Journal, July 1752

Wednesday, July 1. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Townshend, Mr. Oswald.

New Hampshire.

The draught of a representation to the Excellencies, the Lords Justices, upon the state of the province of New Hampshire so far as regards the Assembly's refusal to pay obedience to his Majesty's additional instruction relative to the right of certain towns and districts to send members to the Assembly having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 17th of last month, was laid before the Board, agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

A state of the case with respect to the property of the waste and unimproved lands in New Hampshire and also with respect to certain grants of land made by the province of the Massachusets Bay within the said province together with questions thereupon, having been likewise prepared pursuant to the said minutes, was agreed to and ordered to be transmitted to his Majesty's Attorney and Sollicitor General for their opinion.

Trade.

Africa.

Their lordships took into consideration a state of the dispute between the agents of the African Company and those of the Dutch West India Company upon the coast of Africa prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 4th June last, and ordered the Secretary to write to the Committee and also to Mr. Crichton, formerly agent at Cape Coast Castle, to desire their attendance thereupon at the Board on Tuesday next.

Bahamas.

Mr. Tinker, Governor of the Bahama Islands, attending, was called in and he acquainted the Board that as his leave of absence from his government was near expiring he should return thither in a short time and thought it his duty to apprize their lordships of it, in case they should have any orders or instructions for him relative to his government, whereupon thier lordships informed him that they should shortly take the state of affairs in his government into consideration, and if anything arose thereupon necessary for his information they should desire his attendance. And then Mr. Tinker withdrew.

Read an Order of Council, dated the 30th June, 1752, approving a representation of this Board proposing James Scott and Jeremiah Tinker, Esquires, to supply two vacancies in the Council of the Bahama Islands by the death of John Howel and William Spatchers, senior, Esquires, and directing this Board to cause warrants to be prepared for that purpose and laid before their Excellencies in Council.

The draughts of warrants having been prepared pursuant to the above Order, was laid before the Board, agreed to, and ordered to be transcribed, and a representation thereupon to their Excellencies, the Lords Justices, was signed.

St. Christopher's.

Read an Order of Council, dated the 30th of June, 1752, approving a representation of this Board proposing that Henry Brounker, Esquire, one of his Majesty's Council and Collector of the Customs in the Island of St. Christopher's, may have the Lords Justices' licence to return to this kingdom in order to pass his accounts as collector and to settle his private affairs; and directing this Board to cause a warrant to be prepared for that purpose and laid before their Excellencies in Council.

The draught of a warrant having been prepared pursuant to the above Order, was laid before the Board, agreed to and ordered to be transcribed, and a representation thereupon to their Excellencies, the Lords Justices, was signed.

Nova Scotia.

Read a letter from Mr. Dick, dated at Rotterdam, the 18th June, N.S., 1752, inclosing a list of foreign settlers on board the Pearl, Thomas Francis, master, bound from Rotterdam to Halifax in Nova Scotia; and bills of lading, etc.

Ordered that the Secretary do write to Mr. Dick expressing the Board's satisfaction in the manner in which he has performed the service intrusted to him.

Leeward Islands.

Read the two following letters received from Mr. Fleming, Lieut. Governor of the Leeward Islands, viz.:—
Letter from Mr. Fleming to the Board, dated at St. Christopher's, the 29th April, 1752, relating to some difficulties and opposition which he meets with in the administration of government.
Letter from Mr. Fleming to the Board, dated at St. Christopher's, the 13th of May, 1752, acknowledging the receipt of the Board's letter inclosing his Majesty's Order in Council of the 11th March last.

Antigua.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council for Plantation affairs, dated the 26th May, 1752, referring to the consideration of this Board the petition of the President, the Council and General Assembly of Antigua, praying a confirmation of the Assembly's priviledge of examining the accounts of publick money before payment thereof by the Governor's order.

Ordered that the Secretary do write to Mr. John Sharpe, agent for the island of Antigua, to desire his attendance at the Board on the subject of the said reference on Wednesday the 15th instant.

New Jersey.

Read a letter from Mr. Belcher, Governor of New Jersey, to the Board, dated at Elizabeth Town the 1st May, 1752, transmitting the following paper, viz.:—
Extract of the minutes of Council of the 24th of April, 1752, and copies of several papers relating to a notorious riot committed the 13th of that month in the city of Perth Amboy, etc.

Ordered that the draught of a representation to the Lords of the Council upon the said letter be prepared.

Friday, July 3. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Townshend, Mr. Osward.

Georgia.

Read a letter from Mr. Amyand, Secretary to the Lords Justices, dated 2nd July, 1752, requiring the Board to lay before their Excellencies an account of the encouragement given by the Trustees of Georgia for the culture of silk with their opinions of the utility thereof.

Their lordships having taken the said reference into consideration, and Mr. Martyn, Secretary to the Trustees, attending was called in, and he was directed to prepare and lay before the Board as soon as possible an account of the nature and extent of the encouragements allotted by the Trustees for the culture of silk, and also the manner and regulations observed in the distribution of them distinguishing very particularly every article of expence attending the same.

Mr. Martyn then laid before the Board the following papers and withdrew, viz:—
Copy of a letter from Mr. Habersham at Savannah in Georgia to the Secretary of the Trustees, dated February 3rd, 1752.
Letter from the President and Council of Georgia to Mr. Martyn, Secretary to the Georgia Trustees, dated at Savannah in Georgia, the 7th April, 1752.
Letter from the President and Council of Georgia to Mr. Martyn, Secretary to the Georgia Trustees, dated at Savannah, 29th April, 1752.
A proclamation by the Lords Justices, dated the 25th June, 1752, directing that all persons possessed of or invested in any offices or places of authority, government or employment, ecclesiastical, civil or military, in his Majesty's colony of Georgia in America, shall be continued therein until his Majesty's will and pleasure thereupon shall be further made known.

New Jersey.

The draught of a representation to the Lords of the Council upon Mr. Belcher's letter, mentioned in the preceding minutes, having been prepared, was laid before the Board, agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

South Carolina.

Read the following letters and papers received from Mr. Glen, Governor of South Carolina, viz:—
Letter from Mr. Glen to the Board, dated the 24th June, 1751, inclosing:—
An attempt towards an estimate of the value of the province of South Carolina.
Letter from Mr. Glen to the Board, dated 15th July, 1751, relating to the trade of that province with an exact account of the produce of South Carolina exported from Charles Town between the 1st November, 1749, and the 1st November, 1750; also an account of indigo exported from the said port since the 6th February, 1748, to the 21st June, 1751, both hereunto annexed, and inclosing:—
Copy of an address of the Commons House of Assembly of South Carolina to Governor Glen on the 23rd November, 1750.

South Carolina.

Report from the Committee of Conference appointed to take into consideration that part of Governor Glen's speech which relates to the state of the paper currency in the province of South Carolina.

Letter from Mr. Glen to the Board, dated December, 1751, concerning Indian affairs.

Letter from Mr. Glen to the Board, dated the 29th January, 1752, transmitting the following publick papers, viz:—
An account of the number of ships and vessels with their tonnage and number of men that cleared out in the port of Charles Town from 25th December, 1750, to the 25th December, 1751.
An account of the goods exported from Charles Town of the produce of South Carolina from the 1st November, 1750, to the 1st November, 1751, and the supposed value thereof.
A copy of the deed of sale by the Cherokee Indians. Dated 12th February, 1746.
Governor Glen's observations upon several Acts passed in the province of South Carolina between the 24th April, 1751, and the 14th June following.

The Secretary laid before the Board the following paper received from Mr. Crokatt, agent for the province of South Carolina, viz:—
John Dart, Esquire, Commissary General, his account of the application of the money for the Township Fund from October, 1743, to October, 1750.

Tuesday, July 7. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Townshend, Mr. Oswald.

Georgia.

Mr. Martyn, Secretary to the late Trustees for the colony of Georgia attending with Mr. Lloyd, one of the said Trustees, they were called in and laid before the Board the two following papers prepared by Mr. Martyn pursuant to their order, viz:—
Encouragement given by the Trustees of the colony of Georgia for the growth and culture of silk from the year 1748.
An account of the nature and extent of the encouragements given by the Georgia Trustees for the growth and culture of raw silk in that province for the year 1752 and the manner and regulations observed in the distribution of them.

Their lordships then had some conversation with Mr. Lloyd upon the subject matter thereof and the gentlemen being withdrawn their lordships agreed further to consider of this affair to-morrow morning.

Trade.

Africa.

The Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa attending, as desired by the minutes of Wednesday last, with Mr. Crichton and Mr. Craik, agents to the old African Company, they were called in and their lordships had some conversation with them upon the subject of the papers relative to the dispute with the Dutch upon the coast of Africa. And then they withdrew.

Nevis.

Read a letter from Mr. Paris, dated the 6th instant, in answer to one from Mr. Pownall of the 4th instant, relating to a Bill passed at Nevis for repealing the Act to prevent papists from settling in that island, and desiring the Board's report upon it may be deferred for some time longer as he expect further instructions from the Island relative to it.

Wednesday, July 8. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Townshend, Mr. Oswald.

Miscellanies.

The Secretary laid before the Board an account of the incidental charges of this office from Christmas, 1751, to Lady Day, 1752, amounting to three hundred, thirty three pounds, three shillings, and a letter to the Lords of the Treasury desiring payment thereof and of the salaries due to the Secretary and under officers in the service of this Board for the same time, were laid before the Board and signed.

Trade.

Labrador.

Their lordships took into consideration a state of the right with respect to Labrador in North America prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 10th of June last.

Ordered that the merchants' petition praying for a grant of lands upon the coast of Labrador mentioned in the said minutes be taken into consideration on Tuesday next and that the Secretary do write to the petitioners to desire their attendance and also to the Governor and Company of Hudson's Bay to desire their attendance in order to inform the Board whether they claim any or what right to the said tract of land.

Georgia.

Their lordships pursuant to the preceding minutes, took into consideration the letter from Mr. Amyand, Secretary to the Lords Justices, relating to the encouragement given to the growth and culture of raw silk in Georgia, and ordered the draught of a representation thereupon to be prepared.

Trade.

Africa.

Read a letter from Mr. Laroche to the Board, dated Merchants Hall, Bristol, July 3rd, 1752, returning the thanks of the members of the African Company in that city to their lordships for their great care and kind protection of the African trade.

Thursday, July 9. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Townshend, Mr. Oswald.

Georgia.

The draught of a representation to their Excellencies, the Lords Justices, relative to the encouragements given for the growth and culture of raw silk in Georgia, having been prepared pursuant to the preceding minutes, was laid before the Board, agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Bahamas.

Read a letter from Mr. Tinker, Governor of the Bahama Islands, to the Board, dated the 2nd July, 1752, inclosing extract of one he has lately received from New Providence, dated the 7th of April last, relative to the depredations of the Spanish Guarda Costas among the Bahama Islands.

Bermuda.

The Secretary at the same time laid before the Board the following paper received from Mr. Popple, Governor of the Bermuda Islands, viz:—
Extract of a letter from President Jones to Governor Popple, dated Bermuda, 27th March, 1752, relating to the depredations of the Spaniards.

Bermuda.

Ordered that copies of the above mentioned two papers [be made] in order to be transmitted to the Earl of Holdernesse, one of his Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, and that the draught of a letter to his Lordship accompanying the same be prepared; and the said letter having been prepared, was laid before the Board, agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Nova Scotia.

Read a letter from Col. Cornwallis, Governor of Nova Scotia, to the Board, dated Halifax, the 20th April, 1752, inclosing:—
Memorial of Lieut. John Young, relating to money due to him for provisions he purchased for some settlers sent in the Nancy, Capt. Stone, master, for the province of Nova Scotia.

Ordered that the Secretary do transmit the said letter and paper to Mr. Kilby, agent for Nova Scotia, and desire him to lay before the Board a state of the case with his opinion upon it.

New York.

Read a memorial of Peter Wraxall, Esquire, appointed by his Majesty town clerk of Albany in New York, and complaining that Governor Clinton refuses to admit him to that office, and inclosing a copy of his Majesty's Commission to him for that employment, dated the 15th November, 1750.

Ordered that this memorial be taken into consideration of Wednesday next and that the Secretary do write to Mr. Wraxall's agent, and also to Governor Clinton's agent to desire their attendance thereupon.

Trade.

Africa.

Read a letter from Mr. Richard Oswald, merchant, to the Board, dated the 6th instant, containing observations on the state and condition of the fort of George Island in Africa, and inclosing:—
Mr. Staple's indent for goods and stores to be sent him, dated August, 1751.
Bill of loading for a cargo of goods and stores, sent to Bance Island, 24 April, 1752.
Estimate of Captain Daniel's return of the effects belonging to Richard Oswald and Company at George Island in Africa the 2nd June, 1752.
A plan of the fort and factory on George Island in the river Sierra Leon.
A prospect of the west side of George Island on the river Sierra Leon in Africa, as taken from the Road in December, 1748.

Ordered that the Secretary do transmit a copy of Mr. Oswald's letter to the Secretary of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty for the information of that Board.

Ordered that the Secretary do write to Mr. Oswald and Company acquainting them that the Board do earnestly recommend to them to preserve the fort and settlement at Sierra Leon in such a condition and to endeavour to keep up such a good correspondence and understanding with the natives as may prevent this important place falling into the hands of any other power.

South Carolina.

Read Mr. Lamb's report upon an Act passed at South Carolina in May, 1751, to incorporate the society commonly called and known by the name of the South Carolina Society. Dated the 24th June, 1752.

South Carolina.

Ordered that the said Act be taken into consideration on Thursday, the 23rd instant and that the Secretary do write to Mr. John Sharpe, sollicitor in support thereof, to desire his attendance on that day.

Jamaica.

Read Mr. Lamb's report upon a private Act passed at Jamaica in May, 1747, for the naturalization of the reputed children of Robert Duckingfield, Esquire. Dated 24th June, 1752.

Ordered that the draught of a representation to their Excellencies, the Lords Justices, be prepared proposing their Excellencies' confirmation of the said Act.

New Jersey.

The draught of a representation to the Lords of the Council transmitting the copy of a letter and paper lately received from Mr. Belcher, Governor of New Jersey, having been transcribed pursuant to the minutes of the 3rd instant, was laid before the Board and signed.

New Hampshire.

The draught of a representation to their Excellencies, the Lords Justices, upon the present state of the province of New Hampshire having been transcribed, pursuant to the minutes of the 1st instant, was laid before the Board and signed.

Tuesday, July 14. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Townshend, Mr. Oswald.

Trade.

Labrador.

Their Lordships took into consideration a letter from Mr. Amyand, Secretary to their Excellencies, the Lords Justices, inclosing a petition of several merchants relative to the opening a new trade upon the coast of Labrador, or New Britain in North America; and the Governor and Deputy Governor of the Hudson's Bay Company attending pursuant to the minutes of Wednesday last, were called in and they acquainted the Board that there had not been time since the receiving their lordships orders to attend to summon a committee and that therefore they were not authorized to declare the sense of the Company upon this important point; that as soon as a committee could be called they would lay this affair before them to the end that their lordships might have a full and satisfactory answer.

The gentlemen being withdrawn and the merchants and others interested in the aforementioned petition attending, as desired, were called in and the petition being read their lordships heard what they had to offer in support thereof, and then they withdrew.

Georgia.

Read a letter from Mr. Amyand, Secretary to their Excellencies, the Lords Justices, dated the 9th instant, signifying their Excellencies' directions that this Board do transmit to the colony of Georgia a proclamation issued by them for continuing the officers there in their respective offices untill his Majesty's pleasure be known.

Ordered that the Secretary do write to Mr. Martyn, late Secretary to the Trustees for the colony of Georgia, to desire that he would forthwith lay before the Board the aforementioned proclamation under the seal in order to be transmitted to the said colony and that the draught of a letter to the President and Assistants inclosing the same be prepared.

Wednesday, July 15. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Townshend, Mr. Oswald.

New York.

Their lordships took into consideration the memorial of Peter Wraxall, town clerk of Albany in the province of New York, mentioned in the minutes of Thursday last, and Mr. Calcraft, agent to Mr. Wraxall, and Mr. Catherwood, agent to Mr. Clinton, attending, as desired, they were called in and Mr. Calcraft laid before the Board the following papers in support of the allegations of the said memorial, viz:—
Extract of a letter from Mr. Wraxall to John Calcraft, Esquire. Dated 10th May, 1752.
Extract of a letter from Mr. Wraxall to John Calcraft, Esquire. Dated 20th May, 1752.
The case of Peter Wraxall, appointed by his Majesty's Sign Manual town clerk, etc. of the city and county of Albany and Secretary or agent for the Indian affairs of the province of New York, relative to Governor Clinton refusing to admit him to the office of town clerk.

He then acquainted their lordships that as to the letter from the Earl of Holdernesse to Mr. Clinton referred to in the memorial he had applyed for a copy of it, but being of a private nature could not obtain it.

Mr. Catherwood in justification of Mr. Clinton observed to their lordships that Mr. Clinton appointed Mr. Grainvoort town clerk of Albany upon the death of Mr. Livingston, and that he apprehended he was empowered either by his Commission or instructions so to do; that as to what is alledged in the papers laid before their lordships by Mr. Calcraft that Governor Clinton sold the place to the said gentleman, he was entirely unacquainted with it, and the only account he could give of the transaction was from Mr. Wraxall's letter to Governor Clinton and his answer, copies whereof he laid before the Board, dated the 5th and 6th of May, 1752.

The agents being withdrawn their lordships ordered the draught of a representation to their Excellencies, the Lords Justices, upon Mr. Wraxall's memorial to be prepared.

Antigua.

Their lordships then took into consideration an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council referring a petition of the Council and Assembly of Antigua relative to the Assembly's priviledge of examining accounts of publick money before the disposal thereof by the Governor's order, mentioned in the minutes of the 1st instant; and Mr. John Sharpe attending with Mr. Martin, his counsel, they were called in and the said order and petition being read and also the 36th Article of Mr. Mathew's instructions, Mr. Martin observed to their lordships that the object and end of this petition was that the Governor might be at liberty to assent to the Tax Acts in that Island in the manner they had been heretofore passed; that the questions arising upon this case were first: whether the Assembly have not a priviledge of examining publick accounts before the disposal of the money by the Governor's order; and secondly, whether it be not expedient that it should be so; that as to the first question, in all mixed governments the priviledges of one branch are by compact of the whole either established by Act or employed by precedent in which last case it was not necessary that precedent should be co-eval with the constitution or immemorial; that he should prove that the Assembly of Antigua have exercised this priviledge from 1693 to 1751; that from 1693 to 1718 the practice was for the Speaker of the Assembly to sign the orders for payment of all publick money; that in 1718 the Governor of the Leeward Islands upon a letter from the Board of Trade objected to this method and proposed to them to alter it promising them at the same time that he would not sign any order for payment of money untill they had examined the accounts; that in consequence of this the method was for the Assembly to annex a petition or memorial to the Governor's orders, signifying that they had examined the accounts for which the said order was issued; that this priviledge was not contrary to the instruction which in no part of it directs that the Assembly shall not examine the publick accounts, the intention of it being only that the money may appear not to be disposed of by the Governor's authority only.

That as to the question of expediency the security arising to the publick from this method sufficiently marked it out; that otherways there would be no check upon the Governor's misapplying publick money except that of the Council's being joined with him, which check he might remove as he is at liberty by his instructions to suspend a councillor without assigning any reason for it there; that the people might complain indeed to his Majesty, but that this method was attended with great difficulty and expence, and could end in nothing but a removal which is all the Crown can do in such a case; that as to this method being contrary to the constitution here, the different circumstances of the two places make different regulations necessary.

Mr. Martin then desired that the following papers might be read in support of what he had alledged, viz:—
An Act for raising a tax of 1,240,000 lbs. of sugar, passed in Antigua in 1697.
An Act for raising a tax of 1,100,000 lb. of sugar, passed in Antigua in 1698.
An Act for raising a tax of 500,000 lb. of sugar, passed in Antigua in 1699.
Minutes of Council of the Island of Antigua the 17th June, 1696.
Ditto the 16th July, 1696.
Ditto the 29th June, 1698.
Minutes of the Assembly of the Island of Antigua on the 29th October, 1718.
Ditto the 10th of January, 1718.
Ditto the 10th of March, 1718.
An Act passed in the Island of Antigua the 16th March, 1718, for raising a tax of £5,000 current money.

The counsel being withdrawn their lordships agreed to consider this affair at another opportunity.

Pennsylvania.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council, dated the 2nd of July, 1752, referring to this Board for their consideration and report, a petition of the Proprietors of Pennsylvania to his Majesty praying that the boundaries of that province may be ascertained.

Whereupon the Secretary acquainted the Board that Mr. Hammersley, sollicitor for the guardians of Lord Baltimore, Proprietor of Maryland, had desired that if any petition be brought to their lordships by reference from his Majesty in Council or the Lords of the Privy Council in the names of Thomas Penn and Richard Penn, Esquires (Proprietors of Pennsylvania) praying a commission to ascertain the limits of Pennsylvania; or any other application be made to their lordships by the said Messrs. Penn respecting the said province he desired he might have notice before their lordships take such petition or application into their consideration or any attendance or proceedings be had thereon at their lordships' Board.

Mr. Paris, sollicitor for the petitioners, and Mr. John Sharpe, one of the guardians of Lord Baltimore, attending without they were called in and Mr. Paris moved their lordships to appoint an early day for taking the said petition into consideration; whereupon Mr. Sharpe observed that he apprehended the purport of the said petition might affect the interest of Lord Baltimore and therefore he did for himself as guardian of the said Lord and in behalf of the Right Honourable Arthur Onslow, his Lordship's other guardian, pray their lordships to defer the consideration thereof for some time untill a counter petition could be prepared and presented which could not be done immediately as his papers were in great confusion from the fire which happened in Lincolns Inn, and as it would be necessary to consult Lord Baltimore who was expected to return from his travels in a few days. The gentlemen being withdrawn their lordships agreed that the said reference and petition should be taken into consideration on Tuesday the 10th of October next.

Trade.

Read a letter from Mr. Wood, Secretary to the Commissioners of Customs, dated the 10th instant, signifying the reason why the Inspector General of the imports and exports cannot make out an account of paper hangings exported.

Thursday, July 16. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Townshend, Mr. Oswald.

Trade.

Africa.

Their lordships took into consideration the papers relative to the disputes with the Dutch upon the coast of Africa and ordered the draught of a representation thereupon to their Excellencies, the Lords Justices, to be prepared.

Trade.

Labrador.

Their lordships took into consideration the petition of the merchants relative to the opening a new trade upon the coast of Labrador or New Britain and made some progress therein.

Trade.

Read a letter from Mr. Wood, Secretary to the Commissioners of the Customs, dated the 15th instant, inclosing:—
An account of the quantity of paper hangings exported to foreign parts, the duty having been repaid at the Excise Office, at the rate of 1½d. per yard square from Midsummer, 1742, to Midsummer, 1752.

New Jersey.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council for Plantation affairs, dated the 7th of May, 1752, referring to the consideration of this Board a report made by his Majesty's Attorney and Solicitor General relating to many outragious and riotous proceedings carried on for some years last past by several inhabitants in the province of New Jersey, together with a draught of a commission prepared by them, and annexed to their said report, for enquiring into grievances in that province.

Their lordships taking the said reference into consideration ordered the draught of a report thereupon to the Lords of the Committee of Council to be prepared.

Rhode Island.

Bahamas.

Mr. Alexander Grant, a merchant of the City of London, attending was called in and he laid before the Board the following paper and then withdrew.
Extract of a letter from Mr. Grant of Rhode Island in America, relative to a demand made by the Governor of Providence Island of 1/10 of the oyl made from whales taken on that coast.

Ordered that the Secretary do write to Mr. Tinker, Governor of the Bahama Islands, to desire his attendance at the Board on Tuesday next the 21st instant.

Virginia.

Read the two following letters received from Robert Dinwiddie, Lieutenant-Governor of Virginia, viz:—
Letter from Robert Dinwiddie, Esquire, dated at Williamsburg, the 20th of January, 1752, acquainting the Board that he arrived there the 20th of November last and had taken the oaths to qualify himself for the discharge of his duty as Lieutenant-Governor of that colony.
Letter from Robert Dinwiddie, Esquire, LieutenantGovernor of Virginia, to the Board, dated at Williamsburg, the 14th February, 1752, returning the old seal of the colony to this Board as ordered.

Massachusets.

Read a letter from Mr. Phips, Lieutenant-Governor of the Massachusets Bay, dated at Concord, the 3rd June, 1752, acknowledging the receipt of the Board's letter, dated the 13th of March last, inclosing his Majesty's Order in Council containing regulations with respect to his Majesty's British colonies in America and the conduct of Governors and other officers there.

New Jersey.

Read the two following letters received from Mr. Belcher, Governor of New Jersey, viz:—
Letter from Mr. Belcher, Governor of New Jersey, to the Board, dated at Elizabeth Town, the 19th of May, 1752, inclosing copy of the minutes of Council the 11th of May, relating to the late riot there.
Letter from Mr. Belcher to the Board, dated the 3rd of June, 1752, acknowledging the receipt of the Board's letter, dated the 13th of March last, inclosing his Majesty's Order in Council containing regulations with respect to his Majesty's colonies and the conduct of Governors and other officers there, etc.

New Jersey.

Ordered that the first mentioned letter be copyed together with the paper inclosed in order to be transmitted to the Lords of his Majesty's Council, and that the draught of a representation thereupon be prepared.

Jamaica.

The draught of a representation to their Excellencies, the Lords Justices, proposing the confirmation of a Private Act prepared in Jamaica in 1747 for naturalizing the children of Robert Duckinfield, having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 9th instant, was laid before the Board and signed.

Trade.

Africa.

The Secretary laid before the Board the following paper received from the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa, viz:—
Copies of letters from the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa sent to Thomas Melvill, Esquire, President of the Council, etc. at Cape Coast Castle (together with a copy of a sketch of observations and instructions drawn up by the Lords Commissioners of Trade and Plantations for the use of the said committee).

Tuesday, July 21. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Townshend, Mr. Stone, Mr. Oswald.

Rhode Island.

Bahamas.

Their lordships took into consideration the extract of a letter from Patrick Grant to Mr. Alexander Grant, merchant in London, mentioned in the minutes of the 16th instant, and Mr. Tinker, Governor of the Bahama Islands, attending, was called in, and being informed of the complaint contained in the said extract of a letter, he said that he was wholly unacquainted therewith; that no such exaction was ever made by him, there being no whale fishing carried on upon the coast while he was there; that however he would enquire into the affair, and take care that if any injury had been done to any person satisfaction should be made.

Mr. Tinker being withdrawn their lordships ordered the Secretary to write to Mr. Scott, President of the Council in the Bahama Islands, relative to the said complaint.

Trade.

Africa.

Commodore Buckle, late Commander of a squadron of his Majesty's ships upon the coast of Africa, attending was called in and their lordships had some conversation with him upon the subject of his transactions while upon that coast and being desired by their lordships to lay before them a narrative thereof in writing, he acquainted their lordships that he had already prepared a narrative for the use of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to which he begged leave to refer.

Mr. Buckle being withdrawn their lordships ordered the Secretary to apply to the Secretary of the Lords of the Admiralty for a copy of the said narrative.

Georgia.

Mr. Gray, agent for the people and Assembly of Georgia attending, was called in and he laid before the Board:—
A representation relative to the present state of that colony.

Their lordships then had some conversation with Mr. Gray upon the subject of the said representation and he was desired to attend again to-morrow.

Trade.

Africa.

The draught of a representation to the Lords Justices relative to the disputes with the Dutch upon the coast of Africa having been prepared pursuant to the preceding minutes, was laid before the Board, agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

New Jersey.

The draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee of Council upon the draught of a Commission for enquiring into the grievances in New Jersey, having been prepared pursuant to the preceding minutes, was laid before the Board, agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

New York.

The draught of a representation to the Lords Justices upon Mr. Wraxall's memorial, ordered to be prepared by the minutes of the 15th instant, was laid before the Board, agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

New Jersey.

The draught of a representation to the Lords of the Council transmitting the copy of a letter from Mr. Belcher, Governor of New Jersey, ordered to be prepared by the preceding minute, was laid before the Board, agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

Trade.

Hudson's Bay.

Read a memorial of the Hudson's Bay Company to the Board of Trade, dated Hudson's Bay House, July 20th, 1752, in answer to a letter from Mr. Hill desiring to be informed whether they have any or what claim to the tract of land described in the petition of several merchants of London called Labrador or New Britain.

Their lordships taking the said memorial into consideration and also the petition of the merchants praying for a grant of lands upon the coast of Labrador, after some time spent therein ordered the draught of a representation thereupon to their Excellencies, the Lords Justices, to be prepared.

Wednesday, July 22. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Townshend, Mr. Stone, Mr. Oswald.

Trade.

Labrador.

The draught of a representation to their Excellencies, the Lords Justices, upon the petition of several merchants to the City of London relative to a project for opening a new trade upon the coast of Labrador in North America, having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of yesterday, was laid before the Board, agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

New York.

Read a letter from Mr. Catherwood, dated the 21st July, 1752, relating to Governor Clinton's having appointed Mr. Gensevort clerk to the county of Albany upon the death of Mr. Livingston, before he had any intimation of his Majesty's appointment in favour of Mr. Wraxall.

South Carolina.

Read a memorial of Mr. Hammerton praying the Board's favour that he may be reinstated in the Council of South Carolina.

Mr. Hammerton attending, was called in and having informed their lordships that he had intentions of immediately returning to South Carolina their lordships acquainted him that he should be recommended as a Councillor upon the first vacancy which should happen after the nomination of those to whom their lordships already stood engaged; and then he withdrew.

Georgia.

Mr. Gray, agent for the province of Georgia, attending, as desired, was called in, and their lordships had some further discourse with him upon the state of the said province, and he was desired to lay before the Board as soon as possible a full representation thereof in writing and then he withdrew.

Ordered that the Secretary do transmit a copy of the representation laid before the Board by Mr. Gray, mentioned in the preceding minutes, to the Secretaries to their Excellencies, the Lords Justices, and desire them to lay the same before their Excellencies.

Thursday, July 23. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Townshend, Mr. Stone, Mr. Oswald.

Trade.

Labrador.

The draught of a representation to their Excellencies, the Lords Justices upon the merchants' petition relative to the opening a new trade upon the coast of Labrador in North America having been transcribed pursuant to the preceding minutes, was laid before the Board and signed.

Africa.

The draught of a representation to their Excellencies, the Lords Justices, upon the papers relative to the disputes with the Dutch upon the coast of Africa having been transcribed pursuant to the minutes of the 21st instant, was laid before the Board and signed.

New Jersey.

The draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee of Council upon the draught of a Commission for enquiring into grievances in New Jersey having been transcribed pursuant to the said minutes, was laid before the Board and signed.

The draught of a representation to the Lords of the Council, transmitting the copy of a letter and paper received from Mr. Belcher, Governor of New Jersey, relative to a riot lately committed there, having been transcribed pursuant to the said minutes, was laid before the Board and signed.

New Hampshire.

Read an Order of the Lords Justices in Council, dated 21st July, 1752, approving a representation of this Board proposing Daniel Warner, Esquire, to be of the Council of New Hampshire in the room of George Jaffry, Esquire, deceased, and directing a warrant to be prepared accordingly.

The draught of a warrant having been accordingly prepared was laid before the Board as also the draught of a representation thereupon, which was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Nova Scotia.

Read the following letter and papers received from the Honourable Edward Cornwallis, Esquire:—
Letter from the Honourable Edward Cornwallis, Esquire, to the Board, dated the 21st May, 1752, giving an account of the present state of affairs in that province and transmitting the following papers, viz.:—
List of bills drawn by Governor Cornwallis on Christopher Kilby, Esquire, on account of the colony of Nova Scotia from January 1st to April 30th, 1752, amounting to £8241 1s. 8d.
Benjamin Green, Esquire, his vouchers (first originals) for money paid for the service of the colony in the months of December, 1751, and January and February, 1752, amounting to £4664 0s. 10½d.
Account of cash paid by Richard Bulkley on account of his Majesty's works at Halifax from 1st November, 1751, to 31st January, 1752, amounting to £5601 17s. 9¾d.
Vouchers to the said account (first originals) No. 1 to 101.
A pay list (first originals) for monthly artificers, etc., for February, 1750–1, sent as a voucher for part of the certificate of cash paid to artificers, etc., to 31st of October, 1751.
Journal of the Council of Nova Scotia, from September 1st, 1751, to February 29th, 1752.
Naval officer's list of vessels entered in the port of Halifax from Michaelmas to Lady Day, 1752.
Naval officer's list of vessels cleared out of the said port within the same time.

South Carolina.

Mr. John Sharpe attending pursuant to the minutes of the 9th instant, their lordships had some conversation with him upon the Act passed in South Carolina in May, 1751, to incorporate the society commonly called and known by the name of the South Carolina Society, and ordered the draught of a representation to their Excellencies, the Lords Justices, proposing the confirmation thereof to be prepared, which having been prepared was laid before the Board, agreed to, transcribed and signed.