Journal, February 1732

February 1. Present:—Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Sir O. Bridgeman.

Maryland.

Virginia.

Pennsylvania.

Ochs' petition.

Grant of land.

The Lord Baltimore, proprietor of Maryland, and the Lord Fairfax, proprietor of a tract of land in Virginia, attending, according to appointment, with Mr. Sharpe their solicitor, as also the executors of Mr. Penn, proprietor of Pennsylvania, and Mr. Ochs, one of the petitioners for a tract of land behind the mountains of Virginia, the petition for the said tract, as also the map, therein referred to, containing a draught of the land petitioned for, mentioned in the Minutes of the 10th of August last, was again read. And the Lord Baltimore communicated to the Board a copy of his patent for the province of Maryland, and acquainted the Board, that he apprehended the tract of land petitioned for was included within his patent. The Lord Fairfax and the executors of Penn likewise said, that this tract of land was likewise part of their boundaries, and therefore desired, with the Lord Baltimore, that the Board would not report in favour of this petition.

Post Meridiem.

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

Plantations General.

Laws, manufactures and trade.

A memorial from Mr. Coram upon the subject of the address of the House of Commons concerning laws, manufactures and trade in the plantations, which affect the trade of this kingdom, was read.

Memorial from the Hatters' Company.

A memorial from the Hatters' Company, praying that the inhabitants of the plantations may be prevented from wearing or selling any hats but what are made in Great Britain, was read.

Massachusetts.

New Hampshire.

A letter from Mr. Belcher, Governor of the Massachusetts Bay and New Hampshire, dated the 4th of December, 1731, was read, and the papers, therein referred to, were laid before the Board, viz:—
Massachusetts.
Journal of the House of Representatives, from the 1st to the 4th of December, 1731, and from the 3rd to the 9th of November, 1731.
New Hampshire.
Copy of an Act for reviving the powder money, September the 25th, 1731.
Copy of an Act about the powder receiver, September the 24th, 1731.
Copy of an Act about supply of the Treasury, September the 24th, 1731.
Copy of an Act for the new proportioning the taxes, September 24th, 1731.
Copy of an Act for the new proportioning the towns, etc., September, 24th, 1731.
Copy of an Act for repairing the prison, September 25th, 1731.

Maryland.

Answer to queries.

The Secretary then acquainted the Board that he had received from the Lord Baltimore the copy of an address from the Upper and Lower House of Assembly to the Deputy Governor of Maryland, in answer to general queries relating to the trade and state of that province, and the same was read.

Plantations General.

Laws, manufactures and trade.

The Board then made a progress in the consideration of the draught of a report to the House of Commons, mentioned in the Minutes of the last meeting, relating to laws, manufactures and trade in the plantations, which affect the trade of this kingdom.

Ordered that the Secretary do acquaint Mr. Fitzwilliam and Mr. Dunbar with the Board's desire of speaking with them to-morrow morning upon this subject.

Letter to Mr. Carkesse sugar, molasses and rum.

Ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Carkesse for an account of sugar, molasses and rum exported from the British islands in America to the northern plantations.

February 2. Present:—Sir O. Bridgeman, Sir A. Croft.

Plantations General.

Laws, manufactures and trade.

Mr. Fitzwilliam attending, as he had been desired and the Board asking him what he knew concerning any manufactures set up in New England or the other plantations on the continent; he said, that in New England they had manufactures of woollen, linen and iron, and that in most of the colonies they carried on these manufactures for their own use.

Mr. Dunbar likewise attending, he presented to the Board a paper containing what he had to offer upon the same subject.

Sugar islands, Northern colonies.

A letter from Mr. Leheup, of the 29th of December, 1731, with a reply in behalf of the Island of Barbadoes, to the observations on their petition, and to the address from the northern colonies, relating to the trade with foreign sugar islands, was read.

Northern colonies, sugar islands.

A letter from Mr. Yeamans, of the 19th of January, 1731-2, with a reply in behalf of the Leeward Island and Jamaica, to some short observations on and reasons in answer to three representations from the Assemblies of Barbadoes, Antigua and St. Christophers, against the trade between the northern colonies and the French and Dutch, was read.

Post Meridiem.

Present:—Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Brudenell.

Laws, manufactures and trade.

The Board made a further progress in considering the draught of a report to the House of Commons, mentioned in yesterday's Minutes, relating to laws, manufactures and trade in the plantations, which affect the trade of this kingdom.

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

Sugar islands, Northern colonies.

A letter from the Duke of Newcastle, dated the 29th January last, inclosing a copy of the address from the House of Commons, desiring copies of all representations, relating to the dispute between the sugar colonies and northern colonies, that have been received by this Board since the last session of Parliment, was read, and copies were ordered accordingly.

New York.

Letter from the President.

A letter from Mr. Rip Van Dam, President of the Council of New York, to the Board, dated the 29th of December, 1731, was read.

As also a letter from him to the Secretary, of the same date, transmitting a printed collection of the laws of Connecticut.

Neglect, Courts of Chancery.

An account of the neglect of holding courts of chancery in New York, which occasions the loss of the King's quit rent, received from Mr. Walpole, was read.

Letter to the President.

Ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Rip Van Dam upon this subject.

Post Meridiem.

Present:—Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Brudenell.

Nova Scotia.

Letter from the Governor, answers to queries.

A letter from Colonel Philipps, Governor of Nova Scotia, dated the 24th of January last, with answers to several queries, relating to that province, was read.

Bahamas.

Letter from the Governor

A letter from Captain Rogers, Governor of the Bahamas, was read, and the papers, therein referred to, were laid before the Board, viz:—
with papers.
A particular account of all the inhabitants, September 15th, 1731.
Account of public duties, from 1st of January, 1729, to the 6th of January, 1730.
Account of public duties, from the 12th February, 1730-1, to the 20th of September, 1731.
Answers to queries sent from this Board.
Minutes of Council, from the 9th August, 1730, to the 28th September, 1731.
Minutes of Assembly, from the 29th September, 1729, to the 9th of December, 1730.

Plantations General.

Laws, manufactures and trade.

The Board then made a further progress in considering the draught of a report to the House of Commons, mentioned in yesterday's Minutes, relating to laws, manufactures and trade in the plantations, which affect the trade of this kingdom.

Virginia.

Letter from the Governor.

A letter from Major Gooch, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, to the Board, dated the 22nd of December, 1731, upon this subject, was read.

February 4. Present:— Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Sir O. Bridgeman, Mr. Brudenell, Sir A. Croft.

New York.

New Jersey.

Colonel Cosby appointed Governor.

Two letters to the Duke of Newcastle, with two representations for laying before His Majesty the draughts of commissions for Colonel Cosby to be Governor of New York and New Jersey, were respectively signed.

Sugar islands, Northern colonies, papers.

Copies ordered to be laid before the House.

The several papers, relating to the dispute between the sugar colonies and the northern colonies, ordered yesterday to be copied, being finished, Mr. Docminique was desired to present the same to the House of Commons.

February 8. Present:— Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Sir O. Bridgeman, Sir A. Croft.

Newfoundland.

Justices.

Mr. Treby, the member for Dartmouth, attending, presented to the Board a petition from the merchants, traders and masters of ships of the town of Dartmouth trading to Newfoundland, praying that the justices residing there may have no power, during the stay of the fishing ships, but that the Admirals may still have the power of deciding controversies; which being read, as also a letter from the Duke of Newcastle, dated the 4th instant, desiring the Board's opinion concerning the remedies proper to be applied in Newfoundland, to the inconvenences mentioned in Captain Clinton's letter, the Board resolved to consider further thereof at another opportunity.

Sugar trade, Northern colonies.

The Secretary then laid before the Board a petition to the King from the Governor, Council and Assembly of Nevis, relating to the decay of the sugar trade, occasioned by the trade between the northern colonies and the French islands; as likewise a representation from them to the Board upon the same subject, received from Mr. Butler, agent to the Island, which were read. And the Board gave directions for inclosing the said petition in a letter to the Duke of Newcastle, to be laid before His Majesty.

A letter from the Duke of Newcastle, dated the 4th instant, reminding the Board of his Grace's letter to them of the 24th of November last, relating to the trade between His Majesty's northern colonies and the French islands, was read; ordered that an answer be prepared thereto, and that copies of all the papers, relating to the dispute between the northern colonies and the sugar islands, received since the last session of Parliament, be enclosed to the Duke of Newcastle.

Jamaica.

Letters from the Governor,

The four following letters from Major General Hunter, Governor of Jamaica, were read, and the papers, therein respectively referred to, were laid before the Board, viz:—
with papers and
A letter from him, dated the 20th of July, 1731.
A letter from him, dated the 8th of October, 1731.
Minutes of Council, from the 6th April, 1731, to the 7th September, 1731.
Minutes of Council in Assembly, from the 4th of May, 1731, to the 8th of July following.
Minutes of Assembly, from the 4th May, 1731, to the 8th July following.
Acts.
Six Acts, three of which are public and three private, passed in 1731.
A letter from him, dated the 13th of November, 1731.
The Assembly's address to Governor Hunter, November the 10th, 1731.
Copy of a letter from the General of the Musketo Indians to the Governor of Jamaica, dated the 17th of July, 1731.
Governor Hunter's speech to the General Assembly of Jamaica.
A letter from him to the Secretary, dated the 13th of November, 1731, relating to the laws, manufactures and trade of the plantations.

Acts sent to Mr. Fane and

Ordered that the public Acts, above mentioned, and two of the private ones be sent to Mr. Fane, for his opinion thereupon in point of law.

extract of a letter, two regiments, to the Duke of Newcastle.

Ordered that an extract of so much of the above letter of the 8th October last, as relates to the runaway negroes and the two regiments at that island, be sent to the Duke of Newcastle, to be laid before the King.

Bermuda.

Representation, Act, deficiency of funds,

signed.

The representation proposing the repeal of an Act, passed at Bermuda in July, 1731, entituled, An Act to supply the deficiency of the several funds in these islands and for defraying the charges of the Government, ordered to be prepared the 28th of last month, was agreed and signed.

Post Meridiem.

Present:—Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Sir O. Bridgeman.

Plantations General.

Barbadoes.

Jamaica.

Leeward Islands.

Trade.

Sugar.

A letter from Mr. Oxenford, Assistant Inspector General of the exports and imports, dated the 8th instant, with an account of sugar imported and exported, from Christmas, 1726, to Christmas, 1730, was read.

February 10. Present:—Mr. Ashe, Sir O. Bridgeman, Mr. Brudenell.

Plantations General.

Merchants' petition, recovery of debts.

Laid before the House.

A letter from the Duke of Newcastle, dated yesterday, with an address of the House of Commons, desiring a copy of the petition of several merchants of the City of London to His Majesty, complaining that, as the laws now stand in some of His Majesty's colonies and plantations in America, his subjects of Great Britain are left without any remedy for the recovery of their just debts, and also of the report of this Board thereupon, was read. And Sir Orlando Bridgeman was desired to lay the same before the House.

Post Meridiem.

Present:—Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Brudenell.

Plantations General.

Laws, manufactures and trade.

The Board taking again into consideration the draught of a report to the House of Commons, relating to the laws, manufactures and trade in the plantations, which affect the trade of this kingdom, the same was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

Trade, Northern colonies.

The letter to the Duke of Newcastle, ordered to be prepared the 8th instant, in answer to one from him, read that day, relating to the trade of the northern colonies with foreign sugar plantations and relating to the laws, manufactures and trade of the plantations, was agreed and signed;

Jamaica.

Two regiments.

As also another letter to the Duke of Newcastle, ordered to be prepared at the same time, for inclosing to his Grace the extract of a letter from Major General Hunter, Governor of Jamaica, read the same day, relating to some parties, which have been sent out against the runaway negroes, and to the danger which may attend the recalling the two regiments from that island.

February 15. Present:—Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Ashe, Sir O. Bridgeman, Mr. Brudenell, Sir A. Croft.

New York.

New England.

Virginia.

Order of the House of Commons for papers.

The Secretary laid before the Board an Order from the House of Commons, dated the 3rd instant, requiring this Board to lay before the House all the Acts of His Majesty's colonies of New York, New England and Virginia, made for preventing the sale of rum to the Indians; as also the following Acts:—

Virginia.

An Act, passed in Virginia in 1705, for prevention of misunderstandings between the tributary Indians and other Her Majesty's subjects of this colony and dominion, and for a free and open trade with all Indians whatsoever.

Massachusetts.

An Act, passed in the Massachusetts Bay in 1693, for the better rule and government of the Indians in their several places and plantations.

An Act for the allowing necessary supplies to the eastern Indians, and for regulating trade with them, and for the repealing an Act entituled, An Act to prohibit trade and commerce with the eastern Indians. Passed in the Massachusetts Bay in 1725.

An Act in addition thereto. Passed in 1729.

An Act for allowing necessary supplies to the eastern and western Indians and for regulating trade with them. Passed in 1731.

New York.

An Act, passed at New York in 1728, entituled, An Act to let to farm the exercise of strong liquors retailed in this colony for the time therein mentioned, and for declaring shrub lyable to the same duties as distilled liquors.

An Act, passed in 1728, for confirming the Act therein mentioned, with some alterations and additions, for paying provisions and other stores and services, already furnished and done, for the use of the trading house at Oswego, and for subsisting it during the time therein mentioned, for borrowing money for those purposes, and providing funds for the repayment thereof.

An Act for continuing and enforcing the Acts, therein mentioned, for discharging the present demands on the trading house at Oswego, by borrowing money of the excise for the effectual support of it until the 25th day of December, 1733, for continuing some duties and augmenting others until that time, for regulating those duties and the trade at Oswego, for the gradual repayment of money borrowed of the excise, and for reducing former fines, if voluntarily paid, within the time therein limited. Passed in 1729.

Which Acts Mr. Docminique was desired to lay before the House, with a list thereof.

Carolina.

Lord Carteret desires copies of Acts.

A letter from Mr. Balaguier, dated the 14th instant, desiring, in behalf of the Lord Carteret, copies of any Acts that have been passed in Carolina, and of all papers, which relate to the granting of lands, and remitting the quit rents in that province, was read; whereupon ordered that copies be made accordingly.

Plantations General.

Laws, manufactures and trade.

The report to the House of Commons, agreed the 10th instant, relating to the laws, manufactures and trade in the plantations, which affect the trade of this kingdom, was signed.

Barbadoes.

Councillors desired to be made.

A letter from Mr. Leheup, dated the 7th instant, desiring that Mr. Ashley and Mr. Haggot may be immediately appointed of the Council of Barbadoes, Mr. Chetwynd, the late Governor, being dead, in whose instructions their names were to have been inserted as Councillors, was read. And the Board taking into consideration two Orders of the Committee of Council, directing the names of the above-mentioned gentlemen to be inserted in the said Governor's instructions, as Councillors. And having read an Order of the Committee of Council, dated the 3rd instant, directing the name of Hugh Hall, Esquire, to be likewise inserted in the said Governor's instructions as a Councillor, in the room of Thomas Davers, Esquire.

Report signed.

A report to the Lords of the Committee, proposing Mr. Ashley, Mr. Haggot and Mr. Hall to be forthwith appointed of the Council of Barbadoes, was agreed and signed.

February 16. Present:—Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Sir O. Bridgeman, Sir A. Croft.

South Carolina.

Act, Courts of Justice.

Mr. Thomas Lowndes, Provost Marshal of South Carolina, attending, desired the Board would please to appoint some time for considering the Act of that province, passed in 1726, for the better settling of the courts of justice there, being many objections to that part of it which establishes a capias instead of a summons.

Mr. Lowndes being withdrawn, the Board took into consideration the letter from Colonel Johnson, Governor of this province, read the 16th of November last, and read the memorial of several merchants and others trading to South Carolina desiring a repeal of the before mentioned Act.

A letter from Colonel Johnson, with papers

A letter from Colonel Johnson, Governor of South Carolina, to the Board, dated the 14th of November, 1731, was read, and the papers, therein referred to, were laid before the Board, viz:—
The Governor's answer to queries relating to the trade of that province and duties paid there.
The port of Charles Town, export of rice, pitch, tar and turpentine, and number of negroes imported in 1731.
Tariff or rates of impost paid in South Carolina.
Copy of the Minutes of Council, and a proclamation relating to the taking out lands, seating the same, and payment of quit rents, and the form of a grant of land.
Minutes of Council in Assembly, from the 31st of December, 1730, to the 20th of August, 1731.
Minutes of Assembly, from the 21st of January, 1730–1, to the 20th of August, 1731.
and Acts.
Eleven Acts, passed in August, 1731.
Naval officer's lists of ships, entered and cleared, from Christmas, 1730, to Michaelmas, 1731.
Copy of the memorial of Nicholas Trott, Esquire, relating to his claim to be continued Chief Justice of South Carolina, to the President and Council there, and their Minutes thereon.

A letter from Colonel Johnson, dated the 16th of December, 1731, was read.
Produce of rice.

Acts sent to Mr. Fane.

The Board then ordered the said Acts to be sent to Mr. Fane, for his opinion thereupon in point of law, and that he should be desired to attend the Board on Friday morning next.

Barbadoes.

Letter from Mr. Worseley, with papers.

A letter from Mr. Worseley, late Governor of Barbadoes, without date, was read, and the papers, therein referred to, were laid before the Board, viz:—
Minutes of Council, from the 22nd of December, 1730, to the 31st of August, 1731.
Minutes of Council in Assembly, from the 17th of November, 1730, to the 7th of December following.
Naval officer's lists of ships, entered and cleared, from the 25th of June, 1728, to the 25th of December, 1729, and from the 25th of June, 1730, to the 25th of September following.

February 17. Present:—Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Sir O. Bridgeman.

Bahamas.

Surrender.

Sir Charles Wager, Governor Harrison, Mr. Hyde, Mr. Clayton and some others of the lessees of the Bahama Islands attending, Sir Charles Wager acquainted the Board, that he was impowered by the lessees to treat about the surrender of their lease to the Crown. The Board then taking into consideration the Order of the Committee of Council, read the 18th of March, 1730–1, referring this matter to the Board, as also the letter from Captain Hyde, read the 7th of April, 1731, in answer to some queries upon this subject, desired Sir Charles would inform the Board at what value the lessees rated the remainder of their term, and he said £6000, provided the King would please to remit the arrears of rent now due to the Lords Proprietors, amounting to about £700, and which would, in case of a purchase, become due to His Majesty.

These gentlemen being withdrawn, the Board agreed to consider further thereof at another opportunity.

Plantations General.

Laws, manufactures and trade.

Mr. Docminique was then desired to present to the House of Commons the report, signed the 15th instant, in answer to their address relating to the laws, manufactures and trade in the plantations, which affect the trade of this kingdom.

Post Meridiem.

February 18. Present:—Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Sir O. Bridgeman.

Plantations General.

Passing laws.

An Order of the Lords of the Committee, of the 3rd instant, upon a representation of this Board, requiring draughts of instructions to be prepared for the several Governors in America against passing laws for the future, whereby the natives or inhabitants of the plantations are put on a more advantageous footing than those of Great Britain, was read, and the draught of an instruction for that purpose, with the draught of a report thereupon, were agreed.

Trade.

The Board then took into consideration and read the following proposals, delivered and sent to this office, for preventing the clandestine running of wool, viz:—
Proposals, wool.
An anonimous proposal.
Another with four papers from Mr. Richard Wyatt.
Mr. Daniel Webb's proposal.
One signed S-d-h P-p-ll.
Mr. Collins's proposal.
An anonimous one.
Another from Dublin.
A letter from Mr. Joseph Needham.
An anonimous proposal.
Mr. Bovell's proposal.
Mr. Wentworth's proposal.
Mr. Stead's proposal.
Mr. Chaves's proposal.
Mr. Smith's proposal.
An anonimous proposal.
Another.
A representation from the city of Norwich.
Mr. Hancock's proposal.
Mr. Grey's proposal.
An anonimous proposal.

Representation ordered.

And their Lordships gave directions for preparing the draught of a report to the House of Lords thereupon.

Sweden.

The draught of a representation, mentioned in the Minutes of the 5th of the last month, relating to the Swedish trade, was considered.

February 21. Present:—Mr. Docminique, Sir O. Bridgeman.

Address, House of Commons.

Copies of papers,

A letter from the Duke of Newcastle, dated the 15th instant, was read, enclosing an address from the House of Commons, requiring this Board to lay before the House copies of:—

Barbadoes.

An Act, passed in Barbadoes in March, 1715, laying an imposition or duty on all sugar, molasses, rum, cotton and ginger imported that island, which are not the natural product, growth and manufacture of some of His Majesty's colonies.

An Order in Council, of 17th October, 1717, confirming the said Act.

The 96th article of His Majesty's instructions to Henry Worseley, Esquire, late Governor of Barbadoes, in 1728.

Jamaica.

An Act, passed in Jamaica, entituled, An Act for granting a revenue to His Majesty, his heirs and successors, for the support of the Government of this island, and for reviving and perpetuating the Acts and laws thereof.

sent to the House.

And copies of the said papers being laid before the Board, Mr. Docminique was desired to present them to the House.

February 22. Present:—Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Sir O. Bridgeman, Sir A. Croft.

Newfoundland.

Complaints against justices.

A petition from the mayor, aldermen, burgesses, merchants, traders and masters of vessels of the town of Poole trading to Newfoundland, complaining against the justices of the peace there, which were appointed by the Governor, and praying that such justices may have no power during the stay of the Fishing Admirals in Newfoundland, was read, and the two affidavits upon this subject, therewith received, were laid before the Board.

And their Lordships agreed to consider further thereof at another opportunity.

Trade.

Sweden, duties on deals.

Mr. Oxenford, Assistant Inspector General of the exports and imports, attending, presented to the Board a paper, signed by himself, giving an account of the duties payable on deals imported from Sweden and shewing that the duties are not increased since the year 1725, when the new Book of Rates was settled by Act of Parliament; which was read, and the Board reconsidered the draught of a report to the King upon this subject, mentioned in the Minutes of the 18th instant.

South Carolina.

Acts, Amendment of the law.

Courts of justice.

The Board then taking into consideration a letter from Mr. Lowndes, Provost Marshal of South Carolina, relating to the methods of process at law, and the following Acts, passed in this province, viz:—An Act for amendment of the law, passed in 1720, and An Act for the better settling of the courts of justice, passed in 1726–7, together with Mr. Fane's report upon the latter of them, and the two memorials from the merchants trading to South Carolina against the latter of these Acts, mentioned in the Minutes of —, directions were given for preparing the draught of a report for repealing the same.

Virginia.

Colonel Spotswood desires payment of £600.

A letter from Mr. Scrope, dated the 30th of December last, inclosing a petition of Mr. Robert Cary, merchant, in behalf of Colonel Spotswood, praying payment of £600 out of the Virginia revenue of 2s. per hogshead to defray the expence the Colonel was at, about treating with the Indians, was read; and the Board, taking the same into consideration, gave directions for preparing the draught of an answer thereto.

Jamaica.

Account of sugar, rum and molasses.

A letter from Mr. Carkesse, dated this day, with an account of sugar, rum and molasses exported from Jamaica to His Majesty's northern colonies in America for four years, between Lady Day, 1726, and Lady Day, 1730, was read.

February 23. Present:—Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Sir O. Bridgeman.

Massachusetts.

Order of the House of Commons for Journal of the House of Representatives.

An Order from the House of Commons, dated yesterday, requireing this Board to lay before the House the Journal of the House of Representatives of the Massachusetts Bay, beginning the 15th of December, 1730, was read, and Mr. Ashe was desired to present the same to the House.

February 24. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Sir O. Bridgeman, Sir A. Croft.

Virginia.

Colonel Spotswood.

The letter to Mr. Scrope upon Mr. Cary's petition, in behalf of Colonel Spotswood, directed yesterday to be prepared, was agreed and ordered to be sent.

Trade.

Running wool.

A letter from Mr. Carkesse, dated the 14th of December last, inclosing an account of the number of officers and vessels imployed to prevent the running of wool, and of the charge thereof, was read.

Report to the House of Lords.

The draught of a report to the House of Lords for preventing the running of wool, ordered to be prepared the 18th instant, was agreed.

February 25. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Sir O. Bridgeman, Sir A. Croft.

Trade.

Report, running of wool.

The report to the House of Lords for preventing the running of wool, agreed yesterday, was signed.

Bahamas.

Copy of the charter.

Their Lordships then taking into consideration the Order of the Committee of Council, relating to the sale of the Bahamas, read the 18th of March, 1730–1, the copy of the charter of those islands to the Lords Proprietors, and of their lease thereof for twenty one years to Captain Rogers, etc., were severally read, and some directions were given for preparing the draught of a report upon the aforesaid Order of the Committee.

February 29. Present:—Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Sir O. Bridgeman, Sir A. Croft.

Trade.

Sweden.

The Board taking into consideration the draught of a report upon the Swedish trade, the same was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.