Board an account of the total value of the several commodities exported out of and imported into Ireland from the Baltic, Norway, Sweden and Hamburgh, for one year, the goods imported consisting principally of timber and wood of all sorts, pitch, tar, hemp, flax and potashes, which was read, and their Lordships gave some further directions for preparing the draught of a report thereupon.

New Jersey.

Mr. Partridge desires Acts may be considered.

Mr. Partridge, agent for New Jersey, attending, his memorial, desiring the Board would please to consider four Acts of this province, was read, and their Lordships resolved to take the said Acts into consideration at the first opportunity.

March 12. Present:—Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Brudenell.

Trade.

Ireland.

Plantations General.

Trade between Ireland and the Plantations.

Their Lordships took into consideration the draught of a report concerning the trade between Ireland and the plantations, mentioned in the last Minutes, and made a progress therein.

March 16. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Brudenell, Sir A. Croft.

Antigua.

Hearing upon Act, Gregson.

Mr. Gregson attending, with Mr. Brown his counsel and Mr. Parish his solicitor, in behalf of an Act, passed at Antigua, to enable William Gregson of London, gentleman, to sell and dispose of a certain plantation in the said island, formerly belonging to Roger Williams; and Mr. Forster, attending as counsel in behalf of Voguel and his wife against the Act, with Mr. Sharpe their solicitor, the said Act was read. Their Lordships heard what the counsel on each side had to offer for and against the same, and agreed to consider further thereof at another opportunity.

Pennsylvania.

Hearing upon the Act, establishing Courts, put off.

Their Lordships then postponed the hearing upon the Pennsylvania Act, passed in 1727, for establishing Courts of Judicature in this province, appointed for this day, till Mr. Browne, who was going into the country, should return.

March 17. Present:—Mr. Docminique, Mr. Bladen, Sir O. Bridgeman.

Massachusetts.

An Order in Council, dated the 10th inst., referring to the Board of Trade seven Acts, passed in the General Assembly of the Acts sent to Mr. Fane.
Massachusets Bay in September and October, 1730, was read, and their Lordships ordered that the said Acts should be sent to Mr. Fane, for his opinion thereupon in point of law.

March 18. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Brudenell.

Plantations General.

Representation, trade, Ireland and the Plantations.

The representation concerning the trade between Ireland and His Majesty's plantations, mentioned in the Minutes of the 15th inst., was agreed and signed, as also a letter, for inclosing the same to His Grace the Duke of Newcastle.

Massachusetts.

Order in Council, Act, Governor's salary.

An Order in Council of the 10th inst., referring to this Board a letter from Mr. Belcher, Governor of the Massachusetts Bay, to the Duke of Newcastle, with the copy of an Act, passed by the Representatives and Council of that province, about settling a salary on the said Governor, during his administration, was read, as also

Bahamas.

Purchase of these Islands.

An Order of the Committee of Council, dated the 10th inst., referring back a report of the Board of Trade, of the 8th of September last, relating to the purchase of the Bahama Islands, for them to discourse with the present lessees concerning the surrender of their interest in those Islands and to report thereupon, and their Lordships agreed to consider further of both these orders at another opportunity.

March 19. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Bladen, Sir O. Bridgeman, Mr. Brudenell.

Nova Scotia.

Fishery of Canso.

A letter from Capt. Weller, dated the 25th of September, 1729, enclosing an account of the trade and fishery of Canso, etc., was read.

Newfoundland.

Nova Scotia.

A letter from Mr. Burchett for heads of inquiry. Ordered.

A letter from Mr. Burchett, dated the 4th February, desiring heads of inquiry may be prepared for the captains of the men of war who go to Newfoundland and Canso this year, was read.

Ordered.

Ordered that the usual heads of inquiry be prepared accordingly and laid before the Board at their next meeting.

March 23. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Sir O. Bridgeman, Mr. Brudenell.

Captain Waterland.

summoned.

The Board, taking into consideration the draughts of heads of inquiry for the commodore of the Newfoundland convoy, and for the captain of the ship designed for Canso, ordered that Capt. Waterhouse, who is appointed for this station, be desired to attend the Board to-morrow morning.

Jamaica.

Order in Council.

Mr. Ayscough prays to be restored to the Council.

An Order in Council, dated the 10th inst., referring to this Board the petition of John Ayscough, Esq., praying to be restored to his rank in the Council of Jamaica, from which he hath been removed, was read; and Maj. Ayscough attending, their Lordships asked whether he intended to return to that Island again, and he informed the Board that he designed to go back, so soon as his health would permit, and that he had been removed from the Council of that Island, not upon any complaint, but upon a mistaken representation of his designing to settle in England; he hoped their Lordships would please to propose his being restored. Representation ordered.
Major Ayscough being withdrawn, ordered that the draught of a representation be prepared, proposing his being restored accordingly upon the first vacancy.

March 24. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Bladen, Sir O. Bridgeman, Mr. Brudenell.

Trade.

General.

Letters from Consuls.

The following letters from several of His Majesty's consuls, in answer to the Secretary's letter of the 16th of July, 1729, were read, viz:—

Letter from Mr. Lawrence, consul at Tunis, dated the 18th November, 1729.

Letter from Mr. Bagshaw, consul at Genoa, dated the 23rd of August, 1729.

Letter from Mr. Deane, consul at Ostend, dated 28th July/8th August, 1729.

Letter from Mr. Allen, consul at Naples, dated 11th November, 1729.

Letter from Mr. Beswicke, in the absence of the consul, dated at Tripoli, the 10th of January, 1729–30.

Letter from Mr. Wich, consul at Hamburgh, dated the 12th of August, 1729.

Letter from Mr. Compton, consul in Portugal, dated 24th September, 1729.

Letter from Mr. Skinner, consul at Leghorn, dated the 27th of August, 1729.

A second letter from Mr. Skinner, dated the 17th September, 1729.

Letters to the Consuls, species of money.

And directions were given for writing a circular letter to all His Majesty's consuls for an account of the different species of money, current at the place where they respectively reside; what proportion there is between each species, and what proportion they bear to sterling money.

Trade.

Letter from the Duke of Newcastle, discouragement of trade.

A letter from the Duke of Newcastle, enclosing an extract from Mr. Allen, the King's minister at Turin, relating to the discouragements given to our woollen manufacturers by the King of Sardinia, was read.

Letter from the Duke of Newcastle, with letters from Mr. Allen, to be considered.

A letter from the Duke of Newcastle, dated the 22nd of October, 1730, was read, and the papers, therewith transmitted, were laid before the Board, viz:—
Extract of Mr. Allen's letter to the King's secretary at Turin, to the Duke of Newcastle, dated 17th–28th February, 1730.
Extract of Mr. Allen's letter to the Duke of Newcastle, dated the 1st of April, 1730.
Extract of Mr. Allen's letter to the Duke of Newcastle, dated the 26th of August, 1730.
Extract of a letter from Mr. Allen to the Duke of Newcastle, dated the 2nd September, 1730.
Edict du Roy de Sardinia touchant le commerce.
Copie de la soumission que doivent passer les marchands qui vendent en detail, des draps et etoffes de laine de toute sorte.
Extract of Mr. Allen's letter to the Duke of Newcastle, dated the 23rd of September, 1730.
Extract of Mr. Allen's letter to the Duke of Newcastle, dated the 7th of October, 1730.

And their Lordships agreed to consider further thereof on Tuesday morning next.

Plantations General.

Bermuda.

Observations on the Trade.

Some observations on the trade to America, offered to the Board by Mr. Dinwiddie, Collector of the Customs at Bermuda, were read.

South Carolina.

Mr. Lowndes about Act.

Courts of Justice.

Letter to the Governor.

The Secretary acquainting the Board that Mr. Lowndes, Provost Marshall of South Carolina, desired they would please to consider of, and report their opinion upon the Act, passed in that province in 1726, for the better settling of the Courts of Justice, Mr. Lowndes was called in, and their Lordships, after some discourse with him thereupon, and reading Mr. Fane's report, gave directions for preparing the draught of a letter to Colonel Johnson, Governor of that province, to endeavour to get the said Act amended.

St. Christophers.

Mr. Anderson, Act regulating vestries,

A memorial from the Rev. Mr. Anderson, late rector of the parish of St. George's Basseterre, in St. Christophers, against an Act, passed there in 1727, for regulating vestries, etc., was read, and the papers, therein referred to, were laid before the Board, viz:—
with papers.
General Hart's institution of Mr. Anderson to be rector of St. George's in St. Christophers, dated 23rd April, 1723.
Copy of an Act, passed at St. Christophers in 1722–3, for regulating vestries, and erecting into a parish part of the Basseterre quarter by the name of St. George Basseterre, etc.
Whereupon ordered that Mr. Meure be desired to attend the Board on Wednesday morning next.

1731.

March 25. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Sir O. Bridgeman, Mr. Brudenell.

Jamaica.

Representation, restoring Mr. Ayscough to the Council.

The draught of a representation, prosposing Major Ayscough to be restored to the Council of Jamaica, upon the first vacancy, directed to be prepared the 23rd inst., was agreed and ordered to transcribed.

New York.

Petition, Sir Joseph Eyles, etc., for a grant of land.

An Order of the Committee of Council, dated the 24th inst., referring to this Board the petition of Sir Joseph Eyles, Mr. Drummond and others, praying for a grant of a tract of land in New York, called the Equivalent Land, was read, and Sir Joseph Eyles and Mr. Drummond, who attended therewith, were desired to attend again to-morrow morning.

March 26. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Brudenell.

Miscellanies.

Letter to the Treasury for salary and incidents.

The Secretary laid before the Board an account of petty expences and incidental charges for the service of this office, between Christmas, 1730, and Lady Day, 1731, amounting to three hundred and fourteen pounds fourteen shillings and a half-penny.

And a letter to the Lords of the Treasury, desiring payment thereof, as also of one quarter's salary due to the Secretary and other officers at Lady Day last, was signed.

Nova Scotia.

Heads of Inquiry for last year.

They are ordered for this.

Capt. Waterhouse, appointed to protect the fishery at Canso this year, attending, as he had been desired, their Lordships took into consideration and read a letter from him, and his answers to the heads of inquiry sent to him the last year, and after some discourse with him thereupon, their Lordships agreed the draught of heads of inquiry for this year, ordered to be prepared the 19th inst.

New York.

Sir J. Eyles, grant of land.

Report ordered.

Sir John Eyles attending, as he had been desired, their Lordships took again into consideration the petition of him and others, praying for a grant of land in New York, mentioned in yesterday's Minutes, and after some discourse with him upon this subject, gave directions for preparing the draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee thereupon.

Jamaica.

Representation, Mr. Ayscough to be restored to the Council.

The representation, proposing Major Ayscough to be restored to the Council of Jamaica, upon the first vacancy, agreed at the last meeting, was signed.

South Carolina.

Letter from Mr. Lowndes, about security as Provost Marshal.

Letter to the Governor.

A letter from Mr. Thomas Lowndes, dated the 24th inst., in relation to the giving security for the place of Provost Marshal of South Carolina, was read; whereupon ordered that notice be taken of Mr. Lowndes' said letter, in the draught of the letter now preparing to Col. Johnson, Governor of that province.

March 29. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Brudenell.

New York.

Report, Sir Joseph Eyles' petition for a grant of land.

The report upon the Order of Council, referring to this Board the report of Sir Joseph Eyles and others, praying for a grant of land in New York, ordered to be prepared at the last meeting, was agreed and signed.

March 30. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Sir O. Bridgeman, Mr. Brudenell, Sir A. Croft.

Virginia.

Petition of Jacob Stauber, etc., about a colony.

The petition of Jacob Stauber, John Ochs, Ezekiel Harlan, and Thomas Gould, concerning a colony on the back side of Virginia, was read, and their Lordships agreed to consider further thereof at another opportunity.

Bahamas.

Capt. Hyde to attend about the purchase.

Their Lordships taking again into consideration the Order of the Committee of Council, mentioned in the Minutes of the 18th inst., relating to the purchase of the Bahama Islands, ordered that Capt. Hyde should be desired to attend the Board on Friday next.

Newfoundland.

Heads of Inquiry agreed.

Their Lordships then agreed the draughts of heads of inquiry concerning the fishery at Newfoundland and at Canso, and ordered that they should be sent to the Admiralty.

March 31. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Sir O. Bridgeman, Mr. Brudenell, Sir A. Croft.

St. Christophers.

Act, regulating vestries.

Mr. Meure attending, as he had been desired, with Mr. Gordon and Mr. Thomas, their Lordships took again into consideration Mr. Anderson's memorial against an Act, passed at St. Christophers in 1727, for regulating of vestries etc., and after some discourse thereon, their Lordships agreed to let this matter lie by till application should be made upon this subject from the complainant, Mr. Anderson.

South Carolina.

Letter from the Governor, answer ordered.

A letter from Col. Johnson, Governor of South Carolina, dated the 27th of December, 1730, was read, and their Lordships agreed the draught of an answer thereto.

Trade.

General.

Letter to the consuls, species of money.

The draught of a circular letter to all His Majesty's consuls, for an account of the different species of money, current at the place where they respectively reside; what proportion there is between each species, and what proportion they bear to sterling money; directed to be prepared the 24th inst., was agreed and ordered to be sent.

Connecticut.

Letter from the Governor.

Answer to queries.

A letter from Mr. Talcot, Governor of Connecticut, dated the 9th of September, 1730, was read, enclosing,
Answers to queries.