Second Parliament of George II: Fourth session (6 of 9, begins 15/3/1738)

March 15. Mr. Comptroller presented to the House, pursuant to their Address to his Majesty, Copies, and Extracts of the several Petitions, Representations, Memorials, and all other Papers relating to the Spanish Depredations upon the British Subjects, which have been presented to his Majesty, or delivered to either of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, since Midsummer last, together with Copies or Extracts of such Memorials or Representations, as have been made either to the King of Spain, or his Ministers, and of the Letters written to his Majesty's Minister at Madrid, relating to the said Depredations; as also, (by his Majesty's Command.)

Copies and Extracts of Letters from his Majesty's Minister at Madrid, and from the King of Spain's Ministers, to him in answer to Letters wrote by one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State to the said Minister, and to the Representations made by him to the Ministers of Spain, relating to the said Depredations; together with a List of the said Papers.

And the said List was read, and was as followeth:

Extract of a Letter from Mr. Keene to the Duke of Newcastle, Segovia, Aug. 22, O. S. Sept. 2, N. S. 1737; inclosing,

Copy of a Letter from Mr. Keene to Mons. de la Quadra, Aug. 17, O. S. 28, N.S. 1737; and Translation.

Copy of a Letter from the Duke of Newcastle to Mr. Keene, Sept. 12, 1737; inclosing,

Copy of a Letter from the Board of Trade to the Duke of Newcastle, Aug. 31, 1737; inclosing,

Extract of a Letter from Governor Matthew to the Board of Trade, June 14, 1737.

Extract of a Letter from Governor Matthew to the Secretary of the Board of Trade, July 18, 1737; inclosing.

Copy of the Affidavit of John Harris senior taken before Governor Mathew, July 11th, 1737.

Extract of a Letter from the Duke of Newcastle to Mr. Keene, Oct. 3d, 1737; inclosing,

Extract of a Letter from the President of the Council at Jamaica to the Duke of Newcastle, July 13th 1737; inclosing,

Copy of the Deposition of John Curtis, Commander of the Ship St. James of Bristol, and of the Boatswain and Sailors belonging to the said Ship.

Copy of a Letter from Mr. Keene to the Duke of Newcastle, Madrid, Oct. N.S. 3. O. S. 14. 1737; inclosing,

Copy of a Letter from Mr. Keene to Mons. de la Quadra, Sept. 29, O.S. Oct. 10. N. S. 1737, and Translation.

Copy of a Letter from Mr. Keene to Mons. de la Quadra. St. Ildefonso, Sept. 28, O. S. Oct. 9. N. S. 1737, and Translation.

Copy of a Letter from Mr. Keene to the Duke of Newcastle, Madrid, Oct. 10. O. S. N.S. 21, 1737; inclosing,

Copy of a Letter from Mr. Keene to the Marquiss de Mar, Oct, 6, O S. 17. N. S. 1737, and Translation.

Copy of a Memorial stating the Case of the three Ships, the Restitution of which Mr. Keene demanded by his Officers of Sept. 28, 29, OS, Oct. 9, & 10, N.S. 1737, and Translation.

Copy of a Letter from the Duke of Newcastle to Mr. Keene, Nov. 4th 1737, inclosing,

Copy of a Petition of the Merchants and Planters, in behalf of themselves and others, trading to and interested in the British Colonies in America.

Draught of a Memorial to be presented by Mr. Keene to the King of Spain, and Translation.

Copy of a short State of the Capture of the Ship St. James, with the Proofs annexed, taken 12 May 1737.

Copy of a short State of the Capture of the Ship Prince William, with the Proofs annexed, taken the 24th of March 1736-7.

Copy of a short State of the Capture of the George Brigantine, with the Proofs annexed, taken the 21st of May 1737,

Copy of a short State of the Capture of two British Ships; 1st, The Loyal Charles; 2d, The Dispatch, taken in July or August, 1737, with the Proofs annexed.

Copy of a short State of the boarding and plundering, 1st, The Snow Neptune; 2d, the Prince William; 3dly, A New-England Brigantine; on the 12th of July 1737, with the Proofs annexed.

Copy of a short State of the Attack of the Sloop Cæsar July 1st, 1737, with the Proofs annexed.

Copy of a short State of the boarding and plundering the Ship Sea-Horse, William Griffith Master, on the 18th or 19th of August 1737, with the Proofs annexed.

Copy of a short State of the Captures of the Brigantine Two Sisters, Brigantine Hopewell, and two other Ships, Part of the Salt Fleet, taken 14 March 1732-3, with the Proofs annexed.

Copy of a short State of the Captures of the six following Ships; the Sloop Endeavour, the Bermuda Sloop, the Sloop of Anguilla, a Sloop of Antigua, a Sloop of St. Christopher's, the Friend's Adventure, all taken in February 1734-5; and of three more Ships, which were attacked at the same Time, but escaped, with the Proofs annexed.

Copy of a short State of the Captures of the Sloop Thomas and the Prince William; Sloop Thomas taken 28 March 1734; Sloop Prince William taken 9th September 1731, with Proofs annexed.

Copy of a short State of the Ship Richmond, taken April 14th, 1730, with the Proofs annexed.

Copy of a short State of the Capture of the Ship Pheasant, taken January 13, 1728-9.

Copy of the Petition of Edmund Sanders, Henry Tongue, and Richard Farr, of Bristol, Merchants, in behalf of themselves, Henry Lloyd, deceased, the Insurers, Master, and Mariners of the Ship Robert Galley, taken 12 May 1729.

Copy of the Affidavit of James Wimble concerning his Losses by the Spaniards, October 14, 1737.

Copy of the Affidavit of Murray Crymble, October 31, 1737.

Translation of a Letter from the Governor of Porto Rico to General Matthews, Governor of the Leeward-Islands, Sept. 4, O. S. 15, N. S. 1734.

Extract of a Letter from Mr. Keene to the Duke of Newcastle, Escurial, Oct. 17. O. S. 28, N. S. 1737, inclosing,

Copy of a Letter from Mons. de la Quadra to Mr. Keene, Oct. 9, O. S. 20, N. S. 1737, and Translation.

Copy of a Letter from Mons de la Quadra to Mr. Keene, Oct. 9, O. S. 20, N. S. 1737, and Translation.

Extract of a Letter from Mr. Keene to the Duke of Newcastle. Escurial, Oct. 24, O. S. Nov. 4, N. S. 1737; inclosing,

Copy of a Letter from Mr. Keene to Mons. de la Quadra, Oct. 19, O. S. 30, N. S. 1737, and Translation.

Extract of a Letter from Mr. Keene to the Duke of Newcastle, Escurial, Oct. 31, O S. Nov. 11, N. S. 1737; inclosing,

Copy of a Letter from Mr. Keene to Mons. de la Quadra, Oct. 28, O. S. Nov. 8, N. S. 1737, and Translation.

Extract of a Letter from the Duke of Newcastle to Mr. Keene, Nov. 24, 1737.

Extract of a Letter from Mr. Keene to the Duke of Newcastle, Escurial, Nov. 7, O. S, 18, N. S. 1737.

Extract of a Letter from Mr. Keene to the Duke of Newcastle, Escurial, Nov. 14, O. S. 25, N. S. 1737.

Extract of a Letter from Mr. Keene to the Duke of Newcastle. Madrid, Nov. 21, O. S. Dec. 2, N. S. 1737; inclosing,

Copy of a Letter from Mr. Keene to Mons. de la Quadra, Nov. 19. O. S. 30, N. S. 1737, and Translation.

Copy of a Letter from Mons. de la Quadra, Nov. 19, O. S. 30, N.S. 1737, and Translation.

Copy of a Letter from Mr. Keene to the Duke of Newcastle. Madrid, Dec. 2, O. S. 13, N. S. 1737; inclosing,

Copy of a Memorial accompanying the Proofs and Documents presented to Mons. de la Quadra, relating to the Depredations in America, Nov. 29, O. S. Dec. 10, N. S. 1737, and Translation.

Copy of a Letter from Mons. de la Quadra to Mr. Keene, Nov. 22, O. S. Dec. 3, N. S. 1737, and Translation.

Copy of a Letter from Mr. Keene to Mons. de la Quadra, Nov. 26, O. S. Dec. 7, N. S. 1737, and Translation.

Copy of a Letter from Mons. de la Quadra to Mr. Keene, Nov. 29, O. S. Dec. 19, N. S. 1737. and Translation.

Extract of a Letter from the Duke of Newcastle, to Mr. Keene, Dec. 10, 1737.

Extract of a Letter from Mr. Keene to the Duke of Newcastle, Madrid, Dec. 12, O. S. 23, O. S. 1737; inclosing,

Copy of a Letter from Mons. de la Quadra to Mr. Keene, Dec. 8, O. S. 19, N. S. 1737, and Translation.

Extract of a Letter from the Duke of Newcastle to Mr. Keene, Jan. 7, 1737-8.

Received Jan. 9, 1737-8, from Don Thomas Gernaldino.

Copy of a Letter from the Marquis de Torre Nueva to the Governor and Captian General of the Island of Cuba and City of the Havanna, Decem. 7, O. S. 18, N. S. 1737, and Translation; inclosing,

Copy of the Declaration signed by the British and Spanish Ministers Jan. 28, O. S. Feb. 8, N.S. 1731-2, and Translation.

Copy of a Letter from the Marquis de Torre Nueva to the Governor of Porto Rico, Decem. 7, O. S. 18. N. S. 1737, and Translation.

Copy of the King of Spain's Cedula for the Restitution of the St. James, John Curtis Master, directed to the Governor of Porto Rico, Decem. 9, O. S. 20, N. S. 1737, and Translation.

Extract of a Letter from Mr. Keene to the Duke of Newcastle, Decem. 26, O. S. Jan. 6. N. S. 1737-8.

Extract of a Letter from the Duke of Newcastle to Mr. Keene, Jan. 26, 1737-8.

Extract of a Letter from Mr. Keene to the Duke of Newcastle, Jan. 9, O. S. 20. N. S. 1737-8.

Copy of a Letter from the Duke of Newcastle, to Mr. Keene, Feb. 2, 1737-8; inclosing,

Copy of Captain Way's Letter to Messleurs Drake, Pennant and Long, Havanna, Aug. 14, O. S. 26, N. S. 1737.

Extract of a Letter from Mr. Keene to the Duke of Newcastle, Madrid, Jan. 16, O. S. 27, N. S. 1737-8.

Copy of a Memorial of the Merchants interested in and trading to His Majesty's Colonies and Plantations in America, received Feb. 9, 1737-8.

Extract of a Letter from Mr. Keene to the Duke of Newcastle, Madrid, Jan 23, O. S. Feb. 3, N. S. 1737-8.

Extract of a Letter from Consul Caley to the Duke of Newcastle, Cadiz, Jan. 17, O. S. 28, N. S. 1737-8.

Copy of a Letter from Captain Philip—to Peter De la Mont, in London, dated Aug. 11, 1737.

Extract of a Letter from the Duke of Newcastle to Mr. Keene, Mar. 2d, & 3d, 1737-8; inclosing,

Copy of a Letter from Francis Musgrave, Jan. 22d, 1737-8.

Copy of a Letter from John Peutron to Mr. John Lucas. Cadiz, Feb, 1st, 1737-8.

Copy of a Letter from Luke Jefferson, Cadiz, Feb. 6th, 1737-8

Extract of a Letter from Mr. Keene to the Duke of Newcastle, Feb. 12, O. S. 23, N. S. inclosing

Copy of Letter from Mr. Keene to Mons. de la Quadra, Feb. 7, O. S. 18, N. S. 1737-8, and Translation.

Copy of a Letter from Keene to the Duke of Newcastle, Feb. 20, O. S. Mar. 3, N. S. 1737-8; inclosing,

Copy of a Letter from M. de la Quadra, Feb. 17. O. S. 28. N.S. 1737-8; and Translation.

Ordered, That the said Papers do lie upon Table, to be perused by the Members of the House.

Petition of the Owners of the Mary Snow.

March 16. A Petition of Bryan Blundel, Henry Trafford, Edward Trafford, John Hughes, and James Bromfield, Merchants, on behalf of themselves, and Captain William Benson now at Sea, Owners of the Mary Snow of Liverpoole, Burthen Ninety Tons, whereof the said William Benson was Commander, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, that on the 8th of October 1730, (which was about two Years after the Pacification between the Crowns of Great-Britain and Spain was actually agreed upon, and likewise notified to their respective Governments in the West-Indies) the said Ship, as she was proceeding on her Voyage with Provisions and other Merchandize on Board, from Cork to Jamaica, was taken, Twenty Leagues distant from any of the Spanish Dominions in the West-Indies, by a Spanish Guarda la Costa, contrary, as the Petitioners presume, to the Laws of Nations, and the Treaties subsisting between the two Crowns; and and that the said Captain Benson and his Ship's Crew being stript of the said Ship and Cargo, to the Value of 3748 l. 18 s. 6 d. Jamaica Money, and also of one Copper Still, and Three Boxes of Medicines, which cost 36 l. 14 s. 11 d. Sterling Money, besides Interest thereof for upwards of seven Years, the said Captain Benson and his Ship's Crew were turned into their Long-boat, and left to the Mercy of the Waves to shift for themselves, and the said Ship and Cargo were carried into Porto Rico; and that the said William Benson soon after landing at St. Christopher's, went thence immediately to Jaimaca, and in behalf of himself and the Petititioners, applied to Admiral Stewart, who was then Commander in chief of His Majesty's Ships of War then stationed there, for Relief, who sent his Majesty's Ship the Experiment, Captain Henry Reddish Commander, with the said William Benson on Board, to Porto Rico, in order to demand the Restitution of the said Ship and Cargo; and that accordingly the said Captain Reddish, upon his Arrival there, sent a Letter, dated the 31st of January 1730, O. S. unto the Governor of Porto Rico, demanding Restitution of the said Ship and Cargo, and setting forth the Illegality of the said Capture; and that the said Governor gave an immediate, though evasive, Answer to the same; whereupon the said Captain Reddish wrote another Letter, dated the 1st of February 1730, O. S. in much stronger Terms, and therein inclosed the Copy of the declaratory Sentence of the Judge of his Majesty's Vice-Admiralty Court of Jamaica, relating to the Capture of the said Ship and Cargo; and referring to a Copy of such Letters and declaratory Sentence annexed to the said Petition; and farther setting forth, that notwithstanding the said William Benson had the Mortification to see the said Ship at Porto Rico aforesaid, and was ready to prove the Capture illegal, and although the said Captain Reddish made such Demand, as aforementioned, yet the Petitioners or the said William Benson could never regain the said Ship or Cargo, or any Part thereof, or procure any Manner of Satisfaction for the same; and farther setting forth, that afterwards, viz. the same Year 1730, the Petitioners made Application to this House, in order to be redressed in, the Premisses, and the Mate and Carpenter of the said Ship were examined at the Bar of this House, and thereupon several Papers were produced, and as they have been informed, left in the Custody of this House, fully proving the Illegality of the said Capture; but although his Majesty was thereupon graciously pleased to use his Royal Endeavours to procure Satisfaction at the Court of Spain for the Petitioners great Loss, yet the same have hitherto proved altogether ineffectual; and that the Petitioners, observing that there have been several Petitions of the like Nature presented to this House, thought it not improper to crave again the Aid and Assistance of the House, in this unfortunate Affair; and therefore praying, that this House would be pleased to take the Premisses into farther Consideration, and grant such Relief therein, as to the House shall seem meet.

'And the Copy of the Letters and declaratory Sentence referred to in the said Petition, and annexed to the same, being read:

Sir Charles Wagers.

Ordered, That the said Petition be referred to the Consideration of the Committee of the whole House, to whom the Petition of divers Merchants, Planters, and others, trading to and interested in the British Plantations in America, on behalf of themselves and many others, is referred.

Referred to the Committee.

Sir Charles Wager presented to the House (pursuant to their Address to his Majesty Copy of a Letter from Captain Dent, Commander in chief of his Majesty's Ships at Jaimaca, dated the 10th December 1735, to Mr. Burchett; inclosing the

Translation of a Letter from the Governor of Cuba, dated the 14th of December 1735, to Captain Durett of a Guarda Costa; and also,

Copy of an Order to Captain Dent, Commander in Chief of his Majesty's Ships at Jamaica, dated the 26th of March 1736; and also,

Extract of a Letter from Captain Dent, Commander in chief of his Majesty's Ships at Jamaica, dated the 22d of November, 1736; and also,

Copy of a Letter from the Secretary of the South-Sea Company to Mr. Burchett, dated the 16th of December, 1736; inclosing,

Extract of a Letter from the South-Sea Company's Factors at Carthagena, dated the 23d of July 1736; and also,

An Account of the Murder of Captain Thomas Weir from an Inhabitant of Sancta Martha; together with a Schedule of the said Papers.

And the said Schedule was read.

Referred to the Committee.

Ordered, That the said Papers be referred to the Consideration of the Committee of the whole House, to whom the Petition of divers Merchants, Planters, and others, trading to and interested in the British Plantations in America, on behalf of themselves and many others, is referred.

Petition of the Glasgow Merchants.

A Petition of the Merchants in Glasgow, trading to the British Plantations in America, in behalf of themselves and many others, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, that the American Colonies (particularly the WestIndia Islands) are the principal Mercat for the Manufactures of this Country, whereby many Thousands of his Majesty's Subjects are employed and maintained; and that the Trade to these Parts has, for a Course of Years, been greatly obstructed by the Depredations of the Spaniards, who have in the open Seas violently attacked and boarded several Ships in the lawful Course of their Voyages, and unjustly seized and made Prize of them, with their Effects, to the great Loss and Damage of the unhappy Sufferers, and the Discouragement of the Trade and Manufactures of that Part of the Island; and representing to the House, that, notwithstanding his Majesty's most gracious Interposition, the Spaniards, so far from repairing the former Losses, still continue the same Practices, and particularly last Year have carried their Insults to a greater Height than ever, by stopping, plundering, and seizing several Ships belonging to his Majesty's Subjects, inthe deftined Course of their Voyages to and from the British Colonies, condemning them, with their Loadings, amounting to a considerable Value, and by treating cruelly and inhumanly the Captains or Masters of some of these Ships, with their Crews, contrary to the Laws of Nations, and in manifest Violation of the Treaties subsisting between the two Crowns; and that by these arbitrary Proceedings, the Trade and Navigation to and from America is rendered very unsafe and precarious, insomuch that the Insurance from Jamaica is greatly risen on these Accounts only, a Charge, which that Trade in its present low State is altogether unable to bear; and that, without a speedy and effectual Remedy, the American Trade and Navigation will be, together with the Revenue arising therefrom, very much diminished, if not intirely lost; and that any Nation's assuming the Power of rummaging and detaining British Ships (at their Pleasure) upon their lawful Voyages in the American Seas, is in Effect, as the Petitioners apprehend, claiming and exercising the sole Sovereignty of those Seas, and an high Indignity to the Honour of the British Nation; and that the insulting the Persons, and plundering the Properties of his Majesty's Subjects, as the Petitioners conceive, is and will be attended with Consequences very fatal to Great-Britain; and therefore praying the House to consider the Premisses, and to give such Remedy, as to the House shall seem meet.

Referred to the Committee.

Ordered, That the said Petition be referred to the Consideration of the Committee of the whole House, to whom the Petition of divers Merchants, Planters, and others, trading to and interested in the British Plantations in America, on behalf of themselves and many others, is referred.

Mr. Comptroller.

Mr. Comptroller reported to the House, that their Address (that his Majesty would be graciously pleased to give Directions, to be laid before this House, a Copy of the Treaty between Great-Britain and Spain, for accommodating Differences, preventing Depredations, and settling a Peace in America concluded at Madrid, July 8, 1670,) had been presented to his Majesty; and that his Majesty had commanded him to acquaint this House, that he will give Directions accordingly.

Order of the Day for the House going into a Committee.

The Order of the Day being read, for the House to resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the Petition of divers Merchants, Planters, and others, trading to and interested in the British Plantations in America, in behalf of themselves and many others;

Papers laid before them.

Ordered, That the several Papers, yesterday presented to the House, relating to the Spanish Depredations upon the British Subjects, be referred to the said Committee.

Ordered, That the Extract of the Treaty of Peace between Spain and the United Provinces of the Low-Countries, made at Munster, 30 Jan. 1648, Aritcles 5 and 6, presented to the House the 22d Day of February, 1726, be referred to the said Committee.

Ordered, That the Translation of the said Extract, then likewise presented to the House, be referred to the said Committee.

Ordered, That the several Papers, presented to the House the 9th Day of this Instant March, relating to Applications for warlike Stores from his Majesty's Plantations in America, be referred to the said Committee.

March 21. Mr. (fn. 1) Pelham of Lewes, from the Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, presented to the House, pursuant to their Address to his Majesty, Copies of Papers received by the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, relating to the Losses sustained by his Majesty's Subjects, by Depredations committed by the Spaniards in Europe or America to Midsummer 1737, which have not already been laid before this House, together with a List of the said Papers.

And the said List was read, and is as followeth:

1. Extract of a Letter from Mr. Fitzwilliams, Governor of the Bahama Islands, dated at New-Providence the 20th of August 1735; inclosing,

Copy of a Deposition and Protest, made by Samuel Lawford, complaining of a Ship unjustly seized by the Spaniards.

2. Extract of a Letter from Mr. Matthews, Governor of the Leeward Islands, dated at Antigua the 17th of January, 1636-7; inclosing,

The Deposition of William Fisher, relating to a Spanish Guarde de Coast, or Privateer.

3. Extract of a Letter from Mr Matthews, Governor of the Leeward Islands, dated the 14th of June, 1737, relating to Depredations by the Spaniards on two English Ships.

Papers referred to the Committee.

Ordered, That the said Papers be referred to the Consideration of the Committee of the whole House, to whom the Petition of divers Merchants, Planters, and others, trading to and interested in the British Plantations in America, in behalf of themselves and many others, is referred.

Order of the Day for the House going into a Committee.

The Order of the Day being read, for the House to resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider farther of the Petition of divers Merchants, Planters, and others, trading to and interested in the British Plantations in America, in behalf of themselves and many others;

Papers laid before them.

Ordered, That the several Papers presented to this House the 13 th of Day of May 1735, relating to his Majesty's Commissaries in Spain, be referred to the said Committee.

Ordered, That the several Papers presented to this House the 23d Day of January, 1735, from the Commissioners for executing the Office of Lord High Admiral of GreatBritain, be referred to the said Committee.

Ordered, That the several Papers presented to this House the 19th Day of February, 1735, relating to the Losses sustained by his Majesty's Subjects, by Depredations committed by the Spaniards in Europe or America, since the 25th Day of March 1725, be referred to the said Committee.

Then the House resolved itself into the said Committee; and after some Time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair; and Mr. Alderman Perry reported from the Committee, that they had heard farther Evidence touching the Matter referred to them; and that he was directed by the Committee to move, that they may have leave to sit again.

Mr. Comptrollers.

March 22. Mr. Comptroller presented to the House, pursuant to their Address to his Majesty, a Copy of the Treaty between Great-Britain and Spain, concluded at Madrid, July 8, O. S. 18 N.S. 1670; and also,

A Translation of the said Treaty.

And the Titles of the said Copy and Translation were read.

Ordered, That the said Copy and Translation be referred to the Committee of the whole House, to whom the Petition of divers Merchants, Planters, and others, trading to and interested in the British Plantations in America, in behalf of themselves and many others, is referred.

Resolution for an Address.

Resolved, That an humble Address be presented to his Majesty, that he will be graciously pleased to give Directions to be laid before this House, Copies or Extracts of such Representation or Representations, which has or have been made by the Council and Assembly of Jamaica, to the Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, relating to the Captures of English Vessels by the Spaniards in the Bays of Honduras and Campechy since the Year 1731.

Ordered, That the said Address be presented to his Majesty by such Members of this House, as are of his Majesty's most honourable Privy Council.

Mr. Comptroller.

March 24. Mr. Comptroller reported to the House, that their Address of Wednesday last (that his Majesty would be graciously pleased to give Directions, to be laid before this House, Copies, or Extracts of the Representation or Representations therein mentioned) had been presented to his Majesty, and that his Majesty had commanded him to acquaint the House, that he will give Directions accordingly.

Mr. Comptroller also, by his Majesty's Commands presented to the House,

Copy of a Letter from Mr. Keene to the Duke of Newcastle, Madrid, Feb. 12, O. S. 23, N. S. 1737-8; inclosing,

Copy of a Letter from M. de la Quadra to Mr. Keene, Pardo, Feb. 10, O. S. 21, N.S. 1737-8, and Translation.

Copy of a Letter from the Duke of Newcastle to Mr. Keene, March 17, 1737-8; inclosing,

Draught of a Letter from Mr. Keene to M.de la Quadra, and Translation.

Together with a List of the said Papers.

And the said List was read.

Ordered, That the said Papers do lie upon the Table, to be perused by the Members of the House.

Mr. Richard Plumer.

March 28. Mr. (fn. 2) Richard Plumer, from the Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, presented to the House, pursuant to their Address to his Majesty, Extract of an Address and Representation of the Council of Jamaica to the King, dated at St. Jago de la Vega the 27th of November 1731; and also,

Extract of an Address and Representation of the Assembly of Jamaica to the King in November 1731.

And the Titles of the said Extracts were read

Ordered, That the said Extracts be referred to the Committee of the whole House, to whom the Petition of divers Merchants, Planters, and others trading to and interested in the British Plantations in America, in behalf of themselves and many others, is referred.

Mr. Comptroller presented to the House, pursuant to their Address to his Majesty of the 10th Day of this Instant March, Extract of a Letter from Mr. Keene to the Duke of Newcastle, Casa del Monte near Aranjuez, May 5, O. S. 16, N. S. 1735; inclosing,

Copy of a Letter from M. Patinho to Mr. Keene, May 1, O. S. 12, N.S. 1735; and, Translation.

Copy of a Letter from Mr. Keene to the Duke of Newcastle, Madrid, March 24, O. S. April 4, N. S. 1735; inclosing,

Copy of a Letter from Mr. Keene to M. Patinho, April 22, O. S. May 3, N. S. 1734, and Translation.

Copy of a Letter from M. Patinho to Mr. Keene, April 30, O. S. May 11, N. S. 1734, and Translation.

Extract of a Letter from the Duke of Newcastle to Mr. Keene, June 27,1735, inclosing,

Extract of a Letter from Governor Matthew to the Duke of Newcastle, St. Christophers, March 22, 1734-5; inclosing,

Copy of the Deposition of Captain Gordon, &c, March, 1735.

Extract of a Letter from Mr. Keene to the Duke of Newcastle, Pellejeros, July 20, O. S. 31, N S. 1735.

Copy of a Letter from Mr. Keene to M. Patinho, July, 15, O. S. 26, N.S. 1735, and Translation.

Extract of a Letter from Mr. Keene to the Duke of Newcastle, Pellejeros, July 28, O. S. Aug. 8, N. S. 1735; inclosing,

Copy of a Letter from M. Patinho, to Mr. Keene, July 21, O. S. Aug. 1, N. S. 1735, and Translation.

Extract of a Letter from the Duke of Newcastle to Mr. Keene, Jan. 13, 1736-7; inclosing,

Extract of a Letter from the South-Sea Company's Factors at Cartagena, July 23, 1736.

An Account of the Murder of Captain Weir, &c. from an Inhabitant of Santa Martha.

Extract of a Letter from Mr. Keene to the Duke of Newcastle, Madrid, Feb. 28, O. S. March 11, N. S. 1736-7. inclosing,

Copy of a Letter from Mr. Keene to M. de la Quadra, Feb. 23, O. S. March 6, N. S. 1736-7, and Translation.

Extract of a Letter from the Duke of Newcastle to Mr. Keene, March 24, 1636-7; inclosing,

Copy of the Affidavit of William Fisher, Nov. 13, 1736.

Extract of a Letter from Mr. Keene to the Duke of Newcastle, Madrid, April 11, O. S. 22, N. S. 1737; inclosing,

Copy of a Letter from Mr. Keene to M. de la Quadra, April 6, O. S. 17, N. S. 1737, and Translation.

Together with a List of the said Papers.

And the said List was read.

Ordered, That the said Papers be referred to the Committee of the whole House, to whom the Petition of divers Merchants, Planters, and others, trading to and interested in the British Plantations in America, in behalf of themselves and many others, is referred.

The other Order of the Day being read, for the House to resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to conder futher of the Petition of divers Merchants, Planters and others, trading to and interested in the British Plantations in America, in behalf of themselves and many others;

Ordered, That the Copy of a Letter from Mr. Keene to the Duke of Newcastle, Madrid, Feb. 12, O.S. 23, N. S. 1737-8; inclosing,

Copy of a Letter from Monsieur de la Quadra to Mr. Keene, Pardo, Feb. 10, O. S. 21, 1737-8, and

Translation, be referred to the said Committee.

Ordered, that the Copy of a Letter from the Duke of Newcastle to Mr. Keene, March 17, 1737-8; inclosing,

Draught of a Letter from Mr. Keene to Monsieur de la Quadra, and

Translation, be referred to the said Committee.

The House goes into a Committee.

Then the House resolved itself into the said Committee, and after some Time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair; and Mr. Alderman Perry reported from the Committee, that they had further heard Evidence and Counsel upon and gone through the Matters to them referred, and had come to a Resolution, which they had directed him to report, and had also directed him to make a Motion to the House, when the House will please to receive the same.