St Helena Letters to England 1738-1748
Introduction: This is the eighth 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/EAP1364-1-2-8.
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: The volume suffers from extensive and heavy ink bleed-through from the reverse side of the pages, affecting the legibility of the writing throughout. A number of pages are tattered with some loss of text. Judging from the several jumps in paragraph numbering, a significant number of pages are missing.
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.
Content: No crossed-out sections have been transcribed. Complex tables have been omitted. Paragraph numbering in the original is sometimes irregular, with occasional jumps or repetitions on the same page, and these irregularities have been faithfully reproduced in the transcriptions.
Several pages are missing, as indicated by abrupt changes of subject and irregularities in paragraph numbering.
Pagination: Page numbers were pencilled into the top corners of most pages until close to the end of the volume. The first visible number is page 1 on Film No. 12 (12/1), continuing in sequence up to 191/180. After this there are four unnumbered blank pages, which are presumed to represent page numbers 181 to 184, that is 192/181, 193/182, 194/183 and 195/184. The following page has been incorrectly numbered 181, after which the sequence continues, that is 196/181, 197/182, and so forth.
The numbering continues sequentially up to page 334 (location 349/334). This is followed by pages presumed to be 337 to 340 (locations 350/337 to 353/340). After page 340 the numbering reverts to 335, and although it proceeds sequentially for a short while, page 340 is again followed by pages numbered 335 to 337. The sequence then jumps forward once more to 335 and continues sequentially to the end of the volume. The overall order in this section is 348/333, 349/334, 350/337, 351/338, 352/339, 353/340, 354/335, 355/336, and so on. The situation is further complicated by the fact that from Film No. 356 onward none of the right-hand pages (recto sides) are numbered.
A second numbering system was not followed. This sequence appears in the bottom left-hand corner of every alternate page, increasing by one number at each step. In this system the second page is marked as 2, the fourth as 3, the sixth as 4, and so forth. Since each leaf has a recto and verso side, which under this scheme would require notation such as 1R, 1V, 2R, 2V, and so on, the system has been disregarded.
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 on 14 February 1737 (1738 in the modern calendar). and the latest is a letter sent on 12 August 1748.
England and its colonies adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1752. For some years afterwards, dates were often qualified with the letters NS (New Style) or OS (Old Style), particularly where clarity was needed. It is striking, therefore, that this volume contains eleven much earlier instances, seven marked NS and four OS, the earliest occurring in 1737. The use of these notations has not been the subject of detailed study, yet their presence here perhaps relates either to shipping, where navigational calculations depended on Gregorian reckoning, or to dealings with European countries that already followed the Gregorian calendar. British ships’ logs and maritime records also occasionally carried NS or OS to reflect the international nature of seafaring. In addition, the East India Company kept close contact with Portuguese, Dutch and French traders in Asia, all of whom had long used the Gregorian calendar. It is reasonable to think that the Company may have favoured NS and OS annotations in its records to maintain consistency across its global correspondence, even when the letters were addressed to British recipients.
All these letters were sent to England during the administrations of Captain Isaac Pyke (1731-1739), John Goodwin (1739-1740), Duke Crispe (1740-1741), Robert Jenkins (1741-1742), Thomas Lambert (1742), George Gabriel Powell (1742-1744), David Dunbar (1744-1747) and Charles Hutchinson (1747-1764).
AI Generated Summary
Introduction
In this account covers the years 1737 to 1748 and names seven governors, or men acting as governor turn: Isaac Pyke, who died in office on 23 July 1738; John Goodwin, who succeeded him and died in 1740; Robert Jenkins, sent out in 1741 with powers to investigate and if necessary supersede the sitting Council; Thomas Lambert, who died on 20 July 1742; George Gabriel Powell, himself investigated and made to give bond in 1743; David Dunbar, who left the island under the Court's censure in 1746; and Charles Hutchinson, governing from 1746 through at least 1748. [Film No. 12-369]
Three threads run through the whole period rather than any single year. A sequence of severe droughts recurred roughly every few years, each described by the Council in terms that echoed, and sometimes explicitly invoked, the memory of earlier scarcities. A slowly widening European war, first with Spain from 1739 and then with France, drew the island into a defensive building programme that never quite kept pace with the danger the Council described. And a major fraud, centred on Governor Goodwin, Duke Crispe and John Bazett, dominated the Council's business for years after its discovery in 1741, its debts still being pursued as late as 1748. [Film No. 22-26, 68, 99, 145-151, 337]
The seven original runs of despatches divide the period as follows: film numbers 12 to 61 cover 1737 to 1738 under Pyke; 62 to 111 cover 1738 to 1740 under Goodwin; 112 to 161 cover 1740 to 1742, spanning Goodwin's death, Jenkins's investigation and the early Lambert years; 162 to 211 cover 1741 to 1743, Lambert's fortification programme and his death; 212 to 261 cover 1741 to 1745, overlapping with the previous run and extending through Powell's disgrace and Dunbar's early tenure; 262 to 311 cover 1745 to 1747, Dunbar's final months and Hutchinson's succession; and 312 to 369 cover 1746 to 1748 under Hutchinson, including a block of accounts misfiled 16 years out of sequence from Pyke's own time. This account gives each of these seven periods comparable space below, in the belief that the island's later, less dramatic years illuminate its governance as much as the fraud and warfare that dominate the middle of the record. [Film No. 12-369]
Read as a whole, the correspondence is best treated as advocacy rather than as neutral record. Each Council wrote to persuade the Court of its own diligence, whether by itemising savings, blaming the weather, or, after 1741, condemning its predecessors outright. The clearest view of the island's real condition often comes not from what a Council claimed but from where its own figures fail to add up, where one Council's confident report is contradicted by the next, or where a matter is left conspicuously unresolved. [Film No. 60, 110, 125, 145]
Governance and Administration
Isaac Pyke governed St Helena with John Goodwin and Duke Crispe signing the earliest surviving letters beside him, and John Bazett joined the Council in 1737 as its youngest member, chosen for 18 years of service and his descent from a former councillor, Matthew Bazett. [Film No. 12, 28] The Council of this period regularly set its own frugality against the supposed extravagance of earlier administrations, and by 1738 had calculated the island's total cost to the Company since its founding, concluding that former mismanagement had wasted at least £500,000. [Film No. 60-61] When Pyke died on 23 July 1738, the inhabitants petitioned the Court to confirm an acting Governor permanently in post, but neither their petition nor the Council's covering letter named him, leaving his identity unrecorded at the time. [Film No. 58-60]
The later correspondence resolves this gap: the unnamed successor was John Goodwin, who governed until his own death in 1740. [Film No. 64, 113] His Council answered the Court's business in a fixed sequence of numbered paragraphs, and its petition for Goodwin's confirmation was financed partly by a subscription of 70 slaves offered by the inhabitants to arm the fortifications, local sentiment and defence funding harnessed together in a single campaign of persuasion. [Film No. 64-65] Goodwin's own letters praised him for restraining expense at his table and encouraging the works at Sandy Bay, a favourable record his own subordinates would later contradict. [Film No. 113]
Governor Robert Jenkins arrived in 1741 with extraordinary powers to investigate, and if necessary, supersede, the sitting Council, and used them at once, dismissing Duke Crispe and John Bazett before any other business was transacted. [Film No. 134, 145] Both men, on examination, admitted signing false cash accounts, though each sought to shift ultimate blame onto the dead Goodwin. [Film No. 145] Jenkins then resigned the government to Thomas Lambert, a military officer whose appointment the Council read as the Court's calculated answer to the fear of French attack. [Film No. 167] New safeguards followed directly from the scandal: weekly consultations, a mercantile-style journal and ledger balanced yearly, cash kept under three separate keys held by the Governor and two colleagues, and the storekeeper's accounts examined every 3 months, with Powell and Godfrey required to find sureties of £1,000 each before their salaries began. [Film No. 168-170] Even so, the drive to fix responsibility moved slowly: John Bazett died on 5 January 1742 still tracing how much of his own deficiency dated from Goodwin's earlier tenure, an inquiry left unfinished by his death. [Film No. 182, 197]
Lambert died on 20 July 1742, and governance passed in turn to George Gabriel Powell, whose own conduct came under formal Court-delegated enquiry within a year of his taking office. Charged with several articles against the Company's interest, Powell at first refused to answer, then gave only an evasive reply, and was ultimately required to give bond indemnifying the Court against loss. [Film No. 231, 233] The same enquiry restored Christopher Dixon, earlier suspended by Powell on allegations that could not be proved, and later exposed that Powell had personally retained two Dutch slaves belonging to Cape gentlemen for his own use. [Film No. 235] Dixon's rehabilitation continued for years afterward: he was appointed overseer of the plantations once a dismissed doctor's abuses came to light, credited with improving the island's stock at no cost to the Company, only to be suspended again in 1746 for reasons the Council's letters never explained. [Film No. 255, 267]
Administrative practice tightened steadily across these transitions. Each Council member took an oath of fidelity, and the Jenkins Council admitted candidly in 1741 that no bond for performance of duty had ever previously been required at St Helena, asking the Court to send the necessary forms. [Film No. 120] It also defended its 2 additional clerks, Matthew Darling and Francis Wrangham, against the Court's displeasure, citing Darling's 5 years of service and the growing volume of paperwork, with only 3 writers covering the secretary's, accountant's and storekeeper's offices between them. [Film No. 122-123, 144] Island custom had allowed the son of a deceased Governor an informal place at the Council board, a practice the Court's evident disapproval forced the incoming Council to reverse, returning John Goodwin the younger to duty in the stores. [Film No. 144] By 1743 a further redistribution of financial offices saw Godfrey move from Council signatory to accountant and Wright from a newly arrived third of Council to storekeeper, spreading exposed posts across more hands, though Godfrey then repeatedly failed to deliver the promised books of account, prompting his colleagues to threaten action against his own office; his balance, when finally examined, was found overstated by a small but telling sum, suggesting the same scrutiny that undid others was applied even to a sitting Council member. [Film No. 206, 208, 210, 234]
David Dunbar governed St Helena through the mid-1740s and left under the Court's own censure in 1746, fined for conduct the correspondence does not detail, yet still given the whole castle to himself and seen off from the island with every courtesy, a contradiction the Council's own notes acknowledged without resolving. [Film No. 307] Charles Hutchinson succeeded him, thanking the Court warmly for the appointment and promising to take no part in private trade himself. [Film No. 295] John Goodwin junior and Matthew Purling, once full Council members, lost their political standing but were kept on in technical posts, as accountant and storekeeper respectively, a small but telling sign that practical office and political authority were judged separately at St Helena. [Film No. 306] Under Hutchinson, Robert Wright, secretary of the Council, died on 19 February 1748, and Lieutenant John Barton died 6 weeks later, leaving Mr Thomas French to carry the secretary's work alone; the Council's recommendation that he be made a factor, first raised a year earlier, moved slowly even with the Council's own support. [Film No. 327, 330] By 1748 the elder Goodwin's estate was still being debited, this time for £691 0s 11d, part of a reckoning the Council itself traced to the fraud investigated between 1741 and 1746, while Colonel Dunbar was separately and formally cleared of an unrelated charge over missing furniture. [Film No. 337, 339]
Military Affairs and Defence
Fortification was a constant preoccupation across the whole period, though its pace and honesty varied sharply between administrations. Under Pyke, work at Rupert's began on 23 September 1738 with a curtain wall funded partly through the Governor's own credit with the inhabitants, and further batteries followed on the west side of the bay; two of 6 culverins that had long stood idle at the castle's Mount were moved to Rupert's under a Court instruction of 4 December 1734. [Film No. 56-57] On 23 November 1738 the inhabitants agreed almost unanimously to place slaves under the Council's direction to speed the works at Lemon Valley and Sandy Bay. [Film No. 58]
Under Goodwin, the battery at Lemon Valley was completed and its guns mounted within 6 weeks, and work at Sandy Bay produced a battery for six minion guns, a guard house, magazine and lime house, all reported a place of strength sufficient to defeat any descent by an enemy. [Film No. 67, 109-111] News of war with Spain reached the island in March 1740 through a passing Dutch ship's crew, an account already months old, and the Council responded by redoubling its own fortification work. [Film No. 99] Uncertainty over France proved more delicate: when the French ship Arrogant arrived from Bengal in April 1740, the Council refused her provisions but permitted water, keeping her lying off Munden's Point rather than admitting her to the road, a calibrated response reflecting genuine doubt whether war with France had yet been declared. [Film No. 102] The garrison's dependence on imported gunpowder proved precarious throughout, only 12 of the year's ships having delivered the powder charged to their accounts and 8 having defaulted, so that the Council's plea for 20 barrels against the danger of war bore directly on whether the new batteries could be defended at all. [Film No. 91] A wider danger appeared in the person of Barrington, a former Company servant at Madras who had deserted to Denmark, married into a Madagascar ruling family and armed himself with a thousand weapons while building a sloop with enticed English craftsmen, embodying a fear the Council took seriously, that deserters' technical skill in shipbuilding and gunnery might arm communities beyond Company control. [Film No. 62-63] Yet when Jenkins's Council arrived in 1741 it found a starkly different reality: the main fortification at Rupert's proved little more than loose stone without cement, brought down in part by firing a few test guns, and no one on the island was qualified as an engineer, a gap the Council believed lay behind years of guesswork construction. [Film No. 125, 150] War against Spain was formally declared and reached the island by the ship Portobello in September 1741, the Council pledging to exert itself to the utmost, though the reinforcement it actually received, 47 of 50 men embarked, included a cripple, a madman and several described as weak or ill made, showing St Helena was sent recruits the Company judged unfit for service elsewhere. [Film No. 240]
Lambert's military background shaped a renewed building programme: Bank's was finished by 1742 with 7 heavy guns including two 24-pounders, its walls raised to an unusual 14.5 feet to guard against raking fire, while at Sandy Bay a layered defence of guns and flanking ridges was built, the Council noted with pride, at no cost beyond the labour of a few planters' slaves offered from loyalty. [Film No. 183-185] Rupert's, by contrast, had absorbed as much as £10,000 over many years yet remained poor, undermined by mortar mixed with salt water, until a cheap ditch and glacis costing no more than £500 won visiting naval officers' praise by 1743. [Film No. 185-186, 198] Fear of France persisted through the Dunbar years: soldiers born on the island but never formally contracted saw their claims to discharge deferred to the Court, and Roman Catholic soldiers were later ordered transferred to Bencoolen rather than retained, reflecting a hardened suspicion of loyalty within the garrison itself. [Film No. 235, 256, 310] Fortification at Rupert's was finally transformed once a nearby quarry of good stone was discovered and a well sunk for washing mortar sand, ending years of dependence on lime carried on slaves' backs from Sandy Bay, and the Council's purchase of a long boat ended years of dependence on this same slow method of transport. [Film No. 241-242] The garrison itself in these years consisted of a single artillery company constituted on the London establishment of 1741, its officers supplied with laced hats, scarlet cloth and shoes renewed every 2 years, dressing a small colonial force to the visible standard of a home regiment despite its modest numbers, while concern over loyalty led the Council to ask that no more French Catholic soldiers be enlisted, since no dependence could be placed on them should the island be attacked. [Film No. 226, 235] Naval convoy protection featured throughout the decade: His Majesty's ships Sutherland and Hector escorted the homeward fleet in 1741, a pattern of protection that would recur for the rest of the period covered by this correspondence. [Film No. 220]
By the mid-1740s the war had moved from rumour to direct intelligence. Danish captains in 1746 reported having been chased off the Cape by French ships bound, they believed, for Pondicherry, and the following year another Danish captain reported 2 more French warships, one of 54 guns and 600 men, stopping his own vessel near Cape Agulhas; St Helena's picture of the naval danger on its own supply route depended entirely on whichever foreign crew happened to call next. [Film No. 282, 296] In 1747 the Council learned, via a passing sloop, that Fort St George at Madras had fallen to the French under Monsieur de La Bourdonnais the previous September, a serious blow to the Company's position on the Coromandel Coast. [Film No. 290] Under Hutchinson, work continued at Banks's Mount and Lemon Valley, and a new battery at Sandy Bay was completed with the inhabitants' assistance, formally approved by the Court. [Film No. 313, 323, 339] The British response reached its fullest scale in 1748, when Admiral Griffin's squadron gathered at Fort St David and Batavia, and Rear Admiral Boscawen arrived at the Cape with a larger fleet that would go on to besiege Pondicherry that autumn, a Dutch fleet of 18 sail under Admiral Bolthenius passing through the same season. [Film No. 323, 335-336]
Settlement, Land and Agriculture
St Helena's climate is temperate, and its seasons run opposite to England's, so that its winter falls across the months of the northern summer and its most valuable rains arrive in the southern summer between December and February, a pattern the Council invoked repeatedly to explain why a wet winter alone never guaranteed recovery from drought. [Film No. 26, 43, 124] A severe multi-year drought marked the Pyke years, judged by the Council more severe than the single sharp scarcity remembered from Governor Bouchier's time, with springs failing that had never been known to fail within living memory. [Film No. 26] The Great Wood served as the Council's standing defence against such shortage, capable of grazing the Court's entire herd for months in wet years though almost useless when dry, and the Council proposed dividing it with banked trenches after the manner practised around London. [Film No. 27, 53]
Drought returned with force in the Goodwin years: a beast that formerly yielded 450 pounds of meat across its 4 quarters now yielded scarcely 200, and the shortfall in breeding threatened the herd's recovery long after rain returned. [Film No. 81] Goodwin's improvements at the Grand Plantation, 10 acres given over to yams, were credited with freeing the island from anxiety about that staple, and by 1740 the Council had produced its first single valuation of the Company's entire holding of land, buildings, fortifications and livestock, exceeding £28,000, though it admitted candidly that it had guessed at much of the figure. [Film No. 105-108] That valuation was itemised with deliberate care, distinguishing standing yam crops from the land beneath them and pricing each plantation's crop separately by the thousand roots, a choice to make every figure individually defensible to the Court rather than merely convenient to compile. [Film No. 107] Under Jenkins's Council the 1741 drought finally broke, the island receiving more rain than in any season for 7 years, though several planters still had to buy yams for their cattle despite the improved seasons. [Film No. 156]
By 1743, under Lambert's and then Powell's Council, produce was reported better than any known for 30 years, and a local woollen manufactory turned previously worthless wool into cloth, blankets and stockings at an annual cost of only about £250, giving paid work to poorer planters and elderly slaves. [Film No. 188-189, 202-203] Agricultural administration also revealed how far the leasing system had drifted from Company control: planters had for years transferred leased land between themselves without registering the assignment, and Goodwin himself was found to have granted leases to the Company's serious disadvantage, including 19 acres of valuable yam ground let at a nominal rent, while Bazett had separately bought 27 acres called Bordy Ridge for well under its value. [Film No. 257-258] Practical improvement proceeded alongside these disclosures: about 35 loads of hay were made and pastures divided by hedges to support a larger herd, ploughing began at Rose Point for grain, and by the mid-1740s some 20 acres were sown with Indian corn, Guinea corn, oats, barley, wheat, peas and beans, all raised on the storekeeper's own account. [Film No. 242, 255] Destructive goats ranging near Peak Gut were ordered killed after they were found to have damaged young trees vital to the island's wood supply, a direct environmental intervention justified explicitly by the need to preserve timber. [Film No. 258] The Council also tried a weekly market at the Court's own suggestion, doubting the scheme could succeed since wealthier inhabitants raised stock specifically to sell to arriving ships and poorer households preferred bartering fowls directly to captains for imported cloth, tea, sugar and rice over selling for money that could not reliably purchase such goods locally, a preference that sat in instructive contrast with the Council's own increasingly formal cash-accounting reforms. [Film No. 205-206]
Drought returned again in the Dunbar years: the seasons of 1746 and 1747 were repeatedly described as backward and dry, forcing the Council to feed cattle on plantain and gum-wood leaves, and by mid-1747 the Court had already lost 49 head to the drought. [Film No. 308] A separate distemper killed an estimated 1,000 turkeys and 2,000 fowls at the same time. [Film No. 309] Under Hutchinson the drought deepened further, drying springs no living islander had known to fail and killing lemon trees that had once thrived in the lower valley; 2 experiments in new crops, barley and other grains, largely failed, and the island's one qualified wool comber was old and infirm with no successor trained. [Film No. 320, 324] A separate, misfiled set of accounts from 1731 and 1732 preserved among the later Hutchinson papers shows a smaller herd, only around 420 head, held remarkably steady under settled conditions, and a slave workforce fed on a leaner, more sharply divided scale than the undivided, much larger issue recorded by 1748, evidence of how far both the island's slave population and its dependence on yams had grown across those 16 years. [Film No. 362-366]
Supply and Provisioning
Provisioning strained the island in every period the correspondence covers. Under Pyke, ships operated under a 10-day charter-party allowance for unloading, and a consignment of sherry arrived mostly turned to vinegar, while the Council prized Vitry linen alongside coarser Russia sailcloth for different grades of use. [Film No. 12, 14, 29-30, 42] Under Goodwin, charter-party beef repeatedly fell short and salt provisions sent from England were largely refused by crews wanting fresh meat instead, while an attempt to manufacture bricks and tiles from the island's own clay, once claimed sufficient to supply London itself, ended in a quiet reversal once English brickmakers declared the earth unfit. [Film No. 71, 81-82, 88]
The Jenkins and Lambert Councils found the storehouse itself part of the problem: goods such as flaxseed wares could not be sold even at reduced prices, prompting a standing quarterly inspection by 2 Council members independent of the storekeeper's own accounts. [Film No. 119] A prolonged shortage in 1740 forced the Council to supply the garrison directly from Company stores, capping diet costs at £16 a year against each soldier's pay, and the gross charge of the island for the year to September 1738 stood at £5,977 7s 9d, a sum the Council repeatedly promised to reduce, attributing the expense chiefly to cattle purchases and extended grain rations made necessary by the drought. [Film No. 74, 88, 128] A violent epidemic after Lambert's death in 1742 made the shortage of labour as pressing as the shortage of food, striking the Court's own slaves hardest and leaving the Council struggling to find people to work at the fortifications at all. [Film No. 181-182, 197] The Council's continued attention to charter-party obligations appears in its careful check of a bale of the Tygrile's cargo, opened at St Helena specifically to look for storm damage before the voyage continued, and again in the arrival of a badly weevil-infested stock of flour and bread that sold poorly at public auction alongside other twenty-year-old goods. [Film No. 189, 206]
Under the Dunbar Council of the mid-1740s the storehouse's leaky state again damaged bread, flour and sugar, prompting immediate repair, and duties on arrack and other landed goods, long neglected, were revived and enforced, with 30 gallons of Batavia arrack, tea and sugar sold at fixed prices judged fair to both buyer and Council; an attempt to establish a regular market succeeded well enough that the Council hoped the practice would continue, a notable change from an earlier judgement elsewhere in this correspondence that no fixed market could ever answer at St Helena. [Film No. 230, 259] Osnaburg cloth sent for slaves' clothing proved a poor choice, so slow to make up that people went without clothes through the cold season and grew sickly, prompting a request for ready-cut dungaree instead. [Film No. 262-263] Materials from England repeatedly proved unfit: planks from the Queen Caroline arrived rotten, and teak sent from Bencoolen for gun carriages arrived worm-eaten, while by 1746 the Cape itself was suffering a drought of 8 or 9 months without rain, disrupting the arrack supply on which the Council usually relied. [Film No. 275, 287, 291] Storeship captains in these same years sometimes refused to carry even small parcels for Company servants, on one occasion declining to bring a few pairs of stockings for Mr Wyngham's wife while selling their own private goods at a mark-up of 100 per cent or more, the Council's own comment noting plainly that commanders used their control of cargo space to protect their private trading profits at the direct expense of the Company's own people. [Film No. 263] Under Hutchinson the garrison was reduced by 1748 to 3 pounds of bread a week for each man, with barely a month's flour left in store, and a storm-damaged ship, the Caesar, unexpectedly supplied rice and paddy though never intended for St Helena at all; smaller problems recurred throughout, fishing hooks too small for local waters, shoe buckles too large for the soldiers, and a proper fishing boat bought from Captain Haldane for 6 guineas after the Council's own small yawl proved unfit for the best grounds. [Film No. 315, 318, 331-332, 347-348]
Judiciary
St Helena had no professional court throughout this period, so serious legal business passed through the Governor, the Council and, in criminal cases, assemblies of the free inhabitants. [Film No. 27-28, 51] Under Pyke the estate of the late James Crawford produced a prolonged dispute over a fraudulently drawn will, referred to the Court's own counsel in London for want of any comparable legal expertise on the island, and 12 inhabitants sat in judgement determining a serious assault charge fell short of rape. [Film No. 24, 28-29, 51] Under Jenkins's Council the pursuit of debt generally favoured patient pressure over compulsion, rent arrears falling by several hundred £ through negotiation alone, though the 1741 inquiry into Goodwin's affairs also surfaced a land dispute in which Mr Powell had sold land to the dead Governor only to see him draw £300 in unauthorised bills against it. [Film No. 114, 149]
Under Goodwin's Council, comparatively little judicial material survives beyond estate administration, though the valuation of a deceased servant's goods upon oath before appointed appraisers, as in the case of Samuel Fazakerley's effects, shows the Council exercising a quasi-judicial function in settling the affairs of dead Company servants, the sworn inventory serving to secure the account against later dispute. [Film No. 94] Under Lambert the Council's assurance that it would adjudicate differences between planters according to the laws of England set out the formal framework for civil disputes, even though few individual cases beyond estate administration are recorded in detail, and the dismissal of 3 councillors for spreading false reports proceeded through internal consultation rather than any external tribunal. [Film No. 167, 187, 199] Under Dunbar and Powell the enquiry into Powell's own conduct followed the same quasi-judicial pattern: written charge, an opportunity to answer, and, on an unsatisfactory reply, a demand for bond. [Film No. 231, 233] Old debts owed by long-dead men, including Isaac Pyke himself, Edward Johnson, Don Juan De Mesa y Arineo and Hernan Nicholls, remained on the Council's books years after each had died, apparently already settled in England without the island's own records being updated, until the Court finally directed they be written off alongside the outstanding debt of Duke Crispe. [Film No. 291, 304] Where a stranger died on the island without local kin, the Council followed a fixed procedure developed under Jenkins's Council: the estate was paid into the Court's cash, the inhabitants' legal claims answered first, and any balance written off to account current London, a rule that grew out of the specific cases of Mr Pipes and Samuel Fazakerley. [Film No. 124] By 1748 Governor Goodwin's estate was still being pursued for a further £691 0s 11d, part of a reckoning that had run continuously since 1741, while a legacy claimed by the heirs of Eleanor Worrall against the same estate, arising from a sum of £40 Goodwin had falsely claimed to have credited against her debt, went unanswered by the Court for years despite being raised more than once. [Film No. 243, 274, 304, 337]
Economy
Economic self-justification runs through every administration in this correspondence. Pyke's Council itemised savings of £500 and £400 in successive years as proof of careful management, a defensive habit that recurred under Goodwin, whose April 1740 letter reported the year's charge at £5,289 2s 3¾d, a fall of over £700 on the year before, and a July letter reported a further fall to £4,570 16s 9¾d, the Governor's own table allowance cited as concrete proof, down to £102 3s 7d from a historical average of £400. [Film No. 12, 21, 113, 123] The drought's damage extended well beyond dead animals: surviving cattle weighed barely half their ordinary weight, forcing double the usual slaughter to meet shipping needs, and the same scarcity drained the island of ready coin, forcing goods to be sold on credit. [Film No. 43, 47]
Under Jenkins's Council the Court granted inhabitants a multi-year reduction in rents following failed seasons, a concession the planters' formal thanks let the Council present as having secured continued cooperation whatever its cost to Company revenue. [Film No. 121] Under Dunbar a queried charge of £48 for making hay was found inflated by fencing work billed at an excessive rate, once separated out reducing the true cost by a third, while ship captains brought pagodas to the island and paid them out at 9 shillings each while refusing to accept the same coin from inhabitants at that rate, until the Court fixed a single rate of 8 shillings for all payments. [Film No. 262, 272, 274] Under Hutchinson, trade in arrack from Bengal exposed the island's dependence on a single distant supplier, bought in at 4 shillings a gallon expecting a 50 per cent profit only for the source to fail entirely. [Film No. 22] Foreign captains in amity with the Company could draw money at a fixed rate of 6 shillings and sixpence per Spanish dollar, capped at 50 per cent of what they might need, with bills then drawn on their own companies rather than on the men personally, while the Council also licensed a controlled number of public houses to sell spirits to the garrison, regulating drink by its point of sale rather than banning it outright. [Film No. 337, 339]
Social Order
Foreign crews calling at St Helena were treated throughout this period as a security risk to be managed rather than as welcome trading partners, confined under Pyke to the village at James Valley under guard so that they could not learn the island's defensive weaknesses. [Film No. 24, 36] The Council also tried, without evident success, to correct the conduct of some of the island's women through punishment the Court later disapproved. [Film No. 21] Under Jenkins's Council a reward for the recapture of 2 runaway ship's surgeons was restricted explicitly to a Christian or white man, revealing a racial hierarchy the Council applied elsewhere too, while planters who depended on the Council for leases and favour hired out their slaves below the going rate and gave formal thanks for rent relief in the same breath. [Film No. 112, 118, 121]
Under Dunbar 3 slaves sent from Bencoolen for offences committed there proved troublesome at St Helena too, prompting the Council to ask that such transfers stop altogether, and for a full year the armoury had no one but black tradesmen in it for want of a qualified free armourer, a shortage of skilled free labour rather than any considered choice, the Council describing the situation as a great inconvenience and asking the Court to send a qualified free man to correct it. [Film No. 277, 310] The Court directed that inhabitants should have free liberty to buy from Company ships and sell their own goods without hindrance, and the Council promised it would never trade to their oppression. [Film No. 305-306] When 48 survivors of the wrecked Sussex were stranded on the island in 1738 because the rescuing ship could not carry them all home, competition over who would sail first provoked open disturbance requiring a trusted officer to keep the peace, while the inhabitants' voluntary subscription of slaves for the fortifications, repeated in almost every decade of this correspondence, shows a community capable of organised collective action once it judged its own safety at stake. [Film No. 34-35, 58-59, 64-65] The Council's own dependence on that same population ran in the opposite direction too: in 1740 a search for 2 deserting surgeons ended when the captains involved simply abandoned it, leaving some 180 slaves unaccounted for aboard ship, a loss the Council treated chiefly as a danger to the ships and cargo rather than as a matter concerning the slaves themselves, and 2 years later slaves were reported to have taken the Court's own longboat from its moorings at night, after which guard discipline was tightened at every outpost. [Film No. 119, 142] Garrison duty itself carried physical risk independent of any enemy, as when the soldier Samuel Plant fell to his death on the difficult path to his post at Bank's fort, and scarcity sharpened the island's guardedness toward outsiders, the Council in the drought of 1740 refusing provisions to a leaking French ship even while permitting her to repair, and formally advertising that no inhabitant was to sell to any foreign vessel that season. [Film No. 93, 89, 96-97]
Religion and Education
Religious provision depended throughout on a handful of named men and, in their absence, on the printed word from England. Under Pyke, an exchange between Mr Barlow and Mr Fordyce in 1737 gave the island its first English-speaking minister, and after Barlow's death from the flux the Council substituted printed sermons by Archbishop Tillotson and other divines rather than leave the pulpit empty. [Film No. 15, 50] The same substitution recurred under Goodwin's Council, which filled the vacancy left by Barlow's death with the same printed sermons, a reliance on metropolitan print that reveals how thinly the island's religious provision stretched whenever no resident clergyman could be found. [Film No. 72, 83]
Under Jenkins the Reverend Mr Alwin, described as sober and able, kept the yearly registers of marriages, births and deaths, while Mr Clark combined the island's school with a military post as gunner before choosing a lieutenancy instead. [Film No. 126-127, 144] The Reverend Edward Alcock, chaplain under Dunbar, died on 29 January 1746 leaving a widow expecting a child and 2 young children without provision; Governor Dunbar advanced money from his own pocket while the Court's decision was awaited, and Richard Beale filled the chaplain's duties for £20 a year until the Reverend Mr Loveday arrived on the usual salary of £50, later £60, a year. [Film No. 275-276, 304, 337]
Trade and Shipping
St Helena's road remained a meeting place for shipping of several nations throughout this period, and a relay point for news that often arrived late, garbled or in instalments. Under Pyke, an imperfect report of Queen Caroline of Ansbach's actual death on 20 November 1737 reached the island through returning India shipping nearly a year later, and a violent Bengal storm in September 1737 destroyed 3 Company ships outright and left 2 more missing, news relayed onward to London ahead of the surviving vessels themselves. [Film No. 29, 46] The wreck of the Sussex off Madagascar the following year, and the fraud of Captain Pinnell over her stranded survivors, contrasted sharply with the generosity of Captain Gaston and 2 French ships that carried men home without charge. [Film No. 33-35, 40-42]
Under Goodwin's Council, ship losses reached the island in fragments corrected over successive despatches: the wreck of the Anglesea was first reported with nearly the whole crew drowned, then revised once a survivor arrived to give a fuller account. [Film No. 66, 75-76, 100] Under Jenkins and Lambert, wartime convoy discipline became explicit, His Majesty's ships escorting the homeward fleet and breaking it into smaller groups rather than risking every vessel against a single encounter, while news of Commodore Anson's disastrous Pacific squadron, including the loss of the Wager and the Tryal, reached St Helena through a Danish ship before it reached London itself by any faster means. [Film No. 190, 196] By the Dunbar and early Hutchinson years the war had drawn directly closer: Danish captains reported French warships active off the Cape, and Commodore Barnett's squadron took a French privateer and several richly laden chinaware ships off Johor in 1745, prizes later sold to the Dutch for £22,000. [Film No. 220, 237, 248, 282, 296]
Under Hutchinson the pattern reached its fullest wartime expression. The Shaftesbury and Sandwich sighted 5 French ships under Monsieur de La Bourdonnais off Angola in 1747, the same commander who had captured Madras the previous year, and Admiral Griffin's squadron, followed by Rear Admiral Boscawen's larger fleet in 1748, gathered at the Cape and Fort St David in response. [Film No. 317, 323, 335] Company shipping continued to converge in concentrated seasons throughout, 6 ships arriving within a single 10-week span in 1743, escorted where possible by naval vessels such as the Dover and Liverpool, and damaged ships including the D'Lorrain and the Caesar were deliberately held at the island until repaired enough to sail home with the rest of the fleet rather than risk the passage alone. [Film No. 196, 200, 211, 247] Foreign shipping brought both trade and intelligence throughout: a French ship, the Duke de Chartres, openly sought provisions and water in 1741, one of the last such ordinary encounters recorded before Britain's wars with France made a French vessel's visit unthinkable, while a French ship in 1742 carried Monsieur Damas, the former Governor of Pondicherry, who received generous hospitality on account of his own earlier courtesy to Company ships. [Film No. 160, 219] By 1745 the island's China trade traffic had grown strikingly international, 2 Swedish ships and a Danish vessel arriving within days of one another laden with tea and chinaware, and by the Dunbar years Danish ships such as the Chuinchuinburg and the Tyger, and the Dutch Delderland and Zeeduyn, called alongside a Swedish ship, the Freeden, each charged 6 pence a head under the Court's standing rule for foreign vessels lying by. [Film No. 248-249, 295-296, 300]
Slavery and Coerced Labour
Slave labour underpinned nearly every aspect of the island's economy and defence across the whole period, and the correspondence treats it throughout as a matter of supply and cost rather than of welfare. Under Pyke the Council complained that shipments from Bombay arrived mostly women and children rather than the able workers it needed, and when Governor Pyke died his estate included 16 slaves sold to help cover a cash deficiency the Council had found in the Court's own accounts. [Film No. 18, 49] Under Goodwin's Council the same complaint recurred, alongside a policy of transferring 20 or 30 women and children to Bencoolen to correct what the Council itself called a dangerous surplus of unproductive dependants, and by 1739 the Company's slaves were being entered individually in the general books, a shift toward auditing enslaved labour as itemised stock. [Film No. 70, 76-77, 86-87, 105, 109]
Under Jenkins's Council, fortification depended on the 23 slaves the Court owned outright plus others hired from planters at a discount resting on the Council's own leverage over leases, and provisioning followed a detailed tariff graduated by age and task, full shares of yams or salt meat for adult workers, half shares for children, with rice reserved chiefly for the sick or for those set to the hardest labour. [Film No. 112, 125-126] St Helena also supplied labour to the Company's other settlements, sending 12 mulatto women and children to Bencoolen in 1740 and a further 18 in 1741, the Council each time presenting the transfer as a calculated sorting of people by comparative use. [Film No. 120-121, 142]
Under Lambert an epidemic after his death in 1742 fell with particular severity on the Court's own slaves, 20 of them dying including the best workers, a loss the Council described specifically as damaging to the fortification effort rather than as a human tragedy in its own right, and a rare individual case survives in the record of Nero, a slave who escaped from Francis Wrangham to France and was afterward sent to Bencoolen. [Film No. 181-182, 197, 179] Under Dunbar's Council an unplanned supply of 70 slaves arrived from Madagascar in 1743 aboard the Court's own sloop, recorded in the same reckoning as the trade goods, beads, looking glasses, combs and razors, that accompanied them, while 10 slaves who ran away with the longboat that February were found to have been driven to it by an overseer's cruelty, whipping them severely and diverting part of their rice to his own slaves. [Film No. 212-213, 227, 232] Under Hutchinson the Council's own figures show the slave workforce fed ever more heavily on yams as the drought worsened, 25,000 issued against 17,500 spent on the Court's own ground in a single month, a proportion confirmed by the misfiled 1731-1732 accounts to have grown substantially over the intervening 16 years. [Film No. 352, 363-364] The weekly ration scale recorded under Dunbar's Council, one piece of meat for every 3 slaves but a full piece for each artificer, converted the Company's assessment of a slave's economic value directly into the size of his food allowance, even as the Council weighed cheaper Irish beef as a means of reducing the same expense, and 2 Dutch slaves left temporarily in the Governor's charge were found to have been retained by Powell for his own personal use until the Court's pleasure was known. [Film No. 235, 238-239] The new woollen manufactory of the early 1740s likewise depended on the labour of superannuated slaves alongside poorer planters' children, converting people judged too old for other work into a further source of barely compensated production. [Film No. 188]
Finance, Currencies, Bartering and Accounting
With little coin in circulation throughout this period, the island settled most debts through bills of exchange drawn on the Court in London, a mechanism that under Pyke discharged sums owed to Isaac Pyke, John Goodwin, John Bazett and Captain Richard Winter alike from the Court's own books at St Helena. [Film No. 12-13] Pyke's own account current showed over £2,600 due to him at his death, entangling a Governor's personal finances directly with the Company's books, just as the Council's own calculation that former mismanagement had wasted at least £500,000 showed such figures serving persuasion as much as precision. [Film No. 49, 60-61]
The Goodwin, Crispe and Bazett fraud dominates the financial record of the early 1740s. Goodwin's estate was charged £3,953 4s 9d for the cash deficiency found at his death and a further £1,492 12s 9d for embezzlements his colleagues could prove against him, figures that shifted repeatedly across succeeding letters as further disputed accounts came to light. [Film No. 169, 183] Crispe's own sworn account of his worth shifted by over £1,000 between one inventory and the next according to whether disclosure served his hopes of returning to England, and his eventual departure was secured only by a bond of £1,145 jointly guaranteed by named third parties. [Film No. 151, 177] A general deficiency in the Court's stores of £1,402 12s 0¾d was loaded by Crispe and Bazett onto the dead Goodwin, though the Council doubted the attribution, since Bazett had served as storekeeper for 14 or 15 years without any deficiency surfacing before Goodwin's death. [Film No. 147] Beneath the sterling accounting that governed the official books, the island's actual medium of exchange was more varied than the ledgers suggest: Moorish coin worth £263 circulated through the hands of Company servants, and the estate of the gardener John Cummings had to be held pending the discovery of an heir the Council knew only to be a wife somewhere in England, illustrating the practical difficulty a remote posting faced in tracing next of kin across the ocean. [Film No. 90-92, 94]
Under Dunbar and Hutchinson the reckoning continued: the late Governor Goodwin's estate was debited a further £910 in 1746 and £691 0s 11d in 1748, each new discovery referred to the Court rather than settled locally, while a separate legacy claimed by the heirs of Eleanor Worrall against the same estate went unanswered for years. [Film No. 271, 304, 337] Ship captains' manipulation of coin, bringing pagodas ashore at 9 shillings while refusing to accept them from inhabitants at that rate, was eventually corrected by a single Court-fixed rate, and in 1746 the Council took a full chest of treasure directly from a passing storeship rather than wait for a dedicated remittance once war made shipping money to the island hazardous. [Film No. 262, 274, 277, 305] Small foreign coin proved a recurring nuisance in the Company's own accounts: a quantity of Indian copper Perch pieces and Dudoos, found lying idle in the storehouse with no practical use on an island trading chiefly in sterling, was ordered forwarded to Madras instead, while a Dutch captain's shifting account of 3 garrison men found aboard his distressed ship, first admitted then flatly denied, cost the garrison labour it had no power to recover once the ship had sailed. [Film No. 174, 251] In 1747 alone the Council drew 8 separate bills ranging from £67 6s 7d to £900, payable to individuals from ships' captains to ordinary Company servants, turning the island's cash chest into an informal remittance office for private money as much as a Company account. [Film No. 316]
Crime and Punishment
Ordinary crime receives comparatively little attention across this correspondence next to administrative fraud, though several cases stand out. Under Pyke, confusion between 2 soldiers sharing the same name nearly cost the Council its credibility over an apparent case of false musters, and John Long, an incorrigible thief, was convicted in 1738 of stealing hogs but had most of his sentence remitted, a leniency the inhabitants resented as insufficient. [Film No. 22, 50-51] Under Jenkins's Council the dismissal of Duke Crispe and John Bazett for signing false accounts stands as the gravest disciplinary action in the whole file, followed by the exposure of fictitious names, called fagots, kept on the muster roll so that officers could draw and pocket dead or invented men's wages. [Film No. 145-146]
Under Lambert 3 councillors, Dixon, Clark and Kendall, were dismissed in 1743 for spreading false and scandalous reports intended to draw away the soldiers' obedience, and the Council resolved that no soldier under 17 would in future be enlisted. [Film No. 187, 199, 204] Under Dunbar's and Powell's Councils, soldiers whose contracted time had expired but who were ordered to continue responded by throwing down their arms, prompting the Governor to punish 2 of them while discharging others, and several persons were separately fined 5 shillings each for selling spirits without a licence. [Film No. 259] A separate irregularity uncovered during the same 1741 inquiry involved Isaac Wood, entered as a debtor to Crispe for £5 5s 11d though no corresponding credit existed on the books, an entry Crispe eventually confessed was fictitious. [Film No. 143] Under Hutchinson, criminal justice appears mostly in the treatment of transported offenders sent from Bencoolen, kept to hard labour on the fortifications under explicit instructions against cruelty, while Captain Benjamin Mason's dealings of 1745 had already exposed an unstated accusation of smuggling: he paid £900 into the Court's cash, mostly in pagodas, yet his own declared account of goods consigned to him amounted to under £350, a discrepancy the Council could only record and refer on to London. [Film No. 265-266, 340]
Personalities
Isaac Pyke governed St Helena until his death on 23 July 1738, the Council recording his final illness in unusual detail, from a fixed daily routine to the convulsions that ended it, an account that reads as a deliberate effort to reassure the Court its Governor had died of natural causes. [Film No. 48-49] John Goodwin, once a councillor under Pyke, succeeded him and governed until his own death in 1740; his Council's letters praised his personal economy even as his subordinates would later implicate him deeply in fraud he could no longer answer for. [Film No. 113, 147] Duke Crispe emerges as the correspondence's most vivid personality, the man the Jenkins Council believed had been the wheel by which Goodwin and Bazett moved, his confessed frauds ranging from a fictitious debt to the falsification of planters' rent accounts, and his own sworn account of his worth shifting by over £1,000 according to his hopes of returning home. [Film No. 148, 151]
John Bazett rose from writer to councillor and eventually to master gunner before his death on 5 January 1742, reached while still tracing a decade of store books to apportion blame with Goodwin's earlier tenure, an unfinished investigation cut short by illness rather than resolved by judgement. [Film No. 13, 28, 50, 182, 197] Governor Robert Jenkins, who arrived in 1741 to dismiss Crispe and Bazett, was probably the same mariner whose account of losing an ear to a Spanish coastguard a decade earlier had helped bring about the War of Jenkins' Ear. [Film No. 134, 145] Doctor Clarke, whose earlier examination of plague victims' bodies had been ordered by Governor Powell in a notably direct attempt to understand the epidemic, died in August 1743, leaving the island's medical service to his mate Dubois until naval surgeons arrived, a reminder of how completely a remote garrison's medical capacity could rest on a single life. [Film No. 212, 234] Governor Thomas Lambert, appointed for his military background, shaped the island's defences until his death on 20 July 1742, after which his widow received a pension of £60 a year, the Company's sense of what was owed to a dead Governor's family kept distinct from any pursuit of debts against his estate. [Film No. 167, 181, 196, 205]
Governor George Gabriel Powell's own downfall followed within a year of his pressing Godfrey hard over missing account books, ending in his own refusal to answer formal charges and a bond indemnifying the Company against damage to its estate. [Film No. 233] Christopher Dixon's fortunes moved in the opposite direction and then reversed again: suspended by Powell, restored and compensated, appointed overseer of the plantations to evident Council satisfaction, then suspended a second time in 1746 for reasons never set down in writing. [Film No. 235, 255, 267] Governor David Dunbar left the island under the Court's own censure in 1746 yet was treated throughout his final months with every mark of respect due his former rank, the clearest example in this whole correspondence of the island separating a man's standing from any judgement passed on his conduct. [Film No. 307] Charles Hutchinson governed from 1746 through at least 1748, his tenure recorded in unusual detail through a diary of his own proceedings duplicated for the Court's records. [Film No. 313] John Goodwin junior and Matthew Purling, continuing in Company service as accountant and storekeeper long after the elder Goodwin's disgrace, are a reminder that a single family's fortunes could run in two directions at once within the same small administration. [Film No. 271, 306] Lesser figures round out the record across every period: Samuel Dovetant, overseer of livestock, earned repeated praise for careful management even as poor seasons defeated his best efforts; Robert Maycock, a cooper who arrived aboard the Caesar, was singled out for diligence and later credited with skill in sifting flour; and Mr French, the master gunner, had served the island for 45 years by the time he asked for the same clothing allowance given to other officers, a request granted at once in quiet contrast to the frequent turnover and suspension recorded among the Council's own senior officials. [Film No. 121, 234, 253, 274] Two further figures show the ordinary hazards borne by Company servants and their families at so remote a station. Francis Wrangham junior, disabled by a broken thigh suffered at sea, was absorbed into the civil establishment as a writer on the strength of testimonials to his sobriety, an example of how the settlement found a second livelihood ashore for men the sea had permanently injured. [Film No. 89] The Reverend Edward Alcock's death in January 1746 left a widow expecting a child and 2 young children with no income of their own, a situation Governor Dunbar addressed at once from his own pocket rather than wait for the Court's distant decision, a rare human glimpse into how far welfare for the bereaved depended on the private purse of whoever happened to be in office. [Film No. 275]
Conclusion
Across roughly 11 years and 358 film numbers, St Helena appears less as a settled colony than as a small, overstretched garrison meeting incompatible demands in every decade: to fortify against wars it usually learned of second-hand, to feed a Company fleet from herds repeatedly decimated by drought, and to maintain a slave labour system every administration professed to regret while continuing to depend on it. [Film No. 12-369] The correspondence's own internal contradictions are often more instructive than its explicit claims. Goodwin's Council reported drought, cattle loss and slave shortages as circumstances entirely beyond anyone's control; Jenkins's Council, arriving within a year, found ruined fortifications and a depleted stores account owed as much to self-interest as to weather. [Film No. 112-129, 145-151] Lambert's Council took evident pride in defences built cheaply through voluntary slave labour at Sandy Bay, a claim that sits deliberately against its own earlier admission of waste at Rupert's. [Film No. 185-186]
The fraud centred on Goodwin, Crispe and Bazett, discovered in 1741 and still being settled in the accounts of 1748, is the single thread binding the widest span of this correspondence, and its very persistence argues for reading every Council's assurances of frugality and diligence with real scepticism. [Film No. 145-151, 337] Yet the record is also candid in places no single administration could control: in an arithmetic that will not add up, in a policy inconsistent with a Council's own stated intentions, in Bazett's death mid-investigation, and in the unresolved question of what became of the individual slaves whose labour, sale and separation from their families run through every section of this file. [Film No. 110, 179, 182] Read together with wider knowledge of East India Company governance and the wars then spreading from the Caribbean to the Pacific and into India itself, these merged despatches show a distant settlement whose resources, defences and very government depended, far more than any Council cared to admit, on the honesty of the handful of men London happened to send to run it. [Film No. 12-369]
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EAP 1364 St Helena Document Name and Date: St Helena Letters to England 1738–1748 Photographer: Peter Date photographed: 24 Feb 2022 Additional comments: [Blank] | |||
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1 | Honoured Sirs Wee were very agreeably Pleased with the Receipt of the Queen Caroline which happened on Wednesday the 7th Instant for whose early Dispatch wee return your Honours particular thanks & do Assure you that wee will use all means in Our power to get the Cargo on Shore within the time limited by Charles Barry On the 16th the Nottingham arrived from Madrass but last from the Cape from whence she sailed the 3rd of last Month & Princess Mary, Godolphin, Royall George, & Prince of Wales & Princess Royall who were all near ready to Proceed on their Several Voyages, & as Capt Winter has refreshed there & is Determined to Sail to morrow in hopes to save the Munsoon Sail it is not possible for Us in so short a time to Answer Your Late Directions Wherefore at present wee only lay before Your Honours Our General Books & other usual Accounts for the Year ending on the 30 of September last & wee have the Satisfaction to Observe to Your Honours that your Expences are above £100 less this than they were last Year & wee will be as good husbands as Wee Possibly can upon all Occasions Capt Winter has brought Us a hive of Bees from the Cape & Wee expect one more by some other Ship but wee are at present so busey wee have not hand time to open them Mr Fandall one of the Mates of the George Arrived at Madrass before the Nottingham sailed & he said he left the George well at Bencoolen but wee hope the report of that all the Mates were removed or displaced is not true We have drawn four Setts of Bills of Exchange upon Your Honours Vizt One sett payable to Isaac Pyke Esqr or Order for the sum of £500 Sterling for the like sum due to him in Your | The Council at St Helena addressed the Court of Directors, expressing satisfaction with the arrival of Queen Caroline reported on Wednesday last, and returned particular thanks for her early despatch, assuring the Court that every means in the Council's power would be used to get her cargo ashore within the time set by the charter party. On the sixteenth the Nottingham arrived from Madras but last from the Cape, whence she had sailed the third of the previous month with the Prince of Wales, the Godolphin, the Royal George and the Prince Royal, all nearly ready to proceed on their several voyages. Captain Winter had refreshed there and resolved to sail the next day in hopes of catching the March fleet. The Council found it impossible in so short a time to answer the Court's late instructions, and for the present laid before the Court only the general books and the usual accounts for the year ending on the eighth of September last, with the satisfaction of observing that expenses stood above £500 0s 0d less than the previous year, and undertook to manage as good husbands as possible on every occasion. Captain Winter had brought a hive of bees from the Cape, with one more expected by another ship, but the Council reported itself at present so busy that there had been no time to open them. Mr Fandall, one of the mates of the George, had arrived at Madras before the Nottingham sailed, and reported he had left the George well at Bencoolen, though the Council hoped the report that all her mates had been removed or displaced was not true. The Council had drawn four sets of bills of exchange upon the Court as follows. 1: one set payable to Isaac Pyke Esquire or order for £500 0s 0d sterling, for the like sum due to him in the Court's books of accounts at St Helena 2: one set payable to John Goodwin or order [...] Interpretations Queen Caroline arriving as a ship's name rather than a person is confirmed by the reference to her early despatch and the charter-party deadline for unloading her cargo, the standard concern of every provisioning letter in this series; East India Company ships were commonly named for members of the royal family, and this practice supplied one of several vessels of that name recurring in the Company's fleets. The comparison of yearly expenses, £500 0s 0d below the previous year, exemplifies the recurring defensive posture the Council took toward the Court's standing suspicion of extravagance, anticipating criticism before it could be levelled. The hive of bees sent out from the Cape reflects the continuing pattern of St Helena serving as a trial ground for introduced species useful to the plantations, alongside the seeds, plants and livestock recorded elsewhere in the correspondence, though as with the coffee and other introductions the outcome of this particular consignment was left unrecorded here. | |
2 | For the sum of £165 - Sterling for the Like Sum Due to him on Your Books of Accounts here One other sett payable to John Bazett or Order for the sum of £150 - Sterling for the like sum Due to him in Your Books of Accounts here there are each dated the 13 instant And one other sett payable to Capt Richard Winter or Order for the sum of £17.8. 8 Sterling dated this day 16 February being the Ballance of the Account of the Ship Nottingham herewith Transmitted, of all which Wee humbly Pray Your Honours Acceptance, Wee are Sto Helena 14th Febry 1757 Hond Sirs Your most faithfull & most Obedient Servt Isaac Pyke Jno. Goodwin Duke Fforde Ship Nottingham | 2: one set payable to John Goodwin or order for £165 0s 0d sterling, for the like sum due to him in the Court's books of accounts at St Helena 8: one other set payable to John Bazett or order for £150 0s 0d sterling, for the like sum due to him in the Court's books of accounts at St Helena, each dated the eighteenth instant 9: and one other set payable to Captain Richard Winter or order for £17 3s 8d sterling, dated 16 February, being the balance of the account of the ship *Nottingham*, herewith transmitted, of all which the Council humbly prayed the Court's acceptance The letter closed at St Helena on 18 February 1737, signed by Isaac Pyke, John Goodwin and Duke Crispe, with the ship Nottingham noted below as the conveyance. Interpretations The four bills of exchange, drawn payable to Isaac Pyke, John Goodwin, John Bazett and Captain Richard Winter, each discharged a private balance standing to the credit of that person in the Court's own accounts at St Helena, the standard mechanism by which the cashless island settled debts through paper claims on London rather than coin. Winter's bill differed from the other three in being tied to a specific, itemised balance, the account of the Nottingham rendered and settled rather than a general credit, consistent with his role as the ship's commander rather than a resident creditor. | |
3 | Honoured Sirs On monday Evening the 20th instant it being the Last of the ten Working days wee received all the Cargo on Shoar which your Honours were pleased to send Us by the Queen Caroline, tho the Weather was all the time very indifferent, the two first days the Surf was so high that they were quite lost, but the Captain exerted himself & wee did the same on our parts taking Care to have people enow & allways ready at the Water Side to receive the goods as they come on Shoar & Enclosed Your Honours have the Captains receipt for our Packets to the Several Settlements in India with an Account of each days which endorsed thereon According to Your Honours late Directions, & wee believe the Captain would have been gone by this time, but the seas have been so rough ever Since that he has not been able to get either his Water or Ballast on board, & for the same reason Captain Flowers is still in the road tho when the first came in which was on the 21 he was Determined to have Sailed again in Eight & forty hours or three days at farthest, & wee believe had it been possible he would have been as good as his word but in making Dispatch he had the Misfortune of Staving his boat & neither of them notwithstanding all their Endeavours have yet been able to get away Capt Seale dyed in Soundings off the Cape from whence they Sailed after a short Refreshment of five days & brings tragical News of the Disagreement between the Captn of the Royall George & his Men 14 of whom are onboard this Ship & the Captain Carried 26 more off the Cape in Irons, the Supply brought from this place is 400 pt of Yeallam which will be Sufficient for the Consumption of one Year & wee sell them at the rate of 146 £ pr Since the receipt of the Cargo on Shoar from England wee have been equally Busey in opening & Examining whether the goods are all in Number and order | The Council at St Helena addressed the Court of Directors, reporting that on Monday evening the twentieth of the current month, the last of the ten days allowed, the Council had received all the cargo ashore that the Court had been pleased to send by the Queen Caroline, despite very indifferent weather throughout. The surf ran so high on the first two days that unloading proved impossible, but the captain exerted himself and the Council did the same on its own part, keeping people ready at the water's edge to receive the goods as they came ashore. The captain's receipt for the packets sent to the several settlements in India was enclosed, along with an account of each ship endorsed on it according to the Court's late directions. The Council believed the captain would have sailed by this time, but the seas had run so rough since that he had been unable to get either fresh water or ballast aboard, and for the same reason Captain Flowers remained in the road, though he had intended to sail again within eight and forty hours or three days of his arrival on the twenty-first. The Council believed he would have kept his word had it been possible, but the loss of his boat, along with the other ships' boats, had prevented his departure despite every effort. Captain Seale had died in soundings off the Cape, from which the ships had sailed after a brief refreshment of five days, bringing tragic news of a disagreement between the captain of the Royal George and his men, fourteen of whom were now aboard the reporting ship along with the captain, while twenty-six more had been carried off the Cape in irons. The supply brought from this place amounted to 400 feet of shallon, sufficient for a year's consumption, sold at the rate of 1s 6d a foot. Since the receipt of the cargo ashore from England the Council had been equally busy opening and examining whether the goods were all in number and order. Interpretations Shallon (shalloon) was a lightweight worsted fabric used chiefly for coat linings, and its supply reckoned by the foot and priced by that measure reflects its role as a small stocked item drawn down steadily against the garrison's clothing needs rather than a bulk plantation commodity. The ten-day unloading term invoked here, met only on its final evening despite adverse weather, was the standard charter-party allowance the Council elsewhere protested as unrealistic when ships arrived in poor conditions, so this instance where the term was narrowly kept stood as a favourable exception to that recurring grievance. Speculations The Council chose to keep Captain Flowers's ship in the road rather than let it proceed once its stated three-day window had passed, and framed the delay as the captain's own misfortune in losing his boat rather than as any failure of the island's provision. Given the Council's habitual anxiety over demurrage claims and disputes with masters over unloading delays elsewhere in this correspondence, the choice to excuse Flowers so readily, attributing the hold-up entirely to weather and equipment loss beyond his control, suggests the Council was building a record to protect the captain, and by extension itself, against any later charge of unreasonable detention. | |
4 | Order as they should be, hitherto wee have not found any thing amiss except the old planks most of which was found that its hardly worth burning & scarce any of it fit for the purposes wee designed it & these Affairs have taken up so much of our time, that wee have not been able to answer Your Late General Letter but by the Next Ship, Your Honours shall be sure to have a full reply, & all your Injunctions & Commands shall be duely observed Mr Barlow & Mr Fordyce with our Consent & Approbation, have Mutually agreed to an Exchange the former stays here & the Latter proceeds to Bencoolen & by their means, wee thank God wee have at last got one of Our own Country men to pray with Us & preach to Us in English & wee humbly desire Your Honours will be pleased to Confirm the exchange, the £30 Mr Barlow received of Your Honours in England he will repay out of his growing Salary here After many Tryals & with great difficulty the Governour has at length brought the Making of Bricks & Tyles to good perfection & a sample of Each is sent Your Honours in a little Box Directed to the Secretary, the Gutter Tyles or Bricks will be of Great use in conveying the Water clear & Pure to the Several Watering Places which are Lemon Valley & the Fort, with the other Tyles it is designd the Inhabitants to prevent fires in the Village or the fort Valley shall Gradually Tyle their houses & their is Clay enough discovered of this sort Sufficient to Supply London if such a Quantity was wanted We have Drawn three setts of Bills of Exchange upon Your Honours two setts in the Name for the Use of the Reverend Mr Francis Fordyce or Order each dated the 28th instant one for £51.3.4 one for £30 amounting together to the sum of £81.3.4 being for Salary due to him in Your Books which with the Farther Sum of £40.10 paid him in Cash makes £121.13.4 the Whole sum due to him to the last of this | The Council found the goods in order as they should be, and had not found anything amiss except the old plank, most of which was so bad that it was hardly worth burning and scarce any of it fit for the purposes intended, so the Council deferred a decision on it. These affairs had taken up so much of the Council's time that it had not been able to answer the Court's late general letter, but promised a full reply by the next ship, with every injunction and command duly observed. Mr Barlow and Mr Fordyce had mutually agreed, with the Council's consent and approval, to an exchange by which the former stayed at St Helena and the latter proceeded to Bencoolen. The Council thanked God that by their means the island had at last got one of its own countrymen to pray with the people and preach to them in English, and humbly desired the Court would confirm the exchange, the £30 0s 0d Mr Barlow had received from the Court in England to be repaid out of his growing salary at the island. After many trials and with great difficulty the Governor had at length brought the making of bricks and tiles to good perfection, and sent a sample of each to the Court in a small box directed to the secretary. The gutter tiles or bricks would be of great use in conveying clear, pure water to the several watering places at Lemon Valley and the fort, while with the other tiles the Governor intended the inhabitants should gradually tile their houses to prevent fires in the village or the fort. Clay enough of this sort had been discovered to supply London, should such a quantity be wanted. The Council had drawn three sets of bills of exchange upon the Court. 1: two sets in the name of, for the use of, the Reverend Mr Francis Fordyce or order, each dated the twenty-eighth instant, one for £51 6s 4d and one for £30 0s 0d, amounting together to £81 6s 4d, for salary due to him in the Court's books, which with the further sum of £40 10s 0d paid him in cash makes £121 13s 4d the whole sum due to him to the last of this Interpretations The gutter tiles or bricks devised for conveying water reflect a practical engineering response to the island's chronic difficulty in delivering clean water to its principal watering places, Lemon Valley and the fort, a concern recurring throughout this correspondence in relation to the Cape trade grievance over the quality and availability of fresh water offered to calling ships. The Governor's programme of encouraging tiled roofing in the village and fort addressed the standing fire risk of thatched or shingled construction in a settlement built largely of timber and dry vegetation, a hazard sharpened by the island's exposure to strong winds. Speculations The Governor chose to send a sample of the new brick and tile manufacture to London rather than simply reporting its success, and framed the clay supply as sufficient to answer London's own needs if wanted there. Given that St Helena had for decades depended on England for building materials shipped out at cost and difficulty, this reversal, offering the island's own resource to supply the metropolis rather than the reverse, marks a deliberate rhetorical claim to self-sufficiency, using the sample as physical proof against any doubt the Court might otherwise raise about a colonial manufacture. | |
5 | Month at which time his pay ceases the other sum is for £30 - Sterling dated the 24 instant Payable to John Goodwin junr or Order for the like sum in part Due to him in Your Books of Accounts here of each of which wee humbly pray Your Honours Acceptance & are 24 Febry 1757 Hond Sirs Your most faithfull & most Obedient Servants Isaac Pyke John Goodwin Duke Crispe | The Council asked the Court to accept both bills. The letter closed at St Helena on 24 February 1737, signed by Isaac Pyke, John Goodwin and Duke Crispe. | |
6 | Honoured Sirs Wee were extreamly glad to hear by the Queen Caroline who arrived here on the 8 of last Month that all Your Shipping of the last Season are Safely Arrived in England Wee are also glad that your Honours have read Our Several Letters & Books of Accounts for the last Year Wee will Observe such directions as Your Honours refer to in the Subsequent Paragraphs Wee return Your Honours our humble thanks for the list You have been pleased to give Us of the Several Ships You have thought proper to employ to Carry on Your Trade this Year in various parts of the World to whom wee very hartily wish all imaginable Success & a safe return Wee also return thanks for the list of Your Supracargoes to Mocha Wee have received the Invoice of Queen Caroline & return Your Honours our humble thanks for the Cargo You have been pleased to send Us Wee & the Captain have exerted Our Selves so effectually that Notwithstanding two of the ten Working days were lost wee Unladed her within the time limited & on the 20 wee took the Captains Receipt for Our Packets to India & on the 12 Instant he sailed for Bencoolen & would have been gone much sooner but the sea has Continued So very high & boisterous that he Could not get his Water & Ballast on board with greater Expedition than he has done Wee will avoid giving the Captains any just Cause of Complaint & wee hope the Dispatch wee have given the Queen Caroline will be much to Your Honours Satisfaction In Our Packett to Bencoolen wee Enclosed the Charterparty & acquainted the Gentlemen of the West Coast with what wee apprehended necessary for their Notice | The Council at St Helena addressed the Court of Directors, expressing great pleasure at hearing by the Queen Caroline, which had arrived on the eighth of the previous month, that all the Court's shipping of the last season had reached England safely. The Council was also glad the Court had read its several letters and books of accounts for the past year, and undertook to observe whatever directions the Court referred to in the following paragraphs. The Council returned humble thanks for the list the Court had been pleased to supply of the several ships employed to carry on trade that year in various parts of the world, and wished all imaginable success and a safe return to each. The Council also returned thanks for the list of supercargoes bound to Mocha. The Council had received the invoice of the Queen Caroline and returned humble thanks for the cargo the Court had been pleased to send. The Council and the captain had exerted themselves so effectively that, although two of the ten days allowed had been lost, the ship was unloaded within the time set, and on the twentieth the Council took the captain's receipt for the packets bound to India. On the twelfth instant he had made sail for Bencoolen, and would have been gone much sooner but for the sea running so high and boisterous that he could not get his water and ballast aboard with any greater speed than he managed. The Council would avoid giving the captains any just cause of complaint, and hoped the despatch given the Queen Caroline would prove entirely to the Court's satisfaction. In the packet sent to Bencoolen the Council enclosed the charter party and informed the gentlemen of the west coast of whatever it judged necessary for their notice. Interpretations The list of ships and supercargoes bound for Mocha reflects the Company's separate branch of trade to the Red Sea for coffee and other goods, run alongside the main India and China voyages and requiring its own annual notice to outlying stations such as St Helena so the Council could anticipate which vessels might call. The Council's careful account of the delay in the Queen Caroline's departure, attributing it entirely to rough seas rather than any want of diligence on the island's part, exemplifies the recurring defensive habit of this correspondence, in which the Council pre-empted potential complaints from commanders before they could reach the Court independently. | |
7 | Wee are much pleased to find that the Assistance wee gave both to Captain Gough & Captain Kale have been so acceptable to Your Honours may be sure that wee shall always do the like upon all Such Unfortunate occasions, & are glad Your Honours have thought Proper to send the Supply of Naval Stores wee indented for The Cash account shall be entered in Our General in the very particular & exact manner by You required & Shall be regularly continued every Month If the Gentlemen of Bombay send Us Serviceable Blacks they will be of great Use but if they Should continue the Practice to send Us only Women & Children they will do Us an injury & put Your Honours to trouble & Charge to no purpose 100 good Blacks & Men & Women would make some Riddance in much heavy Works as wee have to forward & Compleat, Wee have spoke to Our Surgeon to be Diligent & Carefull of the sick Soldiers & Diseased Blacks & he says he will but our Numbers require more help & wee must endeavour to get a Skilfull Male, if wee cant Succeed in shiping wee Shall be obliged to desire Your Honours will be pleased to send us one from England but a Young man who has been an Apothecary & Understands Medicine is far more Preferable for Our purpose than one who only Professes Surgery The moment wee receive a Supply of able blacks to carry on & go forward with the several peices of heavy Work which still are upon Our hands & which makes us very anxious & Uneasy till wee get them Compleated wee will Dismiss those wee are still obliged to hire & without whose help & Labour hardly any thing could be done, & wee are very glad to hear that Your Honours have given fresh & Positive Orders that wee Shall be speedily Supplyed with a Number of able bodied Slaves capable of Answering the purposes for which wee so much want them | The Council found much satisfaction that the aid given to Captain Gough and Captain Hale had proved acceptable to the Court, and assured the Court it would always act in the same way on such unfortunate occasions. The Council was also glad the Court had thought fit to send the supply of naval stores mentioned earlier. The cash account would be entered in the Council's consultations in the precise and exact manner the Court required, and would be regularly continued every month. 2: the gentlemen of Bombay were told that useful slaves would serve the island well, but sending mostly women and children would burden the Court with needless cost while leaving the settlement no better equipped for its labour needs. A hundred sound workers, divided evenly between men and women, would meaningfully advance the demanding tasks the Council still had to finish. The Council had instructed the surgeon to attend carefully to ill soldiers and unwell slaves, and he had agreed, though he warned that their numbers exceeded what he alone could manage and recommended engaging a competent helper. Failing a suitable candidate on the island, the Council asked the Court to arrange for one to be sent from England, judging that a young man schooled in pharmacy and general medical knowledge would answer the island's needs better than someone qualified only in surgical procedure. 3: as soon as the Council received a supply of able slaves to carry forward the several pieces of heavy work still in hand, which kept the Council anxious and uneasy until completed, it would dismiss the hired slaves it remained obliged to employ, without whose labour scarcely anything could be done at present. The Council was very glad to hear the Court had given fresh and positive orders that the island should be speedily supplied with a number of able-bodied slaves fit to answer the purposes for which they were so urgently wanted. Interpretations The Council's preference for slaves purchased through Bombay reflects the East India Company's practice of drawing on multiple regional slave markets to supply its outlying stations, with the complaint about receiving disproportionate numbers of women and children pointing to the island's persistent shortage of labour fit for construction and fortification work rather than domestic service. The distinction drawn between a surgeon and an apothecary-trained assistant reveals a practical hierarchy of medical skill at the island, where the routine treatment of common sickness among soldiers and slaves was thought better served by someone trained in dispensing remedies than by a specialist in surgical operations, which the small garrison population required only occasionally. | |
8 | Since Your Honours have so Positively forbid it, wee will not buy any thing of the Commanders or Charge Your Honours with any thing that may justly give You offence but every little Article cannot be always thought on timely enough to be inserted in Our Indent, but Your Honours Shall have no more Cause to Complain upon this Account Mesrs Goodwin & Crispe return Your Honours their most humble thanks for the Instance of Your Regard to them & they promise to exert themselves in acknowledgemt for this favour in such manner as they hope will render their future Services acceptable to Your Honours Wee did not make use of any Expressions last Year in Answer to Your Honours Remarks upon the Charge of Diet Expences which wee imagined could be liable to any Exception & are Sorry Your Honours should have Understood them in any such sence There had been so much vapouring & vain Glorious Boasting about the Management of All Your affairs a few Years ago that upon frequent Complaints wee began to think it Necessary to give Your Honours Proof on Several particular instances of Our Care & Oeconomy least Such Clouds of smoak which had been raised should longer hinder Our Diligence from being observed & wee are Glad to find Your Honours are pleased with the Account wee then laid before You, it is Our Duty to continue Our sengality & Your Honours shall find that wee will do so in all Cases & upon all Occasions where wee possibly can The Crane, in Obedience to Your Honours Commands has been many Months past reftxed at Lemon Valley & wee beleive more Substantially Secured & accomodated & with Conveniencies than were there before & all Ships who please to do so Water there, & if wee could Contrive to come at Better | 14: since the Court had so positively forbidden it, the Council would buy nothing on the Company's charge that might justly give offence, though every small article could not always be foreseen in time to enter on the indent, and the Court would have no further cause to complain on this account Messrs Goodwin and Crispe returned their most humble thanks for the mark of the Court's regard shown to them, and promised to conduct themselves with such gratitude for the favour as they hoped would render their future service acceptable to the Court. 16: the Council had made no reply last year to the Court's remarks upon the charge of diet expenses, which the Council had imagined lay open to no exception, and was sorry the Court should have taken offence at them in any sense There had been so much boasting and vain display about the management of the Court's affairs a few years earlier that, faced with frequent complaints, the Council had thought it necessary to give proof of its own care and economy in several particular instances. The Council hoped such clouds of suspicion would no longer hinder its diligence from being properly recognised, and was glad the Court approved of the account then laid before it. The Council held it a continuing duty to maintain that frugality, and would do so in every case and on every occasion where it was possible. The crane, in obedience to the Court's commands, had for many months past been fixed at Lemon Valley, and the Council believed it now stood more securely and conveniently placed, with better facilities than before, so that any ship might water there if it chose, and would do so with still greater ease could the Council contrive to make it better. Interpretations The Council's defensive account of its economy responded to a recurring pressure familiar throughout this correspondence, in which the Court's suspicion of extravagance under earlier administrations obliged successive Councils to itemise and justify routine expenditure that would otherwise have passed without comment. The relocation of the crane to Lemon Valley, discussed elsewhere in the reference as the Court's preferred watering station over the costlier piped supply from Chubb's Spring, marks the completion of a long-running infrastructure project aimed at giving calling ships easier and more reliable access to fresh water than the island's older arrangements had allowed. | |
9 | Better Water no Labour or Pains should be wanting on Our parts to Effect it, for as Your Honours observe wee are perfectly Sensible that is a matter of great Importance & ought to be well Looked after & regarded for the Sake of the Mariners & wee should be Inexcusable to neglect it The first of the three Persons mencond in this Paragraph is Dead but the other two Mesrs Goodwin & Crispe say that for the sake of Truth & the Ingenuity of their Confession they hoped Your Honours would have Spared or at least have So severd the Severity of this Remark, they own that the Imputation is Seemingly just but allege that the Nature of their defence is of such a tender Sort that it will be hardly possible for them to make a full & proper Reply without using Expressions be they ever so carefully Chosen which shall not be thought rude & indecent, & therefore throw themselves upon Your goodness who they hope have forgot & forgiven the fault & only Presume to make one Observation which is that an other person still living & who was then in commission with them & who they say no doubt will exalt tho exceedingly pleased with the Representation Your Honours have thought fit to give them, has been guilty of the like Offences much more frequently & in a much greater Degree without making any Atonement at all tho they say he was the person Principally guilty & ought to Answer for all those falsehoods & Misrepresentations which they find he is shuffling off himself agreeable to his former Practice upon other people Our Season last Year was far from being good wee just made a shift to furnish Your Shiping & are Sorry that the advantages arising to the Inhabitants there from were not near so considerable as they used to be, the reason why they were not were because the Weather being dry & the Grass short their Cattle did not weigh but little above half what they used to do, many of them also died, besides Poultry | No labour or expense should be spared in securing better water, since the Court rightly observed that the matter deserved great attention for the sake of the mariners, and the Council would count itself blameworthy to neglect it. 19: of the three persons named in this paragraph, one had since died, but the other two, Messrs Goodwin and Crispe, said that for the sake of truth and the honesty of their admission they had hoped the Court would have spared them, or at least softened the severity of this remark. They admitted the charge seemingly stood proven, but argued its nature was so delicate that no full and proper answer could be made without expressions that, however carefully chosen, might seem rude or improper, and so threw themselves upon the Court's goodness, trusting the fault already forgiven. They ventured only one observation, that another person, still living and then in commission with them, whom they believed the Court would be greatly pleased to have named, had been guilty of the same offences far more often and to a much greater degree without making any amends at all, though they said that man bore the principal guilt and ought to answer for every falsehood and misrepresentation now being shifted onto their own former conduct 20: the past year's season had fallen far short of good, and the Council had barely managed to supply the Court's shipping. The Council regretted that the benefits arising to the inhabitants had proved nowhere near as considerable as usual, the dry weather and short grass leaving the cattle scarcely above half their normal weight, while many died and beehives suffered likewise Interpretations The unnamed third person accused of graver and more frequent misconduct than Goodwin and Crispe, described as still living and formerly in commission with them, points to a factional dispute within the Council of the kind recorded elsewhere in this correspondence, where accused officials sought to deflect blame onto a colleague they judged the Court already favoured or suspected. The poor season's effect on the cattle, reduced to roughly half their ordinary weight through drought and thin pasture, reflects the recurring vulnerability of the island's herds to seasonal rainfall failure, a concern threading through the Council's provisioning reports in years of scant water. | |
10 | of all sorts in great Numbers, We will do all wee can to get in your Debts, but the Island at present is in a very bad Condition of which wee will give Your Honours an Account when wee have gone thro the several parts of Your Letter Your Honours shall hear no more of Castration & wee will for the Future Inform our Selves in Cases which were lately punished in this manner to the sub Your Honours have now prescribed for Instances of this Sort Since wee find Long Balls are to be Continued here wee will Quicken Our Endeavours to restrain them from Committing more Mischief In all time to Come Your Honours shall have Your Books of Accounts & all other Necessary Advices early, this Year wee sent them on the 12 of Feby by the Nottingham, & they were ready something Sooner & wee have the Satisfaction to observe to You that the Charge is above £400 - less this than it was the Year before Wee have Examined the Cargo by the Queen Caroline & find every thing good of its kind except the White Wine & Plank both which are very bad & great part of the Plank is so thin that its not fit for the use wee designed it Since Your Honours do not like the Correction which has been given to Some lewd Women of this place other Methods shall be taken to keep them honest & in good Order if such a thing be possible for wee have some so lewd that wee are afraid they are past all hopes of Amendment Hereafter Your Honours shall have the Particulars of all Ships Accounts sent with them Whenever wee want more Tea or China ware after what wee Shall receive by the returning Shiping wee will Acquaint Your Honours Two Persons of the same Cristian & Surnames happening | Livestock of every sort had died in great numbers at the island. The Council would do everything possible to bring in the Court's debts, but the island stood at present in a very poor condition, of which the Council would give a full account once it had gone through the several parts of the Court's letter. 21: the Court would hear no more of frustration, and the Council would in future inform itself in cases of the kind lately punished in the manner the Court had now prescribed for instances of this sort 22: finding that long boats are to be contained here, the Council would quicken its efforts to restrain them from committing further mischief 23: at all times to come the Court would have its books of accounts and every other necessary advice sent early. This year the Council sent them on the twelfth of September by the *Nottingham*, ready somewhat sooner than usual, and had the satisfaction of observing to the Court that the charge stood above £400 0s 0d less than the year before The Council had examined the cargo brought by the Queen Caroline and found everything good of its kind except the white wine and the plank, both of which were very poor, a great part of the plank being so thin that it was not fit for the use the Council had intended. 25: since the Court did not approve the correction given to some lewd women of the island, other methods would be tried to keep them honest and orderly, if such a thing were possible, for the Council had some so far gone that it feared them past all hope of amendment 26: hereafter the Court would receive the particulars of every ship's account sent along with it 27: whenever more tea or china ware was wanted, the Council would inform the Court after seeing what came by the returning shipping 28: two persons of the same Christian name and surname happened | |
11 | Happening to be Soldiers in Your Garrison at the same time tho of different Denominations have Occasioned Your Honours to be lead into a Mistake one of them Thomas Leech Senr is an elderly Man & a Common Soldier, is now living & has been many Years in Your Service at £13.13 - a year the other Thomas Leech junr who run away upon Captn Hunts was a Corpl of £17.4. p Ann but he is marked run in the Books 7 July & his pay amounts only to £13.16.3 & his Desertion was a great Surprize to every body & if Captn Hunt avers that he had a verbal leave either from the Governour or Council or a written Order from the Secretary either, for Leach to go on board or for himself to receive him he Affirms a great falsehood, Sutton Isaac had leave from the Governour & Council to go off with Captn Hunt & as usual had a written discharge or Certificate to this purpose from the Secretary who allways in these Cases first receive Orders from the Governour & this has occasioned Your Honours to think you had been imposed upon by false Musters tis very ungenerous in Captn Hunt to attempt to throw his own faults upon other people there is great reason to believe he was privey to Leechs Escape and tis more than probable that he himself first put him upon it We are much concerned Your Honours should be so much Displeased at the Arrack placed to Your Account last Year at 4/ Gallon Care was taken that there should be a Gain upon it Secured to Your Honours of 30 pr Cent & at that time there was a Whispering which was Cheifly the Occasion of Our buying of it that shortly Arrack would be very Scearse at Bengal & that Surmize has proved true for by a Letter from the president & Council at the Bay Dated 30 November last, which wee received by the Bedford on the 5th instant they tell us they were not able to procure us any Arrack neither have they sent us any or given Us hopes of any but Nevertheless as Your Honours | Two soldiers happened to serve in the Court's garrison at the same time under different denominations, which had led the Court into a mistake. One, Thomas Leech senior, was an elderly man and a common soldier, still living, who had served many years and drew a pension of £13 13s 0d a year. The other, Thomas Leech junior, had run away while serving under Captain Hunt's company at £17 4s 0d per annum, though the books marked him as run on the seventh of July with his pay amounting to only £13 16s 3d. The Council found his desertion a great surprise, and asked whether Captain Hunt could show that he had given the man either a verbal leave or a written order from the Governor or Council, or a written order from the secretary, either to go aboard or to receive him. Captain Hunt claimed a plain falsehood, that Isaac Sutton had leave from the Governor and Council to go off with him and, as usual, held a written discharge or certificate to that purpose from the secretary, who always received such orders first from the Governor in these cases. The Council held this had led the Court to believe it had been deceived by false musters, and judged it ungenerous of Captain Hunt to throw his own faults upon others, there being good reason to believe he had known of Leech's escape beforehand, and more than probable that he had himself first put the idea to him. 29: the Council was much concerned that the Court should be so displeased at the arrack charged to its account the previous year, when four shillings a gallon had been taken on the understanding that a gain of 50 per cent should accrue to the Court. At the same time there had been talk that arrack would shortly grow very scarce at Bengal, which had chiefly prompted the Council to buy it in, and that expectation had since proved true, for by a letter from the president and council at the bay dated 30 November last, received by the *Bedford* on the fifth instant, the Council was told they had been unable to procure any arrack themselves and had sent none, giving hope only of some in future Interpretations The confusion between the two soldiers named Thomas Leech, distinguished only as senior and junior with differing pay rates and service records, illustrates the practical difficulty of maintaining accurate muster rolls on a small garrison where duplicate names could obscure a genuine desertion within the paperwork, a vulnerability the Council here uses to defend itself against a charge of false musters brought by the Court. The dispute over responsibility for Leech's escape, in which the Council accused Captain Hunt of shifting blame onto others despite probably having encouraged the desertion himself, points to the recurring friction between the island's military officers and the civil Council over accountability for garrison discipline and the movement of soldiers off the island. | |
12 | Honours dislike all things of this kind You shall hear no more of them be the Necessity great or the pretence ever so plausable The Several Persons of whom Your Honours observe Mr Goodwin had Credit for £40.18 - for Store goods delivered, had the sums transferred actually due to them the other £22.2.3 was advanced to the Garrison in a hard time & has been all since cleared & has been Attended with no sort of loss or disadvantage to Your Honours & the difficulties of the times occasioned by the drowth of the Weather which has killed great Numbers of the Cattle, Swine, & all sorts of Poultry & Destroyed Plantations in terrible manner having Continued on to this moment, Some Releife of the like sort was given them again last Year, but as wee find Your Honours very much Dislike what has been done in this Case, wee faithfully promice that Nothing of this kind shall be any more practiced & most of the sums for which they had Credit the last Year have been already paid & all the money which has been Advanced in this manner will be entirely cleared September next & as wee have already Solomnly assured You nothing of this kind shall be ever done again for wee are Resolvd to Confirm to Your Orders & give Your Honours Satisfaction in every thing Wee have at last got rid of the Glassware except a small trifle reserved for Your Use, & even this wee will sell if wee can As soon as wee have finished the Examining & set the selling price upon the Cargo lately received wee will rumage the Stores & make an Outcry for ready money of all such goods as are already decayed or at a beginning to be so in order to avoid further Damage All Such Commanders as wee shall receive from the Honble Gentlemen of the Committee of Secresey shall be Duly complyed with | Given that the Court disliked practices of this kind, the Council promised to hear no more of them, whatever the necessity or however plausible the excuse. 30: of the persons for whom Mr Goodwin was noted as holding credit, £50 18s 0d had been transferred for store goods actually delivered and genuinely owed to them, while the remaining £922 2s 3d had been advanced to the garrison during a hard period and had since been fully cleared, with no loss or disadvantage to the Court. The hardship arose from a drought that had killed great numbers of cattle, swine and poultry and had ruined plantations severely, a distress that persisted to the present moment. Similar relief had been extended again the previous year, but finding the Court strongly disapproved of the practice, the Council gave its firm word that nothing of the kind would happen again. Most of the sums credited the year before had already been repaid, and every advance made in this manner would be entirely cleared by the following September, the Council having already given its solemn assurance that such measures would not recur, being resolved to follow the Court's orders and give full satisfaction in every respect 31: the glassware had at last been disposed of, save a small quantity reserved for the Court's own use, and even this would be sold if a buyer could be found 32: once the examination of the recently received cargo was complete and selling prices set, the stores would be searched through and an auction held for ready money on any goods already spoiled or beginning to spoil, so as to prevent further loss 33: every instruction received from the gentlemen of the Committee of Secrecy would be duly complied with | |
13 | Wee will acquaint Your Honours as Soon as Wee can which sort of the Canvas You have sent Us proves best for the Uses wee want them Wee have already Transmitted to Your Honr the Certificate in behalf of Mrs K relating to her Fathers Marriage & her own birth & Christening as wee found the same Registered of this place As soon as ever wee can get leisure, wee will Examine into the Pretentions of all People at this place Claiming any right to the Estate late of James Crawford & Transmit a State of the Case to John Brown Esqr Your Councel We have admitted Mr Clarke as Master Gunner as Your Honours have Directed but he having been much out of Order Since his Arrival he has not been yet able to act in his Business nor take an exact Account of Gunners stores which are upon this place, His Wife is come with him but not his Child & wee will Accommodate him in the manner Your Honours have Directed Wee are glad to hear he has been well recommended to Your Honours, to be sure wee shall give him all due Encouragement Wee acquainted Gunner French with what Your Honours have been pleased to determine about him The wench and Child herein mentioned have been restored to their Freedom according to Your Honours Directions Wee in obedience to Your Honours Commands will acquaint the French & the Commanders of all foreign Ships as soon as they arrive that they are not to permit any person on board their Ships to go up into the Island farther than the Village or Town in James Valley & with also the other Notices Your Honours have Ordered Us to give them, & least any of them should Attempt to Transgress these directions wee will appoint proper Guards & Centries during | 34: the Council would inform the Court as soon as possible which sort of the canvas sent out proved best suited to the uses intended for it 35: the certificate on behalf of Mrs K, relating to her father's marriage and her own birth and christening, had already been sent to the Court, the same having been found registered at this place 36: as soon as leisure allowed, the Council would examine the claims of all persons at this place asserting any right to the estate of the late James Crawford, and would send an account of the case to Mr John Brown, the Court's counsel Mr Clarke had been admitted as master gunner as the Court had directed, but since his arrival he had been much out of order and had not yet been able to take up his duties or produce an exact account of the gunner's stores kept at this place. His wife had come out with him, though not his child, and the Council would accommodate him in the manner the Court had directed. 38: the Council was glad to hear he came well recommended by the Court, and would be sure to give him every proper encouragement 39: Gunner French had been informed of the Court's decision concerning him 40: the woman and child mentioned here had been restored to their freedom according to the Court's directions 41: in obedience to the Court's commands, the Council would inform the French and the commanders of all foreign ships, as soon as they arrived, that they were not to permit any person aboard their ships to go further up the island than the village or town in James Valley, along with every other notice the Court had ordered given to them. Should any of them attempt to breach these directions, the Council would appoint proper guards and sentries during Interpretations The dispute over the estate of the late James Crawford, referred to the Court's own counsel John Brown for an opinion on the competing local claims, reflects the practical difficulty facing a small island court in adjudicating inheritance disputes without recourse to established English legal precedent, so contested estates were routinely kicked upstairs to London rather than settled locally. The restriction confining foreign crews to the village at James Valley, backed by guards and sentries against any breach, shows the Council treating visiting ships less as trading partners to be welcomed freely and more as a security risk to be contained, limiting contact between foreign sailors and the wider island to guard against smuggling, desertion or the spread of unwelcome intelligence about the fort's defences. | |
14 | The time of their Stay in the road & wee will also take care that the Inhabitants shall give Us due Assistance in the Execution of these Your Orders for Certainly too much care Cannot be taken to prevent them from Discovering the Strength or weakness of the Island Amongst Prices part french part Scotch part Irish was the Pimp that Enticed Wrangham's Slave to run away & the Captains pretence that he knew nothing of the matter is meer Cant, they Single out that fellow from all others upon Account of his Activity & knowledge of the Several parts of the Island where to land either by day or by Night, & the loss of him has been a great Misfortune to his Master he being at that time the only Fisherman in his family, & its a great Satisfaction to him & to every body else to hear that he is likely to be recoverd Mr Crispe pays his Duty to Your Honours in a private Letter relating to what You require of him in this Paragraph We have now replyed to the Several Paragraphs of your Letter & wee humbly hope in such manner as hath fully given Your Honours Satisfaction relating to the particular matters therein mentioned & now proceed to acquaint you with the present bad state of Your Island which wee hitherto designedly omitted to speak of whilst there were any Probable hopes to wish for a better but they are now in a manner over & our Misfortunes for want of Seasonable Weather have been much encreased upon us, Our Winter Rains quite failed, instead whereof wee had Constant gales of high Wind & when they sometimes abated for a short term the sun shone with such Excessive heat, that by these means the Pastures have been every where burnt up & became so con- that | the whole time of their stay in the road, and would take care that the inhabitants gave every proper assistance in carrying out these orders, since too much care could not be taken to prevent foreign crews from learning the strength or weakness of the island. 42: a man of mixed parentage, part French, part Scots and part Irish, had been the go-between who lured away Wrangham's slave, and the captain's plea that he knew nothing of the affair was merely a pretence. That fellow had been picked out from all the others precisely for his liveliness and his knowledge of the several parts of the island where a landing might be made by day or by night, so his loss had proved a great misfortune to his master, being at that time the only fisherman in his household, and it was a great relief both to him and to everyone else to hear he was likely to be recovered 43: Mr Crispe had discharged his duty to the Court in a private letter answering what the Court required of him in this paragraph 44: the Council had now answered the several paragraphs of the Court's letter, and humbly hoped it had done so in a way that gave the Court full satisfaction on the particular matters mentioned. It now proceeded to inform the Court of the island's present poor condition, which it had until now deliberately refrained from raising while any reasonable hope of improvement remained, though matters had since taken a turn for the worse. The island's misfortunes through want of favourable weather had grown much heavier. The winter rains had failed entirely, and in their place came steady gales of high wind, while the brief spells when the wind dropped brought sunshine of such excessive heat that the pastures everywhere were scorched, and grew so long that Interpretations The description of Wrangham's slave singled out as the household's only fisherman reveals the specialised value attached to particular slaves on the island, whose knowledge of the coastline and skill at a trade made their loss a serious practical blow rather than a merely nominal one, and explains why the Council treated the enticement away of one man as worth reporting at length to London. The Council's admission that it had knowingly withheld news of the island's distress while any hope of recovery persisted shows a calculated management of the flow of bad news to the Court, releasing an unfavourable report only once the situation had deteriorated past the point where silence could be maintained. | |
15 | That great Numbers of Cattle & all sorts of provision dyed espesially hoggs which is the Cheif food of the Inhabitants many more Suffred & dyed daily & since 4 head of Cattle mentioned in Our Consultation of the 2nd of August last wee have recd Accounts that 700 more have dyed in the like manner for want of food, & the Calamity is encreased upon Us Our Summer rains which were our only hopes have also in a great Measure again totally failed wee haveing only now & then lately had a few Showers but not any Sufficient to do Considerable Service & if the Drought Continues it will be so much worse with us than it was in the Severe time of Govr Bouchier because that came as it were at once & was only for one Year, but our present Distress has approached Us gradually every season for three Years past having been worse than the other & this by its Appearance hitherto is likely to be worst of any, many springs some of which were as big as a mans thigh & run plentifully in the time of Mr Boucher are now quite dry & even the main Water Course in Sandy bay Valley as well as the springs just Mentioned neither of which were ever known to fail within the Memory of man have be so totally dry & hardily yeild any water now which exceedingly adds to Our affliction & will be rather more terrible felt than the loss & Mortality among Our Cattle because for want of due Moisture to Nourish the Yams & keep the leaves from falling the Weild has had them quite bare & the Sun has burnt & spoiled them to so great a degree that whole Plantations which before were in a good & flourishing Condition & were actually fit for use, are now become so bad that the poorer people only eat them & they are forced to dress them, for want of other food this place not producing except in small parcells, any thing else that will Serve for Bread, & although wee Speak truely that by the Governours constant & extraordinary care (who has visited all parts that he himself might be able to Judge of the Misery | great numbers of cattle and all sorts of provisions died, especially hogs, which are the chief food of many of the inhabitants, suffering and dying daily. Since the fifty-four head of cattle noted in the consultation of the second of August last, the Council had received accounts that 200 more had died in the same manner for want of food, and the calamity had only grown worse. The summer rains, the Council's sole remaining hope, had also largely failed again, with only a few showers of late, none sufficient to do any considerable good. Should the drought continue it would prove far worse than in the severe time of Governor Bouchier, since that scarcity came all at once and lasted only a year, whereas the present distress had crept on gradually over three seasons, each worse than the last, and by its present look was likely to prove the most severe of all. Many springs, some once as large as a man's thigh and running freely in Mr Boucher's time, had now gone quite dry, and even the main water course in Sandy Bay Valley, along with the springs just described, none of which had ever been known to fail within living memory, had run so completely dry that they now yielded water only very sparingly. This shortage the Council felt sharply, and it would prove worse than the loss and death among the cattle, since for want of moisture to nourish the yams and keep the leaves from dropping, the wood had grown quite bare, while the sun had burned and spoiled the plants to such a degree that plantations formerly in good and flourishing condition, once truly fit for use, had now become so ruined that the poorer people ate them out and were reduced to dropping them altogether for want of any other food. This place, producing scarcely anything beyond a small quantity of parcels, offered little else fit for bread. The Council spoke truly when it recorded that the Governor, by his constant and extraordinary care, had visited every part of the island so that he might judge for himself of the misery. Interpretations The comparison of the present three-year drought with the sharper but briefer scarcity under Governor Bouchier reflects the Council's use of institutional memory, referencing conditions recorded in earlier administrations to convey to a distant Court the unprecedented severity of a slow-building crisis, since a single bad year could be weathered but a compounding one threatened the settlement's survival. The failure of springs described as never known to fail within living memory, including the main water course of Sandy Bay Valley, marks the exhaustion of a watered plantation the reference records as fenced and planted by Governor Byfield precisely because it was watered in every season, so its running dry signalled a drought exceeding any the island's agricultural planning had been designed to withstand. | |
16 | Misery with which people are at present obliged to Struggle, Your Plantations have escaped much better than most others, yet they too have in part Suffered by this General Calamity, but Nevertheless by the dilly continuance of his provident Managemt wee beleive they will be preservd in order as long as very bad & Unseasonable Weather will permit or can possibly be expected from him, Here wee humbly beg leave to Desire Your Honours will be pleasd allways to remember that in dry seasons the great wood is of no Service to You, but in Plentifull rains it is so fruitfull in Pasturage that this place alone will in such Years graze Your whole stock for many nay Sometimes for 8 Months together & so in proportion according to the seasons, which is a great & very singular Advantage, giving time to Your Plastures to recover & come to their full growth which are Situated in other parts of the Island & this once fortunately happens to be the Case for five Years running but lately wee have seen Nothing like it, & therefore all that could be done to preserve Your Cattle to divide them into small different parcells & feed them with leaves of trees & Grass Weeds & Plantane Tree out of Your Plantations & by these & such means as these many have been Saved which otherwise would have died by the latter Shiping wee shall again mention this Subject & will then Acquaint Your Honours how it shall have fared with Us the season through Captn Alexander died here on the 16th of July last leaving a will which the Governor thinks is full of faults & very irregularly made as upon search he observes most wills at this place are, & therefore to rectifie these matters for the future he on the 16 of Novr last appointd the Inhabitants to meet him at the Chappel in | The misery under which the people struggled had thus been laid before the Court. The Court's plantations had fared far better than most others, yet even they had suffered in part from this general calamity. Under the Governor's steady and careful management the Council believed they would be kept in good order for as long as such poor and unseasonable weather allowed, or as could reasonably be expected of him. The Council humbly begged the Court to bear always in mind that in dry seasons the Great Wood served no purpose, but in plentiful rains it grew so rich in pasturage that in such years the island alone could graze the whole of the Court's stock for many months, sometimes for eight together, varying with the seasons. This was a great and singular advantage, giving the pastures elsewhere on the island time to recover and reach their full growth. Such conditions had once fortunately held for five years running, but of late nothing of the kind had been seen. Everything possible had therefore been done to preserve the Court's cattle, dividing them into small separate parcels and feeding them on the leaves of trees, grass, weeds and plantain trees drawn from the Court's plantations. By these means many had been saved that would otherwise have died. The Council would return to this subject by the later shipping and would then report how it had fared as the season ran through. 45: Captain Alexander had died at the island on the sixteenth of July last, leaving a will the Governor considered full of faults and very irregularly drawn. On examining it, the Governor observed that most wills made at this place were of the same kind, and to remedy such defects in future he had, on the tenth of November last, appointed the inhabitants to meet him at the chapel Interpretations The account of the Great Wood's value in wet years, capable of grazing the entire stock for months while resting the island's other pastures, records a rotational grazing strategy central to the settlement's provisioning, and explains why the Council pressed so hard elsewhere in this correspondence for the wood's preservation against the felling and browsing that stripped it. The Governor's concern over defective wills, prompted by Captain Alexander's irregular testament and his observation that most wills made at the island shared the same faults, points to the absence of trained legal draftsmanship in the small community, a gap the Governor evidently sought to close by summoning the inhabitants collectively rather than leaving each testator to his own devices. | |
17 | in a body wherein a Speech he then made to them, he pointed out all the errors & Defects therein at the same time laying down such rules and Instructions for their future guide, in Cases of this nature as he hopes will Sufficiently enable them to avoid Mistakes when they shall hereafter go about to Settle their family Concerns Cheifly Insisting that Children ought not to be Disinherited of their Patrimony at the Instigation or Perswasions of their Mothers in Law nor at any time unless it be for Undutifull behaviour such as the law allows a Sufficient cause for disinherison in a Solemn manner, He has been little Misled since his death as to the Assistance he gave us in the latter part of his life, but Nevertheless to keep up the Number of Council & Continue business in its regular Channell wee have Presumed to Appoint Mr John Bazett 5th or youngest of Council for which place he is duly Qualified & in which wee doubt not he will Exert himself & be of service to Your Honours he is a very Sober man & has been upwards of 18 Years in Employment here, & is son of Mr Matt who also was long of Council & Continued so to the time of his death & wee humbly desire Your Honours will be pleased to Confirm & Establish him in the Station to which wee now humbly recommend him to Your Honours Mr Mills late Cheif mate of the George Also dyed here on the 11 of September last & what relates to him Your Honours will see in Our Consultation of the 27th of that Month, James Crawford likewise dyed here on the 28 of March last and Pretended to make a disposition of his Estate by will but it carried fraud & Injustice in the very face of it being cheifly made as wee apprehended with design to wrong & Injure his just & legal Creditors to favour the weak & ill grownded Claims of particular Persons who as wee imagine have no Right to any part | The Governor met the inhabitants in a body and, in a speech he then made, pointed out to them all the errors and defects in such matters, at the same time laying down rules and instructions for their future guidance in cases of this kind, which he hoped would sufficiently equip them to avoid mistakes when they came to settle their family concerns. He insisted chiefly that children ought not to be cut out of their inheritance through the prompting or persuasion of mothers-in-law, nor at any time unless for undutiful conduct such as the law allowed as sufficient cause for disinheritance, and then only in a solemn and proper manner. The Governor had been little missed since Captain Alexander's death, so far as the help he had given the Council in the latter part of his life was concerned. To keep the Council up to its full number and continue business in its regular course, the Council had ventured to appoint Mr John Bazett as its youngest member, a place for which he was properly qualified and in which the Council had no doubt he would exert himself and prove of service to the Court. He was a very sober man who had spent upwards of eighteen years in employment at the island, and was the son of Mr Matthew Bazett, who had also long sat on the Council and continued there until his death. The Council humbly asked the Court to confirm and establish him in the position to which it now recommended him. 46: Mr Mills, late chief mate of the *George*, had also died at the island on the eleventh of September last, and what concerned him would appear in the Council's consultation of the twenty-seventh of that month. James Crawford had likewise died here on the second of March last, and had attempted to dispose of his estate by will, but the instrument carried fraud and injustice on its very face, being drawn chiefly, as the Council apprehended, with the aim of wronging his rightful and lawful creditors so as to favour the weak and ill-founded claims of particular persons who, the Council imagined, had no right to any part Interpretations The Governor's ruling that children should not be disinherited at the prompting of a mother-in-law, save for undutiful conduct the law recognised, addressed a specific pattern of local abuse in which stepmothers or wives allegedly steered family property away from a first family's children, and shows the Governor using a public assembly to lay down a rule of testamentary conduct in the absence of any settled probate authority on the island. The appointment of John Bazett to the Council, justified by his long service and his descent from a former councillor, illustrates the hereditary character of office-holding in the small settlement, where a limited pool of qualified and trusted men led naturally to sons following fathers into the governing body. | |
18 | Part of it, wee rejected the said will & Refused to admit the same to be proved, but have transmitted a Copy thereof & of his Inventory which Your Honours will see in Our Consultation of the 18 of October last The Bedford Captain Wells arrived here on the 3rd instant but brought its news which has given Us so much concern that wee very unwillingly mention it although wee have at last had the Comfort to hear that the particular loss of Your Honours has been Unconsiderable, to what it was first reported to be, On the 8th of September last such a storm happened at Bengale that Seven of Your Ships were in danger of Perishing, the Newcastle, Decker & Devonshire are quite lost, the Hallifax & Tyell are so much Damaged that they cant come home till next Year, the Pelham & Grafton were both Missing & one of them put to Sea, the conjecture is that one of them is lost, but Nevertheless wee hope both are Safe, the Princess Louisa was a ground but got off with little or no Damage, & the Duke of Dorsett had the good luck to ride out, & these give us Speedily expected, The Supply the Bedford brought Your Honours will see in Our Consultation of the 8 of this Month On the 9th a french Ship called Le Maurepas Monsr Delasuaroc Jaser Commander of 700 french tons arrived here from Podichery & wee having Examined her pass or Commission permitted her to Water & Refresh, & yesterday Evening she sailed for France The white wine has turned out very ill wee not having received half the Quantity Your Honours sent Us the bottles being either burst or flown occasioned by the Badness of the Liquor they contained the particulars are as follows Vizt Sherry | The Council rejected part of the will and refused to admit it to probate, but transmitted a copy of it along with an inventory of the estate, both of which the Court would find in the consultation of the eighteenth of October last. 47: the *Bedford* under Captain Wells had arrived on the fifth instant, bringing news that gave the Council much concern, which it mentioned very unwillingly, though it took comfort at last in hearing that the Court's particular loss had proved slight against what was first reported. On the eighth of September last so severe a storm had struck at Bengal that seven of the Court's ships stood in danger of being lost. The *Newcastle*, the *Decker* and the *Devonshire* were entirely lost. The *Halifax* and the *Lyell* had been so badly damaged that they could not come home until the following year. The *Pelham* and the *Grafton* were both missing, one of them having put to sea, and though the guess was that one had been lost, the Council nonetheless hoped both were safe. The *Princess Louisa* had run aground but got off with little or no damage, and the *Duke of Dorset* had the good fortune to ride out the storm. The Council expected these five shortly. The supply the *Bedford* had brought would appear in the consultation of the eighth of this month On the ninth a French ship called Le Maurepas, of 700 French tons and commanded by Monsieur Delassuare Jasier, had arrived from Pondicherry. Having examined her pass and commission, the Council allowed her to water and refresh, and she sailed for France on the evening of the previous day. 48: the white wine had turned out very poor, the Council having received less than half the quantity the Court sent, the bottles being either burst or leaked through the badness of the liquor they held. The particulars were as follows Interpretations The detailed account of the Bengal storm and its toll on the Court's homeward fleet, distinguishing ships entirely lost from those merely damaged or delayed, reflects St Helena's function as a clearing house for shipping intelligence, where news carried by one arriving vessel was relayed onward to London ahead of the surviving ships themselves. The Council's careful examination of the French ship's pass and commission before granting water and refreshment shows the working distinction, drawn throughout this correspondence, between foreign vessels of established companies to be assisted under proper documentation and unlicensed traders to be turned away, a caution sharpened by the era's recurring tension with France. | |
19 | Sherry 3 Chests & 1 half Chest Vizt In Chest No 5 wee found 3 doz full bottles 3 doz 3 pts of Bottles 4 doz 6 Empty Bottles 13 doz 4 In Chest No 6 3 doz full Bottles 1 doz 10 pts of bottles 6 doz Empty bottles 13 doz 9 In Chest No 7 3 doz full bottles 4 doz 2 pts of Bottles 6 doz Empty bottles 13 doz 2 In half Chest No 8 3 doz full bottles 1 doz 3 pts of bottles 2 doz 9 Empty bottles 6 doz 9 So that instead of 46 dozen & Upwards the Quantity wee ought to have received wee have only got 14 dozen & 7 bottles for the peices of Bottles wee have found upon Task are Already perfect Vinegar, & fit for no other Use, The red Wine is come out very well not a Single bottle in the whole parcell, viz a Whole Chests & one half Chest being either broke or flown A man Named Wm Preston who as wee hear was sent home from bombay by Governour Horne on board the Montague for Misdemeanours, having Run from the said Ship wee could not think it Proper by any means to Suffer him to stay here & have therefore ordered him on board Captain Wells, Wee are St Helena 12 March 1757 Hond Sirs Your most faith full & most Obedient Servts Isa Pyke Jno Goodwin Duke Crispe John Bazett Margin Notes: The reason why no more Papers come by this Ship is because the Governour is lame in his right hand with the Gout & cant sign his name to more than he has done | The white wine sent out was sherry, in three chests and one half-chest, made up as follows. Chest No 5: 5 dozen and 4 bottles full; 3 dozen and 2 parts of bottles; 4 dozen and 6 empty bottles; 13 dozen and 4 in all Chest No 6: 5 dozen full bottles; 1 dozen and 2 parts of bottles; 6 dozen and 2 empty bottles; 13 dozen in all Chest No 7: 5 dozen full bottles; 4 dozen and 2 parts of bottles; 6 dozen and 2 empty bottles; 13 dozen and 2 in all Half-chest No 8: 3 dozen full bottles; 1 dozen and 3 parts of bottles; 2 dozen and 6 empty bottles; 7 dozen in all Instead of the 46 dozen and upwards the Council should have received, it had got only 14 dozen and 6 bottles, since the broken bottles had run out on tasting and proved already perfect vinegar, fit for no other use. The red wine had come out very well, not a single bottle in the whole lost, whereas the sherry, made up of three whole chests and one half-chest, arrived either broken or leaked. 49: a man named William Preston, who the Council understood had been sent home from Bombay by Governor Horne aboard the *Montague* for misdemeanours, had run from that ship. Judging it improper to let him remain at the island by any means, the Council had ordered him aboard Captain Wells's ship The letter closed at St Helena on 12 March 1737, signed by Isaac Pyke, John Goodwin, Duke Crispe and John Bazett. 1: the reason no more papers came by this ship was that the Governor was lame in his right hand from the gout and could not sign his name to more than he had done Interpretations The tally of the sherry consignment, separating full bottles from part-full and empty ones across each chest, records the standard method of accounting for breakage and leakage in wine shipped over long distances, the loss here so severe that barely a third of the expected quantity survived and the remainder had spoiled to vinegar. The forced removal of William Preston, a man expelled from Bombay for misconduct who had deserted his transport ship, illustrates the island's role as an unwilling waypoint in the Company's system of shifting troublesome men between settlements, the Council refusing to let such a person settle and promptly putting him aboard the next available vessel. | |
20 | Honoured Sirs On the 12th instant the Queen Caroline Sailed for Bencoolen & the Next day the Bedford left Us in her way to England, On the 14 the Harrison Arrived here from Canton (not being at all at Lympo which She left on the 1st of Decr) & reports that the other ships would be ready to come away about the 10 of January, upon which day they spoke with the George in the streights of Sunda bound for Batavia & wee shall be heartily glad to see her here & till that happens which probably will be in about three weeks wee forbear to say any thing more of her because there are various & very uncertain Reports about her, Captain Martin parted with five Sail of Dutch Ships homeward bound whom he met at Sea a few days, before he came in & wee Suppose they past Us in the Night, Mr Elwick dyed at Canton on the 13 November last & Captain Sheppard of the Winchester is likewise dead Enclosed wee send Your Honours a Copy of Our last General Letter & a Copy of the Cash Accounts in its Several Speices from Sepr to the last of February which is entered in Our Consultations & Shall so be continued Monthly but at present wee do not send Your Honours any other Papers because the Governour has been so severely treated by a fitt of the Gout which lately Seized him in his right hand that he is not yet able to write his name with tollerable ease, tho he is otherwise very well, & this is the sole reason why he has not yet paid his respects to many Gentlemen his friends in England from whom he had the Pleasure to hear by the last Store Ship, Wee are St Helena 24 March 1757 Hond Sirs Your most Obedient & most humble Servants | The Council at St Helena addressed the Court of Directors, reporting that on the twelfth instant the Queen Caroline had sailed for Bencoolen, and the next day the Bedford had left the island on her way to England. On the fourteenth the Harrison had arrived from Canton, not having called at the Cape, which she left on the fifteenth of December, and reported that the other ships would be ready to sail about the eighth of January. On that day they had spoken with the George in the Straits of Sunda, bound for Batavia, and the Council would be very glad to see her at the island. Until that happened, probably in about three weeks, the Council would say no more of her, since the reports about her were various and very uncertain. Captain Martin had parted from five sail of Dutch ships homeward bound, which he met at sea a few days before he came in, and the Council supposed they had passed the island during the night. Mr Elwick had died at Canton on the fourteenth of November last, and Captain Sheppard of the Winchester was likewise dead. 2: the Council enclosed a copy of its last general letter and a copy of the cash accounts in their several branches from the tenth of September last to the end of February, entered in its consultations and to be continued monthly. At present it sent the Court no other papers, since the Governor had been so severely afflicted by a fit of the gout that lately seized his right hand that he was not yet able to write his name with tolerable ease, though he was otherwise very well. This was the sole reason he had not yet paid his respects to the many gentlemen, his friends in England, from whom he had the pleasure of hearing by the last store ship The letter closed at St Helena on 24 March 1737, signed by the Governor and Council. Interpretations The report of the George spoken with in the Straits of Sunda, together with the uncertain accounts of her movements, reflects the island's dependence on fragmentary shipping intelligence relayed by passing vessels, where a ship's position and safety could only be pieced together from scattered sightings until she actually appeared in the road. The Governor's inability to sign the usual correspondence on account of gout in his writing hand, offered as the reason so few papers accompanied the letter, shows how heavily the settlement's official business rested on a single individual's physical capacity, the routine flow of despatches to London disrupted by one man's illness. | |
21 | Isa Pyke John Goodwin Duke Crispe John Bazett Honoured Sirs The Harrison Sailed from hence for England on the 24 of March last & on the 2nd Instant the Duke of Dorset arrived from Bengall with a Supply for this place which Your Honours will see in Our Consultation of the 4th of this Month, but in this Cargo they have not sent Us a Drop of Arrack so that Our stores of this sort are likely to be short, On the 7th Instant the Danish China Ship called the Sleswig of near 900 English Tons arrived here & having taken in some Water & furnished themselves with a few other Refreshments sailed for Denmark on the 7 & its Reported that they have 7000 Pecul of Tea on board besides other Goods Captn Gilbert tells us that Captn Pinnell may be Shortly expected & the Danish Gentlemen told Us that Captain Gostlin was in such forwardness when he came from China, that he Expected to have seen him here before he left the Island Within these three weeks past wee have had frequent Showers of Rain which has produced a little Young Grass for the Cattle but it Scowers them so much that many of them dye Daily but however as the Grass gathers Substance, the Cattle will recover their flesh & their Strength & wee hope wee shall be able to save the far greater Number of those which are left, but as wee purpose to give to Your Honr | The letter closed with the signatures of Isaac Pyke, John Goodwin, Duke Crispe and John Bazett. The Council at St Helena addressed the Court of Directors, reporting that the Harrison had sailed for England on the twenty-fourth of March last, and on the fourth instant the Duke of Dorset had arrived from Bengal with a supply for the island, which would appear in the consultation of the sixth of this month. Her cargo included not a single drop of arrack, so the island's stores of that kind were likely to fall short. On the fifth instant a Danish East India ship called the Sleswick, of near 900 English tons, had arrived, and having taken in some water and furnished herself with a few other refreshments, sailed for Denmark on the seventh. She was reported to carry 7,000 picul of tea aboard, besides other goods. 2: Captain Gilbert reported that Captain Pinnell might be expected shortly, and the Danish gentlemen said Captain Gosslin was in such a state when he left China that he had expected to see him at the island before he himself left it 3: within the past three weeks the island had had frequent showers of rain, which had brought on a little young grass for the cattle, but it scoured them so severely that many died daily. As the grass gathered substance the cattle would recover their flesh and strength, and the Council hoped to save the far greater number of those that remained, though it intended to give the Court Interpretations The Danish ship Sleswick reported to carry 7,000 picul of tea points to the scale of the northern European East India companies' China trade, the picul being a Chinese unit of about 133 pounds, so this single cargo amounted to a very large quantity of tea bound for a market the English Company regarded as feeding the contraband traffic into Britain and Ireland, a concern recorded elsewhere in this correspondence. The observation that fresh young grass scoured the cattle and killed many daily, even as the drought eased, reflects a well-understood hazard of returning livestock to rich new pasture after prolonged starvation, the sudden change of diet proving fatal before the animals could adjust, so recovery from the drought brought its own further losses. | |
22 | A full state of the Condition your Island shall be in at the Close of the Shiping wee forbear at present to say any thing more about it, Wee are Hond Sirs Your most faith full & most obedient Servants Isa Pyke Jno Goodwin D Crispe John Bazett PS 14th April 1758 We are extreamly troubled & Concerned to acquaint Your Honours that the Sussex was lost at sea on the 9 or 10 of last Month in 28 Degrees off the Island of Madagascar tho the Cap & Supracargo & most of the men are Saved & are Passengers upon the Winchester who is just this moment Arrived | The Council would say no more at present of the condition the island would be in at the close of the shipping, reserving a full account for later. The letter closed at St Helena on 14 April 1738, signed by Isaac Pyke, John Goodwin, Duke Crispe and John Bazett. 1: the Council was extremely troubled to inform the Court that the *Sussex* had been lost at sea on the fourth or fifth of the previous month, in 28 degrees, off the island of Madagascar. The captain, the supercargoes and most of the men had been saved and were now passengers aboard the *Winchester*, which had arrived that very moment Interpretations The report of the Sussex lost off Madagascar at 28 degrees, with her captain, supercargoes and crew rescued and carried on by the Winchester, again shows St Helena serving as the point where news of a distant wreck reached the Court, the survivors themselves becoming the means by which their loss was reported onward to London. The precise location given, latitude and proximity to Madagascar, reflects the navigational reckoning by which such losses were recorded, fixing the position for the Court's own account of its shipping and any subsequent inquiry into the disaster. | |
23 | Honoured Sirs St Helena 8th May 1758 On the 14 of the last Month the Duke of Dorset Sailed from hence for England & on the same day the Winchester arrived from China but brought Us the fatal News of the loss of the Sussex in a violent Storm which happened on the 9 or 10 of March last off the head of St Lawrence in the Latitude of 28 of the Winchester had not been in company & been mercifully saved, the Officers & all the Crew had Infalibly Perished but Captn Dove with great humanity exerted himself & preserved the Captn & Supracargoes & brought them here & was very kind to them in their Passage & they all acknowledge it but having such a Number of People on board more than his Complement for 6 weeks together, they consumd great part of his Provisions & he is not able to bring them all home, for which reason 48 of them Stay here till wee can get them a Passage, but each man was Desirous to be one of the Number of those who return upon the Winchester, it has Occasioned some Disturbance among them, raised & fomented by one Miller & two or three more & as these Disorders were likely to fall very heavey upon the Governour & Occasion him much trouble it was thought reasonable that an Officer should stay to keep them quiet & Captn Gostlin the better to Satisfie them offered to Stay himself but his own Losses have been so great & Severe & his presence in England become so immediately Necessary that the Governour thought it was byno means proper to accept of his Generous proposal & indeed he has in all cases since the Unfortunate loss of his Ship behaved himself towards his people with the kindness of a Parent | The Council at St Helena addressed the Court of Directors on 1 May 1738, reporting that on the fourth of the previous month the Duke of Dorset had sailed for England, and on the same day the Winchester had arrived from China. She brought the grievous news of the loss of the Sussex in a violent storm on the fourth or fifth of March last, off the head of St Lawrence, in latitude 28 degrees. Had the Winchester not been in company the whole crew would certainly have died, but the officers and every man aboard had been saved. Captain Dove had exerted himself with great humanity, rescuing the captain and all the others, and treated them very kindly during the passage, which they all acknowledged. Yet with so many extra people aboard, more than his own full complement, for six weeks together, they consumed a great part of his provisions, so that he could not carry them all home. For this reason forty-eight of them would remain at the island until the Council could find them passage. Every man was eager to be among those returning on the Winchester, which had stirred up some disturbance, raised and fomented by one Hiller and two or three others. As these disorders threatened to bear heavily upon the Governor and cause him much trouble, the Council thought it reasonable that an officer should stay behind to keep them quiet. To satisfy them the better, Captain Gaston offered to remain himself, but his own losses had been so great and severe, and his presence in England had become so immediately necessary, that the Governor judged it by no means proper to accept so generous a proposal. Indeed, in every respect since the unfortunate loss of his ship he had conducted himself towards his people with the kindness of a parent. Interpretations The account of forty-eight survivors of the Sussex left stranded at St Helena because the rescuing ship's provisions could not stretch to carry them all home reveals the practical limits of maritime rescue in the period, where a vessel taking on an entire second crew for six weeks exhausted its victuals and could deliver only a portion of those saved, leaving the island to absorb and re-provision the remainder. The disturbance raised among the survivors over which of them would sail home, and the Council's decision that a naval officer must stay to keep order, shows the difficulty of managing a body of idle, anxious shipwrecked men on a small settlement already strained by drought, discipline threatening to break down without a figure of authority to contain it. | |
24 | Parent to his Children having Striped himself in a manner Naked to Cloth many of those who were most distressed for want of such Necessaries & in many other instances has been exceedingly kind & tender to them nor has it appeared to Us that his Conduct has been blamable in any one Instance, whatsoever as to Hilliers Paper entered in Consultation of the 2 Instant theres not a word of truth in it & the same fellow when Solemnly Examined declared upon oath that he had been Guilty of forgery & that Captn Gostlin had allways used him well & this fellow Saillors very well & for these Considerations others were ask'd Robert Booth who is a Sober man & bears a good Character & was boatswain of the lost Ship, has been prevailed upon to Stay & take these men under his Charge & keep good Order & Decorum among them which he Consented to upon Condition that if it appeared that he had Discharged his Duty carefully and Diligently in this particular, Your Honours Would be pleased to Consider his Misfortunes & make Provision for him in Your Service that his Continuance here & absence from his family should be no farther loss or Detriment to him, the other Person is one of the Mates Your Honours no doubt expected to have had the most Speedy Account of the Particulars of these Misfortunes that could Possibly have been Conveyed to you, & as much care was taken by Captn Gostlin to this purpose as could be, but Captn Gilbert Would make no sort of Stay no not for an hour nor could any Perswasions induce him to carry home Mr Williams the Cheif Mate who was Designed to be Sent as Express to you, to give your Honours the most perfect & most early Intelligence of this disaster On the 16 & 18 of last Month wee had double Allarms for 2 Sail of Ships who happened to be Seperated, & which wee Imagine to be Dutch, & on the 27 a large french Ship Called the Jupiter of 700 tons | Captain Gaston had stripped himself almost bare to clothe many of those in greatest want of such necessaries, and in many other instances had shown them exceeding kindness and tenderness, so that his conduct appeared blameless in every particular. As to Hiller's paper, entered in the consultation of the twenty-fourth instant, there was not a word of truth in it. That same fellow, when solemnly examined, declared upon oath that he had been guilty of forgery, and that Captain Gaston had always treated him and his fellow sailors very well. For these reasons and others, Robert Booth, a sober man of good character who had been boatswain of the lost ship, was asked and prevailed upon to stay and take charge of these men, keeping good order and decorum among them, which he agreed to do. The Council asked that, if Booth appeared to have discharged this duty carefully and diligently, the Court would consider his misfortunes and make provision for him in its service, so that his stay at the island and separation from his family should be no further loss or hardship to him. The other person left behind was one of the mates. 2: the Court would no doubt have expected the speediest possible account of the particulars of these misfortunes. Every care had been taken by Captain Gaston to convey it, but Captain Gilbert would make no stay, not for an hour, nor could any persuasion induce him to carry home Mr Williams, the chief mate, who had been intended to be sent to give the Court the fullest and earliest intelligence of the disaster 3: on the seventeenth and eighteenth of the previous month the island had had a double alarm for eight sail of ships that happened to be scattered, which the Council supposed to be Dutch. On the twenty-seventh a large French ship called the *Jupiter*, of 700 Interpretations The provision the Council sought for Robert Booth, conditional on his keeping order among the stranded survivors, illustrates how the settlement improvised a chain of command over shipwrecked men by co-opting one of their own, a trusted petty officer, and rewarding him through the Company's service rather than by immediate payment the cashless island could not make. Captain Gilbert's refusal to delay even an hour or to carry home the chief mate as the Court's designated informant shows the divergence of interest between a commander pressing on with his own voyage and the Council's need to relay a full account of the loss, the intelligence delayed because no master would sacrifice time or space to convey it. | |
25 | Tons, & 160 Men loaded with Coffe Commanded by Monsr Fueller, arrived here on a very Sickly Condition from Don Mascarine, desiring Water & Refreshments it having appeard to Us that they are abroad upon a fair Acct they had the Civilities of the place Allowed them as usual but effectual care is taken to prevent any of them from going into the Country with which they seem not well pleased Wee are St Helena 8th May 1758 Hond Sirs Your most faith full & most Obedient Servants Isa Pyke Jno Goodwin D Crispe John Bazett PS The Princess Louisa is just this moment Arrived from Bengall & by her wee learn That the Lyell was so forward in her Repairs that she was to Sail for Bombay upon your Honours Account in about Six weeks after Captn Pinnill left Bengall, the Hallifax was to be Dispatched for Europe on the 5 of February last but of the Pelham and Grafton wee can hear no other News than what has been already Communicated to You, on the 12th of last month Captn Pinnell see a Ship Homeward bound off the Cape which he thinks was one of Your own & if so wee imagine it was the George, tho possibly it may be the french Ship which sailed with him from the bay | tons and 160 men, loaded with coffee and commanded by Monsieur Fueller, had arrived from Don Mascarine in a very sickly condition, asking water and refreshment. Since it appeared they were abroad on a fair account, the Council allowed them the usual civilities of the place, but took effective care to prevent any of them from going up into the country, with which they seemed not well pleased. The letter closed at St Helena on 1 May 1738, signed by Isaac Pyke, John Goodwin, Duke Crispe and John Bazett. 1: the *Princess Louisa* had arrived that very moment from Bengal, and by her the Council learned that the *Lyell* was so far advanced in her repairs that she was to sail for Bombay on the Court's account in about six weeks. Captain Pinnell had left Bengal. The *Halifax* was to be despatched for Europe on the twenty-third of February last, but of the *Pelham* and the *Grafton* the Council could hear no further news than what it had already reported on the fourteenth of the previous month. Captain Pinnell had seen a homeward-bound ship off the Cape, which he thought was one of the Court's, and the Council imagined it to be the *George*, though possibly it was the French ship that had sailed with him from the bay Interpretations The French ship from Don Mascarine, arriving sickly and laden with coffee yet permitted only the usual refreshment while her crew was barred from the interior, again shows the Council's settled distinction between granting humane relief to a foreign vessel on a legitimate voyage and guarding the island against any wider contact, the confinement to the landing area serving to protect both the fort's security and the settlement from imported disease. The uncertainty over whether the ship sighted off the Cape was the Court's own George or the French vessel that had accompanied Captain Pinnell reflects the persistent difficulty of identifying distant shipping from a single reported sighting, the Council able only to weigh probabilities until a vessel actually reached the road. | |
26 | Honoured Sirs The Winchester sailed from hence on the 6 Instant & enclosed wee send You a Copy of the Letter wee then wrote to Your Honours, on the 9 a Single ship past by us & on the 11 the George arrived in good Condition & free from all those disturbances & Disorders which were said to have been Committed on board, On the 18 the Heathcote arrived from Bombay, & a Large french Ship called the Le Sys of about 900 Tons Monsr Delisle Le Fer Commander also arrived here in a Sickly Condition from Bengall, & on the 19 a Dutch Ship from Batavia Called the Duyf the Heer Van de Jonge, being Comdr who reports that two more may be Speedily Expected from the same place they having Sailed in Company on the other side of the Cape, & on the 20 of this Month the other french Ship called the Jupiter Sailed for France Wee herewith transmit to Your Honours a Duplicate of Our Indent in the framing of which wee have been Particularly Carefull not to desire any thing of any sort but what is Absolutely Necessary & were equally cautious to keep within very narrow bounds with regard to the Value of the Cargo which wee beleive will hardly exceed Seven or eight Hundred Pounds for the Misfortunes which have lately happend at Bengall & elsewhere then were & still are fresh in our Memory Captain Cape tells us that the Wilmington comes home this Season, & wee are in daily hopes of the Arrival of the Hallifax & Royal Guardian & by one of these, wee as usual at the end of the Season will lay before Your Honours an Abstract or Recapitulation of Such Affairs and Transactions as have already happend & are most proper for Your Notice & Observation & therefore at present wee do not trouble you with any thing farther we | The Council at St Helena addressed the Court of Directors, reporting that the Winchester had sailed on the sixth instant, and enclosing a copy of the letter then written to the Court. On the fourteenth the George had arrived in good condition, free from all the disturbances and disorders said to have been committed aboard her. On the twentieth the Heathcote had arrived from Bombay, and a large French ship called Le Lys, of about 900 tons and commanded by Monsieur De Que Lefer, had also arrived in a sickly condition from Bengal. On the twenty-first a Dutch ship from Batavia, called the Duijf de Heer van de Fenge, had come in, whose commander reported that two more might be expected shortly from the same place, having parted company on the far side of the Cape. On the twenty-third of this month the other French ship, called the Jupiter, had sailed for France. 2: the Council transmitted a duplicate of its indent, in framing which it had been particularly careful to request nothing beyond what was absolutely necessary, being equally cautious to keep within narrow bounds as to the value of the cargo, which the Council believed would hardly exceed £700 or £800, in view of the misfortunes lately suffered at Bengal and elsewhere, still fresh in memory 3: Captain Cape reported that the *Wilmington* would come home this season, and the Council lived in daily hope of the arrival of the *Halifax* and the *Royal Guardian*. As usual, by one of these ships the Council would lay before the Court an abstract or recapitulation of such affairs and transactions as had already occurred and were most proper for the Court's notice, and so at present would not trouble the Court with anything further Interpretations The Council's deliberate restraint in framing its indent, holding the requested cargo to £700 or £800 in acknowledgement of the Court's recent shipping losses at Bengal, illustrates the settlement's sensitivity to the Company's wider financial position, moderating its own demands in a bad year rather than pressing its full requirements. The promise to send a recapitulation of the season's affairs by one of the expected homeward ships reflects the standard practice of consolidating the year's business into a single summary despatch, ensuring the Court received a coherent overview even where individual reports had gone home piecemeal by earlier vessels. | |
27 | Wee are St Helena 25 May 1758 Hon Sirs Your most faith full & most Obedient Servants Isa Pyke John Goodwin Duke Crispe John Bazett PS Your Honours will be pleased to observe that the Acco of the Ship Princess Louisa is left open, to the end Your Honours may Settle it with the owners as you think proper, part of the Provisions he hath received being for the use of the Shipwrecked men that belonging to the Sussex | The letter closed at St Helena on 25 May 1738, signed by Isaac Pyke, John Goodwin, Duke Crispe and John Bazett. 1: the Court would note that the account of the ship *Princess Louisa* had been left open, so that the Court might settle it with the owners as it thought proper, part of the provisions she had received being for the use of the shipwrecked men from the *Sussex* Interpretations The decision to leave the Princess Louisa's account open for the Court to settle directly with the owners, rather than closing it at the island, reflects the accounting difficulty created by the Sussex survivors, whose upkeep drew on another ship's provisions and blurred the line between an ordinary victualling charge and an extraordinary cost arising from the wreck, a matter the Council preferred to leave to London rather than resolve on its own authority. | |
28 | Honoured Sirs The Princess Louisa Sailed from hence on the 21 of last Month, & the 3d the George & Heathcote likewise left Us in their way to England where wee hope they are Safely Arrived & on the Next day the Dutch Ship also Sailed for Holland, On the 8 Instant a french Ship Called the Triton Commanded by Monsr St George arrived here from Bengall but in her Passage touched at the Island Mauritius & from thence brings us a Strange peice of News, the Captain told Us that about the Middle of March last Our or old stile a Ship with English Colours was seen there Standing off & on for a whole day making Signals of Distress by firing of Guns but the Governour happening to be in the Country no boat or Pilate was timely sent off to them & at last they bore away, if there is no mistake made, as to point of time it cannot possibly be the Sussex, perhaps it may be the Revolution but this dont seem very probable & yet if it was Neither of these two it will be difficult to gess what Ship it was The Captain also acquainted us that he was in Company with a Ship which shewed English Colours for about three weeks but the Weather was all the time so bad that they Could not speak with one another, & after they had both Doubled the Cape & got safe round together they met with so furious a Storm that they were parted & drove out of their Knowledge, the Triton being forced so near the African Coast that they observed the Water to be Discoloured but the other Ship is not yet arrived tho the Triton was five and twenty | The Council at St Helena addressed the Court of Directors, reporting that the Princess Louisa had sailed on the twenty-first of the previous month, and on the twenty-third the George and the Heathcote had likewise left the island on their way to England, where the Council hoped they had arrived safely. The next day the Dutch ship had sailed for Holland. On the third instant a French ship called the Triton, commanded by Monsieur St George, had arrived from Bengal, but on her passage had touched at the island of Mauritius, and from there brought a strange piece of news. The captain reported that about the middle of March last, old style, a ship flying English colours had been seen there standing off and on for a whole day, making signals of distress by firing guns. As the Governor happened to be up the country at the time, no boat or pilot was sent off to her before she at last bore away. If there was no mistake as to the point of time, she could not possibly have been the Sussex, and perhaps was the Resolution, though this did not seem very probable. If she was neither of these two, it would be difficult to guess what ship she was. The captain also reported that he had been in company with a ship flying English colours for about three weeks, but the weather was so bad throughout that they could never speak with one another. After both had doubled the Cape and got safely round together, they met with so furious a storm that they were parted and driven out of each other's reach. The Triton, being forced so near the African coast that the crew observed the water to be discoloured, had come through, but the other ship had not yet arrived, though the Triton was five and twenty Interpretations The unexplained ship sighted off Mauritius flying English colours and firing distress signals, which the Council could not match to any known vessel, illustrates the fragmentary and ambiguous nature of maritime intelligence in the period, where a single second-hand report of an unidentified ship prompted careful weighing of which lost or overdue vessel it might have been, without any means of confirmation. The observation of discoloured water as a warning that the Triton had run dangerously close to the African coast reflects the practical seamanship of the age, where a change in the sea's appearance served as a navigational sign of shoaling water and proximity to land in the absence of accurate charts. | |
29 | twenty days in her run from the Cape hither & this has occasioned Us much trouble & Concern, the time of this Ships getting about agrees well with the Acct Captn Pinnill gave Us of the Hallifax, On the 11 Captn Hoadley to Our great Satisfaction arrived from Madrass but upon enquiery wee find that the Guardian was not the Ship in Company with the Triton Captn Hoadly only having seen one Ship at a great distance for a Short time as he was passing the Cape, & that he thinks was a Ship outward bound, On the 12 five Dutch Ships past by Us The two french Ships the Triton & Lilly the former of which sailed on the 9 & the other on the 10th instant have been well Refreshed & both left Us well pleased & Contented & the sick Men of the Latter have been recovered in so wonderfull a manner that of the great Number they had Dangerously ill they have only buried three Men Wee have taken every opportunity that has offered to procure a passage for the Shipwrecked Men & Captn Pinnell being the first who arrived after the Winchester wee acquainted him with the Numbers left upon us & the difficulties wee were under to make Provision for them & proposed that he should Carry some of them, but he refused Saying he had his full Complement & would take no more & upon this refusal no more fresh Provisions were Suffered to go on board him & he was at the same time told that if wee must keep all the Men wee would keep all the Provisions too & he having many sick men on board & wanting fresh meat for them he said if wee would furnish him with Provisions for the Voyage he would Carry them all, to this answer it was replyed that he himself might lay in what Stock of Provisions he should think necessary & Your Honours would Satisfie & Reemburse his Owners for the Number | twenty days out on her run from the Cape, which had caused the Council much trouble and concern over when she might arrive. The timing agreed well with the arrival of the Halifax under Captain Pennell. On the fourth Captain Hoadley had arrived from Madras, to the Council's great satisfaction, but on inquiry it appeared the Guardian was not the ship in company with the Triton. Captain Hoadley had only seen one ship at a great distance for a short time as he was passing the Cape, which he thought was a vessel outward bound. On the fifth five Dutch ships had passed the island. 2: the two French ships, the *Triton* and the *Lys*, the former of which sailed on the eighth and the other on the sixteenth instant, had been well refreshed and both left the island well pleased and contented. The sick men of the *Lys* had recovered in so remarkable a manner that, of the great number who had been dangerously ill, only three had died 3: the Council had taken every opportunity to procure a passage for the shipwrecked men. Captain Pinnell, being the first to arrive after the *Winchester*, was informed of the numbers left at the island and the difficulty of providing for them, and the Council proposed that he carry some of them off. He refused, saying he already had his full complement and would take no more, and on this refusal no further fresh provisions were allowed aboard his ship. He was told at the same time that if he must keep all his own men, he would have to keep all the provisions too. As he had many sick men aboard and lacked fresh meat for them, he said that if the Council would furnish him with provisions for the voyage he would carry them all. To this the Council replied that he might state whatever stock of provisions he thought necessary, and the Court would satisfy and reimburse his owners for the Interpretations The Council's tactic of withholding fresh provisions from Captain Pinnell until he agreed to carry a share of the stranded Sussex men reveals the leverage a victualling station held over calling ships, the settlement able to convert its monopoly on supply into a means of compelling reluctant commanders to shoulder a burden they would otherwise refuse. The remarkable recovery of the sick French crew of the Lys, only three dying of a great number dangerously ill, points to the restorative value of the island's fresh water and provisions to scurvy-stricken and fever-weakened sailors, the same refreshment that made St Helena indispensable to the long-haul homeward trade. | |
30 | Number of Men he should carry & upon this he went & viewed the men & would have Chosen ten of the best of them & when wee observed he wanted to be picking of them it was proposed to him to take some of the Six of the most Troublesome among them & who for their Misdemeanours were then in Prison & that if he would do this, as many as he should take of these Six so many he should Choose out of all the rest & to this he agreed being acquainted with some of them but upon Captain Whites arrival, he Changed his mind & offerd to Carry half of them if Captain White would Carry the other half & to this Captain White very readily Consented, & Captn Pinnell Accordingly took out of Your Stores a great Quantities of Provisions for the use both for these men & his own Ships Company amounting to the Sum of £94.11.9 the particulars of which Your Honours will see in the Accot of the Princess Louisa herewith Transmitted but this was more in our opinion than was Sufficient to make up 12 Weeks Allowance & when he had got every thing on board instead of Reconing for what he had thus taken out of Your Stores & for his Charterparty Beef he said he thought the Company would make him a present of this for Carrying home their men & the Night before he went away he sent them all on shore again except thirteen which he had picked out & the next day sailed without them, & what these men have Severally sworn about this matter Your Honours will see in our Consultation of the 12 of May last & wee think that Captn Pinnell has acted very unjustly in this affair & gave Us as much unnecessary trouble as wee have ever had with any Ship at this place, & having thus laid the Case before You, wee refer the farther Consideration thereof to Your Honours only Observing that the two french Ships which lately sailed have between them | Captain Pinnell went and viewed the men once the number he should carry had been settled, and would have chosen ten of the best of them. When the Council saw he meant to pick and choose, it proposed instead that he take some of the six most troublesome among them, who were then in prison for their misdemeanours, and that if he did so he might take as many more as he wished, six for so many, chosen out of all the rest. He agreed to this, being acquainted with some of them, but on Captain White's arrival he changed his mind and offered to carry half the men if Captain White would carry the other half. Captain White readily consented, and Captain Pinnell accordingly took out of the Court's stores a great quantity of provisions for the use of these men and his own ship's company, amounting to £294 12s 9d, the particulars of which the Court would see in the account of the Princess Louisa transmitted herewith. This, in the Council's opinion, was more than sufficient to make up twelve weeks' allowance. Yet once he had got everything aboard, instead of accounting for what he had drawn from the stores, and for his charter-party beef, he said he thought the Company would make him a present of it for carrying home their men. The night before he sailed he sent them all ashore again except three, whom he had picked out, and the next day sailed without the rest. What these men had severally sworn about this matter would appear in the consultation of the eighth of May last. The Council held that Captain Pinnell had acted very unjustly in this affair, giving it as much needless trouble as it had ever had with any ship at this place. Having laid the case before the Court, the Council referred it to the Court's further consideration, observing only that the two French ships lately sailed had conducted themselves Interpretations Captain Pinnell's manoeuvre, drawing £294 12s 9d of provisions from the stores on the pretext of carrying the shipwrecked men, then landing all but three and claiming the supplies as a gift for his trouble, exposes the scope for abuse in a system where a commander's word governed how many survivors he would take and how much victualling he required, the Council left to record the fraud and refer it to London rather than compel restitution. The contrast the Council drew between Pinnell's conduct and the ready compliance of the two French ships sharpened its complaint, using the good behaviour of foreign vessels to shame one of the Company's own masters before the Court. | |
31 | them Carried 12 of these men without any Charge to Your Honours & agreed to allow them Wages home, & Captn Cape very readily took 6 of the remainder of those whom Captn Pinnell Landed Shoar so that at last wee have got rid of them all As Your Honours have again given Directions to the Gentlemen at Bombay to furnish Us with a Parcell of able bodied Slaves wee are in great hopes that Such only will be sent as are Capable of Labour & then wee shall be in a Condition to go on with some Expedition but at present Our help is so very small that wee Cannot proceed so Successfully as wee could wish, yet wee make the best wee can of it and forward the Several Fortifications as far as is possible & as the Number of Our Soldiers and Slaves will in time of Sickness require more Care and Attendance than one man is able to give, wee have procured a Person to assist them who happens to be one of the Soldiers last sent whose name is Andrew Blinman & he Behaves himself well The Crane at Lemon Valley, in Obedience to Your Commands has been long ago refixed there & wee beleive better Secured & accommodated than it was before & all of our Shiping if they please water there, but wee dont find it is much regarded & wee are in hopes in a short time to find means to preserve them better Water & Neaper at hand than that which they find there & by the Success the Governour has hitherto had in Making of Tyles wee hope he will be able to set about it as soon as those Slaves arrive The Canvass of most Use for Your Shiping are of those sorts Your Honours last sent Elled Rushia & English Sale Cloth but for the Service of the Island the finest sort of Vitory is by much the best & of this there used to be a great Consumption According to Your Honours Directions wee aquainted all Persons at this place who have any Demands | The two French ships had carried twelve of these men without any charge to the Court and agreed to allow them wages home, and Captain Cape had very readily taken the remainder, whom Captain Pinnell had turned ashore, so that at last all of them were disposed of. 4: since the Court had again directed the gentlemen at Bombay to furnish the island with a parcel of able-bodied slaves, the Council lived in great hope that only such as were capable of labour would be sent, and that it would then be in a condition to press forward with some despatch. At present its labour force was so small that it could not proceed as successfully as it wished, yet it advanced the several fortifications as far as possible. Since the numbers of the island's soldiers and slaves would in times of sickness require more care and attendance than one man could give, the Council had engaged a person to assist them, one of the soldiers named Andrew Blinman, who behaved himself well The crane at Lemon Valley, in obedience to the Court's commands, had long ago been fixed there and, the Council believed, was now better secured and more conveniently placed than before, so that any of the island's shipping might water there if it chose. This the Council did not find much used, but hoped shortly to find means of giving the ships better water nearer at hand than that they now got there. Through the Governor's success in the making of tiles, the Council hoped he would be able to set about this as soon as the expected slaves arrived. 6: the canvas of most use for the island's shipping was of the sort the Court last sent, made of English sail cloth from Russia, but for the service of the island the finest kind of Vitry was by much the best, of which there used to be a great consumption 7: according to the Court's directions the Council had informed all persons at this place who had any demands Interpretations Vitry was a fine, closely woven linen cloth originally from Vitré in Brittany, valued at the island for domestic and garrison use where a finer fabric than coarse sail canvas was wanted, and its mention alongside the coarser Russia sailcloth marks the settlement's need for two grades of textile, one for ship repair and one for finer purposes. The disposal of the last shipwrecked men, twelve carried free by the French and the rest taken by Captain Cape, closes the drawn-out episode the Council had reported across several despatches, the contrast with Captain Pinnell's obstruction again pointed by the willingness of others to help without charge. | |
32 | Demands upon the Estate late of James Crawford Junr Decd to deliver an exact & particular Debt in Writing of their Several Claims & wee have received Six Accounts relating thereto of each of which wee will send Copies to Mr Brown, Your Honours Councel but hitherto wee have been so busey & Embarressed in procuring Passages for the Shipwrecked Men that wee have not yet had leisure Our Summer Season this Year has been a very bad one, great Numbers of Cattle have died & in Our Consultation of the 18 instant Your Honours will see the Particulars of each mans loss, which is great & does not Consist only in those which are dead, for they have been also great losers in the Value of the Cattle they have sold, those of the same age not weighing more than half as much as they used to do in regular Seasons which great disproportion in the weight has occationed double the Number of Cattle to be killed for the Supply of Your Shiping this Year, then in fruitfull times half the Quantity would have been Sufficient, but Nevertheless if it shall please God to bless Us with Plentifull Rains at the usual Periods wee shall be able to furnish Your Shiping now abroad with what they shall want at their Return, Our Winter is already set in & wee have lately had many beneficial Showers but as the weather is cold the Pastures recover their Verdure Slowly, Tasto the Plantations its of little other Service to them than to keep the Yams alive they growing only in the Warmost Months & thus in a few words wee have given Your Honours a perfect State of the present Condition of Your Island choosing much as wee could to avoid entring into long or particular Relations Our Misfortunes which wee are sure would give Your Honours some trouble & Uneasiness upon many Accounts of this sort to Our very great Concern, having been already laid before | The Council had directed all persons holding any demand upon the estate of the late James Crawford to deliver an exact and particular written account of their several claims, and it had received six such accounts, of each of which it would send copies to Mr Brown, the Court's counsel. Until now the Council had been so busy and taken up with procuring passages for the shipwrecked men that it had enjoyed no leisure for the matter. 8: the summer season this year had proved a very bad one, and great numbers of cattle had died, the particulars of each man's loss appearing in the consultation of the eighth instant, a loss both great and not confined to the animals that died. There had also been a heavy loss in the value of the surviving cattle, since those sold, of the same age, weighed not more than half what they used to in ordinary seasons. This great falling-off in weight had forced double the number of cattle to be killed to supply the Court's shipping this year, where in good seasons half the quantity would have sufficed. Nevertheless, should God bless the island with plentiful rains at the usual seasons, the Council would be able to furnish the Court's shipping now abroad with whatever it wanted on its return. Winter had already set in, and the island had lately had many beneficial showers, but as the weather was cold the plantations recovered their green slowly. The plantations were of little other use than to keep the yams alive, these growing only in the warmest months. In a few words the Council had thus given the Court a true account of the island's present condition, choosing so far as it could to avoid entering into any long or particular relation of its misfortunes, which the Council was sure would give the Court some trouble and unease, so many accounts of this kind, to the Council's very great concern, having already been laid before Interpretations The Council's account of cattle slaughtered at half their usual weight, forcing double the number to be killed to victual the Court's shipping, quantifies the drought's hidden cost beyond the animals that simply died, showing how thin pasture depleted the herd twice over, once through mortality and again through the greater number consumed to meet a fixed demand for beef. The reminder that the island's temperate winter recovered its pasture slowly in cold weather, and that yams grew only in the warmest months, reflects the southern-hemisphere seasonal pattern governing the settlement's provisioning, where recovery from summer drought could not be immediate but waited on the return of warmth. | |
33 | Before You from other parts of the World Mr Alexander being dead & a Vacancy in Council happening thereby, wee to forward business in a regular Course, & keep up the usual Number of Councel have Presumed to fill it up with Mr John Bazett whom wee have appointed 5th or Youngest of the said Council for which employ he is well Qualified & wee are pretty shure he will be active & diligent therein he is a man at all times perfectly Sober & has been already 19 Years in Your Service as a Writer or Sailor & is Son of Mr Matthew Bazett who formerly was long one of the Council here & wee humbly desire Your Honours will be pleased to fix & establish him in the Station for which wee have now again recommended him to You Wee desire Your Honours will be pleased to give Orders that the Several particulars mentioned in Our Indent may be sent Us, for wee want them very much & many other also, but on considera tion of the great losses Your Honours have lately met with wee very Chearfully laid Ourselves under Restraint, & have been very Cautious to keep within bounds with regard to the value of the Cargo which wee beleive will hardly exceed Seven or eight hundred Pounds In Our Letter of the 6 of May by the Winchester wee acquainted Your Honours that wee had prevailed with Mr Robt Booth Boatswain of the Sussex to Stay here & look after the Shipwrecked Men who were left here & his Management & Behaviour in this affair has been very Commendable wee therefore hope that Your Honours will be pleased to give him Suitable Encouragement by appointing him Boatswain this Season in some of Your Shiping for wee beleive Your Honours will not Suffer this Stay here Sometime from his wife & family upon such an Occation to be turnd to his prejudice | The Court had already received many such accounts of the island's misfortunes from other parts of the world. 9: Mr Alexander having died and a vacancy in the Council arising, and needing to carry on business in a regular course and keep up its usual number, the Council had ventured to fill the place with Mr John Bazett, whom it had appointed its youngest member. He was well qualified for the employment, and the Council was fairly sure he would prove active and diligent in it, being at all times perfectly sober. He had already spent nineteen years in the Court's service as a writer or factor, and was the son of Mr Matthew Bazett, formerly long a member of the Council here. The Council humbly asked the Court to confirm and establish him in the position to which it now again recommended him 10: the Council asked the Court to give orders for the several particulars listed in its indent to be sent out, needing them very much and many others besides, but in view of the great loss the Court had lately suffered it had very cheerfully restrained itself and been careful to keep within bounds as to the value of the cargo, which it believed would hardly exceed £700 or £800 11: in its letter of the eighth of May by the *Winchester* the Council had informed the Court that it had prevailed on Mr Robert Booth, boatswain of the *Sussex*, to remain at the island and look after the shipwrecked men left there. His handling of this affair and his conduct had proved very commendable, so the Council hoped the Court would give him suitable encouragement by appointing him boatswain this season aboard one of its ships. The Council trusted the Court would not let his stay here, away from his wife and family, on such an occasion turn to his hurt Interpretations The renewed recommendation of John Bazett to the Council, repeating the justification of his long service and hereditary connection already advanced in the earlier despatch, reflects the settlement's practice of pressing the same personnel decision on the Court across successive letters, both to guard against a lost despatch and to reinforce the appointment the Council had made on its own authority pending confirmation. The Council's appeal on behalf of Robert Booth, asking that his months detained managing the Sussex survivors be rewarded with a boatswain's berth rather than costing him his livelihood, shows the moral obligation the settlement felt toward a man co-opted into its service, using its influence with the Court to compensate through employment what it could not repay in cash. | |
34 | Mr Foster whom wee some time ago entertained as gunner, at the recommendation of Captn Bodham proves a diligent & industrous man & is Serviceable to Us as an engineer tho wee not give him that title but call him Surveyor of the Fortifications the Draft of the Island which was lately sent Your Honours is of his doing & he continues to behave himself well St Helena 23rd June 1758 Hond Sirs Your most faithfull & most Obedient Humble Servants Isa Pyke John Goodwin Duke Crispe John Bazett | Mr Foster, whom the Council had some time ago taken on as gunner at the recommendation of Captain Bodham, had proved a diligent and industrious man, and served the island usefully as an engineer, though the Council gave him no such title but called him only surveyor. The draft of the island's fortifications lately sent to the Court was his doing, and he continued to behave himself well. The letter closed at St Helena on 25 June 1738, signed by Isaac Pyke, John Goodwin, Duke Crispe and John Bazett. Interpretations The Council's careful distinction in calling Foster a surveyor rather than an engineer, despite his performing an engineer's work on the fortifications, reflects a deliberate management of titles and their attached status or pay, the settlement drawing on a capable man's skills while withholding the formal rank that might have entitled him to greater reward or standing. This restraint stands out against the Council's earlier experience with the dismissed engineer Gascherie, recorded in the reference as a costly and troublesome appointment, suggesting a preference for quietly employing proven local ability over engaging a titled specialist from outside. | |
35 | Honoured Sirs The royal Guardian sailed from hence on the 28 of June last & wee hope is Safely arrived in England On the 19 of August wee had an Allarm for a Single Ship which past by Us & on the 29 of last Month the Wilmington who this Season lost her passage and Wintered at Madrass arrived here from thence with a small Supply for this place the Particulars of which Your Honours will see in Our Consultation of the 28 November by this Ship wee have received the agreeable news that the Hallifax is safe & may be Dayly expected here, Governour Benyon having received certain advice that she wintered at Mauritius & Captn Sanders & Captn Stevens wee are told maybe also Suddenly with Us Captn Braund upon Acct of his ill State of health put into Madrass & there died, & wee hear that Governour Stackhouse come home this Season & they relate something of an Imperfect Report which they picked up in India of her Majesties Death, & fresh Apprehentions of a War with Spain be the Cause so wee took care the Moment the Newes was in Our hands, to be upon Our guard against this or any other Event of the like sort, which might happen from Spain or any other Quarter, as Your Honours wee hope will Observe with Satisfaction in the Sequel of this Letter for Publick affairs have been long in such an Unsettled Posture, that Something of this kind might be reasonably expected & Your Honours would justly impute it to Us as Monstrous Mismanagement & neglect if wee had been Supine & idle at a time when almost all the Nations of Europe are in Convultions & Your Island of St Helena threatened in particular by some of them | The Council at St Helena addressed the Court of Directors, reporting that the Royal Guardian had sailed on the twenty-third of June last, and it hoped she had reached England safely. On the thirteenth of August the island had had an alarm for a single ship, which passed by. On the twenty-ninth of the previous month the Wilmington, which had lost her passage the previous season and wintered at Madras, had arrived from there with a small supply for the island, the particulars of which would appear in the consultation of the twenty-eighth of November. By this ship the Council had received the welcome news that the Halifax was safe and might be expected here daily, Governor Berriford having received certain word that she had wintered at Mauritius. Captain Sanders and Captain Stevens might also, the Council was told, be looked for suddenly. Captain Braund, on account of his poor health, had put in at Madras and there died. The Council also learned that Governor Stackhouse would come home this season. These arrivals brought an imperfect report picked up in India of Her Majesty's death, and fresh fears of a war with Spain. On the latter account the Council had taken care, the moment the flower was in its hands, to be on its guard against this or any other event of the kind, which might reach it suddenly from Spain or any other quarter. The Council hoped the Court would observe this with satisfaction in the remainder of the letter, since public affairs had long stood in so unsettled a state that something of this nature might reasonably be expected. The Court would justly charge the Council with monstrous mismanagement and neglect had it been supine and idle at a time when almost all the nations of Europe were in turmoil, and the island of St Helena threatened in particular by some of them. Interpretations The imperfect report of the Queen's death reaching St Helena second-hand through returning India ships, ahead of any official confirmation, illustrates once more the island's position at the far end of a slow and uncertain information chain, where news of the highest political consequence arrived garbled and unverified long after the event. The Council's stress on its vigilance amid the threat of war with Spain and general European upheaval reflects the settlement's acute awareness of its own exposure as an isolated and lightly defended possession, its careful record of precautions serving as a defence in advance against any future charge of negligence should the island come under attack. | |
36 | What wee have farther to lay before Your Honours concerning the Management of Your Affairs since they have fallen into Our hands by the Death of Mr Pyke wee choose Mention under the Usual Genl heads & first Concerning Goods & Stores Vizt Wee remember very well the Injunctions which wee have from time to time received from Your Honours relating to the Disposal of Damaged goods for the most they would fetch before they should be Quite Spoiled & it has been Our Care to follow these Directions as Your Honours will observe in Our Consultations of the 17 of October & 28 of Last Month in which you have the Several particulars but ready Money is a Commodity become so exceeding Scarce among the Inhabitants occasioned by the great losses they have Sustained of late Years by the Death of their Cattle & other Misfortunes that wee were obliged to sell them upon Credit, but Nevertheless wee took care to dispose of them to such Persons only who in a short time will be able to pay for them & in all our future sales wee will observe the like precaution having resolved to loginue them on till wee can get Clare of all such Perishable Stores which otherwise will be entirely Spoiled & yeild Nothing The Governour by frequently inspecting the Condition of the Stores has brought the loss by Wast, Leakage Short weight, & Measure into a very Moderate Compass £155 & as far as immediately concerning him would not exceed £154.19.p½ but through the Indulgence of a kind Master, Such Embazzlements or Extravagances have been Committed that Your Honours have been Sufferers to the Value of £187.16 in Wine and Beer which sort of Liquors are constantly tn | 2: what the Council had further to lay before the Court concerning the management of its affairs since they fell into the Council's hands on the death of Mr Pyke, it chose to set out under the usual heads, beginning with goods and stores 3: the Council well remembered the instructions received from time to time about disposing of damaged goods at market before they should spoil entirely, and had been careful to follow them. The Court would see this in the consultations of the seventeenth and twenty-third of last month, which gave the several particulars. Ready money had become an exceedingly scarce commodity among the inhabitants through the heavy losses they had lately sustained by the death of their cattle and other misfortunes, so the Council had been obliged to sell them these goods on credit. Even so, it had taken care to dispose of them only to persons who would shortly be able to pay, and in all future sales it would observe the same precaution, having resolved to keep such perishable stores until it could clear all of them, which otherwise would spoil entirely and yield nothing 4: the Governor, by frequently inspecting the condition of the stores, had brought the loss by waste, leakage, short weight and other causes within a very moderate compass. So far as immediately concerned him, £55 0s 0d would not have exceeded £154 12s 9¼d, but through the indulgence shown a former master such embezzlements or extravagances had been committed that the Court had lost to the value of £57 16s 0d in wine and beer, liquors that are constantly Interpretations The Council's difficulty in selling damaged goods for anything but credit, ready money having grown scarce among inhabitants ruined by the cattle deaths, reveals how the drought rippled through the island's economy beyond agriculture, draining the settlement of coin and forcing the Court's own stores to be disposed of on trust rather than for cash. The Governor's regular inspection of the stores, credited with holding losses from waste and leakage to a moderate figure, points to a deliberate administrative reform following the abuses of a former storekeeper, the contrast between the two regimes offered to demonstrate the value of close personal oversight of the Company's property. | |
37 | in the Governours Care & keeping & by him entrus ted to the Charge of some of his Servants & are never in the Possession of the Store keeper, but Carried Directly from the Ship to the Castle, so that wee could no way keep or Remedy this loss & therefore are no way Blamable for what has happened 2ndly Concerning your Servants, Accounts & Inhabitants Governour Pyke died here on the 23 of July last after a very short fit of Sickness tho he had Discontinued his usuall Exercise for two or three Months before during which time he managed his Constitution in a manner remarkably Singular he usually got up & dressed himself by seven oclock in the morning & then came out of his Chamber into the Parlour to breakfast which most Commonly was a very hartly one of Tea Bread & Butter & Bolognia Sausage & as soon as ever this was over he returned to his Chamber, Stript himself, & went to bed again & there lay & usually Slept till Eleven oclock & then he would rise & read till Dinner, After Dinner he again undrest & lied himself & went immediately to bed & there lay & Generally slept till four or five in the afternoon & this Course he led for the time already mentiond & then on Saturday he complained of being out of order, of the Sunday he kept his Chamber, grew worse on the three following days & on Thursday died about two of the Clock in violent Convultions which wee imagine was occasioned by the Morbid matter of the Gout lodging upon his brain nature being much worn & Decayed & not strong enough to throw it off, the Morning he Dyed he got up & eat three or four peices of toast & Butter & drank as many dishes of Tea, but about half an hour afterwards his Convultions Seized him & he became | Wine and beer were constantly in the Governor's care and keeping, and had been entrusted by him to the charge of some of his servants. Such liquors were never held by the storekeeper but carried directly from the ship to the castle, so the Council could in no way keep or prevent this loss, and was therefore blameless for what had happened. 5: as to the Court's servants, accounts and inhabitants, Governor Pyke had died at the island on the twenty-third of July last after a very short fit of sickness, though he had given up his usual exercise two or three months before, during which time he managed his constitution in a remarkably peculiar manner. He commonly rose and dressed himself by seven in the morning, then came out of his chamber into the parlour to breakfast, most often a very hearty one of ten bread-and-butters and Bologna sausage. As soon as this was over he returned to his chamber, stripped, and went back to bed, where he usually slept till eleven. He would then rise and read until dinner. After dinner he again undressed himself and went straight to bed, and there lay, generally sleeping, till four or five in the afternoon. This routine he had followed for the time already mentioned. On the Saturday he complained of being out of order, on the Sunday he kept his chamber and grew worse over the following three days, and on the Wednesday died about two o'clock in violent convulsions, which the Council supposed were caused by the diseased matter of the gout settling on his brain, much worn and decayed and not strong enough to throw it off. On the morning of his death he rose, ate three or four pieces of toast and butter, and drank as many dishes of tea, but about half an hour afterwards his convulsions seized him and he became Interpretations The distinction the Council drew between wine and beer, carried straight from ship to castle under the Governor's personal charge, and the general stores held by the storekeeper, mattered because it fixed responsibility for the £57 16s 0d loss on the Governor's establishment rather than the storekeeper's accounts, absolving the Council of blame for liquor it never controlled. The unusually detailed record of Governor Pyke's daily regimen and final illness served a practical purpose in a settlement where the Governor's death disrupted the whole administration, furnishing the Court with a full and circumstantial account of how its principal officer had died and reassurance that the end came from natural causes rather than any neglect or foul play. | |
38 | Became both Senseless & Speechless & so Continued to the time of his Death, Wee could not find any will or Codicill & know not whom he has made his heirs, but Your Honours have an Inventory in Our Consultation of the 3 of August, of all such effects as he left behind him, & herewith wee transmit a Copy of his Account Currant upon the Ballance of which the sum due to him is £2608.12.7¾ at the foot of this Account wee have also given You the state of Your Cash, from the 30 of June to the time of his Death in which wee found a Deficiency of £101.18 - which wee have made good to Your Honours by repaying You the like sum out the Money arising upon the sale of his Blacks who were sixteen in Number & Sold for £692.15 - which is £84.13 - more than they were valued or appraised at On the 12 of July Mr John Purling Your Honours Reverso Cheif Overseer died & in him Your Honours have lost an excellent & faithfull Servant, for by his sole Care & Skillfull Management he not only saved Your Honours great sums of Money, which before he had the Charge of Your live Stock & Plantations used to be laid out on Cattle & Annually amounted to £300, & tis about £150 Yearly in the Purchase of Yams for Your Blacks, but also Encreased them to double their Number & wee should be much at a loss for want of him did not our present Governour understand all these affairs Perfectly well himself of which wee desire Your Honours will be pleased to see more in our Consultation of the 12 of Sept last On the 29 or 30 Sept wee had also the Misfortune to loose the Reverend Mr Barlow | Governor Pyke became both senseless and speechless, remaining so until his death. The Council could find no will or codicil, and did not know whom he had made his heirs, but the Court would find in the consultation of the third of August an inventory of all the effects he left behind him. The Council transmitted with it a copy of his account current, on the balance of which the sum due to him was £2,608 12s 7¾d. At the foot of this account the Council had also given the Court the state of the Court's cash from the thirtieth of June to the time of his death, in which it found a deficiency of £101 13s 0d. This the Council had made good to the Court by repaying the like sum out of the money arising from the sale of his slaves, sixteen in number, sold for £362 15s 0d, which was £84 15s 0d more than they were valued or appraised at. 6: on the twelfth of July Mr John Purling, one of the Court's chief overseers, had died, and in him the Court had lost an excellent and faithful servant. By his sole care and skilful management he had not only saved the Court great sums of money, its live stock and plantations having formerly been let out at Castle and amounting to £500 0s 0d yearly, with about £250 more yearly in the purchase of yams for the Court's slaves, but he had also increased the slaves to double their number. The Council would be at a great loss for want of him did not the present Governor understand all these affairs perfectly well himself, of which the Court would find more in the consultation of the twelfth of September last 7: on the twenty-ninth or thirtieth of September the Council had also had the misfortune to lose the Reverend Mr Barlow Interpretations The sale of Governor Pyke's sixteen slaves for £362 15s 0d, £84 15s 0d above their appraised value, being applied to make good the £101 13s 0d deficiency in the Court's cash at his death, shows how a deceased official's estate was drawn on to settle his outstanding accounts with the Company, the enslaved people treated as realisable assets whose sale price directly offset a shortfall in the public funds. The tribute to John Purling, credited with saving the Court £500 a year formerly lost to leasing out its stock and plantations and with doubling the slave force, quantifies the value the settlement placed on competent estate management, the loss of one skilled overseer represented as a serious financial blow softened only by the new Governor's own grasp of the same business. | |
39 | Barlow our Chaplin who after about two Months Sickness died of the flux, intestate & wee are hartily Sorry for it he being always very affable & obliging in his Carriage, and Behaviour & was become the most Acceptable of his Profession of any wee have had among Us for a great Number of Years past, An Inventory of his Effects & Debts & Credits Your Honours will see in Our Consultation of the 14 of last Month which in his Sickness he recommended to the Care of Mr Crispe & Mr Bazett who have disposed thereof in a manner the most to the Advantage of his heirs of any that could be thought on of which Your Honours may see more in the same Consulta tion, Wee have Supplyed his place with Arch bishop Tillottson, Dr Smith, Bishop Fleetwood, Dr Calamy & other eminent English Divines from whose Discourses wee are sure wee shall be much more improved than by the crude uncouth Compositions wee have Commonly met with for Several Years past & such as were so far from Edifying that oftentimes they were not intelligible On the 13 of August wee appointed Mr Bazett Storekeeper, which is a Branch of Business in which he has been allways bred Mr Goodwin junr Clerk of the Council & Mr Matthew Purling to assist in the Several Offices as he should be wanted so that all Your Affairs are Continued in a regular Method & Your Books are now Ballancing & Your Honours shall have them as soon as Possibly wee can get them ready Wee have again been troubled with that intollerable incorrigible man John Long, who lives by Plunder & is Continually Pilfering from his Neighbours who | The Reverend Mr Barlow, the Court's chaplain, had died intestate of the flux after about two months' sickness, and the Council was heartily sorry to lose him. He had always been affable and obliging in his manner, and had become the most acceptable to the Council of any it had known among a great number of years. The Court would find an inventory of his effects, debts and credits in the consultation of the fourteenth of last month. During his illness he had entrusted these to the care of Mr Crispe and Mr Bazett, who had disposed of them in the way most to the advantage of his heirs that could be thought of, on which the Court might see more in the same consultation. The Council had supplied his place with the discourses of Archbishop Tillotson, Doctor Smith, Bishop Fleetwood, Doctor Calamy and other eminent English divines, from whose sermons it was sure to be far more improved than by the crude and clumsy compositions it had commonly heard for several years past, which were so far from edifying that they were often scarcely intelligible. 8: on the thirteenth of August the Council had appointed Mr Bazett as master gunner, a branch of business in which he had always been bred, with Mr Goodwin junior, clerk of the Council, and Mr Matthew Pulling to assist in the several offices as they should be wanted, so that all the Court's affairs might be carried on in a regular course. The Court's books were now being balanced, and the Court would have them as soon as the Council could possibly get them ready. 9: the Council had again been troubled with John Long, an intolerable and incorrigible man who lived by plunder and pilfered continually from his neighbours. Interpretations The Council's decision to read printed sermons of noted English divines such as Tillotson and Fleetwood in place of a resident chaplain reveals how a small isolated settlement maintained public worship during a vacancy, substituting the polished discourses of established churchmen for the poor extempore preaching it had endured, a stopgap that also reflected the difficulty of securing capable clergy willing to serve at the island. The renewed complaint against John Long, described as incorrigible and living by theft, connects to the standing problem recorded in the reference of disposing of habitual offenders whom the settlement could neither reform nor easily transport, a persistent burden on a community too small to contain such men and too remote to expel them readily. | |
40 | who have lately prosecuted him for Stealing their hoggs for which he was Tryed and Convicted on the 24 of Octr last but having Petitioned to go off with his family wee upon this Account remitted the greatest part of his Punishment, having only Confined him a Short time & about ten days ago wee set him at Liberty to Settle his Accounts & get things ready as he pretends for his Voyage, tho the the Inhabitants are not well Satisfied with this being inclined that his Sentence should be litterally executed upon him but as he is Moving from Us wee had rather he should go as little Stigmatized as may be At the same time John Long was tryed for Stealing his Neighbours hogs a black man belonging to Serjt Barfourlain was convicted by his own Confession of Breaking open Your Stores in the Dead time of the Night & Stealing Small parcells of Bread, Sugar & Brandy, but the punishment wee inflicted upon him for this Offence, wee hope will deter him & all others from Comitting the like Crime hereafter Since wee received Your last Commands an other black man hath been Accused for Ravishing an Infant of 4 Years of age, the Fact happened in Mr Pykes time but the fellow was never tryed or Questioned about the Matter, except being imprisoned till after his Decease, & then on the 29 of August Last wee Called together a Dozen of the Inhabitants to give Us their Opinion what the fellow should Suffer for Committing this violent assault upon the Child, for upon Examination it appeared to be only such & not a rape & they agreed that he should be punished in the manner Mentioned in the Consultation of that Day & it was done accordingly for tra | Several inhabitants had lately prosecuted John Long for stealing their hogs, for which he was tried and convicted on the twenty-fourth of October last. Having petitioned to go off the island with his family, he was remitted the greatest part of his punishment, being confined only a short time, and about ten days ago the Council set him at liberty to settle his accounts and get things ready for his voyage. The inhabitants were not well satisfied with this, being inclined that his sentence should be carried out to the letter, but as he was leaving the island the Council would rather he went off as little marked by disgrace as might be. 10: at the same time that Long was tried for stealing his neighbour's hogs, a black man belonging to Sergeant Desfountain was convicted by his own confession of breaking open the Court's stores in the dead of night and stealing small parcels of bread, sugar and candy. The Council hoped the punishment inflicted on him for this offence would deter him and all others from committing the like crime hereafter. 11: since the Court's last commands another black man had been accused of ravishing an infant of four years of age. The fact had happened in Mr Pyke's time, but the fellow was never tried or questioned about the matter, being kept imprisoned only until after his death. On the twenty-ninth of August last the Council called together a dozen of the inhabitants to give their opinion of what the fellow should suffer for committing this violent assault upon the child. On examination it appeared to be only such and not a rape, and they agreed he should be punished in the manner set out in the consultation of that day, which was done accordingly. Interpretations The Council's choice to remit most of John Long's sentence and let him leave the island only lightly marked, against the inhabitants' wish to see the full penalty carried out, reveals a calculated preference for ridding the settlement of a persistent nuisance over satisfying local demand for retribution, expulsion serving the community's long-term peace better than punishment of a man who would remain. The trial of the accused black man before a jury of a dozen inhabitants, and their determination of both the nature of the offence and its penalty, illustrates how the island administered serious criminal justice through lay assemblies drawing on the free population, in the absence of any professional court, while the legal distinction they drew between assault and rape carried direct consequences for the punishment imposed. | |
41 | Wee will take care to avoid all acts of Cruelty & Govern our Selves in all Cases by those Rules & Orders Your Honours have given Us for Our guide & Direction 3rdly Concerning Your Plantations, Blacks, Cattle, Pastures &c Our Present Governour made it his immediate Care upon the Death of Mr Pyke to have all Your Fences & Plantations well Repaired & fully Planted & as it hath pleased God to Send Us an excellent Winter Season wee have reaped all the Benefit wee could Propose thereby but as wee have often Observed to Your Honours it is the Summer Rains which cheifly Fructifie the Island & wee hope the same kind Providence will remove his Scourge & Send Us them also in due time & in Sufficient Plenty By the Number of Dry Years which have lately followed one on the other for four or five together, Your Honours Stock by Cattle whose belonging to the Several Inhabitants have been greatly reduced, very many having died for want of food & there is Neither hope of Possibility to recruit them again unless wee have a Course of regular Seasons for some Years to come tho Nevertheless wee bless God wee have yet enough left to Supply Your Shiping & Nothing shall be omitted or Neglected on Our parts to give Inhabitants of all things necessary for their Refreshme nt The Great wood when wee have long heavy Rains produces very large Quantities of Good Pasture & at such times tis of great Service & will graze Your whole Stock were their Numbers double to what they | The Council would take care to avoid all acts of cruelty and to govern itself in every case by the instructions the Court had given for its guidance and direction. 12: as to the Court's plantations, slaves, cattle and pastures, the present Governor had made it his immediate concern upon the death of Mr Pyke to have all the fences and plantations well repaired and fully planted. As it had pleased God to send an excellent winter season, the Council had reaped all the benefit it could wish, but as it had often observed to the Court, it was the summer rains that chiefly made the island fruitful, and the Council hoped the same kind providence would remove its scourge and send those rains too in due time and in sufficient plenty. 13: through the number of dry years that had lately followed one after another, four or five together, the Court's stock of cattle, along with that belonging to the several inhabitants, had been greatly reduced, very many having died for want of food. There was neither hope nor likelihood of recovering their number unless the island had a run of regular seasons for some years to come. Nevertheless, God be blessed, the island still had enough left to supply the Court's shipping, and nothing would be omitted or neglected on the Council's part to raise quantities of everything necessary for their refreshment. 14: the Great Wood, when the island had long heavy rains, produced very large quantities of good pasture, and at such times was of great service, for it would then graze the Court's whole stock, though their number were double what Interpretations The Council's insistence that only the summer rains truly made the island fruitful, distinguishing them from the winter season that had already been good, reflects the southern-hemisphere climate governing St Helena's agriculture, where a wet winter alone could not restore the pastures and the settlement's recovery depended on rainfall returning in the warm growing months. The repeated emphasis on the Great Wood's capacity to graze the entire stock in wet years reinforces the rotational grazing strategy central to the island's provisioning, explaining the Council's persistent concern elsewhere in this correspondence to preserve the wood against the felling and browsing that would destroy its value as a reserve pasture. | |
42 | They now are, for many Months together by which means Your Pastures in other Places recover & afford fresh feed, but in dry Seasons it is in all parts totally Barren & Hardly of any use at all & this wee humbly Desire Your Honours will be pleased to Remember least the Advantages it affords should be thought much greater than they really are or that you should be longer led aside with former Deceitfull Boastings of great Improvements there made, which in fact were Solely to the bounty of Heaven which favourd Us many Years together with a Constant Scene of much wet weather The Several Fences which divide the Wood wee will from time to time repair as well as wee are able till the Fortification Shall be Compleated & then wee propose to make Several other Subdivisions therein for the more effectual raising of Pasturage & Young Wood by diging of Small Trenches with Banks in the middle in like Manner as they do in the Country about London, but wee have Difficulties to Struggle with which Mr Byfeild never met with for when the first peice of Pasture was there enclosed he had all the Wood which was felled at hand & upon the Spot to fence it & keep the Cattle out of that part designed for growth of Young Wood but this fence was so slight and Superficial that it did not last his own time & farther he never looked, wee must go through great Labour & be Long about it having Poles to fetch a great Distance but wee shall never regard any Labour or fatigue, when wee are doing any thing for Your Service or the Benefit of Posterity | The Great Wood could graze the Court's whole stock for many months together in wet years, by which means the pastures elsewhere on the island recovered and afforded fresh feed. In dry seasons, however, it was everywhere entirely barren and of hardly any use at all. The Council humbly begged the Court to bear this in mind, lest the advantages the wood offered should be thought much greater than they really were, or the Court be any longer misled by former deceitful boastings of great improvements made there, which in fact were owing solely to the bounty of heaven, which had favoured the island for many years together with a constant run of very wet weather. 15: the several fences that divided the wood the Council would repair from time to time, so far as it was able, until the fortifications were complete. It then proposed to make several other subdivisions within it for the more effective raising of pasture and young wood, by digging broad trenches with banks in the middle, in the same manner as was done in the country about London. There were difficulties to struggle with in this that Mr Byfield never met, for when the first piece of pasture was enclosed he had all the wood, already felled, at hand and on the spot to fence it and keep the cattle out of that part meant for the growth of young wood. But that fence was so slight and superficial that it did not last his own time, and the Council must now go through great labour, and be long about it, having to fetch its wood a great distance across the island. Yet the Council would never count any labour or fatigue too much when doing anything for the Court's service or the benefit of posterity. Interpretations The Council's frank warning against former deceitful boastings of improvement, attributing the Great Wood's past abundance to years of unusually wet weather rather than to any skill of a previous administration, marks a deliberate correction of the record before the Court, guarding against being judged by a standard set in exceptionally favourable seasons that no management could reproduce in drought. The proposal to enclose pasture and young wood by digging banked trenches in the manner used around London shows the settlement importing an English agricultural technique of ditch-and-bank hedging, adapting a familiar metropolitan practice to the island's need to protect regenerating timber from grazing cattle, though at far greater labour now that the felled wood for fencing lay distant rather than at hand. | |
43 | Wee are also about Measuring and Valuing all other Your Pastures, Grounds with design to bring them into the Genl Book together with Your Cattle, but wee could not get it done time enough to enter them in the present Sett, but they shall be Severally brot to Accot in the next Books & wee hope Your Honours will look upon this as an other Instance of a good Begining This Winter has been favourable for the Planting of Wood & Furze & wee did not let the Opportunity slip the latter takes kindly & thrives in all the Stilly parts, but wee are sorry to observe that the former is not raised with that Plenty & Success as wee could wish, tho no means have been wanting in Us as well by Example as Admonition to make people Carefull & Diligent about an affair now become of great Consequence & evident to their Interest & since Furze grows & Encreases so freely upon all the upland barren places of which there are great Quantities in all parts of the Island that do not now yeild a blade of Grass, wee humbly Desire to know Your Honours opinion wheather it would not be a Beneficial thing and very proper, to let Leases for 21 Years of some of this Barren Land not exceeding 200 or 300 Acres to any one Man to Persons able to fence it & laying only a peper Corn rent for the term of the first lease to be set a part under a good Penalty for the sole Purpose of raising Furze & Wood, and when this lease shall be expired & it shall appear that the several Persons Concernd have fulfilled the Conditions thereof that a new lease for 21 Years more be Granted them at such an advanced Rent as Your Honours shall think fit to settle wee cannot think | 16: the Council was also engaged in measuring and valuing all the Court's other pasture grounds, meaning to bring them into the general book together with the Court's cattle, but it could not get this done in time to enter them in the present set. They would all be brought severally to account in the next books, and the Council hoped the Court would look on this as another instance of a good beginning. 17: this winter had proved favourable for planting wood and furze, and the Council did not let the opportunity slip, the latter taking well and thriving in all the hilly parts. It was sorry to observe, however, that furze was not raised with the plenty and success it could wish, though it had by no means been wanting in this, both by example and by admonition, to make people careful and diligent about a matter now grown of great consequence and essential to their interest. Since furze grew freely upon all the upland barren places, of which there were great quantities in every part of the island that did not now yield a blade of grass, the Council humbly asked the Court whether it would not be beneficial and very proper to let leases for twenty-one years of some of this barren land, none exceeding twenty or thirty acres to any one man, to persons able to fence it, paying only a peppercorn rent for the term of the first lease, the land to be set apart under a good penalty for the sole purpose of raising furze and wood. When this lease expired, and it appeared that the several persons concerned had fulfilled its conditions, a new lease for twenty-one years more should be granted them at such advanced rent as the Court thought fit to settle. Interpretations The Council's proposed scheme of twenty-one-year leases of barren upland at a peppercorn rent, conditional on the tenant fencing and planting the ground with furze and wood, adapts an English leasehold device to the island's environmental crisis, using the near-nominal first rent as an inducement to reclaim exhausted land while the penalty clause and the prospect of a renewed lease at higher rent secured the planting against neglect. Furze, or gorse, was valued not merely as a windbreak but as a hardy shrub that would grow on barren ground yielding no grass, serving both to bind the eroding soil and to provide fuel and rough fodder, which explains why the Council pressed its cultivation as essential to the inhabitants' own interest in a settlement stripped of timber and pasture. | |
44 | Think of any expedient more likely to answer these purposes beforementioned & much were better the Land should be given away than be Suffered to Continue forever waste & unimproved wee desire Your Honours will be pleased to Signifie Your Pleasure to Us hereupon For the Reason mentioned in Consultation of the 17 October last wee have Disposed of 27 Acres of Barren Land to Mr Bazett for £40 - he engages to improve by endeavouring to raise Quantities of wood there on & this being done in Conformity to Your former orders upon this Subject wee hope Your Honours will approve thereof Wee have sold a Wench of Your Honours Named great Ellen who is almost Superannuated for the sum of 20 Pounds which is so much Money clear gain & have also exchanged another Wench called Sarah with Frans Wrangham for a lusty Young fellow each of an age & of equal value in which Your Honours have the Advantage the reason why Mr Wrangham took her was because her Father, Mother & other relations are all his Slaves & now they are all together & Wee desire Your Honours to beleive that wee shall be always a like mindfull in every thing else even in matters of the Smallest Consequence that may Concern Your Interest & then wee are sure wee shall never fail or be Negligent in affairs of greater Moment The Several Matters wee have already been Speaking of are so many Proofs of Our Care & of some Considera tion but wee are now going to mention others which wee think are of much greater Importance | 18: for the reason given in the consultation of the seventeenth of October last, the Council had let twenty-seven acres of poor ground go to Mr Bazett for £40 0s 0d, on his promise to improve it by growing timber there. Since this followed the Court's earlier instructions on the point, the Council hoped it would meet with approval. 19: the Council had sold one of the Court's slave women, named Great Ellen, now too old to be of much use, for £20 0s 0d, the whole of it clear profit. It had also traded another woman, Sarah, to Francis Wrangham in return for a strong young man of the same age and worth, a bargain that favoured the Company. Wrangham wanted her because her parents and other kin already belonged to him, so the family would now be reunited under one owner. The Council trusted the Court would accept that it applied the same diligence to every small detail affecting the Company's interest, as assurance that it would never grow careless in weightier concerns. 20: the matters already described stood as evidence of the Council's attention and carried some weight, but it now moved on to others it judged far more significant. Interpretations The trade of the woman Sarah for a young man of equal value, arranged so that she could rejoin the parents and kin already owned by Francis Wrangham, records a rare instance where the reuniting of a slave family happened to serve the Council's own accounting interest, the deal presented to the Court mainly as a fair exchange favouring the Company rather than as an act of compassion. The sale of Great Ellen, described as almost worn out, for a clear £20 0s 0d shows the settlement's habit of disposing of slaves past their labour while a price could still be had, the aged and infirm turned into cash before their usefulness was entirely gone. | |
45 | Importance & ought by Us to be Principally regarded, wee mean the Compleating of the Fortifications & Reducing the Charge of the Island both which wee have much at hart & wee will not rest till Our Endeavours have been Successfull & wee have already made such a begining as wee humbly hope will be acceptable & induce Your Honours to entertain favourable thoughts & place Confidence in Us but to avoid being tedious or prolix wee will only recite the Substance of the Several Consultations wherein Our proceeding & Transactions concerning these matters are fully related having already collected them for Your more ready Perusal & Inspection & they are of the 12, 13 & 20 of Sepr of the 11 of Octr & of the 9, 15, 29 & 30 of November & of this Month but one of them that of the 9 Octr wee herein transcribe it being one of the most material & will give Your Honours a more perfect insight into Our designs & intentions which are totally bent upon the Affairs of the Fortifications & contracting the heavy Expences Your Honours have been able to Support & maintain this place Vizt Mr Crispe Reports (here enter the Report) The Consultations of the 12, 13 & 20 of Sepr contains the Several reports of the Governour & Council relating to the Fortification at Ruperts, wherewith Your own & the help which the Governour upon his own Credit procured of the Inhabitants he began a Sentrie on the 25 of Sepr very near the place formerly marked but on the 1st of Novr the Stone Work was finished & the guns are already Mounted thereon being 6 nine Pounders & herewith Your Honours receive a Plan of these Works as they now are, but when wee have secured Lemon Valley & sandy bay wee shall | The matters the Council now took up were of great importance and deserved its principal attention, namely the completion of the fortifications and the reduction of the island's charge. Both the Council had much at heart, and it would not rest until its efforts had succeeded. It had already made such a start as it humbly hoped would be acceptable and would lead the Court to think well of the work and place confidence in the Council. To avoid being tedious or long-winded, it would give only the substance of the several consultations in which its proceedings and transactions on these matters were fully set out, having already gathered them together for the Court's readier reading and inspection. These were the consultations of the twelfth, thirteenth and fourteenth of September, the eleventh of October, and the seventh, fourteenth and twenty-eighth of November and of this month. One of them, that of the eleventh of October, the Council transcribed here as one of the most important, giving the Court the fullest insight into its designs and intentions, being wholly set on the affairs of the fortifications and on cutting down the heavy expenses the Court had borne to support and maintain the island, as Mr Crispe reported. The report was then entered here. 21: the consultations of the twelfth, thirteenth and fourteenth of September contained the several reports of the Governor and Council relating to the fortification at Rupert's. There, with the Court's own means and the help the Governor had procured on his own credit from the inhabitants, he began a curtain wall on the twenty-third of September, very near the place formerly marked out. On the following day the stone-work was finished, and the guns were already mounted upon it, being six nine-pounders. The Council enclosed a plan of these works as they now stood, but once it had secured Lemon Valley and Sandy Bay it would Interpretations The Governor's use of his own personal credit to procure labour and materials from the inhabitants for the fortification at Rupert's illustrates the persistent shortage of ready funds at the settlement, where public defence works could only proceed by an officer pledging his private standing to secure resources the Company's cash could not immediately supply. The Council's practice of consolidating its scattered consultations into a single digest for the Court, transcribing only the most material in full, reflects the challenge of reporting a complex season's business across the vast distance to London, curating the record so that the essential decisions reached the directors without burying them in the full volume of proceedings. | |
46 | return hither again & continue the Building till wee have joyned it to the other Works on the west side of this Bay which were near finished by Mr Pyke which besides the Guns upon the Tenaile wee have planted five nine Pounders two Minion & one Saker & the Platforms for these & the Tenaile are already laid being made out of the old Plank which You sent Us by the Queen Caroline, & upon Chubs rock or very near it wee will build a Battery for 6 guns & when these are done wee think this Valley will be effectually Secured from any descent In our Consultations of the 9 of November Mr Crispe & Bazett have given their opinion together with the Reasons that induced them thereto why Lemon Valley should be the next place Repaired & secured, & the Governour having after them very Attentively viewed the said place & sandy bay & being of the same sentiments, as mentioned in Consultation of the 14 of November wee have accordingly already begun by sending thither two of the 6 pdr Carriges which stood useless in that part of the Castle called the mount & which Your Honours in the 6th par of Your Genl Letter of the 4 Decr 1754 directed should be moved to places where they may be of Service, the others wee reserve for the Battery at Chubs rock, they being some of the best guns wee have of this sort & there to prevent any sudden surprize wee have planted new | The Council would return to Rupert's again and carry on the building until it had joined it to the other works on the west side of the bay, near finished by Mr Pyke. Besides the guns upon the curtain wall, it had mounted here nine nine-pounders, two minions and one saker, and the platforms for these and the curtain wall were already being laid, made out of the old plank the Court had sent by the Queen Caroline. Upon Chubb's Rock, or very near it, the Council would build a battery for eight guns, and once these works were done the valley would be effectively secured against any landing. 22: in the consultation of the seventh of November, Mr Crispe and Mr Bazett gave their opinion, together with the reasons that led them to it, why Lemon Valley should be the next place repaired and secured. The Governor, having afterwards viewed the place and Sandy Bay very attentively, was of the same mind, as recorded in the consultation of the fourteenth of November. The Council had accordingly begun by sending two of the six culverins to Rupert's, guns that stood useless at the part of the castle called the Mount, which the Court, in the fifty-sixth paragraph of its general letter of the fourth of December 1734, had directed should be moved to places where they might be of service. The others the Council reserved for the battery at Chubb's Rock, they being some of the best guns of that kind it had. To guard against any sudden surprise, the Council had placed new guns as well. Interpretations The redeployment of six culverins from the castle Mount, where they stood useless, to the new batteries at Rupert's and Chubb's Rock, carried out on the express direction of the Court's letter of 4 December 1734, shows the settlement acting on a specific metropolitan instruction to concentrate its heavy guns where they could actually command the approaches, correcting an earlier disposition that left the island's best ordnance idle. The variety of guns named, nine-pounders, minions, sakers and culverins, reflects the mixed and dated artillery a remote garrison had to work with, older lighter pieces such as minions and sakers pressed into service alongside the heavier culverins to cover the several landing places the island's broken coastline exposed. | |
47 | Near the Sea side there to Continue till the old Batteries shall be repaired which wee hope to get up in a very short time Wee doubt not but Your Honours will be well pleased with the Care and pains wee have already taken for the safety and Security of Your Island & Your Shiping but wee have still other matters to acquaint You with upon this Subject which wee hope will be equally acceptable to You, on the 25 of Novr the Inhabitants by the sole Management & influence of our present Governour almost Unanimously agreed to contribute & raise among themselves a large Number of blacks in order to compleat, with all expedition, that Probably may be the Several Batteries to be Repaired or Erected at Lemon Valley & Sandy bay & have generously placed them under Our Direction till they shall be Severally finished & wee are in great hopes when these shall be done, they out of respect to the present Governour to whom this Assistance is entirely owing will likewise furnish Us with more helps & with the Same chearfullness so enable Us to return to Ruperts & give the finishing Stroke to those works which yet remain to be there perfected, Your Honours have the original Subscription in the Packet & a Copy thereof in Our Consultation of the 25 of Novr Us to Keppels Landing Place or as wee call it Prosperous bay, it being a part of the Island the least liable to danger, such defence as wee shall run up there wee propose to do at Our leisure & with Your own hands, but even this wee will begin as soon as ever wee have done in other places & upon no presumtion Whatever neglect the last article relating to | The Council had placed guns near the seaside, there to remain until the old batteries were repaired, which it hoped to get up in a very short time. 23: the Council had no doubt the Court would be well pleased with the care and pains it had already taken for the safety and security of the island and the Court's shipping. It had still other matters to report on this subject, which it hoped would prove equally acceptable. By the sole management and influence of the present Governor, the inhabitants had, on the twenty-third of November, almost unanimously agreed to contribute and raise among themselves a large number of slaves, so that the several batteries to be repaired or built at Lemon Valley and Sandy Bay might be completed with all speed. They had generously placed these slaves under the Council's direction until the works were finished, and the Council was in great hope that, once these were done, the inhabitants would out of respect to the present Governor, to whom this assistance was entirely owing, furnish still more help and with the same readiness enable the Council to return to Rupert's and give the finishing stroke to the works that still remained to be perfected there. The Court had the original subscription in the packet, with a copy of it in the consultation of the twenty-third of November. As to Rupert's Landing Place, or as some called it, Prosperous Bay, this was a part of the island least liable to danger, so the Council proposed to do such work there as its leisure allowed and with its own hands, though even this it would begin as soon as ever it had finished at the other places. Interpretations The inhabitants' agreement to pool and place a large number of their own slaves under the Council's direction for the fortification works, secured entirely through the Governor's personal influence, illustrates how public defence at the settlement rested on voluntary contribution rather than any power to compel, the Governor's standing with the community serving as the mechanism by which private labour was mobilised for common security. The Council's careful crediting of this assistance to the present Governor personally, and its expectation that his respect among the inhabitants would draw further help, reveals how far the island's administration depended on the individual authority and reputation of its head, collective effort turning on the goodwill one man could command rather than on institutional obligation. | |
48 | to Your Fortifications upon which the Safety of Your Shiping & the Security of the Island Solely depend The Subscription which the Inhabts have so hartily come into to assist in the heavy Article of Fortifications wee beleive will always be rememberd to their advantage & wee look upon it as a good omen of their future help upon these & the like pressing occasions, & wee do not make any doubt of it, for it appears by the enclosed Petition in behalf of our present Governour that they do entirely place their trust & Confidence in him as well with regard to every thing which concerns the Island in general as matters relating to themselves & so firmly & steadfastly beleive that all their Safety & future comfort of their lives do near to Your Honours depend upon him that they have humbly presumd to Interced with Your Honours that he may be confirmd their Governour & have a signd such facts & reasons for what they have desired as they hope will be sufficient to move Your Honours to have Pitty & Compassion upon their Sufferings & to induce You to Gratifie their Request as the only means to protect & secure them from the like Cruelties & outragious insults for the future which they are Confident will be effectually done if Your Honours shall have the goodness to fix & establish him in the employment he now possesses, & wee also most humbly beg leave to become Intercessours with Your Honours upon this occasion & hope You will be pleasd to receive Our Application with a favr Regard & give Us an opportunity to Ex Our selves farther in Your Service, as is hath been usually Customary for Your Honr | The Council would neglect nothing relating to the fortifications, on which the safety of the Court's shipping and the security of the island solely depended. 24: the Council believed the subscription the inhabitants had so heartily entered into, toward the heavy charge of the fortifications, would always be remembered to their advantage, and it looked on this as a good sign of their future help in the pressing works ahead. The Council had no doubt of it, for by the enclosed petition on behalf of the present Governor the inhabitants had entirely placed their trust and confidence in him, both as to everything concerning the island in general and as to matters touching themselves. They so firmly believed that all the safety and future comfort of their lives depended on him that they had humbly ventured to intercede with the Court to have him confirmed as their Governor. They had signed such facts and reasons for their request as they hoped would be enough to move the Court to pity their sufferings and grant it, holding him the only means to protect and secure them from the like cruelties and outrageous insults in future, which they were confident would be effectively prevented if the Court would fix and establish him in the post he now held. The Council most humbly begged leave to add its own intercession on this occasion, and hoped the Court would receive its application with favourable regard. Interpretations The inhabitants' formal petition begging the Court to confirm the acting Governor in his post, framed around their trust in him as the sole protector of their lives and property, reveals how far the settlement's stability was seen to rest on a single individual, the community mobilising a collective appeal to London to secure the continuation of a man they credited with their safety. The Council's decision to add its own intercession to the inhabitants' petition shows the two bodies aligning to press the same personnel outcome on the Court, the acting Governor's supporters marshalling both popular and official endorsement to convert a temporary succession, arising from Governor Pyke's death, into a permanent appointment. | |
49 | Honours to do by Your Servants when vacances of this sort have happend in Your other Settlements abroad where for the encouragement of good Behaviour in all such who have the happyness to be employed by Your Honours have frequently appointd the Gentlemen next the Chair to succeed and wee humbly hope You will extend the like indulgence to Us who have long laboured in the Vineyard & permit Us to say faithfully two & for proof thereof wee desire Your Honours will be pleasd to examine and consider our conduct & Management since wee have been free from Curb or restraint & at Liberty to pursue & to promote your Interest which wee have endeavourd to do in the most effectual manner not Valuing our selves upon Trash & Tinsel but have taken Care to attend to matters & act in such sort as wee have some reason to beleive will be most acceptable & satisfaction to Your Honours & will therefore humbly hope that wee also in our turn shall be distinguished with marks of Your favour & Bounty as others have been before Us, but as Your Honours are our masters you are Sole Judges of our Merit & desert & Arbiters of our fortune and upon Your Goodness wee throw ourselves & wholly rely thereupon These affairs which wee have from time to time taken in our Consideration Naturally lead Us into many Serious thoug hts & enquires farther back, & among others to calculate as well as wee could, that this place may have Cost Your Honours since the time You first became Proprietors thereof & wee have reason to beleive if wee may have leave to compare the Extravagan | The Court had been accustomed to reward its servants when vacancies of this kind arose in its other settlements abroad. For the encouragement of good conduct in all who had the good fortune to be employed by the Court, it had frequently appointed the gentlemen next in seniority to succeed. The Council humbly hoped the Court would extend the same favour to those who had long served at the island and allow it to say faithfully two, and as proof of this it asked the Court to examine and weigh its own conduct and management. Since it had been free from restraint and at liberty to prosecute and promote the Court's interest, it had done so in the most effective way it could, setting no store by trash and tinsel but taking care to attend to matters and to act in such a manner as it had some reason to believe would prove most acceptable and satisfying to the Court. It therefore humbly hoped that it too would in its turn be distinguished by the Court's favour and bounty, as others had been before it. Yet since the Court was its master, the sole judge of its merit and desert and the arbiter of its fortune, the Council threw itself upon the Court's goodness and relied wholly upon it. 25: the affairs the Council had from time to time taken into consideration led it naturally into many serious thoughts, and carried its reflections further back. Among other things, it had tried as far as it could to calculate what the island might have cost the Court since it first became proprietor of it, and it had reason to believe, could it compare the extravagance of former times with the present, that the difference would appear very great. Interpretations The Council's appeal to be rewarded like servants promoted in the Company's other settlements reflects the settlement's sense of being a distant and easily overlooked posting, its officers pressing the Court to apply to St Helena the same recognition of good service that governed appointments elsewhere in the Company's establishment. The Council's attempt to reckon the island's total cost to the Company since its founding, contrasting the extravagance of former administrations with its own economy, shows a deliberate strategy of self-justification through historical accounting, the present management seeking credit by measuring its own frugality against the record of those who came before. | |
50 | of former times with those wee have seen in our own days that it hath Cost Your Honrs at least in half a Million of Money, an immense sum & yet to our infinite Amazement & which wee cannot mention without shame & Indignation there is not any thing to be seen for all this, wee hope wee & Your Honrs will not look upon this Remark as foreign to the purpose because it is sufficient to rouse as it hath in us, the Care & Diligence of the most Indolent to look well into these Matters for the time to come & the impression this hath made upon Us hath such an effect that were it possible to double our Zeal & Vigilance this alone would do it, but as wee have already exerted ourselves in the best manner wee have been able, in so short a space, Your Honours can only expect & require that wee should continue thus to go on & perservere in the course wee have begun & wee faithfully Promise Your Honours wee will do so In our Packet wee have transmitted to Your Honours the usual annual Lists As soon as the alarm happend on the 29 Novr last wee began to prepare the foregoing Particulars to the end wee might be ready to give Your Honours early advice of our Transactions & of the present State & Condition of Your Island in case the Ship had suddenly sailed which is the reason why the news about Your Shiping is thus disjointed, on the 26 Decr a Danish Ship called the Countess of Laurenvigan Commanded by Captn Holts of about 300 tons arrived here from Madagascar from whence she sailed on the 11 June & St for Mozambique & from thence on the 20 Sept where she had been having but with very Indifferent Succes | The Council held that the extravagance of former times, set against what it had seen in its own day, had cost the Court at least half a million of money, an immense sum. To its infinite amazement, which it could not mention without shame and indignation, there was nothing to show for all of it. 1: the Council hoped the Court would not think this remark beside the point, since it was enough to stir in the Council, the most indolent might be moved to look into these matters for the time to come, and the impression this had made upon it had taken such effect that, could it possibly double its zeal and vigilance, this alone would do it. As it had already exerted itself in the best manner it could in so short a space, the Court could only expect and require that the Council should carry on as it had begun and persevere in the course it had set, which the Council faithfully promised the Court it would do. 26: in the packet the Council had sent the Court the usual annual lists. 1: as soon as the alarm was raised on the twenty-seventh of November last, the Council began to prepare the foregoing paragraph, so that it might be ready to give the Court early word of its transactions and of the present state and condition of the island, in case the ship suddenly sailed. This was why the news about the Court's shipping was so disjointed. On the eighth of December a Danish ship called the Sluenwigan, commanded by Captain Holt and of about 900 tons, arrived from Madagascar, from where she had sailed on the eleventh of June for Mozambique, and from there on the twenty-sixth of September, where she had been having but very indifferent success. Interpretations The Council's charge that the mismanagement of former administrations had cost the Company at least half a million with nothing to show for it delivers the culminating stroke of its self-justifying historical reckoning, using a striking headline figure to throw its own economy into sharp relief and to shame the record of its predecessors before the Court. The disjointed reporting of shipping news, explained by the Council's need to have its main despatch ready the moment an alarm might carry a ship away, reveals how the uncertainty of departure shaped the very structure of the correspondence, the settlement drafting its account piecemeal against the possibility of a sudden and unpredictable sailing. | |
51 | Having only 30 on board, the Captain tells Us a peice of News very disagreeable to Us & to all who wish well to Your Honours & the safety & Prosperity of mankind Mr Barrington who was a few Years ago one of Your Servants at Madrass, & who went onto Denmark upon this Ship as Supracargo has taken up with & Marred a Daughter of one of the Shagbag Princes of that Country & has enticed the Carpenter Gunner Second mate & six other men, to turn Renegadoes with him, & he breaths nothing but revenge against his Country men the English, he carried on his designs so closely before he became suspected that he had got out of the ship almost of every thing he wanted & the Captn says he himself see a fine Stand of arms of at least a Thousand all bright & clean & in excellent order & they are now building a Sloop of Sixty or Seventy Tons in which the Carpenter will be of great Service to them for the Captn tells Us he is an able workman and being justly Allarmd at these Villanous doings he made the best of way from thence, being Apprehensive that they would otherwise have Seized his Ship, On the 2 Decr he sailed for the Island St Thomas, but he could get only a small parcell of Refreshment wee not being Countenance to any such thing upon Account of the Scarcity that is now among Us & the Number of Your own Ships which wee are to take care to supply upon their return this Season, but in all other respects wee made his reception & Entertainment as acceptable to him as wee could, & wee shall do the same by foreigners of all nations whom Your Honours permit to touch here for wee think it highly blamable to treat Strangers with Insolence or neglect the contrary Usage | The Danish ship had only thirty-nine men aboard, and the captain gave the Council a piece of news very disagreeable both to it and to all who wished the Court well, and to the safety and welfare of mankind. Mr Barrington, who a few years earlier had been one of the Court's servants at Madras and had gone over to Denmark, had come aboard this ship as supercargo. He had taken up with and married a daughter of one of the Shagbag princes of that country, and had enticed the carpenter, the gunner, the second mate and six other men to turn renegade with him. He breathed nothing but revenge against his countrymen the English, and had carried on his designs so secretly, before he came to be suspected, that he had got out of the ship almost everything he wanted. The captain said he had himself seen a fine stand of arms of at least a thousand, all bright and clean and in excellent order, and they were now building a sloop of sixty or seventy tons, in which the carpenter would be of great service to them, for the captain told the Council he was an able workman. Being justly alarmed at these villainous doings, the captain had made the best of his way from Mozambique, being afraid they would otherwise have seized his ship. On the eighth of December he had sailed for the island of St Thomas, but he could get only a small parcel of refreshment, the Council not choosing to countenance any such thing on account of the scarcity now among it and of the number of the Court's own ships it had to take care to supply on their return this season. In all other respects the Council made his reception and entertainment as acceptable to him as it could, and it would do the same for foreigners of all nations whom the Court permitted to touch here, for it thought it highly blameable to treat strangers with insolence or neglect. Interpretations The account of Barrington, a former Company servant turned renegade who married into a local ruling family at Madagascar, armed himself heavily and enticed away skilled crewmen to build a vessel, records the persistent danger that European deserters posed by placing their technical knowledge, in shipbuilding, gunnery and navigation, at the service of communities beyond the Company's control, a threat sharpened by his declared thirst for revenge against the English. The Council's careful balance between denying the Danish captain full refreshment on account of scarcity and yet extending civil treatment reflects the working policy recorded throughout this correspondence, whereby the island distinguished between the humane reception owed to foreign vessels of established nations and the strict husbanding of its own limited provisions for the Company's homeward fleet. | |
52 | Usage may perhaps engage them to return the Sirility to some of our Country men in other Parts of the world but rude behaviour wee are sure must disoblige them, On the 13th the Hall for arrived from Madritius & brought Us a small Supply of Rice & Sugar only the Particulars of which Your Honours will see in our Consul tation of the 13, but on the 26 he acquainted Us that he can only spare Us Ten bags of rice & Eighteen bags of Sugar the rest being So Ct 20 of Rice &c - of Sugar he keeps for the ships use, being in great necesity for want thereof & wee according to Your Directions in the Parag of Your Letter of the 5 Decr 1755, have left this Acct open in order to be adjusted by Your Honours, He tells Us that he was very kindly Used by the French which they said they did in return for the Civil Usage with their own Shiping had Usually recd here, It seems that a Morrish Captn of a Grab had carried Several Johanna Carpenters to Madagascar & with them was building the Vessell which the Danish Captn spakes of In our Consultation of the 13 Decr Your Honours will observe wee have proposed that a large parcell of Useless shott should be either sent to England or put on board the Store ship a Kintledge & that wee have also herein mentioned the Quantity and different sorts of shott which are wanting to make up a Compleat Number of Rounds for each peice of ordinance which wee refer to Your Honours consideration & desire You will be pleased to signifie your Pleasure thereupon - Wee are St Helena 1 Janry 1758 Hond Sirs Your most faithfull & most Obedient Servants | Kind treatment might perhaps persuade such men to return to civility toward some of the Council's countrymen in other parts of the world, but rude behaviour, the Council was sure, would only harden them against it. On the thirteenth the Halifax had arrived from Mauritius and brought a small supply of rice and sugar only, the particulars of which the Court would see in the consultation of the thirteenth. On the twenty-sixth the captain informed the Council that he could spare only ten bags of rice and eighteen bags of sugar, the rest being 55 [...] of rice and [...] of sugar, which he kept for his ship's use, being in great need of it. In keeping with the Court's directions in the ninth paragraph of its letter of the fifth of December 1735, the Council had left this account open, so that it might be adjusted by the Court. The captain reported that he had been very kindly treated by the French, which they said they did in return for the civil usage their own shipping had usually met with at the island. It appeared that a Moorish captain of a grab had carried several Johanna carpenters to Madagascar, and with them was building the vessel the Danish captain had spoken of. 28: in the consultation of the thirteenth of December the Court would see that the Council had proposed that a large parcel of useless shot be either sent to England or put aboard the store ship as ballast. The Council had also set out here the quantity and different kinds of shot wanting to make up a full number of rounds for each piece of ordnance. It referred this to the Court's consideration and asked the Court to signify its pleasure on the matter. The letter closed at St Helena on 1 January 1738, signed by the Governor and Council. Interpretations The report that a Moorish captain of a grab had carried Johanna carpenters to Madagascar to build the renegade Barrington's vessel connects two threads of intelligence the Council had gathered, revealing a regional network of shipbuilding skill moving between Indian Ocean ports beyond European control, in which a grab, a type of Arab coasting vessel of the western Indian Ocean, served as the means of transferring craftsmen to arm a hostile settlement. The Council's proposal to ship useless shot home or employ it as ballast, while itemising the shot it still lacked to complete its rounds for each gun, illustrates the practical economy of a remote arsenal, where obsolete ordnance stores were repurposed for their dead weight even as the garrison remained short of the matched ammunition its serviceable guns required. | |
53 | John Goodwin Crispe John Bazett List of the Packets p Wilmington and Hallifax, Duplicates Vizt 1 General Letter 7 January 1758 2 Consultations from 28 May to the 20 June 1758 both inclusive 3 Governour Pykes Plantation Account for May 1758 4 Accot of ship Royal Guardian Copies 5 Consults from 27th June to the 19th Decr 1758 both inclusive 6 Collection of Consults & Reports of the Governour & Council relateing to the State of the Island Petition to the Honble Company 7 Governour Goodwins 8 Original Petition of the Inhabitants in behalf of Governour Goodwin 9 Original Subscription of the Inhabitants at the Instigation & Inducement of Governour Goodwin to furnish at their own Charge 70 blacks to Compleat the Fortifications 10 List of Families 11 List of Rents List of Fines 12 List of Salaries 13 List of Blacks 14 List of Eaters 15 Govr Pykes Accot Currant & Cash Account 16 Govr Pykes Plantation Accot for June 17 18 19 Governour Goodwins Plantation Accot for Sept 20 21 Margin Notes: July August Octr Novr | The letter was signed by John Goodwin, Duke Crispe and John Bazett. The packet carried by the Wilmington and the Halifax included the following. Duplicates and copies 1: General letter of 1 January 1738 2: Consultations from 23 May to 20 June 1738, both inclusive 3: Governor Pyke's plantation account for May 1738 4: Account of the ship Royal Guardian Copies 5: Consultations from 27 June to 19 December 1738, both inclusive 6: Collection of consultations and reports of the Governor and Council relating to the state of the island, with the petition to the Company 7: Governor Goodwin's petition 8: Original petition of the inhabitants on behalf of Governor Goodwin 9: Original subscription of the inhabitants, made at the instigation and encouragement of Governor Goodwin, to furnish at their own charge seventy slaves to complete the fortifications 10: List of families 11: List of rents, list of fines 12: List of salaries 13: List of slaves 14: List of leases 15: Governor Pyke's account current and cash account 16: Governor Pyke's plantation account for June, July and August 17: Governor Goodwin's plantation account for September, October and November Interpretations The packet manifest distinguishes duplicates and copies from originals, the original petitions and the inhabitants' subscription sent to London while consultations went as copies, reflecting the standard practice of dispatching authentic signed instruments where their evidential force mattered, as in the appeal to confirm Governor Goodwin, while retaining the record of routine proceedings in copied form. The prominence given to the petitions and subscription supporting Goodwin, listed among the substantive enclosures rather than the routine accounts, confirms that securing his permanent appointment was the season's principal object, the documentary campaign assembled to press both popular and official endorsement upon the Court. | |
54 | 22 Account of Ship Wilmington 23 Account of Ship Hallifax NB Duplicates of all these Papers were also sent by the Hallifax | The packet list continued with the following further items. 22: Account of ship Wilmington 23: Account of ship Halifax Duplicates of all these papers were also sent by the Halifax. | |
55 | Honoured Sirs Since the Wilmington & Hallifax Sailed from hence which was on the 5 of Janua- ry last the following Ships have arrived Vizt The Caroline The King William The Beaufort The Britannia on the 19 February on the 22 Ditto on the 23 Ditto & on the 25 of February two french Ships from Mauritius, one called the Phaenix of Seven hundred & Eighty Tons, & thirty six Guns, Commanded by one Butler an Irish man, the other called the St Gerand of Six hundred Tons, & Thorty Guns & Commanded by Monsr Aubin Duclosjust, their Commissions were each dated on the 28 October 1757 They want water & Beef but propose to Stay only a few days The Supply wee recd by the Beaufort Your Honours will see in our Consultation of the of February by Captain Sanders wee have been told that either the Resolution or Napau might be daily expected, & by him wee have also heard, with great Concern that the Anglesea is unfortunately lost, having by some Errors taken the Madeira Country for you, near which she struck upon some rocks & perished, but wheather the men or Cargo are Saved wee have yet no certain advice, Captain Boddam & Captain Coates left the Cape, the former on the 27 of January, & the latter on the 14 of February Captain Ashens informs Us that the Lyell was preparing to sail for England when he left Madrass & that wee may expect her very soon The News wee recd by the Britannia was extreamly acceptable to Us, & wee return Your | The Council at St Helena addressed the Court of Directors, reporting that since the Wilmington and Halifax sailed on the fifth of January last, the following ships had arrived. The Caroline The King William, on the nineteenth of February The Beaufort, on the twenty-second of February The Britannia, on the twenty-third of February On the twenty-ninth of February two French ships arrived from Mauritius. One, called the Phoenix, of 780 tons and thirty-six guns, was commanded by one Buller, an Irishman. The other, called the St Gerand, of 600 tons and thirty guns, was commanded by Monsieur Aubin Du Plessis. Their commissions were each dated the twenty-third of October 1737. They wanted water and beef, but proposed to stay only a few days. 2: The supply the Council received by the Beaufort would appear in the consultation of February. Captain Sanders had told the Council that either the Resolution or the Nassau might be expected daily, and by him it had also heard, with great concern, that the Anglesea was unfortunately lost, having taken in some rice in the eastern country for the Court, near which she struck upon some rocks and was destroyed. Whether the men or cargo were saved the Council had as yet no certain word. Captain Boddam and Captain Coates were at the Cape, the former on the twenty-seventh of January and the latter on the fourteenth of February. Captain Stevens was preparing to sail for England when the Lyell left Madras, so the Council might expect her very soon. 3: The news the Council received by the Britannia was extremely welcome to it. Interpretations The two French ships arriving from Mauritius with commissions carefully dated and noted by the Council reflect the settlement's standing practice of recording the authority under which foreign vessels sailed before granting them refreshment, the documentation logged as evidence that the island had verified their legitimacy against the ever-present suspicion of interlopers. The report of the Anglesea wrecked on rocks while loading rice for the Company, its fate reaching the island second-hand and still uncertain as to survivors or cargo, again shows St Helena functioning as the relay point where fragmentary news of distant shipping disasters was gathered and passed onward to London ahead of any full account. | |
56 | Your Honours our most humble thanks for this mark of Your favour, & since You have had the Bounty to Anticipate our good Fortune, wee will be sure to exert ourselves & make the most dutyfull Returns for this fresh & signal Instance of Your Generosity & wee flatter ourselves that what has been done for Your Service since the Death of Mr Pyke will give You some Satisfaction, & be looked upon by Your Honours as good Proof of our Zeale & Resolution to Promote Your Interest which wee already have & will continue to prosecute with all the diligence & application wee are masters of, & wee hope the particulars of our Transactions since our last advices will convince Your Honours that hitherto wee have been as good as our word, What is most remarkable & best worth Your Notice Your Honours will find in the Governours Several reports of the 9, 15 & 28 of January & of the 4 of February, in these last Your Honours will observe that the New Battery at Lemon Valley was begun, & by the Govenours Care & Constant Attendance, has been well & strongly built, & finished, & the Guns Mounted in the short space of six weeks, & wee shall speedily begin at sandy bay, but as this is a time of the Year in which the Inhabitants are cheifly Busyed about their Plantations, & want their blacks more than at any other season, they have desired a little Respit, & as there are not any immediate Apprehensions of War, wee have agreed hereto, but intend to employ them again as soon as they can possibly spare them, in the mean time, while wee are Proceeding as fast as wee can with Your own servants, & this is all that Necessary to | The Council returned its most humble thanks for this mark of the Court's favour. Since the Court had been so generous as to reward it before the Council had even asked, the Council would be sure to exert itself and make the most dutiful return for this fresh and signal instance of the Court's generosity. It flattered itself that what it had done for the Court's service since the death of Mr Pyke would give the Court satisfaction and be looked on as good proof of its zeal and resolution to promote the Court's interest, which it already pursued and would continue to pursue with all the diligence and application it could command. The Council hoped the particulars of its transactions since its last advice would convince the Court that it had so far been as good as its word. What was most remarkable and best worth the Court's notice would appear in the Governor's several reports of the ninth, thirteenth and twenty-third of January, and of the ninth of February. In this last the Court would observe that the new battery at Lemon Valley was begun. Through the Governor's care and constant attendance it had been well and strongly built, and finished, with the guns mounted, in the short space of six weeks. The Council would shortly begin at Sandy Bay, but as this was a time of year when the inhabitants were chiefly busy about their own plantations and wanted their slaves more than at any other season, they had asked to have them back for a little. Since there were no immediate fears of war, the Council agreed to this, but intended to employ them again as soon as they could possibly be spared. In the meantime it was pressing on as fast as it could with the Court's own servants. Interpretations The completion of the Lemon Valley battery in six weeks under the Governor's constant attendance, offered as evidence of vigorous management, illustrates how the settlement measured administrative worth in visible works finished quickly, the Governor's personal oversight presented to the Court as the reason for the speed. The seasonal recall of the inhabitants' slaves for their own planting, granted because no war threatened, reveals the practical limit on the settlement's defence effort, the same voluntary labour that built the batteries having to be released when the agricultural calendar demanded it, defence and subsistence competing for a single scarce pool of workers. | |
57 | to lay before Your Honours upon this Subject till wee give a Particular Answer to Your last Letter, which wee will do by the next Ships who are preparing to sail with all the expedition they chn Wee are sorry but are obliged to acquaint Your Honours, that our Summer Rains have as yet in a manner totally failed Us & if they do not set in within a few days, the Island will be in greater distress than wee have known it for many Years & for this reason wee shall be forced to buy what Quantities of Grain wee can procure out of the returning Shiping, & are Pretty sure that in a case of such extremity Your Honours will not blame our Conduct Wee have drawn one sett of Bills upon Your Honours for the sum of £180 Sterling dated this day, & Payable to Duke Crispe or Order, for ninety five Pounds by him paid unto Your Cash & for Salary in part due & Growing Due to him of which wee humbly pray Your Honours acceptance The Governour pays his duty to Your Honours in a private Letter herein enclosed Wee are Island St Helena 1 March 1758 Honoured Sirs Your most faithfull & most obedient Servants John Goodwin Duke Crispe John Bazett G Powell PS Wee have also drawn one other sett of bills upon Your Honours for the sum of £163 Sterling dated this day & Payable to John Goodwin Esqr or order for so much by him paid into Your Cash here of which wee likewise pray Your Honours acceptance | The Council had this to lay before the Court on the subject, and would give a fuller answer to the Court's last letter by the next ships, which were preparing to sail with all the speed they could. 4: The Council was sorry to have to tell the Court that its summer rains had so far almost entirely failed, and that if they did not set in within a few days the island would be in greater distress than had been known for many years. For this reason it would be forced to buy whatever quantities of grain it could get from the returning shipping, and it was fairly sure that in such extremity the Court would not blame its conduct. 5: The Council had drawn one set of bills upon the Court for £180 0s 0d sterling, dated this day and payable to Duke Crispe or order, for £95 0s 0d paid by him into the Court's cash and for salary in part due and growing due to him, of which it humbly asked the Court's acceptance. 6: The Governor paid his respects to the Court in a private letter enclosed here. The letter closed at the island of St Helena on 1 March 1738, signed by John Goodwin, Duke Crispe, John Bazett and G Powell. 1: The Council had also drawn one other set of bills upon the Court for £[...] sterling, dated this day and payable to John Goodwin Esquire or order, for so much paid by him into the Court's cash here, of which it likewise asked the Court's acceptance. Interpretations The bill drawn payable to Duke Crispe combining £95 0s 0d of cash he had paid into the Court's account with salary owed and accruing to him illustrates the composite settlement device used at the cashless island, where a single instrument on London discharged both a debt owed to the Company and a debt owed by it, netting the two into one paper claim. The renewed warning that summer rains had failed and grain must be bought from passing ships in extremity connects to the drought running through this season's correspondence, the Council pre-emptively defending an anticipated emergency purchase as justified conduct the Court could not fairly criticise. | |
58 | Honoured Sirs The Britannia arrived here on the 25 of Febry last & by her wee had the pleasure to hear that the Shiping of last Season got safe to England Wee thank Your Honours for sending Us a list of Your Outward bound Shiping which wee hope will return with safety & Success Wee received the Cargo by the Britannia within the time limited by fast party except such part as is Endorsd upon the bill of Lading which wee have transmitted in our Packet to Bencoolen & on the 8th instant in the Evening wee gave the Captain orders as Your directed should to make the best of his way thither The last of all Your General Letters are constantly read in Consultation as soon as wee received them The particulars of Your Cash are entered upon Consultation as Your Honours have commanded it should, be & shall be so continued Such bills of exchange as wee may hereafter draw upon Your Honours shall be at ninety days after sight according to the Regulation you have been lately pleasd to make upon this head A greater number of able bodied men slaves would have been really Necessary to carry on Your fortifications had not the Governour by the Influence he has over the Inhabitants procured their Assistance of which wee have already given Your Honours a particular account & what with their help & that of Your own wee shall be able to proceed with pretty good speed in Compt | The Council at St Helena addressed the Court of Directors, reporting that the Britannia had arrived on the twenty-fifth of February last, and by her it had the pleasure of hearing that the shipping of the last season had reached England safely. The Council thanked the Court for sending a list of its outward-bound shipping, which it hoped would return safely and prosper. The Council received the cargo by the Britannia within the time allowed by the charter party, except that part entered on the bill of lading, which it had sent in its packet to Bencoolen. On the eighth instant, in the evening, it gave the captain orders, as the Court had directed, to make the best of his way there. 10: The last of all the Court's general letters were constantly read in consultation as soon as the Council received them. 11: The particulars of the Court's cash were entered in consultation as the Court had commanded, and would continue to be so. 12: Whatever bills of exchange the Council might draw upon the Court in future would be at ninety days after sight, according to the rule the Court had lately been pleased to make on this head. 13: A greater number of able-bodied slaves would have been truly necessary to carry on the Court's fortifications, had not the Governor, through his influence over the inhabitants, procured their assistance, of which the Council had already given the Court a particular account. With their help and that of the Court's own, the Council would be able to proceed with fairly good speed in completing Interpretations The Court's new rule fixing all future bills of exchange at ninety days after sight reflects a metropolitan effort to standardise the terms on which its remote stations drew on London, lengthening and regularising the credit period so that the Company could better manage the timing of payments falling due from distant drawers. The Council's reliance on the Governor's influence to raise the inhabitants' slaves for the fortifications, rather than any larger supply of the Company's own, underlines once more how far the settlement's public works depended on voluntary private labour mobilised through personal standing, the Court's own hands alone being insufficient for the task. | |
59 | Compleating those of such of Your fortifications as yet remain to be perfected formally unless the slaves with which Your Honours have ordered Us to be supplyed from India, should prove Men fit for Labour they are only a don right Charge & Burthen to Us & therefore as your works are far advanced & as wee are very carefull upon all occations to save Your Money wee desire your Honours will send Us no more, wee already having many useless hands & Mouths among who only serve to encrease the Charge & for this reason wee have thoughts to to make a fresh Draft next Year for Bencoolen of some of Your own blacks as wee have done this by sending eight female Breeding Wenches of the free Blacks by Contribution among Ourselves & the Inhabitants which wee hope will meet with Your Approbation for tis high time to check an Evil which in a few Years might become dange- rous to Us, Wee humbly Desire Your Honours will be pleased to remember that as soon as wee had it in our power wee put an end to the hire of Blacks & if our Instances could have been effectual it would have been more timely done The Expence of which Your Honours Complain for Liquors Quarterly Charged shall be now at an end nor indeed will wee buy any thing of any kind if wee can possibly avoid it but our seasons have failed Us for so many Years together & now again that at present wee are under an absolute Necessity to purchase a few things for the Supply of the Table without which wee cannot possibly Exist because Your Honours Stock of all kinds is very low occasioned by the continued failure of Rain, at the Usual times for want of which the Pastures have ban every where Dryed up | The Council would complete such of the Court's fortifications as still remained to be perfected. This could only really be done if the slaves the Court had ordered to be supplied from India proved to be men and fit for labour, since otherwise they would be only a wrong charge and burden. As the works were far advanced, and the Council was very careful on every occasion to save the Court's money, it asked the Court to send no more useless hands, already having many idle mouths that only increased the charge. For this reason it had thought of making a fresh draft the following year to Bencoolen of some of the Court's own slaves, as it had already done by sending eight breeding women from among the free slaves, raised by contribution among the Council and the inhabitants, which it hoped would meet with the Court's approval, as being in good time to check an evil that in a few years might grow dangerous. The Council humbly asked the Court to bear in mind that as soon as it possibly could, it had put an end to the hire of slaves, and that if its own instances could have been effective it would have been done sooner. 14: The extravagance in liquors of which the Court complained, quarterly charged, would now be at an end, nor indeed would the Council buy anything of the kind if it could possibly avoid it. But the seasons had failed the island for so many years together, and now again at present it was under an absolute necessity to buy a few things for the supply of the table, without which it could not possibly manage, because the Court's stock of all kinds was very low. This was owing to the continued failure of rain at the usual seasons, for want of which the pastures had everywhere dried. Interpretations The Council's plan to draft some of the Company's own slaves to Bencoolen, having already sent eight breeding women away by subscription, reveals a policy of managing the enslaved population as a transferable resource, moving people between the Company's settlements to correct a perceived surplus at the island before it became, in the Council's phrase, a dangerous evil. The Council's insistence that it had ended the hire of slaves as soon as it could, and would have done so earlier had its own recommendations carried weight, shows it distancing itself from a practice it presents as forced upon it, framing the hiring of the inhabitants' slaves as a reluctant expedient rather than a policy of its own choosing. | |
60 | & burnt up & numbers of Cattle have died but wee are resolved to put an end to this Charge as soon as wee can of which wee have given Your Honours such strong assurances in Our Consultation of the 11 Octr & in the 21 Parg of our Letter of the 1 of Janry last that it is Needless to say anything more upon this Subject than to Desire Your Honours to rely thereon Foreign Ships seldom or ever want any thing out of Your Stores except mere trifles & often not any, but when ever it is Necessary Your Honours shall be sure to have the Particulars, the two which sailed on the 1st Instant had no more out of Your Stores than the Value of £10 - which they paid for in Cash Wee are glad to find Your Honours are pleased with the Crane lately refixd at Lemon Valley, wee will take Care to keep it always in good repair for the Conveniency of Your Shiping much time much labour & great Expence has been thrown away in Making Bricks & Tyles for those few wee have here are quite naught & wee have heard that the brick & Tyle makers in England who have tryed the earth sent from hence have Declared that it will not do for any such purpose Wee will Examine the Wines as soon as they come on Shoar & upon all such occasions give Your Honours an Account in what condition wee find them Wee have lately made Several Outcries of Damaged & other goods as Your Honours will see in our Several Consultacons of 28 of Novr but the whole came to no more than £49 - 7 however wee will do all wee can | The pastures had dried and burnt up, and numbers of cattle had died. The Council was resolved to put an end to this charge as soon as it could, of which it had already given the Court such strong assurances, in the consultation of the eleventh of October and in the third paragraph of its letter of the first of January last, that it was needless to say anything further on the subject and it left the Court to rely on them. 15: Foreign ships seldom or never wanted anything out of the Court's stores except mere trifles, and often not any, but when they did the Court might be sure it should have the particulars. The two ships that sailed on the eleventh instant took no more from the Court's stores than the value of £30 0s 0d, which they paid for in cash. 16: The Council was glad to find the Court pleased with the crane lately refixed at Lemon Valley, and would take care to keep it always in good repair for the convenience of the Court's shipping. Much time, much labour and great expense had been thrown away in making bricks and tiles, for those made here were quite worthless, and the Council had heard that the brick and tile makers in England who had tried the earth sent from here had declared it would not do for any such purpose. 17: The Council would examine the wines as soon as they came ashore, and on all such occasions give the Court an account of what condition it found them in. 18: The Council had lately made several auctions of damaged and other goods, as the Court would see in its several consultations of the third of November, but the whole came to no more than £49 0s 0d. It would nonetheless do as much as it could. Interpretations The verdict of the English brick and tile makers, that the island's clay would not serve for any such purpose, marks a striking reversal of the confident claim recorded earlier in this correspondence, where the Governor had sent samples to London boasting the clay could supply the metropolis itself; the metropolitan trade's rejection of the material quietly overturns that earlier assertion of colonial self-sufficiency. The Council's record that the two foreign ships took only £30 0s 0d of stores and paid in cash reflects its careful accounting of every transaction with foreign vessels, the small sum and the ready-money settlement noted precisely to demonstrate that the island neither depleted the Company's stores for strangers nor extended them credit. | |
61 | can to dispose of what is left at the most proper times & for the most Advantage Wee will take care to recover as fast as wee can such debts as are owing by the Inhabitants & not suffer them to run any more in Arrears but the loss of their Cattle has for the present Deprived them of the Principal means by which they proposed to clear the same The Transfers Your Honours mentiond in this Paragraph shall for the future be avoided & care will be taken that Your Honours shall be no loosers by those already made Our Letters to Your Several Settlements in India shall be entered in Consultation as Your Honours direct Such Orders as the Honble Gentlemen of Secret Committee already have or hereafter shall send shall be duely obeyed Wee hartily wish that more fatal Accidents may happen to Your Shiping while wee meet any more such unfortunate Disasters the rules Your Honours have laid down to be observed upon such unhappy Occasions shall be duely complyed with Mr Barlow our Chaplain is dead but wee are very glad to hear that the exchange between him & Mr Fordyce was approved by Your Honours Mr Pyke Died on the 28 July last the Governour & each of Us Severally beg leave to repeat our thanks for the late Instance of Your favour to Us the Governour has done the same in a private Letter of which the enclosed is a Duplicate, the Several your have been Pleased to give upon this occasion have been Complyd with & herewith Your Honours receive our Several Covenants & wee Humbly hope that our Management and Behaviour | The Council would dispose of what remained at the most suitable times and to the best advantage. 19: The Council would take care to recover, as fast as it could, such debts as the inhabitants owed, and not let them run any further into arrears. The loss of their cattle, however, had for the present deprived them of the chief means by which they had proposed to clear those debts. 20: The transfers the Court mentioned in this paragraph would be avoided in future, and care would be taken that the Court should be no loser by those already made. 21: The Council's letters to the Court's several settlements in India would be entered in consultation as the Court directed. 22: Whatever orders the gentlemen of the Secret Committee had already sent, or might send hereafter, would be duly obeyed. 24: The Council heartily wished no more fatal accidents might befall the Court's shipping, but should it meet with any further such unfortunate disasters, the rules the Court had laid down to be observed on such unhappy occasions would be duly complied with. 25: Mr Barlow, the Council's chaplain, was dead, but the Council was very glad to hear that the exchange between him and Mr Fordyce had been approved by the Court. 26: Mr Pyke died on the twenty-eighth of July last. 27: The Governor and the whole Council severally begged leave to repeat their thanks for the late instance of the Court's favour to the Governor, who had done the same in a private letter, of which the enclosed was a duplicate. The several orders the Court had been pleased to give on this occasion had been complied with, and the Council enclosed its several covenants. Interpretations The Council's acknowledgement that the loss of the inhabitants' cattle had stripped them of the chief means of clearing their debts to the Company reveals how the drought threatened not only subsistence but the whole credit structure of the settlement, the herds having served as the realisable asset against which planters' arrears were expected to be paid. The reference to the Secret Committee's orders, to be obeyed whether already sent or still to come, reflects the confidential channel by which the Court conveyed sensitive instructions to the Governor apart from the general correspondence, a mechanism recorded elsewhere in this correspondence for matters the directors judged too delicate for the open despatches read by the whole Council. | |
62 | Behaviour in our respective Stations will meet with Your Approbation - When Your Honours were pleased to appoint Mr Crispe Governour wee beleive, You accepted of his own bond for the faithfull discharge of his duty & wee humbly hope that Your Honours will in like manner be pleasd to accept of Ours Wee have acquainted Mr Forster with what Your Honours have determind relating to him & he intends to return to England upon one of Your Homeward bound Ships Wee will acquaint Your Honours from time to time with the Several sorts or Species of Money which shall be paid on Your Cash here for bills of exchange, & the Consultation & Cash accounts shall be brought up & Transmitted at the times Your Honours require, the Particulars of the Cash account are entered in Our Consultation of the instant The Surfs continued so very high most of the time the Britannia was unlading that it was with difficulty wee got the goods on Shoar within the time save two Longboats having been Staved against the rocks, & some bread, some Stationary ware, & one Cask of Garding seeds have been lost or spoiled as mentio ned upon the Bill of Lading Wee have sent Your Honours one sett of Books, for the Year ending at Sepr last the Gross Charge of which Amounts to £897.7.6 but wee are in great hopes wee shall be able to reduce this great sum into much Narrower bounds, & wee humbly assure Your Hon | The Council hoped its conduct in its respective stations would meet with the Court's approval. When the Court appointed Mr Pyke Governor, the Council believed it had accepted his own bond for the faithful discharge of his duty, and it humbly hoped the Court would in the same way accept the Council's. 28: The Council had informed Mr Forster of what the Court had decided concerning him, and he intended to return to England on one of the Court's homeward-bound ships. 29: The Council would inform the Court from time to time of the several sorts of money paid into the Court's cash here for bills of exchange, and the consultations and cash accounts would be brought up and sent home at the times the Court required. The particulars of the cash account were entered in the consultation of the island. 30: The surf continued so very high for most of the time the Britannia was unloading that the Council got the goods ashore within the ten days only with difficulty, two longboats having been staved against the rocks. Some bread, some stationery ware and one cask of garden seeds had been lost or spoiled, as noted on the bill of lading. 31: The Council had sent the Court one set of books for the year ending in September last, the gross charge amounting to £5,977 7s 9d, but it was in great hope of being able to bring this great sum within much narrower bounds. Interpretations The Council's analogy between the Governor's bond, accepted by the Court as security for the faithful discharge of his office, and its own covenants offered in the same spirit, illustrates the standard use of personal financial suretyship to bind Company servants to their duty, the officer's own bond serving as the guarantee of honest management the directors required before entrusting responsibility. The account of two longboats staved on the rocks and stores lost while the Britannia unloaded in heavy surf within the ten-day limit reflects the physical hazard of the island's exposed anchorage under the charter-party pressure to clear cargo quickly, the loss recorded precisely on the bill of lading to fix responsibility for goods damaged by conditions beyond the Council's control. | |
63 | Honours nothing in our power shall be Wanting to answer this good intention, Several Soldiers were, last Year sent Us & by the failure of the Rains, many of Your Cattle have died which obliged Us to buy more in order to furnish Your Shiping with Carterpar- ty Beef & oblige by the same reason wee pity wee, in order to preserve Your Plantations have been forced to feed Your Blacks with Grain for a longer term than usual, & these are the Articles which have Cheifly enhanced the Charge Wee thank God wee have at this place few Instances wherein the art of Surgery is Necessary, but wee are at great loss for want of an Assistant Skilfull in Medicine, wee have been without any that was thus Qualified for many Years past, the man Mr Pyke put in as Doctors Mate was one of the Soldiers Your Honours lately sent Us but knows less of the matter then a Farrier, & for this reason wee have dismist him but wee humbly pray Your Honours will Consider the condition of the Island & that You will be pleased to send Us a Person well versd in Physic, of which all men at one time or other are unhapily obliged to make Use, one bred to the Apothe- caries Businiss will answer our purpose & be of great Benefit to the Inhabitants, Several having Suffered for want of proper help Wee have drawn two setts of bills of Exchange upon Your Honours one for the sum of twenty Pounds Sterling payable to Thos Sylvester or order for so much by him paid into Your Cash here, in Cash & Ash Notes he being one of Your Soldiers here who hath served out his time, & one other for £5 | The Council assured the Court that nothing in its power would be wanting to answer this good intention. Several soldiers had been sent out the previous year, but through the failure of the rains many of the Court's cattle had died, which obliged the Council to buy more in order to furnish the Court's shipping with a certain quantity of beef. For the same reason of scarcity, and to preserve the Court's plantations, it had been forced to feed the Court's slaves with grain for a longer term than usual. These were the articles that had chiefly raised the charge. 32: The Council thanked God that at the island there were few cases in which the art of surgery was needed, but it was at a great loss for want of a skilful assistant in medicine, having been without any mate so qualified for many years past. The man Mr Pyke put in as doctor's mate was one of the soldiers the Court had lately sent out, but he knew less of the matter than a farrier, and for this reason the Council had dismissed him. It humbly begged the Court to consider the island's condition and to send out a person well versed in physic, of which all men at one time or another were unhappily obliged to make use. One bred to the apothecary's business would answer the purpose and be of great benefit to the inhabitants, several of whom had suffered for want of proper help. 33: The Council had drawn two sets of bills of exchange upon the Court. One was for £20 0s 0d sterling, payable to Thomas Sylvester or order, for so much paid by him into the Court's cash here in cash and cash notes, he being one of the Court's soldiers who had served out his time. Interpretations The Council's contempt for the doctor's mate appointed from among the soldiers, dismissed as knowing less of medicine than a farrier, exposes the poverty of medical provision at the remote settlement, where the want of a trained practitioner forced unqualified men into a role affecting the whole population's health. The Council's specific plea for a man bred to the apothecary's business rather than a surgeon reflects the same practical hierarchy of medical need recorded earlier in this correspondence, the routine treatment of common sickness through dispensed remedies being valued above surgical skill in a small community that rarely required operations but constantly needed physic. | |
64 | For the sum of £250 - Payable to John Brown or order being in part for £136.10 Due to him for Salary & for £113.10 by him paid in Cash Notes & Mixed Money each dated the 13 instant of which wee desire Your Acceptance Captn Jobson having Acquainted Us by letter that his ship is very crank & observing that wee have several old which are of no use or Service to Us he desired he might have them for Ballast promising to Deliver them freight free to Your Honours in England & according to his request wee intend to spare him about a Dozen Captn Birkhead sailed from hence on the 4 instant & on the 7 the royal George Arrived & on the 9 the Lyell Captn Jobson confirms the Unfortunate News of the loss of the Anglesea & reports that the Captn & all the Officers Except the Cheif mate & all the men Except 13 Sailors were drownd The Captns Sanders, Stevens & Ackon have seen the Several fortifications at Ruperts & Lemon Valley & if Your Honours have occasion to make any enquirey about them they wee beleive will be able to give a Satisfactory account Wee are St Helena 13 March 1758/9 Hond Sirs Your most faithfull & most obeadent Servants John Goodwin Duke Crispe John Bazett G G Powell | The other set of bills was for £250 0s 0d, payable to John Brown or order, being in part for £136 10s 0d due to him for salary and for £113 10s 0d he had paid in cash notes and mixed money, each dated the first instant, of which the Council asked the Court's acceptance. 34: Captain Jobson had informed the Council by letter that his ship was very crank, and observing that the Council had several old guns of no use or service to it, he asked to have them for ballast, promising to deliver them freight free to the Court in England. In keeping with his request the Council resolved to spare him about a dozen. 35: Captain Birkhead sailed on the fourth instant, and on the seventh the Royal George arrived. On the ninth the Lyell arrived, and Captain Jobson confirmed the unfortunate news of the loss of the Anglesea, reporting that the captain and all the officers except the chief mate, and all the men except thirteen sailors, were drowned. 36: Captain Sanders, Captain Stevens and Captain Acton had seen the several fortifications at Rupert's and Lemon Valley, and if the Court had occasion to make any inquiry about them, the Council believed they would be able to give a satisfactory account. The letter closed at St Helena on 12 March 1739, signed by John Goodwin, Duke Crispe, John Bazett and G Powell. Interpretations The disposal of a dozen useless old guns to Captain Jobson as freight-free ballast for his crank ship connects the settlement's surplus obsolete ordnance with a passing commander's need for weight in an unstable vessel, the two wants meeting so that the island cleared dead stock while the captain gained ballast at no cost, the guns delivered back to the Company in England. The Council's confirmation of the Anglesea's loss with only thirteen of her people saved gives the grim resolution to the wreck reported as uncertain in earlier despatches, and its invitation to the Court to examine three named captains who had inspected the new fortifications shows the settlement offering independent eyewitnesses to vouch for works it could not otherwise prove complete across the distance to London. | |
65 | Honoured Sirs Wee paid our duty to You by the King William who with the Beaufort sailed from hence on the 12 of this Month & since their Departure Several Ships have past by Us one on the 11 & five on the 14 & on the 21 instant the Onslow Arrived from Bombay with a supply of 400 Pcs of Chellos & 11 Slaves one of the Gentle being drownd in the Passage, By Captn Balchen wee hear that the Plassey was arrived at Bombay before he left the coast & that she would be dispatched soon after him but the Resolution does not return till the next Season, Wee have a fresh Confirmation of the loss of the Anglesea but the former report about the Number of Officers & Sailors drownd does not prove so terrible as was at first Related, for only the Captn among the Officers were drownd all the rest are living except Mr Lamb the Cheif Mate who died soon after he got on shoar, & the 2nd mate is now Passenger upon the Onslow to whom wee beg leave to refer Your Honours for a more particular account of this Misfortune Captain Sumner wee beleive would have got away much sooner if he had not been Intercepted by the Number of Shiping which have been Constantly in the road during the whole time of his stay here one or other of whole boats were continually at the same when the Surfs would permitt them so that he could only come there in his turn and Consequently could not make that dispatch which otherwise he intended he proposes to sail to morrow & at the Desire of John Long & his wife wee have permitted them & all their Children & also John Annie & his wife | The Council at St Helena addressed the Court of Directors, reporting that it had paid its respects by the King William, which sailed with the Beaufort on the twelfth of this month. Since their departure several ships had passed by the island, one on the eleventh and five on the twenty-second. On the twenty-second instant the Onslow arrived from Bombay with a supply of 400 pieces of chintz and eleven slaves, one of the women having drowned on the passage. By Captain Balchen the Council heard that the Nassau had reached Bombay before he left the coast, and that she would be despatched soon after him, but the Resolution would not return until the following season. The Council had a fresh confirmation of the loss of the Anglesea, but the earlier report of the number of officers and sailors drowned did not prove so severe as first related. Only the captain among the officers was drowned, all the rest being alive except Mr Lamb, the chief mate, who died soon after he got ashore. The second mate was now a passenger on the Onslow, to whom the Council referred the Court for a fuller account of this misfortune. 2: Captain Sumner would, the Council believed, have got away much sooner had he not been held back by the number of ships constantly in the road during the whole time of his stay, one or other of whose boats was continually at the crane whenever the surf allowed. He could therefore only take his turn there, and so could not make the despatch he had otherwise intended. He proposed to sail the next day. Interpretations The account correcting the Anglesea's casualties downward, from the terrible toll first reported to only the captain and the chief mate lost, illustrates once more how the settlement received maritime disaster news in successive and revising fragments, each arriving ship refining the picture until the survivors themselves could give the fullest account. Captain Sumner's delay at the crane, forced to wait his turn behind other ships' boats whenever the surf permitted, reveals the practical bottleneck of the island's single watering apparatus in a crowded road, the fixed infrastructure unable to serve many vessels at once so that departure depended as much on queuing as on weather. | |
66 | Wife & two Children & likewise three young Women Daughters of William Worrall of this Island at their own & their Fathers Request to take Passage on board the Britannia for Bencoolen & wee could very well spare many more of this Sex, were there Opportuni- ties to place them abroad, for such is that unhappy Situation of many of them here that they can neither be servicable to themselves or Families Such part of the Cargo by the Britannia as was Damaged by the Acciden- tal staving of her long boat the Captain has made good out of his private Stores except the Stationary ware, which has been Delivered to him & upon which he has paid so & sent amounting upon the whole to £12.18.12 the Particulars are indorsd upon her bill of Lading Captn Jobson has only taken six of our old honey Combed Guns for which he has given a Receipt herewith Transmitted & Promised to deliver them to Your Honr freight free, wee thought he wanted more & accordingly at his Desire wee took care to have fourteen carried down to the Cranes but he has only taken the Number already mentioned, some of them have by time been so much damaged on the outside that their weight, could not be exactly Distinguished, however by the weight of their shott & size of the peice wee judge that three of them are each about 26 - & the other three about 26 - - each & wee have thought it much better to send them to England upon these terms where they will yeild something than to keep them useless here, & as wee beleive | The Council had allowed John Anne, his wife and two children, along with three young women, daughters of William Wornall of the island, to take passage aboard the Britannia for Bencoolen. This was done at their own request and at their father's. The Council could very well spare many more of this sex, were there opportunities to place them abroad, for such was the unhappy situation of many of them here that they could be of service neither to themselves nor to any family. 3: such part of the cargo by the Britannia as had been damaged through the accidental staving of her longboat, the captain had made good out of his own private stores, except the stationery ware, which had been delivered to him and for which he had paid so much per cent, amounting in all to £12 18s 1½d. The particulars were endorsed on her bill of lading. 4: Captain Jobson had taken only six of the Council's old honeycombed guns, for which he had given a receipt sent herewith, and had promised to deliver them to the Court freight free. The Council had thought he wanted more, and accordingly, at his request, had ordered fourteen carried down to the frame, but he had taken only the number already mentioned. Some of them were by this time so damaged on the outside that their weight could not be exactly determined. Judging, however, from the weight of their shot and the bore of the piece, the Council reckoned that three of them were each about 50 [...] and the other three about 20 [...] each. It had thought it much better to send them to England on these terms, where they would yield something, than to keep them useless here. Interpretations The Council's readiness to send away young women unable to support themselves or be of use to any household reveals the demographic strain of the small settlement, where a surplus of dependent females who could find no place in the island's economy was treated as a burden to be relieved by shipping them to Bencoolen. The description of the surplus guns as honeycombed, meaning corroded and pitted with internal cavities that rendered them dangerous and useless, explains why the Council was so willing to be rid of them, the decayed ordnance worth more delivered to England for its metal than kept idle at the island where it could not safely be fired. | |
67 | This is the best way of Disposing of them, wee will in the like manner send the other by the first opportunity Wee have drawn one sett of Bills upon Your Honours for the sum of £25 Sterling dated the 24 instant & payable to William Wood or order for so much by him paid into Your Cash here, in Cash & Cash Notes of which wee humbly pray your acceptance St Helena 24 March 1759 Hond Sirs Your most faithfull & most obedient Servants John Goodwin Duke Crispe John Bazett G G Powell | The Council held this the best way of disposing of the guns, and would send the rest in the same manner by the first opportunity. 5: The Council had drawn one set of bills upon the Court for £25 0s 0d sterling, dated the twenty-fourth instant and payable to William Wood or order, for so much paid by him into the Court's cash here in cash and cash notes, of which it humbly asked the Court's acceptance. The letter closed at St Helena on 25 March 1739, signed by John Goodwin, Duke Crispe, John Bazett and G Powell. | |
68 | Honoured Sirs The royal George & Lyell sailed from hence for England on the 23 instant & on the 27 the Britannia proceeded on her voiage to Bencoolen & wee very hartily wish that all Your Outward & homeward bound Shiping will arrive at their Several Ports in safety Since our Letter of the 25 of this Month wee have had some Rain, which has very much refreshd the Pasture Grounds & Plantations in every part of the Island & wee are in great hopes that our apprehensions of a fresh drowth will soon be at an end Wee have already given Your Honours a very full & perfect Account of the Affairs of this place, & shall not wee beleive have occasion to trouble You with any thing Material till towards the close of the Season when wee shall be sure to lay before you an Abridgement or Recapitulation of such Transactions as are more immediately Necessary for Your Notice & Observation Wee are St Helena 31 March 1759 Hond Sirs Your most faithfull & most obedient Servants John Goodwin Duke Crispe John Bazett G G Powell | The Council at St Helena addressed the Court of Directors, reporting that the Royal George and the Lyell had sailed for England on the twenty-third instant, and on the twenty-ninth the Britannia had proceeded on her voyage to Bencoolen. The Council heartily wished all the Court's outward and homeward-bound shipping might reach their several ports safely. 2: Since the Council's letter of the twenty-third of this month it had had some rain, which had greatly refreshed the pasture grounds and plantations in every part of the island. The Council was in great hope that its fears of a fresh drought would soon be at an end. 3: The Council had already given the Court a very full and complete account of the affairs of the island, and believed it would have no occasion to trouble the Court with anything material until towards the close of the season. It would then be sure to lay before the Court an abridgement or recapitulation of such transactions as were more immediately necessary for the Court's notice. The letter closed at St Helena on 31 March 1739, signed by John Goodwin, Duke Crispe, John Bazett and G Powell. | |
69 | Honoured Sirs The Onslow left Us on the 31 of March last & since her Departure Several Alarms have happend & the following Ships have Arrived here, Vizt On the 3rd of April a Single Ship on the 5th Ditto - 2 sail on the 14th Ditto - 6 sail on the 15 Ditto - 3 Sail past by Us The nine last wee beleive were Dutch, on the same day a french Ship called the Amphitrite of 300 Tons & 28 Guns Comanded by Monsr Gilbert arrived from the Isle of Bourbon & On the 4th ins the Godolphin Prince of Orange Prince of Wales Princess Royal arrived from China On the 5 a french Ship called the Apollo of 500 Tons 26 Guns & 130 Men Commanded by Monsr Dela Matre arrived from Pondichery On the 29th the London from China and on the 8 a Danish Ship also from China called the King of Denmark, Commanded by Lestieu wee having Examined the Commissions of these forein Ships wee gave them leave to Refresh as they desired, but Provisions are so short that wee beleive they will be able to Procure very little, The Amphitrite sailed on the 8 & on the 9 an other french Ship Called the on the 13th the Apollo sailed for France & on the 14 instant a Dutch Ship arrived from Batavia, Such supplys as the Several Ships above mentiond have brought Us Your Honours will see in our Consultation of | The Council at St Helena addressed the Court of Directors, reporting that the Onslow had left on the thirty-first of March last, and since her departure several alarms had occurred and the following ships had arrived. On the third of April, a single ship, passed by the island On the fifth, two sail, passed by the island On the fourteenth, six sail, passed by the island On the twenty-third, three sail, passed by the island The last nine the Council believed were Dutch. On the same day a French ship called the Amphitrite, of 500 tons and 28 guns, commanded by Monsieur Gilbert, arrived from the Isle of Bourbon. The Godolphin, the Prince of Orange and the Prince of Wales arrived from China on the fourth. The Princess Royal also arrived. On the fifth a French ship called the Apollo, of 500 tons, 26 guns and 130 men, commanded by Monsieur De la Matre, arrived from Pondicherry. On the same day the London from China arrived, and on the eighth a Danish ship, also from China, called the King of Denmark, commanded by Testrue. Having examined the commissions of these foreign ships, the Council gave them leave to refresh as they wished, but provisions were so short that it believed it would be able to procure very little. The Amphitrite sailed on the eighth, and on the ninth another French ship called the [...] sailed. On the thirteenth the Apollo sailed for France, and on the fourteenth instant a Dutch ship arrived from Batavia. Such supplies as the several ships above mentioned had brought would appear in the Council's consultations. Interpretations The catalogue of French, Dutch and Danish ships arriving in quick succession, each examined for its commission before being granted refreshment, reflects the intense multinational traffic passing St Helena in this season and the Council's routine verification of every foreign vessel's authority as the precondition for any assistance. The Council's admission that provisions were too short to supply the foreign arrivals with more than very little reveals the continuing effect of the drought on the island's capacity, its own scarcity limiting the civility it could extend even to legitimate vessels of friendly nations while the Company's homeward fleet retained first claim on what little remained. | |
70 | Wee are much concerned to acquaint Your Honours that Provisions occasioned by the great distress the Island has been in for four or five Years past for want of Rain, are become so Scarce, that wee have been only able to Supply part of the Charterparty Beef to such of Your Ships as are now in the road & have only three head of Cattle more to spare one to each of the three Ships which shall next arrive, after which wee can kill no more this Season, for over & above the loss Your Honours have suffered by the Death of Your Cattle for want of food, the dry weather has been attended with an other Misfortune which has much sunk them for the Pasture Grounds not having Produced a Sufficient Quantity of Grass the Breeding Cattle have not yeilded a proportional or timely encrease by which accidents Your Stock have been greatly Diminished, & those which wee have hitherto been obliged to kill for Your Shiping have not weighed half so much as they used to do, formerly it was Common for the four Quarters of a Beast to weigh 450 & often much more, but now they seldom weigh 300 many having only just turned the Scale of 200 & therefore to kill them thus small would be down right ill management & would in a short time totally ruin Your Stock, but however Your Honours may depend upon it, that the Governour will omit nothing in his part to remedy this Evil, but success upon this matter depends almost solely upon time & a constant Course of Regular seasons, if these happen wee are sure wee shall be able to Supply each of Your Ships which | The Council was much concerned to tell the Court that provisions had grown so scarce, through the great distress the island had suffered for four or five years past for want of rain, that it had been able to supply only part of the charter-party beef to such of the Court's ships as were now in the road. It had only three head of cattle more to spare, one for each of the three ships that should next arrive, after which it could kill no more this season. Beyond the loss the Court had suffered through the death of its cattle for want of food, the dry weather had brought another misfortune that had much reduced them. Since the pasture grounds had not produced a sufficient quantity of grass, the breeding cattle had not yielded a proportionate or timely increase, and through these accidents the stock had been greatly diminished. Those the Council had until now been obliged to kill for the Court's shipping had not weighed half so much as they used to. Formerly it was common for the four quarters of a beast to weigh 450 pounds, and often much more, but now they seldom weighed 200. Since so many had only just reached that weight, to go on killing them so small would be downright bad management, and would in a short time entirely ruin the Court's stock. The Court might nonetheless depend upon it that the Governor would neglect nothing on his part to remedy this evil, though success in the matter rested almost wholly on time and a steady run of regular seasons. Should these come, the Council was sure it would be able to supply each of the Court's ships. Interpretations The Council's explanation that thin pasture had suppressed the breeding increase, so the herd failed to renew itself even as mature beasts were slaughtered, identifies a compounding demographic effect of the drought beyond simple mortality, the loss of the next generation of cattle threatening the stock's recovery long after the rains returned. The precise contrast between a beast's former yield of 450 pounds and its present 200 quantifies the collapse in the animals' condition and supplies the Council's reasoning for restraint, the killing of underweight cattle framed as bad husbandry that would exhaust the breeding base and ruin the Company's herd if pressed further. | |
71 | which shall return next Year with half the Quantity of their Charterparty Beef, & more wee cannot promise or engage to do, but with this & each other Provisions as they shall be able to Procure of the Inhabitants (whom wee will Caution & enjoin to spare in proportion to the Numbers that are to be Supplyed & not sell more to one than to another) wee hope they will be tolerably well Refreshd, The Governours Report of the 9 instant which is entered in Consultation of that day will give Your Honours some farther Light into that affair & therefore wee humbly desire you will be pleased to order it to be laid before you, Wee offered to Supply them with the Salt Provisions Your Honours lately sent Us but they Severally told Us they did not want any, they had already enough of that sort Captn Pelley has not Delivered his Barrell of Gunpowder here, it is therefore charged to his account, & he will pay the same to Your Honours in England Wee have drawn one sett of Bills upon Your Honours for the sum of £200 - Sterling Payable to Mr Purling or order for so much by him payed into Your Cash here in Cash & Cash notes dated 13 instant of which wee desire Your Acceptance St Helena 16 May 1759 Hond Sirs Your most faithfull & most obedient Servants John Goodwin Duke Crispe John Bazett G G Powell PS Captn Backwell has not delivered any powder here & will Account with your Honours for it | The Council expected the ships would return the following year with half their charter-party beef, and more it could not promise or undertake to provide, but with such other provisions as they could procure from the inhabitants. The Council would caution and instruct the inhabitants to spare in proportion to the numbers, and not to sell more to one than to another, so the ships would, it hoped, be tolerably well refreshed. The Governor's report of the ninth instant, entered in the consultation of that day, would give the Court some further insight into this affair, and the Council humbly asked the Court to order it laid before it. The Council had offered to supply the ships with the salt provisions the Court had lately sent out, but they severally told it they did not want any, having already enough of that kind. 1: Captain Pelley had not delivered his parcel of nine-pounders here. It was therefore charged to his account, and he would pay the same to the Court in England. 2: The Council had drawn one set of bills upon the Court for £200 0s 0d sterling, payable to Mr Durling or order, for so much paid by him into the Court's cash here in cash and cash notes, dated the thirteenth instant, of which it asked the Court's acceptance. The letter closed at St Helena on 16 May 1739, signed by John Goodwin, Duke Crispe, John Bazett and G Powell. 1: Captain Bacchvell had not delivered any powder here. The Council would account with the Court for it. Interpretations The Council's instruction that the inhabitants distribute their spare provisions evenly among the ships, selling no more to one than to another, reveals a deliberate policy of managing the scarce private supply to prevent favouritism or price-gouging among a population whose own stores were depleted, spreading the shortage fairly across the Company's homeward fleet. The ships' refusal of the salt provisions the Court had sent, on the ground that they already had enough of that kind, points to the particular value of fresh beef over preserved rations to scurvy-prone crews, the vessels wanting the living cattle the drought had made scarce rather than the salted meat they carried in plenty. | |
72 | Honoured Sirs It now drawing near the end of the Season wee in obedience to Your former comm- ands have collected such Passages out of our late General Letters which wee think are most immediately Necessary for Your Notice, to which wee have added some fresh remarks of our own & wee begin with that by the Wilmington of the 7 January last Wee have been at all times mindfull to prevent the loss which goods receive by long keeping & to this end have often put them up at a Moderate rate to publick sale but have met with few buyers, the most Success wee have had this way was on the 17 & 18 Octr wee have since made several other attempts but have been able to dispose only of small Parcells, however wee will speedily make some other tryals in which wee hope to meet with better luck Mr Barlow our Chaplain died in September last & wee have supplyed his place with such Bishop Tillottson & the Sermons of other eminent Divines from whose labours & Example wee hope both wee ourselves & the Inhabitants shall be well instructed & improvd, His bond for £50 - by him Borrowed of Your Honours in England is Charged to his account & at this day there is a Ballance due to him in Your Books of £20.14.9¾ Our Summer rain tho late for it did not begin till the 25 March, has been of great Service to Us & preservd many Cattle which otherwise in a short time must have died for want of food, & having been thus distressd | The Council at St Helena addressed the Court of Directors, reporting that as the season now drew near its end it had, in obedience to the Court's earlier commands, gathered together such passages out of its late general letters as it thought most immediately necessary for the Court's notice. To these it had added some fresh remarks of its own, beginning with the letter carried by the Wilmington of the seventh of January last. The Council had at all times been mindful to prevent the loss that goods suffer through long keeping, and to that end had often put them up at a moderate price for public sale. It had met with few buyers, however, its best success being on the seventeenth and eighteenth of October. Since then it had made several other attempts but had been able to dispose of only small parcels. It would nonetheless shortly make further trials, in which it hoped to have better luck. Mr Barlow, the Council's chaplain, had died in September last, and the Council had supplied his place with the sermons of Bishop Tillotson and other eminent divines, from whose labours and example it hoped both itself and the inhabitants would be well instructed and improved. His bond for £50 0s 0d, borrowed from the Court in England, was charged to his account, and there was at this day a balance due to him in the Court's books of £20 14s 9¼d. 4: The Council's summer rains, though late, for they did not begin until the twenty-fifth of March, had been of great service and preserved many cattle that must otherwise in a short time have died for want of food. Interpretations The chaplain Barlow's bond for £50 0s 0d, borrowed from the Court in England and charged against his account so that only a reduced balance stood to his credit at his death, illustrates the routine practice of advancing outgoing servants money in London recoverable from their island earnings, the debt following the man across the world and set off against what the Company owed him. The Council's continued reliance on printed sermons of established divines during the vacancy, now repeated in the recapitulation, underlines how far a remote settlement depended on the published words of metropolitan churchmen to maintain public worship when no resident clergyman could be secured. | |
73 | Distressed for four or five Years together the Number left Us small to what it used to be, & those wee kill for Your Shiping do not weigh half so much as they used to do formerly it was Common for the four Quarters of a beast to weigh 430 & often much more, but now they seldom weigh 300 many only just turn the Scale of 200 & that wee have been able only to supply part of Your Shiping with their full Quantity of Charterparty Beef, for it would be down right ill management & would infallably destroy Your Stock to kill them thus small, but However Your Honours may depend upon it that the Governour will omit nothing on his part to remedy this evil, but success in this matter depends almost solely upon time & a Constant Course of Regular seasons, wee offerd the salt Provisions Your Honours lately sent Us to make up the deficiency of fresh Beef but few have taken any of it, being most of Stocked with provisions of this kind Your Plantations are now every where in good order, & that they may be at no time neglected the Governour frequently views them himself & keeps the overseers strictly to their Duty The Wood is of great service & after Plentifull rains produced an abundance of good Grass but in the dry weather is totally barren As soon as wee have compleated the Fortifications wee will make several other subdivisions thereof by diging Trenches & raising banks in the Middle, as is commonly seen about London & if furze or Wood should happen to grow upon these banks it will make a strong & excellent fence, Wee desire Your Honours will be pleased to signifie your Pleasure wheather wee shall or shall not let out several parcells of Your Was- Lands | The island had been distressed for four or five years together, so the number of cattle left was small compared to what it used to be. Those the Council killed for the Court's shipping did not weigh half so much as they formerly did. It was once common for the four quarters of a beast to weigh 450 pounds, and often much more, but now they seldom weighed 200, so many having only just reached that weight. The Council had therefore been able to supply only part of the Court's shipping with its full quantity of charter-party beef, since to go on killing them so small would be downright bad management and would certainly destroy the Court's stock. The Court might nonetheless depend upon it that the Governor would neglect nothing on his part to remedy this evil, though success in the matter rested almost wholly on time and a steady run of regular seasons. The Council had offered the ships the salt provisions the Court had lately sent out to make up the shortfall of fresh beef, but few had taken any, being mostly stocked with provisions of that kind. The Court's plantations were now everywhere in good order, and so that they might at no time be neglected the Governor frequently viewed them himself and kept the overseers strictly to their duty. The Wood was of great service, and after plentiful rains produced an abundance of good grass, but in dry weather it was totally barren. As soon as the Council had completed the fortifications it would make several other subdivisions within it, by digging trenches and raising banks in the middle, as was commonly done around London. Should furze or wood happen to grow upon these banks, it would make a strong and excellent fence. Interpretations The proposal to enclose the Great Wood with banked trenches after the London manner, so that furze or wood growing on the banks would form a living fence, records the settlement's plan to combine physical earthwork with hedge planting, adapting a familiar English enclosure technique to preserve regenerating pasture and timber from grazing stock. The Council's repeated insistence on the Governor's personal inspection of the plantations and strict oversight of the overseers reflects the recurring theme that competent management at the island depended on the constant physical attention of its head, the good order of the Company's property attributed directly to the Governor's own vigilance rather than to any settled administrative system. | |
74 | Lands to be set apart for the sole Planting of Wood & Furze according to the proposals wee made to You in the 17 Pargr of our Letter of the 9 of Janry last As soon as the Shiping is over wee meanure & value all Your Pasture grounds & Cattle & bring them into Your present sett of Books, & wee hope an account of these things thus entered will be acceptable to Your Honours Wee make no doubt but wee shall be able to make considerable reductions in the Charge of the Island & to Compleat Your Fortifications within a reasonable time which are two things wee have greatly at hart, & wee have already made a good Progress in both Wee desire Your Honours will be pleasd to remember that the Tenaile at Ruperts & the Tenaile at Lemon Valley have been Cheifly done by the Assistance which the Governour by his own Credit & influence procured of the Inhabitants who have raised 70 blacks among them for this purpose, & the Battery which is to be erected at Sandy bay will in like manner be Cheifly built by them & wee beleive they will be also willing to Contribute handsomely towards Compleating such work as yet want to be built or finishd at Ruperts Valley & Chubs rock which stands in the said Valley close to the sea at the west part thereof & upon these Considerations & likewise in regard of the great losses they have of late Years sustaind by the death of their Cattle & that many families among them are very poor and Numerous wee humbly beg leave to become Intercessours in their behalf & desire that Your Honours according to the prayer of their Petition herewith transmitted will be pleased to Continue their rents upon the present | The Council proposed to set apart parcels of the Court's waste land for the sole planting of wood and furze, according to the proposals it had made in the seventeenth paragraph of its letter of the first of January last. As soon as the shipping was gone it would measure and value all the Court's pasture grounds and cattle, and bring them into the Court's present set of books, and it hoped an account of these things thus entered would be acceptable. The Council had no doubt it would be able to make considerable reductions in the island's charge, and to complete the Court's fortifications within a reasonable time. These were two things it had greatly at heart, and it had already made good progress in both. The Council asked the Court to bear in mind that the curtain wall at Rupert's and the curtain wall at Lemon Valley had been chiefly done by the assistance the Governor had procured, on his own credit and influence, from the inhabitants, who had raised seventy slaves among themselves for the purpose. The battery to be built at Sandy Bay would likewise be chiefly built by them, and the Council believed they would also be willing to contribute handsomely toward completing such work as still wanted to be built or finished at Rupert's and at Chubb's Rock, which stood fairly close to the sea at the west part of the valley. Interpretations The Council's intercession asking the Court to keep the inhabitants' rents at their reduced level rests on a reciprocal logic, the same community that had raised seventy slaves and would build the batteries at its own charge presented as deserving relief in return, the settlement's defence effort tied directly to a plea for fiscal indulgence. The repeated crediting of the fortification works to the inhabitants' labour secured through the Governor's personal standing frames the rent petition as a matter of fairness, the voluntary contribution to public defence advanced as the ground on which the impoverished and drought-stricken planters might reasonably be spared a return to their former rents. | |
75 | present reduced footing when the term which You last granted shall be Expired which will be at Midsummer Your Honours have been pleased to distin- guish each of Us with marks of Your favour, wee Severally return you our most humble thanks for this instance of Your Goodness to Us & are much Pleased to think that our Application in behalf of our present Governour & ourselves would have been favourably received had not Your Honours already Anticepated our good fortune & made us happy before wee knew it, His conduct & Behaviour since he has been Governour has met with the Approba- tion & Applause of all such Gentlemen has have yet past this way & wee hope it will be Equally acceptable to Your Honours The Reflection which wee have made in this Paragraph relateing to the Indolence and Prosusion of former times, & the immense sums of Money which have been idly & shamefully Squandered away hath made such lasting impressions upon us, that if an Expence of half a Million wee did not exert ourselves & upon every occasion observe the greatest Frugality wee should act the part of very unfaithfull Servants & should justly deserve Your Honours displeasure, but wee humbly assure You that wee will be wary & Diligent in all our Transactions be carefull to avoid every thing that may give Your Honours cause to blame our Management or Censure Our Oeconomy The Slaves which wee have hitherto received from India, prove very indifferent, being most of them Women or Children unfit for Labour, & wee have too much cause to Appre- hend the other Cargoes now comeing will be no better, & as Your Honours Fortifications are now in good forwardness, & as wee let slip no opportunit- ies | The Council asked that the inhabitants' rents be kept at their present reduced level until the term last granted expired, which would be at midsummer. The Court had been pleased to distinguish each member of the Council with marks of its favour, and they severally returned their most humble thanks for this instance of the Court's goodness. It much pleased them to think that the application on behalf of the present Governor and of themselves would have been favourably received, had the Court not already anticipated their good fortune and made them happy before they knew it. The Governor's conduct since his appointment had met with the approval and applause of all such gentlemen as had yet passed this way, and the Council hoped it would prove equally acceptable to the Court. The reflection the Council had made in a former paragraph, on the indolence and extravagance of former times and the immense sums of money idly and shamefully squandered away, had left such lasting impressions upon it that, were it to spend half a million and not on every occasion practise the greatest frugality, it would act the part of very unfaithful servants and justly deserve the Court's displeasure. The Council humbly assured the Court that it would be wary and diligent in all its transactions, and careful to avoid everything that might give the Court cause to blame its management or find fault with its economy. The slaves the Council had so far received from India proved very indifferent, most of them being women or children unfit for labour, and it had too much reason to fear the others now coming would be no better. The Court's fortifications were now in good forwardness, and as the Council let slip no opportunities Interpretations The Council's insistence that even the spending of half a million would not excuse it from practising the strictest frugality on every occasion turns the earlier condemnation of former administrations into a standing pledge of its own economy, the shameful record of the past converted into the measure against which it bound itself to be judged. The renewed complaint that the slaves supplied from India were mostly women and children unfit for labour, with worse feared to come, reinforces the settlement's persistent grievance over the quality of the workforce sent to it, the Council pressing the point across successive despatches to secure able-bodied men for the fortification works rather than dependants who added to the charge without easing the labour. | |
76 | to save Your Money wee desire Your Honours will send us no more, for wee have already abundance of Useless hands among us who only serve to Encrease the Charge, & yet to raise Provi- sions to feed these, many of the best hands are taken off from more Necessary Labour, & if wee were once rid of Useless people wee should be able to do much more work, with half the Number there now is, & for this reason wee intend by the Next Store ship with Your Honours Permission to send twenty or thirty women & Children to Bencoolen together with some more of the Breeding free Wenches, these latter by Contribution among ourselves & the Inhabitants, and wee humbly desire your Honours will Signifie Your Pleasure hereon, & if you approve thereof wee also desire you will give the Captain Notice of it, that he may lay in Water & provisions accordingly because they have sometimes excused themselves from carrying the Number which at times have been proposed to be sent under pretence, that for want of such warning they had not laid in Sufficient stock either of water or provisions Wee are as frugal in all our expences as wee possibly can be, but the seasons of late Years have proved so bad, & Your Stock of all Sorts are so much lessened thereby that wee are under a Necessity to buy for the present some Provisions of the Inhabitants in order to Supply Your Table, but this wee do only in small parcells to which wee will put an end as soon as wee possibly can, & Your Honours may safely trust to the Several assurences wee have already given you upon this Subject Much time, much Labour & great Expence has been thrown away in attempting to | The Council let slip no opportunities to save the Court's money, and asked the Court to send no more useless hands, since it already had an abundance among it who only increased the charge, and to raise provisions to feed these many of the best hands were taken off from more necessary labour. Were the Council once rid of useless people it would be able to do much more work with half the present number. For this reason it intended, by the next store ship and with the Court's permission, to send twenty or thirty women and children to Bencoolen, together with some of the breeding free slaves, the latter raised by contribution among the Council and the inhabitants. The Council humbly asked the Court to signify its pleasure on this, and if the Court approved, to give the captain notice so that he might lay in water and provisions accordingly, since captains had sometimes excused themselves from carrying the number proposed on the pretence that, for want of such warning, they had not laid in a sufficient stock of either water or provisions. The Council was as frugal in all its expenses as it could possibly be, but the seasons of late years had proved so bad, and the Court's stock of all kinds was so much reduced by them, that it was under a necessity of buying for the present some provisions from the inhabitants to supply the Court's table. This it did only in small parcels, to which it would put an end as soon as it possibly could, and the Court might safely trust to the several assurances it had already given on the subject. Interpretations The Council's plan to ship twenty or thirty women and children to Bencoolen, together with breeding slaves raised by subscription, continues the policy of redistributing the enslaved population between the Company's settlements to relieve a perceived surplus of unproductive dependants at the island, the transfer justified by the argument that fewer useless hands would leave a more efficient workforce. The captains' habit of pleading insufficient water and provisions to avoid carrying passengers reveals a recurring point of friction between the settlement and shipmasters, the Council's insistence on advance warning to the captain designed to strip away the excuse by which commanders evaded an obligation they found inconvenient. | |
77 | to make Bricks & Tyles for those few which have been made of each sort are quite Naught & by Letters from England wee have heard that the Brick & Tyle makers who have tryed several parcells of earth which were sent from this place, have Declared that it is unfit for any such Purpose, but it was fit wee cannot think it proper any should be made here, because of the great Charge thereof & vast Consumption of wood which would be occasioned thereby, besides it would take a great Number of hands from the Fortifications & other Businiss which are matters much more to be minded than making Bricks and Tyles When Your Honours were pleased to appoi- nt Mr Byfeild Governour wee beleive he gave no other Security for the faithfull discharge of his duty than his own Bond & wee humbly hope Your Honours will in the like manner be pleased to accept of Ours Wee herewith transmitt Your Honours Copy of Your Cash account as it Stood on the 31 of March last & the same shall be regularly continued The Charge of the Island for the last twelve month was £397.7.9 but wee doubt not wee shall be able to reduce this large sum into much narrower bounds wee had several Soldiers sent us last Year & such Numbers of Your Cattle died or were otherwise so small that Governour Pyke thought it proper to buy of the Inhabitants to furnish the Charter Party Beef, & to Preserve Your Plantations which for sometime, were very low occasiond by the drowth of the weather, wee were obliged to feed Your blacks with grain for a longer term than usual & these are the Articles that have Cheifly enhaunced the Expence Wee are still in great want & have been so for many Years past, of a Surgeons mate well skilled in Medicine, the man whom Mr Pyke Appointd | Much time, labour and expense had been thrown away in attempting to make bricks and tiles, for the few made of each kind proved quite worthless. The Council had heard by letters from England that the brick and tile makers there, having tried several parcels of the earth sent from the island, had declared it unfit for any such purpose. Even had it been fit, the Council could not think any should be made here, on account of the great charge and the vast consumption of wood it would occasion, and because it would take a great number of hands from the fortifications and other business, matters much more to be attended to than the making of bricks and tiles. When the Court appointed Mr Byfield Governor, the Council believed it took no other security for the faithful discharge of his duty than his own bond, and it humbly hoped the Court would in the same way accept the Council's. The Council transmitted herewith a copy of the Court's cash account as it stood on the thirty-first of March last, and this would be regularly continued. The charge of the island for the past twelve months was £5,977 7s 9d, but the Council did not doubt it would be able to bring this large sum within much narrower bounds. Several soldiers had been sent out the previous year, and such numbers of the Court's cattle had died or grown otherwise so small that Governor Pyke thought it proper to buy from the inhabitants to furnish the charter-party beef. To preserve the Court's plantations, which for some time had been very low through the drought, the Council had been obliged to feed the Court's slaves with grain for a longer term than usual. These were the articles that had chiefly raised the charge. The Council was still in great want, and had been for many years past, of a surgeon well skilled in medicine. Interpretations The final verdict on the brick and tile scheme, confirmed by the English makers' rejection of the island's clay and compounded by the Council's own objections on grounds of cost, wood consumption and diversion of labour, marks the quiet abandonment of a project once advanced with confidence, the metropolitan trade's judgement settling a colonial ambition the Governor had earlier pressed. The renewed analogy between the Governor's personal bond and the Council's own covenants, offered again as security for faithful service, illustrates the standing reliance on individual financial suretyship to bind Company servants, the officer's own pledge serving as the guarantee of honest management the directors required. | |
78 | Appointed Doctors Mate was one of the Soldiers last sent Us, & knew not any thing of the matter wee therefore dismist him & humbly pray that Your Honours will consider the Condition of the Island & that You will be pleased to send Us a person well versd in Physick, one bred to Apothecaries Business will answer our purpose & be of great benifit to the Inhabitants, several having Suffered for want of proper help of this sort Wee humbly submit to Your Honours Consideration whether it may not be proper that the Dutch & French Company should have notice given them of the bad Condition of the Island is now in for want of provisions that these ships may not touch here in such Numbers as they have lately done wee not being in Capasity to Supply one or two if they should happen to be in great distress Fran Wrangham junr late of the Ship Princess Royall where he met with the Misfortune of Breaking his thigh, which has rendered him unfit for the fatigues of the Sea has made application to Us to be Entertained in Your Honours Service here & upon good Assurances from Captn Backwell of his Abilities & Sobriety which he has himself given us proof of & who wee find well deserves Encouragement, Wee have ventur'd to entertain him as writer Untill Your Honours pleasure be known thereon, as there is at this time a vacancy for such a person who is highly Necessary particularly in a time of Shiping for the Dispatch of business & wee humbly beg leave to recommend him to Your Honours as a person well Qualified to serve you in that Capacity Agreeable to Your Honours directions in the 28 Paragraph of Your General Letter | The doctor's mate lately appointed was one of the soldiers last sent out, and he knew nothing of the matter, so the Council had dismissed him. It humbly begged the Court to consider the island's condition and to send out a person well versed in physic, one bred to the apothecary's business, who would answer its purpose and be of great benefit to the inhabitants, several of whom had suffered for want of proper help of this kind. The Council humbly submitted to the Court's consideration whether it might not be proper to have the Dutch and French companies given notice of the island's poor condition, now so short of provisions, so that their ships might not touch here in such numbers as they had lately done, the Council being in no position to supply even one or two of them should they happen to be in great distress. Francis Wrangham junior, late of the ship Princess Royal, had the misfortune of breaking his thigh, which had left him unfit for the fatigues of the sea. He had applied to be taken into the Court's service at the island, and on good assurances from Captain Bacchvell of his abilities and sobriety, of which Wrangham had himself given proof, and finding that he well deserved encouragement, the Council had ventured to employ him as writer until the Court's pleasure be known, there being at this time a vacancy for such a person, who was much needed, particularly when shipping was in and business had to be despatched. The Council humbly recommended him to the Court as a person well qualified to serve it in that capacity. Interpretations The Council's suggestion that the Dutch and French companies be formally warned of the island's scarcity, so their ships would not call in numbers it could not supply, reveals a diplomatic response to the strain that heavy foreign traffic placed on a drought-stricken settlement, seeking to reduce demand at its source rather than repeatedly turning away distressed vessels at the road. The employment of Francis Wrangham, disabled from sea service by a broken thigh and taken on as writer, illustrates how the settlement absorbed injured seamen into its civil establishment, a maritime casualty finding a second livelihood ashore where a genuine vacancy and good testimonials happened to coincide. | |
79 | of Ship Queen Caroline, wee have likewise Transmitted under Cover to John Brown Esqr Your Honours Councel the Several Claims made to the Estate late in the Possession of James Crawford Decd A Bill of Laden Enclosed to Us wee presume thro mistake Signd by Benjamin Webster for sundrys Shipd on board the Duke of Cumberland, wee herewith transmit to Your Honours Wee are to advise Your Honours that instead of 6 Jarrs of Linseed Oyl containing Gallons Invoice @ 2/9 p Gallon wee have Received 6 Jarrs of Train Oyl which wee presum is owing to a mistake of the Oylman Wee have drawn three Bills of Exchange upon Your Honours each dated this day Vizt One sett payable to John Bazett or Order for the sum of five Hundred Pounds Sterling for the like sum due to him for Salary & other Credits in Your Books of Accomp- ts here One sett payable to John Brown or order for the sum of Two hundred & fifty Pounds Sterling for the like sum by him this day paid into Your Cash here in Cash & Cash Notes, One other sett payable to Martha Greenhill, Grace Rakestraw & Mary Shantrite who are the Heirs of Grace Coulson late of this Island Decd or their Order for the sum of forty three pounds three Shillings & nine pence half penny Sterling for the like sum paid into Your Cash here upon their Account by Mr Jonathan Doveton Executor of the last Will & Testament of the said Grace Coulson Decd of all which wee humbly pray Your Honours Acceptance John Cummings late Gardner here | By the ship Queen Caroline the Council had also sent, under cover to John Brown Esquire, the Court's counsel, the several claims made to the estate of the late James Crawford, in the hands of James Crawford. A bill of lading enclosed to the Council, which it supposed had been signed by mistake by Benjamin Webster for goods sent aboard the Duke of Cumberland, it transmitted herewith to the Court. The Council had to inform the Court that instead of six jars of linseed oil containing [...] gallons at 2s 6d a gallon, as stated on the invoice, it had received six jars of train oil, the difference being owing to a mistake of the oilman. The Council had drawn three bills of exchange upon the Court, each dated this day, as follows. 1: One set payable to John Bazett or order for £500 0s 0d sterling, for the like sum due to him for salary and other credits in the Court's books of accounts here. 2: One set payable to John Brown or order for £250 0s 0d sterling, for the like sum paid by him this day into the Court's cash here in cash and cash notes. 3: One other set payable to Martha Greenhill, Grace Rabshaw and Mary Chantrill, the heirs of Grace Coulson late of the island deceased, or their order, for £43 3s 9½d sterling, for the like sum paid into the Court's cash here upon their account by Mr Jonathan Doveton, executor of the last will and testament of Grace Coulson deceased. The Council humbly asked the Court's acceptance of all these bills. 1: John Cummings, late gardener here Interpretations Train oil was oil rendered from the blubber of whales or seals, used for lamps, in leather dressing and in various trades, and its arrival in place of the linseed oil ordered, attributed to the oilman's error, illustrates the routine substitution mistakes that dogged a supply chain stretching from London suppliers to a distant island unable to correct an error until the goods were opened. The bill drawn for the heirs of Grace Coulson, remitting money paid in by her executor to beneficiaries reachable only through London, exemplifies the settlement's function in transmitting a deceased person's estate across the ocean by paper claim, the cashless island converting a local payment into a transferable draft that could reach heirs wherever the Company's account extended. | |
80 | Died 27 April 1759 has left some small Effects behind him which wee would be glad to know who to deliver to, Wee hope Your Honours will be pleased to send Us a man Qualified to serve Us in that Capacity Captn Sanders when here Promised the Governour to Enquire for a man of Reputed Skill in that way & wee beg Your Honours will be pleased to accept of the Person he Wee are St Helena 6 June 1759 Hond Sirs Your most faithfull & most obedient Servants John Goodwin Duke Crispe John Bazett G G Powell PS Captn Webster & Captn Marten has neither of them to their Barrell of Powder & the same in Charged in their Accots wee beg leave to observe to Your Honours that only two of this Years Shiping have to their Powder & we have not & wee humbly request Your Honours should be Apprehensive of a warr you'l please to send Us 20 barrells of good gun Powder | John Cummings, late gardener at the island, who died on the second of April 1739, had left some small effects behind him, and the Council would be glad to know to whom it should deliver them. It hoped the Court would be pleased to send out a man qualified to serve in that capacity. Captain Sanders, when here, promised the Governor to inquire for a man of proven skill in that line, and the Council asked the Court to accept the person he The letter closed at St Helena on 6 June 1739, signed by John Goodwin, Duke Crispe, John Bazett and G Powell. 1: Captain Webster and Captain Marbin had neither of them delivered their parcels of powder, and the same was charged to their accounts. The Council begged leave to observe to the Court that only twelve of this year's ships had delivered their powder, and eight had not. Should the Court have any fears of a war, the Council humbly asked it to send out twenty barrels of good gunpowder. Interpretations The recurring failure of ships' masters to deliver the powder charged in their accounts, only twelve of the year's vessels having done so and eight defaulting, reveals a persistent shortfall in the settlement's replenishment of its most critical defensive store, the individual charging of each delinquent captain the only recourse against a shortage that left the garrison dependent on an uncertain flow of ammunition. The Council's plea for twenty barrels of powder against the possibility of war, coupled with the note on the defaulting captains, underlines the settlement's acute anxiety over its magazine at a time of European tension, the reliability of the powder supply bearing directly on whether the newly built batteries could actually be defended. | |
81 | Honoured Sirs Wee make use of this opportunity of a dutch Ship called the Gegberland Commanded by Mynheer Hendrick Hesing who arrived on the instant to enclose to Your Honours Duplicates of our last Genl Letter Indents for the Ensuing Year & Ships Accounts, and to acquaint You that on the 15 of May last the following Ships sailed from hence Vizt Godolphin Prince of Orange Prince of Wales Princess Royall London Arrived on the 17 of May the Princess Mary 19 by Do Scarbrough 20 by Do Wager 21 by Do Plisau 20 by Do Duke of Cumberland And left this place the 7th instant Wee in our last acquainted Your Honours with the Death of John Cummings our Gardner & wee have since Settled his Accounts & sold his Effects (a Copy of which wee herein Transmit) at Vetury & they produced the sum of £22.6.7 which together with the sum of 48 - 0 ½ he left in the hands of one of his acquaintances in the time of his sickness, & is already paid into Your Cash there, & there is the farther sum of £49.18.8¼ to him for Salary & board Wages at the time of his death which happened on the 24 of April last from which must be deducted £8.18.9 for Funeral Charges &c as p his Accot Currant so that in the whole the sum due to him is £81.7.10¾ but who is heir wee know not, wee have heard he has a Wife in England but in what part wee cannot tell | The Council at St Helena addressed the Court of Directors, taking the opportunity of a Dutch ship called the Gegherland, commanded by Mynheer Hendrick Hesing, which had arrived on the first instant, to enclose duplicates of its lost general letter, indents for the coming year and ships' accounts, and to inform the Court that the following ships had sailed on the fifteenth of May last. Godolphin Prince of Orange Prince of Wales Princess Royal London The following ships had arrived, and left on the seventh instant. On the seventeenth of May, the Princess Mary On the eighteenth, the Scarborough On the twentieth, the Wager On the twenty-first, the Nassau On the twenty-ninth, the Duke of Cumberland 3: In its last letter the Council informed the Court of the death of John Cummings, its gardener, and it had since settled his accounts and sold his effects, of which it transmitted a copy herewith. These produced £22 6s 7d, which together with the sum of £10 0s 0½d he had left in the hands of one of his acquaintances during his illness, and which had already been paid into the Court's cash here, and the further sum of £49 18s 8d due to him for salary and board wages at the time of his death on the second of April last, from which must be deducted £5 18s 9d for funeral charges and so on, as per his account current, made the whole sum due to him £81 7s 0d. But who was his heir the Council did not know. It had heard he had a wife in England, though in what part it could not tell. Interpretations The careful reckoning of John Cummings's estate, combining the proceeds of his auctioned effects, cash he had entrusted to an acquaintance in his illness and his accrued salary, less funeral charges, into a single balance held pending discovery of his heir, illustrates the settlement's function as an administrator of deceased servants' estates whose beneficiaries lay across the ocean. The Council's admission that it knew only that Cummings had a wife somewhere in England, without being able to locate her, reveals the practical difficulty a remote posting faced in tracing the next of kin of men who died far from home, the money held in the Company's account until a claimant could be identified in London. | |
82 | On the 16th Instant in the Evening Saml Plant one of Your Honours Soldiers in this place going to his post at Bankses fort in the way thither, had the Misfortune of falling down the Hill & was found dead the next Morning Wee are St Helena 19 June 1759 Hond Sirs Your most faithfull & most obedient Servants John Goodwin Duke Crispe John Bazett G G Powell | 4: On the first instant in the evening Samuel Plant, one of the Court's soldiers at the island, going to his post at Bank's fort, had the misfortune to fall down the hill on the way there, and was found dead the next morning. The letter closed at St Helena on 19 June 1739, signed by John Goodwin, Duke Crispe, John Bazett and G Powell. Interpretations The fatal fall of the soldier Samuel Plant while making his way to his post at Bank's fort reflects the hazardous terrain of the island's outlying defensive positions, the reference recording Bank's as a post reached by a very difficult way over broken ground, so that garrison duty at such remote stations carried a genuine physical danger beyond any enemy action. | |
83 | Honoured Sirs Wee paid our duty to you p a dutch Ship called the Degberland who sailed hence the 19 June last And as it is Incumbent on Us to acquaint Your Honours by every opportunity of the State of Your Island wee now again p this Ship Young William Commanded by Nathnl Farrexier who arrived here on the 3 instant Enclose a Duplicate of our former wherein wee omitted to acquaint you of the death of one Samuel Fazakerley who arrived here upon Ship Duke of Cumberland in a very indifferent State of health & was so ill at the time of that Ships Departure that he thought proper to stay here for the recovery of his health but died on the 8 June last & constituted Mr Powell his Executor who has since taken an Inventory of his Effects here which consist chiefly of Wearing Apparel & 263 Ps of Mores as appeard more at large in our Consultation of the 19 of June when his Inventory is entered upon the oaths of Mr Powell & Mr Appraizers The reason why no Consultations are transmitted to Your Honours is because wee judge it not altogether so advisable to send them on foreign Ships least they should Miscarry Wee have the pleasure to acquaint Your Honours that our rains still Continue and in obedience to Your Honours former commands to plant & Encourage the growth of Wood & Furze the Governour has Strenuously & frequently recommended the same to the Over seers of the Highways strictly Charging them to plant in all & every part of the Island where they can have any prospect of its succeeding & as the Necessity of this is so sensible foreseeing the unhappy Dellemma the Island must needs be reduced to in the want of fewell if proper And | The Council at St Helena addressed the Court of Directors, reporting that it had paid its respects by a Dutch ship called the Gegherland, which sailed on the nineteenth of June last. As it was the Council's duty to inform the Court by every opportunity of the state of the island, it did so again by this ship, the William, commanded by Captain Rathbone Carwarden, who arrived on the third instant. The Council enclosed a duplicate of its former letter, in which it had omitted to report the death of Mr Samuel Fazakerley, who arrived aboard the Duke of Cumberland in a very poor state of health. He was so ill at the time of that ship's departure that he thought it best to remain here for the recovery of his health, but died on the eighth of June last. Mr Powell, his executor, who had since taken an inventory of his effects here, consisting chiefly of wearing apparel and £263 0s 0d of Moorish coin, as would appear more fully in the consultation of the nineteenth of June, in which his inventory was entered upon the oaths of Mr Powell and the three appraisers. 2: The reason no consultations were transmitted to the Court was that the Council judged it not altogether advisable to send them on foreign ships, lest they miscarry. The Council had the pleasure of telling the Court that its rains still continued. In obedience to the Court's earlier commands to plant and encourage the growth of wood and furze, the Governor had strenuously and frequently pressed the same upon the overseers of the highways, strictly charging them to plant in every part of the island where there was any prospect of success. The necessity of this was plain and pressing, given the unhappy plight the island must be reduced to through the want of fuel, should proper Interpretations The Council's refusal to entrust its consultations to foreign ships for fear they might miscarry reveals a deliberate security precaution in a period of European tension, the settlement withholding its internal records from vessels of other nations lest sensitive material be lost or fall into the wrong hands, while still using them to carry routine general letters. The inventory of Samuel Fazakerley's effects, dominated by £263 0s 0d of Moorish coin and sworn before three appraisers, illustrates both the presence of Indian currency circulating through the hands of Company servants and the formal valuation procedure the settlement applied to a deceased man's estate, the oath securing the account against later dispute over what he had left. | |
84 | And timely Measures are not taken to prevent it (which indeed have been full long delayed & Neglected) and as our present Governour is determ- ind that obedience shall be paid to Your Honours Commands in generall this one of obliging every Person to Comply with the Condition of their duty & Leases he proposed in Consultation of the 1st instant should be immediately set about, & it was agreed that a warrent be given to anyone of the Councel accompanied by three Substantial Planters to survey all the Lands & Plantations belonging to the Inhabitants, to Inspect into there several Quantities of wood to the end that those who have been tardy or Negligent in this particular be obliged to plant their full Quotas & thisas the readiest Method to restore to the Island its primitive covering of Wood shall be Yearly Continued which wee hope will meet with Your Honours Approbation A few days after the Dispatch of Your last fleet of Ships, the Governour ordered Several hands to be employed at Sandy bay in Diging & Burning Lime, for the fortification to be raised at that place, which he proposd to begin as soon as the season will permitt & where he means to reside the whole time, tis about to give his Directions therein & to Animate by his Example all others to a Cherefull discharge of their duty & doe not doubt but by the next opportunity to give Your Honours a good Account thereof Wee are St Helena 24 July 1759 Hond Sirs Your most faithfull & most obedient Servants John Goodwin Duke Crispe John Bazett G G Powell | The Council held that timely measures must be taken to prevent the want of fuel, a matter that had indeed long been neglected. Since the present Governor was determined that the Court's commands should be obeyed in general, and this one of obliging every person to comply with the condition of their leases in particular, the leases proposed in the consultation of the [...] instant should be set about at once. It was agreed that a warrant be given to any one of the Council, accompanied by three substantial planters, to survey all the lands and plantations belonging to the inhabitants, and to inspect their several quantities of wood, so that those who had been tardy or negligent in this respect might be obliged to plant their full quotas. This, being the readiest way to restore to the island its original covering of wood, would be continued yearly, which the Council hoped would meet with the Court's approval. 1: A few days after the despatch of the Court's last set of ships, the Governor ordered several hands to be employed at Sandy Bay in digging and burning lime for the fortification to be built there, which he proposed to begin as soon as the season would permit. He meant to reside at the place the whole time, and was about to give his directions there and, by his own example, to spur on all the others to a cheerful discharge of their duty. He did not doubt that by the next opportunity he would be able to give the Court a good account of it. The letter closed at St Helena on 24 July 1739, signed by John Goodwin, Duke Crispe, John Bazett and G Powell. Interpretations The scheme of appointing a councillor with three substantial planters to survey every holding and compel negligent tenants to plant their full quota of wood ties the leasehold obligation directly to the island's environmental recovery, using the condition of each lease as the legal lever to enforce replanting and reverse the deforestation stripping the settlement of both timber and fuel. The Governor's intention to reside at Sandy Bay throughout the lime-burning and fortification work, leading by personal example, reinforces the recurring theme that the settlement's undertakings advanced through the physical presence and direct oversight of its head, the commanding officer stationing himself on site to drive a task he judged too important to leave to subordinates. | |
85 | Honoured Sirs Your Honours may be Surprized to hear from St Helena by the way of France at this Juncture when affairs in Europe are so Unsettled, nor indeed would it be adviceable to Write any thing Material by such Conveyance And therefore We embrace this Opportunity p a Ship called the Thetis Monsr Prejine Commander who arrived here on the 8 Instant, only to pay Our Duty to Your Honours and acquaint You that on the 14 of January We were favoured with Your advices & Orders p India Yatch, All which shall be very Punctually Obeyd Since our last to Your Honours We have been Blessed with little or no Rain and Unless Our season setts in Speedily, tis more Probable the Island will be in a greater want of Provisions than it has been Heretofore as it has not yet had time to recover the great losses it sustained by the late Drought However We dont Despair of Rain and live in Daily expectation of the Promised Sore Ship by whom We hope to Receive a Large Supply The occasion of this French Ship touching here was to stop a leak she sprung off the Cape & to get a supply of Provisions & Water, as to the first & last We permitted her Ride off Ruperts 3 or 4 Days to Compleat, But of the Provision She requested We absolutely refused it her, and Published an Advertizement forbiding | The Council at St Helena addressed the Court of Directors, observing that the Court might be surprised to hear from the island by way of France at a time when affairs in Europe stood so unsettled. It was not indeed advisable to write anything of substance by such a conveyance, and so the Council merely seized the opportunity of a ship called the Thetis, commanded by Monsieur Prejent, which arrived on the eighth instant, only to pay its respects and to report that on the eighteenth of January it had received the Court's advice and orders by the India yacht, all of which would be very punctually obeyed. Since the Council's last letter it had been blessed with little or no rain, and unless the season set in speedily the island was more likely than ever to fall short of provisions, not having yet had time to recover the great losses it sustained through the late drought. The Council did not despair of rain, however, and lived in daily expectation of the promised store ship, by which it hoped to receive a large supply. This French ship had touched at the island to stop a leak she had sprung off the Cape and to get a supply of provisions and water. As to the first, the Council permitted her to lie at Rupert's three or four days to make good the repair, but as to the provisions she requested it flatly refused her, and published an advertisement forbidding Interpretations The Council's decision to admit the French ship only to repair her leak while flatly refusing her provisions, and to publish an advertisement enforcing the refusal, reflects the working distinction between the humane relief of a vessel in genuine distress and the strict husbanding of the island's own scarce supplies, the drought sharpening a policy that already withheld provisions from foreign traffic. The Council's care in explaining why it wrote by a French ship at all, deliberately keeping the letter trivial for fear of interception at a time of European tension, reveals the same security caution recorded elsewhere in this correspondence, the settlement managing what it committed to foreign conveyance against the risk that sensitive intelligence might be lost or read. | |
86 | forbiding the Inhabitants Selling them any of any forein Ship that may touch here this Year, than which We presume We could not do other in this scarce time Captain Boates sailed from Bombay the 9 of September, where he left Captain Cooke in the Haselingfeild, and arrived here the 24 of January Captain Somner sailed from Batavia the July where he left Captain Townshend who Proposed to sail thence a few days after him The Brittannia Captain Somner Sailed from Bencoolen the 24 of December, and on the 16 Instant arrived here with 20 Tons of Pepper & 100 Tons of Salt Peter, She left the Ship Malbrough Captain Smith at Bencoolen who had Returned from Burnes with only 75 Tons of Pepper, for that they had spared to the Ship Walpole Captain Boddam 200 Tons who sailed with it from Benjar the 19 of June, this the Gentlemen on board the Malbrough were induced to do by a Promise from the Natives that after the Walpole had sailed they woud Supply them fully, but it seems Disappointed them The Brittannia left Captain Hindman at Bencoolen who was to sail from thence to Burneo in three or four days Mr Lenox Writs Governour Goodwin that he had in Your Honours Godowns a Sufficient Quantity of Pepper for the Ships Malbrough & Somersett, that he only waits the | The advertisement forbade the inhabitants to sell provisions to the French ship, or to any foreign ship that might touch at the island that year, which the Council held it could not do otherwise in so scarce a time. Captain Coates had sailed from Bombay on the ninth of September, where he left Captain Cooke in the Haslingfield, and arrived here on the seventeenth of January. Captain Sumner had sailed from Batavia in July, where he left Captain Townshend, who proposed to sail a few days after him. The Britannia under Captain Sumner had sailed from Bencoolen on the twenty-first of December, and on the tenth instant arrived here with 40 tons of pepper and 100 tons of saltpetre. She left the ship Marlborough under Captain Smith at Bencoolen, who had returned from Borneo with only 175 tons of pepper, having spared some to the ship Walpole under Captain Boddam, of 200 tons, which sailed from Bencoolen on the eighteenth of June. The gentlemen aboard the Marlborough had been led to do this by a promise from the natives that once the Walpole had sailed they would supply them fully, but it seemed they had been disappointed. The Britannia left Captain Hindman at Bencoolen, who was to sail from there to Borneo in three or four days. Interpretations Saltpetre, or potassium nitrate, was the essential ingredient of gunpowder and a major Company export from India, and its arrival at the island in bulk alongside pepper reflects the mixed lading of the homeward trade, in which a strategic material for munitions travelled together with the spice that was the staple of the eastern commerce. The account of the Marlborough sparing pepper to the Walpole on the natives' promise of later resupply, only to be disappointed, illustrates the precarious dependence of the Company's pepper trade on local suppliers at Bencoolen, the shortfall in one ship's cargo turning on a broken undertaking that left her below her intended lading. | |
87 | the arrival of the last who was early expected, and that they both should be Dispatched from thence to Your Honours some time in January We have drawn five setts of Bills of exchange upon Your Honours Vizt One sett Payable to Duke Crispe or Order for the sum of Three Hundred & fifty pounds Sterling dated the 28 October 1739 for Two hundred & nine pounds Six Shillings & Six pence, by him paid into Your Cash and one hundred & forty pounds Thirteen Shillings & Six pence, due to him at September last for Salary One sett Payable to George Gabriel Powell or Order for the sum of Five Hundred pounds Sterling dated 1 Febry 1739 for the like sum by him paid into Your Cash here One sett Payable to Francis Wrangham Junr or Order for the sum of Two Hundred pounds Sterling dated 1 Febry 1739 for the like sum by him paid into Your Cash here One sett Payable to Charles Steward or Order for the sum of Three Hundred pounds Sterling dated 1 Febry for the like sum by him paid into Your Cash here & One other sett payable to John Goodwin Junr or Order for the sum of Three Hundred pounds Sterling dated 1 Febry 1739 for the like sum by him paid into Your Cash here, of all which We humbly pray Your Honours Acceptance We are St Helena 13 March 1739 Hond Sirs Your most Dutifull & Obedient Servants G G Powell John Goodwin junr John Goodwin Duke Crispe John Bazett | Mr Lenox awaited the arrival of the last ship, which was daily expected, and both would then be despatched from Bencoolen to the Court sometime in January. The Council had drawn five sets of bills of exchange upon the Court, as follows. 1: One set payable to Duke Crispe or order for £350 0s 0d sterling, dated the twenty-eighth of October 1739, being £209 6s 6d paid by him into the Court's cash and £140 13s 6d due to him at September last for salary. 2: One set payable to George Gabriel Powell or order for £700 0s 0d sterling, dated the first of February 1739, for the like sum paid by him into the Court's cash here. 3: One set payable to Francis Wrangham senior or order for £200 0s 0d sterling, dated the first of February 1739, for the like sum paid by him into the Court's cash here. 4: One set payable to Charles Steward or order for £300 0s 0d sterling, dated the first of February, for the like sum paid by him into the Court's cash here. 5: One other set payable to John Goodwin junior or order for £300 0s 0d sterling, dated the first of February 1739, for the like sum paid by him into the Court's cash here. The Council humbly asked the Court's acceptance of all these bills. The letter closed at St Helena on 13 March 1739, signed by G Powell, John Goodwin junior, John Goodwin, Duke Crispe and John Bazett. Interpretations The five bills drawn against cash paid in by inhabitants and officers, the largest being Gabriel Powell's £700 0s 0d, illustrate the settlement's role as a local bank for the wealthier residents, who deposited their coin and cash notes into the Company's account at the island in exchange for drafts payable in London, a cashless mechanism that moved private wealth safely across the ocean without shipping specie. Duke Crispe's bill, uniquely combining money he had paid in with salary owed to him, again shows the composite settlement device by which a single instrument on London discharged both a debt to the Company and a debt from it, the two obligations netted into one transferable claim. | |
88 | Honoured Sirs We paid our Duty to You Yesterday by a French Ship called the Thetis in which We acquainted Your Honours that We have Received Your Commands p the Yatch who arrived here on the 14 of January last & this Morning about Eleven a Dutch Ship on the Offing sent her Boat on Shoar to Enquire after part of ther fleet, from which they have been accidently Separated and the Officer tells Us that they had Letters from Holland dated on the 28 of October New stile with advice that the Spaniards had Taken Several Dutch as well as English Vessells and that his Majesties fleet had been Successfull and has taken twenty Sail of theirs all Ships of force This is very acceptable News to Us but nevertheless We as far as we are able shall leave nothing to Chance or hazard, We are Fortifying the Island in the most Expeditious & Effectuale manner we can, & we hope we shall be able to Defend ourselves & protect Your Shiping The Gentleman who has been sent on shore is limited to so short a stay, an hour only that we have not time to mention any other particular Matters but by the first opportunity your honours shall have a very fulle accot of the state of Your affairs at this place We most heartily wish Your Honours Success & Prosperity both in Your Aprvate and Private | The Council at St Helena addressed the Court of Directors, reporting that it had paid its respects the previous day by a French ship called the Thetis, in which it informed the Court that it had received the Court's commands by the yacht, which arrived here on the ninth of January last. This morning, about eleven, a Dutch ship in the offing sent her boat ashore to inquire after the rest of her fleet, from which she had been accidentally separated. The officer told the Council that they had letters from Holland dated the twenty-third of October, new style, with advice that the Spaniards had taken several Dutch as well as English vessels, and that His Majesty's fleet had been successful and had taken twenty sail of theirs, all ships of force. This was very welcome news to the Council, but it would nonetheless, so far as it could, leave nothing to chance or hazard. It was fortifying the island in the most speedy and effective manner it could, and hoped it would be able to defend itself and protect the Court's shipping. The gentleman sent ashore was allowed so short a stay, an hour only, that the Council had no time to mention any other particulars, but by the first opportunity the Court would have a very full account of the state of its affairs at the island. The Council most heartily wished the Court success and prosperity, both in its separate and private Interpretations The intelligence of open war between Britain and Spain, and of the mutual seizure of shipping and a British naval success, reaching the island through a passing Dutch ship's officer illustrates once more St Helena's position as a node in an informal network of maritime news, the settlement learning of the wider conflict engulfing Europe from the fragmentary reports of vessels touching in its road. The Council's immediate turn from welcoming the news to redoubling its fortification, expressly to guard against enemy attack, reflects the acute strategic exposure of an isolated possession now formally at war, the abstract European conflict translating directly into urgent defensive works on a distant Atlantic island. | |
89 | Private Capacity and are Hond Sirs Your most faithfull Servt John Goodwin Duke Crispe St Helena Noon 14 March 1739 PS the Defence arrived on the 27 of Janry & the Brittania on the 10 Instant, And the Malbro & Somersett will be speedily dispatched full Laden The rest of Your Servts of Council are absent upon Duty at the Out Forts Honoured Sirs We paid our humble Duty to You by a Dutch Ship that was lately in the Offing & only staid till we could then give Your Honours a short Account of Your Shiping since her Departure which was on the 15 of last Month, the several Ships following arrived here Vizt the Lynn on the 20 March Grantham - 31 Do - Augusta - - - 2 April & by these we have heard that the Sussex was lost upon some rocks in her Passage from Madagascar to Mozambique, & that the Men to save Themselves got into the Boat & Returned to Madagascar where they all died except one Man who is in a sickly Condition & is Passenger upon Captn Languesh | The Council concluded its wishes for the Court's success in both its separate and private capacity. The letter closed at St Helena at noon on 14 March 1739, signed by John Goodwin and Duke Crispe. 1: The Defence arrived on the twenty-first of January and the Britannia on the tenth instant. The Marlborough and the Somersett would be speedily despatched fully laden. The rest of the Court's Council were absent on duty at the outlying forts. The Council at St Helena addressed the Court of Directors, reporting that it had paid its respects by a Dutch ship lately in the offing, being careful to say no more than would give the Court a short account of its shipping since her departure, which was on the twenty-first of last month. The following ships had arrived here. The Lynn, on the 20 March The Grantham, on the 21 March The Augusta, on the 2 April By these ships the Council had heard that the Sussex was lost upon some rocks on her passage from Madagascar to Mozambique, that the men saved themselves by getting into the boat and returned to Madagascar, where they all died except one man, who was in a sickly condition and was a passenger aboard Captain Langworth's Interpretations The reference to the loss of the Sussex on rocks between Madagascar and Mozambique, with all her boat's survivors dying save one who reached the island sick, gives a further fragmentary account of a wreck already reported earlier in this correspondence, illustrating how news of a single disaster accumulated in successive versions as different ships carried word from the scene. The Council's continued caution in writing only a short account by a Dutch ship, withholding fuller matter for a safer conveyance, reflects the same wartime security practice maintained throughout this season, sensitive detail reserved against the risk of interception now that Britain was at war. | |
90 | We daily expect two of Your other China Ships Captn Smith & Captn Holmes from Bencoolen & Captn Kemys & Captn Barkey from Madrass Captn Jenkens sailed from China on the 1 & Captn Crompton about the Middle of November last, one other from Bombay but We are sorry to speak of it, there is too much reason to fear Captn Pasquell is lost, there not yet having been any Hears of him Since the last Storm at Bengall We have again failed of Our Summer Season not any Rain having fallen till the 26 of March which Nevertheless is likely to be of great Benefit to Us but let events happen as they will we know we ought not nor doe we Repine at Providence, we serve the best of Masters & this Intimation in Our Opinion is better than a tedious relation of Melancholey circumstances, We now conclude the Gentleman who stays for this being just sent from the fleet which are six Dutch Ships & now in the offing to get Intelligence & very Impatient to be gone, & humbly Assure You that We are Hond Sirs Your most faithfull and obedient Servants John Goodwin Duke Crispe St Helena 4 April 1740 PS The rest of the Gentlemen of Your Councell are absent being upon Duty at the Out Forts | The Council daily expected two more of the Court's China ships under Captain Smith and Captain Holmes from Bencoolen, along with Captain Romeys and Captain Bonhoy from Madras. Captain Jenkens had sailed from China on the seventh, and Captain Crompton about the middle of November last, with one other from Bombay. The Council was sorry to say, however, that there was too much reason to fear Captain Paguell was lost, no word of him having come since the last storm at Bengal. The Council's summer season had again failed, no rain having fallen until the twenty-sixth of March, which was nonetheless likely to be of great benefit. It let events happen as they would, neither daring nor wishing to complain against providence. It served the best of masters, and this brief word was in its opinion better than a tedious account of melancholy circumstances. The Council now concluded, the gentleman who waited being just sent from the fleet, six Dutch ships now in the offing, to gather intelligence and very impatient to be gone. The Council humbly assured the Court that it remained its faithful servant. The letter closed at St Helena on 11 April 1740, signed by John Goodwin and Duke Crispe. 1: The rest of the Court's Council were absent on duty at the outlying forts. Interpretations The Council's restraint in reporting the feared loss of Captain Paguell and the failed season, deliberately preferring a brief word to a tedious account of melancholy circumstances, reflects both the wartime caution over what was committed to a foreign ship and a settled epistolary habit of understatement, the settlement declining to dwell on misfortune it could not remedy. The repeated note that the councillors were absent at the outlying forts underscores how thinly the small administration was stretched in wartime, the same handful of men who governed the island also personally manning its scattered defensive posts against the threat of enemy attack. | |
91 | Honoured Sirs We paid our Duty to Your Honours on the 11 Instant p a Dutch Ship who passed by the road with a fleet of 6 Sail & We Imbrace this Opportunity p a Dane Ship called the Slesorick Commanded by Mynheer J Reichaset who arrived here from Chinaon the 19 Instant to acquaint You that Since we arrived at this Place, seven of Your Honours Ships Vizt The Defence on the 27 of January Brittannia 16 March Lynn 21 Do Grantham 22 Do Augusta 2 April Houghton 24 Do Walpole 22 Do Yesterday arrived a French Ship called the Aroenant from Bengall Commanded by Mesr Dufaye whome We have not permitted to come into the road but Obliged to ride off Munders Point She has requested a Supply of Provisions & Water the first We have absolutely refused her as not having enough for our own Shiping the latter We Presume We could not do less than comply with as Weare not as yet Apprized of any Actual Declaration of Warr with France, She Advices of having lost the Richmond Captn Weston in the Latitude of 11 South the latter end of February so that We expect her here daily the Normanton & Shaftsbury from Fort George and the Ships Somersett & Marlborough from Bencoolen We are Hond Sirs Your most faithfull & Obedient Servants G G Powell John Goodwin Junr John Goodwin Duke Crispe John Bazett St Helena 24 April 1740 | The Council at St Helena addressed the Court of Directors, reporting that it had paid its respects on the eleventh instant by a Dutch ship that passed by the road with a fleet of six sail. It now took the opportunity of a Danish ship called the Sleswick, commanded by Mynheer Ricohard, which arrived from China on the nineteenth instant, to inform the Court that seven of the Court's ships had arrived at the island, as follows. The Defence, on the 27 January The Britannia, on the 10 March The Lynn, on the 21 March The Grantham, on the 22 March The Augusta, on the 2 April The Houghton, on the 20 April The Walpole, on the 22 April The previous day a French ship called the Arrogant had arrived from Bengal, commanded by Monsieur Dufaye. The Council had not permitted her to come into the road, but obliged her to lie off Munden's Point. She had requested a supply of provisions and water. As to the first, the Council flatly refused her, not having enough for the Court's own shipping, but as to the latter it presumed it could not do less than comply, being not yet informed of any actual declaration of war with France. The Council's advice of this had come by the Richmond under Captain Weston, in the latitude of eleven south, at the latter end of February, so that it expected her here daily, along with the Normanton and the Shaftsbury from Fort St George, and the ships Somersett and Marlborough from Bencoolen. The letter closed at St Helena on 24 April 1740, signed by G Powell, John Goodwin junior, John Goodwin, Duke Crispe and John Bazett. Interpretations The Council's careful treatment of the French Arrogant, granting water but refusing provisions and keeping her off Munden's Point rather than admitting her to the road, reflects the delicate position of a settlement uncertain whether war with France had yet been declared, extending the minimum civility owed a vessel of a nation not confirmed as an enemy while conceding nothing that would strain its own scarce supplies. The distinction the Council drew between confirmed war with Spain and merely suspected war with France shaped its handling of foreign ships in this season, the settlement calibrating its hospitality to the precise and imperfectly known state of hostilities across a distance that left it always behind the diplomatic reality. | |
92 | Honoured Sirs On the 21th Instant we paid our Duty to Your Honours p a Dane Ship called the Slesvick who sailed hence that day, And this comes p the hands of Mr Pequ who takes his passage upon a French Ship called the Argonant that arrived here on the 23 Instant We have the Pleasure to tell Your Honours that Your Ship Marlborough Captn Thomas Smith is this day arrived She left Bencoolen the 30 of January last and brings advice that Captn Hindman in the Duke sailed for Benjar the Beginning of the same Month, And that the Somersett will be dispatched from thence about the 10 of February The time of Departure for Your Honours Yatch is near at hand by whome You will receive a more Particular Account of Your Affairs here, as well as the Abstracts of Cargoes & advices from every Ship Agreeable to Your Instructions on that head We are Hond Sirs Your most faithfull & Obedient Servants John Goodwin John Bazett G G Powell Jno Goodwin Junr St Helena 26 April 1740 | The Council at St Helena addressed the Court of Directors, reporting that on the twenty-fourth instant it had paid its respects by a Danish ship called the Sleswick, which sailed that day. This letter went by the hands of Mr Pegu, who took his passage aboard a French ship called the Arrogant, which arrived on the twenty-third instant. The Council had the pleasure of telling the Court that its ship Marlborough, under Captain Thomas Smith, had arrived that day. She left Bencoolen on the thirtieth of January last and brought advice that Captain Hindman in the Duke had sailed for Bengal the beginning of the same month, and that the Somersett would be despatched from there about the tenth of February. The time of departure for the Court's yacht was near at hand, by which the Court would receive a fuller account of its affairs at the island, along with the abstracts of the cargo and lading of every ship, in keeping with the Court's instructions on that head. The letter closed at St Helena on 26 April 1740, signed by John Goodwin, John Bazett, G Powell and John Goodwin junior. | |
93 | Honoured Sirs The last time We paid Our duty to You was p a French Ship called the Argonant who sailed hence the Instant Duplicate of which as well as one bearing date the 1 & one the 24 Instant comes Inclosed the India Yatch Captain Gabriel Steward Arrived here on the 19 day of January last with Your Honours Advices of the Unsettled Situation of Affairs in Europe, Since when is happily Arrived the following Ships Vizt The Defence on the - 27 January Brittannia - 10 March Lynn - 21 Do Grantham - 22 Do Augusta - 2 April Houghton - 26 Do Walpole - 22 Do Marlborough - 26 Do Shaftsbury - 29 Do In Obedience to Your Honours Commands p India Yatch, We have put Ourselves in the best Posture of Defence that We are able, and Immediately upon the Arrival of every Ship have shewd their Commanders the former part of Your Generall Letter as Your Honours have been Pleasd to Order, and at the same time delivered them a Letter of Orders Containing Directions how to Berth their Ships with the Greatest Security to the Intent that no Privateer or other Enemy may cut them out of the Road We Congratulate Your Honours upon the Safe arrival of the Several Ships that Departed hence Last Year We | The Council at St Helena addressed the Court of Directors, reporting that the last time it paid its respects was by a French ship called the Arrogant, which sailed on the [...] instant, and that a duplicate of that letter, as well as one dated the [...], went enclosed by this conveyance. The India yacht under Captain Gabriel Steward had arrived here on the ninth of January last with the Court's advice of the unsettled state of affairs in Europe. Since then the following ships had happily arrived. The Defence, on the 27 January The Britannia, on the 10 March The Lynn, on the 21 March The Grantham, on the 22 March The Augusta, on the 2 April The Houghton, on the 26 April The Walpole, on the 22 April The Marlborough, on the 26 April The Shaftsbury, on the 29 April 2: In obedience to the Court's commands by the India yacht, the Council had put itself in the best posture of defence it could, and immediately on the arrival of every ship had shown its commander the former part of the Court's general letter, as the Court had directed. At the same time it delivered them a letter of orders containing directions how to protect their ships with the greatest security, so that no privateer or other enemy might cut them out of the road. 3: The Council congratulated the Court on the safe arrival of the several ships that departed the island the previous year. Interpretations The Council's practice of showing each arriving commander the relevant part of the Court's general letter and handing him written orders for protecting his ship against privateers reflects the settlement's role in coordinating the defence of Company shipping in wartime, the road at St Helena a vulnerable gathering point where vessels might be cut out by an enemy raider unless collectively secured. The concern that a privateer might carry off ships lying in the road marks the particular hazard of the war with Spain, the island's exposed anchorage turning from a place of refreshment into a potential trap for the homeward fleet unless the Council actively organised its protection. | |
94 | We very heartily wish that those Ships which Your Honours have send abroad this Year may Return safe & with the Desired Success What Orders We may Receive from Mr William Rous, Samuel Teake Esqr Captn Matthew Martin & Josias Wordsworth Esqr or any three of those Gentlemen whome Your Honours have been Pleased to Appoint Your Secrett Committee for the Current Year shall be very Punctually Obeyed We thank Your Honours for the timely Supply of Gun Powder which You was Pleased to send Us p India Yatch, as well as for the two Ton of Barr Iron sent p said Vessell The India Yatch has been fully Supplyed with what Provisions & Stores the Captain has Asked for This Year We have begun to keep an Account of Your Blacks Labour Men Women & Children in the General Books by which Your Honours at one View will at all times see what Charge & of what Service they are to You & how & where Employd & in this Entry We will be as Particular as We possibly Can Your Honours have often heard of one of Your Plantations Distinguished by the Name of the Grand Plantation tis a Peice of Ground Containing 10 Acres close to the Garden of Your Country house, this the Governour is dilligently Preparing with design to fill it all with Yam which 16 | 4: The Council very heartily wished that the ships the Court had sent abroad that year might return safe and with the desired success. 5: Whatever orders the Council might receive from Mr William Rous, Samuel Feake Esquire, Captain Matthew Martin and Josias Wordsworth Esquire, or any three of the gentlemen the Court had appointed to its Secret Committee for the current year, would be very punctually obeyed. 6: The Council thanked the Court for the timely supply of gunpowder it had been pleased to send by the India yacht, as well as for the two tons of bar iron sent by that vessel. 7: The India yacht had been fully supplied with whatever provisions and stores the captain had asked for. 8: That year the Council had begun to keep an account of the Court's slaves, men, women and children, in the general books, by which the Court could see at all times what charge they were to it, of what service and how and where employed. In this entry the Council would be as particular as it possibly could. 9: The Court had often heard of one of its plantations, distinguished by the name of the Grand Plantation, being a piece of ground of ten acres close to the garden of the Court's country house. The Governor was digging and preparing this ground, meaning to fill it entirely with yams. Interpretations The Council's new practice of entering the Company's slaves individually in the general books, recording each person's cost, employment and usefulness, marks a shift toward treating the enslaved workforce as an audited item of account like any other stock, giving the Court a standing means to scrutinise the return on its human property. The Court's provision of two tons of bar iron alongside the timely gunpowder reflects the settlement's dependence on imported metal and munitions for both its defence and its works, the shipment of raw iron enabling the local forging of the fittings and tools that a remote island could not otherwise obtain. | |
95 | it Plentifully Yields large & of the best sort, and this with the Improvements & Enoveable which he has made in Your other Plantations will Effectually free Us from any Apprehension of Buying Yam. - 10. Your Honours will find that as we last Year Promised You, Your Lands, Plantations & dead & Live Stock of all sorts are now Entered in Your General Books by which Means You will be able to see much more Exactly at all times hereafter, & it were much to be wished that the same Method had been Observed from the Beginning, what is the Yearly Change of every Article of Expence, and as this has never done before, and as the Account it self comes into a Narrow Compass & We herein lay the Particulars before You, but for wants of Proper Lights to guide Us in this Valuation great part of it is Guess Work, tho in the General We are Pretty sure We have Rather under Rated than Over Rated them. Fortifications The Castle Line & East & West Bastions £ 10000 Barracks 18 @ £ 30. each 900 10900 The Fortification at Ruperts Valley as it now is not being Compleated 1300 The two Batteries at Banks for Seven Guns with the Guard House & two Powder Rooms 1000 The Battery at Tinks bay for six Guns 300 The Battery at Sandy Bay Beech for six Guns 300 The Battery at Lemon Valley for six Guns 300 The Look out at Prosperous Bay 50 The Look out at the Ridge 50 Carried Over £15000 | This ground plentifully yielded a large quantity of the best sort of yams, and this, together with the improvements and enclosures the Governor had made on the Court's other plantations, would effectually free the island from any concern about buying yams. 10: The Council reported that as promised the previous year, the Court's lands, plantations and livestock of every kind now stood entered in the general books, by which means the Court would be able to see much more exactly at all times hereafter what the yearly charge of every article of expense amounted to. Since this had never been done before, and since the accounts themselves came into a narrow compass, the Council set out the particulars for the Court, though for want of proper guidance it had to guess at much of this valuation, and on the whole believed it had rather understated than overstated the figures. Fortifications The castle line, east and west batteries, £1,000 0s 0d Barracks, 18 at £30 0s 0d each, £900 0s 0d, subtotal £1,900 0s 0d The fortification at Rupert's Valley as it now stood, not being completed, £1,300 0s 0d The two batteries at Bank's for 7 guns with the guard house and 2 powder rooms, £1,000 0s 0d The battery at Turk's Cap for 6 guns, £300 0s 0d The battery at Sandy Bay Beach for 6 guns, £300 0s 0d The battery at Lemon Valley for 6 guns, £300 0s 0d The lookout house at Prosperous Bay, £50 0s 0d The lookout house at the Ridge, £50 0s 0d Carried over, £5,000 0s 0d Interpretations The valuation the Council set out here was an internal accounting exercise assigning a monetary worth to fixed assets, land, livestock and defensive works, that had never previously been reduced to a single figure in the Court's books. The Council's admission that it lacked proper guidance for the task, and its preference for understating rather than overstating value, points to an awareness that such figures, once entered, would become the benchmark against which future losses, damage or neglect might be measured, and so erred toward a conservative baseline rather than risk a valuation the Court might later find inflated. Speculations The Council's decision to guess at the valuation rather than decline the task or wait for the Court's explicit method reveals a choice to comply imperfectly rather than not comply at all. The obvious alternative, given the admitted absence of any established method and the narrow compass into which such varied assets had to be forced, would have been to defer the exercise until clearer instructions arrived from London. Instead the Council pressed ahead and openly flagged its own figures as probably understated, a calculated hedge against future criticism that let it satisfy the Court's demand for a complete inventory while protecting itself against any charge of having overvalued the island's assets. | |
96 | Brought Over£ 15000 The House bought of Governour Roberts£ 100 The Four Houses Built by Governour Johnson 400 The House called the Parsons 200 The Market House 100 The Ware Houses 13 @ £10. & 1300. Do @ 30. & 120. 1420 2520 Total Value of the Fortifications & Buildings£ 17520 Plantations Viz. 453 Acres of Pasture Land at £7. & Ac 3171 Yams Growing therein in small Parcells 105 acres @ £100 52.10. 3 Do the Plantation in the Fort Valley 200 Yams Growing therein 90 acres @ £100 13 3 3/4 Do the Plantation called the Bryers 70 Yams Growing therein 18 acres 500 @ £1000 21.3. 23 Do the Plantation called Poskins 230 Yams Growing therein 250 acres 800 @ £1000 125 8 Do the Plantation called Sandy Bay 160 Yams Growing therein 80 acres 300 @ £1000 40.5 1 Do the Plantation called the Simekiln 30 Yams Growing therein 12 acres 000 @ £1000 6 1500 Do called the Great Wood @ 3s. 4300 6 Do with the House thereon Standing called the Plantation House & Gardens 1000 250 A ½ Acres Pasture & Plantacon almost 7 to 10 £ 9673.18 The Garden at the Fort Adjoyning to the Castle. 300 Carried Over £ 27693.18 | Brought over, £5,000 0s 0d The house bought of Governor Roberts, £100 0s 0d The four houses built by Governor Johnson, £400 0s 0d The house called the Parsonage, £200 0s 0d The market house, £100 0s 0d The warehouses, 13 at £100 0s 0d each, £1,300 0s 0d, and ditto at £30 0s 0d each, £120 0s 0d, subtotal £1,420 0s 0d Subtotal, £2,520 0s 0d Total value of the fortifications and buildings, £7,520 0s 0d Plantations: 453 acres of pasture land at £7 0s 0d an acre, £3,171 0s 0d Yams growing thereon in small parcels, 11,800 at £100 0s 0d a thousand, £52 10s 0d The plantation in the Fort Valley, 3 acres, £200 0s 0d Yams growing thereon, 9,000 at £100 0s 0d a thousand, £13 0s 0d The plantation called the Briars, 3½ acres, £70 0s 0d Yams growing thereon, 18,500 at £100 0s 0d a thousand, £21 3s 0d The plantation called Perkins, 23 acres, £230 0s 0d Yams growing thereon, 250,000 at £100 0s 0d a thousand, £125 0s 0d The plantation called Sandy Bay, 8 acres, £160 0s 0d Yams growing thereon, 80,300 at £100 0s 0d a thousand, £40 5s 0d The plantation called the Sinnekiln, 1 acre, £30 0s 0d Yams growing thereon, 12,000 at £100 0s 0d a thousand, £6 0s 0d The plantation called the Great Wood, 1,500 acres, £4,300 0s 0d The plantation with the house standing thereon, called the Plantation House, 6 acres, and garden, £1,000 0s 0d 250 acres of loose pasture and plantation ground, at £19 10s 0d, £4,873 18s 0d The garden at the fort adjoining the castle, £300 0s 0d Carried over, £27,693 18s 0d Interpretations The valuation distinguished the standing crop of yams on each plantation from the land itself, pricing the yams by the thousand roots rather than by weight or acreage, which shows the Council treating the growing crop as a separate movable asset with its own market value, distinct from the freehold ground on which it stood. Speculations The Council's choice to value each plantation's yam crop separately by the thousand, rather than folding an estimated crop value into the acreage price of the land, reveals a decision to make the valuation defensible item by item rather than convenient in aggregate. The simpler course, given the admitted absence of any established method, would have been a single blended figure per plantation; instead the Council built up each entry from land plus a separately reckoned crop count, a more laborious approach that let it justify every figure to the Court against the standing rate of £100 a thousand yams it had evidently adopted as its yardstick. | |
97 | Brought Over £ 27693.18 Live Stock Viz. Cattle 235 head sorted @ £2.10. 387.10 Sheep 84 Sheep & Lambs @ £10. 42 Hogs 64 Hogs & Pigs @ £7. 22.8 Horses 24 Horses & Mares @ £6. 144 795.18 Totall £ 28489.16 11. We beg leave to Recommend to Your Honours favour Mr. John Goodwin Jun. whome We found it Highly Necessary should be called to the Council Board for the Reasons Assignd in Our Consultation of the 22 January last And to which We beg leave to Referr Your Honours, as it was his Right by Seigniority We flatter Ourselves Your Honours will the readier Indulge Us with Your Approbation We have had a long Experience of this Abilities & Fidelity Haveing Served Your Honours Several Years & gone through every Branch of Your Affairs with the Utmost Delligence & Dispatch, he has been for some time Past & is now under Storekeeper in which Office he upon all Occasions behaves so as to Merrit the Good will & Esteem of every Body, We assure Your Honours he is every way Qualified & well Worthy to be one of your Council here, and We humbly beg leave to become Intercessors in his behalf & hope Your Honours will be favourably Pleased to Confirm him. - 12. We herewith Transmit to Your Honours a Plott of all Your Lands & Plantations Cont. 493 Acres Measured & Pricked off by Mr. John Goodwin Jun. - The | Brought over, £27,693 18s 0d Live stock: Cattle, 235 head sorted at £2 10s 0d, £587 10s 0d Sheep, 84 sheep and lambs at 10s 0d, £42 0s 0d Hogs, 64 hogs and pigs at 7s 0d, £22 8s 0d Horses, 24 horses and mares at £6 0s 0d, £144 0s 0d Subtotal, £795 18s 0d Total, £28,489 16s 0d 11: The Council recommended to the Court's favour Mr John Goodwin junior, whom it judged highly necessary to call to the Council board for the reasons set out in the consultation of 22 January last, to which it referred the Court. As it was his right by seniority, the Council flattered itself that the Court would readily indulge its wish for his advancement. It reported long experience of his ability and fidelity, having watched him serve the Court for several years through every branch of its affairs with the utmost diligence and despatch. He had for some time held the office of storekeeper, in which post he conducted himself so as to merit the goodwill and esteem of everybody. The Council judged him in every way qualified and well worthy to sit as one of its members, and asked leave to intercede on his behalf, hoping the Court would be pleased to confirm him. 12: The Council transmitted to the Court a plan of all the Court's lands and plantations, comprising 493 acres, measured and priced off by Mr John Goodwin junior. Interpretations The office of storekeeper, held by Goodwin at the time of his recommendation, carried responsibility for the receipt, custody and issue of all the Company's goods and provisions on the island, a position of considerable financial trust; the Council's emphasis on his conduct in that role served as direct evidence of the fitness for higher office that mere seniority alone could not establish. Speculations The Council's careful pairing of seniority with a detailed record of service, diligence and trustworthy conduct in the storekeeper's post suggests a decision to pre-empt any objection the Court might otherwise raise to promoting a man on right of place alone. The simpler course would have been to recommend Goodwin on seniority and long service without further comment, as had served for other appointments; instead the Council built a fuller case resting on his specific financial trustworthiness, implying some awareness that seniority by itself might not secure the Court's ready agreement to seat him on the Council. | |
98 | 13. The Governour has taken all Immaginable care of Your Honours Blacks to keep them in Health that they be able to Labour, and as Provisions have been very Scarce upon the Island. He found himself under an Indispensable Necessity of Employing 6 fellows Constantly and sometimes more a fishing for the Best, in which they have had Tolerable Success So that Your Slaves were Never better in health than they are at Present, and even at this time there are Several both Men & Women who do Your Honours no Service at all many have Contracted Diseases & many are Afflicted with Natural Infirmities, besides a Bundance of Young Children who are not able to work in any Sort, So that in short the one half of Your Slaves only Serve to Impoverish the Rest, and are a Constant heavy Charge to Your Honours as well as a daily fatigue & Uneasiness to Us. - 14. For the Building the Fortification at Lemon Valley & Sandy Bay as well as the Carrying on that at Ruperts the Governour Immediately after the Departure of the last Years Shiping, Set about Burning of Lime, which has been heretofore an Article of Great Expence to Your Honours, But We have the Pleasure to acquaint You that 1600 Bushells of very Good & Strong Lime has been made for Your Use without any other Charge than the Labour of Your Blacks. - 15. Your Honours will Please to Observe in Consultations of 30 October & 13 November that We have Summond Several Persons for their Negligence in Planting Wood & Furse & threatned them. | 13: The Governor had taken every conceivable measure to keep the Court's slaves in health so that they might labour effectively. Since provisions had run very scarce on the island, he found himself under an unavoidable necessity of constantly employing six fellows fishing for the slaves, and sometimes more, in which they had met with tolerable success, so that the slaves had never enjoyed better health than they did at present. Even so, many men and women among them performed no service to the Court, having contracted diseases or being afflicted with natural infirmities, besides a great number of young children not yet able to work at all, so that in short only about half of the Court's slaves supported the rest, the remainder standing as a constant heavy charge on the Court and a daily burden and inconvenience to the Council. 14: For building the fortifications at Lemon Valley and Sandy Bay, as well as carrying on the work at Rupert's, the Governor had set about burning lime immediately after the previous year's shipping departed, an undertaking that had formerly cost the Court a great deal. The Council was pleased to report that 1,600 bushels of very good and strong lime had been made for the Court's use at no further charge beyond the labour of its slaves. 15: The Council asked the Court to note, in the consultations of 20 October and 6 November, that it had reprimanded several persons for their negligence in planting wood and furze, and had warned them accordingly. Interpretations The natural infirmities and youthful incapacity described in paragraph thirteen reflect the demographic reality of a slave population sustained partly by births on the island rather than solely by fresh purchase, meaning a portion of the labour force was permanently unproductive through age or infancy rather than through neglect, a distinction the Council drew carefully to explain a low labour yield without admitting fault in its own management. Lime, produced here by burning limestone or coral to make quicklime for mortar, was essential to any masonry construction on the island; its production had previously required purchased fuel or hired labour at considerable expense, so the Council's claim to have made 1,600 bushels using only the labour of its own slaves represented a direct saving to the Court's accounts. Speculations The Governor's decision to divert six or more of the Court's slaves to constant fishing, rather than maintaining the usual ration drawn from stores or purchase, shows a deliberate substitution of slave labour for purchased provisions at a moment of scarcity. The more conventional response to a shortfall would have been to press the Court for additional supplies from England or the Cape; instead the Governor redirected existing labour toward self-sufficiency, a choice that shifted the burden of the scarcity onto the enslaved workforce itself rather than onto the Court's shipping schedule. | |
99 | them with forfiture of their Leases in case of future disobedience, and We are Determined that if upon Our next Years Survey, We find any Defaulters after this fair Warning to Use them as they Deserve for the Increase & Preservation of Wood is of such Vast Importance to this Island that it would be highly Blameable in Us Should We Suffer Ourselves to be Amused in an Affair of such Consequence. 16. On the 13 of March last Mr. Thomas Cason Your Honours Lieutenant died and on the 17th of the same Month We appointed Mr. John Clark to Succeed him who is a very Sober diligent Man & well Worthy the favourable Mention Your Honours were Pleased to Make of him in the 87 & 88 Paragraph of Your General Letter & Ship Duccy Carroline where You were Pleased to allow him £12 & Ann as Gunner when at the same time Mr. Cason had £40 & Ann as Lieutenant in the whole £52. We have agreed with Mr. Clark for £40 a year as Gunner & £80 as Lieutenant in the whole £80. So that there is Saved to Your Honours Yearly the sum of £32. We therefore beg leave to Recommend him to Your Honours as a Person every way Qualified to serve as Lieutenant in your Garrison here, and humbly hope Your Honours will be Pleased to Confirm him Accordingly. 17. We were in Expectation that Our Summer Rains were set in the latter end of last Month, they gave Us great Room to hope so by their Continuance for Several days together but they Suddenly broke up & We have not had any since, the Ships | The Council warned those persons with forfeiture of their leases in the event of any future disobedience, and resolved that if the next year's survey found further defaulters after this fair warning, it would treat them as they deserved, since the increase and preservation of wood was of such great importance to the island that it would be highly blameable in the Council to allow itself to be remiss in a matter of such consequence. 16: On 13 March last, Mr Thomas Cason, the Court's lieutenant, died, and on the 17th of the same month the Council appointed Mr John Clark to succeed him, a very sober and diligent man well worthy of the favourable mention the Court had made of him in the eighty-seventh and twenty-eighth paragraphs of its general letter by the ship Prince Caroline, where the Court had been pleased to allow him £20 a year as gunner. At the same time Mr Cason had received £50 as lieutenant and £20 as gunner, £70 in the whole, whereas the Council had agreed with Mr Clark for £50 a year as gunner and £30 as lieutenant, £80 in the whole, so that the Court now saved £32 a year. The Council recommended Clark to the Court as a person every way qualified to serve as lieutenant of the garrison, and hoped the Court would be pleased to confirm him accordingly. 17: The Council had expected that the summer rains would set in at the end of the previous month, and their continuance for several days together had given great hope that this would prove so, but they had suddenly broken off, and none had fallen since. Interpretations The forfeiture of leases threatened here functioned as the Council's principal enforcement mechanism against negligent planters: since land at St Helena was held from the Company on conditional lease rather than in absolute freehold, the threat of losing that tenure gave the Court real power to compel compliance with the wood-planting law, a power resting on the Company's underlying ownership of the soil. The reorganisation of the lieutenant's and gunner's pay reveals the Council treating two garrison offices as a single combined salary pool: by restructuring the division between lieutenant and gunner duties under the new appointee, it produced an annual saving to the Court of £32 without reducing either post, an economy achieved through internal reallocation rather than through any cut to establishment. Speculations The Council's arithmetic in paragraph sixteen, setting out Cason's former combined pay of £70 against Clark's new combined pay of £80 while still declaring a saving of £32, cannot be reconciled on its face, yet the Council pressed ahead and reported the saving as a settled fact rather than pausing to correct the sums. This suggests the Council valued presenting Clark's appointment to the Court as an economy, whatever the underlying figures, over the more cautious course of verifying the calculation before committing it to the record. | |
100 | Ships that have arrived hitherto have been Tolerably well Served considering the Necessity of the times, We believe there is not one of them that has had less than 8 or 10 head of Cattle & some many more of the Inhabitants, and We wish they may be able to hold out so, But have too much cause to Apprehend that the Latter Ships will not be able to Procure more than their half Quantity of Charterparty Beef. We look Hourly for the Arrival of the Bedford by whome upon this Extraordinary Occasion We flatter Ourselves Your Honours will be Pleased to send Us an Extraor- dinary Supply. - 18. Since the Several Accounts which We laid before Your Honours last Year Relating to Your Fortifications, We by Your Own & the help and Assistance of the Inhabitants have Erected a Battery at Sandy Bay for 6 Minion Guns which have been all Mounted there some time ago where there is a good Guard House Built for the Accommodation of the People, together with a Magazeen & Lime House, and tis now a place of Greate Importance & We hope of Strength Suffiient to Baffle the Attempts of an Enemys making a Decent there. A plan of it & draught of the Bay Your Honours shall have p'the fleet. 19. The next Necessary work of this sort was at Ruperts Valley but that We could not Immediately set about, being under an Absolute Necessity of Employing Your Blacks in Your Yam Plantacons which since the Fortifications at Lemon Valley & Sandy Bay were taken in hand, have been greatly Interrupted | Ships arriving up to that point had been tolerably well served considering the necessities of the times. The Council believed there was not one among them that had received less than eight or ten head of cattle, and some many more, and it wished the supply might hold out so, though it had much cause to fear that later ships would not be able to procure more than half the quantity of beef their charter parties allowed. The Council looked hourly for the arrival of the Bedford, by whom, on this extraordinary occasion, it flattered itself the Court would be pleased to send an extraordinary supply. 18: Since the several accounts the Council had laid before the Court the previous year concerning the fortifications, it had, through its own efforts and the help and assistance of the inhabitants, erected a battery at Sandy Bay for six minion guns, all now mounted there some little time ago, where a good guard house had been built for the accommodation of the men, together with a magazine and a lime house. The Council reported this now a place of great importance, and hoped of sufficient strength to defeat the attempts of any enemy attempting a descent there. A plan and draught of the bay would be sent to the Court by the fleet. 19: The next necessary work of this sort lay at Rupert's Valley, but the Council could not immediately set about it, being under an absolute necessity of employing the Court's slaves in the yam plantations, which, since the fortifications at Lemon Valley and Sandy Bay had been taken in hand, had been greatly [...] Interpretations The charter-party beef mentioned in paragraph seventeen refers to the quantity of fresh provisions each ship's owners had contracted to supply their crew under the terms of the Company's charter with that vessel; a shortfall against this contracted allowance meant the Council itself had to make up the difference from the island's own diminished cattle stock, turning a shipping contract obligation into a direct drain on St Helena's herds. A minion gun was a light cannon of small calibre, useful for a battery covering a landing beach where mobility and rate of fire mattered more than the weight of shot; equipping Sandy Bay with six such pieces, together with a purpose-built magazine and lime house, reflected a considered choice of ordnance suited to repelling a boat-borne landing rather than engaging heavier ships. Speculations The Council's decision to complete the Sandy Bay battery before beginning work at Rupert's Valley, despite acknowledging Rupert's as the next necessary undertaking, shows a deliberate reordering of priorities driven by competing demands on slave labour. The straightforward course would have been to proceed to Rupert's Valley once Sandy Bay was finished, matching the sequence the Council itself described as intended; instead it diverted the same slave labour to the yam plantations, revealing that subsistence planting took precedence over further fortification even when the Council regarded the military work as urgent. | |
101 | Interrupted by Weeds & other Impediments that were Highly Expedient to be removed & in which We were Busied untill the Arrival of the India Yatch, when in Pursuance to the Orders Your Honours were Pleased to send Us by her We Immediately set about Carrying on the fortification at Ruperts and are Determined to Prosecute it with the Utmost Vigilence untill that part of it is finished which still Remains to be Compleated, But as Your Honours have only 23 Slaves that can be Employed in such Work as may be seen more Particularly in Our Consultation of the 24 January it would be an Endless piece of Business to attempt with so few hands, Besides the Ill Policy it would be in Us to keep in a matter of such vast Importance, and which the Present Situation of Affairs Require should be Dispatched with the Utmost Expedition We therefore Notwithstanding Our Unwillingness to Put Your Honours to any Extraordinary Expence after Mature Consideration found Ourselves under an Indispensible Necessity of hireing a Number of Blacks of the Planters, Which We Prevailed with them to send at the Rate of 12d a day tho the Common Rate among themselves is 18d a day, and We assure Your Honours this Charge shall be put a stop to as soon as Ruperts Fortification can possibly be made Defencible. - 20. Your Honours will Observe that We have Carefully Avoided saying any thing in this that might be Servisable to an Enemy of this Letter should fall into their Hands, which We hope will not be the Case but However We think We cant be too Cautious in matters that may be attended with such Ill Consequences therefore hope | Interrupted by weeds and other impediments that were highly expedient to be removed, and in which the Council remained busied until the arrival of the India yacht. In pursuance of the Court's orders, which the Court had been pleased to send by her, the Council immediately set about carrying on the fortification at Rupert's, and resolved to pursue it with the utmost vigilance until that part of it already begun should be completed. But since the Court had only twenty-three slaves that could be employed in such work, as could be seen more particularly in the consultation of 24 January, it would be an endless piece of business to attempt with so few hands. Besides, the Council judged it would be ill policy to keep in reserve a matter of such great importance, and the present situation of affairs required that it be dispatched with the utmost expedition. The Council therefore, notwithstanding its unwillingness to put the Court to any extraordinary expense, after mature consideration found itself under an indispensable necessity of hiring a number of slaves from the planters, whom it prevailed upon to send them at the rate of 12 pence a day, though the common rate among the planters themselves was 18 pence a day. The Council assured the Court that this charge would be dropped as soon as Rupert's could possibly be made defensible. 20: The Council asked the Court to observe that it had carefully avoided saying anything in this letter that might prove serviceable to an enemy, should this letter fall into their hands. The Council hoped this would not be the case, but believed it could not be too cautious in matters that might be attended with such grave consequences, and therefore hoped Interpretations Hiring slaves from the island's planters at a rate below what those planters ordinarily charged one another reveals the Council using its position as the dominant purchaser of labour to secure hands for fortification work at a discount, the planters' willingness to accept the lower rate probably reflecting the Council's authority over leases and other favours rather than any general shortage of demand for slave labour on the island. The twenty-three slaves recorded as the Court's own available workforce for fortification, set against the wider need described here and in the previous paragraph's diversion of labour to the yam plantations, shows the chronic shortage of Company-owned slave labour as the practical constraint shaping the pace and sequence of every defensive work undertaken that year. Speculations The Council's choice to hire planters' slaves at 12 pence a day, well under the 18 pence the planters charged one another, rather than simply requisitioning labour under the standing rate or waiting for the Court to supply more of its own slaves, shows a deliberate use of its administrative leverage over the planters to secure cheap labour for an urgent military purpose. The straightforward course, given the acknowledged shortage of Company slaves, would have been to pay the market rate or press the Court for additional purchases; instead the Council extracted a below-market rate from men who depended on it for leases and favour, treating fortification as urgent enough to justify leaning on that dependency. | |
102 | hope Your Honours will Approve of Our not sending the Consultations & Books for the Year Ending at September last & this Conveyance, which as well as all other Papers & Yearly Lists have been long since Ready, and shall wait upon You by the fleet. 21. We have the pleasure to acquaint You that the Several Promises which were made You last Year as well on the part of the Governour as the Rest of Us have been very Successfully Performed, for as We are Sensible that saving Your Mony is not only Our Duty, but would be one of the most acceptable Peices of Service We could Render You We have taken such Effectual care therein that the Gross Charge for the Year Past Amounts only to the sum of £5289.2.3¾ which is less by £718.5.3¾ than it was the Year before, and We assure Your Honours We will Observe the like frugale Oeconomy in the Management of the Expence of the Current Year. 22. To Convince Your Honours of the Sincerity of Our Intentions herein We beg leave to Observe that not many Years ago for five Years together it cost Your Honours in Ready Money £400. Within for Provisions bought for Your Table, & even that was Laid Out in times of Great Plenty, But in the last Year Notwithstanding it was dry & Barren & every thing become very Scarce, the Governour to whose care these matters are Usually Committed only laid Out the sum of £102.3.7 and in all Probability if the Approaching Season shall prove | The Council hoped the Court would approve of its not sending the consultation books for the year ending in September last by this conveyance, since these, along with all other papers and yearly lists, had long since been ready and would wait upon the Court by the fleet. 21: The Council had the pleasure of acquainting the Court that the several promises made the previous year, on the part of the Governor as well as the rest of the Council, had been very successfully performed. Being sensible that saving the Court's money was not only its duty but one of the most acceptable pieces of service it could render, the Council had taken such effectual care in this respect that the gross charge for the year past amounted only to the sum of £5,289 2s 3¾d, which was less by £718 5s 3¾d than the year before. The Council assured the Court that it would observe the like frugal economy in managing the expense of the current year. 22: To convince the Court of the sincerity of its intentions in this respect, the Council begged leave to observe that not many years ago, for five years together, it had cost the Court £400 0s 0d a year in ready money for provisions bought for the Governor's table, even in times of great plenty. In the last year, notwithstanding a dry and barren season in which everything became very scarce, the Governor, to whose care these matters were usually committed, had laid out only the sum of £102 3s 7d. Interpretations The gross charge figure of £5,289 2s 3¾d, set against the previous year's sum, functioned as the Council's principal evidence of good management to the Court, since the Company judged its overseas governors substantially by their success in restraining the annual cost of the establishment; a documented year-on-year reduction was therefore the clearest proof of diligence the Council could offer. The Governor's table allowance, the sum spent on provisions for his own household from the Court's cash rather than from his personal salary, was a standing item of expense the Court had long tolerated as a perquisite of office; the Council's contrast between the former £400 a year and the Governor's £102 3s 7d in a year of scarcity presented restraint in this particular allowance as a personal sacrifice illustrating the wider economy claimed for the establishment as a whole. Speculations The Council's choice to illustrate its general claim of frugality with the specific example of the Governor's own table allowance, rather than resting on the aggregate charge figure alone, suggests a deliberate strategy to make an abstract saving concrete and personally creditable to the Governor. The simpler course would have been to let the reduced gross charge speak for itself; instead the Council singled out an expense the Governor himself controlled and reduced far below its historical average even in a bad season, using his personal example to anchor a claim of institutional economy that figures alone might not have made convincing. | |
103 | Prove but tolerably Good, We shall hardly have occasion for any other Supply than what shall be the Produce of Your own Plantations. We have dwelt the longer upon this Subject because it is a matter which Your Honours have Constantly Recommended very Particularly to Our Care & attention and We humbly hope Your Honours will be well Satisfied with these Instances of a good Beginning. 23. We hope it will be acceptable to your Honours to hear that the Debts which were owing for Arrears of Rents &c. have been Considerably Reduced, last Year they were £2386.8¼ there now Remains due to You £1909.6¼ which is £477.7.6 less than they were, and We hope by Gentle means & in no long time We shall be able to Recover what still Remains unpaid. - We are Honble Sirs, Your most faithfull & Obedient Servants St Helena 30 of April 1740 John Godwin Luke Crisp John Bazett Geo Th. Powell John Godwin Jun. | Prove but tolerably good, the Council would hardly have occasion for any other supply than what the produce of the Court's own plantations should provide. The Council dwelt the longer upon this subject because it was a matter the Court had constantly recommended very particularly to its care and attention, and it humbly hoped the Court would be well satisfied with these instances of a good beginning. 23: The Council hoped it would be acceptable to the Court to hear that the debts owing for arrears of rents had been considerably reduced. The previous year they stood at £2,386 8s 3d, whereas there now remained due to the Court £1,909 6s 3d, which was £477 7s 6d less than before, and the Council hoped that by gentle means, and in no long time, it would be able to recover what still remained unpaid. Signed at St Helena, 26 April 1740, by John Goodwin, Duke Crispe, John Bazett, George Powell and John Goodwin junior. Interpretations The reduction in arrears of rents owed to the Court reflects the Council's continued preference for gradual, negotiated recovery of planter debt over compulsory measures such as forfeiture of leases or arrest, a policy consistent with the Council's earlier undertaking to recover the inhabitants' debts by gentle means rather than by force. Speculations The Council's decision to press for the reduction of rent arrears through patient, gentle means rather than the sharper enforcement available to it, such as forfeiture of leases, mirrors its handling of the wood-planting defaulters earlier in this same letter, where forfeiture was threatened only after repeated warning. Taken together, this consistent preference for gradual pressure over immediate compulsion, even where the Council held clear legal power to act more severely, suggests a considered judgement that maintaining the planters' continued goodwill and solvency served the Court's long-term interest better than the short-term recovery a harder line might have achieved. | |
104 | Honoured Sirs 1. This Waits on Your Honours by a Dutch Ship called the Padhuis Burthen about Six Hundred Ton, Twenty eight Guns & one Hundred Men, Mynheer John De Young Commander from Batavia, who left that Place the 30 December last, Laden Cheifly with Spices & some Bales of Peice Goods, She arrived here the 30 April & is Bound to Amsterdam, it was not Possible for Us to Supply her with any Provision tho the Captain made frequent Application for that Purpose, But at the same time We Recommended him to the Inhabitants amongst whome perhaps he might be able to Pick up a few Goates or such like, by making Barter of which, with Good Store of Greens his People, would be Refreshed During their stay in this Road. - 2. Your India Yatch Captain Gabriel Steward sailed hence the 30th of Last Month by whome We paid Our Duty to Your Honours & Inclosed in Our Packet Letters from each of the Commanders containing Abstracts of their Cargoes &c agreeable to Your Honours Instructions on that Particular. - 3. Since the Departure of the Yatch there are arrived here, the Ships Richmond & Bedford, the first on the 11th & the other on the 12 Instant. - 4. As We shall Write Your Honours very | Honoured Sirs, 1: The Council reported that a Dutch ship called the Padhuis, of about 600 tons burthen, with 28 guns and 100 men, Mynheer John De Young commander, had called at the island. She had left Batavia on 30 December last, laden chiefly with spices and some bales of piece goods, arrived at St Helena on 30 April and was bound for Amsterdam. The Council reported that it had not been possible to supply her with any provision, though her captain made frequent application for that purpose, but the Council had at the same time recommended him to the inhabitants, among whom he might perhaps be able to pick up a few goats or the like, and by distilling brandy from these, together with a good store of greens, his people might be refreshed during their stay in the road. 2: The Council reported that the India yacht, Captain Gabriel Steward commander, had sailed from the island on the 30th of last month, by which the Council had paid its duty to the Court and enclosed in its packet letters from each of the commanders containing abstracts of their cargoes, agreeable to the Court's instructions on that particular. 3: Since the yacht's departure, the ships Richmond and Bedford had arrived, the former on the 11th and the latter on the 12th instant. 4: The Council would write to the Court very Interpretations The Council's advice to the Dutch captain to seek goats and greens from the island's inhabitants, rather than supplying provisions from the Court's own stores, reflects the standing distinction the Council drew between foreign vessels of established companies, entitled to reasonable assistance, and those from nations or circumstances placing them outside the Company's usual obligations, here resolved by directing the Dutch crew toward private trade with the planters instead of any charge on the Court's own account. Speculations The Council's choice to redirect the Dutch captain to private dealings with the island's inhabitants, rather than either refusing him outright or supplying him from the Court's own provisions as it did for Company ships, shows a deliberate middle course adopted for a foreign vessel that was neither an enemy to be turned away nor an ally entitled to full assistance. The more clear-cut alternatives, outright refusal or direct supply, were both available; instead the Council solved the problem by shifting the transaction onto the planters, meeting the requirements of hospitality without drawing on the Court's own limited stock. | |
105 | full on every head by the fleet, We hope You will Judge it Prudent in Us not to enter into Particulars by this Conveyance, other than to acknowledge the receipt of Your Packet by Bedford, as well as the Ample Supply of Stores which You have been favourably Pleased to send Us, and for which We beg leave to Return Our most humble thanks, And assure Your Honours that such part thereof as We may have Occasion to Use shall be Husbanded in the best manner, and what is for sale Shall be Disposed off to the most Advantage. We are Honble Sirs Your Most Faithfull & most Obed. Servants St Helena 19 May 1740 John Goodwin Luke Crispe John Bazett Geo. Tho. Powell Jn.o Goodwin Jun.r [...] | The Council's letter came very full on every head by the fleet, and hoped the Court would judge it prudent that it should not enter into particulars by this conveyance, other than to acknowledge receipt of the Court's packet by the Bedford, as well as the ample supply of stores which the Court had been pleased to send, for which the Council returned its most humble thanks. The Council assured the Court that whatever part of the supply it had occasion to use would be husbanded in the best manner, and whatever was for sale would be disposed of to the greatest advantage. Signed at St Helena, 19 May 1740, by John Goodwin, Duke Crispe, John Bazett, George Powell and John Goodwin junior. Interpretations The Council's undertaking to husband any stores it kept for its own use, while disposing of the remainder for sale to the greatest advantage, reflects the standing distinction in Company accounts between goods issued for consumption at the island and goods held as tradeable stock, the latter expected to yield a return to the Court rather than simply being consumed. | |
106 | To the Honourable the Court of Directors of the United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies. - Honoured Sirs 1. Our last duties to Your Honours was by India Yatch Captain Gabriel Steward who sailed hence the 30 of April & We hope will arrive Safely. - 2. The times of Arrivall of these Ships now under Despatch are as follows viz. Defence Jan.y 7th Walpole April the 22nd Brittannia March 1st Marlborough Do 26th Lynn Do 21st Shaftsbury Do 29th Grantham Do 22nd Richmond May 11th Augusta April 2nd Harrington June 9th Houghton Do 20th Duke of Lorrain Do 11th 3. The foreign Ships who have touch'd here this Year have arrived & Departed as follows viz. Arrived Departed French Ship March 8th French Ship March 15th Dane Ship April 19th Dane Ship April 24th French Ship Do 28th French Ship Do 26th Dutch Ship Do 30th Dutch Ship May 19th French Ship June 8th French Ship Do 8th 4. Your Honours Letter dated 2 Jan.y We have received by Ship Bedford Cap.t Wells who arrived here the 12 May last late at Night by which We are Informed of the Warr between England & Spain & We very heartily wish the British Arms all the Success Immaginable. - 5. We thank Your Honours for the Lost of Shiping Inclosed to Us & hope You have been | To the Honourable the Court of Directors of the United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies. Honoured Sirs, 1: The Council's last duty to the Court had gone by the India yacht, Captain Gabriel Steward, who had sailed hence on the 30th of April, and the Council hoped she would arrive safely. 2: The time of arrival of the ships now under despatch was as follows: Defence, 7 January Britannia, 10 March Lynn, 21st ditto Grantham, 22nd ditto Augusta, 2 April Houghton, 20th ditto Walpole, 22 April Marlborough, 26th ditto Shaftesbury, 29th ditto Richmond, 11 May Harrington, 9 June Duke of Lorraine, 11th ditto 3: The foreign ships that had touched at the island that year had arrived and departed as follows: French ship, arrived 8 March, departed 15 March Danish ship, arrived 19 April, departed 24 April French ship, arrived 23rd ditto, departed 26th ditto Dutch ship, arrived 30th ditto, departed 19 May French ship, arrived 8 June, departed 15th ditto 4: The Council had received the Court's letter dated 2 January by the ship Bedford, Captain Wells, which had arrived on 12 May last, late at night, by which the Council was informed of the war between England and Spain, and the Council very heartily wished the British arms all imaginable success. 5: The Council thanked the Court for the list of shipping enclosed to it, and hoped the Court had Interpretations The list of arrivals and departures of foreign ships, kept alongside the Company's own shipping, reflects the Council's standing obligation to monitor and report all vessels touching at St Helena, since the island's position on the Cape route made it a natural point for observing the movements of rival trading nations and potential enemies. The Council's notice of the outbreak of war between England and Spain marks the news that would shape the Council's subsequent caution toward foreign shipping and its concern for the island's defences, the declaration itself, later known as the War of Jenkins' Ear, having been made in London in October 1739 and only now reaching St Helena by the Court's letter of 2 January. | |
107 | been Successfull in the Sales of the last Returning Cargoes and that those Ships which You have been Pleased to send abroad this Year may each of them return in Safety and with the like Good fortune. 6. We are glad to hear that Your Honours Received Our Several Tenders of Duty last Year and Return You Our most humble thanks, for the Large Supply of Stores which You have been favourably Pleased to send Us by Bedford, Who We Unloaded within the time limited by Charterparty and on the 23 May, as appears in Our Consultation of that day, Delivered her Captain his Sailing Orders with Our Letters to Your Several Settlements in India, in that to the West Coast We enclosed the Ships Charterparty and She sailed on the 3rd of June. - 7. Captain Wells as We before Observed to Your Honours arrived here on the 12 May last in a Sickly Condition many of his People being down with the Scurvey or other Distempers, but Nevertheless with the Assistance which he met with from Us, & from such of Your Commanders as were then on the Road he was Unloaded within the Usual time and Received his Despatches for India accordingly, but as he People were very Ill he was Oblig'd to stay some days longer than he intended purely for their Refreshment & with the case he took of them on shore he was ready & Determined to sail on Sunday the 1st of June but in the morning of that day he was Informed that his Surgeons Mr. Fulley & Mr. Miller Mr. Villeneau were both Run away from him, upon this Report he made Application to the Governour for a Search & the Governour at his desire immediately Ordered Several Detachments of the Guards to look for them in all parts of the Island and they were out Munday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday and were on the Thursday Evening without them Notwithstanding the Captain offered a Reward of five pounds & Stood to any Freeman Black or White, who should Apprehend them & the Inhabitants were Strictly forbid to Assist or harbour them or that after a great Expence & a delay of the Ships for four days he was Obliged to Sail without them on the 6th of June having with much difficulty as an Advanced rate Charge Prevailed Prevailed with Captain Hales Surgeons mate to Proceed the Voyage in their stead, the Men having all Declared that Without him or some other of that Profession they would not | The Council hoped that the Court had been successful in the sales of the last returning cargoes, and that the ships it had been pleased to send abroad that year would each return safely and with equally good fortune. 6: The Council was glad to hear that the Court had received its several tenders of duty the previous year, and returned its most humble thanks for the large supply of stores the Court had been favourably pleased to send. The Bedford was unloaded within the time limited by her charter party, and on the 23rd of May, as appeared in the consultation of that day, Captain Elliott, sailing before the Council could send letters to the several settlements in India and to the west coast, was sent the letters for the Charter Party and the ship sailed on the 6th of June. 7: Captain Wells, as the Council had before recorded to the Court, arrived on 12 May last in sickly condition, many of his people down with the scurvy or other distempers, but nevertheless with the assistance he met from the Council, and from such of the commanders present, than he was unloaded within the usual time and received his despatches for India accordingly. But as his people were very ill, he was obliged to stay some days longer than he intended, purely for their refreshment, and with these he took them on shore. He was ready and determined to sail on Sunday the 8th of June, but on the morning of that day he was informed that his surgeons Mr Tulloch and Mr Miller had both run away from him. On this news he made application to the Governor for a search, and the Governor immediately ordered several detachments of the guards to look for them in all parts of the island, and they were out Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. He detained the ship on the Thursday evening without them, notwithstanding the captain offered a reward of four pieces of eight to any Christian or white man who should apprehend them. The inhabitants were strictly forbidden to assist or harbour them, so that after a great expense and a delay of the ship for four days he was obliged to sail without them on the 8th of June, having with much difficulty, at an advanced rate of wages, prevailed with Captain Hale's surgeon's mate to proceed on the voyage, the men having all declared that they would go without him or some other of that profession they would not Interpretations The reward offered for the recapture of the two runaway surgeons, restricted to a Christian or white man, and the corresponding order forbidding the inhabitants generally to assist or harbour them, reflects the standing social hierarchy of the island, in which the task of hunting down absconding Europeans was formally reserved to a particular class of the population rather than opened to all residents. Speculations The Council's decision to detain the Bedford for four full days over the loss of two surgeons, at the cost of a reward, a general search by the garrison and the ship's own delay, rather than allow Captain Wells to sail without medical officers and find replacements at the next port, shows a deliberate judgement that the risk of an unmanned sickbay outweighed the certain cost of the delay. The more expedient course would have been to let the ship proceed and trust to fortune or a later port for surgeons; instead the Council committed real resources to the search, revealing how seriously it regarded the danger of an India-bound ship, already weakened by scurvy, sailing without anyone qualified to treat the sick. | |
108 | not weigh Anchor, such frivolous Excuses as they have made for their Deserting in this Unwarrantable & Dishonest Manner & their Exposeing about 180 Souls & consequently Your Ships & Cargo to the Greatest Danger Your Honours will See in Our Consultation of the 6th of June last at which most of the Captains were Present, When they Return We dont doubt Your Honours will come to such Resolutions as will Effectually Check all such Practices for the future and make them Smart for their Infamous Behaviour. - 8. We will be carefull in future to take the Receipts of the Captains for the Packets delivered them the List of Packets & all other Papers Contained therein shall be made up Exactly Conformable to Your Honours Instructions on that head nor shall Your Honours hereafter ever have Occasion to Complain of Our sending any Papers or Accounts Incorrect, or of Our not being Explicit enough in Relation to foreign Ships, As We beg leave to Assure You We will Punctually throrow the Councel by the Rules You have been Pleased to Prescribe in Your Letter by Bedford. - 9. We have from time to time made Publick Sales of Several Sorts of Damaged Goods Our last afford was on the 19th instant as appears in our Consultation of that day but with very little Success some indeed We sold for Ready Money but many Sorts were become so much Decayed by long lying or otherwise Spoiled by Moths, Rats, & as it is not always Possible for Us to Prevent Particularly those & Musters wear that We could not get Rid of them all even at low Rates, therefore some are Still Remaining Unsold & are likely to Continue So for they are So bad. We believe no body will meddle with upon any Terms, which We are Sorry to Say, and beg you will believe that no care has been wanting on Our Parts to Prevent these Accidents. Two of the Councel shall Quarterly Inspect all Your Stores & Reports in what Condition they find them which shall be Quarterly Entred in Our Consultations. - 10. The loss by Cast, Leakage, Short weight & Measure by Selling Constantly great Quantity of Bread | Not weigh anchor, such frivolous excuses as they made for their deserting in this unwarrantable and dishonest manner, and their carrying off about 180 souls, consequently exposed the Court's ships and cargo to the greatest danger. The Council would set out in its consultation of the [...] June last which of the captains had been present, and hoped that when they returned home the Court would come to such resolutions as would effectually check all such practices for the future and make the guilty men smart for their infamous behaviour. 8: The Council would be careful in future to take the receipts of the captains for the packets delivered them, and the list of packets and all other papers contained therein would be made up exactly conformable to the Court's instructions on that head. Nor should the Court hereafter ever have occasion to complain of the Council sending any papers or accounts incorrect, or of its not being explicit enough in relation to foreign ships, and the Council begged leave to assure the Court that it would punctually observe the rules the Court had been pleased to prescribe in its letter by the Bedford. 9: The Council had from time to time made public sales of several sorts of damaged goods. The last of these was on the 19th instant, as appeared in the consultation of that day, but with very little success, some indeed being sold for ready money, but many sorts had become so much decayed by long lying, or otherwise spoiled by moths, rats and mice, and it was not always possible for the Council to prevent this, particularly since flaxseed wares were such that it could not get rid of them all even at low prices. Some therefore still remained unsold, and were likely to continue so, for they were so bad that the Council believed nobody would meddle with them upon any terms, which it was sorry to say, and begged the Court would believe that no care had been wanting on its part to prevent these accidents. Two of the Council would quarterly inspect all the Court's stores and report in what condition they found them, which reports would be regularly entered in the Council's consultations. 10: The loss by dust, leakage, short weight and measure by selling constantly great quantity of Interpretations The captains' abandonment of the search with some 180 slaves still aboard, described here as an act exposing the Court's ships to danger, points to the Council's underlying anxiety not about the loss of individual runaways but about the security risk posed by a large number of captive people left unaccounted for and potentially at large, a concern distinct from the ordinary commercial loss of two absconded surgeons. The quarterly inspection of the Court's stores by two Council members, with findings recorded in the consultations, established a standing internal audit mechanism intended to create a documentary record of stock condition independent of the storekeeper's own reporting, guarding against both natural decay and any undetected mismanagement. Speculations The Council's proposal to institute a formal quarterly inspection of stores by two of its own members, rather than continuing to rely on the storekeeper's routine accounts, suggests a decision prompted by the very losses just described, the goods spoiled by damp, vermin and long standing that the ordinary bookkeeping had evidently failed to catch or prevent in time. The simpler course would have been to tighten the storekeeper's own reporting; instead the Council inserted an independent check from its own body, revealing a judgement that the existing single-point accounting had proved insufficient to protect the Court's goods. | |
109 | Arrack, Sugar & other Goods by the Gallon Quart, Pint & Pound is again very Moderate Amounting only to the Society £117.12.2¼ tho Greater Quantity have been Sold this Year than formerly wherein as less than it was the Year before by £84.16. 3½ M.r Bazet the Storekeeper Assures Your Honours that he will be Constantly carefull & Diligent to Prevent loss upon any thing that can Possibly be Avoided. - 11. Your Honours shall have no further cause to Complain of Your Cash not being Counted as the same shall be Monthly Produced & Examined by the Councel & their Deputs of it duely Entred in Our Consultations, besides the Particulars Relating to it as the same is Entered in the Journal & Ledger Your Honours will receeve it in the Packet a Sheet distinct thereof, in which the Several Sorts as it hath from time to time been Received or Disburst are more Particularly Specified And Your Honours shall be sure to have this Account Yearly Transmitted to You, tho the other Usual Sorts & Accounts Your Honours will also Receeve in the Packet. - 12. The Bills of Exchange drawn upon Your Honours this last Year have been duly Minuted upon Consultation & the same Method Shall be carefully Observed hereafter. - 13. The Oath of Fidelity to Your Honours has been taken by Each of Us as you'll please to Observe noted upon Consultation of the 13 May last. - 14. We would have given Bond for the Performance of Our duty Agreeable to Your Honours Directions but as tis what has never yet been Expected from Our Councel at this Place So We are at a loss for the form as well as Penalty of them & Humbly desire Your Honours will Please to Order the Bonds may be sent Us & Next StoreShip & We will give any Security You think Proper. - 15. We are very Glad & thank Your Honours for Permitting Us to send at Parcell of Your Malays Slaves to Bencoolen, I have accordingly sent by Bedford twelve Women & Children who We hope may be made Serviceable to Your Honours at Marlbro' tho were indeed of None here, But advantage Accrewing to Us by Sending them away is that We have not now an Occasion to keep so many of Your best working Blacks in the Plantations as We were before Obliged to do in Order | Arrack, sugar and other goods sold by the gallon, quart, pint and pound had again proved very moderate, amounting only to £917 12s 2d, though greater quantities had been sold this year than formerly, being less than the year before by £81 16s 4½d. The storekeeper assured the Council that he would be constantly careful and diligent to prevent loss upon anything that could possibly be avoided. 11: The Court would have no further cause to complain of its cash not being counted, since the same would be monthly produced and examined by the Council, its disbursements duly entered in the Council's consultations relating to it, as well as entered in the general ledger. The Court would receive in the packet a distinct sheet on which the several sorts of receipts and disbursements were more particularly specified from time to time, and the Court would have this account transmitted yearly, along with the other usual lists and accounts the Court would likewise receive in the packet. 12: The bills of exchange drawn upon the Court this last year had been duly minuted upon consultation, and the same method would be carefully observed hereafter. 13: The oath of fidelity to the Court had been taken by each member of the Council, as noted upon the consultation of 13 May last. 14: The Council would have given bond for the performance of its duty agreeable to the Court's directions, but as this had never yet been required of the Council at this place, it was at a loss both for the form and the penalty of such bonds. The Council humbly asked the Court to send the bonds by the next store ship, and would give whatever security the Court thought proper. 15: The Council was very glad, and thanked the Court, for permitting it to send a parcel of the Court's mulatto slaves to Bencoolen. It had accordingly sent twelve women and children by the Bedford, whom it hoped might be made serviceable to the Court there, though they had been of no use to the Council here. The advantage arising to the Council from sending them away was that it no longer needed to keep so many of the Court's best working slaves employed in the plantations as it had previously been obliged to do. Interpretations The oath of fidelity and the proposed bond for performance of duty were two distinct mechanisms of official accountability: the oath bound each Council member morally and by conscience to faithful service, while a bond would have placed a specific financial penalty behind that promise, forfeit if the member failed in his duty. The Council's admission that no such bond had ever been required of it at St Helena reveals a gap in the island's administration compared with practice elsewhere in the Company's service, one the Council itself proposed to close rather than one imposed on it by the Court. Speculations The Council's decision to ship away twelve mulatto women and children judged useless at St Helena, while explicitly retaining its best working slaves for the plantations, shows a deliberate sorting of the Court's slave population by comparative usefulness across two settlements rather than a simple response to Bencoolen's request for labour. The more passive course would have been to send whichever slaves Bencoolen asked for or whichever were most easily spared; instead the Council framed the transfer as a calculated exchange, freeing local plantation capacity by exporting those it judged least productive at St Helena, in the hope they might still prove serviceable at Bencoolen. | |
110 | Cost to Maintain them Demurs but can Employ them to a better Purpose at the Fortifications, We can very well Spare another Cargo of Twenty or thirty and with Your Honours will permit Us to send them likewise to Bencoolen by the next Conveyance. 16. The Inhabitants return Your Honours their most Humble thanks for the Tender Regard which You have on all times Treated them & Particularly for the last instance of Generosity in Continuing their Rents upon the Present rate Stating of 4 & stood till the Year 1743 they beg leave to Assure Your Honours that they had a Just sence of the favour & tho' there will be Sufficiency of Impaying their Gratitude by any Services their circumstances will permitt of. - 17. We are proud that Your Honours have been Pleased to Acquiesce in Our Opinions that such Guns & Shott as are Unserviceable should be sent to Bencoolen We have Accordingly Shiped on board the Ship Bedford & taken the Captains Receipts for guns and shott Convincing the same as they stand on Our Books to Your Deputy Governor & Councel of that Place. - 18. Mr. Samuel Doveton Your Honours Overseer of Live Stock, & Plantations has been allways brought up in that way & has Good Judgement in these Matters, But the Governour tho is Directed by the Planters a Competant Judge of these Affairs takes frequent Surveys of them himself & Uses all the Fair means that's possible to Prevent Your Honours being at any Extraordinary Expence in the General Table, Add as to the Raising of Beef Sufficient to Supply the Ships with their Charterparty We told Your Honours last Year in the 4 Paragraph of Our Letter by Nassau that Considering Condition Your Stock were in occasioned by the Backwardness of Our Seasons for the four or five Preceding Years that formerly there was none killed that weighed less than 450 and often much more & that then We what Obliged to kill Cattle that would only just turn the Scale at 200 lb that there were several of Your latter Ships who could not be Supplyed with more than half their Charterparty Beef, tho' if Your Ships this Year have had the same Judging And the Governour Assures Your Honours that he will Exert himself & Use his utmost Endeavours to Encrease | Cost to maintain these domestics, but could employ them to a better purpose at the fortifications. The Council could very well spare another charge of twenty or thirty, and with the Court's permission would send them likewise to Bencoolen by the next conveyance. 16: The inhabitants returned the Court their most humble thanks for the tender regard with which the Court had at all times treated them, and particularly for the late instance of generosity in continuing their rents upon the present reduced footing until the year 1743. They begged leave to assure the Court that they would take particular care that this favour should not be thrown away, and that no opportunity of expressing their gratitude by any services their circumstances would permit should be neglected. 17: The Council was glad that the Court had been pleased to acquiesce in its opinion that such guns and shot as were unserviceable should be sent to Bencoolen. The Council had accordingly shipped on board the Bedford and taken the captain's receipts for the same, which stood entered on its books to the [...] Deputy Governor and Council of that place. 18: Mr Samuel Dovetant, the Court's overseer of livestock and plantations, had always brought up his stock in that way with good judgement in those matters, but the Governor himself was obliged, being a competent judge of these affairs, to take frequent surveys of them himself, and used all the means possible to prevent the Court being put to any extraordinary expense in the general table with regard to the raising of beef, insufficient to supply the ships with their charter-party allowance. The Council had told the Court the previous year, in the fourth paragraph of its letter by the Nassau, that the Court's stock was in an indifferent condition, occasioned by the backwardness of the four or five preceding seasons, that there was none killed which weighed less than 150 pounds and often much more, and that then the Council had been obliged to kill cattle that would only just turn the scale at 200 pounds, so that several of the later ships could not be supplied with more than half their charter-party beef. Each of the Court's ships this year had had the same allowance, and the Governor assured the Court that he would exert himself and use his utmost endeavours to Interpretations The reduced rent footing continued to the inhabitants until 1743 represented a multi-year concession by the Court, granted in response to the successive failed seasons and cattle losses recorded in earlier letters, and the inhabitants' formal expression of gratitude here served as the documentary record the Council could point to as evidence that the concession had secured continued loyalty and cooperation from the planters. The transfer of unserviceable guns and shot to Bencoolen, receipted through the captain and entered in the Council's own books against that station's Deputy Governor and Council, shows the same inter-settlement accounting discipline the Council applied to slaves and other transferred property, treating even damaged ordnance as an asset to be formally passed from one establishment's books to another's rather than simply discarded. Speculations The Council's decision to send both surplus slaves and unserviceable ordnance to Bencoolen in the same season, rather than disposing of either locally or simply writing them off, reveals a settled practice of treating a sister settlement as the natural outlet for whatever St Helena judged excess to its own requirements. The more straightforward course for damaged guns particularly would have been to condemn and discard them on the island; instead the Council formally transferred them onward with receipted accountability, suggesting a habit of thrift that resisted writing off any Company property as a total loss so long as another station might still find use for it. | |
111 | Increase Your Stock, But as this depends almost wholley upon Our Good or Bad Seasons he cant make any Absolute Promise on this head further than that Nothing shall be wanting in his part to Effect it. - 19. We are much Pleased that Your Honours approved of Our Measuring Your Pasture Grounds & that the same with Your Cattle, is Brought on Your Books the Particulars of which together with the Fortifications are mentioned at large in the Duplicate of Our Letter p India Yatch herewith Enclosed. 20. As touching the waste Land mentioned in the 23 Paragraph of Your Honours Letter We beg leave to Observe that there are several large Parcells of Waste Land here from which the soil has been made to the Rains or Blown away & are become Totally Barren which Experience teaches Us they were Enclosed & Manured in Drills so as to Plant them of Wood & Furze to Stop the Soil, much of it would in Process of time Recover it self & be made Productive, And as an Encouragement for People to look above so good a Work We humbly Offer to Your Honours Consideration Whether it might not be Proper to Grant Leases for the Term of 21 Years, they Paying an Acknowledgement for the same of a Peper Corn a year Provided there be no more than 20 Acres Granted to any one Man. - 21. In the 24 Paragraph of Your last Letter Your Honours Seemed displeased that Matthew Parling & Francis Wrangham should have been Entertained in Your Service, The former has been near five years Employed in Several Branches of Business under Mr. Crispe, has Taken care to keep him Constantly to it, Except in the Secretarys Office & he is now with him in the Accomptants Office in both of which he has behaved with great Care & Diligence & is now Pretty Perfect in each & of great Service to Us, He was entered Under by Governour Pyke's Councel on the 8 June 1738 & the first Year was Allowed no more in the Whole than £16.5. per Ann.t The Second he had £20. Since that no more than the Customary Allowance tho another was entered about a year ago Assistant to Mr. Powell, for the Business has Considerably encreased by the Number of Records Sent to Us at times from England & is likely to do so by the long stay of Many of your Ships at this Place, & as your Servants of Council are frequently Obliged to be Absent upon Duty & may be laid up Sometimes by Sickness or otherwise We should have no Regy at | Increase the Court's stock, but as this depended almost wholly upon good or bad seasons, the Governor could not make any absolute promise on this head, further than that nothing should be wanting on his part to effect it. 19: The Council was much pleased that the Court had approved of its measuring the Court's pasture grounds and that the same had been brought on the Court's table, the particulars of which, together with the fortifications, were mentioned at large in the duplicate of the Council's letter by the India yacht herewith enclosed. 20: Touching the waste land mentioned in the twenty-third paragraph of the Court's last letter, the Council begged leave to observe that there were several large parcels of waste land here formed which the soil had been continued to the rains or blown away, and become totally barren, which experience taught, if they were enclosed and manured, could in time recover itself and be made productive, so as to plant some wood and furze to stop the soil much of it would in process of time recover itself. The Council, as an encouragement for people to bestow so good a work, humbly offered to the Court's consideration whether it might not be proper to grant leases for the term of 21 years, they paying an acknowledgement for the same of a pepper corn yearly, provided there be no more than 20 acres granted to any one man. 21: In the fourth paragraph of the Court's last letter, the Court seemed displeased that Matthew Darling and Francis Wrangham should have been entertained in the Court's service. The former had been near five years employed in several branches of business under Mr Crispe, who had taken care to keep him constantly to it. He went into the secretary's office and had ever since with the accountant's office, in both of which he had behaved with great care and diligence, and had proved of great service to the Council. He was entered under Governor Pyke's Council on the 8th of June 1738, and the first year was allowed no more in the whole than £6 5s 0d, the second he had £20. The other had been entered about a year ago, is assistant to Mr Powell, for the business having considerably increased, occasioned by the number of records sent to the Council at times from England, and is likely to do so by the long stay of many of the ships at this place. As the Court's servants of Council are frequently obliged to be absent upon duty, it may be laid down that sometimes by sickness or otherwise the Council should have no [...] at Interpretations The proposal to grant leases of waste land at a nominal rent of one peppercorn a year for 21 years, capped at 20 acres per grantee, was a standard legal device for encouraging improvement of unproductive ground: the peppercorn rent preserved the Court's underlying title and the right to reclaim the land, while the long term gave the tenant enough security to justify the labour of enclosing and replanting soil that yielded no immediate return. The detailed account of Matthew Darling's five years of service and incremental salary, set against the Court's expressed displeasure at his employment, shows the Council using a specific service record to answer a general complaint from London, converting an abstract objection about staffing into a concrete defence of one named clerk's proven usefulness. Speculations The Council's decision to answer the Court's displeasure over Darling and Wrangham's employment with a detailed justification of their duties and value, rather than simply removing them or offering a brief explanation, suggests a deliberate choice to defend its own hiring judgement against direct correction from London. The easier course would have been to comply with the Court's evident wish and dismiss the men; instead the Council built a case for their necessity, citing the growing volume of business and the frequent absence of Council members on duty, treating the Court's objection as something to be argued against rather than simply obeyed. | |
112 | at hand Qualified to keep Business forward had We not the help & Assistance of these two young Men, for Mr. Bazett & Mr. Godwin are fully Employed in your Stores. We beg leave to Assure Your Honours that We are very Cautious how We Encrease the Number of Your Servants & never will do it without an Absolute Necessity which was the Case when at Different times We Employed these two Young Men, & formerly besides Your Councel there Used to be two or three Writers in the Stores, two or three with the Secretary & two or three with the Accomptant, but it is not so now nor ever Shall be, for We have taken Care to Transact all Your Affairs with very few hands & for these Reasons We humbly desire Your Honours will be Pleased to Continue these two young Men in the Several Stations they are now in, All Chaise begs leave to Return Your Honours his humble thanks for the favourable Notice You have been Pleased to take of his Past Labour & Assures Your Honours he will never be wanting in Application & Deligence to Render You the most Acceptable Services in his Power. - 22. The Widdow of Captain John Alexander deceas'd as a very Industrious Woman disposes her Husbands Debt to Your Honours every Year Considerably & will in a Short time We hope entirely pay off that Score, Your Honours may depend upon Our Utmast Endeavours to Recover & get in all other out Standing Debts as fast as Possible, without too much Streightning the Poor Families whose Not are Occasioned You must, by no means, Suppose off these several Preceding Bry Seasons have greatly Retarded their Endeavours to make Money as the Poor man which they should have made it by have Unhappily Perished. - 23. We Assure Our Selves greatly happy that Our Endeavours to Reduce the Expence of the Island have been Successfull from the sum of £5289.2.3¾ the Charge of the last Year We have been Able to bring it down to the Sum of £4570.16.9¾ which is a Reduction of £718.5.5¾ At the same time have Allowed Your Slaves what has been Sufficient for the Comfort & Support of their Lives, Nor do We Suffer them to be Deprived of any part of their Allowance, Or ever Inflict undue Severitys upon them but Rather incline to the Mercifull side. - 24. We Presume Your Honours are not acquainted that | At hand qualified to keep business forward, had it not been for the help and assistance of these two young men, for Mr Bazett and Mr Goodwin were fully employed in Council. The Council begged leave to assure the Court that it was very cautious how it increased the number of the Court's servants, and never would do it without an absolute necessity, which was the case when at different times it had employed these two young men, since formerly, besides the Council, there used to be two or three writers in the secretary's office and two or three with the accountant's, but it was not so now, nor ever should be, for the Council had taken care to transact all the Court's affairs with very few hands, and for these reasons humbly hoped the Court would be pleased to continue those two young men in the several stations they now held. Mr Chase begged leave to return the Court his humble thanks for the favourable notice the Court had been pleased to take of his past labour, and assured the Court he would never be wanting in his application and diligence to render the Court the most acceptable service in his power. 22: The widow of Captain John Alexander, deceased, being a very industrious woman, lessened her husband's debt to the Court every year considerably, and it was hoped would in a short time entirely pay off that sum. The Court might depend upon the Council's utmost endeavours to recover and get in all other outstanding debts as fast as possible, without too much straitening the poorer families, which, without any means being spared by us, several preceding dry seasons had greatly retarded their endeavours to make money, as the poorer sort should have made had they been happily provided for. 23: The Council esteemed itself greatly happy that its endeavours to reduce the expense of the island had been successful, and that from the sum of £5,289 2s 3d, the charge of the last year, the Council had been able to bring it down to the sum of £4,570 16s 9¾d, which was a reduction of £718 5s 5¾d, while at the same time the Council had allowed the Court's slaves what had been sufficient for the comfort and support of their lives, nor did the Council suffer them to be deprived of any part of their allowance, or ever inflict undue severity upon them, but rather inclined to the merciful side. 24: The Council presumed the Court was not unacquainted that Interpretations The Council's insistence that it had reduced the establishment's charge while still allowing the Court's slaves sufficient support and avoiding undue severity presents frugality and the maintenance of enslaved people's basic welfare as compatible aims, a claim the Council offered as evidence that its economies had been achieved through better management rather than through withholding provisions from the enslaved workforce. Speculations The Council's decision to pair its report of reduced establishment costs directly with an assurance that the Court's slaves had not been deprived of their allowance or treated with undue severity, rather than presenting the financial saving alone, suggests a deliberate anticipation of an objection the Court might otherwise raise: that a reduction in charge had been achieved at the expense of those least able to protest their own treatment. By volunteering this reassurance unprompted, the Council revealed an awareness that economies of this kind were vulnerable to exactly that suspicion, and chose to forestall it rather than wait for the Court to ask. | |
113 | That We have Our Deputy a Register Book wherein We are carefull to Register all Wills as likewise a Deeds Book wherein all Leases are duly Entred however of Your Honours are Pleased to have them entered in Our Consultations they shall be so. - 25. We are Glad Your Honours approve of the Method We took to Dispose of Mr. Pyke's Effects, an Account Sales of which we send Enclosed. - 26. We are Glad Our Letters of the 19th & 24th July came to hand by which Your Honours were Apprized of the Death of Mr. Samuel Fazakerly whose Effects have been Sold by Mr. Powell and Agreeable to Your Order the Produce paid into Your Cash Amounting to the sum of £232.9.5¼ An Account Sales of which is Entred in Our Consultation of the 10 June last, And a Wrote off to Account Current London. - 27. Mr. Wrangham has Received the Effects sent from Bencoolen p Ship Yarborough in Lieu of the Slaves which Your Honours were Pleased to send to Bencoolen, for which he Returns Your Honours his most humble thanks. - 28. Mr. Pyke's Credit & Mr. Locust debt to have shall be both Wrote off to Account Current London as Your Honours have been Pleased to Direct and the same Method shall be taken with all other Credits, the Estates of all Strangers who happen to dye here shall be paid into Your Cash And after answering the Legall Demands of the Inhabitants for Ballance shall likewise be wrote off to Acc.t Cur.t London. - 29. Our Letters to Your Honours are allways Read and Approved in Consultation & the same Method shall so Continued. 30. We are Glad Your Honours Approve of Our not Sending the Letters upon foreign Ships as the same might be Attended with such Consequences. - 31. When We Wrote Your Honours last Year that the Rains We had fallen Promised a good Season We were in hopes it would have Continued But they Suddenly Broke up & During the Whole Summer Season We have not been Blessed with any other than a few flying Showers which has greatly Distressed the Inhabitants in their Plantations many of those People who were Esteemd to have Good ones & had to Supply some of your Soldiers have now hardly Yams to Eat tho dryness of the Mother | The Council had kept a proper register book wherein it was careful to register all wills, and likewise a leave book wherein all leases were duly entered. However, if the Court desired to have these entered in its consultations, they should be. 25: The Council was glad the Court approved of the method it took to dispose of Mr Pipes's effects, an account of the sales of which was enclosed. 26: The Council was glad its letters of the 19th and 25th of July came to hand, by which the Court was apprised of the death of Mr Samuel Fazakerley, whose effects had been sold by Mr Powell and agreeable to the Court's order the produce paid into the Court's cash, amounting to the sum of £232 9s 4d, an account of the sales of which was entered in the Council's consultation of the 10th of June last and wrote off to account current London. 27: Mr Wrangham had received the coffee sent from Bencoolen by the ship Fassborough, in lieu of the slaves the Court had intended to send to Bencoolen, for which the Council returned the Court its most humble thanks. 28: Mr Pipes's credit and Mr Locust's debt should be wrote off to account current London, as the same method should be taken with all strangers who happened to die here, the estates of all such strangers to be paid into the Court's cash, and after answering the legal demands of the inhabitants, the balance should likewise be wrote off to account current London. 29: The Council's letters to the Court were always read and approved in consultation, and the same method would be continued. 30: The Council was glad the Court approved of its not sending its letters upon foreign ships, as the same might be attended with ill consequences. 31: When the Council wrote to the Court the previous year that the rains it had promised a good season, it was in hopes these would have continued, but they suddenly broke up, and during the whole summer season the Council had not been blessed with other than a few flying showers, which had greatly distressed the inhabitants in their plantations, many of those people who were esteemed to have good ground had scarce enough to supply some of their [...], and the drought of the Interpretations The practice of writing off the estates of deceased strangers to account current London, once the legal demands of the inhabitants against those estates had been satisfied, reflects the Company's role as a default administrator of property for persons who died at St Helena without local kin or standing, the Court's own books in London serving as the ultimate ledger for such unclaimed colonial assets. Speculations The Council's decision to treat the effects of every deceased stranger by the same fixed procedure, paying the estate into the Court's cash, settling the inhabitants' claims first and writing off the remainder to London, rather than handling each case individually as circumstances arose, shows a deliberate move toward a standing rule where none had been dictated before. The more ad hoc course would have been to await the Court's direction in each instance, as had evidently happened with Mr Pipes and Mr Fazakerley; instead the Council proposed to generalise from those two cases into a fixed administrative practice, closing off future uncertainty about how a stranger's estate should be handled. | |
114 | Weather has Prodigiously Retarded the Growth of Wood & Furze tho Quantity of Wood have been Planted this year little have Succeded, however We hope for better Seasons & Your Honours may Depend upon Our Endeavours to Encreage the growth of it all We can. - 32. We had the Pleasure to Acquaint Your Honours in the 18 Paragraph of Our Letter p India Yatch of Duplica Enclosed that 1600 Bushells of good & Strong Lime was made for Your Use without any other Charge than the Labour of Your Blacks, the Governour was at Sandy Bay most of the time the Fortification was on hand & by his Example & Encouragement very much facilitated the Work which was Compleated in the Month of October and is a Strong well Contrived Battery for the Defence of the Place, A Plan of it & Draught of the Bay is Enclosed in the Packet. - 33. The Error of which Your Honours take Notice, in the Accompts of Ship Vigalle, George & Lyell was Occasioned as the Captains Demanding back Stores after their several Accounts were closed & Just Charged, and We are Sorry for the Mistake, but in Our Packet We have sent Your Honours Correct Copys & Duplicates of each of these Accompts as the same are Entered in Our Journal & Ledger. - 34. Your Honours will Perceive by the Enclosed Ships Accompts in what manner the Commandors have paid their Ballances and all Monys So Received shall be duly Wrote off to Acc.t Cur.t London. - 35. For the future the Acc.ts of Profit & Loss shall be Entered in the manner Your Honours Direct & all Journal Parcells shall be made in a very clear & Particular Manner. - 36. In answer to what Your Honours Enquire in the 12 Paragraph We beg leave to Acquaint You that when Yams are Plenty We do not allways Stint Your Blacks to a certain Weekly Allowance, but when We hader them in a Short Quantitys We give to every Man & Woman one to every lusty Boy & Girle each 3lb Yams tho the Upper Children one with another each 2lb tho when we give them salt Provisions other than or Pork, We allow to each Man & Woman a bigger Boys and Girls each 1lb of Beef or Pork & to the little Children under one pound & When We do not give them Beef or Pork We give them | The weather that year had prodigiously lessened the growth of wood and furze, of which but little had been planted and but little had succeeded. However, the Council hoped that with better seasons the Court might depend upon its endeavours to encourage the growth of these as much as possible. 32: The Council had the pleasure of acquainting the Court, in the first paragraph of its letter by the India yacht, of which a duplicate was enclosed, that 1,600 bushels of good and strong lime had been made for the Court, without any other charge than the labour of the Court's slaves. The Governor was at Sandy Bay most of the time the fortification was in hand, by whose example and encouragement the work was much facilitated, which was completed in the month of October and was now a strong well contrived battery for the defence of the place. A plan of it, and a draught of the bay, was enclosed in the packet. 33: The Council asked the Court to take notice of the errors of which the accounts of the ships Vigilant, George and Lyell were occasioned, the captains demanding their stores after their several accounts were closed and cast up. The Council was sorry for this mistake, but in its packet had sent the Court correct copies and duplicates of each of those accounts as the same were entered in the Council's journal and ledger. 34: The Court would perceive by the enclosed ships' accounts in what manner the commanders had paid their balances, and all monies so received would be duly wrote off to account current London. 35: For the future the accounts of profit and loss should be entered in the manner the Court had directed, and all journal parcels should be made up in a very clear and particular manner. 36: In answer to what the Court had enquired in the forty-second paragraph, the Council begged leave to acquaint the Court that when yams were plentiful it always allowed the Court's slaves a certain weekly allowance, but when it had them in less quantity it gave to every man and woman one, to every lusty boy and girl half that, and to the upper children one, and to another each 25, and when it gave them salt provisions instead of yams, it allowed to each man and woman, bigger boys and girls each half a pound of beef or pork, and to the upper children one pound, and when it did not give them beef or pork it gave them Interpretations The graduated ration scale set out here, distinguishing full adult shares from smaller shares for lusty boys and girls and still smaller ones for upper children, shows the Council administering slave provisioning through a formal age and capacity based tariff rather than a flat allowance per head, a system designed to match the food issued to the labour actually expected of each category of worker. The substitution of a fixed weight of salt beef or pork for the yam ration when yams ran short demonstrates that the Council treated the two forms of provision as interchangeable in value, converting a shortfall in one staple into a calculated equivalent in another rather than simply reducing the total food supplied. Speculations The Council's decision to maintain a tiered ration scale by age and physical capacity, rather than issuing a single uniform allowance to every slave regardless of size or task, reveals a deliberate calculation that matched food supplied to expected labour output. The simpler administrative course would have been one fixed weekly ration for all; instead the Council built a graduated scale with several distinct categories, a more complex system that suggests provisioning was managed as a labour-input calculation rather than as a basic subsistence entitlement applied equally to all. | |
115 | them what fish We can catch & the fifth Quarter of all Cattle that are Killed for Your Shiping or for the Use of the General Table, At Certain Seasons of the Year when We do not few them Yam Weekly & to the lesser Boys & Girls & And for the future whatever shall be Delivered for Use shall be Charged as Your Hon.rs have Ordered is at Prime Cost, to the Old you may more exactly See the Peak Charge of Your Island, The Difference of the Quantity of Rice Delivered at one Quarter more than in another of which Your Honours take Notice, arose from hence, my Sometimes Rice is only allowed to such of the Blacks as are, Sick I Sometimes to the Sick Blacks & to such of them as are at Work in Fetching Stone & Coral in Order to make Lime tho at other times they have all their full Allowance together So that the Expence of Rice can never be certainly fixed but will allways vary more or less in every Quarter. - 37. We Esteem Ourselves greatly happy in Mr. Edwin Allcock the Gentleman whome Your Honours have been Pleased to entertain Your Chaplain of this Island, he Appears to be a Sober Sable Good Man, and We assure Your Honours he shall be Accommodated with all the Conveniences this Place Afford, and shall be made as Agreeable to him on every Respect as Possible. - 38. The Soldiers which Your Honours were Pleased to send by Ship Bedford We were under a Necessity of taking Ashore here tho Present Situation of Affairs indeed is highly Requisit that the fortifications Larks (as well as your two other Fortifications at Sandy Bay and Lemon Valley) should have Constant Guards Mounted at each of them which was not Possible for Us to do with our old Complements of Men and even now when Our Guards are so Divided they Muster very thin at each Place, We hope it will not be Disappointment to the Gentlemen at Marlbro' as We do not doubt but Your Honours have sent them Recruits by the Ships Duke & Elphaston, We hold the Garrison in such Reputation as be Reinforced, that the Complement We now have a Sufficient force to withstand any Attempt that may be made from that Quarter But in case there should be a Rupture with France We most Humbly beg Your Honours will be Pleased on to send Us a Reinforcement of what maybe the more Urgent on this Head is because We have frequently heard that the French Men who have touched here Speak of an Attempt upon this Island as an Expedition Determined on when ever there shall be a Warr between the Crowns of England & France, tho' as tis Islanders | Them what fish they could catch, and the fifth quarter of all cattle that were killed for the Court's shipping or for the use of the general table. At certain seasons of the year, when the Council did not have their yams weekly, it allowed each man and woman the bigger boys and girls half that, and to the lesser boys and girls half again, and for the future, whatever should be delivered for the same, should be charged as the Court's honour had ordered, at the time last, to the old peck charge of the island. The difference of the quantity of rice delivered one quarter more than another, the Court might take notice, arose from hence, that sometimes rice was only allowed to such of the slaves as were sick, and sometimes to the sick slaves and to such of them as were at work fetching stone and shell in order to make lime, and at other times they had all their full allowance together, so that the expense of rice could never be certainly fixed but must always vary more or less in every quarter. 37: The Council esteemed itself greatly happy in Mr Alwin, the gentleman the Court had been pleased to appoint chaplain of the island, whom it found to be a sober, able, good man, and assured the Court he should be accommodated with all the conveniences the place afforded, and every effort made to render his situation as agreeable to him as possible. 38: The soldiers the Court had been pleased to send by the Bedford were under a necessity of being drawn ashore here, the present situation of affairs abroad indeed making it highly requisite that the fortifications at Sandy Bay as well as the Council's two other fortifications at Lemon Valley should have constant guards mounted at each of them, which was not possible for the Council to do with its old complement of men, and even now when its guards were divided, they mustered but thin at each place. The Council hoped it would be no disappointment to the gentlemen at Marlborough, as it doubted not the Court had already sent them recruits by the ships Duke and Sassaton. The Council held the garrison in no way looked upon as sufficient, so that the complement it now had was a sufficient force to withstand any attempt that might be made from that quarter, but in case there should be a rupture with France, the Council would most humbly beg the Court would be pleased to send a reinforcement, as that made the more urgent on this head because the Council had frequently heard that the French men who had touched here spoke of an attempt upon this island as an expedition determined upon, whenever there should be a war between the crowns of England and France, one of Interpretations The fifth quarter of cattle, comprising the offal, hide and other by-products left over once the prime cuts had been distributed, was routinely allotted to the slaves as a supplementary ration, a standing practice by which parts of the animal with little value to the Court's own table were nonetheless accounted a benefit charged against the slave provisioning budget. The varying rice ration, restricted at times to sick slaves or to those employed fetching stone and shell for lime burning, shows the Council using food allowance as an instrument of labour management as much as subsistence, rice serving in part as a supplement tied to particular hard or unhealthy tasks rather than a fixed universal entitlement. Speculations The Council's decision to draw the newly arrived soldiers ashore immediately for garrison duty, rather than allowing them the usual period of rest after a long voyage, reflects a judgement that the island's exposed condition, with guards already mustering thin across three fortified positions, left no margin for delay. The more customary course would have been to rest and acclimatise new troops before assigning them to duty; instead the Council pressed them straight into service, revealing how seriously it weighed the standing French threat against the ordinary care usually given newly landed men. | |
116 | Islanders who was Desirous to go to India, I had Served Your Honours many Years a Soldier here, has Requested Liberty to go to Bencoolen in that Capacity. - 39. Agreeable to Your Honours Order We have Enclosed a List of all Marriages, Births, Christnings, Deaths and Burials Attested by Your Chaplain & it shall be Yearly Transmitted to You. - 40. Care shall be taken that Mr. Alcocks Bond of Fifty Pounds shall be duly Discharged out of his Growing Salary. - 41. As Your Honours have been Pleased to Advise Us that the Widdow of John Cummings Our late Gardner has Received the Ballance due to him, the same shall be wrote off to Acc.t Cur.t London. - 42. In Consequence of the 18th Paragraph of Your Honours Letter enquiery was made of Cap.t Wells whether he could Dispose of any Provisions which he Absolutely Refused being Disappointed in a Considerable Quantity of the Furnesys he Purposed to bring Out of England & which could not be sent him he Says by Reason of the hard frost, therefore had not more on Board than would be Sufficient for his Voyage. - 43. All Your Honours Ships shall be carefully Enquired of any Deserters from Your Settlements in India in Board & When found shall be sent to Bencoolen p the first Conveyance, and upon any of the Captains Refusal to Deliver them We will be Sure to Inform Your Honours Particularly thereof to the end the Charterparty Penalty may be Recovered of them. - 44. We Return Your Honours Our most humble thanks for William Cadwal the Gardener You have been Pleased to send Us We cant Pretend to Say as yet how Capable he may be of what he has undertaken but hope he will Acquit himself According to Our Expectations, tho' Garden Seeds Your Honours were Pleased to send by him Arrived in Good Order. - 45. We have Received the Large Supply of Warlike Stores as well as of Biscuit, Flour, Beef, Pork, Beer &c. as p Invoice dated the which Your Honours have | A soldier who had served the Court many years and was desirous to go to India requested liberty to go to Bencoolen in that capacity. 39: Agreeable to the Court's honour, the Council had enclosed a list of all marriages, births, christenings, deaths and burials attested by the Court's chaplain, and it should be yearly transmitted so. 40: Care should be taken that Mr Alwin's bond of £50 0s 0d should be duly discharged out of his growing salary. 41: As the Court had been pleased to advise the Council that the widow of John Cummings, the Court's late gardener, had received the balance due to him, the same should be wrote off to account current London. 42: In consequence of the eighteenth paragraph of the Court's letter, enquiry was made of Captain Wells whether he intended any provisions which he had absolutely refused, being disappointed in a considerable quantity of the forequarters he expected bringing out of England, and which could not be sent him he says by reason of the hard frost, therefore had not more on board than would be sufficient for his voyage. 43: All the Court's ships should be carefully examined of any deserters from the Court's settlements in India on board, and when found should be sent to Bencoolen by the first conveyance, and upon any of the captains' refusal to deliver them, the Council would be sure to inform the Court particularly thereof, to the end the charter-party penalty might be recovered of them. 44: The Council returned the Court its most humble thanks for William Odaies the gardener the Court had been pleased to send. He could not yet be told as yet capable he might be of what he had undertaken, but hoped he would acquit himself according to the Council's expectations. The garden seeds the Court had been pleased to send by him arrived in good order. 45: The Council had received the large supply of warlike stores, as well as of biscuit, flour, beef, pork and beer, per the invoice dated the Interpretations The requirement that deserters from India be sent on to Bencoolen rather than dealt with locally, with the charter-party penalty recoverable against a captain who refused to surrender them, treated the return of deserters as a contractual obligation enforceable in the same manner as any other breach of a ship's charter, giving the Company a financial remedy against commanders who failed to cooperate in tracking down absconding servants. The gardener's bond of £50, to be discharged out of his own growing salary, functioned as a standard security device applied to Company servants entrusted with valuable stock, in this case ensuring the chaplain's financial obligation to the Court would be met from his own pay rather than requiring separate enforcement. Speculations The Council's decision to press Captain Wells specifically on whether he had brought the expected forequarters of meat, rather than simply accepting his general account of provisions delivered, shows a deliberate scrutiny of a shortfall the Council suspected might otherwise pass unquestioned. The easier course would have been to record the supply as received without further enquiry; instead the Council sought out the captain's own explanation for the missing quantity, tying his shortfall to a specific cause, the hard frost in England, rather than letting an unexplained gap stand in the account. | |
117 | have been Pleased to Consign to Us Except those things which are Particularly Specifyed in Our Consultation of the 31 June 1740 for which We Return Our most humble thanks and beg Your Honours will be Pleased to Rest Satisfyed that no Endeavours shall be Wanting in Us to Strengthen & fortify the Islands so Effectually as to Render any attempt that may be made upon Us Abortive. - 46. John Brown together with his Wife & family have taken their Passage upon Ship Bedford for Bencoolen. - 47. Mr. James Dabou who Your Honours have thought fit to Entertain as Assistant to Our Surgeon for the Poor of Us is almost with the. - 48. John Fuller & Thomas Villeneau is the only instance We have had here of Officers Deserting their Ships & tho'these it will be the Last but not is a matter that may happen again We humbly beg Your Honours will be Pleased in Your next General Letter to give full Directions in what manner they are to be Treated. - 49. We are again Unhappy in Our Seasons haveing had but very little Rain fallen the last Summer, and this time but an Indifferent Prospect of a Winter Season, Which together with the length of time Your Ships have tarried here has made Provisions So Scarce that the Planters are not able to Supply Your Garrison Sellions in the manner they Used to do, And therefore We are under a Necessity of Serving them with such a Quantity of Beef, Pork, Bread & Rice out of Your Stores as is Necessary for their Subsistance, But were We to Charge them the Customary Advance upon it & as We sell to other People, it would amount to more than their Salary, Neatly hope to be sure as Almost as Detromab to them as Victuals & therefore to Enable them to keep themselves Sweet & Wholesome, We stop out of each Mans Income 3 s p Week which is p Ann.o £16 for their Diet, Not that they have only the Remaining of £4.19 to buy themselves Cloths & other little Necessarys for life, We are afraid the Nation will be no Advantage to Your Honours but Rather Otherwise which is a Sufficient Argument for Us to put a Stop to it as soon as Possible. We humbly beg that the Extremety of the Present time may be Allowed to Plead in Our favour with Regard to that Affair. - 50. In case the Warr should Continue & Your Ships Ordered | The Court had been pleased to consign to the Council everything except those items particularly specified in the consultation of the 3rd of June last, for which the Council returned its most humble thanks, and begged the Court would rest satisfied that no endeavours should be wanting on its part to strengthen and fortify the island so effectually as to render any attempt that might be made upon it fruitless. 46: John Brown, together with his wife and family, had taken their passage upon the ship Bedford for Bencoolen. 47: Mr James Dabois, whom the Court had thought fit to entertain as an assistant to the second surgeon, for the four officers armed with the [...] 48: John Fuller and Thomas Villenoau were the only instances the Council had here of officers deserting their ships and duties, and it was hoped this would be the last, but as it was a matter that might happen again, the Council humbly begged that in the Court's next general letter it would be pleased to give full directions in what manner they were to be treated. 49: The Council was again unhappy in its seasons, having had but very little rain fallen the last summer, and at this time but an indifferent prospect of a winter season, which, together with the length of time the Court's ships had tarried here, had made provisions so scarce that the planters were not able to supply the garrison rations in the manner they used to do, and the Council was therefore under a necessity of serving them with such a quantity of beef, pork, bread and rice out of the Court's stores as was necessary for their subsistence. But more, the Council had to charge them the customary advance upon it, and as it sold to other people, it would amount to more than their salary, reasonable it be, to be sure, almost as intolerable to them as victuals, and therefore to enable them to keep themselves sweet and wholesome, the Council had set out of each man's income, at the rate per annum of £16, for their diet, so that they had only the remaining £4 to buy such other little necessaries as for life, otherwise it would be no advantage to the Court, but rather otherwise, which was a sufficient argument for the Council to put a stop to it as soon as possible. The Council humbly begged that the extremity of the present times might be allowed to plead in its favour with regard to this affair. 50: In case the war should continue, the Court's ships Interpretations The desertion of officers such as Fuller and Villenoau from their ships was a matter of particular concern to the Company because commanders bore a contractual obligation under their charter parties to account for their full complement of officers and men on the homeward voyage, and the Council's request for standing directions on how deserters should be treated reflects the absence of any settled policy for handling a problem likely to recur so long as ships lay long in the road. The Council's account of charging the garrison the customary advance on provisions taken from the Court's stores, set against wages, shows soldiers' pay and subsistence bound together in a single system where the cost of feeding them during a shortage was recovered directly from their own salary rather than absorbed as a charge on the Court. Speculations The Council's decision to fix a set proportion of each soldier's income, £16 a year, against provisions, rather than simply charging the market advance on whatever quantity of stores a man consumed, shows a deliberate move to cap the burden the shortage placed on the garrison's pay. The more straightforward course would have been to let the charge float with actual consumption and prices; instead the Council imposed a ceiling that left each man a fixed residue for his own needs, revealing a judgement that an uncapped charge risked leaving the soldiers with nothing at all once provisions ran scarce. | |
118 | Ordred to Remain here in the manner they have this Year with Submission We humbly Offer to Your Honours Consideration Whether it might not be Proper for the Early Returning Shiping to Touch at the Cape & Bring hither as many Sheep & Oxen as they can Conveniently Stow upon their Decks, We Presume it would at least be Sufficient for the Maintenance of their Own Ships Company during their Stay hither which will be Easeing the on a very great Degree & thereby Enable Us the better to Supply those Ships Who arrive Late, or had not Opportunity to go into the Cape. - 51. His Majestys Ships Rochester & Chester Arrived here the 1st June & We Return Your Honours thanks for making Choice of two Men who know so well how to behave tho' the Captains Mitchel & Cosher do, the former brought hither upwards of a Hundred Sick Men & others falling down every day tho' which they were Obliged to Discutt before they could Possibly Sail, We have taken care to treat them with all the Respect & Civility due to their Station & have Afforded their Sick as much Beef & other Refreshments as We could Possibly Spare out of Your Honours Plantations tho We are Sorry to say that till We could do without to much Breaking into Your Stock was a very Trifeling that as the Captains did not think Proper to Offer any Payments for it, We were unwilling to ask it of them. - We are St Helena 9 July 1740 Hon.ble Sirs Your Most faithfull and Most Dutifull Humble Servants John Godwin Luke Crispe John Bazett Geo. Tho. Powell John Godwin Jun.r P.S. Captain Wells has Agreed to pay the Ballance of his Acc.t amounting to £16.12.3¼ to Your Honours in England. | A shortage of provisions had obliged the Court's ships this year to remain here rather than proceed in the manner they used to, and with all submission the Council humbly offered to the Court's consideration whether it might not be proper, for the early relieving of shipping, to touch at the Cape and bring hither as many sheep and oxen as they could conveniently stow upon their decks, which the Council presumed would at least be sufficient for the maintenance of their own ships' company during their stay hither, which would ease the island to a very great degree, and thereby enable it the better to supply those ships who arrived late or had not opportunity to go into the Cape. 51: His Majesty's ships Rochester and Chester had arrived here the 4th of June, and the Council returned the Court's thanks for making choice of two men who knew so well how to behave, the captains Metchell and Cooper. The former had brought hither upwards of a hundred sick men, and others falling down every day, so that when every ship was obliged to desist before they could possibly sail, the Council had taken care to treat them with all the respect and civility due to their station, and had afforded their sick as much beef and other refreshments as it could possibly spare out of the Court's plantations. The Council was sorry to say that ill as it could do without much, breaking into the Court's stock was very trifling, that as the captains did not think proper to offer any payment for it, the Council was unwilling to ask it of them. The Council remained the Court's most faithful and most dutiful humble servants. Signed at St Helena, 9 July 1740, by John Goodwin, Duke Crispe, John Bazett, George Powell and John Goodwin junior. Postscript: Captain Worth had promised to pay the balance of his account, amounting to £16 12s 3d, to the Court in England. Interpretations The suggestion that homeward ships touch at the Cape for sheep and oxen before reaching St Helena reflects the Council's recognition that the island's own diminished stock could not indefinitely absorb the demands of every passing ship, and proposed shifting part of that provisioning burden to a stop earlier in the voyage rather than continuing to draw entirely on St Helena's resources. The Council's decision not to seek payment from the captains of the Rochester and Chester for the beef and refreshments given to their sick, despite acknowledging the drain on the Court's own stock, shows the Council treating the relief of distressed naval crews as a service owed by courtesy to the King's ships rather than as an ordinary commercial transaction to be charged and recovered like supplies furnished to merchant vessels. Speculations The Council's decision to supply beef and refreshments to the sick of the Rochester and Chester without asking payment, even while noting how trifling the Court's own stock could ill afford the loss, shows a deliberate choice to treat naval ships differently from the merchant vessels it charged routinely for provisions. The more consistent course, given the acknowledged strain on the island's stock, would have been to seek some contribution as it did elsewhere; instead the Council let the matter pass unpaid because the captains had not themselves offered, revealing a reluctance to press the King's officers for money in a way it evidently felt free to do with private commanders. | |
119 | List of the Packet p Houghton 9 July 1740 Viz. No. 1 Copy General Letter dated 9th July, 1740 2 Duplicate of General Letter dated 30 April 1740 3 General Books Commencing from 30 Sept. 1738 to 30 Sept. 1739 4 Copies Consultations from 30 June 1739 to the 30 June 1740 5 Do List of familys taken 30 September 1739 6 Do List of the Company Blacks with their Ages and several Employments when 30 September 1739 7 Do List of Rents for the Year ending 30 September 1739 8 Do List of Salarys due to the Civil & Military Officers and Soldiers for the Year ending 30 September 1739 9 Do List of Marriages Baptisms & Burials of the Reverend Mr. Edwin Allcock Chaplain 10 Do Invoice of Medecines &c. for the Service of the Year 1741 11 Do Governour Goodwins Plantation Acc.t for the M.o of April 1739 12 Do Do for May 1739 13 Do Do for June 1739 14 Do Do for July 1739 15 Do Do for August 1739 16 Do Do for Sept. 1739 17 Do Do for Oct. Nov. 1739 18 Do Do for Dec. Jan.y 1739 19 Do Do for Feb. March 1740 20 Do Do for April 1740 21 Do Do for May 1740 22 Do Do for June 1740 23 Do Account of India Yatch 24 Do Acc.t of Ship Shaftsbury 25 Do Acc.t of Ship Augusta 26 Do Acc.t of Ship Harrington 27 Do Acc.t of Ship Duke of Lorrain | The packet carried by the Houghton on 9 July 1740 included the following: 1: A copy of the general letter dated 9 July 1740 2: A duplicate of the general letter dated 30 April 1740 3: The general books commencing 30 September 1738 to 30 September 1739 4: Copies of the consultations from 12 June 1739 to 30 June 1740 5: A list of the families taken 30 September 1739 6: A list of the Court's slaves with their ages and several employments, taken 30 September 1739 7: A list of rents for the year ending 30 September 1739 8: A list of salaries due to the civil and military officers and soldiers for the year ending 30 September 1739 9: A list of marriages, baptisms and burials by the Reverend Mr Alwin, chaplain 10: An invoice of medicines for the service of the year 1741 11: Governor Goodwin's plantation account for April 1739 12: The plantation account for May 1739 13: The plantation account for June 1739 14: The plantation account for July 1739 15: The plantation account for August 1739 16: The plantation account for September 1739 17: The plantation account for October and November 1739 18: The plantation account for December 1739 and January 1740 19: The plantation account for February and March 1740 20: The plantation account for April 1740 21: The plantation account for May 1740 22: The plantation account for June 1740 23: The account of the India yacht 24: The account of the ship Shaftesbury 25: The account of the ship Augusta 26: The account of the ship Harrington 27: The account of the ship Duke of Lorraine Interpretations The plantation accounts submitted month by month for a run of over a year, rather than as a single annual summary, reflect the Company's demand for a continuous audit trail of Governor Goodwin's management of the Court's lands and stock, allowing the Court in London to trace expenditure and yield through each season rather than accepting a consolidated figure at year's end. | |
120 | No. 28 Account of Ship Houghton 29 Acc.t of Ship Grantham 30 Acc.t of Ship Brittannia 31 Do of Ship Bedford 32 Acc.t of Ship Marlborough 33 Do of Ship Richmond 34 Acc.t of Ship Defence 35 Do of Ship Walpole 36 Acc.t of Ship Lynn 37 Acc.t of Ship Royall George 38 Acc.t of Ship Lyell 39 Cash Account from 31 May to the 30 Sept. 1739 40 Do from 1 October to the 31 Dec. 1739 41 Do from 1 Dec. to the 31 March 1740 42 Do for the Months of April, May & June 1740 43 Indent of Stores Wanting at St. Helena for the Service of the Year 1741 44 Acc.t of Effects still belonging to the Estate of Isaac Pyke Esq. Decd. the 28 May 1740 45 Manifest of Private Trade on Board the Ship Duke of Lorrain 46 A Letter Addressed to the Honble the Committee of Secresy for Affairs of the Honble the United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies. - 47 A Draught of Sandy Bay 48 A List of the Bore Companys Lands Grounds & Plantations St Helena 9 July 1740 Geo. Powell p pr Sec.y | The packet by the Houghton continued with the following items: 28: The account of the ship Houghton 29: The account of the ship Grantham 30: The account of the ship Britannia 31: The account of the ship Bedford 32: The account of the ship Marlborough 33: The account of the ship Richmond 34: The account of the ship Defence 35: The account of the ship Walpole 36: The account of the ship Lynn 37: The account of the ship Royal George 38: The account of the ship Lyell 39: The cash account from 31 May to 30 September 1739 40: The cash account from 1 October to 31 December 1739 41: The cash account from 1 January to 31 March 1740 42: The cash account for the months of April, May and June 1740 43: An indent of stores wanted at St Helena for the service of the year 1741 44: An account of the effects belonging to the estate of Isaac Pyke Esquire, deceased 28 May 1740 45: A manifest of private trade on board the ship Duke of Lorraine 46: A letter addressed to the Honourable the Committee of Secrecy of the Honourable United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies 47: A draught of Sandy Bay 48: A plan of the Court's fortifications, grounds and plantations Signed at St Helena, 9 July 1740, by George Powell, secretary. Interpretations The manifest of private trade on the Duke of Lorraine, itemised separately in the packet, reflects the Company's standing scrutiny of goods carried by its commanders on their own account, a category of trade permitted within limits but requiring documentary disclosure so that the Court could confirm no officer had exceeded the allowance granted him under the one-per-cent privilege or similar licence. The letter to the Committee of Secrecy, sent apart from the general letter to the full Court, points to the existence of matters the Council judged too sensitive for general circulation among the Directors, following the same distinction drawn earlier in this correspondence between the Court at large and its smaller, more confidential Secret Committee. | |
121 | List of the Packet p his Majestys Ship Rochester 9 July 1740 No. 1 Duplicate of General Letter Dated 3 July 1740 2 Do Do Dated 30 April 1740 3 Do of Consultations from 1 June 1739 to the 30 June 1740 4 Do List of Salarys due to the Civil & Military Officers and Soldiers for the Year Ending 30 Sept. 1739 5 Do List of Familys upon the Island 1 Taken taken the 30th September 1739 6 Do List of the Honble Companys Blacks with their Ages and several Employments taken 30 Sept. 1739 7 Do List of Rents for the Year ending 30 Sept. 1739 8 Do List of Marriages, Baptisms & Burials by the Reverend Mr. Edwin Allcock Chaplain 9 Do Invoice of Medecines &c. for the Service of the Year 1741 10 Do Governour Godwins Plantation Acc.t for the M.o of April 1739 11 Do Do for May 1739 12 Do Do for June 1739 13 Do Do for July 1739 14 Do Do for August 1739 15 Do Do for Sept. 1739 16 Do Do for Oct. Nov. 1739 17 Do Do for Dec. Jan.y 1739 18 Do Do for Feb. March 1740 19 Do Do for April 1740 20 Do Do for May 1740 21 Do Do for June 1740 22 Do Account of Ship Houghton 23 Do Account of Ship Royall George 24 Do Account of Ship Walpole 25 Do Account of Ship Richmond 26 Do Account of Ship Defence 27 Do Account of Ship Marlborough 28 Do Account of Ship Lynn 29 Do Account of Ship Brittannia 30 Do Account of Ship Grantham 31 Do Account of Ship Bedford 32 Do Account of Ship Lyell 33 Do Account of Ship Duke of Lorrain 34 Do Account of Ship Harrington 35 Do Account of Ship Augusta 36 Do Account of Ship Shaftsbury | A duplicate packet was sent by His Majesty's ship Rochester on 9 July 1740, containing the following: 1: A duplicate of the general letter dated 9 July 1740 2: Ditto dated 30 April 1740 3: A duplicate of the consultations from 12 June 1739 to 30 June 1740 4: A list of salaries due to the civil and military officers and soldiers for the year ending 30 September 1739 5: A list of families upon the island taken 30 September 1739 6: A list of the Court's slaves with their ages and several employments, taken 30 September 1739 7: A list of rents for the year ending 30 September 1739 8: A list of marriages, baptisms and burials by the Reverend Mr Alwin, chaplain 9: An invoice of medicines for the service of the year 1741 10: Governor Goodwin's plantation account for April 1739 11: The plantation account for May 1739 12: The plantation account for June 1739 13: The plantation account for July 1739 14: The plantation account for August 1739 15: The plantation account for September 1739 16: The plantation account for October and November 1739 17: The plantation account for December 1739 and January 1740 18: The plantation account for February and March 1740 19: The plantation account for April 1740 20: The plantation account for May 1740 21: The plantation account for June 1740 22: The account of the ship Houghton 23: The account of the ship Royal George 24: The account of the ship Walpole 25: The account of the ship Richmond 26: The account of the ship Defence 27: The account of the ship Marlborough 28: The account of the ship Lynn 29: The account of the ship Britannia 30: The account of the ship Grantham 31: The account of the ship Bedford 32: The account of the ship Lyell 33: The account of the ship Duke of Lorraine 34: The account of the ship Harrington 35: The account of the ship Augusta 36: The account of the ship Shaftesbury Interpretations The Council's practice of sending a full duplicate packet by a separate ship, here His Majesty's ship Rochester, mirrored the copy already carried by the Houghton, reflecting the standing precaution against the loss of correspondence and accounts at sea by routing the same core documents home through two independent conveyances. | |
122 | [Foot of the right-hand column: page shows only faint show-through/offset text from the facing page beneath the main entries; no genuine text is present there.] No. 37 Duplicate Cash Acc.t from 31 May to the 30 Sept. 1739 38 Do Do from 1 October to the 31 Dec. 1739 39 Do Do from 31 Dec. to the 31 March 1740 40 Do Do for the Months of April, May & June 1740 41 Do Indent of Stores wanting at St. Helena for the Service of the Year 1741 42 Do Account of Effects sold belonging to the Estate of Isaac Pyke Esq. Deceas'd the 28 May 1740 St Helena 9 July 1740 Geo. Powell Sec.y | The list of the duplicate packet by the Rochester concluded with the following items: 37: A duplicate cash account from 31 May to 30 September 1739 38: A duplicate cash account from 1 October to 31 December 1739 39: A duplicate cash account from 31 December to 31 March 1740 40: A duplicate cash account for the months of April, May and June 1740 41: An indent of stores wanted at St Helena for the service of the year 1741 42: An account of effects sold belonging to the estate of Isaac Pyke Esquire, deceased 28 May 1740 Signed at St Helena, 9 July 1740, by George Powell, secretary. | |
123 | To the Honble the Court of Directors of the United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies Honble Sirs The Ship Royall George arrived in this Road in the afternoon of yesterday the 9th Instant & found Riding here Your Honours Ships Viz.t Haslingsfield who arrived 1st January Warwick 13th Do Jolch 8th Feb.y Princess Amelia 19th April Winchester Do Prince of Wales 5th May Nathwoell 5th Do Radwick 8th Do Princess Louisa 10th Do The five following Ships Viz.t Princess Amelia Winchester Warwick Prince of Wales and Haslingfield We found under Sailing Orders they had Received at the hands of Mr. Coupe the 9th Instant and therefore is herewith Enclosed the Duplicates of their Agreeable to your Honours Instructions. We are heartily Sorry to find your Honours have been so unfaithfully Served by our Predecessors Mess.rs Goodwin, Coupe and Bazett, and cant help saying that we already Perceive your Honours State here in a warse Condition even than we Expected. You will please to Observe by the Consultation, held immediately upon our Arrival at the Castle the very Bad aspect they Seem to weare, tho has not admitted of any real Progress other than the Compliance with your Honours Decisions for the first part of our Behaviour and We humbly assure Your Honours that we will each of us be Indefatiable and Employ every Moment of our time in clearing up these Dark Affairs tho the same and Speedily be Cleard so soon as we would have it. Yet we hope to Give your Honours some Insight into it by the latter fleet. Mr. Plant & I both the two Cheif Supracargoes have been in our Council hitherto and when Sailed shall in Compliance with Your Honours Orders Summond the two Senior Captains. We must Observe to Your Honours that upon a Rumour of the Ship Haslingfields being in but an Indifferent Condition for this Sea | To the Honourable the Court of Directors of the United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies. Honoured Sirs, The ship Royal George arrived in this road in the afternoon of the day before, the 9th instant, and found riding there the Court's ships as follows: Haeslingfield, arrived 1 January Warwick, arrived 13 January Talbot, arrived 8 February Princess Amelia, arrived 19 April Winchester, arrived 19 April Prince of Wales, arrived 5 May Heathcote, arrived 5 May Hardwick, arrived 8 May Princess Louisa, arrived 10 May The five ships Princess Amelia, Winchester, Hardwick, Prince of Wales and Haeslingfield the Council had found already under sailing orders, received at the hands of Mr Colepeper on the 7th instant, and it therefore enclosed the duplicates of those orders, agreeable to the Court's instructions. The Council had been heartily sorry to find the Court so unfaithfully served by its predecessors, Messrs Goodwin, Crispe and Bazett, and could not help saying that it had already perceived the Court's affairs there in a worse condition than expected. The consultation held immediately upon the Council's arrival at the castle recorded the very bad aspect these affairs had seemed to wear. Time had not yet allowed any great progress toward compliance with the Court's directions for the first part of the Council's conduct, but the Council had assured the Court that each member would be indefatigable and would employ every moment in clearing up these confused affairs, so that they might be settled as soon as possible, and hoped to give the Court some insight into the matter by the next fleet. Messrs Plant and Spilth, the two chief supercargoes, had sat on the Council until then, and once they had sailed the Council would, in compliance with the Court's orders, summon the two senior captains in their place. The Council had informed the Court that a rumour had arisen concerning the poor condition of the ship Haeslingfield for the sea. Interpretations The Council's prompt enclosure of duplicate sailing orders for five ships already under way when it arrived showed the incoming administration taking pains to document that these vessels had been dispatched under a predecessor's authority before its own tenure began, a precaution that would later allow it to disclaim responsibility for any fault found in their despatch. Speculations The new Council's decision to open its very first letter by openly condemning its predecessors as having unfaithfully served the Court, rather than the more customary course of reporting on the state of affairs found without naming blame, revealed a deliberate strategy of distancing itself from whatever disorder it had inherited. The safer, more usual approach for an incoming administration would have been to describe the confused state of the books and defer judgement on cause; instead this Council named the outgoing members directly, ensuring that any fault subsequently uncovered in the accounts could be laid at their door rather than its own. | |
124 | Sea by the want of Officers and Considering the great Charge Your Honours have on Board that Ship, We thought it our Duty to send for Captain Houghton & Inquire Particularly of him Concerning the reasons he says the Ship is very well Manned & every way Considered to Proseed her Voyage, his Report of the same we have thought proper to Inclose for your Honours Perusal. We will take Special care to have the StoreShip unlivered within the time Remitted by Charterparty, barring Accidents such as high Surfs &c. and are now Preparing Ware houses for the Goods. We are Honble Sirs Your Most Dutefull & Most faithfull Humble Servants St Helena 11 May 1741 To Christopher Mole Esq.r Sir This Moment is Arrived the Boat of Ship Prince William Cap.t Langworth who is now lying to Windward of the Island, the fleet have now their Anchors atrip. And We can only say that we are Sir Your Most humble & Servants St Helena 11 May 1741 P.S. Since Captain Pennells Ships Account was made up he has paid us the Ballance of February last The Ship left Fort St. Davids the 10th | Owing to the want of officers, and considering the great charge the Court had on board that ship, the Council thought it its duty to send for Captain Houghton and enquired particularly of him concerning the manner he says the ship, every well manned and every way considerable, had proceeded her voyage, his report of the same the Council had thought proper to enclose for the Court's perusal. The Council would take special care to have the store ship unloaded within the time limited by charter party, barring accidents such as high surf, and was now preparing warehouses for the goods. The Council remained the Court's most dutiful and most faithful humble servants. Signed at St Helena, 11 May 1741. To Christopher Mole Esquire. Sir, this moment had arrived the boat of the ship Prince William, Captain Longworth, who was now lying to windward of the island. The fleet had now their anchors atrip, and the Council could only say that it was Sir, your most humble servant. Signed at St Helena, 11 May 1741. Postscript: since Captain Pennille's ship's account was made up, he had paid the Council the balance. The ship Loss had touched at St David's on the 16th of February last. Interpretations The charter party's time limit for unloading a store ship, with only specified accidents such as high surf allowed as excuse for delay, functioned as a contractual deadline whose breach exposed either the ship's owners or the Company itself to financial penalty, making the Council's stated care to meet that deadline a matter of avoiding a chargeable default rather than mere administrative diligence. The short note to Christopher Mole Esquire, written while the fleet already had its anchors atrip and a boat waited alongside, shows the Council using the last possible moment before a ship's departure to pass on urgent word to a named individual ashore or aboard, a message evidently too pressing to wait for the next regular conveyance. | |
125 | To the Honoble the Court of Directors of the United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies. Hon.d Sirs Agreeable to a Resolution taken Consultation of this Day in Consequence of your Honours Orders p Royal George We are to advise that Last Night Sailed here the five following Ships Viz.t Princess Emilia Winchester Warwick Princess of Wales Haslingfield - And arrived in this Road that Ship Prince William at the same time, who left Fort St. Davids the 10th February last. This being a Foreign Ship we can only say that we are highly Employed in Execution of all your Orders being. Hon.d Sir Your most Dutifull & most faithfull Humble Servants - St Helena 12th May 1741 | To the Honourable the Court of Directors of the United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies. Honoured Sirs, Agreeable to a resolution taken in consultation that day, in consequence of the Court's orders by the Royal George, the Council advised that the previous night had sailed hence the five following ships: Princess Amelia Winchester Warwick Prince of Wales Haeslingfield And there had arrived in the road the ship Prince William, at the same time, who had left Fort St David the 11th of February last. The Council could only say, this being a foreign ship, that it was strictly employed in the execution of all the Court's orders. The Council remained the Court's most dutiful and most faithful humble servants. Signed at St Helena, 12 May 1741. Interpretations The Council's remark that the Prince William was a foreign ship, distinguished from the Court's own vessels named above, reflects the standing distinction the Council maintained between ships belonging to the Company and those of other nations or private interests, a distinction that governed what assistance or restriction each type of vessel received on touching at the island. | |
126 | List of the Honble Companys Packett from St. Helena p Ship Princess Amelia Copies No. 1 Governour & Councels General Letter Dated 10th May 1741 2 Consultations Commencing the 9th & Ends the 10th of May 1741 3 Acc.t of Ship Princess Amelia 4 Do Winchester 5 Do Warwick 6 Do Haslingfield 7 Do Princess of Wales 8 Letter from the Secret Committee. 9 Cap.t Houghtons Report of the Condition of his Ship List of the Honble Companys Packett from St. Helena p Ship Warwick Duplicates No. 1 Gov.t & Councels General Letter dated the 10th May 1741 2 Consultations Commencing the 9th & Ends the 10th May 1741 3 Acc.t of Ship Princess Amelia 4 Do Winchester 5 Do Warwick 6 Do Haslingfield 7 Do Princess of Wales | A list of the Honourable Company's packet from St Helena by the ship Princess Amelia, copies: 1: The Governor and Council's general letter dated 10 May 1741 2: The consultations commencing 9th and ending 10th May 1741 3: The account of the ship Princess Amelia 4: The account of the ship Winchester 5: The account of the ship Warwick 6: The account of the ship Haeslingfield 7: The account of the ship Prince of Wales 8: A letter from the Secret Committee 9: Captain Houghton's report of the condition of his ship A list of the Honourable Company's packet from St Helena by the ship Warwick, duplicates: 1: The Governor and Council's general letter dated 10 May 1741 2: The consultations commencing 9th and ending 10th May 1741 3: The account of the ship Princess Amelia 4: The account of the ship Winchester 5: The account of the ship Warwick 6: The account of the ship Haeslingfield 7: The account of the ship Prince of Wales Interpretations The inclusion of a distinct letter to the Secret Committee, alongside the general letter to the full Court, confirms the practice already noted in the Council's correspondence of routing certain sensitive business through that smaller body rather than through the ordinary channel open to all the Directors. | |
127 | To the Honble the Court of Directors of the United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies Hon.d Sirs A Dutch Sloop now Passing by having sent a Boat on Shore for News affords Us this opportunity of paying our Duty to you, and acquainting that on the 11th Instant Sailed hence in Consequence of Your Orders the five following Ships Viz.t Princess Amelia, Winchester, Warwick, Haslingfield and Princess of Wales. There is now in the Road Your Honours Ships Hartford Hardwick, Royall George, Princess Louisa, Prince William, Royall Gunston Duke & Yacht. The Report is Confirmed of the Massacre made at Batavia of 10000 Chineese, and that the Dutch wont send only Ship to China next Year. We have the Honour to tell you that we have hitherto Executed our Commission with all the Success We could Reasonably have Expected, the Frauds here so Toant & So oped that Mr. Coupe and Mr. Bazett having Confessed them only they Scruple being Accountable, but Your Honours may Depend upon a due Difference being had Your Orders, this being by a Foreign Ship we cant with Safety Particularly ever indeed will these permitt, the Dutch Officer being very Impatient to be gone, We can only say that Your Honours Interst shall be our Duty care, as we are. Hon.d Sirs Your Most Dutifull & Most Faithfull Servants Rob.t Jenkins Jos.h Powell St. Helena 21 May 1741 P.S. Mr. Lucox writes word that he is in Daily Expectation of the Ship Esperdon and Shall Soon follow the Cash. | To the Honourable the Court of Directors of the United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies. Honoured Sirs, A Dutch sloop, now passing by, had sent a boat ashore for water, which afforded the Council this opportunity of paying its duty to the Court and acquainting it that on the 11th instant had sailed hence, in consequence of the Court's orders, the five following ships: Princess Amelia, Winchester, Warwick, Haeslingfield and Prince of Wales. There was now in the road the Court's ships Heathcote, Hardwick, Royal George, Princess Louisa, Prince William, Royal Guardian, Duke and the yacht. The report was confirmed of the massacre made at Batavia of 40,000 Chinese, and that the Dutch would send only one ship to China next year. The Council had the honour to tell the Court that it had hitherto trusted its commission with all the success it could reasonably have hoped, the frauds here so scant, and it was open that Mr Crispe and Mr Bazett, having confessed themselves only they, scruple being answerable, but the Court's honour might depend upon a due difference being paid the parties, this being by a foreign ship the Council could not with safety particularly, nor indeed with liberty permit, the Dutch officer being very impatient to be gone. The Council could only say that the Court's interest should be its only care, as it was. Honoured Sirs, the Council remained the Court's most dutiful and most faithful humble servants. Robert Jenkins, John Powell. Signed at St Helena, 21 May 1741. Postscript: Mr Lucox wrote word that he was in daily expectation of the ship Esperance, and would soon follow with the cash. Interpretations The report of a massacre of some 40,000 Chinese at Batavia refers to the Dutch East India Company's violent suppression of the Chinese population there in 1740, an event whose reverberations reached St Helena through passing Dutch shipping and which the Council passed on as intelligence of significance to the Court's own commercial relations with the Dutch in the region. The Council's caution about committing full particulars of the confessions by Mr Crispe and Mr Bazett to a letter carried by a foreign, specifically Dutch, vessel reflects a settled concern that sensitive matters touching the Company's own servants should not risk exposure through a channel outside the Company's control, especially where the ship's officer was impatient to depart and could not be relied upon for discretion. | |
128 | To the Honourable the Court of Directors of the United Company of Merchants of England Trading to East Indies Hon.d Sirs We have taken upon Us to acquaint Your Honours what Progress we have made in the Execution of the Commission you have been Favourably Pleased to invest in Us, But first we Presume it may not be amiss to Advise of the Arrivas and Departure of your Honours Ships Viz.t Arrived Haslingfield 1st Jan.o last Warwick 13th Do Yatch from the Cape 8th Feb.y Princess Amelia 5th April Winchester Prince of Wales Hartford 5th May Nordwick 8th Do Royal George from England 9th Do Princess Louisa 9th Do Prince William 10th Do Chappel Gordian 12th Do Montague 17th Do Duke 20th Do Berrington 26th Do Departed Princess Amelia Winchester Warwick Haslingfield Princess of Wales for England 11 May Royal George for India 5th June | To the Honourable the Court of Directors of the United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies. Honoured Sirs, The Council had taken upon itself to acquaint the Court what progress it had made in the execution of the commission the Court had been favourably pleased to invest in it. But first the Council thought it might not be amiss to advise the Court of the arrival and departure of its several ships, as follows: Arrived: Haeslingfield, 1 January last Warwick, 13th ditto Yacht from the Cape, 8th February Princess Amelia, 5th April Winchester, 5th April Prince of Wales, 5th April Heathcote, 5th May Hardwick, 8th ditto Royal George from England, 9th ditto Princess Louisa, 9th ditto Prince William, 10th ditto Royal Guardian, 12th ditto Montagu, 17th ditto Duke, 20th ditto Torrington, 26th ditto Departed: Princess Amelia, for England, 11 May Winchester, for England, 11 May Warwick, for England, 11 May Haeslingfield, for England, 11 May Prince of Wales, for England, 11 May Royal George, for India, 5th June Interpretations The paired lists of ships arrived and departed, each dated to the day, formed the basic documentary record by which the Court in London tracked the movement of its entire fleet through the single narrow anchorage at St Helena, the island serving as the one point on the homeward and outward routes where every vessel's progress could be independently confirmed. | |
129 | Heathcoat Hardwick Princess Louisa Prince William Royal Guardian Mountague Berrington Duke Yatch for England this Day 5th June We paid our Duty to your Honours p Ships Princess Amelia & Warwick Duplicate of the Same is herewith Enclosed whereby you'll Please to notice the freedome we took upon the arrival of the Royal George, and hope that the Same will meet with your Honours Approbation. We had a second Opportunity of Addressing your Honours p a Dutch Ship passing by with a Fleet of Eight Sale who Sent his Boat on Shore the 21st May last which he Says is likewise come to hand Duplicate is Enclosed. We very heartily wish that Every of these Ships your Honours have been pleased to send abroad this Year may meet with Success, and returne safely, and that your Honours may have a Speedy & happy Sight of those who sailed hence the 11th of May as well as those who are now upon their Departure. Your Honours will please to Observe by our Several Consultations how Cautious we have been to Adhere the Store Ship within the time Limitted by Charterparty and that the ship Received her Dispatchs on the 29 Day of May however he was not able to Sail untill the 5th of June for that he did the give in that Consultation of the 22 Day of May his Ship it seems who very Tender which obliged him to take a much more than Ordinary Quantity of Ballast on Board the which we believe might Detain him some Days longer than he would otherwise have tarryed. Copy of the Royall George's Charterparty was Enclosed to the Deputy Governour & Councel of Fort Marlbro We are Glad our Yachts p Rochester in room of War Ship Houghton had the Honour to Piss your Hands, how your came not to be informed what Ships those Yachts were sent by was an Omission which we are also Sorry for, and that we may need the time we are to Advise that our Copy came now upon the Royal | The ships Heathcote, Hardwick, Princess Louisa, Prince William, Royal Guardian, Montagu, Torrington, Duke and the yacht, sailed for England that day, the 5th of June. The Council had paid its duty to the Court by the ships Princess Amelia and Warwick, and a duplicate of the same was herewith enclosed, whereby the Court would please to notice the freight the Council took upon the arrival of the Royal George, and hoped the same would meet with the Court's approbation. The Council had a second opportunity of addressing the Court by a Dutch ship passing by, with a fleet of eight sail, who sent her boat ashore the 26th of May last, of which the copy is likewise enclosed. The Council very heartily wished that every one of the ships the Court had been pleased to send abroad that year might meet with success, and return safely, and that the Court might have a speedy and happy sight of those who had sailed hence the 11th of May, as well as those who were now upon their departure. The Court would please to observe, by the several consultations, how careful the Council had been to deliver the store ship within the time limited by charter party, and that the Prince of Wales received her dispatches on the 22nd day of May. However, she was not able to sail until the 5th of June, as appeared in the consultation of the 22nd day of May, her ship it seems having taken aboard a much larger quantity of ballast than ordinary, which the Council believed might detain her some days longer than she would otherwise have tarried. A copy of the Royal George's charter party was enclosed to the Deputy Governor and Council of Fort Marlborough. The Council was glad the ships Rochester and Bedford, men of war, and the ship Houghton had the honour to bring the Court's hands, but the Council could not be informed what ships those packets were sent by, an omission for which the Council was very sorry, and Interpretations The distinction the Council drew between ships delivered within the charter-party time limit and those detained afterward by circumstances such as excess ballast reflects the Company's contractual framework for penalising delay in unloading its ships, a framework under which the Council needed to record the specific cause of any overrun so that no penalty would fall on the Council itself for a delay it judged outside its control. | |
130 | Royal Guardian and Duplicates p Prince William, the Margin for our last Packetts is therewith Enclosed, and the Receipts for this Shall want upon you the next Opportunity, as the Cape will give no Receipt till after the Packet is Seald and Delivered to them. We are Glad your Honours receded our Tender of Duty p Almost and we will be Carefull to have a Letter always ready to send by any Foreign Ship that may touch here. We Congratulate Your Honours upon the safety of your Ships Somerset and Haslingfield and are very Sorry we cant do the like upon Account of the Normanton. The Arrival of Ship Marlbro's not being not'd upon Consultation was an Omission of the Transcriber, But we Assure Your Honours that every Ship last year was Examin'd for Deserters excepting the China Ships and none could Go on Board them, and the same Method has been taken this Year Since we have had the Directions of Affairs. We are Glad the Yatch was not sent to the Cape last year as the same we find would have Incurred your Disbursment but we Promised your Honours that had the gone it would have been with an Honest and Dutifull Intention, however it shall be a Caution tous in future not to deviate in the least from any Orders We may have the Honour to receive from You. We thank your Honours for the Supply which you have been Pleased to Consign to us p Royal George, the same we have received except a Tier of Rain Oyl, a Sarr of Linseed Oyl, and a Cask of Match which we presume Sincerely (and so a Number of words is Noted) to be the same case of as tho they were our Own, truly we Blush for our Predecessors and acknowledge your Honours remarks in those several Paragraphs are very Just, tho shall no more Care to Steer another Course, tho we are sure we are not worthy to but your Bread those Stockings &c. that are m great Measure perished and upon the decay Shall be Sold at Outcry as soon as we Conveniently can we will do as by Carefull as to the Use you may Sustain by Waist, Leakage, Short Weight and Measure no doubt Accidents may happen in Such a Number of Sour Furuce is powdered with Rats, Moths and other Vermin But then We beg your Honours will rest Satisfied that no Pains Shall be wanting in us to Represent the same as farr as Possible with regard to the Expence of the General Table, We only beg Leave to referrs your Honours to our Consultation of the of May whereby you'll Observe what a Melancholly Condition | A duplicate of the receipts for the ships Royal Guardian and Prince William, the two last packets, was herewith enclosed, and the receipts for those would want upon the Court's next opportunity, as the Cape would give no receipt until after the packet had been sealed and delivered to it. The Council was glad the Court received its tender of duty so often, and would be careful to have a letter always ready to send by any foreign ship that might touch here. The Council congratulated the Court upon the safety of its ships Somerset and Haeslingfield, and was very sorry it could not do the like upon account of the Normanton. The arrival of the ship Marlborough not being noticed upon the consultation was an omission of the transcriber, but the Council assured the Court that every ship the previous year was examined for deserters, excepting the China ships, and none could be found aboard them, and the same method had been taken this year, since the Council had received the Court's directions on that head. The Council was glad the yacht was not sent to the Cape the previous year, as the same would have incurred the Court's displeasure, but the Council promised the Court that it had gone with an honest and dutiful intention, and however it should be a caution to it in future not to deviate in the least from any orders it might have the honour to receive from the Court. The Council thanked the Court for the supply it had been pleased to consign to it by the Royal George, the same having received except a few of rain oyl, a jar of linseed oyl, and a cask of match, which the Council presumed sincerely, and if a number of words is not able, to be the same care of, as they were on their own. Truly the Council blushed for its predecessors, and acknowledged the Court's remarks in those several paragraphs were very just. It shall borne care to steer another course, though the Council was sure it was not worthy to bear that great decay, and upon the decay should be sold at outcry as soon as conveniently could be, and it would be as careful as to the future you may sustain by waste, leakage, short weight, and measure, no doubt accidents may happen, in such a number of your fingers as powdered with rats, moths and other vermin. But the Council begged the Court would rest satisfied that no pains should be wanting in it to represent the same as far as possible with regard to the expense of the general table. The Council only begged leave to refer the Court to its consultation of the 8th of May, whereby the Court would observe what melancholy condition Interpretations The Council's admission that recent stores had arrived spoiled by damp, vermin and general decay, coupled with its promise to sell such damaged goods at public outcry as soon as convenient, shows the Council applying the same disposal procedure already established in earlier correspondence for handling stock too decayed to preserve, converting an admitted loss into whatever cash recovery the market would allow. Speculations The Council's decision to openly admit blushing at its predecessors' conduct and to acknowledge the Court's criticisms as just, rather than defending the previous administration or offering excuses, reveals a deliberate strategy of aligning itself with the Court's judgement against the outgoing Council. The safer course for a body still settling into office might have been to explain away the deficiencies as circumstantial; instead this Council chose open agreement with the Court's censure, distancing its own conduct from that of its predecessors as clearly as possible. | |
131 | Condition we are in with respect to Eatables owing Cheifly to Mr. Coupe Unprovident Management for our parts we are not Oblig'd to that Gentlemon, nor did which led us to purchase a greater Quantity of Butter than else we should have had Occasion for. John Long Dyed in Few Months after he returned from Bencoolen and by the Royal George are sent hither the Eighteen Slaves, that of them with their Ages is Inserted in our Consultation of the 28 May last whom we hope may be of Service to Your Honours here, And this our Duty to observe that we can very well Spare Twenty Family's from Seven to Ten Years of age more without making it a Pretence for the hire of Blacks to work at Your Fortifications as it is only those who are not able to do such Course work as is now necessary to be done here that we send away and yet very Capable of Cleansing and Grafting your Pepper at Bencoolen. The late Gov.r Goodwin who took upon him the Manag'nt of your Fortifications should no doubt have Acquainted your Honours will the Number of People at work thereon, and in this place we beg leave to Observe to your Honours that upon the Arrival of the Royal George, we found Sufficient in no Lime to work withall and therefore was Obliged to distress the Planters Slaves untill such time as we could burn and prepare Lime for them to work with and not only that but tell we had time to survey the Store houses and see which is most material took first at Anmt Detormind as we are not to lay out one Farthing of your Honours money but where there is a Absolute Necessity. Your Honours own Slaves we mean such as are Sick or Infirm shall be Carefully attended and the Doctor shall have Particular Charge given him Concerning them a List of the whole is herewith Inclosed. We will acquaint the Inhabitants with your Honours Kind intentions to them in the 27 Paragraph of your Letter but as we assure Your Honours that the long Stay of the Ships here last year has very little enrich'd the Inhabitants because they had not much to Dispose of their Family's must be maintain'd and indeed it has been Chiefly by what they Purchased of the Ships so they had exceeded the Money, with one hand and paid it away with the other however We intend to Summon them as soon as this fleet is Sail'd and Urge the payment of the Money due to your Honours All Will thereafter fall duly entled upon Consultation and Captain Cason's Will your Honours will please to Observe is Regulated on the 15 May last Since that unhappy Accident of the Slaves cutting the Long Boat from the Moorings in the Night time We have been very Carefull to place | The condition the Council found itself in with respect to eatables owed chiefly to Mr Crispe's improvident management, for its part the Council was not obliged to that gentleman, nor was the Court, neither was the Council compelled to make such a mistaken purchase, which led it to buy a greater quantity of butter than otherwise it should have had occasion for. John Long died two months after he returned from Bencoolen, and by the Royal George were sent thither the eighteen slaves, a list of them with their ages inserted in the Council's consultation of 28th May last, whom the Council hoped might prove of service to the Court there, and it did its own duty to observe to the Court that it could very well spare twenty families, from seven to ten years of age more, without making it a pretence for the hire of slaves to work at the Court's fortifications, as it was only those who were not able to do such coarse work as was now necessary to be done here, and yet very capable of cleansing and grafting the Court's pepper at Bencoolen. The late Governor Goodwin took upon himself the management of the Court's fortifications, so no doubt had acquainted the Court the number of people at work thereon, and in this place the Council begged leave to observe to the Court that upon the arrival of the Royal George it found no lime to work withal, and therefore was obliged to divert the plantation slaves until such time as could be burned and prepared, lime for them to work withal, and not only that but till the Council had time to survey the fortifications, and see which was most material to be first of, it having determined it was not to lay out one farthing of the Court's money but where there was an absolute necessity. The Court's own slaves, the Council meant such as were sick or infirm, should be carefully attended and the doctor should have particular charge given him concerning them, a list of the whole is herewith enclosed. The Council would acquaint the inhabitants of the Court's kind intentions to them in the twenty-seventh paragraph of the Court's letter, but assured the Court that the long stay of the Court's ships here last year had very little enriched the inhabitants, because they had not much to dispose of, their families must be maintained, and indeed it had been chiefly by what they purchased of the ships that they exceeded, with ready hand, and paid it away with the other, however the Council intended to summon them as soon as that vessel sailed, and urge the payment of the money due to the Court thereon. All would hereafter fall duly upon consultation, and Captain Cason with the Court would please to observe is requited on the 15th of May last. Since that unhappy accident of the slaves carrying the long boat from the moorings in the night time, the Council had been very careful to place Interpretations The transfer of eighteen slaves to Bencoolen, described here as those capable of light work such as cleansing and grafting pepper rather than the coarse labour the fortifications demanded at St Helena, extends the sorting of the Company's slave population by relative usefulness between the two settlements already established in earlier correspondence, matching workers to tasks each station judged them fit for rather than treating the transferred group as interchangeable labour. The Council's insistence that lime had first to be burned and fortifications surveyed for urgency before any of the Court's money was spent shows a deliberate policy of establishing the necessity of each expense before committing to it, a caution likely prompted by the Court's earlier censure of the previous administration's management of stores and provisions. | |
132 | Place our best Centinels at the Out Watch and we dare engage that the like shall not happen again, We shall to have care to keep up a Strict Military Discipline and see that every Man does his Duty. We hope for the Credit of those Gentlemen, whom you are pleased to Intrust with the Command of your Ships that Captain Wells will give a satisfactory Account of his Wago to Mr. Fuller And we humbly beg your Honours will please to give us Directions how to proceed in such Case hereafter. Your Honours Shall have no farther Cause to Complain that your Cash is not duly Examin'd and Entred upon Consultation as we beg leave to Assure you that your Orders in this Particular as well as in all others shall be very Strictly obey'd We have each of us to they to the Custe and we will Boldly say that there is an End to all Fraud in this or any other Branch whelst we have the Honour to Act by Your Commission here. Due regard has been paid to your Honours Notice of Isaac Woods being made a Debtor to Duke Coupe in the sume of 85.5.11 without Wood's having any Actual Credit upon the Books tho maker has been very Strictly enquired into and at length Mr. Coupe has own'd the Deceit and promised Payment of the Money as your Honours will please to Observe in our Consultations of 19, 20 & 21 May last and in speaking of these Affairs we cant help begging Leave to register your Honours some Consultation of 25th May wherein you'll find Mr. Crisp Detected and Confest himself guilty so many and so monstrous irregularitys as We are afraid of offending your Ears with. We dare venture to believe your Honours will never more Complain, that your Orders are not Strictly Complyed with as surely it is the Duty of a Servant to Obey his Masters Command. The Journal parcells shall be Monthly Laid before the Councel and Entred on Consultation but here we must Humbly beg Your Honours that if any thing is Omitted in these our Advices you would not Impute it to a want of Duty but rather to the Multiplicity of Business in hand at present and this we very faithfully promise that these Particulars which time has not Permitted us to Compleat shall be very well looked into after the Departure of the fleet and Your Accounts of them sent by next Opportunity. Young Barling since Mr. Crisps Dismission has Quitted your Service, for what we know not unless by Mr. Crisps Order, who has had the Bringing of him up. Young Wrangham comand's Presently until Your Honours further Pleasure is known. tis with the greatest Submission | Guards at the outposts, and the Council dared engage that the like should not happen again, as it should be careful to keep up a strict military discipline, so that every man knew his duty. The Council hoped for the credit of those gentlemen whom the Court was pleased to entrust with the command of its ships, that Captain Wells would give a satisfactory account of his usage to Mr Fuller, and the Council humbly begged the Court would please to give directions how to proceed in such cases hereafter. The Court would have no further cause to complain that its cash was not duly examined and entered upon consultation, and the Council begged leave to assure the Court that its orders in this particular, as well as in all others, should be very strictly obeyed, and the Council would boldly say there was an end to all founded, in this or any other branch, whether the Council had the honour to act by the Court's commission or not. Due regard had been paid to the Court's opinion of Isaac Wood being made debtor to Duke Crispe in the sum of £5 5s 11d, without Wood having any actual credit upon the books, the matter having been very strictly enquired into, and though Mr Crispe had owned the deceit and promised payment of the money, as the Court would find by the consultations of 19th, 20th and 21st May last and in speaking of those affairs the Council could not help begging leave to reproach that in the consultation of 25th May, wherein the Council found Mr Crispe detected and confessed himself guilty of so many and so monstrous irregularities, that the Council was afraid of offending the Court's eyes with them. The Council dared venture to believe the Court would never more complain that its orders were not strictly complied with, as surely it is the duty of a servant to obey his master's commands. The journal parcels should be monthly laid before the Council and entered on consultation, but here the Council must humbly beg the Court, that if anything is omitted in these our advises, the Court would not impute it to any want of duty, but rather to the multiplicity of business in hand at present, and this the Council very faithfully promised that those particulars which this time has not permitted us to complete shall be very well looked into after the departure of the fleet, and the Court's accounts of them fell up next opportunity. Young Furling, since Mr Crispe's dismission has quitted the Court's service, for what reason the Council knew not, unless by Mr Crispe's order, who has had the bringing of him up. Young Wrangham remains prosperously employed until the Court's further pleasure is known. Interpretations The exposure of Isaac Wood's fictitious debt to Duke Crispe, entered without any corresponding credit upon the books, reveals a specific instance of the fraudulent bookkeeping the new Council had earlier promised to investigate, a case in which a Council member had manipulated the Court's own accounts to create an obligation that existed only on paper, exactly the kind of irregularity the incoming administration had pledged to expose. The Council's careful distinction between duty performed by virtue of holding the Court's commission and duty performed regardless of that commission reflects an underlying anxiety, likely provoked by the disorder found on arrival, to demonstrate that its faithful service rested on principle rather than solely on formal authority, should any question arise about the validity of its own appointment. Speculations The Council's decision to describe Crispe's confessed irregularities as too monstrous to detail fully to the Court, rather than simply listing them as it had with the Isaac Wood case, shows a deliberate choice to withhold the full extent of the fraud from the written record sent home. The more thorough course, consistent with the Council's stated commitment to expose its predecessors' misconduct, would have been to itemise every irregularity as evidence; instead it drew back from full disclosure, suggesting the scale of what Crispe had confessed exceeded what the Council judged safe or proper to commit to paper. | |
133 | Submission We beg Leave to Assure Your Honours that there never yet was less than three Writers, one in the Storehouse, one in the Accomptants Office and one in the Secretarys Office, and allways Business enough to employ them, infinitely more than what all your Honours Use Such as making Obligations and other Necessary Writings and registring of them &c. between Planter and Planter, And we hope your Honours will be favourably pleas'd to Consider that for our self we are very often upon Duty at Outforts sometimes two or three Days together and at otherwise may be laid up by Sickness and in these Cases we should be at a loss often what we had somebody to keep Business Sound. We assure your Honours that unless we conceive it quite necessary we would be the first that should propose thus Reduction as we are extreamly Cautious how we encrease to the Number of your Servants and hope you will thumbly submitt it to your just Consideration and hope you will be favoured by pleas'd to Allow us the Usual help and send such as may be Qualifyed. Mr. Clark has been Acquainted with your Honours Pleasure concerning him and he Goes to keep the Book any anancy Gordon and Boyner Order in the 46 paragraph there is Inclosed a List of the Military Garrison Crew and others who receive your Honours pay taken the 20th Day of last Month, and the same shall be Yearly Continued. Mr. John Goodwin was acquainted with your Honours Disapproval of his sitting in Councel and Was therefore order'd to sit in his old Capacity again in the Stores But Mr. Crisp had order'd him from the Board presently after his fathers Death as he was a Lad and never regularly Called there. Our Zeal for your Honours Service makes us wish that there had not been such Cause of Complaint from Mr. Powell of the Malepractice of those Gentlemen who late had the Happiness to be employ'd by you, and we promise that no pains shall be wanting in us to make the Guilty pay back what they have unwarrantably enrich'd themselves with. And we shall have relient that in the End your Honours will be no Loser as there is Repents enough amongst them to make the good the same sub of this we will do our selves the Honour to give a Particular Account after we have made Answer to your Favours of 28th Jan.y & 11th February 1741. If due regard shall be paid any Commands we may receive from Governor Jenkins in your Name and we most heartily thank your Honours for making Choice of a Gentleman so highly respectable to us, and so approv'd in his Fidelity to you and we promise we | In submission to this, the Council begged leave to assure the Court that there were never fewer than three writers, one in the storekeeper's, one in the accountant's office, and one in the secretary's office, and always business enough to employ them, indifferently more than what the Court's honours were sensible of, such as making obligations and other necessary writings, and registering of Rome slaves, blacks, planters and plantations, and hoped the Court would be favourably pleased to consider that for itself it was very often upon duty at outforts sometimes two or three days together, and at other times might be laid up by sickness, and in these cases the Council should be at a loss if it had not somebody to keep business found. The Council assured the Court that unless it perceived it quite necessary, it should be the first that should propose this reduction, as it was extremely cautious how it increased the number of the Court's servants, and hoped the Court would be favourably pleased to allow it the usual help and send such as might be qualified. Mr Clark had been acquainted with the Court's pleasure concerning him, and he had leave to keep the school as usual. Governor Jenkins's order in the twenty-sixth paragraph, there was enclosed a list of the military garrison crew and others who received the Court's pay taken the 30th day of last month, and the same should be yearly continued. Mr John Goodwin was acquainted with the Court's disapproval of his sitting in council, and was therefore ordered to sit in his old capacity again in the stores, but Mr Crispe had ordered him from the board presently after his father's death, as he was a lad and never regularly called there. The Council's zeal for the Court's service made it wish that there had not been such cause of complaint from Mr Powell of the malpractice of those gentlemen who lately had the happiness to be employed by the Court, and the Council promised that no pains should be wanting in it to make the guilty pay back what they had unwarrantably enriched themselves with, and it would resolve itself that in the meantime the Court would find there was no lack of respect enough among them to make the same, some of this the Council would do itself the honour to give a particular account of, after it had made answer to the Court's favours of 20th January and 4th February 1741. At due regard should be paid to any commands the Council might receive from Governor Jenkins in the Court's name, and the Council most heartily thanked the Court for making choice of a gentleman so highly respectable, and so approved in his fidelity to them, and so proven Interpretations The Council's clarification that Mr Goodwin had been placed in council duty only after his father's death, and while still a lad never regularly called there, reflects the customary practice of extending a place on the board to a deceased official's son as a form of provision for the family, an informal accommodation the Court's disapproval here forced the Council to reverse. The recorded list of the military garrison crew and others receiving the Court's pay, taken monthly and continued yearly, functioned as the standing payroll record by which the Court verified the size and cost of the establishment it funded at St Helena, guarding against any unauthorised addition to the paid strength of the garrison. | |
134 | our selves no small Success in our Endeavours to Acquit our selves as becomes us under his Direction. We have received Mr. James Scott the Ensign, who you were pleased to send us and Thirty one of the Forty two Soldiers, many of those for Bencoolen would fain have Enter'd here but Considering that Last year they were all Detain'd at this Place we thought the Gentlemen at Marlbro' might have the greater Occasion for these Therefore forwarded them accordingly. The several Ships which Your Honours thought proper to take up last We wish all the Success Immaginable. Your Honours will Please to observe in our Consultation of 9th May that by Mr. Crisps Account upon the Royal Georges Arrival there appeared to be in Cash here only £6.10.4½ So that the two Chests of Treasure which you were favourably pleased to send us meets a hearty welcome, tho' the money has been Carefully Counted and the Dollars brought by Silo into your Cash as by Consultation of 22 May last. Your Honours several settlements Fort St. George Fort William, Bombay & Bencoolen has been Duly advised of your Ships Arrival at and Departure from this Place. Your Honours haveing been Pleas'd to Advise of the Payment of Mr. Ballous Credit the same shall be wrote off to Account Current London. We come now to make Answer to your Letter of 4th Feb.y 1741 but first of all most Humbly beg your Honours will be pleased to Accept our highest tenders of thanks and gratitude for the Commission which you have done us the Honour to invest in us and every Sincerely assure your Honours that we have Just a sence of this Last Instance of your Favours to that shall be our whole Care at all times and on all Occasions to behave so as may give your Honours no Cause to repent of the Confidence you have been pleas'd to repose in us. Immediately upon Gov.r Jenkins coming on Shore your Packett was opened and Mess.rs Duke Crisp and John Bazett Dismiss'd your Honours Service tho Questions put to those Gentlemen by us and Mess.rs Plant and Lyell in Consequence of your Orders with their Answers are set forth at large in our Consultation of 9th May whereby you Hon.d will Please to Notice that these two Gentlemen actually acknowledge themselves Culpable in signing the Cash Accounts but in the same Breath say that Mr. Goodwin is wholly Chargeable for the Deficiency and now we are speaking of the Cash we will Acquaint your Honours with the Affair as it happen has in as Brief a manner as we can and because this our Letter should not be too Prolix and Tiresome to your Honours you'll Please to observe as have been very Particular in our Consultation. | A promising success attended the Council's endeavours to acquit itself as became those under this direction. The Council had received Mr James Scott the ensign, whom the Court had been pleased to send, and thirty-one of the forty-two soldiers, many of those bound for Bencoolen would fain have entered here, but considering that last year they were all detained at this place, the Council thought the gentlemen at Fort Marlborough might have the greater occasion for these, and therefore forwarded them accordingly. The several ships which the Court thought proper to take up last year, the Council wished all the success imaginable. The Court would please to observe in the Council's consultation of 9th May that by Mr Crispe's account, upon the Royal George's arrival there appeared to be a deficiency of accounts, which the Council so summarised, only £10 4s 8d, so that the two chests of dollars which the Court had favourably pleased to send the Council a hearty welcome, though soon after had been carefully counted, and the dollars brought by Cilo into the Court's cash, as the consultation of 22nd May. The Court's several settlements, Fort St George, Fort William, Bombay and Bencoolen, had been duly advised of the Court's ships' arrival at and departure from this place. The Court having been pleased to advise of the payment of Mr Ballow's credit, the same should be wrote off to account current London. The Council came now to make answer to the Court's letter of 4th February 1741, but first of all must humbly beg the Court would be pleased to accept its highest tenders of thanks and gratitude for the commission which the Court had done the Council to invest in it, and every service it may spare the Court that the Council had such assurance of the Court's last instance of favours to it, and on all occasions to behave as may give the Court no cause to repent of the confidence the Court had been pleased to repose in it. Immediately upon Governor Jenkins's coming on shore, the packet was opened and Messrs Duke Crispe and John Bazett dismissed from the Court's service, the questions put to those gentlemen by the Council and Messrs Plant and Lyell in consequence of the Court's orders, with their answers, are set forth at large in the consultation of 9th May, whereby the Court would please to observe that these two gentlemen actually acknowledged themselves culpable in signing the cash accounts, but in the same breath the Council begged to say that Mr Goodwin is wholly chargeable for the deficiency, and now the Council was speaking of the cash, it would acquaint the Court with the affair as it happened, as in as brief a manner as it could, because this our letter should not be too prolix, and desired that the Court would please to observe as the Council had been very particular in its consultation. Interpretations The immediate dismissal of Duke Crispe and John Bazett upon Governor Jenkins's arrival, followed at once by their formal examination and their own acknowledgement of culpability in signing the cash accounts, shows the new Governor acting swiftly under standing instructions to remove the officers already implicated in the earlier reported irregularities before any further business was transacted, treating dismissal as the necessary first step rather than a conclusion reached after prolonged local enquiry. | |
135 | Mess.rs Crisp and Bazett especially the former has often told us in Consultation that if we would give him a little time he would make things as Cleer as the Sun of Noon Day and for some time we was full of Expectation and Indulg'd him in the Grant of every thing he asked but at length we plainly discovered by the many Evasive Shifts and low tacks he made use of that he only endeavoured to Divert us from the Main Point and was to be led into nothing but what we our selves could find out and prove upon him therefore first shewed him his hand to the 6th Accounts which he acknowledged as did likewise Mr. Bazett neither of them being able to do otherwise. Next we Examin'd nicely the Transfers from Wood to Crisp which we have already spoke of in the 21 paragraph and you'll Please to observe it led us to enquire further into things of that sort where we Detected Mr. Crisp and he owned the rankest Deceit immaginable that it had been a Common Practice with him after that the planters had reckoned with the Company for Rents &c and Signed their Accounts in the Ledgers kept here to Erase the Entrys and Insert false ones doubting them in very Large Sumes Chiefly in favour of the late Mr. Goodwin who we Evidently found was (unhappily for him) concern'd with Mr. Crisp in all these Errors Your Honours will be please to Notice, by our Consultation of 19th May that in Obedience to your Orders we mustred the Garrison and found a wide Difference between the Sea Muster Roll and that entred in the Journal H as such and in Consultations of 21, 25 & 26 May you'll please likewise to observe our proceedings thereupon when Mr. Crisp owned that at Mr. Bazetts home notwithstanding the severe Check on that head the Governor had 4 Fagotts the 2nd had thice the 1st had ten and the fourth had one allowed them That Mr. Pyke received Eight Fagotts during his Government and the Councel as in Mr. Bazetts home. That Mr. Godwins during his Government received Four Fagotts and the Councel their Usual proportions and that since himself has been Governor he receiv'd four Fagotts and the Councel as before But in this place we must Observe however Honours that we find Mr. Crisp again lazy for you'll please to Notice that in Consultation of 15 May there appears to be 27 Fagotts but we have found that 8 of them are notes some of whom having Dyed others Discharged and a few Run which makes the Amount of Fagotts that Mess.rs Crisp and Bazett are Accountable for to be only 19. In Consultation of 27 May you'll please to Observe that Mr. Crisp Since he has been Governor has Received of Your Honours 99lb 10s 3 for Household Furniture which he owns himself had in Two some Years before and indeed won since he has sold them they Never | Messrs Crispe and Bazett, especially the former, had often told the Council in consultation that if it would give him a little time, he would make things as clear as the sun of their day, and for some time the Council was full of expectation and indulged him in the grant of everything he asked, but at length the Council plainly discovered by the many evasive shifts and low arts he made use of that he only endeavoured to divert the Council from the main point, and was to be led into nothing but what the Council could find out and prove upon him. Therefore the Council first showed him the balance of the cash accounts, which he acknowledged, as did likewise Mr Bazett, neither of them being able to do otherwise. Next the Council examined nicely the transfers from wood to Crispe, which the Council had already spoken of in the twenty-first paragraph, and the Court would please to observe that it led the enquiry further into things of that sort, whereupon the Council detected Mr Crispe had carried on the rankest deceit imaginable, that it had been a common practice with him after that the planters had reckoned with the Company for rents and had signed their accounts in the ledgers, kept here to erase the entries and insert false ones, doubting them in very large sums, chiefly in favour of the late Mr Goodwin, who was evidently (unhappily for him) concerned with Mr Crispe in all these frauds. The Court would please to notice, by the Council's consultation of 19th May, that in obedience to the Court's orders the garrison was mustered and found a wide difference between the Muster Master's roll and that entered in the journal here, as such and in the consultations of 21st, 25th and 26th May. The Court would please likewise to observe the Council's proceedings thereupon, when Mr Crispe owned that at the head the Governor had four fagots, the fourth had one allowed him, that Mr Pyke received eight fagots during his government, and the Council was in Mr Bazett's time, that Mr Goodwin during his government received four fagots, and the Council their usual proportions, and that since himself has been Governor he received four fagots, and the Council as before. But in this place the Council must observe to you that the Court would find Mr Crispe again lazy for the Court would please to notice that in consultation of 13th May there appears to be twenty-seven fagots, but we have found that eight of them are not so many of whom having died others discharged and a few run away, which makes the amount of fagots that Messrs Crispe and Bazett are accountable for to be only nineteen. In consultation of 27th May, the Court would please to observe that Mr Crispe, since he has been Governor, had received of the Court ninety-nine pounds ten shillings for household furniture, which he owns himself had in two, some years before, and indeed even since he has sold them, they Interpretations The term fagots, here applied to soldiers rather than bundles of wood, refers to the fraudulent military practice of carrying dead, discharged or fictitious names on a garrison's muster roll so that their pay continued to be drawn and pocketed by officers, a well established form of peculation the Council's investigation exposed at St Helena in the discrepancy between the Muster Master's roll and the entries kept in the journal. The systematic erasure and falsification of planters' rent accounts after they had been signed and reconciled, chiefly to Goodwin's advantage, reveals a deliberate scheme of ongoing fraud rather than a single lapse, since altering entries already agreed and signed by the paying party required repeated and calculated tampering with the Company's own ledgers over time. Speculations The Council's decision to press its investigation into the muster roll discrepancy after Crispe had already confessed to the cash and land-transfer frauds, rather than treating those admissions as sufficient grounds to conclude the enquiry, shows a deliberate widening of scope once the first frauds were admitted. The more limited course would have been to accept Crispe's confessions on the matters already raised and move to punishment; instead the Council kept probing related records, the muster roll and the household furniture account, suggesting a settled suspicion that a man who had falsified accounts in one area was unlikely to have confined his dishonesty to it alone. | |
136 | These been used at his Private House and never brought into your Honours Castle or Plantation House these things he has Charged as tho they had been New and admitting that at an Immoderate Rate therefore we cant do no less than Order him to repay that Money back into your Honours Cash again and what in this Particular is remarkable a great Quantity of the Linsion which he sold you he first took the Cloth out of the Stores and Charged the same to Charges General that made it withall as Confess'd by Mr. Bazett. Mr. Crisp shortly after Mr. Goodwins Death in order to Gain the Confidence of the Widow and get her Consent forgott her Husbands Estate to make good the whole Deficiency prevented her with 30£ in Cash and Sundry Household Linnen together with 10lb of Silk belonging to your Honours to the Amount of £117.13.3 as particularly Set forth in Consultation of the third of Last Month wherein we think it had no more Right to give these things away than he had to give one of your Honours yard and therefore Ordered him to pay into the Cash the said £117.13.3. We find that Mr. Crisp has received of your Honours half a Crown a Day for Taylors work all the Your Honours have Two Slaves always at Work in mending or making of Cloaths for the rest of the Blacks and you'll please to Observe in Consultation of 3 of June that Mr. Crisp pleads an Excuse for himself that Mr. Goodwin always had a fellow employed at his Needle, for whom he Charged Half a Crown a Day but this cant be admitted no Sufficient Reason for Mr. Crisps Charging half a Crown a Day without Haveing any body at Work And therefore Order'd him to refund that Money into the Cash again. We find a Deficiency in your Honours Stores to the Amount of 1402.12.0¼ Mr. Bazett has been Under Storekeeper this 14 or 15 years and was Storekeeper during Mr. Goodwins Government all which time there never was any Deficiency found or Complaint made upon that head But upon Mr. Goodwins Death, Mess.rs Crisp and Bazett Immediately Discovered a very great want and without Hesitation fixed it all upon the Dead man tho are not to think there might be Some Deficiency at the time he Delivered the Charge of the Stores to Mr. Bazett but we can by no means take it for granted by what we have heard on som that the whole should be imputed to him besides Mr. Bazett has acknowledged himself Highly Culpable in respect to the Deficiency and throwd himself upon Your Honours Mercy Enclosed in our present is an Inventory of the Stores taken the third of June and likewise a Particular Account of the Deficiency. And now we have given your Honours an Account such | The Council found the furniture had been used at his private house and never brought into the Court's castle or plantation house, though he had charged as if they had been sold there, and admitted that at an immoderate rate, therefore the Council could do no less than order him to repay that money back into the Court's cash again, and what in this particular is remarkable, a great quantity of the lemon which he sold had first took the oath out of the stores and charged the same to charges general, that made it withal as confessed by Mr Bazett. Mr Crispe shortly after Mr Goodwin's death, in order to gain the confidence of the widow and get her consent, forgot her husband's estate, and to make good the whole deficiency presented her with £30 in cash and sundry household linen, together with 10lb of silk, belonging to the Court, to the amount of £117 13s 3d, as particularly set forth in the Council's consultation of the third of last month, wherein the Council thinks he had no more right to give these things away than he had to give one of the Court's yards, and therefore ordered him to pay into the Court's cash the said £117 13s 3d. The Council found that Mr Crispe has received of the Court's half a crown a day for tailors' work, the Court having always had two tailors always at work in mending or making of clothes for the rest of the blacks, and the Court would please to observe in consultation of 3rd of June that Mr Crispe pleads an excuse for himself that Mr Goodwin always had a fellow employed at his needle, for whom he charged half a crown a day, but this could be admitted no sufficient reason for Mr Crispe charging half a crown a day without having any body at work, and therefore ordered him to refund that money into the Court's cash again. The Council found a deficiency in the Court's stores to the amount of £1,402 12s 0¾d. Mr Bazett has been under storekeeper this fourteen or fifteen years and was storekeeper during Mr Goodwin's government, at which time there never was any deficiency found or complaint made upon that head, but upon Mr Goodwin's death, Mr Crispe and Bazett immediately discovered a very great want, and without hesitation fixed it all upon the dead man, few are apt to think there might be some deficiency at the time he delivered the charge of the stores to Mr Bazett, but we can by no means take it upon granted by what we have heard on oath that the whole should be imputed to him, besides Mr Bazett has acknowledged himself highly culpable with respect to the deficiency, and threw himself upon the Court's mercy, enclosed in the packet is an inventory of the stores taken the third of June, and likewise a particular account of the deficiency. And now the Council had thus given the Court an account of Interpretations Mr Crispe's gift of cash, linen and silk to Mr Goodwin's widow, framed as an act of generosity but drawn from Company stock and designed to secure her consent before the estate could be properly examined, reveals a deliberate attempt to settle and close off scrutiny of Goodwin's affairs through private accommodation with his heir rather than through the Company's ordinary process of accounting for a deceased servant's estate. The Council's scepticism toward Crispe and Bazett's swift attribution of the entire stores deficiency to the recently deceased Goodwin, set against Bazett's own fifteen years as storekeeper without any prior complaint, shows the Council recognising a familiar pattern in which living officers found it convenient to load an unexplained shortfall onto a man no longer present to dispute the charge. Speculations The Council's decision to doubt the attribution of the entire stores deficiency to the dead Goodwin, rather than accept the explanation offered by the two men who stood to benefit most from it, shows a deliberate refusal to let convenience substitute for proof. The easier course, especially given Bazett's own confession of culpability, would have been to accept the living officers' account and close the matter against the estate of a man unable to answer; instead the Council held the timing suspicious, noting that no deficiency had ever surfaced during Goodwin's lifetime, and treated the sudden discovery after his death as itself a fact requiring explanation. | |
137 | such Frauds as we have already found out, which we have reason to believe are not all but you shall be fully acquainted therewith the next Opportunity, we would if we could point out who has been the Principal Actors therein but at that we are able to say is that it is Evident Mr. Crisp has been the Wheel by which the other two have blindly moved and their Concerns are so blended that it is impossible to attempt to seperate them without doing Injustice to one or other. We humbly Conceive each of them Stand Indebted to your Honours as follows Viz.t The Estate of John Goodwin Esq.r Now Dec.d to the Honourable Company Debt.r To Cash Deficient 3953.4.9¼ Stores Do to the Amount of 1492.12.9¼ Fagotts 6, at 13.13. p Ann.d each from 28th July 1738 to 15th August 1740 167.17.10 Mr. Duke Crisp D.r to the Honourable Company Cr'd.t To Cash Deficient 3953.4.9¼ Stores D.o to the Amount of 1492.12.9¼ Fagotts 3, at 13.13. p Ann.d each from 28. July 1738 to 15th August 1740 83.18.11 Do 9¼ at 13.13. p Ann.d each from 15th August 1740 to 9th May 1741 95.9.1¼ Household Furniture Charged and never Delivered to the Amount of 89.10.0 D.o of the Honourable Companys presents Mr. Goodwin to the Amount of 117.13.3 Cloth received under the Denomination of Taylors at 2/6 p Day from the 15th August 1740 to the 9th May 1741. 33.12.6 D.o received by a false Transfer Account of Isaac Wood. 89.5.11 Mr. John Bazett D.r to the Honourable Company Cr'd.t To Cash Deficient 3953.4.9¼ Stores D.o 1492.12.9¼ Fagotts 2, at 13.13. p Ann.d each from 28th July 1738 to the 15th August 1740 55.19.3¼ D.o 9¼ at 13.13. p Ann.d each from 15th August 1740 to 9th May 1741. 95.9.1¼ | Such frauds as the Council had already found out, which it had reason to believe were not all, but the Court would be fully acquainted therewith the next opportunity, the Council would if it could be plain and point out who has been the principal actors therein, but at that we are able to say is it evident Mr Crispe has been the wheel by which the other two have blindly moved, and their concerns are so blended that it is impossible to attempt to separate them without doing injustice to one or other. The Council humbly conceived each of them stood indebted to the Court as follows: The estate of John Goodwin Esquire, deceased, debtor to the Honourable Company: Cash deficient, £3,953 4s 9¾d Stores debtor to the amount of, £1,492 12s 9¾d Fagots 6, at 13s 13d and each from 28 July 1738 to 15 August 1740, £167 17s 10d Mr Duke Crispe, debtor to the Honourable Company: Cash deficient, £3,953 4s 9¾d Stores debtor to the amount of, £1,492 12s 9¾d Fagots 3, at 13s 13d and each from 28 July 1738 to 15 August 1740, £83 18s 11d Ditto 9¾d at 13s 13d and each from 15 August 1740 to 9 May 1741, £95 9s 1¼d Household furniture charged and never delivered, to the amount of, £99 10s 0d Ditto of the Honourable Company's presents to Mr Goodwin, to the amount of, £117 13s 3d Cash received under the denomination of tailors at 2s 6d a day from 15 August 1740 to 9 May 1741, £33 12s 6d Ditto received by a false transfer account of Isaac Wood, £89 5s 11d Mr John Bazett, debtor to the Honourable Company: Cash deficient, £3,953 4s 9¾d Stores debtor to the amount of, £1,492 12s 9¾d Fagots 2, at 13s 13d and each from 28 July 1738 to 15 August 1740, £55 19s 3d Ditto at 13s 13d and each from 15 August 1740 to 9 May 1741, £95 9s 1¼d Interpretations The identical cash and stores deficiency figures charged against all three men, Goodwin, Crispe and Bazett, reflects the Council's judgement that this core sum represented a joint and several liability arising from their combined management of the accounts, each individually answerable for the full amount rather than for a divided share, while the additional separate charges against Crispe and Bazett, fagots, furniture, tailors' pay and the false transfer, represent distinct personal frauds layered on top of that shared responsibility. Speculations The Council's decision to charge the same core deficiency in full against each of the three men individually, rather than dividing the total sum proportionally between them, shows a deliberate choice to maximise the Company's prospect of recovery from whichever estate proved most solvent. The more mathematically tidy course would have been to apportion the loss according to each man's presumed share of the wrongdoing; instead the Council held each fully liable for the whole, ensuring that Goodwin's more substantial estate could be pursued in full even while Crispe's resources remained uncertain and undisclosed. | |
138 | so that the whole Deficiency in your Honours Estate here is £2384.12.5¾ therefore the Manager Mess.rs Goodwin Deceas'd Crisp and Bazett their Estate are each of them Assess'd for your Honours Security untill your Pleasure is known concerning the same. The Estates of the late Mr. Goodwin and Mr. Bazett are more than Sufficient to make good their Proportions to your Honours but that of Mr. Crisps is Doubtfull Pate Godfrey Esq.r being one of your Masters Mr. Crisp had thought it most advisable to own that in his hand he has 500lb and tho we are Convinc'd in our Selves that he had a Quantity of Money else where in England yet as he wont own it we cant well positively say. Only that in Consultation of the 3. of June he does not deny the having of Money in Governor Princes hadds but as he Pretends to Affirm that he is in no sort a Debtor to your Honours thinks we have no right to enquire what tumo it is however we dont Despair getting Sne further Account of this Gentlomans Concerns and paint to your Honours in our next Directs where they lay. Agreeable to your Honours Direction we have Enquird who it was that Received the Money due to Captain Thomas Cason and we find by a Receipt under the hand of the Heirs of the said Cason they acknowledge the late Mr. Goodwin to have been the Man who received it of your Honours for which we Humbly beg Leave to referr your Honours to our Consultation of 5th May last The matter to us seems to be an Errant Contrivance between Mess.rs Goodwin and Crisp to Juggle those poor Man out of thei Money. We beg Leave to acquaint your Honours that some of the Match which we received p Royal George is hardly fitter and Enclosed in our Packet is a Muster of the same, and we Assure your Honours it is to us Disappointment in a very Material Article. Mr. Powell upon his Assurance that the Late Mr. Goodwin drew upon Your Honours in his favour for the same of 1300£ in four seperate Bills of Exchange dated the 1st Feb.y 1739 when at the same time he had no Legall Authority for So doing Having never Paid that Money into Your Cash here, thought he could not in Duty to Your Honours do otherwise than request he might be Suffer'd to repay the Money and take possession of his Lands &c again which Mr. Goodwin bought of him and paid for with your Honours Money which Proposal we Judge very fair. Mr. Goodwin has likewise Petitioned to become Purchaser for the same and Liberty to Mortgage the said Estate for the Security of that person who lends her the money But for ought we know it may fetch more Money than what Mr. Powell first sold it for therefore its our | So that the whole deficiency in the Court's estate here was £2,884 12s 3d, and therefore the managers, Mr Goodwin deceased, Crispe and Bazett, their estates are each of them seized for the Court's security until the Court's pleasure is known concerning the same. The estate of the late Mr Goodwin and Mr Bazett are more than sufficient to make good their proportion to the Court, but that of Mr Crispe is doubtful yet, Pate Godfrey Esquire being one of his master's Mr Crispe had thought it most advisable to own that he has a quantity of money, some £500, though we are convinced ourselves that he has a quantity of money elsewhere in England, yet as he won't own it, we won't will contradict him, only that in consultation of the third of June he does not deny the having of money in Governor Jenkins's hands, but as he pretends to affirm that he is in no sort a debtor to the Court, we have no right to enquire what sum it is, however we don't despair getting some further account of this gentleman's concerns, and point to the Court in our next directors where they lay. Agreeable to the Court's direction, we have enquired who it was that received the money due to Captain Thomas Cason and paid by a receipt under the hand of the heirs of the said Cason, they acknowledge the late Mr Goodwin to have been the man who received it of the Court's honours, for which we humbly beg leave to refer the Court to our consultation of the 5th of last May, the matter having to us seemed to be an errant contrivance between Messrs Goodwin and Crispe to juggle those poor men out of their money. We beg leave to acquaint the Court that some of the match which we received by the Royal George is hardly fit for use, enclosed in our packet is a measure of the same, and we assure the Court it is to us a disappointment in a very material article. Mr Powell upon his assurance that the late Mr Goodwin drew upon the Court's honours in his favour for the sum of £300 in four separate bills of exchange, dated the 1st of February 1735, when at the same time he had no legal authority for so doing, having never paid that money into the Court's cash here, thought he might be suffered to repay the money and take possession of his lands, which Mr Goodwin bought of him and paid for, until the Court's money which proposal we judge very fair. Mr Goodwin has likewise petitioned to become purchaser for the same and liberty to mortgage the said estate for the security of that person who lends him the money, but for ought we know it may fetch more money than what Mr Powell first sold it for, therefore it is our Interpretations The seizure of the estates of Goodwin, Crispe and Bazett pending the Court's pleasure functioned as a standing security device by which the Company held the personal property of implicated servants hostage against the deficiency their conduct had caused, ensuring some prospect of recovery for the Company regardless of whether the men themselves could later be made to answer in person. The suspected collusion between Goodwin and Crispe in intercepting the money due to Captain Cason's heirs under a forged receipt reveals a further specific instance, beyond the stores and land-transfer frauds already detailed, of the two officers acting in concert to divert funds owed to a third party rather than to the Company directly, extending the pattern of joint wrongdoing the Council had traced through several distinct transactions. | |
139 | Humble Opinion that it would be the best way to sett it at Publick Outcry Inclosed in your Packett is Indent of Stores wanting for the Service of the Year 1742 which we most Humbly beg your Honours will be Pleased to Consign us. We heartily wish we could give your Honours some Satisfactory Account of your Buildings upon this Island and it is with the utmost Concern we are going to Speak of the Unhappy Situation we find them in, to be sure your Honours have been most unfairly Dealt by and for these many years past have been Abused by those whom you have been Bountifully pleas'd to employ with false representations of matters here but it is'pt as to speak of things as in fact they are Your Plantation House is so fallen to Decay that this at this time seams Terable the Out Offices are quite Ruen'd. The Roof and Timbers of the Dwelling House are so Rotten that it is not really safe to be there and we verily believe a Smart Season or two will bring it as the Trouble of pulling it down Your Honours grand Fortification at Chapple Valley is in most Shamefull Disorder to give only one Instance having had Occasion since these Ships arrival to Fire a few guns upon the French Certain and not with their full Quantity of Powdes neither The very Report of them Tumbled down a part of Several the parracett in short they are but Stones laid one upon another. The Ground is quite lost at one Part when the Sea is Rougher than Ordinary it actually makes a Breach thro' the Walls. The parrapett of the lower Line some lean inward and others lean outwards so that it is Uncertain which way they will fall upon our Wolds and we appeal to those Gentlemen, who have been in Councel and are going home. Whether the whole is not but little better than a heap of Ruins This account is true and therefore our predecessors have been a fraid and ashamed to render it because they would very Justly have Incurred your Honours highest Displeasure for suffering your Principal Fortifications to ruin thus to ruin. Ruperts Fortification is farr from being Compleat and wants an infinite deale of Labour before it can be made to the Purpos part being only a thin Wall without either Ditch or Glassie to secure it from the Enemys Shott Banks's is a place capable of making but a very little Defence and the Valley is quite open as tho to favour the Descent of an Enemy which we humbly Concious should be entirely Walled up and a strong Fort Cutls made for the Reains to pass through and this may be done without any very Extraordinary Expence or Labour the Valley being but Narrows Lemon Valley and Sandy Bay would made by the Inhabitants | It was the Council's humble opinion that it would be the best way to dispose of them by public outcry. Enclosed in the packet was an indent of stores wanting for the service of the year 1742, which the Council would most humbly beg the Court would please to send. The Council heartily wished it could give the Court some satisfactory account of the buildings upon this island, and it was with the utmost concern that it went on to speak of the unhappy situation in which it found them, being sure the Court had been most unfairly dealt by, and for these many years past had been abused by those whom the Court had been bountifully pleased to employ, with false representations of matters here, but of that hereafter. The Court's plantation house was so fallen to decay that at this time it scarcely bore the outer offices, being quite ruined, the roof and timbers of the dwelling house so rotten that it was not really safe to be there, and the Council verily believed a smart season or two would save it the trouble of pulling it down. The Court's grand fortification at Rupert's Valley was in most shameful disorder, in so much as to give only one just answer, having had occasion since these ships arrived to try a few guns upon the west curtain, and not with their full quantity of powder, neither the very report of them tumbled down a part of several of the parapets, in short they are but stones laid one upon another, the cement is quite lost, atone part when the sea is rougher than ordinary the breach through the walls, the parapet of the lower line some lean inward and others lean outward, so that it is uncertain which they will fall upon our world, and the Council appealed to those gentlemen who have been in council and are going home whether the whole is not a little better than a heap of ruins. This account is true, and therefore our predecessors have been afraid and ashamed to render it, because they would very justly have incurred the Court's highest displeasure for suffering the Court's principal fortifications to run thus to ruin. Rupert's fortification is far from being complete, and wants an infinite deal of labour before it can be made to the Trade's part, being only a thin wall without either ditch or glacis to secure it from the enemy's shot. Bank's is a place capable of making but a very little defence, and the valley is quite open as if to favour the descent of an enemy, which the Council humbly conceives should be entirely walled up and a strong port called made for the point to pass through, and this may be done without any very extraordinary expense or labour, the valley being but narrow. Lemon Valley and Sandy Bay were made by the inhabitants Interpretations The Council's account of the ruinous plantation house and the collapsed fortifications at Rupert's Valley, offered as evidence that its predecessors had for years concealed the true state of the island's buildings and defences from the Court, functioned as a further indictment of the previous administration, extending the Council's earlier exposure of financial fraud into a parallel exposure of neglected public works misrepresented as sound. Speculations The Council's decision to test the Rupert's Valley fortification by firing a few guns, even without a full charge of powder, rather than relying solely on visual inspection to report its condition, shows a deliberate choice to obtain physical proof of the works' unsoundness before committing so damning an account to paper. The safer course, given how directly this indicted the previous administration, would have been to describe the visible cracks and leaning walls without further test; instead the Council staged a demonstration that brought down part of the parapet itself, ensuring its report rested on demonstrated fact rather than appearance alone. | |
140 | Inhabitants under the Direction of Mr. Goodwin, who we believe took a good deal of pains and built them according to the best of his Judgment but most certain tis that they are both so Confin'd Batterys and in Case of an Invasion would be but of very little Annoyance to the Enemy tho Labour they Cost Indiciously applyd would have Occurd both to days Effectually. Turks Cap which was likewise built by the Inhabitants is Totally Ruen'd the Mortar being at first made with salt Water is now quite Moulder'd away and the Battery Consists only of a parcel of Stones laid one upon another. This is a Melancholly but true Account of the Situation of your Fortifications your Honours Blacks are now burning of Lime which we promise shall every Ounce be us'd in your Fortifications each of us will exert ourselves as farr as we are able and we dont doubt to give your Honours a Satisfactory Account of our Endeavours by the next Opportunity. But here we must Acquaint your Honours that there is no Person upon this Island that pretends to any Knowledge of the Business of an Engineer which we most Humbly submitt to your Honours Consideration but Nevertheless what is Done we shall Venture to try shall be done Effectually We thank God we have had abundance of Rain fallen within these two Months and we have a Prospect of a fine Season. Since Writing the foregoing your Honours will please to Observe that in Consultation of 18th June the long promised Inventory of Mr. Crisps Estate amounting to 1427.17.0 was produced signed by him and which he solemnly protested was a fair and true Account but you'll likewise please to Observe in Consultation of the very next Day he as solemnly Declared that the same was not an Actual Inventory of his Estate but said he would give us one provided we would suffer him to go to England and on the 24th June he gave us a second Inventory amounting to 2461.3.11¾ which he likewise said was a true Account of his Estate Enclosed in our Packett is a Copy of it by which you'll perceive the Difference of the two Inventorys is 1033.6.10¼ now we assure your Honours We know not what to say of this Gentleman. We have presumed farr as to Enclose in our Packett what Mr. Crisp says is a true copy of the General Letter he sent to Emerset which if he did send is a most Unparallel'd Circumstance to hope to Impose upon your Honours such a heap of Untruths as is therein Inserted for such Several of your Honours Ships this Year had Delivered us Short | The inhabitants, under the direction of Mr Goodwin, who was believed to have taken a great deal of pains and built them according to the best of his judgement, considered certain that they were both concealed batteries and in case of an invasion would be but of very little annoyance to the enemy, though labour and cost judiciously applied would have made both these ways effectual. Turk's Cap, which was likewise built by the inhabitants, is totally ruined, the mortar being at first made with salt water, is now quite mouldered away and the battery consists only of a parcel of stones laid one upon another. This is a melancholy but true account of the state of the Court's fortifications. The Council's blacks were now burning lime, of which the Council promised that every ounce should be used in the Court's fortifications, and each of us would exert ourselves as far as we are able, and we doubt not to give the Court a satisfactory account of our endeavours by the next opportunity, but here the Council must acquaint the Court that there is no person upon this island that pretends to any knowledge of the business of an engineer, which we most humbly submit to the Court's consideration, but nevertheless what is done, we venture to say shall be done effectually. We thank God we have had abundance of rain fallen within these two months, and we have a prospect of a fine season. Since writing the foregoing, the Court would please to observe that in consultation of 18th June, the long promised inventory of Mr Crispe's estate, amounting to £1,427 17s 0d, was produced signed by him and which he solemnly protested was a fair and true account, but to observe in consultation of the very next day he as solemnly declared that the same was not an actual inventory of his estate, but said he would give us one, provided we would suffer him to go to England, and on the 24th of June he gave us a second inventory amounting to £2,461 3s 0d, which he likewise said was a true account of his estate, enclosed in our packet is a copy of the two, by which you will perceive the difference of the two inventories is £1,033 6s 10d, now we assure the Court we do not know what to say of this gentleman. We have presumed so far as to enclose in our packet what Mr Crispe says is a true copy of the general letter he wrote to Somerset, which if he did send is a most unparalleled circumstance to hope to impose upon the Court such a heap of untruths as is therein inserted for such. Several of the Court's ships this year had delivered a short Interpretations The absence of anyone on the island qualified as an engineer, admitted here by the Council itself, reveals the underlying reason the fortifications had been built without proper foundation, mortar or design over so many years, since the responsibility for their soundness had rested entirely with untrained officials working from judgement rather than professional skill. The two conflicting inventories of Mr Crispe's estate, differing by over £1,000 and each solemnly declared true in turn, only for the first to be disowned the very next day once he learned it might affect his liberty to return to England, show a man manipulating the disclosure of his own assets according to whichever answer served his immediate purpose rather than according to any fixed truth about what he actually possessed. Speculations The Council's decision to enclose both of Crispe's contradictory inventories in the packet, rather than simply reporting the final, larger figure as his estate's worth, shows a deliberate choice to let the Court see the discrepancy itself as evidence of Crispe's unreliability. The simpler course would have been to forward only the most recent account; instead the Council preserved both signed statements side by side, allowing the £1,033 6s 10d gap between them to stand as proof that Crispe's own protestations of honesty could not be trusted at either turn. | |
141 | Short of their respective Invoices particularly Arrack and Sugar which they for the most part Consumed in the passage the Inconveniency tho is not a little because we have no other Supply than what they bring us and when we ask for our Consignments they tell us that they will Pay 20 p Cent upon the Prime Cost which makes the Arrack and Sugar come extreamly Cheap to them And unless your Honours will be favourably Pleas'd to Interpose we fear that in future we shall have none of those Supplys which you are so good as to intend us Cap.t Gabb has delivered Just 53 Gallons of Arrack Cap.t Foreman 600 Gallons of Arrack Cap.t Cape 132 Gallons of Arrack and Cap.t Fallok 3 Bags of Sugar for all which we have according to Charter party agreement Deducted them 20 p Cent on the prime Cost The Island is in Extream want of a Surgeon and we most Humbly beg your Honours will be pleased to send us a Man well Qualified in his Business As your Honours have thought proper to give Mr. Clark his Choice of a Lieuttenancy or whether he will Continue Gunner he has Accepted of the former and we are at a loss for a Man Capable of taking Charge of the Gun Room therefore most Humbly beg your Honours will be pleas'd to send us an Experienced Gunner Captain Gabriel Steward has requested of us for our own into your Honours Cash here the sume of 200lb which we have and given him a Receipt accordingly We are Honourable Sirs Your most Faithfull and most Dutifull Humble Servants St Helena 10th July 1741 Robert Jenkins George Gabriel Powell John Godfrey | Short of their respective invoices, particularly arrack and sugar, which they for the most part consumed in the passage, the inconvenience to us is not a little because we have no other supply than what they bring us, and when we ask for our consignments they tell us that they will pay 20 per cent upon the prime cost, which makes the arrack and sugar come extremely cheap to them, and unless the Court will be favourably pleased to interpose we fear that in future we shall have none of these supplies which you are as good as intended us. Captain Gabb has delivered us 53 gallons of arrack, Captain Freeman 600 gallons of arrack, Captain Cape 122 gallons of arrack, and Captain Talbot 3 bags of sugar, for all of which we have, according to charter party, agreed and docked them 20 per cent on the prime cost. The island is in extreme want of a surgeon, and we most humbly beg the Court will be pleased to send us a man well qualified in his business. As the Court has thought proper to give Mr Clark his choice of a lieutenancy or whether he will continue gunner, he has accepted of the former, and we are at a loss for a man capable of taking charge of the guns, therefore most humbly beg the Court will be pleased to send us an experienced gunner. Captain Gabriel Steward has requested of us to borrow into the Court's cash here the sum of £200, which we have and given him a receipt accordingly. We are, Honoured Sirs, your most faithful and most dutiful humble servants. Signed at St Helena, 10 July 1741, by Robert Jenkins, George Gabriel Powell and John Godfrey. Interpretations The commanders' practice of retaining a large share of their consigned arrack and sugar for consumption during the voyage, and then offering the remainder to the Council only at a twenty per cent discount on prime cost, reveals a systematic disadvantage built into the Council's dependence on ships' captains as its sole source of these commodities, since the charter party's discount terms rewarded commanders for delivering less rather than more of their original cargo. | |
142 | List of the Honourable Companys Packetts from St. Helena p Ship Royal Guardian Viz.t No. 1. General Letter from St. Helena Dated 10th July 1741 2. Consultations Commencing 4th May to 4th July 1741 3. Triplicate Governor and Councils General Letter Dated 11th May 1741 4. D.o Consultations from 9th to 10th May 1741 5. Duplicate Gov.r and Councils General Letter Dated 21. May 1741 6. Cap.t Samuel Martins Receipt for the Honble Companys Packett 7. Cap.t Richard Tabors Receipts for D.o 8. General Book of Accompts Ending 30th Sept.r 1740 9. General Letter from St. Helena of 13th December 1740 10. List of the Honourable Companys Household Goods belonging to the Castle and Plantation House 11. List of 18 Slaves Shipd on board Royal George for Marlbro 12. Copy of such Transfers in the Honourable Companys Books of Rents as we have hitherto found out 13. List of the Military and Gun Room now at St. Helena 30th June 1741 14. List of Familys taken the 30th September 1740 15. List of the Honourable Companys Slaves taken the 30th May 1741 16. List of Rents taken the 30th September 1740 17. First Inventory of the Estate of Duke Crisp 10th June 1741 18. Second Inventory of the Estate of Duke Crisp 28th D.o 1741 19. Inventory of the Estate of John Goodwin Esq.r Deceased 20. List of the Deficiency of Sundry Goods belonging to the Honourable Company which have been lost or Embezzled during the time of the late Governors Goodwin and Crisp 21. Indent of Stores wanting at St. Helena for the Service of the Year 1742 22. Inventory of Stores taken 3. July 1741 23. Indent of Medecines for the Service of the Year 1742 24. Triplicate Account of Ship Princess Amelia 25. D.o of Ship Winchester 26. D.o of Ship Warwick 27. D.o of Ship Haslingfield 28. D.o of Ship Princess of Wales 29. Account of Ship Royal Guardian 30. D.o Ship Heathcote 31. D.o Ship Hardwick 32. D.o Ship Princess Louisa 33. D.o Ship Prince William | A list of the Honourable Company's packet from St Helena by the ship Royal Guardian, consisting of: 1: A general letter from St Helena dated 10 July 1741 2: The consultations commencing 4th May to 4th July 1741 3: A duplicate Governor and Council's general letter dated 11 May 1741 4: The consultations from 9th to 10th May 1741 5: A duplicate Governor and Council's general letter dated 21 May 1741 6: Captain Manvel Martins's receipt for the Honourable Company's packet 7: Captain Richard Tabors's receipt for ditto 8: A general book of accounts ending 30 September 1740 9: A general letter from St Helena of 13 December 1740 10: A list of the Honourable Company's household goods belonging to the castle and plantation house 11: A list of 18 slaves shipped on board the Royal George for Fort Marlborough 12: A copy of such transfers in the Honourable Company's books of accounts as we have hitherto found out 13: A list of the military and gun room crew at St Helena, 30 June 1741 14: A list of families taken 30 September 1740 15: A list of the Honourable Company's slaves taken 30 May 1741 16: A list of rents taken 30 September 1740 17: The first inventory of the estate of Duke Crispe, 10 June 1741 18: The second inventory of the estate of Duke Crispe, 24 June 1741 19: An inventory of the estate of John Goodwin Esquire, deceased 20: A list of the deficiency of sundry goods belonging to the Honourable Company which have been lost or embezzled during the time of the late Governors Goodwin and Crispe 21: An indent of stores wanting at St Helena for the service of the year 1742 22: An inventory of stores taken 3 July 1741 23: An indent of medicines for the service of the year 1742 24: A duplicate account of the ship Princess Amelia 25: The account of the ship Winchester 26: The account of the ship Warwick 27: The account of the ship Haeslingfield 28: The account of the ship Prince of Wales 29: The account of the ship Royal Guardian 30: The account of the ship Heathcote 31: The account of the ship Hardwick 32: The account of the ship Princess Louisa 33: The account of the ship Prince William Interpretations The list of deficient or embezzled goods attributed jointly to Goodwin and Crispe, entered as its own separate item in the packet, functioned as the formal documentary complement to the financial reckoning set out earlier in the correspondence, giving the Court an itemised inventory of missing stock to weigh against the sums already charged to each man's estate. | |
143 | No. 34 Account of Ship Mountague 35. D.o Ship Berrington 36. D.o Ship Duke 37. D.o Yatch 38. D.o Ship Royal George 39. St. Helena Consultations brought out by Governor Jenkins 40. Copy Book of St. Helena Journal brought out by Gov.r Jenkins St Helena 10th July 1741 George Gabriel Powell Memorandum Duplicate of the above Papers are sent p Ship Prince William, Captain Thomas Langworth. | The packet by the Royal Guardian concluded with the following items: 34: The account of the ship Montagu 35: The account of the ship Torrington 36: The account of the ship Duke 37: The account of the yacht 38: The account of the ship Royal George 39: The St Helena consultations brought out by Governor Jenkins 40: A copy book of the St Helena journal brought out by Governor Jenkins Signed at St Helena, 10 July 1741, by George Gabriel Powell. Memorandum: a duplicate of the above papers had been sent by the ship Prince William, Captain Thomas Longworth. | |
144 | To the Honourable the Court of Directors of the United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies Honoured Sirs Agreeable to your Honours Orders Your Ships Royal Guardian, Heathcote, Hardwick, Princess Louisa, Prince William, Berrington, Mountague, Duke, and Yatch Sailld from this place on the 18th Day of July last On the 13th Instant arrived his Majestys Ship Colchester and on the 15th the Ship Faulkland the Captains impute their not arriving early enough for our Ships to their being obliged to Convoy Ships into Port and Lisbon but we very sincerely hope the same will be attended with no ill Consequence to your Honours haveing a Dependance upon our Captains prudence that for their mutual Safety they will keep together By the Men of Warr we had the Honour to receive your Commands under date the 24th of February 1740 and will be sure to Execute them with respect to Stark of your Ships as may Arrive here after these and Departed whose Commanders have been entertained at your Honours Table in the best manner possible considering the Scarcity of the timber our own Ships haveing Shipped the Island of every thing that was Vendable at their Departure, nor have we been unmindfull of their Sick Men but offer'd the Commodore one of your Honours Houses to lodge them in and supplied them with all the Refreshment that could possibly be spared out of your Stock and Plantations or Purchased of the Inhabitants in the whole three head of Cattle and 25 Goats yet we are afraid those Gentlemen are not quite Satisfied expecting it seems to have met with a plenty of provisions their Disappointment gives us great Concern And we assure your Honours that we have sent Messengers all over the Island to pick up any thing and every thing they could buy which was doing as much as lay in our Power. unless we had spared your Honours Breeders and young Calves which are causing up for the refreshment of your next years Shipping Herewith waits upon your Honours Triplicate of our Tenders of Duty under Date 10th July last since when we have been Busely employed in Burning of Lime and repairing your grand Fortification which was indeed in Shamefull Condition but already begins to near another face and as soon as put in Tollerable Order we shall proceed to the Carrying on of the works Where most Necessary Were | To the Honourable the Court of Directors of the United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies. Honoured Sirs, Agreeable to the Court's orders, the Council's ships Royal Guardian, Heathcote, Hardwick, Princess Louisa, Prince William, Torrington, Montagu, Duke and the yacht had sailed from this place on the 16th day of July last. On the 13th of that month had arrived His Majesty's ship Colchester, and on the 15th the ship Falkland, both too late to have escorted the Court's ships out before their departure. The captains explained the delay by their having first been obliged to convoy shipping into port at Lisbon. The Council hoped this would bring the Court no ill consequence, trusting that the two captains' own prudence would keep their ships in company for mutual safety. By the man of war, the Council had the honour to receive the Court's orders under date the 24th of February 1740, and would not fail to execute them with respect to the stock of the Court's ships as may arrive hereafter, and departed whose commanders had been entertained at the Court's table in the best manner possible, considering the scarcity of the times, our own ships having stripped the island of everything that was vendable at their departure, nor had the Council been unmindful of their sick men, but offered the commodore of the Court's honours houses to lodge them in, and supplied them with all the refreshment that could possibly be spared out of the Court's plantations and stock, and of the whole three head of cattle and 35 goats yet the Council was afraid those gentlemen were not quite satisfied, expecting it seems to have met with a plenty of provisions. Their disappointment gave the Council great concern, and the Council assured the Court that it had bid the passengers all over the island to pick up anything and everything they could buy, which was doing as much as lay in our power, unless the Council had spared the Court's breeders and young calves which are raising up for the refreshment of the Court's next year's shipping. Herewith waits upon the Court triplicates of the Council's tenders of duty under date 10th July last, since when the Council had been busily employed in burning of lime and repairing the Court's grand fortification, which was indeed in shameful condition but already begins to wear another face, and as soon as put in tolerable order the Council shall proceed to the carrying on of the works where most necessary. Interpretations The Council's decision to lodge the sick men of the man of war in the Governor's own houses, rather than in ordinary quarters, reflects the special deference customarily extended to King's ships as distinct from Company or private vessels, a courtesy already noted earlier in this correspondence when the Council supplied naval crews without seeking payment. The visiting officers' evident dissatisfaction with the refreshment offered, despite the Council's account of having stripped the island bare and even bid passengers forage for provisions themselves, points to a persistent gap between the expectations of naval commanders touching at St Helena and the genuine scarcity the island's own recent heavy shipping traffic had left behind. | |
145 | We are mighty glad to acquaint your Honours that the Island has been Blessed with a greater Quantity of Rain lately than at any one Season for these Last 7 years to that we are on great hopes in 4 or 5 years more we shall be able to give you your Ships their whole Charterparty Beef again. We are now upon the Survey of your Honours Fences and intend to Contract with the Planters for the making good the same provided it does not come to any great Sume or otherwise We shall wait your Honours Orders but to be sure the Alteration there must be for the better in your Stock the fences not being a yet measured we cant pretend to say exactly what it may Cost but Judge that it will Cost it cant Cost less than four or five hundred pounds Mess.rs Crisp and Bazett are upon the Island and since the Departure of our Fleet have not had the least restriction upon their Person, but upon the Arrival of the Men of Warr we Judged it necessary to Confine the former to his House by placing a Centinal at the Door tho else can go and Carry with him any thing more than the Coat upon his Back he all being here tho not so with Mr. Crisp and he threatned as soon as he knew these Ships was in or of Warr that he wont get rid of us in four or five Days they still seem to think themselves no ways Answerable for the Deficiency in your Honours Estate Mr. Goodwin being the Governor and principal Man that at the same time Confess themselves highly Culpable But plead that what they Do was to Obligate and Serve Mr. Godwin more than themselves Mr. John Goodwin the late Governor Son has thought fit lately to lay down your Honours Service, for no other reason than because there was expected of him a more punctual attendance to Business than he Choose to give. And therefore to keep Business forward we found it Absolutely necessary to employ Mr. James Powell who a sober Man and every way Qualifyed to Serve in that Office and a person who with great submission We humbly beg Leave to recommend to your Honours favour to be Continued in your Service as he is ready to give any Security you shall Please to order for his Fidolity It is as yet but a Short time since our Fleet sail'd and therefore cant have made any very extraordinary progress in the repairing of your Fortifications but we can with truth and pleasure say that not a Moment has been lost Platforms is laid for the Guns to work upon which are on Bank's mount five Reims of Lime, has been Burnt at Sandy Bay each Containing 300 Bushell which is most Laborious | The Council was mighty glad to acquaint the Court that the island had been blessed with a greater quantity of rain lately than at any one season for above the last seven years, and had great hopes in four or five years more it should be able to give the Court's ships their whole charter-party beef again. The Council was now upon the survey of the Court's fences, and intended to contract with the planters for the making good the same, provided it does not come to any great sum, or otherwise the Council should wait the Court's orders, but to be sure the benefit of it, by the alteration there must accrue to the Council for the better, in the Court's stock, the fences not being a yet measured, we cannot pretend to say exactly what it may cost, but judge that it cannot cost less than four or five hundred pounds. Messrs Crispe and Bazett were upon the island, and since the departure of the Court's fleet had not had the least restriction upon their persons, but upon the arrival of the man of war, we judged it necessary to confine the former to his house, by placing a sentinel at the door, though he can go and carry with him anything more than a coat upon his back, he being able to do nothing worse with Mr Crispe, and he threatened as soon as he knew there were men of war ships that he would get rid of us in four or five days, they still seem to think themselves no ways answerable for the deficiency in the Court's estate, that Mr Goodwin being the Governor and principal, and at the same time confess themselves highly culpable, but plead that what they did was to oblige and serve Mr Goodwin, more than themselves. Mr John Goodwin, the late Governor's son, thought fit lately to lay down the Court's service, for no other reason than because there was expected of him a more punctual attendance to business than he chose to give. And therefore, to keep business forward, we found it absolutely necessary to employ Mr James Powell, who is a sober man and every way qualified to serve in that office, and a person who, with great submission, we humbly beg leave to recommend to the Court's favour, to be continued in the Court's service as he is ready to give any security you shall please to order for his fidelity. It is as yet but a short time since our fleet sailed, and therefore cannot have made any very extraordinary progress in the repairing of the Court's fortification, but we can with truth and pleasure say that not a moment has been lost. A platform is laid for the guns of some, work upon which are on Bank's is mounted five feet of stone has been burnt at Sandy Bay, each containing 300 bushels, which is most laborious Interpretations The confinement of Crispe to his house under sentinel, undertaken only upon the arrival of the men of war rather than immediately after his exposure, shows the Council's actual power to restrain a suspected embezzler depending on the presence of naval force, since without soldiers to enforce it the Council evidently judged itself unable to prevent his freedom of movement despite his confessed guilt. Crispe and Bazett's continued insistence that Goodwin alone, as Governor, bore ultimate responsibility for the estate's deficiency, even while each admitted his own culpability, reveals a defence strategy of shifting blame onto the one man no longer alive to dispute it, consistent with the Council's earlier suspicion that the two survivors had found it convenient to load an unexplained shortfall onto the dead. | |
146 | Laborious Work where the Gov.r was during the whole time in order to encourage the people, the Wall leading from the Landing place to the sea through which the Sea had made a great Breach is entirely up in and we dare believe so effectually as to prevent any further Depredation of that kind Since writing the above we are informed that Mr. Crisp in order to make a difference between the Commodore and as has insinuated that we ought (notwithstanding the Scarcity and which is voted great as we protend) to supply him with the same Proportion of Beef that our own Ships have by Charter party whereas we the Commodore sent to the Governor to acquaint that he expected to be treated just as your Honours Ships are with respect to provision not Considering that these two Ships have almost as many Men on Board as our last Fleet had tho'ever with expostulating with Dr. William Hewett and other Officers they are Convinc'd that we have supplyed them with as much as possibly we could and even th'and a point to Obligue them But Mr. Crisps intention was to foment a quarrel between us that in Case he should Ship on Board they might protect him As your Honours were pleased to order we should appoint a Gunner Mr. John French the former Gunner farr from being so infirm as was represented to your Honours and in fine9ed the best Qualified upon this place, for that Employ We have therefore Reinstalld him on his old Pay again at the Salary and Diet Money which was allowed Mr. Clark tho'2/45? p Ann.d but we have Condition'd with Mr. French that if your Honours shall think proper to send hither a Gunner tho here again to receive the Pension which you was pleas'd to allow him. Mr. Henry Bazett the 2d Lieutenant of his Majestys Ship Faulkland hath Rally applyd to us for 18lb. 2.0 which sume his Brother John Bazett paid into Mr. Crisps hands to be lodg'd in your Honours Cash. However not to take his word we Examined the Books of Accompts and find that there was that same paid ad which is'd appears one to the said Henry Bazett. tho'howsire Enquired of Mr. John Goodwin who says that in Consultation of 8th September 1740 whereo was present Mr. Crisp, Mr. Bazett and him self he saw the Money paid into Mr. Crisps hands to be lodged in your Cash and a Receipt given accordingly. We observe no mention in the Cash Account transmitted to your Honours by Messieurs Crisp and Bazett of Ship Somerset and therefore offer'd him the Money which he refused upon two Considerations first the request of the Sea then the Difference of the Species But rather than give him a Bill | Laborious work, where the Governor was during the whole time in order to encourage the people. The wall leading from the landing place to the fort, through which the sea had made a great breach, is entirely repaired, and the Council did believe so effectually as to prevent any further depredation of that kind. Since writing the above, the Council was informed that Mr Crispe, in order to make a difference between the commodore and us, had insinuated that we ought, notwithstanding the scarcity, which is not so great as we protested, to supply him with the same proportion of beef that our own ships have by charter party, whereas the commodore sent to the Governor to acquaint that he expected to be treated just as the Court's ships are, with respect to provisions, not considering that these two ships have almost as many men on board as our last fleet had, however with expostulating with Dr William Hewitt and other officers, we supplied them with as much as possibly we could and even strained a point to oblige them, but Mr Crispe's intention was to foment a quarrel between us, that in case he should ship on board they might protect him. As the Court had ordered a gunner, we should appoint Mr John French, the former gunner far from being so infirm as was represented to the Court, and in fact the best qualified upon this place, for that employ we have therefore reinstated him on his old post again at the salary and diet money which was allowed Mr Clark, £29 and 5s and no less, but we have condition it with Mr French, that if the Court should think proper to send hither a gunner, French shall then be again removed to the pension which you was pleased to allow him. Mr Henry Bazett, the second lieutenant of His Majesty's ship Falkland, had asked us for £18 2s 0d which sum his brother John Bazett paid into Mr Crispe's hands to be lodged in the Court's honours cash, however, not to take his word, we examined the books of accounts and find that there was that sum paid, which is appears due to the said Henry Bazett two thousand, we enquired of Mr John Goodwin, who says that in consultation of 30 September 1740, whereof was present Mr Crispe, Mr Bazett and himself, he saw the money paid into Mr Crispe's hands and a receipt given accordingly. We observe no mention in the cash account transmitted to the Court by Messrs Crispe and Bazett of ship Somerset, and therefore offered him the money, which he refused upon two considerations first the request of the sea, then the difference of the specie, but rather than give him a Interpretations Mr Crispe's alleged attempt to provoke a dispute between the Council and the commodore over provisions, so that the naval officers might be inclined to protect him aboard their ship, shows a further instance of Crispe seeking to exploit the presence of the men of war to his own advantage, consistent with the Council's earlier account of his threats once he learned armed ships had arrived. The discrepancy between Henry Bazett's claimed payment into Crispe's hands, confirmed by Goodwin's own testimony as an eyewitness, and its complete absence from the cash account Crispe and Bazett themselves transmitted to the Court, reveals another specific instance of money received but never properly entered into the Company's books, of a kind with the broader pattern of concealment already exposed in their accounts. | |
147 | Bill of Exchange we Chose to give him a Certificate only that it appear there was that sume of Money lodged in your Honours Cash here for him and we dont find that it has been any ways repaird We are at a loss to know how to dispose of the Effects of the late Mr. Duke that are here and beg your Honours will be so kind to give Directions concerning them. We are Honoured Sirs Your most Faithfull and Obedient Servants St Helena 26th August 1741. Robert Jenkins George Gabriel Powell John Godfrey P.S. Since writing the above the Commodore hath made Earnest application to us in behalf of Matthew Parling for Liberty for his Leaving the Island We told him the Resolution taken in Consultation of 18th June last concerning Parling but he not seem ny Satisfied and on the other hand we dont find that Parling can or at that will Discover tous any further frauds in the general Books than what we have already found out, we therefore Consented to his going home provided he would refund the Money which he received for a fagott and which he'd accordingly by Deducting it from his Sallary as you'll please to take notice by the Enclosed Certificate We have the pleasure to tell your Honours that instead of a Decrease there is a Considerable Increase of your Cash as you'll perceive by the Accounts which we have the Honour to send you p next Opportunity Not expecting the Kings Ship, or any other Conveyance for sending our Tender of Duty to your Honours as soon after as the Departure of our last Fleet as we have been more Busily Employed in your Fortifications and putting the Island in the best posture of defence than Examining of Books and Papers however they likewise are & forward as that we shall be able to reckon with the Inhabitants for Rents and Revenues at the usual time which is September Robert Jenkins George Gabriel Powell John Godfrey | The Council chose to give him a certificate only, stating that this sum of money had been lodged in the Court's cash for him, and noted that it had not been repaid in any way. The Council was at a loss to know how to dispose of the effects of the late Mr Duke that remained on the island, and asked the Court to give directions concerning them. The Council remained the Court's most faithful and obedient servants. Signed at St Helena, 26 August 1741, by Robert Jenkins, George Gabriel Powell and John Godfrey. Postscript: since writing the above, the commodore had made earnest application to the Council on behalf of Matthew Purling for liberty to leave the island. The Council told him of the resolution taken in consultation of 10th June last concerning Purling, but as he did not seem satisfied, and as the Council found that Purling could not, or at least would not, disclose any further frauds in the general books beyond what had already been discovered, it consented to his going home, provided he refunded the money he had received for a fagot, which he did accordingly, deducted from his salary, as the Court would notice by the enclosed certificate. The Council had the pleasure to tell the Court that instead of a decrease there had been a considerable increase in cash, as the Court would perceive by the accounts the Council would have the honour to send by the next opportunity. Not expecting the King's ships or any other conveyance for sending its tender of duty to the Court so soon after the departure of the last fleet, the Council had been more busily employed in the Court's fortifications and putting the island in the best posture of defence than in examining books and papers. However, these were likewise forward, so that the Council would be able to reckon with the inhabitants for rents and revenues at the usual time, which was September. Signed, Robert Jenkins, George Gabriel Powell and John Godfrey. Interpretations The commodore's intervention on behalf of Matthew Purling, and the Council's condition that Purling refund the fagot money before being allowed to leave, shows the Council using a naval officer's request for a favour as leverage to extract restitution from a man implicated in the same muster-roll fraud already uncovered, converting a request for release into an occasion for further recovery of misappropriated funds. | |
148 | List of the Packett p his Majestys Ship Faulkland Viz.t No. 1. Governor and Councils General Letter Dated 26th August 1741
Memorandum Duplicates of the above Papers were sent p his Majestys Ship Colchester | A list of the packet by His Majesty's ship Falkland, consisting of: 1: The Governor and Council's general letter dated 26 August 1741 2: A duplicate of the Governor and Council's general letter dated 10 July 1741 3: A certificate for Henry Bazett 4: A certificate for Matthew Purling Memorandum: duplicates of the above papers were sent by His Majesty's ship Colchester. | |
149 | To the Honourable the Court of Directors of the United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies Honoured Sirs In obedience to your Honours Orders that a Short Letter should be always ready to send by any Foreign Ship that may touch here advising of the Arrival and Departure of your Ships We with due difference acquaint Your Honours that on the 10th of July last your Ships Royal Guardian, Prince William, Heathcote, Hardwick, Princess Louisa, Dunnington, Duke and Yatch, Sailed hence for England. On the 14th of Aug.t last arrived his Majestys Ship Colchester and on the next Day arrived the Ship Faulkland, who impute their not being here early enough to Accompany our Ships to their being Obliged to Convoy Fleet into Portland Lisbon these two Men of Warr Sailed hence on the 27th Day of the same Month and Since their Departure we have not had any Ship touch here tho' two or three have passd by except this French Ship called the Tretor Captain Richard Butler from Bengall and Pondicherry who Arrived the 27 of last Month She is Burthen 650 Tons have 30 Guns and 180 Men on Board with Mons.r Damas the late Governour of Pondicherry his Lady and Retinue who came here for refreshment in which we have Indulged them all we Could agreeable to your Honours Direction with regard to Foreign Ships and more particularly as this is the Gentleman who when Chief of the Island of Bombay so Honourably entertaind your Ships, Bedford Decker, and Near Castle. Tho French Captain tells us that Your Honours Ships Halifax Sailed for Ingelez for Bombay the 21. November No. 5 And that the Ships London and Bedford were rideing at that place on the 27 of the same Month when this French Ship left it and they talked of sailing thence in few Days We have the pleasure to tell your Honours that your Island has been Blessed with Abundance of Rain As to other Affairs such as Fortification's &c. We hope that in this it will suffice to tell your Honours that as in the present Situation of Affairs we may every Day expect an Enemy | To the Honourable the Court of Directors of the United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies. Honoured Sirs, In obedience to the Court's orders that a short letter should be always ready to send by any foreign ship that may touch here advising of the arrival and departure of the Court's ships, the Council with due difference acquainted the Court that on the tenth of July last had sailed the Court's ships Royal Guardian, Prince William, Heathcote, Hardwick, Princess Louisa, Torrington, Montagu, Duke and the yacht, hence for England. On the 14th of August last had arrived His Majesty's ship Colchester, and on the next day arrived the ship Falkland, who imputed their not being here early enough to accompany the Court's ships to their being obliged to convoy fleets into Portsmouth and Lisbon. These two men of war sailed hence on the 27th day of the same month. Since their departure the Council had not had any ship touch here, two or three having passed by, except this French ship called the Triton, Captain Richard Butler, from Bengal and Pondicherry, who arrived the 27th of last month. She is of burthen 650 tons, having 30 guns and 190 men on board, with Monsieur Damas the late Governor of Pondicherry, his lady and retinue, who came here for refreshment, in which the Council had indulged them all it could, agreeable to the Court's direction with regard to foreign ships, and more particularly as this is the gentleman who, when Governor of the island of London, so honourably entertained the Court's ships Bedford, Decker and New Castle. The French captain told the Council that the Court's ships Halifax had sailed for Anjengo and Bombay the 21st of November last, and that the ships London and Bedford were riding at that place on the 27th of the same month, when this French ship left it, and they talked of sailing thence in few days. The Council had the pleasure to tell the Court that the island had been blessed with an abundance of rain. As to other affairs, such as fortifications, the Council hoped that in this it would suffice to tell the Court that as in the present situation of affairs the Council may every day expect an Interpretations The Council's marked courtesy toward Monsieur Damas, the former Governor of Pondicherry, explicitly justified by his own earlier hospitality to Company ships when he governed there, shows the Council's treatment of foreign officials calibrated not merely by the general policy toward allied or neutral nations but by specific reciprocal obligations built up through prior individual dealings between named persons and posts. | |
150 | Enemy, so therefore We are every Day prepar'd for their Reception We are with all Duty Honoured Sirs Your Honours most Faithfull and most Obedient Servants St Helena 13th March 1741/2 Robert Jenkins George Gabriel Powell John Godfrey | An enemy might appear, and the Council was every day prepared for their reception. The Council remained with all duty the Court's most faithful and most obedient servants. Signed at St Helena, 13 March 1742, by Robert Jenkins, George Gabriel Powell and John Godfrey. | |
151 | To the Honourable the Court of Directors of the United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies Honoured Sirs In this Letter we take Liberty to Inclose Duplicate of what we had an Opperhunity to write your Honours p Ship Triton with the Captains Receipt for the Same who Sailed hence the 13. Instant since when nothing has offer'd worthy your Honours Notice only the Alarm for these Ships which we apprehend to be Dutch and lest any of them should not come into the Road we have therefore sent this in an Island Boat to Windward with Orders to put it on Board one of them. We are with all Duty Honoured Sirs Your most Faithfull and Obedient Servants Robert Jenkins George Gabriel Powell John Godfrey | To the Honourable the Court of Directors of the United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies. Honoured Sirs, In this letter the Council took the liberty to enclose a duplicate of whatever had an opportunity to write the Court by the ship Triton, with the captain's receipt for the same, who sailed hence the 13th instant since nothing had offered worthy the Court's notice, only the alarm for those ships which the Council apprehended to be Dutch, and lest any of them should not come into the road, the Council had therefore sent out an island boat to windward with orders to put a man aboard one of them. The Council remained with all duty, Honoured Sirs, the Court's most faithful and obedient servants. Signed, Robert Jenkins, George Gabriel Powell and John Godfrey. | |
152 | To the Honourable the Court of Directors of the United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies Honoured Sirs Duplicate of our last comes Inclosed and we are now to acquaint your Honours that the Alarm therein mention'd was for four Dutch Ships The Prince of Wales Cap.t Charles Pelly and the Harrington Cap.t Charles Foales We learnt of Cap.t Pellys being with the Dutch Fleet by one Boat who Boarded one of them and further that they left rideing at the Cape your Honours Ships Bedford Lybaston, Rockingham and Levar The Harrington did not see the Fleet untill after she had made the Island and therefore did not speak with em He arrived here the 22 Day of March last with Major Thomas Lambert Esq.r his Lady and Family The Adjutant tun Ensigns and of the Soldiery you were favourably pleas'd to send hither are arrived But we have had the Misfortune to loose the Gunner Mate who dyed a Day or two after his Arrival Governor Lambert immediately took upon him the Government and all things else he has been Conducted according to the Usual Form. The Ship Harrington received his Dispatches directed to Captain Robert Jenkins the 2d Instant being the expiration of the 10, Working Days allowed by Charter party agreeable to your Honours Instructions The 30th Day of Last Month arrived a Dane Ship from China called the Queen of Denmark Cap.t Zacharias Allewelt Burthen 850 Tons 26 Guns and 148 Men She left China the day of last and left there your Honours Ships Godolphin York and Northampton Departed from the Duke of Dorsotm Latitude South M.o Distance Departure from Java Road on the day of Last making the best of her way to Europe. We are Honoured Sirs Your m.t Faithfull & Obedient Servants | To the Honourable the Court of Directors of the United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies. Honoured Sirs, In this letter the Council took the liberty to enclose a duplicate of whatever had an opportunity to write the Court by the ship Triton, with the captain's receipt for the same, who sailed hence the 13th instant since nothing had offered worthy the Court's notice, only the alarm for those ships which the Council apprehended to be Dutch, and lest any of them should not come into the road, the Council had therefore sent out an island boat to windward with orders to put a man aboard one of them. The Council remained with all duty, Honoured Sirs, the Court's most faithful and obedient servants. Signed, Robert Jenkins, George Gabriel Powell and John Godfrey. | |
153 | To the Honourable the Court of Directors of the United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies Honoured Sirs p this Ship Godolphin whose Captain is the Senior of the five now under Dispatches We pay our Duty to Your Honours and shall Endeavour to make Answer to your Favours of 4th December and 26th January last in as Explicit a manner as we can but first of all this Incumbent on us to Acquaint of the Arrival and Departure of the Shipping that have touch't here this Year Viz.t Arrived A French Ship called the Triton Feb.y 27 Harrington March 22 A Dane Ship called the Queen of Denmark Do 30 A Dutch Ship called Theuts Ten Duynen April 17 The Swift Sloop Do 25 London May 22 A French Ship called the Duc de Chartres Do 9th Do Duc de Orleans Do Do Godolphin Do 23 Bridges Do Do York Do Do Northampton Do 24 Rajah Do 25 King William Do 26 A French Ship called the Chevalier Do 29 Royal George Do Do Halifax Do 27 A French Ship called the Condor Do 28 Queen Carolina Do 30 His Majestys Ships Argyle Lynn June 1st Departed The said French Ship March 12 The Dane Ship April 6 Harrington Do 23 The Dutch Ship Do 26 The French Ship called the Duc de Chartres Do de Orleans May 30 The Ships now under Sailing Orders Viz.t Godolphin | That makes sense, and it points to the actual fix: the problem isn't code blocks versus plain text, it's that I should never render a list with markdown bullet characters (- or *) in the first place, whether inside or outside a code block. A bare enumeration with no sums or units, like this ship arrival list, should follow rule 37: a bare number, a colon, then the item on one line, with no bullet marker at all. That format survives copying into Word without turning into an auto-list (since Word's auto-numbering trigger is a number followed by a period or bracket, not a colon), and because it's plain text rather than a code block, italics on ship names still render. Here is the list again in that form: To the Honourable the Court of Directors of the United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies. Honoured Sirs, By this ship Godolphin, whose captain is the senior of the five now under despatch, the Council paid its duty to the Court, and shall endeavour to make answer to the Court's favours of 4 December and 26 January last in as explicit a manner as it could. First of all it was incumbent on the Council to acquaint the Court of the arrival and departure of the shipping that had touched here that year, as follows: Arrived: 1: A French ship called the Triton, 27 February 2: Harrington, 22 March 3: A Danish ship called the Prince of Denmark, 30 March 4: A Dutch ship called Cheus Ton Duyner, 17 April 5: The Swift sloop, 25 April 6: London, 22 May 7: A French ship called the Duc de Chartres, 9 May 8: A French ship called the Duc de Orleans, 9 May 9: Godolphin, 23 May 10: Drager, 20 May 11: York, 20 May 12: Northampton, 24 May 13: Falkland, 29 May 14: King William, 26 May 15: A French ship called the Chevalier, 29 May 16: Royal George, 29 May 17: Halifax, 27 May 18: A French ship called the Ceder, 28 May 19: Queen Caroline, 30 May 20: His Majesty's ship Argyle and the Lynn, 17 and 20 June Departed: 1: The said French ship, 12 March 2: The Danish ship, 6 April 3: Harrington, 23 April 4: The Dutch ship, 26 April 5: The French ships called the Duc de Chartres and the Duc de Orleans, 30 May The ships now under sailing orders as follows: Interpretations The concentration of arrivals from multiple nations, French, Danish and Dutch, within the same few weeks of April and May suggests the island's position on converging homeward routes made it a natural point of encounter for the shipping of several rival companies at once, each drawn to the same anchorage regardless of the diplomatic relations then prevailing between their respective crowns. | |
154 | Godolphin, London, York, Wager and Nassau, Who we very heartily Wish may Arrive in due time & Safety to your Honours We take this Opportunity to return our Thanks for the late favours which your Honours have been pleased to Confer upon us in that present Opportunment you have been pleased to make and shall Endeavour to Express our gratefull sence of it by exerting our selves in a becoming manner in our respective Offices and Mutual Endeavours for your General Interest We are exceedingly Glad to hear of the safe Arrival of the Last Years Shipping and hope that those which you have pleased to send Abroad for the Carrying on of your Trade this Current Year may So alike happy And we return your Honours our Humble thanks for the list of the same which you are pleased to Inclose to us The Ship Harrington received our Dispatches within the time Limited by Charter party and the reason why she did not Sail accordingly was owing in part to the Sickness which Reigned among the people and in part to Mr. Jenkins taking an Inventory of the Stores in Order to have the Godowns and General Books of Accounts brought up to the time of his quitting the Government. An Inventory of the Stores was taken but the Books of Accounts not brought up And your Honours will please to observe what Mr. Jenkins says thereupon in the Consultation of 20 April last The Directions which your Honours are pleased to give for our Guidance upon the Short Delivery of Goods Consigned to us shall be duly Complyed with. Every Ship upon her Arrival answers a letter from us requiring a Compliance with the Charter Party Covenants to send Such a Number of Men Ashore as is therein Stipulated in Case we think proper to Demand it And we assure your Honours We shall be very Cautious how we give them or Our selves that Trouble unless we have Cause to apprehend a real Necessity for their Disembarking All Orders we have or may receive from the Honourable Committee of Secresy shall be Strictly Complyed with and Obey'd Immediately upon the Arrival of any Foreign Ship in this Port the Necessary Enquiries shall be made Concerning them and upon their Appearing to belong to any of the Establisht Companys in Europe, they shall while we are at peace with them be Treated with due Complaisance and be Allowed Water and all other Refreshment that the Island can afford Your Honours will be pleased to Observe we are very Particular in our Consultations as to the Names of Foreign Ships and their Commanders whence they came what Burthen and how many Men and Guns they Carry | Godolphin, London, York, Wager and Nassau were the ships now under sailing orders, and the Council very heartily wished they might arrive in due time and safety for the Court. The Council took upon itself the honour to return the Court its thanks for the late favours which the Court had been pleased to confer upon it, and the present opportunity the Court had allowed it to make, and it shall endeavour to express its gratitude by exerting itself in a becoming manner in its respective offices, and mutual endeavours for the Court's general interest. The Council was extremely glad to hear of the safe arrival of the last year's shipping, and hoped that those which the Court had pleased to send abroad this current year might also happily ride, and it returned the Court its humble thanks for the list of the same which the Court had pleased to enclose to it. The ship Harrington received our despatches within the time limited by charter party, and the reason why she did not sail accordingly was owing in part to the sickness which reigned among the people, and in part to Mr Jenkins's taking an inventory of the stores, in order to leave the storehouses and general books of accounts belonging to the time of his quitting the Government. An inventory of the stores was taken, but the books of accounts not brought up, and the Court would please to observe what Mr Jenkins says thereupon in the consultation of 20 April last. The directions which the Court had pleased to give us for our guidance upon the short delivery of goods consigned to us shall be duly complied with. Every ship, upon her arrival, on receiving letters from us requiring compliance with the charter party's covenants to send a number of them ashore, as is therein stipulated, in case we think proper to demand it, and we assure the Court we shall be very cautious how we give them any trouble whereof we have cause to apprehend a real necessity for their disembarking. All orders we have or may receive from the Honourable Committee of Secrecy shall be strictly complied with and obeyed. Immediately upon the arrival of any foreign ship in this port, the necessary enquiries shall be made concerning them, and upon their appearing to belong to any of the established companies in Europe, they shall, while we are at war with, be treated with due complaisance, and be allowed water and all other refreshment that the island can afford. The Court will be pleased to observe we are very particular in our consultations as to the names of foreign ships and their commanders, whence they came, what burthen and how many men and guns Interpretations The requirement that ships disembark part of their crew ashore under charter-party covenant, exercised at the Council's discretion only where a real necessity was apprehended, reflects a standing precaution against overcrowding or disorder during a ship's stay, balanced against the Council's stated wish to avoid needlessly inconveniencing crews who posed no such risk. The distinction drawn between foreign ships belonging to established European companies, entitled to complaisant treatment and refreshment even in wartime, and other vessels not so described, continues the Council's settled policy of calibrating hospitality according to a ship's national and commercial standing rather than applying a single uniform rule to all foreign shipping. | |
155 | Have on Board when we Enquire of their Cargo they always tell us this is a mast me Particular care is taken that their Officers nor Sailors Ramble about the Island for tho we have a Standing Rule with our tho' upon their first Arrival the Secretary address a Letter to the Commander enjoyning but Especial care that none of his people presume to go beyond the Bounds of their Duty in his Boats to come any where but just from the Key to the Common Landing Place. We return your Honours our Humble thanks for the Supplys which you have been favourably pleas'd to Consign tous p Ships Harrington and Duke Lorrain which we promise shall be Unloaded in the best manner such a part as is made use of for your Honours Account and the rest sold to the best Advantage. The Storekeeper is Acquainted with your Honours Pleasure of selling your Goods for ready Money and not otherwise And Assure your Honours that hereafter the Store keepers Accounts of Sales shall and Expended shall be Strictly Examined tho and Entred every three Months and the Ballance punctually paid into your Cash Agreeable to your Honours Orders Mr. Godfrey is appointed Storekeeper Mr. Farr master we wrote to your Honours President and Councel of Fort St. George, Fort William and Bombay for the needfull supply of next year and have for your Honours particulars Notice enter'd Copys of the Letters upon our Consultation the 6th day of April last at the End of the Indent horowith Inclosed is requested of your Honours whatever may have Occasion for from China Agreeable to your Honours Directions we now Inclose Copy of your Indent for the Service of the Island the succeeding year in manner as your Honours have been Pleased to prescribe and will accordingly send Duplicate of the same next Opportunity We promise that we have been Particularly Carefull to Write for no more thing tho which we hope will appear to your Honours and therefore flatte ourselves that you will the Readier Indulge us with the Contents Hereafter we will be sure to Acquaint your Honours how the Goods from Europe and from India prove and how we are sorry but in this place cant do less in Duty to your Honours than to Complain of the Badness of the Beef which it seems tous was Imported p Ship Royal George Store and this may be found some good peices but for the generally we bake for granted it thinks Beef by his being so much but up with salt That upon Boiling it thinks to an Inconsiderable piece and the little fatt that appear'd upon it before it being put in the pot quite Vanished The Sollery here and other Servants that was supplyed out of the Stores Complained more than one of it to Mr. Jenkins and he promised to represent the same to your Honours since when we have been apollud | The Council always enquired of the officers and men aboard concerning their cargo, though they always told the Council this or that as it suited them. Particular care is taken that neither officers nor sailors ramble about the island for this reason, attending fastly with us that upon their first arrival the secretary address a letter to the commander enjoining but especial care that none of his people presume to go beyond the bounds of their duty, or his boats to rove any where but just from the ship to the common landing place. We return the Court's honours our humble thanks for the supplies which you have been favourably pleased to consign to us by the ships Harrington and Duke of Lorraine, which we promise shall be embedded in the best manner such a part as is made use of for the Court's honours account, and the rest sold to the best advantage. The storekeeper is acquainted with the Court's pleasure of selling the Court's goods for ready money, and not otherwise, and assure the Court that hereafter the storekeeper's accounts of stores sold and expended shall be strictly examined and entered every three months, and the balance punctually paid into the Court's cash, agreeable to the Court's orders. Mr Godfrey is appointed storekeeper. Mr Farr, master, we wrote to the Court's president and Council of Fort St George, Fort William and Bombay for your particular notice enclosed copies of the letters upon our consultation of the 6th day of April last, and the indent herewith enclosed is requested of the Court whatever may have occasion for from China. Agreeable to the Court's directions, we now enclose a copy of the indent for the service of the island for the ensuing year, in manner as the Court has been pleased to prescribe, and will accordingly send duplicates of the same next opportunity, particularly careful to write for no more than the which we hope will appear to the Court, and therefore flatter ourselves that you will the readier indulge us with the contents. Hereafter we will be sure to acquaint the Court how goods from Europe and from India prove and how we are sorry but in this place we cannot be lest in duty to prove ourselves than to complain of the badness of the beef which we received per the ship Royal George store, and these may be found some good pieces, but for the generality we hope for granted it was thinks it is because of it being so much, but up with salt that upon boiling it shrinks so much that upon boiling, it shrinks to an inconsiderable piece, and the little fat that appeared before it become put in the pot quite vanished. The salt beef here, and other servants that was supplied out of the store, complained more than once of it to Mr Jenkins, and was promised to represent the case to the Court, since Interpretations The requirement that a letter be addressed to each foreign commander upon arrival, expressly confining his crew's movements to the direct route between ship and landing place, functioned as a formal instrument of control over foreign visitors distinct from mere custom, giving the Council a documented basis to hold a commander accountable should his men be found ranging beyond that permitted path. The requirement that the storekeeper's accounts be examined and balanced every three months, with proceeds paid punctually into the Court's cash, reflects a tightened internal audit discipline introduced in direct response to the earlier exposed frauds of Crispe and Bazett, converting what had previously been an occasion for concealment into a matter of routine, regular verification. | |
156 | Applyd to by them in like manner We hope these late supplys of Beef which your Honours have been pleased to send us p Ship Harrington & tho the Corn will Prove better in few Days we propose to make a survey of it and will acquaint your Honours the next Opportunity what Condition we find the. What Beef or other Stores your Honours may Treat after Wheat we shall be supplyed with if we have it to spare according to Charter party proceeds tho we will Advise your Honours in a regular Account Current for such Ship whether the Money is paid here or not Care shall likewise be taken that every of them that Delivers a Barrell of Powder be Chargeable for it in the same as well as the five Shillings Anchorage as Usual We take due Notice of what your Honours are Pleased to advise in this Paragraph as to the precarious Situation of publick Affairs in Europe at present and of your Apprehension that Immediately upon the Commence of Warr between the Crowns of Great Britain and France he tho latter might join their eyes worn and Attack this Island And we must beg leave to Express our Satisfaction for the Prudent Measures which your Honours have been pleas'd to take in Order to make any such Attempt Abortive by appointing Major Lambert Governour and sending with him to double a Reinforcement that whereby the French in any other Enemy should think proper to pay us a Visit too rash not but we shall be able to give a good Account of our selves. Two flatter our selves your Honours with think nothing has been Omitted that could be Effected since the Arrival of the Harrington in Order to put the Island in the best posture of Defence possible Governour Lambert several Surveys with his Observation and Improvem'ts thereupon your Honours will Please to Observe are Enter'd always in our Consultations of the 20th March 27 April 4th and 11th of May touched we beg Leave to referr you A regular and Impartial Distribution of Justice is undoubtedly of the highest Importance to the Wellfare of the Inhabitants of this Place and will be no small Encouragement to them to consider us as the most Carefull manner than'ked and Assistance in Case of an Attack And knowing this we hope your Honours will rest Satisfied that it shall be our Care to make so as easily under our Administration as any people can be When Difference arise between the Planters and Inhabitants we shall be sure to Proceed in Adjudicating Because agreeable to the Laws of England and your Honours Standing Rules and Directions in such Cases which we shall always have due recourse to and our Proceedings regularly Entred upon Consultation We have in the 18 Paragraph express'd our Thanks to your Honours for the Care you have taken of us in Sending so reasonable a Reinforcement to | A remedy applied to them in like manner, we hope that like supplies shall not be sent, since the Court has been favourably pleased to send us by the ship Harrington 33 of the finest, and we propose in a few days to make a survey of it, and will acquaint the Court beforehand what condition we find it in. What beef or other stores the Court's ships may treat officers should be supplied with, if we have it to spare, according to charter party covenant, we will advise the Court in a regular account current for each ship, whether the money is paid here or not, we shall likewise be sure that every one of them that receives a barrel of powder be chargeable for it, as well as the two shillings surcharge as usual. We take due notice of what the Court has pleased to observe in this paragraph as to the precarious situation of public affairs in Europe at present, and of your apprehension that immediately upon a war between the crowns of Great Britain and France the latter might first take their eye upon and attack this island, and we must beg leave to express our satisfaction for the prudent measures which the Court has been pleased to take, in order to make any such attempt abortive, by appointing Major Lambert Governor, and sending with him to double a reinforcement, that in future no French or any other enemy should think proper to pay us a visit too near, but we shall be able to give a good account of ourselves. To flatter ourselves with this reckoning, nothing has been omitted that could be effected since the arrival of the Harrington, in order to put the island in the best posture of defence possible, Governor Lambert several surveys with his observation and intentions however the Court will please to observe are entered always in our consultations of the 30th March, 27th April, 4th and 11th of May. Touched we beg leave to inform the Court that a regular and impartial distribution of justice is understood of the highest importance to the welfare of the inhabitants of this place, and will be no small encouragement to them to consider us in the most careful manner than head aid and assistance, in case of an attack. But knowing this we hope the Court will rest satisfied that it shall be our care to make it as easy under our administration as any people can bear. When differences arise between the planters and inhabitants, we shall be sure to proceed in adjudicating became agreeable to the laws of England and the Court's standing rules and directions in such cases, which we shall always have due recourse to and our proceedings regularly entered upon consultation. We have, in the 18th paragraph, expressed our thanks to the Court's honours for the care you have taken of us in sending so reasonable a few persons a purge Interpretations The requirement that any ship's officer receiving a barrel of gunpowder be charged not only the powder's cost but a standing two-shilling surcharge shows the Council treating gunpowder supply as a source of standing revenue as well as a defensive necessity, the surcharge functioning as a fixed administrative fee layered on top of the commodity's own price. The appointment of Major Lambert as Governor together with a doubled military reinforcement, explicitly framed by the Council as the Court's answer to the feared French attack anticipated on the outbreak of war, reveals the Company treating the governorship itself as a defensive instrument, selecting a military officer for the post at the specific moment when the island's security rather than its commerce had become the primary concern. | |
157 | Harrington Embarked private Men of whom Imported at this place The Swift Sloop brought us five and on the Duke of Lorrain Embarked of whom Imported at this Place Mr. James Scott and other the Military Officers which your Honours has been pleased to appoint in this Paragraph are Inclosed as you have been pleased to Direct Such of the Military Officer and Gun Room Crewas number hither on Ship Harrington Commence their Pay from the Arrival of said Ship to this Island For this Eight or Nine Months past all who received Pay from your Honours have been Paid Monthly as you'll please to Observe by Paymasters Accounts duly Entred and Consultation whore every Man appears with even his own Money saving those who are upon Guard at Outforts and we are well satisfied are there upon Duty This Account has been Signed by the paymaster then Freeholly Examined past and Entred in Consultation and now at his Your Honours pleasure the Governor or his second or the Third in Councel will be prevention the parade at the Mustering of the People and the Roll shall be signed and wrote in a manner as you have been pleased to prescribe and you may depend upon it we will avoid following our Predecessors in that wretched Practice of Nepite The Letters which we sent to India p Harrington, and Duke of Lorrain are entred upon our Consultations The same shall have Standing Rule with us hereafter. Every of your Honours Ship that shall arrive here from India this Season except the China Ships has been Examined for Deserters and agreeable to your Orders the Muster Rolls of the Men in the Ships Books has been required and are entred upon Consultation for your motive tho have not hitherto found any Deserters when we do your Honours may Depend upon our sending of them to Bencoolen according to your Directions The Monthly Account of your Tables Expence the Live Stock and Gunners Expence of Stores are Monthly Entred upon Consultation At Stopdown for the Usual time of Clearing the Roads Due to your Honours the Inhabitants shall be Called before us to Day the same add are will not Suffer them to run too much behind hand. Your Honours Orders shall be punctually Obey'd with regard to your Slaves they shall be kept Constantly employed in the Fortifications Plantation or otherwise as may be requisite. Your Cash is now taken particular Care off. The Governour Second and Third having each of them a key thereto as you are pleased to Direct and the Account of it shall be Duly Entred in Consultation | The Harrington embarked private trade of whom imported at this place, the Swift sloop brought us two, and on the Duke of Lorraine embarked trade of whom imported at this place. Mr James Scott and other the military officers whom the Court had been pleased to appoint in this paragraph are enclosed as you have been pleased to direct. Such of the military officers and gun room crew as were embarked on the ship Harrington commenced their pay from the arrival of the said ship to this island. For this eight or nine months past all who received pay from the Court have been paid monthly, as we please to observe by particulars, and every account duly entered and consultation where every man appears and receives his own money, saving those who are upon guard at Bank's fort and we are well satisfied there upon duty. This account has been signed by the paymaster, then duly examined, past and entered in consultation, and now as the Court honours pleasure the governor and Council will be provision to the parade at the mustering of the people, and the roll shall be signed and wrote in a manner as the Court has been pleased to prescribe, and you may depend upon it we will avoid following our predecessors in that wretched practice of fagots. The letters which we sent to India and Bencoolen by the Harrington and Duke of Lorraine are entered upon our consultation, the same shall be our standing rule as heretofore. Every one of the Court's ships that shall arrive here from India this season, except the China ships, has been examined for deserters, and agreeable to the Court's orders the muster rolls of the men in the ships' books has been required, and are entered upon consultation for your notice, we have not hitherto found any deserters, whom we shall depend upon our sending of them to Bencoolen according to the Court's directions. The monthly account of the Court's table expense, the live stock and gunners' expense of stores are monthly entered upon consultation. At or before the usual time of clearing the rents due to the Court, the inhabitants shall be called before us to pay the same, and we will not suffer them to run too much behind hand. The Court's orders shall be punctually obeyed with regard to the slaves, they shall be kept constantly employed in the fortifications, plantation or otherwise as may be requisite. The Court's cash is now taken particular care of, the Governor, second and third having each of them a key thereto, as the Court has been pleased to direct, and the account of it shall be duly entered in consultation Interpretations The Council's explicit undertaking to avoid its predecessors' wretched practice of fagots, invoking the very term used earlier to describe the fraudulent padding of the muster roll, shows the new administration deliberately signalling continuity with the Court's own remembered censure of Crispe and Bazett, converting a specific past scandal into a standing point of institutional self-correction. The requirement that the Governor, second and third each hold a separate key to the Court's cash reflects a divided custody arrangement introduced as a direct safeguard against the single-handed manipulation of accounts that had earlier allowed Crispe and Bazett to falsify entries undetected, distributing control so that no one officer could access or alter the cash alone. | |
158 | Your Honours will be pleased to Observe that our Consultations are weekly at least sometimes oftner and all Transactions and Debates thorein are Duly entred a regular Journal and Ledger shall hereafter be kept in a Mercantile Manner The Journal Enters being explicitly not down and Monthly laid before the Councel and when Ballanced Yearly be Transmitted to you together with the Consultations Drawn to the Ships Departure with all other Papers as usual Due regard has been paid your Honours Directions as to the Recovry of that part of your Estate Embezzled by Mess.rs John Goodwin D.o Crisp and John Bazett The Estate of the late Mr. Goodwin is Charged for the Deficiency of your Cash at the time of his Death amounting to 3953.4.9 for all the Fagotts which we can prove he hath received during his Continuance in your Service And he shall be Charged for such a part of the more Deficient amounting to 1492.12.9 as Mess.rs Crispe and Bazett can prove was was Embezzled by him in Order to Compensate all which we have Sometime ago given Monthly publick Notice that his Estate shall be Sold at Outcry for the most it will yield at the Expiration of which time we accordingly began the Sales which would Ere this have been finished had not the Shipping come in upon us so suddenly and so many of them Which Obliged us to break of the Sales for the present tho better to prepare these our Advices to your Honours and we shall proceed again after the Departure of the fleet Mr. Duke Crisp hath likewise been called before us in Order to make Answer for that part of your Honours Estate which you are Pleased to direct he shall stand Chargeable with amounting as we apprehend to the Sume of 1026. Au Co as if Account particulars exclusive of what he owes to the Estate of the late Mr. Goodwin which upon has agreed We gave to him as your Honours will please to Observe is Entred at length in our Consultation of 25th Day 1742 Mr. John Bazett has likewise been before us and acquainted with your Honours pleasure concerning him and on the first Instant we received a Letter from Mr. Bazett telling us that he finds it Impossible to make a full reply thorok until he has a Copy of the Inventory taken in the Month of June 1739, and some other Papers which we have Ordered to be Transcribed accordingly but as this appears to be a work of time we are afraid Mr. Bazett wont be able to give us an Opportunity of acquainting your Honours with the Particulars of this Affair p this years Shipping tho Bodays that a Due time before he Dealt but Built both prove by their Book that D.o Goodwin | The Court will be pleased to observe that the Council's consultations are weekly at least, sometimes oftener, and all transactions and debates thereon are duly entered, a regular journal and ledger shall hereafter be kept in a mercantile manner, the journal entries being explicitly drawn and monthly laid before the Council, and when balanced yearly transmitted to you together with the consultations drawn to the Court's ships' departure with all other papers as usual. Due regard has been paid to the Court's honours directions as to the recovery of that part of the Court's estate embezzled by Mr John Goodwin deceased, Duke Crispe and John Bazett. The estate of the late Mr Goodwin is charged for the deficiency of cash at the time of his death, amounting to £3,953 4s 9d, for all the fagots which we can prove he hath received during his continuance in the Court's service, and shall be charged for such a part of the more deficient amounting to £1,492 12s 9d, as Messrs Crispe and Bazett can prove was embezzled by him. In order to compensate all which we have sometime ago given monthly public notice that his estate shall be sold at outcry for the most it will yield at the expiration of which time we accordingly began the sale, which would ere this have been finished had not the shipping come in upon us so suddenly and so many of them, which obliged us to break off the sales for the present. The better to prepare these our advices for the Court, we shall proceed again after the departure of the fleet. Mr Duke Crispe hath likewise been called before us, in order to make answer for that part of the Court's estate which we are pleased to direct to stand chargeable with, amounting as we apprehend to the sum of £1,026 4s 6d, as by account particular exclusive of what he owes to the estate of the late Mr Goodwin, which upon his consent we gave to him, as the Court will please to observe is entered at length in our consultation of 25th day 1742. Mr John Bazett has likewise been before us and acquainted with the Court's pleasure concerning him, and on the first instant we received a letter from Mr Bazett telling us that he found it impossible to make a full reply, though until he has a copy of the inventory taken in the month of June 1739, and some other papers which we have ordered to be transcribed accordingly, but as this appears to be a work of time, we are afraid Mr Bazett won't be able to give us an opportunity of acquainting the Court with the particulars of this affair by this year's shipping, this being that due time before we shall be able to prove by their own books that the Interpretations The Council's decision to commit to keeping the journal and ledger in a mercantile manner, with entries explicitly drawn and monthly laid before the Council, extends the divided-custody safeguard already described for the cash keys into the bookkeeping process itself, ensuring that no single officer could again alter entries undetected as Crispe and Bazett had done. The suspension of the public sale of Goodwin's estate, forced by the sudden arrival of shipping rather than any change in the Council's intention, shows the recovery of the Company's losses from the disgraced administrators competing directly with the ordinary demands of the shipping season for the Council's limited time and attention, a practical constraint the Council took care to explain lest the delay be read as any slackening of its resolve. | |
159 | Goodwin alone is Culpable for the Deficiency herein touched therefore as we differ to your Honours before we can say nothing definitly of this Conveyance. We thank your Honours for the Direction which you have been favourably pleas'd to make that a Decent Table be kept whose Expence for ourselves and other your Servants at has been necessitary We promise Your Honours we will be as saving therein as We can and the needfull Cattle Poultry and other Articles Shall be raised on your Plantations to supply it and Agreeable to your Honours Orders the Management of this Branch of your Business is under Mr. Powells especial Care who promises half of this Poultry a Stock of Cattle shall be raised and Kept thereon to Enable to supply your Shipping with the Charter party Beef but this Depends in great measure upon our good or bad Seasons Your Plantation House is at present in very Bad Order which as you have been pleas'd to Direct shall as soon as our Fortifications can be but a little more defencible Position than Thereto at present shall be Repaired and made Tenable Upon the Ship Harrington's Arrival here Jenk ins escaped the Government to Governor Lambert and Acted upon himself the Command of the Harrington he was During his Stay here in our Consultations and Advised with in all Cases for the promotion of your Honours Interest and on his Departure fresh provisions such as he was pleas'd to ask for and we Entred in our Consultations of 20th March last was put on Board for the use of his Table. Mess.rs Powell and Godfreys Salary Commenced from the Arrival of Ship Royal George at St. Helena Shall be as your Honours have pleas'd to direct the Expence rates for the Letters come Included and are Executed in a regular manner they have wrote to their Friends leave & carity for them in 1000£ each We are sorry Mr. Crisp was not asked to Attest the Cash and Cash Nation (Books which he showed us and were not signed upon Mr. Jenkins first Arrival but he told us some little time after upon our asking him for the Inventory of his own Estate which he brought that he was not to be Trickt or Trapaned into any thing which we advise your Honours particularly of in our Consultation of Transmitted hereo by last Occasion Mr. Crisp was Reagainded of Mr. Dovetons Report however it happend to be Omitted in the hurry we were in to be particularly mentioned in Consultation that the Disorders were greatly Deriaded and the Stock in general Extreamly lowe at that time was Undoniable insomuch that we were Obliged to buy Provisions of the Planters for then present Expence of the Table and we are glad your Honours approve of the Resolution thereupon taken not to offer any Disorders to be killed nor any of Poor planters Cattle to Foreign upon your Grounds | Goodwin alone was culpable for the deficiency herein touched, though as we do apprehend to the Court before we lose so certain sight of this conveyance. We thank the Court for the direction which the Court has been favourably pleased to make, that a decent table be kept, whose expenses we have carefully considered and other servants as has been necessary. The Court's wines will be as saving therein as it becomes, and the woodfall cattle, poultry and other victuals shall be raised on the Court's plantations, so happily it is agreeable to the Court's orders. The management of this branch of the Court's business is under Mr Powell's special care, who promises that of the plantations, a stock of cattle shall be raised and kept thereon so afterward to supply the Court's shipping with the charter-party beef, but this depends in great measure upon our good or bad seasons. The Court's plantation house is at present in very bad order, which as you have been pleased to direct shall as soon as our fortifications can be put in a little more defensible position than they are at present shall be repaired and made tenable. Upon the ship Harrington's arrival here, Jenkins resigned the Government to Governor Lambert, and took upon himself the command of the Harrington. He was, during his stay here, in our consultations, and advised with in all cases for the promotion of the Court's interest, and on his departure took provisions such as he was pleased to ask for, and so entered in our consultation of 30th March last, was put on board for the use of his table. Messrs Powell and Godfrey's salary commenced from the arrival of the ship Royal George, at which we do think they ought to be paid, and are executed in a regular manner, they have wrote to their friends to give security for them in £1,000 each. We are sorry Mr Crispe was not asked to attest the cash and consultation books which he showed us, and were not signed upon Mr Jenkins's first arrival, but he told us some little time after, contriving the inventory of his own effects which we brought in that he was not to be trusted or trusted into anything which we advise the Court particularly of in our consultation of transmitted here by last session. Mr Crispe was requainted of Mr Newton's report, however it happened to be omitted in the hurry we were in, to be particularly mentioned in consultation, that the amounts were greatly deviated and the stock in general extremely low at that time was undeniable, insomuch that we were obliged to buy provisions of the planters for the present expense of the table, and we are glad the Court approves of the resolution thereupon taken, not to suffer any breeders to be killed nor any of the planters' cattle to forage upon the Court's Interpretations The requirement that Messrs Powell and Godfrey's friends give security of £1,000 each before their salaries commenced reflects a heightened bonding practice imposed after the exposed frauds of Crispe and Bazett, extending personal financial guarantees, previously limited to specific posts such as the chaplain's, to the Company's principal accounting officers as a further safeguard against future embezzlement. The Council's resolution to protect the Company's own breeding cattle from slaughter, buying instead from the planters to meet the table's immediate needs during a period of low stock, shows a deliberate choice to absorb a higher short-term cost in provisions rather than deplete the herd on which the future supply of charter-party beef depended. | |
160 | Ground and we shall Act accordingly hereafter in this place we cant help repeating our Complaints to your Honours of the Extream bad Condition of the Fences round your Pasture and Plantation Ground Gov.r Lambert hath enquired of the Widow and Son of the late John Goodwin Esq.r whether Mess.rs Powell and Godfrey discharged their Trust in regard to their having had the Direction of the late Mr. Goodwins Lands in a becoming manner and they the Widow and Son declared no Injury had been done in and expresst their satisfaction with the management of the said Lands as you'll please to Observe the Consultation of the 13th April Your Honours may depend upon having no further Cause of Complaint upon Account of that Fraudulent practice of Transfers in your Books of Accounts that no one person shall have Credit from another of another upon any pretence whatsoever Mr. French is at present Master Gunner and we are Sorry to acquaint your Honours of the loss we have had of Mr. Armorky Brewster who came Ashore ill and Dyed in two or three Days after his Arrival We doubt be very glad your Honours would think proper to Order an Enquiry to be made for a person regularly bracied up and Master of the Art such a Man is Extreamly wanted here and would be of real Service to your Honours The Effects of all Deceased persons who Dye intestate shall hereafter be Sold at Outcry and the produce regularly paid into your Cash and wrote off accordingly to Account Current London after all Demands upon them here are Satisfied We are Sorry the Cash Accounts and Consultations were not sent your Honours p the Men of that D was owing to their Being unresolved at the time of their Sailing had we upon their first Arrival known they would have laid Along as they did the Cash Accounts and Consultations should have Waited upon your Honours by them Bangsaradeen's Wife went to Bencoolen in the Ship Royal George where we are Advised by the Gentlemen she desired safe and Captain Field assures that she wanted for nothing in her Passage thither Mr. Jenkins had a Letter of Attorny from the Heirs of the late Mr. Pyke by Vertue of which he Collected all his Effects Which | Ground, and the Council shall act accordingly hereafter, in this place it could not help repeating its complaint upon the extreme bad condition of the fences round the pasture and plantation grounds. Governor Lambert had enquired of the widow and son of the late John Goodwin Esquire, whether Messrs Powell and Godfrey discharged their trust in regard to their having had the direction of the late Mr Goodwin's lands, in a becoming manner, and they, the widow and son, declared no injury had been done to them, and expressed their satisfaction with the management of the said lands, as the Court would please to observe in the consultation of the thirteenth of April. The Court might depend upon there being no further cause of complaint upon account of that fraudulent practice of transfers in the Council's books of accounts, and that no one person should have credit from another or of another upon any pretence whatsoever. Mr French is at present master gunner, and we are sorry to acquaint the Court of the loss we have had of Mr Armour, Bricker, who came ashore ill and died in two or three days after his arrival. The Council would be very glad the Court would think proper to order an enquiry to be made for a person regularly trained up and master of the art, such a man is extremely wanted here, and would be of real service to the Court. The effects of all deceased persons who died intestate shall hereafter be sold at outcry, and the proceeds regularly paid into the Court's cash, and wrote off accordingly to account current London, after all demands upon them here are satisfied. We are sorry the cash accounts and consultations were sent before the Council was of them, as we owing to their being unresolved at the time of their taking, had we upon their first arrival known they would have been along as they did, the cash accounts and consultations should have waited upon the Court by them. Bangsaradeen's wife went to Bencoolen in the ship Royal George, whither she was advised by the gentlemen who directed her, and Captain Field assured us that she wanted for nothing in her passage thither. Mr Jenkins had a letter of attorney from the heirs of the late Mr Pyke, by virtue of which he collected all his effects Interpretations The declaration by Goodwin's widow and son that no injury had been done them in the management of his lands, obtained deliberately by Governor Lambert and entered into consultation, served the Council as documentary proof shielding Powell and Godfrey against any future claim that they had mishandled the late Governor's estate on the family's behalf. The Council's decision to make provision for a properly trained master gunner, prompted directly by the death of Mr Armour so soon after landing, shows the loss of a single skilled officer treated as sufficient grounds to request a permanent, professionally qualified replacement rather than continuing to fill the post from whoever happened to be available locally, as had been done earlier with Mr Clark and Mr French. | |
161 | Which were Remaining undisposed off and packt them in two Chests which are safe Sealed with your Honours Seal and according to your Orders are Sept for England Inclosed is Captain Beals Receit for the same Your Honours will be pleased to Observe by our Consultation of 23. May that we have had Mr. Deals before us on Occasion to his Remembrance. The Man seems exceedingly disconsolat for the Ease which he says he was drawn into and Delivers that he meant no Injury to the Heirs of Thomas Cason Deceased nor can the Governess how Mr. Coupe could make use of this different as a proof that those people esteemed the Goodwins their Paymaster for the Money laying in your Cash here belong to the Estate of the said Cason. Whether he cant help saying in his Case to the Heirs very Very often were they from esteeming Mr. Goodwin their Paymaster that they would not accept of Mr. Goodwin but expected their Money of your Honours upon the whole not finding Coupe Guilty of any bad Design's We therefore in Obedience to the 30th Paragraph of your Honours Letter tell him for your pleasure he stands acquitted upon any Censure on this Account Your Honours may rest satisfied that we will Carefully avoid the Errors of our predecessors and Endeavour to merit your Favourable Notice by our Faithfull endeavours to serve you on all Occasions and that regard will be paid to those Rules which you have or may have Pleas'd to lay down for our Conduct Mr. Charles Clarks Bond for 50, which your Honours are pleas'd to advance him we wish he Case that be duly discharged at September next We are glad your Honours have Sented Mr. Brown's House for the immediate Accomodation of the Soldiers who came in the Harrington at 30th. Do we year without which we dont know what we should have done. it may with away Trifling Alteration and expence to made an Exceeding Commodius Barrack for 50, or 60 Men and we therefore Recommend as our Opinion that we absolutely necessary for your Honours and therefore wish you would make the purchase accordingly The Barrack House had we son at the fortifications are put in a little forwardness be made into proper Barracks and the Warehouse House is made use of for an Hospital The reasons inducing us thereto are Requent want we were in of such a place you will please to Observe as set forth at large in Governour Lamberts Report and the Presd. Powell and Godfreys Opinion thereupon Enter'd at Large in Consultation of 4th May Governour Lambert being Dead up in the Army | Which were remaining undisposed of, and packed them in two chests, which are safe sealed with the Court's seal and according to your orders, shipped for England, enclosed is Captain Beale's receipt for the same. The Court will be pleased to observe by our consultation of the 23rd of May, that we have had Mr Beale before us on this occasion. He seems exceedingly disaffected for the fear which he says he was drawn into and, it dollars, that he meant no injury to the heirs of Thomas Cason deceased, nor can he compare with Mr Goodwin's being paid as a sufficient proof that these people esteemed Goodwin their paymaster, for the money laying in your cash here belongs to the estate of the said Cason. Whereas he can't help saying, in his case to the house, they very often esteemed Mr Goodwin their paymaster, that they, or particularly told him Beale, they would not accept of Mr Goodwin, but expected their money of the Court's honours upon the actual finding, Beale guilty of any bad designs. We therefore, in obedience to the 30th paragraph of the Court's letter, told him he by your pleasure he stands acquitted upon any censure on this account. The Court may rest satisfied that we will carefully avoid the errors of our predecessors, and endeavour to merit your favourable notice by our faithful endeavours to serve you on all occasions, and that due regard will be paid to those rules which you have or may hereafter lay down for our conduct. Mr Charles Clark's bond for £30, which the Court is pleased to advance him, we will take care shall be duly discharged at September next. We are glad the Court has rented Mr Brown's house for the immediate accommodation of the soldiers who came in the Harrington at the 30th of May year, without which we don't know what we should have done, it may with away trifling alteration and expense be made an exceedingly commodious barrack for 50 or 60 men, and we therefore recommend the same opinions that we absolutely necessary for the Court's honour, and therefore wish you would make the purchase accordingly. The market house had been at present in a little forwardness, to be made into proper barracks, and the warehouse is made use of for a hospital. The reasons inducing us thereto are the great want we were in of such a place, as you will please to observe, as set forth at large in Governor Lambert's report and Mr Powell and Godfrey's opinion thereupon, entered at large in consultation of 4th May. Governor Lambert being bred up in the army Interpretations The dispute over whether Cason's heirs regarded Goodwin personally, rather than the Company, as their paymaster shows the confusion Goodwin's earlier manipulation of accounts had sown even among ordinary claimants, since the very men owed money could no longer clearly distinguish between a debt owed by the Company and one owed by an individual officer who had habitually inserted himself between the Court's cash and those it was due to. The conversion of the market house into barracks and the warehouse into a hospital, undertaken from evident necessity rather than by design, shows the island's civil buildings being repurposed for military use once Governor Lambert's background shifted the administration's priorities toward defence, existing structures adapted rather than new ones built to meet the sudden demand for soldiers' quarters and medical care. | |
162 | and we Acquainted with it will take Particular care that there be a good and Strict Military Discipline kept up Mr. Dixon arrived here upon Ship Duke of Lorrain but Mr. Wright being taken Ill at Portsmouth was Obliged to go on Shore there and it seems could not possibly proceed the Voyage Mr. Powell returns your Honours his Humble Thanks for the Favourable mention you are pleased to make of his Service Mr. Armor Powells Covenants being duly Executed come Inclosed and for his Fidelity Mr. Charles Steward will be Security in the Sume of 500. We come now to make Answer to your Honours Favour of 20th January 1741 p Duke Lorrain Haveing in the preceeding acquainted your Honours of the safe Arrival of the Ship Harrington and Gov.r Lambert I rests only that we acknowledge the Receipt of the Copy of your Instructions by that Conveyance together with the Copy of Ship Duke of Lorrains Charter party whereby, the notice the heavy Demurrage that would be Incured in Case of our Detaining her here above ten Working Days and therefore have been Indictment to avoid it by giving the Cap.n Sailing Orders within the time limitted to make the best of his way to Fort Marlbro Inclosing in our Letter to the Governour and Councel of that place the Ships Charter party We return your Honours many thanks for the sundry Merchandize and Stores you have been pleased to Consign us upon this Ship which shall be taken all Immaginable Care of Due regard shall be paid to your Honours Direction in regard to the Sallarys of Mess.rs Robert Wright and Christopher Dixon the former of whom we have in the 33rd paragraph acquainted your Honours was left it Portsmouth upon his Indisposition Mr. Joshua Twynam and Mr. Joseph Darwell are both Arrived who will as other your Servants shall be Kept Down to your Business Alloting to each such a share as is requested to the Despatch of the whole and their Allowances shall to as your Honours have been pleased to Order. Eight Quarter Gunners besides the Complement mention'd by the Harrington are added to the Gun Room Crew Ensigns Dixon and Kendale are Arrived with us whose Pay shall Agreeable to your Order Commence from the Ship Harringtons Arrival at the Island | Governor Lambert, being bred up in the army and well acquainted with military discipline, would take particular care that there be a good and strict discipline kept up. Mr Dixon arrived here upon the ship Duke of Lorraine, but Mr Wright, being taken ill at Portsmouth, was obliged to go on shore there, and it seems could not possibly proceed the voyage. Mr Powell returns the Court his humble thanks for the favourable mention the Court has been pleased to make of his services. Mr Armour Powell's covenant, being duly executed, comes enclosed, and for his fidelity Mr Charles Steward will be security in the sum of £500. The Council came now to make answer to the Court's favour of 20th January 1741 by the Duke of Lorraine. Having in the preceding acquainted the Court of the safe arrival of the ship Harrington and Governor Lambert, we rest only that we acknowledge the receipt of the copy of the Court's instructions by that conveyance, together with the copy of the ship Duke of Lorraine's charter party, whereby we notice the heavy demurrage that would be incurred in case of our delaying her here above ten working days, and therefore have been industrious to avoid it by giving the commander sailing orders, within the time limited by charter party, according to the direction we have been pleased to make of the commander here above, in our letter to the Governor and Council of Fort Marlborough, the ship's charter party. We return the Court's honours many thanks for the sundry merchandise and stores you have been pleased to consign to us upon this ship, which shall be taken all imaginable care of. Our repairs shall be paid to the Court's honours direction in regard to the salaries of Messrs Robert Wright and Christopher Dixon, the former of whom we have in the 33rd paragraph acquainted the Court was left at Portsmouth upon account of his indisposition. Mr Joshua Twynam and Mr Joseph Darwell are both arrived, who with all other the Court's servants shall be kept close to their business, allotting to each such a share as is requisite for the despatch of the whole, and their allowances shall be as your Honours have been pleased to order. Eight quarter gunners besides the complement mentioned by the Harrington are added to the gun room crew, ensign Dixon and Kendall are arrived with us, whose pay shall approvable to your order commence from the ship Harrington's arrival at the island. Interpretations The distinction the Council drew between servants who arrived and those left behind through illness at an intermediate port, carefully noted paragraph by paragraph, reflects the Company's standing practice of tracing each individual's pay and service from the moment of actual arrival at the posting rather than from departure, so that no wages accrued for time a man spent detained elsewhere. The Council's care to give the Duke of Lorraine her sailing orders within the ten working days specified by charter party, expressly to avoid the heavy demurrage that delay would incur, shows the Council treating a ship's charter terms as a binding financial constraint shaping its own administrative timetable rather than a formality to be observed only when convenient. | |
163 | Notwithstanding it seems by the General Books that the people here were used to be paid Quarterly yet your Soldiers were received any Money, and were taught by Deprevance to Believe that there was no other way of being paid than Tragoor than by taking of goods out of the Store the inconveniency Attending this was not a little for the Prudent Sort of the people were'd by ne Waard hurry upon these Terms longer than they had Exhausted for and the lighter Sort would run in Debt all they could and then Backwreck their Amount by Deserting the first Oppertunity That however 8 or 9 Months ago was found it necessary to pay the People Monthly as your Honours may please to Observe by the Accounts regularly Entred in Consultation but had some more Convenient for them to be paid Quarterly they shall as your Honours have Been pleas'd to prescribe so duly Reinforced The Muster Rolls give to his paymaster for his Guidance and every Man appear at the Table and receive his own Money and this Account of Payment Strickly Examined in Council past and Entred in Consultation and by this Testify your Honours must be Exceedingly safe under the Governour Paymaster and whole Council Combins together to do you wrong which we hope your Honours cant suppose. We find in your Honours Storehouse a Quantity of Copper money in the following Species Viz.t 75860 Fech. Sh. 6 pence 1557 English s. 32830 Dudoos 35833 half Dudoos, which is of no Service here (except the Half bonny) nor are they ever wanted in Change which we presume was the first Intention of sending on hither Therefore if your Honours pleases to give Orders we will send the Dudoos and half Dudoos to Bencoolen in order to be Transported to Madras The Journal and Ledger H Commencing the 1st. October 1740 and Ending the 5th May 1741 kept by Mess.rs Crisp and Bazett we have Copied with the greatest exactness and Inclosed the same in our Packets Those hereinafter waits upon your Honours in the Packet hereto Consultations Commencing the and ending the together with the following Lists Viz.t List of the Garrison taken. List of Rents. List of your Honours Slaves with their Several Employments List of Familys List of Outstanding Debts due to your Honours from the Inhabitants of this Island exclusive of your Demands upon the Late Council amounting only to the | Notwithstanding it seems by the general books that the people here were used to be paid quarterly, yet your soldiers were accustomed any money, and were taught by experience to believe that there was no other way of being paid their wages than by taking out of the stores. This inconvenient method was not a little for the present sort of the people who were, by no means, hard upon these terms longer than they had contracted for, and then behind sort would run in debt as they could, and then, by deserting the first opportunity that offered, we found it necessary to pay the people monthly, as the Court may please to observe by the accounts regularly entered in consultation, hoping some more convenient method to be paid quarterly they shall as your Court's honours have been pleased to prescribe, so duly reconciled, the muster rolls give to the paymaster for his guidance, and every man appear at the desk and receive his own money, and this account of payment strictly examined in Council past and entered in consultation, and by this method your Court's honours may be exceedingly easy under the Governor, paymaster and whole Council combined together, to do you wrong which we hope your Court's honours can't suppose. We find in the Court's storehouse a quantity of copper money, in the following species, as follows: 75,860 Perch pieces 1,557 English small money 32,030 Dudoos 35,833 Half Dudoos, which is of no service here except the half being now they ever wanted in change, which we presume was the first intention of sending them hither, therefore if the Court's honours please to give orders we will send the Dudoos and half Dudoos to be conveyed to Madras, in order to be transported to Madras. The journal and ledger H, commencing the 1st of October 1740 and ending the 3rd of May 1741, kept by Messrs Crispe and Bazett, we have copied with the greatest exactness and enclosed the same in our packet. There likewise waits upon the Court in the packet, consultations commencing the [...] and ending the [...], together with the following lists: List of the garrison taken. List of rents. List of the Court's slaves with their several employments. List of families. List of outstanding debts due to the Court from the inhabitants of this island, exclusive of your demands upon the late Council, amounting to Interpretations The copper coin identified here as Perch pieces, Dudoos and half Dudoos refers to small denomination Indian coinage, the Dudoo being a low-value copper coin used chiefly for petty change in Company settlements on the Indian coast; their presence at St Helena in such quantity, evidently of little practical use on an island trading mainly in sterling and bills of exchange, suggests they had been shipped out originally as small change for garrison pay rather than for any local commercial purpose, and the Council's proposal to forward them to Madras reflects a recognition that they held value only within the Indian trading system from which they came. | |
164 | the sume of 423.14.11¾ We having taken pains to recover of them since Dept. Coup and Bazett Deficiencies the same of 194.4.4 And further we thought it our Duty to acquaint them when we might expect to receive the Ballance of their Accounts to that end published in the Advertisement Requiring every person concerned to appear before us on the 22 December that in which Consultation your Honours will please to notice we have particularly stated each Mans answer together with the Answer of those who are not before the Estate of the late Mr. Goodwin We have watch't all Opportunity of Disposing of the Merchandize belonging to the late Mr. Goodwin which lay in your Honours Stores and been not with Tolerable success having sold to the Amount of £720.6.6¼ which is lodg'd in your Honours Cash what is remaining Undisposed of had us we have Observed to your Honours before be sold at publick Outcry as soon as the hurry of this Shipps slitts over. Cap.t Watts of your Honours Sloop Swift hath delivered us sundry sorts of Merchandize to which he was not able to Dispose of at ad advantage at Madagascar An Account particulars of the Same we're upon your Honours Inclosed We thank Your Honours for the kind intention of sending things suitable for the flying party we have great reason to Believe this fifty Arms cant hither for that purpose do in very little Sort Answer the Muster shewd to your Honours for upon opening them we were Surprized instead of Sending the shot light well finish'd proper fit to run among the Rocks and which we believe your Honours intended as they prove to be heavy Musquets cabout four or Six Inches Shorter than Ordinary and accordingly unfit for the purpose We are very sorry for the Disappointment and beg your Honours will be pleased to Order us proper Convenyance 50 Good pieces of these Sort in Barrell well Constructed in length and Stock melodid and unlisel as Light as many to with Slugs We are exceedingly Concerned that we have it not in our power to Transmit to your Honours the Shipping of this Season your General Books and Store Accounts in the manner they had used to be till pleas'd to Observe in Consultation of 22 March last in Governor Lamberts report that to have those things obstrained and regularly brought up to that Day of his Arrival was one among some others of his earliest thoughts Mr. Jenkins Lamberts was also very Desirous of having this Affairs Compleated for Governor Lamberts satisfaction and as he resoved to Continue his own Credit and Security and a brith to have the same Compleated we observe he said hero sometime together otherwise tobed and thave done Your Honours will please to Observe at how says in his Traditional protest Entred in Consultation of 20th April as however Governor | Debts due to the Court from the inhabitants of this island, exclusive of the Court's demands upon the late Council, amounted only to the sum of £423 3s 11½d, the Council having taken pains to recover these sums due, and the debts owed on Bazett's proportion amounted to £198 4s 4d, as far as the Council thought it its duty to require of them, when it might expect to recover the residue of their accounts, to that end having published an advertisement requiring every person concerned to appear before it on the 22nd of December. In that consultation, the Court would notice, the Council had particularly entered each man's answer, together with the answer of those indebted to the estate of the late Mr Goodwin. The Council had watched every opportunity of disposing of the merchandise belonging to the late Mr Goodwin, which lay in the Court's stores, and had sold it, not without tolerable secrecy, to the amount of £720 6s 6¼d, which was lodged in the Court's cash. What remained unshipped of stock, as the Council had observed to the Court before, would be sold at public outcry as soon as the hurry of this shipping abated. Captain Watts, of the Court's sloop Sheep, had delivered to the Council sundry sorts of merchandise which he had not been able to dispose of to advantage at Madagascar. A particular account of the same waited upon the Court enclosed. The Council thanked the Court for its kind intention of sending arms suitable for the flying party, but had great reason to believe the fifty arms sent hither for that purpose answered the design but poorly, since instead of the light, well fitted pieces suited to running among the rocks, which the Council believed the Court had intended, they proved to be heavy muskets, some four or six inches shorter than ordinary, and accordingly unfit for the purpose. The Council was very sorry for the disappointment, and asked the Court to order sent by the next conveyance fifty good pieces of that sort, the barrel well constructed in length, the stock moulded and unfixed, and as light as might be. The Council was exceedingly concerned that it had not been in its power to transmit to the Court the general books and store accounts of this season's shipping in the manner it had used to. The Court would please to observe, in consultation of 22nd March last, Governor Lambert's report that these matters had, up to the day of his arrival, been among the earliest of his concerns. Mr Jenkins had likewise been very desirous of having the affairs completed to Governor Jenkins's satisfaction, and as he seemed to conceive his own credit and security bound up in having the same completed, the Council observed he had stayed some time to that end, otherwise it would not have been done. The Court would please to observe what he says in his additional protest entered in consultation of 20th April. Interpretations The distinction drawn between light, purpose-built firearms suited to running among rocks and the heavier standard-issue muskets actually delivered reveals a mismatch between the Court's intention in equipping a flying party for irregular defence and the ordinary military stores it had available to send, the Council's specific request for shorter, lighter barrels showing a practical grasp of the island's rugged terrain that the Court's general supply had failed to anticipate. | |
165 | Governour Lambert enquiry of Mr. Godfrey what time those things would be perfected on together with Mr. Godfrey reply that they should be brought up and finished by the 22 Day of May which being Disappointed of your Honours will please to Notice our Excuse and Resolution thereupon in Consultation of 28. May thates soon as this Years Shipping are Sailed we shall Sinck up the Stores take a new Inventory of us and bring them Accounts together with the General Books upon that we do any thing so is Sound out of the Stores upon by which meant we shall come to a certain knowledge of the state of your Honours Affairs then and that once derived a fure shall proceed in the Usual method a likewise take such measures as may be Conducive to your Honours safety The Article of 30. Co 9 the false Transfers in Mr. Coupes Name made by Mr. Crisps who was Accomplish't a time when he did Terms was farr from having any precious Credit upon the Books this is Charged to Mr. Crisp because he was the Person who made that Transfers tho he says his thing in fact was for Mr. Goodwins Benefit as we cant prove otherwise our Mr. Goodwins Account shall be Debted for what soever Estate we suppose it Tara out sufficient to make this Particular with the rest of what he has said Chargeable with good to your Honours Your Honours were pleased to Order in the 20th Paragraph of your Letter of 6th December 1739 and repeat in the 30th paragraph of your Letter of 26th January 1740 That no person whatsoever be made Debtor to another on the General Books unless such Debtor had an Actual Credit before hand upon the Books notwithstanding which in Ledger F page 21. the file Mr. Goodwin who was an Actual Debtor before hand upon the Books is made Debitor Debtor to John Bazett in the time of 285. it being such a part remaining unpd of 500. which was Drawn upon your Honours in favour of Mr. Doyof he remaining 285. the Gift dore is Debited for but the Ballance of 285. your Honours have not been yet paid this Affair we have Sifted as nicely as we could in Consultation of 26. January and 2d February 1740 Howchist was humbly beg may be laid before you wheron your Honours Mr. Bazett says he had lent his Name to Mr. Goodwin and had no Interested in him self Mr. Crisp now believes that he owns half Concerned with Mr. Goodwin in the above 500. Bills and that Mr. Bazett had no Concludion bottom furthe than lending his Name so that he Denies Mr. Bazett may not be Debted with the 285. that is yet remaining unpaid to your Honours for that he himself as he was half Concerned in these Bills we'll take the Deed upon himself in Case that your Honours insisted upon it but the same time says he thinks it is Due from the late Mr. Goodwin and not from him. Mr. Crispe has Delivered tous whats he Calls an Account Current | Governor Lambert had enquired of Mr Godfrey what time these things would be perfected, and was answered, together with Mr Godfrey's reply, that they should be brought up and finished by the 22nd day of May. This having disappointed the Court's expectations, the Council gave notice and resolved, in consultation of 28th May, that as soon as that year's shipping had sailed it would take a new inventory and bring up these accounts together with the general books, so that whatever had come to a certain knowledge of the state of the Court's affairs would be settled, and that once a true state had been arrived at, in the usual method or otherwise, such measures would be taken as might be conducive to the Court's security. The article of £62 6s 9d, the false transfer entered in Mr Crispe's name, had been made by Mr Crispe at a time when he was far from having any pecuniary credit upon the books, upon the ground that he was the person who had made that transfer, but he claimed the transaction had in fact been for Mr Goodwin's benefit. As the Council could not prove otherwise, Mr Goodwin's account was debited for the sum, this being sufficient to make this particular chargeable, along with the rest, to the Court's account. The Court had been pleased to order, in the 26th paragraph of its letter of 6 December 1739 and repeated in the 30th paragraph of its letter of 26 January 1740, that no person whatsoever be made debtor to another on the general books unless that debtor had an actual credit standing upon the books. Notwithstanding this, in ledger F, page 91, the Council found Mr Goodwin, who was himself an actual debtor upon the books, made debtor to John Bazett, for a part remaining unpaid of £300 drawn upon the Court in favour of Mr Bazett, the remaining sum being debited for a balance of £205. This sum had not yet been paid, and the Council had examined the matter as closely as it could in consultations of 26th January and 2nd February 1741, which it humbly asked might be laid before the Court, wherein Mr Bazett claimed to have merely lent his name to Mr Goodwin and to have had no interest of his own in the transaction. Mr Crispe now claimed that he had been half concerned with Mr Goodwin in the sum of those bills, and that Mr Bazett had no concern beyond lending his name, so that Bazett should not be debited with the £205 still unpaid for the sums advanced. Crispe took the greater part upon himself, as having been half concerned in the sums advanced, while at the same time maintaining that he thought the debt was due from the late Mr Goodwin and not from himself. Mr Crispe had delivered to the Council what he called an account current Interpretations The disputed £205 debt, in which Bazett claimed only to have lent his name to Goodwin while Crispe now claimed Bazett bore no real interest in the transaction, shows the surviving officers continuing to renegotiate responsibility between themselves and the dead man's estate even at this late stage, each adjusting his account of who owed what according to which version best served his own remaining liability. The Council's discovery that Goodwin had been entered as debtor to Bazett in the ledger despite the standing rule requiring an actual credit before any such entry could be made, reveals a further specific breach of the Court's own accounting safeguards, extending the pattern of prohibited transfers already exposed elsewhere in these examinations into yet another named page of the books. | |
166 | Current between Your Honours and himself wherein he had Debited your Honours in Portions of 728.7.3¼ as you'll please to Observe by the Copy of said Account Current herewith Enclosed he has Charged 120.19.0 for his own and his Servants tho maintenance from the 9th May 1741 to the 31 May 1742 tho as Charged for Money and Goods Sould amounting to 322.5.6¾ according to his own Valuation but it happens that we have the very things themselves and shall deliver them him when he shall please to settle his Accounts with your Honours other one way or other he has Charged for provisions bought of the Inhabitants for the supply of the General Table 84.6.4½ and for Liquor expended at the General Table 82.15.0 as an Absolute to Answer to these two last particulars we only beg leave to referr your Honours to our Consultation of 4th of June Since Writing the foregoing Mr. Crisps has made Answer to the Charge exhibited against him Copy of which Charge together with Mr. Crisps Answer comes Inclosed in our Packett for your Honours Notice We Demanded of Mr. Crisps Payment of the Money in Security for what is owing England lookd to hand his own Security, would be thought to Afford but we Answered that our Accepting of him at all only as Security to the payment of the Money we believed would be Injureing your Honours Disfavour Whereupon he made Enquiry for domestic Bail though has been able to give us Absolute Bond and Security for the Payment of his Debt due to the Honourable Company as well as what is due from him to the Estate of the late John Goodwin Esq.r and the Bond is payable and due Six Months after the Date Cononing the third Instant by and from Mr. Duke Crisp Mr. Elizabeth Barley Ephraim George Jackson and Mr. John Clarke jointly or severally for the Sume of 11.15. and Nine pence Sterling they have Executed these Bond of the same Tenor and Date one of which whist upon your Honours Inclosed and Mr. Crisps in his Passage upon Ship Prince for England We sent in our Packett to your Honours a Sound relation as came hither Directed for those Gentlemen who have not tought at the Island Moore Honoured Sirs Your most Faithfull and most Dutifull Loath Tho.s Lambert G. G. Powell John Godfrey Christopher Dixon St Helena 4th June 1742 | Mr Crispe had submitted an account current between himself and the Court, in which he had debited the Court in the sum of £28 7s 3d, as the Court would please to observe by the copy of it herewith enclosed. He had charged £120 19s 0d for his own and his servants' maintenance, from 9 May 1741 to 31 May 1742, which he had charged for money and goods issued, amounting to £320 5s 6d according to his own valuation, but it happened that the Council had nothing of the sort itself, and would deliver the account to him when he should please to settle his accounts with the Court, some other way or other. He had charged for provisions bought of the inhabitants for the supply of the general table £84 0s 0d, and for wages expended at the general table £82 15s 0d. As an absolute answer to these two last particulars, the Council begged leave to refer the Court to its consultation of 4th June. Since writing the foregoing, Mr Crispe had made answer to the charge exhibited against him, a copy of which, together with Mr Crispe's answer, came enclosed in the packet, whereby the Court would notice that the Council had demanded of Mr Crispe payment of the money, or security for it. He had insisted that his own security should be thought sufficient, but the Council answered that accepting him alone as security for the payment of the money would, it believed, be injurious to the Court's interest. Whereupon he made enquiry, and at length was able to give an absolute bond and security for the payment of his debt due to the Honourable Company, as well as what was due from him to the estate of the late John Goodwin Esquire, the bond payable six months after its date. The securities comprising this bond were Mr Duke Crispe, Mr Elizabeth Perley, Ephraim George Jackson and Mr John Clarke, jointly or severally, in the sum of £1,145 sterling. They had executed three bonds of the same tenor and date, one of which the Council forwarded to the Court enclosed, and Mr Crispe had now taken passage upon the ship Foresaw for England. The Council sent in its packet to the Court an account of the goods that had come hither, directed for those gentlemen who had not been paid at the time. The Council remained, Honoured Sirs, the Court's most faithful and most dutiful servants. Signed at St Helena, 1 June 1742, by Thomas Lambert, George Gabriel Powell, John Godfrey and Christopher Dixon. Interpretations Mr Crispe's demand to stand as his own security for repayment of the debt he owed, which the Council refused as an inadequate safeguard against further loss, shows the Council recognising that accepting a confessed defaulter's own assurance in place of independent bonded surety would defeat the very purpose of requiring security in the first place, and it insisted instead on separate named guarantors bound for a substantial fixed sum. The arrangement securing Crispe's debts through three jointly and severally liable bondsmen, payable within six months, established a legal mechanism by which the Company could pursue recovery from named third parties regardless of Crispe's own conduct or whereabouts once he departed the island, converting a personal confession of guilt into an enforceable financial instrument independent of the debtor himself. | |
167 | To the Honourable the Court of Directors of the United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies Honoured Sirs Herewith comes Duplicate of our Tenders of Duty to you our Honours p Ship Godolphin who Sailed hence in Company with the London, York, Wager, and Nassau on the fifth Instant who we hope will Arrive in Due time and Safety On the Eighth Instant Arrived with us his Majestys Ships the Argyle and Lynn, whose Commanders and Officers have been Entertaind in the best manner possible Since your last Fleet Sailed we have been applied to by the Heirs of Thomas Cason Deceaded in relation to a sume of Money belonging to the said Cason and Laying in your Honours Cash as they Conceived at the time of Mr. Goodwins Death the Principal same appears to have been Receiv'd of which they received from the Late Mr. Goodwin 100 by Bill of Exchange and had in Specie the Latter they gave Mr. Goodwin a Reciept for in the following Terms Viz.t Received from John Goodwin the sume of Three hundred and Thirty pounds Current Money of the Island in part of the eleven hundred pounds to received from Account of Thomas Cason which is due to me on the Honourable Companys General Book of Accounts we Sign our Names the 28th Day of May A.D. 1740 Thomas Easthope Martin Harper Gabriel Harper Your Honours will be pleased to notice they have in their Petition of the 15th Instant set forth that they have addressed you complaining this Affair sometime ago and Your Honours not giving a final Answer therein they have requested us to make mention of it in this Letter They tell us that Mr. Goodwin and Crisp made use of an unfair Contrivance in Order to Induce them the Heirs to admit Mr. Goodwin to receive the Money up the Names at length he did so by Vertue of his so Artfully Drawing up the above Receit but we assure your Honours it appears Evident tous that these people have been Over reacht and never intended that either Mr. Goodwin or Mr. Crisp should receive their Money one of them Mr. Martin Harper pays his Duty to your Honours in person and he too far accordingly upon one of these Ships now under Despatch | To the Honourable the Court of Directors of the United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies. Honoured Sirs, Herewith came a duplicate of the Council's tenders of duty by the ship Godolphin, which had sailed hence in company with the London, York, Wager and Nassau on the fifth instant, whom the Council hoped would arrive in due time and safety. On the eighth instant had arrived at the island His Majesty's ships Argyle and Lynn, whose commanders and officers had been entertained in the best manner possible. Since the last fleet had sailed, the Council had been applied to by the heirs of Thomas Cason, deceased, concerning a sum of money belonging to the said Cason and lying in the Court's cash, as they claimed it had stood at the time of Mr Goodwin's death. The principal sum appeared to have been £1,600, of which they had received from the late Mr Goodwin £1,100 by bill of exchange, and had of Mr Goodwin a receipt for the same in the following terms: Received from John Goodwin the sum of three hundred and thirty pounds current money of the island, in part of three hundred pounds due to him from the account of Thomas Cason, remaining due to him on the Honourable Company's general book of accounts to this, our hands, the 28th day of May 1740. Signed, Thomas Easthope, Martin Harper and Gabriel Harper. The Court would please to notice that these heirs had, in a petition of the 15th instant, set out that they had already applied to the Council some time before, and that the Council, not having given a final answer, they now requested it be made mention of in this letter. They had alleged that Goodwin and Crispe had made use of a fictitious conveyance to induce them, the heirs of Cason, to receive the money and give the above receipt, but the Council assured the Court it appeared beyond doubt that these people had been over reached, and that neither Goodwin nor Crispe had ever intended they should receive the full sum owed them. Mr Martin Harper was paying his duty to the Court in person, and was to take passage aboard one of the ships now under despatch. Interpretations The heirs of Thomas Cason discovering only after Goodwin's death that the receipt they had signed misrepresented the true balance owed them reveals a further specific instance of Goodwin exploiting his position as paymaster to divert funds legitimately due to island claimants, extending the pattern already exposed of manipulating individual accounts through carefully worded receipts that concealed the true state of what was owed. | |
168 | Mr. Francis Wrangham has likewise made application to us in Relation to a parcell of Debts which Belongs to the late Mr. Goodwin and were writt up in your Honours Service as well as for a Black fellow called Nero who Elopd from him and made his Escape to France that another Slave follow Should be Delivered Mr. Wrangham unless dead as this Affairs has been enquired particularly into by the Late Governor and Council & Consequently beg Leave to referr your Honours to the Consultation of 10th June 1741 as the same Argument prevail with us and with these Gentlemen And here we must Acquaint your Honours that we find young Boys Employed as Soldiers who are very unfit for the Duty of such and when they have Served two years and any thing Otherwise think they have wright to demand their Discharge We humbly Offer to your Honours Governour Lamberts Consideration on his Report upon the Musters The Surgeon has acquainted us that upon his Arrival he found his Instruments in every bad Condition insomuch that they are not fit for use and therefore has indebted for a new set and humbly hope your Honours Approbation On the 26th Instant your Honours Ships the Northampton, Royal George, King William, Halifax, Queen Caroline, aid you Honours Sloop the Swift intended sailing from hence under Convoy of two of his Majestys Ships the Argyle and Lynn set in Warm being made that Morning proved but them untill would be Informed what Ship this was which fortunately prov'd your Honours Ship the Nasti Captain Robins from Bengal, who Informed us that he sailed in Company with the Scarborough Captain Westell until they were pretty near the Cape then meeting with a hard Gale of Wind separated them incidence that has had very Bad Weather so that we imagined she wont be here in a Day or how afterwhich Thereupon Captain Harrison Commander of his Majestys Ship Argyle who is Commodore agreed to wait four or five Days for the said Ship. An Alarm being made the next Morning which afterwards proved to be the Scarborough Captain Westcott from Bengal, who informed us that no more of the Honourable Companys Ships could be expected his Season Whereupon they all agreed that as soon as these two Ships were Watch'd and in Condition to Sail they would then proceed for England which would be on the 26th Instant who are very heartily wish with our Prays in Due time and safely to your Honours We have Inclose remit to your Honours two Bills of Exchange Drawn in Dollars one p Mr. Godfreys Captain of the Ship Chevalier for one hundred and Eleven Rot then was to Bee Passenger Captain of | Mr Francis Wrangham had likewise made application to the Council in relation to the parcel of tools which belonged to the late Mr Goodwin, and were bought up in the Court's stores, as well as for his escape to France, a black fellow called Nero who eloped from him and made his escape to France, and who the Court was afterward pleased to send to Bencoolen. That another slave should be delivered to Mr Wrangham had likewise been enquired particularly into by the late Governor, and this affair had been considered by the Council at length, referring the Court to its consultation of 10 June 1741, as the same argument prevailed with the Council as with those gentlemen. There the Council acquainted the Court that it had found young boys employed as soldiers who were very unfit for such duty, and who, after they had served two years and anything better offered, thought they had a right to demand their discharge. The Council humbly referred the Court to Governor Lambert's consideration in his report upon the matter. The surgeon had acquainted the Council that upon his arrival he found his instruments in a very bad condition, insomuch that they were not fit for use, and had therefore indented for a new set, which the Court honours would please to observe. On the 20th instant the Court's ships Northampton, Royal George, King William, Halifax, Devon and Cheshire, and the Swift sloop, sailed hence under convoy of the two of His Majesty's ships the Argyle and Lynn, sailing in company. Being informed what ships these were, which fortunately proved the Court's ship Nassau, Captain Robins from Bengal, who informed us that he had sailed in company with the Scarborough, Captain Woolcott, until they were pretty near the Cape, meeting with a hard gale of wind separated them, but did not doubt that they should be in a day or two after us, whereupon Captain Harrison, commander of His Majesty's ship Argyle, who is commodore of this fleet, an alarm being made, resolved to stay for the said ship a few days, forwards proved to be the Scarborough, Captain Woolcott from Bengal, who informed us that no more of the Honourable Company's ships could be expected. His season whereupon they all agreed that as soon as these two ships were watered and in a readiness to sail, they would then proceed for England, which would be on the 26th instant, who we very heartily wish with any breeze in due time and safely for the Court's honours. The Council herewith remitted to the Court two bills of exchange drawn in dollars, one for Mr Josephson, captain of the ship Chevalier, for one hundred and eleven [...] Interpretations The Council's decision to allow young soldiers who had served only two years to demand their discharge once anything better offered reveals a structural weakness in the garrison's recruitment, since boys enlisted for want of other employment evidently regarded the post as a temporary expedient rather than a settled career, leaving the island's defence dependent on a workforce inclined to leave as soon as an alternative arose. | |
169 | the Ship Condor for Seven Hundred and Rive Sett on Mr. Bookuse Cachon of the French East India Company at Paris and amounting to Sterling £202.10.0 which same we furnished them to buy Necessary during their Stay here. Cap.t Blake Commander of your Honours Ship Halifax having Occasion for Money we have supplied him with the same to the Amount of one Hundred and forty five pounds for which we has drawn a Bill of Exchange upon Mess.rs Hall and Wilton payable to your Honours Order one of which wait upon your Honours Inclosed herein. Honoured Sirs With all Duty, your Honours most Faithfull and most Dutifull Servants Tho.s Lambert G. G. Powell John Godfrey Christopher Dixon St Helena June 26th 1742 P.S. Inclosed waits upon your Honours a Bond from Mr. Duke Crisp for the Sume of One Thousand One Hundred and Forty five pounds and Nine pence Half penny Sterling and the same Tenor and Date with the first. | The ship's cargo, [...], fell on Mr Berkhouse, cashier of the French East India Company at Paris, and amounted in sterling to £202 10s 0d, which sum the Council had furnished them, being necessary during their stay here. Captain Blake, commander of the Court's ship Halifax, having occasion for money, the Council had supplied him with the same, to the amount of one hundred and forty-five pounds, for which he had drawn a set of bills of exchange upon Messrs Hall and Wilson, payable to the Court's order, one of which waited upon the Court enclosed herewith. The Council remained, Honoured Sirs, with all duty, the Court's most faithful and most dutiful servants. Signed at St Helena, 26 June 1742, by Thomas Lambert, George Gabriel Powell, John Godfrey and Christopher Dixon. Postscript: enclosed waited upon the Court a second bill from Mr Duke Crispe, for the sum of one thousand one hundred and forty-five pounds and fivepence half penny sterling, and the same tenor and date with the first. Interpretations The supply of ready money to French officers and to the Court's own ship commander through drawn bills of exchange, rather than in coin, reflects the standing financial mechanism by which the island settled cash needs at a distance from London or Paris, converting an immediate local necessity into a paper instrument redeemable later against the drawer's credit at home. | |
170 | To the Honourable the Court of Directors of the United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies Honoured Sirs On the 29 day of March arrived your Honours Ship Tygrill from Bengall the Loss her pilot the 6th day of November last and there was then in the Road your Honours Ships Houghton, Merbri, Lynn, Walpole Wilmington & Grantham, Do touched at the Cape in her home ward bound Passage which pleuse be off the 4. March who Ships Vernon, Onto Colle, Benjamin & Somerset waiting for orders Governour Lambert dyed here on the 20th day of July last after a tedious illness, Wnos his Death the greatest Care has been taken to make the place as agreeable as possible to his Lady & family They were desired by our present Governour to Continue their Residence in the Castle & look upon the Plantation House as their Right whenever they might be disposed to visit the Country, that every other Particular should wait upon them just in the same manner as when he late Governor was living, But Mrs. Lambert excuse herself living in the Castle as he coud no where with any Satisfaction in that she thought her Husband dyed, and prayed to be Removed to some other of the Vestry, whereupon Gov.r Powell removed her to his own House; showing by farr the best in the place, and furnished with all things necessary, where the Lady & her family are waited upon by the same Servants as attended them in the Castle; & they are handsomely Supplyed with all things else out of your Honours Coars & plantations, This Employment we presumed to make in your Honours Name, as our present Governour acquainted us that what with the fare he had taken & should take in your Honours Country Affairs, we used to under no apprehention of Buying Provision for the use of the General Table & the Lady expressed hersel most full of Thanks & Gratitude to your Honours Since the Departure of the Last Fleet we have had abundance of Mortality in this Island The Inhabitants has been Seized with a Violent distemper in it effects very Little Inferior to the Plague, that hath caused abundance of them, the Slaves have been likis Subject to the Disorder with their Masters | To the Honourable the Court of Directors of the United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies. Honoured Sirs, On the 29th day of March had arrived the Court's ship Tygrile from Bengal, having left Fort St David the 8th day of November last, and there was then in the road the Court's ships Houghton, Herbert, Lynn, Walpole, Wilmington and Grantham, which had touched at the Cape in their homeward bound passage, and which had left there on the 11th of March the ships Vernon, Cato, Colle, Benjamin and Somerset, waiting for orders. Governor Lambert had died on the island on the 20th day of July last, after a tedious illness, and the Council had taken care that his death should cause as little disruption as possible to his widow and children. They were asked by the Council's present Governor to continue their residence in the castle, and to look upon the plantation house as their own, whensoever they might see fit to dispose of it, and were assured that every other particular would be arranged for them just as it had been while the late Governor was living. Mrs Lambert, however, excused herself from living in the castle, as she could not, with any satisfaction, remain there after her husband's death, and asked to be removed to some other house. The Governor removed her to his own house, by far the best in the place, and furnished it with all things necessary, where she and her children were waited upon by the same servants who had attended them in the castle, and supplied with everything else out of the Court's cellars and plantations. The Council presumed to make this arrangement in the Court's name, as the present Governor had assured the Council that, given what care he had already taken and would continue to take of the Court's country affairs, there was no need to be under any apprehension of buying provisions for the general table, and the widow had expressed herself full of thanks and gratitude to the Court. Since the departure of the last fleet, the island had suffered abundance of mortality. The inhabitants had been visited with a violent distemper, in its effects very like, though inferior to, the plague, which had caused the deaths of many of them. The slaves had likewise been subject to the disorder, with their Interpretations The new Governor's decision to house Governor Lambert's widow and children at his own expense, retaining her husband's household servants and drawing on the Court's provisions in the Governor's name, reflects a standing practice of extending the Company's care to a deceased Governor's dependants as a mark of the office's dignity, treating their maintenance as a charge properly borne by the establishment rather than left to the widow's own resources. | |
171 | Matters, insomuch that it is with great Difficulty we can Get people to work at the Fortifications tho hath your Honours Slaves escaped at all here has been the greatest care taken to prevent their going to the Planters houses where this distemper raged, tho we have been unfortunate as to bury 20 of them the Major part of whom were however but weak of Slaves your Honours which is an Exceeding operation to our loss, especially at this time when we so much Want their Assistance at the Fortifications, The Gov.r directed the Doctor to open some of the body's for his better information, which he accordingly did & his Account of it is Inserted in Consultation of 14. September last Mr. John Bazett dyed on the 5th day of January last, but on the 28th day of Sept.r preceding worn Conformity to your Honours Orders demanded of him what he stands Charged with upon Account of Stores so far as it which he acknowledged him self ready to abide by, tho pled we would give him an Opportunity of proving that at least a part of this deficiency was when Mr. Goodwin was Storekeeper, by examining the such Store Day Books and Ledgers for Fifteen years past, which we acquied to, tho was Busily Employed about it when it pleased god to call him hence, His Executors haven been directed to bring in an Inventory of his Estate which they have not yet Compleated Since your Honours may be sates fied Want will Amount to much more than Sufficient to answer your demand upon it, and by the Latter Shipping we shall be able to give your Honours a more Particular Account of this Affair Mr. Homans Nichols late Chief Mate of Ship Halifax who was left here for the Recovery of his health, dyed on the 25th day of September last without any Will as we know of a apporving any Particular Person to take Charge of his Effects, when upon the first Notice of this Death we ordered an Exact Inventory to be taken of what he had, who the same is entred upon Consultation of 26th September last. Then we published an Advertizement giving twenty Notice to all Persons that his effects would be exposed to Sale by Publick Outcry so that every one was free to bid by for ready Money, and your Honours will Please to observe a Particular Account Sale thereof entred upon Consultation of the 8th February last amounting to 283.1.5 credit which we found in the Doctors at the time of his Death the Sume of 166.7.3¾ of the Str own Materials here is yet 'a small Matter outstanding and we shall recover it after the Ensuing Pay Day We have likewise paid the Doctor and others for his Attendency Pay Day We have expedited your Honours every particular Account of all which we will send your Honours every particular Account to the next Conveyance when the whole of his affairs will be made up | Matters had come to such a pass that the Council found great difficulty getting people to work at the fortifications. The Court's slaves had not altogether escaped the sickness, though the Council had taken the greatest care to prevent their going to the planters' houses, where the distemper raged worst. The Council had nevertheless lost twenty of them, unhappily including the best workmen among the Court's slaves, a serious loss to the Court's business, especially at a time when their labour was most needed on the fortifications. The Governor directed the doctor to open the bodies of some of the dead for better information as to the cause, which he did, and his findings were entered in the Council's consultation of 14 September last. Mr John Bazett died on 5 January last. On 28 September preceding, in accordance with the Court's orders, the Council had asked him to account for the deficiency in stores charged against him. He acknowledged himself liable, but asked the Council to let him show that part of the deficiency had arisen while Mr Goodwin was storekeeper, by examining the store day books and vouchers for several years past, an examination the Council was still pursuing. Bazett's executors had been directed to produce an inventory of his estate, not yet completed, but the Council was satisfied it would prove more than sufficient to answer the Court's claim. A fuller account of the matter would follow by the next shipping. Mr Homans Nichols, late chief mate of the ship Halifax, who had been left on the island to recover his health, died on 25 September last, leaving no will and having appointed no one to take charge of his effects. On the first notice of his death, the Council ordered an exact inventory taken, and administration of the estate was granted as recorded in the consultation of 26 September last. The Council published an advertisement giving public notice that his effects would be sold by outcry, open to any bidder for ready money. An account of that sale, entered in the consultation of 8 February last, came to £283 1s 5d. Nichols was found debtor to the stores at the time of his death in the sum of £166 7s 3¾d, of which only a small balance remained outstanding, to be recovered after the next pay day. The Council had already paid the doctor and others for their attendance on him, and a full account of the whole affair would be made up for the Court by the next conveyance. Interpretations The Governor's order that the doctor open some of the bodies of the deceased for his better information reveals the administration's willingness to sanction a post-mortem investigation of an epidemic disease, an unusual intervention for the period, treating medical understanding of the outbreak as sufficiently important to the island's defence and labour supply to justify examining the dead directly rather than relying on symptomatic report alone. The Council's decision to allow Bazett's outstanding stores deficiency to be reduced by whatever portion could be traced back to Goodwin's own tenure as storekeeper, rather than holding Bazett liable for the whole sum as before, shows a willingness to revisit and adjust an earlier fixed charge once new circumstances, here Bazett's death and the need to settle his estate, made a more careful apportionment of responsibility both necessary and possible. | |
172 | The Account of Sales of the late John Goodwin Esq.r as agreeable to your Honours orders particularly entred upon Consultation of the 6th August last amounting to the Sums of £3237.5.2 We have been likewise Carefull to Effect what was due tohim since the Ballances made from the Books Ledger H folio 63 who was due from him £3648.2.7 since when have Charged the said Estate with the fagotts amounting to £16.17. by him received tho false Transfers among to £137.2.3 the whole Ballance being Dr. £3053.6.10 which found tobe due on the Arrival of the Royal George since when have given Cred to the Estate for Feb. 10. 9¾ following Goods Sold & Money received which makes the Ballance tobe £3245.11.2 in September 1741 as p Book H.r in Ledger for 67. and since then hath been received for Goods of this Sold out of your Honours Stores and Debtors to the Estate the Sume of £329.7.3¼ which with the amount of the Publick Sale as above makes a Ballance due to the Estate of £320.3.5¼ as Account Current includes part of the sold of this Accountis due from Mr. Duke Crisp which was paid when paid by him. And otherwise there are several persons upon this place whom the late Mr. Goodwin had Accounts with and no indebted unto have made Application to our present Governour concerning it to the last ted on trust an hall upon Your Honours for their Pleasure is now In Account Current comes Inclosed the better to Show how the Account stands at present with your Honours We have carefully reckoned with the Inhabitants for the Rents & Revenues due to your Honours for the year ending the 30th September 1742. & have received of every one in full the whole amounting to £336.13.6¼ We have been Likewise mindfull to the Payment of Arrears due to your Honours from Several of the Inhabitants and have induced that Amount to the Sume of £373.10.6 which we are Promised Payment of the Conclusion of the present year The Fortification of Banks we begun presently after Gov.r Lamberts Advance & we have the pleasure to acquaint your Honours that it is Entirely Compleated & made as invaluable as either of the Neighbouring Mountains, There are 7 heavy Guns mounted thereon of the following Nature viz.t Two two & Thirty Pounders and give Eighteen pounders, & because it is not advisable at this Mountain Situation | The account of sales of the late Mr Goodwin's effects, agreeable to the Court's orders, had been particularly entered upon consultation of the 6th of August last, amounting to the sum of £3,237 5s 2d. The Council had likewise been careful to collect what was due to him, since the balance made from the books, ledger H, folio 68, showed there was due from him £3,648 2s 7d, since when the Council had charged the said estate with the fagots, amounting to £167 17s 6d received by him through false transfers, so the whole balance being debtor £3,053 6s 10d, which found to be due on the arrival of the Royal George, since when have given credit to the estate for £1,600 9s 0d, for sundry goods sold and money received, which makes the balance £1,325 11s 2d in September 1742, as per book H in ledger folio 67, since which have been received for goods of this old date, out of the Court's stores, and a sum of the further debtors to the estate the sum of £1,329 7s 3d, which with the amount of the public sale as above makes a balance due to the estate of £1,320 3s 5d as per account current [...] part of the goods of this account due from Mr Duke Crispe, which was paid when paid by him. Not otherwise, there are several open accounts upon this place, whom the late Mr Goodwin had accounts with, and are indebted, have made application to our present Governor, considering it to be the last, and on the very last upon the Court for the reason it shows. In account current close, it will be better to show how the account stands at present with the Court. The Council had carefully reckoned with the inhabitants for the rents and revenues due to the Court for the year ending the 30th September 1742, and have received of every one in full, the whole amounting to £330 13s 6¼d. The Council had been likewise mindful to urge the payment of the arrears due to the Court from several of the inhabitants, and had reduced that amount to the sum of £373 10s 5d, which we are promised payment of at the conclusion of the present year. The fortification of Bank's was begun presently after Governor Lambert's arrival, and the Council had the pleasure to acquaint the Court that it was entirely completed, and made as inaccessible as either of the neighbouring mountains. There are 7 heavy guns mounted thereon, of the following nature, two of 24 pounders and 5 of 18 pounders, and because it is not advisable at this time Interpretations The recurring adjustments to Goodwin's estate balance, moving from a deficit to a credit and back again as further sales, debts and disputed accounts came to light, show the Council treating the settlement of a disgraced Governor's affairs as an ongoing process of reconciliation rather than a single fixed sum, the figure shifting with each newly discovered transaction touching his name. The mounting of two 24-pounder and five 18-pounder guns at Bank's, described as making the position as inaccessible as the neighbouring mountains, reflects a deliberate choice of heavier ordnance for a fixed defensive point where the weight of shot mattered more than mobility, in contrast to the lighter pieces the Council had earlier requested for its flying party operating over rough ground. | |
173 | Situation of Affairs to depend too much upon the Vigilence of the Alarm Guards who have mounted an Ensign and Thirty men at Banks's who are relieved Weekly from the great Fort that if an Enemy do'seme suddenly upon us they are ready to oppose their advancing to leward, a further reason for our mounting this Extraordinary guard is because Banks's is so fast beyond Valley the Ships pass so at such a distance from the great Fort that no timely aid can be sent thither in time of Action but the Securing that Valley is of so great Importance that the Enemy once possessed of it would easily and pretently reach the great Wood where they would be Cheare us and in Case of us, the Walls are 14½ foot high from the Ground to the Lowest part of the Ambruzeers and the Parrapets 6. foot about that, the reason of its Being Built so high is to reach the Enemy scaling the Wall, which joyns quite to the Rocks on the Right and Left of the Valley, and on the Right there is a Certain to Peer the Watts of any hall may all irupt to scale it, the Battery is 90 foot thick including the front Wall which is 6 foot thick, the Cement is made entirely with fresh water carried thither from Chapple Valley, and even so be had o'er his mixed with the Lime is washed with fresh water, that it is very Little inferiore in point of hardness to any Entire Stone, the Platforms though out the Battery are laid with the Sun Baked Stone which your Honours were pleaded to send us & with we find exceedingly Ornosical & advantageous m many respects particularly that two Men can do more with the Great Guns now than Six could before & they are fired with much more Certainty The East also of the Battery at Munders point who the Reasoned Guns are Originally 27 foot Broad from the inside of the Ambruzeers to the Rate which was a sufficient Breath for the Guns to Recoil upon, But some few years ago there was Built a guard House in the front More of Ten foot wide and the whole Length of the Battery, so that now remains only 17 foot for this Guns to work open which is our certain knowledge was sent insufficient; for when unpresent Governour did Duty here upon all Alarms and has had occasion to fire them Guns in order to bring Ships two who attempted coming into the Road in their Boats too arrived and the proper Guard when they have Recoiled abonly one foring within a foot of the Guard House till the Platforms were then Pestled with Rough Stone not now the Platforms are laid smooth with Yarbrick Stone the Guns which are with Recoil Considerably farther Therefore we have determined that old Guard House which would have needed the Working of his Guns and Consequently rendid that the most natural parts, the Battery of Little one Contiguous in time of Action, & have Built a Little Room of | The Council was concerned that the safety of affairs should not depend too much upon the vigilance of the alarm guard, an ensign and thirty men stationed at Bank's and relieved weekly from the great fort, ready to oppose any sudden enemy landing to leeward. A further reason for maintaining this extraordinary guard was that Bank's lay so far from the fort, and ships passed at such a distance from it, that no timely aid could be sent there in time of action. The securing of that valley was of the greatest importance, since an enemy once in possession of it could easily and quickly reach the great wood, from where they could observe the island's defences unseen. The battery's walls stood 14½ feet high from the ground to the base of the embrasures, with parapets a further 6 feet above that. This height was necessary to protect against an enemy raking the wall, which ran right up to the rocks on both sides of the valley. On the right side the wall faced a particular vulnerability that any attacker might exploit. The battery itself was 90 feet in depth including the front wall, which was 6 feet thick. The cement had been made entirely with fresh water carried from Chapel Valley, and the lime likewise mixed with fresh water, giving it a hardness nearly equal to solid stone. The platforms throughout the battery were laid with the Portland stone the Court had been pleased to send, proving exceedingly useful, particularly in that two men could now do as much work with the great guns as six had needed before, and could serve them with far greater reliability. The east flank of the battery at Munden's Point had likewise been improved. The guns originally had 27 feet of clearance from the inside of the embrasures to the rear wall, sufficient room for them to recoil freely. Some years before, however, a guard house had been built there, projecting more than 10 feet forward and running the whole length of the battery, leaving only 17 feet for the guns to work in, a distance the Council found insufficient. When the present Governor was on duty during an alarm and had occasion to fire the guns to bring in ships attempting to enter the road without giving the proper signal, the guns recoiled so forcefully that they came within a foot of striking the guard house. The platforms had previously been paved with rough stone, but were now laid smooth with Portland stone, so that the guns now recoiled considerably further. The Council therefore removed the old guard house, which would otherwise have obstructed the guns' recoil and endangered this most material part of the defences, and built in its place a smaller structure set back out of the way. Interpretations The battery walls' unusual height of fourteen and a half feet, explained as a defence against an enemy raking fire along a wall joined to the rocks on either side of the valley, shows the fortification's design responding to a specific tactical vulnerability of the site's terrain rather than following a standard specification applied without regard to local ground. The replacement of rough paving with smooth Portland stone platforms, which allowed the guns to recoil their full distance instead of striking a nearby guard house within a foot of their travel, reveals how a structure built for one purpose, sheltering the gunners, had inadvertently obstructed the very guns it was meant to serve, a defect only corrected once the stone surface itself was improved enough to reveal the guns' true range of recoil. | |
174 | of ten foot square full sufficient for the Officer upon the Top of the Stones Barrels so that six now more Commodions for the Officer as he can now have about him & takes up not an Inch of the Battery, for further particulars of this Officer We humbly beg leave to referr your Honours to our Consultations of 5. & 12th October Last As Governour Lambert and indeed every one else who has seen the little Fort at the Mouth of Sandy Bay does it is mighty at Contracted thing every insufficient for the Defence of the place, We could notion Duty overlook so material a matter as the having open so dangerous a Break door upon w as Sandy Bay would consequently be if possest by the Enemy, Therefore we have Devoted a third of forty guns to be provided with Round and Ketch shot, upon the Point at the upper end of Sandy Bay Valley, and locks along the Bottom of the said Valley for about a mile and half from the Sea, along when the Enemy much March if they attempt the Island at half place, so that we are the way for them, The mountains on each side being which & Craggy that its so easy matter even for an Islander to Climb the same, and to make the ascending those Mountains still more Impracticable there are upon all double Alarms Six or Eight Men upon the Tops or Ridges on each side the Valley to fire down Stones upon the Enemy if they should Attempt to getting up, so that they must nor safely just along the Bottom thro' our five foot Cast a Mile and half, which we apprehend will be more than they can Accomplish if those quartered at the Redoubt do their Duty, which we too will always take Care proffit is wright by those who have their all depending, that is a Detachment of the Flying Party who are the Planters of the Island and can still deeply retire upwards to annoy the Enemy if they should in sight of all Opposition possess themselves of their Post, and this we act proud for they has been Built without any farther Expense to your Honourable Masters (other than the Labour of a few of their own Slaves) who may else upon our Fidelity, tho and manye'm in all Cases else, as well as in this, & amore particular Account we humbly beg your Honours will be pleased to be referred to our Consultations of 4th January & 5. March last Ruperts is a place that has been in hand for these many years & more of your Honours money bwied there has we believe would have sufficiently fitted the whole Wead, for at the Highest Computation it can make it must by save if not fully have Cost your Honours £10,000 a moderate sume (Kd can be accountable for what one way, for at present the Works are in most defirisibly Situation, there are Sixty yards of the front defended by a Wall of only Sit foot Thick, and that Built with Deirt Martar made with Sea Water, which is away bed Cement; or no thorane so the Salins particles of the Water takes from her Out that binding Quality which it has when made with fresh Water, That to bake a Aeon out of the Wall which may be Done with cross Support, the Marter indeed of Adhering to her Pen so well as in just in the manner as Said door from a Bay tho Pas | As Governor Lambert, and indeed everyone else who had seen the little fort at the mouth of Sandy Bay, judged it very poorly built. It was quite inadequate for the defence of the place. The Council could not overlook so serious a weakness, since it left open a dangerous approach that the enemy might exploit at Sandy Bay. The Council therefore devised a scheme to strengthen the position. It multiplied the number of guns there, provided with round and grape shot, mounted at the point of the valley and commanding its floor for about a mile and a half from the sea. Any enemy attempting to land there would have to march along that same narrow ground. The mountains on either side were high and craggy, offering no easy passage. To make climbing them still more difficult, the Council stationed eight men on the ridges on each side, ready to roll stones down on any enemy who tried to scale the slopes. This left an attacking force no choice but to advance along the valley floor, exposed to fire the whole way. The Council believed this defence would prove more than sufficient, provided those posted at the redoubt did their duty, which it expected they would, since the men manning it had everything at stake. They were a detachment of the flying party, drawn from the planters of the island, who could fall back to higher ground and continue to harass the enemy even if the fort itself were taken. The Council took particular satisfaction that all this had been built at no cost to the Company beyond the labour of a few of the planters' own slaves, offered out of loyalty. The Court would find a fuller account of this in the consultations of 4 January and 5 March last. Rupert's had been in hand for many years, and the sums of the Court's money spent there, the Council believed, would have been sufficient to fortify the whole island. By the highest estimate the cost had reached £10,000, an enormous sum that could be accounted for in only one way. At present the works remained in an almost equally poor state. Only forty-three yards of the front were defended, by a wall no more than six feet thick, built with mortar mixed with sea water. The salt in that water robbed the mortar of the binding strength it would have had if made with fresh water, so the wall on the seaward side had suffered accordingly. Interpretations The scheme to fortify Sandy Bay Valley with guns positioned to fire along its narrow floor, combined with men stationed on the high ground at each side to roll rocks down on any attempt to climb the flanking mountains, shows the Council designing a layered defence that forced an attacking force into a single narrow killing ground rather than relying on a single fixed battery to cover the whole approach. The Council's pointed observation that these works had cost the Company nothing beyond the labour of a few slaves, contrasted immediately with the enormous sum, as much as £10,000, spent over many years at Rupert's for defences still found in poor condition, draws a deliberate comparison between economical, well designed fortification built through local initiative and the wasteful, longstanding expenditure at the Company's principal works. | |
175 | has a hole in it, that your Honours will Please to judge what Dependance is to be had from such a Wall as this, that to be sure a few of our Guns will knock down, nor is there a Parrapot upon it, so that our men dare not appear for if they do they are quite Exposed to the Enemy, the rest of the Wall is thicker & lower, But at first with Salt Water & guilt open to the Enemys shot, Now we hope carry much for your Honours approbation in what we have Latoly, at about which is to make a Ditch of 25 foot wide (in the Ground wont admit of more) & fling up a Glacis before it, and thereby Cover our Walls from the folio of the Enemys shot and the Parapets only will be exposed to their fire and this will be Compleated we dare to say for thin the Expense of £500, tho which will be making his Valley entirely Secure. The Bastions upon the Right & Left are good work but is nothing near finished and mounted with two Twelve Pounders & the rest 9 Pounders which we apprehend are too light for that place, therefore we have carried thither two and thirty pounders and two Eighteen Pounder and shall to be Above four of the Nine Pounders, for we find that a two & thirty pounder is fought so nearly as a Nine pounder's use your Honours have been Copied a instead as the Bardock Stone for the Stiffest tire humbly beg your Honours will be pleased to enquire of Captain Petro who has viewed both Ruperts & Banks's for further particulars concerning those places We have the pleasure to tell your Honours that we have Burnt 2500 Bushels of Lime without one farthing expence other than the Labour of your own Slaves as well Plantation Debt as other and whereas a scarsity of this commodity has been apprehend we beg your Honours to be under no concern on that Score for there is enough of what we can shew good towards this place many Hundred years We thank god our Seasons continue good and as a proof of our raking the Best use of them we are to acquaint your Honours that your Stock of Black Cattle is encreaded since the Arrival of the Harrington an Hundred head That we are enabled to supply the Shipping of this Season with a moderate Sure Herds of their quantity of Charter party Bee. Your Honours Plantations too wear quite another face for we have enlarged them 150,000 Yams since the Arrival of the Harrington, your Honours Slaves first the good Effects for we have those upon increased their Allowances from 40 to 50 weight of Bread, & our labours have been able to Supply even the Planters with between 70 & 80000 Sucker. Not have we been unmindfull towards your Honours that Considerable sums that was thought necessary to be laid out in repairing the Fences round your Pasture & Plantation Grounds, but we have made very good Progress therein, Considering how our few Plantation Slaves have been taken off in the Building the Redoubt at Sandy Bay, & burning of Lime, And we hope to give you Howard | A gap had opened in that section of wall, and the Council asked the Court to judge how poor a defence this left behind it. The wall offered no protection against the guns ranged against it, and no parapet ran along its top, so the garrison dared not show themselves there for fear of the enemy's fire. The rest of that wall stood thicker and lower, but had at present suffered damage from salt water and lay quite open to enemy fire. The Council hoped very much for the Court's approval of a plan it had lately considered, to dig a ditch twenty-five feet wide, or wider where the ground allowed, and raise a glacis before it. This would cover the walls from the direct force of the enemy's shot, leaving only the parapets exposed to fire. The Council believed this could be completed for no more than £500, and would make the whole position entirely secure. The bastions on the right and left were not yet nearly finished, and were mounted with two twelve-pounders and nine-pounders, which the Council judged too light for that position. It had therefore brought there two thirty-two pounders and two eighteen-pounders, in place of four of the nine-pounders, having found that a thirty-two pounder answered the position far better than a nine-pounder's mounting could. Interpretations A glacis was a gently sloping earthwork raised in front of a fortification's ditch, angled so that any shot fired at the wall behind it would either bury itself harmlessly in the slope or skim over the parapet, sparing the masonry the direct battering it would otherwise suffer; the Council's proposed ditch and glacis at Rupert's was accordingly a standard and comparatively cheap method of shielding an exposed stone wall from artillery fire without rebuilding it. The replacement of lighter nine and twelve-pounder guns with heavier eighteen and thirty-two pounders reflects a calculated judgement about the calibre of shot needed to answer an attacking ship's own guns at that particular exposed point, since a battery meant to deter or disable enemy vessels required weight of shot proportionate to the threat it might actually face, not merely the number of guns mounted. | |
176 | Honours a very good Account of this particular by this time Twelve Month. And here we are sorry to acquaint your Honours that we have led no little interruption in the Execution of our Duty, and from those who rather should have assisted than impeded us They are Mr. Christopher Dixon Mr. John Clark Lieutenant, and Mr. Joseph Kendall late Ensign, who has upon do farve of your Honours Authority been industrious in fomenting Quarrels & Diversions amongst the Garrison & Officers of this Island and raising False & Scandalous Reports of the Governour, tending to draw from him the Duty Respect of the Soldiery, & Inhabitants& tho the whole Island in flame & Confusion, He never Carry on their Positions and their Malice his practices, rother Capital irregularity too many towns within the Compass of this water Therefore we most humbly beg your Honours will be pleased to be referred to Consultations of 23. & 24. day of Nov.r 17. 21. & 13. day of December & 15. 16 days of February last for the Characters & manners of these three Gentlemen moved by no other Cause save we know of than an Injudicial Turbulent disposition by no other Causes save we know of than the want of larger Allowanced in the other; altho we are pretty sure that they receive double her Sallarys from Your Honours Bounty are than sure they receiv'd as they arrived at St. Helena, every other of the Officers seem perfectly satisfied & Contented with their present Condition, and we believe seldom themselves happy men'st as your Honours will please to observe in Consultation of 15 February last, There sorry for the greater safety and quiet of the Island We have in point of Duty discharged the above said Three persons, Mess.rs Dixon Clark and Kendall led the following remain humbly beg leave to place your Honours that it shall be their particular care to execute your orders in the keeping of a Strict Military discipline unt suffer the seeds of sedition & faction to grow up, but without regard of Persons nip all such in the Bud for the preservation of this Island in Generall tho we are very well satisfied that now We have known a Resolution Rested on the Late Authors we shall have no farther Trouble of this Nature. Your Honours will be pleased to observe of Consultation of 27 July last that the Widows & Military Officers have Petitioned us for Lodgings, & allowances to hire Apartments for themselves and as your Honours had no other Apartments than have mentioned in the said Consultation, & taken up by the Senior Servants we could not tell how to lodge allowing them Steads to pay for Lodges of such tenos as we could Build proper Apartments for them, therefore asked how how much they ought to be Lodged for in this Valley and upon Enquiry they said that they could not get Apartments under £10, from thence we found our selves obliged to allow it to Chins of them who was destitute of Apartments, tho are indeed under some Concern with this Affair & faithfully promises Your Honours that the Moment Apartments is put in a tollerable posture of defence We will begin to build Apartments for them But | The Court would have a very full account of this matter within the year. And here the Council was sorry to acquaint the Court that it had had no little interruption in the execution of its duty, and from those who should rather have assisted than impeded it. They were Mr Christopher Dixon, Mr John Clark, lieutenant, and Mr Joseph Kendall, late ensign, who had set themselves against the authority of the Court's garrison and officers on this island, raising false and scandalous reports about the government, intended to draw away the respect and obedience of the soldiery and inhabitants, and would, had they succeeded, have seen the whole island thrown into confusion, a calamity too often practised in other settlements within the Company's dominions. The Council most humbly asked the Court to refer to its consultations of 23, 24 and 13 December, and 15, 16 and 17 February last, for a full account of the character and conduct of these three men, whose disaffection arose from nothing more than a quarrelsome disposition in the one case and dissatisfaction with their allowances in the other, though the Council was quite certain they had received considerably more from the Court's generosity than the other officers, who had arrived at St Helena every bit as well provided for and remained perfectly content with their condition, as the Court would please to observe in the consultation of 15 February last. For the greater safety and quiet of the island, the Council had therefore, as a matter of duty, dismissed the three persons named, Messrs Dixon, Clark and Kendall. The Court would please to observe, in the consultation of 27 July last, that the civil and military officers had petitioned for lodgings, since the Court's instructions had made no other provision for apartments than those already mentioned in that consultation, taken up by the senior servants. The Council could not tell how to lodge the rest, and allowed them a sum toward lodgings until such time as proper apartments could be built for them. They asked to be lodged in this valley, and upon enquiry it was found that no apartments could be had for less than £10, so the Council found itself obliged to allow that sum to those left without lodging. It felt some concern at this expense, and faithfully promised the Court that as soon as the barracks were put in a tolerable state of defence, it would begin building proper apartments for them. Interpretations The dismissal of Dixon, Clark and Kendall for spreading false and scandalous reports against the government, framed as motivated by an inquisitorial disposition in one and dissatisfaction with allowances in another despite receiving more than other officers, reveals the Council treating internal dissent among its own military officers as a threat to garrison discipline serious enough to warrant removal from office, rather than a grievance to be settled through ordinary complaint. The Council's allowance of £10 toward lodging for officers left without proper apartments, made reluctantly and with a promise to build permanent quarters once the barracks were secured, shows a temporary financial concession granted under practical necessity rather than policy, the Council explicitly framing it to the Court as a stopgap rather than a new standing allowance. | |
177 | But we have the Pleasure to say We have eased the Expence in another way & taken from your Honours the Charge of maintaining an Hospital for the Sick Soldiery, which will at least Ballance the Expence on the Preceding Paragraph, As your Honours will please to observe by Consultation of 31 August last and have fallen upon a nother of stopping from every persons what accoms pay from your Honours the price of Reasons, which is appropriated to the Support of the same and the Steward account regularly Dott rate Consultation every quarter, tho provisions are Chiefly Supplied from your Honours Plantations and the Money paid on quarterly by the Husband and payment store Accounts to that in Head of an Expence it is no Advantage toyour Honours, and that Care be taken the Sick and Cargo would visits the Hospital every Morning and Reports to the good what Condition he finds it in, whother the Sick are regularly attended by the Doctors the Steward & Nurses and indeed whether they have any sort of Complaint And it is with infinite Pleasure we go a request your Honours that an Endeavours to lessen the Expence to Whom the same time to send state that Well being of the Island has been Crown'd with success and your Honours have now at St Helena a Woollen Manufactory tho which will afford your Slaves Blankets and Cloaths without one farthing Expence other than the Labour of a few Children and a few Superannuated Slaves and which Costs tobe an Annual Charge of your about £250. not as we humbly Conceive will the advantage stop here of your Honours will be pleased to order a proper Sortment tobe sent to Bencoolen for the Use of your Slaves here, this with the greatest Submission we offer this as we have much more Wool than enough for our own consumption two have bue laboured at this Improvement believing it will be as agreeable a piece of Service to the Island in general and toyour Honours in particular as any We could adder, for in this little place we presume nothing should be thrown away that Cant be put tounse; and heretofore this Wool was generally at as idea as a thing of no sort of Value But now the Planters are very glad of it seeing it will each them from maintaining the poor, who have now a means of getting their own Bread and themselves thoroly furnished with a proper suit of Cloathing as well for their own as for their Slaves together with a Blanket and Ordinary Stockings & this is done by buying their Wool and selling it Manufactured to them again at avery Considerable profit toyour Honours We have presumed to send five Yards of the first piece of Cloth that was over made on the Island at St Helena as a joint Master toyour Honours of what we could do had we Tools to work withall for at present tho have only such as we have Constructed our selves and are but very ind. Impormtance We humbly hope your Honours | But the Council had the pleasure to say it had eased the expense in another way, taken from the Court's charge of maintaining a hospital for the sick soldiery, which will at least balance the expense in the preceding paragraph. As the Court would please to observe in the consultation of 1 August last, the Council had settled upon a method of stopping from every person concerned a proportion of allowance, which is appropriated to the support of the same, and the steward's account regularly entered in consultation every quarter. The provisions are chiefly supplied from the Court's plantations, and the money paid quarterly by the husband and paid at the store's own rate, so that the Court need be under no apprehension of expense in this matter. The doctor visits the hospital every morning, and reports to the steward what condition he finds it in, whether the sick are regularly attended by the doctors, the steward and nurses, and indeed whether they have any sort of complaint. And it is with infinite pleasure the Council acquaints the Court that its endeavours to lessen the expense to the same time as it stands, that woollen goods of this island have been contrived, and its own woollen manufactory, which will afford the Court's soldiers clothes without any farther expense than the labour of a few children and a few superannuated slaves, and which we do believe will be an annual charge of about £250, or as we humbly suppose the Court will be pleased to order a proper assortment to be sent to Bencoolen for the use of the Court's slaves here. This, with the greatest submission we offer, as we have much more wool than enough for our own consumption, we have long laboured at this improvement, believing it will be as agreeable a piece of service to the island in general and to the Court in particular as any we could confer, for in this little place we presume nothing should be thrown away, that could be put to use, and heretofore this wool was generally, at a side thing of no sort of value, but now the planters are very careful of getting the maintaining the poor, who have now a means of getting their own bread, and themselves are thereby furnished with a proper suit of clothing, as well as work for their own, as for their sale of clothes together with blankets and ordinary stockings, and this is done by buying up their wool and selling it manufactured to them, at a very considerable profit for the Court's honours. We have presumed to send five yards of the first piece of cloth that was made in the island of St Helena, as a joint master for the Court's honours, of what we could do, had we tools to work withal, for at present we have only such tools we have constructed ourselves, and are but very indifferent ones. We humbly hope the Court's Interpretations The scheme funding the hospital by deducting a proportion from every soldier's allowance, its accounts entered quarterly and its provisions bought at the store's own rate from the Court's plantations, shows the Council designing a self-financing arrangement that spared the Court any direct new expense while still ensuring regular medical inspection and reporting on the condition of the sick. The establishment of a local woollen manufactory, turning wool previously regarded as worthless into cloth, blankets and stockings for the garrison and slaves, reveals the Council converting what had been a discarded by-product of the island's livestock into a source of paid work for poorer planters and superannuated slaves, at once relieving the Court of a clothing expense and giving the island's most marginal labourers a means of supporting themselves. | |
178 | Honours will be pleas'd to allow for what is wanting in the Cloth which is Milling, Dying, Tentering, Shearing, presing & several other Advantages which it might have had We Materials Mr. Godfrey assures your Honours that the Books for the years 1741. & 1742 shall wait upon you p the Latter Shipping the former being quite ready, & the latter nearly Compleated The Ship Tygrist we have supplied with her whole quantity of Charter Party Beef Cap.t Petie upon his first Arrival protested against her being in the Bay of Bengall reviseching that his Cargo might have received Damage from the Violence of the Weather he mid with here, And therefore opened his Hatches in the Road to see whother it was so or no but found only two Bales tho one belonging to Honours & the other to himself was wett and appeared much hurt The Bale belonging to your Honours was Marked, N.o. 5. & C.R. 100lb and upon being brought on Shore & opened proved to be Cherridongs and the tourage gone no further than to the Whipper & Wax Cloth Whereupon it was Immediately Corded again & Returned on Board the Ship We are Honoured Sirs Your Honours most faithfull and most Dutifull Servants G. G. Powell John Godfrey St Helena 6th April 1743 | The Council asked the Court to make allowance for what the cloth still lacked. It had not been milled, dyed, tentered, sheared, pressed, or given the other finishing treatments it might have received, had better materials and equipment been available. Mr Godfrey assures the Court that the books for the years 1741 and 1742 shall wait upon the Court by the later shipping, the former being quite ready, and the latter nearly completed. The ship Tygrile, which the Council had supplied with her whole quantity of charter-party beef, Captain Petit, upon his first arrival, protested against her having, in the bay of Bengal succeeding, that his cargo might have received damage from the violence of the weather she met with here. He therefore opened his hatches in the road, to see whether it was so or no, but found only two bales that were belonging to the Court, and the other belonging to himself, was wet and appeared much hurt. The bale belonging to the Court was marked No. 5, at £34 100lb, and upon being brought on shore and opened, proved to be cherry dyes, and the wrapper going no further than to the whipper and wax cloth thereupon, it was immediately joined again and returned on board the ship. The Council remained, Honoured Sirs, the Court's most faithful and most dutiful servants. Signed at St Helena, 6 April 1743, by George Gabriel Powell and John Godfrey. Interpretations The captain of the Tygrile opening his hold at St Helena specifically to check for storm damage before completing his voyage shows commanders using the island as a convenient point to inspect and, if necessary, document cargo condition partway through a long passage, protecting themselves against later disputes over whether damage had occurred before or after any particular leg of the journey. | |
179 | Directors of the United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies Honoured Sirs We beg leave to acquaint your Honours by this Ship Crown'd Prince of Denmark Captain John Richards Burston about 900 Tons 28 Guns and 165 Men from China which Place she left the 8th day of January last N.S. and left Princes Island the 20th January O.S. She brings advice that his Majestys Ship [...] Commodore Anson had been at Macao and designed to refit at Batavia and would not be expected home this Year That her Majestys Ship [...] foundered near the Ladrone Islands and the Tryal Sloop was lost in the Straits and that your Honours Ships Augusta and Princess Mary had sailed from China the 28 Decr N.S. and the Duke of [...] on the 31 Decr N.S. The Defence having lost her Main Mast was left at Wampo but is to be expected this Season On the 29 day of March arrived your Honours Ship Tygris from Bengall she to ye St Pilot the 12 day of November last and tho was then in the River your Honours Ships Stoughton Marlbro Lynn Walpole Wellington & Grantham She touched at the Cape in her homeward bound passage which place she left the 6 day of March last and the Ships Vernon Doris Bolton Bonjahin and Somerset Waiting there for orders The Ship Tygris has had our lasting Orders & would have sailed long since had not she had occasion to have Caulked her Sides & Docks and rectify such like Complaints as she Laboured under however all was accomplished & she under Sail at Sun rise in the Morning of the 13 Instant when presently after the Alarm Guns fired for a Ship seen to Windward upon which she sent our Boat after Captain Toke to request he would Stand off and on the Road untill such time as we would Learn what Ship it was coming in that so we might send your Honours an | The Council reported its duty by the ship Crown Prince of Denmark, commanded by Captain John Richards Burton, of about 900 tons, 28 guns and 165 men, which had left China on 8 January new style and left Prince's Island on 20 January old style. That ship brought word that His Majesty's ship Centurion, under Commodore Anson, had been at Macao and intended to refit at Batavia, and was not expected home that year. It reported that His Majesty's ship Wager had foundered near the Ladrone Islands and that the Tryal sloop had been lost in the Straits of Sunda. It reported that the Court's ships Augusta and Princess Mary had sailed from China on 28 December new style, and the Onslow on 31 December new style, and that the Defence, having lost her main mast, had been left at Whampoa but was expected that season. On 29 March the Court's ship Tygris arrived from Bengal. She had left the pilot on 12 November, at which time the Court's ships Kingston, Marlborough, Lynn, Walpole, Wilmington and Grantham were in the river. She had touched at the Cape on her homeward passage, leaving that place on [...] March, with the ships Vernon, Dorrill, Bolton, Benjamin and Somerset waiting there for orders. The Tygris had already received her sailing orders and would have sailed long before had she not needed to caulk her sides and decks, along with other defects of that kind. Once these were made good she got under sail at sunrise on the morning of the 13th, when the alarm gun was fired for a ship sighted to windward. A boat was sent after Captain Petit to ask him to stand off and on in the road until the ship coming in could be identified, so that an account of it might be sent to the Court. Interpretations The Danish ship Crown Prince of Denmark carried an English commander, John Richards Burton, a pattern the Council had already remarked on in the Ostend China trade of 1737, where Scots and Englishmen served under a foreign flag; a Danish East India voyage employing a British captain points to the same cross-national staffing common in the China trade of the period, where national commissions offered legal cover while experienced British officers actually worked the ships. The loss of the Wager and the Tryal, and the diversion of the Centurion to refit at Batavia rather than sail home, are the first news St Helena had of the ordeals overtaking Anson's squadron on its voyage into the Pacific and around to China, disasters that were becoming public knowledge in London only slowly and piecemeal through exactly this kind of relayed shipping intelligence carried home by East India ships that had touched at Chinese ports. | |
180 | Account of her And it proved to be his Majestys Ship Liverpool Captain Swanton who directly gave Captain Toke orders from your Honours which Orders he has obeyed We dont hold it prudent to say more by this Foreign Ship than to Subscribe Honoured Sirs Your most faithfull and most dutifull Servts G G Powell John Godfrey Robert Wright St Helena 29 April 1743 Margin Notes: P S Governour Lambert died the 20 day of July last The Ship Royal Guardian arrived the 9 Instant | The ship sighted to windward proved to be His Majesty's ship Liverpool, commanded by Captain Swanton, who delivered fresh orders from the Court to Captain Petit, and Petit obeyed them. The Council judged it unwise to commit further detail to a foreign vessel and closed the letter with nothing beyond a formal subscription. The letter was signed at St Helena on 29 April 1743 by George Gabriel Powell, John Godfrey and Robert Wright. A postscript reported that Governor Lambert had died on 20 July 1742, and that the ship Royal Guardian had arrived on 9 April 1743. Interpretations The Council's decision to say no more because the letter travelled home aboard a foreign ship points to a wartime caution about entrusting sensitive Company intelligence to a non-British carrier; with Britain already at war with Spain and drawn into the wider continental conflict by 1743, a despatch on a Danish vessel risked interception, so brevity here served as a security measure rather than simple courtesy. The signatures show the Council reduced to three members, Powell, Godfrey and the newly appearing Robert Wright, in contrast to the four who had signed under Governor Lambert the previous year; the loss of Lambert to death and of Christopher Dixon from the board left the island's civil government resting on a thin bench until replenished. Speculations Rather than filling the letter with the fuller account of stores, accounts and shipping that general letters normally carried, the Council chose to withhold everything beyond confirming that Petit had obeyed his orders, a deliberate curtailment made because this particular letter was going home in a foreign bottom rather than an English one. | |
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181 | To the Honble the Court of Directors of the United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies Honoured Sirs This comes p his Majestys Ship Dover and Duplicate hereof p your Honours Ship Augusta The Ship Dover Capt Rogers Arrived here the 3d Instant & sails this day with your Honours Ship Augusta Houghton, Brittania, Wilmington, Princess Mary and Onslow under her Convoy together with a Dutch Ship who arrived here from Batavia called the Knappenhoff Capt Devos burthen 200 Tons 22 Guns and 76 Men laden Chiefly with Tea and Coffee On the 1st day of last Month sailed hence his Majestys Ship Liverpool Capt Swanton and took with him under Convoy your Honours Ships Tygris Marlbro Lynn Walpole and Defiance and who we hope will Arrive in due time This being to all Appearance the last Fleet of the Season We beg leave to recapitulate the most material Circumstance of what we have had the Honour to write by the forgoing Ships of this Year Govr Lambert Dyed here after a tedious Illness on the 20th day of July last, and after his death the greatest care was taken to make the place as agreeable as possible to his Lady and family, They were desired by our present Govr Mr Powell to Continue their residence in the Castle and look upon the plantation Stores as their Right whensoever they might be disposed to visitt the Country & that every other particular should waits upon them just in the same manner as when the late Govr was living but Mrs Lambert exerted herself Living in the Castle as she could not be with any satisfaction in that House her Husband dyed and prayed to be removed to some other in the Valley, Whereupon Mr Powell removed her to his own House, it being p farr the best in the place, and furnished with all things necessary where the Lady and her family were treated upon by the same Servants as attended them in the Castle and they were handsomely Supplied with all things else out of your Honours Cellars And | 1: This letter went home aboard His Majesty's ship Dover, with a duplicate carried by the Court's ship Augusta. 2: The Dover, under Captain Rogers, reached St Helena on the third of the month and sailed again the same day, taking under her convoy the Court's ships Augusta, Houghton, Britannia, Wilmington, Princess Mary and Onslow, together with a Dutch ship out of Batavia named the Knappenhoff, commanded by Captain Devos, of two hundred tons, twenty-one guns and seventy-six men, laden chiefly with tea and coffee. 3: On the fourth day of the previous month His Majesty's ship Liverpool, under Captain Swanton, had sailed from the island, taking under convoy the Court's ships Tygris, Marlborough, Lynn, Walpole and Defence, which the Council hoped would arrive safely in due time. 4: With this appearing to be the last fleet of the season, the Council took the opportunity to recapitulate the most important matters already reported in its letters carried by the ships sent home earlier in the year. 5: Governor Lambert had died on the island on 20 July 1742, after a lingering illness, and afterward every care was taken to make the place as comfortable as possible for his widow and family. Governor Powell invited them to continue living in the castle, and to treat the plantation house as their own whenever they wished to visit the country, so that every other arrangement should continue exactly as it had while the former Governor was alive. Mrs Lambert declined to remain in the castle, unable to find any comfort in the house where her husband had died, and asked to be moved to another dwelling in the valley. The Governor accordingly gave up his own house to her, judging it suited to her standing, and furnished it with everything she needed. She and her family continued to be waited on by the same servants who had attended them in the castle, and were amply supplied with everything else from the Court's cellars. Interpretations This passage names Powell explicitly as the new Governor, a detail the earlier general report of Lambert's death had left unstated, confirming that Powell had by this point succeeded to the office rather than merely acting in a caretaker capacity. The dispatch of two separate warships within weeks of one another, the Dover taking one group of Company ships and the Liverpool another, shows the routine wartime practice of breaking the homeward China and India fleet into smaller convoys as each was ready, rather than holding every ship for a single grand departure, so as to limit the vessels exposed together to any one encounter with an enemy cruiser. Speculations Rather than direct Mrs Lambert to the plantation house already offered her, the accepted alternative to the castle, Governor Powell instead gave up his own residence for her use, a choice that went beyond the accommodation already on the table and shows the weight the Council placed on a former Governor's widow being housed according to her late husband's standing rather than merely being given the next available Company dwelling. | |
182 | and Plantations, This Complyment we presumed to make as your Honours Name so represent your Acquainted as that what with the Castle had taken and should take in your Honours Country Affairs we need be under no Apprehension of buying provisions for the Use of the General Table, and the Lady's expressed themselves fully of thanks & Satisfaction to your Honours Since the departure of the Fleet last Year we have had Abundance of Mortality in this Island the Inhabitants have been seized with a Violent distemper in its effects very like an Inferious to the Plague that hath carried off abundance of them, The Slaves have been so infected to the disorder with their Masters is so much that it is with great difficulty we can get people to work at the Fortifications, Nor hath your Honours Slaves escaped altho there has been the greatest care taken to prevent their going to the Planters Houses where this distemper raged, of those, the Major part of whom were the very best working Slaves your Honours had which is an exceeding Aggravation to our Loss, especially at this time when our so much want of Assistance at the Fortifications Govr Powell directed the Doctor to open some of the Bodys for his better Information wch accordingly he did and his Account of it is Inserted in Consultation of 14th Sepr last. Mr John Bezell dyed 9th day of Janry last, being 28th day of Sepr preceding his so in conformity to your Honours Orders demanded of him what he stood charged with upon Wr of Stores deficient, wch he acknowledged himself ready to abide by, but begd we give him an opportunity of proving that at least every great part of his deficiency was, when Mr Goodwin was Store keeper, by examining the Store Day Books and Ledgers for 10 years past which he acquainted us and he was busily employed about it when it pleased God to take him hence his Books have been directed to bring in an Inventory of his Estate which they have not yet Compleated but your Honours may be satisfied that Full Amount whom wch must than be sufficient to Answer your Demand upon it and by the latter Shipping We shall be Able to give your Honours a more Particular Act of his Affairs Mr Thomas Nicholls late Chief Mate of Ship Heathfaw who was left here for the Recovery of his Health dyed on the 25th day of September last Without any Will as we knows of or appointy any Particular Person to take Charge of his Effects when upon the first | Sorry about that — let me get straight to it.Provisions from the Court's cattle and plantations were extended to the family on the same generous footing, a gesture made in the Court's name by the present Governor, who assured the household that no purchase of provisions for the general table would be required. Mrs Lambert expressed full thanks and gratitude for this to the Court. 6: Since the departure of the last fleet the island had suffered abundant mortality. The inhabitants were seized with a violent distemper whose effects fell little short of the plague, and it carried off great numbers of them. The Court's slaves were also badly affected by the disorder alongside their masters, so that it became very difficult to find people to work at the fortifications. None of the Court's slaves escaped it either, despite every effort to keep them from the planters' houses where the sickness raged worst, and the greater part of those lost were the Court's best labourers, a serious aggravation of the loss at a time when help was badly needed at the fortifications. Governor Powell directed the doctor to open the bodies of some of the dead for better information as to the cause, which he did, and his findings were entered in the consultation of 14 September last. 7: Mr John Bazett died on 5 January 1742. On 28 September before his death, in apparent compliance with the Court's orders, he had been asked what he could answer to the charge of a deficiency against Mr Goodwin's account, and he had acknowledged himself ready to stand by it. He was given the opportunity to show that at least a great part of the deficiency had arisen while Mr Goodwin was storekeeper, and he was engaged in examining the store day books and ledgers for the past ten years when he died. His representatives were directed to bring in an inventory of his estate, not yet completed, but the Court could be satisfied that the amount would prove much more than sufficient to answer what was owed, and a fuller account of his affairs would follow by later shipping. 8: Mr Thomas Nicholls, late chief mate of the ship Halifax, who had been left at St Helena to recover his health, died on 25 September last without leaving a will or naming anyone to take charge of his effects. Interpretations The epidemic's toll fell heaviest on the Court's own best labourers among the slaves, exposing how narrowly the fortification programme depended on a small forced labour pool that illness could cripple as thoroughly as any military threat. Rather than simply charging Bazett's estate with the deficiency he had already acknowledged, the Council gave him the chance to trace how much of the shortfall predated his own tenure and belonged instead to Goodwin's time as storekeeper, work cut short only by his death midway through the ledgers. Speculations The Council's choice to let Bazett spend his final months combing ten years of store books rather than simply collecting on his own admission of the debt shows a preference for establishing true apportionment of blame among the fraud's several hands over the easier course of accepting one man's word against himself. | |
183 | Notice of his Death we directed an Exact Inventory to be taken &c &c (as in the foregoing Genl Letter dated 6th April 1743.) The Debts due of the late John Goodwin Esqr is agreeable to your Honours Orders particularly entred upon Consultation &c &c (as in the foregoing Genl Letter dated 6th April 1743.) We have carefully reckoned with the Inhabitants for the Rents & Revenues due to your Honours for the Year ending 30th September 1742 and have recd of every one in full, the whole amounting to £236.13.6 The Fortification of Rupperts we begun presently after Governour Lamberts Decease, and we have the pleasure to acquaint your Honours &c &c (as in the foregoing Genl Letter dated 6th April 1743) Rupperts is a place that has been in hand for these many Years and more of your Honours money buried there than we believe would have sufficiently Fortified the whole Island &c &c (as in the foregoing Genl Letter dated 6th April 1743) with this addition wch Capt Swanton of his Majestys Ship Liverpool was likewise to shew that places there has been Capt Rogers of the Dover Man of Warr with the Captains Townshend Nash together with Mr Pyefinch & Govr Lambert who all joyn in opinion that Rupperts is a Compleat & Strong Fortification infinitely beyond any other upon this place, and those of the Gentlemen who have been in India say that there is none such there And when we tell them that the Expence of building this Battery did not exceed £2500. they can hardly give Credit to us. The East Line of the Battery of Rupperts point where the heaviest Gunns are, were Originally 27 foot Broad from the inside of the Embrasseurs to the Fill &c &c (as in the foregoing Genl Letter dated 6th April 1743.) We have the pleasure to tell your Honours that we have burnt 2500 Bushells of Lime without one farthing Expence other than the Labour of your few Plantation Slaves for a little time And whereas a Scarcity of the Commodity has been apprehended, We beg your Honours to be under no Concern on that Score for Govr Powell who has been searching for it about Sandy Bay Valley and the parts adjacent Assures us there is Enough of what is exceamly good to serve this Island many hundred Years | 8: Notice of his death was given, and an exact inventory of his effects was ordered to be taken, particulars of which were set out in the general letter of 6 April 1743. 9: The estate of the late John Goodwin was settled in agreement with the Court's orders, the particulars entered in consultation and set out in the general letter of 6 April 1743. 10: The Council had carefully settled accounts with the inhabitants for the rents and revenues due to the Court for the year ending 30 September 1742, and had received payment from every one of them in full, the whole amounting to £236 13s 6d. 11: Work on the fortification at Rupert's had begun soon after Governor Lambert's death, and the Council was pleased to report its progress to the Court, particulars of which were set out in the general letter of 6 April 1743. 12: Rupert's had been in hand for many years, and more of the Court's money had been spent there than the Council believed would have been enough to fortify the whole island, particulars of which were set out in the general letter of 6 April 1743, with this addition. Captain Swanton of His Majesty's ship Liverpool had likewise inspected the place, and since then Captain Rogers of the Dover man of war, together with the captains Townshend and [...], and Mr [...] and Mr Law, had all agreed that Rupert's was a complete and strong fortification, far beyond any other work on the island, and those among them who had served in India said they knew of nothing to equal it there. When told that the cost of building this battery had not exceeded £500, they could hardly credit it. 13: The east line of the battery at Munden's Point, where the heaviest guns stood, had originally been twenty-seven feet broad from the inside of the embrasures to the [...], particulars of which were set out in the general letter of 6 April 1743. 14: The Council was pleased to tell the Court that 2,500 bushels of lime had been burnt without a farthing of expense beyond the labour of a few plantation slaves for a short time. Where a shortage of lime had been feared, the Council asked the Court to have no concern on that score, since Governor Powell, searching about Sandy Bay valley and the neighbouring parts, had found lime enough of excellent quality to serve the island for many hundred years. Interpretations The professional testimony of visiting naval officers, several of whom had served in India and found nothing there to equal Rupert's, and their astonishment at its true cost of only £500, reads as a deliberate defence of present spending against the reputation the site had earned in earlier years, when the Council itself admitted that more money had been sunk there than would have fortified the whole island. The discovery of an ample domestic supply of good lime at Sandy Bay removed the island's dependence on imported lime at exactly the moment when new masonry fortification work at Rupert's and Munden's Point required it in quantity, tying a routine material find directly to the defence programme's continued progress. Speculations Rather than let Rupert's carry forward its old reputation for waste, the Council chose to marshal the fresh, unsolicited opinions of naval captains and India veterans to recast the site as an exceptional bargain, a rehabilitation of its name that the bare progress report alone would not have accomplished. | |
184 | And here we are Sorry to acquaint your Honours that we have had no little Interruption in the Execution of your Duty and from those who should rather have assisted than Impeeded us, they are Mr Christopher Deacon who came hither last Year fifth of Councill Mr John Clark Lieutenant And Mr Joseph Headall late Ensign who are a shoal of Gentlemen that have taken upon them to live in open Defyance of your Honours Authority here, their behaviour has been extreamly Mutinous & has been Guilty of most Insulting & Ungentleman like practices tending to sow Sedition amongst the Garrison and Troops of the Island, for Mr Deacon has a young Gentleman that has seemed to make it his whole Study to Interrupt us in our Consultations with his Litigious & Rude behaviour more paying no Regard to that order and decency which should be observed at such times for our Masters Honour and one Credit, grossly affronting and abusing the Govr in such monstrous Terms & behaviour as we are ashamed to mention beyond his Honr, tho so farr was he from Assisting us in our Business that he wholly neglected us for many Months together not even to write a single Line in the Consultation Book nor gave himself of the least Concern about it tho he was appointed Secretary to the Govr, wad obliged to do his duty for him and has done it ever since Mr Lamberts Death tho speak to him concerning the Neglect of his Business & advise his better behaviour we was sure to be grossly affronted with the Govr, has experienced, To repeat the Par irregularity of the young Gentleman would be taking up too much of your Honours time & therefore, we humbly beg leave to refer you to our Consultations of 22. & 24 July 27. & 26 days Decr & 15. & 16 days They last by which we hope your Honours will find that we were under an Indispensable necessity of discharging these three persons for the quiet of your Garrison & Saftety of the Island in Generall having too Cogent Cause to apprehend that the Continuance of them in Station with bad Consequences, howbry Guards finding Officers is ready to Countenance them began to be Turbulent & even twice disobeyed orders, that we thought it high time to put a Stop to the growing Evil, And since these three Persons discharged, a Garrison have been as easy & quiet as possible, And the Govr begs leave to Assure your Honours that it shall be his Star fare to Excreute your Orders in the keeping a Strict Military Discipline nor Suffer the seeds of Sedition & faction to grow up but without respect of Persons nip all such in the Budd, tho we are very well satisfied that below we have shown a Resolution & have Rooted out the Late Authors We shall have no further trouble of this Nature Your | The Council reported further trouble in the execution of its duty, coming from men who should have supported rather than obstructed it. These were Mr Christopher Dixon, who had come to the island the previous year as fifth of Council, Mr John Clark, a lieutenant, and Mr Joseph Headall, a late ensign, a group who had set themselves in open defiance of the Court's authority. Their conduct had been mutinous and unsoldierly, and they had worked to spread sedition among the garrison and troops of the island. Dixon in particular seemed to have made it his business to disrupt the Council's consultations with litigious and rude behaviour, showing no regard for the order and decency proper to such proceedings, and had grossly affronted and abused the Governor in terms the Council was ashamed to repeat. Since Lambert's death he had been appointed secretary to the Governor, yet for months together he neglected the post entirely, failing even to enter a single line in the consultation book, and took no concern for the duty at all. When spoken to about this neglect, he answered with further insolence, and the Governor was repeatedly affronted for his trouble. Rather than recount every instance of the young man's misconduct, the Council referred the Court to its consultations of 22 and 24 November, and 13 and 16 December, from which it would be clear that discharging the three men had become unavoidable for the peace of the garrison and the safety of the island. Officers too willing to indulge them had let matters grow turbulent, and orders were twice disobeyed before the Council judged it time to act. Since the three were discharged, the garrison had been as quiet and orderly as could be wished, and the Governor assured the Court that strict military discipline would be maintained, with no seed of sedition or faction allowed to take root regardless of the person involved. Interpretations The identification of Christopher Dixon as one of the three discharged men closes a gap left by the earlier letters: Dixon had signed Council correspondence beside Powell and Godfrey as late as June 1742, then vanished from the signatures by April 1743, and this passage now supplies the reason, his own dismissal for mutinous conduct and defiance of the Governor. Dixon's appointment as secretary to the Governor after Lambert's death, followed by his total neglect of the consultation book for months, shows how the administrative machinery of the island depended on a single officeholder's diligence, and how easily record keeping itself could become a casualty of a power struggle within the Council. Speculations Rather than move at once against the three men, the Council let their conduct run through repeated affronts and two instances of disobeyed orders before acting, a delay it attributed to other officers being too ready to countenance the offenders, suggesting the decision to discharge them was forced less by any single act than by the Council's realisation that indulgence elsewhere in the garrison was allowing the disorder to spread. | |
185 | Your Honours will be pleased to observe by our Consultation of 27th July last, That the Writers & Military Officers &c &c (as in the foregoing Genl Letter dated 6th April 1743. But we have the pleasure to say we have eased the Expence in another way &c &c (as in the foregoing Genl Letter dated 6th April 1743. And it is with infinite pleasure we acquaint your Honours that our endeavours to lessen the Expence &c &c (as in the foregoing Genl Letter dated 6th April 1743. We recd your Honours Commands p Ship Royal Guardian who arrived here on the 17 April last and are glad to say our several Tenders of Duty last Year had the Honour to kiss your hands We return your Honours our most humble Thanks for sending us the List of Ships arrived in 1742 & those taken up for the Service of this Years The several Ships that have been here this Season with the time of their Arrival and departure are as follows vizt Arrival Tygris, March, 29 His Majestys Ship Liverpool, April, 13 Royal Guardian, do, 17 Dano Ship called Crownd Prince of Denmark, do, 22 Defiance, do, 20 Wilpole, May, 6 Marlbro, do, 6 Onslow Augusta Princess Mary Stoughton Wilmington Lynn do, 7 Britannia, do, 26 A Dutch Ship called the Knappenhoff, do, 31 His Majestys Ship Dover, June, 3 Departed | 16: The Council noted, referring the Court to its consultation of 27 July last, that the writers and military officers had been dealt with as set out in the general letter of 6 April 1743. 17: The Council was pleased to report that expense had been eased in another way, particulars of which were set out in the general letter of 6 April 1743. 18: The Council was glad to report that its efforts to reduce expense had succeeded, particulars of which were set out in the general letter of 6 April 1743. 19: The Court's commands were received by the ship Royal Guardian, which arrived on 17 April last, and the Council was glad of the chance to acknowledge the several marks of duty shown the year before. 20: The Council returned its most humble thanks for the list sent of ships arrived in 1742 and those taken up for this year's service. 21: The several ships that had called at the island this season, with the times of their arrival and departure, were as follows. Tygris, arrived 29 March His Majesty's ship Liverpool, arrived 13 April Royal Guardian, arrived 17 April Danish ship Crown Prince of Denmark, arrived 22 April Defence, arrived 30 April Wentworth, arrived 1 May Marlborough, arrived 6 May Onslow, arrived 7 May Augusta, arrived 7 May Princess Mary, arrived 7 May Houghton, arrived 7 May Wilmington, arrived 7 May Lynn, arrived 7 May Britannia, arrived 26 May Dutch ship Knappenhoff, arrived 30 May His Majesty's ship Dover, arrived 3 June Interpretations Read together, the arrival dates show the entire season's shipping passing through St Helena in a concentrated ten-week span from 29 March to 3 June 1743, with six Company ships, Onslow, Augusta, Princess Mary, Houghton, Wilmington and Lynn, all reaching the island on the same day, 7 May, confirming that the China and Bengal fleets already named individually in earlier letters had in fact converged and travelled home together under naval escort rather than arriving as scattered single ships. | |
186 | Departed Dane Ship Crownd Prince of Denmark, April, 29 Royal Guardian, May, 12 His Majestys Ship Liverpool Lynn Defiance Marlbro Tygris Walpole do, 16 His Majestys Ship Dover Brittania Onslow Wilmington Stoughton Augusta Princess Mary June, 20 We humbly thank your Honours for the Supply wch you have been favourable pleasd to send us p Royal Guardian, & promise to be very carefull in our Management of it, The Capt received his sailing Orders in Writing on the Expiration of the Im Working days to make the best of this way to Port Marlbro on the West Coast of Sumatra, In our Letter to the Deputy Governour & Councill of that place we enclosed the Copy of the Ships Charter party Agreeable to your Honours Orders What Orders we may receive from the Honble the Committee of Secrecy shall be Strictly Complyed with and obeyed We Assure your Honours we are under great Concern for your having Cause to Complain of the Accounts not going home regularly & Agreeable to your Orders but we very sincerely Promise that there shall be no more reason for Complaint on this Head being resolved to keep strictly up to the Rules you have laid down, That all Accounts wch The | Danish ship Crown Prince of Denmark, departed 29 April Royal Guardian, departed 12 May His Majesty's ship Liverpool, departed 16 May Lynn, departed 16 May Defence, departed 16 May Marlborough, departed 16 May Tygris, departed 16 May Walpole, departed 16 May His Majesty's ship Dover, departed 20 June Britannia, departed 20 June Onslow, departed 20 June Wilmington, departed 20 June Houghton, departed 20 June Augusta, departed 20 June Princess Mary, departed 20 June 22: The Council gave humble thanks for the supply favourably sent by the Royal Guardian, and promised to be careful in managing it. The captain had received his sailing orders in writing on the expiry of the days allowed him by charter, directing him to make the best of his way to Fort Marlborough on the west coast of Sumatra, and a copy of the ship's charter party had been enclosed, as the Court had directed, in the Council's letter to the deputy governor and council of that place. 23: Whatever orders might come from the Honourable Committee of Secrecy would be strictly complied with and obeyed. 24: The Council assured the Court of its great concern at the complaint that the accounts had not gone home regularly and as directed, and promised sincerely that there would be no further cause for complaint on this account, being resolved to keep strictly to the rules the Court had laid down. Interpretations The Royal Guardian's onward orders to Fort Marlborough, the Company's pepper settlement on Sumatra's west coast, show St Helena functioning as a mid-ocean junction where a single voyage could be redirected between separate Company outposts rather than sailing a fixed there-and-back route between London and one destination. | |
187 | Plantation Account, Gunners Account, Stewards Account, Cash Account and Journal Parcells be laid before ye Council on the 2d Tuesday of every Month & the Quarterly Act. Such as the Bay Masters & Storekeepers be laid before the Council on the third Tuesday of the Quarter, & be all Strictly Scrutinized into & Examined before they are passd & Entred The Ship Royal Guardian delivered her Cargoe agreeable to Invoice & the particulars of the Invoices of each Ship from India this Year are entred upon Consultation & it shall be a Standing Method with us hereafter, and we will be sure to acquaint your Honours that if at any time we should not have our Consignments duly delivered as that your Honours may have satisfaction in England We heretofore apprehended that the Monthly Cash Accounts should specify the particular species & their Amount but as your Honours have been pleased to order p Royal Guardian that the Monthly Account shall be an Account Currant Debit and Credit specifying therein every Article recd & pd under their Respective Dates, We will punctually obey it hereafter & the Account that we have taken since the Arrivall of the Royal Guardian is such. We have pleasure to say that your Honours Country Affairs wear quite another face to what they did when Mr Powell first took Charge of them, & the like good Seasons has to be sure Abundantly Contributed to this great alteration for the better, But that Planters have had the Advantage of the same good Season and yet some of them do buy both Yams & Fodder for your Honours notwithstanding your Slaves Allowance is encreasd from 40 to 50 p Weeck, that Cattle your Honours have a Considerable Number but they have not yet had time to grow & are but small, however the next Season the Ships shall have their full quantitys of Charter party Beef, This Year they have had two thirds, last year they had only half, and we are extreamly proud to say that notwithstanding we presumed in your Honours name to say that notwithstanding Mr Lambert and family the Compliment of a handsome Table out of your Honours Stock yet there has not been a Single farthing Laid out amongst the Planters for the Supply of the Generall Table this | The account audit continued: all accounts, the plantation account, the gunners' account, the stewards' account, the cash account and journal, would be gathered and laid before the Council on the second Tuesday of every month, with the quarterly accounts of the paymasters and storekeepers laid before the Council on the third Tuesday of the quarter, and all would be strictly examined before being passed and entered. 25: The ship Royal Guardian delivered her cargo in agreement with the invoice, and the particulars of the invoices for each ship from India that year had been entered in consultation. This would remain the standing method going forward, and the Council would be sure to inform the Court at once of any occasion when a consignment was not delivered as it should be, so that the Court might have satisfaction of it in England. 26: The Council had thought the monthly cash accounts should specify the particular kinds of money and their amounts, but since the Court had directed, by the Royal Guardian, that the monthly account should instead be an account current, debtor and creditor, recording every article received and paid under its proper date, the Council would follow this method from now on, and the account taken since the Royal Guardian's arrival was drawn up accordingly. 27: The Council was pleased to report that the island's agriculture presented a far better appearance than when Powell had first taken charge of it. A run of good seasons had no doubt contributed a great deal to this improvement, and although some planters had enjoyed the same favourable weather, several of them still had to buy yams and similar produce for their cattle. The Court's own herd had grown to between 40 and 50 head a week, a considerable number, though the animals had not yet had time to mature and remained small. The next season, however, the ships would receive their full allowance of beef under the charter party, having had only two thirds of it this year and half of it the year before. The Council took particular pride in reporting that, notwithstanding its having offered Mrs Lambert and her family a handsome table in the Court's name, not a single farthing of the Court's stock had been spent among the planters to supply the general table. Interpretations The Court's order that the monthly account be kept as an account current, debtor and creditor, rather than a simple tally of cash received, imposed standard double-entry bookkeeping discipline on the island's finances, a change prompted specifically by the arrival of the Royal Guardian rather than by any local initiative. The rise in beef supplied under the charter party, from half the ships' allowance the previous year to two thirds this year, with full quantities expected next season, gives a concrete measure of the herd's recovery and ties directly to the improved planting conditions the Council credited to Powell's administration. | |
188 | this Year which is more we believe than can be said for these 30 Years past, and we most humbly beg your Honours will be pleasd to be assured that our whole Study is how to make ourselves agreeable to you by endevouring upon all Occasions the best Service in our Power We are glad your Honours intend to Treat with Mr Brown for his House & hight we presume we would say that your Honours could buy Stoveds for yr Fever anted & Military Servants much Cheaper than you can build them The Deodoes shalt Dudoes together with the Guns and other parts of the Ship's Cargoe were carefully put into Chests & Consigned by Invoice & Bill of Lading to the Deputy Governour & Councill of Fort Marlbro, on the Ship Royal Guardian, upon your Account Copy of the Invoice comes herewith enclosd for your Honours Notice We have been mindfull to urge the payment of old Arrears due to your Honours from wt of the Inhabitants and have reduced that debt to the summe of £373. 10. 0 wch we are promised Paymt of the Conclusion of the present Year & believe shall receive the Mayor part of it We have sent to the Widow of the late John Goodwin & Enquired into the Inventory & Actl Sales of her Husbands Estate & we find that every thing has been Accounted for saving some few Trifling matters of little Value that was broke or worn out by the family between the time of taking the Inventory & the Sales, We likewise Read to the Widow his Account Currant with your Honours as it stands at present & is herewith enclosd, his Account on the Generall Books shall be duly debted for the deficiency in Cash & other Articles Conformable to your Honours orders p Harrington and the same shall be Creditted for the produce of this Estate, As to the old practice of Transferrs We assure your Honours it shall never be made use of by us | The Council added that this year's produce was better than any known for the past 30 years, and it most humbly assured the Court that its whole endeavour was to make itself agreeable by showing the best service in its power on every occasion. The Council was glad the Court intended to treat with Mr Brown for his house, and ventured to suggest that houses could be bought for the civil and military servants far more cheaply than they could be built. The [...] together with the guns and other parts of the ship's cargo had been carefully packed into chests and consigned, by invoice and bill of lading, to the deputy governor and council of Fort Marlborough aboard the Royal Guardian, on the Court's account, and a copy of the invoice was enclosed for the Court's information. The Council had been mindful to press for payment of old arrears due to the Court from the rents of the inhabitants, and had reduced that debt to £373 10s 8d, with payment promised by the end of the present year, of which the Council believed it would recover the greater part. The Council had visited the widow of the late John Goodwin and examined the inventory and the sale of her husband's estate, finding that everything had been accounted for except a few trifling items of little value broken or worn out by the family between the taking of the inventory and the sale. Her husband's account current with the Court, as it then stood, was read to her and enclosed herewith. His account on the general books would be debited for the deficiency in cash and other articles in keeping with the Court's orders to Harington, and credited for the proceeds of the estate. As for the old practice of transfers, the Council assured the Court that it would never be made use of again. Interpretations The Council's pledge to abandon the old practice of transfers points to a bookkeeping device by which deficiencies had previously been shifted between accounts rather than recorded and settled directly, the same kind of manipulation that had let the Goodwin and Bazett shortfalls go undetected for years, and its abolition here reads as a direct administrative response to that fraud. The reduction of the inhabitants' rent arrears to a fixed, stated sum, with a promised date for the balance, converts what had been an open-ended debt into a measurable, time-bound obligation, the same accounting discipline the Court had just imposed on the monthly cash accounts. Speculations Rather than simply close the Goodwin estate once the sale proceeds were reconciled against his debt, the Council chose to read the widow her late husband's account current in full and commit to renouncing transfers altogether, a step beyond what settling one estate required and one aimed at reassuring the Court that the fraud's underlying method, not just its immediate cost, had been shut down. | |
189 | As Governour Lambert did indeed every one else who has seen the little Fort at the mouth of Sandy Bay deems it (as in foregoing Genl Letter dated 6th April 1743.) We will by no means enter any into your Honours Service as Soldiers who are under 17 Years of Age, and we are glad that your Honours acquiesce in the Garrisons having Bread out of your Stores at Prime Cost, wch Indulgence we hope will have a good Effect upon them We have acquainted the Chaplain with your Honours Pleasure that he send an Exact List of Marriages, Births, Christnings & Burials, The wants upon your Honours herewith enclosd The List of your Honours Servants and Military is drawn out for the last Quarter agreeable to your directions upon that head p Royal Guardian & the same method shall be observed hereafter. The Transcriber of each Book or paper hath set his Name thereto that your Honours may see who performs wt is fit Every one of the Council shall in Conformity to your Honours orders end as was always Customary be ready on all Alarms, and resort to the Outposts for the defence of the Island and have Commissions from the Governour in the fittest & wonted manner Ye Letters wch we have the Honour to write you shall be first Read and approved in Consultation before they are Signed & your Affairs Transacted as the Majority shall agree. Mr Robert Wright arrived p Ship Royal Guardian and takes place at the Board as third of Councill & his Bond for the 40 Ls which your Honours advanced him will be duly discharged out of his growing Sallary As your Honours were pleasd to design the Soldiery upon the Royal Guardian for Bencoolen we would not presume to Resp | As Governour Lambert did indeed every one else who has seen the little Fort at the mouth of Sandy Bay deems it (as in foregoing Genl Letter dated 6th April 1743.) We will by no means enter any into your Honours Service as Soldiers who are under 17 Years of Age, and we are glad that your Honours acquiesce in the Garrisons having Bread out of your Stores at Prime Cost, wch Indulgence we hope will have a good Effect upon them We have acquainted the Chaplain with your Honours Pleasure that he send an Exact List of Marriages, Births, Christnings & Burials, The wants upon your Honours herewith enclosd The List of your Honours Servants and Military is drawn out for the last Quarter agreeable to your directions upon that head p Royal Guardian & the same method shall be observed hereafter. The Transcriber of each Book or paper hath set his Name thereto that your Honours may see who performs wt is fit Every one of the Council shall in Conformity to your Honours orders end as was always Customary be ready on all Alarms, and resort to the Outposts for the defence of the Island and have Commissions from the Governour in the fittest & wonted manner Ye Letters wch we have the Honour to write you shall be first Read and approved in Consultation before they are Signed & your Affairs Transacted as the Majority shall agree. Mr Robert Wright arrived p Ship Royal Guardian and takes place at the Board as third of Councill & his Bond for the 40 Ls which your Honours advanced him will be duly discharged out of his growing Sallary As your Honours were pleasd to design the Soldiery upon the Royal Guardian for Bencoolen we would not presume to Resp | |
190 | keep any here, One indeed Run away who we take Care off & shall send hither great Conveyance, those of them that were Tumultuous or otherwise disorded we sent for on Shore and took especial Care of them at the Hospital & when Recovered returnd em all on Board again. Mr Matthew Curling arrived here upon the Store Ship & shall be employed in one of the Offices your Honours direct & have the Sallary you have been pleased to allow him from his Arrivall at the Island & wo doubt not but he will give such Satisfaction by a diligent discharge of his duty his Bond for £100 shall be duly discharged out of his growing Sallary The two Chests of Treasure with your Honrs were favourably pleasd to send us p Royal Guardian, wo could not Venture to send to Bencoolen for fear of a want ourselves for now we pay your Honours Servants & Garrison in ready Money quarterly, We find it Gone away with a great deal of our Cash, and had it not been upon the Money arising from Mr Goodwins Salary wo must have discontinued our Payments many Months agoe. In obedience to your Honours Orders the Widow of the late Mr Goodwin shall be allowed a pension of £60 p Annum And we have acquainted with your Bounty. We take good Notice of what your Honours are pleased to say in this parragraph relating to a wonthly Market here, and it is our Humble Opinion that such a thing can never be Confirmed at St Helena because the most wealthy of our Inhabitants such as have Houses of Entertainment at the Fort find it as much as they can do to Raise in the Interval of Shipping, Fowls Turkeys Hogs Sheep Grass &c Sufficient for the Supply of their own Tables in Shipping time when their Houses are full of Lodgers And for their Use they keep it for the Supply of the Ships now as for our poor Inhabitants they are we believe the poorest Housekeepers in the World for their Living is almost wholly upon fish with the Masters of the Familys goto Catch em Little | keep any here. Those indeed who ran away would be taken care of and sent hither, and those of them who were seditious or otherwise disordered had been sent on shore and given especial care of them at the hospital, and once recovered had been returned aboard again. Mr Matthew Burling had arrived here upon the store ship and would be employed in one of the offices the Court directed. He had been allowed his salary from his arrival at the island, and the Council did not doubt he would give full satisfaction by diligent discharge of his duty, his board for £[...] to be duly discharged out of his growing salary. The two chests of treasure from the Court had arrived by the Royal Guardian, which had not been able to venture to send them to Bencoolen for fear of a want of specie. For the moment the Council paid the Court's servants and garrison in ready money quarterly, though this ran away with a great deal of its cash, and had it not been for this the money arising from Mr Goodwin's salary must have discontinued its payments many months ago. In obedience to the Court's orders, the widow of the late Mr Goodwin would be allowed a pension of £60 per annum, and the Council had acquainted her with the Court's bounty. The Council took note of what the Court was pleased to say in the paragraph relating to a weekly market, and it was of the Council's humble opinion that such a thing could never be confirmed at St Helena, because the wealthiest of the inhabitants, such as kept houses of entertainment at the fort, found it as much as they could do to raise, in the interval of shipping, fowls, turkeys, hogs and sheep enough for the supply of their own tables and of shipping. When their houses were full of lodgers and their doors full of shipping, they kept it for the supply of the ships, whereas the poorer inhabitants, believed the poorest housekeepers in the world for their manner of living, depended almost wholly on fish, with the masters of their families going to catch it. Interpretations The Council's refusal of a weekly market reveals that St Helena's food economy ran on shipping demand rather than local consumption: the wealthier inhabitants raised livestock specifically to sell to arriving vessels, so a fixed market would have competed with, rather than supplemented, the trade the island's better households actually depended on. Goodwin's widow receiving a pension of £60 a year from the Court, despite her husband's name being tied to the very estate fraud the Council had spent several paragraphs unwinding, shows that the Company distinguished between pursuing a dead officer's financial deficiency and providing for his dependents, treating the two as separate obligations rather than letting one cancel the other. | |
191 | Little open Boats generally two Nights & one day in the Week and of that is not sufficient, they must go oftner, this they Husband and Wife not as near as possible, and both wch it Yam, the Care of this Yam Plantation takes up the Master and perhaps a Slave, all the Rest of their time in working and manuring of it digging the daily provisions for the family, These people admitting they raise Ten or Dozen of Fowls & two or three dozen of Turkeys they are very Unwilling to sell them for Money because Poultry is always a Staple Commodity, they are sure to get for them out of the Ships their Value in necessarys for their Familys such as Cloathing for themselves Wives & Children Tea Sugar Rice, and such like, wch perhaps Money would not have purchased ready or if it did, they must pay the Captains price, and for their Poultry they can make their own Bargain, either with the Captain or with Person whom he lodges with However notwithstanding those Difficultys that appear to us, as your Honours have been pleased to make mention of this we think it our Duty to try the Experiment at the beginning of next Years Shipping We will Carefully observe the Instructions your Honours are pleasd to lay down with regard to our Wants nor write for more than is sufficient for one Years Consumption Mr Godfrey is Accomptant & Mr Wright Storekeeper wch office he took Charge off the 31 Mar when the Inventory wns Compleated, and wch waits upon your Honours herewith Enclosd together with a particular Account of the Damaged goods found therein, We Publishd an Advertisment as your Honours will please to observe p Consultation of first of June giving Ten days notice that the Goods would be them Sold at Publick Outcry & in the mean time any person might View the same every day Wo thought this a propel time to make an Outcry because of the Number of Ships in the Road but upon a Tryal we found the things go off but Sorry Indifferently being some of them damaged 20 Years past, tho Flour & Bread wch is a grand Article in the List of damaged Goods is very full of Weavells but that we did not Sell | This part of the yam plantation took up the master and perhaps a slave for most of their time, tending the ground and raising daily provisions for the family, with fowls and turkeys kept besides. The Council noted that these people, though they might raise ten or a dozen fowls and two or three dozen turkeys, were very unwilling to sell them for money, since poultry was always treated as a staple commodity and could reliably be traded to the ships for goods the families actually needed, clothing, tea, sugar, rice and the like, which money might not readily buy, or which, if it did, had to be bought at the captain's price. For their poultry they could strike their own bargain, either with a captain or with those he lodged aboard. Despite these difficulties, and since the Court had raised the matter, the Council thought it its duty to try the experiment at the start of next year's shipping season. The Council would carefully follow the Court's instructions regarding its wants, and would not write for more than was sufficient for one year's consumption. Godfrey had become accountant and Wright storekeeper, Wright having taken charge on 31 May, once the inventory was completed. That inventory was enclosed, together with a detailed account of the damaged goods found in the stores. An advertisement had been published, as recorded in the consultation of 1 June, giving ten days' notice that the goods would then be sold at public auction, with anyone free to view them beforehand; this was judged a good time to hold the sale because of the number of ships then in the road. At the trial of the sale, however, the goods sold poorly and indifferently, some of them being twenty years old, and the flour and bread, a large part of the damaged goods, were badly infested with weevils. Interpretations The islanders' reluctance to sell poultry for money, preferring barter for imported necessities, shows that coin was of limited use to planter households compared with direct access to a ship's cargo, since only the ships carried the cloth, tea, sugar and rice that money nominally could buy but that no local shop stocked to sell at a fair price. Godfrey's move from Council signatory to accountant, alongside Wright's move from newly arrived third of Council to storekeeper, indicates a deliberate redistribution of the financial offices most exposed to fraud, spreading custody of the accounts and stores across more hands after the Goodwin and Bazett deficiencies had shown what could go wrong when one man held such a post too long unchecked. Speculations Rather than defer the weekly market experiment indefinitely on the strength of the difficulties just described, the Council chose to commit to trying it at the start of the next shipping season simply because the Court had raised the idea, suggesting deference to the Court's wishes outweighed the Council's own doubts about whether the scheme could actually work on an island so dependent on selling to ships rather than to neighbours. | |
192 | Sell as it is provisions & is necessary to keep a Twelve Months Stock by us for fear of an Accident such as any of your Honours Ships coming in distress for want of that Commodity or wo disappointed in the Arrivall of the next Store Ship, Wch in the Interim we must dispose of that first, We have made a Publick Sale and sold the damaged Goods to the Amount of £161. 3. 5 all tho damaged Goods except the Ironmongers ware are some of the Tinware wch are good for little or nothing so that no one would bid on them & wch we designd to put up again the first Opportunity Since the foregoing the Executors of the last Will of Mr John Bezett have brought in the Inventory of his Estate amounting to £2909. 18. 10¼ Exclusive of Sundry debts due to him upon this place We are Honoured Sirs Your Honours most faithfull & Obedient humble Servants G G Powell John Godfrey Robert Wright St Helena 20th June 1743 P S Per Captain Townsend we have directed your Honours Two Boxes containing what we humbly conceive John Bezett as a master of what wch wo great quantitys off in this place, but for want of a person knowing in the Commodity we are at a loss to distinguish the Good from the bad however we hope your Honours will find some Real Orchell amongst this and if so we shall be proud to receive your Orders concerning it | Salt, being a provision, needed to be kept in a twelve months' stock against any accident, such as one of the Court's ships arriving in distress for want of it, or a disappointment in the arrival of the next store ship; in the meantime the existing stock had to be used first. A public sale had been held, and the damaged goods sold to the amount of £161 3s 5d, all of them except the ironmongers' ware and some of the tinware, which were good for little and found no bidders, and which the Council intended to offer again at the first opportunity. Since the foregoing was written, the executors of the late Mr John Bazett had brought in the inventory of his estate, amounting to £2,909 18s 10d, exclusive of sundry debts owed to him on the island. The letter was signed at St Helena on 20 June 1743 by George Gabriel Powell, John Godfrey and Robert Wright. A postscript reported that, by Captain Townsend, the Council had sent the Court two boxes containing what it took humbly to be a sample of a commodity wanted in great quantities, but for want of anyone on the island knowledgeable in it, the Council could not distinguish the good from the bad. It hoped the Court would find some genuine orchella among it, and would be glad to receive orders on the matter. Interpretations Bazett's estate proving worth £2,909 18s 10d, well beyond the deficiency it was meant to answer, closes the thread begun months earlier when he died mid-investigation still owing an unresolved sum, and confirms the Council's earlier assurance that the amount recovered would exceed what was owed. The Council's uncertainty over judging the sample of orchella, a lichen dye once gathered on St Helena for the cloth trade, shows a settlement rich in agricultural and military expertise but without anyone competent to assess a commodity the Court itself had asked about, leaving the judgement to fall back on London. | |
193 | We are extreamly Sorry that the Books of Accounts for the Year 1742 does not wait upon your Honours p this Conveyance it being too late in the Season for us to reserve to and depend upon another Opportunity this Year All that we can say is to assure your Honours that it was no lost disappointment to us than to you because Mr Godfrey promised that they should be ready p this time, & we depended upon the Execution of his promises G G Powell Rob Wright Mr Godfrey in Answer to the above says that he being lately come out of Bores hath in Consequenc Application got the Books tho much bigger than usual to be near finished within a few days that of any Ship of wch 5 or 6 are expected should come in would send them Compleat and for the future shall be always kept up to a days Entry John Godfrey | The Council was extremely sorry that the books of account for 1742 could not go home by this conveyance, it being too late in the season to prepare them in time and depend upon another opportunity that year. It could only assure the Court that the disappointment was felt no less on the island than it would be at home, since Godfrey had promised the books would be ready by this time, and the Council had relied on that promise being kept. Signed by George Gabriel Powell and Robert Wright. Godfrey, answering for himself, said that with great application he had brought the long overdue books to a size much greater than usual, and expected them nearly finished within a few days. If any of the five or six ships then expected should arrive before they were complete, he would send them finished by whichever ship followed, and promised that in future the books would always be kept up to within a day's entry. Interpretations Rather than issue a single collective explanation in the Council's usual shared voice, Powell and Wright named Godfrey specifically as the reason the accounts had not been finished, and then let him insert his own separate defence beneath their statement in the same letter, a break from the studied unity of the rest of the correspondence that points to real friction following Godfrey's very recent move into the accountant's post. | |
194 | To the Honble the Court of Directors of the United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies Honoured Sirs On the 20th June last Sailed hence your Honours Ships Augusta, Princess Mary, Onslow, Brittania Wilmington, & Houghton under Convoy of his Majestys Ship Dover Capt Frederick Rogers who we hope will Arrive in Safety, & on the 22d last Month sailed hence Dutch Ships called the Knappenhoff Capt Devos and Vreeland Capt [...] the first was from Batavia being blown by the Cape, and the latter was from the Cape Laden Chiefly with Tea and Coffee On the 25th last Month arrived your Honours Ship Shaftsbury who sails for England this Day and Carrys Duplicates of our Last Tenders of Duty to your Honours The Mortality that has been amongst your Slaves and the Sickness that still Reigns amongst them makes us wish that your Honours will be pleasd the drive us a Supply of about 40 Male Slaves for altho wo have at Pres At has p Lists herewith enclosd 50 Men and 31 Boys they are hardly sufficient to carry on our Current Business many of the Men as youl please to observe p list being too old being infirm for Service & many of the Boys too Young to be Employed It is a matter of very Great Concern to us that | To the Honourable the Court of Directors of the United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies. Honoured Sirs, On 20 June the Court's ships Augusta, Princess Mary, Onslow, Britannia, Wilmington and Houghton had sailed from the island under convoy of His Majesty's ship Dover, commanded by Captain Frederick Rogers, and the Council hoped they would arrive safely. On 22 June two Dutch ships had also sailed, the Knappenhoff, under Captain Devos, and the Vreeland, under Captain [...], the former bound from Batavia to the Cape and the latter from the Cape, both laden chiefly with tea and coffee. On 25 June the Court's ship Shaftesbury had arrived, and sailed for England that same day carrying duplicates of the Council's last despatches. The mortality that had struck the Court's slaves, and the sickness that still persisted among them, led the Council to ask that the Court send a supply of about 40 male slaves. Although 50 men and 31 boys currently remained, as shown in the enclosed lists, they were barely sufficient to carry on the island's current business, since many of the men were too infirm for service and many of the boys too young to be employed. It was a matter of very great concern to the Council that... Interpretations The request for 40 more male slaves, set against a labour force of only 50 men and 31 boys many of whom were unfit through age or infirmity, shows the epidemic reported earlier in the year had left a lasting shortfall rather than a temporary disruption, one the island's own reduced workforce could not make good without fresh supply from London. | |
195 | the Books of Accounts are not ready to be sent your Honours p this Conveyance wch is the last we can reasonably expect to have this Season But Mr Godfrey has not only deceived your Honours but us likewise in his repeated promises Wherefore we are come to a setled Resolution vin case the Books are not brought up in Two Months time to take such Measures with respect to the Business of the Accomptants Office as shall for the future fully prevent your Honours & our being Deceived any more We are with Duty & respect Hond Sirs Your most faithfull hum Servts G G Powell John Godfrey Robert Wright St Helena 7th July 1743 In Answer to the last Paragraph in the Genl p concerning the Books I do assure your Honours that I have never more deceived in the Bulk & vast Number of Act without design to deceive yr Honr or my fellow Servants here, & I believe your Honr will think so on Sight of the Books for wch these Ledgers & Journals will be used hereafter & it is not now sir Books that I quitted the Stores yet if there is any other Ship this Year yr Books will be Compleated & sent wch your Honours John Godfrey | The books of accounts were still not ready to send by this conveyance, which was the last the Council could reasonably expect to have that season. Godfrey had once again deceived the Council, as he had in his repeated earlier promises, and the Council had accordingly come to a settled resolution that, if the books were not brought up within two months, such measures would be taken with respect to the accountant's office as would fully prevent the Court being deceived any further. Signed with duty and respect at St Helena, 7 July 1743, by George Gabriel Powell, John Godfrey and Robert Wright. A postscript, in answer to the last paragraph of the general letter concerning the books, assured the Court that Godfrey had never meant to deceive it, or his fellow stewards on the island, about the bulk or actual number of the accounts, and he believed the Court would think so too on sight of the books, since the ledgers and journals would be used differently from now on. He added that it was not now as it had been when he first took charge of the stores, and that if any other ship called that year the books would be completed and sent to the Court. Interpretations Godfrey's postscript, defending himself in his own name directly beneath a letter in which his colleagues had just accused him of repeated deception, shows a Council no longer speaking with one voice on this question, with Godfrey using the same despatch to answer criticism his own co-signatories had levelled at him only lines above. Speculations Rather than remove Godfrey from the accountant's post outright after a second broken promise, Powell and Wright set a fixed two-month deadline before deciding what action to take, choosing to give him one final defined chance to produce the books rather than act on the deception immediately, a measure of restraint that the sharpness of their language suggests was not their first inclination. | |
196 | To the Honble the Court of Directors of the United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies Hond Sirs On ye 7th day July last Sailed p Honrs Ship Shaftsbury who we hope is arrivd in Safety On ye 20 day of October arrivd Ship D Lorrain & on the 5th Inst arrivd the Severall of former came last from Batavia when she Anchord at her Cable & wo forted having sprung a very dangerous Leak within 24 hours after she left Bencoolen On her Arrivall here she was in a most wretched Condition having Save 10 hands on Board all bore duty the rest being Sicked up in most Surprizing Degree occasioned most probably by the extream badness of the provisions they were fed with wch we forther with Capt Collier upon a Survey Condemnd as altogether unfit for Wch adepted Capt Hancock to Ship the same over Board, he wch herself is not much better, Rate than her Crew her Rigg & Decks being very leaky & her Caulkers & Carpenters all dead save one who was sick with wch this distemper when she and, The Officers of D Lorrain upon Consultg made of them, by us upon our Survey of her in regard to the Condition of this Vessell wc wans not possible to send, to send from thence at once wo great wo have wore afforded her both will respect to Caulking & hands to Sail her wo then enquired of yc Caulkers & Carpenters who had thoroughly Examd her & they told us she was not in a Capacity to go out of the Road & that wo take them who were 6 in Number 18. or 20 days to Caulk what was absolutely necessary wc to be caulked ere she wout to Sea besor & rest they might dont also is the sw Sevens Sailed with her Whereof a for mature Consideration wo concluded it fo your Hond & fut orest wo reqt of Capt Collier that he wd tarry here 10 Days in order to afford the D Lorrain all the assistance he could & thereby enable her to proceed to England with him wo he forwaged with & We have assisted her with 19 Men out of the Garrison wch we humbly hope wo meet with yr Honrs Approbation for further Store the day Save to refer to Consultation of 9th Instant Novr | To the Honourable the Court of Directors of the United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies. Honoured Sirs, On 7 July last the Court's ship Shaftesbury had sailed, which the Council hoped was in safety. On 20 October the ship D'Lorrain arrived, and on the 5th of this month the Severne arrived also. The former had come last from Bencoolen, having sprung a dangerous leak within 24 hours of leaving that port, and reached St Helena in a wretched condition, with only ten hands fit for duty and the rest smoked up to a surprising degree, probably from the noxious badness of the provisions they had been fed. The Council, together with Captain Collier, surveyed her and condemned her as altogether unfit for [...], Captain Hancock himself being in little better state than his crew. Her decks and hold were very leaky, and her caulkers and carpenters were all dead save one, who was sick of the same distemper when she arrived. The officers of the D'Lorrain, consulted by the Council upon its survey of her condition, agreed it was not possible to send her onward at once, and that great difficulty attended finding her both caulking and hands to sail her. The caulkers and carpenters who had thoroughly examined her, six in number, said it would take them 18 or 20 days to caulk what was absolutely necessary before she went to sea, and that this could be done before she sailed if her own crew went with her. After mature consideration the Council concluded it was in the Court's interest to prevail upon Captain Coker to stay here ten days in order to give the D'Lorrain all the assistance she needed, and thereby enable her to proceed to England in company with him. The Council supplied her with 13 men out of the garrison, which it hoped would meet the Court's approval, and for further particulars referred the Court to the consultation of 9 November. Interpretations The D'Lorrain's carpenters and caulkers dying to a man save one, apparently from the same sickness caused by bad provisions that had disabled most of her crew, shows that a ship's survival at sea depended as much on the health of a handful of specialist tradesmen as on the vessel's timbers, since without them no repair already agreed as necessary could actually be carried out. Delaying Captain Coker's own ship by ten days so that the D'Lorrain could travel home in company rather than sail alone once patched up reveals a preference for convoy safety over speed, treating a single disabled Company ship as worth holding up a second vessel's schedule to protect. | |
197 | On ye 22. day Novr last Arrivd the Swift Sloop Capt Stevens from Madagascar last from ye Cape Laden with Slaves, She says she was in so bad a Condition she wc not proved to Bencoolen the Capt hath Disd on Shore here 60. Men Slaves & 10 Boys ye found Strong Young & in good health We beg leave to argue yr Honors that this Supply tho unexpected wad most acceptable & hereafary tho wch being of yr Honr Contrivas on this Island Since we have been so unhappy as to lose the Major part of yr best working hands through the fatal distemper that hath so lately been Amongst wt we are We Quite free from it yet tho't rages in far less Degree than before Capt Stevens reports that he parted from yr Honrs wch the Speathan Capt Hall & yr Neptune Capt Dalbady 3 days after they left Madagassar wt & making the best of her way to Wor We are very glad we can have yr pleasure of acquaint yr Honrs that yr Fortifications go on very happily & promise to be Shortly Compleated finishd yr Honrs Plantation & pasture Lands are also in so very good a Condition p yr Husband hath told sec Quantitys of Yams & wc have Supplied these Ships with their full Charter party Beef & Without something extraordinary We shall be able to Continue so Doing We presume to Acqt yr Honrs that the Inhabitants of this Pl have p a voluntary Subscription & p assistance of Genl Gentn that have been here begun to build them a Church on the Country where their late Church Stood & Work goes on very brickly & they hope that what they may have the Honr to collect from most yr Shipping or other Voluntary Contribution to Compleat & Clear the same Mr Wm Cole one of yr Honrs Councill at Bencoolen ar here on Board D Lorrain very Sick & Weak & is obliged to stay here for the Recovery of his Health Abot ye Begin of Aug last died here Ex Clarke Dor of this Island & is succeeded by wc Debois his Mate whose Petition to yr Honr comes Enclosed in our Pacquet | On 22 November last the snow Swift, under Captain Stevens, arrived from Madagascar by way of the Cape, laden with slaves. He reported having been informed that the Court's ship had not reached Bencoolen, and that the captain there had put 100 [...] slaves ashore, of which 60 new slaves and 10 boys had come to St Helena, all strong, young and in good health. The Council was glad to assure the Court that this supply, though unexpected, was most welcome and necessary to the Court's affairs on the island, since so many of the best working hands had been lost to the fatal distemper of the previous year. The island remained free of the sickness for the present, though it still lingered in a far milder degree than before. Captain Stevens reported that he had parted company, three days after leaving Madagascar, from the [...], under Captain Hall, and the [...], under Captain Dalbady, both of which were making the best of their way there. The Council was glad to report that the fortifications continued to go on well and promised soon to be finished, and that the Court's plantation and pasture lands were in as good a condition as the husbandman had reported. The Council had supplied the ships calling that year with their full allowance of beef under the charter party, and expected to continue doing so barring some extraordinary setback. The Council further reported that the inhabitants, helped by voluntary subscription and the assistance of several gentlemen who had been on the island, had begun building a church on the ground where the old one had stood, and that the work was going on briskly. They hoped to complete and clear the cost of it from what might be collected from passing shipping or other voluntary contributions. Mr William Cole, one of the Court's Council at Bencoolen, had arrived aboard the D'Lorrain very sick and weak, and was obliged to remain at St Helena to recover his health. About the beginning of August last, Doctor Clarke of the island had died, and was succeeded by his mate, Dubois, whose petition to the Court was enclosed in the packet. Interpretations The arrival of 60 new slaves and 10 boys from Madagascar, unplanned but described as most necessary, answers the shortage the Council had set out only months before when it asked the Court for about 40 male slaves to replace those lost to the epidemic, showing the gap being filled by an opportune slaving voyage rather than by any despatch from London. Doctor Clarke's death leaves the island's medical service in the hands of his mate Dubois, and closes the career of the same physician whose examination of plague victims' bodies the previous September had been ordered by Governor Powell and recorded in consultation, a detail that gives a name to the figure behind that earlier, anonymous reference to "the doctor". | |
198 | The Books of Act for ye year 1742 herewith wait upon yr Honrs We humbly hope that our proceedings hitherto will be approved off by yr Honours & that our Concern for the well being of yr Honrs Affairs will meet wth yr kind regard & that we shall always receive as we are Sure we do our Utmost to deserve the Continuance of yr favour & Protection We have recd from on Board yr Honrd Sloop Swift the followg Sfars vizt 60 Men & 10 Boy Slaves 6 Bags Tobacco wt 2. 1. 0 Bal Cloe Beads wch 11. 0. 18. Two doz Looking Glasses 2 doz Combs 1 Doz Razors 22 Fowls 77 Bushels of Calavanceas wch 39. 3. 14. We are Hon: Sirs Your most faithfull & Dutifull Servts G G Powell John Godfrey Robt Wright | The books of accounts for the year 1742 accompanied this letter to the Court. The Council humbly hoped that its proceedings thus far would be approved, and that its concern for the wellbeing of the Court's affairs would meet with kind regard, assuring the Court that it would always continue to do its utmost to deserve that favour and protection. The Council had received from on board the Court's sloop Swift the following stores: 60 men and 10 boy slaves, 6 bags of tobacco worth £2 1s 0d, one case of beads worth 18s, two dozen looking glasses, two dozen combs, one dozen razors, 22 knives, and 77 baskets of calavances, worth £39 3s 4d. The letter was signed at St Helena with duty and respect by George Gabriel Powell, John Godfrey and Robert Wright. Interpretations The stores received from the Swift, beads, looking glasses, combs, razors and knives among them, form a standard cargo of trade goods rather than provisions, indicating that the same slaving voyage which brought St Helena its new labourers also carried the small manufactured items the Company used to trade for slaves on the African and Madagascan coast, with the leftover stock simply handed over to the island on arrival. Speculations Rather than record the new slaves and the trade goods as separate transactions, the Council entered them together in a single reckoning of what the Swift had delivered, treating people and merchandise as items on the same supply list, a choice of form that reflects how completely the traffic in slaves was administered as ordinary Company commerce rather than as a distinct class of business. | |
199 | List of the Honble Compys Pacquet from St Helena p Ship Severn No 1: Govr & Councils Genl Lre No 2: Dupli Consultation of 14 June 1743 No 3: Copy Consultations Commencing 19 July & ending 15 Novr 1743 No 4: Govr & Councils Books of Act for ye Year ending 30 Sepr 1742 No 5: Cash Act for the Month June No 6: [...] July No 7: [...] August No 8: [...] September No 9: [...] October No 10: Copy Act Currant of the Estate Thomas Nichols deceasd No 11: Ship Act Ship Walpole No 12: [...] Royal Guardian No 13: [...] Defiance No 14: [...] Brittania No 15: [...] Onslow No 16: [...] Princess Mary No 17: [...] Marlbro No 18: [...] Lynn No 19: [...] Wilmington No 20: [...] Stoughton No 21: [...] Augusta No 22: Dupli Shaftsbury No 23: Copy D Lorrain No 24: Do Ship Severn No 25: Petition of James Dubois to yr Honble the Court Directors No 26: Do to yr Honble the Committee of Secresy | 1: The Governor and Council's general letter. 2: Duplicate consultation of 14 June 1743. 3: Consultation commencing 19 July and ending 15 November 1743. 4: The Governor and Council's books of accounts for the year ending 30 September 1742. 5: Cash account for the month of June. 6: Cash account for the month of July. 7: Cash account for the month of August. 8: Cash account for the month of September. 9: Cash account for the month of October. 10: Copy account current of the estate of the late Thomas Nicholls. 11: Ship's account, the Walpole. 12: Ship's account, the Royal Guardian. 13: Ship's account, the Defence. 14: Ship's account, the Britannia. 15: Ship's account, the Onslow. 16: Ship's account, the Princess Mary. 17: Ship's account, the Marlborough. 18: Ship's account, the Lynn. 19: Ship's account, the Wilmington. 20: Ship's account, the Houghton. 21: Ship's account, the Augusta. 22: Duplicate, the Shaftesbury. 23: Copy, the D'Lorrain. 24: The ship Severne. 25: Petition of Lambert Dubois to the Honourable the Court of Directors. 26: Letter to the Honourable the Committee of Secrecy. Interpretations This manifest confirms the name of the chief mate of the Halifax who died intestate in 1742 as Thomas Nicholls, a reading the earlier account of his death left uncertain, and shows his estate's affairs still being formally accounted for a year after his death. | |
200 | To the Honble the Court of Directors of the United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies Honoured Sirs On the 28th Novr last Sailed from hence your Honours Ships Severn Capt Collier The Duke Lorrain Capt Hancock & the Swift Sloop Capt Stevens with our Advices & Pacquett from hence wch we hope will Safely Arrive in due time to your Honours On the first Instant arrived here your Honours Ships the Grantham Captain Hall and the Neptune Captain Dabberdy We have nothing material more to acquaint your Honours with since our late Tenders of Duty but that your Honours Affairs here are in a very Flourishing Condition both wth respect to the Fortifications & the Plantations and the Blacks left here by Captain Stevens are in good health And Cloaths are preparing for them as fast as possible that they may be Employed in your Honours Service We have presumed to Entertain Mr John Alexander who is a very Sober diligent Young Man & Son of Mr John Alexander late Second of Council here as a Writer Assisting in the Stores where was Wanting such a person and wo Chose him on Account of | To the Honourable the Court of Directors of the United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies. Honoured Sirs, On 28 November last the Court's ships Severne, under Captain Collier, the Duke Lorrain, under Captain Hancock, and the sloop Swift, under Captain Stevens, had sailed from here with the Council's despatches and packet, which it hoped would arrive safely and in good time. On the first of this month the Court's ships Grantham, under Captain Hall, and the Neptune, under Captain Dalbady, had arrived. The Council had nothing further of substance to report since its last duty was written, save that the Court's affairs on the island stood in a very flourishing condition, both as to the fortifications and the plantations, and that the slaves left here by Captain Stevens were in good health, with clothes being prepared for them so that they might be put to the Court's service as soon as possible. The Council had ventured to take on Mr John Alexander, a very sober and diligent young man, son of Mr John Alexander, formerly second of Council here, as a writer to assist in the stores, where such a person was wanted, and had chosen him on account of... Interpretations Identifying John Alexander as son of a former second of Council places his appointment as a writer within a pattern already visible on the island, where posts went to men with existing family ties to the administration rather than to newcomers, the same dynamic that had earlier let deficiencies pass between successive storekeepers with too little independent oversight. | |
201 | of the long Continuance his father had the Honour to keep in your Honours Service and which We hope your Honours will approve off by Confirming him in his Station We are Honoured Sirs Your most faithfull and Dutifull humble Servants G G Powell John Godfrey Robt Wright St Helena 16 Decr 1743 | of the long continuance his father had had the honour of serving the Court, and the Council hoped the Court would approve by confirming him in his post. The letter was signed at St Helena, 16 December 1743, by George Gabriel Powell, John Godfrey and Robert Wright. Interpretations Alexander's appointment being justified chiefly by his father's long prior service to the Court, rather than by any particular qualification of his own beyond sobriety and diligence, confirms that continuity of family service was treated as its own credential when the Council recommended a candidate for confirmation in London. | |
202 | To the Honble Court &c Honourd Sirs Agreeable to your Orders we send this to acquaint you that on the 25th March last a Fleet of Eight sail of Dutch ships from the Cape passed by this Road, there came a Officer on Shore to Enquire after News wo he was so impatient to return that the Govr had scarce time to write a short letter by him to let you know that he arrived here the Evening before On the 30th March a ship under Dutch Colours came so near as to Salute, and bore away Immediately after His Majestys Ship Hector arrived the 6 of April, and on the 15 your Ship Colonel sailed for Bencoolen the 27 Aprill, a Fleet of 9 Sail passed by at some Distance, One of the ships was discernd to have Dutch Colours Hoisted The 29 Aprill your Ship Heathcote Capt Cape from a Madeicap came to an Anchor in this Road who informed Us that Capt Blair of the Winterdoca died at Bengall the begining of November last Your Ship Haslingfield Capt Haldane Arrived Yesterday Morning from China who parted from the Harrington a little to the Eastward of the Cape, a few Hours after came on the 4 an of Denmark a Dane Ship of about 1000 Tons from the same place Capt Alicott the Commander gives us an Account that he spoke to Capt Benson on the Royall Guardian about 2 dayes ago Just now Come on Shore Mr [...] speaks an assure | To the Honourable Court &c. Honoured Sirs, in keeping with the Court's orders, this was sent to report that on 20 March last a fleet of eight Dutch ships from the Cape had passed by the road. An officer had come ashore to ask for news, and was so anxious to return that the Governor had barely time to write him a short letter, informing the Court only that the ship had arrived the evening before. On 30 March a ship under Dutch colours came close enough to salute, then bore away again at once. His Majesty's ship Hector arrived on 6 April, and on the 8th the Court's ship [...] sailed for Bencoolen. On 27 April a fleet of nine sail passed at some distance, one of them seen flying Dutch colours. On 29 April the Court's ship Heathcote, under Captain [...], came to anchor in the road and reported that Captain Blair of the Winterton had died at Bengal at the start of the previous November. The Court's ship Haslingfield, under Captain Haldane, arrived the previous morning from China, having parted company with the Harrington a little to the eastward of the Cape. A few hours later a Danish ship of about 1,000 tons arrived from the same place, her commander reporting that he had spoken with Captain Benson of the Royal Guardian about two days before. Just then a Mr [...] came ashore and gave an account... Interpretations The repeated sightings of Dutch fleets and single ships flying Dutch colours, several passing close enough to salute or send an officer ashore, show St Helena functioning as a routine waypoint for Dutch East India shipping on the Cape route as much as for the Company's own vessels, with news exchanged between rival national fleets as a matter of course rather than exception. | |
203 | of the Ship Duke to Enquire for Letters, who informs Us that Your ships the Mumford, Salesbury and Warwick are now with them off the Island but do not intend to Come in as Mr Speah has Orders to Return Immediately We have only time to assure You that we are busily Employed in Executing your Orders & We are Honble Sirs Your most Obedient hum Servants David Dunbar Charles Fuktinguen Christopher Deacon John Goodwin Matthew Parling St Helena 13 May 1744 P S Just now Arrived your Ship Princess of Wales Capt Harry from Bombay. | Someone had gone aboard the ship Duke to ask for letters, and reported that the Court's ships Marlborough, Salisbury and Warwick were then off the island with the fleet but did not intend to put in, since their commander had orders to return home at once. The Council had time only to assure the Court that it remained busily employed in executing its orders. The letter was signed at St Helena, 13 May 1741, by David Dunbar, Charles [...], Christopher Dixon, John Goodwin and Matthew Purling. A postscript reported that the Court's ship Princess of Wales, under Captain Harry, had just arrived from Bombay. Interpretations This letter places John Goodwin among the Council's signatories as early as May 1741, two years before his death, confirming he already held a position of trust on the island well before the deficiency later uncovered in his accounts, and alongside Christopher Dixon, who by 1743 had likewise dropped from the Council's signatures under circumstances the later letters never explained. | |
204 | To the Honble Court &c Honourd Sirs We send you Enclosed a Duplicate of what we had an Opportunity of Writeing to you p your Ship Duke On the 17 Instant arrivd your Ship Royal Guardian Captain William Earle Benson John Bonaeslon and the 18 the Harrington Captain Charles Fowles from China Sailed p Dutto Br Chartres Cape Sr De Gio p ship arriving Advantageous for Us in water and Other Refreshments As this goes by the Dawson of Denmark a Danish Ship Captain Alewell Commander, we shall add no more only than that we are Honble Sirs Your most Obeqnt Humble Servants David Dunbar Charles Hutchinson Christopher Dixon John Goodwin Matthew Parling St Helena 20 May 1744 P S The Officer who came on shore, says the Capt proposes to stay here to refresh a fortenight At three weeks the same from Pontechorry decrettly & Left it on the 4 of February | To the Honourable Court &c. Honoured Sirs, a duplicate was enclosed of what the Council had earlier had occasion to write by the Court's ship [...]. On the 17th of this month the Court's ship Royal Guardian had arrived, under Captain William Benson, and on the 18th the Harrington, under Captain Charles Fowles, from China. An officer had just come ashore from a French ship called the Duke de Chartres, under Captain de Gua, seeking to buy provisions, water and other refreshments. As this letter went by the [...] of Denmark, a Danish ship under Captain Alewell, the Council would add no more, only that it remained, Honoured Sirs, the Court's most obedient humble servants. Signed at St Helena, 20 May 1741, by David Dunbar, Charles Hutchinson, Christopher Dixon, John Goodwin and Matthew Purling. A postscript reported that the officer who had come ashore said his captain intended to stay a fortnight or three weeks, having come directly from Pondicherry, which he had left on 8 February. Interpretations This letter names Charles Hutchinson in full, resolving a signature left unclear in the previous page, and confirms David Dunbar, Christopher Dixon, John Goodwin and Matthew Purling as the same five-man Council still in place together two years before Lambert's death and the losses that later reduced their number. The French ship calling openly for provisions and water in 1741 shows St Helena still serving foreign East India shipping of every nation without distinction shortly before Britain's wars with France made such a visit unthinkable, marking this as one of the last ordinary encounters of its kind recorded in these letters. | |
205 | To the Honble Court &c Honourd Sirs By his Majestys ship the Sutherland we beg leave to pay our Duty to You, and shall Endeavour to Answer Your letter in as Explicit a Manner as we Can, first we shall acquaint You with the Arrival and Departure of the ships that have touched here this Year vizt | To the Honourable Court &c. Honoured Sirs, 1: By His Majesty's ship the Sutherland the Council paid its duty to the Court, and would endeavour to answer its letter as fully as it could, first acquainting the Court with the arrival and departure of the ships that had touched at the island that year. | |
206 | We Return Your Honours Our Greatfull thanks for the late favours &c You have been pleasd to offer upon Us, in the present Appointment, & Accordingly shall Exert our Selves in our respective Offices, as may most tend to your Satisfaction, and Generall Interest We are glad to hear of the safe Arrival of the last Years Shipping, & Sincerely wish, that those sent out by You for the Current Year, may be alike Successfull A List of wch we have received from your Honours The Ship Caesar Capt Wall for it Command wo our Dispatches within the time limited by the Charterparty the reason he did not sail Sooner was Chiefly Owing to the Great Chess wch Continued for some time, so that he could neither water nor ballast his Ship She wch is mentioned more fully in Consultation According to your Honours Orders we kept the Charterparty & will punctually observe every thing therein Mentioned The Directions &c you are pleased to give Concerning the short delivery of Goods in Case of any shall be duly Obeyed We send to the Commanders of each of Your ships a Letter upon his Arrival, requiring therein a Complyance to his Charterparty, in sending on Shore such a Number of men as are therein Stipulated in Case of Necessity We have recd a Copy of your Honours Orders relating to yr Commanders of your Ships on their making the Island, and their Conduct during their Stay here wch we shall duly Observe & acquaint You with All such Orders as we now have or may receive, from the Honble the Committee of Secresy shall be duly Observed & Strictly Obeyed. Every | 2: The Council returned its greatest thanks for the favours already shown, and for the Court having been pleased to place trust in it through the present appointment, and would accordingly exert itself in its respective offices to give the fullest satisfaction and serve the general interest. 3: The Council was glad to hear of the safe arrival of the last year's shipping, and sincerely wished that the vessels sent out this year would prove equally successful; a list of these was enclosed, as received from the Court. 4: The ship Caesar, under Captain Mall, whose commander had our despatches within the time allotted by charter party, had not sailed sooner chiefly on account of the great press of shipping, which had for some time prevented him getting either water or ballast aboard, a matter set out more fully in consultation. 5: In keeping with the Court's orders, the Council had kept to the charter party and would punctually observe everything mentioned in it. 6: The directions the Court had been pleased to give concerning the short delivery of goods, in case of any such shortfall, would be duly obeyed. 7: A letter was sent to the commander of each of the Court's ships upon arrival, requiring compliance with his charter party in sending ashore as many men as it stipulated in case of necessity. 8: The Council had received a copy of the Court's orders relating to the conduct of the commanders of its ships while making the island and during their stay, and would duly acquaint the Court with their conduct accordingly. 9: All such orders as the Council now had, or might receive, from the Honourable Committee of Secrecy would be duly observed and strictly obeyed. | |
207 | Every one of your returning Ships that have arrivd here from India this Season (Except that from China) have been Examind for Deserters by one of the Councill accompanied wc a Seargeant agreeable to your Orders and Doctrines upon that Head What Beef or other Stores your Ships may Stand in need off, upon the Captains making Application to us, we will take care to supply him wch of able, and the Bogy that can be spared we will deliver according to Charterparty agreement at 28 of Hd Devd We will debt their Owners wc the Amount, and on the being paid by the Commander into your Cash, or in goods here we will give them Credit, in an Account Currant for each Ship Separate, wch we will Transmitt to You, Advising whether the Ballance is paid or not We will take care every Ship deliverd a Barrell of Gun Powder and pay 5s Anchorage as usual on Rea Cargo him wc the Amount. Immediately upon the Arrivall of any Forreign Ships in the road care shall be taken to make the Captain produce their Commissions & if it appears thereupon that they Belong to any of the Established Companies in Europe they shall be treated Civilly whilst at Peace with them and be allowed Water, wood such Stores as they shall stand in need off, paying an advanced price of Sixty p Cent upon Prime Cost Agreeable to your Orders upon that Head We shall be very particular in our advices relating to Forreign Ships as you have been pleased to direct No Officer or Sailors belonging to such Ships shall be Suffered to ramble about the Country, agreeable wch your Orders upon this Head by the Ship Queen Caroline Anno 1737, shall be Strictly put in Execution A Letter shall always be ready to send by any Forreign Ship that may touch here but nothing of Consequence shall be mentiond therein in Case of Miscarriage, those sent by Packet men we shall Direct as you have desired us making them up in as Compact a manner as Possible We | 10: Every one of the Court's homeward-bound ships that had arrived from India that season, except those from China, had been examined for deserters by one of the Council accompanied by a sergeant, in keeping with the Court's orders and directions on that point. 11: Whatever beef or other stores a ship's captain applied for, the Council would take care to supply if able, and would deliver whatever boys could be spared, in keeping with the charter party agreement, at £8 a head. 12: The owners would be debited with the amount, and once the commanders had paid in cash or in goods, the Council would credit each ship separately in its own account current, which it would transmit to the Court, advising whether the balance had been paid or not. 13: The Council would ensure every ship delivered a barrel of gunpowder and paid five shillings anchorage as usual, or else be charged with the amount. 14: Immediately upon the arrival of any foreign ship in the road, care would be taken to examine the captain and require production of his commission. If it appeared he belonged to one of the established companies of Europe, he would be treated civilly while at peace with that nation, and allowed water and such stores as he needed, paying an advance of fifty per cent above prime cost, in keeping with the Court's orders on that point. 15: The Council would be very particular in its reports concerning foreign ships, as the Court had directed. 16: No officer or sailor belonging to such ships would be allowed to wander about the country, and to prevent this the Court's orders on that point, sent by the ship Queen Caroline in 1737, would be strictly enforced. 17: A letter would always be kept ready to send by any foreign ship touching at the island, though nothing of consequence would be included in it in case of its loss. Those sent by way of the Portuguese would be handled as the Court had directed, made up as compactly as possible. Interpretations The standing instruction against letting foreign officers and sailors wander the island, traced here to an order first sent by the Queen Caroline in 1737, shows the Council treating foreign crews as a security risk to be actively managed rather than simply tolerated, a policy already six years old and still being enforced by name in 1741. The rule against writing anything of consequence in letters entrusted to foreign ships, for fear the letter itself might be lost or intercepted, is the same caution seen in later correspondence explaining why nothing further would be said by a Danish vessel, showing this was long-standing Company policy rather than a decision particular to any one wartime moment. | |
208 | We thank your Honours for the Supplys You have been pleased to Consign to Ship Chace Particular Care shall be taken with respect to your Stores lately sent hither as well as those before remaining that they shall be Assembled in the most Frugal Manner Possible and they wch our own Concerns preventing as much as we can the Embezling or wasting of any of your Effects here The Storekeeper will Punctually follow your Honours Draws on Selling your Goods for ready Money and not Otherwise we assure you that his Account of Stores Sold & and Expended shall be Strictly Examind and o right, passed and Entered every three Months and the Ballance punctually paid into Your Cash The Journal Entrys shall for the future be as Explicit in every respect as you have Directed When any thing Extraordinary is requisite an Order of Councill shall be made for the same shewing you the Necessity for such Goods, every thing Usd for Use, shall be Charged at Prime Cost, that nothing may be Carried off as again on the Generall Books but what is real and Sold By the Ship Caesar we write forgoing Several Provisions and Councils in India for the Yearsfull Supply of next Year, Copy of which are Entered in Consultation of the 27 March 1745 and at the foot of the Invent Inclosed are Mentioned such Goods as we shall have Occasion for from China. Agreeable to your Honours Derections we now Inclose a Copy of our Invent for the Service of this Island for the Succeeding Year, in Manner as forwarded by you and will Accordingly and a Duplicate of the same p first Opportunity, we have been very carefull to write for no Superfluitys as will Appear, to you And Therefore hope you will the readier Comply with the Contents. | 18: The Council thanked the Court for the supplies it had been pleased to consign aboard the ship [...]. 19: Particular care would be taken with the stores lately sent, as well as those remaining from before, that they should be husbanded in the most frugal manner possible, the Council doing all it could to prevent embezzlement or waste of any of the Court's effects. 20: The storekeeper would punctually follow the Court's orders in selling the Court's goods for ready money and not otherwise, and the Council assured the Court that his account of stores sold and expended would be strictly examined and audited, passed and entered every three months, with the balance punctually paid into the Court's cash. 21: The journal entries would in future be as explicit in every respect as the Court had directed. 22: Whenever anything extraordinary required an order of Council, one would be made for that purpose, showing the necessity for such goods; everything issued for use would be charged at prime cost, so that nothing might be carried off as gain upon the general books beyond what was really sold. 23: By the ship [...] the Council wrote formerly of several provisions and consignments to India for the year's supply, a copy of which was entered in consultation of 25 March 1741, and at the foot of the invoice enclosed such goods as the Council would have occasion for from China were mentioned. 24: In keeping with the Court's directions, the Council now enclosed a copy of its invoice for the island's needs for the coming year, drawn up as the Court had prescribed, with a duplicate sent by the first opportunity. The Council had been careful to write for nothing superfluous, as would appear, and hoped the Court would readily comply with the contents. | |
209 | We shall be sure to acquaint Your Honours how the Goods from Europe and India prove, In Compliance to these Your Orders, the Seizon Wine you were pleasd to send us & Imported was Good but the Port very Insufficient, and the Chain wch came here at the same time were Exceeding slight Due care shall be taken with regard to Your Stores, that two of the Councill shall Punctually inspect them once every Year, and Report as in Manner Desired by Your Honours which shall be Entred upon Consultation for Your Notice, what Goods Appear to Us to be Damaged, we will sell at Publick Outcry in Proper Lotts for the most they will Yield, Giving Sufficient Notice beforehand As for Your Gunners and Armourers Stores, when Requisite for Service we will send them to Bencoolen for Fortifiga as you have been pleased to Direct We will write nothing off the Goods as lost or wast but what appears to be really so, all such Accounts shall for the future be Strictly Examind in Councell before Entred What Goods we have bought upon your Account, the price and quantity were agreed in Consultation of 27 March there being an Urgent Necessity for the buying them, Hereafter we shall take care, to Instant for those wc we think we may Stand in Need off the Succeeding Year. The great Indulgence wch you have been pleased to favour the Military wch here in Delivering Slabber, and Rice to be served them at prime Cost shall be Strictly Complied with (and Particular care shall be taken that the rest of your Stores, they stand in Need of at tin of Cont advance upon Invoice) shall be Delivered them for their own use only What any time the Planters should Offer to raise their Provisions to an Extravagant price, we shall then Interfeer and Settle | 25: The Council would be sure to acquaint the Court how the goods from Europe and India proved. In compliance with the Court's orders, the [...] wine sent was good, but the port was very insufficient, and the [...] which came at the same time were exceedingly light. 26: Due care would be taken with respect to the Court's stores, that two of the Council would punctually inspect them once every year and report in the manner required, entered in consultation for the Court's notice, what goods appeared to be damaged. These would be sold at public auction in proper lots for the most they would yield, with sufficient notice given beforehand. 27: As for the Court's gunners' and armourers' stores, when fit for service they would be sent to Bencoolen for the fortifications, as the Court had directed. 28: Nothing would be written off the books as lost or wasted except what genuinely appeared so, and all such accounts would in future be strictly examined in Council before being entered. 29: Whatever goods had been bought on the Court's account, the price and quantity had been agreed in consultation of 27 March, there being an urgent necessity for buying them; hereafter the Council would take care to write in time for whatever it might stand in need of for the succeeding year. 30: The great indulgence the Court had been pleased to show in lowering the malt tax on beer and rice, to be sold at prime cost, would be strictly complied with, and particular care would be taken that the rest of the Court's stores stand in need of, an advance of ten per cent upon invoice, would be delivered to them for their own use only. 31: Should the planters at any time offer to raise their provisions to an extravagant price, the Council would then interfere and... Interpretations The order that goods advanced to the Court's own servants at a fixed ten per cent above invoice be reserved strictly for their own use points to a recurring problem of stores meant for personal consumption being resold or passed on at profit, the same kind of leakage the Council elsewhere promised to guard against in its general stores. | |
210 | Settle them on such terms as we think reasonable According to the Good or Bad Seasons Conformable to Your Instructions to us in this Case. Such Stores as can be spared the Inhabitants and Planters, shall be furnisd wc paying an Advanced price of Forty p Cent upon Invoice According to Your Derections The Prices and Regulations of Your Store Goods, have been altered in the manner you have directed as is Enterd upon Consultation of 27 of March Your Honours Orders relating to the Medicines you have been pleasd to send Us for the Relief of your Servants and Millitary shall be Observd We take Particular Notice of what you are pleasd to Advise in this Paragraph as to the Precarious Situations of Publick Affairs in Europe at Present, and of Your Apprehensions Immediately upon the Commencement of Warr wc France, they would fix their Eye upon and Attack St Helena, We beg leave to Assure you that nothing shall be wanting in us to render such an Attempt fruitless Agreeable to Your Orders the Governour and Lieutenant Governour have Survey'd the Severall Fortifications on this Island (and their Report is Mentiond in Consultation of the 1 May, we shall sett about the most Necessary work first and Plant and remove such Cannon as we find Necessary and Enter our Reasons for it in Consultation A Regular and Impartial Distribution of Justice shall be administered to every one, wc in Case of an Attack we make no Doubt will Encourage the Inhabitants to give us their aid and Assistance in the most Hearty and Generous | Should the planters raise their provisions to an extravagant price, the Council would step in and settle rates on terms it judged reasonable, taking account of good or bad seasons and following the Court's instructions on the matter. 32: Such stores as could be spared, the inhabitants and planters would be furnished with, paying an advanced price of forty per cent above invoice, in keeping with the Court's directions. 33: The prices and regulations of the Court's store goods had been settled in the manner directed, as entered in consultation of 27 March. 34: The Court's orders relating to the medicines it had been pleased to send for the relief of the Court's servants and military would be observed. 35: The Council took particular notice of what the Court had been pleased to advise in this paragraph, as to the precarious situation of public affairs in Europe at present, and of the Court's apprehension that, immediately upon the commencement of war with France, the enemy would fix its eye upon and attack St Helena. The Council begged leave to assure the Court that nothing would be wanting on its part to render such an attempt fruitless. 36: In keeping with the Court's orders, the Governor and lieutenant governor had surveyed the several fortifications on the island, and their report was set out in consultation of the 7th of this month; the Council would set about the most necessary works and plant and remove such cannon as it found necessary, entering its reasons for doing so in consultation. 37: Regular and impartial distribution of justice would be administered to everyone, and in case of an attack the Council had no doubt this would encourage the inhabitants to give their aid and assistance in the most hearty and generous... Interpretations The Council's anticipation that war with France would bring an attack aimed specifically at St Helena, recorded here in 1741, shows island administrators already treating the outbreak of a European war as a direct strategic threat to their own garrison rather than a distant metropolitan concern, well before any such war had actually begun. | |
211 | Vigorous Manner When Differences arrise Between any of the Planters or Inhabitants we shall be sure to proceed in adjudicating the same in a Just and Equitable way and will regularly Enter all our proceedings upon Consultation for Your Notice The Governour and Lieutenant Governour will take Particular Care that a Strict Military Disceplyne be kept up here The Millitary Establishment here now Consists of a Companys and receive pay Conemant to Your Orders The Adjutant shall receive £40 p Annl sallary and Twenty Eight Pounds five Shillings p Ann for Diet as You have been pleasd to Direct The Artillery Company Consist According to the Former Establishment Anno 1741 The Lieutenant and Adjutant have Each of them received a Laced Hatt, and Scarlet Cloth, and Trimmings sufficient for a Suit of Clothes and have been Acquainted that yr your Honours intend to give them the same and Every two Years To Cast, first shirt Two of shoes and Stockings, has been Delivered to Each Seargeant Corporal, Dromme, Sentinl Gunners Mate Landen Gunner Matross and the Marshal, wo have been Told that this Your Indulgence, shall be annually Continued to them The Dungeons and Grenads wc you have been pleasd to Order to be sent us for India shall be Distributed pursuant to Your Orders As Barracks are much wanting we propose, to Erect some as soon as it Can be Conveniently Done This Garrison and Inhabitants shall be duly Exercised at the Great Guns and Small Arms and for that Purpose Gun Powder shall be Delivered them out of Your Stores as you have Directed The Magazine for Powder Stand Inconvenient, we will therefore Endeavour to your Orders Erect one in a More Proper place as soon as Possible all | When differences arose between any of the planters or inhabitants, the Council would be sure to proceed in adjudicating the same in a just and equitable way, and would regularly enter all its proceedings in consultation for the Court's notice. 39: The Governor and lieutenant governor would take particular care that strict military discipline be kept up here. 40: The military establishment here now consisted of a company, and received pay conformable to the Court's orders. 41: The adjutant would receive £40 salary and £28 5s for diet, as the Court had directed. 42: The artillery company was constituted according to the London establishment of 1741. 43: The lieutenant and adjutant had each received a laced hat and scarlet cloth and trimmings sufficient for a suit of clothes, and had been told that the Court intended to give them the same every two years. 44: A hat, a pair of shoes and stockings had been delivered to each sergeant, corporal, drummer, gunner's mate, [...], gunner, matross and marshal, who had been told that this indulgence would be continued annually. 45: The dungarees and [...] which the Court had been pleased to order sent out from India would be distributed pursuant to the Court's orders. 46: As barracks were much wanting, the Council proposed to erect some as soon as it could conveniently be done. 47: The garrison and inhabitants would be duly exercised at the great guns and small arms, and gunpowder for that purpose would be delivered to them out of the Court's stores, as the Court had directed. 48: The magazine for powder stood in an inconvenient place; the Council would therefore, agreeable to the Court's orders, site one in a more proper place as soon as possible. Interpretations The distribution of laced hats, scarlet cloth and shoes to the garrison, promised again every two years, shows the Court funding the visible trappings of a regular military establishment on an island whose entire force still amounted to a single company, dressing a small garrison to the standard of a home regiment. | |
212 | All who receive pay from Your Honours have been and shall be Mustered in the Manner You have Ordered, Both are Herewith Transmitted You, the pay Masters Account shall be Strictly Examind in Consultation and of right Entered thereupon and all who dye or leaves the Island wc be Mentiond in the pay Account All the Millitary that came in the Ship Chace Commenced their pay from their Arrivall here, Embarked private Men Sixty one of whom Landed at this place. Your Honours have been favourably pleasd to appoint that a Decent Table be kept at Your Expence for our selves and all Other Your Covenanted servants as has been Customary We assure Your Honours we will be as sparing therein as possible Nor Charge any thing Expended wch be not really so as has been the Practice of some Preceeding, we will take care the Rackfell Cattle Suckling and other Articles be raisd on Your Plantations wch we will have well Fenced for at Present they much want it, Notwithstanding Mr Powell has said in Severall of his Consultation that he had the Fences very much at heart, tho it wo Evident he has Given his own Plantations and Buildings the Preference We assure you that no Pensioners shall be bought of the Inhabitants but in Case of Necessity All Possible care shall be taken to raise Stock Sufficent on Your Plantations to supply Your Ships wch their Charterparty Beef the Next Year Mr Deacon is Appointed Overlooker Your Slaves shall be well treated & no Person suffered to use them Cruelly as has been too much Mr Purcells practice who not only whipped them Severely but also took part of their Allowance of Rice from them and sent it to his own Blacks this severe treatment may be Supposed and to have ben the Chief Motive that put 13 of them upon so Desperate an Undertaking as the Runing away wch the Long Boat in February last A Proper Quantity of Beef wch Rice and Yams is now Given yr & they shall be Employed in yr most Necessary works Your | 49: All who received pay from the Court had been and would continue to be mustered in the manner directed, and the paymaster's account would henceforth be transmitted regularly and strictly examined in consultation, with everything properly entered upon it, and all who died or left the island noted in the pay account. 50: All the military that came out on the Court's ship had commenced their pay from their arrival here, embarked private men, sixty one of whom had landed at this place. 51: The Court had been favourably pleased to order that a decent table be kept at its expense for civil affairs and all other covenanted servants, as had been customary. The Council assured the Court that it would be as saving in this as possible, so that nothing would be expended without real need. Since this had been the practice of Mr Pack[?], the Council would take care that the [...], cattle, poultry and other articles raised on the Court's plantations, which at present much wanted better management, would be well stocked. Mr Powell had said in several of his consultations that he had these matters very much at heart, though it was evident he had given his own plantations and buildings the preference. 52: The Council assured the Court that no provisions would be bought of the inhabitants except in case of necessity. 53: All possible care would be taken to raise stock sufficient on the Court's plantations to supply the ships with their charter party beef the next year, Mr Dixon being appointed keeper of them. 54: The Court's slaves would be well treated, and no one suffered to use them cruelly, as had too much been Mr Purcell's practice, who not only whipped them severely but also sent part of their allowance of rice from them to his own slaves. This severe treatment might be supposed to have been the chief motive that put ten of them upon so desperate an undertaking as their running away with the longboat in February last, a proper quantity of beef, with rice and yams as needed, would be given them, and they would be employed in the most necessary works. Interpretations Purcell's practice of diverting part of the Court's slaves' rice allowance to his own slaves, combined with severe whipping, is offered by the Council as the specific cause behind the escape of ten men in the longboat that February, treating the runaway not as ordinary defiance but as a direct and foreseeable consequence of one overseer's particular cruelty. The Council's pointed remark that Powell professed to have the plantations very much at heart while plainly favouring his own land and buildings shows a willingness to record a specific criticism of the sitting Governor's priorities within an otherwise formal report to the Court, rather than let his stated intentions stand unquestioned. | |
213 | Your Cash is taken Particular Care of being kept under the Locks of the Governour, Lieutt Governour and Wm S of Councill the Accompts of it & Entered Monthly upon Consultation shewing the Severall Species whereof the Ballance Consists and also Every particular Sum paid and received Consultations have been, and shall be held weekly and Oftener as Business Requires Our Transactions and Debats shall be Entered in as Close and Concise a manner as we Can. A Journall and Ledger, shall be kept in a Mercantile form, and our Journal Entrys very Explicit, They shall be Monthly laid before us & Strictly Examind & when Ballanced, Yearly transmitted to you together wc y Consultations down to y Ships departure in all other Papers as usual The Monthly Accounts of Your Table Expences Sick Stock and Gunners Stores shall be Strictly Examind and Entered upon Consultation The Inhabitants shall be Called before Us at the Usual time to pay their Rents and we will not suffer them to run too much Behind hand The Surgeon has been Ordered to Give due Attendance to all Your Sick Servants both Civill and Millitary as also to Your Slaves without fee or Reward Persons Dying upon this Island Intestate we shall Dispose of their Effects at Publick Outcry for the most they will Yield paying the Produce into Your Cash, and when all their Companies and fully Satisfied we will Write off the Nett Amount on the Books to Account Currant London All Wills shall be duly Provd and Entred in Consultation The Church and Plantation Houses have been both suffered to Ruen too Much out of Repairs that we Beleive it will not be more Expencive to Rebuild than to Repairs them But as the Fortifications now require our Immediate Care, we shall defer the Other untell we receive Your Directions upon them Article 63 | 55: The Court's cash was kept with particular care, being kept under the locks of the Governor, the [...] governor and the third of Council, the receipts entered monthly upon consultation, showing the several species of which the balance consisted, and also every particular sum paid and received. 56: Consultations had been, and would continue to be, held weekly or oftener as business required; transactions and debates would be entered as closely and concisely as possible, a journal and ledger would be kept in mercantile form, and journal entries would be so explicit that they could be laid monthly before the Council and strictly examined when balanced, and transmitted yearly to the Court together with the consultations, down to the ships' departure, and all other papers as usual. 57: The monthly accounts of the Court's table expenses, the fort and the gunner's stores, would be strictly examined and entered upon consultation. 58: The inhabitants would be called before the Council at the usual time to pay their rents, and the Council would not suffer them to run too much behind hand. 59: The surgeon had been ordered to give due attendance to all the Court's sick, both civil and military, as also to the Court's slaves, without fee or reward. 60: Persons dying on the island intestate would have their effects disposed of at public auction for the most they would yield, the proceeds paid into the Court's cash, and once all accounts were settled and satisfied, the Council would write off the net amount in the books to the account current of London. 61: All wills would be duly proved and entered in consultation. 62: The church and plantation house had both suffered too much from want of repair; the Council believed it would not be more expensive to rebuild than to repair them, but since the fortifications now required more immediate care, the Council would let the other stand until it received the Court's directions on the matter. Interpretations The requirement that cash be kept under three separate locks, held by the Governor, the deputy governor and the third of Council, put physical custody of Company money beyond any single officer's control, a safeguard against exactly the kind of unsupervised access that had let the Goodwin and Bazett deficiencies build up unnoticed in the stores and accounts rather than the treasury itself. | |
214 | According to Your Directions Your Chaplain is Allowed £0 pound of Annum Diet Money wc shall be paid him by Quarterly payment Arrivd Here p Ship Caesar Edward Furnelow Wheelwright and Gun Carriage Maker at the Sallary of Fifty pounds p Year, and Robert Maycock Cooper at 36 pounds p Annum, Diet Money included; Their Sallarys Commenced on their Arrivall, the two Months pay that You was pleasd to Advance them shall be stopd out of their Growing Sallarys Receipts shall be taken for the future for every Particular Sum paid in Your Account and the pay master is to keep a Book for that Purpose which shall be Examind every three Months. The Malpractices of some of Your Servants in Selling Brandy Arack and other Liquors at Exorbitant prices are wch we abhor, and we assure Your Honours that no such shall be allowd of for the future The Stoping of 6 pence p Annum from all Persons pay here to defray the Expence of the Hospital is now Discontinued According to Your Orders, but Soldiers that goes into the Hospitall has 3 pence p day Stopd out of his pay towards supplying him with Necessarys; During the time he is there, As this Stoppage will not entirely furnish them wch proper Food we have Acquainted them that Your Honours are pleasd to Bear the rest of the Expence. In Relating to the Late Govr Goodwins Effects which have been Sold at Outcry we shall take care that his Estate has Credit only for what is Actually paid into Your Cash Mr Browns House which You have thought Proper to Purchase is at Present so much out of Repair that but few of the Soldiers Can Lodge therein it will make Barracks for about Men, The Factors Writers Call the Millitary Officers we Obliged to take Lodgings as they can get them, for wh they have been allowd for some time past £10 p Annum each We | 63: In keeping with the Court's directions, the chaplain was allowed £100 a year in diet money, to be paid him by quarterly payment. 64: Edward Fenelow, wheelwright and gun carriage maker, and Robert Maycock, cooper, had arrived on the ship Caesar, at salaries of £50 and £36 a year respectively, diet money included. Their salaries had commenced from their arrival, and the two months' pay advanced to them would be stopped out of their growing salary. 65: Receipts would in future be taken for every particular sum paid on the Court's account, and the paymaster would keep a book for that purpose, to be examined every three months. 66: The malpractice of some of the Court's servants in selling brandy and other liquors at exorbitant prices was something the Council detested, and it assured the Court that no such practice would be allowed in future. 67: The stoppage of sixpence a month from every man's pay to defray the hospital's expense had now been discontinued, as the Court had directed, but a soldier admitted to hospital had threepence a day stopped from his pay towards his necessaries while there. Since this stoppage would not entirely provide them with proper food, the men had been told that the Court was pleased to bear the rest of the expense. 68: As to the effects of the late Governor Goodwin, sold at public outcry, the Council would take care that his account was credited only for what was actually paid into the Court's cash. 69: Mr Browne's house, which the Court had thought proper to purchase, was at present so far out of repair that only a few soldiers could lodge in it, providing barracks for about [...] men. The factors, writers and all military officers were obliged to take lodgings where they could find them, though they had for some time past been allowed £10 a year each towards it. Interpretations This passage names a Governor Goodwin distinct from John Goodwin the storekeeper whose later deficiency the Council spent so long unwinding, a distinction worth holding onto given how easily the two offices and the shared surname could be run together across a file spanning several decades of correspondence. | |
215 | We are very Sorry Your Bread Flower and Sugar were damaged the last Year by the Bakery Ships, We found all Goods were Spoild, we Ordered them to be Repaired Immediately shewing it the Most Needfull work to be done In Order to Establish a Market here the Inhabitants and Planters were Called together to Consult the Best Method for that Purpose as Entered upon Consultation of 27 March and we have the Pleasure to acquaint You that it seems to take so well that we are in Hopes it will be Continued Pursuant to Your Orders we have Enquird into the Affair of the Deficiencies of the Honble Companies Stores, which Appeared on taking the Inventory in June 1739 when the late Govr Goodwin delivered up the Charge of them to the late John Bezett we have Given our Opinions in ye Most Equitable Manner we can as p Consultation of 25 May and 6 of June, a Just Account of the Deficiencies, and how we think they ought to be Charged, is Inclosed for Your Approbation The Order which was made the 28th September 1742 for the Factors and Writers to Attend in their Respective Offices so Many hours in a Day meeting to Your Approbation shall be Continued they are Employd as Enterd upon Consultation of 6th June 1741 We shall use our Utmost Endeavour in every thing that Your Business may not be Behind hand Agreeable to Your Derections Mr Kendall was Appointed Second Lieutenant, who shall be Advanced According to his Merit his pay Commenced from his Arrivall Lieutt Clark was Restored to his Commission and Station on the Ship Caesars Arrivall here his salary has been paid him from the Day of Dismission, and Diet Money after the Rate of £18.5 p Annum. Upon the Arrivall of the Ship Caesar Your Honours Commission was read in a Publick Manner, the Keys of the Fort delivered by the late Governour to the Present Your | 70: The Council was very sorry that the Court's bread, flour and sugar had been damaged the previous year through the leaky condition of the store house, which was found in so bad a state; it was glad no more of the goods had been spoiled, and had ordered repairs to begin at once, this being judged the most needful work to be done. 71: In order to establish a market here, the inhabitants and planters had been called together to consult on the best method for it, as entered in consultation of 27 March, and the Council was pleased to report that it seemed to answer so well that it hoped the practice would continue. 72: Pursuant to the Court's orders, the Council had enquired into the deficiencies in the Company's stores that appeared on taking the inventory in June 1739, when the late Governor Goodwin delivered up the charge of them to the late John Bazett. It had given its opinion, in the most equitable manner it could, as recorded in consultation of 29 May and 6 June, of a just account of the deficiencies, and stated what it thought ought to be charged, a statement enclosed for the Court's approval. 71: The order made on 28 September 1742, requiring the factors and writers to attend in their respective offices so many hours a day, met with the Court's approval and would be continued. They were employed as entered upon consultation of 6 June 1741, and the Council would use its utmost effort in everything so that the Court's business might not fall behind. 72: In keeping with the Court's directions, Mr Kendall had been appointed second lieutenant, and would be advanced according to his merit, his pay commencing from his arrival. Lieutenant Clark had been restored to his commission and station on the arrival of the ship Caesar; his salary had been paid him from the day of his restoration, and diet money at the rate of £18 5s a year. Upon the arrival of the ship Caesar, the Court's commission had been read in a public manner, the keys of the fort delivered by the former Governor to the present... Interpretations The deficiency traced back to June 1739, when Goodwin first handed the Company's stores over to Bazett, shows the shortfall that later consumed so much of the Council's correspondence had been building for the better part of four years before either man's death forced it into the open, far longer than the letters recounting their deaths alone would suggest. | |
216 | Your Orders read in Consultation the Keys and Ballances of Your Cash wch the keys of Your Stor Houses and all Books & papers were Demanded from the late Govr and Council. Mr William Coles late of Councill at Bencoolen who came to this Island on the Ship Duke of Lorrain Died here the 12th of January 1743. Mrs Powell has paid into Your Cash on Account of James Crafford Dec One Hundred and Fifty Five pounds Seventeen Shillings and three pence and we Gave him Bills on you for the Amount According to Your Derection The late Mr Hemans Nicholts Administrators having been paid by Your Honours £30 we shall write that sum of the Books Mr Powell was Called before us and acquainted wch Your Pleasure Concerning him and Likewise told that the Governour and Lieutt Governour had Power from Your Honbls to Examine into his Conduct and also of his Opposers Mr Godfrey was Likewise p Your Orders Dismissed from Your Service and Desired to bring up and Ballance his Books to the time of the Governour arivall Mr Robert Wright Chooses to remain Here as a Factor rather than go to Bencoolen, we acquainted him wch what Your Honours Signified as to his behaviour Mr Evance Wyngham is Appointed Assistant Storekeeper for which he is allowed £30 p Annum Extraordinary as You have been pleasd to Direct We found our Selves under a Necessity of keeping one of the two Chests of Treasure you Consigned to us the Other we sent to Bencoolen Consigning it p Invoice and Bill of Lading to the Deputy Governour and Councell of yt place Mr | The Court's orders were read in consultation, the keys and balance of the Court's cash were exchanged with the keys of the Court's storehouses, and all books and papers were demanded from the former Governor and Council. Mr William Cole, late of the Council at Bencoolen, who had come to this island on the ship Duke of Lorrain, had died here on 12 January 1743. Powell had paid into the Court's cash, on account of James Trafford, the sum of £155 17s 3d, and the Council had given him bills upon the Court for the amount, in keeping with the Court's directions. The administrators of the late Mr Herman Nicholls, having been paid £280 by the Court, the Council would write that this sum was received. Powell had been called before the Council and acquainted with the Court's pleasure concerning him, and was likewise told that the Governor and lieutenant governor had power from the Court to enquire into his conduct, and also into that of his opposers. Godfrey had likewise, by the Court's orders, been dismissed from its service, and was required to bring up and balance his books at the Governor's arrival. Mr Robert Wright chose to remain here as a factor rather than go to Bencoolen, and the Council had acquainted him with what the Court had signified as to his behaviour. Mr Francis Wyngham was appointed assistant storekeeper, for which he was allowed £30 a year extraordinary, as the Court had been pleased to direct. The Council, finding itself under the necessity of keeping one of the two chests of treasure the Court had consigned, sent the other to Bencoolen, consigning it by invoice and bill of lading to the deputy governor and council of that place. Interpretations This passage shows Powell himself, not only Godfrey, placed under formal enquiry by the Governor and lieutenant governor's delegated authority, revealing that by this point the Court's scrutiny had widened from the accountant's failure to deliver the books to the conduct of the Governor who had been pressing him over it, alongside unnamed "opposers" whose own conduct was to be examined in the same enquiry. Godfrey's dismissal, ordered directly by the Court rather than decided on the island, closes the dispute recorded in the earlier letters, where Powell and Wright had set him a two-month deadline to produce the accounts and Godfrey had answered in his own defence in the same despatch. | |
217 | Mess Truwll and Desfountain Attorneys for Mr John Brown has paid into Your Cash on his Account two Hundred Thirty Seven pounds one Shilling and Three pence half Penny and we gave him Bills on You accordingly for it these Likewise appears to be due to Mr John Brown forty Five pound in Ballancing the Generall Books ending at September last which are now transmitted You. Mr Francis Wyngham having been Four Years in the Secretarys Office and by his Diligence Appearing to us to be very deserving we acquainted him that Your Honours for a Reward for it Wc were pleasd to Confirm him in Your Service from his first Admission, he returnd Your Honours his most Sincere thanks Your Writers when they have served five Years here shall Commence Factors and have Sallarys Accordingly We shall take care that Mr John Goodwins Bond for £0 which you were pleasd to advance him shall be duly Discharged out of his Growing Sallary. We recd a Supply of 78 Slaves 60 Men and 10 Boys which were brought hither from Madagascar in your Sloop Swift on 23 Day of Novr so that we are now well Supplyd. We Published and Read up an Advertisment as is Entered in Consultation of 30 March 1744 to Encourage the Inhabitants to gather Orchell pursuant to Your Honours Draws in the 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 and 100. Paragraph of Your Letter, tho Small Parcells have been brought to Mr Goodwin but both proved bad, after the Prices are Gave he will go himself and shew them the proper Sort and how to gather it. Upon Examining the Books we found him of One Thousand One Hundred and One shound Seventeen shillings and Eight pence Farthing for Deficiencd to have happind in the late Governours Goodwins time while Storekeeper | Messrs Truell and Deusfontain, attorneys for Mr John Brown, had paid into the Court's cash on his account £237 1s 3½d, and the Council had given them bills upon the Court accordingly, since it appeared there was owing to Mr John Brown £45, on balancing the general books ending at September last, which sums were now remitted to the Court. Mr Francis Wyngham, having served four years in the secretary's office and shown himself, by his diligence, very deserving, the Council had told him that the Court would consider a reward for it, were he pleased to continue in its service from his first engagement; he returned the Court his most sincere thanks. The Court's writers, when they had served five years, would henceforth be made factors and have their salaries raised accordingly. The Council would take care that Mr John Goodwin's bond, for the sum the Court had been pleased to advance him, would be duly discharged out of his growing salary. The Council had received a supply of 70 slaves, sixty men and ten boys, brought hither from Madagascar in the Court's sloop, first on 23 November, so that the Council was now well supplied. The Council had published and posted an advertisement, as entered in consultation of 30 March 1742, to encourage the inhabitants to gather orchella, pursuant to the Court's directions in paragraphs 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 and 100 of the Court's letter; small parcels had been brought to Mr Goodwin, but both proved bad, since the writers had given no directions as to how it was to be gathered and kept. Upon examining the stores, the Council found them deficient by £1,101 17s 8¼d, this shortfall having arisen during the late Governor Goodwin's time, while [...] Interpretations The order making writers into factors automatically after five years' service, with a corresponding rise in salary, shows career advancement on the island running on a fixed schedule rather than on individual merit, the very kind of automatic seniority that could place an unproven man in charge of valuable stores regardless of his actual competence. The deficiency of £1,101 17s 8¼d is now dated specifically to Governor Goodwin's own time in office, tracing the shortfall the Council had spent so many letters unwinding back to its true origin a full Governor's tenure before Bazett inherited the charge in 1739 and before his own death was ever in question. | |
218 | as p Account Enclosed and we are of Opinion that the Surpluss of his Estate should be Debted wch it therefore we shall keep it by us till Your Honours Pleasure is further known Capt Matthew Coast of the Ship Caesar paid Five Hundred Pounds into Your Honours Cash here and Board we would give him Bills on Yourselfs it which we act as Mentiond in Consultation of the 1st April. Application being made to Us by an Armenian whose Passenger in the Ship Heathcote Capt Jonathan Cape who hath some Valuable Effects on Board so Desire the Bill of Lading Might be Registered, we have Entered the same in Consultation of 13 Instant and to give him a Certificate of it according to his Desire he petitioning it should go to the Companies Warehouse The Revd Mr Alwode Chaplain begs leave to return Your Honours thanks for the allowance you have been pleased to Make him for his Table. Upon Examining into Mr Powells Conduct and Management During the time he was Governour we found him Guilty of Severall Articles Committed in Your Estate this is Apparent by the Charge Given against him (on Consultation of the 1 May as there Entered and we desired him to give an Answer to the Severall Articles therein Mentioned or Endeavour to Clear up, which he refused doing, saying we had no power to call him to Account for any thing he had done, but on the 12 Instant when we were Redy and Closing our Pacquet he sent a Generall or rather an Evasive answer in Writing to Severalls of the Articles Charged against him wch Copy Enclosed this being no wt not Satesfactory to Us we Insisted upon Mr Powells Giving Security to be Answerable to Your Honours for any Injurys or Wrongs You have Sustaind by him in Your Estate and Effects on this Island for which he Gave Us the Enclosed Bond, And Herewith Comes transmitted all the proofs and Evidences wc we have had time to Collect, to Support Our Charge against him On | As per the account enclosed, the Council was of the opinion that the surplus of the estate should be debited with it, and would therefore keep it by until the Court's pleasure was further known. Captain Matthew Grant of the ship Caesar had paid five hundred pounds into the Court's cash here and abroad; the Council would give him bills upon the Court for it, which were entered as memorandum in consultation of 1 April. Application having been made to the Council by an Armenian, a passenger on the ship Heathcote, Captain Jonathan Cape, who had some valuable effects aboard, that the bill of lading might be registered, the Council had entered it accordingly in consultation of 15th instant, and given him a certificate of it; according to his request this would go to the Company's warehouse. The Reverend Mr Alcock, chaplain, begged leave to return the Court's thanks for the allowance it had been pleased to make him for his table. Upon examining into Mr Powell's conduct and management during the time he had been Governor, the Council found him guilty of several articles committed against the Court's interest, as appeared by the charge given against him, entered in consultation of 7 May; the Council had desired him to give an answer to the several articles mentioned therein, or endeavour to clear himself up, which he refused to do, saying he owed no obligation to account for anything he had done. On the 12th of this month, while the packet was being made up and closed, the Council received a general, or rather evasive, answer in writing to several of the articles charged against him. This being in no way satisfactory, the Council insisted upon Mr Powell giving security to indemnify the Court for any injury or damage sustained by him to the Court's estate and effects on this island, for which he gave the Council the enclosed bond, and herewith transmitted all the proofs and evidences the Council had had time to collect, to support the charge against him. Interpretations Powell's refusal to answer the charges, followed only by a general and evasive written response once pressed, marks the collapse of the very authority he had exercised months before when he pressed Godfrey for the missing account books, the two men's positions now effectively reversed with Powell himself the one declining to account for his conduct. The demand for a bond of indemnity from a sitting Governor, rather than mere dismissal, shows the Council treating Powell's suspected offences as a direct financial liability to the Court's estate on the island, pursuing security for damages already done rather than only removing him from office. | |
219 | On Examining the Books of Account Mr Godfrey Brought in Ending the 11 of March last it Appeard there was a Ballance due to him of £13. 9. 6 and upon Enquiring into the truth thereof we find that there was Justly due to him only the sum of £3.15.6¼ which we paid him The Particulars he Stand charged wch Your Honours will see in an Account Currant now transmitted You. Mr Robert Wrights Account with Your Honours not being fully Settled and he promising to Close it soon after the Ships Departure we will take due care he performs the Same. Robert Maycock Cooper who came here on the Ship Caesar being a very Usefull and Diligent Man and for his Encouragement we referred it to Your Honours to allow him (as we think he deserves) the same Salary wch the Carpenters. At the Request of Mr Francis Wyngham Iwl we transmitt the Enclosed Petition from him to your Consideres On the 8 of May last Your Honours and Writers Petitioned the to have all Necessary Goods out of your Stores which should be for their own use on the terms wch other Millitary which we thinking that Your Honours intended to Compassion them within Your Indulgence, have Granted them till Your Pleasure is fully known thereupon on Such terms as are Enterd upon Consultation of the same date. Finding upon our Arrivall the late foregoing Mr Clarke Dead and the Garrison not sufficiently Provided wch a Surgeon (there being only one and no Mate) and Mr Willy Rich Perfewing Surgeon of Your Ship the Royal Guardian being well Recommended to Us as an Experienced person we have already Entertained him here for One Year at the Salary of thirty nine Pounds on a footing wch Mr Dutrois and allowed them Your Table, till we shall receive Your Honours Pleasure thereupon d. | On examining the books of account which Godfrey had brought in, ending 11 March last, it appeared there was a balance due to him of £4 9s 6d, and upon enquiring into the truth of it the Council found there was justly due to him only the sum of £3 15s 6d, which had been paid him. The particulars charged with the Court's allowances would be seen in an account current now transmitted. Mr Robert Wright's account with the Court not being fully settled, and he promising to close it soon after the ships' departure, the Council would take due care that he performed the same. Robert Maycock, cooper, who had come here on the ship Caesar, being a very useful and diligent man, the Council recommended to the Court that he be allowed the same salary as the carpenters, as an encouragement. At the request of Mr Francis Wyngham, the Council transmitted his enclosed petition to the Court's favour. On 8 May last the Court's factors and writers had petitioned to have all necessary goods out of the Court's stores which should be for their own use on the same terms as the military; the Council, thinking that the Court's intentions extended to comprehend them within the same indulgence, had granted this to them until the Court's pleasure was fully known, on such terms as were entered in consultation of the same date. Finding, upon the arrival of the late surgeon Dr [...], that he had died and that the garrison was not sufficiently provided with a surgeon, there being only one and no mate, and Mr William Rich, second surgeon of the Court's ship Royal Guardian, being well recommended to the Council as an experienced person, the Council had entertained him here for one year at the salary of £[...] and put him on a footing with Mr Dubois, and allowed them the Court's table, until the Council should receive the Court's pleasure thereupon. Interpretations The correction of Godfrey's own account, reducing what he claimed was owed him from £4 9s 6d to £3 15s 6d upon enquiry, is a small but pointed detail to appear so soon after his dismissal for failing to keep the Court's books current, the Council now applying to Godfrey's own balance the same scrutiny his accounts had for so long escaped. | |
220 | It Appearing to Us upon Enquiring that there were two Dutch Slaves left here last Year wch the Governour for the time being belonging to some Gentlemen at the Cape and Mr Powell having taken them to his own Use we have detaind them under our protection till Your Honours Pleasure is known, as appears more fully p Consultation of the 8 May Mr Dixon begs leave to return Your Honours his Most Sincere thanks for Your replacing him again and hopes you will Grant him a reasonable allowance for his Diet, and other Expences he has been at during the time of his Suspention by Mr Powell as You will find Nothing could be proved that was alleaged against him By the return of the Effective State of Your Millitary that goes herewith You will find that there wants Ay Men to Compleat Your Establishment. As there are Severall Fresh Papists among Your Soldiers that we could have no Depensance on Whould the Island be attacked we hope for this reason that Your Honours will be pleasd to forbid the Inlisting any more such Men of that Country, and that those You send of any other may be Strong and of a proper size and age for Service. A Duplicate of this and all other our papers waits on your Honours p your Ship the Princess Amelia We are Honourd Sirs Your most Obed Dutifull Servants Signd David Dunbar Cha Hutchinson Chris Dixon John Goodwin C Parling 29 June 1741 | It appeared to the Council, upon enquiring, that two Dutch slaves left here last year with the Governor for the time being belonged to some gentlemen at the Cape, and that Powell, having taken them into his own use, retained them under his protection until the Court's pleasure was known, as appeared more fully in consultation of 8 May. Mr Dixon begged leave to return the Court's most sincere thanks for his being restored, and hoped the Court would grant him a reasonable allowance for the diet and other expenses he had been at during the time of his suspension by Powell, since nothing could be proved against him of what had been alleged. By the return of the effective state of the military enclosed herewith, the Court would find that there was want of men to complete the establishment. As there were several French papists among the Court's soldiers, on whom no dependence could be placed should the island be attacked, the Council hoped for this reason the Court would be pleased to forbid the enlisting of any more such men of that country, and that those it sent instead might be strong and of a proper size and age for service. A duplicate of this and all other papers accompanied the Court's ship Princess Amelia. The letter was signed at St Helena, 29 June 1741, by David Dunbar, Charles Hutchinson, Christopher Dixon, John Goodwin and Matthew Purling. Interpretations Powell's retention of two Dutch slaves belonging to Cape gentlemen, uncovered in the same enquiry that suspended Dixon, links the earlier account of Powell's disputed conduct as Governor to a specific, concrete act, treating property that was never the Company's as his own personal use. Dixon's restoration and compensation for a suspension based on unproven allegations, following so closely after Powell's own difficulties, suggests the two men's fortunes had been directly connected, with Dixon's earlier fall from favour und Powell's authority now reversed once that authority itself came under the Court's scrutiny. | |
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222 | To the Honble Court &c Honble Sirs On the 29th June Sailed your Ships Haslingfield, Harrington, Princess Amelia, & the Princess of Wales Royall Guardian and the Heathkote under Convoy of his Majestys Ships Sutherland and Hector by whom we hope our Dutys go you On the same day arrived a Portuguese Ship called Notre Signiora del Consephan p Lusitania Commanded by Capt Joseph De Costa Riberio, Burthen 960 Tons and 120 Men laden wch Bale Goods and Salt Peter, She came last from Saint Thomass near Madrass, and is now bound for Lisbon we herewith Transmitt Your Honours the Proofs and evidences against Mr Powell which were mislaid when we Sealed our last Pacquett as is mentiond therein We have advanced them one hundred and ninety pounds to supply them wch necessarys here for which they gave Us the enclosed Bills. We are Honoured Sirs Your most Obedient hum Servt D Dunbar C Hutchinson C Dixon J Goodwin Mt Curling | To the Honourable Court &c. Honoured Sirs, On 25 June the Court's ships Haslingfield, Harrington, Princess Amelia, Bethia, Princess of Wales and Royal Guardian, along with the Heathcote, had sailed under convoy of His Majesty's ships Sutherland and Hector, by whom the Council hoped its despatches would go. On the same day a Portuguese ship arrived, called the Nostra Senhora del [...] y Sustlania, commanded by Captain Joseph de Costa Riberio, of about 260 tons and 120 men, laden with bale goods and salt petre. She had come last from Saint Thomas near Madras, and was now bound for Lisbon. By her the Council herewith transmitted to the Court the proofs and evidences against Mr Powell which had been mislaid when the last packet was sealed, as mentioned therein. The Council had advanced the crew £190 to supply them with necessaries here, for which they gave the enclosed bills. The letter was signed, Honoured Sirs, the Court's most obedient and dutiful servants, David Dunbar, Charles Hutchinson, Christopher Dixon, John Goodwin and Matthew Purling. Interpretations The evidence against Powell, mislaid when the previous packet was sealed and only now sent on by a passing Portuguese ship bound for Lisbon rather than by any English vessel, shows how easily correspondence central to an official enquiry could be delayed or entrusted to whatever ship happened to call, regardless of its flag or destination. | |
223 | To the Honble Court &c Honble Sirs Enclosed is a duplicate of the Letter sent by the Portugueze Ship and the second Bill of exchange which they gave us for money we advanced them here We have have appointed Sixty Six pieces of Beef or Pork to be distributed weekly to Your Blacks in the following manner Vizt To every three Blacks Includeing the women & Children one piece of pork To each Labourer, wch are the most Valuable Blacks one piece of pork This Allowance is as small as they can possibly have of any is given them, and to be Continued for the year, will amount to three Hundred four hundred and thirty two pieces at Eighty six pieces of beef which is near forty Casks, The remainder of Beef and Pork, is Hardly sufficient to supply them till we can reasonably expect our Store Ship; and the Indent transmitted by the Last Stock is only for ten Punchcheons of Beef and ten hogsheads of Pork, Therefore it will be necessary to add three to ten Casks more of each in Order to Supply them wch this Sort of provisions for the next Year according to the above Computation Fresh fish is given to them when there is any quantity, but that is Seldom more then seven the Cleof, and they have often Goat killed for them, the Goats are small and not very Good enough twelve of them would eat one, We hope our Slacks will encrease, and that in time we shall be able to lessen the expence of the Negroes to the Company; Common Salted provisions such as we are sent to the Sugar Plantations, and Salt Herrings for their Servants and | To the Honourable Court &c. Honoured Sirs, Enclosed was a duplicate of the letter sent by the Portuguese ship, and the second bill of exchange which its people had given the Council for the money advanced them here. The Council had appointed sixty six pieces of beef or pork to be distributed weekly to the Court's slaves, in the following manner: to every three slaves, including women and children, one piece; to each artificer, being the most valuable slaves, one piece each. This allowance was as small as could reasonably be given them at all, and continued for the year would amount, at three hundred and thirty two pieces of eighty pounds each, to near forty casks. The remainder of beef and pork was hardly sufficient to supply them until the Council could reasonably expect the next ship, and the invoice sent by the last ship provided for only ten hogsheads of beef and ten of pork; it would therefore be necessary to add three to ten casks more of each in order to supply this sort of provisions for the next year according to the above computation. Fresh fish was given to them when there was any quantity, but that was seldom more than seven or eight times a year, and they often had goats killed for them, though the goats were small and not very good, so that few of them would eat any. The Council hoped the Court's slaves would increase, and that in time it would be able to lessen the expense the [...] were to the Company, common salted provisions such as were sent to the sugar plantations, and salt herrings for their servants, and... Interpretations The weekly ration formula, one piece of beef or pork for every three slaves but a full piece for each artificer, treats skilled slaves as a distinct category worth better provisioning than field labourers, converting the Company's assessment of a slave's economic value directly into the size of his food allowance. | |
224 | and Slaves, may serve these, and wod not cost half the money such Beef may be had from Cork, at Seven Shillings a Hundred. Upon a Computation we find we have not Indented for a Sufficient Quantity of Shoe & Stockings for the Soldiers, and as they will be kept in better Order Whensoever they have been heretofore they will at least Consume Eight Hundred pair of each in a Year, therefore we desire your Honours will be pleased to add four hundred pair of thread Stockings and two hundred pair of Shoes to our Indent. On the 19th Instant arrived a Dutch Ship called the Aryen Capt Vander Blok, Burthen Eight Hundred Tons 79 Men and 22 Guns Laden chiefly wch Coffee from Batavia who says that on the 7th of June he saw a Ship under English Colours off Cape Lagulas Standing Eastward, and that a Dane Ship called the King of Denmark was so much damaged by a hard Gale of wind when at the Cape, that she could not proceed her Voyage to China whither she was bound, The Indent we send absolutely necessary and Ares. Honble Sirs Your most Obedient & Dutifull Servts D Dunbar C Hutchinson C Dixon J Goodwin M Parling 28 July 1741 | slaves, might serve these, and would not cost half the money such beef might be had from Cork at seven shillings a hundred. Upon computation the Council found it had not indented for a sufficient quantity of shoes and stockings for the soldiers, and as these would be kept in better order than they had been before, they would at least consume eight hundred pairs of each in a year; the Council therefore desired the Court would be pleased to add four hundred pairs of thread stockings and two hundred pairs of shoes to its indent. On 17th instant a Dutch ship arrived, called the Stryen, under Captain Vander Bleck, burthen eight hundred tons, seventy nine men and twenty two guns, laden chiefly with coffee from Batavia. Her captain reported that on 18th of June he had seen a ship under English colours standing eastward off Cape Lagullas, and that a Danish ship called the King of Denmark had been so badly damaged by a hard gale of wind while at the Cape that she could not pursue her voyage to China, for which she was bound. The indent the Council sent was absolutely necessary and no more. The letter was signed, Honoured Sirs, the Court's most obedient and dutiful servants, David Dunbar, Charles Hutchinson, Christopher Dixon, John Goodwin and Matthew Purling, at St Helena, 28 July 1741. Interpretations The proposal to feed slaves on Irish beef at seven shillings a hundredweight, costing under half the price of the ration otherwise supplied, shows the Council weighing the same slaves it had just described as needing better provision primarily as a line of expense to be minimised, the two concerns, welfare and cost, sitting side by side in the same paragraph without any sense of tension between them. | |
225 | To the Honble Court &c Honble Sirs By the Ship Portobello that arrived here the 22 of Sepr we were favoured with a Letter from your Honours wch his Majestys Declaration of Warr against the French King. We shall exert our Selves to the utmost in doing every thing that we think can be for the security of Your Island and for Defending it should it be Attacked. We received only forty seven of the fifty Men that were embarked, three having dyed on Board, the men are not so good as we could have wished for at this conjuncture, There is a Cripple, and a Madman among them, and a great Number that are very low, weak, and Ill made whafor these reasons we apprehend can be but of little Service in any respect. What Orders we may receive from the Secrett Committee shall be Strictly obeyd Your Honours Ship Porto Bello was despatched by us wch all possible expedition, She Saild from hence the 2 of October. We shall not dispose of or pay away any money in our hands belonging to Governour Hyddington deceasd untill wo receive Your Derections for it The £30 that Your Honours advanced Mr Samuel Salavez upon his bond wc we will see duly discharged In Case any money should be offered to us by the Executor of Charles Clarke deceasd we will receive and give Bills on Your Honours for it, as You have directed Capt | To the Honourable Court &c. Honoured Sirs, 1: By the ship Portobello, which arrived here on 22 September, the Council had been favoured with a letter from the Court along with His Majesty's declaration of war against the Spanish king. The Council would exert itself to the utmost in doing everything it thought could be done for the security of the island and in defending it should it be attacked. 2: The Council had received only forty seven of the fifty men embarked, three having died aboard. The men were not as good as could have been wished for at this juncture; there was a cripple and a madman among them, and a great number who were very low, weak and ill made, so that for these reasons the Council apprehended they could be of little service in any respect. 3: Whatever orders might be received from the Secret Committee would be strictly obeyed. 4: The Court's ship Portobello had been despatched with all possible expedition, and sailed from here on 2 October. 5: The Council would not dispose of or pay away any money in its hands belonging to Governor Jenkinson's [...] until it received the Court's directions on that point. 6: The £30 which the Court had advanced Mr Samuel [...] upon his bond would be duly discharged. 7: Should any money be owed the Council by the executors of the late Charles Clark, it would be received and bills given upon the Court for it, as directed. Interpretations The declaration of war against Spain, and the Council's immediate pledge to defend the island against attack, gives concrete context for the anxiety about French Catholic soldiers in the garrison raised only weeks earlier, showing the Council's concern with loyalty and defence hardening into active preparation the moment war was actually declared. The draft of fifty men arriving with three already dead, and several others described as a cripple, a madman, and generally weak or ill made, shows the island receiving whatever recruits the Company chose to send regardless of fitness, treating a remote garrison posting as a destination for men unsuited to service elsewhere. | |
226 | Captain Charles Hutchinson the Lieutt Governour, hath paid into Your bank one hundred pounds, for which we have given him a Sett of Bills on Your Honours dated November 20 and payable at ninety days sight Some Months before Mr Salavez arrivall many of the Garrison and Inhabitants were Sick, and we had only Mr Dubois the Surgeons Mate to take care of them which it was not possible for any one Person to do in a proper manner though very Diligent. It being absolutely necessary in these Circumstances to have another Surgeon the Governour appointed Mr Willoughby Richard Pickering who was Surgeon to Your Ship Royall Guardian to be Surgeon to Your Island agreed to pay him as such for a Year, & promisd to recommend him to Your Honours to be Confirmed which was the Motive that prevaild on him to leave his Ship and remain here, Mr Salavez and he therefore act joyntly as Chief Surgeons untill Your Honours Pleasure be known. All the purbeck Stones are laid for Platformes for some of the heaviest Guns in the Line at James's Valley & at Ruperts, We are very much in Wantefsore, as there are yett many Guns that require new platformes, most of the old ones being only a rough pavement, or Rotten, and very uneven Plank, No great Dinision can therefore be expected to be done by Artillery under those disadvantages, from the Most expert Gunners. Severall of the Embrasseures are enlarged to the Size they ought to be & have Drains made under them, The rest we shall perfect in the same manner. It has not hitherto been in our power to do much to the Fortifications at Ruperts being Obliged for want | Captain Charles Hutchinson, the lieutenant governor, had paid into the Court's cash one hundred pounds, for which the Council had given him a set of bills upon the Court, dated 20 November and payable at ninety days sight. 9: Some months before Mr Salomons's arrival, many of the garrison and inhabitants had been sick, and the Council had had only Dubois, the surgeon's mate, to take care of them, it not being possible for one person to do in a proper manner, though he was very diligent. It being absolutely necessary in these circumstances to have another surgeon, the Governor had appointed Mr Willoughby Richard Pickering, then surgeon to the Court's ship Royal Guardian, to be surgeon to the island, agreeing to pay him as such for a year, and promised to recommend him to the Court to be confirmed; this had been the chief motive that prevailed on him to leave his ship and remain here. Mr Salomons and he therefore acted jointly as chief surgeons until the Court's pleasure should be known. 10: All the requisite stones were laid for platforms for some of the heaviest guns in the line at Turner's Valley and at Rupert's. The Council was very much wanting in Bantamsore, as there were yet many guns that required new platforms, most of the old ones being only rough pavement or rotten, and very uneven planks, so that no great precision could therefore be expected to be done by the artillery under these disadvantages, from the most expert gunners. 11: Several of the embrasures had been enlarged to the size they ought to be, drains had been made under them, and the rest would be perfected in the same manner. 12: It had not hitherto been in the Council's power to do much to the fortifications at Rupert's, being obliged for want... Interpretations The appointment of a naval surgeon straight off the Royal Guardian to remain permanently on the island, secured chiefly by a promise of Company confirmation rather than by any standing establishment for a second surgeon, shows how thinly the island's medical provision depended on persuading passing ships' officers to stay rather than on any planned recruitment from London. | |
227 | of a proper Boat, to have all the Lime we use for them brought on Negroes Backs from Sandy Bay, and even this way of Carriage, slow as it is, could not be continued constantly as we have had a great deal of wet Weather, in which the Slaves could not be Employd on this Service) The Difficultys we Laboured under are now removed having mett with an Opportunity to purchase a Long Boat which we could not do before, & tho the Governour having discovered a Quarry of Good Stones, and Sunk a Well near the Works at Ruperts wch there is Water sufficient to wash and freshen the Sand wth for our Mortar, We shall by these means be enabled to carry them on more expeditiously We have made about 35 Loads of Hay and divided severall of the Pastures wch Large Hedges at a small expence, We hope to make a much greater quantity of Hay next Year than we did this, the cutting of which, will not only be of service to the pasture in bettering the Grass, but will likewise enable us to keep a larger Stock of Cattle than ever and to furnish the Ships wch provender for those they carry away, We are ploughing at Rope Point, where we intend to sow all sorts of Grain, The Blacks Houses at the Plantation House that were fallen down are rebuilt Mr Godwin the Accomptant is busy in copying the Generall Books and promise to have Compleated and ready to send to Your Honours in about two Months if an opportunity offer. Capt Campbell of Your Ship Colchester having since his Arrivall here booked out Mr Dale his Chief Mate, Mr Dale applied and Desired himself to us for Redrup Also | of a proper boat to have all the lime the Council used for them brought on slaves' backs from Sandy Bay, and even this way of carriage, slow as it was, could not be continued constantly, since a great deal of wet weather had prevented the slaves being employed on this service. 13: The difficulties the Council had laboured under were now removed, having met with the opportunity to purchase a long boat which it could not do before. The Governor, having discovered a quarry of good stones and sunk a well near the works at Rupert's, in which there was water sufficient to wash and freshen the sand for making mortar, the Council would by these means be enabled to carry the works on more expeditiously. 14: The Council had made about thirty five loads of hay, and divided several of the pastures with large hedges at some expense; it hoped to make a much greater quantity of hay next year than it had done this, the cutting of which would not only benefit the pastures by improving the grass, but would also enable the Council to keep a larger stock of cattle than ever, and to furnish the ships with provender for those they carried away. The Council was ploughing at Rose Point, where it intended to sow all sorts of grain, and the slaves' quarters at the plantation house that had fallen down were being rebuilt. 15: Goodwin the accountant was busy copying the general books, which he promised would be completed and ready to send to the Court in about two months, if an opportunity offered. 16: Captain Campbell of the Court's ship Colchester, having since his arrival here turned out his chief mate, Mr Dale, applied and offered himself to the Council for... Interpretations The improvement works at Rupert's, a well sunk and a quarry of good stone discovered by the Governor himself, and the purchase of a long boat that finally ended the reliance on carrying lime by slaves' backs from Sandy Bay, show physical infrastructure problems that had constrained the fortification programme for years being resolved together in a single season rather than through any single planned initiative. | |
228 | His Case wch our Opinion upon it Your Honours will find in Consultation of the 20 instant. Mr Wedget hath paid us the full Ballance of his Account except the forty pounds you advanced him which will be discharged out of his growing Sallary or sooner; We are Satisfied that severall Articles that he has entered in his Account of West, entered in Consultation of the 23 instant became deficient for the reasons he has there sett forth The late Governour Goodwin received of Samuel Feake Esqr Eighty three pounds Nine Shillings and four pence in Order to pay Eleanor Worrall Widdow and William Worrall each a Legacy of forty pounds twelve Shillings & two pence Govr Goodwin Accordingly paid Willm Worrall his Legacy but Eleanor Worrall Being Indebted to the Honble Company he acquainted her that she had paid it the Company and had Ordered it to be wrote off her Account but after his Death and upon her decease and on Examining the Books it appeared that Govr Goodwin had never paid that sum or had it wrote off from her Account, whereupon her Heirs were obliged to pay the Honble Company their full debt, which was twenty seven pounds Six Shillings, and never could receive the said Legacy (which they believd had been employed to the purpose aforesaid) Govr Goodwins Effects having been all seized into Your Honours Hands. The Hardships of the above Case, the Heirs of the said Eleanor Worrall desired us to lay before Your Honours We are &c D Dunbar C Hutchinson C Dixon J Goodwin M Parling Nov 26. Yaen Slonders back here, one hundred 1744 Eighty four pounds for which we gave him a Certificate. | This case, with the Council's opinion upon it, the Court would find in consultation of the 20th instant. 18: Mr Wright had paid the full balance of his account, except the forty pounds advanced him, which would be discharged out of his growing salary or sooner. The Council was satisfied that several articles entered in his account of waste, entered in consultation of the 23rd instant, had become deficient for the reasons he had there set forth. 19: The late Governor Goodwin had received of Samuel Fowke, esquire, eighty three pounds four shillings and four pence, in order to pay Eleanor Worrall, widow, and William Worrall her son, a legacy of forty pounds twelve shillings and two pence. Governor Goodwin had accordingly paid William Worrall his legacy, but Eleanor Worrall, being indebted to the Honourable Company, had been told he had paid it to the Company and had ordered it to be written off her account, though after his death, and upon examining the books, it appeared that Governor Goodwin had never actually paid that sum or had it written off from her account. Her heirs were therefore obliged to pay the Company their full debt, which drew twenty seven pounds six shillings, and could never recover the said legacy, which they believed had been used for the purpose already mentioned. Governor Goodwin's effects having all been seized into the Court's hands, the hardship of the above case was laid before the Court by the heirs of the said Eleanor Worrall, at their request. The letter was signed by David Dunbar, Charles Hutchinson, Christopher Dixon, John Goodwin and Matthew Purling. A note recorded that on 26 November 1744 Captain Saunders had paid £84 into the Council's cash, for which he had been given a certificate. Interpretations Governor Goodwin's false claim to have credited Eleanor Worrall's debt with her own legacy, only exposed after his death when his effects had already been seized, gives a second, distinct instance of a Company officer manipulating an account for personal advantage, separate from and earlier than the John Goodwin storekeeper deficiency that runs through the later letters, and confirms this Governor Goodwin as a source of financial irregularity in his own right. | |
229 | To the Honble Court &c Honble Sirs On the 28 of Novr the Colchester Capt Campbell sailed for England, who behaved during his Stay here in a very extraordinary manner and at his departure did not Salute the Fort, a particular Account of his behaviour and Conduct in regard to the Ship is entered in Consultation of the 4 December On the 25 of December Your Ship the Oxford Capt Smith put in here, and Sailed the 31 Instant for Bencoolen four of the Soldiers designd for that Place were left sick on Shore here, at the Request of the Captain & Super Cargoes, and the Surgeon Certifying they were not able to proceed We shall forward them by the Store Ship, and in the Meantime Subsist them as belonging to this Garrison. The Horse which was on Board designd for the Sultan of Bantengee, was in Great want of Hay, we therefore let them have Eleven Hundred and twenty pounds the quantity they desired, their Stay being Mostly by wett it receiv'd. Your Honours Sloop the Swift Capt Stevens arrived here from Bengall the 17 Instant we furnished him wch such necessarys as he wanted both out of your Plantations and Stores as p Account Inclosed. Enclosed is an Account of what the two Seamen left here by Captain Martin of the Princess Amelia have had during their Stay here for their Subsistance Also | To the Honourable Court &c. Honoured Sirs, On 28 November the Colchester, Captain Campbell, sailed for England, having behaved during his stay here in a very extraordinary manner, and at his departure not saluting the fort; a particular account of his behaviour and conduct in that regard was entered in consultation of 4 December. On 24 December the Court's ship Oxford, Captain Smith, put in here and sailed on the 31st for Bencoolen. Four of the soldiers designed for that place were left sick ashore here, at the request of the captain, its surgeon certifying they were not able to proceed. The Council would forward them by the store ship, and in the meantime would subsist them as belonging to this garrison. The horse which was aboard, designed for the sultan of Bastingees, was in great want of hay; the Council therefore let them have one hundred and twenty pounds of the quantity desired, their hay being mostly wet when received. The Court's sloop Swift, Captain Stevens, arrived here from Bengal on the 17th instant; the Council furnished him with such necessaries as he wanted, both out of the Court's plantations and slaves, as per account enclosed. Enclosed was an account of what the two seamen left here by Captain Martin of the Princess Amelia had had during their stay here for their subsistence. Interpretations Captain Campbell's failure to salute the fort on departure, judged serious enough to warrant its own separate account in consultation, shows a ship's courtesy to the garrison treated as a matter of recorded discipline rather than mere custom, with a breach of it formally documented for the Court's attention. | |
230 | The Generall Books of Accounts ending 30 September 1744 are inclosed in this Pacquett We have received from Captain Stevens some provisions and have given him a Certificate for them the Particulars will appear in the Swifts Account Inclosed We are Honble Sirs Your most Obedient Dutiful Servants David Dunbar Cha Hutchinson Chris Dixon John Goodwin Mattd Parling St Helena 26 January 1744 | The general books of accounts ending 30 September 1744 were enclosed in this packet. The Council had received from Captain Stevens some provisions, and had given him a certificate for them; the particulars would appear in the Swift's account enclosed. The letter was signed, Honoured Sirs, the Court's most obedient and dutiful servants, David Dunbar, Charles Hutchinson, Christopher Dixon, John Goodwin and Matthew Purling, at St Helena, 25 January 1744. | |
231 | To the Honble Court &c Honble Sirs On the 23 of January last Sailed Your Honours Sloop the Swift Captain Stevens Commander for England Inclosed is a Duplicate of the Letter we then sent your Honours On the 5 Instant arrived your Ship the Sapphire Capt Stephen Norman from Bencoolen who stayed there 18 days and left it the 29 day of January last and informs us that Capt Matthew Coast in the Caesar saild from thence about three weeks before his arrivall there This day an Allarm was made for 17 Ships two of which were Capt Polley in the Princess of Wales from Bengall last from the Cape and the Caesar Capt Coast from Bencoolen last from the Cape, and all the rest were Dutch. Captain Polley informs us that he left at the Cape the King William Captain Phillips from Bombay and the Saint George Captain Robertson from Bengall and Fellicherry, and that Captain Robertson sailed with the Winchester Captain Sansom the Day before Capt Polley Sailed from the Cape Capt Polley saw a Ship standing in for the Cape which he supposed to be the Winchester who was sailing out. P S Captain | To the Honourable Court &c. Honoured Sirs, On 23 January last the Court's sloop Swift, Captain Stevens, commander, had sailed for England, and enclosed was a duplicate of the letter already sent the Court. On the 5th instant the Court's ship Lapwing, Captain Stephen Norman, arrived from Bencoolen, where she had stayed eighteen days and left on 29 January last; her captain reported that Captain Matthew Grant in the Caesar had sailed from there about three weeks before his own arrival here. That day an alarm had been made for seventeen sail, two of which were Captain Polley in the Princess of Wales, last from Bengal by way of the Cape, and the Caesar, Captain Grant, last from Bencoolen by way of the Cape, and all the rest were Dutch. Captain Polley reported that he had left at the Cape the King William, Captain Phillips, from Bombay, and the Saint George, Captain Robertson, from Bengal and Tellicherry, and that Captain Robertson had sailed with the Winchester, Captain Samson, the day before Captain Polley sailed from the Cape. Captain Polley had seen a ship standing in for the Cape which he supposed to be the Winchester, or she was sailing out. A postscript, added by the captain, [...] Interpretations The alarm raised for seventeen sail approaching together, only two of them the Court's own ships and the rest Dutch, shows how large a foreign convoy could appear off St Helena at once, with the garrison's watch unable to tell friend from stranger until the ships were close enough to be identified individually. | |
232 | P S Captain Coast having just now applied to us acquainting us that his Ship had Struck on a Rock near Cape Aguallas and that he made 12 Inches of Water at the Cape and since 18 Inches in one hour, notwithstanding all his Endeavours to the Contrary it was therefore thought advisable by us and Capt Norman for him to Stay here untill he could stop the Leake and proceed home wch our Fleet. We are Honble Sirs Your most obedient and Dutifull Servants Signd D Dunbar C Hutchinson C Dixon J Goodwin M Parling 1 Copy of the above Lre 2 Duplicate of Lre p Swift 3 Copy of Capt Norman's recd for Presents 4 Copy Do of Debit Standing 5 Do Do of Officers pd &c 6 Duplicate of Swifts Lre April 23. 1745 | A postscript reported that Captain Grant had just applied to the Council, acquainting it that his ship had struck a rock near Cape Agulhas, and that he had made twelve inches of water at the Cape and since eighteen inches in one hour, notwithstanding all his endeavours to the contrary. It was therefore thought advisable by the Council and Captain Norman for Grant to stay here until he could stop the leak and proceed home with the fleet. The letter was signed, Honoured Sirs, the Court's most obedient and dutiful servants, David Dunbar, Charles Hutchinson, Christopher Dixon, John Goodwin and Matthew Purling. A list recorded the enclosures sent with the packet: a copy of the above letter; a duplicate of the letter by the Swift; a copy of Captain Norman's report for himself; a copy of the letter of the Lapwing; a copy of the same by [...]; and a duplicate of the letter to the [...]. Dated 23 April 1745. Interpretations The decision to hold the Caesar at St Helena until her leak could be stopped, so that she might sail home with the rest of the fleet rather than risk the passage alone, is the same convoy caution already seen with the D'Lorrain two years before, showing this was the Council's settled practice for any damaged ship rather than a one-off response to a single emergency. | |
233 | To the Honble Court of Directors &c p Swedo Ship Honble Sirs, On the 23 Aprl We wrote you p Capt Polley of the Princess of Wales & by the Dutch fleet wch whom we sposed by for England A Duplicate of Which comes Inclosed On the 3 Instant Arrived the St George, Captain Robinson from Bengall, The Winchester, Cap Sansom, from Bengall & the King William, Captn Phillips, from Bombay The Winchelsea, Captain Baron, from Bengall, Arrived here the 20 Instant, & the Stafford, Captain Baker, from China The York, Captain Loftouse from China, The Montague, Captain Freeman, from Bombay. The Duke of Dorsett, Captam Fregnall, from Bombay, & the Prince William, Captain Webber, from Bengall, Arrived the day following. On the 23 Instant Arrived two Swedo Ships from China, called, the Calmar, Captain Maul, Burthen 400 Tons 20 Guns & 122 Men Laden wch Tea & Chinawares & the Frederick King of Sweden, Captain Fehman, Burthen 500 Tons, 26 Guns & 120 Men Laden wch Tea & Chinaware. Commodore Barnett wch 4 English Men of Warr hath taken a Large French Privateer Off Achean & in the Straits of Banca 3 French China Ships & One Manila Ship richly Laden, & Carried them into Batavia, The York & Stafford have on board Severall French Gentlemen Prisoners, Which were taken in the Three Ships. The Supplys we have recd from India this Year Come very Short of what we Expected. On the 24 Instant Arrived a Dane Ship called Chrishanborgh Slot, Captain Suend Hvas from China Burthen 1000 Tuns 178 Men & 24 Guns Laden wch Tea & Chinaware and | To the Honourable the Court of Directors &c, by a Swedish ship. Honoured Sirs, On 23 April the Council had written by Captain Polley of the Princess of Wales, and by a Dutch ship with whom it had passed by for England; a duplicate of which letter came enclosed. On the 3rd instant the Saint George, Captain Robertson, arrived from Bengal, and the Winchester, Captain Samson, from Bengal, and the King William, Captain Phillips, from Bombay. The Winchelsea, Captain Baron, from Bengal, arrived here on the 20th instant, and the Stafford, Captain Baker, from China. The York, Captain Colefax, from China, the Montague, Captain Freeman, from Bombay, the Duke of Dorset, Captain Fregnall, from Bombay, and the Prince William, Captain Webber, from Bengal, arrived the day following. On the 23rd instant two Swedish ships arrived from China, called the Calmar, Captain Maul, burthen four hundred tons, twenty guns and one hundred twenty two men, laden with tea and chinaware, and the Frederick King of Sweden, Captain Eckman, burthen five hundred tons, twenty six guns and one hundred twenty men, laden with tea and chinaware. Commodore Barnett, with four English men of war, had taken a large French privateer off Johor, in the Straits of Banka, three French chinaware ships and one Manila ship richly laden, and had carried them into Batavia. The York and Stafford had aboard several French gentlemen prisoners, taken in the three ships. The supplies received from India that year fell very short of what the Council had expected. On the 24th instant a Danish ship arrived, called the Christiansborg Slot, Captain Svend[?], from China, burthen one thousand tons, one hundred seventy eight men and twenty four guns, laden with tea and chinaware, and... Interpretations This despatch, carried by a Swedish ship rather than an English one, arrives amid a striking convergence of foreign East India shipping, two Swedish and one Danish vessel all reaching St Helena within a day of each other carrying tea and chinaware from Canton, showing the island as a common waypoint for every European nation's China trade rather than Britain's alone, precisely the kind of foreign traffic the Council's standing security orders were meant to manage. | |
234 | And this day Sailed for Denmark. Yesterday passed by a Dutch Ship from Bengall She only sent her Boat on Shore for News without makeing any Stay. This comes by Mr Oliver a Supracargoe who took Passage on One of the Swede Ships at China. On his arrivall here We gave him a Copy of your Orders forbiding the Supracargoes or any of your Servants takeing passage on any foreign Ships but Notwithstanding that he proceeds in One of them. We are &c P S Just now Arrived a Dutch Ship from China in very great Distress. 1 Copy of Above Lre 2 Duplicate of Lre p Capt Polley. St Helena 29 May 1745 | and this day sailed for Denmark. Yesterday a Dutch ship from Bengal had passed by; she only sent her boat ashore for news, without making any stay. This letter went by Mr Oliver, a supercargo who had taken passage on one of the Swedish ships from China. On his arrival here the Council had given him a copy of the Court's orders forbidding supercargoes or any of the Court's servants from taking passage on any foreign ship, but notwithstanding this he had proceeded on one of them. A postscript reported that a Dutch ship had just arrived from China in very great distress. The enclosures were listed as a copy of the above letter, and a duplicate of the letter by Captain Polley. Dated at St Helena, 29 May 1745. Interpretations Handing Mr Oliver a copy of the very order he had just broken, rather than detaining him or otherwise acting on the breach, shows the Council treating its own standing prohibition on Company servants travelling aboard foreign ships as something to be formally recorded against him rather than actually enforced. | |
235 | To the Honble Court &c Honble Sirs On the 29 of May last we wrote to you by Mr Oliver a Supracargoe who came here a passenger on one of the Swede Ships a Duplicate of the same comes Inclosed On the 5 Instant arrived the Beaufort Capt Thomas Stevens and on the 7 the Darrington Capt Cruel both from Madrass. The three French China Ships taken by Commodore Barnett are sent to the Dutch wch all their Cargoe, for twenty two Thousand pounds, except the Gold that was found in these, one of which arrived here the second Instant, called by the French the Heroeloes and now by the Dutch the De Favallighyt Capt Cornelius Bovig, one hundred & twenty two feet Steel twenty eight Guns, one hundred Men Laden wch Tea and Chinaware another of the said Prizes is day expected wch the Rest Ship On the 27 May arrived a Dutch Ship from China in great distress called the Broerbeck Capt Peter Hillman Burthen five Hundred Tons, thirty five Men, twenty two Guns Laden wch Tea and Chinaware & this day both sail for Holland On the 10 Instant arrived two Swedish Ships from China the one called the Gothenburg Capt Buck Moreen Burthen three hundred and forty Tons thirty Guns and one hundred and ten Men the other called the Riddaneless Capt Benjamin Swansen Burthen three hundred and eighty three Tons, thirty Guns and one hundred and ten Men, both Laden wch Tea and Chinaware This coming by a Dutch Ship we shall say no more than that we are Honble Sirs Signd D Dunbar Cha Hutchinson Chris Dixon John Goodwin M Parling St Helena 15 June 1745 1 Copy of the above Letter 2 Duplicate of Letter p Mr Oliver. | To the Honourable Court &c. Honoured Sirs, On 29 May last the Council had written to the Court by Mr Oliver, a supercargo who had come here as a passenger on one of the Swedish ships, and a duplicate of the same letter came enclosed. On the 5th instant the Beaufort, Captain Thomas Stevens, arrived, and on the 7th the Darrington, Captain Cruice, both from Madras. The three French chinaware ships taken by Commodore Barnett had been sold to the Dutch with all their cargo, for twenty two thousand pounds, except the gold that was found in them, one of which had arrived here on the 2nd instant, called by the French the Hirondelle and now by the Dutch the De Zwaluwstaart, Captain Cornelius Bougy, one hundred sixty two feet, twenty eight guns, one hundred men, laden with tea and chinaware. Another of the said prizes was expected daily to the road. On 27 May a Dutch ship had arrived from China in great distress, called the Boereboek, Captain Peter Kilman, burthen five hundred tons, thirty five men and twenty guns, laden with tea and chinaware; she sailed the same day for Holland. On the 10th instant two Swedish ships arrived from China, the one called the Gothenburg, Captain Buck Moreen, burthen three hundred and forty tons, thirty guns and one hundred and ten men, the other called the Riddarhuset, Captain Benjamin Swanson, burthen three hundred and eighty tons, thirty guns and one hundred and ten men, both laden with tea and chinaware. As this letter went by a Dutch ship, the Council would say no more than that it remained, Honoured Sirs, the Court's most humble servants. Signed at St Helena, 15 June 1745, by David Dunbar, Charles Hutchinson, Christopher Dixon, John Goodwin and Matthew Purling. The enclosures were a copy of the above letter and a duplicate of the letter by Mr Oliver. Interpretations A captured French prize ship being sold on to the Dutch for £22,000, with only the gold aboard withheld, shows a captured vessel and cargo being converted directly into cash through sale to a neutral or allied power's merchants, rather than sailed home or broken up, treating a naval prize as ordinary commercial property to be liquidated on the spot. | |
236 | To the Honble Court &c Honble Sirs On the 15 Instant we paid our respects to you by a Dutch Ship a Duplicate of which comes inclosed Captain Peter Hillman of the Dutch Ship called the Bombeck who came here in great distress after all the Civillitys and Assistance given him that was possible, took away three men, belonging to the Garrison viz John Crest the Armourer John Innes the Soldier and Carpenter and Edward Tomsloins Wheelwright and Gun Carriage maker, who came out last Year on the Caesar, when we told the Captain these three men were missing he confessed the had the Wheelwright and declared he would send him on Shore as soon as he got on Board, this was about Eight of the Clock the Night before he Sailed, he further declared he would not sail the next morning till Eight, notwithstanding that he went away at five, and Contrary to his promise, never sent the men a Shore, upon which an Officer was sent on Board, to demand him to deliver up the three men, he then said he had not one on Board belonging to the Garrison There was a mistake in the Burthen of the two Swede Ships, it was wrote in their Language that the Ship Gothenburg was Burthen three hundred and forty Lastes and the ship Riddanchus three hundred and Eighty four Lastes which we took for so many Tons, but since that on Enquiry find that a Laste is equal to two Tons The Godolphin Capt John Stevens arrived here Yesterday from Bengall This coming by a Swedish Ship, we shall therefore say no more than that we are Honble Sirs David Dunbar Chas Hutchinson Chris Dixon John Godwin Matt Parling St Helena 17 June 1745 1 Copy of the above Letter 2 Duplicate of Letter p Dutch Ship 3 Copy of Receipt for the Pacquett p Do | To the Honourable Court &c. Honoured Sirs, On the 15th instant the Council had paid its respects to the Court by a Dutch ship, a duplicate of which came enclosed. Captain Peter Kilman of the Dutch ship called the Boereboek, who had come here in great distress after all the courtesy and assistance given him possible, took away three men belonging to the garrison, namely John [...], the armourer, John Innes, a soldier and carpenter, and Edward Fenelow, wheelwright and gun carriage maker, who had come out the previous year on the Caesar. When the Council told the captain these three men were missing, he confessed the wheelwright and declared he would send him ashore as soon as he got aboard, this being about eight of the clock the night before he sailed; he further declared he would not sail the next morning until eight, notwithstanding which he went away at five, and contrary to his promise never sent the men ashore. An officer was sent aboard to demand he deliver up the three men, but he then said he had not one aboard belonging to the garrison. There had been a mistake in the burthen of the two Swedish ships; it had been written, in their own language, that the ship Gothenburg was of three hundred and forty lasts burthen, and the Riddarhuset three hundred and eighty four lasts, which the Council had taken for tons, but upon enquiry found that a last was equal to two tons. The Court's ship Godolphin, Captain John Stevens, had arrived here yesterday from Bengal. As this letter went by a Swedish ship, the Council would say no more than that it remained, Honoured Sirs... Signed at St Helena, 17 June 1745, by David Dunbar, Charles Hutchinson, Christopher Dixon, John Goodwin and Matthew Purling. The enclosures were listed as a copy of the above letter, a duplicate of the letter by the Dutch ship, and a copy of a receipt for the [...]. Interpretations The Dutch captain's shifting story, first confessing to holding the wheelwright and promising to return him, then denying outright that anyone from the garrison was aboard, shows a distressed foreign ship using St Helena's hospitality as an opportunity to make up her own crew shortfall at the garrison's expense, with the Council left unable to compel a foreign vessel already under sail to give the men back. | |
237 | To the Honble &c Honble Sirs We wrote last the 17th June 1745 by a Swedo Ship a Duplicate of our Lre is Inclosed as wo also an Account of the Arrivall & Departure of all such Ships as have touched here this Year. We are glad You have received our Advices of the 12th of March, 15 & 22 May, 19: 22: 23: & 30 June last. The safe Arrivall of the Last Years Shipping is very pleaseing to us, & We sincerely wish those Ships sent out by You this Year will prove alike Successfull A List of which we have recd from Your Honours. We return You thanks for the Supplys sent us by the Queen Caroline, Captain Benjamin Mason. Care shall be taken to Dispatch the Queen Caroline within the time Limitted to prevent Demorages. As the Caesars Staying here so long We can Assure yr Honrs the Surfs were more frequent & Greater at that time as we were informed by the Inhabitants than hath been known for many Years past. We will for the future give no Comn Bills of Exchange for Money paid into yr Cash here but Certificates according to the Form You send us. Your Orders relating to yr Servants that may be left here sick out of your own Ships Shall be Punctually Obeyd for the future. The Factors Writers & Others in your Service Shall be Supplied with what stores they may want on the same Terms as the Millitary. And what Cloathing can be spared shall be delivered to the Inhabitants & Planters at 25 pCent upon Invoice & we shall take Particular Care, as far as in us Lyes, it Shall be for their proper Use Only. | To the Honourable [Court] &c. Honoured Sirs, 1: The Council had last written on 17 June 1745 by a Swedish ship; a duplicate of that letter was enclosed, as was an account of the arrival and departure of all such ships as had touched here that year. 2: The Council was glad the Court had received its despatches of 12 March, 13 and 22 May, and 19, 22, 23 and 30 June last. 3: The safe arrival of the last year's shipping was very pleasing to the Council, and it sincerely wished those ships sent out this year would prove equally successful, a list of which the Council had received from the Court. 4: The Council returned the Court thanks for the supplies sent by the Queen Caroline, Captain Benjamin Mason. 5: Care would be taken to despatch the Queen Caroline within the time limited to prevent demurrage. 6: With the Caesar staying here so long, the Council could assure the Court that the surfs were more frequent and greater at that time, as it had been informed by the inhabitants, than had been known for many years past. 7: The Council would in future give no common bills of exchange for money paid into its cash here, but certificates according to the form the Court had sent. 8: The Court's orders relating to the Court's servants who might be left here sick out of its own ships would be punctually obeyed in future. 9: The factors, writers and others in the Court's service would be supplied with what stores they wanted on the same terms as the military, and whatever clothing could be spared would be delivered to the inhabitants and planters at twenty five per cent above invoice; the Council would take particular care, as far as it lay in its power, that this should be for their proper use only. Interpretations The Council's new rule to issue certificates rather than ordinary bills of exchange for money paid into its cash marks a second, separate tightening of financial paperwork within a few years of Godfrey's dismissal for failing to keep the accounts current, suggesting the Court itself, not only the island's own Council, kept adjusting the documentary safeguards around St Helena's cash after the earlier deficiencies. | |
238 | We shall acquaint the Planters that yr Honrs have been pleased to Continue their Rents at the present reduced Rate of 2/6 p Bore untill the Year of our Lord 1750 We shall likewise Signify to them that you Expect, they will rigorously Exert themselves on every Urgent Occasion for the Defence of the Island. We will enquire into the Affair of Mr Branzhams Black, & Deale & will make him just Satisfaction as you have directed. The Cash Acct for March, May, & June were not sent as you directed but all the Subsequent Accts have been sent so. Cash Accts shall be Entd Upon Consultation & transmitted in the Pacquett Accordng to your Orders. We shall debt the Estates of the late Mr Godwin & Bazett for the Deficiency of yr Stores Anno 1739 in Such manner & proportion as they ought Justly to be Charged Robert Maycock hath been very Usefull to us in many respects for being more of a Wine Cooper, than a Dry Cooper, he hath given Attendance in the Stores & been very Servicable there. We also very well managed the Sifting of the Flower & when made into Bread wold it out to the people. Mr Pickerings the Surgeons Yeacr expiring 28. May last, he was discharged Accordingly. We shall pay Mr Dutch her Diet Money during the time of his Suspension, when You are pleased to let us know what shall be Allowed him for it. We will give the Widow of the late John Bazett all the Assistance We can, in recovering the Money due to that Estate from the Garrison. The two Slaves left here by the Dutch Captain | 10: The Council would acquaint the planters that the Court had been pleased to continue their rents at the present reduced rate of two shillings sixpence per head until the year of Our Lord 1750, and would likewise signify to them that the Court expected they would vigorously exert themselves on every urgent occasion for the defence of the island. 11: The Council would enquire into the affair of Mr Kranzhamer's black, and would give him just satisfaction as the Court had directed. 12: The cash accounts for March, May and June had not been sent as the Court had directed, but all the subsequent accounts had been sent since. 13: Cash accounts would be entered upon consultation and transmitted in duplicate according to the Court's orders. 14: The Council would debit the estates of the late Mr Goodwin and Bazett for the deficiency of the stores of 1739, in such manner and proportion as they ought justly to be charged. 15: Robert Maycock had been very useful in many respects, being more of a wine cooper than a dry cooper; he had given attendance in the stores and been very serviceable there, and had also managed very well the sifting of the flour, and when made into bread, sold it out to the people. 16: Mr Pickering, the surgeon, his year expiring on 28 May last, had been discharged accordingly. 17: The Council would pay Mr Dubois his diet money during the time of his suspension, once the Court let it know what should be allowed him for it. 18: The Council would give the widow of the late John Bazett all the assistance it could in recovering the money due to that estate from the garrison. The two slaves left here by the Dutch captain... Interpretations Debiting the Goodwin and Bazett estates jointly for the 1739 deficiency, in whatever proportion each ought justly to bear, resolves a question the earlier letters had left open, that the shortfall spanned both men's terms in charge of the stores, and settles it by dividing responsibility between two estates rather than assigning it wholly to either man alone. | |
239 | Captain, have been & shall be taken due Care of & Employed in your Service, till the right Owner demands them. The Clerk shall be Allowed £20 a Year as You have directed The Govr is very thankfull for yr favour in Allowing him to regulate the Table upon Sundays, it is but Justice to him to take Notice that a decent Table hath been kept, no want of any thing, & with good Oeconomy the Whole Years Expence hath not Exceeded £530 which is not half what was charged the preceeding Year & even this Sum is made up of the produce of Your Plantations, Except the Liquor. If the Factors and Writers are Joynd as the Millitary are & the Sallary Added to the last Years Expence it will come Vastly Short of that of the Year before besides Mr Wrights is Married Mr Wrangham, & Mr French have their Fathers Table And as 2 of yr Councill have Familys they seldom come to Table so that it is no Benefit to them, this it be provided for them. If the Govr letts us be presposd to yr Honrs that all the Dyet Money You wo be pleasd to Allow he wo Undertake to save from the Usual Expence of the Table And as May thither Table pock & other produce of the Islands is Turned into Money the Money as well as share of the produce may be given to Such of yr Servts as she Choose it. Due Care shall be taken that all persons Shall behave with decency at yr Table Accordng to your Derections. Your Military have been & shall continue Constantly to be Exercised at the Great Guns & Small Arms & the Slaves shall be Cloathed wch them upon proper Occasions & it shall be our Cheifest & Principall Care to put & keep the Fortie Fortification in the best Order that is possible. Also | captain, had been well employed in the Council's service until the rightful owner demanded them. 19: The clerk would be allowed £20 a year, as the Court had directed. 20: The Governor was very thankful for the favour done him in allowing him to negotiate the table upon Sundays, it being but justice to him to take notice that a decent table had been kept, wanting nothing, and yet with good economy the whole year's expense had not exceeded £530, which was not half what had been charged the preceding year, and even that sum was made up chiefly of the produce of the Court's plantations, except the sugar. 21: If the factors and writers are reckoned as the military and the sum added to the last year's expense, it would still come out considerably short of that of the year before, besides which Mr Wright had married and Mr Wyngham and Mr French had their fathers' tables, and as two of the Council had families, they seldom came to the table, so that it was of no benefit to them; it therefore fell to the Governor to provide for them if the Court, being persuaded of the Governor's true state, would be pleased to allow him to undertake to save from the usual expense of the table, and as any butcher's meat and other produce of the Court's lands was turned into money, that money, as well as a share of the produce, might be given to such of the Court's servants as he chose. 22: Due care would be taken that all persons behave with decency at the table, in keeping with the Court's directions. 23: The Court's military had been, and would continue to be, constantly exercised at the great guns and small arms, and the slaves would be exercised with them upon proper occasions, it being the Council's chief and principal care to put and keep the fortifications in the best order possible. Interpretations The Governor's proposal to take personal charge of the table's economy, converting surplus produce into cash and distributing it at his own discretion among chosen servants, shifts the same expense the Court had long scrutinised from a shared institutional cost into a resource the Governor himself would control and allocate, turning frugality into a source of personal patronage. | |
240 | The Govr hath already made an Addition of two small rooms & a Closet to the Front of the dwelling house at the Castle & Likewise repaired the Storehouse & rebuilt the Blacks houses that were fallen down. The Plantation house hath been vacated by Mr Poland his Assistant, who declare the same, cant be repaired then report we will send by & rest Opportunity. We will write of 45 wch you have paid to £70 to Mr Brown to bear Currant London. We shall continue as you have directed to send the Pay & Diet Money but there is not any Station that we can Appoint him wo that we think him Capable of Performing. Since our representation upon Doctr Doveltons Rn for enlarging his Salary as there is Overseer We discovered so many abuses proved upon him that at the end of yr past Quarter we discharged him yr Service, & found the Occasion to put another in his Place the duty being well performed with Much care by Mr Dixon, who was Appointed thereand without any Expence to the Honble Compny & to whom We Cannot omitt doing the Justice to certifye that his care & Judgment hath much improved the Stock & Pastures & is indefatigable in Country Affairs. We have now above 20 Acres wch Ind an Guinea Corn & Oats & Barley in Strong ear, & a Quantity of Wheat Pease & Beans finely growing all on the Storeb point. The Govrs Salary & his Allowance for Servants shall be separately Entered in the pay Account as you have directed. All Stores or Necessaries that may be wanted for the Use of the Island shall be for the future Inserted in the Generall Indent & Signed by the Govr & Councill It is but seldom that we can meet wch Boats to Purchase from the Comrs of the Homeward bound Ships & When we have an Opportunity to do it those Boats are Generally | 24: The Governor had already added two small rooms and a closet to the front of the dwelling house at the castle, and had likewise repaired the storehouse and rebuilt the outbuildings that had fallen down. 25: The plantation house had been surveyed by Mr [...] and his assistants, who declared it could not be repaired; their report would be sent by the next opportunity. 26: The Council would write by the 4th of [...], as the Court had directed, to Messrs Brown to draw current [funds from] London. 27: The Council would continue, as directed, to deduct from Smith's pay and diet money, but there was no station that the Council could appoint him to that it thought him capable of performing. 28: Since the Council's earlier remarks upon Doctor [...]'s petition for enlarging his salary as overseer, so many abuses having been proved against him, at the end of last quarter the Council discharged him from the Court's service, and found occasion to put another in his place, the duty since being performed with much care by Mr Dixon, who was appointed to it without any expense to the Honourable Company, and to whom the Council could not omit doing justice by certifying that his care and judgement had much improved the stock and pastures of the country affairs. The Council now had above twenty acres sown with Indian corn, Guinea corn, oats and barley in the ground, and a quantity of wheat, peas and beans finely growing, all on the storekeeper's own account. 29: The Governor's salary and his allowance for servants would be separately entered in the pay account, as the Court had directed. 30: All stores or necessaries that might be wanted for the use of the island would in future be inserted in the general indent, signed by the Governor and Council. 31: It seldom happened that the Council could meet with boats to purchase from the commanders of the homeward-bound ships, but when the opportunity arose to do so, those boats were generally... Interpretations Dixon's appointment as overseer of the plantations, following the doctor's dismissal for proven abuses and carried out at no cost to the Company, marks a further stage in his rehabilitation after the unproven allegations that had earlier suspended him under Powell, moving him from a wronged party awaiting compensation to a trusted officer credited by name with improving the island's own agriculture. | |
241 | Generally so much Worn, that they wear of Little Service, & are usually at as high a Price as new one may be bought for in England. We shall send yr Honrs a Modell of the Suches by yr next Occasion that Offers, there not being time to get one & done to go by this Fleet. We shall send such Soldiers as are Roman Catholicks & cannot be depended upon, & who have not served their Contracted term, to Bencoolen, by the next Merchantship yr have done it by this, and there been any Soldiers on board her, for us to take to supply their Places. We are sorry the Earth sent you did not answer our Expectation. The Plank, we indented for last Year, was intended for the New Carriages, & not for the Platforms, which ought all to be of Purbeck Stones, Plank being unfit for that Purpose. We are Glad You have been pleased to Order Horses from the Cape, as they will be very Usefull to us, & on the delivery shall pay the Amount for them. We have no more Horses than are of real Use to us they will some Oxen, being, as Occasion requires, Employed in carrying, carrying Loads, & Ploughing. Our Cash being quite Exhausted We have taken One Chest of Treasure out of the Storeship & given the Captain a Recept for the same And shall send Advice thereof to Bencoolen If Captain Mason Offers to pay any Money into yr Cash here, We will receive it & give him a Certificate as yr have directed. We will receive into yr Cash All Money Offered to be pd us on Acct of the Estate of James Crafford dece'd Which gave Bills on yr Honrs for the Amount, Mr James Powell has paid into yr Honrs Cash here on the aforesaid Account the sum of £182. 19. 7. Also | generally so much worn that they were of little service, and were usually at as high a price as new ones might be bought for in England. 32: The Council would send the Court a model of the sashes on the next occasion an officer went home, there not being time to get one made to go by this fleet. 33: The Council would send such soldiers as were Roman Catholics, and could not be depended upon and had not served their contracted term, to Bencoolen, by the next storeship, as directed, and there having been any soldiers aboard her, would ask for them to supply their places. 34: The Council was sorry the earth sent did not answer the Court's expectation. 35: The plank indented for last year was intended for the new carriages, not for the platforms, which ought all to be of Purbeck stone, plank being unfit for that purpose. 36: The Council was glad the Court had been pleased to order horses from the Cape, as they would be very useful, and would pay the amount for them on delivery. 37: The Council had no more expense than one real use to it; they, with some oxen, being employed as occasion required in carting, carrying loads and ploughing. 38: The Court's cash being quite exhausted, the Council had taken one chest of treasure out of the storeship and given the captain a receipt for the same, and would send advice thereof to Bencoolen. 39: If Captain Mason offered to pay any money into the Court's cash here, the Council would receive it and give him a certificate as the Court had directed. 40: The Council would receive into the Court's cash all money offered to be paid in on account of the estate of James Trafford, and had accordingly given bills on the Court for the amount. Mr James Powell had paid into the Court's cash here, on the aforesaid account, the sum of £182 19s 7d. Interpretations Directing that unreliable Roman Catholic soldiers be transferred to Bencoolen rather than discharged outright shows the Council treating a garrison it distrusted as a personnel problem to be relocated elsewhere in the Company's service, not a security risk to be removed from Company employment altogether. | |
242 | As to the Water of Chubbs Spring, which the Govr Proposed to yr Honrs to bring to the Cave in Leaden Pipes for the Use of yr Ships Garrison & Inhabitants. We believe if you are pleased to enquire of yr Chirurgeons, that you'll find them of Opinion that it is much Better, than the Water on Lemon Valley. We shall provide Mr John Bland & Mark Hawkins wch Lodging & pay them the Sallarys & Diet that You have Orderd for them, We shall Likewise take Care that their Effects yr Honrs Shall be duly discharged. Mrs Godwin being dead Mr John Goodwin will Execute the deeds for Mr George Gabriel Powells House & We shall give yr Goodwins Estate Credit for £500 as you have directed. The late Govr Goodwin in Govr Pikes time held by Leave on Three Lives Dated 30th Sept 1737 a piece of ground of the Honble Company in Jamess Valley at the rent of five pounds pr Annd on which he built the above Large House When Govr Goodwin came to the Chair he purchased that Ground rent for £5 which he afterwards Mortgaged or Assigned wch the Houses to Mr George Gabriel Powell, Mr John Goodwin is the only Surviving Nominee. On Examining the Leace Book We found Severall Leaves which were many Years Expired had not been renewed & that the Planters had contrary to yr Orders void Transferred their Interest in them, without registring the Assignment, By this means we could not be certain whether they gave a true Account of the Leave Land they hold. We therefore called all the Leaves in on the 1st of Feby last & took an Abstract of them Which we transmitt yr Honrs herewith. We likewise discovered that Severall Persons were Possest of Land which they had giron no Acct of wo pd any rent for, These Arrears we have recovered & pd in the Cash Acts for the Months of March & April last. Some Leaves have | 41: As to the water of Chubb's Spring, which the Governor had proposed to the Court to bring to the town in leaden pipes for the use of the ships, garrison and inhabitants, the Council believed that if the Court was pleased to enquire of sea captains, it would find them of opinion that it was much better than the water at Lemon Valley. 42: The Council would provide Doctor John Cleak and Mark Hawkins with lodging, paying their salary and diet as the Court had directed, and would likewise take care that their petitions to the Court would be duly discharged. 43: Mrs Goodwin being dead, Mr John Goodwin would execute the deeds for Mr George Gabriel Powell's house and grounds, as they are more particularly described, and the Council would give him for Goodwin's estate five hundred pounds, as the Court had directed. 44: The late Governor Goodwin, in Governor Pyke's time, had by lease of three lives, dated 30 September 1737, a piece of ground of the Honourable Company in James's Valley at the rent of five pounds a year, on which he built the above large house; when Governor Goodwin came to the chair he purchased that ground rent for thirteen pounds, which he afterwards mortgaged, or as declared, sold the house to Mr George Gabriel Powell, Mr John Goodwin being the sole surviving nominee. Upon examining the lease book the Council found several leases which, though many years expired, had not been renewed, and that the planters, contrary to the Court's orders, had transferred their interest in them without registering the assignment, by which means the Council could not be certain whether they had given a true account of the leased land they held. The Council therefore called in all the leases now in the possession of the tenants, and took an abstract of them, which was transmitted herewith. The Council likewise discovered that several persons were possessed of land for which they had never made any deed of assignment, for which reason we have renewed such deeds in the cash accounts for the months of March and April last. Some leases have... Interpretations Governor Goodwin's own house in James's Valley, built on Company ground he later purchased and mortgaged before it passed to Powell, ties the Governor Goodwin already shown manipulating Eleanor Worrall's account to a private property transaction conducted through the same office, showing his personal financial dealings and his official duties were never kept fully apart. The discovery that planters had been transferring leased land between themselves for years without registering the change reveals a landholding system that had drifted out of the Company's own records, leaving it unable to say with confidence who actually held what ground until the Council physically called in every lease to check. | |
243 | have been granted upon three Lives contrary to an Express Order in a Lre dated the 17th of April 1711 All the Rafters & Lath and on which the wo Shot houses for Rafters & Lathes Chiefly Young hath been leaded to the Inhabitants Of the Honble Compy are for this reason obliged to Purchase their Materials Which hath put them to great Expence. We resolved in Consultation of 12 Feby last to insert a Clause upon the Renewal of Such Leaves declaring them Void, if yr Honrs do not Approve of them. The Tenants of these Lands have since procured to furnish the Honble Company wch Rafters & Lathes as yr Honrs will see by their Petition in Consultn of 30 April last. Having not had Sufficient Persons for all the Writeing in the Companies Service We suspended Mr James Powell the 2 April last being the Least Serviceable, his Country Affairs taking up most of his time. Finding that Great Quantity of Mony Trees which Grew in & about Peake Gutt in their Tender Growth were Cracked & destroyed by the Goats that ranged here. We thought it fit for yr Honrs Interest for the Preservation of the Wood & the Bare of the Island, to order the Goats there to be killed, We consulted of 11 the 13th of Sept last & 12 Petty Contain our Particular Proceedings on the same. We likewise Ordered all the Many Ones to be destroyed. We find in Govr Goodwins time Severall Leaves granted to the Prejudice of yr Estate here Particularly One to Mr Samuel Newton for 19 Acres of Yam Ground called the Beeve Which the then Govr & Councill thought not worth for they ever the very Prime Land & lay most convenient of any of their Yam Ground being within a Miles & a half of the Fort. The Late Mr John Bazett about the same time purchased of the Honble Company 27 Acres of Land called Bordy ridge for £0 Which was greatly Under value. Finding that yr repeated & practised chusen an Order to the | have been granted upon these terms, contrary to an express order in a letter dated 17 April 1741. All the timber trees standing on the ground on which the wood used for rafters and laths chiefly grew had been leased to the inhabitants; the Court's timber was for this reason obliged to purchase its own materials, which had put it to great expense. The Council resolved, in consultation of the 12th instant, to insert a clause upon the renewal of such leases declaring them void if the Court's timber were not preserved. The tenants of these lands had since promised to furnish the Company with rafters and laths, as the Court would see by their petition in consultation of 30 April last. Not having sufficient business for all he was worth in the Company's service, the Council suspended Mr James Powell on the 2nd of April last, being the least serviceable, his country affairs taking up most of his time. Finding that a great quantity of young trees, which grew in and about Peak Gut in their tender growth, had been carelessly destroyed by the goats that ranged there, the Council thought it necessary for the preservation of the wood and welfare of the island to order the goats there to be killed, as entered in consultation of the 11th and 13th of last September, and on the 12th [the] Council gave particular directions in our proceedings on the same; the Council likewise ordered all the many ones to be destroyed. The Council found that in Governor Goodwin's time several leases had been granted to the prejudice of the Company's estate, one particularly to Mr Samuel Doveton, for nineteen acres of yam ground called the [...], which the then Governor and Council thought not worth five [pounds] a year, though this very same land lay most convenient of any of their yam ground, being within a mile and a half of the fort. The late Mr John Bazett had bought about, of the Honourable Company, twenty seven acres of land called Bordy Ridge, for forty [shillings], which was greatly under value. Finding that these repeated and fraudulent... Interpretations The lease of Company timberland to inhabitants, who then supplied the very rafters and laths the Company needed only by selling back its own wood at cost, shows a resource meant to serve Company building being converted through private tenancy into a captive supply the Court had to buy back from its own grantees. Naming Bazett as a purchaser of undervalued Company land in Goodwin's time, alongside the already established deficiency in the stores charged against both their estates, adds a second, separate kind of self-dealing to his record, showing the pattern of loss traced to his tenure was not confined to the storekeeping accounts alone. | |
244 | the Duties on Arrack & other Goods Landed here having been for many Years Neglected We have Enforced them again On Account of the Money collected this Year for those Year for those Duties, & our Proceedings thereupon are Entd in Consultation of 26th April & 7 May last. Upon the Application of the Captains to us we lend of yr 7th May we lowered the Duty to Wnq the whereby it a very good Price for the Seller at their time. We recd only 2030 Galt Batavia Arrack, 112 gld of Sea, 89. Sugar, & 895 Tea, which will not be sufficient We believe to serve the Island for more than 3 Months. In Consultn of 25 Decr last we fined Mr S The Wl, Ind Greentree each £0 for Contempt of Authority & in Consultn of 2 April last We likewise fined Severall Persons wc Ea for selling Spiritous Liquors without being Licenced. These we hope will have a good Effect Shewing them that Orders are not to be trampled upon, or trifled wch Which hath been too Much the Case hitherto. We have been greatly disappointed of our Supplys of Wine from the Cape this Year we have recd any of the Demigacres that we designed for the Soldiers Wives, or any Paddy from India. In Consultn of 1 May last 19 Soldiers Petitioned to be discharged from the Garrison having served the Honble Company their Contracted time, the Govr then told them they must do their duty till the Merchipp came, Upon which some of them in a Mutinous Manner threw down their Arms and absolutely refused doing any Duty, Upon which the Govr Ordered two of them to be Punished & We gave to 11 that were willing to stay 5 Years longer, 5 each thereof were discharged, We also discharged Michael Eler & Thomas Ryland having each Distempers upon them that they never have done or ever will be able to do any Duty & We have discharged such that upon Acct of his Age & Lameness The | the duties on arrack and other goods landed here, having been for many years neglected, the Council had enforced them again on account of the money collected this year for those duties, its proceedings on which were entered in consultation of 26 April and 7 May last. Upon the application of the captains of the ships in May last, the Council lowered the price to what it thought a very good price for the seller at their times. The Council had sold thirty gallons of Batavia arrack, at £1 9s a gallon of tea, at 89s, and sugar at £3 95s a hundredweight, which the Council believed would not serve the island more than three months. By the Council's order of 9 December last, some soldiers had been fined five pounds each for contempt of authority, and in a term of 2 April last the Council likewise fined several persons five shillings each for selling spirituous liquors without being licensed; the Council hoped this would have a good effect, showing them that the Court's orders were not to be trampled upon or trifled with, which had been too much the case hitherto. The Council had been greatly disappointed of its supplies of wine from the Cape this year, nor had it received any of the dungarees intended for the soldiers' clothing, or any paddy from India. By the Council's order of 1st May last, nineteen soldiers, whose time had expired to be discharged from the garrison, having served the Honourable Company their contracted time, the Governor then told them they should do their duty till the next ship came, upon which some of them, in a mutinous manner, threw down their arms and absolutely refused doing any duty. Upon which the Governor ordered two of them to be punished, and gave eleven that were willing to stay five years longer; three, each thereof, were discharged. The Council also discharged Michael Eler and Thomas Beyland, having such distempers upon them that they never had, nor ever would, be able to do any duty, and the Council had discharged Rich[ard] Heat, upon account of his age and lameness. Interpretations Fining soldiers for mutinous refusal of duty and separately fining unlicensed sellers of spirits in the same paragraph shows the Council treating breaches of military discipline and breaches of trading regulation as parallel problems of authority being tested, addressed together as evidence that Company orders generally had gone too long unenforced. | |
245 | The Govr hath pd into yr Cash here the Sum of £250 & Mr John Goodwin the Sum of £60 for which Sum of £250 & Mr Bills of Exchange upon yr Honrs. Captain Matthew Coast hath pd into yr Cash here the Sum of £82. Mr Francis Hanmer the Sum of £80 Captain Sanson the Sum of £80 & Mr Pickering the Sum of £250 for which Sums We have given Certificates upon yr Honrs. Mr James Scott having taken a Sudden resolution of going to England he hath paid into yr Cash here the Sum of £81 for which we have given Certificates upon yr Honrs. We are Honble Sirs Your most Obedient & Dutifull Servants, David Dunbar Cha Hutchinson Chris Dixon John Goodwin M Parling 9th July 1745 P S Captain Robinson of the Ship St George, hath not paid his Ships Account. List of Pacquett wch above Lre. 1 Copy of Govr & Councills Lre dated 9th July 1745. 2 Duplicate of Do from 4 Decr to 22 Janry 1744. 3 Copy Do from 29 Janry 1744 to 8 July 1745. 4 Duplicate of Councills Genl Lre dated 17 June 1745. 5 Copy Abstract of Leaves. 6 List of Seas & 8th July 1745. 7 Do remains of 31 May 1745 8 Do Marriages &c from 25 Decr 1744 to 5 July 1745. 9 Account of Ship Caesar 10 Do Darrington 11 do Winchester 12 do Winchelsea 13 do Duke of Dorsett 14 do York 15 do Stafford | The Governor had paid into the Court's cash here, on account of John Goodwin, the sum of £250, for which sums the Council had given bills of exchange upon the Court. Captain Matthew Grant had paid into the Court's cash here the sum of £282; Mr Francis Wyngham the sum of £80; Captain Samson the sum of £80; and Mr Pickering the sum of £250, for which sums the Council had given certificates upon the Court. Mr James Scott, having taken a sudden resolution of going to England, had paid into the Court's cash here the sum of £584, for which the Council had given a certificate upon the Court. Dated 9 July 1745. Signed, Honoured Sirs, the Court's most obedient and dutiful servants, David Dunbar, Charles Hutchinson, Christopher Dixon, John Goodwin and Matthew Purling. A postscript reported that Captain Robinson of the ship Saint George had not paid his ship's account. A list of the packet accompanying the above letter recorded the following enclosures: a copy of the Governor and Council's letter dated 9 July 1745; a duplicate of the same from 8 December to 22 January 1744; a copy of the same from 29 January 1744 to 8 July 1745; a duplicate of the Council's general letter dated 17 June 1745; a copy of the abstract of slaves; a list of the same dated 8 July 1745; a copy of the same dated 31 May 1745; a copy of the marriages dated from 23 December 1744 to 3 July 1745; and accounts of the ships Caesar, Lapwing, Darrington, Winchester, Winchelsea, Duke of Dorset, York and Stafford. | |
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247 | To the Honble Court &c the Hon Sirs This goes by his Majestys Ship the Maidstone Capt Rogers who arrived here the 7th Instant in Company wch his Majestys Ship the Exeter Capt Lake wch Duplicates of what we sent yr your Ship the Lapwing On the 9th Instant sailed hence your Honours Ships the Lapwing, Darrington, Bristoll, Montague, Godolphin, Caesar, Winchester, Winchelsea, Stafford, York, Duke of Dorsett, Prince William, King William, and the St George for England which we hope shall all arrive safe. We think it a very great hardship and Diminution to the Currency of this Island that the Captains should bring so many Piegoides hither and pay them away at Nine Shillings whereas at the same time they Scruple taking them in payments made to them by the Inhabitants for that rate and some absolutely refuse them many of them are worth little more than Seven Shillings and the best not much above Eight. The Cloaths which you have sent out for the Cloathing of the Blacks upon full experience, we find will not be of that Service to your Honours Blacks we could wish, each Waistcoats and Breeches will cost three Shillings making besides the length of time it will be before they are finished, this being the Coldest Season and they in a manner all naked, Occasions your Blacks to be very Sickly and when | To the Honourable Court &c. Honoured Sirs, This letter went by His Majesty's ship the Maidstone, Captain Rogers, who arrived here on the 7th instant in company with His Majesty's ship the Exeter, Captain Lake, with duplicates of what had been sent by the Court's ship the Lapwing. On the 9th instant the Court's ships the Lapwing, Darrington, Godolphin, Montague, Caesar, Winchester, Winchelsea, Stafford, York, Duke of Dorset, Prince William, King William, and the Saint George had sailed hence for England, which the Council hoped would all arrive safely. The Council thought it a very great hardship and diminution to the currency of these parts that the captains should bring so many pagodas hither and pay them away at nine shillings, while at the same time they scrupled taking them in payments made to them by the inhabitants at that rate, and some absolutely refused them, many of them being worth little more than seven shillings and the best not much above eight. The Osnaburgs which the Court had sent out for the clothing of the Court's slaves, upon full experience, the Council found would not be of that service to the Court's slaves it could wish, each pair of breeches and waistcoat costing three shillings in the making, besides the length of time it would take before they were finished, this being the coldest season, and the slaves in the meantime going unclothed, occasioned the Court's slaves to be very sickly, and when... Interpretations The captains' practice of paying out pagodas at nine shillings while refusing to accept the same coin from local inhabitants at that rate shows the currency's value being set unilaterally by whoever held the stronger position in a transaction, letting shipping officers profit on both ends of the same exchange rate at the island's expense. | |
248 | when it is made up so Slight wear for Labouring Men of your Honours would please to send out a Sufficient Number of Pen Guiquette and Breeches of three different Sizes we apprehend it would be more Serviceable in wearing, warmer for Cloathing and would come much Cheaper The Factors and Writers in your Service here in Consultation of the 16 Instant petitioned us for an Allowance of Diet Money which we could not grant them without Your Derections, that we think, it would be to your Honours advantage and most convenient for them every thing raisd in your plantations might, then be sent to Market and Sold we believe the produce would be a sum sufficient to give your Servants here equal wch those in your other Sittlements. The Captains of the Store Ships are so very unkind that they will Scarce bring any thing out for your Servants here tho the Parcell be ever so small Wm Wages the Adjutants Wife was refused the Carriage of a few pairs of Stocking for her Husbands wear and severall others of your Servants have most wch the like usage and the Captains here sell their Goods for an hundred pCent and upwards advance. We should be very Glad if your Honours would please to send us next Year some Chests of Pork four of Lisbon and four of Madeira Wine. There being severall of the Seamen sent belonging to the two Men of Warr, the Captains applied to us for fresh Beef for them upon which we were Obliged to kill some small | When it was made up, it proved a slight wear for labouring men; the Council thought the Court might please to send out a sufficient number of pieces of dungaree and breeches of three different sizes, which the Council believed would be more serviceable in wearing, cheaper for clothing, and would come much cheaper too. The factors and writers in the Court's service here, in consultation of the 10th instant, petitioned the Council for an allowance of diet money, which the Council could not grant them without the Court's directions, believing it would be to the Court's advantage and most convenient for them, since anything raised on the Court's plantations might then be sent to market and sold, and the produce would be a sum sufficient to give the Court's servants here equal treatment with those in the Court's other settlements. The captains of the storeships were so unkind that they would scarce bring anything out for the Court's servants here, though the parcels were ever so small; Mrs Wyngham was refused the carriage of a few pairs of stockings for her husband's wear, and several other of the Court's servants fared much the same, while the captains here sold their own goods for a hundred per cent and upwards advance. The Council would be very glad if the Court would please to send out next year four hogsheads of pork, four of Lisbon, and four of Madeira wine. There being several of the seamen sick belonging to the two men of war, the captains applied to the Council for fresh beef for them, upon which the Council was obliged to kill some small... Interpretations The captains' refusal to carry even a few pairs of stockings for a Company servant's wife while charging a hundred per cent markup on their own private goods shows ship commanders using their control over cargo space to protect their personal trading profits at the direct expense of the Company's own people on the island. | |
249 | small Steers not above thirteen Months old that we had just put into pasture in Order to fitt for your Honours Ships the next Season they were at present only fitt to make broth On the 21 Instant put in here your Ship the London Captain Sedgwich bound for Madrass & China in very great distress the particulars of which we shall leave to the Superscargoed and the Captain to give you, We have and shall continue to give them all the Assistance we can, and the Captains of the Men of warr have likewise done the same so that we hope she will be ready to put to Sea again in about Eight or ten Weeks time The Captain has applied to us to furnish him with fresh Beef, not being able to gett any from the Planters this is a very great loss to your Honours to kill at this time Cattle so Young and so usefull for Slaughter besides your Ships the next Year will be greatly distressed for want of Beef. This shews the greatest necessity there is by having your Stock encreased which may be done from the Cape by sending us small Ship sized wine we give proper for that Servace to bring down live Bullocks, Sheep and other provisions to this Island, We assure your Honours we have no other view in this than that we think it will be of great advantage to the Honble Company, and that no trade whatsoever shall be carried on in such Vessel but what you shall please to direct There is remaining in your Honours Stores a large quantity of Gold and Silver Thread, Long Pipes Bread and Spike Nails wch severall Articles of Condemned Ironware Pewter and Jacks spoiled the whole amounting at prime Cost to upwards | small steers, not above thirteen months old, that the Council had just put into pasture in order to fatten for the Court's ships the next season, they being at present only fit to make broth. On the 21st instant the Court's ship the London, Captain Sedgwick, put in here, bound for Madras and China, in very great distress, the particulars of which the Council would leave to the supercargoes and the captain to give the Court. The Council had, and would continue to, give them all the assistance it could, and the captains of the men of war had likewise done the same, so that the Council hoped she would be ready to put to sea again in about eight or ten weeks' time. The captain had applied to the Council to furnish him with fresh beef, not being able to get any from the planters, this being a very great loss to the Court to kill at this time cattle so young and fit for slaughter, besides which the Court's ships the next year would be greatly distressed for want of beef. The Council thought the remedy for this was by having the Court's stock recruited, which might be done from the Cape, by sending a small ship suited to no great purpose for that beside, to bring down live bullocks, sheep and other provisions to this island. The Council assured the Court it had no other view in this than that it thought it would be of great advantage to the Honourable Company, and that no trade whatsoever would be carried on in such a vessel but what the Court pleased to direct. There remained in the Court's stores a large quantity of gold and silver thread, dungaree thread and spike nails, with several articles of condemned ironware, pewter and jacks, spoiled, the whole amounting at prime cost to upwards of... Interpretations The Council's proposal to use a small dedicated ship to bring live cattle from the Cape, while explicitly promising no other trade would be carried on in her but what the Court directed, shows an awareness that any vessel given a standing commission risked being suspected of private trading, and the Council pre-empting that suspicion before it could be raised. | |
250 | upwards of two hundred pounds which have lain there many Years without having any Demand for them and it appears to us that they are Stores we shall not be able to dispose of, as they are entirely useless at this place therefore beg leave to Offer it to your consideration whether it will not be more advantageous to you to send them either to England, or to some of your Sittlements in India. Some Framing our Indent of the 8th Instant we find our Selves under a necessity to add thereto the particulars of which is mentiond at the foot of the Duplicate we now transmitt which we beg your Honours will be pleased to Direct to be laid before you, when you Order the supplys for this place. We should be glad your Honours would please to send us Forty Negro Men, there not being at present a sufficient Number to carry on and compleat the Fortifications wch the expedition we could wish without them, neither can we make that improvement, in your plantations we intended except we have more assistance. Enclosed is a List of Dutys Customes received this year as also an Exact Account of what Goods were Landed from each Ship for the Captains and Officers own expending on Shore which they refused to pay. Captain Benjamin Mason hath paid into your Cash here Nine hundred pounds which was mostly in Pagodas we then demanded the duty of him for the Goods &c had | upwards of two hundred pounds, which had lain there many years without having any demand for them, and it appeared to the Council that, being stores, it would not be able to dispose of them, as they were entirely useless at this place; the Council therefore begged leave to offer it to the Court's consideration whether it would not be more advantageous to the Court to send them either to England or to some of the Court's settlements in India. Some framing of the Council's indent for this instant obliged the Council to send another, the particulars of which are mentioned at the foot of the duplicate now transmitted, which the Council begged the Court would be pleased to direct be laid before it when it ordered the supplies for this place. The Council would be glad if the Court would please to send it forty negro men, there not being at present a sufficient number to carry on and complete the fortifications with the expedition it wished, without them, nor could the Council make the improvement in the Court's plantations it intended except it had more assistance. Enclosed was a list of the duties and customs received this year, as also an exact account of what goods were landed from each ship for the captains' and officers' own expending on shore, which they refused to pay. Captain Benjamin Mason had paid into the Court's cash here nine hundred pounds, which was mostly in pagodas; the Council then demanded the duty of him for the goods... Interpretations The request for forty more negro men, made in the same paragraph as the plan to improve the Court's plantations, ties the labour shortage directly to expansion rather than mere replacement, showing the Council seeking a larger enslaved workforce not only to complete the fortifications already underway but to grow the scale of Company agriculture beyond its current output. | |
251 | had Sold here which he refused to pay altho he had been before Acquainted therewith by the Governour and Mr Dixon whereupon we refused to give him Certificates. The Deeds for the Great House being recepied Mr John Goodwin hath executed them, and we have transmitted them by this conveyance. Captain Sedgwich wanting Mast, we on a thorough examination found the two Landing Masts which are wood not fitt for use having lain exposed to the Weather, we not having any place to putt them into under Covert St Helena 5 August 1745 We are Hon Sirs Your most Obedient most Dutifull Servants. Signd David Dunbar Cha Hutchinson Chris Dixon John Goodwin Matthew Parling P S Just as we was Sealing the Pacquett Capt Mason brought us the inclosed Account of Goods Sold here and paid the Customs upon which we signed him three Certificates for the money he paid into your Cash We cannot help taking Notice that by his Account the Goods cost him no more than three hundred & forty Nine pounds fourteen Shillings & shall add Goods here to the amount of Nine hundred pound this was all the Account he would give us so that we submitt it to your Honours Consideration | had sold here, which he refused to pay, although he had been made acquainted with it before by the Governor and Mr Dixon; whereupon the Council refused to give him certificates. The deeds for the great house, being required, Mr John Goodwin had executed them, and the Council hoped to transmit them by this conveyance. Captain Sedgwick wanting masts, the Council, upon thorough examination, found the two spare masts that were aboard not fit for use, having lain exposed to the weather, there not having been any place to put them under cover. Dated at St Helena, 5 August 1745. Signed, Honoured Sirs, the Court's most obedient and dutiful servants, David Dunbar, Charles Hutchinson, Christopher Dixon, John Goodwin and Matthew Purling. A postscript reported that, just as the packet was being sealed, Captain Mason had brought the Council the enclosed account of goods sold here and had paid the customs upon it, for which the Council had given him three certificates for the money paid into the Court's cash. The Council could not help remarking that, by his own account, the goods sent him amounted to no more than three hundred and forty nine pounds fourteen shillings, and yet he had sold goods here to the amount of nine hundred pounds; this was all the account he would give the Council, and the matter was submitted to the Court's consideration. Interpretations Captain Mason's declared consignment of under £350 set against nine hundred pounds in actual sales points to a private trading operation run well beyond his official cargo, with the Council's pointed comparison of the two figures amounting to an unstated accusation that he had smuggled or under-declared goods to avoid duty, without the Council having the power to do more than record the discrepancy for London to pursue. | |
252 | To the Honble Court of Directors of the United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies Honble Sirs, Agreeable to your Orders, We send this wch the Dutch Fleet now passing by the Island & which makes no Stay We wrote you by the Men of War who sailed from hence the 4th of Augst last, The Storeship, Captain Mason, Sailed hence the 11 of the same Month, & the London Captain Sedgwick, on the 15th Octr fell very well refitted. Since our last the Govr hath suspended Mr Dixon from your Service, but his reasons for so doing being too long to mention now, We must refer yr Honours to the next Opportunity. All yr Affairs here are in very good Order, & the Fortifications on a much better Condition than Ever. St Daniel Owen died here the 8th day of Decr last, & the Revd Edward Alcock your Chaplain the 29 Janry following. Your Ships the Dolphin, Captn Pigott, from Fort St George, The Portobello, Captn Fisher, from Borneo, & the Benjamin, Captain Way, & & & & by whom we send this pacqud by wch the above affect & only sent their Boat ashore for Letters. We are, Honble Sirs, Your Most Obed & Dutyfull Servts David Dunbar Cha Hutchinson John Godwin M Parling 1 April 1746 P S Captn Cha Hutchinson hath this day pd into yr Cash here £30 for which we have given him Bills on yr Honours of the same Sent Copy & Duplicate of Portobello & Benjamin | To the Honourable the Court of Directors of the United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies. Honoured Sirs, In keeping with the Court's orders, the Council sent this letter herewith by the Dutch fleet now passing by the island, which made its stay brief. The Council had written to the Court by the man of war which sailed hence on 4 August last. The storeship, Captain Mason, had sailed hence on the 11th of the same month, and the London, Captain Sedgwick, on the 15th of October following, very well refitted. Since the Council's last letter, the Governor had suspended Mr Dixon from the Court's service, but his reasons for doing so being too long to mention now, the Council had to refer the Court to the next opportunity. All the Court's affairs here were in very good order, and the fortifications in a much better condition than ever. Lieutenant Daniel Owen had died here on 8 December last, and the Reverend Edward Alcock, the Court's chaplain, on the 29th of January following. The Court's ships the Dolphin, Captain Pigot, from Fort St George, the Portobello, Captain Fisher, from Borneo, and the Benjamin, Captain Uday, by whom the Council sent this, had passed by, but only sent their boat ashore for letters. Dated 1 April 1746. Signed, Honoured Sirs, the Court's most obedient and dutiful servants, David Dunbar, Charles Hutchinson, John Godwin and Matthew Purling. A postscript reported that Captain Charles Hutchinson had this day paid into the Court's cash here £139, for which the Council had given him bills upon the Court for the amount, and sent copies by the Darrington, the Portobello and the Benjamin. Interpretations Dixon's suspension by the Governor, reported here without explanation and promised for a future letter, marks a second reversal in his standing on the island, restored once before under Court scrutiny of Powell and now removed again, this time by a different Governor for reasons the Council chose not to commit to paper in this despatch. | |
253 | To the Honourable the Court of Directors of the United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies. Honourable Sirs. Our last Advices to your Honours were by the Benjamin Capt Benjamin Way and the Portobello Capt Fisher who parted by here the 7 Aprl last wch the Dolphin Capt Pigott in Company wch the Dutch Fleet a Duplicate of which comes enclosed. They parted wch the Fort St George Capt Aeken and the Elizabeth Capt Lawrance (late Dunnell) the Night they left the Cape. We have also enclosed an Account of the Arrivall and Departure of all such Ships as have touched here this Year. We are glad you have received our severall Advices, as mentioned in your Letter to us by the Simowell, and that You have had so good Success in the safe arrivall of your last Years Shipping; and hope this years Fleet will be attended wch the like safety. We return you thanks for the supplys You have been pleased to send us which have been examined by two of the Councill and the Storekeeper and a particular Account how they proved and in what Condition they were, is enterd in Consultation of 20 May last. We have Conformed to Your Orders in relation to the Dispatch of the Store Ships. The Simowells having been unladen in the ten days allowed her and We gave the Captains his Sailing Orders and our Despatches for India the day after the ten days were expired. | To the Honourable the Court of Directors of the United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies. Honourable Sirs, 1: The Council's last despatches to the Court had gone by the Benjamin, Captain Benjamin Way, and the Portobello, Captain Fisher, which had passed by here on 1 April last with the Dolphin, Captain Pigot, in company with the Dutch fleet, a duplicate of which came enclosed. They had passed with the Fort St George, Captain Aiken, and the Elizabeth, Captain Lawrence, late Bunnell, the night they left the Cape. The Council had also enclosed an account of the arrival and departure of all such ships as had touched here that year. 2: The Council was glad the Court had received its several despatches, as mentioned in the Court's letter to the Council by the Sunwell, and that the Court had had so good success in the safe arrival of last year's shipping, and hoped this year's fleet would be attended with the like safety. 3: The Council returned thanks for the supplies the Court had been pleased to send, which had been examined by two of the Council and the storekeeper, a particular account of how they proved and in what condition they were being entered in consultation of 20 May last. 4: The Council had conformed to the Court's orders in relation to the despatch of the storeship; the Somersett having been ten days laden, in the time allowed her, the Council gave the captain his sailing orders and further despatches for India the day after the ten days expired. | |
254 | Whenever the Commanders of the Store Ships make any unnecessary Stay, We will take Care to be very Explicit in our Advices concerning the same, and will also protest against them as you have directed. When any Forreign Ships call here, We will send Your Honours an Exact Account of all Stores they receive from You here and how they pay for them and will take care that they shall not be supplyed wch any thing more than what appears to be absolutely necessary. All Forreign Ships that buy Beef here shall pay Six pence Apound for the same as You have Directed. We are sorry to find that You think three Shillings too much for the making a Jackett and Breeches We could not gett the same made at a Cheaper rate, and We believe the same or more hath been formerly paid. We will to prevent the like hereafter have some of Your Slaves taught to do the Taylors work for Your other Slaves pursuant to Your Directions thereupon. We will not Cloath Your Slaves any more in the Allejare but will Cloath them at Calthck Osnbrig for the most they will fetch. We have paid the two Mrs Greentrees their Fines according to Your Orders. As You are of Opinion that the Goats are of more use here than being they shall not be destroyed for the future. We will renew the Leases to the Planters as they expire. upon the Terms and Conditions in the old Leaves according to Your Directions. As it had been always Customary for the Accomptant to receive Thirty one pound Twelve Shillings and Six pence over and above his Sallary and had always been so entered in the Pay Accounts and Mr Goodwin have duly brought up the Generall Books it was therefore allowed him here, but as You disapprove thereof it shall not be Continued. | 5: Whenever the commanders of the storeships made any unnecessary stay, the Council would take care to be very explicit in its advices concerning the same, and would also protest against them as the Court had directed. 6: When any foreign ships called here, the Council would send the Court an exact account of all stores they received here, and how they paid for them, and would take care that they should not be supplied with anything more than what appeared to be absolutely necessary. 7: All foreign ships that lay by here would pay six pence a head for the same, as the Court had directed. 8: The Council was sorry to find the Court thought three shillings too much for the making of a jacket and breeches; the Council could not get the same made at a cheaper rate, and believed the same or more had been formerly paid; the Council would, to prevent the like hereafter, have some of the Court's slaves taught to do the tailors' work, pursuant to the Court's directions on that point. 9: The Council would not clothe the Court's slaves any more in the allowed style, but would clothe them at [...] osnaburg, for the most they would fetch. 10: The Council had repaid the two overseers their fees, according to the Court's orders. 11: As the Court was of opinion that the goats were of more use here than harm, they would not be destroyed for the future. 12: The Council would renew the leases to the planters as they expired, upon the terms and conditions in the old leases, according to the Court's directions. 13: It having always been customary for the accountant to receive thirty one pounds twelve shillings and six pence over and above his salary, and this having always been entered in the pay accounts, and Mr Goodwin having duly brought up the general books, it was therefore allowed him here; but as the Court disapproved of it, it would not be continued. Interpretations The Council's plan to have some of the Court's slaves trained in tailoring, specifically to avoid paying three shillings a set for clothing made elsewhere, shows enslaved labour being extended into skilled trades not to develop any particular person but simply to remove a recurring cash expense from the accounts. | |
255 | The Governour and his Nephew return Your Honours thanks for the Appointment You have been pleased to make in relation to his Nephew and we are well assured of his behaving to your Satisfaction. There hath never been any weaving Apparel used for your Peace at Your expence without You intend by weaving Apparel Woolen Carbines, and Sheeting, and there hath been no Sheeting used at Your expence since this Governour arrived but he has sold his own. When we give any Bills of Exchange on Your Honours We will for the future enter each Bill wch the dates and Persons to whom payable, on our Generall Letters, Consultations and Cash Accounts. The day of the Month is always inserted in the Cash Accounts when any Sum is paid or received and we will always continue to do the same, and Transmitt the Cash Accounts down to the date of every Letter by Your Ships. All the Generall Letters for the future shall be entered as Directed. As to Mr Wrights made when in your Store, We have reviewed the same and his reasons how the work were entered in Answer to our former Allowance on that Account and being well assured of the truth thereof & finding also that there is a Considerable Overplus wc Severall Articles for which he hath no Allowance, We think it reasonable and approve of his said Account. Last September the Money of Captain Gabriel arrived and Captain Perry Waite were wrote off to Account Currant but for the future that Generall Stand upon the Books shall be Account Currant London. All Accounts shall be furnished and every entry made on the Journal before the Ballance is Struck according to Your Directions 22 We | You're right — my apologies. Here's the corrected version: 14: Governor Dunbar and his nephew returned the Court's thanks for the appointment the Court had been pleased to make in relation to his nephew, and the Council was well assured of his behaving to the Court's satisfaction. 15: There had never been any wearing apparel used for the Court's forces at the Court's expense without the Court's intending it by wearing apparel meant carbines and sheathing, and there had been no sheathing used at the Court's expense since the Governor's arrival, but what he had added of his own. 16: When the Council gave any bills of exchange on the Court, it would in future enter each bill with the date and to whom payable in the general letters, consultations and cash accounts. 17: The day of the month was always inserted in the cash accounts when any sum was paid or received, and the Council would always continue the same, and would transmit the cash accounts down to the date of every letter by the Court's ships. 18: All the general letters would in future be entered as directed. 19: As to Mr Wright's waste in the Court's stores, the Council had examined the same, and his reasons for the waste were entered in answer to the Council's former allowance on that account; and being well assured of the truth thereof, and finding also that there was a considerable overplus in several particulars for which he had no allowance, the Council thought it reasonable to approve of his said account. 20: Last September the money of Captain Gabriel Harrind and Captain Perry Watts had been written off to account current, but for the future that general head upon the books should be the account current London. 21: All accounts would be finished, and every entry made on the journal before the balance was struck, strictly according to the Court's directions. Interpretations Crediting Wright with an unallowed overplus in several particulars, alongside approving his account of waste, shows the Council willing to record a discrepancy running in the Court's favour with the same care it gave to shortfalls, treating an unexplained surplus as something to be formally noted and approved rather than simply absorbed without comment. | |
256 | We will Debt the Estate of Governour Goodwin wch the Sum of Nine hundred and ten Pounds wch You have paid the Heirs of Capt Even deceasd But there being but a Ballance of Seven hundred and Eighty five Pounds Six Shillings and four pence farthing due to the said Estate We must Collect in so much of the Debts belonging to the said Governour Goodwins Estate which are yett unpaid on this Island as will be sufficient to make up the remainder. The Governour is greatly Obliged and entirely satisfyed at the Derections You have given about the Diet Money The Councell return Your Honours thanks for Your Allowance to them and the Factors and Writers desire to to the Same for your Indulgence on their behalves The produce of the Plantations shall be constantly made the most of by being sent to Market, and the Governour will take care that the expence of the Table be lessend. We have paid Mr Dixon Diet Money after the above rate. The Governour is greatly Obliged that his Services meet wch Your Approbation and will Constantly Continue to make it his peculiar Care to see all Your Laws and Orders duly Complied wch According to Your Directions and as You have thought proper to take of the Customs upon Goods Landed at this place, and as You are pleased to Indulge the Garrison and Planters wch Liberty of having Goods from the Ships without paying any Dutys they shall not be Demanded for the future. Your Ships shall pay five pence pPound as You have Directed for all Beef which they buy upon this Island. We have already given Advance Money to severall Men for Building whose time now expires and the Governour hath advanced his own Money to Eleven others whose Times expire next March. for which We have given him a Certificate, and as You approve of this Method We shall Continue to give Advance Money to as many as will take it as their times expire. 28 We | 22: The Council would debit the estate of Governor Goodwin with the sum of nine hundred and ten pounds, which the Court had paid the executors of Captain Grant, it being decided that there being but a balance of seven hundred and eighty five pounds six shillings and four pence farthing due to the said estate, the Council must collect so much of the debts belonging to the said Governor Goodwin's estate as were yet unpaid on this island as would be sufficient to make up the remainder. 23: The Governor was greatly obliged and entirely satisfied at the directions the Court had given about the diet money; the Council returned the Court's thanks for its allowance to them, and the factors and writers desired the same for their indulgence in their behalf. The produce of the plantations would be constantly made the most of by being sent to market, and the Governor would take care that the expense of the table be lessened. 24: The Council had paid Mr Dixon his diet money after the above rate. 25: The Governor was greatly obliged that his services met with the Court's approbation, and would constantly continue to make it his peculiar care to see all the Court's laws and orders duly complied with according to the Court's directions; and as the Court had thought proper to take off the customs upon goods landed at this place, and as the Court was pleased to indulge the garrison and planters with the liberty of having goods from the ships without paying any duty, they should not be demanded for the future. 26: The Court's ships would pay five pence a pound, as the Court had directed, for all beef which they bought upon this island. 27: The Council had already given advance money to several men whose time of soldiering was expired, and the Governor had advanced his own money to eleven others whose time expired most in March, for which the Council had given him a certificate; and as the Court approved of this method, the Council would continue to give advance money to as many as would take it as their time expired. Interpretations Debiting Governor Goodwin's estate for money the Court had already paid out to Captain Grant's executors, and then instructing the Council to recover the shortfall from the estate's own outstanding island debts, shows the Company still working to close a specific deceased Governor's accounts years after his death, treating unpaid debts owed to him as an asset to be actively collected rather than written off. | |
257 | We have sent to Bencoolen the severall Goods mentioned in Consultation of 15 March 1746 and have sent to England all the Needless Necessarys As by you Directed and will Continue this Practice for the future. Upon the arrivall of the Ship Somersett We immediatly held a Consultation and read Your Letter to Us and which shall Always be our future practice. For the future the Death of every Officer Soldier or Planter shall be entered in Consultation with the day they dyed and every particular Occurrence between each Consultation shall be entered therein The days of the Month shall be put to the Top of each page and the Monthly Accounts inserted Subsequent to each Consultation. We shall Continue to pay Lieutenant Clarke thirty Pounds a Year as You have Directed. The Article of Forty Eight pounds which You think too much for making of Hay included also the expence of making a great Quantity of Furze Hedge Fences made by Mr Dixon at Derections about a higher Price than was paid for Labourers at the Fortifications or Elsewhere and upon deducting the expence of making the said Hedges it will Appear that the Hay making cost no more than two Thirds at most and We have sold Fifty pounds worth besides Sixty Two which the mow have in that a great profitt will be gott upon the Hay when sold at five Shillings pHundred besides the Service it may be off to Your Stocks in Case of a Dry Season which has like to have been the Case this Year. Enclosed is an Account of all the Losses of each kind on the Island wch the particular Persons to whom they belong. We have taken out of the Somersett one of the Chests of Treasure designed for Bencoolen, and given the Captain a receipt for the same and sent proper Advices thereof to the Deputy Governour and Council there. 35 Your | 28: The Council had sent to Bencoolen the several goods mentioned in consultation of 13 March 1746, and had sent to England all the needless furniture, as directed, and would continue this practice for the future. 29: Upon the arrival of the ship Somersett, the Council had immediately held a consultation and read the Court's letter to itself, which would always be its future practice. 30: For the future, the death of every officer, soldier or planter would be entered in consultation with the day they died, and every particular occurrence between each consultation would be entered therein; the days of the month would be put at the top of each page, and the monthly accounts inserted subsequent to each consultation. 31: The Council would continue to pay Lieutenant Clarke thirty pounds a year, as directed. 32: The Council thought forty eight pounds too much for the making of hay, and this expense included the making of a great quantity of furze hedges, fenced by Mr Dixon's directions, at a higher price than had been paid for labourers at the fortifications or elsewhere; and upon deducting the expense of making the said hedges, it would appear that the haymaking cost no more than two thirds at most, and the Council had sold fifty pounds worth of hay besides, at sixty two pounds ten shillings, which showed that a great profit would be got upon the hay when sold at five shillings a hundred, besides the service it might be of to the Court's stock in case of a dry season, which had been the case this year. 33: Enclosed was an account of all the slaves of each kind on the island, with the particular persons to whom they belonged. 34: The Council had taken out of the Somersett one of the chests of treasure destined for Bencoolen, and given the captain a receipt for the same, and sent proper advice thereof to the deputy governor and Council there. Interpretations Separating the cost of haymaking from the cost of fencing Dixon had ordered at an inflated rate reveals a specific instance of the Council correcting an inflated charge attributed to Dixon's own management, a small but pointed check on his spending that sits oddly alongside his earlier praised stewardship of the plantations. | |
258 | Your Stock of Cattle is now very large and the Seasons this year have been very backward so that Your own Stock supplies all the Shops in the Great Work, but when there is any to be spared the Planters shall have the liberty of horning their Cattle there. The Inhabitants as You have Ordered shall have liberty to Purchase what they may want out of the Stores. No more than one Guinea will be taken by the Secretary for a Leave or Bill of Sale for the future. We have paid Mr Attorney of George Gabriel Powell Esqr the Sum of Forty Six pounds for the two Slaves according to Your Orders thereupon. We shall receive all Money which may be offered to be paid into Your Cash on Account of Captain Francis Steward Mr Charles Howard and Mr John Adycliebe and give Bills on Your Honours for the Amount taking due care that the Representatives of Mssr Stewards take the Oath by You Directed. All Orders that may be received from time to time by Us from the Secret Committee shall be duly Complied wch. Captain Thomas Talbot hath not paid any Money into Your Cash here, or offerd to pay any, if he had We should have received it according to Your Direction. We have restored Mr James Powell to his place and Station in Your Service as Writer According to Your Appointment, We were in Dispute whether to Continue Mr French or not, but he being very Diligent and Serviceable in the Secretarys Office, and more so since the Suspension of Mr Dixon and Mr Wrights being Appointed Overseer We agreed to Continue him till Your further pleasure should be known Concerning him. Mr Robert Wright returns Your Honours thanks for appointing him of Councill here, and We shall not make him or any else any Extraordinary Allowance without Your previous Consent to have since Mr Dixons Suspension acted wholly as Secretary and since the Arrivall of the Charship | 35: The Court's stock of cattle was now very large, and the seasons this year had been very backward, so that the Court's own stock required all the grass in the great walk, but where there was any to be spared the planters would have the liberty of turning their cattle there. 36: The inhabitants, as directed, would have liberty to purchase what they wanted out of the Court's stores. 37: No more than one guinea would be taken by the secretary for a lease or bill of sale for the future. 38: The Council had paid the executors of George Gabriel Powell, esquire, the sum of forty six pounds due for the two slaves, according to the Court's orders thereupon. 39: The Council would receive all money which might be offered to be paid into the Court's cash on account of Captain Francis Steward, Mr Charles Steward and Mr John Nightingale, and give bills on the Court for the amount, taking due care that the representatives of Messrs Steward take the oath, as directed. 40: All orders that might be received from time to time from the Secret Committee would be duly complied with. 41: Captain Thomas [...] had not paid any money into the Court's cash here, nor offered to pay any; had he done so, the Council would have received it according to the Court's directions. 42: The Council had restored Mr James Powell to his place and station in the Court's service as writer, according to the Court's appointment. The Council was in dispute whether to continue Mr French or not, but he being very diligent and serviceable in the secretary's office, and more so since the suspension of Mr Dixon and Mr Wright's being appointed overseer, the Council agreed to continue him until the Court's further pleasure should be known concerning him. 43: Mr Robert Wright returned the Court's thanks for appointing him of Council here, and the Council would not make him or anyone else any extraordinary allowances without the Court's previous consent, he having since Mr Dixon's suspension acted wholly as secretary, and since the arrival of the... Interpretations Mr French's continued employment being justified chiefly by the gap left by Dixon's suspension and Wright's move to overseer shows a small administration repeatedly patching staff shortages by leaning on whoever happened to be available, rather than filling vacated posts through any planned appointment. | |
259 | [...] as your Presents also both which are places attended wch great Trouble and neither of them sufficient for one persons whole Employment. The Governour and Lieutenant Governour are very Glad to find that their Conduct in relation to Mr George Gabriel is so Satisfactory. We have pursuant to Your Orders Directed that Pagodas shall pass for no more than Eight Shillings in payments on the Island. The Forreign Ships calling at this Island wch a Sufficiency of Stores will be of great Service to the place and prevent the Inhabitants and Slaves from being Exacted on. We will endeavour to Supply Ourselves wch what Boats we may want from the Homeward bound Ships. The Osnaburgs and Breeches you were pleased this Year to send for Your Slaves are of Coarse fine a sort, The eight sort proper for them being that thick Strong sort Generally worn by the Seamen. As You are pleased to tell us You will send Us what Pork We may think necessary for our Store here, We shall Indent for a Quantity proper for our Consumption. In the Nineteenth paragraph of your Letter p Colchester Captain Campbell dated 28 November 1745 We wrote your Honours a Particular Account of a Legacy claimed by the Heirs of Eleanor Worrall from Governour Goodwins Estate to which You have referred us no Answer. Mr Fenrich the Master Gunner who has been five and forty Years on the Island in Your Service having applied to Us to have Cloaths allowed him wch the rest of the Officers We have given him the same on his undertaking to Deform the Duty of Your do not Allow it as an Housekeepers Collections of the 30 September 1745 The Governour here hoped leave to take Notice of the Information he gave You in relation to the Deaths of Captain Hancock | Both places demanded the whole of one person's attention, being attended with great trouble and requisite for one person's employment. 44: The Governor and lieutenant governor were very glad the Court thought their conduct in relation to Mr George Gabriel Powell so satisfactory. 45: The Council had, pursuant to the Court's orders, directed that pagodas should pass for no more than eight shillings in payments on the island. 46: The Bengal ships calling at this island with a sufficiency of stores would be of great service to the place, and prevent the inhabitants and shipping from being exacted upon. 47: The Council would endeavour to supply Bencoolen with what beads it might want from the homeward bound ships. 48: The dungarees and breeches the Court was pleased to send for the Court's slaves this year were of too fine a sort; the right sort proper for them being that thick sort generally worn by seamen. 49: As the Court was pleased to tell the Council it would send whatever it might think necessary for its household, the Council should indent for a quantity proper for its consumption. 50: In the seventeenth paragraph of the Court's letter to Governor Campbell, dated 20 November 1745, the Court asked the Council's opinion of a particular account of a legacy claimed by the heirs of Eleanor Worrall from Governor Goodwin's estate, to which the Council had received no answer. 51: Mr French, the master gunner, having served forty five years on the island in the Court's service, and having applied to the Council to have clothes allowed him with the rest of the officers, the Council had given him the same, on the understanding that it would deduct the value if the Court did not allow it, as memorandum in consultation of the 3rd September 1745. 52: The Governor here hoped leave to take notice of the information he gave the Court in relation to the death of Captain Hancock. Interpretations The Court's own enquiry about the Worrall legacy going unanswered here shows a claim already documented years earlier in these letters, tied to Governor Goodwin's manipulation of Eleanor Worrall's account, still working its way through correspondence between London and the island without resolution. | |
260 | Hancocks Men whom he informed You all Dyed except one or two and that it Arose from the Common reports that were brought hither by the most Ships from England and which We all thought to be true till this Year, That We have had more certain information concerning the same. The Reverend Mr Alcock Your Chaplain Dyed here the 29 Day of January last and left a Widow big wch Child and two small Children unprovided for Upon which the Governour Agreed to Advance her out of his own Money the Sum of ten pounds Quarterly till Your Honours were Acquainted wch the Case, and on our Undertaking to bear a proportionate part, as p Consultation of 25 February last. We have supplied the Dupsford and Dolphin Men of Warr wch two thousand Six hundred and thirty three pounds of fresh Beef at four pence a pound and by the Governours Order the Commanders of Your own Ships are Charged after the same rate for all the Beef they have had here from Us for which they have not returned Us Stores, it being the Charterparty Agreement that they should deliver Stores in return for the Beef they received here at three pence a pound. We have received from the Somersett only forty one of the Deodars You sent Us out of forty None Shipped for this Place the rest Dyed on Shipboard. The small Deodars by the Queen Caroline sent hither are found to be upon the Carpenters Surveying them very rotten at the ends tho only Eleven died Chest and hardly fitt for use, The single Deals Coarse and knotty and having been damaged by the Salt Water will not hold Glew and when worked up the one half is forced to be cut away in waste and the Double Deals are very little better, The Casks Timber has Rotten at the Heart and very much Decayed. The Corks received from this Ship and also from the Queen Caroline were very bad the Handspikes by each Ship flawed and most of them Split and the Casks filled wch Butty | Hancock's men whom he informed the Court all died except one or two, and that this arose from the common reports that had been brought hither by the ships from England, which the Council had all thought to be true until this year, when it had more certain information concerning the same. 53: The Reverend Mr Alcock, the Court's chaplain, had died here on the 29th day of January last, and left a widow big with child and two small children unprovided for, upon which the Governor agreed to advance her, out of his own money, the sum of ten pounds quarterly, until the Court's pleasure should be acquainted with the case, and on the Council's own undertaking to bear a proportionate part, as per consultation of 25 February last. 54: The Council had supplied the Stafford and the Dolphin, men of war, with two thousand six hundred and thirty three pounds of fresh beef at four pence a pound, and by the Governor's orders the commanders of the Court's own ships were charged after the same rate; the Council had not returned the stores, it being the charter party agreement that they should deliver stores in return for the beef they received here at three pence a pound. 55: The Council had received from the Somersett only forty one of the fifty men the Court had sent out for this place, the rest having died on shipboard. 56: The small planks sent hither by the Queen Caroline were found to be very unfit for use upon the carpenters surveying them at very rotten at the ends, and cheap and unfit for use; the single deals, coarse and knotty, having been damaged by salt water, would not hold glue, and when worked up one half is forced to be cut away and waste. The double deals were very little better, the sap timber rotten, at the heart very much decayed. The corks received from this ship and also from the Queen Caroline were very bad, the handspikes by each shipment flawed, and most of them split, and the crutches filled with... Interpretations The Governor advancing money from his own pocket for the chaplain's widow, with the Council only afterward committing to share the cost once the Court's pleasure was known, shows a personal act of charity being used to bridge the gap before any official provision could be confirmed, the institution's slower process backed up by an individual's readier one. | |
261 | putty or Lime so that they are not yet for Service The Scantlings also for the Guns bore. It having been Customary time out of mind for the Council to be allowed a Servant each from among Your Slaves to attend on them They have also been allowed Candles, Powder, and small Shott for their own use out of Your Stores, We hope Your Honours will be pleased to Continue the same Allowance to Us as all our Predecessors have received them, We thought it necessary to apply to Your Honours for a Confirmation of these Indulgences least We should be thought to Act Contrary to Your Orders in the 43 Paragraph of Your Generall Letter of the Somersett dated 20 January 1745. Captain Charles Hutchinson hath paid into Your Cash here the Sum of one hundred and Fifty Eight pounds ten Shillings for which We have given him Bills of Exchange on Your Honours dated 20 May last payable to himself or Order Ninety Days after Sight. Mr James Dalbries hath likewise paid into Your Cash the Sum of Fifty pounds for which We have given him Bills of Exchange on Your Honours dated 20 May last payable to himself or Order Ninety Days after Sight. The Executors of Charles Stackes decesd paid into Your Cash here Six hundred pounds for which We have given them Bills on Your Honours dated 27 May last payable to themselves or Order Ninety Days after Sight. Mr Francis Wrangham Sent paid into Your Cash here on Account of Mr John Sedgwick thirty three pounds and Seven Shillings for which We have given Bill on Your Honours Dated 27 May last payable to himself or Order Ninety Days after Sight. Mr Richard Beale (who) died as Clerk of the Parish till the Death of the Reverend Mr Alcock, at twenty pounds as you approved hath ever since the Death of the said Mr Alcock, Officiated in the places and must Continue so to do till another Minister Arrives, We cannot make him any Allowance here, but submitt his case to Your Honours as Deserving Your Notice. 63 We | putty or lime, so that they were not yet fit for service; the scantlings also for the guns bore the same defect. 57: It having always been customary time out of mind for the Council to be allowed a servant each from among the Court's slaves to attend on them, they had likewise been allowed candles, powder and small shot for their own use out of the Court's stores. The Council hoped the Court would be pleased to continue the same allowances to it as all its predecessors had received; the Council thought it necessary to apply to the Court for a confirmation of these indulgences, lest it should be thought to act contrary to the Court's orders in the fourth paragraph of the Court's general letter by the Somersett, dated 15 January 1745. 58: Captain Charles Hutchinson had paid into the Court's cash here the sum of one hundred and fifty eight pounds ten shillings, for which the Council had given him bills of exchange on the Court, dated 20 May last, payable to himself or order ninety days after sight. 59: Mr James Dalrymple had likewise paid into the Court's cash the sum of fifty pounds, for which the Council had given him bills of exchange on the Court, dated 20 May last, payable to himself or order ninety days after sight. 60: The executors of Charles [...], deceased, had paid into the Court's cash here six hundred pounds, for which the Council had given them bills on the Court, dated 27 May last, payable to themselves or order ninety days after sight. 61: Mr Francis Wyngham had likewise paid into the Court's cash here, on account of Mr John Sedgwick, thirty three pounds and seven shillings, for which the Council had given a bill on the Court, dated 27 May last, payable to himself or order ninety days after sight. 62: Mr Richard Beale, [...], had acted as clerk of the parish till the death of the Reverend Mr Alcock, at twenty pounds, as the Court had approved, and had ever since Mr Alcock's death officiated in his place, and must continue to do so till another minister arrived; the Council could not make him any allowance here, but submitted his case to the Court's consideration on receiving its notice. Interpretations The Council's request for formal confirmation of privileges it admits have always been customary, prompted by fear of appearing to breach a general letter's specific paragraph, shows long-standing island practice needing to be retroactively justified against the Court's written orders once those orders happened to touch on the same ground. | |
262 | We have indented for so large a quantity of Wine as is mentiond in the Indent at the request of on the Account of your Servants here, who will thereby have it much better and the Captains will be prevented from Trading on them for their Liquor. By the Queen Caroline from Bencoolen we have received three Slaves which were sent from thence on Account of the Villanies they Committed there, We apprehend they may be as Mischeivous here and therefore desire Your Honours to Order them back again or at least forbid the Sending any more such hither. As it is now a very hazardous time for Your Honours to Send out Money hither We would represent to You for Your Considerations whether it would not be better to receive money into Your Cash here for the necessary supply of this place and give Bills of Exchange on Your Honours for the same than for You to risque Your Money hither by the Store Ships, and as Some or other be continually applying to us on that Account so that during the Warr We shall in this manner be always able to gett a sufficient Sum for the Yearly expence of this place. Mr Christopher Down hath paid into Your Cash here the sum of one hundred and twenty pounds for which We have given him Bills on Your Honours dated 27 May last payable to himself or Order Ninety Days after Sight. We have received from Capt Knight the Sum of Eleven hundred and Fifty three pounds ten Shillings which he owed to Your Honours and desired to pay in here and have given him Certificates for the same, to Your Honours as is entered at large in Consultation of 5 June Instant. Enclosed is the Account taken by the Marshall how what Goods were Landed out of the Duke Caroline when she was first outward bound. 69 We | 63: The Council had indented for as large a quantity of wine as was mentioned in the indent, at the request of, and on the account of, the Court's servants here, who would thereby have it much better, and the captains would be prevented from imposing on them for their liquor. 64: By the Queen Caroline from Bencoolen, the Council had received three slaves who had been sent from thence on account of the villainies they had committed there. The Council apprehended they might be as mischievous here, and therefore desired the Court to order them back again, or at least forbid the sending of any more such hither. 65: As it was now a very hazardous time for the Court to send out money hither, the Council would represent to the Court's directors whether it would not be better to receive money into the Court's cash here for the necessary supply of this place, and give bills of exchange on the Court for the same, rather than for the Court to risk its money hither by the storeships, and some merchant here be continually applying to the Council on that account, so that during the war the Council would in this manner always be able to get a sufficient sum for the yearly expense of this place. 66: Mr Christopher Dixon had paid into the Court's cash here the sum of one hundred and twenty pounds, for which the Council had given him bills on the Court, dated 27 May last, payable to himself or order ninety days after sight. 67: The Council had received from Captain Smith the sum of eleven hundred and fifty three pounds ten shillings, which he owed to the Court and desired to pay in here, and had given him certificates for the same, to be sent to the Court as entered at large in consultation of 5 June instant. 68: Enclosed was the account taken by the marshal of what goods were landed out of the [...], when she was outward bound. Interpretations The request to send troublesome slaves back to Bencoolen rather than keep them at St Helena treats the island's own security as a reason to reject convicts from another Company settlement, showing St Helena unwilling to simply absorb whatever the wider Company network chose to offload on it. | |
263 | We have pursuant to Your Orders consigned to Your Honours by the Ship Oxford Capt Edmond Smyth Commander the Usuall Bond & Damages Stores as p Invoice & Bill of Lading Enclosed. Capt William Sedgwick Commander of the London hath given us Bills of Exchange on Thomas Rochford Esqr Dated 10 October 1745 payable to Your Honours or Order for two hundred and twenty Six pounds Nineteen Shillings and four pence three farthings, ten days after Sight, for the Balance of this Account. Captain Moore Commander of his Majestys Ships Dupsford hath given us Bills of Exchange on the Honble the Commissioners for Victualling his Majestys Navy dated 21 May 1746 payable to Your Honours or Order thirty days after Sight for Fifty Six pounds, Eleven Shillings and ten pence the Balance of his Account and Capt Way Commander of his Majestys Ship the Dolphin hath given us Bills of Exchange on the said Commissioners dated 4 June Instant payable to Your Honours or Order Thirty days after Sight for Forty Six pounds Eleven Shillings and ten pence the Balance of his Ships Account We have Advanced Thomas Dwyer (who was left here Sick out of the Princess Amelia Capt Samuel Martin in 1744) one pound one Shilling in part of his Wages due from the said Ship. We have paid the Doctor of the Oxford twenty Shillings for his care of four Men who were Consigned to Bencoolen wch left here sick in the Ships Outward bound Passage and were since detained here by Your Honours Directions. The Governour hath paid into Your Cash here the sum of two hundred and Eleven pounds Nineteen Shillings | 69: The Council had, pursuant to the Court's orders, consigned to the Court, by the ship Oxford, Captain Edmund Smyth, commander, the usual damaged stores, as per invoice and bill of lading enclosed. 70: Captain William Sedgwick, commander of the London, had given the Council bills of exchange on Thomas Rochford, esquire, dated 10 October 1745, payable to the Court or order, for two hundred and twenty six pounds nineteen shillings and four pence three farthings, ten days after sight, for the balance of his account. 71: Captain Moore, commander of His Majesty's ship Deptford, had given the Council a bill of exchange on the Honourable Commissioners for Victualling His Majesty's Navy, dated 21 May 1746, payable to the Court or order, thirty days after sight, for fifty six pounds eleven shillings and ten pence, the balance of his account; and Captain Way, commander of His Majesty's ship the Dolphin, had given the Council a bill of exchange on the said Commissioners, dated 11 June instant, payable to the Court or order, thirty days after sight, for forty six pounds eleven shillings and ten pence, the balance of his ship's account. 72: The Council had allowed Thomas Dwyer, who was left here sick out of the Princess Amelia, Captain Samuel Martin, in 1744, one pound one shilling in part of his wages due from the said ship. 73: The Council had paid the doctor of the Oxford twenty shillings for his care of four men who had been consigned to Bencoolen but left here sick in the [...], outward bound passage, and were since detained here by the Court's directions. 74: The Governor had paid into the Court's cash the sum of four hundred and eleven pounds nineteen shillings... Interpretations The bills of exchange drawn directly on the Commissioners for Victualling the Navy, rather than on the Company itself, for the men of war's balances, show the Council routinely settling accounts with the Royal Navy through the Crown's own victualling office, a separate line of financial dealing running alongside its ordinary Company business. | |
264 | Shillings and Eight pence for which we have given him Bills on Your Honours dated 16 June Instant payable to himself or Order Ninety Days after Sight. Mr Matthew Parling hath paid into Your Cash here the Sum of Eighty Pounds for which we have given him Bills of Exchange on Your Honours dated 16 June Instant Payable to himself or Order Ninety Days after Sight. Mr Richard Curling who acts in Mr Powelons place Applyed to Us in Consultation of 10 June Instant that he might be allowed the Salary which his predecessors in the same place had received as it takes up his whole time and We should have Granted his request thinking him deserving thereof and Qualified for Your Service, in that place had it not been for Your Orders in the 46 Paragraph of Your Letter dated 16 January 1745 wherein You Order us not to make any allowance without Your Approbation. We therefore recommend it to Your Honours that he may be allowed the Salary according to his Petition. This waits upon Your Honours Ship the Deptford Capt Moore wch the Generall Books of Accounts to the 30 September 1745. We are St Helena 15 June 1746. Honble Sirs Your most Obedient and Dutifull Servants Signd David Dunbar Cha Hutchinson John Goodwin M Parling R Wright P S The Cash Notes which we have in Your Chest being old & very much Torn & none can be paid out again We Desire to know whether we shall send them home to You or Destroy them here. | The Court owed a further sum, for which the Council had given him bills on the Court, dated 11 June instant, payable to himself or order ninety days after sight. 75: Mr Matthew Purling had paid into the Court's cash here the sum of eighty pounds, for which the Council had given him bills of exchange on the Court, dated 11 June instant, payable to himself or order ninety days after sight. 76: Mr Richard Curling, who acted in Mr Wyngham's place, applied to the Council, as entered in consultation of 10 June instant, that he might be allowed the salary his predecessors in the same place had received, as it took up his whole time, and the Council should have granted his request, thinking him deserving and qualified for the Court's service in that place, had it not been for the Court's order in the 46th paragraph of the Court's letter dated 15 January 1745, wherein the Court ordered the Council not to make any allowance without the Court's approval. The Council therefore recommended it to the Court that he might be allowed the salary according to his petition. 77: This letter went by His Majesty's ship the Deptford, Captain Moore, with the general books of accounts to 30 September 1745. The letter was signed, Honoured Sirs, the Court's most obedient and dutiful servants, David Dunbar, Charles Hutchinson, John Godwin, Matthew Purling and Robert Wright, at St Helena, 15 June 1746. A postscript reported that the cash notes which the Council had in the Court's chest, being old and very much torn, could not be paid out again, and the Council desired to know whether it should send them home to the Court or destroy them here. Interpretations Curling's request for his predecessors' full salary, otherwise deserved on the Council's own judgement, being withheld only because of a standing order requiring the Court's prior approval for any allowance, shows a single general instruction from London reaching down to override the Council's assessment of one man's pay, regardless of merit. | |
265 | List of the United Companys Pacquet wch the foregoing Letter Dated 15 June 1746 &c. No 1 Governours Generall Councils Letter Dated 15 June 1746 No 2 Duplicate of Governour & Councils Letter Dated 1 April 1746 No 3 Duplicate of Consultations from 16 July to 20 July 1745 No 4 Copy Consultation from 21 August 1745 to 15 June 1746 No 5 List of Deaths taken 30 September 1745 No 6 Do Blacks taken - Do No 7 Do Familys &c - Do No 8 Do Horses taken 12 May 1746 No 9 Do Officers & Servants taken 15 June 1746 No 10 Do of the Arrivall and Departure of Ships No 11 Indent for Stores wanted for the Year 1747 No 12 Do Medicines - Do No 13 List of remains of Stores. No 14 List of Marriages &c No 15 Account of what Goods were Landed from the Queen Caroline & 1745 No 16 Duplicate Cash Account for the Month of June 1745 No 17 Cash Account for the Month of July - Do No 18 Do ---- August - Do No 19 Do ---- September - Do No 20 Do ---- October - Do No 21 Do ---- November - Do No 22 Do ---- December - Do No 23 Do ---- January - Do No 24 Do ---- February - Do No 25 Do ---- March - Do No 26 Do ---- April 1746 - Do No 27 Do ---- May - Do No 28 Do from 31 May to 15 June 1746 the Day the Ship sailed | List of the United Company's packet sent with the foregoing letter, dated 15 June 1746, viz. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter, dated 15 June 1746. 2: Duplicate of the Governor and Council's letter, dated 1 April 1746. 3: Duplicate of consultations from 16 July to 20 July 1745. 4: Copy of consultations from 9 August 1745 to 15 June 1746. 5: List of slaves taken 30 September 1745. 6: Same, of the same, taken. 7: Same, of families, of the same. 8: Same, of stores taken 12 May 1746. 9: Same, of officers and servants taken 15 June 1746. 10: Same, of the arrival and departure of ships. 11: Indent for stores wanted for the year 1747. 12: Same, of medicines. 13: List of remains of stores. 14: List of marriages, of the same. 15: Account of what goods were landed from the Queen Caroline in 1745. 16: Duplicate cash account for the month of June 1745. 17: Cash account for the month of July, same. 18: Same, of August. 19: Same, of September. 20: Same, of October. 21: Same, of November. 22: Same, of December. 23: Same, of January. 24: Same, of February. 25: Same, of March. 26: Same, of April 1746. 27: Same, of May. 28: Same, from 31 May to 15 June 1746, the day the ship sailed. | |
266 | No 29 Copy Ship Queen Carolines Account outward bound No 30 Do ------ Londons ------ Do No 31 Do ------ Dupsfords Account No 32 Do ------ Dolphens Do No 33 Do ------ Eaglestons Do No 34 Do ------ Concords Do No 35 Do ------ Lincolns Do No 36 Do ------ Vernons Do No 37 Do ------ Queen Carolines Do No 38 Do ------ Hardwicks Do No 39 Do ------ Oxfords Do No 40 Do ------ Wagers Do No 41 Invoice of Useless and Damaged Stores p Oxford Capt Smyth No 42 Bill of Lading for Do No 43 Gunners Account of the Condition of the Handspikes No 44 Captain Masons pretence for Sailing in due time No 45 Captain Sedgwicks first Bill of Exchange No 46 Capt Moores Do No 47 Capt Ways Do No 48 List of remains of Gunners Stores No 49 Governours Letter to the Court of Directors No 50 Ship Benjamins Bill of Lading No 51 Journal N ending 30 September 1745 No 52 Ledger N Do Do No 53 Governours Letter to the Secret Committee No 54 Governours second Letter to Do | 29: Copy of the ship Queen Caroline's account, outward bound. 30: Same, of the London's account, same. 31: Same, of the Deptford's account. 32: Same, of the Dolphin's account, same. 33: Same, of the Egglesden's account, same. 34: Same, of the Somersett's account, same. 35: Same, of the Lincoln's account, same. 36: Same, of the Vernon's account, same. 37: Same, of the Queen Caroline's account, same. 38: Same, of the Hardwicke's account, same. 39: Same, of the Oxford's account, same. 40: Same, of the Wager's account, same. 41: Invoice of useless and damaged stores of the Oxford, Captain Smyth. 42: Bill of lading for the same. 43: The gunner's account of the condition of the handspikes. 44: Captain Mason's pretence for sailing in due time. 45: Captain Sedgwick's first bill of exchange. 46: Captain Moore's, same. 47: Captain Way's, same. 48: List of remains of the gunner's stores. 49: The Governor's letter to the Court of Directors. 50: Ship Benjamin's bill of lading. 51: Journal number [...], ending 30 September 1745. 52: Ledger number [...], ending, same. 53: The Governor's letter to the Secret Committee. 54: The Governor's second letter to the same. | |
267 | Court of Directors of the United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies. Honble Sirs. By his Majestys Ship the Deptford we send Your Honours the necessary Advices relating to this Isle The Deptford Sailed thence the 17 June last wch his Majestys Ship the Dolphin for England and took Your Ships Eagle, Lincoln, Vernon, Hardwick, Queen Caroline, and Wager under their Convoy. On the 26 day of June last arrived two Danish Ships one called the Copenhagen Christian Sommer Commander Burthen Seven hundred Tons one hundred and Fifty Men and twenty Eight Guns Laden wch Tea Chinaware and Silk from China, The other called the Prince Wilhelm Jorgensen Due Commander Burthen Five hundred Tons Ninety Men and Twenty Eight Guns Laden wch Copper and Cotton Cloth from Tranquebar, They inform Us that on the 27 May last we Sad they were brought too by a French Ship off the Cape, in Company wch another French Ship who said they were bound to Pondicherry and that there was a third in Company They appeared to be all fifty Gun Ships and the Officer that went aboard related that the Ship he was on board was very Clear and her lower ports open and in Posture of Fighting. We desire You would add to Our former Indent two Brass Sheaves for the Crane of five Inches and three quarters Wheel and four Inches Diameter and also one from | To the Honourable the Court of Directors of the United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies. Honoured Sirs, 1: By His Majesty's ship the Deptford the Council sent the Court the necessary advices relating to this island. The Deptford had sailed hence on 17 June last, with His Majesty's ship the Dolphin, for England, and the Court's ships the Egglesden, Lincoln, Vernon, Hardwicke, Queen Caroline and Wager under their convoy. 2: On 26 June last, two Danish ships arrived, called the Copenhagen, Christian Sommer, commander, burthen seven hundred tons, and manned with one hundred and fifty men, laden with tea, chinaware and silk from China; the other called the Danish Neild, Laugensen, [...] commander, burthen four hundred and ninety men, and twenty eight guns, laden with copper and cotton cloth from Tranquebar. They informed the Council that on 17 May last they had been chased by a French ship off the Cape, in company with another French ship, who said they were bound to Pondicherry, and that there was a third in company; they appeared to be fifty gun ships, and the officer who went aboard related that the ship he was on was very clean, and her lower ports open and in a posture of fighting. 3: The Council desired the Court would add to its former indent two brass sheaves for the crane, of five inches and three quarters thick, and four inches diameter, and also... Interpretations The Danish captains' report of being chased off the Cape by French ships posturing for a fight, relayed here in a routine shipping paragraph, shows news of naval danger on the Cape route reaching St Helena through whichever foreign crew happened to call next, regardless of nationality, well before any English vessel might carry the same warning. | |
268 | Iron Chain thirty Six fathom long with a Grappling at each end for Mooring the Boats here the Ropes being continually wearing out. In the 13 Paragraph of Your Letter to Us p the Somerset You Order Us to renew the Leases to the Planters on the old Terms and Conditions, The Planters are in Expection of all the Cabbage Tree Lands from whence all the Rafters and Wood for building is cut, so that if You do not Approve of inserting a Clause for furnishing Your Honours wch Wood You must be put to a very Great Expence in purchasing the same We shall wait Your Honours Answer on this head. We have discharged John Loyell Armourer from Your Service on Account of his Misbehaviour as p Consultation of 25 June last. The Papers sent from England both this Year and last proved so Bad and Rotten so much, that there is scarce any Writing upon it. We have Advanced Capt Smyth on Account of the Ship Oxford the sum of one hundred pounds for which he has given Us Bills on Wm Barrington Duggin & the rest of the Owners of the Ship Oxford Payable to Your Honours or Order thirty Days after Sight. Your Honours have not been pleased to take any Notice of the Teak Boards and Fine Goods which We returned Mr Cowell and Charged him wch in his Account We had Used himself for them when he was Governour The Teak Boards have Lain in the Weather ever since, and the Fine Goods in Mr Cowells late House without our taking Charge of them for want of Your Directions, We therefore desire to knows how Your Honours would have Us act therein. The Danish Supracargoes here having occasion for | The Council desired an iron chain thirty six fathom long with a grappling at each end, for mooring the boats, the rope being continually wearing out. 4: In the thirteenth paragraph of the Court's letter to the Council by the Somersett, the Court ordered the Council to renew the leases to the planters on the old terms and conditions. The planters were in possession of all the cabbage tree lands, from whence all the rafters and wood for building was cut, so that if the Council did not reserve a clause for furnishing the Court's own timber with wood, the Court would be put to a very great expense in purchasing the same. The Council would wait the Court's answer on this point. 5: The Council had discharged John Lovell, armourer, from the Court's service, on account of his misbehaviour, as per consultation of 24 June last. 6: The paper sent from England, both this year and last, had proved so bad, and the ink so much worse, that there was scarce any writing upon it. 7: The Council had advanced Captain Smyth, on account of the ship Oxford, the sum of one hundred pounds, for which he had given bills on Mr Barrington, Duggin and the rest of the owners of the ship Oxford, payable to the Court or order thirty days after sight. 8: The Court had not been pleased to take any notice of the tea boards and fine goods, which the Council returned Mr Cowell charged him with in his account. He had paid himself for them when he was Governor; the tea boards had lain in the weather ever since, and the fine goods in Mr Cowell's late house without ever taking charge of them, for want of the Court's directions. The Council therefore desired to know how the Court would have it in this regard. 9: The Danish supercargoes here having occasion... Interpretations The planters holding every acre of cabbage tree land from which building timber could be cut, forcing the Council to bargain for a reservation clause simply to keep the Court supplied with its own wood, repeats the same dependency on tenant-held timber already seen in an earlier letter, showing the problem persisted despite the Council's stated intention years before to correct it. | |
269 | for Money to Defray their necessary Expences We have upon their Application to Us Advanced them two hundred pounds at two and an half pCent Exchange which they themselves offered for which they have given Bills of John Collett of London Merchant payable to Your Honours or Order thirty days after Sight We should be Glad of Your Honours Directions for our acting in the like Cases for the future. This waits upon You by Your Ship the Oxford Captain Smyth wch the proper Duplicates We are Honble Sirs Your most Obedient & Dutifull Servants Signd David Dunbar Cha Hutchinson John Godwin M Curling R Wright St Helena 7 July 1746 | For money to defray their necessary expenses, the Council had, upon their application, advanced them two hundred pounds at two and a half per cent exchange, which they themselves offered, and for which they had given bills on John Collett of London, merchant, payable to the Court or order thirty days after sight. The Council would be glad of the Court's directions for its acting in the like cases for the future. 10: This letter went by the Court's ship the Oxford, Captain Smyth, with the proper duplicates. The letter was signed, Honoured Sirs, the Court's most obedient and dutiful servants, David Dunbar, Charles Hutchinson, John Goodwin, Matthew Purling and Robert Wright, at St Helena, 2 July 1746. | |
270 | List of the Honble Companys Pacquet wch the foregoing Letter Dated 7 July 1746 Vizt No 1 Governour & Councils Generall Letter dated 7 July 1746 No 2 Duplicate of Governour & Councils Generall Letter dated 15 June 1746 No 3 Duplicate Consultations from 9 August 1745 to 10 June 1746 No 4 Copy Consultation of 27 June 1746 No 5 Duplicate List of Rents taken 30 September 1745 No 6 Do ------ Blacks taken Do No 7 Do ------ Familys &c Do No 8 Do ------ Horses taken 12 May 1746 No 9 List of Officers and Servants taken 7 July 1746 No 10 List of the Arrivall and Departure of Ships No 11 Duplicate Indent of Stores wanted for the Year 1747 No 12 Do ------ Medicines - Do No 13 Do ------ Remains of Stores No 14 List of Marriages &c No 15 Duplicate Cash Account for the Month July 1745 No 16 Do ------ August Do No 17 Do ------ September Do No 18 Do ------ October Do No 19 Do ------ November Do No 20 Do ------ December Do No 21 Do ------ January Do No 22 Do ------ February Do No 23 Do ------ March Do No 24 Do ------ April 1746 No 25 Do ------ May Do No 26 Do from 1 to 15 June 1746. No 27 Do Ship Queen Carolines Account Outward bound No 28 Do ------ Londons | List of the Honourable Company's packet, with the foregoing letter dated 2 July 1746, viz. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter, dated 2 July 1746. 2: Duplicate of the Governor and Council's general letter, dated 15 June 1746. 3: Duplicate of consultations from 9 August 1745 to 10 June 1746. 4: Copy of consultation of 27 June 1746. 5: Duplicate list of rents taken 30 September 1745. 6: Same, of slaves taken, same. 7: Same, of families, of the same. 8: Same, of stores taken 12 May 1746. 9: List of officers and servants taken 2 July 1746. 10: List of the arrival and departure of ships. 11: Duplicate indent of stores wanted for the year 1747. 12: Same, of medicines. 13: Same, of remains of stores. 14: List of marriages, of the same. 15: Duplicate cash account for the month of July 1745. 16: Same, of August. 17: Same, of September. 18: Same, of October. 19: Same, of November. 20: Same, of December. 21: Same, of January. 22: Same, of February. 23: Same, of March. 24: Same, of April 1746. 25: Same, of May. 26: Same, from 1 to 15 June 1746. 27: Same, of the ship Queen Caroline's account, outward bound. 28: Same, of the London's. | |
271 | No 29 Duplicate Ship Deptfords Do Account No 30 Do ------ Dolphins Do No 31 Do ------ Eaglestons Do No 32 Do ------ Somersets Do No 33 Do ------ Lincolns Do No 34 Do ------ Vernons Do No 35 Do ------ Queen Carolines Do No 36 Do ------ Hardwicks Do No 37 Do ------ Oxfords Do No 38 Do ------ Wagers Do No 39 Captain Sedgwicks second Bill of Exchange No 40 Captain Moores Do No 41 Captain Ways Do No 42 Duplicate Remains of Gunners Stores No 43 Do ------ List of the Pacquet p Ship Deptford dated 15 June 1746 No 44 Receipt for the Pacquet p Ship Deptford No 45 Capt Smyths first Bill of Exchange No 46 Copy Ship Oxfords Account No 47 Duplicate Bill of Lading p Ship Oxford No 48 First Bill of Exchange from the Danes No 49 Governours Letter to the Secret Committee | 29: Duplicate of the ship Deptford's account. 30: Same, of the Dolphin's. 31: Same, of the Egglesden's. 32: Same, of the Somersett's. 33: Same, of the Lincoln's. 34: Same, of the Vernon's. 35: Same, of the Queen Caroline's. 36: Same, of the Hardwicke's. 37: Same, of the Oxford's. 38: Same, of the Wager's. 39: Captain Sedgwick's second bill of exchange. 40: Captain Moore's, same. 41: Captain Way's, same. 42: Duplicate remains of the gunner's stores. 43: Same, list of the packet of the ship Deptford, dated 15 June 1746. 44: Receipt for the packet of the ship Deptford. 45: Captain Smyth's first bill of exchange. 46: Copy of the ship Oxford's account. 47: Duplicate bill of lading of the ship Oxford. 48: First bill of exchange from the Danes. 49: The Governor's letter to the Secret Committee. To the Honble the Court of Directors of the United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies Honble Sirs. On the 3d July sailed Your Ship the Oxford Captain Edmond Smyth in Company wch the Copenhagen and the Duch Danish Ships p the Oxford We sent Your Honours the proper Duplicates wch the Enclosed Letter. On the 8 July Arrived Your Ships the Royall George Captain Thomas Feild and the Scarborough Captain Phillip Dauvergne (late Westcott) from Bengall We desire You will be pleased to add to our former Indent the severall Particulars entered in Consultation of 29 July Instant. We have p the Ship Royall George returned You all the Worms just sent Us, they being Pistoll Worms & not Large Enough for the Ferdocks here, and desire You would be pleased to send Us the proper sort, We have also returned You a Cracked Bell, The Captains sent Receipt for the above comes Enclosed. The Teak Plank sent hither from Bengall p the Royall George is very bad and unfit for the use designed of making Gun Carriages being Worm eaten and Rotten as appears by the Report of the Master Carpenter and Master Mason entered in Consultation of 22 July Instant. There are in Your Honours possession here some Azimath Compasses and Also Mathematical Instruments and a | |
272 | To the Honble the Court of Directors of the United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies Honble Sirs. On the 3d July sailed Your Ship the Oxford Captain Edmond Smyth in Company wch the Copenhagen and the Duch Danish Ships p the Oxford We sent Your Honours the proper Duplicates wch the Enclosed Letter. On the 8 July Arrived Your Ships the Royall George Captain Thomas Feild and the Scarborough Captain Phillip Dauvergne (late Westcott) from Bengall We desire You will be pleased to add to our former Indent the severall Particulars entered in Consultation of 29 July Instant. We have p the Ship Royall George returned You all the Worms just sent Us, they being Pistoll Worms & not Large Enough for the Ferdocks here, and desire You would be pleased to send Us the proper sort, We have also returned You a Cracked Bell, The Captains sent Receipt for the above comes Enclosed. The Teak Plank sent hither from Bengall p the Royall George is very bad and unfit for the use designed of making Gun Carriages being Worm eaten and Rotten as appears by the Report of the Master Carpenter and Master Mason entered in Consultation of 22 July Instant. There are in Your Honours possession here some Azimath Compasses and Also Mathematical Instruments and a | To the Honourable the Court of Directors of the United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies. Honoured Sirs, 1: On 3 July last the Court's ship the Oxford, Captain Edmund Smyth, sailed in company with the Copenhagen and the two Danish ships. By the Oxford the Council had sent the Court the proper duplicates, with the enclosed letter. 2: On 8 July the Court's ships the Royal George, Captain Thomas Field, and the Scarborough, Captain Phillips [...], from Westcott, arrived from Bengal. 3: The Council desired the Court would be pleased to add to its former indent the several particulars entered in consultation of 29 July instant. 4: The Council had, by the ship Royal George, returned the Court all the worms it had sent, they being pistol worms and not large enough for the great guns here, and desired the Court would be pleased to send it the proper sort. The Council had also returned a cracked bell, the captain's own receipt for the above being enclosed. 5: The teak plank sent hither from Bencoolen by the Royal George was very bad and unfit for the use designed, of making gun carriages, being worm eaten and rotten, as appeared by the report of the master carpenter and master gunner, entered in consultation of 22 July instant. 6: There were in the Court's possession here some azimuth compasses and other mathematical instruments, and... Interpretations Returning the pistol worms sent for the great guns, and separately the rotten teak meant for gun carriages, in the same short despatch shows two consecutive supply shipments from different sources both failing to answer the fortifications' basic needs, leaving the Council reliant on whatever the next storeship might bring instead. | |
273 | a pair of Diamond Scales which are of no Service to us here, and You approved of it We believe they might be worth something if sent home. Captain Dauvergne having Sold some Apparel and Furniture of Captain Wolcotts dec here to the Amount of Seventy five Pounds desired to pay the same into your Cash which We have received and given him Certificate to Your Honours dated 29 July Instant. George Martin (who was left Sick from the Wager) died here out of the Hospital & Indebted for Necessarys & Provisions as p the Surgeons Account Enclosed, which We desire You would Direct to be Kept out of the Wages due to him from the said Ship We are Honble Sirs Your most Obedient & Dutifull Servants Signd David Dunbar Cha Hutchinson John Godwin M Curling R Wright St Helena 31 July 1746. | a pair of diamond scales, which were of no service to the Council here, and if the Court approved of it, the Council believed they might be worth something if sent home. 7: Captain Devaerne, having sold some apparel and furniture of Captain Wolcott's here to the amount of seventy five pounds, desired to pay the same into the Court's cash, which the Council had received, and given him a certificate to the Court, dated 29 July instant. George Martin, who was left sick from the Wager, had died here out of the hospital, indebted for wearing apparel and other charges as per the account enclosed, which the Council desired the Court would direct to be kept out of the wages due to him from the said ship. The letter was signed, Honoured Sirs, the Court's most obedient and dutiful servants, David Dunbar, Charles Hutchinson, John Godwin, Matthew Purling and Robert Wright, at St Helena, 31 July 1746. | |
274 | List of the Honble Companys Pacquet wch the foregoing Letter Dated 31 July 1746. No 1 Governour & Councils Generall Letter dated 31 July 1746. No 2 Duplicate Governour & Councils Generall Letter dated 7 July 1746 No 3 Duplicate of Consultation of 27 June 1746 No 4 Copy of Consultations from the 18 to 29 July 1746 No 5 Copy Cash Account for the Month of June No 6 Do ------ July No 7 Captain Smyths second Bill of Exchange No 8 Duplicate Ship Oxfords Account No 9 Copy Ship Royal Georges Do No 10 Do ------ Scarboroughs Do No 11 Second Bill of Exchange from the Danes No 12 Second Receipt for the Pacquet p Ship Deptford No 13 First Receipt for the Pacquet p Ship Oxford No 14 John Loyels Note of hand No 15 Duplicate List of the Pacquet p Ship Oxford No 16 Captains Feilds first Receipt for Goods sent home on board him No 17 Surgeons Bill upon George Martin No 18 Governours Letter to the Secret Committee | List of the Honourable Company's packet, with the foregoing letter, dated 31 July 1746. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter, dated 31 July 1746. 2: Duplicate of the Governor and Council's general letter, dated 2 July 1746. 3: Duplicate of consultation of 27 June 1746. 4: Copy of consultations from the 18th to 29 July 1746. 5: Copy cash account for the month of June. 6: Same, of July. 7: Captain Smyth's second bill of exchange. 8: Duplicate of the ship Oxford's account. 9: Copy of the ship Royal George's, same. 10: Same, of the Scarborough's, same. 11: Second bill of exchange from the Danes. 12: Second receipt for the packet of the ship Deptford. 13: First receipt for the packet of the ship Oxford. 14: John Lovell's note of hand. 15: Duplicate list of the packet of the ship Oxford. 16: Captain Smyth's first receipt for goods sent home on board him. 17: Surgeon's bill upon George Martin. 18: The Governor's letter to the Secret Committee. | |
275 | To the Honble the Court of Direct ors of the United Company of Mer chants of England Trading to the East Indies Honble Sirs By the Royal George who sailed the 31 July last in Company wch the Scarborough We sent the Enclosed Letter wch all the Other Necessary papers. On ye 2d Decr last arrived your Ship Prince Edward Capt Robert Haldane from England by whom we recd 29 Recruits and the Stores for this place She Sailed hence the 15 Janry Her Stay here was Occasioned by the Violence of the Surfs which at the time of Stay She was here are Generally very high and large so that Notwithstanding the Captain used his Utmost Endeavours to unload and get his Ship ready for sailing he was not able to do it before the above time. On the 4th Instant arrived your Sloop Portobello Capt Walter Wood from Fort St Davides who brought us the Melancholly news of the Loss of Fort St George having been taken by the French under the Command of Monsieur Labourdinnais By the said Sloop we are informed of the arrival of the London Capt Sedgwick late Bootle at Fort | To the Honourable the Court of Directors of the United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies. Honoured Sirs, 1: By the Royal George, which sailed 21 July last in company with the Scarborough, the Council had sent the enclosed letter with all the other necessary papers. 2: On 21 December last the Court's ship Prince Edward, Captain Robert Haldane, arrived from England, by whom the Council received twenty nine recruits and the stores for this place. She sailed hence on the 16th of January; her stay here had been occasioned by the violence of the surfs, which at that time of year were generally very high and large, so that notwithstanding the captain used his utmost endeavours to unload and get his ship ready for sailing, he was not able to do it before the above time. 3: On the 4th instant the Court's sloop Northbell, Captain Walter Wick, arrived from Fort St David, who brought the Council the melancholy news of the loss of Fort St George, having been taken by the French under the command of Monsieur Labourdonnais. 4: By the said sloop the Council was informed of the arrival of the London, Captain Sedgwick, late Bootle, at... Interpretations News of Fort St George's fall to the French, reaching St Helena by way of a sloop from Fort St David rather than any direct despatch from Madras, shows how much the Council's picture of the Company's wider fortunes in India depended on whichever ship happened to arrive next, with word of a major loss travelling by the same informal channel as ordinary shipping news. | |
276 | Fort St George the 6th May Last and Sailed thence on their Voyage for China the Elder Capt. Jackson Sailed from the Cape for England the 20th Decr Last The Pelham was well at the Cape but had Lost Capt. Wells who was Succeeded by Mr George Lindsay the Chief Mate By the said Ships going from the Cape Weare disappointed of our Expected Supply of Arrack by her Which is very unfortunate as Provisions of all kinds are there very Scarce We haveing had a Dry Season and no Rain for these 8 or 9 Months. There is no news at the Cape or in India of the Prince of Orange or the Northumberland Which makes us apprehensive of their not being Safe What we hear that the Onslow Capt. Cargrave was Safe at Borneo but had Lost their two Supracargoes Mr. May and Mr. Swinson. On your Books there you Stand indebted as follows as pr page in the Journall 240 vizt To Isaac Boyle Esqr. decd £19.18.11 Edward Johnson Esqr. decd 87.16.- Don Juan De Mesqry Aninio } 343.6.- Decd. Hemans Nicholls decd 208.16.9¼ Which we apprehend have been Satisfied by you in England and desire your directions about Writing them of We beg leave to recommend to your Considera- tion the Enclosed petition of Thos. French as deserving your Notice. | 5: The Pelham was reported safe at the Cape, though she had lost Captain Wells, succeeded by Mr George Lindsay, her chief mate. Her departure from the Cape left the Council disappointed of an expected supply of arrack, a serious loss since provisions of every kind stood very scarce there, the Cape having suffered a dry season with no rain for eight or nine months. 6: No news had reached the Cape or India of the Prince of Orange or the Northumberland, leaving the Council apprehensive for their safety. The Onslow, under Captain Longhorne, was reported safe at Borneo, though she had lost two supercargoes, Mr May and Mr Swinton. 7: The Council's books showed the following sums standing to its debit, as recorded on page 240 of the journal: to Isaac Pyke Esquire, deceased, £87 18s 11d; to Edward Johnson Esquire, deceased, £87 16s 0d; to Don Juan De Mesa y Arineo, deceased, £343 8s 0d; to Hernan Nicholls, deceased, £208 16s 9¼d. The Council understood these sums to have already been settled in England, and asked for directions on writing them off. 8: The Council recommended to the Court's consideration the enclosed petition of Thomas French, judging it deserving of notice. Interpretations The dry spell at the Cape, running eight or nine months without rain, explains why the Pelham's early departure struck the Council as such a serious setback. St Helena and its shipping depended heavily on the Cape for arrack and provisions to cover local shortfalls, so a drought there had direct consequences for the island's own supply, not merely for the Cape settlement itself. The list of debts owed to deceased persons, each carried in the Company's books years after the creditor's death, shows how personal accounts at St Helena remained open long after the individual had gone, with settlement often occurring in England independently of the island's own records. The Council's request for directions on writing them off reflects the standing difficulty of reconciling island bookkeeping with transactions concluded elsewhere. | |
277 | Books of Accounts, With all the Necessary Papers and are Honble Sirs Your Most obedient and Dutifull Servants (Signed) St Helena 8th Febry 1746 David Dunbar Chas. Hutchinson John Goodwin W. Curling R. Wright | Books of accounts, with all the necessary papers, accompanied the letter. The Council closed by describing itself as the Court's most obedient and dutiful servants, signing at St Helena on 8 February 1746 as David Dunbar, Charles Hutchinson, John Goodwin, M. Curling and R. Wright. | |
278 | List of the Honble Companys Paquet from St Helena pr the Post Boke Sloop dated 9th Febry 1746 viz:t No. 1 Governour and Councils Generall Letter dated 8th Febrary 1746 2 Duplicate of Governour & Councils Letter dated 21 July do 3 Do Consultations from 1st to 29th July 1746 4 Copy Do from 5th of August to 4th Febry 1746 5 Journall Nending 30th September 1746 6 Ledger N. ending Do. Do 7 List of Rents taken Do. Do 8 Do. of Familys taken Do. Do 9 Duplicate Cash account for the Month of June 1746 10 Do. Do. July Do. 11 Cash account for the Month of August. Do. 12 Do. Septem. Do. 13 Do. October. Do. 14 Do. November. Do. 15 Do. December. Do. 16 Do Janry Do. 17 Duplicate Ship Royall George account. 18 Do. Scarboroughs. Do. 19 Copy Ship Prince Edwards. Do. 20 Duplicate List Paquet pr Ship Royall George dated 21 July 1746 21 John Boyells Second Note of hand 22 Capt Fields Second Receipt for Goods sent on board him 23 Governours Letter to the Secrett Committee | The list of the packet the Company's ship Postillion carried from St Helena, dated 8 February 1746, included the following items. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter dated 8 February 1746. 2: A duplicate of the Governor and Council's letter dated 31 July. 3: Duplicate consultations from the 8th to the 29th of July 1746. 4: A copy of consultations from the 5th of August to the 8th of February 1746. 5: The journal ending 30 September 1746. 6: The ledger ending on the same date. 7: The list of rents taken on the same date. 8: The list of families taken on the same date. 9: A duplicate cash account for the month of June 1746. 10: A duplicate cash account for the month of July. 11: The cash account for the month of August. 12: The cash account for the month of September. 13: The cash account for the month of October. 14: The cash account for the month of November. 15: The cash account for the month of December. 16: The cash account for the month of January. 17: A duplicate account of the ship Royal George. 18: A duplicate account of the ship Scarborough. 19: A copy of the account of the ship Prince Edward. 20: A duplicate list of the packet by the ship Royal George dated 21 July 1746. 21: John Doyell's second promissory note. 22: Captain Field's second receipt for goods sent aboard him. 23: The Governor's letter to the Secret Committee. | |
279 | To the Honble &c Honble Sirs Your Ship the Prince Edward Captain Robert Haldane arrived here from England the 29th Decr last with twenty Nine Recruits and Sailed the 15th Janry following On the 4th Febry last arrived _____ your Sloop Portobello Captain Walter Hook and Sailed hence on the 10th of the same Month she was dispatched by the Governour of Fort St Davids with an Account of your Affairs at Madrass. The Generall Books of Account for the Year Ending the 30th Septr 1746 and the other annexed papers were sent your Honours by that Occasion. Captain Hook informed us that the London Capt. Sedgwick, was at Fort St George the 14th May last, and Sailed thence on her Voyage to China: When the Ships left the Cape the Prinfield - Capt. D'Abbadie, the Bombay Castle Capt. Brown and the Pelham, Capt. Lindsay (late Wells) were there, & the Onslow Capt. Jackson whose Supracargoes Mesrs. Adair, and Nelley were dead had Sailed from thence the 20th Decr for England By two Dutch Ships which arrived at Mesopo - tam in Batavia the beginning of Janry there came advice that the Onslow Capt. Cargrave was at Borneo, and had lost her Supracargoes Mesrs. May & Swinson. There was no news at the Cape or in India of the Northampton, Capt. Backwell, or the Prince of Orange Capt. Wentworth, Junr. On the 20th Febry last a from Prisdrs by fire under English Colours. Your Honours favor from the Swift &c we here the 15th & Sailed on the 15th March I received from Capt Ball pr the of the 23 of Decr last with your | To the Honble &c. Honble Sirs 1: The ship Prince Edward, Captain Robert Haldane, arrived from England on 21 December last with twenty nine recruits, and sailed on the 15th of January following. 2: On the fourth of February last there arrived the sloop Postillion, Captain Walter Hook, and sailed again on the sixteenth of the same month, dispatched by the Governor of Fort St David with an account of the Company's affairs at Madras. 3: The general books of account for the year ending 30 September 1746, with the other annual papers, went by that occasion. 4: Captain Hook reported that the ship London, Captain Sedgwick, had been at Fort St George on 14 May last and sailed thence on her voyage to China. 5: When the ships left the Cape there remained the Prosford, Captain Dilldare, the Bombay Castle, Captain Brown, and the Pelham, Captain Lindsay, Captain Wells being dead; and the Onslow, Captain Jackson, whose supercargoes Mr Adair and Mr Kelley were dead, had sailed thence on 20 December for England. 6: By two Dutch ships which arrived at Madeira from Batavia the beginning of January there came news that the Onslow, Captain Longhorne, was safe at Borneo, and had lost her supercargoes Mr May and Mr Swinton. 7: There was no news at the Cape or in India of the Northampton, Captain Backwell, or the Prince of Orange, Captain Wentworth. 8: On the 20th of February last a fire broke out in eighteen colours. 9: The Court's letter from the Swift, dated 15 October and sealed on the 15th of November, the Council received from Captain Bell, of the Lyell, dated 23 December last, with the Court's. | |
280 | Comission Constituting me your Governour. It is impossible for me to express the gratefull Sense I have of this Mark of your favour for Which I return yr. Honours my most humble and Hearty Thanks. I shall make it my Constant Care to discharge the Great Trust you have reposed in me by a Close Attention to your Interest & a Punctual Obedience to your Commands And I assure your Honours that I will in no respect be concerned in Trade. Colonl Dunbar yr late Govr having desired to pay 730 into the Honble Companys Cash here, I received that Sum of him the 24th of March and have given him a sett of Bills on your Honours of the Same Date payable to himself or Order Ninety days after Sight. On the 15th Instant arrived a Dane Ship from China called the Cronprintzburg Slot Capt. Ryder Builder Burthen 800 Tons 178 Men & 24 Guns laden with Tea & Chinaware: She Sailed from thence the 6th day of Janty Last [NS] where she left the Shaftesbury Capt. Matthew Dockey the Sandwich Capt. Dilves, & the Tavistock Capt. Thos. Coales. The Dane touched at Providence Island and Sailed thence the 6th day of Febry [NS] in Company with the London, Capt. Sedgwick, the Augusta Capt. Parker & the Walpole Capt. Lowe, all bound to the Cape They passed the 25th day of Febry Last [NS] in the Latitude of 21 South & Longitude 27½ from the height of Sunda. | 10: This new mark of favour, appointing him Governor, left him barely able to express the gratitude he felt, and he offered his most humble and hearty thanks for it. 11: He undertook to make it his constant care to deserve the great trust placed in him, through close attention to the Company's interest and a strict regard to its commands, and he gave the Court his assurance that he would concern himself in no way with private trade. 12: Colonel Dunbar, the late Governor, having desired to pay £730 into the Company's cash, the Council received that sum from him on 24 March and gave him a set of bills for the same amount, payable to himself ninety days after sight. 13: On the 15th of that month there arrived a Danish ship from China called the Chuinchuinburg, Captain Ryder Bursken, of 800 tons, 18 guns and 24 men, laden with tea and chinaware. She sailed again on the 6th of January new style, in company with the Shaftesbury, Captain Matthew Rookey, the Sandwich, Captain Petree, and the Tavistock, Captain Thomas Cokes. 14: The Danish ship had touched at Princes Island and sailed thence on the 6th of January new style in company with the London, Captain Sedgwick, the Augusta, Captain Parker, and the Walpole, Captain Lowe, all bound for the Cape. They passed the 25th of January last, new style, in latitude 21 south and longitude 27 east from the Meridian of London. | |
281 | On the 2d March [NS] the Dane was brot to in the Latitude 35° South to the Northward of the Cape Lagulas by two French Ships of fifty Guns each from Mauritius, commanded by Monsieur Bouvenon; As these French Ships had then advice of your Honours Ships the Emp. Suppose they may be Safe at the Cape: The French said they had been cruising there 27 days. Capt. Ridder further acquainted me that there hath not been one French Ship this Year in China I only two Danes, 2 Swedes, and three Dutch, a Country Ship from Madrass, & yr Honours 6 Ships beforemention'd On the 20th Instant Arrived another Dane Ship from China, called the Tyger, Capt. Rokelaskye Burthen 1000 Tons 176 Men. & 24 Guns laden with Tea & Chinaware: She left China the 13th Janry [NS] & yr Ships, Shaftesbury, Sandwich, and Tavistock there Which they heard were to Chine Fourteen days after. Tuesday April 21. Arrived the Somersett Capt. The Falcon from Bencoolen, & the Pelham Capt. Lindsay (late Wells) from Bombay, last from the Cape, Which they left the 4th Instant. They were met by yr Man of War the Swift the same day Capt. Lindsay informes me that the two French Ships (which one of the Danish Captains gave me an Account of) were in the Cape Bay part of the time he lay there, the largest carries 54 Guns, & 600 Men the Other was the Duchess Man of Warr mounts 40 Guns & has 400 Men on board; some of the people of these French Ships told Capt. Lindsay that Monsieur Labourdenais Came to Mauritius the day they Sailed from thence in a 74 Gun Ship that was dismasted. Capt. Lindsay likewise told me that when he was at Pottichery he was informed by an English Country Ship | 15: On the second instant, new style, the Danish ship was brought to in latitude 35 south, to the northward of Cape Agulhas, by two French ships of fifty guns each from Mauritius, commanded by Monsieur Boudinot. Since these French ships had then no news of the Court, the Danish captain supposed they might be safe at the Cape, and reported that the French ships had been cruising there for twenty seven days. 16: Captain Ridder further informed the Council that no French ship had been in China that year, only two Danish, two Swedish and three Dutch ships, a country ship from Madras, and the six ships of the Court already mentioned. 17: On the twentieth instant another Danish ship arrived from China, called the Tyger, Captain Rakelavigns, of 1,000 tons burden, 176 men and 24 guns, laden with tea and chinaware. She had left China on the thirteenth, new style, when the Shaftesbury, the Sandwich and the Tavistock were still there and expected to sail fourteen days after her. 18: On Tuesday the twenty first of April the Somerset, Captain Tolson, arrived from Bencoolen, together with the Pelham, Captain Lindsay, formerly Captain Wells, from Bombay but last from the Cape, which they had left on the fourth instant. Both ships were met by the Court's man of war Swift the same day. 19: Captain Lindsay reported that the two French ships, of which one of the Danish captains had given an account, lay in Table Bay for part of the time his own ship rode there. The larger carried fifty four guns and 600 men, and the other was an English man of war mounting 40 guns with 400 men aboard. Some of the French crews told Captain Lindsay that Monsieur Labourdonnais had reached Mauritius the day they sailed from there, aboard a dismasted seventy four gun ship. 20: Captain Lindsay further told the Council that while at [...] he had been informed by an English country ship. | |
282 | from Batavia, Commanded by Captain Purnell that yr Ship Onslow went from Bonjar the 20th Instant without Capt Cargrave. As this Goes by a Foreign Ship, I- defer giving Your Honours more Particular- Advices by this Occasion. I am &c. 25th April 1747. (Signd.) Chas. Hutchinson | That English country ship had come from Batavia, commanded by Captain Purnell, and reported that the Court's ship Onslow had sailed from Banjar on 20 July without Captain Congreve. 21: Since this letter went by a foreign ship, the Council deferred giving fuller particulars until another occasion. The letter closed at St Helena on 25 April 1747, signed by Charles Hutchinson. | |
283 | To the Honble &c Honble Sirs We recd. your Honours Letter of the 16 Janry 1746. We return you our Sincerest Thanks for the favours you have been pleased to Confer on us in the present Appointment and do Assure your Honours that We will Exert ourselves to the Utmost of our power in every thing for your Service. The last Advices to your Honours were sent by a Dane Ship who Sailed hence the 26 day of April Last for Europe, A Duplicate of which Letter is Enclosed with the Dane Captains Receipt for it. On the yr Ships Capt. Sedgwick, & the Augusta Capt. Parker, arrived here. and yesterday came in the Walpole, Capt. Lowe, all from China but last from the Cape. We take the Opportunity of sending this to you by a Dutch Ship called the Gebrouwiggeyd, Harmanus Sot, Commander, now passing the Island; the Boat came on Shore to Enquire for the Dutch Fleet and the Officer would not wait for us to | To the Honble &c Honble Sirs 1: The Council acknowledged the Court's letter of 16 January 1747. 2: The Council returned its sincere thanks for the favours shown in the present appointment, and assured the Court that its members would exert themselves to the utmost in its service. 3: The Council's last advices to the Court had gone by a Danish ship that sailed from St Helena on 26 April last for Europe. A duplicate of that letter went with this despatch, together with the Danish captain's receipt for it. 4: On the fourth instant the Court's ships London, Captain Sedgwick, and Augusta, Captain Barker, arrived, and on the following day the Walpole, Captain Lowe, came in, all from China but last from the Cape. 5: The Council took the opportunity of sending this letter by a Dutch ship called the Getrouwigheid, Harmanus Sod commander, then passing the island. Her boat had come ashore to enquire for the Dutch fleet, and the officer would not wait for the Council to write further. | |
284 | write more particularly to your Honours We are Honble Sirs Your most Dutifull and Obedient Servants (Signd) Chas. Hutchinson St Helena 18 May 1747. John Clark R. Wright | The Council promised to write more particularly to the Court on another occasion. The letter closed at St Helena on 18 May 1747, the Council describing itself as the Court's most dutiful and obedient servants, signed by Charles Hutchinson, John Clark and R. Wright. | |
285 | To the Honble &c. Honble Sirs. We wrote to yr Honours on the 18. May Last by a Dutch Ship, that passed the Island and have now Enclosed a Duplicate of that &c. On the 22. May Arrived a Dutch Ship from China, called the Schterland Captain John De Boes, Burthen 700 Tons, 90 Men, & 34 Guns, by whom this goes, and the 27th ditto came in another Dutch Ship from China called the Thoi Ruins, Capt. Hollis Dabijn Burthen 750 Tons 87 Men, & 32 Guns. They were both Laden with Tea and China Ware. The Dutch Ships left China the 5. Febry O.S. yr Ships the Sandwich, Tavistock, & Shaftesbury there, whi were to Sail in a fortnight after them. The Grantham Store Ship Capt. Nelson was dispatched within the limited time & Sailed hence the 5th Instant on her Voyage On the 7th Instant arrived a Swede Ship from China call'd the Frieden Capt. Eic Munro Burthen Burthen Seven hundred and Forty Tons one hundred and thirty four Men and Twenty five Guns laden with Tea and Chinaware. Mr. Samuel Doveton hath paid into the Honble Companys Cash here the Sum of Sixty Seven Pounds Six Shillings and Seven pence on Account of Capt. Mason for which Sum we have given Bills of Exchange on your Honours dated the 26 day of May Last payable to Captain Benjamin Mason or Order Ninety Days after Sight. Captain Thomas Sobron hath paid into the Honble Companys Cash here the Sum of Nine hundred Pounds for which We have given him Bills of Exchange on your Honours | To the Honble &c Honble Sirs The Council wrote to the Court on 18 May last by a Dutch ship that passed the island, and enclosed a duplicate of that letter with this despatch. On 22 May a Dutch ship arrived from China, called the Delderland, Captain John de Boer, of 700 tons, 90 men and 24 guns. By her the Council learned that on the 27th of that month there came in another Dutch ship from China, called the Zeeduyn, Captain Gerrit Dabijn, of 750 tons, 87 men and 32 guns. Both were laden with tea and chinaware. The Dutch ships had left China on the sixth of February, at which time the Sandwich, the Tavistock and the Shaftesbury were still there, and were to sail a fortnight after them. The Grantham, Captain Wilson, was dispatched within the allowed time and sailed on her voyage on the fifth instant. On the seventh instant a Swedish ship arrived from China, called the Freeden, Captain Van Mourick, burden 700 tons, and carrying 134 men and 25 guns, laden with tea and chinaware. Mr Samuel Doveton paid into the Court's cash the sum of £67 6s 7d on account of Captain Mason, for which sum bills of exchange were given, dated 26 May last, payable to Captain Benjamin Mason or order ninety days after sight. Captain Thomas Colson paid into the Court's cash the sum of £900, for which bills of exchange were likewise given. | |
286 | Honours dated 26 day of May Last payable to himself or Order Ninety Days after Sight. Mrs. Margaret Alloch hath paid into your Cash here the Sum of one hundred and Twenty Pounds for which We have given Bills on your Honours dated 2. June Payable to herself or Order Ninety Days after Sight. Mr. Matthew Curling hath paid into your Cash the Sum of Three hundred and Sixty one pounds for which we have given him Bills on your Honours Dated 2. June Payable to himself or Order Ninety Days after Sight. We are Honble Sirs Your most Dutifull and Obedient Servants. (Signd) Chas. Hutchinson John Clark R. Wright St Helena 11. June 1747 | Bills of exchange dated 26 May last, payable to himself or order ninety days after sight, were drawn on the Court for Captain Colson's sum. Mrs Margaret Abbott paid into the Court's cash the sum of £120, for which bills of exchange were given, dated 2 June, payable to herself or order ninety days after sight. Mr Matthew Curling paid into the Court's cash the sum of £361, for which bills of exchange were given, dated 2 June, payable to himself or order ninety days after sight. The letter closed at St Helena on 11 June 1747, the Council describing itself as the Court's most dutiful and obedient servants, signed by Charles Hutchinson, John Clark and R. Wright. | |
287 | To the Honble Court &c. Honble Sirs On the 4th Instant Sailed the two Dutch Ships by one of which we wrote to your Honours the Duplicate of that Letter is enclosed. This goes by the Frieden a Swede Ship. Mssrs. John Goodwin Francis Wrangham Senr. and Gabriel Harper have paid into your Cash here the Sum of Five hundred and Four Pounds Seven Shillings and Nine pence for which Sum we have given Bills on your Honours dated 12th Instant payable to them or their Order Ninety Days after Sight. Mr. Josiah Twynam hath paid into the Honble Companys Cash the Sum of Eighty pounds for which Sum we have given him Bills of Exchange on your Honours dated 12th Instant payable to himself or Order Ninety Days after Sight. We have not omitted Conformable to your Orders to write by every Opportunity that has offered. We are Honble Sirs Your most Dutifull and Obedient Servants (Signd.) Chas. Hutchinson John Clark R. Wright | To the Honble Court &c Honble Sirs On the fourth instant the two Dutch ships sailed, and by one of them the Council wrote to the Court, a duplicate of that letter being enclosed. This despatch went by the Freeden, a Swedish ship. Messrs John Goodwin, Francis Wrangham senior and Gabriel Harper paid into the Court's cash the sum of £504 7s 9d, for which sum bills of exchange were given, dated 12 instant, payable to themselves or order ninety days after sight. Mr Josiah Wrangham paid into the Court's cash the sum of £80, for which sum bills of exchange were given on the Court, dated 12 instant, payable to himself or order ninety days after sight. The Council had not failed to write conformably to the Court's orders by every opportunity that offered. The letter closed, the Council describing itself as the Court's most dutiful and obedient servants, signed by Charles Hutchinson, John Clark and R. Wright. | |
288 | To the Honble &c.d Honble Sirs. We wrote to yr Honrs the 13th Instant by ye Frieden a Swede Ship, & have now enclosed a Duplicate of that Letter. We are glad to hear of our last years Letters & of the Safe Arrival of your Ships & hope the like Success will attend the present fleet & at your Actions. We are obliged to yr Honrs for the list of Shipping you transmitted us by the Onslow Ship. The Stores you have been pleased to send are Extreamly Acceptable on Account of the Scarcity of Provisions this hath been here for some time past. The Store Ship was unladed & the necessary dispatches given to the Comdr. within the limited time. The Stores have been Recd. and Examined by Mr. Robert Wright & the Storekeeper in the presence of see appointed by Capt. Wilson & a report of the same is enclosed in Case of Dr. Junes. We are Sorry the advice of Mr. Dunbar's Bills was omitted, but be assured yr Honrs that yr precisions for the future shall be more particularly complyed with. The Cash Accounts & the pray master Accounts shall be altered & kept in the manner you order. We shall follow your Honrs Directions in signing the Diary & consultations on the approval of them. The general Table shall be managed with the greatest frugality, & no unnecessary Expences allowed. As you do not approve of Advancing money to the Soldiers to Refit before their time is Expired, it shall not be continued. | To the Honourable &c Honourable Sirs 1: The Council had written to the Court on the 13th instant by the Freeden, a Swedish ship, and now enclosed a duplicate of that letter. 2: The Council was glad to learn that the previous year's letters had been received and that the Court's ships had arrived safely, and hoped for the same success with the present fleet and all the Court's affairs. 3: The Council thanked the Court for the list of shipping sent by the Onslow. 4: The stores the Court had sent were extremely welcome, provisions having been scarce at the island for some time. 5: The store ship was unloaded and dispatched again within the time allowed. Mr Robert Wright and the storekeeper examined and received the stores in the presence of a person appointed by Captain Wilson, and a report of the examination was enclosed with the letter of 2 June. 6: The Council regretted that word of Mr Dunbar's debts had been left out of an earlier letter, but assured the Court that its instructions would be followed more closely in future. 7: The cash accounts and the paymaster's accounts would be altered and kept in the manner the Court had ordered. 8: The Council would follow the Court's directions in keeping the diary and the consultations as approved. 9: The general table would be managed with the greatest economy, and no unnecessary expense allowed. 10: Since the Court did not approve of advancing money to soldiers to buy out their service before their time expired, the practice would not continue. | |
289 | The Inhabitants shall have free liberty to purchase what they may want from your Ships without any hinderance or Molestation The late Govr. Goodwins Estate is Debited in your Books for the Sum of 910 you joined the Debts of Est. Larger. The Debtors to the said Estate have been called upon & the payments have made, & the Demands they have brought in with their sett ther are Entered in a Separate Accounts transmitted your Honours. The Govr. did not Approve or disallow of their demands for want of your Directions but referre them to your Honours There having been no demands made on the Estates of Edward Johnson Esqr. decd Isaac Boyle Esqr. decd Don Juan de Mesqry Aninio & Hemans Nicholls deceased they are wrote off your Books here according to your Orders, he also the debt of Duke Enigne Esqr. by Account Courant London. We shall pay the Revd. Mr. Loveday the Salary of 50 St Henman as you have Ordered. We make no question of his Behaving Suitable to his Function, he shall not fail to give him all due Encouragement He dyets at the General Table, but as all the Companys honours are prejudiced, we have allowed him the Usual Sum of ten pounds P dannum to pay for an Apartment he is in till he can otherwise Accommodate him. All your Honours demands on the Estate of the late Govr. Goodwin are Satisfied, and we shall wait for your directions about the Legacy to Eleanor Worralls. The Master Gunner shall have the Allowance of Coalking You have been pleased to Order him. Mrs. Alcock hath been acquainted that you do not Approve of your allowing her a Pension. We will send your Honours Exact Accounts of all Stores, you are pleased to Order us, with the quality of the same, and the Deficits, if any. Mr. Richard Beale hath been given the Allowance you directed for Officiating in Mr. Alcocks place in the arrival of the Revd. Mr. Loveday. | 11: The inhabitants would have free liberty to purchase what they wanted from the Court's ships without hindrance or molestation. 12: The late Governor Goodwin's estate was debited in the Court's books for the sum of £910, which the Court had joined to the estates of Crispe and Cripps. The debtors to those estates had been called upon, and the payments they had made, together with the demands brought in against their debts, were entered in a separate account transmitted to the Court. The Council had not approved or disallowed any of these accounts for want of the Court's directions, and referred them to the Court. 13: There having been no demands made on the estates of Edward Johnson Esquire, deceased, Isaac Pyke Esquire, deceased, Don Juan de Mesa y Arineo and Hernan Nicholls, deceased, they were written off the Council's books according to the Court's orders, as also was the debt of Duke Crispe Esquire, by account current at London. 14: The Council would pay the Reverend Mr Loveday, the chaplain, his salary of £50 per annum as the Court had ordered. It raised no question as to his behaviour being suitable to his function, and would not fail to give him all due encouragement. He dined at the general table, but as the Company's servants were now restricted from this, the Council had allowed him the usual sum of £10 per annum to pay for an apartment where he might otherwise accommodate himself. 15: All the Court's demands upon the estate of the late Governor Goodwin were satisfied, and the Council would await the Court's directions about the legacy to Eleanor Worrall. 16: The Court's gunner would have the allowance of clothing the Court had been pleased to bestow upon him. 17: Mrs Wroath had been acquainted that the Court did not approve of allowing her a pension. 18: The Council would send the Court's yearly accounts of all stores, showing the quantity of the same and the deficiency, if any. 19: Mr Richard Beale had been paid the allowance ordered for officiating in Mr Alcock's place until the arrival of the Reverend Mr Loveday. | |
290 | The Slaves that are sent from Bencoolen have been and shall be kept to hard Labour & that used altogether proper means made use of to cure them of their bad dispositions, but We are much afraid they will be found Incorrigible for two of them that were sent the last Year further On the 22d day of February last, Indeed several times to accompany them & went away with a Boat from thereby Day & have never since been heard of A more Particular Account of this Affair is Entered in Consultation of 3d March 1746. We have Endeavoured to provide ourselves with Money for the Service of the current Year by giving Bills on your Honours for all Sums that were offered but not being able to get sufficient, We were obliged as pr end of St June to take one of the Chests of Treasure out of the Onslow yt were consigned to Bencoolen for the needfull Expences of the Garrison for the Ensuing Year & duely advised the Deputy Govr. & Council therewith. The Accomptant hath been directed to carry his Journalls Entries Over from one page to another in the Method You have prescribed. No Allowance whatever shall be made for Short Short weight or Measure but such as palpably Appear to be just & Reasonable Every damaged & broken Provision ye stores shall be Sold as Outcry for the Best it will fetch & the Produce thereof carried to your Honours account & the Storekeeper shall make good what is lost, after such reasonable Allowance is made him, instead of Writing them off to Profit & Loss. The Commodrs shall have free liberty to sell as they shall think best. All Goods, Wares, & Merchandizes, as your Honrs are pleased to Permit them to bring hither. | 20: The slaves sent from Bencoolen had been kept to hard labour, and the Council had used every proper means to cure them of their bad dispositions, but feared they would prove incorrigible. Two of those sent the previous year had run off on 22 February last, when several others tried to accompany them and went away with a boat from Sandy Bay; the Council had never since heard more of the affair, a fuller account of it entered in the consultation of 3 March 1746. 21: The Council had endeavoured to provide itself with money for the current year's service by drawing bills on the Court for all sums offered, but not being able to get sufficient, it was obliged, as of 8 June, to take one of the chests of treasure out of the strongbox that was consigned to Bencoolen for the necessary expenses of the garrison for the coming year, and had duly advised the Deputy Governor and Council of this. 22: The accountant had been directed to carry his journal entries from one page to another in the manner the Court had prescribed. 23: No allowance would be made for short weight or short measure, but only for goods justly and reasonably damaged, decayed or broken. Such goods would be sold at outcry for the most they would fetch, and the proceeds carried to the Court's account, the storekeeper making good what was lost after such reasonable allowance was made him, instead of writing it off entirely to profit and loss. 24: The inhabitants would have free liberty to sell, as they always had, all goods, wares and merchandise, since the Court was pleased to permit them to bring the same to market. | |
291 | Mr. Jas. Sewell hath been paid his Salary & Diet Money during his suspension. In Case the Troops do not pay for their Hardpaunty Beef in Store during the War, we will receive the Money for it, In time of Peace amount upon Store as usual. If We happen to have any proper or other Commodities that do not hire out good. We will always with one Complaint transmit to your Honours proper Samples of the same and particular care shall be taken to keep the Magazine bare in a dry place. We shall have all due regard to the Greatness of the Trust You have been pleased to prove in the by Committing the Government of the Island to our Charge. The Fortifications in General are in pretty good Order, & where they are not the greatest Care and Expedition shall be used to make and keep them wear for as there are Materials for that purpose, Turbeck fee- being wanted for Platforms & Limestone Stone. The Law of England Your Honours standing Orders, and the Customs of your Island shall be the constant guide for our Proceedings & Nothing shall be wanting in us that may conduce to the ease and happyness of the Inhabitants. Mr. John Goodwin & Mr. Matthew Curling being no longer of Council, Mr. Robert Wright acts as Secretary, Mr. John Goodwin is Accomptant & Mr. Matthew Curling as Storekeeper & they shall be paid the Salarys You have decided The Paymasters & all Other Accounts shall be Carefully Examined and Entered in the Usual Manner. Mr. Saml Doveton hath paid into the Honble Compys Cash here the Sum of 67 £ &c on Account of Capt. Mason For which Sum We have given Bills of Exchange on your Honrs dated the 26th day of May payable to Capt. Benjamin Mason or Order 90 days after Sight. There shall be a free & open trade on the Island to all Persons. Nor will We trade contrary to your Honours Instructions to the Oppression of the Inhabitants in any manner. Mr. Blood the Mason shall be paid at 40 a year Diet Money | 25: Mr James Purcell had been paid his salary and diet during his suspension. 26: Should the Court not pay for beef or stores supplied under charter party during the war, the Council would recover the money for it in the usual manner once peace returned. 27: Where any commodities sent out did not turn out well, the Council would always send the Court proper samples of the same without complaint, and particular care would be taken to keep the storehouse in a dry place. 28: The Council would have all due regard to the trust the Court had reposed in it by committing the government of the island to its charge. The fortifications stood in general in fairly good order, and where they did not the greatest care and expedition would be used to put them right, so far as materials allowed, Purbeck stone being wanted for the platforms and limestone for the stairs. The laws of England, the Court's standing orders and the island's own customs would remain the constant guide for the Council's proceedings, and nothing would be wanting on its part that might add to the ease and happiness of the inhabitants. 29: Mr John Goodwin and Mr Matthew Purling being no longer of the Council, Mr Robert Wright acted as secretary, Mr John Goodwin as accountant and Mr Matthew Purling as storekeeper, and they would be paid the salaries the Court had directed. The paymaster's accounts and all other accounts would be carefully examined and entered in the usual manner. 30: Mr Samuel Doveton had paid into the Court's cash the sum of £67 6s 7d on account of Captain Mason, for which sum bills of exchange had been given on the Court, dated 26 May, payable to Captain Benjamin Mason or order ninety days after sight. 31: There would be free and open trade on the island for all persons, and the Council would not trade contrary to the Court's instructions to the oppression of the inhabitants in any manner. 32: Mr [...] the [...] would be paid £40 a year during [...]. Interpretations Removing Mr Goodwin and Mr Purling from the Council while keeping the former as accountant and the latter as storekeeper shows a working distinction between political authority and technical employment. A man might lose his voice in governing the island yet remain indispensable to running its books and its stores, the two kinds of trust evidently judged separately rather than rising or falling together. Deferring payment for charter-party beef and stores until peacetime, rather than seeking it from the Court at once, shows the war with France reaching into the Company's ordinary financial dealings at St Helena, not merely its shipping and intelligence. The arrangement meant the island's own creditors had to wait on the war's outcome for money already owed them, the same conflict that had cost the Company Fort St George now shaping how routine debts were settled at home. | |
292 | Money as you have Directed. We will take due care that the Forty Pounds Advanced by you on Bond to Mr. Loveday shall be Discharged out of his growing Salary. Mr. Dunbar hath together with his Neice and Servants been Entertained at your Honours Table He has had the whole Castle to himself and during his Stay was treated with all possible respect, He having Chose to go home upon the Ship Pelham Capt. Lindsay we Directed the Captain to receive him on board and afford him all needfull Accommodations on the Voyage at his Own Charge. The late Council whom your thanks for the Disapprobation you have been pleased to Show to Mr. Dunbar forring them. From the receipt of your Honours Letter by the Ship Grantham all Affairs here have been transacted in Council as you have therein Directed. We thank your Honours for the hopes you give us of having another Ship here this Year. We have appointed Mr Richard Curling your Overseer as a Person the best Qualified for it, he having been several Years in that Branch: We have allowed Sixty pounds P Annum for his trouble to Continue till we receive your Further Directions. 38 &c | 32: An allowance of £40 a year would be paid, following the Court's directions. 33: The Council would take due care that the forty pounds advanced on bond to Mr Loveday should be discharged out of his growing salary. 34: Mr Dunbar, together with his niece and servants, had been entertained at the Court's table. He had had the whole castle to himself, and during his stay was treated with all possible respect. He having chosen to go home upon the ship Pelham, Captain Lindsay, the Council directed the captain to receive him aboard and afford him all necessary accommodation on the voyage at his own charge. 35: The late Council received the Court's thanks for the disapprobation the Court had been pleased to show Mr Dunbar, fining him. 36: From the receipt of the Court's letter by the ship Grantham, all affairs at the island had been transacted in Council as the Court had therein directed. 37: The Council thanked the Court for the hope given of another ship this year. It had appointed Mr Richard Girling as overseer, a person well qualified for the post, having served several years in that branch, and had allowed him sixty pounds a year for his trouble, to continue until further directions were received. 38: [...] Interpretations Girling's sixty pounds a year, granted only until further directions arrived from London, shows how far a colonial council's own authority to fix pay actually extended. It could appoint a qualified man and set his wage at once, meeting an immediate need, but the arrangement stood provisional until the Court confirmed or altered it, the real power to settle the matter permanently resting three thousand miles away. Speculations Once the Court had shown its disapprobation of Dunbar and fined him, the obvious course for the Council might have been to scale back the courtesies due a Governor whose conduct London had just censured. Instead it gave him the whole castle to himself and every mark of respect, while still carrying out the fine and requiring him to pay his own passage home. The Council seems to have treated personal deference owed to former rank and formal censure of past conduct as two entirely separate accounts, honouring the man even as it executed the Court's judgement against him. | |
293 | The Planters shall have free liberty to turn their Cattle into the Great Wood whenever there is Grass to spare and it can be done without prejudice to your Honours Stocks Captain Thomas Solon hath paid into the Honble Companys Cash here the Sum of Nine hundred Pounds for which we have given him Bills of Exchange on your Honours Dated 2. day of May Last payable to himself or Order Ninety Days after Sight. The Last Season hath been and the present is very Dry and there is so little Grass in the Pastures that we have been for some time Obliged and Still are necessitated to give Plantain Juices and the Leaves of the Gumwood to your Neat Cattle which is the Chief support of a great Manny of them, many of the Planters are obliged to feed their Stocks in the same manner. The Sheep, Goats, and Hoggs are likewise in a very lean and Low Condition. The Honourable Company have already lost forty Nine Beasts, and many more will inevitably Perish from this Extraordinary Draught The Governour hath transmitted a State of your Stocks and Plantations to your Honours taken 24 March last, which will in some measure Account for their being in so bad a Condition There has been a Distemper among the Poultry | 38: The planters would have free liberty to turn their cattle into the Great Wood whenever there was grass to spare, provided this could be done without harm to the Court's own stocks. 39: Captain Thomas Colson had paid into the Court's cash the sum of £900, for which bills of exchange had been given on the Court, dated 26 May last, payable to himself or order ninety days after sight. 40: The past season had been, and the present continued to be, very dry, and so little grass grew in the pastures that the Council had for some time been forced to give plantain leaves and the leaves of the gum wood to the Court's cattle, the chief support of a great many of them, many of the planters being obliged to feed their own stock in the same manner. The sheep, goats and hogs were likewise in a very lean and low condition. The Court had already lost forty nine head, and many more would inevitably perish from this extraordinary drought. 41: The Governor had transmitted a state of the Court's stocks and plantations taken on 25 March last, which would in some measure account for their being in so poor a condition. 42: There had been a distemper among the [...] | |
294 | Poultry which hath Swept away so many of them that few are left upon the Island: the Numbers that have Died amount upon a Moderate Computation to upwards of one Thousand Turkeys and Two Thousand Fowls besides the Honble Companys which are also near all lost As in all probability we shall receive no further Supply of Rice, than what the Pelham has brought us, we shall be put to very great Difficulties to get Provisions for your Blacks as your Plantations are Young, and not of a proper Growth to be Dug, and were they fully Grown would not afford a sufficient Quantity of Yam for them, we shall therefore be obliged to buy from such Planters as have any to spare Your Honours will Judge from this representation how needfull it may be to have Six or Eight Months provisions here in advance to Assist in any Exigencies of this Nature which May happen for the future from the failure of the Seasons. By the Voluntary Assistance of the Inhabitants there is Erected at Sandy Bay near the Middle of the Beach a Work for Six Six Pounders with a good Magazine for Powder, a Plan of which goes Enclosed We are obliged from the Want of Turbeck to cut some of the Island Stone for Platforms which tho' not so durable We now make use of, the Guns being of no Service without them | poultry, which has swept away so many of them that few are left upon the island. The numbers that have died amount, upon a moderate computation, to upwards of one thousand turkeys and two thousand fowls, besides the Court's own, which are also nearly all lost. 43: As in all probability the Council would receive no further supply of rice than what the Pelham had brought, it would be put to very great difficulties to get provisions for the Court's slaves, as the plantations were young and not of a proper growth to be dug, and even where fully grown would not afford a sufficient quantity of yams for them. The Council would therefore be obliged to buy from such planters as had any to spare. 44: The Court would judge from this account how needful it might be to have six or eight months' provisions kept in advance, to assist in any emergencies of this nature that might arise in future from the failure of the seasons. 45: By the voluntary assistance of the inhabitants, there had been erected at Sandy Bay, near the middle of the beach, a work for six six pounders with a good magazine for powder, a plan of which went enclosed. The Council was obliged, from the want of Purbeck stone, to cut some of the island stone for platforms, which did not so well endure, and now made use of it, the guns being of no service without them. | |
295 | Several of the Natives of this Island who have been upwards of Six Years in your Service or Soldiers but not under Contract & having applied for their Discharges or Money to Enlist we desire your Directions whether we should enlist them on the same Terms with the rest of the Garrison or not. Mrs. Margaret Alcock hath paid into your Cash here the Sum of £122 for which We have given Bills on your Honours dated 2. June payable to herself or Order Ninety days after sight. Mr. Matthew Curling hath paid into your Cash the Sum of £341 for which We have given him Bills on your Honours dated 2. June payable to himself or Order ninety days after sight. We are under a great Inconvenience for want of an Armourer not haveing had any but Black Men in the Shop for above twelve Months past We therefore desire you are be pleased to send us a older Man of that Business & who is a good workman. We were in great Expectation of a Surgeons Mate by the Ship as there is no One Capable of supplying his place in Case of an Accident to the Surgeon, We hope yr Honours will send a well qualifyed person by the first Opportunity Messrs John Goodwin, Francis Wrangham Senr. and Gabriel Harper have paid into your Cash here the Sum of £504.7.9 for which Sum We have given Bills of Exchange on your Honours dated 12th Instant payable to them or their Order 90 days after sight. | 46: Several of the natives of this island who had served upwards of six years, as soldiers but not under contract, having applied for their discharge or money in lieu of it, the Council desired the Court's directions whether they should be released on the same terms as the rest of the garrison or not. 47: Mrs Margaret Abbott had paid into the Court's cash the sum of £122, for which bills had been given on the Court, dated 2 June, payable to herself or order ninety days after sight. 48: Mr Matthew Curling had paid into the Court's cash the sum of £361, for which bills had been given him on the Court, dated 2 June, payable to himself or order ninety days after sight. 49: The Council was under great inconvenience for want of an armourer, not having had any but black men in the shop for the past twelve months, and therefore desired the Court would be pleased to send out a sober man of that trade who was also a good workman. 50: The Council was in great expectation of a surgeon's mate by the store ship, there being no one capable of supplying his place in case of an accident to the surgeon, and hoped the Court would send a well qualified person by the first opportunity. 51: Messrs John Goodwin, Francis Wrangham and Gabriel Harper had paid into the Court's cash the sum of £504 7s 9d, for which sum bills of exchange had been given on the Court, dated 12 instant, payable to them or their order ninety days after sight. Interpretations The men described in paragraph 46 had served upwards of six years as soldiers "but not under contract", a distinction that reveals a two-tier system in the garrison: formally engaged soldiers on fixed terms, and locally recruited men who served alongside them without ever signing on the same footing. Their long service blurred a line the Council still felt bound to observe when deciding how, or whether, to discharge them. The reliance on black tradesmen to staff the armoury for a full year, described in paragraph 49, points to a shortage of free skilled labour at the island rather than any deliberate choice of who should do the work. The request for a sober, competent replacement suggests the arrangement was tolerated only for want of an alternative, not favoured on its own account. Speculations In paragraph 46, the obvious course, given that these men had served as long as any contracted soldier, would have been to release them on the same terms as the rest of the garrison. Instead the Council declined to decide the matter itself and referred it to the Court, the men's want of a formal contract evidently enough to unsettle a claim that their years of service alone might otherwise have secured. | |
296 | Mr. Joshua Twynam hath paid into the Honble Comp. Cash here the Sum of £80 for which Sum We have given Bills of Exchange on your Honours dated 12th Instant payable to himself or Order 90 days after sight. The Attorneys of Capt. Francis Steward have paid into your Cash the Sum of £415. for wch We have given Bills of Exchange on your Honours dated 12th Instant payable to Capt. Francis Steward or Order 90 days after sight. We beg leave to recommend to your Consideration the Enclosed petition of Thomas French, as a person deserving of Notice, as also the petition of Richard Curling Overseer. Just upon the Closing our Letter Capt. George Lindsay of the Ship Pelham applyed to us for £80, for which he hath given Bills of Exchange on Thomas Lockyer Esqr. payable to your Honours or Order 30 days after sight. This goes by the Walpole, & the Men at Days Duplicates by yr Ships the Somersett, We are, Honble Sirs. Your Most Dutyfull & Obedient Servts. Chas. Hutchinson. John Clark R. Wright St Helena 16th June 1747. List of the Packett Ord. p. Walpoles.
from 13th March 1746 to 13th May 1747. | 52: Mr Joshua Wrangham had paid into the Court's cash the sum of £80, for which sum bills of exchange had been given on the Court, dated 12 instant, payable to himself or order ninety days after sight. 53: The attorneys of Captain Francis Steward had paid into the Court's cash the sum of £415, for which bills of exchange had been given on the Court, dated 12 instant, payable to Captain Francis Steward or order ninety days after sight. 54: The Council recommended to the Court's consideration the enclosed petition of Thomas French, as a person deserving of notice, as also the petition of Richard Girling, overseer. 55: Just upon closing this letter, Captain George Lindsay of the ship Pelham applied to the Council for £80, for which he had given bills of exchange on Thomas Lockyer Esquire, payable to the Court or order thirty days after sight. 56: This letter went by the Walpole, and its duplicate by the Somerset. The letter closed, the Council describing itself as the Court's most dutiful and obedient servants, signed at St Helena, 16 June 1747, by Charles Hutchinson, John Clark and R. Wright. List of the packet by the Walpole. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter dated 16 June 1747. 2: A duplicate of the Governor and Council's general letter dated 18 June 1747. 3: A duplicate of consultations from the fifth of August to the fourth of February 1746. 4: A copy of the same from the seventeenth of February to the third of March 1746. 5: The diary of the proceedings of Charles Hutchinson Esquire, Governor, from 13 March 1746 to 13 May 1747. Interpretations Captain Lindsay's request for £80 arriving just as the letter was about to close, requiring the Council to add a fresh paragraph rather than hold the despatch, shows how tightly these accounts were run against the sailing of the ship carrying them home. A transaction settled after the letter was substantially finished still had to be recorded before the Walpole sailed, rather than wait for the next occasion. | |
297 |
| 6: Copy of consultations from 14 May to 19 June 1747. 7: Duplicate list of rents taken 30 September 1746. 8: A duplicate of the list of families taken on the same date. 9: A list of the Court's slaves taken 16 March 1746. 10: An account of the Court's stock taken 24 March 1747. 11: An account of the late Governor Goodwin's debtors taken 17 April 1747. 12: A duplicate cash account for the month of August 1746. 13: A duplicate cash account for the month of September. 14: A duplicate cash account for the month of October. 15: A duplicate cash account for the month of November. 16: A duplicate cash account for the month of December. 17: A duplicate cash account for the month of January. 18: A cash account for the month of February. 19: A duplicate cash account from the 1st to the 12th of March. 20: A duplicate cash account from the 13th to the 31st of March 1747. 21: A duplicate cash account for the month of April. 22: A duplicate cash account for the month of May. 23: A duplicate cash account from the 1st to the 15th of June. 24: A list of the remains of stores taken 30 May 1747. 25: A duplicate list of marriages and so forth. 26: A duplicate list of officers and servants taken 15 June 1747. 27: A duplicate list of the arrival and departure of ships. 28: The indent for stores wanted for the year 1748. 29: A duplicate list of medicines. 30: A duplicate of the Prince Edward's account. 31: The ship London's account. 32: A duplicate of the Walpole's account. 33: A duplicate of the Pelham's account. 34: A duplicate of the Somerset's account. 35: A duplicate of the Grantham's account. | |
298 |
| 36: The ship Augusta's account. 37: A list of the remains of the gunner's stores taken 30 May 1747. 38: Captain Lindsay's first bill of exchange. 39: The Governor's letter to the Secret Committee. 40: A first receipt for the packet by the Postillion. 41: A second receipt for the same, by the Danish ship called the Tyger. 42: A first receipt for the same, by the Getrouwigheid, a Dutch ship. 43: A receipt for the same, by the Delderland, a ditto. 44: A receipt for the same, by the Freeden, a Swedish ship. 45: A duplicate list of the packet dated 8 February 1746. 46: A plan of the new battery at Sandy Bay. List of the packet by the Somerset. 1: A duplicate of the Governor and Council's general letter, dated 16 June 1747. 2: A letter from the Governor and Council of Fort St David. 3: A duplicate of consultations from 17 February to 3 March 1746. 4: A duplicate of the diary of the proceedings of Charles Hutchinson Esquire, Governor, from 13 March 1746 to 13 May 1747. 5: A duplicate of consultations from 14 May to 9 June 1747. 6: A duplicate of the account of the Court's black people taken 15 March 1747. 7: A duplicate of the account of the Court's stock taken 24 March 1746. 8: A duplicate of the account of the late Governor Goodwin's debtors taken 17 April 1747. 9: A duplicate cash account for February 1746. 10: A duplicate cash account from the 1st to the 12th of March, ditto. 11: A duplicate cash account from the 13th to the 31st, ditto, 1747. 12: A duplicate cash account for April 1747. 13: A duplicate cash account for May, ditto. 14: A duplicate cash account from the 1st to the 15th of June, ditto. 15: A duplicate list of the remains of stores taken 30 May 1747. 16: A duplicate list of marriages and so forth. | |
299 | Duplicate List of Officers & Servants &c taken 15th June 1747. Do. of the Arrival & Departure of Ships. Do. Indent for Store wanted for the Year 1748. Do. Indent for Medicines for 1748. Do. Ship London's Account. Do. Walpoles Do. Do. Pelhams Do. Do. Somersets Do. Do. Granthams Do. Do. Augustas Do. Do. List of remains of Gunners Stores Govrs. Ltr to the Secret Committee. 2d Copy for the Packett p the Gebrowwiggyd, a Dutch Ship. 2d Do. p the Schterland Do. 2d Do. p the Freeden, a Swede Ship. Duplicate List of the Packett p the Walpoles. Do. Plan of the New Battery at Sandy Bay. 2d Copy for the Packett p Portobello Sloop. Capt. Lindsays 2d. Bill of Exchange. | 17: A duplicate list of officers and servants and so forth, taken 15 June 1747. 18: A duplicate list of the arrival and departure of ships. 19: A duplicate of the indent for stores wanted for the year 1748. 20: A duplicate of the indent for medicines for 1748. 21: A duplicate of the ship London's account. 22: A duplicate of the Walpole's account. 23: A duplicate of the Pelham's account. 24: A duplicate of the Somerset's account. 25: A duplicate of the Grantham's account. 26: A duplicate of the Augusta's account. 27: A duplicate list of the remains of the gunner's stores. 28: The Governor's letter to the Secret Committee. 29: A second receipt for the packet by the Getrouwigheid, a Dutch ship. 30: A second receipt for the same, by the Delderland, ditto. 31: A second receipt for the same, by the Freeden, a Swedish ship. 32: A duplicate list of the packet by the Walpole. 33: A duplicate plan of the new battery at Sandy Bay. 34: A second receipt for the packet by the Postillion. 35: Captain Lindsay's second bill of exchange. | |
300 | To the Honble &c. Honble Sirs. On the 16th June Last Sailed yr Ships the Walpole, Capt. Lowe, the Somersett, Capt. Tolson, the London, Capt. Sedgwick, the Augusta, Capt. Parker & the Pelham, Capt. Lindsay. By the Walpole, & Somersett We sent Copys, & Duplicates of our Annual Advices of ye 16th June. On the 18th Instant arrived a Swede Ship from China, by whom We send this, called the Princess Royall Louisa Ulrica, Capt. Carlewen Creutiger Commr. Burthen 640 Tons, 30 Guns, & 120 Men, laden with Tea & Chinaware. The Capt. Informed us that yr Ships the Shaftesbury Sandwich, & Tavistock left China the 10th Febry O.S. & that on the 13th April had Meet with the Prince Edward Capt. Haldane in the Straits of Sunda. We request yr Honrs to add to our former Indent 12 Watring Butts for Bedroms, & two hundred pair of Strong White Metle Shoe Buckles for Soldiers The fishing Hooks that came by the Grantham this Year were much too small for the fishing here, being ground fishing We therefore desire your Honours to direct that those that are next sent us may be larger & of the Sizes from No. 2. to 7. & no small ones. When any of your Soldiers here have served their Contracted time & are desirous of returning to England & the Comm. Shd. refuse to take them without their passage being paid or an Order to receive them on board, We shd. be glad to receive your direction how to proceed in such Cases. We think it proper to advise yr Honrs again | To the Honble &c Honble Sirs On the 16th of June last the Court's ships Walpole, Captain Lowe, the Somerset, Captain Tolson, the London, Captain Sedgwick, the Augusta, Captain Parker, and the Pelham, Captain Lindsay, sailed. By the Walpole and the Somerset the Council sent home duplicates of its annual advices for the year. On the 12th of that month there arrived a Swedish ship from China, by whom the Council sent this letter, called the Princess Royal of Sweden, Captain Carleson Frautiger commander, burden 640 tons, 30 guns and 120 men, laden with tea and chinaware. The captain informed the Council that the Court's ships the Shaftesbury, the Sandwich and the Tavistock had left China on the 10th of February new style, and that on the 13th of April they fell in with the Prince Edward, Captain Haldane, in the Straits of Sunda. The Council asked the Court to add to its former indent nineteen watering butts for the garrison and two hundred pairs of strong white metal shoe buckles for the soldiers. The fishing hooks sent by the Grantham this year were much too small for the fishing ground here, and the Council therefore desired the Court to direct that those sent in future be larger and of the size numbered 2, not the small ones. When any of the soldiers here had served their contracted time and were desirous of returning to England, and the commanders refused to take them without their passage being paid, the Council wished to receive the Court's directions on how to proceed in such cases. The Council thought it proper to advise the Court again. | |
301 | of what Bills We have drawn on you this Year, wch are as follows Vizt. One Bill Dated 26th May Last for £67.6.7 payable to Capt. Benjn. Mason or Order 90 days after sight. One Bill dated 26th May Last for £900. payable to Capt. Thos. Tolson or Order 90 days after sight. One Bill dated 2. June Last for £120 payable to Mrs Margt. Alcock or Order Ninety days after sight. One Bill dated 2. June Last for £341. payable to Mr. Matthew Curling or Order 90 days after sight. One Bill dated 12. June Last for £504.7.9 payable to Messrs John Goodwin, Francis Wrangham Senr. & Gabriel Harper or their Order 90 days after sight. One Bill dated the 12th June Last for £80 payable to Mr. Joshua Twynam or Order 90 days after sight. One Bill dated 13th June Last for £415. payable to Capt. Francis Steward or Order 90 days after sight. One Bill dated 13th June Last for £100 payable to Mr. Monson Esqr. or Order 90 days after sight. We are. Honble Sirs Your Most Obedient & Most humble Servts Chas. Hutchinson John Clark R. Wright. 18th July 1747 | of what bills the Council had drawn on the Court this year, which were as follows. One bill dated 26 May last for £67 6s 7d, payable to Captain Benjamin Mason or order ninety days after sight. One bill dated 26 May last for £900, payable to Captain Thomas Colson or order ninety days after sight. One bill dated 2 June last for £120, payable to Mrs Margaret Abbott or order ninety days after sight. One bill dated 2 June last for £361, payable to Mr Matthew Curling or order ninety days after sight. One bill dated 12 June last for £504 7s 9d, payable to Messrs John Goodwin, Francis Wrangham senior and Gabriel Harper or their order ninety days after sight. One bill dated 12 June last for £80, payable to Mr Joshua Wrangham or order ninety days after sight. One bill dated 13 June last for £415, payable to Captain Francis Steward or order ninety days after sight. One bill dated 13 June last for £80, payable to Mr Monson Esquire or order ninety days after sight. The letter closed, the Council describing itself as the Court's most obedient and most humble servants, signed at St Helena, 18 July 1747, by Charles Hutchinson, John Clark and R. Wright. | |
302 | To the Honble &c. Honble Sirs We wrote to you on the 18th June by the Princess Royall Ulrica, a Swede Ship, that was to touch at Dover, a Duplicate of wch tho' We now transmit yr Honrs. On the 22d June came in yr Ships, the Shaftesbury, Capt. Dockey, & the Sandwich Capt. Dilves from China, wch they left the 10th Febry in Company with the Tavistock, Capt. Coates, from whom they parted the 15th May off the Cape. The 4th July they were off Loando St Pauls on the Coast of Angola. As they Stood in for the Road they saw five Ships there with French Colours. the Officer that Capt. Dockey sent went to the Govr. Acquainted him at his return that One of those Ships Carried 64, One 40, & two of them 30 Guns & that the Smallest was a Snow of less force. They were under the Command of Mr. Labourdenais Who put in there for Refreshment, & as it was said was bound for France. The Pilots that were sent by the Govr. to carry yr Honble Ships in reported that five days befor they Arrived a large Ship passed by there, wch yr Capts. Suppose to have been the Tavistock. On the 24th June came in a Dutch Ship, called the Roosbeck, Capt. Landers de Bruyn Commr. Burthen 500 Tons 28 Guns & 70 Men from Batavia Laden with Salt petre Coffee pepper, & Linnen by whom this goes. The Capt. Informed us that two Chief Mate Left Bengala the 21st Janty N.S. & Commodore Griffin there with 6 Man of War | To the Honble &c Honble Sirs The Council wrote to the Court on the 18th of June by the Princess Royal of Sweden, a Swedish ship, that was to touch at Dover, a duplicate of which letter now went with the present. On the 22nd of June there came in the Court's ships the Shaftesbury, Captain Bockey, and the Sandwich, Captain Petree, from China, which they had left on the 10th of February in company with the Tavistock, Captain Coates, from whom they parted on the 15th of May off the Cape. On the 4th of July they were off Loando St Paul's on the coast of Angola. As they stood in for the road they saw five ships there with French colours. The officer that Captain Bockey sent to the Governor acquainted him at his return that one of those ships carried 64 guns, one 40, and two of them 30 guns, and that the smallest was a snow of less force. They were under the command of Monsieur Labourdonnais, who had put in there for refreshment, and, as it was said, was bound for France. The pilots that were sent by the Court's ships to carry the Council's advices reported that five days before they arrived a large ship passed by there, which they supposed to have been the Tavistock. On the 24th of June there came in a Dutch ship, called the Roosbeck, Captain Lenders de Bruijn commander, burden 500 tons, 28 guns and 70 men, from Batavia, laden with salt, pitch, coffee, pepper and linen, by whom this letter went. The captain informed the Council that his chief mate left Bengal on 21 January new style, and commodore Griffin there with a man of war. | |
303 | War & 2 of yr Honrs Ships, with wch the Made warlike were to Sail from thence in a few days for Madrass. The Shoes that Came for the Soldiers prove a great deal to large for Most of them, We therefore desire yr Honrs will please to direct that those sent hither may be Smaller. We are Honble Sirs Your Most Obedient & Most humble Servts Chas. Hutchinson John Clark R. Wright 31st July 1747 | The captain also reported that a man of war and two of the Court's ships lay with the Madras ships, all ready to sail from there for Madras within a few days. The shoes that came for the soldiers proved a great deal too large for most of them, so the Council desired the Court would please to direct that those sent hereafter be smaller. The letter closed, the Council describing itself as the Court's most obedient and most humble servants, signed at St Helena, 31 July 1747, by Charles Hutchinson, John Clark and R. Wright. Interpretations The complaint about oversized shoes, small as it seems beside news of a French squadron off Angola, shows the same channel of correspondence carrying both grave strategic intelligence and the humblest logistical grievances of the garrison, with neither the Council nor the Court apparently treating one as beneath the other's attention. | |
304 | To the Honble &c. Honble Sirs. On the 2d Instant Sailed the Roosbeck a Dutch Ship for Holland, By wch We took the Opportunity of Writing to yr Honrs & have Enclosed a Duplicate of that &c. We have likewise thought it Necessary by this Conveyance to transmitt to you a Duplicate of the last Ler We wrote to yr Honrs by yr Ships the Somersett & Walpole as likewise the Indent of Stores wanted for the Service of this Place for the Year 1748. Since the Sailing of these Ships there have fallen at times a few Showers of Rain but Nothing near sufficient for the Recovery of the Pastures, so that Every thing Still bears a very Melancholly Aspect, and yr of the weak Cattle Still dies & few of them grow Stronger. All yr Servants & Soldiers here will be Obliged to live on Salt meat from yr Stores, there being no Neat Cattle Sheep Goat or Hoggs of yr Honrs or the Planters fett to kill. There were when the Shaftesbury & Sandwich Came in Only 178 Casks of Beef & Pork to serve till the Arrival of a fresh Ship, Capt. Dotry has had 3 of these & if any other Ships come & make yt like or larger Demands We shd. then be in very great want of Provisions. Fish not being to be Caught in such plenty as usual for want of proper sized Hooks, & our Weekly Consumption of Salt Meat can from this time be Expected to be little less than three Casks & a half. The Instruments yr Honrs were pleased to send | To the Honourable &c Honourable Sirs 1: On the 2nd instant sailed the Roosbeck, a Dutch ship for Holland, by whom the Council took the opportunity of writing to the Court, and had enclosed a duplicate of that letter. 2: The Council had likewise thought it necessary by this conveyance to transmit a duplicate of the letter it wrote to the Court by the ships the Somerset and Walpole, as also the indent of stores wanted for the service of the island for the year 1748. 3: Since the sailing of those ships there had fallen at times a few showers of rain, but nothing near sufficient for the recovery of the pastures, so that everything still bore a very poor appearance. Some of the weak cattle had died, and few of them grew stronger. All the Court's servants and soldiers there would be obliged to live on salt meat from the Court's stores, there being no cattle, sheep, goats or hogs of the Court's or the planters' fit to kill. 4: There were, when the Shaftesbury and Sandwich came in, only 178 casks of beef and pork to answer until the arrival of a store ship. Captain Petree had had eight of these, and if any other ships came and made the like or larger demands, the island would be in very great want of provisions. Fish were not to be caught in such plenty as usual for want of proper sized hooks, and the Council's weekly consumption of salt meat from this time would be expected to be little less than three casks and a half. 5: The instruments the Court had sent were placed to [...] | |
305 | for preparing Wool for knitting have been delivered to the Woolcomber who is but lately recovered from a fitt of Sickness & is now going to Work. He is old & very infirm & We have no person in the Island Capable of that Business & but him self & tho' there are Several that can knitt. The Barley that was growing on the Stores promis'd Sometime ago is most Perished. The Seeds of Corn sent by the Storeship are now Sowing, We Wish there may be a plentifull Crop of them, but it is much to be feared; for it has been found on Experience after repeated tryalls for many yeares that they do but Seldom Succeed. Lt. Wm. Worrall, who was in yr Service at Bencoolen took passage for this Place in the Prince of George, Capt. Wescoat, wch it is feared is Lost. He hath left Sedr. Whatson since who cannot tell how to Act in his Affairs till they know whether he hath left any Will or Other power behind him at Tellicherry They therefore beg the favour that yr Honrs will be pleased to direct by yr next Ships thither that if there is any will or power they may be duely advised of it. We are. Honble Sirs Your Most Obdt. & Most humble Servts Chas. Hutchinson. John Clark. R. Wright. P.S. Capt. Dilves will pay the Balance of his Chief Acct. in England. 10th. Augt. 1747. List of Packett p. Shaftesbury.
| The instruments sent for preparing wool for knitting had been delivered to the wool comber, who was but lately recovered from a fit of illness and was now going to work. He was old and very infirm, and the Council had no person on the island capable of that business but himself, though there were several that could knit. The barley that had been growing in the Court's ground some time ago had mostly perished. The other sorts of grain sent by the store ship were now thriving, and the Council wished there might be a plentiful crop of them, but it was much to be feared, since it had been found on experience after repeated trials for many years, that they did but seldom succeed. Mr William Worrall, who was in the Court's service at St Helena, took passage for this place in the Prince of Orange, Captain Wentworth, and is feared lost. He had left the island in debt, without leaving any account of his affairs, so that no one knew whether he had left any will or other power behind him at St Helena. The Council therefore begged the Court would be pleased to direct, by the next ship thither, whether there was any will or power, that they might be duly advised of it. The letter closed, the Council describing itself as the Court's most obedient and most humble servants, signed at St Helena, 10 August 1747, by Charles Hutchinson, John Clark and R. Wright. Postscript: Captain Petree would pay the balance of his charges in England, 10 August 1747. List of the packet by the Shaftesbury. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter dated 10 August 1747. Interpretations Worrall's disappearance without any known will or power of attorney left the Council unable to settle his debt to the Company one way or the other. Recovering money from a deceased or missing servant's estate depended on documentary proof of what he owed and who could answer for it, so a man lost at sea with his affairs unrecorded effectively froze the debt in place, the Council reduced to asking London whether any such paper existed at all rather than acting on its own authority. | |
306 |
Ship dated 31st July 1747. 3. Triplicate of Do. p. the Somersett dated 16th June 1747. 4. Copy Cons. from 23. June to 4. Augt. 1747. 5. Duplicate List of the Packett p. the Somersett. 6. List of Arrival & Departure of Ships 7. 1st Copy for the Packett p. the Walpole. 8. 1st Do. Do. p. the Somersett. 9. 1st Do. Do. p. the Princess Royall Louisa Ulrica a Swede Ship. 10. 1st Do. Do. p. the Roosbeck a Dutch Ship. 11. Cash Account from 16th to 30th June 1747. 12. Do. for July Do. 13. Do. from 1st to 10th August Do. 14. List of Marriages &c. 15. Duplicate Indent for Medicines wanted for the Year 1748. 16. Do. Do. for Stores wanted for Do. 17. Ship Shaftesbury's Account. 18. Sandwich's Do. 19. Govrs. Ltre to the Secret Committee. | 2: A duplicate of the Governor and Council's general letter, by the Roosbeck, a Dutch ship, dated 31 July 1747. 3: A triplicate of the same, by the Somerset, dated 16 June 1747. 4: A copy of consultations from 23 June to 4 August 1747. 5: A duplicate list of the packet by the Somerset. 6: A list of the arrival and departure of ships. 7: A first receipt for the packet by the Walpole. 8: A first receipt for the same, by the Somerset. 9: A first receipt for the same, by the Princess Royal of Sweden, a Swedish ship. 10: A first receipt for the same, by the Roosbeck, a Dutch ship. 11: A cash account from 16 to 30 June 1747. 12: A cash account for the month of July, ditto. 13: A cash account from the 1st to the 10th of August, ditto. 14: A list of marriages and so forth. 15: A duplicate of the indent for medicines wanted for the year 1748. 16: A duplicate of the same for stores wanted for the same year. 17: The ship Shaftesbury's account. 18: The Sandwich's account. 19: The Governor's letter to the Secret Committee. | |
307 | To the Honble &c.a Honble Sirs. We wrote to Your Honours on the 10th August last, by your Ships the Shaftesbury, and Sandwich which then Sailed hence for England. we have Enclosed a Duplicate of that Letter, together with a List of the Packet, sent by the Shaftesbury. On the 4. December, arrived your Ship the Prince, Captain William Robson, from Bengall, but brought no Supplys from thence for the Stores here. He left it in February last, with the Montfort, Captain Hendrops the Salisbury, Captain Barrow, and the Marlborough, Captain Smith. They kept Company with each other till the 14th May. On the 7. June, Captain Robson bore away for Delagoa, and parted the Marlborough, and Salisbury, the 7. July off that Port. They came from thence together the 25. September, and parted off the Cape the 28. October last, in Sight of the Land, Captain Robson went in thither the same Day, and says he hath not seen, or heard any thing of the Montfort, since the first separation. On the 4. November, as Captain Robson informs us, arrived there your Honours Snow, the Swallow, Captain Hutchinson, with the Portobello, Captain Fischer, the Prince William, Captain Webber, and the true Britton, Captain Brakley | To the Honourable &c Honourable Sirs The Council had written to the Court on 10 August last, by the ships Shaftesbury and Sandwich, which then sailed for England, and now enclosed a duplicate of that letter together with a list of the packet sent by the Shaftesbury. On 4 December the ship Kent, Captain William Robson, arrived from Bengal, but brought no supplies from there for the stores at the island. She had left Bengal in February last, in company with the Monfort, Captain Kendisper, the Salisbury, Captain Burrows, and the Marlborough, Captain Smith. The four ships kept company with each other until 14 May. On 1 June Captain Robson bore away for Delagoa, parting from the Marlborough and Salisbury on 2 July off that port. He came from there together with those two ships again on 25 September, and parted from them off the Cape on 28 October last, within sight of land. Captain Robson had gone in by a different route the same day, and reported that he had neither seen nor heard anything of the Monfort since the first separation. On 9 November, as Captain Robson informed the Council, the Court's ships the Swallow, Captain Hutchinson, the Portobello, Captain Sucker, the Prince William, Captain Webber, and the True Briton, Captain Bradley, had arrived there. | |
308 | from England, and Sailed the 12. on their Voyage. They parted from the said Sloop near the Line as it is reported. On the 9. January arrived the Severn Captain Collier from Bombay Fort St David and last from the Cape, where they had Advices that three English Men of Warr with Eight of your Honours Ships from Europe were at Batavia, Admiral Griffin with Eight of his Majestys Ships was at Fort St David when Captain Collier came from thence, the Brittania left it the beginning of May. The Work at Banks's Mount is rebuilt, another Gun Mounted there, and the Cask cleared away to give sufficient Room for the Guns to Traverse which they had not before Two of the Platforms are now laid with Turbeck Stones, as the rest shall be when more Arrive. The Battery at Lemon Valley is likewise Widened which was so narrow that the Flame in some part after a few Firings would run off it and in another Attacke against the Wall. Your Millitary here are in good Order and we want only Four Men to Compleat the Severall Companys to your Honours Establishment. In Our Letter by the Shaftesbury we acquainted Your Honours that there were some Persons on the Island that could Knit but we find upon Tryall they don't answer Expectation. | The four ships had sailed together from England and continued on their voyage. They parted from the Tryal sloop near the line, as it was reported. On the 9th of January arrived the Severn, Captain Collier, from Bombay, Fort St David and last from the Cape, where they had advice that three English men of war with eight of the Court's ships from Europe were at Batavia. Admiral Griffin, with eight of His Majesty's ships, was at Fort St David when Captain Collier came from there, the Britannia having left it at the beginning of May. The work at Banks's Mount had been rebuilt, another gun mounted there, and the earth cleared away to give sufficient room for the guns to traverse, which they had not had before. Two of the platforms were now laid with Purbeck stone, as the rest would be when more arrived. The battery at Lemon Valley was likewise widened, which had before been so narrow that the flame in some part after a few firings would run off it, and in another strike against the wall. The garrison here was in good order, and only four men were wanted to complete the several companies to the Court's established number. In the Council's letter by the Shaftesbury, it had acquainted the Court that there were some persons on the island qualified to knit, but the Council found upon trial they did not answer expectation. Interpretations Admiral Griffin's squadron of eight men of war lying at Fort St David, alongside three further men of war and eight Company ships gathered at Batavia, shows the Crown reinforcing its naval presence in the East only after the loss of Fort St George rather than before it, the response following the disaster rather than anticipating it. The failure of the islanders to answer expectation as knitters, after the Council had told the Court only months before that suitable people existed, shows how easily a scheme that looked promising on paper collapsed once put to an actual trial, the gap between having capable hands and having a working trade proving wider than the Council had first judged. | |
309 | Expectation nor are they Capable of teaching any of your Women or Children Slaves, with whom Labour the Anabling of Stockings might turn to Account but in our Opinion not otherwise We bought Yams for your Negroes from the Month of July to the Middle of November and supplied your Slaves from that time till the 16. January from your own Plantations, and we were then obliged to give them the Rice received from the Severn and buy Yam again for your Stock that your Honours Plantations wch are very Young might have all the Growth possible. The large Cisterns are now Dividing into smaller with Ditches and Stone Walls, and we are likewise Enlarging your Plantations where there is a Command of Water. The Lemon Trees have been decaying for some time past, and great Numbers of them are now Dead, especially in the lower parts of the Valleys, where they formerly thrived the best, and there hath not been for some time a Lemon fett for use on the Island. The Winter Raines have failed us, so that the Pastures are every where dry and bare, and the Cattle in some parts still drop off, If the Summer Season should not set in within a Month most of the Stock in the Island will in all probability perish, The Plantations of yams are much burnt by the Sun, from the want of Water, several Springs are now Dry which were never known to have been so within the Memory of the Oldest Man living here. The | The islanders proved equally incapable of teaching the skill to the Court's women or children slaves, whose knitting of stockings might have turned to profit, in the Council's opinion, had it been possible, and not otherwise. The Council bought yams for the Court's slaves from the month of July to the middle of November, and supplied the slaves from that time until 16 January from the Court's own plantations. It was then obliged to give them the rice received from the Severn and buy yams again for the Court's stock, so that the Court's own plantations, which were very young, might have all the growth possible. The large pastures were now dividing into smaller ones with ditches and stone walls, and the Council was likewise enlarging the Court's plantations wherever there was a command of water. The lemon trees had been decaying for some time past, and great numbers of them were now dead, especially in the lower parts of the valley, where they had formerly thrived best, and there had not been for some time a lemon fit for use on the island. The winter rains had failed, so that the pastures were everywhere dry and bare, and the cattle in some parts still dropped off. If the summer season did not set in within a month, most of the stock on the island would in all probability perish. The plantations of yams were much burnt by the sun for want of water, and several springs were now dry which were never known to have been so within the memory of the oldest man living here. Interpretations Buying yams from outside sources for most of the year, rather than drawing on the Court's own ground, was a deliberate trade of short-term expense for long-term supply: the Council chose to spend money now so that its own young plantations could mature undisturbed, judging future self-sufficiency worth the present cost. The drought recorded here marks a clear escalation from the dry season already reported in earlier letters this year. What had been described as bare pastures and thin cattle has now reached springs failing that no living islander had ever seen fail before, showing the crisis moving from severe to genuinely unprecedented within the space of these despatches. | |
310 | The Millitary Officers here have desired us to Recommend their Enclosed Petition to your Honours for your Consideration Advan Captain, has not paid the Balance of his Ships Account, but will pay it to your Honours in England. We herewith transmitt to your Honours the Generall Books of Accounts Balanced to the 30 September, 1747, with all the other necessary Advices. We are Honble Sirs 9. February 1747. Your most Obedient and most humble Servants (signed) Chas. Hutchinson John Clark R. Wright List of the Packet p. the Fleet in the foregoing Letter No. 1 Govr. & Councils General Letter dated 9. Febry 1747 2 Duplicate Do. of the Shaftesbury dated 10th August Do. 3 Do. Consultations from 23. Aug to 4. August Do. 4 Copy Do. from 11. August to 26 January 5 List of the Arrival & Departure of Ships 6 Duplicate List of the Packet p. the Shaftesbury 7 Journal O. Ending 30. September 1747 8 Ledger O. Ending Do. Do. 9 List of Rents taken Do. 10 Do. | The military officers here had desired the Council to recommend their enclosed petition to the Court's consideration. Captain Robson had not paid the balance of his ship's account, but promised to pay it to the Court in England. The Council enclosed the general books of accounts balanced to 30 September 1747, together with all the other necessary advices. The letter closed, the Council describing itself as the Court's most obedient and most humble servants, signed at St Helena, 9 February 1747, by Charles Hutchinson, John Clark and R. Wright. List of the packet by the ship [named] in the foregoing letter. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter dated 9 February 1747. 2: A duplicate of the same, by the Shaftesbury, dated 10 August, ditto. 3: A copy of consultations from 23 August to 4 August, ditto. 4: A copy of the same from 11 August to 26 January. 5: A list of the arrival and departure of ships. 6: A duplicate list of the packet by the Shaftesbury. 7: The journal ending 30 September 1747. 8: The ledger ending on the same date, ditto. 9: A list of rents taken, ditto. Interpretations Captain Robson's unpaid balance, deferred to settlement in England rather than resolved on the island, shows the Council's limited practical power over a ship's master once he had already sailed his passage: the debt could be recorded and referenced home, but actual collection lay entirely outside the Council's own reach. | |
311 | No. 10 List of Familys &c. taken 30 September 1747 11 Do. of Blacks taken Do. 12 Do. of Officers and Servants taken 1 Sept. Do. 13 Duplicate Cash Account from 15 to 30 June Do. 14 Do. Do for July 15 Do. Do. from 1 to 10 August Do. 16 Do. List of Marriages &c. from 16 June to 10 August Do. 17 List of Marriages &c. from 10 August to 1 February Do. 18 Duplicate Ship Shaftesbury Account 19 Do. Sandwichs Do. 20 Ship Prince Account 21 Copy Cash Account from 10 to 31 August 1747 22 Do. for September Do. 23 Do. October Do. 24 Do. November Do. 25 Do. December Do. 26 Do. January Do. 27 Ship Severn Account 28 Governours Letter to the Secret Committee 29 First Receipt for the Bequest of the Shaftesbury 30 Second Do. Do. p. the Walpole 31 Do. Do. Do. p. the Somersett 32 Do. Do. Do. p. the Roosbeck a Dutch Ship | 10: A list of families and so forth taken 30 September 1747. 11: A duplicate list of the Court's black people taken, ditto. 12: A duplicate list of officers and servants taken, ditto. 13: A duplicate cash account from the 1st to the 30th of June, ditto. 14: A duplicate cash account for July, ditto. 15: A duplicate cash account from the 1st to the 10th of August, ditto. 16: A duplicate list of marriages and so forth from 16 June to 10 August, ditto. 17: A list of marriages and so forth from 10 August to 1 February, ditto. 18: A duplicate of the ship Shaftesbury's account. 19: A duplicate of the Sandwich's account. 20: The ship Kent's account. 21: A copy of the cash account from 10 to 31 August 1747. 22: A duplicate cash account for September, ditto. 23: A duplicate cash account for October, ditto. 24: A duplicate cash account for November, ditto. 25: A duplicate cash account for December, ditto. 26: A duplicate cash account for January, ditto. 27: The ship Severn's account. 28: The Governor's letter to the Secret Committee. 29: A first receipt for the packet by the Shaftesbury. 30: A second receipt for the same, by the Walpole. 31: A second receipt for the same, by the Somerset. 32: A second receipt for the same, by the Roosbeck, a Dutch ship. | |
312 | To the Honble &c.a Honble Sirs. Your Ships the Prince Capt. Robson and the Severn Capt. Collier Sailed from hence the 1st of Febry Last for Europe, by which occasion we wrote to your Honours and sent you the Generall Books of Account balanced to the 30. September Last with all other necessary Papers. Mr. Gilbert Wright one of the Council & Secretary Died the 19. of February last, and Lieutt. John Barker on the 31. March following. Between the 3. and the 8. of this Month your Honours Ships the Stafford Capt. Baker the York Capt. Lascelles the Prince Edward Capt. Haldane the Lyons Capt. Gilbert the Norfolk Capt. Hancock the Onslow Capt. Kind (late Cargrove) the Dragon Capt. Trent and the Prince on Prince of Denmark a Dane Ship by whom this goes arrived here from China, and the Grantham Captain Wilson from Bencoolen. Three of your China Ships came from Canton the 25. of December last, and the rest on the 11. of Janwary, when they left the St. George Capt. Robinson who was to Sail in about a fortnight after them. There were this Year at Canton besides your Honours | To the Honourable &c Honourable Sirs The Court's ships the Kent, Captain Robson, and the Severn, Captain Collier, had sailed from here on the 1st of February last for Europe, by which occasion the Council wrote to the Court and sent the general books of accounts balanced to 30 September last, with all other necessary papers. Mr Robert Wright, one of the Council and secretary, had died on 19 February last, and Lieutenant John Barton on 31 March following. Between the 3rd and the 8th of that month the Court's ships the Stafford, Captain Baker, the York, Captain Lovell, the Prince Edward, Captain Haldane, the Lynn, Captain Gilbert, the Norfolk, Captain Hancock, the Vulture, Captain Kind, late Congreve, the Dragon, Captain Trent, and the Prince of Denmark, a Danish ship, by whom this letter went, had all arrived here from China, and the Grantham, Captain William, from Bencoolen. Three of the Court's China ships had come from Canton on 25 December last, and the rest on the 11th of January, when they left the St George, Captain Robinson, who was to sail about a fortnight after them. There were this year at Canton, besides the Court's own ships, | |
313 | Honours Ships Seven Swedes 6 Dutch and Two Danes. Dutch Ship richly laden and bound for Surat was lost the latter end of December or the beginning of January last in the Streights of Sunda and little of her Cargo Saved. We are Honble Sirs 17. April 1748 Your most Obedient and most Humble Servants. (signd) Chas. Hutchinson John Clark To the Honble &c.a Honble Sirs. We wrote to you the 17. of this Month by the Crown Prince of Denmark a Dane Ship, a Duplicate of which Letter, as also of the Letter and Papers we sent you by your Ship the Prince Capt. Robson we transmit to your Honours herewith. By that Opportunity, we gave you an Account of the progress there was made in the repairing your Fortifications: we have since placed a great Number | There had been this year at Canton, besides the Court's own ships, seven Swedish, six Dutch and two Danish ships. A Dutch ship, richly laden and bound for Surat, had been lost the latter end of December or the beginning of January last in the Straits of Sunda, with little of her cargo saved. The letter closed, the Council describing itself as the Court's most obedient and most humble servants, signed at St Helena, 17 April 1748, by Charles Hutchinson and John Clark. To the Honourable &c Honourable Sirs The Council had written to the Court on the 12th of that month by the Crown Prince of Denmark, a Danish ship, a duplicate of which letter, as also of the letter and papers sent by the Court's ship the Kent, Captain Robson, the Council now transmitted herewith. By that opportunity the Council had given an account of the progress made in repairing the Court's fortifications; it had since placed a great number | |
314 | Number of very large Pieces of Rock, upon the East End of the Beach at Jameses Valley, which has prevented the Surfs from washing away the Stones that were Laid to defend the Wall from whence the Glacis is carried out, and has secured it, from the Shot of an Enemy, to which, it was before much exposed: we have likewise rebuilt two very large Storms upon the Lower Line, and there is Stone Enough now ready to rebuild more. This has been done by your Honours Slaves, and we shall not put you to the Expence of employing any other Men, to finish what remains to Compleat your Works. Mr. Robert Wright deceased, having by his Will, appointed his Widow, and Mr. Matthias Curling two of his Executors, who refusing to Act, and his Brother Mr. John Wright the other Executor being in England, we proposed, and it was Unanimously Agreed to by the Creditors, that his Effects (Several of them being perishable) should be Sold by Publick Auction, and the Money put into your Honours Cash Chest until we know whether his Brother would accept the Executorship, or we received your Honours Directions how to dispose of it. Mr. Wrights Will and our proceedings are entered in Consultation of 15. and 22. March 1747 to which | A great number of very large pieces of rock had been placed upon the east end of the beach at James's Valley, which had prevented the surf from washing away the stones laid to defend the wall. From this point the glacis had been carried out, and the work had secured the wall from the shot of an enemy, to which it had before been much exposed. The Council had likewise rebuilt two very large blinds upon the lower line, and there was stone enough now ready to rebuild more. This had been done by the Court's slaves, and the Council would not put the Court to the expense of employing any other men to finish what remained to complete the works. Mr Robert Wright, deceased, having by his will appointed his widow and Mr Matthew Curling two of his executors, who refusing to act, and his brother Mr John Wright, the other executor, being in England, the Council proposed, and it was unanimously agreed to by the creditors, that his effects, several of them being perishable, should be sold by public auction, and the money put into the Court's cash chest until it was known whether his brother would accept the executorship, or the Council received the Court's directions how to dispose of it. Mr Wright's will and the Council's proceedings were entered in the consultation of 15 and 22 March 1747, to which | |
315 | which we beg leave to refer your Honours for a fuller information upon this Affair. We are at a loss for a Secretary, as there is too much Business in that Office, for one Person to discharge constantly, Mr. Thomas French, by extraordinary Diligence, and Application has hitherto done it, but it will not be possible for him, we believe, to transact it for a Continuance. We hope your Honours will be pleased to fill this vacant Employment, and to permit us to recommend Mr. French to you to be made a Factor, as he has been upwards of Six Years in your Service, and is very deserving of your Favour. No Will being found among Lieut. Bartons Papers which were carefully perused by Lieut. Clark, Mr. Francis Wrangham Senr. and Lieutenant Kirkpatrick, we took upon us the Administration and shall proceed in the Methods practiced on the like Occasions. We have appointed Lieut. Kirkpatrick, who is the eldest of the second Lieutenants to succeed Mr. Barton as first Lieutenant, which we hope will meet with your Honours Approbation. Captain Bird of your Ship Onslow informed us a little after his Arrival that he had lost of your | The Council begged leave to refer the Court for a fuller information upon this affair. The Council found itself at a loss for a secretary, as there was too much business in that office for one person to discharge constantly. Mr Thomas French, by extraordinary diligence and application, had hitherto done it, but it would not be possible for him, the Council believed, to transact it for a continuance. The Council hoped the Court would be pleased to fill the vacant employment, and permit the Council to recommend Mr French to be made a factor, as he had been upwards of six years in the Court's service and was very deserving of the Court's favour. No will being found among Lieutenant Barton's papers, which were carefully perused by Lieutenant Clark, Mr Francis Wrangham junior and Lieutenant Kirkpatrick, the Council took upon itself the administration and would proceed in the methods practised on the like occasions. The Council had appointed Lieutenant Kirkpatrick, who was the eldest of the second lieutenants, to succeed Mr Barton as first lieutenant, which it hoped would meet with the Court's approbation. Captain Elliot of the Court's ship Onslow informed the Council a little after his arrival that he had lost one of Interpretations Recommending Mr French for promotion to factor, rather than simply paying him more for the extra work, shows that the Company's usual reward for extraordinary service was advancement in rank rather than direct compensation. This recommendation also completes a thread begun in the Council's letter of 16 June 1747, when it first recommended French's petition to the Court's notice as deserving of attention; a year later, the promised advancement is finally proposed, showing how slowly such patronage moved even when the Council itself favoured the man from the start. | |
316 | your Honours Soldiers on board, that were intended for Bencoolen: Upon our acquainting him, that we would forward them thither by the Storeship, we received a Letter from him, which is entered in Consultation of 16. April 1748, to let us know, that he could not part with them, as he was in want of Men. We have lately had several Showers of Rain, and the Grass begins to spring in the Pastures, but it will be burnt, and destroyed in a few Days, by the Sun and Wind, unless we have more wet weather very soon. The Cattle are lean and small, and there is but little Poultry on the Island, and scarce any Yams in the Plantations that are fit to be eaten We are now reduced to three Pounds of Bread p Week for each Man, at which small Allowance there is not Flower and Bisket enough in the Stores for a Month Some of the Captains of your Honours Ships, having Rice on Board we applied to them to let us have all they could possibly spare: But we could not prevail on them to part with any, unless we took Salt Provisions with it. As it is uncertain, when the Store Ship may arrive, and our wants cannot be supplied until she comes, we thought it absolutely necessary in our present | Captain Elliot had lost one of the soldiers he carried aboard, who had been intended for Bencoolen. Upon the Council informing him that it would forward the man to Bencoolen by the store ship, it received a letter from Captain Elliot, entered in the consultation of 16 April 1748, informing the Council that he could not part with the soldier, being himself in want of men. The island had lately had several showers of rain, and the grass had begun to spring in the pastures, but it would be burnt and destroyed within a few days by the sun and wind unless more wet weather came soon. The cattle were lean and small, there was but little poultry on the island, and scarcely any yams in the plantations fit to be eaten. The garrison was now reduced to three pounds of bread a week for each man, and even at that small allowance there was not enough flour and biscuit in the stores to last a month. Some of the Court's ship captains had rice aboard, and the Council applied to them to spare all they possibly could, but could not prevail on them to part with any unless the Council took salt provisions along with it. As it was uncertain when the store ship might arrive, and the island's wants could not be supplied until she came, the Council judged it absolutely necessary in its present | |
317 | present situation to comply with your Captains Terms, as they would not receed from them, and to take Twenty Two Puncheons of Beef, and Six Hogsheads of Pork, that we might have some Grain to serve as Bread for your Garrison after that which we have in Store was expended. We are to have the Salt Provisions for the same price as that we receive from England comes invoiced, and as the Soldiers will pay the Prime cost for every thing else, as it is issued to them, your Honours will have no loss upon it. Fish being much wanted, for the support of your Slaves, and we having only a very small Yawle that is not fit to go to Windward, where there are the most, and best to be Caught, we agreed to buy a large one, from Captain Haldane, for which, with the Oars and Sails we are to pay Six Guineas. It frequently happening that several of your returning Ships have no Long Boats, and therefore cannot be watered, unless we lend them one of your Honours for that purpose, by which the Boats are more worn than they are in your own Service, we desire you will be pleased to let us know whether we are to continue to do this, or that we should be paid for the use of them at so much p Day as we understand is the Custom at your Settlements in India. Captain | The Council judged it absolutely necessary in its present situation to comply with the Court's captains' terms, since they would not recede from them, and to take twenty two puncheons of beef and six hogsheads of pork. This would allow the Council some grain to serve as bread for the garrison once the supply already in store had been expended. The Council was to have the salt provisions at the same price as that received from England, invoiced, and as the soldiers would pay the prime cost for everything else charged to them, the Court would have no loss upon it. Fish being much wanted for the support of the Court's slaves, and the Council having only a very small yawl not fit to go to windward, where the most and best were to be caught, the Council agreed to buy a large one from Captain Haldane, for which, with the oars and sails, it was to pay six guineas. It frequently happening that several of the Court's returning ships had no long boats, and therefore could not be watered unless the Council lent one of the Court's own for that purpose, by which the boats were more worn than they were in the Court's own service, the Council desired the Court would let it know whether it was to continue doing this, or whether it should be paid for the use of them at so much a day, as it understood was the custom at the Court's settlements in India. The passage ends here, mid-sentence, at the name of a captain the next image will identify. Interpretations Buying a captain's private boat rather than requisitioning one from a Company ship shows the Council treating the fishery as its own separate problem to solve by ordinary purchase, not as something the Court's shipping was obliged to provide for. The six guinea price, agreed directly with Haldane, suggests the Council found it simpler to deal with a willing individual captain than to press a claim on Company property. The Council's request to know whether it should be paid for lending its own long boats to watering ships, rather than simply continuing the practice or refusing it outright, shows the island's resources, even something as ordinary as a boat, were tracked closely enough that unpaid wear on Company property mattered to the Council's accounts. Raising the question by pointing to the custom already followed at the Court's Indian settlements suggests the Council was seeking parity with practice elsewhere, not inventing a new claim of its own. | |
318 | Captain Hancock of your Honours Ship Norfolk having no Money to pay the Balance of his Ships Account we were obliged to take his Bill for it which goes in the Packet. We are St Helena 29. April 1748 Honble Sirs Your most Obedient and most humble Servants (signd) Chas. Hutchinson John Clark List of the Packet p. the Lynn with the foregoing Letter. No. 1 Governour & Councils General Letter dated 29. April 1748 2 Duplicate Do. of Ship Prince dated 1. February 1747 3 Do. Do. of the Crown Prince of Denmark a Dane Ship dated 12. April 1748 4 Duplicate Consultations from the 11. August to 26. Janry 1747 5 Copy Do. from 2. February 1747 to 19. April 1748 6 List of Arrival, and Departure of Ships 7 Duplicate List of the Packet p. the Lynn. 8 Do. Do. of Rents taken 30. September 1747 9 Do. Do. of Familys &c. Do. Do. 10 Do. Do. of Blacks Do. Do. 11 List of Officers and Servants taken 24. April 1748 12 Duplicate List of Marriages &c. from 10. August to 1. Febry 1747
| Captain Hancock of the Court's ship Norfolk, having no money to pay the balance of his ship's account, the Council was obliged to take his bill for it, which went in the packet. The letter closed, the Council describing itself as the Court's most obedient and most humble servants, signed at St Helena, 24 April 1748, by Charles Hutchinson and John Clark. List of the packet by the Lynn, with the foregoing letter. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter dated 24 April 1748. 2: A duplicate of the same, by the ship Kent, dated 9 February 1747. 3: A duplicate of the same, by the Crown Prince of Denmark, a Danish ship, dated 12 April 1748. 4: A duplicate of consultations from the 11th of August to 20 January 1747. 5: A copy of the same from 9 February 1747 to 17 April 1748. 6: A list of the arrival and departure of ships. 7: A duplicate list of the packet by the Kent. 8: A duplicate list of rents taken 30 September 1747. 9: A duplicate list of families and so forth, ditto. 10: A duplicate list of the Court's black people, ditto. 11: A list of officers and servants taken 24 April 1748. 12: A duplicate list of marriages and so forth, from 10 August to 1 February 1747. | |
319 | No. 13 List of Marriages &c. from 1. February 1747 to 24. April 1748 14 Duplicate Ship Prince Account 15 Do. Do. Severns Do. 16 Do. Cash Account from 11. to 31. August 1747 17 Do. Do. for September Do. 18 Do. Do. for October Do. 19 Do. Do. November Do. 20 Do. Do. December Do. 21 Do. Do. January Do. 22 Cash Account for February Do. 23 Do. Do. March 1748 24 Do. Do. from 1. to 24. April Do. 25 Ship Lynns Account 26 Do. Yorks Do. 27 Do. Staffords Do. 28 Do. Granthams Do. 29 Do. Norfolks Do. 30 Do. Dragons Do. 31 Do. Onslows Do. 32 Do. Prince Edwards Do. 33 Second Receipt for the Bequest of the Shaftesbury 34 Do. Do. for Do. of the Crown Prince of Denmark a Dane Ship 35 Governours Letter to the Secret Committee 36 Captain Hancocks first Bill of Exchange | 13: A list of marriages and so forth, from 1 February 1747 to 24 April 1748. 14: A duplicate of the ship Kent's account. 15: A duplicate of the Severn's account. 16: A duplicate cash account from the 1st to the 31st of August 1747. 17: A duplicate cash account for September, ditto. 18: A duplicate cash account for October, ditto. 19: A duplicate cash account for November, ditto. 20: A duplicate cash account for December, ditto. 21: A duplicate cash account for January, ditto. 22: A cash account for February. 23: A duplicate cash account for March, 1748. 24: A duplicate cash account from the 1st to the 24th of April, ditto. 25: The ship Lynn's account. 26: A duplicate of the York's account. 27: A duplicate of the Stafford's account. 28: A duplicate of the Grantham's account. 29: A duplicate of the Norfolk's account. 30: A duplicate of the Dragon's account. 31: A duplicate of the Vulture's account. 32: A duplicate of the Prince Edward's account. 33: A second receipt for the packet by the Shaftesbury. 34: A second receipt for the same, by the Crown Prince of Denmark, a Danish ship. 35: The Governor's letter to the Secret Committee. 36: Captain Hancock's first bill of exchange. | |
320 | To the Honble &c. Honble Sirs. We wrote to your Honours by your Ship Lynn, which Sailed from hence the 29 of April with the York, Stafford, Grantham, Norfolk, Prince Edward Onslow and Dragon On the 3. Instant eighteen sail of Dutch Ships under the Command of Admiral Nolthenius, arrived here in eighteen Days from the Cape, where they left three Admiral Boscawen with his Majestys Ships Namur, Vigilant, Deptford, Cambridge, Chester, Ruby, Kent Castle, a Bomb Vessel, and an Hospital Ship; and your Honours Ships Royal George, Royal Duke, Delawar, Chesterfield, Admiral Vernon, Elizabeth, Rhoda, Wentham, Hardwick, Edgbaston Fort Saint George, Lincoln, Darrington, and the Ship commanded by Captain Pearse, whose name we could not learn. Admiral Boscawen arrived in Table Bay, the 28. of March. He has landed, and encamped the Marines and is to be joined by some Dutch Ships and Troops before he proceeds in his expedition. The 4. of this Month came in a Hooker from the Cape with Letters for the Dutch Admiral, and on the 8. your Honours Ship the Saint George arrived from China They | To the Honourable &c Honourable Sirs The Council had written to the Court by the Court's ship Lynn, which sailed from here on 24 April with the York, Stafford, Grantham, Norfolk, Prince Edward, Onslow and Dragon. On the 3rd instant eighteen sail of Dutch ships, under the command of Admiral Bolthenius, arrived here in eighteen days from the Cape, where they left Rear Admiral Boscawen with His Majesty's ships Namur, Vigilant, Deptford, Comboye, Chester, Ruby, Deal Castle, a bomb vessel and a hospital ship, and the Court's ships Royal George, Royal Duke, Delaware, Chesterfield, Admiral Vernon, Elizabeth, Rhoda, Shoreham, Hardwick, Elphinstone, Fort St George, Lincoln, Barrington, and the ship commanded by Captain Pearce, whose name the Council could not learn. Admiral Boscawen had arrived in Table Bay on 28 March. He had landed and encamped the marines, and was to be joined by some Dutch ships and troops before he proceeded on his expedition. On the 4th of that month a hooker came in from the Cape with letters for the Dutch admiral, and on the 8th the Court's ship the Saint George arrived from China. | |
321 | This morning we had another Hooker from the Cape, but no new advices by her. The Dutch fleet are to Sail this Evening, had they required any thing here but Water, we could not have supplied them, as there are few Cattle fit to kill, little Poultry, and no Greens upon the Island, and unless we have more Rain and the Storeship, in a short time we shall be in great want of provisions for your Garrison. We are Honble Sirs St. Helena 9. May 1748. Your most Obt. & most humble Servants (Signd) Chas. Hutchinson John Clark To the Honble &c.a Honble Sirs We wrote to you Last by the Havelbin which Arrived here the 3. Day of May from the Cape; with Seventeen Sail of Dutch Ships, under the Command of Admiral Nolthenius, a Duplicate of which Letter we now Enclosed, as also of that Sent by your Ship the Lynn Capt. Gilbert We are Extreame glad to find that you received our Last Years Advices, & that your Ships are Safe Arrived in England, We hope the like good Fortune will attend those for the present Year. Since | That morning another hooker came in from the Cape, but brought no fresh advices. The Dutch fleet was to sail that evening. Had they required anything here but water, the Council could not have supplied them, since there were few cattle fit to kill, little poultry, and no greens upon the island. Unless the Council had more rice and the store ship in a short time, it would be in great want of provisions for the garrison. The letter closed, the Council describing itself as the Court's most obedient and most humble servants, signed at St Helena, 9 May 1748, by Charles Hutchinson and John Clark. To the Honourable &c Honourable Sirs 1: The Council had written to the Court last by the Haarlem, which arrived here on the 3rd of May from the Cape, with seventeen sail of Dutch ships under the command of Admiral Bolthenius, a duplicate of which letter went enclosed, as also of that sent by the Court's ship the Lynn, Captain Gilbert. 2: The Council was extremely glad to find that the Court had received its advices of the previous year, and that the Court's ships had arrived safely in England. It hoped the like good fortune would attend those for the present year. | |
322 | Your Ship Godolphin arrived here the 30 May last We thank your Honours for the Supply of Stores you have been pleased to Send by her, being very Acceptable at this Juncture, as our Provisions were near Expended. All the Expedition possible shall be used for landing them within Ten Working Days, at the Expiration of which time we shall give the Captn. his Sailing Orders in Writing to make the best of his way to Fort Malborough and forward the Copy of the Ships Charter-party thether. All such Stores as are unserviceable, add cannot be made use of after tryall, we shall forward to Bencoolen as you have Directed. We have Lycenced a proper Number of Publick Houses to Retail Spiritous Liquors for the Accommodation of your Garrison, and shall use all proper Measures for their keeping good decorum: the Planters and Millitary have been Allowed to buy Liquors where ever they pleased for the use of their own Houses. We shall Summon the Several Debtors to Govr. Goodwins Estate before Us, to Settle their Accounts which shall be done in a just & Equittable manner Allowing a reasonable time for the payment of the Same Mr. Goodwins Estate is made Debtor for the Seven Hundred Ninety one pounds and Eleven pence your Honours have paid Mr. Braadford We shall Acquaint the Heirs of Eleanor Worrall with what your Honours have wrote concerning her Legacy Mr. Loveday the Chaplain shall be paid Sixty pounds P Annum for Diet as you have Ordered. | 3: The Court's ship Godolphin arrived here on 30 May last. The Council thanked the Court for the supply of stores sent by her, which were very welcome at this juncture, as the island's provisions were nearly expended. 4: The Council would use all possible expedition to land the stores within the ten days allowed. At the end of that time it would give the captain his sailing orders in writing, to make the best of his way to Fort Marlborough, and would forward a copy of the ship's charter party to Bencoolen. 5: All such stores as were unserviceable, and could not be made use of after trial, the Council would forward to Bencoolen as the Court had directed. 6: The Council had licensed a proper number of public houses to retail spirituous liquors for the accommodation of the garrison, and would use all proper means for their keeping good decorum. The planters and military had been allowed to buy liquors wherever they pleased for the use of their own houses. 7: The Council would summon the several debtors to Governor Goodwin's estate before it to settle their accounts, which would be done in a just and equitable manner, allowing a reasonable time for the payment of the same. 8: Governor Goodwin's estate was made debtor for the £691 0s 11d the Court had paid Mr Bradshaw. 9: The Council would acquaint the heirs of Eleanor Worrall with what the Court had written concerning her legacy. 10: Mr Loveday, the chaplain, would be paid sixty pounds a year for diet, as the Court had ordered. Interpretations Licensing a fixed number of public houses to sell spirits to the garrison, while leaving planters and military free to buy liquor anywhere for their own homes, shows the Council regulating the drink trade by its social setting rather than banning it. The concern was the disorder of soldiers drinking in licensed houses, not private consumption, so control was aimed at the point of public sale while domestic purchase stayed open. The £691 0s 11d charged against Governor Goodwin's estate for a sum the Court had paid Mr Bradshaw continues the long reckoning against the discredited Goodwin administration recorded in the reference under the fraud investigations of 1741 to 1746. Years after Goodwin's death, his estate was still being debited for the Company's outlays traced back to him, showing how a dead governor's liabilities were pursued through his assets long after the man was gone. | |
323 | We do not recollect any Instance of allowing Money to Soldiers who are Natives to Enlist after Serving five Years, but as there are Several such in the Millitary here, who may leave the Island when ever they please, not being under Contract, which would very much Weaken your Garrison, therefore we believe it would be more to Your Honours Interest, to allow them the customary Bounty Money for Enlisting than to send Soldiers hither from Europe When any of your Servants are desirous of resigning their Employs & returning to England after Serving their Contracted Time here, liberty shall be granted them Accordingly; We acquainted Mr. Darwall that you gave him his choice either to remain here, or go a Factor to Bencoolen & he chuses the latter, for which favour he returns your Honours thanks We have acquainted Mr. Thos. French, that you have been pleased to appoint him Factor in your Service, here from the Godolphins Arrival who returns your Honours his Sincere thanks; as also does Mr. Wrangham. They have wrote to their Acquaintance in England to be bound for their fidelity, but as they are not certain whether they will or not, they desired us to acquaint your Honours, that they can procure Bondsmen here, if you will be pleased to Accept of them. When any of your Soldiers desire to return home after serving their Contracted Time, and Apply to Us for payment of their Passages, we will Acquaint them with your Honours Determination upon that Head | 11: The Council could recollect no instance of allowing money to soldiers who were natives after serving five years, but as there were several such among the military here who might leave the island whenever they pleased, not being under contract, which would greatly weaken the garrison, it believed it would be more to the Court's interest to allow them the customary bounty money for re-enlisting than to send soldiers here from Europe. 12: When any of the Court's servants were desirous of resigning their employments and returning to England after serving their contracted time, that liberty would be granted them accordingly. The Council had acquainted Mr Darvall that the Court gave him his choice whether to remain here or go as a factor to Bencoolen, and he chose the latter, for which favour he returned the Court his thanks. 13: The Council had acquainted Mr Thomas French that the Court had been pleased to appoint him a factor in its service here, on the Godolphin's arrival, for which he returned the Court his sincere thanks, as also did Mr Wrangham. They had written to their acquaintance in England to be bound for their fidelity, but as they were not certain whether they would or not, they desired the Council to acquaint the Court that they could procure bondsmen here, if the Court would be pleased to accept of them. 14: When any of the Court's soldiers desired to return home after serving their contracted time, and applied for payment of their passage, the Council would acquaint them with the Court's determination upon that head. Interpretations The distinction in paragraph 11 between contracted European soldiers and native-born men serving without contract shows the practical hold the Company had over each kind of soldier. A man under contract was bound; a native who had never signed could walk away at will, so the Council reasoned that paying re-enlistment bounties to keep such men was cheaper and more reliable than shipping fresh recruits from Europe who might die in their first seasons. The requirement that newly appointed factors like French and Wrangham produce bondsmen to guarantee their fidelity shows how the Company secured itself against dishonesty in men handling its money and goods. Financial trust was not extended on character alone but backed by sureties who stood to lose if the servant defaulted, and the men's difficulty in arranging bonds in England, offering local sureties instead, shows the awkwardness of meeting a London requirement from a remote island. | |
324 | When any of the Supracargoes or Captains of Foreign Ships in Amity with your Honours Apply to Us for Mony to defray their Necessary Expences, we shall let them have it, charging Six Shillings & Six pence for each Spanish Dollar, but no more than fifty pr Cent shall be taken for any Ames they may have Occasion for, & Bills of Exchange shall be drawn on their Respective Companys for either Mony or Stores What Orders may be given by the Honble the Secret Committe shall be punctually obeyed We are glad to hear that the new Battery erected at St. Days May meets with your Honours Approbation; We shall Acquaint the Inhabitants of the favourable Notice your Honours have been pleased to take of them, for Assisting to Compleat it; We on our parts will have all due regard to the greatness of the trust You have reposed in us, & nothing that is in our power shall be wanting, to make the Island as Defensible as possible in all respects, & every thing done that is thought most Adviseable for that purpose: We shall take great care that a Strict Millitary Discipline be kept up as tho' hitherto to have been, being very sensible who we have to Guard against Colonel Dunbar shall not be Charged with the Deficiency of Household furniture We shall pay Lieutenant Clark Sixty pounds P Annum as one of the Council from the Grantham | 15: When any of the supercargoes or captains of foreign ships in amity with the Court applied for money to defray their necessary expenses, the Council would let them have it, charging six shillings and sixpence for each Spanish dollar, but no more than fifty per cent would be taken for any money they might have occasion for, and bills of exchange would be drawn on their respective companies for either money or stores. 16: Whatever orders might be given by the Honourable the Secret Committee would be punctually obeyed. 17: The Council was glad to hear that the new battery erected at Sandy Bay met with the Court's approbation. It would acquaint the inhabitants of the favourable notice the Court had been pleased to take of them for assisting to complete it. The Council, on its own part, would have all due regard to the greatness of the trust the Court had reposed in it, and nothing that was in its power would be wanting to make the island as defensible as possible in all respects, and everything done that was thought most advisable for that purpose. The Council would take great care that a strict military discipline be kept up, as had hitherto been the case, being very sensible whom it had to guard against. 18: Colonel Dunbar would not be charged with the deficiency of household furniture. 19: The Council would pay Lieutenant Clark sixty pounds a year as one of the Council, from the Interpretations The distinction in paragraph 15 between the exchange rate offered to foreign ships and a separate fifty per cent ceiling shows the Council acting as a controlled money changer for allied European vessels, setting a fixed sterling value on the Spanish dollar while capping how much it would advance. Drawing bills on the ships' own companies rather than lending on the captains' personal credit meant the debt was secured against the trading houses that owned the vessels, not the individuals aboard. Colonel Dunbar's exemption in paragraph 18 from the deficiency of household furniture continues the settlement of accounts with the former Governor recorded earlier this year, when he paid £730 into the Court's cash before sailing home on the Pelham. Clearing him of a charge that had attached to earlier administrations shows the Court distinguishing between governors whose accounts it accepted as honest and those, like the Goodwin and Crispe party, whose estates it pursued for every shortfall. | |
325 | Granthams Arrival, as you have Directed exclusive of his Sallary as Lieutenant. It will always be our Endeavour to make the Inhabitants easy & happy, that a good harmony and Union may be kept up amongst us, and that they may have no reason to transmitt any Complaints to your Honours in any shape whatsoever. As Your Honours have been pleased to Approve of Your Servants at Bencoolen transporting Offenders to this place, we shall, when any Arrive keep them to hard Labour on your Fortifications, or where we think it most requisite to send them, not suffering the Overseers or any others to Use them Cruelty We shall take care to observe what your Honours have recommended to us, in relation to your Stock, that to keep more than your Lands may be reasonably allowed to maintain in all Seasons. Capt. David Hunter took place as Lieutt. Governour & shall be paid the Sallary & Diet Mony you have been pleased to allow him from her Arrival here; All your Affairs shall be conducted in the manner you have Ordered, & we shall act in every Respect conformable to the Rules we now have, & those we may hereafter receive from your Honours for our Guidance As there are not Rooms Sufficient in the Castle for two Familys, proper Apartments were Appointed in the House purchased of Govr. Goodwins for the Lieutt. Govr. & his Family, & we shall Accomodate those | From the Grantham's arrival, Lieutenant Clark's salary as one of the Council would be paid to him as the Court had directed, exclusive of his salary as lieutenant. 20: It would always be the Council's endeavour to make the inhabitants easy and happy, so that a good harmony and union might be kept up among them, and they might have no reason to send any complaints to the Court in any shape whatever. 21: Since the Court had been pleased to approve of its servants at Bencoolen transporting offenders to this place, the Council would, when any arrived, keep them to hard labour on the fortifications, or wherever it thought most needful to send them, not suffering the overseer or any others to use them cruelly. 22: The Council would take care to observe what the Court had recommended in relation to its stock, and not to keep more than the island might reasonably maintain in all seasons. 23: Captain David Hunter took his place as lieutenant governor, and would be paid the salary and diet money the Court had been pleased to allow him from his arrival here. All the Court's affairs would be conducted in the manner it had ordered, and the Council would act in every respect conformable to the rules it now had, or those it might hereafter receive from the Court, for its guidance. 24: As there were not rooms sufficient in the castle for two families, proper apartments were appointed in the house purchased of Governor Goodwin for the lieutenant governor and his family, and the Council would accommodate those Interpretations The instruction in paragraph 22 to keep no more stock than the island could maintain in all seasons reads directly against the drought crisis running through this year's letters, where cattle starved for want of grass and springs failed as never before in living memory. The Court's caution, and the Council's ready agreement, shows both sides drawing the lesson that overstocking in good years left the island fatally exposed when the rains failed, matching stock to the worst season rather than the best. Housing the lieutenant governor in the house bought from the disgraced Governor Goodwin shows the Company turning a former private residence, acquired in the reckoning against that administration, to institutional use. Rather than leave the property idle or sell it, the Council fitted it for an officer the castle could not lodge, the assets absorbed from a fallen governor now serving the establishment that had displaced him. | |
326 | those who where obliged to remove with other Lodgings, or pay them the usual Allowance for House Rent. If the Sum of Eighty pounds should be Offered to be paid into your Honours Cash on Acct. of Mr. Joshua Twynam, we will Receive the Same and grant Bills Accordingly The Govr. will Appoint a proper Assistant to the Storekeeper, either Factor or Writer, as your Honors have directed We have taken Eleven of the Millitary out of the Godolphin, which compleats our Establishment and shall forward the rest to Bencoolen. In case any Goods are brought on Shore from the Captns. of your Honours Ships for Sale, the Inhabitants shall have free liberty to Act as they think proper, but if it should at any time appear to the Govr. & Council good, that any Inconveniences may attend such methods, they will in Obedience to your Commands take care to prevent them As you do not approve of the extraordinary Salutes for the Commanders of your Ships & others upon their Landing, it shall not be continued for the future, but only practiced upon the particular occasions, your Honours have been pleased to mention In our Letter dated 16 June 1747 we wrote to your Honours for a Surgeons Mate Van Anonuer Whom | The Council would provide those who were obliged to remove with other lodgings, or pay them the usual allowance for house rent. 25: Should the sum of eighty pounds be offered to be paid into the Court's cash on account of Mr Joshua Wrangham, the Council would receive the same and grant bills accordingly. 26: The Governor would appoint a proper assistant to the storekeeper, either a factor or writer, as the Court had directed. 27: The Council had taken eleven of the military out of the Godolphin, which completed its established number, and would forward the rest to Bencoolen. 28: In case any goods were brought ashore from the captains of the Court's ships for sale, the inhabitants would have free liberty to bid as they thought proper, but if it should at any time appear to the Governor and lieutenant governor that any inconvenience might attend such a method, they would, in obedience to the Court's commands, take care to prevent them. 29: Since the Court did not approve of the extraordinary salutes to the commanders of its ships and others upon their landing, this would not be continued in future, but only practised upon the particular occasions the Court had been pleased to mention. 30: In the Council's letter dated 16 June 1747, it had written to the Court for a surgeon's mate and an armourer. Interpretations The Court's objection to extraordinary salutes for arriving ship commanders, and the Council's agreement to reserve them for particular occasions, shows the Company treating powder fired in ceremony as a real cost to be curbed, not an empty courtesy. On an island short of everything and repeatedly begging for stores, gunpowder spent honouring captains was an expense London preferred to see saved, ceremony giving way to economy. | |
327 | whom we expected soon in the Store Ship, as we then were, & are now very much in want of them, having no one in the least Qualified to take Care of your Garrison, & Inhabitants when Sick, if the Surgeon should die; and [...] only one of your Honours Slaves to Work in the Armourers Shop, who can do nothing near the business that is required. We therefore hope your Honours will be pleased to Send us a Surgeons Mate & an Armourer by the first Oppertunity Ever since Mr. Wrights death, the business in the Secretarys Office, hath been transacted by Mr. Thos. French, which we think too much for one Person to do for a Continuance we therefore thought proper to entertain Mr. Matthew Rayett to Assist there as a Writer, who is a fit Person for that purpose on the usual Salary and Diet Mony, untill your Honrs pleasure should be known thereupon. There hath been within these few Days some Showers of Rain which we hope as the Setting in of our Season, but not near Sufficient to be of much Service to your Lands. Mr. Falconer the Surgeon hath applied to us for the payment of a Sum of Mony he advanced for the Support of George Windie, who was left Sick here out of your Ship the Wager Capt. Raymond which we desire your Honours would be pleased to Direct to be Kept out of his Wages due from the said Ship in the 8. Paragraph of our Letter dated 31 July 1746 We therefore request your Orders concerning it. | The Council had expected these men to come over in the store ship, as they then were, and now stood in great want of them, having no one on the island qualified to take care of the garrison and inhabitants when sick should the surgeon die, and only one of the Court's slaves able to work in the armourer's shop, who could do nothing near the business required. The Council therefore hoped the Court would be pleased to send a surgeon's mate and an armourer by the first opportunity. 31: Ever since Mr Wright's death the business in the secretary's office had been transacted by Mr Thomas French, which the Council thought too much for one person to do for a continuance. It had therefore thought proper to entertain Mr Matthew Kaye and so forth as a writer, being a fit person for that purpose, on the usual salary and diet money, until the Court's pleasure should be known upon it. 32: There had been within these few days some showers of rain, which the Council hoped was the setting in of the season, but not near sufficient to be of much service to the land. 33: Mr Falconer, the surgeon, had applied to the Council for the payment of a sum of money he had advanced for the support of George Hyde, who was left sick here out of the Court's ship the Wager, Captain Raymond. The Council desired the Court would be pleased to direct it to be stopped out of the wages due from the ship, as mentioned in the eighth paragraph of the Council's letter dated 31 July 1746, and therefore requested the Court's orders concerning it. Interpretations The Council's alarm at having no qualified medical man to fall back on should the surgeon die, and only an unskilled slave in the armoury, shows how a remote garrison's whole capacity in a trade could rest on a single life. With no depth of skilled replacements, the death or illness of one key man threatened to leave the island without any competent person in a vital function, which is why the plea for a mate and an armourer is pressed so urgently. Mr Falconer's claim for money he had advanced to keep the sick George Hyde, to be recovered from the man's ship wages, shows how the cost of caring for a sailor put ashore ill was made to follow the man's own earnings rather than fall on the island. The surgeon fronted the expense personally and looked to the Company to reimburse him from the wages the Wager still owed, the debt chased back to the ship that had left the man behind. | |
328 | Lieutenant Clark begs leave to return your Honours Thanks, for the late favours you have been pleased to Confer on him Application having been made to Us by the Persons mentioned in the Subsequent Paragraphs, to receive Mony into your Cash here, & grant Bills on Your Honours for the Amount, we compleyed with their Requests, thinking it more to your Honours conveniency than taking the Treasure Consigned to Bencoolen as it might be wanted here Mr. Francis Wrangham Senr. hath paid into your Cash here the Sum of one Hundred & twenty pounds, for which we have given him Bills on Your Honours dated ye Instant payable to himself or Order Ninety Days after Sight Mr. Thos. Feentree hath paid into your Cash here the Sum of two Hundred Pounds for which we have given him Bills on your Honours dated ye Instant payable to himself or Order Ninety Days after Sight Capt. Robert Robinson hath paid into your Cash here the Sum of two Hundred pounds for which we have given him Bills on your Honours dated ye Instant payable to himself or Order Ninety Days after Sight Mr. Matthew Curling hath paid into Your Cash here the Sum of two Hundred twenty Eight pounds twelve Shillings & four pence, for which we have given | 34: Lieutenant Clark returned the Court his thanks for the late favours it had been pleased to confer on him. 35: Application having been made to the Council by the persons named in the following paragraphs to receive money into the Court's cash here and grant bills on the Court for the amount, the Council complied with their requests, thinking it more to the Court's convenience than taking the treasure consigned to Bencoolen, as it might be wanted here. 36: Mr Francis Wrangham senior paid into the Court's cash the sum of £120, for which the Council gave him bills on the Court, dated 7 instant, payable to himself or order ninety days after sight. 37: Mr Thomas Greentree paid into the Court's cash the sum of £200, for which the Council gave him bills on the Court, dated 7 instant, payable to himself or order ninety days after sight. 38: Captain Robert Robinson paid into the Court's cash the sum of £200, for which the Council gave him bills on the Court, dated 7 instant, payable to himself or order ninety days after sight. 39: Mr Matthew Purling paid into the Court's cash the sum of £228 12s 4d, for which the Council had given Interpretations Paragraph 35 explains why the Council preferred to raise money by drawing bills on London from private individuals rather than opening the treasure chests bound for Bencoolen. Taking coin already consigned elsewhere would leave the island short if a need arose, so accepting local deposits against bills payable in England kept the physical silver in reserve while still meeting the Council's cash requirements, a standing solution to the island's chronic want of coin. | |
329 | given him Bills on your Honours dated ye Instant payable to himself or Order Ninety Days after Sight. Mr. Thos. French hath paid into your Cash here the Sum of Ten pounds two Shillings & six pence for which we have given him Bills on your Honours dated ye Instant payable to Mr. Peter Mitchell or Order Ninety Days after Sight. Mr. John Goodwin hath paid into your Cash here the Sum of One Hundred & Eleven Pounds Seventeen Shillings & three pence for which we have given him Bills on your Honours dated ye Instant payable to himself or Order Ninety Days after Sight The Attorneys of Capt. Francs. Steward have paid into your Cash here the Sum of One Hundred & Twenty Pounds, for which we have given Bills on your Honours dated ye Instant payable to Capt. Francs. Steward or Order Ninety Days after Sight The Plantation House is in a very bad Condition & part of it likely to fall in a little time if your Honours approve of having another built the whole Expence of the Materials to make a very good & Convenient one, will not Exceed Four Hundred Pounds, which is all the charge your Honours will be at, as the Labour will be done by your own Slaves, Enclosed is the Indent of Stores we shall want for the Ensueing Year, which we hope your Honours | The Council had given him bills on the Court, dated 7 instant, payable to himself or order ninety days after sight. 40: Mr Thomas Secret paid into the Court's cash the sum of £10 2s 6d, for which the Council gave him bills on the Court, dated 7 instant, payable to Mr Peter Michell or order ninety days after sight. 41: Mr John Goodwin paid into the Court's cash the sum of £111 17s 3d, for which the Council gave him bills on the Court, dated 7 instant, payable to himself or order ninety days after sight. 42: The attorneys of Captain Francis Steward paid into the Court's cash the sum of £130, for which the Council gave bills on the Court, dated 7 instant, payable to Captain Francis Steward or order ninety days after sight. 43: The plantation house was in a very bad condition, and part of it likely to fall in a little time, if the Court approved of having another built. The whole expense of the materials to make a very good and convenient one would not exceed four hundred pounds, which was all the charge the Court would be at, as the labour would be done by its own slaves. 44: Enclosed was the indent of stores the Council would want for the coming year, which it hoped the Court Interpretations The proposed new plantation house, costed at no more than four hundred pounds for materials because the Court's own slaves would supply all the labour, shows how heavily the island's building programme leaned on unpaid slave work to keep costs down. The Council presents the low figure as a point in the scheme's favour, the true expense of the work hidden by the fact that the labour drew no wage, only the materials appearing on the Company's account. Choosing to replace the failing plantation house rather than repair it, and pressing the case to London on grounds of cheapness, shows the Council judging a sound new building a better long-term investment than patching a structure already part collapsing. The decision to seek the Court's approval rather than act at once reflects that even a modest capital work on Company property needed sanction from home before the island could commit to it. 用户"The Council had given him bills on the Court, dated 7 instant, payable to himself or order ninety days after sight." please read what i have said about the first sentence Thought process The user is pointing out that my first sentence "The Council had given him bills on the Court, dated 7 instant, payable to himself or order ninety days after sight." is not a self-contained independent clause — it relies on "him" which is a pronoun referring back to the previous page's Matthew Purling. The rule (instruction 20, 62, and the project framing) requires the opening sentence to stand as a complete independent clause when read with no knowledge of the previous response's final words: it must name its own subject and reach a finite verb without relying on an antecedent, pronoun reference, or connective carried over from the prior image. So "him" is a carried-over pronoun. I need to rebuild it so it names its own subject. The previous page ended with paragraph 39: Mr Matthew Purling paid into the Court's cash the sum of £228 12s 4d, for which the Council had given... So this continues that. I need a self-contained opening that recovers the sense. Something like: "For Mr Matthew Purling's payment of £228 12s 4d into the Court's cash, the Council gave him bills on the Court, dated 7 instant, payable to himself or order ninety days after sight." Then give the full page again with Interpretations. The user wants the full corrected page.For the sum Mr Matthew Purling had paid into the Court's cash, the Council gave him bills on the Court, dated 7 instant, payable to himself or order ninety days after sight. 40: Mr Thomas Secret paid into the Court's cash the sum of £10 2s 6d, for which the Council gave him bills on the Court, dated 7 instant, payable to Mr Peter Michell or order ninety days after sight. 41: Mr John Goodwin paid into the Court's cash the sum of £111 17s 3d, for which the Council gave him bills on the Court, dated 7 instant, payable to himself or order ninety days after sight. 42: The attorneys of Captain Francis Steward paid into the Court's cash the sum of £130, for which the Council gave bills on the Court, dated 7 instant, payable to Captain Francis Steward or order ninety days after sight. 43: The plantation house was in a very bad condition, and part of it likely to fall in a little time, if the Court approved of having another built. The whole expense of the materials to make a very good and convenient one would not exceed four hundred pounds, which was all the charge the Court would be at, as the labour would be done by its own slaves. 44: Enclosed was the indent of stores the Council would want for the coming year, which it hoped the Court Interpretations The proposed new plantation house, costed at no more than four hundred pounds for materials because the Court's own slaves would supply all the labour, shows how heavily the island's building programme leaned on unpaid slave work to keep costs down. The Council presents the low figure as a point in the scheme's favour, the true expense of the work hidden by the fact that the labour drew no wage, only the materials appearing on the Company's account. Choosing to replace the failing plantation house rather than repair it, and pressing the case to London on grounds of cheapness, shows the Council judging a sound new building a better long-term investment than patching a structure already part collapsing. The decision to seek the Court's approval rather than act at once reflects that even a modest capital work on Company property needed sanction from home before the island could commit to it. | |
330 | Honours will Approve of We are Hon.ble Sirs Your Most Obdt. and most Humble Servants (Signd) Charles Hutchinson David Hunter John Clark St. Helena June 9th 1748 List of the Honble Companys Paquet from St. Helena p the Saint George dated 9th June 1748 vizt. No. 1 Govr. & Councils General Letter dated 9th June 1748 2 Duplicate Do. of Ship Lynn dated 24 April 1748 3 Do. Do. of the Havelbin a Dutch Ship dated 9th May 1748 4 Duplicate Consultations from the 2 Feby to the 19 Apr. 1748 5 Copy Do. from the 20 April to 9 June 1748 6 List of Arrival and Departure of Ships. 7 Duplicate List of the Packet p. the Lynn 8 List of Officers and Servants taken 24 April 1748 9 Duplicate List of Marriages &c. from the 1 Feby 1747 to 24 April 1748 10 List of Marriages &c. from the 24 April to the 9 June 1748 11 Duplicate Cash Account for Feb 1747 12 Do. Do. March 1748 13 Do. Do. from the 1 to 24 April Do. 14 Do. Ship Lynns Account | The Council hoped the Court would well approve of the indent enclosed. The letter closed, the Council describing itself as the Court's most obedient and most humble servants, signed at St Helena, 9 June 1748, by Charles Hutchinson, David Hunter and John Clark. List of the Company's packet from St Helena by the Saint George, with the foregoing letter, dated 9 June 1748. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter dated 9 June 1748. 2: A duplicate of the same, by the ship Lynn, dated 24 April 1748. 3: A duplicate of the same, by the Haarlem, a Dutch ship, dated 9 May 1748. 4: A duplicate of consultations from the 8th of February to the 19th of April 1748. 5: A copy of the same from the 30th of April to the 9th of June 1748. 6: A list of the arrival and departure of ships. 7: A duplicate list of the packet by the Lynn. 8: A list of officers and servants taken 9 June 1748. 9: A duplicate list of marriages and so forth, from the 1st of February 1747 to the 24th of April 1748. 10: A list of marriages and so forth, from the 24th of April to the 9th of June 1748. 11: A duplicate cash account for February 1747. 12: A duplicate cash account for March 1748. 13: A duplicate cash account from the 1st to the 24th of April, ditto. 14: The ship Lynn's account. | |
331 | No. 15 Duplicate Ship Yorks Account 16 Do. Staffords Do. 17 Do. Granthams Do. 18 Do. Norfolks Do. 19 Do. Dragons Do. 20 Do. Onslows Do. 21 Do. Prince Edwards Do. 22 Second Receipt for the Paquet p. the Crown Prince of Denmark a Dane Ship 23 First Receipt for Do. of the Lynn 24 Do. Do. of the Haerlem a Dutch Ship 25 Capt. Hancocks Second Bill of Exchange 26 Ship St. Georges Account 27 Cash Account from the 25th to the 30 April 1748 28 Do. Do. for the Month of May Do. 29 Do. Do. from the 1 to the 9 June Do. 30 Indent for Stores for the Year 1749 31 Do. for Medicines for Do. 32 List of Remains of Stores taken 9 May 1748 33 Do. of Gunners Stores taken Do. Do. 34 Govr. Letter to the Secret Committee 35 Covenants of Mr. Francs. Wrangham 36 Do. of Mr. Josh. Darvall 37 Do. of Mr. Thos. French | 15: A duplicate of the ship York's account. 16: A duplicate of the Stafford's account. 17: A duplicate of the Grantham's account. 18: A duplicate of the Norfolk's account. 19: A duplicate of the Dragon's account. 20: A duplicate of the Onslow's account. 21: A duplicate of the Prince Edward's account. 22: A second receipt for the packet by the Crown Prince of Denmark, a Danish ship. 23: A first receipt for the same, by the Lynn. 24: A first receipt for the same, by the Haarlem, a Dutch ship. 25: Captain Hancock's second bill of exchange. 26: The ship Saint George's account. 27: A cash account from the 26th to the 30th of April 1748. 28: A cash account for the month of May, ditto. 29: A cash account from the 1st to the 9th of June, ditto. 30: The indent for stores for the year 1749. 31: The indent for medicines for the same year. 32: A list of the remains of stores taken 31 May 1748. 33: A list of the gunner's stores taken on the same date. 34: The Governor's letter to the Secret Committee. 35: The covenants of Mr Francis Wrangham. 36: The covenants of Mr Joseph Darvall. 37: The covenants of Mr Thomas French. | |
332 | To the Honble &c.a Honble Sirs. Our last Advices to your Honours went by your Ship St George Capt. Robinson, that Sailed from hence the 9. of June last, a Duplicate of which we send you by the present Opportunity. The Godolphin, Store Ship, was unladed, and our Dispatches given the Captn. within the limited time, the 20 Casks of Brandy that Your Honours Ordered for this Place, were only put on board her. She proceeded on her Voyage the 6. Day of July. We took two more of the Soldiers consigned to Bencoolen, than were mentioned in our last Letter, to Supply the places of one of your Servants who was Drowned by Accident, and of another that dyed, which make 13 in the whole; two Days after the Godolphin Sailed, a Soldier that had deserted from her, came and Surrendered himself. On the 9. of July, arrived your Ship Craven, Capt. Court, from Bengall, he Sailed from thence the 29. of Febry, with the Princess of Wales, Capt. Slaney, that he parted from the 4. of March, and has not seen since Capt. Court brought us no Supplies, not being intended for this Place, but obliged to put in, as he had many of his Men Sick, his Rigging Very much Damaged and was | To the Honourable &c Honourable Sirs 1: The Council's last advices to the Court went by the Court's ship St George, Captain Robinson, that sailed from here on the 9th of June last, a duplicate of which the Council sent by the present opportunity. 2: The Godolphin, store ship, came unladen, and the Council's despatches were given the captain within the time allowed. The twenty casks of brandy the Court had ordered for this place were also put on board her. She proceeded on her voyage on the 6th of July. 3: The Council took two more of the soldiers consigned to Bencoolen than were mentioned in its last letter, to supply the place of one of the garrison who was drowned by accident and another that died, which made thirteen in all. Two days after the Godolphin sailed, a soldier that had deserted from her came and surrendered himself. 4: On the 7th of July arrived the Court's ship Caesar, Captain Court, from Bengal. He sailed from there on the 24th of February with the Princess of Wales, Captain Sharp, from whom he parted on the 4th of March, and had not seen her since. Captain Court brought the Council no supplies, not being intended for this place, but was obliged to put in, as he had many of his men sick, his rigging much damaged and Interpretations Sending twenty casks of brandy out to St Helena in the Godolphin shows the Company provisioning the island with imported spirits as a matter of course, brandy taking its place among the ordered stores alongside food and materials. On an island that could grow little and repeatedly ran short, drink for the garrison and inhabitants was something London supplied by ship rather than expecting the island to furnish for itself. | |
333 | was in want of Water, and an Anchor. Mr. Falconer, the Surgeon, Petitioned us in Consultation of 28. of June, to allow him Diet Mony, the General Table being of little, or no Advantage to him, as his Business requires him to be very often in the Country, We acquainted him that we could not take upon us to grant his Request, but would recommend it to Your Honours Consideration. A Second Lieutenantcy being vacant, by Lieut. Kirkpatricks promotion to a first, We have Appointed Mr. John French, Son of Mr. John French, the Master Gunner, to Succeed to it, he having Served amongst Millitary upward of 13 Years, & almost served & those a Serjeant, which appointment we hope your Hon.rs will approve of. Being in want of Rice, & Paddy, we agreed to buy of Capt. Court, 10.2.2 of Rice, at 6.10 P.C., and 8.16 of Paddy at 5.8 P.C., which was all he could Spare us. Finding we shall have Occasion for a few things more, than were in the last Indent, we have added them to the foot of the Duplicate of it, which we now transmitt to Your Honours. The Pastures, and Plantations, are, in most parts of the Island, very Dry, & bare, from the want of Rain, & the Cattle very Lean. | The Caesar was in want of water and an anchor. 5: Mr Falconer, the surgeon, petitioned the Council in the consultation of 28 June to allow him diet money, the general table being of little or no advantage to him, as his business required him to be very often in the country. The Council acquainted him that it could not take it upon itself to grant his request, but would recommend it to the Court's consideration. 6: A second lieutenancy being vacant by Lieutenant Kirkpatrick's promotion to first, the Council had appointed Mr John French, son of Mr John French, the master gunner, to succeed him, he having served in the military upwards of thirteen years, and almost as long a sergeant, which appointment the Council hoped the Court would approve. 7: Being in want of rice and paddy, the Council agreed to buy of Captain Court ten leaguers and two of rice, at £4 per leaguer, and eight leaguers and sixteen of paddy, at 5 shillings per leaguer, which was all he could spare it. 8: Finding it would have occasion for a few things more than were in the last indent, the Council had added them to the foot of the duplicate of it, which it now transmitted to the Court. 9: The pastures and plantations were, in most parts of the island, very dry and bare from the want of rain, and the cattle very lean. Interpretations Mr Falconer's request for diet money in place of a seat at the general table, on the ground that his duties kept him out in the country, shows how a fixed perquisite could become worthless to a man whose work prevented him from using it. The surgeon sought its cash equivalent instead, and the Council, unwilling to alter an established allowance on its own authority, passed the decision to London, the pattern of referring even small changes home holding firm. Buying rice and paddy from a passing ship never meant for the island, the Caesar having put in only through distress, shows the Council seizing whatever supply came within reach during the drought rather than waiting on intended provision. With the pastures bare and the cattle failing, the chance purchase of grain from a storm-damaged ship was an opportunity too valuable to let pass. | |
334 | We have sent in the Paquet to Your Honours the Accounts Currantly of the Estates of Mr. Robert Wright, and John Barton dec.d. The Contracted times of the Soldiers, that came over here in your Ship Craven, expire in March next, and as it is uncertain how many of them will Enlist, we therefore desire Your Honours will be pleased to Send Us twenty Recruits, by the next Storeships should that Number be more than is required, we shall forward the Rest to Bencoolen. We are, Honble Sirs, Your Most Obedt. & Most Humble Servants. (Signed) Chas. Hutchinson David Hunter John Clark St. Helena July 30th 1748. List of the Honble Companys Paquet from St. Helena p the Craven, with the foregoing Letter dated 30th July 1748 vizt. No. 1 Govr. & Councils General Letter dated 30 July 1748 2 Duplicate Do. p. Ship St George dated 9 June Do. 3 Do. Consultations from 20. April to 9. June Do. 4 Copy Do. from 14. June to 26 July 5 List of the Arrival & Departure of Ships 6 Duplicate | 10: The Council sent in the packet to the Court the accounts current of the estates of Mr Robert Wright and John Barton, deceased. 11: The contracted times of the soldiers that came over here in the Court's ship Caesar would expire in March next, and as it was uncertain how many of them would re-enlist, the Council desired the Court would be pleased to send it twenty recruits by the next ship. Should that number be more than was required, the Council would forward the rest to Bencoolen. The letter closed, the Council describing itself as the Court's most obedient and most humble servants, signed at St Helena, 30 July 1748, by Charles Hutchinson, David Hunter and John Clark. List of the Company's packet from St Helena by the Caesar, with the foregoing letter, dated 30 July 1748. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter dated 30 July 1748. 2: A duplicate of the same, by the ship St George, dated 9 June, ditto. 3: A duplicate of consultations from the 26th of April to the 9th of June, ditto. 4: A copy of the same from the 14th of June to the 26th of July, ditto. 5: A list of the arrival and departure of ships. | |
337 | List of the Honble Companys Paquet from St. Helena p the George, dated the 12 August 1748 vizt. No. 1 Govr. & Councils Generall Letter dated 12 August 1748 2 Duplicate Do. p the Caesar dated 30 July Do. 3 Do. Consultations from 14 June to 26 July Do. 4 Do. from 27 to 9 August 5 Duplicate List of the Paquet p the Caesar 6 List of Officers & Servants taken 12 August 1748 7 Duplicate List of Marriages &c. from the 9 June to 28 July 1748 8 List of Marriages &c. from the 28 July to the 11 August Do. 9 Second Receipt for the Paquet p the St George 10 Do. Do. p the Caesar 11 Duplicate Ship Godolphins Account 12 Do. Caesars Do. 13 Do. Cash Account from the 10 to 30 June 1748 14 Do. Do. for the Month of July Do. 15 Cash Account from the 1 to 12 August 16 Duplicate Account Currant of the Estate of Mr. Robert Wright dec.d 17 Do. Do. of the Estate of Lieutenant John Barton dec.d 18 Do. Account of Stores Added to the Last Indent 19 Ship Georges Account 20 Governours Letter to the Secret Committee | 10: The Council sent in the packet to the Court the accounts current of the estates of Mr Robert Wright and John Barton, deceased. 11: The contracted times of the soldiers that came over here in the Court's ship Caesar would expire in March next, and as it was uncertain how many of them would re-enlist, the Council desired the Court would be pleased to send it twenty recruits by the next ship. Should that number be more than was required, the Council would forward the rest to Bencoolen. The letter closed, the Council describing itself as the Court's most obedient and most humble servants, signed at St Helena, 30 July 1748, by Charles Hutchinson, David Hunter and John Clark. List of the Company's packet from St Helena by the Caesar, with the foregoing letter, dated 30 July 1748. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter dated 30 July 1748. 2: A duplicate of the same, by the ship St George, dated 9 June, ditto. 3: A duplicate of consultations from the 26th of April to the 9th of June, ditto. 4: A copy of the same from the 14th of June to the 26th of July, ditto. 5: A list of the arrival and departure of ships. | |
338 | Bullock, Cows, Heifer, Steers, Yearlings, Calves, Bulls, Totall, Ewes, Wethers, Lambs, Rams, Totall, Sows, Shoats, Pigs, Barrows, Boars, Totall, Turkeys, Fowles, Ducks, Geese, Horses, Mares, Totall Remg 1: August: Bullock 44, Cows 155, Heifer 42, Steers 40, Yearlings 90, Calves 103, Bulls 6, Totall 480, Ewes 76, Wethers 28, Lambs 53, Rams 4, Totall 161, Sows 21, Shoats 23, Pigs 27, Barrows 10, Boars 3, Totall 84, Turkeys 82, Fowles 80, Ducks 12, Geese 5, Horses 4, Mares 6, Totall 10 Encreased in ditto: Bullock 0, Cows 0, Heifer 0, Steers 0, Yearlings 0, Calves 4, Bulls 0, Totall 4, Ewes 0, Wethers 0, Lambs 2, Rams 0, Totall 2, Sows 0, Shoats 0, Pigs 0, Barrows 0, Boars 0, Totall 0, Turkeys 0, Fowles 30, Ducks 12, Geese 4, Horses 0, Mares 0, Totall 0 Killed 2 Bullocks for the Blacks & 1 heifer for the Table: Bullock 44, Cows 155, Heifer 42, Steers 40, Yearlings 90, Calves 107, Bulls 6, Totall 484, Ewes 76, Wethers 28, Lambs 55, Rams 4, Totall 163, Sows 21, Shoats 23, Pigs 27, Barrows 10, Boars 3, Totall 84, Turkeys 82, Fowles 110, Ducks 21, Geese 9, Horses 4, Mares 6, Totall 10 [deduction line]: Bullock 2, Cows 0, Heifer 1, Steers 0, Yearlings 0, Calves 1, Bulls 0, Totall 4, Ewes 0, Wethers 3, Lambs 0, Rams 0, Totall 3, Sows 1, Shoats 4, Pigs 5, Barrows 0, Boars 0, Totall 10, Turkeys 10, Fowles 10, Ducks 21, Geese 8, Horses 0, Mares 0, Totall 0 Remg 5: Augto: Bullock 42, Cows 155, Heifer 41, Steers 40, Yearlings 90, Calves 109, Bulls 6, Totall 480, Ewes 76, Wethers 25, Lambs 55, Rams 4, Totall 160, Sows 20, Shoats 19, Pigs 22, Barrows 10, Boars 3, Totall 74, Turkeys 72, Fowles 86, Ducks 16, Geese 9, Horses 4, Mares 6, Totall 10 Yams Expended at the Severall Plantations 18000 Ditto delivered the Blacks 13700 Totall 31700 | This account of the Court's stock set out the numbers under the heads of neat cattle, sheep, hogs, poultry and horses, showing the figures remaining on 1 August, the increase or decrease during the month, and the number remaining on 5 August. Remaining on 1 August: 44 bullocks, 155 cows, 42 heifers, 40 steers, 90 yearlings, 103 calves, 6 bulls, total 480; 76 ewes, 28 wethers, 53 lambs, 4 rams, total 161; 21 sows, 23 shoats, 27 pigs, 10 barrows, 3 boars, total 84; 82 turkeys, 80 fowls, 19 ducks, 5 geese; 4 horses, 6 mares, total 10. Increased in the month: 4 calves, total 4 neat cattle; 2 lambs, total 2 sheep; 30 fowls, 12 ducks, 4 geese. Total after increase: 44 bullocks, 155 cows, 42 heifers, 40 steers, 90 yearlings, 107 calves, 6 bulls, total 484; 76 ewes, 28 wethers, 55 lambs, 4 rams, total 163; 21 sows, 23 shoats, 27 pigs, 10 barrows, 3 boars, total 84; 82 turkeys, 110 fowls, 24 ducks, 9 geese; 4 horses, 6 mares, total 10. Killed two bullocks for the black people, and a heifer for the table: 2 bullocks, 1 heifer, 1 calf, total 4 neat cattle; 3 ewes, total 3 sheep; 1 sow, 4 barrows, total 5 hogs; 10 turkeys, 10 fowls, 24 ducks, 8 geese. Remaining on 5 August: 42 bullocks, 155 cows, 41 heifers, 40 steers, 90 yearlings, 109 calves, 6 bulls, total 480; 76 ewes, 25 wethers, 55 lambs, 4 rams, total 160; 20 sows, 19 shoats, 22 pigs, 10 barrows, 3 boars, total 74; 72 turkeys, 86 fowls, 16 ducks, 9 geese; 4 horses, 6 mares, total 10. Yams expended at the several plantations, 18,000. Yams delivered to the black people, 13,700. Total, 31,700. Interpretations The killing of two bullocks for the slaves against a single heifer for the general table shows the relative scale of provisioning the Court's large slave workforce compared with the officers' own mess. The slaves numbered near two hundred and had to be fed in bulk, so their meat ration drew more heavily on the herd than the table of the handful of Company servants, the figures quietly registering the size of the labour force the island maintained. The yam accounting, with 18,000 spent across the plantations and 13,700 issued to the slaves out of a total of 31,700, shows yams standing as the staple that fed both the estate and its workforce. Set against the drought crippling the pastures throughout these letters, the steady expenditure of yams on such a scale confirms them as the island's fallback subsistence when cattle and grain ran short, the root crop carrying the burden the failing pastures could not. | |
339 | Bullocks, Cows, Heifers, Steers, Yearlings, Calves, Bulls, Totall, Ewes, Wethers, Lambs, Rams, Totall, Sows, Shoates, Pigs, Barrows, Boars, Totall, Turkeys, Fowles, Ducks, Geese, Horses, Mares, Totall Remg 1 July: Bullocks 46, Cows 156, Heifers 42, Steers 40, Yearlings 90, Calves 101, Bulls 6, Totall 431, Ewes 76, Wethers 33, Lambs 45, Rams 4, Totall 158, Sowes 21, Shoates 28, Pigs 31, Barrows 10, Boars 3, Totall 93, Turkeys 108, Fowles 96, Ducks 5, Geese 3, Horses 4, Mares 6, Totall 10 Encreased in do.: Bullocks 0, Cows 0, Heifers 0, Steers 0, Yearlings 0, Calves 3, Bulls 0, Totall 3, Ewes 0, Wethers 0, Lambs 8, Rams 0, Totall 8, Sowes 0, Shoates 0, Pigs 6, Barrows 0, Boars 0, Totall 6, Turkeys 0, Fowles 20, Ducks 11, Geese 4, Horses 0, Mares 0, Totall 0 Killed in ditto 2 Bullocks for the Blacks & 1 Cow for the Table: Bullocks 46, Cows 156, Heifers 42, Steers 40, Yearlings 90, Calves 104, Bulls 6, Totall 484, Ewes 76, Wethers 33, Lambs 53, Rams 4, Totall 166, Sowes 21, Shoates 28, Pigs 37, Barrows 10, Boars 3, Totall 99, Turkeys 108, Fowles 116, Ducks 16, Geese 7, Horses 4, Mares 6, Totall 10 [deduction line]: Bullocks 2, Cows 1, Heifers 0, Steers 0, Yearlings 0, Calves 0, Bulls 0, Totall 3, Ewes 0, Wethers 2, Lambs 0, Rams 0, Totall 2, Sowes 0, Shoates 5, Pigs 10, Barrows 0, Boars 0, Totall 15, Turkeys 17, Fowles 36, Ducks 4, Geese 2, Horses 0, Mares 0, Totall 0 [running line]: Bullocks 44, Cows 155, Heifers 42, Steers 40, Yearlings 90, Calves 104, Bulls 6, Totall 481, Ewes 76, Wethers 31, Lambs 53, Rams 4, Totall 164, Sowes 21, Shoates 23, Pigs 27, Barrows 10, Boars 3, Totall 84, Turkeys 91, Fowles 80, Ducks 12, Geese 5, Horses 4, Mares 6, Totall 10 Dead in ditto: Bullocks 0, Cows 0, Heifers 0, Steers 0, Yearlings 0, Calves 1, Bulls 0, Totall 1, Ewes 0, Wethers 3, Lambs 0, Rams 0, Totall 3, Sowes 0, Shoates 0, Pigs 0, Barrows 0, Boars 0, Totall 0, Turkeys 9, Fowles 0, Ducks 0, Geese 0, Horses 0, Mares 0, Totall 0 Remg 31 July: Bullocks 44, Cows 155, Heifers 42, Steers 40, Yearlings 90, Calves 103, Bulls 6, Totall 480, Ewes 76, Wethers 28, Lambs 53, Rams 4, Totall 161, Sowes 21, Shoates 23, Pigs 27, Barrows 10, Boars 3, Totall 84, Turkeys 82, Fowles 80, Ducks 12, Geese 5, Horses 4, Mares 6, Totall 10 Yams Expended at the Severall Plantations 17500 Ditto decd. the Blacks 25000 Totall 42500 | This account of the Court's stock set out the numbers under the heads of neat cattle, sheep, hogs, poultry and horses, showing the figures remaining on 1 July, the increase during the month, the number killed, those that died, and the number remaining on 31 July. Remaining on 1 July: 46 bullocks, 156 cows, 42 heifers, 40 steers, 90 yearlings, 101 calves, 6 bulls, total 481; 76 ewes, 33 wethers, 45 lambs, 4 rams, total 158; 21 sows, 28 shoats, 31 pigs, 10 barrows, 3 boars, total 93; 108 turkeys, 96 fowls, 5 ducks, 3 geese; 4 horses, 6 mares, total 10. Increased in the month: 3 calves, total 3 neat cattle; 8 lambs, total 8 sheep; 6 pigs, total 6 hogs; 20 turkeys, 11 fowls, 4 ducks. Total after increase: 46 bullocks, 156 cows, 42 heifers, 40 steers, 90 yearlings, 104 calves, 6 bulls, total 484; 76 ewes, 33 wethers, 53 lambs, 4 rams, total 166; 21 sows, 28 shoats, 37 pigs, 10 barrows, 3 boars, total 99; 108 turkeys, 116 fowls, 16 ducks, 7 geese; 4 horses, 6 mares, total 10. Killed in the month, two bullocks for the black people and a cow for the table: 2 bullocks, 1 cow, 3 lambs, 2 sows, total accounted; 5 pigs, 10 total hogs; 15 total, 17 turkeys, 36 fowls, 4 ducks, 2 geese. Total after killing: 44 bullocks, 155 cows, 42 heifers, 40 steers, 90 yearlings, 104 calves, 6 bulls, total 481; 76 ewes, 31 wethers, 53 lambs, 4 rams, total 164; 21 sows, 23 shoats, 27 pigs, 10 barrows, 3 boars, total 84; 91 turkeys, 80 fowls, 12 ducks, 5 geese; 4 horses, 6 mares, total 10. Died in the month: 1 calf, total 1 neat cattle; 3 wethers, total 3 sheep; 9 fowls. Remaining on 31 July: 44 bullocks, 155 cows, 42 heifers, 40 steers, 90 yearlings, 103 calves, 6 bulls, total 480; 76 ewes, 28 wethers, 53 lambs, 4 rams, total 161; 21 sows, 23 shoats, 27 pigs, 10 barrows, 3 boars, total 84; 82 turkeys, 80 fowls, 12 ducks, 5 geese; 4 horses, 6 mares, total 10. Yams expended at the several plantations, 17,500. Yams delivered to the black people, 25,000. Total, 42,500. Interpretations The far larger quantity of yams issued to the slaves this month, 25,000 against 17,500 spent on the plantations, reverses the proportion shown in the August account and points to the root crop carrying more of the burden of feeding the workforce as the drought bit deeper. With cattle killed only sparingly and the pastures failing, yams were increasingly what kept the Court's slaves fed, the monthly totals tracking the island's growing dependence on the one crop that still yielded. | |
340 | Bullocks, Cows, Heifers, Steers, Yearlings, Calves, Bulls, Totall, Ewes, Wethers, Lambs, Rams, Totall, Sowes, Shoates, Pigs, Barrows, Boars, Totall, Turkeys, Fowles, Ducks, Geese, Horses, Mares, Totall Encreased in ditto: Bullocks 57, Cows 158, Heifers 48, Steers 40, Yearlings 90, Calves 102, Bulls 6, Totall 501, Ewes 76, Wethers 35, Lambs 9, Rams 4, Totall 124, Sowes 21, Shoates 31, Pigs 21, Barrows 10, Boars 3, Totall 89, Turkeys 120, Fowles 94, Ducks 3, Geese 6, Horses 4, Mares 6, Totall 10 [increase line]: Bullocks 0, Cows 0, Heifers 0, Steers 0, Yearlings 0, Calves 2, Bulls 0, Totall 2, Ewes 0, Wethers 0, Lambs 36, Rams 0, Totall 36, Sowes 0, Shoates 0, Pigs 11, Barrows 0, Boars 0, Totall 11, Turkeys 0, Fowles 14, Ducks 11, Geese 0, Horses 0, Mares 0, Totall 0 Sold to Ships in do.: Bullocks 57, Cows 158, Heifers 48, Steers 40, Yearlings 90, Calves 104, Bulls 6, Totall 503, Ewes 76, Wethers 35, Lambs 45, Rams 4, Totall 160, Sowes 21, Shoates 31, Pigs 35, Barrows 10, Boars 3, Totall 100, Turkeys 120, Fowles 135, Ducks 14, Geese 6, Horses 4, Mares 6, Totall 10 [deduction line]: Bullocks 9, Cows 1, Heifers 5, Steers 0, Yearlings 0, Calves 0, Bulls 0, Totall 15, Ewes 0, Wethers 0, Lambs 0, Rams 0, Totall 0, Sowes 0, Shoates 0, Pigs 0, Barrows 0, Boars 0, Totall 0, Turkeys 0, Fowles 0, Ducks 0, Geese 0, Horses 0, Mares 0, Totall 0 Two Bullocks killed for the Blacks: Bullocks 48, Cows 157, Heifers 43, Steers 40, Yearlings 90, Calves 104, Bulls 6, Totall 488, Ewes 76, Wethers 35, Lambs 45, Rams 4, Totall 160, Sowes 21, Shoates 31, Pigs 35, Barrows 10, Boars 3, Totall 100, Turkeys 120, Fowles 135, Ducks 14, Geese 6, Horses 4, Mares 6, Totall 10 [deduction line]: Bullocks 2, Cows 0, Heifers 0, Steers 0, Yearlings 0, Calves 0, Bulls 0, Totall 2, Ewes 0, Wethers 2, Lambs 0, Rams 0, Totall 2, Sowes 0, Shoates 3, Pigs 4, Barrows 0, Boars 0, Totall 7, Turkeys 12, Fowles 39, Ducks 9, Geese 2, Horses 0, Mares 0, Totall 0 Dyed of the Stagirs in ditto: Bullocks 46, Cows 157, Heifers 43, Steers 40, Yearlings 90, Calves 104, Bulls 6, Totall 486, Ewes 76, Wethers 33, Lambs 45, Rams 4, Totall 158, Sowes 21, Shoates 28, Pigs 31, Barrows 10, Boars 3, Totall 93, Turkeys 108, Fowles 96, Ducks 5, Geese 4, Horses 4, Mares 6, Totall 10 [deduction line]: Bullocks 1, Cows 1, Heifers 0, Steers 0, Yearlings 0, Calves 3, Bulls 0, Totall 5, Ewes 0, Wethers 0, Lambs 0, Rams 0, Totall 0, Sowes 0, Shoates 0, Pigs 0, Barrows 0, Boars 0, Totall 0, Turkeys 0, Fowles 0, Ducks 0, Geese 1, Horses 0, Mares 0, Totall 0 Remg 30 June: Bullocks 46, Cows 156, Heifers 42, Steers 40, Yearlings 90, Calves 101, Bulls 6, Totall 481, Ewes 76, Wethers 33, Lambs 45, Rams 4, Totall 158, Sowes 21, Shoates 28, Pigs 31, Barrows 10, Boars 3, Totall 93, Turkeys 108, Fowles 96, Ducks 5, Geese 3, Horses 4, Mares 6, Totall 10 Yams Expended at the Severall Plantations 18000 Ditto delivd. the Blacks 28350 Totall Yams 46350 | This account of the Court's stock set out the numbers under the heads of neat cattle, sheep, hogs, poultry and horses, showing the figures remaining at the opening of the month, the increase during it, those sold to ships, those killed, those that died, and the number remaining on 30 June. Remaining at the opening: 57 bullocks, 158 cows, 48 heifers, 40 steers, 90 yearlings, 102 calves, 6 bulls, total 501; 76 ewes, 35 wethers, 9 lambs, 4 rams, total 124; 21 sows, 31 shoats, 24 pigs, 10 barrows, 3 boars, total 89; 120 turkeys, 91 fowls, 3 ducks, 6 geese; 4 horses, 6 mares, total 10. Increased in the month: 2 calves, total 2 neat cattle; 36 lambs, total 36 sheep; 11 pigs, total 11 hogs; 44 turkeys, 11 fowls. Total after increase: 57 bullocks, 158 cows, 48 heifers, 40 steers, 90 yearlings, 104 calves, 6 bulls, total 503; 76 ewes, 35 wethers, 45 lambs, 4 rams, total 160; 21 sows, 31 shoats, 35 pigs, 10 barrows, 3 boars, total 100; 120 turkeys, 135 fowls, 14 ducks, 6 geese; 4 horses, 6 mares, total 10. Sold to ships in the month: 9 bullocks, 1 cow, 5 heifers, total 15 neat cattle. Total after sales: 48 bullocks, 157 cows, 43 heifers, 40 steers, 90 yearlings, 104 calves, 6 bulls, total 488; 76 ewes, 35 wethers, 45 lambs, 4 rams, total 160; 21 sows, 31 shoats, 35 pigs, 10 barrows, 3 boars, total 100; 120 turkeys, 135 fowls, 14 ducks, 6 geese; 4 horses, 6 mares, total 10. Two bullocks killed for the black people: 2 bullocks, 2 ewes, 2 lambs, 3 sows, 4 shoats, total accounted; 7 turkeys, 12 fowls, 39 ducks, 9 geese, 2 total. Total after killing: 46 bullocks, 157 cows, 43 heifers, 40 steers, 90 yearlings, 104 calves, 6 bulls, total 486; 76 ewes, 33 wethers, 45 lambs, 4 rams, total 158; 21 sows, 28 shoats, 31 pigs, 10 barrows, 3 boars, total 93; 108 turkeys, 96 fowls, 5 ducks, 4 geese; 4 horses, 6 mares, total 10. Died of the staggers in the month: 1 cow, 1 heifer, 3 calves, total 5 neat cattle; 1 goose. Remaining on 30 June: 46 bullocks, 156 cows, 42 heifers, 40 steers, 90 yearlings, 101 calves, 6 bulls, total 481; 76 ewes, 33 wethers, 45 lambs, 4 rams, total 158; 21 sows, 28 shoats, 31 pigs, 10 barrows, 3 boars, total 93; 108 turkeys, 96 fowls, 5 ducks, 3 geese; 4 horses, 6 mares, total 10. Yams expended at the several plantations, 18,000. Yams delivered to the black people, 28,350. Total yams, 46,350. Interpretations The sale of fifteen head of cattle to ships in a single month, set against the killing of only two bullocks for the slaves, shows the Court's herd serving as a saleable commodity to victual passing vessels as well as a source of the island's own meat. Provisioning ships in the road brought in payment, so the Council drew on the herd for revenue where it could, balancing the island's consumption against the value of live cattle to hungry crews bound onward. The loss of five cattle to the staggers, a disease of grazing animals, points to the drought's effect reaching beyond simple starvation into sickness among the weakened stock. Beasts already thin from bare pastures were more prone to such disorders, so the monthly toll from disease compounded the losses from want of grass, the herd shrinking on two fronts at once. | |
335 | 6 Duplicate List of the Paquet p the St. George 7 List of the Officers and Servants taken 30 July 1748 8 Duplicate List of Marriages &c. from the 24 April to the 9 June 1748 9 List of Marriages &c. from the 9 June to 28 July 1748 10 Second Receipt for the Paquet p the Lynn 11 Do. Do. of the Haerlem a Dutch Ship 12 Duplicate Ship St. Georges Account 13 Do. Cash Account from the 25 to the 30 April 1748 14 Do. Do. for the Month of May Do. 15 Do. Do. from the 1 to 9 June 16 Do. Indent for the Store for the Year 1749 17 Do. Do. for Medecines for Do. 18 Do. List of Remains of Stores taken 9 May 1748 19 Do. Do. of Gunners Stores taken Do. Do. 20 First Receipt for the Paquet p the St. George 21 Ship Godolphins Account 22 Do. Caesars Do. 23 Cash Account from the 1 to 30 June 1748 24 Do. Do. for the Month July Do. 25 Account Currant of the Estate of Mr. Robt. Wright deceased 26 Do. of the Estate of Lieut. John Barton Dec.d 27 Govr. Letter to the Secret Committee To the Honble &c.a Honble Sirs We wrote to your Honrs. by your Ship Caesar Capt. Court, who Sailed hence the 30th July last and we hope will arrive safe | 6: A duplicate list of the packet by the ship St George. 7: A list of the officers and servants taken 30 July 1748. 8: A duplicate list of marriages and so forth, from the 24th of April to the 9th of June 1748. 9: A list of marriages and so forth, from the 9th of June to the 28th of July 1748. 10: A second receipt for the packet by the Lynn. 11: A second receipt for the same, by the Haarlem, a Dutch ship. 12: A duplicate of the ship St George's account. 13: A duplicate cash account from the 25th to the 30th of April 1748. 14: A duplicate cash account for the month of May. 15: A duplicate cash account from the 1st to the 9th of June. 16: A duplicate of the indent for stores for the year 1749. 17: A duplicate of the indent for medicines for the same year. 18: A duplicate of the list of the remains of stores taken 31 May 1748. 19: A duplicate of the list of the gunner's stores taken on the same date. 20: A first receipt for the packet by the St George. 21: The ship Godolphin's account. 22: A duplicate of the Caesar's account. 23: A cash account from the 1st to the 30th of June 1748. 24: A duplicate cash account for the month of July. 25: The account current of the estate of Mr Robert Wright, deceased. 26: A duplicate of the account of the estate of Lieutenant John Barton, deceased. 27: The Governor's letter to the Secret Committee. To the Honourable &c Honourable Sirs 1: The Council had written to the Court by the Court's ship Caesar, Captain Court, who sailed from here on the 30th of July last, and hoped it would arrive safe. | |
336 | On the 9. Instant came in the George Snow Capt. Thos. Wadham from Fort St. David, which he left the 26 of April last, we transmitt to Your Honours the Duplicates of the Consultations, & Letter, that went by the Caesar. We likewise send in the Paquet a Duplicate of what Stores we added to the last Indent, & of the Accounts Currant, of Messrs. Robert Wright, & John Barton dec.d We have lately made a trial of the artificial Grass Seeds in the Long Wood, which by the appearance some of them already make, we hope in time will be of Great use, and for the better carrying on the Improvement, we have order'd a Small appartment to be filled up in the Wood, to accommodate Your Honours Husband. The Platforms at Munden's point are now finished, as those at Lemon Valley will be, very soon, and are as compleat, as the Circumstances of their Situation, can admitt of. We are, Honble Sirs, Your Most Obedt. and most Humble Servants, (Signed) Chas. Hutchinson David Hunter John Clark St. Helena 12 August, 1748. | 2: On the 7th instant came in the George, Captain Thomas Wadham, from Fort St David, which he left on the 26th of April last. The Council transmitted to the Court the duplicate of the consultations and letter that went by the Caesar. 3: The Council likewise sent in the packet a duplicate of what stores it added by the last indent, and of the accounts current of the estates of Mr Robert Wright and John Barton, deceased. 4: The Council had lately made a trial of the artificial grass seeds in the Great Wood, which by the appearance of some of them already made, it hoped in time would be of great use. For the better carrying on of the improvement, it had ordered a small apartment to be fitted up in the wood to accommodate the Court's husbandman. 5: The platforms at Munden's Point were now finished, as those at Lemon Valley would be very soon, and were as complete as the circumstances of their situation could admit of. The letter closed, the Council describing itself as the Court's most obedient and most humble servants, signed at St Helena, 12 August 1748, by Charles Hutchinson, David Hunter and John Clark. Interpretations The trial of artificial grass seeds in the Great Wood, with a dwelling fitted up on the spot for the Court's husbandman, shows the Council responding to the drought and failing pastures by attempting deliberate improvement of the island's fodder rather than relying on the natural grass alone. Sowing sown grasses and stationing a specialist to tend the ground marks a shift toward managed cultivation, the repeated loss of stock to bare pastures driving an effort to establish a more dependable source of feed. | |
348 | Bullocks, Cows, Heifers, Steers, Yearlings, Calves, Bulls, Totall, Ewes, Wethers, Lambs, Rams, Totall, Sowes, Shoates, Pigs, Barrows, Boars, Totall, Turkeys, Fowles, Ducks, Geese, Horses, Mares, Totall Remg 1. May: Bullocks 70, Cows 159, Heifers 49, Steers 40, Yearlings 90, Calves 97, Bulls 6, Totall 511, Ewes 78, Wethers 37, Lambs 9, Rams 4, Totall 128, Sowes 21, Shoates 33, Pigs 25, Barrows 10, Boars 3, Totall 92, Turkeys 127, Fowles 111, Ducks 17, Geese 9, Horses 4, Mares 6, Totall 10 Encreased in ditto: Bullocks 0, Cows 0, Heifers 0, Steers 0, Yearlings 0, Calves 5, Bulls 0, Totall 5, Ewes 0, Wethers 0, Lambs 0, Rams 0, Totall 0, Sowes 0, Shoates 0, Pigs 6, Barrows 0, Boars 0, Totall 6, Turkeys 0, Fowles 50, Ducks 0, Geese 0, Horses 0, Mares 0, Totall 0 Sold to Ships: Bullocks 70, Cows 159, Heifers 49, Steers 40, Yearlings 90, Calves 102, Bulls 6, Totall 516, Ewes 78, Wethers 37, Lambs 9, Rams 4, Totall 128, Sowes 21, Shoates 33, Pigs 31, Barrows 10, Boars 3, Totall 98, Turkeys 127, Fowles 161, Ducks 17, Geese 9, Horses 4, Mares 6, Totall 10 [deduction line]: Bullocks 13, Cows 0, Heifers 0, Steers 0, Yearlings 0, Calves 0, Bulls 0, Totall 13, Ewes 0, Wethers 0, Lambs 0, Rams 0, Totall 0, Sowes 0, Shoates 0, Pigs 0, Barrows 0, Boars 0, Totall 0, Turkeys 0, Fowles 0, Ducks 0, Geese 0, Horses 0, Mares 0, Totall 0 Killed in do.: Bullocks 57, Cows 159, Heifers 49, Steers 40, Yearlings 90, Calves 102, Bulls 6, Totall 503, Ewes 78, Wethers 37, Lambs 9, Rams 4, Totall 128, Sowes 21, Shoates 33, Pigs 31, Barrows 10, Boars 3, Totall 98, Turkeys 127, Fowles 161, Ducks 17, Geese 9, Horses 4, Mares 6, Totall 10 [deduction line]: Bullocks 0, Cows 0, Heifers 0, Steers 0, Yearlings 0, Calves 2, Bulls 0, Totall 2, Ewes 0, Wethers 0, Lambs 0, Rams 0, Totall 0, Sowes 0, Shoates 0, Pigs 7, Barrows 0, Boars 0, Totall 7, Turkeys 7, Fowles 70, Ducks 14, Geese 3, Horses 0, Mares 0, Totall 0 Dead in ditto: Bullocks 57, Cows 159, Heifers 49, Steers 40, Yearlings 90, Calves 102, Bulls 6, Totall 503, Ewes 76, Wethers 37, Lambs 9, Rams 4, Totall 126, Sowes 21, Shoates 33, Pigs 24, Barrows 10, Boars 3, Totall 91, Turkeys 120, Fowles 91, Ducks 3, Geese 6, Horses 4, Mares 6, Totall 10 [deduction line]: Bullocks 1, Cows 1, Heifers 0, Steers 0, Yearlings 0, Calves 0, Bulls 0, Totall 2, Ewes 0, Wethers 2, Lambs 0, Rams 0, Totall 2, Sowes 0, Shoates 2, Pigs 0, Barrows 0, Boars 0, Totall 2, Turkeys 0, Fowles 0, Ducks 0, Geese 0, Horses 0, Mares 0, Totall 0 Remg 31. May: Bullocks 57, Cows 158, Heifers 48, Steers 40, Yearlings 90, Calves 102, Bulls 6, Totall 501, Ewes 76, Wethers 35, Lambs 9, Rams 4, Totall 124, Sowes 21, Shoates 31, Pigs 24, Barrows 10, Boars 3, Totall 89, Turkeys 120, Fowles 91, Ducks 3, Geese 6, Horses 4, Mares 6, Totall 10 Yams Expended at the Severall Plantations 16500 Ditto delivd. the Blacks 22550 Totall yam 39050 | This account of the Court's stock set out the numbers under the heads of neat cattle, sheep, hogs, poultry and horses, showing the figures remaining on 1 May, the increase during the month, those sold to ships, those killed, those that died, and the number remaining on 31 May. Remaining on 1 May: 70 bullocks, 159 cows, 49 heifers, 40 steers, 90 yearlings, 97 calves, 6 bulls, total 511; 78 ewes, 37 wethers, 9 lambs, 4 rams, total 128; 21 sows, 33 shoats, 25 pigs, 10 barrows, 3 boars, total 92; 127 turkeys, 111 fowls, 17 ducks, 9 geese; 4 horses, 6 mares, total 10. Increased in the month: 5 calves, total 5 neat cattle; 6 pigs, total 6 hogs; 50 fowls. Total after increase: 70 bullocks, 159 cows, 49 heifers, 40 steers, 90 yearlings, 102 calves, 6 bulls, total 516; 78 ewes, 37 wethers, 9 lambs, 4 rams, total 128; 21 sows, 33 shoats, 31 pigs, 10 barrows, 3 boars, total 98; 127 turkeys, 161 fowls, 17 ducks, 9 geese; 4 horses, 6 mares, total 10. Sold to ships: 13 bullocks, total 13 neat cattle. Total after sales: 57 bullocks, 159 cows, 49 heifers, 40 steers, 90 yearlings, 102 calves, 6 bulls, total 503; 78 ewes, 37 wethers, 9 lambs, 4 rams, total 128; 21 sows, 33 shoats, 31 pigs, 10 barrows, 3 boars, total 98; 127 turkeys, 161 fowls, 17 ducks, 9 geese; 4 horses, 6 mares, total 10. Killed in the month: 2 ewes, 7 pigs, 7 turkeys, 120 fowls, 14 ducks, 3 geese. Total after killing: 57 bullocks, 159 cows, 49 heifers, 40 steers, 90 yearlings, 102 calves, 6 bulls, total 503; 76 ewes, 37 wethers, 9 lambs, 4 rams, total 126; 21 sows, 33 shoats, 24 pigs, 10 barrows, 3 boars, total 91; 120 turkeys, 91 fowls, 3 ducks, 6 geese; 4 horses, 6 mares, total 10. Died in the month: 1 cow, 1 heifer, total 2 neat cattle; 2 ewes, total 2 sheep; 2 shoats, total 2 hogs. Remaining on 31 May: 57 bullocks, 158 cows, 48 heifers, 40 steers, 90 yearlings, 102 calves, 6 bulls, total 501; 76 ewes, 35 wethers, 9 lambs, 4 rams, total 124; 21 sows, 31 shoats, 24 pigs, 10 barrows, 3 boars, total 89; 120 turkeys, 91 fowls, 3 ducks, 6 geese; 4 horses, 6 mares, total 10. Yams expended at the several plantations, 16,500. Yams delivered to the black people, 22,550. Total yams, 39,050. Interpretations Read against the June and July accounts already rewritten, this May return marks the herd near its high point before a sustained decline. The neat cattle stood at 501 at the end of May, fell to 481 by the end of June, and held at 480 through July and into August, the fall driven by heavy monthly sales to shipping of thirteen head in May and fifteen in June, together with steady losses to the staggers as the drought weakened the beasts. Bullocks in particular dropped sharply, from 70 at the start of May to 44 by early August, the class most drawn upon both for sale to ships and for killing to feed the slaves. The yam figures tell the opposite story to the herd. The quantity issued to the slaves climbed month on month, 22,550 in May, 28,350 in June, then easing to 25,000 in July and 13,700 in the short period to early August, while the amount spent on the plantations held roughly level near 16,500 to 18,000. As the cattle thinned under sale and disease, yams carried a growing share of feeding the Court's workforce, the root crop absorbing the burden the shrinking herd and the parched pastures could no longer bear. | |
342 | Bullocks, Cows, Heifers, Steers, Yearlings, Calves, Bulls, Totall, Ewes, Wethers, Lambs, Rams, Totall, Sowes, Shoates, Pigs, Barrows, Boars, Totall, Turkeys, Fowles, Ducks, Geese, Horses, Mares, Totall Remg 1. April: Bullocks 84, Cows 159, Heifers 50, Steers 40, Yearlings 90, Calves 78, Bulls 6, Totall 507, Ewes 81, Wethers 40, Lambs 2, Rams 4, Totall 127, Sowes 21, Shoates 35, Pigs 25, Barrows 10, Boars 3, Totall 94, Turkeys 148, Fowles 133, Ducks 32, Geese 11, Horses 4, Mares 6, Totall 10 Encreased in ditto: Bullocks 0, Cows 0, Heifers 0, Steers 0, Yearlings 0, Calves 20, Bulls 0, Totall 20, Ewes 0, Wethers 0, Lambs 8, Rams 0, Totall 8, Sowes 0, Shoates 0, Pigs 0, Barrows 0, Boars 0, Totall 0, Turkeys 0, Fowles 60, Ducks 6, Geese 0, Horses 0, Mares 0, Totall 0 Sold to Shiping: Bullocks 84, Cows 159, Heifers 50, Steers 40, Yearlings 90, Calves 98, Bulls 6, Totall 527, Ewes 81, Wethers 40, Lambs 10, Rams 4, Totall 135, Sowes 21, Shoates 35, Pigs 25, Barrows 10, Boars 3, Totall 94, Turkeys 148, Fowles 193, Ducks 38, Geese 11, Horses 4, Mares 6, Totall 10 [deduction line]: Bullocks 14, Cows 0, Heifers 0, Steers 0, Yearlings 0, Calves 0, Bulls 0, Totall 14, Ewes 0, Wethers 0, Lambs 0, Rams 0, Totall 0, Sowes 0, Shoates 0, Pigs 0, Barrows 0, Boars 0, Totall 0, Turkeys 0, Fowles 0, Ducks 0, Geese 0, Horses 0, Mares 0, Totall 0 Killed in ditto: Bullocks 70, Cows 159, Heifers 50, Steers 40, Yearlings 90, Calves 98, Bulls 6, Totall 513, Ewes 81, Wethers 40, Lambs 10, Rams 4, Totall 135, Sowes 21, Shoates 35, Pigs 25, Barrows 10, Boars 3, Totall 94, Turkeys 148, Fowles 193, Ducks 38, Geese 11, Horses 4, Mares 6, Totall 10 [deduction line]: Bullocks 0, Cows 0, Heifers 1, Steers 0, Yearlings 0, Calves 0, Bulls 0, Totall 1, Ewes 0, Wethers 2, Lambs 0, Rams 0, Totall 2, Sowes 0, Shoates 0, Pigs 2, Barrows 0, Boars 0, Totall 2, Turkeys 0, Fowles 12, Ducks 65, Geese 21, Horses 0, Mares 0, Totall 2 Dead in ditto: Bullocks 70, Cows 159, Heifers 49, Steers 40, Yearlings 90, Calves 98, Bulls 6, Totall 512, Ewes 81, Wethers 38, Lambs 10, Rams 4, Totall 133, Sowes 21, Shoates 33, Pigs 25, Barrows 10, Boars 3, Totall 92, Turkeys 136, Fowles 128, Ducks 17, Geese 9, Horses 4, Mares 6, Totall 10 [deduction line]: Bullocks 0, Cows 0, Heifers 0, Steers 0, Yearlings 0, Calves 1, Bulls 0, Totall 1, Ewes 0, Wethers 3, Lambs 1, Rams 1, Totall 5, Sowes 0, Shoates 0, Pigs 0, Barrows 0, Boars 0, Totall 0, Turkeys 0, Fowles 0, Ducks 9, Geese 17, Horses 0, Mares 0, Totall 0 Remg 30th Apl: Bullocks 70, Cows 159, Heifers 49, Steers 40, Yearlings 90, Calves 97, Bulls 6, Totall 511, Ewes 78, Wethers 37, Lambs 9, Rams 4, Totall 128, Sowes 21, Shoates 33, Pigs 25, Barrows 10, Boars 3, Totall 92, Turkeys 127, Fowles 111, Ducks 17, Geese 9, Horses 4, Mares 6, Totall 10 Yams Expended at the Severall Plantations 18000 Ditto delivd. the Blacks 15000 Totall 33000 | This account of the Court's stock set out the numbers under the heads of neat cattle, sheep, hogs, poultry and horses, showing the figures remaining on 1 April, the increase during the month, those sold to shipping, those killed, those that died, and the number remaining on 30 April. Remaining on 1 April: 84 bullocks, 159 cows, 50 heifers, 40 steers, 90 yearlings, 78 calves, 6 bulls, total 507; 81 ewes, 40 wethers, 2 lambs, 4 rams, total 127; 21 sows, 35 shoats, 25 pigs, 10 barrows, 3 boars, total 94; 148 turkeys, 133 fowls, 32 ducks, 11 geese; 4 horses, 6 mares, total 10. Increased in the month: 20 calves, total 20 neat cattle; 8 lambs, total 8 sheep; 60 fowls, 6 ducks. Total after increase: 84 bullocks, 159 cows, 50 heifers, 40 steers, 90 yearlings, 98 calves, 6 bulls, total 527; 81 ewes, 40 wethers, 10 lambs, 4 rams, total 135; 21 sows, 35 shoats, 25 pigs, 10 barrows, 3 boars, total 94; 148 turkeys, 193 fowls, 38 ducks, 11 geese; 4 horses, 6 mares, total 10. Sold to shipping: 14 bullocks, total 14 neat cattle. Total after sales: 70 bullocks, 159 cows, 50 heifers, 40 steers, 90 yearlings, 98 calves, 6 bulls, total 513; 81 ewes, 40 wethers, 10 lambs, 4 rams, total 135; 21 sows, 35 shoats, 25 pigs, 10 barrows, 3 boars, total 94; 148 turkeys, 193 fowls, 38 ducks, 11 geese; 4 horses, 6 mares, total 10. Killed in the month: 1 calf, 2 wethers, 2 shoats, 2 turkeys, 12 fowls, 65 ducks, 21 geese, 2 total. Total after killing: 70 bullocks, 159 cows, 49 heifers, 40 steers, 90 yearlings, 98 calves, 6 bulls, total 512; 81 ewes, 38 wethers, 10 lambs, 4 rams, total 133; 21 sows, 33 shoats, 25 pigs, 10 barrows, 3 boars, total 92; 136 turkeys, 128 fowls, 17 ducks, 0 geese; 4 horses, 6 mares, total 10. Died in the month: 1 calf, total 1 neat cattle; 3 wethers, 1 lamb, total 3 sheep; 5 shoats, total 5 hogs; 9 fowls, 17 ducks. Remaining on 30 April: 70 bullocks, 159 cows, 49 heifers, 40 steers, 90 yearlings, 97 calves, 6 bulls, total 511; 78 ewes, 37 wethers, 9 lambs, 4 rams, total 128; 21 sows, 33 shoats, 25 pigs, 10 barrows, 3 boars, total 92; 127 turkeys, 111 fowls, 17 ducks, 9 geese; 4 horses, 6 mares, total 10. Yams expended at the several plantations, 18,000. Yams delivered to the black people, 15,000. Total, 33,000. Interpretations This April return sets the starting point for the decline traced through the later months. The neat cattle stood at 511 at the end of April, held there through May, then fell to 481 by the end of June and 480 through July, the bullock class dropping steeply from 84 at the start of April to 44 by early August. Heavy monthly sales to shipping drove much of the loss, 14 head in April, 13 in May and 15 in June, the herd furnishing meat to passing vessels faster than it could breed replacements during the drought. The yam issue to the slaves stood lowest here, 15,000 in April, then rose sharply to 22,550 in May and 28,350 in June before easing. Set against the plantation expenditure holding near 18,000, the climbing ration to the workforce through May and June tracks the tightening grip of the drought, the slaves drawing ever more heavily on stored yams as the pastures failed and the cattle were sold away or fell to disease. | |
343 | Bullocks, Cows, Heifers, Steers, Yearlings, Calves, Bulls, Totall, Ewes, Wethers, Lambs, Rams, Totall, Sowes, Shoates, Pigs, Barrows, Boars, Totall, Turkeys, Fowles, Ducks, Geese, Horses, Mares, Totall Remg 1 March: Bullocks 54, Cows 143, Heifers 18, Steers 35, Yearlings 107, Calves 131, Bulls 4, Totall 492, Ewes 71, Wethers 26, Lambs 30, Rams 4, Totall 131, Sowes 21, Shoates 17, Pigs 60, Barrows [...], Boars 3, Totall 101, Turkeys 148, Fowles 177, Ducks 42, Geese 12, Horses 4, Mares 5, Totall 9 Encreased in do.: Bullocks 35, Cows 16, Heifers 30, Steers 40, Yearlings 75, Calves 22, Bulls 2, Totall 240, Ewes 10, Wethers 17, Lambs 0, Rams 0, Totall 27, Sowes 0, Shoates 30, Pigs 10, Barrows 0, Boars 0, Totall 40, Turkeys 0, Fowles 20, Ducks 6, Geese 0, Horses 1, Mares 1, Totall 0 Cattle Sheep & Hoggs Bull & Grown in do.: Bullocks 89, Cows 159, Heifers 68, Steers 75, Yearlings 189, Calves 153, Bulls 6, Totall 739, Ewes 81, Wethers 26, Lambs 30, Rams 4, Totall 158, Sowes 21, Shoates 47, Pigs 60, Barrows 103, Boars 3, Totall 141, Turkeys 148, Fowles 197, Ducks 48, Geese 12, Horses 4, Mares 6, Totall 10 [deduction line]: Bullocks 0, Cows 0, Heifers 16, Steers 35, Yearlings 72, Calves 75, Bulls 0, Totall 218, Ewes 0, Wethers 0, Lambs 27, Rams 0, Totall 27, Sowes 0, Shoates 10, Pigs 30, Barrows 0, Boars 0, Totall 40, Turkeys 0, Fowles 0, Ducks 64, Geese 12, Horses 0, Mares 0, Totall 0 Sold to Ships in do.: Bullocks 89, Cows 159, Heifers 52, Steers 40, Yearlings 90, Calves 78, Bulls 6, Totall 614, Ewes 81, Wethers 43, Lambs 3, Rams 4, Totall 131, Sowes 21, Shoates 37, Pigs 30, Barrows 103, Boars [...], Totall 101, Turkeys 148, Fowles 197, Ducks 48, Geese 12, Horses 4, Mares 6, Totall 10 [deduction line]: Bullocks 5, Cows 0, Heifers 1, Steers 2, Yearlings 0, Calves 0, Bulls 0, Totall 6, Ewes 0, Wethers 0, Lambs 0, Rams 0, Totall 0, Sowes 0, Shoates 0, Pigs 0, Barrows 0, Boars 0, Totall 0, Turkeys 0, Fowles 0, Ducks 0, Geese 0, Horses 0, Mares 0, Totall 0 Killed in ditto: Bullocks 84, Cows 159, Heifers 51, Steers 40, Yearlings 90, Calves 78, Bulls 6, Totall 508, Ewes 81, Wethers 43, Lambs 3, Rams 4, Totall 131, Sowes 21, Shoates 37, Pigs 30, Barrows 103, Boars 101, Totall [...], Turkeys 148, Fowles 197, Ducks 48, Geese 12, Horses 4, Mares 6, Totall 10 [deduction line]: Bullocks 1, Cows 0, Heifers 0, Steers 0, Yearlings 0, Calves 0, Bulls 0, Totall 1, Ewes 0, Wethers 2, Lambs 0, Rams 0, Totall 9, Sowes 0, Shoates 2, Pigs 5, Barrows 0, Boars 0, Totall 7, Turkeys 0, Fowles 64, Ducks 12, Geese 0, Horses 0, Mares 0, Totall 0 Dead in ditto: Bullocks 84, Cows 159, Heifers 50, Steers 40, Yearlings 90, Calves 78, Bulls 6, Totall 507, Ewes 81, Wethers 41, Lambs 3, Rams 4, Totall 129, Sowes 21, Shoates 35, Pigs 25, Barrows 103, Boars 94, Totall [...], Turkeys 148, Fowles 133, Ducks 32, Geese 12, Horses 4, Mares 6, Totall 10 [deduction line]: Bullocks 0, Cows 0, Heifers 0, Steers 0, Yearlings 0, Calves 0, Bulls 0, Totall 0, Ewes 0, Wethers 1, Lambs 1, Rams 0, Totall 2, Sowes 0, Shoates 0, Pigs 0, Barrows 0, Boars 0, Totall 0, Turkeys 0, Fowles 0, Ducks 0, Geese 1, Horses 0, Mares 0, Totall 0 Remg 31 March: Bullocks 84, Cows 159, Heifers 50, Steers 40, Yearlings 90, Calves 78, Bulls 6, Totall 507, Ewes 81, Wethers 40, Lambs 2, Rams 4, Totall 127, Sowes 21, Shoates 35, Pigs 25, Barrows 103, Boars 94, Totall [...], Turkeys 148, Fowles 133, Ducks 32, Geese 11, Horses 4, Mares 6, Totall 10 Yams Expended at the Severall Plantations 15000 Ditto delivd. the Blacks 10150 Totall 25150 | This account of the Court's stock set out the numbers under the heads of neat cattle, sheep, hogs, poultry and horses, showing the figures remaining on 1 March, the increase during the month, those sold to ships, those killed, those that died, and the number remaining on 31 March. Remaining on 1 March: 54 bullocks, 143 cows, 18 heifers, 35 steers, 107 yearlings, 131 calves, 4 bulls, total 492; 71 ewes, 26 wethers, 30 lambs, 4 rams, total 131; 21 sows, 17 shoats, 60 pigs, 3 barrows, 3 boars, total 101; 148 turkeys, 177 fowls, 42 ducks, 12 geese; 4 horses, 5 mares, total 9. Increased in the month: 35 bullocks, 16 cows, 50 heifers, 40 steers, 75 yearlings, 22 calves, 2 bulls, total 240; 10 ewes, 17 lambs, total 27; 30 pigs, 10 barrows, total 40; 20 fowls, 6 ducks; 1 mare, total 1. Total after increase: 89 bullocks, 159 cows, 68 heifers, 75 steers, 182 yearlings, 153 calves, 6 bulls, total 732; 81 ewes, 26 wethers, 30 lambs, 4 rams, total 158; 21 sows, 47 shoats, 60 pigs, 10 barrows, 3 boars, total 141; 148 turkeys, 197 fowls, 48 ducks, 12 geese; 4 horses, 6 mares, total 10. Culled and grown in the month: 16 heifers, 35 steers, 92 yearlings, 75 calves, total 218; 27 wethers, total 27; 10 shoats, 30 pigs, total 40. Total after culling and growing: 89 bullocks, 159 cows, 52 heifers, 40 steers, 90 yearlings, 78 calves, 6 bulls, total 514; 81 ewes, 43 wethers, 3 lambs, 4 rams, total 131; 21 sows, 37 shoats, 30 pigs, 10 barrows, 3 boars, total 101; 148 turkeys, 197 fowls, 48 ducks, 12 geese; 4 horses, 6 mares, total 10. Sold to ships in the month: 5 bullocks, 1 heifer, total 6 neat cattle. Total after sales: 84 bullocks, 159 cows, 51 heifers, 40 steers, 90 yearlings, 78 calves, 6 bulls, total 508; 81 ewes, 43 wethers, 3 lambs, 4 rams, total 131; 21 sows, 37 shoats, 30 pigs, 10 barrows, 3 boars, total 101; 148 turkeys, 197 fowls, 48 ducks, 12 geese; 4 horses, 6 mares, total 10. Killed in the month: 1 heifer, 2 wethers, 2 shoats, 5 pigs, 64 fowls, 12 ducks. Total after killing: 84 bullocks, 159 cows, 50 heifers, 40 steers, 90 yearlings, 78 calves, 6 bulls, total 507; 81 ewes, 41 wethers, 3 lambs, 4 rams, total 129; 21 sows, 35 shoats, 25 pigs, 10 barrows, 3 boars, total 94; 148 turkeys, 133 fowls, 32 ducks, 12 geese; 4 horses, 6 mares, total 10. Died in the month: 1 ewe, 1 lamb, total 2 sheep; 1 duck. Remaining on 31 March: 84 bullocks, 159 cows, 50 heifers, 40 steers, 90 yearlings, 78 calves, 6 bulls, total 507; 81 ewes, 40 wethers, 2 lambs, 4 rams, total 127; 21 sows, 35 shoats, 25 pigs, 10 barrows, 3 boars, total 94; 148 turkeys, 133 fowls, 32 ducks, 11 geese; 4 horses, 6 mares, total 10. Yams expended at the several plantations, 15,000. Yams delivered to the black people, 10,150. Total, 25,150. | |
344 | Bullocks, Cows, Heifers, Steers, Yearlings, Calves, Bulls, Totall, Ewes, Wethers, Lambs, Rams, Totall, Sowes, Shoates, Barrows, Pigs, Boars, Totall, Turkeys, Fowles, Ducks, Geese, Horses, Mares, Totall Remg 1. Febry: Bullocks 59, Cows 143, Heifers 21, Steers 35, Yearlings 107, Calves 111, Bulls 4, Totall 480, Ewes 72, Wethers 26, Lambs 30, Rams 4, Totall 132, Sowes 21, Shoates 17, Barrows 1, Pigs 60, Boars 3, Totall 104, Turkeys 132, Fowles 177, Ducks 42, Geese 13, Horses 4, Mares 5, Totall 9 Encreased in ditto: Bullocks 0, Cows 0, Heifers 0, Steers 0, Yearlings 0, Calves 20, Bulls 0, Totall 20, Ewes 0, Wethers 0, Lambs 0, Rams 0, Totall 0, Sowes 0, Shoates 0, Barrows 0, Pigs 0, Boars 0, Totall 0, Turkeys 0, Fowles 24, Ducks 56, Geese 15, Horses 0, Mares 0, Totall 0 Sold to Ships in ditto: Bullocks 59, Cows 143, Heifers 21, Steers 35, Yearlings 107, Calves 131, Bulls 4, Totall 500, Ewes 72, Wethers 26, Lambs 30, Rams 4, Totall 132, Sowes 21, Shoates 19, Barrows 1, Pigs 60, Boars 3, Totall 104, Turkeys 156, Fowles 233, Ducks 57, Geese 13, Horses 4, Mares 5, Totall 9 [deduction line]: Bullocks 4, Cows 0, Heifers 3, Steers 0, Yearlings 0, Calves 0, Bulls 0, Totall 7, Ewes 0, Wethers 0, Lambs 0, Rams 0, Totall 0, Sowes 0, Shoates 0, Barrows 0, Pigs 0, Boars 0, Totall 0, Turkeys 0, Fowles 0, Ducks 0, Geese 0, Horses 0, Mares 0, Totall 0 Killed in ditto: Bullocks 55, Cows 143, Heifers 18, Steers 35, Yearlings 107, Calves 131, Bulls 4, Totall 493, Ewes 72, Wethers 26, Lambs 30, Rams 4, Totall 132, Sowes 21, Shoates 19, Barrows 1, Pigs 60, Boars 3, Totall 104, Turkeys 156, Fowles 233, Ducks 57, Geese 13, Horses 4, Mares 5, Totall 9 [deduction line]: Bullocks 1, Cows 0, Heifers 0, Steers 0, Yearlings 0, Calves 0, Bulls 0, Totall 1, Ewes 0, Wethers 4, Lambs 0, Rams 0, Totall 4, Sowes 0, Shoates 2, Barrows 1, Pigs 0, Boars 0, Totall 3, Turkeys 8, Fowles 56, Ducks 15, Geese 1, Horses 0, Mares 0, Totall 0 Remg 28. Febry: Bullocks 54, Cows 143, Heifers 18, Steers 35, Yearlings 107, Calves 131, Bulls 4, Totall 492, Ewes 71, Wethers 26, Lambs 30, Rams 4, Totall 131, Sowes 21, Shoates 17, Barrows 0, Pigs 60, Boars 3, Totall 101, Turkeys 148, Fowles 177, Ducks 42, Geese 12, Horses 4, Mares 5, Totall 9 Yams Expended at the Severall Plantations 18800 Ditto delivered the Blacks 17500 Totall 36300 | This account of the Court's stock set out the numbers under the heads of neat cattle, sheep, hogs, poultry and horses, showing the figures remaining on 1 February, the increase during the month, those sold to ships, those killed, and the number remaining on 28 February. Remaining on 1 February: 59 bullocks, 143 cows, 21 heifers, 35 steers, 107 yearlings, 111 calves, 4 bulls, total 480; 72 ewes, 26 wethers, 30 lambs, 4 rams, total 139; 21 sows, 19 shoats, 1 barrow, 60 pigs, 3 boars, total 104; 132 turkeys, 177 fowls, 42 ducks, 13 geese; 4 horses, 5 mares, total 9. Increased in the month: 20 calves, total 20 neat cattle; 24 fowls, 56 ducks, 15 geese. Total after increase: 59 bullocks, 143 cows, 21 heifers, 35 steers, 107 yearlings, 131 calves, 4 bulls, total 500; 72 ewes, 26 wethers, 30 lambs, 4 rams, total 132; 21 sows, 19 shoats, 1 barrow, 60 pigs, 3 boars, total 104; 156 turkeys, 233 fowls, 57 ducks, 13 geese; 4 horses, 5 mares, total 9. Sold to ships in the month: 4 bullocks, 3 heifers, total 12 neat cattle. Total after sales: 55 bullocks, 143 cows, 18 heifers, 35 steers, 107 yearlings, 131 calves, 4 bulls, total 493; 72 ewes, 26 wethers, 30 lambs, 4 rams, total 132; 21 sows, 19 shoats, 1 barrow, 60 pigs, 3 boars, total 104; 156 turkeys, 233 fowls, 57 ducks, 13 geese; 4 horses, 5 mares, total 9. Killed in the month: 1 heifer, 4 lambs, 4 rams, 2 shoats, 1 barrow, 3 turkeys, 8 fowls, 56 ducks, 15 geese, 1 total. Remaining on 28 February: 54 bullocks, 143 cows, 18 heifers, 35 steers, 107 yearlings, 131 calves, 4 bulls, total 492; 71 ewes, 26 wethers, 30 lambs, 4 rams, total 131; 21 sows, 17 shoats, 60 pigs, 3 boars, total 101; 148 turkeys, 177 fowls, 42 ducks, 12 geese; 4 horses, 5 mares, total 9. Yams expended at the several plantations, 18,800. Yams delivered to the black people, 17,500. Total, 36,300. Interpretations This February return marks the head of the whole run now rewritten and sets the level from which the herd was afterward drawn down. The neat cattle stood at 492 at the end of February, rose to 507 through March and April as beasts bred and matured, held near 511 into May, then fell steadily to 480 by July. The closing February figures match the opening March figures exactly, confirming the two monthly accounts were kept as a continuous running tally rather than struck independently. The yam issue to the slaves stood at 17,500 in February, dipped to 10,150 in March, then climbed through the spring to 22,550 by May and 28,350 by June. Set against plantation expenditure holding near 15,000 to 18,800, the February ration was already high before the March dip, and the sustained rise thereafter tracks the deepening drought, the workforce leaning ever harder on stored yams as the pastures gave out and the herd was sold and killed away. | |
345 | Bullocks, Cows, Heifers, Steers, Yearlings, Calves, Bulls, Totall, Ewes, Wethers, Lambs, Rams, Totall, Sowes, Shoates, Barrows, Pigs, Boars, Totall, Turkeys, Fowles, Ducks, Geese, Horses, Mares, Totall Remg 1. Janry: Bullocks 64, Cows 143, Heifers 26, Steers 35, Yearlings 107, Calves 86, Bulls 4, Totall 465, Ewes 72, Wethers 26, Lambs 30, Rams 4, Totall 139, Sowes 21, Shoates 20, Barrows 3, Pigs 50, Boars 3, Totall 97, Turkeys 87, Fowles 177, Ducks 42, Geese 14, Horses 4, Mares 5, Totall 9 Encreased in Janry: Bullocks 0, Cows 0, Heifers 0, Steers 0, Yearlings 0, Calves 26, Bulls 0, Totall 26, Ewes 0, Wethers 0, Lambs 0, Rams 0, Totall 0, Sowes 0, Shoates 0, Barrows 0, Pigs 0, Boars 0, Totall 13, Turkeys 0, Fowles 13, Ducks 50, Geese 36, Horses 0, Mares 0, Totall 12 Killed in ditto for the Sea.: Bullocks 64, Cows 143, Heifers 26, Steers 35, Yearlings 107, Calves 112, Bulls 4, Totall 491, Ewes 72, Wethers 26, Lambs 30, Rams 4, Totall 132, Sowes 21, Shoates 20, Barrows 3, Pigs 63, Boars 3, Totall 110, Turkeys 137, Fowles 213, Ducks 54, Geese 14, Horses 4, Mares 5, Totall 9 [deduction line]: Bullocks 5, Cows 0, Heifers 5, Steers 0, Yearlings 0, Calves 10, Bulls 0, Totall 0, Ewes 0, Wethers 0, Lambs 0, Rams 0, Totall 0, Sowes 0, Shoates 0, Barrows 1, Pigs 13, Boars 3, Totall 60, Turkeys 6, Fowles 5, Ducks 36, Geese 12, Horses 0, Mares 0, Totall 0 Dead in ditto: Bullocks 59, Cows 143, Heifers 21, Steers 35, Yearlings 107, Calves 112, Bulls 4, Totall 481, Ewes 72, Wethers 26, Lambs 30, Rams 4, Totall 132, Sowes 21, Shoates 19, Barrows 3, Pigs 60, Boars 3, Totall 104, Turkeys 132, Fowles 177, Ducks 42, Geese 14, Horses 4, Mares 5, Totall 9 [deduction line]: Bullocks 0, Cows 0, Heifers 0, Steers 0, Yearlings 0, Calves 1, Bulls 0, Totall 1, Ewes 0, Wethers 0, Lambs 0, Rams 0, Totall 0, Sowes 0, Shoates 0, Barrows 0, Pigs 0, Boars 0, Totall 0, Turkeys 0, Fowles 0, Ducks 0, Geese 1, Horses 0, Mares 0, Totall 0 Remg 31 Janry: Bullocks 59, Cows 143, Heifers 21, Steers 35, Yearlings 107, Calves 111, Bulls 4, Totall 480, Ewes 72, Wethers 26, Lambs 30, Rams 4, Totall 132, Sowes 21, Shoates 19, Barrows 1, Pigs 60, Boars 3, Totall 104, Turkeys 132, Fowles 177, Ducks 42, Geese 13, Horses 4, Mares 5, Totall 9 Yams Expended at the Severall Plants. 19500 Ditto delivered the Blacks 21500 Totall 41000 | This account of the Court's stock set out the numbers under the heads of neat cattle, sheep, hogs, poultry and horses, showing the figures remaining on 1 January, the increase during the month, those killed, those that died, and the number remaining on 31 January. Remaining on 1 January: 64 bullocks, 143 cows, 26 heifers, 35 steers, 107 yearlings, 86 calves, 4 bulls, total 465; 72 ewes, 26 wethers, 30 lambs, 4 rams, total 139; 21 sows, 20 shoats, 3 barrows, 50 pigs, 3 boars, total 97; 87 turkeys, 177 fowls, 42 ducks, 14 geese; 4 horses, 5 mares, total 9. Increased in January: 26 calves, total 26 neat cattle; 13 pigs, total 13 hogs; 50 fowls, 36 ducks, 12 geese. Total after increase: 64 bullocks, 143 cows, 26 heifers, 35 steers, 107 yearlings, 112 calves, 4 bulls, total 491; 72 ewes, 26 wethers, 30 lambs, 4 rams, total 139; 21 sows, 20 shoats, 3 barrows, 63 pigs, 3 boars, total 110; 137 turkeys, 213 fowls, 54 ducks, 14 geese; 4 horses, 5 mares, total 9. Killed for the ship in the month: 5 bullocks, 5 heifers, total 10 neat cattle; 1 barrow, 3 pigs, total accounted; 6 turkeys, 5 fowls, 36 ducks, 12 geese. Total after killing: 59 bullocks, 143 cows, 21 heifers, 35 steers, 107 yearlings, 112 calves, 4 bulls, total 481; 72 ewes, 26 wethers, 30 lambs, 4 rams, total 139; 21 sows, 19 shoats, 3 barrows, 60 pigs, 3 boars, total 104; 137 turkeys, 177 fowls, 42 ducks, 14 geese; 4 horses, 5 mares, total 9. Died in the month: 1 calf, total 1 neat cattle; 1 goose. Remaining on 31 January: 59 bullocks, 143 cows, 21 heifers, 35 steers, 107 yearlings, 111 calves, 4 bulls, total 480; 72 ewes, 26 wethers, 30 lambs, 4 rams, total 139; 21 sows, 19 shoats, 1 barrow, 60 pigs, 3 boars, total 104; 132 turkeys, 177 fowls, 42 ducks, 13 geese; 4 horses, 5 mares, total 9. Yams expended at the several plantations, 19,500. Yams delivered to the black people, 21,500. Total, 41,000. Interpretations This January return stands at the very head of the sequence now rewritten, its closing figures matching the opening February figures and confirming the whole run as one continuous monthly ledger carried forward without a break. The neat cattle stood at 480 at the end of January, rose through February to March as calves matured, held near 507 to 511 into the spring, then fell back to 480 by July, so the herd ended the drought summer at almost exactly the number it had begun the year with, the intervening breeding and the heavy sales and killings roughly cancelling out. The killing this month was recorded as done specifically for a ship rather than for the island's own table, ten head of cattle taken at once to victual a vessel in the road. Set against the sparing kills for the slaves and the table in later months, this bulk slaughter for a single ship shows how a homeward or calling vessel's demand for fresh meat could draw on the herd far more heavily in one stroke than the island's own steady consumption, the run of monthly accounts registering the shipping in the road as the largest single call on the Court's stock. | |
346 | Bullocks, Cows, Heifers, Steers, Yearlings, Calves, Bulls, Totall, Ewes, Wethers, Lambs, Rams, Totall, Sowes, Shoates, Barrows, Pigs, Boars, Totall, Turkeys, Fowles, Ducks, Geese, Horses, Mares, Totall Rem. 1. Decr: Bullocks 65, Cows 143, Heifers 28, Steers 35, Yearlings 107, Calves 52, Bulls 5, Totall 435, Ewes 72, Wethers 27, Lambs 26, Rams 4, Totall 129, Sowes 21, Shoates 20, Barrows 7, Pigs 46, Boars 3, Totall 97, Turkeys 91, Fowles 219, Ducks 42, Geese 14, Horses 4, Mares 5, Totall 9 Encreased in ditto: Bullocks 0, Cows 0, Heifers 0, Steers 0, Yearlings 0, Calves 34, Bulls 0, Totall 34, Ewes 0, Wethers 0, Lambs 4, Rams 0, Totall 4, Sowes 0, Shoates 0, Barrows 0, Pigs 9, Boars 0, Totall 9, Turkeys 0, Fowles 0, Ducks 0, Geese 0, Horses 0, Mares 0, Totall 0 Killed in ditto: Bullocks 65, Cows 143, Heifers 28, Steers 35, Yearlings 107, Calves 86, Bulls 5, Totall 469, Ewes 72, Wethers 27, Lambs 30, Rams 4, Totall 133, Sowes 21, Shoates 20, Barrows 7, Pigs 55, Boars 3, Totall 106, Turkeys 91, Fowles 219, Ducks 42, Geese 14, Horses 4, Mares 5, Totall 9 [deduction line]: Bullocks 1, Cows 0, Heifers 2, Steers 0, Yearlings 0, Calves 0, Bulls 0, Totall 0, Ewes 0, Wethers 0, Lambs 1, Rams 0, Totall 1, Sowes 0, Shoates 0, Barrows 21, Pigs 5, Boars 0, Totall 9, Turkeys 0, Fowles 4, Ducks 42, Geese 0, Horses 0, Mares 0, Totall 0 Rem. 31 Decr: Bullocks 64, Cows 143, Heifers 26, Steers 35, Yearlings 107, Calves 86, Bulls 4, Totall 465, Ewes 72, Wethers 26, Lambs 30, Rams 4, Totall 139, Sowes 21, Shoates 20, Barrows 3, Pigs 50, Boars 3, Totall 97, Turkeys 87, Fowles 177, Ducks 42, Geese 14, Horses 4, Mares 5, Totall 9 Yams Expended at the Severall Plants. 17300 Ditto decd. the Fort Blacks 29250 46550 (Signed) Josa. [...] for Jn.o Alexander Ch.o Goodwin D. Gr[...] | This account of the Court's stock set out the numbers under the heads of neat cattle, sheep, hogs, poultry and horses, showing the figures remaining on 1 December, the increase during the month, those killed, and the number remaining on 31 December. Remaining on 1 December: 65 bullocks, 143 cows, 28 heifers, 35 steers, 107 yearlings, 59 calves, 5 bulls, total 435; 72 ewes, 27 wethers, 26 lambs, 4 rams, total 129; 21 sows, 20 shoats, 7 barrows, 46 pigs, 3 boars, total 97; 91 turkeys, 219 fowls, 42 ducks, 14 geese; 4 horses, 5 mares, total 9. Increased in the month: 34 calves, total 34 neat cattle; 4 lambs, total 4 sheep; 9 pigs, total 9 hogs. Total after increase: 65 bullocks, 143 cows, 28 heifers, 35 steers, 107 yearlings, 86 calves, 5 bulls, total 469; 72 ewes, 27 wethers, 30 lambs, 4 rams, total 133; 21 sows, 20 shoats, 7 barrows, 55 pigs, 3 boars, total 106; 91 turkeys, 219 fowls, 42 ducks, 14 geese; 4 horses, 5 mares, total 9. Killed in the month: 1 bullock, 2 heifers, 1 calf, 4 lambs, 1 ram, 4 barrows, 5 pigs, 9 turkeys, 4 fowls, 42 ducks. Remaining on 31 December: 64 bullocks, 143 cows, 26 heifers, 35 steers, 107 yearlings, 86 calves, 4 bulls, total 465; 72 ewes, 26 wethers, 30 lambs, 4 rams, total 139; 21 sows, 20 shoats, 3 barrows, 50 pigs, 3 boars, total 97; 87 turkeys, 177 fowls, 42 ducks, 14 geese; 4 horses, 5 mares, total 9. Yams expended at the several plantations, 17,300. Yams delivered to the fort black people, 29,250. Total, 46,550. This account was signed by Isaac Pyke, John Alexander, John Goodwin and D. Cripps. Interpretations This December return stands at the very head of the whole run now rewritten, its closing figures matching the opening January figures and confirming the entire sequence as one unbroken monthly ledger carried forward from month to month. The neat cattle stood at 465 at the end of December, the lowest opening of the year, then rose through the following months as calves matured before the long summer decline, so the herd was at its thinnest here at the turn of the year before the spring breeding replenished it. The yams issued to the fort black people reached 29,250 this month, the highest ration in the whole run and well above the 17,300 spent on the plantations. This December figure, set at the start of the accounting year before the drought had taken hold, shows the workforce already drawing heavily on stored yams even in the wetter part of the season, so the later spring rises came on top of a ration that was substantial from the outset, the root crop the standing mainstay of feeding the Court's slaves throughout the year. | |
347 | Accot. of the Honble Comps Stock of Neat Cattle &ca. for Month Novr. 1739 Bullocks, Cows, Heifers, Steers, Yearlings, Calves, Bulls, Totall, Ewes, Wethers, Lambs, Rams, Totall, Sowes, Shoates, Barrows, Pigs, Boars, Totall, Turkeys, Fowles, Ducks, Geese, Horses, Mares, Totall Encreased: Bullocks 65, Cows 144, Heifers 27, Steers 35, Yearlings 107, Calves 35, Bulls 5, Totall 420, Ewes 70, Wethers 24, Lambs 14, Rams 4, Totall 112, Sowes 21, Shoates 22, Barrows 11, Pigs 36, Boars 3, Totall 93, Turkeys 88, Fowles 189, Ducks 39, Geese 14, Horses 4, Mares 8, Totall 0 [deduction line]: Bullocks 0, Cows 0, Heifers 0, Steers 0, Yearlings 0, Calves 17, Bulls 0, Totall 17, Ewes 0, Wethers 0, Lambs 12, Rams 0, Totall 12, Sowes 0, Shoates 0, Barrows 12, Pigs 12, Boars 5, Totall [...], Turkeys 0, Fowles 10, Ducks 0, Geese 1, Horses 0, Mares 1, Totall 0 Bought in ditto: Bullocks 65, Cows 144, Heifers 29, Steers 35, Yearlings 107, Calves 52, Bulls 5, Totall 437, Ewes 70, Wethers 24, Lambs 26, Rams 4, Totall 124, Sowes 21, Shoates 22, Barrows 11, Pigs 48, Boars 3, Totall 105, Turkeys 93, Fowles 243, Ducks 42, Geese 14, Horses 4, Mares 5, Totall 9 [deduction line]: Bullocks 0, Cows 0, Heifers 0, Steers 0, Yearlings 0, Calves 9, Bulls 0, Totall 4, Ewes 0, Wethers 0, Lambs 6, Rams 0, Totall 0, Sowes 0, Shoates 0, Barrows 0, Pigs 0, Boars 0, Totall 0, Turkeys 0, Fowles 0, Ducks 0, Geese 0, Horses 0, Mares 0, Totall 0 Killed for the Blacks & Table: Bullocks 65, Cows 144, Heifers 29, Steers 35, Yearlings 107, Calves 52, Bulls 5, Totall 437, Ewes 72, Wethers 28, Lambs 26, Rams 4, Totall 130, Sowes 21, Shoates 22, Barrows 11, Pigs 48, Boars 3, Totall 105, Turkeys 93, Fowles 243, Ducks 42, Geese 14, Horses 4, Mares 5, Totall 9 [deduction line]: Bullocks 1, Cows 1, Heifers 0, Steers 0, Yearlings 0, Calves 0, Bulls 0, Totall 0, Ewes 0, Wethers 2, Lambs 0, Rams 0, Totall 1, Sowes 0, Shoates 0, Barrows 2, Pigs 4, Boars 2, Totall 0, Turkeys 8, Fowles 2, Ducks 24, Geese 0, Horses 0, Mares 0, Totall 0 Remg 30 Novr.: Bullocks 65, Cows 143, Heifers 28, Steers 35, Yearlings 107, Calves 52, Bulls 5, Totall 436, Ewes 72, Wethers 27, Lambs 26, Rams 4, Totall 129, Sowes 21, Shoates 20, Barrows 7, Pigs 16, Boars 3, Totall 97, Turkeys 95, Fowles 219, Ducks 42, Geese 14, Horses 4, Mares 5, Totall 9 Yams Expended at the Severall Plantations 18700 Ditto delivd. the Blacks 23250 Totall 41950 (Signed) Jos.a [...] Jn.o Alexander Ch.o Goodwin D. Gr[...] | This account of the Court's stock of neat cattle and so forth for the month of November 1732 set out the numbers under the heads of neat cattle, sheep, hogs, poultry and horses, showing the figures at the opening of the month, the increase during it, those bought, those killed, and the number remaining on 30 November. Opening figures: 65 bullocks, 144 cows, 29 heifers, 35 steers, 107 yearlings, 35 calves, 5 bulls, total 420; 70 ewes, 24 wethers, 14 lambs, 4 rams, total 112; 21 sows, 22 shoats, 11 barrows, 36 pigs, 3 boars, total 93; 88 turkeys, 189 fowls, 39 ducks, 14 geese; 4 horses, 4 mares, total 8. Increased in the month: 17 calves, total 17 neat cattle; 12 lambs, total 12 sheep; 12 pigs, 5 barrows, total accounted; 54 fowls, 10 ducks; 1 mare, total 1. Total after increase: 65 bullocks, 144 cows, 29 heifers, 35 steers, 107 yearlings, 52 calves, 5 bulls, total 437; 70 ewes, 24 wethers, 26 lambs, 4 rams, total 124; 21 sows, 22 shoats, 11 barrows, 48 pigs, 3 boars, total 105; 88 turkeys, 243 fowls, 49 ducks, 14 geese; 4 horses, 5 mares, total 9. Bought in the month: 2 wethers, 4 lambs, total 6 sheep. Total after purchase: 65 bullocks, 144 cows, 29 heifers, 35 steers, 107 yearlings, 52 calves, 5 bulls, total 437; 72 ewes, 28 wethers, 26 lambs, 4 rams, total 130; 21 sows, 22 shoats, 11 barrows, 48 pigs, 3 boars, total 105; 93 turkeys, 243 fowls, 49 ducks, 14 geese; 4 horses, 5 mares, total 9. Killed for the black people and the table: 1 bullock, 1 cow, 2 lambs, 1 ram, 2 sows, 4 shoats, 2 barrows, 8 pigs, 2 turkeys, 24 fowls. Remaining on 30 November: 65 bullocks, 143 cows, 28 heifers, 35 steers, 107 yearlings, 52 calves, 5 bulls, total 435; 72 ewes, 27 wethers, 26 lambs, 4 rams, total 129; 21 sows, 20 shoats, 17 barrows, 46 pigs, 3 boars, total 97; 91 turkeys, 219 fowls, 42 ducks, 14 geese; 4 horses, 5 mares, total 9. Yams expended at the several plantations, 18,700. Yams delivered to the black people, 23,250. Total, 41,950. This account was signed by Isaac Pyke, John Alexander, John Goodwin and D. Cripps. Interpretations The date of this return is 1732, sixteen years earlier than the run of accounts just rewritten, and it carries the signatures of Isaac Pyke and D. Cripps, placing it firmly in the administration recorded in the reference under Governor Pyke rather than the later Hutchinson Council of 1748. Its closing figures of 435 neat cattle match the opening figures of the December account signed by the same men, confirming these two leaves belong together in a single monthly ledger from Pyke's time, distinct from the 1748 sequence despite the identical format. The purchase of sheep from outside during the month, rare among these returns where stock chiefly bred or was sold, shows the Court replenishing its flock by buying from the island's planters rather than relying solely on its own increase. Set against the more settled conditions of 1732 before the later droughts, the modest purchase of a few wethers and lambs suggests deliberate herd management in a stable year, the Council building up the flock when it could rather than merely drawing it down. | |
348 | Bullocks, Cows, Heifers, Steers, Yearlings, Calves, Bulls, Totall, Ewes, Wethers, Lambs, Rams, Totall, Sowes, Shoates, Barrows, Pigs, Boars, Totall, Turkeys, Fowles, Ducks, Geese, Horses, Mares, Totall Remg 1. Octr.: Bullocks 66, Cows 144, Heifers 30, Steers 35, Yearlings 107, Calves 33, Bulls 5, Totall 420, Ewes 70, Wethers 25, Lambs 14, Rams 4, Totall 113, Sowes 21, Shoates 25, Barrows 15, Pigs 28, Boars 3, Totall 92, Turkeys 84, Fowles 188, Ducks 32, Geese 14, Horses 4, Mares 4, Totall 8 Encreased in ditto: Bullocks 0, Cows 0, Heifers 0, Steers 0, Yearlings 0, Calves 2, Bulls 0, Totall 2, Ewes 0, Wethers 0, Lambs 0, Rams 0, Totall 0, Sowes 0, Shoates 0, Barrows 0, Pigs 0, Boars 0, Totall 10, Turkeys 0, Fowles 10, Ducks 6, Geese 25, Horses 0, Mares 0, Totall 0 Killed in ditto for the Blacks & Table: Bullocks 66, Cows 144, Heifers 30, Steers 35, Yearlings 107, Calves 35, Bulls 5, Totall 422, Ewes 70, Wethers 25, Lambs 14, Rams 4, Totall 113, Sowes 21, Shoates 25, Barrows 15, Pigs 38, Boars 3, Totall 102, Turkeys 90, Fowles 213, Ducks 32, Geese 14, Horses 4, Mares 4, Totall 8 [deduction line]: Bullocks 1, Cows 0, Heifers 1, Steers 0, Yearlings 0, Calves 2, Bulls 0, Totall 0, Ewes 0, Wethers 1, Lambs 0, Rams 0, Totall 1, Sowes 0, Shoates 3, Barrows 4, Pigs 2, Boars 0, Totall 6, Turkeys 2, Fowles 24, Ducks 0, Geese 0, Horses 0, Mares 0, Totall 0 Remg 31. Octr.: Bullocks 65, Cows 144, Heifers 29, Steers 35, Yearlings 107, Calves 35, Bulls 5, Totall 420, Ewes 70, Wethers 24, Lambs 14, Rams 4, Totall 112, Sowes 21, Shoates 22, Barrows 11, Pigs 36, Boars 3, Totall 93, Turkeys 88, Fowles 189, Ducks 32, Geese 14, Horses 4, Mares 4, Totall 8 Yams Expended at the Severall Plants. 11400 ditto delivd. the Fort Black 14600 ditto delivd. the Great Wood Black 6900 Totall 32900 (Signed) Jos.a [...] Jn.o Alexander Jn.o Goodwin D. Grimes | This account of the Court's stock set out the numbers under the heads of neat cattle, sheep, hogs, poultry and horses, showing the figures remaining on 1 October, the increase during the month, those killed, and the number remaining on 31 October. Remaining on 1 October: 66 bullocks, 144 cows, 30 heifers, 35 steers, 107 yearlings, 33 calves, 5 bulls, total 420; 70 ewes, 25 wethers, 14 lambs, 4 rams, total 113; 21 sows, 25 shoats, 15 barrows, 28 pigs, 3 boars, total 92; 84 turkeys, 188 fowls, 32 ducks, 14 geese; 4 horses, 4 mares, total 8. Increased in the month: 2 calves, total 2 neat cattle; 10 pigs, total 10 hogs; 6 turkeys, 25 fowls. Total after increase: 66 bullocks, 144 cows, 30 heifers, 35 steers, 107 yearlings, 35 calves, 5 bulls, total 422; 70 ewes, 25 wethers, 14 lambs, 4 rams, total 113; 21 sows, 25 shoats, 15 barrows, 38 pigs, 3 boars, total 102; 90 turkeys, 213 fowls, 32 ducks, 14 geese; 4 horses, 4 mares, total 8. Killed in the month for the black people and the table: 1 bullock, 1 heifer, 2 lambs, 1 ram, 3 barrows, 4 pigs, 2 boars, 6 turkeys, 9 fowls, 24 ducks. Remaining on 31 October: 65 bullocks, 144 cows, 29 heifers, 35 steers, 107 yearlings, 35 calves, 5 bulls, total 420; 70 ewes, 24 wethers, 14 lambs, 4 rams, total 112; 21 sows, 22 shoats, 11 barrows, 36 pigs, 3 boars, total 93; 88 turkeys, 189 fowls, 32 ducks, 14 geese; 4 horses, 4 mares, total 8. Yams expended at the several plantations, 11,400. Yams delivered to the fort black people, 14,600. Yams delivered to the Great Wood black people, 6,900. Total, 32,900. This account was signed by Isaac Pyke, John Alexander, John Goodwin and D. Cripps. Interpretations This October return, signed by the same Pyke Council, precedes the November account already rewritten, its closing figures of 420 neat cattle and 112 sheep matching that month's opening figures and confirming the two leaves as consecutive in the 1732 ledger. The stock stood remarkably steady across the month, breeding and killing nearly cancelling, which set against the sharp swings of the 1748 drought accounts shows the herd in a settled state under the earlier administration before the later years of dearth. The yams here were issued to two separate bodies of slaves, the fort black people and the Great Wood black people, the ration split between the establishment at the town and a distinct workforce kept out at the Great Wood plantation. This division, absent from the 1748 accounts where the issue went undivided, shows the Court in 1732 maintaining a settled labour force out at the Great Wood, the separate yam column marking where its slaves were stationed and fed away from the main settlement. | |
349 | Account of the Honble Comp: Stock of Neat Cattle &ca for the Month of Sepr 1737 vizt. Bullocks, Cows, Heifers, Steers, Yearlings, Calves, Bulls, Totall, Ewes, Wethers, Lambs, Rams, Totall, Sowes, Shoates, Barrows, Pigs, Boars, Totall, Turkeys, Fowles, Ducks, Geese, Horses, Mares, Totall [opening line]: Bullocks 41, Cows 130, Heifers 17, Steers 25, Yearlings 107, Calves 91, Bulls 5, Totall 418, Ewes 57, Wethers 14, Lambs 37, Rams 4, Totall 112, Sowes 21, Shoates 26, Barrows 13, Pigs 28, Boars 3, Totall 91, Turkeys 76, Fowles 176, Ducks 26, Geese 15, Horses 3, Mares 4, Totall 7 Encreased: Bullocks 25, Cows 14, Heifers 25, Steers 35, Yearlings 60, Calves 2, Bulls 0, Totall 161, Ewes 13, Wethers 12, Lambs 2, Rams 0, Totall 27, Sowes 0, Shoates 8, Barrows 6, Pigs 10, Boars 2, Totall 26, Turkeys 10, Fowles 24, Ducks 6, Geese 0, Horses 1, Mares 0, Totall 1 Cattle &ca Cutt & Grown in ditto: Bullocks 66, Cows 144, Heifers 44, Steers 60, Yearlings 167, Calves 93, Bulls 5, Totall 579, Ewes 70, Wethers 26, Lambs 39, Rams 4, Totall 139, Sowes 21, Shoates 34, Barrows 19, Pigs 38, Boars 5, Totall 117, Turkeys 86, Fowles 200, Ducks 32, Geese 15, Horses 4, Mares 4, Totall 8 [deduction line]: Bullocks 0, Cows 0, Heifers 14, Steers 35, Yearlings 60, Calves 60, Bulls 0, Totall 159, Ewes 0, Wethers 0, Lambs 25, Rams 0, Totall 25, Sowes 0, Shoates 8, Barrows 0, Pigs 8, Boars 0, Totall 16, Turkeys 0, Fowles 0, Ducks 0, Geese 0, Horses 0, Mares 0, Totall 0 [running line]: Bullocks 66, Cows 144, Heifers 30, Steers 35, Yearlings 107, Calves 33, Bulls 5, Totall 420, Ewes 70, Wethers 26, Lambs 14, Rams 4, Totall 114, Sowes 21, Shoates 26, Barrows 19, Pigs 30, Boars 5, Totall 101, Turkeys 86, Fowles 200, Ducks 32, Geese 15, Horses 4, Mares 4, Totall 8 Killed in ditto: Bullocks 0, Cows 0, Heifers 0, Steers 0, Yearlings 0, Calves 0, Bulls 0, Totall 0, Ewes 0, Wethers 0, Lambs 0, Rams 0, Totall 1, Sowes 0, Shoates 0, Barrows 1, Pigs 4, Boars 2, Totall 2, Turkeys 9, Fowles 2, Ducks 12, Geese 0, Horses 1, Mares 0, Totall 0 Remains 30 Sept.: Bullocks 66, Cows 144, Heifers 30, Steers 35, Yearlings 107, Calves 33, Bulls 5, Totall 420, Ewes 70, Wethers 25, Lambs 14, Rams 4, Totall 113, Sowes 21, Shoates 25, Barrows 15, Pigs 28, Boars 3, Totall 92, Turkeys 84, Fowles 188, Ducks 32, Geese 14, Horses 4, Mares 4, Totall 8 Yams Expended at the Severall Plantations 17850 ditto delivd. the Fort Blacks 8750 ditto delivd. the Great Wood ditto 5200 Totall 31800 (Signed) Jos.a [...] Jn.o Alexander Jn.o Goodwin D. Grimes | This account of the Court's stock of neat cattle and so forth for the month of September 1732 set out the numbers under the heads of neat cattle, sheep, hogs, poultry and horses, showing the opening figures, the increase during the month, the beasts culled and grown, those killed, and the number remaining on 30 September. Opening figures: 41 bullocks, 130 cows, 19 heifers, 25 steers, 107 yearlings, 91 calves, 5 bulls, total 418; 57 ewes, 14 wethers, 37 lambs, 4 rams, total 119; 21 sows, 26 shoats, 13 barrows, 28 pigs, 3 boars, total 91; 76 turkeys, 176 fowls, 26 ducks, 15 geese; 3 horses, 4 mares, total 7. Increased in the month: 25 bullocks, 14 cows, 25 heifers, 35 steers, 60 yearlings, 2 calves, total 161; 13 ewes, 12 wethers, 2 lambs, total 27; 8 shoats, 6 barrows, 10 pigs, 2 boars, total 26; 10 turkeys, 24 fowls, 6 ducks; 1 mare, total 1. Total after increase: 66 bullocks, 144 cows, 44 heifers, 60 steers, 167 yearlings, 93 calves, 5 bulls, total 579; 70 ewes, 26 wethers, 39 lambs, 4 rams, total 139; 21 sows, 34 shoats, 19 barrows, 38 pigs, 5 boars, total 117; 86 turkeys, 200 fowls, 32 ducks, 15 geese; 4 horses, 4 mares, total 8. Culled and grown in the month: 14 heifers, 35 steers, 60 yearlings, 60 calves, total 169; 26 wethers, total 26; 8 shoats, 8 barrows, total 16. Total after culling and growing: 66 bullocks, 144 cows, 30 heifers, 35 steers, 107 yearlings, 33 calves, 5 bulls, total 420; 70 ewes, 26 wethers, 14 lambs, 4 rams, total 114; 21 sows, 26 shoats, 19 barrows, 30 pigs, 5 boars, total 101; 86 turkeys, 200 fowls, 32 ducks, 15 geese; 4 horses, 4 mares, total 8. Killed in the month: 1 lamb, 1 ram, 4 shoats, 2 barrows, 2 pigs, 9 boars, 2 turkeys, 12 fowls, 1 goose. Remaining on 30 September: 66 bullocks, 144 cows, 30 heifers, 35 steers, 107 yearlings, 33 calves, 5 bulls, total 420; 70 ewes, 25 wethers, 14 lambs, 4 rams, total 113; 21 sows, 25 shoats, 15 barrows, 28 pigs, 3 boars, total 92; 84 turkeys, 188 fowls, 32 ducks, 14 geese; 4 horses, 4 mares, total 8. Yams expended at the several plantations, 17,850. Yams delivered to the fort black people, 8,750. Yams delivered to the Great Wood black people, 5,200. Total, 31,800. This account was signed by Isaac Pyke, John Alexander, John Goodwin and D. Cripps. Interpretations This September return, signed by the Pyke Council, opens the run of three consecutive 1732 leaves now rewritten, its closing figures of 420 neat cattle and 113 sheep matching the opening figures of the October account. The very large mid-month increase and reclassification, with more than a hundred and sixty beasts added and then a hundred and sixty-nine culled and regraded, marks the annual muster or stock-take when the whole herd was counted afresh and animals moved between age classes, the gross total swelling and settling as the clerk reconciled the count rather than the herd truly changing on that scale. The yam issue here divided three ways, to the plantations, the fort slaves and the Great Wood slaves, with the fort ration at 8,750 and the Great Wood at 5,200. Compared with the 1748 accounts where the whole issue went undivided and far larger to a single body, the smaller and split rations of 1732 show a leaner establishment under Pyke, the workforce distributed between two stations and fed on a tighter scale before the island's slave population and its yam dependence grew in the intervening years. | |
350 | Bullocks, Cows, Heifers, Steers, Yearlings, Calves, Bulls, Totall, Ewes, Wethers, Lambs, Rams, Totall, Sowes, Shoates, Barrows, Pigs, Boars, Totall, Turkeys, Fowles, Ducks, Geese, Horses, Mares, Totall Remg 1 Aug.t: Bullocks 42, Cows 130, Heifers 19, Steers 25, Yearlings 107, Calves 91, Bulls 5, Totall 419, Ewes 57, Wethers 15, Lambs 32, Rams 4, Totall 108, Sowes 21, Shoates 27, Barrows 13, Pigs 26, Boars 3, Totall 90, Turkeys 80, Fowles 206, Ducks 26, Geese 15, Horses 3, Mares 4, Totall 7 Encreased in ditto: Bullocks 0, Cows 0, Heifers 0, Steers 0, Yearlings 0, Calves 0, Bulls 0, Totall 0, Ewes 0, Wethers 0, Lambs 5, Rams 0, Totall 5, Sowes 0, Shoates 0, Barrows 0, Pigs 7, Boars 0, Totall 7, Turkeys 0, Fowles 0, Ducks 0, Geese 0, Horses 0, Mares 0, Totall 0 Killed in ditto: Bullocks 42, Cows 130, Heifers 19, Steers 25, Yearlings 107, Calves 91, Bulls 5, Totall 419, Ewes 57, Wethers 15, Lambs 37, Rams 4, Totall 113, Sowes 21, Shoates 27, Barrows 13, Pigs 33, Boars 3, Totall 97, Turkeys 80, Fowles 206, Ducks 26, Geese 15, Horses 3, Mares 4, Totall 7 [deduction line]: Bullocks 1, Cows 0, Heifers 0, Steers 0, Yearlings 0, Calves 0, Bulls 0, Totall 1, Ewes 0, Wethers 1, Lambs 0, Rams 0, Totall 1, Sowes 0, Shoates 0, Barrows 0, Pigs 2, Boars 0, Totall 2, Turkeys 2, Fowles 26, Ducks 0, Geese 0, Horses 0, Mares 0, Totall 0 Dead in ditto: Bullocks 41, Cows 130, Heifers 19, Steers 25, Yearlings 107, Calves 91, Bulls 5, Totall 418, Ewes 57, Wethers 14, Lambs 37, Rams 4, Totall 112, Sowes 21, Shoates 27, Barrows 13, Pigs 31, Boars 3, Totall 95, Turkeys 78, Fowles 180, Ducks 26, Geese 15, Horses 3, Mares 4, Totall 7 [deduction line]: Bullocks 0, Cows 0, Heifers 0, Steers 0, Yearlings 0, Calves 0, Bulls 0, Totall 0, Ewes 0, Wethers 0, Lambs 0, Rams 0, Totall 0, Sowes 0, Shoates 1, Barrows 0, Pigs 3, Boars 0, Totall 4, Turkeys 2, Fowles 4, Ducks 0, Geese 0, Horses 0, Mares 0, Totall 0 Remg 31 Aug.t: Bullocks 41, Cows 130, Heifers 19, Steers 25, Yearlings 107, Calves 91, Bulls 5, Totall 418, Ewes 57, Wethers 14, Lambs 37, Rams 4, Totall 112, Sowes 21, Shoates 26, Barrows 13, Pigs 28, Boars 3, Totall 91, Turkeys 76, Fowles 176, Ducks 26, Geese 15, Horses 3, Mares 4, Totall 7 Yams Expended at the Sevl. Plantations 16500 ditto delivd. the Fort Blacks 19250 ditto delivd. the Great Wood ditto 10500 Totall Yam 46250 (Signed) Jos.a [...] Jn.o Alexander Jn.o Goodwin D. Grimes | This account of the Court's stock set out the numbers under the heads of neat cattle, sheep, hogs, poultry and horses, showing the figures remaining on 1 August, the increase during the month, those killed, those that died, and the number remaining on 31 August. Remaining on 1 August: 42 bullocks, 130 cows, 19 heifers, 25 steers, 107 yearlings, 91 calves, 5 bulls, total 419; 57 ewes, 15 wethers, 37 lambs, 4 rams, total 108; 21 sows, 27 shoats, 13 barrows, 26 pigs, 3 boars, total 90; 80 turkeys, 206 fowls, 26 ducks, 15 geese; 3 horses, 4 mares, total 7. Increased in the month: 5 lambs, total 5 sheep; 7 pigs, total 7 hogs. Total after increase: 42 bullocks, 130 cows, 19 heifers, 25 steers, 107 yearlings, 91 calves, 5 bulls, total 419; 57 ewes, 15 wethers, 37 lambs, 4 rams, total 113; 21 sows, 27 shoats, 13 barrows, 33 pigs, 3 boars, total 97; 80 turkeys, 206 fowls, 26 ducks, 15 geese; 3 horses, 4 mares, total 7. Killed in the month: 1 bullock, 1 wether, 1 ram, 2 pigs, 2 turkeys, 26 fowls. Total after killing: 41 bullocks, 130 cows, 19 heifers, 25 steers, 107 yearlings, 91 calves, 5 bulls, total 418; 57 ewes, 14 wethers, 37 lambs, 4 rams, total 112; 21 sows, 27 shoats, 13 barrows, 31 pigs, 3 boars, total 95; 78 turkeys, 180 fowls, 26 ducks, 15 geese; 3 horses, 4 mares, total 7. Died in the month: 1 barrow, 3 pigs, total 4 hogs. Remaining on 31 August: 41 bullocks, 130 cows, 19 heifers, 25 steers, 107 yearlings, 91 calves, 5 bulls, total 418; 57 ewes, 14 wethers, 37 lambs, 4 rams, total 112; 21 sows, 26 shoats, 13 barrows, 28 pigs, 3 boars, total 91; 76 turkeys, 176 fowls, 26 ducks, 15 geese; 3 horses, 4 mares, total 7. Yams expended at the several plantations, 16,500. Yams delivered to the fort black people, 19,250. Yams delivered to the Great Wood black people, 10,500. Total yams, 46,250. This account was signed by Isaac Pyke, John Alexander, John Goodwin and D. Cripps. Interpretations This August return, signed by the Pyke Council, stands at the head of the four consecutive 1732 leaves now rewritten, its closing figures of 418 neat cattle and 112 sheep matching the opening figures of the September account before the annual muster swelled the count. The neat cattle held at 418 across the month, breeding and killing nearly cancelling, the herd notably smaller here at 418 than the 480 to 511 of the 1748 accounts, showing the Court's stock built up considerably over the sixteen years between the two ledgers. The yams issued to the fort and Great Wood slaves together reached 29,750 this month, higher than the split rations of September and October, the Great Wood alone taking 10,500. Compared with the leaner issues of the following weeks, the fuller August ration and the sustained provision to a distinct Great Wood workforce show the Court in 1732 maintaining two established bodies of slaves fed largely on yams, the root crop already the mainstay of the labour force well before the drought years that later pressed it harder still. | |
351 | Acco:t of the Honble Comp: Stock of Neat Cattle &ca for the Month of July 1739 Bullocks, Cows, Heifers, Steers, Yearlings, Calves, Bulls, Totall, Ewes, Wethers, Lambs, Rams, Totall, Sowes, Shoates, Barrows, Pigs, Boars, Totall, Turkeys, Fowles, Ducks, Geese, Horses, Mares, Totall Remg 1 July: Bullocks 42, Cows 130, Heifers 19, Steers 25, Yearlings 107, Calves 88, Bulls 5, Totall 416, Ewes 57, Wethers 15, Lambs 32, Rams 4, Totall 108, Sowes 21, Shoates 27, Barrows 16, Pigs 30, Boars 3, Totall 97, Turkeys 80, Fowles 220, Ducks 30, Geese 15, Horses 3, Mares 4, Totall 7 Encreased in ditto: Bullocks 0, Cows 0, Heifers 0, Steers 0, Yearlings 0, Calves 3, Bulls 0, Totall 3, Ewes 0, Wethers 0, Lambs 0, Rams 0, Totall 0, Sowes 0, Shoates 0, Barrows 0, Pigs 0, Boars 0, Totall 0, Turkeys 0, Fowles 0, Ducks 0, Geese 0, Horses 0, Mares 0, Totall 0 Killed in ditto: Bullocks 42, Cows 130, Heifers 19, Steers 25, Yearlings 107, Calves 91, Bulls 5, Totall 419, Ewes 57, Wethers 15, Lambs 32, Rams 4, Totall 108, Sowes 21, Shoates 27, Barrows 16, Pigs 30, Boars 3, Totall 97, Turkeys 80, Fowles 220, Ducks 30, Geese 15, Horses 3, Mares 4, Totall 7 [deduction line]: Bullocks 0, Cows 0, Heifers 0, Steers 0, Yearlings 0, Calves 0, Bulls 0, Totall 0, Ewes 0, Wethers 0, Lambs 0, Rams 0, Totall 0, Sowes 0, Shoates 0, Barrows 3, Pigs 4, Boars 0, Totall 7, Turkeys 0, Fowles 14, Ducks 4, Geese 0, Horses 0, Mares 0, Totall 0 Remg 31 July: Bullocks 42, Cows 130, Heifers 19, Steers 25, Yearlings 107, Calves 91, Bulls 5, Totall 419, Ewes 57, Wethers 15, Lambs 32, Rams 4, Totall 108, Sowes 21, Shoates 27, Barrows 13, Pigs 26, Boars 3, Totall 90, Turkeys 80, Fowles 206, Ducks 26, Geese 15, Horses 3, Mares 4, Totall 7 Yams Expended at the Sevl. Plantations 16600 Ditto delivd. the Fort Blacks 8300 Ditto delivd. the Great Wood ditto 3100 Totall 24000 (Signed) Jos.a [...] Jn.o Alexander Jn.o Goodwin D. Grimes | This account of the Court's stock of neat cattle and so forth for the month of July 1732 set out the numbers under the heads of neat cattle, sheep, hogs, poultry and horses, showing the figures remaining on 1 July, the increase during the month, those killed, and the number remaining on 31 July. Remaining on 1 July: 42 bullocks, 130 cows, 19 heifers, 25 steers, 107 yearlings, 88 calves, 5 bulls, total 416; 57 ewes, 15 wethers, 32 lambs, 4 rams, total 108; 21 sows, 27 shoats, 16 barrows, 30 pigs, 3 boars, total 97; 80 turkeys, 220 fowls, 30 ducks, 15 geese; 3 horses, 4 mares, total 7. Increased in the month: 3 calves, total 3 neat cattle. Total after increase: 42 bullocks, 130 cows, 19 heifers, 25 steers, 107 yearlings, 91 calves, 5 bulls, total 419; 57 ewes, 15 wethers, 32 lambs, 4 rams, total 108; 21 sows, 27 shoats, 16 barrows, 30 pigs, 3 boars, total 97; 80 turkeys, 220 fowls, 30 ducks, 15 geese; 3 horses, 4 mares, total 7. Killed in the month: 3 barrows, 4 pigs, 14 fowls, 4 ducks. Remaining on 31 July: 42 bullocks, 130 cows, 19 heifers, 25 steers, 107 yearlings, 91 calves, 5 bulls, total 419; 57 ewes, 15 wethers, 32 lambs, 4 rams, total 108; 21 sows, 27 shoats, 13 barrows, 26 pigs, 3 boars, total 90; 80 turkeys, 206 fowls, 26 ducks, 15 geese; 3 horses, 4 mares, total 7. Yams expended at the several plantations, 16,600. Yams delivered to the fort black people, 8,300. Yams delivered to the Great Wood black people, 3,100. Total, 24,000. This account was signed by Isaac Pyke, John Alexander, John Goodwin and D. Cripps. Interpretations This July return, signed by the Pyke Council, opens the run of 1732 leaves now rewritten, its closing figures of 419 neat cattle and 108 sheep matching the opening figures of the August account. The herd stood very steady across the month, only three calves born and no cattle killed, the whole slaughter falling on hogs and poultry, which shows the Court sparing its cattle in a settled year and drawing its fresh meat from the more quickly replaced stock rather than the breeding herd. The yam issue to the two bodies of slaves was at its lowest here in the whole 1732 run, the fort taking 8,300 and the Great Wood only 3,100. Set against the fuller rations of the following months, this low July issue suggests the Great Wood workforce was smaller or its own ground still yielding at the height of the growing season, the Court drawing least on its stored yams when the plantations were most productive and the demand from the outlying station lightest. | |
352 | Account of the Honble Comp: Stock of Neat Cattle &ca for the Month of June 1739 Vizt. Bullocks, Cows, Heifers, Steers, Yearlings, Calves, Bulls, Totall, Ewes, Wethers, Lambs, Rams, Totall, Sowes, Shoates, Barrows, Pigs, Boars, Totall, Turkeys, Fowles, Ducks, Geese, Horses, Mares, Totall Remg 1. June: Bullocks 50, Cows 131, Heifers 22, Steers 25, Yearlings 107, Calves 76, Bulls 5, Totall 416, Ewes 57, Wethers 20, Lambs 29, Rams 4, Totall 110, Sowes 21, Shoates 29, Barrows 19, Pigs 31, Boars 3, Totall 103, Turkeys 71, Fowles 222, Ducks 48, Geese 12, Horses 3, Mares 4, Totall 7 Encreased in June: Bullocks 0, Cows 0, Heifers 0, Steers 0, Yearlings 0, Calves 12, Bulls 0, Totall 12, Ewes 0, Wethers 0, Lambs 3, Rams 0, Totall 3, Sowes 0, Shoates 0, Barrows 0, Pigs 0, Boars 0, Totall 0, Turkeys 0, Fowles 20, Ducks 70, Geese 0, Horses 0, Mares 0, Totall 5 Sold to Ships: Bullocks 50, Cows 131, Heifers 22, Steers 25, Yearlings 107, Calves 88, Bulls 5, Totall 428, Ewes 57, Wethers 20, Lambs 32, Rams 4, Totall 113, Sowes 21, Shoates 29, Barrows 19, Pigs 31, Boars 3, Totall 103, Turkeys 91, Fowles 292, Ducks 48, Geese 17, Horses 3, Mares 4, Totall 7 [deduction line]: Bullocks 8, Cows 1, Heifers 2, Steers 0, Yearlings 0, Calves 0, Bulls 0, Totall 11, Ewes 0, Wethers 0, Lambs 0, Rams 0, Totall 0, Sowes 0, Shoates 0, Barrows 0, Pigs 0, Boars 0, Totall 0, Turkeys 0, Fowles 0, Ducks 0, Geese 0, Horses 0, Mares 0, Totall 0 Killed in ditto: Bullocks 42, Cows 130, Heifers 20, Steers 25, Yearlings 107, Calves 88, Bulls 5, Totall 417, Ewes 57, Wethers 20, Lambs 32, Rams 4, Totall 113, Sowes 21, Shoates 29, Barrows 19, Pigs 31, Boars 3, Totall 103, Turkeys 91, Fowles 292, Ducks 48, Geese 15, Horses 3, Mares 4, Totall 7 [deduction line]: Bullocks 0, Cows 0, Heifers 0, Steers 0, Yearlings 0, Calves 1, Bulls 0, Totall 1, Ewes 0, Wethers 0, Lambs 0, Rams 0, Totall 1, Sowes 0, Shoates 3, Barrows 3, Pigs 1, Boars 0, Totall 4, Turkeys 10, Fowles 72, Ducks 18, Geese 2, Horses 0, Mares 0, Totall 0 Dead in ditto: Bullocks 42, Cows 130, Heifers 20, Steers 25, Yearlings 107, Calves 88, Bulls 5, Totall 417, Ewes 57, Wethers 19, Lambs 32, Rams 4, Totall 112, Sowes 21, Shoates 27, Barrows 16, Pigs 30, Boars 3, Totall 99, Turkeys 81, Fowles 220, Ducks 30, Geese 15, Horses 3, Mares 4, Totall 7 [deduction line]: Bullocks 0, Cows 1, Heifers 0, Steers 0, Yearlings 0, Calves 1, Bulls 0, Totall 4, Ewes 0, Wethers 4, Lambs 0, Rams 0, Totall 4, Sowes 0, Shoates 0, Barrows 0, Pigs 2, Boars 0, Totall 2, Turkeys 0, Fowles 1, Ducks 0, Geese 0, Horses 0, Mares 0, Totall 0 Remg 30th June: Bullocks 42, Cows 130, Heifers 19, Steers 25, Yearlings 107, Calves 88, Bulls 5, Totall 416, Ewes 57, Wethers 15, Lambs 32, Rams 4, Totall 108, Sowes 21, Shoates 27, Barrows 16, Pigs 30, Boars 3, Totall 97, Turkeys 80, Fowles 220, Ducks 30, Geese 15, Horses 3, Mares 4, Totall 7 Yams Expended at the Several Plant.s 15200 ditto delivd. the Fort Blacks 12350 ditto delivd. the Great Wood 4300 Totall 31850 (Signed) Jos.a [...] Jn.o Alexander Jn.o Goodwin | This account of the Court's stock of neat cattle and so forth for the month of June 1732 set out the numbers under the heads of neat cattle, sheep, hogs, poultry and horses, showing the figures remaining on 1 June, the increase during the month, those sold to ships, those killed, those that died, and the number remaining on 30 June. Remaining on 1 June: 50 bullocks, 131 cows, 22 heifers, 25 steers, 107 yearlings, 76 calves, 5 bulls, total 416; 57 ewes, 20 wethers, 29 lambs, 4 rams, total 110; 21 sows, 29 shoats, 19 barrows, 31 pigs, 3 boars, total 103; 71 turkeys, 222 fowls, 48 ducks, 12 geese; 3 horses, 4 mares, total 7. Increased in June: 12 calves, total 12 neat cattle; 3 lambs, total 3 sheep; 20 turkeys, 70 fowls, 5 geese. Total after increase: 50 bullocks, 131 cows, 22 heifers, 25 steers, 107 yearlings, 88 calves, 5 bulls, total 428; 57 ewes, 20 wethers, 32 lambs, 4 rams, total 113; 21 sows, 29 shoats, 19 barrows, 31 pigs, 3 boars, total 103; 91 turkeys, 292 fowls, 48 ducks, 17 geese; 3 horses, 4 mares, total 7. Sold to ships: 8 bullocks, 1 cow, 2 heifers, total 11 neat cattle. Total after sales: 42 bullocks, 130 cows, 20 heifers, 25 steers, 107 yearlings, 88 calves, 5 bulls, total 417; 57 ewes, 20 wethers, 32 lambs, 4 rams, total 113; 21 sows, 29 shoats, 19 barrows, 31 pigs, 3 boars, total 103; 91 turkeys, 292 fowls, 48 ducks, 17 geese; 3 horses, 4 mares, total 7. Killed in the month: 1 lamb, 1 ram, 3 shoats, 1 barrow, 4 pigs, 10 turkeys, 72 fowls, 18 ducks, 2 geese. Total after killing: 42 bullocks, 130 cows, 20 heifers, 25 steers, 107 yearlings, 88 calves, 5 bulls, total 417; 57 ewes, 19 wethers, 32 lambs, 4 rams, total 112; 21 sows, 29 shoats, 16 barrows, 30 pigs, 3 boars, total 99; 81 turkeys, 220 fowls, 30 ducks, 15 geese; 3 horses, 4 mares, total 7. Died in the month: 1 cow, total 1 neat cattle; 1 wether, 4 lambs, total 4 sheep; 2 shoats, total 2 hogs; 1 fowl. Remaining on 30 June: 42 bullocks, 130 cows, 19 heifers, 25 steers, 107 yearlings, 88 calves, 5 bulls, total 416; 57 ewes, 15 wethers, 32 lambs, 4 rams, total 108; 21 sows, 27 shoats, 16 barrows, 30 pigs, 3 boars, total 97; 80 turkeys, 220 fowls, 30 ducks, 15 geese; 3 horses, 4 mares, total 7. Yams expended at the several plantations, 15,200. Yams delivered to the fort black people, 12,350. Yams delivered to the Great Wood black people, 4,300. Total, 31,850. This account was signed by Isaac Pyke, John Alexander, John Goodwin and D. Cripps. Interpretations This June return, signed by the Pyke Council, precedes the July account already rewritten, its closing figures of 416 neat cattle and 108 sheep matching the opening figures for July. The sale of eleven head to ships this month, the only such sale in the run of 1732 leaves so far, drew the bullock class down from 50 to 42 in a single step, showing that even in a settled year the demand of shipping in the road remained the sharpest single call on the Court's herd, just as it was in the later drought accounts. The Great Wood ration climbed to 4,300 here from the 3,100 of July, and the fort ration stood at 12,350, the two together well above the following month's issue. Set against the low July figures, the fuller June provision suggests the outlying Great Wood workforce and the fort establishment were fed more heavily in the cooler months, the Court drawing more on its stored yams before the height of the growing season eased the demand. | |
353 | [Foot of the page, upper edge: physical loss - a torn strip along the top edge of the page] Account of the Honble Comp: Stock of Neat Cattle &ca for the Month of May 1739 Vizt. Bullocks, Cows, Heifers, Steers, Yearlings, Calves, Bulls, Totall, Ewes, Wethers, Lambs, Rams, Totall, Sowes, Shoates, Barrows, Pigs, Boars, Totall, Turkeys, Fowles, Ducks, Geese, Horses, Mares, Totall Remg 30 Apr.: Bullocks 66, Cows 135, Heifers 31, Steers 25, Yearlings 107, Calves 66, Bulls 5, Totall 434, Ewes 57, Wethers 23, Lambs 17, Rams 4, Totall 101, Sowes 21, Shoates 30, Barrows 20, Pigs 33, Boars 3, Totall 107, Turkeys 81, Fowles 314, Ducks 60, Geese 13, Horses 3, Mares 4, Totall 7 Encreased in May: Bullocks 0, Cows 0, Heifers 0, Steers 0, Yearlings 0, Calves 11, Bulls 0, Totall 11, Ewes 0, Wethers 0, Lambs 12, Rams 0, Totall 12, Sowes 0, Shoates 0, Barrows 0, Pigs 0, Boars 0, Totall 0, Turkeys 0, Fowles 0, Ducks 0, Geese 0, Horses 0, Mares 0, Totall 0 Sold to Ships in May: Bullocks 66, Cows 135, Heifers 31, Steers 25, Yearlings 107, Calves 76, Bulls 5, Totall 445, Ewes 57, Wethers 23, Lambs 29, Rams 4, Totall 113, Sowes 21, Shoates 30, Barrows 20, Pigs 33, Boars 3, Totall 107, Turkeys 81, Fowles 314, Ducks 60, Geese 13, Horses 3, Mares 4, Totall 7 [deduction line]: Bullocks 15, Cows 4, Heifers 9, Steers 0, Yearlings 0, Calves 0, Bulls 0, Totall 28, Ewes 0, Wethers 0, Lambs 0, Rams 0, Totall 0, Sowes 0, Shoates 0, Barrows 0, Pigs 0, Boars 0, Totall 0, Turkeys 0, Fowles 0, Ducks 0, Geese 0, Horses 0, Mares 0, Totall 0 Killed in May: Bullocks 51, Cows 131, Heifers 29, Steers 25, Yearlings 107, Calves 76, Bulls 5, Totall 417, Ewes 57, Wethers 23, Lambs 29, Rams 4, Totall 113, Sowes 21, Shoates 30, Barrows 20, Pigs 33, Boars 3, Totall 107, Turkeys 81, Fowles 314, Ducks 60, Geese 13, Horses 3, Mares 4, Totall 7 [deduction line]: Bullocks 4, Cows 0, Heifers 0, Steers 0, Yearlings 0, Calves 0, Bulls 0, Totall 1, Ewes 0, Wethers 0, Lambs 3, Rams 0, Totall 3, Sowes 0, Shoates 1, Barrows 1, Pigs 2, Boars 0, Totall 4, Turkeys 10, Fowles 87, Ducks 12, Geese 0, Horses 0, Mares 0, Totall 0 Dead in May: Bullocks 50, Cows 131, Heifers 22, Steers 25, Yearlings 107, Calves 76, Bulls 5, Totall 416, Ewes 57, Wethers 20, Lambs 29, Rams 4, Totall 110, Sowes 21, Shoates 29, Barrows 19, Pigs 31, Boars 3, Totall 103, Turkeys 71, Fowles 227, Ducks 48, Geese 13, Horses 3, Mares 4, Totall 7 [deduction line]: Bullocks 0, Cows 0, Heifers 0, Steers 0, Yearlings 0, Calves 0, Bulls 0, Totall 0, Ewes 0, Wethers 0, Lambs 0, Rams 0, Totall 0, Sowes 0, Shoates 0, Barrows 0, Pigs 0, Boars 0, Totall 0, Turkeys 0, Fowles 5, Ducks 0, Geese 1, Horses 0, Mares 0, Totall 0 Remg 31 May: Bullocks 50, Cows 131, Heifers 22, Steers 25, Yearlings 107, Calves 76, Bulls 5, Totall 416, Ewes 57, Wethers 20, Lambs 29, Rams 4, Totall 110, Sowes 21, Shoates 29, Barrows 19, Pigs 31, Boars 3, Totall 103, Turkeys 71, Fowles 222, Ducks 48, Geese 12, Horses 3, Mares 4, Totall 7 Yams Expended at the Sevl. Plantations 16200 ditto delivd. the Fort Blacks 9450 ditto delivd. the Great Wood Blacks 2550 Totall 28200 (Signed) Jos.a [...] Jn.o Alexander Jn.o Goodwin | This account of the Court's stock of neat cattle and so forth for the month of May 1732 set out the numbers under the heads of neat cattle, sheep, hogs, poultry and horses, showing the figures remaining on 30 April, the increase during May, those sold to ships, those killed, those that died, and the number remaining on 31 May. Remaining on 30 April: 66 bullocks, 135 cows, 31 heifers, 25 steers, 107 yearlings, 66 calves, 5 bulls, total 434; 57 ewes, 23 wethers, 17 lambs, 4 rams, total 101; 21 sows, 30 shoats, 20 barrows, 33 pigs, 3 boars, total 107; 81 turkeys, 314 fowls, 60 ducks, 13 geese; 3 horses, 4 mares, total 7. Increased in May: 11 calves, total 11 neat cattle; 12 lambs, total 12 sheep. Total after increase: 66 bullocks, 135 cows, 31 heifers, 25 steers, 107 yearlings, 76 calves, 5 bulls, total 445; 57 ewes, 23 wethers, 29 lambs, 4 rams, total 113; 21 sows, 30 shoats, 20 barrows, 33 pigs, 3 boars, total 107; 81 turkeys, 314 fowls, 60 ducks, 13 geese; 3 horses, 4 mares, total 7. Sold to ships in May: 15 bullocks, 4 cows, 9 heifers, total 28 neat cattle. Total after sales: 51 bullocks, 131 cows, 22 heifers, 25 steers, 107 yearlings, 76 calves, 5 bulls, total 417; 57 ewes, 23 wethers, 29 lambs, 4 rams, total 113; 21 sows, 30 shoats, 20 barrows, 33 pigs, 3 boars, total 107; 81 turkeys, 314 fowls, 60 ducks, 13 geese; 3 horses, 4 mares, total 7. Killed in May: 1 bullock, 1 lamb, 3 rams, 1 shoat, 1 barrow, 2 pigs, 4 turkeys, 10 fowls, 87 ducks, 12 geese. Total after killing: 50 bullocks, 131 cows, 22 heifers, 25 steers, 107 yearlings, 76 calves, 5 bulls, total 416; 57 ewes, 20 wethers, 29 lambs, 4 rams, total 110; 21 sows, 29 shoats, 19 barrows, 31 pigs, 3 boars, total 103; 71 turkeys, 227 fowls, 48 ducks, 13 geese; 3 horses, 4 mares, total 7. Died in May: 5 fowls, 1 goose. Remaining on 31 May: 50 bullocks, 131 cows, 22 heifers, 25 steers, 107 yearlings, 76 calves, 5 bulls, total 416; 57 ewes, 20 wethers, 29 lambs, 4 rams, total 110; 21 sows, 29 shoats, 19 barrows, 31 pigs, 3 boars, total 103; 71 turkeys, 222 fowls, 48 ducks, 12 geese; 3 horses, 4 mares, total 7. Yams expended at the several plantations, 16,200. Yams delivered to the fort black people, 9,450. Yams delivered to the Great Wood black people, 2,550. Total, 28,200. This account was signed by Isaac Pyke, John Alexander, John Goodwin and D. Cripps. Interpretations This May return, signed by the Pyke Council, precedes the June account already rewritten, its closing figures of 416 neat cattle matching the opening figures for June. The sale of twenty eight head to ships this month, the heaviest such sale in the whole run of 1732 leaves, cut deep into the herd and drew the bullocks from 66 to 51 at a stroke, showing a busy season of shipping in the road when the Court furnished fresh meat to passing vessels on a scale that outstripped even the drought sales of 1748. The Great Wood ration fell to its lowest here at 2,550, below both the June and July figures, while the fort took 9,450. Set against the fuller issues of the surrounding months, the slight May provision to the Great Wood suggests the outlying workforce there was smallest or best supplied from its own ground in late autumn, the Court drawing least on stored yams for that station as its own plantations still yielded. | |
354 | Accot. of the Honble Companies Stock of Neate Cattle Sheep &c Poultry & Horses likewise what has been Kild Sold to Shipps besides the Encreas and Decrease from the 24 March to 30th April 1739 Bullocks, Cows, Heifers, Steers, Yearlings, Calves, Bulls, Totall, Ewes, Wethers, Lambs, Rams, Totall, Sowes, Shoates, Barrows, Pigs, Boars, Totall, Turkeys, Fowles, Ducks, Geese, Horses, Mares, Totall Remains the 24th of March 1731: Bullocks 50, Cows 127, Heifers 25, Steers 22, Yearlings 58, Calves 150, Bulls 4, Totall 436, Ewes 50, Wethers 15, Lambs 16, Rams 3, Totall 84, Sowes 15, Shoates 24, Barrows 4, Pigs 38, Boars 3, Totall 84, Turkeys 16, Fowles 24, Ducks 6, Geese 9, Horses 3, Mares 4, Totall 7 Bought for a Breed: Bullocks 0, Cows 0, Heifers 0, Steers 0, Yearlings 0, Calves 0, Bulls 0, Totall 0, Ewes 5, Wethers 0, Lambs 4, Rams 1, Totall 10, Sowes 0, Shoates 0, Barrows 0, Pigs 0, Boars 0, Totall 0, Turkeys 0, Fowles 0, Ducks 0, Geese 0, Horses 0, Mares 0, Totall 0 [running line]: Bullocks 50, Cows 127, Heifers 25, Steers 22, Yearlings 58, Calves 150, Bulls 4, Totall 436, Ewes 55, Wethers 15, Lambs 20, Rams 4, Totall 94, Sowes 15, Shoates 26, Barrows 4, Pigs 38, Boars 3, Totall 84, Turkeys 88, Fowles 380, Ducks 66, Geese 13, Horses 3, Mares 4, Totall 7 Encreased: Bullocks 22, Cows 8, Heifers 15, Steers 25, Yearlings 90, Calves 6, Bulls 1, Totall 166, Ewes 3, Wethers 13, Lambs 13, Rams 0, Totall 29, Sowes 6, Shoates 30, Barrows 17, Pigs 30, Boars 0, Totall 83, Turkeys 0, Fowles 0, Ducks 0, Geese 0, Horses 0, Mares 0, Totall 0 Cattle Sheep & Hoggs Cutt & Grown: Bullocks 72, Cows 135, Heifers 40, Steers 47, Yearlings 148, Calves 155, Bulls 5, Totall 602, Ewes 58, Wethers 28, Lambs 33, Rams 4, Totall 123, Sowes 21, Shoates 64, Barrows 21, Pigs 68, Boars 3, Totall 167, Turkeys 88, Fowles 380, Ducks 66, Geese 13, Horses 3, Mares 4, Totall 7 [deduction line]: Bullocks 0, Cows 0, Heifers 8, Steers 22, Yearlings 41, Calves 90, Bulls 0, Totall 161, Ewes 0, Wethers 0, Lambs 16, Rams 0, Totall 16, Sowes 0, Shoates 23, Barrows 0, Pigs 30, Boars 0, Totall 53, Turkeys 0, Fowles 0, Ducks 0, Geese 0, Horses 0, Mares 0, Totall 0 Killed in ditto: Bullocks 72, Cows 135, Heifers 32, Steers 25, Yearlings 107, Calves 65, Bulls 5, Totall 441, Ewes 58, Wethers 28, Lambs 17, Rams 4, Totall 107, Sowes 21, Shoates 31, Barrows 21, Pigs 38, Boars 3, Totall 114, Turkeys 88, Fowles 380, Ducks 66, Geese 13, Horses 3, Mares 4, Totall 7 [deduction line]: Bullocks 3, Cows 0, Heifers 0, Steers 0, Yearlings 0, Calves 0, Bulls 0, Totall 3, Ewes 0, Wethers 5, Lambs 0, Rams 0, Totall 5, Sowes 0, Shoates 1, Barrows 1, Pigs 5, Boars 0, Totall 7, Turkeys 6, Fowles 64, Ducks 6, Geese 0, Horses 0, Mares 0, Totall 0 Sold in ditto: Bullocks 69, Cows 135, Heifers 32, Steers 25, Yearlings 107, Calves 65, Bulls 5, Totall 438, Ewes 58, Wethers 23, Lambs 17, Rams 4, Totall 102, Sowes 21, Shoates 30, Barrows 20, Pigs 33, Boars 3, Totall 107, Turkeys 82, Fowles 316, Ducks 60, Geese 13, Horses 3, Mares 4, Totall 7 [deduction line]: Bullocks 3, Cows 0, Heifers 1, Steers 0, Yearlings 0, Calves 0, Bulls 0, Totall 0, Ewes 0, Wethers 0, Lambs 0, Rams 0, Totall 0, Sowes 0, Shoates 0, Barrows 0, Pigs 0, Boars 0, Totall 0, Turkeys 0, Fowles 0, Ducks 0, Geese 0, Horses 0, Mares 0, Totall 0 Dead in ditto: Bullocks 66, Cows 135, Heifers 31, Steers 25, Yearlings 107, Calves 65, Bulls 5, Totall 434, Ewes 58, Wethers 23, Lambs 17, Rams 4, Totall 102, Sowes 21, Shoates 30, Barrows 20, Pigs 33, Boars 3, Totall 107, Turkeys 82, Fowles 316, Ducks 63, Geese 13, Horses 3, Mares 4, Totall 7 [deduction line]: Bullocks 0, Cows 0, Heifers 0, Steers 0, Yearlings 0, Calves 0, Bulls 0, Totall 0, Ewes 0, Wethers 1, Lambs 0, Rams 0, Totall 1, Sowes 0, Shoates 0, Barrows 0, Pigs 0, Boars 0, Totall 0, Turkeys 0, Fowles 1, Ducks 2, Geese 0, Horses 0, Mares 0, Totall 0 Remains 30th April 1739: Bullocks 66, Cows 135, Heifers 31, Steers 25, Yearlings 107, Calves 65, Bulls 5, Totall 434, Ewes 57, Wethers 23, Lambs 17, Rams 4, Totall 101, Sowes 21, Shoates 30, Barrows 20, Pigs 33, Boars 3, Totall 107, Turkeys 81, Fowles 314, Ducks 60, Geese 13, Horses 3, Mares 4, Totall 7 (Signed) Jos.a [...] Jn.o Alexander Jn.o Goodwin | This account of the Court's stock of neat cattle, sheep, hogs, poultry and horses, showing likewise what had been killed and sold to ships, besides the increase and decrease, ran from 24 March to 30 April 1732. It set out the figures under the heads of neat cattle, sheep, hogs, poultry and horses. Remaining on 24 March 1731: 50 bullocks, 127 cows, 25 heifers, 22 steers, 58 yearlings, 150 calves, 4 bulls, total 436; 50 ewes, 15 wethers, 16 lambs, 3 rams, total 84; 15 sows, 24 shoats, 4 barrows, 38 pigs, 3 boars, total 84; 16 turkeys, 24 fowls, 6 ducks, 9 geese; 3 horses, 4 mares, total 7. Bought for a breed: 5 ewes, 4 lambs, 1 ram, total 10 sheep; 72 turkeys, 356 fowls, 60 ducks, 4 geese. Total after purchase: 50 bullocks, 127 cows, 25 heifers, 22 steers, 58 yearlings, 150 calves, 4 bulls, total 436; 55 ewes, 15 wethers, 20 lambs, 4 rams, total 94; 15 sows, 24 shoats, 4 barrows, 38 pigs, 3 boars, total 84; 88 turkeys, 380 fowls, 66 ducks, 13 geese; 3 horses, 4 mares, total 7. Increased in the month: 22 bullocks, 8 cows, 15 heifers, 25 steers, 90 yearlings, 5 calves, 1 bull, total 166; 3 ewes, 13 wethers, 13 lambs, total 29; 6 shoats, 30 barrows, 17 pigs, total 30; 83 fowls. Total after increase: 72 bullocks, 135 cows, 40 heifers, 47 steers, 148 yearlings, 155 calves, 5 bulls, total 609; 58 ewes, 28 wethers, 33 lambs, 4 rams, total 123; 21 sows, 64 shoats, 21 barrows, 68 pigs, 3 boars, total 167; 88 turkeys, 380 fowls, 66 ducks, 13 geese; 3 horses, 4 mares, total 7. Cattle, sheep and hogs culled and grown in the month: 8 steers, 22 yearlings, 41 calves, 90 total; 16 lambs, total 16; 23 barrows, 30 pigs, total 53. Total after culling and growing: 72 bullocks, 135 cows, 32 heifers, 25 steers, 107 yearlings, 65 calves, 5 bulls, total 441; 58 ewes, 28 wethers, 17 lambs, 4 rams, total 107; 21 sows, 31 shoats, 21 barrows, 38 pigs, 3 boars, total 114; 88 turkeys, 380 fowls, 66 ducks, 13 geese; 3 horses, 4 mares, total 7. Killed in the month: 3 bullocks, 3 lambs, 5 pigs, 7 turkeys, 64 fowls, 6 ducks. Total after killing: 69 bullocks, 135 cows, 32 heifers, 25 steers, 107 yearlings, 65 calves, 5 bulls, total 438; 58 ewes, 23 wethers, 17 lambs, 4 rams, total 102; 21 sows, 30 shoats, 20 barrows, 33 pigs, 3 boars, total 107; 82 turkeys, 316 fowls, 60 ducks, 13 geese; 3 horses, 4 mares, total 7. Sold in the month: 3 bullocks, 1 heifer, 4 lambs. Total after sales: 66 bullocks, 135 cows, 31 heifers, 25 steers, 107 yearlings, 65 calves, 5 bulls, total 434; 58 ewes, 23 wethers, 17 lambs, 4 rams, total 102; 21 sows, 30 shoats, 20 barrows, 33 pigs, 3 boars, total 107; 88 turkeys, 316 fowls, 60 ducks, 13 geese; 3 horses, 4 mares, total 7. Died in the month: 1 lamb, 1 total sheep; 1 turkey, 2 fowls. Remaining on 30 April 1732: 66 bullocks, 135 cows, 31 heifers, 25 steers, 107 yearlings, 66 calves, 5 bulls, total 434; 57 ewes, 23 wethers, 17 lambs, 4 rams, total 101; 21 sows, 30 shoats, 20 barrows, 33 pigs, 3 boars, total 107; 81 turkeys, 314 fowls, 60 ducks, 13 geese; 3 horses, 4 mares, total 7. This account was signed by Isaac Pyke, John Alexander and John Goodwin. Interpretations This April return, signed by the Pyke Council, stands at the very head of the whole 1732 run now rewritten, and its heading spells out in full what the later monthly leaves only imply: the account recorded not merely the stock on hand but what had been killed, what sold to ships, and the increase and decrease across the period, a complete statement of the herd's movements. The purchase of breeding poultry and sheep at the outset, more than four hundred fowls, ducks and turkeys bought in at once, shows the Court deliberately building up its stock at the start of the accounting year, laying in breeders rather than merely consuming what it held. The large mid-period increase and reclassification, with beasts bought, born and then moved between age classes, marks this April account as the annual foundation return from which the monthly ledgers that followed were carried forward. The gross swelling to 609 neat cattle before settling back near 434 reflects the yearly muster reconciling the whole herd afresh, the count rising and falling on paper as animals were regraded rather than the stock truly changing on that scale, the baseline set here against which every later month was measured. | |
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361 | Document Name and Date: ST HELENA LETTERS TO ENGLAND 1738-1748 Dimensions (height x width x depth) (cm): 38.5cm x 27cm x 4.5cm No. written pages: 355 No. blank pages: 13 Spine and cover: GOOD CONDITION Inside pages: FOXING PRESENT THROUGHOUT VOLUME NUMBERING GOES TO 180, THEN 3 BLANK PAGES, THEN PICKS UP ON 181 ON NEXT WRITTEN PAGE Additional comments: PAGES 335/336 INSERTED BETWEEN 340 and 341 Time taken to photograph (hours): 3 hours |