Messrs. Hugh Wallace, Samuel Ver Plank, Isaac Low, Jacob Walton and John Moore, the Committee appointed at the last meeting to ascertain the damages that ought to be paid and received on Inland and West India Bills of Exchange, Reported that they had considered of the same, and delivered their opinion in writing.

Ordered-That the same be read, which was in the words following:

Agreeable to the desire of the Chamber of Commerce, we, the Committee appointed to consider the necessity there is for some regulation relating to

Inland and West India Bills of Exchange that are returned with protest, for which at present no damages or re-exchange is ascertained.

It is our opinion that the sum of five per cent. damages ought to be paid and received on all Bills from any one Province in North America on another, recoverable here in full of all damages, re-exchange, cost of protest, postage, &c., and that the full amount of the Bill, with damages of five per cent., is due and payable immediately on return of said Bill with protest.

And it is our opinion that the sum of ten per cent. damages ought to be paid and received on all Bills drawn from North America on the West Indias, or from the West Indias on North America, which may be recoverable here in full of all damages, re-exchange, cost of protest, postage, &c.; and that the full amount of the Bill, with the damages of ten per cent., is due and payable immediately on return of the Bill with protest.

All which, however, is submitted to the President and members of said Chamber of Commerce.

Resolved-That the members of this Chamber will in future pay and receive damages on West India and Inland Bills of Exchange, agreeable to the report of the above Committee.

Ordered--That the same Committee do, by the next meeting of this Chamber, consider of, and deliver their opinion in writing respecting Bills on Europe, whether the 20 per cent., as is now generally paid, be in full compensation for damages, cost of protest, postage, &c., and if it shall be received in money by the holder of the Bill so protested at ye exchange current when it shall be returned, or in a Bill of Exchange with the addition of the damages.

Ordered―That Messrs. Hugh Wallace, Henry White, Robert Watts, Robert Alexander, Robert Murray, Thomas Randal, John Moore, William Walton, Sampson Simpson, John H. Cruger, and Isaac Low, be a Committee to revise, amend, correct and digest the Articles of this Chamber; and that they do draw up an introduction proper to be inserted in the newspapers, in order to inform the publick their use and design.

And it is proposed that as soon as the articles of the Chamber are revised and corrected, that a number of copies be printed, that each member be served therewith.

It is proposed, that as the General Assembly of this Province is now sitting, that a Committee be appointed to apply to the City Members, and request them to consider of such laws as may be necessary for the regulation of the Trade of this Colony, particularly as to the more effectual Inspection of Flour, Pott-ash, &c.

Ordered-That Messrs. Elias Desbrosses, John Alsop, Samuel Ver Plank, Theophylact Bache, and Isaac Low, be a Committee for the purpose aforesaid, and that they do report to this Chamber, at their next meeting, the result of their application.

This Chamber being informed that there is a combination among the Bolters, Millers, Bakers, and sellers of flour, with respect to the prices of flour and bread casks, and finding they are opposed to the resolution of this Chamber at their meeting on the 2d August last, when the Chamber determined on giving 25s 6d per ton for the same, they have Resolved, Ordered, and do agree that Mr. William Neilson do go to Philadelphia, and purchase there from fifteen hundred to two thousand barrels of flour at the lowest price he can obtain them at, and that he cause them to be shipped to this place, advising this Chamber in what vessels they may be put on board. put on board. That on their arrival here such members as are in want shall be first supplied at the [erased in the manuscript.] any that remains on hand to be disposed of on account of this Chamber; and, if need be, that each member pay to the Treasurer his proportion of the quantity to be purchased, which, on the sale, shall be repaid his full advance, the loss or gain to be paid or received from the common

stock. And Mr. Neilson is further ordered, while at Philadelphia, to correspond with the Secretary, in order to have insurance made on the interest shipped, which the Secretary is to get effected by the consent of the President. or Vice-President.

Resolved and Ordered-That the following gentlemen be a Committee, until the first Tuesday in December next, for adjusting any differences between parties agreeing to leave such disputes to this Chamber, and that they do attend on every Tuesday, or oftner if business require it, at such places as they may agree upon, giving

notice thereof to the President:

John Reade,

Robert Alexander,

Thomas W. Moore,

James Jauncey.

Jacob Walton,
Robert Murray,
Samuel Ver Plank,

A SPECIAL MEETING, ON MONDAY, ye 14th Nov., 1768.

John Cruger, President.

Hugh Wallace, Vice-President.

Anth. Van Dam, Secretary.

Thomas Buchanan,

William McAdam,

William Walton,

Levinus Clarkson,
Robert R. Waddle,
Robert Alexander,
Gerrard Walton,
Theophy. Bache,

Isaac Low,

Sampson Simpson,

Thomas W. Moore,
Robert Murray,

Samuel Ver Plank,

Jacob Watson,

Nichs. Gouverneur,
Gabriel H. Ludlow,
Richard Yates,

Peter Remsen,
Lawrence Kortright,
Miles Sherbrooke,
John Moore,

Charles McEvers.

Resolved-That each member of this Chamber do, on the morrow, pay unto the Secretary £50 towards reimbursing Mr. Pintard, now at Philadelphia in the place of Mr. Nielson, who is purchasing flour for this Chamber.

Ordered―That the Secretary send by express all the Bills that may come to his hands from the members, and from £600 or £800 in cash, and that he engage some carefull person for that purpose to go to Philadelphia to carry the money, which is to be delivered to Mr. Lewis Pintard or order.

scarce.

Several of the sellers of Flour, Bakers, and Bolters attended the meeting, upon notice given them that the Chamber was ready to hear anything that could be said in support of their late demand of raising the price of flour and bread cask from 25s. 6d. to 28s., which they demanded lately on account of flour being rather But their allegations did not amount to sufficient proof for the Chamber to alter their resolution; and both parties debating thereon, they, the Flour sellers, Bakers, and Bolters, acquiesced with charging in future no more than 25s. 6d. per ton, craving, at the same time, that the Chamber would take into their consideration at their next meeting the difficulty they have to make their principals give into the measures adopted by the Chamber.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.-TUESDAY, 6th December, 1768.