By order in council, dated 12 March, 1675, King Charles II. referred whatever matters had been under the cognizance of the late Council of Trade and Foreign Plantations to a committee of the Privy Council, consisting of the Lord Treasurer, the Lord Privy Seal, and others, and directed them to meet once a week, and report their proceedings to the King in council, from time to time. During the reign of King James II., the afiairs of the Plantations continued to be managed by a similar committee of Privy Council; and upon the accession of this

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monarcli (6 February, 1C85), the Province of New-York having devolved to the Crown, it was placed under the supervision of this committee. Upon the accession of King William III., in February, 1689, a committee of the Privy Council continued to manage the affairs of the Plantations, until their growing importance suggested the necessity of a separate and distinct department of government for their direction. " The year ] 696 is the era of the permanent organization of what is familiarly known to '

our historians as the " Board of Trade." On the 15th May, in that year, King William III., by royal commission, constituted and appointed the great officers of state, for the time being, and certain other persons, " Commissioners, during the royal pleasure, for promoting the trade of the Kingdom, and for inspecting and improving the Plantations in America, and elsewhere." This board was empowered and required to examine into the general condition of the trade of England, and of foreign parts, and to make representations to the King thereupon to take ;