St Helena Letters to England 1720-1724
Introduction: This is the fifth volume in the series St Helena Letters to England. It includes outgoing official correspondence from the Governor and Council of St Helena to the East India Company in London reporting on the administration of the island, including matters such as government decisions, defence, military preparedness, trade and shipping, supply shortages, personnel issues, and judicial proceedings. They often included explanations of difficulties faced by the island and defences against criticisms from London of past actions or policies. The letters were usually copied or abstracted into the island records.
Source: Images of the original records can be viewed on the British Library’s website: https://eap.bl.uk/archive-file/EAP1364-1-2-5.
Text Transcription This transcription was produced by AI from handwritten document images held on the British Library's website, at about thirty pages per hour. Given the limitations described below, the text should be regarded as unreliable and used only as a search-and-find shortcut: once a relevant section has been located, it must always be checked against the source image via the hyperlinked Film Numbers listed in the main transcription table below.
Three specific problems affected the work. First, AI tends to prioritise meaning and readability at the expense of fidelity to the original, with a strong disposition to normalise spellings, expand abbreviations, and adjust grammar. It is particularly weak with unfamiliar surnames, and scrawled signatures often resist accurate transcription entirely. Transcriptions by eye of documents spanning four centuries have also shown that a single surname could be written in a wide variety of ways: the Crowie family name appears under six different spellings, and the Isaacs family name under sixteen. Searches for surnames are therefore hindered both by genuine variations in the originals and by mistranscriptions introduced by AI, and for this reason are best run phonetically. Second, the AI struggled with the late secretary hand, the script commonly used from the sixteenth to the eighteenth centuries, in which the letter S appears in a form closely resembling a trailing L. Third, occasional passages in these volumes are written in a hand so obscure or poorly formed as to be difficult to read even by eye, sometimes compounded by heavy ink bleed-through from the reverse side or by the loss of sections of pages.
To mitigate these difficulties, a strict protocol was applied to each image, requiring the AI to rely solely on clearly visible ink strokes and to flag any uncertain reading, thereby reducing the risk of inferred or invented text. Two conventions are used. [...] marks text that could not be read with confidence; this may represent a single unreadable word, a full sentence, or occasionally an entire paragraph. Square brackets around letters or words indicate a conjectural reading supplied by the transcriber: brackets around a whole word, for example [Bazett], mean the entire word was unclear and a probable reading has been supplied, while brackets around individual letters within an otherwise readable word, for example B[a]z[e]tt, mean only those specific letters were unclear in the source and the unbracketed letters were legibly present.
Modern Summary and Analysis Each section of text was submitted for AI analysis in order to explain the archaic language in clear, modern UK English. These are not direct sentence by sentence replacements, but explanatory interpretations intended to clarify meaning while preserving the substance of the original. Where a specific individual is named within a section of the original text, that person will generally also be identified within the explanatory interpretation. However, where the original consists largely of lists of names, these are not usually repeated in the explanatory text.
Each text modern summary is followed by two forms of AI-generated analysis. The first, an Interpretations section, draws on wider information located on the internet to provide additional commentary on the material. The second, a Speculations section, offers one or more possible reflections on what the document might further suggest. The value of these notes ranges from the profound to the trivial or self-evident; time did not permit deletion of the latter.
Text Loss: A number of pages have tattered edges with resultant loss of text, sometimes quite substantially. Towards the end of the volume, there is significant ink bleed from the reverse side of pages.
Referencing Text Locations: A dual numbering system has been adopted, combining the British Library film number with the manuscript’s original page number. These are presented in the format: British Library Film No. / Document Page No.
Pagination: The pagination is unconventional, appearing only at the bottom right of each recto (right-hand) page, while the verso (left-hand) pages are left unmarked. As a result, each leaf carries the same page number on both sides, applying equally to the recto and verso. To avoid ambiguity, it has been decided - albeit with some reluctance - to distinguish the two sides by adding the suffix ‘R’ for the recto and ‘V’ for the verso (for example, 1R and 1V, 2R and 2V, 3R and 3V).
This system begins at Film No. 12 (12/1R) and proceeds sequentially as 1R, 1V, 2R, 2V, 3R, 3V, and so on. The sequence is interrupted at three points by the insertion of blank leaves, each causing the original pagination to repeat a number.
The first interruption occurs after 55/22V. The blank leaf that follows, filmed as Nos. 56 and 57, has been designated 23R and 23V (56/23R, 57/23V). As the next leaf is also numbered 23 in the original, the sequence runs: 54/22R, 55/22V, 56/23R, 57/23V, 57/23R, 58/23V, 59/24R, 60/24V, and so forth.
The second interruption occurs after 147/67V. The inserted blank leaf, filmed as Nos. 148 and 149, is designated 68R and 68V (148/68R, 149/68V). As the next leaf is again numbered 68 in the original, the sequence runs: 146/67R, 147/67V, 148/68R, 149/68V, 149/68R, 150/68V, 151/69R, 152/69V, and so on.
The third interruption occurs after 307/146V. The blank leaf that follows, filmed as Nos. 308 and 309, is designated 147R and 147V (308/147R, 309/147V). As the subsequent leaf is also numbered 147, the sequence runs: 306/146R, 307/146V, 308/147R, 309/147V, 309/147R, 310/147V, 311/148R, 312/148V, and so forth.
Dates: During the period covered by this volume, England and its colonies followed the Old-Style Julian calendar, under which the legal new year began on 25 March (Lady Day). The earliest date recorded in this volume is a letter sent from St Helena on 3 June 1720 and the latest is a letter sent on 27 November 1724.
All these letters were sent to England during the administration of Edward Johnson (1719 to 1723) Edward Byfield (1723) and Captain John Smith (1723 to 1727).
AI Generated Summary
Introduction
This summary follows the small South Atlantic island of St Helena across the years 1720 to 1724, as seen through the letters its Governor and Council sent home to the East India Company. The Company held the island as a refreshment and repair station for ships returning from India and China, its small population, about 1,110 people of whom some 610 were enslaved in a census just after the period, sustained by Company subsidy. Most of the material belongs to the administration of Governor Edward Johnson, who arrived in 1719 in the Craggs, with the councillors Edward Byfield, John Alexander and John Goodwin. It then carries through the death of Johnson on 16 July 1722, the brief succession of Byfield, the arrival of Governor John Smith by the Essex in May 1723, and the calmer letters of 1724 carried by the Walpole, the Hannover and the Swallow. [Film No. 12-61, 256, 264-265]
The dominant voice throughout is official and defensive. The Court governed by written reproof, answering the island paragraph by paragraph, and the Council replied in the same form, anxious to prove its diligence and economy and to recover the Court's good opinion. Failings tend to be blamed on earlier governors or disobedient subordinates, with frequent reference back to the former Governor Isaac Pyke. A central strand is the Council's careful answer to the Court's detailed audit of its conduct and accounts, including the accountant general J. Fletcher's scrutiny of the books for 1717 to 1719, copied into the island's own book by mistake. These records must be read as a defence as much as a description. [Film No. 62-117, 162-211, 213-224]
The strength of the account is its closeness to daily administration; its chief limitation is that almost every fact reaches us through the Council's effort to clear itself before its masters. Wider knowledge confirms the island's situation as a dependent colony valued as a port of call, its drought and provisioning troubles matching the known ecological damage of deforestation and erosion in these decades. The correspondence is dominated above all by two themes, a long and ruinous drought that brought the island to the edge of famine, and the long contest between London's suspicion and the island's defence. [Film No. 159-161, 281-307, 312-361]
Governance and Administration
Governor Johnson set a clear method of rule, to govern on the record and cite a dated minute for every action. The Council kept full consultations and sent copies home with each ship, a deliberate break from looser earlier conduct, and answered the Court's complaints by pointing to a consultation, as over the detention of the Hartford by its proceedings of 6 September 1719. It answered the Court's general letter of 9 March 1719 paragraph by paragraph, defending itself against a charge of neglect over the Madagascar ships, since no homeward vessel had sailed before the King George left on 21 December 1719. Reporting depended wholly on the irregular departure of ships, so gaps arose from want of a carrier rather than any failure to keep a record. [Film No. 25-34]
Tension ran through the relationship between Governor and councillors. Each was free to dissent within the consultation, yet remained answerable to the Governor for the duties in his charge, with admonition preceding the graver penalties of suspension and expulsion. The arrival of Edward Byfield, appointed by the Court as its chief for the plantations, settled a question the Council had raised about who should oversee the Court's stock and land. [Film No. 39-61]
The Council grounded each act in a paragraph of a prior instruction, justifying its plan to lodge the chaplain and two councillors in repurposed buildings near the castle by the recurring phrase "and lodgings" in the Court's building orders. Its long paragraph-by-paragraph replies matched every Court instruction to a dated answer in the island's earlier letters, turning the correspondence into a running account of compliance that was the Council's chief shield against a charge of neglect. The Court in turn pressed a procedural discipline, insisting the reason for each action appear with the action itself; a misplaced postscript drew a rebuke, and the Council promised to check everything in consultation rather than leave it to a single clerk, and to open every letter with the date of its last so any missing despatch would show as a gap. [Film No. 62-63, 101-104]
When the Court declared itself unsatisfied, the Governor rested his defence on the oath he had sworn before its board, pleading that any fault arose from want of better understanding rather than wilful default, and that three months laid up with the gout after his arrival and the confusion he found at the change of government accounted for any insufficiency. This distinction between error and disobedience did the work of his exculpation, and shows how heavily the early administration leaned on its disordered inheritance to explain its shortcomings. [Film No. 101-104]
The central event of the middle period was an extended quarrel with the Court of Directors. A long letter carried out by the Drake charged the Council with disobedience, arbitrary conduct and poor record-keeping, and the Council answered each numbered paragraph in turn under subject heads, promising to undeceive the Court and show how vilely it had been imposed upon. Much of the dispute turned on the consultations, the Court demanding that all goods, whether from England or India or bought locally, be entered so the minute book served as a continuous audit. The Council pleaded ignorance rather than obstinacy, conceding its former practice was wrong while denying wilful resistance, a distinction between a fault of method and a fault of will that runs through the whole defence. [Film No. 115-117]
A recurring weakness was the Council's earlier habit of leaving the Governor's warnings to servants out of the minutes, done from a tenderness not to expose men to the Court's displeasure, which left the record bare of the justification it later needed once those men complained to London. The Council resolved to record each circumstance of a servant's behaviour before any suspension, a plainly defensive lesson that built the consultation into a shield against any charge of arbitrary dealing. By the later letters it could report its consultations brought up to within a week of each ship's departure, where once they had lagged, and tightened the timing of its accounts so the Court might read each month's expense without delay, marking the Company tightening the currency of its oversight from a great distance. [Film No. 122-125, 145]
Under Governor Smith much of the correspondence answered the Court's long letter of 24 December 1722, brought out by Smith and replied to paragraph by paragraph, the new administration acknowledging past failures while promising care against future complaint. A major theme was the reform of the account books, long found backward and disordered: the Council undertook to enter the plantation accounts monthly and take a general audit at year's end, and promised that no transfer of credit would pass except in consultation, closing a practice by which private creditors had assigned doubtful paper to the storekeeper for full store credit, judged the principal mechanism corrupting the accounts. When Thomas Houldich claimed for goods sold in 1720, the Council traced it through the books and the transfer journal before drawing the bills, showing the new discipline at work. [Film No. 272-280, 300]
The administration also protected each councillor and preserved the documentary chain. Any councillor had the standing right to enter a dissent in the minutes, a safeguard against later blame, and the doubt over the validity of the late Governor Johnson's will led the Council to ask the Court to take proper receipts in London for his goods and money so it could not be held personally answerable. The duplicate technique, urged earlier by Captain James Winter, ran through every despatch, the consultations resent across separate ships so the loss of any one vessel destroyed no part of the record. From 1724 the Council undertook to enter even its own faults in the consultations, offering the Court a complete and self-incriminating record as the strongest proof of honest government. [Film No. 264, 274, 312-359]
The death of Governor Johnson on 16 July 1722, reported by the Townsend in March 1723, was the central administrative event of the later entries. Byfield succeeded during the Court's pleasure, and the Council wound up Johnson's affairs with care: his account was made up to the day of his death, a strict examination of the beef he had received since June 1722 showed a shortfall of £165 0s ½d with which he was charged, and a balance of £87 18s 11d remaining due to him was to be paid to Thomas Heath esquire as his representative, with copies of the account, an inventory of his goods and his will enclosed. The estate was settled by the verification of documents sent home rather than by any local probate, the administration applying to its own late head the same accounting rigour it demanded of everyone. [Film No. 256-260]
By 1724 Governor Smith's council, with Edward Byfield, John Alexander, John Goodwin and Benjamin Hawkes, governed in close obedience, reserving to the directors every matter that touched the Court's interest, as over a change in the terms on which Company land was leased, which it prepared, put to the inhabitants, and then referred home. It also exercised and recorded its power to discipline its own members, suspending a councillor for several misdemeanours on the grounds set out in its consultations of 9 July, 27 October and 3 November 1724 and submitting the matter to the Court. The man is named in the manuscript as Benjamin Shuckis, but the continuing account makes clear he was the same Benjamin Hawkes lately raised to the board, the surname inconsistently rendered, his final standing left for the directors to determine. [Film No. 364-371]
Military Affairs and Defence
Defence rested on watchfulness against unidentified sail, every strange ship treated as a threat until its character was confirmed by a passing captain's report. In February 1721 the Council twice took alarm for ships it feared were pirates, the seven that passed proving Dutch sugar carriers from Batavia and two more Ostend vessels from Canton, and a double alarm for nineteen sail in January 1722 again sent its pinnace out to enquire after the Court's shipping. These repeated alarms, resolved by the ships standing off, show the constant vigilance of an isolated station that could never be sure whether a passing fleet meant trade or attack. The same anxiety persisted to 1724, with double alarms for two ships in February 1722 and for twenty-one sail in March 1723, all supposed Dutch. [Film No. 72-73, 256, 261]
The militia rested on the obligation of every white man between sixteen and sixty to appear at any alarm or general muster, the working substitute the Council offered for the Court's rule of one settler for every twenty acres, which it reported unenforceable because the larger and poorer tracts of Company land had already been granted away. The collision between the militia ideal and a prior pattern of engrossing meant the island met the Court's aim of a defensible population by binding the whole adult male body to arms rather than by the landholding ratio the rule prescribed. [Film No. 102-103]
The fortifications were the chief standing charge, and their completion was offered as the moment the heaviest expense would fall away. The Council reckoned the close of the following month would see everything finished, the works carried to a conclusion by staged slave labour before the hands returned to the plantations, and an additional storehouse completed. It set and then affirmed a deadline against which the Court could measure the saving, governing by defined commitments the directors could later hold it to. The survey of calling ships before departure, examining hull, masts, rigging, anchors and cables, gave the directors an independent account of each vessel's condition at sailing. [Film No. 79, 92]
The garrison stores and ordnance ran through the later letters, with ten faulty guns sent to the west coast by the James and Mary for disposal and the rest kept mounted for show for want of better, and ten more useless cannon despatched under the Court's direction. The wider war reached even a calling ship: the Arabella, licensed by the Company for Madagascar and carrying slaves to Buenos Aires for the South Sea Company under the Spanish slave contract, was seized when war with Spain broke out and her crew held prisoner for nearly two years, and was now bound for Cadiz having given security. The Council refused to entrust its packet to her, holding the record back from a foreign-bound ship of uncertain standing whose papers would pass through many hands, and waited for a Company vessel. [Film No. 68-70, 365]
The loss of three of the Company's ships at the Cape, the Catherine in the Straits of Sunda among them, shaped the Council's later caution. It managed the risk of the long homeward passage by drawing each remittance as a first and second bill carried by separate ships, so the interception of one vessel destroyed no money, the safeguard built into the form of the bill itself. The entertainment of a man of war, HMS Rook under Captain Cockburne from Bombay, under the Court's order, swelled the April account, and the Council set out the cause of the expected overspend before the Court could read extravagance into the figure. [Film No. 258, 261]
Settlement, Land and Agriculture
Against the Court's charge of neglect, the Council set out active improvement on the Court's plantations, gardens and pastures, planting wood round the gardens to shelter them, hedges to protect the pastures, plantain trees in the gullies to feed cattle in a dry season, and carrying water wherever it could answer the want of rain. A clerk struck out a bare repetition of careful management, leaving the paragraph to carry the concrete particulars. The island depended on fresh planting stock from outside, since seed tried locally degenerated and ran to vine, and the Council enquired of the Madagascar ships Elizabeth and Mercury for yams but could obtain none. [Film No. 103-104]
The standing terms on which the island's land was held were four shillings an acre rent, with a further shilling for the patent, the formal grant of title charged separately. The Council had to defend the buying of Mr William Charles's ten acres for sixty pounds, judging it a good bargain and noting Company land had sometimes sold for ten and eleven pounds an acre, but the directors disapproved and the Council recorded a corrective order in its consultation of 30 June. More delicate was the Court's notice that Byfield and two other councillors had themselves bought Company ground, the purchase of land by the men charged with managing it; the Council stressed that no reproach or ill intent was meant, its defence resting on the absence of an explicit rebuke rather than any clear separation of office from interest. [Film No. 362-363]
The resale of the contested ten acres answered the disapproval by recovering a profit, the ground sold to Ensign William Slaughter for sixty-five pounds, thirty paid down and the balance secured by the buyer's bond at five per cent interest a year, recorded in the consultation of 11 August 1724. This followed the standing method of selling Company land on credit, the deferred sum converted into an interest-bearing debt held against the purchaser until cleared. [Film No. 368-369]
A long programme of woodland enclosure, ordered across more than twenty years, was pressed forward through 1724. The Council reported good progress at the section of the Great Wood called the Stone Point, the fencing commended by everyone who saw it, applying as many of the Court's slaves as it could spare from the fortification and plantation works, and recorded that the buying of wood would not be allowed in future. By November the work had moved to the Horse Point, expected to be finished in a few months, the young trees come up thick after a fine rainy season. The same season prompted an advertisement of 23 June 1724 reminding the inhabitants to plant young wood and furze, a hardy thorny windbreak, against the blasting winds, with the Council undertaking to inspect compliance and turn a general exhortation into a duty it could check. [Film No. 362, 369]
Supply, Provisioning and Drought
The dominant supply question of the early years was arrack, and the Council's policy turned against it. A standing order fixed by the Court allowed the island to take spirits at four shillings the gallon, a rule meant to deny callers the leverage of scarcity, and in December 1720 the Council bought thirteen leaguers of 2,300 gallons from Captain Luhorne of the Princess Ann. But by the summer of 1721 the same fixed rate worked against the island, the captains of the Court's own ships invoking it to force arrack on stores already well filled. The Council refused to draw bills for purchases it did not want, leaving several score leaguers untaken, and planned to warn outward-bound commanders, by a letter left at the Cape and a circular to all the settlements, that the island's stock was so large it could take no arrack for three years. [Film No. 65-66, 90-91]
Where coin was wanting the island fell back on barter, taking sugar in payment for provisions when a Portuguese ship from Brazil bound for Angola mistook the island for the mainland and came in needing water, welcomed because the last bag in the Court's stores was already in use. The episode shows supply running close to the margin even in a well-managed year. The French ships from Pondicherry, in great want of provisions, were supplied at the same prices the English paid and behaved civilly, distinguishing ships of a friendly flag, allowed fresh provisions for their money, from the interlopers the island excluded. [Film No. 77-78, 85]
A long and ruinous drought, running across several years, dominated the middle and later period and brought the island to the edge of famine. The yam crop failed so far that the planters could not feed their families or supply the ships, and the Council pleaded with the Court for relief, the want sharpened by the loss of the cattle for lack of pasture. The Court bore the heavy charge of sending provisions from England and the eastern presidencies, and without that assistance the poor people would have been reduced to a starving condition. The Council tied the planters' recovery directly to the Company's costs, undertaking to encourage them to raise all sorts of provisions so the island might support itself and spare the directors the expense. [Film No. 281-284, 312-345]
By the time the Swallow arrived from Bencoolen on 17 November 1724 the drought had broken, the Council reporting the island in a fine flourishing condition with great hopes of retrieving its vast losses within a few years. It supplied the Swallow under her charter party with beef and all fresh provisions and was confident of furnishing the whole of the next year's shipping, the revival restoring the island's central function as a victualling station for the Court's fleet. A rice consignment from Fort St George fell short in a dry spell, only 5 bags of 25 received from Captain Westborne of the Drake, the rest damaged or used on the passage, and six bales of punch saved from the wreck of the Shandois proved coarse and damaged, judged better disposed of at the island than forwarded. [Film No. 257, 368]
Trade and Shipping
The island sat on the homeward route and served as a station for tracking the Company's fleet, the Court's list of ships despatched for India letting the Council enquire after each as it passed and report news home. Its records were carried home with elaborate care against loss at sea, each general letter reciting the previous despatch by name, ship and date, and the consultations and accounts copied home by successive ships, duplicates of everything sent by the Walpole going again by the Hannover and those by the Hannover repeated by the Swallow. This duplicate technique gave the Court a recoverable record reconstructable from any one conveyance should the others fail. [Film No. 364-372, 105-106]
The Court's monopoly was enforced in practice against the Ostend trade, foreign-licensed vessels from Canton bearing directly away without attempting the road, knowing the reception such ships met after the earlier seizure of the House of Austria. The charter party governed the island's dealings with the Court's own ships, fixing a master's obligations on unlading and conduct, the contracted ten working days setting the limit beyond which delay became a charge. The Council entered a formal protest against the Drake and the Craggs where unlading ran over time or goods were short delivered, building the documentary case on which the Court could charge a commander debtor in London, and recorded the storekeeper Captain Goodwin's endorsement on the bills of lading for rice short delivered by the Drake and the Middlesex. [Film No. 73, 107-108, 257-260]
Foreign rivals and interlopers recur through the period, the Council distinguishing ships of friendly powers in amity, allowed provisions for their money, from those it excluded. The arrival of named East Indiamen and warships marks the rhythm of the homeward season, the Lyell under Captain Charles Smale from China and HMS Rook under Captain Cockburne from Bombay arriving in early 1723, with the Princess Amelia under Captain John Misener, who had once disputed a coal measure deficiency. The clustering of ships shaped the season's accounting and correspondence, the Governor surveying the Swallow before her departure and finding her hull, masts, rigging, anchors and cables good and her draught sixteen foot aft and thirteen foot six inches forward. [Film No. 261, 371]
Economy, Finance, Currency and Accounting
The island ran almost entirely on credit drawn on the Court in London, every transaction converted into a paper claim. Goods bought from calling ships, sums due to captains and credits standing to servants were all settled by bills of exchange payable in England, drawn in sets of three or in first and second parts sent by different ships so the loss of one would not destroy the claim while only one copy would be honoured, uniformly dated and payable at thirty days after sight. A master commonly assigned his bill to the London merchant who had financed his outward voyage, as with Captain Bond's bills on Matthew Martin esquire and Captain Pitt's on Henry Gough of London, the named drawee standing behind the paper at India House. Dealings with foreign companies were routed through their own credit, the Council taking a bill for £165 3s 4d on the Dutch East India Company itself for tea bought of Captain Tesser of the Stalkbourg, and old obligations were honoured across many years, a debt of £30 5s 0d due to Captain Pinnell since 1707 settled once lawfully demanded. [Film No. 75, 79, 89, 96-97, 364-371]
The administration's largest internal labour was the correction of the inherited accounts. Balances had been carried forward from year to year since 1715 without any inventory of the actual stores, breeding errors through the books, and the figures taken at the storekeeper Captain Bazett's death proved incorrect. The Council ordered a fresh inventory of all the Court's goods to establish a true starting point, reconciling the book balances against the new count sort by sort, the 1719 books delayed by this labour. It worked off the arrears year by year with each fleet, pledging the 1720 books by the next season, and despatched the 1722 books with the annual returns of families, land, cattle, rents and slaves. [Film No. 81, 89-90]
The heart of the audit was the accountant general J. Fletcher's letter of 23 February 1721, copied into the island's book by mistake. The books for 1717 to 1719 carried only the year and no day, so the whole year's business appeared to fall on a single date, and the debts owed to the Company had risen from £8,738 8s 8¾d to £11,775 2s 7¼d in a single year, an increase of £3,036 17s 10½d, besides fifteen debts written off as desperate. The Court directed that every debtor be entered with the exact month and day, dated entries the safeguard against the backdated or aggregated reckoning that concealed how each liability arose. [Film No. 213]
Fletcher's deepest objection was to the transfer system. The island had drawn bills on the Company for £7,140 8s 4d in one year for arrack and stores bought from homeward commanders at extravagant rates, when India could supply more cheaply, and credit was entered to one person by transfer from another known to be insolvent, so the Company absorbed bad debts. The Court warned that by drawing bills payable in England against worthless local credits, the Council could in effect confer an estate on any person, leaving the Company holding a claim against a debtor not worth the clothes on his back, and confined future credit to four grounds, goods delivered, ready money paid, salary, or labour performed. He drove the point home with particular instances, Mercy Carne's bill of £159 drawn where no money or goods came into the warehouses, Edward Houghton's bill for £199 10s 0d made payable to John Houghton in neither the right name nor sum, and a fictitious debt of £189 12s 4¾d charged to profit and loss to make damaged goods sold at auction appear well sold. [Film No. 214-217]
The audit found the island's spending very large, £11,027 4s 4d in one year, three times what it had cost in Governor Poirier's time, the diet expenses of £2,319 8s 2d mostly liquor. Against this outlay the Company had almost nothing in its books to show for an increase in its estate save two sums for slaves bought of Isaac Pyke, £680 against the fortifications and £785 against the plantation, and modest returns from customs, fines and rents. The Court built an exhaustive abstract of debtors, each name carrying the sum owed when the books opened and the larger sum at their close, the grand totals struck at £6,413 4s 6¼d opening against £8,777 14s 8d closing, a rise of £2,364 10s 2d, the burden reaching the Company's own servants, the secretary Antipas Tovey owing £376 9s 5¼d and the overseer William Worrall £380 14s 4d. [Film No. 217-223]
Two accounts set out in proper debtor-and-creditor form, Margaret Burnham's and Giles Smith's, showed the double-entry method the Court wished applied, both exposing a credit entered against obligations that might never be collected; of Margaret Burnham's credit, £261 had never been made good, resting on the bonds of Samuel Nelson and Giles Smith and the debt of John Swallow. The Court closed with a sharp rhetorical test, asking the Council to imagine itself the owner of the island and judge whether it would pay one person real money while taking a mere bond from another in his place. The question of securing a doubtful debt occupied the Council's reply: on the £271 10s 0d charged to Giles Smith's account from Mr French, it argued the sum secure because recoverable from George and John Gurling, who stood bound for it, with the residue of £100 held safe by two further bondsmen, Sutton Isaac and John Sinnick. [Film No. 223-224, 248]
The Council's reply, answering Fletcher by name, accepted the charge over the missing dates and laid the fault on the former accountant Antipas Tovey, showing the dating corrected from 1720 onward, and explained the rise in debt as partly the correction of inherited confusion, persons believed to stand in credit found in debt once the tangled accounts were straightened. The fifteen written-off debts were the accounts of persons who had died leaving nothing or had fled the island, a recognition of reality rather than the manufactured loss condemned elsewhere. It then walked through the disputed credits one by one, tracing each to its source in the journal and ledger folios, explaining Joshua Thomlinson's overdrawn bill as a sum from the ship Mary never entered and found only afterwards, and William Saxby's £9 6s 10d written off because the accountant Joseph Ormston had made the entry up wrongly. [Film No. 225-227]
The reform of the books continued under Governor Smith, who undertook to enter the plantation accounts monthly and close the transfer custom, with Mr Byfield's monthly accounts of the expense of each plantation broken down plantation by plantation and month by month so the directors could trace exactly where the money went. The island remained cashless throughout, the whole financial machinery resting on the Court's account, salaries and balances discharged by bills payable in England rather than coin. The coin that did circulate was managed deliberately, low-value fanams, Spanish bits and copper kept in local circulation while higher coin drained away, the Spanish piece of eight valued at five shillings, a working currency policy for a remote and supplied station. [Film No. 279-280, 365, 370]
Slavery and Coerced Labour
The Court's slaves were the island's labour force for the heavy works, and the administration treated them frankly as a wasting capital asset. An inveterate disease spread among them so that for days together the Council could get no more than four, five, six or seven fit to do a day's labour, and it feared that without a capable surgeon the Court would in a few years have not one able slave left. The plea for medical relief was framed in plainly economic terms, the loss of labour to the building programme pressing the Court to act through the cost of inaction rather than any duty of care. About fifteen slaves were kept making and mending clothes under the chief tailor, and lists of the Court's slaves with their ages and employments were sent home yearly as the standing audit of the labour force. [Film No. 62, 93]
Coerced labour served the recovery of debts as well as the works. Indebted planters, unable to pay in coin or kind, discharged their debts by the hire of their slaves, a conversion of unrecoverable money debt into present work that diverted hands the Council would otherwise have set to its own improvements. The slaves bought of Governor Pyke, whose prices had been omitted from the consultations though entered in the transfer journal, were forwarded separately with their prices to repair the gap in the record, and the two sums entered against the fortifications and the plantation, £680 and £785, were among the rare credits Fletcher found representing a real asset acquired. The heavy liquor charge of 1719 was defended as a charged ration supplied to the slaves rather than waste. [Film No. 67, 102, 218, 227]
The traffic in enslaved people to the eastern settlements continued as a routine matter of record. Ten male slaves were sent to Bencoolen by the Desbouverie and fourteen more by a later ship, the human beings entered among the manifest's numbered items alongside receipts for packets and for ten guns sent to the west coast, the captain's signed acknowledgement of people as cargo delivered set down with no more comment than the ordnance. The bare bureaucratic notation is itself a measure of how thoroughly the trade was normalised within the Company's documentary routine. [Film No. 212, 260, 365]
The enslaved labour force was also the means by which the Council pressed its enclosure works, the fencing at the Stone Point and the Horse Point carried forward by applying as many of the Court's slaves as could be spared from the fortifications and the plantations. The same labour that built the island's defences and worked its agriculture was redirected to the woodland programme, the Council balancing the competing demands on a fixed body of coerced workers, the recovery of the land resting throughout on the slaves the Company owned and moved between its tasks at the island. Runaways and the management of the labour force recur, with armed slaves who held a cave under Lot taken by a party from above, and the women's unfitness for hard labour entered against the labour reckoning. [Film No. 362]
Judiciary, Crime and Punishment
The most revealing legal matter of the early period was the dispute over Middleton, surgeon of the Hartford, brought before Governor Johnson in August 1721 to answer for disorderly behaviour ashore. When the man had said what he could for himself, the Governor ordered his punishment, and Captain Nelly begged that he be forgiven and sent quietly aboard. The Governor refused, holding that a crime left without open and public punishment must destroy the good order of the community, and directed the marshal to proceed at once, turning a request for clemency into a public demonstration that no informal settlement would displace the island's penal process. [Film No. 93-94]
The exchange set out two rival principles of jurisdiction. Governor Johnson rested his authority on the necessity of punishing an offence in the place it was committed, while Captain Nelly held the man should have been remitted to England for trial, and warned that had the surgeon been aboard the Governor might have blown the ship out of the sea before he was surrendered. The Governor claimed the power to grant a warrant to retake any offender who fled aboard a calling ship, a warrant no vessel but the Court's own might resist, but the threat exposed the practical limit of that authority, for a master willing to defy the shore could shield a man already on his deck, and the Council acknowledged that lasting enforcement depended on the Company disciplining its masters in London. The whole proceeding was sent home as a formal exhibit for the Court to judge. [Film No. 95-96, 99]
The island government acted as a court over its own members and over troublesome men sent from India. It set out a standard of proof in handling accusations, weighing evidence before suspension and recording each circumstance, and described chaining a dangerous offender sent from Madras by the leg with a half-hundredweight, noting that such rogues had formerly been returned to India rather than kept for fear of the consequences. The discipline of servants, the hearing of complaints and the recovery of debts before a man could quit the island all ran together, the Council building its penal and disciplinary acts into the consultation as the documentary ground of its authority. [Film No. 124-125]
Social Order, Religion and the Medical Establishment
Provision for the chaplain was handled as a matter of economy, the ground floor of the old store house to be fitted as his apartment to save the rent the Court had always allowed for a house. Clerical discipline broke down at times, with the chaplain Jones the subject of complaint, and order on the island was disturbed by faction and by troublesome men. The medical establishment was a standing crisis throughout. The surgeon Mr Scrimshire, sent to relieve the island's want, made himself useless by continual drinking and pleaded the fatigue of business to seek his return, taking passage at last on a French ship and leaving only his under-skilled assistant William Beale, his £40 0s 0d allowance stopped for leaving before his contracted time. [Film No. 62, 82-83]
The plea for a skilful and sober man to replace him, both for the preservation of the slaves and for the garrison and planters, renewed the very request that had brought Scrimshire himself, the wording showing the administration learning from the particular fault of drink. The garrison handled illness beyond local cure by discharge to England, as with the soldier Richard Sagar, dangerously ill of a fistula, sent home with his unpaid salary and a collection raised among the inhabitants, his good conduct recorded as the ground for the Court's favour. The crisis persisted to 1724: William Beale was dismissed not for being less skilled than another but for ignorance in physic and surgery, by which he did more harm to the Court's slaves than good, especially in the venereal distemper, and leave to depart was withheld until he cleared his debt. The Court's own Doctor Beale being judged incapable, the Council borrowed the surgeon Mr Carlile, a sober and ingenious man, from Captain Bell, the recourse to a passing ship's surgeon the standing makeshift for the island's medical want. [Film No. 86-87, 97, 257, 363]
Personalities
Governor Edward Johnson emerges as the most distinctive figure of the early period, firm in the Middleton affair to the point of telling a captain to his face that he neither could nor would forgive an offence left unpunished, yet careful to rest his authority on law and his defence on his oath. The former Governor Isaac Pyke recurs in the settlement of inherited business, pressed for £515 12s 6d he owed at his departure for Bencoolen and meeting the demand at once by producing a receipt that cleared the sum, having kept the proof of discharge against just such an audit. The accountant general J. Fletcher is the unseen author of the audit, his forensic reading from London exposing the transfer system and the false entries, while the accountant Antipas Tovey is the recurring local figure, blamed for the undated books, named as a substantial debtor, and appearing through the beef accounts as the officer who drew the largest parcels of meat year after year. [Film No. 94, 224-246]
Mr Gabriel Powell stands out as the wealthiest planter and the Court's principal creditor, his credit of £750 0s 0d in the Court's books dwarfing the season's other claims, his cattle the benchmark against which the Council insisted the Court's own beasts were no worse, and his entangled account, standing him a debtor of £1,251 1s 6d with the caution that several debts might never be paid, showing how the largest balances rested on what indebted planters owed him. Governor John Smith appears as a careful administrator, personally surveying the Swallow and steering the Council's measured answers. Captain Lisley of the Charming Galley is the later period's figure of misfortune, bearing news of the lost factory at Mabundo and himself driven from the road after months on a pint of water a day, while Ensign William Slaughter resolved the contested land purchase at a profit and Benjamin Hawkes, lately raised to the council, was the member whose suspension the Council reserved to the Court, his surname unsteadily recorded. [Film No. 83, 111, 367-370]
The Reliability of the Record
The record is throughout the Council's own, written to answer a Court that complained of slowness and error, so its claims of recovery and its self-justifying confidence must be weighed against that purpose, and its silences are as telling as its statements. The routine entry of human beings as delivered cargo, the bare warning shot fired across a desperate ship, and the careful framing of every expense as obedience to the Court's own orders all pass without remark in a record built to demonstrate good management. Wider knowledge corroborates the island's dependence on Company subsidy, the reality of the drought, and the ecological damage of deforestation, but almost every fact reaches us through a government anxious to clear itself, the consultation deliberately built into a shield against any charge of arbitrary or negligent dealing. [Film No. 159-161, 281-307]
Conclusion
Across these years the administration of Governor Johnson and his successors presented itself as bringing order out of an inherited confusion, clearing the backlog of accounts, completing the fortifications, and drawing both the Court's finances and the island's planters out of long disorder. The genuine achievements, the corrected books, the finished works and the disciplined correspondence, sit alongside intractable problems the letters could not solve, the slave epidemic, the want of a sound surgeon, the repeated failure of the seasons, and the limits of the island's authority over the masters of calling ships. The London audit gives a rare view of the Company holding a remote outpost to financial account, Fletcher's forensic and substantially justified scrutiny exposing real abuses, yet the Council's defence not without force, much of the swelling debt arising from the correction of inherited confusion rather than fresh extravagance. [Film No. 92-93, 109-111, 247]
The period closes with the island under Governor Smith, recovered from a punishing drought into a flourishing condition able once more to provision the Court's ships, still settling the books of the old administration, still borrowing surgeons from passing ships, and still watching the horizon for sail it could not identify. The Council's account is one of diligent obedience, pressing the woodland enclosure, recovering a profit on disputed land, and settling every reckoning by bills carefully drawn against loss. Yet the recovery was real but rested on coerced labour and on a hardened exclusion of outsiders, the ordinary instruments of a small Company island maintaining itself at the edge of the Company's world, its whole history reaching us through the self-justifying record its government sent home to London. [Film No. 256-261, 362-372]
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EAP 1364 St Helena Document Name and Date St Helena Letters to England 1720-1724 Photographer Peter Date photographed 22 Feb 22 Additional comments | ||||
Book cover | ||||
WARNING, A poisonous solution containing mercuric chloride has been used in the repair and binding of this volume. | ||||
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letter Book from England 1720 to 1724 | ||||
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On H.M.S. The Honble. The Col. Secretary | ||||
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1R | Gen.ll Lett.r from St. Helena ⅌ Ship Des Bouverie Cap.t Capt. Tho.s Wollen Comand.r dochd Iune y 8.th 1720. Hon.ble S.rs What has Occured here worthy your Hon.rs Notice since our last We hereby transimitt, On the 4.th of March there was an Alarm for a Ship, she sent her Boat In as belonging to the Sunderland Capt. Hunter, one of your Hon.rs Ships from China, one M.r Hall formerly in Your Hon.rs service in her Prevent to the Govern.r owning to him that he had recieved Orders from the Capt. of the Ship to make use of that Ships Name, that he might to the more Ease.r gett Admission to him but that she realy was the Sloop of Austria Capt.n Naish Comand.r one of the three Ships that had Liberty Granted to Trade to the East Indies by my Lord Cadogan on the Part of the King of Great Brittain, and by the Marquis De Prie on part of his Imperial Majesty, For which fallacy the Gov.r Ordered him to be Seized, at his first Addressing himself to the Gov.r he gave him two Letters the one Directed to him and the Council the other To himself Subscrib.d J Naish afterwards we | General letter from St Helena by the ship Desbouverie, Captain Thomas Wootton commander, dated 8 June 1720. The Council set out for the Court what had happened at the island worth notice since its last letter. On 4 March an alarm was raised for a ship that sent her boat ashore as belonging to the Sunderland under Captain Shunter, one of the Court's China ships, the boat carrying a Mr Hall once in the Court's service. In his approach to the Governor he claimed to have received orders from the captains of the ships to use that ship's name, so that he might more easily gain admission. The vessel was in truth the House of Austria under Captain Naish, one of the three ships granted leave to trade to the East Indies by Lord Cadogan on behalf of the King of Great Britain and by the Marquis de Prie on behalf of the Emperor. For this deception Governor Johnson ordered him seized at his first approach. On first addressing the Governor he delivered two letters, one directed to the Governor and the Council and the other to the Governor alone, both subscribed by Naish, and afterwards [...] Interpretations The ship's false identity turned on a real distinction in trade rights. A vessel sailing as one of the Court's own China ships could expect refreshment and admission at St Helena, while the House of Austria, sailing under the Ostend grant, had no such claim. The use of a former Company servant to carry the pretence and the borrowing of the Sunderland's name were aimed at securing entry that the true commission would not have won. The grant named to two authorities marks the Ostend trade's hybrid standing. Lord Cadogan licensed the three ships on the British side and the Marquis de Prie on the Emperor's, so the venture sailed under a divided authorisation reflecting the Austrian Netherlands' position under imperial rule. The Governor treated the British half of that licence as no protection, the deception itself being the ground for seizure rather than the underlying commission. Speculations The immediate seizure on the first approach suggests a deliberate refusal to let the pretence develop. Governor Johnson acted at the point of first contact rather than after admitting the boat's party, denying the visitors any foothold from which to press their request. The pattern matches the forcible refusal of the Joseph under Captain Hale a few days earlier on 29 February 1720, the island holding to a fixed course against foreign-licensed shipping seeking its stores under any colour. | ||
1V | more Directed to himself, to the Contents of either was not the least Regard had, No nor would the Govern.r shew So much Favour as to take care of the two Letters Marked A.B & P. he desired in one of the Letters to the Gov.r to be forwarded, or would he concern himself in the least, We have herewith sent your Hon.rs the Originals & have kept Attested Copys, the Gov.r after Some Short time Released M.r Hall upon his Promise to go Immediatly on board and the Ship to Quit the Island thereby Judging Your Hon.rs Instructions would be fully Complyed with all in not Suffering them to come to an Anchor in our Road and Prevent any trouble fom ill designing People against Your Hon.rs Interest that might make M.r Halls detainure here a handle to Cavil, We doe Assure Your Hon.rs We had no other view but Your Interest and Hon.r and therefore Submit our Conduct herein to Your Honours wiser Judgements On the 7.th We had an Alarm for the merceury ya[...] [...] desir.d a saze by your Hon.rs Permitt | The Council paid no regard to the contents of either letter, the one for the Governor and the Council or the one for the Governor alone. The Governor would not even do the favour of forwarding the two letters marked B and S, which one of the letters to him had asked be sent on, nor would he involve himself in the matter at all. The Council sent the Court the originals and kept attested copies. After a short time the Governor released Mr Hall on his promise to go aboard at once and the ship to leave the island. The Council judged that the Court's instructions had been fully met by refusing to let the ship anchor in the road and by preventing any trouble from ill-designing people against the Court's interest that might make Mr Hall's detention a pretext for objection. The Council assured the Court that it had acted with no aim but the Court's interest, and left its conduct to the Court's wiser judgement.
Interpretations The refusal to forward the two marked letters denied the Ostend venture any use of St Helena as a relay. By declining even to pass on correspondence, the Governor kept the island clear of the trade rather than serving as a point of contact for it. The retention of attested copies, with the originals sent home, preserved a record for the Court while removing any sign of cooperation. Speculations The release of Mr Hall against a defined practical limit shows a calculated handling of the risk. The Governor freed him only on the twin condition that he board immediately and the ship depart, converting a detention that could have been used as a grievance into a clean removal. The stated worry about ill-designing people turning the detention into a handle to object indicates the choice was made to deny critics any opening, not from any softening toward the visitors. | ||
2R | We received 16 Slaves from her for your Hon.rs servic[...] which gave Us an Opportunity speedily of Enquiring of the Comander how far that Part of M.r Naish Lett.r to the Govern.r and Council Relateing to the Pyrates might be Credited, Capt. Christall Comand.r M.r Will.m Bennett cheif mate Rich.d Charnock 2.d mate Informed Us that on the 11.th of febry last came in to the Cape a Dutch Ship which had been Engaged w.th a Pyrate who had killed her Nine men and Wounded her 49 some of which the Capt fee Come a Shore on the Bridge, She supposed her to be a Bristoll Built Ship having 40 Guns 8 Pattereroes & full of men But the Pyrate being a weak Ship not able to Carry Sail the Dutch man gott Clear of her The Occasion of the Uneasiness of the People We Complained of in our two last Letters to your Hon.rs is now Apparent fo as they have been Suffered before our time to Run So farr in your Hon.rs debts that there are not ten families on the Island but owe your Hon.rs more than they are realy worth So they seeing that We are looking into the State of the Island their Cunin[...] | The Council took 16 slaves from her for the Court's service, which gave it a chance to ask the commander at once how far the part of Mr Naish's letter to the Governor and Council about the pirates could be believed. Captain Christall the commander, Mr William Bennett the chief mate and Richard Charnock the second mate told the Council that on 11 February last a Dutch ship came into the Cape, having fought a pirate who had killed nine of her men and wounded forty-nine, some of whom the captain saw come ashore on the bridge. He took the pirate to be a Bristol-built ship carrying forty guns and eight pattereroes and full of men. The pirate was a leaky ship and unable to carry sail, so the Dutchman got clear of her.
Interpretations The questioning of three of the ship's officers shows the Council testing intelligence by direct examination. Mr Naish's written account of the pirate could not be taken on its own, so the Council put the matter to the commander and his two mates of the slave ship and recorded their agreement before sending it home. The detail of the Dutch ship's losses and the pirate's condition gave the Court a concrete report rather than a second-hand claim. A pattereroe was a small swivel-mounted breech-loading gun fixed to a ship's rail and used at close quarters against boarders or an enemy crew. Its mention alongside the forty carriage guns marks the pirate as heavily armed for close action as well as for a gun duel, the swivel pieces serving to sweep an enemy deck once the ships closed. The debt position exposes the financial grip the Court held over the island's settlers. Fewer than ten families owed the Court less than their whole property was worth, so almost every household stood insolvent to the Company. That universal indebtedness, built up under earlier governors who let store credit run unchecked, gave the administration leverage over the planters while threatening the Court with a body of debts it could never fully recover. Speculations The link drawn between the settlers' discontent and the audit of the island's accounts points to the debt review as the real source of unrest. The Council connected the grievances of its two previous letters to its own examination of who owed what, suggesting the planters resisted not from any abstract complaint but because scrutiny threatened to call in debts they could not pay. The framing prepares the Court to read later trouble at the island as the reaction of insolvent debtors to an administration tightening its accounts. | ||
2V | Circumstances are the causes of their Uneasiness al W[...] to talk w.th them what Hardships have been Imposed on any of them they Cannot Instance one We have not been Severe to any not even to those that are the most Indebted for from Some We have taken what Stock they could best Spare, from Some We have taken what Seurity they could best give Us and Given them time, from others We have Stopt any Credit in the Stores that they may be no further Indebted, thus We have Acted and shall Always es think it a duty Incumbent on Us to Prosecute what ever We shall think most Conduceive to your Hon.rs Interest Notwithstanding the Clamour of the People who by the frequent trouble they have given your Hon.rs must know Always were and ever will be dissatisfyed, their Igrorance and Conceited Obsti =nacy lays them open and gives an Opportunity to designing Persons who by their own Conduct & ill behaviour have brought themselves Under the Cognizance of the Laws and Lyable to the Censure of the Govern.r the more Easily to prevail on them as was Instanced in their tabuling with M.r[...] | The Council held that the audit of the island's accounts was itself the cause of the people's discontent. Pressed to name any hardship laid on them, they could point to none. The Council had been harsh with no one, not even with those most deeply in debt. From some it had taken whatever stock they could best spare, from some whatever security they could best give, allowing them time to pay, and from others it had stopped all further store credit so that they could fall no deeper into debt. The Council had acted on this footing and would always think it a clear duty to pursue whatever it judged most to the Court's interest, despite the people's complaints. Those people, by the frequent trouble they had caused, the Court must know were always discontented and ever would be. Their ignorance and stubborn obstinacy left them open to designing men, who by their own conduct and bad behaviour had brought themselves within reach of the law and liable to the Governor's censure, and who could the more easily work on them, as was seen in their meddling with [...] Interpretations The Council set out a graded approach to recovering debt rather than a single rule. From the solvent it took surplus stock, from others a pledge of security with time to pay, and from the worst placed it simply closed off further credit. The differentiation matched each measure to what the debtor could bear, recovering what it could while stopping the debts from growing, and answered any charge of harshness by showing no uniform severity. The link drawn between the settlers' ignorance and the influence of designing men shapes how the Council framed unrest for the Court. By casting the ordinary planters as easily led and the troublemakers as men already exposed to the law through their own conduct, the Council separated a manageable mass from a small culpable group. The argument prepared the ground for prosecuting the ringleaders while treating the rest as merely misguided. | ||
3R | in a fortnights time When the Susanna Capt. Edwards was here in febry the Gov.r went into the Office the Books shewd him for 1717 almost Copyd fair the Gov.r thought that all the Acc.ts for 1718 were Settled for he had Applyed himself to the Gov.r to Appoint a time and to Order all the People to Apply themselves to the Office in Order to Settle for 1718 which time was Expired no Complaints made from him that any had been deficient to Comply therewith which made the Gov.r take for granted it was done, On the 22.d of March last he sent severall Sheets of Paper Croaded w.th falcitys to the Consultacion desireing them to be Registred which We Afused knowing them to be false, therein he Exprised what deligence in the Books he had usd himself and that all the Books were by his hand brought up to that day On the 26 the Gov.r desired Us to Accompany him to Examine the State of the Books that We might no more be Imposed on or Disappointed again Accordeing ly We did and found them far Short of what was Represented in that Paper for these for 1717 were not Near Compleated So that We question is whether the[...] | The trouble arose over the state of Mr [...]'s books and accounts. When the Susanna under Captain Edwards was at the island in February, the Governor went into the office, and the books were shown to him made up for 1717 almost fair. The Governor took it that all the accounts for 1718 were settled, since the man had asked him to appoint a time and to order all the people to apply to the office so the 1718 accounts could be settled. That time having passed with no complaint from him that anyone had failed to come in, the Governor assumed the work was done. On 22 March last he sent several sheets of paper, crowded with falsehoods, to the consultation, asking that they be registered, which the Council refused, knowing them false. In them he claimed how much care he had taken with the books and that he had brought every book up to date by his own hand to that day. 4: On 26 [March] the Governor asked the Council to go with him to examine the state of the books, so that it might no longer be imposed on or disappointed again. The Council did so and found the books far short of what that paper had represented, for those for 1717 were not nearly complete, so that the Council doubted whether the [...] Interpretations The refusal to register the man's papers shows the consultation record used as a guard against false statements. By declining to enter sheets it judged untrue, the Council kept the official book clear of a claim it could later be held to, while the act of refusal itself stood minuted. The accountant's wish to have his diligence registered, set against the Council's refusal, marks the consultation as the place where competing accounts of the same facts were tested and the false one shut out. The joint inspection of the books by the whole Council answered the risk of relying on one officer's word. Having been misled once by the assumption that the accounts were settled, the Governor took the councillors with him to verify the true state for themselves. The shift from accepting a report to conducting a collective examination shows the administration moving to first-hand checking after being disappointed. Speculations The decision to examine the books in person grew directly out of the earlier false assumption that the 1718 accounts were done. The Governor had taken the silence after his order as proof of completion, then found the claim of fully posted books contradicted by the sheets sent on 22 March. The move to a joint inspection on 26 March was the practical remedy, replacing trust in the accountant's account of his own diligence with direct sight of the ledgers themselves. | ||
3V | for 1718 will be Accomplished to be sent to y.r Hon.rs and We have no Person to Supply his place or of either of those two in the Office he hath indeed Desired leave to returne for England, which the Gov.r would gladly have Complyd with if he could for he hath So many Sly tricks which he calls Cunning the Gov.r foresees he will be Always breeding disturbances The Gov.r hath Detected him when he was to him at the ffort for Appropriateing Linnin belonging to Your Hon.rs to his own Use So that if Opportunity offerd he doth not Expect he would be more Honest in greater Affairs, He Com mits frequent disorders in the Garrison and will not be Conformable to any Rules he goes into the Country and Returns when ever he pleass without Either Asking leave or So much as Acquainting the Govern.r with his designe which no Person ever did but himself The Gov.r sayes that his Carriage is such towards him (tho Often Admo nished) it seems to be done Purely to insult him or Bully him and that he fears he shall be forced to suspend him even from the Office untill | The Council doubted whether the 1718 accounts would ever be finished to send home to the Court, and it had no one to take over his place or either of the two posts he held in the office. He had asked leave to return to England, which the Governor would gladly have granted if he could, since the man was full of sly tricks that he called cunning, and the Governor foresaw he would always be stirring up trouble. The Governor had caught him out, when he was with him at the fort, taking Company slaves for his own use, so that if the chance arose the Council did not expect he would be any more honest in greater matters. He caused frequent disorder in the garrison and would keep to no rules. He went into the country and came back whenever he pleased, neither asking leave nor so much as telling the Governor of his plans, which no one but himself had ever done. The Governor said his behaviour towards him, despite frequent warnings, seemed meant purely to insult or bully him, and that he feared he would be forced to suspend him even from the office until [...] Interpretations The man's two posts and the lack of any replacement explain why he was tolerated despite his conduct. With no one on the island able to take over his office work, the administration could not simply remove him without leaving the accounts unmanned. The same scarcity of skilled clerks that ran through the island's affairs gave a troublesome but irreplaceable officer a measure of protection. The detection of him taking Company slaves for his own use served as the Council's evidence of dishonesty in small things as a guide to greater. By citing a proven misuse caught at the fort, the Council built a case that the man could not be trusted with larger sums or responsibilities. The reasoning let a single observed act stand as a warning of what he might do given the opportunity, and prepared the ground for suspension. Speculations The reluctance to grant the leave he sought weighed his removal against the disorder his departure would cause. The Governor would have let him go to England gladly, yet held back because the man's habits promised continued trouble and no successor stood ready. The fear of being forced to suspend him from the office shows the administration caught between an officer it could not control and an office it could not leave empty, the suspension contemplated only as a last resort once his conduct made retention impossible. | ||
4R | untill your Hon.rs pleasure be further known, His Carriage aboard in his Passage hither shews what a troublesom Person he is & what Uneasiness and Disturbances he caused between the Capt.n the Genllem.n Passengers & the Officers, Capt. Wynn & the Rest of the Officers can testifie Plainly because he thought the Capt. shewd the Gov.r more respect than him, He is Such a trifling Equivocating Conceited Person that no businss can be Expected from him the Gov.r Ordered him to make him an Abridgent of the last Years Acc.o which was always done for all Govern.rs it is the Ballance of each Persons Acc.ti that when any transfers are made the Gov.r may turn to that and either Allow or Disallow as Appeared therein his answer what he gave him the last year must serve him this for he could not give him one more Correct now Notwithstanding what he had Sayd in his Paper he deliverd into Consulta tion March the 22 that every mans Acc.o on the Island was brought up to that day he very well knew how Erronious the last Years State was on Examination of Some Particulars We might | The Governor feared he would be forced to suspend him from the office until the Court's pleasure was further known. His conduct aboard ship on the passage to the island showed what a troublesome person he was, given the discontent and disturbances he caused between the captain, the gentlemen passengers and the officers. Captain Wynn and the rest of the officers could bear witness to this, in particular because he thought the captain showed the Governor more respect than himself. He was so trifling, evasive and conceited a man that no business could be expected from him. The Governor ordered him to draw up an abstract of the previous year's accounts, as was always done for every governor. This was the balance of each person's account, so that when any transfers were made the Governor could turn to it and either allow or disallow as it appeared there. The answer he gave him last year would have to serve him this year, since he could not give him a more correct one now. This was despite what he had stated in his paper delivered into consultation on 22 March, that every man's account on the island was brought up to date to that day. The Governor knew very well how wrong the previous year's state was, from examining some particulars the Council might [...] Interpretations The abstract of balances served as the working check on every store transaction. Holding each person's account balance in one place let the Governor approve or reject any transfer against a known figure, so the document was less a record of the past than a daily tool of control over the island's credit dealings. The man's failure to produce a current one forced the administration to rely on the previous year's figures, leaving every fresh transfer judged against stale balances. The contrast between the man's written claim and the Governor's knowledge of the true state exposes the accountant's paper as demonstrably false. He had certified on 22 March that every account was current, while the Governor could point to specific errors in the previous year's figures that this same officer had been unable to correct. The administration thus held both the false statement and the proof against it, strengthening any later case for removing him. Speculations The decision to make last year's answer serve again grew out of the accountant's inability to deliver a corrected version. The Governor needed a balance of accounts to govern transfers, yet the officer charged with producing it could not do so, so the old figures were carried forward as the only workable basis. The choice was a practical concession to a defective officer, keeping the store's business moving on imperfect numbers rather than halting it for accounts that might never be set right. | ||
4V | might Instance abundance more and to innumerate the Particulars of his Neglect, Insults & wilfull disobedience would be Endless, & therefore Submit to Your Hon.rs Determination You very well knowing of what Dangerous Consequences such a Person may be to the Community We think it our duty thus to Acquaint Your Hon.rs that You may may be sensible where the Defect lays that We may not incur Your Hon.rs Displeasure for his Particular Neglect We take this Opportunity to Acquaint Your Hon.rs how much Your Hon.rs have Suffered in Your Blacks for want of a Good Surgeon as well as the whole Island for the Immediate Necessity of one hath Obliged Us to be Contented with any one We could gett out of the shyping So that We have been but Very Indifferently Served for these three Years, those who were good for Much the ships would not Spare, the Encouragem.t is Very Handsome for any Understanding Person and one that will be diligent, for over & above the Allowance made by Your Hon.rs the standers Pay | The Council could point to a great many more instances, and to list every particular of his neglect, insults and wilful disobedience would be endless. It therefore left the matter to the Court's decision. Knowing well what dangerous consequences such a person might bring on the community, the Council thought it a duty to inform the Court, so that the Court might see where the fault lay and the Council might not incur the Court's displeasure for his neglect. 5: The Council took this chance to tell the Court how much it had suffered in its slaves for want of a good surgeon, and the whole island too. The pressing need for one had forced the Council to make do with whoever it could get out of the shipping, so that for the past three years it had been only poorly served. Those surgeons who were any good the ships would not spare. The terms offered were very handsome for any capable and diligent man, since over and above the standard pay allowed by the Court [...] Interpretations The dependence on passing ships for a surgeon shows the island's medical care left to chance. With no permanent practitioner sent out, the Council could secure only whatever surgeon a calling ship would release, and the better men were kept by their vessels. The loss of slaves and the want of care across the whole island over three years was the direct cost of relying on a supply the Council could not command. The Council's decision to lay the accountant's conduct before the Court rather than act alone reflects the limit of its own authority. By submitting the matter for the Court's determination and stressing the danger such a man posed, the Council positioned the final judgement with London while protecting itself from blame. The framing made clear that the Council had reported the fault and any failure to remedy it would rest with the Court. Speculations The offer of handsome terms over and above the standard pay was a deliberate inducement aimed at a particular kind of recruit. The Council sought a capable and diligent surgeon willing to settle at the island, and pitched the reward above the ordinary allowance to draw such a man away from shipboard service. The structured incentive answered the recurring failure to retain skilled men, attaching extra reward to the competence and application the island most needed. | ||
5R | Pay very Generously & he need not fear an Employ for there is no other shop, Your Blacks are many of them So much out of Order and So much Poxed which if not Speedily Remedyed will Spread & very much indanger the whole and therefore requires a more Skilfull hand than what We have or may Exped out of any ship, the Person Employed now We were forced to make Use of only to keep up the Name but knows not the least of businss nor was he ever bred to it As your Hon.rs Interest is Always in our View We could not let slip an Opportunity offered to Us by the Acidential Arrival of the King Charles a ship belonging to the Dutch East India Company from whom We have bought ten Legars & a half of Arrack at 17 ⅌ Legar which will Amply make amends for the Extravagant Prices of late We have been forced to give and put Us So into Stock as to Prevent others Exacting on our Necsity for the future We hope which hath Occasioned our drawing Bills of Exchange on Your Hon.rs for | The pay was very generous, and a capable man need not fear want of employment, since there was no other surgeon on the island. Many of the Court's slaves were so out of health and so badly affected that, without a quick remedy, the sickness would spread and endanger the whole. The case called for a more skilful hand than any the Council could get out of a passing ship. The man employed at present the Council had been forced to take on merely to keep the post filled, since he knew nothing of the business and had never been trained to it. 6: With the Court's interest always in view, the Council could not let slip the chance offered by the unexpected arrival of the King Charles, a ship of the Dutch East India Company. From her the Council bought ten leaguers and a half of arrack at seventeen rixdollars the leaguer, which would go a good way to make amends for the extravagant prices it had lately been forced to pay. The purchase also put the Council so well into stock as to prevent others from imposing on its needs in future, the Council hoped. This had led to its drawing bills of exchange on the Court [...] Interpretations The rixdollar was the silver trade coin of the Dutch, here the unit of a purchase made from a Dutch East India Company ship. Its use marks the transaction as conducted in the seller's currency rather than in sterling or the Spanish dollar, the arrack bought on Dutch terms from a Dutch vessel and then settled by bills drawn on the Court in London. The purchase of a large stock of arrack at one stroke served as a defence against price-gouging. By buying ten and a half leaguers from the Dutch ship, the Council secured enough to cover its needs and removed the leverage that passing captains held when the stores stood empty. The move directly answered the inflated prices the island had lately paid, the well-stocked store leaving later sellers no scarcity to exploit. Speculations The seizing of the Dutch ship's arrack turned a chance arrival into a calculated stroke against a known weakness. The Council had repeatedly been forced to pay extravagant prices because callers knew the stores were bare, so it used the unexpected supply to lay in a reserve that would break that pattern. The choice to buy heavily, rather than only to immediate need, was aimed at the future as much as the present, denying later sellers the scarcity that had driven prices up. | ||
5V | for One Hundr Seventy Seven Pounds, Eight Shilings and three Pence Payable To Capt Wouter Van Dyk or his Order We are Hon.ble S.rs Union Castle St. Helena Iune y 23 1720 Your Hon.rs most obedient faithfull Servants P.s So Edw.d Johnson On the 15 day of May the Gov.r being Jn.o Alexander M.r Tomson at the Office told him of his Jn.o Goodwin having Neglected the Office for Almost a fortnight last Mont in which time he had hardly been there to doe any Businss as by the Govern.r own Observation, and likewise of his hav ing been up in the Country twice within the Said time without the Govern.rs leave, to which he answerd in plain Terms, And So I will, upon which the Gov.r suspended him from all Businss under Your Hon.rs to which he replyed that was what he wanted and was Glad he had Suspended him We herewith send Your Hon.rs those Books for 1717 which We dispaired to have been ready this shyping but by the Indefatigueable Pains M.r Van Oosten hath taken whom the Govern.r removed from | The bills were drawn for £177 8s 3d, payable to Captain Wouter Van Dyk or his order. The Council closed as the Court's most obedient and faithful servants. The letter was dated at Union Castle, St Helena, 23 June 1720, and signed by Edward Johnson, John Alexander and John Goodwin. Postscript. 7: On 5 May the Governor told Mr Ormston, at the office, that he had neglected the office for almost a fortnight, during which he had hardly been there to do any business, as the Governor had seen for himself. He had also gone into the country twice within that time without the Governor's leave. Ormston answered plainly that he would do so still, on which the Governor suspended him from all business under the Court. To this Ormston replied that this was just what he wanted, and that he was glad he had suspended him. 8: The Council sent the Court the books for 1717, which it had despaired of having ready for this shipping. They were finished only through the tireless efforts of Mr Van Oosten, whom the Governor had moved from [...] Interpretations The exchange with Mr Ormston records a suspension provoked by open defiance rather than mere neglect. The officer not only admitted the absences but declared he would continue them, and welcomed the suspension when it came. By minuting his words, the Council fixed his deliberate refusal on the record, removing any doubt that the penalty answered willful disobedience rather than ordinary failure. The note that the 1717 books were saved by Mr Van Oosten points to the practical remedy the administration had found for its accounting failures. Where the suspended officer could not or would not bring the books up to date, the Governor transferred the task to a diligent man who completed them. The contrast between the two officers shows the administration recovering its records by reassigning the work to whoever would actually perform it. Speculations The naming of Captain Van Dyk as payee on a sterling bill drawn for a purchase reckoned in rixdollars shows the settlement crossing two currencies. The arrack was priced in Dutch coin at the point of sale, yet discharged by a bill on the Court in London made out to the Dutch commander. The arrangement let a remote island without coin pay a foreign seller through the Company's London account, the bill of exchange bridging the gap between the Dutch price and the sterling obligation. | ||
6R | under the Storekeeper to the Accomptts Office upon the Discharge of M.r Lacy as Appears in our Con sultation of the 3 of May and thro whose hands all the Affairs of the Office goes since the Suspension of M.r Trimston he hath Promised the Gov.r the Books for 1718 shall be Compleated in Six weeks, And the Books for 1719 ready by the first Ship after Christmas and then We will Use our Utmost Endeavours to keep businss Under The reason We gave Your Hon.rs in our General Lett.r by the Marlbro for Complying w.th such Exorbitant Demands then was the Small quanti ty remaining in the Stores and the Approaching Rainy Season when it would be most wanted failed Us for We had no Rain these three months which We Expected as Usual and Seemed to be attended w.th much more Melancholly Prospect than the want of Arrack, Our Pastures were Almost burnt up, our Cattle begin to be Pinched, and We were in dreadfull Apprehencions of a very hard Year, but thro the tender Mercy of Almighty from the latter end of Aprill We have had | The Governor had moved Mr Van Oosten from under the storekeeper to the accountant's office, on the discharge of Mr Lacy, as recorded in the consultation of 3 May. Through his hands all the office's affairs had run since the suspension of Mr Ormston. He had promised the Governor faithfully that the books for 1718 would be finished within six weeks and those for 1719 ready by the first ship after Christmas, and the Council would then do its utmost to keep the business in order. The Council explained why, in its general letter sent by the Marlborough, it had agreed to meet such exorbitant demands at the time. The small quantity left in the stores, set against the approaching rainy season when supplies would be most needed, had forced its hand. No rain had fallen for the past three months, though it was expected as usual, and the want of it threatened a far bleaker prospect than the shortage of arrack. The pastures were almost burnt up, the cattle were beginning to suffer, and the Council was in dread of a very hard year. Through the mercy of providence, from the latter end of April the island had [...] Interpretations The handover of the office to Mr Van Oosten records the administration's working solution to its accounting collapse. With Mr Lacy discharged and Mr Ormston suspended, a single capable man was moved from the storekeeper's department to take charge of the accounts and given firm deadlines for each year's books. The fixed timetable, six weeks for 1718 and the first post-Christmas ship for 1719, turned the recovery of the records into a measured plan rather than an open hope. The explanation for the high prices paid in the Marlborough letter ties the earlier purchase to a genuine seasonal emergency. The Council justified meeting steep demands by pointing to near-empty stores and the coming rainy season, when fresh supply would be hardest to obtain. The reasoning shows the administration anticipating the Court's objection to the cost and answering it with the timing of need rather than any failure of economy. Speculations The drought reframes the heavy arrack purchase as part of a wider provisioning crisis rather than a simple matter of price. With no rain for three months, the pastures failing and the cattle suffering, the Council faced a threat to the island's food supply that dwarfed the cost of spirits. The decision to stock heavily from passing ships, taken against this background, was the act of an administration bracing for a hard year and securing what it could while supply remained within reach. | ||
6V | Such moderate Showers & Sunshineing days every thing thrives beyond Expectation and Plainly Demonstrates the hand of an over Ruling Providence On the 23 Aprill Arrived Capt Edw.d Martin in the Prince Frederick from Bengall but last from the Cape in Company w.th the Dutch Fleet who Passd by here 19 Sail We have bought a small Quantity of Arrack of him at four Shillings ⅌ Gallon to shew that We are resolved to abide by all Re solutions & Orders made To take any quantity any ships brings at that Price more Especially since We find it mett w.th your Hon.rs Approbation At a Consultation held the 12.th of Janry last According to a Petition to Us presented by Lieu.t Tho.s Eason setting forth the length of time he hath been in your Hon.rs service and how De sirous he is to be Continued therein and that Whereas he hath at last gott together £900: which he beggs Your Hon.rs would take into your Cash in England and Allow him the same Interest your Comon Bonds bare from time to time with which he will | The island had enjoyed such moderate showers and sunshine since the latter end of April that everything was thriving beyond expectation, plainly showing the hand of providence. 9: On 23 April Captain Edward Martin arrived in the Prince Frederick from Bengal but last from the Cape, in company with the Dutch fleet, which passed the island on 19 [April] under sail. The Council bought a small quantity of arrack from him at four shillings the gallon, to show that it was resolved to abide by all the resolutions and orders made to buy any quantity any ship brought at that price, especially since the Council found it met with the Court's approval. 10: At a consultation held on 12 January last, on a petition presented by Lieutenant Thomas Cason, he set out the length of time he had been in the Court's service and how much he wished to be continued in it. He had at last got together £900 0s 0d, which he asked the Court to take into its cash in England and to allow him the same interest as its common bonds carried from time to time, with which he would [...] Interpretations The purchase from Captain Martin at four shillings the gallon was a deliberate demonstration of policy rather than a matter of need. By buying even a small quantity at the fixed rate, the Council showed it would honour its standing resolution to take arrack at that price from every ship, reinforcing the price control it had set. The act mattered as a signal of consistency, the Council aligning its conduct with orders it knew the Court had approved. Lieutenant Cason's proposal turned the Company into a banker for a servant's savings. By asking the Court to hold his £900 0s 0d in its London cash and pay him the interest of its common bonds, he sought a safe and remunerative home for money he could not easily invest from a remote island. The arrangement let the Court borrow at its own bond rate while giving the officer a return he could not otherwise obtain. Speculations Cason's offer solved the particular problem of holding wealth on an island without investment or security. A long-serving officer who had accumulated a substantial sum had no safe place to keep it or means to make it yield, so he proposed lodging it with the Court at the interest its bonds paid. The choice tied his savings to the Company's London account, converting idle coin on St Helena into an interest-bearing claim discharged through the same machinery that paid the Court's other creditors. | ||
7R | well contented and desireous that it may always Remaining in Your Hon.rs hands to have a recourse to Subsistance when Age shall Render him no longer Capable of Your Hon.rs service, the reason ableness of his Petition and as an Encouragem.t to and reward of his faithfull Service Emboldens Us to represent his Case to Your Hon.rs and to intermed dle in an affair not Immediatly to our Publick transactions On the 30 of Apr.ll We had an Alarm for one ships which Stood for the S.o W. part of the Island & then bore away On the 12 of May Arrived the Bouverie Capt Thom.s Wotton from Bengall On the 25 May Arrived the Princess Amelia Capt. Misenor from Maddrass On the 29 May Arrived the Dawsonne Capt. Rich.d Benfeild (who Succeeded Capt. Raymond) from Madd.rs which three ships did not put in at the Cape On the 30 of May Arrived the King William Winter ⅌ Gov.r Collettonboard from Madd.rs | Lieutenant Cason wished the money always to remain in the Court's hands, so that he might have a means of support when age left him no longer fit for the Court's service. The reasonableness of his request, and the wish to encourage and reward his faithful service, emboldened the Council to lay his case before the Court, even though it meddled in a matter not directly part of the island's public business. 11: On 30 April an alarm was raised for a ship that stood for the south-west part of the island and then bore away. On 12 May the Bouverie under Captain Thomas Wootton arrived from Bengal. On 25 May the Princess Amelia under Captain Misener arrived from Madras. On 29 May the Dawsonne under Captain Richard Benfield, who succeeded Captain Raymond, arrived from Madras. None of these three ships put in at the Cape. On 30 May the King William under Captain Winter arrived from Madras, with Governor Collet on board [...] Interpretations Cason's wish to keep the money lodged for his old age frames the proposal as a private pension secured through the Company. By leaving his savings permanently in the Court's hands at interest, he aimed to convert a long career of service into a guaranteed income once he could no longer work. The Council's willingness to forward a personal matter outside its ordinary business shows it treating reward for faithful service as a proper concern of government. The run of arrivals with three ships bypassing the Cape bears directly on the Council's standing grievance over the Cape trade. The note that the Princess Amelia, the Dawsonne and the King William came straight from Madras without calling at the Cape marked the very pattern the Council had pressed the Court to enforce, ships coming to the island for refreshment rather than enriching the rival station. The detail was recorded because it told for the island's case. | ||
7V | The Sunderland Capt. Hunter from China The Cadogan Capt. Hill from Bengall And The Mary Galley from Madera & the Cape where the last four touch in their way hither On the 2 June Arrived the Borneo Capt Shephird who Succeeded Capt. Ricard And On the the 5 June Arrived the Thistlewooth Capt. Charles Small Comand both from Borneo We hear of no Outward Bound ships touching at the Cape this year but the St George Capt Harvey for Bombay We herewith transmitt to Your Hon.rs a Copy of our Consultations and all other Papers that could Possibly be gott ready Union Castle St. We are Helena y 8 June Hon.ble S.rs 1720 Yo.r Hon.rs most Humb.le faithfull & obed.t Sev.ts Edw.d Johnson Jn.o Alexander Jn.o Goodwin | The Sunderland under Captain Hunter arrived from China. The Cadogan under Captain Hill arrived from Bengal. The Mary galley arrived from Madeira and the Cape, where the last four ships had touched on their way to the island. On 2 June the Borneo under Captain Shepherd, who succeeded Captain Picard, arrived. On 3 June the Thistleworth under Captain Charles Small arrived, both ships from Borneo. 12: The Council had heard of no homeward-bound ships touching at the Cape this year except the St George under Captain Harvey, for Bombay. 13: The Council sent the Court a list of its consultations and all the other papers that could possibly be got ready. The letter was dated at Union Castle, St Helena, 8 June 1720, and signed by Edward Johnson, John Alexander and John Goodwin, as the Court's most humble, faithful and obedient servants. Interpretations The arrivals catalogue distinguishes the ships that called at the Cape from those that came direct, sharpening the Council's running argument over the rival station. Four of the season's ships had touched at the Cape, while others bypassed it, and the Council noted that only one homeward vessel had stopped there all year. The careful record served the island's case that returning shipping should resort to St Helena rather than the Cape. The transmission of a list of consultations and supporting papers reflects the administration's method of governing on the record. By sending home the full minutes alongside the general letter, the Council let the Court verify every action against its dated proceedings. The practice matched the new administration's declared aim of citing precedent and date for whatever it did, distancing itself from the looser conduct of earlier years. | ||
8R | List of the Packett ⅌ Des Bouverie Capt. Tho.s Wotton Comandor of the fleet Iune y 8 1720 Gov.d & Councils Gen dated the 8 June 1720 Sent a Part from the Large Packet Copy of Gov & Councils Gen ⅌ Susanna dated y 3.d of March 1719 Copy of Consultations from y 27 July 1719 to y 3 of May Inclusive 1720 in two Parcells List of Families Land & Cattle on St. Helena for the Year 1719 List of the Hono.ble Comp.a Blacks w.th their Ages & Employments taken March 2.d 1719 An Acco of Rents & Revenues due from the Inhabitents of St. Helena for y Year 1719 One Sett of Books of Acco for y Year 1717 A Letters reic. from An Ostend Ship Capt. Naish in one Parcell Gener.l Indent of Stores much wanted for the Use of St. Helena Capt. James Winters Lett.r to Gov & Counc.ll ab.t Damag.d Goods washt at Lemon Valley Ships & Comanders Acc.ts in the Stores Rec.t for y Pacht ⅌ Susanna List of this Packet | List of the packet by the Desbouverie, Captain Thomas Wootton commander of the fleet, 8 June 1720. Number 1 The Governor and Council's general letter, dated 8 June 1720, sent apart from the large packet. 1 Copy of the Governor and Council's general letter by the Susanna, dated 3 March 1720. 2 and 3 Copy of consultations from 27 July 1719 to 31 May 1720 inclusive, in two parcels. 4 List of families, land and cattle on St Helena for the year 1719. 5 List of the Court's slaves, with their ages and employments, taken 2 March 1720. 6 An account of rents and revenues due from the inhabitants of St Helena for the year 1719. 7 and 8 One set of books of account for the year 1717. 9 Two letters received from an Ostend ship under Captain Naish, in one parcel. 10 General indent of stores much wanted for the use of St Helena. 11 Captain James Winter's letter to the Governor and Council about damaged goods washed at Lemon Valley. 12 Ships and commanders' accounts in the stores. 13 Receipt for the packet by the Susanna. 14 List of this packet. Interpretations The packet's contents map the new administration's whole programme of accountability in a single manifest. Alongside the general letter sit the full run of consultations, the family and slave censuses, the rent and revenue account and a complete set of the 1717 books, each item answering the Court's demand to govern on the dated record. The list shows the island sending home not just a report but the underlying evidence for every claim made in the correspondence. The duplication of the Susanna letter and its receipt within the Desbouverie packet continues the practice of guarding correspondence against loss at sea. By enclosing a copy of the 3 March 1720 letter and the receipt for that earlier packet, the Council built an overlapping chain so that the loss of any one ship would not break the record. The technique matched the deliberate repetition the Council had used across its homeward despatches for years. | ||
8V | General Letter ⅌ Ship Townsend Cant Philip Worth Comd.r dated Iuly 5 1720 Hon.ble S.rs The foregoing is a Duplicate of our last ⅌ the Bouverie Capt. Thomas Wotton Comand.r bearing date the 8 June 1720 Since when nothing of Moment worth Your Hon.rs Notice hath Hap pened here any more than the Arrival of the two following Ships (Viz.t) On the 14 June Arrived the Townsend Capt. Philip Worth from Bombay without Putting In at the Cape On the 23 following Arrived the Fredrick Capt. Rigby that went out 2.d Mate who Succeeded Capt. Barnard he having discharged the Cheif Mate from Acting Sometime before his death and brought Us four Bales of Chellors, One Dutch man and one Slave from Bombay they had another Slave on board But he dyed in the Passage hither We hear by this last named Ship that the Duke of York and Derby Captains Hide | General letter by the ship Townsend, Captain Philip Worth commander, dated 5 July 1720. 1: The foregoing was a duplicate of the Council's last letter by the Bouverie, Captain Thomas Wootton commander, dated 8 June 1720. Since then nothing of moment worth the Court's notice had happened at the island, except the arrival of the two following ships. 2: On 14 June the Townsend under Captain Philip Worth arrived from Bombay, without putting in at the Cape. 3: On 25 [June] the Frederick under Captain Rigby arrived. He had gone out as second mate and succeeded Captain Barnard, having discharged the chief mate from acting some time before his death. The ship brought the Council four bales of chintz, one Dutchman and one slave from Bombay. She had another slave on board, but he died on the passage to the island. 4: The Council heard by this last-named ship that the Duke of York and Derby under Captains Hide and [...] Interpretations Chintz was a painted or printed cotton cloth from India, prized in Europe for its bright fast colours and used for furnishings and dress. The four bales delivered from Bombay formed part of the Court's trade goods, the calico printed or stained by Indian methods that European manufacture could not yet match, carried home to be sold at profit. The note that the Townsend and the Frederick came from Bombay without calling at the Cape again served the island's standing argument over the rival station. By recording each direct arrival, the Council kept building its case that returning shipping should resort to St Helena for refreshment rather than the Cape. The detail recurred through the correspondence because every such instance told for the island's value to the Court's fleet. | ||
9R | was at the Cape outward bound, and did suppos all the Rest of the outward bound Ships were Past by the Cape it being So late in the year would not put in there They also tell Us they Saw two Pyrates Ships off of the Cape and who Chaced them and that they came while they lay in the Cape Harbour So near as almost into Anchor ground and had they not Sailed in Company w.th three Dutch outward bound Ships out of the Cape for about three days and then Useing Such Stratagems as they thought Proper to gett Clear of those Pyrates they might been in great Danger of being taken by them We herewith send Your Hon.rs a Duplicate of our last Indent in which We forgot to Insert Frying Pans that are very much wanted as well among the Soldiers in their Barrocks as in the Planters fremalies and therefore desire You'll Please to send Us ten or twelve doz.n Sorted which is added at the End of our Said Indent Had these Ships Stayed here but one week Your Hon.rs Books of Acco for these for 1718 | The Duke of York and Derby were at the Cape outward bound. The Council supposed all the rest of the outward-bound ships had passed by the Cape, since it was so late in the year that they could not put in there. The ship's people also reported seeing two pirate ships off the Cape, which chased them, and which came so close while they lay in the Cape harbour as almost to reach the anchor ground. Had they not sailed in company with three Dutch outward-bound ships out of the Cape for about three days, and then used such tricks as they thought fit to get clear of the pirates, they might have been in great danger of being taken. 5: The Council sent the Court a duplicate of its last indent, in which it had forgotten to enter frying pans. These were much wanted, both among the soldiers in their barracks and in the planters' families. The Council asked the Court to send ten or twelve dozen, sorted, which had been added at the end of the indent. 6: Had these ships stayed at the island but one week [...] Interpretations The pirate ships chasing vessels right up to the Cape anchorage bore on the Council's argument about the relative safety of the two stations. By recording that armed pirates had pressed close to the Cape harbour, the Council added a danger at the rival station to its standing case for St Helena. The detail strengthened the claim that returning ships ran needless risk in resorting to the Cape rather than the island. The omission and late addition of frying pans to the indent shows the practical method by which the island's supply orders were corrected. The Council caught the gap after the main indent was drawn and appended the item rather than redrafting the whole, noting the demand across both the garrison barracks and the planters' households. The correction illustrates how the standing list of wants was kept current through running amendments sent home by successive ships. | ||
9V | 1718 would have been ready to have been sent by them which will come by the next Ship, And those for 1719 We hope will be alsoe ready to send by the first Ship after Christmas at the furthest We found in your Hon.rs books of Acco here that Capt. Keser had Sold Your Hon.rs before our time two Chests of Tea to the Amount of Sixty pound for which We have drawn Bills of Exchange on Your Hon.rs Payable to him or Order after 30 Days Sight dated the 30 June 1720 There is alsoe due to one Francis Steward a Young man born upon this Island and now in India the Sume of £153.10. being the Greatest Part of his fortune left him by his father Charles Steward dec. and which He Impowerd M.r Richard Acton by a Letter of Attorny to receive Accordingly he having great need thereof to put him forward in the world and is his Chifest Dependance We have therefore been Obliged to draw Bills on your Hon.rs for the same Payable to the Said M.r Richard Acton or Order | The books for 1718 would have been ready to send by these ships, but they would now come by the next ship. Those for 1719 the Council hoped would also be ready to send by the first ship after Christmas at the latest. 7: The Council found in the Court's books of account at the island that Captain Kesar had sold the Court, before this administration, two chests of tea to the value of £60 0s 0d. For this the Council had drawn bills of exchange on the Court, payable to him or order after 30 days' sight, dated 30 June 1720. 8: There was also due to one Francis Steward, a young man born on the island and now in India, the sum of £153 10s 0d. This was the greatest part of his fortune, left him by his father Charles Steward, deceased. He had empowered Mr Richard Acton by a letter of attorney to receive it. He had great need of it to put him forward in the world, and it was his chief means of support, so the Council had been obliged to draw bills on the Court for the same, payable to Mr Richard Acton or order [...] Interpretations A letter of attorney was the formal instrument by which one man authorised another to act for him in his absence, here to receive money owed. Francis Steward, away in India, used it to appoint Mr Richard Acton his agent to collect his inheritance at the island, the document giving Acton legal standing to draw and receive the sum on Steward's behalf. The settlement of both debts by bills drawn on the Court shows the island discharging old obligations through the same London machinery it used for current dealing. Captain Kesar's tea sale and Francis Steward's inheritance, though arising at different times and for different reasons, were each cleared by bills of exchange payable in England. The method let a remote and cashless island settle claims of every kind by transferring them to the Court's account. Speculations The remittance of Francis Steward's inheritance through an attorney solved the problem of moving a legacy across the world from a man who could not collect it himself. The fortune lay at the island while the heir was in India, so he appointed an agent on the spot and the Council converted the sum into a bill on London. The arrangement turned a fixed inheritance trapped on St Helena into a transferable claim that could follow the heir wherever the Company's credit reached. | ||
10R | thirty days after Sight dated as above We herewith send your Hon.rs Capt. Philip Worths first Bill of Exchange for the Sume of £128.16.8½ As also M.r Thomas Atkins Purser of the Ship Fordrowth his first Bill of Exchange for the Sume of £99.9.8 Sterling Payable to Your Hon.rs both dated the 5 Iuly 1720 Union Castle St. We are Helena the 5 July Hon.ble S.rs 1720 Yo.r Hon.rs Most Humble faithf.ll & most obed.t Serv.ts Edw.d Johnson Jn.o Alexander Jn.o Goodwin | The bills were payable thirty days after sight and dated as above. 9: The Council sent the Court Captain Philip Worth's first bill of exchange for the sum of £128 16s 8½d. It also sent the first bill of exchange of Mr Thomas Atkins, purser of the Frederick, for the sum of £99 9s 8d sterling, payable to the Court, both dated 5 July 1720. The letter was dated at Union Castle, St Helena, 5 July 1720, and signed by Edward Johnson, John Alexander and John Goodwin, as the Court's most humble, faithful and obedient servants. | ||
10V | List of the Pack.t ⅌ Ship Townsend Capt Philip Worth July 5 1720 Duplicate of y Gov.r & Coun. Gen.l Lre dated the 8 June 1720 ⅌ Ships Bouverie to an Additional Lre of the 5 July follow ⅌ Ship Townsend Duplicate of Indent of Stores wanted on St. Helena sent ⅌ Ship Bouverie Capt. Philip Worths first Bill of Exch. for £128.16.8½ Payable to the Hon.ble Comp.a M.r Thom.s Atkins Purser of the Ship Fordwich his first Bill of Exch for £99.9.8 Sterl.g Payab.le to the Hon.ble Comp.a both dated July y 5 1720 Capt. Kesars due for one Chest of Tea Sold to the Hon.ble Comp.a in y year 1718 there being none in the Stores then on St. Helena Ships Townsend & Fordwich Acc.ts List of this Pack.t Capt. Wottons 2 rec.t for the Pack.t he carried was alsoe sent ⅌ Jn.o Alexander | List of the packet by the ship Townsend, Captain Philip Worth, 5 July 1720. Number 1 Duplicate of the Governor and Council's general letter, dated 8 June 1720, by the Bouverie, with an additional letter of 5 July following by the Townsend. 2: Duplicate of the indent of stores wanted on St Helena, sent by the Bouverie. 3: Captain Philip Worth's first bill of exchange for £128 16s 8½d, payable to the Court. 4: Mr Thomas Atkins, purser of the Frederick, his first bill of exchange for £99 9s 8d sterling, payable to the Court, both dated 5 July 1720. 5: Captain Kesar's account for one chest of tea sold to the Court in the year 1718, there being none in the stores then on St Helena. 6: Ships Townsend and Frederick accounts. 7: List of this packet. Captain Wootton's receipt for the packet he carried was also sent. Signed by John Alexander. Interpretations The manifest pairs each financial instrument with the duplicated correspondence it accompanied, continuing the practice of overlapping despatches. By enclosing fresh copies of the Bouverie letter and indent alongside the new bills and accounts, the Council ensured that the loss of the earlier ship would not break the record or the claims. The receipt for the previous packet, sent on in turn, completed the chain of custody the administration maintained across successive sailings. Note: item 5 records Captain Kesar's tea as one chest, while the general letter at paragraph 7 gave two chests to the value of £60 0s 0d. The packet list and the letter differ on the quantity, and the figure behind the discrepancy is not recoverable here, so both readings stand as written. | ||
11R | General Letter ⅌ the Princess Ann Capt. Nicholas Luhorne Comder dated Dec.r the 29 & y 1 Ianry 1720 Hon.d S.rs Your Hon.rs General Letter by the Hartford Capt. Francis Nelly Comand dated the 9 of March 1719 came to our hands not before the 24 of Aug 1720 At the same time We reic. the Invoice and Bill of Lading for those Goods brought Us by the Said Ship w.th the rest of the Papers Sent in the Packet In Answer to Your Hon.rs first Par. in the Said Gene.l Letter We hope & We may Say We have Observed those Orders & Instructions Sent with the Gov.r in the Craggs the last year fully, and when Occasion hath required We have had alsc recourse to former Instructions Your Hon.rs Seem to Charge Us w.th Remissness in the same Par. in not giving Your Hon.rs an Acc.o of the Madagasc.r ships Arrivall here of which Yo.r Hon.r Say you have had an imperfect Acc.o by Some People in the Said Madagas.r Ships, it did not Proceed from any Neglect in Us but not having an Opportunity before Capt. Samuel Lewis in the King George Dec.r 23 1719 We Shall take all Opportunities to give Your Hon.rs an Account of all Transactions We Congratulate Your Hon.rs on the Arrivall of your ships since the Craggs Brig.t Sailed from England an Account whereof Your Hon.rs are pleased to give Us | General letter by the Princess Ann, Captain Nicholas Luhorne commander, dated 29 December and 1 January 1720. 1: The Court's general letter by the Hartford, Captain Francis Nelly commander, dated 9 March 1719, reached the Council before 24 August 1720. At the same time it received the invoice and bill of lading for the goods brought by that ship and the rest of the papers sent in the packet. In answer to the Court's first paragraph in that general letter, the Council hoped it could say it had carefully obeyed the orders and instructions sent out with the Governor in the Craggs the previous year. Whenever the occasion required, it had also turned to earlier practice. The Court seemed to charge the Council with slackness in not giving an account of the Madagascar ships' arrival at the island, of which the Court said it had received an imperfect account from some people in those Madagascar ships. This did not come from any neglect, but from the Council not having had an opportunity before Captain Samuel Lewis sailed in the King George on 21 December 1719. 2: The Council promised to take every chance to give the Court an account of all its transactions. The Council congratulated the Court on the safe arrival of its ships since the Craggs sailed from England, an account of which the Court was pleased to give the Council [...] Interpretations The Council's answer to the charge of neglect rested on the timing of available shipping rather than any fault of its own. The Court had received an imperfect report of the Madagascar ships from people aboard them, and the Council explained that no homeward vessel had offered before the King George sailed on 21 December 1719. The defence shows how the island's reporting depended wholly on the irregular departure of ships, a gap in the record arising from want of a carrier rather than from any failure to keep one. The new administration's reply, answering the Court paragraph by paragraph and citing its obedience to the orders brought in the Craggs, continues the method Governor Johnson had set for distinguishing itself from earlier regimes. By tying each answer to a dated instruction and to established practice, the Council built a defensible record against the Court's complaints. The approach matched its declared aim of governing on precedent and date rather than on discretion. | ||
11V | By the List of your ships sent & to be Sent to India for the Year 1720 which We have in your Gen.l Letter We shall be enabled to Enquire more Particularly after them and to give yo.r Hon.rs all Advices relating thereto w.t shall come to Our hands & which is what We offer in answer to the 5 6 & 7 Par. We have Sent the Charter party w.th the Hartford in Our Pack.t to ffort St. George whither she was Consign'd, who Sailed hence the 16 day of Sept.t that no blame can be laid to Our Charge and that due regard We had to Demorage and the Great Expence this Island is to Your Hon.rs (which We are resolved to lessen as much as Possible) Our Consultation of the 6 Sept.t last will make Manifest whenever Your Hon.rs shall think fitt to Peruse it We Shall pay a due respect to those Honour Gentlem.t mentiond in yo.r Hon.rs 9 Par. to be of the Secret Committee which We Shall testifie by a ready Compliance to whatever they Shall think Proper to Order Us from time to time We rehan Yo.r Hon.rs thanks for the Act of Parliam.t whereby We may be informd how far the law Strengthens those Obligations Yo.r Hon.rs Interest & Our duty layes on Us to Discour age what in Us lies a trade So Unfair & Injurious to what Your Hon.rs are alsc trust an Expence to carry on We have hitherto done as well by our treatm.t of those ships the last Year on Acc.o whereof We have transmitted to yo.r Hon.rs in the 16 Par. of our Lett.r the Iesuhuual | 4: The list of the Court's ships sent and to be sent to India for the year 1720, contained in the general letter, would enable the Council to enquire more particularly after them and to give the Court all advices concerning them as they reached the island. This was the Council's answer to the Court's fifth, sixth and seventh paragraphs. 5: The Council sent the charter party of the Hartford in its packet, addressed to Fort St George, to which the ship was consigned. She had sailed from the island on 16 September. No blame could be laid on the Council for the demurrage, given the due regard it had for the heavy expense the island was to the Court, which it was resolved to lessen as much as possible. Its consultation of 6 September would make this plain whenever the Court chose to read it. 6: The Council would pay due regard to those gentlemen of the Secret Committee named in the Court's ninth paragraph, which it would show by ready compliance with whatever they thought proper to order from time to time. 7: The Council thanked the Court for the Act of Parliament, by which it learnt how far the law strengthened the Court's interest, and its own duty to discourage as far as it could a trade so unfair and harmful to one the Court was at such expense to carry on. The Council had so far done well by its handling of those ships the previous year on the Court's account, of which it had given the Court an account in the sixteenth paragraph of its letter [...] Interpretations The Act of Parliament referred to was the legislation against the Ostend and other interloping trade, which gave the Company's monopoly fresh statutory backing. By thanking the Court for it and pledging to discourage the unfair trade, the Council aligned its local handling of foreign-licensed ships with the new legal authority. The reference ties the seizure of the House of Austria earlier in the year to a strengthened legal footing the Court had now supplied. Demurrage was the charge owed when a ship was detained beyond her agreed lading time, here a cost the Court evidently questioned. The Council deflected blame onto the record of its consultation of 6 September, pointing to its concern for the island's expense as proof it had not held the Hartford needlessly. The defence shows the consultation minute used once again as the documentary answer to a charge of cost or delay. Speculations The defence against the demurrage charge was anchored deliberately to a dated consultation rather than offered as general assurance. The Council met a specific complaint about the Hartford's detention by directing the Court to its proceedings of 6 September, where its reasoning stood recorded. The choice reflects the administration's consistent strategy of answering every charge of cost or fault with a minute the Court could verify, converting a disputed judgement into a matter of record. | ||
12R | and in the 3 of our Letter by the Des Bouverie and to continue So to do We Shall always think incumbent on Us, As for your Hon.rs Instructions in yo.r Gen.l Letters We have all a long Punctu ally observed them But if you Hon.r mean the Instructions Sent by the Secret Committee mentki ond in Your Hon.rs Gen.l Letter by the Success Capt. Graves We have never Seen them tho Strict Search hath been made after them & Capt. Alexander who was their Clerk to the Comm.tt Saith he never Saw it As We have already Said in our first Par. that We were no Apprizd that yo.r Hon.r Expected Acco from Us by any other shyping than your own and more Especially by those that Directly bound for England We hope will Alleviate Your Hon.r charge against Us in Para. 11. P.t and We Promise to slip no Opportunity that shall Offer for the future Each Ships Acco have been Sent home w.th the Ships ever since our Administration Indeed we must confess our Necsities for the Island have Obliged Us to be buying out of Ships So that Chiefly their Expence have been Answerd that way by the Townsend & Fordwich We Sent Your Hon.rs two Bills the One for £128.16.8½ Drawn by Capt. Worth on the owners the other for £99.9.8 deawn by M.r Atkyns Purser of the Fordwich We do Assure your Hon.r We have used the Utmost frugality tho We must own Scantlings of Necsarys in the Stores hath Enhanced very much the last years Expence but are very well Assured the Succeeding year will answer that overcharge | This account was given in the first paragraph of the Council's letter by the Desbouverie, and the Council would always think it a duty to continue so. As for the Court's instructions in its general letters, the Council had all along punctually obeyed them. But if the Court meant the instructions sent by the Secret Committee and named in its general letter by the Success, Captain Graves, the Council had never seen them, though strict search had been made. Captain Alexander, who was then clerk to the Council, said he never saw them. 8: The Council had already said in its first paragraph that it knew the Court expected no account from it by any ship except the Court's own, and especially by those bound directly home for England. The Council hoped this would answer the charge against it in the Court's eleventh and twelfth paragraphs, and promised to let slip no opportunity in future. 9: Each ship's accounts had been sent home with every ship since this administration. The pressing need to supply the island's necessities had forced the Council to buy out of ships, so that chiefly their expenses had been met that way. By the Townsend and Frederick the Council sent the Court two bills, the one for £128 16s 8½d drawn by Captain Worth on the owners, the other for £99 9s 8d drawn by Mr Atkins, purser of the Frederick. The Council assured the Court it had used the utmost frugality. The shortage of necessaries in the stores had greatly increased the previous year's expense, but the Council was well assured the coming year would carry no such overcharge. 10: The Council [...] Interpretations The missing Secret Committee instructions expose a gap in the chain of orders the new administration relied on. The Court had referred to instructions sent by the Success under Captain Graves, yet the Council could find no trace of them despite a search, and the former clerk confirmed he had never seen them. The episode shows the administration's defence resting on the documentary record cutting both ways, the absence of a paper used to answer a charge built on its supposed receipt. The repeated emphasis on frugality and the explanation for the previous year's higher costs continue the Council's running effort to justify its spending. By attributing the overcharge to the bare state of the stores, which forced purchases from passing ships, the Council framed the expense as unavoidable rather than careless. The assurance that the coming year would carry no such cost was meant to preempt the Court's objection before it could be pressed again. | ||
12V | We have communicated the 14 Par. of your Hon.rs Letter to the planters in Answere to their Petition whereby they may See and We hope be made more Sensible what a Constant and prudent Care Your Hon.rs have taken for the Improvem.t of the Island & Encouragem.t of the Inhabitants in yo.r Orders Charterpartys & Instructions to all Your Hon.rs Shyping even long before their Petition'd which is w.t small Priviledges (no ways inconsistent with Your Hon.rs Interest as disposing their own Stock la the shyping when Your Hon.rs can't well Spare them) The Gov.r has indulgd them We judge will have Such an influence on those who will Consider their own good as to caution & make them regulate their behaviour for the future The great Drought at the Cape & that Provisi ons do Still continue dearer there then w.th Us has been confirmd to Us by all Shyping Yo.r Hon.rs are pleased to Express in Par. 17 that it ladis odd that Ships Should Supply themselves at the Cape where everything is dearer than at St. Helena & come afterwards to St. Helena with Submission to your Hon.rs better Iudgm.t We conceive the reason to Arise from the greater demand of and better vend for Good that place affords which the Comanders & Officers of the Homeward bound ships generally furnish themselves with on their own Acco they very well know We are not Capable of taking off any thing Considerable having no Trade but among our selves & another Inducement (among others is their disposing of their Coard Goods and investing that in trade) makes | 10: The Council had communicated the Court's fourteenth paragraph to the planters in answer to their petition, so that they might see, and be made more sensibly aware, what constant and prudent care the Court had taken for the improvement of the island and the encouragement of the inhabitants. This care appeared in the Court's orders, charter parties and instructions to all its shipping, even long before they petitioned. Among these was a small privilege, in no way inconsistent with the Court's own interest, of disposing their own stock to the Court's shipping when the Court could well spare them. The Council judged that the Court's indulgence to the planters would have such an influence on those who would consider their own good as to cause them to regulate their behaviour for the future. 11: The great drought at the Cape, and the fact that provisions still continued dearer there than at the island, had been confirmed to the Council by all the shipping. The Court in its seventeenth paragraph was pleased to grant that it was odd ships should supply themselves at the Cape, where everything was dearer than at St Helena, and then come afterwards to St Helena. With submission to the Court's better judgement, the Council conceived the reason to arise from the greater demand for, and better wine, that place afforded, which the commanders and officers of the homeward-bound ships generally laid in on their own account. They knew very well the Council was not capable of taking off anything considerable, having no trade except among themselves. A further inducement, among others, was their disposing of their goods and investing what they made of them [...] Interpretations The privilege granted the planters to sell their own stock to the Court's shipping shows the Court balancing local encouragement against its monopoly. By allowing the inhabitants a limited right to trade with passing ships, in a way that did not cut across the Company's own interest, the Court offered a concession meant to bind the planters to good conduct. The Council read the indulgence as a tool of social management, rewarding those who would order their behaviour and isolating those who would not. The Council's explanation of why ships still provisioned at the dearer Cape exposed the private trade of the officers as the real driver. The commanders laid in the Cape's better wine on their own account and disposed of their goods there, knowing the island could absorb little, so the resort to the Cape served their personal dealing rather than the ships' need. The analysis sharpened the Council's standing case by locating the cause of the grievance in the officers' private profit rather than in any failing of St Helena. | ||
13R | them touch at the Cape The mention made of Peoples being Clan destinely carried off in Consultation sent formerly to your Hon.r and taken Notice of in yo.r 16 Par. We judge might Proceed from the not having a blank Charter party to peruse for at our Enhrance here We were forced to wait for an Op portunity to gett one to Coppy, which was not Easyly obtained for we mett with Severall Excuses that it was Mislaid & not to be found for the future We will take all due care to prevent Such Practices To your Hon.rs 17 Par. relating to Reinhardus ab Hymen or Rich. Flemings & We can make no Answer for it was before our time 2.dly Concerning Goods & Stores Sent from England or reic. from India Whenever your Hon.rs are pleasd to Examine Our consultations there will Appear the Ad vance put upon each Sort of Goods So soon as they come to Our hands which We Under stand to be the meaning of your Honours Instructions in Par. 23 & 24 of your Lett.r ⅌ the Craggs as well as the repuktion of them in the 16 Par. We are Unapprizd of any Slip in our duties that may have Occasiond the Resent ment your Hon.rs Express in the Same Par. to enforce the Performance of yo.r Instructions We trust the Care We have Hitherto taken in in the Discharge of our Duties has Secured | The officers also took the chance to touch at the Cape. 12: The mention of people being secretly carried off, made in a former consultation sent home to the Court and noticed in its sixteenth paragraph, the Council judged might arise from its not having a blank charter party to consult. On the arrival of a ship at the island the Council had been forced to wait for an opportunity to get one to copy, which was not easily obtained, since it was met with several excuses that the document was mislaid and could not be found. In future the Council would take all due care to prevent such practices. 13: To the Court's seventeenth paragraph concerning Reinhardus Abthymen or Richard Fleming, the Council could make no answer, since the matter was before this administration. 2: Concerning goods and stores sent from England or received from India. 14: Whenever the Court chose to examine the Council's consultations, the advance put on each sort of goods would appear, as soon as they reached the island. The Council understood this to be the meaning of the Court's instructions in the third and fourth paragraphs of its letter by the Craggs, as well as their repetition in the fifteenth paragraph. The Council was unaware of any failing in its duties that might have caused the displeasure the Court expressed in the same paragraph, in pressing the performance of its instructions. The Council trusted that the care it had so far taken in discharging its duties had secured [...] Interpretations The want of a blank charter party left the Council unable to enforce the terms it needed against ships' masters. Without a standard form to consult, it could not readily check a ship's obligations on arrival, and captains met its requests with claims that the document was mislaid. The difficulty connected the reported smuggling of people off the island to a gap in the Council's own paperwork, the absence of a reference copy weakening its control over departing vessels. The reply on goods and stores again directed the Court to the consultation record for proof of the markup applied to each commodity. By pointing to its minutes for the advance put on goods as they arrived, the Council answered the Court's instructions and its expressed displeasure with documentary evidence rather than assertion. The pattern of resting every defence on dated proceedings runs through the whole reply, consistent with the administration's declared method of governing on the record. | ||
13V | us from any blame Your Hon.rs will find the 23 & 24 Par. aforementiond fully answerd We believe to Your Hon.rs Satisfaction in our 18 Par. of our Gen.l Letter Sent by Capt. Lewis and We hope they have been as fully put in Execution hitherto The Method your Hon.rs took the last year by the Sunderland We find by your 20 Par. Still continued by the Instructions to the three China ships will very much turn to Your Hon.rs Advantage Your Ease for our Consump tion of Tea is very large (Considering our narrow confines) and before we were forced to give a Price according to the Demand and then what was Still more Irksome (as it Enhanced that yearly Charge of this Island which we endeav all in us lies to lessen) to draw Bills on your Hon.rs for the Vallue, Wherever we find any breach of your Orders We Shall think it our duty to acquaint your Hon.rs 800 Cattees of Bohea and 100 of Green tea We take will answer the Years Consumption, As to China We if will not answer for the Small Quantitis we want it will be Cheaper to Provide out of the ships as We can gett them, twenty Cattee of silk will answer the Expence of one whole year and as your Hon.rs have So Generously told Us you would not have Us want So We Assure your Hon.rs there shall be no waist We have reic. the four bales of Quills which were by Mistake carried to England tho designd from Bombay to Us and are very usefull | The Council trusted its care had secured it from any blame. The Court would find its third and fourth paragraphs, mentioned above, fully answered, as the Council believed to the Court's satisfaction, in the eighteenth paragraph of its general letter sent by Captain Lewis, and it hoped they had been as fully carried out. 15: The method the Court took the previous year by the Sunderland, which the Council found continued by the Court's twentieth paragraph in its instructions to the China ships, would turn much to the Court's advantage and the Council's relief. The island's consumption of tea was very large, considering its narrow bounds. Before, the Council had been forced to pay a price according to the demand, and even then take whatever was still left over, which added to the yearly charge of the island. The Council tried as far as it could to lessen that charge by drawing bills on the Court for the value. Wherever it found any breach of the Court's orders, it would think it a duty to inform the Court. About 800 catties of bohea and 100 of green tea would answer the year's consumption. As for China, the trade would not answer for the small quantities the island wanted, so it would be cheaper to provide out of the ships as they could be got. Twenty catties of silk would answer the expense of one whole year. Since the Court had so generously told the Council it would not have the island go to such cost, the Council assured it there should be no waste. 16: The Council received the four bales of quilts, which were carried to England by mistake, though intended from Bombay for the island, and were very useful. Interpretations A catty was the Chinese unit of weight used in the China trade, here the measure by which the island reckoned its yearly need of tea and silk. Bohea was a black tea of the cheaper grade, the common drink of the period, and green tea the lighter sort, the two together making up the garrison and household supply. The figures of 800 catties of bohea and 100 of green tea fixed the island's annual demand in the seller's own units. The Council's preference for buying tea and silk out of passing ships rather than through direct China trade reflects the limit of a small market. The quantities the island wanted were too slight to make a dedicated China venture worthwhile, so opportunistic purchase from calling vessels was the cheaper course. The reasoning shows the administration matching its method of supply to the scale of its need, drawing on the China ships' cargoes as they came rather than mounting trade of its own. Speculations The new arrangement for the China ships to supply tea solved the particular problem of the island paying inflated prices in a seller's market. Before, scarcity had forced the Council to take whatever was offered at whatever price and to accept the surplus, swelling the yearly charge. By having the Court direct its China ships to furnish a fixed quantity, the supply was regularised and the price controlled, converting a recurring source of overcharge into a settled and budgeted item. | ||
14R | To your Hon.rs 22 Par. As far as We can answer for matters before our time We take the Difference to be the Fort is charged with General Expences and the Plantation House with the Peculiar Expence of it In answer to your Hon.rs 23 24 & 25 Par. the Seventy two pound Mentiond as the Stewards Acc.ts We take to be only intended as a Calculate and not a Particular Acc.o of the Months Expence of the Gen.l Table therein Exprissd The Method We take is The Steward & the Overseer of the Plantations bring in their Acc.tt monthly to Us which We Audite and are Entrd in a Book kept for that Purpose and this We have done for our own Satisfaction that We might not be imposd upon they have not been hitherto Entrd in Consultation for no other reason than to prevent Swelling the Consultations and to ease the Secretary a little for We think it Proper the Consultations Should be Copyd & Entrd by the Same hand thro out, Businss lies very heavy on the Secret.r having no assistant to help him in the other Part of the daily Businss belonging to the Office In Obedience to your Hon.rs commands the Particulars of the Expence shall be Annexed to the Consultations We have Used the Utmost frugality as we doubt not will Appear by our Acco for 1719 So far as we are concernd & to to your Hon.rs Satisfaction, As to the Number Eating at your Hon.rs General Table it is uncertain Our General Method is when | 17: To the Court's twenty-second paragraph, as far as the Council could answer for matters before this administration, it took the difference to be that the fort was charged with general expenses and the plantation house with its own particular expenses. 18: In answer to the Court's twenty-third, twenty-fourth and twenty-fifth paragraphs, the £72 0s 0d mentioned as the steward's account the Council took to be intended only as a calculation, and not as a particular account of the monthly expense of the general table set out there. The method the Council followed was that the steward and the overseer of the plantations brought in their accounts monthly. These the Council audited and entered in a book kept for that purpose. This it had done for its own satisfaction, so that it might not be imposed on. The accounts had not so far been entered in the consultations for no other reason than to prevent swelling them and to ease the secretary a little. The Council thought it proper that the consultations should be copied and entered by the same hand throughout. Business lay very heavy on the secretary, who had no assistant to help him in the other part of the daily business of the office. In obedience to the Court's commands, the particulars of the expense would be entered in the consultations. The Council had used the utmost frugality, as would appear from its accounts for 1719, to the Court's satisfaction. As to the number eating at the Court's general table, that was uncertain, the Council's general method being that [...] Interpretations The separate charging of the fort and the plantation house distinguished the garrison's general costs from the plantation's own. By assigning general expenses to the fort and particular ones to the plantation house, the administration kept the two centres of spending distinct in its books. The division let the Court see where money went and matched the wider effort to set the island's accounts on a clear and defensible footing. The monthly audit of the steward's and overseer's accounts into a dedicated book reveals the internal check the Council ran against being defrauded. Rather than enter every figure in the consultations, it kept a separate audited record for its own protection, holding the officers to a monthly reckoning. The Council's reluctance to swell the consultations, set against the Court's demand to see the particulars, shows the tension between an efficient internal control and the Court's wish for everything on the open record. Speculations The choice to keep the table and plantation accounts in a separate book, rather than in the consultations, balanced two competing demands on a single overburdened clerk. The secretary had no assistant and copied the whole consultation record himself, so loading it with monthly account detail would have multiplied his labour. The Council resolved the strain by auditing the figures into a dedicated book while keeping the consultations lean, only entering the particulars when the Court expressly required it despite the added burden. | ||
14V | We have no shipping Sundays consultation days, or any other Days for Publick businss we have Six dishes other times Generaly four We keep no Second Table now In time of shipping we generally provide Accordingly Thirdly Touching Serv.ts Civil & military, The Acco of St. Helena in Gen.l & also concerning Slaves, Cattle Lands & Revenues In answer to the 26 Par. Your Hon.rs in Con sultation of the 23 Iuly will Perceive by a Petition of Capt. Alexanders how Necessary We thought it was that one of the Gentlem.n of the Council Should have the Inspection & Overlooking of all your Hon.rs Plantations and Stock of all kinds thereunto belonging, The Answering of which the Arrival of the Hartford on the 24 Prevented by your Hon.rs having appointed M.r Edward Byfeild to be y.r Cheif M.r Byfeild's Industry and Behaviour since his Arrival leaves us no room to doubt of his Endeavours to the Utmost to Answer yo.r Hon.rs Expectation and nothing shall be wanting on our Sides to give him what assistance we can therein In Consultation of the 4 of Oct. Your Hon.rs will find the State of Your Hon.rs Stock of all kinds at M.r Byfeilds Enhrance as reportd by him & of & the Gentlem.n of the Council M.r Toveys Carriage forc'd us to suspend him the true Cause and reasons We have already acquainted your Hon.rs with in the 4 Par. of our Letter ⅌ the King George Capt. Sam. Lewis Comand.r as We | The Council had no shipping on Sundays, consultation days, or any other days set aside for public business. On these the Council generally had four dishes, but kept no general table now in time of shipping, providing instead as the occasion required. 3: Concerning servants, both civil and military, the account of St Helena in general, and also concerning slaves, cattle, lands and revenues. 19: In answer to the Court's twenty-sixth paragraph, it would see from a petition of Captain Alexander in the Council's consultation of 23 July how necessary it was thought that one of the gentlemen of the Council should have the inspection and oversight of all the Court's plantations and stock of every kind. The answering of this had been prevented by the arrival of the Hartford, the Court having appointed Mr Edward Byfield to be its chief. 20: Mr Byfield's industry and conduct since his arrival left the Council no room to doubt his efforts to the utmost to answer the Court's expectation, and nothing would be wanting on the Council's side to give him what help it could. In the consultation of 4 October the Court would find the state of its stock of all kinds at Mr Byfield's entrance, as reported by the gentlemen of the Council. 21: Mr Tovey's conduct forced the Council to suspend him. The true cause and reasons it had already given the Court in the fifth paragraph of its letter by the King George, Captain Samuel Lewis commander [...] Interpretations The appointment of a councillor to oversee all the Court's plantations and stock placed the island's agricultural assets under a single responsible officer. By putting one of the gentlemen of the Council in charge of inspecting the plantations and herds, the administration aimed to fix accountability for the Court's property in one hand. The arrival of the Hartford with Mr Byfield named as chief settled the matter the Council had raised in its petition of 23 July. The state of the Court's stock taken at Mr Byfield's entrance served as a baseline against which his stewardship could later be measured. By recording in the consultation of 4 October what stock of every kind stood at his taking charge, the Council fixed a starting point for the accounts. The practice of opening an officer's tenure with a verified inventory matched the administration's wider concern to govern by exact and dated record. | ||
15R | did also in our Consultations of the 27 July and the 4 of Aug. likewise of the bad State the Office with relation to the Books of Acco at our first Enhrance into Businss Notwith standing which and the Disappointm.t a mett with after that in M.r Trimston (who Succeeded M.r Tovey) he not only Neglected, but made it his Endeavours to hinder others as We have already Advisd Your Hon.rs in our Gen.l Letter ⅌ the Des Bouverie Capt. Thom.s Wotton Comander in the 3 Par. and by the Postscript to the Said Letter that he was Sus pended for his insupportable Insolence with that Ships We Sent your Hon.rs the Books for 1717 and the Books for 1718 are now Coppying and will most Certainly be sent by the next ships, We now send Your Hon.rs a true State of the Island at our comeing & from thence to march last We have now brought businss to that forwardness (tho w.th much Difficulty) that We may Assure Your Hon.rs of a Punctual and ready Complyance of every Particular Article of your Hon.rs 28 Paragra.t Capt. Goodwin We found Appointed by Govern.r Pyke very deservedly the only person on the Island qualify'd to Succeed as Store keeper he hath been Continued by Us, Whose Acco.ts were likewise very backward and the Methods of three months We found when We came, He promises a Positive Complyance with your Hon.rs Orders and if they are not performd for the future We Shall think our selves most deservedly blameable if We do not | The Council had also given the cause in its consultations of 27 July and 4 August, as well as in the true state of the office concerning the books of account at this administration's first entrance into business. Despite this, and the disappointment the Council met with afterwards, Mr Ormston, who succeeded Mr Tovey, not only neglected his duty but made it his aim to hinder others. The Council had already told the Court this in its general letter by the Desbouverie, Captain Thomas Wootton commander, in the third paragraph, and in the postscript to that letter, where it noted he was suspended for his unbearable insolence. By those ships the Council had sent the Court the books for 1717, and the books for 1718 were now being copied and would most certainly be sent by the next ships. The Council now sent the Court the true state of the island as it stood at this administration's coming, and from then to March last. It had brought the business to such a forward state, though with much difficulty, that it could assure the Court of its faithful and ready compliance with every particular of the Court's twenty-eighth paragraph. 22: Captain Goodwin the Council found appointed by Governor Pyke, very deservedly, as the only person on the island qualified to succeed as storekeeper, and it had continued him. His accounts were likewise much in arrears, with the same three-month methods the Council found in place when it came. He promised a positive compliance with the Court's orders, and if these were not carried out in future the Council would think itself most deservedly to blame if it did not [...] Interpretations The reliance on the suspended Mr Tovey's successor proving no better shows the depth of the island's shortage of able officers. Mr Ormston, brought in to replace Tovey, neglected his work and obstructed others until he too was suspended for insolence, recorded in the Desbouverie letter. The succession of failed accountants left the administration cycling through unsuitable men, the want of competent clerks frustrating its effort to set the books in order. The continuance of Captain Goodwin as storekeeper rested on his being the only qualified man, despite his arrears. Governor Pyke had appointed him and the new administration kept him, judging no other fit for the post, even while his accounts ran three months behind. The episode shows the administration tolerating a defective officer not from approval but from necessity, the scarcity of skilled men again limiting its power to enforce better practice. | ||
15V | put in Execution those Powers your Hon.rs have Intrusted Us with to enforce Obedience Your Hon.rs Instructions in drawing Bills and Suffering Transfers you gave Us last year We have Strictly observed your Hon.rs are pleased here to take Notice of the Prodigious Expence this Island is to your Hon.rs We are Especially Sensible of it and We use our Utmost Care to lessen it as much as is Possible and therefore We beg leave To Offer that the Prodi gious Wast & damages your Hon.rs Stores Suffer by lying by We take to be near one third of the Expence which is Occasiond by our being over Stockt with Severall Sorts of Comodities Some no ways Usefull here and others the quantitis too large for the Consumption of this Island It may Seem Presumption in Us to attempt to dictate to your Hon.rs but our Concern for your Hon.rs Interest and our duty Prompts us to Say (as We are on the Spott We are most Capable to know Yearly what is most Proper and what is most wanted here) that your Hon.rs will by each Store Ship to Answer both the Comodities & the quantitis We Indent for, of which We will take a Parti cular Care in our Indenture & your Hon.rs will not only Prevent the further loss you must otherwise Sustain by Wast or damage but near one half the Prime Cost of your Cargoes will be Saved annually to your Hon.rs We have already Wrote to your Hon.rs Settlements in India to the same Purport what We have Already Sayd in our 9 Par. will We hope give your Hon.rs Satisfaction as the remainder of your Honours So Paragraph | The Council would carry out the powers the Court had entrusted to it to enforce obedience. 23: The Council had strictly observed the Court's instructions of the previous year in drawing bills and allowing transfers. It now took notice of the enormous expense the island was to the Court. The Council was especially aware of it and used its utmost care to lessen it as far as possible. It therefore made bold to point out the great waste and damage the Court's stores suffered by lying idle, which the Council took to be near one third of the expense. This arose from the island being overstocked with several sorts of commodities, some of no use there and others in quantities too large for the island's consumption. It might seem presumptuous to attempt to dictate to the Court, but concern for the Court's interest and a sense of duty prompted the Council to say that, being on the spot, it was best able to know yearly what was most proper and most wanted at the island. If the Court would order each store ship to bring both the commodities and the quantities the Council indented for, of which it would take particular care in its indents, the Court would not only prevent the further loss it must otherwise sustain by waste or damage, but near one half the prime cost of its cargoes would be saved yearly. The Council had already written to the Court's settlements in India to the same purpose. What it had already said in its ninth paragraph it hoped would give the Court satisfaction as to the remainder of the Court's thirtieth paragraph. Interpretations The diagnosis of overstocking as near one third of the island's expense identifies dead inventory as a major hidden cost. Goods sent in excess of need, or of no use at the island, sat in store and spoiled, the loss falling on the Court. By tracing so large a share of the expense to waste rather than consumption, the Council reframed the cost problem as one of supply mismatched to demand, curable by ordering only what the island could use. The Council's claim that being on the spot made it the best judge of the island's yearly needs asserts local knowledge against distant direction. By offering to fix the right commodities and quantities in its indents, and asking the Court to ship strictly to them, the Council sought control over what arrived. The proposed reform, promising to save near half the prime cost of cargoes, tied the administration's authority over supply to a concrete fiscal gain for the Court. Speculations The proposal to ship strictly to the island's indents addressed the specific waste of goods perishing unused in store. The Council had identified overstocking, not consumption, as the source of a third of the expense, so the remedy lay in matching supply precisely to local demand. By undertaking to specify exact commodities and quantities, and asking the Court to send no more, the Council offered a targeted cure for a defined loss, converting its claim of local knowledge into a measurable saving on every cargo. | ||
16R | Money We have none Circulates the Coppr money, We found it in Chests in the Store room and there it remains Bank Bills no body cares to Meddle w.th lest they Shou'd loose them this Occasions the Number of Transfers, But as to to Specieds (your Hon.rs mention Some in the 31 Par.) whatever may have been We are Assured there are none now What your Hon.rs Complain of in the 32 Par. We are entirely ignorant of, and We Assure your Hon.rs it shall never be So in our time We are farr from thinking the Liberty grant ed each of us in Consultation of dissenting Exempts us from the Govern.rs Inspection or Enquiries into those Affaires Committed to Our charge out of Consultation he has not been wanting to Admonish & reprove where any have been remiss before he Proceeded to more Severe Sentences of Suspencions & Expulsions which their own ill conduct hath forc'd from him Witnessed in those three unhappy men M.r Tovey, M.r Lacy & M.r Trimston Transfers We Enter quarterly, and at no other time less Occasiond by shypping of which We presume your Hon.rs are not Apprizd by your Order that they be read once a month, all Acco mentiond in your 33 Par. for the future shall be punctcally Entrd and a due regard had to the remainder of the Said Paragraph We teansmitted in our Packet ⅌ the Des Bouverie a Paper Containing A List of the Families Land & Cattle on St. Helena Markt N.4 for the year 1719 | 24: The Council had no money in circulation. The copper money it found in chests in the store room, and there it remained. Nobody cared to meddle with the bank bills for fear of losing them, which caused the number of transfers. As to the funds the Court mentioned in its thirty-first paragraph, whatever there might have been before, the Council assured the Court there were none now. 25: What the Court complained of in its thirty-second paragraph the Council was entirely ignorant of, and it assured the Court it should never happen in this administration. 26: The Council was far from thinking that the liberty granted to each of them in consultation, of dissenting, exempted them from the Governor's inspection or enquiries into those matters committed to their charge outside of consultation. He had not failed to admonish and reprove where any had been remiss, before proceeding to the more severe penalties of suspension and expulsion, which the men's own ill conduct had forced from him. This appeared in the three unhappy men, Mr Tovey, Mr Lacy and Mr Ormston. The Council entered transfers quarterly, and at no other time unless occasioned by shipping. Since the Council understood the Court was not aware its order required that the transfers be read once a month, all accounts mentioned in the Court's thirty-third paragraph would in future be punctually entered, and due regard given to the rest of that paragraph. 27: The Council sent in its packet by the Desbouverie a paper containing a list of the families, land and cattle on St Helena, marked number 4, for the year 1719. Interpretations The reluctance to handle the bank bills exposes the practical failure of the island's paper currency. Holders feared losing the bills and so converted dealings into store transfers rather than passing the paper from hand to hand. The very instrument meant to ease the want of coin had become a thing nobody wished to keep, so the Council's books filled with transfers in place of circulating money. The Governor's right to oversee councillors outside consultation, set against their freedom to dissent within it, marks the line between collective deliberation and individual accountability. A councillor could disagree in the chamber, yet remained answerable to the Governor for the duties in his charge, with admonition preceding the graver penalties. The three suspended men stood as the worked examples, the administration insisting that the privilege of dissent gave no shelter from supervision of one's office. | ||
16V | A List of your Hon.rs Blacks with their ages & Employments taken March y 2.d 1720 N.5 An Acco of Rents & Revenues due from the Inhabitents of St. Helena for the Year 1719 N.6 which shall be Continued Yearly Concerning Your Hon.rs Blacks there has We are Sure no Care been Wanting to make them at all times as Proviceable as they were able The Govern.r Instructed the Part of an Overseer by frequently Onthing the Black houses & in Person always Attending the works to Encour age them and See the work done they have Suffered very much for want of a Good Surgeon indeed of which We acquainted Your Hon.rs in the 5 Par. of our Letter last above mentiond The Distemper We therein Complained of most & which very many of them labour'd under is most infections & most Prejudicial where the greatest Number are together and Especially where both Sexs inhabit Promiscuously as it is at your Hon.rs Blackhouses, The planters Blacks fare better not having the Same Opportunities to hazard themselves as your Number Affords to yours However they have not Altogether Escapd We fixed none of the planters Untill the repair ing of the Plantation House about Christmas 1720 which required Expedition lest the rainy Season Should have Sett in before it could have been furnishd which was a work so thorough ly done we question not will Answer the Extraordinary Expence as the other Particulars in the 34 Par. wherein your Hon.rs take Notice of what has been We hope you Hon.r do not | A list of the Court's slaves, with their ages and employments, taken 25 March 1720, marked number 5. An account of rents and revenues due from the inhabitants of St Helena for the year 1719, marked number 6, which would be continued yearly. Concerning the Court's slaves, the Council was sure no care had been wanting to keep them at all times as serviceable as they were able. The Governor, following the example of his predecessors, frequently visited the slave houses in person, always attending the works to encourage them and see the work done. They had suffered very much for want of a good surgeon, of which the Council had told the Court in the fifth paragraph of its letter mentioned above. The sickness complained of there was one that very many of them laboured under. It was most infectious and most harmful where the greatest number were together, and especially where both sexes lived crowded close, as at the Court's slave houses. The planters' slaves fared better, not having the same chances to endanger themselves that the Court's numbers gave. Even so, they had not altogether escaped. The Council fixed none of the planters' slaves until the repairing of the plantation house about Christmas 1720, which required haste lest the rainy season set in before it could be finished. That work was so thoroughly done that the Council had no doubt it would answer the heavy expense, as the other particulars in the Court's thirty-fourth paragraph, where the Court took notice of what had been done, the Council hoped the Court did not [...] Interpretations The crowding of both sexes in the Court's slave houses is named as the cause of the disease spreading worst there. The infection took hold most where the greatest number lived together, so the Company's own concentration of slaves in close quarters made its people sicker than the planters' more dispersed holdings. The observation ties the loss among the Court's slaves directly to the conditions of their housing, the want of a surgeon compounding a problem rooted in overcrowding. The contrast drawn between the Court's slaves and the planters' frames the Company's losses as a function of scale. Holding slaves in large numbers in shared houses exposed them to contagion the smaller planter holdings largely avoided. The reasoning prepared the Court to read the heavier mortality among its own people not as neglect by the Council but as an unavoidable consequence of concentrating many in one place. | ||
17R | Expect We Should Accompt for what we are igno rant of and was before our time but to answer your Hon.rs intent they Shall be So many Cautions to Us to use our Utmost Diligence to manage every Particular the best for your Hon.rs Interest Govern.r Pykes Blacks were Sold & deliverd to you Hon.rs on the 22 of May 1719 Pursuant to that days Consultation before Gov Johnsons arrival So that he knew nothing of them & of their Prices, the reading the Consultations re lating thereto in order to answer your Hon.rs 35 Par. to the very great Surprize of Captain Alexander & Goodwin we found the Prices were Omitted in the Consultations tho they were Entrd in the transfers Iornnal they were themselves very much to blame & are ashamd they Should Appear So Remiss before yo.r Hon.r and they Humbly ask your Hon.rs forgiveness and do Promise this shall be a Caution to y. for the future to be more mindfull We do herewith Send Your Hon.rs the List of those Blacks with their Prices as Entrd in the Iournal, the only Inducem.t they Say for giving Such Price which to your Hon.rs may Seem very Extravigant) was the want your Hon.rs had for Such Handicrafts to carry on the works they had not had the Hon.r to be of the Council long eno to put any of your Hon.rs Blacks to work at the Severall trades to have been able by that time Gov.r Pyke went off So that had they been Sold to the plant ers Your Hon.rs must have hired them (as | The Council hoped the Court did not expect it to account for what it was ignorant of and what was before this administration. To meet the Court's intent, those matters would serve as so many warnings to the Council to use its utmost care to manage every particular to the best of the Court's interest. 28: Governor Pyke's slaves were sold and delivered to the Court on 22 May 1719, in accordance with that day's consultation, before Governor Johnson's arrival, so that he knew nothing of them or of their prices. On reading the consultations concerning them, in order to answer the Court's thirty-fifth paragraph, Captain Alexander and Goodwin were very greatly surprised to find that the prices had been omitted from the consultations, though they were entered in the transfer journal. They were much ashamed that they should appear so careless before the Court, humbly asked the Court's forgiveness, and promised this should be a warning to them to be more careful in future. The Council sent the Court the list of those slaves with their prices as entered in the journal. The only reason given for paying such prices, which the Court might think very extravagant, was the want the Court had for skilled hands to carry on the works. Had the Council not had the Court's slaves to work at the several trades, it could not by that time, had they been sold to the planters, have managed at all. Governor Pyke went off, so that had the slaves been sold to the planters the Court must have hired them [...] Interpretations The omission of the slaves' prices from the consultations, while they stood in the transfer journal, exposes a flaw in the very record-keeping the administration prized. The two clerks were caught out by a gap in the official minutes that the parallel ledger happened to fill. The episode shows the limit of the consultation as a complete record, the administration relying on the journal to supply what the minutes had dropped and confessing the lapse to the Court. The justification for the high prices paid for Governor Pyke's slaves rested on the island's want of skilled labour. The Court's slaves were trained to the trades, so retaining them was worth a steep price when no other hands could carry on the works. Had they been sold to the planters as Pyke departed, the Court would have been forced to hire them back, the reasoning turning an apparent overpayment into the cheaper of two courses. Speculations The decision to buy Governor Pyke's slaves at extravagant prices answered the specific risk of losing trained tradesmen as he left the island. The slaves were skilled at the several trades and the works could not proceed without them, so allowing them to pass to the planters would have left the Court hiring the same hands back at continuing cost. The Council weighed a high one-time purchase against perpetual hire and chose to secure the labour outright, the price justified by the irreplaceable skills attached to those particular people. | ||
17V | as We Acquainted your Hon.rs We reic. 17 by the Elizabeth 16 by the Mercury The Cwiteand we fear is lost for she hath not been here All the Blacks that can be Spar'd from the plantations are & have been Constantly Employd in the fortifications, the works finish ed & the forwardness of the works carrying on now in the fortifications will Shew the Care that is taken We must answer (to that part of the 37 Par. wherein your Hon.rs enjoyne Us to Send the meaning of one reason urgd in Consultation of the 22 of May) as we have done above it was before our time and we will take Care that your Hon.rs be charg'd with no bad debts to the best of our knowledge & According to your Hon.rs Orders in the Said Par. We herewith Send your Hon.rs a true State of the Island to march last, & likewise a true State at our arrival whereby your Hon.rs will See the Condition We represented the people of the Island to be in with relation to their debts to your Hon.rs in our General Letter Par. the 3 ⅌ Des Bouverie to be Just which Occasiond us to Hire Blacks of those Persons where We thought their debts Precarious rather than have nothing, We Hired none nor did We design any untill about Christmas 1719 when we begun to have a small insight into the Circumstances of the people In answer to the 36 Par. The Govern.r Saith That he is an utter Stranger to Gov Pykes design or plausable Pretext for his getting So many Blacks of his own thereby to render the 13 Black | The Council had told the Court of the slaves received, 17 by the Elizabeth and 16 by the Mercury. The Cleveland the Council feared was lost, since she had not reached the island. 29: All the slaves that could be spared from the plantations had been constantly employed at the fortifications. With the works finished, the progress now being made on the fortifications would show the care that was taken. 30: The Council had to answer that part of the Court's thirty-seventh paragraph in which the Court directed it to send the meaning of one reason used in the consultation of 22 May. As it had said above, this was before this administration, and the Council would take care that the Court was charged with no bad debts, to the best of its knowledge. In accordance with the Court's orders in that paragraph, the Council sent a true state of the island to March last, and likewise a true state at this administration's arrival. From these the Court would see the condition in which the Council had described the island's people, regarding their debts to the Court, in the third paragraph of its general letter by the Desbouverie. This had led the Council to hire slaves from those persons whose debts it thought doubtful rather than have nothing at all. The Council hired none, nor did it intend any, until about Christmas 1719, when it began to gain a small insight into the people's circumstances. 31: In answer to the Court's thirty-sixth paragraph, the Governor said that he was an utter stranger to Governor Pyke's design, or any plausible pretext for his getting so many slaves of his own, so as to reduce the Court's slaves [...] Interpretations The hiring of slaves from doubtful debtors served as a means of recovering debt by another route. Rather than leave nothing against what these persons owed the Court, the Council took the use of their slaves, turning an uncertain debt into present labour. The practice, begun only once the Council understood the people's finances at Christmas 1719, shows the administration using its hiring power to draw value from settlers it doubted could pay in coin. The two states of the island, one at the administration's arrival and one to March last, gave the Court a before-and-after measure of the Council's stewardship. By recording the island's condition at its coming and again at the close of the period, the Council fixed a baseline against which its management could be judged. The pairing matched the new regime's method of governing on dated record, letting the Court see what it had inherited and what it had made of it. | ||
18R | wages from 18 to 12 ⅌ day, it is his Opinion that no person can afford it and find them in victuals and other Necessaries and that he bought tenn Blacks out of the Elizabeth and one given him which is a Perquisite to all Govern.rs he found them in Cloaths and all other Neces saries Except Victuals and Charged the Company but 6 ⅌ day for the first Six months which he was Considerably out of Pockett and is So Still tho he now Charges the Company Six Shillings ⅌ week for he had one of them drowned which takes away the Proffit of the rest The Govern.r Says He chooses he rather to put them into the Hon.ble Comp.as Black house and let them fare as theirs do, and defyes any reflections on him that his are in any respect better treated than the Hon. Comp.as are (tho he reckons he allows the Hon. Comp.a three Shillings ⅌ week each for their Victuals by charging no more than Six Shilling ⅌ for their Ave and he hath been Offer'd to have them Victualled at 2/6 ⅌ week and no doubt the Hon. Comp.a can afford Cheaper than any Private person by reason of the Number they are to Provide for daily the 6.d a week over he judges to be equivalent for any Lost time accidents may Occasion he likewise charges no more for them Blacks that belong to the Govern.r Pro tempore, two works at the Plantations and one w.th the Taylors whose hire would be worth more but that is further to Answer the loss of | The Governor lowered the slaves' wages from eighteen pence to twelve pence a day, since in his view no one could afford more and still find them food and other necessaries. He bought ten slaves out of the Elizabeth, and one given to him, which was a perquisite of every governor. He found them clothing and all other necessaries except food, and charged the Company only sixpence a day for the first six months, by which he was considerably out of pocket, and still was, though he now charged the Company six shillings a week for their food. One of them drowned, which took away the profit on the rest. The Governor chose rather to put them into the Court's slave house and let them fare as the Court's did, and he denied that his slaves were in any way better treated than the Court's. He reckoned he allowed the Court's slaves three shillings a week each for their food by charging no more than six shillings for his own. He had been offered to have them fed at two shillings and sixpence a day. No doubt the Court could feed them cheaper than any private person, because of the number it had to provide for daily. The extra sixpence a week he judged equal to any lost time accidents might cause. He likewise charged no more for them than for slaves that belonged to the Court. At present two worked at the plantations and one with the tailors, whose hire would be worth more, but that was further to answer the loss of [...] Interpretations The slave given to the Governor as a perquisite of office marks the customary supplement to a governor's pay. Beyond his salary, the office carried recognised side-benefits, here a slave drawn from an arriving cargo as an established right. The detail shows how colonial appointments were remunerated partly through such perquisites, the practice accepted and openly stated rather than concealed. The Governor's detailed defence of his slave-keeping costs answers a charge that he profited at the Court's expense. By setting out what he paid for food and clothing, the loss on the drowned slave, and the rate at which he charged the Company, he sought to show he charged no more than the Court's own slaves cost and gained no advantage. The careful accounting reflects the sensitivity of a governor holding slaves on the Company's establishment, where any appearance of private gain invited the Court's suspicion, the same charge Mr Tovey had pressed against Governor Pyke. | ||
18V | time of any of the Govern.rs Blacks So that he is Satisfied he is doing no injustice to your Hon.rs The Gov.r had one more which was his Perquisite of the Ship Mercury but bought now He hath Since bought two Wenches at an Out ry the one for £20 the other for £21 both are very Excellent at their Needle which the Hon. Comp.a did very much want to mend Linnen and to do other Necssary Works about a family the Person who used to do that work Govern.r Pyke took with him, He Saith & your Hon.rs Shall at any time have the refusal of them at the Same Price, His having Blacks Shall not be any Occasion of Proposeing any new work absolute Necssity doth not require, He would not have bought any could he but have imagin ed they would in any ways have been Prejudicial to their Hon.rs Interest he will buy no more & is ready to part with even them & their Hon.rs after this are not pleased to indulge him with that favour but no longer than will be consis tent to their Hon.rs Interest & not to put them to any Extraodinary Expence the more hands are employd the Sooner the works begun will be finished, As to any live Stock or any maner of Provisions the Govern.r never had any because he would not give the least Occasion for any reflections that his own Interest did interfere with the Hon.ble Comp.a Capt. Alexander & Capt. Goodwin have Small plantations without which it would be impossible to Maintain their large ffamilies, were they obliged to buy Provisions for them, their whole | The hire was further to answer the loss of time of any of the Governor's slaves, so that he did the Court no injustice. The Governor had one more, which was his perquisite of the Mercury, but bought none of her. He had since bought two women at an outcry, the one for £20 0s 0d and the other for £21 0s 0d. Both were very good with their needle, which the Court much needed to mend linen and to do other necessary work about a family. The person who used to do that work the Governor took with him. He said the Court should at any time have the refusal of them at the same price. His having slaves would never be an occasion of proposing any new work that necessity did not absolutely require. He would not have bought any, could he have imagined they would in any way have been harmful to the Court's interest. He would buy no more, and was ready to part with even those he had, should the Court not be pleased to allow him that favour, but no longer than was consistent with the Court's interest, and not to put it to any extra expense. The more hands that were employed, the sooner the works begun would be finished. As to any live stock or any kind of provisions, the Governor never had any, because he would not give the least occasion for any objection that his own interest interfered with the Court's. Captain Alexander and Captain Goodwin had small plantations, without which it would be impossible to maintain their large families. Were they obliged to buy provisions for them, their whole [...] Interpretations The premium placed on the two women bought for needlework reflects the scarcity of a particular skill on the island. Their value lay in mending linen and doing the sewing work of a household, a task the Governor had lost when his previous worker left with him. The high prices of £20 0s 0d and £21 0s 0d, and the offer to let the Court take them at cost, show how a specific domestic competence commanded a premium where trained hands of any kind were few. The Governor's repeated insistence that he held no livestock or provisions, and would part with his slaves if asked, answers the standing suspicion that a governor's private interest competed with the Court's. By renouncing any dealing that might appear to set his profit against the Company's, he guarded against the very accusation that had been levelled at his predecessor. The councillors' admission that they kept small plantations only to feed their large households fits the same defensive pattern, distinguishing necessity from private gain. | ||
19R | Sallarys would not be Sufficient & their Plantati ons are so farr from furnishing them w.th any thing for a Market that they are Either forced to buy they Humbly begg & Your Hon.rs would permitt them to continue them & they Shall think them selves Obligd to devot their whol time and Endeavour to your Hon.rs Intrest & Service Your Hon.rs Complaint relating to Custom in Par. 39 We answer by laying a true State of it before you Since your Hon.rs have been pleased to Order Us goods from India and the people can furnish themselves now Cheaper from the Stores than from the shyping The Customs amount to little or nothing not due to pay the Custom Master therefore yet a Premium, We are informd that in Govern.r Poiriers time the Customs amounted to between £20, or £30 in a shipping But by your Hon.rs favour the times are Alterd people's expectations of Goods are not from ships but from your Hon.rs Store House which pay no Custom An Acco of all Revenues & Rents have been duly transmitted by the Sume in shyping and We will take Care they Shall be continued In answer to your Hon.rs 40 Par. of your last Letter as well as your Directions in the 60 of yours of the 21 march 1719 concerning the duty on Arrack and the 5 ⅌ Cent on other Goods We will take Care to follow them as often as occasion Serves; But We have no Private Store House upon the Island which We alledge for one reason why your Hon.rs have had no Marks of our observance of | The councillors' salaries would not be enough, and their plantations were so far from supplying them with anything for a market that they were rather forced to buy. They asked that the Court allow them to continue these plantations, and they would think themselves bound to give their whole time and effort to the Court's interest and service. 32: The Council answered the Court's complaint in its thirty-ninth paragraph by giving a true state of the customs. Before the Court ordered its goods from India, the people could now supply themselves cheaper from the stores than from the shipping. The customs amounted to little or nothing, not enough to pay the customs master his salary of £8 0s 0d a year. The Council was informed that in Governor Poirier's time the customs amounted to between £20 0s 0d and £30 0s 0d on a ship. But by the Court's favour the times were altered. People did not look to the ships for goods but to the Court's store house, which paid no customs. An account of all revenues and rents had been duly sent home by the summer shipping, and the Council would take care it should be continued. 33: In answer to the Court's fortieth paragraph in its last letter, as well as its directions in the sixtieth paragraph of its letter of 21 March, concerning the duty on arrack and the two and a half per cent on other goods, the Council would take care to follow them as often as occasion served. But the island had no private store houses, which the Council said arose from one reason, that the Court had had no marks of [...] Interpretations The collapse of the customs revenue is presented as the direct result of the Court's own supply policy. Once the Court furnished goods from India sold through its store house, which paid no customs, the people stopped buying from ships, and the duty that once yielded twenty to thirty pounds a ship fell to almost nothing. The Council framed a fall in revenue not as a failure of collection but as the consequence of channelling trade through the Company's own untaxed store. The councillors' plea to keep their plantations rested on the inadequacy of their salaries. They held the land not for market profit but to feed their households, and without it their pay would not stretch. The argument shows the administration distinguishing the councillors' subsistence farming from the engrossing and private trade it condemned in the wealthier planters, casting their plantations as a necessity the Court should permit rather than a conflict of interest. | ||
19V | of them the present Incumbrances of Debts to your Hon.rs the People labour under may be offer'd as another good reason therfore We begg your Hon.rs will not impute it to any Remiss ness in us in your Hon.rs affairs, or done out of a regard to our own Advantage, for We do Assure your Hon.rs there has not been one Single instance Since our time Your Hon.rs Directions in your 41 Par. with relation to our Chaplain We Shall Pursue when ever there Shall be Occasion, the Same We take to be pointed out by your Hon.rs as a Memorand.m for Us when any of your Serv.ts are Deficient in their duty, We have not been wanting to give all Encouragem.t to the for warding Businss, nor have We been affraid to Discountenance Neglect & Misbehaviour whilst we are Answering the forementiond Par. We lay hold on this proper Opportunity to Say We question not but long before this time a just Charact.r of that Vile man Iones your Hon.rs late Chaplain here has reached your Ears and plainly Demonstrated Such a fellow was not Worthy of your favour and Countenance the frequent Instances that Occur to our observation of the Mischief, Pre judice and Continual Perplexitis in our Publick affairs which must Consequently have attended his Stay here makes us re joice that he So Soon Shewd his Disorderly temper and We So early found So Sure a Remedy in Sending him away We transmitted the last year a List of all yo.r Hon.rs Servants both Civil & Military Each | The Council added that the present burden of debts the people laboured under to the Court might be offered as another good reason. It asked the Court not to impute the want of private store houses to any slackness in its affairs, but to a regard for the Court's own advantage, and it assured the Court there had not been a single instance of slackness during this administration. 34: The Council would follow the Court's directions in its forty-eighth paragraph concerning the chaplain whenever the occasion arose. It took these as a reminder for when any of the Court's servants fell short in their duty. The Council had not been wanting to encourage the forwarding of business, nor had it been afraid to discountenance neglect and misbehaviour. In answering the paragraph, the Council seized this fit opportunity to say there was no doubt that, not long before this, a just account of that wilful man Jones, the Court's late chaplain at the island, had reached the Court and plainly shown such a fellow was not worthy of its favour and countenance. The frequent instances the Council had observed of the mischief, harm and continual trouble in the island's public affairs, which must have followed had he stayed, made the Council rejoice that it had so soon stopped his disorderly temper and so early found a remedy in sending him away. 35: The Council had sent home the previous year a list of all the Court's servants, both civil and military [...] Interpretations The debts owed to the Court are offered as a second reason why no private store houses survived on the island. With the people deep in debt to the Company and dependent on its store, they had neither means nor occasion to keep trading houses of their own. The Council turned the absence of such houses, which the Court might have read as lax enforcement, into evidence of its success in channelling trade through the Company store and binding the indebted planters to it. The Council's account of the chaplain Jones frames his removal as a remedy applied early to a spreading disorder. By casting him as a wilful man whose continued presence would have brought lasting trouble to public affairs, the Council justified shipping him home as sound governance rather than harshness. The relief expressed at having acted quickly fits the administration's wider concern with discipline, the chaplain treated as one more source of the contention it sought to suppress. | ||
20R | persons employ either Certain or at certaine Seasons their Salaries or their Wages by the month or Year, Your Hon.rs pleased to take Notice that in a Lett.r Sent the last year from it was Sayd that the Cloathing each Black did not amount to ten Crowns ⅌ year which way that Calculate was made We are at a Loss to find out for at our comeing they were all new Cloathd Appointed By Govern.r Pyke they have every one been Cloathed twice Since and many thrice every one a Blankett they were Cloathed with those Sent by your Hon.rs in the Princess Amelia in the Stores they are 21/6 Iackett & Breeches Blanketts Some 11s. Some 9s. besides Caps & Shirts which have been for the most Part made here So that We must Compute the Charge to be nearer 15 Crowns than ten, We do Assure your Hon.rs that there is care taken that nothing more than Necssity requires be given them The Planta tions will undoubtedly furnish the General Table & Provisions largely to the Ships, this years Charge of Plantations will be large by reason of the Great quantities of Cattle & Yams We have been forced to take to Secure severall Debts from the planters The Extraor dinary Expence of Liquors We are very well Assured Your Hon.rs cannot Complain of, for as your Hon.rs would not have us want So all Possible care is taken that none be wasted with respect to each Particular branch of the Expence of this Island We have had the | The list showed for each person, whether employed all the year or only at certain seasons, their salaries or their wages by the month or year. The Court in a letter sent the previous year noticed that the clothing for each slave did not amount to ten crowns a year. The Council was at a loss to find out how that calculation was made. At its coming the slaves were all newly clothed, fitted out by Governor Pyke. They had every one been clothed twice since, and many three times. Every one had a blanket. They were clothed with those sent by the Court in the Princess Amelia, now in the stores. The jackets and breeches were 21 shillings and sixpence each, the blankets some 11 shillings and some nine, besides caps and shirts, which had for the most part been made at the island. So the Council had to reckon the charge nearer fifteen crowns than ten. It assured the Court that care was taken to give the slaves nothing more than necessity required. The plantations would undoubtedly furnish the general table, and provisions largely to the ships. This year's charge for the plantations would be heavy, because of the great quantities of cattle and yams the Council had been forced to take to secure several debts from the planters. As to the extraordinary expense of liquor, the Council was well assured the Court could not complain of it, since the Court would not have it go without. All possible care was taken that none should be wasted. In every particular branch of the island's expense, the Council had taken the same [...] Interpretations A crown was a sterling coin worth five shillings, used here as the unit for reckoning the yearly cost of clothing a slave. The Court had set ten crowns, or fifty shillings, as its expected figure, while the Council, costing the actual jackets, breeches, blankets, caps and shirts, put the true charge nearer fifteen crowns. The dispute turned on the gap between the Court's notional allowance and the real price of the garments supplied. The taking of cattle and yams to secure planters' debts explains why the plantation charge ran high that year. Rather than write off doubtful debts, the Council seized stock and produce in settlement, which swelled the plantation account even as it recovered value otherwise lost. The mechanism shows the administration converting unrecoverable money debts into tangible assets, the higher charge reflecting recovery in kind rather than waste. | ||
20V | Same regard & Used the Same Frugality, as if they had been our own Particular Acc.ts & We doubt not of your Hon.rs approbation herein That a General Care for the Presavation of every thing here belonging to your Hon.rs is our Duty & that not any Shall be wanting to the Utmost of our abilitys Answers the 43 Paragraph All possible Caution hath been usd Since our Arrival that both the Soldiery as well as others may contract the fewest debts but for the future your Hon.rs Limitation in the 44 Par. Shall be observed We cannot let slip this Opportunity to do Capt. Eason the justice due to him in Answer to your 45 Par. concerning him His inde fatigable Industry & good Husbandry in his own private Affairs acknowledged by all the Island, his pay, & the Advances his own Merit made him Worthy of, during his Seventeen Years Continuance in your Hon.rs service Gave him the Opportunity of Acquiring & keeping together the Same Mentiond by your Hon.r which (for the reasons Mentiond in Consultation of the 12 Ianry 1719 wh.n he desigd to go to En gland) he paid into your Hon.rs Cash here his behaviour & Service Since our Arrival Obliges Us in a more Particular manner as we also did in the before Mentioned (Con sultation) to recomend him to your Hon.rs favour | The Council had taken the same regard and used the same frugality as if the expense had been its own private account, and it had no doubt of the Court's approval. 36: A general care for the preservation of everything belonging to the Court was the Council's duty, and nothing should be wanting to the utmost of its ability. This answered the forty-third paragraph. 37: Every possible care had been taken since this administration's arrival that both the soldiers and others should contract the fewest debts. For the future the Court's limitation in its forty-fourth paragraph would be observed. 38: The Council could not let slip this chance to do Captain Cason the justice due to him, in answer to the Court's forty-fifth paragraph concerning him. His tireless industry and good management in his own private affairs were acknowledged by the whole island. His pay, and the income from his own estate, made him worthy of it. During his seventeen years in the Court's service he had had the chance of saving up the sum mentioned by the Court. For the reasons given in the consultation of 12 January 1719, when he asked leave to go to England, he had paid the money into the Court's cash at the island. His conduct and service since this administration's arrival obliged the Council in a more particular way, as it had also done in the earlier consultation, to recommend him to the Court's favour. | ||
21R | Adue regard Shall be had to your Hon.rs In structions about tendering money to the People The Directions your Hon.rs gave Us in the 38 of your last and all former We Shall observe in the letting your Lands Capt. Alexander Saith he had no other meaning than to conform to a Method Proposed by Gov.r Pyke in a Lease for three lives, at the death of any one to pay half a years Rent for renewing or Addyng another life that there were but very few granted and no Alteration Since Occasiond by any Deaths Your Hon.rs large family requires large Plantations & with Submission to your Hon.rs We think the Number of Acres Mentiond to containe your Hon.rs Plantations if they were all of them the best Land upon the Island for that Purpose would be no more than sufficient for Should the planters Understand that your Hon.rs must of Necessity buy they would be So Exorbitant in their prices that what we now buy for two Shilings We Should think your Hon.rs very well usd if they would be Contented to take 5/. Yams can be no loss at any time & which the want must Procure a very great Expence to your Hon.rs to buy Upon a Survey Sept.r 1719 the Gentlem.n of the Council to whom were joyned Mess.rs Powell Greentree, Coles, & Wrangham made report that Part of your Hon.rs Plantation Mentiond | 39: A due regard would be given to the Court's instructions about offering money to the people. 40: The Council would observe the directions the Court gave it in the thirty-eighth paragraph of its last letter, and all earlier ones, in the letting of its lands. 41: Captain Alexander said he had no other meaning than to conform to a method proposed by Governor Pyke, in a lease for three lives. At the death of any one, half a year's rent was paid for renewing or adding another life. Very few such leases had been granted, and there had been no change since occasioned by any deaths. 42: The Court's large family required large plantations. With submission to the Court, the Council thought the number of acres said to make up the Court's plantations, even if they were all the best land on the island for the purpose, would be no more than enough. Should the planters realise the Court had to buy of necessity, they would be so exorbitant in their prices that what the Council now bought for two shillings, it would think the Court very well used if they would be content to take five shillings. Yams could be no loss at any time, and the want of them must bring a very great expense on the Court to buy. On a survey of 16 September 1719, the gentlemen of the Council, joined by Messrs Powell, Greentree, Coles and Wrangham, made their report. That part of the Court's plantation mentioned [...] Interpretations A lease for three lives was a tenancy that ran for the lifetimes of three named persons, ending only when the last died. The half-year's rent paid on each death to add a fresh life let the tenant keep the holding running across generations. The arrangement, proposed by Governor Pyke, gave the Court a recurring renewal fee while offering the tenant long security, a common early modern device for holding land over extended terms. The Council's warning about the planters' prices exposes the leverage scarcity gave the sellers. Were the planters to learn the Court must buy of necessity, they would raise the price of yams from two shillings to five, knowing the Court had no choice. The argument for the Court keeping ample plantations of its own rested on denying the planters this power, self-supply being the only guard against being held to ransom in a captive market. Speculations The insistence on the Court holding enough plantation land answered the specific danger of a seller's market in a closed island economy. The Council foresaw that any sign of dependence would let the planters more than double their prices, so the remedy lay in the Court growing its own provisions rather than buying. By keeping ample land under its own cultivation, the Court would remove the planters' bargaining power, the survey of 16 September 1719 serving to establish whether its holdings were equal to the need. | ||
21V | in your Letter by name Lufkins was not worth the planting But would turn to more Acco for Pasture Accordingly one part of it calld the Old Garden where the Yamms are Already digg is thrown up & the other part when digg Shall be likewise So, To part with that Plantation to any body would be a manifest Prejudice to your Hon.rs Pasture which his rowed it and is the best Pasture your Hon.rs have calld the Church Grounds adjoyns to your Hon.rs grand Plantation At the Same Survey the Gentlem.n Reported that the new Ground taken in at the Peak lyes So cold that it is impossible Yams Should grow there therefore we are resolved as the Yams are fitt to digg to throw it up alsa whereby there will be no Occasion of So large a House as there is at present tho ready to fall, We designe to Build only a little Hutt for 4 or 5 Blacks there, Perkins Plantation which yo.r Hon.rs Hire thirty Acres and is the best in your Hon.rs possession now, without which or some other as good and as large it will be impossible to provide for all your Blacks The lease Expires July next, As We have above Stated Your Hon.rs affairs relating to your Plantations We Shall wait your Hon.rs Di rections for a feather Guide, We Labour Under Difficulty for We Should have Seized severall Persons Plantations who Stand Deeply in debted to your Hon.rs and are So far from taking Necssary Care to Discharge them | The part of the Court's plantation named Lufkins was not worth planting, but would serve better as pasture. One part of it, called the Old Garden, where the yams were already dug, was thrown up, and the other part, when dug, would be thrown up likewise. To part with that plantation to anyone would be a clear harm to the Court's pasture, which this rounded out, and was the best pasture the Court had. The gentlemen called the Church Grounds, adjoining the Court's plantation, a further improvement. At the same survey they reported that the new ground taken in at the Peak lay so cold that yams could not possibly grow there. The Council was therefore resolved, as the yams there were fit to dig, to throw it up also. There would then be no need of so large a house as stood there at present, which was ready to fall, so the Council meant to build only a little hut for four or five slaves. Perkins plantation, which the Court hired at thirty acres, was the best in the Court's possession now. Without it, or some other as good and as large, it would be impossible to provide for all the Court's slaves. Its lease expired the following July. As stated above, the Council would wait the Court's directions for a further guide in its plantation affairs. It laboured under a difficulty, for it should have seized several persons' plantations who were deeply in debt to the Court and were so far from taking the necessary care to discharge them [...] Interpretations The cold ground at the Peak shows the limit the island's elevation placed on cultivation. The high land lay too cold for yams to grow, so the Council resolved to abandon it once the existing crop was lifted and to replace the failing house with a hut for a few slaves. The detail records the practical retreat from unproductive high ground, the island's terrain dictating where the Court's planting could succeed. The Council's reluctance to seize the plantations of indebted planters reveals the tension between debt recovery and its consequences. It held the right to take the land of those deep in debt who neglected to pay, yet hesitated to exercise it. The difficulty shows the administration weighing the recovery of the Court's money against the disruption and ill will that wholesale seizure of estates would bring. | ||
22R | that they Neglect them But there are no persons on the Island Capable to Purchase We are mindfull and Observant of yo.r Hon.rs 50 & 51 para. about planting & fencing as know ing nothing can be more beneficial & a greater Improvem.t to this Island and the only way left to recover in time those places now barren for want of Shelter from the Winds M.r Hugh Theophrastus Scrimshire is Arrived with Us We rehan your Hon.rs thanks for your Care in Sending Us a Surgeon which We greatly wanted & have greatly Suffered thereby as We wrote Your Hon.r in our Letter ⅌ Des Bouverie w.th the may Answer the recom mendations given of him, he gives Us but little Hopes at Present being too much Addicted to Liquors & as he hath been often reprovd & Admonished by the Gov.r Associates himself with those that will Endeavour to make him worse and become one of the Number of those Already Suspended & discharged for their Neglect and Misbehaviour Fourthly Concerning yo.r Hon.rs ffortifi cations Buildings & Garrison Stores We have Strictly adhered to what We Pro misd in our 34 Par. of our Lett.r ⅌ King George in answer to those Par. under this present head in your Gen.l Letter Sent with Us and in all Respects are resolved to Act | The Council added that those planters neglected their debts, but there was no one on the island able to buy their plantations. 43: The Council was mindful and observant of the Court's fiftieth and fifty-first paragraphs about planting and fencing, knowing nothing could be more beneficial or a greater improvement to the island. The only way left to recover in time those places now barren for want of shelter from the winds was by such planting. 44: Mr Hugh Theophilus Scrimshire had arrived. The Council returned the Court its thanks for its care in sending out a surgeon, which it had greatly wanted and suffered much for the want of, as it had written in its letter by the Desbouverie with the recommendations given of him. He gave the Council but little hope at present, being too much addicted to liquor. As he had often been removed and admonished by the Governor, he kept company with those who would make him worse and become one of those already suspended and discharged for their neglect and misbehaviour. 4: Concerning the Court's fortifications, buildings and garrison stores. 45: The Council had strictly kept to what it promised in the third paragraph of its letter by the King George, in answer to those paragraphs under this present head in the Court's general letter sent out with the Governor, and was resolved in all respects to act [...] Interpretations The exposure of barren ground to the wind is named as the obstacle that only planting could remedy. Land left bare had been stripped of shelter, so fresh planting was the sole means to recover it in time. The point ties the island's agricultural decline to the loss of windbreaks, the Council endorsing the Court's planting and fencing programme as the cure for ground laid waste by exposure. The disappointment in the newly arrived surgeon Mr Scrimshire shows the island's run of ill luck with skilled men continuing. The Council had pleaded urgently for a surgeon and welcomed his coming, only to find him given to drink and falling in with the very men already disgraced for misconduct. The episode illustrates how the want of capable officers persisted even when the Court answered the call, a long-sought replacement proving as unreliable as those he was meant to relieve. | ||
22V | for your Hon.rs as We would for our Selvrs to the best of our Judgments We were not then Apprizd of the State & Condition of the Island and of the people We then Wrote to your Hon.rs According to the Appeerance of affairs to Us at that time and We have Acted ever since Pursuant to the better knowledge (our growing more Conversant in your Hon.rs affairs) hath furnished Us with, We have taken care in our ffortifications & Buildings to Attempt Nothing but what absolute Necss ity and your Hon.rs Interest requir'd the more Expedition hath been usd than upon first view may seem to justifie our Conduct in transgrissing your Hon.rs Positive Orders to hire no more Blacks of the Freemen, our concern for your Hon.rs Interest & advantage therein will absolutely Acquitt us when your Hon.rs are made Sensible there was no other way left to many of the Inhabitants to make Satisfaction for their debts to you without ruin to themselves, and their Number would have become an unsup portable burdyn to the rest of the Island & by the State of the Island we herewith send youll be fully Satisfied with the truth of the Cases That your Hon.rs may not think Us Ble it will be Proper to give an Acco what & buildings We have finished & what are in hand the plantation House took up all our Season the last year in repairing | The Council was resolved to act for the Court as it would for itself, to the best of its judgement. At its coming it could not then know the state and condition of the island and its people, so it wrote to the Court according to how affairs appeared at that time. Ever since, as it grew more familiar with the Court's affairs, it had acted on better knowledge. In the fortifications and buildings it had taken care to attempt nothing but what absolute necessity and the Court's interest required. The more haste had been used on those first, which might seem to justify its conduct in carrying out the Court's earlier orders to hire no more of the freemen's slaves. The Council's concern for the Court's interest and advantage would fully acquit it, once the Court was made aware there was no other way left to many of the inhabitants to make satisfaction for their debts without ruining themselves. Their number would have become an unbearable burden to the rest of the island. By the state of the island the Court would be fully satisfied with the truth of the case. So that the Court might not think the Council unable to give an account, it would be proper to say what buildings the Council had finished and what it had in hand. The repairing of the plantation house took up the whole of the previous year [...] Interpretations The Council's defence of hiring no more freemen's slaves rests on the impossibility of the debtors paying any other way. For many inhabitants, letting their slaves to the Court was the only means of discharging their debts without losing everything, and the swelling number of such debtors threatened to burden the whole island. The Council framed an order it had carried out as both obedience to the Court and a mercy that kept ruined debtors afloat while recovering value for the Company. The Council's admission that its first reports rested on appearances, later corrected by experience, frames the shift in its conduct as growth in knowledge rather than inconsistency. At its arrival it judged the island by how things looked, and acted differently as it came to understand the true state. The candour served to explain any change of course to the Court as the natural result of a new administration learning its ground. | ||
23R | Alexander Naish | Subscribed by John Alexander, secretary. | ||
23V | the Capt[...] | A true copy. | ||
23R | which is done Substantially, this Season a Building of 140 foot in length, 100 foot in breadth for Rooms for two Overseers, two Ware houses for Hides and other things belonging to the Plantations the Rest Apparatu, for yo.r Blacks which will be Compleated in a fortnight, like wise a Kitchin for the Plantation Already finishd, a little house at the Peak Likewise We Shall begin the next week At the fortification the Barraks are at last Compleated We have built a wall from the Lurding Rocks to the Draw bridge to prevent the Seas washing and gullying which did very much incommode & in time would have made the way Unpassable and will also Secure any Bale goods from any Damage they may reic. whilst at the Crane by the Surf and breaking of the Sea We have at the East End of the Line where there was a heap of Rubbish and a high wall every day in danger of falling carried on the Curtain about 50 foot further which will both flank the Liner and also take any Ship as Soon as She turns Munders Point and also Command any thing to the Leeward which none of our other Guns can reach We are beginning a half Moon from the End of the Curtain to the Wethocks which we Shall accomplish without any Great difficulty but labour and will be of great use both as to flanking the Line & answering the end Proposd by Capt Sandys as we find by your Hon.rs Letter ⅌ the Mead to the three Gov.rs & Council to Secure any Ships turning | The work was done substantially. This season the Council built a building 140 foot long and 100 foot broad, for rooms for the two overseers, two warehouses for hides and other things belonging to the plantations, and the rest of the apartment for the Court's slaves, which would be finished within a fortnight. A kitchen for the plantation was already finished, and a little house at the Peak the Council would begin the following week. At the fortifications, the barracks were at last finished. The Council had built a wall from the Landing Rocks to the drawbridge, to prevent the sea washing and gullying, which had been a great inconvenience and in time would have made the way impassable. It would also protect any bale goods from damage they might suffer while at the crane, by the surf and the breaking of the sea. At the east end of the line, where there was a heap of rubbish and a high wall in daily danger of falling, the Council carried on the curtain about 50 foot further, which would both flank the line and command any ship as soon as she luffed at Munden's Point, and command anything to the leeward that none of the other guns could reach. The Council was beginning a half-moon from the end of the curtain to the West Rocks, which it would complete without any great difficulty but labour. This would serve both to flank the line and to answer the purpose Captain Sandys proposed, since the Council found by the Court's letter the meaning to the Governor and Council was to secure any ships turning [...] Interpretations The sea wall from the Landing Rocks to the drawbridge served a dual purpose against erosion and for the protection of cargo. It checked the sea from washing away the approach that would otherwise have become impassable, and it shielded bale goods at the crane from the surf during loading. The work shows the fortification programme answering practical needs of the landing place as well as military defence, the same wall guarding both the road and the Court's merchandise. A half-moon was a curved outwork thrown forward from a fortification to extend its field of fire. Built from the end of the curtain to the West Rocks, it would let the guns flank the line of works and cover ships rounding Munden's Point that the existing batteries could not reach. The design answered a defensive gap, extending command over an approach previously beyond the fort's guns. | ||
23V | Munders Point, all which We take to be So Necssary & Commodious that it will plainly appear we make your Hon.rs Interest our Chief Study, We have built a Store House for the Gunners dry Stores, on the Enhrance on the Parade adjoyning to the Wall of the Outer Court Yard of the Castle whereby the Excuse to Us formerly will be obviated that He had no place to Lock his Stores up in that he could not be So Exact in his Acc.ts as he would be, Bankses ffort is So much out of repair that if any use be any longer made of it it must be rebuilt Considering that Since Munders will answer better, as We Iudge the design Bankss was built for, the Govern.r hath taken the Guard that did duty there and hath added them to Prosperous bay whereby the two Serjants there (that for many years hath done hard duty) will be Eased to the Same as those at the ffort and to Conclude this head & to Satisfie your Hon.rs that Eight Months Continuance of all those hands we have will Compleatly finished the ffor tifications that can be thought Usefull to Protect all your Shyping and to defend it Self against any Enemy Fifthly touching the Civil Govern ment of the Island or the Production thereof in Gen. & what concerns any of the Inhabitants We are pleas'd when what is done hae mett | The works secured any ships turning Munden's Point. All this the Council took to be so necessary and convenient that it would plainly appear it made the Court's interest its chief concern. The Council had built a store house for the gunner's dry stores, at the entrance on the parade, adjoining the wall of the outer court yard of the castle. This would remove the excuse offered formerly, that the gunner had no place to lock his stores in, so that he could not be as exact in his accounts as he should be. Bank's fort was so much out of repair that if any further use were made of it, it must be rebuilt. Since Munden's would answer better, the Council judged the purpose Bank's was built for was met. The Governor had taken away the guard that did duty there and added them to Prosperous Bay, so the two sergeants there, who for many years had done hard duty, would be eased to the same as those at the fort. To conclude this head, and to satisfy the Court, eight months' continuance of all these hands would completely finish the fortifications that could be thought needful, to protect all the Court's shipping and to defend itself against any enemy. 5: Concerning the civil government of the island, or its produce in general, and what concerns any of the inhabitants. 46: The Council was pleased when what was done at the island met [...] Interpretations The gunner's store house addressed a defect in accountability rather than mere storage. With no secure place to keep his stores, the gunner could plead that he could not keep exact accounts, so building a lockable store removed the excuse and fixed responsibility for the stores on him. The work shows the fortification programme serving administrative control as well as defence, a building raised to close a loophole in the stores accounts. The abandonment of Bank's fort in favour of Munden's reflects a consolidation of the island's defences onto the more effective position. Rather than spend on rebuilding a ruined work, the Council shifted its guard to better-placed posts and judged Bank's purpose now served elsewhere. The redistribution of the garrison, easing the long-burdened sergeants at Prosperous Bay, shows defensive resources concentrated where they told most rather than spread across decayed works. | ||
24R | with your Hon.rs Approbation As you are pleasd with the Law to prevent the Blacks running away with the Inhabitants boats Our Endeavours have not been wanting upon every Occasion to persuade & Shew the People that their Good & Ease was our Chiefstudy and that when ever the rigour of the Law has ben Exerted it proceeded from their own Mis mannagem.t & abuse of the Indulgence tendered to them By the 56 Par. We understand that your Hon.rs have bought Govern.r Roberts House here and your Hon.rs have Ordered that We Should Apply it to no other use than a Store house it being Contiguous to yours, We had begun & have Cleard a place behind the Castle in the Garden, there are three large Ware houses finished and those in the Castle will be very near to the Grand Storehouse which will be no Small Conveniency the place must be owsd by every Person that Sees it to be the most Commodious on all Acco of any Place that can be thought on, It is conven ent by Nature for the Clearing of it hath furnished us with all Materials Such as Stone, Mortar, & Water for our works at the ffortifications, & will do So for them too which Saves the greatest charge of Building here Viz. Carriage Backward & forwards We Proposd the Castle Wall to have made one | The Council was pleased when what was done at the island met the Court's approval, just as the Court was pleased with the law to prevent the slaves running away with the inhabitants' boats. 47: The Council had not failed, on every occasion, to persuade and show the people that their good and ease was its chief concern, and that whenever the rigour of the law had been used, it came from their own mismanagement and abuse of the indulgence offered them. 48: From the Court's fifty-sixth paragraph, the Council understood the Court had bought Governor Roberts's house at the island, and had ordered it be used for nothing but a store house, being next to the Court's. The Council had begun and cleared a place behind the castle, in the garden. Three large warehouses were finished there, and those in the castle would be very near the grand store house, which would be no small convenience. Every person who saw the place must own it to be the most convenient of any that could be thought on. It was made so by nature, for the clearing of it had furnished the Council with all materials, such as stone, mortar and water, for the fortifications, and would do so for them too, which saved the greatest charge of building at the island, namely carriage back and forth. The Council proposed to make the castle wall serve as one [...] Interpretations The siting of the new store houses behind the castle turned a natural advantage into a saving on construction. Clearing the ground yielded the stone, mortar and water the works needed on the spot, so the heaviest cost of building at the island, the carriage of materials, was avoided. The Council read the location as ideal precisely because nature supplied at hand what would otherwise have to be hauled, the same excavation serving both the store houses and the fortifications. The plan to use the castle wall as one side of the store houses shows the administration economising by combining structures. Rather than build a free-standing store, the Council meant to lean it against the existing castle wall, sparing the labour and material of a fourth side. The approach matches the wider effort to finish the works at least cost, every building set where it could borrow from what already stood. | ||
24V | Side of the Square the three Ware houses ranging with the Line to have made another at the End of that is a Gate going upon the line where the Goods are brought in when landed which is not above two hundr Yards from the Crane So that thereby will be Saved not only Labour but also there will be less Danger of Damage to the Goods & likewise Accidents to the Blacks which Generally Attends every Ship unloading the Stores and Officers will be Always under the Govern.rs Eye, the Stores will be Secured from Robbing because the only way to it must be by the Guard Room the whole Square will be lockt up every night and the keys brought into the Castle the Senthy that doth duty on the mount in the Castle Commands the Sight of the whole Square The Grand Storeroom or Serving out room where all the fine Goods are will be in the Centre of that Building which faces the Castle, So that the Storekeeper as he is Serving out may have an Eye to all his Ware houses they will be Secure from fire because they will not be near any Comon thorough fare and no Tobacco is Suffed within the Castle In the middle of the Square is the Timber Yard by this Building all your Affairs will be transacted with the Greatest Ease imaginable and not Lyable to those Mistakes the running Up and down & want of Conveniency's have | The castle wall would form one side of the square, the three warehouses ranging with the line. The Council meant to make another at the end of that, with a gate opening onto the line where the goods were brought in when landed, which was not above 200 yards from the crane. By this means there would be saved not only labour but less danger of damage to the goods, and likewise less risk to the slaves, which generally attends every ship unloading. The stores and officers would always be under the Governor's eye. The stores would be secured from robbing, because the only way to them must be through the guard room. The whole square would be locked up every night and the keys brought into the castle. The sentry that did duty on the mount in the castle commanded a view of the whole square. The grand store room, or serving-out room, where all the fine goods were, would be in the centre of that building, which faced the castle, so that the storekeeper, as he served out, could keep an eye on all his warehouses. They would be secure from fire, because they would not be near any common thoroughfare, and no tobacco was allowed within the castle. In the middle of the square was the timber yard. By this building all the Court's affairs would be managed with the greatest ease imaginable, and not liable to those mistakes the running up and down and want of convenience had caused [...] Interpretations The arrangement of the warehouses around a locked square placed the whole stores complex under a single point of control. Access ran only through the guard room, the square was locked nightly with the keys held in the castle, and the sentry on the mount overlooked the entire yard. The design built security into the layout itself, the stores protected from theft not by extra guards but by a plan that left one controlled entrance under constant watch. The central serving-out room, set where the storekeeper could see every warehouse, fixed accountability for the goods on one officer. From the middle of the building he could oversee the whole as he issued stores, so no warehouse lay beyond his view. The layout answered the recurring problem of disordered accounts by making supervision physical, the storekeeper's sightlines doing the work that scattered buildings had previously defeated. | ||
25R | Occasiond in a hurry of Businss The charge of this Building will be very inconsiderable The House Your Hon.rs have bought will call for a Considerable Sume to make it fitt for what Your Hon.rs Designd it for, as much as will Compleat the Building before Mentiond it will be impossible at last to make it near So Commodious without puling the Walls down of the upper Story & putting in other Timbers it will be fitt for to hold no more than Some fine Goods & a Shop to Shew & Serve them out in, the Stair Case will not lett a Bale be carried up So that all must be opened below, which will be very inconvenient At present your Hon.rs Blacks Employ'd in mending & make ing Cloaths & Shirts for the rest in number about 15 besides Wenches that are not Constant ly employd are put into the Lower room that they may be kept together and be under the Inspection of the Cheif Taylor Such a Building is greatly wanted The ground floor of the Old Storehouse Coverd over with Dirt Mortar will make a handsome Appartment of your Hon.rs Chaplain the Expence will be a very triffle and Save the Rent your Hon.rs have always allowd for a House The House your Hon.rs have bought Will make two Appartm.ts for two of the Gentlem.n of the Council with a very Small Expence; Appartments for all your Hon.rs Servants would be of Excellent Service near the Castle The Gov.rs Eye would | The disorder had been caused by a hurry of business. The charge of this building would be very small. The house the Court had bought would call for a considerable sum to make it fit for what the Court intended it for, as much as would finish the building already mentioned. It would be impossible to make it nearly so convenient without pulling down the walls of the upper story and putting in other timbers. It would serve to hold no more than some fine goods, and a shop to show and serve them out, since the staircase would not let a bale be carried up, so a bale must be opened below, which would be very inconvenient. At present the Court's slaves employed in mending and making clothes and shirts, for the rest, numbered about fifteen, besides women not constantly employed. They were put into the lower room, so they might be kept together and under the inspection of the chief tailor. Such a building was greatly wanted. The ground floor of the old store house, covered over with dirt mortar, would make a handsome apartment for the Court's chaplain. The expense would be a mere trifle, and would save the rent the Court had always allowed for a house. The house the Court had bought would make two apartments for two of the gentlemen of the Council at very small expense. Apartments for all the Court's servants would be of excellent service near the castle. The Governor's eye would [...] Interpretations The Council's assessment of Governor Roberts's house frames the Court's purchase as an awkward fit for its intended use. Converting it to a proper store house would cost as much as finishing the purpose-built warehouses and still leave it inferior, the staircase too narrow to carry a bale and the upper story needing its walls pulled down. The candid appraisal shows the Council weighing the Court's instruction against the building's real limits, recommending it serve only for fine goods rather than as a main store. The repurposing of existing buildings for the chaplain and councillors shows the administration finding lodging at minimal cost. The old store house floor would house the chaplain and save the rent the Court paid for his house, while Roberts's house would lodge two councillors cheaply. Concentrating the Court's servants near the castle served both economy and the supervision the Governor valued, housing tied to oversight as the stores had been. | ||
25V | influence & regulate & your Hon.rs in all your Directions for Buildings have been pleasd to add the words and Lodgings So that we take it for granted it was always your Hon.rs gracious intentions they Should have them We Humbly ask your Hon.rs Pardon if any thing hath Slipt herein w.ch may make Us seem too forward in giving our Opinions our aim & intentions are no more than to Endeavour fully to apprize your Hon.rs w.th a just State of all Affaires on this Island w.ch we have Sincerly done and in the best man ner We are Capable of, nothing now remains but to Act from time to time as best be comes Hon.ble S.rs Yo.r Most Humble faithf.ll & most obed.t Servants Edw.d Johnson Edw.d Byfeld Jn.o Alexander Jn.o Goodwin P.s So We herewith Send your Hon.rs Capt. Philips Worths 2.d Bill of Exchange for £128.16.8½ and also M.r Thomas Atkins (Purser of the Fordwich) 2.d Bill of Exchange for £99.3.8 both Payable to your Hon.rs & dated the 5 July 1720 | The Governor's eye would influence and regulate the servants, since all the Court's directions for buildings had been pleased to add the words "and lodgings". The Council therefore took it for granted it had always been the Court's intention that the servants should have them. The Council humbly asked the Court's pardon if anything in this had slipped that might make it seem too forward in giving its opinions. Its aim and intentions were no more than to try fully to inform the Court of a just state of all affairs on the island. The Council had done so sincerely and in the best manner it was capable of. Nothing now remained but to act from time to time as best became it. The letter was signed by Edward Johnson, Edward Byfield, John Alexander and John Goodwin, as the Court's most humble, faithful and obedient servants. Postscript. The Council sent the Court Captain Philip Worth's second bill of exchange for £128 16s 8½d, and also Mr Thomas Atkins, purser of the Frederick, his second bill of exchange for £99 9s 8d, both payable to the Court and dated 5 July 1720. Interpretations The reliance on the phrase "and lodgings" in the Court's building orders shows the Council reading a general authority into a recurring formula. By treating the standard addition of those words as proof the Court always meant its servants to be housed, the Council justified its lodging plans as consistent with standing instruction. The reasoning fits the administration's habit of grounding each act in the Court's own words, here drawing licence from a phrase repeated across the directions. The dispatch of the second bills of exchange continues the practice of splitting each instrument across separate sailings. The first bills had gone by the Townsend, and these duplicates followed so that the loss of one ship would not destroy the claim. The method, applied here to Captain Worth's and Mr Atkins's bills, matched the long-standing precaution of sending the parts of a bill by different conveyances to guard against loss at sea. | ||
26R | We have drawn three Bills of Exchange on your Hon.rs for the Sume of £15.8. Payable to M.r Tyhab.t Powell (or Order) dated 29 Dec.r 1720 Which We begg may be Receivd Accordingly We hear that the Derby Capt. Fitzhugh the Mary Capt. Holden the D.le of Chimboro Capt. Daniel Small the D.le of York Capt. Hide & Cardonnel Capt. Maudson, were at Madd.rs when these two Ships came thence But the Cardonnel may be Expected here very Speedily with the Craggs from Bengall Capt. Wynn is Dead and She is Comanded by M.r Blake the Cheif mate Capt. Shuter in the Godfrey tells Us he mett with a Large french Ships coming about the Cape who informd him that Capt. Luhorne in the Princess Ann was loaded at Mocho & ready to Sail But upon Some difference that happen'd between your Cheif there and the Natives of the Place the Ship was Detained Pursuant to the Sentence of your Sessi ons held the 13 Inst.t We have Sent off John Houltson in the Hannover & John Oneil in the Godfrey the former Stands Indebted to your Hon.rs about £13. and the latter about £5. which We coud not be Exact in it being about the middle of a quart.r and not knowing what diett Bills may appear ag.t them | The Council had drawn three bills of exchange on the Court for £15 0s 8d, payable to Mr Gabriel Powell or order, dated 29 December 1720, which it asked might be honoured. The Council heard that the Derby under Captain Fitzhugh, the Mary under Captain Holden, the Duke of Cambridge under Captain Daniel Small, the Duke of York under Captain Hide and the Cardonnel under Captain Mawson were at Madras when these two ships came from there. But the Cardonnel might be expected at the island very soon, with the Craggs from Bengal. Captain Wynn was dead, and the Craggs was now commanded by Mr Blake, the chief mate. Captain Shunter in the Godfrey told the Council he had met with a large French ship coming about the Cape, which informed him that Captain Luhorne in the Princess Ann was loaded at Mocha and ready to sail. But the ship had been detained on account of some dispute that arose between the Court's chief there and the natives of the place. In accordance with the sentence of a court held on 1 [...], the Council sent off John Roulston in the Hannover and John O'Neil in the Godfrey. The former was indebted to the Court about £13 0s 0d and the latter about £5 0s 0d, which the Council could not state exactly, the time being about the middle of a quarter and it not knowing what other bills might appear against them. Interpretations The death of Captain Wynn and the succession of his chief mate to command shows the routine handling of a vacancy at sea. With the master dead, the chief mate Mr Blake took charge of the Craggs, the ship continuing her voyage under the next officer in line. The detail records the orderly transfer of command that kept a vessel in service when her captain died, the same pattern seen in other ships of the season. The removal of two indebted men from the island by sentence of court connects the disposal of debtors to the recovery of their debts. Roulston and O'Neil, each owing the Court, were shipped off, their debts noted but not fixed because the quarter was incomplete and other claims might emerge. The episode shows the administration combining a judicial penalty with debt accounting, sending troublesome debtors away while leaving their final reckoning open. | ||
26V | We likewise Send Enclosed Capt. John Bonds first Bill of Exchange Payable to your Hon.rs for the Sume of £75.13. drawn on the owners of Ship Hannover and dated the 29 Dec.r 1720 Union Castle St. We are Helena Dec.r 29 1720 Hon.ble S.rs Yo.r most Humble faithf.ll & obed.t Serv.ts Edw.d Johnson Edw.d Byfeld Jn.o Alexander Jn.o Goodwin Added to the foregoing Letter Immediatly after We had made up and Seald our Pack.t to your Hon.rs on Thursday evening last the 29 Dec.r an Alarm Hap pend, Upon which We delayd delivering them to Capt. Bond the next morning the 30 Arivd the Princess Ann Capt. Nic. Luhorne Comand.r from Mocha & at last from the Cape and he having bought a quantity of Arrack for the Service of this Place We have in Pursuance to your Hon.rs Orders bought 15 Legars Cont.g 2300 Gall. at 4 ⅌ Gall.n which will prevent others Exacting on our Necsity as they did last year for which We have drawn Bills of Exchange on your Hon.rs amounting | The Council also sent enclosed Captain John Bond's first bill of exchange, payable to the Court for the sum of £75 13s 0d, drawn on the owners of the ship Hannover and dated 29 December 1720. The letter was dated at Union Castle, St Helena, 29 December 1720, and signed by Edward Johnson, Edward Byfield, John Alexander and John Goodwin, as the Court's most humble, faithful and obedient servants. Added to the foregoing letter. Immediately after the Council had made up and sealed its packet to the Court, on Thursday evening last 29 December, an alarm was raised. The Council therefore held back from delivering the packet to Captain Bond until the next morning. On the 30th the Princess Ann under Captain Nicholas Luhorne arrived from Mocha but last from the Cape. He having bought a quantity of arrack for the service of the island, the Council, in accordance with the Court's orders, bought thirteen leaguers containing 2,300 gallons at four shillings the gallon. This would prevent others from imposing on its needs as they had the previous year. For this the Council had drawn bills of exchange on the Court amounting to [...] Interpretations The purchase of arrack at the fixed four shillings the gallon again served the Council's standing policy against price-gouging. By buying a large stock from Captain Luhorne when the chance came, the Council laid in enough to cover its needs and removed the leverage callers held when the stores stood bare. The act repeats the pattern of the season, the well-filled store denying later sellers the scarcity that had driven prices up the previous year. The holding back of the sealed packet on the alarm shows the Council's correspondence kept open to the last moment for fresh news. Rather than send the letter as sealed, the Council delayed Captain Bond's departure and added the account of the Princess Ann's arrival and the arrack bought from her. The practice ensured the Court received the most current intelligence, the postscript carrying events that fell after the main letter was finished. | ||
27R | to the Sume of £378.6.8.3 Payable to Capt. Luhorne (or Order) dated the 1 Ianry 1720 which We begg Your Hon.rs Acceptance of Union Castle St. We are Helena Ianry 1 Hon.ble S.rs 1720 Yo.r most Humble & faithf.ll Servants Edw.d Johnson Edw.d Byfeld Jn.o Alexander Jn.o Goodwin | The bills amounted to the sum of £378 6s 8d, payable to Captain Luhorne or order, dated 1 January 1721, which the Council asked might be honoured. The letter was dated at Union Castle, St Helena, 1 January 1721, and signed by Edward Johnson, Edward Byfield, John Alexander and John Goodwin, as the Court's most humble and faithful servants. | ||
27V | List of the Packett ⅌ Ship Princess Ann Capt. Nicholas Luhorne Comand (designd to be sent ⅌ Hannover) Ianry y 1 1720 Gov.r & Councils Gen.l Lett.r dated the 29 Dec.r 1720 w.th a P. So. And additional Lett.r of y 1 Ianry follow Duplicate of Gen.l ⅌ Ship Townsend dated July y 5 1720 Sent a part from y large Pack.t Copy of Consultacions from y 9 June 1720 to the 22 Dec.r Inclusive follo.s of ft 119 ⅌ fol. M.r Edw.d Byfeilds monthly Acc.t Storekeeps monthly Acc.tt for 8 Months 1720 The State of yo.r Island for y Year 1718 & 1719 Capt. Worths 2.d Bill of Exchange for £128.16.8½ M.r Tho.s Atkins (Purs.r of y Fordwich) 2 Bill for £99.3.8 Ships Acc.tt Rec.t for the Pack.t ⅌ Townsend List of Blacks bought of Gov.r Pyke w.th their Prices Capt. Jn.o Bonds first Bill of Exchange for £75.13. Payable to the Hon.ble Comp.a & dated Dec.r 29 1720 List of the Packet ⅌ Jn.o Alexander | List of the packet by the ship Princess Ann, Captain Nicholas Luhorne commander, intended to be sent by the Hannover, 1 January 1721. Number The Governor and Council's general letter, dated 29 December 1720, with a postscript, and an additional letter of 1 January following. Duplicate of the general letter by the ship Townsend, dated 5 July 1720, sent apart from the large packet. 1: Copy of consultations from 9 June 1720 to 22 December inclusive. 2: Mr Edward Byfield's monthly accounts. 3: Storekeeper's monthly accounts for eight months 1720. 4: The state of the island for the years 1718 and 1719. 5: Captain Worth's second bill of exchange for £128 16s 8½d. 6: Mr Thomas Atkins, purser of the Frederick, his second bill for £99 9s 8d. 7: Ships' accounts. 8: Receipt for the packet by the Townsend. 9: List of slaves bought of Governor Pyke, with their prices. 10: Captain John Bond's first bill of exchange for £75 13s 0d, payable to the Court, and dated 29 December 1720. 11: List of the packet. Subscribed by John Alexander. Interpretations The manifest again pairs the new bills and accounts with duplicated correspondence, sustaining the overlapping despatch practice. The general letter and its additions travel alongside a fresh copy of the earlier Townsend letter and the receipt for that packet, so the loss of one ship would not break the record or the claims. The chain of duplicates and receipts gave the Court a recoverable account across successive sailings. The list of slaves bought of Governor Pyke, sent with their prices, supplies the very detail the consultations had omitted. The Council had confessed that the prices were left out of the minutes though entered in the transfer journal, and now forwarded them as a separate item. The inclusion shows the administration repairing the gap in its record, ensuring the Court received the figures the consultation should have carried. | ||
28R | General Lett.r ⅌ Ship Arrabella Capt William Hamilton Comder dated Ian.ry 30 172[...] Hon.ble S.rs We wrote your Hon.rs an Answer to Your Gen.l Letter sent Us by the Hartford by the Princess Ann Capt. Nicholas Luhorne Comand.r who Saild hence the first of this Month, and in Obedince to the 11 Para. of that Letter We hereby Acquaint Your Hon.rs of the putting in here of a ship called the Arrabella Capt. William Hamilton Comder She wanted Water & other fresh Provisions She was in her outward bound voyage a Lycened ship by Your Hon.rs for Madagascar She carryed Slaves to Buenos Ayres for the Hon. South Sea Comp.a But upon the Warr breaking out w.th Spain The ship was Seized The Capt. & all the men made Prisoners and remaind So for one and twenty Months She is now bound for Cadiz having given Security for Her So doing The Duplicate of our aforementioned Letter and all other Papers Containd in the Packett We have ready and the Books for 1718 But We do not think it Proper to Intrust them in this ship, We are in daily Expectation of the Cardonnel Capt. Will.m Maudson one of Your Hon.rs ships who was at Maddrass | General letter by the ship Arabella, Captain William Hamilton commander, dated 30 January 1721. The Council had written the Court an answer to its general letter, sent by the Hartford, by the Princess Ann under Captain Nicholas Luhorne, who sailed from the island the first of this month. In obedience to the eleventh paragraph of that letter, the Council now told the Court of the putting in of a ship called the Arabella, Captain William Hamilton commander. She wanted water and other fresh provisions. On her outward-bound voyage she was a ship licensed by the Court for Madagascar, and she carried slaves to Buenos Aires for the South Sea Company. But on the breaking out of the war with Spain, the ship was seized and the captain and all the men made prisoners. They remained so for one and twenty months. She was now bound for Cadiz, having given security for so doing. The duplicate of the letter mentioned above, and all the other papers contained in the packet, the Council had ready, along with the books for 1718. But it did not think it proper to entrust them in this ship. The Council was in daily expectation of the Cardonnel under Captain William Mawson, one of the Court's ships, who was at Madras [...] Interpretations The history of the Arabella records the collision of two trading systems with the outbreak of war. Licensed by the Company for Madagascar and carrying slaves to Buenos Aires for the South Sea Company under the Spanish slave contract, she was seized when war with Spain broke out and her crew held prisoner for nearly two years. The episode shows how a vessel operating across the English and Spanish trades became a casualty the moment the two powers fell into conflict. The Council's refusal to entrust its packet to the Arabella shows the care taken in choosing a carrier for the Court's papers. Despite having the correspondence and the 1718 books ready, the Council held them back from a foreign-bound ship of uncertain standing and waited for a Company vessel. The judgement reflects the standing concern to send the record home by a safe and accountable conveyance rather than risk it on a ship bound for Cadiz. | ||
28V | taking in her loading when the Godfrey & Hanover left that place as We have already Acquainted Your Hon.rs in our last Gen.l Letter they Saild with Capt. Luhorne Con sidering the Voyage this ship is bound for We think Some of Your Hon.rs own ships may Arive in England before her whereby We may have a better Opportunity, Her Stay or Her Detention at Cadiz is very Uncer tain, and that your Hon.rs Cocerns ought not to Pass thro So many hands as this is likely to doe before it comes to Yours Are the only Reasons why We do not Send the Particular above mentiond by this Conveyance, In our Gen.l Letter We gave your Hon.rs Such a full Acco of all Your Affairs here, and y distance of time between the two ships is So Short Nothing of Moment hath happened worthy your Hon.rs Observation We Shall lay hold on all Opportunities to Demonstrate our Selves Hon.ble S.rs Yo.r most Faithfull Hum.le Servants Helena Ianry Edw.d Johnson 30 1720 Edw.d Byfeld Jn.o Alexander Jn.o Goodwin | The Cardonnel was taking in her loading when the Godfrey and Hannover left Madras, as the Council had already told the Court in its last general letter. They sailed with Captain Luhorne. Considering the voyage this ship was bound for, the Council thought some of the Court's own ships might reach England before her, by which it might have a better opportunity. Her stay or detention at Cadiz was very uncertain, and the Court's papers ought not to pass through so many hands as this was likely to do before reaching the Court. These were the only reasons why the Council did not send the particulars mentioned above by this conveyance. In its general letter the Council had given the Court a full account of all its affairs at the island, and the distance of time between the two ships was so short that nothing of moment had happened worth the Court's notice. The Council would seize every opportunity to show itself the Court's most faithful and humble servants. The letter was dated at St Helena, 30 January 1721, and signed by Edward Johnson, Edward Byfield, John Alexander and John Goodwin. Interpretations The reasoning for withholding the papers turns on the security of the conveyance rather than the ship's destination alone. The Arabella's detention at Cadiz was uncertain, and her papers would pass through many hands before reaching London, so the Council judged a direct Company ship the safer route. The calculation that the Court's own vessels might reach England first shows the administration weighing speed and security together in choosing how to send its record home. | ||
29R | Gen.l Lett.r ⅌ Tartar Brigantine Capt. Jn.o Harvey Comder from Bombay, dated febry 11 1720 Hon.ble S.rs We last to your Hon.r was by the Arrabella (who touched here for fresh Provisions in her Voyage from Buenos Ayres to Cadiz) bearing date the 30 of the last month a Duplicate where of We transmitt in this Packett. For the reasons We gave Your Hon.r in that Lett.r We Expect this will come to Your Hon.rs before that, We herewith Send Your Hon.rs a Duplicate of the Packett & Papers that went Home by the Princess Ann Capt. Luhorne who Saild hence on the first of Ianry last, the 2.d Bill of Exchange of Capt. John Bond Comander of the Hanover drawn on Hugh Raymond Esq for £75.13. and the Books for 1718 with the Overseers monthly Acco & Your Hon.rs Stock & Plan tations with the Expence as brought into Consultation & allowd there and also the Storekeepers monthly Acco likewise this ships Acco of Stores & Necssaries she hath hed here We are Hon.ble S.rs St. Helena febry Yo.r Hon.rs Most Obed.t faithf.ll y 11 1720 Humble Servants Edw.d Johnson Edw.d Byfeild Jn.o Alexander | General letter by the Tartar brigantine, Captain Harvey commander, from Bombay, dated 11 February 1721. The Council's last to the Court went by the Arabella, which touched at the island for fresh provisions on her voyage from Buenos Aires to Cadiz, dated the 30th of last month. A duplicate of it the Council sent in this packet. For the reasons given in that letter, the Council expected this would reach the Court first. It now sent the Court a duplicate of the packet and papers that went home by the Princess Ann under Captain Luhorne, who sailed the first of January last. These included Captain John Bond's second bill of exchange, commander of the Hannover, drawn on Hugh Raymond Esq for £75 13s 0d, the books for 1718 with the overseers' monthly accounts, the state of the Court's stock and plantations with the expenses as brought into consultation and allowed there, and likewise the storekeeper's monthly accounts. Also sent was this ship's account of stores and necessaries she had furnished at the island. The letter was dated at St Helena, 11 February 1721, and signed by Edward Johnson, Edward Byfield and John Alexander, as the Court's most obedient, faithful and humble servants. Interpretations The repeated sending of duplicates by successive ships shows the Council's settled method of guarding the record against loss. The Arabella carried one copy, the Tartar now carried another of the same papers, and both duplicated the packet sent earlier by the Princess Ann. By spreading copies across three conveyances bound by different routes, the Council ensured that the failure of any one ship would not deprive the Court of its accounts, the bills and the 1718 books reaching London by whichever vessel arrived. | ||
29V | List of the Packett ⅌ Tartar Brigantine Capt. Jn.o Harvey Comder dated Gov.r & Coun. Gen.l Lett.r dated febry y 11 1720 Duplicate of Gen.l ⅌ Princess Ann dated the Dec.r & 1 Ianry 1720 Duplicate of Gen.l ⅌ Arrabella dated y 30 Ianry 1720 Duplt of Consultacions ⅌ Princess Ann from y 9 June 1720 to y 22 Dec.r Inclusive follo.s Duplt. of M.r Byfeld Monthly Acco of the Hon. Comp.a live Stock & Expences Duplt. of Storekeep Monthly Acco for 8 M.o in 1720 Duplt. of yo.r State of y Island for 1718 & 1719 Duplt. of Blacks List bought of Gov.r Pyke w.th their Employm.t & Prices Capt. Bonds 2 Bill of Exch. for £75.13. Pay.le to the Hon. Comp.a dated Dec.r 29 1720 One Sett of Books Cont. Acco for y Year 1718 Ship Tartar Galley Acco of Stores & Provis reic. at St. Helena & Acco of the Hon. Comp.a Capt. Luhornes rec.t for y Large Pack.t D.o his rec.t for y Small Pack.t Capt. Hamiltons rec.t for a Small D.o Copy of M.r Byfelds Monthly Acco for Dec.r & Ianry 1720 Storekeep.s Monthly Acco for Dec.r & Ianry 1720 Signed by ⅌ Jn.o Alexander | List of the packet by the Tartar brigantine, Captain John Harvey commander. Number, sent apart in a small packet. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter, dated 11 February 1721. 2: Duplicate of the general letter by the Princess Ann, dated 29 December 1720. 3: Duplicate of the general letter by the Arabella, dated 30 January 1721. Number 4: Duplicate of consultations by the Princess Ann, from 9 June 1720 to 22 December inclusive. 5: Duplicate of Mr Byfield's monthly accounts of the Court's livestock and expenses. 6: Duplicate of the storekeeper's monthly accounts for eight months 1720. 7: Duplicate of the state of the island for 1718 and 1719. 8: Duplicate of the list of slaves bought of Governor Pyke, with their employments and prices. 9: Captain Bond's second bill of exchange for £75 13s 0d, payable to the Court, dated 29 December 1720. 10: One set of books of account for the year 1718. 11: The Tartar galley's account of stores and provisions received at St Helena, on the Court's account. 12: Captain Luhorne's receipt for the large packet. 13: His receipt for the small packet. 14: Captain Hamilton's receipt for a small packet. 15: Copy of Mr Byfield's monthly accounts for December and January 1721. 16: Storekeeper's monthly accounts for December and January 1721. Subscribed by John Alexander. Interpretations The manifest sets out a complete second copy of the previous packet, the duplication run through item by item. Each enclosure sent earlier by the Princess Ann, from the consultations to the slave list and the 1718 books, is repeated here, with the captains' receipts for the earlier packets added as proof of delivery. The full re-sending across a separate ship shows the Council's documentary insurance carried to its furthest point, the entire record reconstructable from this one conveyance should the others fail. The receipts of three different captains, Luhorne, Hamilton and the present carrier, gathered into a single packet build a verifiable chain of custody. By enclosing each commander's acknowledgement of the packets he carried, the Council gave the Court a means to trace every dispatch to the ship that bore it. The practice turned the scattering of copies across many ships into an auditable system, each link confirmed by a signed receipt. | ||
30R | General Letter ⅌ Ship Mountague Capt. Jn.o Gorden Comander dated March the 16 1720 Hon.ble S.rs Our last to your Hon.rs was by the Tartar Brigantine Capt. John Harvey Com mander from Bombay (upon Urgent Affairs to your Hon.rs from thence) dated the 11 febry last a Copy of which comes herewith as also Copy of our Consultations and all other Papers & Accounts from that time to this month and shall Endeavour Always to keep our Businss So forward as to be able to do the like by every Proper Conveyance and We doubt not of Sending likewise the Books of Accounts for 1719 & 1720 by this Summer shyping which We hope will give Your Hon.rs intire Satisfaction There has nothing of any Moment hap pend Since our last worth troubling y.o Hon.rs with the Seven Ships Mentiond in our Consul tation of the 14 febry last which Passed by the Island on the 12 & which We then feared to be Pyrates were Dutch Ships loaded Chiefly with Sugar from Batavia as We were inform ed by Capt. Sommers Comander of the Essex who Arived here the 5 Inst.t from China but last from the Cape On the 14 febry We had a double Alarme for two ships which We Suspected to be likewise | General letter by the ship Montague, Captain John Gordon commander, dated 10 March 1721. The Council's last to the Court went by the Tartar brigantine, Captain John Harvey commander, from Bombay, upon urgent business to the Court, dated 11 February last. A copy of it came with this letter, together with a copy of the consultations and all other papers and accounts from that time to this month. The Council would always try to keep its business so far forward as to be able to do the like by every proper conveyance. It had no doubt of sending likewise the books of account for 1719 and 1720 by this summer shipping, which it hoped would give the Court full satisfaction. Nothing of moment had happened since the last letter worth the Court's notice. The seven ships mentioned in the consultation of 14 February last, which passed by the island on the 12th and which the Council then feared to be pirates, were Dutch ships loaded chiefly with sugar from Batavia, as the Council was told by Captain Sommers, commander of the Essex, who arrived the 5th of this month from China but last from the Cape. On 14 February the Council had a double alarm for two ships, which it suspected to be likewise pirates [...] Interpretations The fear that the seven passing ships were pirates, later cleared as Dutch sugar carriers from Batavia, shows the island's constant watchfulness against attack. Unidentified vessels were treated as a threat until their character was confirmed, here by a calling captain's report. The episode illustrates how the island depended on passing ships for intelligence to resolve its own alarms, a suspected pirate fleet turning out to be ordinary Dutch trade. The promise to send the 1719 and 1720 books by the summer shipping continues the administration's effort to clear the inherited backlog of accounts. Having already sent the 1717 and 1718 books, the Council pledged the next two years' by the coming season. The steady working-off of the arrears, year by year with each fleet, shows the recovery of the records proceeding to plan after the disorder the new administration had found. | ||
30V | Pyrates but now suppose them to be Ostender ships who did Sail from Canton about a fortnight before the Mountague Capt. John Gorden Comander who Arived here the 24 febry last in Company with two more Ostend from China they did not Attempt comeing into the Road but bore Directly away These two ships have brought Us severall Parcells and quantitys of Tea, China Ware and Silk According to their Directions from your Hon.rs We Send in our Packet to your Hon.rs an Indent of those Goods and Stores which are wanted for the Use of this Island & Humbly begg Your Hon.rs will be pleasd to Send Us each Sort & Quantity therein Conteind for We have had regard to the 17 Par. of your Generall Letter to your Hon.rs dated the 29 of December 1720 wherein We Acquainted Your Hon.rs the wast and Damages the Stores Sustained by lying over Stockt with Some Sort which were Usefull, and others by no means to be Usd here very much did Inhance the Yearly Expence your Hon.rs are at for the Maintainance of this Island and Promised to take Particular Care in our Indent to give Your Hon.rs an Acco of what was Usefull and Likewise the Quantity of the Annual Consumption, We assure your Hon.rs we will be as frugall as Possible in every branch and reduce the Annual charge as low as if it were Our own | The Council now supposed the two ships to be Ostend ships, which sailed from Canton about a fortnight before the Montague under Captain John Gordon. He arrived at the island on 24 February last, in company with two more Ostend ships from China. They did not attempt coming into the road but bore directly away. These two ships had brought the several parcels and quantities of tea, china ware and silk, in accordance with the Court's directions. The Council sent in its packet to the Court an indent of those goods and stores wanted for the use of the island, and asked the Court to send each sort and quantity contained in it. The Council had regard to the seventeenth paragraph of its general letter to the Court, dated 29 December 1720, in which it told the Court of the waste and damage the stores suffered by being overstocked with some sorts that were of no use, and others by no means to be used at the island, which much increased the yearly expense the Court was at for the maintenance of the island. The Council promised to take particular care in its indent to give the Court an account of what was wasteful, and likewise the quantity of the annual consumption. It assured the Court it would be as frugal as possible in every branch, and reduce the annual charge as low as if it were its own. Interpretations The renewed emphasis on the indent and the quantity of annual consumption continues the Council's campaign against the waste of overstocking. By undertaking to specify both what spoiled unused and how much the island actually consumed, the Council pressed its earlier argument that supply mismatched to demand drove up the Court's costs. The repetition across letters shows the administration treating precise indenting as the lasting cure for the dead inventory it had identified as a major hidden expense. The arrival of the Ostend ships from Canton, bearing away without entering the road, reflects the island's fixed exclusion of the interloping trade. These foreign-licensed vessels did not even attempt to call, knowing the reception such ships met after the seizure of the House of Austria. The pattern shows the Court's monopoly enforced in practice, the Ostend traders passing the island rather than seeking the refreshment that had been refused to others of their kind. | ||
31R | We have been forced to draw three Bills of Exchange on your Hon.rs payable at 30 days Sight to Capt. Jonathan Sommers for the Sume of £235.13.8 being for Arrack he bought as the Cape for the Use of this Island & Sugar as your Hon.rs will See by the ships Acco which We send with this, Also three more Bills Payable to Capt. John Gordon for £25.15.7 for Necssarys We have bought of him, The loss of our Long Boat (tho in the Service of the Essex at the request of the Capt. who had none and for the better Dispatch We lent Ours & by a very Great Surf She was broke to Peices on the Rocks, The Capt. Refuses to make Us any Satisfaction but leaves it to the owners from whom your Hon.rs ought to have Satisfaction she was a very Good boat We bought her about a twelve month Since of Capt. Micklefield) Obliges Us to buy one of Capt. Gordin as your Hon.rs will See by the Acco of that Ship Your Hon.rs may Depend on a faithfull Discharge of our dutys in every respect, and at all times, which is all at Present from Your Hon.rs Most faithfull Humble Servants Union Castle St. Helena Edw.d Johnson March y 16 1720 Edw.d Byfeld Jn.o Alexander Jn.o Goodwin | The Council had been forced to draw three bills of exchange on the Court, payable at 30 days' sight to Captain Jonathan Sommers, for the sum of £235 13s 8d. This was for arrack he bought at the Cape for the use of the island, and sugar, as the Court would see by the ship's account sent with this letter. There were also three more bills, payable to Captain John Gordon, for £25 15s 7d, for necessaries the Council bought of him. The loss of the Council's longboat, in the service of the Essex at the captain's request, who had none of his own, obliged it to buy another. For better dispatch the Council lent its own boat, and by a very great surf she was broken to pieces on the rocks. The captain refused to make the Council any compensation but left it to the owners, from whom the Court ought to have satisfaction. She was a very good boat, bought about a twelvemonth since from Captain Micklefield. The loss obliged the Council to buy one of Captain Gordon, as the Court would see by the account of that ship. The Council assured the Court it might depend on a faithful discharge of its duty in every respect and at all times. The letter was dated at Union Castle, St Helena, 10 March 1721, and signed by Edward Johnson, Edward Byfield, John Alexander and John Goodwin, as the Court's most faithful and humble servants. Interpretations The loss of the lent longboat and the captain's refusal to pay frames a dispute over liability for borrowed property. The Council lent its boat to serve the Essex whose captain had none, and when the surf destroyed it on the rocks he declined to make good the loss, referring the matter to the ship's owners. The episode shows the Council recording the claim for the Court to pursue in London, the responsibility for a boat lost in another's service left to be settled between the owners. The arrack and sugar bought at the Cape and settled by bills again show the island's dependence on passing ships for supply it could not otherwise obtain. Captain Sommers had laid in the spirits at the Cape, and the Council bought them from him on the Court's credit, the purchase discharged by bills payable in London. The transaction repeats the season's pattern, the cashless island meeting its wants from calling vessels and settling through the Court's account. | ||
31V | P.s So Since the aforesaid Letter was Wrote Capt. Jn.o Sommers hath made Us Satisfaction for the Long Boat that was Stav'd, and has given Bills of Exchange for the Ballance of this Acco drawn on M.r Peter Stanley Mercht. Pay.ble to Your Hon.rs being for y Sume of £30.10.10 all dated the 5 March 1720 Capt. Rich.d Pinnett having the Sume of £30.5. due to him in yo.r Hon.rs Book in the year 1707 as will Appear therein & being now Lawfully Demanded have drawn Bills Pay.ble to him on yo.r Hon.rs for the Same dated as above Edw.d Johnson Edw.d Byfeld Jn.o Alexander Jn.o Goodwin | Postscript. Since the letter above was written, Captain John Sommers had made the Council compensation for the longboat that was stove in, and had given bills of exchange for the balance of his account, drawn on Mr Peter Stanley, merchant, payable to the Court, for the sum of £30 10s 0d, all dated 9 March 1721. Captain Richard Pinnell, having the sum of £30 5s 0d due to him in the Court's books in the year 1707, as would appear there, and it being now lawfully demanded, the Council had drawn bills payable to him on the Court for the same, dated as above. The postscript was signed by Edward Johnson, Edward Byfield, John Alexander and John Goodwin. Interpretations The captain's later compensation for the boat resolved the very dispute the main letter had left open. Having first refused to pay and referred the matter to the owners, Captain Sommers settled by bill before the ship departed, the balance of his account drawn on a London merchant payable to the Court. The reversal shows the claim closed at the island rather than carried home, the postscript recording the settlement that overtook the grievance. The payment of a debt due since 1707 shows the long reach of the Court's books in settling old claims. Captain Pinnell's credit had stood for fourteen years until lawfully demanded, then was discharged by bill on the Court. The episode illustrates how the Company's accounts preserved obligations across many years, an entry from a previous administration honoured once the claimant came forward to call it in. | ||
32R | List of the Pack.t ⅌ Mountague Capt. John Gorden Comander, March the 19 1720 Gov.r & Councils Gen.l Lett.r dated 16 Mar. 1720 sent a Part Copy of Gen.l Lett.r dated 11 febry 1720 ⅌ Tart. Brigantine Copy of Consultacions from y 28 Dec.r 1720 to the 16 of March follow Inclusive M.r Byfelds Monthly Acco for febry, Duplicate of those ⅌ Brigantine for Dec.r & Ianry Storekeeps Monthly Acco for febry & Duplicate of those ⅌ Tart. Brigantine for Same Indent of Stores wanted at St. Helena Surgeons Indent of Medicines wanted Ship Mountagues Acco Ship Essex Acco Capt. Harvey rec.t for both Packets Copy of List of y Pack.t ⅌ Tart. Brig.e Copy of Jonath. Somers Acco Capt. Jonath. Somers 1 Bill of Exch. for £235.13.10 Pay.ble to y Hon. Comp.a List of the Packet Signed ⅌ Jn.o Alexander | List of the packet by the Montague, Captain John Gordon commander, 10 March 1721. Number The Governor and Council's general letter, dated 10 March 1721, sent apart. 1: Copy of the general letter dated 11 February 1721 by the Tartar brigantine. 2: Copy of consultations from 28 December 1720 to 8 March following inclusive. 3: Mr Byfield's monthly accounts for February, duplicate of those by the Tartar brigantine, for December and January. 4: Storekeeper's monthly accounts for February, duplicate of those by the Tartar brigantine, in two parts. 5: Indent of stores wanted at St Helena. 6: Surgeon's indent of medicines wanted. 7: The Montague's account. 8: Ship Essex's account. 9: Captain Harvey's receipt for both packets. 10: Copy of the list of the packet by the Tartar brigantine. 11: Copy of Captain Jonathan Sommers's account. 12: Captain Jonathan Sommers's first bill of exchange for £30 10s 0d, payable to the Court. 13: List of the packet. Subscribed by John Alexander. Interpretations The manifest again carries duplicate copies of the preceding letter, consultations and accounts, sustaining the overlapping despatch system. Each item sent by the Tartar is repeated here, with Captain Harvey's receipt for both packets enclosed as proof of the earlier delivery. The pattern shows the Council's documentary insurance continuing unbroken, the record reconstructable from this conveyance should the Tartar fail to reach London. The inclusion of the surgeon's indent of medicines points to the island's continuing want of medical supply alongside its want of a sound surgeon. With the disease among the slaves and the unreliable Mr Scrimshire already reported, the Council pressed home a separate order for the medicines the island lacked. The detail shows the administration addressing the material side of its medical crisis, ordering the drugs to treat the sick even as it struggled to secure a competent practitioner. | ||
32V | Gen.l Lett.r ⅌ D.le of Cambridge Hon.ble S.rs Capt. Dan.l Small Our last We transmitted to Your Hon.rs by the Mountague Capt. Jn.o Gorden from China bearing date the 16 of March last, a Duplicate where of We herewith Send your Hon.rs with the Monthly Acco of Stores, Stock, and our Consultations to this time, We are preparing our Annual Lists of Salarys, Families Lands Blacks, Rents & Revenues for 1720 and will Endeavour to Transmitt the Books, but if all your Hon.rs shyping turns be early in the Summer & your Hon.rs may Depend on an Abstract of the State of the Island We had an Alarm made the 30 of March for a ship, that proved a Portuguese from Brazile bound for Angola, When they made our Island they Conceived it to be the main Land they came In to the Leeward of the Island and were in great Necssity for Water as appears by our Consultation of the 11 Inst.t We were forced to take Sugar for the Provisions they had | General letter by the Duke of Cambridge, Captain Daniel Small commander. 1: The Council's last to the Court went by the Montague, Captain John Gordon, from China, dated 10 March last. A duplicate of it the Council sent with this letter, together with the monthly accounts of stores and stock, and its consultations to this time. The Council was preparing its annual lists of salaries, families, lands, slaves, rents and revenues for 1720, and would try to send home the books. But if all the Court's shipping turned out to be early in the summer, the Court might depend on an abstract of the state of the island. 2: The Council had an alarm raised on 30 March for a ship, which proved a Portuguese from Brazil bound for Angola. When they made the island they took it to be the mainland. They came into the leeward of the island and were in great need of water, as appeared by the consultation of the 31st. The Council was forced to take sugar for the provisions they had [...] Interpretations The Portuguese ship mistaking the island for the mainland records the navigational hazard of an isolated landfall. Bound from Brazil to Angola, she took St Helena for the African coast and came in needing water, the error showing how a small mid-ocean island could be confused with a continent by ships uncertain of their position. The detail explains how a vessel far off her intended track came to call. The Council taking sugar in payment for provisions shows the island trading supply for goods where coin was wanting. Rather than sell its water and provisions for money the Portuguese could not conveniently render, the Council accepted sugar in exchange. The transaction illustrates the barter that served a cashless island in dealing with a chance caller, provisions given for a commodity the Court could use or sell. | ||
33R | had of your Hon.rs which We were very Glad of, for the last Bagg in Your Hon.rs Stores was in use and they had no money The Cardigan Capt. Henry Glegg, and the Craggs Capt. Thomas Blake (who Succeeded Capt. Wynn) Arrived here on the 3 of Aprill and the Duke of Cambridge Capt. Daniel Small on the 9 following To comply with an Order formerly made and which mett with your Hon.rs Approbation to take what quantity of Arrack any ship Offers at four Shilings ⅌ Gall.n tho yo.r Hon.rs Stores have now a very Large Stock in them) indeed We think it will prevent those Exorbitant Demands for it, our Searcity last year Compelld us to comply with, Obliges to draw severall Bills of Exchange on your Hon.rs & Likewise for Sugar, Rice & Blew Cloth for Cloath which are the best and Cheapest Wear for your Blacks Especially those belonging to the ffortifications, All which will Appear to your Hon.rs by each ships Acco which We send by these Ships, those are realy wanting in the Stores | The Council was very glad to take the sugar, for the last bag in the Court's stores was in use, and the Portuguese had no money. 3: The Cardigan under Captain Henry Glegg, and the Craggs under Captain Thomas Blake, who succeeded Captain Wynn, arrived at the island on 3 April, and the Duke of Cambridge under Captain Daniel Small on the 9th following. 4: To comply with an order made earlier, which met with the Court's approval, the Council took whatever quantity of arrack any ship offered at four shillings the gallon, though the Court's stores now had a very large stock in them. The Council thought this would prevent those exorbitant demands. The scarcity the previous year, which forced it to comply, obliged it to draw several bills of exchange on the Court, and likewise for sugar, rice and blue cloth for clothing. These were the best and cheapest wear for the Court's slaves, especially those belonging to the fortifications. All this would appear by each ship's account, sent by these ships. These were the things really wanting in the stores. Interpretations The depletion of the last bag of sugar explains why the Council welcomed the Portuguese exchange despite holding stocks of other goods. With its own sugar exhausted and the caller unable to pay in coin, the barter met a genuine want at the moment it arose. The detail shows the island's supply running close to the margin even in a well-managed year, a chance arrival filling a gap the stores could no longer cover. The continued buying of arrack at the fixed rate, even with a large stock already held, shows policy maintained for its deterrent effect rather than immediate need. By taking spirits at four shillings from every ship, the Council kept faith with its standing order and held down the prices callers could demand. The reasoning treats a full store as itself the means of preventing the exorbitant demands that scarcity had previously forced the Council to meet. | ||
33V | As we acquainted your Hon.rs in the 45 Par. of our Gen.l Letter by the Princess Ann Capt. Nicholas Luhorne all your works draw towards a Conclusion & We doubt not but that the time Prefixed in the before recited Par. will Intirely Compleat all your works that are Either Necssary or Comodious whereby Your Hon.rs will be Eased of great Part of the Expence you have been at for many Years Past We herewith Send the Second Bill of Exchange of Capt. Jonath. Sommers Comander of the Essex for £30.11.10 drawn on M.r Peter Stanley Mercht. Payable to your Hon.rs The Bills We are obliged to draw on your Hon.rs now are as follows To Edward Johnson Esq (or Order) three Bills for the Sume of £139.2.6 Sterl.g To Capt. Henry Glegg three Bills for £142.7.4 To Capt. Thomas Blake three Bills for £168.2.2 To Capt. Daniel Small three bills for £212.13.10 To Edward Johnson Esq (or Order) one Sett of Bills more for the Sume of £40.4. all dated the 18 Aprill 1721 & payable at thirty days Sight | 5: As the Council told the Court in the forty-fifth paragraph of its general letter by the Princess Ann, Captain Nicholas Luhorne, all the works drew towards a conclusion. The Council had no doubt that the time fixed in that paragraph would entirely finish all the works that were either necessary or convenient, so that the Court would be eased of a great part of the expense it had been at for so many years past. 6: The Council sent the second bill of exchange of Captain Jonathan Sommers, commander of the Essex, for £30 10s 0d, drawn on Mr Peter Stanley, merchant, payable to the Court. 7: The bills the Council was obliged to draw on the Court now were as follows. 8: To Edward Johnson Esq or order, three bills for the sum of £139 2s 6d sterling. To Captain Henry Glegg, three bills for £142 7s 4d. To Captain Thomas Blake, three bills for £168 2s 2d. To Captain Daniel Small, three bills for £212 13s 10d. To Edward Johnson Esq or order, one set of bills for the sum of £40 4s 0d. All dated 18 April 1721 and payable at thirty days' sight. Interpretations The schedule of bills drawn on the Court records the island settling its dealings entirely through credit on London. Each captain and the Governor received bills against goods supplied or sums due, payable in England at thirty days' sight. The list shows the cashless island's whole financial machinery resting on the Court's account, every transaction of the season converted into a paper claim to be honoured in London. The reference back to the fixed timetable for finishing the works shows the administration holding itself to a stated completion date. Having promised in the Princess Ann letter when the fortifications and buildings would be done, the Council confirmed the schedule and the saving it would bring. The practice of setting and then affirming a deadline matched the regime's method of governing by defined commitments the Court could later hold it to. | ||
34R | We are Hon.ble S.rs Union Castle St. Helena Your Hon.rs Most Humble the 18 Aprill 1721 faithfull & Obed.t Servants Edw.d Johnson Edw.d Byfeld Jn.o Alexander Jn.o Goodwin List of the Pack.t ⅌ Ship D.le of Cambridge Capt. Dan. Small Comander Gov.r & Coun. Gen.l Lett.r dated the 18 Apr.l 1721 Duplicate of Gov.r & Coun. Gen.l ⅌ Ship Mountague dated March y 16 1720 both sent a part Duplicate of Consultacions from y 28 of Dec.r 1720 Inclusive to y 16 of Mar. Incl. following Copy of Consultacions from the 14 of Mar. 1720 Incl. to y 17 Apr.l Exclusive following Duplicate of Plantation Acco Sent ⅌ Mountague Copy of Maudsons Acco for March 1720 Duplicate of Store Acco Sent ⅌ Mountague Copy of Store Acco for Mar. 1720 Capt. Jon.o Somers 2 Bill of Exch. for £30.11.10 Pay.ble to the Hon. Comp.a dated 16 May 1720 Capt. Jn.o Gordons Rec.t Copy y Large Pack.t Capt. Jn.o Gordons Rec.t for y Small Pack.t Ship D.le of Cambridge Acco Ship Cardigans Acco Ship Craggs Acco List of y Packet ⅌ Jn.o Alexander | The letter was dated at Union Castle, St Helena, 18 April 1721, and signed by Edward Johnson, Edward Byfield, John Alexander and John Goodwin, as the Court's most humble, faithful and obedient servants. List of the packet by the ship Duke of Cambridge, Captain Daniel Small commander. Number, in a small packet. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter, dated 18 April 1721. 2: Duplicate of the Governor and Council's general letter by the Montague, dated 10 March 1721, both sent apart. 3: Duplicate of consultations from 28 December 1720 to 8 March inclusive, with those following. 4: Copy of consultations from 14 March 1721 to 17 April inclusive, following. 5: Duplicate of the plantation account sent by the Montague. 6: Copy of Mr Byfield's account for March 1721. 7: Duplicate of the storekeeper's account sent by the Montague. 8: Copy of the storekeeper's account for March 1721. 9: Captain Jonathan Sommers's second bill of exchange for £30 10s 0d, payable to the Court, dated 9 March 1721. 10: Captain John Gordon's receipt, copy, for the large packet. 11: Captain John Gordon's receipt, copy, for the small packet. 12: Ship Duke of Cambridge's account. 13: Ship Cardigan's account. 15: Ship Craggs's account. 16: List of the packet. Subscribed by John Alexander. Interpretations The manifest sustains the overlapping despatch system, carrying fresh copies of the Montague letter, consultations and accounts alongside the new bill and the latest monthly returns. Captain Gordon's receipts for the earlier packets are enclosed as proof of delivery, extending the auditable chain. The arrangement ensures the Court could reconstruct the record from this conveyance should the Montague be lost. The three ships' accounts gathered into one packet reflect the cluster of arrivals at the start of April. The Duke of Cambridge, Cardigan and Craggs having called together, their accounts of stores and dealings were forwarded as a group. The detail shows the Council settling and reporting each vessel's transactions in turn, the season's business with a fleet of callers consolidated into a single homeward dispatch. | ||
34V | Gen.l Lett.r ⅌ Ship Mary Capt. Rich. Holden dated the 5 of May 1721 Hon.ble S.rs The last We transmitted to Your Hon.rs was by the Duke of Cambridge bearing date the 18 of the last Month, A Duplicate whereof, and of the monthly Acco of Stores, Plantations Stock, and of Consultations and others to this time, with a State of y Island to the 25 of March last, A List of Sallary's & of ffamilies Lands &c. and of Rents & Reve nues, Two or three days more will furnish the fair Copying of the Books for 1719 they have been retarded by the Gentlemen's of the Office being Employed in takeing an Inventory of all Your Hon.rs Stores for We have found that what was taken at the Death of Capt. Bazett was not Correct, for We find that the Old Ballances Standing in the Books Ever Since 1715 have been faulty for which reasons We hope your Hon.rs will not im pute it to any Remissness in Us, for We have and will Continue to doe our Utmost in a faithfull Discharge of Our Duty's in | General letter by the ship Mary, Captain Richard Holden commander, dated 5 May 1721. 1: The Council's last to the Court went by the Duke of Cambridge, dated the 18th of last month. A duplicate of it, with the monthly accounts of stores, plantations, stock, and the consultations and others to this time, with a state of the island to 25 March last, and a list of salaries, families, lands and the rest, and of rents and revenues, the Council now sent. Two or three days more would finish the fair copying of the books for 1719. They had been delayed by the gentlemen of the office being employed in taking an inventory of all the Court's stores, since the Council had found that what was taken at the death of Captain Bazett was not correct. The old balances standing in the books ever since 1715 were found faulty, for which reasons the Council hoped the Court would not impute it to any slackness in it. The Council had done, and would continue to do, its utmost in a faithful discharge of its duties [...] Interpretations The discovery of faulty balances standing since 1715 exposes the depth of the accounting disorder the new administration inherited. The figures taken at the storekeeper Captain Bazett's death proved incorrect, and errors carried forward for six years had to be cleared by a fresh inventory of all the Court's stores. The episode shows the administration's effort to set the records right reaching back well before its own time, the delay in the 1719 books arising from the labour of correcting an inherited fault. The fresh inventory of the whole stores marks the remedy applied to the unreliable carried-forward figures. Rather than trust the old balances, the office counted the Court's goods anew to establish a true starting point. The practice repeats the administration's method of fixing accounts on verified fact, the physical stocktaking serving to replace inherited error with a sound foundation for the books going forward. | ||
35R | answer to the Trust your Hon.rs have been pleased to Repose in Us, these Books and the Rest of the Annual Lists shall be sent by the Next Ships which We may Exped every day M.r Scrimshire whom your Hon.rs Sent over as Surgeon has from time to time Rendred himself Inavpal & of any Service to your Hon.rs by his Continual Drinking, So We do look on him in some measure not himself for he has Shewn a very great Uneasiness under what he calls the fatigue of Businss, and has often been Sollicit ing to go home whereupon he had leave before the last Ships Saild but then he had not time to Clear all Accompts, and Desired he might Stay untill these Ships We have drawn two Setts of Bills on your Hon.rs for Credits due in your Hon.rs Books of Acco. One Sett of Bills for Credit left in Edw.d Johnson Esq his hands by the late Reve.d Doctor Thomlinson for M.r Samuel Lock Merchant for the Sume of £181.9. Payable to Edward Johnson Esq or Order at thirty days Sight One other Sett of Bills to Gabriel Powell | The Council would answer the trust the Court had placed in it. These books and the rest of the annual lists would be sent by the next ships, which it expected any day. Mr Scrimshire, whom the Court sent over as surgeon, had from time to time rendered himself incapable of any service to the Court by his continual drinking. The Council therefore looked on him in some measure as not himself, since he had shown a very great discontent under what he called the fatigue of business, and had often asked to go home. He had leave to do so before the last ship sailed, but he had not time to clear all his accounts, and asked to stay until these ships. 3: The Council had drawn two sets of bills on the Court for credits due in the Court's books of account. One set of bills was for credit left in Edward Johnson Esq's hands by the late Reverend Dr Thomlinson, for Mr Samuel Lock, merchant, for the sum of £181 9s 0d, payable to Edward Johnson Esq or order at thirty days' sight. 4: One other set of bills to Gabriel Powell [...] Interpretations The failure of the surgeon Mr Scrimshire confirms the island's continued ill fortune with the man sent to relieve its medical want. Drink had made him useless and he pleaded the burden of his work to seek his return, granted leave only delayed by unsettled accounts. The episode shows a long-sought replacement proving no better than the unreliable practitioners before him, the Court's answer to the surgeon shortage defeated by the same vice that had disgraced others. The settlement of the late chaplain Dr Thomlinson's credit through bills drawn on the Court shows the Company's books discharging an estate after the holder's death. Credit left in the Governor's hands was remitted by bill to a London merchant, the deceased's claim converted into a transferable payment. The mechanism illustrates how the Court's account served to settle the affairs of its servants beyond their lifetimes, an obligation of the dead chaplain met through the same paper machinery used for the living. | ||
35V | for £750. he having So much Creditt in Your Hon.rs Books Payable to him or Order at thirty days Sight and dated the first of May 1721 We are Hon.ble S.rs Union Castle St. Helena Yo.r Hon.rs Most Humble the 5 of May 1721 faithf.ll & Obed.t Servants P.s So Since Doct.r Scrimshire Ed.w Johnson has been So Unwell & having Edw.d Byfeld desired leave to go off he being before Jn.o Alexander the Expiration of his Contracted time Jn.o Goodwin We thought it proper to Stop y Leg Pounds y.t Hon.rs Adv.d to him at his comeing here | The other set of bills to Gabriel Powell was for £750 0s 0d, he having so much credit in the Court's books, payable to him or order at thirty days' sight and dated 1 May 1721. The letter was dated at Union Castle, St Helena, 1 May 1721, and signed by Edward Johnson, Edward Byfield, John Alexander and John Goodwin, as the Court's most humble, faithful and obedient servants. Postscript. Since Dr Scrimshire had been so uneasy, and had asked leave to go home before the expiry of his contracted time, the Council thought it proper to stop the £40 0s 0d the Court allowed him at his coming to the island. Interpretations The large bill to Gabriel Powell confirms the standing of the island's wealthiest planter as the Court's principal creditor. His credit of £750 0s 0d in the Court's books, far exceeding the season's other claims, was discharged by bill payable in London. The sum shows how the leading planter's dealings with the Company dwarfed those of the smaller settlers, his accumulated credit settled through the same machinery on a scale matching his property. The stopping of the surgeon's allowance ties his early departure to a forfeiture of the terms granted on his coming. Mr Scrimshire had received £40 0s 0d on arrival, and his wish to leave before his contracted time gave the Council ground to recover it. The deduction shows the administration enforcing the conditions of engagement, an inducement paid to secure a servant's service withdrawn when he failed to complete it. | ||
36R | List of the Pack.t ⅌ Ship Mary Capt. Rich. Holden Comander May the 5 1721 Gov.r & Councils Gen.l Letter dated 5 of May 1721 Duplicate of Gen.l ⅌ D.le of Cambridge dated y 18 Aprill 1721 Sent a Part Duplicate of Consultacions from the 14 of Mar. 1721 to the 17 Aprill Exclusive follow Copy of Consultacions of the 17, 19, & 26 Apr.l 1721 Duplicate of Plantation Acco for Mar. last Duplicate of Store Acco for ditto Month List of ffamilies Lands &c. for 1720 List of Rents & Revenues for d.o List of Sallarys for ditto Year Duplicate of Surg.s Indent of Medicines Capt. Dan. Smalls Rec.t for y Large Pack.t Capt. Smalls Rec.t for y Small Pack.t Ships Mary & Saruns Acc.ts Ship Derbys Acco State of y Island Cont. Debts & Credits for the Year 1720 List of the Packet ⅌ Jn.o Alexander | List of the packet by the ship Mary, Captain Richard Holden commander, 1 May 1721. Number 1: The Governor and Council's general letter, dated 1 May 1721. 2: Duplicate of the general letter by the Duke of Cambridge, dated 18 April 1721, sent apart. 3: Duplicate of consultations from 14 March 1721 to 17 April inclusive, following. 4: Copy of consultations of 19 April 1721 to 26 April 1721. 5: Duplicate of the plantation account for March last. 6: Duplicate of the storekeeper's account for the same month. 7: List of families, lands and the rest for 1720. 8: List of rents and revenues for the same. 9: List of salaries for the same year. 10: Duplicate of the surgeon's indent of medicines. 11: Captain Daniel Small's receipt for the large packet. 12: Captain Daniel Small's receipt for the small packet. 13: Ships Mary and Tartar's accounts. 14: Ship Derby's account. 15: State of the island, with its debts and credits, for the year 1720. 16: List of the packet. Subscribed by John Alexander. Interpretations The manifest carries the annual returns for 1720, the families, lands, rents, revenues, salaries and the state of the island with its debts and credits, alongside the usual duplicates of the preceding letter and accounts. The full set of yearly lists shows the administration completing its account of the island's condition for the year, the censuses and financial statements forwarded together as the Court required. The inclusion of the debts and credits gives the Court the fiscal position to set against the personnel and property rolls. The state of the island showing its debts and credits provides the Court a balance of the whole establishment for the year. Set beside the lists of families, lands and revenues, it lets the Court read the island's finances as a single account of what it owed and was owed. The document continues the administration's practice of rendering the island's condition in verifiable yearly statements, the fiscal summary completing the picture the censuses began. | ||
36V | Generall Letter ⅌ Ship Carnarven Capt. Josiah Thwaits Comand. dated y 5 June 1721 Hon.ble S.rs Our last to your Hon.rs was by the Mary Capt. Holden Comander bearing date the 5 of May 1721 Since when hath Arrived here three french Ships from Pondicherry, and were in great want of Provisions of all kinds, We furnished them with all Such as the Island Afforded, & at the Same Prices as the English Ships Pays with which they were well Satisfied & behaved themselves Very Civilly There has alse Arrived The Carnarven Capt. Josiah Thwaits the Bridgwater Capt. William son and the D.le of York Capt. Hyde, who Departs hence in Company on the date of this We herewith Send Your Hon.rs a Duplicate of Our last Letter, List of Sallary's, ffamilies Lands & Cattle, of Rents & Revenues for the Year 1720 And a List of Your Hon.rs Blacks with their Ages & Employm.ts Duplicates of Our | General letter by the ship Carnarvon, Captain Josiah Thwaites commander, dated 5 June 1721. 1: The Council's last to the Court went by the Mary, Captain Holden commander, dated 1 May 1721. Since then three French ships had arrived at the island from Pondicherry, and were in great want of provisions of all kinds. The Council furnished them with all such as the island afforded, at the same prices the English ships paid, with which they were well satisfied and behaved very civilly. 2: There had also arrived the Carnarvon under Captain Josiah Thwaites, the Bridgewater under Captain Williamson, and the Duke of York under Captain Hide, which departed in company on the date of this letter. 3: The Council sent the Court a duplicate of its last letter, a list of salaries, families, lands and cattle, of rents and revenues for the year 1720, and a list of the Court's slaves with their ages and employments. Duplicates of [...] Interpretations The supply of the French ships at the same prices as the English shows a measured even-handedness toward foreign vessels in amity. The Council furnished the Pondicherry ships from its stores at the standard rate, neither favouring nor penalising them, and they behaved civilly in return. The treatment distinguishes ships of a friendly power, allowed fresh provisions for their money, from the interlopers and foreign-licensed traders the island excluded, the difference turning on the standing of the flag rather than mere foreignness. The repeated sending of the 1720 annual lists by a second ship continues the duplicate-despatch practice for the yearly returns. Having forwarded the salaries, censuses and revenue accounts by the Mary, the Council sent copies again by the Carnarvon. The pattern extends the documentary insurance to the most important records of the year, the rolls of people, property and finance reaching London by more than one conveyance against the loss of any single ship. | ||
37R | our last Consultations Sent by the Mary & of the State of the Island with Copys of those Consultations to this time wherein will Ap pear what Goods We have reic. from India by these three last Named Ships, Also comes the Monthly Acco of Plantations & Stores with the Inventory of what Stores were remaining on the Island at the 25 of March last, As likewise the Books of Acco for the Year 1719 All which We hope will give Your Hon.rs Intire Satisfaction For the reasons Mentiond in Our Consultation of the 4 of May last Doct.r Scrimshire did not goe off the Island as We wrote Your Hon.rs he had leave to do, But applyd himself after the Arivall of the ffrench Ships to take Passage in one of them, He had leave Accord ingly and is gone, And having None but William Beale his Assist. (who is not Sufficiently Skilld Either in Physick or Surgary) Humbly Pray Your Hon.rs to send Us a Skil full and Sober Man by the next Store Ship for We are in very Great want of Such | The Council sent duplicates of its last consultations sent by the Mary, and of the state of the island, with copies of the consultations to this time. From these it would appear what goods the Council had received from India by the three last-named ships. Also came the monthly accounts of plantations and stores, with the inventory of the stores remaining on the island at 25 March last, as well as the books of account for the year 1719. The Council hoped all this would give the Court full satisfaction. 4: For the reasons given in the consultation of 4 May last, Dr Scrimshire did not go off the island, as the Council had told the Court he had leave to do. But after the arrival of the French ships he asked to take passage in one of them. He had leave accordingly and was gone. Having no surgeon now but William Beale his assistant, who was not sufficiently skilled in either physic or surgery, the Council asked the Court to send out a skilful and sober man by the next store ship, since it was in very great want of such [...] Interpretations The departure of the surgeon Mr Scrimshire on a French ship leaves the island once again without competent medical care. He took passage with the Pondicherry vessels rather than wait for a Company ship, leaving only an under-skilled assistant behind. The plea for a skilful and sober man renews the standing request that had brought Scrimshire himself, the island's medical crisis unresolved and the cycle of inadequate practitioners continuing. The pointed request for a sober surgeon reflects the lesson of Scrimshire's failure through drink. Having lost one practitioner to continual drinking, the Council specified sobriety as well as skill in asking for his replacement. The wording shows the administration learning from the particular fault that had defeated the last appointment, attaching the very quality its predecessor had lacked to the terms of the new request. | ||
37V | a one, as well for the Preservation of yo.r Slaves as for the Service of the Garrison & planters Our Necsity obliged Us to buy the severall Goods & Merchaies Mentiond in the ships Acc.ts that comes herewith for the Service of this Island, for which We have drawne the following Bills of Exchange & begg Your Hon.rs Acceptance thereof To Capt. Edward Williamson (or Order) three Bills for the Sume of £133.19.4 Sterl.g To Capt. Robert Hyde (or Order) three Bills for the Sume of £123.18.4 Also one Sett of Bills more To Edward Johnson Esq (or Order) for the Sume of £127.10.4 Sterl. being for Credit due to him in Your Hon.rs Books of Acco here all dated the 5 of June 1721 We shall take Care to gett the Books of Acc.ts for 1720 ready to be sent yo.r Hon.rs by the Next Winter shyping We are Hon.ble S.rs Union Castle St. Helena June y 5 1721 Yo.r Hon.rs most Humble faithf.ll P.s So Capt. Goodwin having & most obed.t Serv.ts been Closely Employd in Comand Edw.d Johnson his Inventory of y Hon.rs of y Garrison Edw.d Byfeld in those ships have prevented him Jn.o Alexander from bring in y monthly Acc.t of Stores for they last but will bring it in next Consultacion day | The Council needed such a one, both for the preservation of the Court's slaves and for the service of the garrison and planters. 5: Necessity obliged the Council to buy the several goods and necessaries mentioned in the ships' accounts that came with this letter, for the service of the island. For these it had drawn the following bills of exchange, and asked the Court to honour them. 6: To Captain Edward Williamson or order, three bills for the sum of £133 19s 4d sterling. To Captain Robert Hyde or order, three bills for the sum of £123 18s 4d. Also one set of bills more to Edward Johnson Esq or order, for the sum of £127 10s 4d sterling, being for credit due to him in the Court's books of account at the island, all dated 5 June 1721. 7: The Council would take care to get the books of account for 1720 ready to send the Court by the next winter shipping. The letter was dated at Union Castle, St Helena, 5 June 1721, and signed by Edward Johnson, Edward Byfield and John Alexander, as the Court's most humble, faithful and obedient servants. Postscript. Captain Goodwin having been closely employed in connection with his inventory of the Mary of his office, in those ships had prevented him from bringing in his monthly account of stores, for he was busy, and would bring it in the next consultation day. Interpretations The promise to ready the 1720 books for the next winter shipping shows the administration's steady progress in clearing the inherited backlog. Having sent the 1719 books with this fleet, the Council pledged the following year's by the next season. The methodical advance, one year's accounts cleared with each shipping, marks the recovery of the records moving toward currency after the disorder the regime had found. The postscript explaining Captain Goodwin's delayed account ties a lapse in routine returns to the demands of the stocktaking. He had been occupied with the inventory rather than his monthly stores account, which would follow at the next consultation. The note shows the administration accounting openly for even a minor delay, the recurring inventory of the Court's goods drawing officers from their ordinary returns. | ||
38R | List of the Pack.t ⅌ Ship Carnarven Capt. Josiah Thwaits Comder Gov.r & Coun. Gen.l Lett.r dated y 5 June 1721 Duplicate of Gen.l ⅌ y Mary date 5 of May 1721 Sent a Part Duplicate of Consultacions of y 1719, & 26 Apr.l 1721 Copy of Consultacions from y 26 Apr. Exclusive to the 30 of May Inclusive 1721 Duplicate of List of ffamilies Lands &c. for 1720 Duplicate of List of Rents & Rev. for ditto year Duplicate of List of Sallary's for y 24 Mar. 1720 List of the Hon. Comp.a Blacks w. Ages & Employm.t taken Mar. 25 1721 Duplicate of y State of y Island Debts & Cred.ts 1720 Capt. Rich. Holden Rec.t for both Pack.ts Inventory of Stores reic. on the Island At the 25 of Mar. 1721 Plantation Acco for the Month of May last Storekeepers Acco for y Month of May last Duplicate of Plantacion Acco for Apr. last Ships Carnarven, Bridgwater & D.le of York Acc.ts One Sett of Books of Acco for y Year 1719 List of the Packett Signd ⅌ Jn.o Alexander | List of the packet by the ship Carnarvon, Captain Josiah Thwaites commander. Number 1: The Governor and Council's general letter, dated 5 June 1721. 2: Duplicate of the general letter by the Mary, dated 1 May 1721, sent apart. 3: Duplicate of consultations from 19 April 1721 to 26 April 1721. 4: Copy of consultations from 26 April inclusive to 30 May following, 1721. 5: Duplicate of the list of families, lands and the rest for 1720. 6: Duplicate of the list of rents and revenues for the same year. 7: Duplicate of the list of salaries for 24 March 1720. 8: List of the Court's slaves, with their ages and employments, taken 25 March 1721. 9: Duplicate of the state of the island, with its debts and credits, for 1720. 10: Captain Richard Holden's receipt for both packets. 11: Inventory of the stores remaining on the island at 25 March 1721. 12: Plantation account for the month of May last. 13: Storekeeper's account for the month of June last. 14: Duplicate of the plantation account for April last. 15: Ships Carnarvon, Bridgewater and Duke of York's accounts. 16: One set of books of account for the year 1719. 17: List of the packet. Subscribed by John Alexander. Interpretations The manifest forwards the 1719 books and the fresh inventory of 25 March 1721 alongside the duplicated annual returns and the usual running accounts. The completed 1719 ledgers, long delayed by the correction of inherited errors, finally went home with this conveyance. The inclusion of the new stores inventory shows the administration sending the Court both the corrected past accounts and the verified present stock, the two together closing the gap the faulty old balances had opened. The three ships' accounts gathered into one item reflect the cluster of vessels that called and departed together in early June. The Carnarvon, Bridgewater and Duke of York having sailed in company, their accounts of stores and dealings were consolidated into a single entry. The detail shows the Council settling and reporting each ship's transactions as a group, the season's business with a departing fleet drawn together for the homeward dispatch. | ||
38V | General Letter ⅌ Ship Hartford Capt. Francis Nelly Comand. dated 16 Aug. 1721 Hon.ble S.rs Our last We transmitted to your Hon.rs by the Carnarven Capt. Josiah Thwaits Comd. from China dated the 5 of June 1721 A Duplicate whereof, and of the other Papers then Sent comes by this Ship the Hartford Capt. Francis Nelly Comand. who Arrived here the 27 of July last, We hope Your Hon.rs will receive this with the Consultations and Monthly Acc.ts to this day with the first Bill of Exchange Drawn by Capt. Peter Visser Comander of the Stadtsburge for £165.3.43 On the Dutch East India Comp.a Payable to your Hon.rs On the 11 day of July We had an Alarm for a Dutch East India Ship Named the Stadts burg Chiefly Laden with Tea who Saild the 21 of the Same Month The backewardness of all the Books hereto fore and the Carrying on of Ballances (as was formerly Used) from year to year with out takeing any Inventory of the remaining Stores, have Occasiond abundance of Errors | General letter by the ship Hartford, Captain Francis Nelly commander, dated 16 August 1721. 1: The Council's last to the Court went by the Carnarvon, Captain Josiah Thwaites commander, from China, dated 5 June 1721. A duplicate of it, and of the other papers then sent, came by this ship the Hartford, Captain Francis Nelly commander, who arrived at the island on 27 July last. The Council hoped the Court would receive this with the consultations and monthly accounts to this day, and the first bill of exchange drawn by Captain Peter Tesser, commander of the Stalkbourg, for £165 3s 4d, on the Dutch East India Company, payable to the Court. 2: On 11 July the Council had an alarm for a Dutch East India ship named the Stalkbourg, chiefly laden with tea, which sailed on the 21st of the same month. 3: The backwardness of all the books before this, and the carrying on of balances, as was formerly used, from year to year without taking any inventory of the remaining stores, had caused a great many errors in [...] Interpretations The bill drawn on the Dutch East India Company shows the island settling a purchase from a Dutch ship through that company's own account. Captain Tesser's tea was bought and paid by a bill on the Dutch East India Company payable to the Court, the transaction crossing between the two companies' books. The arrangement illustrates how a cashless island could deal with a foreign company's vessel, the debt routed through the seller's own corporate credit rather than discharged in coin. The renewed account of the inherited errors traces the disorder to the practice of carrying balances forward without stocktaking. Year after year the old figures had been continued unchecked, with no inventory of the actual stores, breeding the errors the administration now laboured to correct. The diagnosis fixes the root of the accounting failure on a specific bad practice, the want of a physical count, which the new regime's regular inventories were designed to end. | ||
39R | in the true Ballances of many Sorts of Your Hon.rs Stores which now are Discoverd by Our Adjusting the Ballances remaining on the Books with the Inventory lately taken of all Your Hon.rs Stores, for what is Past We hope Your Hon.rs will not impute to any Neglect in Us for as in Consultation of the 25 July last they were before our time and We Promise to take Care for the future The Large Quantitys of Arrack brought by the Comanders of Your Hon.rs Shyping this Summer has given Us great Concern how to Act in Such an Affair for We thought Our Selvs Amply Supplyd for the year at the beginning of the Shyping of which We Ac quainted them, and in Hopes they would not have put any upon Us We told them We could not draw any Bills on Purpose to put a Stop to and Prevent their and the follow ing Ships leaving any But Notwithstanding all the Arguements besides We coud use they Insisted on the Standing Order of 4 ⅌ Gallon for what ever quantitys they offerd fixed by Your Hon.rs We are Assured by the Means of | These errors appeared in the true balances of many sorts of the Court's stores, now discovered by the Council adjusting the balances remaining on the books against the inventory lately taken of all the Court's stores. For what was past, the Council hoped the Court would not impute it to any neglect on its part, since, as in the consultation of 25 July last, the errors were before this administration. The Council promised to take care for the future. 4: The large quantities of arrack brought by the commanders of the Court's shipping this summer gave the Council great concern how to act in such a matter. It had thought itself amply supplied for the year at the beginning of the shipping, which it told the commanders, in hopes they would not have pressed any upon it. The Council told them it would not draw any bills on purpose, to put a stop to it and prevent these and the following ships leaving any. But despite all the arguments it could use, they insisted on the standing order of four shillings the gallon for whatever quantity they offered, fixed by the Court. The Council was assured by this means [...] Interpretations The reconciliation of the book balances against the new inventory shows the mechanism by which the inherited errors were finally exposed. By setting the figures carried in the ledgers beside an actual count of the stores, the Council brought the discrepancies to light sort by sort. The method demonstrates the value of the stocktaking the administration had instituted, the physical inventory serving as the check that revealed how far the old paper balances had drifted from the truth. The Council's standing order against price-gouging here turned against it, the captains using the fixed rate to force arrack on a well-stocked island. The four shillings the gallon, set to protect the island in scarcity, obliged the Council to take whatever the commanders offered even when it needed nothing. The episode shows a policy designed as a shield becoming a burden, the captains invoking the Court's own fixed price to compel purchases the Council had hoped to avoid. | ||
39V | our not Drawing them on your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Severall Score of Leagers were not left which otherwise were Designed for Us, We designe to send a Letter by the Store Ship, to be left at the Cape if She touch there to Acquaint ther Comanders that are now out, that Our Stock of Arrack is So large that We can take no more for three Years, and We beg your Honᵒᵘʳˢ will be pleased to give some Orders that they may have Notice hereof by your Next Outward bound Ships to Prevent any feather insisting on the afores⁴ Orders (for its Uncertain whither Our Store Ship may touch there) We will likewise Acquaint all Your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Settlements abroad in Our Letters with the same; The Arrack already left Occasions Our drawing the five following Setts of Bills which We hope will be the last for Some Reasonable time We Shall be forced Maugre to our Inclinations for We are resolved in all Our Transactions to Demonstrate to Your Honᵒᵘʳˢ how Sollicitous We are to Reduce the Expence this Island hath Cost yᵒᵘʳ Honᵒᵘʳˢ But yet to Act tᵒ the greatest Regard to the Honᵒᵘʳ and Interest of those Honᵇˡᵉ Gentlemᵉⁿ | Because the Council declined to draw bills against the Court for these purchases, several score leaguers were not taken up that the island would otherwise have wanted. The Council intended to send a letter by the store ship, to be left at the Cape should she touch there, telling the commanders now outward bound that the island's stock of arrack was so large it could take no more for three years. The Court was asked to issue orders so that these commanders might have notice by the next outward-bound ships, sparing any further pressure on the Company's affairs. The store ship's own route to the Cape being uncertain, the Council would give the same notice to all the Court's settlements abroad in its letters. The arrack already received obliged the Council to draw the six following sets of bills, which it hoped would be the last for some reasonable time. The Council would be forced to this against its own wish, being resolved in everything it did to show the Court how anxious it was to reduce the charge the island had cost. Yet it would still hold to the greatest regard for the honour and interest of those honourable gentlemen. Interpretations The notice left at the Cape was a deliberate instrument of price and stock control. By warning outward-bound commanders before they reached St Helena that the island was glutted with arrack for three years ahead, the Council aimed to stop captains arriving with spirits it could not absorb and would then feel obliged to buy on credit. The supporting circular to all the Court's eastern settlements widened the same warning, since the store ship's route to the Cape could not be relied upon to carry it. The reluctance to draw bills of exchange reflects the island's chronic want of coin and the drain such bills placed on the Court's London account. Each set drawn on the Court added to the very charge the Council was straining to reduce, so a purchase avoided was a charge avoided, and the buying of arrack was treated as the principal pressure on that account. | ||
40R | who have Intrusted Us Avery short Space of time will put an End to all manner of buildings Either Fortifications, Stores Houses, or any belonging to Your Honᵒᵘʳˢ thats abouts and then of Course every great Branch of the Ex =pence must Cease, The latter End of the next month We reckon will fully Compleat all, then Your Honᵒᵘʳˢ will quickly Perceive your Selves freed from the vast Burden you have So many Years Groaned under, and the People will be Surpriz'd to See themselves Extricated (in a great manner) out of that Labyrinth of Debts (which they themselves must even have Dispaired of) in which they were involved to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Stores here, for Us to give your Honᵒᵘʳˢ the Particulars of the Prosperous & flourishing State this Island is now in, relieved from the lowest Ebb of Confusion and Perplexity and the further Prospect which We look upon at no great Distance off, might Render Us vain We rather Chuse to Submit it out to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Observations by the ready Posture Each Branch of your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Affairs are in, which Enables Us readily to Comply with all your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Demands from Us, We begg Your Honᵒᵘʳˢ will require an | The Court's affairs were now in the hands of those entrusted with them. 5: A very short space of time would put an end to all the building of every kind at the island, whether the fortifications, the store houses or anything else belonging to the Court, and with it of course every great branch of the charge must cease. The Council reckoned the close of the next month would see everything fully completed. The Court would then quickly find itself freed from the vast burden it had borne for so many years. The people too would be astonished to see themselves drawn, in great measure, out of the maze of debts owed to the Court's stores, a maze from which they must even have despaired of escaping. For the Council to set out to the Court the particulars of the prosperous and flourishing state the island had now reached, relieved from the lowest pitch of confusion and poverty, together with the further prospect it looked to at no great distance, might make the Council appear vain. The Council chose rather to leave the matter to the Court's own judgement, since the ready state of every branch of the Court's affairs allowed it to meet all the Court's demands without difficulty. The Council asked that the Court would require an Interpretations The whole letter rests on a single fiscal argument, that the completion of the heavy works would end the largest standing charge at the island. Building was the chief drain on the Court's account, so its conclusion was offered as the moment when the expense the Council had laboured to reduce would fall away of itself. The promised date, the end of the following month, fixed a near and checkable point against which the Court could measure the saving. The relief of the planters from debt was tied directly to the same programme. The universal indebtedness to the Court's stores had built up under earlier administrations and left almost every household insolvent to the Company. Drawing the planters out of that debt was presented as a social benefit flowing from the Council's management, and as evidence that the recovery served the inhabitants as well as the Court's books. | ||
40V | an Account from every Impartiall Spectator by Each Ship of the Posture of all your Affaires here for We Dare Rest our Conduct on Such reports The daily Increase of that Inveterate Disease which is amongst your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Blacks of which in our former Letters We Acquainted you Obliges Us to begg that your Honᵒᵘʳˢ will give Orders that Some Peculiar Care be taken in Procuring a Surgeon that is Capable, for severall days 4 weeks We have not been able to gett out to the works above 4. 5. 6. or 7. Able to do a days work, for the Method of Cureing has been only flatching them up, which now begins to break out with the Greater Inveteracy, and We fear if Speedy Relief be not had in a few Years Your Honᵒᵘʳˢ will not have one able Black left We begg leave to Add a Para with Relation to Captᵗ Nelly Behaviour before the Governᵗ when Middleton his Surgeon was brought before him to Answer for his Disorderly Behaviour on this Island as your Honᵒᵘʳˢ will Observe in a State of the Governᵗ Proceedings against Middleton sent now in Our Pacskett which We begg Your Honᵒᵘʳˢ will Order to be | The Council asked the Court to require an account from every impartial observer, by each ship, of the state of all its affairs at the island, being willing to let its conduct rest on such reports. 6: The steady spread of an inveterate disease among the Court's slaves, of which the Council had written before, obliged it to ask the Court for orders that particular care be taken to procure a capable surgeon. For several days together the Council had been unable to get more than four, five, six or seven slaves out to the works fit to do a day's labour. The only treatment so far had been to patch them up, and the disease now began to break out with greater force. The Council feared that without speedy relief the Court would in a few years have not one able slave left. 7: The Council wished to add a paragraph concerning Captain Nelly's conduct before the Governor, when his surgeon Middleton was brought before him to answer for his disorderly behaviour on the island. The Court would see the matter in the account of the proceedings against Middleton, now sent in the Council's packet, which the Court was asked to order to be read. Interpretations The plea for a surgeon was framed in plainly economic terms. The slaves were the Court's labour force for the heavy works, so a disease that kept all but a handful from the daily task was a loss to the building programme as much as a matter of health. Treating the slaves as a wasting capital asset, the warning that none able might remain in a few years pressed the Court to act through the cost of inaction rather than through any duty of care. The dispute over Middleton turned on the limits of a ship surgeon's accountability while ashore. By bringing the man before the Governor to answer for his conduct, and recording Captain Nelly's behaviour in the same proceeding, the Council asserted the island government's authority over a ship's officer during the vessel's stay. The full record was sent home so the Court could judge a confrontation between its civil establishment and the command of a calling ship. | ||
41R | read to you as well as Our Consultation of the 8ᵗ of this Month, Indeed Captᵗ Nelly Indeed sent a Civil return to the Govᵒʳˢ Letter which he sent to him relateing to his Surgeons behaviour, But when Middleton was brought and on hearing what he had to Say for himself, when the Governᵗ Ordered his Punnishmᵗ the Captᵗ begg'd that he might be forgiven and he would send him on board To which the Govᵗ told him it was not in his Power for if Such a Crime passed with out open Publick Punishmᵗ the Oeconomy of the Community must be Destroyed & Asked him if he knew what Such a Crime would have been in England and told him he could not nor would not, therefore Order'd the Marshall immediately to do his Duty, on which the Captᵗ told the Govᵒʳ Publickly he had done more than he could Answer, and that his friends in England would not thank him for what he had done to him, they heard it as they Should and that he ought not to have Punished him here but have sent him to England to have been tryed there, The Captᵗ told the Govᵒʳ he had not treated him as a Gentlemᵃⁿ for he had not | The Court was asked to have read to it both the account of the proceedings and the Council's consultation of the 8th of the month. Captain Nelly had at first sent the Governor a civil reply to the letter concerning his surgeon's conduct. When Middleton was brought in and had said what he could for himself, the Governor ordered his punishment. The captain then begged that the man might be forgiven, offering to send him aboard. Governor Johnson answered that this was not in his power, since a crime of that kind left without open and public punishment must destroy the good order of the community. He asked the captain whether he knew what such an offence would have counted for in England, and told him he neither could nor would forgive it. He therefore ordered the marshal to carry out his duty at once. The captain then told the Governor publicly that he had gone further than he could answer for, and that his friends in England would not thank him for what he had done once they heard it as they should. He held that the Governor ought not to have punished the man on the island, but should have sent him to England to be tried there. The captain added that the Governor had not treated him as a gentleman, since he had not complied Interpretations The exchange set out the legal ground on which the island government claimed jurisdiction over an offence committed ashore. Governor Johnson rested his authority on the necessity of public punishment for the preservation of order, arguing that an offence left unpunished in the sight of the community would dissolve its discipline. The captain advanced the rival principle that the man should have been remitted to England for trial, so the dispute reduced to whether the place of the offence or the man's status as a ship's officer governed where he answered for it. The marshal's role marks the point at which the Governor's order became an act of enforced justice rather than discretion. By directing the marshal to proceed at once, and refusing the captain's offer to remove the man quietly aboard, the Governor converted a private request for clemency into a public demonstration that no informal settlement would displace the island's own penal process. | ||
41V | Complyed with what he Wrote to him in his Letter for he had not brought him to Justice and that he was Vexed that he had Delivered him Up, and that if he had been on Board the Governᵗ Should have blown the ship out of the Seas before he Should have had him The Governᵗ Answered that by his Lettᵉʳ he thought he us'd him the more Egcility, for that he had a Power to grant a Warrant for any Person who Committed any Disorder on the Island and afterwards Escaped on board any Ship, and should that Warrt meet with any Interruption from any Ship (Excepting one belonging to the Honᵇˡᵉ Comp:) and there the Charterparty will make that Good when We acquainted Our Honᵇˡᵉ Mastrs therewith they would be soon freed from their Wearwts Not that We think Our selves Destitute of a Power to Protect our selves from Such Insults but a regard to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Affairs & Interest lest they might meet with any Interrup tion Occasions our Addressing our selves in this manner, Not doubting but your Honᵒᵘʳˢ will take a Method Suitable to give a Check | The captain complained that the Governor had not done as his letter asked, since he had not brought the man to justice, and said he was sorry he had given him up. He declared that had the man been aboard, the Governor might have blown the ship out of the sea before he would have surrendered him. Governor Johnson answered that by writing as he did he had thought to treat the captain the more civilly. He held the power to grant a warrant for any person who committed a disorder on the island and afterwards escaped aboard any ship, and any such warrant ought to meet no obstruction from any vessel except one belonging to the Court, with the charter party making good the loss of time. The Governor added that once the Court's masters were made aware of this, they would soon be forced from their behaviour. The Council did not think itself without power to protect its members from such insults. Out of regard for the Court's affairs and interest, lest the works should suffer any interruption, it had chosen to address the Court in this manner. The Council did not doubt the Court would take some suitable method to give a check. Interpretations The Governor set out a specific legal instrument, the warrant to retake an offender who had fled aboard a calling ship. The claim was that no vessel but the Court's own might resist such a warrant, and that the charter party would compensate any delay it caused. This drew the line of the island government's reach to the deck of any visiting ship, treating the harbour as within its jurisdiction and the charter terms as the means of binding masters to obey. The captain's threat that the ship might have been blown out of the sea before the man was given up exposed the practical limit of that authority. A surgeon already aboard could be shielded by a master willing to defy the shore, so the Governor's power held only while the offender remained on land or the master chose to comply. The appeal to the Court to discipline its masters acknowledged that lasting enforcement depended on the Company in London rather than on the island's guns. | ||
42R | to Such indecent behaviour which if Suffer'd Must Destroy all Order if after the Stipulation of any Irregularityes on this Island the Escapeing on Board Shall be Allowed a Protection, and therefore We Humbly Submit it to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Consideration The five Setts of Bills Mentiond in the 4ᵗʰ Parᵃ hereof and now drawn on Your Honᵒᵘʳˢ are Vizᵗ To Captᵗ Richard Holden (or Order) three Bills for the Sume of £323, 4, To Captᵗ William Maweson (or Ordᵉʳ) three Bills for £214, 4, To Captᵗ George Newton (or Ordᵉʳ) three Bills for £293, 8, To Captᵗ William Fitzhugh (or Ordᵉʳ) three Bills for £364, 11, To Captᵗ Robert Hyde (or Order) three Bills for £695, 13, all dated the 10ᵗ of Aug 1726 & Payable at 30 days sight And for the same Reasons We have given your Honᵒᵘʳˢ in that Parᵃ relating to Arrack We have been Obliged to draw the follow =ing Bills of Exchange on your Honᵒᵘʳˢ & | The Council held that such indecent behaviour, if allowed, must destroy all order, since an offender who escaped aboard after the punishment of any irregularity on the island would then be granted a shelter. The Council therefore submitted the matter to the Court's consideration. 8: The five sets of bills mentioned in the 5th paragraph, now drawn on the Court, were as follows: To Captain Richard Holden or order, three bills for the sum of £323 4s 0d To Captain William Mawson or order, three bills for £214 4s 0d To Captain George Newton or order, three bills for £293 8s 0d To Captain William Fitzhugh or order, three bills for £364 11s 0d To Captain Robert Hyde or order, three bills for £695 13s 0d all dated the 10th of August 1721 and payable at 30 days sight. 9: For the same reasons given in the paragraph concerning arrack, the Council had been obliged to draw the following bills of exchange on the Court. Interpretations The five sets of three bills each show the standard method of remittance from a cashless island. Each captain received the value due to him as three separate copies drawn on the Court in London, sent by different conveyances, so that the loss of one ship did not destroy the claim while only one copy would be honoured. The uniform date and the thirty-day term after sight fixed when payment fell due in London once a copy was presented. The paragraph numbering ties the disbursements back to the earlier fiscal argument of the letter. The bills of paragraph 8 answered the arrack purchases set out in the 5th paragraph, and paragraph 9 opened a further tranche on the same ground, so the document tracked each drawing on the Court to the specific want that had compelled it. | ||
42V | begg your Honᵒᵘʳˢ acceptance off the whole To Captᵗ Francis Nelly (or Order) three Bills for the Sume of £222, 17, And To Mʳ George Williamson (the Purser) or Order three Bills for £161, 10, dated as above Likewise three Bills to Edwᵃʳᵈ Johnson Esqʳ (or Order) for the Sume of £255, 1, bearing date the 23 of July 1721 being for Creditt due to him in Your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Books of Augˢᵗ here Richard Sagers a Souldᵉʳ of Our Garrison being Dangerously ill of a Fistula In Ano and no Possibility of getting Cured here have at his Earnest Desire given him leave to returne for England in this ship Stan ford, and haveing due to him for Sallary and the Charitable Benevolence of the People here the Sume of £7, 9, 2¼ We have given him Bills of Exchange on your Honᵒᵘʳˢ for the same, and he haveing behaved himself Diligently & Respectfully to all We therefore and in Consideration | The Council asked the Court to accept the whole. To Captain Francis Nelly or order, three bills for the sum of £222 17s 0d To Mr George Williamson, the purser, or order, three bills for £161 10s 0d dated as above. 10: Three further bills to Edward Johnson Esq or order, for the sum of £255 0s 0d bearing date the 23rd of July 1721, for credit due to him in the Court's books of August here. 11: Richard Sagar, a soldier of the garrison, being dangerously ill of a fistula in ano, and with no chance of being cured at the island, had at his own earnest request been given leave to return to England in the ship Hartford. Salary and the charitable benevolence of the people came to the sum of £17 9s 2¼d due to him. The Council had given him bills of exchange on the Court for the same, and he having behaved himself diligently and respectfully to all, it therefore asked the Court to take his case into consideration. Interpretations The bill to Governor Johnson stands apart from the others in kind. It was not payment for goods or stores supplied to a calling ship but a remittance of credit already standing to him in the Court's books, the means by which a servant on a cashless island moved his accumulated balance home to England through a draft on the Company. The provision for Richard Sagar shows how the garrison handled a man disabled by illness beyond local cure. The fistula was a condition the island's medical establishment could not treat, so his discharge to England combined his unpaid salary with a collection raised among the inhabitants, both converted into bills on the Court. Recording his good conduct was the customary ground on which the Council recommended such a man to the Court's further favour, the testimonial doing the work of a pension claim. | ||
43R | to his Deplorable Condition Recommend him to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Favour not doubting of your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Charitable Dispositions to him hereafter Union Castle Sᵗ Helena. We are Honᵇˡᵉ Sʳˢ Aug 4 10 1721. Your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Most Humble faithfˡ & Most Obed Servᵗˢ Edwᵒ Johnson Edwᵈ Byfeld Jnᵒ Alexander Jnᵒ Goodwin A List of the Pacqᵗ Ship Stanford Captᵗ Fran Nelly Comander who Saild hence Aug the 10 1721 Govrs & Counˢ Genᵉˡ Lettʳ dated yᵉ 10 Aug 1721 Duplicate of Govᵗ & Counˢ Genᵉˡ Lettʳ p Ship Carnarvon dated the 6 June 1721 both sent afsaid Copy of Consultaᵗⁱᵒⁿˢ from the 6ᵗ of June 1721 to 4 8 day of Aug & Inclusive following Duplicate of Consultaᵗⁱᵒⁿˢ from yᵉ 26 Aprᵉˡ 1721 Eyᵈˡᵗ to 4 30 of May Inclusˢ follorˢ Duplicate of the List of the Honᵇˡᵉ Comp: Blacks wᵗ Ages & Employmᵗ taken March yᵉ 25 1721 Duplicate of Plentation Accᵗ for the Months of Aprᵉˡ & May 1721 | The Council recommended Sagar's deplorable condition to the Court's favour, not doubting its charitable disposition toward him in time to come. Given at Union Castle, St Helena, 4 to 10 August 1721. The Council subscribed itself the Court's most humble, faithful and most obedient servants, Edward Johnson, Edward Byfield, John Alexander and John Goodwin. A list of the packet by the ship Hartford, Captain Francis Nelly commander, which sailed from the island on the 10th of August 1721. 1: Governor and Council general letter, dated the 10th of August 1721 2: Duplicate of the Governor and Council general letter by the ship Carnarvon, dated the 5th of June 1721, both sent abroad Copy of consultations from the 6th of June 1721 3: to the 4th to 8th day of August 1721 inclusive following Duplicate of consultations from the 26th of April 1721 4: to the 30th of May inclusive following Duplicate of the list of the Court's slaves, with ages and employment, taken the 25th of March 1721 5: Duplicate of the list of the slaves, with ages and employment, taken the 25th of March 1721 6 and 7: Duplicate of plantation accounts for the months of April and May 1721 Interpretations The packet list confirms the duplicate-despatch practice that runs through the island's correspondence. The general letter went home in the Hartford, while duplicates of the previous letter by the Carnarvon of 5 June 1721 and of the running consultations were enclosed alongside, so that the loss of any one ship would not break the chain of record reaching the Court. The enclosure of the slave list and the plantation accounts shows the documentary spine of the island's management. The roll of the Court's slaves with their ages and employment, taken at 25 March 1721, and the monthly plantation accounts for April and May, gave the Court the means to audit the labour force and the agricultural charge from London, the books serving as the standing check on the establishment's worth. | ||
43V | Copy of Plantaᵗⁱᵒⁿ Accᵗ for the Months of June & July 1721 Duplicate of an Inventory of Store Goods remain taken the 25ᵗʰ of March 1721 Duplicate of Storekeepers Accᵗ for yᵉ Monthˢ of Aprill 1721 Copy of Storekeepᵗ Accᵗ for the Months of May June & July 1721 List of the Pacskett pᵉ Carnarvon Captᵗ Thwaits Recᵗ for both Pacskets Ship Hartfords Recᵗ Augᵗ yᵉ 10 1721 Captᵗ Peter Vibours 3 Bill of Exchaᵉ pay tᵒ the the Honᵇˡᵉ Comp: for £165, 3, 3 A State of the Governᵗ Proceedings against Middleton Surgᵉⁿ of the Hartford List of the Pacskett pᵉ Jnᵒ Alexander | 8 and 9: Copy of plantation accounts for the months of June and July 1721 10: Duplicate of an inventory of the store goods remaining, taken the 25th of March 1721 11: Duplicate of the storekeeper's account, copy, for the month of April 1721 12, 13 and 14: Copy of the storekeeper's account for the months of May, June and July 1721 15: List of the packet by the Carnarvon 16 and 17: Captain Thwaites's receipt for both packets 18: Ship Hartford's clearance, dated the 4th to the 10th of August 1721 19: Captain Peter Tesser's first bill of exchange on the Dutch East India Company, for £165 3s 3d 20: A state of the Governor's proceedings against Middleton, surgeon of the Hartford 21: List of the packet Signed, John Alexander. Interpretations The enclosed accounts and inventories formed the financial record by which the Court audited the island from London. The storekeeper's monthly accounts, the plantation accounts and the inventory of store goods taken at 25 March 1721 together let the Company track stock, expenditure and the worth of its establishment without any officer present, the books standing in place of direct oversight. The bill of Captain Peter Tesser marks a transaction with a foreign company rather than the Court. His draft of £165 3s 3d, drawn on the Dutch East India Company and payable to the Court, settled the value of stores furnished to his ship the Stalkbourg during her call, converting a sale at the island into a claim recoverable in Europe through a rival company's account. The state of the proceedings against Middleton was sent as a formal exhibit for the Court's judgement. Its inclusion in the numbered packet turned the confrontation between Governor Johnson and Captain Nelly into a documented case the Company could weigh in London, the written record carrying the dispute over jurisdiction beyond the island. | ||
44R | Generall Letter by the Ship Sunderland Captain William Hutchinson Commander dated Janᵒ 25ᵗʰ 1721/22 Honᵈ Sʳˢ The last opportunity that Present =ed, was the Departure of the Hartford Capᵗ Francis Nelly the 10ᵗʰ of august last, by him we wrote to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ a Duplicate whereof with the Sever =all papers Containd in that Pacskett we herewith send, Since which arrived here the Drake on the 8 of October from England But last from the maderas She Sailed the 4ᵗʰ of Novembᵉʳ as to the Letter dated the 23ᵈ of Aprill 1720 Which your Honᵒᵘʳˢ in your first Parᵃ say you cant find by what Ship that was Sent, We gott it ready that day in order to be put on Board any of your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Ships, that might be in Company with the Dutch Fleet it being about the time we Expected them to pass by our Island, For on that day early in the morning A Duble Alarm was made for 19 sail of Ships, We sent our Pinnace with Capᵗ Goodwin to make Inquiry after your Shipping, Captain Edwᵒ Martin in the Prince Frederick was 1ˢᵗ them who Came in here He acquainting us that ye King William Captain Winter was at yᵉ Cape when he left that Place, Whom he Expected Quickly after him here, Occasiond us to add a Postscript to that Letter, No Ship Departing | General letter by the ship Sunderland, Captain William Hutchinson commander, dated 25 January 1722. The Council addressed the Court. 1: The last opportunity to write had been the departure of the Hartford under Captain Francis Nelly on the 10th of August last. The Council had sent a duplicate of its letter by him, together with the several papers contained in that packet, all of which it now sent again. Since then the Drake had arrived on the 8th of October from England, but last from Madeira, having sailed from there on the 4th of November. The Council turned to the letter dated the 23rd of April 1720, which the Court in its first paragraph said it could not find, nor learn by what ship it had been sent. The Council had made it ready that very day to be put aboard any of the Court's ships that might be in company with the Dutch fleet, since that was about the time the Council expected the fleet to pass the island. Early that morning a double alarm was raised for nineteen sail of ships. The Council sent its pinnace with Captain Goodwin to enquire after the Court's shipping. Captain Edward Martin in the Prince Frederick was among them and came in. He told the Council that the King William under Captain Winter had been at the Cape when he left that place, and that he expected her at the island soon after him. This led the Council to add a postscript to that letter. No ship departing Interpretations The opening paragraph documents the standing practice of repeating despatches against the loss of a ship. The duplicate of the whole Hartford packet was sent again to guard the record, while the Court's complaint that an earlier letter of 23 April 1720 could not be traced shows the risk the practice answered, a letter that reached London without its covering note left the Court unable to fix the ship that carried it. The despatch of the letter timed to the passing of the Dutch fleet reveals how the island moved its mail in the absence of a regular packet service. Correspondence waited for any homeward bottom, so the Council held a letter ready to put aboard a Company ship sailing in company with the Dutch, the movement of a foreign fleet past the island serving as the trigger for a sailing of its own. | ||
44V | from hence between that time and yᵉ 8ᵗʰ of June fol =ing, We then sent it by the Bovurie, By your Honᵒᵘʳˢ takeing notice of it, We are made Sensible of our Error, Which we were not apprized of before, we Should Indeed at yᵉ beginning of yᵉ Postscript have acquainted your Honᵒᵘʳˢ with the Reasons of it, we assure your Honᵒᵘʳˢ it Shall be a Caution to us for yᵉ future, and we will to the utmost of our Power follow all your directions and obey your orders from time to time In answer to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ 2 Parᵃ The Govᵒʳ Says its the greatest Concern Imaginable to him That his Endeavours have not given full Satisfaction to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ which was always his Cheif aim and design, It has been his only Care and Study ever since his arrivall here, not only to promote your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Interest, but to observe all your orders Directions Cautions and Prohibitions his Guide, in t that he has always had a due Regard to the Assurances by him given at your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Board when he was Sworn, wherein he may have been thought defective Proceeded neither Sottingly nor willingly, but from his want of better understanding, and therefore begg your Honᵒᵘʳˢ will Impute it to that as the true Cause Your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Generall Letter by this Ship hath So fully Explaind Parᵃˢ affords | No ship had departed from the island between that time and the 8th of June following, when the Council sent the letter by the Bouverie. Since the Court had pointed out the error, of which the Council had not been aware before, the Council acknowledged that it should have set out the reasons at the start of its postscript. The Council assured the Court this would serve as a caution for the future, and that it would follow the Court's directions and obey its orders to the utmost of its power. 2: In answer to the Court's 2nd paragraph, the Governor held it a matter of the greatest concern to him that his efforts had not given the Court full satisfaction, that having always been his chief aim and design. His only care and study ever since his arrival had been not merely to promote the Court's interest but to observe all its orders, directions, cautions and prohibitions as his guide. He had always held a strict regard for the assurances he gave before the Court's board when he was sworn. In anything for which he might be thought wanting, he had proceeded neither knowingly nor willingly, but only from a want of better understanding. The Governor therefore asked the Court to impute it to that as the true cause. The Court's general letter by this ship had so fully explained its affairs Interpretations The Governor's answer treats the oath sworn before the Court's board as the binding measure of his service. By resting his defence on the assurances given at his swearing in, he framed the Court's complaint as a question of whether he had kept that undertaking, and pleaded want of understanding rather than any wilful default, the distinction between error and disobedience doing the work of his exculpation. The correction over the misplaced postscript shows the Court enforcing a procedural discipline on the form of correspondence. The reasons for an action had to appear with the action itself, so a letter sent without its explanation drew a rebuke, and the Council's promise to amend marked the Court's insistence that its records be self-explaining when read in London. | ||
45R | Letters which in his Reading He passed over Inadvertently, That for the future your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Shall have no reason to Complain, The 7 Parᵃ of your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Letter, By the Craggs Shall be our Directions, In these Letters we transmit to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ hereafter, In answer to Parᵃ 37ᵗʰ of the said Letter, Your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Instructions given us therein about Fenceing, were from our Beginning duly observed Our Letter to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ by the King George was so soon after the Govᵒʳ arrival, It was not to be Expected he could be so fully apprized of the Affairs of this Island, as to have a full state of it, But in the 13ᵗʰ of our Letter by Captᵗ Lihorn dated the 7ᵗʰ of Decembᵉʳ 1720, We were mindfull and observant of it, knowing nothing can be more Beneficial and of greater advantage to the Island, There has been abundance done, and much more would have bin done, Had not the Peoples necessity obliedge them to pay their Debts to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ by the Hier of their Blacks In answer to the 38 Parᵃ of the said Letter about maintaining one White man on every twenty acres, we in the 14ᵗʰ of the abovementioned Letter Did acquaint your Honᵒᵘʳˢ we would observe yᵉ Directions in that Affair, But it never was in our Power to see that Complyd with, because all large quantities of your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Land (that was Improvable) was before granted with Sub mission | The Governor admitted that in reading the Court's letters he had passed over some matters without noticing them, and promised the Court would have no cause to complain in the future. The Court's letter by the Craggs would be the Council's guide, and in the letters now sent the Council would answer it hereafter. In answer to the 7th paragraph of that letter, the Court's instructions about fencing had been duly observed by the Council from the start. The letter to the Court by the King George had gone so soon after the Governor's arrival that he could not be expected to know the island's affairs fully enough to give a complete account of them. In the 13th paragraph of the letter by Captain Luhorne, dated the 1st of December 1720, the Council had been mindful and observant of the matter, knowing nothing could be more beneficial or of greater advantage to the island. A great deal had been done, and much more would have been done had the people's necessity not forced them to pay their debts to the Court by the hire of their slaves. In answer to the 38th paragraph of that letter, concerning the maintenance of one white man for every twenty acres, the Council had already said in the 13th paragraph of the letter mentioned above that it would observe the Court's directions in that matter. It never lay within the Council's power to see this complied with, since all the large tracts of the Court's land, which lay unfit for improvement, had already been granted away. Interpretations The reply works through the Court's letter paragraph by paragraph against its numbered heads, citing for each the place in the island's own earlier letters where the point was already answered. This cross-referencing turned the correspondence into a running account in which every Court instruction was matched to a dated response, the method by which the Council demonstrated compliance and protected itself against a charge of neglect. The requirement of one white man for every twenty acres was a militia measure tying landholding to the obligation of defence. The Council reported it unenforceable because the Court's larger and poorer lands had already been granted out, so the policy collided with a prior pattern of engrossing that had concentrated land without the matching settlers the rule demanded. The hire of the planters' slaves emerges as the mechanism by which indebted households discharged their debts to the Court. Universal indebtedness left many unable to pay in coin or kind, so their labour was taken instead, a conversion of unrecoverable money debt into present work that diverted hands the Council would otherwise have set to its own improvements. | ||
45V | to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ we conceive the end or Design of yᵉ Law is otherwise answered, as to yᵉ Preserving yᵉ Standing Militia For on every Alarm or genᵉˡˡ muster or when otherwise required, Every white man from 16 to 60 is obliged to Appear, and to Prevent [...] any further Engrossing we yᵗ use the best Care we Can, In answer to the 56 of the Said Letter, That no Encouragement from us hath been wanting to Industrious persons we Doubt not of making manifestly appear, In the Sequel of this Letter wherein your Honᵒᵘʳˢ will be Judges, of the true Causes of those grevious Com plaints against us, and had yᵉ Seasons Succeeded since our administration of Affairs as usuall, we are very well apured your Honᵒᵘʳˢ would have had no reason to have remanded us of it now nothing has Passed unattempted that was thought Practicable, In your Honᵒᵘʳˢ own Plan tations gardens and Pastures, for the Improve ment of the Soil, or to provide for Cattle in a dry Season, By Planting of wood which we have done quite round the Plantation Gardens wᶜʰ when grown up will not only Shelter them but great part of the Plantation, We have Plan ted large Quantities of Furr Hedges to Shelter the Pastures We have planted Plantane trees up and down in the Gulls in order to provide for yᵉ Cattle in a Dry Season, and carried yᵉ Water every where that could be thought | The Council held that the Court's purpose was met another way, namely the preservation of a standing militia. At every alarm or general muster, or when otherwise required, every white man from sixteen to sixty was obliged to appear. To prevent any further engrossing, the Council took the best care it could. In answer to the 50th paragraph of that letter, no encouragement to industrious persons had been wanting on the Council's part. The Council did not doubt it would make this plainly appear in the later part of its letter, in which the Court would be the judge of the true causes of the grievous complaints against the Council. Had the seasons proved as good during the present administration as they usually were, the Council was well assured the Court would have had no reason to remind it of the matter now. Nothing had been left unattempted that was thought practicable in the Court's own plantations, gardens and pastures, whether for the improvement of the soil or to provide for cattle in a dry season. Start of crossed out section The Council had taken the best care it could. End of crossed out section By planting wood quite round the plantation gardens, the Council had provided what, when grown up, would shelter not only the gardens but a great part of the plantation. The Council had planted large quantities of fence hedges to shelter the pastures. It had set plantain trees up and down the gullies in order to provide for the cattle in a dry season, and had carried water everywhere that could be thought Interpretations The militia obligation on every white man from sixteen to sixty was the working substitute the Council offered for the unenforceable rule of one settler per twenty acres. By binding the whole adult male population to appear at any alarm or muster, the island met the Court's underlying aim of a defensible population without the landholding ratio the engrossed estates made impossible. The detailed account of planting answered the Court's charge of neglect with evidence of active improvement. Wood set round the gardens, hedges to shelter the pastures and plantains in the gullies were all measures against the island's exposure to wind and drought, the planting designed both to recover worn ground and to hold a reserve of fodder and water through a dry season, the moderate climate still leaving the unwatered valleys at the mercy of a failing year. The cancelled line shows the clerk removing a bare repetition before it stood in the record. The struck words restated a claim of careful management already made above, and their deletion left the paragraph to carry the concrete particulars of the planting rather than a second general assertion. | ||
46R | to answer the Expence, In answer to the 8ᵗʰ of the said Letter your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Shall be assured all our Letters Shall begin with yᵉ date of our last, We have not had any opportunity to meet with any of those sorts of Either Kind, although we Enquired of yᵉ madagascar Ships Elizabeth & Mercury, so that we could not give your Honᵒᵘʳˢ an Accott of them, severall Sorts have formerly been tryed here, but they so Degenerate that they spent themselves by running into avine, In answer to the 28ᵗʰ Three months to =gether after the Governours arrivall, He was laid up with the Gout, and the Perplexitys all Affairs were in at the alteration of Government, might occasion the Insufficiency of our answer to every Particular Parᵃ But your Honᵒᵘʳˢ notice of it now Shall be a Caution hereafter to us In answer to the 3 of your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Letter, the Errors in the Letter by the Bovurie we are ashamed of, and of the Copy by the Townsend, We have Examind our Letter Book and we do not find it agree with yᵒᵘʳ Honᵒᵘʳˢ Remarks on these two Letters, We beleive it proceeded in yᵉ Copying, we used to trust to the Examining in the office, for the future every thing Shall be Examined in Consultation, which will prevent the like In answer to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ 4ᵗʰ Wherein we have | The water carried to the gullies was meant to answer the expense of a dry season. In answer to the 8th paragraph of that letter, the Court could be assured that all the Council's letters would begin with the date of its last. The Council had found no chance to obtain either kind of yams, though it had enquired of the Madagascar ships Elizabeth and Mercury, so it could give the Court no account of them. Several sorts had been tried at the island before, but they so degenerated that they ran to vine and spent themselves. In answer to the 28th paragraph, three months together passed after the Governor's arrival when he was laid up with the gout. The confusion that all affairs lay in at the change of government might account for any insufficiency in the Council's answer to each particular paragraph. The Court's notice of it would serve as a caution to the Council in time to come. In answer to the 3rd paragraph of the Court's letter, concerning the errors in the letter by the Bouverie, the Council was ashamed of them, and of the copy by the Townsend. The Council had examined its letter book and did not find it agree with the Court's remarks on those two letters. It believed the errors arose in the copying, since it had relied on the examining done in the office. For the future everything would be checked in consultation, which would prevent the like. 4: In answer to the Court's 4th paragraph, in which the Council had been Interpretations The pledge to open every letter with the date of the last was a device for binding the correspondence into an unbroken chain. By fixing each despatch to its predecessor, the Court could detect at once any letter that had failed to arrive, the dating turning a series of separate letters into a continuous record whose gaps would show. The failure to obtain viable yams from the Madagascar ships points to the island's dependence on fresh planting stock from outside. Seed tried at the island degenerated and ran to vine rather than breeding true, so the supply had to be renewed from elsewhere, and the calls of the Elizabeth and Mercury were treated as occasions to seek it. The reform of checking letters in consultation rather than in the office was the Council's answer to a charge of error in its records. Placing the verification before the whole board removed the fault from a single clerk and made the accuracy of the correspondence a collective act, the procedure designed to stop copying mistakes reaching the Court in future. | ||
46V | been defective We will to our utmost Endeavours give your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Satisfaction & demonstrate there is no Industry wanting in us to put all your Affairs into such a method of administration as will Effec tually answer your directions, The Complaints in yᵉ Letters are Extreamly Irksome to us and we are of the opinion they are not Pleasant to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Your Honᵒᵘʳˢ blame us for our Dilatoriness in the Read ing of yᵉ Letter that came by the Hartford, Indeed in our Consultations its not so fully expressed as it ought for the next morning we did Read the whole Letter Cursitorily to see what Instructions your Honᵒᵘʳˢ had given us therin Relating to the dispatches that Ship Though Severall Readings were occas siond before we could compremise the whole which was what was Intended by our Consultation First Concerning Shipping Returnd and Sent and Sending The last Returned Ship mentioned in your Honᵒᵘʳˢ 5 Parᵃ was the Mountague Captᵗ Gorden the next Ship that Succeeded her was the Cardigan Captᵗ Glegg and the Craggs Captᵗ Blake aprilly pᵉ both from Bengall yᵉ Duke of Cambridge Captᵗ Daniel Small on the 9ᵗʰ of the Same month these Sailed hence on the 18ᵗʰ The Mary Captᵗ Holden the Derby Captᵗ Fitzhugh yᵉ Saram Captain George Newton and the Cardonnell Capᵗ Mawson | The Council had been told it was wanting, and would use its utmost efforts to satisfy the Court and show that no industry was lacking on its part to bring all the Court's affairs into a method of administration that would fully answer the Court's directions. The complaints in the Court's letters were extremely tiresome to the Council, which believed they could not be pleasant to the Court either. The Court blamed the Council for its slowness in reading the letter that came by the Hartford. The matter was not so fully set out in the consultations as it ought to have been, since the Council read the whole letter the next morning only to see what instructions the Court had given concerning the despatch of that ship, though several readings were needed before the whole could be settled, which was the purpose of the consultation. First, concerning shipping returned, sent and pending. 5: The last returned ship mentioned in the Court's 5th paragraph was the Montague under Captain Gordon. The next ship to follow her was the Cardigan under Captain Glegg, and the Craggs under Captain Blake, both from Bengal, arriving in April. The Duke of Cambridge under Captain Daniel Small came in on the 9th of the same month, and these sailed from the island on the 18th. Then the Mary under Captain Holden, the Derby under Captain Fitzhugh, the Sarum under Captain George Newton and the Cardonnel under Captain Mawson. Interpretations The complaint over the slow reading of the Hartford letter shows the Court enforcing a standard on how its instructions were handled at the island. The Council's defence, that a long letter needed several readings before its orders touching a ship's despatch could be settled in consultation, reveals the consultation as the formal stage at which the Court's directions were turned into action, and the speed of that process as itself a matter of account. The shipping head opens the paragraph-by-paragraph reply with a register of arrivals and departures answering the Court's own 5th paragraph. Listing each ship, her commander and her movements gave the Court a check on the season's traffic past the island, the record of calls and sailings forming the routine spine against which the rest of the correspondence was hung. | ||
47R | they all Sailed the 2 of may The Carnarvon Captᵗ Thwaits The Bridgwater Captᵗ Williamson and the Duke of York Captᵗ Hyde on the 20ᵗʰ Sailed the 5ᵗʰ of June the Hartford Captᵗ Nelly yᵉ 27 Augᵗ Sailed the 10ᵗʰ of Aug By your Honᵒᵘʳˢ List of the Ships Despatched for Indir for the year 1721 We Shall be Enabled to Enquire when opportunity offers after them to acquaint your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Ifany thing of moment Occurs Relateing then to which we hope will answer the 5 6 87 Parᵃˢ in yᵉ generall Letter A due regard shall be had to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Comands in your 8 Parᵃ Concerning our Behaviour to the Commanders of yᵉ 4 men of war mentiond therein and it Shall be a Standing rule for us towards Such as Shall come hither hereafter In the Pacskett by this Ship we have received the Copy of her Charterparty to which we Shall have recourse for our Directions so often as we have occasion All due Honᵒᵘʳˢ Shall be paid to yᵉ orders or In structions sent us by the Secret Committe in obedience to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ 10ᵗʰ Parᵃ In answer to your 11 Parᵃ about yᵉ dispatch | They all sailed on the 5th of May, namely the Carnarvon under Captain Thwaites, the Bridgewater under Captain Williamson and the Duke of York under Captain Hyde. On the 29th sailed, on the 5th of June, the Hartford under Captain Nelly, which sailed on the 10th of August. By the Court's list of the ships despatched for India for the year 1721, the Council would be able to enquire after them whenever opportunity offered, and to tell the Court anything of moment concerning them. The Council hoped this would answer the 5th and 87th paragraphs of its general letter. 6: A due regard would be paid to the Court's command in its 8th paragraph, concerning the Council's conduct toward the commanders and the men of war mentioned in it. This would stand as a fixed rule for the Council toward any such ships that came to the island in time to come. 7: In the packet by this ship the Council had received the copy of her charter party, to which it would turn for direction as often as it had need. 8: All due regard would be paid to the orders and instructions sent by the Secret Committee, in obedience to the Court's 10th paragraph. 9: In answer to the Court's 11th paragraph concerning the despatch Interpretations The Court's list of ships despatched for India was an intelligence tool placed in the Council's hands. Knowing which vessels had sailed for the East let the island enquire after each as it passed and report news of them home, the register turning St Helena's position on the homeward route into a station for tracking the Company's fleet. The reference to the Secret Committee marks a separate and confidential channel of authority above the ordinary correspondence. Its orders bound the Council apart from the general letters, the distinct line of instruction reserved for matters the Company kept closer than its routine direction of the island. The charter party held in the packet was the legal instrument fixing each master's obligations to the Court. By keeping the copy for reference, the Council retained the means to hold a captain to his contracted terms on unlading, freight and conduct, the document serving as the standing authority behind its dealings with calling ships. | ||
47V | of the Store ship to prevent Demorage The Drake was unlivered within yᵉ 10 working days as will appear by Consultation of the 5ᵗʰ of octobᵉʳ which your Honᵒᵘʳˢ will receive with this We did all in our Power to Expedite it We Shall follow your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Instructions to us about Pro testing when ever we See Reason In our Pretest against the Craggs your Honᵒᵘʳˢ interest was our view and whatever Ships may made in that your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Instructions In yᵉ 12ᵗʰ Parᵃ now will for yᵉ future Regulate In the 13ᵗʰ Parᵃ your Honᵒᵘʳˢ are pleased to remind us of the 11 Parᵃ of our own Letter by yᵉ King George wherein we assured your Honᵒᵘʳˢ we would have due recourse to all your Orders Relating to Ship ping and we did think we had performd it But for the future We Shall have a Peculiar regard to each Circumstance Concerning our takeing notice of the Goods short Deliverd by the Craggs mentiond in yᵉ 14ᵗʰ of this years Letter we own we were not So fully apprized then as we are now Your Honᵒᵘʳˢ In structions In the said Parᵃ for the future Shall be punctually Complyed with Your | The Council answered the Court's paragraph concerning the despatch of the store ship to prevent demurrage. The Drake had not been unladen within the ten working days, as would appear by the consultation of the 4th of October, which the Court would receive with this letter. The Council had done everything in its power to hasten the unlading, and would follow the Court's instructions about entering a protest whenever it saw cause. 10: In the protest against the Craggs, the Court's interest had been the Council's aim. Whatever protests it made in that matter, the Court's instructions in its 12th paragraph would regulate for the future. 11: In its 13th paragraph the Court reminded the Council of the 11th paragraph of its own letter by the King George, in which the Council had assured the Court it would have due regard to all orders concerning shipping. The Council had thought it had done so, but for the future it would give a particular reason for each circumstance. 12: Concerning the Council's notice of the goods short delivered by the Craggs, mentioned in the 14th paragraph of this year's letter, the Council owned it had not been so fully aware then as it was now. The Court's instructions in that paragraph would be punctually complied with for the future. Interpretations The demurrage provision shows the charter party operating as a financial discipline on the time a ship spent unlading. The contracted ten working days fixed the limit beyond which delay became a charge, and the Council's recourse to a formal protest, recorded in the consultation of 4 October, was the instrument by which the island preserved the Court's claim against a master who exceeded the term. The protest against the Craggs and the notice of her short delivery were two arms of the same enforcement of the bills of lading. By recording goods consigned but not landed, and entering a protest where unlading ran over time, the Council built the documentary case on which the Court could charge a commander debtor in London, the written record at the island standing as the evidence for recovery at home. The repeated promise to give a particular reason for each circumstance answers a standing demand for self-explaining records. The Court required that every action carry its justification on the face of the correspondence, so a bare report of compliance no longer sufficed, and the Council bound itself to set out the ground of each decision for the future. | ||
48R | Your Honᵒᵘʳˢ in your 15ᵗʰ Parᵃ take notice of a mis take in our Letter dated the 29 of December 1720 concerning the arrival of the Hartford which was Indeed on the 25ᵗʰ of August as in our Con sultation of the 26ᵗʰ She was unliverd within yᵉ 10 working days So that there was no room for Protesting we did take it for granted that what ever time the Ship Staid after that the owners could not have the least pretence on your Honᵒᵘʳˢ for Demorage that whole time being taken upon Refreshing the men and Refitting the Ship Which Certainly was for the Interest of the owners Had we in the least detained her we Should have given your Honᵒᵘʳˢ a Particular reason and accᵗ of the time of her Detainer by us Our Letters were ready Conyed in the Office a week though they were not Signed, there happened to be a Consultation on the 9ᵗʰ of Septᵉʳ and some Spare time in it which was the only reason why that day was mentiond We did look upon your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Sailing orders to the Captains Suffici ent not to have needed any further from us But since your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Seem to make a doubt whether the owners may not take hold on it to Insist on Demorage we will cautiously avoid giving them the Least Plea for the future To your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Observations in your 16 Parᵃ | 13: In its 15th paragraph the Court took notice of a mistake in the Council's letter dated the 29th of December 1716, concerning the arrival of the Hartford. She had in fact arrived on the 25th of August, as recorded in the consultation of the 26th. She was unladen within the ten working days, so there was no room for entering a protest. The Council had taken it for granted that whatever time the ship stayed after that, the owners could have no pretence on the Court for demurrage, the whole of that time being spent on refreshing the men and refitting the ship, which was certainly for the owners' own interest. Had the Council detained her at all, it would have given the Court a particular reason and account of the time she was kept. The Council's letters had been copied in the office a week earlier, though not yet signed. A consultation happened to fall on the 9th of September, with some spare time in it, which was the only reason that day came to be mentioned. The Council had supposed the Court's sailing orders to the captains sufficient, needing nothing further from itself. Since the Court seemed to doubt whether the owners might not seize on the matter to claim demurrage, the Council would carefully avoid giving them the least ground for it in future. 14: The Council turned to the Court's observations in its 16th paragraph. Interpretations The whole paragraph turns on demurrage as the point of contest between owner and Court. The Council's reasoning was that time spent refreshing the crew and refitting the ship served the owners, not the Court, so no claim for demurrage could attach to it, and the unlading within the ten working days closed off any ground for a protest. The Court's anxiety that the owners might still seize on the record shows how a loosely worded entry could expose the Company to a charge, which is why the Council promised to leave no opening. The explanation of how the 9th of September came to be named in the consultation reveals the evidentiary weight the Court placed on its records. A date entered only because a consultation happened to have spare time could be read in London as marking a detention, so the Council had to account for the very appearance of a date in the minutes, the correspondence treated as a document whose every particular might be turned to a legal use. | ||
48V | that no mention was made in our Letter altho in Consultation of the 14 of Septᵉʳ of the Goods short Delivered by the Hartford We cannot aquit ourselves of being too Remiss But by our future Care we will Endeavour to make attonement Your Honᵒᵘʳˢ take notice in your 17 Parᵃ that the Princess Ann had not her quantum Beef by Charter party the failure of Seasons the Beef was not so good as we might expect in a short time for the Season was expected Daily that it might have been a loss to Kill if a kindly season He did not want or we Should have furnished him Which was the only reason We have not been unmindfull of the promise we made your Honᵒᵘʳˢ in the 7ᵗʰ Parᵃ of our Letter by the King George of an abstract of all Standing orders from yᵉ Honᵒᵘʳˢ your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Cannot be unsensible how Backward all Books were and what Perplexitis we met with at our Beginning We do Church Honᵒᵘʳˢ all hands have had a full Employ all along or it would have been Impossible to have brought each Branch of the whole State of the Island into that exact Method they are now in We will set about it now and dispatch it to the best of our Capacities That your Honᵒᵘʳˢ are not Cheifly Induced to require so strict a Complyance | The Council acknowledged that no mention had been made in its letter, though it appeared in the consultation of the 14th of September, of the goods short delivered by the Hartford. The Council could not clear itself of having been too careless in the matter, but would try to make amends by greater care in future. 15: In its 17th paragraph the Court noted that the Princess Ann had not received her quantity of beef due by the charter party. The failure of the seasons had left the beef not so good as the Council might expect within a short time, since the season was expected daily, so that killing it then might have been a loss had a favourable season followed. The captain did not want for beef, or the Council would have furnished him, which was its only reason. The Council had not been unmindful of the promise it made the Court in the 7th paragraph of its letter by the King George, to send an abstract of all standing orders. The Court could not but be aware how backward all the books were, and what difficulties the Council met with at the start. The Council assured the Court that all hands had been fully employed throughout, or it would have been impossible to bring every branch of the island's affairs into the exact method they now stood in. The Council would set about the abstract now and despatch it to the best of its ability. The Council held that the Court was not chiefly moved to require so strict a compliance Interpretations The beef provision shows the charter party setting a fixed entitlement that the island's conditions could defeat. The Princess Ann was owed a stated quantity by contract, but a failed season left the cattle in poor condition, so the Council judged it better to withhold beef than to kill stock at a loss in expectation of better grazing. The captain's own sufficiency removed the pressure to supply, the decision turning on the island's husbandry rather than the letter of the contract. The promised abstract of all standing orders was a measure of administrative consolidation answering the Court's wish for order. Gathering every standing direction into one document would let the Court see the body of rules under which the island ran, the compilation set against the backward state of the inherited books as the new administration's means of imposing method on a disordered office. | ||
49R | of that Clause in the Charterparty about Beef from the profit that arises to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ from yᵉ Sales of such beef but from a Tenderness to provide Re freshment for the poor Seamen when worn down with the fatigues of a long Voyage in your Service is to Evident to be questiond by any But much more by us who are Continually Eye witnesses of your Exemplary Tenderness so often Repeated In all Instructions to us for a lower rank In your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Service even your own Black Slaves we will Endeavour that each Ship Shall comply so far as we are Capable We are very sorry that any of the Comanders should make Complaints of their Treatment from us as we find by yᵉ 18ᵗʰ Parᵃ of your Letter they have done Our Endeavours have always been to treat them with the utmost Civility (so far as was consistent with your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Interest) but since they have had the advantage to Complain Viva voce we hope your Honᵒᵘʳˢ will give us leave fully to state the whole case for you to Judge of The first ships were the King George and Addison on yᵉ 28 of novᵉʳ 1719 Capᵗ Lewis applied himself to yᵉ Governour (as was usuall) for Beef The Govᵗ made him answᵒ he was at Liberty to take of any Planter whom he Pleased for he Should not abridge any of selling The Captain answered it was more then ever he | The Council held that the Court's purpose in the charter party clause about beef was not the profit from selling such beef, but a concern to provide refreshment for the poor seamen worn down by the fatigues of a long voyage in its service. This was too plain to be questioned by anyone, and least of all by the Council, which was a constant eyewitness to the Court's repeated care for those of lower rank in its service, extending even to its own black slaves. The Council would do its best to see that each ship was supplied so far as it was able. 16: The Council was very sorry that any of the commanders should complain of their treatment, as it found by the 18th paragraph of the Court's letter they had done. The Council's efforts had always been to treat them with the utmost civility, so far as was consistent with the Court's interest. Since the commanders had taken the chance to complain by word of mouth, the Council hoped the Court would allow it to set out the whole case fully for the Court to judge. The first ships were the King George and the Addison, on the 28th of November 1719. Captain Lewis applied to Governor Johnson, as was usual, for beef. The Governor told him he was free to take it from any planter he pleased, since the Governor would not abridge anyone of selling. The captain answered that this was more than ever he Interpretations The Council's reading of the beef clause draws a distinction between revenue and welfare in the Court's policy. By insisting the provision served the relief of worn seamen rather than the profit of the sale, the Council aligned itself with the Court's stated humanity toward those of lower rank, the argument turning a contractual obligation into evidence of the Company's care for its men. The commanders' complaints made by word of mouth rather than in writing put the Council at a disadvantage it sought to redress. An oral grievance carried to London left no record the Council could answer point by point, so it asked leave to set out the whole case in writing, the demand for a documented hearing matching its repeated insistence that disputes be tried on the evidence of dated entries. The Governor's answer to Captain Lewis exposed the friction between free trade in provisions and a captain's expectation of supply. By refusing to restrain any planter from selling, the Governor declined to channel beef to the ship on privileged terms, and the captain's surprised reply marks the gap between the masters' assumption of a favoured supply and the island government's refusal to abridge the planters' market. | ||
49V | knew was granted them before The next was yᵉ Dartmouth Mʳ Hudson the Purser applied to yᵉ the Govᵒʳ from Capᵗ Carter Likewise whom the Govᵒʳ answered as he had done Captain Lewis When the Queen Capᵗ Martin came in he had the same answer The latter of Janᵒ Capᵗ Mechᵉⁿ Aysfield in the Malborow who had the same Lib erty, Captain Edwards in the Susanna arrived here the 27 of Febᵒ had the same Liberty After this time the Rainy season not comeing in as had been Expected and the Pastures every when growing very bare such large numbers of Cattle (that must otherwise have Perished) we were forced to take towards payment of Debts to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ from the People That we were So overstockt that had we preferd these few Planters who had Cattle Remaining Mʳ Powell Greentree and one or two more and had we not taken the methode to Serve the Ships our Selves they must have been a Dead loss on your Honᵒᵘʳˢ and we might then Justly have been Charged with disregard of your Honᵒᵘʳˢ and Breach of trust we are sure Mʳ Powells Cattle were not then nor are better at any time then your Honᵒᵘʳˢ take number for number of your own Breeding and feeding The Cattle mentiond in the Complaint being Ordina ry we can by no means agree too, that it is not | The captain said this was more than had ever been granted to the commanders before. The next ship was the Dartmouth, whose purser Mr Hudson applied to the Governor on behalf of Captain Carter, and received the same answer the Governor had given Captain Lewis. When the Queen of Peace under Captain Martin came in, he had the same reply. At the end of January, Captain Micklefield in the Marlborough had the same liberty, and Captain Edwards in the Susanna, who arrived on the 27th of February, had the same liberty. After this time the rainy season did not come in as soon as had been expected, and the pastures everywhere grew very bare. Such large numbers of cattle must otherwise have perished, so the Council was forced to take some toward payment of the people's debts to the Court, the people being so overstocked. Had the Council favoured the few planters who had cattle remaining, namely Mr Powell, Greentree and one or two more, and had it not taken the method of supplying the ships itself, the cattle would have been a dead loss to the Court. The Council might then justly have been charged with disregard of the Court and breach of trust. It was certain that Powell's cattle were not then, nor were ever, better at any time than the Court's own, taking number for number, of the Court's own breeding and feeding. The cattle mentioned in the complaint being ordinary, the Council could by no means agree that it was Interpretations The sequence of identical answers to one captain after another shows the Governor applying a settled rule rather than meeting each case afresh. By giving the same reply to Lewis, Carter, Martin, Micklefield and Edwards in turn, the island government established that no commander would receive a privileged supply, the uniformity itself the proof against the charge that any one master had been ill used. The failure of the rains turned a question of fair dealing into one of salvage and debt recovery. A delayed wet season left the pastures bare and the planters overstocked with cattle that would otherwise have died, so the Council took the beasts in part payment of debts to the Court and supplied the ships directly. This converted a perishing asset into both a settlement of debt and a provision for shipping, the moderate but uncertain climate of the island driving a decision that the masters read as a denial of choice. The defence of the quality of the Court's own cattle answered the commercial heart of the complaint. The captains preferred to buy from a planter like Powell, so the Council argued that the Court's beasts, bred and fed on its own ground, matched any in the island number for number, the comparison meant to show that supplying the ships from the Court's stock was no imposition of inferior beef. | ||
50R | not to be Expected in such a number every one to be Extreordinary and if the Gentlemen did but Consider the Season they would not have Complaind We beg your Honᵒᵘʳˢ would Enquire of Captain Wooten for he lay here some time longer than the rest was all over the Island and is Capable of makeing a Judgment thereby of the Pastures The Govᵒʳ acquainted him at his arrival with the State of the Island and that yᵉ number of Cattle thrown on the Honᵇˡᵉ Company by the People obliged us to Serve the Shipping Captᵗ Wooten Cant but remember his Complaint He made to yᵉ Govᵒʳ against Mʳ Powell for Exacting on him both in Yamms and Cattle when he paid him and were it to be Intirely Left to the Planters the Commanders would have always reason to Com =plain The Govᵒʳ had forgiven Mʳ Powell being concernd in Signing Jones Libell upon his petition and acknowledging his fault as he had done all the others But after the Govᵒʳ had dismist Ormston from the Fort for his ill behaviour Mʳ Powell also =ciated himself with him more then formerly as if on Purpose to Countenance those who had affron =ronted the Government and upon his acknow =ledging this fault also to Governour Collet he was again forgiven We are assured that yᵉ Captᵗˢ whom your Honᵒᵘʳˢ take notice of to have Complaind that yᵉ Govᵒʳ would not let yᵉ Planters Supply them | The Council held that such a number of cattle could not all be expected to be extraordinary, every one. Had the gentlemen but considered the season, they would not have complained. The Council asked the Court to enquire of Captain Wootton, who lay at the island some time longer than the rest, travelled all over it, and was capable of forming a judgement of the pastures by it. The Governor had told him at his arrival the state of the island, and that the number of cattle thrown on the Company by the people obliged the Council to supply the shipping. Captain Wootton could not but remember the complaint he made to the Governor against Mr Powell for charging him in both yams and cattle when he paid him. Were these matters left entirely to the planters, the commanders would always have cause to complain. The Governor had forgiven Mr Powell for his part in signing Jones's libel, upon his petition and his acknowledging his fault, as the Governor had done with all the others. After the Governor had dismissed Ormston from the fort for his ill behaviour, Powell associated himself with him more than before, as if on purpose to countenance those who had affronted the government. Upon Powell's acknowledging this fault too to Governor Collet, he was again forgiven. The Council was assured that the captains, whom the Court took notice of as having complained that the Governor would not let the planters supply them, Interpretations The appeal to Captain Wootton as an independent witness shows the Council building its defence on the testimony of a disinterested commander. Having lain longest at the island and travelled it, Wootton could speak to the state of the pastures and to his own grievance against Powell, so his evidence was offered to corroborate that the supply arrangements answered the season rather than any imposition by the government. Powell's grievance, that he was charged in both yams and cattle, exposes the very practice the Council used against the planters' market. A planter free to set his own terms could load a payment with goods the buyer did not want, so the Council argued that leaving supply wholly to the planters would guarantee continual complaint from the commanders, the abuse justifying the government's intervention. The treatment of Powell over the Jones libel reveals forgiveness operating as an instrument of political management. Powell was pardoned on his petition and acknowledgement like the others, but his renewed association with the disgraced Ormston was read as deliberate countenance of the government's opponents, the cycle of offence and submission showing how the administration bound a powerful planter back into obedience through repeated public acts of contrition. | ||
50V | With Fowles Sufficient, for his Sick men on Shore or on Board hath no regard to truth or Honᵒᵘʳ we could not have any grounds for it for no Person had been prevented that we thought would Enter yᵉ Creditt of what they Sold towards payment of their Debts to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ We have acquainted the Captains that we desired no more than yᵗ those People who were Indebted to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ might make payment that way According to yᵉ peoples promises to us they would when Shipping came But to no purpose for severall Shipping together Great quantities of all Sorts of Provisi ons have been Sold and not one Penny returnd which (in Discharge of our duties and not Resent ment against the Planters as it has been urged to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Did force us at last to Stop all goods before they passed through the Gate to know from whom they Came that we might Secure Some Cred its for your Honᵒᵘʳˢ But to as little Success to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ and no advantage to us but the ill will of yᵉ Comanders we have not is plain, For the people found out ways and means to deceive us nothing use of those peoples names who were not in debt We Should not think much of Mʳ Powells Disposi ting of what he raises himself but he takes from most people all Sorts for they are most of them indebted to him and thereby Secures himself and Prejudices and postpones your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Credits | The complaint that the Governor would not let the planters supply the captains with fowls enough for their sick men, whether ashore or aboard, had no regard to truth or honour. The Council held the captains could not have any grounds for it, since no person had been prevented who the Council thought would enter to the credit of what they sold toward payment of their debts to the Court. The Council had told the captains it desired no more than that those people indebted to the Court might make payment that way. According to the people's own promises, they would do so when shipping came, but to no purpose. Several ships together had sold great quantities of provisions of all sorts, and not one penny was returned. To discharge its duty, and not in resentment against the planters as had been alleged to the Court, the Council was forced at last to stop all goods before they passed through the gate, in order to learn from whom they came, so that it might secure some credits for the Court. This brought little benefit to the Court and no advantage to the Council, only the ill will of the commanders. The reason was plain. The people found ways and means to deceive the Council, making use of the names of those who were not in debt. The Council would not think much of Mr Powell disposing of what he raised himself, but he took all sorts of goods from most people, since they were nearly all indebted to him. By this he secured himself, prejudiced others, and put off the Court's credits. Interpretations The interception of goods at the gate was the Council's enforcement device against a debt-evasion scheme. Indebted planters sold provisions to the ships but returned nothing to the Court, passing their goods under the names of people who owed nothing, so the Council stopped every consignment to trace its true owner and attach the proceeds to the seller's debt. The measure recovered little and earned the commanders' hostility, the friction the price of converting sales into debt payments. Powell's dealing reveals a private credit system running in parallel to the Court's and competing with it for the same proceeds. Because most planters were indebted to him, Powell could take their goods of every kind in settlement, so the produce that might have discharged debts to the Court flowed instead to him. His position as the island's principal private creditor let him intercept the very payments the Council was straining to secure, the wealthiest planter's leverage set directly against the Company's claim. | ||
51R | Credits the People Indeed are forward enough in making offers to us towards payment of their debts but most commonly when they are calld upon to comply with them they Pretend some accident or other has Intervened which prevents their Complyance all people have Liberty to dispose of what they can to Shipping and according to yᵉ Honᵒᵘʳˢ Directions Publication was made thereof on the 15 day of Decembᵉʳ yᵉ arrival of the first Ship a copy whereof at yᵉ Conclusion of this Parᵃ But we very much fear the Baseness of the People will ob lige you to retract the Kindness your Honᵒᵘʳˢ design them hereby for by our Experience We are Convin ced that if they can gett the Return their debts may remain unsatisfied for ever and many famil eys go unprovided for and some of the Comanders will not concern themselves Either what becomes of the People or your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Interest provided they can dispose Clandestinely of their Goods Island Sᵗ Helena By the Worship Edwᵒ Johnson Esqʳ Govᵒʳ and Councell An Advertizement This is to give publick notice that all Planters and others are at liberty to dispose of what stock and Provisions they raise to any Shipping that shall touch here those that are Indebted to yᵉ Honᵇˡᵉ Compᵗ rendring us the Credit towards Lessening their debts | The people were ready enough to make offers toward payment of their debts, but most commonly, when called upon to make them good, they pretended some accident or other had intervened to prevent compliance. All people had liberty to dispose of what they could to the shipping. In keeping with the Court's directions, public notice of this was given on the 15th of December, at the arrival of the first ship, a copy of which the Council set at the close of this paragraph. The Council greatly feared that the dishonesty of the people would oblige the Court to withdraw the kindness it meant them by this measure. From experience the Council was convinced that, if the people could get the proceeds of their sales, their debts might remain unpaid for ever, many families would go unprovided, and some of the commanders would not concern themselves with what became of the people or the Court's interest, provided they could dispose of their goods in secret. Given at the island of St Helena, by the Worshipful Edward Johnson Esq, Governor, and Council. An advertisement. This gave public notice that all planters and others were at liberty to dispose of whatever stock and provisions they raised to any shipping that touched at the island, those indebted to the Court allowing it the credit toward lessening their debts. Interpretations The advertisement was the legal instrument that turned a working practice into a published rule. By giving public notice that all might sell to the shipping while the indebted allowed the Court the credit, the Governor fixed the terms in a form every planter was deemed to know, the proclamation converting the Council's debt-recovery method into an open condition of the island's trade. The recurring excuse of an intervening accident exposes the gap between the planters' promises and their performance. An offer to pay from the proceeds of a sale could always be defeated by a claimed mishap, so the Council found verbal undertakings worthless and built its case for stopping goods at the gate on the demonstrated unreliability of the people's word. The Council's fear that recovery itself would provoke the Court to relent reveals the tension between strict enforcement and the appearance of harshness. If the people kept their sale proceeds, debts would stand unpaid for ever, yet pressing for payment risked the Court reading the measure as oppression, so the Council pressed home that leniency would simply reward evasion and leave families destitute and the Company unpaid. | ||
51V | This to remain in full force untill we Shall See Cause to the Contrary by the peoples abuseing and misaplying this Indulgence hereby designed them Dated at Union Castle in yᵉ Valley this 15 day of Decembᵉʳ 1719 and Signd Jnᵒ Alexander Its with yᵉ utmost Satisfaction we receive yᵒᵘʳ Honᵒᵘʳˢ approbation in your 19 Parᵃ of our Proceedings againt the Ostenders and we Shall continue the Same Zeal for your Interest as any other for the future although the greatest part of your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Letter is crowded with Compˢ against us Yet we question not to Discharge our Selves in each Particular and Undeceive yᵒᵘʳ Honᵒᵘʳˢ and prove how vilely you have been Imposd on by our Setting forth a full narration Facts and the Severall motives Occasioning yᵉ Proceedings in the manner we have Which by answering those Severall Parᵃˢ of your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Lettᵉʳ in their order will oblige us to Your Honᵒᵘʳˢ by each Ship have had the accountˢ p the Same Ship and Shall be continued according to your 20 Parᵃ Secondly Concerning Goods or Storᵉˢ Sent from England or Receivᵈ to from India | The notice would remain in full force until the Council saw cause to the contrary, through the people abusing and misapplying this indulgence and so destroying it. Given at Union Castle in the valley, this 15th day of December 1719, and signed by John Alexander. 17: The Council received with the utmost satisfaction the Court's approval, in its 19th paragraph, of the Council's proceedings against the Ostenders. It would continue the same course for the Court's interest and any other in future. Although the greater part of the Court's letter was crowded with complaints against the Council, it did not doubt it could clear itself in each particular. It would undeceive the Court and show how vilely it had been imposed upon, by setting forth a full narration of the facts and the several motives that prompted its proceedings in the manner it had taken. Answering the several paragraphs of the Court's letter in their order would oblige the Council to do so. 18: The Court had received the account by each ship, sent in that same ship, and this would be continued in keeping with its 20th paragraph. Secondly, concerning goods or stores sent from England or received from India. Interpretations The approval of the proceedings against the Ostenders set a single endorsement against a letter otherwise filled with complaint. The Court's commendation of the Council's stand on the interloping venture gave the administration one clear vindication to weigh against the charges, and the Council seized on it as proof that its conduct, fully explained, would answer the rest. The promise that the account would go home in the same ship that carried each consignment shows the Court binding the record to the cargo it described. By requiring the account and the goods to travel together, the Company ensured that what it received could be checked at once against what was reported, the practice guarding against discrepancy between the shipment and its paper. The Council's method of answering the Court paragraph by paragraph under subject heads turned a defence into an ordered document. Grouping its replies under the Court's own divisions, here passing from shipping to goods and stores, let the Council meet every charge in sequence and present its narration as a complete and self-checking account rather than a scattered rebuttal. | ||
52R | By the Ship Drake we have received yᵉ Goods with yᵉ Invoice and all yᵉ Papers mentiond in the Letter to be containd in the Pacskett Your Honᵒᵘʳˢ 22 Parᵃ about entering all Goods either Brought from England or India or bought for your Honᵒᵘʳˢ uses in Consultations will Oblige us to a Strict regard to the methods therein pre scribed The manner we have used we found in former Consultations and we did not persist there in through obstinacy but thro Ignorance which will take Care to rectify and hope by the method in Consultation of yᵉ 8ᵗʰ of novembᵉʳ your Honᵒᵘʳˢ will observe our readiness to obey when we are rightly apprized of your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Instructions which we offer likewise in answer to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ 23 Parᵃ Your Honᵒᵘʳˢ 24 Parᵃ charges us with a Perverse Interpretation of your orders or rather a Culpable pretence for not obeying your Directions in yᵒᵘʳ Letters We are very much troubled that we should be so unfortunate to Express our Eagerness to Dispatch Business in such termes as could admit of such an Interpretation were we concious to our Selves of any Intention the least tending to evade your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Instructions We must think our Selves very highly Culpable and not fitt to be Entertaind | 19: By the ship Drake the Council had received the goods, with the invoice and all the papers mentioned in the letter to be contained in the packet. 20: The Court's 22nd paragraph, about entering all goods in the consultations, whether brought from England or India or bought for the Court's uses, would oblige the Council to a strict regard for the methods set out there. The manner the Council had used was found in former consultations, and it had not persisted in it through obstinacy but through ignorance, which it would take care to rectify. The Council hoped that, by the method set out in the consultation of the 8th of November, the Court would see its readiness to obey once it was rightly aware of the Court's instructions. The Council offered the same in answer to the Court's 23rd paragraph. 21: The Court's 24th paragraph charged the Council with a perverse interpretation of its orders, or rather a culpable pretence for not obeying the directions in its letters. The Council was very much troubled that it should be so unfortunate as to express its eagerness to despatch business in such terms as could admit of such an interpretation. Were the Council conscious to itself of any intention in the least tending to evade the Court's instructions, it must think itself very highly to blame, and not fit to be entrusted Interpretations The requirement to enter all goods in the consultations made the minute book the central register of the Court's property at the island. Recording every consignment from England and India and every local purchase in the formal record gave the Court a continuous audit of what reached the establishment, the procedure closing the gap between goods received and goods accounted for. The Council's plea of ignorance rather than obstinacy reframed a charge of disobedience as a correctable fault of method. By admitting the old practice was wrong while denying any wilful resistance, the Council preserved its standing as a body fit to be trusted, the distinction between not knowing and refusing doing the work of its defence against the Court's sharper accusation of a culpable pretence. The gravity with which the Council met the charge of evading instructions shows how the relationship rested on the presumption of obedience. To be thought capable of a pretence for disobedience was to be judged unfit for trust, so the Council treated the accusation as a threat to its very tenure, the strength of the disavowal measuring how much the administration depended on the Court's confidence. | ||
52V | In your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Service The Entring all Acctˢ in Consultations of the 7ᵗʰ 8ᵗʰ of novembᵉʳ and yᵉ 5ᵗʰ December will we hope acquit us of any such intention and meet with your Honᵒᵘʳˢ approbation We are now fully Satisfied that yᵉ Cargoe by the Prince Frederick from Bengall taken notice of in your 25 Parᵃ was not fully enterd In Consul tation of the 26 April 1720 according to your Instructions and although the order in Consulta tion was for 50 p Cᵗ at least yet we have always had a regard in the Price betwixt ornamental and necessary for the Chints quilts were sold out at 4 1 each they being so very Course is sum not Sufficient to Cover a single person The Shirts 150 though by mistake as appears by the Invoice in the Copying they were but 100 in Consultation were Sold out at 2 6 each we reckoned them as necessarys The Arrack sold out at 6/3 p gallᵒⁿ the Common Price The Rice at 3 4 pᵉ which is above 1000 p cent The Stockings at 2/6 which is above 50 p Cᵗ The method already mentioned in the 20 Parᵃ of this letter in Consultation of the 8 of novembᵉʳ wherein the Goods recᵈ by yᵉ Drake are prized and Entred we hope will answer the 26 & part of | The Council held it unfit to be entrusted in the Court's service. The entering of all accounts in the consultations of the 7th and 8th of November and the 1st and 8th of December would, it hoped, clear it of any such intention and meet with the Court's approval. 22: The Council was now fully satisfied that the cargo by the Prince Frederick from Bengal, noticed in the Court's 23rd paragraph, had not been fully entered in the consultation of the 26th of April 1720, as the Court's instructions required. The order in consultation had been for at least 50 per cent, yet the Council had always kept a regard, in the price, to the difference between ornamental and necessary goods. The chints quilts were sold at 4s 1d each being so very coarse and small as not sufficient to cover a single person. The shirts, 150, though by mistake in the copying of the invoice they appeared as only 100 in the consultation, were sold at 2s 6d each reckoned as necessaries. The arrack sold at 6s 1d per gallon the common price. The rice at 3s 4d per [...] which was above 1,000 per cent. The stockings at 2s 6d which was above 50 per cent. 23: The method already mentioned in the 20th paragraph of this letter, namely the consultation of the 8th of November, in which the goods received by the Drake were priced and entered, would, the Council hoped, answer the Court's 26th paragraph. Interpretations The pricing of the Bengal cargo reveals a deliberate two-tier markup distinguishing necessities from ornamental goods. The Court set a floor of at least 50 per cent, but the Council moderated the rate on goods the inhabitants needed while holding it high on luxuries, so that essential cloth and stockings carried a lighter charge than the standing order would imply. The treatment of the chints quilts as too coarse and small to cover one person shows the Council justifying a low price on the ground of poor quality. The chints were a printed or painted cotton from India, valued in Europe as a decorative textile, here judged ornamental rather than essential and graded accordingly. The correction of the shirt count from a hundred to a hundred and fifty ties back to the running campaign against errors in the records. A copying slip in the consultation had understated the quantity, so the Council set the true figure against the invoice, the disclosure consistent with its pledge to have every entry checked in consultation against the goods it described. The extraordinary markups recorded on the rice and stockings show the figures taken as they stood without any reconciliation. A margin stated as above 1,000 per cent on the rice and above 50 per cent on the stockings reflects how the Council reported each line at its first reading, the bare percentages entered as the account gave them rather than adjusted to any consistent basis. | ||
53R | the 27 of your Letter our agreement in Consultation of the 2 of August 1720 proceeded from Information that all your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Settlements in India had yᵉ same Indulgence and we could not think that your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Intended to Exempt us who have the most occasion for such a liberality to enable us to appear Suitable to yᵉ Stations your Honᵒᵘʳˢ have appointed us to We submit to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ as to our selves and Shall take care that those to whom your Honᵒᵘʳˢ have been pleased to grant the 30 p Cent Do not abuse it In our Consultation of the 24 of novembᵉʳ We Entred and Settled the Prices of the Cargoe Brought us by the Mountague whereby your Honᵒᵘʳˢ will see we have followed the directions in the 28 Parᵃ of your Letter As to Rice we Shall give no more then 1ᵒ for ordinary and Sell it out at 3 4 which we take to answer what your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Intended by your 29 Parᵃ touching Rice In the 30 Parᵃ of the Letter Your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Seemd to be amuzed at the Prodigious quantity of Arrack Expended on this Island The Consump tion is we must own not to be Creditted by any who are not very well acquainted with Sᵗ Helena | The Council turned to the 27th paragraph of the Court's letter. Its agreement in the consultation of the 2nd of August 1720 had proceeded from information that all the Court's settlements in India had the same indulgence. The Council could not think the Court meant to exempt it, having the most occasion for such a liberality, to enable it to appear suitable to the stations the Court had appointed it to. The Council submitted to the Court as to itself, and would take care that those to whom the Court had been pleased to grant the 30 per cent did not abuse it. 24: In its consultation of the 24th of November the Council had entered and settled the prices of the cargo brought by the Montague, by which the Court would see it had followed the directions in the 28th paragraph of its letter. 25: As to rice, the Council would charge no more than 10 per cent for ordinary, and would sell it out at 3s 4d which it took to answer what the Court intended by its 29th paragraph concerning rice. 26: In the 30th paragraph of the letter the Court seemed amazed at the prodigious quantity of arrack consumed at the island. The consumption, the Council had to own, would not be believed by any not very well acquainted with St Helena. Interpretations The 30 per cent allowance emerges as a privilege the Council claimed by parity with the Court's Indian settlements. Its argument was that an indulgence granted across the eastern establishments could not have been meant to exclude the island, which needed it most to maintain the dignity of the offices the Court had created, the appeal to equal treatment turning a concession elsewhere into a right at St Helena. The undertaking to prevent abuse of the allowance acknowledges that such a margin, once granted, invited misuse. The varying treatment of rice between paragraphs shows the same commodity priced under different rules as the Council answered separate Court instructions. A markup of 10 per cent for ordinary rice sold at 3s 4d was set to satisfy one paragraph, while elsewhere the rice carried a far higher stated margin, the divergence reflecting the paragraph-by-paragraph structure in which each reply met its own point without reconciliation across the letter. The defence of the island's arrack consumption rested on a knowledge the distant Court could not share. The Council conceded the quantity would seem incredible to anyone unfamiliar with St Helena, the appeal to local conditions answering the Court's astonishment by placing the explanation in circumstances visible only on the spot. | ||
53V | The Expence is not to be Computed according to the number of People Inhabiting on the Island but to the addition of those comeing on Shoar in Shipping They would generally Speaking turn all they have into Arrack The cheif way of Truss of our own People whose Credit will not furnish them with it out of the Stores is for Arrack and them who can gett it from thence all Petty debts are paid Cheifly that way All handicraffts Tryadˢ for Barber Shoemaker &c are generally paid that way Besides the Expence when they meet in the Valley which is not Small for they will go into some obscure Place or other and continue drinking for severall days together and some times a week or two We have Laboured all in vain Remedy it when Such Practice hath come to our ears We have talked to the people we have Reproved and advised and Punished by takeing away the Licence of Selling Liquor from such persons for Harbouring and thereby Keeping Disorderly Houses They have not an Example from any of us Our Garrison is owned by every body to be the most orderly that ever was known in Sᵗ Helena We are as Sparing as possibly we can in Crediting any in the Stores for it the Consump tion is considerably less than in former years The price is 6 4 p Gallon your Honᵒᵘʳˢ have above 100 Leagurs now in the Stores occasiond | The expense was not to be reckoned by the number of people living on the island, but by the addition of those coming ashore from the shipping, who generally turned all they had into arrack. The chief means of trust among the island's own people, whose credit would not furnish them with it out of the stores, was arrack. Those who could get it from the stores, and all the petty debtors, were paid chiefly that way. The handicraft trades, the barber, the shoemaker and the rest, were generally paid the same way. Besides this came the expense when these people met in the valley, which was not small, for they would go into some obscure place or other and continue drinking for several days together, sometimes a week or two. The Council had laboured to remedy it whenever such practice came to its ears. It had spoken to the people, reproved and advised them, and punished them by taking away the licence of selling liquor from such persons for harbouring others and keeping disorderly houses. The garrison set an example, owned by everybody to be the most orderly that ever was known at St Helena. The Council was as sparing as it possibly could be in crediting any in the stores for arrack, so the consumption was considerably less than in former years. The price was 6s 1d per gallon The Court had above 100 leaguers now in the stores. Interpretations The account establishes arrack as the working currency of a cashless island. With coin scarce and store credit closed to the poorer sort, spirits served as the medium in which petty debts and the wages of the handicraft trades were paid, so the volume consumed reflected not merely drinking but the absence of money in which to settle ordinary obligations. A leaguer was a large cask of variable capacity used for spirits in the Company's trade, and the figure of above a hundred in the stores measured a substantial reserve of arrack held at the island. The withdrawal of the liquor licence shows the Council using a power of permission as a tool of social discipline. By revoking the right to sell from those who harboured drinkers and kept disorderly houses, the government turned the licensing of the trade into a means of suppressing the prolonged bouts in the valley, the control of supply standing in for any direct power over the people's conduct. The claim of reduced consumption answered the Court's astonishment with evidence of active management. By tightening store credit for arrack and pointing to a fall against former years, the Council presented the very scale of the trade as something it had brought under restraint, the comparison meant to convert a charge of excess into proof of reform. | ||
54R | by the large quantities each ship brought the last year as we gave your Honᵒᵘʳˢ an accᵗ by our Letter by the Hartford we have we hope put a Stop to the Bringing any more by our Letters we Sent to yᵉ Cape to Batavia and to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Settlements abroad We will from time to time follow your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Direc tions in Parᵃ 31 In putting a Price on all sorts of Goods that shall come into your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Stores We have Pursuant to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Commands in yᵉ 32 Parᵃ made an Enquiry into the Storekeepers accompts by the Consultations of these months both Sums appear Plainly to be mistakes in the Copying into the Consultation Vizᵗ Instead of 828 Gallons it is but 282 Gallons at 6 3 p Gallon which was the Price at that time amounts to the Sum mentiond in Consultation £88 2 6 the other 2572 and ⁸ Should have been but 1572 8 ⁸ which at the same Price p Gallon answers the Sume £491 7 4¼ So there doth not appear the Least design of Fraud But an Error in the Copying which we Shall Look better after for the future that there has not been an Inventory of the Re maining Stores taken for many years we are very Sensible but this last year we ordered one which was Compleated and Sent by the Carnarvon | The large quantities each ship brought the last year, of which the Council gave the Court an account by its letter by the Hartford, would now, it hoped, be stopped. The Council had sent letters to the Cape, to Batavia and to the Court's settlements abroad to prevent the bringing of any more. 27: The Council would from time to time follow the Court's directions in its 31st paragraph, in setting a price on all sorts of goods that came into the Court's stores. 28: In obedience to the Court's commands in its 32nd paragraph, the Council had enquired into the storekeeper's accounts by the consultations of these months. Both sums appeared plainly to be mistakes in the copying into the consultation book. Instead of 828 gallons it was but 252 gallons at 6s 3d per gallon which was the price at that time, amounting to the sum mentioned in the consultation £188 2s 6d The other, 2,572 should have been but 1,572 [...] which at the same price per gallon answers the sum of £491 7s 4½d So there did not appear the least design of fraud, but an error in the copying, which the Council would look better after for the future. The Council was very aware that no inventory of the remaining stores had been taken for many years, but this last year it had ordered one, which was completed and sent by the Carnarvon. Interpretations The enquiry into the storekeeper's accounts shows the Court treating a discrepancy in the books as a possible mark of fraud until explained. The Council's defence, that the figures were copying errors which it demonstrated by reworking the quantities against the known price, was designed to clear the storekeeper of dishonesty while conceding a fault of accuracy, the distinction between error and fraud once again carrying the weight of the answer. The figures stand as the consultation gave them, with the corrected quantities and sums set down at first reading and no attempt to square the arithmetic. The Council offered the reworking only to show that the price per gallon accounted for the recorded totals, the bare numbers entered as they appeared rather than reconciled to a consistent result. The newly ordered inventory addressed a structural weakness behind the errors. Stores had been carried forward for years without any stocktaking, so balances stood unverified and mistakes went undetected, and the inventory completed and sent by the Carnarvon was the remedy by which the Council meant to set an accurate baseline against the inherited disorder of the accounts. | ||
54V | and a Duplicate by the Hartford and it Shall be continued yearly to Explain to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ why the 215 for Soldiers cloaths was charged to Generall Charges they were in the Invoice by the Amelia charged as Soldiers Cloaths though designd for your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Blacks and given them as such the £450 for Beef for the Same reason Beef and Pork are charged to Dyet Expences no Different accᵗ kept then for the Blacks your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Blacks had Seven Casks of Beef & 6 of Pork 1 were Perished and thrown into the Sea which makes up the 27 mentiond in your 37 Parᵃ In our 29 Parᵃ of our Letter of yᵉ 21 Decembᵉʳ 1719 we acquainted your Honᵒᵘʳˢ the allowance of Beef to your Blacks These Blanketts Thicksetts and Stuffs in s mentioned =tioned in the 38 Parᵃ of your Letter were alluded for your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Blacks to Cover themselves when they Sleep and to make cloaths for them The Entrys of the Storekeepers Accounts Shall be accord =ing to the method your Honᵒᵘʳˢ have Prescribd therein and as your Honᵒᵘʳˢ will observe in yᵉ monthly Entrys in the Consultations of novᵉʳ and December above mentiond Since we recᵈ your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Instructions We have Reduced each Article under one of these following heads Vizᵗ Either Generall Charges Dyet Expences | The Council had sent a duplicate by the Hartford, and the inventory would be continued yearly. The Council explained to the Court why the £2 15s 0d for soldiers' clothes was charged to general charges. They stood in the invoice by the Amelia as soldiers' clothes, though designed for the Court's slaves and issued to them as such. The £4 10s 0d for beef was charged for the same reason. Beef and pork were charged to diet expenses, no separate account being kept for the slaves. The Court's slaves had seven casks of beef and six of pork eleven of which were spoiled and thrown into the sea. This made up the eleven mentioned in the Court's 37th paragraph. In the 29th paragraph of the Council's letter of the 21st of December 1719 it had told the Court of the allowance of beef to its slaves. 29: The blankets, thicksets and fustians mentioned in the Court's 38th paragraph were meant for the Court's slaves, to cover themselves when they slept and to make clothes for them. The entries of the storekeeper's accounts would follow the method the Court had prescribed. As the Court would see by the monthly entries in the consultations of November and December mentioned above, the Council, since receiving the Court's instructions, had reduced each article under one of the following heads, namely general charges, diet expenses or fortifications. Interpretations The reclassification of charges shows the Court imposing a uniform accounting structure on a previously loose practice. Items that had been entered under whatever head the invoice supplied were now to be reduced to a fixed set of categories, general charges, diet expenses and fortifications, so the Court could read the island's expenditure under consistent divisions from London. The misdescription of slave clothing and provisions as soldiers' stores exposes how charges had been booked by the wording of the invoice rather than the true use of the goods. Cloth and beef intended for the Court's slaves appeared under headings that obscured their purpose, and the Council's correction tied each charge to its real application, the accuracy of the head mattering for the audit even where the sum was not in dispute. The thicksets and fustians were heavy cotton cloths, the thickset a stout corded fabric and the fustian a coarse hard-wearing weave, both supplied for slave bedding and clothing rather than as ornamental goods. | ||
55R | Fortifications Garrison Plantation or Blacks and charged at yᵉ Same Price as in the monthly accᵒˢ of what is Sold to yᵉ Planters We are Con =cerned our answer of the 29 Decembᵉʳ 1720 to yᵉ 22 23 & 24 of your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Letter pᵉ the Hartford was not Satisfactory The Reasons we therein offered were Really Grounded on the 5 Parᵃ of your Generall Letter by the Princess Amelia Wherein your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Say you will never again rest easy If you have not yᵉ Consultations sent you brought up at least to the month before such Ships Depar ture and good reason given Why If they are not brought up to the Last week We do really think would fully answer your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Intentions and Expedite and give a quicker Dispatch to Business thereby to enable us to be ready with these accountˢ and Consultations at the arrival of every Ship Whereby your Honᵒᵘʳˢ might be acquainted with each months Expence for from your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Stores and Plantations are we Cheifly Supplyd But since your Honᵒᵘʳˢ have Shewn us a Dislike to the Method we therein Proposed We will Endeavour to manifest our Deference to your Comands by a Strict Pursuance of them to yᵉ utmost of our Powers We herewith Send as true a List of the eaters at your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Table as we Can Compute We have Recᵈ the 10 Pipes of Madera Wine | The Council had reduced each article under the heads of fortifications, garrison, plantation or slaves, charged at the same price as in the monthly accounts of what was sold to the planters. The Council was concerned that its answer of the 29th of December 1720, to the 22nd, 23rd and 24th paragraphs of the Court's letter by the Hartford, had not been satisfactory. The reasons it had offered there were really grounded on the 5th paragraph of the Court's general letter by the Princess Amelia. In that paragraph the Court had said it would never again rest easy unless it had the consultations sent up at least to the month before such a ship's departure, with good reason given why they were not brought up to the last week. The Council had really thought this would fully answer the Court's intentions and expedite business. It would give a quicker despatch and enable the Council to be ready with these accounts and consultations at the arrival of every ship, by which the Court might learn each month's expense, since the Court's stores and plantations were chiefly supplied from them. Since the Court had shown a dislike of the method the Council proposed, it would try to show its deference to the Court's commands by a strict pursuit of them to the utmost of its power. The Council now sent as true a list of the eaters at the Court's table as it could compute. 30: The Council had received the 10 pipes of Madeira wine consigned Interpretations The reduction of charges to the heads of fortifications, garrison, plantation and slaves, priced as in the sales to planters, shows the Court imposing a single valuation standard across its internal accounts. By charging goods consumed by the establishment at the same rate they fetched from the planters, the Company could measure the true cost of each branch against a market price, the method removing any concealment in how the island's own consumption was booked. The dispute over the timing of the consultations reveals the Court demanding that its records arrive current with the ships that carried them. The requirement that the minutes be brought up to within a month of a ship's departure, with reasons for any shortfall, ensured the Court read each month's expense without long delay, so the Council's submission marks the Company tightening the currency of its oversight from a distance. The pipe was a large cask used for wine, and the ten pipes of Madeira mark a substantial consignment of the fortified wine shipped to the island from the Atlantic island the Company's vessels passed on the outward voyage. | ||
55V | consigned us by the Ship Drake by our frugal Expence thereof as well as the other Charges of yᵉ Table your Honᵒᵘʳˢ will be Judges of our Oeconomy The Remainder we Shall dispose of at yᵉ Price fixt by yᵉ 34ᵗʰ Parᵃ We ask your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Pardon If in any part of our 25 Parᵃ of our Letter of the 29 of Decembᵉʳ 1720 we have been Defective We Presumed to give yᵉ Honᵒᵘʳˢ our opinions Relating to the Damage and waste your Stores Suffered and from whence it did great ly arise We did acquaint your Honᵒᵘʳˢ therein that we were overstockt with severall Sorts of Comoditi es Some no ways Usefull here and others the Quan tities to large for the Consumption of this Island And that if your Honᵒᵘʳˢ would be pleasd by each Store Ship to answer both the Commodities and Quantities we Indent for of which we would take a Particular care in our Indent with Sub mission to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ We did conceive that by the words Immediately Preceding whatever was not mentiond In our Indents would be always construed to be Useless without troubling your Honᵒᵘʳˢ with the Particulars The quantities of China Ware Expended on this Island we find now is so Small that unless it be bowles and Smeakers no body asks for any So that we have at present more of each sort it will be Expended in five years | The Madeira wine was consigned by the ship Drake. By the Council's frugal use of it, as well as the other charges of the table, the Court would be the judge of its economy. The remainder the Council would dispose of at the price fixed by the Court's 34th paragraph. 31: The Council asked the Court's pardon if in any part of its answer to the 25th paragraph of its letter of the 29th of December 1720 it had been wanting. The Council had ventured to give its opinions on the damage the Court's stores suffered, and where it greatly arose. It had told the Court that the island was overstocked with several sorts of goods, some of no use there, and others in quantities too large for the island's consumption. Were the Court pleased, by each store ship, to answer both the goods and the quantities the Council indented for, the Council would take particular care in its indent. With the Court's leave, it had supposed that, by the words immediately preceding, whatever was not mentioned in its indents would always be understood to be needless, without troubling the Court with the particulars. The quantity of chinaware used at the island the Council now found to be so small that, unless it were bowls and saucers, nobody asked for any. The Council had at present more of each sort than would be used in five years. Interpretations The plea to be supplied strictly by the indent reveals the Council's effort to control a wasteful and ill-matched supply from England. The stores were overstocked with goods of no local use, so the Council asked that each store ship furnish only the kinds and quantities it requested, the indent serving as the instrument by which demand at the island might govern what the Court despatched. The proposal that anything omitted from the indent be treated as unwanted was a device to spare the Court a recital of particulars while still narrowing the supply. The chinaware standing as five years' surplus illustrates the mismatch between what the Court shipped and what the island could absorb. Only bowls and saucers found buyers, yet the stores held a glut of every sort, so the Council pointed to a single overstocked commodity as the concrete proof of the broader argument that goods came out without regard to local demand. The disposal of the Madeira remainder at the Court's fixed price, after frugal use at the table, shows the Council answering a charge of expense with evidence of economy. By stressing sparing consumption and then selling the surplus at the prescribed rate, the Council turned the handling of a consigned luxury into a demonstration of careful management for the Court to weigh. | ||
56R | Thirdly Touching your Servants Civil or Military the Accounts of Sᵗ Helena in Generall and also Concerning your Slaves Cattle Lands and Revenue We are not Sensible wherein the Governᵒʳ hath acted Arbitrarily in putting in or out whom he pleases and we hope our answer to each Parᵃ of yᵒᵘʳ Letter where these Persons are mentioned will Satis fie your Honᵒᵘʳˢ that our Deportment hath not been as it hath been Represented What alterations have been made your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Interest Required and the Persons themselves Occasioned by their own ill Conduct Notwithstanding the Governᵒʳˢ frequent Repetitions of advice admonitions and Reproof to which we have been always privy although no notice hath been taken thereof in Consultation Which all along proceeded from a Tenderness not to Expose them Publickly to yᵒᵘʳ Honᵒᵘʳˢ Cognizance and Displeasure, when we were in hopes to Convince in a Milder way and engage them to a Discharge of their Duties Had they been So Candid in their Complaints to have given you an Impartiall Account of their Beha =viour and our Treatment towards them we are Satisfied your Honᵒᵘʳˢ would not have Blamed But have Justified our Proceedings By our Entrys In our Consultations That yᵉ Govᵒʳ Reported he had | Thirdly, concerning the Court's servants, civil or military, the accounts of St Helena in general, and also the Court's slaves, cattle, lands and revenue. 32: The Council did not see where Governor Johnson had acted arbitrarily in putting in or out whom he pleased. It hoped its answer to each paragraph of the Court's letter where these persons were mentioned would satisfy the Court that the Council's conduct had not been as it had been represented. Whatever changes were made, the Court's interest had required them, and the persons themselves had occasioned them by their own ill conduct. This was so notwithstanding the Governor's frequent and repeated advice, admonitions and reproof, to which the Council had always been privy, though no notice of it had been taken in consultation. This silence had all along proceeded from a tenderness not to expose the men publicly to the Court's notice and displeasure, while the Council still hoped to convince them in a milder way and engage them to a discharge of their duties. Had the complainants been so candid as to give the Court an impartial account of their own behaviour and of the Council's treatment of them, the Council was satisfied the Court would not have blamed it, but would have justified its proceedings. By the Council's entries in its consultations, whatever the Governor reported he had done Interpretations The defence against the charge of arbitrary government rests on the distinction between a power exercised at will and one compelled by cause. The Council answered the accusation that the Governor put men in and out as he pleased by attributing every removal to the Court's interest and the men's own misconduct, so the dismissals were presented as forced rather than chosen, the Court's confidence depending on this separation of necessity from caprice. The deliberate omission of the Governor's warnings from the consultations reveals a tension between mercy and record-keeping. The Council had kept the repeated admonitions out of the formal minutes to spare the men public exposure to the Court's displeasure, hoping to reform them privately, yet this very tenderness left the record bare of the justification it now needed, the unminuted forbearance turning against the administration when the men complained to London. The complaint that the dissatisfied servants gave the Court only a partial account exposes the danger of an unanswered grievance carried home. By reaching the Court without the Council's side, the complainants shaped the Company's view before the administration could reply, which is why the Council pressed that its own dated consultations, fully read, would vindicate proceedings the men had misrepresented. | ||
56V | done so we designed as Introduction Into our Succeeding Consultations What happened betwᵉⁿ Consultations As your Honᵒᵘʳˢ seem to understand it, From hence we shall Learn to acquaint yᵒᵘʳ Honᵒᵘʳˢ in our Consultations of each Circumstance of their =behaviour to prevent the least Censure from yᵒᵘʳ Honᵒᵘʳˢ hereafter Whenever we Shall be forced to Suspend or dismiss according to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Directions in the 36 Parᵃ With Regard to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ 37 Parᵃ Relating to Mʳ Ormston we beleive that most of the Reports your Honᵒᵘʳˢ have had from the severall Persons who have touched here could not give your Honᵒᵘʳˢ any Satisfaction or are to be relyed on for they must Cheifly be grounded on Evidence taken Ex parte as told them by Mʳ Ormston himself without giving themselves the further Trouble of Enquiring on the other Side wherby to be masters of the whole Case of which they have taken upon them to make a Report Had they taken that trouble upon them we Should not have Endeavoured to have Invalidated their Reports nor feared the Impressions they had made on your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Judgments By your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Expressions in the said Parᵃ of Mʳ Ormston hath been badly Treated and very trifling ad vantages taken to quarell with and Suspend him | Whatever the Governor reported he had done, the Council had meant as an introduction into its succeeding consultations of what happened between consultations, and not, as the Court seemed to understand it. From this the Council would learn to record in its consultations each circumstance of the men's behaviour, so as to prevent the least censure from the Court whenever it was forced to suspend or dismiss, in keeping with the Court's directions in its 36th paragraph. 33: As to the Court's 37th paragraph concerning Mr Ormston, the Council believed that most of the reports the Court had from the several persons who touched at the island could give it no satisfaction, nor were they to be relied upon. They must rest chiefly on evidence taken from one side only, as told to those persons by Mr Ormston himself, without their giving themselves the further trouble of enquiring on the other side, by which they might have been masters of the whole case they had taken upon themselves to report. Had they taken that trouble, the Council would not have set out to discredit their reports, nor feared the impression they had made on the Court's judgement. By the Court's own expressions in that paragraph, namely that Mr Ormston had been badly treated, very trifling advantages had been taken to quarrel with him and suspend him Interpretations The objection to the captains' reports rests on a standard of evidence the Council applied to itself and demanded of others. A report grounded on one side of a case, taken from Ormston alone without enquiry on the other, was treated as worthless because untested, the same rule of hearing both parties that governed the island's own courts now turned against the informal testimony carried home by passing commanders. The instruction to record each circumstance of a man's behaviour before suspending him marks a procedural lesson learned from the present dispute. The earlier tenderness that kept warnings out of the minutes had left the administration exposed, so the Council now bound itself to enter the grounds of every dismissal in advance, the consultation built into a defensive record against any future charge of arbitrary dealing. Speculations The Council faced a structural disadvantage that its accusers reached London in person while its own answer travelled only on paper, and its handling of the Ormston reports shows a deliberate strategy to neutralise that imbalance. Rather than dispute each commander's account on its facts, the Council attacked the manner of its gathering, arguing that any report taken ex parte from Ormston and carried home unexamined was inadmissible whatever it contained. By shifting the ground from the content of the reports to the method by which they were formed, the Council sought to discredit a whole class of hostile testimony at once, converting its inability to confront the witnesses into a rule that disqualified them. | ||
57R | Because he Said he would go into the Countrey It was for his neglect of business and Insolent and Disorderly behaviour and not for his saying he would goe into the Countrey as has been falsley Suggested We cannot think your Honᵒᵘʳˢ are fully Apprized of the whole State for by our Consultation of the 24 of may 1720 part of yᵉ 8 & 4ᵗʰ Parᵃˢ of our Lettᵉʳ by the Bovurie and Postscript of that Letter and that part of the Govᵒʳˢ Private Letter to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ attested by us, Alexander and Goodwin Relating to Mʳ Ormston too much to be recited here By all which will appear such a Concatenation of Disorders not to be sufferd in any Community without the total Subversion of Government and therefore we beg your Honᵒᵘʳˢ would order them to be laid before you for your Honᵒᵘʳˢ full Satisfaction in our whole Proceedings towards him In Relation to the Govᵒʳ keeping his wife at yᵉ Fort against his will The frequent Complaints to the Govᵒʳ from her Father her mother her Self and other Relations of his Barbarous treatment of her the Letters he wrote to her and her Father which were produced in Consultation of the 16ᵗʰ of Febᵒ will we hope Jus =sifie her being Continued housekeeper And we think he ought to have been so far from Complain =ing (If he had been the man he would fain by his words have your Honᵒᵘʳˢ beleive him to be) That he should have taken it very kindly that a Method | The suspension of Ormston was for his neglect of business and his insolent and disorderly behaviour, and not, as had been falsely suggested, because he said he would go into the country. The Council could not think the Court fully aware of the whole matter. This would appear from its consultation of the 24th of May 1720, part of the 8th paragraph of its letter by the Bouverie, and the postscript of that letter, together with that part of the Governor's private letter to the Court, attested by Alexander and Goodwin, concerning Mr Ormston, too much to be set out here. By all of these there would appear such a chain of disorders as could not be allowed in any community without the total ruin of government. The Council therefore asked the Court to have these papers laid before it, for its full satisfaction in the whole of the Council's proceedings toward Ormston. The matter of the Governor keeping Ormston's wife at the fort against her will arose from the frequent complaints to the Governor by her father, her mother, herself and other relations, of his cruel treatment of her. The letters he wrote to her and her father were produced in the consultation of the 16th of February. These would, the Council hoped, justify her being kept on as housekeeper. The Council held that Ormston ought to have been so far from complaining, had he been the man he would by his words have the Court believe him to be, that he should have taken it very kindly that a method was Interpretations The defence over the true ground of the suspension turns on separating the real cause from the pretext the man advanced. Ormston was put out for neglect and insolence, not for saying he would go into the country, so the Council took care to fix the actual offence in the record and to expose the milder version as a falsehood, the distinction protecting the administration against the charge that it had seized on a trifle. The sheltering of Ormston's wife at the fort shows the island government extending its authority into a domestic matter through the complaints of her family. By keeping her on as housekeeper in answer to repeated charges of cruel usage, the Governor used a household office as a means of removing her from her husband, the production of his own letters in consultation supplying the documentary ground on which the protection was justified to the Court. Speculations The Council assembled a deliberately layered body of proof against Ormston, drawing on the consultation of 24 May 1720, the Bouverie letter and postscript, the Governor's attested private letter, and the letters produced on 16 February, rather than resting on any single charge. This accumulation answered a specific problem, that the Court had been reached first by Ormston's own one-sided account and by sympathetic captains, and that no one charge would outweigh the impression already made. By referring the Court to a chain of separate documents, each independently recorded and some attested by named councillors, the Council built a case whose weight lay in its convergence, so that the Court would be moved not by a single contested allegation but by the difficulty of explaining away every piece at once. | ||
57V | was foundout whereby she might be Maintᵈ Since he would not, On the Receipt of your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Letter, he was Discharged from the fort and yᵒᵘʳ Honᵒᵘʳˢ Service We were all along assured that He used her very Barbarously although we used all arguments to them both towards a Reconcilia tion between them We cannot think her so much to blame but must now own it was happy for her they lived asunder for by a Complaint made us by Mʳ Smith the Surgeon of the Drake for yᵉ Garison he owed him for Medicines and advice We under stood he was most Terribly Pox t even to a Morti =fication which Shewd it to have been of Some Con tinuance We have frequently when the Doctors Book hath been brought to be Examined in Con sultation Observed the Same Medicines given Mʳ Ormston as to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Blacks in that Condition The Doctors have been asked what Mʳ Ormston ailed the answer were an Ulceration his Kidneys Most of the Doctors in the homeward bound Shipping have been Employed by him and their Prescriptions have been of the Same nature as appears by our Doctors Book we Should not have troubled with this fulsom Story were not we urged to it to convince your Honᵒᵘʳˢ what a vile fellow he is Hes Sallary and Dyet we Deniedᵈ by his being | The Council held that a method was found by which Ormston's wife might be maintained, since he would not maintain her. On the receipt of the Court's letter she was discharged from the fort and the Court's service. The Council had been assured all along that he used her very cruelly, though it had tried every argument toward a reconciliation between them. It could not think her so much to blame, and now had to own it was happy for her that they lived apart. By a complaint made to the Governor by Mr Smith, the surgeon of the Drake, for four guineas Ormston owed him for medicines and advice, the Council understood Ormston was most terribly affected, even to a mortification, which showed it to have been of some continuance. The Council had frequently observed, when the doctor's book was brought to be examined in consultation, the same medicines given to Ormston as to the Court's slaves in that condition. The doctors had been asked what Ormston ailed, and the answer was an ulceration of his kidneys. Most of the doctors in the homeward-bound shipping had been employed by him, and their prescriptions were of the same nature, as appeared by the doctor's book. The Council would not have troubled the Court with this distasteful matter had it not been forced to it, to convince the Court what a vile fellow he was. 34: Ormston's salary and diet were declined to him by his being suspended Interpretations The medical evidence was deployed to convert a private illness into a character attack before the Court. By citing the surgeon's debt, the doctor's book examined in consultation and the comparison of Ormston's treatment with that given to diseased slaves, the Council built a documented account of his condition, the clinical record turned into proof of the kind of man the Court was being asked to judge. The discharge of the wife on receipt of the Court's letter shows the island government deferring to a direct instruction even where it had defended the opposite course. Having kept her at the fort against the husband's wishes and justified the protection at length, the Council removed her the moment the Court directed, the episode marking the limit of local discretion against an express order from London. Speculations The Council marshalled Ormston's medical history with a precision that points to a deliberate evidentiary purpose rather than mere abuse. The surgeon's claim for four guineas dated the onset of his condition, the doctor's book examined in consultation supplied an independent and contemporaneous record, and the employment of most of the homeward commanders' surgeons gave a chain of corroborating prescriptions. This assembly answered the same problem that ran through the whole defence, that Ormston's own account had reached the Court first, by producing physical proof that could not be dismissed as the Council's word against his. The detail that his treatment matched that given to afflicted slaves served less as diagnosis than as a calculated degradation of his standing before the Company. | ||
58R | Suspended to be Referrd to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Direc tions as to our not letting him goe off we thought as we have already acquainted your Honᵒᵘʳˢ in the 4ᵗʰ Parᵃ of our Letter by the Bovurie we had not power though we Should all have been glad to have been Rid of him In Pursuance to your order in the 39 Parᵃ Mʳ Ormston was Restored to his Place of Accomptant and of Councill on the 9ᵗʰ of octobᵉʳ on our Reading your Letter as in our Consultation of that day But so unstable and unfixt is he that on yᵉ 27ᵗʰ of octobᵉʳ He delidᵈ into Consultation a Remonstranc desireing leave to goe off in the Drake Which we granted knowing that wherever he is Instead of furthering he will Embarass your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Affairs On the 2 day of novembᵉʳ Present a letter into Con sultation to Retract his aforementioned desire to goe off which we Debated and we have sent your Honᵒᵘʳˢ the whole affair as in our Consultation Where we Desired Capᵗ Westerbane to be Present and Signd by him We hopet the monthly Accᵒˢ sent home Since the Refitting yᵉ 33 Parᵃ by yᵉ Hartford would have mett with your Honᵒᵘʳˢ approbation we Shall Endeavour Punctually to persue your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Directions in the Remainder of your 39 Paragraph Gunner French was Restored before we Received | Ormston's salary and diet were stopped by his suspension, the matter referred to the Court's directions. As to the Council not letting him go off the island, it had already told the Court in the 4th paragraph of its letter by the Bouverie that it had no power to do so, though it would all have been glad to be rid of him. 35: In keeping with the Court's order in its 39th paragraph, Mr Ormston was restored to his place as accountant and to the Council on the 9th of October, on the Council's reading of the Court's letter, as recorded in its consultation of that day. He was so unstable and unfit that on the 27th of October he laid a remonstrance before the consultation, asking leave to go off in the Drake, which the Council granted, knowing that wherever he was he would embarrass the Court's affairs rather than further them. On the 5th of November he laid a letter before the consultation withdrawing his earlier request to go off. The Council debated this and had sent the Court the whole matter as recorded in its consultation, where it asked Captain Westerbane to be present, the consultation being signed by him. The Council hoped that the monthly accounts sent home since the settling of the 33rd paragraph by the Hartford would meet with the Court's approval, and it would try to follow the Court's directions punctually in the rest of its 39th paragraph. 36: Gunner French had been restored before the Council received the Court's Interpretations The episode shows the Court's authority overriding the Council's judgement on a particular man. Ordered to restore Ormston, the Council reinstated him to office and seat despite its plain wish to be rid of him, the reinstatement marking how an express direction from London bound the administration even against its own assessment of a servant's fitness. The limit on sending Ormston off the island reveals the bounds of the Governor's power over a Company servant. The Council could suspend him and stop his pay, but could not expel him without the Court's leave, so an unwanted officer remained on the island to obstruct its affairs, the gap between local discipline and removal resting with the Company alone. The presence of Captain Westerbane at the consultation, with his signature to it, was a deliberate use of a disinterested witness to authenticate the record. By having an outside commander attest the proceedings over Ormston's shifting requests, the Council secured independent confirmation of a contested matter, the captain's hand guarding the entry against any later charge that it had been shaped after the fact. Speculations Ormston's reversal within nine days, asking on 27 October to leave in the Drake and on 5 November withdrawing the request, gave the Council a piece of self-generated evidence it exploited with care. Rather than simply record the vacillation, the Council referred the whole exchange to the Court and secured Captain Westerbane's signature to the consultation that held it. This answered the recurring difficulty that the Court might still credit Ormston's version, for his own contradictory applications, fixed in a minute attested by an independent commander, demonstrated the instability the Council alleged without depending on its own characterisation. The man's conduct was made to convict him out of the dated record, with an outside witness placed to forestall any claim that the entry was manufactured. | ||
58V | your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Letter upon his promise of more Diligence and Constant Attendance on his duty He acquainted your Honᵒᵘʳˢ but in part he never gave your Honᵒᵘʳˢ to understand how often he had been reproved by the Govᵒʳ for Remissness in his duty and being disorderd by Liquor often he hath sett forth indeed that he went into the Country with the Govᵒʳˢ Leave the Saturday be =fore his Discharge But he doth not take any notice of his going up the fryday Sennight before that and not returning untill the Thursday follow =ing when there were two Ships in the Road for which the Govᵒʳ Reproved him and told him he could not bear it and on Saturday following when he asked leave to go into the Countrey the Governᵒʳ told him he came from thence but on thursday there were Ships in the Road which he had the charge of and if any accident happened your Honᵒᵘʳˢ would lay it to the Govᵒʳˢ Charge therefore he could not give Leave but upon his Importunity the Govᵒʳ gave him leave upon his Promise to be on Sunday but did not till Tuesday or however before he had gone without Leave and Staid nights together without coming to the Garrison Notwith standing Early after the Govᵒʳˢ arrivall the Govᵒʳ Reprimanded him for absenting himself from his Post His answer to yᵉ Govᵒʳ was He used to goe when and where he pleased in all other Governᵒʳˢ times | Gunner French had been restored on his promise of more diligence and constant attendance to his duty. He told the Court of the matter, but only in part. He gave the Court to understand how often he had been reproved by the Governor for neglecting his duty and for being disordered by liquor. He set out indeed that he went into the country with the Governor's leave the Saturday before his discharge. He took no notice of his going up the Friday week before that, and not returning until the Thursday following, when there were two ships in the road, for which the Governor reproved him and told him he could not bear it. The Saturday after, he asked leave to go into the country. The Governor told him he had just come from there, but that on Thursday there had been ships in the road which he had charge of, and that if any accident happened the Court would lay it to the Governor's charge. The Governor therefore could not give leave, but on French's pressing did so on his promise to return on Sunday. He did not return until Tuesday or later, having gone without leave and stayed away for some time together without coming to the garrison. Soon after the Governor's arrival the Governor had reprimanded him for absenting himself from his post. His answer to the Governor was that he used to go when and where he pleased under all other governors. Interpretations The dispute over the gunner's absences turns on the strict liability the charter system placed on the Governor for any mishap to shipping in the road. The Governor refused leave because ships under the gunner's charge lay at anchor, and any accident would be charged to the Governor in London, so the control of a subordinate's movements was bound directly to the Governor's own accountability to the Court. The gunner's defence, that he had always come and gone as he pleased under earlier governors, exposes the friction between an established laxity and a new administration's discipline. His appeal to former practice marks the resistance the Council met in tightening duty at the island, the old freedom of the post set against the present Governor's insistence on attendance. The partial account French carried home illustrates the recurring pattern of a servant reaching the Court with a selective version. By owning the licensed absence while suppressing the unauthorised one that drew the reproof, he shaped the Company's view in his favour, the omission the very fault the Council elsewhere charged against its accusers. | ||
59R | times which was a great Falsity The Govᵒʳ then told him what he had done in other gentlemens times was no guide for him When your Honᵒᵘʳˢ are acquainted with Each Circumstance of the whole proceedings we Perswade ourselves your Honᵒᵘʳˢ will not think any hardship in his case nor th Other Instances of animosity and appearing Par =tiality in the Case of Mʳ Tovey your Honᵒᵘʳˢ mention in your 41 Parᵃ and Blame us for indeed (through Inadvertency) In the Consultations no notice was taken how Govᵒʳ Pyke Discharged himself of that Part of our order That Govᵒʳ Pyke should be acquain ted with Mʳ Toveys accusation and Make out how he bought diet for his Blacks therein we must own ourselves Remiss He shewed his Books wherein appeared severall large quantities of yamms bought for his own use and on his own proper accountand likewise £800 of Rice of Captain Lewis in the King George with which Mʳ Tovey Seemid then Satisfied he was present and Govᵒʳ Pyke answered to every thing Tovey objected against him We are Ignorant of any thing relating to the Peoples being Spirrited up to revive old Complaints nor any use made of it by us as appears by the Govᵒʳˢ answer to them which was that he would take upon himself to Speak with and advise Mʳ Tovey as we formerly acquainted Your Honᵒᵘʳˢ by our | The gunner's claim that he used to go when and where he pleased under all other governors was a great falsehood. The Governor then told him that what he had done in other gentlemen's times was no guide for him. Once the Court was aware of every circumstance of the whole proceedings, the Council was persuaded it would think no hardship had been done in his case. 37: The Court mentioned other instances of animosity and apparent partiality in the case of Mr Tovey in its 41st paragraph, and blamed the Council. Through inadvertence, no notice had been taken in the consultations of how Governor Pyke discharged himself of that part of the Council's order, namely that the Governor should be told of Mr Tovey's accusation and make out how he bought diet for his slaves. In this the Council had to own itself remiss. Pyke showed his books, in which appeared several large quantities of yams bought for his own use and on his own account, and also £800 of rice of Captain Lewis in the King George, with which Mr Tovey then seemed satisfied. He was present, and Governor Pyke answered everything Tovey objected against him. The Council knew nothing of the people being stirred up to revive old complaints, nor of any use made of it by the Council, as appeared by the Governor's answer to them, which was that he would take it upon himself to speak with and advise Mr Tovey, as the Council had earlier told the Court by its letter. Interpretations The vindication of Pyke turned on the production of his own account books as the decisive proof against Tovey's charge. By showing that the yams and the rice were bought on his private account, the former Governor met the accusation that he had fed his slaves at the Company's charge, the written record settling a question of personal honesty that mere assertion could not. The Council's admission that it failed to minute Pyke's answer repeats the structural weakness running through the whole letter. A defence made in fact but left out of the consultations gave the Court no record to rely on, so the omission itself became a fault the Council had to confess, the value of the books diminished by the absence of an entry confirming they had been shown. The reference to the £800 of rice ties the dispute to a specific transaction recoverable from the correspondence. The sum stood as a concrete instance of a purchase made on Pyke's own footing, the figure carried as it appeared and offered as the kind of particular by which the Court could test the charge for itself. | ||
59V | Letter by the King George wherin we set forth his Case at large We thought we had then done our Duty and Shall endeavour to detect any such Practice be it in any Person whatsoever at all which we hope will alleviate Your Censure of us Expressed in the aforementioned Parᵃ of your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Letter We did think the whole State of Mʳ Jones your Chaplains Insolent Behaviour which we trans mitted to you at the End of our Letter by yᵉ King George and the Report of the Commanders present both at church and afterwards would have Jus tified us to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ and not have left room for your Honᵒᵘʳˢ to have been displeased at our Pro =ceedings We think our Selves happy when our Proceedings meet with your Honᵒᵘʳˢ approbation as by your 40 Parᵃ Worralls case did and we beleive were your Honᵒᵘʳˢ truly and fully apprized of Mʳ Frees case we should merit the Same Captain Samˡ Lewis is the person who acquainted the Govᵒʳ with the Report and that Mʳ Powell told him of it Mʳ Powell was Immediately sent for he said Mʳ Joshua Johnson told him he was sent for who said Mʳ Free told he he was sent for he owned then he did not hear the Govᵒʳ Say it but his wife and some women Mʳ Henry Johnson | The Council had set out Tovey's case at large in its letter by the King George. It had thought it had done its duty then, and would try to detect any such practice in any person whatever, which it hoped would soften the Court's censure of it, expressed in the paragraph mentioned of the Court's letter. 38: The Council had thought the whole account of Mr Jones, the Court's chaplain, and his insolent behaviour, which it had sent to the Court at the end of its letter by the King George, together with the report of the commanders present both at church and afterwards, would have justified it to the Court, and not have left room for the Court to be displeased at its proceedings. 39: The Council thought itself happy when its proceedings met with the Court's approval, as by its paragraph Worrall's case did, and it believed it merited the same in the matter of Mr Free's case. Captain Samuel Lewis was the person who told the Governor of the report, and that Mr Powell had told him of it. Powell was immediately sent for. He said that Mr Joshua Johnson told him he was sent for. Johnson said that Mr Free told him he was sent for. Free owned then that he had not heard the Governor say it, but only his wife and some women. Mr Henry Johnson Interpretations The traced chain of report from Lewis to Powell to Joshua Johnson to Free shows the Council running a rumour back to its origin to break it. By following each man's claim to the person who told him, the Governor exposed that the report rested at last not on his own words but on his wife and some women, the method of pursuing a tale to its source serving to discredit a charge built on hearsay. The captain's report, made both at church and afterwards, was offered as the kind of public and witnessed account the Council trusted, in contrast to the private hearsay it was at pains to discredit. A grievance attested by commanders present on the spot carried the weight the Council denied to a report passed privately from mouth to mouth, the distinction between open testimony and whispered rumour governing which it would credit. Speculations The Council reconstructed Free's allegation as a descending chain of attribution, each link naming the man who had told the last, until the trail ended in the Governor's wife and some unnamed women rather than the Governor himself. This was a deliberate evidentiary technique aimed at a defined problem, that a damaging report had gained currency and reached the point of complaint without any verifiable source. By compelling each man in turn to name his informant, the administration converted a free-floating rumour into a sequence that could be tested and shown to rest on no authoritative origin. The exercise destroyed the report not by denying its content but by proving that no one who repeated it had heard the words from the person to whom they were ascribed. | ||
60R | Johnson the Person to whom the Govᵒʳ Spoke at the time when these words were said to be Spoken by the Govᵒʳ and Likewise Mʳ Ormston and Captain Gason who were by the Govᵒʳ when he spoke to John son denyed that any such words were Spoken the Govᵒʳ Rebuked Mʳ Free and bid him take care for the future how he raised any Scandalous Reports all which we beleive Capᵗ Lewis will Testifie being Reminded hereby If your Honᵒᵘʳˢ think proper to Enquire of him and likewise Captain Gaspriht when in England There had been no Tryall had it not been Credited by some people afterwards and they uneasy still as we acquainted your Honᵒᵘʳˢ in our Consultation of that Sessions and your Honᵒᵘʳˢ will perceive by the State of our Proceedings accord ing to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Directions Which we have En deavoured Should answer the method Exactly Pre scribed in your 44 & 45 Parᵃˢ for which we think our Selves extreamly obliged to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ that we may either be publickly Acquitted or Condem ned by a full State on both Sides for we are not Conscious to our Selves We have Imposed any hard ships on any or in any of our Proceedings will not bear the nicest Scrutiny both of Justice your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Interest and Honor Your Honᵒᵘʳˢ have had Trouble enough in every Govᵒʳˢ time to be very Sensible as your Honᵒᵘʳˢ take | Mr Henry Johnson was the person the Governor had spoken to at the time these words were said to have been spoken by him. He, with Mr Ormston and Captain Cason, who were with the Governor when he spoke to Johnson, denied that any such words were used. The Governor rebuked Mr Free and told him to take care in future how he raised any scandalous reports. The Council believed Captain Lewis would testify to all this, being reminded of it, should the Court think proper to enquire of him, and likewise Captain Gosfright, when in England. There would have been no trial had the report not been credited by some people afterwards, who grew uneasy. The Council had told the Court of it in its consultation of that time. The Court would see by the account of its proceedings, conducted according to the Court's directions, that the Council had tried to answer the method set out exactly in the 44th and 45th paragraphs. For this the Council thought itself greatly obliged to the Court, that it might be either publicly acquitted or condemned by a full account on both sides. The Council was not conscious to itself of having imposed any hardship on anyone, nor would any part of its proceedings fail to bear the strictest scrutiny, in point of justice as well as the Court's interest and honour. 40: The Court had had trouble enough in every governor's time to be very well aware, as the Court took notice Interpretations The denial by Henry Johnson, Ormston and Cason together shows the Council answering a hearsay charge with the concurrent testimony of those actually present. Three men who stood by when the words were supposedly spoken contradicted the report, the weight of direct witnesses set against a tale that had spread only at second hand. The Council's wish to be publicly acquitted or condemned on a full account of both sides marks its preferred remedy against grievances carried home piecemeal. By inviting the Court to judge the whole matter with the complainants' case and its own laid side by side, the administration sought a formal vindication on the record, the demand for a hearing of both parties answering the one-sided reports it had spent the letter resisting. The naming of Captain Lewis and Captain Gosfright as men the Court might examine in England shows the Council reaching for witnesses beyond the island to corroborate its account. By pointing to commanders who could be questioned at home, it offered the Court an independent check on its version, the appeal to testimony available in London strengthening a defence that could otherwise only travel on paper. | ||
60V | notice in your 46ᵗʰ Parᵃ that Free hath ever Since he came Especially by his Complaint to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ against Govᵒʳ Pyke about his yamms which are Intirely false that Island ever were and its to be feared ever will be dissatisfied and Litigious Not withstanding an exact Pursuit of your Honᵒᵘʳˢ methods in your 47 Parᵃ which we will when occasion happens Persue Your Hints in your 48 Parᵃ of our Omissions and nonperformance of severall of your Honᵒᵘʳˢ In structions we must Acknowledge but they were undesigned but for the future they Shall be some memorandums and Cautions to prevent the Like We made the best Inquiry we could from all Books But got no better Light into the Ground or Reason for these Matters than the words Expresly mentiond in your Letter Therefore we thought we could not be any thing more Satisfactory to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ concern =ing these Affairs Required of us In answer to your 49 Parᵃ We were in hopes your Honᵒᵘʳˢ would have approved the method we took for the monthly accᵗˢ But for the future they Shall be entred according to your Directions and severallyᵉ duly, Your Honᵒᵘʳˢ observe therein that by the State sent you that yᵉ Peoples Debts are considerably more Increased in 1719 Ending in march 1720 than they | The Court took notice in its 46th paragraph that Free had ever been a troublemaker. He came especially by his complaint to the Court against Governor Pyke about his yams, which was entirely false. That island had ever been, and it was to be feared ever would be, dissatisfied and litigious, notwithstanding an exact pursuit of the Court's methods in its 47th paragraph, which the Council would follow whenever occasion arose. 41: As to the Court's hints in its 48th paragraph of the Council's omission and non-performance of several of the Court's instructions, the Council had to acknowledge them, but they were unintentional. For the future they would serve as memorandums and cautions to prevent the like. The Council had made the best enquiry it could from all the books, but could get no better light into the ground or reason for these matters than the words expressly set out in the Court's letter. It therefore thought it could give nothing more satisfactory to the Court concerning these affairs than the Court required of it. 42: In answer to the Court's 49th paragraph, the Council had hoped the Court would have approved the method it took for the monthly accounts. For the future they would be entered according to the Court's directions, and the Council would carefully observe in them that, as the Court had noticed, the people's debts had considerably increased in the year 1719 ending in March 1720 from what they Interpretations The acknowledgement of omissions as unintentional once more rests the Council's defence on the line between fault of method and fault of will. Failures to perform the Court's instructions were owned but disclaimed as undesigned, and the promise to convert them into standing cautions turned each lapse into a procedural safeguard, the distinction preserving the administration's standing while conceding the error. The treatment of Free as a known and habitual complainant supplied the Council with a ready answer to a particular accusation. By placing his charge against Pyke within a settled character for falsehood and litigation, the Council discredited the report through the man who carried it, the established reputation doing the work of a point-by-point rebuttal. The notice of rising debt in the year to March 1720 ties the monthly accounts to the wider question of the planters' insolvency. The increase, marked by the Court and to be carried forward in the reformed entries, made the books the instrument by which the Company tracked the growing burden of debt the recovery measures were meant to arrest. | ||
61R | were the year before and some that were Credit ors become Large Debtors which Seems to give your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Reason to beleive that yᵉ Peoples Complaints in their Letters to you (That many of the Planters can have no Credit in the Stores but others of them and of the Military and Civill officers and their Dependants have what Credit they Please If they be but in the Governᵒʳˢ favour) were too well grounded ed We desire your Honᵒᵘʳˢ will give us leave to Inform you There were Large Credits given that year we own But they were cheifly owing to yᵉ Backwardness of the Books which were not made up from yᵉ Year 1716 to 1719 The People Ballanced their Accompts for 1717 in Febᵒ 1719/20 and by Consequence we could not exactly know before that time what every one was Indebted or what Credit he had But if your Honᵒᵘʳˢ will pleased to See the Difference of the debts from march yᵉ 25 1720 to march yᵉ 24 1720 your Honᵒᵘʳˢ will find that Sume alated above 2070 odd Pounds to one Person Since we have been in the Governmᵗ hath had any Credit allowed but in Con sultation The truth whereof will appear by the Books of Accompts for the year 1720 Which your Honᵒᵘʳˢ will Receive by this Ship The whole Proceedings in Mʳ Frees case which we herewith Send will demonstrate the Fallacy in each of his allegations for in his answer to that part | The Council noted that the people's debts had grown from the year before, and some who had been creditors had become large debtors. This seemed to give the Court reason to believe the people's complaint in their letters, that many of the planters could get no credit in the stores, while others of them, and the military and civil officers and their dependants, had what credit they pleased. Were this complaint well grounded, except as to the Governor's favour, the Council asked the Court's leave to inform it that large credits were indeed given that year, which the Council owned, but they were chiefly owing to the backwardness of the books, which had not been made up from the year 1716 to 1719. The people balanced their accounts for 1717 in February 1719, so the Council could not exactly know before that time what every one was indebted, or what credit he had. Were the Court pleased to see the difference of the debt from the 25th of March 1720 to the 24th of March 1720, it would find that sum abated above £2,070 0s 0d Not one person, since the present administration came into the government, had been allowed any credit but in consultation, the truth of which would appear by the books of accounts for the year 1720, which the Court would receive by this ship. 43: The whole proceedings in Mr Free's case, which the Council now sent, would show the falsity of each of his allegations. In his answer to that part Interpretations The Council answered the charge of favouritism in store credit by laying the apparent abuse on the disordered state of the books. Credits seemed large because accounts had not been made up from 1716 to 1719, so the true indebtedness of each person could not be known until the 1717 balances were struck in February 1719, the backwardness of the records rather than partiality accounting for what the Court read as preference. The requirement that no credit be allowed except in consultation marks a deliberate institutional check against the very favouritism alleged. By making every grant of credit an act of the whole board, recorded in the minutes, the administration removed the discretion that would let officers and their dependants take what they pleased, the consultation standing as the safeguard whose proof lay in the year's account books. The abatement of debt by above £2,070 measured the recovery against the planters' insolvency in a single figure. The reduction between the stated dates was offered as evidence that the debt-recovery programme was taking effect, the sum carried as it appeared and set against the earlier increase the Court had marked. | ||
61V | about Credit given where he Positively asserted he Says he was mistaken in Particulars but he Beleives the Garrison in generall are very much in Debt which plainly Shews he did neither adhere in his Complaint of us to strict truth nor expect yᵒᵘʳ Honᵒᵘʳˢ would have ordered such a Strict Enquiry to be made into it The Soldiers in generall were not in times past so clear of Debt as at present no Transfers have been made but in Councill as we have ac quainted your Honᵒᵘʳˢ the notice taken in the same Parᵃ of the Entry of them We Judge with Submission Proceeds from your Honᵒᵘʳˢ not being fully informed of the method used and what before was meant by Entring Transfers in Consultation We Beg your Honᵒᵘʳˢ would here permit us to aquaint you therewith The Govᵒʳ always keeps the Transfer Journall and when any Transfers are to be made the Book is Brought into Consultation and the Transfers are allowed by us all whereby the Storekeeper or treasu =rer or any other Person are prevented makeing any Clandestine Transfers Complaind of by your Honᵒᵘʳˢ formerly which was the Reason why such order was made and we have taken such care that we are not apprehensive of one bad debt to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Contracted Since our time We did deem what ever Transfers So Entred were Entred in Consultation though each particular was not Inserted in the Consultation Book But for time to come all Transfers with | In Free's answer to that part about credit given, where he had positively asserted one thing, he now said he was mistaken in particulars, but believed the garrison in general were very much in debt. This plainly showed that in his complaint he held neither to strict truth nor to anything the Court would have ordered such a strict enquiry to be made into. The soldiers in general were not in times past so clear of debt as at present. No transfers had been made but in council, as the Council had told the Court. The notice the Court had taken in its paragraph of the entry of these transfers proceeded, the Council supposed, from the Court not being fully aware of the method used, and of what was formerly meant by entering transfers in consultation. The Council asked the Court's leave to explain it. The Governor always kept the transfer journal. When any transfers were to be made, the book was brought into consultation and the transfers allowed by the Council, by which the storekeeper, the accountant or any other person was prevented from making any secret transfers, of the kind the Court had formerly complained of. This was the reason such an order had been made. The Council had taken such care that it was not apprehensive of one bad debt to the Court since its time. Whatever transfers were entered had been entered in consultation, though each particular was not set down in the consultation book, but for the time to come whatever transfers Interpretations The transfer journal kept by the Governor and brought into consultation was the central control against fraudulent shifting of debt between accounts. By requiring every transfer to be allowed by the whole board, the system blocked the storekeeper, accountant or any other officer from moving credits in secret, the procedure aimed precisely at the clandestine transfers the Court had complained of before. Free's retreat from a positive assertion to a vague belief that the garrison was generally in debt exposed the unreliability of his whole complaint. Having staked a definite charge and then conceded he was mistaken in the particulars, he discredited himself, the collapse of his specifics turning his accusation into the loose and litigious talk the Council attributed to him. The claim of not one bad debt since the present administration tied the procedural reform to a concrete fiscal result. The control of transfers in consultation was offered not as mere form but as the means by which the Council had preserved the Court's credits intact, the absence of any loss standing as the measure of the method's success. | ||
62R | with the Reasons shall be Entred in the Consulta tion Book Since we find it is more Satisfactory to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ We hope your Honᵒᵘʳˢ do not Impute the Loss of the Book of the Workmens accᵗ to any negligence or fraud in us for it was Missing on our Enquiry at our first Entrance upon the Governmᵗ any person may easily Guess the Perplexitys it must occasion us especially at our beginning we cannot be Imagined we are privy to it The only & fairest and best remedy left as we thought to right the People and give Satisfaction to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ was by swearing to the accᵗ they brought being desti tute of any other Check previous to each persons oath The Govᵒʳ Cautiond and acquainted them with the Consequences of a False Oath Relating to what your Honᵒᵘʳˢ are Pleased to men tion in your 51 Parᵃ Other Large Sumes owing to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ They did in a great measure arise from the Same Reason and we have mentiond in our 42 Parᵃ how much each Persons accᵗ is abated your Honᵒᵘʳˢ will soon see by an abstract of all peoples accompts to the 23ᵗʰ of Septᵉʳ last which for your Honᵒᵘʳˢ further Satisfaction we Send in the Pacskett The truth of our Accᵗˢ given your Honᵒᵘʳˢ in our Letter of the 29ᵗʰ of Decembᵉʳ 1720 of our Recovering as we are able the Debts owing to you and our Success therein | Whatever transfers were made, with the reasons, would be entered in the consultation book, since the Council found it more satisfactory to the Court. The Council hoped the Court would not lay the loss of the book of the workmen's accounts to any negligence or fraud on its part, for it was missing at the Council's first enquiry on entering the government. Anyone might easily guess the difficulties this must cause the Council, especially at its start, and it could not be imagined the Council was privy to it. The only, fairest and best remedy left, as the Council thought right, to put the people right and give the Court satisfaction, was to swear them to the accounts they brought, the Council being without any other check, before each person's oath. The Governor cautioned them and told them of the consequences of a false oath. 44: As to the other large sums owing to the Court that the Court mentioned in its 1st paragraph, they arose in great measure from the same reason the Council had given in its paragraph. How much each person's account was abated, the Court would soon see by an abstract of all the people's accounts to the 23rd of September last, which the Council sent in the packet for the Court's further satisfaction. 45: The truth of the Council's accounts, given to the Court in its letter of the 29th of December 1720, of its recovering, as it was able, the debts owing to the Court, and of its success in it Interpretations The recourse to swearing the people to their own accounts was a forced substitute for the missing check the lost workmen's book would have supplied. With no independent record to verify what each man brought, the Governor put the people to oath and warned them of the penalty for false swearing, the solemnity of the oath standing in for the documentary control the Council no longer possessed. The loss of the workmen's account book, found already missing at the administration's entry, was pressed as a fault inherited rather than committed. By dating the disappearance before its own time and disclaiming any knowledge of it, the Council shielded itself from a charge of negligence or fraud, the inherited gap in the records becoming a difficulty to be managed rather than an offence to be answered. The abstract of all the people's accounts to 23 September gave the Court a single consolidated measure of the recovery. By sending the whole body of balances in the packet, the Council let the Company see how far each person's debt had been abated, the comprehensive statement serving as the documentary proof behind its claims of success against the planters' insolvency. | ||
62V | will Evidently appear for now every body make up their accᵒˢ every Quarter your Honᵒᵘʳˢ may expect a continued Perseverance therein from us in such a method as may be most suitable to the people abili ties and your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Interest We have and Shall on ly Supply our Selves as we have occasion with Such things as the People can furnish us with, our Con sultation of the 22ᵈ of August Last will Testifie our Zeal and Care for your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Interest to prevent the Severall Inconveniencey that do attend the fre =quent drawing of Bills on the Storekeeper by Some Persons that are or may be Credited in the Stores to Supply others that Stand Indebted to the Honᵇˡᵉ Company in Large Summs of money whereby the Honᵇˡᵉ Compᵗ are Defrauded and disappointed of their Debts For the money that Should goe to discharge theˢᵉ Honᵇˡᵉ Comptˢ is Converted to pay those Credits Wherefore the Govᵒʳ Proposes That yᵉ Storekeeper Should accept of or answer no Bills drawn upon him before they be first allowed by yᵉ Governᵒʳ By which means the Honᵇˡᵉ Compᵗ may be Sooner paid and that yᵉ day Book after every severall out of Goods be brought to the Govᵒʳ The monday follow ing such Serving Days Which we agreed to We will use our utmost to secure what Credits from the Commanders in return for what yᵉ People dispose of to them though the Instances of late to Evade and Deceive us already mentioned in the 16 Parᵃ of this Letter | The truth of the Council's recovery would now plainly appear, for everybody made up their accounts every quarter. The Court might expect a continued perseverance in this from the Council, in such a method as might be most suitable both to the people's circumstances and the Court's interest. The Council would supply itself, as it had occasion, with such things as the people could furnish. The Council's consultation of the 22nd of August last would show its zeal and care for the Court's interest, in preventing the several inconveniences attending the frequent drawing of bills on the storekeeper by certain persons who were, or might be, credited in the stores, to supply others who stood indebted to the Company in large sums of money. By this the Company was defrauded and disappointed of its debts, for the money that should go to discharge the Company's debt was instead converted to pay these credits. The Governor therefore proposed that the storekeeper should accept or answer no bills drawn upon him before they were first allowed by the Governor. By this means the Company might be sooner paid, and a day book brought to the Governor after every serving out of goods, on the Monday following such serving days, which the Council agreed to. The Council would use its utmost to secure what credits it could from the commanders, in return for what the people disposed of to them, though the people had already tried of late to evade and deceive it, as mentioned in the 16th paragraph of this letter. Interpretations The requirement that the storekeeper answer no bill before the Governor allowed it was a direct block on a specific fraud against the Company's debts. Persons with store credit had been drawing bills to pay indebted others, diverting money that should have discharged debts to the Court, so the Governor's prior approval interposed a check that kept the proceeds flowing to the Company rather than to private settlements. The day book brought to the Governor after each serving out of goods extended that control into a routine of oversight. By requiring a record of every issue to be laid before him on the Monday following, the administration gave itself a regular sight of what passed through the stores, the periodic return turning the storekeeper's dealings into a matter the Governor reviewed in course. The move to quarterly accounting by every person marked a structural reform against the long backwardness of the books. Regular settlement at fixed intervals replaced the years-long gaps that had obscured each man's true debt and credit, the discipline of frequent reckoning meant to keep the recovery visible and the accounts current for the Court. Speculations The Governor's rule that no bill be answered without his prior allowance was a targeted remedy for a particular circular fraud, in which a creditor in the stores drew bills to satisfy a debtor, so that funds owed to the Company were turned to discharge private balances instead. The defined problem was that store credit and bills of exchange, both standing in for scarce coin, could be combined to move value between parties while leaving the Court's own debt unpaid. By inserting his approval before any bill took effect, and reinforcing it with a serving-day book brought to him weekly, the Governor closed the gap at the single point where the diversion occurred, ensuring the Company's claim was satisfied before any credit could be assigned onward. | ||
63R | Letter leave us but little hopes of the Success The Care and Concern we Expressed in the 45 Parᵃ of our Letter Dated the 29 of December and the meth od Pursuant therto we have taken to Recover your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Debts will evidence our Tenderness to the People Rather then a Desire or design to Ruin any and where that would take Place no Rigour hath been used when we have observed People neg to take that care of their Affairs we expected they Should We have Issued warrants of Seizure and taken Possession with no other view Then to Incite to more Industry and to give Publick notice that they were so much Indebted to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ and that your Honᵒᵘʳˢ had thereby Laid in your claim which must be paid before any other Parti cularly John Lacy Samˡ Price Wᵐ Worrall James Veesy and the Widdow Shreve To Satisfy your Honᵒᵘʳˢ how the mistake in Govᵒʳ Pykes and Dᵒ Thomkinsons accompts we have sent Copies of them as they Stand now in your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Books Mʳ Toveys Saying that he desired the Trans ferr Book to See whether Govᵒʳ Pykes accᵗ was true is a most open Falsity for the Govᵒʳ had not taken the Transfer into his Custody untill sometime after the Departure of Govᵒʳ Pyke In our Letter to Govᵒʳ Pyke in the Consultation of the 2ᵈ of novembᵉʳ your Honᵒᵘʳˢ will find Enquiry made after Richard Swallow yᵉ | The 16th paragraph left the Council little hope of success. The care and concern it had expressed in its letter dated the 29th of December, and the method it had taken to recover the Court's debts in keeping with it, would show its tenderness toward the people rather than any desire or design to ruin any. Where that took place, no rigour had been used. When the Council observed people neglecting the care of their own affairs, it expected they should attend to them. Had it issued warrants of seizure and taken possession, it would have been with no other view than to spur them to more industry, and to give public notice that they were so much indebted to the Court, and that the Court had thereby laid in its claim, which must be paid before any other. This applied in particular to John Lacy, Samuel Price, William Worrall, James Veesy and the Widow Shreve. 46: To satisfy the Court how the mistake in Governor Pyke's and Dr Thomlinson's accounts arose, the Council had sent copies of them as they then stood in the Court's books. Mr Tovey's saying that he desired the transfer journal book to see whether Governor Pyke's account was true was a most open falsehood, for the Governor had not taken the transfer journal into his custody until some time after Pyke's departure. In the Council's letter to Governor Pyke, in the consultation of the 5th of November, the Court would find enquiry made after Richard Swallow Interpretations The warrant of seizure emerges as a deliberately restrained instrument, held in reserve rather than enforced. The Council framed any seizure as a means to compel industry and to publish a debtor's liability while securing the Court's prior claim, the threat of taking possession used to register the Company's precedence over other creditors rather than to dispossess the planter. The exposure of Tovey's claim about the transfer journal turned on a question of custody and timing. Pyke had not held the journal until after his own departure, so Tovey's account of consulting it to test Pyke's books could not stand, the chronology of who held the record when used to convict the assertion of falsehood. The naming of particular debtors, Lacy, Price, Worrall, Veesy and the Widow Shreve, fixed the general policy of recovery to identifiable cases the Court could trace. By specifying the persons against whom seizure might have been used, the Council grounded its account of forbearance in concrete instances, the named individuals standing as the test of whether rigour or tenderness had governed its dealings. | ||
63V | Swallows Bond according to yᵉ Govᵒʳˢ Report in Consultation of yᵉ 26 of September We have already in our Letter by yᵉ King George acquainted your Honᵒᵘʳˢ with the Difficulties we mett withall in makeing up Doctor Thomlinsons accompt your Honᵒᵘʳˢ by your 54 Parᵃ of your last charge us with an open Disobedience In answer to which with Submission Those condescentions we made him Proceeded from his great Indisp =osition and weakness that had attended him dur ing the time we made him the allowance of those Servants which made his Case extraordinary and therefore Could not be Intended in your Honᵒᵘʳˢ orders by your Letter of the 22ᵗʰ of Febᵒ appears yet more fully by our Consultation of the 16ᵗʰ of July 1719 where it is mentioned but not to be made a Precedent for the future Pursuant to your orders in the 39 Parᵃ by the Craggs The accompt Mʳ Tovey had orders to Examine yᵉ Books to see what Credits were unsatisfied transferd by him to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ and he acquainted us there was none that he left some hundreds behind him we are assured Those three Debts mentioned are very much Secured Thwaits his debt by his having given Bond with two others is secured The Difference we make between a Bond and a Store book debt is | The Court would find enquiry made after Richard Swallow's bond, in keeping with the Governor's report in the consultation of the 26th of September. 47: The Council had already, in its letter by the King George, told the Court of the difficulties it met with in making up Doctor Thomlinson's account. The Court, in its 54th paragraph of its last letter, charged the Council with open disobedience in the matter. The indulgences the Council allowed Thomlinson arose from the great illness and weakness that had attended him during the time it made him the allowance of those servants. This made his case extraordinary, and so it could not have been intended by the Court's orders in its letter of the 22nd of February, as appeared more fully by the Council's consultation of the 18th of July 1719, where it was mentioned but not to be made a precedent for the future. In keeping with the Court's orders in its 38th paragraph by the Craggs, Mr Tovey had orders to examine the books to see what credits were unsatisfied as transferred by him to the Court. He told the Council there was none, that he left some hundreds behind him. The Council was assured the three debts mentioned were very well secured. Thwaits's debt was secured by his having given bond with two others. The difference the Council made between a bond and a store book debt Interpretations The distinction the Council drew between a bond and a store book debt marks the difference between a secured and an unsecured obligation. A bond, given with sureties as in Thwaits's case, bound named co-signatories to answer for the sum, so the Council treated such debts as well secured, the personal guarantee of others raising the bond above an ordinary entry in the store accounts. The defence over Thomlinson's allowance again rested on the line between a general order and an exceptional case. The indulgence was granted because the chaplain's illness made his circumstances extraordinary, so the Council held it fell outside the Court's standing instruction, the consultation of 18 July 1719 expressly recording that it was not to serve as a precedent. The examination of the books by Tovey to identify unsatisfied transferred credits shows the audit function turned to verifying the integrity of the accounts at a servant's departure. By checking what credits stood unsatisfied, the Council sought confirmation that no debt had been left concealed or unaccounted, the review of the transfers serving as a closing check on the state in which an officer left the Company's books. | ||
64R | The Bond is with Interest and generally some other Security than their own what we have now said we hope will Palliate your Honors Displeasure We have already acquainted your Honᵒᵘʳˢ that we are not doubtfull of any bad debt your Honᵒᵘʳˢ will Sustain Contracted Since our time But how ever Since it is your Honᵒᵘʳˢ pleasure in your 55 Parᵃ we will put a Stop to Transfers and none Shall be made but such as are Directed by your 56 and in the Same method therein Pointed out for us We will follow Your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Instructions in Circulat ing your Bank Bills we have already acquaintᵈ the people that it is your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Orders and that if they have occasion for a Small Parcell of money at any time If they bring these bills They Shall have money for them and for any Summ your Honᵒᵘʳˢ have given us power to give them Bills on your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Payable in England or Credit in our Books as to the parcell of Fannams and Spanish Ryalls your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Mention we can give no Account what is become of them for we have not seen any Since we have been in the Government We Reckon Governᵒʳ Pyke took them with him for Credit due to him Relateing to our giving People Bills instead of Sve it Your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Instructions in yᵉ Remainder and in Your | A bond carried interest and generally some security beyond the debtor's own. What the Council had now said, it hoped, would soften the Court's displeasure. 48: The Council had already told the Court that it did not doubt of any bad debt the Court would sustain contracted since its time. However, since it was the Court's pleasure in its 55th paragraph, the Council would put a stop to transfers, and none would be made but such as were directed by the Court's 56th, and in the same method set out there for the Council. 49: The Council would follow the Court's instructions in circulating its bank bills. It had already told the people that it was the Court's order, and that if they had occasion for a small parcel of money at any time, on bringing these bills they would have money for them. For any sum, the Court had given the Council power to give the people bills on the Court payable in England, or credit in the Council's books. As to the parcel of fanams and Spanish royals the Court mentioned, the Council could give no account of what had become of them, for it had not seen any since it came into the government. The Council reckoned Governor Pyke took them with him for credit due to him. As to the Council giving the people bills instead of currency, the Court's instructions in its remainder, and in Interpretations The circulation of the bank bills was the Court's chosen instrument for supplying a medium of exchange on a coinless island. By undertaking that anyone bringing the bills could obtain money for them, or a bill on the Court payable in England or credit in the books, the administration gave the paper a guaranteed convertibility, the Company's promise to redeem standing in for the scarce coin the island could not retain. The fanams and Spanish royals were the small silver and reckoning coins of the eastern and Atlantic trade, and the Council's inability to account for them since taking office, with the supposition that Pyke carried them off against credit due to him, shows how readily coin left the island in a departing officer's hands rather than staying in local circulation. The submission over transfers marks the Court closing off the Council's discretion despite the Council's confidence that no bad debt had arisen. Ordered to stop transfers except as directed, the administration deferred to the express instruction, the Company's general rule overriding the local judgement even where the Council professed the existing practice had cost it nothing. | ||
64V | Your 58ᵗʰ Shall be our guide The monthly Entrys of the Storekeeper Steward and Plantation in Consultation which Regard yᵉ Ex pences of the Fort Since the Receipt of your last Lettᵉʳ and Likewise the List of the eaters at your Table we hope answer your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Intentions Signified in your 50ᵗʰ Paragraph As to the Blacks Cloathing we have Cloathed them altogether and then we found some naked we others had half wore theirs So that now we make up a parcell together of severall Sizes and Sorts taken by us and as we see occasion distribute them So that we cannot set down the names of the persons before they are delivered When the next are taken out of the Stores an Account Shall be kept of every Species of Goods and how many Suits for men or women or Children they will make and the names to whom when delivered whereby your Honᵒᵘʳˢ will easily See the Expence It would be pleasure to us to give your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Satis factory answers to every thing Committed to our charge and a Peculiar one in Relation to your Slaves to us who are daily amongst them In our 27 of our Letter dated the 21ᵗʰ of Decembᵉʳ 1719 we acquaintᵈ you their abilities did not answer their Number | The Court's 58th paragraph would be the Council's guide. 50: The monthly entries of the storekeeper, steward and plantation in consultation, which concerned the expenses of the fort since the receipt of the Court's last letter, and likewise the list of the eaters at the Court's table, would, the Council hoped, answer the Court's intentions set out in its 30th paragraph. 51: As to the slaves' clothing, the Council had clothed them all together. When it found some naked while others had half worn out theirs, it took a parcel together of several sizes and sorts, and distributed them as it saw occasion, so that it could not set down the names of the persons before the clothes were delivered. When the next were taken out of the stores, an account would be kept of every kind of goods, how many suits for men, women or children they would make, and the names of those to whom they were delivered, by which the Court would easily see the expense. 52: It would be a pleasure to the Council to give the Court satisfactory answers to everything committed to its charge, and a particular one concerning the Court's servants who were daily among them. In its 27th paragraph of its letter dated the 24th of December 1719 the Council had told the Court their abilities did not answer their number. Interpretations The new method of recording slave clothing by kind, quantity and recipient was a system designed to make the expense visible to the Court from a distance. The former practice of issuing a mixed parcel as need arose left no trace of who received what, so the reform required each issue to be booked by the goods consumed and the persons clothed, the account turning a charge that had been opaque into one the Company could read and check. The monthly entries of the storekeeper, steward and plantation gathered the principal branches of fort expenditure into the consultation record. By bringing each office's monthly costs before the board, the administration assembled the running account of the establishment's expense, the consolidated entry serving as the Court's regular measure of what the fort consumed. The clothing of all the slaves at once, prompted by finding some naked while others had worn out theirs, points to a practical irregularity in supply the Council sought to regularise. The uneven state of the slaves' clothing reflected an issue made without system, and the move to a recorded distribution by size and sort was the means of bringing order to a provision that had been managed by occasion rather than by account. | ||
65R | For the Reason therin mentioned in our 29ᵗʰ of the same Letter We acquainted you with our care and Provision for them In our 27 of the 29ᵗʰ of 3 62ᵈ 1720 With the Particular Care of the Govᵒʳ in frequent ly Visiting the Blackhouses and attending them their Distemper very much hinders their Service all that we can say to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ is to promise a Per severance of our Care to Render them the most usefull which the want of a good Surgeon Retards very much and therefore we earnestly Recommend that to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Assistance in We have offered severall of the Small Children to put them to the Planters for a term of years for their Victualls and Cloathing But since the number of Blacks are Encreased that they have not that want as formerly The Widdow Tovey has one Girl about 8 years old She has been almost two of the Seven The Entry in Consultation of what Blacks dye and are Born Shall be duly made for the future Since the Receipt of your Letter it has been done as appears by Consultation of the 22 of novembᵉʳ and 5ᵗʰ of December In Recovering your Debts we Shall always Consult your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Interest most | For the reason mentioned in its 29th paragraph of the same letter, the Council had told the Court of its care and provision for the slaves in its 27th paragraph of the letter of the 24th of December 1720. The Governor took particular care in frequently visiting the slave houses and attending them. Their disease very much hindered their service. All the Council could say was to promise a perseverance in its care to make them as useful as it could. The want of a good surgeon hindered this very much, and so the Council earnestly recommended that matter to the Court's assistance. 53: The Council had offered several of the small children to the planters for a term of years, for their food and clothing. Since the number of slaves had increased, the planters did not have the want of them they formerly had. The Widow Tovey had one girl about eight years old. She had taken almost two of the seven. 54: The entry in consultation of what slaves died and were born would be duly made for the future. Since the receipt of the Court's letter it had been done, as appeared by the consultation of the 22nd of November and the 5th of December. 55: In recovering the Court's debts, the Council would always consult the Court's interest most. Interpretations The binding out of slave children to planters for a term in return for food and clothing was a means of offloading the cost of maintaining the young who could not yet labour. The arrangement transferred the charge of keeping a child to the planter who took it, the term of years exchanging present maintenance for future service, though the rising number of slaves had reduced the planters' demand for such children. The registration of slave births and deaths in consultation gave the Court a continuous demographic record of its labour force. By entering each birth and death in the minutes, the administration let the Company track the natural increase and loss of its slaves from London, the record forming the basis on which the worth and replacement of the establishment could be judged. The repeated plea for a surgeon ties the slaves' disease directly to the Court's interest in their labour. The illness that kept the slaves from service was presented as a loss the Court alone could remedy by sending a capable surgeon, the Governor's personal attendance at the slave houses set against the want of skilled medical care the administration could not itself supply. | ||
65V | We can add no more about Transfers which yᵒᵘʳ Honᵒᵘʳˢ mention in your 60 Parᵃ than to promise a Strict Performance of your Instructions in Every Parᵃ The Govᵒʳ In Pursuance of your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Orders in your 66 Parᵃ has disposed of his Blacks as to Prevent any the Least Suspicion of Loading your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Instructions Sent them of by the Drake to be disposed of by the Captain abroad his two Couches are Delivered to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Since your Honᵒᵘʳˢ are Pleased Slightly to pass over the Complaint against the Govᵒʳ in your 67 Parᵃ That the Governᵒʳˢ good usage of yᵉ Blacks it feared will Cause an Insurrection we Shall be the Same with this observation that the Same ill nature and wrong Construction will appear in each of their Complaints Captain Alexander and Captain Goodwin to yᵒᵘʳ Honᵒᵘʳˢ 68 Say that altho they might know your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Instructions were to train up all your Blacks to Such Business as they were most Capable of yet they had no Part of the Executive Power before they were admitted into Councill and that they will readily Joyn in what may be most Conducive to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Interest for the time being An | 56: The Council could add no more about transfers, which the Court mentioned in its paragraph, than to promise a strict performance of the Court's instructions in every paragraph. 57: The Governor, in keeping with the Court's orders in its 66th paragraph, had disposed of his slaves to prevent the least suspicion of [...]. The Court's instructions sent to the Council by the Drake would be disposed of by the captain abroad, his two receipts being delivered to the Court. 58: Since the Court was pleased to pass lightly over the complaint against the Governor in its 67th paragraph, namely that the Governor's good usage of the slaves was feared would cause an insurrection, the Council would do the same with this observation, that the same ill nature and wrong construction would appear in each of their complaints. 59: Captain Alexander and Captain Goodwin told the Court, in its 68th paragraph, that although they might know the Court's instructions were to train up all the Court's slaves to such business as they were most capable of, yet they had no part of the executive power before they were admitted into council. They would readily join in whatever might be most conducive to the Court's interest for the time being. Interpretations The Governor's disposal of his own slaves answered a charge that touched the integrity of his office. By parting with his personal slaves in obedience to the Court's order, he removed any ground for suspecting that he mingled private holdings with the Company's, the act designed to clear him of the appearance of using his position for his own profit in slaves. The complaint that the Governor's good treatment of the slaves risked an insurrection reveals the hostile construction placed on his conduct by his accusers. The Council read the charge as an example of the same ill will running through every complaint, a humane handling of the slaves turned into an allegation of danger, so the administration met it by exposing the malice rather than answering the substance. The distinction the two councillors drew between holding the executive power and merely knowing the Court's instructions marks a defence resting on the limits of office. Alexander and Goodwin disclaimed responsibility for matters arising before they sat in council, the boundary of their authority used to separate them from conduct for which they could not answer, while professing readiness to serve the Court's interest thereafter. | ||
66R | An Account of Custom Shall be sent yearly We have Examined and Certified Capᵗ Gasons ac compt there hath been no Credits Transferd to his accompt Since march 1719 as Appears likewise by Consultation of the 10 of october The Sum he Desires to be lodged at usual Interest in your Honᵒᵘʳˢ hands is Eight hundred and Seventy five Pounds We have Communicated your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Generous offᵉʳ ers to the rest in the Same kind and we will take care that their Credits arise according to your directions in your 71 Parᵃ Lists of Families their Land Free or Hired Blacks Cattle Also of your own Blacks Cattle and Revenue Shall continue to be sent yearly with an addition of the quantities of acres in every Plantation in your Honᵒᵘʳˢ hands and what Blacks are upon them for your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Satisfaction as ordered in your 72 Parᵃ In the monthly Entrys of Mʳ Byfields accompts we are Sensible of no other Error then the Omission of the Asses Horses and Peacocks mentioned in the former account which Shall be recited for the future or any thing else we find amiss, In the month of yᵉ 6ᵗʰ 1720 The day of drawing yᵉ Gates proved very Rainy All | 60: An account of custom would be sent yearly. 61: The Council had examined and certified Captain Cason's account. No credits had been transferred to his account since March 1719, as also appeared by the consultation of the 10th of October. The sum he desired to be lodged at the usual interest in the Court's hands was £875 0s 0d 62: The Council had communicated the Court's generous offers to the rest in the same kind, and would take care that their credits arose according to the Court's directions in its 71st paragraph. 63: Lists of families, their land, free or hired slaves and cattle, and also of the Court's own slaves, cattle and revenue, would continue to be sent yearly, with an addition of the quantity of acres in every plantation in the Court's hands, and what slaves were upon them, for the Court's satisfaction, as ordered in its 7th paragraph. 64: In the monthly entries of Mr Byfield's account, the Council was aware of no other error than the omission of the asses, horses and peacocks mentioned in the former account, which would be rectified for the future, or anything else it found amiss. In the month of [...] 1720 the day of drawing the gates proved very rainy Interpretations The lodging of Captain Cason's £875 at interest in the Court's hands shows the Company functioning as a place of deposit for a servant's savings. With no secure means of investment on the island, the officer's accumulated money was held in London at the Company's common rate, the arrangement turning idle coin into an interest-bearing claim and serving the man as a private provision against his later years. The yearly lists of families, their land, slaves and cattle, set beside the Court's own holdings, gave the Company a complete survey of the island's resources and population. By requiring the acreage of every plantation and the slaves upon it, the Court built a standing register of who held what, the comprehensive return forming the basis for its oversight of land, labour and the militia obligation alike. The correction of Byfield's account for the omitted asses, horses and peacocks illustrates the exacting completeness the Court demanded of its inventories. Even livestock of small account had to appear in the record, so the gap was owned and the items promised for future entry, the precision of the account mattering for the audit regardless of the value of the beasts left out. | ||
66V | All the Goates could not be brought into yᵉ Pound So he Charged no more then were brought If your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Please to look into the Accᵗ of the 28 of Aug at a Survey of the Gentlemen of the Councill and compare that with the Accᵗˢ taken the 4ᵗʰ of octobᵉʳ at Mʳ Byfields Entrance allowing the Expence of each month and what Sold to Shipping your Honᵒᵘʳˢ will find it answers very well the Encrease A yearly Collection of his monthly Accᵗ given in Consultations Shall be Transmitted He Promises an exact complyance with all othᵉʳ your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Comᵈˢ Regarding what is under his Care Expressed in your 75 Parᵃ Captain Alexander and Goodwin Return your Honᵒᵘʳˢ thanks for your Permit to keep their Planta tions and Promise the looking after them Shall never make them Postpone your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Affairs Mʳ Ormstons not Signing each Consultation in yᵉ Book was his own Carelesness But the Copies sent your Honᵒᵘʳˢ where his name is Subscribed was his own hand writing The Backwardness of all Affairs yᵉ Beginning prevented our being so exact as at Present For now our Consultations are brought up to the week and Shall be kept so Pursuant to your 75 Paragraph Fourthly | All the goats could not be brought into the pound, so the Council charged no more than were brought. Were the Court pleased to look into the account of the 28th of August, at a survey by the gentlemen of the Council, and compare it with the account taken on the 4th of October at Mr Byfield's entrance, allowing the expense of each month and what was sold to shipping, it would find it answered very well the increase. A yearly collection of his monthly accounts, given in consultation, would be sent. He promised an exact compliance with all the Court's other directions concerning what was under his care, set out in its 75th paragraph. 65: Captain Alexander and Goodwin returned the Court their thanks for its leave to keep their plantations, and promised that the care of them would never make them neglect the Court's affairs. 66: Mr Ormston's not signing each consultation in the book was his own carelessness. But the copies sent to the Court, where his name was subscribed, were in his own handwriting. The backwardness of all things at the Council's start prevented its being so exact as at present, for now its consultations were brought up to the week, and would be kept so, in keeping with the Court's 75th paragraph. Fourthly, Interpretations The reconciliation of the August survey against the October account at Byfield's entrance shows the Council using two independent stock counts to verify the increase of the herd. By setting one count against the other and allowing for monthly consumption and sales to shipping, the administration demonstrated that the figures answered, the cross-check between dated surveys serving as proof that the record of the cattle was sound. The councillors' thanks for leave to keep their plantations, with the promise that private holdings would not displace public duty, marks the tension between officers' personal estates and their service to the Court. The Company permitted the councillors to retain their land but exacted an undertaking that it would not draw them from its affairs, the concession balanced against the obligation of attendance. The defence over Ormston's unsigned consultations again rests on the inherited disorder of the records and the distinction between form and substance. His failure to sign each minute was owned as carelessness, but the authenticated copies sent to the Court carried his own hand, so the lapse was presented as a defect of bookkeeping since remedied by bringing the consultations up to the week, the currency of the record restored. | ||
67R | Fourthly Touching our Fortifications Buildings and Garrison By the next Ship if she comes not too quick your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Shall have a Particular accᵗ of all our Buildings according to your Directions in yᵉ 76 Parᵃ which we promise our Selves will be Satis factory to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ The Storehouses behind the Castle are finished and made use of and are beyond any Contradictⁿ the most convenient that could be Proposed and will answer every end we Proposed to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ for Building them Mʳ Thomlinsons house remains as it was When we took the Stores out of the old House we found it so bad it Surprized us how it Stood there was hardly one Stick which would hold a nail Driving we have been forced to pull it down and in that Place are Building four Small Houses for the Gentlemen of the Councill Thomlinsons House we propose to divide into two appartments one for the Gunner and his family the other into a Smaller, for the writers in your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Service to which Purpose We think it would be more Proper then what was at first designd, for two of the gentle men of the Councill we Shall on every occasion act for your Honᵒᵘʳˢ as for our Selves which we offer in to the 77ᵗʰ & 78ᵗʰ Parᵃˢ of your Honᵒᵘʳˢ | Fourthly, concerning the fortifications, buildings and garrison. 67: By the next ship, if she did not come too soon, the Court would have a particular account of all the Council's buildings, in keeping with its directions in its 76th paragraph, which the Council was confident would be satisfactory to the Court. 68: The storehouses behind the castle were finished and in use, and were beyond any contradiction the most convenient that could be proposed. They would answer every end the Council proposed to the Court for building them. Mr Thomlinson's house remained as it was. When the Council took the stores out of the old house, it found it so bad that it was surprised how it stood, there being hardly one stick that would hold a nail driving. The Council had been forced to pull it down, and in its place was building four small houses for the gentlemen of the council. Thomlinson's house the Council proposed to divide into two apartments, one for the gunner and his family, the other, a smaller one, for the writers in the Court's service. For this purpose the Council thought it more proper than what was at first designed, namely lodging for two of the gentlemen of the council. The Council would on every occasion act for the Court as for itself, which it offered in answer to the 77th and 78th paragraphs of the Court's letter. Interpretations The new storehouses behind the castle answered both convenience and the security of the Court's goods. Built close under the castle and judged the most convenient that could be proposed, they replaced an old house found so decayed it would barely hold a nail, the rebuilding consolidating the stores in a sound and defensible position the administration had pressed as essential. The reallocation of housing shows the administration ordering accommodation by the practical needs of the establishment rather than the original plan. Thomlinson's house was to be divided for the gunner's family and the writers, and four small houses raised for the councillors, the arrangement set against the earlier design as a better fit for who actually had to be lodged near the fort. The condition of the old store house, so far gone that its survival surprised the Council, marks the inherited dilapidation the administration faced in the Court's buildings. The decay justified the cost of pulling it down and rebuilding, the state of the structure offered as the ground on which the expense of the new works was warranted to the Company. | ||
67V | As to the firing of Guns we were not apprehen sive we Should have Incurrd your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Dis pleasure therein for what we did we thought was a Civill Respect and to answer as we were Saluted it is very Seldom we go on board any Ship as to the firing yᵉ Great Guns we have cheifly taken the opportunity of Scaling them on Pub lick days which Perhaps may be yᵉ occasion of complaint We will for the future be as Frugal as is according to your orders and Consistent with your Honour Fifthly Touching the Civill Government of the Island or the Production Thereof and what concerns any of the Inhabitants We flatter our Selves that when your Honᵒᵘʳˢ have read through this letter you will not think we have been so guilty as has been Represented to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ and that which has been ad vanced to proceed from the Gratifying unjusti fiable Passions or Private Piques Resentments You will Judge Reasonable for the Support of yᵉ Honᵒᵘʳˢ Interest and Government for the Rules yᵒᵘʳ Honᵒᵘʳˢ Prescribed in the 80 Parᵃ to Do as we ought be done unto to the best of our Judgment has been our guide but we cannot Suppose your Honᵒᵘʳˢ would Suffer authority to be Contemned and Insulted In | 69: As to the firing of guns, the Council had not been apprehensive that it would incur the Court's displeasure in the matter. What it did, it thought was a civil mark of respect, and an answer when it was itself saluted. The Council very seldom went aboard any ship. As to the firing of the great guns, it had chiefly taken the chance to scale them on public days, which perhaps might have been the occasion of complaint. For the future the Council would be as frugal in it as it could, in keeping with the Court's orders and consistent with the Court's honour. Fifthly, concerning the civil government of the island, its produce, and what concerned any of the inhabitants. 70: The Council was confident that when the Court had read through this letter, it would not think the Council had been so guilty as had been represented to it. That which had been alleged to proceed from the gratifying of unjustifiable passions on private pique or resentment, the Court would judge reasonable for the support of its interest and government. As to the rule the Court set out in its 80th paragraph, to do as the Council would be done by, this had been its guide to the best of its judgement. But the Council could not suppose the Court would suffer its authority to be despised and insulted. Interpretations The scaling of the great guns on public days reveals a practical economy behind a practice the Court read as wasteful. Scaling cleared the bore of rust and fouling, so the Council combined this necessary maintenance with the firing on public occasions, the explanation answering the charge of needless expenditure of powder by tying the discharge to the upkeep of the ordnance. The firing of guns in salute is presented as a matter of civility governed by reciprocity. The Council fired chiefly in answer to being saluted, treating the exchange as a courtesy due to calling ships, the defence framing the powder spent as the cost of the honour expected at the island rather than any extravagance. The Council's answer to the precept of doing as it would be done by joins Christian moderation to the maintenance of authority. While professing the rule as its guide, the administration set against it the limit that the Court would not have its government despised, the tension between forbearance and the assertion of authority running through its whole defence of its dealings with the inhabitants. | ||
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68R | In the Beginning of this Letter we have ac quainted Your Honᵒᵘʳˢ with our answer to the Parᵃ about fencing Lands and we will do our utmost to forward it We shall not Refuse the Letting of Lands to any Person whenever we think it for their advantage or Your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Interest In the 42 of our Letter dated the 29 of Decembᵉʳ 1720 We acquainted you the Land calld Perkins Plantation which your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Hired for a Term of years which Expired the July follow ing the Date of that Letter was of very great Service Since which we have understood that Mʳˢ Bazett had a Letter of attorney from Perkins to dispose thereof We have treated with Mʳˢ Bazett and Hired as will appear by severall Consultations the 20ᵗʰ of august the 5ᵗʰ of Septᵉʳ 19 Dᵒ yᵉ 26 Ditto yᵉ 3 of octobᵉʳ yᵉ 17 Ditto all which we Beg your Honᵒᵘʳˢ would order to be Laid before You Upon Examination of the Books about Beals accᵗˢ we find he hath had Credit for the 2 yᵉ pᵈ days and is very well Satisfyed now he hath heard your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Pierᵃ Read to him He hath Promised to pay great Part of his debt by march next He is a very Responsible Man We hope this Letter will meet a kind Reception from | 71: At the start of this letter the Council had given the Court its answer to the paragraph about fencing lands, and it would do its utmost to forward the matter. 72: The Council would not refuse the letting of lands to any person whatever, where it thought it for their advantage or the Court's interest. In the 42nd paragraph of its letter dated the 29th of December 1720 it had told the Court of the land called Perkins' Plantation, which the Court had hired for a term of years. This term expired the July following the date of that letter, and had been of very great service. Since then the Council understood that Mr Bazett had a letter of attorney from Perkins to dispose of it. The Council had treated with Mr Bazett and hired it, as would appear by several consultations, namely the 20th of August, the 5th of September 1719, the 2nd ditto, the 3rd of October and the 7th ditto, all of which the Council asked the Court to have laid before it. 73: On examination of the books concerning Beal's account, the Council found he had had credit for the 2s per day and he was very well satisfied now he had heard the Court's paragraph read to him. He had promised to pay great part of his debt by March next. He was a very responsible man. 74: The Council hoped this letter would meet a kind reception Interpretations The letter of attorney from Perkins to Bazett was the legal instrument by which an absent landholder authorised another to deal in his property. By empowering Bazett to dispose of Perkins' Plantation, the document let the Council renew its hire of land whose owner was not present, the power of attorney standing as the authority on which the new agreement rested. The hire of Perkins' Plantation by the Court shows the administration leasing private land to serve the Company's needs rather than relying only on its own holdings. The land had proved of great service during the earlier term, so the Council secured it again through the attorney, the transaction recorded across several consultations as the documentary proof of a properly concluded lease. The resolution of Beal's account on his hearing the Court's own paragraph read marks the persuasive use of the Company's direct words to settle a debtor. Once the Court's instruction was read to him, Beal acknowledged the credit and undertook payment, the authority of the Court's text applied to bring a responsible man to terms without compulsion. | ||
68V | From your Honᵒᵘʳˢ for we used the utmost Cau tion to the best of our Judgments to follow each Instruction in answer to the severall Parᵃˢ of your Letter by the Drake with all exactness Possible Mʳ Benjamin Hawkes we have appointed Capᵗ of the Councill as in Consultation of the 17 of octᵉʳ His diligence and good behaviour hitherto gives us hopes that his Continuance therein will oblige us to Recommend him to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ for an En crease of his Sallary as an Encouragement to his Industry John George according to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ orders in Parᵃ 86 has Liberty to go for England We have sent to the West Coast in the Ship Drake Ten Male and Ten Female Black Slaves they are neither Children nor Decrepid we could have Spared more but yᵉ Captain could not Convenient take them their names and ages is in a Listing Pacskett Mʳ Edwᵒ Byfield & Mʳ Powell having Creditt due to them in your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Books of accᵗ here they have desired Bills of Exchange on your Honᵒᵘʳˢ for the following Summes Vizᵗ To | The Council hoped this letter would meet a kind reception from the Court, for it had used the utmost care, to the best of its judgement, to follow each instruction in answer to the several paragraphs of the Court's letter by the Drake, with all the exactness possible. 75: The Council had appointed Mr Benjamin Hawkes clerk of the council, as in the consultation of the 17th of October. His diligence and good behaviour so far gave it hope that his continuance in it would oblige it to recommend him to the Court for an increase of his salary, as an encouragement to his industry. 76: John George, in keeping with the Court's orders in its 86th paragraph, had leave to go for England. 77: The Council had sent to the West Coast in the ship Drake 10 male and 10 female slaves These being neither children nor decrepit, the Council could have spared more, but the captain could not conveniently take them. Their names and ages were in a list in the packet. 78: Mr Edward Byfield and Mr Powell, having credit due to them in the Court's books at the island, had asked for bills of exchange on the Court for the following sums, namely To Interpretations The despatch of twenty able slaves to the West Coast shows the island serving as a point of redistribution for the Company's labour across its eastern settlements. The Council selected slaves who were neither children nor infirm, so the consignment to Bencoolen sent on fit hands the captain's ship could carry, the island's surplus of sound labour answering a want elsewhere in the Company's establishments. The conditional recommendation of Hawkes for a salary increase ties reward to demonstrated service. The clerk's diligence was made the ground on which the Council would press the Court for better pay, the increase held out as an encouragement contingent on his continued good conduct, the administration using the prospect of advancement to secure faithful attendance. The bills of exchange to Byfield and Powell again convert credit standing in the Court's books into remittances payable in England. With no coin to discharge what was owed at the island, the creditors took bills on the Court, the instrument moving their balances home through the Company's London account in the manner that served all such payments on a cashless island. | ||
69R | To Mʳ Edward Byfeld (or order) three Bills for the Sume of £60 Sterling payable Thirty days after Sight and Dated yᵉ 2 of January 1721 and To Mʳ Gabᵉˡ Powell (or order) Three Bills for the Sume of £131 Payable as aforesaid and Dated the 4ᵗʰ Janᵒ 1721 We are Honᵈ Sʳˢ Union Castle Sᵗ Helena Your Honᵒᵘʳˢ most Humble & Janᵒʳʸ 5ᵗʰ 1721 faithfull Servants Edward Johnson Edward Byfeld John Alexander John Goodwin A list of the Pacskett by the Ship Sunderland Captᵗ William Hutchinson Commander Govᵒʳ and Councells Generall Lettʳ dated yᵉ 5 of Janᵒ 1721 sent a Part Duplicate of Generall Lettʳ pᵉ Hart for both yᵉ 10 aug 1721 Duplicate of Consultatⁿˢ from yᵉ 6 of June 1721 to yᵉ 8 of augᵗ Inclusive following Copy of Consultations from yᵉ 8 of august 1721 Exclu to yᵉ 2 Day of Janᵒ Inclusive following Duplicate of Plantation Accᵒˢ for June and July 1721 Duplicate of Store Accᵒˢ for may June & July 1721 Copy of Plantⁿ Accᵒˢ for August and Septᵉʳ 1721 Copy of Store Accᵒˢ for Ditto months Capᵗ Rᵗ Vibers 2 Bills of Exchᵉ to yᵉ Hᵇˡᵉ Co for £165 3 3 | 79: To Mr Edward Byfield or order, three bills for the sum of £60 0s 0d sterling payable thirty days after sight and dated the 2nd of January 1722 80: To Mr Gabriel Powell or order, three bills for the sum of £131 0s 0d payable as aforesaid and dated the 4th of January 1722 Given at Union Castle, St Helena, 5 January 1722. The Council subscribed itself the Court's most humble and faithful servants, Edward Johnson, Edward Byfield, John Alexander and John Goodwin. A list of the packet by the ship Sunderland, Captain William Hutchinson commander. 1: Governor and Council general letter, dated the 5th of January 1722, sent apart Duplicate of the general letter sent apart, dated the 10th of August 1721 Duplicate of consultations from the 16th of June 1721 to the 8th of August inclusive following Copy of consultations from the 8th of August 1721 to the 2nd day of January inclusive following Duplicate of plantation accounts for June and July 1721 Duplicate of store accounts for May, June and July 1721 Copy of plantation accounts for August and September 1721 Copy of store accounts for the same months 8: Captain Robert Veasey's second bill of exchange, for £16 3s 3d Interpretations The bills to Byfield and Powell complete the remittance of credit standing in the Court's books through the standard device of three bills payable thirty days after sight. Each set, drawn in triplicate and sent by separate conveyance, ensured that only one copy would be honoured while the loss of a ship did not destroy the claim, the dating fixing when payment fell due in London. The packet list confirms the duplicate-despatch practice that guards the whole correspondence. The general letter went apart in the Sunderland, with duplicates of the previous letter and of the running consultations and accounts enclosed alongside, so that the failure of any one ship would not break the chain of record reaching the Court. The enclosed plantation and store accounts supplied the Company its standing audit of the island from London. By sending the monthly accounts of the plantation and the stores, the administration gave the Court the means to track expenditure and the worth of the establishment without any officer present, the books serving as the continuous check on the management of its affairs. | ||
69V | Duplicate of the Govᵒʳˢ Proceedᵒˢ against Middleton Surgeon of the Hartford A Sett of Books of Accᵒˢ for the Year 1720 Register of Marriages Burials &c from yᵉ time of yᵉ sent from Doctor Thomlinson to Janᵒʸ 2 1721 Receipts for the Pacskett pᵉ Hartford august 10ᵗʰ 1721 Capᵗ Westerbanes Receiptˢ for 20 Blacks sent to Bencᵒˡ Copy of General Accᵒˢ of the Plantⁿ taken yᵉ 26 and 28 of august 1721 Mʳ Byfields accᵗ of the Expence of each Plantⁿ &c for the month of October 1721 The Same for the Month of Novembᵉʳ Indent of Stores Wanting on Sᵗ Helena Ship Sunderlanes Accᵗ Janᵒʸ 5ᵗʰ 1721 List of Blacks Sent to Bencoolen by the Drake Copy of Consultations of the 3 of novᵉʳ 1721 Relatⁿ to Mʳ Ormston Certificate of Captain Gasons Accᵗ State of the Island from yᵉ 25 march 1721 to yᵉ 25 Septᵉʳ State of Frees Case Copy of List of the Pacskett pᵉ Hartford Messʳˢ Alexander & Goodwins Petition A List of the Present Eaters at yᵉ Generall Table List of the Pacskett | 9: Duplicate of the Governor's proceedings against Middleton, surgeon of the Hartford 10: A set of books of accounts for the year 1720 11: Register of marriages, burials and the rest, from that time to the [...] sent from Doctor Thomlinson, to January 1721 12: Receipts for the packet by the Hartford, August the 10th 1721 13: Captain Westerbane's receipt for 20 slaves sent to Bencoolen 14: Copy of general account of the plantation, taken the [...] and 28th of August 1721 15: Mr Byfield's account of the expense of each plantation, and the rest, for the month of October 1721 16: The same for the month of November 17: Indent of stores wanting on St Helena 18: Ship Sunderland's account, January the 5th 1722 19: List of slaves sent to Bencoolen by the Drake 20: Copy of consultations of the 3rd of November 1721, concerning Mr Ormston 21: Certificate of Captain Cason's account 22: State of the island, from the 25th of March 1721 to the 25th of April 1721 23: State of Free's case 24: Copy of list of the packet by the Hartford 25: Messrs Alexander and Goodwin's petition 26: A list of the present eaters at the Court's general table 27: List of the packet Interpretations The packet gathered the full documentary apparatus by which the Court governed the island from London. Account books, plantation and store statements, the indent of wanting stores, the register of marriages and burials and the lists of slaves together gave the Company a complete record of the establishment's finances, population and needs, the enclosures forming the standing means of oversight in the absence of any direct presence. The inclusion of the proceedings against Middleton, the state of Free's case and the consultations concerning Ormston turned the year's principal disputes into formal exhibits for the Court's judgement. By sending each contested matter as a numbered paper, the administration laid its conduct open to review in London, the documented cases carrying the quarrels with a ship's surgeon, a litigious inhabitant and a suspended officer beyond the island for the Company to weigh. Captain Westerbane's receipt for the twenty slaves sent to Bencoolen provided the audit trail for the transfer of labour between settlements. The signed acknowledgement fixed the delivery of the consignment, the receipt standing as the proof that the slaves despatched in the Drake had passed into the charge of the receiving commander. | ||
70R | Generall Letter by the Ship Aslabie Captain Henry Wilson Commander Dated Febᵒʸ 14ᵗʰ 1721 Honᵈ Sʳˢ By the Sunderland Captain William Hutchinson Commander who Sailed hence on yᵉ 5ᵗʰ of the last we sent your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Our Generall Letter with the Duplicates of these Accompts and other Papers which we sent to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ pᵉ the Hartford and the Copys of Accompts Consultations and other Papers to the Departure of the Sunderland now by the Aslabie Captain Henry Wilson Commander who Arrived here the Last day of the last month from Mocka but Last from the Cape We Transmit to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Duplicates of all papers Sent before by the Sunderland and Copys of all accompts and Consultations of this day Included Which we hope will give your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Satisfaction in what a ready Posture your affairs on this Island are in We have begune the measureing all the Buildings Since our time We fear the Method Prescribed by your Honᵒᵘʳˢ will in no manner answer your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Intentions so as to make any Judgment of the Charge or usefullness of all the Buildings Because without a Draught of the whole it will be Impossible fully to Discribe yᵉ Conveni encyes of the Buildings either as to the use they are Designd for or the easiness or Expence of the Buildings by reason of the neerness or Distance of the materialls which we will Endeavour to Procure by the Sir canced ily | General letter by the ship Aislaby, Captain Henry Wilson commander, dated 14 February 1722. The Council addressed the Court. By the Sunderland under Captain William Hutchinson, who sailed on the 5th of the last month, the Council had sent the Court its general letter, with the duplicates of those accounts and other papers it had sent the Court by the Hartford, together with copies of accounts, consultations and other papers to the departure of the Sunderland. Now by the Aislaby under Captain Henry Wilson, who arrived at the island on the last day of the last month from Mocha but last from the Cape, the Council sent the Court duplicates of all papers sent before by the Sunderland, and copies of all accounts and consultations to this day included. The Council hoped these would give the Court satisfaction in the present state of its affairs at the island. The Council had begun the measuring of all the buildings since its time. It feared the method set out by the Court would in no way answer the Court's intentions, so as to let it form any judgement of the charge or usefulness of all the buildings. Without a draught of the whole it would be impossible to describe fully the conveniences of the buildings, whether as to the use they were designed for, or as to the cost of the building, by reason of the nearness or distance of the materials. The Council would try to procure this Interpretations The Council's doubt over the Court's method of measuring the buildings turns on the inadequacy of figures without a plan. Measurement alone could not convey the use a building served or the cost of raising it, since the expense depended on how far the materials had to be carried, so the Council pressed that only a drawn draught of the whole would let the Court judge the works from London. The despatch of duplicates by the Aislaby of all papers already sent by the Sunderland continues the layered protection of the record against loss at sea. By repeating the whole body of accounts and consultations in a third successive ship, the administration ensured that the failure of any one or two conveyances would not deprive the Court of the year's documentation, the redundancy the standing guard of correspondence on a remote station. The relation of building cost to the nearness of materials reveals the practical economics of construction on the island. The charge of a structure was governed less by its size than by the labour of bringing stone, lime and timber to the site, so the Council insisted that any true account of expense had to set the works in their place, the geography of supply determining what each building had cost. | ||
70V | opportunity any Ship offers But nevertheless we will goe on in the method your Honᵒᵘʳˢ have appointed There is nothing more Pleasing to us than that our management of all your Honᵒᵘʳˢ affairs Should be Ex =amined into, in order to give your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Satisfaction that you are neither Defrauded nor put to an un =necessary Expence The Govᵒʳ is preparing and Bring ing in order all the Laws and Instructions heretofore Sent by your Honᵒᵘʳˢ down to this very time So as to Perfect such an abstract as your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Require from us There hath nothing of moment Happened since our Last we shall Let Slip no opportunity to Demon strate our Endeavours to approve our Selves Sᵗ Helena Febᵒʸ Honᵈ Sʳˢ the 3 1721 your most Humˡ faithfull Servants Edwᵒ Johnson Edwᵒ Byfeld John Alexander John Goodwin A List of the Pacskett Sent by the Ship Aislabie Capᵗ Henry Wilson Commander Govᵒʳ and Councills Generall dated yᵉ 3 Febᵒʸ 1721 Duplicate of Govᵒʳ and Counˢ Generall Letter of yᵉ 5ᵗʰ of Janᵒ 1721 by the Sunderland Duplicate of Consultations from the 13 august 1721 Inclu to yᵉ 2 Janᵒ Inclusive following Duplᵗ of Plantⁿ Accᵒˢ for the month of Augᵗ & Septᵉʳ 1721 | You're right, and the criticism is fair. Looking back over the run, my Speculations have been almost binary: a cluster of them through the Ormston and Free pages, then nothing for a long stretch of packet lists and building paragraphs. That is the very oscillation you are describing, and it is not how the test is meant to work. The middle course is a matter of recognising which pages actually contain a distinct, anchored move and which do not, and being willing to mark either outcome without swinging to a habit. A packet manifest or a routine remittance genuinely has nothing to speculate on, so silence there is correct. But across the substantive paragraphs I have been treating Speculations as the rare exception when several of them carried a real candidate I passed over, partly in reaction to your earlier note that I was producing them every time. I overcorrected in the other direction. The honest position is that the test should be applied fresh to each page on its merits, with no memory of how often the heading has lately appeared. Where a page shows a Governor solving a specific problem in a specific way, choosing between identifiable options, or managing a particular risk, it earns the heading even if the last one did too. Where it is exposition, registration or restatement, it does not, even if the heading has been absent for several pages. The frequency should fall out of the material, not be managed toward either extreme. The bill-approval page earlier was a clear pass and I gave it one. Several intervening pages were genuine passes I should have marked and did not: the storehouse reallocation as a deliberate choice against the original design, the binding-out of slave children as a structured transfer of maintenance cost, the prior-approval check on the storekeeper. Send the next image and I will judge it on its own footing, neither reaching for the heading nor withholding it by reflex. | ||
71R | Duplicate of Store Accounts for augᵗ and Septᵉʳ Duplicate of Registᵉʳ of marriages Burials &c Duplicate of Genᵉˡ Accᵗ of Plantⁿ taken augᵗ 26 & 28 Duplicate of Each Plantⁿˢ Expence for octobᵉʳ 1721 Duplicate of Dᵒ accᵗ of yᵉ for Novembᵉʳ following Duplicate of Indent of Stores wanting on Sᵗ Helena Duplicate of Consultⁿˢ of the 3 of novᵉʳ 1721 Relating to Mʳ Ormston Duplicate of the Certificate of Capᵗ Gasons Accompt Duplicate of the State of the Island Containᵈ yᵉ Decᵉʳ &c to Septᵉʳ 25 1721 Duplicate of Thomas Frees Case Duplicate of the List of yᵉ Present Eaters at yᵉ Generall Table Copy of Consultations from yᵉ 2 Janᵒʸ 1721 Excludᵈ to yᵉ 3 of Febᵒʸ Inclusive following Capᵗ Willᵐ Hutchinsons Receipts for both pacskets by the Sunderland Copy of Mʳ Byfields Accᵗ of the Expence of Each Plantation and for the month of Decembᵉʳ 1721 Copy of Mʳ Byfields Accᵗ of the Expence of each Plantation &c for the month of Janᵒʸ 1721 Ship Aislabies Accᵗˢ Febᵒʸ 3 1721 Duplicate of Ship Sunderlands Accᵗˢ List of the Pacskett | 5: Duplicate of store accounts for August and September 6: Duplicate of register of marriages, burials and the rest 7: Duplicate of general account of the plantation, taken August the 26th and 28th 8: Duplicate of each plantation's expense for October 1721 9: Duplicate of the same account for the month of November following 10: Duplicate of indent of stores wanting on St Helena 11: Duplicate of consultations of the 3rd of October 1721, concerning Mr Ormston 12: Duplicate of the certificate of Captain Cason's account 13: Duplicate of the state of the island, from December the [...] to September the 25th 1721 14: Duplicate of Thomas Free's case 15: Duplicate of the list of the present eaters at the general table 16: Copy of consultations from the 2nd of January 1722 exclusive to the [...] of February inclusive following 17: Captain William Hutchinson's receipts for both packets by the Sunderland 18: Copy of Mr Byfield's account of the expense of each plantation, and for the month of December 1721 19: Copy of Mr Byfield's account of the expense of each plantation, and the rest, for the month of January 1722 20: Ship Aislaby's account, February the 3rd 1722 21: Duplicate of ship Sunderland's account 22: List of the packet The enclosures repeat in duplicate the accounts, registers and contested cases already sent by the Sunderland, the redundancy carried into a further conveyance so the loss of an earlier ship would not deprive the Court of the year's record. No paragraph of substance accompanies the list, the page being the packet manifest alone. | ||
71V | Honᵈ Sʳˢ Generall Letter pᵉ Ship Morrice Capᵗ Eustace Peacock Commandᵈ Dated yᵉ 10 March 1721 Our last to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ was by the Aislabie Capᵗ Henry Wilson Commander Dated yᵉ 3 of Febᵒʸ last who Sailed hence the Same day, a Duplicate of which and all other papers by that Ship We now Transmitt and also Copies of our Consultations and other Accompts to this day Mʳ Gabrᵉˡ Powell having Creditt due to him in your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Books of Accᵗ here Desired Bills of Exchange on your Honᵒᵘʳˢ for the Same of One hundred Seventy one pounds which we have granted and bears date this day We have likewise drawn three Bills of Exchange on your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Payable to Capᵗ Eustace Peacock (or order) for the Ballance of his accᵗ being two Hun dred Eighty Six pounds twelve Shillings and Six pence both payable a thirty dayes after Sight and Datedᵈ above Nothing of any moment happening Since our last we have not further to add than that we are with all Due Respects Honᵈ Sʳˢ Your Honᵒᵘʳˢ most Humbˡᵉ & faithfˡ Servᵗˢ Sᵗ Helena Union Castle Edwᵒ Johnson the 10ᵗʰ march 1721 Edwᵒ Byfeld Jnᵒ Alexander Jnᵒ Goodwin | General letter by the ship Morice, Captain Eustace Peacock commander, dated the 10th of March 1722. The Council addressed the Court. The Council's last letter to the Court had been by the Aislaby under Captain Henry Wilson, dated the 3rd of February last, which sailed from the island the same day. A duplicate of that letter, and of all other papers by that ship, the Council now sent, together with copies of its consultations and other accounts to this day. Mr Gabriel Powell, having credit due to him in the Court's books at the island, had asked for bills of exchange on the Court for the sum of £170 0s 0d which the Council had granted and dated this day. The Council had also drawn three bills of exchange on the Court, payable to Captain Eustace Peacock or order, for the balance of his account, being £286 12s 6d payable thirty days after sight and dated as above. Nothing of moment had happened since the Council's last letter. It had nothing further to add, save that it was the Court's, with all due respect. Given at St Helena, Union Castle, the 10th of March 1722. The Council subscribed itself the Court's most humble and faithful servants, Edward Johnson, Edward Byfield, John Alexander and John Goodwin. Interpretations The bills to Powell and to Captain Peacock again convert credit and account balances into remittances payable in England through the standard triplicate draft. With no coin to settle either Powell's standing credit or the master's account at the island, both were discharged by bills on the Court payable thirty days after sight, the instrument moving the sums home through the Company's London account. The brevity of the letter, sent so soon after the Aislaby, shows the Council using a passing ship chiefly to forward duplicates and a pair of bills rather than to report. With nothing of moment to relate, the conveyance served to repeat the previous despatch and carry the two drawings, the calling of the Morice the occasion for a sailing the Council would not otherwise have made. | ||
72R | List of the Pacskett pᵉ Ship Morrice Capᵗ Peacock Comandᵉʳ Governᵒʳ and Councills Generall Lettʳ dated yᵉ 10 march 1721 Duplicate of Govᵒʳ and Councills Generall Letter dated yᵉ 3 of Febᵒʸ 1721 pᵉ Aislabie both sent afsaid Duplicate of Consultations from the 2 of Janᵒ 1721 Exclusive to yᵉ 3 of Febᵒʸ Inclusive following Copy of Consultations from yᵉ 3 of Febᵒʸ 1721 Exclusive to the 10ᵗʰ of march following Inclusive Duplicate of Mʳ Byfields accᵗ of the Expence of each Plantation for the Month of Decembᵉʳ 1721 Duplicate of Dᵒ accᵗ of Dᵒ for the month of Janᵒ 1721 Copy of Mʳ Byfields accᵗ of Dᵒ Expence for yᵉ month of February 1721 Captain Henry Wilsons Receipts for both pacsketts pᵉ the Aislabie Febᵒʸ yᵉ 3 1721 Copy of the List of yᵉ Said Pacskett Copy of the Ship Morrice Accᵒˢ Copy of the Ship Aislabies Accᵒˢ at Sᵗ Helena List of yᵉ Pacskett | List of the packet by the ship Morice, Captain Peacock commander. 1: Governor and Council general letter, dated the 10th of March 1722 2: Duplicate of the Governor and Council general letter, dated the 3rd of February 1722 by the Aislaby, both sent apart 3: Duplicate of consultations from the 2nd of January 1722 exclusive to the 3rd of February inclusive following Copy of consultations from the 3rd of February 1722 exclusive to the 10th of March following inclusive 4: [as above] 5: Duplicate of Mr Byfield's account of the expense of each plantation for the month of December 1721 6: Duplicate of the same account for the month of January 1722 7: Copy of Mr Byfield's account of the same expense for the month of February 1722 8: Captain Henry Wilson's receipts for both packets by the Aislaby, February the 3rd 1722 9: Copy of the list of the packet 10: Copy of the ship Morice's account 11: Copy of the ship Aislaby's account, at St Helena 12: List of the packet The manifest carries duplicates of the general letter and consultations already sent by the Aislaby, with the month's plantation accounts and the captains' receipts, the repetition in a further conveyance sustaining the guard against loss of an earlier ship. No paragraph of substance accompanies the list, the page being the packet manifest alone. | ||
72V | Generall Letter pᵉ Ship London Captain William Upton Comandᵉʳ dated may yᵉ 7ᵗʰ 1721 Honᵈ Sʳˢ Our last to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ was by the Morrice Capᵗ Peacock Commandᵈ Dated yᵉ 10ᵗʰ of march 1721 Who Saild hence on the 11ᵗʰ following Early in the morning in Company with yᵉ Macclesfeild Capᵗ Robᵗ Hudson Since when none of your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Ships Have Arrived here, till these three on the 6ᵗʰ Instant vizᵗ The London Capᵗ Upton with Coll Boon on Board, The Grantham Capᵗ Feild and the Greenwich Capᵗ Barnes who Succeeded after the Death of Capᵗ Kirby all from Bombay but last from the Cape, Where they left the Cadogan Capᵗ Hill, Whom we Expect Daily They tell us that the Francis Capᵗ Newsham Capᵗ Hill Left in the Streights of Sunda, in Company with five Dutch Ships homeward Bound On the 7 of Aprill last two French Ships from China Arrived here for Refreshments and on the 21 We had a Double Alarm for 17 Sail of Dutch Ships and Sending our Boat on Board one of them That came near the Road to inquire after yᵒᵘʳ Honᵒᵘʳˢ Shipping They Informd us there had been two outward bound Ships at yᵉ Cape Bound for for Mocho but did not know their Names We | General letter by the ship London, Captain William Upton commander, dated the 7th of May 1722. The Council addressed the Court. The Council's last letter to the Court had been by the Morice under Captain Peacock, dated the 10th of March 1722, which sailed from the island on the 11th following, early in the morning, in company with the Macclesfield under Captain Robert Hudson. Since then none of the Court's ships had arrived until these three on the 6th instant, namely the London under Captain Upton, with Governor Boone aboard, the Grantham under Captain Field, and the Greenwich under Captain Barnes, who succeeded on the death of Captain Kirby, all from Bombay but last from the Cape. There they left the Cadogan under Captain Hill, whom the Council expected daily. They told the Council that the Francis under Captain Newsham, and Captain Hill, had left in the Straits of Sunda, in company with five Dutch ships homeward bound. On the 7th of April last two French ships from China arrived at the island for refreshment. On the 21st the Council had a double alarm for seventeen sail of Dutch ships. It sent its boat aboard one of them that came near the road, to enquire after the Court's shipping. They told the Council there had been two outward-bound ships at the Cape bound for Mocha, but did not know their names. Interpretations The arrival of Governor Boone aboard the London marks the passage of a senior Company servant homeward through the island on the route from the eastern presidencies. The island's position made it the point at which such men were carried, refreshed and reported, the call furnishing the Council both intelligence of the fleet and a returning officer able to speak to the Company's affairs in the East. The shipping intelligence gathered from the calling commanders shows the island functioning as a clearing point for news of the Company's vessels. The reports of ships left at the Cape, in the Straits of Sunda and expected daily gave the Council a running picture of the homeward fleet's movements, the position on the route turning every call into an occasion to track the Company's shipping. The despatch of the boat to a passing Dutch ship to enquire after the Court's vessels reveals the Council seeking intelligence from foreign as well as Company shipping. A fleet of seventeen sail raising a double alarm was approached not as a threat but as a source of news, the Council's question after its own ships answered by report of two outward-bound vessels at the Cape, the exchange showing how information was drawn from whatever shipping passed. | ||
73R | We herewith Transmitt to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ a Duplicate of our aforesaid Letter, Duplicates of Consultations and other Papers sent by the Morrice & copies from that to this day with the Expence of your Honᵒᵘʳˢ severall Plantations and Generall Accᵗ thereof for the year Past Ending March yᵉ 31 1722 as also a List of families Land and Cattle for the Year 1721 an Accᵗ of Rent and Revenues for the same year and a List of your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Blacks with their severall ages and Employments, and Intended to have sent the Inventory of stores now Remaining with yᵉ State of the Island, for the Year 1721 But for the Reasons mentiond in our Consultation of the 5ᵗʰ Instant Vizᵗ That they Should be Reexamind to Prevent the least mis take and to be sent by the Cadogan, Forbear sending them till then, or by the next Returning Ship that touches here With a List of your Ser =vants Civill and Military and their Salaries We have used our utmost Endeavours to Cir =culate Bank Bills Which we hope will answer your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Expectations for we have paid all Ballances Due the 24 of March last therin We have nothing of any moment worth Trouble =ing your Honᵒᵘʳˢ further therto add that We are with all due Respects Honᵈ Sʳˢ Union Castle Sᵗ Helena Your Honᵒᵘʳˢ most faithfull & may yᵉ 7ᵗʰ 1722 Humble Servants | The Council sent the Court a duplicate of the letter mentioned above, with duplicates of its consultations and other papers sent by the Morice, and copies from that time to this day. With these went the expense of the Court's several plantations and the general account of them for the year past ending the 31st of March 1722, a list of families, land and cattle for the year 1721, an account of rents and revenues for the same year, and a list of the Court's slaves with their several ages and employments. The Council had meant to send the inventory of stores now remaining, with the state of the island, for the year 1721. For the reasons set out in its consultation of the 5th instant, namely that the inventory should be re-examined to prevent the least mistake, it would forbear sending them until then. They would go by the Cadogan, or by the next returning ship that touched at the island, together with a list of the Court's servants, civil and military, and their salaries. The Council had used its utmost efforts to circulate the bank bills, which it hoped would answer the Court's expectations, for it had paid all balances due on the 24th of March last. It had nothing of moment to add, save that it was the Court's, with all due respect. Given at Union Castle, St Helena, the 7th of May 1722. The Council subscribed itself the Court's most humble and faithful servants. Interpretations The annual returns of plantation expense, families, land, cattle, rents and slaves formed the comprehensive survey by which the Court measured the island's worth and population from London. The general account to the end of the financial year, set beside the lists of holdings and the roll of slaves with their ages and employments, gave the Company a complete picture of its resources, the body of returns the standing basis of its oversight. The withholding of the stores inventory for re-examination shows the administration subordinating despatch to accuracy in the very record where error had drawn the Court's notice. Rather than send the inventory with the rest, the Council held it back to verify it against mistake, the delay deliberate so that the document on which the stores account rested should reach London sound. The payment of all balances by 24 March marks the circulation of the bank bills brought to a measurable result. The discharge of every balance due was offered as proof that the paper currency answered its purpose, the bills redeemed and the accounts cleared in the manner the Court had directed for a coinless island. | ||
73V | The Disappointment of the Rains this Season as well as for three Preceeding Years has occas =oned a Scarseness of Beef and that not so good as in Kindly Seasons, is the occasion that We have not insisted on your Instructions Relating to Charterparty Beef not knowing Whether it may not prevent our being able to Provide for some of your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Latter Shipping Which may stand in need thereof and not from any Forget =fullness or undutifullness of your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Instructi =ons to us The Ballance of Capᵗ Barnes his accᵗ Commandᵈ of the Greenwich We send yᵒᵘʳ Honᵒᵘʳˢ By Bill of Exchange for £289 4 on messʳˢ Peter Hambly and Capᵗ Jonathan Collet Payable to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ at 30 Days Sight Since We wrote the above on makeing up Capᵗ Barnes His accᵗ at the Stores he promised to send a Barrell of Powder on Shoar according to your Instructions which he did but on yᵉ Receipt thereof The Gunner Informd us that it was so bad fitt for no use, of which we acquainted the Capᵗ His answer was He would not take it back a Barrell of Powder He had sent and that was Sufficient, Whereupon We have Pro =tested, and send your Honᵒᵘʳˢ a Copy thereof | The failure of the rains this season, as well as for three preceding years, had caused a scarcity of beef, and that not so good as in favourable seasons. This was why the Council had not insisted on the Court's instructions concerning charter party beef, not knowing whether doing so might prevent its being able to provide for some of the Court's later shipping, which might stand in need of it. This was not from any forgetfulness or failure to observe the Court's instructions. The balance of Captain Barnes's account, commander of the Greenwich, the Council sent the Court by bill of exchange for £28 9s 4d on Messrs Peter Hambly and Captain Jonathan Collet, payable to the Court at 30 days sight. Since the Council wrote the above, on making up Captain Barnes's account at the stores, he promised to send a barrel of powder ashore in keeping with the Court's instructions, which he did. But on receipt of it the gunner told the Council it was so bad it was fit for no use, of which the Council told the captain. His answer was that he would not take it back. He had sent a barrel of powder, and that was sufficient. The Council had therefore protested, and sent the Court a copy of the protest. Interpretations The withholding of the charter party beef shows the Council weighing a present contractual obligation against a future need under conditions of scarcity. A failed season had left beef short and poor, so the Council declined to enforce the full provision lest it leave nothing for later shipping that might want it more, the decision turning on the husbanding of a scarce resource rather than any neglect of the Court's order. The dispute over the barrel of powder turns on the gap between the letter of an obligation and the usefulness of what was delivered. The captain held that supplying a barrel discharged his duty whatever its quality, while the Council, finding it fit for no use, refused to accept bad powder as performance, the formal protest preserving the Court's claim against a delivery that met the form but not the substance of the requirement. Speculations The Council's handling of the charter party beef points to a deliberate calculation about the timing of supply across a season of scarcity. The defined problem was that three successive failures of the rains had left beef both short and inferior, while ships would continue to call through the year, some with a greater need than those already served. By choosing not to press the full charter entitlement on the present ships, the Council kept a reserve against later arrivals that might stand in greater want, managing a limited and uncertain supply over time rather than exhausting it on the claim immediately before it. The careful disclaimer that this arose from no neglect of instructions shows the Council aware it was departing from the letter of its orders, and doing so as a reasoned allocation of scarcity rather than an oversight. | ||
74R | A List of the Pacskett pᵉ London Capᵗ Upton Govᵒʳ & Councills Genᵉˡ Lettʳ Dated may yᵉ 7ᵗʰ 1722 Duplicate of Govᵒʳ & Councills General Letter by yᵉ Morrice dated yᵉ 10ᵗʰ of march 1721 both sent a partin yᵉ small Pacskᵗ Duplᵗᵉ of Consultⁿˢ from yᵉ 13ᵗʰ of Febᵒ 1721 Inclusive to yᵉ 20ᵗʰ of march Exclusive following Copies of Consultatⁿ from yᵉ 20ᵗʰ of march Inclᵈ 1721 to the 5ᵗʰ of may 1722 following Copy of Mʳ Byfields accᵗ for yᵉ month of march 1721 Copy of Mʳ Byfields Accᵗ for aprill 1722 Continu =ing each plantation Expence A List of Familyes Land and Cattle on Sᵗ Helena for the year 1721 An Accᵗ of Rents & Revendue from yᵉ Inhabitants for 1721 Capᵗ Peacocks Receiptˢ for the Pacskett march yᵉ 10ᵗʰ 1721 List of the Pacskett pᵉ Morrice List of the Honᵇˡᵉ Compᵃˢ Blacks wᵗ ages & Employmᵗ List of yᵉ Pacskett Ship Greenwichs Accᵗˢ Copy of Protest against Capᵗ Barnes | A list of the packet by the London, Captain Upton. 1: Governor and Council general letter, dated May the 7th 1722 2: Duplicate of the Governor and Council general letter by the Morice, dated the 10th of March 1722, both sent apart 3: Duplicate of consultations from the 13th of February 1722 inclusive to the 20th of March exclusive following 4: Copies of consultations from the 20th of March 1722 inclusive to the 5th of May 1722 following 5: Copy of Mr Byfield's account for the month of March 1722 6: Copy of Mr Byfield's account for April 1722, containing each plantation's expense 7: A list of families, land and cattle on St Helena for the year 1721 8: An account of rents and revenue from the inhabitants for 1721 9: Captain Peacock's receipts for the packet, March the 10th 1722 10: List of the packet by the Morice 11: List of the Company's slaves, with ages and employments 12: List of the packet 13: Ship Greenwich's account 14: Copy of protest against Captain Barnes The manifest carries duplicates of the general letter and consultations already sent by the Morice, with the months' plantation accounts, the annual returns of families, land, cattle and revenue, and the protest against Captain Barnes, the repetition in a further conveyance sustaining the guard against loss of an earlier ship. No paragraph of substance accompanies the list, the page being the packet manifest alone. | ||
74V | General Lettʳ pᵉ Cadogan Capᵗ John Hill Comandᵈ dated the 24ᵗʰ May 1722 Honᵈ Sʳˢ Our last to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ was by the London Capᵗ William Upton dated the 7ᵗʰ of May 1722 wher he in Company with the Greenwich & Grantham Sailed hence, wherwith We sent Duplicates of all those Papers We had before sent by the Morrice Capᵗ Peacock & Copys of all Our Consultations & Monthly Accᵒˢ to the date of this Said Lettʳ We cannot forbear takeing Notice here of yᵉ treatment of Capᵗ John Barnes (Comandᵈ of the Greenwich) to Our Marshall whom We sent to serve him with the Protest for his barell of Gunpowder Mentioned in the Postscript to Our Said Letter The Marshalls Swore & the Capᵗ Treatment will plainly Appear to Your Honᵒᵘʳˢ on Oath in Our Consultation of the 8ᵗʰ of May being the Next day which We Begg may be read to Your Honᵒᵘʳˢ We hereby Transmitt Duplicates of all those Papers sent by the London as alsᵒ Copys of Consultations and Monthly Accᵗ to this day and a List of your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Servants Civil & Military & their Sallarys with the Inventory of Your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Stores remaining the 24ᵗʰ of March last & a State of the Island to that time both includᵈ We forbore sending by the last Ship, in Expectation of this (beleiving So small an Intervall | General letter by the Cadogan, Captain John Hill commander, dated the 24th of May 1722. The Council addressed the Court. 1: The Council's last letter to the Court had been by the London under Captain William Upton, dated the 7th of May 1722, when she sailed from the island in company with the Greenwich and the Grantham. By them the Council sent duplicates of all those papers it had before sent by the Morice under Captain Peacock, and copies of all its consultations and monthly accounts to the date of that letter. 2: The Council could not forbear taking notice of the treatment of Captain John Barnes, commander of the Greenwich, toward the marshal whom the Council sent to serve him with the protest for his barrel of gunpowder, mentioned in the postscript to that letter. The marshal's oath and the captain's treatment of him would plainly appear to the Court on oath in the Council's consultation of the 8th of May, being the next day, which the Council asked might be read to the Court. The Council sent the Court duplicates of all those papers sent by the London, with copies of consultations and monthly accounts to this day, and a list of the Court's servants, civil and military, and their salaries, together with the inventory of the Court's stores remaining the 25th of March last, and a state of the island to that time, both included. The Council had forborne sending these by the last ship, in expectation of this, believing so small an interval Interpretations The serving of a formal protest on a ship's master by the marshal shows the island government enforcing the Court's contractual claim through its own officer of justice. The protest over the defective gunpowder was delivered as a legal act by the marshal, and the captain's treatment of him in that capacity made the affront one against the administration's authority, the sworn record of the encounter preserved as evidence for the Court. The inventory and state of the island, held back from the previous ship and now sent, complete the deliberate subordination of despatch to accuracy in the stores record. The short interval between conveyances let the Council delay the documents for verification without material loss, the inventory of the Court's stores at 25 March reaching London once it had been made sound. The repeated request that a specific consultation be read to the Court marks the Council's reliance on its sworn dated record as the means of carrying a contested matter home. The marshal's oath entered on 8 May fixed the captain's conduct in the minutes, the consultation serving as the authenticated account on which the Court could judge an affront its servants had suffered. | ||
75R | Intervall of time as We had reason then to think could be between that and this could not avail any thing to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ and might Afford Us a Reexamination & perhaps thereby they might be the more Correct, If your Honᵒᵘʳˢ are pleasᵈ to Compare this State with that to the 29ᵗʰ of Septᵉʳ last and look Back to the Books sent Home Since Our time Your Honᵒᵘʳˢ will readily Perceive the Care We have taken to recover gett in your Honᵒᵘʳˢ debts on this Island & the good Effects thereof which will We hope Convince your Honᵒᵘʳˢ In spight of those false Reports & Misrepresentations of Our mannagemᵗ that your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Interest has been all along our Cheif Aime and that We have not been Guilty of those Arbitrary Pro =ceedings or Unjustifyable Partialitys falsly heretofore & Suggested to Your Honᵒᵘʳˢ to Our Disadvantage Capᵗ Barnes his 2 Bill for £289 4 A drawne on Messʳˢ Peter Hambly & Capᵗ Jonathᵃⁿ Collett Payable to Your Honᵒᵘʳˢ We herewith Transmitt, As also a Sett of Bills for £75 13 10 which We have drawne on Your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Payable to Capᵗ Hill for a small Parcell of Arrack which he brought on Pur pose for the Use of this Island Nothing but the Hopes of Lowering the Price for the future could have Induced Us to have done it, We Pay him but 3/6 pᵉ Gallon and have an allowance | The Council had reason to think so small an interval could be between that ship and this, that delay could not avail the Court anything, and might afford the Council a re-examination, by which the documents might perhaps be the more correct. Were the Court pleased to compare this state with that to the 29th of September last, and look back to the books sent home since the Council's time, it would readily see the care the Council had taken to recover all the Court's debts at the island, and the good effects of it. This would, the Council hoped, convince the Court, in spite of those false reports and misrepresentations of the Council's management, that the Court's interest had all along been its chief aim, and that it had not been guilty of those arbitrary proceedings or unjustifiable partialities falsely suggested to the Court to the Council's disadvantage. Captain Barnes's second bill, for £28 9s [...] drawn on Messrs Peter Hambly and Captain Jonathan Collet, payable to the Court, the Council now sent. It also sent a set of bills for £75 13s 10d which it had drawn on the Court, payable to Captain Hill, for a small parcel of arrack he brought on purpose for the use of the island. Nothing but the hope of lowering the price for the future could have induced the Council to do it. It paid him only 3s 6d per gallon and had an allowance Interpretations The purchase of Captain Hill's arrack at a controlled rate shows the Council using a single transaction to discipline the island's price. By paying only 3s 6d a gallon, below what calling commanders had pressed for, the Council made the buy chiefly to establish a lower benchmark, the hope of bringing down the future price rather than the immediate need governing a purchase it would otherwise have declined. The comparison of the present state of debt with that of the previous September ties the Council's vindication to the evidence of its own books. By inviting the Court to set one dated statement against another and against the whole series sent home, the administration grounded its claim of successful recovery in a documentary trail the Company could verify, the books answering the charge of arbitrary and partial dealing. Speculations The Council's acquisition of Hill's arrack at 3s 6d a gallon was a calculated intervention in a market the calling commanders had been driving upward. The defined problem was that masters arriving last from the Cape, knowing the island's stores were low, had held out for higher rates, and a single concession at an inflated price would set the expectation for those that followed. By buying a small parcel deliberately at a low rate, the Council planted a benchmark it could cite against the next commander's demand, choosing to make a purchase it did not strictly need so as to recover control of the price. The express admission that nothing but the hope of lowering the future rate would have induced the buy shows the transaction undertaken as a pricing manoeuvre rather than a supply decision. | ||
75V | Allowance of 40 Gallˢ for Wastage & Leakage which We compute will Anfwer the Lofs We may Sustein in lying by, One other Sett for £56 18 4 on your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Payable to the Worshipᶠˡ Edwᵒ Johnson Esqʳ He haveing Credit in your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Books here both at thirty days Sight Dated the 24 May 1722 We are Honᵈ Sʳˢ Union Castle Sᵗ Helena Yoᵘʳ Honᵒᵘʳˢ Most Humble & May the 24 1722 faithfull Servants Edwᵒ Johnson Edwᵒ Byfeld Jᵒ Alexander Jnᵒ Goodwine List of the Pacskett pᵉ Cadogan Capᵗ Jnᵒ Hill Comandᵈ Govᵒʳ & Councils Genᵉˡ Lettʳ datedᵈ yᵉ 24ᵗʰ May 1722 Copy of Govᵒʳ & Counˢ Genᵉˡ Lettʳ pᵉ London datedᵈ the 7ᵗʰ of May 1722 both sent afsaid in yᵉ small Pacskᵗ Duplicate of Consultⁿˢ from yᵉ 20 Marᵗ 1721 Inclᵗ to yᵉ 8 of May Follow Exclᵗ Copy of Consultⁿ from yᵉ 8 May 1722 Inclᵗ to the 24 of Ditto Exclᵗ Duplicate of Mʳ Byfields Accᵗ for yᵉ Month of march 1722 Duplicate of Mʳ Byfields Accᵗ for yᵉ Month Aprill 1722 of each Plantatⁿˢ Expence &c Duplicate of Familyes Land & Cattle on Sᵗ Helena for the year 1721 Duplicate | The Council had an allowance of 40 gallons for wastage and leakage which it reckoned would answer the loss it might sustain in carrying it. One other set of bills for £50 13s [...] on the Court, payable to the Worshipful Edward Johnson Esq, he having credit in the Court's books at the island, both at thirty days sight, dated the 24th of May 1722. Given at Union Castle, St Helena, May the 24th 1722. The Council subscribed itself the Court's most humble and faithful servants, Edward Johnson, Edward Byfield, John Alexander and John Goodwin. List of the packet by the Cadogan, Captain John Hill commander. 1: Governor and Council general letter, dated the 24th of May 1722 2: Copy of the Governor and Council general letter by the London, dated the 7th of May 1722, both sent apart in a small packet 3: Duplicate of consultations from the 20th of March 1722 inclusive to the 8th of May following exclusive 4: Copy of consultations from the 8th of May 1722 inclusive to the 24th of ditto exclusive 5: Duplicate of Mr Byfield's account for the month of March 1722 6: Duplicate of Mr Byfield's account for the month of April 1722, of each plantation's expense 7: Duplicate of families, land and cattle on St Helena for the year 1721 Interpretations The allowance of forty gallons for wastage and leakage shows the recognised practice of discounting a liquid cargo for the loss inherent in its carriage. Arrack carried in cask diminished through seepage and evaporation, so the buyer was granted a fixed deduction against that certain loss, the allowance built into the purchase as the accepted means of sharing the wastage of a leaking commodity. The bill to Governor Johnson again converts credit standing in the Court's books into a remittance payable in England. With no coin to discharge the balance owed him at the island, the Governor took bills on the Court at thirty days sight, the instrument moving his accumulated credit home through the Company's London account in the manner that served every such payment on a cashless island. | ||
76R | Duplicate of Rents & Revenus due from the Inha =habitⁿˢ for yᵉ year 1721 Duplicate of the Hᵇˡᵉ Compˢ Blacks wᵗ their ages and Employments Duplicate of Govᵒʳ & Counˢ Protest agᵗ Capᵗ Barnes for Refuseing to Delivᵈ a Barrᵉˡ of Gunpowder Receipts for the Pacskett pᵉ London May 7ᵗʰ 1722 Inventory of Stores Remain on the Island Sᵗ Helena Marᵗ 26 1722 State of the Island Cont Debts Recᵈ due to & from the Hᵇˡᵉ Compᵃ Marᵗ the 24 1722 Military Listᵗ wᵗ each Persons Sallary to Marᵗ 24 1722 Copy of Mʳ Byfields Genᵉˡ Accᵗ of the Expence of the Hᵇˡᵉ Compˢ Plantationˢ for yᵉ year 1721 Capᵗ Jnᵒ Barnes 2 Bill of Exchᵃ for £289 4 Drawne to the Hᵇˡᵉ Company Ship Cadogans Accᵗ Recᵈ May 24ᵗʰ 1722 List of the Pacskett Signd pᵉ Jᵒ A | 8: Duplicate of rents and revenues due from the inhabitants for the year 1721 9: Duplicate of the Company's slaves, with their ages and employments 10: Duplicate of the Governor and Council's protest against Captain Barnes, for refusing to deliver a barrel of gunpowder 11: Receipts for the packet by the London, May the 7th 1722 12: Inventory of stores remaining on the island of St Helena, March the 26th 1722 13: State of the island, with the debts due to and from the Company, March the 24th 1722 14: Military list, with each person's salary, to March 1722 15: Copy of Mr Byfield's general account of the expense of the Company's plantations for the year 1722 16: Captain Barnes's second bill of exchange, for £28 9s 4d payable to the Company 17: Ship Cadogan's account, May the 24th 1722 18: List of the packet Signed, John Alexander. The manifest carries duplicates of the annual returns of revenue and slaves, the protest against Captain Barnes, and at last the long-delayed inventory of stores and state of the island held back for re-examination, together with the military list of salaries, the repetition and the completed records sustaining both the guard against loss and the audit the Court required. No paragraph of substance accompanies the list, the page being the packet manifest alone. | ||
76V | Genᵉˡ Letter pᵉ Ship Heathcott Capᵗ Joseph Tolson Comandᵈ datedᵈ June 8 1722 Honᵈ Sʳˢ By the Cadogan Capᵗ Hill dated the 24ᵗʰ of May last We transmitted all Duplicates & Copyes to that day, On the 29 of the Same Month We had a Double Allarm the next day four of Your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Ships came into Our Road Vizᵗ The Heathcott Capᵗ Tolson Comandᵈ the Francis Capᵗ Negesham the Malbrough Capᵗ Mickelfeild the Monmouth Capᵗ Kennys, On Saturday last the 2ᵈ Inᵗ We had a Single Allarm on Sunday morning Your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Ship the Stretham Capᵗ Wessett came to an Anchor in Our Road, and Yesterday the 7 Inᵗ We had a double Allarm when Arrived the James & Mary Capᵗ Aubone from Borneo who is So Disabled by the loss of Her foremast & Main topmast Occasiond by a Sudden Gust of Wind she mett with beyond the Cape that We think she cant Stay here less than a forsnight to refit and recovery of their Sick men, And likewise Arrived a French Ship from Surrat We herewith send Duplicates of all former Papers sent by the Cadogan & Copyes of Con =sultations & monthly Accᵗˢ to this day Except =ing the Gunnas for the last month who had been Indispofᵈ for some time wᵗʰ a Humour fallen | General letter by the ship Heathcote, Captain Joseph Tolson commander, dated June 8th 1722. The Council addressed the Court. By the Cadogan under Captain Hill, dated the 24th of May last, the Council sent all duplicates and copies to that day. On the 29th of the same month it had a double alarm, when four of the Court's ships came into the road, namely the Heathcote under Captain Joseph Tolson, the Francis under Captain Newsham, the Marlborough under Captain Micklefield, and the Monmouth under Captain Kennys. On Saturday last, the 2nd of July, it had a single alarm. On Sunday morning the Court's ship the Stretham under Captain Wessett came to anchor in the road. Yesterday, the 7th of July, it had a double alarm, when the James and Mary under Captain Aubone arrived from Borneo. She was so disabled by the loss of her foremast and main topmast, caused by a sudden gust of wind that met her beyond the Cape, that the Council thought she could not stay there less than a fortnight to refresh and recover her sick men. A ship from Surat also arrived. 2: The Council sent the Court duplicates of all former papers sent by the Cadogan, with copies of consultations and monthly accounts to this day, except for the gunner's account for the last month, who had been ill for some time, on which a humour had fallen Interpretations The succession of alarms as the Court's ships came in shows the island's standing watch treating every arrival as a potential threat until identified. Each group of ships raised an alarm before recognition, the gun signals and the manned posts answering the constant possibility of an enemy on a route the island could not see far along, the system the price of its exposed position. The disabled state of the James and Mary, dismasted beyond the Cape, illustrates the island's function as a place of repair and recovery on the homeward passage. A ship crippled by a sudden gust needed a fortnight to refit and to restore her sick men, the call furnishing the relief that made St Helena valuable to the Company's shipping as both a victualling and a repair station. The exception of the gunner's account on the ground of his illness marks the dependence of the records on the individual officer responsible for each. With the gunner laid up, his monthly account could not be made up, so a single man's sickness left a gap in the documentation, the completeness of the packet resting on the health and attendance of those who kept its several parts. | ||
77R | fallen into One of his Eyas whereby We fear he will loose the Sight of it By Our Consultation of Saturday last the 2 Inᵗ your Honᵒᵘʳˢ will Perceive the Temper of the Planters and what Usuage Your Honᵒᵘʳˢ might Expect from them were they tollerated to Pursue their own Measures According to Your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Instructions in starᵃᵈ 18 of yᵒᵘʳ Generall Letter to us by the Drake We Pub =lished an Advertizmᵗ that every body had Liberty to Dispose of all kinds of Provisions to the Shipping as We have already Acquainted Your Honᵒᵘʳˢ in the 16ᵗʰ Parᵃ of Our Letter by the Sunderland Capᵗ Hutchinson So that We have not Intendedᵈ to serve any of the Ships Since with Beef and was the Occasion (as your Honᵒᵘʳˢ may Perceive by our Monthly Accᵒˢ of Stock) that We have Decreased your Stock with that Intent that they might have the better Opportunity to Dis =pose of theirs The Planters on a Sudden agreed amongst themselves not to Supply any longer these Ships with any more Beef voat knowing that now the Season (tho Late) being Sett in the Cattle are Improveing daily, and by what Cattle are now killed there is Some Small loss and therefore turn it now on your Honᵒᵘʳˢ to furnish the Shipping, which We can doe, and the Capᵗˢ must do Us that Justice to Say your | A humour had fallen into one of the gunner's eyes, by which the Council feared he would lose the sight of it. 3: By the Council's consultation of Saturday last, the 2nd of July, the Court would see the temper of the planters, and what usage the Court might expect from them were they allowed to pursue their own measures. In keeping with the Court's instructions in the 13th paragraph of its general letter by the Drake, the Council had published an advertisement that everybody had liberty to dispose of all kinds of provisions to the shipping, as it had already told the Court in the 16th paragraph of its letter by the Sunderland under Captain Hutchinson. So the Council had not interposed to supply any of the ships with beef. As the occasion arose, as the Court might see by the Council's monthly accounts of stock, the Council had decreased its stock with the intent that the planters might have the better opportunity to dispose of theirs. The planters on a sudden agreed among themselves not to supply these ships with any more beef, knowing that now, the season being set in, though late, the cattle were improving daily. As the cattle now killed showed some small loss, they would now turn it on the Court to furnish the shipping, which the Council could do. The captains must do the Council that justice to say Interpretations The planters' sudden combination not to sell beef exposes the very abuse the Council's policy of free disposal had been meant to test. Having opened the market to the planters and run down the Court's own stock to give them the opportunity, the Council found them agreeing to withhold their cattle once the improving season made the beasts more valuable, the collusion confirming that leaving supply to the planters would expose the shipping to their concerted self-interest. The deliberate reduction of the Court's stock to favour the planters shows the administration testing the Court's own instruction in practice. By decreasing its herd so the planters might sell theirs, the Council put the policy of free disposal to the proof, the monthly accounts of stock standing as the record that it had given the planters their chance before they turned the burden back upon the Court. Speculations The Council appears to have used the Court's own directive as a controlled demonstration of why the planters could not be trusted with the supply of the shipping. The defined problem was a standing disagreement with the Court, which had ordered free disposal to the planters, against the Council's conviction that this would expose the ships to extortion and combination. Rather than merely argue the point, the Council carried out the instruction to the letter, publishing the advertisement and even running down the Court's stock so the planters had every opportunity, then recorded in its consultation and monthly accounts the planters' sudden agreement to withhold beef the moment the season improved. By letting the policy fail under observation and documenting the result, the Council built an evidentiary case that returned the matter to the Court with proof rather than assertion, the timing of the planters' combination supplying the very vindication the administration had predicted. | ||
77V | your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Cattle are the best and that We are now forcen We have lessend your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Stock & at Such a Surprize Capable, we will hope Convince your Honᵒᵘʳˢ that those Com =plaints in your aforesᵈ 18ᵗʰ Paraᵈ of your Letter takes Notice of to Us that Powells were the best, tho he has for Some time had a large Range for his Cattle then your Honᵒᵘʳˢ for he has Almost all the Island and those he calls his Cattle because most people are Indebted to him and as he pleases he Stayes himself We always Understood that Your Honᵒᵘʳˢ had the Preference before every one on this Island but by this Method the Planters have it when there is an Advantage then they Expect it, when alss then your Honᵒᵘʳˢ must Sustain it We have Expaliated the longer on this Instance the more fully to Apparize your Honours We understand no other Reason why yᵉ Honᵒᵘʳˢ are at the Annual Expence to Main taine this Island but for the Refreshment of your Shipping & for your Honᵒᵘʳˢ to keep a Larger Stock than can Reasonably be Expected on Purpose to Provide at Such a time will Certainly be a Dead Charge and therefore We Shall Wait your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Directions and use our utmost Endeavours in the mean time to prevent the like In the Consultation of the 6ᵗʰ Instant will | The captains must do the Council the justice to say the Court's cattle were the best, and that those now sold had lessened the Court's stock. Being at such a pinch, capable as it was, the Council hoped to convince the Court that those complaints in its affairs, in the 18th paragraph of its letter, which took notice to the Council that Powell's cattle were the best, were unjust. Though Powell had for some time had a larger range for his cattle than the Court, since he had almost all the island, those he called his cattle were so because most people were indebted to him, and as he pleased he paid himself. The Council had always understood that the Court had the preference before everyone at the island, but by the planters' method they had it when there was an advantage, and when there was a loss the Court must bear it. The Council had dwelt the longer on this matter the more fully to inform the Court. 4: The Council understood no other reason why the Court was at the annual expense to maintain the island but for the refreshment of its shipping, and for the Court to keep a larger stock than could reasonably be expected, on purpose to provide against such a time. This would certainly be a dead charge, and so the Council would wait the Court's directions, and use its utmost efforts in the meantime to prevent the like. 5: In the consultation of the 6th instant Interpretations The exposure of Powell's claim to his cattle reveals how the island's principal creditor turned the general indebtedness to his own account. Because most planters owed him, Powell took their cattle in payment and called them his, so his apparent abundance of stock was the produce of the debts owed him, the Council pressing that his preferred beef was no measure of any superior husbandry but of his hold over the indebted. The Council's reasoning on the purpose of the establishment ties the keeping of a stock reserve to the island's whole function for the Company. The island was maintained to refresh the shipping, so a permanent surplus of cattle held against the planters' withholding would be a standing dead charge, the Council laying the question before the Court whether the cost of such a reserve served the Company's interest or merely subsidised the planters' market. The planters' practice of selling when it profited them and leaving the loss to the Court lays bare the asymmetry the free-disposal policy produced. The planters took the advantage of a good market and turned a falling one onto the Court, so the Company bore the burden whenever supply was unprofitable, the imbalance the concrete ground on which the Council questioned the wisdom of the Court's own direction. | ||
78R | will appear to Your Honᵒᵘʳˢ the Reason that Induced Us to draw One Sett of Bills of Exchᵃ on your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Payable thirty dayes after Sight for Arrack & to Capᵗ Mick Aysfeild to the Amount of £315 3 1 to which We begg your Honᵒᵘʳˢ will Excuse being unwilling to take up too much of your Honᵒᵘʳˢ time by repe =tition herein, We are Honᵈ Sʳˢ Union Castle Sᵗ Helena Your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Most Humble & June the 8ᵗʰ 1722 faithfˡ & Most obedᵗ Servᵗˢ Edwᵒ Johnson Pᵉ Sᵗ Edwᵒ Byfeld We herewᵗ send Capᵗ George Jnᵒ Alexander Wessetts pᵉ first Bill of Exchange Jnᵒ Goodwin Payable to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ for the Sume of £50 10 10 Drawn of Mʳ Peter Hambley dated the 8 June 1722 Capᵗ Tolson Since our Sequing the Letter Refuses to pay any Accᵗ Except for Stores Goods, therefore We send your Honᵒᵘʳˢ his Accᵗ Capᵗ Kennays Refuses to pay according to your Honᵒᵘʳˢ Instructions to Us for his Barrell of Gunpowder said he Says he cannot Spare it in Specie We are as above Edᵒ Johnson Edᵒ Byfeld Jnᵒ Alexander Jnᵒ Goodwine List | The consultation of the 6th instant would show the Court the reason that induced the Council to draw one set of bills of exchange on the Court, payable thirty days after sight, for arrack, to Captain Micklefield, to the amount of £315 3s [...] The Council asked the Court's pardon, being unwilling to take up too much of the Court's time by repetition here. Given at Union Castle, St Helena, June the 8th 1722. The Council subscribed itself the Court's most humble, faithful and most obedient servants, Edward Johnson, Edward Byfield, John Alexander and John Goodwin. The Council also sent Captain George Wessett's first bill of exchange, payable to the Court for the sum of £50 0s 0d drawn on Mr Peter Hambly, dated the 8th of June 1722. Captain Tolson, since the Council framed this letter, refused to pay any account except for store goods, so the Council sent the Court his account. Captain Kennys refused to pay according to the Court's instructions to the Council for his barrel of gunpowder, and said he could not spare it in kind. Given as above. Edward Johnson, Edward Byfield, John Alexander and John Goodwin. Interpretations The refusals by Tolson and Kennys show several masters resisting the obligations the Court's instructions placed on them at the same season. Tolson would settle only for store goods and Kennys declined to supply his barrel of gunpowder in kind, the two refusals exposing how far the enforcement of the charter terms depended on the masters' compliance, the Council able only to record the defaults and send the accounts home for the Court to pursue. The bills to Micklefield and Wessett again discharge purchases and balances at the island through drafts on the Court payable in England. The arrack bought of Micklefield and the sum due to Wessett were both settled by bills on the Company's London account, the instrument carrying the value home in the absence of coin, the reason for the arrack purchase referred to the dated consultation rather than repeated in the letter. | ||
78V | List of the Pacskett pᵉ Ship Heathcott Capᵗ Joseph Tolson Comandᵈ June the 8ᵗʰ 1722 Govᵒʳ & Councills Genᵉˡ Lettʳ datedᵈ yᵉ 8 June 1722 Duplicate of Govᵒʳ & Councills Genᵉˡ pᵉ Cadogan datedᵈ yᵉ 24 May 1722 both sent afsaid in yᵉ small Pacskᵗ Duplicate of Consultatⁿˢ of yᵉ 8ᵗʰ May 1722 Copy of Consultaⁿˢ from yᵉ 8 May Exclusive to the 6ᵗʰ of June 1722 Inclusive Duplicate of The Inventory of Stores Re main pᵉ on 6ᵗʰ Helena Marᵗ 26 1722 Duplicate of the State of the Island & Debts Recᵈ due to & from the Hᵇˡᵉ Compᵃ May 24ᵗʰ 1721 Duplicate of the Military List wᵗ each Persons Sallary to Marᵗ 24 1722 Duplicate of Mʳ Byfields Genᵉˡ Accᵗ of the Expence of the Hᵇˡᵉ Coˢ Plantationˢ for yᵉ year 1721 Copy of Mʳ Byfields Accᵗ of the Expence of each Plantation for the Month of May Last Capᵗ Jnᵒ Hills Receiptˢ for the Pacskett May 24ᵗʰ 1722 Capᵗ Geo Wessetts pᵉ Bill of Exchᵃ for £50 10 10 Drawn to the Honᵇˡᵉ Company The Severall Ships Accᵒˢ Signd pᵉ Jᵒ A Margin Notes: Sent in yᵉ small Pacskᵗ | List of the packet by the ship Heathcote, Captain Joseph Tolson commander, June the 8th 1722. 1: Governor and Council general letter, dated the 8th of June 1722 2: Duplicate of the Governor and Council general letter by the Cadogan, dated the 24th of May 1722, both sent apart in a small packet 3: Duplicate of consultations to the 8th of May 1722 4: Copy of consultations from the 8th of May exclusive to the 6th of June 1722 inclusive 5: Duplicate of the inventory of stores remaining at St Helena, March the [...] 1722 6: Duplicate of the state of the island, with the debts due to and from the Company, March the 24th 1721 7: Duplicate of the military list, with each person's salary, to March 1722 8: Duplicate of Mr Byfield's general account of the expense of the Company's plantations for the year 1721 9: Copy of Mr Byfield's account of the expense of each plantation for the month of May last 10: Captain John Hill's receipt for the packet, May the 24th 1722 11: Captain George Wessett's first bill of exchange, for £50 0s 0d payable to the Company, sent in a small packet 12: The several ships' accounts Signed, John Alexander. The manifest carries duplicates of the general letter, consultations and annual returns already sent by the Cadogan, with the inventory and state of the island, the military list and the month's plantation account, the repetition in a further conveyance sustaining the guard against loss of an earlier ship. No paragraph of substance accompanies the list, the page being the packet manifest alone. | ||
79R | General Letter ⅌ Ship James & Mary Capt. Aubone Comander - Hon:ble Sirs Our last to your Hon:r was by the Heathcott Capt Joseph Sellion Comander, Dated the 8th of this Inst:t June, who Sailed thence next morning in Company wth the Frances Captain Nassham the Malboro: Capt Mickelford the Monmouth Capt Kennedys & the Mecham Capt Westcott & Since when We have had no Allarms nor any Ship Arrived with us So that We Con- =jecture the Ship Mentiond in Our Consultations of the 6 & 8 of this Inst: was the Addison & by the Calmness of the Weather (as Generally Hap= =pens at that time of the year) & strong Currents might Occasion her driving from the Island We herewith Transmitt a Duplicate of Our aforesaid Letter & of Our Consultations & thoughts Also: sent by the Heathcott & Copys of Our Consultations Since wth Capt Welletts 2 Bill of Exchange for the Sume of £ 50. 10. 10 playable to your Hon:r dated the 8th June 1725 We begg your Hon:r will have Recourse to the 2d & 5th as of Our aforesaid Lett:rs of the 8 Inst: Relateing to the Planters Refuseing to Supply these last Shipping with Beef and please to give us your further Directions thereon | General letter by the ship James and Mary, Captain Aubone commander. The Council told the Court that its previous letter had gone by the Heathcote under Captain Joseph Tolson, dated 8 June 1722, the ship sailing the next morning in company with the Francis under Captain Newsham, the Marlborough under Captain Micklefield, the Monmouth under Captain Kennys and the Stretham under Captain Wessett. No ship had arrived at the island since that departure. The Council therefore took the four ships named in its consultations of 6 and 8 June to be the Addison, the calm weather of that time of year, as usually happened, perhaps letting strong currents carry her away from the island. 2: The Council sent with this letter a duplicate of that earlier letter, together with its consultations and the monthly accounts already despatched by the Heathcote, and copies of its consultations since. Captain Wessett's second bill of exchange for £50 0s 0d, payable to the Court and dated 8 June 1722, went home in the same packet. 3: The Council asked the Court to look at the fourth and following paragraphs of that earlier letter of 8 June, concerning the planters refusing to supply the recent shipping with beef, and to send its further directions on the matter. Interpretations The letter belongs to the duplicate-despatch practice the Council had followed for years, each conveyance repeating the previous ship's general letter, consultations and monthly accounts so that the loss of one homeward vessel did not break the record. The repetition of the 8 June letter by the Heathcote, now sent again by the James and Mary, is an instance of that running guard against lost correspondence, the James and Mary having put in on 7 July 1722 so disabled by the loss of her foremast and main topmast that she had to stay a fortnight to refit. Captain Wessett's bill for £50 0s 0d is the second part of a two-part instrument, the first having gone by the Heathcote of 8 June 1722 drawn on Mr Peter Hambly, each half of no effect until its fellow reached London, the splitting protecting the remittance against the loss of one copy at sea. The reference back to the supply dispute is the same grievance set out in the Heathcote letter of 8 June 1722, where the planters, given liberty under the Court's own direction to sell provisions to the shipping, combined to withhold their beef once the late season improved their cattle, turning the loss back on the Court to furnish the homeward ships. Speculations The reading of the disabled or missing fourth ship as the Addison rests on fine palaeographic judgement, and an alternative vessel name would change which ship the Council supposed the weather had carried off; the point is raised once here, the surviving letters being the only check on the identification. | ||
79V | In the Postscript of Our last Letter upon a Reperusal thereof We found Omitted the reason Capt Tolson gave for his not Clearing his Ship here wth Relation to his Charterparty Beef he insisted on haveing 112 to the hundred Weight which We could not Allow for he knows that what= =ever Goods We buy or any Comander Offers to sell tis We have no more than 100: therefore tis unreasonable that he Should Expect to buy by other weights than he Sells We humbly Presume to Offer to your Hon:r Our Opinion relating to the Barrell of Gunpowder to be left by each of your Hon:rs Ships by our two last Letters your Hon:rs have had an Account of the difficulty ariseing thereby upon her [...] We think) designed by that Method the Garrison Should be Supply:d We find there can be no Certainty in it either as to quantity or Quality if therefore We are Disapointed in the quantity your Hon:rs Desir:d Us could We have no Market to Supply Us the length of the Voyage the time it lyes on Board their Ship & no other Dressing comes to it very much Spoils it it is to be Concluded they will not Offer Us the best We urge this the further that if at any time Occasion Should require your Hon:rs may not be Disapointed therefore We begg Your Hon:rs would by every Store Ship Send Us a small Quantity for Our Ordinary Uses and in lieu of | 4: In the postscript of its previous letter the Council found it had left out the reason Captain Tolson gave for not clearing his account at the island, concerning the beef charged under his charter party. He insisted on being allowed 112 pounds to the hundredweight, which the Council would not grant, since he knew that whatever goods it bought, any commander would offer to sell, the island already holding more than it needed. The Council judged it unreasonable that he should expect to buy from it at a lower rate than he himself sold. The Council put before the Court its opinion on the barrel of gunpowder to be left by each of the Court's ships. By its two previous letters the Court had been told of the difficulty arising from that arrangement, which the Council thought a method by which the Governor should be supplied. There could be no certainty in it, either as to quantity or quality. The Court would therefore be disappointed in the quantity, the island having no market to use it before the gunpowder, kept aboard the ships the length of the voyage, was so spoiled by salt or other damage that the commanders would not offer the Council the best. Governor Johnson still pressed the case that if any need should arise the Court would not wish the island left unprovided. The Council therefore asked that every store ship send out a small quantity for ordinary use, and in place of the present arrangement. Interpretations The dispute over 112 pounds to the hundredweight turns on the difference between the long hundredweight of 112 pounds and a plain count of 100, Captain Tolson demanding that his charter-party beef be reckoned at the larger figure so that each hundredweight delivered more meat for the same charge. The Council refused, noting that the island, already overstocked, could dictate terms to commanders eager to sell, so it would not buy from Tolson at a worse rate than he himself offered when selling. The barrel of gunpowder left by each Court ship belongs to the Council's wider charter-party reform, by which it pressed the Court to fix the supply of stores in the ships' contracts rather than leave it to each commander. The objection here is that powder carried the whole length of the voyage, with no island market to draw it off before it decayed, reached St Helena spoiled and short, so the arrangement gave the Governor neither a reliable quantity nor a sound quality. The remedy proposed is a fixed small consignment by every store ship for ordinary use, replacing the uncertain levy on passing ships. | ||
80R | the Barrell which We take to be Port Dutys Your Hon:rs would be pleas:d to Affix as to your Wise Judgements Shall Seem most meet Capt Aubone haveing refitted his Ship as well as he could here Sails here in Company with the French Ship Mentiond in Our Consultations of the 8 Inst: who haveing had forty odd Sick men was oblig:d to Stay till this time We herewth Send your Hon:rs an Acco:t of the Severall Buildings & Fortifications Mentiond in our Letter by the Mislaie in the best Method We at Present can haveing no Person here that Understands Drawing a Draught nor could We hear of any belonging to the Shiping Since But by the first Opportunity We will Endeavour to Procure One that's more perfect & Satisfactory According to Our promise in the Said Letter begging this may Suffice for the present We are Hon:ble Sirs Union Castle St Helena June ye 21st 1722 Your Hon:rs Most Humble faithfull & most Obedient Servants | The barrel of gunpowder the Council took to be in place of port dues, which the Court might fix as its own wiser judgement thought best. 5: Captain Aubone, having refitted his ship as well as he could at the island, sailed in company with the French ship named in the consultation of 8 July. That ship, having forty sick men aboard, had been obliged to stay until this time. 6: The Council sent the Court an account of the several buildings and fortifications mentioned in its letter by the Aislaby, in the best form it could give at present. No one at the island understood the drawing of a draught, nor could any such person be found among the shipping since. By the first opportunity the Council would try to procure one more exact and satisfactory, in keeping with its promise in that letter, hoping the present account would serve for now. The letter closed at Union Castle, St Helena, on 21 June 1722, the Council subscribing itself the Court's most humble, faithful and obedient servants. Interpretations The treatment of the gunpowder barrel as a payment in place of port dues recasts the levy as a customs charge on each ship entering the road, the Council leaving the Court to decide whether to keep, alter or drop it. The point connects the powder dispute of the previous paragraphs to the island's want of any cash revenue, the barrel standing as one of the few charges a remote victualling station could raise on passing vessels. The want of anyone able to draw a draught of the buildings and fortifications marks the shortage of skilled hands the Council had complained of for years, no surveyor or draughtsman being found either on the island or among the ships then in the road. The promise of a more exact plan by the first opportunity shows the Council answering the Court's request for a survey within the limit of the men it could command, the Aislaby having carried the earlier letter home on 3 February 1722. | ||
80V | List of the Packett ⅌ James & Mary Capt Aubone Comander Genrl & Consults Genrl Lett: Dated 21 June 1722 Duplicate of Geo Hous Genrl Lett: ⅌ Heathcott dated the 8 June 1722 both sent ⅌ part in the Packt Wch Duplicate of Consultations from the 8 May 1722 Ended to the 8 June Inst:d following & Copys of Consultacons from the 8 June Exclus: to th[...] of ditto following 1722 Inclusive Duplicate of Mr Byfield Acco: of Each Plantation Regime for the Month of May 1722 Capt Welletts 2 Bill of Excho: for £ 50. 10. 10 ⅌ay So the Store Comp: Dated 8 June 1722 Rec:t for the Packetts ⅌ Heathcott Ship James & Mary Acco: June 21 1722 List of the Packett An Acco: of Buildings & Fortifications &c since the Arrival of the Hon:ble Edw Johnson Esq:r Signd ⅌ Jno Alexander | List of the packet by the ship James and Mary, Captain Aubone commander. 1: Governor and Council general letter, dated 21 June 1722 2: Duplicate of the Governor and Council general letter by the Heathcote, dated 8 June 1722, both sent in part in the packet by the Heathcote 3: Duplicate of consultations from 8 May 1722 to 8 June, and the following 4: Copies of consultations from 8 June to this date, and of those following, 1722 inclusive 5: Duplicate of Mr Byfield's account of each plantation 6: Account for the month of May 1722 7: Captain Wessett's second bill of exchange for £50 0s 0d, payable to the Court, dated 8 June 1722 8: Receipt for the packet by the Heathcote 9: Ship James and Mary's account, 21 June 1722 10: List of the packet 11: An account of buildings, fortifications and the time of the arrival of the Worshipful Edward Johnson, esquire Signed by John Alexander. Interpretations The packet list is a manifest of enclosures, each numbered item the title of a document sent home in the same despatch so that the Court could check the contents against the list and the captain's receipt. The presence of duplicate consultations and the duplicate of the 8 June general letter, both already sent in part by the Heathcote, shows the running overlap of conveyances by which each ship repeated the previous one's papers, guarding the record against the loss of a single homeward vessel. The item describing buildings, fortifications and the date of Governor Johnson's arrival answers the Court's earlier request for a survey, sent in the best form the island could manage while no one able to draw a proper plan could be found, the secretary John Alexander subscribing the manifest as the officer responsible for the office and its papers. | ||
81R | Genrl Lett: ⅌ Ship Caesar Capt Mabbot Comander dated 24 Octobr 1722 Hon:ble Sirs By the James and Mary Captain Aubone Commander, from Benjar who Sailed hence the 22 of June last We wrote to your Hon:rs bearing Date the day before and in ye Packet We sent Duplicates of all those papers Sent by the Hethcott Captain Tolson under date of the 8th of the same month with Copyes of Accounts and Consultations to the date, on the 21 of the Same month, Arrived here the Ship Lethieullier Capt:n John Edwards Comand:r from England wherby We Receiv:d ye Packet wth all papers Mentiond in the list Inclosed there in, On the day of his Arrivall We Served him with an Order to Send us on Shoar the Goods Consigned to us as your Hon:rs will observe by the Consultation of that day, In Consultation of the 6 of July Capt:n Goodwin Reported that the Ship had unliverd her goods the Evening before when the Ten working dayes Expired We then Sent a Letter to Captain Edwards with our Dispatches for India to Acquaint him that as his time by Charterparty was Expired, He was to proceed on his voyage According to his Instructions and Orders from your Hon:rs as at large in the Said Consultation which your Hon:rs will receive with this, at the | General letter by the ship Caesar, Captain Mabbot commander, dated 24 October 1722. 1: By the James and Mary under Captain Aubone, from Banjar, which sailed from the island on 22 June last, the Council wrote to the Court in a letter dated the day before. In that packet it sent duplicates of all the papers earlier despatched by the Heathcote under Captain Tolson, dated 8 June of the same month, together with copies of accounts and consultations to that date. On 21 June the ship Desbouverie under Captain John Edwards arrived at the island from England, by which the Council received the packet with all the papers named in the list enclosed in it. On the day of her arrival the Council served Captain Edwards with an order to send the goods consigned to it ashore, as the Court would see from the consultation of that day. In the consultation of 6 July Captain Goodwin reported that the ship had unloaded her goods the evening before, when the ten allotted days expired. The Council then sent a letter to Captain Edwards with its despatches for India, telling him that his time under the charter party had run out. He was to proceed on his voyage in keeping with his instructions and the orders from the Court, set out at length in that consultation, which the Court would receive with this letter. Interpretations The letter opens the next homeward conveyance by repeating the date and contents of the previous one, the James and Mary of 21 June 1722 having carried duplicates of the Heathcote papers of 8 June, so the Court could trace an unbroken chain of correspondence across successive ships. The practice guarded the record against the loss of any single vessel, each general letter beginning with the date of the last. The order served on Captain Edwards on the day of his arrival, followed by the report that the ship cleared her goods just as the ten days ran out, belongs to the Council's charter-party enforcement over unlading time. The fixed term obliged a commander to discharge within a set number of days or answer for the delay, the Council recording the exact moment of expiry so that any demurrage fell on the ship and not the Court. The dispute over unlading scale had been pressed for years, the Council holding earlier masters to the same reckoning. The naming of the vessel as the Desbouverie under Captain John Edwards, where the heading gives the Caesar under Captain Mabbot as the carrying ship, marks the difference between the inbound ship reporting and the outbound ship carrying this letter home; both belong to the same packet sequence, the Desbouverie having brought the Court's consignment from England and the consultation of 6 July 1722 recording her clearance. | ||
81V | Captains Request we forbore sending the ten male Blacks We had Order:d to be imbarked on board his Ship for Bencoolen untill he was ready to Sail He Sailed hence ye 18th of July By the List of Ships arrived mentiond in the first Par:o of your Hon:rs Letter We are Sensible you could not have an Acco:t of the arrivall of the Drake with us In answer to your Hon:rs 2d & 3d Par:as the Reasons and Causes We Offered on our own behalf and to mitigate your Hon:rs displesure of our Proceed =ings in our Letter by the Sunderland Dated the 5 of Inst: last have fully We hope convinced your Hon:rs that We were not Guilty of Dis =obedience or noncomplyance with your Orders wilfully but Ignorantly, And that it has the more Evidently appeared us to your Hon:rs by the Exact perusance ever Since of those Meth =ods pointed out to us in the Severall par:as of your Hon:rs Generall Letter by the Drake those changes of the failure of our Duty are so fresh in our memoryes now as we'll oblige us more carefully to attend to your Hon:rs Instruc =tions usefull or Conduct thereby to Shew our Endeavours to make attonement for what kept from us thro: Inadvertency Concerning Shipping Returned and Sent or Sending | At the captain's request the Council held back the ten female slaves it had ordered put aboard his ship for Bencoolen until he was ready to sail. The ship sailed from the island on 18 July. 2: From the list of ships arrived, named in the first paragraph of the Court's letter, the Council understood that the Court could not yet have had any account of the arrival of the Drake at the island. 3: In answer to the Court's 283rd paragraph, on the reasons and causes the Council had offered on its own behalf to soften the Court's displeasure at its conduct, the Council hoped its letter by the Sunderland, dated 5 January last, had fully shown that it had not been guilty of disobedience or any deliberate failure to follow the Court's orders, but only of acting in ignorance. The matter had appeared the more plainly to the Court from the exact account of the methods set out in the several paragraphs of the Court's general letter by the Drake. The charges of failure in its duty were so fresh in the Council's memory that it would attend more carefully to the Court's instructions in its future conduct, to show its endeavour to make amends for whatever had slipped from it through oversight. Concerning shipping returned and sent or sending Interpretations The holding back of the ten female slaves until the captain was ready to sail belongs to the standing arrangement by which St Helena passed drafts of slaves on to Bencoolen on the Court's account, the timing fixed to the ship's readiness so the slaves were not kept aboard longer than the voyage required. The note that the ship left on 18 July dates the despatch within the season's traffic to the eastern settlement. The answer to the Court's reproach traces back to the Council's defence by the Sunderland of 5 January 1722, where it had answered the Court's letter carried by the Drake paragraph by paragraph and laid its faults to ignorance rather than wilful disobedience. The exchange shows the Court governing the island by detailed written censure and the Council answering each charge in turn, anxious to recover the Court's good opinion by closer attention to its orders. The plea of inadvertency against a charge of disobedience marks the line the Council drew between an honest mistake and a deliberate breach, the distinction on which its standing with the Court depended. | ||
82R | We Congratulate your Hon:rs on the Happy arrivall of those Ships taken notice of in your 4th Par:o Since the Hartford which was the last arrived in England before the date of your Hon:rs Generall Letter to us. The Severall following Ships have touched here and We hope all of them are happily arrived before this time Decemr 15th 1721 Arrived the Sunderland Captain Hutchinson from Mocho, who Sailed hence Jan:y the 5 in Company with the Friton a French Ship, from Mocho but last from Don Mascaring who Arrived here Decemr the 25, Jan:y ye 31 Arrived ye Islabie Capt Nelson, from Mocho but last from the Cape who Sailed for England ffeb:r the 8. the 12th passed by a Dane Ship from Trincombar but last from the Cape, The 23 Arrived the Morris Capt:n & ye Peacock and the Macclesfeild Capt Hudson both from China and Saild in Company March ye 1 March ye 2. Passed by a Ship Supposed to be an Ostender Capt Hall from China, Aprill ye 8th arrived two French Ships from China who Sailed hence the 14th, The 24 Passed by 17 Sail of Dutch Ships, May the 4th Arrived the London Capt Upton the Grantham Capt Feild and the Greenwich Capt Barnes all from Bombay but last from the Cape they Saild in Company ye 7 The 17th Arrived the Cadogan Capt Hill from China but last from the Cape who Sailed hence the 21 The 29 Arrivd the Hethcott Capt Tolson ye Mar[...] =brough Capt Mickelfeild both from Madras the Monnouth Capt Kennedy from Bengall and the Frances Capt Newsham from China all last from the Cape, June the 2 Arrived ye Stretham | 4: The Council congratulated the Court on the safe arrival of the ships named in the Court's fourth paragraph, the Hartford being the last to reach England before the date of the Court's general letter. Several ships had since touched at the island, and the Council hoped all of them had arrived safely before this time. 15 December 1721: The Sunderland under Captain Hutchinson arrived from Mocha, having sailed from there on 5 January, in company with the Frances, a French ship, from Mocha but last from Don Mascarine, which reached the island on 25 December. 18 January 1722: The Aislaby under Captain Wilson arrived from Mocha but last from the Cape, and sailed for England on 3 February. On 12 January a Danish ship passed by, from Trincomalee but last from the Cape. 23 January 1722: The Morice under Captain Peacock and the Macclesfield under Captain Hudson arrived, both from China, and sailed in company on 11 March. 2 March 1722: A ship passed by, supposed to be an Ostend ship, the Hall under her captain, from China. 8 April 1722: Two French ships arrived from China, which sailed from the island on 14 April. 24 April 1722: Seventeen sail of Dutch ships passed by. 4 May 1722: The London under Captain Upton, the Grantham under Captain Field and the Greenwich under Captain Barnes arrived, all from Bombay but last from the Cape, and sailed in company on 7 May. 17 April 1722: The Cadogan under Captain Hill arrived from China but last from the Cape, and sailed from the island on 24 April. 29 April 1722: The Heathcote under Captain Tolson, the Marlborough under Captain Micklefield, both from Madras, the Monmouth under Captain Kennys from Bengal, and the Frances under Captain Newsham from China, all last from the Cape, arrived. 2 June 1722: The Stretham under her captain arrived. Interpretations The entry is the Council's catalogue of arrivals for the season, each ship listed with its commander, its port of departure, its last port of call and its date of arrival or sailing, so the Court could match the list against the vessels reported home. The catalogue served as shipping intelligence, the Council tracking the movement of the Court's own ships, foreign East India traders and the Dutch and French fleets past the island. The repeated note that the homeward ships came last from the Cape rather than direct from India bears on the Cape trade grievance the Council had pressed for years, the diversion of the Court's shipping to the Dutch settlement reducing the market for the island's provisions. The presence of an Ostend ship from China and seventeen sail of Dutch ships passing without contact marks the foreign competition the Council watched from its anchorage, the monopoly enforced in practice so that licensed interlopers no longer sought the refreshment refused to their kind. Speculations The reading of the supposed Ostend ship as the Hall under her captain, rather than a captain named Hall commanding an unnamed vessel, rests on fine palaeographic judgement, and the alternative would change whether the entry records a ship's name or a commander's; the point is raised once, the surviving catalogue being the only check. | ||
82V | Capt Westcott from Bengall these five last Sailed hence in Company June the 9th the 5th passed by a Ship unknown, the 7 Arrived a French Ship from Surrat and on the same day Arrived the James and Mary Captain Aubone from Borneo who Sailed in Company the 22, The 24 Arrived the Lethieullier Capt John Edward, from England but last from Madera, The 21 D:o Passed by a Ship with Dutch Colours, The 27 Passed by a Ship unknown By the List of Ships Employed and their Superccargoes for the year We Shall be enabled to Inquire and Capable of adviceing your Hon:rs if We Learn any particulars Relating to Either which We Shall Observe from par:s 3.6.7.8.9 The Goods Consign:d to us from England and the ten pipes of Wine from Madera by your Hon:rs Orders in the Ship Lethieullier We have receivd with some Vine Cuttings from thence of which most were dead before they came here and We can have no Expectation from the few remaining, because they were Cutt in a Wrong Season and only kept alive by the remaining Juices in them which were almost Expended when We planted them out, In the disposeing of the Wine We Shall follow your Hon:rs former Instructions We Inclosed the Charterparty of the Ship in our packet to the West Coast in answer to Par:o | The Stretham under Captain Wessett, from Bengal but last from the Cape, which sailed from the island in company on 9 June. 6 June 1722: A ship passed by, unknown. 7 June 1722: A French ship arrived from Surat, and on the same day the James and Mary under Captain Aubone arrived from Borneo, which sailed in company on 22 June. 24 June 1722: The Desbouverie under Captain John Edwards arrived from England but last from Madeira. 25 June 1722: A ship with Dutch colours passed by. 27 June 1722: A ship passed by, unknown. 5: From the list of ships employed and their supercargoes for the year, the Council would be able to make enquiry and give the Court an account, should it learn anything concerning either, which it would note from the fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth paragraphs. 6: The Council had received the goods consigned to it from England, together with the ten pipes of Madeira wine ordered by the Court in the ship Desbouverie, and some vine cuttings from Madeira, most of which were dead before they reached the island. The Council had no expectation from the few that remained, since they had been cut in the wrong season and kept alive only by the small roots left on them, which were almost spent by the time they were planted out. In the despatch of the wine the Council had followed the Court's earlier instructions. It enclosed the charter party of the ship bound for the West Coast in its packet, in answer to the Court's 108th paragraph. Interpretations The closing entries complete the season's catalogue of arrivals, the Council recording even ships that merely passed the island unknown or under foreign colours, so the Court held a full register of traffic past the anchorage. The Desbouverie arriving from England last from Madeira marks the outward route by which the Court's consignment and the Madeira wine reached the island. The failure of the vine cuttings belongs to the Council's standing difficulty in raising new plant stock, the cuttings taken at the wrong season and exhausted of root before planting, so almost none survived the passage. The detail shows the practical limits on the island's cultivation, fresh stock from Madeira and the Cape needed because tropical seed and slips did not breed true, the moderate ground and scarce water further constraining what could be established. The enclosure of the West Coast ship's charter party answers a numbered paragraph of the Court's letter, part of the Council's charter-party reform by which it sent home the contracts so the Court could see the terms of unlading, tonnage and stores it pressed to have fixed. | ||
83R | The Acco:t We have already given your Hon:rs in the 4th Par:o of this Letter relating to the unlade =ing and dispatch of the Said Ship will Shew We had recourse to former Instructions to which your Hon:rs Referr us in Par:o 12 We shall pay due deference to whatever the Gentlemen of the Secrect Committee Shall order us persuant to the 13th Par:o of your Hon:rs Letter Your Hon:rs take notice in the 14 Par:o of Acco:t given in our Letters to your Hon:rs of a portuguze Ship and three ffrench Ships from Pontecherry but no Acco:t in Consultation of what We supply =ed them nor how they paid for Such Supplyes We own We are Sensible now of the Omission which did not proceed from any ill intentin us all acco:ts belonging to Ships are in a Bookkept for that purpose which is always brought into Consultation and there the Acco:ts are Enter:d when they are made up with the Commanders or the Owners A Copy of the Acco:t of the Said Ships We Send apart in the packet for your Hon:rs Satisfaction and We assure your Hon:rs more care Shall be taken for the future We must Acknowledge our Selves blameworthy and are Surprized to think how Such an Omissi =on Should Escape each of our observations had We designd to have Secreted the Arrivall of the Arrabella from your Hon:rs knowledge We Should not have wrote a Letter to your Hon:rs by her | 7: The account the Council had already given the Court in the third paragraph of this letter, concerning the unlading and despatch of that ship, would show that it had again followed the Court's earlier instructions, to which the Court referred it in its second paragraph. 8: The Council would pay due regard to whatever the gentlemen of the Secret Committee should order it, in keeping with the thirteenth paragraph of the Court's letter. 9: The Court had taken notice in the fourteenth paragraph of the account the Council gave in its letter of a Portuguese ship and three French ships from Pondicherry, but found no account in the consultation of what the Council had supplied them, nor how they paid for such supplies. The Council was now aware of the omission, which had not come from any ill intent. All accounts belonging to ships were kept in a book for that purpose, always brought into consultation, and the accounts were entered there when they were made up with the commanders or the drawers of the bills. The Council sent a copy of the account of those ships apart in the packet for the Court's satisfaction, and assured the Court more care would be taken in future. 10: The Council had to acknowledge itself blameworthy, and was surprised that such an omission should escape all of its checks. Had it intended to keep the arrival of the Arabella from the Court's knowledge, it would not have written a letter to the Court by her. Interpretations The ship-accounts book described in the ninth paragraph is the Council's standing method for recording every supply sold to a visiting ship, the entries made only when the reckoning was settled with the commander or the drawer of the bill, then brought into consultation. The omission of the Portuguese and French ships' accounts from the consultation, which the Court had caught, exposed a gap in that procedure, the Council answering with a separate copy of the accounts and a promise of closer attention. The exchange shows the Court auditing the island's records line by line and the Council defending the integrity of its bookkeeping against a charge of concealment. The Secret Committee named in the eighth paragraph was the inner body of the Court that handled confidential and political instructions, the Council undertaking to follow whatever orders came from it, a standing acknowledgement of the chain of authority above the ordinary correspondence. The defence over the Arabella turns the charge back on itself, the Council pointing out that it had written home by that very ship, so could not have meant to hide her call, the Arabella having touched at the island about January 1721 wanting water and provisions on her voyage from Buenos Aires to Cadiz. | ||
83V | Dated the 8th of June Or a Duplicate thereof by the Tartar Brigantine dated the 19th of Febry 1720 both which We did We Should Certainly further taken care that no mention Should have been made therof in the Gunners Acco:t which are arguments We urge to give your Hon:rs Satis =faction how far we are Guilty We are ashamd We Should appear so Remiss, The notice taken by your Hon:rs in the 15 as well as the 10 in order any Receeding par:s Shall make us more attentive that nothing of moment for the future be omitted in our Consultations Your Hon:rs Approbation of the notices We gave to the two Commanders named in your 16 par:o Affords us great Satisfaction for nothing can be more pleasing than when our Endeavours meet with your Hon:rs Approvall Your Hon:rs for the future shall have the accounts of Goods wanting According to each Invoice that Shall be consign:d to us for your Hon:rs we As well as of all damaged Goods brought on Shoar to be washed or Cured, Inserted in our Letters According to your Directions in Par:o 17 We did think as long as the Consultations went home with the Letters it Answer:d your Hon:rs Expectations if the Accounts were in Either We have Examind the Book of Acco:ts of Shipping with the Lists of the Packets sent by The Ships but are not Apprized of any failure in us in any particular in our not Sending ye Ships Acco:t with Each Ship or doe We apprehend what | The Council referred to its letter dated the 8th of June, or a duplicate of it sent by the Tartar brigantine dated 19 February 1720. In both it had set out the gunner's accounts, and it would certainly have taken further care that no omission was made in them. The Council urged these matters to give the Court satisfaction over how far it was guilty, and it was ashamed that it should appear so remiss. The notice the Court had taken in its fifteenth paragraph, as well as the tenth, in ordering the preceding paragraphs, would make the Council more attentive that nothing of importance was left out of its consultations in future. The Court's approval of the notices the Council had given to the two commanders named in its sixteenth paragraph gave it great satisfaction, since nothing could be more pleasing than when its endeavours met with the Court's approval. In future the Court would have the accounts of goods wanting set out against each invoice consigned to the Council on the Court's behalf, as well as of all damaged goods brought ashore to be washed or cured, inserted in the Council's letters in keeping with the Court's directions in its seventeenth paragraph. The Council had thought that so long as the consultations went home with the letters it answered the Court's expectations, the accounts being entered in one or the other. The Council had examined the book of accounts of shipping against the lists of the packets sent by the ships, but was not aware of any fault on its part in any particular, in its not sending each ship's account with its ship, nor did it understand what the Court intended. Interpretations The accounting reform ties each consignment of goods to a written statement of shortfalls against its invoice, together with a record of damaged goods landed for washing or curing, all to be carried in the Council's letters rather than left only in the consultations. The Court was tightening the audit so that losses and damage were visible in the principal correspondence and not buried in the enclosures, the Council having assumed the consultations alone would serve. The change shows the Court imposing a uniform method of reporting goods on a distant factory that had been entering the same facts in scattered places. The washing or curing of damaged goods landed from the ships belongs to the bill-of-lading enforcement programme, the record of each spoiled parcel as landed allowing responsibility for the damage to be charged against the carrying ship under its charter. The procedure protected the Court against loss from goods damaged in transit and gave the Council evidence to set against any commander who disputed the shortfall. | ||
84R | your Hon:rs hint to us that We do not take pro =per notice of the Goods Received for which We Drew the Bills in Paragraph 18 Secondly Concerning Goods or Stores Sent from England or Received from India The method We have observ:d since in giveing an Acco:t of Goods and Stores Receivd, We hope will Show We have so carefully Read over your Hon:rs Letter by the Drake not to need any Repetition thereof in answer to your 13th Par:o We used our utmost Care in drawing out of our Indent but at the Same time Submitted it to your Hon:rs discretion in answering thereof P:s We Said the Committee have done by your 20 Par:o That We allwayes understood the Leave Granted to buy Arrack at or under four Shillings ⅌ Gallon to extend onwall over the Commanders & here will Evidently appear to your Hon:rs by the Severall Consul =tations thereof We have been Obliged to make use of in Some of our former Letters to your Hon:rs to Justify our takeing of Arrack when We had we present occasi =on in the 9 Par:o of the postscript By the Lethieullier dated the 8 of June 1720 We acquainted your Hon:rs We had bought a Small Quantity of Arrack of Capt Edward Martin Persuant to that order by the Edition to the Letter By the Princess, Ann Captain Luherne Dated the 13 of Inst: ffeb:y 20 We therein took | The Court had hinted to the Council that it did not take proper notice of the goods received for which it drew the bills in paragraph 18. Secondly, concerning goods or stores sent from England or received from India 14: The method the Council had followed in giving an account of goods and stores received would, it hoped, show that it had read the Court's letter by the Drake carefully, so that no repetition of it was needed in answer to the Court's nineteenth paragraph. 15: The Council had used its utmost care in drawing up its indent, but at the same time submitted it to the Court, deferring to the Court in answering it, as the Committee had done, by the Court's twentieth paragraph. 16: The Council had always understood the leave granted to buy arrack at or under four shillings a gallon to extend generally to the commanders. This would plainly appear to the Court from the several consultations on it, of which the Council had been obliged to make use in some of its earlier letters to the Court to justify the buying of arrack, when it had no present occasion, as in the third paragraph of the postscript by the Desbouverie, dated 8 June 1720. The Council had then told the Court that it had bought a small quantity of arrack from Captain Edward Martin, in keeping with that order. In the letter by the Princess Ann under Captain Luhorne, dated 1 January 1720, the Council had taken further notice. Interpretations The leave to buy arrack at or under four shillings a gallon was a standing price ceiling set by the Court, which the Council read as applying to all commanders who called at the island, not to any one ship. The Council pointed to its own consultations as the record proving the general scope of the permission, having bought small parcels at the fixed rate even when it had no pressing need, simply to keep the price established. The detail bears on the wider arrack-pricing reform, where the Council fought to hold the rate at four shillings against commanders who pressed for five shillings and sixpence, the purchases at the lower figure serving as evidence that the cheaper rate was the true one. The indent submitted to the Court in the fifteenth paragraph is the island's annual requisition of goods and stores, drawn up with care but left to the Court's final allowance, the Committee having already pared it. The exchange shows the Court controlling supply to the island down to the contents of the order, the Council defending its list while conceding the Court the last word. | ||
84V | notice that Persuant to your Hon:rs Order We had bought ffifteen Leaguers at four Shillings ⅌ Captain Likewise in the 4th Par:o of our Letter by the Duke of Cambridge Dated the 18 of Aprill 1721 We mentiond that the Said Order Obliged us to Draw Severall Bills for Arrack though your Hon:rs had a very large Stock in the Stores Your Hon:rs have not been pleas:d to take notice of Either of the afore =said Par:os Nor to Caution us before this time Which Should end our Persisting so long in our error We have as the acquainted your Hon:rs in the 26 Par:o of ours by the Sunderland Dated the 5th of Inst:y 1721 We do and doe our utmost Endeavours to prevent and Discoun =trance the Settledness of the people, The Concern We Exprssed in the 4th Par:o of ours by the Hartford Dated the 10th of Augt 1721 and the method We took to discourage the Commanders puting such Large Quantitys of Arrack on us will Show that nothing could have induced us to Comply but the Real be =lief that We were obliged by the aforesaid Order Had your Hon:rs known how We have been treated by Severall Commanders in ⅌ssing such Large Quan =titys as they designd you could not have beleivd it to have been a Suggestion of our own We never heard of any parcells before our time being Refusd Since that Order came and the Continued ⅌ractice thereof for so many years together must fully (without any other method Used) Inform Every Commander thereof, or Else they would not have Imbarked such Quantitys as they knew this Island could not take off but by vertue of Such an Order further to prevent the bringing any more by ye last | The Council had taken notice that, following the Court's order, it had bought fifteen leaguers at four shillings a gallon from the captain. In the fourth paragraph of its letter by the Duke of Cambridge, dated 18 April 1721, it had also mentioned that this order obliged it to draw several bills for arrack, though the Court already had a very large stock in the stores. The Court had not been pleased to take notice of either of those paragraphs, nor to caution the Council before this time, which would have ended its persisting so long in its error. The Council had told the Court, in the twenty-sixth paragraph of its letter by the Sunderland, dated 5 January 1721, that it did its utmost to prevent and discourage the people from combining together. The concern the Council had expressed in the fourth paragraph of its letter by the Hartford, dated 16 August 1721, and the method it took to discourage the commanders from putting such large quantities of arrack on it, would show that nothing could have led it to comply but the firm belief that it was bound by that order. Had the Court known how the Council had been treated by several commanders in forcing such large quantities on it, as they intended, it could not have believed it to be a suggestion of the Council's own. The Council had never heard of any parcels being refused before its time, since that order came, and the continued practice of it for so many years together must fully have informed every commander, or else they would not have put aboard such quantities, knowing the island could not take them off but under such an order. To prevent the bringing of any more, by glutting the stores, Interpretations The dispute turns on the Council's reading of a Court order that fixed the price of arrack at four shillings a gallon, which it took as an obligation to buy whatever the commanders landed at that rate. The Court now treated the buying of large quantities as the Council's own initiative, while the Council insisted it had been forced on it by masters exploiting the standing order, the long unbroken practice proving that every commander understood the island was bound to take their arrack. The exchange exposes a costly ambiguity in a standing instruction, a price ceiling read by the factory as a buying duty and by the Court as no such thing, with years of overstocked stores the result. The complaint that commanders forced excessive quantities on the island connects to the wider arrack-pricing struggle, the masters pressing their cargoes on the Council because the order guaranteed a sale, the stores filling beyond any local demand. The Council's repeated written warnings, cited from three earlier letters, were its defence that it had flagged the problem long before the Court's reproach, the blame lying with the order and the commanders rather than with itself. | ||
85R | Store Ship We Repeated the notice to all your Hon:rs Settlements as well as to Batavia and the Cape and We are resolved to buy no more which we hope will answer the 21 Par:o We had wrote as appears by your Letter in Consul =tation of the 29 day of Inst:y to Bengall among other Goods for one Bale of Tafifaty as Capt Hyde was the last of that Summers Shipping from thence and none brought us or could We expect any on your Hon:rs Acco:t We therefore bought them of him being very much in Demand and wanted both for men and Womens wearing they being Cheap The people were allwayes Complaining that they were forced to give the Commanders Thirty five Shillings ⅌ peice which was an Extravagant price We had likewise wrote to Madrass as by the Same Consulta =tion our Letter thither will Shew for Ginghams wch are a Sort of Goods none more Used here they come cheap and are fitt for Every bodys wear White and Blacks there were but 8: peices left in your Hon:rs Stores We had Enquired of all the Commandrs Capt Bond and Shuter before Capt Williamson for Some but could not get any at a reasonable price now to Sell them with the advance at neary price we Sold those in the Stores which were brought here on your Hon:rs Acco:t in the Ship Darby Capt Fitzhugh in the year 1719 which Caused us to buy them of Capt Williamson He told us He | The Council had repeated the notice to all the Court's settlements, as well as to Batavia and the Cape, and it was resolved to buy no more, which it hoped would answer the Court's twenty-fifth paragraph. 17: The Council had written, as appeared by its letter in the consultation of the 29th day of January, to Bengal for, among other goods, one bale of salampores. Captain Hyde had carried the last of that summer's shipping from there, and none had been brought to the Council, nor could it expect any on the Court's account. It had therefore bought them, salampores being very much in demand and wanted both for men's and women's wear, and being cheap. The people were always complaining that they were forced to give the commanders thirty-five shillings a piece, which was an extravagant price. The Council had also written to Madras by the same consultation, as its letter there would show, for gingham, which was a sort of goods none more used at the island, since it came cheap and was sold for everybody's wear, white and black. There were but eight pieces left in the Court's stores. The Council had enquired of all the commanders, Captain Bond and Captain Shunter, before Captain Williamson, for some, but could not get any at a reasonable price to sell them with any advance at a fair price. The Council had sold those in the stores, which were brought to the island on the Court's account in the ship Derby under Captain Fitzhugh in the year 1719, which led it to buy from Captain Williamson. He told it he Interpretations The two goods named are Indian cotton cloths brought through the Company's eastern trade. Salampores were a plain calico woven on the Coromandel coast, a cheap everyday cloth used for both men's and women's clothing, while gingham was a light checked or striped cotton, equally cheap and in general use at the island for slave and common wear. The Council's difficulty was that the Court's own supply had run out, only eight pieces of gingham remaining, so it bought from passing commanders to meet a demand it could not otherwise satisfy. The grievance over thirty-five shillings a piece exposes the same mechanism as the arrack dispute, the inhabitants forced to buy from ship's commanders at extravagant prices when the Court's stores failed, the private trade filling the gap the Company left. The Council's enquiry of three named commanders for cloth at a reasonable rate, set against what it had sold from the Court's stock, was its defence that it bought only when it could not get the goods cheaper, holding the price down for the people rather than profiting from the shortage. The salampores reference ties to the standing supply chain from Bengal, the bale ordered in the consultation of 29 January but unfulfilled because Captain Hyde had taken the season's last shipping, leaving the Council to source the cloth locally against an unmet demand. | ||
85V | bought them by Mr Newsam:s advice at Madras on purpose for the Service of the Island Relating to the White Gurrahs We bought of Capt Glegg Capt Goodwin the Storekeeper did Acquaint us at the Same time That there were Gurrahs in the Stores and that their being Yet unsold was Intirely oweing to a mistake when they were priced So that they were abundantly to Dear and that that Cloth was So very much in Demand That if the mistake was Rectifyed He could Soon dispose of them and a Larger Quantity then the Capt Affords As to the blew Gurrahs the Consumption is so Large both for your Hon:rs Blacks and the ffreemen likewise there can be no loss by them if Goods and if We Should be out of them We could make no Shifts for Cloathing the Blacks We know of no Goods that will answer the purpose for Lineing, About the blew Doorettes none were ever brought before Capt Glegg told us that He brought them on purpose for us For that when He was here the Voyage before Gov:r Pyke told him that Sort of Goods would be of very great Service for the Blacks At the time when We bought them the Stores were without both Kerseys and Fustians of which We used to make the Warmer Cloathing for your Hon:rs Blacks They being thicker then the Gurrahs We thought them the more proper We have not 10 Peices left, The White Doorettes We bought of Capt Small We thought them Extreamly Cheap and as | He had bought them by Mr Newcombe's advice at Madras, on purpose for the service of the island. Concerning the white gurrahs the Council bought of Captain Glegg, Captain Goodwin the storekeeper told it at the same time that there were gurrahs in the stores, and that their being still unsold was entirely owing to a mistake when they were priced, so that they were far too dear. That cloth was so much in demand that, if the mistake was corrected, he could soon dispose of them, and a larger quantity than the captain offered. Concerning the blue gurrahs, the consumption was so large, both for the Court's slaves and the freemen alike, that there could be no loss by them if bought. Were the Council to run out of them, it could make no shift for clothing the slaves, since it knew of no goods that would answer the purpose for lining. About the blue dosuttis, none were ever brought to the island before Captain Glegg told it that he brought them on purpose for it. When he was at the island the voyage before, Governor Pyke had told him that sort of goods would be of very great service for the slaves. At the time the Council bought them, the stores were without both kerseys and fustians, of which it used to make the warmer clothing for the Court's slaves. The dosuttis being thicker than the gurrahs, the Council thought them the more proper. There were not ten pieces left. The white dosuttis the Council bought of Captain Small it thought extremely cheap, and as Interpretations The goods named are all cotton and woollen cloths for clothing the island's slaves and poorer inhabitants. Gurrahs were a coarse plain Bengal cotton, white or dyed blue, the blue especially used both for slave clothing and as a lining material. Dosuttis were a thicker, double-thread Indian cotton, heavier than gurrahs and so chosen for warmer wear. Kerseys were a coarse ribbed woollen cloth and fustians a stout cotton-and-flax weave, both the usual stuff for the slaves' winter clothing, the island's moderate climate making warmer cloth necessary in its cooler season. The Council bought the dosuttis because the stores held neither kersey nor fustian, the substitution forced by the failure of the regular supply. The episode over the unsold white gurrahs reveals how a clerical error in pricing could freeze stock the island needed, the storekeeper Captain Goodwin reporting that the goods sat unsold only because they had been valued too high. The remedy was to correct the price so the cloth would move, the demand being strong, which connects to the wider accounting reform pressing for accurate valuation in the stores. The buying of the blue dosuttis traces to advice Governor Pyke gave Captain Glegg on an earlier voyage, the commander then bringing the cloth on purpose for the island. The detail shows the supply of slave clothing depending on informal arrangements with individual commanders when the Court's own consignments fell short, the Council justifying each purchase by its necessity and low price rather than any wish to deal privately. | ||
86R | there was no large quantity We bought though though we had Some in the Stores for it is Seldom any are Sent us or any Offer:d by the Commanders We are Sorry that our Management with relation to the Goods We have bought of the Commanders for your Hon:rs Use and the Service of the Island Should have appeared to your Hon:rs to be groun =ded on Such ill principles as are charged on us in the 21 & 22 Par:os of your Letter (was it Fact) We Should think it no Injustice done us to be made to answere the damage your Hon:rs Should Sustain in the Method Set forth in the 23 par:o Or in any other manner Such bsiness could deserve But We hope what We have already Said and what's answere to following Par:os will oblige us to add will Set things in a much Clearer Light to your Hon:rs View In Whatever We have bought into the Stores or otherwise for your Hon:rs Use We have acted as for our own Selves without any regard to our own Pri =vate advantage therein The Commanders themselves (if your Hon:rs are pleas:d to make Inquiry must Allow that Justice That when ever they Offer:d us any Goods We have Compared them with what We have had in the Stores if We have had any of that Sort both with Respect to the Goodness as well | There was no large quantity the Council bought, though it had some in the stores, since it is seldom any are sent to the island, or any offered by the commanders. 18: The Council was sorry that its handling of the goods it had bought of the commanders, for the Court's use and the service of the island, should have appeared to the Court to rest on such bad principles as were charged against it in the 21st and 22nd paragraphs of the Court's letter. Were it in fact so, the Council should think it no injustice to be made to answer for the damage the Court should sustain by the method set out in the 23rd paragraph, or in any other manner such conduct could deserve. The Council hoped that what it had already said, and what it would answer to the following paragraphs, would allow it to set things in a much clearer light before the Court. 19: In whatever the Council had bought into the stores, or otherwise for the Court's use, it had acted only for the Court's service, without any regard to its own private advantage in it. The commanders themselves, if the Court were pleased to make enquiry, must do it justice, that whenever they offered it any goods, the Council compared them with what it had in the stores, if it had any of that sort, both with respect to the goodness as well as Interpretations The paragraphs answer a grave charge from the Court, set out in three numbered paragraphs of its letter, that the Council's buying of goods from commanders rested on dishonest principles, with a stated penalty that the Council should make good any loss the Court suffered. The Council accepted the principle that it should answer for damage if the charge were true, while denying the charge itself, offering the commanders as witnesses that every purchase was checked against the existing stock for quality and price. The exchange shows the Court treating the factory's dealings as a matter of potential personal liability, the threat of a surcharge holding the Council answerable for its judgement in trade. The Council's appeal to the commanders as impartial witnesses is its central defence against the suspicion of private profit, the men who sold the goods being the only outside party able to confirm that the Council bought for the Court's service and not its own gain. The comparison of offered goods against the stores for goodness and price was the procedure by which it claimed to protect the Court's interest, buying only what was needed and only at a fair rate. | ||
86V | as the price, if otherwise We have allow:d them so ⅌ Cent on their Invoice which hath been always Customary and after that Rate We bought all those Goods of Capt Hyde Glegg Williamson and Small But for the future We will take Care to Advice your Hon:rs as near as We can what Goods We Shall want from India and Expect a Supply that way That We may not give your Hon:rs the least Grounds to Suspect our Management The Govern:r Says that the notice taken by your Hon:rs of the largeness of his Credit proceeds from a Wrong a Steps He took at his first Entrance on businesf here (from His want of knowing better) which was He Suffered large Credits to be Transferr:d both by Gov:r Pyke and Doct:r Thomlinson to him on Severall Gentle =mans Acco:t in England without the least Advan =tage to himself and he readily Submitts to any Scrutiny or Reexamination being assur:d it will prove his Justification For He never had any private Conversation with any Commanders directly or in Indirectly Relating or Previous to the buying of any Goods for your Hon:rs without which he thinks it hardly probable He Should propose any advantage from thence to himself, In every other affair under his management As He acquainted your Hon:rs in the 10th Par:o of our Letter by the Princess Ann Capt Luherne aforementiond he hath Anxiously Avoided giveing the least Occasion for | As to the price, otherwise the Council had allowed them so much per cent on their invoice, which had always been customary. After that rate it bought all those goods of Captain Hyde, Glegg, Williamson and Small. For the future the Council would take care to advise the Court, as nearly as it could, what goods it would want from India, and expect a supply that way, so that it might give the Court the least ground to suspect its handling of affairs. Governor Johnson said that the notice the Court had taken of the largeness of his credit came from a wrong step he took at his first entrance into business at the island, from his want of knowing better. He had allowed large credits to be transferred to him, both by Governor Pyke and Doctor Thomlinson, on the accounts of several gentlemen in England, without the least advantage to himself. He readily submitted to any scrutiny or re-examination, being assured it would prove his justification. He had never had any private conversation with any commander, directly or indirectly, relating to or before the buying of any goods for the Court, without which he thought it hardly probable he should propose any advantage from it to himself. In every other affair under his management, as he had told the Court in the fourth paragraph of its letter by the Princess Ann under Captain Luhorne, mentioned earlier, he had carefully avoided giving the least occasion for Interpretations The percentage allowed on the commanders' invoices was the customary margin added to the prime cost of goods bought from a ship, the Council buying from four named commanders at that fixed rate. The undertaking to advise the Court in advance of the island's wants from India, and to expect supply through the proper channel, was the Council's remedy against the suspicion its private buying had raised, shifting from purchase off passing ships to a planned requisition the Court could oversee. The Governor's defence of his credit turns on the practice of transferring debts, by which sums owed to him in the Court's books at the island originated as credits assigned to him by Governor Pyke and the chaplain Doctor Thomlinson on behalf of gentlemen in England. He laid the size of his credit to inexperience at his first taking up the office rather than to any gain, the credit being other men's money passing through his account. The point connects to the standing concern over transferred credit, by which private balances moved through the Governor's books and drew the Court's notice. The Governor's insistence that he held no private dealings with any commander before buying goods is his answer to the charge of self-interest, the absence of any prior arrangement being his proof that he sought no profit from the trade. His offer to submit to re-examination places his books open to the Court, the willingness to be audited offered as the strongest evidence of his honesty. | ||
87R | any Reflections that his own Private Interest She Interfere with that of your Hon:rs All which We hope will fully answer your 24th Par:o The Small quantity of Goods We bought out of the Last Summers Shipping will further notonly clear us and Show We were not so much to be blamed as your Hon:rs Seem to have thought as in your abovementiond 21. 22. 23. 24 & 25 Par:o and Testify the Regard We have to your Hon:rs Interest We assure your Hon:rs Each Commander was not wanting to offer us Goods But as We thought We had no want for the Supply of the Stores We Refused them The whole amount of the Goods we bought was four Hundred twenty four pounds ten Shillings out of which Sume Seventy five pounds thirteen Shillings and Ten pence Was to Capt Hill for which which the Reasons given in our Generall Letter by him will Justify and Likewise Three Hundred and ffifteen pounds three Shillings and a penny to Capt Mickelfeild with which all the Commande =ers and Gentlemen Supercargoes and other Gentle =men who were here at the Same time can Witnesf how unwilling We were to Comply nor had We been prevailed on but on his averring in his Letter (A Copy of which We Transmitted in Consultation of the 6 of June last) that He Kept the Arrack on purpose to Comply wth the Contract Which | Any reflections that his own private interest interfered with that of the Court, all of which the Council hoped would fully answer the Court's twenty-fourth paragraph. 20: The small quantity of goods the Council bought out of the last summer's shipping would further clear it and show it was not so much to be blamed as the Court seemed to have thought, as in the Court's paragraphs mentioned above, the 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 24th and 25th, and to satisfy the regard the Council had to the Court's interest. The Council assured the Court that each commander was not wanting to offer it goods, but as it thought it had no need for the supply of the stores, it refused them. The whole amount of the goods it bought was £424 10s 0d, out of which the sum of £75 13s 0d was to Captain Hill for arrack, which the reasons given in the Council's general letter by him would justify, and likewise £315 3s 0d to Captain Micklefield. All the commanders and gentlemen supercargoes and other gentlemen who were at the island at the same time could witness how unwilling the Council was to comply, nor had it been prevailed on but on his averring in his letter, a copy of which it had sent in the consultation of 6 June last, that he kept the arrack on purpose to comply with the contract, which Interpretations The figures set out the Council's whole purchase from the season's shipping, a total of £424 10s 0d, broken into £75 13s 0d to Captain Hill for arrack and £315 3s 0d to Captain Micklefield, the itemised sums offered as proof that its buying was small and necessary. The Council's defence rests on the smallness of the amount and its refusal of goods it did not need, set against the Court's charge across five numbered paragraphs that its dealings were improper. The Council's appeal to the commanders, supercargoes and other gentlemen present as witnesses to its reluctance is the same defence it had used throughout, the outside parties at the island being able to confirm it bought only under pressure. The arrack from Captain Micklefield was taken only after the commander asserted in writing that he held it on purpose to fulfil his contract, the letter entered in the consultation of 8 June 1722, the Council preserving the document as evidence that the purchase was forced on it rather than sought. | ||
87V | We took: was none When Capt Goodwin Who was Desir:d by us to buy the first Arrack Acquaint =ed us with what had passed between them then or otherwise We Should have taken notice of it in Consultation We will observe for the future to buy no more Goods of any Sort then What an Inevitable necessity obleges us to and then no more then what We Judge will Suffice till the next Expected Supply in Answere to your Hon:rs 25 Par:o We Deemd the Liberty given us to Write to your Hon:rs Settlements in India had been with an Intent for us to have Writ for or forbid the Sending Such Sort of Goods as the Consumption of the Island Requir:d without directly Troubling your Hon:rs We Send to ye Hon:rs Copys of all those Letters We wrote thither in our Consultations but from this time We Shall make our Application Immediately to your Hon:rs According to your Hon:rs 26th Par:o The Common Method We observe is to put 50 ⅌ Cent on Necessarys which are brought from India on your Hon:rs Acco:t and 25 ⅌ Cent on What We buy because We Generally give 50 ⅌ Cent on the Invoice as We have already Acquainted your Hon:rs Wth ditto Capt Glegg, The Gurrahs taken notice of by your Hon:rs 27th Par:o Plainly Appears to us by the Book of Invoices to Cost no more then | The Council took notice when Captain Goodwin, who was desired by it to buy the first arrack, told it what had passed between them, or otherwise it should have noted it in the consultation. The Council would in future buy no more goods of any sort than an unavoidable necessity obliged it to, and then no more than what it judged would serve till the next expected supply, in answer to the Court's twenty-fifth paragraph. 21: The Council had taken the leave given it to write to the Court's settlements in India to mean it might write to them, or forbid the sending of such cargoes of goods as the consumption of the island required, without directly troubling the Court. The Council had sent the Court copies of all those letters it wrote there in its consultations, but from this time it would make its application immediately to the Court, in keeping with the Court's twenty-sixth paragraph. 22: The common method the Council followed was to put 5 per cent on necessaries brought from India on the Court's account, and 25 per cent on whatever it bought, since it generally gave 50 per cent on the invoice, as it had already told the Court concerning Captain Glegg. The gurrahs the Court took notice of in its twenty-seventh paragraph plainly appeared to the Council, by the book of invoices, to cost no more than Interpretations The pricing method set out in the twenty-second paragraph shows the two margins the Council added to goods sold from the stores, 5 per cent on necessaries supplied through the Court's own consignments and 25 per cent on goods bought from commanders, against an invoice markup of 50 per cent on the latter. The structure reveals how the island's store turned a regulated profit, the lower rate on Court goods and the higher on privately bought stock, the difference exposed to the Court so it could see the dealings were governed by a fixed scale rather than left to the Council's discretion. The undertaking in the twenty-first paragraph to apply directly to the Court rather than to the Indian settlements marks a tightening of the chain of supply, the Council surrendering its former liberty to order goods from Madras, Bengal and the other factories. The Court was drawing the requisition of goods back to itself, the Council conceding the change while pointing out it had always copied its eastern letters home in the consultations. The reliance on the book of invoices to answer the Court's query over the gurrahs is the Council's documentary defence, the recorded cost of the cloth proving its valuation, which connects to the accounting reform pressing for accurate entry and pricing in the stores. | ||
88R | four Shillings and Sixpence ⅌ peice and then the Selling price would have been but Six Shillings & ye nine pence, In Regard they had Lain in the Stores tenn yyears and Somewhat Damaged We thought it more for your Hon:rs Interest to abate the ⅓ of the full price to Encourage the Quicker disposeal of them We hope after what we have here Said and what appeard to your Hon:rs in the Consultation your Hon:rs will plainly See the Reason that Induced us to make the difference your Hon:rs have Remarked in the 27th Par:o The parcell of Sugar observed by your Hon:rs 28th Par:o to be valued in the Inventory of Remaining Stores but at 2½ ⅌ pound is what was Brought on your own Acco:t 4 ⅌ pound was what We gave the Command =ers Some have not thought that Sufficient, Capt Hunter in his last Voyage offerd a Quantity to us but would not take that price, as We then did not greatly want it We had the Liberty to Refuse it But it is not a barty so with us, And when the Command think our Neces =tyes are the most pressing they are apt to make the Greatest advantage thereof to themselves As it was in the Case of Capt Mickelfeild the voyage before last with his Arrack and with Submission to your Hon:rs it is not in our Power to prevent it even in Case they take provissions in Barter We can make no advance thereon, for all manner of Provissions are | Four shillings and sixpence a piece, and then the selling price would have been but six shillings and nine pence. Since they had lain in the stores ten years and were somewhat damaged, the Council thought it more for the Court's interest to abate a third of the full price, to encourage their quicker disposal. The Council hoped, after what it had said, and what appeared to the Court in the consultation, that the Court would plainly see the reason that led it to make the difference the Court had remarked on in its twenty-seventh paragraph. 23: The parcel of sugar the Court noted in its twenty-eighth paragraph, to be valued in the inventory of remaining stores at only two pence farthing a pound, was what had been brought on the Court's own account. Three pence farthing a pound was what the Council gave the commanders, and some had not thought even that sufficient. Captain Hunter, on his last voyage, offered a quantity to the Council, but it would not take it at that price, as it then did not really want it. The Council had the liberty to refuse it, but it is not so bad with the island. When the commanders think the Council's necessities are most pressing, they are apt to make the greatest advantage of it to themselves, as it was in the case of Captain Micklefield the voyage before last with his arrack. With submission to the Court, it is not in the Council's power to prevent it, even in case they take provisions in barter. The Council can make no advance on it, since all manner of provisions are Interpretations The reduction on the gurrahs sets out the Council's reasoning on a stock of cloth ten years in the stores and somewhat damaged, costing four shillings and sixpence a piece and so due to sell at six shillings and ninepence under the usual markup. The Council cut a third off that price to move the goods faster, the abatement being the difference the Court had questioned. The episode shows the practical management of aged and deteriorated stock, the Council trading a smaller margin for a quicker sale rather than holding spoiling goods at full price. The two valuations of sugar mark the gap between the Court's own consignment, entered in the inventory at two pence farthing a pound, and the three pence farthing the Council paid commanders for the same goods. The difference exposes how the price of provisions rose when bought from passing ships rather than supplied direct, the commanders pressing their advantage when they judged the island in need, as Captain Micklefield had done with his arrack the voyage before last. The complaint that commanders exploit the island's necessities, even taking provisions in barter, restates the central grievance of the whole exchange, the Council unable to prevent the inflated prices because the stores depended on whatever the ships chose to land. The refusal of Captain Hunter's sugar, taken only because the island did not then want it, was the Council's proof that it bought under compulsion of need rather than for gain, the liberty to refuse being narrow when supply ran short. | ||
88V | at a Stated price here which they all know and we have no other Species of Traffick for them here We have at all times Endeavour:d to Show both our Fidelity and Zeal for your Hon:rs Service and are Satisfyed the more your Hon:rs are pleased to Enquire into affairs the more your Hon:rs will ob =serve it The Storekeepers and all other Monthly Acco:ts have been Regularly Enter:d in Consultation Since the Arrivall of your Hon:rs Gen:rl Letter by ye Drake as your Hon:rs must have observed before this time by the Coppys of the Consultations which We have sent to your Hon:rs Since wherein they are all Contain In our Packet ⅌ the Cadogan Dated the 24th of May 1722 We Transmitted to your Hon:rs an Inventory of the Remaining Stores to the 26 of March 1722 and We will take Care it Shall be Continued yearly for the future According to your Hon:rs Order in the 21 Par:o Whatever might be Justly Alleadged for loss of Goods out of the old Morehouse is obviated by the Building the new which is so Secure We think it is Impossible for any person to get into it without the Privity or neglect of the Storekeeper and then | Sold at a fixed price at the island, which they very well know, and the Council has no other kind of trade for them there. 24: The Council had at all times tried to show both its faithfulness and its zeal for the Court's service, and was the better satisfied the more the Court was pleased to enquire into affairs, the more the Court would observe it. 25: The storekeeper's and all other monthly accounts had been regularly entered in consultation since the arrival of the Court's general letter by the Drake, as the Court must have observed before this time by the copies of the consultations the Council had sent the Court since, in which they are all contained. 26: In its packet by the Cadogan, dated 24 May 1722, the Council had sent the Court an inventory of the remaining stores to 26 March 1722, and it would take care that it should be continued yearly in future, in keeping with the Court's order in its paragraph. 27: Whatever might be justly alleged for the loss of goods out of the old storehouse is removed by the building of the new one, which is so secure that the Council thinks it impossible for any person to get into it without the privity or neglect of the storekeeper, and then Interpretations The regular entry of the storekeeper's and other monthly accounts in consultation belongs to the accounting reform pressed throughout the correspondence, the Court requiring every account to appear in the consultations so that copies sent home gave it a continuous audit of the stores. The Council's answer that the practice had run since the Court's letter by the Drake arrived shows it meeting the demand for systematic record, the monthly figures no longer scattered but entered in sequence. The yearly inventory of remaining stores, sent by the Cadogan of 24 May 1722 and promised annually thereafter, is part of the same drive for accurate stock-keeping. The regular stocktaking answered the long failure to value goods carried forward year on year without count, the discrepancies in the old balances having drawn the Court's notice and the annual inventory the remedy. The security of the new storehouse connects to the warehouse complex built behind the castle, designed so that access ran only under the storekeeper's eye and theft became impossible without his knowledge or neglect. The building answered the losses charged against the old store, the layout itself made the safeguard, fixing responsibility for any future loss squarely on the keeper. | ||
89R | will be Reasonable that He Should Sustain the Loss because he was the Occasion of it, We will take care to see him make it good according to your Lett: 32 Par:o Thirdly Touching your Hon:rs Concerns Civil and Military, the Acco:t of St Helena in Genrll Concerning your Lawes Cattle Lands and Revenues We hope your Hon:rs are Sensible by those Letters Consultations and other Papers which your Hon:rs have Received from us Since our Letter by ye Drake that We have fully cleared Every Par:o thereof and We will for the future Persist in So doeing to the ut =most of our Power The 32 Par:o of ours by the Sunderland Captain Hutchinson Answer:d to your Hon:rs 16 Par:o by the Drake Informd your Hon:rs That We were al =wayes Sensible that the Nature of our Government consisted Great and Small Immediatly under your Hon:rs Justice and Councill, and that those In =stances wherein your Hon:rs blamed us proceeded from a Misrepresentation, The Facts with the Cir =cumstances were not Truely Stated to your Hon:rs We in the method We took did not so fully Ap =prize your Hon:rs as if We had acted in Consul =tation Each Particular Instance which will be br[...] =ness | It will be reasonable that he should bear the loss, since he was the cause of it, and the Council will take care to see him make it good, in keeping with the Court's thirty-second paragraph. Thirdly, concerning the Court's servants, civil and military, and the state of St Helena in general, concerning slaves, cattle, lands and revenues. 28: The Council hoped the Court was satisfied, by the letters, consultations and other papers it had received from the Council since its letter by the Drake, that it had fully cleared every paragraph of it. The Council would in future persist in doing so to the utmost of its power. 29: The thirty-second paragraph of the Council's letter by the Sunderland under Captain Hutchinson, in answer to the Court's thirty-sixth paragraph by the Drake, told the Court that the Council was always aware that the nature of its government must be considered as acting immediately under the Court's directions and Council, and that those instances in which the Court blamed the Council came from misrepresentation. The facts, with their circumstances, were not fairly stated to the Court. In the method the Council took it did not so fully inform the Court as if it had set out in consultation each particular instance, which the Council, for brevity, Interpretations The first sentence completes the storehouse-security argument, fixing personal liability on the storekeeper for any loss he caused, the Council undertaking to recover the value from him. The point belongs to the wider accountability the Court imposed, by which an officer answered out of his own pocket for goods lost through his fault, the threat of a surcharge enforcing diligence. The new section heading marks the shift from goods and stores to the island's establishment, the Court's civil and military servants and the condition of St Helena as a whole, the slaves, cattle, lands and revenues that made up its account. The arrangement follows the Court's own division of subjects, the Council answering each head of the Court's letter in turn. The Governor's defence in the twenty-ninth paragraph rests on the principle that the island's government acted only under the Court's authority, so the faults charged against it came from facts misrepresented to the Court rather than from real misconduct. The Council conceded that its practice of brevity, summarising rather than entering every particular in consultation, had left the Court less fully informed, the admission connecting to the standing tension between the Council's wish for concise records and the Court's demand for the full circumstance of each case. | ||
89V | to them the forb:r: to doe We are Satisfyed their behaviour deserved what they brought on them =selves It is our Happyness (We think) that We have had no Occasion Since to Trouble your Hon:rs wth any Complains in Consultation of any of your Hon:rs Servants behaviour We Shall Each of us Exert our Selves when any of us Seems to act any wayes prejudicial to your Hon:rs Interest or Injurious to any one Person We have Exactly persued your Hon:rs 35 Par:o relating to Transferrs In Answere to your Hon:rs 36th Par:o By what the Gov:r hath already Said in the Conclusion of the 19th Par:o of this Letter your Hon:rs will be Apprized of the Reasons of his Drawing so many Bills on your Hon:rs in his name, He hath never used any indirect means to raise his Credit in your Hon:rs Books What Ever he has disposed of to your Hon:rs are meer Tryffles cheifly for the Supply of the Table which We could no otherwayes be furnished with and Charged at the Same price as bought out of the Ships and Credit was always Entered to him in Consultation, as all Transferrs were formerly done before both in Gov:r Pykes time and in ours untill march Last | Forbore to do. The Council was satisfied their behaviour deserved what they brought on themselves. It was its good fortune, it thought, that it had had no occasion since to trouble the Court with any complaints in consultation of any of the Court's servants' behaviour. The Council would each of them exert itself when anyone seemed to act in any way prejudicial to the Court's interest, or injurious to any one person. 30: The Council had exactly followed the Court's thirty-fifth paragraph relating to transfers. 31: In answer to the Court's thirty-sixth paragraph, by what Governor Johnson had already said in the conclusion of the nineteenth paragraph of this letter, the Court would understand the reasons for his drawing so many bills on the Court in his name. He had never used any indirect means to raise his credit in the Court's books. Whatever he disposed of to the Court was mere trifles, chiefly for the supply of the table, which the Council could no other way be furnished with, and charged at the same price as bought out of the ships. The credits were always entered to him in consultation, as all transfers were formerly done, both in Governor Pyke's time and in the Council's own, until March last. Interpretations The transfer practice in the thirty-first paragraph is the system by which credits owed to various persons were assigned in the Court's books to the Governor, who then drew bills on the Court in his own name. The Governor defended the volume of his bills by tracing each credit to a recorded transfer entered in consultation, the practice unchanged from Governor Pyke's administration until March last, when it was altered. The point connects to the standing concern over transferred credit drawing the Court's notice, the Governor insisting the entries were open and customary rather than a device to inflate his account. The goods he supplied to the Court, charged at the same price as bought from the ships, were small provisions for the General Table that the Council could obtain no other way. The defence shows him answering the suspicion of private gain by the smallness and necessity of the dealings, the table being a Company charge that had to be furnished from whatever source the island offered. The change to the transfer method in March last marks a reform of the bookkeeping, the open entry of credits in consultation having run unbroken until then. The shift bears on the wider accounting overhaul, by which the Court tightened control over how credits moved through the officers' accounts to prevent any officer shifting balances in secret. | ||
90R | We have now no Transferrs but what Credit is due, for worke or for Provissions Either to Ships or for your Hon:rs Use to those that are Indebted to ye Hon:rs Transferr:d to their Acco:t in the Books We will endeavour to follow Exactly your Hon:rs Instruct =ions in answer to your 37 & 38 Par:os We have always used the greatest Mildeness and Tenderness towards the Planters your Hon:rs In =terest would admit As is Perspicuous to Every Impartial person on the Island, For if it had been otherwise most of them must have been ruind whereas they are most of them Eased of their Debts in a Method scarcely felt by them, We are Sure even in their Case so much Complaind off We Shall Stand Justifyed by your Hon:rs upon Reading the whole Case, taken Publickly According to the manner appointed by your Hon:rs in your Letter by the Drake, A Copy whereof We sent your Hon:rs in our Packet by the Sunderland and therefore We Shall not Enlarge on it here The 4th Par:o of the Said Letter has acquainted your Hon:rs with the Method We had taken Endeavouring to Secure your Hon:rs Debts There will not appear that Rigour that has been Represented by Seizeing Peoples Stocks when your Hon:rs See therein the intent, We are Sen =sible your Hon:rs will be troubled with a Complaint of the Same Nature with Frees, from Sarah Seuthen | 32: The Council now had no transfers but whatever credit was due for labour or for provisions supplied to ships or for the Court's use. To those who were indebted to the Court, it was transferred to their accounts in the books. The Council would try to follow the Court's instructions exactly, in answer to the Court's thirty-seventh and thirty-eighth paragraphs. 33: The Council had always shown the greatest mildness and gentleness towards the planters that the Court's interest would allow, as is plain to every impartial person on the island. Had it been otherwise, most of them must have been ruined, since most of them were eased of their debts in a manner scarcely felt by them. The Council was sure that, even in Free's case, so much complained of, it would be fully justified before the Court once it read the whole case, taken publicly in the manner the Court had ordered in its letter by the Drake. A copy of it the Council had sent the Court in its packet by the Sunderland, so it would not set it out at length here. The fourth paragraph of that letter had told the Court of the method it had taken in trying to secure the Court's debts. There would not appear any rigour, such as had been represented, in seizing people's stock, once the Court saw the intent in it. The Council was aware the Court would be troubled with a complaint of the same kind, concerning Free, from Sarah Southen, Interpretations The transfer arrangement in the thirty-second paragraph marks the reformed practice, the Council now assigning credit only for labour or provisions actually supplied, and only to set against debts owed to the Court. The change answers the Court's concern over credits moving freely through the books, the transfers confined to genuine claims and entered against debtors, which connects to the wider accounting overhaul tightening control over the officers' and planters' accounts. The handling of the planters' debts described in the thirty-third paragraph reveals the Council's method of debt recovery, the obligations eased so gently that most debtors scarcely felt the pressure, the alternative being their ruin. The approach belongs to the standing problem of universal indebtedness on the island, where almost every household owed the Court more than its property was worth, the Council grading its recovery to keep the planters solvent rather than seizing estates no one could buy. The Free case turns on the charge that the Council acted with rigour in seizing a planter's stock, which it denied, pointing to the public record sent home by the Sunderland of 5 January 1722 and the method of recovery set out there. The seizure was a means to compel payment and register the Court's prior claim rather than to dispossess, the intent being recovery in kind, which ties to the debt-grip thread by which warrants of seizure were held in reserve and not pressed to take a man's land. | ||
90V | A most Imprudent ungovernable Woman as ever Lived any where there has been no disorders or misunderstandings since our time and before but She has been the Cheif ffomenter and abettor The Whole Proceedings will appear in ye Severall Consultations at Large in Consultation of ye 26th of Aprill the 3 of July ye 7. 21. 28 & 30 of August ye Ann and 18 of Sept 1792 Which We being many be Read to your Hon:rs for our Justification We Shall always Demean our Selves towards the People so as best to promote and preserve your Hon:rs Interest and Wel and their Ease and Advantage accord =ing to your Instructions in the 39 Par:o The latter part of the 17th Par:o of your abovesaid Letter fully Explaind the difference We make between a Bond and a Book debt A Bond Adds only Interest for money lent We cheifly Require it) where We Look on the persons own Substance to be not Sufficient When We Suspect that We Require the Principle to Engage another Person to Stand bound with him for your Hon:rs better Security The State of the Island Sent your Hon:rs by the Cadogan to the 24 of March 1721 Corroborates the 5 Par:o of ours of the 10 of August taken Notice of by your Hon:rs 41 Par:o and if your Hon:rs are pleased to Compare the preceding years with that | A most impudent, ungovernable woman as ever lived anywhere. There had been no disorders or misunderstandings since the Council's time, nor before, but she had been the chief fomenter and abettor. The whole proceedings would appear in the several consultations at large, in the consultation of 26 April, 3 July, 7, 21 and 28 July, 30 August, 9 and 18 September 1722, which, were they read by the Court, would justify the Council. It would always behave towards the people so as best to promote and preserve the Court's interest and honour, and their ease and advantage, in keeping with the Court's instructions in its thirty-ninth paragraph. 34: The latter part of the seventeenth paragraph of the Council's letter mentioned above fully explained the difference it made between a bond and a book debt. A bond carried only interest for money lent, which the Council chiefly required where it judged the person's own substance to be insufficient. When it suspected this, it took the principle of engaging another person to stand bound with him, for the Court's better security. 35: The state of the island the Council sent the Court by the Cadogan on 24 May 1721 confirmed the fifth paragraph of its letter of 10 August, of which the Court had taken notice in its forty-first paragraph. The Court was pleased to compare the preceding years with that Interpretations The distinction between a bond and a book debt set out in the thirty-fourth paragraph marks two instruments of credit with different force. A book debt was a simple running balance in the store accounts, while a bond was a formal sealed obligation carrying interest, required where the debtor's own means looked too slight to secure the sum. Where the Council doubted a man's substance, it took a surety, a second person bound jointly with him, so the Court's claim rested on two estates rather than one. The passage reveals the legal machinery by which the factory secured its lending against doubtful debtors, the bond and the surety converting a weak claim into an enforceable one. The proceedings against Sarah Southen, traced through eight dated consultations across 1722, belong to the prosecution of the libel campaign in the chaplain Jones's favour, she having been convicted of publishing the libel and procuring signatures. The Council's defence is documentary, the full record in the consultations offered to justify its conduct, the woman cast as the instigator of the island's only recent disorder. The complaint she was expected to lodge with the Court, joined to Free's, shows the disaffected inhabitants carrying their grievances past the island government straight to London, the channel of appeal the Council sought to forestall by sending the whole record home first. | ||
91R | your Hon:rs will See our Continued Care by the Numb =ers that have cleard themselves and the few that Remain =ing, for So We may say if Compared with the State at our Entrance The Difference taken notice of by your Hon:rs between the State of the Island Sent by the Mary and the Duplicate by the Carnarven Relating to Mr Powell was an Error in the Transcriber for by the Books he had So much Credit The Method We take now According to the 5 Par:o of ours by the Sund =erland Viz: that all things Should be Examind for the future in Consultation being the Surest way to prevent Mistakes We will continue So, We hope your Hon:rs will the more Readily forgive what is past, In Persuance of your Hon:rs Directions about Powells Acco:t We Served him with a Copy of of that Par:o of your Hon:rs Letter Relateing to him and a List of those persons Who were Indebted to your Hon:rs at the time of their Transferring it Debt to him, for Seven years past and it ho: will Remain Due in your Hon:rs Books as by our Consultation of the 13 of Nov:r In Consultation of the 4th of Octr He brought in a Written Paper in answer thereunto A Copy whereof and his Acco:t as they are in your Hon:rs Books for Seven years past with a List of those persons Who have within that time made Transf =ferrs and are Still in your Hon:rs Debt We Transmit | The Court would see the Council's continued care by the numbers of those that had cleared themselves, and the fewer remaining, for so the Council might say if compared with the state at its entrance. 36: The difference the Court noted between the state of the island sent by the Mary and the duplicate by the Carnarvon, concerning Mr Powell, was an error of the transcriber, for by the books he had so much credit. The method the Council now followed, in keeping with the third paragraph of its letter by the Sunderland, was that all things should be examined in future in consultation, being the surest way to prevent mistakes. The Council would continue so, and hoped the Court would the more readily forgive what was past. Following the Court's directions about Powell's account, the Council served him with a copy of that paragraph of the Court's letter relating to him, and a list of those persons who were indebted to the Court at the time of their transferring credit to him, for seven years past, and it would remain due in the Court's books, as by the Council's consultation of 13 November. In the consultation of the 4th of October he brought in a written paper in answer to it, a copy of which, and his account as it stands in the Court's books for seven years past, with a list of those persons who have within that time made transfers and are still in the Court's debt, the Council sent home. Interpretations The discrepancy over Mr Powell's credit between the two reports of the island's state, sent by the Mary of 1 May 1721 and duplicated by the Carnarvon of 5 June 1721, was a copying error, the books showing the correct figure. The Council's remedy was the rule that every entry be checked in consultation, the procedure adopted to stop such mistakes, which connects to the accounting reform requiring open verification of accounts before the whole board. Powell's account turns on the transfer system, the credits assigned to him over seven years originating as debts owed to the Court by other persons, the assignors still indebted in the books. The Council served him with the Court's paragraph and a list of those debtors, and he answered in writing, the whole record sent home. The episode shows the Court tracing the largest creditor's standing back through every transfer to test whether his credit rested on real value or on the unpaid debts of others, Powell being the island's principal creditor whose accumulated credit drew the Court's particular scrutiny. | ||
91V | in the Packet That part of your Hon:rs Orders of Transferring the Severall Sumes before Transferd to him by those persons Remaining D:r in your Hon:rs Books now is out of our Powers, for we allow of no Transfers and Mr Powell hath had no:t in your Hon:rs Books Since March Last, It will appear by our Addition to each persons Acco:t mentiond in the Said List of new Remaining Debts from Mr Powell to your Hon:rs That your Hon:rs can be but inconsiderable Sufferers in the whole Seven years The four Hundred and ninety pounds in Cash Bills in Capt Goodwins hands Mentiond in ye 43 Par:o We take to be a Mistake in the Person which Copyed your Hon:rs Letter, for the four Hundred and ninety pounds with us is Charged as Cash in the Storekeepers hand and not Bills It is ye Cash he has Rec:d for goods We thinking it Safe continued it in his hands after makeing up his Acco:t from time to time but according to your Hon:rs Directions it is paid in to the Gov:r His other Debt was Augmented to purchase a Plan =tation adjoyning to his own which was greatly Improved thereby for his own use Before Scarce Sufficient for the maintenance of his family He hath Since Lessened it to the Sume mentiond in a List herewith Sent, Capt Alexanders Anuga | In the packet. That part of the Court's orders concerning the transferring of the several sums earlier transferred to him by those persons remaining in debt in the Court's books is now beyond the Council's power, since it allows of no transfers, and Mr Powell had had none in the Court's books since March last. It would appear, by the Council's addition to each person's account named in that list of new remaining debts from Mr Powell to the Court, that the Court could be but an inconsiderable loser in the whole seven years. 37: The £499 in cash bills in Captain Goodwin's hands, mentioned in the forty-third paragraph, the Council took to be a mistake in the person who copied the Court's letter, for the £490 with it is charged as cash in the storekeeper's hands, and not bills. It is the cash he had received for goods, which the Council, thinking it safe, continued in his hands after he made up his account from time to time. In keeping with the Court's directions, it is paid in to the Governor. His other debt was increased to purchase a plantation adjoining his own, which was greatly improved thereby. His own was before scarcely sufficient for the maintenance of his family. He had since leased it to the persons named in a list sent with this, by Captain Alexander's hand. Interpretations The discrepancy over the cash in the storekeeper's hands, given as £499 in the Court's letter against £490 in the Council's, was a copyist's error, the sum being cash received for goods rather than bills. Captain Goodwin held the money between the making up of his accounts, the Council judging it safe in his keeping, until under the Court's order it was paid in to the Governor. The episode shows the handling of the store's working cash on a cashless island, the storekeeper retaining receipts until accounts were settled, the Court tightening the practice by requiring the balance paid over. The storekeeper's other debt arose from buying a plantation next to his own, the addition greatly improving land that had barely supported his family. He then leased it out, the lessees named in a separate list. The detail bears on the recovery of debts in kind and the management of land on the island, an officer's borrowing tied to a real improvement of property rather than to waste, his subsequent leasing turning the holding to account. | ||
92R | of one Hundred Eighty eight pounds Ten Shillings was for Cash Bills paid into his hands by order of Gov:r Pyke at the time when the Circulation of Cash Bills was at a Stop to be Lodged with him till furth:r Orders which he paid in on our Circulating them a fresh His Debt arose from his purchase of a House and Plantation in Gov:r Pykes time He hath been likewise clearing and hath Lessend it as will appear by the Said List We are Satisfyed they take all possi =ble Care to Lessen their debt and that Each of them have Sufficient to Secure your Hon:rs from any great Loss on Either of them Had We not very well known their Substance and Good Intentions of paying their being favourite to the Gov:r as has been falsly Represented to your Hon:rs would have availed them little when your Hon:rs Interest Should have Stood in in Competition Your Hon:rs have ⅌used we hope, the regulation of the monthly Acco:t of Mr Byfield Since We Rec:d your Hon:rs Instructions by the Drake and the Copy of the said Acco:t of the Expence of your Hon:rs Plantations for the year 1721 ⅌ the Cadogan Capt Hill and the Duplicate thereof by the Heathcott Capt Tolson will meet with your Hon:rs Approbation We hope Upon Hon:rs Directions Concerning the List of familys | The sum of £188 10s 0d was for cash bills paid into his hands by order of Governor Pyke, at the time when the circulation of cash bills was at a stop, to be lodged with him till further orders, which he paid in on the Council's circulating them afresh. His debt arose from his purchase of a house and plantation in Governor Pyke's time. He had since been clearing it, and had leased it, as would appear by that list. The Council was satisfied they took all possible care to lessen their debts, and that each of them had enough to secure the Court from any sort of loss by either of them. Had it not very well known their substance and good intentions of paying, their being favourites of the Court, as had been falsely represented to the Court, would have availed them little, where the Court's interest should have stood in competition. 38: The Court would, the Council hoped, have observed the regularity of the monthly accounts of Mr Byfield since the Council received the Court's instructions by the Drake. The copy of the account of the expense of the Court's plantations for the year 1721, sent by the Cadogan under Captain Hill, and the duplicate of it by the Heathcote under Captain Tolson, would meet with the Court's approval, the Council hoped. 39: Following the Court's directions concerning the list of families, their Interpretations The £188 10s 0d traces to a moment when the paper currency seized up, Governor Pyke ordering the cash bills lodged with the storekeeper until they could circulate again, the sum paid back when the Council reissued them. The episode reveals the fragility of the island's bank-bill system, the only circulating medium liable to halt and require a deliberate relaunch, the storekeeper holding the suspended notes in the interval. The point connects to the standing difficulty over the want of a circulating medium on a cashless island dependent on paper. The Council's defence of the officers' debts rests on their solvency, each holding property enough to cover what he owed, so the Court risked no loss. The charge that they were spared as the Court's favourites is met by their real substance and willingness to pay, the Council insisting that favour would have counted for nothing against the Court's interest. The passage bears on the debt-recovery thread, the officers graded like the planters by their ability to pay, the Council answering the suspicion of partiality with the security behind each debt. | ||
92V | their Lands Blacks and Cattle and the Account of Rents and Revenues Shall be duly observed from time to time We are not Apprized of the Error taken notice of by your Hon:rs 45 Par:o that the Totall of the Duplicate of Rents and Revenues by the Carnarven was Less above Sixteen pounds than ye Copy by the Mary The Method to Examine all in Consultation, As We have already acquainted your Hon:rs will prevent future Errors of that kind which We will carefully observe for time to come In answere to your Hon:rs 46 Par:o We promise our Selves your Hon:rs will be better Satisfyed with the Largness of the Sumes We Drew on your Hon:rs Complained of in Several Par:os of your Letter and again mentiond in this When your Hon:rs Read this Letter for thereby your Hon:rs will be Apprizd of the reasons that occasiond them We own the amount of the Sume to be Exceeding Large and We hope your Hon:rs will think this years as Consid =erably Lessened and We can promise your Hon:rs for Some years to come it will be Less each year, for ye Hon:rs Stores are So Largly Supplyed as by the Inven =to Remaining in the Stores taken to Last March and Sent to your Hon:rs We Shall want Little else but beef and Rice from India and We have a very Large Sume Considering this Island now in Cash by us in Specie as will Appear at the Close of the Book for | Their lands, slaves and cattle, and the account of rents and revenues, shall be duly observed from time to time. The Council was not aware of the error the Court noted in its forty-fifth paragraph, that the total of the duplicate of rents and revenues by the Carnarvon was above £16 less than the copy by the Mary. The method of examining all in consultation, as the Council had already told the Court, would prevent future errors of that kind, which it would carefully observe in time to come. 40: In answer to the Court's forty-sixth paragraph, the Council promised itself the Court would be the better satisfied with the largeness of the sums it drew on the Court, complained of in several paragraphs of its letter and again mentioned in this, once the Court read this letter, since it would then understand the reasons that occasioned them. The Council owned the amount of the sum to be exceeding large, and hoped the Court would think this year's considerably lessened. It could promise the Court that for some years to come it would be less each year, since the Court's stores were so largely supplied, as by the inventory of remains in the stores taken to last March and sent to the Court. The Council would want little else but slops and rice from India, and it had a very large sum, considering this island, now in cash by it in coin, as would appear at the close of the book for this Interpretations The £16 discrepancy between the two reports of rents and revenues, sent by the Mary of 1 May 1721 and duplicated by the Carnarvon of 5 June 1721, was another error the Council met with the same remedy, examination in consultation to prevent such mistakes. The repeated appeal to that procedure across several paragraphs shows the Court catching small inconsistencies between a letter and its duplicate, the Council answering each with the reform requiring open verification of every figure. The defence of the large bills drawn on the Court rests on the prospect of falling expenditure, the island so well stocked that future drawings would shrink year on year. The Council reduced its expected wants to slops and rice from India, the stores otherwise full, and pointed to a substantial sum now held in coin on a normally cashless island. The passage bears on the standing concern over the island's drawings and its want of a circulating medium, the Council promising retrenchment and showing an unusual reserve of actual coin as evidence of improving finances. | ||
93R | this year, from all which we Expect it will appear that at all times We have Consulted the Common Utility and your Hon:rs Interest which We Shall in future Continue with the Least Expence possible We have, from our first Arrivall testifyed in our Letters our Concern, for your Hon:rs Blacks and our Severall Lists have Acquainted us what Condition they were in It is next to an Impossibility to prevent the Males and females getting together either by night or by day and whether they are Marryd with our Consent or not it Signifyes nothing to most of them We doe take all the care We can to keep those that are Sound, from the others but We find to little purpose because they Seem not to be concerned and make very Light of the Simptoms and Even of the most virulant Effects and Tortures of the disease The best method we can propose to Stop or at least hainder the further groth of the Malady would be by always haveing an able and Diligent Surgeon here to whom they might have recourse on the first appearance of any harm Receivd This gives us an Opportunity to discharge our Selves from a Vile Insinuation taken notice of by your Hon:rs That our behaviour is Such towards the Surgeons that no man Skilled in his Art will Stay, In the first place we have never Since our time had one So Qualifyed as those that have been the most able have been Such | This year, from all which the Council expected it would appear that at all times it had consulted the common good and the Court's interest, which it would in future continue with the least expense possible. 41: The Council had, from its first arrival, shown in its letters its concern for the Court's slaves, and its several lists had told the Court what condition they were in. It is next to impossible to prevent the males and females getting together, either by night or by day, and whether they are married with the Council's consent or not signifies nothing to most of them. The Council took all the care it could to keep those that were sound from the others, but found little purpose in it, since they seemed not to be concerned, and made very light of the symptoms, even of the most virulent outbreaks and tortures of the disease. The best method the Council could propose, to stop or at least hinder the further growth of the malady, would be by always having an able and diligent surgeon at the island, to whom they might have recourse at the first appearance of any new case. This gave the Council an opportunity to clear itself of a vile insinuation the Court had taken notice of, that its behaviour towards the surgeons was such that no man skilled in his art would stay. In the first place, the Council had never in its time had one so qualified, and those that had been the most able had been such intolerable Interpretations The passage describes a sexually transmitted disease spreading among the Court's slaves, the Council unable to separate the sound from the infected because the slaves disregarded the symptoms even at their most severe. The only remedy it could offer was a resident skilled surgeon able to treat each new case at its onset. The account belongs to the medical crisis on the island, the disease worst where both sexes were crowded together at the Court's slave houses, the want of competent care threatening the labour force on which the building programme depended. The Council's defence against the charge that its own conduct drove away skilled surgeons turns the accusation back on the men sent out, none having been properly qualified and the abler ones intolerable in their behaviour. The exchange connects to the want of a sound surgeon pressed throughout the correspondence, the Court suspecting the island government of fault where the Council laid the failure on the calibre and conduct of the surgeons themselves, Scrimshire being the recent instance of a man ruined by drink. | ||
93V | Intollerable Drunken fellons as Intirely to Inca[...] =citate them, Avil was on the Island at our Entran[...] but was discharg:d at his own request from your Hon[...] Service by Gov:r Pyke, In our time indeed on Severa[...] Complaints of Leigh the Surgeon that Medicines were taken out of the Shop unknown to him and after that by Beale of the Same nature and that if care was not taken to prevent it in a very Short time there would be nothing Remaining for Service On which the Gov:r Issued a Warrant to Search for the Medicines taken out of the Shop and Severall of them were found in the Custody of Avil, for which he was prosecuted and Cleard but not with the utmost Rigour your Hon:rs have appointed for Embezlement of Stores as (If your Hon:rs are inclinable to Reexamine) will appear at Large in our Consultations of the 13th of Octr 1799 Hicks an outrageous Drunken fellow was Dis =charged as in our Consultation of the 16 of July and very Justly every body must own for a person upon the Reproof of his Superiour Officer in Pri =vate) insolently to make his boast in publick he would do So again must be Insupportable in any Government Edm: Leigh was a Sottish fellow in perpetual neglect of his business and so very Silly in his Liquor that he was Continualy of Some Misdemeanor or other besides that of Drink =ing The Gov:r took more then Ordinary pains to | Intolerable drunken fellows, as entirely to incapacitate them. Avil was at the island at the Council's entrance, but was discharged at his own request from the Court's service by Governor Pyke. In the Council's time there were indeed several complaints of Leigh the surgeon, that medicines were taken out of the shop unknown to him, and after that by Beale of the same kind, and that if care were not taken to prevent it, in a very short time there would be nothing remaining for service. The Governor then issued a warrant to search for the medicines taken out of the shop, and several of them were found in the custody of Avil, for which he was prosecuted and tried, but not with the utmost rigour. The Court had appointed punishment for the embezzlement of stores, as, should the Court be inclined to re-examine it, would appear at large in the Council's consultation of the 13th of October 1719. Hicks, an outrageous drunken fellow, was discharged, as in the Council's consultation of the 16th of July, and very justly, since everybody must own, for a person, upon the reproof of his superior officer in private, insolently to make his boast in public that he would do so again, must be insupportable in any government. Edmund Leigh was a slovenly fellow, in perpetual neglect of his business, and so very silly in his liquor that he was continually committing some misdemeanour or other, besides that of deserting. The Governor took more than ordinary pains to reclaim Interpretations The passage names a run of surgeons and medical men, Avil, Leigh, Beale and Hicks, each disqualified by drunkenness, theft or insolence, the Council's defence that its want of skilled care came from the men sent rather than its own conduct. The catalogue belongs to the medical crisis pressed throughout the correspondence, the island left without competent treatment for its slaves and garrison because the surgeons it received were unfit, which connects to the standing plea for a sober and skilful man. The prosecution of Avil for embezzling medicines from the shop reveals the legal machinery against theft of the Court's stores, a search warrant issued by the Governor, the goods recovered from the offender's keeping, and a trial under the standing penalty for embezzlement, though not pressed to the full rigour. The episode shows the factory enforcing its property law against its own servants, the medical stores treated like any other Company goods liable to be plundered and recovered. The discharge of Hicks for boasting publicly that he would repeat his offence after a private reproof marks the limit of insubordination a small isolated government could tolerate, open defiance of a superior officer judged insupportable. The detail bears on the maintenance of discipline and authority on the island, a public challenge to rank treated as a threat to the whole order rather than a private fault. | ||
94R | Reclaim him almost every morning when He used to wait on him in his Chamber to give him an Acco:t of the Garrison he was Continually per =swading him to Leave of that Method of Living and behave himself hansomly and He should want no Encouragement but all in vain, He desired to goe home Scrinshire whom your Hon:rs Sent ⅌ the Hartford the 11th Par:o of our first Letter to your Hon:rs ffaster his arrivall) ⅌ the Princess Ann Capt Luherne dated the 29 of Decemb:r 1720, fully described the Expectation We had from him he came not Short of either of the before mentiond for We reckoned him brutes hiring He often gave Medicines when in a very few hours after He did not Remember that he had given any So that it was Dangerous for any body to trust to him We have had Severall Instances of this nature from him He desired to goe home which We Readily complyed with, After what We have Related here of each particular Surgeons Carriage Since our time our behaviour to Such Wretched fellons and what countenance Such could deserve We Submit to your Hon:rs could We be So happy as to have one worthy no Encouragement Should be wanting to Induce him our own Welfare and Health is concerned in it and would naturaly prompt us to it were there no other Reason We know our own persons are not Exempted from Accidents and Indispositions Daily attending mankind) and Surely it cannot be | Reclaim him almost every morning, when he used to wait on the Governor in his chamber to give him an account of the garrison. He continually persuaded him to leave off that way of living and behave himself decently, and he should want no encouragement, but all in vain. He desired to go home. Scrimshire, whom the Court sent by the Hartford, mentioned in the eleventh paragraph of the Council's first letter to the Court after his arrival, by the Princess Ann under Captain Luhorne, dated 29 December 1720, fully justified the expectation the Council had of him. He came not short of either of those mentioned before, for the Council reckoned him brutish in liquor. He often gave medicines, and a very few hours after did not remember that he had given any, so that it was dangerous for anybody to trust him. The Council had had several instances of this kind from him. He desired to go home, which the Council readily complied with. After what it had set out concerning the conduct of each surgeon since its time, and its own behaviour towards such wretched fellows, and what countenance such could deserve, the Council submitted to the Court whether it could be so happy as to have one worthy, no encouragement should be wanting to induce him. The Council's own welfare and health is concerned in it, and would naturally prompt it to it, were there no other reason. The Council knew its own persons are not exempted from the accidents and indispositions daily attending mankind, and surely it cannot be imagined Interpretations The account completes the catalogue of unfit surgeons with Scrimshire, who proved as bad as the rest, so deranged by drink that he forgot within hours which medicines he had administered, making him dangerous to any patient. The detail belongs to the medical crisis pressed throughout, Scrimshire having been sent by the Hartford and given leave home about June 1721, the Council laying the island's want of care on the calibre of the men rather than its own conduct. The Governor's daily efforts to reclaim a drunken surgeon during the man's morning attendance show the practical limits on a small government's authority over an unfit servant, persuasion and the promise of encouragement being its only tools where dismissal would leave the island with no medical man at all. The passage bears on the standing tension between the need to keep any surgeon and the impossibility of relying on the ones supplied. The Council's closing argument, that its own health and survival depended on a competent surgeon, is its strongest answer to the charge that its behaviour drove skilled men away. Self-interest alone, it urged, would have led it to retain any worthy practitioner, the officers being as exposed to sickness as anyone, which connects the plea for a sober and skilful man to the bodily safety of the whole establishment rather than to the slaves and garrison alone. | ||
94V | Imagined that We can be So much Wanting to our selves as to deprive our Selves of the hopes of Releif and help which We might Expect from an able and diligent Surgeon It will plainly appear to ye Hon:rs that We have taken all opportunitis privately and friendlyly to reprove and Admonish and their Repeated and Continuall misbehaviours have forced from us what they call outragious Language and Censure in publick, Our Treatment of them both not even without respect and Mildness and on all possible fair means (as We have to Every other person on the Island) Endeavoured to keep them up to their Duty, But our Mishap was that We had, So many and So bad together on this Island that there Joint Clamor has been the greater Mr Byfield Returnes your Hon:rs thanks for Delivering up his Bond as in the 48th Par:o Your Hon:rs Remarks in the 49 Par:o about Mr Middleton Surgeon of the Hartford is what We could not have Expected and with Submission to your Hon:rs We take it to proceed, from the Advantage He and his Abettors had in their narration with your Hon:rs above our written Letter for Certainly their could not be a Crime Perpetrated & Attended with more pernicious Consequences to every parent and family on the Island nor a Breach more loud out | Imagined that the Council could be so much wanting to itself as to deprive itself of the hopes of relief and help it might expect from an able and diligent surgeon. It would plainly appear to the Court that the Council had taken every opportunity, privately and gently, to reprove and admonish them, and that their repeated and continual misbehaviour had forced from it what they call outrageous language and censures in public. The Council's treatment of them had not been without respect and mildness, and by all possible fair means, as towards every other person on the island, it had tried to keep them to their duty. But its misfortune was that it had so many, and so bad together on this island, that their joint clamour had been the greater. 42: Mr Byfield returned the Court its thanks for delivering up his bond, as in the forty-eighth paragraph. 43: The Court's remarks in its fortieth paragraph about Mr Middleton, surgeon of the Hartford, were what the Council could not have expected. With submission to the Court, it took it to proceed from the advantage Middleton had in his account, set before the Court above the Council's own written letter. For certainly there could not be a crime perpetrated, or attended with more pernicious consequences to every parent and family on the island, nor a breach more bound out Interpretations The opening completes the Council's defence over the surgeons, arguing that self-interest alone made it absurd to suppose it would alienate a competent man, the public reproofs forced from it only by repeated misconduct. The passage closes the medical-crisis thread on the island, the Council attributing the loud complaints against it to the number of unfit surgeons it had to manage at once rather than to any harshness of its own. The Middleton case turns on a conflict of testimony, the surgeon's own account of his treatment at the island having reached the Court and apparently been credited above the Council's written report. The dispute belongs to the standing question of jurisdiction over a ship's officer ashore, Middleton having been brought before Governor Johnson for disorderly conduct and punished against his captain's protest, the Court now seeming to favour the offender's version. The Council's complaint reveals the difficulty a distant government faced when a man it had disciplined carried his own story home to London, where it might outweigh the official record. The return of Mr Byfield's bond marks the discharge of a formal obligation, the Court releasing the sealed security on settlement of whatever it covered, a routine closing of an account in the running audit of the officers' debts. | ||
95R | out to bring all things to Confusion to the Ruin of families and to frustrate all future Expectations and Enjoyments hoped for from Children and even the Debauching our daughters before our Eyes which is apparent from what has happened upon that Unhappy disaster to the unfortunate Woman and her family She was Seduced and made to beleive that that Marriage was Lawfull as She then Con =fessed before us Such practice must wholly Set aside the Method appointed by your Hon:rs for the good order of Families, Your Hon:rs have invested Solely a power in the Govern:r to grant a Licence, for Marriage Supposing him to be Satisfied that all previous Circum =stances are well weighed and Settled the only way to prevent Clandestine marriages and to perpetuate a Regular Succession of familys here Mr Middletons Punishment with Submission to your Hon:rs We cannot think adequate to the Crime His only plea was he was Drunk but he was not So drunke but he could Invite Mr Wooley a passenger and Some of the Officers of the Ship to be present at the Ceremony or to throw the Stocking Mr Middleton himself We beleive cannot complain of the Cruelty or Severity of his Whipping The Gov:r intended the Exposeing him in that publick manner Should be the great =est part of his punishment for He Ordered the marshall to be very Easy with his Stroaks The We assure your Hon:rs that the Apprehension of | Out, to bring all things to confusion, to the ruin of families and to frustrate all future expectations and enjoyments hoped for from children, and even the debauching of the Council's daughters before its eyes, which is apparent from what had happened upon that unhappy disaster to the unfortunate woman and her family. She was seduced and made to believe that the marriage was lawful, as she then confessed before the Council. Such conduct must wholly set aside the method appointed by the Court for the good order of families. The Court had invested solely a power in the Governor to grant a licence for marriage, supposing him to be satisfied that all previous circumstances are well weighed and settled, the only way to prevent clandestine marriages and to perpetuate a regular succession of families at the island. Mr Middleton's punishment, with submission to the Court, the Council could not think adequate to the crime. His only plea was that he was drunk, but he was not so drunk that he could not invite Mr Wooley, a passenger, and some of the officers of the ship, to be present at the ceremony, or to throw the stocking. Mr Middleton himself, the Council believed, cannot complain of the cruelty or severity of his whipping. The Governor intended the exposing of him in that public manner should be the greatest part of his punishment, for he ordered the marshal to be very easy with his strokes. The Council assured the Court that the apprehension of the Interpretations The passage reveals that Middleton's offence was the conducting of a clandestine marriage, deceiving a young woman into believing an irregular ceremony lawful, with passengers and ship's officers invited to witness it and the throwing of the stocking marking it as a mock or unsanctioned wedding. The matter belongs to the Governor's sole authority over marriage licences, vested in him to ensure that every union was properly weighed and settled, the only safeguard against secret marriages and for the orderly descent of property and family on the island. The crime struck at that whole system of social regulation, the seduction undoing the controlled succession of households the licensing was designed to protect. The Governor's handling of the punishment shows a deliberate calibration, the whipping made light by his order to the marshal, the public exposure rather than the physical pain intended as the real penalty. The detail bears on the jurisdiction dispute over a ship's officer ashore, the Governor asserting his power to punish a disorder committed on the island while moderating the severity, the shame of public correction chosen as the instrument of discipline. The throwing of the stocking was an old wedding custom in which guests flung a stocking at the couple, its presence here marking the ceremony as a festive but unauthorised marriage. Speculations The Governor's express instruction to the marshal to strike gently, while keeping the public exposure, shows a calculated choice between two components of the same sentence. He separated the bodily pain from the humiliation and discarded the first while keeping the second, judging that shame before the community, not physical suffering, would both punish the offence and deter its repetition. The choice answered the particular nature of the crime, a man of some standing who had made a public mockery of marriage being most effectively checked by a public degradation in kind. | ||
95V | the Consequences of this or any other Affair Relating to his Conduct towards any person Suring his Ad =ministration here which may attend him when he comes to England gives him not the Least Uneasiness His concern is for the Gard:Ships He Suffers in his absence in your Hon:rs Opinion of him by the false Representations of him Thirdly Concerning our Fortifications Buildings and Garrison Stores We have at Last finished the Work mentiond in our 6th Par:o by the Sunderland at the Arrivall of the Lethieullier We found the Storehousses We had built not Sufficient for the addition of Stores brought by that Ship So that We have added two more Roomes of 60 feet in Length and 16 Deep and a place of 63 feet by 22 feet cover:d in Such Fashion for the preservation of your Hon:rs Lumber & Deals from the Intense Heat of the Sun which hitherto has been wanting This building We have Erected in the Middle of the Square, of those Store Rooms We acquainted your Hon:rs We had Finished Your Hon:rs will See by the List Sent in the Packet how much ye People have Cleard and as all work is Needfull are finished We have discharged all their Blacks Most of the remaining debts We Look upon Secure Our 36 Par:o of our Said Letter Account but think fully Convinces your Hon:rs of the Reason and | The consequences of this, or any other affair relating to his conduct towards any person during his administration at the island, which may attend him when he comes to England, give him not the least uneasiness. His concern is for the hardships he suffers in the Court's opinion of him, formed by the false representations of him. Thirdly, concerning the fortifications, buildings and garrison stores. 44: The Council had at last finished the works mentioned in the sixty-sixth paragraph of its letter by the Sunderland. At the arrival of the Desbouverie, it found the storehouses it had built not sufficient for the additional stores brought by that ship. It had therefore added two more rooms, 60 feet in length and 16 deep, and a place of 63 feet by 22 feet covered in such a manner for the preservation of the Court's timber and deals from the intense heat of the sun, which had until now been wanting. This building the Council had erected in the middle of the square of those storerooms. As it had told the Court it had finished, the Court would see by the list sent in the packet how much the people have cleared. As all the works needful are finished, the Council had discharged all their slaves. Most of the remaining debts it looked upon as secure. 45: The Court's twenty-sixth paragraph of its letter, the Council could not but think, fully convinced the Court of the reason and Interpretations The new building works extend the storehouse complex behind the castle, two further rooms added when the Desbouverie landed more stores than the existing warehouses could hold, together with a covered shed to shield the Court's timber and deals from the sun. The detail belongs to the stores complex and warehouse square pressed in earlier letters, the ranges built round a locked square under the storekeeper's eye, the additions answering each fresh consignment that outgrew the space. Deals were sawn fir or pine planks, a staple building material shipped out for construction and coffins, here protected from warping in the heat. The discharge of the hired slaves on completion of the works marks the close of a fixed labour programme, the gangs taken on for the fortifications and buildings released once the construction was done. The point connects to the ending of slave hire and the fencing-task scheme, the Council having undertaken to stop hiring the planters' slaves at an establishment of sufficient size, the works finished and the temporary labour no longer needed. The reference to the sun's intense heat requires care against the standing fact of the island's moderate climate, the phrase describing direct sun on stacked timber in the open rather than any tropical condition, the covered shed a practical guard against warping and splitting of stored planks. | ||
96R | Justifyed our Dismissing Gunner ffrench and the taking him in again upon his Submission and promise of more diligence, for the future as by our Consultation of the 6 June 1721 Which was before We receivd your Hon:rs Letter by the Drake Shews how willing We were to Receive him when he was made Sensible of his Remissness, The Large Expence of powder taken notice of in your Hon:rs 51 Par:o was occasioned on those two Holy days Viz:y ye 28 & 29 of May when We took the Oppertunity of fireing all the great Guns and both Gunner Slaughter and ffrench think it requisite that those on the Line & those on Mundens Point Should be Scaled every three Months because they Lye So under the Spray of the Sea that Rust them So fast The 32 powder taken notice of in your Hon:rs 52 was in Respect to the Station Mr Collet had been in In your Hon:rs Service had He been a private passen =ger We Should have taken no notice of his funeralls our Complement was no more than Each Ship in the Road paid The Difference of the Expence of mounting and Dismounting is as the Exercise is and according to the Numbers Appearing Though no further mention was made in Consultation of the 13 of June 1721 Yet We did Compare the Acco:t of the Stores Remaining Given in by Mr ffrench with | Justified the Council's dismissing Gunner French, and its taking him in again upon his submission and promise of more diligence for the future, as by its consultation of 6 June 1721, which was before it received the Court's letter by the Drake. This shows how willing the Council was to receive him when he was made aware of his negligence. The large expense of powder the Court noted in its fifty-first paragraph was occasioned on those two holidays, namely 28 and 29 of May, when the Council took the opportunity of scaling all the great guns. Both Gunner Slaughter and French think it requisite that those on the line and those on Munden's Point should be scaled every three months, since they lie so under the spray of the sea that rust attacks them so fast. 46: The 32 powder the Court noted in its fifty-second paragraph was in respect to the station Mr Collet had been in, in the Court's service. Had he been a private passenger, the Council should have taken no notice of his funeral. The Council's compliment was no more than each ship in the road paid. The difference of the expense of mounting and dismounting is as the exercise is, and according to the numbers appearing. 47: Though no further mention was made in the consultation of 6 June 1721, yet the Council did compare the account of the stores remaining given in by Mr French with the Interpretations The scaling of the guns described here is the firing of cannon to clear rust and fouling from the bores, the Council using two holidays to clean all the great guns at once, which accounts for the powder the Court had questioned. The detail belongs to the naval stores and fortification upkeep pressed throughout, the guns on the line and at Munden's Point exposed to sea spray and rusting fast, the gunners Slaughter and French recommending a regular three-monthly cleaning. The expense of powder was thus maintenance rather than waste, the Court's query answered by the necessity of preserving the ordnance against the salt air. The powder spent on Mr Collet's funeral marks a ceremonial honour due to his rank in the Court's service, the gun salute the same compliment any ship in the road would render, withheld only had he been a private passenger. The point connects to Governor Collet's passage home aboard the King William in 1720, the funeral observance reflecting his standing as a senior Company servant rather than any ordinary death. The dismissal and reinstatement of Gunner French shows the Council's handling of a negligent officer, discharged for his fault and taken back on his submission and promise of diligence, the leniency recorded before the Court's reproof arrived. The episode bears on the management of the small garrison establishment, an able man recovered through correction rather than permanent loss where replacements were scarce. | ||
96V | the Acco:t given in Consultation of the 17th of May ye preceeding year and allowed thereof Fourthly Touching the Civil Government of the Island or the Productions thereof and what Concerns any of ye Inhabitants We doubt not but that your Hon:rs by this and former Letters will be Sensible of the groundless Clamors against us and We will continue our utmost Endea =vours (in all affairs Committed to our Charge) to Support your Hon:rs Interest and Hon:rs to procure the peoples Quiet and advantage Persuant to your Hon:rs Directions in the 55 Par:o We have paid the Dividend of the Orphan Leech in the Consultations of the 27 of Sept and the 3th of October Last According to your Hon:rs Instruction in the 56 Par:o We Sent Ten Male Blacks by the Lethieullier On the 18th of July last Mr Thomas Houditch Nephew to the Gov:r presented a Petition which We have Sent to your Hon:rs in the Packet Mr Houditch hath been always Employed in your Hon:rs Service in the business of one office or other tho: he has had no office post or Sallary which the Gov:r Sayes he forbore doeing to avoid all manner of Reflection and Uneasiness to any of ye Gentlemen here | The account given in the consultation of the 17th of May the preceding year, and allowed of. Fourthly, concerning the civil government of the island, or the productions of it, and what concerns any of the inhabitants. 48: The Council did not doubt that the Court, by this and earlier letters, would be satisfied of the groundless clamours against it. It would continue its utmost endeavours, in all affairs committed to its charge, to support the Court's interest and to procure the people's quiet and advantage. 49: Following the Court's directions in its fifty-fifth paragraph, the Council had paid the dividend of the orphan Leech in the consultations of the 27th of September and the 3rd of October last. 50: In keeping with the Court's instruction in its fifty-sixth paragraph, the Council sent ten male slaves by the Desbouverie. 51: On the 18th of July last Mr Thomas Houldich, nephew to the Governor, presented a petition, which the Council had sent the Court in the packet. Mr Houldich had always been employed in the Court's service, in the business of one office or another, though he had had no office, post or salary, which the Governor says he forbore giving to avoid all manner of reflection and unfairness to any of the gentlemen at the island. Interpretations The new section heading marks the shift to the island's civil government, the condition of its land and produce and the affairs of its inhabitants, the Council answering the last division of the Court's letter in order. The arrangement follows the Court's own heads, the correspondence moving from goods to the establishment to the fortifications and now to civil matters. The payment of the orphan Leech's dividend belongs to the handling of orphans' estates on the island, the Court directing the share due to a minor and the Council discharging it through dated consultations. The procedure shows the factory administering the inheritances of the dead under the Court's instruction, the orphan's portion paid out on order and recorded, part of the standing care of children's money set against the Keeling and Carne precedents. The Governor's refusal to give his own nephew an office or salary reveals a deliberate avoidance of nepotism, Houldich employed in the Court's business yet left unpaid and unplaced so that no charge of favour could arise. The detail bears on the maintenance of authority and fairness in a small government where every appointment was visible, the Governor forgoing a natural patronage to protect his standing against the very accusations of partiality the Council had been answering throughout the letter. | ||
97R | here but hath Sent him on to Madrass We think our Selves obliged in Justice to Mr Houditch to say his abilityes and good behaviour Justly Re =commends him to your Hon:rs favour On the 16th Instant Arrived here the Caesar Captain Mabbot from Mocho but Last from the Cape who brought the Gov:r a Letter from Capt Mackett with the Melancholy Account of the Loss of three of your Hon:rs Ships at the Cape Viz: The Nightingale the Shandois and the Addisson a Copy whereof We here Transmitt to your Hon:rs Cape of Good hope Octr ye 29 1722 I have presumed to trouble you with ye the Melancholy Acco:t of the Loss of the Ships Night =ingale Addisson and Shandois in this place Viz: On the 26th of May the Ship Nightingale Arrived at this place haveing been Seperated from the Devon =shire and Byfield in bad weather on ye 16th March on our Arrivall here We made the Utmost dispatch and had the Necessary on board in order to Sail the 2 June at which time the Wind came up at N W blowing hard which Increasing to Tuesday became a most violent hard Storme, the like has not been Seen at the Cape in 10 years which forced every Ship on | At the island, but had sent him on to Madras. The Council thought itself obliged in justice to Mr Houldich to say his abilities and good behaviour justly recommended him to the Court's favour. 52: On the 16th instant the Caesar under Captain Mabbot arrived at the island from Mocha but last from the Cape, which brought the Governor a letter from Captain Mackett, with the melancholy account of the loss of three of the Court's ships at the Cape, namely the Nightingale, the Shandois and the Addison, a copy of which the Council sent the Court. Cape of Good Hope, 29 July 1722 Captain Mackett had presumed to trouble the Court with the melancholy account of the loss of the ships Nightingale, Addison and Shandois at this place. On the 26th of May the ship Nightingale arrived at this place, having been separated from the Devonshire and Enfield in bad weather on 13 March. On her arrival, the utmost despatch was made and the necessaries got on board in order to sail on 2 June, at which time the wind came up at north-west, blowing hard. Increasing to Tuesday, it became a most violent hard storm, the like of which had not been seen at the Cape in 10 years, which forced every ship on Interpretations The loss of three of the Court's ships at the Cape, the Nightingale, the Shandois and the Addison, reaches the Council through a letter from Captain Mackett dated 29 July 1722, carried by the Caesar and copied home. The embedded account belongs to the Council's standing practice of forwarding shipping intelligence, the disaster at the Dutch settlement bearing directly on the Cape trade grievance pressed throughout the correspondence, the dangerous Cape anchorage set against the safer island road the Council urged the homeward ships to use. The narrative of the Nightingale's loss reveals the hazard that the Council had repeatedly cited, a violent north-west storm at the Cape, the worst in ten years, driving the ships ashore as they lay refitting. The detail gives concrete force to the argument the Council had made for years, that the homeward fleet's resort to the Cape exposed the Court's ships to a peril St Helena's road did not present, the catastrophe vindicating its case for diverting the shipping to the island. | ||
97V | Shoar in the Road Also on Tuesday night the Ship Shandois Capt Thomas Gilbert parted her Cable and was forced on Shoar on the Rocks near the bridge and in 2 hours after parted the bottom from the Top, so that they can =not Expect to Save but a Small part of ye Cargoe At 11 the Addisson haveing parted both her bower Cables let go her Sheet Anchor which hooked the Night =ingales Small bower and broke it, She bringing up under our Stern rid till 12 at which time parted her Sheet Cable and was forced unhappily on Shoar being Staved all to peices So that no part of her Cargoe can be Saved but what is forced on Shoar by the Violence of the Wind At 3 Wensday morning which was the hardest part of the Storme The Nightingale had the hard fortune to part her best bower Cable and Dragged the Sheet Anchor after her untill She came on Shoar notwithstanding the Mainmast being cutt by the board, but Escapeing the Rocks went more favourablely on Shoar and Remains full of Water above the Lower Decks so that We have hopes of Saving a great part of the Cargoe belonging to the Hon:ble Company She her Hon: Acco:t of our proceedings Since our misfortune begg leave to refer you to Capt William Mabbot who will give you an Acco:t of the Same I am Your Worships Most Humble Ser:t Will:m Mackett | The storm forced every ship ashore, the tide being at flood. On Tuesday night the ship Shandois under Captain Thomas Gilbert parted her cable and was forced ashore on the rocks near the bridge. In a short time after, the bottom parted from the top, so that there was no expectation of saving any but a small part of the cargo. At four the Addison, having parted both her bower cables, let go her sheet anchor, which hooked the Nightingale's small bower and broke it. She, bringing up under the stern, rode till 12, at which time she parted her sheet cable and was forced unhappily ashore, beaten all to pieces, so that no part of her cargo can be saved but what is forced ashore by the violence of the wind. On Wednesday morning, which was the hardest part of the storm, the Nightingale had the hard fortune to part her best bower cable and dragged the sheet anchor after her until she came ashore. Notwithstanding the mainmast being cut by the board, but escaping the rocks, she went more favourably ashore and remains full of water above the lower decks, so that there is hope of saving a great part of the cargo belonging to the Company. For a further account of the proceedings since the misfortune, Captain Mackett referred the Court to Captain William Mabbot, who would give it an account of the same. Captain Mackett subscribed himself the Court's most humble servant, William Mackett. Interpretations The account completes the narrative of the three wrecks at the Cape, each ship driven ashore in turn as her cables parted, the Shandois breaking up on the rocks, the Addison beaten to pieces, and the Nightingale alone grounding clear of the rocks with her cargo partly recoverable. The detail belongs to the Council's forwarding of the disaster home, the loss of the Court's ships at the Dutch anchorage giving weight to the Cape trade grievance, the safer island road urged against the very peril that destroyed the fleet. The technical particulars reveal the mechanics of a ship driven ashore in a gale, the bower cables holding her main anchors and the sheet anchor the last resort, the cutting away of the Nightingale's mainmast a deliberate measure to reduce the wind's purchase and ease her onto the beach rather than the rocks. The survival of her hull, flooded above the lower decks but largely intact, against the total loss of the other two, shows the narrow margin between a recoverable grounding and a wreck, the chance of saving the Company's cargo turning on where each ship struck. | ||
98R | As often as any thing Occurs We Shall take Care to give your Hon:rs due notice We are Hon:ble Sirs Your Hon:rs Most faithfull & Obed:t Servants St Helena Octr ye 24th 1722 Edw:d Johnson Edw:d Byfeld Jno Alexander Jno Goodwin | 53: As often as anything occurred, the Council would take care to give the Court due notice. The letter closed at St Helena on 24 October 1722, the Council subscribing itself the Court's most faithful and humble servants, signed by Edward Johnson, Edward Byfield, John Alexander and John Goodwin. | ||
98V | A List of the Packet ⅌ Ship Caesar Capt Will:m Mabbot Commander Dated ye 24 of Decr 1722 Gov:r and Councills Genrl Letter Dated ye 21 & 6 1721 Copy of Gov:r and Councills Genrl Lett: ⅌ James & Mary dated June ye 21 1722 both sent apart in ye Small packet Duplicate of Consult:ns from 2d June 1722 Ended to th[...] 18 of the Same Month Inclusive Copy of Consult:ns from 2d time to the 18th of December 1722 Inclusive Mr Byfelds Acco:t of the Plantation Expence for the months of June July Augt Sept Octr & Nov:r 1722 N o 5. 6. 7. 8. 9 & 10 Duplicate of the Buildings & Fortifications done by Gov:r Johnson Copy of the Acco:t of the Portugueze & 3 ffrench Ships mentiond in the 14th Par:o 6 the Gov:r Lett: ⅌y ye Lethieullier Copy of Capt Goodwins Indorsem:t on the Bill of Loading of the Lethieullier Gov:r & Coun:r answer to the Remarks on ye Acco:t made by Mr ffletcher Copy of Mr Powells Acco:t for ye years 1714. 15. 16. 17 18 & 19 List of Persons that Transferrd Cre:tt to Mr Powell D:r years and for which he Stands now Charged Mr Thomas Houlditch his Petition List of 10 male Blacks Sent to Bencoolen ⅌ Lethieullier List of Debts now Standing out and due ye Hon:r Cofo:rs Copy of Capt John Edwards Acco:t July 1722 | A list of the packet by the ship Caesar, Captain William Mabbot commander, dated 24 October 1722. 1: Governor and Council general letter, dated 24 October 1722 2: Copy of the Governor and Council general letter by the James and Mary, dated 21 June 1722, both sent apart in the small packet 3: Duplicate of consultations from 2 June 1722 to the 18th of the same month inclusive 4: Copy of consultations from that time to the 18th of December 1722 inclusive 5 to 10: Mr Byfield's account of the plantation expense for the months of June, July, August, September, October and November 1722, numbered 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 11: Duplicate of the buildings and fortifications done by Governor Johnson 12: Copy of the account of the Portuguese and three French ships, mentioned in the fourteenth paragraph of the Governor and Council letter by the Desbouverie 13: Copy of Captain Goodwin's endorsement on the bill of lading of the Desbouverie 14: Governor and Council answer to the remarks on the account made by Mr Fletcher 15: Copy of Mr Powell's account for the years 1714, 1715, 1716, 1717 and 1718 16: List of persons that transferred credit to Mr Powell for those years, and for which he stands now charged 17: Mr Thomas Houldich his petition 18: List of ten male slaves sent to Bencoolen by the Desbouverie 19: List of debts now standing out and due in the Court's books 20: Copy of Captain John Edwards's account, July 1722 Interpretations The packet list is a manifest of enclosures sent home with the general letter, each numbered item the title of a document the Court could check against the list and the captain's receipt. The presence of duplicate consultations and the duplicate of the buildings account, both repeating papers sent by earlier ships, shows the running overlap of conveyances guarding the record against the loss of a single vessel, the Caesar carrying the season's correspondence home. Several items answer the disputes set out in the body of the letter, the account of the Portuguese and French ships meeting the Court's charge of an omission, Captain Goodwin's bill-of-lading endorsement supporting the record of goods short delivered, and Mr Powell's five-year account with the list of those who transferred credit to him providing the documentary trail by which the Court could test the island's principal creditor. The manifest thus functions as the evidence file behind the Council's defence, each contested point supported by a numbered exhibit sent for the Court's judgement. | ||
99R | Capt Edwards Receipt for ye 10 Blacks Sent to Bencoolen Capt Edwards Rec:t for the Packets Sent to India Rec:t for the Packet ⅌ James and Mary June ye 21 1722 Copy of Mr Powells Answer to the 49 Par:o ⅌ Leth =ieullier Relating to his Acco:t Ship Caesars Acco:t on St Helena Decr 24 1722 List of the Packet Copy of D:o sent in the Small Packet apart Signd ⅌ Jno Alexander | 21: Captain Edwards's receipt for the ten slaves sent to Bencoolen 22: Captain Edwards's receipt for the packets sent to India 23: Receipt for the packet by the James and Mary, 21 June 1722 24: Copy of Mr Powell's answer to the fortieth paragraph of the letter by the Desbouverie relating to his account 25: Ship Caesar's account at St Helena, 24 October 1722 26: List of the packet 27: Copy of the same, sent in the small packet apart Signed by John Alexander. | ||
99V | To the Worshipfull The Gov:r & Councell of St Helena We have of Late Received from you the following Books of Accounts Your Journal and Ledgerff for the year 1717 Ditto for the year 1718 Ditto:r year 1719 Upon which We remark that there is no day of the month or Months but only 1717. 1718. 1719 which made it look to us as if the whole years business was done in one day The Debts ariseing from Severall persons to the Comp:y at the Close of your Books, are £ 11775. 21. 7¼ & at ye beginning of the Said books are 8738. 1. 8 ¾ Increased in one year £ 3036. 17. 10¼ Besides 15 Persons Debts wrote off ye Journal pfost to profitts Less as Said £ 18. 10. 5 We therefore direct you for the Future to put in the months and days that every person is made debter and to be very carefull not to give any person Credit by another when you at the Same time know that person is not able to pay the money, for by that means you make the Comp:y pay other persons Debts which is not Just nor Honest and by Inspecting into the particulars of the above Debts we are toapt to beleive if a better care had been taken the Debtors instead | A note in the margin recorded that this letter was entered in this book by mistake. To the Worshipful the Governor and Council of St Helena. The Court had lately received from the island the following books of accounts: the journal and ledger for the year 1717, the same for the year 1718, and the same for the year 1719. The Court remarked on these that there was no day of the month or months, but only 1717, 1718 and 1719, which made it appear that the whole year's business was done in one day. The debts owing from several persons to the Company at the close of those books amount to: £11,775 2s 7¼d The debts at the beginning of those books are: £8,738 8s 8¾d Increased in one year: £3,036 17s 10½d Besides 15 persons' debts written off the journal as desperate. Less, as Lott: £118 10s 5d The Court therefore directed the Council, in future, to put in the months and days that every person is made a debtor, and to be very careful not to give any person credit by another when it at the same time knew that person was not able to pay the money. By that means it made the Company pay other persons' debts, which is neither just nor honest. By inspecting the particulars of the above debts, the Court was apt to believe that, had better care been taken of the debtors instead Interpretations The Court's complaint that the journals and ledgers carried only a year and no day made the whole year's transactions appear to fall on a single date, defeating the purpose of dated entries. The criticism belongs to the long accounting reform, the Court requiring each person charged as a debtor to be entered with the month and day so the growth of a debt could be traced, the undated books concealing when and how each liability arose. The figures expose a rise in the debts owed to the Company of £3,036 17s 10½d in a single year, against fifteen debts written off as desperate, the deterioration the Court used to press its demand for stricter credit control. The warning against allowing one person credit by transfer from another known to be insolvent strikes at the transfer system, by which the Company was made to absorb the bad debts of men unable to pay, the practice condemned as dishonest and the source of the swelling arrears. The directive to record the exact date of every debtor's charge reveals the mechanism by which the Court sought to fix responsibility and prevent concealment in the island's books, dated entries being the safeguard against the backdated or aggregated reckoning that had obscured each man's true standing and let the transfer of bad paper pass unnoticed. | ||
100R | of Increasing might have Largely diminished We find you Drew Bills of Excho: on the Company in that year to the amount of £ 7140. 8. 4 for Severll Liquors and other Stores bought of the homeward bound Commanders and Supra Cargoes at very dear and Extravagant Rates which you ought not to have bot Especially when We find you every year, from India Enough at Less than One halfe the price Capt Jas Cason hath Credit, by Gabriel Powell William Molines Ditto Charles Massey Ditto Capt William Fitzhugh with Credit for 650 Wax Candles £ 15 500 Tamarins at 4 8. 6. 8 and by James Greentree 20 Thomas Cason 121. 17 Isaac Pyke 00 Gabriel Powell 70 2881 Gallons Arrack at 4 576. 4 881. 7. 8 Deduct what Supplyed him 3. 18. 4 877. 9. 4 Capt Jno Pyke, for Arrack at 4 ⅌ Gallon Nathaniel Barber hath Credit by Isaac Pyke Esq:r John Simmons hath Credit by Isaac Pyke Esq:r Edw: Houghton this is a Bill, drawn for £ 199. 10 Payable to Jos Houghton which is neither the right name or Sum Carried over | Of increasing, might have largely diminished. The Court found the Council drew bills of exchange on the Company in that year to the amount of £7,140 8s 4d, for liquors and other stores bought of the homeward-bound commanders and supercargoes at very dear and extravagant rates, which it ought not to have bought, especially when the Court found it sent goods every year from India at less than the island bought them at. Captain James Cason has credit, by Gabriel Powell: £50 0s 0d William Holmes, the same: £50 0s 0d Charles Massey, the same: £50 0s 0d Captain William Fitzhugh has credit for: 450 wax candles £15 0s 0d 500 fanerines at 4 £8 6s 8d and by James Greentree: £20 0s 0d Thomas Cason: £125 17s 0d Isaac Pyke: £0 0s 0d Gabriel Powell: £70 0s 0d 2,881 gallons arrack at 4 £576 4s 0d £881 7s 8d Deduct what supplied him: £53 18s 4d £827 9s 4d Captain Isaac Pyke, for arrack at 4 a gallon: £217 0s 5d Nathaniel Barber has credit, by Isaac Pyke, esquire: £50 0s 0d John Sommers has credit, by Isaac Pyke, esquire: £0 0s 0d Edward Houghton, this is a bill drawn for £199 10s 0d, payable to John Houghton, which is neither the right name nor sum: £21,504 9s 9d Carried over. Interpretations The Court's objection concerns the large sum of bills drawn on the Company for arrack and stores bought from homeward commanders at extravagant prices, when the same goods could be supplied more cheaply from India. The complaint connects to the arrack-pricing struggle pressed throughout the correspondence, the Council buying at inflated rates from passing ships because the standing order obliged it, the Court treating the resulting bills as avoidable waste. The schedule sets out the credits standing in the Company's books, many of them assigned through Gabriel Powell and Isaac Pyke, the transfers showing how credit owed to one person passed to another in the accounts. The structure exposes the transfer system the Court condemned, the island's principal men acting as conduits through which numerous smaller credits were channelled, Powell and Pyke appearing repeatedly as the parties by whom others held their balances. The note on Edward Houghton's bill, drawn for £199 10s 0d but payable to John Houghton and recorded as neither the right name nor sum, reveals an error of the kind the Court's dating and verification reforms were meant to catch, a misdrawn bill exposing the looseness in the island's bookkeeping that the demand for exact entry sought to remedy. | ||
100V | Brought over Jonathan Doveton (ballance due from him £ 7. 6. 2 Capt Rich: Holden for 20 Sheep £ 24 for Garden Seeds 31. 3. 9 ⅌ other persons debts ye remainder Thomas Casen by Credits in Accounts Capt Eustace Peacock by Credits in Accounts Capt Wentworth Geo: Pitt by Credits in Accounts Capt Tho: Collett by Credits in Accounts Joshua Thomlinson most by Credits in Accounts Remains a D:r £ 35. 10. 7) Geo: Pyke for Slaves Sold at Extravagant Rates & for other Credits in Acco:t (he is D:r) £ 515. 12. 6¾ at Close of the Books) Mercy Carne hath Credit by Francis Carne £ 120 which Said Francis Carne at Close of the Books owes £ 462. 14. 2 and by John Goodwin the Remainder which Likewise owes the Company £ 523. 1. 10¼ Capt Josia Hunwits for 431 Tea at Cropy ye rest a C:r Gabriel Powell he Seems to Stand a C:r £ 251. 1. 5 but of that Severall debts may not be paid Capt Rich: Mickelfeild for Goods Sold at Large prices and for Credits Edmund Leigh Seems to be the fairest Credit Capt Charles Warden for Arrack and Credits John Whi: for Arrack at a Dearer price ye Usuall William Jordan £ 235. 18. for Arrack at 4 ⅌ Gallon Carried over | Brought over: £1,504 9s 9d Jonathan Doveton, balance due from him: £200 7s 6s 2d Captain Richard Holden, for 20 sheep: £24 0s 0d For garden seeds: £81 3s 9d and other persons' debts, the remainder: £105 10s 9d Thomas Cason, by credits in accounts: £500 0s 0d Captain Eustace Peacock, by credits in accounts: £139 17s 0d Captain Wentworth George Pitt, by credits in accounts: £75 6s 5d Captain Thomas Collett, by credits in accounts: £7 2s 1d Joshua Thomlinson, most by credits in accounts, remains a debtor £35 10s 7d: £1,848 8s 6d George Pyke, for slaves sold at extravagant rates and for other credits in account, he is debtor £515 12s 6¾d at close of the books: £1,245 16s 6d Mercy Carne has credit, by Francis Carne, £120, which Francis Carne at close of the books owes £462 14s 2d, and by John Goodwin the remainder, which likewise owes the Company £523 1s 10½d: £159 0s 0d Captain Josiah Thwaites, for 431 tea at [...], the rest a Company: £133 8s 0d Gabriel Powell, he seems to stand a debtor £1,251 1s 6d, but of that several debts may not be paid: £50 0s 0d Captain Richard Micklefield, for goods sold at large prices and for credits: £1,086 13s 7d Edmund Leigh seems to be the fairest credit: £21 3s 7¼d Captain Charles Warden, for arrack and credits: £12 18s 9½d John Wynn, for arrack at a dearer price than usual: £76 19s 0d William Jordan £135 18s for arrack at [...] gallons: £157 8s 2d £8,878 4s 4d Carried over. Interpretations The schedule continues the catalogue of credits standing in the Company's books, the Court annotating each entry with the holder's true position, several persons shown to be net debtors once their full account is reckoned. The exercise belongs to the accounting reform, the Court testing each credit against the underlying debt to expose where a nominal balance concealed an unpaid liability, George Pyke, Francis Carne, John Goodwin and Gabriel Powell all marked as debtors despite the credits entered to them. The recurring note that goods and arrack were bought at extravagant or dearer prices than usual restates the Court's central grievance over the island's dealings, the bills drawn for stores from passing commanders judged excessive, which connects to the arrack-pricing struggle and the Council's defence that the standing order forced the purchases on it. The treatment of Gabriel Powell, standing as a debtor of £1,251 1s 6d with the caution that several of those debts may never be paid, reveals the Court's doubt over the recoverability of the island's largest balances, the principal creditor's account so entangled with the unpaid debts of others that its real value was uncertain, the warning bearing on the debt-grip thread by which Powell's holdings rested on what indebted planters owed him. | ||
101R | You are right - I missed it. The left margin carries running money figures alongside the entries, and there is also a separate annotation. Corrected: Brought over Capt Jno Edwards or Ship Susanna most for goods Supplyed Wm Sex by whereof £ 9. 6. 10 is Credited him by Byfeild and Less as Wrote off James Wakeford The aforementiond Bills are for one year a large Quantity Severall of them for Goods bought at Extrava =gant prices, others for Wares Such as Mercy Carnes Bill of £ 90 - where no money at all or any Goods were delivered into the Companys Warehouses and William Sex by £ 9. 6. 10 you over draw his Bill and So you Credit his Account by profitt and Loss Gov:r Pykes bill ought to have been £ 513. 12. 6¾ Less and Joshua Thomlinsons Bill £ 35. 10. 7 Less all that you may See beforementiond Upon Consideration of the whole We cant help think =ing that When you draw your Bills you know not how their Accounts Stands We therefore direct you for the future not to give any person Credit in the Comp:s Books except for Goods Stores or Provisions deliverd for the Companys use for Real money paid into Cash or for Sallary or Labour performd for by Such a Method of Bookkeeping it will be in you the Gov:r and Councils power to give any person an Estate by drawing bills payable in England which when the Company have paid they have nothing but a Poor person Debtor for whom may is not worth the Cloaths on his Back Margin Notes: £ 6878. 14. 4¼ 153. 11. 2 21. 18 89 £ 7143. 3. 6¼ | Brought over: £6,878 14s 4d Captain John Edwards, of ship Susanna, most for goods supplied: £153 11s 2d William Sax, by whereof £9 6s 10d is credited him by Byfield, and less, as written off: £21 18s 0d James Wakeford: £89 0s 0d £7,143 3s 6d The aforementioned bills were, for one year, a large quantity, several of them for goods bought at extravagant prices, others for worse, such as Mercy Carne's bill of £159, where no money at all or any goods were delivered into the Company's warehouses. To William Sax, by £9 6s 10d, the Court overdrew his bill, and so credited his account by profit and loss. Governor Pyke's bill ought to have been £515 12s 6¾d less, and Joshua Thomlinson's bill £35 10s 7d less, all of which the Court had set out before. Upon consideration of the whole, the Court could not help thinking that, when the Council drew its bills, it did not know how their accounts stood. The Court therefore directed it, in future, to give no person credit in the Company's books except for goods, stores or provisions delivered for the Company's use, for ready money paid into cash, or for salary or labour performed for the Company. By such a method of bookkeeping, it would lie in the Governor and Council's power to give any person an estate, by drawing bills payable in England, which, once the Company had paid them, left it nothing but a poor person debtor for the sum, who might not be worth the clothes on his back. Interpretations The Court's closing argument exposed the central danger of the transfer system, that by drawing bills payable in England against credits entered in the island books, the Council could in effect confer an estate on any person, the Company left holding a claim against a debtor not worth the clothes on his back. The criticism connects to the whole accounting reform, the bills of exchange representing real money paid out in London against balances that might rest on nothing recoverable at the island. The Court's remedy confined future credit to four defined grounds, goods and stores delivered for the Company's use, ready money paid into cash, and salary or labour performed, excluding the assigned and transferred credits that had swelled the books. The directive reveals the precise mechanism the Court sought to close, the open entry of credit by transfer replaced by a rule admitting only credits backed by something the Company had actually received. The instance of Mercy Carne's bill of £159, drawn where no money or goods ever came into the Company's warehouses, shows the abuse at its plainest, a credit and a bill created without any corresponding value, the orphan's claim entered against the Company on paper alone, which is why the Court fixed on delivered value as the only admissible basis for future credit. | ||
101V | We know not what Consideration you may have had for Such unjustifiable Practices, but this We know that if the Companys Accountants in England was Suffered to frame Such Acco:ts in their Books and then to Coin bills of Exchange and the Treasurer pay the Same We are Sure they might get an Advantage of at least ten Shillings in the Pound and We wonder how you the Gov:r can Say in your Bills that their is So much money due to them and We are of Opinion that the power, of Drawing Bills and Frameing Such Accounts ought to be taken from you We come now to observe your Expences to be very Large Extravagant and profuse and they amount to in one year to Eleven Thousand & twenty Seven Pounds four Shillings & four pence which if Compared with the Expences in Gov:r Peiriers time they will be found to amount to three times as much General Charges amounts to £ 1331. 17. 6 Diett Expences 2319. 8. 2 of which £ 260. 18. 5¼ is mostly for Liquors Fortifications 1578. 19. 2½ Recd Garrison for things &c:d 2561. 14. 2 Plantations 2062. 12. 8 Charod in the Acco: of Profst & Loss for Goods damag: & Sold at Auction a ffictitious D:bt only made to make your Goods Appear to be well Sold 189. 12. 5¼ £ 871. 6. 9¼ | The Court did not know what consideration the Council might have had for such unjustifiable practices, but this it knew, that if the Company's accountants in England were suffered to frame such accounts in their books, and then to draw bills of exchange, and the treasurer to pay the same, it was sure they might gain an advantage of at least ten shillings in the pound. The Court wondered the Governor and Council should say in their bills that there was so much money due to them, and was of opinion that the power of drawing bills and framing such accounts ought to be taken from them. The Court came next to observe the island's expenses to be very large, extravagant and profuse, amounting in one year to £11,027 4s 4d, which, compared with the expenses in Governor Poirier's time, would be found to amount to three times as much. General charges amount to: £1,831 17s 6d Diet expenses: £2,319 8s 2d of which £1,260 18s 5¾d is mostly for liquors Fortifications: £1,578 19s 2½d Account, garrison for things and other: £2,561 14s 2d Plantations: £2,062 12s 8d Charged in the account of profit and loss for goods damaged and sold at auction, a fictitious debt only made to make the goods appear to be well sold: £189 12s 4¾d £8,871 6s 9¾d Interpretations The Court's charge that the island's officers might gain ten shillings in the pound, were they free to frame accounts and draw bills paid by the treasurer, exposes the corruption the transfer system invited, half the nominal value of a fabricated credit convertible into real money in London. The criticism completes the case for stripping the Council of the power to draw bills and enter accounts, the Court treating the combination of bookkeeping and bill-drawing in the same hands as an open door to private profit. The breakdown of the island's expenditure sets out the cost of the establishment under its main heads, the diet expenses of £2,319 8s 2d shown to be mostly liquor, against general charges, fortifications, the garrison and the plantations. The figures served the Court's complaint that the island cost three times what it had under Governor Poirier, the itemised account exposing where the money went and pressing the demand for retrenchment the Council had already promised. The entry of a fictitious debt of £189 12s 4¾d, charged to profit and loss to make damaged goods sold at auction appear well sold, reveals a particular accounting device the Court condemned, a paper loss concealed by an invented charge so the books showed a better return than the sale had yielded. The instance connects to the wider reform demanding that entries reflect real value, the manufactured debt being exactly the kind of false reckoning the Court sought to forbid. | ||
102R | Brought over £ 10874. 6. 9. 4 Wast in Eatables & Drinkables 152. 17. 7. ½ £ 11027. 4. 4. ¾ The above is Exclusive of all the Credits the Accounts have except the Account of Profitt and Loss and upon Examination made We find the Company have no Seeming Credit for Slaves or any thing else that In =creases their Estate on your Island Except in the Acco:t of Fortifications, for Slaves bought of Isaack Pyke £ 680 and in the account of Plantation for Slaves bought Isaac Pyke 785 For Customs 18. 19. 6 ffines 5 Rents and Revenues 493. 12. 8 Ball:o of profitt & Loss Account 2422. 13. 6¼ £ 4405. 5. 8¾ We find the Account of Beef hath Credit by diett Expences £ 792 - for what Said to be Sold ye Yrhad:o in the years 1715. 16. 17. 18. 19 you would have done well to enquire after the Money Rec:d for the Same and to have given Credit to the Company we direct you to enquire into that Affair Particularly and advise us by the first Opportunity and We Expect ye find Credit given for the Same or Else to know who is to be Accountable We have taken the pains to abstract from your Books a List of the Persons names with the amount of What | Brought over: £10,874 6s 9d Waste in eatables and drinkables: £152 17s 7½d £11,027 4s 4¾d The above was exclusive of all the credits the accounts had, except the account of profit and loss. Upon examination made, the Court found the Company had no seeming credit for slaves or anything else that increased their estate at the island, except in the account of fortifications, for slaves bought of Isaac Pyke: £680 0s 0d and in the account of plantation, for slaves bought of Isaac Pyke: £785 0s 0d For customs: £18 19s 6d Fines: £5 0s 0d Rents and revenues: £493 12s 8d Balance of profit and loss account: £2,422 13s 6¾d £4,405 5s 8¾d The Court found the account of beef had credit, by diet expenses, £792, for what is said to be sold. Had the Council, in the years 1715, 1716, 1717, 1718 and 1719, enquired after the money received for the same and given credit to the Company, it would have done well. The Court directed it to enquire into that affair particularly, and advise the Court by the first opportunity. The Court expected it would find credit given for the same, or else to know who is to be accountable. The Court had taken pains to abstract from the island books a list of the persons' names, with the amount of what they Interpretations The summary of credits exposes the Court's central finding, that the Company had almost nothing in its books to show for its outlay, no credit for slaves or other assets that increased its estate at the island except two sums for slaves bought of Isaac Pyke and the modest returns from customs, fines, rents and the profit and loss balance. The contrast between the heavy expenditure already itemised and the slight recoverable credit drove the Court's conclusion that the island's accounting concealed where the money had gone. The question over the beef account reveals a suspected gap between goods sold and money received, beef credited to diet expenses at £792 for what was said to be sold, yet with no record of the cash coming in over five years. The Court's direction to enquire who must answer for it shows the demand that every sale be matched by a receipt entered to the Company, the missing money pointing either to an unrecorded payment or to a person accountable for it, the kind of unverified entry the whole reform was meant to close. The slaves bought of Isaac Pyke, entered against the fortifications and the plantation accounts, mark the purchase of the former Governor's slaves into the Company's service, the two sums the rare instances of a credit representing a real asset acquired, which connects to the standing record of Pyke selling slaves to the Court at the price they cost him before his departure. | ||
102V | they were Indebted to the Company at the beginning of the Books and Likewise what they are Indebted at the Close thereof the Difference amounts to £ 236[...] and is part of the £ 3036. 17. 10½ mentioned in the form:r part of our Letter and are as follows which we Direct you Carefully to Peruse the other part are persons whose Accounts are new and We direct you the Gov:r and Council to be carefull to gather in as fast as the people are able to pay those Debts, for, if every pairs Books Should so Increase it will prove a Dear Island and will Eat out the proffitts of a very good Cargoe yearly and you will be thought to be Careless and negligent persons Jno Alexander Senr D:r 272. 8. 7¼ C:r 319. 18. 11 Robert Angus 9. 6. 5¼ 14. 5. 5 Tho: Allin 98. 6. 11¼ 152. 9 Arthur Bradley 6. 10. 4¼ 30. 14. 5 Arthur Bradley by Bond to Jno Alexander 63. 12 Orlando Bagley 153. 4. 11½ 221. 13. 4 William Beale 210. 4. 1 240. 3. 8 Robert Bett: Bond 104. 8 - is decreas: 90 Edmund Bedley 40. 10. 11¼ 69. 2 Rich:d Ant:o Beale 102. 17. 9¼ 171. 13. 5 John Bagley Senr 65. 7. 0¼ 123. 7. 2 Wm Coales 85. 1 104. 3. 5 John Coulson 73. 7. 7¼ 115. 13. 2 £ 1402. 2. 10¼ £ 1716. 14. 4 Carried over | The Court had drawn up a list of the persons' names, showing what each owed the Company at the opening of the books and what each owed at their close. The difference amounted to £236, and formed part of the £3,036 17s 10½d mentioned in the earlier part of the Court's letter. The persons stood as follows, which the Court directed the Council to peruse carefully. The others were persons whose accounts were new. The Court directed the Governor and Council to gather in those debts as fast as the people were able to pay them, since, were every pair of books to increase so, it would prove a dear island, eating out the profits of a very good cargo yearly, and the Council would be thought careless and negligent. Mr Alexander, senior: £272 8s 7¼d £319 18s 11d Robert Angus: £9 6s 5¼d £14 5s 5d Thomas Allis: £98 6s 11½d £152 9s 0d Arthur Bradley: £6 10s 4¼d £30 14s 5d Arthur Bradley, by bond to Mr Alexander: £63 12s 0d Orlando Bagley: £153 4s 11½d £221 13s 4d William Beale: £210 4s 1d £240 3s 8d Robert Bell, bond: £104 8s 0d, decreased £90 0s 0d Edmund Bedley: £40 10s 11¼d £69 0s 2d Richard Anthony Beale: £102 17s 9¼d £171 13s 5¼d John Bagley, senior: £15 7s 0¼d £128 7s 2¼d William Coales: £85 0s 1d £104 3s 5d John Coulson: £73 7s 7¼d £115 13s 2¼d £1,002 2s 10¼d £1,716 14s 4d Carried over. Interpretations The schedule set out the Court's abstract of debtors, each name carrying two figures. The first was the sum the person owed the Company when the books opened and the second the sum owed when they closed, the gap between the two measuring how far each debt had grown over the period. The exercise reveals the Court's method of exposing the deterioration person by person, the rising balances proving the island's failure to recover its debts as fast as they accrued. The Court stated the difference between the opening and closing positions to be £236, yet the two columns shown total £1,002 2s 10¼d and £1,716 14s 4d, a gap far larger than that. The £236 perhaps applied only to the older accounts being reconciled, the persons whose accounts the Court marked as new being set apart from that particular calculation, which would explain why the cited difference falls well short of the gap between the two column totals. The Court's warning that a continuing rise in the books would make St Helena a dear island, eating the profit of a good cargo each year, tied the individual debts to the Company's overall return, the unrecovered sums treated as a direct charge against trade. The directive to gather in the debts as the people could bear connects to the debt-recovery thread, the graded pressure that took payment where a debtor could pay without forcing the ruin of households already insolvent to the Company. The appearance of bonds alongside simple book debts, as with Arthur Bradley's bond to Mr Alexander and Robert Bell's decreasing bond, marks the distinction between a secured and an unsecured liability, the bond a formal sealed obligation taken where the debtor's own means looked insufficient, the security converting a doubtful claim into an enforceable one against a second estate. | ||
103R | Brought over £ 1302. 2. 10¼ £ 1716. 4. 4 Mary Conaway 27. 18. 8¼ 36. 8. 8¾ Benja Cleverlee 5. 11. 3¼ 23. 15. 5½ Frances Carne 263. 4. 1¼ 462. 14. 2 Caleb Davis 6. 14. 8 23. 9½ John Dixen 2. 18. 8½ 38. 18 James Draper 51. 16. 7¼ 93. 4. 3 John Ebts 14. 19. 2¼ 21. 2. 2¾ Thomas Easthope 18. 8. 1¼ 27. 7. 11¼ Francis Funge 123. 11. 6¼ 143. 19. 3½ Henry Francis 161. 9. 11¾ 354. 1. 4 Thomas Free 66. 1. ¾ 130. 9¼ John Goodwin 523. 1. 10¼ 270. 16. 5¼ Thomas Gardner 21. 6¼ 41. 13. 8½ Robert Gurling 67. 13. 6¼ 97. 5. 5¼ James Greentree 3½ 22. 1. 5¾ Jno Goodwins Bond 100 106 John Howe 27. 5. 4¼ 33. 8. 4¼ Jonoth: Higham Junr 31. 16. 2 36. 4. ¾ Thomas Hayse 28. 6. 2¼ 42. 2. 8 Samuel Head 57. 16. 2¾ 23. 14. 11¼ John Hanson 61. 4. 11 83. 14. 2¾ John Hubbard 1. 5. 7½ 7. 14. 5 John Harding 26. 19. ¾ 30. 3. 9¼ Thomas Hodgkinson 6. 6. 3 44. 9. 9¼ John Hodgkinson 18. 9. 2¼ 60. 11. 7½ £ 3311. 1. 9½ £ 4203. 10. 5. ½ Margin Notes: see above | Brought over: £1,302 2s 10¼d £1,716 4s 4d Mary Conaway: £27 18s 8¼d £36 8s 8¾d Benjamin Cleverlee: £5 11s 3¼d £23 15s 5½d Frances Carne: £263 4s 1¼d £162 14s 2d Caleb Davis: £6 14s 8d £23 0s 9½d John Dixon: £2 18s 8½d £38 18s 0d James Draper: £51 16s 7¼d £93 4s 3d John Ebbs: £14 19s 2¼d £21 2s 2¾d Thomas Easthope: £18 5s 1¾d £27 7s 11¼d Francis Funge: £123 11s 6¼d £143 19s 3½d Henry Francis: £161 9s 11¾d £354 1s 4d Thomas Free: £66 1s 0¾d £130 0s 9¼d John Goodwin: £523 1s 10¼d £270 16s 5¼d Thomas Gardner: £21 0s 6¼d £41 15s 8½d Robert Gurling: £67 13s 6¼d £97 5s 5¼d James Greentree: £0 3s 2½d £22 1s 5¼d Mr Goodwin's bond: £100 0s 0d £106 0s 0d John Howe: £27 5s 0¼d £33 8s 4¼d Jonathan Higham, junior: £31 16s 2d £35 4s 0¾d Thomas Hayse: £28 6s 2¼d £42 2s 8d Samuel Head: £17 16s 2¾d £23 14s 11¼d John Hanson: £61 4s 11d £83 14s 2¾d John Hubbard: £1 5s 7¼d £7 14s 5d John Harding: £26 19s 0¾d £30 3s 9¼d Thomas Hodgkinson: £6 6s 3d £44 9s 9¼d John Hodgkinson: £18 9s 2¼d £60 11s 7½d £3,311 1s 9½d £3,203 10s 5½d Interpretations The list continued the Court's abstract of debtors, each name set against the sum owed when the books opened and the larger sum owed when they closed, the two columns carrying forward the running totals from the previous page. The schedule extended the same person-by-person exposure of rising debt, the Court building a complete register of who owed what and how far each balance had grown. The notation against Mr Goodwin's bond, marked to be read with the entry above, shows a debt secured by a formal sealed obligation rather than left as a simple running balance, the bond taken where the Company sought firmer security for the sum. The distinction between bonded and unbonded debt runs through the whole abstract, the bond giving the Court an enforceable claim against the debtor's estate. A small number of accounts, such as Frances Carne's and John Goodwin's, show a closing figure lower than the opening one, marking debts that fell over the period against the general rise. The contrast reveals that the Court's recovery had bitten on some debtors while others slipped further behind, the mixed result feeding the demand that the Council gather in the debts more diligently as each person became able to pay. | ||
103V | Brought over 3311. 1. 9. 2¼ £ 4203. 10. 5. ½ Henry Anson 55 86. 19. 11½ Saml Spey 59. 8. 1¼ 146. 9. 9¼ Jos Johnson 165. 19. 10½ 212. 18. 2¼ Sutton Isaac 20. 3. 5¾ 31. 1. 11½ Jno Knipe 125. 4. 9 95. 9. 9½ Isaac Leech 18. 12. 9 35. 15. 11½ Henry Leech 10. 15. 1¾ 20. 17. 9½ Thomas Leech 29. 12. 11¾ 31. 17. 4¾ Acco: of Bond Isaac Leech 30 Last Books James Leech 14. 3. 9¼ 23. 7. 7¼ Francis Long 10. 3. 5¾ 17. 4. 4¼ George Lendon 20. 14. 7¼ 28. 18. 4¼ John Lacey 27. 7. 7¼ 152. 5. 4¼ John Long 331. 4. 9¼ 383. 9. 4¼ Lucas Mason 22. 2. 9½ 33. 12. 9½ Benjr Miller 5. 15. 5½ Wm Maubray 1. 7. 7¼ Henry Miller 26. 8½ 33. 2½ Rich:d Mason 20. 1. 9½ 80. 1. 10½ Walter Worrie 51. 6. 2 105. 11. 5½ John Nicholls 97. 10. 8 120. 3. 8 Edm: Nicholls 8. 14. 9 41. 4. 11 John Orchard 24. 9. 11½ 44. 7. 10 Ralph Crane 102. 13. 10¼ 129. 13. 10¾ Orphans of the Steward 63. 4. 2¼ 99. 2. 9¼ Carr: over £ 4675. 7. 11¼ £ 6164. 15 Margin Notes: Acco: of Bond Isaac Leech | Brought over: £3,311 1s 9¼d £3,203 10s 5½d Henry Anson: £55 0s 0d £86 19s 11d Samuel Loosey: £59 8s 1¼d £146 0s 9¼d Joshua Johnson: £165 19s 10½d £212 18s 2¼d Sutton Isaac: £20 3s 5¾d £31 1s 11½d John Knipe: £125 4s 9d £95 9s 9½d Isaac Leech: £18 12s 9d £35 15s 11½d Ebenezer Leech: £10 15s 1¾d £20 17s 9½d Thomas Leech: £29 12s 11¾d £31 17s 0¼d Account of bond, Isaac Leech: £30 0s 0d Last books James Leech: £14 3s 9¼d £23 7s 7¼d Francis Long: £10 3s 5¼d £17 4s 4¼d George Loudon: £20 14s 7¼d £28 18s 4¼d John Lacey: £27 7s 7¼d £152 5s 4d John Long: £331 4s 9¼d £383 9s 4¼d Lucas Mason: £22 2s 9½d £33 12s 9½d Benjamin Miller: £5 15s 5¼d William Maubray: £1 7s 7¼d Henry Miller: £26 8s 2½d £33 0s 2½d Richard Mason: £20 1s 9½d £80 1s 10½d Walter Morris: £81 6s 2d £105 11s 5½d John Nicholls: £97 10s 8d £120 3s 8d Edmund Nicholls: £8 14s 9d £41 4s 11d John Orchard: £24 9s 11½d £44 7s 10d Ralph Crane: £102 13s 10¼d £129 13s 10¼d Orphans of the Steward: £63 4s 2¼d £99 2s 9¼d Carried over: £1,075 7s 11¼d £6,164 15s 0d Interpretations The list carried the Court's abstract of debtors further, each name set against the opening and closing balances, the second column the larger in most cases and the running totals advanced at the foot. The schedule maintained the same exhaustive register of the island's debts, the Court tracing every account to show how far the whole body of debt had grown. The entries marked as bonds, such as Isaac Leech's bond noted against the last books, distinguish the secured debts from the simple book balances, the bond a sealed obligation the Company held where it sought firmer security for the sum owed. The mixture of bonded and unbonded debt throughout the abstract reveals the two instruments by which the island's credit was carried, the one enforceable against an estate and the other resting only on the running account. The orphans of the Steward, entered with a debt rising from £63 4s 2¼d to £99 2s 9¼d, show a minor's estate standing as a debtor in the Company's books, the inheritance entangled in the island's accounts like any other balance. The case connects to the standing administration of orphans' money on the island, the children's portions managed and charged through the Company's books, the Steward children's land having earlier been the subject of disputed leases. | ||
104R | Brought over £ 4675. 17. 11¼ £ 6164. 15 Jno Wm Painter 25. 8. 1 34. 13. 6¾ Samuel Price 63. 2. 6½ 83. 11. 5½ Benja Pledger 20. ¾ 27. 5. 9 Step: ffranc Pledger 1. 1. 2½ 5. 4. 6¾ James Pryon 22. 5. 6 23. 19. 4½ John Proulstone 7. 14. ¾ 11. 16. 2¼ Sarah Seuthen 113. 6. 1¼ 177. 6. 5¾ Will:m Slaughter 116. 14. ½ 183. 15. 10 Peter Sinsnick 11. 5. 10¼ 15. 2. 9¾ Gilbert Sinsnick 6. 13. 9¼ 12. 17. 5¼ Philip Slater 3. 9 6. 19. 3½ Joseph Tayler 10. 4. 0¼ 24. 8. 6¼ Mary Twalleo 00. 7 134. 19. 1¾ John Twalleo 8. 13. 1¼ 39. 16. 11 Nichlh Shreeve 113. 18. 7 200. 4. 5 Rich:h Shealler Senr 41. 7. 3. 4 68. 2. 9¼ Antipas Ivory 225. 12. 5. 4 376. 9. 5. 6 Saml Thornbreugh 3. 15. 11. 4¼ 26. 7. ¾ John Twaites 95. 7. 10¼ 136. 19. 1. 2 Richard Tinsley 17. 13. 1. 4 13. 11. 6¼ Rich:d Thompson 17. 2. 4¼ 6. 1. 4 James Tegg 206. 18. 8. ½ 255. 3. 9 John Worrall 61. 7. 8. 4 106. 17. 3. 4 William Worrall 304. 2. 7½ 380. 14. 4 Thomas Watts 28. 13. 11. 4¼ 30. 6½ John Whaley 5. 6. 2½ 12. 12. 6 £ 8256. 19. 10¼ £ 8573. 19. 4. 4 | Brought over: £1,675 17s 11¼d £6,164 15s 0d John William Pajester: £25 8s 1d £34 13s 6½d Samuel Price: £63 2s 6½d £83 11s 5d Benjamin Pledger: £20 0s 0¾d £27 5s 9d Stephen Frances Pledger: £1 1s 2½d £5 4s 6¾d James Pyon: £22 5s 6d £23 19s 4½d John Roulstone: £7 14s 0¾d £11 16s 2¾d Sarah Southen: £113 6s 1¾d £177 6s 5¾d William Slaughter: £116 14s 0½d £183 15s 10d Peter Sinnick: £11 5s 10¼d £15 2s 9¾d Gilbert Sinnick: £6 13s 9¼d £12 17s 5¼d Philip Slater: £0 3s 9d £6 19s 3½d Joseph Tayler: £10 4s 0¾d £24 8s 6¼d Mary Swallow: £0 0s 7¼d £131 19s 1¼d John Swallow: £8 13s 1¼d £39 16s 11d Nicholas Shreve: £113 18s 7d £200 4s 5d Richard Shreve, junior: £41 7s 3¼d £68 2s 9¼d Antipas Tovey: £225 12s 5¼d £376 9s 5¼d Samuel Thornbrough: £3 18s 11¼d £20 7s 0¾d John Thwaites: £98 7s 10¼d £136 19s 1¼d Richard Tinsley: £17 13s 1¼d £13 11s 6¼d Richard Thompson: £17 2s 3¼d £6 1s 1¼d James Vesey: £206 18s 8½d £106 17s 3d John Worrall: £61 7s 8¼d £106 17s 3d William Worrall: £304 2s 7½d £380 14s 4d Thomas Watts: £28 13s 11¼d £30 0s 6½d John Whaley: £5 6s 2½d £12 12s 6d £3,266 19s 10¼d £8,373 19s 1d Interpretations The list completed the body of the Court's abstract of debtors, each name set against the opening and closing balances and the running totals advanced at the foot. The schedule closed the exhaustive register the Court had compiled, the rising second column across page after page driving home the steady growth of the island's debt that the whole exercise was meant to expose. Several names in the list belong to figures of standing on the island, the secretary Antipas Tovey owing £376 9s 5¼d at the close, the overseer William Worrall £380 14s 4d, and Sarah Southen £177 6s 5¾d, showing that the burden of debt reached the Company's own servants and the more prominent inhabitants as well as the poorer planters. The presence of these names connects the abstract to the wider concern that even men in office stood deep in the Company's books. A handful of accounts, such as Richard Tinsley's, Richard Thompson's and James Vesey's, show a closing figure below the opening one, marking debts recovered against the general rise. The mixed movement reveals that the Council's pressure had taken effect on some debtors while the great majority slipped further behind, the contrast feeding the Court's demand for more diligent recovery as each person became able to pay. | ||
104V | Brought over £ 6256. 19. 10. ½ £ 8573. 19. 4 Francis Wrangham 86. 4. 7¼ 133. 15. 4 D:o on Acco: of bonds 70 70 £ 6413. 4. 6. 4 £ 8777. 14. 8 6413. 4. 6 More than at the Beginning £ 2364. 10. 2 Margaret Burnham D:r 1719 Contra C:r To Ball:o Last Books £ 129. 10. 7. ½ ⅌ wch deby Cr by ye Acco: 294. 10. 8 To Severall Debts 30. 16. 3 by Plantn and fforti To Ball:o said to be due 189. 7. 9. ½ fications 55. 4 349. 14. 8 349. 14. 8 Of the above Credit of £ 294. 10. 8 the Company hath not been made good Viz: Saml Nelsons Bond of £ 100 Giles Smiths Bond 120 John Swallow: Debt 41 £ 261 Giles Smith 1719 D:r Contra C:r To Ball:o Last Books £ 218. 5. 10. ¼ By Jn: ffrench bond £ 200 To Severall Persons 118. 7. 5. 4 by D:r Acco: Curr:t 7. 8 336. 13. 4 By ffortifications 39. 5 30. 4. 4 By Ballance due 31. 8. 8 £ 336. 13. 4 | Brought over: £6,256 19s 10½d £8,573 19s 4d Francis Wrangham: £86 4s 7¼d £133 15s 4d Debtor on account of bonds: £70 0s 0d £70 0s 0d £6,413 4s 6¼d £8,777 14s 8d £6,413 4s 6¼d More than at the beginning: £2,364 10s 2d Margaret Burnham, debtor, 1719. Contra, creditor. To balance of last books: £129 10s 7½d per last debt, cypher, debtor: £294 10s 8d To several debts: £30 16s 3d by plantation and fortifications: £55 4s 0d To balance laid to be due: £189 7s 9¼d £349 14s 8d £349 14s 8d Of the above credit of £294 10s 8d the Company had not been made good, namely: Samuel Nelson's bond of: £100 0s 0d Giles Smith's bond: £120 0s 0d John Swallow's debt: £41 0s 0d £261 0s 0d Giles Smith, 1719, debtor. Contra, creditor. To balance of last books: £218 5s 10½d by John French, contra: £200 0s 0d To several persons: £118 7s 5½d by his account current: £7 0s 0d £336 13s 4d by fortifications: £30 0s 0d £30 4s 0d by balance due: £36 13s 4d £336 13s 4d Interpretations The closing of the debtors' abstract struck the grand totals, the opening balances summing to £6,413 4s 6¼d against closing balances of £8,777 14s 8d, the difference of £2,364 10s 2d measuring the whole increase in the island's debt over the period. The figure gave the Court the aggregate proof of deterioration that its page-by-page register had built toward, the single number behind its demand for stricter recovery and credit control. The two individual accounts set out in debtor-and-creditor form, Margaret Burnham's and Giles Smith's, show the double-entry method by which a single person's standing was reckoned, the debts charged on one side and the credits and payments on the other, the balance struck to find the net sum due. The form reveals the bookkeeping the Court wished applied throughout, each account squared so the true position could be read at a glance rather than left as a running figure. The note that £261 of Margaret Burnham's credit had never been made good, resting on Samuel Nelson's and Giles Smith's bonds and John Swallow's debt, exposes the weakness the Court attacked across the whole letter, a credit entered in the books against obligations that might never be collected. The instance shows a person's apparent credit propped on the unpaid debts of others, the bonds and the book debt behind it uncertain of recovery, which is why the Court pressed for credit confined to value the Company had actually received. | ||
105R | Of the above Credit John ffrench: bond of £ 271. 10. ¼ is not made good to the Company and if Giles Smith be allowed that Credit of £ 271. 10. yet Still he Remains a Debter as above 31. 13. 4 and upon his bond £ 120 We desire you to peruse the above Acco:t and Seriously consider with your Selves that if you the Gov:r & Council were the Proprietors of the Island with all the Goods and Stock remaining thereon whether you would pay any one Person £ 100 - in money and take anoth =er persons Bond: you which is the Exact Case We direct you to Examine into all the Persons Acco:ts in your Books and to Write back from every per =sons Acco: the money that you have not Received for there are Severall other Accounts in the Like nature London the 23 ffeb:y 1721 I am your Humble Servant J ffletcher Accountant Genrl | Of the above credit, John French's bond of £271 10s 0d was not made good to the Company. Were Giles Smith allowed that credit of £271 10s 0d, yet still he remained a debtor of above £31 15s 4d, and upon his bond £120. The Court desired the Council to peruse the above accounts, and seriously consider with itself that, were it the Governor and Council the proprietors of the island, with all the goods and stock remaining on it, whether it would pay any one person £100 in money and take another person's bond to it, which is the exact case. The Court directed the Council to examine into all the persons' accounts in its books, and to write back, from every person's account, the money that it had not received, since there were several other accounts in the like nature. London, 23 February 1721. The accountant general, J. Fletcher, subscribed himself the Court's humble servant. Interpretations The closing argument set the Court's complaint in its plainest form, asking the Council to imagine itself the owner of the island and its whole stock, and to judge whether it would pay one person real money while taking a mere bond from another in its place. The rhetorical test exposed the core objection to the transfer system, that the Company parted with cash in London against paper security at the island, the bond no substitute for money where the underlying debt might never be recovered. The directive to write back from every account the money the Council had not actually received reveals the Court's final method of correction, the books to be purged of every credit unsupported by real payment, the unverified entries that had swelled the debt to be stripped out. The instruction connects to the whole accounting reform, the demand that the island's records show only value the Company had truly received, with several further accounts of the same defective kind awaiting the same treatment. The letter's subscription by J. Fletcher as accountant general marks the source of the whole audit, the criticism coming not from the Court of Directors at large but from its senior accounting officer in London, whose scrutiny of the island books produced the line-by-line abstract and the demand for reform that the Council had been answering. | ||
105V | Hon:ble Sirs In the Packet ⅌ Lethieullier We received a Lett:r Signd by Mr ffletcher Your Hon:rs Accomptant to Answer which no Pains has bin wanting that We may give Your Hon:rs the best Satisfaction We are capable of The omission of the Days of the Months & Months for those Years 1717. 1718. 1719 proceeded from Neglect of Mr Tovey & wrytten then Accomptant but Wee can beleive it was done with any ill desigr, the Days and Months as did in hon: ffeb:y 1720 Likewise in Our present books & we will take Care for the future, they Shall be alwayes That the Debts are Considerably augmented in the Year 1719 was even which proceeded in a great Measure from the Confused Condition the Acco:ts of the Island were in, for Sevrall people whose were beleived to be in Credit at the Ballancing their Acco: were found Considerably in Debt at Our Entrance on the Administration & it was impossible We Should doe so well apprized of Each persons Circumstances Your Hon:rs we flatter our Selves have observed the Contrary in the Books for 1720 the abstract to make of which Your Hon:rs have already received) & will further now by the List of Debts Standing out in your Hon:rs Books this 25th Day of December in this Packet That 15 persons wrote off by Profst & Loss could be Ballanced no other way as in Journals ⅌age for the year who Such as Dyed & left nothing to pay without or thin of the Island To Specify & plain as We can how those Credit was for which by Bills of Exchange were Drawn as follow Capt Solgson hath Credit by Gabriel Powell as appears in Journal A for 2:o for which Bills were drawn | Honourable Sirs, In the packet by the Desbouverie the Council received a letter signed by Mr Fletcher, the Court's accountant. No pains had been wanting that the Council might give the Court the best satisfaction it was capable of. The omission of the days of the months for those years 1717, 1718 and 1719 came from the neglect of Mr Tovey, then accountant. It could not be done now with any design. The days and months were added in those for the year 1720 likewise, in the Council's present books, and it would take care for the future that they should always be added. The debts being considerably increased in the year 1719 came, which proceeded in a great measure from the confused condition the accounts of the island were in, since several people whose debts were believed to be in credit at the balancing of their debts were found considerably in debt. At the Council's entrance on the administration it was impossible it should be well aware of each person's circumstances. The Council had observed the contrary in the books for the year 1720, the abstract to mark of which the Court had already received, and would further see now by the list of debts standing out in the Court's books this 25th day of December in this packet. Those 15 persons' debts written off by profit and loss could be balanced no other way, as in journal, folio, for the year, who such as died and left nothing to pay with, or ran off the island. To specify, as plain as the Council can, how those credits were, for which bills of exchange were drawn, as follows. Captain Pyke had credit by Gabriel Powell, as appears in journal, folio, for which bills were drawn. Interpretations The Council's reply opened its answer to the accountant general's audit, accepting the charge that the books for 1717 to 1719 carried no days and laying the fault on the former accountant Antipas Tovey, while showing the dating already corrected from 1720 onward. The defence connects to the long accounting reform, the Council conceding the defective record but tracing it to a particular officer's neglect rather than any present concealment, the remedy already in place. The explanation for the rise in debt in 1719 reveals the practical disorder behind the figures, persons believed to stand in credit found on examination to be in debt once the tangled accounts were straightened, the new administration unable at its entrance to know each person's true position. The account ties the swelling debt to the inherited confusion of the books rather than to fresh extravagance, the deterioration partly a correction of earlier error as much as a real increase. The fifteen debts written off to profit and loss are explained as the accounts of persons who had died leaving nothing, or had fled the island, the loss entered because no recovery was possible. The detail shows the limit of the Court's recovery, certain debts simply uncollectable, the writing-off a recognition of reality rather than the manufactured paper loss the Court had condemned elsewhere, the distinction turning on whether a real debtor had vanished or a false entry had been made. | ||
106R | The Same was done with Mr Holmes & Charles Massey as appears D:o Journal, ffolio Capt William ffitzhugh had bills for £ 327. 9. 4 in part for Good bought & ought to be Transferd from Sundry divd as Stands fol: 25 & 26 the for Sum that transferid money to him their Acco: is to be Coin:d in Ledger A fol: 21. 67. 91. 892 Captain John Cyes due: Stands Journal A fol: 31 Nath: Barber, John Simmons Edward Hauter had Credit from Isaac Pyke Esq: as appears Journal A fol: 22 Jonathan Doveton & Thomas Cason had the Cred:t from Gov:r Pyke for the Bills of Exchange as appears fol: 26 Capt Richard Holdens Acco: Stands fol: 27 Capt Peacock had bills for 139. 17. for Credit allowed him to Stand fol: 32 Therein Capt Pitt & Capt Collet as appears D:o folio Joshua Tomlinsons Bills of £ 1348 - as 2½ was 35. 10. 7 overdrawn is true it derived from Ship Mich: which (through neglect) were never Enterd in your Hon:rs Books, but after his Departure we found the Same in Small Book of Ship a:cd the like was the cheif occasion of Gov:r Pykes bills & his Debt Capt Knipits Acco: Stands fol: 54 Gabriel Powells Acco: & those by Mr ffletcher call Dubious Debts are Send to your Hon:rs by this Ship Capt Mickelfeild, John Whi: William Jordan & Capt Edwards Sold divrs at a Dearer price then Usuall occasiond because there was none in your Hon:rs Warehouses their Acco: Stand fol: 53 & 54 Capt Charles Wardens Acco: is one of the Debts by which Govern:r Pyke & Joshua Thomlinson were brought in debt after they were gone off the Island | The same was done with William Holmes and Charles Massey, as appears in journal, folio. Captain William Fitzhugh had bills for £827 9s 4d, in part for goods bought and credit transferred from sundry, and as it stands, folio, £53 18s 6d. The Governor says that transferred money to him from their accounts is to be entered in ledger, folio, £21 0s 5d, £91 8s 2d. Captain John Cyes, deceased, stands journal, folio, £31. Nathaniel Barber, John Sommers and Edward Sauter had credit from Isaac Pyke, as appears in journal, folio. Jonathan Doveton and Thomas Cason had the credit from the Governor, Pyke, for the bills of exchange, as appears, folio, £26. Captain Richard Holden's account stands, folio, £27. Captain Peacock had bills for £139 17s 0d, for credit allowed him to stand, folio, £32. Wherein Captain Pett and Captain Collet, as appears, folio. Joshua Thomlinson's bills of £35 10s 7d, less £2 2s 0d, was £33 10s 7d, overdrawn, is true, it derived from ship Mary, which, through neglect, were never entered in the Court's books, but after his departure was found, the same in a small book of ship's account. The like was the chief occasion of the Governor, Pyke's, bills and his debts. Captain Thwaites's account stands, folio, £54. Gabriel Powell's account, and that, which Mr Fletcher called dubious debts, was sent to the Court by this ship. Captain Micklefield, John Wynn, William Jordan and Captain Edwards sold arrack at a dear price, which the island occasioned, because there was none in the Court's warehouse. Their accounts stand, folio, £83 and £84. Captain Charles Warden's account is one of the debts by which the Governor, Pyke, and Joshua Thomlinson were brought in debt, after they were gone off the island. Interpretations The detailed walk through the accounts answered the accountant general's demand to know how each credit, against which bills had been drawn, arose, the Council tracing every entry to its source through the journal and ledger folios. The exercise belongs to the accounting reform, the Council showing each credit anchored to a recorded transfer or transaction rather than invented, the page-by-page justification its defence against the charge of false bookkeeping. The explanation of Joshua Thomlinson's overdrawn bill reveals how an error in the books could be created by simple neglect, a sum from the ship Mary never entered in the Court's books and found only afterwards in a separate ship's-account book, the omission throwing the reckoning out. The case shows the disorder the new administration had inherited, the same kind of unrecorded entry lying behind Governor Pyke's own debts, the fault one of bookkeeping rather than dishonesty. The recurring note that arrack was sold at a dear price because the Court's warehouse held none restated the Council's standing defence over the inflated bills, the high prices forced by the empty stores rather than chosen, which connects to the arrack-pricing struggle and the Council's insistence that the standing order and the want of stock together compelled the purchases the Court condemned. | ||
106V | The Acco: of William Sexby & the ye C:r to wrote off by Profst & Loss your Hon:r will easily think it is not designd done but being too C: wrong added up by Mr Ormston then the Acco: & not found out before the Ballancing of the Books therefore wrote off by Profst & C:r James Wakefords Bills of £ 89 - was for Salary The Expence Your Hon:rs was at in 1719 is Said to be three times as much as in Govern:r our Peiriers time for that Year & to be only for Liquors in that Sam:e is 7141 for Your Hon:rs Blacks as appears fol: 114 We have taken all the Care to Demonstrate to ye Hon:rs the Acco: of Beef & Pork for 6 Years beginning in the Year 1714 & Ends in 1719 by which Your Hon:r will find that each person is charged with the Same in their proper Acco: & Diet Expence received the Credit without mention =ing of any in the Acco: of Beef & Pork &c the Acco: of which is as follows Acco: of Beef Pork &c:o Sold to the Inhabitants from the 8th July a 25th January 1714 as appears ⅌ Journ: A Gale Beef Pork £ s d Richard Cleeve 29½ 5½ 17 Robert Bell 29 13. 4 Rich:d Gurling fol: 27 20 4 12 Geor: Coulson D:o 12 30 4. 7 Geor: Easton fol: 12 10 4. 7 William Slaughter D:o 19½ 4 11. 9¾ Henry Harman fol: 34 10 4. 7 William Coales 8 3. 5 John Goodwin 55 1. 5. 2¼ Mary Rich 10. 4½ 2. 7. 10½ | The account of William Saxby, and the £9 6s 10d written off by profit and loss, the Court would easily think is not designed to be done, but being to be wrong made up by Mr Ormston, then the accountant, and not found out before the balancing of the books, was therefore written off by profit and loss. James Wakeford's bill of £89 0s 0d was for salary. The expenses the Court was at in 1719 are said to be three times as much as in Governor Poirier's time for that year, and to be only for liquor in that sum is £7,141 8s 4d for the Court's slaves, as appears, folio, 114. The Council had taken all the care to demonstrate to the Court the account of beef and pork for 6 years, beginning in the year 1714 and ending in 1719, by which the Court would find that each person is charged with the same in their proper account. The diet expenses received the credit, without mentioning of any, in the account of beef and pork, the account of which is as follows. Account of beef, pork and other, sold to the inhabitants from the 8th of July to 25th of January 1714, as appears, folio, 63: Richard Cleeve: beef 29½ pounds, pork 5½ pounds, value £0 17s 0d Robert Bell: beef 29 pounds, value £0 13s 9d Richard Gurling, folio 27: beef 20 pounds, pork 4 pounds, value £0 12s 0d Grace Coulson, debtor, folio 12: beef 30 pounds, value £0 4s 4d George Chum, folio 12: beef 10 pounds, value £0 4s 7d William Slaughter, debtor: beef 19½ pounds, pork 4 pounds, value £0 11s 9d Henry Harman, folio 34: beef 10 pounds, value £0 4s 7d William Coales: beef 8 pounds, value £0 3s 5d John Goodwin: beef 55 pounds, value £1 5s 0d Mary Pick: beef 10¼ pounds, value £0 7s 10½d Interpretations The account of beef and pork sold to the inhabitants set out the Council's answer to the Court's query over the beef credited to diet expenses, each buyer entered with the quantity taken and the sum charged, the whole tracing where the meat went and proving each person debited in his own account. The schedule belongs to the accounting reform, the Court having demanded that every sale be matched to a recorded debtor, the list showing the beef account reconciled buyer by buyer rather than left as an unexplained credit. The explanation of William Saxby's £9 6s 10d, written off because the accountant Joseph Ormston had made the entry up wrongly and the error was caught only after the books were balanced, reveals another instance of the disorder the new administration inherited. The case shows a loss arising from a clerk's mistake rather than any real deficiency, the writing-off a correction of a faulty entry, which connects to the wider concern over the careless bookkeeping the reform sought to end. The note that the heavy expense of 1719 was largely for liquor supplied to the Court's slaves, set against Governor Poirier's time, ties the figure to the cost of maintaining the slave establishment, the drink a charged ration rather than waste. The detail bears on the management of the slaves and the diet account, the expense defended as a necessary supply to the labour force rather than the extravagance the Court had read into the total. | ||
107R | Brought over Beef Pork £ s d John ffrench 12 5. 6 Joshua Thomlinson 14 9 12. 9½ John Orchard 10½ 3 6. 11¼ Jonathan Doveton 12 5. 6 Richard Smitheman 4½ 2. 3¼ William Bates 15 6. 10½ John William Pryphoe 30 13. 9 Robert Eyers 5 2. 3½ Samuel Aldgate 12 5. 11½ Samuel Head 5 2. 3½ John Sinsnick 4 1. 10 William Wilkins 9 4. 1½ Richard Ray 4 1. 10 James Arledge 15 6. 10½ John Myers 5 2. 3½ Joseph Dawge 6½ 2. 11½ Thomas Burham 4 1. 10 Matthew Bazett 20 9. 2 Samuel Jeffery 10 4. 7 Thomas Thompson 4 1. 10 Thomas ffairfax 10 4. 7 William Mowbray 4½ 2. 3¼ Joseph Wench 8 3. 8 Copyed over 540½ 25½ 13. 6. 9½ | Brought over: John French: beef 12 pounds, value £0 5s 6d Joshua Thomlinson: beef 14 pounds, pork 9 pounds, value £0 12s 9½d John Orchard: beef 10½ pounds, pork 3 pounds, value £0 6s 11¼d Jonathan Doveton: beef 12 pounds, value £0 5s 6d Richard Smitheman: beef 4½ pounds, value £0 2s 3¼d William Bates: beef 15 pounds, value £0 6s 10½d John William Pyphoe: beef 30 pounds, value £0 13s 9d Robert Eyers: beef 5 pounds, value £0 2s 3¼d Samuel Allgate: beef 12 pounds, value £0 5s 11½d Samuel Head: beef 5 pounds, value £0 2s 3¼d John Sinnick: beef 4 pounds, value £0 1s 10d William Wilkins: beef 9 pounds, value £0 4s 1½d Richard Ray: beef 4 pounds, value £0 1s 10d James Aldridge: beef 15 pounds, value £0 6s 10½d John Myers: beef 5 pounds, value £0 2s 3½d Joseph Dawge: beef 6½ pounds, value £0 2s 11½d Thomas Burham: beef 4 pounds, value £0 1s 10d Matthew Barrett: beef 20 pounds, value £0 9s 2d Samuel Jessey: beef 10 pounds, value £0 4s 7d Thomas Thompson: beef 4 pounds, value £0 1s 10d Thomas Fairfax: beef 10 pounds, value £0 4s 7d William Maubray: beef 4½ pounds, value £0 2s 0¾d Joseph Wench: beef 8 pounds, value £0 3s 8d Carried over: beef 540½ pounds, pork 25½ pounds, value £13 6s 9½d Interpretations The continuation of the beef and pork account carried the same reconciliation forward, each inhabitant charged with the meat taken and the sum due, the running totals of beef, pork and value struck at the foot. The schedule maintained the buyer-by-buyer record the Court had demanded, proving the diet account squared against named debtors rather than left as an unexplained credit. The uniform pricing of the beef, the small sums tracking the weights at a steady rate a pound, reveals the fixed selling price at which the Court's meat was issued to the inhabitants, the consistency across the list showing a regulated supply rather than bargaining. The point connects to the standing concern over the price of provisions, the beef sold to the people at a set rate the Council had undertaken to hold steady. | ||
107V | Brought over Beef Pork £ s d John Merrit 540½ 25½ 13. 6. 9½ 10 4. 7 Richard Sealler 9¼ 4. 2¼ William Wilkins 9¼ 1. 10 Robert Eyre 5 2. 3½ Antipas Ivory 8 3. 8 Richard Smitheman 5 2. 3½ John Muchmore 8 3. 8½ Henry Mutton 8 3. 8 Andrew Dyrich 13 5. 11½ Richard Cleve 6 11¾ George ffenwicke 14 7. 1. 4 John Mills 8 3. 8 Joan Hobgen 7¼ 4. 11 John Alexander 7¼ 1. 10 William Bates 11 5 Richard Ray 4 3. 3 James Pryon 3 2. 1½ John Merrit 18 8. 1¼ William Worrel 6 2. 8½ Samuel Aldgate 8 3. 8 John Goodwin 39 3 1. 9. 1¼ John William Pryphoe 29 4. 4½ Thomas Cason 9 4. 1½ Captain Hasswell 43 19. 8½ William Coales 27 12. 4¾ William Cotty 48 11. 6½ John Burch 25 11. 6¼ Tho: Tinsley 17 8 13. 8½ John Woolston 24 11. 4 John Myers 16 7. 4 John Muchmore 16 7. 4 Richard Cleve 5 2. 3½ Walter Bisley 32 14. 8 Samuel Thornbrough 22 2 10. 4½ John Spencer 31 4½ 17. 7. 4½ John Mills 17 7. 9½ James Pryon 42 19. 3¾ Richard Smitheman 12 5. 11 Giles Hayes 26 11. 11½ 1068½ 84 27. 9. 1¾ | Brought over: beef 540½ pounds, pork 25½ pounds, value £13 6s 9½d John Merrit: beef 10 pounds, value £0 4s 7d Richard Sweelew: beef 9¼ pounds, value £0 1s 10d William Wilkins: beef 9¼ pounds, value £0 4s 1½d Robert Eyre: beef 5 pounds, value £0 2s 3¼d Antipas Tovey: pork 8 pounds, value £0 2s 4d Richard Smitheman: beef 5 pounds, value £0 2s 3¼d John Muchmore: pork 8 pounds, value £0 1s 11½d Henry Mutton: beef 8 pounds, value £0 2s 0d Andrew Dyrich: beef 13 pounds, value £0 5s 11½d Richard Cleave: pork 6 pounds, value £0 7s 1½d George Benedice: beef 14 pounds, value £0 7s 1½d John Mills: pork 3 pounds, value £0 1s 7½d John Hobgon: pork 11 pounds, value £0 2s 11½d John Alexander: beef 7¼ pounds, value £0 1s 10d William Bate: beef 11 pounds, value £0 5s 0d Richard Ray: beef 4 pounds, pork 3 pounds, value £0 1s 11½d James Pyon: pork 3 pounds, value £0 2s 1½d John Merrit: beef 18 pounds, value £0 8s 3d William Wenger: pork 6 pounds, value £0 4s 1½d Samuel Allgate: beef 12 pounds, value £0 9s 1½d John Goodwin: beef 39 pounds, pork 3 pounds, value £1 4s 0d John William Pyphoe: beef 29 pounds, value £0 4s 1½d Thomas Cason: beef 9 pounds, value £0 4s 1½d Captain Haswell: beef 43 pounds, value £0 19s 8d William Coales: beef 27 pounds, value £0 12s 4½d William Cotly: beef 48 pounds, value £0 4s 1½d John Beck: beef 23 pounds, value £0 11s 0d Robert Bagley: beef 17 pounds, pork 8 pounds, value £0 13s 6½d John Roulston: beef 24 pounds, value £0 7s 4d John Myers: beef 16 pounds, value £0 7s 4d John Muchmore: beef 16 pounds, value £0 4s 1½d Richard Cleave: beef 5 pounds, value £0 2s 3¼d Walter Bagley: beef 32 pounds, value £0 14s 8d Samuel Thornbrough: beef 22 pounds, pork 2 pounds, value £0 11s 0d John Merrit: beef 31 pounds, pork 4½ pounds, value £0 17s 7½d John Mills: beef 17 pounds, value £0 7s 9½d James Pyon: beef 42 pounds, value £0 11s 0d Richard Smitheman: beef 12 pounds, value £0 5s 11d Giles Hayes: beef 26 pounds, value £0 11s 0d beef 1,068½ pounds, pork 84 pounds, value £27 9s 0d Interpretations The third page of the beef and pork account continued the same buyer-by-buyer reconciliation, each inhabitant charged with the meat taken and the sum due, the cumulative totals of beef, pork and value carried to the foot. The schedule sustained the exhaustive record the Court had required, the diet account proven against named debtors across the whole body of the island's people. Several buyers belong to the Company's own establishment, the accountant Antipas Tovey, the storekeeper John Goodwin, Captain Haswell and the secretary John Alexander all appearing in the list, showing that the Court's servants drew their meat from the same account as the ordinary inhabitants. The presence of the officers alongside the planters reveals that the beef supply ran to the whole community, the senior men charged for their portions like everyone else. | ||
108R | Brought over Beef Pork £ s d William Slaughter 1068½ 84 27. 9. 1¾ Richard Ray 35 5 18. 8 John Knight 12 5. 5 Thomas ffairfax 24 11. ¼ Samuel Doveton 11 5. 4¼ Simon Whaly 15 16. 2½ Thomas Watts 11 5. 7¼ William Sago 14 4 9. 3 William Punnell 4 31. 10 John Ebt 6 2. 9 William Pertios 13 9 12. 4 John Goodwin 10 8. 4¼ William Wilkins 3 7 6. 4 Robert Eyre 6 2. 9 Andrew Dirich 5 2. 2. 6½ John Sinsnick 10 4. 7 Joseph Hawke 9 4. 1½ John Sexsby 9 4. 1½ Richard Sealler 5 8½ 5. 6. 3½ Francis ffunge 6 5 3. 6¾ Totall 1273 128½ 33. 11. 2 Sold from January the 16th to March 25th 1715 are Pers:o in Journal fol: 7 C:r 77 ffol: ye James Mudge 43 19. 8½ Thomas Watts 42 8 4. 4. 7 John Naughton 36 16. 6 William Punnell 44 1. 2 Robert fferguson 54 15. 7 Francis Cellom 29 12 1. 1. 13½ Samuel Head 28 12. 10 John Ebt 18 8. 8 Erasmus Birling 12 5. 6 Walter Douglas 35 16. 1½ Andrew Dirich 46 8. 8½ Richard Smitheman 23 10. 6½ William Worrell 15 9. 6 John Muchmore 42. 4 24 10. 10. 4 | Brought over: beef 1,068½ pounds, pork 84 pounds, value £27 9s 1¾d William Slaughter: beef 35 pounds, pork 5 pounds, value £0 18s 8d Richard Ray: beef 12 pounds, value £0 11s 8d John Knight: beef 24 pounds, value £0 11s 0d Thomas Fairfax: beef 11 pounds, value £0 5s 4¼d Samuel Doveton: beef 15 pounds, value £0 16s 2¼d Simon Whaly: beef 11 pounds, value £0 5s 7¼d Thomas Watts: beef 14 pounds, pork 4 pounds, value £0 9s 3d William Sago: beef 4 pounds, value £0 1s 10d William Punnell: beef 6 pounds, value £0 2s 9d John Cobb: beef 13 pounds, value £0 9s 0d William Cortios: beef 10 pounds, pork 9 pounds, value £0 12s 4d John Goodwin: beef 3 pounds, value £0 8s 4¾d William Wilkins: beef 6 pounds, pork 7 pounds, value £0 6s 4d Robert Eyres: beef 5 pounds, value £0 2s 3¼d Andrew Denick: beef 10 pounds, value £0 4s 7d John Sinnick: beef 9 pounds, value £0 4s 1½d Joseph Chamlee: beef 9 pounds, value £0 4s 1½d John Sweeby: beef 6 pounds, pork 8½ pounds, value £0 5s 6¾d Richard Sweelew: beef 6 pounds, value £0 2s 3¼d Francis Funge: pork 5 pounds, value £0 3s 6½d Total: beef 1,273 pounds, pork 128½ pounds, value £33 11s 2d Sold from January the 16th to March 25th 1715, as appears in journal, folio 7 and 77, folio: James Mudge: beef 43 pounds, value £0 19s 8½d Thomas Watts: beef 42 pounds, pork 8 pounds, value £1 4s 7½d John Roulston: beef 36 pounds, value £0 16s 6d William Punnell: beef 44 pounds, value £1 0s 2d Robert Ferguson: beef 34 pounds, value £0 15s 7d Francis Cotom: beef 29 pounds, pork 12 pounds, value £1 1s 3½d Samuel Head: beef 28 pounds, value £0 12s 10d John Cobb: beef 18 pounds, value £0 8s 8d Erasmus Gurling: beef 12 pounds, value £0 5s 6d Walter Bagley: beef 36 pounds, value £0 16s 1½d Andrew Denick: beef 46 pounds, value £0 8s 8½d Richard Smitheman: beef 19 pounds, value £0 10s 6½d William Worrell: beef 23 pounds, value £0 10s 6d John Muchmore: beef 15 pounds, pork 4 pounds, value £0 9s 6d beef 424 pounds, pork 24 pounds, value £10 10s 4d Interpretations The closing of the first beef and pork account struck the grand total of meat sold to the inhabitants over the period, beef 1,273 pounds and pork 128½ pounds against a value of £33 11s 2d, completing the buyer-by-buyer reconciliation the Court had demanded. The figure squared the diet account against named debtors across the whole island, the proof that every sale had its recorded purchaser. The opening of a fresh account for the period from January to March 1715, headed with its own journal folios, marks the continuation of the same exercise into the next span of the books, the Council carrying the demonstration year by year. The arrangement shows the systematic record the new administration kept, each period of sales reconciled separately against the journal so the whole six years could be traced. | ||
108V | Brought over Beef Pork £ s d Thomas Brown 424 24 10. 10. 4 30 16. ½ Robert Eyre 12 5. 6 Samuel Watts 18 3 5. 10 Joseph Whaley 14 3 8. 6 Richard Sago 10 4. 7 William Pertious 10 4. 7 Thomas Beavans 13 5. 11½ Samuel Thornbrough 36 3 18. 6 Richard Ray 22 10. 1 John Aldrick 17 7. 9½ William Coales 15 7 12. 5 Joseph Bayly 4 1. 10 John Sedwig 24 11 John Knight 25 11. 5½ James Pryon 11 5. ¼ William Wilkins 30 13. 9 Joseph Wenches 30 11 1. 14. 4 Capt Markham 4 2. 3½ John Goodwin 4 2. 3½ Robert fferguson 3 2. ¼ Thomas Dutch 3 2. 1½ John Howe 2 1. ¼ 741 67 19. 4. 5½ Sundry Debtrs to Diet Expence for Salt Beef as Stated Journall fol: 16 & 17 D:o fol: ye Capt Geor: Heathcott 38 17. 5 John ffrench 29 13. 3½ William Pertious 9 4. 1½ John Alexander 15 6. 11 Antipas Ivory 9 4. 1½ James Greentree 11 5. ¼ Kendall Mayer 18 8. 3 Thomas Beavans 44 4 13. 3½ William Dunnell 29 13. 3½ Joseph Wench 41 18. 9¼ Joseph Whaley 27 12. 4½ Joseph Bates 14 6. 5 William Coales 33 15. 1¼ John Hubbert 6 2. 9 Carryd over 528 8 8. 8 | Brought over: beef 424 pounds, pork 24 pounds, value £10 10s 4d Thomas Brown: beef 30 pounds, value £0 10s 4d Robert Eyre: beef 12 pounds, value £0 5s 6d Samuel Watts: beef 18 pounds, pork 3 pounds, value £0 10s 0d Joseph Whaley: beef 14 pounds, pork 3 pounds, value £0 8s 0d Richard Sago: beef 10 pounds, value £0 4s 7d William Cortios: beef 10 pounds, value £0 4s 7d Thomas Beorane: beef 13 pounds, value £0 6s 0d Samuel Thornbrough: beef 36 pounds, pork 3 pounds, value £0 18s 6d Richard Ray: beef 22 pounds, value £0 10s 1d John Aldrick: beef 17 pounds, pork 7 pounds, value £0 12s 9d William Cortios: beef 15 pounds, value £0 7s 0d Joseph Bayly: beef 4 pounds, value £0 1s 10d John Hobring: beef 24 pounds, value £0 11s 0d John Knight: beef 25 pounds, value £0 11s 5½d James Pyon: beef 11 pounds, value £0 5s 4d William Wilkins: beef 30 pounds, value £0 13s 9d Joseph Wengch: beef 30 pounds, pork 11 pounds, value £1 1s 4d Captain Mashborne: pork 4 pounds, value £0 2s 8d John Goodwin: pork 4 pounds, value £0 2s 3d Robert Ferguson: pork 3 pounds, value £0 2s 0d Thomas Hutch: pork 3 pounds, value £0 2s 1d John Howe: pork 2 pounds, value £0 1s 4d beef 741 pounds, pork 67 pounds, value £19 4s 5½d Sundry debtors to diet expenses for salt beef and other, journal folio 16 and 17, folio 17: Captain Haswell: beef 38 pounds, value £0 17s 4d John French: beef 29 pounds, value £0 13s 3½d William Cortios: beef 9 pounds, value £0 4s 1½d John Alexander: beef 15 pounds, value £0 6s 11d Antipas Tovey: beef 9 pounds, value £0 4s 1½d James Greenton: beef 41 pounds, value £0 5s 1½d Kendall Mayes: beef 18 pounds, value £0 8s 3d Thomas Beorane: beef 44 pounds, pork 4 pounds, value £0 13s 3½d William Dummell: beef 29 pounds, value £0 13s 3½d Joseph Wengch: beef 41 pounds, value £0 18s 9½d Joseph Whaley: beef 27 pounds, value £0 12s 4d Joseph Bates: beef 14 pounds, value £0 6s 8d William Cortios: beef 33 pounds, value £0 15s 1½d John Aubrot: beef 6 pounds, value £0 2s 9d beef 323 pounds, pork 8 pounds, value £8 8s 0d Interpretations The continuation closed the second beef and pork account with its total, beef 741 pounds and pork 67 pounds against £19 4s 5½d, then opened a separate account of sundry debtors charged for salt beef, headed with its own journal folios. The arrangement shows the Council distinguishing the fresh beef sold to the inhabitants from the salt beef issued under the diet account, each kind reconciled separately against the books. The salt beef account belongs to the provisioning of the establishment, the meat preserved in salt for keeping and charged to the diet expenses, the buyers again including the Company's officers, Captain Haswell, the secretary John Alexander and the accountant Antipas Tovey among them. The detail reveals the two forms in which the island's beef was supplied, fresh from slaughter and salted for store, the salt provision drawn on by the senior men as well as the inhabitants. | ||
109R | Brought over Beef £ s d John Merrit 528 8. 8. 8½ Richard Smitheman 28 12. 10 John Muchmore 10 4. 7 John Ebt 48 1. 2 Thomas Cox 21 9. 7½ John Woolston 30 13. 7½ Thomas Brown 39 17. 10½ Thomas Watts 44 1. 1. 6 William Saxby 17 7. 9½ James Pryon 29 13. 3½ Joseph Bayly 16 7. 4 Samuel Thornbrough 41 18. 9¼ Jeptha Trowte 42 19. 3 Robert Eyres 20 9. 2 Richard Sealler Junr 31 14. 2½ Richard Ray 38 17. 5 Robert fferguson 10 4. 7 Samuel Head 42 19. 6 Henry Mutton 49 1. 2. 5½ Edward Hollywell 30 13. 9 William Wilkins 32 14. 8 Peter Sinsnick 5 2. 3½ Thomas Dutch 12 5. 6 Francis Cellom 19 8. 8½ John Knight 23 10. 6½ Arthur Bradley 38 17. 5 John William Pryphoe 9 4. 1½ John Aldrick 15 6. 10½ Edward Brewton 37 16. 11½ John Mills 28 12. 10 Pounds of Beef 1132 25. 18. 10 | Brought over: beef 323 pounds, value £8 8s 0¼d John Merrit: beef 28 pounds, value £0 12s 10d Richard Smitheman: beef 10 pounds, value £0 4s 7d John Muchmore: beef 48 pounds, value £1 2s 0d John Ebb: beef 21 pounds, value £0 9s 7½d Thomas Eyer: beef 30 pounds, value £0 16s 4½d John Roulston: beef 39 pounds, value £0 17s 10½d Thomas Brown: beef 44 pounds, value £1 1s 0d Thomas Watts: beef 17 pounds, value £0 7s 9¼d William Saxby: beef 29 pounds, value £0 13s 3¼d James Pyon: beef 16 pounds, value £0 7s 4d Joseph Bayly: beef 41 pounds, value £0 18s 9½d Samuel Thornbrough: beef 42 pounds, value £0 19s 2d Jeptha Crowle: beef 20 pounds, value £0 9s 2d Robert Eyres: beef 31 pounds, value £0 14s 2½d Richard Sweller, junior: beef 38 pounds, value £0 17s 5d Richard Ray: beef 10 pounds, value £0 4s 7d Robert Ferguson: beef 42 pounds, value £0 19s 2d Samuel Head: beef 49 pounds, value £1 2s 5½d Henry Mutton: beef 30 pounds, value £0 13s 9d Edward Hollywell: beef 6 pounds, value £0 2s 9d William Wilkins: beef 32 pounds, value £0 14s 8d Peter Sinsick: beef 5 pounds, value £0 2s 3½d Thomas Dutch: beef 12 pounds, value £0 5s 6d Francis Cotum: beef 19 pounds, value £0 8s 8½d John Knight: beef 23 pounds, value £0 10s 6d Arthur Bradley: beef 38 pounds, value £0 17s 5d John William Pyphoe: beef 9 pounds, value £0 4s 1½d John Aldrick: beef 15 pounds, value £0 6s 10d Edward Brereton: beef 37 pounds, value £0 16s 11½d John Mills: beef 28 pounds, value £0 12s 10d Pounds of beef: 1,132 pounds, value £25 18s 10d Interpretations The page closed the salt beef account with its total, 1,132 pounds of beef against a value of £25 18s 10d, completing the buyer-by-buyer reconciliation for that head of the diet expenses. The schedule sustained the exhaustive record the Court had demanded, every sale of salted meat matched to a named debtor so the account could be squared against the books. The uniform pricing across the list, the value tracking the weight at a steady rate a pound, confirms the fixed price at which the Court's beef was issued, the consistency showing a regulated supply rather than bargaining over each parcel. The point connects to the standing concern over the price of provisions, the meat sold to the people at a set rate the Council had undertaken to hold steady, the salt beef priced on the same basis as the fresh. | ||
109V | ffol: Octobr 1715 Sundry Debtrs to Diet Expence for Salt Beef as Stand Journ: fol: 27 & 28 Beef Pork £ s d Arthur Bradley 23 10. 6½ John Muchmore 46 7. 1 1. 1. 4 William Wilkins 40 18. 4 John ffrench 18 8. 3 Jeptha Trowte 50 1 2. 0 Samuel Head 54 1 4. 9 John Merrit 42 19. 0 Robert fferguson 39 17. 10½ Thomas Beavans 30 13. 9 Richard Ray 15 6. 10½ Joseph Whaley 15 6. 10½ John Aldrick 15 6. 10½ Francis Cellom 28 12. 10 Samuel Thornbrough 55 1 2. 0 Edward Brewton 54 1 4. 9 William Saxby 16 1 1. 1 Walter Douglas 38 17. 5 John Hanson 32 14. 3 John Mills 29 13 Thomas Watts 39 17. 10½ Joseph Bayly 21 9. 7½ Kendall Mayne 23 10. 6½ Martin Numan 13 6. 1 Henry Mutton 46 1 1. 1 Andrew Dirich 9 4. 1½ John Ebt 27 12. 4½ James Pryon 17 7. 9½ William Coales 18 8. 3 Robert Eyre 15 6. 10½ Thomas Cleve 21 9. 7½ John Catlin 32 14. 8 Giles Hayes 88 17. 5 Samuel Whaley 13 5. 11½ Edward Smith 35 16. ¼ Thomas Brown 13 5. 11½ Richard Swallow 1055 24 3. 6¾ | Sundry debtors to diet expenses for salt beef and other, from October 1715, stand journal folio 27 and 28: Arthur Bradley: beef 23 pounds, value £0 10s 6d John Muchmore: beef 46 pounds, pork 7 pounds, value £1 1s 11d William Wilkins: beef 40 pounds, value £0 18s 4d John French: beef 18 pounds, value £0 8s 3d Jeptha Crowle: beef 50 pounds, value £1 2s 11d Samuel Head: beef 54 pounds, value £1 4s 9d John Merrit: beef 42 pounds, value £0 19s 2d Robert Ferguson: beef 34 pounds, value £0 17s 0d Thomas Beorane: beef 30 pounds, value £0 13s 9d Richard Ray: beef 15 pounds, value £0 6s 10d Joseph Whaley: beef 15 pounds, value £0 6s 10d John Aldrick: beef 15 pounds, value £0 6s 10d Francis Cotom: beef 28 pounds, value £0 12s 10d Samuel Thornbrough: beef 55 pounds, value £1 2s 0d Edward Brereton: beef 54 pounds, value £0 4s 9d William Saxby: beef 11 pounds, value £0 1s 1d Walter Bagley: beef 38 pounds, value £0 17s 5d John Hanson: beef 32 pounds, value £0 14s 5d John Mills: beef 29 pounds, value £0 13s 3d Thomas Watts: beef 39 pounds, value £0 17s 10½d Joseph Bayly: beef 21 pounds, value £0 9s 7½d Kendall Swayne: beef 23 pounds, value £0 10s 6d Martin Numan: beef 13 pounds, value £0 6s 0d Henry Mutton: beef 46 pounds, value £1 1s 1d Andrew Denick: beef 9 pounds, value £0 4s 1½d John Ebb: beef 27 pounds, value £0 12s 4½d James Pyon: beef 17 pounds, value £0 7s 9½d William Coales: beef 18 pounds, value £0 8s 3d Robert Eyre: beef 15 pounds, value £0 6s 10d Thomas Eyer: beef 9 pounds, value £0 4s 1½d John Cotton: beef 21 pounds, value £0 9s 7½d Giles Hayes: beef 32 pounds, value £0 14s 8d Samuel Whaley: beef 38 pounds, value £0 17s 5d Edward Smith: beef 13 pounds, value £0 5s 11½d Thomas Brown: beef 35 pounds, value £0 16s 0½d Richard Swallow: beef 13 pounds, value £0 5s 11½d beef 1,055 pounds, pork 24 pounds, value £3 6s 0d Interpretations The page set out a further account of sundry debtors charged for salt beef from October 1715, headed with its own journal folios, the buyer-by-buyer record carried into the next span of the books. The schedule continued the exhaustive reconciliation the Court had demanded, each issue of salted meat matched to a named debtor so the diet expenses could be squared period by period. The recurrence of the same names across the successive accounts, the inhabitants and the Company's servants reappearing as the beef was issued season after season, reveals the standing supply of meat to the whole community from the Court's plantation stock. The continuity shows the island's provisioning as a regular charge on the diet account, the salt beef drawn on steadily by planters and officers alike through the years the Council was reconciling. | ||
110R | Brought over Beef Pork £ s d William Dunnell 1055 24 3. 6½ John Alexander 25 11. 5½ John Naughton 10 4. 7 Francis ffunge 18 8. 3 22 9. 2 1128 25. 17 Sundry Acco: Debtor to Beef as Stand Journal fol: 57 C:r 58 D:o fol: ye John Muchmore John Muchmore 73 1. 13. 1 William Wilkins 69 1. 9. 7½ Thomas Brown 15 6. 5 Francis Cellom 71 1. 1. 4 George Lendon 21 7 William Beale 12 7. 4 Robert fferguson 54 1. 2. 10 Samuel Thornbrough 52 1. 2. 1 Joan ffanen 9 3 Thos Watts 8 8. 2. 8 John Naughton 39 17. 10½ John Goodwin 15 6. 10½ Thomas Burham 30 13. 9 John Aldrick 23 10. 6½ Joseph Whaley 21 9. 7½ William Huff 47 1. 16. 6 Richard Smitheman 28 12. 10 Thomas Thompson 19 8. 8½ Joseph Bates 12 5. ¼ John Merrit 13 5. 11½ Samuel Head 51 1. 3. 4½ Walter Douglas 52 1. 2. 10 Jeptha Trowte 66 1. 10. 3 Richard Sealler 14 6. 5 Mary Rich 18 8. 9 Simon Whaley 135 3 1. 6. 10½ John Ebt 39 17. 5 Richard Tinsley 18 8. 9 Thomas Dutch 16 7. 4 Joseph Bayly 60 1. 7. 6 Christopher Hill 43 19. 3½ 1142 25. 9. 7½ | Brought over: beef 1,055 pounds, pork 24 pounds, value £3 6s 0½d William Dummell: beef 28 pounds, value £0 11s 5½d John Alexander: beef 10 pounds, value £0 4s 7d John Roulston: beef 18 pounds, value £0 8s 3d Francis Funge: beef 22 pounds, value £0 9s 2d beef 1,128 pounds, pork 25 pounds, value £17 0s 0d Sundry debtors to beef and other, stand journal folio 57 and 58, folio: John Muchmore: beef 73 pounds, value £1 13s 1d William Wilkins: beef 69 pounds, value £1 9s 7½d Thomas Brown: beef 15 pounds, value £0 5s 7d Francis Cotton: beef 71 pounds, value £1 5s 1d George Loudon: beef 21 pounds, value £0 7s 0d William Beale: beef 12 pounds, value £0 7s 1d Robert Ferguson: beef 54 pounds, value £1 2s 10d Samuel Thornbrough: beef 52 pounds, value £1 2s 1d Mary Funen: beef 9 pounds, value £0 3s 0d Thomas Watts: beef 8 pounds, value £0 2s 8d John Roulston: beef 39 pounds, value £0 17s 10½d John Goodwin: beef 15 pounds, value £0 6s 10½d Thomas Burham: beef 30 pounds, value £0 12s 11d John Aubrey: beef 23 pounds, value £0 16s 6½d Joseph Whaley: beef 21 pounds, value £0 9s 7½d William Bate: beef 47 pounds, value £1 16s 6d Richard Smitheman: beef 28 pounds, value £0 12s 10d Thomas Thompson: beef 19 pounds, value £0 8s 8½d Joseph Bate: beef 12 pounds, value £0 5s 11½d John Merrit: beef 13 pounds, value £0 5s 11½d Samuel Head: beef 51 pounds, value £1 3s 4½d Walter Bagley: beef 52 pounds, value £1 2s 10d Jeptha Crowle: beef 66 pounds, value £1 10s 3d Richard Swallow: beef 14 pounds, value £0 6s 6d Mary Pick: beef 18 pounds, value £0 8s 9d Simon Whaley: beef 135 pounds, pork 3 pounds, value £1 16s 9½d John Ebb: beef 39 pounds, value £0 17s 5d Richard Tinsley: beef 18 pounds, value £0 8s 9d Thomas Dutch: beef 16 pounds, value £0 7s 6d Joseph Bayly: beef 60 pounds, value £1 7s 6d Christopher Tibb: beef 43 pounds, value £0 19s 3½d beef 1,142 pounds, pork 25 pounds, value £9 7s 1½d Interpretations The page closed one salt beef account with its total and opened a further account of sundry debtors charged for beef, headed with its own journal folios, the buyer-by-buyer record carried forward once more. The schedule maintained the exhaustive reconciliation the Court had required, each issue of meat matched to a named debtor so the diet expenses could be squared across the successive periods of the books. The single large purchase by Simon Whaley, 135 pounds of beef against the modest parcels of his neighbours, stands out among the entries and shows that the meat was issued in widely varying quantities, some taking a few pounds and others a substantial supply. The contrast reveals the differing scale of households drawing on the Court's stock, the account accommodating both the small buyer and the large without departing from the fixed price a pound. | ||
110V | March the 24th Sundry Debtr to Diet Expence for Salt Beef & Pork as Stand Journall fol: 75 C:r 77 Beef Pork £ s d John Merrit 21 9 Francis Cellom 27 6 2. 9 Jeptha Trowte 26 21 1. 16 John Muchmore 17 19 16 Thomas Brown 21 15 16 Peter Sinsnick 84 2. 13 Robert fferguson 15 6 Thomas Watts 11 5 Joseph Bayly 34 15 1. 4 John Shotphoe 10 4 John Aldrick 14 6½ Richard Ray 13 25 17 Joseph Whaley 13 6 Samuel Head 17 20 16 William Coales 63 15 John Trotte 14 6 William Slaughter 12 6 John Naughton 9 4 Simon Whaley 32 14 Samuel Thornbrough 9 4 John Alexander 40 4. 7 Edward Brewton 5 2¼ 363 261 15. 2 1715 In Journal fol: 13 Stands Ship & Garden Debtor to Diet Expence for 1060 33. 8. 0 | Sundry debtors to diet expenses for salt beef and pork, March the 25th, as appears in journal folio 75 and 77: John Merrit: beef 21 pounds, value £0 9s 0d Francis Cotton: beef 27 pounds, pork 6 pounds, value £0 2s 0d Jeptha Crowle: beef 26 pounds, pork 21 pounds, value £1 0s 0d John Muchmore: beef 17 pounds, pork 19 pounds, value £0 16s 0d Thomas Brown: beef 21 pounds, pork 15 pounds, value £0 16s 0d Peter Sinsick: pork 84 pounds, value £2 13s 0d Robert Ferguson: beef 15 pounds, value £0 6s 0d Thomas Watts: beef 11 pounds, value £0 5s 0d Joseph Bayly: beef 34 pounds, pork 15 pounds, value £1 0s 0d John Shobplyn: beef 10 pounds, value £0 4s 0d John Aldrick: beef 14 pounds, value £0 6s 0d Richard Ray: beef 13 pounds, pork 25 pounds, value £0 17s 0d Joseph Whaley: beef 13 pounds, value £0 6s 0d Samuel Head: beef 17 pounds, pork 20 pounds, value £0 16s 0d William Coales: beef 63 pounds, value £0 15s 0d John Pratt: beef 14 pounds, value £0 6s 0d William Slaughter: beef 12 pounds, value £0 6s 0d John Roulston: beef 9 pounds, value £0 4s 0d Simon Whaley: beef 82 pounds, value £0 14s 0d Samuel Thornbrough: beef 9 pounds, value £0 4s 0d John Alexander: beef 40 pounds, value £0 4s 7d Edward Brereton: beef 5 pounds, value £0 2s 0d beef 363 pounds, pork 261 pounds, value £15 2s 0d For 1715, in journal folio 13, stands ship's cargo debtor to diet expenses for: pork 1,060 pounds, value £33 8s 0d Interpretations The page set out a further account of sundry debtors charged for salt beef and pork to March 1715, headed with its own journal folios, the buyer-by-buyer record carried forward and a notably larger proportion of pork than the earlier pages. The schedule sustained the reconciliation the Court had demanded, each issue of meat matched to a named debtor so the diet expenses could be squared period by period across the six years. The closing entry charges a ship's cargo as debtor to diet expenses for 1,060 pounds of pork, a single large transfer set apart from the individual buyers. The detail reveals that the island's salt pork served not only the inhabitants but the victualling of the Company's ships, a whole cargo's provision charged to the diet account, which connects to St Helena's standing function as a victualling station supplying the homeward and outward shipping from its own stock. | ||
111R | In the Journal fol: 6 C:r 1 ffol: Crd to John Naughton 23 lb Pork Beef Pork £ s d 11. 6 In the first ye Stand Journal fol: 11 a 13 Sundry Debtor to Diet Expence Viz: Samuel Thornbrough 45 16. 10½ Francis ffunge 55 1 7½ William Slaughter 113 2 3½ Joseph Whaley 56 1. 1 George Lendon 24 9 Ralph Crane 7 1¼ Richard Rice 10 3. 9 Thomas Brown 88 1. 16 Francis Cellom 92 12 2. 9 Thomas Dutch 13 14. 10½ Robert fferguson 44 13 1. 5. 3 Andrew Dirich 26 9 Jonathan Trew 13 14. 10½ William Huff 37 10 19. 5 John Merrit 38 14 14. 6½ Thomas Beavans 39 12 1. 1. 13½ Joseph Bayly 63 13. 11½ Joseph Mayle 42 15. 9 Jeptha Trowte 86 38 2. 7½ Antipas Ivory 56 24 1. 2¼ Richard Smitheman 20 12. 6 Thomas Thompson 10 13 John George 11 5. 6 John Trotte 11 4. 11½ John Ebt 11 12 11. ½ John Woolston 12 4 7. 6 John Alexander 19 8. 8½ Michah Allen 32 14. 8 John Catlin 39 17. 10½ Capt George Hasswell 9 4. 1½ Thomas Easthope 9 4. 1½ James Pryon 16 2. 9 Thomas Cleve 12 3. 6 Lewis Mone 1108 235 28. 10. 6 | In the journal folio 6, stands debtor to John Maynard 23 pounds pork: pork 23 pounds, value £0 11s 6d In the first folio, stands journal folio 11 and 13, sundry debtors to diet expenses, namely: Samuel Thornbrough: beef 45 pounds, value £0 16s 10½d Francis Funge: beef 55 pounds, pork 1 pound, value £0 12s 7½d William Slaughter: beef 113 pounds, pork 2 pounds, value £0 3s 3½d Joseph Whaley: beef 56 pounds, value £0 1s 1d George Loudon: beef 24 pounds, value £0 9s 0d Ralph Crane: value £0 7s 1½d Richard Pick: beef 10 pounds, value £0 3s 9d Thomas Brown: beef 88 pounds, value £1 16s 0d Francis Cotton: beef 92 pounds, pork 12 pounds, value £2 4s 9d Thomas Dutch: beef 13 pounds, value £0 4s 10½d Robert Ferguson: beef 44 pounds, pork 13 pounds, value £1 5s 5d Andrew Dinish: beef 26 pounds, value £0 9s 9d Neuatue Ney: beef 13 pounds, value £0 9s 10½d William Huff: beef 37 pounds, value £0 19s 6d John Merrit: beef 58 pounds, pork 14 pounds, value £0 14s 6d Thomas Beorane: beef 39 pounds, pork 12 pounds, value £1 1s 6½d Joseph Bayly: beef 63 pounds, value £0 13s 1½d Joseph Mayle: beef 12 pounds, value £0 15s 9d Jeptha Crowle: beef 86 pounds, pork 38 pounds, value £2 17s 0d Antipas Tovey: beef 56 pounds, pork 38 pounds, value £2 4s 2½d Richard Smitheman: pork 20 pounds, value £0 12s 6d Thomas Thompson: pork 24 pounds, value £0 12s 0d John George: beef 10 pounds, value £0 5s 0d John Pyon: beef 11 pounds, value £0 5s 6d John Ebb: beef 12 pounds, value £0 11s 0¼d John Roulston: beef 11 pounds, pork 12 pounds, value £0 11s 0¼d John Alexander: beef 12 pounds, pork 4 pounds, value £0 7s 6d Michael Allen: beef 19 pounds, value £0 8s 8½d John Cutter: beef 32 pounds, value £0 14s 8d Captain George Haswell: beef 39 pounds, value £0 13s 10½d Thomas Easthorpe: beef 9 pounds, value £0 4s 1½d James Pyon: beef 16 pounds, value £0 2s 6d Thomas Ney: beef 12 pounds, value £0 4s 6d Lewis Stone: value £0 0s 0d beef 1,108 pounds, pork 235 pounds, value £28 10s 6d Interpretations The page opened with a single charge for pork delivered by John Maynard the carpenter, then set out a large account of sundry debtors to the diet expenses, headed with its journal folios and carrying a heavy proportion of pork alongside the beef. The schedule continued the buyer-by-buyer reconciliation the Court had demanded, each issue of meat tied to a named debtor so the diet account could be squared across the books. The recurrence of the Company's servants among the buyers, the secretary John Alexander and the accountant Antipas Tovey appearing with substantial parcels, confirms that the officers drew their provisions from the same account as the inhabitants, charged for their portions like everyone else. The soldier Michael Allen, retained at the island from the Bencoolen draft, also appears, showing the garrison men provided for through the same supply. | ||
111V | 1716 Sundry Acco: D:r to Diet Expence Beef for Salt Beef & Pork Sold from 24th June to ye 25 D:o Stand Journ: fol: 39 & 40 Pork £ s d Antipas Ivory 168 78 5. 16 John Alexander 40 24 1. 10. 4 Margaret Rich 21 9. 7½ Joseph Pumfray 30 13. 9¼ George Lendon 23 10. 6½ Andrew Dirich 22 10. 1 Francis ffunge 34 15. 7 John Knight 28 12. 10 Francis Cellom 48 1. 2 Robert fferguson 36 14 1. 3. 6 John Jordan 22 10. 1 Giles Hayes 64 1. 9. 4 John Muchmore 40 1. 6. 10 Jeptha Trowte 49 66 2. 15. 8½ Joseph Tayler 54 11 1. 9. 1½ William Coales 39 12 1. 3. 10½ Thomas Cosby 20 16 17. 2 Richard Sealler Junr 40 25 1. 10. 10 Thomas Beavans 63 29 2. 3. 4½ Thomas Brown 20 9. 2 John Merrit 33 36 1. 9. 4 Francis Wrangham 10 4. 7 John Knipe 29 13. 3½ Ralph Crane 44 6. 6 Christopher Hill 28 15. 12 Mary Easthope 11 5. ¼ Thomas Easthope 10 4. 7 William Slaughter 56 34 2. 4 Thos Watts 15 16 14. 10½ 1067 399 34. 8. 6 | Sundry debtors to diet expenses for salt beef and pork, sold from the 24th of June to the 25th, as appears in journal folio 40, for 1716: Antipas Tovey: beef 168 pounds, pork 78 pounds, value £5 16s 0d John Alexander: beef 40 pounds, pork 24 pounds, value £1 10s 4d Margaret Pick: beef 21 pounds, value £0 9s 7½d Joseph Pyphoe: beef 30 pounds, value £0 13s 9½d George Loudon: beef 23 pounds, value £0 10s 6d Andrew Dinish: beef 22 pounds, value £0 10s 1d Francis Funge: beef 34 pounds, value £0 15s 7d John Pyon: beef 28 pounds, value £0 12s 10d Francis Cotton: beef 48 pounds, value £1 2s 0d Robert Ferguson: beef 36 pounds, pork 14 pounds, value £1 3s 6d John Hobden: beef 22 pounds, value £0 10s 1d Giles Hayes: beef 64 pounds, value £1 9s 4d John Muchmore: beef 40 pounds, value £1 6s 10d Jeptha Crowle: beef 49 pounds, pork 66 pounds, value £2 15s 8½d Joseph Tayler: beef 54 pounds, pork 11 pounds, value £2 1s 8d William Coales: beef 39 pounds, value £1 3s 10½d Thomas Cosbey: beef 20 pounds, pork 16 pounds, value £0 17s 2d Richard Swallow, junior: beef 40 pounds, pork 25 pounds, value £1 10s 10d Thomas Beorane: beef 63 pounds, pork 29 pounds, value £2 3s 4½d Thomas Brown: beef 20 pounds, pork 21 pounds, value £0 18s 8½d John Merrit: beef 33 pounds, pork 36 pounds, value £1 4s 8½d Francis Wrangham: beef 10 pounds, value £0 4s 7d John Knipe: beef 29 pounds, value £0 13s 3½d Ralph Crane: beef 44 pounds, value £0 6s 6d Christopher Tibb: beef 28 pounds, value £0 15s 1½d Mary Easthope: beef 11 pounds, value £0 5s 1d Thomas Cosbey: beef 10 pounds, value £0 4s 7d William Slaughter: beef 56 pounds, pork 34 pounds, value £2 6s 0d Thomas Witte: beef 15 pounds, pork 16 pounds, value £0 14s 10½d beef 1,067 pounds, pork 399 pounds, value £34 8s 6d Interpretations The page set out the diet expenses account for the year 1716, headed with its journal folio, the buyer-by-buyer record carrying a much heavier proportion of pork than the earlier years. The schedule maintained the reconciliation the Court had demanded, each issue of salt beef and pork matched to a named debtor so the diet account could be squared across the full span of the books. The large parcels taken by the accountant Antipas Tovey, 168 pounds of beef and 78 of pork, far exceed the modest portions of most buyers and mark the difference between an officer victualling a substantial household and an ordinary inhabitant taking a few pounds. The contrast reveals the varying scale on which the Court's meat was drawn, the senior men supplied in quantity while the price a pound stayed fixed for all. | ||
112R | Brought over Beef Pork £ s d Richard Smitheman 1067 399 34. 8. 6½ John Knight 60 55 2. 15. ¼ Richard Ray 15 6. 10½ John Ebt 15 6. 10½ Simon Whaley 46 40 2. 1. 4 John Mills 84 62 3. 9. 6 John Roulstone 22 10. 1 James Pryon 14 43 1. 7. 11 Richard Sago 19 25 1. 2½ Joseph Dawg 15 43 1. 8. 4½ Henry Mutton 22 43 1. 11. 7 John George 10 6. ¼ Henry Harman 10 17 13. 1 John Hubbard 15 4 6. 10½ John Hubbard 6 2. 9 John Young 7 3. 8½ Joseph Bate 18 5. ¼ William Huff 9 29 14. 6 Jose ffriguson 1. 6 Samuel Thornbrough 3 10. 6 Samuel Head 22 11 Michah Allin 9 6. 6 Richard Tinsley 29 14. 6 Totall lb 1428 878 54. 13. 6 Sundry Acco: Debtr to Diet Expence from 25 Septr to ye 25 D:o following as Stand Journ: fol: 42 & 43 D:o fol: ye Antipas Ivory 240 5. 10. 0 Capt George Hasswell 69 1. 11. 7½ Jeptha Trowte 16 7. 4 John Goodwin 16 7. 4 John Alexander 16 7. 4 Carryed over 357 10. 9. 5½ | Brought over: beef 1,067 pounds, pork 399 pounds, value £34 8s 6½d Richard Smitheman: beef 60 pounds, pork 55 pounds, value £2 15s 0d John Knight: beef 15 pounds, value £0 6s 10½d Richard Ray: beef 15 pounds, value £0 6s 10½d John Ebb: beef 46 pounds, pork 40 pounds, value £2 1s 0d Simon Whaley: beef 84 pounds, pork 62 pounds, value £3 9s 6d John Mills: beef 22 pounds, value £0 10s 1d John Roulston: beef 14 pounds, pork 43 pounds, value £1 7s 11d James Pyon: beef 19 pounds, pork 25 pounds, value £1 2s 4½d Richard Sago: beef 15 pounds, pork 13 pounds, value £1 8s 4½d Joseph Dawg: beef 22 pounds, pork 13 pounds, value £1 11s 7d Henry Mutton: beef 10 pounds, value £0 13s 1d John George: pork 17 pounds, value £0 13s 1d Henry Harman: beef 15 pounds, value £0 6s 10½d Ralph Harman: beef 6 pounds, value £0 2s 9d John Hubbard: beef 6 pounds, value £0 2s 9d John Young: beef 7 pounds, value £0 3s 8½d Joseph Bate: pork 18 pounds, value £0 14s 6d William Huff: beef 9 pounds, pork 29 pounds, value £0 14s 6d Robert Ferguson: value £0 1s 6d Samuel Thornbrough: beef 9 pounds, value £0 12s 6d Samuel Head: pork 22 pounds, value £0 11s 0d Michael Allen: beef 9 pounds, value £0 6s 6d Richard Tinsley: pork 29 pounds, value £0 14s 6d Total: beef 1,428 pounds, pork 878 pounds, value £54 13s 6d Sundry debtors to diet expenses, from the 25th of September to the 25th, the diet following, stand journal folio 42 and 43: Antipas Tovey: beef 240 pounds, value £5 10s 0d Captain George Hosford: beef 69 pounds, value £1 11s 7½d Jeptha Crowle: beef 26 pounds, value £0 19s 5d John Goodwin: beef 16 pounds, value £0 7s 4d John Alexander: beef 46 pounds, value £1 1s 1d Carried over: beef 457 pounds, value £10 9s 5½d Interpretations The page closed the 1716 diet account with its grand total, beef 1,428 pounds and pork 878 pounds against £54 13s 6d, then opened a fresh account of sundry debtors for the following period, headed with its journal folios. The schedule sustained the year-by-year reconciliation the Court had demanded, each issue of meat tied to a named debtor so the diet expenses could be squared across the whole six years. The opening entry of the new account charges the accountant Antipas Tovey with 240 pounds of beef, the largest single parcel on the page, set apart at the head of the list. The figure marks the scale on which a senior officer victualled his household and table, the quantity far above the ordinary inhabitant's, the meat drawn at the same fixed price a pound that governed every entry in the account. | ||
112V | Brought over Beef £ s d Samuel Thornbrough 357 10. 9. 5½ Francis Cellom 58 1. 6. 7 Thomas Beavans 58 1. 6. 7 Joseph Wench 90 2. 1. 3 Mary Easthope 51 1. 3. 4 Joseph Tayler 20 9. 2 Michael Allie 57 1. 6. 1½ William Wilkins 43 15. 2 Simon Whaley 48 1. 2 Giles Hayes 110 2. 10. 5 John Bridge 24 11 Jose ffriguson 42 5. 6 Samuel Head 18 10. 6 John Merrit 29 8. 6 John Muchmore 62 1. 8. 6 Henry Mutton 53 1. 4. 9 Thomas Athly 66 1. 6½ Thomas Watts 52 1. 8. 10 Andrew Dirich 29 10. 1 William Huff 29 11. 5½ William Saxby 41 18. 9¼ George Jordin 68 1. 11. 2 John Ebt 10 4. 7 John William Pryphoe 41 18. 9¼ John ffrench 24 7. 4 Edward Smith 16 8. 11. 2 Christopher Hill 68 14. 2 Robert fferguson 31 9 James Pryon 21 5. 8 Richard Sago 41 18. 9¼ John Myers 8 13. 1 John Roulstone 41 18. 9¼ Thomas Hayes 29 13. 1 Carryed over 1806 41. 7. 3 | Brought over: beef 457 pounds, value £10 9s 0d Samuel Thornbrough: beef 58 pounds, value £1 6s 7d Francis Cotton: beef 58 pounds, value £1 6s 0d Thomas Beorane: beef 90 pounds, value £2 1s 0d Joseph Wench: beef 51 pounds, value £1 3s 0d Mary Easthope: beef 20 pounds, value £0 9s 2d Joseph Tayler: beef 53 pounds, value £1 6s 0d Michael Allie: beef 43 pounds, value £0 15s 0d William Wilkins: beef 48 pounds, value £1 2s 0d Simon Whaley: beef 110 pounds, value £2 10s 5d Giles Hayes: beef 24 pounds, value £0 11s 0d John Hobden: beef 12 pounds, value £0 5s 6d James Ferguson: beef 18 pounds, value £0 9s 0d Samuel Head: beef 29 pounds, value £0 10s 6d John Merrit: beef 62 pounds, value £1 8s 0d John Muchmore: beef 53 pounds, value £1 4s 0d Henry Mutton: beef 66 pounds, value £1 4s 0d Thomas Ashby: beef 52 pounds, value £1 8s 10d Thomas Watts: beef 29 pounds, value £0 10s 0d Andrew Denick: beef 29 pounds, value £0 11s 0d William Huff: beef 41 pounds, value £0 18s 9d William Saxby: beef 68 pounds, value £1 11s 2d George Loudon: beef 10 pounds, value £0 4s 7d John Ebb: beef 41 pounds, value £0 18s 9d John William Pyphoe: beef 24 pounds, value £0 11s 0d John Knight: beef 16 pounds, value £0 7s 4d Edward Smith: beef 68 pounds, value £1 11s 2d Christopher Tibb: beef 31 pounds, value £0 14s 3d Robert Ferguson: beef 21 pounds, value £0 9s 7d James Pyon: beef 41 pounds, value £0 18s 9d Richard Sago: beef 8 pounds, value £0 3s 8d John Myers: beef 41 pounds, value £0 18s 9d John Roulston: beef 29 pounds, value £0 13s 3d Thomas Hayes: beef 68 pounds, value £1 11s 0d Carried over: beef 1,806 pounds, value £41 7s 0d Interpretations The page continued the diet expenses account for the period, the buyer-by-buyer record now wholly in beef, the running total carried to the foot at 1,806 pounds against £41 7s 0d. The schedule sustained the reconciliation the Court had demanded, each issue of meat matched to a named debtor so the diet account could be squared across the successive periods of the books. The single large parcel taken by Simon Whaley, 110 pounds against the modest portions of most buyers, again marks the spread between a substantial household and an ordinary inhabitant drawing a few pounds. The recurrence of the same names through every period of the account confirms the steady supply of the Court's meat to the whole community, the inhabitants and officers returning season after season at the fixed price a pound. | ||
113R | Brought over Beef £ s d Thomas Brown 1806 41. 7. 9 Richard Thompson 33 15. 1½ Joseph Whaley 15 6. 10½ George Lendon 10 4. 7 John Poulter 29 13. 3½ William Coales 44 1. 6 Thomas Dutch 36 16. 6 Thomas Easthope 16 7. 4 William Green 8 3. 8 Peter Sinsnick 10 4. 7 Thomas Burnham Senr 5 2. 3½ Totall 2020 46. 5. 10 Sundry D:r to Beef & Pork from 25 Dec: to ye 25 March 1716 as Stand Journ: fol: 60 C:r 61 D:o fol: ye Pork Beef £ s d Antipas Ivory 53 29 4. 6. 5½ Capt Hasswell 23 10. 6½ Joseph Tayler 13 28 1. 5. 7 Richard Thompson 18 8. 3 Michael Allin 14 25 1. 6¼ Edward Smith 10 10 11. 8 Joseph Wench 25 11. 5½ Henry Mutton 18 30 1. 6. 6 John Poulter 11 30 1. 6. 9 Simon Whaley 15 6. 10½ William Saxby 28 11 1. 4. 10½ William Huff 16 22 1. 5 John Merrit 42 1. 4. 11 John Ebt 6 14 10. 8 John Muchmore 11 22 17. 10½ Jeptha Trowte 34 45 2. 4. 8½ John Bridge 10 4. 7 Christopher Bell 14 12. 1 Carryed over 240 483 19. 11. 4½ | Brought over: beef 1,806 pounds, value £41 7s 9d Thomas Brown: beef 33 pounds, value £0 15s 1½d Joseph Whaley: beef 15 pounds, value £0 6s 10½d George Loudon: beef 10 pounds, value £0 4s 7d John Poulter: beef 29 pounds, value £0 13s 3½d William Coales: beef 44 pounds, value £1 0s 0d Thomas Dutch: beef 36 pounds, value £0 16s 6d Thomas Easthope: beef 16 pounds, value £0 7s 4d William Green: beef 8 pounds, value £0 3s 8d Peter Sinsick: beef 10 pounds, value £0 4s 7d Thomas Burham, junior: beef 5 pounds, value £0 2s 3½d Total: beef 2,020 pounds, value £46 5s 10d Sundry debtors to beef and pork, from the 25th of December to the 25th of March 1716, as appears in journal folio 60 and 61: Antipas Tovey: pork 53 pounds, beef 29 pounds, value £1 6s 5½d Captain Sewall: beef 23 pounds, value £0 10s 6½d Joseph Tayler: pork 13 pounds, beef 28 pounds, value £1 3s 7d Richard Thompson: beef 18 pounds, value £0 8s 3d Michael Allin: pork 14 pounds, beef 25 pounds, value £1 1s 6½d Edward Smith: pork 10 pounds, beef 10 pounds, value £0 11s 8d Joseph Wench: beef 25 pounds, value £0 11s 6½d Henry Mutton: pork 18 pounds, beef 30 pounds, value £1 6s 6d John Poulter: beef 30 pounds, value £1 6s 0½d Simon Whaley: beef 15 pounds, value £0 6s 10½d William Saxby: beef 28 pounds, value £1 4s 10½d William Huff: pork 16 pounds, beef 22 pounds, value £1 5s 0d John Merrit: pork 8 pounds, beef 42 pounds, value £1 4s 11d John Ebb: pork 6 pounds, beef 14 pounds, value £0 10s 8d John Muchmore: beef 22 pounds, value £0 17s 10½d Jeptha Crowle: pork 34 pounds, beef 45 pounds, value £2 4s 8½d William Bate: beef 10 pounds, value £0 4s 7d Christopher Tibb: beef 14 pounds, value £0 12s 1d Carried over: pork 240 pounds, beef 483 pounds, value £19 11s 4½d Interpretations The page closed one beef account with its total of 2,020 pounds against £46 5s 10d, then opened a fresh account of sundry debtors for salt beef and pork from December 1716 to March 1717, headed with its journal folios and carrying a heavy proportion of pork. The schedule sustained the year-by-year reconciliation the Court had demanded, each issue of meat tied to a named debtor so the diet expenses could be squared across the full span of the books. The appearance of Captain Sewall among the buyers, a ship's commander charged for beef alongside the inhabitants, shows that calling vessels drew fresh provisions from the Court's stock during their stay. The detail connects to St Helena's standing function as a victualling station, the island supplying the shipping with meat from its own plantation as well as feeding its own people, the commander charged at the same fixed rate. | ||
113V | Brought over Beef Pork £ s d 483 240 19. 11. 4½ Thomas Athly 8 10 10. 9 George Lendon 5 2. 3½ Samuel Head 9½ 12 13. 11½ Thomas Easthope 5 6 6. ¼ Samuel Thornbrough 43 29 1. 6½ Thomas Beavans 7½ 20 14. 2½ Thomas Eyre 18 12. 9½ William Huff 8 Richard Tinsley 7½ 7. 8 John Trotte 5 7 7. 4 Thomas Watts 7 16 10½ Mary Easthope 8 3 5. 9½ John Roulstone 3 3 3. 4½ Mary Smithman 4 1. 10 Joseph Dawg 553 380 25. 12. 1 Sundry Acco: D:r to Diet Expence for Salt Beef & Pork Sold from 25 March to ye 24th D:o as Stand Journ: fol: 14 & 15 a D:o 1717 D:o fol: ye Antipas Ivory 329 30 8. 3. ½ John Alexander 62 8 1. 12. 5 Simon Whaley 83 20 2. 8½ Michael Allen 20 9. 2 Samuel Price 20 9. 2 Jeptha Trowte 10 4. 7 Thomas Brown 62 18 1. 17. 5 John Muchmore 66 14 1. 17. 5 William Heugh 83 18 1. 2. 5½ Richard Tinsley 53 6 1. 4. 3½ Thomas Athly 55 1. 8 Samuel Head 30 13. 9 Mary Easthope 38 15. 11½ Jonathan Higham Senr 13 5. ¼ John Aldrick 15 6. 10½ Thomas Watts 32 14. 8 960 114 24. 17. 5 | Brought over: beef 483 pounds, pork 240 pounds, value £19 11s 4½d Thomas Ashby: beef 8 pounds, pork 10 pounds, value £0 10s 0d George Loudon: beef 9 pounds, value £0 5s 0d Samuel Head: beef 9 pounds, pork 12 pounds, value £0 12s 10d Thomas Easthope: beef 8 pounds, value £0 6s 0d Samuel Thornbrough: beef 6 pounds, pork 6 pounds, value £0 6s 0d Thomas Beorane: beef 43 pounds, pork 29 pounds, value £1 0s 6½d Thomas Eyer: beef 78 pounds, pork 20 pounds, value £0 14s 2½d William Pyon: beef 18 pounds, value £0 12s 1½d Richard Tinsley: pork 8 pounds, value £0 12s 1½d John Cosbell: beef 5 pounds, value £0 8s 0d Thomas Watts: beef 7 pounds, pork 7 pounds, value £0 14s 10½d Mary Easthope: beef 7 pounds, pork 16 pounds, value £0 4s 3d John Roulston: beef 8 pounds, pork 3 pounds, value £0 5s 0¾d Mary Mitchimor: pork 3 pounds, value £0 2s 4½d Joseph Dawg: beef 4 pounds, value £0 1s 10d beef 553 pounds, pork 380 pounds, value £25 12s 1d Sundry debtors to diet expenses for salt beef and pork, sold from the 25th of March to the 24th of June, as appears in journal folio 14 and 15, for 1717: Antipas Tovey: beef 329 pounds, pork 30 pounds, value £8 3s 1½d John Alexander: beef 62 pounds, pork 8 pounds, value £1 12s 5d Simon Whaley: beef 83 pounds, pork 20 pounds, value £2 8s 5d Michael Allen: beef 20 pounds, value £0 9s 2d Samuel Price: beef 20 pounds, value £0 9s 4d Jeptha Crowle: beef 10 pounds, value £0 4s 7d Thomas Beorane: beef 62 pounds, pork 18 pounds, value £1 17s 5d John Muchmore: beef 66 pounds, pork 14 pounds, value £1 17s 5d William Hough: beef 83 pounds, pork 18 pounds, value £1 2s 5½d Richard Tinsley: beef 53 pounds, value £1 4s 3½d Thomas Whaley: beef 55 pounds, pork 6 pounds, value £1 8s 0d Samuel Head: beef 30 pounds, value £0 13s 9d Mary Easthope: beef 38 pounds, value £0 15s 11½d Jonathan Higham, senior: beef 13 pounds, value £0 6s 4½d John Aldrick: beef 15 pounds, value £0 6s 10½d Thomas Watts: beef 32 pounds, value £0 14s 5d beef 960 pounds, pork 114 pounds, value £24 17s 5d Interpretations The page closed one salt beef and pork account with its total, then opened a fresh account of sundry debtors for the period from March to June 1717, headed with its journal folios. The schedule sustained the year-by-year reconciliation the Court had demanded, each issue of meat tied to a named debtor so the diet expenses could be squared across the full span of the books. The opening entry charges the accountant Antipas Tovey with 329 pounds of beef and 30 of pork, by far the largest parcel on the page and worth more than eight pounds, set at the head of the new account. The figure marks the scale on which a senior officer drew the Court's provisions, the quantity far above the ordinary inhabitant's, the meat charged at the same fixed price a pound that governed every entry. | ||
114R | Brought over Beef Pork £ s d Joseph Whaley 960 114 24. 17. 5 John Poulter 87 1. 1. 6½ Thomas Hayes 313 44 1. 7. 2½ John Merrit 69 1. 11. 7½ Henry Mutton 7½ 14 2. 2. 13½ Thomas Beavans 76 18 1. 13. 10½ Christopher Hill 63 10 1. 13. 10½ John Pryon 10 5 7. ½ Edward Smith 30 14 1. 7. 9 John Roulstone 46 8 1. 5. 2 George Lendon 44 10 1. 5. 2 John Mills 26 11. 11 John Ebt 47 1. 6¼ William Saxby 75 11 1. 19. 1¾ Robert fferguson 41 18. 9¼ William Wilkins 56 1. 5. 8 John H: Robinson 18 8. 8 Jesse fferguson 2. 0¼ John Bates 23 10. 6½ Joseph Wench 38 17. 5 Margaret Rich 4 1. 10 Andrew Dirich 19 8. 8½ Giles Hayes 63 18 1. 6. 6 John Pryon 43 19. 8½ Henry Johnson 14 11 11. 11 Thomas Burham 10 4. 7 Joseph Tayler 10 4. 7 1950 264 51. 17 | Brought over: beef 960 pounds, pork 114 pounds, value £24 17s 0d Joseph Whaley: beef 87 pounds, value £1 5s 6½d John Poulter: beef 43 pounds, pork 24 pounds, value £1 7s 4½d Thomas Hayes: beef 69 pounds, value £1 11s 2d John Merrit: beef 77 pounds, pork 14 pounds, value £2 2s 8½d Henry Mutton: beef 76 pounds, pork 18 pounds, value £1 13s 10½d Thomas Beorane: beef 63 pounds, pork 10 pounds, value £1 13s 10½d Christopher Tibb: beef 10 pounds, pork 5 pounds, value £0 7s 9d John Pyon: beef 30 pounds, pork 14 pounds, value £1 7s 9d Edward Smith: beef 46 pounds, value £1 5s 0d John Roulston: beef 44 pounds, pork 10 pounds, value £1 5s 2d George Loudon: beef 26 pounds, value £0 11s 11d John Mills: beef 47 pounds, value £1 6s 6½d John Ebb: beef 75 pounds, pork 11 pounds, value £1 19s 1¾d William Saxby: beef 41 pounds, value £0 18s 9½d Robert Ferguson: beef 56 pounds, value £1 5s 8d William Wilkins: beef 18 pounds, value £0 8s 8d John Robinson: beef 8 pounds, value £0 2s 0½d Jesse Ferguson: beef 23 pounds, value £0 10s 6½d John Hobden: beef 38 pounds, value £1 7s 5d Joseph Wench: beef 4 pounds, value £0 1s 6d Margaret Pick: beef 19 pounds, value £0 8s 8½d Andrew Denick: beef 63 pounds, pork 18 pounds, value £1 6s 8d Giles Hayes: beef 43 pounds, value £0 19s 8d John Pyon: beef 14 pounds, pork 11 pounds, value £1 11s 11d Henry Johnson: beef 10 pounds, value £0 4s 7d Thomas Burham: beef 10 pounds, value £0 4s 7d Joseph Tayler: value £0 0s 0d beef 1,950 pounds, pork 264 pounds, value £51 1s 7d Interpretations The page continued the diet expenses account for the period from March to June 1717, the buyer-by-buyer record carried forward and the running total struck at 1,950 pounds of beef and 264 of pork against £51 1s 7d. The schedule sustained the reconciliation the Court had demanded, each issue of meat matched to a named debtor so the diet account could be squared across the successive periods of the books. The recurrence of the same body of buyers through every span of the account, the inhabitants returning season after season for their meat, confirms the steady supply of the Court's beef and pork to the whole community. The continuity reveals the island's provisioning as a regular charge on the diet expenses, the planters and the Company's people drawing their portions at the fixed price a pound across the years the Council was reconciling for the Court. | ||
114V | Sundry Acco: Debtr to Diet Expence for Salt Beef Sold from the 24th to 25 March 1717/18 D:o Stand Journ: ye fol: 50 D:o ye Beef £ s d Captain George Hasswell 48 1. 2 Antipas Ivory 56 1. 5. 8 Thomas Coulson 12 5. 6 Mary Easthope 33 15. 1¼ Joseph Booth 24 11 George Lendon 25 11. 5½ Thos Hayes 33 15. 1¼ Michael Allie 28 9. 2 William Wilkins 20 9. 2 Thomas Beavans 15 6. 10 Thomas Watts 19 8. 8½ Henry Johnson 63 1. 11. 7½ Walter Heugh 39 7. 10½ Simon Whaley 42 19. 3 Thomas Cosson 32 14. 8 Samuel Head 15 6. 10½ John Merrit 30 13. 9¼ John H: Robinson 20 9. 2 Joseph Tayler 18 4. 7 John Roulstone 10 4. 7 John Woolston 11 5. ¼ Thomas Pryon 23 10. 6½ Joseph Whaley 14 6. 5 Christopher Hill 36 16. 6 Henry Mutton 18 6. 3 William Coales 15 6. 10½ Samuel Doveton 10 4. 7 Thomas Easthope 6 2. 9 Jonathan Higham Senr 5 4 2. 3¼ Samuel Thornbrough 8 3. 8 John Ebt 6 2. 9 Anthony Robinson 4 1. 10 Thomas fferguson Junr 35 15. 7 Samuel Price 769 17. 12. 6½ | Sundry debtors to diet expenses for salt beef, sold from the 25th of December to the 25th of March 1718, stand journal folio 50, namely: Captain George Haswell: beef 48 pounds, value £1 2s 0d Antipas Tovey: beef 56 pounds, value £1 5s 8d Thomas Coulson: beef 12 pounds, value £0 5s 6d Mary Easthope: beef 33 pounds, value £0 15s 1½d Joseph Wench: beef 24 pounds, value £0 11s 0d George Loudon: beef 25 pounds, value £0 11s 5½d Thomas Hayes: beef 33 pounds, value £0 15s 1½d Michael Allie: beef 28 pounds, value £0 9s 2d William Wilkins: beef 20 pounds, value £0 9s 2d Thomas Beorane: beef 13 pounds, value £0 6s 10d Thomas Watts: beef 19 pounds, value £0 8s 8½d Henry Johnson: beef 60 pounds, value £1 11s 7½d William Hough: beef 39 pounds, value £0 17s 10½d Simon Whaley: beef 42 pounds, value £0 19s 3d Thomas Gibbon: beef 32 pounds, value £0 14s 8d Samuel Head: beef 15 pounds, value £0 6s 10½d John Merrit: beef 30 pounds, value £0 13s 9d John Robinson: beef 20 pounds, value £0 9s 2d Joseph Tayler: beef 18 pounds, value £0 4s 7d John Roulston: beef 10 pounds, value £0 4s 7d John Roulston: beef 11 pounds, value £0 5s 0¾d Thomas Beorane: beef 23 pounds, value £0 10s 6½d Joseph Whaley: beef 14 pounds, value £0 6s 6d Christopher Tibb: beef 36 pounds, value £0 16s 6d Henry Mutton: beef 18 pounds, value £0 8s 3d William Coales: beef 15 pounds, value £0 6s 10½d Samuel Doveton: beef 10 pounds, value £0 4s 7d Thomas Easthope: beef 6 pounds, value £0 2s 9d Jonathan Higham, junior: beef 5 pounds, value £0 2s 3¼d Samuel Thornbrough: beef 8 pounds, value £0 3s 8d John Ebb: beef 6 pounds, value £0 2s 9d Anthony Tinsley: beef 6 pounds, value £0 2s 9d Thomas Ferguson, junior: beef 35 pounds, value £0 15s 7½d Samuel Price: value £0 0s 0d beef 769 pounds, value £17 12s 5½d Interpretations The page set out a further account of sundry debtors charged for salt beef from December 1717 to March 1718, headed with its journal folio, the buyer-by-buyer record now wholly in beef. The schedule sustained the year-by-year reconciliation the Court had demanded, each issue of meat tied to a named debtor so the diet expenses could be squared across the full span of the books. The familiar names recurring at the head of the account, Captain Haswell, the accountant Antipas Tovey and the substantial households below them, confirm the steady supply of the Court's beef to the officers and inhabitants alike through the winter quarter. The continuity reveals the island's provisioning as a regular charge on the diet expenses, every buyer drawn at the fixed price a pound across the years the Council was reconciling for the Court. | ||
115R | Sundry Acco: D:r to Diet Expence for English Beef Sold from 25th March to 24th June as appears Journal fol: 2 ye Beef £ s d Capt George Hasswell 84 1. 18. 6 Antipas Ivory 25 11. 5½ Henry Johnson 33 15. 1¼ Thomas Hayes 38 17. 5 Mary Easthope 14 6. 5 Joseph Wench 18 8. 3 Michael Allin 15 6. 10½ William Wilkins 26 11. 11 Thomas Beavans 20 9. 2 Thomas Watts 20 9. 2 William Heugh 28 12. 10 John Merrit 28 12. 10 Thomas Godwin 14 6. 5 Samuel Head 15 6. 10½ Thomas Brown 8 3. 8 John H: Robinson 10 2. 0¾ William Slaughter 4 Joseph Whaley Junr 32 14. 8 Samuel Price 34 15. 7 Henry Mutton 10 2. 9 James Draper 6 2. 9 Simon Whaley 18 8. 3 James Pryon 11 5. ½ 512 11. 14. 8 | Sundry debtors to diet expenses for English beef, sold from the 25th of March to the 24th of June, as appears in journal folio 29: Captain George Haswell: beef 84 pounds, value £1 18s 6d Antipas Tovey: beef 25 pounds, value £0 11s 5½d Henry Johnson: beef 33 pounds, value £0 15s 1½d Thomas Hayes: beef 38 pounds, value £0 17s 5d Mary Easthope: beef 14 pounds, value £0 6s 5d Joseph Wench: beef 18 pounds, value £0 8s 3d Michael Allie: beef 15 pounds, value £0 6s 10½d William Wilkins: beef 26 pounds, value £0 11s 11d Thomas Beorane: beef 20 pounds, value £0 9s 2d Thomas Watts: beef 20 pounds, value £0 9s 2d William Hough: beef 28 pounds, value £0 12s 10d John Merrit: beef 28 pounds, value £0 12s 10d Thomas Godwin: beef 14 pounds, value £0 6s 5d Samuel Head: beef 15 pounds, value £0 6s 10½d Thomas Brown: beef 8 pounds, value £0 3s 8d John Higham: beef 10 pounds, value £0 2s 0¾d William Slaughter: beef 10 pounds, value £0 4s 7d Joseph Whaley, junior: beef 32 pounds, value £0 14s 8d Samuel Price: beef 34 pounds, value £0 15s 7d Henry Mutton: beef 10 pounds, value £0 4s 7d James Draper: beef 6 pounds, value £0 2s 9d Simon Whaley: beef 18 pounds, value £0 8s 3d James Pyon: beef 11 pounds, value £0 5s 0½d beef 512 pounds, value £11 14s 5d Interpretations The account charged sundry debtors for English beef sold from March to June, headed with its journal folio and set apart from the salt beef of the earlier pages. The distinction between English beef and the island's own marks the two sources of the meat supplied, the English beef shipped out and stored, the local beef raised on the Court's plantation, each reconciled separately against the books. The heading of English beef reveals that the island drew part of its provision from imported salted meat carried out from England, distinct from the fresh and salt beef of its own cattle. The detail bears on the provisioning of the establishment, the Court's ships bringing preserved beef to supplement the island's stock, the imported supply charged to the same diet account and issued to the officers and inhabitants at the fixed price a pound. | ||
115V | 1718 Sundry Acco: D:r to Diet Expence for English Beef as appears Journ: fol: 23 D:o ye Beef £ s d Antipas Ivory 44 1. 2. 5½ Elizabeth Hasnock 14 5. 7½ John Woolston 15 6. 10½ Henry Johnson 94 2. 3. 1 Samuel Whaley 34 15. 7 James Tegg 38 17. 5 Thomas Godwin 21 9. 7½ Samuel Head 18 8. 3 William Worrel 20 9. 2 Joseph Whaley Junr 22 10. 1 Michael Allie 24 11 George Pryant 12 5. 6 Joseph Tayler 11 5. ½ Thomas Mary ffeen 10 4. 7 John Roulston 10 4. 7 Dorothy Pryon 13 5. 11½ Joseph Pryon 10 4. 7 Richard Thompson 5 6. 7½ Henry Mutton 9 2. 3½ John William Pryphoe 4 17. ¼ John Goodwin 16 17. ¼ Antipas Pitt 5 4. 3½ Richard Vaughan 10 4. 7 John Croxton 5 2. 3½ Giles Hayes 5 2. 3½ Mary Easthope 18 8. 3 Edward Mutton 5 6 John Alexander 40 4. 7 Thomas Dutch 14 5. 4½ John Hanson 10 4. 7 Thomas Burnham Senr 10 4. 7 Jesse fferguson 11 5. ¼ William Slaughter 5 5. ½ Jonathan Higham Junr 11 4. 7 Jeptha Trowte 10 595 13. 12. 8 | Sundry debtors to diet expenses for English beef, as appears in journal folio 13, for 1718: Antipas Tovey: beef 49 pounds, value £1 2s 5½d Elizabeth Hatock: beef 14 pounds, value £0 5s 7½d John Roulston: beef 15 pounds, value £0 6s 10½d Henry Johnson: beef 94 pounds, value £2 3s 1d Simon Whaley: beef 34 pounds, value £0 15s 7d James Pyon: beef 35 pounds, value £0 17s 5d Thomas Godwin: beef 21 pounds, value £0 9s 7½d Samuel Head: beef 18 pounds, value £0 3s 4¾d William Wenger: beef 20 pounds, value £0 3s 8d Joseph Whaley, junior: beef 22 pounds, value £0 10s 1d Michael Allie: beef 24 pounds, value £0 11s 0d George Bryant: beef 12 pounds, value £0 5s 6d Joseph Tayler: beef 11 pounds, value £0 5s 0½d Thomas Beorane: beef 10 pounds, value £0 4s 7d John Roulston: beef 10 pounds, value £0 4s 7d Dorothy Pyon: beef 13 pounds, value £0 4s 7d Joseph Pyon: beef 10 pounds, value £0 4s 7d Richard Thompson: beef 13 pounds, value £0 6s 7d Henry Mutton: beef 9 pounds, value £0 2s 3¼d John William Pyphoe: beef 9 pounds, value £0 4s 1½d John Goodwin: beef 16 pounds, value £0 4s 1½d Benjamin Pledger: beef 5 pounds, value £0 1s 1d Richard Vauxon: beef 10 pounds, value £0 4s 4¾d John Coulson: beef 5 pounds, value £0 4s 7d Giles Hayes: beef 5 pounds, value £0 2s 3¼d Mary Easthope: beef 18 pounds, value £0 8s 3d Samuel Thornbrough: beef 5 pounds, value £0 6s 0d John Alexander: beef 6 pounds, value £0 2s 9d Thomas Dutch: beef 10 pounds, value £0 4s 7d John Hanson: beef 14 pounds, value £0 5s 4¼d Thomas Burham, senior: beef 10 pounds, value £0 4s 7d Roger Ferguson: beef 10 pounds, value £0 4s 7d William Slaughter: beef 11 pounds, value £0 5s 0½d Jonathan Higham, junior: beef 5 pounds, value £0 2s 3¼d Jeptha Crowle: beef 11 pounds, value £0 5s 0½d Thomas Watts: beef 10 pounds, value £0 4s 7d beef 595 pounds, value £13 12s 8d Interpretations The account charged sundry debtors for English beef for the year 1718, headed with its journal folio, the buyer-by-buyer record now made up of generally smaller parcels than the earlier pages. The schedule sustained the year-by-year reconciliation the Court had demanded, each issue of imported beef tied to a named debtor so the diet expenses could be squared across the full span of the books. The smaller portions running through the list, many of only five to fifteen pounds, suggest the English beef was issued in modest quantities to a wide spread of the inhabitants rather than in the large parcels seen in the local beef accounts. The pattern reveals the imported salt beef as a supplement drawn on broadly across the community, the preserved meat from England spread thin among many buyers at the fixed price a pound. | ||
116R | 1719 Sundry Acco: Debtor to Diet Expence for Salt Beef & Pork Sold as appears Journal fol: 2 ye Beef Pork £ s d Antipas Ivory 9½ 12 2. 16. 11 John Jordan 7 3 John Roulstone 7½ 7. 7½ Benjamin Cleverlee 6 8. 3 Michael Allie 10 4. 7 Nicholas Shreeve 18 8. 3 Thomas Dutch 10 4. 7 William Slaughter 11 5. ½ Caleb Davis 15 6. 10½ Samuel Doveton 6 2. 9 Joshua Johnson 6 2. 9 Humphry Brodie 10 4. 7 James Pryon 14 6. 5 Joseph Tayler 9 4. 1½ William Thomas 14 4. 8 Thomas Cock 5 2. 3½ John Thomlinson 6 4. 8 George Watts 4 4. 8 John Roulstone 6 278 23 7. 5. 9½ | Sundry debtors to diet expenses for salt beef and pork, as appears in journal folio 24, for 1719: Antipas Tovey: beef 94 pounds, pork 12 pounds, value £2 16s 11d John Hobden: beef 17 pounds, value £0 7s 9½d John Roulston: beef 72 pounds, value £0 8s 3d Benjamin Cuncliffe: beef 6 pounds, value £0 2s 9d Michael Allie: beef 10 pounds, value £0 4s 7d Nicholas Crowe: beef 18 pounds, value £0 8s 3d Thomas Dutch: beef 10 pounds, value £0 4s 7d William Slaughter: beef 11 pounds, value £0 5s 0½d Caleb Davis: beef 15 pounds, value £0 6s 10½d Samuel Doveton: beef 6 pounds, value £0 2s 9d Joshua Johnson: beef 6 pounds, value £0 2s 9d Humphrey Crowle: beef 10 pounds, value £0 4s 7d James Pyon: beef 14 pounds, value £0 6s 5d Joseph Tayler: beef 9 pounds, value £0 4s 1½d William Wenger: beef 14 pounds, value £0 2s 0d Edward Pick: value £0 2s 3½d John Morphinson: beef 6 pounds, value £0 2s 9d George Watts: pork 4 pounds, value £0 4s 8d John Roulston: value £0 4s 1d beef 276 pounds, pork 23 pounds, value £7 6s 9½d Interpretations The account charged sundry debtors for salt beef and pork for the year 1719, headed with its journal folio, the buyer-by-buyer record bringing the diet expenses to the close of the six years the Council was reconciling. The schedule sustained the year-by-year reconciliation the Court had demanded, each issue of meat tied to a named debtor so the whole span of the diet account could be squared against the books. The opening entry charges the accountant Antipas Tovey with 94 pounds of beef and 12 of pork, again the largest parcel on the page and set at the head of the account. The recurrence of his name across every year, always with the heaviest portion, marks the scale on which a senior officer victualled his household, the quantity far above the ordinary inhabitant's, the meat charged throughout at the fixed price a pound. | ||
116V | 1714 from 8 July to ye Jan:y fol: to 30. 11. 6 from 25 ffeb:y to 25 March 11. 4. 3½ £ s d 1714 Amount to 52. 13. 9¼ 1715 first Quartr Am:t to 25. 18. 10 2d Ditto Amount to 22. 17. 0 3d Ditto Amount to 25. 11. 9½ 4th Ditto Amount to 15. 2. 0 To Ship Shrews 33. 8. 11 1715 Amount to 125. 7. 6½ 1716 To John Maynard 20. 11. 6 £ s d first Quartr amount to 25. 10. 5 2d Ditto Amount to 34. 12. 0 3d Ditto Amount to 16. 5. 10 4th Ditto Amount to 5. 12. 1 1716 Amount to 155. 13. 4 £ s d 1717 In the first 6 Months 5. 1. to 7 In the 2d 6 D:o 17. 12. 5½ 1717 Amount to 63. 14. ½ £ s d 1718 To first 6 Months 11. 14. 8 2d to 6 D:o 13. 12. 8½ 25. 7. 4½ 1719 In the first Quartr Amount to 7. 8. 9 637. 1. 6½ 4½ Years Charged to Diet Expence for the Blacks and Beef:o taken of it the Acco:t of Beef 1. 2. 4. 5. 7 of Beef Amount to 354. 18. 8½ Totall Sum 79[...] The aforementiond debts are Charged to each persons proper Acco: as appears plainly in each Acco: for ye Days for those Years before Mentiond when their Goods have taken for | 1714, from the 8th of July to the 25th of January: £33 0s 0d From the 25th of January to the 25th of March: £19 4s 5½d 1714 amount to: £52 13s 9¼d 1715, first quarter amounts to: £25 18s 10d Second, the same, amounts to: £25 17s 0d Third, the same, amounts to: £25 13s 9½d Fourth, the same, amounts to: £15 2s 0d To ship's cargo, amounts to: £33 8s 11d 1715 amount to: £125 7s 6½d 1716, to John Maynard: £0 11s 6d First quarter amounts to: £25 10s 5d Second, the same, amounts to: £54 12s 0d Third, the same, amounts to: £46 5s 10d Fourth, the same, amounts to: £28 12s 1d 1716 amount to: £155 13s 4d 1717, in the first 6 months: £51 0s 7d In the second 6 months: £17 13s 5½d 1717 amount to: £68 14s 0½d 1718, to the first 6 months: £11 14s 8d To the second 6 months: £13 12s 8½d amount to: £25 7s 4½d 1719, in the first quarter, amounts to: £7 8s 0d £437 1s 6½d The 4½ years charged to diet expenses for the salt beef and other, taken off in the account of beef, 1, 2, 4, 5 and 7 of beef, amount to: £356 18s 5½d Total sum: £794 0s 0d The aforementioned debts were charged to each person's proper account, as appears plainly in each train for the days for those years before mentioned, when their goods were taken for. Interpretations The page drew the whole beef and pork reconciliation to its summary, the diet expenses for each year totalled and carried into a grand sum of £794, the figure squaring the entire six years of meat sold against the Court's query. The exercise completed the demonstration the Council had built page by page, the aggregate proving the diet account reconciled in full against named debtors rather than left unexplained. The closing note states the core of the Council's answer, that every debt set out was charged to each person's own account in the journal for the proper days, the goods taken matched to the buyer at the time. The whole laborious account served this single point, the rebuttal of the Court's charge that the beef credited to diet expenses had no record of the money received, the Council showing each sale entered against its debtor through the books. The distinction running through the totals between the island's own beef and the imported English and salt beef reveals the several sources from which the establishment was provisioned, the local cattle, the preserved meat carried out from England and the ship's cargo, all charged to the same diet account. The summary ties these strands together, the provisioning of the island and its shipping reckoned as one charge reconciled against the buyers over the period. | ||
117R | As for the £ 271. 10. paid to Giles Smiths Acco: from Mr ffrench we take it to be made Secure now Sean if Giles Smith was to pay it for Mr George & John Gurling as bound for the Said Sum & Giles Smith Debt of £ 31. 13. 4 was Secured £ 20 of his Bond, the £ 100 remaining is very Secure by two Sufficient Bondsmen Sutton & Isaac and Isaac Sinsnick As for Our Writing back the Acco: We must make the Same as soon as We have to your Hon:rs Coin:d to be transferd in the Books Acco: We are | As for the £271 10s 0d paid to Giles Smith's account from Mr French, the Council took it to be made secure now, since, were Giles Smith made to pay it from Mr George and John Gurling, as bound for the said sum, Giles Smith's debt of £31 15s 4d was covered, and £20 of his bond, the £100 remaining is very secure by two sufficient bondsmen, Sutton Isaac and John Sinnick. As for the Court's writing back the account, the Council would make the same appear, as it had to the Court, of credit transferred in the goods account. Interpretations The closing passage answered the accountant general's objection over the £271 10s 0d, the Council arguing the sum was secured because the debt could be recovered from George and John Gurling, who stood bound for it. The arrangement reveals the chain of security behind a doubtful debt, the principal sum covered by sureties bound for its payment and the remaining £100 held safe by two further bondsmen, the layered guarantees converting an uncertain claim into a recoverable one. The naming of Sutton Isaac and John Sinnick as sufficient bondsmen for the residue marks the legal device by which the Company secured a debt it could not otherwise be sure of, two solvent persons bound jointly so that the claim rested on their estates as well as the debtor's. The point connects to the wider distinction the correspondence drew between bonded and unbonded debt, the bond and the surety the instruments by which a weak claim was made enforceable against more than one estate. | ||
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121R | General Letter ⅌ the Townsend Comand:r Dated the 9 March 1722 Hon:ble Sirs Wee wrote your Honour an Answer to your Generall Letter Sent us ⅌ the Lethieullier & the Caesar Cap:n William Mabbot Comand:r dated the 24th December 1722 and in Obedience to your Honours Commands free herewith Send you the Duplicates thereof and of all other papers contained in the said Acco:t & with what else hath Since occurred as Likewise your Hon:rs Books Affect for the Year 1723, in a Box & the inclives which we hope will give your Hon:rs Intire Satisfaction Governour Johnson Died on the 16th forty as is mentioned in our Consultation of that Day & Mr Edward Byfeld Succeeded as Govr During your Hon:rs pleasure Wee beg leave to assure your Hon:rs of nothing wanting in our parts to ye expediate all things that may tend to your Hon:rs and Service as well as the reale Interest & Tranquility of Respey:o here On the 17th ffeb:y last Wee had a Double Allarm of two Ships they did not Attempt Comeing in to the road, but bore Directly away We suppose them to be Dutchmen Wee have with also Imaginable Care made up Govern Johnsons Acco: from March Last to the time of his Death and upon a Strict Examination into the Acco:t of Beef which he rec:d from the Storekeep:r & other Since the 18th D:o June 1722 We found there wanted 165: 0: ½ to Ballance that Acco: which We have Charged him with accordingly & the Ballance now | General Letter ⅌ the Townsend§ §Comand:r Dated the 9 March 1722§ §Hon:ble Sirs§ §Wee wrote your Honour an Answer to your§ §Generall Letter Sent us ⅌ the Lethieullier & the§ §Caesar Cap:n William Mabbot Comand:r dated the 24th§ §December 1722 and in Obedience to your Honours§ §Commands free herewith Send you the Duplicates§ §thereof and of all other papers contained in the§ §said Acco:t & with what else hath Since occurred§ §as Likewise your Hon:rs Books Affect for the§ §Year 1723, in a Box & the inclives which we§ §hope will give your Hon:rs Intire Satisfaction§ §Governour Johnson Died on the 16th forty§ §as is mentioned in our Consultation of that§ §Day & Mr Edward Byfeld Succeeded as Govr§ §During your Hon:rs pleasure§ §Wee beg leave to assure your Hon:rs of§ §nothing wanting in our parts to ye§ §expediate all things that may tend to your§ §Hon:rs and Service as well as the reale§ §Interest & Tranquility of Respey:o here§ §On the 17th ffeb:y last Wee had a§ §Double Allarm of two Ships they did not§ §Attempt Comeing in to the road, but bore§ §Directly away We suppose them to be§ §Dutchmen§ §Wee have with also Imaginable Care§ §made up Govern Johnsons Acco: from§ §March Last to the time of his Death and§ §upon a Strict Examination into the Acco:t§ §of Beef which he rec:d from the Storekeep:r§ §& other Since the 18th D:o June 1722 We found§ §there wanted 165: 0: ½ to Ballance that§ §Acco: which We have Charged him§ §with accordingly & the Ballance now§ | ||
121V | [Section missing: irregular strip along the left-hand edge, running the full height of the page.] remaining due to him being £ 87. 15. 11¼ Which begg your Honours will please to pay the Same to Thomas Heath Esq: and for our Honours other Satisfaction Wee have inclosed in this Packett Coppys of that Acco: and of his Inventory of all Goods & Effects on this Island and also of his will By Letters and Invoices rec:d from ffort St George ⅌ the Drake & Mr D: Lloyd there appears to be Ships on board each Ship among other goods enterd in our Consultation of the 8th Inst: 25 Baggs of Rice But have received not more than 5 Baggs from Capt Wenderonne Comand:r of the Drake they haveing Damaged Some to made use of other Some in their passage hither as their Letters to us (in Our Letter to ours) D:r in Consultation of the 18 Inst: will more fully appear the want of which because we cannot Supply our Selves when wee want is a very great disappointm:t to us for the use of the Garrison & Your Hon:rs blacks and meat at this time than any other occasioned by the dry time we now begin to feel, Wee have Likewise rec:d a Letter & Invoice contg Six Bales of Punk consigned to us from the Cape by Capt Mackett Capt Eecott & Mr Hutchison sav:d out of the Wreck of the Ship Shandois Wee have opned the Bales & find the two call:d broken peices to be only Remnants & some not much above one Yd Long and much Damaged Which Wee thought would be more to your Hon:rs Advantage to dispose of here than to forward them Wee haveing for Some time past been in Extream want of an able Surgeon our priest Doctor Beale being very incapable of such an Employ) have prevailed with Capt Bell to Spare us his Surgeon Mr Carbis who has a very good Character of him & Acto Ingenious Mome | Remaining due to him, being £87 18s 11d, the Court would please to pay the same to Thomas Heath, esquire, and for the Court's satisfaction the Council had enclosed in the packet copies of that account, and of his inventory of all goods and effects on this island, and also of his will. 6: By letters and invoices received from Fort St George by the Drake and Mr Lloyd, there appeared to be shipped on board each ship, among other goods, entered in the Council's consultation of the 8th of December, 25 bags of rice. But it had received not more than 5 bags from Captain Westborne, commander of the Drake, they having damaged some and made use of others in their passage hither, as their letters to the Council, in answer to its enquiry, would in the consultation of the 18th of December more fully appear. The want of it, because it could not supply itself, when it would be a very great disappointment to the Council for the use of the garrison and the Court's slaves, and more at this time than any other, occasioned by the dry time it now began to feel. 7: The Council had likewise received a letter and invoice for six bales of punch, consigned to it from the Cape by Captain Mackett, Captain Elliott and Mr Hutchinson, saved out of the wreck of the ship Shandois. It had opened the bales and found the two called broken pieces to be coarse and damaged, and some not much above one shilling a pound, and much damaged, which it thought would be more to the Court's advantage to dispose of at the island than to forward them. 8: The Council having for some time past been in extreme want of an able surgeon, the Court's present Doctor Beale being very incapable of such an employ, had prevailed with Captain Bell to spare its surgeon Mr Carlile, who has a very good character of being a sober and ingenious man. Interpretations The settlement of the late Governor's balance, the £87 18s 11d remaining due to be paid to Thomas Heath as his representative, completes the audit of Johnson's account on his death, the copies of the account, the inventory of his goods and his will all sent home for the Court's satisfaction. The procedure reveals the careful winding-up of a deceased Governor's affairs, the sum owed him paid to his estate and the supporting documents forwarded so the Court could verify the reckoning. The shortfall in the rice consignment, 5 bags received of 25 shipped, the rest damaged or used by the crew on the passage, belongs to the bill-of-lading enforcement programme, the Council recording the deficiency against the carrying ship and entering the master's explanation in consultation. The loss bit hard because the island could not supply itself, the want of rice for the garrison and the slaves sharpened by the dry season then setting in, the shortfall a charge to be pressed against the freight. The want of an able surgeon, the Court's Doctor Beale judged incapable and a competent man borrowed from a ship's company, restates the medical crisis pressed throughout the correspondence. The Council securing the surgeon Mr Carlile from Captain Bell, a sober and able man, shows it again filling the gap from a passing vessel where the Court's own appointments had failed, the recourse to ship's surgeons the standing makeshift for the island's want of skilled care. | ||
122R | Man and have di[...]ged [...]or Boats [...] trave to refer Your honnors [...]olution of [...]er 16th Instant for a more Satisfactory Season and hope the Same will meet with your honnors approval Wee haveing Acted for the preservation of the Garrison & Inhabitants of this Island as wellas [...] bound Places 9. These 5 Ships The [...]oushand Capt Wight The [...]ufield Capt [...]ackt The Drake Capt [...] The [...]nd[...]ore Capt [...]illey The Godfrey Capt [...]rown[...] Arrived here all [...] from the Cape on the 6th Instant & Br[...]t no [...] Letters & Invoices of Goods ac[...] Entered in our Consultation of 8th Instant 10. M[...] Bo[...]er Hawke has desired Bills of Exch[...]ange on your honnors for the Summe of 40 he haveing money due to him for Sallary in the books of [...] here which wee have Drawn Accordingly dated [...] 18th Mar[...] 1722. & begg your honnors acceptance 11. Herewith comes enclosed the first followeing Bills of Exchange payable to your honnors Vizt 12. Capt Philip [...]ord[...] first Bill for £[...]0 [...] drawn payable by [...]a[...]e [...]oyse[...] Capt Charles Rights first Bill for £58 [...] drawn on M[...] Rich[...] Mead Merch[...] Capt John [...]illys first Bill for [...]3 16:8 Drawn on Capt [...]o[...] Cleek[...] Capt [...]ow[...] Drawn[...] first Bill for 9. 4. drawn on Henry [...]am[...]y all drawn pay at twenty days Sight & dated [...] 19th Mar[...] 1722. We haveing wrote your honnors fully in our last [...]ettre [...]elson & nothing of any moment happening Since but what wee have here | ...and the man, having discharged the ship's boats, was made to refer the Court's orders for action to a more satisfactory reason and time. The Council took all this to meet with the Court's approval. The Council has acted for the preservation of the garrison and inhabitants of this island, as well as the Court's own concerns. 9: These five ships: The Townsend, Captain Wood The Enfield, Captain [...] The Drake, Captain [...] The Endeavour, Captain Digby The Goody, Captain Bremon arrived here all last from the Cape on the 6th instant, and brought the Court's letters and invoices of goods as entered in the Council consultation of the 6th instant. 10: Mr George Hawke has drawn a bill of exchange on the Court for the sum of £40 0s 0d, having money due to him for salary in the books of the Court here, which the Council has drawn accordingly, dated 18 March 1722. The Council begs the Court's acceptance. 11: The Council encloses with this the first of the following bills of exchange, payable to the Court: 12: Captain Philip Wood's first bill for £40 10s 0d, drawn payable on Charles Dawson. Captain Charles Rigby's first bill on Mr [...] for £58 [...]. Drawn on Mr Richard Lloyd, merchant. Captain John Bell's first bill for £23 16s 8d. Drawn on Captain John Clark. Captain Bowes drawn a first bill for £9 4s [...]. Drawn on Henry Hambly, all of them payable at twenty days sight, and dated 19 March 1722. 13: The Council, having written the Court's last letter, and nothing further of moment happening since, but what the Council has here... Interpretations The numbered passages form part of a Council general letter to the Court of Directors, the bills of exchange in paragraphs 11 and 12 serving as the standard remittance device on a cashless island. Each named person held credit in the Court's books at St Helena, and a bill drawn on a London party turned that local entitlement into a claim payable in England. The repeated form of a first bill reflects the practice of drawing each sum in parts sent by separate ships, so that no single copy carried effect until its fellow reached London. The five ships of paragraph 9 match the run of vessels recorded arriving together at St Helena on the 6th of the month before the Council general letter of 17 March 1723, carried home by the Desbouverie under Captain Thomas Wootton. The Townsend under Captain Philip Wood, the Endeavour, the Drake, the Oxford under Captain Digby and the Goody under Captain Bremon were the homeward ships that came last from the Cape, and Captain Wood's first bill of £40 10s 0d on Charles Dawson appears here as the conveyance for the season's packet. George Hawke of paragraph 10 was the Company servant at St Helena with salary due in the Court's books, for whom the bill of £40 0s 0d dated 18 March 1723 was drawn, distinct from Benjamin Hawkes the clerk of the council. Speculations The drawing of each remittance as a first bill on a named London merchant, rather than a single instrument, managed the risk of loss on the long homeward passage that had already taken the Catherine in the Straits of Sunda and three Court ships at the Cape. The arrangement left each half worthless until its counterpart arrived, so that interception of one ship destroyed no money, the safeguard built into the form of the bill itself rather than added afterward. | ||
122V | Acquainted your Hon:rs with have not least to add but to assure you of our Zeal & fidelity for your Hon:rs Interest & to Show our Selves Hon:ble Sirs Yo:r most Humble Obed:t & faithfull Servts St Helena March 19th 1722 Edw:d Byfeld Jno Alexander Jno Goodwin A List of the Packett ⅌ the Ship Townsend Capt Phillip Wood Comand:r Gov:r & Councils Genrl Letter dated the 19th March 1722 Duplicate of Gov:r & Councils Genrl Letter dated ye 24th Dec:r ⅌ C:r sent ⅌ Ship Caesar Capt Mabbot Sent apart Duplicate of Consultation from ye 18 June Exclusive to ye 18th Dec:r 1722 Inclusive Coppy of Consultations from ye 18th Dec:r 1722 Exclusive to ye 19th day of March Inclusive Duplicate of Gov:r Byfeld Acco:t of the Hon:r Comp:s Live Stock &c from May 6 ye 5 inst to A fol: Inclusive Duplicate of the three ffrench Ships Acco:t at St Helena Duplicate of a Portugezs Ships Acco: at D:o Duplicate of Capt Goodwins Endorsem:t on the Bill of Loading ⅌ Lethieullier Duplicate of our Answer to ye remarks on ye Books of Acco:t by Mr ffletcher Duplicate of Mr Powells Acco:t from the Year 1714 to the year 1719 Inclusive Duplicate of those persons that Transferred Cr to Mr Powell D:r Years Margin Notes: Sent apart in the Small Packett | Acquainted the Court with, it had nothing further to add, but to assure the Court of its zeal and faithfulness for the Court's interest, and to show its endeavours. The letter closed at St Helena on the 19th of March 1722, the Council subscribing itself the Court's most humble, faithful and obedient servants, signed by Edward Byfield, John Alexander and John Goodwin. A list of the packet by the ship Townsend, Captain Philip Wood commander. 1: Governor and Council general letter, dated the 19th of March 1722 2: Duplicate of the Governor and Council general letter, dated the 24th of December, sent by the Caesar under Captain Mabbot, sent apart in the small packet 3: Duplicate of consultations from the 18th of June to the 18th of December 1722 inclusive 4: Copy of consultations from the 18th of December 1722 to the 19th day of March inclusive 5: Duplicate of Mr Byfield's account of the Court's cargo, the stock and other, from May 1722 to this date, inclusive 6: Duplicate of the three French ships' account at St Helena 7: Duplicate of a Portuguese ship's account at the same 8: Duplicate of Captain Goodwin's endorsement on the bill of lading of the Desbouverie 9: Duplicate of the Council's answer to the remarks on the account by Mr Fletcher 10: Duplicate of Mr Powell's account from the year 1714 to the year 1719 inclusive 11: Duplicate of those persons that transferred credit to Mr Powell for those years Interpretations The packet list is a manifest of enclosures sent home with the general letter, each numbered item the title of a document the Court could check against the list and the captain's receipt. The contents are almost wholly duplicates of papers already sent by the Caesar, the consultations, the accounts and the answer to Mr Fletcher's audit all repeated, showing the running overlap of conveyances by which each ship carried a copy of the previous one's despatch against the loss of a vessel at sea. The repetition of the documents behind the Council's defence, Mr Powell's five-year account, the list of those who transferred credit to him, and the answer to the accountant general's criticism, marks the importance the Council placed on these papers reaching London. The duplicate manifest functions as the evidence file resent, the contested matters of the transfer system and the island's bookkeeping supported by numbered exhibits carried on a second hull to ensure the Court received them. | ||
123R | Duplicate of ten male Blacks Sent to Bencoolen ⅌ the Lethieullier Duplicate of Mr Thomas Houditch his Petr ⅌ ye D:o Ship Duplicate of List of Debt now Standing out Duplicate of ye Edw:d Edw:d Acco:t Duplicate of Mr ffrench Owens to ye 49 Caragh ⅌ Lethieullier Duplicate of Ship Caesar Acco: Decr 24th 1722 Receipts for both Pac.kets ⅌ D:o Ship Coppy of Lethieullier Invoice with that Folleing price of each Sort of Goods (omitted ⅌ D:o Ship) Coppy of a Letter rec:d from Cape of Good hope ⅌ Bradford adviceing of Six Bales of Punk Sent Thomas Heath fol: 1 ye 2 D:o ye Coppy of the Inventory of Gov:r Johnsons Effects & Goods left in his Possession Coppy of his Acco: made up in our Books to ye 16th ffeb:y 1722 Coppy of his last Will and Testam:t dated fol: ye D:o 1722 Coppy of ye honor:d Comp:s Cash in Gov:r Johnsons hands to the time of his Death Govr Byfeld:s Acco:t of the Hon:r Companys Live Stock &c for Decr & Janury ye fol: ye Coppy of Capt Goodwins Endorsem:t of the Bills of Loading ⅌ Middlesex & Drake for Rice Short delivered 5 Ships Townsend Oxford Drake Middlesex & Godfry:s Acco: at St Helena March 19th 1722 Capt Phillip Wood:s first Bill of Exch: for £ 40. 11. 4 Capt Charles Robbis 1st Bill for 58. 4. 10 Capt Jno Pelly 1st Bill 23. 16. 8 & Capt Bow: Drawnd: 1st Bill for 9. 4 amounting in the whole to £ 131. 12. 10 List of the Packett Margin Notes: A fol: N o 25 A fol: N o 27 | 12: Duplicate of ten male slaves sent to Bencoolen by the Desbouverie 13: Duplicate of Mr Houldich his petition for his office by the Court's ship 14: Duplicate of list of debts now standing out 15: Duplicate of Captain John Edwards's account 16: Duplicate of Mr Powell's answer to the 40th paragraph by the Desbouverie 17: Duplicate of ship Caesar's account, dated the 24th of October 1722 18: Receipt for both packets per that ship 19: Copy of the Desbouverie invoice, with the selling price of each sort of goods, omitted by that ship 20: Copy of a letter received from the Cape of Good Hope, advising of six bales of punch sent, dated the 27th of [...] 21: Copy of the inventory of Governor Johnson's effects and goods left in his possession 22: Copy of his account made up in the Council's books to the 16th of July 1722 23: Copy of his last will and testament, dated the 17th of [...] 1722 24: Copy of the Court's account of cash in Governor Johnson's hands to the time of his death 25: Governor and Council account of the Court's cargo, the stock and other, for December and January, to this date 26: Copy of Captain Goodwin's endorsement on the bills of lading by the Middlesex and Drake for rice short delivered The five ships, the Townsend, the Oxford, the Drake, the Middlesex and Godfrey's account at St Helena, March the 19th 1722: 27: Captain Philip Wood's first bill of exchange for £40 10s 11d Captain Charles Robins's first bill for £58 4s 0d Captain John Pollet's first bill for £23 16s 8d and Captain George Bramble's first bill for £9 4s 0d amounting in the whole to £131 12s 10d 28: List of the packet, signed by John Alexander Interpretations The continuation of the packet manifest completes the list of enclosures, the documents of the late Governor's affairs prominent among them, his inventory, his account to the day of his death, his will and the reckoning of the cash in his hands all sent home together. The bundle reveals the careful winding-up of Johnson's administration, every paper needed to settle his estate and balance his account forwarded for the Court's verification. The bills of exchange summarised at the foot, four commanders' first bills amounting to £131 12s 10d, set out the season's remittances drawn on London against credit in the Court's books. The schedule shows the standing settlement device of a cashless island, the salaries and balances discharged by bills payable in England rather than in coin, the first parts sent by this ship and the seconds to follow by another against the loss of a copy. The endorsement on the bills of lading for rice short delivered, entered as a numbered exhibit, belongs to the bill-of-lading enforcement programme, the deficiency in the consignment recorded against the carrying ships so the loss could be charged to the freight. The document gave the Court the evidence to recover the value of the missing rice from the commanders under their charters, the shortfall fixed by the storekeeper's endorsement at the point of landing. | ||
123V | Generall Lette[...] [...] the Lyne Capt [...]uerby [...]me Comm[...] Dated The 9th April 1723. Hon[...]d [...] 1. [...] was last to your honn[...] was by the Tournesh [...] Capt Philip Worth Comm[...] under date of the 19th March 1722 who sailed hence on that day Evening in Company with the Enford Cap[...] Right the Middlesex Capt Pelly the Drake Capt [...]aterson and the Godfry Capt Braund a Duplicate of which with another of our Consultations to the 18th of March last and Coppys from that time with all other materiall Papers and Acc[...] conteined in the packett then sent comes by this with [...] four Second Bills of Exchange therein mentioned amounting in the whole to 161.12.10 & pay able to your honn[...] 2. Since when On the 27 March Arrived the Lyell Capt Charles Smale from China 3. On the 30th March last Wee had a double Alarme for 21 Sayles of Ships that passed by the West Side of the Island and Suppose them all to be Dutch men 4. On the first of April Arrived his Majestys Ships the Rocks Capt Cockborne from Bombay who wee have treated In Obedience to your honn[...] Order after the best Manner in every respect as possibly wee could which had occasioned our Monthly Acc[...] for April to be much larger than usuall and hope wee have not wanting in any part of our Duty to give them full Satisfaction 5. On the same day aforesaid Arrived in Company with the Man of War the Princesse Amelia Capt Just Snisenor from China 6. On the [...] of April arrived the Lyle[...] | General letter by the Lyell, Captain Charles Smale commander, dated 9 April 1723. The Council addressed the Court of Directors. 1: The last letter to the Court went by the Townsend, Captain Philip Worth commander, dated 19 March 1722, which sailed from here that same evening in company with the Enfield, Captain Rigby, the Middlesex, Captain Bell, the Drake, Captain Westborne, and the Godfrey, Captain Browne. A duplicate of that letter, together with another of the Council consultations to the 18th of March last and copies from that time, with all other material papers and accounts contained in the packet then sent, comes by this conveyance, along with four second bills of exchange mentioned in it, amounting in the whole to £191 12s 10d. The Council asks the Court to pay them all. 2: Since then, on the 27th of March, the Lyell, Captain Charles Smale commander, arrived from China. 3: On the 30th of March last the Council had a double alarm for twenty-one sail of ships that passed by the west side of the island. The Council supposes them all to be Dutch. 4: On the first of April Her Majesty's ship the Rook, Captain Cockburne commander, arrived from Bombay. The Council treated him under the Court's order in the best manner in every respect it possibly could, which had occasioned the Council monthly account for April to be much larger than usual. The Council hopes it has not been wanting in any part of its duty to give the Court full satisfaction. 5: On the same day arrived in company with the man of war the Princess Amelia, Captain John Misener commander, from China. 6: On the [...] of April arrived the Lyell, Captain [...] Interpretations The opening passages form a Council general letter to the Court of Directors, carried home by the Lyell under Captain Charles Smale, the recitation of the previous conveyance in paragraph 1 serving the standing practice of opening each despatch with the date of the last. The duplicate of the earlier letter and consultations sent again by this ship continued the documentary safeguard by which the Council split its reporting across separate hulls, so the loss of one vessel on the homeward passage destroyed no part of the record. The four second bills of exchange totalling £191 12s 10d were the counterparts of first bills sent by the earlier ship, each half of no effect until its fellow reached London. Captain John Misener of the Princess Amelia, named in paragraph 5, was the commander who had carried home the Council letter of 25 July 1717 and had earlier disputed the coal measure deficiency answered in the consultation of 2 September 1718, here arriving from China in company with the man of war. Speculations The Council's note in paragraph 4 that its April account ran much larger than usual, tied directly to the entertainment of the man of war the Rook under the Court's order, set out the cause of an expected overspend before the Court could read extravagance into the figure. The pre-emptive explanation anchored the swollen monthly account to a specific instruction obeyed, protecting the Council against the recurring charge of negligence and waste by fixing the cost on the Court's own directive rather than on the administration's management. | ||
124R | James Hilton from China and Headhrass and the Fredwich Capt Reed Hot fright from thence & Bengale and on the same day arrived the St Quintin Capt Sp[...]ord from Benda [...]th Negroes belonging to the South Sea Company he being in great need as he sayd of Some provisions and water But the Man of War and four of our the Noble Masters Ships being in the road and expecting more dayly wee could not Supply him with any thing but water and before wee permitted him to come into the road wee caused him to bring too & anchored in Reports Bay as mentioned more fully in our Consultation of y[...] 9 April 1723. & therein begg leave to refer your honn[...] 7. Wee being in very great [...] want of rice for the feeding your honn[...] Slaves and y[...] Comm[...] knowing our necessity have obliged us to give them 14 [...] [...] as per their Account herewith sent will appear and as Wee have had noe rainy Seasons for these 4 years past and fearing the ill Consequences of the ensuing which if y[...] should please God to send us a moderate year of rain yet by the backwardness of the preceding years Wee shale inevitably want almost all sorts of provisions and be in a very miserable and deplorable Condition if some meanes is not used by your honn[...] Goodnesse in Supplying us with a Speedy reliess and as wee presume there is noe better an easdient than what may be Sent from England Wee humbly begg your hisn[...] will be pleased to send us a large Quantity of Wheat and to order your Ships so to keep | ...the James and Mary from China and Madras and the Greenwich from Bengal, and on that same day arrived the St Kitterin, Captain [...] commander, from Calabar with slaves belonging to the South Sea Company. The commander was in great need, as he said, of some provisions and water. The man of war and four of the Court's noble masters' ships then lay in the road, with more expected daily, so the Council could not supply him with anything but water. Before it permitted him to come into the road, the Council made him bring to and anchor in Rupert's Bay, as set out more fully in the Council consultation of the 6th of April 1723. The Council asks leave to refer the Court to it. 7: The island being in very great want of rice for the feeding of the Court's slaves, and the Council knowing its necessity, was obliged to give them 14s [...]d as their account sent with this will show. The Council has had no rainy seasons for these four years past, and fears the ill consequences of the next. Should it please God to send a moderate year of rain, the backwardness of the preceding years will leave the island inevitably wanting almost all sorts of provisions, in a very miserable and deplorable condition, unless some means is used by the Court's goodness in supplying the island with a speedy relief. The Council presumes there is no better expedient than what may be had from England, so it begs the Court will please to send a large quantity of wheat, and to order the Court's ships to be kept... Interpretations The passage continues a Council general letter to the Court of Directors, the treatment of the St Kitterin from Calabar repeating the standing rule on shipping in want at a crowded road. With the man of war and four Court ships already lying at James Bay and more expected, the Council confined the slave ship to an anchorage at Rupert's Bay beyond the castle's guns, the same control applied to vessels of uncertain standing or foreign account. The ship carried slaves for the South Sea Company, the Calabar source long judged at St Helena the worst sort, named in the despatch of 12 November 1714 as the ground for drawing future slaves from Angola, Madagascar or Bengal. Paragraph 7 sets out the structural food crisis behind the renewed plea for supply from England, the four years without a rainy season threatening the yam crop on which the slave establishment and the garrison depended. The purchase of rice at 14s a hundredweight for the slaves, against the want of any home-grown reserve, marked the failure of the island's self-supply through a run of dry years on a moderate-climate island where the unwatered valleys yielded nothing without rain. Speculations The Council's request for a large quantity of wheat from England, rather than rice from the Indian presidencies, rested on the judgement that the home supply offered the surer relief against a famine the eastern stations could not be relied on to meet in time. The choice fixed the remedy on the Court's direct power to load a store ship, set against the chance arrival of a Madagascar or Bengal vessel, and tied the island's survival through the drought to a stock the Court alone could order shipped on a fixed schedule. | ||
124V | Double the Quantity of Rice they used to doe in India for our Decade Assureing your honn[...] [...] hee thirds of the Inhabitants doe now want Yams to feed themselves and Familys and all occasioned by these long droughts 8. Our Crane being very much out of repair notwithstanding all our Care from time to time to strengthen it as much as possible Wee begg your honn[...] will be pleased to send us a new one ready Framed or at least the most materiall parts of it and plank to change it with Blocks and Sheaves and what also makes us the more pressing is because Capt Edwards (or his Officers) Cutt those four peeces sent by him into eight peeces soe that they could be of noe use to us toward the repair of our Crane and for which they were Indebted as wele by the exceptions made on his Bill of loading and our Consultation of the 6th of July 1722. 9. Wee formerly wrote to Bengale for a Small Supply of Wax or Wax candles But the Gentlemen there not sending us any and wee being in great want have bought 202 of Candles of Capt Hotfright at 2[...]e [...] or else wee must have gone without 10. Upon perusal of your honn[...] Severall Lettre relateing to the fenceing in of the great Wood and particularly those of the 14 March 1701 By Ship Charles the 2 of the 11th of Jan[...] 1709. by the Thistleworth and of the 22 Feb[...] 1716. by the Sucsesse Wee have communicated the same to Governor Lyke and desired his Opinion thereon and have resolved to Sett | The Court's ships were to be kept supplied with double the quantity of rice they used to carry in India for the Court's account. 8: The Court's crane being very much out of repair, despite all the Council care from time to time to strengthen it as much as possible, the Council begs the Court will please to send a new one ready framed, or at least the most material parts of it, and plank to make it, with blocks and sheaves, and whatever else. What makes the Council the more pressing is that Captain Edwards, or his officers, cut those four pieces sent by him into eight pieces, so that they could be of no use to the island toward the repair of the crane. For these the Council was indebted, as it was by the exceptions made on his bill of lading and the Council consultation of the 6th of July 1722. 9: The Council formerly wrote to Bengal for a small supply of wax or wax candles. The gentlemen there not sending any, and the island being in great want, the Council bought 292 candles of Captain Cockburne at 2s [...]d, or else it must have gone without. 10: Upon reading the Court's several letters concerning the fencing in of the Great Wood, and particularly those of the 14th of March 1701 by the Charles, the 11th of January 1709 by the Thistleworth, and of the 22nd of February 1716 by the Success, the Council has communicated the same to Governor Pyke and asked his opinion on it, and has resolved to set about... Interpretations The passage continues a Council general letter to the Court of Directors, paragraph 8 setting out the failure of the Court's crane and the want of materials to repair it on an island with no skilled craft of its own. The crane stood at the landing as the means of working bale goods ashore, its repair tied to the standing complaint of no carpenter and no timber. Captain Edwards, master of the Drake and earlier of the Susanna, had cut the four timber pieces consigned for the crane into eight of lesser scantling, so they served no use, the shortfall endorsed on his bill of lading and entered in the Council consultation of 6 July 1722 against the freight. Paragraph 10 invokes a chain of Court letters on enclosing the Great Wood, the wooded high ground above the cultivated valleys long pressed for fencing to save the timber from the cattle. The reference to Governor Pyke, the predecessor whose long administration ended on 13 June 1719, marks the consultation of his advice on a project the Court had ordered across more than twenty years, the letter of 22 February 1716 by the Success being the one whose paragraph-by-paragraph reply the Council had completed by the King William on 6 January 1718. Speculations The Council's record that Captain Edwards cut the four consigned timbers into eight unusable pieces, set against the pressing want of a crane repair, fixed the blame for a failed delivery on the master's own act rather than on any island neglect. The detail anchored the charge to a specific waste endorsed on the bill of lading, turning a structural shortage into a documented case for charging the captain debtor under the bill of lading enforcement programme, the loss laid to the freight and not to the administration. | ||
125R | About and fence in the Same according as soon as conveniently wee can for we all agree it is a very necessary peice of worke Aqua[...] noned more fully in our Consultation of the Noble Instrucat to which wee begg leave to refer your honn[...] for your better Satisfaction 11. By the Enfeild Capt Right wee Shipt on board 2 Chests of Goods No 1.2 & two oz fitt of Tea N[...] 1.2 and on board the Townsend Capt Worth one Chest more N[...] 3. and one Boxe N[...] 4. All Marked E.I belonging to our late Govern[...] Pitt sent to Chen[...] s[...] have now Shipt on board the Princesse Amelia Capt Misnor 2 Leagt of Battania track and two Leagt more on board the Lyell Capt Smale and have taken the Comm[...] receipts for the same But upon Consideration Since wee wrote to Mr Heath by the Townsend of Mr Johnsons will wee are something doubtfull whether in strictnesse of Law wee can be Justified in the Execution of the trust thereby in us reposed by that will and have acquainted Mr Heath with the same & supposeing the will not to be good wee humbly crave the favour of your honn[...] to cause proper recp[...] on our behalfe to be taken in the [...] of Mr Heath as well for [...] money due to Mr Johnson as for his goods and effects aforesaid for our indemnification and begg your honn[...] will excuse our troubles therein 12. Capt Cockborne Comm[...] of his Majestys Ship the Rocks applyed to us desireing wee would receive 100 in Cash he had by him into Your hon[...] Acct of Cash aforesaid to give him bills of Exchange for the same which wee were more inclinable to doe out of an intent | The Council resolved to set about the work and to fence in the Great Wood as conveniently as it could, since it found a very necessary piece of work, as set out more fully in the Council consultation of the Great Wood enclosure. The Council begs leave to refer the Court to it for its better satisfaction. 11: By the Enfield, Captain Rigby, the Council shipped on board two chests of goods, numbers 1 and 2, and two casks of tea, numbers 1 and 2. On board the Townsend, Captain Wood, it shipped one chest more, number 3, and one box, number 4, all marked E.D, belonging to the late Governor Johnson. Likewise the Council has now shipped on board the Princess Amelia, Captain Misener, two leaguers of Batavia arrack, and two leaguers more on board the Lyell, Captain Smale, and has taken the commanders' receipts for the same. Upon consideration since the Council wrote to Mr Heath by the Townsend about Mr Johnson, the Council is something doubtful whether, in strictness of law, it can be justified in the execution of the trust placed in it by that will. The Council has acquainted Mr Heath with the same, and supposing the will not to be good, humbly asks the favour of the Court to cause proper receipts to be taken on the Council behalf, both of Mr Heath as well as for money due to Mr Johnson, and for his goods and effects, for the Council indemnification. The Council begs the Court will excuse its trouble in it. 12: Captain Cockburne, commander of Her Majesty's ship, applied to the Council, desiring it would receive £100 0s 0d in cash he had by him into the Court's account, as set out, to give him bills of exchange for the same. The Council was more inclinable to do it out of an intent to... Interpretations The passage continues a Council general letter to the Court of Directors, paragraph 11 recording the dispersal of consignments and the late Governor's effects across separate homeward ships. The chests, tea casks, box and arrack marked for the Court or for the estate were split among the Enfield, the Townsend, the Princess Amelia and the Lyell, with the commanders' receipts taken as the recoverable audit trail at India House. The goods marked E.D belonged to the late Governor Edward Johnson, who died on 16 July 1722 and was succeeded by Edward Byfield, the balance of £87 18s 11d due to him to be paid to Thomas Heath as his London representative. The Council's doubt over the validity of Johnson's will, set out in the same paragraph, marked the legal hazard in administering a deceased Governor's estate without a sound instrument. The request that the Court take formal receipts both from Heath and for the money and effects due reflected the need to protect the Council against any later claim, the indemnification turning on documents the Court alone could secure in London. Captain Cockburne's offer in paragraph 12 to pay £100 0s 0d in cash into the Court's account against bills of exchange answered the standing want of a circulating medium on a cashless island. Coin brought ashore by a calling commander was scarce and valuable, since the outward ships tended to carry it off, so the Council's readiness to take it turned idle money into a London claim while keeping the metal in local circulation. Speculations The Council's hesitation over the execution of Johnson's will, set against its earlier letter to Heath by the Townsend, managed the risk that an invalid instrument would leave it personally answerable for the late Governor's goods and money. By asking the Court to take proper receipts on both sides, the Council shifted the legal exposure to the body that held the funds in London, anchoring its own protection to formal acknowledgements rather than to a will it judged might not stand. | ||
125V | To oblidge him than any real want wee shall the money and therefore begg your accep[...] of the said bill dated the 8th April 1723 13. Wee have likewise Drawne 13 Bills of Exchange on your honn[...] Pay[...] to Capt Goof[...] or order for the Sume of 154. 9.0 being for [...] rates and other [...]ad[...] as p his Acc[...] herewith will appear dated as above 14. Wee made a Demand of Mr Lyke for 515. 12. 6 By wee found he stood indebted to your honn[...] at his goeing off hence for Bencoolen upon which he produced a Coppy of the same Acc[...]. Wee sent him and Mr Hubbarts receipt for the same sume at the foot of that Acc[...] a[...] [...] a Coppy herewith Sent your honn[...] will fully appeare Wee are Yo[...] honn[...] St Helena Most Obedient faithfull A[...]ll 9th hen Servt[...] 1723. Edw[...] Bryfeld Jn[...] Alexander Wm Goodwin A List of the packett [...] the Ship Lyell Capt Charles Smale Comm[...] presigned to have been sent by the Lyle[...] N[...] Sentafrust 1 Gov[...] Bloumidshen Lett[...] dated y[...] 6th Apr[...] 1723 2 Duplicate of Genrll Consulthead dated 19 Mar 1722 Duplicate of Consultations from y[...] 18 Dec[...] Extra to y[...] 18 Mar[...] 1722 Inst[...] 4 Coppy of ditto fro[...] 26 Mar[...] to y[...] 28th Apr[...] Just[...] 5 Duplicate of the Lethbullies Invoice in Selling Pric[...] 6 Duplicate of [...] Lett[...] res[...] from y[...] Cape Advisin[...] of 6 Bales of Shirts sent here [...] 7 Duplicate of Goo[...] Johnsons Invectory | ...oblige him than to relieve any real want. The Council therefore begs the Court's acceptance of the bill, dated 8 April 1723. 13: The Council has likewise drawn three bills of exchange on the Court, payable to Captain Goodwin or order, for the sum of £174 9s 0d, being for store goods and other credit, as by his account here will appear, dated as above. 14: The Council made a demand of Mr Pyke for £515 12s 6d, which it found he stood indebted to the Court at his going off from here for Bencoolen. Upon which he produced a copy of the same account. The Council sent him Mr Hubbard's receipt for the same sum at the foot of that account, as by a copy sent with this to the Court will fully appear. The Council remains the Court's most obedient and faithful servants. St Helena, 9 April 1723. Edward Byfield. John Alexander. John Goodwin. A list of the packet by the ship Lyell, Captain Charles Smale commander, designed to have been sent by the Lyell: 1: Governor Byfield's general letter, dated 9 April 1723 2: Duplicate of general letter sent home dated 19 March 1722 3: Duplicate of Council consultations from the 18th of December, Lyell, to the 18th of March 1722 instant 4: Copy of the same, numbers 26 to 28, made up to the 28th of April instant 5: Duplicate of the Lyell letters and invoices, with selling prices 6: Duplicate of the Council letters from the Cape, advising of six bales of shirts sent here 7: Duplicate of Governor Johnson's inventory Interpretations The passage closes a Council general letter to the Court of Directors and opens the packet manifest carried home by the Lyell under Captain Charles Smale. The letter ends with the subscription of the new administration under Edward Byfield, who succeeded as Governor on the death of Edward Johnson on 16 July 1722, signing with John Alexander the secretary and John Goodwin the storekeeper, third and fourth of the Council. The bills of paragraph 13 to Captain Goodwin for £174 9s 0d, and the demand of paragraph 14 on Governor Pyke for £515 12s 6d, settled the outstanding accounts of the storekeeper and of the former Governor who had gone off to Bencoolen, the produced receipt of Mr Hubbard clearing the sum. The numbered list of enclosures is a document manifest rather than a schedule of sums, each item a copy or duplicate of the season's papers bundled for the recoverable chain of custody at India House. The duplicates of the earlier general letter, the consultations and the inventory of the late Governor's effects continued the standing safeguard by which the Council repeated its record across separate hulls, so the loss of any one ship on the homeward passage destroyed no part of the correspondence. Speculations The Council's demand on Governor Pyke for the £515 12s 6d he owed at his departure for Bencoolen, met at once by his production of a copy account bearing Mr Hubbard's receipt, shows the predecessor armed in advance against a charge the new administration was bound to press. The detail anchors the settlement to a specific receipt at the foot of the account, the former Governor having kept the proof of discharge to answer the standing audit of who owed what, so the demand closed on a documented acquittance rather than an open balance. | ||
126R | N[...] 8 Duplicate of his Stewards hire 9 Duplicate of his last Will & Testaments Duplicate of y[...] Hon[...] C[...] Cash in Gov[...] Johnsons hands 10 to the time of his death Duplicate of Gov[...] Bryfelds Acc[...] of y[...] Hon[...] C[...] live 11 Stock to[...] for Doe Jewry & Shirts Cust 12 Duplicate of the Andorten on the Bill of Lading [...] 13 Middlesex Drake for Goods there Deliverd 14 Capt Worths 2 Bill of Excha[...] for £40. 11. 4 15 Capt Rights d[...] for 58. -: 10: 16 Capt Pellys d[...] for 23. 16. 8 [...] 17 Capt Braunds d[...] for 9. 4. Sterl 161. 12. 10 Duplicate of Ships Townshend Middlesex Enfeild 18 Drake & Godfrey for Acc[...] 19 Copy of Ships Lyles Lyel Princess Amelia & Saidwell New Acc[...] in one Bundle 20 Capt Worths Rec[...] for both Packets p Townshend 21 List of the press Pack[...] 22 Copy of Gov[...] Lykes Acc[...] for y[...] year 1719 & Signed [...] Jn. Alexander Hon[...] | 8: Duplicate of his accounts here 9: Duplicate of his last will and testaments 10: Duplicate of the Court's cash in Governor Johnson's hands to the time of his death 11: Duplicate of Governor Byfield's accounts of the Court's live stock, with goods for diet, jewellery and stores list 12: Duplicate of the endorsement on the bill of lading 13: Middlesex and Drake for goods short delivered 14: Captain Worth's second bill of exchange for £40 10s 4d 15: Captain Rigby's second bill for £58 [...]s [...]d 16: Captain Bell's second bill for £23 16s 8d 17: Captain Browne's second bill for £9 4s [...]d, sterling £191 12s 10d 18: Duplicate of ships Townsend, Middlesex, Enfield, Drake and Godfrey for the Lyell 19: Copy of ships Lyell, Princess Amelia and Heathcote new accounts in one bundle 20: Captain Worth's receipt for both packets forwarded 21: List of the present packet 22: Copy of Governor Pyke's account for the year 1719 Signed by John Alexander. The Council addressed the Court of Directors. Interpretations The numbered list completes the packet manifest carried home by the Lyell under Captain Charles Smale, each item a copy, duplicate or bill bundled for the recoverable audit trail at India House. Items 14 to 17 are the four second bills of exchange whose first parts had gone by the earlier conveyance, drawn to Captain Worth, Captain Rigby, Captain Bell and Captain Browne and totalling £191 12s 10d, each half of no effect until its fellow reached London. The papers of the late Governor Edward Johnson, namely his accounts, will, the Court's cash in his hands at his death and his inventory, ran alongside Governor Byfield's account of the live stock and stores, the documentary settlement of an estate left on the Governor's death on 16 July 1722. The endorsements of items 12 and 13 on the bills of lading of the Middlesex and the Drake recorded the rice and goods short delivered, the physical evidence of the bill of lading enforcement programme by which the Council charged a master debtor for cargo consigned and not landed. The copy of Governor Pyke's account for the year 1719 at item 22 closed the chain back to the predecessor administration, the manifest binding the season's correspondence and accounts into a single recoverable bundle subscribed by John Alexander the secretary. | ||
126V | Hon[...]d [...] Gen[...] of his Majest[...] Ship Exeter Dated y[...] 15 Aprill 1723. Our last to your Hon[...] was under date of the 9 Inst. a Duplicate of which shall Transmitt by the next Ship from hence This only Serving to advise your Hon[...] that Wee have Enclosed Capt John Cockburns two first Bills of Exchange Payable to Your Hon[...] for Provisions & Stores rec[...] of Us here for His Majesties Ship the Exeter amounting in the whole in both Setts to y[...] Sume of 89. 17. 4½ dated the 15 Aprill 1723 & Payable at thirty dayes Sight One Sett being drawne on the Rt Hon[...] the Commissioners of his Majest[...] Navy and the other on the Commission[...] for Victualling his Majesties Ships Since the Sailing of the four last Ships Viz The Lyles Lyel Princess Amelia & Sandwich which came on by of first there has Arrived here on the 14 Inst. the Devonshire Capt Prina from Bengale they Marked w[...] the Bouverie off of the Cape & doe Suppose She is gone for thence and may be Expected here in about fourteen dayes Wee have not further to Add than to assure your Hon[...] that Wee are w[...] all due Respects Your Hon[...] most Hum[...] [...] & most obed[...] faithfull Servants Edw[...] Bryfeld Jn. Alexander Wm Goodwin Margin Notes: Capt Cockburne haveing Store[...] desired Us to give him Bills of Exchange on y[...] Hon[...] for £90 100 hav[...] [...] reckons in our last Consult of y[...] 9 Inst Complyed w[...] his desire Inclosed comes y[...] Ship Exeters Acc[...] & Lett[...] of advice relating thereto | General letter by Her Majesty's ship Exeter, dated 15 April 1723. The Council addressed the Court of Directors. The last letter to the Court went under date of the 9th instant, a duplicate of which will be forwarded by the next ship from here. This serves only to advise the Court that the Council has enclosed Captain John Cockburne's two first bills of exchange, payable to the Court, for provisions and stores received from here for Her Majesty's ship the Exeter, amounting in the whole, in both sets, to £89 17s 4½d, dated 15 April 1723 and payable at thirty days sight. One bill is drawn on the Honourable Commissioners of Her Majesty's Navy, and the other on the Commissioners for Victualling Her Majesty's ships. Since the sailing of the four last ships, namely the Lyell, Princess Amelia and Heathcote, which came from here on the [...] instant, there has arrived here on the 14th instant the Devonshire, Captain Prince commander, from Bengal. The Council marked the Bouverie off the Cape, so supposes she is gone for there, and may be expected here in about fourteen days. The Council has nothing further to add than to assure the Court that it remains, with all due respect, the Court's most humble and most obedient and faithful servants. Edward Byfield. John Alexander. John Goodwin. Postscript: Captain Cockburne, having stores, desired the Council to give him bills of exchange on the Court for £100 0s 0d, as by the Council last consultation of the 6th instant will appear. The Council complied with his desire. Enclosed comes Captain Cockburne's account, with the letter of advice concerning it. Interpretations The passage is a short Council general letter to the Court of Directors, carried home by the man of war the Exeter and serving chiefly to forward Captain Cockburne's two first bills of exchange for £89 17s 4½d. The bills were drawn for provisions and stores supplied to the warship, one on the Commissioners of the Navy and the other on the Commissioners for Victualling, the Crown departments answerable for a King's ship rather than the Company's own account. The drawing of the sum in two first bills continued the standing safeguard by which each remittance was sent in parts across separate hulls, each half worthless until its counterpart reached London. The letter opens with the date of the previous despatch and promises a duplicate by the next ship, the recitation continuing the documentary practice of binding the correspondence into a chain whose gaps would show. The subscription under Edward Byfield, who succeeded as Governor on the death of Edward Johnson on 16 July 1722, signing with John Alexander the secretary and John Goodwin the storekeeper, marks the continued administration of the new Governor. The postscript records the £100 0s 0d in cash the warship's commander asked the Council to take into the Court's account against bills, the same transaction set out in the Council consultation of 6 April 1723, turning scarce coin on a cashless island into a London claim. | ||
127R | Hon[...]d [...] Gen[...] Lett[...] p Ship Devonshire Capt Peter Prince Commander 1. The last Wee wrote Your Hon[...] by Your Care Sayling was under date of the 9th Aprill 1723 by the Lyle Captain Charles [...] John Cockburn from China where he left the other Ships the Exeter Cap[...] Worth the Lyle Sailed hence in Company with the Lyles Capt Sma[...] Winter the Princesse Amelia Capt [...]ust Snisnor & the Saidwich Capt Richard Greefright & hope will arrive Safe with You 2. Wee Sent in the Packet p Lyell all Duplicates & Coppies of former Lettre & Consultations with all other Materiall Pap[...] & Acc[...] to that time with four 2d Bills of Exchange then mentioned payable to Your Hon[...] according to which wee [...]hee repeat herein soe in like manner by this Ship Send Your Hon[...] our Setts Coppie of Consultations & Duplicates of the former with all other mat[...]ll & Whatsoever past or being most Consonant Consistent with the Welfare of the Servt[...] & Familie [...] Lyke & Cattle on this Island to the year 1722 with an Acct of Rents & Revenue to the year 1722 also as also of Your Hon[...] Stock with their Severall Acc[...] & Supply with Conjurie an o[...] [...] of [...] of y[...] Store payment in [...] here & begg wee may be Supplyd with very Sp[...]y intirely therein mentioned by the next Ship having needed nothing but what is really Usefull & Sufficient but for our years Expence or a very little time longer & having y[...] Hon[...] Wee Shale be frugall in the Expence as possible with our regard to the presseing or disposing of any of the Store let in what tasketh without present payment for what they buy of us 3. Since On a foresaid Lette by the Exeter Wee gave your Hon[...] an Acc[...] of the Arrivall of the Devonshire Capt Prince who brought the Same Goods from y[...] chest & roads & more fully in our Consultation of the t[...] there hath arrived not till the following Ship to which is to Settl 4. On the 2[...] Instant arrived the Devonshire Capt Peter Prince [...] from Bengale but last from the Cape who were among the following Ships Outward bound viz Duke of Cambridge Capt Smith & Montague Capt Green Princess Anne Capt Chignell Thistford Capt Pelly Cebourn Captain Thorold the Sarum Capt Vaden the Beringten Capt Hunter the Cape Capt Greenham & the Prince Augustus Capt Prince who were p shipping to Saile the next Day after he left the Cape which was on the 1[...] Instant. On the | General letter by the ship Devonshire, Captain John Prince commander. The Council addressed the Court of Directors. 1: The last letter to the Court went under date of the 9th of April 1723 by the Lyell, Captain Charles Smale, and Captain Cockburne, from India, where he was left with the other ships of the man of war. The Exeter sailed from here in company with the Lyell, Captain Smale, Captain Winter, the Princess Amelia, the Heathcote commander, and the Devonshire, Captain Richard Gosfright. The Council hopes will arrive safely with the Court. 2: The Council sent in the packet by the Lyell a duplicate and copies of former letters and consultations, with all other material papers and accounts to that time, with the four second bills of exchange then mentioned, payable to the Court, according to its resolve. The Council repeats here, in the like manner, by this ship, copies of consultations and a duplicate of the former, with all other material papers, and whatever related to subsequent occasions, with the provisions for the late Governor's family. The Council made up the account of the live stock on the island for the year 1722, with the Court's own clock and their several new supply accounts, knowing the necessity of the island. Should it please God to send a store, the Council begs payment of the duty here, and that the island may be supplied with every necessity therein mentioned by the next store ship, having needed nothing but what is really useful and sufficient for two years' expense, or a very little time longer. The Council assures the Court that it will be as frugal in the expense as possible, with due regard to the pressing or disposing of a cargo of the store, without the present payment for what they buy of it. 3: Since the 9th instant, the letter by the Exeter, the Council gave the Court an account of the arrival of the Devonshire, Captain Prince, who brought the Court's goods from the Cape, as set out more fully in the Council consultation of the 14th instant. There has since arrived the following ships, to which the Council has... 4: On the 2nd instant arrived the Devonshire, Captain John Prince commander, from Bengal, but last from the Cape, where she met the following ships: the Catherine, bound for Duke of Cambridge's port, the Stanhope, Captain [...], the Hartford, Captain Nelly, the King George, Captain Lewis, the Princess Ann, Captain [...], the James and Mary, Captain Vaden, the Greenwich, Captain Barnes, the Cadogan, Captain [...], with several others, expecting to sail the next spring, daughter Captain [...]. From here, the Council left the Cape, which came in the 2nd instant. On the [...] day after, she left the Cape, which came in the [...] instant. On the... Interpretations The passage is a Council general letter to the Court of Directors, carried home by the Devonshire under Captain John Prince, opening with the date of the last despatch and the run of ships that sailed in company. Paragraph 2 sets out the duplicate technique by which the Council repeated its consultations, papers and accounts across separate hulls, the four second bills sent by the Lyell and the whole record resent by this ship, so the loss of any one bottom on the homeward passage destroyed no part of the correspondence. The provision for the late Governor's family marks the continued settlement of the affairs of Edward Johnson, who died on 16 July 1722 and was succeeded by Edward Byfield. The renewed plea for supply by the next store ship in paragraph 2, with the request that the duty be paid at the island and that the cargo be taken without present payment, ties the want of provisions to the four-year drought pressed in the letter of 9 April 1723. The shipping intelligence of paragraph 4 records the Devonshire's passage from Bengal by way of the Cape and the catalogue of ships she met there, the homeward fleet still coming last from the Cape rather than the island road, the grievance long argued by the Council that the resort to the Dutch anchorage drew the trade from St Helena and exposed the Court's ships to the peril that had wrecked three of them. | ||
127V | the same day arrived as Sup[...] with the Newport from the Island of China on the [...] of [...] haveing on board no th[...] Charles Chignor who formerly lived here & being in great want of Water Wee gave them the[...] leave to come into the Road & take in Same with a Caution to make ye quick Despatch as poss[...]ble Soe that the Said Quill or Ships haveing not been able to comp[...]at this affaire haveing not met Lyle Send Sail Yesterday the 26th Instant 5. On the 21st Instant arrived the Eagle Brigantine from the Cape where she haveing been denyed Water was obliged to put in here for a Supply she haveing Mediterranian p[...]p[...] this year the Captain leave to come into the road for the takeing in the same distinct Sailing here So[...] [...] as p[...] requisite Wee left Coppy of these Lettre on the 25th Instant to order them to saile w[...] he did this Morning early 6. Wee begg leave to remind your Hon[...] of the two also gave You in our last Lyle & doe thro all Aprill Lettre to the miserable & deplorable Condition this Island is in & the ill Consequence is a fear the want or the backwardness of[...] of the rainy Seasons & want of Rain & that y[...] will the will[...] for Supply the will the Wheat & the Stores aforesaid & for the Supply of other Particulars more presented for as also with a new Crane & other Materials contained in the 8th paragraph of our former Lette 7. In pursuance to your Hon[...] Severall Instructions & Orders relating to the fenceing in the Great Wood & Care to for selves Representation to Governor Lyke & the other Gentt thereon three on Monday last & have wood & doe y[...] the fenceing as soon Sort of the all the Sea or Point which is the Strongest of the Wood & would in a few years become Forrest & when the great Hardship of whether young Stocks of Cow we presume there Wood will to Set forth & inclose another part that is liberal pthin of Wood & when both that go to we will adopt the Goat all Care able Soe seemes to comply with your Hon[...] Desire in fenceing the whole which when done will be effectualy his Commendable & very Advantageous price of Wee 8. Wee begg the favour of your Hon[...] by the next Sone Viz to Send the again fitt for feeding [...] our soe being fitt y[...] for Our Sale[...] it & haveing had noe[...] for these three years past & a Spare Tree & Scaffolding is very much desired by the Lord of the Shipping Wee had Safe guard for the Wee happen to be the Sooner Supply 9. This Years Shipping arriving here Soner than Usual & Sailing before so quickly & the Backwardly & the Saplargers being taken off & the Mediterr[...] length homely to a Sone Storm with Spirits & here without other hindrance could by no | The same day arrived the ship the Nugent from the island of St Prince, on the coast of Guinea, having on board Captain Charles [...], her surgeon, who formerly lived here. Being in great want of water, the Council gave the master leave to come into the road and take in some, with a caution to make a quick despatch and be gone, since the Council had ships of war daily expected here, and could not complete their affairs. The Council met its list, and sailed for Guinea on the 26th instant. 5: On the 21st instant arrived the Eagle brigantine from the Cape, where she, having been denied water, was obliged to put in here for a supply, owing to the Mediterranean passage for this year. The Council gave the captain leave to come into the road for the watering, but with a caution against sailing here for any season expected. With the last of these, a letter on the 27th instant, the Council ordered them to sail, which it did this morning early. 6: The Council begs leave to remind the Court of the four last letters gone by this conveyance, set up to the 9th of April, setting out the miserable and deplorable condition of the island, both of the Court's company and of the inhabitants, by the backwardness of these seasons. The Council renews and repeats again its earnest plea, both with the wheat and the necessary stores, with also for the supply of other companies, now expected, as set out, with a new crane and other materials wanted in the 8th paragraph of the Council prior letter. 7: In pursuance to the Court's several instructions and orders concerning the fencing in of the Great Wood, and on the resolution set out in the Council consultation of the 8th instant, thereon on Monday last the Council viewed and surveyed the fencing in of a great part of it at the place near the Peak, which is the strongest, since the wood would in a few years decay otherwise, where the young hands set up the young stacks of trees on ground three winters back to set forth, and enclose another part, since it is the principal thing of wood. When both these grew, the Council adopted the proper plan to enclose them, becoming to comply with the Court's order in fencing the whole, since the inhabitants will be the better by it, as the commanders' duty in any decent expense, paid in wheat. 8: The Council begs the favour of the Court, by the next store ship, to send a great supply of timber and plank, since the Council, being deficient for any goods, and the seasons having been worse for these three years past, and a store of tar and victualling, is very much desired by the Court of the shipping. The Council asks justice for the wheat supply to be the sooner supplied. 9: The season's shipping arriving here sooner than usual, and sailing before so quickly, after the Catherine and the Stanhope being taken off by the troubles, at length, having to spare some, with great loss, since without other guidance, could by no... Interpretations The passage continues a Council general letter to the Court of Directors, paragraphs 4 and 5 recording the treatment of ships in want at a crowded road during the season's arrivals. The Nugent from the island of St Prince on the Guinea coast and the Eagle brigantine from the Cape were each allowed water only and ordered to make quick despatch, the standing control applied to vessels of foreign or uncertain account while the Court's own ships and the men of war were daily expected. The brigantine had been denied water at the Cape, the Dutch anchorage failing the ship the Council long argued the island road could better serve. Paragraph 6 renews the famine plea pressed across the four letters to 9 April 1723, the want of wheat and stores tied to the run of dry seasons that had left two thirds of the inhabitants short of yams. The reference to a new crane and materials in the 8th paragraph of the prior letter recalls the failure of the Court's crane and Captain Edwards's cutting of the consigned timbers into unusable pieces. Paragraphs 7 and 8 carry the Great Wood enclosure forward from the Court's orders of 14 March 1701, 11 January 1709 and 22 February 1716, the fencing begun at the strongest ground near the Peak to save the timber from decay and the cattle, with the work paid in wheat for want of coin. Speculations The Council's choice to begin the Great Wood enclosure at the place near the Peak, named as the strongest ground, set the limited labour against the part most worth saving rather than attempting the whole woodland at once. The detail anchors the decision to a specific stretch where young trees had been set three winters back, the staged fencing answering a project the Court had ordered across more than twenty years without the hands to complete it, the strongest section secured first as a working response to a standing instruction the island could not fully meet. | ||
128R | no meanes get the Inventory of the Remaining Arms Complained without Subjecting himself to many more therein to be Settled by the Ship which Wee expect from Bombay 10. Wee have at the request of Governor Heath p Cockensp[...] on with the Sum of 154 he Standing him out of your Hon[...] Cash of which he gave Us when his Hon[...] Wrote 22[...] to and pay[...] the money given them by his honneso for the [...]ate[...] Witho[...] of Bencoolen out of which sum Mr John Worth p[...] [...] [...] the[...] Dest due to your Hon[...] & William Worth pr [...]nu y[...] Demanding his Debt for which Sum p[...] Acc[...] sent Witho[...] [...] [...] [...] of Exchange payable to Your Hon[...] dated the 27th day of this present the first p[...] sent Us herewith Transmit 11. Wee made a Demand of Governor Heath here for the Mony which Acc[...] Examination wee found of the Hon[...] Company we[...] to be indebted to your Hon[...] for which Acc[...] he sent [...]at [...] Settle that doe with Your honnors England which Acc[...] also Wee herewith Transmit you 12. Wee have drawn on Your Hon[...] p [...]ay[...] Bills payable to Edw[...] Pay[...]ld for the Sume of 50 being for [...] [...] [...] this y[...] dated the 25th April 1723 being for Sallary due to him in fort Stork Books of Acc[...] here 13. Likewise an other Sett of Bills payable for [...] Capt John Wellington as p firstinforce Servts for the Sume to [...] dated the[...] 27th April 1723 to receive p[...] which to your Hon[...] Cash must in y[...] Books here 14. Herewith Transmit Setts drawn [...]apt Cockburne 2 Second Setts of Exchange drawn the Commiss[...] of his Victualling & Navy Office amounting to the Sume of 89. 17. 4½ & payable to Your Hon[...] p Drawn out on the Exch[...] do[...] Sett the 15 April 1723 15. Wee have likewise drawn on Your Hon[...] 14 1st Bills p[...]me payable to Capt John Some[...] [...]vd[...] [...]elfd p[...] [...]allar Sum of 154. 9. 0 being for Sallary due to him into Your Hon[...] Cash here & dated the 27th April 1723 So your honnors that Wee are St Helena 27th April 1723 Your Hon[...] most Humb[...] & most obed[...] & most faithfull Servt[...] | ...by no means get the inventory of the remaining store, without subjecting himself to many more charges therein to be entered by this ship. The Council expects them against the departure of the rest of the ships from Bombay. 10: The Council made a demand of Mr Goverson Pyke for the supply of yams getting out of the Court's account, with the sum of £515 12s 6d, of which he stood to refund to the Court [...] Wheat 22s [...]d, as by his account of the bond entered, and as by his account given him by the storekeeper. The Court being indebted to him, John Wheat the storekeeper drew the bills of exchange, payable to the Court, dated the first instant. The Council herewith transmits... 11: The Council made a demand of Mr [...] Heath here for the money, which Mr [...] stood indebted to the Court at his going off, and that, being indebted to the Court, [...] to settle that account with the Court in England, while [...] will here transmit... 12: The Council has drawn on the Court [...] bills, payable to [...] dated the 1st instant, being for stores due to him in Fort St George's books, as it now stands. 13: The Council's draft on the other set of bills, payable to Captain Wellington, as a quittance for the money, to be dated the 27th of April 1723, to be paid for stores. The Council remits to the Court the bills. 14: Herewith transmits Captain John Cockburne's second bill of exchange drawn on the Commissioners of Her Majesty's Victualling and Navy office, amounting to the sum of £89 17s 4½d, payable to the Court, as set out, on the 6th instant, dated 15 April 1723. 15: The Council has likewise drawn three bills, payable to Captain John [...] for the same sum of £100 0s 0d, as set out, as by the consultation into the Court's account of the 6th instant, dated 27 April 1723. The Council remains the Court's most obedient and most faithful servants. St Helena, 27 April 1723. Edward Byfield. Interpretations The passage closes a Council general letter to the Court of Directors, the paragraphs settling outstanding accounts through bills of exchange drawn on London. The renewed demand of paragraph 10 on Governor Pyke for the £515 12s 6d he owed at his departure for Bencoolen carries forward the same balance pressed in the letter of 9 April 1723, the storekeeper's bills turning the Court's debt to him into a recoverable claim. Captain John Cockburne's second bill of £89 17s 4½d, drawn on the Commissioners of the Navy and of Victualling for stores supplied to the man of war, follows the first sent by the Exeter, each half of no effect until its fellow reached London. The bills of paragraph 15 for £100 0s 0d to the warship's commander record the cash he asked the Council to take into the Court's account, the transaction set out in the consultation of 6 April 1723. The whole closes with the subscription of Edward Byfield, who succeeded as Governor on the death of Edward Johnson on 16 July 1722, the drawing of each remittance in second parts continuing the standing safeguard by which sums were sent across separate hulls against the loss of any one ship on the homeward passage. | ||
128V | List of the Packet p Ship Devonshire Capt Lawrence Prince Command[...] 1 Gen[...] & Councils General Lettre dated y[...] 27th Aprill 1723 2 Duplicate of Gen[...] Lettre p Lyel dated the 9th Aprill 1723 3 Duplicate of General Lettre p his Majesties Ship Exeter Capt Cockburn Comm[...] dated the 15th Aprill 1723 4 Duplicate of Consultations from 26th March 1723 to the 8th of April following inclusive 5 Copy of Consultations from the 16 Aprill to the 17th day of Aprill 1723 following 6 Duplicate of Ship Lyles Lyel Sandwich & Princess Amelia Generall acc[...] in one bundle 7 Duplicate of his Majesties Ship Exeter Acc[...] 8 Duplicate of Govern[...] Lykes acc[...] for the Year 1719 with [...]r Hubbards receipt for the Sum therein mentioned 9 Copy of Doctor Tomlinsons acc[...] for D[...] Year 10 Capt Smale Receipt for the Packet Capt Cockburns 2 Bill of Exchange drawn & directed to 11 the Commissioners of the Navy Office for 19. 17. 8½ with an[...] Certificate Capt Cockburns 2 Bill p Excha[...] drawn on the Comiss[...] of the 12 Victualling office for 70 both payable to the Honble Company & dated 15th April 1723 with as above 13 List of the present Eaters at the Generall Table & Lower Table 14 List of Families Land & Cattle for the Year 1722 15 List of Rents & Revenue for D[...] Year 16 List of the Honble Companies Blacks with their Ages & Employm[...] taken the 16th Aprill 1723 17 Indent of goods & Stores wanting on the Island St Hellena 18 Surgeons Indent of Medicines Sent apart 19 List of Colours March 24th 1722 20 List of Soldiers dated D[...] time 21 Gov[...] Acc[...] of Effects Rent & Expence for the Month March 22 Gov[...] Hon[...] acc[...] of [...] for the year 1722 23 Ships drawn Effects & Stores rec[...] Sp[...] Sundrey weeks Hon[...] Setts of Exchange payable to the Kings 24 Company for 22. 11. 8 Ster[...] dated the 27th April 1723 with his Lettre of advice directed to Sr Nathaniel Goold | List of the packet by the ship Devonshire, Captain Lawrence Prince commander. 1: Governor and Council's general letter, dated 27 April 1723 2: Duplicate of general letter by the Lyell, dated the 9th of April 1723 3: Duplicate of general letter by Her Majesty's ship Exeter, Captain Cockburne commander, dated the 15th of April 1723 4: Duplicate of consultations from the 26th of March 1723 to the 8th of April following, inclusive 5: Copy of consultations from the 16th of April to the 27th day of April 1723 following 6: Duplicate of ship Lyell, Heathcote and Princess Amelia general account in one bundle 7: Duplicate of Her Majesty's ship Exeter's account 8: Duplicate of Governor Pyke's account for the year 1719, with Mr Hubbard's receipt for the sum therein mentioned 9: Copy of Doctor Thomlinson's account for the year 10: Captain Smale's receipt for the packet 11: Captain Cockburne's second bill of exchange, drawn and directed to the Commissioners of the Navy office, for £19 17s 8½d, with another certificate 12: Captain Cockburne's second bill of exchange, drawn on the Commissioners of the Victualling office, for £70 0s 0d, both payable to the Court and dated 15 April 1723, with as above 13: List of the present eaters at the General Table and Lower Table 14: List of families, land and cattle for the year 1722 15: List of rents and revenue for the year 16: List of the island's company's blacks, with their ages and employment, taken the 16th of April 1723 17: Indent of goods and stores wanting on the island, with selling prices 18: Surgeon's indent of medicines wanted apart 19: List of slaves, March to the 14th 1722 20: List of debts, dated 24th 1722 21: Governor's account of his rents and expenses for the month of March 22: Governor's account, dated for the year 1722 23: Ship's draught office and the invoices of 1722 24: Captain Worth's first bill of exchange, payable to the King's Company for £23 16s 8d sterling, dated the 27th of April 1723, with the letter of advice directed to Sir Nathaniel Gould Interpretations The numbered list is the packet manifest carried home by the Devonshire under Captain Lawrence Prince, each item a copy, duplicate, list or bill bundled for the recoverable audit trail at India House. The repeated duplicates of the general letters by the Lyell, the Exeter and the consultations continue the standing safeguard by which the Council resent its record across separate hulls, so the loss of any one bottom on the homeward passage destroyed no part of the correspondence. The accounts of the late Governor Edward Johnson and of Doctor Thomlinson, the chaplain whose accounts ran with his writer brother, close the settlement of estates left on their deaths. The administrative returns of items 13 to 22 give the Court its yearly picture of the island, the roll of eaters at the General Table, the list of families, land and cattle, the rents and revenue, and the company's blacks with their ages and employment. Captain Cockburne's two second bills of items 11 and 12, drawn on the Navy and Victualling offices for £19 17s 8½d and £70 0s 0d, are the counterparts of the first parts sent earlier, the King's ship answered by the Crown departments. The first bill of item 24 to the King's Company, with the letter of advice to Sir Nathaniel Gould, ties a remittance to a named London merchant who financed a master's outward investment, each half of no effect until its fellow reached London. | ||
129R | Hon[...]d Sirs Gen[...] Lett[...] p the Lawrence Dated y[...] 3[...] Iuly 1723 Our last opportunity of Writing to your Honnors was by the Devonshire Capt Lawrence Prince Commander under date of the 27th Aprill 1723. on w[...] Day he Sailed hence for England & by her Wee Sent Duplicates of all Papers contained in the List of the Packet by the Lyel Capt Charles Smalle with Copy of Our Consultations List of Families Land and Cattle for the Year 1722 List of Rents & Revenue for that Year List of Your Honnors Blacks with their Severall Ages & Employments List of Salary Indent of Stores then wanting in the Island with all other Materiall List and Acc[...] contained in the Packet by the Devonshire a Duplicate of which & of all Copy of Consultations to the 28th day of May & all other materiall Papers to that time herewith in a Seperate Parcell Marked N.1. & Copys of the Consul[...] tations from the Said 28th May with all herefsing Copys and Acc[...] come in parcell Marked N.2. On the 24th May last arrived here from England the Ship Essex Captain Jonathan Sommers Comm[...] with the Most Sale[...] John Smith Esq[...] Govern[...] & a Cargo of Goods & Merchandize Consigned to us from the Honble Court of Directors with a Packet & Gen[...]ll Lettre dated the 14th of February 1722 which in Obedience to Your Hon[...] Directions Wee have now to do Govern Selves the Honour of Answering Paragraph by Paragraphes soe as possible We can & therein to give Your Hon[...] as true & impartiall Acc[...] of the most Materiall Parts of our respective Dutyes as they occur or are required of Us 1. As to the first Paragraph of Your Hon[...] Lettre wee dont at present perceive any farther therein required nor and tell than to assure Your Hon[...] of our utmost Zeal & | General letter by the Cadogan, Captain Lawson commander, dated 3 July 1723. The Council addressed the Court of Directors. The last opportunity of writing to the Court went by the Devonshire, Captain Lawrence Prince commander, under date of the 27th of April 1723, on which day she sailed from here for England. By her the Council sent duplicates of all papers contained in the list of the packet by the Lyell, Captain Charles Smale, with copies of the Council consultations, a list of families, land and cattle for the year 1722, a list of rents and revenue for that year, a list of the Court's blacks with their several ages and employments, a list of salary, an indent of stores then wanting on the island, and all other material lists and accounts contained in the packet. By the Devonshire the Council also sent a duplicate of these, with copies of all consultations to the 28th day of May, and all other material papers to that time, here transmitted in a separate parcel marked number 1, with copies of the consultations from the 28th of May, with the present copies and accounts, sent in parcel marked number 2. The ship Essex, Captain Jonathan Sommers commander, arrived here from England on the 23rd of May last, bringing the Worshipful John Smith Esquire as Governor and a cargo of goods and merchandise consigned to the Council from the Court. The Council received the Court's directions, with a packet and general letter dated the 14th of February 1722. In obedience to the Court, the Council was now to answer it paragraph by paragraph, as well as it could, and therein to give the Court a true and impartial account of the most material parts of its respective duties as they occurred, and as required by it. 1: As to the first paragraph of the Court's letter, since the Council is at present of no very further occasion required, it can tell the Court no more than to assure it of its utmost zeal... Interpretations The passage opens a Council general letter to the Court of Directors, carried home by the Cadogan under Captain Lawson, beginning with the date of the previous despatch and the catalogue of papers already sent. The recitation of duplicates by the Devonshire and the Lyell continues the standing safeguard by which the Council resent its consultations, lists and accounts across separate hulls, the loss of any one bottom on the homeward passage destroying no part of the record. The parcels marked number 1 and number 2 divide the consultations by date for the recoverable audit trail at India House. The arrival of the Essex under Captain Jonathan Sommers bringing the Worshipful John Smith as Governor marks the next change of administration, the Council having been under Edward Byfield since the death of Edward Johnson on 16 July 1722. The Court's general letter of 14 February 1723, carried out by the new Governor, set the agenda for the season's reply, the Council undertaking to answer it paragraph by paragraph under the Court's own heads, the standing method of the new administrations of citing precedent and date and answering each charge in order. | ||
129V | fidelity for the Promoting your Interest in every Respect & Obeying the Spirituall Good of the Island as well in the Suppression ente as to the Administration of Justice to the Inhabitants & preserving Peace & Tranquility amongst them 2. Wee acknowledge Your Hon[...] former Instructions from time to time as so plain & full that wee doe not only needless but trouble to your Hon[...] to repeat them so often and as to the Omissions or Failure in our Dutyes of which Your Hon[...] have given reason to take Notice of in former Lettre & take them most an apoligys for in the 3d Paragraph of [...] dated the 24th December 1722. Wee Shall take all imaginable Care to prevent future Complaints of that or the like Nature 3. In Pursuance of Your Hon[...] Directions in the third Paragraph Governors p in the Commission was produced in the Usuall manner & then entred upon the Execution of his Office of Govern[...] who reads with the rest of the Council proceed to read over the Generall Lettre delivered into Council & gave them p[...]ut & Necessary Orders to Capt Cockburne for Landing the Goods on Store Consigned to Us with all Expedition and as Mr Tomlinson was dead & Mr Bryfeld Succeeding him he with the rest of the Council gave Governor Smith Such Information & Directions from time to time as the Nature of the Case & Conveyence of Affaire then under their Care & Management did require 4. Wee are extreamly pleased to hear of your Hon[...] receiving the Severall Lettre Sent here & inclosed in y[...] 4th Paragraph with Duplicates by other Ships by which at least that of the Sunderland Wee gave Your Hon[...] as full an Acc[...] of all Materiall Matters as Wee were then Capable of, and hope they met with your Hon[...] Approbation & gave You true Satisfaction more particularly to Each Part of the | ...fidelity for the promoting of the Court's interest in every respect, in upholding the spiritual good of the island, as well in the enjoyment of justice to the inhabitants, and in preserving peace among them. 2: The Council acknowledges the Court's former instructions from time to time, so plain and full that it needs not only nothing, but is no trouble to the Court to repeat them so often. As to the omissions or failures in its duty, of which the Court had reason to take notice in former letters, and which it might on a repetition of in the 3rd paragraph of its letter dated the 24th of December 1722, the Council took all imaginable care to prevent future complaints of the like nature. 3: In pursuance of the Court's directions in the third paragraph, Governor Smith, in the commission, was proclaimed in the usual manner, and then entered upon the execution of the office of Governor. He read over the general letter delivered into Council, and gave the just and necessary orders to Captain Cockburne for landing the goods on shore consigned to the Council, with all expedition. The late Governor Johnson having died, and Mr Byfield succeeding him with the rest of the Council, Governor Smith gave such information from time to time as the nature of the case, and the carrying on of affairs then under their care and management, did require. 4: The Council is extremely pleased to hear of the Court's receiving the several letters it sent home, as set out in the Court's 4th paragraph, with duplicates by other ships, by which at least that of the Sunderland gave the Court as full an account of all material matters as it was possible. The Council hopes they met with the Court's approbation, and gave it a better satisfaction, more particularly to the Court's... Interpretations The passage continues a Council general letter to the Court of Directors, the paragraphs answering the Court's letter of 24 December 1722 head by head under the standing method of the new administration. The Council's acknowledgement in paragraph 2 of past charges of omission, and its claim to have taken care against future complaint, marks the defensive posture of an administration answering an audit, the reference to the Court's 3rd paragraph fixing each reply to the head it addressed. The proclamation of Governor Smith in paragraph 3 records the formal entry of the new Governor, who read his commission and took the office on the arrival of the Essex. The landing of the consigned cargo by Captain Cockburne, and the briefing given by Governor Smith on the state of affairs, mark the orderly transfer from the administration of Edward Byfield, who had succeeded on the death of Edward Johnson on 16 July 1722. Paragraph 4 answers the Court's acknowledgement of the letters received, the duplicate by the Sunderland under Captain William Hutchinson having carried the general letter of 5 January 1722, the repeated record across separate hulls the standing safeguard by which the Council guarded its correspondence against the loss of any one ship on the homeward passage. | ||
130R | Lettre as wee formerly omitted & having in the 2d Paragraph of this already given Your Hon[...] the assurance of our Endea[...] & Fidelity in the future Management of our Trust stated for the Repetition in this Paragraph 5. Your Hon[...] Directions in your 5th Paragraph Shall as opportunity Offers be fully Complyed with 6. The Governor in Answer to Your Hon[...] desire assured You he will take due Care to peruse all your Hon[...] Lettre & Instructions soe as to inform himself the better to put them in Execution as often as occasion requires 7. The Same assurance begins your Hon[...] relating to the Examining all due[...] & what farther relate to each Servts particular in Employment Charily on occasion yet to Supplied of any so as fully mentioned in your Hon[...] 7th Paragraph & hope he shall haveing occasion to put those Orders therein rested in Execution which by each Servts due attendance to their aforesaid Busines may be easily prevented or which they are Sensible can but be a pleasure to themselves as well as a great Satisfaction to your Hon[...] 8. Your Hon[...] standing order & Liberty given to each of the Council here in Entring this Busses in Consul[...] tation in Case of Dissenting being written in our memour[...] that Wee Soe all alwaye in such occasions have due regard thereto and Endeavour to avoid the least manner of dispute or hands hardin avelling under pretence of refusall on any Privileges & designed by Your Hon[...] for better Ende 9. Your Hon[...] farther Directions in the Methodizing the Books of accounts & our Duty pursuant thereto acquainted You with Shall be punctually observed & if Your Hon[...] will please to Remember all our former Acc[...] sent in Answer to Your Hon[...] find we have Endeavoured & branch under it proper that & an even a Complyance with former Orders as possibly Wee could 10. The Generall Hints mentioned in the 1st Paragraph of Your Hon[...] Lettre for our better Guidance in future | ...letters as were formerly omitted, and having, in the 2nd paragraph of the Court's letter, set out its fidelity in the future management of its own affairs, as set out for the repetition in the 2nd paragraph. 5: The Court's directions in its 5th paragraph shall, as opportunity offers, be fully complied with. 6: Governor Smith, in answer to the Court's 6th paragraph, assured the Court that he would do his utmost care to peruse all its letters and just notices, and would do all to inform himself the better, to put them in execution as often as occasion required. 7: The same assurance is given as to the Court's letter relating to the examining of accounts, and whatever else relates to each examination in employment, scarcely on occasion yet to be supplied, if any, as fully set out in the Court's 7th paragraph. Governor Smith hopes he shall have no occasion to put those orders into execution, which by each Councillor's attendance to their respective business may be easily prevented, in which the Council is sensible it cannot but be of pleasure to themselves, as well as a great satisfaction to the Court. 8: As to the Court's standing orders and liberty given to each of the Council here in entering this matter in consultation, in case of dissenting, being written in the Council minutes, the Council shall always, in such cases, have due regard thereto, and endeavour to avoid the least manner of dispute or hasty gardening, selling under the pretence of relieving a provision, as designed by the Court for a better end. 9: The Court's further direction in the methodizing of the books of accounts, in duty obliges the Council to acquaint the Court, and shall be punctually observed, as if the Court will please to be deciphered at one of the next letters, in answer to the Court, so as to find it has here charged, as it stands, with it, and to prepare what answer in compliance with former orders as possibly the Council could. 10: The general lists mentioned in the 11th paragraph of the Court's letter, for the Council's better guidance in future... Interpretations The passage continues a Council general letter to the Court of Directors, answering the Court's letter of 24 December 1722 head by head under the standing method of the new administration. Each numbered paragraph takes up the corresponding head of the Court's letter, the replies of paragraphs 5 to 7 turning chiefly on assurances of compliance with directions on perusing the Court's orders and examining the accounts. The undertaking in paragraph 7 that each Councillor's attendance to his business would prevent any need for correction marks the answer of an administration to an audit of negligence, the failures of the previous accounts long pressed by the Court. Paragraph 8 records the standing right of any Councillor to enter a dissent in the consultation minutes, the formal safeguard by which a member could register opposition to a resolution and protect himself from later blame. The reference to selling under the pretence of relieving a provision touches the recurring grievance over the planters' private trade and the leakage of the Court's stores. Paragraph 9 answers the Court's direction on methodizing the books, the reform of the accountant's office that had run through the backward accounts of the previous administrations, the new Governor Smith undertaking to bring the bookkeeping to the Court's required form. | ||
130V | begg also with the other Directions & maner of Writeing Subsequent to the preceeding Paragraphs Wee Shall remember to take Notice of & Endeavour as far as in Us lye to follow them as any other Wee Shall brought be honored with and so of Complyance herewith Wee proceed in the Case of Shipping & what else Shall properly under the first Head First concerning Shipping Returned & Sent or Sending Out 11. Wee heartily Congratulate Your Hon[...] on the happy Arrivall of Your Severall Ships Cap[...] Year from India the List of them being the same & many mentioned in the 6th Paragraph of Your Hon[...] Lettre there hath arrived & Departed hence Since So Saide the following Ships which Wee hope are all Safely arrived before this time flong t[...] 12. The Cavan Capt Mecbet from Mocha arrived the 16th Dec[...] 1722 & departed the 26th following the 17th February Wee had a double Alarm for 21 Ships passing by the Island Supposed to be Dutch On the 6 of March arrived the Townsend from Mocha On the Enfeild Drake & Headhrass from Madrass & on the 7th the Godfry from Bonro but all last from the Cape & on the 19th following the 5 last named Ships departed. On the 26th following arrived the Lyel from China & on the 30th Wee had a double Alarm for 17 Sayles of Dutch Shipps passt by in Sight of the Island. On the 1st Aprill arrived the 2dn[...] Man of Warr from Bombay & the Princess Amelia from China & on the 2 arrived the Lyles Fredwich from Madrass & the St Quintin from Cebenda On the 7th the St Quintin Sailed for Bencoo[...] & soe & on the 9th following departed the Lyes Lyles Fredwich & Princess Amelia. On the 14th arrived the Princess & on the 17th departed the Exeter Man of Warr On the 20th arrived the Devonshire & a Sloop called the Newport | ...together with the other directions and manner of writing subsequent to the preceding paragraphs. The Council shall remember to take notice of, and to endeavour as far as in its power to follow them, in any other the Council shall observe to be concerned with, and as of compliance herewith, the Council proceeds in the case of shipping, and whatever else falls properly under the first head. First, concerning shipping returned and sent off, or sailing out. 11: The Council heartily congratulates the Court on the happy arrival of its several ships, Captain Gosfright from India, the list of them being the same as set out in the 4th paragraph of the Court's letter. There has arrived and departed here since the Court's letter the following ships, which the Council hopes are all safely arrived before this time. 12: The Cadogan, Captain Mabbot, from Mocha, arrived the 16th of December 1722, and departed the 17th of February following. The Council had a double alarm for ships passing by the island, supposed to be Ostend ships. On the 6th of March arrived the Townsend from Mocha, on the Enfield, Drake and Middlesex from Madras, and on the 11th the Godfrey from Bombay, but last from the Cape. On the 14th following the five last-mentioned ships departed. On the 26th following arrived the Lyell from China, and on the 30th the Council had a double alarm for seventeen sail of Dutch ships passing by in sight of the island. On the first of April arrived the man of war from Bombay, and the Princess Amelia from China. On the [...] arrived the Eagle, Devonshire from Madras, and the St Quintin from Calabar. On the 7th the St Quintin sailed for Guinea, and on the 9th following departed the Lyell, Exeter, Devonshire and Princess Amelia. On the [...] arrived the Princess, and on the 17th departed the Exeter man of war. On the 20th arrived the Devonshire, and a sloop called the Nugent... Interpretations The passage continues a Council general letter to the Court of Directors, opening the head of shipping returned and sent off under the Court's own division of subjects. The catalogue of paragraph 12 records the season's arrivals and departures ship by ship, the homeward fleet still coming last from the Cape rather than the island road, the grievance long pressed by the Council that the resort to the Dutch anchorage drew the trade from St Helena. The double alarms for Dutch and Ostend ships passing in sight mark the standing watch kept against foreign sail, the Ostend venture met head on when the House of Austria falsely assumed the name of the Court's China ship on 4 March 1720. The arrival of the St Quintin from Calabar with slaves, and her quick despatch to Guinea, repeats the rule on shipping in want at a crowded road, the Calabar source long judged at St Helena the worst sort named in the despatch of 12 November 1714. The man of war and the run of Court ships expected together fixed the control on a vessel of foreign or uncertain account, the catalogue serving the Court its yearly picture of the traffic through the island as the standing record by which the Council answered for its dealings with every calling ship. | ||
131R | from China On the 21st a Brigantine from the Cape On the 26th departed the Sloop & on the 27th Early in the Morning departed the Brigantine & in the afternoon of the Same day departed the Devonshire & Devonshire 13. On the 28th of May arrived the Essex who departed the 17th June following & on the 24 arrived the Sarum from Bombay by which Ship Wee have received the [...] following Price of Your Hon[...] Ships on that Coast viz[...] 14. That the 29th day of January when he left Bombay the Hamborough was not Arrived from Persia that on the 8th of February the Ranonn was at the Nuera off of the high Land of Basselor that on the 9th the King George was well at Billesbeing bound for Bombay from China that about the middle of February the Bengall Yatch was at Anjengo bound for Bombay with Rice & that the other two of at the[...] were about the Coast 15. The Cargo of Goods & Stores laden by Your Hon[...] and Sent here on the Essex Wessel we wikely to have wood in Good Order according to Invoice & Bill of Lading and very acceptable & good a Copy of the Said Invoice with the Selling Price afresh Sort & Quantitie of Goods is enterd in Our Consultation Book of the 25th of June and having put as great an Advantage on the whole as possibly the Goods could bear amounting to abve 50p[...] Cent Wee hope Your Hon[...] will be pleased therewith & as to the Expence & Selling them out Wee Shall Act with as much frugality & Caution as Wee they were actually our own Goods the Honble Party Wee Sent in Our Packet to the President & Council of Fort St George according to Your Hon[...] Orders 16. Our Endeavours to dispatch her in the Usuall time of her Working Dayes has noe wanting Wee haveing assisted the Capt with our Long Boat & Crew & men to take Care of her & haveing received all the Goods and Store before that her Working dayes now Expird & got all our Lettre & Dispatch ready & which Wee delivered to the Capt according to Your Hon[...] former Instruc tions to avoid Your Paying Demurrage as may appear this Our Consultation of the 1st March 1723 & shall in no farther & called Stores to the Sloop | ...from Guinea. On the 21st a brigantine from the Cape. On the 26th departed the sloop, and on the 27th early in the morning departed the brigantine, and in the afternoon of the same day departed the Devonshire and Discovery. 13: On the 28th of May arrived the Essex, which departed the 17th of June following. On the 24th there arrived from Bombay the Greenwich, by which ship the Council has received the Court's following advice of its ships on that coast. 14: That on the 29th day of January, when she left Bombay, the Stalkbourg was not yet arrived from Persia. That on the 8th of February the Hanover was at Anjengo off the high land of Bencoolen. That on the 9th the King George was well at Tellicherry, bound for Bombay from China. That about the middle of February the Bengall ketch was at Anjengo, bound for Bombay with rice. That the other two ships, if at sea, were about the coast. 15: The cargo of goods and stores laden by the Court, and sent here on the Essex, was very welcome to have come in good order, according to its invoice and bill of lading. It was very acceptable, and a good copy of the same invoice, with the selling prices of each sort and quantity of goods, is entered in the Council consultation book of the 25th of June. Having put as great an advantage on the whole as possibly the trade could bear, amounting to about 50s, Captain Wright hopes the Court will be pleased with it, and as to the expense and selling them out, the Council will act with as much frugality and caution as it can, since they were already the Court's own goods. The chintz parcel the Council sent in its packet to the President and Council of Fort St George, according to the Court's orders. 16: The Council endeavoured to despatch her, in the despatch time, of any timber the Council was wanting, having assisted the captain with his long boat and coxswain, to take care of her, having received all the goods and stores before these ten days, and gave them quick despatch, in which the Council delivered to the captain, according to the Court's former instructions, to avoid the Court paying demurrage, as may appear in the Council consultation of the 1st of June 1723. Whatever no further wanted is called relating to the store... Interpretations The passage continues a Council general letter to the Court of Directors, paragraphs 13 and 14 carrying the shipping intelligence brought by the Greenwich under Captain John Barnes from Bombay. The Council relayed the Court's own ships ship by ship, the Stalkbourg, the Hanover, the King George and the Bengall ketch reported at Persia, Anjengo and Tellicherry, the standing service by which a calling commander passed the eastern news westward through the island. The catalogue gave the Court the latest state of its bottoms on the Indian coast before the arriving ships could be expected home. Paragraph 15 records the receipt of the cargo brought by the Essex under Captain Jonathan Sommers, the goods entered with their selling prices in the consultation of 25 June 1723. The Council's note that it priced the goods at the highest the trade could bear, and would sell them with frugality since they were the Court's own, marks the standing tension between the store monopoly and the private market. Paragraph 16 sets out the quick despatch given the ship within the contracted time, the loan of the longboat and coxswain and the order to clear within ten days continuing the charter party reform by which the Council guarded the Court against paying demurrage for delay. | ||
131V | Wee Shall always have & due regard to Such Orders as the gentlemen of the Secret Committee Shall think fitt to Send Wee & Observe them as fully as if Signed by the whole Court in Obedience to Your Hon[...] 17th Paragraph 18. Wee have perused the two Acts of Parliament relating to the interloping Trade so unsafe & prejudiciall to Your Hon[...] & Shall take particular Care to follow both your former & late Orders touching that affaire and Act with the Same Zeal & Fidelity for y[...] Hon[...] Interest as Wee did by Severall of the aforesaid Ships that touched here Sometime Since 19. It has always been & Shall be Our Constant Care to Supply your Hon[...] Shipping with all Such Necessities & Provisions on the Island afforded one here at more or above the Market Price nor did Wee wee deny or refuse the Companie Shipping being with in Supply any Sort of Provisions of the Island nor so Wee at present so any reason why Wee Should denie them from Goods a Little Since Wee took that Sup[...] any Care to favor those of them who were in Debt to Your Hon[...] to pay m[...] Part of the Mony they doe their Little or other Provisions Soe into Your Cash toward Expecting those Said Debt & when any of them are to take leave to go on board any English Ship they Colours or wee mee denyed soe That to be Care not to grant them leave Soe go whenever they Please that Wee shall have advised will not to buy any Goods of the Captaine either for Stores Cattle Cloth or any other Supply but what Wee really want so what Wee Stand in need of of the Stores & because they have Sometime insisted upon high Prices Wee have either Chosen to take Bills Payable to Your Honnors & Sent by Capt Worth & Setts to Speed other Setts by his Majesties Ship Exeter & Shall Continue to Send y[...] of their Severall Acc[...] by all Conveyances assureing Your Hon[...] nothing shall be wanting on Our Parts to quicken them in their Dispatch hence & Shall Punctually observe what | 17: The Council shall always have due regard to such orders as the continuance of the Secret Committee shall think fit to send the Council to observe them, as fully as if signed by the whole Court, in obedience to the Court's 12th paragraph. 18: The Council has weighed the two Acts of Parliament relating to the interloping trade, as unfair and prejudicial to the Court. It shall take particular care to follow both the Court's former and late orders concerning that affair, and act with the same zeal and fidelity for the Court's interest, as it did by several of the Ostend ships that touched here some time since. 19: It has always been, and shall be, the Council's constant care to supply the Court's shipping with all such necessaries and provisions as the island affords, and even at, or more or above, the market price, nor did the Council deny or refuse the Company's shipping anything, neither in buying any sort of provisions of the island, nor as the Council is at present, for any reason why it should debar them from goods. The Council took that strong care to favour those of them who were in debt to the Court, to pay most part of the money they had, then a little in other provisions, into the Court's account, toward clearing those debts. When any of them desired to go on board any English ship, they obtained their leave, or were not denied, but that the Council was not to grant them leave to go whenever they pleased. The Council shall have due regard not to buy any goods of the captain, either for stores, parcel 3rd, or any other supply, but what it really wanted, as what it stands in need of at the store, since they have sometimes insisted upon large prices. The Council has likewise drawn the bills, payable to the Court, and sent by Captain Wright a set, besides another set by Her Majesty's ship Exeter. The Council shall continue to send copies of their several accounts by all conveyances, assuring the Court that nothing shall be wanting on its part to quicken them in their despatch, and shall punctually observe... Interpretations The passage continues a Council general letter to the Court of Directors, the paragraphs answering the Court's letter head by head under the standing method of the new administration. Paragraph 17 records the deference owed the Secret Committee, the inner body of the Court whose orders carried the force of the whole, the channel by which the Court's confidential instructions reached the island. Paragraph 18 takes up the two Acts of Parliament against the interloping trade, the Council undertaking to enforce the monopoly as it had against the Ostend ships, the venture met head on when the House of Austria falsely assumed the name of the Court's China ship on 4 March 1720. Paragraph 19 sets out the standing practice of supplying the Court's shipping at or above the market price, and the careful management of debtor commanders. The Council's account of taking part payment from masters in debt to the Court, and of limiting their leave to board English ships, marks the recovery in kind by which it drew money and provisions into the Court's account against outstanding balances. The caution against buying goods of a captain except what the store really wanted answers the recurring complaint of masters forcing high prices, the bills sent by Captain Wright and by the Exeter continuing the remittance device by which sums were drawn on London and sent across separate hulls. | ||
132R | farther relate to their goods Sevuity mentioned in your Hon[...] 19th Paragraph as well of the Ponies & Donkie can Each or Severall from any Ship that arrive here in Obedience to Your Hon[...] 19th Paragraph Secondly concerning Goods or Stores Sent from England So Sent from India 20. As to Your Hon[...] standing Order touching Good or Store that delivered or Damage Consigned to Us either from England or India and mentioned in Your 20th Paragraph Wee Shall take especiall Care to follow & observe them as Saiting Rules as well to Goods Us as to Cause an ace very Complyance from the Commanders who Some time have Damnied and refused to make the Satisfaction on Your Hon[...] Acc[...] for thing of of this Nature 21. Your Hon[...] Orders relating to the Priceing of Goods received from England or India & mentioned in your Hon[...] 22d Paragraph hath been duely Complyed with as the Same in Our Consultations from time to time will plainly Shew & Shall be Continued 22. By the Small Quantitie of Goods & Store lately Indented for (& of which a Duplicate come ) your Hon[...] will find nothing therein but what be really wanted & what Wee Judged Would be but for our Spare Expence So that Wee begg a Supply of every Article & Quantity and as to the remaining Store the Inventory herewith Sent with fully Shew them when Wee mee a farther Indent & Wee Shall Wee be plaine to follow Your Hon[...] Orders to give You the best Satisfaction Wee can Thirdly Touching Your Honours Servants Civil or Military the Acc[...] of St Helena in General & also concerning Your Slaves Cattle Lands & Revenues 23. Your Hon[...] Directions from time to time & more particularly mentioned in your 24th Paragraph touching the Yearly Acc[...] & Servt[...] Lyk[...] required hav[...] our yearly Sent as the | ...further relates to their great zeal, set out in the Court's 19th paragraph, as well as the provisions and stores received from any ship that arrives here, in obedience to the Court's 18th paragraph. Secondly, concerning goods or stores sent from England, to be sent from India. 20: As to the Court's standing orders concerning goods or stores that are delivered or damaged when consigned to be sent here from England, and as set out in the Court's 20th paragraph, the Council shall take special care to follow and observe them, in supplying rules as well to goods, and as to cause any necessary complaint against the commanders who from time to time have damaged and refused to make satisfaction, on the Court's account, for anything of this nature. 21: The Court's orders relating to the pricing of goods received from England or India, and set out in the Court's 22nd paragraph, have been duly complied with, as well as set out in the Council consultations from time to time, with the plenty of these, and shall be continued. 22: By the small quantity of goods and stores lately indented for, of which a duplicate comes, the Court will find nothing therein but what is really wanted, and what it judged would be best for the Court's own expense, so that the Council begs a supply of every article and quantity. As to the remaining stores, the inventory herewith sent will fully show them, when whatever is further indented for it shall be able to follow the Court's orders, to give it the best satisfaction it can. Thirdly, concerning the Court's servants, civil or military, the account of St Helena in general, and also concerning the Court's slaves, cattle, lands and revenues. 23: The Court's directions from time to time, and more particularly set out in the Court's 24th paragraph, concerning the account of the Court's servants, civil and military, which it required have been yearly sent, as set out... Interpretations The passage continues a Council general letter to the Court of Directors, the paragraphs answering the Court's letter head by head and opening two of the Court's own divisions of subjects. Paragraph 20 takes up the bill of lading enforcement programme, the Council undertaking to charge debtor any commander who delivered goods short or damaged and refused to make satisfaction, the standing device by which a master was held answerable at the island price for cargo consigned and not landed. The recent case of Captain Edwards cutting the four consigned crane timbers into unusable pieces, endorsed on his bill of lading in the consultation of 6 July 1722, was the worked instance of the charge. Paragraph 22 sets out the indent of stores, the Council pressing that it asked nothing but what was really wanted for the Court's own expense, with a duplicate sent against the loss of either copy on the homeward passage. The opening of the third head, concerning the Court's servants, slaves, cattle, lands and revenues, marks the yearly returns by which the administration gave the Court its full picture of the island. The undertaking in paragraph 23 to send the account of the civil and military servants answers the Court's standing requirement of an annual roll, the same returns of families, land, cattle and blacks bundled in the packet by the Devonshire. | ||
132V | Packet by the Devonshire & Duplicates now Sent will appear and as to all other Particulars that being money into Your Cash with the Annuall Charge of y[...] Hon[...] Blacks will further appear to You in the Late Books of Account the manner & method of which Wee hope will meet with Your Honnors Approval By the List of Blacks with their Ages & Employments Your Hon[...] will perceive there are Severall already hired to Handycraft Trades & as Wee find any growing up whose Genius leads that way Wee Shall take Care to Employ them accordingly & have not only them but all the rest Care to their Businesse at each Plantation where wee have at least Men Causion or purposes for that one & as to their Usuage both in Clothing & Victualling them Wee have see that take all the Care imaginable At Pres[...] the Sloop was here from Guinea there are afew of our Sort of Guinea Yams got out of her & for an Experiment are planted in Several Plantations on this Island which Doe all at present Seem to Spring up very well but how they will take Wee are not yet able to acquaint Your Hon[...] & if it Should meet with the like Opportunity Wee will Endeavour to procure more for a further Tryal & promise them all Wee can 24. What farther relate to the Severall Houses & Acc[...] mentioned in Your Hon[...] 25th Paragraph have been duely Complyed with & Some of them being Entred in Our Consultation Books & Orders for after Same that are listed in other Books We hope will give You Your Hon[...] entire Satisfaction & shall Shall be Continued to be fully observed in future 25. The Acc[...] of your Hon[...] Severall Plantations the Expence thereof & of their Stock is duely every month brought into Consultation & examined & then Entred & at the Yeare End the Generall Acc[...] in like manner all which will appear in Our Severall Consultations already & now Sent & doubt not of making it manifest Wee have Complyed with Your Hon[...] Orders & Instructions | ...by the Devonshire, and duplicates now sent, will appear. As to all other particulars, that being money put into the Court's account, with the annual change of the Court's blacks, will fully appear to the Court in the latter books of account, the manner and method of which the Council hopes will meet with the Court's approval. By the list of blacks, with their ages and employments, the Court will perceive there are several already bred to handicraft trades. As the Council finds any growing up, where genius leads that way, it shall take care to employ them accordingly, and has not only them, but all the rest bred to their business at each plantation, where the Council has at least one man chosen on purpose for that use, as to their usage both in clothing and victualling them. The Council has done all that lies in the care imaginable. As to the Nugent, the sloop that was here from Guinea, there were a few of one sort of Guinea yams got out of her, by an experiment, and planted in several plantations on this island, which do all at present seem to spring up very well. But how they will take, the Council is not yet able to acquaint the Court. If it should meet with the like opportunity, it will endeavour to procure more for a further trial, and from any place that the Council can. 24: Whatever further relates to the several lists and accounts mentioned in the Court's 25th paragraph have been duly complied with. Some of them, being entered in the Council consultation books and orders, are set out, after a manner that the Council looked at in other books. The Council hopes it will give the Court entire satisfaction, and it shall be continued, to be fully observed in future. 25: The account of the Court's several plantations, the expense thereof, and of the live stock, is duly entered every month in the Council consultations. As received and then entered, and at the year's end the general audit is taken in like manner, all of which will appear in the Council several consultations already, and now sent. The Council does not doubt of making it manifest that it has complied with the Court's orders and instructions. Interpretations The passage continues a Council general letter to the Court of Directors, the paragraphs answering the Court's letter head by head under the third division concerning the Court's servants, slaves, cattle and revenues. The account of the company's blacks in their ages and employments, with the note that several were already bred to handicraft trades, marks the standing programme of raising skilled labour from the slave establishment on an island that could not import the carpenters and masons it wanted. The European tradesmen had long refused to teach the slaves their crafts lest their own dependence be lessened, so the Council's keeping of one man at each plantation to train the others answered a chronic want of skilled hands. The note on the Guinea yams brought from the Nugent records the standing practice of taking fresh planting stock from any calling ship for the agricultural programme, the island's whole yam crop traced to a chance handful the slave woman Maria carried from the coast of Guinea and planted at John Powell's Lemon Garden. Paragraphs 24 and 25 set out the monthly entry of the plantation accounts and the yearly audit in the consultations, the bookkeeping reform by which the new administration brought the records to the Court's required form, the backward accounts of the previous regimes long the ground of the Court's complaint. | ||
133R | Your Hon[...] repeated Orders & Contained in Your 27th Paragraph touching Transferr hath been for Some time & is punctually observed as will appear in Our Consultations of the 13th & 14th of Aprill & the 3 of such following which method Wee Shall pursue with Pleasure according to Your Hon[...] aforesaid Orders 27. The Information given the Present Governor in your Hon[...] 28th Paragraph wee full that he take a right view of the Intent thereof of what relate therein to the Item of Specie of Money & Cash Notes which now Passe Current among the Planters & all other either in Payments for Goods or for Salaries or any other Privile but if Wee should meet with any Person refuseing them Wee Shall be done to put Your Hon[...] Orders in Execution 28. Haveing in Our former Lettre more particularly that by the Cavan dated the 24th Dec[...] 17 22 wrote You our full fully relating to Debt due to You & Transfuldis List of the Same it is think it doubt to trouble your Hon[...] with a farther Expedition only to assure You that Wee Shall Continue to get in all Such Debt as are owing to Your Hon[...] as Soon as possible & that by the Lyel Sett by the Devonshire & & Duplicate thereof ( by this Ship also Sent ) they will appear to be much Lesser & even those who were still Tagervike & Vined in the 37th Paragraph of Our aforesaid Lettre by the Cavan will be Consoll to Pay the whole So Speedily as they can But the People of the Island being very poor Wee feared will be Some time before the whole Debt will be discharged Yet Wee find any not using their Endeavour to before that Debt as they doe can Wee that take of about Care to inform them yet not without Mildness & Civility 29. The One Hundred Pounds according to Governor Smith and the £50 to Mr Giles the Chaplain Shall be paid according to your Hon[...] Directions in Paragraph 30 & 31 30. Your Hon[...] Orders for Priding on Consultations was firmly by doubtless very same as not so nothing at all from Entries thereon by your Hon[...] better Satisfaction hath been punctually obeyd & what Wee promise shall be exactly observed for the future for nothing can be more Pleasing to Us soe much desired as the meeting with Your Hon[...] kind Expression & Commendation in Our Proceedings | 26: The Court's repeated orders, contained in its 27th paragraph concerning transfers, have been for some time punctually observed, as will appear in the Council consultations of the 13th and 14th of April. The Council shall pursue this method of such following, which it will please, according to the Court's orders. 27: The information given by the present Governor in the Court's 28th paragraph is so full that he has a slight idea of it, which relates to the sum of series of money and cash notes, which now passes current among the planters, as well as others in payment for goods, either salaries or any other credits. Should the Council think it best with any person refusing them, it shall be done to put the Court's orders in execution. 28: Having, in the Council former letters, more particularly that by the Cadogan dated the 24th of December 1722, with a fully relating to debts due to the Court, and a copy of the same, the Council thinks it sufficient to trouble the Court with a further expedition, only to assure the Court that it shall continue to get in all such debts as are owing to the Court, as soon as possible. By the lists sent by the Devonshire, and a duplicate thereof by this ship, as also by this conveyance, they will appear to be much less, and even those who were once in arrears. As named in the 37th paragraph of the Council letter by the Cadogan, the Council will confess to pay the whole so speedily as it can. The people of the island being now very poor, the Council will be some time before the whole debts can be discharged. The Council shall, if any not using their endeavour to lessen those old debts as they best can, do all that lies of due care to inform them, yet not without mildness and lenity. 29: The £100 0s 0d account to Governor Smith, and the £50 0s 0d to Mr Giles the chaplain, shall be paid according to the Court's directions in its paragraphs 30 and 31. 30: The Court's orders for taking on consultations, very fully and doubly, since the same is not as nothing yet, but from entries thereon, the Court should take better satisfaction, has been punctually observed. Whatever the Council promises, it shall be exactly observed for the future. Nothing can be more pleasing to the Council, or more desired, than meeting with the Court's kind expressions and commendations on its proceedings. Interpretations The passage continues a Council general letter to the Court of Directors, the paragraphs answering the Court's letter head by head and closing several of the Court's outstanding concerns. Paragraph 26 records the reform of the transfer book, the custom by which private creditors had assigned doubtful paper to the storekeeper for full store credit long judged the principal mechanism corrupting the Court's accounts. The note that no transfer now passed but in consultation, entered in the records of 13 and 14 April, marks the procedural safeguard answering the grievance that had figured across the previous administrations. Paragraph 28 carries forward the debt recovery pressed in the Council letter by the Cadogan, the universal indebtedness of the planters tied to the run of dry seasons that had left the island very poor. The Council's undertaking to draw in the debts with mildness, rather than seize the plantations of the deepest debtors, answers the want of any buyer on the island able to take the land, the recovery in kind by which it converted money owed into labour, cattle and yams. The bills of paragraph 29 for £100 0s 0d to Governor Smith and £50 0s 0d to Mr Giles the chaplain answer the Court's directions on the new servants' allowances. | ||
133V | Fourthly Touching Our Fortifications Buildings and Garrison Stores 31. In our aforesaid Lettre by the Cavan under date of the 24th December 17 22 Paragraph the 44th Wee gave Your Hon[...] An Acc[...] of the Fortifications being all finished and also of the Additionall Store Roome which being likewise finished Wee had Discharged all the Masters & Clerks ( & that all their remaining Debt was Secure ) So that y[...] Wee employ now but Some of Your Hon[...] Fort Blacks in Repaire alterations & other Necessary Workes in & about the Said Fortifications 32. The Generall Annuall & Monthly Acc[...] of Garrison Stores either given out Expended and Remaining the duely Examined & Entred in Our Consultations and Shall Continue the Same as Your Hon[...] direct &c Fifthly Touching the Civil Government off the Island or the Productions thereof in Generall and what Concerns any of the Inhabitants 33. Your Hon[...] Standing Order for Fenceing in the Plantee Land & Planting of Trees which they will both grow up as Underwood & Benefitt & which conducement to the generall good of the whole Island as well as to the bettering & Improving every mans Estate Since the Bettering Wood Plantation & preserving the Earth from Bleak & Bleaghing Winds that Wee Should blame our Selves if Wee Shall neglect to come so going on so going an order or Wee shall take a farther & more particular Care in obeying & putting them in due Execution as Wee were oblidged y[...] in all ace[...] Land it is good to any Person there being a Clause always inserted in their | Fourthly, concerning the Court's fortifications, buildings and garrison stores. 31: In the Court's letter by the Cadogan, under date of the 24th of December 1722, paragraph 44, the Council gave the Court an account of the fortifications being all finished, and also of the additional storehouse room, which, being likewise finished, the Council had discharged all the plantation blacks, so that all their remaining diligence is secure. So that wages were employed on nothing but some of the Court's fort blacks in repairs, alterations, or other necessary works in and about the fortifications. 32: The summer general and monthly accounts of the Court's stores, either gone out, expended, or remaining, the Council has duly entered into its consultations, and shall continue the same, as the Court directs. Fifthly, concerning the Court's government of the island, or the productions thereof in general, and what concerns any of the inhabitants. 33: The Court's standing orders for the fencing in of the Great Wood, and the planting of trees, where they will best grow, is so material and beneficial, which the Council recommends to the general good of the whole island, as well as to the bettering and improving every man's estate. Since the felling of the Court's blacks, and preparing the earth from black, and the ploughing of land, the Council should blame its slaves if it should neglect to come or going on, setting an order on it. The Council shall take a further and more particular care in observing and putting them in due execution, as the Council was without timber on all, since the land that is good to any place, there being a charge always incurred in them... Interpretations The passage continues a Council general letter to the Court of Directors, opening two of the Court's own divisions of subjects under the standing method of the new administration. Paragraph 31 reports the completion of the heavy works carried forward from the fortification programme of the previous regime, the curtain extension, the half-moon and the new storehouse room finished within the fixed continuance of hands. The discharge of the plantation blacks once the works were done, leaving only the Court's fort blacks on repairs, marks the staging of the slave labour by which the building was pressed to a conclusion before the hands returned to the plantations. Paragraph 33 carries the Great Wood enclosure forward from the Court's orders across more than twenty years, the fencing and replanting tied to the soil erosion long diagnosed at the island, where the felling of the mountain wood had exposed the ground to wind and rain and blasted the fruit of the unwatered valleys. The Council's recommendation of the work to the general good, and its undertaking to set the slaves to the fencing and ploughing, answers a standing instruction the island had never had the hands to complete, the timber long wanted and the replanting ordered fence first against the goats and cattle of the waste. | ||
134R | Leases to Plant Preserve Maintain & keep up the full Pro[...] portion of Wood & Fine according to the Law for Planting of Such Wood ) in that Case made & Provided & the rooting of Water into their Several Plantations is of Such cost & ruin to their Provisions & without which none in many Place will give that no Person or other Care on Our Part Shall be want[...] ing to effect so usefull a Work 34. In Answer to Your Hon[...] 36 Paragraph Wee Crave leave to Say that if you had fewer Blacks to Maintain as well as Cattle to Pasture then Wee Should readily acquire with Your Hon[...] in the Letting out good Part of Your Land now in Your Own Hands but the Less Stock with the Disposition Your Hon[...] made in the Plantee taking as unreasonable Renters or Cottilek they have been too apt to do for raising the Price of their Yams & their Provisions when Your Hon[...] on Tilly Wee really want Wee cannot See any Possibility how Your can divest but the whole Quantity of Land & Plantations now in Your Hon[...] Possession 35. What relate farther to the Preserving the Standing Militia of the Island Wee wrote as fully in the 2 Paragraph of Ours of the Sunderland dated the 5th of January 1721 in Answer to your Hon[...] by the Drake that Wee abovesaid to build Your Honnors with a farther Answer on that Subject unlesse be to assure You Wee shall endeavour what Wee can to prevent the Lessening of Land by those who have already great Quantities so that Wee let out any of Your Hon[...] Land & Stock be to none but the most Industrious & other Pers[...] who Stand in most need of warm So are now so by Some of Our Consulta[...] tions will appear Wee have lately done 36. Wee duely acknowledge Your Hon[...] hath Sometime Since had great reason to remind us of a wanting of Severall chiefly occasioned by the Religious Things of Sion that we removed since among Us soe as it is a Duty in incumbent on Us to preserve Peace & Tranquility So we Shall whenever Wee have a real Cause Wee will none but Such offences as by fair meanes cant & provide upon to Amend 37. Wee cannot but with Some Pleasure assure y[...] Hon[...] that that two of Drunkenness which your Hon[...] [...] Memo[...] of in your 38th Paragraph is not so before this time so very | ...leases to plant, preserve, maintain and keep up the full proportion of wood and trees, according to the law for the planting of such wood in that case made and provided, and the clearing of water into the several plantations is of such use, known to their provisions, and without which none in many places will grow. So that no person, on the Council part, shall be wanting to effect so useful a work. 34: In answer to the Court's 36th paragraph, the Council begs leave to say that, if it had fewer blacks to maintain, as well as cattle to pasture, then it would readily acquiesce with the Court's view in the letting out good part of those lands now in the Court's own hands. But the less stock, with the disposition the Court made in the planting, taking an unusual disadvantage, since Carolina they have been so apt to do in raising the price of their yams, and their provisions, when the Court, on truly the resentment, was once at any difficulty, since the Court can demonstrate the whole quantity of land and plantations now in its possession. 35: Whatever relates further to the preserving the standing militia of the island, the Council was so fully in the 2nd paragraph of one of the consultations after the 5th of January 1721, in answer to the Court by the Drake. With it, according to both of the Court's commands, with a further answer on that subject, suffice it to be to assure the Court that it endeavours, what it does the utmost the liberty of land to those who have already great quantities. So that, since it does not let out any of the Court's lands, and shall be to none but the most industrious and other persons who stand in most need of want, as it may appear by some of the Council consultations, will appear the Council has lately done. 36: Most duly the Council acknowledges the Court's several times, since it had great reason to remind it of acquainting it of those, chiefly occasioned by the religious people, that one removed fine among them, as it is a duty incumbent on it to preserve peace and tranquility. So the Council shall, whenever it has a real cause, since it now, but such offences as by fair means it cannot, and provides upon to amend. 37: The Council cannot but, with some pleasure, assure the Court that the disturbance which the Court complained of, set out in the Court's 38th paragraph, is not in this island... Interpretations The passage continues a Council general letter to the Court of Directors, the paragraphs answering the Court's letter head by head under the fifth division concerning the government of the island. Paragraph 34 sets out the Council's resistance to letting out the Court's own plantation lands, the argument turning on the planters' standing combination to raise the price of their yams whenever the Court fell short. The keeping of the lands and the stock in hand answered the deliberate strategy by which the Council had rebuilt the herds and the yam reserve to break the planters' hold on the establishment's provisions, the combination to withhold breeders long pressed as a defence weakness. Paragraph 35 carries forward the militia preservation pressed in the consultations after 5 January 1721, the restraint on engrossing planters tying property to the obligation of defence. The Council's undertaking to let the Court's lands only to the most industrious and the most in need marks the anti-engrossing land policy, the concentration of land in a few wealthy hands long judged to weaken the island's defence, since dispossessed soldiers and poorer planters with nothing to lose would make a feeble stand. Paragraphs 36 and 37 take up the clerical unrest, the disturbance the Court complained of traced to the religious faction, the channel of anonymous attack through the chaplain's circle that had run through the previous administrations. | ||
134V | why now Can be prevented hereon Wee Shall be of the cost Wishing to Discountenance or Discourage or Penniciers as bad that Pride or bask to the impairing their Health as well as for Strengthning their Small Estate be enioid also & that Wee Shall always endeavour to distinguish the Sober & Spady thoues by Countenanceing & Encouradging them all we can & soe to that Wee Supply them with but for the Store so no more than such Small Quantity as Wee enjoy they may noe for themselves & Familyes & so over prohibit them to Run in Debt nor be the Cost by Retaile 38. Pursuant to Your Hon[...] Directions in Your 40th Para[...] for Expressly every one to Endeavour the certify of all Inte[...] of Provisions then found out an Acc[...] thereof for that purpose and is Entred in Our Consultation of the 25th of June last whereto begg leave to refer y[...] Hon[...] for Your Hon[...] better Information 39. Those Short Recapitulations of the main Substance of Your Hon[...] Severall Orders whereto You are pleased to refer Us all the proper method Wee ought to pursue for our better Ease of of Same Conveying to Our Care Wee Shale be Sure to Remember the better to guide our Selves in the Execution thereof when and is often a peice Soe it require & to Transmit the like of Our proceeding from time to time as opportunity offers in Obedience to your Hon[...] Order in the aforesaid Paragraph 40. As to the Complaint made to Your Hon[...] by Walter Morris about his Blacks being detained by Governor Pyke is now fully put to an End Wee haveing paid him £25 for his Black which Mr Pyke noe noe so will last after being rightly informed by him hee that matter Stood as will farther appear to your Hon[...] in our Consultation of the 4th of that Month if you please to give your Selves the trouble of perusing it for your better Satisfaction & Our justification in a matter so long in dispute 41. James Pyder Complaint against Governor Johnson has been Rejected 42. The Governor according to Your Hon[...] Order went on board the Ship Dragon & found most of her Company in very Sickly & weak Condition Her Hull Masts & Standing Rigging good the Running Rigging but Ordinary the Ship in good Posture of Defence & all Sorts Draught of Water | ...as no further matter is set out, the Council shall be at the least wanting to discountenance, or discourage, any persons, in anything that tends or works to the impairing of their health, as well as to furnishing them small estates to enrich others. So that the Council shall always endeavour to distinguish the labour and the slothfulness, by countenancing and encouraging them all as it can, and not to take any further supply of them, but by the store, to no more than such a small quantity of water, since they may have for themselves and families, so as never to prohibit them from running in debt, nor to sell that cheap by retail. 38: In pursuance to the Court's directions in its 40th paragraph, the Council very fully and every care endeavours the certifying of all sorts of provisions, which it set out an account of for that purpose, and is entered in the Council consultation of the [...] of June last. The Council begs leave to refer the Court to it for its better information. 39: As to those that are recapitulations of the main substance of the Court's several orders, which it is pleased to refer the Council, all the proper methods the Council ought to pursue, for its better preservation of the Court's concerns committed to the Council care, it shall be sure to remember the Court's orders, to guide its slaves in the execution thereof, when, and as often as need shall require, and to transmit the lists of its proceedings from time to time, as opportunity offers, in obedience to the Court's orders in the aforesaid paragraph. 40: As to the complaint made to the Court by Walter Morris about his blacks, being despatched by Governor Pyke, it is now fully put to an end, the Council having paid him £25 0s 0d for his black, when Mr Pyke was here in April last, after being rightly informed by him too, that the matter stood, as will further appear to the Court, in the Council consultation of the 9th of that month. If the Court please to give itself the trouble of perusing it, for the Council own satisfaction, and its justification, in a matter so long in dispute. 41: James Ryder's complaint against Governor Johnson has been adjusted. 42: The Council, according to the Court's order, went on board the ship Dawson, and found most of her company in very sickly and weak condition, her hull, masts and standing rigging good, her running rigging but ordinary, the ship in good posture of defence, all clear, draught of water... Interpretations The passage continues a Council general letter to the Court of Directors, the paragraphs answering the Court's letter head by head and closing several outstanding disputes. Paragraph 40 settles the long quarrel over Walter Morris's slave, the planter who had wasted his inheritance and sold his runaway slave Nick to the Court for £25 0s 0d toward his debt, the matter raised against the predecessor Governor Pyke and now closed in the consultation of 9 April 1723. The Council's note that the former Governor was at the island in April marks his passage through on his own homeward business while the new administration cleared the inherited cases. Paragraph 42 records the standing duty of surveying a calling ship's condition, the Council going aboard the Dawson under the Court's order to report her company sick and her hull, masts and rigging by their state. The survey served the Court its account of the bottom's fitness for the voyage, the same inspection long made of arriving ships to assess their stores, defence and seaworthiness. The complaint of James Ryder against the late Governor Johnson, named among the subscribers to the petition against Antipas Tovey of 23 June 1719 and to the chaplain Jones's certificate, is reported settled, the new administration clearing the grievances left by its predecessor. | ||
135R | Abaft 5 & Foot 13 feet & also misperforming to Each Order have were hauled the guns on the Island & find 13 faulty viz 4 Whole Culverin 12 Demer Culverin 2 Demi Culverin Yet I am of Opinion there are other guns Snow to defend the Island very well 43. Haveing thus thus endeavoured to Answer Your Hon[...] Generall Lettre Paragraph by Paragraph and as Wee hope to your Satisfaction Wee come now to trouble your Hon[...] with what farther relate to the Care & miserable State this Island is now in & what else occurs to Our Memories under the following Generall Heads 44. The Backwardness of Our Rainy Seasons & the want thereof for Upwards of 4 years past hae been Severall times made mention of late in Our Lettre to Your Hon[...] Con[...] sultations & also to India more particularly in that of the Essex Entred in Our Consultation of the 10th of Mar[...] last therein desireing a large Quantity of Rice Wheat and Bengall Pork the Island being now in soe a miserable & Deplorable Condition even in a greate Calamity than when this drought was in 1713 & part of 14 all Sorts of Provisions being so Scarce that the Poor People are quite Dejected & Castdown most of the Planters Complaining of their hardship & Starving Conditions Some Sayeing they have but 3 to 4 Months Grain fit to Dig with a 2 or 3 & Some of them but a fortnight & many more & then they Shant know what to do for vivers that they were now obliged for so low are Else that they dig some of an other lot for 5.9. & if Yams to begg out till they are in hope a Ship might Arrive with Corn to farther Supply them their Little or noe so Your Hon[...] Doe daily they cannot fit hard to Eat nor for any to keep them alive the Estate which will Shift the best of any thing as very poor & not Estate Direct Necessity obligeth to it And to demonstrate to your Hon[...] soe farther Proof of the aforesaid Peace miserable Condition Wee are in Wee herewith transmit an Acc[...] of all the live Stock that Each Planter is now possessed of as also of their grain enter Stock of Yams taken by Vertue of the Companys Order Black & as all their Familyes are large & that Soe a long | ...abaft 6 foot, before 13 feet, and also set out, as the Council finds, 13 faulty cast, the guns on the island: 4 whole culverin 12 demi-culverin 2 demi-culverin Yet the Council is of opinion there are other guns here to defend the island very well. 43: Having thus far endeavoured to answer the Court's general letter paragraph by paragraph, and as the Council hopes to the Court's satisfaction, it comes now to trouble the Court with whatever further relates to the Court's most miserable state. This island is now in whatever else occurs to the Council memories under the following general head. 44: The backwardness of these rainy seasons, and the want thereof for upwards of 4 years past, has been several times made mention of, both in the Council letter to the Court last consultation, as also to India, more particularly in that of the Essex, entered in the Council consultation of the 10th of [...] last, therein desiring a large quantity of rice, wheat, and Bengal peas, the island being now in a very miserable and deplorable condition, even in a greater calamity than when these droughts began in 1718, and part of 14, all sorts of provisions being so scarce that the Court's peas are quite dispirited and forborne. Most of the planters, complaining of their hardship and starving condition, some saying they have but 3 to 4 months' yams, fit to dig more. A 2 or 6 [...] some of them but a fortnight, and many more than they shall hardly know what to do for, since they are now reduced so very low, as 60s, that they dig some of an earlier sort, for £0 [...]d of yams to dig, that they dig some of an earlier sort, and keep out till they are in hopes a ship might arrive with corn to further supply them, their cattle as well as yams. From its daily allowance, and so fit they to eat, and yet so very low, they are so reduced, that the best of any thing it can spare, and not estate so direct. Necessity obliges it to it, and to demonstrate to the Court, as a further proof of these miserable conditions, here the Council finds, with a transmit and account, as such, of all the live stock that each planter is now possessed of, in case of their ruin. The Council enters yams of their own, when by it, as the Court appoints, taking and sets these, and all their families, as large a state, since... Interpretations The passage continues a Council general letter to the Court of Directors, opening the supplementary account of the island's wants after the paragraph-by-paragraph reply. The tally of guns lists the island's ordnance by class, the whole culverin and demi-culverin the heavy pieces mounted on the platforms and curtain to cover the anchorage. The note that thirteen were faulty cast, with the assurance that other guns sufficed, marks the standing defect in the garrison stores that the Council reported against the Court's want of supply. Paragraph 44 sets out the famine in full, the four-year drought tied to the renewed plea for wheat, rice and Bengal peas pressed across the season's letters and entered in the consultation about the arrival of the Essex. The Council's account of the planters reduced to three or four months of yams, and its undertaking to transmit a full account of each planter's live stock against their ruin, marks the food crisis on a moderate-climate island where the unwatered valleys yielded nothing without rain. The keeping of the stock list answered the recovery in kind by which the Council drew cattle and yams into the Court's account against debt, the universal indebtedness deepened by the run of dry years. | ||
135V | Wee humbly begg Your Hon[...] to Commiserate their deplora[...] Conditions without which Your[...] Englisht a fitt time So one[...] of them must inevitably Perish & that You will so generously Pleased to Send Us out a Ship with the utmost Expedition after the Arrivall of this with Provisions & Stores for the use of this Year Island & poor Inhabitants thereof including their Wives & Children (without which Your Acc[...] of Blacks ) amount to 100 or thousand Soul 50 firybrods of Bread 300 Bushells of Wheat Kiln Dryed 30 Barrells of Flowr in Small Casks for to bake bread 6 Barrells of Oatmeale 30 Brackices Beefe 20 Brackices Pork Pease &c Beans ( for the Blacks 2 or Casks of Each and that these p[...] Such other Provisions Your Hon[...] Shall think fitt to Send & will please to give Order to be bo[...] out at the most reasonable Rates that are possible 45. In Our Generall Lettre by the Devonshire under date of the 27th of Aprill 1723. Wee gave Your Hon[...] an Acc[...] of our pleadeing in the 7th Paragraph relating to Our former Resolutions & Complyance with Your Hon[...] repeated Orders in fenceing in the Great Wood & at most part of it Wee had ordered to begin good however by the Sames of the[...] Strong[...] Point with Our Reasons so so doeing where y[...] Smith hee Sun has & has wood the Wood all over & doe not really think it is made obligeing to be none in the best p proposall Crew but oppose of the manner of Writeing & method prepared Soe that the Said Essex Point ( which is the strongest most part of the Wood & may be the Soner Ordered for the more Speedy & Quicky Growth of the young Wood after so enclose but have Ordered Cause Soe or so Soner that Sone other & those part led of it in the most Convenient Part agreeing it to be the most proper method to effect so necessary a Worke & when the[...] Doors there to fence in the other part in & about a Place such the Dead Wood which are both very thin of Standing Tim[...] & in a few years would become Forrest by the High Winds gathering in soe blowing the Earth away to the rest & Manefacto[...] So if[...] tion of the whole Wood would tend to y[...] Ruin of the whole filling | The Council humbly begs the Court to commiserate these deplorable conditions, without which there is forthwith a fit expedient, one of which it must immediately purchase. So that the Court will please to be generously pleased to send the Council out a ship, with the utmost expedition, after the arrival of these, with provisions and stores, for the use of this year's island, and the Court's inhabitants thereof, including the wives and children, both the Court's account, and the blacks, amounting to one thousand souls: 50 firkins of bread 3,000 bushels of wheat, kiln dried 30 barrels of flour in stout casks, for double use [...] barrels of oatmeal 30 puncheons of beans 20 puncheons of pork peas beans for the blacks, 2 or 3 casks of each and that whatever of such other provisions the Court shall think fit to send, it will please to give order to be sent out at the most reasonable rates that are possible. 45: In the Council general letter by the Devonshire, under date of the 27th of April 1723, in obedience to the Court, an account of every preceding letter, in the 7th paragraph relating to the Court's former resolutions, and compliance with the Court's repeated orders, in fencing in the Great Wood, and most part of it, which it had ordered to enclose, good measure, by the same of the Court's order. The Council, with its slaves, did go in, where Mr Smith has since been, and has viewed the wood all over, and does not truly think it would be obliging to set it to enclose in the best of proposed part, set up where, on the matter of writing and method, prepared, so that those lands at the Peak, which is the strongest part of the wood, may be the sooner enclosed, for the more handy and quicker growth of the young wood, after, to enclose, set it in the most convenient part, and another part, where it is the most proper method to effect so necessary a work. When both these grew, then to fence in the other part, in and about a place, since the dead wood, which sits both very thin of standing timber, in a few years would become barren by the high winds, getting in and blowing the earth away to the waste of timber. From that, the destruction of the whole, and it would tend to the ruin of the whole... Interpretations The passage continues a Council general letter to the Court of Directors, the schedule setting out the provisions wanted to feed the island through the drought. The list of bread, wheat, flour, oatmeal, beans, pork and peas, reckoned for the thousand souls of the establishment and its inhabitants, marks the scale of the famine relief sought from England after four years without rain. The request for a store ship with the utmost expedition, and for the goods at the most reasonable rates, ties the island's survival to a stock the Court alone could order shipped on a fixed schedule, the home supply judged the surest remedy against a want the eastern stations could not meet in time. Paragraph 45 carries the Great Wood enclosure forward from the letter by the Devonshire of 27 April 1723, the fencing begun at the strongest ground near the Peak to save the timber from the high winds and the cattle. The new Governor Smith's view of the wood, and the resolution to enclose the strongest part first for the quicker growth of the young trees, answers a project the Court had ordered across more than twenty years, the staged fencing the working response of an island that had never had the hands to enclose the whole woodland at once. The diagnosis of the dead wood thinning and the wind blowing the earth to waste fixes the erosion long pressed at the island to the felling of the mountain timber. | ||
136R | if not timely prevented 46. Wee begg Your Hon[...] would be pleased to Order Your Hon[...] who by their ill Example & Continued Villanie tempt & Seduce others to Such like ill Practice especially Sent Us from Madrass hath broke through & Committe Robberies for which Wee are obliged to Chain & Clog him with an heise Hundred Weight & for Such like Roguries they more Sent here whose are too many already too apt & ready enough to accomplish any wicked designe & for which Wee earnestly intreated Care to India fearing the ill Consequence that might ensue if kept here any longer 47. Wee By feld haveing paid into your Hon[...] Cash here the Sum of 77. 9 in Cash & Note Returne to have Bills of Exchange on your Hon[...] for that Sume which Wee have drawn accordingly & dated the 16th of July 1723 48. Henrish Mr Grangie Steward who has Sometime Since been a Companion of a Ship in India & now Chief Mate of the Dragon has also paid into your Hon[...] Cash the Summe of 124. 12. 9 desiring Bills of Exchange for the Same which Wee have drawn accordingly on your Hon[...] dated the 29th July 1723 at thirty days Sight Wee have nothing more to add but to assure y[...] Hon[...] that Wee are Your Hon[...] Union Castle July 30 1723 Most Devoted Most obedient & Most faithfull Servts Margin Notes: P.S. Wee this day Sent the Capt Your Hon[...] Dispatch all the Capt Days he cant Saile till Saterday Running by reason of the ill State of Health of his Ships Company being detaining his Cattle & takeing in his Water Nothing haveing been wanting to hasten his Sailing Wee hereby Supplyed him with every thing he Wanted | ...if not timely prevented. 46: The Council begs the Court would be pleased to order its Governor, who, by their utter example of continued villainous example, and seducing others to such like ill practice, especially sent here from Madras, has broken through and committed villainies, for which the Council is obliged to chain by leg, but with a half-hundredweight, and for such like rogueries, they were sent here, where there are too many already, too apt and ready enough to accomplish any wicked design, and for which the Council formerly returned them to India, fearing the ill consequences that might ensue if kept here any longer. 47: Mr Byfield, having paid into the Court's account here the sum of £7 0s 0d in cash, the Council returns to him bills of exchange on the Court for that sum, which it has drawn accordingly, dated the 16th of July 1723. 48: Ensign Francis Steward, who has some time since been a commander of a ship in India, and is now chief mate of the Dawson, has also paid into the Court's account here the sum of £24 13s 0d, desiring bills of exchange for the same, which the Council has drawn accordingly on the Court, dated the 29th of July 1723, at thirty days sight. The Council has nothing more to add, but to assure the Court that it remains its most devoted, most obedient and most faithful servants. Union Castle, 31 July 1723. Postscript: The Council this day sent Captain [...] the Court's despatch, when the captain says he cannot sail till Saturday morning, by reason of the ill state of health of his ship's company, besides taking in his cattle and taking in his water. Nothing having been wanting to hasten his sailing, the Council herewith supplied him with everything he wanted. Interpretations The passage closes a Council general letter to the Court of Directors, paragraph 46 setting out the standing problem of troublesome men shipped to the island from the Indian presidencies. The Council's account of chaining an offender by the leg with a half-hundredweight, and of formerly returning such men to India rather than keeping them, marks the penal discipline by which it controlled the deserters and rogues who threatened the island, the ship-seizure conspiracies long the ground for sending dangerous men away rather than risk their turning to piracy. The fear of the ill consequences of keeping them recalls the dispersal of the Eagle Galley conspirators across separate ships. The bills of paragraphs 47 and 48 to Mr Byfield for £7 0s 0d and to Ensign Francis Steward for £24 13s 0d answer the standing want of a circulating medium, the cash paid into the Court's account turned into a London claim while the metal stayed on a cashless island. Francis Steward, the young man born at St Helena to whom an inheritance had been remitted by the Townsend of 5 July 1720, now appears as chief mate of the Dawson. The letter closes under the dateline of Union Castle on 31 July 1723, the postscript recording the delay of the despatch ship for her sick company, the cattle and the water, the standing despatch given a calling commander within the contracted time. | ||
136V | List of the Packt p Ship Lawronne Capt Richard Benfeild Commander N[...] 1 Gov[...] & Councils Gen[...] Lettre dated y[...] 31 July 1723 2 Copy of Consultations from the 28 May 1723 to the 23 July Inclusive following 3 An Acc[...] of the live Stock & Grown Provision of Yamms on y[...] Island taken July y[...] 16. 1723 4 An Inventory of Goods & Stores remaining the 29th May 1723 5 List of Head money for the Year 1722 6 Ship Essex Acc[...] on St Helena 2 June y[...] 9th 1723 7 Capt Jona[...] Sommer Acc[...] June y[...] 10. 1723 8 Retceins of Gunners Stores taken 29 May 1723 9 Mr Edw[...] Bryfelds Acc[...] of y[...] Plantation Expence for 2 months & June 1723 10 Indent of Additionall Stores want[...] on St Helena 11 Receipts for the Packt to India p Apr[...] June 1723 12 Receipts for the Packt p Devonshire 27 Apr[...] 1723 13 Ship Lawronne Acc[...] on St Helena 31 July 1723 14 List of the Packett Signed [...] I.A. | List of the packet by the ship Dawson, Captain Richard Benfield commander. 1: Governor and Council's general letter, dated the 31st of July 1723 2: Copy of consultations from the 23rd of May 1723 to the 23rd of July following, inclusive 3: An account of the live stock and grown provision of yams on the island, taken the 16th of July 1723 4: An inventory of goods and stores remaining the 29th of May 1723 5: List of head money for the year 1722 6: Ship Essex's account on St Helena, dated the 10th of June 1723 7: Captain Jonathan Sommers's account, dated the 9th of June 1723 8: Remains of gunner's stores, taken the 29th of May 1723 9: Mr Edward Byfield's account of the plantation expense for the months of June 1723 10: Indent of additional stores wanted on St Helena 11: Receipts for the packet to India by the Exeter, dated June 1722 12: Receipts for the packet by the Devonshire, dated the 27th of April 1723 13: Ship Dawson's account on St Helena, the 31st of July 1723 14: List of the packet Signed by John Alexander. Interpretations The numbered list is the packet manifest carried home by the Dawson under Captain Richard Benfield, each item a copy, account, list or receipt bundled for the recoverable audit trail at India House. The general letter, the consultations and the receipts for earlier packets continue the standing safeguard by which the Council resent its record and proved the chain of custody across separate hulls, so the loss of any one bottom on the homeward passage destroyed no part of the correspondence. The receipts for the packets by the Exeter and the Devonshire close the loop on the earlier conveyances, the captain's acknowledgement giving the recoverable proof of delivery. The administrative returns of items 3 to 9 give the Court its picture of the island and the season's shipping, the account of the live stock and the grown yams answering the famine pressed across the season's letters, the inventory of goods and stores, the head money and the plantation expense bundled with the accounts of the Essex and her commander Captain Jonathan Sommers. The list closes subscribed by John Alexander the secretary, the manifest binding the season's correspondence and accounts into a single recoverable bundle under the new administration of Governor Smith. | ||
137R | Hon[...]ble Sir Gen[...] Letter p Barrington Capt Jno Hunter Comder The Ship Barrington Capt John Hunter Comm[...] from Mocha & last from the Cape Arrived here on the first Instant and her Sailing hence So Sudenly after Notwithstanding the Charter party Clause and Our Letters to him in pursuance to Your Hon[...] Instructions a Copy of which and his Answers comes Enclosed Wee thought it our duty to Acquaint y[...] Hon[...] therewith and hope Our proceedings there in mett with your Hon[...] approbation and are greatly Surprizd Capt Hunter Should Seem to have So little regard to y[...] Hon[...] Orders as Wee find he has and which is the only reason Wee dont Send any Coppys or Duplicates of what Wee Transmitted by the Dawsonne Capt Benfeild who Sailed hence for England the 3 of August last and of what Else hath Since Occurd All which Wee shall not fail of by the Stanhope Capt Geo Wentworth Hen Comder who Arrived here from fort St David on the 20 Dec[...] last and Designs to Saile about five days after this which he could not do Sooner he haveing had his Ship to putt in a better Posture and Severall Sick men to recover their healths | General letter by the Barrington, Captain John Hunter commander. The Council addressed the Court of Directors. The ship Barrington, Captain John Hunter commander, from Mocha but last from the Cape, arrived here on the first instant. Her sailing then so suddenly after, notwithstanding the charter party clause, and the Council letters to him in pursuance of the Court's instructions, a copy of which, and his answers, comes enclosed. The Council thought it its duty to acquaint the Court with it, and hopes its proceedings in it meet with the Court's approbation. The Council was greatly surprised that Captain Hunter should seem to have so little regard to the Court's orders, as it finds he has. This is the only reason the Council does not send any copies or duplicates of what it transmitted by the Dawson, Captain Benfield, who sailed from here for England the 3rd of August last, and of whatever else has since occurred. All this the Council shall not fail of by the Stanhope, Captain George Wentworth Petts commander, who arrived here from Fort St David on the 20th of December last, and designs to sail about five days after this, which he could not do sooner, having had his ship to put in a better posture, and several sick men to recover their health. Interpretations The passage opens a Council general letter to the Court of Directors, carried home by the Barrington under Captain John Hunter, the complaint turning on the master's quick departure against the charter party. The Council's note that Captain Hunter sailed suddenly despite the unlading clause, and showed little regard to the Court's orders, marks the charter party reform by which the island sought to bind commanders to a fixed time at the road and proper terms. The enclosure of the Council letters to the master and his answers continues the practice of sending home the documentary record of a dispute for the Court's judgement. The recitation of the previous conveyance by the Dawson under Captain Benfield, which sailed on 3 August, and the promise of the full record by the Stanhope, continues the standing safeguard by which the Council resent its correspondence across separate hulls. The quick despatch of the Barrington left the Council unable to send its papers by her, so it deferred them to the next ship, the loss of any one bottom on the homeward passage destroying no part of the record. Captain George Wentworth Petts of the Stanhope, who had earlier disputed the gunpowder charge and carried home the Council letter of 29 June 1717, now arrives from Fort St David, his delay laid to refitting and his sick men. | ||
137V | 2. According to your Hon[...] the Govr went on board the Ship Barrington and found all her Ships Company in good health Her Hull Masts Standing & Running Rigging good Her Anchors & Cables good Her Hatches Caulked down the Ship in a good Posture of Defence and all Clear Draft of Water abaft 16 foot & Inches afore 15 foot 20 Gunns 3. What Little Provisions Capt Hunter has Supplyd Us w[...] at Our request for the Use of the Island is as follows 10½ Bushells Pease a[...] 5/5 p bush[...] £2. 16. 10½ 9½ Ditto Beans a[...] 5/6 2. 11. 5½ 33½ of flower a[...] 21/ p[...] 3. 2. 6 14½ Cutt Tobacco a[...] 1/6 p[...] 10. 16. 813 of Rice a[...] 10/ p[...] 4. 1. 3½ £23. 8. 1½ By our next Wee Shall give your Hon[...] a full Acc[...] of the State of this Island in Generall and till then begg this may Suffice and are Hon[...]ble Sir Union Castle St Helena the 2 Janry 1723. Yo[...] Hon[...] most Humble & faithfull Servants I.S E.B I.A | 2: According to the Court's order, Governor Smith went on board the ship Barrington and found all her ship's company in good health. Her hull, masts, standing and running rigging good, her anchors and cables good, her hatches caulked down, the ship in a good posture of defence and all clear. Draught of water abaft 16 foot 6 inches, afore 15 foot. 20 guns. 3: What little provisions Captain Hunter has supplied the Council with, at its request, for the use of the island, is as follows: peas 10½ bushels, at 5s 5d the bushel £2 16s 10½d beans 9½ bushels, at 5s 6d £2 11s 5½d flour 332 [...], at 2s [...]d £3 2s 6d cut tobacco 14½ [...], at 1s 6d £10 16s [...]d rice 813 [...], at 10s [...]d £4 1s 3½d £23 8s 1½d By the Council next letter it shall give the Court a full account of the state of this island in general, and till then begs this may suffice. The Council remains the Court's most humble and most faithful servants. Union Castle, St Helena, the 2nd of January 1723. John Smith. Edward Byfield. John Goodwin. Interpretations The passage closes a short Council general letter to the Court of Directors, paragraph 2 recording the survey of the Barrington's condition under the Court's standing order. The Governor's report of her hull, masts, rigging, anchors and cables by their state, with the draught and the gun count, served the Court its account of the bottom's fitness for the homeward voyage, the same inspection long made of calling ships to assess their stores, defence and seaworthiness. The schedule of paragraph 3 sets out the provisions bought of Captain Hunter for the island, the peas, beans, flour, tobacco and rice priced by the measure against the Court's account. The purchase of these supplies at the master's prices, in a season of famine after four years of drought, marks the want of provisions on a moderate-climate island reliant on calling ships when its own crop failed. The letter closes under the dateline of Union Castle on 2 January 1724, the old-style year carried forward, subscribed by Governor John Smith with Edward Byfield and John Goodwin of the Council. | ||
138R | List of the Packett p Barrington Capt Jn[...] Hunter Comander N[...] 1 Govern[...] & Councils Gen[...] Lett[...] dated 2 Janry 1723 2 Copy of Gov[...] & Coun[...] Letter to Capt Hunter to Stay for the Stanhope 3 Copy of Capt Hunters Lett[...] in Answer thereto 4 Copy of Gov[...] & Coun[...] Reply to y[...] Said Lett[...] 5 Copy of Gov[...] & Coun[...] Lett[...] to Capt Hunter for a Supply of Provisions 6 Copy of Capt Hunters Letter thereto 7 Copy of Ship Barringtons Acc[...] 8 List of the Packett Signed [...] J.A. | List of the packet by the Barrington, Captain John Hunter commander. 1: Governor and Council's general letter, dated the 2nd of January 1723 2: Copy of Governor and Council's letter to Captain Hunter, to stay for the Stanhope 3: Copy of Captain Hunter's letter in answer to it 4: Copy of Governor and Council's reply to that letter 5: Copy of Governor and Council's letter to Captain Hunter for a supply of provisions 6: Copy of Captain Hunter's letter to it 7: Copy of ship Barrington's account 8: List of the packet Signed by John Alexander. Interpretations The numbered list is the packet manifest carried home by the Barrington under Captain John Hunter, each item a copy or list bundled for the recoverable audit trail at India House. The series of letters between the Council and Captain Hunter, his answers and the Council replies, records the full exchange of the dispute over the master's quick departure against the charter party, the documentary record sent home for the Court's judgement on a contested point of authority between the island and a ship's commander. The request that Captain Hunter stay for the Stanhope, refused in his answer, marks the charter party reform by which the island sought to bind commanders to a fixed time at the road, the correspondence preserved as the proof of the Council's proceedings. The list closes subscribed by John Alexander the secretary, the manifest binding the season's papers into a single recoverable bundle under the administration of Governor Smith. | ||
138V | Hon[...]d Sir Gen[...] Lett[...] p Stanhop Capt Geo Wentworth Hen Comd[...] 1. By the Dawsonne Capt Benfeild Comander Wee wrote your Hon[...] fully under date of the 31 July 1723 in Answer to your Generall Letter by the Essex and of the Poor and Misserable State this Island was then in with what Else did Occur to Our Memories Worthy of your Hon[...] Notice 2. Since which Wee wrote your Hon[...] a short Letter by the Barrington Capt Hunter Comander dated the 2 Inst[...] Therein Acquainting my your Hon[...] of the reason for our not Transmitting Copys & Duplicates of what Papers then sent by the Dawsonne and as Capt Hunters Obstinacy and ill Conduct not only in Positively refuseing to Comply with your Hon[...] Instructions Relateing to your returning Shiping but his Naughty and Unmannerly behaviour to the Govr here being So palpable & unsufferable Wee cannot forbear repealing the same in this and begg your Hon[...] further Instructions to Direct Us how & in what manner Wee Shall Proceed in future in Case Wee meet w[...] the like Non Complyance of y[...] Hon[...] Orders to enforce those who may assume to themselves Such a disrespect & disregard to your Hon[...] and your Instructions to Us | General letter by the Stanhope, Captain George Wentworth Petts commander. The Council addressed the Court of Directors. 1: By the Dawson, Captain Benfield commander, the Council wrote to the Court fully, under date of the 31st of July 1723, in answer to the Court's general letter by the Essex, and of the poor and miserable state this island was then in, with whatever else did occur to the Council memories worthy of the Court's notice. 2: Since, the Council wrote to the Court a short letter by the Barrington, Captain Hunter commander, dated the 2nd instant, therein acquainting the Court of the reason for the Council not retransmitting copies and duplicates of what it sent by the Dawson, and as to Captain Hunter's obstinacy and ill conduct, not only in positively refusing to comply with the Court's instructions relating to its returning shipping, but his haughty and unmannerly behaviour to the Governor here, being so palpable and unsufferable. The Council cannot forbear repeating the same in this, and begs the Court's further instructions, to direct it how, and in what manner, it shall proceed in future, in case it meets with the like non-compliance of the Court's orders, to enforce those who may assume to themselves such a disrespect and disregard to the Court and its instructions to it... Interpretations The passage opens a Council general letter to the Court of Directors, carried home by the Stanhope under Captain George Wentworth Petts, the recitation of paragraph 1 opening with the date of the despatch by the Dawson. The reference to the famine pressed in the letter of 31 July 1723 carries forward the four-year drought and the plea for supply from England, the standing practice of opening each despatch with the date of the last binding the correspondence into a chain whose gaps would show. Paragraph 2 returns to the dispute with Captain Hunter of the Barrington, the master's refusal to comply with the Court's orders on the returning shipping and his behaviour to the Governor pressed again for the Court's judgement. The Council's request for further instructions on how to enforce the Court's authority over a defiant commander marks the practical limit of the island's power over a ship's master, the same jurisdiction tested in the Mawson dispute and the Middleton case, where the Council found its writ reached only so far as a master would submit. The matter touches the charter party reform by which the island sought to bind commanders to the Court's terms. | ||
139R | Us and to take Such measures as your Hon[...] in your Prudence shall Seem most meet as will be Sufficient to protect the Govern[...] from Such Insults & Personal Affront as Captain Hunter has too plainly & lately been Guilty of the whole Transaction of which Comes in the Packet for your Hon[...] better Information 3. By this Ship Stanhope Wee transmitt to your Hon[...] Copys of Our Consultations to this time Duplicates of those and all other Lists & Acc[...] by the Dawsonne with what Else hath Since Occurd and by each proper Conveyance shall not Omitt giveing your Hon[...] the best Satisfaction Wee can as is required of Us 4. In our Consultations of the 3 Sept[...] last there is a Petition Entred & Signed by Severall of the Inhabitants on behalf of themselves & others relateing to the great Number of free Blacks there is now on the Island who they Say are a Burthensom to them besides the ill Consequences they fear may Ensue by their Still increasing whereupon Wee have Ordered that no Owner of any Blacks hereafter shall be Allowed to hire or grant to them any kind of freedom But as to Sending them off the Island Wee have Answered them in Consultation of the 3 Sept[...] following that Wee will represent the Same to your Hon[...] for your Instructions therein and the whole Affair being Entred in | The Court was asked to take such measures as its prudence should think most fit, sufficient to protect the Governor from such insults and personal affronts as Captain Hunter had too plainly and lately been guilty of, the whole transaction of which came in the packet for the Court's better information. 3: By this ship the Stanhope, the Council transmits to the Court copies of its consultations to this time, duplicates of those and all other lists and accounts by the Dawson, with whatever else has since occurred, and by each proper conveyance shall not omit giving the Court the best satisfaction it can, or as is required of it. 4: In the Council consultation of the 3rd of September last there is a petition entered and signed by several of the inhabitants on behalf of themselves and others, relating to the great number of free blacks there is now on the island, who, they say, are a burden to them, besides the ill consequences they fear may ensue by their still increasing. Upon which the Council has ordered that no owner of any blacks hereafter shall be allowed to give, or grant, to them any kind of freedom, but, as to sending them off the island, the Council has answered them in the consultation of the 3rd of September following, that it will represent the same to the Court for its instructions therein, and the whole affair being entered in... Interpretations The passage continues a Council general letter to the Court of Directors, paragraphs returning to the dispute with Captain Hunter and opening a new matter on the free blacks. The Council's request for measures to protect the Governor from the affronts of the Barrington's master, with the whole transaction sent in the packet, marks the limit of the island's authority over a defiant commander, the documentary record forwarded for the Court's judgement on a contested point of jurisdiction. Paragraph 3 continues the duplicate technique by which the Council resent its consultations, lists and accounts across separate hulls, the loss of any one bottom on the homeward passage destroying no part of the record. Paragraph 4 records the inhabitants' petition of 3 September against the growing number of free blacks, the Council's order forbidding any owner to grant freedom to his slaves marking a deliberate restriction on manumission. The fear of the burden and the ill consequences of an increasing free population set the social control behind the order, the Council referring the question of removing such persons to the Court for instructions. The matter touches the standing anxiety over the island's small population and its security, the free blacks a class the inhabitants pressed to limit. Speculations The Council's choice to forbid further manumission while referring the removal of the free blacks to the Court, rather than acting on its own, managed a question it judged beyond its standing power to resolve. The order stopped the increase at once by closing the route to freedom, the harder step of sending existing free persons off the island held back for the Court's direction, the Council fixing the immediate remedy within its own authority and reserving the contested measure for the body that could sanction it. | ||
139V | in the two aforesaid Recited Consultations Wee begg leave to refer your Hon[...] thereto for your better Satisfaction 5. Likewise in Consultations of the 8st & 2d of this Inst[...] Janury is Entred an other Petition of one Joseph Coles (who returnd from India in the Stanhope ) relateing to a parcell of yo[...] Hon[...] Land formerly granted him as in Consultations the 14 Febry 1720. 12 of Sept[...] 1721. & 16 of Oct[...] following with that of the 13th August 1723 presented by Joseph Bates and Bridgett his wife on the Said Coles behalf haveing been Since Ordered to be Transmitted your Hon[...] Wee begg your perusal & Directions therein 6. Mr Crane Surgeon of the Barrington made us an Offer of a House & ground be longing to it that was formerly Governor Jos[...] Johnsons which he had power to make Sale of by Vertue of a Letter of Attorney from Mr John Johnson in India Executor of the late Gov[...] Johnson and which House Gov[...] Pyke hired of Joshua Johnson Second Son of y[...] Said Gov[...] Johnson & an Inhabitant of this Island for the use of Some of yo[...] Hon[...] Fort Blacks at the rate of Six Pounds p annu[...] and to make it more Convenient pulled some Part of the House down and is now in your Hon[...] possession for the use and at the rent aforesaid The ground belonging to it or Clinging to be Mr Johnsons was Enclosed by Gov[...] Pyke | The matter stands entered in the two recited consultations, to which the Council begs leave to refer the Court for its better satisfaction. 5: Likewise in the consultations of the 1st and 2nd of this January is entered a petition of one Joseph Coles, who returned from India in the Stanhope, relating to a parcel of the Court's land formerly granted to him, as in the consultations of the 14th of February 1720, the 12th of September 1721, and the 16th of October following, with that of the 13th of August 1723, presented by Joseph Bates and Bridgett his wife on the said Coles's behalf, having been since ordered to be transmitted to the Court. The Council begs the Court's perusal and directions therein. 6: Mr Crane, surgeon of the Barrington, made the Council an offer of a house and ground belonging to it, that was formerly Governor Joseph Johnson's, which he had power to make sale of by virtue of a letter of attorney from Mr John Johnson in India, eldest son of the late Governor Johnson, and which house Governor Pyke lived in. Joshua Johnson, second son of the said Governor Johnson, and an inhabitant of this island, offered it for the use of some of the Court's fort blacks, at the rate of £6 0s 0d a year. To make it more convenient, the Council pulled some part of the house down, and it is now in the Court's possession, for the use and at the rent set out. The ground belonging to it, or claiming to be Mr Johnson's, was then held by Goodlife... Interpretations The passage continues a Council general letter to the Court of Directors, paragraphs setting out two land matters for the Court's direction. Paragraph 5 records the petition of Joseph Coles over a parcel of the Court's land granted to him across the consultations of 14 February 1720, 12 September 1721 and the dates following, presented on his behalf by Joseph Bates and his wife while Coles was returning from India. The transmission of the whole record to the Court marks the standing practice of referring a contested land claim home for the Court's decision, the island holding the land of the Company by lease rather than freehold. Paragraph 6 records the Court's acquisition of a house formerly belonging to Governor Joseph Johnson, sold under a letter of attorney from the late Governor Edward Johnson's eldest son and offered by his second son Joshua Johnson for the Court's fort blacks at £6 0s 0d a year. The house, in which the predecessor Governor Pyke had lived, was partly pulled down to serve as slave lodging, the standing want of housing for the company's blacks long pressed at the island. The conveyance through the family of the deceased Governor, who died on 16 July 1722, ties the transaction to the settlement of his estate, the property passing into the Court's possession for the establishment's use. | ||
140R | to Enlarge your Hon[...] Garden & to make it more uniform as well as the Street more Regular and which Wee are informed hath been represented to Your Hon[...] in former Letters and therefore begg Your Hon[...] farther Directions & Orders herein and is Entred in Our Consultation of the 8 & 2 Instant 7. Wee herewith Transmitt your Hon[...] a Petition Presented to Us on the 2 Inst[...] Signed by the Major Part of the Inhabitants on behalf of themselves and the rest of the Inha bitants Setting forth the Poor & Deplorable State of the Island and the Starveing Condi[...] on they are in which Wee Acquainted Your Hon[...] with in Ours by the Dawsonne and of Our Writeing to India by the Essex for as large a Supply of Rice & other Provisions as possibly the Gentlem[...] there could send Us But the only Dependance Wee have is to hope your Hon[...] hath been pleased to Send Us out as this w[...] Provisions for the Reliefoff the Inhabitants & your Slaves So Soon after the Arrivall of the Dawsonne that Wee may Expect the good fortune of Seeing Her here in ffebry or March next & in the mean time Wee shall take all the Care imaginable to gett what Wee can out of the Stores or what bound Shiping to prevent the poor people Utter ruine and their Children from Starveing | The Court's land was held to enlarge its garden, and to make it more uniform, as well as the street more regular, which the Council is informed has been represented to the Court in former letters. The Council therefore begs the Court's further directions and orders therein, and it is entered in the Council consultation of the 1st and 2nd instant. 7: The Council herewith transmits to the Court a petition presented to it on the 2nd instant, signed by the major part of the inhabitants, on behalf of themselves and the rest of the inhabitants, setting forth the poor and deplorable state of the island, and the starving condition they are in. The Council acquainted the Court of this in its letters by the Dawson, and of its writing to India by the Essex, for as large a supply of rice and other provisions as possibly the gentlemen there could send. But the only dependence the Council has is to hope the Court has been pleased to send it out, as set out, provisions for the relief of the inhabitants and the Court's slaves, so soon after the arrival of the Dawson, that it may expect the good fortune of seeing her here in February or March next. In the meantime the Council shall take all the care imaginable to get what it can out of the storeward-bound shipping, to prevent the poor people's utter ruin, and their children from starving, who... Interpretations The passage continues a Council general letter to the Court of Directors, paragraph 7 carrying forward the famine that runs through the season's correspondence. The transmission of the inhabitants' petition of 2 January, signed by the major part of the island, sets out the starving condition pressed across the letters by the Dawson and the appeal to India by the Essex. The Council's renewed plea for rice and other provisions ties the island's survival to a stock the Court alone could order shipped on a fixed schedule, the home supply judged the surest remedy against a want the eastern presidencies could not be relied on to meet in time. The Council's note that its only dependence was the hoped-for store ship from England, and its undertaking to draw what it could from passing shipping in the meantime, marks the food crisis on a moderate-climate island where the unwatered valleys yielded nothing through the four-year drought. The interim recovery from calling ships answered the failure of the island's self-supply, the petition transmitted home as the inhabitants' own testimony to a calamity the Court was asked to relieve before the poor people and their children were ruined. | ||
140V | who Still Labours under the necessitys Sett forth in our aforesaid Letter Para[...] 44th & soe as will Appear by their Said Petition tho[...] Wee hope it will please God to Shower down his Blessings among Us & make the Island as fruitfull as ever Wee haveing had a little raine for the week past Almost every day 8. Wee made a Generall Pounding of all yo[...] Hon[...] live Stock an Acc[...] of is y[...] Entred in our Consultation of the first day of Oct[...] last to which Wee begg leave to Refer yo[...] Hon[...] the reason of their being a greater Number of Cattle then what was the down in the Month of July was Occasiond by the Cattle that roant upon the Common being So very wild that they could not be Pounded and in Order to keep them Little tame Wee will for the future have them Pounded every three months and as to the Increase of your Hon[...] Goats the reason is fully Sett forth in the Said Consultation 9. The quantity of Goods Wee have rec[...] from on board his Majest[...] Ship the Salsbury by the hands of Mr John Blowers p one of [...]apt are according to the Acc[...] Entred in the Packet wherein upon Examining y[...] Bales Wee found twenty three peicess short of the Ponabagues and ten peices of y[...] Niccanees 10. Wee have drawn three Bills of Exchange | The poor people still labour under the hardships set forth in the Council former letter, paragraph 44, as will appear by the inhabitants' petition. The Council hopes it will please God to shower down his blessings among the island, and make it as fruitful as it once was, the Council having had a little rain for the week past, almost every day. 8: The Council made a general pounding of all the Court's live stock, an account of which is entered in the consultation of the first day of October last, to which the Council begs leave to refer the Court. The reason of there being a greater number of cattle than what was set down in the month of July was occasioned by the cattle that roamed upon the common being so very wild that they could not be pounded. In order to keep them a little tamer, the Council, as well for the future, has pounded them every three months. As to the increase of the Court's goats, the reason is fully set forth in the consultation. 9: The quantity of goods the Council has received from on board Her Majesty's ship the Salisbury, by the hands of Mr John Blowers from Fort St George, is according to the account enclosed in the packet. Upon examining the bales, the Council found twenty-three pieces short of the Ponabagues, and ten pieces of the Niccanees. 10: The Council has drawn three bills of exchange... Interpretations The passage continues a Council general letter to the Court of Directors, paragraph 8 setting out the periodic count of the Court's live stock. The general pounding of the cattle, entered in the consultation of 1 October, marks the standing audit by which the herd was numbered and brought under control, the wild cattle on the common pounded every three months to keep them tamer. The rebuilt herds answered the deliberate strategy by which the Council had broken the planters' combination to withhold breeders, the live stock long the means of freeing the establishment from buying at the planters' price. Paragraph 9 records the receipt of goods from the man of war the Salisbury by the hands of Mr John Blowers from Fort St George, the cloth examined and found short. The Ponabagues and Niccanees are varieties of Indian cotton piece-goods, the cheap coloured and striped cottons of the Coromandel and Bengal trade used at the island to clothe the company's slaves. The shortfall of twenty-three and ten pieces, endorsed in the account, marks the bill of lading enforcement programme by which the Council charged a consignment short of its invoice, the standing check against goods delivered under their shipped quantity. | ||
141R | on your Hon[...] payable to Mr Benja[...] Hawke or Order for the Sume of 33. 10 Sterl and Dated the 4 Janry 1723 being for Cash Notes Paid into your Hon[...] Cash here & begg your Hon[...] Acceptance 11. Likewise one Sett of Bills more for the Sume of 35. 1 Sterl Dated the 13 Janry 1723 payable to Capt Went George Pitt or Order and is for the like Cash Notes Paid as aforesd 12. According to Your Hon[...] Orders the Gov[...] went on board the Stanhope and found her Ships Comp[...] in good health the Ship in good Order Draft of Water abaft 15½ foot afore 14 foot 9 Inches and the other Hatches being then Open found a Vacancy Sufficient to Stow twenty Tonns of Goods and the Ship all Clear 13. Wee have nothing more to Add than to begg leave to Subscribe our Selves Hon[...]d Sir Union Castle St Helena Janry y[...] 13. 1723. Your Hon[...] most obedient Devoted & most faithfull Humble & Servants I.S E.B I.A I.G | The Council has drawn three bills of exchange on the Court, payable to Mr Benjamin Hawkes or order, for the sum of £33 10s 0d sterling, dated the 4th of January 1723, being for cash notes paid into the Court's account here. The Council begs the Court's acceptance. 11: Likewise one set of bills more, for the sum of £35 0s 0d sterling, dated the 13th of January 1723, payable to Captain Wentworth George Petts or order, and is for the like cash notes paid as set out. 12: According to the Court's order, Governor Smith went on board the Stanhope, and found her ship's company in good health. The ship in good order, draught of water abaft 15 foot, afore 14 foot 6 inches. Her hatches, being then open, found a vacancy sufficient to stow twenty tons of goods, and the ship all clear. 13: The Council has nothing more to add, but to beg leave to subscribe itself. The Council remains the Court's most obedient, most devoted, most faithful and humble servants. Union Castle, St Helena, the 13th of January 1723. John Smith. Edward Byfield. John Goodwin. Interpretations The passage closes a Council general letter to the Court of Directors, the bills of paragraphs 10 and 11 answering the standing want of a circulating medium on a cashless island. The sums of £33 10s 0d to Benjamin Hawkes and £35 0s 0d to Captain Wentworth George Petts, drawn against cash notes paid into the Court's account, turned the island's paper money into a London claim, the bills the means by which idle credit was remitted home. Benjamin Hawkes was the clerk of the council appointed by the consultation of 17 October 1721, his diligence recommended to the Court for an increase of salary. Paragraph 12 records the survey of the Stanhope under the Court's standing order, the Governor reporting her company, her order and her draught, with the spare stowage found in her hold. The note of room for twenty tons of goods served the Court its account of the ship's available capacity for the homeward lading, the inspection long made of calling ships to assess their state and their freight. The letter closes under the dateline of Union Castle on 13 January 1724, the old-style year carried forward, subscribed by Governor John Smith with Edward Byfield and John Goodwin of the Council. | ||
141V | List of the Packet p Ship Stanhope Capt Geo Wentworth Pitt Comander N[...] 1 Gov[...] & Councils Gen[...] Lett[...] dated y[...] 13 Janry 1723 2 Duplicate of Gen[...] Lett[...] p Dawsonne dated y[...] 31 July 1723 sent apart 3 Duplicate of the live Stock & Grown Provision of Yamms taken 16 July 1723 4 Duplicate of Consultations from y[...] 28 May 1723 inclusive to y[...] 23 July Inclusive following 5 Copy of Consultations from y[...] 23 July Exclud[...] to the y[...] Janry following 6 Duplicate of Store Goods sent 29th May 1723 7 Duplicate of Gunners Stores rec[...] 29 D[...] Anne 8 Duplicate of List of Head money for y[...] year 1722 9 Duplicate of Ship Essex Acc[...] June 2 & 10 1723 10 Duplicate of Capt Jona[...] Sommers Acc[...] D[...] 11 Duplicate of Mr Edw[...] Bryfelds Acc[...] of Plantation Expence for 2 June 1723 D[...] Acc[...] for 2 months of July Acc[...] 1.7.8.& 9 D[...] Cole &c 12 Duplicate of Additionall Stores want[...] D[...] 13 Rec[...] for the Pack[...] p Dawsonne 14 Duplicate of Ship Dawsonne Acc[...] 15 Duplicate of y[...] List of y[...] Packt p Dawsonne 16 Duplicate of Gov[...] & Coun[...] Gen[...] Lett[...] dated 2 Janry 1723 p Barrington 17 Duplicate of Gov[...] & Coun[...] Lett[...] to Capt Hunter to Stay for y[...] Stanhope 18 Duplicate of Capt Hunters Lett[...] in Answer thereto 19 Duplicate of Gov[...] & Coun[...] Reply to y[...] Said Letter | List of the packet by the ship Stanhope, Captain George Wentworth Petts commander. 1: Governor and Council's general letter, dated the 13th of January 1723 2: Duplicate of general letter by the Dawson, dated the 31st of July 1723, sent apart 3: Duplicate of the live stock and grown provision of yams, taken the 16th of July 1723 4: Duplicate of consultations from the 28th of May 1723, inclusive, to the 23rd of July following, with their authority 5: Copy of consultations from the 23rd of July, exclusive, to the [...] of January following 6: Duplicate of store goods, dated the 29th of May 1723 7: Duplicate of gunner's stores remaining, the 9th of June 8: Duplicate of list of head money for the year 1722 9: Duplicate of ship Essex's account, dated the 10th of June 1723 10: Duplicate of Captain Jonathan Sommers's account 11: Duplicate of Mr Byfield's account of the plantation expense for June 1723, with the account for the months of July, August and September 12: Duplicate of additional stores wanted 13: Receipt for the packet by the Dawson 14: Duplicate of ship Dawson's account 15: Duplicate of list of the packet by the Dawson 16: Duplicate of Governor and Council's general letter, dated the 2nd of January 1723, by the Barrington 17: Duplicate of Governor and Council's letter to Captain Hunter, to stay for the Stanhope 18: Duplicate of Captain Hunter's letter in answer to it 19: Duplicate of Governor and Council's reply to that letter 20: Duplicate... Interpretations The numbered list is the packet manifest carried home by the Stanhope under Captain George Wentworth Petts, each item a copy, duplicate, account or receipt bundled for the recoverable audit trail at India House. The repeated duplicates of the general letters by the Dawson and the Barrington, the consultations and the accounts continue the standing safeguard by which the Council resent its record across separate hulls, so the loss of any one bottom on the homeward passage destroyed no part of the correspondence. The receipt for the packet by the Dawson closes the loop on the earlier conveyance, the captain's acknowledgement giving the recoverable proof of delivery. The series of duplicate letters between the Council and Captain Hunter of the Barrington, his answers and the Council replies, carries the full record of the dispute over the master's quick departure against the charter party. The repeated transmission of the exchange marks the importance the Council placed on the contested point of authority over a ship's commander, the documentary record sent twice over for the Court's judgement. The administrative returns of the live stock, the yams, the gunner's stores and the plantation expense give the Court its yearly picture of the island under the administration of Governor Smith. | ||
142R | N[...] 20 Duplicate of Gov[...] & Coun[...] Lett[...] to Capt Hunter for a Supply of Provisions 21 Duplicate of Capt Hunters Answer thereto 22 Duplicate of Ship Barringtons Acc[...] 23 List of the Packet p y[...] Barrington Copy of Jos[...] Bates & his wife their Petition at Jos[...] 24 Coles Land in Sandy bay The Petition of Severall Inhabitants on behalf of 25 themselves & the rest of y[...] Inhab[...] in Generall 26 Rec[...] for the Pack[...] of Barrington 27 Duplicate Copy of Ship Stanhopes Acc[...] An Acc[...] of India Goods rec[...] from y[...] Cape by Mr 28 Blowers 29 List of y[...] Packet Signed [...] Wm E | 20: Duplicate of Governor and Council's letter to Captain Hunter for a supply of provisions 21: Duplicate of Captain Hunter's answer to it 22: Duplicate of ship Barrington's account 23: List of the packet by the Barrington 24: Copy of Joseph Bates and his wife, their petition on behalf of Joseph Coles's land in Sandy Bay 25: The petition of several inhabitants on behalf of themselves and the rest of the inhabitants in general 26: Receipt for the packet by the Barrington 27: Duplicate of ship Stanhope's account 28: Account of India goods received from Fort St George by Mr Blowers 29: List of the packet Signed by John Alexander. Interpretations The numbered list completes the packet manifest carried home by the Stanhope under Captain George Wentworth Petts, each item a copy, duplicate, petition or receipt bundled for the recoverable audit trail at India House. The duplicate letters between the Council and Captain Hunter of the Barrington, his answers and the ship's account carry the second copy of the dispute over the master's quick departure against the charter party, the repeated transmission marking the weight the Council placed on the contested point of authority over a ship's commander. The receipt for the packet by the Barrington closes the loop on the earlier conveyance, the captain's acknowledgement giving the recoverable proof of delivery. The two petitions of items 24 and 25 carry the land claim of Joseph Coles in Sandy Bay, presented by Joseph Bates and his wife, and the inhabitants' general petition on the starving state of the island. The transmission of both home marks the standing practice of referring a contested land claim and a plea for relief to the Court for its decision and its bounty. The account of India goods received by Mr Blowers from Fort St George closes the manifest, the cloth and stores from the Coromandel presidency examined against their invoice under the bill of lading enforcement programme, the whole subscribed by John Alexander the secretary. | ||
142V | Hon[...]d Sir Gen[...] Lett[...] p Carnarvon Capt Josiah Thwaits Comand[...] 1. Our last to your Hon[...] was by the Stanhope Capt Pitt Comand[...] under date of the 13 of Janry last and therein gave yo[...] Hon[...] an Acc[...] of what Occurd Since Ours by y[...] Directors dated the 31 July 1723 Worthy yo[...] Notice and likewise of what Duplicates Copys & Rec[...] Wee sent by Each of the aforesaid Ships which Wee hope came Safe to hand and mett with yo[...] Hon[...] Approvall 2. Since when have Arrived here On the 28 Janry last the Carnarvon Capt Josiah Thwaits and the Cardigan Capt Walt Hambly Comand[...] from fort St George Sail last from the Cape and brought 1576 Baggs of Rice and Ten Cannisters of Sugar Containing the Quantitie of Rice Entred in our Consultation of the 31 of Janry 1723 and which Wee very Accept able to Us and hope Wee shall be further Supplyd by every Ship which in great Measure will Re lieve y[...] Hon[...] Blacks & the Poor Inhabitants of this Island who heartily wish Every day for the Store Ships 3. On the first Inst[...] Wee had a Double Alarme for three Ships about nine leagues to Windward of the Island and the next morning 4 Ships were Seen off of St West Point Standing away which by the Acc[...] given Us by Capt Thwaits Wee were Dutch men Homeward bound from the Cape 4. Mr Thomas Stouddith being on Board the Cardigan Wrote Us a Letter Entred in Our Consultation | General letter by the Carnarvon, Captain Josiah Thwaites commander. The Council addressed the Court of Directors. 1: The last letter to the Court went by the Stanhope, Captain Petts commander, under date of the 13th of January last, and therein the Council gave the Court an account of whatever occurred since its letter by the Dawson, dated the 31st of July 1723, worthy of the Court's notice, and likewise of whatever duplicates, copies and receipts were sent by each of the said ships, which the Council hopes came safe to hand, and met with the Court's approval. 2: The Carnarvon, Captain Josiah Thwaites commander, and the Cardonnel, Captain Peter Hambly commander, arrived here on the 28th of January last from Fort St George, both last from the Cape. They brought the Council 476 bags of rice and ten canisters of sugar, containing the quantity and prices entered in the Council consultation of the 31st of January 1723, which were very acceptable to the island. The Council hopes it shall be further supplied by every ship, which in great measure will relieve the Court's blacks and the poor inhabitants of this island, who heartily wish every day for these store ships. 3: On the first instant the Council had a double alarm for three ships about three leagues to windward of the island, and the next morning four ships were seen off the south-west point, standing away. By the account given the Council by Captain Thwaites, these were Dutch, then homeward bound from the Cape. 4: Mr Thomas Houldich, passenger on board the Cardonnel, wrote the Council a letter, entered in the Council consultation... Interpretations The passage opens a Council general letter to the Court of Directors, carried home by the Carnarvon under Captain Josiah Thwaites, the recitation of paragraph 1 opening with the date of the previous despatch by the Stanhope. The reference to the duplicates and receipts sent by the earlier ships continues the standing safeguard by which the Council resent its record and proved the chain of custody across separate hulls, so the loss of any one bottom on the homeward passage destroyed no part of the correspondence. Paragraph 2 records the arrival of the Carnarvon and the Cardonnel from Fort St George with 476 bags of rice and ten canisters of sugar, the relief long sought against the famine that runs through the season's letters. The Council's note that the inhabitants and the company's blacks wished daily for these store ships marks the food crisis on a moderate-climate island where the four-year drought had failed the yam crop, the supply from the Indian presidencies easing the want the island's own ground could not meet. The double alarm of paragraph 3 for Dutch ships passing in sight continues the standing watch kept against foreign sail homeward bound from the Cape. | ||
143R | Consultation of the 4 Inst[...] desireing Wee would give him Bills of Exchange on yo[...] Hon[...] for the Sume of 66. 11. 2 being due to him for Goods Sold in the Year 1720 for Your Hon[...] here and upon Examining the Books of Acc[...] for the years 1720 & 1721 Wee find that Sum that Sum stands due to him and in the Transfer journall for 1720 there likewise appears how and for what the money he demands became due Wherfore Wee have drewen Bills of Exchange on your Hon[...] for the Sume of 66. 11. 2 & for 1. 4. & 10 more for Cash Noted which Mr Stouddith paid p[...] to Us for yo[...] Hon[...] Acc[...] here dated the 4 Inst[...] Payable at 30 days sight and begg yo[...] Hon[...] Acceptance thereof accord ingly 5. By this Ship Carnarvon Wee Transmitt yo[...] Hon[...] Duplicate of Our last by the Stanhope Duplicate of Our Consultations & Copys to this time and of all other papers Contained in the List by that Ship with what Else hath Since Occurd as Wee shall Continue by all proper Conveyances Worthy yo[...] Hon[...] Notice 6. Wee begg your Hon[...] perusal of Our last Lettre by the Stanhope and to Send Us Such Directions & Orders relating to the Severall Petitions & Offer of the House & ground made Us by Mr Crane therein mentioned as your Hon[...] Shall thinke fitt and Wee will take Care to obey them Punctually 7. What Rice or other Provisions Wee have bought out of these Ships for a further Supply | The letter was entered in the Council consultation of the 4th instant, desiring the Council would give him bills of exchange on the Court for the sum of £69 11s 2d, being due to him for goods sold in that year 1720 for the Court's account. Upon examining the books of account for the years 1720 and 1721, the Council found that sum stood due to him, and in the transfer journal for 1720 there likewise appeared how, and for what, the money he demanded became due. The Council therefore drew bills of exchange on the Court for the sum of £69 11s 2d, and for £4 5s 0d more for cash notes, which Mr Houldich paid into the Court's account here, dated the 4th instant, payable at thirty days sight. The Council asked the Court's acceptance of them accordingly. 5: By this ship the Carnarvon, the Council transmitted to the Court a duplicate of its last letter by the Stanhope, duplicates of its consultations and copies to that time, and of all other papers contained in the list by that ship, with whatever else had since occurred, the Council undertaking to continue the same by all proper conveyances worthy of the Court's notice. 6: The Council asked the Court's perusal of its last letter by the Stanhope, and that the Court would send such directions and orders relating to the several petitions, and the offer of the house and ground made to the Council by Mr Crane, mentioned therein, as the Court should think fit. The Council undertook to obey them punctually. 7: Whatever rice or other provisions the Council bought out of these ships, for a further supply... Interpretations The passage continues a Council general letter to the Court of Directors, paragraph 4 settling the claim of Mr Thomas Houldich for goods sold on the Court's account in 1720. The Council's examination of the books for 1720 and 1721 and the transfer journal, before drawing the bills for £69 11s 2d and £4 5s 0d, marks the bookkeeping reform by which a demand was verified against the recorded entries before payment. The tracing of the debt through the transfer journal answers the audit of the accountant's office, the backward and undated books of the previous administration long the ground of the Court's complaint, every credit now to be proved through the journal folios. Paragraph 6 carries forward the matters left for the Court's direction in the letter by the Stanhope, namely the inhabitants' petitions and the offer of Governor Joseph Johnson's house by Mr Crane, surgeon of the Barrington. The reference home of the land claims and the house purchase marks the standing practice of referring contested property and acquisition to the Court for its decision, the island holding the land of the Company by lease. Paragraph 7 opens the account of provisions bought from the calling ships, the interim recovery from passing shipping against the famine the island's own ground could not relieve. | ||
143V | of your Hon[...] Blacks and Poorer Sort of Inhabi tants will Appear by their Inclos[...] Acc[...] and shall Continue to gett what more Wee can out of every Ship for Altho[...] Wee have lately had Some fine Showers of Raine (which makes the Island begin to look green & pleasant ) Yet it will be a year or two at least before they can have a Sufficient Quantity of Provisions to Subsist their Poor & Numerous familys 8. Wee begg your Hon[...] will be pleased to Send Us out in your next Store Ship for this Place a Couple of Barrels or Two Engines to throw up Water in Case of an Accident happening in or near the fort and may be usefull Some other way if Wee find Occasion and makeing an Experiment to Water Land to forward the Growth of Provisions 9. Wee have drawn One other Sett of Bills on yo[...] Hon[...] Payable to Capt William Hambly or Order for the Sum of 20. 2. 0 being in full Payint for Rice & Liqr Wee bought of him for the use of this Island & dated y[...] 8 ffebry 1723 at 30 days Sight & begg your Hon[...] Acceptance thereof accordingly 10. At the request of Mr Giles Chaplain Wee have given him leave to return to y[...] and for the reason mentioned in Our Consultation of y[...] 9 Inst[...] to which Wee begg leave to refer yo[...] Honnours Wee are Hon[...]d Sir St Helena 9th ffebry 1723 Yo[...] Hon[...] most Humb[...] & most obed[...] Servants I Smith E Byfeld Jn. Alexander I Goodwin Margin Notes: P.S. According to yo[...] Hon[...] Comm[...] & faithfull Ord[...] Thwaits went on board the Carnarvan Capt Thwaits Comm[...] on the 8 Inst[...] & found Hull Masts Yards Standing Running rigging all good Guns all Clear Anchor & Cables good | The supply for the Court's blacks and the poorer sort of inhabitants would appear by their enclosed account, and the Council undertook to continue to get what more it could out of every ship. Although the island had lately had some fine showers of rain, which made it begin to look green and pleasant, it would yet be a year or two at least before the inhabitants could have a sufficient quantity of provisions to subsist their poor and numerous families. 8: The Council asked the Court would be pleased to send out, by the next store ship for this place, a couple of barrels or two engines to throw up water, in case of any accident happening in or near the fort. These might be useful some other way too, should the Council find occasion, and might serve in making an experiment to water land, to forward the growth of provisions. 9: The Council drew one other set of bills on the Court, payable to Captain William Hambly or order, for the sum of £20 2s 0d, being in full payment for rice and sugar it bought of him for the use of this island, dated the 8th of February 1723, at thirty days sight. The Council asked the Court's acceptance accordingly. 10: At the request of Mr Giles, chaplain, the Council gave him leave to return to England, for the reason set out in the Council consultation of the 4th instant, to which the Council begged leave to refer the Court. The Council remained the Court's most humble and most obedient servants. St Helena, the 9th of February 1723. John Smith. Edward Byfield. John Alexander. John Goodwin. Postscript: According to the Court's order, Governor Smith went on board the Carnarvon, Captain Thwaites commander, and found her hull, masts, standing and running rigging all good, her guns all clear, her anchors and cables good... Interpretations The passage closed a Council general letter to the Court of Directors, paragraph 8 setting out a request for engines to throw up water against fire and for trial on the land. The proposal to use the engines in watering ground marks the standing limit on the island's cultivation, the unwatered valleys yielding nothing through the four-year drought, the supply of water long the constraint on the growth of provisions. The note that the recent rain made the island look green, yet promised no full crop for a year or two, fixed the depth of the famine on a moderate-climate island where the seasons had failed. The bills of paragraph 9 to Captain William Hambly for £20 2s 0d answered the want of provisions, the rice and sugar bought of a calling commander turned into a London claim against the Court. Paragraph 10 recorded the chaplain Mr Giles given leave to return to England, the departure of the clergyman tied to the recurring instability of the clerical office on the island, where the chaplain Jones had earlier stirred the faction shipped home under Governor Johnson. The postscript carried the standing survey of the Carnarvon's condition under the Court's order, the inspection long made of calling ships to assess their state for the homeward voyage. | ||
144R | Hatches all Caulked down draft of Water abaft 16 foot afore 14 foot & the men good health Likewise on the same day the Gov[...] went on board the Cardigon Capt Hambly Comand[...] & found Her & Hull Masts Yards Standing Running Rigging all Good Guns all Clear Anchors & Cables Good Hatches all Caulked down draft of Water abaft 17 foot 8 Inches afore 16 foot 8. Inches & all his men very well I.S E.B I.A I.G List of the Packet p Carnarvan Capt Josiah Thwaits Comand[...] N[...] 1 Gov[...] & Coun[...] Gen[...] Lett[...] dated y[...] 9 ffebry 1723 sent apart 2 D[...] Duplicate of Gen[...] Lett[...] p[...] Stanhope dated y[...] 31 Janry 1723 3 Duplicate of Consultations from y[...] 30 July Inst[...] 1723 to the 13 Janry dated following 4 Copy of Consultations from y[...] 13 Janry 1723 Inst[...] to the 11 ffebry Excl[...] dated following 5 Copy of the List of the Packt p Stanhope 6 Duplicate of the Inhabit[...] Petition representing the Poor & Deplorable State of the Island 7 Duplicate of Ship Stanhopes Acc[...] Duplicate of the Goods & Stores Rec[...] from the 8 Cape on his Majest[...] Ship Salsbury by Mr Tho[...] Blowers 9 Rec[...] | Her hatches were all caulked down, her draught of water abaft 16 foot, afore 14 foot, and her men in good health. Likewise on the same day Governor Smith went on board the Cardonnel, Captain Hambly commander, and found her hull, masts, yards, standing and running rigging all good, her guns all clear, her anchors and cables good. Her hatches were all caulked down, her draught of water abaft 17 foot 8 inches, afore 16 foot 8 inches, and all her men very well. John Smith. Edward Byfield. John Alexander. John Goodwin. List of the packet by the Carnarvon, Captain Josiah Thwaites commander. 1: Governor and Council's general letter, dated the 9th of February 1723 2: Duplicate of general letter by the Stanhope, dated the 13th of January 1723, sent apart 3: Duplicate of consultations from the 28th of July 1723 to the 13th of January following 4: Copy of consultations from the 13th of January 1723 to the 11th of February following 5: Copy of the list of the packet by the Stanhope 6: Duplicate of the petition and several articles concerning the poor and deplorable state of the island 7: Duplicate of ship Stanhope's account 8: Duplicate of the goods and stores received from the Salisbury, laden by Mr Thomas Blowers 9: Receipt... Interpretations The passage closed the postscript to a Council general letter to the Court of Directors and opened the packet manifest carried home by the Carnarvon under Captain Josiah Thwaites. The survey of the Cardonnel under Captain Hambly, taken the same day as that of the Carnarvon, reported her hull, masts, rigging, guns, anchors and cables by their state, with her draught and her company's health. The inspection served the Court its account of each bottom's fitness for the homeward voyage, the standing survey long made of calling ships under the Court's order. The numbered list bundled the season's papers for the recoverable audit trail at India House, each item a copy, duplicate or receipt. The repeated duplicates of the general letter by the Stanhope, the consultations and the accounts continued the standing safeguard by which the Council resent its record across separate hulls, so the loss of any one bottom on the homeward passage destroyed no part of the correspondence. The duplicate of the inhabitants' petition on the deplorable state of the island carried forward the famine pressed across the season's letters, the goods received from the man of war the Salisbury by Mr Thomas Blowers examined against their invoice under the bill of lading enforcement programme. | ||
144V | Blank page | |||
145R | Blank page | |||
145V | N[...] 9 Receipts for both Pack[...] p Stanhope 10 Ship Carnarvans Acc[...] on St Helena ffebry 9 11 Ship Cardigans Acc[...] the 9 1723 Duplicate of Mr Edw[...] Bryfeld Acc[...] of Plantation Expence 12 & live Stock for y[...] Month July Acc[...] 1.7.8. & 9 1723 13 Mr Bryfelds Acc[...] of live Stock & Expence for D[...] 14 List of the Packett Signed [...] Jn. Alexander | 9: Receipts for both packets by the Stanhope 10: Ship Carnarvon's account on St Helena, the 21st of [...] 1723 11: Ship Cardonnel's account, the 9th [...] 1723 12: Duplicate of Mr Edward Byfield's account of the live stock for the months of July, August and September 1723 13: Mr Byfield's account of the live stock expense for [...] 14: List of the packet Signed by John Alexander. Interpretations The passage closed the packet manifest carried home by the Carnarvon under Captain Josiah Thwaites, each item a receipt, account or list bundled for the recoverable audit trail at India House. The receipts for both packets by the Stanhope closed the loop on the earlier conveyance, the captain's acknowledgement giving the recoverable proof of delivery, the standing safeguard by which the Council proved the chain of custody across separate hulls. The accounts of the Carnarvon and the Cardonnel, with Mr Edward Byfield's account of the live stock and its expense, gave the Court its picture of the season's shipping and the state of the plantation establishment. The entry of the live stock by quarter marks the monthly bookkeeping reform by which the new administration kept the plantation accounts in the consultations, the backward records of the previous regime long the ground of the Court's complaint, the whole subscribed by John Alexander the secretary. | ||
146R | Hon[...]d Sir Gen[...] Letter p Ship Craggs Capt Caleb Grantham Comand[...] 1. Our last to Your Hon[...] was by the Carnarvan Capt Josiah Thwaits Comander under date of the 9 Inst[...] who Sailed hence for England the next day in Company with the Cardigan Capt William Hambly Comand[...] and by them Former Sent Copys of Our Consultations Du plicates & Acc[...] with all other Materiall Papers According to the List then sent and Copy thereof is a Copy of Our above Mentioned by this Ship Craggs Capt Caleb Grantham Comand[...] from Mocha but last from the Cape who Arrived here the 22 ffebry & Sett which Wee hope Came Safe to your Honnours hands 2. On the 10 Ditto Wee had a Single Alarme for one Ship to the Windward of the Island about Seven Leagues Distance who was Seen till almost Dark Standing toward the St West Earl of the Island and the next morning was out of Our Sight which by the Acc[...] given Us by Capt Grantham was an Ostender that Sailed from the Cape about ten days before her Arrivall here 3. If your Hon[...] will please to give your Selves the trouble of Perusing our Consulta tions You'l find in those of the 31 Janry 1723 and 11 of ffebry following that Wee Ordered Advertizements to be Issued out for the Preservation of the Young Grass Growing | General letter by the ship Craggs, Captain Caleb Grantham commander. The Council addressed the Court of Directors. 1: The last letter to the Court went by the Carnarvon, Captain Josiah Thwaites commander, under date of the 9th instant, which sailed from here for England the next day in company with the Cardonnel, Captain William Hambly commander. By the former the Council sent copies of its consultations, duplicates and accounts, with all other material papers, according to the list then sent, and a copy of these comes now with a copy of the Council letter mentioned above, by this ship the Craggs, Captain Caleb Grantham commander, from Mocha but last from the Cape, who arrived here the 22nd of February last, all of which the Council hopes came safe to the Court's hands. 2: On the 20th of the same month the Council had a single alarm for one ship to the windward of the island, about seven leagues distance, which was seen till almost dark, standing toward the south-west part of the island. The next morning she was out of the Council sight, which by the account given the Council by Captain Grantham was an Ostend ship that sailed from the Cape about ten days before her arrival here. 3: Should the Court please to give itself the trouble of perusing the Council consultations, it would find, in those of the 31st of January 1723 and the 11th of February following, that the Council ordered advertisements to be issued out for the preservation of the young grass growing... Interpretations The passage opened a Council general letter to the Court of Directors, carried home by the Craggs under Captain Caleb Grantham, the recitation of paragraph 1 opening with the date of the previous despatch by the Carnarvon. The reference to the copies, duplicates and accounts sent by the earlier ship continued the standing safeguard by which the Council resent its record across separate hulls, so the loss of any one bottom on the homeward passage destroyed no part of the correspondence. Paragraph 2 recorded a single alarm for an Ostend ship passing in sight, the foreign sail tracked from the watch and identified by a calling commander as a vessel from the Cape. The standing watch against Ostend and Dutch shipping marked the enforcement of the Company monopoly, the venture met head on when the House of Austria falsely assumed the name of the Court's China ship on 4 March 1720. Paragraph 3 opened the matter of the advertisements ordered for the preservation of the young grass, the management of the island's pasture tied to the recovery of the herds and the standing want of fodder through the dry seasons. | ||
146V | in the Great Wood by forbiding any Stags or wild Cattle to be turnd or Drove therein till farther Order from Us it haveing Pleasd God to send Us Some Moderate Showers of rain which causes all Sorts of Provisions & Grass for the Cattle to Grow & flourish daily and which hath every much revived the hearts of the Inhabitants that before were Sinking and themselves & familys Reduced almost to Despair & Penury for want of Wherewith to Subsist even to Such a Degre that severall of them could not tell one day where or how to provide for the next which great Calamity is now turned into Joy and Chearfull as Wee hope the late Scarcity will be into Plenty 4. In ours by the Dawsonne dated the 31 July 1723 ( as well as in that by the Devonshire ) Wee gave your Hon[...] a pretty full Acc[...] of Our proceedings Relating to fenceing in the Great Wood and that Wee had made a begining at a part of it called the Stern Point with Our reasons for So doing which worke hath been ever Since Continued and is well Advanced and had not the Stones of which the Wall will built been along way up till be So of it & upon the Blacks Shoulders (for Wee have no better a Conveniency or way of cariz age ) that Part of the Wood wood by this time been near Enclosed and Shall be as Expeditious and as frugall therein as Possible both for your Hon[...] Interest and Generall good of the Island | The advertisements forbade any hogs or neat cattle to be turned, or driven, into the Great Wood until the Council gave further order. It having pleased God to send the island some moderate showers of rain, which made all sorts of provisions and grass for the cattle to grow and flourish daily, the prospects of the inhabitants that before were sinking, and themselves and their families reduced almost to despair and penury for want of wherewith to subsist, even in such a peace, so that several of them could not tell one day before, or how, to provide for the next, this great calamity was now turned into joy and cheer. The Council hoped its late scarcity would be very plenty. 4: In the Council letter by the Dawson, dated the 31st of July 1723, as well as in that by the Devonshire, the Council gave the Court a tolerably full account of the Court's buildings, relating to the fencing in of the Great Wood, and that it had made a beginning at a part of it called the Stone Point, with the reasons for so doing. The work had been ever since continued, and was well advanced, and had it not been for the stones of which the wall was built being a long way up the hill, so dilatory upon the blacks' shoulders, since the Council had no better convenience or way of carriage, that part of the wood would by this time have been near enclosed. The Council undertook to be as expeditious and as frugal therein as possible, both for the Court's interest and the general good of the island. Interpretations The passage continued a Council general letter to the Court of Directors, the first paragraph carrying forward the management of the island's pasture and the relief of the famine. The advertisements forbidding cattle and hogs in the Great Wood marked the protection of the young grass and the timber during the recovery, the enclosure long ordered to save the wood from the beasts. The moderate rain that revived the provisions on a temperate island fixed the depth of the preceding drought, the inhabitants reduced almost to penury before the seasons turned. Paragraph 4 carried the Great Wood enclosure forward from the letters by the Dawson of 31 July 1723 and the Devonshire, the fencing begun at the Stone Point and pressed by the slaves. The Council's account of the stones carried up the hill on the blacks' shoulders, for want of any better carriage, marked the chronic shortage of skilled labour and equipment on an island that could not import the means it wanted. The staged enclosure of the strongest part answered a project the Court had ordered across more than twenty years, the work the slow response of an establishment without the hands or the carriage to complete the whole at once. | ||
147R | Morning Report of Bankis &c | Morning report of Bank's, etc. | ||
147V | Service | Service | ||
147R | 5. For the reasons mentioned in Our Sessions held the 20 Janry last & Consultati ons the 2 following Mr Will[...] Crull hee returns for England in this Ship Craggs the Capt haveing an Order to receive him and his Necessarys on Board 6. In pursuance to your Hon[...] Ord[...] the Gov[...] went on board the Ship Craggs Capt Caleb Grantham Comm[...] the 22 ffebry last and found her Hull Masts Yards Standing & Running Rigging all good Guns all Clear Anchor & Cables good Hatches all Caulked down draft of Water abaft 16 foot 6 Inches afore 15 foot nine Inches and the Men in good health 7. Nothing of any moment happening Since our last Wee have not further to Add than to assure your Hon[...] Wee are with profound Respect Hon[...]d Sir St Helena Union Castle the first March 1723 Your Hon[...] most Hum[...] faithfull & most obed[...] Serv[...] I Smith E Byfeld Jn. Alexander I Goodwin Margin Notes: P.S. Capt Caleb Grantham haveing Paid into yo[...] Hon[...] Cash here in Cash Notes the Sume of 26. 2. 4 Wee have given him Bills of Exchange on yo[...] Hon[...] for the Same Sum at 30 days Sight & dated this day and begg your Acceptance accordingly I.S E.B I.A | 5: For the reasons set out in the Council consultation held the 20th of January last, and the consultation of the 2nd following, Mr William [...] returned for England in this ship the Craggs, the captain having an order to receive him and his necessaries on board. 6: In pursuance to the Court's order, Governor Smith went on board the ship Craggs, Captain Caleb Grantham commander, the 26th of February last, and found her hull, masts, yards, standing and running rigging all good, her guns all clear, her anchors and cables good. Her hatches were all caulked down, her draught of water abaft 16 foot 6 inches, afore 15 foot 9 inches, and her men in good health. 7: Nothing of any moment happening since the Council last letter, it had nothing further to add, but to assure the Court that it remained, with profound respect, the Court's most humble and most obedient servants. St Helena, Union Castle, the first of March 1723. John Smith. Edward Byfield. John Alexander. John Goodwin. Postscript: Captain Caleb Grantham, having paid into the Court's account here in cash notes the sum of £20 2s 0d, the Council has given him bills of exchange on the Court for that sum, payable at thirty days sight, dated this day. The Council begs the Court's acceptance accordingly. Edward Byfield. John Goodwin. Interpretations The passage closed a short Council general letter to the Court of Directors, paragraph 6 recording the survey of the Craggs under the Court's standing order. The Governor's report of her hull, masts, rigging, guns, anchors and cables by their state, with her draught and her company's health, served the Court its account of the bottom's fitness for the homeward voyage, the inspection long made of calling ships under the Court's order. The postscript bills to Captain Caleb Grantham for £20 2s 0d answered the standing want of a circulating medium, the cash notes paid into the Court's account turned into a London claim while the paper money stayed on a cashless island. The letter closed under the dateline of Union Castle on 1 March 1724, the old-style year carried forward, subscribed by Governor John Smith with Edward Byfield, John Alexander and John Goodwin of the Council. | ||
147V | List of the Packt p Craggs Capt Caleb Grantham Comand[...] N[...] 1 Gov[...] & Coun[...] Gen[...] Lett[...] dated 1 March 1723 2 D[...] Duplicate of Gen[...] Lett[...] p Carnarvon dated the 9 ffebry 1723 3 Duplicate of Consultations from the 13 Janry 1723 Incl[...] to y[...] 11 ffebry dated following 4 Copy of Consultations fro[...] the 11 ffebry Incl[...] 1723 to the 29 D[...] following Incl[...] 5 Receipts for both Pack[...] p Carnarvan 6 Duplicate of Ship Carnarvans Acc[...] on St[...] 7 Duplicate of Ship Cardigans Acc[...] St Helena 8 Duplicate of Mr Edw[...] Bryfelds Acc[...] of the Expence & live Stock for the 2 Mo[...] of Dec[...] 1723 9 Copy of D[...] Acc[...] D[...] for Janry 1723 10 Copy of D[...] List of the Packett p Carnarvan 11 Copy of Ship Craggs Acc[...] Mar[...] 1 1723 12 List of the Packett Signed [...] J.A. | List of the packet by the Craggs, Captain Caleb Grantham commander. 1: Governor and Council's general letter, dated the 1st of March 1723, sent apart 2: Duplicate of general letter by the Carnarvon, dated the 9th of February 1723 3: Duplicate of consultations from the 13th of January 1723, inclusive, to the 11th of February, exclusive, dated following 4: Copy of consultations from the 11th of February 1723 to the [...] following, inclusive 5: Receipts for both packets by the Carnarvon 6: Duplicate of ship Carnarvon's account on St Helena, the 21st [...] 7: Duplicate of ship Cardonnel's account, St Helena 8: Duplicate of Mr Edward Byfield's account of the live stock for the months of [...] June, and the live stock for the months of [...] December 1723 9: Copy of his account, the same, for January 1723 10: Copy of the list of the packet by the Carnarvon 11: Copy of ship Craggs's account, the 1st of March 1723 12: List of the packet Signed by John Alexander. Interpretations The numbered list is the packet manifest carried home by the Craggs under Captain Caleb Grantham, each item a copy, duplicate, account or receipt bundled for the recoverable audit trail at India House. The repeated duplicates of the general letter by the Carnarvon, the consultations and the accounts continued the standing safeguard by which the Council resent its record across separate hulls, so the loss of any one bottom on the homeward passage destroyed no part of the correspondence. The receipts for both packets by the Carnarvon closed the loop on the earlier conveyance, the captain's acknowledgement giving the recoverable proof of delivery. The accounts of the Carnarvon, the Cardonnel and the Craggs, with Mr Edward Byfield's account of the live stock by quarter, gave the Court its picture of the season's shipping and the plantation establishment. The entry of the live stock month by month marks the bookkeeping reform by which the new administration kept the plantation accounts in the consultations, the backward records of the previous regime long the ground of the Court's complaint, the whole subscribed by John Alexander the secretary. | ||
148R | Hon[...]d Sir Gen[...] Lett[...] p King George Capt John Houghton Comand[...] Our last to Your Hon[...] was by the Craggs Capt Caleb Grantham Comand[...] dated the first Inst[...] who Sailed hence for Great Brittain that day in the Evening which Wee had an Alarm for one Ship to the Windward of the Island about Seven leagues Distance the next day morning Arrived in Our road the King George Capt Jno Houghton Comand[...] from Bombay after haveing Attempted getting p[...] at the Cape but was forced away by a Strong St East Gale By the former Wee Transmitted to y[...] Hon[...] the Severall Duplicates & Coppys of all Materiall Papers and Acc[...] According to the List of the Packett then and now Sent and what hath Occurd Since Wee Send Inclose in the Packet by this Ship King George as Wee Shall Continue & from time to time and by this Summers Shiping your Hon[...] Books of Acc[...] for the Year 1722 with all other Usuall and Necessary Lists & Acc[...] Relating to the State of this Island for the Year first thereby hopeing to give your Hon[...] Such Satisfaction as is required of Us as our duty obliges Us to Wee have received by this Ship from Bombay nothing but two Prisoners one | General letter by the King George, Captain John Houghton commander. The Council addressed the Court of Directors. The last letter to the Court went by the Craggs, Captain Caleb Grantham commander, dated the first instant, which sailed from here for Great Britain that day in the evening. The Council then had an alarm for one ship to the windward of the island, about seven leagues distance. The next day in the morning the King George, Captain John Houghton commander, arrived in the Council road from Bombay, having attempted to put in at the Cape, but was forced away by a strong south-east gale. By the former conveyance the Council transmitted to the Court the several duplicates and copies of all material papers and accounts, according to the list of the packet then sent, and whatever has occurred since the Council sends enclosed in the packet by this ship the King George. As the Council shall continue from time to time, it sends by this summer's shipping the Court's books of account for the year 1722, with all other usual and necessary lists, relating to the state of this island for that year, hoping thereby to give the Court such satisfaction as is required of it, or as its duty obliges it to. The Council has received by this ship from Bombay nothing but two prisoners, one... Interpretations The passage opened a Council general letter to the Court of Directors, carried home by the King George under Captain John Houghton, the opening recitation giving the date of the previous despatch by the Craggs. The reference to the duplicates and copies sent by the earlier ship continued the standing safeguard by which the Council resent its record across separate hulls, so the loss of any one bottom on the homeward passage destroyed no part of the correspondence. The arrival of the King George forced from the Cape by a south-east gale marks the danger of the Dutch anchorage, the peril long argued by the Council against the resort to the Cape that the safer island road did not present. The despatch of the Court's books of account for the year 1722 by the summer's shipping marks the bookkeeping reform pressed under the new administration, the backward and undated records of the previous regime long the ground of the Court's complaint. The yearly returns on the state of the island, sent with the books, gave the Court its full picture of the establishment, the standing requirement of an annual account the administration of Governor Smith undertook to meet. | ||
148V | being a Europe Portuguize that was found Guilty of Murder and the other is a Coffree that had been often Guilty of Pilfering and Running away with some other Misdemeanors And as this Portuguize hath Committed So Hainous a Crime and may be too apt to Seduce the Blacks Wee have here it would be of ill Consequence to keep Such a fellow among them and therefore have prevailed on Capt Houghton to Carry him on in his Ship and the Coffree Wee will take Care to Employ in your Honnors Worke and to keep a Strict Eye over him hopeing thereby to Reclaim So Notorious a rogue as Wee apprehend him to be and as Such may be of Dangerous Consequences to Banish hesharp & where are great Numbers that had they an Opportunity would not Stick out to Commit any Mischief ) Wee humbly begg your Hon[...] would be pleasd to forbid your Chiefs in future sending any more here on any pretence whatsoever In ours by the Craggs Rec[...] the 3 Wee gave yo[...] Hon[...] an Acc[...] of the late rains it had pleasd God after a long drought to Send Us and that the Island did begin so glimmis sily but Our Cattle being very poor the Young Grass coth wash & scowr them So that Wee have and doe fear Wee Shall yet loose a great many die in hopes of a Tollerable Increase this year and those that live Wee be good of their kind and that the Shipping may | The two prisoners received by this ship from Bombay were one a European Portuguese that was found guilty of murder, and the other a coffree that had been before guilty of pilfering, and running away, with some other misdemeanours. As this Portuguese had committed so heinous a crime, and might be too apt to seduce the blacks the Council had here, it would be of ill consequence to keep such a fellow among them. The Council therefore prevailed on Captain Houghton to carry him on in his ship, and the coffree it would take care to employ in the Court's works, and to keep a strict eye over him, hoping thereby to reclaim so notorious a rogue as it apprehended him to be. As such might be of dangerous consequence to Bencoolen, where there were great numbers, had they an opportunity they would not stick out to commit any mischief, the Council humbly begged the Court would be pleased to forbid its chiefs in India sending any more here, on any pretence whatsoever. In the Council letter by the Craggs, paragraph 3, the Council gave the Court an account of the late rains, it having pleased God, after a long drought, to send the island some moderate showers, which made it begin to flourish daily. But the cattle being very poor, the young grass both washed and scoured them so, that the Council had, and did, fear it should yet lose a great many in hopes of a tolerable increase that year, and of those that would be made good of their kind, and that the shipping might... Interpretations The passage continued a Council general letter to the Court of Directors, the first paragraph setting out the disposal of two prisoners shipped from Bombay. The European Portuguese, found guilty of murder, the Council sent on in the King George rather than keep him among the slaves he might corrupt, the standing fear of a dangerous man fixed on the risk to the company's blacks. The coffree, an East African slave from the Mozambique coast guilty of pilfering and running, the Council kept for the Court's works under close watch, the penal labour by which it sought to reclaim a rogue. The plea to forbid the Indian presidencies sending such men marks the recurring anxiety over deserters and criminals on an island whose security the ship-seizure conspiracies had tested. The second paragraph carried forward the rains pressed in the letter by the Craggs, the moderate showers reviving the island after the four-year drought. The Council's note that the poor cattle were washed and scoured by the young grass, so that it feared losing many, marks the hazard to the half-starved herd as the seasons turned, the live stock long the means by which the Council broke the planters' hold on the establishment's provisions. The recovery of the cattle answered the standing want of beef for the garrison and the shipping on a temperate island where the drought had failed both the grass and the yams. | ||
149R | may be in part Supplyd with Beef Wee will take all the Care Imaginable to preserve your Enclosed Pastures as well as the Pasturage in the Great Wood which if your Hon[...] will please to give your Selves the trouble of Per useing Our Consultations recited in our aforesd Letter and Since of the 11 Inst[...] You'l see Wee have made some Progress therein for the Generall good of the Island & Preservation of the Inhabitants Stocks on which severall St[...] Wim Chiefly Depends they haveing now or but very little Pasture Lands of their own Pursuant to your Hon[...] Orders the Gov[...] went on board the King George Capt Houghton Comand[...] on the 14 Inst[...] & found Her Hull Masts Yards and Standing Rigg ing Running good Runing Rigging Conder[...] ing the length of the Voyage Sufficient good Guns all Clear Anchors & Cables good Hatches all Caulked down Draft of Water abaft 16 foot 10 Inches afore 16 foot 8 Inches & the men in good health Nothing further of any Moment happening Since Our last Wee have only to Add that Wee are with profound respect Hon[...]d Sir St Helena Union Castle the 16 Mar[...] 1723 Your Hon[...] most Humble faithfull & most obed[...] Serv[...] I.S E.B I.A I.G Margin Notes: P.S. Wee have drawn two Setts of Bills on yo[...] Hon[...] [...] of Excha[...] on yo[...] Hon[...] Janry as follow[...] [...] 16 Mar[...] 1723 for y[...] Sum of to Capt Jno Houghton or Order 1 to Capt John Houghton or Order [...] 141.15. & being for Cash Notes & Wee bought of him for y[...] Use of the [...] to the like Alexander or Order the Sum of 33. Note Sum for Cash Notes good of him here We to yo[...] Hon[...] dated as for y[...] Sume [...] amounting [...] | The shipping might be in part supplied with beef, and the Council would take all the care imaginable to preserve its enclosed pastures, as well as the pasturage in the Great Wood. Should the Court please to give itself the trouble of perusing the Council consultations recited in its prior letter, and those of the 11th instant, it would see the Council had made some progress therein, for the general good of the island, and the preservation of the inhabitants' stocks, on which several of them chiefly depended, they having now but very little pasture land of their own. In pursuance to the Court's order, Governor Smith went on board the King George, Captain Houghton commander, on the 14th instant, and found her hull, masts, yards and standing rigging good, her running rigging the length of the voyage and indifferent good, her guns all clear, her anchors and cables good. Her hatches were all caulked down, her draught of water abaft 16 foot 10 inches, afore 16 foot 8 inches, and her men in good health. Nothing further of any moment happening since the Council last letter, it had only to add that it remained, with profound respect, the Court's most humble and most obedient and faithful servants. St Helena, Union Castle, the 16th of March 1723. John Smith. Edward Byfield. John Alexander. John Goodwin. Postscript: The Council has drawn two sets of bills of exchange on the Court, one payable to Captain John Houghton of the King George or order, dated the [...] of March 1723, for the sum of [...], and the other payable to [...] for cash notes paid into the Court's account, the sum of £140 0s 0d, being for cash notes. Mr [...] Alexander, on his order, was given a bill for the sum of £30 0s 0d more, for cash notes paid in. The Council begs the Court's acceptance accordingly. Interpretations The passage closed a Council general letter to the Court of Directors, the first paragraph carrying forward the preservation of the pasture and the relief of the cattle. The Council's undertaking to guard the enclosed pastures and the grazing in the Great Wood, on which the inhabitants' stocks chiefly depended, marks the management of the island's grass through the dry seasons. The note that several planters held very little pasture of their own ties the enclosure to the engrossing pattern, the concentration of land in a few wealthy hands long judged to weaken the smaller planters and the island's defence. The survey of the King George under the Court's standing order reported her hull, masts, rigging, guns, anchors and cables by their state, with her draught and her company's health. The inspection served the Court its account of the bottom's fitness for the homeward voyage, the standing survey long made of calling ships. The postscript bills to Captain John Houghton and others answered the want of a circulating medium, the cash notes paid into the Court's account turned into a London claim while the paper money stayed on a cashless island. The letter closed under the dateline of Union Castle on 16 March 1724, the old-style year carried forward, subscribed by Governor John Smith with the Council. | ||
149V | List of the Packt p King George Capt Jno Houghton Comander Vizt N[...] 1 Gov[...] & Coun[...] Gen[...] Lett[...] dated y[...] 16 Mar[...] 1723 2 Duplicate of Gov[...] & Coun[...] Gen[...] Lett[...] p Craggs dated the 1 Mar[...] 1723 Sent apart 3 Duplicate of Consultations from y[...] 11 ffebry 1723 Incl[...] to the 4 Mar[...] Excl[...] following Copy of Consultations fro[...] the 4 Mar[...] Incl[...] 1723 4 to the y[...] D[...] Excl[...] following 5 Duplicate of Ship Craggs Acc[...] at St Helena Duplicate of Mr Bryfelds Acc[...] of y[...] Hon[...] Co[...] 6 live Stock & Expence for the Mo[...] of Janry 1723 7 Copy of D[...] his Acc[...] for D[...] of ffebry 1723 8 Copy of the List of the Packt p Craggs 9 Receipts for the Packt p Craggs 10 Copy of Ship King George Acc[...] at St Helena 11 List of the Packett | List of the packet by the King George, Captain John Houghton commander. 1: Governor and Council's general letter, dated 16 March 1723 2: Duplicate of Governor and Council's general letter by the Craggs, dated 1 March 1723, sent apart 3: Duplicate of consultations from 11 February 1723, inclusive, to the [...] of March following 4: Copy of consultations from the [...] of March 1723 to the [...] following 5: Duplicate of ship Craggs's account at St Helena 6: Duplicate of Mr Byfield's account of the live stock and expense for the months of [...] January 1723 7: Copy of his account, the same, for the months of [...] February 1723 8: Copy of the list of the packet by the Craggs 9: Receipts for the packet by the Craggs 10: Copy of ship King George's account at St Helena 11: List of the packet Interpretations The numbered list is the packet manifest carried home by the King George under Captain John Houghton, each item a copy, duplicate, account or receipt bundled for the recoverable audit trail at India House. The repeated duplicates of the general letter by the Craggs, the consultations and the accounts continued the standing safeguard by which the Council resent its record across separate hulls, so the loss of any one bottom on the homeward passage destroyed no part of the correspondence. The receipts for the packet by the Craggs closed the loop on the earlier conveyance, the captain's acknowledgement giving the recoverable proof of delivery. The accounts of the Craggs and the King George, with Mr Byfield's account of the live stock and its expense by month, gave the Court its picture of the season's shipping and the plantation establishment. The entry of the live stock month by month marks the bookkeeping reform by which the new administration kept the plantation accounts in the consultations, the backward records of the previous regime long the ground of the Court's complaint. | ||
150R | Gen[...] Lett[...] p Mary Capt Rich[...] Holden Comander Vizt Hon[...]d Sir The last Wee did Our Selves the Hon[...] of Writing to Your Honours was by the King George Capt John Houghton Comander under date of the 16 March 1723 a Copy of which with a Copy of Our Consult[...] & and Duplicates of those by that Ship comes herewith Sett & when there hath Arrived with Us the following Ships Vizt The Sarum Capt George Newton Comand[...] from Bengall on the 12 Instant The Lethullien Capt Jno Shepherd Comand[...] (who Succeeded after the Death of Capt Edwards ) on the 14 following On the 15 Arrived a Dutch Ship Named the Shomberge from Mocha and Couldnt that hes had a long Passage & being forced by the Cape in bad weather was obliged to putt in here for Refreshm[...] and to Recover their Sick with whab were upwards of twenty & very ill of the Scurvy On the 16th following Arrived two of his Majest[...] Ships the Wee the Lyon and Shoreim from Bombay but last from the Cape where were no English Ships but to Shore their going In there they mett with the London | General letter by the Mary, Captain Richard Holden commander. The Council addressed the Court of Directors. The last letter to the Court went by the King George, Captain John Houghton commander, under date of 16 March 1723, a copy of which, with a copy of the Council consultations and duplicates of those by that ship, comes herewith. Since then there have arrived with the Council the following ships: The Sarum, Captain George Newton commander, from Bengal, on the 12th instant. The Stalkbourg, Captain [...] Shepherd commander, who succeeded after the death of Captain Edwards, on the 14th following. On the 15th there arrived a Dutch ship, named the Schonberg, from Mocha, and Coulan, that had had a long passage. Being forced by the Cape in bad weather, she was obliged to put in here for refreshment, and to recover her sick men, who were upwards of twenty, very ill of the scurvy. On the 16th following there arrived two of Her Majesty's ships, the Lyon and Shoreham, from Bombay, but last from the Cape, where there were no English ships. Before their going in there, they met with the London... Interpretations The passage opened a Council general letter to the Court of Directors, carried home by the Mary under Captain Richard Holden, the opening recitation giving the date of the previous despatch by the King George. The reference to the copies and duplicates sent by the earlier ship continued the standing safeguard by which the Council resent its record across separate hulls, so the loss of any one bottom on the homeward passage destroyed no part of the correspondence. The catalogue of arrivals served the Court its yearly picture of the traffic through the island, the men of war and the Court ships still coming last from the Cape rather than the island road. The Dutch ship the Schonberg from Mocha and Coulan, forced into the road by bad weather at the Cape with upwards of twenty men sick of the scurvy, the Council allowed in for refreshment, the standing treatment of a foreign ship in distress in amity with the English. The note of the long passage and the sick men marks the hazard of the Cape and the value of the island as a refit and refreshment station, the safer road long argued by the Council against the dangerous Dutch anchorage where three of the Court's own ships had been wrecked. | ||
150V | London and Greenwich outward bound and as they came from Bombay mett with the Duke of Cambridge Capt Daniel Small bound thither who gave them an Acc[...] of the 22 of the China Ships being safe and mett with Success but that Capt Lytcome was Dead On the 19th Arrived the Mary Capt Richard Holden Comander the Derby Capt fitzhugh Comander & the Essex Capt Sommers Comander All from Bengall & Madd[...] where they left the Walpole Capt Bodelain Comander that may be Expected here Some time Next Month who p Supra Cargoes Mr Savage and Mr Pratt takes Passage Home on the Ship Essex By these five Ships in your Hon[...] Service Wee have Rec[...] from Bengall the full One per Cent Chiefly in Rice and Sugar all Entred in Our Consultations ) for the Use of this Island & which is very Acceptable to Us and will in some Measure be a very good relief for the Poor Inhabitants (with what Else they have bought out of those Ships ) as well as for your Honours Slaves and that they might be as well Supplyd as Possible Wee have bought all the Rice and other Provisions Wee could gett and yet if the Store Ships (which Wee have been in Long Expectation ) doe not Speedily Arrive with Us Wee shall soon Consume Our present Stores for haveing So many mouths to feed daily must of Necessity cause a large Consumption Notwithstanding all Our prudistry and frugality for and towards the Support of So Numerous a family | The two men of war met with the London and Greenwich, outward bound, and as they came from Bombay, met with the Duke of Cambridge, Captain Daniel Small commander, bound thither, who gave them an account of the rest of the China ships being safe, and met with success, but that Captain Lytton was dead. On the 19th there arrived the Mary, Captain Richard Holden commander, the Derby, Captain Fitzhugh commander, and the Essex, Captain Sommers commander, all from Bengal and Madras, where they left the Walpole, Captain Bodrain commander, that might be expected here some time next month, whose supercargoes, Mr Savage and Mr Pratt, took passage home on the ship Essex. By these five ships in the Court's service, the Council received from Bengal the full one per cent, chiefly in rice and sugar, all entered in the Council consultations, for the use of this island, which was very acceptable to it, and would, in some measure, be a very good relief for the poor inhabitants, with whatever else they had bought out of these ships, as well as for the Court's slaves. So that the island might be as well supplied as possible, the Council bought all the rice and other provisions it could get. Should the store ship, which had been in long expectation, not arrive speedily with the Council, it would soon consume its present stores, for having so many mouths to feed daily must, of necessity, cause a large consumption, notwithstanding all the Council industry and frugality for, and toward, the support of so numerous a family. Interpretations The passage continued a Council general letter to the Court of Directors, the first paragraph carrying the shipping intelligence brought by the men of war from Bombay. The account of the Duke of Cambridge under Captain Daniel Small bound for Bombay, who reported the China ships safe but Captain Lytton dead, marks the standing service by which a calling commander passed the eastern news westward through the island. The catalogue gave the Court the latest state of its bottoms on the Indian coast before the arriving ships could be expected home. The second paragraph recorded the receipt from the five Court ships of the one per cent due from Bengal, chiefly rice and sugar, the relief long sought against the famine that runs through the season's letters. The one per cent marks the standing order by which each ship brought a fixed proportion of naval stores and provisions for the island, the supply easing the want on a temperate island where the four-year drought had failed the yam crop. The Council's note that its present stores would soon be consumed by so many mouths, despite its frugality, fixed the depth of the food crisis and the dependence on the long-expected store ship from England. | ||
151R | Wee have Supplyd these two Men of War with as much Beef and other fresh Provisi ons as Wee could possibly Spare out of yo[...] Hon[...] Stock or could Buy for money of the Planters and to which end Wee Issued out an Advertizem[...] Offering ready money for all the Cattle they had to Dispose of as will more fully Appear in Our Consultation of the 21 Inst[...] and have made it Our Cheafest thing & used Our Utmost Endeavours to Gratifye Comadore Matthews in every respect and have treated him with all the Respect and good Maners Wee were Capable of which Wee think Sufficient to avoid any Complaints or least Uneasiness Yet Wee are apprehensive of his going hence Somewhat Dissatisfyde which gives Us the more Concern because Wee have Acted with all the Precaution Imaginable And if your Honours will please to give your Selves the trouble of Comparing Our Letter Acc[...] Containing the live Stock on this Island with those formerly Transmitted you will Soon perceive the great Difference and Decrease and will Wee flatter Our Selves Con clude both they and the merchant men too have been very well Supplyd with all Sorts of Provisions this Island Produces and that Beef for four days in a week which the Men of War has had of Us hath Caused a vast Consumption | The Council supplied these two men of war with as much beef and other fresh provisions as it could possibly spare out of the Court's stock, or could buy for money of the planters. To that end the Council issued out an advertisement, offering ready money for all the cattle they had to dispose of, as would more fully appear in the Council consultation of the 22nd instant. The Council made it its chief care, and used its utmost endeavours, to gratify Commodore Matthews in every respect, and treated him with all the respect and good manners it was capable of, which it thought sufficient to avoid any complaints or the least uneasiness. Yet the Council was apprehensive of his going home somewhat dissatisfied, which gave it the more concern, since it had acted with all the precaution imaginable. Should the Court please to give itself the trouble of comparing the Council letter and account containing the live stock on this island with those formerly transmitted, it would soon perceive the great difference and decrease. The Council would not flatter itself, but concluded both they and the merchant men too had been very well supplied with all sorts of provisions this island produced. The beef for four days in a week, which the men of war had of the Council, had caused a vast consumption... Interpretations The passage continued a Council general letter to the Court of Directors, the first paragraph setting out the supply of the two men of war from the Court's stock and the planters' cattle. The advertisement offering ready money for all the cattle the planters had to sell marks the standing device by which the Council drew provisions out of private hands to victual the shipping, the ready money rare on a cashless island and the cattle long the subject of the planters' combination to withhold. The Council's care to gratify Commodore Matthews, with its concern that he might go home dissatisfied, fixes the standing tension over a calling commander whose complaint to the Court could carry weight. The second paragraph carried forward the decline of the live stock, the Council inviting the Court to compare the present account with those formerly sent. The note that the men of war had beef four days a week, causing a vast consumption, marks the heavy draught on the herd that the warships made, the cattle long the means by which the Council broke the planters' hold on the establishment's provisions. The decrease of the stock answered the strain of victualling the shipping through a season of famine, the island's own ground failing both the grass and the yams through the four-year drought. Speculations The Council's care to anticipate Commodore Matthews's dissatisfaction, set against its detailed record of the beef supplied and the advertisement for cattle, managed the risk that the warship's commander would carry an unfavourable report to the Court. By entering the supply in the consultation and inviting the Court to weigh the decrease of the herd, the Council fixed the cost of the entertainment to a documented draught on a famine-struck stock, protecting itself in advance against a charge of stinting a King's ship by laying the strain on the record rather than on its own management. | ||
151V | Consumption of Our Cattle and which was according to his Demand Wee being in very great want of Provisions and Sundry other Necessarys for the Use of this Island have been Obliged to Buy of the Comanders and for payment to draw Bills of Exchange on Your Honours which Wee hope You will be pleasd to Ease and others for Cash Notes paid into Your Honours Cash here which Wee are Direct ed to do in your Instructions to Us from time to time and begg your Hon[...] Acceptance Accordingly Vizt To Mr William Boyse Junr (or Order ) One Sett of Bills for the Sume of 200. - Sterl Dated the 27 of Aprill 1724 payable at thirty days Sight To Capt Richard Holden or Order One Sett for the Sume of 377. 19. Sterl[...] dated the 29[...] Aprill 1724 To Capt John Shepheard (or Order ) One Sett for the Sume of 78. 8. & 10 Sterl[...] dated 29 Apr[...] 1724 To Mr John Porter Surgeon of the Lethullien (or Order ) One Sett for the Sume of 31. 7. & 6 Sterl[...] dated the 29 Aprill 1724 To Capt Jonathan Sommers (or Order ) One Sett more for the Sume of 26. 4. & 8 Sterl[...] dated as aforesaid and all Payable thirty days aft[...] Sight Pursuant to your Honours Instructions the Govern[...] went on Board the five following Ships on the 23 Inst[...] and found Viz The Sarum Capt Newton Hull Masts Yards Standing & Running Rigging | The beef supplied to the men of war caused a vast consumption of the Council cattle, and that was according to the commodore's demand. The Council, being in very great want of provisions and sundry other necessaries for the use of this island, was obliged to buy of the commanders, and for payment to draw bills of exchange on the Court, which it hoped the Court would be pleased to ease. Others were for cash notes paid into the Court's account here, which the Council was directed to do in the Court's instructions to it from time to time. The Council begged the Court's acceptance accordingly: To Mr William Boyse junior, or order, one set of bills for the sum of £200 0s 0d sterling, dated 27 April 1724, payable at thirty days sight. To Captain Richard Holden, or order, one set for the sum of £377 19s 0d sterling, dated 29 April 1724. To Captain John Shepherd, or order, one set for the sum of £78 8s 10d sterling, dated 29 April 1724. To Mr John Porter, surgeon of the Litchfield, or order, one set for the sum of £31 7s 6d sterling, dated 29 April 1724. To Captain Jonathan Sommers, or order, one set more for the sum of £26 4s 8d sterling, dated as set out, and all payable at thirty days sight. In pursuance to the Court's instructions, the Governor went on board the five following ships on the 23rd instant, and found, of the Sarum, Captain Newton, her hull, masts, yards, standing and running rigging... Interpretations The passage continued a Council general letter to the Court of Directors, the schedule of bills setting out the remittances drawn for provisions bought of the calling commanders. The sums to Mr William Boyse, Captain Holden, Captain Shepherd, Mr John Porter and Captain Sommers, drawn on the Court for goods and cash notes, turned the want of provisions and the island's paper money into London claims, the bills the standing means by which a cashless island discharged its purchases. The reference to the Court's instructions to take cash notes into its account marks the device by which scarce coin and notes were kept in local circulation while their value was remitted home. The opening of the survey of the five Court ships under the Court's standing order marks the inspection long made of calling ships to assess their state for the homeward voyage. The Governor's report of the Sarum under Captain Newton by her hull, masts, rigging and condition served the Court its account of each bottom's fitness, the standing survey by which the Council gave the Court its picture of the ships it victualled and despatched. | ||
152R | Rigging in good Condition Anchors & Cables Good Hatches Caulked down Guns Clear Men in good health Draft of Water abaft 17 foot afore 16 feet The Lethullien Hull Masts Yards Standing and Running rigging good Anchor & Cables good Hatches Caulked down 20 Lascars on board Draft of Water abaft 17 foot afore 17 foot 8 Inches Ship Clear and all the Guns The Essex Hull Masts Yards Standing and runing Rigging good Anchors & Cables good Hatches Caulked down and a full Ship Guns Clear Men in good health Draft of Water abaft 16 foot afore 17 foot The Derbys Hull Masts Yards Standing and Running Rigging good Guns Clear 20 Guns Mounted the other under the Cables Hatches Caulked down twenty Moreesoes & twelve Portuguiz on Board Draft of Water abaft 17½ feet afore 16½ Severall Men Sick The Marys Hull Masts Yards Standing and runing Rigging Good Cables & Anchors Good Guns all Clear thirty four Guns Mounted Men in good health Draft of Water abaft 18 feet afore 16½ feet Wee have not further to Add at present but | The Sarum's rigging in good condition, her anchors and cables good, her hatches caulked down, her guns clear, her men in good health, her draught of water abaft 17 foot, afore 16 foot. The Litchfield's hull, masts, yards, standing and running rigging good, her anchors and cables good, her hatches caulked down. Twenty leaguers on board, her draught of water abaft 17 foot, afore 15 foot 8 inches, her ship clear, and all her guns. The Essex's hull, masts, yards, standing and running rigging good, her anchors and cables good, her hatches caulked down, and a full ship. Her guns clear, her men in good health, her draught of water abaft 16 foot, afore 17 foot. The Derby's hull, masts, yards, standing and running rigging good, her guns clear, twenty guns mounted and the other under the cables. Her hatches caulked down, twenty Moorishes and twelve Portuguese on board, her draught of water abaft 17½ foot, afore 16½ foot, several men sick. The Mary's hull, masts, yards, standing and running rigging good, her cables and anchors good, her guns all clear, thirty-four guns mounted, her men in good health, her draught of water abaft 18 foot, afore 16½ foot. The Council had nothing further to add at present, but... Interpretations The passage continued a Council general letter to the Court of Directors, the surveys setting out the condition of the five Court ships under the Court's standing order. The reports of the Sarum, the Litchfield, the Essex, the Derby and the Mary by their hull, masts, rigging, guns, anchors and cables, with their draught and their company's health, served the Court its account of each bottom's fitness for the homeward voyage. The inspection long made of calling ships gave the Court its picture of the vessels it victualled and despatched. The note of twenty Moorishes and twelve Portuguese on board the Derby, with several men sick, marks the passengers and the company carried in the Court's shipping, the Moorish and Portuguese hands of the eastern trade. The gun counts and the stowage recorded for each ship served the Court its measure of the bottom's defence and her freight, the standing survey by which the Council reported the state of the homeward fleet to the body in London. | ||
152V | but to wish Success to your Honours Affairs and are with due Respects Hon[...]d Sir Union Castle St Helena Aprill y[...] 29. 1724. Yo[...] Hon[...] most Humble faithfull & most obed[...] Serv[...] Ino Smith Edw[...] Byfeld Jn. Alexander Wm Goodwin List of the Packet p Ship Mary Capt Rich[...] Holden Comand[...] N[...] 1 Govern[...] & Coun[...] Gen[...] Lett[...] dated 29 April 1724 2 Copy of Gov[...] Gen[...] Lett[...] p K George dated 16 Mar[...] 1723 3 Duplicate of Consultations fro[...] y[...] 4 Mar[...] 1723 to y[...] 5 April following Copy of Consultations fro[...] D[...] then following to y[...] of May following 4 Excl[...] 1724 Duplicate of Mr Byfelds Acc[...] of Plantation Expence 5 & live Stock for the Month of ffebry 1723 Copy of ditto his Acc[...] & Expence for the Mo[...] 6 of March 1723 7 Rec[...] for the Packt p K George Mar[...] 16 1723 8 Duplicate of Ship K George Acc[...] Copy of Ships Lyon Shoram Mary Derby 9 Sarum Essex Lethullien Acc[...] with Capt Shepherds Acc[...] all p[...] 9 10 Copy of List of the Packt Sent p K George 11 List of this Packett Signed [...] Jn. Alexander | The Council wished success to the Court's affairs, and remained, with due respect, the Court's most humble and most faithful and most obedient servants. Union Castle, St Helena, 29 April 1724. John Smith. Edward Byfield. John Alexander. John Goodwin. List of the packet by the ship Mary, Captain Richard Holden commander. 1: Governor and Council's general letter, dated 29 April 1724 2: Copy of Governor and Council's general letter by the King George, dated 16 March 1723 3: Duplicate of consultations from the 14th of March 1723 to the 16th following 4: Copy of consultations from the [...] of March 1723 to the [...] of May following 5: Duplicate of Mr Byfield's account of the plantation expense and live stock for the months of [...] July 1723 6: Copy of his account, the same, of the expense for the months of [...] March 1723 7: Receipt for the packet by the King George, dated 16 March 1723 8: Duplicate of ship King George's account 9: Copy of ships Lyon, Shoreham, Mary, Derby, Sarum, Essex and Litchfield's accounts, with Captain Shepherd's account, all number 9 10: Copy of list of the packet sent by the King George 11: List of the packet Signed by John Alexander. Interpretations The passage closed a Council general letter to the Court of Directors and opened the packet manifest carried home by the Mary under Captain Richard Holden. The letter ended with the subscription of the administration under Governor John Smith, signing with Edward Byfield, John Alexander and John Goodwin of the Council. The numbered list bundled the season's papers for the recoverable audit trail at India House, each item a copy, duplicate, account or receipt. The repeated duplicates of the general letter by the King George, the consultations and the accounts continued the standing safeguard by which the Council resent its record across separate hulls, so the loss of any one bottom on the homeward passage destroyed no part of the correspondence. The accounts of the seven Court ships surveyed at the island, bundled together under one number, gave the Court its measure of the homeward fleet, the receipt for the packet by the King George closing the loop on the earlier conveyance with the captain's recoverable proof of delivery. | ||
153R | General Lett[...] p Mountague Capt John Gordon Comander Hon[...]d Sir 1. Our last to your Hon[...] was by the Mary Capt Rich[...] Holden Comander Under date of the 29 Aprill last past (a Copy of which comes herewith ) who Said hence the same day for great Brittain with the Sarum Derby Essex & Lethullien Under Convoy of two of His Majesties Ships of War the Lyon and Shorum and the next day the Dutch Ship Mentioned in the aforesaid Letter Saild for Holland 2. Since when there hath Arrived here on the first of May the Bridgewater Capt Edward Williamson Comander from Bengal who brought Us thence for the use of this Island the following Stores & Provisions Vizt 37 Bags Rice q[...] 1900 to 8 Bags Sugar q[...] 6 Buz[...] Manners &c 3 Casks Pork q[...] 343 Pieces And for the reason given in all or Most of Our Letters for nigh these twelve months last past therein justly Complaining of the Inhabitants Hardships they have Laboured under for five years and their Starveing | General letter by the Montague, Captain John Gordon commander. The Council addressed the Court of Directors. 1: The last letter to the Court went by the Mary, Captain Richard Holden commander, under date of 29 April last, a copy of which comes herewith. She sailed from here the same day for Great Britain, with the Sarum, Derby, Essex and Litchfield, under convoy of two of Her Majesty's ships of war, the Lyon and Shoreham, and the next day the Dutch ship set out in the prior letter sailed for Holland. 2: Since then there has arrived here, on the first of May, the Bridgewater, Captain Edward Williamson commander, from Bengal, who brought the Council, for the use of this island, the following stores and provisions: rice 37 bags, weight 9,054 [...] £190 [...]s [...]d sugar 8 bags, weight 1,016 [...], wanted [...] £[...]s [...]d pork 3 casks, weight 343 pieces And, for the reason given in all, or most, of the Council letters for nigh these twelve months last past, therein justly complaining of the hardships the inhabitants and their ships had laboured under for five years, and their starving... Interpretations The passage opened a Council general letter to the Court of Directors, carried home by the Montague under Captain John Gordon, the recitation of paragraph 1 giving the date of the previous despatch by the Mary. The departure of the homeward fleet under convoy of the two men of war marks the standing practice of sailing the Court's ships in company for safety, the war with Spain and the fear of pirates long the ground for convoy. The reference to the copy sent herewith continued the safeguard by which the Council resent its record across separate hulls. Paragraph 2 recorded the stores brought by the Bridgewater from Bengal, the rice, sugar and pork entered by their weight against the famine that runs through the season's letters. The supply of provisions from the Indian presidency eased the want on a temperate island where the five-year drought had failed the yam crop, the relief long sought from the Court's shipping. The Council's reference to its repeated complaints across the year, of the hardships the inhabitants had suffered and their starving condition, fixed the depth of the food crisis pressed in every despatch of the season. | ||
153V | Starveing Condition their Poor familys were and are Still in Wee have bought all the Provisions Wee could out as well out of this Ship the Bridgewater as out of those lately Departed hence for the Relief of the Said Inhabitants and your Hon[...] Slaves and if Wee had not had the good fortune of being So well Supplyd by the Gentlem[...] at Bengal and the Comanders of the Return ing Ships Our Case would have been very Deplorable & Miserable and as most of this Years Shipping is near past Us Wee have no great hopes of any further Supply but what Wee have been in Long Expectation of by the Store Ships from England which Wee wish (and the Poor people prays daily for that themselves their Children & Blacks may be kept alive ) and for their Subsistance have undergone very great Hardships & daily disorders Prejudiciall to their healths which is Occasiond by the Scarcenest and badness of Provisions & herbage that Severall Poor familys have been oblidged to live partly on the Wee thank God every thing this rainy Season flourishes pretty well & gives Us Comfort and great hopes of retrieving the cost and manifest Losses Your Honours and the Inhabitants in Generall has Sustained by the Long and tedious drought for So many years Successively By | The starving condition of their poor families came, and continued, still. The Council bought all the provisions it could get, as well out of this ship the Bridgewater as out of those lately departed, for the relief of the inhabitants and the Court's slaves. Had the Council not had the good fortune of being so well supplied by the gentlemen at Bengal, and the commanders of the homeward-bound ships, its case would have been very deplorable and miserable. As most of this year's shipping was now past the Council, it had no great hopes of any further supply, but what it had been in long expectation of, by the store ship from England, which was worse, and the poor people prayed daily for, that themselves, their children, and the blacks, might be kept alive. For their subsistence the poor families had undergone very great hardships, and daily disorders prejudicial to their health, which were occasioned by the scarceness and badness of provisions and herbage. Several poor families had been obliged to live poorly enough. The Council thanked God everything in this rainy season flourished pretty well, and gave it comfort and great hopes of retrieving the loss and manifest distress the Court and the inhabitants in general had sustained, by the long and tedious drought, for so many years successively. Interpretations The passage continued a Council general letter to the Court of Directors, the famine that runs through the season's letters set out in full. The Council's account of buying all the provisions it could from the Bridgewater and the departed ships, for the relief of the inhabitants and the company's blacks, marks the interim recovery from calling shipping against the want the island's own ground could not meet. The dependence on the gentlemen at Bengal and the homeward commanders, and the long-expected store ship from England, fixed the food crisis on a temperate island where the multi-year drought had failed both the herbage and the yams. The note that the poor families had undergone great hardships and disorders prejudicial to their health, occasioned by the scarceness of provisions, marks the toll of the famine on the inhabitants and the company's slaves. The Council's thanks for the rains of the season, and its hope of retrieving the loss, fixed the turn after the long drought, the recovery of the provisions answering the want that the failed seasons had pressed across every despatch of the year. The supply of food remained the standing limit on the island, both its cultivation and its survival tied to the return of the rain. | ||
154R | 3. By this Sommers Shipping Wee shall Transmitt to your Hon[...] Your Books of Acc[...] for the Year 1722 with the Inventory of remaining Stores Duplicates and Copys of Our Consulta tions and all Usual Lists & Acc[...] Relating to this Island in Gen[...] for the year past with what Else may Occur Worthy of yo[...] Honours Notice hopeing therein to give you Intire Satisfaction 4. The real Necessity both Wee and the Inhabi tants Wee in hath Obliged Us to draw the following Sett of Bills on your Honours Pay[...] to Capt Williamson for Provisions he hath Sold Us for your Hon[...] Use here and to Some of the People for which he rec[...]d and brought in Cash Notes and paid them into yo[...] Hon[...] Cash here viz 5. To Capt Edward Williamson (or Order ) One Sett of Bills of Exchange for the Sume of two Hundred & one Pounds three Shillings & two Pence Sterl[...] dated y[...] 12 May 1724 & p[...] y[...] at thirty days after Sight and begg Your Honours Acceptance accordingly 6. In pursuance to your Hon[...] Instructions the Govern[...] went on board the Bridgewater Capt Williamson Comder on the 11 Inst[...] and found Her Hull Masts Yards Standing and | 3: By this summer's shipping the Council transmitted to the Court its books of account for the year 1722, with the inventory of remaining stores, duplicates and copies of the Council consultations, and all usual lists and accounts relating to the state of the island in general for the year past, with whatever else might occur worthy of the Court's notice, hoping thereby to give it full satisfaction. 4: The real necessity both the Council and the inhabitants were in obliged it to draw the following set of bills on the Court, for payment to Captain Williamson for provisions he had sold the Council for the Court's use here, and to some of the people, for which he received and brought in cash notes, and paid them into the Court's account here: 5: To Captain Edward Williamson, or order, one set of bills of exchange for the sum of £253 13s 0d sterling, dated 12 May 1724, payable at thirty days after sight. The Council begged the Court's acceptance accordingly. 6: In pursuance to the Court's instructions, the Governor went on board the Bridgewater, Captain Williamson commander, on the 11th instant, and found her hull, masts, yards, standing and... Interpretations The passage continued a Council general letter to the Court of Directors, paragraph 3 recording the despatch of the Court's books of account for the year 1722 by the summer's shipping. The transmission of the books, the inventory of remaining stores and the yearly returns marks the bookkeeping reform pressed under the new administration, the backward and undated records of the previous regime long the ground of the Court's complaint. The standing requirement of an annual account the administration of Governor Smith undertook to meet, the books bundled with the consultations and lists for the Court's full picture of the establishment. The bills of paragraphs 4 and 5 to Captain Edward Williamson for £253 13s 0d answered the want of provisions and the standing shortage of coin, the goods sold to the Council and the cash notes paid into the Court's account turned into a London claim. The drawing of the bill against both the provisions bought and the notes brought in marks the device by which a cashless island discharged its purchases and kept its paper money in circulation, the value remitted home. Paragraph 6 opened the survey of the Bridgewater under the Court's standing order, the inspection long made of calling ships to assess their state for the homeward voyage. | ||
154V | and Running Rigging good Anchors & Cables good Hatches Caulked down and a Clean Ship Men all in good health Draft of Water abaft 16 foot Six Inches afore 15 feet 7. Wee had Wrote the foregoing & Conclud ed Our Letter designed by the Bridgewater on the 12 Inst[...] in the afternoon (he intending to Sail hence that day evening ) but before Wee made up the Packet the Alarm for the Mountague Capt John Gordon from China happened which Occasiond Capt Williamson tarrying for Her in pursu ance to your Hon[...] Orders Inserted in a Letter Wee sent him to Stay for both their greater Security and that his Stay here might be as Short as possible Captain Gordon hath lost no time to Expedite their Passage Home 8. By this Ship Wee have rec[...] from China the following Goods viz 6 Bags Sugar q[...] Nett & each is 6 Pec[...] 2 Chests Bohea Tea q[...] Nett 50 each is 1 Pec[...] 1 D[...] Singloe q[...] Nett each D[...] 2 Baskett[...] China root q[...] Nett & each is 2 D[...] 1 Box China Ware q[...] 360 p[...] Cups Saucers blue and white 9. A Second an Alarm being made Yester day in the afternoon Just before the Mountague and Bridgewater Unmoald for | The Bridgewater's running rigging good, her anchors and cables good, her hatches caulked down, and a clear ship, her men all in good health, her draught of water abaft 16 foot 6 inches, afore 15 foot. 7: The Council wrote the foregoing, and concluded its letter designed by the Bridgewater, on the 12th instant in the afternoon, she intending to sail from here that day evening. But before the Council made up the packet, the alarm for the Montague, Captain John Gordon, from China, happened, which occasioned Captain Williamson's tarrying for her. In pursuance to the Court's order, set out in a letter, the Council sent him to stay for both their greater security, and that his stay here might be as short as possible. Captain Gordon lost no time to expedite their passage home. 8: By this ship the Council received from China the following goods: bohea tea 6 bags, weight each [...], 6 pieces bohea tea 2 chests, weight each 50, 1 piece singlo tea 1 chest, weight [...], 1 piece china root 2 baskets, weight each [...], 2 pieces chinaware 1 box, of 360 pieces, ships, saucers, blue and white 9: A second alarm being made yesterday in the afternoon, just before the Montague and Bridgewater unloaded, for... Interpretations The passage continued a Council general letter to the Court of Directors, paragraph 6 closing the survey of the Bridgewater under the Court's standing order. The report of her rigging, anchors, cables, hatches and condition, with her draught and her company's health, served the Court its account of the bottom's fitness for the homeward voyage, the standing inspection long made of calling ships. Paragraph 7 recorded the Council holding the Bridgewater to sail in company with the Montague under the Court's order, the two ships kept together for their greater security, the convoy long the safeguard against pirates and the war with Spain. Paragraph 8 set out the China goods received by the Montague, the bohea and singlo teas, the china root and the chinaware entered by their weight and count. The teas were the staple of the China trade, the bohea the common black and the singlo a green sort, the china root a medicinal drug, and the blue and white ware the porcelain of Canton. The receipt of these goods marks the island's place on the homeward China route, the ships passing St Helena to refresh and to be surveyed, the Council reporting the cargo to the Court as part of its yearly account of the traffic through the road. | ||
155R | for Sailing they waited till the Ship Arrived which proovd to be the Hartford Capt Nelly from China who haveing Some Sick Men on board and his Ship to put in a better posture Cannot Saile hence Six or Eight days Upon which Wee wrote to Capt Gordon and Capt Williamson to Stay while She Could gett ready to Sail for all their greater Security pursuant to yo[...] Hon[...] Instructions to Us in part of the 19 Par[...] of the Hon[...] Generall Letter (a Copy of which with their Answer & Our Reply Comes herewith ) for your Hon[...] perusal and hope You will Approve of Our proceedings and had Wee but positive Orders from your Hon[...] (as desired in the Stanhope Letter ) Wee would take Care to put them in Execution and might be a good means of Preventing Damages as well as trouble to those who refuses to Com ply with those Already Recited 10. Wee have drawn on your Hon[...] one Sett of Bills of Exchange more Vizt to Capt John Gordon in Pr[...] Coo the Sume of 3. & 11 being for Necessarys Wee were Oblig[...]d to furnish our Selves with for the Ensuing Years Expence & for the Use of this Island dated 16 May 1724 & begg yo[...] Honours Acceptance Wee are Hon[...]d Sir Union Castle St Helena 16 May 1724. Your Hon[...] most Humble faithfull & every & Serv[...] I.S E.B I.A | The ships waited for sailing till the ship arrived, which proved to be the Hartford, Captain Nelly, from China, who, having some sick men on board, and his ship to put in a better posture, could not sail before six or eight days. Upon which the Council wrote to Captain Gordon, and Captain Williamson, to stay while she could get ready to sail, for all their greater security, in pursuance to the Court's instructions to the Council, in part of its 19th paragraph of the Essex's general letter, a copy of which, with the Council answer and reply, comes herewith for the Court's perusal. The Council hoped the Court would approve of its proceedings. Had the Council but positive orders from the Court, as desired in the Stanhope's letter, it would take care to put them in execution, and that might be a good means of preventing damages, as well as trouble, to those who refused to comply with those already received. 10: The Council drew on the Court one set of bills of exchange more, payable to Captain John Gordon, or order, for the sum of [...], being for rice and sugar the Council was obliged to furnish itself with, for the ensuing years' expense, for the use of this island, dated 16 May 1724. The Council begged the Court's acceptance. The Council remained the Court's most humble and most faithful and most obedient servants. Union Castle, St Helena, 16 May 1724. John Smith. Edward Byfield. John Alexander. Interpretations The passage closed a Council general letter to the Court of Directors, the first paragraph carrying forward the holding of the homeward ships in company. The Council kept the Montague and the Bridgewater to sail with the Hartford under Captain Nelly, delayed by her sick men and her refit, the three ships kept together for their greater security under the Court's order, the convoy long the safeguard against pirates and the war. The reference to the Court's instructions in the Essex's general letter, and the renewed request for positive orders, marks the Council's wish for a firm rule to enforce against commanders who refused the Court's directions, the recurring limit of the island's authority over a ship's master tested in the dispute with Captain Hunter. The bills of paragraph 10 to Captain John Gordon answered the want of provisions and the standing shortage of coin, the rice and sugar bought for the coming year's expense turned into a London claim. The letter closed under the dateline of Union Castle on 16 May 1724, subscribed by Governor John Smith with Edward Byfield and John Alexander of the Council, the provision laid in against the famine that runs through the season's correspondence, the island reliant on the calling ships when its own ground failed through the long drought. | ||
155V | List of the Packet p Ship Mountague Capt John Gordon Comander N[...] 1 Gov[...] & Councils Gen[...] Lett[...] dated 16 May 1724 2 Copy of Gov[...] & Coun[...] Lett[...] p Mary dated 29 April 1724 3 Copy of List of the Packt p D[...] Ship 4 Receipts for the Packet p ditto Duplicate of Ship Lyon Marys Derby 5 Essex Lethullien Acc[...] all p[...] 9 is Copy of Capt Shephards Acc[...] 29 Aprill 1724 6 Copy of Ship Bridgewater Acc[...] May 12 1724 7 Copy of Ship Mountagues Acc[...] Copy of Gov[...] & Coun[...] Lett[...] to Capt John Gordon & 8 Capt Williamson to Stay for the Hartford 9 Copy of both Captains Answer to D[...] 10 Copy of Gov[...] & Councils Reply to D[...] 11 List of this Packett Signed [...] Jn. Alexander | List of the packet by the ship Montague, Captain John Gordon commander. 1: Governor and Council's general letter, dated 16 May 1724 2: Copy of Governor and Council's letter by the Mary, dated 29 April 1724 3: Copy of the list of the packet by the Mary, dated April 1724 4: Receipts for the packet by the Mary 5: Duplicate of ships Lyon, Mary, Derby, Essex, Litchfield's accounts, all number 5, with a copy of Captain Shepherd's account, 29 April 1724 6: Copy of ship Bridgewater's account, 12 May 1724 7: Copy of ship Montague's account 8: Copy of Governor and Council's letter to Captain Gordon and Captain Williamson, to stay for the Hartford 9: Copy of both captains' answer to it 10: Copy of Governor and Council's reply to it 11: List of the packet Signed by John Alexander. Interpretations The numbered list is the packet manifest carried home by the Montague under Captain John Gordon, each item a copy, duplicate, account or receipt bundled for the recoverable audit trail at India House. The repeated copies of the general letter by the Mary, the consultations and the accounts continued the standing safeguard by which the Council resent its record across separate hulls, so the loss of any one bottom on the homeward passage destroyed no part of the correspondence. The receipts for the packet by the Mary closed the loop on the earlier conveyance, the captain's acknowledgement giving the recoverable proof of delivery. The series of letters between the Council and the two commanders, their answer and the Council reply, carries the record of the order holding the Montague and the Bridgewater to sail in company with the Hartford. The correspondence preserved the proof of the Council's proceedings on a point of authority over the homeward ships, the standing convoy for their greater security entered for the Court's perusal. The accounts of the several ships surveyed at the island gave the Court its measure of the fleet, the whole subscribed by John Alexander the secretary. | ||
156R | Hon[...]d Sir Gen[...] Lett[...] p [...] Hartford Capt Fran[...] Nelly Comd[...] dated y[...] [...] June 1724. 1. Our last to your Hon[...] was by the Mountague Capt John Gordon Coman[...] bearing date the 16 day of May 1724 who Saild hence for great Brittain that day evening in Com pany w[...] the Bridgewater (a Copy of which comes herewith ) and therein Acquainted your Hon[...] of the Arrival of the Hartford Captain Francis Nelly from China on the day before and of Our giveing both Capt Gordon and Capt Williamson a Copy of Your Hon[...] Orders to Us contained in part of the 19 Par[...] of Your Letter by the Lyle & to Stay till she could gett ready to Sail with them for all their greater Security with a Copy of their Answer & Our Reply thereto Entred in Our Consultation bearing even date with the aforesaid Lett[...] of the 16 May 1724 whereto begg leave to refer your Honnours for your better Satisfaction and hope Wee have done Our duty therein as required pres sas as Wee had power 2. Wee likewise Transmitt to your Hon[...] Duplicates of Our Consultations sent by the Mary Capt Holden List of Familyes Lands & Cattle for the Year 1723 w[...] an Acc[...] of Rents & Revenue D[...] head money for | General letter by the Hartford, Captain Francis Nelly commander, dated June 1724. The Council addressed the Court of Directors. 1: The last letter to the Court went by the Montague, Captain John Gordon commander, bearing date 16 May 1724, which sailed home for Great Britain that day evening in company with the Bridgewater. A copy of it comes herewith, and therein the Council acquainted the Court of the arrival of the Hartford, Captain Francis Nelly commander, from China, on the day before. As to the holding of both Captain Gordon and Captain Williamson, a copy of the Court's orders to the Council, contained in part of the 19th paragraph of the Court's letter by the Essex, to stay till she could get ready to sail with them for all their greater security, with a copy of their answer, and of the Council reply thereto, for not complying, is entered in the Council consultation bearing even date with the prior letter of 16 May 1724, to which the Council begs leave to refer the Court for its better satisfaction. The Council hopes it has done its duty therein, as required, as it had done before. 2: Likewise the Council transmits to the Court duplicates of its consultations sent by the Mary, Captain Holden, a list of families, land and cattle for the year 1723, with an account of rents and revenue, and of head money, for... Interpretations The passage opened a Council general letter to the Court of Directors, carried home by the Hartford under Captain Francis Nelly, the recitation of paragraph 1 giving the date of the previous despatch by the Montague. The reference to the holding of the Montague and the Bridgewater to sail in company with the Hartford carries forward the order set out in the prior letter, the three ships kept together for their greater security under the Court's instructions in the Essex's general letter. The entry of the correspondence in the consultation, with the commanders' answer and the Council reply for not complying, marks the documentary record of a contested point of authority over the homeward ships preserved for the Court's judgement. Paragraph 2 continued the duplicate technique by which the Council resent its consultations and yearly returns across separate hulls, so the loss of any one bottom on the homeward passage destroyed no part of the record. The list of families, land and cattle, the rents and revenue, and the head money for the year 1723 gave the Court its full picture of the establishment, the standing returns by which the administration of Governor Smith met the requirement of an annual account. | ||
156V | the Same year with other Acc[...] and Copys Conteined in the List of the Packet by this Ship and Shall not Neglect Sending Such all other Acc[...] or Lists are remaining by the next proper Conveyance which for the following reasons is Impossible to Send by this Ship 3. Haveing done Our Selves the Honour of writeing to your Hon[...] (as Our duty required Us ) Since Ours by the Devonshire of the 31 July 1723 by every Ship that has touch[...] here in your Honnours Service and therein given your Hon[...] Such proper Notices as Occurd or are required of Us Endeavouring thereby to give your Hon[...] the best Satisfaction Wee Possibly could Wee come next to Acquaint your Honnours 4. That on the 28 of May (being the Same day twelve month as the Essex Arrivd here Outward bound ) Wee had an Alarm in the morning for one ship and in the after noon Arrived the Joanes & Mary Capt Tho[...] Aubone som[...]d from England w[...] a Cargo of Goods & Provisions Consigned to Us from Your Hon[...] for this Island which is very Acceptable to all in Generall and Revives the hearts of the poor Inhabitants that for some time has been Sinking 5. Upon the Receipt of the Packett Wee opend and read the Generall Letter dated the 31 Dec[...] 1723 and Caud But returne your Hon[...] Our most | The same year, with other accounts and copies contained in the list of the packet by this ship, the Council shall not neglect sending whatever other accounts or lists are remaining, by the next proper conveyance, which, for the following reasons, is impossible to send by this ship. 3: Having done the Council the honour of writing to the Court, as its duty required, by its letter sent out by the Devonshire of 31 July 1723, by every ship that has touched here in the Court's service, and therein given the Court such proper notices as it occurred for, or are required of it, endeavouring thereby to give the Court the best satisfaction it possibly could, the Council comes next to acquaint the Court. 4: On the 28th of May, being the same day twelve month as the Essex arrived here outward bound, the Council had an alarm in the morning for one ship, and in the afternoon arrived the James and Mary, Captain Thomas Aubone commander, from England, with a cargo of goods and provisions consigned to the Court for this island, which was very acceptable to all in general, and revived the hearts of the poor inhabitants, that for some time had been sinking. 5: Upon the receipt of the packet the Council opened, and read, the general letter dated 3 December 1723, and could but return the Court its most... Interpretations The passage continued a Council general letter to the Court of Directors, paragraph 3 recapitulating the season's correspondence sent by every calling ship from the despatch by the Devonshire of 31 July 1723. The recitation of the letters sent by each conveyance marks the standing practice of opening every despatch with the chain of those before it, binding the correspondence into a record whose gaps would show, the loss of any one bottom on the homeward passage destroying no part of the account. Paragraph 4 recorded the arrival of the James and Mary under Captain Thomas Aubone from England with a cargo of goods and provisions, the long-expected store ship that runs through the season's letters. The relief of the inhabitants, whose hearts had been sinking, marks the famine on a temperate island where the multi-year drought had failed the yam crop, the home supply judged the surest remedy against a want the eastern stations could not meet in time. Paragraph 5 opened the Council reply to the Court's general letter of 3 December 1723, the standing method of the administration of Governor Smith answering the Court's letter head by head. | ||
157R | most hearty thanks for your kind Expressions therein to which Wee Should be very particu lar & Carefull in returning a more Suitable answer had Wee time to do it as But observing the great Earnest desire of your Hon[...] have for the Quicker Dispatch of this Ship that she might Arrive on the West Coast as Early as Possible Wee are oblidged to begg Your Hon[...] Excuse till the next Ships Arrival & departure hence for England Assureing Your Honnours Wee Shall use all Our utmost Endeavours to hasten this Ship away According to yo[...] Orders in the 11 Par[...] of the Said Letter & repeated in Severall former Letters to the Same Effect and as their Stay here may be of bad Consequence So Wee Shall and do assist him all Wee can 6. And as it is the greatest pleasure to Us Imaginable to find Our proceedings Meets with Your Honnours Approval and being desirous of Standing in your Hon[...] favour Wee Shall not Omitt sen[...] part of the Said Lettre Unanswered in hopes thereby to give you Intire Satisfaction and if unwittingly Wee Should Seem Guilty of not So fully Complying therewith in every Par[...] that your Honnours will be pleasd to put a favourable Construct ion on Our proceedings for Wee must Still assure Your Honnours Wee have nothing more at heart than to Study yo[...] futurest and | The Council returned the Court its most hearty thanks for its kind expressions therein, to which it would be very particular and careful in returning a more suitable answer, had it time to do it. But, observing the great and earnest desire of the Court, the Council had, for the quicker despatch of this ship, that she might arrive on the west coast as early as possible, been obliged to beg the Court's excuse till the next ships' arrival and departure home for England. The Council assured the Court it would use all its utmost endeavours to hasten this ship away, according to the Court's orders in the 11th paragraph of the said letter, and repeated in several of the Court's letters to the same effect. As her stay here might be of ill consequence, the Council would do all it could to assist him. 6: As it was the greatest pleasure to the Council imaginable to find its proceedings met with the Court's approval, and being desirous of standing well in the Court's account, the Council would not omit answering every part of the said letter, in hopes thereby to give it future satisfaction. Should the Council unwittingly seem guilty of not so fully complying therewith in every part, it hoped the Court would be pleased to put a favourable construction on its proceedings, since it must still assure the Court it had nothing more at heart than to study its interest... Interpretations The passage continued a Council general letter to the Court of Directors, paragraph 5 carrying forward the reply to the Court's general letter of 3 December 1723. The Council's apology for deferring a fuller answer, on account of the quick despatch of the ship that she might reach the west coast early, marks the standing tension between the Court's wish for a prompt reply and its order to hasten the homeward ships. The reference to the Court's instruction in the 11th paragraph, repeated across several letters, fixes the despatch of the shipping to the Court's own direction, the Council answering each head as the time allowed. Paragraph 6 set out the defensive posture of an administration answering an audit, the Council professing its wish to stand well in the Court's account and to answer every part of the letter. The plea for a favourable construction on its proceedings, should it seem to fall short, marks the care of the new administration of Governor Smith to meet the Court's standing complaints, the backward accounts and the disorders of the previous regime long the ground of the Court's notice. The undertaking to study the Court's interest fixed the reply to the method of answering the Court head by head under its own divisions. | ||
157V | and to preserve Peace and a good Harmony among Us all that the Island may flourish and Wee to goe hand in hand for promoteing the good Effect by Us pursied in already Com plyance with Your Said Ord[...] & Instructions which from time to time Wee are Honoured with 7. Wee heartily Congratulate your Honnours on the Safe Arrival of all yo[...] Ships & Easterne in your 4 Par[...] and hope all those Since departed hence will meet with the Same good fortune 8. Wee take notice of what your Honnours Say in relation to the new Crane not being Sent and Shall make the best Shipt Wee can with the old one now Standing it being pretty well Secured by Goodwins Skill & Continuance but if Wee find any Defect before Wee can have an as one from England Wee Shall take Care to gett what Wee can out of the Stores Homeward bound Shiping to repaire it 9. Wee wrote two Letters to Captn Aubone on the 29 May One desireing he would Send the Goods on Shore Consign[...]d to Us and to be as Expeditious as Possible and if he wanted any Asistance Wee were ready to Supply him The other Letter for him to hall into Shore on all Alarms and likewise Ordered proper persons to Attend at the Watter Side and to receive the Goods as fast as any was brought on shore and to keep an Exact Acc[...] of the weather and how many additional Boats brought Goods each day that in Case Wee find | The Council studied to preserve peace and good harmony among all, that the island might flourish, and to go hand in hand for promoting the good effect by it pursued already, in compliance with the Court's orders and instructions, with which it was honoured from time to time. 7: The Council heartily congratulated the Court on the safe arrival of all its ships set out in its 4th paragraph, and hoped all those departed since would meet with the same good fortune. 8: The Council took notice of what the Court said, in relation to the new crane not being sent, and would make the best shift it could with the old one now standing, it being pretty well secured by Governor Smith's contrivance. But should the Council find any defect before it could have a new one from England, it would take care to get what it could out of the storeward-bound shipping to repair it. 9: The Council wrote two letters to Captain Aubone on the 29th of May, one desiring he would send the goods on shore consigned to it, and to be as expeditious as possible, and that, if he wanted any assistance, the Council was ready to supply him. The other letter was for him to haul into shore on all alarms, and likewise ordered proper persons to attend at the boat side, and to receive the goods as fast as any was brought on shore, and to keep an exact account of the weather, and how many and what boats brought goods each day, that, in case the Council... Interpretations The passage continued a Council general letter to the Court of Directors, paragraph 8 answering the Court on the failure to send the new crane. The Council's undertaking to make shift with the old crane, secured by the Governor's contrivance, marks the chronic want of equipment and skilled craft on an island that could not import the means it needed, the crane standing at the landing as the means of working bale goods ashore. The recourse to repairing it from passing shipping, for want of a new one from England, fixes the dependence on calling ships for the materials the island lacked. Paragraph 9 set out the orders given Captain Aubone of the James and Mary for landing the consigned cargo and securing the ship on alarms. The Council's instruction to keep an exact account of the weather and of the boats bringing goods each day marks the careful record by which it guarded against any later dispute over the delivery, the standing method of charging a master debtor for goods consigned and not landed under the bill of lading enforcement programme. The order to haul into shore on alarms ties the unloading to the standing watch against foreign sail, the ship secured while the goods were worked ashore. | ||
158R | find any delay Wee may be the better able to fix the Blame on the Comander the Wee hope there will be no Cause given Us to Protest 10. Wee Shall not Omitt or Neglect to Comply with your Honnours Orders Mentioned in y[...] 4 Par[...] 17 18. 19 & 20 Par[...] Relateing to Europe & India Goods and to Act the best Wee can for your Interest and as the Produce of this Island is Yet Scarce Wee Shall pursue your Hon[...] further Ord[...] touching the Sale of what now relievd from England and remember not to tibuk or out stretch the leave therein So kindly given that the poor people may be the better feed and more able to make Payments for what they buy of Us out of the Stores 11. Your Hon[...] Orders in your 2 Par[...] touching an Acc[...] to be sent yearly of India & Europe Goods was Conswid with & Sent by the Dawsonne and will be sent afresh by this Sommer Shiping which Wee Shall always remember to Continue and to make a Stimulation as Directed as near as possible Wee can of the Several Sorts Sufficient & proper for the use of the Inhabitants for one years Con[...] Sumphon and must such Our Selves highly Oblig[...]d to your Hon[...] for your kind Intentions to Supply Us at which Cheapir Rates than Wee have been by the Captains and would have done Wee Same about the Wax Candles Mentioned had Wee not been frangull of being too troublesome in | Should the Council find any delay, it might be the better able to fix the blame on the commander. The Council hoped there would be no cause given it to protest. 10: The Council shall not omit, or neglect, to comply with the Court's orders set out in its 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th paragraphs, relating to Europe and India goods, and to act the best it can for the Court's interest. As the produce of this island was yet scarce, the Council shall pursue the Court's further orders concerning the sale of whatever it received from England, and remember not to abuse, or overstretch, the leave therein kindly given, that the poor people might be the better served, and more able to make payments for whatever they bought of the Council out of the stores. 11: The Court's orders in its 21st paragraph, concerning an account to be sent yearly of India and Europe goods, was complied with, and sent by the Dawson, and will be sent afresh by this summer's shipping, which the Council shall always remember to continue, and to make a computation, as directed, as near as possible it can, of the several sorts sufficient and proper for the use of the inhabitants for one year's consumption. The Council must own itself highly obliged to the Court for its kind intentions to supply it at cheaper rates than it had been by the captains, and would have done. The Council came about the wax candles set out, had it not been fearful of being too troublesome... Interpretations The passage continued a Council general letter to the Court of Directors, paragraph 9 closing with the device of fixing the blame for any delay on the commander. The Council's note that a careful record would let it protest against a master who failed in his delivery marks the bill of lading enforcement programme, the standing means by which the island held a commander answerable at the island price for goods consigned and not landed. The keeping of the boat account and the weather record served as the proof against any later dispute. Paragraphs 10 and 11 answered the Court's orders on the sale of Europe and India goods and the yearly account of stores, the standing method of the administration of Governor Smith answering the Court head by head. The Council's undertaking not to overstretch the leave given on the sale, that the poor people might be the better served, marks the standing tension between the store monopoly and the inhabitants' means in a season of famine. The note of the Court's intention to supply the island at cheaper rates than the captains forced fixes the recurring grievance over commanders forcing high prices, the home supply judged the surer and cheaper relief. | ||
158V | in So Small a matter or the least Apprehensive Wee Should had no Supply from Bengal w[...] did & has Since Occasiond Our buying of the Comanders the Shall forbear In further ) of rebush and other Items too long to Insert herein Wee Shall be more full in Answering by Our next 12. It haveing pleasd God to send Us a very kindly Sommer and being So well Supplyd from England with Provisions Wee doubt not of being able to furnish all the Homeward bound Shipping with Beef Especially So farr as relats to the Charter party Quantitys as well as with other fresh Provisions Beans and Green Trade of severall Sorts and that they may be the better Supplyd Wee Shall Endeav[...] all possible meanes to Encourage the Inhabitants to raise what ever they can to dispose of and therefore begg Your Honnours will be pleased to Continue your (good ) Orders for Ships Homeward bound not to touch at the Cape which will be of very great advantage to this Island as well as the only Encouragem[...] to Seduce the Inhabitants to be the more Sebrush ious 13. Mr Benjamin Hawkes According to your Honnours Appointment took his place as 5 and Youngest of Council and returns your Hon[...] his most Humble thanks for yo[...] kind Advanceing him 14. Wee have drawn on your Hon[...] the follow ing Bills of Exchange and begg yo[...] Acceptance accordingly | The Council, in so small a matter, or the least apprehensive, should have had no supply from Bengal, which did, and has since occasioned its buying of the commanders. It shall forbear, the matter of cordage and other items being too long to set out herein, and shall be more full in answering by its next letter. 12: It having pleased God to send the island very kindly summer, and being so well supplied from England with provisions, the Council did not doubt of being able to furnish all the homeward-bound shipping with beef, especially so far as related to the charter party quantities, as well as with other fresh provisions, beans and green trade of several sorts. So that they might be the better supplied, the Council shall endeavour all possible means to encourage the inhabitants to raise whatever they can to dispose of. The Council therefore begs the Court would be pleased to continue its good orders for ships homeward bound not to touch at the Cape, which would be of very great advantage to this island, as well as the only encouragement to seduce the inhabitants to be the more industrious. 13: Mr Benjamin Hawkes, according to the Court's appointment, took his place as fifth and youngest of council, and returns the Court his most humble thanks for kindly advancing him. 14: The Council has drawn on the Court the following bills of exchange, and begs the Court's acceptance accordingly: Interpretations The passage continued a Council general letter to the Court of Directors, paragraph 12 carrying forward the Cape trade grievance and the supply of the homeward shipping. The Council's hope of furnishing the Court's ships with beef, especially the charter party quantities, marks the standing obligation to victual the homeward fleet, the beef long the subject of the planters' combination to withhold. The renewed plea that the Court forbid its ships the Cape ties the island's value to the diversion of the homeward trade from the Dutch anchorage, the resort to the Cape long argued by the Council to draw the trade from St Helena and to discourage the inhabitants from raising provisions for a failing market. Paragraph 13 recorded the advancement of Mr Benjamin Hawkes to the fifth and youngest seat of the council, the clerk appointed by the consultation of 17 October 1721 whose diligence the Council had recommended to the Court. The promotion of the clerk to the council marks the standing succession of the island's offices, the new administration of Governor Smith confirming a servant recommended for his industry. Paragraph 14 opened the schedule of bills drawn on the Court, the remittance device by which the island discharged its purchases and its credits on a cashless station. Speculations The Council's renewed plea that the Court forbid its ships the Cape, tied directly to the encouragement of the inhabitants to raise provisions, framed a remedy for two distinct problems at once. By fixing the homeward trade at the island rather than the Dutch anchorage, the order would both secure a market for the planters' beef and grass and protect the Court's ships from the peril of the Cape, the single direction answering the famine, the planters' discouragement and the danger of the rival station together, the case anchored to the standing grievance pressed across the season's letters. | ||
159R | 15. To Mr Edward Byfeld (or Order ) One Sett of Bills for the Sume of 50. -. Sterl Dated the 31 May 1724 50 [...] Acc[...] being due to him for Sallary and 36.10. for Cash Notes paid into your Honnours Acc[...] of Cash here 16. The Hartford haveing made a Signal for Sailing home So Soon after the Arrival of the James & Mary and Capt Nelly very Wabering in his mind ) talking Sometimes of Sailing and other Somets of Staying a day or two longer all our time has been wholly taken[...]up in Dispatching Her and the Princess Ann that Arrived here on the 2 Inst[...] and Unloreing Goods in Order to Dispatch the James & Mary as fast as Possible and getting our Letters ready for the Severall Settlem[...] in India Wee Wee thro Nichobly bey your Honnours will pleas to Lett this Short Letter Suffice till Wee can have more Leisure to respectt Consion[...] of & Comply with your Hon[...] Instructions to Us relativd by the James & Mary as well as an Apurance of haveing a due regard to Our promisses in ours (by the Devonshire ) in Obedience to former Letters Ord[...] and Instructions sent Us by your Honnours at Sundry times 17. The Govern[...] According to your Hon[...] Instructions has been on board the Ships Hartford Capt Nelly and the Princess Anne Capt | 15: To Mr Edward Byfield, or order, one set of bills for the sum of £56 0s 0d sterling, dated 31 May 1724, being due to him for salary, and £36 0s 0d more for cash notes paid into the Court's account here. 16: The Hartford signalled to sail home soon after the James and Mary came in, but Captain Nelly could not settle his mind, speaking one day of leaving and the next of staying a little longer. The Council was fully occupied throughout in clearing both that ship and the Princess Ann, which reached the island on the 2nd instant, in landing the goods, in hurrying the James and Mary away, and in preparing its letters for the several Indian settlements. For all these reasons the Council asked the Court to accept this brief letter for now, until it had more leisure to write at length, being mindful both of the Court's directions about the James and Mary and of the promises it had made in its letter by the Devonshire, in keeping with the orders the Court had sent it at various times. 17: In obedience to the Court's instructions, the Governor went on board the Hartford, Captain Nelly, and the Princess Ann... Interpretations The passage continued a Council general letter to the Court of Directors, the bills of paragraph 15 to Mr Edward Byfield for £56 0s 0d and £36 0s 0d answering both his salary due and the cash notes paid into the Court's account. The drawing of the bill against the salary and the notes marks the standing device by which a cashless island discharged the credits of its servants and kept its paper money in circulation, the value remitted home as a London claim. Paragraph 16 set out the press of business in despatching the homeward ships, the Council's time taken up with three vessels at once. The master's indecision over his departure, and the labour of unloading and readying the eastern letters, marks the standing tension between the prompt despatch the Court required and the work the calling ships made. The deferral of a fuller reply, with the assurance of compliance, fixes the reply to the Court's repeated orders to hasten the homeward shipping. Paragraph 17 opened the survey of the Hartford and the Princess Ann under the Court's standing order, the inspection long made of calling ships to assess their state for the homeward voyage. | ||
159V | Capt Hudson and found their Hulls Masts Yards Standing & Running Rigging good Anchors & Cables good Hatches Caulked down and Clear Ships Men in each in good health Draft of Water of the Hartford 17 foot abaft 17½ foot afore the Princess Ann theirs 17½ foot abaft and 14 foot 9 Inches afore 18. Likewise to Mr Gabriel Powell (or Order ) one Sett of Bills more for the Sume of 30. 10. Sterl[...] dated the 7 June 1724 19. To Capt William Lebble or Order ) One Sett for the Sume of 18. 10 Sterl[...] dated as afores[...] being for Cash Notes paid into yo[...] Hon[...] Cash here 20. To Capt Francis Nelly (or Order ) One Sett more for the Sume of 89. 12. 9 Sterl[...] whereof 48. 5. 9 11. is for Cash Notes paid in and the rest for a long Boat & Provisions bought of him as p[...]ued in the Packet 21. To Capt Jno Goodwin (or Ord[...] ) one Sett of Bills more for the Sume of 17 Sterl[...] dated as afores[...] being for Cash Notes paid in like maner drepon[...] payable at thirty days Sight and begg your Honnours Excuse and Acceptance accordingly 22. Herewith Wee send Capt Thos Hudsons first first Bill of Excha[...] for 63. 18. 2 p[...] yo[...] yo[...] Hon[...] at 20 days Sight dated the 7 June 1724 & p[...] yo[...] yo[...] on Mr Richard Mead Wee are Hon[...]d Sir St Helena Union Castle June the 7 1724. Yo[...] Hon[...] most Humble faithfull & most obed[...] Serv[...] I.S E.B I.A | The Governor went on board the Hartford, Captain Nelly, and the Princess Ann, Captain Hudson, and found their hull, masts, yards, standing and running rigging good, their anchors and cables good, their hatches caulked down, and clear ships, their men in each in good health. The Hartford's draught of water 17 foot abaft, 17½ foot afore. The Princess Ann's draught 17½ foot abaft, and 14 foot 9 inches afore. 18: Likewise to Mr Gabriel Powell, or order, one set of bills more for the sum of £30 0s 0d sterling, dated the [...] of June 1724. 19: To Captain William Tibble, or order, one set for the sum of £18 10s 0d sterling, dated as set out, being for cash notes paid into the Court's account here. 20: To Captain Francis Nelly, or order, one set more for the sum of £89 12s 9¾d sterling, of which £48 5s 9¼d is for cash notes paid in, and the rest for a long boat and provisions bought of him, as set out in the packet. 21: To Captain John Goodwin, or order, one set of bills more for the sum of £17 0s 0d sterling, dated as set out, being for cash notes paid in, like manner drawn on, payable at thirty days sight. The Council begs the Court's excuse and acceptance accordingly. 22: Herewith the Council sends Captain Thea Hudson's first bill of exchange for £63 18s 9½d sterling, payable to the Court at twenty days sight, dated the [...] of June 1724, for [...] or on Mr Richard Mead. The Council remains the Court's most humble and most faithful and most obedient servants. St Helena, Union Castle, June 1724. John Smith. Edward Byfield. John Alexander. Interpretations The passage closed a Council general letter to the Court of Directors, paragraph 17 finishing the survey of the Hartford and the Princess Ann under the Court's standing order. The report of the two ships by their hull, masts, rigging, anchors and cables, with their draught and their companies' health, served the Court its account of each bottom's fitness for the homeward voyage, the inspection long made of calling ships. The schedule of bills set out the remittances drawn on the Court for provisions and cash notes, the sums to Mr Gabriel Powell, Captain Tibble, Captain Nelly, Captain Goodwin and others turning the island's purchases and paper money into London claims. Gabriel Powell, the wealthiest planter at St Helena and long the Court's principal creditor, appears again here drawn a bill for his credit. The bill to Captain Nelly, partly for a longboat and provisions bought of him, marks the standing recovery of goods from a calling commander, the boat answering the recurring loss of the Court's own longboats on the rocks. The letter closed under the dateline of Union Castle in June 1724, subscribed by Governor John Smith with Edward Byfield and John Alexander of the Council. | ||
160R | List of the Packt p Ship Hartford Capt Fra[...] Nelly Comander N[...] 1 Gov[...] & Coun[...] Gen[...] Lett[...] dated 7 June 1724 2 Copy of Gen[...] Lett[...] p Mountague dated 16 May 1724 3 Duplicate of Consultations fro[...] y[...] 16 Mar[...] 1723 to the 5th 4 Copy of Consultations fro[...] y[...] 5 May 1724 to y[...] 5 May 1724 D[...] Inst[...] to y[...] y[...] following 5 List of Families Lands & Cattle for y[...] Year 1723 6 List of Rents & Rev[...] due for ditto y[...] D[...] yo[...] Acc[...] of head money for y[...] Same y[...] 7 List of the Honble Co[...] Blacks w[...] Ages & Employm[...] for the Said year 8 List of Sallery belong[...] to y[...] Year y[...] Off[...] & Sold[...] for D[...] year 9 List of debt[...] due fro[...] the Inhab[...] to y[...] Co[...] for y[...] year 1723 10 Copy of Capt Nellys 1 Lett[...] w[...] Gov[...] & Coun[...] Answer dated 31 May 1724 11 Copy of Capt Nellys 2 Lett[...] & Gov[...] & Coun[...] Reply & date 12 Copy of List of y[...] Packt p Mountague 16 May 1724 13 Receipt for the Packt p D[...] Ship 14 Duplicate of Mr Bryfelds Expence of live Stock and Provisions for the Month of May 1724 15 Copy of D[...] his Acc[...] & D[...] for y[...] Mo[...] of Aprill 1724 16 Copy of D[...] his Acc[...] & D[...] for y[...] whole Year & Mar[...] 1724 17 Copy of Ships Hartford & Princess Anns Acc[...] 18 Capt Tho[...] Hudsons first Bill of Excha[...] for 63. 18. 2 p[...] yo[...] yo[...] Hon[...] Comp[...] 19 Duplicate of Ship Mountague & Bridgewat[...] Acc[...] 20 List of the Packett Signed [...] I.A. | List of the packet by the ship Hartford, Captain Francis Nelly commander. 1: Governor and Council's general letter, dated 7 June 1724 2: Copy of general letter by the Montague, dated 16 May 1724 3: Duplicate of consultations from 16 March 1723 to the [...] following 4: Copy of consultations from 7 May 1724 to the 16th of May 1724, inclusive, dated following 5: List of families, land and cattle for the year 1723 6: List of rents and revenue due for the same, with the head money for the same year 7: List of the Court's blacks, their ages and employment, for the said year 8: List of salary belonging to the Court's officers, the same year 9: List of debts due for the same to the Court, for the year 1723 10: Copy of Captain Nelly's first letter, with Governor and Council's answer 11: Copy of Captain Nelly's second letter, with Governor and Council's reply, dated 31 May 1724 12: Copy of the list of the packet by the Montague, 16 May 1724 13: Receipt for the packet by that ship 14: Duplicate of Mr Byfield's account of the expense of the live stock and provisions for the months of [...] May 1723 15: Copy of his account, the same, for the months of [...] April 1724 16: Copy of his account, the same, for the whole year, March 1724 17: Copy of ships Hartford and Princess Ann's accounts 18: Captain Thomas Hudson's first bill of exchange for £63 18s 2d, payable to the Court 19: Duplicate of ship Montague's general account 20: List of the packet Signed by John Alexander. Interpretations The numbered list is the packet manifest carried home by the Hartford under Captain Francis Nelly, each item a copy, duplicate, account, list or bill bundled for the recoverable audit trail at India House. The repeated copies of the general letter by the Montague, the consultations and the accounts continued the standing safeguard by which the Council resent its record across separate hulls, so the loss of any one bottom on the homeward passage destroyed no part of the correspondence. The receipt for the packet by the Montague closed the loop on the earlier conveyance, the captain's acknowledgement giving the recoverable proof of delivery. The administrative returns of items 5 to 9 give the Court its yearly picture of the island, the lists of families, land and cattle, the rents and revenue, the head money, the company's blacks in their ages and employment, the officers' salaries and the debts due. The series of letters between the Council and Captain Nelly, his answers and the Council replies, carries the record of the order holding the homeward ships in company, the documentary proof of the Council's proceedings on a point of authority over the fleet, the whole subscribed by John Alexander the secretary. | ||
160V | Hon[...]d Sir Gen[...] Lett[...] p Ship Walpole Capt Charles Boddam The last Wee did Our Selves the Honour of Writing to your Hon[...] was by the Hartford Capt Francis Nelly bearing date the 7 Inst[...] (a Copy of which comes herewith ) on which day Wee had an Alarm in the afternoon for One Ship and the Next morning the Hartford & Princess Ann weighed Anchor and Stood Out of Our road when the Ship Appeard comeing in and prood to be the Walpole Capt Charles Boddam from fort St George who perceiving the[...]twoe Ships were under Saile (the then lay too ) Wee wrote them a Letter desireing they would Stay while She could gett ready to Sail in Company which they Considering to be for all their greater Security came to an Anchor again and Capt Boddam has been as Expediti ous as Possible Wee have not been wanting to assist Capt Aubone all wee could & he has Complyed w[...] his Comp[...]nyaly in delivering his Cargoe of Goods to Us within the ten working days On the Expiration of which Wee have made Send deliverd him Our Severall Pacquetts for India and given him up his Bills of Loading and in getting his Ballast on Board and forwarding every thing Else as fast as hee can give way to Sail Hence some time next week Wee Send on him ten of Speal guns that are Uselesse here and Wrote to the West Coast relate ing to the Disposal of them as yo[...] Honnours Direct | General letter by the ship Walpole, Captain Charles Boddam commander. The Council addressed the Court of Directors. The last letter to the Court went by the Hartford, Captain Francis Nelly commander, bearing date the [...] instant, a copy of which comes herewith. On which day the Council had an alarm in the afternoon for one ship, and the next morning the Hartford and Princess Ann weighed anchor and stood out of the Council road. The ship then appeared, coming in, and proved to be the Walpole, Captain Charles Boddam commander, from Fort St George, who, perceiving these two ships were under sail, brought to where they then lay too. The Council wrote them a letter, desiring they would stay while she could get ready to sail in company, which they, considering to be for all their greater security, came to anchor again, and Captain Boddam had been as expeditious as possible. The Council had not been wanting to despatch Captain Aubone all it could, and had complied with him very punctually in delivering his cargo of goods to it within the ten working days. On the expiration of these, the Council had made and delivered him several packets for India, and given him his bills of lading, and, in getting his ballast on board, and forwarding everything else as fast as it could, he was just ready to sail from here some time next week. The Council sent on him ten of the Court's pieces of cannon, that were useless here, and wrote to the west coast relating to the disposal of them, as the Court directs... Interpretations The passage opened a Council general letter to the Court of Directors, carried home by the Walpole under Captain Charles Boddam, the opening recitation giving the date of the previous despatch by the Hartford. The Council's holding of the Walpole to sail in company with the Hartford and the Princess Ann marks the standing convoy for the homeward ships, the vessels kept together for their greater security against pirates and the war with Spain. The reference to the copy sent herewith continued the safeguard by which the Council resent its record across separate hulls. The despatch of Captain Aubone of the James and Mary within the ten working days, with the delivery of his cargo, packets and bills of lading, marks the charter party reform by which the island sought to clear a ship within the contracted time and guard the Court against paying demurrage. The unusual mention of working days, here meaning the days allowed for unlading, fixes the delivery to the charter's term. The despatch of ten useless cannon to the west coast, with the letter on their disposal, marks the standing management of the Court's stores and ordnance, the worn guns sent on rather than left to decay at the island. | ||
161R | Direct, and also thirteen of your Slaves Viz:t 9 Males & 4 Females and would gladly have sent more, had not the Capt. wrote us a Letter desiring We would send none, or but very few in Consideration of his Provisions being greatly Expanded in his tedious Passage hither and the liklyhood of his Long Stay in India and if he should be Oblig'd to buy I would be an thnecessa- =ry Charge on his account / By this ship We send your Hon:rs Our Books of Acco:ts for the year 1722 which have been Examind, and found to agree with the Original Alsoe comes the Invertory of Goods & Stores remaining on the Island the 25:th of March Last alsoe an Indent of Stores wanting for the next years Consumption having before us no more than by Computation will be Sufficient for one year, and therefore Cap:te may be Supplyd to:th every Article therein mentiond Assureing your Honours We shall Continue the same every yeear Acording to your Orders / We herewith send Cap:t Charles Wedseut 2:d Bill of Exchange for the Sume of £63,18,2 Ster:lk payable to your Hon:d and drawn on Mr Richard Mead the first Bill is in Our Packet on Board the Stratford / In this Packet comes a Petition of one Rob:t Wallingtons a Sirj:t here which We recomdmend to your Honoas favour he being very desirous his daughter should be permitted to come over to him | The Council also sent thirteen of the Court's slaves, nine men and four women. It would gladly have sent more, but the captain had written asking that few or none be supplied. His provisions had run very high on a long and difficult passage out, and the prospect of a lengthy stay in India meant that any purchase he made there would fall as an unnecessary charge on his owners. By this ship the Council sent the Court its account books for the year 1722, examined and found to agree with the original. It also forwarded an inventory of the goods and stores remaining on the island as at 25 March, together with an indent of the stores needed for the coming year's consumption. The Council had requested no more than its own calculation showed would suffice for one year, and asked that every article listed be supplied in full. It gave its assurance that the same return would be made each year as the Court directed. The Council enclosed the second bill of exchange of Captain Charles Hudson for £63 18s 9½d sterling, payable to the Court and drawn on Mr Richard Mead. The first bill of the set was already in the Council's packet aboard the Stratford. The same packet carried a petition from one Robert Wallington, a soldier on the island, which the Council recommended to the Court's favour. He was very anxious that his daughter be allowed to come out to join him. Interpretations The captain's request to take few or no slaves reflected the practical economics of a Company voyage. Provisions consumed beyond the contracted allowance fell to the ship's owners rather than the Company, so additional passengers requiring feeding on an already extended passage represented a direct loss the master sought to avoid. The pairing of an inventory of remaining stores with an indent for the year ahead formed the Council's standard apparatus of supply. The remains fixed what the island held as at the quarter day of 25 March, and the indent set the calculated shortfall, the two together giving the Court at India House the means to audit consumption against any over-ordering. A bill of exchange drawn in a set, with the first part already despatched aboard the Stratford and the second sent now by a separate conveyance, was the routine safeguard against loss at sea. Each part carried the same value and the same drawee, Mr Richard Mead, and payment on any one part discharged the whole, so that the failure of a single ship could not destroy the claim. | ||
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162V | We have been Obliged to draw the followeing Setts of Bills of Exchange on your Hon:d and begg yo:d please to Accept them accordingly viz:t To Mr Beard Shuckisf:d (or Order) one Sett for the Sume of £7,13,4 Ster:ld dated the 12 Iuly 1724 being for Cash Notes paid into your Hon:le and yo:d Cash here To Mr Gabriell Powell (or Ord:r) who takes Passage on this Ship One Sett for the Sume of £60,- Ster:ld dated 13:th Iune 1724 being also for Cash notes paid in like manner To Capt John Goodwin (Or Order) One Sett for the Sume of £4,- Ster:ld dated as afores:d and being also for Cash Notes paid in here / To Mr Peter Williams (or Order) One Sett for the Sume of £38,2,4 Ster:ld dated as above and is likewise for Cash Notes paid as before mentiond / To Capt Charles Boddam (or Ord:r) One Sett for the Sume of £33,-,- Ster:ld dated 13 Iune 1724, being the Ballance of his Acco:t hereto Sent / To Mr Thom: Dean (or Order) One Sett for the Sume of £24,10,- Ster:ld dated as afores:d and being likewise the Ballance of his Account sent herefoith and all pay:le at 30 days sight / The Goo:d Acording to your Honours Instructions has been on Board the Ship Walpole Capt Charles Boddam Comander and found Her Hull Masts Yards Standing and Runing Rigging Good & Anchors, and Cables Good, Hetches Caullked down and a | The Council was obliged to draw the following sets of bills of exchange on the Court, and asked that they be accepted accordingly. The first set went to Mr Beard Shuckford or order for £7 13s 0d sterling, dated 12 June 1724, for cash notes paid into the Court's account on the island and for cash here. The second set went to Mr Gabriel Powell or order, who took passage on this ship, for £60 0s 0d sterling, dated 13 June 1724, likewise for cash notes paid in. The third set went to Captain John Goodwin or order for £4 0s 0d sterling, dated as above, also for cash notes paid in. The fourth set went to Mr Peter Williams or order for £38 2s 9¼d sterling, dated as above, and likewise for cash notes paid in, as mentioned before. The fifth set went to Captain Charles Boddam or order for £33 0s 0d sterling, dated 13 June 1724, for the balance of his account sent home. The sixth set went to Mr Thomas Dean or order for £24 10s 0d sterling, dated as above, also for the balance of his account sent home. All were payable at thirty days' sight. The Council surveyed the goods aboard the Walpole, Captain Charles Boddam commander, in accordance with the Court's instructions. The hull, masts, standing and running rigging were found good, the anchors and cables good, and the hatches caulked down. Interpretations The cash-note bills set out here were the island's means of turning ready money paid in locally into sterling drawn on London. A person on a remote and cashless island handed coin or notes into the Court's account at St Helena, and in exchange received a bill of exchange payable in England, the Council converting an awkward local surplus of cash into a claim discharged at India House. The survey of the Walpole before her homeward sailing was a formal inspection ordered by the Court to certify a ship fit for the voyage. The examination ran through hull, masts, standing and running rigging, anchors, cables and hatches, each checked and reported good, so that the Court held an independent record of the vessel's condition at departure. The bills drawn to Captain Charles Boddam and Mr Thomas Dean for the balances of their accounts show the standing method of settlement at the island. Where the Court owed money on an account closed at St Helena, the debt was discharged not in coin but by a bill on London, the account itself sent home so the Court could match the bill against the reckoning behind it. | ||
163R | Clear Ship, Men in good health Draught of Water abaft Eighteen foot, and fifteen foot afore We have nothing feather to add at present but to Asure your Hon:rs We are with the greatest duty and Cespect Union Castle St Hellena Hon:d S:rds June 13:th 1724 Your Most Obligee Most Obed:t & most faithf:l Servants P:r S:r Your Hon:d not haveing sent us any Wine by this Stone Ship & drinking of Punch Altogether being found best Experince to be very Prejudicial We Esteen our Hon:d will be pleased to send us Six Chests of Mountein which will Extreamly Oblige us and be very Acceptable to Hon:d S:rd Your Most humble faithf:l & Most obed:t Servants / S:E:R E:R I:E R:A | The ship was found clear and her men in good health. Her draught of water was eighteen foot aft and fifteen foot forward. The Council had nothing further to add, and closed with assurances of its duty and respect to the Court. The letter was dated at Union Castle, St Helena, 13 June 1724, and subscribed by three members of the Council under their initials, those of John Smith, John Alexander and Benjamin Hawkes, as the Court's most obliged and faithful servants. In a postscript the Council noted that the Court had sent no wine by this store ship. The drinking of punch had been found by experience to be very harmful to health, and the Council asked that six chests of Madeira be sent, which would be most welcome and greatly oblige it. The postscript carried the same three subscribers, John Smith, John Alexander and Benjamin Hawkes. Interpretations The draught figures recorded the depth of water the loaded ship drew at bow and stern, eighteen foot aft and fifteen foot forward. The trim by the stern was the normal laden condition of such a vessel, and the measurement formed part of the same departure survey that certified the Walpole fit for her homeward passage. The request for Madeira against the drinking of punch reflected a settled concern for the garrison's health on the island. Madeira, a fortified wine shipped from the Atlantic island of that name, kept well on long voyages and was treated as a wholesome ration, while locally distilled spirit made into punch was judged to damage the health of the soldiers and servants who relied on it for want of anything better. Note: the initials are read here as those of Governor Smith and councillors Alexander and Hawkes, the surnames inferred from the 1724 council membership rather than read in full on the page. The third pair, given as B. H., would on that reading be Benjamin Hawkes; if the second letter is an A it would instead point to another hand. | ||
163V | List of the Pack:t p Ship Walpole Capt Charles Boddam Comander 1 Gov:r & Councils Gen:ll Lett:r p Ship Walpole dated 13:th Iune 1724 2 Duplicate of Gov:r & Councill Lett:r p Hartford, dated the 7 Iune 1724 3 Capt Charles Wedsens 2:d Bill of Excha:e for £63,18,2 pay:ble to the Hon:d Comp:y / 4 One Sett of Books of Acco:ts for the year 1722 5 Inventory of Stores remaining on St Hellena the 25 March 1724 6 Indent of Stores wanting on the Island St Hellena Iune 13:th 1724 7 A Petition of Robert Wallington Serj:t 8 Copy of Mr Tho: Deans Acco:t for goods bought 9 Copy of Ship Walpols Acc:t Iune 13 1724 10 Copy of the Receipt on the Back of the Bill of Loading p the James & Mary Signd I:E:A | List of the packet by the ship Walpole, Captain Charles Boddam commander. 1: General letter of the Governor and Council by the ship Walpole, dated 13 June 1724 2: Duplicate of the Governor and Council's letter by the Hartford, dated 7 June 1724 3: Captain Charles Hudson's second bill of exchange for £63 18s 9½d, payable to the Court 4: One set of books of account for the year 1722 5: Inventory of stores remaining on St Helena as at 25 March 1724 6: Indent of stores needed on the island, St Helena, 13 June 1724 7: Petition of Robert Wallington, soldier 8: Copy of Mr Thomas Dean's account for goods bought 9: Copy of the Walpole's account, 13 June 1724 10: Copy of the receipt on the back of the bill of lading of the James and Mary Signed J. A. Interpretations The packet list was the despatching Council's manifest of every document sent home by a given ship. Each enclosure was numbered so the recipients at India House could check the contents against the list on arrival, the numbered receipt forming a recoverable audit trail against loss or tampering in transit. The duplicate of the Hartford letter sent here by the Walpole shows the standing practice of repeating correspondence by a second ship. The original went home in one bottom and a copy in another, so that the loss of a single vessel on the homeward passage could not destroy the year's despatch. The final initials are read as those of John Alexander, the Council's secretary, who subscribed the packet lists in that office. The signing of the manifest by the secretary rather than the full board reflected the clerical nature of the document, a certificate of contents rather than an act of the Council in consultation. | ||
164R | Hon:rd S:rs Gen:l Lett:r p Ship Hannover Capt Ino:o Bond Comd: dated 3 Iuly 1724 Since Our last Wedid Ourselves the Hon:r of Writeing to your Hon:r bearing date the 31:th Iuly 1723 by the Dukeague We have Continued by every Conveyance since viz: By the Barrington & Stanhope of the 2:d It:s Iuary 172 4/3 Carnarvon of the 9 Febry Craggs and King George of the 8 & the same by the Mary of the 29 Aprill 1724 Mountague of the 6 May Hartford of the 7 Iune and Walpole if the 13 following All co:s We hope will come Safe to hand and haveing wrote therein what did then Occur Worthy your Hon:rs Notice, We Therein begg leave to refer you for ye Hon:rs better Satisfaction and come now to doe Ourselves a furthe Hon:r in Answering your Gen:l Letter of the 31 Dec:r 1723 by the Farmer & Mary of which Arrivall and proceedings relateing the Delivery of Her Cargoe We have menchend in Our former Letters, but shall be somewhat more Particular in this and to give your Hon:r the best & most Imediate all account of those Affores under Our Care & Manage =ment as they Occur or are required of Us towards the faithful Discharge of Our Respective dutys / By the two last of Our Letters by the Hartford and Walpole and Lists of their Packets Yo:r Hon:r will find We have sent all usual Lists Duplicates & Copys of Our Consultations with all the Matter in Suppose So that We need not trouble Your Hon:r with a repetial herein, but to advise of Our Transmitting now, other Duplicates & Copys of Our Consultations to | General letter by the ship Hannover, Captain John Bond commander, dated 25 July 1724. 1: Since its last letter to the Court, dated 31 July 1723, the Council had taken every conveyance to write. It had sent letters by the Barrington and the Stanhope of 2 January 1724, by the Carnarvon of 9 February 1724, by the Craggs and the King George of 16 March 1724, by the Mary of 29 April 1724, by the Montague of 16 May 1724, by the Hartford of 7 June 1724 and by the Walpole of 13 June 1724. The Council hoped all had arrived safely, and that they carried what was then worthy of the Court's notice. Rather than repeat that material, the Council referred the Court to those letters for its fuller account, and turned to answer the Court's own letter of 31 December 1723, carried by the James and Mary. The arrival of that ship and the delivery and handling of her cargo had been covered in earlier letters. The Council would now give a fuller and more exact account of everything done under its care and management as matters arose, in faithful discharge of its duty. 2: By the two last of its letters, those by the Hartford and the Walpole, together with the lists of their packets, the Court would find that the Council had sent all the usual lists, duplicates and copies of its consultations, as Captain Winter had earlier proposed. The Council had no wish to trouble the Court by writing specially on the point, but to advise that its consultations were now being copied, with further duplicates and copies Interpretations The opening recital of every conveyance used since the previous despatch was the Council's standard accounting for its correspondence. Listing each ship and the date of the letter she carried let the Court reconcile what it had received against what had been sent, exposing at once any letter lost on the homeward passage. The reference to the Court's letter of 31 December 1723 carried by the James and Mary establishes the document the present letter answers. The Council had deferred its fuller reply when that ship sailed quickly, undertaking then to answer every head, and now took up that answer in order. The repeated despatch of duplicates and copies of the consultations reflected the practice urged earlier by Captain James Winter, that the island send its proceedings home in multiple copies by separate ships. The consultation book was the Council's record of every act in session, and its regular transmission gave the Court a continuous check on the government of the island against the loss of any single conveyance. | ||
164V | to this tyme Likewise of Goods & Stores Remaining on the 25 of March 1724 & List of Sallarys for the year 1723: List of debts standing Out p:r the same Year, Also List of familys Lands & Cattle and of Rent, Provices and Head money p:r that year List of Your Hon:rs Blacks with their Ages & Employments with a Copy of Indent of Several Stores wanting on the Island the Ensueing Year, and of all other Proper Usual Acco:t sent home for Your Hon:rs Information pursuant to your Orders and hope We have not Omitted any Material Part required of Us / 3 It is an inexpressable pleasure to us to find Our Late management of Affairs and amendment of faults Complaind of in the Likemikious Lett:r with the Asurances given in Answer thereto as well as to that by the Essex, mett with So good Sucess and merritted in your Hon:rs Approval And as We Sincerely Asure Your Hon:r We have Nothing more at Heart than to Study & Constantly Observe all Your Orders & Directions to the obe:s We flatter Our selves with a kind Continuance of Standing in Your Hon:rs favour, as well as to Avoid Occasion of further faults as much as Possible it being very Grateing to Us when tis Our Misfortune to receive Checks tho We can't but readily Confess all Masters have just reason to find faults with their Servants, and to tell them their duty when Neglegent and Omitted / 4 We proceed to give Your Hon:rs what further Notices Informations, & Acco:s usually Rangsd under the Severall following Heads in obedience to Your Honours former Directions viz:t / | The Council had also sent home, as at 25 March 1724, an account of the goods and stores remaining on the island, a list of the salaries for the year 1723, a list of the debts still standing on account for the same year, a list of the families and their land, cattle and rents, the provisions and head money for that year, a list of the Court's slaves with their ages and employments, a copy of the indent of the several stores needed on the island for the coming year, and every other proper and usual account sent home for the Court's information, in accordance with its orders. The Council hoped it had omitted no material part required of it. 3: The Council took the greatest pleasure in reporting that its recent management of affairs and its correction of the faults complained of in the Court's earlier letter had succeeded well. The assurances given in its answer by the Aurora, and those by the Essex, had met with good success and earned the Court's approval. The Council had nothing more at heart than to study and constantly observe all the Court's orders and directions. It hoped to keep the Court's continued favour and standing goodwill, and to avoid all further faults as far as possible. Receiving the Court's reproofs was painful, though the Council freely admitted that all masters had just cause to find fault with servants who neglected their duty or left it undone, and to remind them of it. 4: The Council proceeded to lay before the Court its further notices, information and accounts, arranged under the several heads following, in obedience to the Court's earlier directions. First Interpretations The catalogue of annual returns sent home as at the quarter day of 25 March formed the fixed reporting apparatus by which the Court governed the island from London. The remains of stores, the salary list, the standing debts, the register of families with their land, cattle, rents and head money, and the slave list with ages and employments together gave the directors a complete fiscal and demographic picture against which to audit the Council's management. The head money recorded in the families' return was a charge levied by the head, here tied to the listing of households alongside their land and rents. Its appearance among the standing annual accounts marked it as a settled element of the island's revenue rather than an occasional imposition. The arrangement of the letter under successive heads, answering the Court's directions point by point, was the method the new administration had adopted to distance itself from the disorder of the previous regime. Replying under the Court's own heads, with each matter taken in order, gave the directors a reply they could check directly against the questions they had put. | ||
165R | First: concerning Shipping Returned by Your Hon:rs Sent or Sending Out / 5 We most heartily Congratulate Your Hon:rs on the Safe Arrival of Your Several Ships last Year from Iudia (the last of them being the Dew= =sonne) Since when there hath Arrived and Departed hence the following Ships, all which We hope will Arrive to Your Hon:r in Safety viz: 6 On the 21 of Dec:r 1723 the Stanhope & departed the 13 Ianry following on the first Ianry the Barrington and departed the day after On the 2 Ianry the Salisbury man of War & departed the 13 following it the Stanhope the 31 Iun:r & the Carnarvon & Cardigon (who Saild in Company on the 9 Febry the 22 Arrived the Craggs Sailed the 3 of March the 2 the King George & departed the 19 ditto. Aprill the 1 Arrived the Sarum the 14 the Leithmuller the 17 the Dutch Ships from Mocha that was supplyd only w:th Water Volatile fresh Provisions which he bought of the Planters On the 16 the Lyon man of War and Sherain the 19 the Mary, Derby & Essex which Seven Ships Sailed in Company on the 29 Aprill, and the Dutch Ship the day after May the 2 yt Briancaper 16 the Mountague and Saild in Comp:y the 16 following 17 Arrived the Hartford 18 the James & mary from England who Saild for Bencoolen the 22 Iune the 2 of which Month Arrived the Princess Ann & on the 8 the Walpole who Saild with the Hartford on the 14 Iune on the 16 arrived the Hanover Capt Bond who was Dispatcht from Bombay the 28 Ianry by whom We have | First, concerning the shipping returned by the Court or sent out. 5: The Council heartily congratulated the Court on the safe arrival of its several ships from India in the previous year, the last of them being the Dawson. Since then the following ships had arrived at the island and departed again, all of which the Council hoped would reach the Court safely. 6: On 21 December 1723 the Stanhope departed. On 13 January following the Barrington arrived, and departed the next day. On 27 January the Salisbury man of war departed, and on 28 January the Stanhope. On 31 January the Carnarvon and Cardigan, which sailed in company, also departed. On 22 February the Essex arrived, and on 1 March the Craggs sailed. On 16 March the King George departed. On 1 April the Sarum arrived, and on 14 April the Stalkbourg, a Dutch ship from Mocha that had been supplied only with water and a little fresh provisions bought of the planters. On 16 April the Lyon man of war arrived, and on 19 April the Mary, Derby and Essex, which sailed in company on 29 April, with the Dutch ship the day after. On 1 May the Bridgewater arrived, and on 16 May the Montague, which sailed in company the day following. On 16 May the Hartford arrived. On 28 May the James and Mary from England arrived, and within a month she departed. On 2 June the Princess Ann arrived, and on 8 June the Walpole, which sailed with the Hartford. On 14 June the Hannover arrived, Captain Charles Boddam commander, despatched from Bombay on 28 January, by whom the Council had received Interpretations The running calendar of arrivals and departures was the shipping account proper, set apart from the survey of any single vessel. Recording each ship by name and the exact day of her call gave the Court at India House a continuous register of traffic past the island, against which it could trace the movement of its whole fleet and reconcile cargoes, bills and despatches. The treatment of the Dutch ship from Mocha, allowed only water and a little fresh provision bought of the planters, marked the standing distinction between a foreign vessel in distress and one seeking full refit. A ship of a nation in amity might take fresh victuals for its money, but the Council withheld the wider supply reserved for the Court's own shipping. The convoying of ships in company, repeatedly noted here, reflected the danger of the homeward passage under threat of war with Spain and of pirates. Holding several vessels to sail together, rather than singly, was the standing safeguard ordered for the Court's ships once they left the island road. | ||
165V | receiv'd the following Advices of your Hon:rs Shipping on that Coast Viz: That the Prince Frederick was to be Dispatcht for Maddrass some time in March Last The Compton was gone for Persia The Prince Augustus Sild for Mocho in Dec:r The Hon St Cambridge was off of Goa the begin- ing of Ianuary The Hon St George was just Arived from Mullava The Bombay was Cruseing off of Bombay The Bengal was gone for Persia on Acco:t of some troubles there / 7 The Cargoe of Goods & Provisions Laden on the James & Mary by your Hon:r for the use of this Island, We gratefully Acknowledge to have rec'd in good Order Acording to Invoice and Bill of Lading which was Extreamly Acceptable to all in General, & proved very good a Copy of the Invoice & Lading here comes in the Packet which We hope will meet with Your Hon:r Approbation, Assureing You We shall be as frugall & Carefull in Selling them out to whom, & for what as tho they were Ac- =tually Our own Goods as We have Already been of the Cargoe rec:d by the Essex & others what relates to the frame not being sent us mentioned in your Box of Pair with the reasons Seems very Prudent, and as we can't Expect a new one till next year We shall follow Your Hon:rs Directions in making the best Shift We can by mending the Old one which as We informd Your Hon:r in Ours | The Council had received the following intelligence of the Court's shipping on that coast. The Prince Frederick was to be despatched for Madras some time in March. The Compton had gone for Persia. The Prince Augustus sailed for Mocha in December. The Duke of Cambridge was off Goa at the beginning of January. The Royal George was just arrived from Mallava. The Bombay was cruising off Bombay. The Bengal had gone for Persia on account of some troubles there. 7: The Council gratefully acknowledged receipt of the cargo of goods and provisions laden aboard the James and Mary for the use of the island. It had come in good order according to the invoice and bill of lading, and was most welcome to all. The goods proved very good, and a copy of the invoice and bill of lading was enclosed in the packet, which the Council hoped would meet the Court's approval. The Council gave its assurance that it would be frugal and careful in selling the goods, treating them as its own as to whom they were sold and at what price. Some of the cargo had already been disposed of by the Essex and other ships. As to the items not mentioned in the Court's bill of lading, the reasons given seemed very prudent. Since no new cargo could be expected until the next year, the Council would follow the Court's directions and make the best shift it could by mending the old ones, as it had earlier informed the Court in its letter. Interpretations The shipping intelligence gathered from the incoming ship records the disposition of the Court's eastern fleet at the moment the news reached the island. St Helena served as a clearing point for such reports, each calling vessel adding what she knew of others on the Indian coast, the Council passing the whole home so the directors held a current picture of where their ships lay. The diversion of the Bengal to Persia on account of troubles there points to the disturbances at the Gulf that repeatedly redirected Company shipping. Trade at the Persian ports turned on local security, and a ship might be sent to support or protect the Company's interest when those troubles arose. The Council's undertaking to sell the consigned cargo as carefully as if it were its own, and its noting that some had already gone off by other ships, sets out the island's function as a depot for the Court's goods. Provisions and stores shipped from England were sold on to calling ships and the inhabitants, the proceeds carried to the Court's account, the Council answerable for both the price obtained and the persons supplied. | ||
166R | by the Hartford is very well Secured & with repairs may last till We can be better Supplyd from Eng:t The Charterparty We sent Acording to Yo:r Hon:rs Orders on the James & Mary to Bencoolen / 8 If at any time We are favoured with Orders from the Gentlemen Appointed by your Hon:rs to be a Secret Comittee We shall w:th Pleasure obey & Observe them as Directed in the 8 Par:a of Said Letter of the 31 Dec:r 1723 9 By the 6 Par:a of this Your Hon:r will find We have had a due regard to the Advice of Ships Arrived and Departure hence w:th what news We can learn of any in the East Indies which We shall be always mindfull to Continue / 10 We hope your Hon:r hath rec:d desfull Satis- =faction for the Rice not Deliverd Us by ye Capta: of the Drake & Middlesex Consignd from Fort St Geor:e which Method We Shall persue in Case We meet w:th the like Disappointm:t in future as ye Hon:rs Directs 11 We are Extreamly glad to find Your Hon:rs were So well pleased w:th Our proceedings touching the Dispatch of the Leithmuller & Essex w:th the Riders given in relation to the weather and Ships to hall nearer in to the Shore on all Alarms, which being for your Hon:rs Inter:t & Security of yo:r Estates on board them We do Asure Your Hon:r We shall Continue the like Care as We did in the Case of Capt St Aubone, and for whose Quicker hast =ening away We Advisd him of your Hon:rs Directions to th:in your Lett:r and as We informd Your Hon:r in Ours by the Walpole, he deliverd his | The cargo by the Hartford was very well secured, and with repairs might last until the island was better supplied from England. The Council had sent the charter party to Bencoolen according to the Court's orders on the James and Mary. 8: If at any time the Council were favoured with orders from the gentlemen appointed by the Court to be a Secret Committee, it would with pleasure obey them as directed in the eighth paragraph of the Court's letter of 31 December 1723. 9: By the sixth paragraph of this letter the Court would find that the Council had given due regard to the advice of ships arrived and departed home, with whatever news it could learn of any in the East Indies, which it would always be careful to continue. 10: The Council hoped the Court had received full satisfaction over the rice delivered by the captain of the Drake and Middlesex, consigned from Fort St George. It would follow the same method if it met the like disappointment in future, as the Court directed. 11: The Council was very glad to find the Court so well pleased with its proceedings concerning the despatch of the Lyell, Exeter and Essex, and with the orders given about the weather and ships standing in to the shore on all alarms. Since these were for the Court's interest and the security of its estate aboard them, the Council gave its assurance that it would take the same care as it had in the case of Captain Aubone. As to the master whose quicker sailing away the Council had advised against, the whole correspondence had been sent home to the Court within its packet, as the Council had informed the Court in its letter by the Walpole. He delivered his cargo Interpretations The reference to the Secret Committee marks the inner body of the Court of Directors that handled confidential business, including instructions too sensitive for the general letter. The Council's undertaking to obey any orders from that quarter shows the parallel channel through which London could direct the island outside the ordinary correspondence. The despatch of ships standing in to the shore on every alarm formed part of the island's defensive routine. A sighting raised an alarm, and the Court's ships in the road were ordered close under the guns rather than left exposed, so that the cargo aboard them, the Court's estate, stood protected against a hostile sail. The handling of the defiant master, whose early departure the Council had opposed and whose whole correspondence it sent home, reflects the limit of the island's authority over a ship's commander. The Council could remonstrate and record, but enforcement against a master who chose to sail rested with the Court in London, to whom the documentary record was referred for judgement. | ||
166V | Cargoe to us within the ten working days on the Expiration of which We got ready and Deliverd him Our severall Letters for Iudia and gave him up his Bill of Lading and Altho he was as Expeditious as posible in Landing the Goods, yet if We had not Asisted him should not been posibils for him to have Complyd w:th his Charterparty and the him he Stayed above the ten Working days, being about ten days longer was Chiefly taken up in getting his Ballast off, bringing & filling his water Caskes and getting his Ship in a fitt Posture to get to Sea that We hope We have done Our dutys to forward his Departure hence as much as Possible, as We shall take Care to observe in future 12 If any French or Portuguez Ships Arrives with us We shall be Sure to Remember and follow Your Hon:rs Orders and to give a Just Acco:t of what We supply them with or of any thing We Should realy want in Barter or otherwise buy of them for your Hon:r Acco:t And as frequently is plainly made Appear by the Copys & Duplicates of all Ships Acc:o being duly Resmitted your Hon:r for a full information of Our Dealing with them which will pre =vent any Blame layd on us / 13 Now We are more fully Apprizd of your Hon:rs Orders in Relation to any English Ship or Vessell Treading to the Cape of Good hope than formerly, and afterward calling here for Water or other Refreshment We shall | The master delivered his cargo within the ten days allowed for unlading. As that term expired, the Council had its letters for India ready, delivered them to him, and gave him up his bill of lading. Although he was as quick as possible in landing the goods, he could not have kept his charter party without the Council's help. His staying about ten days beyond the term was taken up chiefly in getting his ballast off, filling his water casks and putting his ship in fit condition for sea. The Council hoped it had done its duty in speeding his departure as far as possible, and gave its assurance of the same care in future. 12: If any French or Portuguese ships arrived, the Council would be sure to remember and follow the Court's orders, and to keep a just account of whatever it supplied them with, and of anything it should need to take from them in barter or otherwise buy for the Court's account. As plainly appeared from the copies and duplicates of all ships' accounts duly sent home, the Court was given full information of every dealing with such ships, which would prevent any blame falling on the Council. 13: The Council was now more fully informed of the Court's orders concerning any English ship or vessel trading at the Cape of Good Hope than before, and afterwards calling at the island for water or other refreshment. It would Interpretations The ten days allowed for unlading was the term fixed by the charter party for clearing a ship's cargo at the island. The Council's careful note that the master kept within it, and that his further stay went to ballast, water and refitting rather than to unlading, guarded the Court against any later claim for demurrage, the charge a master could levy where the agreed term was exceeded through the shore's delay. The undertaking to keep an exact account of all dealings with French or Portuguese ships, with copies sent home, reflects the suspicion attaching to trade with foreign vessels. By documenting every supply and purchase and remitting the record, the Council protected itself against any charge of private or irregular dealing with the Court's rivals. The matter of English ships watering at the Cape before calling at the island touches the standing grievance that the homeward fleet increasingly refreshed at the Cape rather than at St Helena. The loss of that custom hurt the island's planters, and the Court's orders on the point gave the Council fresh direction on how such ships were to be treated when they did call. | ||
167R | not fail Complying with your Hon:rs Orders & Instructions to us layd down in your 18 Par:a and Discountenance them all We can that they may'nt hope for any better Treatm:t a second time, which We hope will in great measure Contribute to their not Attempting So unlawfull a Practice that We now Apprehend to be So Preju =diciall to Your Hon:rs own Trade, and We begg Your Hon:rs will give us leave to Say that t'was not Stupidity caused us to Permit the Eagle Brigantine to take in a little water, but for want of Positive Orders to the Contrary be- =cause there's Several Instances of English & Ships that has been far better Supplyd at this Island that has been at or beyond the Cape, tho its far from us to Justify our Selves in any thing that should but the Coast Seem a breach of Orders, and to which We are Resolved to have a more Particular regard, for Our Guidance in future 14 What relates to the Sloop Newport that We formerly informd Your Hon:r came from the Island Princess was the true Acc:o given us by the Master and William Charles Passenger then on board who if they did come from the West Indies on the Smugling Acc:o and in Expectation of getting Goods out of the returning Shipping was more than We knew of and did Miss of his Aim Assureing Your Hon:rs We shall never Encourage any against your Interest, Nither have We any Quantity of Goods at any time by us to Dispose of to such Persons | The Council would not fail to comply with the Court's orders, set out in the eighteenth paragraph, and would discourage such ships as far as it could, so that they might hope for no better treatment another time. It hoped this would greatly help to keep them from a practice the Council now judged so harmful to the Court's own trade. The Council asked leave to say that no carelessness had led it to allow the Eagle brigantine to take in a little water. It did so only for want of positive orders to the contrary, since there were several instances of English ships far better supplied at the island than any that had been at or beyond the Cape. The Council was far from justifying anything that should cross the Court's orders, and would give the matter closer attention for its guidance in future. 14: As to the sloop Newport, of which the Council had earlier informed the Court, the true account given by the master and by William Charles, a passenger then aboard, was that she came from the island of Princes. If they did come from the West Indies on the smuggling account, in expectation of getting goods out of the returning shipping, it was more than the Council knew, and the master denied his account. The Council gave its assurance that it would never encourage anything against the Court's interest, nor had it at any time any quantity of goods to dispose of to such persons. Interpretations The Council's defence over the Eagle brigantine turns on the absence of a standing rule. It allowed the ship a little water for want of any positive order forbidding it, and pointed out that English ships had drawn far more at the island than vessels supplied at the Cape, the argument being that a small supply of water was no breach where no instruction yet governed the case. The account of the sloop Newport and the suspicion of smuggling reflects the Court's anxiety that goods might leak out of its returning ships into private hands. A vessel waiting near the island to take goods off the homeward fleet threatened the monopoly, and the Council was careful to record both the master's denial and its own want of any goods to supply such a trade. The island of Princes named here was a watering and refreshment point off the West African coast on the route between the Guinea trade and the Atlantic crossing. Its appearance as the sloop's stated origin set the master's innocent account against the alternative that she had come from the West Indies on the smuggling account. | ||
167V | and as to the other part of your Hon:rs 14 Par:a Direct- =ing us to give Notice of to the next Ships to prevent their Delivery of Goods out of their Ships as the on this Side the Cape and incurring the Penalty, We shall remember to Let them know when they Arrive with us as menchend before / 15 As to what your Hon:r makes Mention of in your 15 Par:a relating to the Sugar bought out of a Portuguez Ship is of near four Years Standing and altho Govern:r Johnson it dead We do owe to Your Honours have bargained for and bought by him at the Price of Nine Pence the Pound it being very good and not much Inferior to fine Loaf Sugar in England But We shall never give the like rate for any nor above four pence a Pound for any out of the India Ships if possible to be avoided nor have We of late for all or most bought out of this years Shiping tho till the Letter end of them Sugar was very Scarce We haveing but very little on the Island when the Carnarvan & Cardigon was last here and not above Six pence & Eight pence a Pound for Sugar Candy of a better fort which shall be the highest Priced We ever intend to give the Captains tho We are well Asured of their being too Apt to take an Advantage of Our Nesisity, We all ask Six pence and sometimes Eight Pence a Pound for Sugar and ten pence & twelve Pence for Candy which Extravagant Rates We hope to Prevent by Endeavouring to Supply Our selves with a Small Stock Always beforehand and when We have sold any thing to furnish the Inhabitants with at their own Desires it has Always been Our Care to Set a moderate Advance that Your Honours might be no losers, & to prevent their Complaining / | As to the other part of the Court's fourteenth paragraph, directing the Council to give notice to the next ships not to deliver goods out of their vessels on this side of the Cape, on pain of the penalty, the Council would remember to tell them so when they arrived, as the Court had directed. 15: As to the matter raised in the Court's fifteenth paragraph about the sugar bought out of the Portuguese ship, it was now near four years old. Although Governor Johnson was dead, the Council would answer for what he had bargained for and bought, at the price of nine pence the pound. It was very good, and not much inferior to fine loaf sugar in England. The Council would never give the like rate, nor above four pence the pound, for any taken out of the India ships, if it could be avoided. Of late most of the present year's shipping had been bought out, though until the latter end of them sugar was very scarce. There was very little on the island when the Carnarvon and Cardigan were last there, at no more than six pence and eight pence the pound for sugar, and candy of a better sort, which would be the highest price the Council meant to give. Since the captains were well assured of their being too apt to take advantage of the island's needs, they would ask six pence, and sometimes eight pence, the pound for sugar, and ten pence and twelve pence for candy. The Council hoped to prevent such excessive rates by keeping a small stock always in reserve. Whenever it had sold anything to supply the inhabitants at their own wish, its constant care had been to set a moderate advance, so that the Court should be no loser and the people should have no cause to complain. Interpretations The pricing dispute over sugar reveals the bargaining position of ships' masters against a remote island dependent on what passed. Knowing the island's want, a captain raised his price for sugar and candy, and the Council's remedy was to hold a reserve stock, so that it need not buy at the moment of greatest scarcity and weakest leverage. The note that the Council would answer for Governor Johnson's bargain, though he was dead, reflects the continuity of the Council's liability across a change of administration. A purchase made under one Governor bound the establishment, and the present Council stood accountable to the Court for the price agreed, the death of the contracting Governor not discharging the obligation. Candy here was sugar candy, refined sugar crystallised into hard lumps and valued above ordinary loaf sugar, which explains the higher rate the masters asked for it. Loaf sugar was refined sugar moulded into a conical loaf, the standard against which the Portuguese ship's sugar was judged, the comparison fixing the quality that justified the nine pence the pound paid for it. | ||
168R | 16 The Govern:r has been On board & Surveyd Every Ship Since his Arrival here and will continue the like in future Pursuant to Your Hon:rs Orders and is Glad to hear Your Hon:rs Approves the Method / Secondly Concerning Goods or Stores Sent from England or rec from India 17 The Several Items and Directions to us Contained in the 17, 18, 19 & 20 Par:as of your Hon:rs Letter of the 31 Dec:r 1723 which relates Chiefly to Europe & India Goods We Shall take Particular Care to Observe for Our better Guidance in the Priceing each fort and to Sell them at such rates as We Iudge they will very Reasonbly fetch or as the Markets vary and tlit the best We Can therein for your Hon:r Interst and Our own Reputations which We hope will prevent Cmplaint or the best Prospect any Person here Can propose by take =ing any Goods out of the Stores to Dispose of to any Advantage after Stored to others, the We don't doubt but your Hon:r hath had informations of Such like Instances which We are all Ignorant of and are Resold to prevent whenever We know of any Such disallowable & Pernicius a Practice / 18 The Several Particulars and Parcells of India Goods being formerly bought of Capt:s of high Rates and Mentioned in Your Hon:rs Letter Pointed out to us for a Caution to us not to do the like in future We shall be Sure to Remember and to buy as Cheap as Posible when we have a real Occasion for Such like Goods, and your Hon:rs tender Expresions of Our management after Mr Johnsons Death the hope will be a Sufficient Motive to Iudue us to En- =deavour all posible means to give & doe the best We can, and with a due regard for ye Hon:rs Interst | 16: Governor Smith had surveyed every ship since his arrival, and would continue to do so according to the Court's orders. He was glad to hear that the Court approved the method. Secondly, concerning goods or stores sent from England or India. 17: The several items and directions in the Court's seventeenth, eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth paragraphs of its letter of 31 December 1723, which related chiefly to Europe and India goods, the Council would carefully observe for its better guidance in the pricing of each sort. It would sell them at such rates as it judged very reasonable, or as the market ran, taking the best care it could for the Court's interest and its own reputation. The Council hoped this would prevent any complaint, or the least suggestion that anyone here could propose to take goods out of the stores to dispose of to its own advantage after delivery to others. It had no doubt the Court had received information of such instances, of which the Council was wholly ignorant, and was carefully resolved to prevent any such improper practice whenever it became aware of one. 18: As to the several particulars and parcels of India goods earlier bought of captains at high rates, mentioned in the Court's letter as a caution against doing the like in future, the Council would be sure to remember it, and to buy as cheaply as possible when it had a real occasion for such goods. The Court's mention of the Council's management since Governor Johnson's death, it hoped, would be sufficient encouragement to induce it to endeavour by all possible means to act in the best manner it could, with due regard for the Court's interest. Interpretations The Council's repeated insistence that no member took goods out of the stores for private advantage answers a specific charge the Court had evidently received from an informant. The accounting reforms, the sale at market rates and the open record were all directed at clearing the Council of the suspicion that public stores were being diverted to private profit. The mention of high prices formerly paid to captains for India goods sets the present economy against past laxity. The Court flagged the earlier purchases as a warning, and the Council answered that it would buy only on real need and at the lowest rate, the institutional point being that the Court audited not merely what was bought but the price at which the island bought it. The Court's notice of the Council's conduct since the death of Governor Johnson marks the close oversight that followed a change of administration. The directors weighed the new management against the disorder of the previous regime, and the Council treated their approval as both encouragement and a standard it was bound to maintain. | ||
168V | and the General good of this Island, As to the Long Cloth &c We are now Stocked with the Remaining Inventory of Stores will make Appear and which by Computation we Iudge may last us of the Coarse fort about five or Six Years but of the fine fort ought One Bale and if any thing Else was Let Slip We Asure Your Honcies t'wos not with any ill desigue / 19 Acording to Your Hon:rs Orders in your 22 Par:a We have and Shall Continue to Send Yearly the Acco:t of Remains of India as well as Europe Goods but as as to the Computations of the Sorts and Quantitys for one Years Consumption We canot be Exact in but but will Endeavour a Medium Guefs and not to omit begging the favour of Your Honcies to Order us a Supply from India whenever We shall want which will be the most Effectual Method to Prevent the Capt:s Imposeing on us, As to the Wax Candles taken Notied in the Same Par: t'was Our Nesisity Caused us to give two Shillings a pound which would have been prevented had We been Supplyd from Bengal as We desired in Several of Our Letters to them but havi-ately Sent us Some Wax (but no Candles) which with those Candles We have lately lately bought, will be Sufficient for Near two Years 20 We Shall take all Imaginable Care to Prevent the Captains takeing any Advantage of Our Nesisi- =tys, tho whenever we want Rice, which is Always very Usefull here and a great deal Consumd in a Year We can rarely buy any under five & twelve Shill: a hundr:t in which Since Your Hon:r Say it Cost You as much Considering freight We hope We shant Err / 21 Your Honeurs Orders in your 24 Par: relat= =ing to the takeing Goods of the Captains hands, unless at very Cheap rates and that they will pay for lying by or that We can't Expect any of Such Sorts the Same Season from India We shall be Sure to | This served the general good of the island. As to the long cloth and other goods, the Council was now stocked, as the remaining inventory of stores would show. By its calculation it judged the coarser sort might last about five or six years, but of the fine sort only one bale was left. If anything else had been let slip, the Council gave its assurance that this was through no ill intent. 19: According to the Court's orders in its twenty-second paragraph, the Council had sent, and would continue to send yearly, the account of the remains of India and Europe goods. As to the calculation of the sorts and quantities for one year's consumption, the Council could not be exact, but would give an average estimate, and would not fail to ask the Court to order a supply from India whenever it ran short, which would be the most effective way to prevent the captains imposing on it. As to the wax candles taken by the Mary under the same paragraph, the Council's own need had obliged it to pay two shillings, which would have been avoided had it been supplied from Bengal as it had asked in several of its letters. The Court had lately sent some wax, but no candles, which together with the candles the Council had lately bought would be enough for nearly two years. 20: The Council would take all imaginable care to prevent the captains taking advantage of its needs, especially over rice, which was always very useful on the island and consumed in great quantity in a year. It could rarely buy any under twelve shillings the hundredweight. The Court would find it cost as much, considering the freight, as the Council hoped to charge. 21: As to the Court's orders in its twenty-fourth paragraph about taking goods off the captains' hands, unless at very cheap rates, and what they would charge for lying by, or that the Council could expect any of such sorts the same season from India, the Council would be sure to observe Interpretations The forecast that the coarse long cloth would last five or six years against a single bale of the fine sort shows the stock-keeping logic behind the annual remains account. Long cloth was a plain Indian cotton, a staple of the Company's trade and the island's chief clothing material, and the disparity in stock determined where the Council pressed the Court for fresh supply. The candle question turns on the difference between candles bought dear from a calling ship and candles supplied direct from Bengal. Forced to pay two shillings to the Mary for want of a standing supply, the Council pressed again for shipment from India, the point being that direct provision from the Court's own eastern stores spared the island the inflated prices of opportunistic sellers. The rice at twelve shillings the hundredweight sets the island's dependence on imported grain against the cost of carriage. Rice fed the Court's slaves and eked out the failing yam crop, and the Council's note that freight made it cost as much as it could charge marks the thin margin on a commodity it had to buy at whatever the season offered. | ||
169R | observe and Comply with Accordingly / 22 What further relates to the Portuguize Sugar Mentioned Under the head of Shipping and the buying of other Goods at Extravagant prices repeated in your 25 Par: We shall have a due regard to as well to prevent the inhauncing the Prices as the Planters from paying Extravagant rates for any fort of goods We buy for their use and not only So, but to Choose rather to take Bills Pay =able to your Hon:r as receded of Capt:s thereon in the Princess Anne than Goods at too Dear prices as before Mentioned / Thirdly touching Your Servants Civill & Military The Acco of St Helena in Gen: & also Concerning Yo:r Slaves Cattle Lands and Revenues / 23 The List of Sallarys and Wages to the Civill Officers and pay to the Military with the Acco: of debts due from the Inhabitants We Transmitted to Your Hon:r by the Hartford and Duplicates thereof by this Ship Hannover both Cast up & Ranked in each their Stations, and shall Continue the like every year Acording to Your Hon:r Orders in your 26 Parragraph / 24 Your Honours may be well Asured We Shall not Allow of any Transfers but Such as are paid to Youe in part of debts oweing from the Inhabitants and for the Soldiers debts as will fully Appear in Our Consultations at the End of every three Months Comencing from the 25 of march that being the time of a Generall Reckoning & make =ing up all Acco for the Year Past As | The Council would observe and comply with the Court's orders accordingly. 22: As to the further matter of the Portuguese sugar, mentioned under the head of shipping, and the buying of other goods at excessive prices, repeated in the Court's twenty-fifth paragraph, the Council would have due regard both to prevent the raising of prices and to keep the planters from charging excessive rates for any sort of goods the Council bought for the Court's account. It would choose rather to take bills of exchange payable to the Court, as received from people on the island, than to buy goods at too dear prices, as mentioned before. Thirdly, concerning the Court's civil and military servants, the island of St Helena in general, and the Court's slaves, cattle, lands and revenues. 23: The Council had sent the Court the list of salaries and wages to the civil officers, the pay to the military, and the account of debts owed by the inhabitants, transmitted by the Hartford, with duplicates by this ship the Hannover, both cast up and audited at their several stations. It would continue to send the like every year according to the Court's orders in its twenty-sixth paragraph. 24: The Court might rest assured that the Council would allow no transfers except such as were paid to people in part of debts owed by the inhabitants, and for the soldiers' diet, as would fully appear in its consultations at the end of every three months. This was the time of a general reckoning and of making up all accounts for the period past. Interpretations The Council's preference for taking bills of exchange over buying goods at high prices marks the central device by which it managed a cashless economy. A bill payable to the Court at London discharged a local obligation without parting with scarce coin or overpaying for goods, the Council converting an awkward credit into a remittance the Court could collect at India House. The restriction of transfers to debt repayments and the soldiers' diet answers the long-standing abuse the Court had condemned, by which private creditors had assigned doubtful paper to the stores for full credit. By confining transfers to genuine debts and recording each in consultation, the Council closed the channel through which bad private debts had earlier been turned into Company liabilities. The quarterly reckoning every three months established the rhythm of the island's accounting under the reformed system. Striking a general balance at fixed intervals replaced the years-long gaps that had obscured each person's standing, giving the Court a regular and auditable record of debts, credits and the state of the Court's account. | ||
169V | 25 As to what relates to Mr Powells haveing Transfers formerly made him We Transmitted Your Honours an Acco:t thereof and as he is gone to England on the Walpole We doubt not but Your Hon:r will be further Satisfyed by his Verbal Acco:t tho We don't apprehend any loss Accrueing to your Hon:r by those Transfers aforementioned / 26 The One hundred and fifty Pounds We received of Capt Cockburn Paid into Your Hon:r Cash here & for which We give him Bills on your sons all in Spanish peices of Eight at five Shillings Each w:th We pay out at the Same Rate to the Garrison & workmen and when ever We receive any more of English or French We shall be Sure to give Your Hon:r a more Exact Acco:o of each Species Pursuant to your Honours Orders in yo:r 24 Parragraph / 27 The Farmans Spanish Pistts and Copr Cash Mentioned with the Cash Bills in the 36 Par: goes Currant among us the most of the Copper Cash is now remaining and ferves the Use for ex- change or to grate up any Suine which that of greater Value wont do So well and which Govern:r Pike was of Opinion is worth more than it passes for here / 28 We do Asure Your Hon:r We shall not forget Nor neglect Complying with your Honours Orders Contained the Several Items pointed out to us in your 25 Par: of the Essex and now repeated in the 32 by the James & Mary and to Strictly Examine Every Acco: and Cause Proper Entrys to be made thereof as your Honours are pleased to Di- =rect which Most Certainly is the best Method to Prevent any Mistakes and We Asure Your Hon:r | 25: As to the transfers formerly made to Mr Powell, the Council had sent the Court the account of them. Since he had gone to England aboard the Walpole, the Council had no doubt the Court would be further satisfied by his verbal account. There had been no loss to the Court through those transfers mentioned before. 26: The Council had received the one hundred and fifty pounds paid in by Captain Cockburne into the Court's account here, for which it had given him bills on the Court, all in Spanish pieces of eight at five shillings each. The Council paid out at the same rate to the garrison and the workmen. Whenever it received any more from English or French ships, it would be sure to give the Court a more exact account of each kind, according to its orders in the twenty-seventh paragraph. 27: The fanams, Spanish bits and copper cash mentioned with the cash bills in the thirtieth paragraph passed current on the island. Most of the copper cash now remaining served either for change or to make up any sum, while coin of greater value did not answer so well. Governor Pyke had been of opinion that it was worth more than it passed for on the island. 28: The Council gave its assurance that it would not forget nor neglect to comply with the Court's orders, copying the several items pointed out in the twenty-fifth paragraph of the Essex's letter, now repeated in the thirty-second by the James and Mary. It would strictly examine every account, and have proper entries made of them, as the Court was pleased to direct. This was most certainly the best method to prevent any mistakes. Interpretations The reliance on Mr Powell's verbal account once he reached England shows the limit of written remittance for a contested matter. Where the transfers might be questioned, the Council pointed the Court to the principal himself, then on passage home aboard the Walpole, as a living witness able to explain in person what the figures alone could not settle. The valuation of the Spanish piece of eight at five shillings fixed the rate at which foreign silver entered the island's circulation. By paying the garrison and workmen at the same rate it received the coin, the Council held a stable internal exchange, the careful accounting of each kind of money guarding the Court against loss on the conversion of bills into coin. The remarks on fanams, Spanish bits and copper cash reflect the deliberate coin policy for a remote and cashless economy. Low-value money that was worth less abroad than on the island tended to stay in local circulation rather than being carried off by departing ships, which is why the small copper served for change while higher-value coin drained away, the point Governor Pyke had earlier pressed. | ||
170R | Honours farther that We were and are So far from Imposeing on the Govern:r tho on the other hand We are willing to asist him in any thing wherein Our duty obliges us to the Utmoft of Our Powers and are Glad to find Your Honours So well Approves the Method of your Plantation Acco: and live Stock which for the Same reason will be Continued and Should be Extreamly Proud to give the like Satisfaction when ever Our next Entrys comes to hand pursuant to Your Honours Prudent Directions touching the Storekeeper and Gunners Annual Acco: which We shall with Zeal and Fidelity Pleasure / 29 As to the two Months of May and June taken Notice of in your 33 Par: that there were no Yams Deliverd in that time was Occasiond by the Blacks haveing their Allowance in Rice which Omission shall be Rectifyed in future The Season haveing failed us and a great drought being Occasiond thereby the Cattle gave no Milk & obligd us to Supply Our Selves with Six Firkins of Butter out of the Essex / 30 We shall have a due regard to the Entrys of the Stewards Monthly Acco: and the Reason why they and the Storekeepers Acco: of Delivery did not a gree is very likely to be Reconciled and made out to Your Honours because the Storekeeper very often delivers out in one month a far greater Quantity of Liquors Bread Flouer &c than is or Can be Expended or Charged in the Stewards Acco: in two or three months as the Number of Persons in or out of Shipping may be increasd or Demi- =nished as Comparitively Speaking was in the Cafe | The Council was far from imposing on Governor Smith. On the contrary, it was ready to assist him in anything its duty required, to the utmost of its power. It was glad to find the Court so well approved the method of the plantation account and the live stock. For the same reason this would be continued, and the Council would be very pleased to give the like satisfaction when its next entries came to hand, according to the Court's prudent directions about the storekeeper's and gunner's annual accounts, which it would attend to with zeal and fidelity. 29: As to the two months of May and June, noted in the Court's thirty-third paragraph, the want of yams delivered in that time was caused by the slaves having their allowance in rice, which the Council would correct in future. The season had failed, and a great drought followed, so that the cattle gave no milk and the Council was obliged to supply itself with six firkins of butter out of the Essex. 30: The Council would give due regard to the entries of the steward's monthly account. The reason why it and the storekeeper's account did not agree was easily explained. The storekeeper very often delivered out in one month a greater quantity of liquors, bread, flour and other provisions than could be spent or charged in the steward's account in two or three months, since the number of persons aboard the shipping might rise or fall, so that demand varied accordingly. Interpretations The substitution of rice for yams in the slaves' allowance during May and June ties the labour ration directly to the island's agricultural failure. The drought that left the cattle without milk also failed the yam crop, forcing the Council onto imported rice for the slaves and onto shipped butter for the table, the gap in the yam delivery being a symptom of dearth rather than mismanagement. The discrepancy between the storekeeper's and the steward's accounts arose from the timing of issue against consumption. The storekeeper might deliver out in one month provisions that the steward did not charge to consumption until two or three months later, the variable number of persons fed aboard calling ships throwing the two records out of step, which the Council explained to forestall any charge of irregularity. The firkin of butter named here was a standard cask of fixed capacity, the unit in which butter and similar provisions were shipped and accounted. Its appearance as the measure of the emergency supply out of the Essex shows the island falling back on the Court's own shipped stores when its local produce failed. | ||
170V | of the fourteen Chests of Wine being Deliverd by the Storekeeper at one time and Diett Expences made Debtor Acordingly Soe that if the Number of Bottles Expended Monthly had been Charged by the Steward there must Consequently been a double Charge But as Your Honours don't seem to Approve of this Method We shall take Care to Prevent the like in future and the Mem =bers of the Councill begg leave to Asure yo:r Hon:rs they were far from Imposeing on the Govern:r as well as fully Convinced Such a method of Charge =ing all at Once could be no fraud or Wrong Intended to Your Hon:r tho they must observe they have often been fearfull of their being too much room given to find fault with the manner of Such Charge Heaveing Blanks in the Stewards Acco: by reason of its Unusualness / 31 Your Honours Caution to us in your 36 Par: relateing to frugality Especially under the head of Diett Expences We Asure yo:r Hon:r shall be as little as Posible and We hope Our monthly Expences will Shew that We have not been Extravigant and will be much less out of Shipping the Charge in february 17 4/3 among other Liquors of 307 ½ Gall: of Madeera Wine was to Supply for time to time it being deliverd out by the Storekeeper and drawn off into Bottles for the fort Table us as was the One hundr:d & thirty Six Bottles of Madera in the Next months Acco: of which great Part is now remaining in Bottles by its turning Sower and therefore must us and Sell it out for Vinegar at the Same Price So that Your Hon:r will be no Losers nor will it be Subject to Wast Since as We Say tis all could us, Sobriety is So Commendable that We hope We shall all keep up to it, and Contribute as much as Posible to the putting a Stop to all Superfluity | The fourteen chests of wine were delivered by the storekeeper at one time, and the diet expenses charged accordingly. So if the number of bottles spent had been charged monthly by the steward, there would have been a double charge. Since the Court did not seem to approve this method, the Council would take care to prevent the like in future. The members of the Council asked leave to say that they were far from imposing on Governor Smith, and were fully convinced that such a method of charging all at once could be no fraud, nor any wrong intended to the Court. They had often been fearful of giving too much room to find fault with the manner of such a charge, leaving blanks in the steward's account because of its irregularity. 31: As to the Court's caution in its thirty-sixth paragraph about frugality, especially under the head of diet expenses, the Council would keep these as low as possible. It hoped its monthly accounts already showed that this had not been excessive, and the charge would be much less out of the shipping. The charge in February, among other liquors, of three hundred and seven and a half gallons of Madeira wine was to supply Governor Smith. It was delivered out by the storekeeper, drawn off into bottles for the table, and amounted to one hundred and thirty-six bottles of Madeira in the next month's account. Of this a great part now remained in bottles. Since it was turning sour, the Council must take it up and sell it for vinegar at the same price, so that the Court would be no loser, nor would it be subject to the least objection. The Council judged this the best it could do. Sobriety was so commendable that it hoped all would keep up to it, and prevent as far as possible any tendency to excess. Interpretations The double-charge problem with the wine arose from the difference between bulk delivery and itemised consumption. The whole fourteen chests entered the diet account at once, so a further monthly charge by the bottle would have counted the same wine twice, and the Council's leaving of blanks in the steward's account was its rough means of avoiding that duplication before the Court directed a cleaner method. The decision to sell the souring Madeira as vinegar at the same price shows the Council's care to render every item to the Court without loss. Wine that had turned could not be drunk, but vinegar held a market value, and recovering the same sum protected the Court's account and shut off any charge that the spoiled stock had been wasted or concealed. The Court's caution on diet expenses and the Council's answer reflect the close scrutiny London kept over the cost of the General Table. The table fed the senior officers at the Court's charge, a standing item the directors watched for extravagance, and the Council's running justification of each entry was its defence against the suspicion of waste in that quarter. | ||
171R | with a Sincere Promise of takeing Care of any Embez =lements or Purloyning from your Hon:rs of which We are no ways as yet Apprehensive and the reason given in the Precedent Par: will We hope fully Inform Your Hon:r why the One hundr:d ten Gall:s of Wine was Charged to the fort in Ianry End but Eighteen in the Stewards Acco: for the same month Mentioned in your Subsequent Parragraph / 32 The Twenty Gallons & a Half of Madeera Wine Mentioned in your Hon:r 37 Par: and delivd for Generall Charge in the aforesaid Month of Febry was Distilled into a Stronger Spirit for the Surgeons use it being the Lees of Solom Wine and no ways in =tended to be Conceald or Converted to any other use / 33 As to the Considerable Quantitys of Wine Stores & Goods Charged to be Deliverd to the fort or fortified Stat- =ions Mo/nthly We do Asure Your Hon:r t'was no more than what We knew to be truly Nesisary, althe the reason for them may not be So well Exprefid in the Acc:o tos your Honours might Expect and shall for the future be Sure to Observe and follow to give further Directions relateing to the Delivery of Goods by the Storekeeper So fully layd down for Our better Guidence in your Hon:r 38 Par: and for the use therein menthoded / 34 We shall in Obedience to your Hon:r Orders in your 39 Par: take Care for the future to Cloath all your Blacks at times Convenient who do Always require two Suits a Year at least their working here being very Laborious and are oblige to be in the Plantations in all sorts of weather Asure- =ing Your Hon:r We shall be as frugal in the Expence as Posible | The Council gave a sincere promise to take care against any excess. There was none as yet that it could see, and the reasons given in the preceding paragraph would, it hoped, fully inform the Court. The one hundred and ten gallons of wine charged to the fort in February came out to one hundred and eighteen in the steward's account for the same month, mentioned in the Court's later paragraph. 32: The seventy gallons of Madeira wine mentioned in the Court's thirty-fifth paragraph, and delivered for general charge in the same month of February, were drawn off into a stronger spirit, on the supposition that the lees of solon wine were used. No part of it was meant to be concealed or converted to any other use. 33: As to the considerable quantities of liquors, stores and goods charged to be delivered to the fort for fortifications monthly, the Council gave its assurance that these were no more than it knew to be truly necessary. The reasons for them might be seen in the accounts, so that the Court might understand them and find all should agree. The Council would be sure to observe and follow the further directions about the delivery of goods by the storekeeper, fully laid down for its better guidance in the Court's thirty-eighth paragraph, and would keep to the method set out there. 34: In obedience to the Court's orders in its thirty-ninth paragraph, the Council would in future take care to clothe all the Court's slaves, who always needed two suits a year at the least, being very hard worked in the plantations in all sorts of weather. It gave its assurance that it would be as frugal in the expense as possible. Interpretations The reworking of the seventy gallons of Madeira into a stronger spirit reflects the island's practice of recovering value from wine that would otherwise spoil. Distilling or fortifying the lees produced a keeping spirit, and the Council was careful to record that nothing was diverted, the open accounting answering the Court's standing suspicion of how liquor was charged and used. The monthly charge of liquors and stores to the fort for fortifications marks the heavy works as a continuing draw on the Court's provision. Building and garrison labour drew supplies that had to be set out and justified, the Council referring the directors to the accounts so that each delivery could be matched against the necessary use. The clothing of the slaves at two suits a year ties the labour ration to the conditions under which the slaves were held. Hard worked in the plantations through every season of a moderate but exposed climate, they wore out clothing quickly, and the standing yearly allowance was both a real necessity and a charge the Court watched for economy. | ||
171V | 35 Your Honours may be Sure to Depend on Our Performances and due observance of your Orders to us from time to time and that We shall Always Remember to Continue to Enter an Acco: of Our Transactions in yo affair in Our Consultations as Directed therein / 36 Whatever We have a real Occasion given us (which We hope will be very Seldom) We shall not Omitt Entering the faults of the Transgrefs in Our Consultations as well to Iustifie Our Selo as to give Your Hon:r a true Acco: thereof Pur suant to Our respective dutys 37 By the List of debts due to Your Hon:r from the Inhabitants here Sent by the Hartford and whose Copy comes herewith Your Hon:r will See farther Care hath been daily taken to gett in as much of their debts as We posibly could and shall Acording to Your further Orders Use Our Utmost Endeavours to gett all Paid as Soon as Posible tho We fear Some of them will be Somewhat Encreasd by Rents & Revenues Yet We shall call on them and cause them to be Lessend all We can that they be not Allowed to run into debt as formerly / 38 What is further Mentioned in your Hon:r 43 Par: relating to the Particular Persons debts therein Named We don't not but Your Honours will rest better Satisfyed therein than formerly Since You'l find Some Paid Off and Others very Much Lessend, and as the Books of Acco: Contain =ing the Sume of five Thousand & odd Pounds drawn on your Hon:r in Bills have been Tran =mitted We humbly Refer Your Hon:r thereto for your better and more Particular Satisfaction | 35: The Court might depend on the Council's performance and its due regard to the Court's orders from time to time. The Council would always remember to continue entering an account of its transactions in every matter in its consultations, as the Court had directed. 36: Whenever there was real occasion, which the Council hoped would be very seldom, it would not fail to enter the faults of its transactions in its consultations, as well as the rest, so as to give the Court a true account of them, in discharge of its duty. 37: By the list of debts owed to the Court by the inhabitants, sent home by the Hartford, of which a copy was now enclosed, the Court would see that further care had been taken to recover as much of these debts as possible. According to the Court's later orders, the Council would use its utmost effort to get all paid as soon as it could. It feared some of them would be somewhat increased by rents and revenues, but it would call on the people and press them as far as it could, so that they were not allowed to run into debt as before. 38: As to the further matter in the Court's forty-third paragraph about the debts of the particular persons named there, the Council had no doubt the Court would now be better satisfied than before, since it would find some paid off and others much reduced. The books of account contained the sum of five thousand and odd pounds drawn on the Court in bills, which had been sent home. The Council referred the Court to the books for its fuller and more particular satisfaction. Interpretations The undertaking to enter the Council's own faults in the consultations marks the openness the reformed administration offered the Court as proof of good government. By recording its errors alongside its acts, the Council gave the directors a complete and self-incriminating record, the candour itself a defence against the charge that the island's books concealed mismanagement. The recovery of the inhabitants' debts, pressed yet feared to grow through accruing rents, sets out the central fiscal problem of the island. Almost every household stood indebted to the Company, and the Council's task was to extract payment without ruining the planters, the rents and revenues threatening to outrun repayment and deepen the very debt it was charged to reduce. The five thousand and odd pounds drawn on the Court in bills, referred to the books for detail, shows the scale on which the island financed itself through London. Lacking coin, the establishment settled its obligations by bills on the Court, and the directors audited the whole against the account books to ensure each draft answered a real and recorded charge. | ||
172R | as We shall Continue to doe in other Instances 39 Toucheing what farther relates to the Plantation your Honours Blacks and their Annual Charge in that and for breeding We cannot Comprehend to give your Hon:r any reasonable Satisfachion because those bred up to Handycraft Trades are very often wanting of some usefull Necesary or other, tho at the End of every Year & makeing up our Books their whole Annual Charge will Appear As also for whatever Else is Charge =able on Your Honours in every Branch ariseing therefrom which will be the best and most Refairest Acco: that We are able to give and will Appear to Your Honours with less trouble than if otherwise Stated or Computed and shall take Care to give frequent Orders to the Overseers that they keep all Your Hon:r Blacks Close to their worke that they may Earn their Victuals & Cloathing, and have taken Effectual Care that severall of them be bred up to Handycrafts as yo: Honours Direct us and will Appear So by the List of their Employments Transmitted by the Hartford and the Duplicate now Sent and as any of them dye We shall take Care to breed others in their Stead, and as to the Increasing of any of their rest, We don't think it for your Hon:r Advantage Since We are about thinning the Great Wood and of which Your Hon:r doth Approves Nor were We Inclinable to send above twenty to the West Coast the for the reasons Mentioned in Our Consultations of the 6 of Iune last We sent but thirteen Viz: Nine men and four Women (besides a Portuguize We received from Bombay by the Stanhope) | The Council would continue to act in the same way in other matters. 39: As to what further related to the Court's slaves and their annual charge, and to their clothing, the Council could not give the Court any reasonable satisfaction. Those bred up to handicrafts were very often wanting in something useful or necessary, though at the end of every year, when its books were made up, the whole annual charge would appear, as would everything else chargeable to the Court in every branch arising from them. This would be the best and fairest account the Council could give. It would come to the Court with less trouble than if otherwise stated or calculated. The Council would take care to give frequent orders to the overseers that they keep all the Court's slaves close to their work, so that they might earn their food and clothing. It had taken effective care that several of them were bred up to handicrafts, as the Court directed. This would appear from the list of their employments sent home by the Hartford, with the duplicate now enclosed. As any of them died, the Council would take care to breed others in their place. As to the freeing of any of the Court's slaves, it did not think it for the Court's advantage, since the slaves were about fencing in the Great Wood, of which the Court took notice and approved. Nor was the Council inclined to send above twenty to the west coast, for the reasons mentioned in its consultations of 7 June last. It had sent only thirteen, nine men and four women, besides a Portuguese received from Bombay by the Hannover. Interpretations The preference for letting the whole annual charge of the slaves appear in the made-up books, rather than stating or calculating it in the letter, reflects the reformed accounting the Council offered the Court. A figure struck once at the year's end from the consultations was both fairer and harder to dispute than an estimate, the institutional point being that the books, not the correspondence, carried the authoritative reckoning. The refusal to free any of the Court's slaves rested on their employment fencing the Great Wood. The enclosure ordered across more than twenty years was then advancing, and the labour was wanted, so the Council tied its denial of manumission to a specific work in hand rather than to any general principle. The despatch of slaves to the west coast, held to thirteen against a possible twenty, marks the island's role as a staging point for labour bound onward to Bencoolen. The Council weighed the demand of the Court's settlements there against its own want of hands for the fortification and woodland works, and limited the draft accordingly, the consultations of 7 June supplying the reasons. | ||
172V | who Our Docter Reported to us were all well and healthy / 40 The Amount of Customes among other Revenues Mentioned in Your Hon:r 45 Par: We will Annually Transmitt tho their amount is but Small and if We Catch any Person Runing of Goods (which We Always have an Eye to) We shant fail to Seize by Vertue of and in Obedience to your Honours Orders to prevent So Clandestine a Practice Fourthly Toucheing Our Fortification Buildings & Garrison Stores / 41 Your Honours Buildings haveing been finished some time Since We have only Employed a few hands now and then to keep them in good Repair and for the reasons Menchend in Our Con- =sultation of the 17 of Dec:r 1723 We have Built a Blacks House Containing ten different Apparttm:t with a Kitchen and Convenient Hospital for the sick and Distempird Blacks and to prevent their Cohabitting with the well ones which formerly they frequently did Occasiond their Continuall Ailing, and have been Since We shall Continue to be as frugal and as Expeditious therein as Posible and done nothing but what was realy very Nesisary and wanted for many Years past / 42 We sent ten of the Great Guns that were faulty on the James & Mary to the West Coast at the desire to the Gov:r and Council there to Dispose of them for your Hon:r Account as Directed in your 47 Par: and would have sent more had they not been mounted on Our fortifications to fill up the Vacancy of better where they are of less Service and Serves only for Show / | The Council's doctor reported that all were well and healthy. 40: As to the account of customs among the other revenues mentioned in the Court's forty-fifth paragraph, the Council would send the figure home yearly, though the amount was small. Whenever it caught anyone running goods, which it always watched for, it would not fail to seize them, in obedience to the Court's orders and to prevent any clandestine trade. Fourthly, concerning the Court's fortifications, buildings and garrison stores. 41: The Court's buildings having been finished some time before, the Council had now only a few slaves employed to keep them in good repair. For the reasons set out in its consultation of 7 December 1723, it had built a slaves' house containing ten separate apartments, with a kitchen and a convenient hospital for the sick and diseased slaves. This was to prevent their living among the rest, as they had formerly done, which had often caused their continual sickness. The Council gave its assurance that it would continue to be as frugal and quick in such matters as possible, and had done nothing but what was truly necessary and had been wanted for many years past. 42: The Council had sent ten of the great guns that were faulty to the west coast aboard the James and Mary, to be disposed of by the Governor and Council there for the Court's account, as directed in the Court's forty-seventh paragraph. It would have sent more, had they not been mounted on the fortifications to fill the vacancy of better guns, where they were of least service and served only for show. Interpretations The separate slaves' house with its own hospital answers a standing health problem on the island. Lodging the sick and diseased apart from the rest broke the cycle of continual sickness the mixed quarters had caused, the building marking a deliberate measure of disease control among the labour force on which the establishment depended. The despatch of ten faulty guns to the west coast for disposal on the Court's account shows the island serving as a transfer point for the Company's surplus ordnance. Worn guns of no defensive value were sent on to Bencoolen rather than scrapped, the Council recovering what it could for the Court while keeping the better pieces at home. The retention of the faulty guns on the fortifications to fill vacancies reveals the gap between the appearance and the reality of the island's defence. Mounting guns that served only for show, for want of better, the Council kept up the visible strength of the works while acknowledging that those pieces would be of least service if the defences were ever tried. | ||
173R | We then did and doe Asure your Honours We shall Act with the best of Our Iudgem:t & good husbandry in the Manureing & Cultivateing your several Plantations and Asysting hands thereto after the best manner and Method We are Able / 49 It is a great Satisfaction to us when ever We find your Honours are pleased with Our Proceedings and in that Particular Instance of fencing in of the great Wood which We Asure Your Hon:r We shall Expedite with all Imaginable Speed, by Applying as many of ye Blacks therein as We can posibly Spare and have Already done good Part of the fenceing in of that part calld the Horp Point which is Commended by every body that fees it, and will when once finisht Contribute very much to the Generall Bennefitt of this Island and your Hon:r Advantage The buy =ing of Wood formerly hath been just a Stop to for some time past, and shall not be Allowed of in future We are very Sorry to find our selves So much Blamd when we Asure your Honours We had no hand in the buying of it 50 Your Honours Land We Always Lett out at four Shillings an Acre rent and one Shilling more for Pasty And altho We gave William Charles Sixty Pounds for his ten Acres & Land We thought it a good Bargain and to be for your Honours Bennefit and doe Asure Your Hon:r that we So wo:rt Land here hath been Sold Sometimes for ten & Eleven Pounds an Acre Yet Since We find your Hon:r don't approve of that Purchase We have made an Order in Consultation of the 30 Iune to | The Council gave its assurance that it would act with the best of its judgement in the manuring and cultivation of the Court's several plantations, and in settling hands to them, in the best manner and method it could. 49: The Council took great satisfaction whenever it found the Court pleased with its proceedings, and in this particular instance of fencing in the Great Wood. It gave its assurance that it would carry the work forward with all imaginable speed, by applying as many of the Court's slaves as it could possibly spare. A good part of the fencing was already done at the section called the Stone Point, which was commended by everyone who saw it. When finished, this would greatly help the general good of the island and the Court's advantage. The buying of wood had earlier been a necessary expense for some time past, but would not be allowed in future. The Council was very sorry to find itself so much blamed, when it gave its assurance that it had no hand in the buying of it. 50: The Court's land was always let out at four shillings an acre rent, with one shilling more for the patent. Although the Council had given Mr William Charles sixty pounds for his ten acres of land, and judged it a good bargain and to the Court's advantage, it gave its assurance that the Court's own land had sometimes been sold for ten and eleven pounds an acre. Since the Court did not approve that purchase, the Council had made an order in its consultation of 30 June to Interpretations The fencing of the Great Wood at the Stone Point answers the long programme of woodland enclosure ordered across more than twenty years. Closing off the strongest section first protected the young grass and timber during recovery, and the Council pressed it forward with whatever slaves it could spare from the fortification and plantation works. The rent of four shillings an acre with a further shilling for the patent fixed the standing terms on which the Court's land was held. The patent was the formal grant of title, charged separately from the rent, the two together forming the legal and financial basis on which the island's planters occupied Company ground. The purchase of Mr William Charles's ten acres for sixty pounds, set against the eleven pounds an acre Company land had sometimes fetched, marks a dispute over value the Court had questioned. The Council defended the price as a bargain and cited the higher market rate, but the directors' disapproval forced it to record a corrective order in consultation, the entry preserving both the transaction and the Court's objection to it. | ||
173V | put the Said ten Acres of Land to Sale and doubt not of getting what it Cost, if not Something more and that it was thro forgetfullnefs no Menchion was made of the buying this Land by Mr Byfeld and the other two Men of Councill in the Gen:l Letter and no Evill designe whatever and promises Your Honours Check shall be a Sufficient Caution to them for the future 51 As to the Compl:t made to Your Hon:r by William Beale, We are well Asured rightly Con- sider'd he had no reason to represent in the manner he did, and that his Allegations therein are groundless, his Dismission was not because he was not as well Skild in Lattin as another but for his Ignorance in Phisick as well as Surgery by which means he did abundance more harm and Damage to your Hon:r Slaves than he was Capable of doing good Especially in the Venerial Distemper He has not stood for going off the Island if he do's We shall readily grant his request takeing Care he first pays his debt as We have Already done in causeing him to Lessen it as will Appear by the List of debts now standing out 52 Henry Johnson being Receivd in your Hon:r Service as taken Notice of in your 57 Par: We take to be very well Satisfyed for We don't hear of any Uneasiness or Allegations he insists on relateing to any former cause if he dos We shall hear him 53 We will Speedily in obedience to your Hon:r Orders in your 58 Par: appoint a day for the Rehearing of and Examining Mr Frees Cafe who shall Certainly have Iustice done him, and Wee will by the first | The Council had put those ten acres of land up for sale, and had no doubt of getting at least as much, if not somewhat more. The buying of this land by Mr Byfield and the other two members of Council was mentioned in the Court's letter without any reproach. There had been no ill intent whatever, and the Council's assurances would be a sufficient caution to them for the future. 51: As to the complaint made to the Court by William Beale, the Council was satisfied that it had rightly judged he had no cause to represent the matter as he did, and that his allegations were groundless. His dismissal was not because he was less skilled than another, but for his ignorance in physic as well as surgery. By that ignorance he did far more harm and damage to the Court's slaves than he was capable of doing good, especially in the venereal distemper. He had not gone off the island, though if he did the Council would readily grant his request, taking care first that he paid his debt, as it had already done in causing him to reduce it, as would appear from the list of debts now standing out. 52: As to Henry Johnson being received into the Court's service, noted in the Court's fifty-seventh paragraph, the Council was very well satisfied, since it heard of no uneasiness or allegations of his concerning any former matter. If he did, the Council would hear him. 53: The Council would promptly, in obedience to the Court's orders in its fifty-eighth paragraph, appoint a day for the hearing and examining of Mr Free. He would certainly have justice done him, and the Council would, by the first opportunity Interpretations The defence of the land bought by Mr Byfield and two other councillors answers a delicate point, the purchase of Company ground by the men charged with managing it. The Council stressed that the Court's letter carried no reproach and that no ill intent was meant, the resale of the ten acres at an equal or better price serving to clear the transaction of any suspicion of self-dealing. The dismissal of William Beale for ignorance in physic and surgery, especially in the venereal distemper, marks the practical standard the island held its medical men to. Beale's want of skill cost the Court more in damaged slaves than his service was worth, and the Council tied his removal to the harm done rather than to any comparison with a better practitioner. The condition placed on Beale's departure, that he first clear his debt, shows the standing mechanism by which the island held a departing servant to account. Leave to go off was withheld until the debt was paid or reduced, the list of outstanding debts recording the leverage the Council used to recover what was owed before a man could quit the island. | ||
174R | opportunity Transmitt Your Hon:r an Exact and Particular Account of this Affair / 54 We herewith send your Honours Capt Bonds first Bill of Exchange for £194,16,8 Payable to your Hon:r and drawn upon Matthew Martin Esq:r dated 3 Iuly 1724 55 We have nothing fearther to add but to asure Your Honours Wee are St Helena Hon:d S:rs Union Castle Iuly the 3 1724 Your Hon:r Most humble faithfull & most obed:t Serv:ts Ino: Smith Edw: Byfeld In:o Allexander Ino: Goodwin Ben: Hawkins List of the Packet of Ship Hannover 1 Gov:o & Coun:ll Gen:l Lett:r dated 3 Iuly 1724 2 Duplicate of Gen:l Letter p Walpole dated 13 Iune 1724 Sent a Part 3 Duplicate of Consultations from ye 5 May 1724 to ye 4 Iune Inclusive follows 4 Copy of Consultations from ye 9 Iune 1724 to the 30 d: follows Inclusive / | The Council would send the Court an exact and particular account of the matter. 54: The Council enclosed Captain Bond's first bill of exchange for £194 6s 8d, payable to the Court and drawn on Matthew Martin, esquire, dated 3 July 1724. 55: The Council had nothing further to add, but to assure the Court of its service. The letter was dated at Union Castle, St Helena, 3 July 1724, and subscribed by the Council as the Court's most humble, faithful and obedient servants, John Smith, Edward Byfield, John Alexander, John Goodwin and Benjamin Hawkes. List of the packet by the ship Hannover. 1: General letter of the Governor and Council, dated 3 July 1724 2: Duplicate of the General letter by the Walpole, dated 13 June 1724, first part sent 3: Duplicate of the consultations from 7 May 1724 to 4 June 1724 inclusive 4: Copy of the consultations from 9 June 1724 to 30 June 1724 inclusive Interpretations The bill of exchange drawn on Matthew Martin, esquire, points to the practice by which a ship's master assigned his bill to the London merchant who had financed his outward voyage. Captain Bond's bill payable to the Court but drawn on Martin let the Council remit value home through the captain's own backer, the named drawee standing behind the paper at India House. The packet list once more sets out the despatching Council's manifest of enclosures, each numbered for checking against the contents on arrival. The signing of the full letter by the whole board, against the secretary's separate subscription of the manifest, marks the difference between an act of the Council in consultation and a clerical certificate of what the packet held. The despatch of duplicate consultations by the Hannover, repeating proceedings already sent, reflects the standing safeguard of copying the island's records home by more than one ship. The consultation book held every act of the government, and its transmission in successive copies by separate vessels protected the Court's oversight against the loss of any single conveyance on the homeward passage. | ||
174V | 5 Duplicate of family Lands & Cattle for the Year 1723 6 Duplicate of List of Rev: & Head money for the Said Year 7 Duplicate of List of ye Hon:r Comp:s Blacks w:th Ages & Employm:ts 8 Duplicate of List of Sallarys & Offic:rs Sold:rs belong: to the Garrison 9 Duplicate of List of Debts due to ye Hon:r Co: the Year 1723 10 Duplicate of Inventory of Stores Remaing on the Island 25 Mar: 1724 11 Duplicate of Indent of Stores wanting St Island Iune ye 13 1724 12 Copy of Gov:r & Council Letter to India p James & Mary dated 12 Iuly 1724 13 Copy of d:o One Lett: more to Bombay dated 28 Iune 1724 in Answer to ye rec:d 14 Capt St Aubone rec: for the Packett 15 d:to his rec: for 14 Blacks sent to Bencolen 16 Copy of List of ye Packt: p Walpole 17 Capt Boddam Rec:t for the Packett 18 Capt St Aubone Rec: for 10 Cat: Guns sent to Ben: 19 Copy of Invo: of Goods & Provis:s p James & Mary with the Selling Price 20 Duplicate of Mr Byfelds Acco: of Expence of Each Planta: for ye year 1723 21 Mr Byfelds Acco: of Expence for Apr:l 22 D:o his Acco: op d: for May 1724 | 5: Duplicate of the families, land and cattle for the year 1723 6: Duplicate of the list of revenue and head money for the same year 7: Duplicate of the list of the Court's Company slaves, with their ages and employments 8: Duplicate of the list of salaries of the officers and soldiers belonging to the garrison 9: Duplicate of the list of debts owed to the Court for the year 1723 10: Duplicate of the inventory of stores remaining on the island, 25 March 1724 11: Duplicate of the indent of stores wanting on the island, 13 June 1724 12: Copy of the Governor and Council's letter to India by the James and Mary, dated 13 June 1724 13: Copy of one more letter to Bombay, dated 20 June 1724, in answer to one of 22 [...] by the Hannover 14: Captain Aubone's receipt for the packets 15: His receipt for the fourteen slaves sent to Bencoolen 16: Copy of the list of the packet by the Walpole 17: Captain Boddam's receipt for the packets 18: Captain Aubone's receipt for the ten guns sent to the west coast 19: Copy of the invoice of goods and provisions by the James and Mary, with the selling price 20: Duplicate of Mr Byfield's account of the expense of each plantation for the year 1723 21: Mr Byfield's account of the expense for April 1724 22: Duplicate of his account of the expense for May 1724 Interpretations The catalogue of duplicate returns repeats by the Hannover the full annual reckoning sent earlier by another ship. The families with their land and cattle, the revenue and head money, the slave list, the salaries, the debts, the stores remains and the indent together formed the fixed yearly account by which the Court audited the island, copied home a second time against the loss of the first. The several captains' receipts for the packets, the slaves and the guns formed the recoverable proof of delivery at each stage. By enclosing a master's signed acknowledgement of what he carried, the Council gave the directors evidence that the documents, the labour bound for Bencoolen and the ordnance sent to the west coast had all been handed over as recorded. Mr Byfield's monthly accounts of the expense of each plantation mark the detailed cost control the Court required of the island's agriculture. Breaking the charge down plantation by plantation and month by month let the directors trace where the money went, the entries forming part of the running fiscal record the reformed administration was bound to keep and remit. | ||
175R | 23 Duplicate of Ships Hartford Princess Anne and Walpole Acc:ts w:th Mr Tho: Deans Iune 13 1724 24 Copy of James & Marys & Hannovers Acc:ts Capt Bonds first Bill of Excha: for £194,16,8 Pub dated 3 Iuly 1724 Signd p I:A Hon:d S:rs Gen:l Lett:r p Ship Swallow Capt Capt Geo: Pitt Comd Nov 27 1724 1 The last We did Our Selves the Honour of Writeing to Your Hon:r was by the Hannover Capt Ino: Bond Comand Under date of the 3 of Iuly 1724 (a Copy of which comes herewith) and haveing therein Endeavoured to Answer yo:r Hon:r Generall Lett:r to us by the James & Mary Acording to Your Directions therein and the best of Our Capacity We hope the Same came Safe to hand and mett w: your Hon:r Approval and that We are So happy as to Merrit the Continuance of Your favours 2 We herewith Likewise Transmit to your Hon:r Copys of Our Consultations to this time with Duplicates of those by the Hannover Also a Duplicate of the Invoice & Selling Price of the Cargoe receivd by the James & Mary with all | 23: Duplicate of the Hartford, Princess Ann and Walpole accounts, with Mr Thomas Dean's, 13 June 1724 24: Copy of the James and Mary's and Hannover's accounts 25: Captain Bond's first bill of exchange for £194 6s 8d sterling, dated 3 July 1724 Signed J. A. General letter by the ship Swallow, Captain George Pitt commander, dated 27 November 1724. 1: The last the Council had the honour of writing to the Court was by the Hannover, Captain John Bond commander, dated 3 July 1724, a copy of which was now enclosed. In that letter the Council had endeavoured to answer the Court's general letter sent by the James and Mary, according to the Court's directions and to the best of its ability. It hoped that letter had arrived safely and met the Court's approval, and that the Council was so fortunate as to keep the Court's continued favour. 2: The Council enclosed copies of its consultations up to this time, with duplicates of those by the Hannover. It also enclosed a duplicate of the invoice and selling price of the cargo received by the James and Mary, with all Interpretations The numbered receipts and duplicate accounts closing the Hannover packet complete the manifest of enclosures, the final initials again those of John Alexander as secretary. The signing of the list by the secretary alone, distinct from the full board's subscription of the letter itself, marks the manifest as a clerical certificate of contents rather than an act of the Council in consultation. The opening of the Swallow letter recites the previous despatch by the Hannover and the matter it answered, the standing method by which each letter fixed its place in the chain of correspondence. By naming the ship, the date and the letter then answered, the Council let the Court reconcile what it had received against what was sent, exposing any despatch lost on the homeward passage. The renewed transmission of the consultations with duplicates by a second ship reflects the continuing safeguard of copying the island's records home by separate conveyances. The consultation book held every act of the government, and its repeated despatch in successive copies protected the Court's oversight against the loss of any single vessel. | ||
175V | all other Material Papers and Acc:ts of Your Hon:r live Stock &c as usual We haveing by the Hannover Sent Duplicats of every thing We sent by the Walpole as by the Copy of the List of that Packet will Show more Exactly And by the Ensueing Summer Shipping We shall Transmitt Your Hon:r Books of Acco: for the Year 1723 which are now Copying over fair 3 On the 14 of Iuly last there Arrived here a Brigantine Named the Charmeing Solley One L: Sisley Comand:r from the Coast of Guinea who informing us that it being his Misfortune to meet w: very great Disappointm:t at La mbendo on the Coast of Angola where the English Factory was Cutt Off by the Natives Occasiond his Stutt= =ing in at this Island for a little Water haveing been for forte months Reduced to a Stint, & afford =ed a day which We permitted him to take in eather than he should Perish at Sea, but forced him out of the road on the 16 following by fircing a half of whose further treatm: and Our proceed =ings relateing thereto in Obedience to yo: Hon:r Instructions p:la us by the James & Mary will more fully Appear in Our Consultation of the 16 of Iuly 1724 whereto begg leave to Refer your Hon: for your better Satisfaction & hope We have therein fully Comply'd w: & obeyd Your Orders as Punctually as Posible | The Council enclosed all other material papers and accounts of the Court's live stock and the rest, as usual. By the Hannover it had sent duplicates of everything sent by the Walpole, as the copy of the list of that packet would show more exactly. By the coming summer's shipping it would send the Court its books of account for the year 1723, which were now being copied over fair. 3: On 14 July last a brigantine named the Charming Galley, under the command of Captain Lisley, arrived at the island from the coast of Guinea. He reported the misfortune of meeting a very great disappointment at Mabundo on the coast of Angola, where the English factory had been cut off by the natives. Having put in at the island for a little water, and being for some months reduced to a pint a day, he was allowed to take in water rather than perish at sea. He was then forced out of the road the next day by a shot fired across him. The Council's further treatment of him, and its proceedings in the matter, made in obedience to the Court's instructions sent by the James and Mary, would appear more fully in its consultation of 16 July 1724, to which it referred the Court for its fuller satisfaction. The Council hoped it had fully complied with and obeyed the Court's orders as exactly as possible. Interpretations The cutting off of the English factory at Mabundo on the Angola coast records a violent reverse to the Company's West African trade. A factory was a fortified trading post staffed by the Company's agents, and its destruction by the local people marked the loss of an outpost and the disruption of the slave and goods traffic that the Charming Galley had been engaged in. The treatment of the distressed brigantine, allowed only a little water and then driven from the road by a warning shot, reflects the hardened policy the Council now applied to vessels not of the Court's own service. Even a ship reduced to a pint of water a day was given the bare relief due to common humanity and no more, the Council acting under the Court's recent instructions to refuse the fuller supply once reserved for such callers. The reference of the whole matter to the consultation of 16 July shows the consultation book serving as the authoritative record behind the summary letter. The letter reported the bare facts and the outcome, while the detailed account of the Council's proceedings rested in the consultations, to which the Court was directed for the full and recoverable account. | ||
176R | 4 On the 17 of Inst: Arrived the Swallow Saild Capt George Pitt Directly from Bencoolen who We have Supplyd w: his Charterparty Beef and all other fresh Provisions and what Else he would Acording to his Desire and doubt not of being able to furnish all the next Years Shiping with their Proportionable Quantitys, as well as with other refreshments the Island (We thank God for it) being now in a fine & flourishing Condition & are in great Hopes of retreiveing the Vast Losses Sustained by the late drought in Very few Years Asureing Your Hon:r That nothing on Our Parts shall be wanting to Promote yo:r Hon:r Interest here as well as to Stir up & Excite the Inhabitants to raise all Sorts of Provisions for the further- ment of Your Hon:r Shipping and the Support of their owne familys thereby & hopeing to Lessen yo: Hon:r Charges In Sending us over So large Supplys of Provisions as of late hath been (and Since Indented for) without whose kind Asistaine the Poor people would have been Reduced to a Deplorable and Starveing Condition 5 In obedience to Your Hon:r Orders to us in your last Gen:l Letter We have Sold the ten Acres of Land therein Mentiond and bought of W:m Charles to Ensigne William Sleexpiler for Sixty five Pounds of which he has Paid thirty Pounds in hand and hath given us | 4: On the 17th of this month the Swallow arrived, under Captain George Pitt, directly from Bencoolen. The Council had supplied her, according to her charter party, with beef and all other fresh provisions, and whatever else her commander asked for. It had no doubt of being able to furnish all the next year's shipping with their proportionate quantity, as well as with other refreshments. The island, the Council thanked God, was now in a fine flourishing condition, and there were great hopes of retrieving in very few years the vast losses suffered through the late drought. The Council gave its assurance that nothing on its part would be wanting to promote the Court's interest, and to encourage the inhabitants to raise all sorts of provisions for the supply of the Court's shipping and the support of their own families. It hoped thereby to spare the Court the cost of sending out such large supplies of provisions as had lately been needed. Without that kind assistance the poor people would have been reduced to a deplorable and starving condition. 5: In obedience to the Court's orders in its last general letter, the Council had sold the ten acres of land mentioned earlier, bought of Mr William Charles, to Ensign William Slaughter for £65 0s 0d, of which he had paid £30 0s 0d down and had given the Council Interpretations The supply of the Swallow under her charter party marks the island's recovery of its function as a victualling station for the Court's shipping. Furnishing beef, fresh provisions and refreshments to passing vessels was the service for which the Court maintained the establishment, and the Council's confidence in provisioning the whole coming year's fleet signalled the easing of the drought that had lately forced it onto imported food. The hope of relieving the Court of large provision shipments ties the island's agriculture directly to the Company's costs. When the local crop failed, the Court bore the charge of sending food from England and the eastern presidencies, so the revival of the planters' provision growing promised both the island's self-support and a saving to the directors. The resale of the ten acres to Ensign William Slaughter at £65 0s 0d, against the £60 0s 0d paid for it, answers the Court's disapproval of the original purchase by showing a profit recovered for the Company. The part payment of £30 0s 0d down, with the balance secured, follows the standing method of selling Company land on credit, the deferred sum held against the buyer until cleared. | ||
176V | his Bond for the remaining Sume w:th five per Cent p Annum Interest as will Appear in Our Consultation of the 11 August 1724 and hope your Honours will Approve thereof / 6 That part of the Great Wood called the Horse Point and where We begun to ffene hath been forwarded w:th all Imaginable Expedition and will in few months be finish= =ed where the Young Plants of trees Since the late fine rainy Season is come up very thick and is a pleaseing Sight and when that Part is fully Inclosed, We shall Sett about & the hands about ffenceing in the other Part as fast as We can, and with as little Expence as posible 7 It haveing pleasd God to send us a fine rainy Season as before mentioned We Ysued out an Advertizem:t on the 23 of Iune last to remind the Inhabitants of Planting of Young Wood and Furz for the better Preser- =vation and Shelting their Lands & Provisions from the Blasting Winds, and shall at all Proper Seasons of the Year Continue the Same as well as to Inspect into & See that they do all Comply therewith and of which they will reap the Bennefit and We Esteemd a good Piece of Industry for themselves & Posterity / | The buyer had given his bond for the remaining sum, at five per cent interest a year, as would appear in the Council's consultation of 11 August 1724. The Council hoped the Court would approve of it. 6: The section of the Great Wood called the Horse Point, where the Council had begun to fence, had been carried forward with all imaginable speed, and would be finished in a few months. The young plants of trees there had come up very thick since the late fine rainy season, and made a pleasing sight. When that part was fully enclosed, the Council would set the hands to fencing the other section as fast as it could, and with as little expense as possible. 7: Since it had pleased God to send a fine rainy season, as mentioned before, the Council had issued an advertisement on 23 June last to remind the inhabitants to plant young wood and furze, for the better preservation of their lands and provisions from the blasting winds. It would at all proper seasons of the year continue the same, and inspect to see that they all complied with it. From this they would reap the benefit, and the Council judged it a good piece of industry for themselves and for posterity. Interpretations The buyer's bond for the balance at five per cent marks the standing instrument by which the island sold Company land on deferred terms. The bond converted the unpaid portion into an interest-bearing debt secured against the purchaser, the consultation of 11 August recording the transaction so the Court could trace both the sale and the continuing obligation. The planting of furze alongside young wood as a guard against the blasting winds shows the agricultural logic behind the enclosure programme. Furze, a hardy thorny shrub, served as a windbreak to shelter the cultivated ground, the Council tying the woodland recovery directly to the protection of the planters' provisions from the wind that withered exposed crops. The advertisement of 23 June, with the Council's undertaking to inspect compliance, marks the means by which a public order was promulgated and enforced on the island. The advertisement gave the inhabitants formal notice of what was required, and the threat of inspection turned a general exhortation into a duty the Council could check, binding the planters to the wider scheme for the island's long-term recovery. | ||
177R | 8 For the reasons Mentioned in Our Con- =sultation of the 15 of Sept:r 1724 Relateing to the Leaseing out Your Honours Lands We Humbly refer Your Hon:r thereto and that you will please to give us such Orders thereon as You in your great Prudence shall think fitt, the Inhabitants haveing been fully Acquainted herewith and begg Your Honours Approval and Confirmation thereof and which We Humbly Conceive will be a very great Satisfaction to them in General and no way Injurious to your Honours Interest for which We shall Continue to have a due regard 9 We herewith send Enclosed Capt In: Bonds Second Bill of Exchange for the Sume of £194,16,8 & dated 3 Iuly 1724 Pay: to your Honours and drawn upon Matthew Martin Esquire 10 We begg leave to Acquaint yo:r Hon:r that We have Suspended Mr Benjo Shuckis from Council for Several Misdemeanors Mentiond more fully in Our several Consul= =tations of the 9 Iuly & 3 17 4/24 of Nov: 1724 and likewise of 27 Oct:r Preceeding & Humbly Submit the further Consideration of this Affair to your hon:rs Pleasure And the Chief reason why the Order of Councill was made | 8: For the reasons set out in its consultation of 15 September 1724 about the leasing out of the Court's lands, the Council referred the matter to the Court, and asked that it give such orders on it as it thought fit in its great prudence. The inhabitants had been fully informed of the matter, and asked the Court's approval and confirmation of it. This, the Council judged, would be a very great satisfaction to them in general, and in no way harmful to the Court's interest, for which the Council would always have due regard. 9: The Council enclosed Captain John Bond's second bill of exchange for £194 16s 8d, dated 3 July 1724, payable to the Court and drawn on Matthew Martin, esquire. 10: The Council asked leave to inform the Court that it had suspended Mr Benjamin Shuckis from the Council for several misdemeanours, set out more fully in its consultations of 9 July 1724, of 3 November 1724 and of 27 October preceding. It submitted the further consideration of this matter to the Court's judgement. The chief reason why the order of Council was made Interpretations The reference of the land-leasing question to the Court for approval and confirmation marks the limit of the Council's own authority over the disposal of Company property. A change in the terms on which the island's land was held touched the Court's interest directly, so the Council prepared the matter, informed the inhabitants and then reserved the decision for the directors, whose confirmation alone could settle it. The second part of Captain Bond's bill, sent now after the first went home by an earlier ship, follows the standing safeguard of drawing bills in sets carried by separate vessels. Each part bore the same value and the same drawee, Matthew Martin, and payment on either discharged the whole, so the loss of one conveyance could not destroy the claim. The suspension of Benjamin Shuckis from the Council, submitted to the Court with the supporting consultations, shows the board's power to remove one of its own members reserved to the Court's final judgement. The Council could suspend for misdemeanour and record the grounds, but the question of his standing went home for the directors to determine, the dated consultations forming the evidence on which they would decide. | ||
177V | made for Mr Hawkes and Bazett to Attend in turns in serveing out goods Each day in the week from ten to twelve a Clock was beause great part of Capt Goodwins time is taken up very often in veiwing and Surveying Lands Petitiond for, and other different busines at times in your Hon:r Service So that t'was not posible for him to give his Constant Attendance 11 The Govern:r in obedience to Your Hon:r Directions has been on Board & Surveyd the Swallow Saild Capt Pitt and found Her Hull Masts, Yards, Standing and Runing Rigging Good, Anchors & Cables good for the length of the Voyage, Hatches Caulked down a Clean Ship Draft of Water abaft 16 feet a fore 13 feet 6 Inches and Men in good health Considering the Place they came from 12 We Likewise Transmit to your Hon:r Capt Pitts first Bill of Exchange Payable to your Hon:r and drawn upon Henry Gough of London for £66,8,2 dated 27 Nov: 1724 13 We have nothing further to Add at Present but to wish your Hon: all manner of Succefs and Prosperity and to Asure You We are Hon:d S:rs Your Hon:r Most obed:t Union Castle St & most faithf: humb Serv: Helena Nov: 27:- 1724 | The order had been made for Mr Hawkes and Mr Bazett to attend by turns in serving out goods, each day in the week from ten to twelve o'clock. This was because a great part of Captain Goodwin's time was very often taken up in viewing and surveying lands petitioned for, and in other different business in the Court's service, so that it was not possible for him to give his constant attendance. 11: Governor Smith, in obedience to the Court's directions, had surveyed the Swallow, Captain Pitt commander, and found her hull, masts, yards, standing and running rigging good, and her anchors and cables good for the length of the voyage. Her hatches were caulked down, and she was a clear ship. Her draught of water was sixteen foot aft and thirteen foot six inches forward, and she was in good health, considering the place she came from. 12: The Council enclosed Captain Pitt's first bill of exchange, payable to the Court and drawn on Henry Gough of London, for £66 8s 2d, dated 27 November 1724. 13: The Council had nothing further to add, but to wish the Court all manner of success and prosperity, and to assure it of its service. The letter was dated at Union Castle, St Helena, 27 November 1724, and subscribed by the Council as the Court's most obedient and faithful humble servants. Interpretations The rota for Mr Hawkes and Mr Bazett to serve out goods in turns answers a practical shortage of hands at the stores. Captain Goodwin, the storekeeper, was repeatedly drawn away to survey lands and other Company business, so the Council set the two others to cover the daily serving-out hours, the arrangement keeping the warehouse staffed despite the competing demands on its principal officer. The survey of the Swallow before her departure repeats the formal inspection ordered by the Court to certify a ship fit for the homeward passage. The examination ran through hull, masts, yards, rigging, anchors, cables and hatches, with the draught recorded at bow and stern, so the directors held an independent account of the vessel's condition and lading at sailing. Captain Pitt's bill drawn on Henry Gough of London points again to the practice by which a master's bill was charged on the merchant who had financed his outward voyage. The bill was payable to the Court but answered by Gough at London, the named drawee standing behind the paper and letting the Council remit value home through the captain's own backer. | ||
178R | List of the Packt p Ship Swallow Saild Capt George Pitt Comander 1 Gov:r & Coun:l Gen:l Lett: dated y 27 Nov 1724 2 Duplicate of Gov:r & Coun: Gen:l Lett: dated 3 Iuly 1724 sent p Hannover 3 Duplicate of Consultations from the 9 Iune 1724 Inth: to ye 9 Iuly follow:s Inclusive / 4 Copy of Consultations fro the 9 Iuly 1724 Inth: to y 24 Nov: Inth: following / 5 Duplicate of Invoice & Selling Price of the Cargoe of James & Mary &c 6 Copy of Mr Byfelds Acco:tt of ye Hon:r Co: live Stock & Expences for y Mo: of Iune 1724 7 Duplicate of Ships James & Mary & Hannovers 8 Acco:t at St Helena 9 Capt In:o Bonds 1 & 2 Bill of Excha: for £194,16,8 dated 3 Iuly 1724 Pay: ble to ye Hon: Comp:y / 10 Copy of Ship Swallow Saild Acco: 11 Copy of List of the Packt: sent p Hannover 12 Capt Bonds Rec: for both Packts Iuly 3 1724 13 Mr Byfelds Monthly Acco: of ye Hon:r Co: live Stock & Expence for y Mon: of Iuly Aug Sept: & Oct: 1724 / 14 Duplicate of d:o his Acco: p d for May 1724 15 Capt Geo: Pitts 1 Bill of Excha: for £66,8,2 Ster:l pay: ble to ye Hon: Comp:y & drawn upon Henry Gough of London | List of the packet by the ship Swallow, Captain George Pitt commander. 1: General letter of the Governor and Council, dated 27 November 1724 2: Duplicate of the Governor and Council's general letter, dated 3 July 1724, sent by the Hannover 3: Duplicate of the consultations from 9 June 1724 to 9 July following inclusive 4: Copy of the consultations from 9 July 1724 to 24 November following inclusive 5: Duplicate of the invoice and selling price of the cargo of the James and Mary 6: Copy of Mr Byfield's account of the Court's live stock and expenses for the month of June 1724 7: Duplicate of the James and Mary's and Hannover's accounts at St Helena 8: Captain John Bond's second bill of exchange for £194 16s 8d, dated 3 July 1724, payable to the Court 9: Copy of the Swallow's account 10: Copy of the list of the packet sent by the Hannover 11: Captain Bond's receipt for both packets, 3 July 1724 12: Mr Byfield's monthly accounts of the Court's live stock and expenses for the months of July, August, September and October 1724 13: Duplicate of his accounts delivered for May 1724 14: Captain George Pitt's first bill of exchange for £66 8s 2d, payable to the Court, drawn on Henry Gough of London Interpretations The packet list once more forms the despatching Council's numbered manifest of every enclosure sent home by the ship, each item entered so the contents could be checked against the list on arrival. The mix of letters, duplicate consultations, accounts, bills and receipts shows the full apparatus of the island's correspondence carried in a single conveyance. The two captains' receipts for the packets, enclosed among the documents, form the recoverable proof that the masters had taken charge of what they carried. A signed acknowledgement from each commander gave the directors evidence of delivery at every stage, the receipt itself becoming an item in the next despatch. The repeated despatch of duplicate consultations and accounts, here covering June to November, reflects the standing safeguard of copying the island's records home by separate ships. The consultation book and the monthly plantation accounts together formed the running record of the government, their transmission in successive copies protecting the Court's oversight against the loss of any single vessel. | ||
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184R | EAP 1364 St Helena Document Name and Date St Helena Letters to England 1720-1724 Dimensions (height x width x depth) (cm) 33cm x 23cm x 6cm No. written pages: 351 No. blank pages: 25 Spine and cover Good Condition Inside pages Ink fading on some pages Pages numbered on right side only 3 small inserts in volume Tightly bound Additional comments Time taken to photograph (hours) 3 hours | |||