Journal, March 1756: Volume 63

Journal, March 1756

Tuesday, March 2. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Talbot, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Rigby.

Pennsylvania.

The draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee of Council upon the petition of sundry inhabitants of Pennsylvania setting forth the distressed state of that province etc. and praying relief, having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of Friday last, was agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

New York.

The draught of a letter from the Secretary to Sir William Johnson, Baronet, acquainting him with his appointment to be agent for Indian affairs, and containing directions for his conduct was agreed to.

Nova Scotia.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty with a draught of general instructions and of those which relate to the observance of the laws of trade for the Governor of Nova Scotia, having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of Friday last, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Wednesday, March 3. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Talbot, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Rigby.

Pennsylvania.

The draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee of Council upon the petition of sundry of the inhabitants of Pennsylvania, having been transcribed pursuant to the minutes of yesterday, was laid before the Board and signed.

Thursday, March 4. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Talbot, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Rigby.

Virginia.

Read Sir Mathew Lamb's report upon a private Act passed in Virginia in July, 1755, entitled:—
An Act to confirm and establish an agreement made between William Withers and Augustine Washington and for other purposes therein mentioned.

Ordered, that the draught of a representation to his Majesty be prepared proposing the confirmation of the said Act.

New York.

Read an Order of his Majesty in Council, dated the 2nd of March, 1756, approving a representation of this Board upon the Governor of New York's speech to the Assembly and their answer thereto, relating to the establishment of a perpetual revenue, and directing the Board to signify his Majesty's orders to Sir Charles Hardy thereupon.

The draught of a letter to Sir Charles Hardy, Governor of New York, having been prepared in obedience to the said order, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Friday, March 5. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Talbot, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Rigby.

Virginia.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty upon a private Act passed in Virginia in July, 1755, having been prepared pursuant to the preceding day's minutes, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Trade.

East India.

Their lordships took into consideration four Orders of the Lords of the Committee of Council, dated the 21st of December, 1752, the 20th of November, 1753, the 26th of November, 1754, and the 11th of December, 1755, referring to this Board the accounts of the exports of the united Company of merchants trading to the East Indies for the years 1752, 1753, 1754 and 1755, and ordered the said accounts to be examined and compared with the accounts of former years and a state thereof laid before the Board.

Tuesday, March 9. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Talbot, Mr. Jenyns.

Jamaica.

The draught of an instruction to Henry Moore, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica, directing him so soon as the administration of government shall devolve upon him to dissolve the Assembly and forthwith call a new one, and to recommend to the Council and to the Assembly to take into their consideration the question relating to the removal of the seat of government, and transmit to this Board to be laid before his Majesty representations or addresses containing their sentiments thereupon, was agreed to and ordered to be transcribed, and a representation thereupon to his Majesty was signed.

North Carolina.

Their lordships took into consideration the 84th article of his Majesty's instructions to the Governor of North Carolina relating to the lands granted in 1746 to the associates of James Huey and Murray Crymble, and a letter to the Governor explaining some doubts which had arisen with respect to the intent and meaning of the said instruction, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Massachusets.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council for Plantation Affairs, dated the 6th of March, 1756, referring to the consideration of this Board twelve Acts passed in the province of the Massachusets Bay in June and August, 1755.

Ordered, that the said Acts be sent to Sir Mathew Lamb for his opinion thereon in point of law.

Thursday, March 11. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Fane, Mr. Talbot, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Rigby.

Leeward Islands.

Virgin Islands.

Read a memorial of several gentlemen concerned in the trade of Tortola and the Virgin Islands for themselves and the inhabitants thereof praying their lordships to recommend to the government the sending them some cannon, ammunition, etc., for their immediate defence.

Ordered, that the draught of a representation to his Majesty thereupon be prepared.

Pennsylvania.

Read a letter from Mr. Bogdani, of the Board of Ordnance, to Mr. Pownall, dated the 8th of March, 1756, desiring he would move their lordships to favour the Board of Ordnance with their opinion upon an application made to them by Mr. Ingham Foster for leave to export 20 pounds of gunpowder to Philadelphia.

Ordered, that the said letter be taken into consideration on Tuesday next, and that the Secretary do write to Mr. Ingham Foster to desire his attendance at the Board on that day.

Massachusets.

Read the following letters and papers received from Mr. Shirley, Governor of the Massachusets Bay, viz.:—
Letter from Mr. Shirley to the Board, dated the 6th of January, 1756, acknowledging, upon his arrival at Albany, the receipt of a letter from Mr. Pownall, dated the 16th of July last.
Letter from Mr. Shirley, dated at New York, the 11th of January, 1756, acknowledging the receipt of a letter from the Board, dated the 16th of August last, and one from Mr. Pownall, dated the 19th of September.
List of regular forces necessary to be constantly kept up in North America.
Sketch of a system for the management of Indian affairs in North America under one general direction.

Friday, March 12. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Fane, Mr. Talbot.

Leeward Islands.

Virgin Islands.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty upon the memorial of several gentlemen concerned in the trade to the Virgin Islands setting forth the defenceless state of those Islands, and praying that some cannon and stores may be sent thither, having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of yesterday, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Virginia.

Barbados.

The draughts of general instructions and of those relating to the Acts of Trade and Navigation for the Governors of Virginia and Barbados, having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 18th of February, were laid before the Board, agreed to and ordered to be transcribed, and representations thereupon to his Majesty were ordered to be prepared.

Tuesday, March 16. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Fane, Mr. Talbot, Mr. Rigby.

Pennsylvania.

Their lordships took into consideration the letter from the Secretary to the Board of Ordnance to the Secretary to this Board, mentioned in the minutes of the 11th instant, relating to an application made by Mr. Ingham Foster, a merchant, for leave to export gunpowder to the province of Pennsylvania; and Mr. Foster attending without was called in, and their lordships having heard what he had to offer thereupon he withdrew, and the Secretary was ordered to write a letter to the Secretary to the Board of Ordnance containing their lordships' sentiments and advice upon this affair.

Nova Scotia.

The Secretary laid before the Board a memorial prepared by Mr. Kilby, agent for Nova Scotia, to be presented to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, praying that the sum of £23,400 0s. 11d. may be issued to him to pay certain sums of money due to the contractors for supplying the troops there with provisions, for discharging bills drawn upon him by the Commander-in-Chief of that province, and for other contingent demands, and the said memorial having been approved, Mr. Kilby was directed to present it to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury for their Lordships' directions upon it.

New York.

Read a letter from James Delancy, Esquire, Chief Justice of New York, to the Board, dated the 21st of January, 1756, praying that leave may be given to Sir Charles Hardy to pass a bill for payment of the salaries due to him and the other officers of government.

Read a letter from Sir Charles Hardy, Governor of New York, to the Board, dated Fort George, the 16th of January, 1756, containing his opinion with respect to a plan for the defence of the frontiers of his Majesty's colonies in America and for the direction of Indian affairs.

Jamaica.

Read a letter from Charles Knowles, Esquire, Governor of Jamaica, dated the 2nd of January, 1756, again requesting the Board's intercession with his Majesty for his royal leave to resign the government of that Island, being for want of a proper support, unable to discharge the duty of the trust reposed in him.

Wednesday, March 17. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Fane, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Talbot, Mr. Jenyns.

Virginia.

Barbados.

The draughts of representations to his Majesty upon the draughts of instructions approved of for the Governors of Virginia and Barbados having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 12th instant, were agreed to, transcribed and signed.

New York.

Read the following letters and papers received from Sir William Johnson, agent for the affairs of the Six Nations of Indians and their confederates, viz.:—
Letter from Sir William Johnson to the Board, dated at Fort Johnson, the 18th of December, 1755, transmitting:—
Copy of General Shirley's letter to Major General Johnson, dated New York, December 17th, 1755.
Copy of General Shirley's Commission to Major General Johnson, 7th December, 1755.
Copy of General Shirley's instructions to Major General Johnson, dated the 10th of December, 1755.
Copy of a letter from Sir William Johnson to General Shirley, dated Fort Johnson, the 16th of December, 1755.
Letter from Sir William Johnson to the Board, dated New York, the 17th January, 1756, transmitting the following papers, viz.:—
A speech made by some Indians at Mount Johnson, the 28th December, 1755.
Copy of a letter from General Shirley to Major General Johnson, dated New York, December 24th, 1755.
General Shirley's additional instructions to Major General Johnson, dated December 24th, 1755.
Copy of a letter from Sir William Johnson to General Shirley, dated 5th January, 1756.
Copy of a letter from General Shirley to Sir William Johnson, dated New York, 4th January, 1756.
Copy of a letter from Sir William Johnson to General Shirley, dated New York, 5th January, 1756.
Some thought upon the British Indian interest in North America, more particularly as it relates to Northern Confederacy commonly called the Six Nations.

Thursday, March 18. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Talbot, Mr. Jenyns.

Jamaica.

The Secretary laid before the Board a copy of the minutes of the Assembly of Jamaica from the 23rd of September to the 23rd of October, 1755, with the prorogation of the said Assembly for one hour, prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 27th of February, and Mr. Oswald was desired to present them to the House of Commons pursuant to their address to his Majesty on the 23rd of January last.

Friday, March 19. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Talbot, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Rigby.

New York.

Their lordships took into consideration the letters and papers received from Sir William Johnson, Baronet, agent for the affairs of the Six United Nations of Indians, mentioned in the minutes of Tuesday last, and a letter to Sir Charles Hardy, Governor of New York, directing him to recommend to the Council and Assembly of that province to consider of a law for vacating the exorbitant grants of land commonly called the Kiyodirosseras, Conojohary and Oneida Carrying Place, was signed, and also a letter to Mr. Delancy, Chief Justice of that province, upon the same subject.

Tuesday, March 23. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Talbot, Mr. Jenyns.

Pennsylvania.

New Jersey.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council for Plantation Affairs, dated the 12th of February, 1756, referring to the consideration of this Board the petition of Cadwallader Evans, practitioner in physick and surgery, praying his Majesty will please to grant him, his heirs and assigns, all the Islands situate in the River and Bay of Delaware in America, and annex the same to either of the provinces of Pennsylvania or New Jersey.

Ordered, that the said order of reference and the petition thereunto annexed be taken into consideration on Thursday next.

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 two letters from the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa to the Governor and Council at Cape Coast Castle, and to the Governor and Council at James Fort in the river Gambia.

New York.

Read a letter from Sir Charles Hardy, Governor of New York, to the Board, dated Fort George, the 12th of January, 1756, transmitting the following public papers, viz.:—
Draught of the new battery erected in New York and of the fort there.
Minutes of Council from the 24th of December, 1754, to the 22nd of November, 1755, in two parts.
Journal of the proceedings of the Council in Assembly from the 4th of February, 1755, to the 11th of September following.
Printed notes of the Assembly from the 4th of February to the 23rd of December, 1755.
Naval Office lists of ships and vessels entered and cleared at New York between the 10th of October, 1754, and the 10th of October, 1755.
Twenty-two Acts passed at New York between February and September, 1755.

Ordered, that the said Acts be sent to Sir Mathew Lamb for his opinion thereon in point of law.

Wednesday, March 24. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Talbot, Mr. Jenyns.

Massachusets.

Read Sir Mathew Lamb's report upon twenty Acts passed in the Massachusets Bay between January and April, 1753.

Read Sir Mathew Lamb's report upon eleven Acts passed in the Massachusets Bay between the 9th and 19th of June, 1753.

Their Lordships took the said Acts into consideration and went through the same.

Ordered, that such other laws passed in the province of the Massachusets Bay as have been referred to this Board from the Committee of Council and reported upon by Sir Mathew Lamb be taken into consideration to-morrow morning.

Thursday, March 25. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Talbot, Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Rigby.

Massachusets.

Read Sir Mathew Lamb's report upon forty four Acts passed in the province of the Massachusets Bay between September, 1753, and June, 1754.

Their lordships took the said Acts into consideration and went through the same.

Ordered, that the draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee of Council upon the said laws, and also upon those mentioned in the minutes of yesterday, be prepared.

Ordered, that the draught of a letter to Mr. Shirley, Governor of the Massachusets Bay, containing the Board's observations upon several of the said laws be prepared.

Friday, March 26. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Fane, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Talbot, Mr. Jenyns.

Pennsylvania.

Read Sir Mathew Lamb's report upon seven Acts passed in the province of Pennsylvania in the year 1755.

Their lordships took the said laws into consideration and directed the Secretary to transmit a copy of the Act entitled, An Act for extending of so much of an Act of Parliament intitled an Act for punishing mutiny and desertion, and for the better payment of the Army and their quarters passed in the twenty-eight year of the present reign, as relates to the quartering and billeting of soldiers and payment of their quarters in that part of Great Britain called England to his Majesty's Attorney General for his opinion thereupon in point of law.

Tuesday, March 30. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Talbot, Mr. Jenyns.

New York.

Read the following letters and papers received from Sir Charles Hardy, Governor of New York, viz.:—
Letter from Sir Charles Hardy to Mr. Pownall, dated Fort George, the 22nd of February, 1756, in answer to two from him.
Letter from Sir Charles Hardy to the Board, dated Fort George, the 23rd of February, 1756, transmitting the following papers, viz.:—
Extract of a letter from Colonels Burton and Bradstreet to Major General Shirley, dated Albany, January 23rd, 1756.
Message from his Excellency, Sir Charles Hardy, to the General Assembly, the 27th January, 1756.
Resolves of the General Assembly of New York, dated 28th January, 1756.

New Jersey.

Read the following letters and papers received from Mr. Belcher, Governor of New Jersey, viz.:—
Letter from Mr. Belcher to Mr. Pownall, dated the 11th of February, 1756, in answer to one from him in November last.
Letter from Mr. Belcher to the Board, dated the 11th of February, 1756, transmitting the following public papers, viz.:—
Printed treaty with the Indians living in that province, dated in January, 1756.
Minutes of Council in December, 1755.
Journal of his Majesty's Council in General Assembly in December, 1755.
Printed Votes of the General Assembly in December, 1755.
An Act for making current ten thousand pounds in bills of credit, for making provision for the guard and defence of the frontiers of the province, passed in December, 1755.

Ordered, that the said Act be sent to Sir Mathew Lamb for his opinion thereon in point of law.