559 ADMINISTRATION OF THE COLONIES IN 1787. In the instrDctions given to Phillip with respect to the exploration of the coast and the occupation of N^orfolk Island, he was directed to transmit " any remarks or observations " which he might obtain to " our Principal Secretary of State for Plantation Affairs "; but his despatches from Sydney Cove were addressed to the Secretary of State for the Home Department, and to the Lords of the Admiralty. It is not easy at first sight to understand on what principle matters relating to the colonies came to be placed under the jurisdiction of the Home Office; while a reference to "Plantation Affairs" takes us back to the early days of Virginia and Maryland. The office of Secretary of State for the Colonies, to which we are now f^^j^^ accustomed to look as the head of colonial administration, was first ^<»"*««*^"* , established. established in 1768, but the Minister was then known as "the Secretaiy of State for the American Department."** At that time the Council of Trade and Plantations, established in 1672, had ^fl^^ control of all matters, not purely executive, relating to the colonies Plantations. — then generally known as plantations. This Council, which was an amalgamation of the Council of Trade and the Council of Foreign Plantations created by Charles II in 1660, continued to eidst. after the appointment of a Secretary of State for the American department. Both the Secretaryship and the Coancil, however, were abolished in 1782 by an Act of Parliament known as Burke's Burke's Act Act ; a measure probably suggested by the loss of the American colonies, which left the departments in question very little to do. The execative administration of colonial affairs was then vested in the Secretary of State for the Home Department, and all ^°^^^j^. matters of detail connected with them were committed, after the passing of that Act, to a subordinate branch of the Home Office, composed of an Under Secretary and three clerks, and styled the " Plantation Branch " of the Home Office. A law officer was also appointed to report on colonial Acts. Two yeai-s after Burke's Act was passed, the ancient Committee of the Privy Council, to which were referred all questions relative to Trade and Plantations, was practically revived by an Order- in-Council which appointed a Committee for the same purpose,
- Lewis, Crovemment of Dependencies, p. 162n.
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