Journal, March 1749: Volume 57

Journal, March 1749

Thursday, March 2. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Grenville, Mr. Fane.

Massachusets.

New Hampshire.

Mr. Bollan, agent for the province of the Massachusets Bay, and Mr. Tomlinson, agent for the province of New Hampshire, attending, their lordships, pursuant to the minutes of Friday last, proceeded upon the affair relative to Fort Dummer; and Mr. Bollan laid before their lordships the following certificate of Josiah Willard, of services done at the said fort by the province of the Massachusets Bay, since the year 1744, viz.:—
Boston, November 19th, 1748.
This certifies that I, this deponent, by virtue of the Governors of the Massachusets' Commissions, have had the command of the fort called Fort Dummer for the space of seven years last past; and in the year 1744, the first year of the war, I was furnished with two swivel guns and four patararoes; in the year 1745 I received from the Commissary General, two cannon, four pounders each, and from the time of my command of the said fort, have been always furnished with suitable and sufficient quantities of small arms and of ammunition, both for small arms and cannon. And this deponent further saith that he received from the government of New Hampshire a sum of money for the pay and subsistence of twenty-five men raised by that government for the defence of five new towns in the neighbourhood of Fort Dummer, and within the said province of New Hampshire; that none of the said soldiers were stationed at Fort Dummer, but all of them were garrisoned in the new towns aforesaid, and were continued in that service about fourteen weeks, and then dismissed; and that excepting the above-mentioned soldiers, no other protection was ever given to any part of their frontiers lying on or near Connecticut River during the whole war, that I know of, except two scouts, which stopped there about three or four days each: that the soldiers first mentioned were put under the command of this deponent, but he never received anything from the said government of New Hampshire for his own service.
Josiah Willard,
Boston, 23rd November, 1748.
Suffolk.
Sworne to, before me, Thomas Hubbard. J. Pacis.
Copy examined by J. Willard, Secretary.
He likewise laid before their lordships an account certified by Mr. Shirley, under the seal of the province of the Massachusets Bay, of the expense of the said province in garrisoning Fort Dummer, from November, 1744, to 1747, amounting to £5922 0s. 10d., new tenor; he also represented that this fort was of great security to the exposed part of New Hampshire, being situated upon Connecticut River, so as to defend their frontiers against the incursions of the Indians, who come down by that river, which is of great extent, and its head out far distant from another river, which falls into the River St. Lawrence; therefore the removing it within their government, which he alledged was impracticable, would be rendering it useless.

Massachusets.

New Hampshire.

Mr. Tomlinson said, that the province of New Hampshire had, in consequence of his Majesty's order, made a provision for garrisoning Fort Dummer, and that as to what was alledged by Mr. Bollan that such a provision was not a proper one, and the number and pay of the troops insufficient, he apprehended the same was sufficient; and that it appeared from the account of the charge of the province of the Massachusets Bay, that they had kept no more than twenty men in the fort during the heat of the war; and that as to the pay of the men, it was sufficient, considering that the persons, who were to be employed in garrisoning the said fort, were the inhabitants of the circumjacent towns, and might, when not in actual duty, carry on their own business of farming, etc. That it likewise appeared from the certificate of Colonel Willard, produced by Mr. Bollan, that he had received a sum of money from the province of New Hampshire, on account of the garrison of said fort, besides which the province of New Hampshire had been at great expence in providing for the security of the said frontiers, particularly at the following places, viz.:—

That those were the places on which attacks were made, and that Fort Dummer cannot be of any service to New Hampshire.

Then the agents being directed to withdraw, their lordships agreed further to consider of this affair to-morrow morning.

Friday, March 3. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane.

Massachusets.

New Hampshire.

Mr. Bollan, agent of the province of the Massachusets Bay, and Mr. Tomlinson, agent for the province of New Hampshire, attending, Mr. Bollan further set forth that great utility of Fort Dummer, and the situation thereof, with respect to the security of his Majesty's dominions in those parts, as also the great expence the province of the Massachusets Bay had been at, in providing for the preservation of the said fort and the settlements beyond the line, since his Majesty's determination of the said line, which expence, he said, it was incumbent upon New Hampshire to have borne; he likewise said that the province of the Massachusets Bay never kept less than fifty men in Fort Dummer, including the Canada troops, sent thither by Mr. Shirley, which were not brought into the account laid before the Board: That the province of the Massachusets Bay was likewise chargeable with the expence of many other forts, by means whereof they secured both Rhode Island and Connecticut.

Mr. Tomlinson acquainting their lordships that he had nothing further to offer, the agents were directed to withdraw; and the draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee of Council upon this affair was ordered to be prepared.

Saturday, March 4. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Leveson Gower, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane.

Virginia.

The draught of a letter to Sir William Gooch, Baronet, Lieut.Governor of Virginia, having been transcribed, pursuant to the minutes of the 3rd of February last, was laid before the Board and signed.

Miscellanies.

The Secretary laid before the Board an account of the incidental charges of this office, from Lady Day, 1748, to Midsummer following, amounting to three hundred, eighteen pounds, ten shillings and five pence, 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, was agreed to and signed.

Nova Scotia.

The Earl of Halifax communicated to the Board a proposal which he had laid before his Majesty, and had been approved of by him, for the establishing a civil government in the province of Nova Scotia, and settling three thousand protestant subjects within the same.

Tuesday, March 7. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Sir Thomas Robinson.

Nova Scotia.

Read a letter from his Grace the Duke of Bedford, one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, dated the 6th instant, inclosing a proposal submitted to his Majesty by the Earl of Halifax, for establishing a civil government, and settling protestant subjects in the province of Nova Scotia, and signifying his Majesty's commands that this Board do publish an advertisement in the Gazette, conformable to the said proposal; and the draught of an advertisement having been prepared, was laid before the Board, agreed to and ordered to be inscribed in the London Gazette and other daily and evening publick papers, and that copies thereof should be printed separately and transmitted to the Secretaries of the Customs and Post Office, in order to be dispersed in the several ports and other great towns in England.

Thursday, March 16. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Leveson Gower, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin.

Nova Scotia.

The Board having been informed that a doubt had arisen, whether such of the reduced officers as have been dismissed the sea service, and are willing to accept of the encouragement offered by his Majesty for the settlement of Nova Scotia, would, by residing in that province, be entitled to their half pay, pursuant to his Majesty's Order in Council thereupon; and that several of the said officers were thereby discouraged from engaging in this undertaking; their lordships ordered the draught of a letter to his Grace the Duke of Bedford to be prepared, to acquaint him therewith, and to desire him to pursue such measures as he should think proper for removing such doubt; and the draught of the said letter having been prepared, was laid before the Board, agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Friday, March 17. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Leveson Gower, Mr. Grenville, Mr. Fane, Sir Thomas Robinson.

Massachusets.

Read a letter from Mr. Shirley, Governor of the Massachusets Bay, to the Board, dated the 31st of January, 1748–9, inclosing the copy of an Act, passed in that province the 26th of the said month, for drawing in the Bills of Credit of that Province, and containing his observations thereupon.

Tuesday, March 21. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Leveson Gower, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane, Sir Thomas Robinson.

Barbados.

Mr. John Sharpe, agent for the Island of Barbados, attending, laid before the Board the copy of a letter which he had received from Mr. Grenville, Governor of Barbados, dated the 26th of January last, as also of one from a committee of correspondence there, dated the 25th January, 1748–9, with extracts of the minutes of Council of that Island of the 26th of October, 1748, relating to a settlement made by the French upon the Island of Tobago; and being withdrawn, their lordships ordered the draught of a letter to his Grace the Duke of Bedford to be prepared, for inclosing copies of the said papers, and to represent the evil consequence that would attend the said settlement; and the draught of the said letter having been accordingly prepared, was laid before the Board, agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Wednesday, March 22. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Leveson Gower, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane, Sir Thomas Robinson.

Nova Scotia.

Read a letter from Mr. West, Secretary to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, dated the 21st instant, referring a memorial of Chauncy Townshend, of London, merchant, containing proposals for subsisting 3000 persons intended to be settled in Nova Scotia for twelve months, and desiring the opinion of this Board as to the proportions of provisions proposed by the said memorial, and the covenants proper to be made upon this occasion.

Mr. Chauncy Townshend, attending, was called in, and their lordships having taken the said memorial into consideration, Mr. Townshend informed their lordships that what he proposed was at the lowest rate he could afford; and his proposals having been compared with the two former contracts made by him with the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury in 1744, for supplying the garrisons of Rattan and Annapolis Royal, appeared to be at a lower rate.

Then the following propositions were made and agreed to by Mr. Townshend, viz.:
That he be obliged to send six months' provisions from Great Britain or Ireland, to be shipped before the 1st day of May next, as also three months in like manner, to be shipped off within a reasonable time, so that they may arrive there before the Fall, for the supply of the winter months, the said provisions to be delivered at the respective places where the settlements are to be made, in such manner as the Governor shall direct, and deliver free of all charges to the commanding officer of each settlement.
That he shall not send any further quantities until he receives orders for that purpose, upon notice given by the Governor of the number of persons settled; and Mr. Townshend being withdrawn, their lordships agreed further to consider the said proposals to-morrow morning.

Thursday, March 23. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Horatio Walpole, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Leveson Gower, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane, Sir Thomas Robinson.

Nova Scotia.

Their lordships, pursuant to the preceding minutes, took into further consideration the proposals mentioned in the said minutes, and Mr. Chauncy Townshend, attending, was called in, and the following propositions were made and agreed to by him, viz.:—
That he do take particular care that the provisions he shall furnish be of the best sort.
That the provision should be searched and visited by the Governor or commander in chief, and if any shall be found to be not good, that the Governor may furnish himself with an equal quantity of good from any other persons and draw upon him for the cost.
That the Governor shall, if he sees convenient, take up live stock for the use of the settlers, and deduction be made out of the last three months to be provided by Mr. Townshend for the cost, notice thereof being given.
That Mr. Townshend shall be paid, according to the certificates given by the Governor of the number settled, and that if there shall be any surplusage of provisions, Mr. Townshend do impower the Governor to dispose of them upon his account.
That if more than 3000 are settled, he shall give credit for the supply.

Mr. Kilby, appointed agent for the affairs of Nova Scotia, attending, their lordships delivered to him a copy of Mr. Townshend's proposals, and directed him to make the best enquiry, whether the same was at as low a rate as could be afforded; and at the same time ordered the Secretary to write to Sir Peter Warren to desire his attendance at the Board tomorrow morning, for his opinion thereupon.

Friday, March 24. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Leveson Gower, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane, Sir Thomas Robinson.

Nova Scotia.

Sir Peter Warren, attending, as had been desired, their lordships desired his opinion concerning the reasonableness of the proposals laid before the Treasury by Mr. Townshend, and the proportions of the provisions therein mentioned; whereupon he acquainted the Board, that in his opinion the proposals were as reasonable as could be made, that with respect to the proportions, he was of opinion the quantity of vinegar might be lessened to one half, and instead thereof a sufficient quantity of oatmeal provided, to be distributed amongst the settlers, as they shall have occasion for it, at the discretion of the Governor.

Nova Scotia.

Mr. Kilby, appointed agent for transacting the affairs relative to Nova Scotia, attending, acquainted their lordships that Mr. Farer, contractor for the ships at Louisbourg, was of opinion that it will be impossible to issue the quantity of provisions proposed by Mr. Townshend under sixpence, if to be sent from Ireland and other places to the best advantage to himself, and gave it as a reason why he could not supply them cheaper; that provisions were by all accounts very dear in America, insomuch that he shall sell the provisions that will be left upon his hands at Louisbourg at an advanced profit, and that he shewed him his particular calculations and his advices from a correspondent at Louisbourg.

Their Lordships being of opinion that it was necessary that bedding should be provided for the 3000 persons included to be settled in Nova Scotia, and that the transports should be forthwith fitted up for their reception, as also that Sutton's Air Pipes should be furnished for them, ordered the draught of a letter to his Grace the Duke of Bedford to be prepared, to desire he will give immediate directions to the Lords of the Admiralty to send orders to the Navy Board for these purposes, and the said draught, having been prepared, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Ordered that Mr. Kilby do attend the Admiralty and Navy, and to see that no time is lost in fitting up the transports, and that for that purpose he employ such a person as understands the service, and upon whom he can depend to give him exact accounts from day to day how that business goes on.

He is likewise ordered to go to Mr. Verelst, to discourse with him, and also inspect the books of the Georgia Trustees as to their proceedings, with regard to their sending out the first settlers to that Colony, and to bring such extracts from their books, as he shall judge necessary, for the information of the Board.

Saturday, March 25. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Horatio Walpole, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Leveson Gower, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane.

Nova Scotia.

Mr. Hardman, of Liverpool, attending, communicated to their lordships a letter, which he had received from the Mayor of that place, acquainting him that a great number of persons were desirous of accepting the encouragement offered by his Majesty for the settlement of Nova Scotia, if a vessel might be permitted to sail from that town; the Solicitor and Clerk of the Reports likewise laid before their lordships a letter from the said Mayor to him to the same effect; whereupon their lordships desired Mr. Hardman would acquaint the said Mayor, that upon his transmitting an account of what number of such persons he apprehended might be transported from thence, their lordships should be enabled to determine what measure it might be proper to pursue for that purpose, and the Solicitor was likewise directed to write to the Mayor to the same effect.

Mr. Kilby, agent for the affairs of Nova Scotia, attending, informed their lordships that one of the six transports, already taken up by the government for bringing the troops from Louisbourg, of 400 tons, and now intended for transporting the settlers to Nova Scotia, had taken in Ordnance stores and goods of private persons to the full amount of her lading, and it appearing to their lordships that as the rest of the said transports were under the same contract, the like inconveniences were to be apprehended, which might defeat the service; the Secretary was directed to write to Mr. Clevland, Secretary to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, to desire him to acquaint their Lordships therewith, and to desire they would give the necessary directions for securing the full tonnage for such a number of the settlers, as were intended to be embarked on board the said ships.

Monday, March 27. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Fane, Sir Thomas Robinson.

Virginia.

Jamaica.

Read Mr. Lamb's report upon an Act, passed in the colony of Virginia, in March, 1746, for docking the Entail of certain Lands in the County of Gloucester, late the Estate of John Smith, and vesting the same in Trustees to be sold, and the Money arising therefrom to be laid out in Slaves, to be settled to the same Uses; as also his report upon an Act, passed in the Island of Jamaica, in May, 1747, to intitle Mary Augier of the Parish of Kingston in the said Island, Single Woman, and William, Elizabeth, Jane and Eleanor Augier, her Son and Daughters, and Jacob and Elizabeth Augier, her Brother and Sister, and John Augier, Son of the said Elizabeth, the Sister of the said Mary, all free Mullatoes, to the same Rights and Priviledges with English Subjects born of white Parents; and the Secretary having acquainted their lordships that the parties concerned had desired their lordships would lay the said Acts before his Majesty for his approbation, and no objection appearing against the same, the draughts of representations to his Majesty, proposing the confirmation of the said Acts, were ordered to be prepared, and the said draughts having been accordingly prepared, were laid before the Board, agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Tuesday, March 28. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Leveson Gower, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane, Sir Thomas Robinson.

Nova Scotia.

The Solicitor and Clerk of the Reports laid before the Board the following proposals drawn up by him, agreed to by Mr. Townshend, for the subsisting such persons, as his Majesty hath given directions for settling in Nova Scotia, viz.:—
Mr. Townshend proposes to supply the settlers in Nova Scotia, reckoning them to consist of 3000 persons, with good, sound, wholesome provisions from Great Britain or some other of his Majesty's Dominions, of the kinds and proportions or liens hereafter mentioned, that is to say, for each person victualled for seven days, and so for every seven days for twelve months, to be reckoned from the time of their arrival in that province, five pounds weight of bread, or flour, three pound weight of beef, two pound pork, a quarter of a pound of butter, one pint of pease, a quarter of a pint of vinegar, a quarter of a pint of oatmeal; and that the said contractor shall be paid four pence per day for each of the said three thousand persons, as also three pence hafpenny per week for a further allowance of half a pint of rum and half a pint of molassies to each of the said persons.
That he will, on or before the 1st day of May, ship off from Great Britain or Ireland, six months' provisions for the?said settlers, as also three months in like manner, on or before the 1st of August next, the said provisions to be sent directly to the harbour of Cheboucto, to be disposed of in such manner and delivered at such places and to such persons free of all charges, as the Commander in Chief of the said province, for the time being, shall direct, and that the said Governor or Commander in Chief, for the time being, shall give receipts to the said contractor or his agent, for such quantities of said provisions, as shall be delivered, subject to the regulations hereafter mentioned.
That the said Governor or Commander in Chief shall visit and search, or cause to be visited and searched by persons, to be by him appointed, the said provisions, and if any shall be found to be not good, that the contractor, or his agent, shall provide an equal quantity of good, and in default thereof, the said Governor or Commander in Chief shall be at liberty to purchase the same from any other person or persons, and draw bills upon the said contractor for the cost thereof.
That if the Governor shall think proper to purchase live stock for the use of the settlers, he shall be at liberty so to do, drawing bills upon the contractor for the cost thereof, and to give the same in lieu of such quantity of beef and pork, as they would otherwise be supplied with, out of the last three months' provisions to be furnished by Mr. Townshend, the remainder of the said three months contracted for to be delivered as early as possible in the next spring.
That eight thousand pounds shall be advanced to the contractor by way of imprest upon the whole, and the remainder of the contract to be paid to him, in proportion to the number of persons victualled, upon his producing certificates thereof, to be given monthly, and to be signed by the Governor in due form, specifying the number actually victualled within the said month; and if there shall remain any surplusage of provisions, the same to be delivered over to the contractor, or his agent, upon the contractor's account, who is to be paid upon the terms of the present contract for such number only, as shall be certified to be actually victualled from time to time, whether it be more or less than the said three thousand persons.
That the risque of the seas, pyrates and enemies shall be borne by his Majesty.

Ordered that the draught of a letter to the Right Honourable the Lords Commissioners of his Majesty's Treasury be prepared, conformable to the said proposals, in answer to Mr. West's letter, dated the 21st instant.

Mr. Kilby attending, acquainted their lordships that he attended the Navy Office at twelve o'clock yesterday, and enquired of the Secretary whether a letter was come down from the Admiralty respecting the transports for Nova Scotia, and their being provided with Sutton's pipes, and that he was told the letter wasnot come, but that Mr. Sutton was attending, and the Board were going to treat for transports immediately: That about one o'clock he was informed the letter from the Admiralty was come to the office, and by that time many persons were attending to offer their ships, that he waited till the Board broke up, which was after three, and was then told by the Secretary, Mr. Burley, that the Board had taken but few ships; and on enquiry from the masters attending the office, found there were only three ships agreed for at ten shillings and six pence a ton a month, the other persons all insisting upon twelve; but Captain Dewer, whose ship of 370 tons is lay'd in at the Board, and intended for Gibraltar, (though out of the dock but on Saturday last), was desirous of altering his voyage, and being put into the Nova Scotia service, on the terms the Board offer: that he was informed that the Board had sent orders to one of the transports, which had been taken up to go to Louisbourg, and had fallen down the river with goods on board, to come back immediately, and unload: that he enquired what return he should make to this Board respecting the letter from the Admiralty, and was told, the return of the Board would be made in course to the Admiralty, where he this day enquired at three o'clock, when no letter was received at that office.

Trade.

Ordered that the Secretary do write to Mr. Wood, Secretary to the Commissioners of the Customs, to desire him to move them for the undermentioned accounts to be laid before this Board, as soon as possible, viz.:—
An account of the quantity of linen cloth exported, from Lady Day, 1743, to Lady Day, 1748, inclusive, upon which the bounties given by two several Acts of the 15 and 16 and of 18th of his present Majesty's reign, have been paid, distinguishing the quantity exported each year, and what part thereof is British, what Irish.
An account of the foreign linen of the value of 1s. 6d. per yard and under, re-exported, from Lady Day, 1738, to Lady Day, 1748, for that part of Great Britain called England, distinguishing the quantities re-exported each year.

Thursday, March 30. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Leveson Gower, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane, Sir Thomas Robinson.

Nova Scotia.

Mr. Clevland, Secretary to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, attending, communicated to the Board two letters from the Commissioners of the Navy to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, in answer to one from the Board, relating to the taking up transports for carrying over the persons intended to be settled in Nova Scotia, and furnishing the said transports with Sutton's pipes, and the said transports taking in ordnance stores and goods of private persons, and signifying to their lordships that they should obey their commands as to the taking up the transports; and that as to the intimation concerning one of the transports having taken goods on board, and the contracts for the rest being conceived in such terms as to leave them open to the same inconvenience, they had sent for that transport back from Deptford, where she had fallen down, in order to sail, and had reprimanded the captain for sailing without their orders, and that they did not apprehend the contracts they had made were open to any such inconvenience; that as to Mr. Sutton's pipes, they had sent for Mr. Sutton and taken his opinion, who informed them, he could not fix them up in less than three weeks, and that the expense would be £30 for each ship, and £35 if with the furnace, and therefore submitted whether proper to incur so large an expense.

Their lordships, after some time spent in the consideration thereof, desired Mr. Clevland would move the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to give directions for fixing the said pipes, which he promised to do, and also to procure a copy of the contract made by the Commissioners of the Navy for the said transports.

Mr. Bevan, apothecary and chymist, attending, made proposals to their lordships for supplying the settlers intended to be sent to Nova Scotia with medecines, and was acquainted by the Board that they would write to Mr. Kilby, their agent, and direct him to acquaint him with the number and nature of the settlement, and talk with him concerning the quantity and quality of medecines that might be necessary.

Major Lockman attending, who had been recommended to their lordships as a proper person to be employed as surgeon and physician to the intended settlement in Nova Scotia, acquainted their lordships that he had been bred a surgeon, and was surgeon to his Majesty's Guards at Hanover, had likewise been surgeon at an hospital in Mecklenburgh, and Inspector General of Health at Barbados in 1723 and 1724; whereupon their lordships directed him to bring such persons, as might give their lordships further satisfaction of his being duly qualified, which he promised to do.

Ordered that the Secretary do write to Mr. Middleton, Surgeon General to the Army abroad, to desire his attendance at the Board to-morrow morning, for his opinion as to what measures are proper to be taken for preserving the health of the said settlers in Nova Scotia.

Friday, March 31. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Grenville, Sir Thomas Robinson.

Nova Scotia.

Mr. Middleton, Surgeon General of his Majesty's Forces, attending, as had been desired, their lordships had some conversation with him relating to the best means of preserving the health of persons, intended to be settled in Nova Scotia, and the appointment of proper persons to be apothecaries and surgeons there; and he having proposed to their lordships to consult with Dr. Wilmot, Physician General, and Mr. Garnier, Apothecary General, thereupon, their lordships ordered the Secretary to write to Dr. Wilmot and Mr. Garnier to desire they would appoint a meeting, and favour their lordships with their opinion upon this occasion.