Journal, November 1777: Volume 84

Journal, November 1777

Wednesday, November 5th. Present:—Mr. Greville, Mr. Eden.

Lord George Germain, one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, attends.

Trade.

fo. 198.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated October 28th, 1777, referring to this Board the petition of Messieurs Simond and Hankey, praying leave to export to Haver de Grace, by way of Ostend, sundry military stores therein specified, on board the ship Marie Aufret, for the French African trade.

Their lordships, upon consideration of the foregoing petition, were of opinion, that the exportation prayed for should be allowed; and the draught of a report to the Lords of the Privy Council thereupon having been prepared, was approved, transcribed and signed.

Tuesday, November 18th. Present:—Mr. Greville, Mr. Eden, Mr. de Grey.

Lord George Germain, one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, attends.

fo. 199.

Trade.

Read the following Orders of his Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, vizt.,
Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated October 24th, 1777, referring to this Board the petition of Miguel Dias de Faria, praying leave to export to Oporto, on board the ship Mary, sundry military stores therein specified, for the use of two Brazilmen now on the stocks at Oporto.
Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated November 14th, 1777, referring to this Board the petition of Richard Neave and John Willet of London, merchants, setting forth, that they have received orders from the Assembly of the Island of Montserrat for sundry military stores, and praying leave to export the same to the said island, on board the ship Friendship.

fo. 200.

Their lordships, on consideration of the two foregoing petitions, were of opinion, that the exportation prayed for should be allowed; and it was ordered, that draughts of reports to the Lords of the Privy Council thereupon should be prepared.

The following Orders of the Privy Council were read and considered, vizt.,
Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated November 3rd, 1777, referring to this Board the petition of Peter Perchard, praying leave to export to Guernsey, on board the New London Packet, sundry military stores therein specified, for the use of the Active and Royal Charlotte, schooners, having letters of marque.
fo. 201.
Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated November 3rd, 1777, referring to this Board the petition of Jonathan Blundell of Liverpool, merchant, praying leave to export to Cork, on board any ship that may offer, sundry military stores therein mentioned, for the use of the ship Knight, bound from Cork to Jamaica.
Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated November 24th, 1777, referring to this Board the petition of Robert Findlay and Company of Glasgow, merchants, praying leave to export from thence to Pensacola in West Florida, on board the brigantine Orangefield, sundry military stores for the Indian trade.
fo. 202.

Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated November 14th, 1777, referring to this Board the petition of Richard Champion, praying leave to export sundry military stores therein specified, from Bristol to the Island of Tortola, (for the use of the Aurora schooner employed in carrying sugars from port to port in that island), on board the ship Marquis of Rockingham.
Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated November 14th, 1777, referring to this Board the petition of James Baillie, praying leave to export to the Island of Grenada, on board the ship Hope, sundry military stores therein specified, for the use and defence of sundry plantations in that island.

Their lordships, upon consideration of the five foregoing petitions, were of opinion, that it would not be adviseable to recommend the exportation prayed for.

Senegambia.

The following letters and papers were read, vizt.,
fo. 203.
Letter from John Clarke, esquire, Governor of the Province of Senegambia, to Mr. Cumberland, dated Fort Lewis, July 26th, 1777, relative to the state of that province upon his arrival there, and to certain charges exhibited against Lieutenant Governor McNamara before the Council.
Letter from Governor Clarke to Mr. Cumberland, dated September 12th, 1777, relative to his proceedings in the government of Senegambia, and transmitting,
An Act to prevent the sale and delivery of negroes exported from his Majesty's Province of Senegambia in Africa to any foreign port, and to oblige masters of vessels to deliver their cargoes of negroes exported from his Majesty's Province of Senegambia in Africa, in some English port or place in the West Indies or elsewhere.

fo. 204.

Letter from John Peter Demarin to the Board, dated Senegal, July 4th, 1777, setting forth his situation on his arrival in that province, and the distressed and ruined state of the trade there.

Letter from Mr. Knox to Mr. Cumberland, dated November 17th, 1777, transmitting, by the direction of Lord George Germain,
Extract of two letters from Governor Clarke to Lord George Germain, dated 26th July and 12th of September, 1777, respecting the state of affairs under his government, and transmitting the following papers, vizt.,
Senegambia.
Minutes of Council of the Province of Senegambia from the 8th of April to the 7th of August, 1777, inclusive.
fo. 205.
Articles of complaint exhibited before the Governor and Council of Senegambia, against Matthias McNamara, esquire, his Majesty's Lieutenant Governor of that province, by William Nicholson, agent to Robert Browne, esquire, Contractor for victualling his Majesty's garrisons there.
Articles of complaint exhibited before the Governor and Council of the Province of Senegambia, against Matthias McNamara, esquire, Lieutenant Governor of the said province, by Gilbert Stanton, Brevette Second Lieutenant of Artillery, Clerk of the Cheques, and acting Ordnance Storekeeper.
Charges and complaints exhibited before the Governor and Council of the Province of Senegambia, by Matthias McNamara, esquire, Lieutenant Governor of the said province, against Captain Joseph Wall of his Majesty's African Corps.
fo. 206.
Survey of his Majesty's fort of St. Lewis on the Island of Senegal, and all other outbuildings belonging to the same, taken on the 23rd, 24th, and 25th of June, 1777.
Survey of the fort, island and garrison of James Island, River Gambia, taken on the 26th March, 1777.
Repairs to Fort James, since the survey in March, 1777.
Return of craft belonging to government at Fort Lewis, April 8th, 1777.
Survey of ordnance at Fort Lewis, July 18th, 1777.
Affidavit of Robert Turner, June 5th, 1777, relative to the sloop Dorset.
Affidavit of Thomas Parkin, June 4th, 1777, relative to a sett of bills of exchange drawn on the agent, Mr. Hansard, by Lieutenant Governor McNamara.
fo. 207.
Certificates of Council in June and July, 1777.
Minutes of Council of the Province of Senegambia on the 28th of November, and the 6th of December, 1776.
Petition of Alexander McDowell to Lieutenant Lacey, Commander of Fort James, Gambia, December 13th, 1776.
Depositions of Alexander McDowell, Fort James, Gambia, January 27th, 1777.
Deposition of Robert Darm, Fort James, Gambia, January 27th, 1777.
Lieutenant Lacey's letter to Governor Clarke, dated Fort James, Gambia, 1777.
fo. 208.
Letter from Mr. Knox to Mr. Cumberland, dated November 17th, 1777, transmitting, by direction of Lord George Germain,
Representation to his Majesty of Mr. Wallace, acting Chief Justice of the Province of Senegambia, and others, in favour of Lieutenant Governor McNamara, dated December 4th, 1776.
Address to the King of the natives and inhabitants of Senegal, and traders of the Province of Senegambia, May 15th, 1777.
Memorial of several inhabitants of the Island of Senegal, to the Board, dated August 12th, 1777.
Memorial of Matthias McNamara, esquire, Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Senegambia, to the Board, dated November 15th, 1777, with a certificate annexed of Doctor Michael Teighe.
fo. 209.
Letter from Lieutenant Governor McNamara to Lord George Germain, dated St. Lewis, Senegal, July 16th, 1777.
Letter from Etienne Le Juge to Lord George Germain, dated St. Lewis, Senegal, August 15th, 1777.

fo. 210.

Mr. Martin, agent to Lieutenant Governor McNamara, attending, was called in, and having acquainted the Board, that the Lieutenant Governor's ill state of health would not at present permit him to attend to any business, their lordships were pleased to signify, that they should defer proceeding upon any affairs relative to the Lieutenant Governor, till he was in a capacity to attend; and that it would be proper his physician should, from time to time, certify his state of health to the Board; the agent was also acquainted, that he might have copies of any papers respecting the complaints exhibited against the said Lieutenant Governor.

Ordered, that the Secretary do acquaint the merchants trading to Senegal, whose memorial is mentioned in the minutes of the 8th of November, 1776, that Lieutenant Governor McNamara being arrived, the Board will be ready to hear them, in support of the charges exhibited in their memorial against the said Lieutenant Governor, as soon as his health will permit him to attend.

Leeward Islands.

fo. 211.

Read a letter from William Matthew Burt, esquire, Governor of the Leeward Islands, to the Board, dated the 25th of July, 1777, acknowledging the receipt of the Board's letter of the 18th of March last; stating the confusion and distraction in which he found the Virgin Islands upon his arrival, and the necessity he was under of suspending Mr. Dawson, one of the Council for the said islands; notifying the death of Mr. John Hodge; the dissatisfaction of Messieurs Nibbs, Martin and Turnbull at being superseded in their seats in Council; his remarks respecting the Quieting Bill, and transmitting,
Virgin Islands.
The address of Messieurs Nibbs, Martin and Turnbull to Governor Burt, desiring him to represent their case to his Majesty.
Montserrat.
Minutes of Council in Montserrat from the 12th of October 1776, to the 29th of March, 1777.
An Act passed in the Island of Montserrat the 29th March, 1777, for the better regulation of the militia.
Antigua.
Minutes of Council in Antigua from October 3rd, 1776, to March 27th, 1777.
Minutes of Assembly in Antigua from October 3rd, 1776, to June 26th, 1777.
An Act passed in the Island of Antigua, June 18th, 1777, for paying an additional subsistence to the Second Battalion of the 60th Regiment.
fo. 212.
Nevis.
Two Acts passed in the Island of Nevis, June 30th, and July 1st, 1777, the one, providing a support for William Matthew Burt, esquire, during his government, etc., the other, for granting an aid unto his Majesty by a duty or tax of three shillings current per poll on the negroes, etc.

Read a letter from Mr. Knox to Mr. Cumberland, dated November 14th, 1777, transmitting, by direction of Lord George Germain,
Virgin Islands.
Extract of a letter to his Lordship from William Matthew Burt, esquire, Governor of the Leeward Islands, relative to the Council and Assembly of the Virgin Islands, and respecting the conduct of Mr. Dawson.
Copy of an address of the inhabitants of Tortola, and of one from Messieurs Nibbs, Martin and Turnbull to Governor Burt.

fo. 213.

Read a letter from Mr. Knox to Mr. Cumberland, dated November 17th, 1777, transmitting, by direction of Lord George Germain,
Extracts of two letters from Governor Burt to his Lordship, dated the 6th of May, and the 7th of June, 1777, relative to an Act passed in Antigua for the regulation of his Majesty's forts and fortifications in that island.

St. Vincent's.

Read a letter from Mr. Knox to Mr. Cumberland, dated November 17th, 1777, transmitting, by direction of Lord George Germain,
fo. 214.
Extract of a letter from Valentine Morris, esquire, Governor of the Island of St. Vincent, to Lord George Germain, dated June 22nd, 1777, informing his Lordship, that the ordinance under which all the business of the courts of law, etc. in that island is carried on, will expire in December next; and submitting certain measures as adviseable to be taken in the interim, before that Act shall expire.

Their lordships approved of the following lease of lands in the Island of St. Vincent being assigned to the person therein named, and the Secretary was ordered to certify the same.
Assignment by Jean Baptiste Vittet of a lease of ten acres of land in the Island of St. Vincent to Josias Jackson.

Barbados.

fo. 215.

Read a letter from the Honourable Edward Hay, Governor of Barbados, to the Board, dated July 14th, 1777, signifying that, Captain John Adlam of Charles has contracted with the government of that island to supply the gunpowder necessary for the publick service, and that whatever gunpowder is required to be sent to the said Captain Adlam at Barbados, will be for the publick use; also signifying his appointment of John Butcher to be Deputy Prothonotary and Deputy Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas; also a letter dated October 25th, transmitting,
Minutes of Council in Barbados from July 30th, 1776, to May 13th, 1777.
Minutes of Assembly in Barbados from August 22nd, 1776, to July 8th, 1777.
One Act passed in the Island of Barbados, the 13th May, 1777.
List of the members of his Majesty's Council, July 18th, 1777.
Treasurer's return of new negroes imported from August 11th. 1776, to July 11th, 1777.
Abstract of christenings and burials from January 1st to December 31st, 1776.
Certificate of powder collected from August 23rd, 1776, to June 22nd, 1777.
fo. 216.
Nova Scotia.
Proceedings of the Council for the Province of Nova Scotia from June 13th to July 28th, 1777.
Journal of Council in General Assembly from June 6th to June 25th, 1777.
Journal of Assembly from June 6th to June 25th, 1777.
Thirteen Acts passed in Nova Scotia in June, 1777.

Ordered, that all the Acts mentioned in the foregoing minutes be sent to Mr. Jackson, for his opinion thereupon in point of law.

fo. 217.

Tuesday, November 25th. Present:—Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Gascoyne, Lord Robert Spencer, Mr. Greville, Mr. Eden, Mr. De Grey.

Lord George Germain, one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, attends.

The following Orders of the Lords of the Privy Council were read, vizt.,
Trade.
Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated the 3rd of November, 1777, referring to this Board the petition of Messieurs Le Cras and Le Mesurier, praying leave to export to the Island of Jersey, on board the London Packet. Abraham Bushell, master, sundry military stores therein mentioned, for the use of ships employed from that island in the Newfoundland trade.
fo. 218.
Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated November 19th, 1777, referring to this Board the petition of Peter Perchard. for leave to export to Guernsey, on board the New London Packet, sundry military stores therein specified for the use of the Active and Royal Charlotte schooners, having letters of marque.

fo. 219.

Their lordships, upon consideration of the two foregoing petitions, were of opinion, that the exportation prayed for should be allowed; and draughts of reports to the Lords of the Privy Council thereupon having been prepared, were approved, transcribed and signed; as were also two reports to the Lords of the Privy Council upon the petitions of Miguel Dias de Faria, and of Richard Neave and John Willet, for leave to export sundry military stores to Oporto and Montserrat, mentioned in the minutes of the 18th instant.

Africa.

The Secretary laid before the Board the following letter received from the African Committee, vizt.,
fo. 220.
Copy of a letter from Richard Miles, esquire, Governor of Cape Coast Castle, to the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa, dated April 25th, 1777, relative to his proceedings in that government, and inclosing annual indents for the year 1778, with sundry other papers.

Leeward Islands, Virgin Islands.

fo. 221.

The Board resumed the consideration of the address of Messieurs Nibbs, Martin and Turnbull, three of the Council for the Virgin Islands, to Governor Burt, transmitted by the Governor's letter to the Board of the 25th of July last; as likewise of what is set forth by the Governor in his said letter, and also in the extract of his letter to Lord George Germain, mentioned in the minutes of the 18th instant, respecting the suspension of Mr. Dawson, one of the said Council; and there appearing to be a want of further documents referred to in his said letters, directed, that a letter should be wrote to the Governor upon these particulars, together with such other matters as are contained therein.

St. Vincent's.

Read a letter from Mr. Knox to Mr. Cumberland, dated the 24th of November, 1777, transmitting, by direction of Lord George Germain,
Extract of a letter from Valentine Morris, esquire, Governor of the Island of St. Vincent, to Lord George Germain, dated the 16th of September last, relative to the behaviour of the Assembly; his having constituted two other parishes and an hamlet of ease; the lands belonging to the Charibbs; increasing the number of Assembly and Council; Militia Bill, and inclosing,
fo. 222.
Message from the Council to the Assembly of St. Vincent's, July 4th, 1777.
Copy of a letter from Governor Morris to Lord George Germain, dated 17th September last, touching the conduct of the Council, and explaining the motives of their discontent; also transmitting,
Minutes of the Council of the 3rd of April and 18th of July, 1777.
Governor Morris's answer to the motion of the Council, contained in the above minutes, August 13th, 1777.
Memorial of his Majesty's Council of the Island of Saint Vincent to Lord George Germain.
fo. 223.
Copy of the minutes of the Council of the 3rd of September 1777.
Abstract of lands granted: quantum of acres; number of persons in family: and to whom granted: September 13th. 1777.

Resolved. that the Board will take up the consideration of the matters contained in the extract of Governor Morris's letter of the 16th of September last, at a future opportunity.

fo. 224.

Ordered, that a case be prepared for the opinion of Richard Jackson, esquire, counsel to the Board, upon the question resulting from the above papers, whether or not grants of lands in the Island of Saint Vincent within the country ceded by the Charibbs passed by his Majesty's Governor, without the advice and consent of the Council of the island, conformable to the letter of the King's Commission, are valid in law.

Plantations General.

Mr. Hodgson, late Superintendant of Affairs on the Mosquito Shore, attending, and praying to be heard in justification of his conduct, and in answer to the complaints, on which the Board ground their advice to his Majesty for his removal, was desired to attend on Tuesday next.

fo. 225.

Senegambia.

Read a letter from Matthias McNamara, esquire, Lieutenant Governor of Senegambia, to the Board, dated Gerrard Street, November 25th. 1777, inclosing,
A certificate from his physicians Sir John Eliot and Michael Teighe, esquire, of his being incapable at present to apply to any business.