Collection consists of copies of the following: Additional Manuscripts 11514, an essay addressed to Lord Halifax, President of the Board of Trade; Additional Manuscripts 14034, a collection of papers of the Board of Trade relating to the West Indies, America, Africa, and the Canaries. Additional Manuscripts 14035 is a volume of papers of the Board of Trade and Plantations consisting of drafts of official correspondence, memorials, etc., which relate to Britain's trade with Europe and the colonies. Additional Manuscripts 30372 is a memorandum prepared for the Board of Trade.
Great Britain. Board of Trade : In 1621, James I authorized the setting up of a committee of the privy council to deal with questions of trade development. In 1655, Oliver Cromwell appointed his son Richard, with many lords of his council, judges and gentlemen, and about 20 merchants of London, York, Newcastle, Yarmouth, Dover, and other places, to meet and consider by what means the traffic and navigation of the republic might be best promoted and regulated, and to report upon the subject. Charles II, on his restoration in 1660, established a Council of Trade, "for keeping a control and superintendence upon the whole commerce of the nation," 7 November 1660. By patent dated 1 December 1660, he also created a Council of Foreign Plantations (i.e. colonies). In 1672, these Boards were united, then abolished in 1675, but a single committee was once more established in 1695.
Advisory agency; The body commonly known as the Board of Trade, and formally as the Lords of Trade and Plantations, was established in 1696 to replace a Privy Council committee. Until abolished by statute in 1782, as part of a major restructuring of colonial administration, the Board of Trade advised the Crown on matters relating to its colonies, trade and the poor law. Although it nominally comprised all the leading Ministers, the Board had as an effective core eight paid commissioners. It investigated the administration of justice in colonies, scrutinized colonial legislation with a view to its allowance or disallowance, examined instructions to governors and heard complaints against the conduct of governors, and considered candidates for colonial appointments.
In theory subordinate to the Secretary of State, the Board of Trade exercised considerable influence in the selection of colonial administrators, in the formulation of policy, and in the routine management of colonial affairs. The balance of power and activity between the Board and the Secretary varied over time, most notably when peace and war shifted the focus of concern amongst the economic, stategic and political aspects of colonial affairs.
MG21-Add.MSS.-11514,14034,14035,30372
