Journal, February 1753
Thursday, February 1. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr.
Grenville, Mr. Oswald.
Virginia.
Their lordships pursuant to the minutes of Friday last, took
into further consideration the address of the Council and House of
Burgesses of the colony of Virginia to his Majesty respecting their
revised laws, and Mr. Abercromby attending their lordships had
some further discourse with him thereupon and being withdrawn, the draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee
of Council thereupon was ordered to be prepared.
Friday, February 2. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville,
Mr. Fane, Mr. Oswald.
Massachusets.
Read a letter from Mr. Willard, Secretary of the Massachusets
Bay, dated Boston, the 30th of November, 1752, transmitting:—
Minutes of Council of the province from the beginning of
September, 1751, to the end of August, 1752.
Minutes of the General Assembly in October and December,
1751, and April, 1752, and in May and June, 1752.
Seventeen Acts, passed in the Massachusets Bay between
the 8th October, 1751, and June, 1752.
Ordered that the above-mentioned Acts be sent to Mr. Lamb
for his opinion thereupon in point of law.
New Hampshire.
The draught of a letter to Mr. Wentworth, Governor of New
Hampshire, having been transcribed pursuant to the minutes of
the 25th of January, was signed.
The draught of a representation to his Majesty upon the state
of New Hampshire so far as regards the difficulties and disputes
which have arisen with respect to the Propriety of lands, having
been transcribed pursuant to the minutes of the 23rd of January,
was signed.
Plantations General.
Read a letter from his Majesty's Commissaries at Paris, dated the
24th of January, 1753, acquainting the Board of their having
received from the Earl of Holdernesse the memorial in reply to
the answer of the French commissaries concerning his Majesty's
claim to the antient limits of Nova Scotia and delivered a copy
thereof to the French commissaries.
Nova Scotia.
Read a letter from James West, Esquire, Secretary to the Lords
Commissioners of the Treasury, to the Board, dated 25th January,
1753, referring to their lordships' consideration a memorial of
the Board of Ordnance praying to be reimbursed £1,148 6s. 4d.,
by them expended for the settlement in Nova Scotia.
Trade.
Jamaica.
Read a letter from Mr. Wood, Secretary to the Commissioners
of the Customs, dated the 13th of December last (in answer to
one from Mr. Pownall) inclosing:—
An account of the value of the exports to and imports from
the Island of Jamaica, from Christmas, 1747, to Christmas,
1751, distinguishing each year with the excess.
Trade.
Jamaica.
Read a letter from Mr. Wood, Secretary to the Commissioners
of the Customs, to Mr. Pownall, dated the 23rd of January, 1753,
inclosing:—
An account of the imports from the Island of Jamaica
distinguishing the particular species of goods for the years
1750 and 1751.
An account of the number and tonnage of the vessels annually
employed in the trade between South Britain and Jamaica
from Midsummer, 1747, to Midsummer, 1752.
Nova Scotia.
Their lordships took into consideration Mr. Dick's account for
the transportation of 1,135 foreign protestants to Nova Scotia in
the year 1752, mentioned in the minutes of the 16th of January
last, amounting to seven thousand, six hundred and forty-seven
pounds, 13s. 4d. and ordered Mr. Kilby, agent for the settlement
of his Majesty's province of Nova Scotia, to accept any Bill or
Bills which Mr. Dick may draw upon him for the above sum
payable the 25th of April next ensuing.
Massachusets.
Nova Scotia.
Read a memorial of William Bollan, Esquire, agent for the
Massachusets Bay, and of Samuel Waldo of the same province,
Esquire, relative to the opposition and obstructions which the
person employed to engage foreign protestants for the said
province met with in Germany from Mr. Dick and his agents, and
inclosing:—
A narrative of the proceedings of Mr. Joseph Crellius to
obtain German protestants to be settled in some of the
frontiers of the province of the Massachusets Bay.
Ordered that the Secretary do transmit the said memorial and
narrative to Mr. Dick for his answer to the said complaints.
Newfoundland.
Read a memorial of several merchants of Great Britain praying
to be incorporated into a company with the sole priviledge of
carrying on a trade with the Indians in the inland and northerly
parts of Newfoundland.
Ordered that the Secretary do write to the petitioners to desire
their attendance at the Board on Tuesday the 13th instant.
Tuesday, February 6. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr.
Grenville, Mr. Townshend, Mr. Oswald.
New York.
Read a letter from the Right Honourable Henry Fox, his
Majesty's Secretary at War, in answer to the Board's letter of
the 11th of last month, acquainting their lordships that it is the
opinion of the Attorney that the mutineers at Oswego in New
York may be sent to take their tryal at Halifax in Nova Scotia
and desiring that the Board would give directions accordingly.
Their lordships agreed to take the said letter into consideration
at another opportunity.
South Carolina.
Read a letter from the Earl of Holdernesse, dated 2nd of
February, 1753, signifying his Majesty's approbation of Peter
Leigh, Esquire, to be Chief Justice of South Carolina and directing
this Board to prepare the draught of a warrant for his appointment.
The draught of a warrant having been prepared pursuant to
the said letter, was agreed to, and a letter to the Earl of
Holdernesse inclosing the same, was signed.
New Jersey.
New York.
This day being appointed for taking into consideration an Act,
passed in the province of New Jersey in 1746, for ascertaining the
boundary line between that province and the province of New York,
Mr. Charles and Mr. Paris, sollicitors for and against the said Act
attended and moved their lordships to put off the consideration
thereof to a further day, their counsel not being able to attend.
Their lordships agreed to take this affair into consideration on
Thursday the 15th instant, when the parties were desired to attend.
Jamaica.
Read a letter from Charles Knowles, Esquire, Governor of
Jamaica, to the Board, dated the 18th of November, 1752,
relative to the present state of that Island and inclosing the
following publick papers, viz:—
Copy of a declaration concerning a clandestine trade carried
on between Philadelphia and the French sugar colonies.
List of ordnance stores wanting for the use of the Island of
Jamaica.
Naval Office certificates anno 1752.
Ordered that an extract of so much of the said letter as relates
to the alterations proposed by him in the establishment of the
officers of the Customs and Revenue in that Island, and the
alterations he proposes to be made in the instructions relative
to the observance of the laws of trade be transmitted to the
Lords of the Treasury for their directions and opinion thereupon.
Ordered that the draught of a representation to his Majesty be
prepared proposing that the ordnance stores contained in the
list transmitted by Mr. Knowles be ordered to be sent to that
Island.
Georgia.
Mr. Martyn, appointed agent for the affairs of the province of
Georgia, attending, was called in and he acquainted the Board that
the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury had agreed that the
sum of one thousand pounds should be advanced to him to
discharge any Bills which may be drawn on account of the
encouragement allowed to the culture of silk in that province,
untill a plan of government shall be agreed upon and settled, and
he laid before their lordships the draught of a letter which he had
prepared for the President and Court of Assistants in the said
colony in consequence thereof, which was approved of by their
lordships.
Wednesday, February 7. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr.
Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Townshend, Mr. Oswald.
Jamaica.
Read an humble address and representation of the Council and
Assembly of Jamaica to his Majesty relative to the present state
of that Island.
Their lordships agreed that the said address should be forthwith
laid before his Majesty in Council and the draught of a representation to his Majesty therewith was ordered to be prepared.
Thursday, February 8. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr.
Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Oswald.
Jamaica.
Their lordships took into further consideration the draught of a
representation to the Honourable the House of Commons relative
to the state of the Island of Jamaica mentioned in the minutes of
the 7th of December last.
Nova Scotia.
Ordered that there be prepared and laid before the Board as
soon as possible an account of the charges incurred in supporting
the settlement of his Majesty's colony of Nova Scotia from the
commencement of this service to Christmas last.
Jamaica.
The draught of a representation to his Majesty with the address
of the Council and House of Representatives of the Island of
Jamaica, having been prepared pursuant to the preceding minutes,
was laid before the Board and signed.
Friday, February 9. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville,
Lord Dupplin, Mr. Oswald.
New Jersey.
New York.
Mr. Paris and Mr. Charles, sollicitors for and against an Act
passed in New Jersey for ascertaining the boundarys between that
province and the province of New York, attending, were called in
and moved their lordships to put off the consideration of that
affair which by the minutes of the 6th instant stands fixed for
Thursday next, to the 29th of May, which being agreed to by their
lordships, they were ordered to withdraw.
Leeward Islands.
Read a petition of Benjamin King, Esquire, to the Board
praying for leave to inspect and to have copies made of certain
papers in this office and a proper person to attend with the
same upon a tryal at law between him and Thomas Warner,
Esquire.
Whereupon the Secretary acquainted the Board that Mr.
Wilmot, sollicitor for the defendant in the cause mentioned in
Mr. King's memorial, had desired him to move their lordships
that no affidavits or copies of any in relation to the affairs
between Colonel King and the late Governor Mathew might be
delivered out from this office to be made use of as evidence at
any tryal at law without notice given to him.
Ordered that the Secretary do write to Mr. Wilmot and likewise
to Mr. Eyre, sollicitor for Colonel King, to desire their attendance
at the Board on Wednesday next the 14th instant.
Ordered that Colonel King have leave in the meantime either
by himself or his sollicitor to compare any copies of papers
relative to this affair which may be now in his possession with the
originals in this office.
Jamaica.
The draught of a representation to his Majesty with an extract
of the last letter from Mr. Knowles, Governor of Jamaica, relative
to the want of great guns for the use of the fortifications and
inclosing an account of what other ordnance stores are wanted,
having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 6th instant,
was laid before the Board, agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.
Virginia.
The draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee of
Council upon the address of the Council and House of Burgesses
of the colony of Virginia respecting their revised laws having been
prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 1st, was laid before the
Board, agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.
Nova Scotia.
The Secretary laid before the Board pursuant to their order:—
An account of the charges of supporting the settlement of
Nova Scotia from the commencement of this service in
1749 to Christmas, 1752, distinguished under the several
heads thereof.
Tuesday, February 13. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr.
Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane, Mr. Townshend, Mr.
Oswald.
Jamaica.
Their lordships took into further consideration the draught of a
representation to the House of Commons relative to the present
state of the Island of Jamaica, mentioned in the minutes of the
8th instant.
Newfoundland.
The consideration of the merchants' petition relative to the
opening a trade with the Indians in Newfoundland appointed for
this day, was postponed untill another opportunity and the
Secretary was directed to acquaint the petitioners therewith.
Virginia.
The draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee of
Council upon the petition of the judges of the general court of
Virginia having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of the
25th of January last, was laid before the Board, agreed to, transscribed and signed.
Jamaica.
The draught of a letter to Mr. Knowles, Governor of Jamaica,
containing the Board's observations upon several Acts passed
there in the years 1750 and 1751 having been transcribed pursuant
to the minutes of the 7th of December last, was signed.
Wednesday, February 14. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr.
Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Oswald.
Leeward Islands.
Mr. Eyre and Mr. Wilmot, sollicitors to a tryal at law between
Colonel King and Mr. Warner, attending, as desired upon Colonel
King's petition, mentioned in the minutes of the 9th instant,
their lordships heard what each party had to offer thereupon, and
Mr. Eyre moved their lordships to be heard by counsel upon the
prayer of the said petition, whereupon it appearing to their
lordships upon a consideration of the said petition, that no
particular papers were therein specified, Mr. Eyre desired leave to
withdraw the said petition which was granted, and he was
acquainted that when he should specify what particular papers
he wanted, their lordships would take his request to be heard by
counsel into consideration.
Jamaica.
The draught of a representation to his Majesty with the
extract of a letter from Mr. Knowles, Governor of Jamaica,
relating to the want of great guns and ordnance stores for that
Island, having been transcribed pursuant to the minutes of the
9th instant, was signed.
Virginia.
The draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee of
Council upon the address of the Council and House of Burgesses
of Virginia respecting their revised laws, having been transcribed
pursuant to the minutes of the 9th instant, was signed.
Thursday, February 15. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Lord
Dupplin, Mr. Townshend, Mr. Oswald.
Nova Scotia.
Read a letter from Mr. Wood, Secretary to the Commissioners
of the Customs, dated the 13th of February, 1753 (in answer to
one from Mr. Hill), inclosing the following account, viz:—
An account of the species, quantity and value of the exports
from England to Nova Scotia from Christmas, 1749, to
Christmas, 1751, distinguishing each year.
Jamaica.
Read a letter from Mr. Wood, Secretary to the Commissioners
of the Customs, to Mr. Pownall, dated 13th instant, inclosing:—
An account of ships clearing out from Jamaica to foreign
parts of Europe from Christmas, 1739, to Lady Day, 1752.
Their lordships took into further consideration the draught of a
representation to the House of Commons relative to the present
state of the Island of Jamaica and the said draught having been
agreed to, was ordered to be transcribed.
Plantations General.
The Secretary laid before the Board the copy of a letter from
the Duke of Newcastle by his Majesty's order to Monsieur
Michell, the King of Prussia's Secretary of the Embassy, in answer
to the memorial and other papers delivered by Monsieur Michell
to the Duke of Newcastle on the 23rd of November and 13th of
December last.
Ordered that copies of the said letter be transmitted to the
Governors of his Majesty's several American colonies.
Friday, February 16. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville,
Lord Dupplin, Mr. Oswald.
Jamaica.
Read an Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated 5th
February, 1753, transmitting copy of a letter from the principal
officers of the Ordnance to the Lord President complaining of
orders given by Mr. Knowles to take into the fortifications some
land at Mosquito Point which was purchased by the Board of
Ordnance in 1742, and directing this Board to write to the said
Governor of Jamaica to require him immediately to revoke his
said orders or to set apart for the Ordnance a like quantity of
land in some other place.
Georgia.
Read an Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated the 5th
of February, 1753, transmitting for the information and government of this Board, a copy of a report of the Lords of the Treasury
relative to the encouragement to be given to the culture of raw
silk in Georgia untill a new form of government be established
in that colony.
Ordered that the Secretary do write to Mr. Martyn, agent for
the colony of Georgia, to desire his attendance on the Board on
Tuesday next.
Pennsylvania.
Read Mr. Lamb's report upon ten Acts passed at Pennsylvania
in 1750, 1751 and 1752. Dated the 1st February, 1753.
Read Mr. Lamb's report upon two Acts passed at Pennsylvania
in August, 1752. Dated February 1st, 1753.
Ordered that the Secretary do transmit an extract of so much
of the Act for regulating fees as fixes the fees of the officers of the
Customs to the Secretary of the Lords Commissioners of the
Treasury for their Lordships' sentiments thereupon.
Nova Scotia.
Ordered that the Secretary do transmit to Mr. Hopson a copy
of the Board's last letter to him by the ship which is now ready
to sail and acquaint him that the Board will write fully to him
by the very first opportunity.
Jamaica.
Ordered that the draught of a letter to Mr. Knowles, Governor
of Jamaica, be prepared conformable to the Order of Council
relative to the complaint of the Board of Ordnance.
Tuesday, February 20. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr.
Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Townshend, Mr. Oswald.
Jamaica.
Read an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council for
Plantation Affairs referring to the consideration of this Board
a humble address and representation of the Council and House of
Representatives to his Majesty relative to the state of its trade,
strength and fortifications, and directing the Board to annex such
parts thereof to the state of the Island now preparing to be laid
before the House of Commons as they shall think necessary for
the information of the House.
Their lordships took into consideration the draught of a report
to the House of Commons, ordered to be transcribed by the
minutes of the 15th instant, and made some addition thereto.
Georgia.
Their lordships then took into consideration the Order of Council
referring to the consideration of this Board a report from the
Commissioners of the Treasury relative to a sum of money to be
granted upon account for the service of the colony of Georgia,
and Mr. Martyn attending, laid before the Board an estimate of
the expence of supporting the civil establishment of the said
colony from Midsummer, 1752, to Midsummer, 1753; whereupon
he was told that in all cases of expences relative to this service
he must in the first instance apply to the Lords Commissioners
of his Majesty's Treasury.
Bermuda.
The draught of a representation to his Majesty proposing that
Thomas Jones, Esquire, may be appointed of the Council of
Bermuda in the room of Nathaniel Bascome, Esquire, deceased,
was laid before the Board, agreed to, transcribed and signed.
Jamaica.
The draught of a letter to Mr. Knowles, Governor of Jamaica,
ordered to be prepared the 16th instant, was laid before the Board,
agreed to, transcribed and signed.
Wednesday, February 21. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr.
Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Oswald.
Nova Scotia.
Read a letter from the Earl of Holdernesse to the Board, dated
20th February, 1753, inclosing copy of an address of the House
of Lords presented to his Majesty in pursuance of their order of
the 13th instant.
Ordered that the several papers and accounts required by the
said address be prepared with all possible dispatch.
Ordered that the Secretary do write to the Paymaster General
of his Majesty's forces for an account of the expence of the military
establishment of Nova Scotia.
Nova Scotia.
Ordered that the Secretary do write to the Lieutenant General
and principal officers of his Majesty's Ordnance for an account
of the expence of the military establishment of Nova Scotia as
far as regards the Ordnance stores.
Jamaica.
Their lordships took into consideration the address of the Council
and Assembly of Jamaica relative to the state of that Island,
mentioned in the preceding minutes, and ordered an extract of
so much of it as relates to the complaints of the seizures made by
the Spaniards to be forthwith made out, and also copies of the
examination relative to the said complaint annexed to the said
address, in order to be transmitted to the Earl of Holdernesse,
one of his Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, and the
draught of a letter to his Lordship having been accordingly
prepared, was laid before the Board, agreed to, transcribed and
signed.
Thursday, February 22. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt,
Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane, Mr. Townshend,
Mr. Oswald.
Jamaica.
The draught of a report to the House of Commons upon the
state of Jamaica having been transcribed, was laid before the
Board and signed, and Mr. Pitt was desired to present the same to
the House.
Georgia.
Read a memorial of Mr. Martyn, agent for the province of
Georgia, relative to a provision for the salaries of the several
officers established there and other services presented by him to
the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury and referred by them to
the consideration of this Board.
Their lordships took the said memorial into consideration and
Mr. Martyn attending was called in, and being asked if all the
officers contained in the state annexed to his memorial were
actually established by the Trustees in Georgia at the time of
their surrender of the Trust, he said they were.
Ordered that the draught of a letter to the Lords Commissioners
of the Treasury be prepared.
Friday, February 23. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt,
Mr. Grenville, Mr. Townshend, Mr. Oswald.
Georgia.
The draught of a letter to the Lords Commissioners of the
Treasury upon Mr. Martyn's memorial, mentioned in yesterday's
minutes, having been prepared, was laid before the Board, agreed
to, transcribed and signed.
Jamaica.
Read a letter from the Earl of Holdernesse, dated February
21st, 1753, signifying his Majesty's pleasure that this Board do lay
before the House of Commons the printed Acts of Assembly of
the Island of Jamaica from 1681 to 1737 inclusive pursuant to
their address to his Majesty of the 19th instant.
The printed collection of laws mentioned in the said address
having been laid before the Board, Mr. Pitt was desired to present
the same to the House of Commons.
Tuesday, February 27. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr.
Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Oswald.
Nova Scotia.
Read the following letters and papers lately received from Mr.
Hopson, Governor of Nova Scotia, viz:—
Letter from Colonel Hopson, dated the 6th of December,
1752, relative to the present state of affairs in that colony.
Letter from Colonel Hopson to the Board, dated at Halifax,
the 10th of December, 1752.
Letter from Monsieur Duquesne, Governor of Canada,
proposing a cartel to Governor Hopson, dated at Quebec,
the 30th September, 1752.
Copy of a letter from Colonel Hopson in answer to Monsieur
Duquesne, Governor of Canada, dated at Halifax, the 8th
November, 1752.
A printed copy of a cartel for the exchange of deserters,
published at Halifax, the 8th November, 1752.
Copy of a survey of a quantity of salt pork in his Majesty's
stores, supplied by Messrs. Apthorp and Hancock of
Boston.
Memorial of the officers of the several corps doing duty in
Nova Scotia to Governor Hopson, setting forth the hardships they labour under for want of allowance of baggage
money, of provisions for their servants, and of fuel and
candle.
List of Bills drawn by Governor Hopson on Christopher
Kilby, Esquire, agent for the province of Nova Scotia, in
the month of November, 1752.
List of victualling rolls and certificates of victualling
Governor Hopson's regiment from No. 8 to 14.
List of victualling rolls and certificates of victualling the
settlers from 23rd September, 1751, to the 23rd August,
1752, from No. 1 to No. 6, inclusive.
Abstract of several intercepted letters from settlers who
have deserted to Louisbourg, to settlers residing at
Halifax.
Vouchers second originals from No. 182 to No. 313 for the
payment of money amounting to £18,035 11s. 11¾d.
Account of provisions due by Chauncy Townshend, Esquire,
on his contracts for victualling settlers.
Letter from Colonel Cornwallis to the Board, dated 17th
October, 1752, giving advice of his having drawn on
Christopher Kilby, Esquire, £100 in favour of John
Taggert.
Letter from Colonel Cornwallis to the Board, dated Halifax,
19th October, 1752, giving advice of his having drawn on
Christopher Kilby, Esquire, for £100 in favour of Malachi
Salter, Esquire.
Copies of the records of the general Court of Assize and Gaol
Delivery held at Halifax in October, 1752.
Minutes of Council, from the 10th August to 4th December,
1752, inclusive, containing the treaty of peace concluded
with one tribe of the Micmac Indians.