Journal, May 1731

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

Barbadoes.

Walter Chetwynd, Esq., made Governor.

A letter from the Duke of Newcastle, dated the 30th inst., signifying the King's having appointed Walter Chetwynd, Esq., Governor of Barbadoes, and directing the draught of a commission and instructions to be prepared for him, was read, as also

Leeward Islands.

Colonel William Cosby made Governor.

A letter from the Duke of Newcastle, dated the 30th of April last, signifying the King's having appointed Col. William Cosby Governor of the Leeward Islands, and directing the draught of a commission and instructions to be prepared for him.

Whereupon ordered that the draughts of commissions and instructions be prepared accordingly.

Bermuda.

Report, equivalent to the Governor, whale fishery.

The draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee of Council, directed to be prepared the 29th of the last month, upon the petition of Mr. Noden, praying an equivalent may be given to the Lieut. Governor of Bermuda, for the £100 per annum he has lost by the taking away from him the profits arising from the whale fishery, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

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

Trade.

Spain.

Letter from the Commissaries.

Receipt of letters and papers acknowledged.

A letter from His Majesty's Commissaries, dated at Seville, the 17th of April, 1731, acknowledging the receipt of letters and papers from this Board, relating to the losses the King's subjects have sustained by the Spaniards, and acquainting the Board that the King of Spain has not as yet named Commissaries, was read.

May 11. Present:—Mr. Pelham, Mr. Ashe, Sir O. Bridgeman, Sir A. Croft.

Bermuda.

Report, Governor's equivalent, signed.

The report to the Lords of the Committee of Council, upon the petition of Mr. Noden, praying an equivalent may be given to the Lieut. Governor of Bermuda for the £100 per annum he has lost by the taking away from him the profits arising from the whale fishery, agreed the 4th inst., was signed.

Barbadoes.

Commissions for Mr. Chetwynd and Colonel Cosby sent away.

The draughts of commissions for Mr. Chetwynd, appointed Governor of Barbadoes, and for Col. Cosby, appointed Governor of the Leeward Islands, ordered to be prepared the 4th inst., being agreed, their Lordships signed two reports thereon to His Majesty's and letters, for enclosing the same to His Grace the Duke of Newcastle.

Virginia.

Pennsylvania.

A map of the land petitioned for by Mr. Stauber.

Sir William Keith attending, presented to the Board a map of the land, petitioned for by Mr. Stauber, etc., on the back of Virginia and Pennsylvania, mentioned in the Minutes of the 6th of the last month, and a memorial from Mr. Stauber, etc., being read, desiring that Sir William Keith might be first named in the patent they desire, the Board resolved to consider further of this matter on Thursday morning next.

May 12. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Sir O. Bridgeman.

Virginia.

Commissioners of the Custom's observations on the tobacco Act.

A letter from Mr. Carkesse, dated the 11th of March last, with the observations of the Commissioners of the Customs upon the Virginia Act, for amending the staple of tobacco, was read.

Letters and papers from the Governor.

The following letters from Major Gooch, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, were read, and the papers, therein respectively referred to, were laid before the Board, viz:—
A letter from him, dated the 7th of September, 1729.
List of Officers in Virginia in 1729.
A letter from him, dated the 9th of January, 1729/30.
A letter from him, dated the 9th of April, 1730.
A letter from him, dated the 29th of May, 1730.
His Speech to the Council and House of Burgesses.
The Council's address to him.
The House of Burgesses, address to him.
A letter from him, dated the 27th of February, 1730–1.

Mr. Fane's report on the tobacco Act, and

Mr. Fane's report upon the Act for the better and more effectual improving the staple of tobacco, and for the better execution of the laws now in force against tending of seconds, and for the further prevention thereof, was read, as also

Mr. Fitzwilliam's memorial.

Mr. Fitzwilliams' memorial upon the said Act.

Virginia.

Representation upon the Act.

And their Lordships, taking the said Act again into consideration, gave directions for preparing the draught of a representation of a report thereupon.

May 13. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Sir O. Bridgman.

Mr. Stauber's petition for a tract of land.

Sir Wm. Keith, Mr. Stauber and the others, who desire to settle a tract of land behind the great mountains of Virginia, attending, some proposals relating to the constitution of this intended settlement, were read; and their Lordships, after some discourse with these gentlemen therein, acquainted them, that it was proper to apply by petition to His Majesty for the land they desire.

Bahamas.

Sale of these Islands.

Mr. Shelton, Secretary to the Proprietors of the Bahamas, attending, he acquainted the Board from the said Proprietors, with their desire of knowing what the Board intended to do upon their proposal of selling the said Islands to the Crown, (mentioned in the Minutes of . . . . . .). And their Lordships desired Mr. Shelton would inform the said Propreitors that this matter was now under consideration.

May 14. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Sir O. Bridgeman.

Virginia.

Letter from the Governor.

A letter from Maj. Gooch, Lieut. Governor of Virginia, dated the 14th of September, 1730, was read, as also

A letter from him, dated the 12th of February last.

Representation, Councillor.

And their Lordships gave directions for preparing the draught of a representation for recommending David Bray, Esq., to supply the vacancy in the Council of Virginia, occasioned by the death of Col. Page, mentioned in Mr. Gooch's said letter of the 12th of February last.

Tobacco Act considered.

Mr. Leheup, agent for Virginia, and Mr. Randall, a merchant trading to that Colony, attending, their Lordships, after some discourse with them upon the Act, passed there in 1730, for improving the staple of tobacco, etc., took into consideration the draught of a representation thereon, ordered to be prepared the 12th inst., and made a progress therein.

May 8. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Sir O. Bridgeman, Sir A. Croft.

Virginia.

Representation, tobacco Act.

Their Lordships taking again into consideration the draught of a representation upon the Virginia Act for improving the staple of tobacco, etc., mentioned in the Minutes of the last meeting, the same was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

Representation, David Bray, a Councillor.

The representation for recommending David Bray, Esq., to be of the Council of Virginia, in the room of Col. Page, ordered to be prepared at the last meeting, was agreed and signed.

Newfoundland.

Letter from Mr. Burchet for heads of inquiry, sent to him 30th of March last.

A letter from Mr. Burchet, Secretary to the Lords of the Admiralty, dated this day, desiring the usual heads of inquiry may be sent to that office for Capt. Clinton, appointed Governor of Newfoundland, was read; whereupon ordered that Mr. Burchet be reminded of the Secretary's letter to him of the 30th of March last, wherein the said heads of inquiry were enclosed.

May 19. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Sir O. Bridgeman, Sir A. Croft.

New York.

Representation, Specialty Act.

Their Lordships taking into consideration the Act, passed at New York in 1730, to prevent the taking or levying on specialties more than the principal interest and cost of suit, Mr. Fane's report thereupon, was read, and directions were given for preparing the draught of a report for repealing the same.

Virginia.

Representation, tobacco Act.

The representation upon the Virginia Act for improving the staple of tobacco, etc., agreed yesterday, was signed.

Trade.

Africa.

Petition and memorial of Mr. Lambe about transactions with the Emperor of Pawpaw.

A letter from the Duke of Newcastle, dated the 12th inst., referring to the Board the petition and memorial of Mr. Bulfinch Lambe, relating to some transactions he had with the Emperor of Pawpaw in Africa, was read, as were also the aforementioned petition and memorial.

Mr. Lambe summoned.

Ordered that Mr. Lambe be desired to attend the Board on Friday morning next.

May 20. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Sir O. Bridgeman.

Barbadoes.

Letters from the Governor, with papers and one Act.

The three following letters from Mr. Worseley, Governor of Barbadoes, were read, and the papers, therein respectively referred to, laid before the Board, viz:—
A letter from him, dated the 16th of January, 1730–1.
List of persons' names who did pay the 2s. 6d. levy for the year 1729.
List of persons' names who ought to have paid the 2s. 6d. levy for the year 1729, but did not.
A letter from him, dated the 16th of January, 1730–1.
Minutes of Assembly, of the 15th of January, 1730.
Copy of an affidavit, relating to a non-juror's voting for the election of vestry men in the parish of St. Philip's in Barbadoes.
A letter from him, dated the 27th of March, 1731.
Minutes of Council, from the 17th of March, 1729–30, to the 20th of October, 1730.
Minutes of the Assembly, from the 17th of November, 1730, to the 19th of March following.
Minutes of the Committee of Public Accounts, from the 18th of January, 1730–1, to the 12th of March following.
The Treasurer's Accounts of the excise and importation of new negroes, from the 27th of November, 1728, to the 27th May, 1730.
One public Act, passed in 1730.

Letter to the Duke of Newcastle.

French seizing vessels at Santa Lucia.

Whereupon a letter, for inclosing to the Duke of Newcastle, an extract of so much of Mr. Worseley's letter of the 27th March, 1731, as relates to the French having seized some English vessels at Santa Lucia, was agreed and signed.

Antigua.

Report, Chancery Act.

Their Lordships then took again into consideration the Act for holding Courts of Chancery etc., passed at Antigua in 1728, and gave some directions for preparing the draught of a report proposing the repeal thereof.

May 21. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Sir O. Bridgeman.

Trade.

Africa.

Mr. Lambe attends.

Mr. Bulfinch Lambe, from the Emperor of Pawpaw, attending, as he had been desired, with Capt Tom, a person employed there as his interpreter, and the Company's surgeon at Cape Corse, their Lordships took again into consideration the letter from the Duke of Newcastle and the papers, therein referred to, mentioned in the Minutes of the 19th inst., and Mr. Lambe presenting to the Board the copy of a letter from the said Emperor to His Majesty, the same was read: and Mr. Lambe gave their Lordships this account in addition to his aforementioned memorial, that it was four years since he left the said Emperor, and that being denied a passage to England from the coast of Africa, he was obliged to go round by the plantations, and that he has not been in this Kingdom above four months, to the truth of which he appealed to the said surgeon, who confirmed the same. He then African Company and separate traders to attend.
acquainted the Board, that he desired an answer to the said letter, in order to carry the same back again to the Emperor of Pawpaw, who had made him promise to return again. Their Lordships taking this matter into consideration, gave directions that the African Company, with separate traders, and Mr. Tinker, who was upon the coast when Mr. Lambe was there, should be desired to attend the Board upon this subject on Thursday next, and that Mr. Lambe should attend at the same time.

Leeward Islands.

Devolution of Government.

A memorial from Mr. Yeamans, agent for Antigua, proposing an alteration in the Governor's instructions, relating to the devolution of Government in those Islands, was read, and their Lordships resolved to consider further thereof at another opportunity.

Antigua.

Chancery Act.

Their Lordships then took into consideration the draught of a report upon the Act for holding Courts of Chancery in Antigua, and made a progress therein.

New England.

New York.

Virginia and Maryland.

Carolina.

Pennsylvania.

Sugar, rum and molasses imported.

A letter from Mr. Oxenford, dated the 26th of February last, enclosing an account of the quantity of sugar, rum and molasses imported into this Kingdom, from New England, New York, Virginia and Maryland, Carolina and Pennsylvania, from Christmas, 1725, to Christmas, 1729, was read.

May 25. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe.

New York.

Memorial against Act specialties.

Representation ordered.

A memorial from Mr. Paris, in behalf of several persons of New York, praying the repeal of an Act, passed there in 1730, to present the taking or levying on specialties, more than the principal interest and cost of suit, and other purposes therein mentioned, was read; and their Lordships taking into consideration the draught of a representation in proposing the repeal of the said Act, the same was agreed and ordered to be transcribed, as also

Virginia.

Answer to Governor's letters.

The draught of an answer to several letters from Maj. Gooch, Lieut. Governor of Virginia.

May 26. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Sir O. Bridgeman, Sir A. Croft.

New York.

Mr. Rutger's petitions for a grant of the swamp.

Mr. Drummond attending, with Mr. Montgomerie and Mr. John Sharpe, in behalf of Mr. Rutger, who has petitioned for a grant of a piece of ground in New York, called the Swampe, mentioned in the Minutes of the 7th of the last month, their Lordships desired Mr. Montgomerie would give the Board and account of what he knew concerning the said Swamp. Whereupon he said, that it contained about 70 acres and was all marshy, except about 100 yards thereof, which was all sandy, and wherein there was a small stream, which ran into the South River: that it was almost covered with water, and so far from being of any use to the inhabitants of New York, that it was railed in, in order to keep out cattle, who would be lost therein: that sometimes indeed, but very rarely, the inhabitants led their cattle there for water, but that the draining of the same would be of no loss to them, there being about 30 fresh water streams with mills upon them, upon New York Island: that the stagnation of the water of the said Swamp was a very great annoyance to the Town, and from the distempers, which it caused, had drove many inhabitants from that part of the town, which lay contiguous to it, and that he believed the draining the same would be of very great advantage to the said town.

Sir William Keith consulted in this affair.

These gentlemen being withdrawn, Sir William Keith, who was attending, was called; and being asked his opinion concerning the said Swamp, he acquainted the Board much to the same purpose; but being asked, whether he knew any New York people, who would give the Board any further information upon this subject, he said, he would enquire [vide. fol. 124], and let their Lordships know in a day or two.

Miscellanies.

Order in Council, M. Popple's petition, Establishment of Fees.

Report ordered.

An Order of the Committee of Council, dated the 19th inst., referring to this Board the petition of Mr. Popple, praying for an Establishment of Fees, according to a list annexed to the said petition, was read; and their Lordships, comparing the said list of fees with those demanded and taken in the Secretary's of State and Council Office, agreed to the same, and gave directions for preparing the draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee.

May 27. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Sir O. Bridgeman, Sir A. Croft.

Trade.

Africa.

Several persons attend.

Mr. Lambe about Emperor of Pawpaw.

Mr. Parsons and Mr. Hayes, two of the Directors of the African Company, attending, as they had been desired, as also Mr. Harris, Mr. Coleman, Mr. Gerrish, Mr. Wragg and several other separate traders to the coast of Africa, together with Mr. Tinker and Mr. Wilson, formerly Governors of one of the Company's forts, and Capt. Snelgrove, who has for many years been commander of ships using that trade, together with Mr. Bulfinch Lambe and Capt. Tom, his black linguist; their Lordships took again into consideration the letter from the Duke of Newcastle, and the papers therein referred to, mentioned in the Minutes of the 21st inst., as also the letter from the Emperor of Pawpaw, read at the same time, and desired these gentlemen would let the Board know what information they had ever received concerning the said Mr. Lambe, and whether they thought the said letter from the Emperor, genuine or not. To which Capt. Snelgrove replied, that being upon the coast of Africa in the year 1726, at an interview he had with the said Emperor, the Emperor made several enquiries about Mr. Lambe, and told him, Capt. Snelgrove, that he had sent Mr. Lambe and Capt. Tom to England to give an account of his grandeur and conquests, and to bring him back a relation of the King of England and his kingdom: that he had given to him 320 oz. of gold dust and 80 slaves; and the Emperor said further, that altho Mr. Lambe should not prove honest to him, yet it should not be the worse for the English traders in his kingdom. Capt. Snelgrove being particularly asked whether the Emperor did not mention to him the letter Mr. Lambe has brought, and he said not, but he believed the letter to be genuine.

Mr. Tinker being asked the same questions as Capt. Snelgrove, he informed the Board, that he was upon the coast when Mr. Lambe was: that Mr. Lambe had informed him there, that the Emperor had given to him 80 slaves, 20 of which were for himself, and the remainder to purchase presents to return with, and to lay out for the encouragement of trade, but that he had never heard of any gold dust, nor of the letter.

Mr. Hayes, of the African Company, then acquainted the Board, that Mr. Lambe had shewn him the letter from the Emperor, soon after his coming to England, as he supposes to get some recommendation from the African Company to the said Company; but being told that the Company had no reason to be satisfied with his services, and that they would give him no encouragement, he had applied to some persons in Bristol upon the same account; but that if the Company would have made him their chief at Whidah, he believes Mr. Lambe would have been satisfied, and have given the Board no trouble: that he was informed Mr. Lambe had sold the slaves for £1000: that he went from the coast to Barbadoes, from thence to New England, and from thence to Madeira, where he had freighted a ship with wine, and that he believed Mr. Lambe had now remained so long without returning to Africa, that the Emperor would be exasperated against him; but that he thought care ought to be taken of Capt. Tom, and that if the Board pleased, the Company would do it, and likewise send him back again, and that he thought it would be better to send him back without Mr. Lambe.

In answer to this, Mr. Lambe acquainted the Board, that when he was on the coast of Africa upon his return home, he had applied to Mr. Tinker for a passage to this kingdom in some of the Company's ships, but that Mr. Tinker had refused him; he then took his passage to Barbadoes in one of Mr. Morice's ships, intending that way to get home, but falling sick and having the use of his limbs taken from him, he went to New England, not desiring to come home on account of his debts: that from thence he wrote to his friends here to endeavour to make up his affairs, but not being able to effect it, he came home at last under sanction of the Act of Parliament, passed in the year 1728, for the relief of insolvent debtors, and that being now thereby cleared, he was desirous to return again with the said Capt Tom, and that he did not doubt, but the Emperor would receive his reasonable excuse. He further added, that the Emperor had not given him any gold dust, and that of the aforesaid 80 slaves, 40 were for himself, and 40 were designed as a present for the King.

Capt. Tom then informed the Board, that he was taken prisoner with Mr. Lambe by the present Emperor, that he was carried to the Emperor with Mr. Lambe, and that the Emperor had given Mr. Lambe slaves as aforementioned, but no gold dust; that being employed as an interpreter between the Emperor and Mr. Lambe, he did assure the Board, that the letter from the Emperor to the King, did contain all that the Emperor did him write, for that when the letter was wrote he had interpreted the same to the Emperor: that he had nothing to do with the Company, but with the King and that he desired to return back again with Mr. Lambe, who had used him very well since he left Africa.

Mr. Harris then acquainted the Board, that he believed it would be for the interest of trade, that Mr. Lambe and Capt. Tom should be sent back together, and that the produce of the slaves designed for the King, which was in the Company's hands, should be laid out in some present for the Emperor.

Queries.

These gentlemen being withdrawn, their Lordships agreed upon the following queries to the African Company and to the separate traders, viz:—

Whether they are of opinion that the letter from the Emperor of Dahomey be genuine?

What return ought to be made to it?

Whether Mr. Lambe and Tom should be sent back again to him?

In what manner they should be sent back, and with what credentials?

Whether this matter can be turned to the benefit of the trade to Africa in general, and how that may best be done?

Antigua.

Representation.

Chancery Act, signed.

The representation proposing the repeal of the Act, passed in Antigua in 1728, for holding Courts of Chancery, etc., directed to be prepared the 20th inst., was agreed and signed.

New York.

Representation, Act, specialties,

signed.

The representation for repealing the Act, passed in New York in 1730, to prevent the taking or levying on specialties more than the principal interest and cost of suit and other purposes therein mentioned, agreed the 25th inst., was signed.

Virginia.

Letter to the Governor.

The letter to Maj. Gooch, Lieut. Governor of Virginia, agreed the 25th inst., was signed.

May 28. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Sir O. Bridgeman, Mr. Brudenell.

New York.

Sir William Keith, Rutger's petition, swamp.

Sir William Keith attending [vide fo. 116], their Lordships asked him, whether he had made any inquiry concerning the Swamp at New York, for which Mr. Rutger's petition is now depending, and he informed the Board that he had, and that he found the same was originally designed to be made a wet dock for the use of the province, for which reason it had been excepted out of all grants, but as that design had been laid aside, it being found impracticable to fill the same with water, and to drain it at pleasure, it was the general opinion of the New York people, to whom he had spoke, that the draining the same effectually would be of general service to the town, and that he had met with none, who had any objection thereto.

Antigua.

Mr. Fane to attend, Gregson's Act.

Their Lordships then taking again into consideration the Act, passed at Antigua in 1725–6, to enable William Gregson, of London, gent., to sell and dispose of a certain plantation in the said Island, formerly belonging to Roger Williams, mentioned in the Minutes of the 16th of March last, gave directions that Mr. Fane should attend upon this subject on Tuesday morning next.

Miscellanies.

Report,

Establishment of Fees.

The draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee, directed to be prepared the 26th inst., upon the petition of Mr. Popple, praying for an Establishment of Fees, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

Resolutions concerning the attendance of the officers.

Their Lordships were then pleased to make the following resolutions, in order that the business of this office may be more expeditiously dispatched, and due attendance always given by the clerks and others.

Ordered,
That all the Clerks and other Officers do attend in their several stations, exactly at such times as they shall be ordered, and diligently apply themselves to all such business as shall be given to them in charge, and not to depart from the said office without the knowledge and license of the Secretary or the person acting as Secretary during his absence.

Ordered,
That the Clerks and others do diligently attend on Saturdays and Mondays and on all other days, altho the Board shall not meet, that the business may be prepared ready for their next meeting.

And that these rules and directions may be the more strictly and punctually put in execution

Ordered, that the Secretary, or the person acting as such during his absence, do suspend from his office any Clerk or other servant belonging to this office, who shall neglect or act contrary hereto, and that the person so suspended be not restored until he shall have made a proper application to the Board for that purpose, who by this means will become judges thereof.

It is further ordered, that the day's pay during such suspension be deducted from the salary when paid, of such persons so offending, unless the Board shall think proper to remit the same.

And for this end, ordered, that an account be kept of the same in a book for that purpose, and, if any such suspended person persist in such behaviour, that he be discharged from the service and attendance of this office.