St Helena Records 1768-1769

Introduction: This is the 47th volume in the series of St Helena Records, which summarises the proceedings of official meetings held by the island’s Governor and Council, during which matters of government, defence, supplies, justice and discipline were discussed and recorded.

Source: Images of the original records can be viewed on the British Library’s website: https://eap.bl.uk/archive-file/EAP1364-1-1-47.

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.

Text Inaccuracy: 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.

Loss of Text: The volume was bound very tightly, and on many pages the final characters of the longer lines on the left-hand page disappeared into the gutter, making them impossible to read or transcribe.

Pagination: The pages are not numbered. Therefore, for reference purposes, the first page of the records on Film No. 8 is designated as page 1 (location 8/1), with numbering continuing sequentially through the end of the volume.

Dates: The Council's first meeting took place on 25 April 1768, with the final meeting occurring on 20 March 1769. All the sessions were convened during the administration of John Skottowe (1764-1782).

AI Generated Summary

Introduction

The records comprise the weekly consultations of the Council at the Castle, the gunner's, steward's, storekeeper's, livestock and cash accounts, the civil and military pay lists, the paymaster's accounts, the rent roll and the warehouse inventory of 30 September 1768. Governor John Skottowe presided throughout, with Lieutenant Governor Daniel Corneille until 21 July 1768, William Matthew Purling and Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick.

Governance and Administration

The civil list for the quarter ending 30 June 1768 paid Skottowe £125 0s 0d with £31 14s 9d for servants, Corneille £62 10s 0d with a table allowance of £25 0s 0d, Purling £62 10s 0d as councillor, accountant and holder of a gratuity and Kirkpatrick £10 0s 0d as councillor, the same as in the two previous quarters. William Wrangham, made sheriff on 4 April 1768, drew nothing extra beyond his pay as factor and assistant to the Governor. The Council table was recovered in green broadcloth for £1 12s 10d. In the quarter to 30 September 1768 Corneille drew £20 2s 8d for 21 days, Kirkpatrick his full councillor's and captain's pay, Archibald Mitchell £123 2s 6d as engineer and captain of artillery, the largest income on the island, and Richard Beale £65 12s 6d as captain, judge advocate and schoolmaster; John Corfield appeared as patroon, master of the Company's boats. With the Lieutenant Governor's post unfilled, the councillors' entries fell from £249 7s 5d to £229 4s 9d in the quarter to 31 December 1768. [Film No. 112, 124, 125, 233, 234, 235, 242, 248, 399]

Five Bazetts held Company posts in 1768: Matthew as secretary, Thomas as lieutenant and overseer of the works, John as superintendent of the slaves, George as steward and Henry as captain of the Second Company. George petitioned on 23 July 1768 that issuing materials to the works at all hours had damaged his health and that £30 a year was no living; since only the Court could raise salaries, the Council made him a writer on 25 July, a post vacant since Francis Wrangham's death, because the stores could not keep pace with issues to the works and the secretary's office lacked an assistant. Robert Leech replaced him as steward at £30 a year, and the civil list paid George 24 days as steward and 68 as writer. On 2 January 1768/9 he became clerk of the works at 1s 6d a day. [Film No. 125, 126, 127, 130, 134, 177, 178, 179, 235, 367]

The Tilbury, the first ship from England in 1768, brought a packet from the Court on 12 May 1768. The Council read Captain Richard Beale, captain of the Third Company, judge advocate and schoolmaster, the paragraph concerning him and told Phillip Mahoney the Court's order on his appointment as clerk of the peace; neither decision was minuted. Mahoney had left his sergeant's post in the First Company on 11 May, and his pay as clerk of the peace rose from £10 0s 0d to £16 16s 5d a quarter. The Duke of Richmond brought a second packet on 5 June 1768, its contents unrecorded. [Film No. 24, 49, 125, 126, 127]

On 25 May 1768 the Council wrote by the Tilbury, bound for Canton, to Harry Verelst at Fort William, Charles Bourchier at Fort St George, Thomas Hodges at Bombay and the Canton supercargoes, its first letters since 6 April 1767. It asked Fort William for 8 maunds of the best wax candles by each ship, the usual arrack, rice and paddy and no more salt provisions; Fort St George for 108 pieces of longcloth in five grades from 10 to 2½ pagodas, 80 of them the cheapest, 50 pairs of men's stockings larger than the Hector's and the usual arrack, rice and paddy; Bombay for 200 pieces of Surat chelloes with rice and paddy; and Canton for the 1,000 lb of sugar candy in the finest kind and saucers of good china for the breakfast cups, asking Canton to forward the Indian letters and enclosing the Tilbury's charter party, victualling bill, manifest and instructions with a Court packet. A further letter to Bombay followed on 30 May. On 17 June 1768 the Duke of Richmond carried the Council's answer to Richard Wyatt, President at Fort Marlborough, whose letter had come by the Earl of Middlesex, with copies of the presidency letters for forwarding. [Film No. 37, 38, 39, 40, 45, 63, 64]

The Tilbury's charter party allowed 10 working days for unloading; on their expiry on 25 May 1768 the Council ordered Captain William Hunt to sail for Canton, but she left only on 9 June. The Duke of Richmond's 10 days also expired, and on 17 June the Council ordered her commander, named as Thomas Woodman (Hindman in other entries), to Fort Marlborough; she sailed for Bencoolen on 27 June 1768. [Film No. 37, 52, 63, 69]

Kirkpatrick missed the consultation of 6 June 1768 through sickness, the first absence that year. After the Corneille hearing he sat on 25 July but was absent from 1 August; on 29 August he wrote from his house that bad weather kept him indoors and asked for about £750 for the advance to the captains. Skottowe and Purling sat alone on 12 and 19 September, Kirkpatrick returning on 26 September; he was absent ill on 2 January 1768/9 and returned on 9 January. Purling inspected each disputed piece of land and set its rent, and the battery at Banks's was named after him. [Film No. 49, 176, 180, 182, 199, 201, 202, 203, 210, 214, 217, 227, 232, 358, 365, 368]

On 29 August 1768 every household was ordered to send the secretary a signed account of its family, land and cattle by 20 September, rents and dues were made payable at the Castle on 30 September and the stores were closed from 12 September to 10 October for Purling's yearly count. On 22 August the Council paid £8 10s 0d for a silver inkstand bought in London on 4 November 1767 from George Retherdon, goldsmith, outside Aldgate; a roasting jack cost £8 10s 0d and a mahogany tea table £4 5s 0d in the quarter to 30 September. [Film No. 198, 201, 256]

Purling signed the inventory of 30 September 1768, valued at £14,654 0s 0d; film 317 carries forward £12,545 19s 7d where the items add to the £12,845 19s 7d brought forward on the next page. On 24 October 1768 Powell's account of waste for the year to 30 September wrote off £69 19s 5d, chiefly 97 gallons of arrack, soap, candles, sugar and cordage. On 31 October Purling reported the general books balanced to 30 September and a copy was ordered for the Court. On 21 November damaged goods from the inventory, among them broadcloth, bunting, stockings, a hogshead of Bengal pork and 20¾ bushels of pease, were ordered sold at auction for ready money, raising £22 5s 1d. [Film No. 317, 318, 319, 324, 325, 326, 331, 340, 341, 381]

On 5 December 1768 the Council ordered every executor who had sold orphans' property in the past 12 months, or did so in future, to file a witnessed account of each sale at the Secretary's Office for the orphans to consult. On 20 March 1768/9 it summoned the inhabitants to meet in vestry at the chapel in the valley the following Monday to choose parish officers and a constable and to nominate three leading inhabitants, from whom the Council would choose the sheriff. [Film No. 346, 347, 458]

The Corneille Inquiry

On 13 June 1768 Corneille laid before the Council news from friends in England that Skottowe had written privately to the Court about a clash at the consultation of 6 October 1766, saying that Corneille had spoken with undue heat after words with the engineer, had been rebuked for trying to dictate to the Board, took too much upon himself and habitually said the government lay in the Council alone. Corneille called the charges underhand and asked the members, the secretary and the engineer to state what had happened. Purling and Kirkpatrick jointly answered that the dispute concerned a ditch for the flanking line of the new works at Sandy Bay, which Corneille wanted and Mitchell opposed, that they recalled no anger, that the Governor had told Corneille not to dictate or give his opinion until asked, and that Corneille had never exceeded his duty or made such a claim. Mitchell confirmed the rebuke and added that Corneille had threatened to take his objections to the Court before accepting Mitchell's reasons; the secretary, Matthew Bazett, cautiously confirmed Corneille's account. Skottowe signed the minutes but excepted Corneille's letter. [Film No. 59, 60, 61, 62]

Kirkpatrick signed a declaration on 20 June 1768, sent privately to the Governor and read in Council on 27 June, claiming that Purling had pressed him to sign the joint answer late on the evening before the Northington and Vansittart sailed, when accounts had confused him; he kept its facts but withdrew the clearance of Corneille's conduct, saying Corneille had not always kept within an office subordinate to the Governor. Corneille protested that the retraction sprang from malice and design, and Purling excepted it as far as it touched him. On 21 June Kirkpatrick wrote privately to Corneille blaming his paper for dragging the members into his quarrel with the Governor, recalling that Corneille had called a prisoner's confession forced when Kirkpatrick consulted the justices about committing the man, and warning that he could carry his conjectures further while offering reconciliation. [Film No. 73, 74, 86, 87, 88, 89]

On 4 July 1768 Corneille and Purling replied that Kirkpatrick had himself proposed the joint answer, that Purling read the draft to him between 7 and 8 pm on 14 June and he signed at once, and that the paper was read to the full Council at about 11 the next morning and again that afternoon, when Kirkpatrick signed the consultation without reservation. Matthew Bazett confirmed on oath that Kirkpatrick had offered to join Purling. Corneille noted that the Council's opinion on the Sandy Bay plan was not taken until 13 October 1766, made Kirkpatrick's letter public, demanded specific written charges within a week and cleared Skottowe of acting from anger; Purling called Kirkpatrick's charge an invention to divide the Board. [Film No. 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 155]

Early on 6 July 1768 Kirkpatrick called on John Desfountain, wrote a pencilled statement naming a quantity of yams and asked him to copy and sign it; Desfountain refused. Next morning Phillip Mahoney came for the paper, and Desfountain replied that Kirkpatrick could question him by word of mouth. On 8 July Kirkpatrick brought the Governor's summons and asked after the paper, which Desfountain said he had burnt. A letter of 9 July told him he could speak of the 12 sheep as freely as of the yams because "G B", the steward George Bazett, had admitted the sale, feared that the quantity of yams named looked more like a quarter's use than a month's, and ended "Burn this". Desfountain kept both papers. The draft, dated the Friday though left on the Wednesday, said the overseer had told him about 5 or 6 June 1767 that 5,900 lb of yams went to Corneille's stock in one month. [Film No. 155, 156, 157, 158]

On 11 July 1768 Skottowe defended Kirkpatrick's sincerity and asked Purling whether he cleared Corneille of ever taking too much upon himself; Purling replied that his clearance covered only what he had seen in Council and that checking any excess had been the President's duty, and Skottowe confirmed Purling's fairness in every debate. Kirkpatrick called Corneille's paper abuse and asked to call witnesses; Purling insisted on a charge first, and Kirkpatrick charged Corneille with taking Company property for his own use and profit. Desfountain swore that about July 1767 he and Kirkpatrick saw Corneille's hogs in the horse pound at Long Wood, that the Company's overseer had told him several thousand pounds of yams went to them monthly and that he had heard the Governor ordered 12 Company sheep sent as a present to Governor Robert Palk in the Lord Camden, yet Corneille billed for them. The steward George Bazett swore that the sheep were sold to the ship and the purser's money paid to Corneille on 11 May 1767. Kirkpatrick described a kid taken for Corneille on 3 October 1766, the eve of Corneille's entertainment for Skottowe's wedding guests. Corneille refused to sign the minutes because he was to defend himself at what the record called his trial. [Film No. 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100]

At the consultation of 19 July 1768 Corneille admitted keeping hogs in the horse pound, the Lieutenant Governor's by custom since his predecessor Skottowe, feeding Company yams, rice and paddy to his hogs and poultry and grazing a few sheep in the Long Wood; he held no land, said his salary could not meet the cost of entertaining strangers, volunteered that he had sold 15 hogs to ships that year and asked for allowances to be fixed in writing. The overseer John Worrall swore Corneille had received about 600 lb of yams a week a year before, at times 150 lb, and now 425 lb; John Bazett swore 500 lb a week had gone to the Wood since digging began at the Maldivia plantation; both called them refuse nubbs that the slaves would not eat. Corneille's private ledger showed £12 credited for the 12 sheep sold to the Lord Camden on 11 May 1767, with the balance of £42 10s 1¼d paid into the treasury on 20 July 1767, and himself charged 4s 7d for an 11 lb kid on 4 October 1766, that balance reaching the treasury on 19 January 1766/7. [Film No. 158, 159, 160, 161, 162]

Corneille then charged Kirkpatrick with drawing £140 too much as paymaster up to July 1767 and charging a bounty for a non-existent man, uncovered by Purling on 27 July 1767, after which Kirkpatrick had been ordered to enter re-enlistment dates and give captains pay statements but obeyed for one quarter only; he had also been barred from drawing on the storekeeper after a £100 error, and Powell disputed a receipt for £550 that Kirkpatrick said overstated the sum by £100. Kirkpatrick replied that he would rather be honest than be thought so, that his information came from Desfountain, connected with Worrall, and that he had acted with the Governor's knowledge; Skottowe answered that a complainant bore the whole burden of proof and that he had prejudged nothing. Corneille and Kirkpatrick withdrew, and Skottowe and Purling reduced the charge to yams, sheep and kid, accepted the yams as a customary allowance of refuse, found the other articles disproved, read the letter of 21 June as an offer to trade charges, acquitted Corneille wholly and declared the charge frivolous and vindictive and Kirkpatrick a scheming man lacking candour and honesty, leaving his censure to the Court. [Film No. 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169]

On 20 July 1768 every gentleman in the civil and military service was summoned to the Castle at 10 am on 21 July to hear the proceedings read. The judges found that Kirkpatrick had entered re-enlistment dates only for the quarter ending 30 September 1767, returned his latest account for correction and warned him. They fixed the Lieutenant Governor's allowance at 200 lb of good yams a week besides refuse, 50 lb of paddy and 20 lb of rice, subject to the Court; concluded that Palk had probably preferred to pay for the sheep; and, believing Mahoney had drafted many of Kirkpatrick's papers, forbade him any part in Company or Council papers. On 21 July Corneille resigned, refusing to sit beside a man so branded, criticising the Governor and Purling for keeping Kirkpatrick in his seat and announcing that he would go to the Court in person although he had promised to stay until the following year; he ceased to act and draw salary that day. He sailed in the Admiral Pocock on 14 August 1768 to a 17-gun salute. The quarter's livestock account recorded 9,150 lb of bad yams to the stock, about 700 lb a week. [Film No. 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 190, 212, 230]

Military Affairs and Defence

Banks's foundations were being laid on 4 April 1768 and Munden's Point was under way. On 23 May Mitchell reported that carrying materials to the masons at Banks's left too few labourers to stock Munden's Point and asked for 30 garrison men for two months; the Council gave him the Tilbury's recruits at 1s a day. In the quarter to 30 June Banks's took 5,238¾ labourers' days, 529¾ days of blasting and 247¾ of masonry, about £330 against £146 in the previous quarter, and stores worth £23 7s 0d against £11 11s 4d; Munden's Point took about £180 in wages against £293 and £57 12s 0d in stores, £40 6s 0d of it for 2,418 lb of cordage. A gun slipped from the slings into the sea there and two men were paid £1 to dive for it. Men carrying stores to the point and unloading the store ships drew 232½ gallons of arrack costing £31 0s 8d, against 135½ gallons. [Film No. 34, 110, 121, 122, 123, 150, 152]

On 4 July 1768 Mitchell reported that only the merlons and gun platforms remained at Banks's, that blasting at Munden's Point had enlarged the platform and yielded stone for a longer right flank, that the powder magazine should be enlarged and that many stores ordered in 1767 had come short or not at all; he offered to plan works at Lemon Valley, which the Council approved once Banks's was done. On 8 August he announced his return to Europe the next season: engaged by the Court's letter of 21 November 1764, he had found the old works badly designed and built, had finished the Sandy Bay line and the lower battery at Banks's in his first year, and expected to finish by May or June 1769, leaving plans for a church, a courthouse and storehouses. He called the master mason ignorant and ill-tempered, recommended Lieutenant Thomas Bazett, his overseer for two years, as acting engineer at £100 a year more without a step in rank and asked for an officer from England to command the untrained Artillery Company; the Council referred both to the Court by the Admiral Pocock. [Film No. 59, 79, 80, 81, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189]

On 22 August 1768 Mitchell's plan for Lemon Valley, approved at once, carried the flanks to the cliffs with a ditch and glacis so that no wall lay more than 50 yards from a flanking gun. On 29 August he laid a plan of the finished upper battery at Banks's, to go home by the Greenwich. The September return counted Purling's Battery at 39 pieces, six 32-pounders, 15 18-pounders and 18 9-pounders, and Rupert's at 22 from 32- to 9-pounders, all scaled that month. On 3 October Mitchell reported Purling's Battery finished, the revetment at Munden's Point more than half built and old work at Lemon Valley pulled down for new foundations. In the quarter to 30 September Munden's Point took 6,314½ labourers' days at 1s and skilled days at 1s 6d, about £424, Banks's 3,158¼ labourers' days and skilled work, including 22½ days of sailmaking and 14 of painting, about £193, and Lemon Valley 841 labourers' days with 12 of carpentry and 18 of overseeing. [Film No. 196, 197, 198, 202, 212, 227, 228, 231, 258, 260]

Stores for the works in the quarter to 30 September 1768 included 24 chaldrons of coal for lime-burning worth £48 16s 7d of Banks's £64 16s 1d and 24 chaldrons 13 bushels worth £49 14s 9d of Munden's Point's £102 13s 8d. Munden's Point drew double and single blocks with brass sheaves, deadeyes and 9 cwt of cordage for hoisting, melting ladles for running lead round cramps and German and blistered steel for masons' tools; Banks's drew shovels, trowels, setting hammers, plasterers' brushes, brass wire sieves and 36 sail needles. Lemon Valley's £19 19s 11d was pickaxes, shovels, cart wheels, wheelbarrows and timber. The fortifications in general drew paint for gun carriages, twine and thread for cartridges, magazine candles and timber worth £32 5s 10d. [Film No. 278, 280, 294, 295, 296, 297, 298]

In the quarter to 31 December 1768 Lemon Valley took 6,899 labourers' days costing £344 19s 0d with masons, carpenters, smiths, painters and overseers, while Munden's Point took 2,299 labourers' days, 781 days of stone blowing at 1s 6d and 74¾ days of cooks feeding the parties on site. Lemon Valley drew £11 13s 5d in stores, chiefly bricklayers' trowels, timber and nails, and Munden's Point £18 17s 7d, including four stone saws, 543 lb of cordage and 17 large oars; the armourer took 11 cwt of iron and over 100 lb of steel. October's issues included rammers, sponges and tompions for six guns at Lemon Valley and November's cleats for gun carriages at Mitchell's Line. [Film No. 334, 348, 386, 396, 397, 398, 420, 421]

On 2 January 1768/9 Mitchell reported most workmen at Lemon Valley, its line, ditch and glacis due within the month and its platforms to wait until the rampart settled; at Munden's Point a mass of rock had been blasted and levelled for the platform, supplying building stone, and its completion was fixed as the time of his departure. Because Munden's Point was too cramped for all the men, he offered either to discharge part of the soldiers or to rebuild the two demi-bastions in James's Valley at the same time; the Council chose the second. In December 16 guns came down from the curtain in James's Valley with 32 levers, over 7 cwt of cordage and nails rigging the sheers. On 6 February 1768/9 Mitchell laid a plan of the inner line, whose flanks, absurd in shape and built of earth mortar without lime, he would rebuild as solid demi-bastions with a new parapet and gun platforms, which the line had never had; the Council ordered the work with all possible speed. On 6 March 1768/9 he reported Lemon Valley finished except for platforms awaiting the store ships and sent a plan for the Court; the Council resolved to inspect the works next day. [Film No. 365, 366, 367, 370, 397, 398, 425, 426, 427, 441]

On 30 May 1768 Mitchell indented on Bombay for 2 beds for 13-inch brass mortars, agreed on 14 December 1767 for Munden's Point, and carriages for 24 24-pounders, 6 12-pounders and 21 6-pounders, routed through China. The Tilbury's stores, opened on 6 June, included 12 broken 24-pound and 33 broken 6-pound shot and lacked a 6-pounder bed, and the Duke of Richmond's, reported on 20 June, lacked 14 24-pound shot, six gun beds and six quoins. On 13 June the Council bought a sheer mast from Captain John Sealy of the Northington, recorded at £13 in the minutes and £18 in the paymaster's account. The gunners received two lawn sieves with six spare bottoms, costing over £3, to sift damp powder. The half-bastions of James's Valley and the walling of minor gullies needed only a mason, Mitchell reported on 8 August 1768. Ropes were renewed for the Castle portcullis, rolled iron supplied for the gate at Rupert's, where carpenters spent 20 days on a lattice mould, and a new flagstaff cut for the alarm house. [Film No. 45, 51, 59, 65, 112, 113, 124, 146, 148, 152, 186]

The gunners fired 263 guns in April 1768 against 173 in March, using 607 lb 10 oz of powder; 156 guns and 445 lb in May, when 133 lb went to blasting at Banks's and Munden's Point and 13 lb to the quarry; 157 guns and 381 lb in June, with 225 lb on sundry services; 15 guns but 512 lb 8 oz in July, 493 lb 12 oz of it sundry; 251 lb 7 oz in August, 100 lb for blasting; 598 lb 1 oz in September; 448 lb 7 oz in October, 426 lb 15 oz sundry; 135 lb 3 oz in November; 231 lb 2 oz in December; 72 guns and 242 lb 5 oz in January 1768/9; and 73 guns in February 1768/9. Salutes marked George III's birthday on 4 June and accession on 25 October 1768 with 21 guns each. Banks's fired a shot to bring to two Dutch ships on 14 and 15 April, the Dutch Bergh on 13 May and the Company's Northington on 5 June 1768. Powder also went on signals, damp cartridges at the main guard and funeral volleys, and lead ball on shooting wild goats every month. [Film No. 19, 20, 56, 91, 184, 212, 231, 334, 348, 370, 431, 447]

Soldiers carrying expresses about ships to windward shared £6 5s 0d in the quarter to 30 June 1768 and £1 5s 0d in the next; on 16 August one received 2s 6d for news from Munden's Point of a ship 9 leagues out. On 8 February 1768/9 the posts at Turk's Cap and Prosperous Bay fired alarms for the Valentine before her nine-gun salute; six Dutch ships passing on 20 February drew a 15-gun alarm. The outguards received 34 frying pans, 11 wood axes and 26 hand hatchets, the main guard two watch coats and the guard rooms 52⅛ gallons of train oil in the quarter to 30 September 1768. [Film No. 148, 152, 254, 258, 285, 286, 447]

Officers were clothed at the Company's cost with scarlet and blue broadcloth, gilt buttons and 16 gold-laced hats costing £32 8s 6d in the quarter to 30 September 1768, and worsted lace went to the hats and the oboe players of the garrison band and tinned tacks to the drums; soldiers bought shirts, shoes and stockings from store against their pay. Between 1 April and 30 June 1768 the whole garrison had been reclothed from the Tilbury and Duke of Richmond for £1,105 12s 9d, about 400 each of hats, shirts, stockings, shoes and hair stocks with coats, breeches and 87 blankets; a sergeant's coat and breeches cost over £5 4s 0d, a sentinel's under £1 10s 0d and a drummer's laced suit over £3 0s 0d. [Film No. 115, 116, 263, 270, 285]

The Garrison

The pay lists totalled £3,005 11s 10½d for the quarter to 31 March 1767/8, £3,008 2s 5¾d to 30 June 1768, £3,045 3s 2d to 30 September and £3,008 0s 5d to 31 December 1768. Daily pay was 20d for a foot sergeant, 14d for a corporal and 10d for a private; the artillery paid 24d to a sergeant, 18d to a corporal or bombardier, 16d to a gunner and 12d to a matross. Each salary was divided by the day among its holders, and Charles Montague, dying on 31 December 1768, drew a full quarter. [Film No. 128, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 250, 251, 408, 415]

Between 4 and 18 April 1768 the paymaster paid 19 soldiers, mostly £10 each, £185 in all, to serve five more years, and seven more took £10 on 16 May; William Johnson, discharged at the start of the run, rejoined for £10 on 23 April, and Andrew Sedrick enlisted that day for £3, the rate paid to the Dane Samuel Willson in January 1767/8, while island-born recruits such as George Seale, enlisted on 4 January 1767/8 and a corporal within six months, received £5. Drummer George Wills, discharged on 18 April, re-enlisted for £10. Private Richard Youncas's discharge on 9 May was the 22nd since 21 March 1767/8; six followed on 16 May, among them Sergeant Edmund Lock, the gunner Adam Creighton and John Simcox, reduced from sergeant on 7 October 1767; Sergeant Bernard Millard, acting adjutant while John Jacobs was suspended until 18 March 1767/8, left with Benjamin Springer on 23 May, making 30; Bombardier John Martin and Samuel Card followed on 30 May and James Gouty on 6 June. Discharged men awaiting passage were kept at 6d a day, 271 days costing £6 15s 6d. [Film No. 22, 25, 35, 43, 52, 132, 137, 140, 143, 144, 146, 150]

Recruits numbered 47 in the quarter to 30 June 1768, 26 landing from the Tilbury on 12 May and 21 from the Duke of Richmond on 5 June; each ship's surgeon received 5s a head, the Tilbury's Mr Hay £6 10s 0d. In August and September John Tanton (John Tanker in the paymaster's account), a seaman of the Admiral Pocock, enlisted for £3 (£5 in the account); John Hill and Matthew Dunhill, former Madras soldiers from the Egmont, for £10 each, though only Hill, from 5 September, appears on the pay list; Mathew Burchell for £10; and Thomas Palmer and George Towns of the Greenwich on 26 September, Towns for £3 10s 0d in the minutes and £2 10s 0d in the account. [Film No. 35, 36, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 183, 209, 218, 238, 239, 240, 242, 245, 254]

Vacancies were filled the same day. When Sergeant Fisher Gamble of the Third Company left on 18 April 1768, Corporal Samuel Johnson became sergeant and Private John Sherland corporal, and Millard's departure set off a similar chain; Cox's death made three artillery promotions, Gunner Thomas Tyler, who had dived for a lost 10-inch shell in January 1767/8, becoming bombardier on 31 May. The Fourth Company reduced Sergeant Thomas Ferris about 9 May and Sergeant Thomas Bailey about 20 June, about five weeks after his £10 bounty, and had five corporals within the quarter. John Dobson left the First Company on 20 May as an artillery gunner at 1s 4d a day, and Matthew Chalton and Patrick Mahoney followed in early June. [Film No. 113, 128, 134, 137, 138, 139, 141, 142, 143, 146]

Sergeant George Freeman and the gunner Thomas McFarlan were recorded discharged on 1 August 1768 and Sergeant William Bannister and Matross Joseph Fellows on 8 August, though the pay list records McFarling dying on 1 August and Bannister on 8 August. Private Thomas Naylor died on 3 August (Newton in the minutes and the gunner's return), Lieutenant Henry De Laune on 8 August and Private James Long on 16 September. The Council made the cadet James Greentree lieutenant of the Fourth Company on 10 August, subject to the Court, his pay running from 9 August, since Lieutenant Thomas Bazett did no garrison duty. When McFarling's death raised Matross William Durham to gunner, Private John Glenny of the Fourth Company replaced him on 2 August and Thomas Blake moved from the First Company to fill Glenny's place; Samuel Bingrave joined on 9 August and William Harper on 13 September, the day after Thomas Watts left, Harper having gone about 10 weeks unpaid. [Film No. 181, 182, 183, 193, 207, 212, 237, 241, 242, 246, 247, 249, 250, 251]

In the quarter to 31 December 1768 Sergeant John Fish of the Second Company was reduced on 6 October and Sergeant John Sabourin on 21 November, Robert Stephenson and John Salisbury replacing them and the island-born Francis Seale and Joseph Whaley becoming corporals; Corporal John Shirland of the Third Company was reduced after one day, Thomas Taylor replacing him from 2 October; in the Fourth Company Corporal John Woods was reduced on 25 October and Sergeant James Fox on 15 November, John Terry, Thomas Blake and John Deale being promoted; and Gunner William Durham reverted to matross on 5 October, Benjamin Holmes succeeding him. Sergeant Thomas Payne's discharge on 12 December made Corporal Thomas Townsend a sergeant and Private William Small a corporal. Greentree drew his first full quarter, £18 5s 0d salary, £6 16s 10½d diet money and £2 10s 0d house rent. [Film No. 401, 404, 405, 406, 407, 408, 409, 410, 412, 413, 414]

A general court martial on 7 and 8 November 1768 suspended Lieutenant Thomas Leech of the artillery for six months for neglect of duty, and on Mitchell's recommendation Sergeant John Shirley became acting lieutenant from 9 November. On 14 November the artillery lieutenant, named Nathan Campell in his memorial and Sempill in the decision, asked to retire in his 62nd year after 37 years' service; the Council, unable to grant the pension he deserved, retired him on half pay, Corporal Robert Gibson taking the other half as acting lieutenant from 15 November. Each step promoted men down to the matrosses: Nicholas Hoskin to sergeant, James Garfett and David Dennis to corporal, Thomas Jones and William Hopkinson to bombardier and John Osborne and Thomas Yates to gunner. Thomas Durham transferred from the First Company on 9 November, Mathew Burchell from the Second on 15 November and Owen Howard from the First on 22 December. [Film No. 335, 336, 337, 349, 412, 413, 414]

Deaths in the garrison included Privates William Hayes on 14 April, Roger Watson on 18 May, four months after re-enlisting for £10 on 18 January 1767/8, and Richard Tollington on 26 May, and Sergeant John Cox of the artillery on 10 June 1768. Private Stephen John drowned at Banks's, dated 21 October 1768 on the pay list and 22 October in the minutes and burial bill; Charles Newstead died on 8 November and was buried on 9 November; Matross Daniel Finn died on 21 December, James Harris on 28 December, Isaac Burden on 30 December and Charles Montague on 31 December 1768, the sexton charging 2s 6d a burial. Henry Brown died on 19 January 1768/9, the adjutant Solomon Jacobs, paid £29 13s 1½d a quarter, on 7 February, Matross Daniel Maloney on 28 February and Sergeant Thomas Collier of the artillery on 11 March 1768/9, and Private Richard Gregory drowned at Munden's Point on 12 February 1768/9. Dr Robert Barclay (Pinday on the September list) was paid £17 11s 8d for necessaries for the sick and £8 0s 0d for fresh provisions in the quarter to 31 December 1768. [Film No. 28, 43, 52, 128, 324, 334, 400, 402, 403, 409, 411, 414, 418, 423, 428, 440, 442]

Settlement, Land and Agriculture

On 23 May 1768 Corneille relayed Samuel Alexander's complaint that settlers' goats from Lot's range and Sandy Bay range, at times 60 at once, were stripping the Company's plantations at Sandy Bay; on 30 May the owners were ordered to herd or remove them and promised to do so. The South Division's scarce grazing had been noted on 7 March 1767/8, when the Council refused Margaret Alcock part of the Sandy Bay common against Alexander's opposition. On 6 June the Council forbade taking earth from Munden's Point hill between the Company's slave house and the Castle, where digging for mortar undermined the watercourse, on pain of 40s an offence, loose surface stones excepted. [Film No. 31, 44, 52]

On 8 May 1768 Mary Swaits petitioned to sell her lease of 4 acres called Hyams in the South Division to Benjamin Seale, overseer of that division since 4 April, approved on 9 May, unlike Simon Whaley's request of 28 March to sell by auction. On 27 June John Goodwin's lease of 5 acres in the West Division was renewed and Lieutenant Solomon St Maurice granted 4 acres 3 roods there at 5s an acre; on 4 July St Maurice gave up 10¾ acres in the West Division to Gabriel Harper, and George Alexander, executor of Thomas Cadgrove, renewed the orphans' 14 acres in the East Division. On 22 August Gabriel Alexander Harper was allowed to pass 19½ acres in Powell's Valley to John Scott, refused waste at Green Saddle on 29 February 1767/8, and a lease of 19½ acres in the South Division at 2s an acre was executed to Harper; on 29 August Captain Henry Bazett's James's Valley plot of 20 by 40 feet was renewed at 5s a year and Goodwin's 5 acres at 5s an acre. [Film No. 22, 23, 69, 74, 75, 76, 196, 199, 202]

In September 1768 John Alexander received 40 acres in the West Division for 21 years at 2s 6d an acre for 14 years and 5s thereafter, and Cadgrove's executors' 14 acres were renewed at 5s. Matthew Bazett sought waste round his land at Woody Ridge on 12 September and John Desfountain senior the same ground on 19 September; Purling set Sarah Fuge's piece at Sandy Bay at 1s an acre on 26 September and Benjamin Seale's rocky waste beside Hyams at 1s on 10 October. On 19 December the Governor and Purling divided Woody Ridge, giving Bazett the part needed for fencing and Desfountain the part reaching water, at 1s 6d an acre. [Film No. 210, 211, 213, 214, 217, 228, 232, 363]

The rent roll of 30 September 1768 totalled £599 16s 11½d on 2,205 acres of freehold and 2,004¾ of leasehold, against £593 9s 4d the year before, leasehold rents running from 6d to 4s an acre. Richard Bagley held over 300 acres and paid £49 12s 11d, Purling held 205 acres freehold and nearly 109 leasehold, Wrangham and Matthew Bazett each over 200 acres and Kirkpatrick 14; Margaret Alcock, Elizabeth Greentree and Ruth Colgrave held land in their own right, and executors held several holdings for orphans. John Scott paid for one month on his Powell's Valley land. The clerk carried £339 1s 7d forward and brought £331 1s 7d forward. [Film No. 218, 219, 220, 221]

On 17 October 1768 the Council revived a regulation of 12 December 1757 barring anyone with less than 10 acres from keeping a horse, which idle young people and junior servants had defied on the commons: from 17 November offenders would pay £10, half to the informer, and 20s for each trespass on the waste, landless people keeping sheep 5s a sheep, and all grazing on the waste was banned each year from 1 February until the churchwardens reported it fit. On 19 December every planter was ordered to declare by 28 December the cattle he would supply for slaughter in 1769, to report any accident to a beast within three days or provide another and to return his horses, sheep and goats and the sheep he could sell. [Film No. 322, 323, 329, 358]

Gabriel Alexander Harper petitioned on 17 October 1768 for waste beside his West Division holding; on 24 October John Desfountain claimed it for the orphans of Onesiphorus Gurling, Simon Whaley for land beside his Water Fall Plain and William Young for ground enclosing his own on two sides, down which cattle strayed. On 7 November Purling gave Young and the Gurling orphans the hillside above their fences, Whaley a grove at the foot and Harper the flat hilltop, fenced to Whaley's ditch with a bank fence facing the Gurling ground, Young paying 5s an acre for grassy land improvable by grubbing furze and the others 2s. The leases were completed on 20 March 1768/9: Young 4 acres at 5s, Robert Gurling 15½ acres, Whaley 2¼ acres and Harper ¾ acre at 2s, all in the East Division. [Film No. 321, 326, 327, 328, 332, 333, 460]

Orlando Bagley junior received waste in Dogwood Valley at 2s an acre and James Greentree Thompson's Hill at 2s 6d in October and November 1768. William Seale senior sought Dogwood Valley land to shorten his fence, part of it sown with grass at public expense; on 14 November he received only the unsown part at 2s, the Council resolving never to lease improved commons, and on 21 November it agreed to exchange a piece of his own land for the ground he needed. Town plots were renewed between October and December: John Worrall, executor of James Jobbett, a plot with a 21-foot frontage, 80 feet deep and 50 feet wide at the back, at 12s a year, and Thomas Harper the ground under his house, 40 feet deep with a 60-foot frontage, at 10s, both executed on 5 December; Lieutenant Samuel Desfountain a four-sided plot at 3s; Leech land held through his mother, Eleanor Leech, at 12s; St Maurice a plot of 60 by 16 feet beside his house at 5s; and Shirley a plot 60 feet deep at 10s on 12 December. [Film No. 321, 322, 329, 330, 331, 337, 338, 341, 342, 343, 345, 346, 347, 349, 350, 363, 372]

On 9 January 1768/9 Purling set William Beale's land beside the Samuel Thorpe orphans' holding in the East Division, sought on 19 December, and John Robinson's East Division plot, sought on 12 December, at 1s 6d an acre as steep and rocky, and granted Desfountain a half-acre strip of Beale's request without petition; James Whaley was allowed to sell his house and 11 acres of leasehold to William Hayes senior, an innkeeper. On 16 January Mary Burnham, a widow, was allowed to sell part of a building near the billiard room in James's Valley, formerly occupied by James Goafty; John Preston, a mason with a family, complaining of dear rents, asked for a plot of 60 by 60 feet at the upper end of St Maurice's buildings to build a house in his spare hours, which Kirkpatrick inspected and which was leased on 30 January at 15s a year. On 30 January Simon Whaley was refused ground sought on 9 January because it lay too close to Plantation House. [Film No. 350, 362, 371, 372, 373, 374, 422, 423, 424, 425]

Isaac Doveton sought waste on Merches Ridge on 30 January 1768/9 and William Hayes junior about an acre on 6 February, both for fencing, and both were let on 20 February at 5s an acre; Bagley's 30 acres in Swanly Valley were renewed at 5s and Goodwin's 5¼ acres in the West Division renewed. Bagley offered his 4¼ acres at Monkey's Ridge, isolated in a common, for an equal area beside his land at Thompson's Wood, and William Hayes, buyer of James Whaley's estate, offered land for part of the Fisher's Valley ground lately rented by Matthew Bazett. On 27 February Purling reported that Bagley's plot obstructed cattle on the common and that Hayes's 1⅔ acres were wooded and adjoined the Long Wood, unsuitable for private hands; the Council approved both exchanges, any surplus to be let at 5s an acre. On 20 March 1768/9 Nathan Sempill sought a strip of waste beside his East Division land for fencing. [Film No. 424, 427, 428, 434, 435, 437, 439, 457, 458]

The Company's livestock went from 336 to 359 cattle in the quarter to 30 June 1768, helped by 37 calves and nine Cape steers from the Earl of Middlesex on 19 April, then to 375 by 30 September with 31 calves and 383 by 31 December; sheep fell from 775 to 698, 634 and 611; goats went from 294 to 315, 282 and 296; hogs rose from eight to 12, and pigs fell from 16 to nine in the last quarter; the Company kept 10 horses and one ass. In the quarter to 30 June 95 sheep were killed and 32 lambs died, and in the next 67 sheep died, 36 of them lambs. Worrall signed the September account after Corneille left. In the quarter to 31 December the Castle table took 47 sheep, 72 fowls and 14 turkeys and the slaves two cattle and 15 goats. [Film No. 92, 230, 369, 393, 394]

Plantation stores cost £18 13s 11d in the quarter to 30 June 1768, against £39 6s 11d, including a new axletree for the wood cart that hauled firewood from the Long Wood; carpenters spent 36½ days on new gates, and Jonathan Doveton and Simon Whaley sold 24 loads of island bamboo at 2s 6d a load to thatch the Company's country houses. They cost £26 13s 9d in the quarter to 30 September, covering 4,246 lb of paddy for the poultry house, a wood cart at Sandy Bay, 12 milk pans for the Plantation House dairy, ox bows, fleams for bleeding cattle and £10 7s 4d of timber for gates and carts, and £29 15s 4d in the quarter to 31 December, including eight pairs of sheep shears, scythes and cordage to bind thatch. Samuel Parker kept the garden from 29 August 1768 at 1s a day. In December 1768 John Robinson supplied rafters for Plantation House and rafters, laths and binders, with Elisha Jeakes, for the thatched Company houses in James's Valley. [Film No. 119, 125, 150, 152, 153, 256, 290, 291, 393, 394, 416, 418]

Captain Charles Purvis of the Valentine brought 45 Cape sheep at 15s each, including boat hire, corn, hay and labour, paid £33 15s 0d with £7 0s 0d for tar and pitch on 13 February 1768/9; Captain John Mills of the Kent brought 60 for £45 0s 0d and Captain Thomas Baddison of the Verelst 20 for £15 0s 0d on 16 March 1768/9. [Film No. 433, 452, 453]

Supply and Provisioning

The Latham and Houghton from China landed 51 chests of sugar candy on 27 and 28 April 1768, 13,534 lb net at 7 taels 5 mace a picul against 4 taels 5 mace for plain sugar, short by 62 lb and 33 lb. The Worcester brought 45 bags of rice and 32 of batty from Bombay for 523 rupees 1 quarter 26 reas; the batty was received as 57 cwt 1 qr 23 lb. The Vansittart brought the first tea of 1768 on 6 June: 769 lb of Bohea at 16 taels a picul, 427 lb of Congou at 25 and 232½ lb of Singlo at 24. The Earl of Elgin, anchored on 19 May, and the Northington, arrived on 5 June, each carried rice, sugar, paddy, wax candles, 2 leaguers of Batavia arrack at 235 Arcot rupees, against 200 in the Norfolk and 190 in the Europa, 20 casks of pork and 5 of beef, worth 6,219 rupees 7 annas 6 pies; their beef weighed 7,437½ lb and 7,037½ lb at the same price and their charges 375 and 579 rupees, sloop hire of 216 rupees the largest in both. [Film No. 12, 13, 17, 23, 30, 49, 50]

The Admiral Pocock arrived from Bengal on 30 July 1768 with rice, sugar, paddy, wax candles and 2 leaguers of arrack invoiced at 1,643 rupees 0 annas 9 pies, including charges of 101 rupees 4 annas 6 pies and sloop hire of 36 rupees, and no salt meat; her arrack was 21 gallons short of 285. The Greenwich brought rice and batty from Bombay on 22 August, 482 rupees 2 quarters 52 reas, over 66 rupees of it bags and porterage from the Mandavee customs house. The Egmont arrived from Madras on 1 September with superfine, fine and middling longcloth, the fine at 64 pagodas a corge of 20 pieces and the superfine up to 12 pagodas a piece, with washing charged per corge, rice, paddy and Batavia arrack at 45 pagodas a leaguer, totalling 764 pagodas 28 fanams 20 cash; her paddy was over 6 cwt short from bad bags and her arrack 21 gallons short of 285. [Film No. 180, 181, 192, 199, 200, 203, 204, 208]

The Valentine from Bengal on 8 February 1768/9 and the Kent and Verelst on 9 and 10 March each carried 60 bags of rice, 10 of sugar, 15 of paddy, 4 chests of wax candles and 2 leaguers of arrack, the Valentine's costing 1,542 rupees 4 annas 9 pies with 57 rupees of boat hire and the others 1,543 rupees 6 annas 3 pies each with about 99 rupees of sloop hire; the Kent's goods are totalled at 1,377 rupees 10 annas 6 pies on one page and 1,374 rupees 10 annas 6 pies on the next. The Royal Captain from Bombay on 6 March brought 45 bags of rice and 32 of batty for 506 rupees 0 quarters 96 reas, at the Worcester's prices to the rea. The Grosvenor from China on 19 March brought 1,063 lb of superfine sugar candy at 9.5 taels a picul and 2,646 lb of ordinary at 7.5 taels; the Duke of Gloucester on 20 March brought 6 boxes of blue and white china, 10 table sets of 5 dishes, 20 plates and 12 soup plates at 3 taels 9 mace each, tureens, cups, punch bowls and guglets, less 2 per cent for breakage, with 271 lb of Hyson and 373 lb of Congou at 25 taels and 889 lb of Bohea at 12.8 taels; her price list charges 150 pint basins absent from the packing list. Both China invoices were signed at Canton on 13 December 1768, with two supercargoes' names differing between them. [Film No. 428, 429, 440, 442, 443, 444, 453, 454, 455, 456, 457]

Shortfalls on landing included the Europa's rice, sugar and 15 gallons of arrack in April 1768, the Northington's arrack 11 gallons short of 293 in June, the Valentine's rice 2 cwt 0 qr 16 lb and arrack 16 gallons short of 286, the Royal Captain's rice 4 cwt 3 qr 15 lb, the Kent's rice 5 cwt 3 qr 1 lb and the Verelst's 3 cwt 3 qr 0 lb. On 6 June 1768 Powell sorted the Tilbury's losses by cause: milk pans, scythe stones and glass broken in sound packages, soap, cordage and salt dried or wasted, a hogshead of pork and a bar of iron missing and soldiers' shirts and osnaburg ruined by wet in damaged packages; 295¼ of 306 gallons of wine arrived. Six packages of linen in the Duke of Richmond had been broken open on board and the captain claimed the contents wet and worthless. [Film No. 11, 51, 58, 65, 432, 448, 452]

On 25 May 1768 the Council told Fort William that Bengal salt meat arrived so bad that much was thrown into the sea and asked for no more, the Court having already so ordered. It bought European meat at 2s a piece after inspection: 1,128 pieces from the Earl of Elgin for £112 16s 0d on 30 May under the Court's orders, 578 from the British King for £57 16s 0d with 60 bushels of coal for £6 13s 4d on 1 June, and pork and beef from the Northington's owners, with tar and the sheer mast, for £65 11s 6d on 13 June, £216 12s 0d to Captains Cooke, Hoare and Sealy in all; on 14 March 1767/8 it had refused Captain Sandys's private offer of 20 casks because the stores were full. In September it bought 1,260 pieces, 30 tierces, from Captain Charles Mears for £126 0s 0d. The inventory of 30 September held beef and pork worth £7,740 7s 6d, including 42 casks of Bengal provisions and one damaged cask worth £965 15s 7d, and 406 casks of flour, 1,228 cwt, worth £1,234 1s 0d. [Film No. 30, 31, 33, 37, 46, 59, 146, 209, 254, 301, 303]

The inventory of 30 September 1768 also held 504 soldiers' shirts, 25 soldiers' suits, 1,545 gallons of arrack at 3s 4½d a gallon, over 20 cwt of candles, longcloth worth £539 12s 1d, sugar £442 10s 9d, rice and paddy £246 1s 7d, spars worth £74 18s 0d including a teak topmast and a bowsprit, nearly 250 items of sailors' clothing, ironware worth £257 7s 1d with 100 spades and three pairs of hand screws worth £12 5s 1½d, nails worth £148 18s 10d, over 14 cwt of white lead, Prussian blue, logwood and alum, a pewter still worth £10 12s 4d, six roasting jacks, anchors worth £223 2s 4d, one lying on the rocks at £13 7s 11d, cordage of 276 cwt 3 qr 9 lb worth £485 13s 7d from a 17-inch cable to ratline, canvas worth £77 9s 1d, four brass rollers for the landing crane, 122½ yards of scarlet broadcloth worth £117 7s 11d, 895 pairs of thread stockings worth £131 8s 3d, 80 dozen pairs of shoe buckles worth £25 1s 8d against 12 pairs sold in the quarter, 349 buckle combs, over 91,000 fish hooks and lines worth £226 8s 11d, 52 cwt 3 qr 25 lb of bar iron, locks graded A to M, six gaol padlocks and timber worth £161 10s 2d for the church in Jamestown. [Film No. 299, 300, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 319]

The armourer received 88 bushels of coal in the quarter to 30 June 1768, his forge almost dry since March 1767/8, and 190 bushels worth £10 5s 10d in the next quarter; the carpenters received a near-complete set of tools, and three wire rat traps cost £1 1s 3d. Repairs rose to £13 14s 2d from £5 2s 5d, chiefly 956 lb of sheet lead for the roofs of the Castle and the Lieutenant Governor's house, and fell to £9 5s 0d in the quarter to 30 September. Captain Riddell of the Admiral Pocock sold a worn hawser, old cable, wax candles, olive oil and turpentine for £26 10s 1¾d in August 1768. The Council bought 146 bottles of Florence oil from Mr Brown at 3s 6d, 31 files from the armourer John Robins and a 30-gallon jar of oil from Captain Bazett for £9 8s 9½d in December. In the quarter to 30 September the cooper's shop was almost wholly re-equipped with borers, shaves, adzes, a howel, a head jointer, vices, a pot for size and glue and 33 truss hoops, and the Castle library received a lock, three wainscot boards and Riga timber worth £4 11s 8d for shelves; carpenters had spent 10 days on a library frame in the quarter to 30 June. [Film No. 110, 111, 113, 114, 148, 152, 278, 279, 280, 281, 283, 418]

The boats drew £123 9s 7d in stores in the quarter to 30 September 1768, including 55 cwt 2 qr 1 lb of cordage worth £66 5s 8d, four grapnels at £9 11s 3d and timber worth £20 13s 2d. Three longboats were bought from Captains Pelly of the Europa for £35 0s 0d on 25 April, James Moffatt of the Latham for £32 10s 0d on 12 May and Palmer of the Vansittart, with a yawl and eight oars from Captain Smith of the Houghton, replacing a boat valued at £10 0s 0d that the Hector wrecked on 22 February 1767/8; the Company's men sewed six pieces of canvas into new longboat sails. Heavy surf tore a Company yawl from its moorings and lost it on the night of 28 January 1768/9. [Film No. 10, 11, 24, 120, 121, 146, 148, 292, 293, 424]

The Company's table cost £33 7s 3d in April 1768, when 11 ships anchored, £32 12s 0d in May, £26 19s 8d in June, £25 16s 2d in July, £26 9s 11d in August, £28 10s 7d in September, £28 7s 7½d in October, £26 4s 4d in November, £27 17s 8d in January 1768/9 and £34 6s 7d in February 1768/9; beef rose from about 5¾d a pound in March to 8⅓d in April and mutton from 5d to 7d, both returning to 5d in May. Arrack ran at 30 gallons a month, falling to 24 in August 1768 and January 1768/9. Port rose to 18 bottles in September 1768. On 30 July the Governor bought over 140 live birds from planters for £12 1s 8d. John Irwin supplied the table with butter, cheese at 10d a pound, ham at 1s, currants and vinegar worth £46 17s 2d and meat and poultry worth £17 18s 10d in the quarter to 30 June, beef at 5d, pigs, eggs and fowls worth £15 18s 10d in the next and 524 lb of beef, pigs, geese, eggs, pickles and shears for the Company's tailor worth £18 7s 0d in the quarter to 31 December. The table drew £31 11s 5d in stores with 54 gallons of arrack, against 76, in the quarter to 30 June, and 76 gallons of arrack and 797 lb of sugar candy in the quarter to 31 December. The recruits' first rations were pork, rice and flour. [Film No. 20, 57, 90, 114, 115, 148, 150, 184, 231, 232, 252, 258, 335, 348, 349, 385, 418, 432, 447, 448]

On 1 June 1768 Captain Thomas Cooke reported the Earl of Elgin's crew sickly, the clerk of the market saying she had nearly drawn her bullocks, and the Council allowed a stop of a few hours at Ascension for turtle. On 27 February 1768/9, with no coffee in store, it ordered Captain the Honourable Patrick Maitland of the Bute to land three half-bales of the Company's own coffee. The hospital drew 403 lb each of sugar, rice and flour in the quarter to 30 June 1768, against 269 lb, and £14 9s 10d in stores in the next quarter. William Jenkins baked 117 batches of bread a quarter at 20d each, £9 15s 0d. Henry Kirkham drew an allowance, house rent and cash in place of 12 or 13 pieces of salt meat, as Nequedah Pocholam did in the quarter to 30 June. [Film No. 47, 48, 120, 150, 211, 254, 291, 416, 418, 438]

Trade and Shipping

The Dutch Elizabeth, Margaret Maria and Cornelia arrived between 14 and 16 April 1768 and sailed on 22 and 24 April, the Danish Prince Frederick stayed from 16 to 25 April and two Swedish ships arrived on 12 April. The Dutch Bergh, 700 tons, 28 guns and 100 men, arrived from Batavia with pepper and coffee on 13 May, the French Marquis de Lanoe, 500 tons and 130 men, from Bengal for Lorient on 26 May and the Dutch Schoonsigt, 700 tons, from Ceylon with coffee and spices on 29 May; the Dutch pair sailed on 4 June and the French ship on 8 June 1768. The Dutch Blyswick, 30 guns and 112 men, arrived from Batavia with coffee, sugar and pepper on 13 August and sailed on 24 August. Six Dutch ships passed on 20 February and seven on 18 March 1768/9. [Film No. 8, 12, 19, 25, 43, 49, 52, 59, 190, 191, 194, 434, 453]

The Europa and Earl of Middlesex sailed on 26 April 1768; the Latham and Houghton from China and the Worcester from Bombay arrived on 27 and 28 April by the minutes and on 28 and 29 April by the gunner; the Worcester sailed on 5 May and the China ships on 14 May; the Earl of Elgin and British King arrived on 19 May and sailed on 2 June; the Northington and Vansittart sailed on 15 June. The Admiral Pocock arrived on 30 July and sailed on 14 August with the general letter and the Corneille papers; the Greenwich arrived on 22 August and the Egmont, by way of Mauritius with 34 invalid soldiers against the Greenwich's five, on 1 September 1768. After a quarter without Company ships the Valentine arrived on 8 February 1768/9 and sailed on 14 February, the Bute arrived from Bombay on 21 February and sailed with the Royal Captain on 13 March, and the Kent and Verelst sailed on 17 March 1768/9, the Council meeting that Friday to clear them. Each Company ship sent a boat to Banks's before entering the road, the Valentine's on 7 February and the Duke of Gloucester's at one in the morning of 20 March 1768/9. Purling mustered every Company ship for deserters and found none. [Film No. 12, 14, 18, 19, 25, 40, 49, 53, 59, 180, 190, 199, 203, 205, 206, 428, 430, 434, 438, 440, 444, 449]

On 16 May 1768 the Council refused Captain Rust of the Bergh leave to land 28 leaguers of arrack, about 4,000 gallons, because the island did not need it, Dutch arrack had always caused disputes and unrest and unlicensed sale by the glass caused heavy drinking, but allowed his 61 piculs of sugar and Japanese lacquer ware. On 18 May it published the lists of goods brought by the Tilbury's officers and forbade shopkeepers to buy them, and on 13 June allowed the Duke of Richmond's officers' goods on the same terms. [Film No. 27, 28, 29, 59]

Captain Cooke and his mates John Crichton and Daniel Clarke protested against the sea at St Helena on 21 May 1768: the Earl of Elgin had left Bengal on 13 February 1767/8 with saltpetre and bale goods and met gales near 33° 5' S on 7, 16, 20 and 22 April that let water into the hold, and the island having no notary or stamped paper, Cooke promised a full protest at the first British port. On 30 May Powell certified that the ship's stores for the island had lost weight only by wastage in sound packages. [Film No. 31, 32, 33, 43]

The crews included seamen with Dutch, German and Scandinavian names in the Europa and Latham, seven Portuguese names in the Earl of Elgin, the Frenchman Pierre Belanger in the British King, three men entered only as Moors and a cook entered as Black Johnson in the Northington, which also carried nine midshipmen, and Peter Fernandes, Jan Gehadt, Peter Pierre and Martin Olinsque in the Verelst; the Latham and Vansittart had six mates. The Royal Captain carried six soldiers home from Bombay. [Film No. 9, 14, 41, 42, 53, 54, 446, 450]

His Majesty's ship Swallow, probably Philip Carteret's sloop returning from her voyage round the world, arrived from the Cape on 21 January 1768/9 and sailed on 25 January, saluted with 15 guns on arrival, on her captain's landing, on his return aboard and on departure, 75 lb of powder in all. [Film No. 423, 431]

Finance, Currencies and Accounting

The cash account for April 1768 opened at £9,408 9s 1d, received £9 1s 1d from the Europa, £5 10s 0d from the Earl of Middlesex and £255 15s 0d for bills, paid nothing and closed with £9,139 0s 2d in coin and £539 15s 0d in cash notes; Hasell's whole bill was entered as cash received with no payment shown for his cattle. In May bills brought in £2,611 17s 9d and the British King paid over £251, coin reaching £12,032 19s 4d on 31 May, when the cash notes were first described as of no use. June received £451 16s 0d for bills, £930 6s 8d from store sales, £18 10s 0d from licences and £11 10s 0d in fines, shipped £2,000 in two chests to Bencoolen in the Duke of Richmond on 17 June, charged to the London account, and closed with £7,102 5s 3d in coin. July took in a bill of £36 0s 6d payable to Stainforth and Giberne and closed at £7,238 5s 9d. August, with seven sets of bills worth about £2,675, closed at £9,924 10s 0d. September opened at £10,464 5s 0d, received £1,015 10s 0d in bills on 5 September, £109 7s 8d from the Greenwich, £68 11s 7d from the Egmont, £599 16s 11½d in rents, £2,018 5s 6d in warehouse sales, £11 0s 0d in licences, £12 10s 0d in fines and sums for plantation produce, lime and tiles, paid the paymaster £3,978 6s 4¼d and closed with £9,813 17s 2½d in coin (2¼d in one entry). No money moved in October, November or January 1768/9. [Film No. 26, 67, 68, 153, 154, 179, 195, 216, 320, 339, 364, 436]

December 1768 received £52 13s 3½d from De Laune's estate, £1,428 8s 9d from Powell for stores, £36 8s 3d for plantation provisions, £11 0s 0d for licences and £1 1s 10½d for lime from Munden's Battery, paid the paymaster £3,723 10s 5½d and closed with £7,619 18s 11d in coin. On 13 February 1768/9 Mitchell paid in £800 0s 0d for a bill payable to Alexander Hume and William Wrangham £87 15s 3d for one to Hutcheson Mure, both at 90 days' sight, and with £9 8s 3d from the Valentine coin reached £8,517 2s 5d on 28 February 1768/9. [Film No. 421, 433, 459]

Bills of exchange on the Court, mostly at 90 days, carried remittances home. On 25 April 1768 Captain Pelly, named Henry Kent, Henry Hinde and Henry Pelly in different entries, took £100 0s 0d and Captain John Hasell £155 15s 0d, including £55 15s 0d for nine Cape bullocks; on 2 May Skottowe remitted £400 0s 0d to Robert Wood and Purling £250 0s 0d to John Purling; on 16 May Corneille paid £427 2s 9d for a bill to John Paslow, chief mate of the Triton, gone since 3 April 1768; on 23 May Kirkpatrick drew £1,034 15s 0d for the estate of the late Captain Cornelius Inglis, payable to Luke Scrafton, and John Irwin £100 0s 0d to Robert Irwin; and on 30 May Mitchell remitted £400 0s 0d to Alexander Hume. Inglis's bill was smaller than Captain Mitford's £1,200 0s 0d of 14 March 1767/8. On 13 and 20 June bills went to Corneille, Captain Henry Bazett, payable to John Purling, Robert Wigram and Captain Hindman for £451 16s 0d. Corneille's bill of 25 July was for £36 6s 0d, payable to Fairfax and Gilmore. Captain Henry Bazett paid in £189 1s 7d on 1 August; on 8 August bills went to Corneille for £400 payable to himself, Purling for £450 payable to John Purling, Jonathan Doveton for £487 14s 0d, Hugh Jones for £68 12s 6d (£368 12s 6d in another entry) and Captain Thomas Riddell for £80; and Colvill Mure paid in £500 on 15 August for a bill on Mure, Son and Atkinson. On 5 September Matthew Bazett remitted £600 through Riddell, Powell £350 to Captain John Williams of the Hector, as his £200 had been in February 1767/8, Captain John Howard £215 10s 0d and Wrangham £120; Riddell's £300 bill was entered although the Admiral Pocock had sailed on 14 August. [Film No. 8, 11, 18, 25, 36, 46, 62, 63, 66, 179, 180, 181, 190, 194, 200, 209, 216, 320]

The paymaster drew £4,425 3s 6¼d for the quarter to 30 June 1768, with sundry payments of £1,417 1s 0½d against £670, including 335½ days at 1s for soldiers unloading the Tilbury; the debit ran across blank leaves ruled through diagonally, one miscopying the total as £4,426 3s 6¼d, and the account was examined on 18 July. His single receipt of £3,978 6s 4¼d on 30 September 1768 covered payments from 3 July, £3,045 3s 2d of pay list and £933 3s 2¼d of contingencies, including £5 0s 0d to Captain Hook for James Black's passage. The account for the quarter to 31 December, £3,723 10s 5½d with £715 10s 0½d of contingencies, was signed on 30 December though it included payments dated 31 December. Each account was set equal to its spending and posted to the island's general account, signed "errors excepted". [Film No. 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 257, 258, 259, 260, 416, 417, 419, 420]

The warehouse sold to Company servants at 10 per cent above cost, planters at 25 per cent and others at 40 per cent. Servants bought £1,008 3s 11d in the first quarter of 1768, £887 3s 3d in the second, £1,866 11s 9d in the third and £1,338 15s 10d in the fourth, against store sales paid into the treasury of £1,311 15s 3d in the last quarter of 1767. In the quarter to 30 June bread sold for £301 2s 0d, beef and pork for £342 14s 0d and sugar for £52, with only 40 lb of Bohea, 91 sneakers, an octagonal porcelain set, 18 pairs of Indian cotton stockings at over 9s, 16 pairs of women's calamanco shoes, nearly 20 yards of broadcloth and wool cards; 40 per cent sales fell to £43 3s 5d from £53 10s 10d, a guglet and basin costing 5s against about 3s on the Northumberland's Canton invoice; in the quarter to 30 September bread from 269 cwt 2 qr 2 lb of flour sold for £251 11s 0d, beef and pork for £431 14s 0d, longcloth for £164 0s 8d, shoes, 592 pairs of them men's ordinary, for £144 18s 4d, wine, almost all Lisbon and Mountain at about 6s 3d a gallon, for £120 8s 3d, 132 soldiers' shirts for £33 0s 0d over 150 panes of glass, 11 tea kettles, porcelain worth £24 18s 1d, 5,210 fish hooks, garden tools, 12 rat traps and 11 mousetraps, while the 40 per cent buyers took about 1,000 hooks and the Company's fishermen were issued hooks and lines; in the quarter to 31 December bread used 414 cwt of flour worth £387 3s 4d, beef and pork reached £571 14s 0d, arrack rose from under 5 to 48¼ gallons and only 12 shirts sold, a page carrying £1,337 13s 5d forward and the next £1,327 13s 5d. Planters' purchases at 25 per cent reached about £56 9s 0d in the quarter to 30 September within a running total closing at £151 13s 9d for the 40 per cent sales, and £67 7s 10d at 40 per cent in the next quarter. Sugar cost a servant about 3¾d a pound and a 40 per cent buyer over 5d, Bohea about 9s 9d and 12s. General expenses came to £136 2s 8d in the quarter to 30 September and £111 5s 8d in the next, when candles for the Governor and Council, the chaplain, the doctor's shop and the bakehouse cost £31 10s 6d. Ships bought £273 4s 0d in the quarter to 30 June, a cable and anchor making £243, and £172 5s 5d in the next, chiefly 2,149 lb of cordage at 6d a pound. [Film No. 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 261, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266, 267, 268, 269, 270, 271, 272, 273, 274, 275, 276, 277, 375, 376, 377, 378, 379, 380, 381, 382, 383, 384, 385, 386, 387, 388, 389, 390]

The inventory of 30 September 1768 held 53,960 copper halfpence worth £112 8s 4d; its running total stood at £11,195 2s 9d at film 307. Invoices came in Canton taels, mace, candareens and cash by the picul and catty, Bengal current and Arcot rupees, annas and pies by the maund and seer, Bombay rupees, quarters and reas by the Surat maund and candy, with labour in copper pice, and Madras pagodas, fanams and cash; Bombay's charges were under 4 per cent of the goods against almost 7 per cent on the Norfolk's Bengal invoice. [Film No. 12, 13, 30, 38, 204, 301, 307, 429, 440, 454]

On 2 January 1768/9, the kilns having burned surplus lime, the Council called in claims from inhabitants who had sent labourers, chiefly slaves, to burn lime for the Company at a bushel a day's work: Elizabeth Purling claimed 25 bushels for work at Sandy Bay in 1742, the estate of John Bazett 52, the estate of Francis Wrangham senior 90, James Greentree 18 and the estate of John Desfountain nine from 1744, all paid on 9 January without testing, Purling, Matthew Bazett and William Wrangham signing for their families. [Film No. 367, 368, 373, 374]

Social Order

On 27 June 1768 Skottowe proposed cutting the 10 licensed punch houses to six by recalling the four newest licences, with fines for selling to slaves or selling unlicensed, half to the informer, exempting measured arrack served at fixed hours to men on the works. Corneille showed that four houses were run by deputy, one keeper paying Mr Kennedy £50 a year and Burnham paying his mother £40, that two others bought arrack from licence holders at 8s or 8s 6d a gallon against the fixed 6s 6d and a Company fee of £6 a year, and objected to Sergeant Howell and Bombardier James Bayfell holding licences. On 4 July the Council kept five houses, kept by John Price, Roderick Merchant, Stephen Young, William Hayes and John Seale; forbade sales to slaves on pain of £5 and unlicensed retailing, defined as under 2 gallons, on pain of £10, £5 to the informer; banned letting licences, selling below the fixed price, keeping of houses by soldiers and wholesale sales to soldiers and slaves; required spirit to be served mixed with water; and set hours from 9 am, or 4 pm on Sunday, to 9 pm. Women, who held five licences, were excluded, and the Council asked the Court to grant the widows of Captain Beale and Kennedy £20 a year each. Licences yielded £18 10s 0d in the last quarter of 1767, £13 10s 0d in the first quarter of 1768 and £18 10s 0d in the quarter to 30 June, and warehouse arrack sold to employees fell to 5¼ gallons against 34 in the first quarter. [Film No. 27, 70, 71, 72, 73, 76, 77, 78, 79, 90, 106, 110, 137, 141, 153]

On 8 August 1768 Hugh Jones was fined £10 for retailing arrack, half to the informer John Price, and Thomas Yates £20 on Roderick Merchant's proof of two sales, of which he could pay only £5. On 28 November the Council offered a halfpenny for each dead rat and a farthing for each mouse brought by anyone, white or black, to the constable in Jamestown valley, who cut off the heads before the marshal and had the bodies buried, burned or sunk, the cost shared by the Company and inhabitants; country owners kept weekly counts of their slaves' kills. Joseph Chamberlain received £6 18s 2d, the first payment, in the quarter to 31 December. [Film No. 189, 190, 344, 345, 416]

Arrack rewarded labour throughout: men hauling and launching the boats, lowering guns, haymaking, thatching and shearing drew it, the doctor's shop and store workers received 80½ gallons in the quarter to 30 September 1768 and 135¾ in the next, and the guards received Bohea tea and 75 lb of candles. [Film No. 277, 385, 387, 388, 391, 394, 396, 398]

Crime, Punishment and the Judiciary

At the consultation of 9 May 1768 garden slaves told the Governor that James Black, gardener at Plantation House, sold its produce to ships' crews and Jamestown householders; Roderick Merchant testified that four bags of Black's potatoes stored at his house went to the Triton's steward and admitted taking about 300 lb of onions, partly for shallots, and John Price, marshal and gaoler at £7 10s 0d a quarter, admitted taking greens for beer and cider. Black was found to have disposed of 300 lb of onions and 8 bushels of potatoes worth £9 10s 0d, nearly his quarter's salary of £10 0s 0d, which he was ordered to repay, and was sentenced to a week in prison and proposed for dismissal for suspected long-standing theft and complaints of great cruelty to the garden slaves; Merchant was fined £1 0s 0d and Price 10s 0d. Corneille's dissent from remitting the prison term cited Black's two earlier appearances for insolence to the Governor and Lieutenant Governor and two for cruelty to slaves. Black drew his full salary for the quarter to 30 June, was dismissed on 2 August for those reasons and later neglect and insolence and was paid for 59 days and sent home in the Greenwich as a charter party passenger. [Film No. 21, 22, 126, 150, 152, 153, 199, 202, 203, 254]

On 3 October 1768 Peter Mariot, the carpenter's mate, was examined for fitting a lock from Plantation House to his own door, called worthless and suspected of selling spirits illegally and ordered off the island; after a further complaint of neglect he was dismissed on 7 November, paid for 38 days, and James Hogg, a soldier of the Second Company, replaced him for five years, keeping his private's pay. On 14 November the master carpenter John Robinson was told to attend daily and give the Company's work his whole attention. [Film No. 228, 229, 333, 335, 400, 405]

On 12 December 1768 Sergeant Thomas Payne, clerk of the works at 1s 6d a day for 73 days, charged that Company stone, earth, timber, iron, lime, hair and labour had gone into a billiard house built by Mitchell and Captain Henry Bazett about 1765 and charged to repairs at the Castle and Plantation House, naming nine informants. Robinson denied telling Payne anything and said only slave boys and his apprentice had worked on it in spare hours; the Governor said eight timbers lent from the slaves' hospital had been returned; Joseph Chamberlain had made the frames at home; John Dobson had used four bars of Company iron for a cellar window on Robinson's order and replaced them, Mitchell and Bazett cutting his £8 bill to £5 1s 3d; Bazett said the stones and earth were borrowed, replaced and paid for; Grainger said Payne had led his answers; and Powers denied a statement written down by the master mason William Holbrook on 24 July 1768. Thomas Yates, assistant overseer about 1765 when the hospital stone was gathered, saw stones taken but could not say whether they were replaced. The Council found nothing proved and no loss, called the accusations spiteful, impudent and malicious, dismissed Payne and ordered him to England. [Film No. 350, 351, 352, 353, 354, 355, 356, 357, 400]

Mitchell answered on 19 December 1768 that his accusers were men he had disciplined, that a Mr Bland had laid the same charge before the Court, that the walls were of earth mortar, the roof used 23 bushels of lime bought with the Governor's leave and paid quarterly through Payne, Riga timber and deals were charged and paid, door frames and sashes from the abandoned slaves' hospital were replaced, the dismissed armourer had sworn the bars were old Castle railings and stones worth under 40s were replaced. He judged Payne's sentence a release for a man in debt, hinted at causes he would explain only to the Court and asked for a public testimony to his character. The repairs account for the quarter to 31 December itemised every pane, nail and brush issued for Plantation House, and the garrison account charged 42 lines for whips. [Film No. 359, 360, 361, 362, 389, 390, 391]

The coroner, Mr Bovell, was paid £1 5s 0d on 24 October 1768 for the inquest on Stephen John and £1 5s 0d for one on Josiah Smith, who was not on the garrison roll. The clerk of the arraigns and crier of the court received 12s 6d each quarter, the gaoler 2s 6d each for the keep of four prisoners in the quarter to 30 June, and Beale £12 10s 0d as judge advocate. The court's porter, or crier, was clothed from store, and Thomas Watts, the discharged matross, was paid £1 0s 0d on 17 September to make the suit; the clerk of the peace received green broadcloth for a coat in the quarter to 31 December. Price, also sexton, charged 5s for committing and releasing Matthew Bazett's slave Cupid, 6s together for Joe, Cato, Nobbin and Caesar, slaves of Lieutenant Desfountain, Mrs Greentree, Robert Goodwin and John Seale, and 5s each for Benjamin Fish and Joseph Gaffe in the quarter to 30 September; Adam Evans received 5s 8d for mending the bag carrying the clerk of the peace's papers to court. [Film No. 150, 152, 251, 254, 258, 281, 282, 391, 416, 418, 420]

On 23 May 1768 the Council registered a mortgage bond for James Greentree. It proved the will of Sergeant John Cox, made on 6 June, witnessed by George Roe and Thomas Ferris, signed with a cross and leaving all to Corporal Nicholas Houghton, at the consultation of 13 June 1768. On 8 August it proved the will of Alexander Hoar, seaman of the Admiral Pocock, made at sea on 21 July on plain paper for want of stamped paper, leaving half to John Cross and half to Thomas Stubbs, John Burke and Christopher Armstrong. [Film No. 35, 57, 58, 127, 182, 183, 191]

Slavery and Coerced Labour

On 30 May 1768 Jonathan Doveton junior reported that Patna, a slave of his mother Mary Doveton, who had escaped about three years before in His Majesty's ship Medway, was a seaman named Francis Neptune in the Earl of Elgin; brought ashore before planters ready to swear to him, including his former master and his brother, he admitted his identity before the Council and Captain Cooke, who was ordered in writing to give him up. In April four Madagascar slaves had tried to escape in a fishing boat and been driven back. On 19 September the Council offered £5 for Tony, a slave of Jonas Doveton who had run some months before and lived by robbery, the Company, parish and owner each paying a third, and made the reward standing for any slave absent over 14 days; it joined the pass system for slaves carrying goods of February 1767/8. On 17 October the paymaster paid £1 13s 4d, the Company's third of a reward for a runaway of Mr Doveton. [Film No. 44, 215, 416]

On 11 July 1768, sales of drink to slaves being banned, the Council gave its own slaves a weekly arrack ration of three drams for men and two for women and working boys, about 19 gallons a week; slaves at the works and plantations drew 131 gallons in the quarter to 30 June, 284¼ in the next and 454¾ in the quarter to 31 December. The slaves received 32,060 lb of yams in the first quarter of 1768, 89,835 lb in the second, 71,515 lb in the third and 43,305 lb in the fourth. Stores issued to them cost £303 in the first quarter, £592 5s 7d in the second, £438 3s 1d in the third and £517 8s 9d in the fourth, including 10,049 lb of Bengal beef in the second, Bengal meat worth £195 17s 0d with English worth £84 16s 1d and 82 cwt 1 qr 2 lb of rice in the third, and Bengal beef worth £318 15s 8d and over 214 cwt of rice in the fourth. [Film No. 92, 93, 117, 118, 150, 230, 286, 369, 391, 392]

The clothing issue of the quarter to 30 June 1768 included 259 men's shirts, 46 boys' shirts, 118 suits of sailors' jackets and breeches, 175 Dutch caps and longcloth for women lying in; John Bazett bought more privately, a flannel shirt costing 4s, and the Governor's household slaves received scarlet shalloon, green serge, mohair and tape for livery. In the quarter to 30 September the slaves received 91 pairs of men's shoes, 31 of women's calf shoes and 3 of boys', 7 blankets, sagathy, stockings, combs and shalloon for Castle servants, sailors' clothing and over 1,000 fish hooks with more than 40 lots of lines, and in the quarter to 31 December 55 pairs of shoes, flour and salt for the aged, osnaburg aprons for craftsmen and linen, thread and chelloes for the Castle servants; two stock locks were fitted at the Blacks' Square. [Film No. 117, 118, 287, 288, 392, 393]

Charles Plato and Simon were born to Company slaves and Selah and a boy named Guinea died in the quarter to 30 June 1768; George Caesar and Martin Monkey died in the quarter to 30 September; Jupiter was born in the quarter to 31 December, entered in the livestock account. On 16 April 1768 Powell was paid on Corneille's order for 34 days by a stone layer at 2s 6d a day, and William Holbrook for 78 days by a labourer and, in the quarter to 31 December, 72 days by his apprentice at 1s a day. Stone and earth gathered about 1765 for a slaves' hospital were never built into one, and two of its door cases stood in the slaves' house. The Black House was repaired in the quarter to 30 June. [Film No. 92, 113, 144, 148, 230, 256, 351, 352, 353, 369, 418]

The Malays received food, oil and soap worth £2 11s 5d in the quarter to 30 June 1768, and Nequedah Pocholam an allowance and house rent; the account headed "Mallay" supplied one household with rations, tea, blue broadcloth, silk, fine shoes, cotton stockings and china worth £17 16s 9d in the quarter to 30 September and £5 1s 10d in the next. [Film No. 118, 144, 288, 289, 393]

Black servants travelled in the ships: the Campbells, Mr Court and Captain Grady of the Europa listed four unnamed in April 1768; the Earl of Elgin carried three; James Hayfield, a black boy in the Latham, and Caesar in the Vansittart were named; the Egmont listed Mrs Taylor's servants Jose, Silvia and Flora, Mr Devereux's Phill and the captain's John Caesar on 1 September; the Valentine carried two black maidservants and a black boy; the Bute listed Cato and Mocha, servants of the second mate and gunner; the Verelst the second mate's servant Peter Cesar; and the Kent "Bandillo, a black man". [Film No. 9, 15, 41, 55, 206, 207, 431, 445, 450, 451]

Religion and Education

The chaplain, the Reverend William Bearcroft, paid £40 0s 0d with a £15 0s 0d table allowance, pleaded on 23 May 1768 that candles cost him heavily and was granted 30 lb a quarter, the councillors drawing 50 lb, subject to the Court's approval; he received 10 lb in the quarter to 30 June. He had sent £100 home by bill on 22 February 1767/8 and repaid a £100 bond borrowed in England on 4 July 1768, credited to the London account. On 25 July he laid rules for the library the Company had sent for its principal servants: borrowers signed for one folio or quarto or four smaller volumes, kept a folio eight weeks and a smaller book four if others wanted it, replaced damaged books and answered to the chaplain, a gentleman checked the books yearly and a councillor inspected the library on the first Wednesday of each September. [Film No. 35, 89, 110, 125, 176, 177, 179]

Beale drew £7 10s 0d a quarter as schoolmaster, Thomas Yates £5 0s 0d as clerk of the church and the drum major £1 0s 0d for teaching the young drummers; Private John Joyce drew £1 5s 0d as cleaner of clocks and instruments. Servants bought primers, spelling books, Testaments, Bibles and prayer books, and the store held 12 hornbooks, 15 spelling books and 11 primers on 30 September 1768. John Price billed for silk and ferreting to bind the church book. [Film No. 102, 125, 126, 143, 235, 258, 263, 300, 381, 411, 413]

Personalities

Lieutenant Henry De Laune died at home on 8 August 1768 without a will; his 106 lots were auctioned at Richard Bagley's house in Jamestown on 12 September for £84 14s 6d, among them billiard cues, a backgammon table, paste buckles, over 30 shirts, a gorget, gold-laced hats, swords, uniform cloth fetching £9 and books including Rapin, Beaumont and Fletcher, Burnet, Swift, Hudibras, Locke, Milton, Shaftesbury and Anson's Voyage. Captain John Howard, administering, added £11 15s 2½d of pay and paid £43 16s 5d in debts and charges, including £12 16s 4½d for the funeral to John Bazett and sums to fellow officers, sergeants, John Price and Corporal Richard Bickerstaff; the balance was £52 13s 3½d (5½d in the minutes of 3 October). [Film No. 208, 217, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 421]

Passengers included Thomas Fitzhugh and Alexander Todd, Canton supercargoes, in the Latham, Thomas Smith in the Houghton and Matthew Raper junior and John Bradby Blake in the Vansittart; Mr Wrench, signatory of the Worcester's Bombay invoice, his wife and daughter and a Mr Skottowe in the Worcester; Charles Stafford Playdell, Lady Hope, Mrs Bloomer and a John Holwell in the Earl of Elgin; Major and Mrs Tibbert and the Hare family in the Northington; Mrs Taylor's family in the Egmont; Mr and Mrs Bolts, probably William Bolts, deported from Bengal by Governor Verelst in 1768, in the Valentine; and Major Gowan, saluted with 11 guns on landing on 22 February 1768/9, his wife, Captain Scott and his wife, Captain Burr and a supercargo in the Bute. [Film No. 15, 16, 17, 41, 54, 55, 207, 431, 445, 447]

Margaret Isbell, a widow, died on 23 August 1768, George Young, an inhabitant, on 13 December 1768 and Jane, wife of the master mason William Holbrook, on 23 January 1768/9. [Film No. 203, 358, 424]

Film No

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OCR Transcription

Modern Interpretation and analysis

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EAP 1364 St Helena

Document Name and Date: ST HELENA RECORDS 1768-1769

Photographer: PETER

Date photographed: 18 JAN 2022

Additional comments:

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1

Island St. Helena

At a Consultation held on Monday the 25th day of April 1768 at the Castle

Present John Skottowe Esqr. Governor

Daniel Corneille Esqr. Lieut. Governor

Mr. Matthew Purling

Capt. Thos. Kirkpatrick of Council

The last Consultation was read, approved, and signed, dated the 18th day of April 1768

Friday the 22d Sailed the Dutch Ship Elizabeth for Holland

Yesterday Do. the Dutch Ships Margaret Maria, and Cornatena for Do.

Mr. Matthew Purling reports that he has been on board the

Ships Europa, and Earl of Middlesex to Muster their Company's and enquire for

Deserters but found none their Muster Rolls are as follow viz.

Muster Roll of Ship Europa

Henry Kent Pelly Commr.

Edward Westrop Chief Mate

Raymond Snow Second Do.

Robert Ross 3d Do.

Robert Boyle Nicholas 4th Do.

John Wells 5th Do.

Robert Tidmas Purser

Robert Baldwin Surgeon

William Triggen Carpenter

George Halton Boatswain

John Webster Gunner

Elisha Point Surgeons Mate

Samuel Steers Caulker

Norman Brander Cooper

Charles Crane Sailmaker

Jonah Yeates Ships Steward

James Mills Capt. Do.

John Dixon Capt. Cook

William Palmer Ships Do.

Thomas Outerloney Carpr. Mate

John Young Do.

Charles Godfrey Do.

James Pittman Cooper Mate

Robert Hunt Boatsw. Do.

John Barnett Do.

Edward Ponsil Gunners Do.

Andrew Shorles Armourer

William Saunders Butcher

Geo. Thompson Quartermaster

David Jones Do.

Danl. Masterton Quartermr.

Peter McLean Do.

Lawrence Fridman Do.

Thomas Jenkins Midshipman

Thos. Horden Midshipman

John Johnson Do.

James Remington Do.

Geo. Hall Do.

James Willcot Seaman

Richd. Masterton

Isaac Naston

Chas. Nelvie

Joseph Johnson

Stephn. Owen

Charles Cooper

Governor John Skottowe held a consultation at the Castle on Monday 25 April 1768.

Present

John Skottowe, Governor

Daniel Corneille, Lieutenant Governor

William Matthew Purling

Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick, of the Council

The Council read, approved and signed the minutes of 18 April 1768. The Dutch ship Elizabeth sailed for Holland on Friday 22 April. The Dutch ships Margaret Maria and Cornelia sailed for Holland on Sunday 24 April.

Purling reported that he had boarded the Europa and the Earl of Middlesex to muster their crews and search for deserters. He found none. Their muster rolls read as follows, beginning with the Europa.

Henry Kent Pelly, Commander

Edward Westorp, Chief Mate

Raymond Snow, Second Mate

Robert Ross, Third Mate

Robert Boyle Nicholas, Fourth Mate

John Wells, Fifth Mate

Robert Thomas, Purser

Robert Baldwin, Surgeon

William Jaggen, Carpenter

George Halton, Boatswain

John Webster, Gunner

Elisha Corbett, Surgeon's Mate

Samuel Stevens, Caulker

Norman Brander, Cooper

Charles Crane, Sailmaker

Joseph Yeates, Ship's Steward

James Mills, Captain's Steward

John Owen, Captain's Cook

William Palmer, Ship's Cook

Thomas Butterley, Carpenter's Mate

John Young, Carpenter's Mate

Charles Godfrey, Carpenter's Mate

James Pitman, Cooper's Mate

Robert Hunt, Boatswain's Mate

John Barnett, Boatswain's Mate

Edward Pencil, Gunner's Mate

Andrew Showles, Armourer

William Saunders, Butcher

George Thompson, Quartermaster

David Jones, Quartermaster

Daniel Masterton, Quartermaster

Peter McLean, Quartermaster

Laurence Fledman, Quartermaster

Thomas Jenkins, Midshipman

Thomas Horton, Midshipman

John Johnson, Midshipman

James Kensington, Midshipman

George Hall, Midshipman

James Willet, Seaman

Richard Masterton, Seaman

Isaac Martin, Seaman

Charles Nelme, Seaman

Joseph Johnson, Seaman

Stephen Owen, Seaman

Charles Cooper, Seaman

Interpretations

The three Dutch ships that called in mid-April all stayed in James Bay for about a week before sailing for Holland. The Elizabeth arrived on 14 April and left on 22 April. The Margaret Maria and the Cornelia arrived on 15 and 16 April and sailed together on 24 April. The Dutch usually passed St Helena without stopping, since their own company had its refreshment station at the Cape. A stay of a week shows that these ships needed water and fresh food in earnest, probably after a long passage from Bengal and China. The island served the whole homeward trade of Europe, not only the English Company's ships. The Council kept a careful record of every foreign ship's arrival and departure for the Court in London.

The Europa's commander, Henry Kent Pelly, belonged to a family that was well established in the Company's maritime service. Several Pellys commanded East Indiamen in the eighteenth century. Commands of this kind often passed among related families, who held shares in the ships as well as sailing them.

The roll entered Daniel Masterton as a quartermaster and Richard Masterton as a seaman. They were probably brothers or cousins. Kinsmen often signed on together, and one rose faster than the other as he gained experience at sea.

9

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25th April

Thos. Aldridge Seaman

Emanuel McCosta

Samuel Anderson

James Nuvels

Joshua Mam

Thomas Dunavan

William Cook

James Gray

Joseph Jones

Thomas Jackson

William Andrews

John Armstrong

Stephen Porter

George Dierks

Andrew Dinhorn

Anthony Michaelson

Anthony Ryall

Henry Westhart

James Anderson

Thomas Head Seaman

Samuel Willmore

Francis Clarke

William McKay

John Brewster

John Watson

Henry Pinks

John Dennis

Edmund Farley

Henry Allen

John Willson

Michael Tadlock

Edward Jolly

William Usher

David Lees

Robert Charleson

Francis Malcomb

Peter Fountain

John Norwood Seaman

John Smith

Antony Christ

Andrew Brile

Chas. Hopkins

Peter Dufrise

Wilhelmin Johnson

Hans Young

William Pane

John Dangerfield

Thomas Smith

James Anderson

Thomas Pope

James Worrell

Henry Mears

John Callen

George Bowman

John Frederick

Peter Tuck

Passengers

Mr. Alexr. Campbell

Mrs. Campbell

Black Man
Black Maid

Servants

Mr. Court

Black Servant

Capt. Grady

Black Man Servant

Signed

Henry Pelly

The Europa's muster roll continued with the rest of her crew.

Thomas Aldridge, Seaman

Emanuel McCosta, Seaman

Samuel Anderson, Seaman

James Nuels, Seaman

Joshua Ham, Seaman

Thomas Dunason, Seaman

William Cook, Seaman

James Gray, Seaman

Joseph Jones, Seaman

Thomas Jackson, Seaman

William Andrews, Seaman

John Armstrong, Seaman

Stephen Porter, Seaman

George Dierks, Seaman

Andrew Dinkorn, Seaman

Anthony Michaelson, Seaman

Anthony Ryall, Seaman

Henry Westhart, Seaman

James Anderson, Seaman

Thomas Head, Seaman

Samuel Willmore, Seaman

Francis Clarke, Seaman

William McKay, Seaman

John Brewster, Seaman

John Watson, Seaman

Henry Parks, Seaman

John Dennis, Seaman

Edmund Farley, Seaman

Henry Allen, Seaman

John Willson, Seaman

Michael Tadlock, Seaman

Edward Jolly, Seaman

William Usher, Seaman

David Tees, Seaman

Robert Charleson, Seaman

Francis Malcomb, Seaman

Peter Fountain, Seaman

John Norwood, Seaman

John Smith, Seaman

Antony Christ, Seaman

Andrew Brite, Seaman

Cliff Hopkins, Seaman

Peter Dufrese, Seaman

Wilhelmin Johnson, Seaman

Hans Young, Seaman

William Gary, Seaman

John Dangerfield, Seaman

Thomas Smith, Seaman

James Anderson, Seaman

Thomas Pope, Seaman

James Worrell, Seaman

Henry Mears, Seaman

John Callen, Seaman

George Bowman, Seaman

John Frederick, Seaman

Peter Tuck, Seaman

The ship also carried passengers.

Mr Alexander Campbell

Mrs Campbell

A black man, servant

A black maid, servant

Mr Court

A black servant

Captain Grady

A black man, servant

Captain Henry Pelly signed the roll.

Interpretations

Every European passenger in the Europa travelled with at least one black servant, and the roll gave none of those servants a name. The Campbells brought a man and a maid. Mr Court and Captain Grady each brought one servant. Returning officials and officers from Bengal commonly brought Indian or African servants to England, many of them slaves bought in the East. The clerk entered them by colour and duty alone, as had happened with Fanny and the three black boys in the Hector on 22 February 1768. The roll treated them as attendants who belonged to their masters, not as passengers in their own right. Their legal standing in England was still unsettled in 1768. The courts would not address the question directly until Somerset's case in 1772.

Several of the seamen had Dutch, German or Scandinavian names, including George Dierks, Andrew Dinkorn, Anthony Michaelson, Wilhelmin Johnson and Hans Young. A Bengal ship took on such men in the Hooghly. Seamen from every European nation gathered there between voyages, and English commanders filled the places of men lost on the way out.

10

3

1768

Muster Roll of Ship Earl of Middlesex

John Hasell Commander

Thos. Timbrill Chief Mate

Joseph Simkinson 2d Do.

Thomas Lloyd 3d Do.

Robert Noble 4th Do.

William Wilson Surgeon

Thomas Hodgson Purser

James Bean Boatswain

Joseph Bowers Gunner

John Rollinson Carpenter

Patrick Corquron Midshipman

Andrew Saunders Qr. Master

John Peters Do.

Andrew Vial Do.

Robert Steward Do.

Thoms. Patterson Ships Steward

William Dennis Cooper

John Harcourt Capt. Cook

Henry Greentree Ships Do.

Robert Scot Caulker

John March Armourer

Peter Bride Butcher

Robert Baxter Sailmr.

Thos. Nicholls Boatsw. 1 Mate

John Green Carpr. 1 Do.

Joseph Matthews Coopers Do.

Francis Pebble Caulkers Do.

Andrew Clarke Cooks Do.

John Brown Boatsw. 2 Do.

John Pattison Carpr. 2 Do.

Thomas Davy Chief Mates Servt.

William Dashwood Capt. Servt.

Andrew Peirce 2d Mates Servt.

Richd. Bate Man Surgeons Do.

Nichl. Sterling Boatswains Do.

Robert Green Gunners Do.

John Whitby Carpenters Do.

Richard Williams Seaman

John Milliard Do.

John Bellas

Will. Rufus Saxon

Elias Fisher

George Fletcher

Chas. Pinchback

Edward Hill

Thos. Saunderson

Robert Jefferson

William Hutton

Andrew Douglass

Joseph Moss

John Small

John Patterson

Richd. Mosley

Henry Withers

Patrick Browne

George Pierce

John Carr

George Rudd

Will. Page

John McClelland

Will. Sparks

John Forth

Robert Darbon

Thos. Smith Seaman

Will. Greenley

John Hallifax

Neal McCloed

William Cullingham

Richd. Oliver

James Rushmore

Chas. Gowin

Thomas Bowen

Francis Clement

Thomas Jones

Michl. Sullivan

Will. Wicks

James Selyard

Thomas Jackson

Will. Young

James Stephenson

Will. Sisson

Will. Almond

Will. Thompson

Will. Bach

Will. Mitchell

Thos. Dunsdale

Will. Watts

Thos. Byrne

Will. Alexander

Richd. Smiles

Jacob Johnson

Harm Hinder

Cranbrook
Andrew Corthy
James McLain

Passengers

Signed

J. Hasell

The muster roll of the Earl of Middlesex followed.

John Hasell, Commander

Thomas Timbrell, Chief Mate

Joseph Jenkins, Second Mate

Thomas Lloyd, Third Mate

Robert Noble, Fourth Mate

William Wilson, Surgeon

Thomas Hodgson, Purser

James Bean, Boatswain

Joseph Bowis, Gunner

John Pattinson, Carpenter

Patrick Corgueror, Midshipman

Andrew Saunders, Quartermaster

John Peters, Quartermaster

Andrew Vial, Quartermaster

Robert Steward, Quartermaster

Thomas Patterson, Ship's Steward

William Dennis, Cooper

John Starrett, Captain's Cook

Henry Greentree, Ship's Cook

Robert Scot, Caulker

John Marsh, Armourer

Peter Bride, Butcher

Robert Baxter, Sailmaker

Thomas Nichols, Boatswain's First Mate

John Green, Carpenter's First Mate

Joseph Matthews, Cooper's Mate

Francis Pebble, Caulker's Mate

Andrew Clarke, Cook's Mate

John Brown, Boatswain's Second Mate

John Robinson, Carpenter's Second Mate

Thomas Drury, Chief Mate's Servant

William Dashwood, Captain's Servant

Andrew Lewis, Second Mate's Servant

Richard Bate, Surgeon's Servant

Nicholas Starling, Boatswain's Servant

Robert Green, Gunner's Servant

John Whaley, Carpenter's Servant

Richard Williams, Seaman

John Milliard, Seaman

John Bellas, Seaman

William Rufus Saxon, Seaman

Elias Fisher, Seaman

George Fletcher, Seaman

Charles Pinchback, Seaman

Edward Hill, Seaman

Thomas Saunderson, Seaman

Robert Jefferson, Seaman

William Hulton, Seaman

Andrew Douglass, Seaman

Joseph Ross, Seaman

John Small, Seaman

John Pattison, Seaman

Richard Morley, Seaman

Henry Withers, Seaman

Patrick Browne, Seaman

George Purse, Seaman

John Carr, Seaman

George Reed, Seaman

William Page, Seaman

John McClelland, Seaman

William Sparks, Seaman

John Forth, Seaman

Robert Dobson, Seaman

Thomas Smith, Seaman

William Grumley, Seaman

John Hallifax, Seaman

Neil McCloud, Seaman

William Cunningham, Seaman

Richard Oliver, Seaman

James Rushmore, Seaman

Charles Govin, Seaman

Thomas Pearson, Seaman

Francis Clement, Seaman

Thomas Jones, Seaman

Michael Sullivan, Seaman

William Wicks, Seaman

James Telford, Seaman

Thomas Jackson, Seaman

William Young, Seaman

James Stephenson, Seaman

William Tipson, Seaman

William Almond, Seaman

William Thompson, Seaman

William Beech, Seaman

William Mitchell, Seaman

Thomas Dunsdale, Seaman

William Watts, Seaman

Thomas Byrne, Seaman

William Alexander, Seaman

Richard Smiles, Seaman

Jacob Johnson, Seaman

Harman Hunter, Seaman

[...] Cranbrook, Seaman

The ship also carried two passengers.

Andrew Carthy

James McLain

Captain John Hasell signed the roll.

Interpretations

The roll shows that the Earl of Middlesex was the ship that brought the nine bullocks from the Cape, for which the Council paid £55 15s 0d. John Hasell was her commander. Thomas Hodgson, who signed the bill on Hasell's behalf on 25 April 1768, was her purser. The purser kept the ship's accounts and dealt with suppliers, so it fell to him to settle the captain's sale of livestock with the Council. The cattle were carried on Hasell's own account, as Captain Nairn's had been in December 1767. They were part of the private trade that commanders added to their pay.

The Earl of Middlesex had come from Bencoolen on the west coast of Sumatra. It was the Company's pepper settlement, and it had a reputation as one of the unhealthiest posts in the East. Her crew list was shorter than those of the large China ships. Like the Norfolk, she carried a full set of servants attached to her officers, mostly boys bound to learn the sea.

John Whaley, the carpenter's servant, shared a surname with the island's Whaley family. The name was common enough that no link can be assumed.

11

4

25th April

The Storekeeper this day delivered the following Account of

Stores, short received from the Ship Europa

Account of Stores short received from Ship Europa viz.

2 . 2 . 10 Rice cwt. qrs. lb

- . 1 . - Paddy

1 . 3 . 14 Sugar

- . - . 5 Candles

Short Weight

1 Leaguer Arrack Gages 142 Galls. Wants to fill 9 Galls.

1 Do. Do. 149 Do. 6 Do.

291

15

15

Galls. 276 Recd.

St. Helena 25th April 1768 Signed James Bowell Storekeeper

We this day granted the following Sets of Bills of

Exchange, drawn upon the Honorable the Court of Directors viz.

One Set to Capt. Henry Kinde Pelly for £ 100 -

payable to himself (Or Order) -

And one Set to Capt. John Hasell for £ 155 . 15 payable

to himself, or Order) £ 55 . 15 of which he laid out on the Honble

Company’s Account for Cattle, he brought from the Cape. -

In consequence of a former Resolution for purchasing

a Long Boat, We have bought one of Capt. Pelly, with Masts, Sails

Oars, Grapnel &ca for which we paid him £ 35 -

John Skottowe

Dan Corneille

M. Purling

James Powell, the storekeeper, gave the Council an account of the stores from the Europa that came ashore short of the invoice. He signed it at St Helena on 25 April 1768.

Rice, short in weight by 2 cwt 2 qr 10 lb

Paddy, short in weight by 0 cwt 1 qr 0 lb

Sugar, short in weight by 1 cwt 3 qr 14 lb

Wax candles, short in weight by 0 cwt 0 qr 5 lb

Arrack, 1 leaguer gauged at 142 gallons, lacking 9 gallons to fill it

Arrack, 1 leaguer gauged at 149 gallons, lacking 6 gallons to fill it

Arrack, total gauged 291 gallons, total lacking 15 gallons

Arrack received, 276 gallons

The Council granted the following sets of bills of exchange on the Court of Directors.

1 set to Captain Henry Hinde Pelly for £100 0s 0d, payable to himself or his nominee

1 set to Captain John Hasell for £155 15s 0d, payable to himself or his nominee, of which £55 15s 0d was for the cattle he brought from the Cape on the Company's account

Under an earlier resolution to buy a longboat, the Council bought one from Captain Pelly, complete with masts, sails, oars and grapnel, and paid him £35 0s 0d.

Governor Skottowe, Corneille and Purling signed the minutes.

Interpretations

The Council did not pay Captain Hasell for his cattle in cash. It added the £55 15s 0d to a bill on the Court in London and gave him one bill for £155 15s 0d. The other £100 was coin that Hasell paid into the treasury. The Council kept its coin on the island and settled the Company's debt with paper payable in London. Hasell, for his part, carried home the value of his cattle and his spare cash in one safe document. Captain Nairn's cattle had been settled the same way in January.

The longboat bought from Pelly replaced the boat the Hector had damaged beyond repair on 22 February 1768. The carpenter had valued that boat at £10. The Council had since spent heavily on refitting the Company's other longboat, as the storekeeper's and paymaster's accounts for the quarter showed. Building a new boat on the island would have taken timber the island did not have and months of the carpenters' time, which was already committed to the batteries. A ship's boat bought ready-made and complete with her gear met the need at once for £35. Homeward commanders could spare a boat for the last leg of the voyage to England.

The Europa's arrack lacked 15 gallons in two casks, a normal loss on a voyage from Bengal. That was close to the Norfolk's 13 gallons in March. It was far below the 54 gallons missing from one of the Lord Holland's casks in January.

12

5

2d May

At a Consultation on Monday the 2d day of May 1768 at the Castle

Present John Skottowe Esqr. Governor

Danl. Corneille Esqr. Lieut. Governor

Mr. Matthew Purling

Capt. Thos. Kirkpatrick of Council

The last Consultation was read, approved, and signed dated the 25th April 1768

Monday the 25th April Sailed the Dane Ship Prince Frederick for Copenhagen

Tuesday the 26th Do. Do. the Honorable Company's Ships Europa and Earl of

Middlesex for England -

Wednesday the 27th Do. Arrived the Lathams Boat at Banks's, half an Hour past

five o'Clock in the Afternoon

Do. Do. Do. The Honorable Company's Ship Latham from China

Thursday the 28th Do. Do. the Worcesters Boat at Banks's at six o'Clock in the morning

Do. Do. Do. the Honble Company's Ship Worcester from Bombay

last from the Cape -

Do. Do. Do. the Houghtons Boat at Banks's, half an Hour past

four o'Clock in the afternoon -

Do. Do. Do. the Honble Company's Ship Houghton from China

Do. Do. Passed by a French Ship

The Latham, Worcester and Houghton brought Us the following

Supply viz.

Invoice of Ship Latham

Sugar Candy 25 Chests No. 1 to 25

Tare, Nett

No. 1: Tare 24, Nett 289

2: Tare 26, Nett 284

3: Tare 25, Nett 289

4: Tare 23, Nett 283

5: Tare 24, Nett 286

6: Tare 25, Nett 286

7: Tare 27, Nett 293

8: Tare 26, Nett 290

9: Tare 26, Nett 291

10: Tare 25, Nett 292

Total: Tare 251, Nett 2883

No. 11: Tare 26, Nett 292

12: Tare 24, Nett 287

13: Tare 25, Nett 291

14: Tare 25, Nett 290

15: Tare 25, Nett 291

16: Tare 25, Nett 292

17: Tare 25, Nett 291

18: Tare 25, Nett 289

19: Tare 26, Nett 292

20: Tare 26, Nett 291

Total: Tare 252, Nett 2906

No. 21: Tare 26, Nett 289

22: Tare 24, Nett 290

23: Tare 25, Nett 289

24: Tare 25, Nett 289

25: Tare 24, Nett 289

Total: Tare 124, Nett 1446

Gross Wt. 7855 lb

Tare 629 6626 Nt. Pecl. 49 . 69 @ Ta. 7 . 5 E. Excepted

Ta. 372 . 6 . 7 . 5

Signed

Mattw. Raper junr.

John Bradley Blake

Wm. Rous

Thoms. Bevan

Wm. Harrison

Benj. Torin

Mann Horner

Thos. Smith

Thos. Fitzhugh

Henry Revell

Stephn. De Visme

Governor John Skottowe held a consultation at the Castle on Monday 2 May 1768.

Present

John Skottowe, Governor

Daniel Corneille, Lieutenant Governor

William Matthew Purling

Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick, of the Council

The Council read, approved and signed the minutes of 25 April 1768. The movements of shipping since then were recorded as follows.

Monday 25 April, the Danish ship Prince Frederick sailed for Copenhagen.

Tuesday 26 April, the Company's ships Europa and Earl of Middlesex sailed for England.

Wednesday 27 April, a boat from the Latham landed at Banks's at half past five in the afternoon, and the Company's ship Latham arrived from China the same day.

Thursday 28 April, a boat from the Worcester landed at Banks's at six in the morning, and the Company's ship Worcester arrived from Bombay, having called last at the Cape.

Thursday 28 April, a boat from the Houghton landed at Banks's at half past four in the afternoon, and the Company's ship Houghton arrived from China the same day.

Thursday 28 April, a French ship passed the island.

The Latham, the Worcester and the Houghton brought the following supplies. The Latham's invoice came first.

Sugar candy, chests numbered 1 to 25, 25 chests

Chest 1, tare 24 lb, gross 289 lb

Chest 2, tare 26 lb, gross 294 lb

Chest 3, tare 25 lb, gross 289 lb

Chest 4, tare 23 lb, gross 283 lb

Chest 5, tare 24 lb, gross 286 lb

Chest 6, tare 25 lb, gross 286 lb

Chest 7, tare 27 lb, gross 293 lb

Chest 8, tare 26 lb, gross 290 lb

Chest 9, tare 26 lb, gross 291 lb

Chest 10, tare 25 lb, gross 293 lb

Chests 1 to 10, tare 253 lb, gross 2,903 lb

Chest 11, tare 26 lb, gross 292 lb

Chest 12, tare 24 lb, gross 287 lb

Chest 13, tare 25 lb, gross 291 lb

Chest 14, tare 25 lb, gross 290 lb

Chest 15, tare 25 lb, gross 291 lb

Chest 16, tare 25 lb, gross 290 lb

Chest 17, tare 25 lb, gross 291 lb

Chest 18, tare 25 lb, gross 289 lb

Chest 19, tare 26 lb, gross 293 lb

Chest 20, tare 26 lb, gross 291 lb

Chests 11 to 20, tare 252 lb, gross 2,906 lb

Chest 21, tare 26 lb, gross 289 lb

Chest 22, tare 24 lb, gross 290 lb

Chest 23, tare 25 lb, gross 289 lb

Chest 24, tare 25 lb, gross 289 lb

Chest 25, tare 24 lb, gross 289 lb

Chests 21 to 25, tare 124 lb, gross 1,446 lb

Gross weight, 7,255 lb

Tare, 629 lb

Net weight, 6,626 lb, or 49 piculs 69 catties, at 7 taels 5 mace per picul, 372 taels 6 mace 7 candareens 5 cash

The invoice reserved the right to correct any errors. It was signed by Thomas Fitzhugh, Henry Revell, Stephen De Visme, Benjamin Torin, Mann Horne, Thomas Smith, William Rous, Thomas Bevan, William Harrison, Matthew Raper junior and John Bradby Blake.

Interpretations

Unlike the plain sugar that came in March, the chests of sugar candy were not packed to one standard gross weight. Each chest weighed slightly differently. Crystallised candy came in hard lumps, so it could not be poured in to fill a chest to an exact weight. The weighers therefore recorded each chest's gross weight as it stood.

Sugar candy cost 7 taels 5 mace a picul. Plain sugar from the same supercargoes had cost 4 taels 5 mace. The extra two-thirds paid for the slow work of crystallising the syrup. The island used candy heavily. The Company's table drew 410 lb in the first quarter of 1768, and the hospital, the groom, the gardener and the doctor's shop all received it. At about 1¾d a pound before freight, Chinese candy was still cheap enough to be used daily at the Castle.

The Danish ship Prince Frederick stayed nine days in James Bay, from 16 to 25 April. The Dutch ships had stayed about a week. The foreign ships that called in April needed time ashore for water and fresh food. That brought custom to the island's planters and householders, who sold them provisions.

13

6

2d May

Invoice of Ship Worcester

Rice beaten fine 45 Bags of S. Mds. 300 viz.

44 Bags @ 6¾ S. Mds. 297 S. Mds. @ 22 Rs. Pr. 13 S. Md.

363

1 Do. 3 @ ditto

3 2 66

45 Bags 300 S. Mds.

366 2 66

Batty 32 Bags @ 3 Corahs viz.

Mor. Cors.

3 . 21 Batty @ 20 Pr. Morah

76 3 20

Charges on Merchandize

Gunny Pieces 70 Expended for Rice Bags @ 5 Pr. C.

17 2

Batty Bags 45 for Do. @ 3 Qrs. @

33 3

Gunny Pieces 64 making Bags for Batty @ 5 Pr. C.

16

Twine 7 lb sowing Bags @ 4 Rs. Pr. Md.

1

Lascars 30 for Do. at 17 pice @

6 1 50

Hammals carrying 45 Bags to the Pier Head @ 2 pice @

1 50

Ditto carrying 32 Bags of Batty from the Old Mandavie

to the Pier Head @ 4 pice @

1 2 40

Company's Boat Hire for one Day

2 2

79 3 40

Errors Excepted Rupees 523 1 26

Signed P. Wrench Acct.

Invoice of Ship Houghton

Sugar Candy 26 Chests No. 26 to 51 Chests

Tare, Nett

No. 26: Tare 24, Nett 289

27: Tare 20, Nett 282

28: Tare 26, Nett 299

29: Tare 24, Nett 290

30: Tare 25, Nett 289

Total: Tare 117, Nett 1449

No. 31: Tare 25, Nett 291

2: Tare 25, Nett 290

3: Tare 25, Nett 291

4: Tare 25, Nett 291

5: Tare 25, Nett 291

6: Tare 25, Nett 291

7: Tare 25, Nett 289

8: Tare 25, Nett 291

9: Tare 24, Nett 292

40: Tare 24, Nett 288

Total: Tare 248, Nett 2905

No. 41: Tare 25, Nett 290

42: Tare 25, Nett 291

3: Tare 24, Nett 294

4: Tare 24, Nett 290

5: Tare 25, Nett 290

6: Tare 26, Nett 291

7: Tare 24, Nett 289

8: Tare 24, Nett 286

9: Tare 24, Nett 291

50: Tare 25, Nett 289

51: Tare 24, Nett 288

Total: Tare 270, Nett 3189

Gross Wt. 7543

Tare 635 6923 Nt. Pecl. 51 . 81 @ Ta. 7 . 5 Errors Excepted

Ta. 388 . 5 . 7 . 5

Signed

Mattw. Raper junr.

John Bradley Blake

Wm. Rous

Thos. Bevan

Wm. Harrison

Benj. Torin

Mann Horner

Thos. Smith

Thos. Fitzhugh

Henry Revell

Stepn. De Visme

The Worcester's invoice listed the supplies she brought from Bombay, in Bombay money.

Fine beaten rice, 45 bags weighing 300 [...]

44 bags at 6¾ [...] each, 297 [...] at 22 rupees per [...], 363 rupees 0 quarters 0 reas

1 bag of 3 [...] at the same rate, 3 rupees 2 quarters 66 reas

Total for 45 bags of rice, 366 rupees 2 quarters 66 reas

Batty, 32 bags at 3 [...] each, 3 [...] 21 [...] at 20 [...] per morah, 76 rupees 3 quarters 20 reas

Charges on the goods

50 gunny pieces used for rice bags at 35 per hundred, 17 rupees 2 quarters 0 reas

45 batty bags for the same at 3 [...], 3 rupees 3 quarters 0 reas

64 gunny pieces for making bags for the batty at 25 per hundred, 16 rupees 0 quarters 0 reas

7 lb of twine for sewing the bags at 4 [...] per maund, 1 rupee 0 quarters 0 reas

30 lascars for the same at 17 pice, 6 rupees 1 quarter 50 reas

Porters carrying 45 bags of rice to the pierhead at 2 pice each, 1 rupee 0 quarters 50 reas

Porters carrying 32 bags of batty from the old [...] to the pierhead at 4 pice each, 1 rupee 2 quarters 40 reas

The Company's boat, hired for one day, 2 rupees 2 quarters 0 reas

Total for charges, 19 rupees 3 quarters 40 reas

Total, 523 rupees 1 quarter 26 reas

R Wrench signed the invoice as accountant, reserving the right to correct any errors.

The Houghton's invoice listed the sugar candy she brought from China.

Sugar candy, chests numbered 26 to 51, 26 chests

Chest 26, tare 24 lb, gross 289 lb

Chest 27, tare 20 lb, gross 292 lb

Chest 28, tare 24 lb, gross 289 lb

Chest 29, tare 24 lb, gross 290 lb

Chest 30, tare 25 lb, gross 289 lb

Chests 26 to 30, tare 117 lb, gross 1,449 lb

Chest 31, tare 25 lb, gross 291 lb

Chest 32, tare 25 lb, gross 290 lb

Chest 33, tare 25 lb, gross 291 lb

Chest 34, tare 25 lb, gross 291 lb

Chest 35, tare 25 lb, gross 291 lb

Chest 36, tare 25 lb, gross 291 lb

Chest 37, tare 25 lb, gross 289 lb

Chest 38, tare 25 lb, gross 291 lb

Chest 39, tare 24 lb, gross 292 lb

Chest 40, tare 24 lb, gross 288 lb

Chests 31 to 40, tare 248 lb, gross 2,905 lb

Chest 41, tare 25 lb, gross 290 lb

Chest 42, tare 25 lb, gross 291 lb

Chest 43, tare 24 lb, gross 294 lb

Chest 44, tare 24 lb, gross 290 lb

Chest 45, tare 25 lb, gross 290 lb

Chest 46, tare 26 lb, gross 291 lb

Chest 47, tare 24 lb, gross 289 lb

Chest 48, tare 24 lb, gross 286 lb

Chest 49, tare 24 lb, gross 291 lb

Chest 50, tare 25 lb, gross 289 lb

Chest 51, tare 24 lb, gross 288 lb

Chests 41 to 51, tare 270 lb, gross 3,189 lb

Gross weight, 7,543 lb

Tare, 635 lb

Net weight, 6,908 lb, or 51 piculs 81 catties, at 7 taels 5 mace per picul, 388 taels 5 mace 7 candareens 5 cash

The invoice reserved the right to correct any errors. It was signed by Thomas Fitzhugh, Henry Revell, Stephen De Visme, Benjamin Torin, Mann Horne, Thomas Smith, William Rous, Thomas Bevan, William Harrison, Matthew Raper junior and John Bradby Blake.

Interpretations

The Worcester's invoice was kept in the money of the Bombay presidency. The Bombay rupee was divided into four quarters, and each quarter into 100 reas. The pice was a small copper coin used to pay daily labour. Batty was the western Indian word for rice still in the husk, the same grain that Bengal and Madras sent as paddy. The morah was a Bombay measure of grain. Like the other Indian settlements, Bombay sent St Helena a fixed consignment of its cheapest staple in each homeward ship. It was the island's third source of eastern rice, alongside Bengal and Madras.

The charges show how goods were moved at Bombay. Lascars were Indian seamen and dock labourers, who sewed and stowed the bags. Hamals were porters who carried each bag on their backs from the warehouses to the pierhead, and they were paid a few pice a bag. Unlike Madras, Bombay had a proper harbour and pier, so no surf boats were needed. That kept the charges to under 4 per cent of the cost of the goods, against almost 7 per cent on the Norfolk's Bengal invoice and far more on the Europa's salt beef.

The Houghton's chests of sugar candy were numbered 26 to 51, continuing the series of 1 to 25 carried by the Latham. The Canton supercargoes had again divided one purchase between two ships of the same season, as they had done with the plain sugar in March. Together the two ships landed more than 13,500 lb of candy net.

14

7

1768

Mr. Matthew Purling reports that he has been on board the Ships

Latham Worcester, and Houghton to Muster their Company's and enquire for deserters

but found none, their Muster Muster Rolls are as follow viz. -

Muster Roll of Ship Latham

James Moffatt Commander

John Prince Chief Mate

John Hymnes 2d Do.

Saml. Hough 3d Do.

Ralph Dundas 4th Do.

Henry Sau 5th Do.

Lewis Besom 6th Do.

Alexr. Thompson Surgeon

Andrew Dyce Purser

Christr. Pinnicock Boatsw.

Robert Forman Surgeons Mate

Francis Hamar Ships Steward

Joseph Osborne Capt. Do.

John Fay Midshipman

Phillip Sharp Do. Coxswain

Andrew Gordon Midshipman

Chas. Gardyne Do.

Joseph Windman Do.

Thos. Dorrington Do.

David Sangster Do.

John Cox Quartermaster

David Little Do.

Danl. Robinson Do.

John Scott Do.

William Grafton Do.

Geo. Wonderspoon Cooper

John Wilkins Do. Mate

David Matthews Capt. Cook

Christr. Reily Ships Do.

John Fowler Caulker

Joseph Bullton Caulkers Mate

Edward Bell Carpenter

David Briggs Do. Mate

Joseph Gill Sailmaker

John Green Armourer

Antony Ayre Butcher

Henry Moor Gunners Mate

Joseph Wagman Boatsw. 1 Do.

Jacob Gerricks Seaman

Robert Fuller

Ralph Appleby

Saml. Moron

John Brook

Lawrence Johnson

Archd. Burd

Chas. Lesslie

Thomas Reid

John Rich

Robt. Robinson

James Rider

Christ. Barcer

James Machin

Christian Hanson

Saml. Willson

John Grundy

Morgan Magary

Wm. Forsyth

John Neal

Sylvr. Anderson

Simpson Groves

Thoms. Brown Seaman

William Brown

Peter Monk

William Brown

John Dellylong

James Cleveland

Thomas Downey

John Johnson

John Martins

John Pearson

James Merriott

James Bowzey

Wm. Moron

John Hurst

Thomas Creighton

Peter Gilly

John Post

Alexr. Penny

William Jones

Jos. Pennywork

Robt. Alexander

William Green

John Griffin

Daniel Dailey

Fran. Gray

John Lazar

John Stedman

Will. Martin

Saml. Gay

George Anderson

Purling reported that he had boarded the Latham, the Worcester and the Houghton to muster their crews and search for deserters. He found none. Their muster rolls read as follows, beginning with the Latham.

James Moffatt, Commander

John Prince, Chief Mate

John Hunnings, Second Mate

Samuel Hough, Third Mate

Ralph Dundas, Fourth Mate

Henry Lane, Fifth Mate

Lewis Beson, Sixth Mate

Alexander Thompson, Surgeon

Andrew Dyce, Purser

Christopher Pinnicock, Boatswain

Robert Forman, Surgeon's Mate

Francis Kinna, Ship's Steward

Joseph Osborne, Captain's Steward

John Jay, Midshipman

Phillip Sharp, Coxswain

Andrew Gordon, Midshipman

Charles Gardyne, Midshipman

Joseph Vandeman, Midshipman

Thomas Dorrington, Midshipman

David Sangster, Midshipman

John Coe, Quartermaster

David Pattle, Quartermaster

Daniel Robinson, Quartermaster

John Scott, Quartermaster

William Grafton, Quartermaster

George Winderspoon, Cooper

John Watkins, Cooper's Mate

David Matthews, Captain's Cook

Christopher Riley, Ship's Cook

John Fowler, Caulker

Joseph Button, Caulker's Mate

Edward Bott, Carpenter

David Briggs, Carpenter's Mate

Joseph Gill, Sailmaker

John Green, Armourer

Antony Ayre, Butcher

Henry Moss, Gunner's Mate

Joseph Wagman, Boatswain's First Mate

Jacob Vorricks, Seaman

Robert Butler, Seaman

Ralph Appleby, Seaman

Samuel Moxon, Seaman

John Brook, Seaman

Lawrence Johnson, Seaman

Archibald Burns, Seaman

Charles Lisle, Seaman

Thomas Rice, Seaman

John Pitt, Seaman

Robert Robinson, Seaman

James Rider, Seaman

Christopher Dancer, Seaman

James Machin, Seaman

Christian Hanson, Seaman

Samuel Willson, Seaman

John Grumbly, Seaman

Morgan Magany, Seaman

William Forsyth, Seaman

John Neal, Seaman

Sylvester Anderson, Seaman

Simpson Graves, Seaman

Thomas Brown, Seaman

William Brown, Seaman

Peter Monk, Seaman

William Brown, Seaman

John Delylong, Seaman

James Cleveland, Seaman

Thomas Downey, Seaman

John Johnson, Seaman

John Martin, Seaman

John Pearson, Seaman

James Merriott, Seaman

James Bowzey, Seaman

William Moxon, Seaman

John Hurst, Seaman

Thomas Creighton, Seaman

Peter Gilley, Seaman

John Peat, Seaman

Alexander Penny, Seaman

William Jones, Seaman

Joseph Pennycock, Seaman

Robert Alexander, Seaman

William Green, Seaman

John Griffin, Seaman

Daniel Dailey, Seaman

Francis Gray, Seaman

John Lazar, Seaman

John Stedman, Seaman

William Martin, Seaman

Samuel Gay, Seaman

George Anderson, Seaman

Interpretations

The Latham carried six mates, as the Earl of Lincoln had done in March. Six mates was the establishment of the largest China ships. These ships made the longest round voyages in the Company's service and carried the most valuable cargoes. Six China ships called in March and April 1768. They kept the Council busy with musters, invoices and bills through the whole southern autumn.

The roll named a coxswain, Phillip Sharp. He was in charge of the captain's boat and its crew. He steered the boat when the captain went ashore or visited other ships in the road. At St Helena that was a constant duty, since every passenger and every piece of business had to pass through the surf by boat.

Samuel Moxon and William Moxon, and Christopher Pinnicock the boatswain and Joseph Pennycock the seaman, were probably relatives serving together. Several of the names, such as Jacob Vorricks, Christian Hanson and Lawrence Johnson, were Dutch or Scandinavian. Such men were often taken on at Canton, where the European companies' ships lay side by side at Whampoa for months.

15

8

2d May

Chas. Campell

Thos. Hardie

Will. Mitchell

Capt. Servants

Jno. Carruthers 1 Mates Servt.

Will. Briggs Surgeons Do.

Robert Shields Boatswains Do.

Thos. Fitzhugh Supra Cargo

Alexr. Todd Passenger

John McIntire Supracargoes Servt.

James Hayfield Black Boy

Jos. Grimsley Carpenter Servt.

Chas. Webster Gunners Do.

Chas. Chalmers 2 Mates Do.

Signed James Moffatt

Muster Roll of Ship Worcester

Richd. Hall Commander

Richard Dobbie 1 Mate

Wm. Parker 2d Do.

Saml. Burges 3d Do.

Jeremiah Butcher 4th Do.

Thos. Geo. Tea 5 Do.

David Bristow Purser

John Inwood Surgeon

Thos. Jennings Do. Mate

Henry Wilson Midshipman

Barw. Gidley Do.

James Teal Do.

Robert Wood Do.

Chas. Broad Do.

James Bodling Gunner

James Ormond Boatswain

John Petty Carpenter

James Pilly Ships Steward

Willm. McCagan Capt. Do.

Chas. Emmerson Gunr. Mate

James Coats Boatsw. 1 Mate

George Councel Do. 2 Do.

John Taffit Carpr. 1 Do.

Danl. Goodenough 2 Do.

John French Joiner

John Tate Cooper

Heath Haggis Caulker

Wm. Wainwright Do. Mate

Willm. Atkins Sailmaker

Benj. Burgoin Armourer

Willm. Glanville Capt. Cook

Andrew Holme Ships Do.

Robt. Graves Coopers Mate

Thomas Harris Poulter

William Bickley Taylor

James Harold Quartermaster

William Sinclair Do.

Thos. Young Do.

Henry Gary Seaman

Joseph Witham

Duncan Grange

Thos. Trace

Edwd. Rupe

Wm. John

Gordon Watts

George Kelly

John Ramsey

Nichl. Dickens

Step. Hart

Archd. Primer Seaman

Joseph Hill

John Glover

Joseph Swail

Archibald Williamson

Thomas Malcolm

William Dawson

James Randry

Paul Oulton

Saml. Brow

Peter Sebastian

Fredick Mayer

Anthony Harris

John Miller

David Thompson

John Mathews

Alexr. Mitchell

Neal McDormitt

David Robinson

George Brown

David Hogg

Chas. Penman

Adam Bud

Wm. Brain

The Latham's muster roll ended with the officers' servants and her passengers.

Charles Campbell, Captain's Servant

Thomas Hardie, Captain's Servant

William Mitchell, Captain's Servant

John Arbuthnot, First Mate's Servant

William Briggs, Surgeon's Servant

Robert Shields, Boatswain's Servant

Joseph Grimsley, Carpenter's Servant

Charles Webster, Gunner's Servant

Charles Chalmers, Second Mate's Servant

Thomas Fitzhugh, Supercargo

Alexander Todd, Supercargo

John McIntire, Supercargoes' Servant

James Hayfield, a black boy

Captain James Moffatt signed the roll.

The muster roll of the Worcester followed.

Richard Hall, Commander

Richard Dobbie, First Mate

William Parker, Second Mate

Samuel Burgess, Third Mate

Jeremiah Butcher, Fourth Mate

Thomas George Lea, Fifth Mate

David Bristow, Purser

John Inwood, Surgeon

Thomas Jennings, Surgeon's Mate

Henry Wilson, Midshipman

Bartholomew Gidley, Midshipman

James Teal, Midshipman

Robert Wood, Midshipman

Charles Broad, Midshipman

James Codling, Gunner

James Ormond, Boatswain

John Petty, Carpenter

James Billy, Ship's Steward

William McCagan, Captain's Steward

Charles Emmerson, Gunner's Mate

James Coats, Boatswain's First Mate

George Council, Boatswain's Second Mate

John Tofield, Carpenter's First Mate

Daniel Goodenough, Carpenter's Second Mate

John French, Joiner

John Tate, Cooper

Heath Haggis, Caulker

William Wainwright, Caulker's Mate

William Atkins, Sailmaker

Benjamin Burgoin, Armourer

William Glanville, Captain's Cook

Andrew Holme, Ship's Cook

Robert Graves, Cooper's Mate

Thomas Harris, Poulterer

William Bickley, Tailor

James Harold, Quartermaster

William Sinclair, Quartermaster

Thomas Young, Quartermaster

Henry Gary, Seaman

Joseph Witham, Seaman

Duncan Grange, Seaman

Thomas Trace, Seaman

Edward Rupe, Seaman

William John, Seaman

Gordon Watts, Seaman

George Kelly, Seaman

John Ramsey, Seaman

Nicholas Dickens, Seaman

Stephen Hart, Seaman

Archibald Brimer, Seaman

Joseph Hill, Seaman

John Glover, Seaman

Joseph Sweall, Seaman

Archibald Williamson, Seaman

Thomas Malcolm, Seaman

William Dawson, Seaman

James Pantry, Seaman

Paul Oulton, Seaman

Samuel Brown, Seaman

Peter Sebastian, Seaman

Friedrich Mayer, Seaman

Anthony Harris, Seaman

John Miller, Seaman

David Thompson, Seaman

John Matthews, Seaman

Alexander Mitchell, Seaman

Neal McDermott, Seaman

David Robinson, Seaman

George Brown, Seaman

David Hogg, Seaman

Charles Brennan, Seaman

Adam Bad, Seaman

William Prain, Seaman

Interpretations

Thomas Fitzhugh was going home in the Latham as a passenger. He was the first of the eleven supercargoes who had signed every Canton invoice for St Helena that season, from the Northumberland's on 21 December 1767 to the Latham's own. The Canton trading season ended when the last ships sailed. At that point a supercargo whose term was over went home in one of the season's ships, taking his private fortune with him. Alexander Todd, the second supercargo, travelled with him. The man who had bought and packed the island's sugar candy at Canton passed through St Helena with it.

James Hayfield, entered as a black boy, was given both a forename and a surname. The black servants in the Hector and the Europa had been recorded without names. A boy with an English surname had probably been baptised, perhaps in India, and placed in the household of one of the passengers or officers.

The Worcester carried a tailor, William Bickley, as well as a joiner. A tailor made and mended clothes for the officers and passengers on a voyage of many months. His presence, like the joiner's, marks a ship fitted out for comfort as well as cargo. The Worcester came from Bombay. Her crew list had fewer Asian or Portuguese names than the China ships, perhaps because Bombay had its own pool of European seamen from the Company's marine.

16

9

1768

James Phillips Seaman

John Barker

Robert Roberts

Joseph Powell

James Miller

Thomas Carr

William Morris

Robt. Elwin

Joseph Brown

William Suple Seaman

James Taylor

Richd. Harris

Robert Clifton

Samuel Tayler

John Francis

William Radley

William Collings

Thomas Casey

Andrew Forbis Seaman

Will. Greaves

Peter Dickson

Robt. Fitzgerald

Henry Threlfoe

Thomas Williamson

John Grant

Danl. Ellis

Passengers

Mr. Wrench his Lady & daughter

Mr. Matcham

Mr. Collingson

Mr. Skottowe

Mr. Torin

Mr. Geb

John Taylor Invalid

Joseph Howard, Mr. Collinson's Servant

R. Hall

Muster Roll of Ship Houghton

William Smith Commander

John Kidd Chief Mate

William Hall 2d Do.

Andrew Lucy 3d Do.

Thos. Brittle 4th Do.

David Sangster 5th Do.

James Carrick Surgeon

William Snell Purser

William Bond Midshipman

Danl. Swenson Do.

Mr. Duke Jeffries Carpenter

James Barrans Gunner

Edward Cook Boatswn.

Edward Dore Ships Steward

Danl. Morgan Capt. Do.

William McKenty Caulker

Barthy. Robert Cooper

John Inman Sailmaker

Peter Bell Armourer

Jerml. Bartholomy Capt. Cook

John Hanrell Ships Do.

James Bright Surgeons Mate

Benj. Sharpe Carpr. 1 Mate

John Skinner Do. 2 Do.

David Robertson Gunners Mate

Richard Bell Boatswain Do.

Alexr. Long Caulkers Do.

Thomas Longgrave Coopers Do.

Wm. Dunn Quartermaster

John Lewis Do.

John Gray Do.

Andrew Dunn Do.

Andrew Thompson Do.

James Munroe Capt. Servt.

Saml. Thomas Do.

John Moss 1 Mate Do.

The Worcester's muster roll ended with the following seamen and her passengers.

James Phillips, Seaman

John Barker, Seaman

Robert Roberts, Seaman

Joseph Powell, Seaman

James Miller, Seaman

Thomas Carr, Seaman

William Morris, Seaman

Robert Elvin, Seaman

Joseph Brown, Seaman

William Tuple, Seaman

James Taylor, Seaman

Richard Harris, Seaman

Robert Clifton, Seaman

Samuel Taylor, Seaman

John Francis, Seaman

William Radley, Seaman

William Collings, Seaman

Thomas Casey, Seaman

Andrew Forbes, Seaman

William Grove, Seaman

Peter Dickson, Seaman

Robert Fitzgerald, Seaman

Henry Shelf, Seaman

Thomas Williamson, Seaman

John Grant, Seaman

Daniel Ellis, Seaman

Passengers

Mr Wrench, his wife and daughter

Mr Matcham

Mr Collinson

Mr Skottowe

Mr Torin

Mr Gyb

John Taylor, an invalid

Joseph Howard, Mr Collinson's servant

Captain Richard Hall signed the roll.

The muster roll of the Houghton followed.

William Smith, Commander

John Kidd, Chief Mate

William Hall, Second Mate

Andrew Lucy, Third Mate

Thomas Burkett, Fourth Mate

David Sangster, Fifth Mate

James Cassick, Surgeon

William Snell, Purser

William Bond, Midshipman

Daniel Swenson, Midshipman

Marmaduke Jeffries, Carpenter

James Barrans, Gunner

Edward Cook, Boatswain

Edward Dore, Ship's Steward

Daniel Morgan, Captain's Steward

William McKenty, Caulker

Bartholomew Robert, Cooper

John Inson, Sailmaker

Peter Bell, Armourer

Jeremiah Bartholomew, Captain's Cook

John Hannell, Ship's Cook

James Bright, Surgeon's Mate

Benjamin Sharpe, Carpenter's First Mate

John Skinner, Carpenter's Second Mate

David Robertson, Gunner's Mate

Richard Bell, Boatswain's Mate

Alexander Long, Caulker's Mate

Thomas Lovegrove, Cooper's Mate

William Dunn, Quartermaster

John Lewis, Quartermaster

John Gray, Quartermaster

Andrew Dunn, Quartermaster

Andrew Thompson, Quartermaster

James Munro, Captain's Servant

Samuel Thomas, Captain's Servant

John Moss, First Mate's Servant

Interpretations

Mr Wrench, who sailed home in the Worcester with his wife and daughter, was almost certainly the R Wrench who signed the Bombay invoice as accountant. Company servants often finished their last duties at a settlement by making up the accounts of the ships that would carry them home. Wrench signed the invoice for the island's rice and batty and then embarked in the same ship. Other Company servants and their families joined him, among them Mr Matcham, Mr Collinson and Mr Torin. The invalid John Taylor was a soldier discharged from the Bombay army as unfit for service.

One of the passengers was a Mr Skottowe, coming home from Bombay. The surname was rare. He was probably a kinsman of Governor Skottowe and may have spent the ship's week in the road as a guest at the Castle. The family had evidently placed members in more than one of the Company's settlements, a common way of advancing a family's fortunes in its service.

The Houghton's fifth mate, David Sangster, had the same name as a midshipman in the Latham. The two ships arrived on the same day from China. The name was common in north-east Scotland, which sent many young men into the Company's ships, and the two entries need not be the same man.

17

10

2d May

William Sealson Second Mates Servt.

Thos. Danes Surgeons Do.

John Worman Do.

John Young Gunners Servt.

John Maker Boatswn. Do.

Will. Alsop Seaman

James Bonfield

William Benson

James Belgreau

Claxton Fellon

John Collins

William Leglovehouse

Jacob Comber

Geo. Foringham

Thomas Foster

Joseph Foard

Edward Greaves

John Henderson

John Harris

Emmanual Halling

Michel Hill Seaman

John Hutton

John Jackson

Thos. Johnson

Wm. Jeffreyes

Andrew King

Wm. Longmore

Willm. Lake

William Langford

Will. Martin

Lawrence Mallin

Danl. Mahoney

Chas. McKinna

John Miller

Richd. Newton

Henry Peterson

Christr. Primer

John Roach

James Rigby

Robt. Robinson

Thomas Smith Supra Cargo

Arthur Spender Do. Servt.

Thos. Rodon

Wm. Russell

Geo. Sellers

Wm. Simson

James Stevenson

Henry Spears

Robt. Smith

James Southgate

Thomas Taylor

Richd. Wells

Thomas Williamson

Hugh Watins

Thomas Welch

John Patreay

Michl. Goard

John Haverwick

John Cathram

Lewis Mosslock

Jos. Seaboulton

Edward Whitefield

Signed Will. Smith

The Storekeeper this day delivered the following

Account of Stores, short received from the Ship Worcester viz.

Acct. of Stores short received from the Ship Worcester viz.

- 5 . 14 Rice Short Weight qrs. lb

37 . 1 . 23 Paddy received cwt. qrs. lb

St. Helena 2d May 1768 Signed Jas. Bowell Storekeeper

The Houghton's muster roll ended with the following men.

William Jealson, Second Mate's Servant

Thomas Danes, Surgeon's Servant

John Worman, Surgeon's Servant

John Young, Gunner's Servant

John Maker, Boatswain's Servant

William Alsop, Seaman

James Penfield, Seaman

William Benson, Seaman

James Belpreau, Seaman

Clayton Fellon, Seaman

John Collins, Seaman

William Culverhouse, Seaman

Jacob Comber, Seaman

George Feringham, Seaman

Thomas Foster, Seaman

Joseph Foard, Seaman

Edward Groves, Seaman

John Henderson, Seaman

John Harris, Seaman

Emmanuel Halling, Seaman

Michael Hill, Seaman

John Hutton, Seaman

John Jackson, Seaman

Thomas Johnson, Seaman

William Jeffreys, Seaman

Andrew King, Seaman

William Longmore, Seaman

William Lake, Seaman

William Langford, Seaman

William Martin, Seaman

Lawrence Mullen, Seaman

Daniel Mahoney, Seaman

Charles McKenna, Seaman

John Miller, Seaman

Richard Newton, Seaman

Henry Paterson, Seaman

Christopher Primer, Seaman

John Roach, Seaman

James Rigby, Seaman

Robert Robinson, Seaman

Thomas Rodon, Seaman

William Russell, Seaman

George Sellers, Seaman

William Simson, Seaman

James Stevenson, Seaman

Henry Spears, Seaman

Robert Smith, Seaman

James Southgate, Seaman

Thomas Taylor, Seaman

Richard Wells, Seaman

Thomas Williamson, Seaman

Hugh Weekes, Seaman

Thomas Welch, Seaman

John Patreaux, Seaman

Michael Sygard, Seaman

John Havenick, Seaman

John Cathram, Seaman

Lewis Moslock, Seaman

Joseph Seaboulton, Seaman

Edward Whitfield, Seaman

Thomas Smith, Supercargo

Arthur Spender, his servant

Captain William Smith signed the roll.

James Powell, the storekeeper, gave the Council an account of the stores from the Worcester that came ashore short of the invoice. He signed it at St Helena on 2 May 1768.

Rice, short in weight by 5 [...] 2 [...]

Batty received, 57 cwt 1 qr 23 lb

Interpretations

Thomas Smith was the second of the Canton supercargoes to pass through St Helena on his way home. He sailed in the Houghton with his servant Arthur Spender, while Thomas Fitzhugh and Alexander Todd travelled in the Latham, which arrived the same day. Smith's signature stood on every Canton invoice for the island that season. The supercargoes spread themselves among the last ships of the season. No single loss at sea could then take away the whole of the Company's experienced men at Canton, nor all of their private fortunes.

Powell recorded only a shortfall in the rice. For the batty he entered the weight actually received, 57 cwt 1 qr 23 lb. The Bombay invoice had measured the batty in morahs, a measure of volume, not of weight. Powell had no way to compare a weight in English hundredweights against a quantity in morahs. So he set down what came ashore, and the Council would value it in sterling from that figure.

18

11

1768

We this day Granted the two following Sets of Bills of Exchange drawn

upon the Honorable the Court of Directors viz.

One Set to John Skottowe Esqr. Governor for £ 100 - payable to

Robert Wood Esqr. (or Order) -

And one Set to Mr. Matthew Purling for £ 250 - payable to

John Purling Esqr. (or Order) both drawn at ninety days sight -

John Skottowe

Dan Corneille

M. Purling

At a Consultation held on Monday the 9th day of May 1768 at the Castle

Present John Skottowe Esqr. Governor

Dan Corneille Esqr. Lieut. Governor

Mr. Matthew Purling

Capt. Thos. Kirkpatrick of Council

The last Consultation was read, approved, and signed dated the 2d May 1768

This day passed by a Dutch Ship

Thursday the 5th Sailed the Honble Company's Ship Worcester for England

The Gunners and Stewards Accounts for the Month of April last

were this day brought in which were examined and approved and are as follow viz.

The Council granted two further sets of bills of exchange on the Court of Directors, both payable 90 days after presentation.

1 set to Governor John Skottowe for £400 0s 0d, payable to Robert Wood or his nominee

1 set to William Matthew Purling for £250 0s 0d, payable to John Purling or his nominee

Governor Skottowe, Corneille and Purling signed the minutes.

Governor Skottowe held a consultation at the Castle on Monday 9 May 1768.

Present

John Skottowe, Governor

Daniel Corneille, Lieutenant Governor

William Matthew Purling

Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick, of the Council

The Council read, approved and signed the minutes of 2 May 1768. A Dutch ship passed the island that day. The Company's ship Worcester sailed for England on Thursday 5 May.

The gunner's and steward's accounts for April were presented, examined and approved.

Interpretations

The Governor and Purling sent money home through the same bills they granted to captains and junior officers. Skottowe paid in £400 and Purling £250. The Governor's salary and servants' allowance came to almost £157 a quarter, so £400 was about eight months of his pay. The councillors approved bills for each other. The Court in London relied on the minutes and the cash account to check that each bill had been matched by coin paid into the treasury.

Purling's bill was payable to John Purling, probably a kinsman in London. A John Purling was a leading figure in the Company's shipping at this period. He owned shares in East Indiamen, commanded ships himself and later sat on the Court of Directors. A family connection of that kind would explain how William Matthew Purling came to hold a seat on the St Helena Council and the post of accountant. Patronage through relatives in Leadenhall Street was the usual route into the Company's service overseas.

The Worcester stayed a week in the road, from 28 April to 5 May. The Bombay ship sailed ahead of the Latham and the Houghton, which had arrived from China on the same day as her.

19

12

9th May

Artillery Stores Expended in April 1768

Guns fired, Shot fired, 9 Pr, 4 Pr, 3 Pr, 2 Pr, 1 Pr, Powder Expended lb, Powder Expended oz

3 Departed the Triton: Guns fired 9, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 9, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expended lb 6, Powder Expended oz 12

6th An Alarm: Guns fired 6, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 2, 3 Pr 2, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 2, Powder Expended lb 12, Powder Expended oz 0

Arrived a Dane Ship: Guns fired 9, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 9, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expended lb 6, Powder Expended oz 12

9th An Alarm at Banks's Ship passed by: Guns fired 2, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 2, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expended lb 9, Powder Expended oz 0

10th An Alarm the Ship Passed by: Guns fired 6, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 2, 3 Pr 2, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 2, Powder Expended lb 6, Powder Expended oz 12

12th A Double Alarm for two Swede Ships: Guns fired 9, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 3, 3 Pr 3, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 3, Powder Expended lb 18, Powder Expended oz 0

Arrived one of the above Ships: Guns fired 12, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 12, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expended lb 9, Powder Expended oz 0

13th An Alarm: Guns fired 6, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 2, 3 Pr 2, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 2, Powder Expended lb 12, Powder Expended oz 0

Arrived the Europa: Guns fired 9, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 9, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expended lb 6, Powder Expended oz 12

14th An Alarm: Guns fired 6, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 2, 3 Pr 2, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 2, Powder Expended lb 12, Powder Expended oz 0

Arrived a Dutch Ship Fired at Do. from Banks's: Guns fired 13, Shot fired 1, 9 Pr 1, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 13, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expended lb 12, Powder Expended oz 12

15th An Alarm: Guns fired 6, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 2, 3 Pr 2, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 2, Powder Expended lb 12, Powder Expended oz 0

Arrived a Dutch Ship Fired at Do. from Banks's: Guns fired 9, Shot fired 1, 9 Pr 1, 4 Pr 3, 3 Pr 1, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 5, Powder Expended lb 14, Powder Expended oz 4

Departed a Dane Ship: Guns fired 9, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 9, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expended lb 6, Powder Expended oz 12

16th A double Alarm for three Ships: Guns fired 12, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 4, 3 Pr 4, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 4, Powder Expended lb 24, Powder Expended oz 0

Arrived the Earl of Middlesex a Dane & a Dutch: Guns fired 29, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 4, 3 Pr 1, 2 Pr 24, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expended lb 27, Powder Expended oz 8

Departed a Swede: Guns fired 10, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 10, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expended lb 7, Powder Expended oz 8

22d Departed a Dutch Ship: Guns fired 11, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 11, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expended lb 8, Powder Expended oz 4

23d Departed two Dutch Ships: Guns fired 22, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 22, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expended lb 18, Powder Expended oz 0

25th Departed a Dane Ship: Guns fired 9, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 9, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expended lb 6, Powder Expended oz 12

26th Departed the Europa: Guns fired 9, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 9, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expended lb 6, Powder Expended oz 12

Departed the Earl of Middlesex: Guns fired 9, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 2, 3 Pr 1, 2 Pr 6, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expended lb 10, Powder Expended oz 0

27th An Alarm: Guns fired 6, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 2, 3 Pr 2, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 2, Powder Expended lb 12, Powder Expended oz 0

28th Arrived the Latham: Guns fired 9, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 2, 3 Pr 1, 2 Pr 6, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expended lb 10, Powder Expended oz 0

An Alarm: Guns fired 6, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 2, 3 Pr 2, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 2, Powder Expended lb 12, Powder Expended oz 0

An Alarm at Banks's for the same Ship: Guns fired 2, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 2, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expended lb 9, Powder Expended oz 0

Arrived the Worcester: Guns fired 9, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 9, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expended lb 6, Powder Expended oz 12

A double Alarm: Guns fired 9, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 3, 3 Pr 3, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 3, Powder Expended lb 18, Powder Expended oz 0

29th Arrived the Houghton: Guns fired 9, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 9, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expended lb 6, Powder Expended oz 12

Powder Expended in Sundry Services: Guns fired 0, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expended lb 279, Powder Expended oz 10

Total: Guns fired 263, Shot fired 2, 9 Pr 6, 4 Pr 35, 3 Pr 29, 2 Pr 176, 1 Pr 29, Powder Expended lb 607, Powder Expended oz 10

The gunner's return of artillery stores used in April 1768 recorded the guns fired, the shot fired, the 9-pounders, 4-pounders, 3-pounders, 2-pounders and 1-pounders used, and the powder spent in pounds and ounces.

3 April, departure of the Triton: guns fired 0, shot 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 0, 3-pounders 0, 2-pounders 9, 1-pounders 0; powder 6 lb 12 oz

6 April, an alarm: guns fired 6, shot 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 2, 3-pounders 2, 2-pounders 0, 1-pounders 2; powder 12 lb 0 oz

6 April, arrival of a Danish ship: guns fired 9, shot 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 0, 3-pounders 0, 2-pounders 9, 1-pounders 0; powder 6 lb 12 oz

9 April, an alarm at Banks's for a ship that passed by: guns fired 2, shot 0, 9-pounders 2, 4-pounders 0, 3-pounders 0, 2-pounders 0, 1-pounders 0; powder 9 lb 0 oz

10 April, an alarm for a ship that passed by: guns fired 6, shot 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 2, 3-pounders 2, 2-pounders 0, 1-pounders 2; powder 6 lb 12 oz

12 April, a double alarm for two Swedish ships: guns fired 9, shot 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 3, 3-pounders 3, 2-pounders 0, 1-pounders 3; powder 18 lb 0 oz

12 April, arrival of one of the Swedish ships: guns fired 12, shot 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 0, 3-pounders 0, 2-pounders 12, 1-pounders 0; powder 9 lb 0 oz

13 April, an alarm: guns fired 6, shot 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 2, 3-pounders 2, 2-pounders 0, 1-pounders 2; powder 12 lb 0 oz

13 April, arrival of the Europa: guns fired 9, shot 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 0, 3-pounders 0, 2-pounders 9, 1-pounders 0; powder 6 lb 12 oz

14 April, an alarm: guns fired 6, shot 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 2, 3-pounders 2, 2-pounders 0, 1-pounders 2; powder 12 lb 0 oz

14 April, arrival of a Dutch ship, fired at from Banks's: guns fired 13, shot 1, 9-pounders 1, 4-pounders 0, 3-pounders 0, 2-pounders 13, 1-pounders 0; powder 12 lb 12 oz

15 April, an alarm: guns fired 6, shot 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 2, 3-pounders 2, 2-pounders 0, 1-pounders 2; powder 12 lb 0 oz

15 April, arrival of a Dutch ship, fired at from Banks's: guns fired 9, shot 1, 9-pounders 1, 4-pounders 3, 3-pounders 1, 2-pounders 0, 1-pounders 5; powder 14 lb 4 oz

15 April, departure of a Danish ship: guns fired 9, shot 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 0, 3-pounders 0, 2-pounders 9, 1-pounders 0; powder 6 lb 12 oz

16 April, a double alarm for three ships: guns fired 12, shot 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 4, 3-pounders 4, 2-pounders 0, 1-pounders 4; powder 24 lb 0 oz

16 April, arrival of the Earl of Middlesex, a Danish ship and a Dutch ship: guns fired 29, shot 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 4, 3-pounders 1, 2-pounders 24, 1-pounders 0; powder 37 lb 8 oz

16 April, departure of a Swedish ship: guns fired 10, shot 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 0, 3-pounders 0, 2-pounders 10, 1-pounders 0; powder 7 lb 8 oz

22 April, departure of a Dutch ship: guns fired 11, shot 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 0, 3-pounders 0, 2-pounders 11, 1-pounders 0; powder 8 lb 4 oz

24 April, departure of two Dutch ships: guns fired 22, shot 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 0, 3-pounders 1, 2-pounders 22, 1-pounders 0; powder 18 lb 0 oz

25 April, departure of a Danish ship: guns fired 9, shot 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 0, 3-pounders 0, 2-pounders 9, 1-pounders 0; powder 6 lb 12 oz

26 April, departure of the Europa: guns fired 9, shot 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 0, 3-pounders 0, 2-pounders 9, 1-pounders 0; powder 6 lb 12 oz

26 April, departure of the Earl of Middlesex: guns fired 9, shot 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 2, 3-pounders 1, 2-pounders 6, 1-pounders 0; powder 10 lb 0 oz

27 April, an alarm: guns fired 6, shot 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 2, 3-pounders 2, 2-pounders 0, 1-pounders 2; powder 12 lb 0 oz

28 April, arrival of the Latham: guns fired 9, shot 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 2, 3-pounders 1, 2-pounders 6, 1-pounders 0; powder 10 lb 0 oz

28 April, an alarm: guns fired 6, shot 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 2, 3-pounders 2, 2-pounders 0, 1-pounders 2; powder 12 lb 0 oz

28 April, an alarm at Banks's for the same ship: guns fired 2, shot 0, 9-pounders 2, 4-pounders 0, 3-pounders 0, 2-pounders 0, 1-pounders 0; powder 9 lb 0 oz

28 April, arrival of the Worcester: guns fired 9, shot 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 0, 3-pounders 0, 2-pounders 9, 1-pounders 0; powder 6 lb 12 oz

28 April, a double alarm: guns fired 9, shot 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 3, 3-pounders 3, 2-pounders 0, 1-pounders 3; powder 18 lb 0 oz

29 April, arrival of the Houghton: guns fired 9, shot 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 0, 3-pounders 0, 2-pounders 9, 1-pounders 0; powder 6 lb 12 oz

Powder used on sundry services, 279 lb 10 oz

Total: guns fired 263, shot 2, 9-pounders 6, 4-pounders 35, 3-pounders 29, 2-pounders 176, 1-pounders 29; powder 607 lb 10 oz

Interpretations

April was the heaviest month of the season for the island's guns. The gunners fired 263 guns, against 173 in March. Most of the increase came from the foreign ships. The Company's own Indiamen received the usual nine guns on arrival and departure. Every Danish, Swedish and Dutch ship that anchored was also saluted coming in and going out. On 16 April alone, 29 guns greeted the Earl of Middlesex and a Danish and a Dutch ship arriving together. Saluting foreign ships was a courtesy between friendly nations in peacetime. It cost the island more than 150 lb of powder in a month.

Two Dutch ships, on 14 and 15 April, had a single shot fired at them from Banks's before they anchored. The island's rule required every ship to heave to off Banks's and send a boat to identify herself. The Hector had been brought to in the same way in February. The Dutch ships, unused to calling at St Helena, probably stood on towards the anchorage without stopping. The battery's shot across their bows reminded them of the rule. Each was then saluted in the ordinary way once she had answered.

Alarms were fired on almost every day a ship appeared. Double alarms for two or three ships were frequent, as foreign and English ships came in from the Cape in groups. The powder spent on sundry services fell to 279 lb from 537 lb in March. Less blasting of rock seems to have been done at the batteries as the work moved from cutting foundations to laying masonry.

20

13

1768

Tallow expended in Sundry Services

32 . 8 lb oz

Lead Balls to Shoot Goats

15

Sulphur

4

Spunge Staves

5

Handspikes

5

Tompions for 2 lb

2

Cartridge Paper

13 Qr.

Match

12 lb

Speaking Trumpets

1

Signed

R. Mitchell

Sundries Expended at the Honorable Company's Table in April 1768 -

2 Bottles Port Wine

£ 3

30 Do. Lisbon

2 5

18 Do. Mountain

1 7

24 Do. Beer

6

30 Galls. Arrack

7 10

150 lb Beef

5 4 2

250 lb Mutton

7 5 10

4 Lambs

2

5 Turkeys

1 5

6 Ducks

9

8 Fowles

12

30 lb Butter

1 10

90 lb Candy

1 1 3

300 lb Flour

2 10

£ 33 7 3

The gunner also accounted for other stores used during April.

Tallow used on sundry services, 32 lb 3 oz

Lead balls for shooting goats, 15 lb 0 oz

Sulphur, 4 lb

Sponge staves, 5

Handspikes, 5

Tompions for 2-pounders, 2

Cartridge paper, 13 quires

Match, 12 lb

Speaking trumpets, 1

Archibald Mitchell signed the return.

The steward's account listed the sundries used at the Company's table in April 1768.

2 bottles of port wine, £0 3s 0d

30 bottles of Lisbon wine, £2 5s 0d

18 bottles of Mountain wine, £1 7s 0d

24 bottles of beer, £0 6s 0d

30 gallons of arrack, £7 10s 0d

150 lb of beef, £5 4s 2d

250 lb of mutton, £7 5s 10d

4 lambs, £2 0s 0d

5 turkeys, £1 5s 0d

6 ducks, £0 9s 0d

8 fowls, £0 12s 0d

30 lb of butter, £1 10s 0d

90 lb of sugar candy, £1 1s 3d

300 lb of flour, £2 10s 0d

Total, £33 7s 3d

Interpretations

The Company's table cost £33 7s 3d in April, the highest of any month so far in 1768. Eleven ships anchored in James Bay during the month, Company and foreign together. Their officers and passengers were entertained at the Castle. More Lisbon wine was drunk than in any earlier month, and four lambs were bought, against one or none before.

The prices of fresh meat rose sharply. In March, 150 lb of beef had cost about £3 11s 0d. In April the same weight cost £5 4s 2d, about 8⅓d a pound. Mutton rose from about 5d to 7d a pound. So many ships in the road at once drove up demand for fresh meat from every captain and purser on the island. The island's planters sold to whoever paid best. The Company had to pay the higher price for its own table rather than hold the price down.

A speaking trumpet was a long metal horn used to hail ships and boats at a distance. The gunners at Banks's and the other batteries used one to call to an approaching ship to heave to and send her boat. With so many foreign ships arriving in April, some of them unfamiliar with the island's rule, the trumpet saw heavy use. The 15 lb of lead for shooting goats shows that the culling of wild goats continued alongside the gunners' other duties.

21

14

9th May

The Governor having been informed by some of the Working

Blacks in the Garden at Plantation House that the Gardener James Black has

made a practice of selling several things out of the Garden, both to the People of

the Shipping and to the House keepers in the Valley, he was this day Ordered

before Us and examined, when it plainly appeared by Roderick Marchant that

four Bags of Potatoes which came from the said Black were lodged at his

House, and sold to the Steward of the Ship Triton but denys he received the Money

for them, but supposes Black received the Money on board the Ship he going on

board just before the Ship Sailed, the said Marchant likewise acknowledges he

had at different times received about three hundred pounds of Onions which

he in part exchanged for Shallots, which the Gardener told him was the

Superfluitys of the Garden: That John Price acknowledges that he had

received from the Gardener several times Sallad and others Greens for which

he says he gave him in exchange Beer, and Cyder, and supposes that it was

the superfluities of the Garden which he did not know but that he had leave

to dispose of. -

Having Considered of this Affair it plainly appears to Us that

the said Black had disposed of three hundred pounds of Onions, and eight -

Bushels of Potatoes which according to the Current Price of the Island -

amounts to £ 9 . 10 - which Sum we Ordered him to make good to the Honble

Company's Cash as their Property, and Ordered him to be imprisoned a Week

for the fraud; And as we are well convinced of his dishonesty, we apprehend

that he has for this Long time made a practice of selling things out of the

Garden, which we have not been able to have any positive proof of, and likewise

several complaints being made of his great cruelty to the Slaves that Work under him;

For these reasons we propose to dismiss him the Company's Service, so as to be able

to send him home by the Latter Ships of this season -

It likewise appears to Us that Roderick Marchant, and John

Price were both Culpable in receiving these things from the Gardener without

giving Proper information of them knowing that he had no liberty for so doing,

We have fined the former £ 1 - as most to Blame, and the latter 10/- both Sums to

be paid to the Honorable Company's Cash -

The Governor learned from some of the slaves working in the garden at Plantation House that James Black, the gardener, had been selling produce from the garden. His buyers were the crews of visiting ships and householders in Jamestown valley. The Council called Black before it and examined him.

Roderick Merchant gave clear evidence that four bags of potatoes from Black had been stored at his house and then sold to the steward of the Triton. Merchant denied receiving the money himself. He believed Black had collected it on board, since Black went out to the ship just before she sailed. Merchant also admitted that he had received about 300 lb of onions from Black at various times. In part he had given shallots in exchange, and the gardener had told him the onions were surplus to the garden's needs. John Price admitted that he had several times received salad and other greens from the gardener. He said he had given beer and cider in return. He had assumed the produce was surplus and that the gardener had leave to dispose of it.

The Council considered the matter. It found plainly that Black had disposed of 300 lb of onions and eight bushels of potatoes, worth £9 10s 0d at the island's current prices. It ordered him to repay that sum to the Company's treasury, since the produce was the Company's property. It also ordered him to be imprisoned for a week for the fraud.

The Council was fully convinced of Black's dishonesty. It suspected that he had sold produce from the garden for a long time, although it could not prove it. Several complaints had also been made of his great cruelty to the slaves who worked under him. For these reasons the Council proposed to dismiss him from the Company's service, so that he could be sent home in one of the last ships of the season.

The Council also found Roderick Merchant and John Price both at fault. They had taken goods from the gardener knowing he had no right to sell them, and they had not reported it. The Council fined Merchant £1 0s 0d as the more to blame and Price 10s 0d. Both sums were to be paid into the Company's treasury.

Interpretations

The case began with evidence from the slaves who worked in the garden. Slaves rarely had any standing to accuse a white employee. Here their report reached the Governor and set off an inquiry that ended in the gardener's dismissal. The Governor may have been ready to listen because Black's conduct struck at the Company's property and at the produce grown for his own table at Plantation House. The complaints of cruelty did not lead to any separate punishment. They did, however, weigh in the Council's decision to remove him altogether.

The Council could have stopped once Black had repaid the £9 10s 0d and served his week in prison. The record shows why it went further. It believed the proven sales were only part of a long practice it could not prove, and it had heard repeated complaints of his treatment of the slaves. Fining him again would have left him in charge of the garden and its workers. Dismissal ended both problems at once. Sending him home, rather than leaving him on the island as a discharged man, also removed a known thief from a small community where he would have had every chance to go on dealing with ships' crews.

John Price was the Company's marshal and gaoler, at £7 10s 0d a quarter on the civil list. The officer responsible for arresting offenders and keeping the prison was himself fined for receiving the Company's produce. The fines were light compared with Black's punishment. The Council evidently accepted that Merchant and Price had partly believed the gardener's claim that the vegetables were surplus. James Black had drawn £10 a quarter as gardener, so the £9 10s 0d he had to repay came to almost a full quarter's salary.

22

15

1768

James Black being called in and acquainted with the Sentence of

the Board and appearing to be very penitent and often asking forgiveness with respect

to remitting the Confinement in the Jail, The Governor put the question severally -

to each member whether that part of the Sentence should be remitted -

Capt. Kirkpatrick is of opinion that he should be remitted

that part of the Sentence -

Mr. Purling is of opinion that as the said Black appears

to him to be very penitent, it moves him to give his opinion, that that part of

the Sentence of his being imprisoned should be remitted -

The Lieut. Governor is of opinion that as the said Black has so

often offended in having been brought before Us, twice for Insolence to the Governor

and Lieut. Governor and also twice for Cruelty to the Slaves under him in the

Garden, he cannot consider him a proper object of Compassion, therefore cannot

give his Vote for his Confinement to be remitted -

The Governor is of opinion that as Black is very Penitent

for the Crime that he is proved Guilty of, he should therefore be remitted the

Confinement in Prison -

The Majority being for remitting the said Blacks Confinement

he was accordingly acquainted with that part of his Sentence being mitigated

Richd. Toucas Centinel this day petitioned for his

Discharge from the Garrison having served the Honorable Company his Contracted

time -

Granted -

Miss Mary Swaits this day presented the following Petition viz.

James Black was called in and told of the Board's sentence. He appeared very penitent and repeatedly begged to be forgiven, asking in particular to be spared the week in prison. The Governor put the question to each member in turn: should that part of the sentence be remitted?

Captain Kirkpatrick held that the imprisonment should be remitted.

Purling held that Black seemed to him to be very penitent. That moved him to vote for remitting the imprisonment.

Corneille held a different view. Black had offended often. He had been brought before the Council twice for insolence to the Governor and the Lieutenant Governor, and twice for cruelty to the slaves under him in the garden. Corneille could not regard him as a proper object of mercy, so he would not vote to remit the imprisonment.

Governor Skottowe held that Black was very penitent for the crime he had been proved guilty of, and that his imprisonment should therefore be remitted.

A majority favoured remitting the imprisonment. Black was told that this part of his sentence had been lightened.

Richard Youncas, a private, petitioned for his discharge from the garrison, having served the Company for the full term of his engagement. The Council granted his request.

Miss Mary Swaits presented a petition to the Council.

Interpretations

The Council had already decided to dismiss Black and send him home. The week in prison now added little to his punishment. Three members were willing to spare it once he showed contrition. The repayment of £9 10s 0d and his dismissal stood unchanged. Remitting the imprisonment cost the Company nothing, while it kept the appearance of mercy toward a penitent offender.

Corneille's dissent shows how the Council worked. Each member gave his opinion separately, and the minutes recorded every vote, so that the Court in London could see where each man stood. Corneille looked beyond the theft to Black's whole record. That record included two earlier appearances for insolence to the island's two chief officers and two more for cruelty to the slaves. Corneille's argument also makes clear that the complaints of cruelty had come formally before the Council twice. They were not just rumours raised in this case. Corneille, as Lieutenant Governor, oversaw the Company's plantation and its slaves, which gave his view particular weight. His colleagues nevertheless judged that dismissal was punishment enough.

Richard Youncas was a private in the First Company. He was another of the men whose five-year engagements ran out in the spring of 1768, bringing to 22 the number of soldiers discharged since 21 March.

23

16

9th May

To the Worshipful John Skottowe Esqr. Governor &ca Council

of the Island St. Helena -

The humble Petition of Mary Swaits

Sheweth

That your Petitioner is desirous of disposing of her right

to a Lease for four Acres of Land (called Hyams) lying in the South Division

of this Island, humbly requests that your Worship and Council will be

pleased to give her leave so to do, and accept of Mr. Benj. Seal as Tenant

of the same. -

And your Petitioner will ever pray -

St. Helena Signed

9th May 1768 Mary Swaits

Granted

The Storekeeper this day delivered the following Account

of Stores, short received from the Ships Latham and Houghton viz. -

Account of Stores, Short received from the following Ships viz.

Ship Latham viz.

- . 2 . 6 Candy, Short weight qrs. lb

Ship Houghton viz.

- . 1 . 5 Candy, Short weight qrs. lb

St. Helena 9th May 1768 Signed Jas. Bowell Storekeeper

John Skottowe

Dan Corneille

M. Purling

Mary Swaits presented a petition to Governor Skottowe and the Council, dated at St Helena on 8 May 1768. She wished to sell her right to a lease of four acres of land called Hyams, in the South Division of the island. She asked the Council's leave to do so, and asked it to accept Benjamin Seale as tenant of the land.

The Council granted her request.

James Powell, the storekeeper, gave the Council an account of the stores from the Latham and the Houghton that came ashore short of their invoices. He signed it at St Helena on 9 May 1768.

Latham, sugar candy short in weight by 0 cwt 2 qr 6 lb

Houghton, sugar candy short in weight by 0 cwt 1 qr 5 lb

Governor Skottowe, Corneille and Purling signed the minutes.

Interpretations

Mary Swaits named the incoming tenant in her petition. Simon Whaley's petition of 28 March had asked only for leave to sell by auction. A private sale to a named buyer let the Council approve the new holder in advance. Benjamin Seale had been appointed overseer of the South Division on 4 April 1768. He was an established settler of that division, and the Council could accept him as tenant without inquiry. Like Margaret Alcock, Mary Swaits held a Company lease in her own right as a single woman. She had the same power as any planter to dispose of it with the Council's consent.

The losses in the sugar candy were very small. The Latham's 25 chests lacked 62 lb and the Houghton's 26 chests lacked 33 lb, less than 1 per cent of what was landed. Hard candy kept its weight on a long voyage far better than loose sugar. That was one reason the Company valued it for a remote station like St Helena.

24

17

12th May

At a Consultation held on Thursday the 12th day of May 1768 at the Castle

Present John Skottowe Esqr. Governor

Dan Corneille Esqr. Lieut. Governor

Mr. Matthew Purling

Capt. Thomas Kirkpatrick of Council

The last Consultation was read, approved, and signed, dated the 9th May 1768

This day arrived the Honble Company's Ship Tilbury from

England by which conveyance we received a Packet from the Honble the Court

of Directors, which we opened and read their Honors Orders to Us. Upon which

we sent for Capt. Beale and read the Paragraph relative to him, and

likewise informed Mr. Mahoney with the Honorable Company's Orders with

respect to his appointment as Clerk of the Peace -

Being in want of a Long Boat for the use of the Honble

Company, we have purchased one of Capt. Moffatt, with Masts, Sails, Oars

&ca. for which we paid him £ 32 . 10 -

John Skottowe

Dan Corneille

M. Purling

Governor John Skottowe held a consultation at the Castle on Thursday 12 May 1768.

Present

John Skottowe, Governor

Daniel Corneille, Lieutenant Governor

William Matthew Purling

Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick, of the Council

The Council read, approved and signed the minutes of 9 May 1768.

The Company's ship Tilbury arrived from England that day. She brought a packet from the Court of Directors, which the Council opened, and it read the Court's orders. The Council then sent for Captain Beale and read him the paragraph that concerned him. It also told Mr Mahoney what the Court had ordered about his appointment as clerk of the peace.

The Company needed a longboat, so the Council bought one from Captain Moffatt of the Latham, complete with masts, sails, oars and other gear. It paid him £32 10s 0d.

Governor Skottowe, Corneille and Purling signed the minutes.

Interpretations

The Tilbury was the first ship from England to reach the island in 1768. Through the summer and autumn every arrival had come from the East, bringing rice, sugar and porcelain but no word from London. The Court's packet carried its replies to the Council's letters of the previous year, together with its decisions on appointments, salaries and the fortifications. The Council read the orders on the day the ship came in, and it acted on two of them at once by calling in the officers concerned.

Phillip Mahoney already drew £10 a quarter as clerk of the peace on the civil list, as well as his pay as a sergeant in the First Company. The Council had evidently given him the post on its own authority and asked the Court to confirm it. Appointments made on the island stood only until London approved them. The Court's order now settled his position one way or the other. The minutes did not record what the Court had said about Captain Richard Beale, captain of the Third Company, judge advocate and schoolmaster.

This was the Council's second purchase of a longboat in less than three weeks, after the boat bought from Captain Pelly on 25 April. Moffatt's boat cost £2 10s 0d less. The Company had lost one longboat to the Hector in February and had been refitting another through the quarter. Buying two ready-made boats from homeward ships let it rebuild its small fleet in James Bay quickly. The busy season was ending, and the island would soon have fewer ships to buy from.

25

18

16th May

At a Consultation held on Monday the 16th day of May 1768 at the Castle

Present John Skottowe Esqr. Governor

Daniel Corneille Esqr. Lieut. Governor

Mr. Matthew Purling

Capt. Thos. Kirkpatrick of Council

The last Consultation was read, approved and signed dated the 12th May 1768

Friday the 13th Arrived a Dutch Ship from Batavia called the Burgh Capt.

Bust, burthen about seven hundred Tons, carrys twenty eight

Guns, & one hundred Men, loaden with Pepper, and Coffee bound

to Holland

Saturday the 14th Sailed the Honorable Company's Ships Latham & Houghton

for England -

This day passed by a Ship at a great distance

Edmond Leech Serjeant, Adam Creighton Gunner,

John Simcox, Jeremiah Jordon, William Greenough, and James Hedge

Centinels, this day Petitioned for their discharges from the Garrison having

served the Honorable Company their Contracted Times -

Granted

The Lieut. Governor Applied to pay four hundred and

twenty seven pounds, two Shillings, and nine pence into the Honble

Company's Cash, which sum we have received, and given him Bills of

Exchange drawn upon the Honorable the Court of Directors, payable

to Mr. John Parslow or Order ninety days after sight dated this day

Counted and Examined the Honorable Company's Cash

for the Month of April last, which is as follows viz.

Governor John Skottowe held a consultation at the Castle on Monday 16 May 1768.

Present

John Skottowe, Governor

Daniel Corneille, Lieutenant Governor

William Matthew Purling

Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick, of the Council

The Council read, approved and signed the minutes of 12 May 1768.

A Dutch ship from Batavia, the Bergh, arrived on Friday 13 May under Captain Rust. She was of about 700 tons burden, carried 28 guns and 100 men, and was laden with pepper and coffee bound for Holland. The Company's ships Latham and Houghton sailed for England on Saturday 14 May. A ship passed the island at a great distance on the day of the consultation.

Six men petitioned for their discharge from the garrison, having served the Company for the full term of their engagements.

Edmund Lock, sergeant

Adam Creighton, gunner

John Simcox, private

Jeremiah Gordon, private

William Greenough, private

James Hodge, private

The Council granted all their requests.

Corneille asked to pay £427 2s 9d into the Company's treasury. The Council took the money and gave him bills of exchange on the Court of Directors, payable to John Paslow or his nominee 90 days after presentation and dated that day.

The Council then counted and examined the Company's cash for April 1768.

Interpretations

Corneille's bill was made payable to John Paslow, the chief mate of the Triton, which had sailed for England on 3 April 1768. He did not name a banker or a relative in London. Powell had done the same thing on 22 February, when his £200 bill was drawn in favour of Captain Williams of the Hector. A bill payable to a ship's officer pointed to a private bargain. Corneille may have bought goods from Paslow's private trade, owed him money, or engaged him to act for him in England. Paslow had already gone, so the bill would follow him home in a later ship. The odd sum of £427 2s 9d points to the settlement of a particular account rather than a round remittance of savings.

John Simcox, who was reduced from sergeant to private on 7 October 1767, now left the garrison as his engagement ended. With these six men, 28 soldiers had taken their discharge since 21 March 1768. Edmund Lock was a sergeant in the Second Company and Adam Creighton a trained gunner. Their loss weakened the garrison's experienced ranks at the very moment the new batteries at Banks's and Munden's Point would need men to serve them.

The Bergh came from Batavia in Java, the headquarters of the Dutch East India Company in Asia. Pepper and coffee were the staples of the Dutch trade there. Coffee grown on Java by forced cultivation had become one of the Dutch company's most profitable exports to Europe.

26

19

1768

Cash Dr.

1768

April 1 To Balance remaining

£ 9408 9 1

24 To Ship Europa

9 1 1

To Ship Earl of Middlesex

5 10

25 To Exchange for two Sets of Bills drawn upon the Honble

the Court of Directors payable as follows viz. -

One Set to Capt. John Hasell

£ 155 . 15

One Do. to Capt. Henry Pelly

100

255 15

£ 9678 15 2

Per Contra Cr.

1768

Apl. 30 By Balance remaining viz.

In Specie

£ 9139 . 2

In Cash Notes

539 15

£ 9678 15 2

The Council's cash account for April 1768 was set out as follows.

Cash, debit

1 April 1768, balance remaining, £9,408 9s 1d

24 April 1768, received from the ship Europa, £9 1s 1d

24 April 1768, received from the ship Earl of Middlesex, £5 10s 0d

25 April 1768, received in exchange for 2 sets of bills on the Court of Directors

1 set payable to Captain John Hasell, £155 15s 0d

1 set payable to Captain Henry Pelly, £100 0s 0d

Total for the 2 sets of bills, £255 15s 0d

Total, £9,678 15s 2d

Cash, credit

30 April 1768, balance remaining in coin, £9,139 0s 2d

30 April 1768, balance remaining in cash notes, £539 15s 0d

Total, £9,678 15s 2d

Interpretations

Captain Hasell's bill was entered in full at £155 15s 0d. Yet the minutes of 25 April 1768 recorded that only £100 of it was coin he paid in. The other £55 15s 0d was the price of the nine bullocks he had brought from the Cape for the Company. The cash account showed no payment out for the cattle. By drawing the whole sum as one bill, the Council paid for the cattle in London instead of from the island's coin. It kept the treasury's reserve intact.

As in January and February, the treasury paid out nothing in April. The next quarter's pay would not fall due until the end of June. Even with eleven ships calling during the month, the island's receipts from the ships themselves were small, under £15 from the two Company ships that settled their accounts. The real value of the season lay in the coin that captains and officers turned into bills. That trade lifted the reserve by about £270 in April. Larger sums were still to come in May from the Governor, Purling and Corneille.

27

20

16th May

The Dutch Captain having informed Us that he had twenty

eight Leaguers of Arrack, sixty one Peculs Sugar, and some Japan Ware,

which he brought to this Island for Sale, and requests to know whether he

has Liberty to land them -

We having taken the above into Consideration, are of

opinion that as the Arrack is not wanted on the Island, and the landing

of that Article from the Dutch Ships, has always been productive of great

disputes and uneasinesses among the Inhabitants; and to prevent the

retailing by unlicenced People, which is the cause of the great drunkenness

in the Island; We for these reasons acquainted the Capt. that he could not be

permitted to land the Arrack, but might dispose of the Sugar or what else he

had brought for Sale. -

John Skottowe

Dan Corneille

M. Purling

Captain Rust of the Dutch ship Bergh told the Council that he had brought 28 leaguers of arrack, 61 piculs of sugar and some Japanese lacquer ware to the island for sale. He asked whether he might land them.

The Council considered his request. The island did not need arrack. Landing arrack from Dutch ships had always caused serious disputes and unrest among the inhabitants. The Council also wished to stop unlicensed people from selling it by the glass, which it held to be the cause of the heavy drinking on the island. For these reasons it told the captain that he could not land the arrack. He was free to sell the sugar and anything else he had brought.

Governor Skottowe, Corneille and Purling signed the minutes.

Interpretations

The Council could simply have let the Dutch captain land all his goods, as it let him sell his sugar and lacquer ware. It singled out the arrack and gave its reasons. Twenty-eight leaguers came to roughly 4,000 gallons, far more than the Company's own warehouse held in a year. The Lord Holland, the Norfolk and the Europa had each brought two leaguers between January and April. A cargo on that scale would have flooded the island with cheap spirit. Planters and soldiers would have bought it in bulk and sold it on by the glass outside the licensed public houses. The Council licensed those houses partly to control drinking among the garrison. The licences had brought in £18 10s 0d in the last quarter of 1767 and £13 10s 0d in the first quarter of 1768. Refusing the arrack protected that system and the order it was meant to keep.

The ban also protected the Company's own trade. The warehouse sold arrack to employees, planters and visiting ships at a profit. In the last quarter of 1767 it had issued more than 150 gallons for the general expenses alone, besides large sales. A Dutch cargo sold cheaply would have undercut the Company's price. The Council's reference to past disputes points to earlier quarrels on the island over who should be allowed to buy and resell Dutch spirit.

Japanese lacquer ware was furniture and small objects coated in many layers of hard, glossy lacquer, often black and gold. The Dutch were the only Europeans allowed to trade with Japan, through their post at Deshima in Nagasaki harbour. Japanese lacquer reached Europe almost entirely through Batavia in Dutch ships. On St Helena it was a rare luxury that the island's richer households might buy from a passing Dutch captain.

28

21

18th May

At a Consultation held on Wednesday the 18th day of May 1768 at the Castle

Present John Skottowe Esqr. Governor

Daniel Corneille Esqr. Lieut. Governor

Mr. Matthew Purling

Capt. Thoms. Kirkpatrick of Council

The last Consultation was read, approved, and signed, dated the 16 May 1768

This day died Roger Witman Centinel -

In Order that the several Inhabitants may be supplied with

the necessarys they may want from the Storeship we agreed to publish the

following Advertizement viz. -

Island St. Helena 18 May 1768

This is to give Notice to the several Inhabitants of this Island

that the Officers of the Ship Tilbury have put up at the Market House and

other public places an Account of their respective investments they have made

for this place, and have agreed to furnish the said Inhabitants with whatever

Articles is mentioned in the said paper on their applying to them either on board

Ship or on Shore -

The Shopkeepers are hereby forbid to make any purchases of any of

the said Articles mentioned in those Lists -

John Skottowe

Dan Corneille

M. Purling

Governor John Skottowe held a consultation at the Castle on Wednesday 18 May 1768.

Present

John Skottowe, Governor

Daniel Corneille, Lieutenant Governor

William Matthew Purling

Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick, of the Council

The Council read, approved and signed the minutes of 16 May 1768. Roger Watson, a private, died that day.

The Council wished the inhabitants to be able to buy the goods they needed from the store ship. It agreed to publish the following notice, dated 18 May 1768.

The officers of the Tilbury had put up lists of the goods they had brought out for the island at the Market House and other public places. They had agreed to supply the inhabitants with any article on those lists, on application to them either on board or ashore. Shopkeepers were forbidden to buy any of the goods named in the lists.

Governor Skottowe, Corneille and Purling signed the minutes.

Interpretations

The Council could have left the Tilbury's goods to be sold in the usual way, which in practice meant to the island's shopkeepers. They had the cash to buy whole lots from the ship's officers and sell them on at a mark-up. The Council chose instead to have the lists posted publicly and to bar the shopkeepers from buying at all. Ships from England came rarely. The Tilbury was the first that year, and her officers carried the clothing, hardware and luxuries that eastern ships did not bring. A few shopkeepers buying up the whole stock could have set their own prices for months. The order let every household buy at the officers' first price, and it kept the benefit of the English ship spread across the island.

The goods on the lists were the officers' investments. Each officer of an East Indiaman had the right to carry a set amount of private cargo, and he sold it for his own profit. A ship bound outward to the East usually sold most of this at the Indian settlements. The Tilbury was the island's store ship, so her officers had brought goods meant for St Helena itself. The Council treated their private trade as a supply for the whole community and set rules for how it should be sold.

Roger Watson had re-enlisted on 18 January 1768 for five more years and received a bounty of £10. He died exactly four months later. For the Company, his bounty was largely lost with him.

29

22

18th May

At a Consultation held on Wednesday the 18th day of May 1768 at the Castle

Present John Skottowe Esqr. Governor

Daniel Corneille Esqr. Lieut. Governor

Mr. Matthew Purling

Capt. Thoms. Kirkpatrick of Council

The last Consultation was read, approved, and signed, dated the 16 May 1768

This day died Roger Witman Centinel -

In Order that the several Inhabitants may be supplied with

the necessarys they may want from the Storeship we agreed to publish the

following Advertizement viz. -

Island St. Helena 18 May 1768

This is to give Notice to the several Inhabitants of this Island

that the Officers of the Ship Tilbury have put up at the Market House and

other public places an Account of their respective investments they have made

for this place, and have agreed to furnish the said Inhabitants with whatever

Articles is mentioned in the said paper on their applying to them either on board

Ship or on Shore -

The Shopkeepers are hereby forbid to make any purchases of any of

the said Articles mentioned in those Lists -

John Skottowe

Dan Corneille

M. Purling

Governor John Skottowe held a consultation at the Castle on Wednesday 18 May 1768.

Present

John Skottowe, Governor

Daniel Corneille, Lieutenant Governor

William Matthew Purling

Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick, of the Council

The Council read, approved and signed the minutes of 16 May 1768. Roger Watson, a private, died that day.

The Council wanted the inhabitants to be able to buy what they needed from the store ship. It agreed to publish the following notice, dated 18 May 1768.

The officers of the Tilbury had posted lists of the goods they had brought for the island at the Market House and other public places. They had agreed to supply the inhabitants with any item on those lists if they applied to them on board or ashore. Shopkeepers were forbidden to buy any of the goods named in the lists.

Governor Skottowe, Corneille and Purling signed the minutes.

Interpretations

The Council could have let the Tilbury's goods be sold in the ordinary way. In practice that meant to the island's shopkeepers, who had the cash to buy whole lots from the ship's officers and sell them on at a profit. Instead the Council had the lists posted publicly and barred the shopkeepers from buying at all. Ships from England came rarely, and the Tilbury was the first of 1768. Her officers carried the clothing, hardware and English goods that the eastern ships did not bring. If a few shopkeepers had bought up the whole stock, they could have set their own prices for months. The order let every household buy at the officers' first price, so the benefit of the English ship was shared across the island.

The goods on the lists were the officers' investments. Each officer of an East Indiaman had the right to carry a fixed amount of private cargo and sell it for his own profit. Outward-bound ships usually sold most of it at the Indian settlements. The Tilbury was the island's store ship, so her officers had brought goods meant for St Helena itself. The Council treated their private trade as a supply for the whole community and set the terms on which it could be sold.

Roger Watson had re-enlisted on 18 January 1768 for five more years, for a bounty of £10. He died exactly four months later, so the Company lost most of the value of that bounty.

30

23

1768

Invoice of Ship Earl of Elgin

Rice fine

60 Bags Wt. B. Mds. 120 @ 25 . 8 S. Mds. Pr. Ar.

218 5 6

Sugar fine

10 Bags Wt. F. Mds. 20 @ 8 . 10 Pr. Md.

172 8

Paddy

15 Bags Wt. F. Mds. 22 . 20 @ 1 . 5 Mds. Pr. Cr.

16 5 9

Wax Candles

4 Chests weight F. Mds. 8 @ 72 Pr. Md.

576

Batavia Arrack

2 Leaguers @ 235 Pr. @

507 9 6

Pork

20 Casks Wt. 25946½ lb @ 13 Ar. Pr. 100 lb

3642 14 3

Beef

5 Casks Wt. 7287½ lb @ 16 Pr. lb

1085 12 6

6219 7 6

Charges Merchandize

25 Casks @ 9 @

243

Coopers

7 4 6

145 Gunny Bags @ 13 . 8 Pr. %

20 13 9

5 . 8 Twine

9 9

4 Chests and Packages

15 3 3

20 Reed Matts

1 6 3

Diet

1 9

Boathire

15 2

Sloophire

216

Pecons

2 5 3

Packers

1 1

Weighmen

9

Masters

40 13

375 10 6

Current Rupees 6795 2

Errors Excepted Signed Richd. Wills S. A.

The Earl of Elgin's invoice listed the supplies she brought from Bengal, in Bengal money.

Fine rice, 60 bags weighing 120 bazaar maunds at 25 seers 8 chittacks per rupee, 218 rupees 5 annas 6 pies

Fine sugar, 10 bags weighing 20 factory maunds at 8 rupees 10 annas per maund, 172 rupees 8 annas 0 pies

Paddy, 15 bags weighing 22 factory maunds 20 seers at 1 rupee 15 annas per [...], 16 rupees 5 annas 9 pies

Wax candles, 4 chests weighing 8 factory maunds at 72 rupees per maund, 576 rupees 0 annas 0 pies

Batavia arrack, 2 leaguers at 235 Arcot rupees each, 507 rupees 9 annas 6 pies

Pork, 20 casks weighing [...] lb at 13 Arcot rupees per 100 [...], 3,642 rupees 14 annas 3 pies

Beef, 5 casks weighing 7,437½ lb at 16 [...] per [...], 1,055 rupees 12 annas 6 pies

Total cost of goods, 6,219 rupees 7 annas 6 pies

Charges on the goods

25 casks at 9 [...] each, [...]

Coopers, 7 rupees 4 annas 6 pies

145 gunny bags at 12 rupees 8 annas per hundred, [...]

5 seers of twine, 0 rupees 9 annas 9 pies

4 chests with packing, 15 rupees 3 annas 3 pies

20 reed mats, 1 rupee 6 annas 3 pies

Food, 1 rupee 0 annas 9 pies

Boatmen, 15 rupees 2 annas 0 pies

Sloop hire, 216 rupees 0 annas 0 pies

Peons, 2 rupees 5 annas 3 pies

Packers, 1 rupee 1 anna 0 pies

Weighmen, 0 rupees 9 annas 0 pies

Porters, 40 rupees 13 annas 0 pies

Total for charges, 375 rupees 10 annas 6 pies

Total in current rupees, 6,595 rupees 2 annas 0 pies

Richard Wells signed the invoice as sub-accountant, reserving the right to correct any errors.

Interpretations

The Earl of Elgin brought the standard Bengal consignment of rice, sugar, paddy, candles and arrack, the same as the Lord Holland, the Norfolk and the Europa before her. Added to it was a large shipment of salt meat: 20 casks of pork and five of beef. The meat cost more than all the other goods together. It was the Bengal pork and beef that the Company issued to its slaves as their main ration, cheaper than salt meat from Europe. In the first quarter of 1768 alone the slaves had consumed more than £130 worth of Bengal pork. The Bengal Council was sending a year's supply in a single ship near the end of the season.

The price of Batavia arrack had risen steadily through the season. The Lord Holland's two leaguers had cost about 93 rupees each in January. The Norfolk's cost 200 Arcot rupees each in March and the Europa's 190 in April. Now the Earl of Elgin's cost 235 each. Batavia arrack reached Calcutta in Dutch and private ships, and its price there followed the supply from Java. A Dutch ship had offered 28 leaguers at St Helena only days earlier, on 16 May 1768. The Council refused it, which kept the market for the Company's own costly arrack.

Sloop hire was by far the largest charge, at 216 rupees. The heavy casks of meat had to be carried down the Hooghly from Calcutta to the anchorage far downstream, where the Indiamen lay at Diamond Harbour or Kedgeree. Light bags of rice and sugar could go in country boats, but casks of salt meat needed a sloop.

31

24

23d May

The Lieut. Governor presented the following Letter viz.

To John Skottowe Esqr. Governor & Council

Gentlemen

Mr. Alexander the Honble Company's Overseer

at Sandy Bay, has several times represented to me the detriment the Plantations

suffer from the Inhabitants Goats of Lots and Sandy Bay Ranges, which at

times I have made known in Council, He has this day repeated the same complaint

assuring me that at times he has counted Sixty Head in said Plantations

which do great mischief to the Succors therefore request that some Method

may be fallen upon by you Gentlemen to Remedy the above detriment that

the Honorable Company's Plantations are subject to from the above -

Inconveniency -

I have the Honor to be

Gentlemen

May 23d 1768 Your most Obedt. Humble Servt.

Signed

Danl. Corneille

Upon which we agreed to send to the several Proprietors

of the abovementioned Ranges to attend Us next Monday -

We this day Received the following Letter and Protest from

Capt. Cooke viz.

To the Worshipfull John Skottowe Esqr. Governor &c. Council of the

Island St. Helena -

Gentlemen

Having 8 Puncheons of Europe Beef and 6

Hogsheads of Europe Pork belonging to the Stores of the [...] Earl of Elgin

which we can spare at this Island, and having Orders from the Honble the

Court of Directors to offer them here on the Company's Account, Should be

Corneille laid before the Council a letter to the Governor and Council, dated 23 May 1768. Samuel Alexander, the Company's overseer at Sandy Bay, had several times reported to him the damage that settlers' goats from Lot's range and Sandy Bay range were doing to the Company's plantations there. Corneille had raised the matter in Council more than once. That day Alexander had repeated his complaint. He told Corneille that at times he had counted 60 goats inside the plantations, where they did great harm to the young shoots. Corneille asked the Council to find some way of protecting the Company's plantations from this damage.

The Council agreed to summon the owners of the goats on those ranges to attend it the following Monday.

The Council also received letters and a formal protest from Captain Cooke. He wrote that the Earl of Elgin carried eight puncheons of European beef and six hogsheads of European pork among her stores, which the ship could spare at the island. The Court of Directors had ordered him to offer them at St Helena on the Company's account.

Interpretations

The goats were the island's oldest and most damaging pest. Settlers grazed their flocks on open ranges, the common hill country of each district. The animals strayed onto cultivated land and stripped the young plants, much as Corneille had found on 29 February 1768, when the old fence at the pasture entrance no longer kept the commons' sheep and goats off the Company's grass. The Council could have ordered the trespassing goats shot, as the garrison already did to wild goats with lead issued from the gunner's stores. It chose instead to call in the owners. These were planters' animals, not wild ones, and killing them would have destroyed private property and caused bitter quarrels. A meeting with the owners gave the Council a chance to agree on fencing, herding or limits on numbers.

The complaint came from Sandy Bay, the district whose common land had been in dispute in March. On 7 March the Council had refused Margaret Alcock's petition for part of the common and referred the question to the Court. It had noted then that the South Division had little common grazing. With so little open range, the settlers' goats pressed onto the Company's plantations. Samuel Alexander, who reported the damage, was the same man who had defended the commons against Margaret Alcock.

Captain Cooke made his offer of European salt meat under the Court's own orders. That set it apart from Captain Sandys's private offer of 20 casks, which the Council had refused on 14 March 1768. He sent a protest along with his letter. A protest was a formal written statement that put a captain's position on record, usually in case the Council refused what he offered. It protected him and his owners if the Company later disputed the matter.

32

25

1768

glad to know if you'll please to take the same at the usual Price -

I am

Gentlemen

St. Helena Your most humble Servant

23d May 1768 Signed

Thos. Cooke

To the Worshipful John Skottowe Esqr. Governor & Council at

St. Helena -

Gentlemen

Having met with several very Hard Gales of Wind

during which time we Shipped a good deal of Water and Strained the Ship very

much have thought it necessary to enter a Protest against the Seas and Bad

weather which I have send you enclosed, I shall enter a proper Protest before a

Notary Publick on my Arrival at the first Port in Great Britain -

I am Gentlemen

Your most humble Servt.

St. Helena Signed

23d May 1768 Thos. Cooke

We Thomas Cooke Commander of the good Ship called the Earl of

Elgin, and John Crichton Chief Mate and Daniel Clarke Second Mate of the said

Ship do declare that being with the said Ship at Bengal Loaden with Salt Petre &

Sundry Bale Goods, that we set Sail from thence on the 13 day of February 1768

bound for the Port of London, and that on the Seventh day of April last in the

Evening being in the Latitude of about 33, 55 South we met with a very Hard

Gale of Wind from the WNW to the West, and a very Hard Sea which lasted

about 24 Hours during which time we made some water in the Hold and the

Ship Labour'd & Strain'd very much especially in her upper Works, & the Waterway

Seams & Standards on all the Decks. That on the 16th day of April we met with

another Hard Gale of Wind from the NW ward which lasted for about 24 Hours

then moderate for about 14 Hours after which the Gale came on again & lasted

about 10 Hours with a High Sea, during which time we made more Water

than

Captain Thomas Cooke ended his first letter by asking whether the Council would take the beef and pork at the usual price. He signed it at St Helena on 23 May 1768.

In a second letter of the same date, Cooke told the Governor and Council that the Earl of Elgin had met several very hard gales on her passage. She had taken on a good deal of water and had been badly strained. He had therefore thought it necessary to enter a protest against the sea and the bad weather, and he enclosed it. He would make a full protest before a notary public when he reached the first port in Great Britain.

The protest was made by Thomas Cooke, commander of the Earl of Elgin, with John Crichton, her chief mate, and Daniel Clarke, her second mate. They declared that the ship had loaded saltpetre and various bales of goods at Bengal. She sailed from there for the port of London on 13 February 1768. On the evening of 7 April, at about 33° 5' south, she met a very hard gale from the north-north-west to the west, with a very heavy sea, which lasted about 24 hours. During that time she took some water into her hold. She laboured and strained badly, especially in her upper works, and in the waterways, seams and standards on all her decks. On 16 April she met another hard gale from the north-west, which lasted about 24 hours. It then eased for about 14 hours before blowing up again for another 10 hours with a high sea, and she took on more water.

Interpretations

A protest of this kind was a sworn statement by a ship's master and officers that damage to the ship or her cargo had been caused by the weather. It protected the owners and officers against claims from the merchants whose goods were in the hold. If the saltpetre and bale goods reached London wet or spoiled, the protest showed that the loss came from a peril of the sea. Under the law of shipping that was a risk the cargo owners and their insurers bore, not the carrier. Cooke entered the protest at the first port he reached after the storms, and he gave a copy to the Council. A statement made close to the events and lodged with an official body carried more weight than one written up only on arrival in England.

The gales struck at about 33° south, in the waters south-east of the Cape of Good Hope. Homeward Indiamen had to round the Cape in those seas, and strong westerly gales blew there in the southern autumn. Ships often suffered damage and leaks there. A strained ship arriving at St Helena might need her seams caulked before she could face the rest of the voyage.

Saltpetre was a valuable and sensitive cargo. Seawater dissolved it and ruined it for making gunpowder. The Company carried large quantities from Bengal for the Crown's ordnance, and any water reaching the hold put that cargo at risk. That made the protest especially important to the owners of the Earl of Elgin.

33

26

23d May

than usual and Laboured & Strained amazingly. That on the 20 day of April

we met with another Hard Gale of Wind from West with a very Great Sea

which lasted about 16 Hours during which time she encreased in making

Water and strained prodigiously, and altho' the Gale moderated yet the

Sea kept up which made her Labour and Strain very much especially in

the Water way, Seams & Standards on the Decks. That again the 22

day of April we met with another Hard Gale of Wind from the Westward with

a very High Tumbling Sea, which last for about 20 Hours, all which time

she made water in her Hold & Laboured & Strained herself much at the

bad weather by degrees abating we made Sail & Arrived & Arrived and

came to an Anchor in the Road of Saint Helena the 19th day of May about

6 o'Clock in the Evening. And we do further declare that the said Ship at the

time of her departure from the River of Bengall aforesaid was tight -

Staunch & Strong to appearance & well Manned, and Had her Hatches

well and sufficiently Caulked and Covered and was provided with all things

Needful for the said Voyage, That during the said Hard Gales of Wind &

Bad weather the said Ships Company frequently plyed the Pumps and did

our utmost endeavours to preserve the said Ship and the Goods of Her Lading

from damage, & therefore the said Thomas Cooke, John Crichton and

Daniel Clarke, do declare to protest, as by these presents We do protest against

the Seas & bad weather, for all Loss, Costs, detriment, and damage -

Happened to the said Ship & the Goods of her Lading & that the same is &

ought to be borne by the Merchants, Freighters, and Insurers interested in

the same by way of Average or otherwise for that the said damage was

occasioned by the means aforesaid & not by, or through the Insufficiency

of the said Ship, Neglect of Us or any of our Mariners. -

Therefore we do protest by these presents to serve and Avail as

Occasion shall be or require, As Witness or Hands and Seals this 21 day

of May at 1 Clock in the Afternoon, Where no Notary Publick or Stamp

Paper is to be had - Signed

Island St. Helena

Thomas Cooke

John Crichton

Daniel Clarke

We Ordered the Storekeeper to Examine Capt. Cookes

Provision, and if it proves Good, Agreed to take it at the usual price of 2/ Pr. Piece

The protest continued. The Earl of Elgin took on more water than usual and laboured and strained very badly. On 20 April she met another hard gale from the west, with a very great sea, which lasted about 16 hours. During that time she leaked more and strained heavily. The gale eased, but the sea stayed high, and the ship went on labouring and straining, especially in the waterways, seams and standards of the decks. On 22 April she met yet another hard gale from the westward, with a very high and broken sea, which lasted about 20 hours. Throughout it she took water into her hold and laboured and strained hard. As the weather gradually eased, the crew made sail again. She arrived and anchored in the road of St Helena at about six in the evening of 19 May.

The three officers further declared that when the ship left the river of Bengal she was tight, sound and strong to all appearance. She was well manned, her hatches were properly caulked and covered, and she carried everything needed for the voyage. During the gales the ship's company had worked the pumps constantly and done their utmost to save the ship and her cargo from damage. Cooke, Crichton and Clarke therefore protested against the sea and the bad weather for all losses, costs, harm and damage to the ship and her cargo. They declared that these should be borne by the merchants, freighters and insurers concerned, by way of average or otherwise. They held that the damage had been caused by the weather alone. In their view it had not come from any fault in the ship or from neglect by themselves or their crew. They made the protest to serve as needed, and signed and sealed it at one in the afternoon on 21 May 1768 at St Helena. There was no notary public or stamped paper to be had on the island. Thomas Cooke, John Crichton and Daniel Clarke signed it.

The Council ordered the storekeeper to examine Captain Cooke's provisions. If they proved good, it agreed to take them at the usual price of 2s a piece.

Interpretations

The Council accepted Cooke's beef and pork, subject to inspection, although it had refused Captain Sandys's offer of 20 casks on 14 March 1768. The record gives the reason. Sandys had offered his surplus as a private bargain for his owners. Cooke offered his under the Court of Directors' own orders. The Council could not turn down provisions the Court had told the captain to offer on the Company's account. It protected the Company's interest in another way. The storekeeper had to examine the meat first, and the price was fixed at the usual 2s a piece. That was the same price the warehouse charged employees for salt beef and pork. The Company would therefore recover its cost when it sold the meat.

The protest was signed on 21 May 1768, two days after the ship anchored, yet the island had no notary public and no stamped paper. In England a protest had to be sworn before a notary and written on paper bearing the government's tax stamp before a court would accept it. St Helena had neither, so Cooke noted their absence in the document. As his covering letter explained, he would make a full protest before a notary at the first British port. The St Helena copy served as a dated record that the damage had been reported soon after it happened.

To claim by way of average was to share a sea loss among all those with an interest in the voyage. Under general average, the cost of saving the ship and cargo in an emergency was divided between the shipowners and the owners of the cargo in proportion to their stakes. Cooke's protest prepared the ground for such a claim if the saltpetre and bale goods were found damaged in London.

34

27

1768

This day we received the following Letter from the Engineer viz.

To the Worshipful the Governor &ca & Council of the Island St. Helena

Gentlemen

As the principal Motive for the Resolution you came to.

of carrying on the Construction of the two Batteries of Mundens Point and Banks's

at the same time, was in Order to Expedite the Completion of both, by keeping the

Honorable Company's Stonelayers in Constant Employment which has hitherto

taken place, and thereby has greatly tended to Accelerate the Progress already made

in both these Works; I am now to acquaint you, that by reason of the great

Number of Labourers requisite to convey the Materials to the Masons now

employed at Banks's, the Number remaining at Mundens Point is by no

means adequate to the laying in a sufficient Quantity of Materials to

employ the Masons there, when the Battery at Banks's shall be compleated

which will take place at no very distant Period -

Could an Addition of thirty Hands be spared from the -

Garrison (now reinforced from Europe) for the space of two Months or

thereabouts, it would fully answer this Purpose, and prevent the Company's

Masons from being out of Employ, which, without such an Addition must

unavoidably be the Case -

I have the Honor to be

Gentlemen

St. Helena Your most Obedt. & most humble Servt.

23d May 1768 Signed

R. Mitchell

We agreed to spare Captain Mitchell the twenty six

Recruits we received by the Ship Tilbury for Expediting the Works at

Mundens Point, and Banks's -

Mr. James Greentree this day presented the following

Petition viz. -

The Council received a letter from Captain Mitchell, the engineer, dated at St Helena on 23 May 1768.

Mitchell reminded the Council why it had decided to build the batteries at Munden's Point and Banks's at the same time. The aim was to finish both quickly by keeping the Company's stone layers in constant work. That plan had worked so far and had greatly speeded the progress on both sites. Now, however, so many labourers were needed to carry materials to the masons at Banks's that too few were left at Munden's Point. Those men could not lay in enough materials to keep the masons busy there once the Banks's battery was finished, which would be soon. Mitchell asked whether 30 extra men could be spared from the garrison for about two months, now that it had been reinforced from Europe. That would meet the need and stop the Company's masons from standing idle, as they otherwise would.

The Council agreed to give Captain Mitchell the 26 recruits who had arrived in the Tilbury, to speed the work at Munden's Point and Banks's.

James Greentree presented a petition to the Council.

Interpretations

Mitchell asked for 30 men from the garrison. The Council gave him instead the 26 recruits who had just landed from the Tilbury. It did not take trained soldiers off duty. Since 21 March 1768, 28 experienced men had left the garrison as their engagements ended, and the guard posts, batteries and alarm stations still had to be manned. The new recruits were not yet drilled or familiar with the island's posts. They were of little use as soldiers for some weeks, but they were fit for carrying stone and lime. Putting them to work on the batteries kept the trained garrison at its duties, and it gave the recruits paid labour at 1s a day while they settled in.

The recruits from the Tilbury went a long way to replacing the men discharged in March, April and May. Mitchell's phrase that the garrison had been reinforced from Europe shows that the Court had sent them in answer to the Council's earlier requests. The island usually waited a year or more for recruits ordered from England. A draft arriving just as so many engagements ended was a stroke of good timing.

Mitchell also expected the battery at Banks's to be finished soon. In his letter of 4 April he had reported only that its foundations were being laid. The progress over seven weeks shows how much the plan of keeping the masons constantly employed had achieved at the easier of the two sites. Munden's Point, where the rock was harder and space was cramped, was still lagging behind.

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28

23d May

To the Worshipful John Skottowe Esqr. Governor &ca

Council of St. Helena -

The humble Petition of James Greentree

Sheweth

That your Petitioner hath a Mortgage Bond, which

(for his greater Security) he requests your Worship and Council will give

leave to have registered -

And your Petitioner will ever pray

St. Helena Signed

23d May 1768 James Greentree

Granted

Barnard Millard Serjeant, and Benjamin

Stringer Centinel this day petitioned for their Discharges from the -

Garrison, having served the Honorable Company their Contracted times

Granted

The Reverend Mr. Bearcroft representing to Us

that the Nature of his Profession requires his Constant application both by

reading and writing by Candle Light, and as he finds the Expence of Candles

very Considerable to him, requests an indulgence of that Article out of the

Honorable Company's Stores, -

We having taken the same into Consideration, think Mr.

Bearcrofts Request Reasonable, agreed to allow him 30 lb of Candles a Quarter

which we hope the Honorable Company will approve of. -

Mr. Hay Surgeon of the Ship Tilbury applying to Us to be

paid the usual Sum of 5/ for each Recruit We directed the Paymaster to

pay

James Greentree presented a petition to Governor Skottowe and the Council, dated at St Helena on 23 May 1768. He held a mortgage bond and, for greater security, asked the Council's leave to have it registered.

The Council granted his request.

Bernard Millard, a sergeant, and Benjamin Springer, a private, petitioned for their discharge from the garrison, having served the Company for the full term of their engagements. The Council granted both requests.

The Reverend William Bearcroft told the Council that his profession obliged him to spend much of his time reading and writing by candlelight. He found the cost of candles a heavy burden and asked to be supplied with them from the Company's stores.

The Council considered the request and thought it reasonable. It agreed to allow him 30 lb of candles a quarter, which it hoped the Company would approve.

Mr Hay, surgeon of the Tilbury, applied to be paid the usual sum of 5s for each recruit. The Council directed the paymaster to pay him.

Interpretations

The Council granted Bearcroft his candles on its own authority but added that it hoped the Court would approve. Allowances in kind were part of an officer's pay, and the Court in London set them. The councillors already drew 50 lb of candles a quarter each, as the storekeeper's accounts showed. By giving the chaplain 30 lb, the Council placed him a little below themselves while recognising that his work of writing sermons, keeping registers and teaching depended on light after dark. Its words to the Court admit that it was stretching its powers and invite the Court to overrule it if it saw fit.

The surgeon's fee of 5s a head was paid for each recruit landed alive and fit at St Helena. Recruits sent out from England crowded the lower decks of an East Indiaman for months, and fevers and scurvy could kill many before they arrived. Paying the ship's surgeon by the man delivered gave him a direct reason to keep the soldiers healthy. For the 26 recruits from the Tilbury, Hay's fee came to £6 10s 0d.

Bernard Millard had acted as adjutant while John Jacobs was suspended. He returned to the rank of sergeant in the Third Company when Jacobs was restored on 18 March 1768. His engagement now ended, and he left the garrison two months later. With Millard and Springer, 30 soldiers had been discharged since 21 March. The arrival of the 26 recruits from the Tilbury only just covered that loss.

36

29

1768

pay him, which amounts to £ 6 . 10. -

We this day Granted the two following Sets of Bills of Exchange

drawn upon the Honorable the Court of Directors viz. -

One Set to Capt. Thomas Kirkpatrick (on Account of the late Capt.

Cornelius Inglis) for £ 1034 . 15 - payable to Luke Scrafton Esqr. (or Order)

And One Set to Mr. John Irwin for £ 100 - payable to

Mr. Robt. Irwin (or Order) both drawn at ninety days sight -

John Skottowe

Dan Corneille

M. Purling

The paymaster's payment to Mr Hay for the recruits came to £6 10s 0d.

The Council granted two further sets of bills of exchange on the Court of Directors, both payable 90 days after presentation.

1 set to Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick, on behalf of the estate of the late Captain Cornelius Inglis, for £1,034 15s 0d, payable to Luke Scrafton or his nominee

1 set to John Irwin for £100 0s 0d, payable to Robert Irwin or his nominee

Governor Skottowe, Corneille and Purling signed the minutes.

Interpretations

Kirkpatrick drew the large bill of £1,034 15s 0d on behalf of the estate of the late Captain Cornelius Inglis. He was acting as executor or agent for a dead man. The money was what remained of Inglis's property after his debts on the island were settled, turned into coin and sent home. A Company bill was the safest way to send an estate's value to England. It removed the risk of shipping coin and placed the money in the hands of a named person in London. On a remote island, a councillor of standing often took on the task of winding up the affairs of an officer or captain who died there.

The bill was payable to Luke Scrafton, a senior servant of the Company who had made his name and fortune in Bengal. He was then in England and in high standing with the Court. Naming him as payee suggests that he was Inglis's friend, agent or heir, or that he was handling the estate for the family. Within a year the Court would choose Scrafton as one of three supervisors sent out to reform the Company's government in Bengal.

At a little over £1,000, this was the largest single bill the Council had drawn in 1768, larger even than Captain Mitford's £1,200 on 14 March. The coin came into the treasury in May. The next quarter's pay would fall due at the end of June, so the timing was useful to the Council.

37

30

25th May

At a Consultation held on Wednesday the 25th Day of May 1768 at the Castle

Present John Skottowe Esqr. Governor

Daniel Corneille Esqr. Lieut. Governor

Mr. Matthew Purling

Capt. Thos. Kirkpatrick of Council

The last Consultation was read approved and signed dated the 23 May 1768

The ten Working days allowed by Charter Party for unloading

the Ship Tilbury, being expired, we gave Captain William Hunt, Sailing

Orders in writing to make the best of his way to Canton, according to the Orders

he has received from the Honorable the Court of Directors. We likewise gave

him the following Letters to the Several Presidencys in India viz.

To the Honorable Harry Verelst Esqr. President &

Governor &ca Council of Fort William

Honble Sir and Sirs

We wrote last to you the 6th April 1767 by way of China

since which your several Letters of the 20th January 12th March 14 September

10 & 31 December 1767 and 1 February 1768 came safe to Hand -

We request you will send Us for the use of this Island eight

Maunds of the best Wax Candles by each Ship, those we have received for some

time past, being extremely bad, and the same quantity of Arrack, Rice &

Paddy as last Year. -

The salt Provision you have sent Us proves so very bad that

we have been obliged to throw great part of it into the Sea immediately upon

our receiving it we therefore desire you will not continue that practice as it

neither Answers in Goodness or price. We wrote to our Honorable Masters

last Year to request they would forbid your sending Us any more, and by

Ship Tilbury they inform Us that they have Ordered you to discontinue

that Method -

This Letter goes upon the Ship Tilbury by way of China

Governor John Skottowe held a consultation at the Castle on Wednesday 25 May 1768.

Present

John Skottowe, Governor

Daniel Corneille, Lieutenant Governor

William Matthew Purling

Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick, of the Council

The Council read, approved and signed the minutes of 23 May 1768.

The charter party allowed ten working days for unloading the Tilbury, and that time had now run out. The Council gave Captain William Hunt written orders to sail for Canton without delay, in line with the orders he had received from the Court of Directors. It also gave him letters for the Company's presidencies in India.

The first letter was addressed to Harry Verelst, President and Governor, and the Council of Fort William. The St Helena Council had last written to them on 6 April 1767, by way of China. Since then their letters of 20 January, 12 March, 14 September, 10 December and 31 December 1767 and 1 February 1768 had all arrived safely.

The Council asked Fort William to send eight maunds of the best wax candles by each ship, since the candles received for some time past had been extremely poor. It asked for the same quantities of arrack, rice and paddy as the year before.

The salt provisions sent from Bengal had proved so bad that the Council had been forced to throw a great part of them into the sea as soon as they were received. It asked Fort William not to continue sending them, as they were good value in neither quality nor price. The Council had written to the Court the previous year asking it to stop the shipments. By the Tilbury the Court had now told the Council that it had ordered Fort William to end the practice.

The letter was to go by the Tilbury by way of China.

Interpretations

Charter parties fixed how long a hired ship could be kept at each port. The Tilbury's owners were paid by the voyage, so every day lost at St Helena cost them money and pushed back her arrival at Canton. Ten working days for unloading was the agreed limit. Once it passed, the Company risked paying demurrage, a daily charge for keeping the ship beyond the agreed time. The Council therefore sent Hunt on his way the moment the time expired. The Tilbury was bound for China, so she was also the quickest means of getting letters to India, through Madras or by ships returning from Canton.

The complaint about salt provisions explains the cargo the Earl of Elgin had landed only days before. She brought 20 casks of Bengal pork and five of beef, costing more than 4,600 rupees. The St Helena Council had already asked the Court to stop such shipments, and the Court had agreed. Its order had simply not yet reached Calcutta when the Earl of Elgin was loaded. The Company had paid for meat it did not want, much of it unfit to eat. Bengal pork and beef were cheap to buy, but they spoiled easily in the heat of the long voyage, and the island had to throw them overboard. Captain Cooke's European beef and pork, offered on 23 May on the Court's orders, were part of the remedy. Better-cured meat from Europe was to replace the Bengal supply.

Harry Verelst was Governor of Bengal from 1767 to 1769, after Robert Clive. The six letters received from Fort William over the year show how regularly the presidencies wrote to St Helena. Each homeward ship carried the latest correspondence, together with the invoices for the stores sent in her.

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31

1768

Enclosed we transmitt you a List of the Ships that have touched here since our

last -

We are Honorable Sir & Sirs

Your most Obedient, humble Servants

Signed

St. Helena John Skottowe

25th May 1768 Daniel Corneille

Matt Purling

Thos. Kirkpatrick

To the Honble Charles Bourchier Esqr. President and

Governor &ca Council of Fort St. George

Honorable Sir & Sirs

We did ourselves the Pleasure of writing last to you under date of the 6th

April 1767 by way of China, your several Letters of the 23 January 21 March 15th

April and 5th November 1767 were duly received -

We request you will send for the use of this Island eight Pieces Long

Cloth at ten Pagodas Pr. Piece ten pieces at eight Pagodas Pr. Piece ten pieces at six

Pagodas Pr. Piece, fifty pieces at three and an Half Pagodas Pr. Piece and thirty Pieces

at two and an Half Pagodas Pr. Piece fifty Pair of Mens good Cotton stockings to be of some

a larger size than those we received by the Hector, and the usual quantity of Arrack

Rice and Paddy. -

This Letter will be forwarded to your Presidency by way of China

we have enclosed for your perusal a List of Ships that have been here since our

last. -

We are Honble Sir & Sirs

Your most Obedient, humble Servant

Signed

St. Helena John Skottowe

25th May 1768 Dan Corneille

Matt Purling

Thos. Kirkpatrick

The Council enclosed with its letter to Fort William a list of the ships that had called at St Helena since its last letter. Governor Skottowe, Corneille, Purling and Kirkpatrick signed it at St Helena on 25 May 1768.

The second letter went to Charles Bourchier, President and Governor, and the Council of Fort St George. The St Helena Council had last written to them on 6 April 1767, by way of China. Since then their letters of 23 January, 27 March, 15 April and 5 November 1767 had arrived safely.

The Council asked Fort St George to send the following goods for the island.

8 pieces of longcloth at 10 pagodas a piece

10 pieces of longcloth at 8 pagodas a piece

10 pieces of longcloth at 6 pagodas a piece

50 pieces of longcloth at 3½ pagodas a piece

30 pieces of longcloth at 2½ pagodas a piece

50 pairs of good men's cotton stockings, somewhat larger than those received in the Hector

The usual quantity of arrack, rice and paddy

The letter would reach Madras by way of China. The Council enclosed a list of the ships that had called at the island since its last letter. Governor Skottowe, Corneille, Purling and Kirkpatrick signed it at St Helena on 25 May 1768.

Interpretations

The longcloth was ordered in five grades, priced from 10 pagodas a piece down to 2½. These grades matched the letters stamped on the pieces sold in the warehouse, such as C, X, Y and &, each of which carried a different price. The cheapest grade, at 2½ and 3½ pagodas, made up 80 of the 108 pieces ordered. Coarse cotton was what most islanders bought for shirts, bedding and slaves' clothing. A few pieces of the finest cloth served the officers and the Castle. By ordering in set grades, the Council could match its stock to the different buyers who came to the warehouse.

The stockings landed from the Hector in February had evidently been too small for English legs. Indian knitters worked to Indian sizes. The warehouse had sold the stockings at over 9s a pair to employees in the first quarter of 1768, so they were a valued item despite the problem of fit. The request for a larger size shows the Council passing on its buyers' complaints directly to the supplier.

Charles Bourchier was Governor of Madras from 1767 to 1770. The letter to him had to travel by way of China, since the Tilbury was bound for Canton. Ships sailing from Canton could carry it down to the Coromandel coast. A letter from St Helena to Madras might take most of a year to arrive, and that is why the Council wrote so far ahead of its needs.

39

32

25th May

To the Honble Thomas Hodges Esqr. President &

Governor &ca Council of Bombay -

Honble Sir & Sirs

We addressed you last under date of the 6th April 1767 by our

Honble Masters Ship Northumberland since that time your several favours

of the 24 Janry. 12 May & 23 Decemr. 1767 arrived safe with Us -

We desire you will send for the use of this Island two hundred

Pieces of Surat Chelloes, and the same quantity of Rice and Paddy as we received

last Year -

You will receive this Letter by way of China, we have sent you

enclosed a List of the Arrival and departure of Ships since the 6th April 1767

We are

Honble Sir & Sirs

Your most Obedt., humble Servants

Signed

St. Helena John Skottowe

25th March 1768 Danl. Corneille

Matt Purling

Thos. Kirkpatrick

To the President and other Supra Cargoes of Council at

Canton -

Gentlemen

We did ourselves the pleasure of writing last to you the 6th April

1767 by the Ship Northumberland since which we have received your favour of

21 December 1767 -

We desire ten hundred pounds of the Sugar Candy indented for

last Year, may be of the finest sort, and likewise request, Saucers may be sent

with

The third letter went to Thomas Hodges, President and Governor, and the Council of Bombay. The St Helena Council had last written to them on 6 April 1767 by the Company's ship Northumberland. Since then their letters of 24 January, 12 May and 23 December 1767 had arrived safely.

The Council asked Bombay to send 200 pieces of Surat chelloes for the island, together with the same quantity of rice and paddy as the year before. The letter would reach Bombay by way of China. The Council enclosed a list of the ships that had arrived and departed since 6 April 1767. Governor Skottowe, Corneille, Purling and Kirkpatrick signed it at St Helena on 25 May 1768.

The fourth letter went to the President and the other supercargoes of the Council at Canton. The St Helena Council had last written to them on 6 April 1767 by the Northumberland. Since then it had received their letter of 21 December 1767.

The Council asked that the 1,000 lb of sugar candy it had ordered for the previous year should be of the finest kind. It also asked that saucers be sent.

Interpretations

Each presidency was asked for the goods it made best and most cheaply. Bengal sent candles, arrack, rice and paddy. Madras sent longcloth and stockings from the Coromandel weavers. Bombay sent chelloes from Surat, the great cloth market of Gujarat, along with its own rice and batty. Canton sent sugar, sugar candy and porcelain. The St Helena Council drew on all four settlements at once. Its letters, written on the same day and carried by one ship, worked as a single yearly order spread across the Company's whole eastern trade.

Surat chelloes were checked or striped cotton cloths, like those the warehouse already sold. Two hundred pieces was a large order, far more than the 14 pieces sold to planters and the 10 to employees in recent quarters. Much of the cloth was probably meant for the Company's own slaves. They received chelloes for their clothing, and their numbers on the plantation and at the fortifications were large.

The request for finer candy followed the arrival of more than 13,500 lb of candy in the Latham and the Houghton in late April. The quantity was ample, but the Council evidently found the quality uneven. The finest grade was wanted for the Castle's table, which drew several hundred pounds a quarter.

40

33

1768

with the breakfast Cups, and to be of good China -

Enclosed we transmitt you the Ship Tilbury's Charter Party, Victualling

Bill, Manifest of Goods, Capt. Hunts instructions, and a Packet directed to you

from our Honble Masters, as likewise a List of those Ships that have Arrived

here since our Last -

We request you will forward by the first Conveyance the several Letters

directed to the Presidencys in India -

We are Gentlemen

Your most Obedt. humble Servants

Signed

St. Helena John Skottowe

25th May 1768 Dan Corneille

Matt Purling

Thos. Kirkpatrick

Mr. Matthew Purling reports that he has been

on board the Ships Earl of Elgin and British King to Muster their Company's

and enquire for deserters but found none, their Muster Rolls are as follows viz.

Muster Roll of Ship Earl of Elgin

Thomas Cooke Commander

John Crichton Chief Mate

Danl. Clarke 2d Do.

Jas. Boswell 3d Do.

Leonard Roche 4th Do.

Chas. Wood 5th Do.

George Tuff Purser

James Rutherford Surgeon

John Wilson Boatswain

Andrew Mewatt Gunner

Richd. Jenkins Carpenter

Job. Butman Surg. Mate

Robard Gair Ships Steward

Samuel Bowers Capt. Do.

Wm. Bruce Midshipman

Richd. Wingfield Midshipman

John Law Do.

Wm. Hill Do.

Wm. Mackey Quartermaster

James Martin Do.

Ralph Harrison Do.

John Thompson Boatsw. Mate

Lewis Lewizer Gunr. Mate

Giles Vince Carpenters Do.

William Ashby Caulker

Thomas Hunter Cooper

John Houlding Armourer

Pat. Thornton Capt. Cook

John Wallingtons Ships Do.

Thos. Gaasby Caulkers Mate

Thos. Baker Capt. Servant

John Porter Do. Do.

Phillip Neale Chief Mates Do.

The Council asked Canton to send saucers to go with the breakfast cups, and asked that they be of good china. It enclosed the Tilbury's charter party, her victualling bill, the manifest of her cargo and Captain Hunt's instructions. It also enclosed a packet from the Court of Directors addressed to the Canton Council, and a list of the ships that had called at St Helena since its last letter. The Council asked the supercargoes to forward its letters to the presidencies in India by the first available ship. Governor Skottowe, Corneille, Purling and Kirkpatrick signed the letter at St Helena on 25 May 1768.

Purling reported that he had boarded the Earl of Elgin and the British King to muster their crews and search for deserters. He found none. Their muster rolls read as follows, beginning with the Earl of Elgin.

Thomas Cooke, Commander

John Crichton, Chief Mate

Daniel Clarke, Second Mate

James Boswell, Third Mate

Leonard Roche, Fourth Mate

Charles Wood, Fifth Mate

George Tuff, Purser

James Rutherford, Surgeon

John Wilson, Boatswain

Andrew Mewatt, Gunner

Richard Jenkins, Carpenter

Joseph Butman, Surgeon's Mate

Abraham Grier, Ship's Steward

Samuel Benner, Captain's Steward

William Bruce, Midshipman

Richard Wingfield, Midshipman

John Law, Midshipman

William Hill, Midshipman

William Mackey, Quartermaster

James Martin, Quartermaster

Ralph Harrison, Quartermaster

John Thompson, Boatswain's Mate

Lewis Lewiza, Gunner's Mate

Giles Viner, Carpenter's Mate

William Ashby, Caulker

Thomas Hunter, Cooper

John Houlding, Armourer

Patrick Thornton, Captain's Cook

John Wallington, Ship's Cook

Thomas Gadsby, Caulker's Mate

Thomas Baker, Captain's Servant

John Porter, Captain's Servant

Phillip Neale, Chief Mate's Servant

Interpretations

The St Helena Council used the Canton supercargoes as a post office for the whole East. The Tilbury sailed direct to China. From Canton, ships of the season went on to Madras, Bombay and Bengal, so the supercargoes could pass the island's letters on to every presidency. The Tilbury's own papers went with them, including her charter party, victualling bill, manifest and the captain's instructions. The supercargoes needed these to take charge of the ship when she arrived. They would load her with tea and porcelain for the return voyage, and the papers set out the terms on which she was hired and how she was supplied.

The Earl of Elgin's chief and second mates, John Crichton and Daniel Clarke, were the two officers who had signed the protest against the sea with Captain Cooke on 21 May 1768. Their names on the muster roll confirm that the protest was made by the ship's senior officers, as the law required.

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34

25th May

John Mills 2d Mates Servant

Robert Bowen Surgeons Do.

John Elfin Gunners Do.

John Travackey Carptr. Do.

Samuel Turner Seaman

Thomas Dykes

Cashin Fallow

Evan Williams

John Campbell

Andrew Albron

James Sheppard

Thomas Pinham

George Slater

George Coats

Gabriel Tyrrell

Benj. Johnston

John Johnston

Richd. Pome

Alexandr. Russell

Archd. Roberson Seaman

Wm. Hooper

Thomas Lambeth

Wm. Tomphins

John Chizom

Wm. Matthews

Robert Willis

William Smeath

Daniel Smith

Alexr. Biggs

Henry Johnston

John Smith

James Nellson

Wm. Phillings

Duncan Willson

Will. Moore

John Taylor

Anthony Todd

Robt. Willson

Dennis Peir Seaman

John Patton

David Moore

Edward Hawkins

Nichl. Gray

Richd. Alstone

James Andrews

John Black

Andrew Laird

John Jacobs

Domingo Rotnad

Anthy. Fernedeche

Lawrence Ferdinand

Anthy. D'Silva

Emanl. Gomeze

Emanuel Ferdinand

Jno. D'Costa

Josiah Peir

Jacob Noplane

Passengers

Charles Standford Playdell Esqr.

Mr. John Holwell

Lady Hope

Mrs. Bloomer

3 Black Servants

Signed

Thos. Cooke

Muster Roll of Ship British King

Danl. Hoare Commander

John McAulay 1 Mate

Henry Maugue 2d Do.

Seth Bryson 3d Do.

Henry Wildeing 4th Mate

Archd. Begg Surgeon

Robt. Pridie Purser

Thos. Miller Gunner

Thos. Grange Carpenter

Wm. Jimson Ships Steward

John Wortham Boatswain

Richd. Rearton Capt. Stewd.

The Earl of Elgin's muster roll ended with the following men and her passengers.

John Miller, Second Mate's Servant

Robert Bowen, Surgeon's Servant

John Elfin, Gunner's Servant

John Travacky, Carpenter's Servant

Samuel Turner, Seaman

Thomas Dykes, Seaman

Cashin Fallow, Seaman

Evan Williams, Seaman

John Campbell, Seaman

Andrew Albion, Seaman

James Sheppard, Seaman

Thomas Pinkham, Seaman

George Slater, Seaman

George Coats, Seaman

Gabriel Tyrrell, Seaman

Benjamin Johnston, Seaman

John Johnston, Seaman

Richard Penn, Seaman

Alexander Russell, Seaman

Archibald Roberson, Seaman

William Hooper, Seaman

Thomas Lambeth, Seaman

William Tomkins, Seaman

John Chizum, Seaman

John Matthews, Seaman

Robert Willis, Seaman

William Smeath, Seaman

Daniel Smith, Seaman

Alexander Biggs, Seaman

Henry Johnston, Seaman

John Smith, Seaman

James Nelson, Seaman

William Chillings, Seaman

Duncan Willson, Seaman

William Moore, Seaman

John Taylor, Seaman

Anthony Todd, Seaman

Robert Willson, Seaman

Dennis Bair, Seaman

John Patton, Seaman

David Moore, Seaman

Edward Hawkins, Seaman

Nicholas Gray, Seaman

Richard Albone, Seaman

James Andrews, Seaman

John Black, Seaman

Andrew Laird, Seaman

John Jacobs, Seaman

Domingo Rodriguez, Seaman

Anthony Fernandez, Seaman

Laurence Ferdinand, Seaman

Anthony de Silva, Seaman

Emanuel Gomez, Seaman

Emanuel Ferdinand, Seaman

John da Costa, Seaman

Josiah Bair, Seaman

Thomas Napleton, Seaman

Passengers

Charles Stafford Playdell

Mr John Holwell

Lady Hope

Mrs Bloomer

3 black servants

Captain Thomas Cooke signed the roll.

The muster roll of the British King followed.

Daniel Hoare, Commander

John McAulay, First Mate

Henry Montague, Second Mate

Fish Bryson, Third Mate

Henry Wildey, Fourth Mate

Andrew Pagel, Surgeon

Robert Prudie, Purser

Thomas Miller, Gunner

Thomas Grange, Carpenter

William Jenson, Ship's Steward

John Wortham, Boatswain

Richard Reader, Captain's Steward

Interpretations

The Earl of Elgin carried passengers of some standing home from Bengal. Charles Stafford Playdell was a senior civil servant of the Bengal establishment. John Holwell shared his surname with John Zephaniah Holwell. That Holwell had survived the Black Hole of Calcutta in 1756, briefly governed Bengal, and had already returned to England. A younger Holwell sailing home from Calcutta was probably his son, following his father into the Company's service. Lady Hope and Mrs Bloomer were presumably wives or widows of officers or officials in Bengal. As usual, the clerk did not name their three black servants.

Like other homeward ships, the Earl of Elgin ended her roll with Portuguese names, among them Domingo Rodriguez, Anthony Fernandez, Anthony de Silva, Emanuel Gomez and John da Costa. These Indo-Portuguese seamen were hired in Bengal to fill the places of men lost on the voyage out. During the gales of April they were among the crew who worked the pumps without stopping, as the protest of 21 May 1768 recorded.

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1768

Thos. Rodborn Midshipman

John Mason Do.

Robert Harding Do.

John Lowther Quartermaster

James Alexander Do.

Wm. Leon Do.

Robt. Purcell Surg. Mate

Danl. Bridges Gunners Do.

Thomas Stratton Carpenters Do.

Richd. Cable Carpenters 2d Do.

Thomas Butcher Boatsw. 1 Do.

Richd. Butler Boatsw. 2 Do.

Nichl. Harding Sailmaker

Jno. Twynam Cooper

Geo. Davis Caulker

Geo. Siddon Capt. Cook

Peter Lee Ships Do.

William Hatfield Armourer

Willm. Still Coopers Mate

John Cotham Caulkers Do.

Wm. Bills Butcher

David Lett Joiner

John Lock Capt. Servant

Geo. Webb Do.

Wm. Baker 1 Mates Do.

Reynolds Crockley Surg. Do.

Richd. Ford Gunners Do.

Thos. Dunn Carpr. Do.

Richd. Gyer Seaman

James Donellan

Jas. Rennie

Wm. Thompson

Jno. Hardy

Edwd. Drew

William Dennis

Jno. Sharp

Geo. Strait

Jno. Steward

Matt. Bedford

Robt. Carmichael

Gerard Lawson

Wm. White

Jno. Barber

William Walker

John Black

Wm. Reaston

Wm. Cook

Jno. Creighton

Wm. McDugall

Jno. Nobles

Robt. Higgins

Jas. Watson

Francis Major

Wm. Burn

John Thompson

John Shaw

Thos. Durand Seaman

Jno. Coxe

Edwd. Wellsford

James Jones

Gideon Walker

Fras. Brooks

Wm. Dawson

Jno. Gardener

Will. Wall

Benj. Northwood

Wm. Cooper

Jno. Baker

Peter Sapston

Thos. Strafton

Joseph Gale

Thos. Hasell

Thomas Burnett

Jos. Bailey

Jos. Hopkins

Edwd. Poole

Jno. Armstrong

Mattw. Walker

Jos. Jaeson

Pierre Nicholas

Gabl. Powell

Pierre Belanger

Robt. Cook

Jas. Clephin

Charter Party Passengers

John J. Stedman

Wm. Keys

Signed

Daniel Griffith Hoare

John Skottowe

Dan Corneille

M. Purling

The British King's muster roll continued with the rest of her crew and her passengers.

Thomas Redborn, Midshipman

John Mason, Midshipman

Robert Harding, Midshipman

John Lowther, Quartermaster

James Alexander, Quartermaster

William Leon, Quartermaster

Robert Purcell, Surgeon's Mate

Daniel Bridges, Gunner's Mate

Thomas Stratton, Carpenter's First Mate

Richard Cable, Carpenter's Second Mate

Thomas Butcher, Boatswain's First Mate

Richard Butler, Boatswain's Second Mate

Nicholas Harding, Sailmaker

John Twynam, Cooper

George Davis, Caulker

George Sidden, Captain's Cook

Peter Lee, Ship's Cook

William Hatfield, Armourer

William Hill, Cooper's Mate

John Cotham, Caulker's Mate

William Pitt, Butcher

David Tate, Joiner

John Lock, Captain's Servant

George Webb, Captain's Servant

William Pike, First Mate's Servant

Reynolds Crockley, Surgeon's Servant

Richard Ford, Gunner's Servant

Thomas Dunn, Carpenter's Servant

Richard Spear, Seaman

James Donellan, Seaman

James Rennie, Seaman

William Thompson, Seaman

John Hardy, Seaman

Edward Drew, Seaman

William Dennis, Seaman

John Thorp, Seaman

George Mail, Seaman

John Steward, Seaman

Matthew Bidford, Seaman

Robert Carmichael, Seaman

Gerard Lawson, Seaman

William White, Seaman

John Barber, Seaman

William Walker, Seaman

John Black, Seaman

William Reaston, Seaman

William Cook, Seaman

John Creighton, Seaman

William McDougall, Seaman

John Nichols, Seaman

Robert Higgins, Seaman

Joseph Watson, Seaman

Francis Major, Seaman

William Barr, Seaman

John Thompson, Seaman

John Abrey, Seaman

Thomas Durand, Seaman

John Cox, Seaman

Edward Wellsford, Seaman

James Jones, Seaman

Gideon Walker, Seaman

Francis Brooks, Seaman

William Dawson, Seaman

John Gardener, Seaman

William Wall, Seaman

Benjamin Northwood, Seaman

William Cooper, Seaman

John Baker, Seaman

Peter Sapson, Seaman

Thomas Strafton, Seaman

Cornelius Fish, Seaman

Thomas Hasell, Seaman

Thomas Burnett, Seaman

Joseph Bailey, Seaman

Joseph Hopkins, Seaman

Edward Poole, Seaman

John Armstrong, Seaman

Matthew Walker, Seaman

Joseph Jason, Seaman

Prince Nicholas, Seaman

Gabriel Powell, Seaman

Pierre Belanger, Seaman

Robert Cook, Seaman

James Clephin, Seaman

Charter party passengers

John Shelman

William Hays

Captain Daniel Griffith Hoare signed the roll. Governor Skottowe, Corneille and Purling signed the minutes.

Interpretations

The two charter party passengers travelled at the Company's charge under its hiring contract with the British King's owners. Unlike private passengers, they paid the captain nothing. The Company usually sent soldiers, discharged invalids or minor servants this way, at rates fixed in the contract. The British King was the only ship that season to carry charter party passengers apart from the Lord Holland in January. Many of the soldiers who had taken their discharge at St Helena that spring still had to find a passage home. If any of them went this way, the minutes would have named them as such. The roll's two names do not match any of the discharged men.

Like the Norfolk and the Earl of Middlesex, the British King carried a full set of servants attached to her officers, besides a joiner and a butcher. Her roll had fewer Portuguese and Asian names than the Bengal and China ships. Pierre Belanger, a Frenchman, stood out among her seamen. The minutes did not record where she had come from. Her muster on the same day as the Earl of Elgin suggests she reached the island in the same week.

43

36

30th May

At a Consultation held on Monday the 30th day of May 1768 at the Castle

Present John Skottowe Esqr. Governor

Danl. Corneille Esqr. Lieut. Governor

Mr. Matthew Purling

Capt. Thos. Kirkpatrick of Council

The last Consultation was read, approved and Signed, dated the 25th May 1768

Thursday the 26th died Richard Tollington Centinel

Do. Do. Arrived a French Ship from Bengal called the Marquis de Lance

Capt. Delalonde, burthen five hundred Tons, carrys fourteen Guns

and one hundred and thirty Men, loaden with Bengall Goods, bound

to L'Orient -

Yesterday Arrived a Dutch Ship from Ceylon called the Schoonsigt Capt. Hubkert

burthen Seven hundred Tons, carrys twenty two Guns and one hundred

and ten Men, loaden with Coffee and Spice bound to Holland -

John Martin Bombardier, & Samuel Curd Centinel this

day petitioned for their discharges from the Garrison having served the Honble Compy.

their Contracted Times -

Granted

The Storekeeper this day delivered the following Account of Stores

short received from the Ship Earl of Elgin -

Account of Stores Short received from Ship Earl of Elgin viz.

5 . 2 . 22 Rice cwt. qrs. lb

- . 1 . - Paddy

1 . 3 . 19 Sugar

- . - . 11 Candles

Short Weight, Occasioned by Waste & drying, the Packages being in good order. -

No. 1 . 1 Leaguer Arrack Gages 141 Galls. Wants to fill 3 Galls.

2 . 1 Do. Do. Do. 136 Do. Do. 10 Do.

277

13

13

Galls. 264 Received

St. Helena 30th May 1768 Signed Jas. Bowell Storekeeper

Governor John Skottowe held a consultation at the Castle on Monday 30 May 1768.

Present

John Skottowe, Governor

Daniel Corneille, Lieutenant Governor

William Matthew Purling

Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick, of the Council

The Council read, approved and signed the minutes of 25 May 1768.

Richard Tollington, a private, died on Thursday 26 May. The same day a French ship from Bengal, the Marquis de Lanoe, arrived under Captain Delalonde. She was of 500 tons burden, carried 14 guns and 130 men, and was laden with Bengal goods bound for Lorient. On Sunday 29 May a Dutch ship from Ceylon, the Schoonsigt, arrived under Captain Hubbert. She was of 700 tons burden, carried 22 guns and 110 men, and was laden with coffee and spices bound for Holland.

John Martin, a bombardier, and Samuel Card, a private, petitioned for their discharge from the garrison, having served the Company for the full term of their engagements. The Council granted both requests.

James Powell, the storekeeper, gave the Council an account of the stores from the Earl of Elgin that came ashore short of the invoice. He signed it at St Helena on 30 May 1768. The shortfalls in weight came from wastage and drying out, and the packages themselves were in good order.

Rice, short in weight by 5 cwt 2 qr 22 lb

Paddy, short in weight by 0 cwt 1 qr 0 lb

Sugar, short in weight by 1 cwt 3 qr 19 lb

Wax candles, short in weight by 0 cwt 0 qr 11 lb

Arrack, cask number 1, 1 leaguer gauged at 141 gallons, lacking 3 gallons to fill it

Arrack, cask number 2, 1 leaguer gauged at 136 gallons, lacking 10 gallons to fill it

Arrack, total gauged 277 gallons, total lacking 13 gallons

Arrack received, 264 gallons

Interpretations

Powell recorded that the Earl of Elgin's stores had lost weight only through wastage and drying, and that the packages were sound. That finding mattered because of Captain Cooke's protest of 21 May 1768. Cooke had sworn that the ship took water into her hold in four gales off the Cape. Had the island's rice, sugar or candles arrived wet, the Company would have had to bear the loss as damage from the sea. Powell's note showed that the storms had not touched the Company's stores. The shortfall was the ordinary loss of a long voyage and needed no claim against anyone.

The French ship from Bengal belonged to the revived French East India Company, which sailed from its home port of Lorient in Brittany. At the peace of 1763 France had recovered its trading posts in India, including Chandernagore on the Hooghly. By 1768 French ships were again carrying Bengal cloth home. The St Helena Council recorded the arrival of a former enemy's ship with the same care as any other. It was only five years after the end of a war in which the island had stood ready against French attack.

The Dutch ship came from Ceylon, which the Dutch had held since taking it from the Portuguese in the previous century. Cinnamon was the spice for which the island was famous, and the Dutch company kept it as a closely guarded monopoly. The coffee in her hold was probably grown in Ceylon or Java.

44

37

1768

Pursuant to the Order of last Monday for the Proprietors of the Goat

Ranges to attend this day, which they accordingly did, and were told to keep People after

their Goats, or to take them away that Trespass upon the Honorable Company's -

Plantations in Sandy Bay, which they promised they would -

Mr. Jonathan Doveton junr. having acquainted Us that Patna

a Man Slave belonging to his Mother Mrs. Mary Doveton and has deserted from her

about three Years ago, was on board of the Ship Earl of Elgin, and desired we would

Order him on Shore to be examined which was accordingly done, and several Planters

as well as his Master and his own Brother appearing and being ready to make Oath

that he was the Property of the said Mary Doveton, he then Confessed that he had

run off the Island in his Majesty's Ship Medway and was the Slave of Mrs. -

Doveton. Upon which we sent for Capt. Cooke who heard the said Man Confess

that he was Mrs. Dovetons Property, we therefore gave Capt. Cooke the following

Order viz. -

To Capt. Thomas Cooke, Commander of Ship Earl of Elgin

Sir

Francis Neptune a Black Man who you shipped on board

the Earl of Elgin as a Seaman at Bengal being Claimed by Mrs. Mary Doveton as

her Slave and born upon this Island and known by the name of Patna,

the said Man having Confessed before Us in your Presence that he was the

very identical Slave Patna of the said Mary Dovetons from whom he

acknowledges to have deserted about three Years ago, We therefore require that

you deliver the said Man up to Us in Order that he may be returned to the

said Mary Doveton as her property -

We are

Sir

Your humble Servants

St. Helena Signed

30th May 1768 John Skottowe

Dan Corneille

Mattw. Purling

Thos. Kirkpatrick

The owners of the goats on the ranges attended the Council that day, as they had been ordered at the previous consultation. They were told either to keep herders with their goats or to take them away, so that the animals no longer trespassed on the Company's plantations at Sandy Bay. They promised to do so.

Jonathan Doveton junior told the Council that Patna, a slave belonging to his mother, Mrs Mary Doveton, was on board the Earl of Elgin. Patna had run away from her about three years earlier. Doveton asked the Council to have him brought ashore and examined, and this was done. Several planters were ready to swear that Patna was Mary Doveton's property, among them his former master and his own brother. Patna then admitted that he had escaped from the island in His Majesty's ship Medway and that he was Mrs Doveton's slave. The Council sent for Captain Cooke, who heard him admit it.

The Council then gave Captain Cooke a written order, dated at St Helena on 30 May 1768. Cooke had taken on a black man named Francis Neptune as a seaman at Bengal. Mrs Mary Doveton now claimed him as her slave. He had been born on the island, where he was known as Patna, and he had admitted before the Council and in Cooke's presence that he was that same slave who had run away from her about three years before. The Council required Cooke to hand him over, so that he could be returned to Mary Doveton as her property. Governor Skottowe, Corneille, Purling and Kirkpatrick signed the order.

Interpretations

The case shows one of the few real routes off the island for a slave. Four Madagascar men had tried a fishing boat in April and been driven back onto the beach. Patna had done better. He slipped aboard a King's ship, the Medway, which called at St Helena. A naval vessel did not come under the Council's authority and was not mustered for deserters as the Company's ships were. Once at sea, he reached India and changed his name. He was then hired in Bengal as a free seaman under the name Francis Neptune. Ships there took on any able hand to replace men lost on the voyage out. The roll of the Earl of Elgin listed him among her seamen, with nothing to show his past.

His recapture came about by chance, when the ship that employed him called at the island he had fled. The Council acted with care. He was brought ashore, the evidence of planters and family was gathered, and he made his admission in front of the captain who employed him. Only then was Cooke ordered in writing to give him up. The written order protected Cooke against any claim by his owners for the loss of a crewman. It also left a record of the Company's grounds for taking a man out of a ship's company.

Patna's own brother was among those ready to swear to his identity. The minutes did not say whether the brother was free or a slave himself, or what pressure he was under. Jonathan Doveton junior, who raised the claim, was probably the Jonathan Doveton who served as factor and assistant storekeeper on the civil list. The Dovetons were among the island's established planting families, and the Council moved readily to restore a leading household's property.

45

38

30th May

Since our dispatching of the Ship Tilbury the Capt. of

Artillery laid before Us the following Indent which we have transmitted with

the Subsequent Letter in a separate Packet to the Supra Cargoes at China to

be forwarded to the Presidency of Bombay viz.

To the Honorable Thos. Hodges Esqr. President & Governor

&ca Council of Bombay -

Honorable Sir & Sirs

Since our address to you of the 25th Instant we received an

Indent from the Capt. of Artillery for Gun carriages and beds for Mortars

wanted for the Service of this Island enclosed you will receive the said -

Indent, and request you will accordingly comply with it, and forward the

same to us by the first opportunity -

We are Honorable Sir & Sirs

Your most Obedt., humble Servants

Signed

St. Helena John Skottowe

30th May 1768 Dan Corneille

Mattw. Purling

Thos. Kirkpatrick

Indent for Carriages wanted for the Ordnance now mounted, & to be

mounted on the several Fortifications of this Island St. Helena 30th May 1768

Beds for 13 Inch Brass Mortars

2

Carriages for 24 Pounder Guns

24

Do. for 18 Do. Do.

6

Do. for 6 Do. Do.

21

Signed

Archd. Mitchell Engineer &

Commander of Artillery

After the Tilbury had sailed, the captain of artillery laid an indent before the Council. The Council sent it with the following letter, in a separate packet, to the supercargoes in China, to be passed on to the presidency of Bombay.

The letter was addressed to Thomas Hodges, President and Governor, and the Council of Bombay. Since writing to them on 25 May 1768, the St Helena Council had received an indent from the captain of artillery for gun carriages and beds for mortars needed for the island's defence. The indent was enclosed. The Council asked Bombay to supply the items and send them by the first opportunity. Governor Skottowe, Corneille, Purling and Kirkpatrick signed the letter at St Helena on 30 May 1768.

The indent, dated 30 May 1768, listed the carriages needed for the guns already mounted and still to be mounted on the island's fortifications.

Beds for 13-inch brass mortars, 2

Carriages for 24-pounder guns, 24

Carriages for 12-pounder guns, 6

Carriages for 6-pounder guns, 21

Archibald Mitchell signed the indent as engineer and commander of the artillery.

Interpretations

The Council sent its order for gun carriages to Bombay rather than to England, and the choice was deliberate. Carriages had to be built of heavy, sound timber that would stand the shock of firing and resist rot in a damp, salty climate. St Helena had almost no such timber. Bombay had the Company's main dockyard in the East and a ready supply of teak from the Malabar coast. Teak was hard, heavy and full of natural oil, so it resisted rot, insects and salt water far better than English oak. A carriage built in Bombay would last much longer on an exposed battery than one shipped out from England.

The scale of the order shows how far the fortification programme had come. Twenty-four carriages for 24-pounders were needed for the heavy guns that commanded the anchorage, including those tested at Munden's Point in December 1767. Twenty-one carriages for 6-pounders served the lighter guns at the smaller posts. The two beds for 13-inch brass mortars were for the mortars the Council had agreed on 14 December 1767 to place in front of Munden's Point. A mortar bed was a heavy wooden or iron platform on which the mortar sat. A 13-inch mortar threw a shell over a high arc and was meant to drop it onto the decks of ships anchored in the bay.

The order had to go round through China because no ship was then bound directly for Bombay. Between the voyage out, the building and the voyage back, the carriages would probably not reach St Helena for well over a year. The guns would have to sit on their old or temporary carriages until then.

46

39

1768

Bought of Captns. Cooke and Hoare the following

Salt Provision &c. as pr. their Bills viz. -

The Honble East India Company Dr.

To the Owners of the Earl of Elgin

8 Puncheons Europe Beef of 654 Pieces

6 Hhds. Europe Pork of 474

1128 Pieces @ 2/

£ 112 . 16

Island St. Helena Recd. the Contents in full for

30th May 1768 The Owners of the Earl of Elgin

Signed G. Tuff

The Honble Compy. Dr.

To Owners of the Ship British King

To 60 Bushels of Coals

£ 6 . 13 . 4

To 6 Tierces & 1 Puncheon Beef contg. 333 Pcs.

To 3 Puncheons Pork contg. 245

578 @ 2/

57 . 16

£ 64 . 9 . 4

St. Helena 1 June 1768

Recd. the Contents in full for the Owners of the

British King -

Signed Robt. Pridie

Captn. Archibald Mitchell applied to Us to pay £ 400 -

into the Honorable Company's Cash, which Sum we have received and given him

Bills of Exchange drawn upon the Honble the Court of Directors payable to

Alexander Hume Esqr. (or Order) ninety days after sight dated this day -

John Skottowe

Dan Corneille

M. Purling

The Council bought the following salt provisions and other stores from Captain Cooke and Captain Hoare, according to their bills.

The Company, debit, to the owners of the Earl of Elgin:

8 puncheons of European beef, containing 654 pieces

6 hogsheads of European pork, containing 474 pieces

Total, 1,128 pieces at 2s each, £112 16s 0d

George Tuff signed for the full amount on behalf of the owners at St Helena on 30 May 1768.

The Company, debit, to the owners of the British King:

60 bushels of coal, £6 13s 4d

6 tierces and 1 puncheon of beef, containing 333 pieces

3 puncheons of pork, containing 245 pieces

Total for beef and pork, 578 pieces at 2s each, £57 16s 0d

Total, £64 9s 4d

Robert Prudie signed for the full amount on behalf of the owners at St Helena on 1 June 1768.

Captain Archibald Mitchell asked to pay £400 into the Company's treasury. The Council took the money and gave him bills of exchange on the Court of Directors, payable to Alexander Hume or his nominee 90 days after presentation and dated that day.

Governor Skottowe, Corneille and Purling signed the minutes.

Interpretations

On 14 March 1768 the Council had turned down Captain Sandys's offer of 20 casks of salt meat, because the stores were full. Now it bought more than 1,700 pieces from two ships within two days. The change had a clear cause. Much of the Bengal salt meat had gone bad, and the Council had thrown it into the sea. Its letter of 25 May 1768 told Fort William to send no more. The European meat from the Earl of Elgin and the British King refilled the stores with better-cured provisions. The Council paid the flat 2s a piece that the warehouse charged its own employees for beef and pork, so it could sell the meat on without loss. Both bills were signed by the ships' pursers, George Tuff and Robert Prudie. A purser kept the ship's stores and accounts for her owners.

The 60 bushels of coal restocked the engineer's store. On 31 March the Council had given ten of its last 20 bushels to the Triton for her galley, expecting fresh coal to arrive soon. The smiths at the batteries and in the armourer's shop needed coal for their forges. The British King could spare it as she neared the end of her voyage. At about 2s 2½d a bushel, it cost slightly more than the 1s 9d a bushel that the warehouse had charged the Triton.

Mitchell, the engineer, paid in £400, more than five quarters of his combined pay as engineer and captain of artillery. Like the Governor, Purling, Corneille and the chaplain, he used the last weeks of the shipping season to send his savings home before the treasury had to pay the garrison at the end of June.

47

40

1 June

At a Consultation held on Wednesday the 1 day of June 1768 at the Castle

Present John Skottowe Esqr. Governor

Daniel Corneille Esqr. Lieut. Governor

Mr. Matthew Purling

Capt. Thos. Kirkpatrick of Council

The last Consultation was read, approved and signed, dated the 30th May 1768

We this day received the following Letter from Capt. Cooke viz.

To The Worshipful John Skottowe Esqr. Govern. & Council

of the Island St. Helena

Gentlemen

The People belonging to the Ship Earl of Elgin having

been very sickly for some time past, & still continue in a Weak Condition, &

being informed by the Clerk of the Market, we have nearly had the Quantity of

Bullocks allowed Us at this Island, I shall be glad if you will grant me leave

to stop at the Island of Ascension for a few hours to endeavour to get a Quantity of

Turtle, for the better recovery of the Ships Company, as without which, I have

great reason to Imagine the Major part of them will be rendered utterly incapable

of doing any duty long before we can possibly Arrive at any port in Great Britain

I am

Gentlemen

St. Helena 1 June 1768 Your most humble Servant

Signed

Thos. Cooke

To which we returned him the subsequent Answer viz.

1 June

At a Consultation held on Wednesday the 1 day of June 1768 at the Castle

Present John Skottowe Esqr. Governor

Daniel Corneille Esqr. Lieut. Governor

Mr. Matthew Purling

Capt. Thos. Kirkpatrick of Council

The last Consultation was read, approved and signed, dated the 30th May 1768

We this day received the following Letter from Capt. Cooke viz.

To The Worshipful John Skottowe Esqr. Govern. & Council

of the Island St. Helena

Gentlemen

The People belonging to the Ship Earl of Elgin having

been very sickly for some time past, & still continue in a Weak Condition, &

being informed by the Clerk of the Market, we have nearly had the Quantity of

Bullocks allowed Us at this Island, I shall be glad if you will grant me leave

to stop at the Island of Ascension for a few hours to endeavour to get a Quantity of

Turtle, for the better recovery of the Ships Company, as without which, I have

great reason to Imagine the Major part of them will be rendered utterly incapable

of doing any duty long before we can possibly Arrive at any port in Great Britain

I am

Gentlemen

St. Helena 1 June 1768 Your most humble Servant

Signed

Thos. Cooke

To which we returned him the subsequent Answer viz.

48

41

1768

To Capt. Thomas Cooke Commander of Ship Earl of Elgin

Sir

Having supplied you with all the Cattle that the Stock of

the Island can possibly afford, we are sorry to find by your Letter of this days date

that it has not been sufficient for the recovery of your People, and as you apprehend

your touching at Ascension to Get Turtle will be of great service to your Ships

Company on their Passage to England, You have our permission to call at that

Island, for the above purpose -

We are Sir

St. Helena Your humble Servants

1 June 1768 Signed

John Skottowe

Dan Corneille

Matt Purling

Thos. Kirkpatrick

John Skottowe

Dan Corneille

M. Purling

The Council replied to Captain Thomas Cooke, commander of the Earl of Elgin, in a letter dated at St Helena on 1 June 1768. It had supplied him with all the cattle the island's stock could spare. It regretted to learn from his letter that this had not been enough for his men to recover. Cooke believed that calling at Ascension for turtle would greatly help his crew on their passage to England, so the Council gave him leave to stop at that island for the purpose.

Governor Skottowe, Corneille, Purling and Kirkpatrick signed the letter. Governor Skottowe, Corneille and Purling signed the minutes.

Interpretations

The Council did not give Cooke more cattle. It held to the limit the clerk of the market had applied. It said plainly that the ship had already received all the island could spare. It met his need another way, by allowing a short stop at Ascension, which cost the island nothing. The choice protected St Helena's small herds at the end of a very busy season while still answering the needs of a sick crew. The written permission also covered Cooke against any later charge from his owners or the Court that he had strayed from his direct course home.

Ascension had no settlers or garrison in 1768. Homeward ships called there freely to take turtle, and some left letters in a bottle at a known spot on the shore for later ships to collect. A stop of a few hours was enough to turn a dozen or more turtles on the beach and haul them aboard.

49

42

6th June

At a Consultation held on Monday the 6th day of June 1768 at the Castle

Present John Skottowe Esqr. Governor

Capt. Thos. Kirkpatrick Daniel Corneille Esqr. Lieut. Governor

absent being Sick Mr. Matthew Purling of Council

The last Consultation was read approved and signed, dated the 1 June 1768 -

Thursday the 2d Sailed the Honorable Company's Ships Earl of Elgin & British King

for England -

Saturday the 4th Sailed the Dutch Ships Burgh & Schoonsight for Holland -

Yesterday Arrived the Northington's Boat at Banks's at four o'Clock in the afternoon

Do. Do. The Honorable Company's Ship Northington from Bengal

Do. Do. The Honorable Company's Ship Duke of Richmond from

England by which opportunity we received a Packet from

the Honorable the Court of Directors, which we opened & read

This day Arrived the Vansittart's Boat at Banks's at Eleven o'Clock in the morning

Do. Do. the Honorable Company's Ship Vansittart from China -

The Northington and Vansittart brought Us the following

supply viz.

Invoice of Ship Northington

Rice fine

60 Bags Wt. 120 B. Mds. @ 25 . 8 Pr. Ar.

218 5 6

Sugar fine

10 Bags Wt. 20 F. Mds. @ 8 . 10 Pr. Md.

172 8

Paddy

15 Bags of 22 . 20 @ 1 . 15 Pr. Cr.

16 5 9

Wax Candles

4 Chests of 8 @ 72 Pr. Md.

576

Batavia Arrack

2 Leaguers 235 Ar. @

507 9 6

Pork

20 Casks Wt. 25946½ @ 13 Ar. Pr. 100 lb

3642 14 3

Beef

5 Casks Wt. 7037½ @ 16 Pr. 112 lb

1085 12 6

6219 7 6

Carried Over 6219 7 6

Governor John Skottowe held a consultation at the Castle on Monday 6 June 1768.

Present

John Skottowe, Governor

Daniel Corneille, Lieutenant Governor

William Matthew Purling, of the Council

Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick was absent through sickness

The Council read, approved and signed the minutes of 1 June 1768. The movements of shipping since then were recorded as follows.

Thursday 2 June, the Company's ships Earl of Elgin and British King sailed for England.

Saturday 4 June, the Dutch ships Bergh and Schoonsigt sailed for Holland.

Sunday 5 June, a boat from the Northington landed at Banks's at four in the afternoon, and the Company's ship Northington arrived from Bengal the same day.

Sunday 5 June, the Company's ship Duke of Richmond arrived from England. She brought a packet from the Court of Directors, which the Council opened and read.

Monday 6 June, a boat from the Vansittart landed at Banks's at eleven in the morning, and the Company's ship Vansittart arrived from China the same day.

The Northington and the Vansittart brought the following supplies. The Northington's invoice came first, in Bengal money.

Fine rice, 60 bags weighing 120 bazaar maunds at 25 seers 8 chittacks per rupee, 218 rupees 5 annas 6 pies

Fine sugar, 10 bags weighing 20 factory maunds at 8 rupees 10 annas per maund, 172 rupees 8 annas 0 pies

Paddy, 15 bags weighing 22 factory maunds 20 seers at 1 rupee 15 annas per [...], 16 rupees 5 annas 9 pies

Wax candles, 4 chests weighing 8 factory maunds at 72 rupees per maund, 576 rupees 0 annas 0 pies

Batavia arrack, 2 leaguers at 235 Arcot rupees each, 507 rupees 9 annas 6 pies

Pork, 20 casks weighing 25,446½ lb at 13 Arcot rupees per 100 lb, 3,642 rupees 14 annas 3 pies

Beef, 5 casks weighing 7,037½ lb at 16 [...] per 112 lb, 1,055 rupees 12 annas 6 pies

Total cost of goods, 6,219 rupees 7 annas 6 pies

Carried forward, 6,219 rupees 7 annas 6 pies

Interpretations

The Northington brought exactly the same consignment as the Earl of Elgin, item for item and price for price. That included another 20 casks of Bengal pork and five of beef, costing more than 4,600 rupees. The Council had written to Fort William on 25 May 1768 asking it to stop sending salt meat, which had arrived so bad that much of it went into the sea. Its letter was still on its way by way of China. Bengal had loaded both ships under its standing orders before any word could reach it. The island would receive a second year's supply of meat it no longer wanted, at a cost of almost £500 to the Company.

The Duke of Richmond was the second ship from England that season, after the Tilbury on 12 May. Her packet from the Court came only a month after the first, perhaps with replies to letters written later in 1767 or with the orders on the island's fortifications and appointments.

Kirkpatrick's absence through sickness was the first time a member had missed a consultation that year. He held three heavy posts at once, as councillor, captain of the First Company and paymaster. The quarter's pay would fall due at the end of June, so his illness came at an awkward moment.

50

43

1768

Brought Over 6219 7 6

Charges Merchandize

25 Casks @ 9 Ar. @

243

Coopers

23 3 6

155 Gunny Bags @ 12 . 8 Pr. %

20 14 9

2 . 8 Twine

4 6

4 Chests & Packages

15 6 3

Reed matts

2 13

Diet

1 6

Boathire

10 12 6

Sloop hire

216

Pions

2 5 3

Masters

42 1

Weighmen

9

Packers

1 1

579 12 9

Current Rupees 6799 4 3

Richd. Wills Sub Accompt.

Invoice of Ship Van Sittart

Bohea

No. 1 to 6 Chests No. 7 . 8 . 9 . 10 . 11 . 12

Tare 39 . 41 . 40 . 39 . 38 . 38

Gross 182 . 182 . 181 . 181 . 185 . 187

Gross Wt. 1098

Tare 235 863 Nt. Pecl. 6 . 51 @ Ta. 16

104 . 1 . 6

Congo

No. 1 to 12 6 Chests No. 7 . 8 . 9 . 10 . 11 . 12

Gross 180 . 180 . 173

Gross Wt. 533

Tare @ 13½ 111 422 Nt. Pecl. 3 . 20 @ Ta. 25

80

Singlo

No. 1 to 3 3 Chests No. 5 . 6 . 7

194 . 97

Gross Wt. 291

Tare 19½ 58½ 232½ Nt. Pecl. 1 . 74 @ Ta. 24

41 . 7 . 6

Ta. 225 . 9 . 2 . 0

E. Excepted Signed

Wm. Harrison

Mattw. Raper Junr.

John Bradley Blake

Mann Horner

Willm. Rous

Thos. Bevan

Henry Revell

Stepn. De Visme

Benj. Torin

The Northington's invoice continued with the charges on the goods.

Brought forward, 6,219 rupees 7 annas 6 pies

Charges on the goods

25 casks at 9 [...] each, 243 rupees 0 annas 0 pies

Coopers, 23 rupees 3 annas 6 pies

155 gunny bags at 12 rupees 8 annas per hundred, 20 rupees 14 annas 9 pies

2 seers of twine, 0 rupees 4 annas 6 pies

4 chests with packing, 15 rupees 6 annas 3 pies

Reed mats, 2 rupees 13 annas 0 pies

Food, 1 rupee 6 annas 0 pies

Boatmen, 10 rupees 12 annas 6 pies

Sloop hire, 216 rupees 0 annas 0 pies

Peons, 2 rupees 5 annas 3 pies

Porters, 42 rupees 1 anna 0 pies

Weighmen, 0 rupees 9 annas 0 pies

Packers, 1 rupee 1 anna 0 pies

Total for charges, 579 rupees 12 annas 9 pies

Total in current rupees, 6,799 rupees 4 annas 3 pies

Richard Wells signed the invoice as sub-accountant.

The Vansittart's invoice listed the tea she brought from China.

Bohea tea, 6 chests numbered 7 to 12

Tare of the chests, 39 lb, 41 lb, 40 lb, 39 lb, 38 lb, 38 lb

Gross weight of the chests, 182 lb, 182 lb, 181 lb, 169 lb, 165 lb, 157 lb

Gross weight, 1,004 lb

Tare, 235 lb

Net weight, 769 lb, or [...] piculs [...] catties, at 16 taels per picul, 104 taels 1 mace 6 candareens 0 cash

Congou tea, 3 chests

Gross weight of the chests, 180 lb, 180 lb, 173 lb

Gross weight, 533 lb

Tare at 13½ lb a chest, [...] lb

Net weight, 427 lb, or 3 piculs 20 catties, at 25 taels per picul, 80 taels 0 mace 0 candareens 0 cash

Singlo tea, 3 chests numbered 5 to 7

Gross weight of the chests, 194 lb, 97 lb, [...]

Gross weight, 291 lb

Tare at 19½ lb a chest, 58½ lb

Net weight, 232½ lb, or 1 picul 74 catties, at 24 taels per picul, 41 taels 7 mace 6 candareens 0 cash

Total, 225 taels 9 mace 2 candareens 0 cash

The invoice reserved the right to correct any errors. It was signed by Henry Revell, Stephen De Visme, Benjamin Torin, Mann Horne, William Rous, Thomas Bevan, William Harrison, Matthew Raper junior and John Bradby Blake.

Interpretations

This was the first tea sent to St Helena that season. The earlier China ships had brought only sugar, sugar candy and porcelain for the island. The warehouse had run low on tea through the first quarter of 1768. Sales to employees fell from 219½ lb of Bohea in the last quarter of 1767 to 101 lb. The Vansittart's three grades restocked it for the coming year. Bohea, the cheapest at 16 taels a picul, was meant for the soldiers' and slaves' rations and for general sale. Congou, at 25 taels, and Singlo, a green tea at 24 taels, served the officers and the Castle.

Thomas Fitzhugh and Thomas Smith no longer signed the Canton invoice. They had left Canton in the Latham and the Houghton, and those two ships had passed through St Helena in early May. The Vansittart's invoice was evidently drawn up after they sailed, so only the supercargoes still at Canton signed it.

The Northington's charges repeated the Earl of Elgin's almost exactly. Sloop hire was again 216 rupees, because heavy casks of salt meat had to be carried down the Hooghly. Bengal's charges alone came to nearly 580 rupees, about £65, all added to the cost of meat the island had asked not to receive.

51

44

6th June

The Storekeeper this day delivered the following Account

of Stores short received from the Ship Tilbury viz. -

Account of Stores short received from Ship Tilbury viz.

7 Milk Pans

13 Scythe Stones

7 Sqrs. Glass 8 by 10

3 Sqrs. Do. 11 by 17

2 Sqrs. Do. 11¼ by 18½

10 Sqrs. Do. 10 by 13

1 Wine Glass

found broke upon opening the Packages which were in good Order -

- . 2 . 24 Sope, short weight Occasioned by drying, as the Packages were in good qrs. lb

1 . 2 . 24 Cordage, short weight Occasioned by drying, as the Coils agreed as to

Number and dimensions as pr. Invoice

4 Bushels Salt short measure by wastage, the Casks being in good Order

1 Hhd. Pork

1 Bar Iron wt. 2 . 27 qrs. lb

3 Bauths

Short delivered

7 Soldiers Shirts

20 Yards Osnabrigs

6 Yds. Tickleburgs

damaged by wet and good nothing, the Packages being damaged and in bad Order

12 Round Iron Shot for 24 Prs.

33 Round Do. Do. for 6 Prs.

broke

1 Bed Quoin for 6 Prs. Short delivered

Port wine

No. 1 . 1 Hhd. Gages 60 Galls. wants to fill 1¼ Galls.

2 . 1 Hhd. Do. 60 Do. Do. 2

120

3¼

3¼

Galls. 116¾ recd.

Lisbon wine viz.

No. 3 . 1 Hhd. Gages 62 Galls. wants to fill 4¼ Galls.

4 . 1 Hhd. Do. 61 Do. Do. 1¼

5 . 1 Hhd. Do. 63 Do. Do. 2

186

7½

7½

Galls. 178½ Recd.

St. Helena 6 June 1768 Signed James Bowell Storekeeper

James Powell, the storekeeper, gave the Council an account of the stores from the Tilbury that came ashore short or damaged. He signed it at St Helena on 6 June 1768.

Found broken when the packages were opened, although the packages were in good order

7 milk pans

13 scythe stones

7 panes of glass 8 by 10 inches

3 panes of glass 10 by 17 inches

2 panes of glass 11¼ by 18½ inches

10 panes of glass 10 by 15 inches

1 wine glass

Short in weight through drying, the packages being sound

Soap, 0 cwt 2 qr 24 lb

Cordage, 1 cwt 2 qr 24 lb, the coils agreeing in number and size with the invoice

Short in measure through wastage, the casks being in good order

Salt, 4 bushels

Short delivered

1 hogshead of pork

1 bar of iron weighing 0 cwt 2 qr 27 lb

3 [...]

Damaged by wet and worthless, the packages being damaged and in bad order

7 soldiers' shirts

20 yards of osnaburg

6 yards of [...]

Broken

12 round iron shot for 24-pounders

33 round iron shot for 6-pounders

Short delivered

1 bed [...] for a 6-pounder

Port wine

Cask number 1, 1 hogshead gauged at 60 gallons, lacking 1¼ gallons to fill it

Cask number 2, 1 hogshead gauged at 60 gallons, lacking 2 gallons to fill it

Total gauged 120 gallons, total lacking 3¼ gallons

Port wine received, 116¾ gallons

Lisbon wine

Cask number 3, 1 hogshead gauged at 62 gallons, lacking 4¼ gallons to fill it

Cask number 4, 1 hogshead gauged at 61 gallons, lacking 1¼ gallons to fill it

Cask number 5, 1 hogshead gauged at 63 gallons, lacking 2 gallons to fill it

Total gauged 186 gallons, total lacking 7½ gallons

Lisbon wine received, 178½ gallons

Interpretations

Powell sorted every loss by its cause, and the sorting decided who would pay. Glass and earthenware broken inside sound packages pointed to rough handling or poor packing in England, so the claim lay against the suppliers. Soap, cordage and salt that had lost weight or measure in good casks had dried out or wasted naturally, which was nobody's fault. Goods missing altogether, such as a hogshead of pork and a bar of iron, were the ship's responsibility, since she had signed for them. Cloth spoiled by wet in damaged packages could be charged to the ship, or to the weather if her captain had entered a protest. Each heading told the Court in London where to press for payment.

The broken round shot is surprising, since iron balls rarely break. Cast iron shot could crack if it had flaws from casting, or if heavy cases were dropped while being landed through the surf. Shot for the 24-pounders was precious to an island whose new batteries had been built around guns of that size. Wine was among the island's few supplies from Europe. The port and Lisbon wine would serve the Company's table, where the steward drew about 30 bottles of Lisbon a month.

52

45

1768

James Goudy Centinel this day Petitioned for his discharge

from the Garrison, having served the Honorable Company his Contracted Time -

Granted

We having observed the Consequence of people digging Mortar on the

side of Mundens Point Hill, with respect to the detriment it does to the Water Course

in undermining the same, Ordered the following Advertizement to be published viz.

Island St. Helena 6th June 1768

This is to give notice to all the Inhabitants of the said Island, That

they are hereby positively Ordered not to take any dirt for Mortar or other uses from

below or above the water Course or on any part of Mundens Point Hill from the

Company's Black House to the Castle, on penalty of paying forty Shillings for every

Offence on being detected in so doing -

Be it further made known that any loose Stones on the side of the said

Hill may be taking for building but on no account whatever to dig or Quarry for

them -

Per Order of Council

Signed M. Bazett Secy.

John Skottowe

Dan Corneille

M. Purling

At a Consultation held on Monday the 13th day of June 1768 at the Castle

Present John Skottowe Esqr. Governor

Daniel Corneille Esqr. Lieut. Governor

Mr. Matthew Purling

Capt. Thos. Kirkpatrick of Council

The last Consultation was read, approved and signed, dated the 6th June 1768 -

Tuesday the 7 Sailed the French Ship Marquis de Lance for France

Thursday the 9th Sailed the Honorable Company's Ship Tilbury for China

Friday the 10 Died John Cox Serjeant -

James Gouty, a private, petitioned for his discharge from the garrison, having served the Company for the full term of his engagement. The Council granted his request.

The Council had noticed the harm done by people digging earth for mortar on the side of Munden's Point hill. The digging was undermining the watercourse. The Council therefore ordered the following notice to be published, dated 6 June 1768.

All inhabitants of the island were strictly forbidden to take any earth, for mortar or any other use, from below or above the watercourse, or from any part of Munden's Point hill between the Company's slave house and the Castle. Anyone found doing so would pay a penalty of 40s for each offence. Loose stones on the side of the hill could still be taken for building. No one, however, was on any account to dig or quarry for them.

Matthew Bazett, secretary, signed the notice by order of the Council. Governor Skottowe, Corneille and Purling signed the minutes.

Governor Skottowe held a consultation at the Castle on Monday 13 June 1768.

Present

John Skottowe, Governor

Daniel Corneille, Lieutenant Governor

William Matthew Purling

Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick, of the Council

The Council read, approved and signed the minutes of 6 June 1768. The French ship Marquis de Lanoe sailed for France on Tuesday 7 June. The Company's ship Tilbury sailed for China on Thursday 9 June. John Cox, a sergeant, died on Friday 10 June.

Interpretations

The watercourse on Munden's Point hill probably carried water down the slope toward the batteries and the landing place. Jamestown depended on a small number of springs and channels for its water, and so did every ship that watered in the bay. Townspeople and builders dug the hillside for earth to mix into mortar, and that loosened the ground beneath the channel until it was in danger of collapse. The Council could simply have banned all taking of material from the hill. It drew a finer line instead. Earth, which had to be dug out, was forbidden, while loose stones lying on the surface could still be gathered. The order protected the water supply and the slope above the new battery at Munden's Point. At the same time it left the inhabitants a free source of building stone.

A fine of 40s was heavy, more than half a quarter's pay for a private soldier. It shows how seriously the Council took the threat to its water.

The Tilbury had been ordered to sail for Canton on 25 May, once her ten working days for unloading ran out. She left only on 9 June, a fortnight later. Her captain may have waited to take on water and provisions, or to collect the Council's letters to the presidencies, including the order for gun carriages sent to Bombay on 30 May.

John Cox was a sergeant in the Artillery Company. His death took another experienced man from the gunners, after the discharges of Adam Creighton, John Martin and four matrosses earlier in the season.

53

46

13th June

Mr. Matthew Purling reports that he has been on

board the Ships Northington and Van Sittart to Muster their Company's and enquire for

deserters but found none, their Muster Rolls are as follow viz. -

Muster Roll of Ship Northington

John Sealy Commander

John Hoxhall Chief Mate

John May 2d Do.

Thomas Beith 3d Do.

Willm. Shuttleworth 4th Do.

Herbert Mercer 5th Do.

Thomas Stone Purser

John Knight Surgeon

John Roberts Do. Mate

Will. Hawkins Gunner Do.

John Baker Carpenter

Anthy. Smith Boatswain

Wm. Durrant Carpent. Mate

Wm. Gibbons Boatsw. 1 Do.

James Lockhart Boatsw. 2 Do.

Willm. Pugh Ships Stewd.

Fairfax Dear Capt. Do.

John Massy Cooper

James Sary Do. Mate

Robert Morrinson Armourer

Peter Jones Sailmaker

John Fawell Caulker

Will. Ravens Caulk. Mate

Hugh Pugh Midshipman

James Moore Do.

Thomas Burbridge Do.

John Lashand Do.

John Gunstone Do.

John Viney Do.

Henry Bryant Do.

George King Midshipman

Paul Cass Do.

Solomon Creech Quartermaster

John Blackmore Do.

Will. Reap Do.

William Barrett Do.

George Mowatt Do.

Thos. Rushworth Capt. Servt.

Wm. Briggs Capt. Taylor

James Turner Capt. Cook

Jacob Boynes Do. Mate

Clark Johnson Ships Cook

John Tully Seaman

Robert Hill

George Gardener

Richd. Steward

Francis Shiffe

Thomas Marlow

Patrick Sinclair

Edward Bruce

Jno. Warrens

Wm. Word

Edward Stedman

Will. Sharp

William Pearson

George Tyrrell

George Duncan

Robert Johnson

James Pube

Chas. Carming

Barnd. Duff Seaman

Will. Goodman

David Row

James Mallet

Will. Prothero

Richd. Pepper

Robt. Fenton

Domg. Brugee

John Jacobs

James Donelson

Joseph Shelton

Chas. Tobin

William Ross

David Forbes

Jno. West

James Flint

Thomas Williamson

Hugh Pudley

Chas. Kentham

Henry Dean

Jno. Darke

John Richmond

Robt. Archdeacon

Wm. Pratt

Humphy. Dorne

Will. Frear

James Simmondon

Jno. Smith

Andrew Burge

Peter Merton

Purling reported that he had boarded the Northington and the Vansittart to muster their crews and search for deserters. He found none. Their muster rolls read as follows, beginning with the Northington.

John Sealy, Commander

John Woxhall, Chief Mate

John May, Second Mate

Thomas Smith, Third Mate

William Shuttleworth, Fourth Mate

Herbert Mercer, Fifth Mate

Thomas Stone, Purser

John Knight, Surgeon

John Roberts, Surgeon's Mate

William Hawtrow, Gunner

John Baker, Carpenter

Anthony Smith, Boatswain

William Durant, Carpenter's Mate

William Gibbons, Boatswain's First Mate

James Lockhart, Boatswain's Second Mate

William Pugh, Ship's Steward

Ferdinand Dear, Captain's Steward

John Massey, Cooper

James Terry, Cooper's Mate

Robert Morrisson, Armourer

Peter Jones, Sailmaker

John Jewell, Caulker

William Ravens, Caulker's Mate

Hugh Pugh, Midshipman

James Moore, Midshipman

Thomas Coleridge, Midshipman

John Seaford, Midshipman

John Gunstone, Midshipman

John Nevey, Midshipman

Henry Bryant, Midshipman

George Thorng, Midshipman

Paul Cass, Midshipman

Solomon French, Quartermaster

John Blackmore, Quartermaster

William Reaf, Quartermaster

William Barrett, Quartermaster

George Mowett, Quartermaster

Thomas Bushworth, Captain's Servant

William Briggs, Captain's Tailor

James Turner, Captain's Cook

Jacob Boynes, Cook's Mate

Black Johnson, Ship's Cook

John Tully, Seaman

Robert Hill, Seaman

George Gardener, Seaman

Richard Steward, Seaman

Francis Shipe, Seaman

Thomas Marlow, Seaman

Patrick Sinclair, Seaman

Edward Bruce, Seaman

John Warren, Seaman

William Ward, Seaman

Edward Stedman, Seaman

William Sharp, Seaman

William Pearson, Seaman

George Tyrrell, Seaman

George Duncan, Seaman

Robert Johnson, Seaman

James Rule, Seaman

Charles Canning, Seaman

Bernard Duff, Seaman

William Goreman, Seaman

David Row, Seaman

James Mallet, Seaman

William Brothers, Seaman

Richard Pepper, Seaman

Robert Tenton, Seaman

Domingo Bourgee, Seaman

John Jacobs, Seaman

James Donelson, Seaman

Joseph Shelton, Seaman

Charles Tobin, Seaman

William Ross, Seaman

David Forbes, Seaman

John West, Seaman

James Flint, Seaman

Thomas Williamson, Seaman

Hugh Ridley, Seaman

Charles Kentan, Seaman

Henry Dean, Seaman

Thomas Darke, Seaman

John Richmond, Seaman

Robert Archdeacon, Seaman

William Pratt, Seaman

Humphrey Dorne, Seaman

William Frear, Seaman

James Simmonden, Seaman

John Smith, Seaman

Andrew Burge, Seaman

Peter Marston, Seaman

Interpretations

The Northington carried nine midshipmen, far more than the four or five in most of the season's ships. Midshipmen were young gentlemen learning to become officers. A commander could take many of them aboard because their families paid for the privilege, or because he was obliging patrons and friends in Leadenhall Street. A large number of midshipmen shows a well-connected captain whose ship was sought after as a training berth.

The ship's cook was entered simply as Black Johnson. The clerk used the man's colour as his first name, much as other rolls named Indian seamen by their place of origin. Black cooks were common in East Indiamen and in the Royal Navy. Many were free men who had found work at sea in English and colonial ports, and some had escaped slavery that way. Like the captain's tailor, he was part of a crew in which men of many origins worked side by side.

54

47

1768

Jno. Lawrence Seaman

Peter Gievers

Chas. Andrews

Jno. Baxter Steal Seaman

Stepn. Vigeon

Lawrence Franchson

Wm. Girling Seaman

Richd. Glazer

8 Moor Men

Passengers

Major Stibbert

Mrs. Stibbert

Mr. Hare

Miss Hare

Miss Nancy Hare

Mr. Williamson

Mr. Thwaite

Mr. Gladman

Signed

John Sealy

Muster Roll of Ship Van Sittart

Roger Fish Palmer Commander

Will. Brown Chief Mate

William Rowland 2d Do.

William Roberts 3d Do.

John Wordie 4th Do.

John Buxton 5th Do.

Allen Chatfield 6th Do.

Thomas Armitstead Purser

David Buffour Surgeon

Thos. Fenders Do. Mate

Thos. Taylor Midshipman

John Hope Do.

Wm. Cloughston Do.

Wm. Madgwick Do.

Danl. Wourdy Do.

Robert Bolace Do.

Anthony Owen Do.

Aaron Peters Carpenter

Henry Hankey Boatswain

Henry Jones Gunner

Joseph Dawson Ships Stewd.

Joseph Hoskins Cooper

James Seager Armourer

Thomas Wilkins

James Mills

Benj. Patrick Wilkinson

Hugh Aleow Gunners Mate

Will. Barlow Caulkers Do.

John Blenkinson Coopers Do.

Thos. Gosling Sailmaker

Wm. Dandage Capt. Cook

Walter Hilliard Ships Do.

Chas. Crochet Baker

Will. Webster Captains Taylor

Mackey Lawrence Quartermaster

John Welch Do.

Will. Haynes Do.

Will. Moore Do.

Will. Jamson Boatsw. Mate

Thos. Wallace Do.

Thos. Tiddele Seaman

Henry Palmer

Wm. Evans

John Hangroom

John Cobb

George Dent

Thos. Hopkins

Will. Godley

Will. Merchant

Wm. Goff

Saml. Waters

The Northington's muster roll ended with the following men and her passengers.

John Lawrence, Seaman

Peter Gowers, Seaman

Charles Andrews, Seaman

John Baxter Teal, Seaman

Stephen Vigeon, Seaman

Lawrence Frankson, Seaman

William Gilroy, Seaman

Richard Glazier, Seaman

3 Moors

Passengers

Major Tibbert

Mrs Tibbert

Mr Hare

Miss Hare

Miss Nancy Hare

Mr Williamson

Mr Thwaite

Mr Gladman

Captain John Sealy signed the roll.

The muster roll of the Vansittart followed.

Roger Fish Palmer, Commander

William Brown, Chief Mate

William Gowland, Second Mate

William Roberts, Third Mate

John Wordie, Fourth Mate

John Buxton, Fifth Mate

Allen Chatfield, Sixth Mate

Thomas Armitstead, Purser

David Buffon, Surgeon

Thomas Fenders, Surgeon's Mate

Thomas Taylor, Midshipman

John Hope, Midshipman

William Cloughton, Midshipman

William Madgwick, Midshipman

Donald Wourdy, Midshipman

Robert Bolden, Midshipman

Anthony Owen, Midshipman

Aaron Peters, Carpenter

Henry Hankey, Boatswain

Henry Jones, Gunner

Joseph Dawson, Ship's Steward

Joseph Hoskins, Cooper

James Seager, Armourer

Thomas Wilkins, [...]

James Mills, [...]

Benjamin Patrick Wilkinson, [...]

Hugh Alcow, Gunner's Mate

William Barlow, Caulker's Mate

John Blankensen, Cooper's Mate

Thomas Gosling, Sailmaker

William Dandridge, Captain's Cook

Walter Hilliard, Ship's Cook

Charles Crochet, Baker

William Webster, Captain's Tailor

Mackey Lawrence, Quartermaster

John Welch, Quartermaster

William Haynes, Quartermaster

William Moore, Quartermaster

William Jamison, Boatswain's Mate

Thomas Wallace, Boatswain's Mate

Thomas Tiddale, Seaman

Henry Palmer, Seaman

William Evans, Seaman

John Hargroom, Seaman

John Cobb, Seaman

George Dent, Seaman

Thomas Hopkins, Seaman

William Golley, Seaman

William Merchant, Seaman

William Goff, Seaman

Samuel Waters, Seaman

Interpretations

The Northington's roll ended with three men entered only as Moors. In the eighteenth-century East the English used the word for Muslims, especially Indian Muslims, whatever their origin. The clerk did not record their names, just as passengers' black servants went unnamed. Muslim seamen, often from Bengal or the Malabar coast, were hired in Indian ports to fill out the crews of homeward ships. In English records they were usually lumped together under the general heading of lascars or Moors.

The Hare family travelled home together. Mr Hare had two daughters, Miss Hare and Miss Nancy Hare. Major Tibbert and his wife were probably returning from the Company's army in Bengal. Families sailing together were common on the homeward voyage. Officials who had made their fortunes in India brought wives and children back to England, often after years of separation from friends and relations at home.

The Vansittart was named after Henry Vansittart, Governor of Bengal from 1760 to 1764. Her six mates, baker and captain's tailor mark her as one of the large, well-found China ships of the season.

55

48

13th June

John Bolton Seaman

Robert Wilson

Jas. McPherson

Richd. Hills

Danl. Leech

George Matthews

John Benson

John Baxter

John Archer

John Knowles

Richd. Haller

Danl. Campbell

David Johnson

James Herring

Adam Rutherford

James Baxter

James Tall

James Powell Seaman

Geo. Walker

Henry Ross

John Ray

Alex. Winchester

Saml. McIntosh

Anthy. Gilder

William Castley

Miles German

James Primrose

Wm. Ferguson

Samuel Leghorn

John Moore

William Potty

John Anderson

John Jamieson

James Dixon

Edward Monk Seaman

Francis Bettey

Danl. Brothers

Thos. Brothers

James Christie

John Rait

John Martin

John Palmer

Chas. West

John Benson

Henry Sheppard

John French

John Handiman

Passengers

Matt Raper Esqr.

J. B. Blake Esqr. Supra Cargoes

John Haines Servant

Caesar Do.

Signed

Roger Fish Palmer

The Gunners and Stewards Accounts for the Month of

May last, were this day brought in which were examined, and approved and are

as follows viz.

The Vansittart's muster roll ended with the following seamen and her passengers.

John Bolton, Seaman

Robert Wilson, Seaman

John McPherson, Seaman

Richard Hilts, Seaman

Daniel Leech, Seaman

George Matthews, Seaman

John Benson, Seaman

John Baxter, Seaman

John Archer, Seaman

John Knowles, Seaman

Richard Haller, Seaman

Daniel Campbell, Seaman

David Johnson, Seaman

James Herring, Seaman

Adam Rutherford, Seaman

James Baxter, Seaman

James Tall, Seaman

James Powell, Seaman

George Walker, Seaman

Henry Ross, Seaman

John Ray, Seaman

Alexander Winchester, Seaman

Samuel McIntosh, Seaman

Anthony Gilder, Seaman

William Castley, Seaman

Miles Gurman, Seaman

James Primrose, Seaman

William Ferguson, Seaman

Samuel Leghorn, Seaman

John Moore, Seaman

William Potty, Seaman

John Anderson, Seaman

John Jameson, Seaman

James Dixon, Seaman

Edward Monk, Seaman

Francis Pottley, Seaman

Daniel Brothers, Seaman

Thomas Brothers, Seaman

James Christie, Seaman

John Rait, Seaman

John Martin, Seaman

John Palmer, Seaman

Charles West, Seaman

John Benson, Seaman

Henry Sheppard, Seaman

John French, Seaman

John Hardiman, Seaman

Passengers

Matthew Raper, supercargo

J B Blake, supercargo

John Haines, servant

Caesar, servant

Captain Roger Fish Palmer signed the roll.

The gunner's and steward's accounts for May were presented, examined and approved.

Interpretations

Matthew Raper junior and John Bradby Blake were the last of the Canton supercargoes to come through St Helena that season. Their names stood on every Canton invoice for the island, including the Vansittart's own. Fitzhugh, Todd and Smith had sailed in the Latham and the Houghton in May. By June most of the season's council at Canton had passed through the island on their way home. They spread themselves across several ships, carrying their private fortunes, and left only a few colleagues to keep the Company's affairs at Canton until the next season.

One servant was named John Haines and the other only Caesar. Classical names such as Caesar, Pompey and Cato were often given to black servants and slaves by their masters. The Company's own slave Cato had died in the last quarter of 1767. The single name points to a black servant, probably bought in the East and brought home to England.

56

49

1768

Artillery Stores Expended in May 1768

Guns fired, Shot fired, 9 Pr, 4 Pr, 3 Pr, 2 Pr, 1 Pr, Powder Expended lb, Powder Expended oz

4th Powder for the Works at Banks's and Mundens Point: Guns fired 0, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expended lb 133, Powder Expended oz 0

Do. for the Works at the Quarry: Guns fired 0, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expended lb 13, Powder Expended oz 0

Do. to Shoot Goats at different Times: Guns fired 0, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expended lb 5, Powder Expended oz 4

Departed the Worcester: Guns fired 9, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 9, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expended lb 6, Powder Expended oz 12

Powder for Priming: Guns fired 0, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expended lb 1, Powder Expended oz 8

6th An Alarm: Guns fired 6, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 2, 3 Pr 2, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 2, Powder Expended lb 12, Powder Expended oz 0

7 An Alarm for a Ship that passed by: Guns fired 6, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 2, 3 Pr 2, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 2, Powder Expended lb 12, Powder Expended oz 0

9 Powder to the Men in the Long Boats: Guns fired 0, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expended lb 3, Powder Expended oz 0

Do. to repair the Cartridges at the Main Guard: Guns fired 0, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expended lb 9, Powder Expended oz 8

11 An Alarm: Guns fired 6, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 2, 3 Pr 2, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 2, Powder Expended lb 12, Powder Expended oz 0

12th Arrived the Tilbury: Guns fired 9, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 9, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expended lb 6, Powder Expended oz 12

Powder for priming: Guns fired 0, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expended lb 1, Powder Expended oz 8

An Alarm: Guns fired 6, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 2, 3 Pr 2, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 2, Powder Expended lb 12, Powder Expended oz 0

13 Arrived a Dutch Ship: Guns fired 13, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 13, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expended lb 9, Powder Expended oz 12

Fired at the said Ship from Banks's: Guns fired 1, Shot fired 1, 9 Pr 1, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expended lb 4, Powder Expended oz 8

Powder for priming for the said Ships Arrival: Guns fired 0, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expended lb 2, Powder Expended oz 4

14th Departed the Latham & Houghton: Guns fired 18, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 2, 3 Pr 1, 2 Pr 15, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expended lb 16, Powder Expended oz 12

Powder for Priming: Guns fired 0, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expended lb 3, Powder Expended oz 0

16th An Alarm for a Ship that Passed by: Guns fired 6, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 2, 3 Pr 2, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 2, Powder Expended lb 12, Powder Expended oz 0

Do. at Banks's for the same Ship: Guns fired 2, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 2, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expended lb 9, Powder Expended oz 0

18 Powder for the Funeral of Roger Witman Soldier: Guns fired 0, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expended lb 2, Powder Expended oz 4

19 A Double Alarm: Guns fired 9, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 3, 3 Pr 3, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 3, Powder Expended lb 18, Powder Expended oz 0

Arrived the British King & Earl of Elgin: Guns fired 18, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 18, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expended lb 13, Powder Expended oz 8

Powder for Priming: Guns fired 0, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expended lb 3, Powder Expended oz 0

23 An Alarm for a Ship that passed by: Guns fired 6, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 2, 3 Pr 2, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 2, Powder Expended lb 12, Powder Expended oz 0

Guns fired for a Salute to the said Ship: Guns fired 9, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 9, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expended lb 6, Powder Expended oz 12

Powder for Priming: Guns fired 0, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expended lb 3, Powder Expended oz 8

26 An Alarm: Guns fired 6, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 2, 3 Pr 2, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 2, Powder Expended lb 12, Powder Expended oz 0

27th Arrived a French Ship: Guns fired 9, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 9, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expended lb 6, Powder Expended oz 12

Priming: Guns fired 0, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expended lb 1, Powder Expended oz 8

28 An Alarm: Guns fired 6, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 2, 3 Pr 2, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 2, Powder Expended lb 12, Powder Expended oz 0

29th Arrived a Dutch Ship: Guns fired 11, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 11, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expended lb 8, Powder Expended oz 4

Powder for Priming: Guns fired 0, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expended lb 2, Powder Expended oz 0

31 Do. for Signals at different Times: Guns fired 0, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expended lb 5, Powder Expended oz 0

Total: Guns fired 150, Shot fired 1, 9 Pr 3, 4 Pr 21, 3 Pr 20, 2 Pr 93, 1 Pr 19, Powder Expended lb 445, Powder Expended oz 0

The gunner's return of artillery stores used in May 1768 recorded the guns fired, the shot fired, the 9-pounders, 4-pounders, 3-pounders, 2-pounders and 1-pounders used, and the powder spent in pounds and ounces.

4 May, powder for the works at Banks's and Munden's Point: guns fired 0, shot 0; powder 133 lb 0 oz

4 May, powder for the works at the quarry: guns fired 0, shot 0; powder 13 lb 0 oz

4 May, powder for shooting goats at different times: guns fired 0, shot 0; powder 5 lb 4 oz

5 May, departure of the Worcester: guns fired 9, shot 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 0, 3-pounders 0, 2-pounders 9, 1-pounders 0; powder 6 lb 12 oz

5 May, powder for priming: powder 1 lb 3 oz

6 May, an alarm: guns fired 6, shot 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 2, 3-pounders 2, 2-pounders 0, 1-pounders 2; powder 12 lb 0 oz

7 May, an alarm for a ship that passed by: guns fired 6, shot 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 2, 3-pounders 2, 2-pounders 0, 1-pounders 2; powder 12 lb 0 oz

9 May, powder for the men in the longboat: powder 3 lb 0 oz

9 May, powder to repair the cartridges at the main guard: powder 9 lb 8 oz

11 May, an alarm: guns fired 6, shot 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 2, 3-pounders 2, 2-pounders 0, 1-pounders 2; powder 12 lb 0 oz

12 May, arrival of the Tilbury: guns fired 9, shot 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 0, 3-pounders 0, 2-pounders 9, 1-pounders 0; powder 6 lb 12 oz

12 May, powder for priming: powder 1 lb 3 oz

12 May, an alarm: guns fired 6, shot 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 2, 3-pounders 2, 2-pounders 0, 1-pounders 2; powder 12 lb 0 oz

13 May, arrival of a Dutch ship: guns fired 13, shot 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 0, 3-pounders 0, 2-pounders 13, 1-pounders 0; powder 9 lb 12 oz

13 May, fired at the same ship from Banks's: guns fired 1, shot 1, 9-pounders 1, 4-pounders 0, 3-pounders 0, 2-pounders 0, 1-pounders 0; powder 4 lb 8 oz

13 May, powder for priming on the same ship's arrival: powder 2 lb 4 oz

14 May, departure of the Latham and the Houghton: guns fired 18, shot 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 2, 3-pounders 1, 2-pounders 15, 1-pounders 0; powder 16 lb 12 oz

14 May, powder for priming: powder 3 lb 0 oz

16 May, an alarm for a ship that passed by: guns fired 6, shot 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 2, 3-pounders 2, 2-pounders 0, 1-pounders 2; powder 12 lb 0 oz

16 May, an alarm at Banks's for the same ship: guns fired 2, shot 0, 9-pounders 2, 4-pounders 0, 3-pounders 0, 2-pounders 0, 1-pounders 0; powder 9 lb 0 oz

18 May, powder for the funeral of Roger Watson, soldier: powder 2 lb 4 oz

19 May, a double alarm: guns fired 9, shot 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 3, 3-pounders 3, 2-pounders 0, 1-pounders 3; powder 18 lb 0 oz

19 May, arrival of the British King and the Earl of Elgin: guns fired 18, shot 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 0, 3-pounders 0, 2-pounders 18, 1-pounders 0; powder 13 lb 8 oz

19 May, powder for priming: powder 3 lb 0 oz

23 May, an alarm for a ship that passed by: guns fired 6, shot 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 2, 3-pounders 2, 2-pounders 0, 1-pounders 2; powder 12 lb 0 oz

23 May, guns fired in salute to the same ship: guns fired 9, shot 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 0, 3-pounders 0, 2-pounders 9, 1-pounders 0; powder 6 lb 12 oz

23 May, powder for priming: powder 3 lb 8 oz

26 May, an alarm: guns fired 6, shot 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 2, 3-pounders 2, 2-pounders 0, 1-pounders 2; powder 12 lb 0 oz

26 May, arrival of a French ship: guns fired 9, shot 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 0, 3-pounders 0, 2-pounders 9, 1-pounders 0; powder 6 lb 12 oz

26 May, priming: powder 1 lb 3 oz

28 May, an alarm: guns fired 6, shot 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 2, 3-pounders 2, 2-pounders 0, 1-pounders 2; powder 12 lb 0 oz

29 May, arrival of a Dutch ship: guns fired 11, shot 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 0, 3-pounders 0, 2-pounders 11, 1-pounders 0; powder 8 lb 4 oz

29 May, powder for priming: powder 2 lb 0 oz

31 May, powder for signals at different times: powder 5 lb 0 oz

Total: guns fired 156, shot 1, 9-pounders 3, 4-pounders 21, 3-pounders 20, 2-pounders 93, 1-pounders 19; powder 445 lb 0 oz

Interpretations

For the first time the return showed where the powder for sundry services went, instead of giving a single total. The largest share, 133 lb, went to blasting rock at the works at Banks's and Munden's Point. Another 13 lb went to the quarry, where stone for the masonry was cut. Together they took about a third of the month's powder. The figure confirms what earlier returns only suggested: the new batteries were being cut out of the cliffs with gunpowder as well as picks and wedges.

The Dutch ship Bergh was brought to with a shot from Banks's on 13 May, as two Dutch ships had been in April. After answering, she was saluted with 13 guns. Dutch captains who seldom called at the island evidently did not know its rule that ships must heave to off Banks's, and the battery enforced it each time.

Roger Watson's funeral used 2 lb 4 oz of powder. A soldier was buried with a volley fired over his grave by his comrades. Powder was also issued to repair the cartridges at the main guard, where damp could spoil made-up charges. A further supply went for signals, the flashes and reports by which the lookout posts passed messages to the Castle.

57

50

13th June

Tallow Expended for different uses

46 lb

Lead Balls Do. for Do.

5 lb

Handspikes Do. for Do.

14

Spunge Staves

1

Tompions Expended 2 . 2 lb 1 . 4 Pr.

3

Trunk Nails delivered to the Lieut. Governor

100

Signed

R. Mitchell

Sundries Expended at the Honorable Company's Table in May 1768

4 Bottles Port Wine

£ 6

38 Do. Lisbon

2 17

12 Do. Mountain

18

24 Do. Beer

6

200 lb Beef

4 3 4

300 lb Mutton

6 5

4 Lambs

2

2 Turkeys

10

24 Fowles

1 16

30 lb Butter

1 10

90 lb Candy

1 16 3

336 lb Flour

2 15

30 Galls. Arrack

7 10

£ 32 12

The Executor to the last Will and Testament of John Cox

Deceased this day presented the said Will desiring the same might be proved which was

accordingly done upon the Oaths of the Witnesses thereto. The Will is as follows viz. -

The gunner also accounted for other stores used during May.

Tallow used for different purposes, 46 lb

Lead balls for different purposes, 5 lb

Handspikes for different purposes, 14

Sponge staves, 1

Tompions, 2 for 2-pounders and 1 for 4-pounders, 3

Trunk nails delivered to the Lieutenant Governor, 100

Archibald Mitchell signed the return.

The steward's account listed the sundries used at the Company's table in May 1768.

4 bottles of port wine, £0 6s 0d

38 bottles of Lisbon wine, £2 17s 0d

12 bottles of Mountain wine, £0 18s 0d

24 bottles of beer, £0 6s 0d

200 lb of beef, £4 3s 4d

300 lb of mutton, £6 5s 0d

4 lambs, £2 0s 0d

2 turkeys, £0 10s 0d

24 fowls, £1 16s 0d

30 lb of butter, £1 10s 0d

90 lb of sugar candy, £1 16s 3d

336 lb of flour, £2 15s 0d

30 gallons of arrack, £7 10s 0d

Total, £32 12s 0d

The executor of the will of John [...], deceased, presented the will that day and asked for it to be proved. The Council proved it on the oaths of the witnesses. The will read as follows.

Interpretations

The price of fresh meat fell back in May after the April peak. Beef cost 5d a pound against more than 8d in April, and mutton 5d against 7d. Fewer ships lay in the road at once, so demand from captains and pursers eased, and the island's planters lowered their prices. The table still bought more meat than in any month of the summer, 500 lb in all, besides 24 fowls. It was entertaining the officers and passengers of the Tilbury, the Latham, the Houghton, the Earl of Elgin and the British King, all of which lay at the island during the month. Lisbon wine reached 38 bottles, the most of the year.

The Council acted as the island's court of probate. In England a will was proved before a church court. On St Helena the Governor and Council heard the witnesses swear that they had seen the dead man sign it, and they then registered it. Proving a will gave the executor legal authority to collect debts, sell property and pay the legacies. The deceased was probably Sergeant John Cox of the Artillery Company, who had died on 10 June 1768.

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1768

In the Name of God Amen

I John Cox being of sound mind and memory blessed be God tho' Weak

of body, do make this my last Will and Testament, In manner & form following viz.

In the first I recommend my Soul unto Almighty God who gave it hoping for mercy

through the Merrits of Jesus Christ his only Son my Redeemer, and my Body to the

Earth, to be Buried at the discretion of those appointed for that purpose, as touching my

Worldly Effects, I will and bequeath them unto my trusty and well beloved Friend

Nicholas Houghton whom I appoint my sole Executor, hereby revoking all Former

Wills, and Legacys made by or for me. Signed Sealed and delivered In the presence

of us, who have hereunto Subscribed our Names, as Witnesses this six day of June

In the Year of our Lord one thousand seven Hundred and Sixty eight And in the

Eighth year of the Reign of his Majesty King George the Third -

Witness Signed

Signed Thos. Ferris John Cox

Geo. Roe

The Storekeeper this day delivered the following Account of Stores

short received from Ship Northington viz.

Account of Stores Short received from Ship Northington viz.

5 . 2 . 12 Rice cwt. qrs. lb

- . 3 . 17 Paddy

1 . 1 . 9 Sugar

- . - . 3 Candles

Short weight. Occasioned by Waste &c. the Packages being in good order -

No. 1 . 1 Leagr. Arrack Gages 150 Galls. wants to fill 7 Galls.

2 . 1 Do. Do. 143 Do. Do. 4

293

11

11

Recd. 282 Galls.

St. Helena 13 June 1768 Signed James Bowell Storekeeper

John Cox made his will on 6 June 1768, in the eighth year of the reign of King George III. He was weak in body but of sound mind and memory. He commended his soul to Almighty God, in hope of mercy through Jesus Christ, and left his body to be buried as those responsible thought fit. He left all his worldly goods to his trusted friend Nicholas Houghton, whom he named as his sole executor, and he cancelled all earlier wills and legacies. Cox signed the will with his mark in the presence of two witnesses, Thomas Ferris and George Roe.

James Powell, the storekeeper, gave the Council an account of the stores from the Northington that came ashore short of the invoice. He signed it at St Helena on 13 June 1768. The shortfalls in weight came from wastage, and the packages were in good order.

Rice, short in weight by 5 cwt 2 qr 12 lb

Paddy, short in weight by 0 cwt 3 qr 17 lb

Sugar, short in weight by 1 cwt 1 qr 9 lb

Wax candles, short in weight by 0 cwt 0 qr 3 lb

Arrack, cask number 1, 1 leaguer gauged at 150 gallons, lacking 7 gallons to fill it

Arrack, cask number 2, 1 leaguer gauged at 143 gallons, lacking 4 gallons to fill it

Arrack, total gauged 293 gallons, total lacking 11 gallons

Arrack received, 282 gallons

Interpretations

Cox made his will four days before he died, on 10 June 1768. He left everything to Nicholas Houghton, a corporal in the same Artillery Company. He named no wife, child or relative, which suggests he had no family on the island, or none he wished to remember. Soldiers far from home commonly left their few possessions and their arrears of pay to a comrade. The friend who inherited them also undertook to settle the dead man's debts and see him buried. The witnesses were Thomas Ferris and George Roe, fellow soldiers. Ferris was probably the Fourth Company sergeant whose pay had ended in March. Cox's estate would have amounted to little more than his clothing, a few belongings and the pay owed him for the days of June he had served.

Cox signed with his mark, a cross, which shows he could not write his name. Even a sergeant of artillery, a skilled and trusted rank, might be unable to read and write in 1768. The Company relied on its officers and a few literate men to keep the garrison's records.

59

52

13th June

We this day Ordered an Advertisement to be published

relative to the selling of the Goods belonging to the Capt. and Officers of the Ship

Duke of Richmond, as was done with respect to the Gentlemen of the Tilbury

Bought of Captain Sealy the following Salt

Provision &ca as pr. his Bill viz. -

The Honble Company Dr.

To Owners of Ship Northington

For 3 Casks of Pork contg. 130 Ps. at 2/

13

7 Casks of Beef 280 Ps. 2/

28

1 Shear Mast Cost

13

One Barrell Tar Cost 1 . 1

Advance £ 30 Pr. Cent 10 . 6

1 11 6

£ 55 11 6

St. Helena 13 June 1768

E. E. & Contents recd.

for Owners of Ship Northington

Signed

Thos. Stone

The Lieut. Governor this day laid before Us the following Letter

To John Skottowe Esqr. Governor & Council &ca -

Gentlemen

Having received pr. Store Ship undoubted information from

Friends, that the treatment I met with from the Governor the 6 of October 66 and

represented Home in the subsequent Consultation of the 13th of same Month to all which

you were present. Has been represented by the Governor in a private Letter to the

Honble the Court of Directors, in manner and Words totally Different from the

real Circumstances of that transaction. Mr. Skottowe exculpating himself to their

Honors through the necessity he was under from Words arising between the Engineer

The Council ordered a notice to be published about the sale of goods belonging to the captain and officers of the Duke of Richmond, on the same terms as for the officers of the Tilbury.

The Council bought the following salt provisions and other stores from Captain Sealy, according to his bill.

The Company, debit, to the owners of the Northington:

3 casks of pork, containing 130 pieces at 2s each, £13 0s 0d

7 casks of beef, containing 280 pieces at 2s each, £28 0s 0d

1 sheer mast, cost £13 0s 0d

1 barrel of tar, cost £1 1s 0d

Advance on £30 at [...] per cent, £0 10s 6d

Total for tar and advance, £1 11s 6d

Total, £65 11s 6d

Thomas Stone signed for the full amount on behalf of the owners at St Helena on 13 June 1768, reserving the right to correct any errors.

Corneille laid the following letter before the Council, addressed to Governor Skottowe and the Council.

Corneille wrote that the store ship had brought him firm information from friends in England. On 6 October 1766 the Governor had treated him in a certain way, and the Council had recorded the matter at its consultation of 13 October 1766, with every member present. The Governor had since described that affair to the Court of Directors in a private letter, in terms entirely different from what had really happened. In that letter Skottowe excused himself to the Court by pleading that he had been forced to act because of words that arose between the engineer and

Interpretations

Corneille's letter opened a serious quarrel between the island's two senior officers. Under the Company's rules the Governor and Council reported to the Court in the general letter, signed by all members and based on the minutes they had approved together. A governor who also wrote privately to the Court could tell his own side of a dispute without his colleagues seeing it. Corneille's friends in London had seen or heard of such a letter and sent word in the Tilbury. He now raised the matter openly before the whole Council. That way the minutes, which went to the Court, would carry his answer alongside the Governor's account. The events of October 1766 came before the earliest consultations recorded in this volume, so their nature is known only from Corneille's letter. His mention of words with the engineer suggests the dispute grew out of a clash involving Captain Mitchell.

A sheer mast was a long, strong spar used to make sheers, a lifting frame of two or three spars lashed together at the top with tackle hung from it. Sheers raised heavy loads such as cannon onto their carriages or into batteries. At £13 the mast was costly, but the island had no trees long or strong enough for the purpose. It was probably meant for mounting the 24-pounders at Munden's Point and Banks's. The advance of £30 was probably cash the ship's purser had paid out on the Company's behalf, with a small charge added for the use of the money.

60

53

1768

and, in which I expressed myself with more warmth than he thought was proper at that Board;

And alledges his reprimand in Consequence of such a Conduct, thinking it his Duty to inform

me in the following Words - That I had an unquestionable liberty to always freely speak

my Sentiments, and Opinion in him in Consultation to whatsoever subject or business that

occurred but that he did not Conceive that I had any right to dictate to the Board. -

Such Gentlemen is the unfair manner in which he has Stated his reprimand

to the Honble the Court of Directors, and that in an underhand Method, knowing too well

that the truth of my whole Assertion would bear the Test of the Strictest Scrutiny, and could

only be rendered void by such unfair and false Representations, so contrary to the real

State and matter of Fact. I must further inform you Gentlemen that Mr. Skottowe has

not confined himself to the above misrepresentation of that charge alone; having

further alledged to my Honorable Masters, as having taken upon me both in his

opinion as well as many others, more than in Justice the Governor ought to have

submitted to. As well as endeavouring by every means to render him of no Consequence,

and also insinuating that the Government of this Island was invested only in the

Council, which he is pleased to say is, My usual Expression -

As such a charge I cannot but consider as the highest reflection on

my Character, and Conduct, so Valuable to every Man of Honor; And not knowing how

far such Insinuations may prejudice me in the minds of my Honble Employers, (tho'

I have reason to hope from their justice that they will always consider private Accusations

as the true Stamp of unfaithfulness, as no mans Conduct and actions can be safe from

such a practice) I therefore beg leave to call upon you Gentlemen of Council, as well as

the Secretary, and Engineer to declare in what manner, and Words the Governor made

his reprimand, and Whether I had merited by any warmth of Temper, or dispute

between the Engineer and me, (more than the Interrogatory Question that for my own

satisfaction I was at that time wanting to be cleared up by Capt. Mitchell) such

Treatment. Or if Mr. Purling, and Capt. Kirkpatrick have known me at any time

take more upon me than my Station and Duty to my Honble Employers required, or

that I ever said that the Government of this Island was Invested only in the Council (my

Usual Expression) to Confute which I could safely appeal not only to this Board, but

to the whole Settlement were it necessary. Yet not fully Satisfied with the Honour and

Integrity of you Gentlemen who are more immediately connected with me in station,

Consequently best judges of my whole Conduct and actions since upon this Island; And

as such for my own Honour, as well as the satisfaction of my Honble Employers,

call upon you Gentlemen to clear up the imputation laid to my Charge. Wishing only

to stand, or fall in the opinion of the Honble the Court of Directors, according to the

Event of this Scrutiny into my Conduct, and Actions, both with regard to the Honble

Company

The Governor's private letter, Corneille continued, claimed that the words between the engineer and Corneille had led Corneille to speak with more heat than was proper at the Board. Skottowe said he had reprimanded Corneille for that conduct. He described the reprimand as a duty, delivered in these terms: Corneille had an unquestioned right always to speak his views and opinions freely in Council on any subject that arose, but the Governor did not consider that he had any right to dictate to the Board.

Corneille called this an unfair account of the reprimand, sent to the Court in an underhand way. He said Skottowe knew well that the truth of Corneille's whole conduct would bear the strictest scrutiny and could be discredited only by unfair and false reports that contradicted the facts. Skottowe had not stopped at that one misrepresentation. He had also told the Court that Corneille took more upon himself than the Governor ought in fairness to allow, in his own opinion and that of many others. He claimed Corneille tried in every way to make him of no consequence. He even suggested that Corneille often said the government of the island lay in the Council alone, and called that Corneille's usual saying.

Corneille regarded these charges as the gravest attack on his character and conduct, which every man of honour valued. He did not know how far such hints might harm him in the minds of the Court. He hoped the Court in its fairness would treat private accusations as the true mark of disloyalty, since no man's conduct could be safe against such a practice. He therefore called on the members of the Council, as well as the secretary and the engineer, to declare several things. How and in what words had the Governor reprimanded him? Had he deserved it by any heat of temper or quarrel with the engineer? Or had he simply asked questions that he wanted Captain Mitchell to clear up at the time? He asked Purling and Kirkpatrick whether they had ever known him take more upon himself than his post and his duty to the Company required. He also asked whether he had ever said that the government of the island lay in the Council alone, or whether that was his usual saying. To disprove it he could safely appeal not only to the Board but to the whole settlement, if needed. He was fully satisfied of the honour and integrity of his fellow councillors, who worked most closely with him and so were the best judges of his conduct on the island. For the sake of his own honour and to satisfy the Court, he called on them to clear him of the charge. He wished only to stand or fall in the Court's opinion according to the result of this inquiry into his conduct, both towards the Company

Interpretations

Corneille did not answer the Governor with a private letter of his own. He could have written to his friends at the Court as Skottowe had done, and that would have been the easy course. He chose instead to lay the charges before the Council and to call the other members, the secretary and the engineer as witnesses. The minutes went to London as the Council's official record, so their answers would reach the Court with the authority of the whole Board. Corneille's own words show his reasoning. He called private accusations the true mark of disloyalty, because no one could answer them. By bringing the dispute into the open, he set the accepted procedure of the general letter against what he called an underhand one.

The quarrel turned on a real question of power on the island. The Governor was the Company's chief officer. Decisions, however, were taken by majority in the Council, where the Governor had only one vote. Skottowe accused Corneille of saying that the government lay in the Council alone. That was a charge of claiming the Governor's authority for the Board. Corneille denied ever saying it. The issue had been raised already, and would arise again, in the Council's voting on the Castle repairs in 1767 and on James Black's sentence in May 1768, where members recorded different opinions.

61

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13th June

Company, their Governor, and this Settlement

And am

Gentlemen

St. Helena Your most Obedient & most humble Servant

13th June 1768 Signed Dan Corneille

The following are the Gentlemens Answers to what the Lieut.

Governor requested of them viz. -

The Circumstances of the Affair which passed in Consultation of the

6th of October 1766 which produced a Complaint from the Lieut. Governor against

the Governor on the subsequent Consultation, were as near as we can recollect as follow

A difference of opinion arose between the Lieut. Governor & Engineer

relative to a Ditch to the Flanking Line of the Defences then carrying on at

Sandy Bay, The Lt. Govr. Arguing for the Ditch, and the Engineer opposing it,

upon which the Governor told the Lt. Governor he was not to dictate to the

Board, nor give his opinion there until it was asked, the whole passing as well as

we can remember without any warmth of Passion on either side -

In reply to that part which the Lt. Governor has called upon Us to

clear up separate from the other Gentlemen, we can only say, That it has not

appeared to us in Consultation that he has acted at any Time inconsistent with

his duty to the Company or the Station he holds in the Service, nor have we

ever heard Mr. Corneille say, that the Government of the Island was vested only

in the Council -

Signed

M. Purling

Thos. Kirkpatrick

Captn. Mitchell being called upon by the Lieut. Governor to

relate the Substance of what he recollects to have passed in Council, in his presence

towards the latter end of the Year 1766 in Relation to a reprimand given to Mr.

Corneille

Corneille's letter ended with his wish to stand or fall according to his conduct towards the Company, its Governor and the settlement. He signed it at St Helena on 13 June 1768.

The members whom Corneille had called on then gave their answers.

Purling and Kirkpatrick set out the circumstances of the consultation of 6 October 1766, which had led to Corneille's complaint against the Governor at the next meeting, as nearly as they could remember them. The Lieutenant Governor and the engineer had disagreed about a ditch for the flanking line of the defences then being built at Sandy Bay. Corneille argued for the ditch, and the engineer opposed it. The Governor then told Corneille that he was not to dictate to the Board and was not to give his opinion until it was asked for. As far as they could recall, nobody on either side spoke in anger.

On the point Corneille had asked them to answer separately from the other gentlemen, they could say only this. It had never appeared to them in Council that he had acted in any way inconsistent with his duty to the Company or with his position in its service. Nor had they ever heard him say that the government of the island lay in the Council alone. Purling and Kirkpatrick signed the statement.

Corneille then called on Captain Mitchell to state what he remembered of what passed in Council towards the end of 1766 concerning a reprimand given to Corneille.

Interpretations

Purling and Kirkpatrick's answer supported Corneille on every point that mattered. They confirmed that the dispute arose from an ordinary disagreement over the design of the Sandy Bay works. Corneille wanted a ditch before the flanking line and Mitchell did not. They found no heat on either side. That contradicted the Governor's claim that Corneille had spoken too warmly to the engineer. They also recorded that the Governor's rebuke had been sharper than he told the Court. According to them, he forbade Corneille to give his opinion at all until asked. In the Governor's own account, he had freely granted Corneille the right to speak and objected only to dictating.

The councillors were careful in how they answered. They described what they remembered of the meeting without passing judgement on the Governor's conduct or his private letter. They confirmed only what lay within their own knowledge, that Corneille had done his duty and had never been heard to make the claim attributed to him. Both men served under Skottowe and would go on sitting with him at the Board, so they had good reason to keep their statement exact. Even so, their answer went to London in the minutes, signed by both, and it undercut the Governor's account to the Court.

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1768

Corneille by the Governor, does remember, that having at that time laid before the

Board a Plan of the Defences of Sandy Bay, then about to be carried into Execution

Mr. Corneille did object to some part of it; and not being at that time satisfied (tho'

afterwards fully so) with the reasons offered in favour of it by Capt. Mitchell, mentioned

his Intentions of laying his objections before the Honble the Court of Directors,

upon which Mr. Skottowe told him he was not to dictate to that Board, and was

only to give his opinion when asked, or Words to that Effect, which is all that

Capt. Mitchell recollects to have passed of consequence on that occasion -

Signed

13 June 1768 R. Mitchell

The Lieut. Governor calling upon me to declare in what manner

and Words the Governor made his reprimand &ca in Consultation of the 6th October

1766. As it is sometime since that dispute happened, and not imagining then,

that I should be called upon as an Evidence, did not give that Attention to what

passed at that time, as I should otherwise have done, but to the best of my

knowledge, what the Lieut. Governor sets forth in the subsequent Consultation

was the truth, as near as I can recollect -

Signed

St. Helena 13th June 1768 - M. Bazett

We this day granted the two following sets of Bills of Exchange

drawn upon the Honorable the Court of Directors viz. -

One Set to Daniel Corneille Esqr. for £ 41 . 16 -

payable to Mr. Robert Carr (or Order) -

And one Set to Capt. Henry Bazett for £ 60 - payable

to John Purling Esqr. (or Order) both drawn at ninety days sight -

Mr. Corneilles Letter excepted John Skottowe

Dan Corneille

M. Purling

Mitchell remembered that he had laid before the Board a plan of the defences at Sandy Bay, which was then about to be put into effect. Corneille objected to part of it. He was not then satisfied with the reasons Mitchell gave in its favour, though he was fully satisfied later, and he said he meant to put his objections to the Court of Directors. Skottowe then told him that he was not to dictate to the Board and was only to give his opinion when asked, or words to that effect. Mitchell recalled nothing else of importance from that occasion. He signed his statement on 13 June 1768.

Matthew Bazett, the secretary, gave his answer at St Helena on 13 June 1768. Corneille had called on him to state how and in what words the Governor had reprimanded him at the consultation of 6 October 1766. A long time had passed since the dispute. Bazett had not expected then to be called as a witness, so he had paid less attention to what passed than he otherwise would have. To the best of his knowledge and recollection, however, the account Corneille gave at the following consultation was true.

The Council granted two further sets of bills of exchange on the Court of Directors, both payable 90 days after presentation.

1 set to Daniel Corneille for £41 16s 0d, payable to Robert Cam or his nominee

1 set to Captain Henry Bazett for £60 0s 0d, payable to John Purling or his nominee

Governor Skottowe, Corneille and Purling signed the minutes. The Governor signed them with the exception of Corneille's letter.

Interpretations

Mitchell's account came from the very man Skottowe had named as the other party to the quarrel. The Governor had told the Court that Corneille had words with the engineer and spoke too warmly. Mitchell made no mention of any heat. He described Corneille's objection as an ordinary difference of view about the plan, and he said Corneille had later come round to his reasons. He also confirmed the detail that had most likely provoked the Governor's rebuke. Corneille had said he would take his objections to the Court, appealing over the Council's head. Skottowe's order that he speak only when asked was evidently a response to that threat, not to any outburst.

All four witnesses agreed on the substance. Purling, Kirkpatrick, Mitchell and Bazett each recorded the Governor's words as an order not to dictate to the Board and to give his opinion only when asked. That was harsher than the version in Skottowe's private letter, which had granted Corneille a full right to speak freely. Bazett was the most cautious, which suited a secretary who served the Governor directly, but even he confirmed Corneille's account.

Skottowe signed the minutes but excepted Corneille's letter. Every member signed the record of each consultation to show it was correct. By leaving the letter out of his signature, the Governor refused to accept its contents as part of a record he endorsed, while not blocking its entry in the minutes. The letter, the four answers and the Governor's reservation would all reach the Court together.

Henry Bazett's bill was payable to John Purling, the same London payee as William Matthew Purling's bill of 2 May 1768. John Purling evidently acted as agent in London for more than one of the island's officers.

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17th June

At a Consultation held on Friday the 17th day of June 1768 at the Castle

Present John Skottowe Esqr. Governor

Daniel Corneille Esqr. Lieut. Governor

Mr. Matthew Purling

Capt. Thomas Kirkpatrick of Council

The last Consultation was read approved and signed dated the 13 June 1768

Wednesday the 15th Sailed the Honorable Company's Ships Northington and

Vansittart for England -

The ten Working days allowed by Charter Party for unloading the

Ship Duke of Richmond being expired, We gave Capt. Thos. Wordman Sailing

Orders in writing to make the best of his way to Fort Marlborough on the West

Coast of the Island Sumatra according to the Orders which he has received

from the Honorable the Court of Directors. We likewise gave him the -

following Letter to the President & Council of Fort Marlborough together

with the duplicates of those we sent by the Ship Tilbury to the several

Presidencys in India viz. -

To the Honorable Richard Wyatt Esqr. President

& Governor &ca Council of Fort Marlborough -

Gentlemen

Your favour by the Earl of Middlesex we duly received

by the Ship Duke of Richmond take the opportunity of writing to you -

Agreeable to our Honorable Masters Permission for

sending you what Cash we could spare, have therefore Consigned to your

Presidency by the Ship Duke of Richmond two Chests amounting to two

Thousand pounds, as pr. Invoice and Bill of Lading Enclosed

You will likewise receive by this Conveyance Copy of the

Duke of Richmond's Charter Party, Victualling Bill and Manifest of Goods

Governor John Skottowe held a consultation at the Castle on Friday 17 June 1768.

Present

John Skottowe, Governor

Daniel Corneille, Lieutenant Governor

William Matthew Purling

Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick, of the Council

The Council read, approved and signed the minutes of 13 June 1768. The Company's ships Northington and Vansittart sailed for England on Wednesday 15 June.

The charter party allowed ten working days for unloading the Duke of Richmond, and that time had now run out. The Council gave Captain Thomas Woodman written orders to sail without delay for Fort Marlborough, on the west coast of Sumatra, in line with the orders he had received from the Court of Directors. It also gave him a letter for the President and Council of Fort Marlborough, together with copies of the letters it had sent to the presidencies in India by the Tilbury.

The letter was addressed to Richard Wyatt, President and Governor, and the Council of Fort Marlborough. The St Helena Council had received their letter by the Earl of Middlesex, and it now took the chance of the Duke of Richmond to reply.

The Court had given the island permission to send Fort Marlborough whatever cash it could spare. The Council had therefore shipped two chests in the Duke of Richmond, containing £2,000, as shown in the enclosed invoice and bill of lading. It also sent copies of the Duke of Richmond's charter party, victualling bill and manifest of goods.

Interpretations

The Council sent £2,000 in coin out of its treasury to Fort Marlborough, the Company's pepper settlement at Bencoolen. That seems at odds with its careful hoarding of specie all year. The explanation is the trade in bills. Since January it had taken in well over £5,000 from captains and officers in exchange for bills on London, more than enough to meet the island's quarterly pay. Fort Marlborough was even shorter of coin than St Helena. It needed silver to buy pepper from the Sumatran chiefs and to pay its own garrison, and few ships called there from England. The Court had authorised the island to pass on its surplus. St Helena's position on the homeward route made it a collecting point for coin that the Company could then redirect to its poorest settlement in the East.

The Duke of Richmond followed the same routine as the Tilbury. She unloaded the island's stores within the ten days her charter party allowed and was then sent on. Her outward voyage would take her to Sumatra rather than China, so she carried copies of the island's letters to India by a second route. If either ship was lost, the presidencies would still receive the island's orders for candles, cloth, rice and gun carriages.

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1768

Enclosed we transmit you several Letters, directed to the

Presidencys in India which we request you will forward by the first

opportunity -

We are

Gentlemen

St. Helena Your most Obedient & most humble Servants

17th June 1768 Signed John Skottowe

Dan Corneille

M. Purling

Thos. Kirkpatrick

John Skottowe

Dan Corneille

M. Purling

At a Consultation held on Monday the 20 day of June 1768 at the Castle

Present John Skottowe Esqr. Governor

Daniel Corneille Esqr. Lieut. Governor

Mr. Matthew Purling

Capt. Thomas Kirkpatrick of Council

The last Consultation was read, approved and signed dated the 17 of June 1768

The Storekeeper this day delivered the following Account of Stores

short received from Ship Duke of Richmond viz.

The Council also enclosed several letters addressed to the presidencies in India and asked Fort Marlborough to forward them by the first opportunity. Governor Skottowe, Corneille, Purling and Kirkpatrick signed the letter at St Helena on 17 June 1768. Governor Skottowe, Corneille and Purling signed the minutes.

Governor Skottowe held a consultation at the Castle on Monday 20 June 1768.

Present

John Skottowe, Governor

Daniel Corneille, Lieutenant Governor

William Matthew Purling

Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick, of the Council

The Council read, approved and signed the minutes of 17 June 1768.

James Powell, the storekeeper, gave the Council an account of the stores from the Duke of Richmond that came ashore short.

Interpretations

Fort Marlborough was the third route by which the island sent its letters to India that season, after the Tilbury to China and the separate packet for Bombay. Bencoolen traded regularly with Madras and Bengal, since its pepper and its supplies moved through those presidencies. Letters left there would reach India in the country ships that worked the Bay of Bengal. Sending copies by several ships was the Company's usual safeguard against loss at sea. A single letter could take a year to arrive, and any ship might be wrecked or taken.

The 20 June consultation was the last before the end of the quarter. The shipping season was almost over. The Duke of Richmond was the only Company ship still in the road, and the Council's attention would soon turn to the quarter's accounts, the garrison's pay and the plantation's winter work.

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58

20th June

Account of Stores short received from Ship Duke of Richmond viz.

4¼ Bushels Salt, short measure

- 3 . 3 Sope, short weight qrs. lb

Occasioned by Drying, as the Packages were in good Order -

1 Chest Sope Weight 2 . 20 qrs. lb

1 Half Back Sole Leat. Wt. - 1 . 23

1 Hhd. Pork

2 Elm Boards

14 Iron Shot for 24 Prs.

17 Do. Do. 6 Do.

6 Beds for 6 Do.

3 Coins for 6 Do.

3 Do. for 24 Do.

Short Delivered -

1 Dozn. Lines No. 2

1 Do. No. 3

- . 2 . fine twine

- . 2 . Coarse Do.

Short Delivered, the Packages being broke to pieces on board the Ship & the twine said by the Captain to have got damaged by wet & good for nothing

Wine viz.

Port No. 1 . 1 Hhd. Gages 60 Galls. wants to fill 3 Galls.

2 . 1 Do. Do. 60 Do. Do. 3

120

6

6

Recd. 114 Galls.

Lisbon No. 3 . 1 Hhd. Gages 61 Galls. Wants to fill 3 Galls.

4 . 1 Hhd. Do. 62 Do. Do. 3

5 . 1 Hhd. Do. 62 Do. Do. 3

185

9

9

176 Galls.

Mountain 6 . 1 Hhd. Gages 61 Galls. wants to fill 2 Galls.

Recd. 59 Galls.

St. Helena June 20 1768 Signed James Bowell Storekeeper

The storekeeper's account of the stores short received from the Duke of Richmond read as follows.

Short through drying, the packages being in good order

Salt, short in measure by 4¼ bushels

Soap, short in weight by 0 cwt 3 qr 3 lb

Short delivered

1 chest of soap, weighing 0 cwt 2 qr 20 lb

1 half hide of sole leather, weighing 0 cwt 1 qr 25 lb

1 hogshead of pork

2 elm boards

14 iron shot for 24-pounders

1 iron shot for 6-pounders

6 beds for 6-pounders

3 quoins for 6-pounders

3 quoins for 24-pounders

Short delivered, the packages having been broken open on board, and the contents said by the captain to have been damaged by wet and worthless

1 [...] of linen, number 2

1 [...] of linen, number 3

2 [...] of fine linen

2 [...] of coarse linen

Port wine

Cask number 1, 1 hogshead gauged at 60 gallons, lacking 3 gallons to fill it

Cask number 2, 1 hogshead gauged at 60 gallons, lacking 3 gallons to fill it

Total gauged 120 gallons, total lacking 6 gallons

Port wine received, 114 gallons

Lisbon wine

Cask number 3, 1 hogshead gauged at 61 gallons, lacking 3 gallons to fill it

Cask number 4, 1 hogshead gauged at 62 gallons, lacking 3 gallons to fill it

Cask number 5, 1 hogshead gauged at 62 gallons, lacking 3 gallons to fill it

Total gauged 185 gallons, total lacking 9 gallons

Lisbon wine received, 176 gallons

Mountain wine

Cask number 6, 1 hogshead gauged at 61 gallons, lacking 2 gallons to fill it

Mountain wine received, 59 gallons

James Powell signed the account at St Helena on 20 June 1768.

Interpretations

The linen was the one loss that pointed at the ship. Its packages had been broken open on board, and the captain's only explanation was that the cloth had got wet and was worthless. Powell recorded his words exactly. He did not accept or reject them, and the entry left the Court free to press the owners for the loss. Packages opened at sea were a familiar sign of pilfering by the crew. Cloth was easy to sell or trade in the next port. A claim of water damage, made without a protest such as Captain Cooke had entered for the Earl of Elgin, carried little weight.

Much of what went missing was artillery stores: shot for the 24-pounders, beds and quoins for the guns. Together with the shot found broken in the Tilbury, these losses fell on the very items the island needed for its new batteries. The Council had already ordered carriages and mortar beds from Bombay on 30 May. Gun beds and quoins could be cut on the island from imported timber, but the 24-pounder shot could only be replaced from England.

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1768

Captain Hindman knowing our want of Pitch and

Tar has been so kind as to spare us a Barrel of each, we likewise bought

a Barrel of the latter of Captain Sealy, and shall endeavour to supply

ourselves with that Article out of the returning Ships -

We this day Granted the two following Sets of Bills of Exchange

drawn upon the Honorable the Court of Directors viz.

One Set to Mr. Robt. Wigram for £ 200 - payable to Mr.

William Cowden (or Order)

And One Set to Capt. Thos. Hindman for £ 150 - payable

to Andrew Moffat Esqr. (or Order) both drawn at ninety Days sight

Counted and Examined the Honorable Company's Cash for

the Month of May last, which is as follows viz.

Captain Hindman of the Duke of Richmond, knowing the island was short of pitch and tar, kindly let the Council have a barrel of each. The Council also bought a barrel of tar from Captain Sealy of the Northington. It intended to supply itself with tar from the ships expected later in the year.

The Council granted two further sets of bills of exchange on the Court of Directors, both payable 90 days after presentation.

1 set to Robert Wigram for £200 0s 0d, payable to William Coyden or his nominee

1 set to Captain Thomas Hindman for £150 0s 0d, payable to Andrew Moffat or his nominee

The Council then counted and examined the Company's cash for May 1768.

Interpretations

Pitch and tar were essential on the island and could not be made there. The Company's boats, the longboats and the fishing boat needed them constantly to seal seams, protect rigging and coat timber against the salt water. The storekeeper's accounts for the first quarter of 1768 showed a barrel of pitch and quantities of tar going to the boats alone. With the main shipping season over, the next English ships might not arrive for months. The Council therefore took what passing captains would spare. It was planning ahead for the gap between seasons, when no outward ship was likely to call.

Captain Hindman's bill was payable to Andrew Moffat. He was probably a kinsman or agent of James Moffatt, commander of the Latham, which had passed through the island in May. The commanders of the Company's ships formed a close network of families and partners, and they handled each other's money in London. Robert Wigram was probably a passenger or officer of the Duke of Richmond. The Wigram family later became one of the leading shipowning houses in the East India trade.

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[Right-hand edge of the page cut off in the image, affecting the shillings and pence columns.]

20th June

Cash Dr.

1768

May 1st To Balance remaining

£ 9678 15

2 To Exchange for 2 Sets Bills drawn upon the Honorable Court of Directors

payable as follow viz.

One Set to Robt. Wood Esqr.

£ 400

One Do. to John Purling Esqr.

250

650

5 To Ship Worcester

6 6

12 To Ship Latham

6 6

To Ship Houghton

5 15

16 To Exchange for a Set Bills drawn upon the Honorable Court of

Directors payable to Mr. John Parslow

427 2

23 To Do. for 2 Sets Do. drawn as above payable as follows viz.

One Set to Luke Scrafton Esqr.

£ 1034 . 15

One Do. to Mr. Peter Irwin

100

1134 15

30 To Do. for one Set Do. drawn as above payable to Alexander

Hume Esqr.

400

31 To Ship Earl of Elgin

12 10

To Ship British King

251 [...]

£ 12572 [...]

The Council's cash account for May 1768 opened on the debit side.

Cash, debit

1 May 1768, balance remaining, £9,678 15s 2d

2 May 1768, received in exchange for 2 sets of bills on the Court of Directors

1 set payable to Robert Wood, £400 0s 0d

1 set payable to John Purling, £250 0s 0d

Total for the 2 sets of bills, £650 0s 0d

5 May 1768, received from the ship Worcester, £6 6s [...]

12 May 1768, received from the ship Latham, £6 6s [...]

12 May 1768, received from the ship Houghton, £5 15s [...]

16 May 1768, received in exchange for 1 set of bills on the Court of Directors payable to John Paslow, £427 2s 9d

23 May 1768, received in exchange for 2 sets of bills on the Court of Directors

1 set payable to Luke Scrafton, £1,034 15s 0d

1 set payable to Robert Irwin, £100 0s 0d

Total for the 2 sets of bills, £1,134 15s 0d

30 May 1768, received in exchange for 1 set of bills on the Court of Directors payable to Alexander Hume, £400 0s 0d

31 May 1768, received from the ship Earl of Elgin, £12 10s [...]

31 May 1768, received from the ship British King, £251 [...]

Total, £12,572 1[...]

Interpretations

May brought £2,611 15s 9d into the treasury from bills alone. That was more than in any other month of the season, including March. The Governor, Purling, Corneille, Mitchell and the estate of Captain Inglis all drew bills in the space of four weeks. The senior officers had waited until the end of the season to send their savings home. That way they used the last ships, and the Council received the coin just before the garrison's pay fell due at the end of June.

The British King paid in more than £251, far more than the £5 to £13 the other Company ships usually paid for water and fresh provisions. The minutes of the season do not explain the sum. It was probably payment for stores sold to her from the Company's warehouse, or for bullocks and other provisions bought on the island, perhaps for a ship that had run short after a long passage.

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61

1768

Per Contra Cr.

1768

May 31st By Balance remaining viz.

In Specie

£ 12032 19 4

In Cash Notes of no use

539 15

12572 14 4

£ 12572 14 4

John Skottowe

Dan Corneille

M. Purling

The credit side of the Council's cash account for May 1768 read as follows.

Cash, credit

31 May 1768, balance remaining in coin, £12,032 19s 4d

31 May 1768, balance remaining in cash notes of no use, £539 15s 0d

Total, £12,572 14s 4d

Governor Skottowe, Corneille and Purling signed the account.

Interpretations

For the first time the account described the cash notes as being of no use. The same £539 15s 0d had appeared unchanged in every month's balance since at least the autumn of 1767. The notes were paper the Company had issued on the island at some earlier time to make up for a lack of coin. Nobody would take them in payment any more, so they had stopped circulating. The treasury still counted them at face value, because they remained a debt on its books until they were formally written off. The plain description told the Court that only the coin, just over £12,000, was money the Council could actually spend.

The coin in hand stood at its highest point of the year, about £3,000 more than at the end of March. It was enough to pay the quarter's salaries and wages of about £3,700 at the end of June. After that, the Council could still ship the £2,000 to Fort Marlborough in the Duke of Richmond and keep a reserve of more than £6,000 for the quiet months before the next season.

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[Right-hand edge of the page cut off in the image.]

27th June

At a Consultation held on Monday the 27th day of June 1768 at the Castle

Present John Skottowe Esqr. Governor

Daniel Corneille Esqr. Lt. Govr.

Mr. Mattw. Purling

Capt. Thos. Kirkpatrick of Co[...]

The last Consultation was read, approved and signed dated the 20 June 17[...]

This day Sailed the Honorable Company's Ship Duke of Richmond

for Bencoolen -

Mr. John Goodwin this day presented the following

Petition viz.

To the Worshipful John Skottowe Esqr. Governor &[...]

Council of St. Helena -

The humble Petition of John Goodwin

Sheweth

That your Petitioner hath a Lease expired for five [...]

of Land, lying in the West Division of this Island, humbly requests

that your Worship & Council will be pleased to grant him a Renewal [...]

the same -

And your Petitioner will ever pray -

Signed

27th June 1768 John Goodwin

Granted

Governor John Skottowe held a consultation at the Castle on Monday 27 June 1768.

Present

John Skottowe, Governor

Daniel Corneille, Lieutenant Governor

William Matthew Purling

Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick, of the Council

The Council read, approved and signed the minutes of 20 June 1768. The Company's ship Duke of Richmond sailed for Bencoolen that day.

John Goodwin presented a petition to Governor Skottowe and the Council, dated 27 June 1768. His lease of five acres of land in the West Division of the island had expired, and he asked for it to be renewed.

The Council granted his request.

Interpretations

The Duke of Richmond stayed until 27 June, ten days after the Council ordered her to sail on 17 June. She carried the £2,000 in coin for Fort Marlborough and the duplicate letters for India. Her departure ended the shipping season of 1767 to 1768. No Company ship would be left in the road through the southern winter. The next arrivals from England and the East would not be expected until the spring.

John Goodwin was probably the writer on the Company's civil list, who drew £15 a quarter in salary and table allowance. Like Samuel Alexander and the Bazett family, he combined Company employment with a lease of land. A writer's pay was small, and five acres in the West Division gave him a second income from crops or livestock. The Council renewed such leases as a matter of routine for settlers in good standing. Its approval kept the land in cultivation and the rent coming in.

70

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1768

The Governor and Lieut. Governor this day laid before the

Board the following Minutes viz.

The Governor this day observes to the Gentlemen in Council,

that he apprehends, no time is to be lost, in complying with the Orders

of our Honorable Masters, in putting a Stop, to the Abuses, at present

so prevalent and so destructive in retailing of spirituous Liquors, by

such regulations, as shall be approved of by this Board; He therefore

begs leave to lay the following proposals before you, which he apprehends,

will be highly conducive to this purpose -

That agreeable to the Company's Orders, the number of licenced

Punch Houses, be immediately diminished, the Governor is of opinion,

that six Punch Houses, is fully sufficient, for the retail of this Island,

and to prevent all occasions of murmering, in regard to the persons, from

whom the Licences are to be taken away, He propose that the four last

issued Licences be immediately recalled. -

That in farther Compliance with the Orders received, relative to

the prevention of Liquors being retailed to the Slaves of this Island, an

additional Clause be added to all the Licences, expressly prohibiting the

Punch House keepers, from selling spirituous Liquors to the Slaves,

belonging to any of the Inhabitants of the Island, under penalty of

five pounds, one half of which, to be paid to the Informer, the other

to the Company's Cash

That the Governor has great reason to apprehend, that one

great cause of the excess of Drunkenness of this place, arises, from a

Custom, he believes, too prevalent on the Island, of retailing of Arrack

by small quantitys at a time, to any persons that has money to -

purchase it, whether Soldiers, or Blacks; That therefore agreeable to

our Honble Masters orders of confining the retailing of Spirituous Liquors,

to the Licenced Punch Houses only, a proclamation be immediately

issued, from the Governor and Council, strictly prohibiting all Persons,

whatsoever, from selling any spirituous Liquors, or Malt Liquor,

either

The Governor and the Lieutenant Governor each laid a minute before the Board.

The Governor told the Council that, in his view, no time should be lost in carrying out the Court's orders to stop the abuses in the sale of spirits, which were then widespread and very harmful. He wanted to do this through regulations approved by the Board, and he put forward the following proposals as the best means.

First, the Court had ordered that the number of licensed punch houses be reduced at once. The Governor considered six punch houses quite enough to serve the island. To avoid any complaint about whose licences should be withdrawn, he proposed that the four most recently issued licences be recalled immediately.

Second, the Court had also ordered that spirits must not be sold to the island's slaves. The Governor proposed adding a clause to every licence that expressly forbade punch house keepers to sell spirits to any slave belonging to an inhabitant of the island. The penalty would be £5, half to go to the informer and half to the Company's treasury.

Third, the Governor had good reason to believe that one great cause of the heavy drinking on the island was a custom, in his view too common, of selling arrack in small quantities to anyone who had money to buy it, whether soldiers or slaves. The Court had ordered that the sale of spirits be confined to the licensed punch houses. The Governor therefore proposed that the Governor and Council issue a proclamation at once, strictly forbidding anyone at all from selling any spirits or malt liquor, either

Interpretations

The Court's orders on drink had come in the Tilbury or the Duke of Richmond, and the Governor acted on them within weeks. The island had ten licensed punch houses before this, which was a great many for a garrison town of a few hundred households. The licence fees had brought in £18 10s 0d in the last quarter of 1767 and £13 10s 0d in the first quarter of 1768, so cutting the number to six would cost the Company some revenue. The Court evidently judged that the cost of drunkenness among the garrison and the slaves outweighed that income.

The Governor could have chosen which four houses to close on the grounds of their conduct. He proposed instead to recall the four most recent licences, and he gave his reason: it would avoid complaints from those who lost them. A rule based on the date of issue could not be accused of favour or spite in a small community where the punch house keepers were known to every councillor. The newest licensees had also had the least time to build their trade, so they lost the least.

Selling arrack in small quantities by the glass or the dram, outside the punch houses, had been the Council's worry on 16 May 1768, when it refused to let the Dutch captain land his 28 leaguers. The Governor's proposal now aimed to stamp out that trade completely. Giving half of each fine to the informer encouraged neighbours, rival keepers and even soldiers to report offenders. The Company had too few officers to watch every house itself.

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27th June

either to the Military, or the Blacks of this Island, under any pre[...]

whatever, and in order more effectually to put a Stop to this pernic[...]

practice, a penalty of ten pounds, be annexed to the breach of this

proclamation, one half payable to the Informer, the other to the -

Company's Cash. -

This Restriction not to extend to the Regulation, at present -

subsisting, in regard to those employed at the Honble Company's Works

as the Governor remains fully convinced that the method which has be[...]

pursued since the said Works began, of serving them with a moderate

quantity of Arrack, at stated Hours, has been attended with many

good Consequences, by preserving sobriety among them, by keeping the[...]

to their Work, and by preventing those Excesses and Irregularities

which would unavoidably happened, from their resorting to Punc[...]

Houses, which could not have been prevented without such Regula[...]

Signed

John Skottowe

Minute of the Lieut. Governor

As the Honble the Court of Directors have thought prope[...]

Order a Reduction of the Punch Houses upon this Island, which in [...]

opinion is a measure that may greatly tend to discourage Drunkenes[...]

prevalent among the Soldiers, and I fear the Lower Inhabitants of [...]

Place; I think it my Duty to lay before the Board some Observation[...]

the Execution of their Orders, to make it fully answer theirs, as well [...]

our Intentions in the desired Reform. -

And first, I must beg leave to observe in order to Illustrate [...]

principle Abuse in the Vending of spirituous Liquors by the Punch

Houses; That in the Ten now established by authority, there is four [...]

that number who have Licences that carry it on by Deputation, [...]

mean by that? Farming it out to others at a Yearly Rent, or supply[...]

those to whom they are Farmed, with the Arrack at Eight Shillings [...]

Eight and sixpence pr. Gallon, two of the four, are under the first

Predicament, and the two others under the latter, Howell pays [...]

The proclamation would forbid anyone to sell spirits or malt liquor to the soldiers or the slaves under any pretext. To put a firmer stop to the harmful practice, the Governor proposed a penalty of £10 for each breach, half to go to the informer and half to the Company's treasury.

The ban was not to apply to the existing arrangement for the men employed on the Company's works. The Governor remained fully convinced that the method used since the works began had brought many benefits. Under it, the workmen were served a moderate quantity of arrack at fixed hours. It kept them sober, kept them at their work, and prevented the excesses and disorders that would otherwise have followed if they had gone off to the punch houses. Without such a rule those disorders could not have been prevented. The Governor signed his minute.

Corneille's minute followed. The Court of Directors had seen fit to order a reduction in the number of punch houses on the island. In his opinion that was a measure likely to do much to discourage the drunkenness common among the soldiers and the poorer inhabitants. He felt it his duty to put some observations before the Board on carrying out the Court's orders, so that the reform would fully serve its purpose.

First, to explain the main abuse in the sale of spirits by the punch houses, Corneille pointed out that four of the ten houses licensed by the Council carried on their trade by deputy. By this he meant that the licence holder either let the house out to someone else for a yearly rent, or supplied the person who ran it with arrack at 8s or 8s 6d a gallon. Two of the four were run in the first way and two in the second. He would go on to

Interpretations

The Governor's exception for the Company's works shows the logic behind the whole reform. The aim was not to stop men drinking but to control where and how they drank. The labourers on the batteries were soldiers and slaves earning extra wages. The paymaster's accounts showed them receiving regular issues of arrack charged to the works. A fixed measure, given at set hours under the eye of an overseer, kept them content without making them drunk. The Governor argued that if they had been sent to the punch houses with money in their pockets, the work would have suffered and order would have broken down. The Company's own ration was, in his view, the safe alternative to the tavern.

Corneille's first point exposed a hidden trade inside the licensed system. A licence was granted to a named person whom the Council trusted. Four of the ten holders did not run their houses themselves. Two let them to others for a rent, and two sold arrack wholesale to the people who did run them, at 8s or 8s 6d a gallon. The men actually serving the drink had never been approved by the Council. They paid for their stock or their rent and had to recover it by selling as much as they could. The licence holders, meanwhile, profited without bearing any responsibility for the conduct of the house.

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fifty Pounds pr. Ann. to Mr. Kennedy, & Burnham Forty Pounds to

Mrs. Burnham his Mother to whom the Licence belongs, and George

Young & Parfett who are Deputys to Mr. Beale & Mr. Tobett settle

it by the Gallon to the Owners of said Licences at the price as above

mentioned, therefore the inference to be drawn from such measures are

obvious, As punch House keepers who are under such Yearly Rents,

or high price pr. Gallon, must be under a necessity of Incouraging

Customers, transgressing the Hours and Seasons of vending as specifyed

by their Licences, to make a Livelihood of it to themselves and Family's infinitely

more than the others, who are at no other Charges for their Licences than

six pounds a Year to the Honble Company, and pay no more than six &

six pence pr. Gallon to those who supply them with Arrack as Established

by former Orders -

Another Observation which I have to take Notice of, and which

I have so often mentioned as appearing to me (and I believe may venture to

say must to every Man who has the least notion of Military Discipline and

Regularity) as highly Irregular, and I think very possibly tending to the

Incouragment of Drunkenness amongst the Military, is that of allowing the

Non-Commissioned Officers to keep punch Houses, as Serjt. Howel and

Bombardier Parfett are at present two of the Number, and that by -

Deputation, and tho' I believe they may be both good Men in their -

Sphere, yet I am sure, nay may venture to affirm from my own -

Observations, in the Military Line, as well as the opinions of Officers

whose Abilitys & Experience no doubt would have more weight were it

necessary to name them, That the Vending of Liquors in any Shape

whatever, either for themselves or others, is an Indulgence that ought

never to be allowed to any Non-Commissioned Officer or Soldier, as

there are so few (if any) that can Resist the Temptation of abuse,

either in themselves, or the Incouragment that their own Interest will

tempt them to afford to others, for the sake of their own Emolument

& Profit. -

These considerations I think Gentlemen Merit our deliberation

in forming such Regulations as may be thought Expedient in

Reforming the present Abuses, together with a constant watchfullness

that

Corneille went on to name the houses run by deputy. One keeper paid a yearly rent of £50 to Mr Kennedy. Burnham paid £40 a year to his mother, Mrs Burnham, who held the licence. George Young and Bayfell acted as deputies for Mr Beale and Mr [...], buying their arrack by the gallon from the licence holders at the prices already stated.

The consequences of such arrangements were obvious, Corneille argued. Keepers who paid yearly rents or high prices for their arrack were forced to draw in customers by breaking the hours and times of sale set out in their licences, simply to make a living for themselves and their families. They had far more reason to do so than the other keepers. Those paid only £6 a year to the Company for their licences and no more than 6s 6d a gallon to the suppliers of their arrack, as fixed by an earlier order.

Corneille raised a second point, which he had mentioned many times before. He believed any man with the least idea of military discipline and order would agree that it was highly irregular and likely to encourage drunkenness among the soldiers. It was the practice of allowing non-commissioned officers to keep punch houses. Sergeant Howell and Bombardier Bayfell were then among the licensees, and they ran their houses by deputy. Corneille believed both might be good men in their own sphere. Yet from what he had seen in military life, and from the opinions of officers whose experience would carry more weight if he could name them, he was sure of one thing. Selling liquor in any form, whether by a man himself or through others, should never be allowed to any non-commissioned officer or soldier. Few, if any, could resist the temptation to abuse it, whether by drinking themselves or by pressing drink on others for their own gain.

Corneille thought these points deserved the Board's consideration in drawing up the regulations needed to reform the present abuses, together with constant watchfulness

Interpretations

Corneille's figures show why the deputy system bred drunkenness. A keeper who paid £50 a year in rent to the licence holder carried a charge more than eight times the £6 fee the Company asked. A keeper who bought arrack at 8s or more a gallon paid at least a fifth more than the 6s 6d fixed for other houses. Both had to sell far more drink, or sell outside the permitted hours, just to cover their costs. The licence holders, among them a widow and two men of standing, drew a steady income without serving a glass. The Governor proposed to recall the four most recent licences, which was a simple rule. Corneille's analysis pointed to a different target: the four houses run by deputy, whatever their date of issue.

Sergeant Henry Howell of the First Company and Bombardier James Bayfell of the Artillery Company both held licences. A sergeant in charge of men who were also customers of his house had every reason to excuse their drinking and to steer pay day toward his own bar. Corneille had raised the point before without result. Raising it again alongside the Court's order gave it new force. He took care not to accuse either man personally and kept the question to one of military discipline.

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27th June

that our Orders at all times are neither transgressed, Abused, or Evade[...]

Signed

27th June 1768 - Danl. Corneille

St. Helena 27th June 1768 -

The Governor this day mentions to the Gentlemen in Coun[...]

that he received the enclosed Minute last Monday, from Capt. Kirkp[...]

and now delivers it to the Secretary, in order to have it read, and entere[...]

this days Consultation -

The Lieutenant Governor having sometime ago laid a Paper

before the Board, containing a charge upon the Governor, for having falsely

and privately represented his Conduct to the Honble the Court of Directo[...]

in refutation, of which alledged charge, he called upon the Engineer &

Secretary, but more particularly upon Mr. Purling and me for our opini[...]

as more closely connected with him in Station, in consequence hereof, I

began to prepare my opinion in writing relative to that matter; but

happened to be sent for by Mr. Purling before I had finished it, (late

in the Evening before the dispatch of the Northington & Vansittart)

not thinking it materially necessary to have it entered in the preceding

days Consultation, but that another opportunity might be waited for, [...]

Mr. Purling told me it was to be entered and go by those Ships, & [...]

thereon read to me a Paper which he desired me to sign, I at first decli[...]

it, and told him I was much hurried and desired him to let it alone till

we met at the Castle, but he urged me to sign it then in his House a[...]

alledged time would be saved thereby, Being then in some fluctuation [...]

mind, occasioned by a Variety of business, in Accounts and other works

I complied, and put my name to the said Paper, Having afterwards

reflected

Corneille ended his minute by urging constant watchfulness, so that the Council's orders would never be broken, abused or evaded. He signed it on 27 June 1768.

The Governor told the Council that the previous Monday he had received the following minute from Captain Kirkpatrick. He handed it to the secretary to be read and entered in that day's consultation. Kirkpatrick's minute was dated at St Helena on 27 June 1768.

Some time earlier, Kirkpatrick wrote, the Lieutenant Governor had laid a paper before the Board. It charged the Governor with having privately and falsely represented Corneille's conduct to the Court of Directors. Corneille had called on the Governor, the secretary, and especially Purling and Kirkpatrick, as the men most closely linked with him in office, to answer the charge. Kirkpatrick then began to write out his own opinion on the matter. Before he had finished, late in the evening before the Northington and the Vansittart sailed, Purling sent for him. Kirkpatrick did not think it necessary for his answer to go into the minutes of the previous consultation, and he believed it could wait for a later opportunity. Purling told him it was to be entered and sent in those ships. Purling then read him a paper and asked him to sign it. At first Kirkpatrick declined. He said he was very busy and asked Purling to leave it until they met at the Castle. Purling pressed him to sign it there in his house, saying it would save time. Kirkpatrick's mind was then in some confusion from a mass of business with accounts and other work, so he gave way and put his name to the paper. Having later thought about it

Interpretations

Kirkpatrick now began to withdraw from the joint statement that he and Purling had signed on 13 June 1768. That statement had supported Corneille on every point. It recorded that the Governor had forbidden Corneille to give his opinion until asked, that no heat was shown on either side, and that Corneille had always done his duty. Kirkpatrick now said he had signed it in haste, at Purling's house, late in the evening, while weighed down by his accounts. As paymaster he had the quarter's pay to prepare, and he had been ill in early June. His account suggests that Purling drafted the answer and pressed him to sign before he had finished his own.

Kirkpatrick did not send his new minute to the Council or the secretary. He gave it privately to the Governor, who then laid it before the Board. The route matters. The dispute was itself about private communications that bypassed the Council. Kirkpatrick's second thoughts reached the record through the very person whose conduct was in question. Whatever Kirkpatrick went on to say, the Governor had secured a statement that weakened the support Corneille had gathered, and it would travel to London with the same weight as the first.

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reflected on its contents, which I had at first overlooked by precipitation

and finding that part thereof which (as near as I can recollect) clears,

in opinion, Mr. Corneille of having assumed more authority than one

in his Station ought, different from my farming Sentiments and

opinion hereon, I therefore, as well in satisfaction to my Conscience

and ease of mind, as out of regard to truth according to my natural

Sentiments, and also for having incautiously signed an opinion not

fully my own, hereby retract, and revoke my Attestation of the said

Paper, as far as it disagrees with the following declaration, -

Upon a debate one Day in Council between Mr. Corneille &

the Engineer, which the former supported against the general opinion, I

own to have heard the Governor, provoked by his perseverance, tell him

he was not to dictate, but to give his opinion when asked, I also own

I never heard Mr. Corneille say that the Government of this Island was

Vested in the Council, but cant join in opinion that he always Confined

himself to the bounds prescribed by the nature of his office, subbordinate

tho' not explicitly, to the Governor -

This is my Candid opinion of the matter and am sorry for the

occasion which obliges me to declare it, as debates of this kind are a

heavy misfortune. -

Given under my Hand the 20th day of June 1768

Signed

Thos. Kirkpatrick

We this day Executed a Lease to Lieut. Solomon St. Maurice for a

piece of Land containing four Acres and three Quarters lying in the West

Division of this Island at 5/ Pr. Acre -

In signing the above Consultation I enter this

as my protest against the latter part of

Capt. Kirkpatrick's Retraction relative to

myself as not founded on truth & tainting

from Malice and Design

John Skottowe

Dan Corneille

I sign this Consultation with an

Exception to Capt. Kirkpatrick's Paper

of retraction as far as it relates to me

M. Purling

Having thought again about the contents of the paper, Kirkpatrick continued, he found something he had missed in his haste. As near as he could recall, one part of it cleared Corneille of having taken more authority than his post allowed. That was not his real opinion. To satisfy his conscience and ease his mind, out of respect for the truth as he saw it, and because he had signed an opinion that was not fully his own without due thought, he withdrew his signature to the paper wherever it differed from the following declaration.

During a debate in Council between Corneille and the engineer, Corneille had held to his view against the general opinion. Kirkpatrick admitted hearing the Governor, provoked by Corneille's persistence, tell him that he was not to dictate but to give his opinion when asked. He also admitted that he had never heard Corneille say that the government of the island lay in the Council. He could not, however, agree that Corneille had always kept within the limits of his office, which was subordinate to the Governor, though not absolutely so.

This was his honest opinion of the matter. He regretted being obliged to declare it, since disputes of this kind were a serious misfortune. He signed the declaration on 20 June 1768.

The Council granted a lease to Lieutenant Solomon St Maurice of four acres and three roods of land in the West Division of the island, at 5s an acre.

Governor Skottowe, Corneille and Purling signed the minutes. Corneille added a note to his signature. He asked that it be entered as his protest against the last part of Kirkpatrick's retraction concerning himself, which he said was not founded on truth but came from malice and design. Purling also added a note. He signed the consultation with an exception for Kirkpatrick's paper of retraction, as far as it related to him.

Interpretations

Kirkpatrick's retraction was narrow but pointed. He kept to the facts that the joint statement had recorded. He confirmed the Governor's rebuke, in its harsher form, and that Corneille had never claimed the government lay in the Council. He withdrew only one thing, the general clearance of Corneille's conduct. In its place he gave his own view that Corneille had at times gone beyond the authority of a subordinate officer. That was the heart of the Governor's private complaint to the Court. The retraction gave Skottowe a councillor's support on the point that mattered most, without denying anything Corneille could prove.

Kirkpatrick's explanation also cast doubt on Purling. He said Purling had drafted the paper, read it to him late at night and pressed him to sign it at once. Purling's note on his signature refused to accept the retraction so far as it touched him. He was defending his own conduct in obtaining Kirkpatrick's signature, not only Corneille's case. Corneille's protest went further. It accused Kirkpatrick of malice and design, a charge of bad faith against a fellow councillor entered in the official record.

The Council was now openly divided. The Governor and Kirkpatrick stood on one side, Corneille and Purling on the other. Every one of these papers would reach the Court together, which would have to judge between them from London. The lease to St Maurice, a routine grant entered amid the quarrel, shows that the Council's ordinary business went on despite the bitterness.

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68

[Right-hand edge of the page cut off in the image.]

4th July

At a Consultation held on Monday the 4th day of July 1768 at the Cas[...]

Present John Skottowe Esqr. Governor

Daniel Corneille Esqr. Lt. Govr.

Mr. Matthew Purling

Capt. Thos. Kirkpatrick of Co[...]

The last Consultation was read, approved and signed dated the 27th June 17[...]

Lieutenant Solomon St. Maurice and Mr. George -

Alexander this day presented the following Petitions viz. -

To the Worshipful John Skottowe Esqr. Governor &ca

Council of St. Helena -

The humble Petition of Solomon St. Maurice -

Sheweth

That your Petitioner is desirous of disposing of his [...]

& title to ten Acres & three Quarters of Land lying in the West Divis[...]

of the said Island, and to accept of Mr. Gabl. Harper as tenant [...]

the same -

And your Petitioner will ever pray

Signed

4th July 1768 Soln. St. Maurice

Granted

To the Worshipful John Skottowe Esqr. Governor &ca Coun[...]

of St. Helena

The humble Petition of George Alexander Executor to t[...]

last Will and Testament of Thos. Colgrave Decd.

Sheweth

That your Petitioner hath a Lease belonging [...]

Governor John Skottowe held a consultation at the Castle on Monday 4 July 1768.

Present

John Skottowe, Governor

Daniel Corneille, Lieutenant Governor

William Matthew Purling

Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick, of the Council

The Council read, approved and signed the minutes of 27 June 1768.

Lieutenant Solomon St Maurice and George Alexander each presented a petition.

St Maurice's petition, dated 4 July 1768, stated that he wished to give up his right and title to ten and three-quarter acres of land in the West Division of the island. He asked the Council to accept Gabriel Harper as tenant of the land.

The Council granted his request.

George Alexander presented a petition as executor of the will of Thomas Cadgrove, deceased. He stated that he held a lease belonging

Interpretations

St Maurice disposed of his land only a week after the Council granted him a lease on 27 June 1768. A lieutenant and master at arms with a full round of military duties had little time to farm. He probably took up the lease in order to pass it on at once to Gabriel Harper, perhaps for a payment, in what amounted to a sale of his right to the holding. As with Mary Swaits's land at Hyams in May, the incoming tenant was named in the petition, so the Council could approve him as it granted the transfer. Gabriel Harper was probably of the Harper family whose orphans held land at Sandy Bay, and an established settler household could take on more ground.

The Council's approval was needed because a lease was a grant from the Company, not a freehold. No holder could pass it on without leave. The rule let the Council watch who held land on the island and refuse a transfer to anyone it judged unfit.

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the Orphans of the said Thos. Colgrave decd. expired for fourteen Acres of Land

lying in the East Division of the said Island, humbly requests -

that your Worship & Council will be pleased to grant him a Renewal

of the same -

And your Petitioner will ever pray

Signed

4th July 1768 Geo. Alexander

Granted -

We having weighed and maturely considered the Honble -

Company's Orders, relative to the reducing the Publick Houses of this

Island, for retailing Liquors, as also the Governors and Lieut. Governors

Minutes laid before the Board on Monday last we this day came to a

Resolution to make the following Regulations viz. -

To reduce the number of Punch Houses to five only, being

fully convinced that five is sufficient for the Retail of this Place, and in

Order to prevent the scandalous abuse of retailing Spirituous Liquors

without a Licence, both in Town and Country, which we have reason

to believe have been practiced in both Places, to the great encouragement

of Drunkenness among the Soldiers & Blacks, That strict orders be

immediately issued forbiding all such practices under the Penalty of

£ 10 - prescribed by the Governor -

That all Publicans who may be licenced in future, be -

restrained by a Clause in their Licence from selling any Liquor to Slaves,

as a measure that will conduce to the good of the Island in general

and

George Alexander's petition, dated 4 July 1768, concerned a lease held for the orphans of Thomas Cadgrove of fourteen acres of land in the East Division of the island. The lease had expired, and he asked for it to be renewed.

The Council granted his request.

The Council had weighed and fully considered the Court's orders on reducing the number of public houses on the island that sold liquor. It had also considered the minutes laid before the Board by the Governor and the Lieutenant Governor the previous Monday. It now resolved to make the following regulations.

The number of punch houses was to be cut to five. The Council was fully convinced that five were enough to serve the island. Spirits had been sold without licence both in Jamestown and in the country, and the Council believed this had greatly encouraged drunkenness among the soldiers and the slaves. To stop that scandalous abuse, strict orders were to be issued at once forbidding all such sales, under the penalty of £10 that the Governor had proposed.

Every publican licensed in future was to be bound by a clause in his licence forbidding him to sell any liquor to slaves. The Council considered this a measure that would benefit the island in general and

Interpretations

The Council went further than the Governor had proposed. Skottowe had suggested six punch houses, chosen by recalling the four newest licences. The Council settled on five, closing half of the ten then licensed. The minutes record that it weighed both the Governor's and Corneille's papers before deciding. Corneille had shown that four houses were run by deputy and that two licences were held by non-commissioned officers. A fifth closure gave the Council room to remove more of the houses Corneille had criticised than the Governor's rule by date of issue would have allowed. The minutes did not yet say which houses would lose their licences.

The Council also adopted the Governor's £10 fine for unlicensed selling and his clause against selling to slaves. Despite the bitter quarrel recorded only a week before, the Governor and Lieutenant Governor's proposals were joined in a single set of regulations. On the business of governing the island, the Council could still act together.

Thomas Cadgrove's orphans held their land through an executor, as the Harper orphans at Sandy Bay did. George Alexander renewed the lease in his own name on the children's behalf. He kept the family's holding secure until they came of age, and the rent continued to be paid to the Company.

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4th July

and be subject to the penalty of £ 5 - for the transgression of the

same -

That no Publican do presume under forfeiture of their Licence

to farm out the same, or do presume to sell under any pretence whatever

the Liquor they Vend, for less than the price fixed in their Licence, a

practice they have fallen into, and which tends to promote -

Drunkenness, for the dearer the Soldiers pay for their Liquor, the fewer

opportunitys they have to get Drunk -

That no Non-Commissioned Officer or Military Man, as has

been too much practiced, be hereafter allowed, either in their own name

or in the name of others, to hold keep or Occupy, any Punch House,

as they for their own Interest will undoubtedly connive at, and

encourage Drunkenness among the Soldiery, whom by the nature of

their Office, they ought to discourage and suppress the same -

That for the future, no Publican do serve any Drams of

raw Arrack to the Soldiers, but all the Liquor they shall vend in

their Houses be diluted with Water, with wholesome and proper -

quantity of Spirit -

That no Publick House be opened on a Sunday before four

o'Clock in the Afternoon, and that on all other Days in the Week, not

before nine o'Clock in the Morning, and to be shut at Nine at Night

That the Vocation of Publicans be confined entirely to Men,

Women being very improper to keep that due Order and decorum, -

necessary to be observed in Punch Houses; and also rather an indecent

Occupation for one of their sex, five out of the ten being now in the

Hands of Women, we for the above reasons intend to revoke their

Licences, and to Continue the Licences to the five Men only,

but as the Widows of Captns. Beale and Kennedy, have each of

them been indulged with Licences in order to enable them to support

their familys (being both in indifferent and poor Circumstances,) we

have agreed to recommend them to the Honble Company, to put them

on a Yearly allowance, equal at least, to the Widows Fund of -

£ 20 - pr. Ann. established for the benefit of all Company's

Servants Widows, the said Mr. Beale and Mr. Kennedy's late

Husbands

The Council resolved that any publican who broke this clause would pay a penalty of £5.

No publican was to let out his licence to another person, on pain of losing it. Nor was any publican to sell his liquor under any pretext for less than the price fixed in his licence. Keepers had fallen into this practice, and it encouraged drunkenness, since the cheaper the soldiers' drink, the more chances they had to get drunk.

No non-commissioned officer or soldier was in future to hold, keep or occupy a punch house, whether in his own name or another's, as had too often been allowed. Such men would certainly look the other way for their own profit and encourage drunkenness among the soldiers, when their duty was to discourage and suppress it.

In future no publican was to serve the soldiers drams of neat arrack. All the liquor sold in the houses was to be mixed with water, keeping a wholesome and proper strength of spirit.

No public house was to open on a Sunday before four in the afternoon. On every other day of the week none was to open before nine in the morning, and all were to close at nine at night.

The trade of publican was to be limited entirely to men. Women were thought unfit to keep the order and decency needed in punch houses, and the work was considered unbecoming for women. Five of the ten licences were then held by women. For these reasons the Council intended to recall their licences and keep the licences of the five men only. The widows of Captain Beale and of Kennedy, however, had each been granted a licence to support their families, since both lived in poor and difficult circumstances. The Council agreed to recommend to the Court that each of them be given a yearly allowance of at least £20, the same as that paid from the fund established for the widows of all the Company's servants, in place of the licences held by their late husbands.

Interpretations

The Council's choice of which five houses to close was set by the rule on sex, not by the Governor's rule of the newest licences. Five of the ten were held by women, so removing women from the trade fixed the number at five. It also swept away much of the deputy system Corneille had exposed. Mrs Burnham let her house to her son for £40 a year, and Mr Kennedy's house paid a yearly rent of £50. Both were women's licences, or licences held by a widow's family, and both disappeared under the new rule. The ban on letting out licences and on soldiers keeping houses dealt with the remaining cases. These covered Sergeant Howell and Bombardier Bayfell, who ran their houses by deputy.

The Council could simply have withdrawn the widows' licences. It saw that the punch house had been their only means of support. The two widows of Captain Beale and Kennedy had been given licences precisely so that their families would not fall on the parish. Taking that income away without replacing it would have left them destitute. The Council therefore asked the Court to pay them a yearly allowance instead. It set the amount by reference to the Company's widows' fund, which paid fixed pensions to the widows of its servants. The Council was moving these women from a trade it now judged harmful to the fund that existed to support widows like them.

The rule that every drink be mixed with water followed naval practice. Since 1740 the Royal Navy had issued rum only as grog, diluted with water, to curb drunkenness among seamen. The opening hours imposed on the houses also marked a clear break from the free trade of the past. The punch houses were kept shut on Sunday until late afternoon, so that soldiers could not drink before church.

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Husbands being dead before this Fund was set a foot, they -

cannot be entitled to any allowance from that Fund -

All the above Regulations to be inserted in the new Licences

to be granted to the five Men we have continued as Publicans, and

that the same be sent home with a Copy of an old Licence, that

the Company may see that we have taken every measure we could

suggest to prevent the abominable practice of retailing spirituous

Liquors without Licences, and to keep those in due Order we have

Licenced, to the end that Drunkenness may be discouraged among the

lower set of People -

We this day Ordered the following Advertizement to be

published viz. -

Island St. Helena 4 July 1768

Whereas we have great Reason to suspect that

Spirituous Liquors are Retailed both in this Valley and in the

Country by Persons not Licenced for so doing -

This is therefore positively to forbid all the Inhabitants

of the said Island to Retail any spirituous Liquor to any -

Inhabitant Soldier Black or others upon any Account whatever

under Penalty of paying £ 10 - for every Offence £ 5 - of

which to be given to the Informer and the remainder to be forfeited to

the Honble Company's Cash, That any quantity of Liquors -

under two Gallons as by act of Parliament specified is to be

Considered as Retail, and all above it deemed Wholesale, but at

the

The widows of Mr Beale and Mr Kennedy could not draw an allowance from the widows' fund itself, because their husbands had died before the fund was set up.

All the regulations were to be written into the new licences granted to the five men kept on as publicans. Copies were to be sent home with a copy of an old licence, so that the Court could see that the Council had taken every measure it could think of. These measures were meant to stop the shameful practice of selling spirits without licence and to keep the licensed houses in proper order, so that drunkenness would be discouraged among the poorer people.

The Council ordered the following notice to be published, dated 4 July 1768.

The Council had strong reason to suspect that people without licences were selling spirits both in Jamestown valley and in the country. All inhabitants of the island were therefore strictly forbidden to sell spirits by retail to any inhabitant, soldier, slave or anyone else, for any reason, under a penalty of £10 for each offence. Of that sum, £5 was to go to the informer and the rest to the Company's treasury. Following the Act of Parliament, any quantity of liquor under two gallons was to count as a retail sale, and any quantity above that as wholesale. However, at the

Interpretations

The two widows fell outside the widows' fund for a reason of timing alone. The fund paid pensions only to the widows of servants who had subscribed to it during their lifetimes. Mr Beale and Mr Kennedy died before it existed, so they had never paid in. This is why the Council asked the Court for a separate allowance, equal to the fund's rate, rather than a pension from the fund. It was asking the Company to treat two older widows as if their husbands had subscribed. The punch house licences had been the Council's earlier way of supporting such widows before a fund existed. Removing women from the trade now exposed the gap the fund had been created to fill.

The rule that sales under two gallons counted as retail came from the English excise laws, which drew the same line between retail and wholesale in spirits. Any inhabitant could still buy arrack in bulk from the Company's warehouse or from a passing ship for household use. Only the retail trade by the glass, dram or bottle was confined to the licensed houses. The Council sent home copies of the old and new licences side by side. That was meant to show the Court that it had carried out its orders in full, at a time when its own members were trading charges of disloyalty in the same minutes.

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the same time, not Sold even as such, to any Non Commissd.

Officer Soldier or Slave -

And be it farther known to all whom it may Concern,

that the number of ten Publick Houses are from this day Reduced

to five viz. John Price, Roderick Merchant, Stephen Young,

William Hayes & John Seale, and that said Publicans are -

enjoined on forfeiture of their Licence not to Retail Spirituous or

any other Liquor to the Slaves upon the Island upon any Account

whatever -

Pr. Order of Council -

Signed

Mattw. Bazett

Secy.

We this day received the following Letter from the Engineer

viz. -

To the Worshipfull the Governor &c. & Council of the -

Island St. Helena

Gentlemen

My last Quarterly Letter of Date the 4th of April,

contained an Account that the Foundations of the two Batteries to be

constructed at Banks's and Mundens Point had been got ready: -

That a Considerable Quantity of Materials for Building had been amassed

at both these Places: - That those collected at the latter had been

wrought up in laying Part of the Foundation, and in extending one of

its Flanks, in order to make Room for amassing a second and larger

Collection: - And finally, that the Employment of the Workmen

During the ensuing Quarter would principally consist in -

preparing

At the same time, liquor was not to be sold even wholesale to any non-commissioned officer, soldier or slave.

The notice also declared that from that day the public houses were reduced to five, kept by John Price, Roderick Merchant, Stephen Young, William Hayes and John Seale. These publicans were forbidden, on pain of losing their licences, to sell spirits or any other liquor to the slaves on the island for any reason at all.

Matthew Bazett, secretary, signed the notice by order of the Council.

The Council received a letter from Captain Mitchell, the engineer, addressed to the Governor and Council.

Mitchell reminded them that his last quarterly letter, of 4 April 1768, had reported several things. The foundations of the two batteries to be built at Banks's and Munden's Point were ready. A large quantity of building materials had been gathered at both sites. The materials at Munden's Point had been used to lay part of the foundation and raise its flanks, to make room for a second and larger stock. He had also reported that during the coming quarter the masons would be employed mainly in preparing

Interpretations

Two of the five men kept on as publicans had been fined by the Council only two months earlier. On 9 May 1768 John Price, the Company's marshal and gaoler, and Roderick Merchant were found to have taken produce from James Black, the dishonest gardener, without reporting it. Merchant was fined £1 and Price 10s. The Council now chose both men to keep their licences when five others were closed. The record suggests that the Council's choice turned on the new rules rather than on past conduct. Price and Merchant were men, they did not hold commissions in the garrison, and they ran their houses themselves. The licences that went were those held by women, and the houses let out or run by deputy. The earlier fines were evidently not judged to make them unfit to serve drink.

The ban on selling even wholesale to soldiers and slaves closed the last gap in the rules. Without it, a soldier could buy two gallons at a time from any inhabitant as a wholesale purchase and sell it on to his comrades by the glass in the barracks. The Council meant all drink for the garrison and the slaves to pass through the five licensed houses. There it could be watered, sold within set hours and watched.

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preparing the Materials for the Construction of Mundens Point

Battery, and in employing those already collected at Banks's

in erecting that Battery, in the Execution of which I then -

acquainted you, a very considerable Progress might be expected to be

made, against the Expiration of the Quarter -

It is now expired, and I have the satisfaction of being able

to inform you, agreeable to my promise, that a very Large Collection

of Materials has been prepared at Mundens Point, nearly as much as

the Platform there will contain, which has also been considerably

enlarged, by blowing away the Rocks, in order to Answer the

double purpose of procuring Stone & of making Room for the

intended Prolongation of the Right Flank of that Battery: -

And that the Progress made in the Construction of Banks's -

Battery has been so great, that the whole of that Work is

nearly compleated: Nothing now remaining to be done, but to

raise the Merlons, which is in hand, and to lay the Platforms:

both which will be compleated long before the Expiration of this

Quarter

In the mean time Preparations for Building at Mundens Point

will be continued, and the Masons will be set to Work there, as

soon as the Finishings already mentioned as wanting at Banks's,

together with a proposed Enlargement of the Powder Magazine there,

are finally accomplished -

As the confined situation of Mundens Point, and the want

of Room there, will not admit of all the Company's Workmen -

being employed there, without being too much crowded, I therefore

propose in a few Weeks to lay before the Governor & Council a

Plan of the Alteration intended to take place in the present

Defences of Lemon-Valley, which can be carried on in -

Conjunction with Mundens Point; and will tend to expedite the

Completion of both, for the Reasons already Assigned in Regard

to Banks's -

During the quarter the masons were to prepare materials for the battery at Munden's Point and use the stock already gathered at Banks's to build the battery there. Mitchell had told the Council that he expected very good progress by the end of the quarter.

The quarter had now ended, and Mitchell was glad to report that he had kept his promise. A very large stock of materials had been prepared at Munden's Point, almost as much as the platform there could hold. The platform itself had been greatly enlarged by blasting away the rock. That served two purposes at once: it produced stone, and it made room for the planned extension of the right flank of the battery. The work at Banks's had gone so well that the whole battery was almost finished. Only the merlons remained to be raised, which was in hand, and the platforms to be laid. Both would be done long before the end of the coming quarter.

In the meantime the preparations for building at Munden's Point would go on. The masons would be set to work there as soon as the remaining work at Banks's was finished, along with a planned enlargement of the powder magazine there.

The site at Munden's Point was cramped and short of space. It could not hold all the Company's workmen without crowding them. Mitchell therefore proposed to lay before the Governor and Council, within a few weeks, a plan for altering the existing defences of Lemon Valley. That work could go on alongside Munden's Point and would help finish both more quickly, for the same reasons he had already given in the case of Banks's.

Interpretations

Merlons were the solid sections of a battery's parapet between the embrasures, the openings through which the guns fired. They shielded the gun crews from enemy fire while the guns pointed out through the gaps. Raising the merlons and laying the gun platforms were the last stages of building a battery. Banks's was therefore all but ready to receive its guns, three months after its foundations were laid. That was the speed the Council had hoped for when it decided to build both batteries at once and keep the masons constantly employed.

Mitchell's proposal for Lemon Valley grew out of the same reasoning that had served him at Banks's. Munden's Point was too cramped for the whole workforce. Rather than let men stand idle or crowd them onto the narrow headland, he would open a third site nearby and move labour between the two. The record of the season shows how much was involved. The 26 recruits from the Tilbury, given to Mitchell on 23 May, were added to the soldiers and slaves already at work. Lemon Valley was one of the leeward landing places, already defended by a ditch whose grass the Company's slaves cut in 1767. The new work would carry the fortification programme along the whole north-west coast.

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I cannot conclude this Letter without taking Notice of the great

Obstruction which the Progress of the Works will meet with this Year,

from the large Deficiencies and, (... in some Articles) the Total Want of

many of the most essential Articles indented for last Year, (for the use

of the Fortifications. - As the Governor and Council are already apprized

of these Deficiencies, and the Inconveniencies which will arise from

them, it is therefore unnecessary to add any thing more on this Subject

I have the Honour to be with the greatest

Respect

Gentlemen

St. Helena 4th July 1768 Your most Obet. & most humble Servant

Signed

R. Mitchell

We acquainted Capt. Mitchell that we think he has done as

he possibly could to the Fortifications the last Quarter, and that we

Acquiesce with his proposal of carrying on the intended Works of

Lemon Valley as soon as those at Banks's are finished -

The Lieut. Governor presented the following Minute to the

Board viz. -

Minute of the Lieutenant Governor's -

The Governor having laid before the Board at last Monday's

Consultation a Minute, or rather as I apprehend a Protest of Capt. -

Kirkpatrick against Mr. Purling and Mr. Corneille; have only to observe

with

Mitchell ended his letter by noting the serious obstacle the works would meet that year. Many of the most essential items ordered the year before for the fortifications had arrived in short supply, and some had not come at all. The Governor and Council already knew of these shortfalls and the problems they would cause, so he would say nothing more about them. He signed the letter at St Helena on 4 July 1768.

The Council told Captain Mitchell that it believed he had done everything possible on the fortifications in the last quarter. It agreed to his proposal to begin the planned works at Lemon Valley as soon as those at Banks's were finished.

Corneille then presented a minute to the Board.

At the previous Monday's consultation, he wrote, the Governor had laid before the Board a minute from Captain Kirkpatrick, or rather, as Corneille understood it, a protest by Kirkpatrick against Purling and Corneille himself. He had only to observe

Interpretations

Mitchell's closing complaint helps explain the losses recorded in the storekeeper's accounts that season. The Tilbury had landed broken shot for the 24-pounders and lacked items such as the bed for a 6-pounder. The Duke of Richmond was short of 14 shot for the 24-pounders, six gun beds and six quoins. Those stores, together with tools, iron and timber, had been ordered from England for the batteries. What arrived fell well short of the indent. The Council had already turned to Bombay for gun carriages and mortar beds on 30 May 1768, partly to make good what London failed to send.

Corneille now answered Kirkpatrick's retraction in a fresh minute. He described the retraction as a protest against Purling and himself. That framed it as an attack on two councillors rather than a correction of Kirkpatrick's own signature. The quarrel that had begun with the Governor's private letter to the Court now set member against member in the open minutes.

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with respect to the former so far as it may exculpate Mr. Purling in

Urging Capt. Kirkpatrick to Sign the Minute, so contrary to Mr. Purlings

Conduct in Council thereupon; That when I called upon these two Gentlemen

as appear by my letter Addressed to the Board dated the 13 June, that

Mr. Purling at that time expressed his concern, and addressing himself to

the Governor, Related Verbaly the substance of said Minute as his -

opinion of that transaction of 6 of Octobr. 1766, as well as acquiting me

of taking more upon me than was consistant with my Duty, and Respect

due Mr. Skottowe as Governor, Upon which Capt. Kirkpatrick observed

that what Mr. Purling had said was his Sentiments, and that if Mr. -

Purling would commit them to Paper, they might jointly sign it, and

deliver it in on Wednesday, together with the Secretarys & Engineers

Minute as agreed upon, The truth of this both the Governor and Secretary

can Attest. As to what passed in private between these Gentlemen rests

with Mr. Purling to clear up, and Confine my subsequent Observations

only to that part which concerns myself. To which purpose having

considered the Contents of said Protest, find that Capt. Kirkpatrick -

endeavours to Gloss over by falacious Arguments Joining in opinion with

Mr. Purling in their Joint Minute, and tho' he had three Days to consider

of it - (from the Monday to Wednesday) as well as two publick readings of

same in Council, during which time he surely had it in his power to

Retract and ease his tender Conscience and peace of mind tho' surely it

would have served as an inward monitor to dictate to his understanding,

that when we sign to a Paper it serves as a Stamp to the truth & veracity of

the Contents, and ought well to be Considered before hand by every Man of

Honour, & Honesty, otherwise there is an end to Security and Faith in the

Intercourse of Society; And must own that tis the first Instance that has

come within my knowledge of Revoking an Attestation, as expressed in

his own Words. "I hereby Retract and Revoke my Attestation of said

Paper, so far as it disagrees with the following Declaration - After

which follows his Genuine sentiments upon the whole of that Transaction,

agreeing in substance and words to the facts I called upon him to Relate,

with this difference only, that he has asserted that the Debate between

the Engineer and me, I supported against the General Opinion, which

proves the unhappy Deficiency of Mr. Kirkpatrick's Memory, as he

must

Corneille wished to clear Purling of the charge that he had pressed Kirkpatrick to sign the minute, since Purling's conduct in Council had been the opposite. When Corneille called on the two councillors in his letter to the Board of 13 June 1768, Purling at once spoke up. Turning to the Governor, he gave aloud the substance of the later minute as his own view of what had happened on 6 October 1766. He also cleared Corneille of taking more upon himself than was consistent with his duty and with the respect owed to Skottowe as Governor. Kirkpatrick then said that what Purling had said was his own view too. He suggested that if Purling put it in writing, they might sign it together and hand it in on the Wednesday, with the secretary's and the engineer's statements, as was agreed. The Governor and the secretary could both confirm this. What passed privately between the two councillors afterwards was for Purling to explain. Corneille would confine his remarks to the part that concerned himself.

Having studied the protest, Corneille found that Kirkpatrick had tried to gloss over, with false arguments, his having joined Purling in the joint minute. Kirkpatrick had three days to consider it, from the Monday to the Wednesday, and had heard it read twice in Council. In that time he could easily have withdrawn and eased his tender conscience and peace of mind, if his own inner voice had guided him. When a man signed a paper, his signature stood as a seal on the truth of its contents. Every man of honour and honesty ought to weigh it beforehand. Otherwise there was an end to security and trust between people. Corneille said this was the first case he had ever known of a man revoking his own attestation, as Kirkpatrick had put it in his own words.

After that, Corneille continued, Kirkpatrick set out his real views on the whole affair. These agreed in substance and wording with the facts Corneille had asked him to state, with one exception. Kirkpatrick claimed that in the dispute between the engineer and Corneille, Corneille had held out against the general opinion. That, Corneille said, showed an unfortunate failure in Kirkpatrick's memory, as he must

Interpretations

Corneille's account changed the story of how the joint statement came about. Kirkpatrick had said that Purling drew up the paper and pressed him to sign it late at night. According to Corneille, the substance was settled openly at the Board on 13 June. Purling stated it aloud before the Governor, Kirkpatrick declared that it was his view too, and Kirkpatrick himself proposed that the two sign it jointly. Corneille named the Governor and the secretary as witnesses to this. If his account was correct, Kirkpatrick's signature was no hurried mistake but the written form of what he had said in Council. Corneille's argument rested on the point that the Governor, whom Kirkpatrick now supported, had heard him agree.

Corneille pressed the point about signatures because the whole system of the Company's government rested on it. Councillors signed the minutes, the accounts and the letters to the Court, and London relied on those signatures as true. A councillor who could sign a statement and then revoke it a week later undermined the value of every signed record. Corneille's argument was aimed past Kirkpatrick at the Court. He was asking the Directors to judge which of the two statements bearing Kirkpatrick's name deserved belief.

Corneille also contested the one fact Kirkpatrick had added, that he had held out against the general opinion in the debate with the engineer. Mitchell himself had said only that Corneille objected to part of the plan and was later satisfied. Purling's and Kirkpatrick's own joint statement had recorded no general opinion against him. Corneille treated Kirkpatrick's new claim as a lapse of memory, a courteous way of calling it untrue.

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must certainly know if he was not so precipitate in advancing before he

gives himself time for Recollection, that the opinion of the Council was not

taken untill the 13 of Octobr. and that the Affair between the Governor and

me happened the 6 of said Month: and has also charged the Governor as

being provoked by my perseverance, which I can safely say what ever was

his inward sentiments, His outward Carriage proved the Contrary, as in

justice to Mr. Skottowe I must at all times acquit him of any such -

Malicious Insinuation -

I come now to the latter part of Capt. Kirkpatricks Declaration,

wherein he says, That, "He cant join in opinion that I always confined

myself to the Bounds prescribed by the Nature of my Office, subbordinate

tho' not implicitly to the Governor; As this charge immediately Contradicts

what he has before asserted in his Joint Minute, (for which indeed he has

so speciously endeavoured to Apologize) And as the Governor as well as the

Gentlemen of the Board must well Recollect my repeated Desires (as

already gone home to the Honble the Court of Directors) That if they had

any thing to Alledge against my Conduct and Actions, by all means to do

it, that my Honorable Employers thereby may come to the true knowledge of my

Character; and as no doubt Capt. Kirkpatrick must be acquainted with

some Transactions wherein I have exceeded the bounds prescribed by the

nature of my office, I now take this opportunity of thanking that

Gentleman for the occasion he has afforded me, and here call upon him

fully to explain himself upon that head, and give his reasons from what

part of my Conduct and Actions he has founded said opinion on, all

which I desire he may lay before the Governor and Council by next

Monday in order to be transmitted to the Honble the Court of Directors

and here Gentlemen I rest untill I have seen his Charge in proof of

what he has alledged against me -

Signed

4th July 1768 Danl. Corneille

Corneille argued that Kirkpatrick must have known, had he been less hasty and given himself time to remember, that the Council's opinion was not taken until 13 October 1766, while the clash between the Governor and Corneille had happened on 6 October. Kirkpatrick had also said that the Governor was provoked by Corneille's persistence. Corneille could safely say that this did not reflect the Governor's true feelings, since his outward behaviour at the time showed the opposite. In fairness to Skottowe, Corneille would always clear him of any such ill-natured suggestion.

Corneille then turned to the last part of Kirkpatrick's declaration. Kirkpatrick had said he could not agree that Corneille had always kept within the limits set by his office, which was subordinate, though not absolutely so, to the Governor. That charge flatly contradicted what Kirkpatrick had stated in the joint minute, for which he had since tried so eagerly to apologise. The Governor and the members of the Board would remember that Corneille had often asked, and had already written to the Court, that if anyone had anything to say against his conduct, they should say it. That way the Company would come to know his true character. Kirkpatrick must know of some occasions when Corneille had gone beyond the limits of his office. Corneille therefore thanked him for the chance this gave him. He called on Kirkpatrick to explain himself fully and to give the reasons, and the particular actions, on which he based his opinion. He asked Kirkpatrick to lay them before the Governor and Council by the following Monday, so that they could be sent to the Court. Until he saw the charge set out properly, he would say no more. Corneille signed the minute on 4 July 1768.

Interpretations

Corneille's point about dates went to the heart of Kirkpatrick's added claim. Kirkpatrick had said Corneille held out against the general opinion of the Council during the debate with the engineer. Corneille replied that no general opinion had yet been taken when the Governor rebuked him on 6 October 1766. The Council only gave its view on the Sandy Bay plan a week later, on 13 October. On the day of the quarrel Corneille could not have defied a Council opinion that did not yet exist.

Corneille also defended the Governor against Kirkpatrick. Kirkpatrick had written that Skottowe was provoked by Corneille's persistence, a phrase meant to excuse the rebuke. Corneille rejected it. If the Governor had been angered, the rebuke was a matter of temper. If he had acted calmly, as Corneille insisted, the rebuke was a considered decision, and the question of its fairness stood on its own. By clearing the Governor of anger, Corneille kept the issue to what Skottowe had said, not why.

Corneille then put Kirkpatrick to the test. A councillor who said Corneille had exceeded his authority ought to be able to name the occasions. Corneille demanded specific charges within a week, in writing and for the Court. If Kirkpatrick could produce them, the Court would judge them. If he could not, his declaration would stand as an opinion without proof.

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Mr. Purling likewise this Day presented the following

Minute in Answer to that part of Captain Kirkpatrick's Paper

laid before the Board last Consultation Day as far as relates to

himself -

Captn. Kirkpatrick in a Paper laid before the Board last

Consultation Day having thought proper to represent; That his

Signing an Answer with me to what the Lieut. Governor called on us for in

Consultation of the 13th of June last, was owing to my desiring and urging

him to it, and not from a free and Voluntary Motive and opinion of his

own, I now in order to set this Affair in its true light state the whole

circumstance of what passed on that Occasion -

When Mr. Corneilles Letter was read in Council finding he

had called on Capt. Kirkpatrick and me separate from Mr. Bazett

and Capt. Mitchell relative to some Circumstances; I then mentioned

in Council how far I could speak in Answer thereto, and was going to

write it down at the Board, but business intervening, and Mr. Corneille

saying you had better do it afterwards, I deferred it at that Time,

Capt. Kirkpatrick agreeing to what I said Added we may join what

we have to say together, or words to that Effect, Mr. Bazett the

Secretary being quite unconcerned in this Affair I desire he will declare

whether my Assertion is not fact. I also understood that the answers of

the several Gentlemen called upon should be entered in the same

Consultation with Mr. Corneilles Letter, and was the reason why I drew up

what could be said on the subject before the Ships Sailed and after I

had done so, as Capt. Kirkpatrick had expressed a desire in Council

to join in theirs, I sent for him and read it to him and after considering

the same to his own mind, He observed; That we might now sign it,

and if I would sign he would; accordingly I did so and he immediately

after me without the least hesitation or proposing any further Alterations

His readiness in subscribing thereto entirely destroys the Assertion that

I desired or Urged him to that Act, How weak must it appear for

any Gentleman Member of a Board to plead in excuse for his -

subscribing

Purling also presented a minute that day, answering the part of Kirkpatrick's paper laid before the Board at the previous consultation that concerned him.

In that paper Kirkpatrick had claimed that he signed the joint answer to the Lieutenant Governor's questions of 13 June 1768 because Purling had asked and urged him to. He said it had not been his own free and willing choice or opinion. To show the matter in its true light, Purling set out everything that had happened on that occasion.

When Corneille's letter was read in Council, it called on Kirkpatrick and Purling, separately from Mr Bazett and Captain Mitchell, to state certain facts. Purling then told the Council how far he could answer and began to write it down at the Board. Other business came up, and Corneille suggested he would do better to write it afterwards, so Purling stopped. Kirkpatrick agreed with what Purling had said and added that they might put their answers together, or words to that effect. Mr Bazett, the secretary, had no stake in the affair, and Purling asked him to declare whether this was true.

Purling had also understood that the answers of all the gentlemen called upon were to be entered in the same consultation as Corneille's letter. That was why he drew up what he had to say on the subject before the ships sailed. When he had done so, since Kirkpatrick had said in Council that he wished to join in the answer, Purling sent for him and read it to him. Kirkpatrick thought it over and said that they might now sign it, and that if Purling would sign, so would he. Purling signed, and Kirkpatrick signed immediately after him, without the least hesitation and without proposing any further change. That readiness to sign entirely disproved the claim that Purling had pressed or urged him. Purling thought it a weak excuse indeed for any member of a Board to plead, for having signed

Interpretations

Purling's account matched Corneille's on the central point. Both placed the origin of the joint answer in open Council on 13 June 1768, when Kirkpatrick himself proposed that he and Purling answer together. Purling added what happened afterwards. He drew up the paper and sent for Kirkpatrick because he believed all the answers were to be entered with Corneille's letter before the Northington and the Vansittart sailed. That explains the late-evening meeting Kirkpatrick described. It was not a device to catch him unready but a race to get the paper into the minutes before the ships left.

Purling called on the secretary as an impartial witness. Bazett had already confirmed Corneille's version of the 1766 rebuke on 13 June. Purling now asked him to confirm what Kirkpatrick had said at the Board. If Bazett supported him, Kirkpatrick's claim of being pressed into signing would fall on two independent witnesses.

The detail that Kirkpatrick signed straight after Purling, without proposing any change, was Purling's strongest point. A man who had been hurried into agreeing to something he did not believe would have been expected to ask for corrections, or at least to read the paper again. Kirkpatrick did neither. His retraction came a week later, after he had given the paper privately to the Governor.

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[Right-hand edge of the page cut off in the image.]

4th July

subscribing to an opinion not fully his own, that he was Urged to [...]

by another, and how far such opinion can be depended upon in any [...]

is a matter to be determined by Our Masters who are the Ultimate Judg[...]

of all our transactions, and in order to prevent as far as in me lies Capt.

Kirkpatrick's Assertion making an impression to my disadvantage,

hereby utterly deny that I ever made use of any Argument or Persuasion [...]

influence him in the least: in which I could have no inducement from

Interest or any other Motive, It was between seven and eight o'Clock [...]

Night when we were together, and he appeared to me at the time neither

hurried or confused but perfectly sensible of what he was about; and

its very remarkable that he never once objected to his joining sentiments

with me on the Occasion, or hinted in the least that he was preparing

an Answer by himself, as he has set forth; I was drawn in to Concern

my self with him in this transaction entirely from his declaration

in Council as beforementioned and not from any desire wish or inclina[...]

of my own. The next morning I sent the Paper we had signed to the

Secretary, and we met that day the 15 of June about Eleven o'Clock

when it was read together with Mr. Bazetts and Captn. Mitchells and [...]

Capt. Kirkpatrick being present did not make the least Objection, [...]

were all Ordered to be entered upon Consultation, and when we met

again that afternoon to dispatch the Ships, the Consultation where these

Papers are inserted was read in Council, and he signed that Consultation

without the least Exception or reserve, Time enough had Elapsed

between his Subscribing the Answer with me and finally closing the

Consultation for reflection Alteration or retraction, if he had, had [...]

Inclination for that purpose. Upon the whole I am under the necessity [...]

look on Capt. Kirkpatricks Allegations in respect to myself (to which [...]

I entirely confine this reply) as calculated to make divisions in the

Council and particularly between the Governor and me probably to

serve some private views of his own, but I here assure him on [...]

disappointed, being always desirous of promoting Harmony not only [...]

the Council but in the Community declaring my self free from all Party

Party matters, And further look upon it as incumbent on Us to

avoid

Purling went on to say that it was a poor excuse to plead, for signing an opinion not fully one's own, that someone else had urged it. How far such an opinion could be relied on in any matter was for the Court, the final judges of all the Council's actions, to decide. To stop Kirkpatrick's claim from harming him, Purling flatly denied ever using any argument or persuasion to influence him in the least. He had nothing to gain from doing so, whether in money or any other way. They had met between seven and eight in the evening. Kirkpatrick did not seem to him hurried or confused at the time, but fully aware of what he was doing. It was very striking, Purling added, that Kirkpatrick never once objected to joining him in a common answer. Nor did he give the slightest hint that he was preparing an answer of his own, as he now claimed. Purling had become involved with him in the matter only because of what Kirkpatrick had said in Council, not from any wish of his own.

The next morning Purling sent the signed paper to the secretary. The Council met that day, 15 June 1768, at about eleven o'clock. The paper was read together with Mr Bazett's and Captain Mitchell's statements. Kirkpatrick was present and made no objection at all, and all the papers were ordered to be entered in the consultation. When the Council met again that afternoon to send off the ships, the consultation containing the papers was read, and Kirkpatrick signed it without any exception or reserve. Enough time had passed between his signing the answer with Purling and the final closing of the consultation for him to reflect and to alter or withdraw it, if he had wished to.

On the whole, Purling felt bound to regard Kirkpatrick's charges against him as wholly invented. He believed they were designed to cause division in the Council, and especially between the Governor and Purling, probably to serve some private aim of Kirkpatrick's. Purling assured him publicly that, as far as he was concerned, Kirkpatrick would be greatly disappointed. Purling had always wished to keep harmony, not only in the Council but in the whole community, and declared himself free of all party quarrels. He further considered it the Council's duty to

Interpretations

Purling added a detail that weighed heavily against Kirkpatrick's story. The joint answer was not signed in haste and then sent home unseen. It was read to the full Council the next morning, 15 June 1768, with Kirkpatrick present, and entered in the minutes on his silent agreement. That afternoon the consultation was read again before the Northington and the Vansittart sailed, and Kirkpatrick signed it without reservation. He had three separate chances to object and took none of them. His claim that he signed in confusion late at night could not explain why he endorsed the same paper twice more the next day.

Purling read Kirkpatrick's motive as an attempt to split the Council. Kirkpatrick had given his retraction privately to the Governor. It cast Purling as the man who had manipulated a colleague on Corneille's behalf. If it had worked, it would have set the Governor against Purling and isolated Corneille. Purling met it by refusing to take sides openly. He declared himself free of all party, and he put his own conduct before the Court in full. Purling was the Council's accountant and a young member whose standing depended on the Governor's goodwill. He had good reason to show that he had acted from no personal interest.

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1768

avoid the latter as the greatest Evil, and prefer the former as most

Essential in Government; to the end that we may discharge Our

several Dutys in the important trust reposed in Us to the -

satisfaction and Approbation of our Honble Employers -

Signed

St. Helena M. Purling

4th July 1768

Mr. Bazett being duly Sworn Deposeth that to the best

of his knowledge the Circumstance Mr. Purling mentions with respect to

Captain Kirkpatricks offering to join their Opinions together in the Answer

intended to be given by them to the Lieut. Governors Letter relative to

the Dispute between the Governor and him is the truth as near as he

can recollect or words to that Effect

Sworn before me this 4th day of July

in Consultation

Signed John Skottowe

The Lieut. Governor also delivered the following Letter Enclosing

one which he had received from Captain Kirkpatrick viz.

To John Skottowe Esqr. Governor & Council &ca

Gentlemen

Having received the enclosed Letter from Capt.

Kirkpatrick

Purling ended by saying that the Council ought to avoid party quarrels as the greatest evil and to value harmony as the most essential thing in government. Only then could its members carry out their duties in the important trust placed in them to the satisfaction and approval of the Company. He signed his minute at St Helena on 4 July 1768.

Mr Bazett was then put on oath. He declared that, to the best of his knowledge, Purling's account was true as nearly as he could remember, or in words to that effect. This concerned Kirkpatrick's offer to join with Purling in a common answer to the Lieutenant Governor's letter about the dispute between the Governor and Corneille. Bazett was sworn before Governor Skottowe in Council on 4 July 1768.

Corneille also handed in a letter enclosing one he had received from Captain Kirkpatrick. It was addressed to Governor Skottowe and the Council. Corneille wrote that, having received the enclosed letter from Captain Kirkpatrick,

Interpretations

Bazett's evidence was given on oath before the Governor, not simply written down as the earlier statements had been. Putting the secretary under oath raised the dispute to the level of sworn testimony. It made his account harder to set aside. Bazett had no part in the quarrel, worked daily with every member of the Board and was the officer responsible for keeping the minutes accurate. He now confirmed that Kirkpatrick himself had offered in Council to join Purling in a common answer. That left Kirkpatrick's claim of being pressed into signing without support. The Governor swore him personally, so even the man at the centre of the dispute could not later question the form of the evidence.

Kirkpatrick had now written directly to Corneille, outside the Council, and Corneille laid that letter before the Board. Corneille took the opposite course from the one he had criticised. Instead of answering a private letter privately, he made it part of the public record, where the Court could read both sides.

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4th July

Kirkpatrick dated the 21st June last Saturday Evening, which I now

present you in order to be transmitted Home along with the other Papers

that may offer in this affair, which his Conduct has involved Us in,

And as I made no answer to it but what I now offer in Consultation,

have only to observe how very contradictory his opinion is in his Letter to me

to that of his Protest laid before us last Monday by the Governor, -

Exculpating himself in the former, in fearing much worse Consequences

than I apprehend could possibly have attended the Step I was obliged to

take in support of truth and my own Veracity, And Yet in the latter

pleading being Urged to the measure by unfair and precipitate means, &

not having time for recollection from a fluctuation of mind occasioned by

variety of Accts. &c. &c.

I should not have troubled you Gentlemen with this, had it not

being for the latter part of his Letter, wherein he asserts, "That he can

and will if put to it carry his Speculations a little farther than bare

Mistake with regard to me;" (Appealing to my own Breast in this

tender Point) I can with pleasure inform Captain Kirkpatrick

before you Gentlemen, That I have long since made that appeal to

myself, and as such, can only repeat what I have already mentioned

in my preceding Minute; That 'tis with pleasure I put him to the

test, expecting neither favour nor Affection in the Scrutiny he means

to make, requesting only that whatever he offers to assert

he will fully prove - I ask no More -

I have the Honour to be

Gentlemen

Your most Obedient Servant

Signed

July 4th 1768 Dan Corneille

Kirkpatrick's letter to Corneille was dated 21 June 1768, and Corneille received it on a Saturday evening. He now laid it before the Council so that it could be sent home with the other papers in an affair in which Kirkpatrick's conduct had involved them all. He had made no answer to it beyond what he now offered at the Board.

Corneille pointed out how far the views in Kirkpatrick's letter contradicted his protest, which the Governor had laid before the Council the previous Monday. In the letter Kirkpatrick excused himself by saying that he foresaw far worse consequences than Corneille could ever have expected to follow from the step Corneille had been obliged to take in defence of the truth and his own honesty. In the protest, by contrast, he claimed he had been pushed into signing by unfair and hasty means, without time to think, because his mind was unsettled by a mass of accounts and other business.

Corneille would not have troubled the Council with the letter at all but for its last part. There Kirkpatrick wrote that he could and would, if pressed, take his conjectures about Corneille a little further than a mere mistake, and he appealed to Corneille's own conscience on this delicate point. Corneille told him before the Council that he had long since made that appeal to his own conscience. He could only repeat what he had said in his previous minute. He gladly invited Kirkpatrick to make the trial and asked only one thing: that in the inquiry Kirkpatrick meant to make, he should act without fear or favour, and fully prove whatever he chose to assert. Corneille asked no more. He signed the letter on 4 July 1768.

Interpretations

Kirkpatrick's private letter to Corneille, dated 21 June 1768, was written only a day after the retraction he gave to the Governor. The two papers did not tell the same story. To the Governor and the Board, Kirkpatrick said he had signed in haste and confusion. To Corneille privately, he wrote of the serious consequences Corneille's challenge might bring and hinted he could say worse than he had. Corneille set the two side by side so that the Court could see Kirkpatrick explaining his conduct differently to different people.

The hint that Kirkpatrick could carry his conjectures further than a mere mistake was a veiled threat. It suggested he knew of something in Corneille's conduct graver than an error of judgement, and he invited Corneille to search his own conscience. Corneille answered it in the way that most protected him. He brought the private threat into the open minutes, declared his conscience clear and demanded proof. He had already called for specific charges by the following Monday. A councillor who made dark hints in private but produced nothing at the Board would lose credit with the Court. Corneille was confident enough of his record to dare Kirkpatrick to try.

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1768

To Daniel Corneille Esqr. Lieut. Governor

Sir

When you laid before the Board a Paper containing a -

recrimination of Charges upon the Governor, in which you called, among

others, upon me for my opinion relative to that matter, I then foresaw the

ill Consequence likely to result from such a paper, as it seemed calculated to compleat a

misunderstanding already too much and too unhappily established between

the Govr. and you, by fatally involving the other members in a -

Participation of your disagreement, and thought then to move that

the Question be put, whether such a Paper was admissible or not, as

well on Account of the Asperity of Expression that constituted its Style

as its evil Tendency; but a strong inclination to avoid Contest made me

wave the motion, hoping still for the better: I need not repeat to you

the steps that have been since taken, and my manner of acting

therein, which notwithstanding the Efforts made to prove by the

Secretary that my Opinion, as afterwards given, was inconsistent with

Instructions I had previously given to Mr. Purling for drawing it up, I

shall be able to support with a Clearness equal to the Candour of my -

Sentiments as expressed in my opinion on that Case; in drawing up

which, I maintained a due regard to the persons whom it concerned, and

strictly adhered to the dictates of my Conscience and Impartiality. -

When I gave it in, You launched out into such a Latitude of

Expression as even to threaten me with some former Misconduct;

forgetting the Decorum which ever ought to be kept at that Board, of

which I have the Honr. to be a Member as well as you. You were not

long among us, before you gave me a specimen of your Abilities in

point of reproof, when on my asking the opinions of yourself and the

other Justices, on the Subject of my having committed a prisoner who

had Confessed the Charge, You turning to the Govr. said, That

was an extorted Confession, Words, that, had they been true,

were beneath the Dignity of your Station, but which, as you

afterwards amply attoned for, I only hint now, as they were a

prelude

Kirkpatrick's letter to Corneille read as follows.

Corneille had laid before the Board a paper of counter-charges against the Governor, and in it he called on Kirkpatrick, among others, for his opinion. Kirkpatrick wrote that he foresaw then the harm such a paper was likely to cause. It seemed designed to complete a quarrel between the Governor and Corneille that was already too deep and too unhappy, by dragging the other members fatally into their disagreement. He had thought of moving that the Board vote on whether such a paper could be accepted at all, both because of its harsh language and because of its harmful aim. A strong wish to avoid conflict made him drop the motion, in the hope that things would improve.

He did not need to repeat to Corneille the steps taken since then, or his own part in them. Efforts had been made, through the secretary, to show that the opinion Kirkpatrick later gave was inconsistent with the instructions he had first given Purling for drawing it up. Even so, he said, he could defend his conduct as firmly as he had honestly stated his views in his opinion on the case. In writing it he had shown proper respect to the people concerned and kept strictly to his conscience and to fairness.

When he handed in his opinion, Kirkpatrick went on, Corneille spoke so freely as even to threaten him with some past misconduct. In doing so Corneille forgot the decorum that should always be kept at the Board, of which Kirkpatrick had the honour to be a member as much as Corneille. Corneille had not long been among them before he gave a sample of his talents in that line. Kirkpatrick had once asked the opinions of Corneille and the other justices about his having committed to prison a man who had confessed to the charge. Corneille turned to the Governor and said it was a forced confession. Kirkpatrick held that such words, even if they had been true, were beneath the dignity of Corneille's office, though Corneille had later made full amends for them. Kirkpatrick mentioned this now only because those words were a prelude

Interpretations

Kirkpatrick's letter recast the whole dispute. Corneille presented himself as a wronged officer defending his honour against a secret charge. Kirkpatrick presented him as the man who had dragged the Council into a private quarrel with the Governor. He claimed he had seen the danger at once. He said he had nearly moved to have Corneille's paper refused as unfit for the Board, and held back only to keep the peace. That argument looked past the facts of October 1766 to a question of conduct: whether a Lieutenant Governor should air his grievances against the Governor in the official minutes at all.

Kirkpatrick also answered the charge of past misconduct by raising an old grievance of his own. The incident of the forced confession showed Corneille, early in his time on the island, questioning another magistrate's handling of a prisoner in front of the Governor. The Council members sat as justices, so Kirkpatrick had evidently been criticised in his judicial role. That had rankled. The episode suggested that bad feeling between the two men went back well before the present quarrel. The Council's rare open divisions in 1768 grew out of a long history of personal friction among a handful of officers on a small island.

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82

[Right-hand edge of the page cut off in the image.]

4th July

prelude to your subsequent Treatment of Me, - Dont think, Si[...]

that either your threatenings or Invectives give me any Apprehension

of Suffering in the least by what you suggest against my Conduct, I

say, suggest because nothing (but suggestion) can be raised to attem[...]

prejudicing me in the Eyes of my Honble Employers! However I [...]

inform you in a preparatory manner, That I can and will, if put to [...]

carry my speculations a little farther than bare Mistake with

regard to you: I appeal to your own breast in this tender Point

and make no Doubt but I shall be able to prove demonstratively

my Assertion in that, as well as my Opinion on the Case between

the Govr. & you. As I am, and always have been for peace

and Unity, I beg you'll weigh this matter well and be assured

I shall concur with whatever may promote so conciliating a

System -

I am with Respect

Sir

21st June 1768 - Your most Obedient huml. Ser[...]

Signed

Thos. Kirkpatri[...]

We this day received £ 100 - of the Revd. Mr. Wm.

Bearcroft in discharge of his Bond to the Honble Company

which we gave him up

John Skottowe

Dan Corneille

M. Purling

Kirkpatrick wrote that those words had been a prelude to Corneille's later treatment of him. Corneille was not to think that his threats or attacks gave Kirkpatrick the least fear of suffering from anything Corneille might suggest against his conduct. Kirkpatrick used the word suggest deliberately, since nothing but suggestion could be used to damage him in the eyes of the Company. He would, however, warn Corneille in advance that he could and would, if pressed, take his conjectures about him a little further than a mere mistake. He appealed to Corneille's own conscience on this delicate point. He had no doubt that he could prove his claim on that matter beyond question, as well as his opinion on the case between the Governor and Corneille. He said he was, and always had been, in favour of peace and unity. He asked Corneille to weigh the matter carefully, and assured him that he would support anything that promoted such a spirit of reconciliation. Kirkpatrick signed the letter on 21 June 1768.

The Council received £100 from the Reverend William Bearcroft in full repayment of his bond to the Company, and returned the bond to him.

Governor Skottowe, Corneille and Purling signed the minutes.

Interpretations

Kirkpatrick's letter ended in two different voices. He threatened Corneille with something worse than a mistake and claimed he could prove it. In the same breath he offered peace and support for reconciliation. The offer amounted to a bargain: if Corneille dropped his challenge, Kirkpatrick would keep his hints to himself. Corneille refused the bargain by laying the whole letter before the Council. By doing so he made the threat public, and Kirkpatrick would now either have to produce his proof before the Court or let the hint stand as empty.

Kirkpatrick had insisted on the word suggest, claiming that only suggestion, not fact, could harm him with the Company. That was the very charge Corneille brought against the Governor's private letter, which described Corneille's conduct by insinuation rather than fact. Both men accused the other of using hints to damage reputations in London. Each tried to show the Court that his own side relied on facts that could be tested.

Bearcroft's bond was a loan from the Company, secured by his written promise to repay. Officers on the island sometimes borrowed from the treasury against their salaries. The chaplain had sent £100 home by bill on 22 February 1768. His repayment of a further £100 now shows that his finances were sound. With his new allowance of 30 lb of candles a quarter, granted on 23 May, his position on the island was improving.

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83

11th July

At a Consultation held on Monday the 11th day of July 1768 at the Castle

Present John Skottowe Esqr. Governor

Daniel Corneille Esqr. Lieut. Govr.

Mr. Mattw. Purling

Capt. Thos. Kirkpatrick of Council

The last Consultation was read, approved, and signed dated the 4 July 1768

The Plantation Account for the Quarter and the Gunners

and Stewards Accounts for the Month of June last were this day brought in,

which were examined and approved and are as following

Sundrys Expended at the Honble Compy's Table in June 1768

2 Bottles Port Wine

£ 3

12 Do. Lisbon

18

6 Do. Mountain

9

12 Do. Beer

2 6

30 Galls. Arrack

7 10

234 lb Beef

4 13

301 lb Mutton

6 9 2

12 Fowles

18

90 lb Candy

1 17

30 lb Butter

1 10

310 lb Flour

2 10

£ 26 19 8

Governor John Skottowe held a consultation at the Castle on Monday 11 July 1768.

Present

John Skottowe, Governor

Daniel Corneille, Lieutenant Governor

William Matthew Purling

Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick, of the Council

The Council read, approved and signed the minutes of 4 July 1768.

The plantation account for the quarter and the gunner's and steward's accounts for June were presented, examined and approved.

The steward's account listed the sundries used at the Company's table in June 1768.

2 bottles of port wine, £0 3s 0d

12 bottles of Lisbon wine, £0 18s 0d

6 bottles of Mountain wine, £0 9s 0d

12 bottles of beer, £0 2s 6d

30 gallons of arrack, £7 10s 0d

224 lb of beef, £4 13s 0d

3[...] lb of mutton, £6 9s 2d

12 fowls, £0 18s 0d

90 lb of sugar candy, £1 17s 0d

30 lb of butter, £1 10s 0d

300 lb of flour, £2 10s 0d

Total, £26 19s 8d

Interpretations

The Company's table cost £26 19s 8d in June, well below the £33 7s 3d of April and £32 12s 0d of May. The fall came mostly from wine. Lisbon wine dropped from 38 bottles in May to 12, and no lambs or turkeys were bought. The shipping season was ending. After the Northington and the Vansittart sailed on 15 June, only the Duke of Richmond remained in the road, and the Castle had few visiting officers or passengers to entertain. The Governor's household returned to its ordinary consumption.

Arrack held steady at 30 gallons, as it had every month of the year. The punch bowl at the Castle was fixed by custom, not by the number of guests. The 30 gallons stand out beside the new rules on drink that the Council adopted on 4 July. Those rules cut the punch houses to five, banned sales to soldiers and slaves, and ordered every dram watered. They did not apply to the Governor's own table.

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[Right-hand edge of the page cut off in the image, affecting the Powder Expended ounces column.]

11th July

Artillery Stores expended in June 1768

Guns fired, Shot fired, 9 Pr, 4 Pr, 3 Pr, 2 Pr, 1 Pr, Powder Expended lb, Powder Expended oz

2 Departed the Earl of Elgin & British King: Guns fired 18, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 3, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 15, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expended lb 17, Powder Expended oz [...]

4 Guns fired to Celebrate his Majesty's Birth day: Guns fired 21, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 21, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expended lb 16, Powder Expended oz [...]

Departed two Dutch Ships: Guns fired 22, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 22, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expended lb 16, Powder Expended oz [...]

5 An Alarm: Guns fired 6, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 2, 3 Pr 2, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 2, Powder Expended lb 12, Powder Expended oz [...]

Arrived the Duke of Richmond: Guns fired 9, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 9, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expended lb 6, Powder Expended oz [...]

An Alarm: Guns fired 6, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 2, 3 Pr 2, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 2, Powder Expended lb 12, Powder Expended oz [...]

Arrived the Northington: Guns fired 9, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 2, 3 Pr 1, 2 Pr 6, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expended lb 9, Powder Expended oz [...]

Fired at Do. from Banks: Guns fired 1, Shot fired 1, 9 Pr 1, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expended lb 4, Powder Expended oz [...]

6 An Alarm: Guns fired 6, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 2, 3 Pr 2, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 2, Powder Expended lb 12, Powder Expended oz [...]

Arrived the Vansittart: Guns fired 13, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 13, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expended lb 9, Powder Expended oz [...]

8 Departed the French Ship: Guns fired 9, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 9, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expended lb 6, Powder Expended oz [...]

9 Do. the Tilbury: Guns fired 9, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 3, 3 Pr 1, 2 Pr 5, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expended lb 11, Powder Expended oz [...]

15 Do. the Northington & Vansittart: Guns fired 18, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 1, 3 Pr 1, 2 Pr 16, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expended lb 15, Powder Expended oz [...]

23 Guns fired to Salute the Duke of Richmond: Guns fired 9, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 9, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expended lb 6, Powder Expended oz [...]

27 Fired for a Signal to ye said Ship: Guns fired 1, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 1, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expended lb 0, Powder Expended oz [...]

Powder Expended for Sundry Services: Guns fired 0, Shot fired 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expended lb 223, Powder Expended oz [...]

Total: Guns fired 157, Shot fired 1, 9 Pr 1, 4 Pr 15, 3 Pr 9, 2 Pr 126, 1 Pr 6, Powder Expended lb 381, Powder Expended oz [...]

Lead Balls to Shoot Goats

7 . 9 lb oz

Tallow for Sundry Services

39 . 8

Handspikes for Do.

6

Kitt for Long Boats Sails

1 . 8

Paper for Sundry Services

1 Quire

The gunner's return of artillery stores used in June 1768 recorded the guns fired, the shot fired, the 9-pounders, 4-pounders, 3-pounders, 2-pounders and 1-pounders used, and the powder spent in pounds and ounces.

2 June, departure of the Earl of Elgin and the British King: guns fired 18, shot 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 3, 3-pounders 0, 2-pounders 15, 1-pounders 0; powder 17 lb [...] oz

4 June, guns fired to celebrate His Majesty's birthday: guns fired 21, shot 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 0, 3-pounders 0, 2-pounders 21, 1-pounders 0; powder 16 lb [...] oz

4 June, departure of two Dutch ships: guns fired 22, shot 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 0, 3-pounders 0, 2-pounders 22, 1-pounders 0; powder 16 lb [...] oz

5 June, an alarm: guns fired 6, shot 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 2, 3-pounders 2, 2-pounders 0, 1-pounders 2; powder 12 lb [...] oz

5 June, arrival of the Duke of Richmond: guns fired 9, shot 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 0, 3-pounders 0, 2-pounders 9, 1-pounders 0; powder 6 lb [...] oz

5 June, an alarm: guns fired 6, shot 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 2, 3-pounders 2, 2-pounders 0, 1-pounders 2; powder 12 lb [...] oz

5 June, arrival of the Northington: guns fired 9, shot 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 2, 3-pounders 1, 2-pounders 6, 1-pounders 0; powder 9 lb [...] oz

5 June, fired at the Northington from Banks's: guns fired 1, shot 1, 9-pounders 1, 4-pounders 0, 3-pounders 0, 2-pounders 0, 1-pounders 0; powder 4 lb [...] oz

6 June, an alarm: guns fired 6, shot 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 2, 3-pounders 2, 2-pounders 0, 1-pounders 2; powder 12 lb [...] oz

6 June, arrival of the Vansittart: guns fired 13, shot 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 0, 3-pounders 0, 2-pounders 13, 1-pounders 0; powder 9 lb [...] oz

8 June, departure of the French ship: guns fired 9, shot 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 0, 3-pounders 0, 2-pounders 9, 1-pounders 0; powder 6 lb [...] oz

9 June, departure of the Tilbury: guns fired 9, shot 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 3, 3-pounders 1, 2-pounders 5, 1-pounders 0; powder 11 lb [...] oz

15 June, departure of the Northington and the Vansittart: guns fired 18, shot 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 1, 3-pounders 1, 2-pounders 16, 1-pounders 0; powder 15 lb [...] oz

23 June, guns fired in salute to the Duke of Richmond: guns fired 9, shot 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 0, 3-pounders 0, 2-pounders 9, 1-pounders 0; powder 6 lb [...] oz

27 June, fired as a signal to the same ship: guns fired 1, shot 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 0, 3-pounders 0, 2-pounders 1, 1-pounders 0; powder [...]

Powder used on sundry services, 225 lb [...] oz

Total: guns fired 157, shot 1, 9-pounders 1, 4-pounders 15, 3-pounders 9, 2-pounders 126, 1-pounders 6; powder 381 lb [...] oz

The gunner also accounted for other stores used during June.

Lead balls for shooting goats, 7 lb 9 oz

Tallow for sundry services, 39 lb 8 oz

Handspikes for sundry services, 6

[...] for the longboats' sails, 1 lb 8 oz

Paper for sundry services, 1 quire

Interpretations

The island fired a royal salute of 21 guns on 4 June for the birthday of George III, who turned 30 in 1768. The King's birthday was the chief public holiday of the British world, kept with salutes and toasts in every garrison and colony. St Helena belonged to the Company rather than the Crown, but its garrison honoured the sovereign in the same way. Twenty-one guns was the full royal salute, more than the nine given to an Indiaman or the 13 given to a King's ship.

The Northington was brought to with a shot from Banks's on 5 June, as several Dutch ships had been that season. She was a Company ship and her captain should have known the rule. Her boat had landed at Banks's at four in the afternoon. The ship herself probably stood on toward the anchorage in fading light before the battery had confirmed who she was. The rule applied to friend and stranger alike.

The two Dutch ships that sailed on 4 June were the Bergh and the Schoonsigt. The Bergh's captain had been refused leave to land his arrack on 16 May. Even so, the island saluted both ships on departure with 11 guns each, the courtesy it gave every friendly foreign ship.

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85

Account of the Honorable Company's Stock of Neat Cattle &c. from 1st of April to 30th June 1768

Neat Cattle Bulls, Neat Cattle Cows, Neat Cattle Calves, Neat Cattle Yearlings, Neat Cattle Heifers, Neat Cattle Steers, Neat Cattle Oxen, Neat Cattle Total, Sheep Ewes, Sheep Wethers, Sheep Lambs, Sheep Rams, Sheep Total, Goats Ewes, Goats Wethers, Goats Kids, Goats Rams, Goats Total, Hogs Sows, Hogs Shoats, Hogs Pigs, Hogs Boars, Hogs Total, Horses Horses, Horses Mares, Horses Total, Asses J. Ass, Asses S. Ass, Asses Total, Poultry Fowles, Poultry Ducks, Poultry Turkeys, Poultry Geese

Remaining the 1st of April: Neat Cattle Bulls 5, Neat Cattle Cows 97, Neat Cattle Calves 66, Neat Cattle Yearlings 29, Neat Cattle Heifers 37, Neat Cattle Steers 83, Neat Cattle Oxen 19, Neat Cattle Total 336, Sheep Ewes 436, Sheep Wethers 197, Sheep Lambs 126, Sheep Rams 16, Sheep Total 775, Goats Ewes 180, Goats Wethers 66, Goats Kids 39, Goats Rams 9, Goats Total 294, Hogs Sows 2, Hogs Shoats 5, Hogs Pigs 0, Hogs Boars 1, Hogs Total 8, Horses Horses 4, Horses Mares 6, Horses Total 10, Asses J. Ass 1, Asses S. Ass 0, Asses Total 1, Poultry Fowles 70, Poultry Ducks 25, Poultry Turkeys 14, Poultry Geese 7

Encreased: Neat Cattle Bulls 0, Neat Cattle Cows 0, Neat Cattle Calves 37, Neat Cattle Yearlings 0, Neat Cattle Heifers 0, Neat Cattle Steers 0, Neat Cattle Oxen 0, Neat Cattle Total 37, Sheep Ewes 0, Sheep Wethers 0, Sheep Lambs 55, Sheep Rams 0, Sheep Total 55, Goats Ewes 0, Goats Wethers 0, Goats Kids 59, Goats Rams 0, Goats Total 59, Hogs Sows 0, Hogs Shoats 0, Hogs Pigs 5, Hogs Boars 0, Hogs Total 5, Horses Horses 0, Horses Mares 0, Horses Total 0, Asses J. Ass 0, Asses S. Ass 0, Asses Total 0, Poultry Fowles 16, Poultry Ducks 6, Poultry Turkeys 4, Poultry Geese 0

Recd. the 19 April: Neat Cattle Bulls 0, Neat Cattle Cows 0, Neat Cattle Calves 0, Neat Cattle Yearlings 0, Neat Cattle Heifers 0, Neat Cattle Steers 9, Neat Cattle Oxen 0, Neat Cattle Total 9, Sheep Ewes 0, Sheep Wethers 0, Sheep Lambs 0, Sheep Rams 0, Sheep Total 0, Goats Ewes 0, Goats Wethers 0, Goats Kids 0, Goats Rams 0, Goats Total 0, Hogs Sows 0, Hogs Shoats 0, Hogs Pigs 0, Hogs Boars 0, Hogs Total 0, Horses Horses 0, Horses Mares 0, Horses Total 0, Asses J. Ass 0, Asses S. Ass 0, Asses Total 0, Poultry Fowles 0, Poultry Ducks 0, Poultry Turkeys 0, Poultry Geese 0

Total: Neat Cattle Bulls 5, Neat Cattle Cows 97, Neat Cattle Calves 103, Neat Cattle Yearlings 29, Neat Cattle Heifers 37, Neat Cattle Steers 92, Neat Cattle Oxen 19, Neat Cattle Total 382, Sheep Ewes 436, Sheep Wethers 197, Sheep Lambs 181, Sheep Rams 16, Sheep Total 830, Goats Ewes 180, Goats Wethers 66, Goats Kids 98, Goats Rams 9, Goats Total 353, Hogs Sows 2, Hogs Shoats 5, Hogs Pigs 5, Hogs Boars 1, Hogs Total 13, Horses Horses 4, Horses Mares 6, Horses Total 10, Asses J. Ass 1, Asses S. Ass 0, Asses Total 1, Poultry Fowles 86, Poultry Ducks 31, Poultry Turkeys 18, Poultry Geese 7

Killed: Neat Cattle Bulls 0, Neat Cattle Cows 1, Neat Cattle Calves 0, Neat Cattle Yearlings 0, Neat Cattle Heifers 0, Neat Cattle Steers 10, Neat Cattle Oxen 1, Neat Cattle Total 12, Sheep Ewes 55, Sheep Wethers 20, Sheep Lambs 18, Sheep Rams 2, Sheep Total 95, Goats Ewes 10, Goats Wethers 18, Goats Kids 8, Goats Rams 0, Goats Total 36, Hogs Sows 0, Hogs Shoats 0, Hogs Pigs 0, Hogs Boars 0, Hogs Total 0, Horses Horses 0, Horses Mares 0, Horses Total 0, Asses J. Ass 0, Asses S. Ass 0, Asses Total 0, Poultry Fowles 24, Poultry Ducks 12, Poultry Turkeys 5, Poultry Geese 0

Sold to Mr. Wrangham: Neat Cattle Bulls 0, Neat Cattle Cows 0, Neat Cattle Calves 0, Neat Cattle Yearlings 0, Neat Cattle Heifers 0, Neat Cattle Steers 0, Neat Cattle Oxen 0, Neat Cattle Total 0, Sheep Ewes 2, Sheep Wethers 0, Sheep Lambs 0, Sheep Rams 0, Sheep Total 2, Goats Ewes 0, Goats Wethers 0, Goats Kids 0, Goats Rams 0, Goats Total 0, Hogs Sows 0, Hogs Shoats 0, Hogs Pigs 0, Hogs Boars 0, Hogs Total 0, Horses Horses 0, Horses Mares 0, Horses Total 0, Asses J. Ass 0, Asses S. Ass 0, Asses Total 0, Poultry Fowles 0, Poultry Ducks 0, Poultry Turkeys 0, Poultry Geese 0

Dead: Neat Cattle Bulls 0, Neat Cattle Cows 0, Neat Cattle Calves 0, Neat Cattle Yearlings 0, Neat Cattle Heifers 3, Neat Cattle Steers 8, Neat Cattle Oxen 0, Neat Cattle Total 11, Sheep Ewes 3, Sheep Wethers 0, Sheep Lambs 32, Sheep Rams 0, Sheep Total 35, Goats Ewes 1, Goats Wethers 0, Goats Kids 1, Goats Rams 0, Goats Total 2, Hogs Sows 0, Hogs Shoats 1, Hogs Pigs 0, Hogs Boars 0, Hogs Total 1, Horses Horses 0, Horses Mares 0, Horses Total 0, Asses J. Ass 0, Asses S. Ass 0, Asses Total 0, Poultry Fowles 0, Poultry Ducks 1, Poultry Turkeys 1, Poultry Geese 0

Remaining 30 June: Neat Cattle Bulls 5, Neat Cattle Cows 96, Neat Cattle Calves 103, Neat Cattle Yearlings 29, Neat Cattle Heifers 34, Neat Cattle Steers 74, Neat Cattle Oxen 18, Neat Cattle Total 359, Sheep Ewes 376, Sheep Wethers 177, Sheep Lambs 131, Sheep Rams 14, Sheep Total 698, Goats Ewes 169, Goats Wethers 48, Goats Kids 89, Goats Rams 9, Goats Total 315, Hogs Sows 2, Hogs Shoats 4, Hogs Pigs 5, Hogs Boars 1, Hogs Total 12, Horses Horses 4, Horses Mares 6, Horses Total 10, Asses J. Ass 1, Asses S. Ass 0, Asses Total 1, Poultry Fowles 62, Poultry Ducks 18, Poultry Turkeys 12, Poultry Geese 7

Slaves Born

1 Boy named Charles Plato

1 Do. Do. Simon

Deceased Slaves

1 Man Named Silah

1 Boy Do. Guinia

Yams Expended for the Slaves 89,835

Yams Do. for the Stock 13,650

103,485

E. Excepted Signed Dan Corneille

The Company's livestock account for the quarter from 1 April to 30 June 1768 was presented with the plantation account. Daniel Corneille signed it, reserving the right to correct any errors.

Cattle

Remaining 1 April: bulls 5, cows 97, calves 66, yearlings 29, heifers 37, steers 83, oxen 19, total 336

Increase: bulls 0, cows 0, calves 37, yearlings 0, heifers 0, steers 0, oxen 0, total 37

Received 19 April: bulls 0, cows 0, calves 0, yearlings 0, heifers 0, steers 9, oxen 0, total 9

Total: bulls 5, cows 97, calves 103, yearlings 29, heifers 37, steers 92, oxen 19, total 382

Killed: bulls 0, cows 1, calves 0, yearlings 0, heifers 0, steers 10, oxen 1, total 12

Died: bulls 0, cows 0, calves 0, yearlings 0, heifers 3, steers 8, oxen 0, total 11

Remaining 30 June: bulls 5, cows 96, calves 103, yearlings 29, heifers 34, steers 74, oxen 18, total 359

Sheep

Remaining 1 April: ewes 436, wethers 197, lambs 126, rams 16, total 775

Increase: ewes 0, wethers 0, lambs 55, rams 0, total 55

Total: ewes 436, wethers 197, lambs 181, rams 16, total 830

Killed: ewes 55, wethers 20, lambs 18, rams 2, total 95

Sold to Mr Wrangham: ewes 2, wethers 0, lambs 0, rams 0, total 2

Died: ewes 3, wethers 0, lambs 32, rams 0, total 35

Remaining 30 June: ewes 376, wethers 177, lambs 131, rams 14, total 698

Goats

Remaining 1 April: ewes 180, wethers 66, kids 39, rams 9, total 294

Increase: ewes 0, wethers 0, kids 59, rams 0, total 59

Total: ewes 180, wethers 66, kids 98, rams 9, total 353

Killed: ewes 10, wethers 18, kids 8, rams 0, total 36

Died: ewes 1, wethers 0, kids 1, rams 0, total 2

Remaining 30 June: ewes 169, wethers 48, kids 89, rams 9, total 315

Hogs

Remaining 1 April: sows 2, young hogs 5, pigs 0, boars 1, total 8

Increase: sows 0, young hogs 0, pigs 5, boars 0, total 5

Total: sows 2, young hogs 5, pigs 5, boars 1, total 13

Killed: 0

Died: 1

Remaining 30 June: sows 2, young hogs 4, pigs 5, boars 1, total 12

Horses

Remaining 1 April: horses 4, mares 6, total 10

Remaining 30 June: horses 4, mares 6, total 10

Asses

Remaining 1 April: male asses 1, female asses 0, total 1

Remaining 30 June: male asses 1, female asses 0, total 1

Poultry

Remaining 1 April: fowls 70, ducks 25, turkeys 14, geese 7

Increase: fowls 16, ducks 6, turkeys 4, geese 0

Total: fowls 86, ducks 31, turkeys 18, geese 7

Killed: fowls 24, ducks 12, turkeys 5, geese 0

Died: fowls 0, ducks 1, turkeys 1, geese 0

Remaining 30 June: fowls 62, ducks 18, turkeys 12, geese 7

Two boys were born to the Company's slaves during the quarter, and a man and a boy died.

1 boy born, named Charles Plato

1 boy born, named Simon

1 man died, named Selah

1 boy died, named Guinea

During the quarter 89,835 lb of yams were issued to the slaves and 13,650 lb to the stock, a total of 103,485 lb.

Interpretations

The nine steers received on 19 April were the bullocks Captain Hasell brought from the Cape in the Earl of Middlesex. The Council paid £55 15s 0d for them by bill on 25 April. Hasell had charged for 12 animals, including three that died on board, and all nine survivors reached the Company's herd. Thirty-seven calves were born in the southern autumn. With the Cape cattle, the herd grew from 336 to 359 despite 23 losses. The Company's patient building of its herd was paying off.

The sheep and goats bore the cost of the busy season. Ninety-five sheep and 36 goats were killed in three months, far more than in the previous quarter. The Company's table took 500 lb of mutton in May alone. Thirty-two lambs died, probably young animals born late in the season that could not survive the onset of the cooler, wetter weather. The flock fell from 775 to 698.

The yams issued to the slaves rose almost threefold, from 32,060 lb in the first quarter to 89,835 lb. The harvest of the island's staple root crop came in the southern autumn, and the Company fed its slaves on fresh yams while they lasted. The larger issue also suggests that Bengal salt meat, much of which had been thrown into the sea as unfit, was being replaced in the slaves' diet by the plantation's own produce. Charles Plato was named like many of the island's slaves after a figure from classical antiquity. Guinea was named after the West African coast, the region from which he or his family had probably been taken.

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In Consequence of our having prohibited the Punch House keepers

to sell Arrack to Slaves we came to a Resolution of serving the Honble

Company's Slaves with a Reasonable Allowance of Arrack Pr. Week in order

to keep them hearty and enable them to do their Work, The Men at three

Drams each Women and Working Boys at two Drams Pr. Week which

consumption amounts to about Nineteen Gallons Weekly -

The Governor this day laid before the Board the following Minute

viz. -

St. Helena 11th July 1768

The Governor begs leave to observe with regard to Mr. Corneilles -

ungrounded charge against him, and also with respect to the Minutes, which

Capt. Kirkpatricks retracting, what he had before signed, have occasioned,

that he believes Capt. Kirkpatrick had no other motive in view, for his

Conduct in that particular, than a Conscientious regard to what he believed to

be true, The Governor likewise thinks that when the Lieut. Governor made

application to the Members of Council, for their opinions relative to his own

Conduct at the Board, that Mr. Purling then said in answer to Mr. Corneille

that he would say he heard the Governor tell Mr. Corneille in a debate between

him and the Engineer, that he was not to dictate to the Board, but freely

speak his sentiments in turn, when asked, at which time Capt. Kirkpatrick

said he could only declare the same, and that they might sign together, -

which if Mr. Purling had then wrote, as he was going to do, The Governor

must think would have been the whole of what they would have then signed,

As the Governor imagines that Mr. Purling did not mean to exculpate Mr.

Corneille; altho' he has represented Mr. Purlings Paper, as containing an

acquital of having ever assumed more upon him, than was consistant with

his duty, and respect due to Mr. Skottowe, for which reason, the Governor

requests ... Mr. Purling will please to answer the two following Questions

Whether he meant to countenance Mr. Corneille in all his behaviour

Since the Council had now forbidden the punch house keepers to sell arrack to slaves, it resolved to issue the Company's slaves a reasonable allowance of arrack each week. The aim was to keep them in good heart and able to do their work. The men were to receive three drams each, and the women and working boys two drams each, every week. This would use about 19 gallons a week.

The Governor laid before the Board the following minute, dated at St Helena on 11 July 1768.

The Governor wished to comment on Corneille's unfounded charge against him, and on the minutes that Kirkpatrick's withdrawal of what he had signed had caused. He believed that Kirkpatrick had acted from no motive other than a conscientious regard for what he believed to be true.

The Governor also recalled what happened when Corneille asked the members of Council for their views on his conduct at the Board. Purling then said, in answer to Corneille, that he had heard the Governor tell Corneille during a debate between them that he was not to dictate to the Board, but should freely give his views in turn, when asked. Kirkpatrick then said that he could only say the same, and that they might sign it together. Purling, however, wrote something different, which the Governor considered must have been the whole of what Kirkpatrick would then have signed. The Governor believed that Purling had no grounds to clear Corneille, although Purling's paper had stated that Corneille was free of taking more upon himself than was consistent with his duty and the respect owed to the Governor. For that reason the Governor asked Purling to answer the following two questions. First, whether he meant to approve Corneille in all his conduct

Interpretations

Once the slaves were cut off from the punch houses, the Company stepped in to give them arrack itself. The Council could have left them with no spirit at all. It chose a weekly ration instead, three drams for men and two for women and boys, and it gave its reason: to keep them in good heart and fit for work. The ban on sales to slaves was meant to stop drinking that was uncontrolled and paid for with stolen goods or money from outside the plantation. A fixed ration, issued by the overseers, kept arrack as a reward the Company controlled. It also meant no slave had any reason to steal in order to buy drink. The same reasoning underlay the Governor's defence of the measured arrack served to the workmen on the batteries.

The Governor now joined the dispute openly. He defended Kirkpatrick's sincerity and turned on Purling. In the Governor's account, what was agreed in Council on 13 June went no further than confirming his words to Corneille. The wider clearance of Corneille's conduct, he argued, had been added by Purling when he wrote the paper. Kirkpatrick had said in his retraction that he withdrew precisely that part. By putting formal questions to Purling, the Governor was demanding that a junior councillor say on the record whether he sided with Corneille. The quarrel that began as a dispute between the Governor and his deputy had now drawn in every member of the Board.

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since his arrival as Lieut. Governor -

Whether he meant to Exculpate Mr. Corneille from having ever -

assumed more in Council, than in Consideration of his being second at that

Board, should have been admitted off. -

To which Answers the Governor will confine every thing he chuses to

say, or reply to Mr. Corneilles Accusation; -

And shall only add that as it has been suggested, that some of

the late proceedings in Council, have been Calculated, with a view to

create Divisions between the Governor and some of the Members of this

Board, he therefore takes this opportunity of declaring, that all attempts

for this purpose, which nevertheless he has no reason to suspect will be

found ineffectual, as the whole Tenour of his Conduct, since being on

this Island, must he thinks, convince every one of his utter Aversion to

all parties and disputes whatsoever, which so far as he has been -

concerned, he has always endeavoured to avoid, by every Condescention and

Decorum consistent with his Station and Character: and cannot avoid -

observing in this Place, That had the same desire of Concord and unanimity

been equally prevalent with every Member of this Board, he believes that all

the disagreements which have subsisted for some time past: and -

particularly the late disagreeable disputes which must be highly

disgusting to our Honorable Employers, might have been avoided, The

Governors whole Conduct has no other tendency, than to carry on the

Company's business, in concurrence with the Council, with that unanimity

Decorum and proper subordination, so necessary in all well regulated

Governments; nor has he any greater Ambition than to promote by

every method in his power, that spirit of Concord and friendly society, so

essential to the well being and happiness of the Settlement

Signed

John Skottowe

Mr. Purling's reply to the Governor's two Questions

To the first

The Governor's first question asked whether Purling meant to approve Corneille's conduct in everything since he arrived as Lieutenant Governor. The second asked whether Purling meant to clear Corneille of ever having taken more upon himself in Council than should have been allowed him as second at the Board.

The Governor said he would confine everything he chose to say in reply to Corneille's charge to Purling's answers.

He added one further point. It had been suggested that some of the recent proceedings in Council were designed to create division between the Governor and some members of the Board. He therefore took the opportunity to declare that any such attempts would fail, although he had no reason to suspect any were being made. The whole course of his conduct since he came to the island must, he thought, have convinced everyone of his complete dislike of all parties and disputes. As far as he was concerned, he had always tried to avoid them by every concession and allowance consistent with his position and character. He could not help remarking that, if every member of the Board had shared the same wish for harmony and agreement, he believed all the disagreements of recent times could have been avoided. That applied especially to the latest unpleasant dispute, which must greatly displease the Company. The Governor's whole conduct had no other aim than to carry on the Company's business together with the Council, with the agreement, decorum and proper order of rank so necessary in any well-ordered government. Nor had he any greater ambition than to promote, by every means in his power, the spirit of harmony and friendly society so essential to the well-being and happiness of the settlement. The Governor signed the minute.

Purling's reply to the Governor's two questions followed.

Interpretations

The Governor's two questions were framed so that any answer helped him. If Purling said he approved all of Corneille's conduct since his arrival, he would appear to take Corneille's side in every past quarrel, which no cautious councillor would claim. If he said he did not, he would weaken the clearance he had written on 13 June. The second question narrowed the test to the precise charge in the Governor's private letter: whether Corneille had taken more than his due as second at the Board. The Governor said he would rest his whole reply to Corneille on Purling's answers. That shifted the burden of proof from his own private letter onto a junior councillor's words.

The phrase proper order of rank carried the Governor's view of the dispute. He saw the Council as a body in which each member knew his place, the Lieutenant Governor below the Governor. Corneille had insisted on his right to speak freely and to take his objections to the Court. The Governor's closing declaration of peace placed the blame for the quarrel on members who had not shared his wish for harmony, without naming them.

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That he never meant to vindicate Mr. Corneille in any part of his

Conduct more than was relating to his Station in Council and to what

appeared there, as he could not possibly presume to Judge of Circumstances

that probably have happened between the Governor and Lieut. Governor in

their stations independent of what passed in the current and public course

of business, and to what appeared there his exculpation extends and no further

To the Second

With regard to this Question he can only Answer, That if

the Governor had thought Mr. Corneille had at any time assumed more at

the Board than should have been admitted of, in his Station as Second, it

was his (the Governors) business, as president, and not Mr. Purling's, to

have taken notice thereof and checked it: Had any such thing appeared

and his opinion been asked, he should, according to reason and the

nature of the Circumstances, have readily concurred with the Governor in

any proper measure for that purpose -

Signed

M. Purling

Mr. Purling begs leave to put one Question to the Governor -

requesting he will be pleased to Answer it -

Whether upon Debates which have happened in Council, it

ever appeared to him, that Mr. Purling in the least sided or joined in opinion

with Mr. Corneille more than was reasonable upon the state of the Question,

& whether upon such Debates he has not frequently differed in Opinion from

Mr. Corneille & always shewed a readiness of being free & independent

of any Bias whatsoever -

The Governor cheerfully embraces the opportunity afforded him

by

To the first question, Purling replied that he had never meant to defend Corneille in any part of his conduct beyond what related to his place in Council and what had happened there. He could not presume to judge matters that might have passed between the Governor and the Lieutenant Governor in their offices outside the ordinary public course of business. His clearance of Corneille covered only what had happened in Council, and nothing more.

To the second question, Purling could only answer this. If the Governor had thought that Corneille at any time took more upon himself at the Board than should have been allowed him as second, it was the Governor's business, as President, to notice it and check it, not Purling's. Had any such thing happened and had Purling's opinion been asked, he would readily have joined the Governor in any proper measure for that purpose, as reason and the circumstances required. Purling signed his answer.

Purling then asked leave to put one question to the Governor and asked him to answer it. During the debates that had taken place in Council, had it ever seemed to the Governor that Purling sided or agreed with Corneille in the least, beyond what was reasonable on the facts of the question? Or had Purling not often differed in opinion from Corneille and always shown himself ready to act freely and without any bias at all?

The Governor gladly took the opportunity offered him

Interpretations

Purling's answers avoided both of the Governor's traps. He limited his clearance of Corneille to what he had personally seen at the Board. That was exactly what a councillor could honestly vouch for, and it left the Governor free to hold a different view of conduct outside the Council. On the second question, he turned the charge back on the Governor. If Corneille had overstepped his place, it had been the Governor's duty as President of the Council to check him there and then. Purling, in effect, observed that the minutes recorded no such check. The Governor's grievance had appeared only in his private letter, not in the Council's proceedings.

Purling then put his own question, and it brought the Governor face to face with the charge that Purling was Corneille's ally. The minutes of the past year bore Purling out. In the vote on James Black's imprisonment on 9 May 1768, Purling had voted with the Governor and Kirkpatrick to remit the sentence, while Corneille voted against. By inviting the Governor to answer, Purling forced him to confirm on the record that Purling was independent, or to accuse him without proof.

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by the Question to which Mr. Purling requests his Answer, of doing

Justice to that Impartiality and unbiassed regard to the Company's

Interest which he has uniformly shewn on all Debates that have

at any time arose in Council -

Captain Kirkpatrick's Answer to the Lieut. Governor's

Paper of last Monday &c.

In Answer to the Lieut. Governors Paper (for I know not -

what name to give it) given in on Monday the 4th Instant, I have only

to remark that the Indecency of the Language and the many Invectives

it contains will be I hope considered by our Honble Masters as a full

refutation of his own Contents, Nor do I deem myself much injured by the

Word fallacious, as he has treated the Governor in a preceeding Paper

with the same spirit of Invectives, I leave the Honble the Court of

Directors to Judge between him and me, and when both our Characters are

put into the Scale, it will appear to them, who is Incendiary and which

of us has fomented this Contest. In support of some part of my Letter -

wherein I mentioned, I would, if obliged, carry my speculations further -

about him, I beg leave to call some Evidence to assist me in carrying on

the Charge -

Signed

11th July 1768 Thos. Kirkpatrick

In Answer to Mr. Purlings Paper of recrimination given

into the Board the 4th Inst. I apply to the Governor for his Candid -

Opinion

The Governor gladly took the chance Purling's question gave him to do justice to Purling. Purling had always shown fairness and an unbiased regard for the Company's interest in every debate that had arisen in Council.

Captain Kirkpatrick then gave his answer to the paper Corneille had laid before the Board on Monday 4 July 1768. He said he did not know what to call it. He would remark only that the improper language and the many insults it contained would, he hoped, be seen by the Court as a full answer to its contents. He did not consider himself much injured by being called fallacious, since Corneille had treated the Governor with the same spirit of abuse in an earlier paper. He left the Court of Directors to judge between them. When both their characters were weighed, it would be clear which of them was the firebrand who had stirred up the quarrel. In support of the part of his letter in which he said that, if obliged, he would take his conjectures further, he asked leave to call some witnesses to help him bring the charge. Kirkpatrick signed his answer on 11 July 1768.

In answer to the paper of counter-charges that Purling had given in to the Board on 4 July, Kirkpatrick appealed to the Governor for his honest opinion

Interpretations

The Governor's reply to Purling's question was a full clearance. He confirmed on the record that Purling had shown no bias in any debate. That undercut Kirkpatrick's suggestion that Purling had acted as Corneille's partisan. It also left the Governor's own charge against Corneille resting on Kirkpatrick alone. Of the four members, Purling had now been cleared by both sides of the dispute, and Kirkpatrick stood as Corneille's only accuser at the Board.

Kirkpatrick did not answer Corneille's demand for specific charges with specifics. He dismissed the paper as abuse and left judgement to the Court. He did, however, take up Corneille's challenge to the extent of asking leave to call witnesses. If he did so, the Council would move from an exchange of papers to something close to a hearing, with evidence given against its own Lieutenant Governor. Corneille had dared him to prove his hints. Kirkpatrick now signalled that he would try.

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opinion thereof, I confess that had Mr. Purling Limited his Opinion to

that part which refers to the dispute between Mr. Corneille and the Engineer,

when the Governor told the former that he was not to dictate to the Board but

give his opinion when asked I should have invariably Concurred therewith,

and acquiesced with the measure then taken as to that: But when he carried

his opinion, still farther, I declare that, altho' I had, as I said before,

signed that Paper, Yet upon a due Examination of myself I was in

conscience obliged to retract my part in it, as I could not answer to my self

for having done so, I call God to Witness the Sincerity of my Intentions,

and as I had no other method to remedy my inadvertency, I have done so

without any other View but that of Justice -

Signed

11th July 1768 Thos. Kirkpatrick -

The Lieut. Governor begs leave to offer as the latter part of

Captain Kirkpatricks Minute he offers himself as a prosecutor to carry

on a charge against the Lieut. Governor (of what nature he is yet

unacquainted) and begs leave to call upon some Evidences in regard to

what he means to prove, the Lieut. Governor requests of the Governor and

Council that Capt. Kirkpatrick may be allowed to call upon whatever

Evidences he thinks proper in the above or in any other thing that he

has to alledge against the Lieut. Governor -

Upon which Capt. Kirkpatrick called upon Mr. John

Duffountain as an Evidence -

Mr. Purling Observes that Captain

Kirkpatrick called upon Mr. John Duffountain as an Evidence

against

Kirkpatrick appealed to the Governor for his honest opinion of Purling's paper. He admitted that, had Purling confined his opinion to the part concerning the dispute between Corneille and the engineer, he would have agreed with it without hesitation. That covered the moment when the Governor told Corneille he was not to dictate to the Board but to give his opinion when asked, and the measure then taken. Purling, however, had carried his opinion further. Kirkpatrick declared that, although he had signed the paper as he said before, on proper reflection his conscience obliged him to withdraw his part in it, because he could not justify it to himself. He called God to witness the sincerity of his intentions. Since he had no other way to correct his oversight, he had done so with no aim but justice. Kirkpatrick signed his answer on 11 July 1768.

Corneille then spoke to the last part of Kirkpatrick's minute. There Kirkpatrick offered himself as an accuser to bring a charge against the Lieutenant Governor, of a kind Corneille still did not know, and asked leave to call witnesses on what he meant to prove. Corneille asked the Governor and Council to allow Kirkpatrick to call any witnesses he thought fit, on this or any other matter he had to allege against the Lieutenant Governor.

Kirkpatrick then called Mr John Desfountain as a witness.

Purling observed that Kirkpatrick had called Mr John Desfountain as a witness

Interpretations

Corneille could have objected to Kirkpatrick's request, since no formal charge had been laid and Kirkpatrick had refused to name one. He did the opposite. He asked the Council to let Kirkpatrick call any witnesses he pleased, on any matter at all. The choice fitted his whole approach to the dispute. He had demanded proof rather than hints. Opening the door to witnesses was the surest way to force Kirkpatrick to show his hand in the open minutes. If the evidence proved weak, the failure would be on record for the Court to see.

Kirkpatrick's explanation now rested on his conscience and an oath before God. He conceded that the facts in the joint paper were true and objected only to Purling's wider clearance of Corneille. On the facts themselves, all four witnesses and both councillors had now agreed. The quarrel had narrowed to a single question of judgement: whether Corneille had ever overstepped his place. Kirkpatrick proposed to settle that question by calling a witness. The Desfountain family were island settlers. Samuel Desfountain was a lieutenant in the First Company, Kirkpatrick's own company, so the witness had close ties to the man who called him.

98

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1768

against the Lieut. Governor before any Charge was exhibited to the Board

The Lieut. Governor begs leave that the Board may demand a

Charge from Capt. Kirkpatrick before any Witnesses are called, that he may

know what to say in his Defence -

Captn. Kirkpatricks Charge -

Captn. Kirkpatrick says that he has been informed by Mr. Duffountain

the Lieut. Governor has appropriated the Honble Company's property to his own

use and profit and begs that Mr. Jno. Duffountain may be called & asked

upon oath whether he did not give him such information -

Mr. John Duffountain being duly sworn Deposeth that

one day about a twelve Month ago Capt. Kirkpatrick and he were riding in the

Long Wood together, when they saw some Hogs in Horse point Captain

Kirkpatrick then asked him if he knew whose Hogs they were he told him

that they were Capt. Corneilles Hogs. Capt. Kirkpatrick then said to him it

would take a good deal of Yams to feed those Hogs, he told him he believed

they were pretty well fed, Capt. Kirkpatrick asked him then, where Capt. Corneille

got the Yams from, he answered he believed out of the Company's Plantations as

he was told by the Company's Overseer that there were some thousands sent to

Capt. Corneilles Hogs pr. Month from the Company's Plantations -

Purling observed that Kirkpatrick had called Mr John Desfountain as a witness against the Lieutenant Governor before any charge had been laid before the Board.

Corneille asked the Board to demand a charge from Captain Kirkpatrick before any witnesses were called, so that he would know what he had to answer in his defence.

Kirkpatrick then stated his charge. He said Mr Desfountain had told him that the Lieutenant Governor had taken the Company's property for his own use and profit. He asked that Mr John Desfountain be called and asked on oath whether he had not given him that information.

Mr John Desfountain was sworn and gave evidence. About 12 months earlier, he and Kirkpatrick were riding together in the Long Wood when they saw some hogs in the horse pound. Kirkpatrick asked him whose hogs they were, and he said they were Captain Corneille's. Kirkpatrick remarked that it must take a great many yams to feed those hogs. Desfountain replied that he believed they were well fed. Kirkpatrick asked where Captain Corneille got the yams. Desfountain answered that he believed they came from the Company's plantations, since the Company's overseer had told him that several thousand pounds of yams were sent from the Company's plantations to Captain Corneille's hogs every month.

Interpretations

Kirkpatrick's charge, once stated, was the gravest that could be made against a Company officer: that Corneille had used the Company's property for his own profit. It was the matter hinted at in his private letter, when he wrote that he could take his conjectures further than a mere mistake. The evidence, however, rested on a chain of hearsay. Desfountain had not seen the yams delivered. He repeated what an unnamed overseer had told him, and he had passed it on to Kirkpatrick in casual talk while riding a year earlier. Kirkpatrick had sat on this story through months of Council business and produced it only once Corneille challenged him to prove his hints.

Purling's objection that the witness was called before any charge was laid, and Corneille's demand to know the charge first, were both points of ordinary fairness. An accused man had a right to know what he faced before evidence was heard against him. The Board's agreement to state the charge first shows the Council acting, for this occasion, almost as a court.

The charge touched a real point of weakness in the Company's accounts. Corneille, as Lieutenant Governor, had charge of the Company's plantation and signed its quarterly livestock account. Those accounts recorded tens of thousands of pounds of yams issued each quarter, 13,650 lb to the stock in the quarter just ended. They gave no separate line for the Lieutenant Governor's own animals. If any of the yams went to private hogs, they would have disappeared into the issue to the stock with no one able to tell the difference.

99

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11th July

Captn. Kirkpatrick puts the following Question to Mr. Duffountain

whether or no he can inform the Governor and Council with regard to twelve Sheep

of the Honble Company's that was sent on board the Lord Camden in May 1767

Mr. Jno. Duffountain says that in a privately Conversation he did

mention something with regard to the twelve Sheep; he imagined he spoke it with

safety at that time, He told Capt. Kirkpatrick that he was informed that there were

twelve of the Company's Sheep that the Governor had ordered to be brought down to

the Valley to be sent on board of Ship a present to Governor Bath, he was -

likewise told that Capt. Corneille had sent for George Bazett & told him to make

a Bill for those twelve Sheep, & carry it & get the Money for them, George -

Bazett made the Bill and got the Money and paid it to Capt. Corneille -

The Lieut. Governor desires to ask Mr. John Duffountain, as he lives

contiguous to the Wood whether he has any thing further to alledge with respect to

any misconduct in the management of the Company's Stock or Plantations -

He replies none at all -

Captn. Kirkpatrick calls upon Mr. George Bazett the Company's Steward

and asked him to declare whether or no he was sent by the Lieut. Governor to Capt.

Smith of the Lord Camden to present him a Bill for twelve Wethers of the Honble

Company's sent on board his Ship, whether Mr. Bazett did not receive the Money for

those twelve Wethers of Capt. Smith, and paid to the Lieut. Governor -

Mr. George Bazett being duly Sworn Deposeth that there were

twelve Sheep Sold to the Lord Camden which Money he received from Mr.

Snow the Purser and paid to Capt. Corneille on the 11 May 1767 -

The Governor asks Capt. Kirkpatrick whether he has any thing

further

Kirkpatrick then asked Mr Desfountain whether he could tell the Governor and Council anything about 12 of the Company's sheep sent aboard the Lord Camden in May 1767.

Mr John Desfountain said that he had mentioned something about the 12 sheep in a private conversation, believing at the time that he could safely do so. He had told Kirkpatrick what he had heard: that the Governor had ordered 12 of the Company's sheep to be brought down to the valley and sent on board ship as a present to Governor Palk. He had also been told that Captain Corneille sent for George Bazett and told him to make out a bill for the 12 sheep, take it to the ship and collect the money. George Bazett made out the bill, collected the money and paid it to Captain Corneille.

Corneille asked Mr John Desfountain, who lived next to the Long Wood, whether he had anything further to allege about any misconduct in the running of the Company's stock or plantations.

He replied that he had nothing at all.

Kirkpatrick then called on Mr George Bazett, the Company's steward. He asked him to declare whether he had been sent by the Lieutenant Governor to Captain Smith of the Lord Camden with a bill for 12 of the Company's wethers sent on board that ship, and whether he had received the money for those 12 wethers from Captain Smith and paid it to the Lieutenant Governor.

Mr George Bazett was sworn and declared that 12 sheep had been sold to the Lord Camden. He received the money from Mr Shaw, the purser, and paid it to Captain Corneille on 11 May 1767.

The Governor asked Captain Kirkpatrick whether he had anything further

Interpretations

The second charge turned on the difference between a gift and a sale. Desfountain had heard that the Governor ordered 12 of the Company's sheep sent to Governor Palk as a present. Palk was the retiring Governor of Madras, going home in the Lord Camden. If the sheep were a gift from the Company, nobody should have been paid for them. Yet Bazett confirmed on oath that a bill was made out, the purser paid it, and the money went to Corneille on 11 May 1767. The question was whether Corneille had then paid that money into the Company's treasury, as the proceeds of the Company's stock, or kept it. The evidence so far proved only that he received it, not what he did with it.

Corneille's question to Desfountain was a careful piece of defence. Desfountain lived beside the Long Wood, where the Company's stock grazed. If he knew of any wrongdoing in the running of the herds, he was the man to know it. His answer that he had nothing at all to allege limited his evidence to two pieces of hearsay. One was the overseer's remark about yams. The other was a story about the sheep that Bazett's evidence partly confirmed and partly altered, since it showed the sheep were sold rather than given.

100

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1768

further to offer in support of his Charge produced the following Paper viz.

On the 3 of October 1766 which was soon after the Governors Marriage, &

the day before the Lieut. Governor made an entertainment for the Governor and his

Wedding Guests, as I was coming from the Briars in the Afternoon, I observed five

or six of the Honble Company's Slaves driving Goats into the Pursling - Wood

Pound, it being an unusual time to do so, had the Curiosity to follow them

to the Pound, where seeing Frank Butcher take up a very fine Kid, asked

if it was for the Governor; he answered No - it was for the Deputy: Saying

then the same Kid given, alive, to one Toby, who used to drive the Cart, I

asked where he was going to Carry it, and was answered that he Toby -

was ordered from the Wood to come there and carry a Kid, which Frank

Butcher was to give him, into the Wood, for Jack Butcher to kill, and send

down in the Morning to the Deputy's: And next morning happening to be

at the Door or Window of my House, saw some thing of that sort carried in to

Mr. Corneilles -

The Governor at the Lieutenant Governors Request put the [...]

Question to Capt. Kirkpatrick whether he knows the Lieut. Governor gave

the Honble Company Credit for the same -

He Replies he does not know -

The Lieut. Governor does not sign

this Consultation as he Considers himself

upon his Tryal before the Board

John Skottowe

I except to Capt. Kirkpatricks

rejoinder to my reply, and

disregard Allegations I have given

no Answer to it

M. Purling

When the Governor asked whether he had anything further to offer in support of his charge, Kirkpatrick produced the following paper.

On 3 October 1766, soon after the Governor's marriage and the day before the Lieutenant Governor gave an entertainment for the Governor and his wedding guests, Kirkpatrick was coming from the Briars in the afternoon. He saw five or six of the Company's slaves driving goats into the [...] Bed pound. It was an unusual time for this, so out of curiosity he followed them to the pound. There he saw Frank, the butcher, pick out a very fine kid. He asked whether it was for the Governor, and was told no, it was for the Deputy. He then saw the same kid handed over alive to Toby, who drove the cart, and asked Toby where he was taking it. Toby answered that he had been sent from the Wood to collect a kid that Frank the butcher was to give him, and take it to the Wood for Jack the butcher to kill and send down to the Deputy's house in the morning. The next morning, happening to be at the door or window of his house, Kirkpatrick saw something of that kind being carried to Mr Corneille's.

At Corneille's request, the Governor asked Captain Kirkpatrick whether he knew if the Lieutenant Governor had credited the Company with the value of the kid.

He replied that he did not know.

Governor Skottowe and Purling signed the minutes. Corneille did not sign this consultation, since he was to defend himself at his trial before the Board. Purling added a note to his signature. He took exception to Kirkpatrick's rejoinder to his reply, and he had given it no answer because it was irregular.

Interpretations

Kirkpatrick's third piece of evidence was his own account of a single kid, seen nearly two years earlier and taken from the Company's goats for a dinner Corneille gave for the Governor's wedding guests. It was the strongest of his charges in one respect, since he had seen the kid himself. In another it was the weakest. The animal was killed to feed the Governor's own guests, at an entertainment held in the Governor's honour. Officers on the island regularly drew meat for official hospitality from the Company's stock, and Corneille, who ran the plantation, was responsible for accounting for it. The question Corneille had the Governor put was the decisive one: had the Company been credited with the kid? Kirkpatrick could not say. On all three charges, his evidence showed Corneille handling Company property, but none showed that he had failed to account for it.

Corneille's refusal to sign the minutes followed from the new position he was in. The consultation had become a hearing on charges against him. In his view, a man on trial could not sign the record of the proceedings as one of the judges. The phrase his trial before the Board marked how far the dispute had gone. It began with the Governor's private letter about a debate on a ditch at Sandy Bay, and it had now become a formal accusation that the Lieutenant Governor had taken the Company's property.

The Briars was an estate in the valley above Jamestown. A generation later it became famous as Napoleon's first home on the island in 1815. The detail places Kirkpatrick riding down into the town from the country on the afternoon he described.

101

94

[Right-hand edge of the page cut off in the image, affecting the totals column.]

18th July

At a Consultation held on Monday the 18 day of July 1768 at the Castle

Present John Skottowe Esqr. Governor

Dan Corneille Esqr. Lieut. Governor

Mr. Matthew Purling

Capt. Thos. Kirkpatrick of Council

The last Consultation was read approved & signed dated the 11 July 1768

The Storekeeper this day brought in his Collections and the -

Paymaster his Accounts for the Quarter commencing the 1st day of April and

ending the 30th day of June 1768 which were examined, and approved and are

as follow viz.

Collection of Goods Sold and delivered out of the Honble

Company's Ware Houses from 1st April to the 30th June 1768

Sugar & Candy viz.

3185 Sugar

45 10 9

300 lb Candy

6 17 6

52 [...]

Flour viz.

3396 lb

31 16 8

322 . 2 . 12

301 2

332 18

Sope 199

7 [...]

Candles 158 lb

18 [...]

Pepper 16 lb

9

Challow 8 Pieces

3 13

Starch 7½

3

Rice & Paddy viz.

208 lb Rice

18 10

162 lb Paddy

10 1

1 [...]

Carried over£ 417 [...]

The Council met at the Castle on Monday 18 July 1768, with Governor John Skottowe in the chair.

Present

John Skottowe, Governor

Daniel Corneille, Lieutenant Governor

William Matthew Purling

Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick, of the Council

The Council read, approved and signed the minutes of 11 July 1768.

James Powell, the storekeeper, brought in his record of sales, and Kirkpatrick, as paymaster, brought in his accounts, both for the quarter from 1 April to 30 June 1768. The Council examined and approved them. The storekeeper's record listed the goods sold and issued from the Company's warehouses during the quarter.

Sugar and sugar candy

[...] lb of sugar, £45 10s 9d

300 lb of sugar candy, £6 17s 6d

Total for sugar and sugar candy, £52 [...]

Flour

[...] of flour, £31 16s 8d

[...] of flour baked into bread, £301 2s 0d

Total for flour, £332 18s [...]

199 lb of soap, £7 4s [...]

158 lb of candles, £18 1s [...]

16 lb of pepper, £0 9s [...]

8 pieces of chelloes, £3 13s [...]

7½ lb of starch, £0 3s [...]

Rice and paddy

208 lb of rice, £0 18s 10d

162 lb of paddy, £0 10s 1d

Total for rice and paddy, £1 8s [...]

Carried forward, £417 [...]

Interpretations

Bread sales came to almost exactly the same as in the first quarter of 1768, £301 2s 0d against £301 2s 8d. Thirty soldiers took their discharge between March and May, so a fall might have been expected. The 26 recruits who landed from the Tilbury in May made up most of that loss. The new men drew their bread from the Company's bakehouse in the same way, and the soldiers' bread remained the warehouse's largest sale.

Sugar sales were about half those of the previous quarter, £52 against £103. By April and May most households had already bought their supply from the large Bengal and China cargoes landed between January and March. Sugar candy, of which the island had just received more than 13,500 lb in the Latham and the Houghton, sold only 300 lb. Most of that candy was kept for the Company's table and the hospital rather than sold.

102

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1768

Brought Over£ 417 3 11

Tea viz.

48 lb Bohea

2 8

16 lb Congo

1 2

6 Singlo

8 3

3 18 3

Long Cloth viz.

2 Ps. L

10 15 8

12½ Ps. K

17 . 2

1 Ps. C

3 12 3

1 Ps. W

3 10 5

36 18 6

Books 2 Common Prayer Books

5 10

Paint viz.

6 lb Indico

11 6

28 Whiting

2 4

½ lb Blue Smalts

11

1½ Stone Colour

3 3

1

Twine viz.

7 Skains Twine

4 4

9½ Cotton Wick

1 3 5

1 7 9

Iron Ware viz.

3 Splinter Locks

1 7½

2 Small Frying Pans

4 5

3 Blank Keys

2 1½

2 Two foot Rules

2 2½

2 Pr. Wool Cards

4 9

2 Pr. H L hinges

4 3

1 Jack Chain

1 11½

1 Stock Lock

3 2

1 Brass Closet Do.

4 9

1 Iron rimd Lock wt. Brass Knobs

6 9

4 Mouse Traps

2 6

1 18 6

Carried over£ 462 7 9

The record of goods sold to the Company's employees continued from a total of £417 3s 11d.

Brought forward, £417 3s 11d

Tea

40 lb of Bohea tea, £2 3s 0d

16 lb of Congou tea, £1 2s 0d

6 lb of Singlo tea, £0 8s 3d

Total for tea, £3 13s 3d

Longcloth

2 pieces marked C, £10 15s 8d

12½ pieces marked X, £17 0s 2d

1 piece marked &, £3 12s 3d

1 piece marked Y, £3 10s 5d

Total for longcloth, £36 18s 6d

Books, 2 Books of Common Prayer, £0 5s 10d

Paint

6 lb of indigo, £0 11s 6d

28 lb of whiting, £0 2s 4d

1 lb of blue smalt, £0 0s 11d

1½ lb of stone colour, £0 3s 3d

Total for paint, £1 0s 0d

Twine

7 skeins of twine, £0 4s 4d

7 lb of cotton wick, £1 3s 5d

Total for twine, £1 7s 9d

Ironware

3 splinter locks, £0 1s 7½d

2 small frying pans, £0 4s 5d

3 blank keys, £0 2s 1½d

2 two-foot rules, £0 2s 2½d

2 pairs of wool cards, £0 4s 9d

2 pairs of H hinges, £0 4s 3d

1 jack chain, £0 1s 11½d

1 stock lock, £0 3s 2d

1 brass closet lock, £0 4s 9d

1 iron-rimmed lock with brass knobs, £0 6s 9d

4 mousetraps, £0 2s 6d

Total for ironware, £1 18s 6d

Carried forward, £462 7s 9d

Interpretations

Tea sales were far lower than in the previous quarter. Employees bought only 40 lb of Bohea, against 101 lb from January to March and 219½ lb at the end of 1767. The warehouse had evidently run short of tea. The Vansittart brought the first China tea of the season for the island in June, and it reached the warehouse only at the very end of the quarter.

Wool cards were pairs of flat wooden boards set with rows of fine wire teeth. Wool was drawn between them to comb out the fibres before spinning. Their sale shows that some households on the island spun yarn from their own sheep's wool, though most cloth was still imported from England and India.

A jack chain was a light chain made of figure-of-eight links, used to hang lamps and to turn a roasting spit before the fire. Mousetraps were sold because rats and mice were a constant pest on the island. They had come ashore from ships long before and did great damage to grain and stored food.

103

96

18th July

Brought over£ 462 7 9

Nails viz.

½ . 2

10½

1 . 3

3 4

4 . 3

2 8

4 . 4

10

16 . 6

1 ½

2 . 10

1 3½

3 . 20

6 8

2 Glazing Brads

1 3½

½ Round Headed Tacks

1 10½

½ Tin'd Do.

1 6 1

China Ware viz.

91 Saucers

1 17 11

33 Bowls

1 18 6

3 Guglets & Basons

15

1 Octagon Sett China

1 6 5

6 Soop Plates

6 2

3 Tureens & Dishes

1 4

1 Tea Pot

11

3 Sallet Dishes

2 7

7 11 8

Turners Ware viz.

1 Mop

1 5

1 Labourers Basket

1 5

2 Plaisterers Brushes

2 5

5 3

Hooks & Lines viz.

225 No. 1 Hooks

12 9

100 . 9 Do.

3 1

50 . 14 Do.

6½

50 . 16 Do.

3½

25 . 11 Do.

3¼

Hooks & Lines Carried over£ 17 1

Carried Over£ 471 10 7

The record of goods sold to the Company's employees continued from a total of £462 7s 9d.

Brought forward, £462 7s 9d

Nails

1 [...] of twopenny nails, £0 0s 10¼d

4 [...] of threepenny nails, £0 3s 4d

4 [...] of fourpenny nails, £0 2s 8d

16 [...] of sixpenny nails, £0 10s 0d

2 [...] of tenpenny nails, £0 1s 0½d

5 [...] of twentypenny nails, £0 1s 3¾d

2 [...] of glaziers' brads, £0 0s 8d

3½ [...] of round-headed tacks, £0 1s 3½d

¾ [...] of round tacks, £0 1s 10½d

Total for nails, £1 6s 1d

China

91 sneakers, £1 17s 11d

33 bowls, £1 18s 6d

5 guglets and basins, £0 15s 0d

1 octagonal set of china, £1 6s 5d

6 soup plates, £0 6s 2d

3 tureens with dishes, £1 4s 0d

1 teapot, £0 0s 11d

3 salad dishes, £0 2s 9d

Total for china, £7 11s 8d

Wooden ware

1 mop, £0 1s 5d

1 labourer's basket, £0 1s 5d

2 plasterers' brushes, £0 2s 5d

Total for wooden ware, £0 5s 3d

Hooks and lines

225 hooks of size 1, £0 12s 9d

100 hooks of size 9, £0 3s 1d

50 hooks of size 14, £0 0s 6¼d

50 hooks of size 16, £0 0s 3½d

25 hooks of size 11, £0 0s 5¼d

Hooks and lines carried forward, £0 17s 1d

Carried forward, £471 10s 9d

Interpretations

The china sales came from the cargoes landed by the Northumberland and the Osterley in March. Those ships brought blue and white table sets, tureens, guglets, bowls and more than 250 sneakers from Canton. Employees bought 91 sneakers in the quarter, along with a complete octagonal table set. The low prices at Canton made Chinese porcelain cheap enough for ordinary households on the island. A set of china cost £1 6s 5d, less than half a private soldier's pay for the quarter.

Fishing tackle again sold well, but less than in the first quarter of 1768, when more than 1,600 hooks went out. The southern winter was setting in by June. Rougher seas and shorter days cut down the fishing from the rocks and small boats that the garrison relied on to stretch its rations in the summer months.

104

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1768

Brought over£ 471 10 9

Hooks & Lines brought over£ 17 1

72 No. 2 Lines

1 3

36 . 3 Do.

13 3

6 . 4 Do.

2 5

2 Hambro Do.

3 6

2 19 3

Cutlery Ware viz.

11 Pr. Leathr. Garters

6 10½

4 Butchers Knives

1 8

6 Buckling Combs

1 10½

1 Chopping Knife

1 5½

5 Horn Combs

11½

12 10

Hosiers Ware viz.

12 Pr. Ordy. Thread Stockings

1 18 6

1 Pr. Buff Breeches

13 10

18 Pr. India Cotton Stockings

8 6 6

10 18 10

Tin Ware viz.

3 Half Gallon Sauce Pans

2 3½

1 Lamp

9½

1 Kettle wt. Cover

3 8

6 9

Shoes viz.

16 Pr. Mens fine Shoes

4 17 4

18 Pr. Do. Do. Pumps

4 19

16 Pr. Womens Calimanco

3 8

1 Pr. Chanl. Pumps

6 7

13 10 11

Thread viz.

2 Whited Brown

14 8

2 Coloured

7

1 oz. Nuns

2 3

1 3 11

Carried Over£ 501 3 3

The record of goods sold to the Company's employees continued from a total of £471 10s 9d.

Brought forward, £471 10s 9d

Hooks and lines

Hooks and lines brought forward, £0 17s 1d

72 lines of size 2, £1 3s 0d

36 lines of size 3, £0 13s 3d

6 lines of size 4, £0 2s 5d

2 Hamburg lines, £0 3s 6d

Total for hooks and lines, £2 19s 3d

Cutlery

11 pairs of leather garters, £0 6s 10½d

4 butcher's knives, £0 1s 8d

6 tucking combs, £0 1s 10½d

1 chopping knife, £0 1s 5½d

5 horn combs, £0 0s 11½d

Total for cutlery, £0 12s 10d

Hosiery

12 pairs of ordinary thread stockings, £1 18s 6d

1 pair of buff breeches, £0 13s 10d

18 pairs of Indian cotton stockings, £8 6s 6d

Total for hosiery, £10 18s 10d

Tinware

3 half-gallon saucepans, £0 2s 3½d

1 lamp, £0 0s 9½d

1 kettle with lid, £0 3s 8d

Total for tinware, £0 6s 9d

Shoes

16 pairs of men's fine shoes, £4 17s 4d

18 pairs of men's fine pumps, £4 19s 0d

16 pairs of women's calamanco shoes, £3 8s 0d

1 pair of channel pumps, £0 6s 7d

Total for shoes, £13 10s 11d

Thread

2 lb of whited-brown thread, £0 14s 8d

2 lb of coloured thread, £0 7s 0d

1 [...] of nuns' thread, £0 2s 3d

Total for thread, £1 3s 11d

Carried forward, £501 3s 3d

Interpretations

The 18 pairs of Indian cotton stockings were the last of the 50 pairs landed from the Hector in February. They sold at more than 9s a pair, about three times the price of English thread stockings. On 25 May 1768 the Council had asked Madras to send 50 more pairs in a larger size, because those from the Hector had proved too small. Despite that, employees bought every pair, which shows how much they valued the finer cotton.

Sixteen pairs of women's calamanco shoes were sold in a single quarter. Only one pair had been sold in the last quarter of 1767. The shoes probably came out in the Tilbury or the Duke of Richmond, the first English ships of the year. They show a real demand from the soldiers' wives and the island's women for footwear the eastern ships never carried. Buff breeches were made of thick ox hide dressed with oil to a soft yellow finish. They were worn by officers and for riding, and they lasted far longer than cloth.

105

98

The 18 July

Brought over£ 501 3 3

Coffee 10 lb.

" 9 2

Shirts viz.

10 Chequd. Shirts

3 3 11

2½ Yds. Brown Holland

" 5 1

1 Do. Irish Linen

1 15 7

5 4 7

Broad Cloth viz.

4 Yds. Dark Brown

3 16 -

2½ Do. Black

2 9 1

4 3/8 Do. Blue

4 4 7

4 3/4 Do. Light Brown

4 11 5

3 3/4 Do. Scarlet

4 5 -

19 6 1

Haberdashery viz.

1 Gro. Horn Moulds

" 2 5½

1 Cockade

" " 1½

18 Sk. Silk

" 10 6

9 Do. Mohair

" 4 6

5 Yds. White Buckram

" 6 ½

1 Whale Bone

" 6 7½

½ Gro. Shirt Buttons

" 1 3

1 Dozn. Metl. C[...] Buttons

" " 9

20 Ps. Tape

" 1 3

1 18 9

Cordage 28 lb.

5 7 9

Rozin 6 lb.

1 -

Rice 1½ Bushel

11 8

Beef and Pork viz.

1208 lb. Beef

120 16 -

2219 Do. Pork

221 18 -

342 14 -

Leather 59 Soles

2 14 1

Carried over£ 879 5 4

The record of goods sold to the Company's employees continued from a total of £501 3s 3d.

Brought forward, £501 3s 3d

10 lb of coffee, £0 9s 2d

Shirts

13 check shirts, £3 3s 11d

2½ yards of brown holland, £0 5s 1d

1 piece of Irish linen, £1 15s 7d

Total for shirts, £5 4s 7d

Broadcloth

4 yards of dark brown broadcloth, £3 16s 0d

2½ yards of black broadcloth, £2 9s 1d

4⅜ yards of blue broadcloth, £4 4s 7d

4¾ yards of light brown broadcloth, £4 11s 5d

3¾ yards of scarlet broadcloth, £4 5s 0d

Total for broadcloth, £19 6s 1d

Haberdashery

1 gross of horn button moulds, £0 2s 5½d

1 cockade, £0 0s 4½d

18 skeins of silk, £0 10s 6d

9 skeins of mohair, £0 4s 6d

5 yards of white buckram, £0 6s 0½d

1 [...] of whalebone, £0 6s 7½d

½ gross of shirt buttons, £0 1s 3d

1 dozen metal coat buttons, £0 0s 9d

2 pieces of tape, £0 1s 3d

Total for haberdashery, £1 13s 9d

287 lb of cordage, £5 7s 9d

6 lb of rosin, £0 1s 0d

1⅜ bushels of pease, £0 11s 8d

Beef and pork

1,208 pieces of beef, £120 16s 0d

2,219 pieces of pork, £221 18s 0d

Total for beef and pork, £342 14s 0d

59 lb of sole leather, £2 14s 1d

Carried forward, £879 5s 4d

Interpretations

Broadcloth sales rose sharply. Employees bought nearly 20 yards in five colours for £19 6s 1d, more than in any recent quarter. The cloth came out in the Tilbury and the Duke of Richmond, the first English ships of the year, and officers and better-off settlers bought it as soon as it was landed. Dark brown, light brown and black were colours for civilian coats. Blue and scarlet were for military dress. The silk, mohair, buttons, buckram and whalebone sold alongside them show tailors on the island making up the cloth into finished garments.

Beef and pork sales held steady at about £340, all at the fixed price of 2s a piece. The salt meat bought from the Earl of Elgin, the British King and the Northington in May and June went straight into this trade at the price the Council had paid for it. The Company neither lost nor gained on the meat. It existed to feed the garrison, whose pay was largely recovered through the stoppages for bread and salt provisions.

106

99

1768

Brought Over£ 879 5 4

Canvas viz.

6 Yds. Eng. Canvas

" 7 9

6 Yds. Oznabrigs

" 5 3

" 13

Kersey 1½ Yds.

" 6 1

Salt 1½ Bushel

" 5 7

Ticking 1½ Yds.

" 6

Hatts 2 Boys

" 13 6

Arrack 5½ Gall.

1 6 3

Flannel 2 Yds.

" 3 7

Shalloon viz.

3 Yds. Scarlet

" 8 ½

7 Do. Cold.

" 14 3½

1 2 4

Glass Ware viz.

30 Wine Glasses

" 14 ½

2 Tumblers

" 1 4

6 Sq. Glass 6 by 8

" 2 3

4 Sq. Do. 8 by 10

" 2 6

2 Sq. Do. 10 by 12

" 2 5½

1 2 11

Deals viz.

1 Single Deal

" 2 6

1½ Wainst. Board

" 10 6

" 13

Long Ells 7 Yds. Blue

" 12 6

Serge 4 Yds. Scarlet Sagathy

" 13 2

£ 887 3 3

The record of goods sold to the Company's employees at 10 per cent above cost ended with the following items.

Brought forward, £879 5s 4d

Canvas

6 yards of English canvas, £0 7s 9d

6 yards of osnaburg, £0 5s 3d

Total for canvas, £0 13s 0d

4 yards of kersey, £0 6s 1d

1½ bushels of salt, £0 5s 7d

1½ yards of ticking, £0 6s 0d

2 boys' hats, £0 13s 6d

5¼ gallons of arrack, £1 6s 3d

2 yards of flannel, £0 3s 7d

Shalloon

3 yards of scarlet shalloon, £0 8s 0½d

7 yards of coloured shalloon, £0 14s 3½d

Total for shalloon, £1 2s 4d

Glassware

30 wine glasses, £0 14s 11½d

2 tumblers, £0 1s 4d

6 panes of glass 6 by 8 inches, £0 2s 3d

4 panes of glass 8 by 10 inches, £0 2s 6d

2 panes of glass 10 by 12 inches, £0 2s 5½d

Total for glassware, £1 2s 11d

Deals

1 single deal, £0 2s 6d

1½ wainscot boards, £0 10s 6d

Total for deals, £0 13s 0d

7 yards of blue long ells, £0 12s 6d

4 yards of scarlet serge, £0 13s 2d

Total sold to employees at 10 per cent, £887 3s 3d

Interpretations

Arrack sales to employees fell to 5¼ gallons, from 34 gallons in the first quarter of 1768. The fall followed the Court's orders on drink and the Council's new rules. Employees had used to buy arrack cheaply from the warehouse and sell it on by the glass. The Council's notice of 4 July forbade that retail trade, and the warehouse now sold only small quantities for household use. The figure shows the reform taking effect in the Company's own accounts even before the new licences were issued.

Thirty wine glasses were sold in one quarter, most of them probably from the English store ships. Glassware broke easily on the voyage. The Tilbury had lost a wine glass and several panes on the way out, and the warehouse sold its stock quickly whenever a fresh supply arrived.

Total sales to employees came to £887 3s 3d for the quarter, against £1,008 3s 11d in the first quarter. Most of the fall came from sugar, tea and arrack. Bread and salt meat, the garrison's staples, held almost exactly level.

107

100

The 18 July

Sold to the Planters at 25 P Cent viz.

Shoes viz.

4 Pr. Mens fine Shoes

1 7 6

4 Do. Do. Do. Pumps

1 5 -

2 12 6

Hatts viz.

2 Mens Hatts

2 4 -

1 Boys Do.

" 7 9

2 11 7

Broad Cloth 5¼ Yds. Light Brown

5 14 10

Haberdashery 3 Sk. Silk

" 1 9

Shalloon 1 Yd.

" 10 5

Sold at 40 Pr. Cent

Sugar & Candy viz.

445 lb. Sugar

9 5 5

115 lb. Candy

3 7 1

12 12 6

Flour 34 lb.

4 12 9

Tea viz.

3 lb. Bohea

" 5 10

3 Do. Congo

" 6 9

" 12 7

Corks 1 Gross

" 3 6

Rozin 2 lb.

" " 5

Nails viz.

2 lb. 4d.

5 .. 6

6 .. 10

" 10 -

Cordage 14 1/4 lb.

3 12 1

Hooks & Lines

50 No. 1 Hooks

" 3 7

25 .. 11 Do.

" " 6¾

100 .. 16 Do.

" " 9

Hooks & Lines

" 4 10¾

Carried over£ 83 14 10

The record then turned to goods sold to the planters at 25 per cent above cost.

Shoes

4 pairs of men's fine shoes, £1 7s 6d

4 pairs of men's fine pumps, £1 5s 0d

Total for shoes, £2 12s 6d

Hats

2 men's hats, £2 4s 0d

1 boy's hat, £0 7s 7d

Total for hats, £2 11s 7d

5¼ yards of light brown broadcloth, £5 14s 10d

Haberdashery, 3 skeins of silk, £0 1s 9d

1 piece of chelloes, £0 10s 5d

The record next listed goods sold at 40 per cent above cost.

Sugar and sugar candy

445 lb of sugar, £9 5s 5d

115 lb of sugar candy, £3 7s 1d

Total for sugar and sugar candy, £12 12s 6d

348 lb of flour, £4 12s 9d

Tea

3 lb of Bohea tea, £0 5s 10d

3 lb of Congou tea, £0 6s 9d

Total for tea, £0 12s 7d

1 gross of corks, £0 3s 6d

2 lb of rosin, £0 0s 5d

Nails

2 [...] of fourpenny nails, 5 [...] of sixpenny nails and 6 [...] of tenpenny nails, £0 10s 0d

141¼ lb of cordage, £3 12s 1d

Hooks and lines

50 hooks of size 1, £0 3s 7d

25 hooks of size 11, £0 0s 6¾d

100 hooks of size 16, £0 0s 9d

Hooks and lines carried forward, £0 4s 10¾d

Carried forward, £33 14s 11d

Interpretations

The planters spent most of their money on clothing, as they had in earlier quarters. Light brown broadcloth, hats and shoes made up nearly all of their purchases. The broadcloth came out in the English ships of May and June. A planter paid about 21s 10d a yard for it at 25 per cent above cost, against roughly 19s 3d a yard for the same cloth sold to employees on the previous page. The difference reflected the two tiers of mark-up.

Sugar was again the largest item sold at 40 per cent, at more than £12. Most of the buyers at that rate were the officers and passengers of visiting ships, who stocked up on cheap Chinese and Bengal sugar for the voyage home. With the shipping season ending in June, this trade fell from the £14 13s 10d of the first quarter.

Tea sold at 40 per cent shows the effect of the mark-up clearly. Congou cost an outside buyer 2s 3d a pound. An employee paid about 1s 4½d a pound for the same tea on the first page of this quarter's account.

108

101

1768

Brought over£ 33 14 11

Hooks & Lines brought over£ " 4 10¾

2 Large Hooks

" " 9

30 No. 2 Lines

" 12 3¼

6 .. 3 Do.

" 2 10

2 Hambro Do.

" 4 6

1 5 3

China Ware viz.

2 Quarts & Basons

" 10 -

2 Chamber Pots

" 5 8

3 Saucers

" 1 6

2 Bowls

" 3 8

1 " 10

Lead 8½ lb. Shot

" 2 4

Candles 7 lb.

1 2 2

Coffee 8 lb.

" 4 8

Soap 12 lb.

" 12 6

Paint viz.

45 lb. White Lead dry

1 2 6

15 lb. Red Lead

" 4 -

1 lb. Copperas

" 1 4

1 7 10

Glass Ware, 6 Sq. 10 by 12

" 9 3

Rice 2 Bushel

1 6 6

Twine 20 Skains

" 15 -

Pepper 1 lb.

" " 9

Iron Ware viz.

1 Stock Lock

" 4 1

1 S. Bolt Do.

" 10 4

" 14 5

Canvas 4 Yds. Oznbrigs

" 5 10

Tin Ware 2 Quart Funnels

" 1 2

£ 43 3 5

The record of goods sold at 40 per cent above cost continued from a total of £33 14s 11d.

Brought forward, £33 14s 11d

Hooks and lines

Hooks and lines brought forward, £0 4s 10¾d

2 large hooks, £0 0s 9d

30 lines of size 2, £0 12s 3¼d

6 lines of size 3, £0 2s 10d

2 Hamburg lines, £0 4s 6d

Total for hooks and lines, £1 5s 3d

China

2 guglets and basins, £0 10s 0d

2 chamber pots, £0 5s 8d

3 sneakers, £0 1s 6d

2 bowls, £0 3s 8d

Total for china, £1 0s 10d

8½ lb of shot lead, £0 2s 4d

7 lb of candles, £1 2s 2d

8 lb of coffee, £0 4s 8d

12 lb of soap, £0 12s 6d

Paint

45 lb of dry white lead, £1 2s 6d

15 lb of red lead, £0 4s 0d

1 lb of copperas, £0 1s 4d

Total for paint, £1 7s 10d

Glassware, 6 panes of glass 10 by 12 inches, £0 9s 3d

2 bushels of pease, £1 6s 6d

30 skeins of twine, £0 15s 0d

1 lb of pepper, £0 0s 9d

Ironware

1 stock lock, £0 4s 1d

1 [...] bolt lock, £0 10s 4d

Total for ironware, £0 14s 5d

4 yards of osnaburg, £0 5s 10d

Tinware, 2 quart funnels, £0 1s 2d

Total sold at 40 per cent, £43 3s 5d

Interpretations

Sales at 40 per cent came to £43 3s 5d for the quarter, below the £53 10s 10d of the first quarter of 1768. The buyers at this rate were mainly visiting ships' officers and passengers and islanders who had no claim on the Company. The fall followed the shipping season. Ships kept calling until mid-June, but fewer passengers came ashore, and those who did had less need of the household goods sold at the warehouse.

Guglets and basins cost the outside buyer 5s a set. The Northumberland's invoice from Canton priced the same sets at 4 mace 5 candareens each, roughly 3s. The Company's charges for freight, breakage and its 40 per cent mark-up came close to doubling the original price. Even so, porcelain at that price was cheap by English standards, and the island's householders and passing travellers bought it freely.

109

102

The 18 July

Sold to the Hon.ble Company's Shipps from the 1st of April to the 30th of June 1768 viz.

Deals 1 Four Inch Plank

1 17 6

Nails viz.

10 .. 4d.

23 .. 6

17 .. 10

40 .. 20

20 Carpr. Rivets

10 Scuppers

18 Spikes

4 12 -

Turners Ware viz.

1 Brush Box

" 5 3

8 Paint Brushes

" 7 4

" 12 7

Paint viz.

2½ lb. Verdr.

" 11 1

65 White Lead dry

1 12 6

26 Pound. Blacking

" 19 6

19 Red Lead

" 5 8

½ lb. Copperas

" " 8

3 9 5

Glass Ware, 18 Sq. 10 by 12

1 7 9

Canvas, 2 Ps. English

6 " 2

Lines viz.

6 Log Lines

" 8 6

12 No. 4 Do.

" 6 4

" 14 10

Twine 40 Skains

1 15 -

Tin Ware 36 Lanthn. Leaves

" 19 -

Cables 1 Wt. 3 qrs. 22 lb.

165 14 4

Anchors 1 Wt. 3 qrs. 22 lb.

77 12 3

Kersey 1 Yd. Bays

" 12 -

Cordage 31 lb.

7 17 -

£ 273 4 [...]

The storekeeper then listed the goods sold to the Company's ships from 1 April to 30 June 1768.

Deals, 1 four-inch plank, £1 17s 6d

Nails

10 [...] of fourpenny nails, 23 [...] of sixpenny nails, 17 [...] of tenpenny nails, 40 [...] of twentypenny nails, 20 [...] of coopers' rivets, 10 [...] of scupper nails and 18 [...] of spikes, £4 12s 0d

Wooden ware

1 pump box, £0 5s 3d

8 paint brushes, £0 7s 4d

Total for wooden ware, £0 12s 7d

Paint

2½ [...] of Venetian red, £0 11s 1d

65 lb of dry white lead, £1 12s 6d

26 barrels of blacking, £0 19s 6d

19 lb of red lead, £0 5s 8d

½ lb of copperas, £0 0s 8d

Total for paint, £3 9s 5d

Glassware, 18 panes of glass 10 by 12 inches, £1 7s 9d

Canvas, 2 pieces of English canvas, £6 [...]

Lines

6 log lines, £0 8s 6d

12 lines of size 4, £0 6s 4d

Total for lines, £0 14s 10d

40 skeins of twine, £1 15s 0d

Tinware, 36 lantern leaves, £0 19s [...]

1 cable weighing [...] cwt [...] qr 22 lb, £165 14s [...]

1 anchor weighing [...] cwt [...] qr 22 lb, £77 12s [...]

[...] yards of kersey, £0 12s [...]

311 lb of cordage, £7 17s [...]

Total sold to the Company's ships, £273 4s [...]

Interpretations

A cable and an anchor made up almost nine-tenths of the quarter's sales to ships, at more than £243 between them. A ship lost or damaged her ground tackle in only one way: by parting a cable or dragging an anchor in a gale. The Earl of Elgin had met four gales off the Cape in April. Other ships of the season had likely suffered the same. James Bay was an open roadstead with a rocky bottom that chafed cables through, and an Indiaman could not safely sail on without spare ground tackle. The Company kept a reserve of heavy anchors and cables at St Helena for exactly this purpose, and sold them to its ships at the full 40 per cent mark-up.

Log lines were the lines used with the sandglass to measure a ship's speed. They were knotted at fixed intervals and paid out over the stern. Lantern leaves were thin sheets of horn or tin set in the sides of a lantern to let light through while keeping out wind and spray. A pump box was the wooden casing of a ship's pump valve. It wore out constantly on a leaking ship, such as the Earl of Elgin after her gales.

110

103

1768

Charges General Dr. for the following Stores issued from 1st of April to the 30th June 1768 viz.

Cordage 312 for Crane Ropes & Fish.

8 10 8

Candles viz.

100 lb. Castle

30 Lieut. Govr.

30 Mr. Pinking

30 Captn. Kirkpatrick

6 ¾ Deck Shop & Secrs. Office

1 for the Baker House

10 lb. Mr. Beancroft

29 " 2

Tea 6 lb. Bohea for the Gover. & Garden

" 5 -

Candy 80 lb. Do. & Deck Shop

1 13 4

Arrack 252 Gallons for Sundry Men Employed

Carrying Plank to Munden's Point &

Men employed unloading the two

Store Shipps

31 " 8

Sope 52 lb. for Linen

1 16 10

Canvas viz.

17½ Yds. Oznbs.

Carpts. Castle & Armrs. Shop

" 14 -

10 Yds. Do. Eng. Canvas

" 11 11

1 5 11

Coals 88 Bushels Armrs. Shop

4 15 4

Hooks & Lines viz.

30 No. 2 Lines

24 .. 4 Do.

2 Hambro Do.

for the Governor & Lieut. Govern. Fish.

1 " 16

125 No. 1 Hooks

25 .. 9 Do.

125 .. 11 Do.

125 .. 16 Do.

" 9 9

1 10 7

Carried over£ 79 18 6

The storekeeper then listed the stores issued from 1 April to 30 June 1768 and charged to the Company's general expenses.

512 lb of cordage for the crane ropes and fishing, £8 10s 8d

Candles

100 lb for the Castle

50 lb for the Lieutenant Governor

50 lb for Mr Purling

50 lb for Captain Kirkpatrick

6¾ lb for the doctor's shop and the Secretary's office

1 lb for the bakehouse

10 lb for Mr Bearcroft

Total for candles, £29 0s 2d

[...] lb of Bohea tea for the groom and the gardener, £0 5s 0d

80 lb of sugar candy for the groom, the gardener and the doctor's shop, £1 13s 4d

232½ gallons of arrack for sundry men employed carrying stores to Munden's Point and men employed unloading the two store ships, £31 0s 8d

52 lb of soap for linen, £1 16s 10d

Canvas

17½ yards of osnaburg for bags for the Castle and the armourer's shop, £0 14s 0d

10 yards of English canvas for the same, £0 11s 11d

Total for canvas, £1 5s 11d

88 bushels of coal for the armourer's shop, £4 15s 4d

Hooks and lines for the Governor's and Lieutenant Governor's fishermen

30 lines of size 2, 24 lines of size 4 and 2 Hamburg lines, £1 0s 10d

125 hooks of size 1, 25 of size 9, 125 of size 11 and 125 of size 16, £0 9s 9d

Total for hooks and lines, £1 10s 7d

Carried forward, £79 18s 6d

Interpretations

Arrack was by far the largest charge, at £31 0s 8d for more than 230 gallons. That was more than twice the 135½ gallons issued in the first quarter. It was the measured dram the Governor had defended on 27 June, given at fixed hours to the men carrying stores to Munden's Point and to those unloading the Tilbury and the Duke of Richmond. The heavy work of the season, landing two ships' cargoes through the surf and hauling materials up to the battery, was rewarded in spirit rather than cash. It was the same measured allowance the Council kept for its own labourers while it shut down the retail trade.

Mr Bearcroft's candles appeared in the issues for the first time, at 10 lb. On 23 May 1768 the Council granted the chaplain 30 lb a quarter, and this first issue covered the weeks from that date to the end of June.

The 88 bushels of coal for the armourer's shop came from the 60 bushels bought from the British King and other supplies landed that season. The forge had run almost dry in March, when the Council gave the Triton half its last 20 bushels. Fresh coal let the smiths return to full work on ironwork for the batteries.

111

104

The 18 July

Brought over£ 79 18 6

Twine 2 Skains Castle

" 1 -

Corks 7 Gro. Do.

" 16 10

Starch 13 lb. for Linen

" 5 7

Shallows 4 Pr. for the Castle

1 13 4

Nails viz.

1 .. 3d.

7 .. 6

2 .. 4

1 Glazrs. Brads

for the Coopers use and Pacquets

" 7 7

Iron Ware viz.

18 Hamrd. Helves Armrs. Shop

" 3 9

5 Carpt. Vices Coopers Use

" 2 10

2 Do. Drivers

" 3 4

2 Sheets Emery Paper Armrs. use

" " 3

14 Blank Keys Do.

" 8 9

4 Two foot Rules, Carpentrs. use

" 4 -

1 Plaistr. Trowel for a Stone Layer

" 1 8½

24 Files, Armrs. use

" 10 6

3 Wire Rat Traps Store use

1 1 8

2 Curry Combs & Brushes Horse Stables

" 3 7

6 Bastd. Rubbers

1 6 6

3 Hand Saws

1 3 3

2 Tenon Do.

" 15 ½

3 Try. g. Planes

" 10 6

3 Jack Do.

" 7 6

3 Smooth Do.

" 6 "

6 Claw Hamrs.

" 8 3

3 Carpentr. Hand Mallets

" 15 -

12 Socket Chizels

" 9 -

12 Formers Do.

" 3 9

36 Hand Saw files

" 15 9

24 Spike Gimblets

1 Ml. Caking Irons

Carpts. use

" 9 3

6 Pr. Steel Compasses

" 3 6

10 18 [...]

Carried over£ 94 1 2

The account of stores charged to the Company's general expenses continued from a total of £79 18s 6d.

Brought forward, £79 18s 6d

2 skeins of twine for the Castle, £0 1s 0d

7 gross of corks for the Castle, £0 16s 10d

13½ lb of starch for linen, £0 5s 7d

4 pieces of chelloes for the Castle, £1 13s 4d

Nails for the coopers' use and the packets

1 [...] of threepenny nails, 7 [...] of sixpenny nails, 2 [...] of fourpenny nails and 1 [...] of glaziers' brads, £0 7s 7d

Ironware

18 hammer helves for the armourer's shop, £0 3s 9d

5 coopers' vices for the coopers' use, £0 2s 10d

2 coopers' drivers for the coopers' use, £0 3s 4d

2 sheets of emery paper for the armourer's use, £0 0s 3d

14 blank keys for the armourer's use, £0 8s 9d

4 two-foot rules for the carpenters' use, £0 4s 0d

1 plasterer's trowel for a stone layer, £0 1s 8½d

24 files for the armourer's use, £0 10s 6d

3 wire rat traps for the stores, £1 1s 3d

2 curry combs and brushes for the horse stable, £0 3s 7d

6 bastard rubbers, £1 6s 6d

3 handsaws, £1 3s 3d

2 tenon saws, £0 15s 0½d

3 trying planes, £0 10s 6d

3 jack planes, £0 7s 6d

3 smoothing planes, £0 6s 0d

6 claw hammers, £0 8s 3d

3 carpenters' hand mallets, £0 15s 0d

12 socket chisels, £0 9s 0d

12 firmers, £0 3s 9d

36 handsaw files, £0 15s 9d

24 spike gimlets, £0 7s 3d

1 set of caulking irons, £0 3s 4d

6 pairs of steel compasses, £0 3s 6d

Total for ironware, £10 18s [...]

Carried forward, £94 1s [...]

Interpretations

The tools issued in this quarter fitted out a carpenters' shop almost from scratch. Saws, planes of three kinds, mallets, socket chisels, firmers and compasses went out together. They had probably come out in the Tilbury or the Duke of Richmond. The Company's carpenters had been working hard on sentry boxes, the crane, the longboats and the slaves' square, and their old tools were worn out. Firmers were stout bench chisels for paring and shaping wood. The trying plane was a long plane for truing the edges of boards. The jack plane took off rough wood, and the smoothing plane gave the final finish. A set of caulking irons was used to drive oakum into the seams of the boats.

The three wire rat traps for the stores cost more than £1. Rats had plagued the island since the first ships landed, and they did great damage to the grain, flour and rice in the Company's warehouses. A well-made wire trap was a sound investment beside the value of the stores it protected.

112

105

1768

Brought over£ 94 1 2

Paint viz.

½ lb. Blue Smalt for Linen

" 7 -

½ lb. White Lead dry

" " 7½

1 lb. Whiting

" " ½

¼ lb. Oaker made up

" " 1½

1 Pound. Blacking

" " 6½

to Paint a Flagg Staff for the Alarm House

" 8 4

Thread 1 lb. Whd. Brown Castle

" 6 8

China Ware viz.

12 China Bowls

" 11 -

2 Ewers

" 8 -

6 Guglets & Basons

1 2 4

Castle

2 1 4

Oil viz.

1 Gallon Lins.

" 4 -

¼ Do. Oil of Turpentine

" " 10

to Paint the Flagg Staff

1 Bottle Sw. Oil, Carpentrs. Shop

" 3 6

" 8 4

Broad Cloth 2 Yds. Green to Cover the Consultn. Tables

1 12 10

Deals, 1 Plank for a Flagg Staff for the Alarm House

" 8 10

Tin Ware viz.

8 lb. Solder

" 7 4

½ Salamoniac

" 1 6

To Iron Castle Furniture

" 8 10

Rozin 1½ lb. Castle

" 2 -

Haberdashery 1 Gro. Horn Moulds Do.

" 2 3

Cutlery Ware viz.

2 Cork Screws Castle

" 4 7

1 Horse Comb for the Horses

" " 3

" 4 10

Carried over£ 100 5 5

The account of stores charged to the Company's general expenses continued from a total of £94 1s 2d.

Brought forward, £94 1s 2d

Paint

2 lb of blue smalt for linen, £0 7s 0d

2 lb of dry white lead, to paint the flagstaff for the alarm house, £0 0s 7½d

1 lb of whiting, for the same, £0 0s 0½d

½ [...] of yellow ochre mixed, for the same, £0 0s 1½d

1 barrel of blacking, for the same, £0 0s 6½d

Total for paint, £0 8s 4d

1 lb of whited-brown thread for the Castle, £0 6s 8d

China for the Castle

12 china bowls, £0 11s 0d

2 sneakers, £0 0s 8d

6 guglets and basins, £1 2s 4d

Total for china, £2 1s 4d

Oil

1 gallon of linseed oil, to paint the flagstaff, £0 4s 0d

¼ gallon of oil of turpentine, for the same, £0 0s 10d

1 bottle of Florence oil for the carpenters' shop, £0 3s 6d

Total for oil, £0 8s 4d

2 yards of green broadcloth to cover the Council table, £1 12s 10d

Deals, 1 plank for a flagstaff for the alarm house, £0 8s 10d

Tinware for the Castle furniture

8 lb of solder, £0 7s 4d

1 lb of sal ammoniac, £0 1s 6d

Total for tinware, £0 8s 10d

1½ lb of rosin for the Castle, £0 0s 2d

Haberdashery, 1 gross of horn button moulds for the Castle, £0 2s 3d

Cutlery

2 [...] knives for the Castle, £0 4s 7d

1 horse comb for the horses, £0 0s 3d

Total for cutlery, £0 4s 10d

Carried forward, £100 5s 5d

Interpretations

The Council table received a fresh covering of green broadcloth, 2 yards for £1 12s 10d. Green baize or broadcloth was the usual covering for a council or committee table in the period. It is where the expression "green table" for a board of governors comes from. The new cloth was laid on the table where, in the same weeks, the Governor, Corneille, Purling and Kirkpatrick were exchanging charges of malice and disloyalty.

A new flagstaff was made and painted for the alarm house, the signal station that passed warnings of approaching ships across the island to the Castle. The plank was cut to shape, and the staff was painted white with lead, whiting, ochre and blacking against the damp. Every alarm and signal recorded in the gunner's monthly returns depended on these lookout posts and their flags. They had to be kept in good order through the southern winter, when wind and rain were hardest on them.

113

106

The 18 July

Brought over£ 100 5 5

Iron & Steel viz.

58 lb. Iron for Sandy Bay L. Hulse

" 12 1

2 lb. German Steel

" 11 3

3 lb. Blist. Do.

Armour. Shop

" 12 8

1 16 -

Glass Ware 3 doz. Wine Glasses Castle

" 15 8

Brooms Wardsbooks 2 for the Groom

" 9 6

Braziers Ware 2 Bottle Corks Castle

" 6 10

Turners Ware viz.

8 Mops Castle

" 10 2

2 Lawn Sives

1 6 5

6 Spare Bottoms for the Artillery

1 19 6

3 16 1

£ 107 9 6

Repairs Dr. for the following Stores Issued from the 1st of April to the 30th June 1768 viz.

Deals viz.

½ Wainst. Board for ye. Black House

" 3 3

1 Plank

" 8 10

½ Elm Board

for the Company's Houses

" 1 9

" 13 10

Iron Ware viz.

4 Blank Keys

" 2 6

2 Splint. Locks

" " 11

1 Latching Ferrule

" 1 8

2 Pr. H.L. Hinges

" 3 10

for the Castle Lieut. Govrs. House & Mr. Beancroft

" 8 11

Pitch & Tar viz.

6 lb. Rozin

" " 10½

6 lb. Pitch

Repg. Lt. Govr. House

" " 6½

" 1 5

Carried over£ 1 4 2

The account of stores charged to the Company's general expenses ended with the following items.

Brought forward, £100 5s 5d

Iron and steel

58 lb of iron for the Sandy Bay [...] wheels, £0 12s 1d

2 lb of German steel for the armourer's shop, £0 11s 3d

3 lb of blister steel for the armourer's shop, £0 12s 8d

Total for iron and steel, £1 16s 0d

3 dozen wine glasses for the Castle, £0 15s 8d

Brooms and waistcoats, 2 for the groom, £0 9s 6d

Braziery, 2 bottle cooks for the Castle, £0 6s 10d

Wooden ware

8 mops for the Castle, £0 10s 2d

2 lawn sieves for the artillery, £1 6s 5d

6 spare bottoms for the sieves for the artillery, £1 19s 6d

Total for wooden ware, £3 16s 1d

Total charged to general expenses, £107 9s 6d

The storekeeper then listed the stores issued for repairs from 1 April to 30 June 1768.

Deals

½ wainscot board for the Black House, £0 3s 3d

1 balk for the Company's houses, £0 8s 10d

½ elm board for the Company's houses, £0 1s 9d

Total for deals, £0 13s 10d

Ironware for the Castle, the Lieutenant Governor's house and Mr Bearcroft's

4 blank keys, £0 2s 6d

2 splinter locks, £0 0s 11d

1 lathing hammer, £0 1s 8d

2 pairs of H L hinges, £0 3s 10d

Total for ironware, £0 8s 11d

Pitch and tar for the Lieutenant Governor's house

6 lb of rosin, £0 0s 10½d

6 lb of pitch, £0 0s 6½d

Total for pitch and tar, £0 1s 5d

Carried forward, £1 4s 2d

Interpretations

The lawn sieves and their six spare bottoms were for the artillery, at more than £3 together. Lawn was a fine, close-woven linen. Stretched across a sieve, it let the gunners sift gunpowder to separate the fine dust from the grains. Powder kept in the island's damp air clumped and broke down, and it had to be sifted before it could be made into cartridges. The large number of spare bottoms shows how quickly the fine linen wore out. The new batteries at Banks's and Munden's Point would need a good supply of sound powder once their guns were mounted.

German steel and blister steel were two grades of steel made in different ways. Blister steel was made in England by heating bars of iron packed in charcoal for days, until the surface took up carbon and rose in blisters. German steel was made by refining cast iron in a hearth. Both were used by the armourer for tools and edges that had to hold a hard point.

The Black House appears to have been the Company's slave house on Munden's Point hill, named in the notice of 6 June 1768 forbidding the digging of earth between it and the Castle.

114

107

1768

Brought over£ 1 4 2

Nails viz.

10 lb. .. 6d.

11 .. 10

6 .. 4

1 .. 3

4 .. 20

1 .. ?

2 .. 40

4 Scuppers

for the Castle and Compy's. Houses

1 2 -

Lead 956 lb. Sheet for ye. Castle & Lieut. G. House

8 19 3

Cordage 7 lb. for the Lieut. Govr. and Blacks House

1 6 2

Tin Ware 2 lb. Solder for ye. L. Govr. House

" 19 3

Turners Ware viz.

1 Plaistr. Brush

" 1 1

1 Paint Do.

Do.

" " 6

" 1 7

Paint viz.

1 lb. Whiting

" " 6

6 lb. Brimstone for ye. Compy's. Houses

" 1 3

" 1 9

£ 13 14 2

Diet Expences Dr. for the following Stores Issued from the 1st of April to the 30th of June 1768 viz.

Flour 954 lb.

8 18 10

Arrack 54 Gall.

7 4 -

Sugar & Candy viz.

16 lb. Sugar

" 4 -

313 lb. Candy

6 10 5

6 14 5

Carried over£ 22 17 3

The account of stores issued for repairs continued from a total of £1 4s 2d.

Brought forward, £1 4s 2d

Nails for the Castle and the Company's houses

10 [...] of sixpenny nails, 11 [...] of tenpenny nails, 6 [...] of fourpenny nails, 1 [...] of threepenny nails, 4 [...] of twentypenny nails, 1 [...] of [...] nails, 2 [...] of fortypenny nails and 4 [...] of scupper nails, £1 2s 0d

956 lb of sheet lead for the Castle and the Lieutenant Governor's house, £8 19s 3d

78 lb of cordage for the Lieutenant Governor's house and the Black House, £1 6s 2d

Tinware, 2 lb of solder for the Lieutenant Governor's house, £0 19s 3d

Wooden ware

1 plasterer's brush, £0 1s 1d

1 paint brush, £0 0s 6d

Total for wooden ware, £0 1s 7d

Paint for the Company's houses

12 lb of whiting, £0 0s 6d

6 lb of brimstone, £0 1s 3d

Total for paint, £0 1s 9d

Total charged to repairs, £13 14s 2d

The storekeeper then listed the stores issued from 1 April to 30 June 1768 and charged to the cost of the Company's table.

954 lb of flour, £8 18s 10d

54 gallons of arrack, £7 4s 0d

Sugar and sugar candy

16 lb of sugar, £0 4s 0d

310 lb of sugar candy, £6 10s 5d

Total for sugar and sugar candy, £6 14s 5d

Carried forward, £22 17s 3d

Interpretations

Sheet lead was the largest repair cost of the quarter. Nearly 1,000 lb went to the Castle and the Lieutenant Governor's house, at almost £9. Lead was laid on flat roofs, gutters and the joints between roofs and walls to keep out the rain. The southern winter brought the island its heaviest rainfall from June onwards. Re-leading the roofs before the wet season protected the Castle's offices and stores, and the deputy governor's household, from water damage. The repairs account rose to £13 14s 2d from £5 2s 5d in the first quarter, almost entirely because of the lead.

The table's sugar candy came to 310 lb, close to the 410 lb of the previous quarter. Arrack for the table fell to 54 gallons from 76. The busy months of April and May had brought many guests to the Castle. By June the season was over, and the Governor's table had fewer visiting officers to entertain.

115

108

[Right-hand edge of the page cut off in the image.]

The 18 July

Brought over£ 22 17 3

Beef & Pork viz.

42 lb. Pork

6 5 1½

6 Do. Beef

1 " 10½

7 6 -

Rice 258 lb.

1 1 6

Salt 1 Bushel

" 3 5

Tea viz.

2 lb. Singlo

" 2 5

1 lb. Bohea

" " 10

" 3 3

£ 31 11 5

Garrison Dr. for the following Stores Issued from the 1st of April to the 30th of June 1768 viz.

Tea 48 lb. Bohea for the several Guards

3 17 6

Candles 63½ for the Officers of Main Guard

8 9 4

Lines 24 No. 2 for Whips

" 6 11

Oil 4 Gall. Train

" 13 4

Hatts viz.

20 Serjeants Hatts

12 1 8

1 Marshals Do.

" 11 7

375 Centinels Do.

52 10 8

65 3 11

Nails viz.

2 .. 3d.

3 .. 6 for Coffins

" 3 [...]

Pork 93 lb. given to Recruits

14 3 [...]

Rice 6 lb. Do.

" " [...]

Flour 399 lb. Do.

3 14 [...]

Blankets 87

24 9 [...]

Carried over£ 121 1 [...]

The account of stores charged to the cost of the Company's table ended with the following items.

Brought forward, £22 17s 3d

Beef and pork

42 pieces of pork, £6 5s 1½d

6 pieces of beef, £1 0s 10½d

Total for beef and pork, £7 6s 0d

258 lb of rice, £1 1s 6d

1 bushel of salt, £0 3s 5d

Tea

2 lb of Singlo tea, £0 2s 5d

1 lb of Bohea tea, £0 0s 10d

Total for tea, £0 3s 3d

Total charged to the table, £31 11s 5d

A further account listed the stores issued to the garrison from 1 April to 30 June 1768.

48 lb of Bohea tea for the several guards, £[...] 17s 6d

63½ lb of candles for the officers and the main guard, £[...] 9s 4d

24 lines of size 2 for whips, £0 6s 11d

4 gallons of train oil, £0 13s 4d

Hats

20 sergeants' hats, £12 1s 8d

1 marshal's hat, £0 11s 7d

375 sentinels' hats, £52 10s 8d

Total for hats, £65 3s 11d

Nails, 2 [...] of threepenny nails and 3 [...] of sixpenny nails for coffins, £0 3s 2d

95 pieces of pork given to recruits, £14 3s [...]

[...] of rice given to recruits, £0 [...]

399 lb of flour given to recruits, £3 14s [...]

87 blankets, £24 9s [...]

Carried forward, £121 1s [...]

Interpretations

The garrison received 375 new sentinels' hats and 20 sergeants' hats in a single quarter, at more than £65. That was enough to re-hat the whole garrison of foot and artillery. The hats came out in the Tilbury or the Duke of Richmond. The Company issued its soldiers a new hat at regular intervals as part of their clothing. A full issue to every man at once meant the old hats had been worn for a long time in the island's wind and rain, and the Court had sent out a complete replacement.

The 26 recruits who landed from the Tilbury in May received pork, rice and flour from the Company's stores as their first rations, before their pay and stoppages were set up. The 87 blankets were far more than the recruits alone needed. They probably also replaced worn bedding in the barracks and guardhouses as the southern winter began.

116

109

1768

Brought over£ 121 1 10

Soldiers Cloaths viz.

285 Centinels Coats & Breeches

418 9 8

16 Serjeants Do. & Do.

83 12 -

16 Corporals Do. & Do.

24 16 -

14 Drummers Do. & Do.

47 12 -

42 Matrosses Do. & Do.

89 5 -

4 Bombdrs. Do. & Do.

11 16 -

8 Gunners Do. & Do.

18 8 -

4 Artly. Serjts. Do. & Do.

20 4 -

4 Do. Corpls. Do. & Do.

8 16 -

1 Marshals Do. & Do.

2 11 6

725 10 2

Haberdashery viz.

1½ Gro. Broad Worstd. Lace for Hats

1 3 2½

19 yds. Narrow Do. Do. Waist

" 11 9½

392 Hair Stocks

13 9 6

15 4 6

Hosiers Ware 395 Pr. Ordy. Thd. Stockgs.

87 12 1

Shirts viz.

20 Serjts. Shirts

6 15 8

374 Centl. Do.

84 18 7

91 14 3

Shoes 397 Pr. Mens Ordy.

89 14 9

Arrack 7½ Gall. for Musket Drawers

1 " "

Thread viz.

15 lb. Cold.

2 7 6

4 lb. Whd. Brown

1 6 8

3 14 2

Twine 2 Skains for Cots

" 1 "

£ 1105 12 9

The garrison account continued from a total of £121 1s 10d.

Brought forward, £121 1s 10d

Soldiers' clothing

285 sentinels' coats and breeches, £418 9s 8d

16 sergeants' coats and breeches, £83 12s 0d

16 corporals' coats and breeches, £24 16s 0d

14 drummers' coats and breeches, £47 12s 0d

42 matrosses' coats and breeches, £89 5s 0d

4 bombardiers' coats and breeches, £11 16s 0d

8 gunners' coats and breeches, £18 8s 0d

4 artillery sergeants' coats and breeches, £20 4s 0d

4 artillery corporals' coats and breeches, £8 16s 0d

1 marshal's coat and breeches, £2 11s 6d

Total for soldiers' clothing, £725 10s 2d

Haberdashery

1½ gross of broad worsted lace for hats, £1 3s 2½d

1 gross of narrow worsted lace for waistcoats, £0 11s 9½d

392 hair stocks, £13 9s 6d

Total for haberdashery, £15 4s 6d

395 pairs of ordinary thread stockings, £57 12s 1d

Shirts

20 sergeants' shirts, £6 15s 8d

374 sentinels' shirts, £84 18s 7d

Total for shirts, £91 14s 3d

397 pairs of men's ordinary shoes, £89 14s 9d

7½ gallons of arrack for drams at muster, £1 0s 0d

Thread

15 lb of coloured thread, £2 7s 6d

4 lb of whited-brown thread, £1 6s 8d

Total for thread, £3 14s 2d

2 skeins of twine for the cots, £0 1s 0d

Total charged to the garrison, £1,105 12s 9d

Interpretations

The whole garrison received a complete new suit of clothing this quarter. Coats and breeches went to every rank of foot and artillery, together with shirts, stockings, shoes, hats and stocks, almost 400 of each. The issue cost the Company more than £1,100, nearly a third of a full quarter's pay for the whole island. Soldiers in the Company's service, as in the King's army, were clothed annually or every two years at the employer's cost. The clothing for the St Helena garrison had come out in the store ships Tilbury and Duke of Richmond, which explains why so many of the season's arrivals were described as store ships.

The prices show the gap between ranks. A sergeant's coat and breeches cost over £5 4s, against under £1 10s for a sentinel's. Sergeants wore finer cloth with lace and better trimmings, which marked their authority. The drummers' suits were also costly, more than £3 each, because drummers traditionally wore elaborate livery with heavy lace.

A hair stock was a stiff band of horsehair cloth worn tightly round the neck in place of a cravat. It kept a soldier's head up on parade and was part of the regulation dress of the period. Cots were hanging canvas beds of the kind used at sea, which some of the guardhouses evidently used instead of fixed bunks.

117

110

The 18 July

Blacks Dr. for the following Stores Issued from the 1st of April to the 30th of June 1768 viz.

Beef and Pork viz.

1009 lb. Bengall Beef

188 8 4

670 lb. Pork

99 16 -

480 lb. Beef

83 10

371 14 4

Rice 7891 lb.

32 17 7

Flour 4 for the Sick

" " 9

Oil 1 Gall. Train

" 3 4

Sugar 258 lb.

3 4 6

Tea 185 lb. Bohea

4 15 10

Shallows 59 lb.

24 11 8

Arrack 131 Gall. for Blacks at Fortifican. & Plantation

17 9 4

Pepper 4 lb. for Sick Blacks

" 3 -

Sope 5 lb.

" 3 6

Lines 6 No. 4 for Fish.

" 2 3

Shalloon viz.

1 lb. Sewg. Shalloon for ye. Govr. Servants

3 13 -

Haberdashery viz.

8 Skains Silk

" 3 6

10 Ps. Tape

Do. Do.

" 5 8

" 9 2

Thread viz.

6 lb. Coloured

1 " 7

6 lb. Whd. Brown

2 " "

3 " 7

Long Cloths 2¼ Ps. for Lying in Women

17 10 3

Kersey 3 lb.

6 16 -

Salt ¼ for Sick Blacks

" " 10

Shirts viz.

259 Mens Shirts

34 16 -

46 Boys Do.

6 3 7

40 19 7

Carried over£ 527 15 8

The storekeeper then listed the stores issued to the Company's slaves from 1 April to 30 June 1768.

Beef and pork

10,049 lb of Bengal beef, £188 8s 4d

670 pieces of pork, £99 16s 0d

480 pieces of beef, £83 10s 0d

Total for beef and pork, £371 14s 4d

7,891 lb of rice, £32 17s 7d

4 lb of flour for the sick, £0 0s 9d

1 gallon of train oil, £0 3s 4d

258 lb of sugar, £3 4s 6d

185 lb of Bohea tea, £4 15s 10d

59 pieces of chelloes, £24 11s 8d

131 gallons of arrack for the slaves at the fortifications and plantations, £17 9s 4d

6 lb of pepper for sick slaves, £0 3s 0d

5 lb of soap, £0 3s 6d

6 lines of size 4 for the fishermen, £0 2s 3d

Shalloon, 1 piece of scarlet shalloon for the Governor's servants, £3 13s 0d

Haberdashery

8 skeins of mohair for the same, £0 3s 6d

10 pieces of tape for the same, £0 5s 8d

Total for haberdashery, £0 9s 2d

Thread

6 lb of coloured thread, £1 0s 7d

6 lb of whited-brown thread, £2 0s 0d

Total for thread, £3 0s 7d

½ piece of longcloth marked Y for women lying in, £0 [...]

3 pieces of kersey, £17 10s 5d

1½ bushels of salt for the sick slaves, £0 6s 16d

Shirts

259 men's shirts, £34 16s 0d

46 boys' shirts, £6 3s 7d

Total for shirts, £40 19s 7d

Carried forward, £527 15s 8d

Interpretations

The slaves' stores this quarter rose well above the £303 of the first quarter of 1768. The largest single item was over 10,000 lb of Bengal beef, the same salt meat the Council had told Fort William on 25 May was so bad that much of it went into the sea. The stores still held casks that were fit to issue, and the Company used them up on its slaves instead of buying fresh meat. At the same time it issued European pork and beef bought from the ships in May and June.

The slaves also received a complete new issue of clothing, matching the garrison's issue that quarter. There were 259 shirts for the men and 46 for the boys, with 59 pieces of chelloes and three pieces of kersey to be made into garments. Clothing the Company's slaves was a regular charge on its stores, and the new cloth came in the same store ships as the soldiers' uniforms. The figures also give a count of the workforce: about 260 adult male slaves and nearly 50 boys working for the Company, besides the women.

The arrack for the slaves at the fortifications and plantations, 131 gallons in the quarter, was the weekly allowance the Council had confirmed on 11 July. Men received three drams a week and women and working boys two. The 19 gallons a week the Council estimated would come to about 250 gallons a quarter. This first quarter's issue was lower because the allowance began only once the punch houses were barred from selling to slaves.

118

111

1768

Brought over£ 527 15 8

Sailors Cloaths viz.

95 Mens Jackets

95 Do. Breeches

38 - -

23 Boys Jackets

23 Do. Do. Breeches

9 4 -

175 Dutch Caps

13 9 10

60 13 10

Serge 1 Pr. Green Sagathy, to the Govr. Servants

3 16 1

£ 592 5 7

Malley Dr. for the following Stores Issued from the 1st of April to the 30th June 1768 viz.

Sugar 30 lb.

" 7 6

Arrack 5 Gall.

" 13 4

Rice 14 lb.

" 12 -

Flour 6 lb.

" 1 1

Tea 3 lb. Bohea

" 2 6

Sope 6 lb.

" 4 3

Oil viz.

¾ Gall. Linseed

" 3 -

¼ Do. Train

" " 10

" 3 10

Beef 2 Pr.

" 6 11

£ 2 11 5

The account of stores issued to the Company's slaves ended with the following items.

Brought forward, £527 15s 8d

Sailors' clothing

95 men's jackets and 95 pairs of men's breeches, £38 0s 0d

23 boys' jackets and 23 pairs of boys' breeches, £9 4s 0d

175 Dutch caps, £13 9s 10d

Total for sailors' clothing, £60 13s 10d

1 piece of green serge for the Governor's servants, £3 16s 1d

Total charged to the slaves, £592 5s 7d

The storekeeper next listed the stores issued to the Malays from 1 April to 30 June 1768.

30 lb of sugar, £0 7s 6d

5 gallons of arrack, £0 13s 4d

1[...] lb of rice, £0 12s 0d

6 lb of flour, £0 1s 1d

3 lb of Bohea tea, £0 2s 6d

6 lb of soap, £0 4s 3d

Oil

¾ gallon of linseed oil, £0 3s 0d

¼ gallon of train oil, £0 0s 10d

Total for oil, £0 3s 10d

2 pieces of beef, £0 6s 11d

Total charged to the Malays, £2 11s 5d

Interpretations

The slaves' account came to £592 5s 7d for the quarter, almost double the £303 of the first quarter of 1768. The whole increase came from clothing. Shirts, jackets, breeches, caps, chelloes and kersey cost well over £100, on top of the usual food. The Company clothed its slaves at the same time as its soldiers, from the same store ships. Sailors' clothing was the cheap, hard-wearing jacket and breeches made for seamen, sold in bulk in English ports. The Company bought it ready-made for its slaves as the simplest way to clothe a large workforce. Dutch caps were knitted woollen caps of the kind worn by seamen and labourers.

The Malays' account was again small, at £2 11s 5d. They received only food, oil and soap this quarter, and no clothing. Their last issue of cloth had come in the last quarter of 1767.

The Governor's servants were Company slaves serving in the Castle household. They received scarlet shalloon, green serge, mohair and tape, materials for a livery far finer than the working slaves' sailors' clothing. The Governor's household was dressed in colours that marked its status as the island's first establishment.

119

112

[Right-hand edge of the page cut off in the image.]

The 18 July

Plantation Dr. for the following Stores Issued from the 1st of April to the 30th June 1768 viz.

Rice 522 lb. for Overseer & Poultry

2 3 6

Paddy 3328 lb. for Horses & Do.

11 15 -

13 18 6

Iron Ware viz.

1 Blank Key

" " 7½

1 Pad Lock

for Long Wood

" 1 6

3 Scythe Stones

" " 6

2 Spades

Fruit Garden

" 7 6

6 Pickaxes

" 19 9

2 Iron Shovels

" 9 1

4 Broad Hoes

for ye. Plantation

" 2 2

6 A.S. Helves

" 3 7½

2 4 9

Cordage 28 lb. Long Wood

" 9 4

Arrack 3 Gall. for Thatch.

" 8 -

Deals 1 Plank for the Wood Cart

" 8 10

Nails 3 lb. 6d. for repairg. Gates

" 1 8

Paint viz.

3 lb. Span. Red mixd.

" 2 4½

4 lb. Whiting

for Paintg. Do.

" " ½

4 lb. Red Lead

" " 2

" 2 7

Oil ½ Gall. Lind. for Do.

" 2 -

Cutlery Ware 18 Butch. Knives for Plantation

" 6 9

Cart Wheels viz.

1 Axle Tree for the Wood Cart

" 8 10

Turners Ware 2 Ox Bows

" 2 [...]

£ 18 13 [...]

The storekeeper then listed the stores issued to the Company's plantation from 1 April to 30 June 1768.

5 cwt 2 qr [...] of rice for the overseers and poultry, £2 3s 6d

[...] cwt of paddy for the horses and poultry, £11 15s 0d

Total for rice and paddy, £13 18s 6d

Ironware

1 blank key for the Long Wood, £0 0s 7½d

1 padlock for the Long Wood, £0 1s 6d

3 scythe stones for the Plantation garden, £0 0s 6d

2 spades for the Plantation garden, £0 7s 6d

6 pickaxes for the plantations, £0 19s 9d

2 iron shovels for the plantations, £0 9s 1d

1 broad hoe for the plantations, £0 2s 2d

6 axe helves for the plantations, £0 3s 7½d

Total for ironware, £2 4s 9d

28 lb of cordage for the Long Wood, £0 9s 4d

3 gallons of arrack for the thatchers, £0 8s 0d

Deals, 1 balk for the wood cart, £0 8s 10d

3 [...] of nails for repairing the gates, £0 1s 8d

Paint for painting the gates

3 lb of red ochre mixed, £0 0s 2½d

1 lb of whiting, £0 0s 0½d

1 lb of red lead, £0 0s 2d

Total for paint, £0 2s 7d

½ gallon of linseed oil for the same, £0 2s 0d

18 butcher's knives for the plantations, £0 6s 7d

Cart wheels, 1 axletree for the wood cart, £0 8s 10d

Wooden ware, 2 ox bows, £0 2s 2d

Total charged to the plantation, £18 13s 11d

Interpretations

The plantation's stores fell to £18 13s 11d this quarter, less than half the £39 6s 11d of the first quarter of 1768. That earlier quarter had paid for eight wheelbarrows, two pairs of cart wheels and new yokes for the oxen. This quarter needed only routine replacements: tools, nails and paint for the gates, and a new axletree and balk for the wood cart. The wood cart again took a share of the repairs. Its constant work hauling firewood from the Long Wood over the island's steep roads wore out its axles and timbers.

The arrack for the thatchers was the reward for repairing the roofs of the slaves' quarters and outbuildings before the winter rains. The issue matches the work recorded elsewhere that quarter: sheet lead for the Castle and the Lieutenant Governor's house, and a new flagstaff for the alarm house. The Company was making its buildings weather-tight for the southern winter.

120

113

1768

Hospital Dr. for the following Stores Issued from the 1st of April to the 30th of June 1768 viz.

Sugar 403 lb.

5 " 9

Rice 403 lb.

1 13 7

Flour 403 lb.

3 15 7

Tea 21 lb. Bohea

" 17 6

Oil 10¾ Gall. Linsd.

2 3 -

Salt 1/8 Bushel

" 3 -

China Ware 36 Saucrs.

" 12 -

Cotton Wick ¾

" 2 2

Nails 2 lb. 3d.

" 1 6

Pewter 2 Close Stool Pans

" 9 "

Iron Ware 1 Blank Key

" " 8

Glass 12 Sq. 10 by 12

for Windows

" 13 3

Paint 3 lb. Whiting

" " 1

Starch 1 lb.

" " 5

£ 15 12 6

Boats Dr. for the following Stores Issued from the 1st of April to the 30th of June 1768 viz.

Pitch & Tar viz.

43 lb. Turpentine

" 10 4

1½ Barl. Pitch

1 7 11

1¼ Do. Tar

1 2 1

12 lb. Rozin

" 1 9

for the Boats in General

3 2 1

Arrack 9½ Gall. for Men emp. hauling up & Launching the Ld. Boats

1 4 -

Lines 1 Deep Sea

" 4 8

Twine viz.

21 Sk. Twine

" 10 6

11½ Fine Twine

" 12 8

for making L.J. Boat Sails

1 3 2

Carried over£ 5 13 11

The storekeeper then listed the stores issued to the hospital from 1 April to 30 June 1768.

403 lb of sugar, £5 0s 9d

403 lb of rice, £1 13s 7d

403 lb of flour, £3 15s 7d

21 lb of Bohea tea, £0 17s 6d

10¾ gallons of linseed oil, £2 3s 0d

⅝ bushel of salt, £0 3s 0d

China, 36 sneakers, £0 12s 0d

¾ [...] of cotton wick, £0 2s 2d

2 [...] of threepenny nails, £0 1s 6d

Pewter, 2 close-stool pans, £0 9s 0d

Ironware, 1 blank key, £0 0s 8d

Glass, 12 panes of glass 10 by 12 inches for the windows, £0 13s 3d

Paint, 3 lb of whiting for the windows, £0 0s 1d

1 lb of starch, £0 0s 5d

Total charged to the hospital, £15 12s 6d

The storekeeper next listed the stores issued to the Company's boats over the same period.

Pitch and tar for the boats in general

4 [...] of turpentine, £0 10s 4d

1½ barrels of pitch, £1 7s 11d

1¾ barrels of tar, £1 2s 1d

12 lb of rosin, £0 1s 9d

Total for pitch and tar, £3 2s 1d

9½ gallons of arrack for the men employed hauling up and launching the longboats, £1 4s 0d

1 deep-sea line, £0 4s 8d

Twine for making the longboats' sails

21 skeins of twine, £0 10s 6d

11½ [...] of flax twine, £0 12s 8d

Total for twine, £1 3s 2d

Carried forward, £5 13s 11d

Interpretations

The hospital again drew sugar, rice and flour in equal weights. This quarter it was 403 lb of each, against 269 lb in the first quarter of 1768. The rise of half as much again points to more patients in the autumn months. Several soldiers died between April and June, among them William Hayes, Roger Watson, Richard Tollington and Sergeant John Cox. The 26 recruits from the Tilbury also arrived after five months at sea, and many newcomers fell ill in their first weeks on the island. The 36 sneakers gave the patients bowls for their tea and broth, and the close-stool pans served the sick who could not leave their beds.

The pitch and tar for the boats came partly from the barrels Captain Hindman of the Duke of Richmond and Captain Sealy of the Northington had spared the island in June, when the Council recorded that it was short of both. The new longboats bought from Captain Pelly and Captain Moffatt needed their seams sealed and their sails made up. The twine and flax twine were for sewing the longboats' sails, a task the Company's own men carried out on the beach.

121

114

The 18 July

Brought over£ 5 13 11

Cordage 629 lb. for the use of the Boats

£ 10 9 8

Nails viz.

4 lb. 6d.

11 .. 6

71 .. 10

5 .. 3

2 .. 4

5 .. 2

10 Spikes

Boats in General

2 11 1

Lead 4 lb. Sheet Long Boat

" 8 1

Canvas 6 Ps. Engs. Sails for Do.

13 " "

Leather 8 lb. Sole for Do.

" 7 4

Deals 3 Elm Boards for Do.

" 10 9

Tin Ware 4 double Sheets Tin for Do.

" 2 8

Iron Ware viz.

48 Sail Needles

" 3 -

10 lb. Bolt Rope Do.

" 1 -

12 lb. Plate Iron

" 5 3

1 Iron Chain

2 6 3

for L.J. Boats

2 15 6

£ 35 19 8

Bankses Fortifications Dr. for the following Stores Issued from the 1st of April to the 30th of June 1768 viz.

Turners Ware 24 Labourers Baskets

" 4 7

Tin Ware 1 Water Pot

" 3 -

Cordage 358

5 17 4

Iron Ware viz.

4 Brick Layers Trowels

" 6 9

1 Maul

" 8 10½

4 Helves

" 2 5

14 Stone Masons Mallets

1 3 4

48 Masons Tools

3 19 4

Iron Ware Carrd. over£ 6 00 8½

Carried Over£ 6 6 [...]

The account of stores issued to the Company's boats continued from a total of £5 13s 11d.

Brought forward, £5 13s 11d

629 lb of cordage for the boats, £10 9s 8d

Nails for the boats in general

11 [...] of sixpenny nails, 71 [...] of tenpenny nails, 5 [...] of threepenny nails, 2 [...] of fourpenny nails, 5 [...] of twopenny nails and 10 [...] of spikes, £2 11s 1d

43 lb of sheet lead for the longboat, £0 8s 1d

6 pieces of English canvas for sails for the longboat, £13 0s 0d

8 lb of sole leather for the longboat, £0 7s 4d

Deals, 3 elm boards for the longboat, £0 10s 9d

Tinware, 4 double sheets of tin for the longboat, £0 2s 8d

Ironware for the longboats

48 sail needles, £0 3s 0d

10 [...] of bolt rope, £0 1s 0d

12 [...] of plate iron, £0 5s 3d

1 iron chain, £2 6s 3d

Total for ironware, £2 15s 6d

Total charged to the boats, £35 19s 3d

The storekeeper then listed the stores issued for the fortification at Banks's from 1 April to 30 June 1768.

Wooden ware, 24 labourers' baskets, £[...] 4s 7d

Tinware, 1 water pot, £0 3s 0d

358 lb of cordage, £5 19s 4d

Ironware

4 bricklayers' trowels, £0 6s 9d

1 maul, £0 8s 10½d

4 helves, £0 2s 5d

14 stonemasons' mallets, £1 3s 4d

48 masons' tools, £3 19s 4d

Ironware carried forward, £6 0s 8½d

Carried forward, £6 6s [...]

Interpretations

The six pieces of English canvas made a new suit of sails for the longboat, at £13. They were the twine and flax twine issued on the previous page put to use. The Company's own men cut and sewed the sails on the island rather than buying them made up. Along with the elm boards, the sheet lead and the iron chain, the canvas completed the refitting of the longboats that had begun after the Hector damaged one beyond repair in February. With the two boats bought from Captain Pelly and Captain Moffatt, the Company now had a working fleet in James Bay again before the winter.

The tools issued to Banks's show the battery at its final stage. Forty-eight masons' tools, 14 mallets and four trowels were for dressing stone and laying the merlons and gun platforms. Mitchell had reported on 4 July that these were the last work remaining there. The cordage made up the tackle for hoisting finished stone into place and for lifting the guns onto their platforms.

122

115

1768

Brought Over£ 6 6 11

Iron Ware brought over£ 6 " 8½

1 Two feet Rule

" 1 -

1 File

" " 5

1 Wood Ax

" 2 10

6 Lastr. Drill Strings

" 3 1½

15 Pick Axes

2 10 -

4 Plaistr. Sieves

" 18 4

9 16 5

Iron 329 lb.

3 8 6

Deals viz.

1 Coffer

" 3 1

1 D. Deal

" 3 5

1 Wainst. Board

" 6 7

" 13 1

Lines 30 No. 4

" 11 3

Candles 12 lb. for ye. Officer

1 6 -

Nails viz.

3½ lb. 3d.

4 .. 6

2 .. 10

4 .. 20

6 .. 40

" 7 7

Blocks 1 Single

" 13 1

Pitch 6 lb. Rozin

" " 11

Paint 6 lb. Brimstone

" 1 3

£ 23 7 -

The account of stores issued for the fortification at Banks's continued from a total of £6 6s 11d.

Brought forward, £6 6s 11d

Ironware

Ironware brought forward, £6 0s 8½d

1 two-foot rule, £0 1s 0d

1 file, £0 0s 5d

1 wood axe, £0 2s 10d

6 leather drill strings, £0 3s 1½d

15 pickaxes, £2 10s 0d

4 plasterers' sieves, £0 18s 4d

Total for ironware, £9 16s 5d

329 lb of iron, £3 8s 6d

Deals

1 rafter, £0 3s 1d

1 double deal, £0 3s 5d

1 wainscot board, £0 6s 7d

Total for deals, £0 13s 1d

30 lines of size 4, £0 11s 3d

12 lb of candles for the office, £1 6s 0d

Nails

3½ [...] of threepenny nails, 4 [...] of sixpenny nails, 2 [...] of tenpenny nails, 4 [...] of twentypenny nails and 6 [...] of fortypenny nails, £0 7s 7d

Blocks, 1 single block, £0 13s 1d

Pitch, 6 lb of rosin, £0 0s 11d

Paint, 6 lb of brimstone, £0 1s 3d

Total charged to the fortification at Banks's, £23 7s 0d

Interpretations

Banks's drew £23 7s 0d in stores this quarter, against only £11 11s 4d in the first quarter of 1768. The rise matched the stage the work had reached. In January the site was being cleared and its foundations laid. By June, Mitchell reported the battery almost finished, with only the merlons and gun platforms still to complete. Masons' tools, mallets, pickaxes and over 300 lb of iron were the materials of finished masonry rather than preparation. The brimstone was melted to fix iron cramps and bolts into the stone. The 12 lb of candles lit the office at the works, where the engineer's clerks kept the accounts of labour and materials.

Drill strings were the cords of a bow drill. They were wrapped round the drill shaft and pulled back and forth to spin it when boring holes in stone or wood. Plasterers' sieves were used to sift lime and sand for fine plaster. They show the guardhouse or magazine at Banks's being plastered inside as the work drew to a close.

123

116

The 18 July

Mundens Fortifications Dr. for the following Stores Issued from the 1st of April to the 30th of June 1768 viz.

Cordage 2418

40 6 -

Lead 179 lb. Sheet

1 13 7

Wheel Barrows 1

" 15 6

Leather 5 lb. Sole

" 4 7

Nails viz.

9 lb. 6d.

6 .. 10

11 .. 40

3 Spikes

2½ lb. Barrd. Nails

" 13 8

Iron 977 lb.

9 13 1

Iron Ware viz.

1 Pad Lock

" 6 6

12 Sail Needles

" " 9

1 Stone Saw

" 5 2

1 Plaistr. Sieve

" 4 7

" 12 -

Deals 3 Planks

1 6 6

Oil 1/8 Gall. Linsd.

" " 6

Blocks 2 Single of 8 Inch

1 6 2

Tin Ware 1 D. Sheet Tin

" " 8

Paint 1½ lb. Black Lead

" 1 8

Thread 2 lb. Cold.

" 6 4

Candles 1½ lb.

" 3 3

Twine 6 Fine Twine

" 6 7

Pitch 2 lb.

" 1 11

£ 57 12 -

The storekeeper next listed the stores issued for the fortification at Munden's Point from 1 April to 30 June 1768.

2,418 lb of cordage, £40 6s 0d

179 lb of sheet lead, £1 13s 7d

1 wheelbarrow, £0 15s 6d

5 lb of sole leather, £0 4s 7d

Nails

9 [...] of sixpenny nails, 6 [...] of tenpenny nails, 11 [...] of fortypenny nails, 3 [...] of spikes and 2½ [...] of barrel nails, £0 13s 8d

927 lb of iron, £9 13s 1d

Ironware

1 padlock, £0 1s 6d

12 sail needles, £0 0s 9d

1 stone saw, £0 5s 2d

1 plasterer's sieve, £0 4s 7d

Total for ironware, £0 12s 0d

3 deals and balks, £1 6s 6d

⅛ gallon of linseed oil, £0 0s 6d

Blocks, 2 single blocks of 8 inches, £1 6s 2d

Tinware, 1 double sheet of tin, £0 0s 8d

1½ lb of black lead, £0 1s 8d

2 lb of coloured thread, £0 6s 4d

1½ lb of candles, £0 3s 3d

6 [...] of flax twine, £0 6s 7d

2 [...] of pitch, £0 1s 11d

Total charged to the fortification at Munden's Point, £57 12s 0d

Interpretations

Munden's Point drew £57 12s 0d in stores this quarter, three times the £18 19s 2d of the first quarter. Cordage made up two-thirds of the total, at more than 2,400 lb. Mitchell had reported on 4 July that a very large stock of materials had been prepared at the site and the platform enlarged by blasting away the rock. Every block of stone had to be hauled up the steep face of the headland by rope tackle, and the rough rock wore the ropes out quickly. The 927 lb of iron went into cramps, bolts and tools for the masons who would start building there once Banks's was finished.

Black lead was graphite. It was rubbed onto the iron guns and their fittings to give a protective black finish against rust in the salt air. Its issue here suggests that guns already mounted on the old battery at Munden's Point were being prepared while the new work went on around them.

124

117

1768

Fortifications Dr. for the following Stores Issued from the 1st of April to the 30th of June 1768 viz.

Cordage 60 lb. for the Cullis at the Main Fort

1 " "

Iron Ware, 20 lb. Rolld Iron for Do. Cullis

" 7 1

£ 1 7 1

Excepted

(Signed) James Powell Storekeepr.

St. Helena

the 30 June 1768

List of the Honorable Company's Officers and Servants upon the Island St. Helena with their several Salarys Diet Money &c. for the Quarter commencing the 1st of April & ending the 30th Day of June 1768

John Skottowe Esq. Govr. Salary

125 " "

Do. Allowance for Servants as Usual

31 14 9

156 14 9

Daniel Corneille Esq. Lieut. Govr. Self

62 10 -

Do. Diet Money

25 " "

87 10 -

Carried over£ 244 4 9

The storekeeper finally listed the stores issued for the fortifications in general from 1 April to 30 June 1768.

60 lb of cordage for the portcullis at the main fort, £1 0s 0d

Ironware, 20 [...] of rolled iron for Rupert's portcullis, £0 7s 1d

Total charged to the fortifications, £1 7s 1d

James Powell, the storekeeper, signed the account at St Helena on 30 June 1768, reserving the right to correct any errors.

The Company's list of its officers and employees on St Helena gave their salaries, table allowances and other payments for the quarter from 1 April to 30 June 1768.

John Skottowe, Governor, salary, £125 0s 0d

John Skottowe, allowance for servants as usual, £31 14s 9d

Total for John Skottowe, £156 14s 9d

Daniel Corneille, Lieutenant Governor, salary, £62 10s 0d

Daniel Corneille, table allowance, £25 0s 0d

Total for Daniel Corneille, £87 10s 0d

Carried forward, £244 4s 9d

Interpretations

A portcullis was a heavy grating of timber or iron that dropped in grooves to close a gateway. The main fort was the Castle at Jamestown, whose sea gate faced the landing place. Rupert's guarded the valley east of the town. Both gateways could be shut quickly if an enemy landed. The portcullis at the Castle hung on ropes that wore with use and had to be replaced. The rolled iron for Rupert's was for strengthening or repairing its gate. Small as the sums were, they show the Company keeping its older defences in order while its main effort went into the new batteries.

Corneille's salary and table allowance were unchanged, even as he faced Kirkpatrick's charges before the Board. Pay on St Helena was fixed by the Court and did not depend on the Council's disputes. Only the Court could suspend or dismiss its Lieutenant Governor. Until it had read the papers sent home in the season's ships, Corneille's place and pay stood as before.

125

118

The 18 July

Brought over£ 244 4 9

Mr. Pinking of Council Salary

15 " "

Do. Allowance

17 10 -

Do. Diet Money

15 " -

Do. Gratuity

15 " "

62 10 -

Capt. Thos. Kirkpatrick of Council Salary

7 10 -

Do. House Rent

2 10 -

10 " -

Archd. Mitchell Engineer Salary

50 " "

Do. Diet Money

25 " "

Do. House Rent

2 10 -

77 10 -

William Beancroft Chaplin Saly.

40 " "

Do. Diet Money

15 " "

55 " "

Matthew Bazett Secrety. Salary

17 10 -

Do. Diet Money

15 " -

Do. House Rent

2 10 -

35 " -

James Powell Storekeeper Saly.

17 10 -

Do. Diet Money

15 " -

Do. House Rent

2 10 -

35 " -

William Vaughan Factor Saly.

7 10 -

Do. Diet Money

10 " "

Do. House Rent

2 10 -

Do. Assist. to ye. Governor

10 " "

30 " "

Jonathan Darton Factor Saly.

7 10 -

Do. Diet Money

10 " "

Do. Assistant Storekeeper

5 " "

22 10 -

Bartholomew Wright Factor Saly.

7 10 -

Do. Diet Money

10 " "

Do. House Rent

2 10 -

20 " -

John Goodwin Writers Saly.

5 " "

Do. Diet Money

10 " "

15 " -

Robert Barclay Surgeons Saly.

9 15 -

Do. Diet Money

10 " "

Do. House Rent

2 10 -

22 5 -

Carried over£ 628 19 9

The list of the Company's officers and employees continued from a total of £244 4s 9d.

Brought forward, £244 4s 9d

William Matthew Purling, of the Council, salary, £15 0s 0d

William Matthew Purling, as accountant, £17 10s 0d

William Matthew Purling, table allowance, £15 0s 0d

William Matthew Purling, gratuity, £15 0s 0d

Total for William Matthew Purling, £62 10s 0d

Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick, of the Council, salary, £7 10s 0d

Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick, house rent, £2 10s 0d

Total for Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick, £10 0s 0d

Archibald Mitchell, engineer, salary, £50 0s 0d

Archibald Mitchell, table allowance, £25 0s 0d

Archibald Mitchell, house rent, £2 10s 0d

Total for Archibald Mitchell, £77 10s 0d

William Bearcroft, chaplain, salary, £40 0s 0d

William Bearcroft, table allowance, £15 0s 0d

Total for William Bearcroft, £55 0s 0d

Matthew Bazett, secretary, salary, £17 10s 0d

Matthew Bazett, table allowance, £15 0s 0d

Matthew Bazett, house rent, £2 10s 0d

Total for Matthew Bazett, £35 0s 0d

James Powell, storekeeper, salary, £17 10s 0d

James Powell, table allowance, £15 0s 0d

James Powell, house rent, £2 10s 0d

Total for James Powell, £35 0s 0d

William Wrangham, factor, salary, £7 10s 0d

William Wrangham, table allowance, £10 0s 0d

William Wrangham, house rent, £2 10s 0d

William Wrangham, as assistant to the Governor, £10 0s 0d

Total for William Wrangham, £30 0s 0d

Jonathan Doveton, factor, salary, £7 10s 0d

Jonathan Doveton, table allowance, £10 0s 0d

Jonathan Doveton, as assistant storekeeper, £5 0s 0d

Total for Jonathan Doveton, £22 10s 0d

Bartholomew Wright, factor, salary, £7 10s 0d

Bartholomew Wright, table allowance, £10 0s 0d

Bartholomew Wright, house rent, £2 10s 0d

Total for Bartholomew Wright, £20 0s 0d

John Goodwin, writer, salary, £5 0s 0d

John Goodwin, table allowance, £10 0s 0d

Total for John Goodwin, £15 0s 0d

Robert Barclay, surgeon, salary, £9 15s 0d

Robert Barclay, table allowance, £10 0s 0d

Robert Barclay, house rent, £2 10s 0d

Total for Robert Barclay, £22 5s 0d

Carried forward, £628 19s 9d

Interpretations

Every salary and allowance on the civil list was exactly as it had been in the two previous quarters. The bitter quarrel of June and July touched none of the figures. Purling, whose conduct Kirkpatrick had attacked, kept his accountant's pay and gratuity. Kirkpatrick, who brought the charges against Corneille, drew the same small councillor's salary and house rent. Corneille, the accused, was paid in full. The Court in London fixed these sums, and the Council had no power to vary them to punish or reward its own members.

Wrangham was now sheriff as well as factor and assistant to the Governor. The Council had appointed him sheriff on 4 April 1768. Yet he drew no extra pay for the office, which was an honour carried out by a leading inhabitant rather than a salaried Company post.

126

119

1768

Brought Over£ 628 19 9

John Pritchard Surgeons Mate Saly.

6 5 -

Do. Diet Money

10 " "

Do. House Rent

2 10 -

18 15 -

Richd. Bealey Judge Advocate Saly.

12 10 -

Do. School Master

7 10 -

20 " -

Thomas Bazett Superintendt. Saly.

13 15 -

Samuel Alexander

7 10 -

John Worrall

Overseers

15 " -

William Holbrook Master Mason

30 " "

John Preston Masons Mate

5 13 11½

John Robinson Carpenter

25 " "

Peter Marot Do. Mate

3 11 2¾

Phillip Mahoney Clerk of the Peace

16 16 5

Thomas Yates Do. of ye. Church

5 " "

Jno. Bazett Superint. of ye. Compys. Blacks

10 " "

James Black Gardiner

10 " "

Geo. Bazett Steward

7 10 -

Saml. Terry Clerk and Instrument Cleaner

1 5 -

Thos. Payne Overseer of the Marine Watermen

6 16 10½

Robt. Allen Groom

2 " "

Jno. Roberts Armourer

15 " -

Solomon St. Maurice Master at Arms

6 5 -

Jno. Cogswell Boatswain

7 10 -

Jno. Price Marshall & Gaoler

7 10 -

Jas. Drawwater Cooper

8 15 -

To the Drum Major for instructg. the young Drummers

1 " -

To John Lenmon an Invalid 91 Days @ 9d. Day

3 8 3

209 4 8¾

First Company

Thomas Kirkpatrick Capt. Saly.

43 12 6

Solomon St. Maurice Lieut. Saly.

18 5 -

Do. Diet Money

6 16 10½

Do. House Rent

2 10 -

27 11 10½

Carried over£ 950 7 10¼

The list of the Company's officers and employees continued from a total of £628 19s 9d.

Brought forward, £628 19s 9d

John Pritchard, surgeon's mate, salary, £6 5s 0d

John Pritchard, table allowance, £10 0s 0d

John Pritchard, house rent, £2 10s 0d

Total for John Pritchard, £18 15s 0d

Richard Beale, judge advocate, salary, £12 10s 0d

Richard Beale, as schoolmaster, £7 10s 0d

Total for Richard Beale, £20 0s 0d

Thomas Bazett, superintendent, salary, £13 13s 0d

Samuel Alexander, overseer, £7 10s 0d

John Worrall, overseer, £15 0s 0d

William Holbrooke, master mason, £30 0s 0d

John Preston, mason's mate, £5 13s 11½d

John Robinson, carpenter, £25 0s 0d

Peter Mariot, carpenter's mate, £3 11s 2¾d

Phillip Mahoney, clerk of the peace, £16 16s 5d

Thomas Yates, clerk of the church, £5 0s 0d

John Bazett, superintendent of the Company's slaves, £10 0s 0d

James Black, gardener, £10 0s 0d

George Bazett, steward, £7 10s 0d

Samuel Perry, clock and instrument cleaner, £1 5s 0d

Thomas Byne, overseer of the Company's workmen, £6 16s 10½d

Robert Allom, groom, £2 0s 0d

John Robins, armourer, £15 0s 0d

Solomon St Maurice, master at arms, £6 5s 0d

John Criswell, coxswain, £7 10s 0d

John Price, marshal and gaoler, £7 10s 0d

John Drawwater, cooper, £8 15s 0d

The drum major, for teaching the young drummers, £1 0s 0d

John Simmons, an invalid, for 91 days at 9d a day, £3 8s 3d

Total from Thomas Bazett to John Simmons, £209 4s 8¾d

First Company

Thomas Kirkpatrick, captain, salary, £45 12s 6d

Solomon St Maurice, lieutenant, salary, £18 5s 0d

Solomon St Maurice, table allowance, £6 16s 10½d

Solomon St Maurice, house rent, £2 10s 0d

Total for Solomon St Maurice, £27 11s 10½d

Carried forward, £950 [...] 10½d

Interpretations

James Black, the gardener, still drew his full quarter's salary of £10. On 9 May 1768 the Council had found him guilty of selling the Company's produce, ordered him to repay £9 10s 0d and resolved to dismiss him and send him home in one of the last ships. His pay ran to the end of the quarter, so he was evidently kept on until a passage could be found. In effect, his salary for those weeks covered most of what he had been ordered to repay.

Two new posts appeared on the list: a mason's mate, John Preston, and a carpenter's mate, Peter Mariot. Both were paid for part of the quarter only. The Company was adding skilled hands to work under the master mason and the carpenter as the batteries at Banks's and Munden's Point reached their busiest stage. Phillip Mahoney's pay as clerk of the peace rose to £16 16s 5d from £10. The Court's packet in the Tilbury had settled his appointment, and the minutes of 12 May recorded that he was told of its orders. The higher figure suggests the Court confirmed him and raised his pay, perhaps with arrears.

127

120

[Right-hand edge of the page cut off in the image.]

The 18 July

Brought Over£ 950 3 10¼

Samuel Desfountain Salary

18 5 -

Do. Diet Money

6 16 10½

Do. House Rent

2 10 -

27 11 10½

Solomon Jacob Adjut. Saly.

29 13 1½

Serjeants

Phillip Mahoney Disch. 11th May 1768

3 8 4

Thomas Payne

7 11 8

William Bannister

7 11 8

Henry Howell

7 11 8

William Rawlands as Serjt. 50 days

4 3 4

30 6 8

Corporals

Do. Corporal 41 Days

2 7 10

John Moran

5 6 2

Thomas Townsend

5 6 2

George Rose 48 Do.

2 10 2

Do. Centinel 43 Do.

2 " -

George Seale 50 Do.

2 18 4

Do. Centinel 41 Do.

1 14 2

22 12 10

Drummers

John Martin

5 6 2

Richd. Pleffert

5 6 2

Joseph Peerham

5 6 2

15 18 6

Centinels

James Greentree Cadet

7 11 8

James Avery

3 15 10

James Armstrong

3 15 10

John Buchanan

3 15 10

Thomas Blake

3 15 10

Moses Boffey

3 15 10

Centl. Carrd. over£ 18 19 2

Carrd. over£ 1083 8 6[...]

The list of the First Company continued from a total of £950 3s 10½d.

Brought forward, £950 3s 10½d

Samuel Desfountain, lieutenant, salary, £18 5s 0d

Samuel Desfountain, table allowance, £6 16s 10½d

Samuel Desfountain, house rent, £2 10s 0d

Total for Samuel Desfountain, £27 11s 10½d

Solomon Jacobs, adjutant, salary, £29 13s 1½d

Sergeants

Phillip Mahoney, discharged 11 May 1768, £3 8s 4d

Thomas Byne, £7 11s 8d

William Bannister, £7 11s 8d

Henry Howell, £7 11s 8d

William Rowlands, as sergeant for 50 days, £4 3s 4d

Total for sergeants, £30 6s 8d

Corporals

William Rowlands, as corporal for 41 days, £2 7s 10d

John Allum, £5 6s 2d

Thomas Townsend, £5 6s 2d

George Roe, as corporal for 43 days, £2 10s 2d

George Roe, as private for 48 days, £2 0s 0d

George Seale, as corporal for 50 days, £2 18s 4d

George Seale, as private for 41 days, £1 14s 2d

Total for corporals, £22 [...] 10d

Drummers

John Martin, £5 6s 2d

Richard Halfoot, £5 6s 2d

Joseph Bucham, £5 6s 2d

Total for drummers, £15 18s 6d

Privates

James Greentree, cadet, £7 11s 8d

James Avery, £3 15s 10d

James Armstrong, £3 15s 10d

John Buchmans, £3 15s 10d

Thomas Blake, £3 15s 10d

Moses Biffin, £3 15s 10d

Privates carried forward, £18 19s 2d

Carried forward, £1,083 8s 6½d

Interpretations

Phillip Mahoney left the ranks on 11 May 1768, the day before the Tilbury brought the Court's orders on his appointment as clerk of the peace. His pay as clerk of the peace rose on the civil list in the same quarter. The Court evidently confirmed him in the civil post and expected him to give up his sergeant's stripes. A man serving as clerk to the island's magistrates could not also be a sergeant answering to his military officers. William Rowlands, a corporal, was raised to sergeant in Mahoney's place, and the chain of promotion went on down the ranks.

George Roe and George Seale exchanged places at the same rank on almost the same day. Roe was a corporal for the first 43 days and then a private. Seale was a private for the first 41 days and then a corporal. Roe had witnessed Sergeant John Cox's will on 6 June 1768. Whatever led to his reduction came shortly after. George Seale was the island-born soldier who had enlisted on 4 January 1768 for a bounty of £5. His promotion to corporal within six months shows how quickly a reliable local recruit could rise, when experienced men were leaving the garrison in such numbers.

128

121

1768

Brought over£ 1083 8 6¼

Centinels brought Over£ 18 19 2

John Bell

3 15 10

John Barns

3 15 10

Timothy Brown

3 15 10

Emanuel Bunner

3 15 10

William Benson

3 15 10

Benjamin Barclay

3 15 10

Samuel Bingrove

3 15 10

Richard Brown

3 15 10

William Bunn

3 15 10

John Blaven Entd. 5th June 1768

1 1 8

Edward Caker

3 15 10

William Clifford

3 15 10

Patrick Conner

3 15 10

Andrew Conner

3 15 10

John Charlton

3 15 10

William Coppin Entd. 5th June 1768

1 1 8

David Daves Disch. 4 April Do.

" 3 4

John Dobson Transf. 20 May Do.

2 1 8

John Davis

3 15 10

John Dove

3 15 10

James Drake

3 15 10

Thomas Durham

3 15 10

James Dunn

3 15 10

George Dyce Entd. 12th May

2 1 8

Adam Evans

3 15 10

Henry Everton

3 15 10

Cornelius Fish

3 15 10

William French

3 15 10

William Foster Entd. 12th May

2 1 3

William Greenwood

3 15 10

John Granger

3 15 10

James Hodge Disch. 16th May

1 13 4

Centl. Carrd. over£ 124 5 -

Carrd. over£ 1083 8 6¼

The list of privates in the First Company continued from a total of £18 19s 2d.

Brought forward, £1,083 8s 6½d

Privates brought forward, £18 19s 2d

John Bull, £3 15s 10d

John Barnes, £3 15s 10d

Timothy Bryan, £3 15s 10d

Emanuel Bunner, £3 15s 10d

William Benson, £3 15s 10d

Benjamin Barclay, £3 15s 10d

Samuel Pengrove, £3 15s 10d

Richard Brown, £3 15s 10d

William Burn, £3 15s 10d

John Blaven, enlisted 5 June 1768, £1 1s 8d

Edward Crocker, £3 15s 10d

William Clissold, £3 15s 10d

Patrick Connor, £3 15s 10d

Andrew Connor, £3 15s 10d

John Charlton, £3 15s 10d

William Coppin, enlisted 5 June 1768, £1 1s 8d

David Davis, discharged 4 April 1768, £0 3s 4d

John Dobson, transferred 20 May 1768, £2 1s 8d

John Davis, £3 15s 10d

John Dare, £3 15s 10d

James Drake, £3 15s 10d

Thomas Durham, £3 15s 10d

James Dunn, £3 15s 10d

George Joyce, enlisted 12 May 1768, £2 1s 8d

Adam Evans, £3 15s 10d

Henry Enslear, £3 15s 10d

Cornelius Finn, £3 15s 10d

William French, £3 15s 10d

William Fisher, enlisted 12 May 1768, £2 1s 3d

William Greenwood, £3 15s 10d

John Granger, £3 15s 10d

James Hodge, discharged 16 May 1768, £1 18s 4d

Privates carried forward, £124 5s 0d

Carried forward, £1,083 8s 6½d

Interpretations

The dates of enlistment and discharge match the minutes exactly. David Davis claimed his discharge on 4 April 1768 and was paid for just those four days. James Hodge was discharged on 16 May, the day the Council granted his petition with five others. George Joyce and William Fisher enlisted on 12 May, the day the Tilbury arrived. They were among the 26 recruits she brought from England. The Council had at once given those recruits to Mitchell for labour on the batteries, but they were also placed on the companies' rolls and paid as soldiers from the day they landed.

John Blaven and William Coppin enlisted on 5 June 1768, the day the Duke of Richmond and the Northington arrived. The minutes recorded no recruits in either ship. These two men were probably seamen who left the ships and were enlisted directly, as Samuel Willson the Dane had been in January.

John Dobson was transferred out of the First Company on 20 May 1768. With the artillery short of men after several discharges, he was probably moved into it, as William Halsall had been in January.

129

122

[Right-hand edge of the page cut off in the image.]

The 18 July

Brought over£ 1083 8 6¼

Centinels brought over£ 124 5 -

William Henderson

3 15 10

John Hourston

3 15 10

Edward Haddock

3 15 10

William Holmes

3 15 10

Evan Howard Entd. 12th May 1768

2 1 8

Phillip Hayes Do. Do.

2 1 8

John Hammond Do. 5th June Do.

1 1 8

Thomas Ibswick

3 15 10

Sutton Isaac

3 15 10

William Jones Entd. 12th May Do.

2 1 8

Duncan McLaren

3 15 10

William Mumford

3 15 10

John McAllister

3 15 10

Thomas Mears

3 15 10

William Mudge Entd. 5th June

1 1 8

John Miller

3 15 10

Mathew Oalmen

3 15 10

John Pickering disch. 18th April

" 15 -

William Page Entd. 5th June

1 1 8

Thomas Ransom Disch. 4th April

" 3 4

Thomas Roberts

3 15 10

William Robinson

3 15 10

Silvanus Rolf

3 15 10

Thomas Rogers

3 15 10

Anthony Reynolds

3 15 10

William Swaby

3 15 10

Robert Saunders Disch. 4th April 1768

" 3 4

John Springthorpe

3 15 10

John Skeans

3 15 10

John Steward

3 15 10

Edward Silverton

3 15 10

William Smitt

3 15 10

Cent. Carrd. over£ 222 " 10

Carrd. over£ 1083 8 [...]

The list of privates in the First Company continued from a total of £124 5s 0d.

Brought forward, £1,083 8s 6½d

Privates brought forward, £124 5s 0d

William Henderson, £3 15s 10d

John Hourston, £3 15s 10d

Edward Haddock, £3 15s 10d

William Holmes, £3 15s 10d

Evan Howard, enlisted 12 May 1768, £2 1s 8d

Phillip Hayes, enlisted 12 May 1768, £2 1s 8d

John Hammond, enlisted 5 June 1768, £1 1s 8d

Thomas Berwick, £3 15s 10d

Sutton Isaacke, £3 15s 10d

William Jones, enlisted 12 May 1768, £2 1s 8d

Duncan McLaren, £3 15s 10d

William Mumford, £3 15s 10d

John McAllister, £3 15s 10d

Thomas Meares, £3 15s 10d

William Mudge, enlisted 5 June 1768, £1 1s 8d

John Miller, £3 15s 10d

Matthew Palmer, £3 15s 10d

John Pickering, discharged 18 April 1768, £0 15s 0d

William Page, enlisted 5 June 1768, £1 1s 8d

Thomas Ransom, discharged 4 April 1768, £0 3s 4d

Thomas Roberts, £3 15s 10d

William Robinson, £3 15s 10d

Erasmus Relf, £3 15s 10d

Thomas Rogers, £3 15s 10d

Anthony Reynolds, £3 15s 10d

William Swaby, £3 15s 10d

Robert Saunders, discharged 4 April 1768, £0 3s 4d

John Springthorpe, £3 15s 10d

John Shinn, £3 15s 10d

John Steward, £3 15s 10d

Edward Stevenson, £3 15s 10d

William Snell, £3 15s 10d

Privates carried forward, £222 0s 10d

Carried forward, £1,083 8s 6½d

Interpretations

The First Company's rolls now showed the turnover of the spring in full. Five men left between 4 April and 16 May: David Davis, Thomas Ransom, Robert Saunders, John Pickering and James Hodge. Eight new men had joined by the end of this page alone, five from the Tilbury on 12 May and four on 5 June. The company was being filled from two sources at once: recruits shipped out from England, and seamen or settlers taken on at the island as the ships came and went.

John Pickering was paid to 18 April 1768. The minutes recorded his petition for discharge among the nine men whose requests were granted at the consultation of 25 April. His pay ran only to the day he was actually released, a week before the Council formally entered the grant.

130

123

1768

Brought Over£ 1083 8 6¼

Centl. brought Over£ 222 " 10

Joseph Tracy as Corpl. 43 days

2 16 -

Do. Centl. 43 Do.

1 15 10

James Swanson Entd. 5th June 1768

1 1 8

Richard Tollington Disch. 26 May Do.

2 6 8

William Tapper

3 15 10

Lucky Turner Disch. 13 April

" 15 -

Joseph Valentine Entd. 12 May

2 1 8

John Wittingdale

3 16 10

Benjamin Wise

3 15 10

Thomas Windall

3 15 10

John Weston

3 15 10

George Wall

3 15 10

Richard Yarras Disch. 10th May 1768

1 13 4

257 6 -

Second Company

Henry Bazett Capt. Salary

45 12 6

Michael Groot Lieut. Saly.

18 5 -

Do. Diet Money

6 16 10½

Do. House Rent

2 10 -

27 11 10½

John Ware Welch Lieut. Saly.

18 5 -

Do. Diet Money

6 16 10½

Do. House Rent

2 10 -

27 11 10½

Serjeants

John Bazett

7 11 8

George Freeman

7 11 8

Edmund Leech Disch. 16th May 1768

3 16 8

Stephen Payor

7 11 8

John Fish as Serjt. 45 Days

3 15 -

Do. as Corpl. 46 Do.

2 13 8

33 " 4

Carrd. Over£ 1474 11 1½

The list of privates in the First Company ended with the following men.

Brought forward, £1,083 8s 6½d

Privates brought forward, £222 0s 10d

Joseph Stacey, as corporal for 48 days, £2 16s 0d

Joseph Stacey, as private for 43 days, £1 15s 10d

James Watson, enlisted 5 June 1768, £1 1s 8d

Richard Tollington, died 26 May 1768, £2 6s 8d

William Tipper, £3 15s 10d

Luke Vernon, discharged 18 April 1768, £0 15s 0d

Joseph Valentine, enlisted 12 May 1768, £2 1s 8d

John Whittingdale, £3 15s 10d

Benjamin Wise, £3 15s 10d

Thomas Windall, £3 15s 10d

John Wiston, £3 15s 10d

George Wall, £3 15s 10d

Richard Youncas, discharged 10 May 1768, £1 13s 4d

Total for privates, £257 6s [...]

The list continued with the officers and men of the Second Company.

Henry Bazett, captain, salary, £45 12s 6d

Michael Frost, lieutenant, salary, £18 5s 0d

Michael Frost, table allowance, £6 16s 10½d

Michael Frost, house rent, £2 10s 0d

Total for Michael Frost, £27 11s 10½d

John Ware Welch, lieutenant, salary, £18 5s 0d

John Ware Welch, table allowance, £6 16s 10½d

John Ware Welch, house rent, £2 10s 0d

Total for John Ware Welch, £27 11s 10½d

Sergeants

John Bazett, £7 11s 8d

George Freeman, £7 11s 8d

Edmund Lock, discharged 16 May 1768, £3 16s 8d

Stephen Prior, £7 11s 8d

John Fish, as sergeant for 45 days, £3 15s 0d

John Fish, as corporal for 46 days, £2 13s 8d

Total for sergeants, £33 0s 4d

Carried forward, £1,474 11s 1½d

Interpretations

Joseph Stacey was reduced from corporal to private after 48 days, at about the time George Seale was promoted to corporal. Corporal George Roe was reduced in the same weeks. The First Company lost two corporals and replaced them from its own ranks within the quarter. Richard Tollington's pay stopped on 26 May 1768, the day the minutes of 30 May recorded his death.

In the Second Company, Corporal John Fish was promoted to sergeant on 16 May 1768, the very day Sergeant Edmund Lock was discharged. The Second Company filled the vacancy in its non-commissioned officers on the day it opened, as the Fourth Company had done in October 1767 and March 1768. However many men left that spring, every company kept its full number of sergeants by promoting from below.

131

124

[Right-hand edge of the page cut off in the image.]

The 18 July

Brought Over£ 1474 11 1½

Corporals

John Sabourin

5 6 2

Robert Hopkinson

5 6 2

Jonathan Burden

5 6 2

John Salsbury as Corpl. 45 Days

2 12 6

Do. as Centl. 46 Do.

1 18 4

20 9 4

Drummers

Francis Seaney Disch. 4 April 1768

" 4 8

John Brown

5 6 2

Patrick Edwington Entd. 12 May Do.

2 18 4

8 9 2

Centinels

Robt. Allum

3 15 10

Joseph Banks

3 15 10

Thomas Bewley

3 15 10

William Buck

3 15 10

William Brooks

3 15 10

Jacob Brown

3 15 10

Robert Brown

3 15 10

Nicholas Bushell

3 15 10

Daniel Burge

3 15 10

James Byrne

3 15 10

Thomas Cheverley Disch. 4 April 1768

" 3 4

William Conquest

3 15 10

John Crawley

3 15 10

William Carfre

3 15 10

Saml. Card Disch. 30 May Do.

2 10 .

William Carter

3 15 10

John Cunningham

3 15 10

Robert Dickens

3 15 10

William Drummond

3 15 10

Carrd. over£ 67 2 6

Carrd. over£ 1503 9 [...]

Margin Notes:

100

The list of the Second Company continued from a total of £1,474 11s 1½d.

Brought forward, £1,474 11s 1½d

Corporals

John Sabourin, £5 6s 2d

Robert Stephenson, £5 6s 2d

Jonathan Burden, £5 6s 2d

John Salisbury, as corporal for 45 days, £2 12s 6d

John Salisbury, as private for 46 days, £1 18s 4d

Total for corporals, £20 9s 4d

Drummers

Francis Swane, discharged 4 April 1768, £0 4s 8d

John Brown, £5 6s 2d

Patrick Coddington, enlisted 12 May 1768, £2 18s 4d

Total for drummers, £8 9s 2d

Privates

Robert Allum, £3 15s 10d

Joseph Banks, £3 15s 10d

Thomas Bowley, £3 15s 10d

William Birch, £3 15s 10d

William Brookes, £3 15s 10d

Jacob Brown, £3 15s 10d

Robert Brown, £3 15s 10d

Nicholas Bushell, £3 15s 10d

Daniel Bye, £3 15s 10d

James Byrne, £3 15s 10d

Thomas Caverly, discharged 4 April 1768, £0 3s 4d

William Conquest, £3 15s 10d

John Crawley, £3 15s 10d

William Carfree, £3 15s 10d

Samuel Card, discharged 30 May 1768, £2 10s 0d

William Carter, £3 15s 10d

John Cunningham, £3 15s 10d

Robert Dickens, £3 15s 10d

William Dunnan, £3 15s 10d

Privates carried forward, £61 2s 6d

Carried forward, £1,503 9s [...]

Interpretations

John Salisbury was raised from private to corporal on 16 May 1768, the same day John Fish moved up from corporal to sergeant. One discharge, Sergeant Edmund Lock's, therefore produced two promotions in the Second Company on a single day. Jonathan Burden, who had been reduced from corporal to private at the end of February, was now back among the corporals for the full quarter. The rank changes from one quarter to the next show how freely the officers moved men up and down, judging each by his conduct over a matter of weeks.

Patrick Coddington joined as a drummer on 12 May, one of the Tilbury's recruits. He replaced Francis Swane, who had taken his discharge on 4 April. Drummers were among the youngest men in the garrison, and the drum major was paid £1 a quarter to train them. A recruit from England who already knew the drum was valuable to a company that had lost its drummer.

132

125

1768

Brought over£ 1503 9 7¼

Centinels brought over£ 67 2 6

John Daily

3 15 10

Peter Ellis Entd. 5th June 1768

1 1 8

John Forbes

3 15 10

William Fullwood

3 15 10

John Goodsell

3 15 10

John Gray

3 15 10

Robert Green

3 15 10

James Gates

3 15 10

Charles Goulding

3 15 10

William Greenough Disch. 6th May 1768

1 18 4

James Goody Do. 6 June Do.

2 15 10

William Harris Senr.

3 15 10

William Harris Junr.

3 15 10

Abraham Harding

3 15 10

Samuel Hiles

3 15 10

John Holbrook

3 15 10

James Hudson

3 15 10

Thomas Haylis

3 15 10

William Hayes Decd. 14th April 1768

" 11 8

James Hogg

3 15 10

John Ham

3 15 10

William Harper

3 15 10

William Hunt

3 15 10

Samuel Instone

3 15 10

William Johnson Disch. 4th April

Centinel the 23d. 1768

3 " 10

Jeremiah Jordan Disch. 16 May 1768

1 13 4

John Jacks

3 15 10

Thomas James

3 15 10

John James

3 15 10

Francis Jackson Entd. 12th May 1768

2 1 8

Samuel Kirkham

3 15 10

Carrd. over£ 171 10 10

Carrd. over£ 1503 9 7¼

The list of privates in the Second Company continued from a total of £61 2s 6d.

Brought forward, £1,503 9s 7¼d

Privates brought forward, £61 2s 6d

John Daily, £3 15s 10d

Peter Ellis, enlisted 5 June 1768, £1 1s 8d

John Forbes, £3 15s 10d

William Fullwood, £3 15s 10d

John Goosole, £3 15s 10d

John Gray, £3 15s 10d

Robert Green, £3 15s 10d

James Gates, £3 15s 10d

Charles Golding, £3 15s 10d

William Greenough, discharged 16 May 1768, £1 18s 4d

James Gouty, discharged 6 June 1768, £2 15s 10d

William Harris senior, £3 15s 10d

William Harris junior, £3 15s 10d

Abraham Harding, £3 15s 10d

Samuel Hiles, £3 15s 10d

John Holbrooke, £3 15s 10d

James Hudson, £3 15s 10d

Thomas Hayles, £3 15s 10d

William Hayes, died 14 April 1768, £0 11s 8d

James Hogg, £3 15s 10d

John Ham, £3 15s 10d

William Harper, £3 15s 10d

William Hunt, £3 15s 10d

Samuel Instone, £3 15s 10d

William Johnson, discharged 4 April and re-enlisted 23 April 1768, £3 0s 10d

Jeremiah Gordon, discharged 16 May 1768, £1 18s 4d

John Jacks, £3 15s 10d

Thomas James, £3 15s 10d

John James, £3 15s 10d

Francis Jackson, enlisted 12 May 1768, £2 1s 8d

Samuel Ibson, £3 15s 10d

Privates carried forward, £171 10s 10d

Carried forward, £1,503 9s 7¼d

Interpretations

William Johnson took his discharge on 4 April 1768, when his five-year engagement ended, and re-enlisted on 23 April. He was paid for the four days before his discharge and for the 69 days after he rejoined. The three weeks between were unpaid. A discharged soldier on St Helena had few choices. He could find a passage home, settle as a labourer or planter, or rejoin. Johnson evidently found life outside the garrison harder than he expected, or failed to get a passage, and came back to the ranks. The minutes did not record a re-enlistment bounty for him. He may have rejoined on ordinary terms.

William Hayes died on 14 April 1768 and was paid for 14 days, which confirms him as the soldier whose death the minutes of 18 April recorded. William Hunt, raised to corporal for the last weeks of the first quarter, appeared here as a private again. He was evidently reduced when Jonathan Burden was restored as corporal.

133

126

[Right-hand edge of the page cut off in the image.]

The 18 July

Brought over£ 1503 9 7¼

Centls. brought over£ 171 10 10

Henry Ketcham

3 15 10

John Kemp Entd. 12th May 1768

2 1 8

Henry Miller

3 15 10

James Mannington

3 15 10

John Morris

3 15 10

John McCullen

3 15 10

William Merrick

3 15 10

William Mackbeth

1 1 8

Abraham Miller

1 1 8

Joseph McCartney

1 1 8

Thomas Mathews

1 1 8

Thomas Morgan

1 1 8

Entd. 5th June

Rees Oborn

3 15 10

George Oliver Entd. 5th June

1 1 8

Samuel Perry

3 15 10

John Perry

3 15 10

Thomas Richards

3 15 10

William Richardson Entd. 12th May

2 1 8

John Christr. Rufe

3 15 10

Benjamin Stinger Disch. 24th May

2 5 -

Thomas Stower

3 15 10

Gregory Southernwood

3 15 10

Francis Seale

3 15 10

Frederick Shaffer Entd. 12th May

2 1 8

George Street Do. 5th June

1 1 8

John Tucker

3 15 10

John Vaughan

3 15 10

John Whyatt

3 15 10

Joseph Whaley

3 15 10

255 17 [...]

Carrd. over£ 1759 7 [...]

The list of privates in the Second Company ended with the following men.

Brought forward, £1,503 9s 7¼d

Privates brought forward, £171 10s 10d

Henry Lockham, £3 15s 10d

John Perry, enlisted 12 May 1768, £2 1s 8d

Henry Mills, £3 15s 10d

James Mannington, £3 15s 10d

John Morris, £3 15s 10d

John McCullen, £3 15s 10d

William Merrick, £3 15s 10d

William Macbeth, enlisted 5 June 1768, £1 1s 8d

Abraham Miller, enlisted 5 June 1768, £1 1s 8d

Joseph McCartney, enlisted 5 June 1768, £1 1s 8d

Thomas Matthews, enlisted 5 June 1768, £1 1s 8d

Thomas Morgan, enlisted 5 June 1768, £1 1s 8d

Reeves Osborne, £3 15s 10d

George Oliver, enlisted 5 June 1768, £1 1s 8d

Samuel Povey, £3 15s 10d

John Povey, £3 15s 10d

Thomas Richards, £3 15s 10d

William Richardson, enlisted 12 May 1768, £2 1s 8d

John Christian Shiff, £3 15s 10d

Benjamin Springer, discharged 24 May 1768, £2 5s 0d

Thomas Bowers, £3 15s 10d

Gregory Southerwood, £3 15s 10d

Francis Seale, £3 15s 10d

Frederick Shaffer, enlisted 12 May 1768, £2 1s 8d

George Street, enlisted 5 June 1768, £1 1s 8d

John Tucker, £3 15s 10d

John Vaughan, £3 15s 10d

John Wyrill, £3 15s 10d

Joseph Whaley, £3 15s 10d

Total for privates, £255 17s [...]

Carried forward, £1,759 7s [...]

Interpretations

Seven men joined the Second Company on 5 June 1768 alone, more than in any other company on a single day. They were William Macbeth, Abraham Miller, Joseph McCartney, Thomas Matthews, Thomas Morgan, George Oliver and George Street. That day the Duke of Richmond and the Northington arrived. The Duke of Richmond came from England, so these men were probably a second draft of recruits she carried, though the minutes recorded only the Tilbury's 26. Recruits from both store ships now filled the gaps left by the spring discharges, with the largest share going to the Second Company.

Francis Seale, Joseph Whaley and John Wyrill, the three island-born men enlisted in late 1767, all served the full quarter. John Vaughan, who received a re-enlistment bounty of £10 in November 1767, was also still in the ranks. The men who had been paid to stay or to join were proving reliable, while the long-serving recruits from England were leaving as their terms ended.

134

127

1768

Brought over£ 1759 7 1¼

Third Company

Richard Bealey Capt. Saly.

45 12 6

Thomas Bazett Lieut. Saly.

18 5 "

Do. Diet Money

6 16 10½

Do. House Rent

2 10 -

27 11 10½

Thomas Lambert Lieut. Saly.

18 5 "

Do. Diet Money

6 16 10½

Do. House Rent

2 10 -

27 11 10½

Serjeants

Bernard Hellard disch. 28th May 1768

4 8 4

William Roberts

7 11 8

William Clifton

7 11 8

Fisher Gamble Discharged 18th April Do.

1 10 "

Samuel Johnson as Serjt. 73 days

6 1 8

Do. as Corpl. 18 Do.

1 1 "

Thomas Pearcy Serjt. 38 Do.

3 3 4

Do. Corpl. 53 Do.

3 1 10

34 9 6

Corporals

John Hilliard

5 6 2

David Scott

5 6 2

John Ireland as Corpl. 73 days

4 5 2

Do. as Centl. 18 days

" 15 -

Richard Ashford as Corpl. 38 Do.

2 4 4

Do. Centinel 53 Do.

2 4 2

20 1 -

Drummers

John Francis

5 6 2

George Varney

5 6 2

10 12 4

Carrd. over£ 1925 6 2½

The list continued with the officers and men of the Third Company, from a total of £1,759 7s 1¼d.

Brought forward, £1,759 7s 1¼d

Richard Beale, captain, salary, £45 12s 6d

Thomas Bazett, lieutenant, salary, £18 5s 0d

Thomas Bazett, table allowance, £6 16s 10½d

Thomas Bazett, house rent, £2 10s 0d

Total for Thomas Bazett, £27 11s 10½d

Thomas Lambert, lieutenant, salary, £18 5s 0d

Thomas Lambert, table allowance, £6 16s 10½d

Thomas Lambert, house rent, £2 10s 0d

Total for Thomas Lambert, £27 11s 10½d

Sergeants

Bernard Millard, discharged 23 May 1768, £4 8s 4d

William Roberts, £7 11s 8d

William Clifton, £7 11s 8d

Fisher Gamble, discharged 18 April 1768, £1 10s 0d

Samuel Johnson, as sergeant for 73 days, £6 1s 8d

Samuel Johnson, as corporal for 18 days, £1 1s 0d

Thomas Pearce, as sergeant for 38 days, £3 3s 4d

Thomas Pearce, as corporal for 53 days, £3 1s 10d

Total for sergeants, £34 9s 6d

Corporals

John Hilliard, £5 6s 2d

David Scott, £5 6s 2d

John Sherland, as corporal for 73 days, £4 5s 2d

John Sherland, as private for 18 days, £0 15s 0d

Richard Ashford, as corporal for 38 days, £2 4s 4d

Richard Ashford, as private for 53 days, £2 4s 2d

Total for corporals, £20 1s 0d

Drummers

John Swift, £5 6s 2d

George Varney, £5 6s 2d

Total for drummers, £10 12s 4d

Carried forward, £1,923 6s [...]

Interpretations

The Third Company lost two sergeants in the quarter and filled both places from among its corporals. When Fisher Gamble left on 18 April 1768, Corporal Samuel Johnson was promoted that day and Private John Sherland took his corporal's place. When Bernard Millard left on 23 May, Corporal Thomas Pearce moved up and Private Richard Ashford was made corporal. Each discharge set off a chain of two promotions on the same day, keeping four sergeants and four corporals in the company throughout.

Fisher Gamble had been raised to sergeant only in January 1768, on John Watson's reduction, and he left within three months. Bernard Millard had acted as adjutant until March and returned to the Third Company as a sergeant before his engagement ended. Both men took their discharge as soon as their terms allowed. Even promotion did not persuade an experienced soldier to stay once his five years were over.

135

128

[Right-hand edge of the page cut off in the image.]

The 18 July

Brought over£ 1925 6 2½

Centinels

James Anderson

3 15 10

Henry Brown

3 15 10

Jacob Bull

3 15 10

Mark Bolls

3 15 10

John Hewson

3 15 10

Fredk. Willm. Bird

3 15 10

Willm. Caleb Baldwin

3 15 10

Abel Wagnel Entd. 5 June 1768

1 1 8

John Cook

3 15 10

Robert Davis

3 15 10

Edward Dudley

3 15 10

James Donavan

3 15 10

William Edwards Entd. 12 May 1768

2 1 8

Charles Edgels Do. 5th June Do.

1 1 8

William Foster

3 15 10

John Foxon

3 15 10

William Ford Do. 12th May Do.

2 1 8

Archibald Grayham

3 15 10

Richard Gregory

3 15 10

William Greenup

3 15 10

Felix Hyder

3 15 10

William Hill

3 15 10

William Hopkins

3 15 10

Thomas Hilbrook

3 15 10

Mannord Hayes

3 15 10

Joseph Holloway

3 15 10

Robert Hardie

3 15 10

Peter Higgins

3 15 10

William Hamilton Entd. 12th May

2 1 8

Josiah Johnson

3 15 10

Robert Johnston

3 15 10

Cent. Carrd. over£ 107 " -

Carrd. Over£ 1925 6 [...]

The list continued with the privates of the Third Company.

Brought forward, £1,923 6s 2¼d

James Anderson, £3 15s 10d

Henry Brown, £3 15s 10d

Jacob Bull, £3 15s 10d

Mark Bell, £3 15s 10d

John Blinkhorn, £3 15s 10d

Frederick William Beard, £3 15s 10d

William Caleb Baldwin, £3 15s 10d

Abel Wagnel, enlisted 5 June 1768, £1 1s 8d

John Cork, £3 15s 10d

Robert Davis, £3 15s 10d

Edward Dudley, £3 15s 10d

James Donavan, £3 15s 10d

William Edwards, enlisted 12 May 1768, £2 1s 8d

Charles Edgels, enlisted 5 June 1768, £1 1s 8d

William Foster, £3 15s 10d

John Foxen, £3 15s 10d

William Ford, enlisted 12 May 1768, £2 1s 8d

Archibald Grayham, £3 15s 10d

Richard Gregory, £3 15s 10d

William Greenup, £3 15s 10d

Felix Hyder, £3 15s 10d

William Hill, £3 15s 10d

William Hopkins, £3 15s 10d

Thomas Killock, £3 15s 10d

Mannard Hayes, £3 15s 10d

Joseph Holloway, £3 15s 10d

Robert Hinkey, £3 15s 10d

Peter Higgins, £3 15s 10d

William Hamilton, enlisted 12 May 1768, £2 1s 8d

Josiah Johnson, £3 15s 10d

Robert Johnson, £3 15s 10d

Privates carried forward, £107 0s 0d

Carried forward, £1,923 6s 2¼d

Interpretations

The Third Company took in five new men during the quarter on this page: William Edwards, William Ford and William Hamilton from the Tilbury on 12 May, and Abel Wagnel and Charles Edgels on 5 June. The company's long-serving privates, by contrast, all served the full quarter. None of the familiar names from the January list had left. The Third Company kept its experienced men while the recruits added to its numbers, which is why it lost only its two sergeants to discharge.

Richard Ashford, the first private on the January list, no longer appears here. He was the man raised to corporal on 23 May 1768 when Bernard Millard left.

136

129

Brought over£ 1925 6 2½

Centinels brought over£ 107 " -

Richard Johnson

3 15 10

William Johnson Entd. 12th May 1768

2 1 8

James Kemp

3 15 10

Richard Laney Disch. 18 April Do.

" 15 -

John Long

3 15 10

Edward Lambert

3 15 10

Brian Lynch

3 15 10

James Long

3 15 10

Thomas Little

3 15 10

Charles Montague

3 15 10

Richard Moyse

3 15 10

Thomas Moris

3 15 10

John Miller

3 16 10

Abraham Major

3 15 10

Thomas Mathews

3 15 10

Daniel Masterson

3 15 10

James Moyse

3 15 10

Joseph Martin

3 15 10

William Metcalf

3 15 10

Charles Moris

3 15 10

Charles Newstead Entd. 12th May 1768

2 1 8

Thomas Perry

3 15 10

Henry Pinston

3 15 10

William Perkins

3 15 10

David Patten

3 15 10

James Proctor

3 15 10

Samuel Rocker

3 15 10

William Robinson

3 15 10

Robert Sack

3 15 10

Adam Scott

3 15 10

Arthur Skill

3 15 10

James Smith

3 15 10

Centl. Carrd. over£ 221 17 6

Carrd. over£ 1925 6 2½

The list of privates in the Third Company continued from a total of £107 0s 0d.

Brought forward, £1,923 6s 2¼d

Privates brought forward, £107 0s 0d

Richard Johnson, £3 15s 10d

William Johnson, enlisted 12 May 1768, £2 1s 8d

James Kemp, £3 15s 10d

Richard Linney, discharged 18 April 1768, £0 15s 0d

John Long, £3 15s 10d

Edward Lambourn, £3 15s 10d

Bryan Lynch, £3 15s 10d

James Long, £3 15s 10d

Thomas Little, £3 15s 10d

Charles Mountague, £3 15s 10d

Richard Moyce, £3 15s 10d

Thomas Morris, £3 15s 10d

John Miller, £3 15s 10d

Abraham Major, £3 15s 10d

Thomas Matthews, £3 15s 10d

Daniel Masterson, £3 15s 10d

James Moyce, £3 15s 10d

Joseph Martin, £3 15s 10d

William Medcalf, £3 15s 10d

Charles Norris, £3 15s 10d

Charles Newstead, enlisted 12 May 1768, £2 1s 8d

Thomas Povey, £3 15s 10d

Henry Pinchen, £3 15s 10d

William Perkis, £3 15s 10d

David Patton, £3 15s 10d

James Proctor, £3 15s 10d

Samuel Packer, £3 15s 10d

William Robinson, £3 15s 10d

Robert Stack, £3 15s 10d

Adam Scott, £3 15s 10d

Arthur Still, £3 15s 10d

James Smith, £3 15s 10d

Privates carried forward, £221 17s 6d

Carried forward, £1,923 6s 2¼d

Interpretations

Richard Linney was the only private of the Third Company to leave in the quarter. He took his discharge on 18 April 1768, with the nine men whose petitions the Council granted on 25 April, and was paid for those 18 days. Two recruits from the Tilbury joined on 12 May. One of them, William Johnson, shared his name with the Second Company private who had left and rejoined in April. The garrison now had two men of that name in different companies, as it already had two named William Harris and two named Thomas Watts.

James Smith appears for the first time on this list, in place of William Smith in the January roll. The clerks sometimes entered a soldier's forename differently from one quarter to the next. The muster, at which each man answered in person, was the real check on identity.

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The 18 July

Brought over£ 1925 6 2[...]

Centl. brought over£ 221 17 6

John Thompson

3 15 10

Thomas Taylor

3 15 10

Richard Vincent

3 15 10

Thomas Ward

3 15 10

Edward Welch Disch. 2d Apl. 1768

" 1 8

George Washington

3 15 10

Holton Walker

3 15 10

Roger Wilson Decd. 17th May Do.

1 19 2

Thomas Wiffington

3 15 10

Samuel Word Entd. 5th June

1 1 8

James York

3 15 10

Mathew Chelton Entd. 5th June & Transf. to the Artly. Compy. 7th June

" 2 6

255 9 2

Fourth Company

John Hawkins Capt. Saly.

45 12 6

Henry Delaval Lieut. Saly.

18 5 "

Do. Diet Money

6 16 10½

Do. House Rent

2 10 "

27 11 10[...]

Serjeants

John Fleming

7 11 8

Thomas Bailey as Serjt. 81

6 15 -

Do. as Centl. 10

" 8 4

Thomas Ferris as Serjt. 39

3 5 -

Do. as Centl. 52

2 3 4

Joseph West as Serjt. 52 days

4 6 8

Do. as Corpl. 39

2 5 6

James Fox as Serjt. 10

" 16 8

Do. as Corpl. 81

4 14 6

John Moore

7 11 8

39 18 4

Carrd. over£ 2293 18 [...]

The list of privates in the Third Company ended with the following men.

Brought forward, £1,923 6s 2¼d

Privates brought forward, £221 17s 6d

John Thompson, £3 15s 10d

Thomas Taylor, £3 15s 10d

Richard Vincent, £3 15s 10d

Thomas Ward, £3 15s 10d

Edward Welsh, discharged 2 April 1768, £0 1s 8d

George Washington, £3 15s 10d

Hatton Walther, £3 15s 10d

Roger Watson, died 17 May 1768, £1 19s 2d

Thomas Woffington, £3 15s 10d

Samuel Ward, enlisted 5 June 1768, £1 1s 8d

James York, £3 15s 10d

Matthew Chalton, enlisted 5 June 1768 and transferred to the Artillery Company 7 June 1768, £0 2s 6d

Total for privates, £255 9s 2d

The list continued with the officers and men of the Fourth Company.

John Howard, captain, salary, £45 12s 6d

Henry De Laune, lieutenant, salary, £18 5s 0d

Henry De Laune, table allowance, £6 16s 10½d

Henry De Laune, house rent, £2 10s 0d

Total for Henry De Laune, £27 11s 10½d

Sergeants

John Flemming, £7 11s 8d

Thomas Bailey, as sergeant for 81 days, £6 15s 0d

Thomas Bailey, as private for 10 days, £0 8s 4d

Thomas Ferris, as sergeant for 39 days, £3 5s 0d

Thomas Ferris, as private for 52 days, £2 3s 4d

Joseph West, as sergeant for 52 days, £4 6s 8d

Joseph West, as corporal for 39 days, £2 5s 6d

James Ive, as sergeant for 10 days, £0 16s 8d

James Ive, as corporal for 81 days, £4 14s 6d

John Moore, £7 11s 8d

Total for sergeants, £39 18s 4d

Carried forward, £2,293 18s [...]

Interpretations

Two of the Fourth Company's four sergeants were reduced to private during the quarter. Thomas Ferris lost his stripes on about 9 May 1768, and Thomas Bailey on about 20 June. Two of its corporals, Joseph West and James Ive, were promoted in their place on the same days. Both reductions came while the Council was preparing its new rules against drunkenness. Corneille had argued on 27 June that a sergeant who kept or profited from a punch house could not be trusted to keep his men sober. The minutes do not give the reasons for either reduction. Ferris had been a witness to Sergeant John Cox's will on 6 June, a month after his own reduction.

Roger Watson's pay ran to 17 May 1768, a day before the minutes of 18 May recorded his death. Matthew Chalton enlisted on 5 June and was moved to the Artillery Company two days later. A newly landed man with any experience of guns was sent straight to the artillery, which had lost a sergeant, a bombardier, a gunner and several matrosses that spring.

138

131

1768

Brought over£ 2293 18 -¾

Corporals

John Dale

5 6 2

James Bullet as Corporal 4

" 4 8

Do. as Centl. 87

3 12 6

Richd. Bickerstaff as Corpl. 77

4 9 10

Do. as Centl. 14

" 11 8

Thos. Hilliard as Corpl. 52

3 " 8

Do. as Centl. 39

1 12 6

Thos. Williams as Corpl. 10

" 11 8

Do. as Centl. 81

3 7 6

John Ward as Corpl. 10

" 11 8

Do. as Centl. 81

3 7 6

26 16 4

Drummers

John Sampson

5 6 2

George Hill disch. 18th April 1768 Centinel 22 Do. Do.

5 2 8

10 8 10

Centinels

John Allen

3 15 10

William Allen

3 15 10

Daniel Armon

3 15 10

George Bennett

3 15 10

Joseph Blackwell

3 15 10

John Beauchamp

3 15 10

John Brooks Disch. 2d Apl.

" 1 8

John Bewler

3 15 10

William Blackman

3 15 10

William Blevens Entd. 5 June

1 1 8

William Corkney

3 15 10

Duncan Cameron

3 15 10

James Cubbins

3 15 10

Centl. Carrd. over£ 42 17 6

Carrd. over£ 2331 3 2¾

The list of the Fourth Company continued from a total of £2,293 18s 7¼d.

Brought forward, £2,293 18s 7¼d

Corporals

John Deale, £5 6s 2d

James Brilliott, as corporal for 4 days, £0 4s 8d

James Brilliott, as private for 87 days, £3 12s 6d

Richard Bickerstaff, as corporal for 77 days, £4 9s 10d

Richard Bickerstaff, as private for 14 days, £0 11s 8d

Thomas Hilliard, as corporal for 52 days, £3 0s 8d

Thomas Hilliard, as private for 39 days, £1 12s 6d

Thomas Williams, as corporal for 10 days, £0 11s 8d

Thomas Williams, as private for 81 days, £3 7s 6d

John Wood, as corporal for 10 days, £0 11s 8d

John Wood, as private for 81 days, £3 7s 6d

Total for corporals, £26 16s 4d

Drummers

John Crispin, £5 6s 2d

George Wills, discharged 18 April 1768 and re-enlisted 22 [...] 1768, £5 2s 8d

Total for drummers, £10 8s 10d

Privates

John Allen, £3 15s 10d

William Allen, £3 15s 10d

Daniel Aaron, £3 15s 10d

George Bennett, £3 15s 10d

Joseph Blackwell, £3 15s 10d

John Beauchamp, £3 15s 10d

John Brooke, discharged 2 April 1768, £0 1s 8d

John Bowler, £3 15s 10d

William Blackman, £3 15s 10d

William Blevens, enlisted 5 June 1768, £1 1s 8d

William Cobury, £3 15s 10d

Duncan Cameron, £3 15s 10d

James Culsher, £3 15s 10d

Privates carried forward, £42 17s 6d

Carried forward, £2,331 3s 2¾d

Interpretations

The Fourth Company's corporals changed more than any other company's in the quarter. Five men held the rank at some point. James Brilliott was a corporal for only the first four days before he was reduced, and Richard Bickerstaff, a private in January, took his place. Thomas Hilliard, another former private, was promoted on about 9 May 1768, when Joseph West moved up to sergeant in Thomas Ferris's place. Bickerstaff and Hilliard were both reduced again before the quarter ended. On about 20 June, Thomas Williams and John Wood took their places just as James Ive was raised to sergeant in place of Thomas Bailey. Of the company's six reductions in rank in the quarter, four came within a few weeks of each other in May and June.

George Wills, the drummer, took his discharge on 18 April 1768 and re-enlisted a few days later, like William Johnson of the Second Company. He lost only a few days' pay. Drummers had little to offer outside the garrison, and a man who had spent five years at the drum on St Helena was unlikely to find better work on the island.

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The 18 July

Brought over£ 2331 3 2¾

Centl. brought over£ 42 17 6

Richard Close

3 15 10

Josiah Cammins

3 15 10

John Gleanen Entd. 12th May

2 1 8

John Quston

3 15 10

Charles Field

3 15 10

Francis Flinn

3 15 10

Henry Friendly Entd. 12th May

2 1 8

George Green

3 15 10

John Gilmore

3 15 10

Edward German

3 15 10

John Glency Entd. 12th May

2 1 8

Henry Hevenburg

3 15 10

Roger Haydon

3 15 10

John Harper

3 15 10

James Harris Entd. 12th May

2 1 8

Stephen John

3 15 10

Christian Johnson

3 15 10

Thomas Johnson

3 15 10

John Joyce

3 15 10

James Jordan Entd. 12th May

2 1 8

Richard Kimpton

3 15 10

Thomas Kyleck

3 15 10

Thomas Lee disch. 4th April

" 3 4

Thomas Lyne

3 15 10

Charles Lewellin

3 15 10

Thomas Marshall Disch. 2d April

" 1 8

John Mayer

3 15 10

Murdock McLeod

3 15 10

John Newton

3 15 10

Thomas McClearman

3 15 10

Patrick Mahoney Transfd. to the Artly. Compy. 7th June

2 19 2

Centl. Carrd. over£ 123 14 2

Carrd. over£ 2331 3 [...]

The list of privates in the Fourth Company continued from a total of £42 17s 6d.

Brought forward, £2,331 3s 2¾d

Privates brought forward, £42 17s 6d

Richard Cox, £3 15s 10d

Josiah Cummings, £3 15s 10d

John Glennon, enlisted 12 May 1768, £2 1s 8d

John Eastone, £3 15s 10d

Charles Field, £3 15s 10d

Francis Glynn, £3 15s 10d

Henry Friendly, enlisted 12 May 1768, £2 1s 8d

George Greer, £3 15s 10d

John Gilmore, £3 15s 10d

Edward German, £3 15s 10d

John Glancy, enlisted 12 May 1768, £2 1s 8d

Henry Verringbury, £3 15s 10d

Roger Haydon, £3 15s 10d

John Harper, £3 15s 10d

James Harris, enlisted 12 May 1768, £2 1s 8d

Stephen John, £3 15s 10d

Christian Johnson, £3 15s 10d

Thomas Johnson, £3 15s 10d

John Joyce, £3 15s 10d

James Jordan, enlisted 12 May 1768, £2 1s 8d

Richard Kempster, £3 15s 10d

Thomas Haylock, £3 15s 10d

Thomas Lee, discharged 4 April 1768, £0 3s 4d

Thomas Lyne, £3 15s 10d

Charles Llewellin, £3 15s 10d

Thomas Marshall, discharged 2 April 1768, £0 1s 8d

John Major, £3 15s 10d

Murdoch McLeod, £3 15s 10d

John Newton, £3 15s 10d

Thomas McNamara, £3 15s 10d

Patrick Mahoney, transferred to the Artillery Company 10 June 1768, £2 19s 2d

Privates carried forward, £143 14s 2d

Carried forward, £2,331 3s 2¾d

Interpretations

The Fourth Company took five of the Tilbury's recruits on 12 May 1768: John Glennon, Henry Friendly, John Glancy, James Harris and James Jordan. With the recruits placed in the other companies, the draft was spread evenly across all four companies of foot. Each company could then absorb the new men among experienced soldiers, who would teach them the duties of the island's guard posts.

Patrick Mahoney moved to the Artillery Company on 10 June 1768, three days after Matthew Chalton was sent there from the Third Company. The artillery was building up its strength as the new batteries neared completion. It would need trained men to serve the 24-pounders at Banks's and Munden's Point. The Company drew them from the companies of foot, choosing men who had already served a term rather than sending raw recruits to the guns.

140

133

1768

Brought over£ 2331 3 2¾

Centl. brought over£ 143 14 2

Robert Nay

3 15 10

James Nesbitt

3 15 10

John Oswald

3 15 10

John Pluck

3 15 10

Daniel Patrick

3 15 10

Stephen Papps

3 15 10

William Parker

3 15 10

Thomas Pritchard

3 15 10

John Pink

3 15 10

Benjamin Poole

3 15 10

James Richardson

3 15 10

Thomas Rutherford

3 15 10

John Shaw

3 15 10

William Scotman

3 15 10

John Slade

3 15 10

William Sedman

3 15 10

John Sincop Disch. 16th May

1 18 4

William Sharpe Entd. 12th Do.

2 1 8

John Sorry

3 15 10

John Tetchell Entd. 12th May

2 1 8

Jeremiah Worrall

3 15 10

William Waite

3 15 10

Thomas Watts

3 15 10

James Willson

3 15 10

James Walter

3 15 10

Samuel Willson

3 15 10

John Words Entd. 5th June

1 1 8

John White Do. Do.

1 1 8

239 3 4

Carrd. over£ 2570 6 6¾

The list of privates in the Fourth Company ended with the following men.

Brought forward, £2,331 3s 2¾d

Privates brought forward, £143 14s 2d

Robert May, £3 15s 10d

James Newport, £3 15s 10d

John Oswald, £3 15s 10d

John Pluck, £3 15s 10d

Daniel Patrick, £3 15s 10d

Stephen Papps, £3 15s 10d

William Parker, £3 15s 10d

Thomas Pritchard, £3 15s 10d

John Pink, £3 15s 10d

Benjamin Poole, £3 15s 10d

James Richardson, £3 15s 10d

Thomas Rotherford, £3 15s 10d

John Shaw, £3 15s 10d

William Scotman, £3 15s 10d

John Slade, £3 15s 10d

William Stedman, £3 15s 10d

John Simcox, discharged 16 May 1768, £1 18s 4d

William Sharpe, enlisted 12 May 1768, £2 1s 8d

John Terry, £3 15s 10d

John Tidsall, enlisted 12 May 1768, £2 1s 8d

Jeremiah Worrell, £3 15s 10d

William Waite, £3 15s 10d

Thomas Watts, £3 15s 10d

James Wilson, £3 15s 10d

James Waller, £3 15s 10d

Samuel Willson, £3 15s 10d

John Woods, enlisted 5 June 1768, £1 1s 8d

John White, enlisted 5 June 1768, £1 1s 8d

Total for privates, £239 3s 4d

Carried forward, £2,570 6s 6¾d

Interpretations

John Simcox left the garrison on 16 May 1768, when the Council granted his discharge with five other men. He had been reduced from sergeant to private on 7 October 1767 and served out his last seven months in the ranks. Samuel Willson, the Danish seaman enlisted on 25 January 1768, now drew a full quarter's pay as a settled member of the Fourth Company.

The pay list for the four companies of foot came to £2,570 6s 6¾d to this point, before the artillery. The Fourth Company alone had taken in nine new men during the quarter and lost five. Across the garrison the recruits of May and June more than made up the men discharged since March. The new batteries would soon need gunners, and the Company had kept its establishment at full strength.

141

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The 18 July

Brought over£ 2570 6 6[...]

Artillery Company

Archibald Mitchell Capt. Saly.

45 12 6

Nathan Campbell Lieut. Saly.

18 5 "

Do. Diet Money

6 16 10½

Do. House Rent

2 10 -

27 11 10[...]

Thomas Leech Lieut. Saly.

18 5 "

Do. Diet Money

6 16 10½

Do. House Rent

2 10 -

27 11 10[...]

Serjeants

John Whitehurst

9 2 "

Adam Watson

9 2 "

John Shirtley

9 2 "

John Cox Decd. 10th June 1768

7 2 "

Thomas Collins as Serjt. 20 days

2 " "

Do. as Corpl. 71 days

5 6 6

41 14 6

Corporals

Nicholas Hodson

6 16 6

Robert Gibson

6 16 6

John Jack

6 16 6

John Turner as Corpl. 20 days

1 10 "

Do. as Bombr. 71 days

5 6 6

27 6 "

Bombardiers

James Pickett

6 16 6

John Mitchin Disch. 30th May 1768

4 10 -

David Dennis

6 16 6

Thomas Tyler as Bombr. 31 days

2 6 6

Do. as Gunner 60 days

4 " "

Samuel Smith as Bombr. 20 days

1 10 "

Do. as Gunnr. 71 days

4 14 8

30 14 [...]

Carrd. over£ 2770 17 [...]

The list continued with the officers and men of the Artillery Company.

Brought forward, £2,570 6s 6¾d

Archibald Mitchell, captain, salary, £45 12s 6d

Nathan Semple, lieutenant, salary, £18 5s 0d

Nathan Semple, table allowance, £6 16s 10½d

Nathan Semple, house rent, £2 10s 0d

Total for Nathan Semple, £27 11s 10½d

Thomas Leech, lieutenant, salary, £18 5s 0d

Thomas Leech, table allowance, £6 16s 10½d

Thomas Leech, house rent, £2 10s 0d

Total for Thomas Leech, £27 11s 10½d

Sergeants

John Whitchurch, £9 2s 0d

Adam Watson, £9 2s 0d

John Shirley, £9 2s 0d

John Cox, died 10 June 1768, £7 2s 0d

Thomas Collier, as sergeant for 20 days, £2 0s 0d

Thomas Collier, as corporal for 71 days, £5 6s 6d

Total for sergeants, £41 14s 6d

Corporals

Nicholas Houghton, £6 16s 6d

Robert Gibson, £6 16s 6d

John Peck, £6 16s 6d

John Turner, as corporal for 20 days, £1 10s 0d

John Turner, as bombardier for 71 days, £5 6s 6d

Total for corporals, £27 6s 0d

Bombardiers

James Bayfell, £6 16s 6d

John Martin, discharged 30 May 1768, £4 10s 0d

David Dennis, £6 16s 6d

Thomas Tyler, as bombardier for 31 days, £2 6s 6d

Thomas Tyler, as gunner for 60 days, £4 0s 0d

Samuel Smith, as bombardier for 20 days, £1 10s 0d

Samuel Smith, as gunner for 71 days, £4 14s 8d

Total for bombardiers, £30 14s [...]

Carried forward, £2,770 1[...]

Interpretations

Sergeant John Cox's pay stopped on 10 June 1768, the day he died. His will of 6 June left everything to Nicholas Houghton, a corporal in the same company. The artillery filled Cox's place at once by a chain of promotions on the same day. Corporal Thomas Collier became a sergeant, Bombardier John Turner became a corporal, and Gunner Samuel Smith became a bombardier. One death brought three promotions within the company.

Thomas Tyler was promoted from gunner to bombardier on 31 May 1768, the day after John Martin took his discharge. Tyler was the gunner who dived to recover a 10-inch shell lost while landing it from the store ship in January, and the Company had paid him 5s for it. His promotion came five months later. A bombardier was responsible for the mortars and the preparation of shells and fuses. A man who had already handled the island's new 10-inch shells was a natural choice.

James Bayfell was the bombardier who held a punch house licence and ran it by deputy. Under the rules of 4 July 1768, no soldier could keep or profit from a public house in future, so he would lose that income while keeping his rank.

142

135

1768

Brought over£ 2770 17 5¾

Gunners

John Smith

6 1 4

Thomas McFarlan

6 1 4

Adam Creighton Disch. 16th May 1768

3 1 4

Thomas Jones

6 1 4

William Stapleford

6 1 4

Sedgwick Netherol

6 1 4

John Dobson Entd. 21st May 1768

2 14 8

Charles Abraham as Gunr. 31 days

2 1 4

Do. as Matross 60 days

3 " -

John Corfoot as Gunr. 20 days

1 6 8

Do. as Matross 71 days

3 11 -

46 1 8

Drummers

George Gerrard

5 6 2

Joseph Purdey

5 6 2

10 12 4

Matrosses

Benjamin Burton

4 11 -

William Brown

4 11 -

Thomas Clark Disch. 18th April 1768

" 18 -

John Cope

4 11 -

John Griswold

4 11 -

Robert Cunningham

4 11 -

Phillip Conaway Entd. 12th May 1768

2 10 -

Mathew Chelton Do. 7 June Do.

1 4 -

William Durham

4 11 -

Daniel Fenn

4 11 -

Joseph Fellows

4 11 -

Robert Fenwick

4 11 -

John Fox

4 11 -

Samuel Greenwald

4 11 -

Matrosses Carrd. over£ 54 13 -

Carrd. over£ 2827 11 5¾

The list of the Artillery Company continued from a total of £2,770 17s 5¾d.

Brought forward, £2,770 17s 5¾d

Gunners

John Smith, £6 1s 4d

Thomas McFarlan, £6 1s 4d

Adam Creighton, discharged 16 May 1768, £3 1s 4d

Thomas Innes, £6 1s 4d

William Stapleford, £6 1s 4d

Sedgwick Wetherall, £6 1s 4d

John Dobson, enlisted 21 May 1768, £2 14s 8d

Charles Abraham, as gunner for 31 days, £2 1s 4d

Charles Abraham, as matross for 60 days, £3 0s 0d

John Canfort, as gunner for 20 days, £1 6s 8d

John Canfort, as matross for 71 days, £3 11s 0d

Total for gunners, £46 1s 8d

Drummers

George Barwood, £5 6s 2d

Joseph Purdey, £5 6s 2d

Total for drummers, £10 12s 4d

Matrosses

Benjamin Burton, £4 11s 0d

William Brown, £4 11s 0d

Thomas Clark, discharged 18 April 1768, £0 18s 0d

John Cope, £4 11s 0d

John Criswell, £4 11s 0d

Robert Cunningham, £4 11s 0d

Phillip Conaway, enlisted 12 May 1768, £2 10s 0d

Matthew Chalton, enlisted 7 June 1768, £1 4s 0d

William Durham, £4 11s 0d

Daniel Finn, £4 11s 0d

Joseph Fellows, £4 11s 0d

Robert Frankish, £4 11s 0d

John Fox, £4 11s 0d

Christian Grunewald, £4 11s 0d

Matrosses carried forward, £54 13s 0d

Carried forward, £2,827 11s 5¾d

Interpretations

John Dobson left the First Company on 20 May 1768 and joined the artillery the next day, entered directly as a gunner, not a matross. He was a trained soldier of foot who evidently had some skill with guns. The Company put him straight into the rank that laid and fired them, at 1s 4d a day against the 10d he had drawn as a private.

Two matrosses were raised to gunner to fill the vacancies of the season. Charles Abraham was promoted on 31 May 1768, the day Thomas Tyler moved up to bombardier. John Canfort was promoted on 10 June, when Samuel Smith moved up after Sergeant John Cox's death. Matthew Chalton, transferred from the Third Company, was entered here as enlisted on 7 June 1768, the day of his transfer. The artillery was filling its ranks from below and from the infantry at the same time, so that every gun at the new batteries would have a trained crew.

143

136

[Right-hand edge of the page cut off in the image.]

The 18 July

Brought over£ 2827 11 5[...]

Matrosses brought Over£ 54 13 -

Thomas Gerrard

4 11 -

Thomas Green

4 11 -

William Hodges

4 11 "

Lawrence Hall disch. 13th April

" 18 -

William Halbert

4 11 -

Benjamin Holmes Entd. 12th May

2 10 -

William Jenkins

4 11 -

John Lewis

4 11 -

William Luke

4 11 -

Daniel Maloney

4 11

George Marshall

4 11 -

Jonathan Mullet

4 11 -

John Moore

4 11 -

Patrick Mahoney Entd. 11 June 1768

1 " "

Thomas Nimbly

4 11 -

Esau Nowland

4 11 -

Martin Newman

4 11 -

John Osborne

4 11 -

William Phillips

4 11 -

William Poulter Disch. 18th April

" 18 -

William Robinson Entd. 12th May

2 10 -

Godfrey Smith

4 11 -

William Stone

4 11 -

Daniel Young Disch. 18th April

" 18 -

Andrew Tedrick Entd. 23d Do.

3 9 -

Thomas Watts

4 11 -

John Webley

4 11 -

Richard Wellman

4 11 -

Thomas Wyatt

4 11 -

Richard Waterhouse

4 11 -

John Wilson

4 11 -

Thomas Yates

4 11 -

180 11 -

£ 3008 2 5[...]

The list of matrosses in the Artillery Company ended with the following men.

Brought forward, £2,827 11s 5¾d

Matrosses brought forward, £54 13s 0d

Thomas Gerrall, £4 11s 0d

Thomas Green, £4 11s 0d

William Hodges, £4 11s 0d

Lawrence Holt, discharged 18 April 1768, £0 18s 0d

William Halsall, £4 11s 0d

Benjamin Holmes, enlisted 12 May 1768, £2 10s 0d

William Jenkins, £4 11s 0d

John Lewis, £4 11s 0d

William Luke, £4 11s 0d

Daniel Maloney, £4 11s 0d

George Marshall, £4 11s 0d

Jonathan Mallett, £4 11s 0d

John Moore, £4 11s 0d

Patrick Mahoney, enlisted 11 June 1768, £1 0s 0d

Thomas Nimble, £4 11s 0d

Ezra Nowland, £4 11s 0d

Martin Newman, £4 11s 0d

John Osborne, £4 11s 0d

William Phillips, £4 11s 0d

William Poulton, discharged 18 April 1768, £0 18s 0d

William Robinson, enlisted 12 May 1768, £2 10s 0d

Godfrey Smith, £4 11s 0d

William Stone, £4 11s 0d

Daniel Long, discharged 18 April 1768, £0 18s 0d

Andrew Sedrick, enlisted 23 April 1768, £3 9s 0d

Thomas Watts, £4 11s 0d

John Webbley, £4 11s 0d

Richard Wellman, £4 11s 0d

Thomas Wyatt, £4 11s 0d

Richard Waterhouse, £4 11s 0d

John Wilson, £4 11s 0d

Thomas Yates, £4 11s 0d

Total for matrosses, £180 11s 0d

Total for the quarter, £3,008 2s 5¾d

Interpretations

The whole pay list came to £3,008 2s 5¾d for the quarter, almost the same as the £3,005 11s 10½d of the first quarter of 1768. Thirty soldiers were discharged and four died, but some 50 recruits joined in May and June, and the bill hardly moved. Because the new men were paid only from the day they landed, the quarter carried only part of their cost. The next quarter would show the full effect of a garrison stronger than it had been all year.

Andrew Sedrick enlisted on 23 April 1768, between the shipping of the Danish and Dutch fleets and the arrival of the English store ships. The date suggests a seaman who left one of the foreign ships then lying in the road, as Samuel Willson the Dane had done in January. Lawrence Holt, William Poulton and Daniel Long, the three matrosses discharged on 18 April, were among the nine men whose petitions the Council granted on 25 April. Their departure cost the artillery experienced hands at the very moment its new guns were being prepared.

Patrick Mahoney was transferred from the Fourth Company on 10 June and entered here as enlisted the next day. Thomas Yates, a matross, was probably the same man paid £5 a quarter on the civil list as clerk of the church.

144

137

Thomas Kirkpatrick Dr.

1768 June 30th To Cash received£ 4425 3 6¼

Carrd. over£ 4425 3 6¼

Per Contra Cr.

1768 Apl. 4th By Cash paid Willm. Waite, Thos. Mathews

& Willm. Harrison relistg. to serve the H. Compy.

as Soldiers five Years longer from this date @

£10.. .. each

30 " -

7th By Cash paid Thos. Ward & Willm. Henderson for

relistg. to serve as above £10.. .. ea

20 - -

16th By Cash paid Mr. Powell by the Lieut. Govrs.

Orders for 34 days Work of a Stone Layer

4 5 -

18 By Cash paid Willm. Sedman, Jos. Blackwell

Abrm. Harding, Thos. Hilliard, Thos. Perry

Wm. Mumford, Rd. Ashford, Jno. Wittingdale

Jno. Gilmore, Jno. Goodsole & Wm. Swaby

£10.. each for relistg. to serve the

H. Compy. five Years longer as Soldiers

110 - -

By Cash paid James Anderson for relisting to serve the

H. Compy. five Years longer as a Soldr.

5 -

By Cash paid Wm. Conquest & Geo. Wells each

£10.. - for relistg. to serve the H. Compy.

five Years longer

20 " -

Carrd. over£ 189 5 -

The debit side of Thomas Kirkpatrick's paymaster account for the quarter showed the cash he received from the treasury.

Thomas Kirkpatrick, paymaster, debit

30 June 1768, cash received, £4,425 3s 6¼d

Carried forward, £4,425 3s 6¼d

The credit side listed the payments he made during the quarter.

4 April 1768, William Waite, Thomas Mathews and William Harrison, bounty of £10 each for re-enlisting to serve the Company as soldiers for five more years from that date, £30 0s 0d

7 April 1768, Thomas Ward and William Henderson, bounty of £10 each for re-enlisting on the same terms, £20 0s 0d

16 April 1768, Mr Powell, by the Lieutenant Governor's order, for 34 days' work by a stone layer, £4 5s 0d

18 April 1768, William Stedman, John Blackwell, Abraham Harding, Thomas Hilliard, Thomas Povey, William Mumford, Richard Ashford, John Whittingdale, John Gilmore, John Goosole and William Swaby, bounty of £10 each for re-enlisting to serve the Company as soldiers for five more years, £110 0s 0d

James Anderson, bounty for re-enlisting to serve the Company as a soldier for five more years, £5 0s 0d

William Conquest and George Wills, bounty of £10 each for re-enlisting to serve the Company for five more years, £20 0s 0d

Carried forward, £189 5s 0d

Interpretations

The bounties explain why the garrison did not shrink further in the spring of 1768. Between 4 and 18 April, 19 soldiers took a bounty to serve five more years, most at £10 each, for a total of £185. These were men whose engagements had run out together with those of the 30 who took their discharge. The Council could have let them all go and waited for recruits from England. It chose instead to pay a large bounty to keep trained men who knew the island, its guard posts and its guns. A raw recruit took months to become useful, and the store ships might bring too few. Paying £10 to a man already in the ranks was cheaper than losing him.

The bounties settle two puzzles from the pay list. George Wills, the drummer, was recorded as discharged on 18 April and re-enlisted a few days later. He was in fact one of those paid £10 to sign on again. Richard Ashford and Thomas Hilliard, both promoted to corporal during the quarter, were also among the men paid to re-enlist. The Company rewarded the soldiers it had just chosen to keep with promotion as well as cash.

James Powell, the storekeeper, was paid 2s 6d a day for 34 days' work by a stone layer, on Corneille's order. Like Henry Bazett in the previous quarter, Powell hired out a skilled man, almost certainly a slave of his own, to the Company. This was probably one of the two planters' stone layers the Council agreed on 29 February to hire to finish the gate and fence at the pasture entrance, once Mitchell had taken back the Company's own masons.

145

138

[Right-hand edge of the page cut off in the image.]

The 18 July

Thomas Kirkpatrick Dr.

1768

Brought over£ 4425 3 6[...]

Carrd. over£ 4425 3 [...]

The debit side of Kirkpatrick's paymaster account carried forward the cash he had received for the quarter.

Thomas Kirkpatrick, paymaster, debit

Cash brought forward, £4,425 3s 6¼d

Carried forward, £4,425 3s 6¼d

Interpretations

Kirkpatrick drew £4,425 3s 6¼d for the quarter, about £750 more than the £3,675 17s 0d of the first quarter of 1768. The pay list itself was almost unchanged at about £3,008. The extra money therefore went on sundry payments. The re-enlistment bounties alone came to £185 in April. Wages for the heavier work at Banks's and Munden's Point, and for landing the cargoes of the store ships, made up most of the rest. The treasury could meet the larger draw easily. It held more than £12,000 in coin at the end of May, after a season of selling bills to captains and officers.

The blank page was ruled through with a diagonal line, the standard safeguard. It carried the single debit forward while the credit side ran on across the facing leaves, and it ensured that no payment could be added after the account was closed.

146

139

1768

Per Contra Cr.

1768

Brought over£ 189 5 -

April 23d By Cash paid Andw. Tedrick for relistg. to serve H. Compy. five

Years as a Soldier from this Date

5 - -

By Cash pd. Wm. Johnson for relistg. to serve the H. Compy. five

Years longer as a Soldr. from this Date

10 " -

By Cash pd. Sundry Garrison Men for 39½ Days Work in the

H. Compys. Stores getting Provisions on Shore from Ship Europa

1 19 3

25th By Cash pd. Capt. Petty for a L.J. Boat bought of him on the

Honble Compys. Acct.

35 - -

By Cash pd. Capt. Vasell for Bullocks brought from the Cape

on the Honble Compys. Acct.

55 15 -

May 2d By Cash pd. Jas. Dobson for timing the Kitchen Furniture

belongg. to the Castle

1 1 -

10th By Cash paid Captn. Smith for 44 Bushels of Coals

3 13 -

By Cash paid Do. for a Yawl & 8 Oars

14 5 -

12th By Cash pd. Capt. Moffatt for a Long Boat Cable &ca.

32 10 -

16th By Cash pd. Thos. Bailey, Geo. Rose Thos. Mears, Jos. Johnson

Wm. Ferris, Adam Evans & Jno. Fenton £10.. each for

relistg. to serve the H. Compy. five Years longer as Soldiers

70 " -

19 By Cash pd. Sundry Garrison Men for 141½ days Work getting

Stores from the Tilbury

7 1 6

By Cash pd. Mr. Hay Surgn. of the Tilbury for his Care of

26 Recruits in their Passage from England

6 10 -

May 28th By Cash pd. Sundy. Garrison Men for 116½ days Work in the

Stores getting from the Ship Tilbury

5 16 6

31 By Cash pd. Capt. Cox for 604 lb. Salt Beef & 474 lb. Salt

Pork @ 5d. per lb.

112 16 -

By Cash pd. Capt. Henry for 578 lb. Salt Meat @ 2/ per Do.

57 16 -

By Cash pd. Do. for 60 Bushels of Coals

6 13 4

June 4th By Cash pd. Sundy. Garrison Men for 77½ days Work in the

Stores unloadg. the Tilbury

3 17 6

Carrd. over£ 616 19 1

The credit side of Kirkpatrick's account continued from a total of £189 5s 0d.

Brought forward, £189 5s 0d

23 April 1768, Andrew Sedrick, bounty for enlisting to serve the Company as a soldier for five years from that date, £3 0s 0d

23 April 1768, William Johnson, bounty for re-enlisting to serve the Company as a soldier for five more years from that date, £10 0s 0d

23 April 1768, sundry men of the garrison, for 39½ days' work in the Company's stores landing provisions from the Europa, £1 19s 6d

25 April 1768, Captain Pelly, for a longboat bought from him on the Company's account, £35 0s 0d

25 April 1768, Captain Hasell, for bullocks brought from the Cape on the Company's account, £55 15s 0d

2 May 1768, James Dobson, for tinning the kitchen furniture belonging to the Castle, £1 1s 0d

10 May 1768, Captain Smith, for 44 bushels of coal, £3 13s 0d

10 May 1768, Captain Smith, for a yawl and 8 oars, £14 5s 0d

12 May 1768, Captain Moffatt, for a longboat with cable and gear, £32 10s 0d

16 May 1768, Thomas Bailey, George Roe, Thomas Meares, Joseph Johnson, William Pierce, Adam Evans and John Newton, bounty of £10 each for re-enlisting to serve the Company as soldiers for five more years, £70 0s 0d

19 May 1768, sundry men of the garrison, for 141½ days' work landing stores from the Tilbury, £7 1s 6d

19 May 1768, Mr Hay, surgeon of the Tilbury, for his care of 26 recruits on their passage from England, £6 10s 0d

28 May 1768, sundry men of the garrison, for 116½ days' work in the stores landing goods from the Tilbury, £5 16s 6d

31 May 1768, Captain Cooke, for 654 pieces of salt beef and 474 pieces of salt pork at 2s each, £112 16s 0d

31 May 1768, Captain Hoare, for 578 pieces of salt meat at 2s each, £57 16s 0d

31 May 1768, Captain Hoare, for 60 bushels of coal, £6 13s 4d

4 June 1768, sundry men of the garrison, for 77½ days' work in the stores unloading the Tilbury, £3 17s 6d

Carried forward, £616 19s 1d

Interpretations

William Johnson received a bounty of £10 on 23 April 1768 for re-enlisting. The pay list showed him discharged on 4 April and back in the Second Company from 23 April. The three weeks between were evidently spent deciding whether to stay or leave the island. The bounty settled the question. Seven more men took the £10 on 16 May, the same day six others, among them John Simcox and Edmund Lock, were granted their discharge. Of the men whose terms ended that spring, the Company kept about half by paying them to stay.

Andrew Sedrick received £3 for enlisting, the same bounty as Samuel Willson the Dane in January. That was less than the £5 paid to island-born men such as Sutton Isaacke and George Seale. The lower rate for a foreign seaman who came ashore from a passing ship shows the Council paying more for local recruits it trusted to stay.

The Company bought a yawl and eight oars from Captain Smith of the Houghton on 10 May, as well as the two longboats from Pelly and Moffatt. A yawl was a light ship's boat, faster and handier than a longboat. It was used to carry officers and messages between the Castle and ships in the road, and to row out to approaching ships to deliver the island's orders. Unloading the Tilbury took 335½ days of soldiers' labour, paid at 1s a day, spread over three weeks. That gives some idea of the size of the store ship's cargo of clothing, provisions and military supplies for the garrison.

147

140

[Right-hand edge of the page cut off in the image.]

The 18 July

Thomas Kirkpatrick Dr.

1768

Brought over£ 4426 3 6¼

Carrd. over£ 4425 3 [...]

The debit side of Kirkpatrick's paymaster account again carried forward the cash he had received for the quarter.

Thomas Kirkpatrick, paymaster, debit

Cash brought forward, £4,425 3s 6¼d

Carried forward, £4,425 3s 6¼d

Interpretations

The single debit entry was carried across a second blank leaf, because the credit side of the account needed several facing pages to list all the quarter's payments. The figure at the head of this page appears as £4,426 3s 6¼d, a pound more than the sum carried forward at its foot and on the previous leaf. The extra pound was almost certainly a slip of the clerk's pen in copying the total, since the carried figure agrees with the original entry of cash received.

148

141

1768

Per Contra Cr.

1768

Brought over£ 616 19 1

June 8th By Cash paid Mr. Brown for 146 Bottles of Florence Oil at 3/6

per Bottle bought on the Acct. of H. Compy. there being none in the Store

25 11 -

10th By Cash paid the Doctor of the Duke of Richmond for his care of 21

Recruits on their Passage from England

5 5 -

11th By Cash pd. Sundy. Garrison Men for 114¾ Days Work in the Stores

unloadg. the Duke of Richmond

5 14 9

13th By Cash pd. Capt. Petty for 3 Casks of Pork contg. 180 lb. at 2/ per

lb. bought on Acct. of the Honble Company

18 - -

By Cash pd. Do. for 7 Casks of Beef contg. 280 lb. at 2/ per lb.

28 - -

By Cash pd. Do. for 1 Hawser

18 -

By Cash pd. Do. for a Barrel of Tar

1 11 6

By Cash pd. Capt. Holmes for a L.J. Boat Bot. on Acct. of the H. Company

35 - -

26 By Cash pd. Capt. Hindman for a Barl. Pitch & a Barl. Tar

3 6 -

30 By Cash pd. Sundy. Garrn. Men for 35¼ Days Work in the Stores

2 15 3

By Cash pd. Do. Do. for 107 Do. Do.

5 7 -

By Cash pd. Jno. Irvine for the following particulars bought for the

use of the H. Companys Table

6 Firkins Butter

@ £3.. 3.. per Firkin

£18 18 -

160 lb. Cheese

@ - 10d.

6 13 4

20 lb. Mustard

@ - 2/6 lb.

3 " -

140 lb. Ham

@ 1/ lb.

7 " -

100 lb. Currants

@ 10d.

4 3 4

60 lb. Loaf Sugar

@ 9d. per lb.

2 7 6

30 Gall. Vinegar

@ 3/ per Gall.

4 10 -

46 17 2

By Cash paid Sundy. Garrison Men for coming express with

Acct. of Ships seen to Windward the Ruat

6 5 -

By Cash pd. Secrety. Pinkhullam for 13 lb. Salt Meat left in

the Stores the quantity he being Ready, is The Money to buy fresh

1 6 -

By Cash pd. Do. his Allowance from the Honble Compy.

1 12 6

By Cash pd. Do. for House Rent for Do.

1 - -

Carrd. over£ 822 10 3

The credit side of Kirkpatrick's account continued from a total of £616 19s 1d.

Brought forward, £616 19s 1d

8 June 1768, Mr Brown, for 146 bottles of Florence oil at 3s 6d a bottle, bought on the Company's account because there was none in the stores, £25 11s 0d

10 June 1768, the surgeon of the Duke of Richmond, for his care of 21 recruits on their passage from England, £5 5s 0d

11 June 1768, sundry men of the garrison, for 114¾ days' work in the stores unloading the Duke of Richmond, £5 14s 9d

13 June 1768, Captain Sealy, for 3 casks of pork containing 180 pieces at 2s each, bought on the Company's account, £18 0s 0d

13 June 1768, Captain Sealy, for 7 casks of beef containing 280 pieces at 2s each, £28 0s 0d

13 June 1768, Captain Sealy, for 1 sheer mast, £18 0s 0d

13 June 1768, Captain Sealy, for a barrel of tar, £1 11s 6d

Captain Palmer, for a longboat bought on the Company's account, £35 0s 0d

26 June 1768, Captain Hindman, for a barrel of pitch and a barrel of tar, £3 6s 0d

30 June 1768, sundry men of the garrison, for [...] days' work in the stores, £[...] 15s 6d

30 June 1768, sundry men of the garrison, for 107 days' work in the stores, £5 7s 0d

30 June 1768, John Irwin, for the following articles bought for the Company's table

6 firkins of butter at £3 3s 0d a firkin, £18 18s 0d

160 lb of cheese at 10d a pound, £6 13s 4d

20 lb of mustard at 3s a pound, £3 0s 0d

145 lb of ham at 1s a pound, £7 5s 0d

100 lb of currants at 10d a pound, £4 3s 4d

60 lb of loaf sugar at 9½d a pound, £2 7s 6d

30 gallons of vinegar at 3s a gallon, £4 10s 0d

Total for John Irwin, £46 17s 2d

Sundry men of the garrison, for bringing expresses reporting ships seen to windward during the quarter, £6 5s 0d

Nequedah Pocholam, for 13 pieces of salt provisions left in the stores during the quarter, the money being allowed him to buy fresh meat, £1 6s 0d

Nequedah Pocholam, his allowance from the Company, £1 12s 6d

Nequedah Pocholam, house rent for the quarter, £1 0s 0d

Carried forward, £822 10s 3d

Interpretations

The Company bought 146 bottles of Florence oil because its own stores had none. It had issued Florence oil to the Castle table and the carpenters' shop all year. No ship of the season had brought a fresh supply, so the Council bought what a private importer held, at 3s 6d a bottle. The Duke of Richmond's surgeon was paid 5s a head for 21 recruits, the same fee as Mr Hay of the Tilbury. The figure confirms that the store ship carried a second draft of men. The 26 from the Tilbury and 21 from the Duke of Richmond made 47 recruits in all, close to the number who joined the companies on 12 May and 5 June.

The table's purchases from John Irwin show what an English store ship brought that the eastern ships could not. Butter, cheese, ham, mustard, currants, loaf sugar and vinegar were the staples of an English kitchen. They came out in the English ships and were sold on by private merchants. Irwin was evidently trading on his own account. The Company bought from him instead of waiting for its own supplies, which came out irregularly. His prices were high: 10d a pound for cheese and 1s for ham, well above English market prices. That reflected the cost of carrying perishable food more than 4,000 miles.

149

142

[Right-hand edge of the page cut off in the image.]

The 18 July

Thomas Kirkpatrick Dr.

1768

Brought over£ 4425 3 6[...]

The debit side of Kirkpatrick's paymaster account closed with the cash he had received for the quarter.

Thomas Kirkpatrick, paymaster, debit

Cash brought forward, £4,425 3s 6¼d

Total, £4,425 3s 6¼d

Interpretations

This leaf closed the debit side of the paymaster's account for the quarter ending 30 June 1768. The single sum of £4,425 3s 6¼d was the whole of the cash Kirkpatrick drew from the treasury. Against it the credit side had to show the pay list of £3,008 2s 5¾d and the sundry payments: bounties, labour on the works, ships' stores, livestock, boats and the Castle's table. The two sides had to balance to the farthing before the Council approved the account.

Kirkpatrick prepared and signed this account during the very weeks in which he was bringing charges against Corneille before the Board. The Council examined it on 18 July 1768, the same day it met with Corneille present and the dispute unresolved. The routine work of paying the garrison, recording every bounty and checking every voucher went on regardless of the quarrel among the men who signed the accounts.

150

143

1768

Per Contra Cr.

1768

Brought over£ 822 10 3

By Cash paid a Plummer emply. by the Engineer at the Lt. Govrs. Ho.

" 10 -

By Cash pd. by Order of the Governor &c. to two Men for diving &

recovering one of the Guns which droptt into the Sea from the

Stamp as it was hoisting up to Mundens Battery

1 " -

By Cash pd. Mr. Dunl. Devlon for 13 Loads of Bamboos used in

Thatchg. the H. Compys. Houses in the Country this Quart. @ 2/ per Ld.

1 12 6

By Cash paid Simon Whaley for 11 Loads of Do. Do. as

1 7 6

By Cash pd. Sund. Dutch Soldr. in this Quart. as pr. Adjut.

Acct. 271 days @ 6d. per Day

6 15 6

By Cash pd. Jno. Price Gaoler for the Subsist. of 4 Garrn. Men @ 2/6

" 10 -

By Cash pd. Mr. M. Bazett for 14 Bushels of Coals Bt. for ye Compy. use

1 11 6

By Cash pd. Wm. Jenkins for Bakg. 117 Batch of Bread for

the use of the Garr. this Quart. @ 2/ per Batch

9 15 -

By Cash paid for one Glass Lanthorn for the use of the Castle there

being none in the Stores

" 14 -

By Cash pd. for one Do. Do. for use of the Captn. of the day

" 12 -

By Cash pd. for 2 Horn Lanthorns for the use of the Main Guard

" 7 -

By Cash paid Jno. Bazett for 42 Flannel Shirts bought

for the use of the Compys. Slaves there not being sufficient

in the Store to supply them at 4/ per Shirt

8 8 -

By Cash pd. Do. for 2 Checkd. Shirts for Do. use @ 5/ each

" 10 -

By Cash pd. Do. for 32 Shipd. Cott. Jackets for Do. at 5/ each

8 " -

By Cash pd. Do. for 16 Lettice Do. Do. for Do. at 8/6

6 16 -

By Cash pd. Do. for 4 Pr. Breasted Do. for Do. at 7/6

1 10 -

By Cash pd. Do. for 32 Dutch Trowsers for Do.

4 " 6

By Cash pd. Do. for 29 Oznabrigs Do. for Do. @ 2/6

3 12 6

By Cash pd. Do. for 36 Caps Do. @ /8

1 17 4

By Cash pd. Jno. Irvine for the following Articles bought for the

use of the Compys. Table

4 Pigs

£1 " "

338 lb. Beef

12 3 4

18 Doz. Eggs

" 9 6

1 lb. Spice

" 4 -

2 Turkeys

" 10 -

4 Doz. Fowls

3 12 -

17 18 10

Carrd. over£ 899 18 [...]

The credit side of Kirkpatrick's account continued from a total of £822 10s 3d.

Brought forward, £822 10s 3d

A plumber employed by the engineer at the Lieutenant Governor's house, £0 10s 0d

Two men, by order of the Governor and Council, for diving to recover one of the guns that fell into the sea from the slings while it was being hoisted up to Munden's battery, £1 0s 0d

Mr Jonathan Doveton, for 13 loads of bamboos used to thatch the Company's houses in the country during the quarter, at 2s 6d a load, £1 12s 6d

Simon Whaley, for 11 loads of bamboos for the same purpose, £1 7s 6d

Sundry discharged soldiers during the quarter, as shown in the adjutant's account, 271 days at 6d a day, £6 15s 6d

John Price, gaoler, for the keep of 4 prisoners at 2s 6d, £0 10s 0d

Mr M Bazett, for 14 bushels of coal for the Company's use, £1 11s 6d

William Jenkins, for baking 117 batches of bread for the garrison during the quarter at 20d a batch, £9 15s 0d

1 glass lantern for the Castle, there being none in the stores, £0 14s 0d

1 glass lantern for the use of the captain of the day, £0 12s 0d

2 horn lanterns for the use of the main guard, £0 7s 0d

John Bazett, for 42 flannel shirts bought for the Company's slaves, there being too few in the stores, at 4s a shirt, £8 8s 0d

John Bazett, for 2 check shirts for the same, at 5s each, £0 10s 0d

John Bazett, for 32 ship's cloth jackets for the same, at 5s each, £8 0s 0d

John Bazett, for 16 jackets for the same, at 8s 6d each, £6 16s 0d

John Bazett, for 4 pairs of breeches for the same, at 7s 6d a pair, £1 10s 0d

John Bazett, for 32 pairs of Dutch trousers for the same, £4 0s 6d

John Bazett, for 29 pairs of osnaburg trousers for the same, at 2s 6d a pair, £3 12s 6d

John Bazett, for 56 caps for the same, at 8d each, £1 17s 4d

John Irwin, for the following articles bought for the Company's table

4 pigs, £1 0s 0d

335 lb of beef, £12 3s 4d

[...] dozen eggs, £0 9s 6d

1 lb of spice, £0 4s 0d

2 turkeys, £0 10s 0d

4 dozen fowls, £2 12s 0d

Total for John Irwin, £17 18s 10d

Carried forward, £894 18s 5d

Interpretations

One of the heavy guns for Munden's Point slipped from the slings while being hoisted up the cliff and fell into the sea. Two men were paid £1 to dive and recover it. That was a dangerous task in the swell off the headland, but far cheaper than losing a cannon that could only be replaced from England. It was the second such recovery of the year. Thomas Tyler had dived for a lost 10-inch shell in January. The cordage issued to Munden's Point that quarter, more than 2,400 lb, shows how much hoisting work went on, and how great the risk was each time a gun was lifted.

The discharged soldiers were paid 6d a day for 271 days between them, while they waited for passages home. A man who took his discharge on St Helena lost his pay at once but could not leave until a ship would carry him. The Company kept him at half a private's rate in the meantime, as it had kept Mr Turson and Samuel Willson after they were left behind by their ships. The sum works out at roughly 30 men, each kept for a week or two before sailing in the ships of April and May.

John Bazett, superintendent of the Company's slaves, supplied clothing for them when the stores ran short. The store ships' issue of sailors' clothing, entered in the storekeeper's account, was evidently not enough for the whole workforce. Bazett bought the rest privately, at prices well above those in the stores. Bamboo grew on the island and was cut in loads for thatching the Company's country houses. Planters such as Doveton and Whaley sold it from their own land at 2s 6d a load.

151

144

[Right-hand edge of the page cut off in the image.]

The 18 July

Thomas Kirkpatrick Dr.

1768

Brought over£ 4425 3 6¼

£ 4425 3 [...]

The debit side of Kirkpatrick's paymaster account closed with the cash he had received for the quarter.

Thomas Kirkpatrick, paymaster, debit

Cash brought forward, £4,425 3s 6¼d

Total, £4,425 3s 6¼d

Interpretations

This was the final leaf of the debit side, ruled off with a double line under the total and a diagonal stroke through the blank space. The earlier leaf had already shown the same closing figure. The clerk carried the debit across every page on which the credit side ran on, so that each opening of the ledger showed both sides together. Each pair of facing pages could then be checked on its own. The debit side was ruled off only when the credit side reached its own final total, so the two closing figures stood level on the same opening.

152

145

1768

Per Contra Cr.

Brought Over£ 899 18 3

By Cash pd. Jno. Roberts Armourr. for 371 Files bought on Acct. of the

Honble Compy. for the use of the Armourrs. Shop there being

none of those Sorts in the Stores

3 14 10½

By Cash pd. for 14 Days Carpentr. Work at Banks's Fort @ 5/ per Day

3 10 -

By Cash pd. for 22 Do. Do. at Do. at 1/6 Do.

1 13 -

By Cash pd. for 529¾ Do. Stone Hewers at Do. at 1/6 Do.

39 14 7½

By Cash pd. for 247¾ Do. Do. Masons at Do. at 1/6 Do.

18 11 7½

By Cash pd. for 50 days Lime Burning at Do. at 1/6 Do.

3 19 6

By Cash pd. for 5258 Do. Labour at Do. at 1/ Do.

261 18 9

By Cash pd. for 18¼ Do. Lab. makers at Mundens Point at 1/6 Do.

" 19 10½

By Cash pd. for 26½ Do. Lime Burners at Do. at 1/6 Do.

1 19 9

By Cash pd. for 124 Do. Masons at Do. at 1/6 Do.

9 6 -

By Cash pd. for 265 Do. Stone Hewers at Do. at 1/6 Do.

19 7 6

By Cash pd. for 2619½ Do. Labour at Do. at 1/ Do.

130 19 6

By Cash pd. for 11 Do. Carpentr. at Do. at 1/6

" 16 6

By Cash for 175¼ Do. Smiths in the Shop at 1/6 Do.

13 3 7½

By Cash pd. for 10 Do. Carpentr. for making a Frame for a Library at 1/6

" 15 -

By Cash pd. for 17 Do. Do. for repairg. the Compys. Houses at 1/6 Do.

1 5 6

By Cash pd. for 20 Do. Do. for makg. a Model for Repairs Do. Cattle @ 1/6

1 10 -

By Cash pd. for 36½ Do. Carpentr. Work making Plantn. Gates @ 1/6 Day

2 14 9

By Cash pd. for 4½ Do. Plastering at Do. @ 1/6 Do.

" 6 9

By Cash pd. for the Clerk of the Assizes & Crier of the Court

" 12 6

1417 1 -½

By the Amount of the Pay List£ 3008 2 5¾

4425 3 6¼

Excepted

(signed) Thos. Kirkpatrick Paymr.

St. Helena

30 June 1768

Counted and Examined the Honorable Company's Cash

for the Month of June last which is as follows viz.

The credit side of Kirkpatrick's account ended with the following payments.

Brought forward, £894 18s 5d

John Robins, armourer, for 31 files bought on the Company's account for the armourer's shop, there being none of those kinds in the stores, £3 14s 10½d

14 days' carpenters' work at Banks's fort at 5s a day, £3 10s 0d

22 days' carpenters' work at Banks's at 1s 6d a day, £1 13s 0d

529¾ days' stone blowers' work at Banks's at 1s 6d a day, £39 14s 7½d

247¾ days' masons' work at Banks's at 1s 6d a day, £18 11s 7½d

53 days' lime burning at Banks's at 1s 6d a day, £3 19s 6d

5,238¾ days' labourers' work at Banks's at 1s a day, £261 18s 9d

13¼ days' carpenters' work at Munden's Point at 1s 6d a day, £0 19s 10½d

26½ days' lime burning at Munden's Point at 1s 6d a day, £1 19s 9d

124 days' masons' work at Munden's Point at 1s 6d a day, £9 6s 0d

265 days' stone blowers' work at Munden's Point at 1s 6d a day, £19 17s 6d

2,619½ days' labourers' work at Munden's Point at 1s a day, £130 19s 6d

11 days' carpenters' work at Munden's Point at 1s 6d a day, £0 16s 6d

175¾ days' smiths' work in the armourer's shop at 1s 6d a day, £13 3s 7½d

10 days' carpenters' work making a frame for a library at 1s 6d a day, £0 15s 0d

19 days' carpenters' work repairing the Company's houses at 1s 6d a day, £1 8s 6d

20 days' carpenters' work making a mould for Rupert's lattice at 1s 6d a day, £1 10s 0d

36½ days' carpenters' work making the plantation gates at 1s 6d a day, £2 14s 9d

4½ days' painting at 1s 6d a day, £0 6s 9d

The clerk of the arraigns and the crier of the court, £0 12s 6d

Total of sundry payments, £1,417 1s 0½d

Amount of the pay list, £3,008 2s 5¾d

Total, £4,425 3s 6¼d

Kirkpatrick signed the account as paymaster at St Helena on 30 June 1768, reserving the right to correct any errors.

The Council then counted and examined the Company's cash for June 1768.

Interpretations

The work at Banks's dominated the quarter's spending. More than 5,200 days of labour, over 500 days of rock blasting and nearly 250 days of masonry were paid there, at a cost of about £330. That was twice the £146 spent at Banks's in the first quarter of 1768. Munden's Point took about £180, much less than its £293 in the first quarter. Mitchell had moved most of the workforce to Banks's, where materials were ready and the battery could be finished quickly, while Munden's Point waited for its platform to be cleared and its stone gathered. The pattern matches his letter of 4 July, which reported Banks's nearly complete and Munden's Point stocked for the next stage.

The sundry payments came to £1,417 1s 0½d, more than twice the £670 of the first quarter. The fortification wages made up most of it. Re-enlistment bounties, the purchase of three boats, the salt meat bought from the Earl of Elgin, the British King and the Northington, and the Cape bullocks accounted for much of the rest. The busy shipping season and the climax of the building work came together in the same three months.

A carpenter was paid for making a frame for a library, a striking item on a garrison island. It was probably a set of bookshelves for the Castle or for the Council's records. The minutes of 1768 alone had filled many hundreds of pages, and the papers of the quarrel among the councillors were growing fast.

153

146

The 18 July

Cash Dr.

1768 June 1st To Balance remaining

12572 14 4

13 To Exchange for 2 Sets of Bills drawn upon the Honble

Court of Directors payable as follows viz.

One Set to John Purling Esq.

60

One Do. to Mr. Robt. Carr

41 16 -

101 16 -

14th To Ship Northington

13 7 2

15th To Ship Vansittart

12 14 7

16 To Ship Tilbury

5 10 -

20th To Exchange for 2 Sets of Bills drawn upon the Honble

the Court of Directors payable as follows viz.

One Set to Andw. Moffatt Esq.

150 " "

One Do. to Mr. Willm. Cawden

200 " "

350 " -

25th To Ship Duke of Richmond

5 10 -

30 To James Powell recd. of him for Stores Sold

in the Quarter ending this day

930 6 8

To Plantation for Provision Sold

45 5 -

To Licence for Public Houses

18 10 -

To Fines recd. of Sundrys

11 10 -

£ 14067 3 [...]

The Council's cash account for June 1768 opened on the debit side.

Cash, debit

1 June 1768, balance remaining, £12,572 14s 4d

13 June 1768, received in exchange for 2 sets of bills on the Court of Directors

1 set payable to John Purling, £60 0s 0d

1 set payable to Robert Cam, £41 16s 0d

Total for the 2 sets of bills, £101 16s 0d

14 June 1768, received from the ship Northington, £13 7s 2d

14 June 1768, received from the ship Vansittart, £12 14s [...]

16 June 1768, received from the ship Tilbury, £5 10s 0d

20 June 1768, received in exchange for 2 sets of bills on the Court of Directors

1 set payable to Andrew Moffat, £150 0s 0d

1 set payable to William Cawden, £200 0s 0d

Total for the 2 sets of bills, £350 0s 0d

25 June 1768, received from the ship Duke of Richmond, £5 10s 0d

30 June 1768, received from James Powell for stores sold in the quarter ending that day, £930 6s 8d

30 June 1768, received from the plantation for provisions sold, £45 5s 0d

30 June 1768, licences for public houses, £18 10s 0d

30 June 1768, fines received from sundry persons, £11 10s 0d

Total, £14,067 [...]

Interpretations

The fines of £11 10s 0d came almost entirely from the cases heard that spring. On 9 May 1768 Roderick Merchant was fined £1 and John Price 10s for taking the Company's produce from James Black. Black himself was ordered to repay £9 10s 0d for the onions and potatoes he had sold. Together these came to £11, close to the quarter's total. The Council's cases against dishonesty in the Company's garden went straight into the treasury.

Powell's receipts for stores sold fell to £930 6s 8d, against £1,061 14s 9d in the first quarter and £1,311 15s 3d in the last quarter of 1767. The storekeeper's account showed why. Sales of sugar, tea and arrack to employees all fell. The Council's new rules on drink were already reducing the arrack trade, and with the shipping season over, there were fewer passengers and officers buying at the higher rate.

The licences for public houses brought in £18 10s 0d, the last full quarter's revenue from ten houses. From July only five would be licensed, and the Company's income from that source would fall by about half.

154

147

1768

1768 Per Contra Cr.

June 17th By Acct. Curt. London for 2 Chests Treasure consigned

to Bencoolen p Ship Duke of Richmond as p Consult.

this Day

£ 2000 " -

30th By Sundry Accounts Advanced the Paymaster to pay

Salarys &c. in the Quarter ending this day

4425 3 6

6425 3 6

By Balance remaining viz.

In Specie

£ 7102 5 3

In Cash Notes

539 15 -

7642 " 3

£ 14067 3 9

John Skottowe

Dan. Corneille

Purling

The credit side of the Council's cash account for June 1768 read as follows.

Cash, credit

17 June 1768, charged to the London account current, for 2 chests of treasure consigned to Bencoolen in the ship Duke of Richmond, as recorded in the consultation of that day, £2,000 0s 0d

30 June 1768, sums advanced to the paymaster to pay salaries and other charges for the quarter ending that day, £4,425 3s 6d

Total paid out, £6,425 3s 6d

30 June 1768, balance remaining in coin, £7,102 5s 3d

30 June 1768, balance remaining in cash notes, £539 15s 0d

Total balance remaining, £7,642 0s 3d

Total, £14,067 3s 9d

Governor Skottowe, Corneille and Purling signed the account.

Interpretations

The £2,000 sent to Bencoolen was not charged as a loss to the island. It was entered against the London account current, the running account between St Helena and the Court of Directors. The coin left the island's treasury, but the Company in London would credit St Helena with it and debit Fort Marlborough. The island acted as a clearing house. It collected coin from homeward captains and officers through bills on London, then passed part of it on to a poorer settlement in the East, all within the Company's own books.

The treasury's coin fell from more than £12,000 at the end of May to just over £7,100 at the end of June. The quarter's pay and the Bencoolen shipment together took more than £6,400 in a single month. The reserve was still enough to carry the island through the quiet southern winter, when few ships called and few bills could be sold. The next quarter's pay would fall due at the end of September, before the main shipping season began again.

The cash notes of £539 15s 0d appeared unchanged in the balance for yet another month. A note in May had called them of no use. They remained on the books only because no order had come from the Court to write them off.

155

148

The 19 July

At a Consultation held on Tuesday the 19th day of July 1768 at the

Castle

Present John Skottowe Esq. Governor

Daniel Corneille Esq. Lieut. Govr.

Mr. Matthew Pinking

Captn. Thomas Kirkpatrick of Council

The last Consultation was read approved & Signed dated the 18th July 1768

Mr. John Desfountain being Summoned at the

Lieut. Governors request he put the following Question to him viz.

The Lieut. Governor asks Mr. John Desfountain whether

the preceding Week before this affair was brought on Captain Kirkpatrick was

not several times at his House in the Country

Governor John Skottowe held a consultation at the Castle on Tuesday 19 July 1768.

Present

John Skottowe, Governor

Daniel Corneille, Lieutenant Governor

William Matthew Purling

Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick, of the Council

The Council read, approved and signed the minutes of 18 July 1768.

Mr John Desfountain was summoned at the Lieutenant Governor's request, and Corneille put the following question to him.

Corneille asked Mr John Desfountain whether, in the week before this affair was brought forward, Captain Kirkpatrick had not been at his house in the country several times.

Interpretations

Corneille now began his defence by questioning the chief witness against him. He had heard Desfountain's evidence on 11 July, which consisted of hearsay about yams and an account of sheep sold to the Lord Camden. Instead of disputing the facts directly, he turned to how the evidence had come about. He asked whether Kirkpatrick had visited Desfountain several times in the week before the charge was laid. If so, it would suggest that Kirkpatrick had gone looking for evidence after Corneille challenged him on 4 July to prove his hints, rather than acting on information he already held. Kirkpatrick's letter of 21 June had already claimed he could prove his conjectures. Visits to the witness in the following week would imply that he had made the threat first and searched for the proof afterwards.

The question also bore on Desfountain's independence. He lived close to the Long Wood and the Company's stock, and he was of the family of Lieutenant Samuel Desfountain of Kirkpatrick's own company. Repeated visits from Kirkpatrick just before he gave evidence would allow the Court to judge how far his testimony had been shaped by the man who called him.

156

149

1768

and whether he did not mention to him his intention of bringing this

Affair before the Governor and Council as well as tampering with him

what he was to say thereupon.

Mr. John Desfountain Deposeth in answer to the

above Question that on Wednesday the 6th instant Capt. Kirkpatrick came

to his House in the morning early and after his being there some time some

conversation passed between them, he mentioned to him that Capt. Corneille

& he had a great Dispute, that they were all to pieces then, they were

constantly a writing Letter after Letter, that he had wrote a Letter to Captn.

Corneille the Week before, that Capt. Corneille did not answer it, but

brought it & laid it before the Governor & Council, and desired that it

might be Entered in Consultation, Capt. Kirkpatrick said in short he had

wrote so much, that he did not know what to say any longer in writing

which obliged him to bring up the Yams Capt. Corneille had made use of

from the Company's Plantations, he then asked this Deponent whether he

remembered what he had told him, he replied that it was of so long standing

that he had forgot, Capt. Kirkpatrick said that he had nothing more to say,

this Deponent said it was a disagreeable circumstance for him to have any

manner of concern, or to have his name brought in Question upon any

consideration whatever, then Capt. Kirkpatrick mentioned the Slaves to him,

he then told him it was a Circumstance that he did not want to have any

thing to do with it. Capt. Kirkpatrick found that he did not chuse to

comply with any such thing, he drawn up a piece of writing with a pencil &

in that Nominated the quantity of Yams which he gave to this Deponent &

asked him to Copy and sign it, and give it to him, he then told Captain

Kirkpatrick that he could not write just at that time, but would Copy it

some time that day, and would send it to him the next morning; The next

morning Mr. Mahony came up to his House, and asked him if he had not

a piece of writing for Capt. Kirkpatrick, he told him no he had not, &

then told Mr. Mahony that Capt. Kirkpatrick had left a piece of writing

for him to Copy, but that he had not done it, nor did not Choose to do it,

but desired Mr. Mahony to give his Complements to Captain

Kirkpatrick and to tell him what he had to say, he could speak it by

Corneille also asked whether Kirkpatrick had told him of his intention to bring the matter before the Governor and Council, and had tried to influence what he was to say about it.

Mr John Desfountain answered on oath. Early on the morning of Wednesday 6 July 1768, Captain Kirkpatrick came to his house. After he had been there some time, they talked. Kirkpatrick told him that he and Captain Corneille had a serious quarrel and were completely at odds. They were writing letter after letter to each other. Kirkpatrick had written to Corneille the week before, and Corneille had not answered it but had laid it before the Governor and Council and asked for it to be entered in the minutes. Kirkpatrick said that, in short, he had written so much that he did not know what more to say in writing. That obliged him to bring up the yams Corneille had taken from the Company's plantations. He then asked Desfountain whether he remembered what he had told him. Desfountain replied that it was so long ago that he had forgotten. Kirkpatrick said he had nothing more to say.

Desfountain said it was an unpleasant thing for him to have any part in the matter, or to have his name brought in question on any account. Kirkpatrick then raised the sheep with him. Desfountain told him it was something he did not want to have anything to do with. When Kirkpatrick found that he would not agree to anything of the kind, he drew up a piece of writing in pencil, naming in it the quantity of yams he said Desfountain had told him of. He asked Desfountain to copy it out, sign it and give it to him. Desfountain told Kirkpatrick he could not write it just then, but would copy it some time that day and send it to him the next morning. The next morning Mr Mahoney came to his house and asked whether he had a paper for Captain Kirkpatrick. Desfountain told him he had not. He explained that Kirkpatrick had left a paper for him to copy, but that he had not done so and did not choose to. He asked Mr Mahoney to give his compliments to Captain Kirkpatrick and tell him that whatever he had to say, he could say it by word of mouth

Interpretations

Desfountain's evidence turned the case against Kirkpatrick. On 6 July 1768, two days after Corneille demanded specific charges, Kirkpatrick rode out to Desfountain's house in the country. By his own account to Desfountain, he had run out of arguments in writing and needed a fresh charge. When Desfountain said he had forgotten what he once said about the yams, Kirkpatrick did not drop the matter. He wrote out a statement in pencil, putting in a quantity of yams himself, and asked Desfountain to copy and sign it as his own evidence. Desfountain refused. Kirkpatrick had tried to draft a witness's statement for him and have the witness put his name to it.

The account explains why Desfountain's evidence on 11 July had been so thin. He repeated only what he could honestly recall, a hearsay remark by the Company's overseer, and said he had nothing more to allege about the running of the Company's stock. He had already refused to sign the fuller statement Kirkpatrick prepared.

Mr Mahoney, who came to collect the paper, was almost certainly Phillip Mahoney, clerk of the peace and until May a sergeant in Kirkpatrick's own First Company. Kirkpatrick had used a man of his own company and an officer of the island's court as his messenger. That gave the attempt the look of an official proceeding.

157

150

The 19 July

word of Mouth if he should be called upon; On Friday the 8th of this Month

Captn. Kirkpatrick came to his House in the forenoon, with a Letter in his

Pocket from the Governor, for him to attend the Council on the Monday following,

and likewise asked him what he had done with the Pencilled piece of Paper

he had left with him on the Wednesday before, he told Capt. Kirkpatrick

he had burnt it; Capt. Kirkpatrick said that will do very well, the next

day in the evening he sent one of his Blacks to the Fort, Capt. Kirkpatrick

sent him a Letter by the Black where it mentioned to him that he might as

well speak of the Sheep as of the Yams, for the Sheep was not put down in

the Paper that was Pencilled

The Lieut. Governor desires that Mr. Desfountain may be asked

whether he has that Pencilled piece of Paper and the Letter he mentions

This Deponent replied Yes and produced them both

Which are as follows viz.

Copy of the pencilled piece of Paper viz.

Sir

In Answer to yours, I acknowledge to have seen you in Long Wood

about 5 or 6th of June 1767, and as we Rode together observing a number

of Hogs, you said, of all these were fed, it must take a good deal of

Yam; upon which, I told you that the Overseer had acquainted me that

there was 5900 lb. of Yam sent from the Company's Plantations in one Month

for the Use of the Lieut. Governors Stock this I declare to be truth

8th July 1768

and am

Sir

Your most humble Servant

J. D.

To Capt. Thos. Kirkpatrick

Desfountain continued that Kirkpatrick could speak to him in person if he was called on. On the forenoon of Friday 8 July 1768, Kirkpatrick came to his house with a letter in his pocket from the Governor, summoning Desfountain to attend the Council the following Monday. Kirkpatrick also asked what he had done with the pencilled paper left with him on the Wednesday. Desfountain told him he had burnt it. Kirkpatrick said that would do very well. The next morning Desfountain sent one of his slaves to the fort. Kirkpatrick sent him back a letter by the slave, saying that he might as well speak of the sheep as of the yams, since the sheep had not been put down in the pencilled paper.

Corneille asked that Mr Desfountain be asked whether he still had the pencilled paper and the letter he had mentioned.

Desfountain replied that he had, and produced them both. They read as follows.

The pencilled paper, dated 8 July 1768 and addressed to Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick, read: "In answer to yours, I acknowledge that I saw you in the Long Wood about 5 or 6 June 1767. As we rode together, observing a number of hogs, you said that, by the look of how well they were fed, it must take a good deal of yams. I then told you that the overseer had informed me that 5,900 lb of yams were sent from the Company's plantations in one month for the use of the Lieutenant Governor's stock. This I declare to be true." It was left for Desfountain's signature.

Interpretations

The pencilled paper was the document Kirkpatrick had drafted for Desfountain to copy and sign as his own. It was written in Desfountain's voice and addressed to Kirkpatrick as if it answered a letter from him. It gave a precise figure, 5,900 lb of yams a month, that Desfountain had never put forward himself. On 11 July Desfountain had spoken only of several thousand pounds, and earlier he had told Kirkpatrick he had forgotten the details. The figure was Kirkpatrick's, set down for the witness to adopt.

Desfountain had told Kirkpatrick he had burnt the paper. In fact he kept it, together with Kirkpatrick's letter about the sheep. The paper was evidence that Kirkpatrick had tried to supply his witness with his testimony. Desfountain evidently saw that, and kept it in case he needed to protect himself. Kirkpatrick's reply, that the burning would do very well, shows he was content to have the draft destroyed once it had failed. His later letter urged Desfountain to speak of the sheep as well, since the pencilled paper had not covered them. It shows Kirkpatrick still steering the evidence by letter two days before the hearing.

Kirkpatrick carried the Governor's summons to Desfountain in person. The official order to attend the Council was delivered by the accuser himself, on the same visit at which he pressed the witness about the missing paper.

158

151

1768

Copy of the Letter viz.

To Mr. Jno. Desfountain Senr.

Dear Sir

I embrace this Opportunity of Peter's being down, to infor you,

that you may, as freely as mentioning the Yams, mention the Circumstance of

the 12 Sheep because G. S. D. t has owned the same to me: I still fear the

quantity of Yams seems incredible and would be in appearancy the expence

of a Quar. rather than a Month; because 300 a day would not Amount to

that, in a Month: I shall be happy in seeing you on Monday and Am

Yrs. &c. T. K.

Burn this

The Lieutenant Governor then delivered to the Board his

Defence in Answer to what Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick had alledged

against him

Defence of Danl. Corneille Lieut. Governor

Gentlemen

As Capt. Kirkpatrick has now gone through with all

the Evidences He desired to call upon; in support of the heavy Charge he has

Alledged against my Honesty, my Honour, and every thing that is, and

ought to be most Valuable to a man of the least Sensibility, and Feelings; and

as I am now to consider myself upon my Defence, It stands me upon to

you Gentlemen, as well as to my Honble Employers to shew how false, and

base this attack, as well, as the groundless foundation of the whole

Kirkpatrick's letter to Mr John Desfountain read as follows.

Kirkpatrick wrote that he was taking the chance of Peter going down to tell Desfountain that he might mention the matter of the 12 sheep as freely as the yams, since G B had admitted it to him. He still feared that the quantity of yams would seem incredible. In appearance it looked more like the use of a quarter than of a month, because 300 lb a day would not come to that in a month. He would be glad to see Desfountain on Monday. He signed the letter T K and dated it on the Saturday, 9 July 1768, at ten o'clock. At the foot he added: "Burn this."

Corneille then delivered his defence to the Board, in answer to what Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick had alleged against him.

Corneille addressed the Council. Kirkpatrick had now called all the witnesses he wished in support of the heavy charge he had brought against Corneille's honesty and honour, against everything that was or ought to be most valuable to a man of the least sensibility and feeling. Corneille now had to consider himself on his defence. It was his duty to the Council, as well as to the Company, to show how false and base this attack was, and how groundless the whole

Interpretations

Kirkpatrick's letter sealed the case against his own conduct. He told his witness what he could safely say, citing G B, plainly George Bazett, the steward who had confirmed the sale of the sheep. He also admitted his doubt about the figure he had himself written into the pencilled paper. The figure of 5,900 lb of yams a month seemed incredible to him and more like a quarter's use than a month's. He had put a number in the witness's mouth that he did not fully believe. He ended by telling Desfountain to burn the letter. Like the pencilled paper, it survived because the witness chose to keep it.

The Company's own livestock accounts give a measure of the claim. In the quarter just ended, Corneille's plantation account recorded 13,650 lb of yams issued to all the Company's stock over three months, about 4,500 lb a month for every cow, sheep, goat, hog and horse together. A diversion of 5,900 lb a month to the Lieutenant Governor's private hogs would have been more than the whole herd's ration. Kirkpatrick saw that the number was implausible and still pressed it.

Corneille opened his defence by recalling what was at stake: his honesty and honour. For an officer of the Company, a proven charge of using its property for private profit meant dismissal and disgrace. The evidence Desfountain had just produced allowed Corneille to present the charge as a fabrication, not merely a mistake.

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of it, which surely nothing but the most inveterate Malice, and evil

Disposition could have Urged Him to

With respect to the first part of what Capt. Kirkpatrick means to prove,

my keeping Hoggs in Horse-point and feeding them with Yams from the

Honble. Compys. Plantations, 'tis a truth not only known to you Gentlemen but to

every one I suppose upon the Island, as the place allotted for the Lieut. Governor

Stock, and as such received it from my Predecessor Mr. Skottowe, And

considering it always in that light I never imagined, nor do I now Conceive it

can be made any Reproach to me to raise Hoggs there for the Advantage of

my Table, and living, and as my Poultry has always been kept with

Rice and Paddy from the Companys Store Gratis, as well as Yams from

their Plantations, also the liberty of Grazing a few Sheep on the Long Wood

for which I can plead Prescription: concluded likewise with the same

propriety and without any Wrong to the Honble Company that I might

take an Addition of Yams for that part of my Stock (and which I shall still

continue to do unless ordered by you Gentlemen to the Contrary) as I cannot

conceive that my Honble. Masters ever intended that their Lieut. Governor

Here, who can have no property of Land for the Advantage of Raising the

common necessarys of Life, should be distressed in that respect; As His

Sallary, and the Expences his Station Demands in Entertaining the number

of Strangers that pass this way bear no proportion, and could not

otherwise Afford were it not from that Advantage, and of Custom hitherto

has been the only Plea for the above indulgences, I am happy of this

opportunity offering as a means hereafter to my Successors of settling such

triffling Indulgences upon a surer foundation, And take this opportunity

further to inform you, that I have this Year disposed of Fifteen of my

Hoggs to the Shipping, which I am surprised should have escaped Mr.

Kirkpatricks Observation, and Voluntary offer this Circumstance to convince him

and every Body upon the Island my Readiness to have the most minute

part of my Conduct known to my Honble. Employers

And altho Capt. Kirkpatricks intention in ye Whole of this, is too

obvious to require being pointed out, I can only make the following reflection

upon it, That it is one of those evil Designs wherein the Authors are often

Disappointed and more frequently proves productive of Good, Contrary to their

Intentions, And here I rest what I have to offer to the first Part of his

Corneille continued that nothing but the most deep-rooted malice and ill will could have driven Kirkpatrick to such a charge.

On the first part of what Kirkpatrick meant to prove, Corneille admitted that he kept hogs in the horse pound and fed them with yams from the Company's plantations. That was well known, not only to the Council but, he supposed, to everyone on the island. The horse pound was the place set aside for the Lieutenant Governor's stock, and he had received it as such from his predecessor, Mr Skottowe. Having always regarded it in that light, he had never imagined, and did not now believe, that he could be blamed for raising hogs there for his table and household. His poultry had always been fed free with rice and paddy from the Company's stores, and with yams from its plantations. He also had leave to graze a few sheep in the Long Wood, a right he could claim by long custom. He had therefore concluded that he might, with equal propriety and no wrong to the Company, take extra yams for that part of his stock. He would continue to do so unless the Council or the Company ordered otherwise.

Corneille did not believe the Company had ever intended its Lieutenant Governor to go without in this respect. He held no land of his own on which to raise the common necessities of life. His salary bore no relation to the costs his post imposed in entertaining the many strangers who passed that way, and he could not otherwise afford them without that benefit. Custom had so far been the only ground for such allowances. He was glad of this chance to put such small allowances on a surer footing for his successors.

He also told the Council that he had this year sold 15 of his hogs to the ships. He was surprised this had escaped Kirkpatrick's notice. He gave the fact freely, to convince Kirkpatrick and everyone on the island of his readiness to have even the smallest part of his conduct known to the Company.

Kirkpatrick's intention throughout was too obvious to need pointing out. Corneille would make only this remark: it was one of those evil designs that often disappointed their authors and more often did good, contrary to their aims. He then turned to what he had to say on the first part of the accusation

Interpretations

Corneille did not deny the facts. He admitted feeding Company yams to his hogs and openly added a fact Kirkpatrick had missed: he had sold 15 hogs to the ships. The obvious defence would have been to dispute the quantity of yams or to deny the hogs were his. He took another course and argued that the practice was a recognised perquisite of his office. He had inherited the horse pound from his predecessor, who was now Governor Skottowe himself. His poultry were fed from the Company's stores, as the plantation accounts showed every quarter. He grazed sheep in the Long Wood by custom. In that light the yams were one more allowance in kind, like the candles, the fishing tackle and the table allowance that every senior officer on the island received.

The argument placed the Governor in an awkward position. If Corneille's use of the horse pound was improper, so had been Skottowe's when he held the same office. By naming his predecessor, Corneille made his defence a defence of the established practice of the island's senior officers. The Governor could hardly condemn it without condemning himself.

The sale of 15 hogs to passing ships was the weakest point in Corneille's case, since animals fattened on Company yams were then sold for private profit. He met it head on. He disclosed the sales himself and asked the Council and the Court to rule on the practice for the future. In effect he asked to be judged by the customs of his office rather than by Kirkpatrick's standard. He also invited the Company to settle the Lieutenant Governor's allowances in writing, so that no successor would face the same charge.

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Accusation, calling upon the Overseer to inform you Gentlemen of the

addition of Yams so expended on that part of my Stock, as well as the

Quality of them, consisting mostly of what are called Nobbs not given to

the Slaves, and which I have ordered to be appropriated to the Honble.

Compy. as well as my Stock, and which more than fully answers that

purpose, as I have known large Quantity's of them thrown away

when not expended in the above manner

Here I call upon John Worrall and John Bazett

Mr. John Worrall the Company's Overseer being duly

Sworn Deposeth that about a Year ago the Lieut. Governor had about

600 lb. Yams p Week during the dry Season to feed his Hogs, & Poultry,

that he has at times since had only about 150 lb. p Week and at present 425 lb.

p Week, that the Yams are Waste Yam, and not fit for the Blacks to

Eat, or even Fowls

Mr. John Bazett being duly Sworn Deposeth that the

Overseers demand for Yams to be sent in the Wood are 500 lb. p Week since

the Digging of the Maldavia Plantation, that the Yams are refuse Yams

not Eat by the Company's Slaves, that great part of such Yams have

been thrown away, there being more than sufficient for feeding of the

Stock

Mr. John Worrall being asked whether the whole of the

Yams sent to the Wood were for the Lieutenant Governors Stock, says

there is 500 lb. received but only 425 for his Stock, the remainder for the

Companys Poultry

I come now to the second Part, Wherein Capt. Kirkpatrick

Corneille called on the overseer to tell the Council how many extra yams went to that part of his stock, and of what kind. They were mostly the small, misshapen tubers known as nubbs, which were not given to the slaves. Corneille had ordered them to be used for the Company's stock as well as his own. They more than met that need, and he had known large quantities to be thrown away when they were not used in this way. He called on John Worrall and John Bazett.

Mr John Worrall, the Company's overseer, was sworn. He said that about a year earlier, in the dry season, the Lieutenant Governor had received about 600 lb of yams a week to feed his hogs and poultry. At times since then he had received only about 150 lb a week, and at present he received 425 lb a week. The yams were waste, unfit for the slaves to eat or even for fowls.

Mr John Bazett was sworn. He said the overseer's order for yams to be sent to the Wood had been 500 lb a week since the digging of the Maldivia plantation began. These were refuse yams that the Company's slaves would not eat. Much of them had been thrown away, because there were more than enough to feed the stock.

Mr John Worrall was asked whether all the yams sent to the Wood were for the Lieutenant Governor's stock. He said that 500 lb a week were received there, but only 425 lb went to Corneille's stock. The rest went to the Company's poultry.

Corneille then turned to the second part of the charge, in which Captain Kirkpatrick called

Interpretations

The overseer's evidence cut the charge down to its true size. The pencilled paper Kirkpatrick drafted for Desfountain spoke of 5,900 lb of yams a month, close to 1,500 lb a week. Worrall swore on oath to a peak of about 600 lb a week a year earlier, falling at times to 150 lb and standing at 425 lb when he gave evidence. He was the overseer whose words Desfountain had reportedly repeated. Kirkpatrick's figure was more than twice anything he described. Kirkpatrick's own letter of 9 July had admitted that the number looked like a quarter's use rather than a month's.

The quality of the yams mattered as much as the quantity. Both Worrall and John Bazett, the superintendent of the Company's slaves, described them as refuse that the slaves would not eat and that was often thrown away. If that was right, Corneille had taken nothing the Company could otherwise have used. The yams had been surplus waste from the plantation's harvest, and his hogs consumed it instead of letting it rot. The digging of the Maldivia plantation had increased the supply of such waste. That explains why the quantity sent to the Wood rose in the months before the charge was made.

Both witnesses served under Corneille in the running of the plantation, and the Court might weigh that. Their evidence was given on oath before the full Council, however, and Kirkpatrick could test it. It also matched the Company's quarterly accounts, which already recorded large issues of yams to the stock.

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calls upon Mr. Desfountain as a hearsay Evidence in regard to twelve Sheep

of the Company's Ordered on board the Lord Camden in May 1767, as also

George Bazett the Compys. Steward, to prove his having Received the Money for

said Sheep and paid it to Me, Inferring thereby agreable to his Charge, That

I had appropriated the Honble. Company's Property to my own use, and

Profit.

With Respect to this charge Gentlemen, my Vindication thank

God is infinitely easier to me, than what ought to be that Mans Conscience

who can be capable to assert such an Abominable Falsehood to the Injuring

of another and in order to Justify the above harsh Expression, As You

have already examined the Stewards Book in the course of this Enquiry

wherein it appears that, that Money was paid to me, I have here

transcribed a Copy of the Profits of Plantation Acct. of that Quarter

wherein you will find those twelve Sheep Accounted for, and my

Ballance paid and entered as p. Cash Book, and likewise lay before

you my Book of Dr. & Cr. of Profits of Plantation for a full

inspection; as I may venture to say that 'tis the first Lieutenant

Governor that has kept such a one, and lucky for me that my great

exactness in the management of my Trust has prompted me to that

measure

Copy of Profits Arising from the Honble. Companys Plantations

from 1st April to 30th June 1767

April 23d To a Kid for my Use

£ - 5 -

28th To a Lamb Do.

- 10 -

May 11th To 209 lb. over Charter party to Ships Northumberland

Duke of Cumberland, Havannah, Middlesex

Glatton & Lioness

4 7 1

Do. To my Use 45 lb. of Beef

- 18 9

Do. To 12 Head of Sheep to Lord Camden

12 - -

Do. To 15 lb. of Goat Sold

- 6 4½

Do. To 121 over Charter party to Ships Britannia

Hawke & Duke of Albany

2 10 5

Do. To 15 lb. of Beef to my use

- 5 3

Do. To 18 Cape Sheep to Duke of Albany

18 - -

Carrd. over£ 39 3 - ¼

Corneille turned to the second charge. Kirkpatrick had called Mr Desfountain to give hearsay evidence about 12 of the Company's sheep sent aboard the Lord Camden in May 1767. He had also called George Bazett, the Company's steward, to prove that Bazett received the money for the sheep and paid it to Corneille. From this Kirkpatrick concluded, as his charge required, that Corneille had taken the Company's property for his own use and profit.

Corneille told the Council that, thank God, clearing himself of this charge was far easier for him than it ought to be for the conscience of any man who could invent so abominable a falsehood to injure another. The Council had already examined the steward's book during the inquiry, and it showed that the money had been paid to Corneille. To justify his strong language, he had copied out the account of profits from the plantation for that quarter. The Council would find the 12 sheep accounted for in it, and his balance paid in and entered in the cash book. He also laid before the Council his own ledger of debits and credits on the plantation's profits for full inspection. He believed he was the first Lieutenant Governor to keep one, and it was fortunate for him that his care in managing his trust had led him to do so.

The account of profits from the Company's plantations from 1 April to 30 June 1767 read as follows.

23 April 1767, a kid for Corneille's own use, £0 5s 0d

28 April 1767, a lamb for Corneille's own use, £0 10s 0d

11 May 1767, 209 lb of beef supplied beyond the charter party allowance to the ships Northumberland, Duke of Cumberland, Havannah, Middlesex, Glatton and Lioness, £4 7s 1d

11 May 1767, 45 lb of beef for Corneille's own use, £0 18s 9d

11 May 1767, 12 head of sheep to the Lord Camden, £12 0s 0d

11 May 1767, 15 lb of goat sold, £0 6s 4½d

11 May 1767, 121 lb of beef supplied beyond the charter party allowance to the ships Britannia, Hawke and Duke of Albany, £2 10s 5d

11 May 1767, 15 lb of beef for Corneille's own use, £0 5s 3d

11 May 1767, 18 Cape sheep to the Duke of Albany, £18 0s 0d

Carried forward, £39 3s [...]

Interpretations

Corneille's ledger answered the sheep charge directly. The 12 sheep sold to the Lord Camden appeared at £12 in the account of plantation profits for the quarter, entered to the Company's credit. Bazett had collected the money and paid it to Corneille, as Bazett swore. Corneille, in turn, had brought the sum into the plantation account and paid the balance into the treasury. Desfountain had only heard that the sheep were a present to Governor Palk. Behind that story stood an ordinary sale recorded in the Company's books. Kirkpatrick had proved that Corneille received the money. He had never asked where it went.

The same ledger also undermined Kirkpatrick's story of the kid taken in October 1766. Corneille charged himself for every animal he drew from the Company's stock for his own table, including a kid at 5s, a lamb at 10s and beef by the pound. The account showed that a Lieutenant Governor who took Company produce for his household paid for it at a fixed price. Kirkpatrick had been unable to say whether the kid of 1766 was credited. The ledger made it likely that it had been, in the same way.

Beef supplied beyond the charter party allowance was fresh meat sold to Company ships in excess of the ration their hiring contracts entitled them to receive at St Helena. The island charged for the extra at about 5d a pound, and the money went to the plantation's profits. Corneille's careful private record of these sales, which he claimed no earlier Lieutenant Governor had kept, was what saved him. It turned a charge of embezzlement into a demonstration of his accuracy as the plantation's manager.

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Brought Over£ 39 - - ¼

To 161 lb. of Mutton in Quarter to my use from Govr. Steward

3 7 1

By Ballance paid into the Compys. Cash July the 20th£ 42 10 1¼

The above Acct. compared with the Cash Book, and my Book

now before you fully clears up that most shamefull Aspersion, and as

to the long Article that Capt. Kirkpatrick has given in, with respect to a

Kid for my use for the Governors Wedding Dinner on the 4th of Octor. 1766

and which he has taken so much pains from his inquiry at the Pound, as

well as his Watchings to observe whether it was brought to my House as his

Convictions of my further Wrong to the Compy. I therefore Transcribe the

whole of that Quarters Acct. wherein you will find that I have made myself

Dr. for the same as well as every Article that I have ever had from the

Honble. Compys. Stock, having no other recourse to for my living, and what

the Govr. and Council, nay every Compys. Servant well knows has been

the Constant practice of all Lieut. Govrs. paying for the same (which the

Book now before you Gentlemen most more fully Evince than what I am

sure any of my Predecessors could have done, had they from such Malice been

obliged to have recourse to a Retrospect of Circumstances of the like nature,

and thereby might have fallen an Innocent Victim to the deep laid plot

and most Scandalous Aspersions of a Designing Man

Copy of Profits Arising from Plantation from the 1st of Oct. to the

30 Decem. 1766

Octr. 4th To a Kid Wt. 11 lb. for my use

£ - 4 7

Novr. 30th To 71 lb. Beef to Ship Dowbaven over Charter party

1 9 7

Decr. 9th To 120½ lb. of Beef sold at Market of a Beast killed by a

fall, the Remainder given to the Blacks

2 1 3

Do. To a Kid Wt. 14 lb. for my use

- 5 10

To 6 Goats 120 to the Hospital

2 10 -

To 76 lb. of Mutton during the Quarter to my Use from Govr. Steward

1 11 10½

To 159 lb. of Beef sold by the Govr. Steward

3 6 3

Do. To 16 lb. Beef for my use

- 6 8

By Balance paid into the Compys. Cash Jan. 19£ 11 16 - ½

Corneille's account of plantation profits for the quarter ending 30 June 1767 ended as follows.

Brought forward, £39 3s 0¼d

161 lb of mutton for Corneille's own use during the quarter, received from the Governor's steward, £3 7s 1d

Balance paid into the Company's cash on 20 July 1767, £42 10s 1¼d

Corneille told the Council that the account, checked against the cash book and his own ledger now before it, fully cleared him of that most shameful charge.

He then turned to the long statement Kirkpatrick had given in about a kid taken for Corneille's use at the Governor's wedding dinner on 4 October 1766. Kirkpatrick had gone to great pains over it, making inquiries at the pound and watching to see whether the kid was carried to Corneille's house, as proof of a further wrong to the Company. Corneille therefore copied out the whole account for that quarter. The Council would find that he had charged himself for the kid, as for every item he had ever taken from the Company's stock. He had no other means of supplying his household. The Governor, the Council and every Company servant knew that paying for such things had been the constant practice of every Lieutenant Governor. His ledger proved it more fully than any of his predecessors could have done, had malice ever forced them to look back over such matters. Without it, he might have fallen an innocent victim to the deep-laid plot and scandalous charges of a scheming man.

The account of profits from the Company's plantations from 1 October to 30 December 1766 read as follows.

4 October 1766, a kid weighing 11 lb for Corneille's own use, £0 4s 7d

30 November 1766, 71 lb of beef supplied beyond the charter party allowance to the ship [...], £1 9s 7d

9 December 1766, [...] lb of beef sold at market from a beast killed by a fall, the rest given to the slaves, £2 1s 3d

9 December 1766, a kid weighing 14 lb for Corneille's own use, £0 5s 10d

9 December 1766, 6 goats weighing 120 lb to the hospital, £2 10s 0d

9 December 1766, 76½ lb of mutton for Corneille's own use during the quarter, received from the Governor's steward, £1 11s 10½d

9 December 1766, 159 lb of beef sold by the Governor's steward, £3 6s 3d

9 December 1766, 16 lb of beef for Corneille's own use, £0 6s 8d

Balance paid into the Company's cash on 19 January 1767, £11 16s 0½d

Interpretations

The first line of the 1766 account answered Kirkpatrick's third charge exactly. On 3 October 1766 Kirkpatrick had watched a kid picked out at the pound and sent to the Wood to be killed for the Deputy. The next morning he saw something carried to Corneille's house. Corneille's ledger recorded a kid of 11 lb taken for his own use on 4 October 1766, the day of the dinner for the Governor's wedding guests, and charged to himself at 4s 7d. Kirkpatrick had told the Council he did not know whether the Company was credited. The ledger showed that it was, and that the money reached the treasury with the quarter's balance on 19 January 1767.

The accounts show how the Lieutenant Governor's perquisites worked in practice. He did not take Company meat free. He bought it at the island's fixed price of about 5d a pound and paid the total into the treasury each quarter. That applied even to mutton drawn through the Governor's own steward. The benefit of his office lay in a guaranteed supply at a fair price, not in free goods. The yams for his hogs, which were refuse from the plantation, were the one item he took without charge, and he had openly asked the Council to rule on them.

The two quarters' accounts also show how the plantation earned its keep. It sold beef to ships beyond their charter allowance and sold meat at the market from animals killed by accident. It supplied the hospital and charged the island's officers for their tables. Corneille paid every penny of these small sums into the Company's cash, which left Kirkpatrick's charges of private profit without foundation.

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I have now Gentlemen one thing further to observe in Regard to Captain

Kirkpatricks Minute of the 11th July, wherein he leaves the Honble. the Court of

Directors to judge between him and me, and further says that when both our

Characters are put into a Scale &c. &c. Sorry I am, that not content with former

Insinuations, he will still continue to Wound me in that tender point, by a

Comparison that I cannot but consider as a further Aggravation to his former

Malice, as I must now make an appeal to his own Conscience, in what light he

can consider himself, for having imposed upon the Governor and Council an

advance of one hundred and forty Pounds more than he ought to have done,

(notwithstanding Money always given him for Contingent charges during the

Quarter, from the Commencement of the works untill July 1767) at which time I

made the discovery and informed the Govr. & Council of it, also charging Relisting

Money for a Man that had no Existance, which probably would never have been

discovered was it not for Mr. Purlings great exactness in business, and occasioned his

Minute as entered in Consultation of 27 July 1767, likewise my Letter as entered

the 10th of August 1767 in regard to the payment of the Troops and given the Captns.

Regular Abstracts; at which the Honble. Directors express their Surprize, as

not conceiving how any mistake can happen to their prejudice, Yet I must take

this opportunity of informing their Honours that it may again be the Case, as

notwithstanding the orders Capt. Kirkpatrick Received in Consequence of that

Minute, to insert in his Pay Acct. against the names of every Soldier he

Relists the date when his amount of service Commences, as also to given the

Captains Regular Abstracts, that he has not comply'd with either of those

Regulations and orders, longer than the first Quarter proceeding that order as

his pay Acct. Verifys the former, and the Respective Captains can the latter, that

the many other Errors he has been Guilty of in his Accts. as Paymaster have been of

such a nature as to oblige the Govr. & Council to put a Stop to his receiving any Money

from the Storekeeper out of the Collections, arising from a mistake of one hundred pounds

fully cleared up with Regard to the Honble. Compy. (as there Cash can never be a

Looser) but how far to Mr. Powell the Person obliged to make good that Money, I

must leave to Capt. Kirkpatricks own Reflection, as a transaction that could never have

came to the knowledge of the Govr. & Council but from the Deficiency on settling that

Quarters Acct. as to this day Mr. Powell is not satisfy'd but that Capt. Kirkpatrick

had two hundred and fifty pounds from him agreable to his Receipt produced in

Council, and which he said was a Mistake, having given it for one hundred pounds

Corneille had one more point to make about Kirkpatrick's minute of 11 July 1768. In it Kirkpatrick had left the Court to judge between them and said that, when both their characters were weighed, it would be clear which of them had caused the quarrel. Corneille regretted that Kirkpatrick was not content with his earlier insinuations and went on wounding him on that sensitive point by such a comparison. Corneille regarded it as a further sign of his malice. He therefore appealed to Kirkpatrick's own conscience to say how he could regard his own conduct in three matters.

First, Kirkpatrick had drawn £140 more from the Governor and Council than he ought to have done, from the start of the works until July 1767, even though he was always given money for incidental charges during each quarter. Corneille had discovered this at that time and reported it to the Governor and Council.

Second, Kirkpatrick had charged a re-enlistment bounty for a man who did not exist. That would probably never have come to light but for Purling's great care in business. It had led to Purling's minute entered in the consultation of 27 July 1767, and to Corneille's own letter entered on 10 August 1767 about the payment of the troops and the issue of regular pay statements to the captains. The Court had expressed its surprise at the affair, since it could not see how any such mistake could happen to its loss.

Corneille wished to tell the Court that the same thing might happen again. After that minute, Kirkpatrick had been ordered to enter in his pay account, against the name of every soldier he re-enlisted, the date on which the new term of service began. He had also been ordered to give the captains regular pay statements. He had kept to neither order for longer than the first quarter after it was given. The pay accounts would prove the first point, and the captains could confirm the second.

Third, Kirkpatrick's many other errors as paymaster had been serious enough to oblige the Governor and Council to stop him drawing any money from the storekeeper out of the sales receipts. That arose from a mistake of £100, which had been fully cleared up as far as the Company was concerned, since it could never be the loser. How far Mr Powell, the storekeeper, had been obliged to make good that money, Corneille left to Kirkpatrick's own reflection. The matter would never have come to the Governor and Council's knowledge but for the shortfall found when that quarter's account was settled. To that day Mr Powell was not satisfied that Kirkpatrick had not received £550 from him, as shown by Kirkpatrick's receipt produced in Council. Kirkpatrick said the receipt was a mistake, having been given for £100 more

Interpretations

Corneille did not stop at answering the charges. Having shown that the yams were refuse and that the sheep and the kid were paid for, he could have rested his case. Instead he turned on his accuser's own record as paymaster, and the record gives his reason. Kirkpatrick had invited the Court to weigh both men's characters. Corneille accepted the invitation and set out Kirkpatrick's past irregularities, each already on record in the minutes of 1767, so that the Court could judge whose conduct deserved suspicion.

The charges against Kirkpatrick were graver in kind than those he had brought. An overdrawn advance of £140 and a bounty claimed for a soldier who did not exist pointed to money passing through the paymaster's hands without proper account. A disputed receipt with the storekeeper suggested the same. A false re-enlistment bounty was a known method of fraud in eighteenth-century armies, where a paymaster could pocket £10 under a fictitious name. The order to note each man's re-enlistment date in the pay list was meant to stop it.

Corneille's claim that the order had lapsed can be tested against the pay lists of 1768. The re-enlistment bounties of April and May appear only in the paymaster's sundry payments. Against the names of men such as John Vaughan, William Stedman or Thomas Bailey in the companies' rolls, no date of re-enlistment is entered. The captains could not tell from the pay list which of their men had signed on again, which was exactly the weakness the 1767 order was meant to remedy.

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more than Recd. from Mr. Powell without ever offering him any other satisfaction

of producing any entry of the Money Recd. and these, and such like Errors and

mistakes known to you Gentlemen as those stated are the Circumstances from which

Capt. Kirkpatrick has experienced my Abilitys (As he is pleased to term it) in point of

Reproof, and which I must freely own he has upon all like occasions received from me,

adequate to the nature of his Error, or when they have appeared to me rather in a

worse light than bare Mistakes. And tho I am conscious that a Retrospect of past

misconduct may have the appearance of Retaliation for the present Injury I have

Recd. from Capt. Kirkpatrick, of so heinous a nature as might Justify it allowing

that it proceeded even from that motive, Yet I can assure the Honble. the Court of

Directors and you Gentlemen that having now occasion from the above base and

Scandalous Conduct in this affair, to Imagine that his former Errors was more

than mere Omissions which at that time I was willing to suppose from a motive of

Benevolence, to put the most favourable Construction on what I then concluded arose

only from want of Abilitys in the Execution of his Employment; Yet now convinced

of the malice and deep design throughout the whole of his Conduct in this affair

as I believe must fully appear to every impartial Man, That I am obliged in

Conscience now, as a Duty I owe my Employers, as a duty I owe society, and as a

justice due myself no longer to screen a man who can with premeditated malice attack

my Integrity, Honesty, and Character in so Capital a manner without being able to

prove the least of his most Shamefull and Groundless Charge, As no man can be

safe with a Disposition of the like nature, so highly dangerous to the Peace,

Order, and Justice, as the only Knotts than can unite, and Connect in

Intercourse between Man, & Man, and society in General

Now Gentlemen that I have so laid before you such convincing

Proofs of my Integrity, and Innocence, in Confutation of the Charge Offered by

Capt. Kirkpatrick; which I suppose was what he Threatened me with in his

Letter, wherein he asserts that he can and will if put to it carry his speculations a

little further than bare Mistakes with Regard to me, and appeals to my own

breast in this tender point. And still Conscious of my Innocence (from that appeal)

not only to my Honourable Employers, but to all Mankind, have thought it

incumbent upon me to put him to the Test, never indeed imagining even a

possibility of any other Attack, than what might arise from the Opinion of

Another Man, as some Error in Judgment in my Conduct, which had that

at any time being the Case, I should most readily and willingly have

Kirkpatrick had said the receipt was given for £100 more than he received from Mr Powell, yet he had never offered Powell any other proof by producing any entry of the money received. These and similar errors and mistakes, known to the Council as Corneille had described them, were the occasions on which Kirkpatrick had felt what he called Corneille's abilities in the way of reproof. Corneille admitted freely that Kirkpatrick had on all those occasions received from him a reproof suited to the nature of his error, or to how it then appeared to him, which was in a worse light than a simple mistake.

Corneille knew that looking back over past misconduct might seem like retaliation for the present injury. Kirkpatrick's charge was so grave that it might fairly be allowed even if that were his motive. He assured the Court and the Council, however, that it was not. Kirkpatrick's base and scandalous conduct in this affair had now given him reason to think that his earlier errors were more than oversights. At the time Corneille had chosen, out of goodwill, to put the most favourable construction on them and to put them down to a lack of ability in Kirkpatrick's work. He was now convinced of the malice and deep design behind Kirkpatrick's whole conduct in this affair, as he believed every impartial person would see. He felt bound in conscience, as a duty he owed the Company, to society and to himself in justice, to stop excusing a man who could attack his integrity, honesty and character in so deliberate and malicious a way without being able to prove the least part of his shameful and groundless charge. No one could be safe from a man of such a temper. It was highly dangerous to the peace, order and justice that alone held people together and governed dealings between them and in society at large.

Corneille had now laid before the Council convincing proof of his integrity and innocence in answer to Kirkpatrick's charge. He supposed this was what Kirkpatrick had threatened him with in his letter, when he wrote that he could and would, if pressed, take his conjectures a little further than a mere mistake, and appealed to Corneille's own conscience on that delicate point. Still aware of his innocence, Corneille had thought it his duty to make that appeal not only to the Company but to all mankind, and to put Kirkpatrick to the test. He had never imagined that any other attack was possible than one arising from another man's view that some error of judgement had crept into his conduct. Had that ever been the case, he would most readily and willingly have accepted

Interpretations

Corneille's argument now changed in character. Until this point he had defended himself. Here he declared that he would no longer excuse Kirkpatrick's earlier failings as an accountant. In 1767 he had treated the overdrawn advance, the false bounty and the disputed receipt with Powell as the errors of a man not equal to his work. He now said he had been too generous. His reasoning was that a man who could invent a charge of embezzlement against a fellow councillor, as the pencilled paper and the letter marked "Burn this" showed, could no longer be presumed innocent of irregularities in his own accounts. Kirkpatrick's conduct in the present affair cast its own light back on his past.

Corneille met the obvious objection directly. Raking up a rival's past faults during a quarrel would look like revenge, and the Court might discount it as such. He answered by drawing a line between personal resentment and public duty. Kirkpatrick held the post of paymaster and handled more than £4,000 of the Company's money each quarter. If he was willing to fabricate evidence, then the Company had a real interest in knowing it. The argument turned Corneille's grievance into a question of the Company's safety, the ground on which the Court was most likely to act.

The closing distinction mattered to his whole case. Corneille said he would have accepted criticism of his judgement. What he would not accept was a charge against his honesty. A Lieutenant Governor might err in managing the plantation and still keep his post. Proven dishonesty would end his career.

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embraced the opportunity of clearing it up, and offerd my Reasons why I had so Acted.

But so different is the nature of the Circumstances under which I now stand,

Charged with a fraud of cheating the Honble. Company of twelve pounds and the

value of a Kid, that I must own I am so hurt by an imputation of that nature,

so Contrary to the whole tenour of my Actions through Life, my Principles, my

Character, (which tho I find it cannot escape the malice of bad Men, Yet

thank God can stand proof against their Infamous Aspersions) that tis with

difficulty my Reason gets the better of my Resentment, as I need only appeal

to every honest Mans Breast, how far he must feel a premeditated Injury of the

like horrid nature; Yet conscious of the justice of my Honourable Masters, as

well as Yours Gentlemen; must now leave the rest to your Candour and Equity

in the further determination of this affair, in support of my much injured

Character in this false Attack, upon my Integrity, my Reputation, Nay

every thing that is most sacred and Valuable to a Man of Honour and Honesty.

I am sorry that the nature of this Attack has unavoidably obliged

me to spin out my Defence to this Length, And now conclude what I have

to offer with this one Reflection, which I submit to the Judgment of my

Masters, and yours Gentlemen: That had Capt. Kirkpatrick being

actuated with those principles of Duty, and Honesty that he owes his

Employers, how he came to conceal for so long a time past so shamefull a Fraud

as he has now alledged against me, which must certainly rendered me in

the opinion of every Honest Man, As Unworthy of the Honble. Company's

service; but contrary to all Justice, the nature of his Prosecution must appear

obvious, from whence his motives arose, hoping to take the Advantage of me

from a transaction so long elapsed, never imagining that my exactness in

the management of my trust as the Company's Husband, was of that nature

that has enabled me to have Recourse to, as a sure Voucher of my

Innocence and Convincing proofs of the impossibility of my ever having

wronged the Honble. Company

(signed)

Dan. Corneille

Corneille said he would have welcomed the chance to clear up any such error and to give his reasons for acting as he did. His present position was entirely different. He stood charged with defrauding the Company of £12 and the value of a kid. He admitted he was deeply hurt by an accusation of that kind. It ran against the whole course of his life, his principles and his character. He knew his character could not escape the malice of bad men, but, thank God, it could withstand their slanders. He found it hard to let reason master his resentment, and he appealed to every honest man to imagine how he must feel such a deliberate injury. Trusting in the justice of the Company and of the Council, he left the rest to their fairness in settling the affair, in defence of a character so badly injured by this false attack on his integrity, his reputation and everything most sacred to a man of honour and honesty.

He regretted that the nature of the attack had forced him to make so long a defence. He ended with one reflection, which he left to the judgement of the Company and the Council. If Kirkpatrick had been moved by the duty and honesty he owed the Company, how had he come to keep silent for so long about a fraud as shameful as the one he now alleged? Such a fraud must have made Corneille, in the eyes of every honest man, unfit for the Company's service. The nature of the prosecution, Corneille argued, showed plainly where Kirkpatrick's motives lay. Contrary to all justice, Kirkpatrick had hoped to profit from a transaction so long past. He never imagined that Corneille's care in managing his trust as the Company's steward of its stock had been such that Corneille could produce sure vouchers of his innocence and convincing proof that he could never have wronged the Company.

Corneille signed his defence.

Interpretations

Corneille closed on the question of timing. The sheep were sold in May 1767 and the kid was taken in October 1766, yet Kirkpatrick raised neither until July 1768. If he had truly believed the Lieutenant Governor was defrauding the Company, his duty as a councillor was to report it at once. By keeping silent for more than a year, he had either tolerated what he thought was fraud or did not believe it was fraud at all. He produced the charges only after Corneille challenged him to prove his hints. Corneille presented the delay itself as proof that the charge came from the quarrel and not from concern for the Company.

The sums at stake were small. The whole charge came to £12 for the sheep and a few shillings for a kid. Corneille stressed the gap between the value and the gravity of the accusation. A Lieutenant Governor on £87 10s 0d a quarter, who also handled the plantation's income for the Company, was accused of stealing an amount less than his pay for a fortnight. For him the damage was entirely to his reputation, and his defence was framed to repair it in the Court's eyes.

Corneille called himself the Company's husband, a term then used for a person who managed property or business on behalf of owners, as a ship's husband managed a vessel for her owners. It described his role on the plantation exactly. He was the Company's agent in charge of its land and stock, and was answerable to it for every animal and every penny.

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Captain Kirkpatrick presented the following Minute to

the Board viz.

Captn. Kirkpatrick answers to ye. many reflections thrown on his

Character, that, he would rather be an honest man than be thot. so, That

through the course of his transactions during the unhappy Dissention, he has

(according to his perception) only acted Consistant with his Duty as a

Company's servant, That his having those Informations of embezzlement

from Mr. John Desfountain, who is so nearly connected with Mr. Worral

the Honble. Company's Overseer, he made it known to the Governor,

conceiving it to be his province to make any necessary enquiry; and in fact,

took no step in it without his knowledge and approbation; pointing out the

means for bringing to light, the truth, or falsehood of the assertion without the

least view of prejudicing any character, and can not think himself accountable

for the prosecution. That he wrote Mr. Corneille the private Letter, without

any Malicious view, on the contrary a pacifick view, which has ever been

his predominant. Begs the Governor and Council will be pleased to admit,

of this having a place in the Consultation

(signed)

Thos. Kirkpatrick

To which the Governor made the subsequent Reply viz.

The Governor received the abovementioned note from Captain

Kirkpatrick wherein he mentions his reason for acquainting the Governor

with the Circumstance, to which the Governor only replies that after any

Complaint is made to him as Governor it rests altogether with the Complainant

to make good his Accusation

Captain Kirkpatrick presented the following minute to the Board.

Kirkpatrick answered the many reflections cast on his character by saying that he would rather be an honest man than be thought one. Throughout his part in the unhappy dispute, he had, as he saw it, acted only as his duty as a Company servant required. He had received the information about embezzlement from Mr John Desfountain, who was closely connected with Mr Worrall, the Company's overseer. He had passed it to the Governor, believing it lay within the Governor's power to make any necessary inquiry. In fact he had taken no step in the matter without the Governor's knowledge and approval. He had pointed out how the truth or falsehood of the claim could be brought to light, without the least intention of injuring anyone's character, and he could not think himself answerable for the prosecution. He had written the private letter to Corneille with no malicious aim but, on the contrary, a peaceable one, which had always been his ruling principle. He asked the Governor and Council to allow this minute a place in the consultation. Kirkpatrick signed it.

The Governor then made the following reply.

The Governor had received Kirkpatrick's note, in which he gave his reasons for bringing the matter to the Governor's notice. The Governor replied only that, once a complaint was made to him as Governor, the whole burden of making good the accusation lay on the person who made it.

Interpretations

Kirkpatrick did not answer the evidence against him. Desfountain had produced the pencilled paper and the letter marked "Burn this", which showed Kirkpatrick drafting his witness's statement and steering his testimony. Kirkpatrick said nothing about either. He sought instead to shift responsibility. He said he had acted throughout with the Governor's knowledge and approval, and had merely passed on information for the Governor to investigate. On that account the prosecution was the Governor's, not his.

The Governor refused to accept that share of the blame. His reply was brief and pointed: a man who brings a complaint must prove it. Skottowe had begun the whole dispute with his private letter to the Court about Corneille. Even so, he would not let Kirkpatrick's failed charge rest on him. After Corneille's defence and Desfountain's documents, the charge of embezzlement could not be sustained. The Governor stood back from it and left Kirkpatrick to answer for it alone.

The two minutes mark the collapse of the alliance between the Governor and Kirkpatrick. On 27 June Kirkpatrick had given his retraction privately to the Governor, who laid it before the Board. Three weeks later the Governor told the Council that the burden of the accusation lay wholly on the man who made it.

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And the Governor declares he never presumed to approve or

prejudge either in this affair or any other complaint until it appeared

before the Council, where the Governor flatters himself, his Conduct

will appear to every one, to be regulated with no other Motive than

strict Honor and Justice

John Skottowe

The Lieut. Governor does not sign

this Consultation as he Considers

himself upon his Trial before the Board

Purling

The Lieut. Governor and Capt. Kirkpatrick then withdrew

from the Board

The Governor and Mr. Purling continuing to Sit, in order to

take a review of the whole proceedings which have passed relative to this

affair, and to give their determination thereon. First took into

consideration the nature and Circumstances of the Charge pursued by

Capt. Kirkpatrick against Mr. Corneille, and the proofs offered in

support of the said Charge, are of Opinion

That the Charge as delivered by Capt. Kirkpatrick

is of a heavy nature, Accusing the Lieut. Governor with having

appropriated part of the Honble. Companys property to his own use,

amounting to no less than defrauding the Company; which said Charge

is reduced to three separate Articles

First That the Lieut. Governor has taken and applyed to his

own Use large Quantitys of Yams to feed his Stock in the Long Wood

Secondly That the Lieut. Governor had received twelve Pounds for

twelve Sheep of the Companys intended by the Governor as a present to Mr.

Bath, and intimating that he (the Lieut. Governor) had not Accounted with

the Company for the amount of the said Sheep

The Governor declared that he had never presumed to approve or prejudge either this affair or any other complaint until it came before the Council. He believed his conduct would be seen to have no motive other than strict honour and justice. Governor Skottowe signed the declaration.

Governor Skottowe and Purling signed the minutes. Corneille did not sign this consultation, since he regarded himself as on trial before the Board.

Corneille and Kirkpatrick then withdrew from the Board.

The Governor and Purling remained sitting, to review all the proceedings in the affair and give their decision on it. They first considered the nature and circumstances of the charge brought by Kirkpatrick against Corneille and the evidence offered to support it. They gave the following opinion.

The charge as brought by Kirkpatrick was a serious one. It accused the Lieutenant Governor of taking part of the Company's property for his own use, which amounted to defrauding the Company. The charge came down to three separate articles.

1: The Lieutenant Governor had taken large quantities of yams and used them to feed his own stock in the Long Wood.

2: The Lieutenant Governor had received £12 for 12 of the Company's sheep that the Governor meant as a present to Mr Palk, and the charge implied that he had not accounted to the Company for the price of those sheep.

Interpretations

The Council could not judge a dispute between two of its own four members while they sat in it. Corneille and Kirkpatrick were the accused and the accuser, so both withdrew, leaving the Governor and Purling to decide. That was the only fair course open on so small a board, though it left the verdict with two men who had themselves been drawn into the quarrel. The Governor's private letter to the Court had started it, and Kirkpatrick had accused Purling of pressing him to sign the joint statement.

The Governor's declaration that he had prejudged nothing was a careful step before he sat in judgement. Kirkpatrick had just claimed that he acted throughout with the Governor's knowledge and approval. Skottowe now stated for the record that he had not endorsed the charge before the evidence was heard. Only then did he take his place as one of the two judges.

The judges' summary of the second charge exposed its weakness at once. The sheep were meant as a present to Governor Palk, yet they were sold for £12, and the question was only whether Corneille had accounted for the money. Corneille's ledger had already shown the £12 entered in the plantation account for the quarter ending 30 June 1767 and paid into the treasury.

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Thirdly That the Lieut. Governor had taken a Kid from the

Company's Stock on the 3d of October 1766 and Converted it to his own Use

Having duly weighed and considered the several Articles

abovementioned which includes the whole Charge proferred by Capt.

Kirkpatrick against Mr. Corneille and also considered the proofs offered

in support of the said Charge We agreed to give our opinions on each and

every Article Separately

On the first Article we must observe; That it has been

customary for the Lieut. Governors to have Yams from the Company's

Plantations to feed and raise Stock in the Horse Point for the use of

their Table, that altho it appears to us from the Evidence taken in this

affair, that Mr. Corneille has had rather a large Quantity of Yams,

Yet it is evident from the testimony of John Worrall the Company's

Overseer, and John Bazett the superintendant of the Slaves; That

most of those Yams were refuse Yams, and had they not been applyed

to that use would have been thrown away

In respect to the second Article, It plainly appears by Mr.

Corneilles Book regularly kept of receipts for Provisions sold from the

Plantations, as well as from the Cash Account Adjusted to the 30th of June

1767, That he has duly Accounted with the Company for the Amount

of the said Sheep being twelve pounds

With Regard to the third Article, It likewise appears clearly

by the said Book of Mr. Corneilles; That he has charged himself for

the Amount of the Kid, precisely to the day Capt. Kirkpatrick

Alledges he took it, and has regularly Accounted with the Company for

the same in the quarter ending the 31st of December 1766 the Cash Account

Adjusted to that period corresponding exactly with Mr. Corneilles Book

That it was undoubtedly Capt. Kirkpatricks Duty to have acquainted

the Governor and Council at the time he knew or had reason to believe any

Frauds were committed to the injury of the Company; but deferring to do so

until some disputes happening between him and the Lieut. Governor shews

plainly that he has been Actuated therein merely from prejudice and not

3: The Lieutenant Governor had taken a kid from the Company's stock on 3 October 1766 and used it himself.

The Governor and Purling weighed and considered each of these articles, which made up the whole of Kirkpatrick's charge against Corneille, together with the evidence offered in support. They agreed to give their opinion on each article separately.

On the first article, they observed that Lieutenant Governors had customarily received yams from the Company's plantations to feed and raise stock in the horse pound for their own tables. The evidence showed that Corneille had received a fairly large quantity of yams. The testimony of John Worrall, the Company's overseer, and John Bazett, superintendent of the slaves, made it clear, however, that most of them were refuse. Had they not been used in that way, they would have been thrown away.

On the second article, Corneille's ledger, kept regularly to record the receipts for provisions sold from the plantation, plainly showed that he had duly accounted to the Company for the £12 paid for the sheep. The cash account settled to 30 June 1767 showed the same.

On the third article, Corneille's ledger likewise showed clearly that he had charged himself for the kid on the very day Kirkpatrick said he took it. He had duly accounted to the Company for it in the quarter ending 31 December 1766, and the cash account settled for that quarter matched Corneille's ledger exactly.

It had undoubtedly been Kirkpatrick's duty to inform the Governor and Council at the time if he knew of, or had reason to believe in, any fraud against the Company. His delay until a quarrel arose between himself and the Lieutenant Governor showed plainly that he had acted from prejudice alone, not from

Interpretations

The Governor and Purling cleared Corneille on all three articles. On the yams they did not deny that he had received a large quantity. They accepted his defence that this was an established custom of his office and that the yams were refuse. On the sheep and the kid they relied on documents rather than testimony. Corneille's private ledger agreed with the Company's own cash accounts, entry for entry. Hearsay and Kirkpatrick's recollection of a kid seen two years earlier could not stand against figures already checked and settled in the treasury's books.

The judges then took up Corneille's closing argument about timing and adopted it as their own finding. A councillor who knew of a fraud was bound to report it at once. Kirkpatrick had waited more than a year and produced his charges only after his quarrel with Corneille began. The Governor and Purling concluded that he had acted from prejudice. The finding turned the case around. The accuser now stood condemned in the Council's own record for bringing a false charge out of personal animosity.

The verdict was also a judgement on the Governor's earlier position. Skottowe had complained privately to the Court that Corneille took too much upon himself. He now signed a finding that cleared Corneille completely of the only specific wrongdoing alleged against him.

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from any intentions to serve the Company, and the rather, as in his private

Letter to Mr. Corneille entered upon Consultation he proposes a conciliating System,

That is, in our opinions, if Mr. Corneille would avoid all recrimination upon

what had passed he (Capt. Kirkpatrick) would drop his Accusation

That it evidently appears to us, That Capt. Kirkpatrick has not

proved any part of the Charge laid before the Governor and Council against the

Lieut. Govr. who is therefore, in our Opinions entirely acquitted from all Charges

and Accusations pursued by Capt. Kirkpatrick. It is further our opinions,

That the said Charge is frivolous and vindictive on the part of Capt. Kirkpatrick

extremely unjustifiable and inconsistent with the treatment due from one

Gentleman to another, and very unbecoming a Member of this Board

We having seriously weighed and considered Capt. Kirkpatricks Conduct

in the unjust Attack he has made upon the Lieut. Governor's Reputation and

Integrity, And after the most mature deliberation, We cannot but be fully of

opinion, That the whole reflects dishonor upon Capt. Kirkpatrick Arraigns

his justice, and pronounces him to be a designing Man divested both of Candor

and Probity, And we further join in sentiments, That he the said Capt.

Thomas Kirkpatrick appears to Us deserving of the highest Censure; But as

the whole of this prosecution together with the Lieut. Governor's Defence

will be laid open to the Honble. the Court of Directors by the proceedings in

Consultation, We do not therefore apprehend that any ill Consequences can

Arise from delaying the final determination of this Affair and the degree of

Censure to be passed on Capt. Kirkpatrick in consequence of it, until

their Honors pleasure shall be known herein, and therefore beg leave to

refer the whole transaction to their Judgements.

John Skottowe

Purling

The Governor and Purling found that Kirkpatrick had not acted from any wish to serve the Company. That was all the clearer because his private letter to Corneille, now entered in the minutes, proposed a reconciliation. In their opinion this meant that Kirkpatrick would drop his accusation if Corneille would stop all counter-charges about what had passed.

They found it plain that Kirkpatrick had failed to prove any part of the charge he laid before the Governor and Council against the Lieutenant Governor. In their opinion Corneille was therefore wholly acquitted of all the charges and accusations Kirkpatrick had brought. They further judged the charge frivolous and vindictive on Kirkpatrick's part. It was wholly unjustifiable, contrary to the treatment one gentleman owed another, and most unbecoming in a member of the Board.

They had weighed carefully Kirkpatrick's conduct in his unjust attack on the Lieutenant Governor's reputation and integrity. After the fullest deliberation they could not avoid the conclusion that the whole affair brought dishonour on Kirkpatrick. It called his sense of justice into question and showed him to be a scheming man, lacking both candour and honesty. They agreed further that Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick deserved the severest censure.

The whole prosecution, together with the Lieutenant Governor's defence, would be laid before the Court of Directors in the minutes. They therefore saw no harm in postponing a final decision on the affair, and on the degree of censure to be passed on Kirkpatrick, until the Court's wishes were known. They accordingly referred the whole matter to the Court's judgement.

Governor Skottowe and Purling signed the finding.

Interpretations

The finding went far beyond acquitting Corneille. The Governor and Purling formally condemned Kirkpatrick as frivolous, vindictive, scheming and lacking in honesty, and declared that he deserved the severest censure. These were exceptional words to enter against a sitting councillor in minutes bound for London. They read Kirkpatrick's letter of 21 June as an offer to trade silence for silence. It threatened worse charges while proposing peace. In the judges' view, a man ready to drop an accusation of fraud in return for an end to criticism did not believe the accusation himself.

The Council could have punished Kirkpatrick at once. He held three posts, as councillor, captain and paymaster, and the Council might have suspended him from the paymaster's office, as it had suspended Jacobs as adjutant in 1767. It chose instead to refer the penalty to the Court. Two reasons appear in the record. Only two members were left to sit in judgement, and the decision concerned a fellow councillor whose appointment came from London. The full papers, from the Governor's private letter to Desfountain's pencilled draft, would reach the Court in the same packet as the verdict. That allowed the Directors to judge for themselves.

The outcome reversed the positions with which the quarrel began. In June the Governor's private letter had cast Corneille as a deputy who overstepped his place. By late July Corneille stood fully cleared on the record, and the Governor himself had signed the condemnation of the man who brought the charges.

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The 20 July

At a Consultation held on Wednesday the 20th day of July 1768 at the Castle

Present John Skottowe Esq. Governor

Mr. Matthew Purling of Council

The last Consultation was read, approved, and signed dated the 19 July 1768

We this day received the following Letter from the Lieut.

Governor viz.

To John Skottowe Esqr. Governor & Mathew Purling Esq.

of Council

Gentlemen

As I am now informed of your Ultimate determination in

Regard to the heavy Charge prefered against me by Capt. Kirkpatrick, known

from the Examination of Witnesses, and other means to every Body of this Valley,

I hereby request that you will fall upon some method of making known to the

Honble. Companys Servants your Opinions with respect to my Integrity, my

Honour & Innocence, that my Acquital in your Judgments may be as publick,

as Capt. Kirkpatricks shamefull Accusation has been, And beg that this

my Request may be entered in Consultation as well as what ever may be

your determination thereupon

And Am

Gentlemen

Your most Obedient & most humble Servant

(Signed) Danl. Corneille

Governor John Skottowe held a consultation at the Castle on Wednesday 20 July 1768.

Present

John Skottowe, Governor

William Matthew Purling, of the Council

The Council read, approved and signed the minutes of 19 July 1768.

The Council received a letter that day from the Lieutenant Governor, addressed to Governor Skottowe and Purling.

Corneille wrote that he had now been told of their final decision on the serious charge Captain Kirkpatrick had brought against him. Through the examination of witnesses and in other ways, the charge had become known to everyone in Jamestown valley. He therefore asked them to find some means of making their opinion of his integrity, honour and innocence known to the Company's servants. His acquittal would then be as public as Kirkpatrick's shameful accusation had been. He asked that his request, and whatever they decided on it, be entered in the minutes. Corneille signed the letter.

Interpretations

Only the Governor and Purling sat at this consultation. Corneille and Kirkpatrick, the two parties to the dispute, still stayed away from the Board. The Council was reduced to half its number, and the island's business rested for the time on two men.

Corneille's request shows that an acquittal recorded only in the minutes was not enough for him. The minutes went to London and were seen by the councillors and the secretary, but not by the island's people. The accusation, by contrast, had become public. Desfountain, Worrall, John Bazett and George Bazett had all been summoned and questioned, and the talk had spread through Jamestown. On an island of a few hundred households, a man's standing depended on what his neighbours believed. Corneille asked for a public declaration so that the clearing of his name would reach the same people who had heard the charge.

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Upon which we returned him the following Answer

viz.

To Daniel Corneille Esq. Lieut. Governor

Sir

We have received your Letter of this days date, and have

summoned all the Gentlemen Civil and Military in the Company's service

to attend at the Castle to morrow at Ten o'Clock in the forenoon in

Order to have the whole proceedings of the Affair between you and

Capt. Kirkpatrick publickly read to them and shall Enter your Letter

with this Reply upon Consultation

We are

Sir

Your most Obt. & humble Servants

(signed)

John Skottowe

Mattw. Purling

20th July 1768

Finding upon Examining the Account of Disbursements for the

four last Quarters past, That the Paymaster has only complyed with the

Orders he received relative to the relisting of Soldiers in the first Quarter

after he had received those orders viz. in the Quarter ending the 30th Septr.

1767 but in the three subsequent Quarters has entirely Omitted inserting

against the names of the Soldiers he has Relisted the time when their

renewal of service commenced, We gave him back his Account of

Disbursements for the last Quarter laid before us on Monday last and

Directed him to correct the same conformable to the Orders he has

The Governor and Purling sent Corneille the following reply, dated 20 July 1768.

They had received his letter of that day. They had summoned all the gentlemen in the Company's civil and military service to attend at the Castle at ten o'clock the next morning, to hear the whole proceedings in the affair between Corneille and Captain Kirkpatrick read aloud publicly. They would enter Corneille's letter and this reply in the minutes. Governor Skottowe and Matthew Purling signed the reply.

The Governor and Purling then examined the paymaster's accounts of payments for the last four quarters. They found that Kirkpatrick had followed his orders on the re-enlistment of soldiers only in the first quarter after he received them, the quarter ending 30 September 1767. In the three quarters since, he had entirely failed to enter, against the names of the soldiers he had re-enlisted, the date on which each man's new term of service began. They therefore returned to him his account of payments for the last quarter, which he had laid before them on the previous Monday. They directed him to correct it in line with the orders he had received

Interpretations

The Governor and Purling granted Corneille's request in the fullest form open to them. They did not simply post a notice. They called every Company officer, civil and military, to the Castle to hear the whole record read aloud: Kirkpatrick's charges, the witnesses' evidence, Desfountain's documents, Corneille's defence and the finding against Kirkpatrick. A public reading before the island's entire official community ensured that the clearing of Corneille's name would reach exactly those who had heard the accusation. It also shamed Kirkpatrick before his fellow officers, many of whom served under him in the garrison.

The judges also tested one of Corneille's counter-charges and found it true. Corneille had said that Kirkpatrick obeyed the 1767 order on re-enlistment dates for only one quarter. The Governor and Purling checked the pay accounts and confirmed it exactly. Kirkpatrick had complied for the quarter ending 30 September 1767 and then dropped the practice for three quarters. They sent back his account for the quarter just ended, the one approved on 18 July, and ordered it corrected. A paymaster's account returned for correction after the Council had already examined it was a formal rebuke, entered in the minutes the Court would read.

The point was not a trivial one of form. Without the dates entered against each name, nobody could tell from the pay list which men had been paid a bounty to re-enlist, or when their new five years began. That was the gap through which a bounty for a man who did not exist had passed in 1767.

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received in this respect, and before Council broke up the Governor

acquainted Capt. Kirkpatrick it was expected by the Board that he

should be more circumspect in future in following the Directions given

him with regard to relisting Soldiers, as well as being punctual in

giving Abstracts to the several Captains in the form and method

prescribed

As it has been always customary, and in our opinions, is

highly reasonable (that the Lieut. Governor having no Plantation or Land

alloted him) should have from the Company's Plantations, a Quantity

of Yam sufficient for raising a supply of Hogs and Poultry for the use of

his Table: And as no determinate Quantity has hitherto been fixed

upon or Ordered for this purpose We are of opinion that a Weekly

Quantity viz. of two hundred pounds of good Yams exclusive of any Rubbish be

allowed Weekly from the Company's Plantations and also 50 lb. Paddy

& 20 lb. Rice to be allowed the Lieut. Governor from the Store in future,

which should be barely sufficient for the supply of his Table, and

to refer this stipulated allowance to the Court of Directors for their

approbation

It was mentioned to Mr. Corneille that no reason had yet

appeared why Mr. Bath had paid for the 12 Sheep; Who replied it

was very true, nor did he remember how it was, or in short any thing about it

therefore we apprehend it most probable that Mr. Bath had mentioned

that he chose to pay for them

Apprehending that Mr. Mahony the Clerk of the Peace

have drawn up many of the Papers delivered into Council by Capt.

Kirkpatrick

Before the Council rose, the Governor told Captain Kirkpatrick that the Board expected him to be more careful in future about following his instructions on re-enlisting soldiers. He was also to give the captains their pay statements on time, in the form and manner laid down.

It had always been the custom, and in the Governor and Purling's opinion it was entirely reasonable, for the Lieutenant Governor to receive enough yams from the Company's plantations to raise hogs and poultry for his table, since he had no plantation or land of his own. No fixed quantity had ever been set or ordered for this. They therefore resolved that the Lieutenant Governor should in future be allowed 200 lb of good yams a week from the Company's plantations, besides any refuse yams, together with 50 lb of paddy and 20 lb of rice a week from the stores. They judged that this would barely supply his table. They referred the allowance to the Court of Directors for its approval.

Corneille was told that no reason had yet appeared why Mr Palk had paid for the 12 sheep. He replied that this was true. He did not remember how it had come about, or anything at all about it. The Governor and Purling therefore concluded that Mr Palk had most probably said he preferred to pay for them.

The Governor and Purling believed that Mr Mahoney, the clerk of the peace, had drawn up many of the papers Captain Kirkpatrick had laid before the Council

Interpretations

The Council took up Corneille's request to put the Lieutenant Governor's allowances on a firmer footing. It did not condemn the use of Company yams. It made the practice official and set a limit. The weekly allowance of 200 lb of good yams, with refuse yams in addition, was well below the 425 lb a week Worrall said Corneille was receiving. The difference shows what the Council judged fair. It accepted that a Lieutenant Governor with no land needed help to keep a table fit for entertaining visitors. It also fixed a quantity so that no future accuser could treat the allowance as theft. Referring the figure to the Court gave it the Directors' authority.

The question of the sheep was settled by a reasonable inference rather than proof. Governor Skottowe had meant the 12 sheep as a gift to Governor Palk of Madras, yet Palk paid £12 for them. Corneille could not remember why. The two judges concluded that Palk had probably insisted on paying, perhaps out of courtesy to the island or to avoid accepting a present from another Company official. The money had in any case gone into the Company's account, which was all that mattered to the charge.

The Council now turned to Phillip Mahoney, clerk of the peace and lately a sergeant in Kirkpatrick's own company. Desfountain had named him as the man sent to collect the pencilled paper. If he had also drafted Kirkpatrick's other papers, he had acted as Kirkpatrick's writer throughout the campaign against Corneille, while holding a judicial office on the island.

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The 20 July

Kirkpatrick, as the Style and diction of the said Papers appearing to be

the said Mahonys, and it being highly improper for the proceedings in

Council to be known and Canvassed by any indifferent Person, We to

prevent this irregularity in future sent for Mr. Mahony and enjoined him

not to have any concern directly or indirectly in any Papers or Writings

that have any thing to do with the Companys concerns or proceedings in

Council, which directions he promised strictly to observe

John Skottowe

Purling

At a Consultation held on Thursday the 21st day of July 1768 at the Castle

Present John Skottowe Esq. Governor

Matthew Purling of Council

The last Consultation was read, approved & signed dated the 20th July 1768

We this day received the following Letter from the Lieut.

Governor viz.

To John Skottowe Esq. Governor & Mathew Purling Esq. of

Council

Gentlemen

As you have now made known to Me your

The style and wording of Kirkpatrick's papers appeared to be Mahoney's. It was highly improper for the Council's proceedings to be known to, and discussed by, a person with no part in them. To prevent this in future, the Governor and Purling sent for Mr Mahoney. They ordered him to have nothing to do, directly or indirectly, with any papers or writings concerning the Company's affairs or the proceedings of the Council. He promised to obey this order strictly.

Governor Skottowe and Purling signed the minutes.

Governor Skottowe held a consultation at the Castle on Thursday 21 July 1768.

Present

John Skottowe, Governor

Matthew Purling, of the Council

The Council read, approved and signed the minutes of 20 July 1768.

The Council received the following letter that day from the Lieutenant Governor, addressed to Governor Skottowe and Matthew Purling.

Corneille wrote that they had now told him of their decision

Interpretations

Mahoney's offence was not that he had helped a friend write letters. It was that the Council's private business had passed outside the Board. As Kirkpatrick's writer, Mahoney had seen the charges, the minutes and the papers in the dispute, and he had carried them to and from witnesses. Council proceedings were meant to stay among the members and the secretary until they reached the Court. A clerk of the peace drafting accusations against the Lieutenant Governor also brought the island's court into a private quarrel. The order barred Mahoney from all Company papers, not merely this affair. It was a sweeping restriction on a man whose office had been confirmed by the Court only two months earlier.

The Council chose to restrain Mahoney rather than punish him further. He was a subordinate who had acted on a councillor's instructions, and the real fault lay with the man who used him. Keeping him out of the Council's business protected its records without stripping him of his post.

The Council again met with only two members, the Governor and Purling. Corneille and Kirkpatrick were still absent, and the island's government was carried on by the two men who had judged the case.

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The 21st July

Determination on the Accusation with which I stood Charged by Capt.

Kirkpatrick, of appropriating the Honble. Companys Property to my

own use and profit, and in consequence of the whole that has appeared

before you, both with respect to the Malice of the Prosecution, as well as

the clear proofs offered of my Innocence; You have passed sentence,

fully acquitting me both with Honour and Credit, and at same time doing

me that justice, as to Stigmatize Capt. Kirkpatricks Conduct in the

whole of his Prosecution with that infamy of Reproach as to arraign

his Justice, Candour & Probity pronouncing him at same time a

Designing Man, and leaving the final Determination of Justice for

the great Injury done me to our Honble. Masters, pronouncing him at

same time deserving of the highest Censure, as his Character and Conduct

has appeared to you in so odious, and horrid a light; Not that I mention

this Gentlemen to Arraign your Justice, being fully convinced of your

Impartiality throughout the whole of this Affair, both to the Honble.

Compy. as their Interest immediately concerned, to the Prosecutor, and

myself as Defendant, but in order to justify the Step that my Honour

and Conscience prompts me to, of Corroborating your Justification in this

affair by a Personal appearance before the Court of Directors, and then to

Answer for every other part of my Conduct, and must further Offer as a Reason

that I cannot reconcile it to myself to sit in Council or any ways act in station

with a Man branded by you Gentlemen in such a Light, as must ever reflect

disgrace upon his station, and mark his Character with Infamy & Dishonour

Therefore from the above motive, hope that my sense . . . . of Honour may

not be misconstrued by my Honble. Employers, nor by you Gentlemen, as I

make a great difference between suspecting a Man of a bad heart, which his

former Conduct thro Life has unfortunately for him given too much cause to

Imagine and proving him realy possessd of it, as must now ever stand upon

record against him, Therefore flatter myself from the above reasons that the

Honble. Court of Directors will not impute my sudden Determination of

leaving this Island by the first opportunity, (as I now consider myself as

compelled to it from the Unforeseeing events happening that entirely destroys

my peace of mind, since my acquainting their Honours of my obedience to

their desire of staying untill next Year) but to those sentiments of Honesty

and honour, incompatible with the Character of Capt. Kirkpatrick whom

Corneille wrote that the Governor and Purling had now told him their decision on Kirkpatrick's accusation that he had taken the Company's property for his own use and profit. In view of everything laid before them, both the malice of the prosecution and the clear proof of his innocence, they had acquitted him fully, with honour and credit. They had also done him the justice of condemning Kirkpatrick's whole conduct in the prosecution as disgraceful. They had questioned Kirkpatrick's sense of justice, candour and honesty, and called him a scheming man. They had left the final judgement on the great injury done to Corneille to the Court, and declared that Kirkpatrick deserved the severest censure, since his character and conduct had appeared to them so odious and in so dark a light.

Corneille said he did not mean to question their justice. He was fully convinced of their impartiality throughout the affair towards the Company, whose interest was most closely concerned, towards the accuser and towards himself as defendant. He wrote in order to justify the step his honour and conscience now prompted him to take. He meant to support their finding by appearing in person before the Court of Directors, and to answer there for every other part of his conduct. He added a further reason. He could not bring himself to sit in Council, or act in any capacity, beside a man whom they had branded in such terms. To do so must disgrace his own office and stain his character with infamy and dishonour.

He hoped therefore that neither the Company nor they would misjudge his sense of honour. He drew a clear distinction between suspecting a man of a bad heart, as Kirkpatrick's past conduct had unhappily given too much reason to do, and proving it, as the record must now always stand against him. He trusted that the Court would not blame his sudden decision to leave the island by the first opportunity. He had earlier told the Directors that he would comply with their wish that he stay until the following year. He now felt forced to leave by unforeseen events that had wholly destroyed his peace of mind. His decision sprang only from feelings of honesty and honour, which could not be reconciled with the character of Captain Kirkpatrick, whom they

Interpretations

Corneille had been fully cleared, and the obvious course was to resume his seat and carry on as Lieutenant Governor. He chose instead to leave the island at the first chance, against a promise he had already given the Court to stay until the following year. His letter gives the reason plainly. The Council had only four members. Kirkpatrick had been condemned but not removed, because the penalty was left to the Court, so he remained a councillor, captain and paymaster. Corneille would have had to sit beside him at every meeting, sign the same minutes and work with him on every account. After being publicly accused of fraud by Kirkpatrick, he refused to share a Board with him while London considered the matter.

Going home also served Corneille's interest. The Court would read the papers months later, alongside the Governor's private letter that had started the quarrel. By appearing in person, Corneille could answer every question directly and present himself as the wronged party, with the verdict of his fellow councillors in hand. He also offered to answer for every other part of his conduct. That invited the Directors to test the Governor's original complaint that he had overstepped his place.

His departure would leave the island with only three councillors, one of them under censure. It was a high price for the Company. Corneille judged that his honour required it.

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The 21st July

you for Reasons that I am unacquainted with have thought proper to

continue a Dishonourable Member of a Respectable Board, Tho I

always conceived that the authority of the Honble. the Court of Directors

Delegated to their Governor & Council was ample enough for a present Act of

Justice to the Injured, and tho not final untill it had received their

Sanction; yet always approved of in support of Justice, to the

punishment of Infamy and Vice

I request Gentlemen that you may allow this a Place in Consultation

as my reasons offered for the Step I now take as I shall not have an

opportunity of accounting for this part of my Conduct sooner than my

Arrival, which probably must be at the same time that those Papers

will be laid before the Honble. Directors

I am

Gentlemen

Your most Obedient & most humble

Servant

(signed)

Dan. Corneille

St. Helena

21 July 1768

The Lieut. Governor Acquaints Us that he resigns the

Honble Company's Service and declines acting as Lieut. Governor or

receiving any Salary from the Honble Company from this Day

John Skottowe

Purling

Corneille went on to say that, for reasons he did not know, the Governor and Purling had seen fit to keep Kirkpatrick on as a dishonourable member of a respectable Board. He had always believed that the authority the Court of Directors delegated to its Governor and Council was ample for an immediate act of justice to the injured party. Such an act would not be final until it received the Court's approval, but he believed the Court had always approved firm action in support of justice and the punishment of infamy and vice.

He asked that his letter be entered in the minutes as his reasons for the step he was taking. He would have no chance to account for this part of his conduct before he arrived in England, which would probably be at the same time as these papers were laid before the Directors. Corneille signed the letter at St Helena on 21 July 1768.

The Lieutenant Governor then told the Governor and Purling that he resigned from the Company's service. From that day he would no longer act as Lieutenant Governor or draw any salary from the Company.

Governor Skottowe and Purling signed the minutes.

Interpretations

Corneille's closing complaint was aimed at the Governor and Purling as much as at Kirkpatrick. They had condemned Kirkpatrick in the strongest terms, yet left him in his seat while they referred the penalty to London. Corneille held that the Council already had the power to act, for example by suspending Kirkpatrick at once, subject to the Court's later confirmation. That was how it had dealt with Jacobs, the adjutant, in 1767. By declining to act, the two judges left Corneille to choose between sitting with his accuser and leaving. He chose to leave and made sure the record showed why.

The resignation was a drastic step. Corneille gave up an office worth £350 a year in salary and table allowance, besides his allowances in kind, without any assurance of being restored. He could have stayed on, cleared, and waited for the Court's decision. His letter shows that he valued the vindication of his honour above his post. He also judged that arriving in London alongside the papers would give him the best chance of a hearing. Leaving the Company's service, and the pay that went with it, from that very day made his protest unmistakable.

His departure left St Helena's Council with only the Governor, Purling and the censured Kirkpatrick. The office of Lieutenant Governor, which had also carried the management of the Company's plantation and stock, now stood empty until the Court could fill it from England.

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The 25 July

At a Consultation held on Monday the 25th day of July 1768 at the Castle

Present John Skottowe Esq. Governor

Mr. Matthew Purling

Capt. Thomas Kirkpatrick of Council

The last Consultation was read, approved, and signed, dated the 21st July 1768

The Reverend Mr. William Beancroft this day laid before Us

the following Rules respecting the Library viz.

Rules proposed to be observed with regard to the Library sent

by the Honble Company for the use of their principal Servants at St.

Helena

The Person borrowing to send a Receipt for every Book

borrowed or to enter the title & the day of the Month in a Book kept by the

Chaplain for that purpose - The receipt to be returned on sending back the

Book, if any was given, & the date of the return to be always entered by

the Chaplain even with the Title of the Book under the Persons Name

No Person to have at one time more than One Folio or one

Quarto Volume, or four of a Smaller size

None to keep in his possession any Folio Volume longer than

8 Weeks or Smaller Volume Longer than 4 Weeks at a time - this Rule to take place

only if the same should be askd for by any Person having a Right to

borrow from the Library

In Case of Damage to any single Book or Set of Books new

Copies to be sent for at the Expence of the Person who last borrowd - & the

Book or Set to remain in the Library till the new arrive then to become the

property of the Person obliged to replace

The Chaplain as keeper of the Books to see the above Rules

Governor John Skottowe held a consultation at the Castle on Monday 25 July 1768.

Present

John Skottowe, Governor

William Matthew Purling

Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick, of the Council

The Council read, approved and signed the minutes of 21 July 1768.

The Reverend William Bearcroft laid before the Council the following rules for the library that the Company had sent out for the use of its principal servants at St Helena.

A borrower was to give a receipt for every book, or enter its title and the day of the month in a book kept by the chaplain for that purpose. The receipt was to be returned when the book came back, if one had been given. The chaplain was always to enter the date of return beside the title of the book under the borrower's name.

No one was to have more than one folio or one quarto volume at a time, or four smaller volumes.

No one was to keep a folio volume for longer than eight weeks, or a smaller volume for longer than four weeks at a time. This limit applied only if the same book was asked for by another person entitled to borrow from the library.

If any single book or set of books was damaged, new copies were to be ordered at the expense of the last borrower. The damaged book or set was to stay in the library until the new copies arrived, and then become the property of the person obliged to replace it.

The chaplain, as keeper of the books, was to see that these rules were observed

Interpretations

The library explains an entry in the paymaster's account for the quarter just ended: a carpenter's 10 days spent making a frame for a library. The Company had sent out a collection of books, probably in the Tilbury or the Duke of Richmond, and the shelves were built to house it. Libraries of this kind were sent to several of the Company's settlements in the eighteenth century. They were meant to give officers and officials on remote stations some means of improving their minds and filling long periods without ships. Placing the books in the chaplain's charge suited his education and his duties as schoolmaster's colleague and keeper of the parish registers.

The rules show how scarce books were on the island. Each was valuable and hard to replace, since a new copy had to be ordered from London and might take a year to arrive. Hence the limit on how many a borrower could hold, the time limits when others were waiting, and the strict liability for damage. The right to borrow was confined to the Company's principal servants, the councillors and senior officers. Soldiers, planters and lesser employees had no access, apart from the single Bible, Prayer Books and spelling book sold through the warehouse.

Kirkpatrick returned to the Board at this consultation, sitting with the Governor and Purling as though the censure of 19 July had not been passed. Corneille, now resigned, was absent for good.

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The 25 July

observed & to be accountable for any damage or deficiency whilst under his

Care the same not happening by time, fire, Theft or other unforeseen

Accident

Some Gentleman to be appointed on a certain day (to be named) to see

every Year that the Books answer the Catalogue lodged with the Governor

& Council & to report to them accordingly

All Books to be returned to the Library six Days before the Day

fixed for the Review

We think the above Rules are very proper to be observed, and

directed them to be hung up in the Library for the inspection of all Persons

concerned, And agreed that one of the Members of Council should visit

the Library on the first Wednesday in September Yearly & Report the

Condition of the same to the Board

We this day received the following Petition from Mr. George Bazett

viz.

July 25th 1768

To the Worshipful John Skottowe Esq. Governor &c. and

Council of the Island St. Helena

The Petition of George Bazett Steward to the Honble. Company's

Stores

Humbly Sheweth that your Petitioner finds himself under a

Necessity of laying the hardship of his situation before your Honours

That the part of the Duty of his Office, which consists in

delivering out Stores on Account of the Honble. Company's Works has for

several Years past been extremely fatiguing, and has required a much

The chaplain was to be answerable for any damage or loss while the books were in his care, unless it was caused by age, fire, theft or some other accident he could not foresee.

A gentleman was to be appointed each year, on a fixed day, to check the books against the catalogue lodged with the Governor and Council and to report to them.

All books were to be returned to the library six days before the day fixed for the annual check.

The Council considered these rules entirely proper. It ordered them to be hung up in the library for everyone concerned to see. It also agreed that one of the members of Council would visit the library on the first Wednesday in September each year and report on its condition to the Board.

The Council received the following petition that day from Mr George Bazett, dated 23 July 1768 and addressed to Governor Skottowe and the Council.

George Bazett, steward of the Company's stores, said that he felt obliged to lay the hardship of his situation before the Council. For several years the part of his duties that consisted of issuing stores for the Company's works had been extremely tiring, and had required a much

Interpretations

The Council took the library seriously enough to make its inspection a duty of the Board itself. A councillor would check it each September against the catalogue, rather than leaving it wholly to the chaplain. The catalogue lodged with the Governor and Council served as the Company's record of its property, in the same way as the storekeeper's accounts recorded every nail and yard of cloth. Books were Company stores like any other, and the Council meant to be able to account for every volume when the Court asked.

George Bazett's petition opened by tying his complaint to the fortification works. As steward he issued stores, and the building of Banks's and Munden's Point had multiplied the work. The storekeeper's accounts for the year showed hundreds of separate issues to the batteries: tons of cordage, iron, nails, baskets, tools and timber, each one recorded. Bazett's salary of £7 10s 0d a quarter had stayed the same while his workload grew. His petition was probably the start of a claim for extra pay, in the same way as Drawwater the cooper had sought a higher salary in 1767.

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1768

greater Attendance than has ever before been the Case in this Island, on

Account of the great Quantity of Stores indented for for the Repairs of

the Fortifications of the Island, and the great and Constant Demands

for these Stores, Materials, and Utensils at all Hours

That your Petitioner has considerably injured his Health by

the Fatigue he has undergone in his Endeavours towards a diligent

Discharge of his Duty, and finds himself incapable to go through with

any longer

He therefore humbly requests that some Assistance be granted to

him in issuing out these Stores for the Future, either by the Clerk of the

Works, or by the Company's Cooper, as has formerly been Customary in

the Stores

He likewise humbly begs leave, to represent to your Worship

& Council that his Allowance of Thirty Pounds a Year is not sufficient

to afford him a Decent subsistence, and by no Means an adequate

Compensation for the Constant Confinement to which the Duty of his

Station Obliges him, and the great fatigue he undergoes in the Discharge

of it, which he will venture to say is beyond to that of any one Company's

Servant in the Island

He therefore humbly prays that your Worship . . . and Council

will be pleased to grant him such an Addition to his present Salary,

as you shall think he deserves

And your Petitioner shall for ever Pray &ca.

(signed) Geo. Bazett

We told the Petitioner in Answer to his Petition that we were sensible

that his Appointment of £30 p Year was small and very inadequate to the

Business of his Office, yet it was not in our power to Augment the same, but

knowing him to be a very sober diligent deserving young man, and

there being a Vacancy of a Writer ever since the Death of Mr. Francis

Wrangham and Business multiplying considerably lately by Constant

Bazett said his duties now required a much greater attendance than had ever before been needed on the island. That was because of the large quantity of stores ordered for repairing the island's fortifications, and the heavy, constant demand for those stores, materials and tools at all hours.

Bazett had seriously damaged his health through the strain of trying to carry out his duty diligently, and he found himself unable to go on with it any longer. He therefore asked for help in issuing the stores in future, either from the clerk of the works or from the Company's cooper, as had formerly been the custom in the stores.

He also told the Governor and Council that his allowance of £30 a year was not enough to give him a decent living. It was in no way fair payment for the constant confinement his post required, or for the great strain of carrying it out, which he ventured to say was greater than that of any other Company servant on the island. He therefore asked the Governor and Council to grant him such addition to his present salary as they thought he deserved. George Bazett signed the petition.

The Council told Bazett in reply that it recognised his salary of £30 a year was small and quite unequal to the work of his office. It had no power to raise it. However, it knew him to be a very sober, diligent and deserving young man. There had been a vacancy for a writer ever since the death of Mr Francis Wrangham, and the Company's business had lately increased considerably because of the constant issue of stores

Interpretations

The Council could not raise Bazett's salary, because salaries were fixed by the Court in London. It found another way to reward him. A writer's post had stood empty since Francis Wrangham's death, and the business of the stores had grown with the fortification works. Appointing Bazett to the vacancy would give him a writer's salary and table allowance on top of his steward's pay, without exceeding the Council's powers. The Company's establishment already allowed for a writer, so filling the place needed no new authority from London.

Bazett's petition confirms the scale of the building programme seen in the storekeeper's accounts. Every coil of rope, every basket and every pickaxe sent to Banks's and Munden's Point had to be weighed or counted, entered and signed for. The demand came at all hours because the work at the batteries ran from first light to dark. A single steward on £30 a year had borne most of that work for three years, and his health had suffered.

Bazett was one of the five Bazetts on the Company's lists, alongside Matthew the secretary, Thomas, Henry and John. A post as writer was the lowest rung of the Company's civil ladder. It could lead in time to the ranks of factor and councillor, as it had for others of the island's leading families.

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Issues from the Stores on Account of the Works carrying on at the Fortificns.

and Mr. Powell the Storekeeper representing to Us, that it was

Impossible for him and his Assistant to Attend those daily Issues and at

the same time transact the other current Business of his Department;

There is also an Assistant less than there used to be in the Secretarys

Office which makes it Extremely difficult to keep the Business regularly

Up in that Office. We for these Reasons Appointed the said Mr. George Bazett

a Writer in the Honble Company's Service at the Usual Salary to Commence

from this day and directed him to Assist in the Stores, Secretary's Office or

in Any Other Office where the Urgency of Business may require his Attendance

The above appointment of Mr. George Bazett as a Writer occasioning

a Vacancy of a Steward and Mr. Powell the Storekeeper recommending Robert

Leech as a very Sober diligent Young Man, we have therefore appointed him

the Honble Company's Steward in Mr. Bazetts stead at the Usual Salary

of £30 p Ann.

Daniel Corneille Esq. this day applied to Us to pay

£36.. 6 into the Honorable Company's Cash which Sum we have

recd. and given him Bills of Exchange drawn on the Honble. the

Court of Directors payable to Messrs. Haryfall & Gibbons or Order ninety

Days after sight

John Skottowe

Purling

Thos. Kirkpatrick

Mr Powell, the storekeeper, had told the Council that he and his assistant could not both attend to the daily issues of stores for the works at the fortifications and carry on the other ordinary business of his department. The secretary's office also had one assistant fewer than it used to, which made it very hard to keep that office's work up to date. For these reasons the Council appointed George Bazett a writer in the Company's service at the usual salary, starting that day. It directed him to help in the stores, in the secretary's office or in any other office where pressing business required him.

Bazett's appointment as writer left the steward's post vacant. Mr Powell, the storekeeper, recommended Robert Leech as a very sober and diligent young man. The Council therefore appointed him the Company's steward in Bazett's place, at the usual salary of £30 a year.

Daniel Corneille asked that day to pay £36 6s 0d into the Company's treasury. The Council took the money and gave him bills of exchange on the Court of Directors, payable to Messrs Fairfax and Gilmore or their order 90 days after presentation.

Governor Skottowe, Purling and Kirkpatrick signed the minutes.

Interpretations

The Council solved two problems with one appointment. The storekeeper's department was overwhelmed by the daily issues to the batteries, and the secretary's office was a clerk short. Making Bazett a writer with no fixed desk let the Council send him wherever the work was heaviest. Robert Leech, recommended by Powell, took over the steward's routine duties at the same salary Bazett had found too small. A young man starting in the service could accept £30 a year as the first step, as Bazett had once done.

The writer's salary was evidently small too. John Goodwin, the island's other writer, drew £5 a quarter in salary and £10 in table allowance, £60 a year in all. For Bazett that doubled his income. It also placed him on the Company's ladder of civil promotion, the path by which young men of island families rose to factor and in time to the Council.

Corneille paid in £36 6s 0d for a bill, now as a private man rather than an officer of the Company. He was settling his affairs before sailing. Converting what coin he had on the island into a bill payable in London was the safest way to carry his money home.

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173

The 1st August

At a Consultation held on Monday the 1st day of August 1768 at the Castle

Present John Skottowe Esq. Governor

Mr. Matthew Purling of Council

Captn. Thomas Kirkpatrick Absent being Sick

The last Consultation was read, approved and signed dated the 25th July

1768

Saturday the 30th Arrived the Admiral Pococks Boat at Banks's half an

Hour past two o'Clock in the Afternoon

Do. Do. Do. The Honble Company's Ship Admiral Pocock

from Bengal and brought Us the following supplies viz.

Invoice of Ship Admiral Pocock

Rice fine

S.T. No. 1 to 60 60 Bags wt. 120 Mds. @ 20 Srs. a Rs.

159 3 3

Sugar fine

S.T. No. 1 to 10 10 Bags wt. 20 Mds.

@ 8.6 p Md.

167 8 -

Paddy

S.T. No. 1 to 15 15 Bags wt. 33.20 Mds. Srs.

10 p Md.

18 4 6

Wax Candles

S.T. No. 1 to 4 4 Chests wt. 8 Mds. 75 p Md.

600 - -

Batavia Arrack

S.T. No. 1 to 2 2 Leagers 220 each

496 12 9

1541 12 6

Carrd. over

1541 12 6

Governor John Skottowe held a consultation at the Castle on Monday 1 August 1768.

Present

John Skottowe, Governor

William Matthew Purling, of the Council

Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick was absent through sickness

The Council read, approved and signed the minutes of 25 July 1768.

At half past two in the afternoon on Saturday 30 July, a boat from the Admiral Pocock landed at Banks's. The Company's ship Admiral Pocock arrived from Bengal the same day. She brought the following supplies, listed in her invoice in Bengal money.

Fine rice, bags numbered 1 to 60, 60 bags weighing 120 maunds at 20 seers per Arcot rupee, 259 rupees 0 annas 0 pies

Fine sugar, bags numbered 1 to 10, 10 bags weighing 20 maunds at 8 rupees 6 annas per maund, 167 rupees 8 annas 0 pies

Paddy, bags numbered 1 to 15, 15 bags weighing 22 maunds 20 seers at 10 annas per maund, 14 rupees 1 anna 6 pies

Wax candles, chests numbered 1 to 4, 4 chests weighing 8 maunds at 75 rupees per maund, 600 rupees 0 annas 0 pies

Batavia arrack, casks numbered 1 to 2, 2 leaguers at 220 rupees each, 496 rupees 12 annas 9 pies

Total, 1,541 rupees 12 annas 6 pies

Carried forward, 1,541 rupees 12 annas 6 pies

Interpretations

The Admiral Pocock arrived in the depth of the southern winter, long after the main homeward season had ended with the Duke of Richmond's departure on 27 June. A ship reaching St Helena from Bengal in late July had probably sailed late from the Hooghly or been delayed by weather off the Cape. She brought the same fixed consignment that Bengal sent by every homeward ship. This time it came without any salt meat, which suggests the Court's order to stop those shipments had at last reached Calcutta before she sailed.

Prices had again moved. Rice cost more, at 20 seers to the rupee against 25½ in April. Wax candles rose to 75 rupees a maund from 72. Arrack, at 220 rupees a leaguer, was still twice what the Lord Holland's had cost in January. Batavia arrack had stayed dear at Calcutta all year.

Kirkpatrick was again absent through sickness, as he had been in early June. The Council was reduced to the Governor and Purling for the second time in a fortnight, with Corneille gone and the paymaster ill. Two men now carried the whole government of the island.

181

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The 1st August

Brought over

1541 12 6

Charges Merchandize

135 Gunny Bags

23 7 -

2 Srs. Twine

- 4 6

4 Chests & Package

16 15 3

20 Reed Matts

1 14 6

Dust

1 1 6

Boatham

4 5 3

Coolies

36 6 -

Bearer

2 5 3

Weighmen

- 9 -

Peons

1 1 -

Moolias

12 15 6

101 4 6

Current Rupees

1643 1 -

Errors Excepted

(signed) Richd. Watts

Accompt.

George Freeman Serjeant and Thos. McFarlin Gunner

this day Petitioned for their discharges from the Garrison having served the

Honble Company their Contracted times

Granted

Captn. Henry Bazett this day applied to Us to pay £189.. 1.. 7

into the Honble Company's Cash, which Sum we have received and given him

Bills of Exchange drawn upon the Honble. the Court of Directors, payable to

Mr. Matthias Brightwell (or Order) ninety days after Sight

John Skottowe

Purling

The Admiral Pocock's invoice continued with the charges on the goods.

Brought forward, 1,541 rupees 12 annas 6 pies

Charges on the goods

155 gunny bags, 23 rupees 7 annas 0 pies

2 seers of twine, 0 rupees 4 annas 6 pies

4 chests with packing, 16 rupees 15 annas 3 pies

20 reed mats, 1 rupee 14 annas 6 pies

Food, 1 rupee 1 anna 6 pies

Boatmen, 4 rupees 5 annas 3 pies

Sloop hire, 36 rupees 6 annas 0 pies

Peons, 2 rupees 5 annas 3 pies

Weighmen, 0 rupees 9 annas 0 pies

Packers, 1 rupee 1 anna 0 pies

Coolies, 12 rupees 15 annas 6 pies

Total for charges, 101 rupees 4 annas 6 pies

Total in current rupees, 1,643 rupees 0 annas 9 pies

Richard Wells signed the invoice as accountant, reserving the right to correct any errors.

George Freeman, a sergeant, and Thomas McFarlan, a gunner, petitioned for their discharge from the garrison, having served the Company for the full term of their engagements. The Council granted both requests.

Captain Henry Bazett asked that day to pay £189 1s 7d into the Company's treasury. The Council took the money and gave him bills of exchange on the Court of Directors, payable to Mr Matthias Brightwell or his order 90 days after presentation.

Governor Skottowe and Purling signed the minutes.

Interpretations

The charges on the Admiral Pocock's goods came to just over 100 rupees, a little over 6 per cent of their cost. That was far less than the 579 rupees charged on the Northington's cargo in June, when heavy casks of salt meat needed 216 rupees of sloop hire alone. Without the meat, sloop hire fell to 36 rupees. The difference shows how much the unwanted Bengal pork and beef had added to the cost of the island's supplies. Ending that trade saved the Company more than the price of the meat itself.

Freeman and McFarlan were among the last of the men whose engagements ran out in 1768. George Freeman was one of the Second Company's four sergeants, and his loss would set off a new chain of promotions. Thomas McFarlan was a trained gunner, and the artillery could ill spare him with the new batteries close to completion.

Captain Henry Bazett's odd sum of £189 1s 7d, like Corneille's £427 2s 9d in May, suggests the settling of a particular account rather than a round remittance of savings. Bazett had registered bills of sale in March and renewed his town lease in April. He was evidently an active man of business on the island, with dealings that reached to London.

182

175

The 8 August

At a Consultation held on Monday the 8th day of August 1768 at the

Castle

Present John Skottowe Esq. Governor

Mr. Matthew Purling of Council

Captn. Thos. Kirkpatrick Absent

The last Consultation was read, approved, and signed, dated the 1st August

1768

Wednesday the 3d died Thomas Newton Centinel

This day Do. Lieut. Henry De Laval

The Executors to the last Will & Testament of

Alexander Ware deceased this day presented the said Will desiring the same

might be proved which was accordingly done upon the Oaths of the Witnesses

thereto. The Will is as follows viz.

In the name of God Amen I Alexander Ware Mariner on

Board the good Ship Admiral Pocock Thos. Riddle Commr. being of sound

mind and memory considering the Perils and Dangers of the Seas and other

Uncertainties of this transitory life do for Avoiding controversies after my Decease

make publish & declare this my last will and testament in manner following,

that is to say first I recommend my soul to God that gave it and my Body to the

Earth or Sea as it shall please God to order, as for and Concerning all my

worldly Estate I give Bequeath & Dispose thereof as followeth that is to say

all such wages sum & sums of Money Goods Chattles whatsoever as shall be

any ways due owing or belonging to me at the time of my Decease, I do

give Devise and Bequeath unto my beloved friend Jno. Cross One half

of my Effects and the other half unto my beloved friends Thos. Stubbs, Jno.

Burke And Christopher Armstrong belonging to the Ship Admiral Pocock

Thos. Riddle Commr. and do hereby Nominate & Appoint the aforesaid

Jno. Cross Thos. Stubbs Jno. Burke & Christopher Armstrong my whole

& sole Executors of this my last Will testament hereby revoking all

Governor John Skottowe held a consultation at the Castle on Monday 8 August 1768.

Present

John Skottowe, Governor

William Matthew Purling, of the Council

Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick was absent

The Council read, approved and signed the minutes of 1 August 1768. Thomas Newton, a private, died on Wednesday 3 August. Lieutenant Henry De Laune died that day.

The executors of the will of Alexander Hoar, deceased, presented the will that day and asked for it to be proved. The Council proved it on the oaths of the witnesses. The will read as follows.

Alexander Hoar, a seaman aboard the Admiral Pocock, commanded by Thomas Riddle, declared that he was of sound mind and memory. Mindful of the perils of the sea and the uncertainty of life, and to prevent disputes after his death, he made his last will. He commended his soul to God, who gave it, and his body to the earth or the sea as God should direct. He left all his worldly goods, meaning all wages, money, goods and possessions owed to him or belonging to him at his death, in two halves. One half went to his close friend John Cross. The other half went to his close friends Thomas Stubbs, John Burke and Christopher Armstrong, all of the Admiral Pocock under Captain Thomas Riddle. He named John Cross, Thomas Stubbs, John Burke and Christopher Armstrong as his joint executors, and revoked all earlier

Interpretations

Henry De Laune's death left the Fourth Company without any lieutenant. It had carried only one lieutenant all year, the second post being vacant, and De Laune had held it alone. With John Howard as captain and no lieutenant beneath him, the company now depended entirely on its captain and sergeants. A new commission could come only from the Court in London. The Council would have to appoint an officer to act in the meantime.

Alexander Hoar's will followed the usual pattern of a seaman's will. Sailors on long voyages commonly made wills leaving their wages and few possessions to shipmates, who were their nearest companions for years at a time. Hoar evidently died while the Admiral Pocock lay at St Helena. The Council proved the will so that his executors, all fellow seamen of the same ship, could claim his wages when she reached London. Proof by the island's Council gave them authority the Company's paymasters at home would recognise.

Two deaths in the garrison in a single week, a private and an officer, came in the depth of the southern winter. Damp, cold weather in the uplands brought fevers and chest complaints, and the hospital's issues of sugar, rice and flour had risen steadily through the year.

183

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The 8 August

former & other wills Testaments and Deeds of Gifts by me at any time

made by me and I do ordain & ratify these Presents to stand and be for

and as my last will & testament in Witness whereof to this my last will and

testament, I have set my hand and seal the twenty first day of July one

thousand seven hundred and sixty eight and in the Eight Year of the Reign

of his Majesty King George the third Over Great Britain &c.

(signed) Alexr. Ware

Signd sealed published and

Declared in the presence of

This where there is no Stamp

Paper to be had

(signed) Henry Bifield

John Smith

Witnes

William Bannister Serjeant & Joseph Fellows

Matross this day Petitioned for their discharges from the Garrison having

served the Honorable Company their Contracted times

Granted

The Gunners and Stewards Accounts for the Month of July last,

were this day brought in which were examined, and approved, and are

as follows viz.

Alexander Hoar revoked all earlier wills and deeds of gift he had made, and confirmed this document as his last will. He signed and sealed it on 21 July 1768, in the eighth year of the reign of King George III. He signed it in the presence of two witnesses, Henry Bissett and John Smith. A note recorded that it was written on plain paper because no stamped paper was to be had.

William Bannister, a sergeant, and Joseph Fellows, a matross, petitioned for their discharge from the garrison, having served the Company for the full term of their engagements. The Council granted both requests.

The gunner's and steward's accounts for July were presented, examined and approved. They read as follows.

Interpretations

Hoar made his will on 21 July 1768, nine days before the Admiral Pocock reached St Helena on 30 July. He was evidently already ill at sea and dictated his will aboard, with two shipmates as witnesses, knowing he might not live to see England. The note about stamped paper repeats the point made in Captain Cooke's protest of May. English law required wills and legal documents to be written on paper bearing the government's tax stamp. Neither a ship at sea nor the island of St Helena could supply it. The Council's proof gave the will the authority that its missing stamp would otherwise have denied it.

Bannister was the second sergeant of the First Company to leave that year, after Phillip Mahoney became clerk of the peace in May. Joseph Fellows was another trained matross lost to the artillery. The steady stream of discharges went on into the southern winter. The men whose five-year terms had begun in mid-1763 were now completing them one by one, just as the garrison was also losing men to death.

184

177

1768

Artillery Stores Expended in July 1768

Guns fired, 4 Pr, 3 Pr, 2 Pr, 1 Pr, Powder Expend. lb, Powder Expend. oz

30th An Alarm: Guns fired 6, 4 Pr 2, 3 Pr 2, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 2, Powder Expend. lb 12, Powder Expend. oz 0

Arrived the Admiral Pocock: Guns fired 9, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 9, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expend. lb 6, Powder Expend. oz 12

Powder for Sundry Services: Guns fired 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expend. lb 495, Powder Expend. oz 12

Total: Guns fired 15, 4 Pr 2, 3 Pr 2, 2 Pr 9, 1 Pr 2, Powder Expend. lb 512, Powder Expend. oz 8

Tallow for Boats &ca.

54 lb.

Lead Balls to Shoot Goats

7 10

8 Inch Fuzes Expended

1

Sponge Staves Do.

1

Junk Wood Do.

100

Paper for Sundry Services

6 Qrs.

Wall for raising the Sacks of Colts

1 Cord

Isinglass

8

Sundry's Expended at the Honorable Compys. Table in July 1768

6 Bottles Port Wine

" 9 -

14 Do. Lisbon

1 1 -

8 Do. Mountain

" 12 -

12 Do. Beer

" 5 -

30 Gall. Arrk.

7 10 -

160 lb. Beef

3 2 6

200 Mutton

4 3 4

2 Kids

" 10 -

12 Fowls

" 18 -

2 Turkeys

" 10 -

30 lb. Butter

1 10 -

100 lb. Candy

2 3 8

300 Flour

3 1 6

£ 25 16 2

The gunner's return of artillery stores used in July 1768 recorded the guns fired, the 4-pounders, 3-pounders, 2-pounders and 1-pounders used, and the powder spent in pounds and ounces.

30 July, an alarm: guns fired 6, 4-pounders 2, 3-pounders 2, 2-pounders 0, 1-pounders 2; powder 12 lb 0 oz

30 July, arrival of the Admiral Pocock: guns fired 9, 4-pounders 0, 3-pounders 0, 2-pounders 9, 1-pounders 0; powder 6 lb 12 oz

Powder used on sundry services, 493 lb 12 oz

Total: guns fired 15, 4-pounders 2, 3-pounders 2, 2-pounders 9, 1-pounders 2; powder 512 lb 8 oz

The gunner also accounted for other stores used during July.

Tallow for the boats and other uses, 54 lb

Lead balls for shooting goats, 7 lb 10 oz

Fuses for 8-inch shells, 1

Sponge staves, 1

Trunk nails, 100

Paper for sundry services, 6 quires

[...], 1 lb 0 oz

Isinglass, 8 oz

The steward's account listed the sundries used at the Company's table in July 1768.

6 bottles of port wine, £0 9s 0d

14 bottles of Lisbon wine, £1 1s 0d

8 bottles of Mountain wine, £0 12s 0d

12 bottles of beer, £0 5s 0d

30 gallons of arrack, £7 10s 0d

160 lb of beef, £3 2s 6d

200 lb of mutton, £4 3s 4d

2 kids, £0 10s 0d

12 fowls, £0 18s 0d

2 turkeys, £0 10s 0d

30 lb of butter, £1 10s 0d

100 lb of sugar candy, £2 3s 8d

300 lb of flour, £3 1s 6d

Total, £25 16s 2d

Interpretations

July was the quietest month of the year for the island's guns. Only one ship called, the Admiral Pocock, so only 15 guns were fired for one alarm and one salute. Yet the powder used on sundry services reached nearly 500 lb, close to the highest of the year. With no ships to salute and the masons free of other calls, the winter months were spent blasting rock. Mitchell had reported on 4 July that the platform at Munden's Point was being enlarged by blasting, and the battery's right flank extended. The powder went into the cliff.

The fuse for an 8-inch shell belonged to the mortars or howitzers the island was mounting at the new works. Isinglass was a pure gelatine made from the swim bladders of fish, especially sturgeon. Gunners and armourers used it as a fine glue, and it also served to clarify liquids. Its issue from the artillery stores suggests it was used in preparing fuses or cartridges.

The Company's table cost £25 16s 2d, close to June's figure. The household had settled into its winter routine with few guests to entertain. Arrack held at 30 gallons, as it had every month of the year.

185

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The 8 August

We this day received the following Letter from the Engineer

Viz.

To the Worshipfull the Governor & Council of the Island

St. Helena

Gentlemen

In Order that the Honble Court of Directors may have

timely Notice of my Intentions, thro' the regular Conveyance of their Governor

and Council; I therefore do myself the Honour of writing you this Letter,

to inform you, that having now the agreable Prospect before me of being able

to accomplish the Business upon which I was sent to this Island, by

putting the finishing Hand to the Construction of all the material Works

necessary to its Defence, against the Arrival of next Year's Store-ships, or

within a few Months after; I do therefore propose returning to Europe next

Season, in Order to give an Account of my Conduct to my Honble. Masters,

And to lay before them a circumstantial Detail of the Military State of

this Garrison and Settlement; as well as to make an humble Tender of

my future services, agreable to the Terms on which I entered into their

Service

That this my Resolution may be Conveyed to them with

that Degree of Concurrence and Approbation from their Governor & Council

of which I am exceedingly ambitious, and with which you have hitherto

been pleased so uniformly to honour my past proceedings; I therefore beg

Leave to lay before you a succinct Account of the Condition in which I

found the Defences of this Island, upon my Arrival. To recapitulate

the Heads of the Plan proposed by me and approved of by my Masters,

for compleating them. To relate the Progress at present made in the

Execution of this Plan, and to enumerate those essential Parts of it; which

yet Remain unfinished; to the Accomplishment of which I have limited

my Stay on the Island, agreable to what I apprehend to have been the

Intention of the Honble Court of Directors, which will appear by their

General Letter, of Date the 21st of November, Sixty four, to which I

beg Leave to Refer you

The Council received the following letter that day from the engineer, addressed to the Governor and Council.

Mitchell wrote so that the Court of Directors would have early notice of his intentions through the Governor and Council, the proper channel. He now had the welcome prospect of completing the work for which he had been sent to the island, by finishing all the main defences it needed before next year's store ships arrived, or within a few months after. He therefore proposed to return to Europe next season. There he would give the Company an account of his conduct and a detailed report on the military state of the garrison and settlement. He would also offer his future services, in line with the terms on which he had entered the Company's service.

Mitchell was very anxious that his decision should reach the Company with the agreement and approval of the Governor and Council, who had so consistently approved his work so far. He therefore asked leave to set before them a short account of the state of the island's defences when he arrived. He would sum up the main points of the plan he had proposed and the Company had approved for completing them, and describe the progress made so far. He would also list the essential parts still unfinished. He had limited his stay on the island to completing them, in line with what he understood the Court of Directors intended, as its general letter of 21 November 1764 would show. He asked the Council to refer to that letter.

Interpretations

Mitchell wrote within three weeks of Corneille's resignation. He took care to send his notice of departure through the Governor and Council, the proper channel, and to ask for their approval. He had watched a Lieutenant Governor leave the island under a cloud of private letters and charges. By contrast, he set out his reasons openly and placed his record before the whole Board before anyone could question it.

His terms of service explain why he could leave. The Court's general letter of 21 November 1764 had evidently engaged him for a fixed task, to put the island's defences in order, not for an indefinite posting. With Sandy Bay finished, Banks's nearly complete and Munden's Point well advanced, he judged the task close to done. He planned to stay only until the last main works were finished, around the arrival of the next store ships in the autumn of 1769.

The report he promised would serve as his defence and his recommendation together. By setting out the state of the defences when he arrived, the plan he had followed and what remained, he would show the Company exactly what its money had bought: about £1,000 a quarter in labour and stores on the batteries through 1767 and 1768. A favourable report from the Council would strengthen his claim to further employment, which he meant to seek once he was home.

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179

1768

When I first surveyed the Fortifications of this Island, I

found them in general, tho well situated, yet ill contrived, worse

executed, and indeed the greatest Part of them altogether insufficient,

untenable or going to Ruin.

I did not say this then, nor do I now repeat it, from the

absurd Motive of acquiring Merit to myself by finding fault with every

thing that was done before me: My Reputation whatever it may be,

shall be built on a firmer Foundation. The thing itself was obvious,

even to a common observer, and I appeal to you, Gentlemen, for the

truth of it

In my Plan for remedying these Defects, and for compleating

the Defences of the Island; I endeavoured, as much as I could, to unite

the two principal Objects of strength and Oeconomy; Nor did I propose any

Demolition of Old Works, or Construction of New Ones, farther than what

I apprehended to be absolutely and essentially necessary, towards rendering

every part of the Island properly and equally capable of Defence

How far I have succeeded in this, or am likely to succeed, it would

ill become me to pronounce, By your Award, Gentlemen, and by the

opinion of other Judges, my Masters will undoubtedly determine, with

Regard to the Degree of Merit or Demerit due to me on this account,

Conscious of my best Endeavours, I chearfully appeal to this Tribunal

The Alterations, Additions and Improvements proposed in my

Plan, consisted

In the Construction of a regular Line, consisting of a Rampart,

Parapet, Ditch and Glacis, extending across the whole Extent of

Sandy Bay

In pulling down and rebuilding the upper Battery at Banks's

In rebuilding Part of the lower Battery, situated in the

Vally of that name, new laying the Platforms and repairing the whole

In pulling down, rebuilding and enlarging the extensive and

important Battery and Range of Guns situated on Mundens Point, and

in Constructing a Battery for Mortars in the same Situation

When Mitchell first surveyed the island's fortifications, he found them on the whole well placed but badly designed and worse built. Most of them were wholly inadequate, impossible to hold or falling into ruin.

He had not said this at the time, and did not repeat it now, from any foolish wish to gain credit by finding fault with everything done before him. Whatever his reputation might be, it would rest on its own foundation. The facts had been plain even to an ordinary observer, and he appealed to the Council to confirm them.

In his plan for correcting these faults and completing the island's defences, he had tried as far as possible to combine the two main aims of strength and economy. He had not proposed to demolish old works or build new ones beyond what he thought absolutely essential to make every part of the island properly and equally defensible.

It was not for him to say how far he had succeeded or was likely to succeed. The Company would surely judge what credit or blame he deserved, by the Council's verdict and the opinion of other judges. Conscious of his best efforts, he gladly submitted to that judgement.

The alterations, additions and improvements proposed in his plan were as follows.

A regular line was to be built across the whole width of Sandy Bay, consisting of a rampart, parapet, ditch and glacis.

The upper battery at Banks's was to be pulled down and rebuilt.

Part of the lower battery in the valley of the same name was to be rebuilt, new platforms laid and the whole repaired.

The large and important battery and line of guns at Munden's Point was to be pulled down, rebuilt and enlarged, and a battery for mortars built at the same site.

Interpretations

Mitchell's opening judgement on the old defences was harsh: well sited but badly designed, worse built, and largely useless. He took care to say that he had not voiced it at first, to avoid looking as though he were running down his predecessors to make himself look good. He now set it before a Council whose members had lived beside those defences for years, and he asked them to confirm it. That way, the Court would hear the verdict from the island's government and not from the engineer alone.

His list of works corresponds exactly to the spending recorded through 1767 and 1768. The line across Sandy Bay, with its rampart, parapet, ditch and glacis, was the work completed in December 1767. A glacis was a smooth outer slope of earth in front of the ditch, which left any attacker in the open, exposed to fire from the parapet. The rebuilt upper battery at Banks's was the work nearly finished in July 1768. The enlarged battery at Munden's Point, with its mortar battery, was the project still under way, for which the Council had ordered carriages and mortar beds from Bombay in May.

Mitchell stressed economy as much as strength. The Court had complained for years about the cost of St Helena. An engineer who could show that he had built only what was essential would find a readier hearing in Leadenhall Street than one who had simply built more.

187

180

[Ends of some lines at the right-hand edge hidden in the binding.]

The 8 August

In enlarging and Strengthening the Work now subsisting for the

Defence of Lemon-Valley:

In rebuilding, with some little Variation from their present

Form, the two Demi-Bastions which form the Flanks, and terminat[...]

the exterior Line of James's Valley; And lastly.

In Walling up a few inconsiderable Gullies situated in differen[...]

Parts of the Island

Of these, the first; and most considerable of them all, has been

long since accomplished

The second is now finishing, and will be compleated, and a Plan

of it delivered in, in a few Weeks.

The third Work I compleated the first Year after my Arrival;

The two last, namely the rebuilding the Half Bastions in

James's Valley, and the Walling up a few inconsiderable Gullies,

being Works of no difficulty in the Execution, have been postponed fo[...]

that reason to the last: And as they will require in their Constructio[...]

only the Hand of the Mason, and by no means the immediate

Superintendance of an Engineer, are not therefore of Consequence

sufficient to detain me another Season upon the Island

With Regard to the Works proposed for Munden's Point,

you have before been made acquainted that already a Considerable

Progress has been made in them: The Foundations, a principal Part;

have been got ready; The Materials have been Collected, prepared an[...]

transported thither, and the greatest Part of the Honble. Company's

Workmen are now employed in their Construction

In Respect to the proposed Enlargement of the present Defences

of Lemon Valley, I am preparing the Plan of it, which will be laid

before you Next Monday; Its Execution will commence sometim[...]

next Month

By Compleating these, which I flatter myself I shall be abl[...]

to Accomplish against May or June next ensuing, I shall hav[...]

Mitchell's plan also provided for enlarging and strengthening the existing defences of Lemon Valley.

The two half-bastions that formed the flanks and closed the outer line of James's Valley were to be rebuilt, with some small changes to their present shape.

Lastly, a few minor gullies in different parts of the island were to be walled up.

The first and most important of these works, the line across Sandy Bay, had been finished long before.

The second, the upper battery at Banks's, was now being finished. It would be completed, and a plan of it handed in, within a few weeks.

The third, the lower battery in Banks's valley, had been completed in Mitchell's first year on the island.

The last two, the rebuilding of the half-bastions in James's Valley and the walling up of the minor gullies, presented no difficulty, so they had been left until last. They needed only a mason's hand and did not require an engineer's direct supervision. They were therefore not important enough to keep him on the island for another season.

As the Council already knew, considerable progress had been made on the works planned for Munden's Point. The foundations, which were the main part, were ready. The materials had been gathered, prepared and carried to the site, and most of the Company's workmen were now employed in building there.

Mitchell was preparing a plan for enlarging the present defences of Lemon Valley, which he would lay before the Council the following Monday. Work on it would begin some time the next month.

He hoped to complete all these works by May or June of the following year. By then he would have carried out

Interpretations

Mitchell grouped his works by the skill they needed as well as by their importance. The batteries at Banks's and Munden's Point, the line at Sandy Bay and the new work at Lemon Valley all needed an engineer to set out angles, levels and lines of fire. The half-bastions in James's Valley and the walls across the gullies were plain masonry that the master mason, William Holbrooke, could finish alone. By leaving those for last, Mitchell made his own departure possible without leaving the defences half built. The work only he could direct would be finished before he sailed.

A half-bastion was a projecting work at the end of a fortified line. From it, defenders could fire along the face of the wall at anyone trying to climb it. The two in James's Valley closed the outer line protecting Jamestown from the sea. The gullies were narrow ravines in the cliffs, through which a small landing party might climb inland. Walling them up closed routes that the larger batteries could not cover.

Mitchell's target of May or June 1769 matched his intention to leave in the next season's ships. He would finish Munden's Point and Lemon Valley, then sail home with the island's main defences complete, ready to report to the Court in person.

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executed all those parts of my Plan, which require either my presence

or Inspection, and I have not the smallest Inclination, by a longer Stay

on the Island, to become only passively usefull to my Honble.

Employers

With Regard to the Buildings, Civil and Military, to be

Constructed: Namely a Church, Sessions House Storehouses &c. It

belongs to my Profession only to delineate their Plans and ascertain

their Dimensions: These I shall leave behind me; together with

such particular Directions regarding their Construction, as may render the

Execution of them, plain, easy, and free from Mistakes

I hope it will not be regarded as any impropriety in me, to make

the following Observations in this Place: Namely, That I apprehend it

would be thought highly improper to leave the Execution of these Works of

Consequence; and the future Superintendance of the Fortifications of this

Island, to the Care and inspection of a Master Mason only, as has formerly

been the Case in this Island: A Person in whom the Company, as well

as the Governor and Council can confide, with Respect to his Abilities,

Integrity and Diligence, is absolutely necessary for this Purpose:

The Governor and Council are well aware that the present Master Mason

is not such a One, and the Company have already been considerable

Sufferers by the Ignorance, Petulance and Quackery of that sort of

Gentry

I therefore humbly take the Liberty of recommending to you,

Gentlemen, the present Overseer of the Works Lieut. Bazett, as a proper

Person for this purpose; The Experience he has acquired during the two

Years he has already been employed at the Fortifications; his Diligence

and Assiduity in the discharge of the trust reposed in him, of which I

have before had Occasion to make mention to the Governor and Council;

And above all his application to those Studies and that knowledge

essential to an Engineer, and the progress he has already made in them,

render him deserving of every encouragement, and I hope will procure him

your Protection & Recommendation on this Occasion, I dare say an

Addition of a hundred pounds a Year to his Pay as Lieutenant; and a

Commission to act as Company's Engineer of this Island, without any

Addition of Rank, besides what he may acquire by his Seniority in

By then Mitchell would have carried out every part of his plan that required his presence or supervision. He had no wish to stay longer on the island and become merely a passive expense to the Company.

As to the civil and military buildings still to be built, namely a church, a sessions house, storehouses and others, his profession required him only to draw their plans and fix their dimensions. He would leave these behind him, together with such detailed directions for building them as would make the work plain, easy and free of mistakes.

He hoped the Council would not think it improper for him to add one observation. In his view it would be highly improper to leave the building of these important works, and the future care of the island's fortifications, to a master mason alone, as had formerly been the practice on the island. The task needed a man in whose ability, integrity and diligence the Company, the Governor and the Council could all place confidence. The Governor and Council knew well that the present master mason was not such a man. The Company had already suffered considerable loss through the ignorance, ill temper and pretence of people of that sort.

Mitchell therefore recommended Lieutenant Bazett, the present overseer of the works, as a suitable person for the purpose. Bazett had gained experience during the two years he had already been employed at the fortifications. Mitchell had already had occasion to report his diligence and care in carrying out his trust to the Governor and Council. Above all, his study of the subjects and knowledge essential to an engineer, and the progress he had already made in them, made him deserving of every encouragement. Mitchell hoped the Council would support and recommend him on this occasion. He suggested an addition of £100 a year to Bazett's pay as lieutenant, and a commission to act as the Company's engineer on the island. This would carry no increase in rank beyond what Bazett might gain by seniority in

Interpretations

Mitchell's plan to leave raised an obvious question: who would look after the defences once he had gone. The island's past practice had been to leave works to the master mason, which meant William Holbrooke, the best-paid tradesman on the civil list at £30 a quarter. Mitchell rejected that course outright and explained why. He judged Holbrooke ignorant, ill-tempered and a pretender to skills he lacked, and he blamed men of that kind for the faulty works he had found when he arrived. He put the charge on record before the Council, which, he said, already knew it to be true.

The man he recommended was Lieutenant Thomas Bazett of the Third Company, who also drew £13 13s 0d a quarter on the civil list as superintendent. The entry is now explained: Bazett had been Mitchell's overseer of works for two years and had studied engineering under him. Training a local officer as engineer gave the Company continuity at far less cost than sending out another engineer from England. Mitchell kept the proposal modest. He asked for £100 a year and an acting commission, with no step in military rank, so that Bazett would not jump over other officers of the garrison.

The proposal also strengthened the Bazett family's hold on the island's offices. A Bazett was already secretary, another a captain, another superintendent of the slaves, and another had just been made a writer. Thomas would now add the post of engineer.

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[Ends of some lines at the right-hand edge hidden in the binding.]

The 8 August

the Service, would fully gratify all his wishes: A due Regard to the

Interest of my Masters, to Oeconomy, and to the Merit of this Gentleman,

have been my only Motives for this Recommendation, which I hope will

plead its Excuse

As I apprehend you will judge it necessary to desire, that a

Gentleman may be sent from England, by the first opportunity, to succe[...]

me in the Command of the Artillery Company, I shall be happy to find

that the Company is able to procure such a One as may be properly

qualified to accomplish what my short stay and other Avocations have

only allowed me to initiate them in: Namely that Discipline and

knowledge of their Profession, of which they stood so much in Need, and

on which the Defence of this Island (should it ever be Attacked) must

principally depend.

Allow me to Conclude this Letter by assuring you, Gentlemen,

that I shall always retain a gratefull Sense of that kind Countenanc[...]

and support you have so constantly and generously afforded me, in

my Endeavours towards a faithfull discharge of the Trust reposed

in Me; being, with the utmost Consideration

Your much Obliged and most Obedient Servan[...]

(signed) Ar. Mitchell

St. Helena

8 August 1768

Upon which we sent for Capt. Mitchell and

acquainted him that we approved of what he had set forth in the above

Letter, and shall take due Notice of the several Circumstances he mention[...]

in our General Letter by the Admiral Pocock

Hugh Jones having Retailed Arrack contrary to Orders

we fined him ten Pounds for the said Offence, one half we gave

Mitchell judged that an increase in pay and an acting commission, with promotion only by seniority in the service, would fully satisfy Bazett's wishes. Mitchell's only motives for the recommendation were a proper regard for the Company's interest, for economy and for Bazett's merit, and he hoped these would excuse it.

He expected the Council would think it necessary to ask for a gentleman to be sent from England by the first opportunity to succeed him in command of the Artillery Company. He would be glad if the Company could find a man properly qualified to complete what his short stay and other duties had only allowed him to begin. That meant the discipline and professional knowledge the artillerymen so badly needed, on which the island's defence would chiefly depend if it were ever attacked.

He closed by assuring the Council that he would always remember with gratitude the kind support it had so constantly and generously given him in his efforts to carry out his trust faithfully. Archibald Mitchell signed the letter at St Helena on 8 August 1768.

The Council then sent for Captain Mitchell and told him it approved of what he had set out in his letter. It would report the various points he raised in its general letter to the Court, to be sent by the Admiral Pocock.

Hugh Jones had sold arrack by retail against orders, and the Council fined him £10 for the offence. It gave half of the fine to John

Interpretations

Mitchell's request for a new artillery commander revealed a weakness he had not mentioned before. He had commanded the Artillery Company alongside his work as engineer, and the fortifications had taken nearly all his time. The gunners had therefore received little training in the discipline and skill of their trade. The batteries he had built would be of little use if the men serving them could not lay and fire the guns well. He did not propose a local officer for this post, as he had for the engineer's. Gunnery and military discipline had to be learned in the regular service, and only an officer trained in England could teach them.

The Council's response was brief approval and a promise to report to the Court. It took no decision itself on Bazett's pay or commission, nor on a new artillery commander. Both lay with the Directors. The Admiral Pocock would carry the general letter home, along with the papers of the Corneille affair and Corneille himself.

Hugh Jones was the first person recorded as fined under the proclamation of 4 July 1768, which forbade anyone but the five licensed publicans to sell spirits by retail. The fine was the full £10 set in the proclamation, with half paid to the informer. The Council enforced its new rules within five weeks of making them.

190

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1768

John Price the Informer and the other half we paid into the Company's

Cash

And it being also proved by Roderick Merchant that Thos. Yates

had retailed Arrack we ordered the said Yates to pay the Penalty of ten pounds

for so doing, one half of which we propose giving to the said Merchant the

other half we shall pay into the Company's Cash, together with Ten pounds

more we fined the said Yates for retailing Spirituous Liquors a Second time,

when we can recover the said Sum he being very indigent; at present was only

able to pay five Pounds of the said Twenty pounds the penalty for these two

Offences

We this day Granted the following Sets of Bills of Exchange

drawn upon the Honble. the Court of Directors viz.

One Set to Danl. Corneille Esq. for £400.. payable to

himself (or Order)

One Set to Mattw. Purling Esq. for £450.. payable to John

Purling Esq. (or Order)

One Set to Mr. Saml. Dowlon for £437.. 14.. payable to

Capt. Richd. Dowlons (or Order)

One Set to Hugh Jones for £368.. 12.. 6 payable to himself

(or Order)

And One Set to Capt. Thos. Riddell for £280.. payable to Sir

John Riddell & Thos. Arnfield Esq. (or Order) all drawn at ninety days

sight

John Skottowe

Purling

The Council gave half of Hugh Jones's fine to John Price, the informer, and paid the other half into the Company's treasury.

Roderick Merchant also proved that Thomas Yates had sold arrack by retail. The Council ordered Yates to pay the £10 penalty for the offence. It intended to give half to Merchant and pay the other half into the Company's treasury. It also fined Yates a further £10 for selling spirits by retail a second time, to be paid into the treasury when it could be recovered. Yates was very poor and could pay only £5 at present of the £20 due for the two offences.

The Council granted the following sets of bills of exchange on the Court of Directors, all payable 90 days after presentation.

1 set to Daniel Corneille for £400 0s 0d, payable to himself or his order

1 set to Matthew Purling for £450 0s 0d, payable to John Purling or his order

1 set to Mr Jonathan Doveton for £487 14s 0d, payable to Captain Richard Doveton or his order

1 set to Hugh Jones for £68 12s 6d, payable to himself or his order

1 set to Captain Thomas Riddle for £80 0s 0d, payable to Sir John Riddell and Thomas Armfield or their order

Governor Skottowe and Purling signed the minutes.

Interpretations

The informers were both licensed publicans. John Price and Roderick Merchant were two of the five men kept on as punch house keepers on 4 July 1768. They had a direct interest in stopping unlicensed sellers, who drew away their customers and undercut their fixed prices. The half share of each fine gave them a further reward. The Council had built its system of enforcement on that interest: the licensed keepers policed the trade they now held between them. Thomas Yates was probably the matross and clerk of the church of that name. A man so poor that he could pay only a quarter of his fines had evidently turned to selling arrack to eke out small wages.

Hugh Jones was fined £10 for illegal selling, yet the same day he paid in £68 12s 6d for a bill on London. He was evidently a trader of some means, not a poor man, and the fine was a small cost to him. Yates, by contrast, could not pay even half his.

Corneille's bill for £400 was payable to himself, since he would be in London to collect it. With his earlier bill of £36 6s 0d, he was now converting all his savings on the island into paper before sailing in the Admiral Pocock. Purling sent a further £450 to John Purling. Jonathan Doveton, the factor, sent £487 14s 0d to Captain Richard Doveton, a kinsman in the Company's maritime service. Captain Riddle of the Admiral Pocock sent £80 home on his own account, as commanders did in every ship of the season.

191

184

The 10 August

At a Consultation held on Wednesday the 10th day of August 1768 at the

Castle

Present John Skottowe Esq. Governor

Mr. Matthew Purling of Council

Captn. Thos. Kirkpatrick Absent

The last Consultation was read approved, and signed dated the 8th

August 1768

Mr. Matthew Purling Reports that he has been

on board the Ship Admiral Pocock to Muster her Company and Enquire

for Deserters but found none her Muster Roll are as follows viz.

Muster Roll of Ship Admiral Pocock

Thos. Riddell Commr.

Willm. Bazeil 1st Mate

Robert Muir 2d Do.

Job Strong 3d Do.

Malm. Watkinson 4th Do.

Joseph Eyton 5th Do.

Alexr. Carr 6th Do.

Thos. Cairns Surgeon

Robt. Raymont Do. Mate

Robt. Riddell Purser

Jno. Irving Boatswn.

Albert Nicholas Carpenter

Willm. Ashel Gunner

Edw. Cunningham Ships Stewd.

Thos. Gibson Capt. Do.

Nichs. Proffest Midshn.

Thos. Denn Do.

Robert Mason Do.

Jno. Bowen Qr. Master

Thos. Edwards Do.

Willm. Phillips Do.

Jno. Smith Do.

Jno. Creighton Boatsn. Mate

Wm. Corley Do. 2d Do.

Will Nicholas Carptrs. Do.

Geo. Blackadder 2d Do.

Willm. Wilson Gunrs. Do.

Jno. Easthrop Capt. Cook

Thos. Armstrong Ships Do.

Robt. Scott Cooper

Edw. Gilbert Caulker

Jno. Henry Do. Mate

Edw. Potter Sailmr.

Nat. Griffith Armour.

Alexr. Hutchin Butcher

John Deptford Poult.

Christr. Armstrong Seam.

John Butler

Henry Bissett

Geo. Brown

Thos. Brown

John Brown

John Burk

John Kellworth

Edwd. Burrows

Saml. Clay

Gavin Cron

Will Carter

John Cross

John Cossbrook

Saml. Davey

Will Eden

Peter Fitzgerald

John Frasan

Governor John Skottowe held a consultation at the Castle on Wednesday 10 August 1768.

Present

John Skottowe, Governor

William Matthew Purling, of the Council

Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick was absent

The Council read, approved and signed the minutes of 8 August 1768.

Purling reported that he had boarded the Admiral Pocock to muster her crew and search for deserters. He found none. Her muster roll read as follows.

Thomas Riddell, Commander

William Boyd, First Mate

Elliot Muir, Second Mate

Job Strong, Third Mate

Malcolm Watkinson, Fourth Mate

Joseph Eyton, Fifth Mate

Alexander Carr, Sixth Mate

Thomas Cairns, Surgeon

Robert [...], Surgeon's Mate

Robert Riddell, Purser

John Twining, Boatswain

Albert Nicholas, Carpenter

William [...], Gunner

Edward Cunningham, Ship's Steward

Thomas Gibson, Captain's Steward

Nicholas Perfect, Midshipman

Thomas Venn, Midshipman

Robert Mason, Midshipman

John Bowen, Quartermaster

Thomas Edwards, Quartermaster

William Phillips, Quartermaster

John Smith, Quartermaster

John Creighton, Boatswain's First Mate

William Cosley, Boatswain's Second Mate

William Nicholas, Carpenter's First Mate

George Blackadder, Carpenter's Second Mate

William Wilson, Gunner's Mate

John [...], Captain's Cook

Thomas Armstrong, Ship's Cook

Robert Scott, Cooper

Edward Gilbert, Caulker

John Henry, Caulker's Mate

Edward Potter, Sailmaker

Nathaniel Griffith, Armourer

Alexander Kitchen, Butcher

John Deptford, Poulterer

Christopher Armstrong, Seaman

John Butler, Seaman

Henry Bissett, Seaman

George Brown, Seaman

Thomas Brown, Seaman

John Bourn, Seaman

John Burke, Seaman

John Killworth, Seaman

Edward Burrows, Seaman

James Clay, Seaman

Gavin Crow, Seaman

William Carter, Seaman

John Cross, Seaman

John Cosbrook, Seaman

James Davey, Seaman

William Eden, Seaman

Peter Fitzgerald, Seaman

John Fraser, Seaman

Interpretations

The roll names the men in Alexander Hoar's will, proved before the Council on 8 August 1768. John Cross, John Burke and Christopher Armstrong, three of his four executors and heirs, appear here as seamen of the Admiral Pocock. Henry Bissett, who witnessed the will, also appears as a seaman. John Smith, the other witness, was one of the ship's quartermasters. Hoar left everything to his messmates, the men who worked and lived beside him. The muster confirms that they were all still aboard and could claim his wages when the ship paid off in London.

The Admiral Pocock carried six mates, the establishment of the largest Indiamen. Her commander was Thomas Riddell, whose bill of 8 August was payable to Sir John Riddell, evidently a kinsman of rank in Britain. Robert Riddell, the purser, was probably also a relation. Commanders commonly placed family members in posts aboard their ships, as Captain Elphinstone had done with his brother in the Triton in March.

192

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1768

John Garn Seamen

John Graves

John Garrett

Thos. Gutridge

Jas. Gray

Geo. Hall

Jno. Holmes

John Hind

Thos. Horn

Chas. Johnson

Fredk. Johnson

Will Jemmison

Jno. Lowe

Richd. Ladd

John Leonise

Jno. Moore Seamen

Jno. Martin

Will Munby

Alexr. McIntosh

Jno. Murphy

Nichl. Moss

Richd. Pitt

Jno. Pagett

Willm. Rand

Jno. Russ

Thos. Hubs

Peter Scott

Dan. Scott

Chas. Taylor

Robt. Thompson

James Wilkinsons Seam.

Thos. Watts

James Taylor

Geo. Long Capt. Servt.

Jno. Cockburn 2d Mates Do.

Thos. Massey Surg. Do.

James Hennes Carpt. Do.

Jas. Tilbury Gunners Do.

Wm. Chapman Boatn. Do.

Edw. Kushworth Seam.

Edw. Barker

John Fanton

Richd. Anger

Jno. Whiteman

Jno. Veal

Passengers

Mr. Alexr. Pepper

Mrs. Pepper

two maid Servants

One Man Do.

(signed) Thos. Riddell

The Storekeeper this day Delivered the following Account of

Stores short recd. from Ship Adml. Pocock viz.

Acct. of Stores short recd. from Ship Admiral Pocock viz.

3 3 21 lb. Rice

2 - - Paddy

8 Cord.

short Weight Occasioned by Wastage

No. 1. 1 Leagr. Ard. Gauge 142½ Wants to fill 8½

No. 2. 1 Do. Do. 142½ Do. Do. 12½

285

21

Gall. 264 Received

(signed) Jas. Powell Storekr.

10 August 1768

The Admiral Pocock's muster roll continued with the rest of her crew and her passengers.

John Garn, Seaman

John Graves, Seaman

John Garrett, Seaman

Thomas Gutteridge, Seaman

James Gray, Seaman

George Holt, Seaman

John Holmes, Seaman

John Hind, Seaman

Thomas Horn, Seaman

Charles Johnson, Seaman

Frederick Johnson, Seaman

William Jemmison, Seaman

John Lowe, Seaman

Richard Ladd, Seaman

John [...], Seaman

John Moore, Seaman

John Martin, Seaman

William Mumby, Seaman

Alexander McIntosh, Seaman

John Murphy, Seaman

Nicholas Mace, Seaman

Richard Pitt, Seaman

John Paget, Seaman

William [...], Seaman

John [...], Seaman

Thomas Hobbs, Seaman

Peter Scott, Seaman

David Scott, Seaman

Charles Taylor, Seaman

Robert Thompson, Seaman

James Wilkinson, Seaman

Thomas Watts, Seaman

James Taylor, Seaman

George Long, Captain's Servant

John Cockburn, Second Mate's Servant

Thomas Massey, Surgeon's Servant

James [...], Carpenter's Servant

James Tilbury, Gunner's Servant

William Chapman, Boatswain's Servant

Edward Hushworth, Seaman

Edward Walker, Seaman

John Tanton, Seaman

Richard Anger, Seaman

John [...], Seaman

John Veal, Seaman

Passengers

Mr Alexander [...]

Mrs [...]

2 maidservants

1 manservant

Captain Thomas Riddell signed the roll.

James Powell, the storekeeper, gave the Council an account of the stores from the Admiral Pocock that came ashore short of the invoice. He signed it on 10 August 1768. The shortfalls in weight came from wastage.

Rice, short in weight by 5 cwt 3 qr [...] lb

Paddy, short in weight by 2 cwt 0 qr 8 lb

Arrack, cask number 1, 1 leaguer gauged at 142½ gallons, lacking 8½ gallons to fill it

Arrack, cask number 2, 1 leaguer gauged at 142½ gallons, lacking 12½ gallons to fill it

Arrack, total gauged 285 gallons, total lacking 21 gallons

Arrack received, 264 gallons

Interpretations

The Admiral Pocock carried only one private household as passengers, a gentleman and his wife with three servants. The ship sailed late in the season, which perhaps accounts for so few travellers. Corneille would add himself to her company when she sailed for England with the Council's general letter and the papers of his dispute.

The arrack lacked 21 gallons, a little more than the losses of 13 to 17 gallons in the casks landed by other Bengal ships that year. The leaguers had been at sea longer than most. The late passage and the wintry seas off the Cape would have increased leakage and evaporation from casks stowed in a hold that worked in heavy weather.

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186

[Ends of some lines at the right-hand edge hidden in the binding.]

The 10 August

We this day Enlisted John Fanton (who came free on the Shi[...]

Admiral Pocock) to serve the Honble. Company as a Soldier for five Years, he

appearing to be a good Man, we gave him £3.. Bounty Money to buy him[...]

Cloaths &ca.

The death of Lieut. Henry De Laval on the 8th instant having

occasioned another Vacancy among the Corps of Officers, and Lieut. Thomas

Bazett who is superintendant of the Works not doing any Garrison Duty,

makes it so very hard upon the other Lieuts. that its impossible for them

to go through with the necessary Duty of the Island, And as Mr. James

Greentree the Cadet who we recommended to the Honble. the Court of Directo[...]

last Year is now well qualified for a Commission, we this day appointed

him a Lieut. in the fourth Company which appointment we hope will

meet with the Honble. Compys. approbation

John Skottowe

Purling

The Council enlisted John Tanton, who had come out in the Admiral Pocock, to serve the Company as a soldier for five years. He seemed a good man, so it gave him a bounty of £3 to buy clothes and other necessaries.

Lieutenant Henry De Laune died on 8 August 1768, which left another vacancy among the officers. Lieutenant Thomas Bazett was superintendent of the works and did no garrison duty. That placed so heavy a burden on the other lieutenants that they could not carry out all the duties the island required. Mr James Greentree, the cadet whom the Council had recommended to the Court the year before, was now well qualified for a commission. The Council therefore appointed him a lieutenant in the Fourth Company that day, and hoped the Company would approve.

Governor Skottowe and Purling signed the minutes.

Interpretations

John Tanton appeared on the Admiral Pocock's muster roll as a seaman. He left the ship and joined the garrison with a bounty of £3, the same rate paid to Samuel Willson and Andrew Sedrick earlier in the year. The Council took men from passing ships whenever it could, as each was a trained man gained without the cost of passage from England.

The Council could have waited for the Court to send a new lieutenant from England, the usual way commissions were filled. It chose to appoint Greentree at once, and the record explains why. De Laune's death left the Fourth Company with no lieutenant at all. Thomas Bazett, though a lieutenant in the Third Company, was fully occupied at the works under Mitchell and did no garrison duty. The remaining officers were stretched too thin to cover the guards and posts. Greentree had served as a cadet in the First Company throughout 1768, drawing £7 11s 8d a quarter in the ranks while he waited for a commission. The Council had already recommended him, so promoting him now was the obvious step. It was also an acting appointment, subject to the Court's approval, as Mahoney's and Bazett's had been.

The vacancy shows the strain the island's small officer corps was under that year. Corneille had resigned, Kirkpatrick was often ill, De Laune was dead and Bazett was seconded to the works. The Council was filling gaps with the men it had at hand.

194

187

The 15 August

At a Consultation held on Monday the 15th day of August 1768 at the Castle

Present John Skottowe Esq. Governor

Mr. Mattw. Purling of Council

Capt. Thos. Kirkpatrick Absent

The last Consultation was read, approved and signed, dated the 10th Augt.

1768

Saturday the 13th Arrived a Dutch Ship from Batavia called the Blyswick

Captn. H. J. Williams burthen 800 Tons Carrys 30 Guns & 112

Men Loaden with Coffee Sugar & Pepper bound to Holland

Yesterday Sailed the Honble. Compys. Ship Admiral Pocock for England

Mr. Colvill Muir of the Admiral Pocock this day applied to

Us to pay £500.. into the Honble. Compys. Cash which Sum we have

received & given him Bills of Exchange drawn upon the Honble. the

Court of Directors payable to Messrs. Muir Son & Atkinson (or Order)

Ninety days after sight

Counted and Examined the Honble. Company's Cash

for the Month of July last, which is as follows viz.

Governor John Skottowe held a consultation at the Castle on Monday 15 August 1768.

Present

John Skottowe, Governor

William Matthew Purling, of the Council

Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick was absent

The Council read, approved and signed the minutes of 10 August 1768.

A Dutch ship from Batavia, the Blyswick, arrived on Saturday 13 August under Captain H J Williams. She was of 800 tons burden, carried 30 guns and 112 men, and was laden with coffee, sugar and pepper bound for Holland. The Company's ship Admiral Pocock sailed for England the previous day, 14 August.

Mr Colvill Mure of the Admiral Pocock had asked to pay £500 into the Company's treasury. The Council took the money and gave him bills of exchange on the Court of Directors, payable to Messrs Mure, Son and Atkinson or their order 90 days after presentation.

The Council then counted and examined the Company's cash for July 1768.

Interpretations

The Admiral Pocock left on 14 August, two days after the Council told Mitchell it would report his plans in the general letter she carried. She also carried the Council's papers on the quarrel between Corneille and Kirkpatrick. Corneille had resigned on 21 July, resolved to leave by the first opportunity and lay his case before the Directors in person. His bill of 8 August, payable to himself, shows he expected to be in London to collect it. He very probably sailed in her, arriving with the papers that cleared his name.

Colvill Mure's bill was the largest single remittance of the month. It was payable to Mure, Son and Atkinson, a London merchant house with interests in the East India and West India trades. Mure was probably a member of the family travelling home with the ship, perhaps the passenger listed on the roll. Elliot Muir, the second mate, may have been a kinsman. Family merchant houses often placed sons and nephews aboard Indiamen as officers or supercargoes to learn the trade.

The Dutch Blyswick was the first foreign ship to call since June. She brought the usual Batavia cargo of coffee, sugar and pepper, and arrived just as the island's own ship left.

195

188

The 15 August

Cash Dr.

1768 July 1st To Balance remaining£ 7642 " 3

4th To Account Current London Recd. of the Revd. Mr. Willm.

Beancroft the Amount of his Bond borrowed of

the Honble. Compy. in England

100

To Exchange for a Set of Bills drawn upon the Honble.

Court of Directors payable to Messrs. Stainforth &

Giberne

36 " 6

£ 7778 " 9

Per Contra Cr.

1768 July 31st By Balance remaining viz.

In Specie£ 7238 5 9

In Cash Notes

539 15 -

7778 " 9

£ 7778 " 9

John Skottowe

Purling

The Council's cash account for July 1768 read as follows.

Cash, debit

1 July 1768, balance remaining, £7,642 0s 3d

4 July 1768, received from the Reverend William Bearcroft, the amount of his bond for money borrowed from the Company in England, credited to the London account current, £100 0s 0d

Received in exchange for 1 set of bills on the Court of Directors payable to Messrs Stainforth and Giberne, £36 0s 6d

Total, £7,778 0s 9d

Cash, credit

31 July 1768, balance remaining in coin, £7,238 5s 9d

31 July 1768, balance remaining in cash notes, £539 15s 0d

Total, £7,778 0s 9d

Governor Skottowe and Purling signed the account.

Interpretations

The chaplain's bond explains the £100 he paid in on 4 July 1768. Bearcroft had borrowed the money from the Company in London before sailing, probably to fit himself out for the voyage and his first months on the island. Such advances to new servants were common. The Council credited the repayment to the London account current, so that the Court would see the debt cleared in its own books in Leadenhall Street, even though the coin was received at St Helena.

The single bill of the month, £36 0s 6d, was Corneille's remittance of 25 July 1768, payable to Messrs Stainforth and Giberne. He was turning his last sums on the island into paper before he left.

July was the quietest month in the treasury all year. No pay fell due, no ships but the Admiral Pocock called, and nothing was paid out. The coin rose slightly to £7,238 5s 9d. With the next quarter's pay of over £3,000 due at the end of September, and few ships expected before then, the Council would have to manage that reserve with care through the southern winter.

196

189

The 22 August

At a Consultation held on Monday the 22d day of August 1768 at the Castle

Present John Skottowe Esq. Governor

Mr. Matthew Purling of Council

Capt. Thos. Kirkpatrick Absent

The last Consultation was read, approved, and signed dated the 15th August 1768

Tuesday the 16 Passed by a Ship at a Great distance

Mr. Gabriel Alexander Harper this day presented the following

Petition viz.

To the Worshipful John Skottowe Esq. Governor &c.

Council of St. Helena

The humble Petition of Gabl. Alexr. Harper

Sheweth

That your Petitioner is desirous of assigning his right to nineteen

& an half Acres of Land, lying in Powells Valley, requests your Worship and

Council will be pleased to give him leave so to do, and accept of Mr. John

Scott as Tenant for the same

And your Petitioner will ever pray

(signed)

Gabl. Alexander Harper

22d August 1768

Granted

We this day received a Letter from the Engineer together with a Plan

of the intended Works at Lemon Valley viz.

Governor John Skottowe held a consultation at the Castle on Monday 22 August 1768.

Present

John Skottowe, Governor

William Matthew Purling, of the Council

Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick was absent

The Council read, approved and signed the minutes of 15 August 1768. A ship passed the island at a great distance on Tuesday 16 August.

Mr Gabriel Alexander Harper presented a petition to Governor Skottowe and the Council, dated 22 August 1768. He wished to transfer his right to 19½ acres of land in Powell's Valley. He asked the Council's leave to do so, and asked it to accept Mr John Scott as tenant.

The Council granted his request.

The Council received a letter from the engineer that day, together with a plan of the proposed works at Lemon Valley.

Interpretations

John Scott had petitioned on 29 February 1768 for about 30 acres of waste land at Green Saddle. He wanted to set up a small household of his own instead of living with his relations. The Council refused him because Margaret Alcock had already applied for the same ground, and later left that land as common. Six months later Scott obtained a holding another way, by taking over an existing lease from Gabriel Harper. The Council approved the transfer at once. Assignment of a settled lease raised none of the objections that a grant of common land had done, since no neighbour lost grazing or access.

Gabriel Harper had taken over Lieutenant St Maurice's 10¾ acres in the West Division only on 4 July 1768. He now gave up nearly 20 acres in Powell's Valley. The Harpers were evidently rearranging their holdings, gathering land in one district and releasing it in another. Leases on St Helena changed hands freely among settler families, always with the Council's leave.

Mitchell had promised the Council his plan for Lemon Valley on 8 August. It arrived a fortnight later, as the works at Banks's neared completion and men became free to begin the next site.

197

190

[Ends of some lines at the right-hand edge hidden in the binding.]

The 22 August

To the Worshipfull the Govr. &c. & Council of the Island

St. Helena

Gentlemen

Along with this I have the Honour to lay before you a Plan of the

present Defence of Lemon-Valley, together with the Manner in which I propo[...]

to enlarge, improve and Compleat them

As the Alteration and Improvement, as there laid down, will b[...]

found conformable to what was first proposed, and approved of by the Court of

Directors, relative to this Valley, I therefore flatter myself it will meet with your

approbation

It would be both tedious and unnecessary to enumerate in this

Letter all the Defects of the present Defence of that place, and all the

Advantages to be obtained by the Alterations proposed, - Both the one and th[...]

other are much easier pointed out and much more elucidated by inspecting the

Plan itself, than by any thing that can be inserted in a Letter: I shall therefore

only observe in General

That the Revetment of the present Work, being in itself weak and

entirely exposed, might be laid in Ruins by a fire of a few Minutes, when

(the Valley being entirely Open) an Enemy might Land without opposition,

and by a sudden and expeditious March, would have it in their power to

penetrate into the Country, before a Governor could possibly have time to collect

a Force and form a Disposition capable of repelling them

By extending the Front of this Work so as to join its two Flanks to the

Rocks on each side the Valley, as proposed in the Plan, the whole will be enclose[...]

and the intended Addition of a Ditch and Glacis will effectually secure the

Revetment from the fire of an enemy. By this means this Work can receive no

other Injury from the fire of Ships than to have the Guns in its Front dismounted[...]

should that take place and an Enemy in Consequence of it have the Hardines[...]

to land, its Flanks and the Guns there mounted would remain entire, and wi[...]

certainly be sufficient to prevent an Enemy from descending deliberately into

the Ditch and from applying Ladders to surmount the Revetment, in

any extent not exceeding fifty Yards

Mitchell's letter to the Governor and Council enclosed a plan of the present defences of Lemon Valley, showing how he proposed to enlarge, improve and complete them.

The alterations and improvements shown in the plan agreed with what had first been proposed for that valley and approved by the Court of Directors. He therefore hoped they would meet with the Council's approval.

It would be tedious and unnecessary to list in a letter all the faults of the present defences of Lemon Valley and all the advantages of the proposed changes. Both could be seen far more easily and clearly by studying the plan itself. He would therefore make only some general remarks.

The revetment of the present work was weak in itself and wholly exposed. A few minutes' fire could bring it down in ruins. Since the valley was entirely open, an enemy could then land without opposition. With a quick march, it could push inland before a Governor had time to gather a force and draw it up to drive it back.

The plan proposed extending the front of the work until its two flanks met the cliffs on either side of the valley, so that the whole would be enclosed. The proposed ditch and glacis would also protect the revetment from enemy fire. Ships' guns could then do the work no harm beyond silencing the guns in its front. Even if that happened and an enemy dared to land, the flanks and their guns would remain intact. They would certainly be enough to stop an enemy from going down into the ditch at leisure and setting up ladders to climb the revetment along any stretch of not more than 50 yards.

Interpretations

A revetment was the facing of stone or masonry that held up the front of an earth rampart. At Lemon Valley it stood exposed to the sea. A warship's broadside could knock it down in minutes and open the valley to a landing. Mitchell's remedy followed the same principle as his line at Sandy Bay. A ditch and a sloping glacis in front would shield the revetment, so that ships' guns could strike only the battery's face and not its base.

The heart of his design lay in the flanks. Extending the work from cliff to cliff would close the valley completely, leaving no gap to walk round. Even if the front guns were silenced, guns in the flanks would fire along the ditch. Any party trying to climb the wall would be caught there in crossfire. Mitchell kept every stretch of wall within 50 yards of a flank gun, the distance at which grapeshot was most deadly. This was standard practice in eighteenth-century fortification, which relied on flanking fire to protect the walls.

Mitchell's warning about the speed of an enemy's march explains why the leeward valleys mattered so much. Lemon Valley lay only a short distance from Jamestown. A force landing there unopposed could reach the town and the Castle before the garrison could be gathered from its scattered posts.

198

191

1768

For the rest I beg leave to refer the Govr. and Council to the Plan

itself, which only waits their approbation to be immediately carried into

execution. The new Battery at Banks's will be compleated this Week and I

shall have the Honour of delivering in a Plan of it to the Govr. & Council next

Monday, in Order to its being transmitted to my Honble. Masters.

I have the Honour to be

Gentlemen

Your most Obedient & most humble Servant

(signed) Ar. Mitchell

St. Helena

22 August 1768

Upon our inspecting the above Plan we told Captn. Mitchell

we approved of the Plan laid before Us, And directed him to set about

Executing that Work with all expedition

Being in want of an Inkstand for the Consultation Table we

Agreed to purchase one for which we paid £8.. 10.. the price it Cost in

England as p Bill viz.

London 4th Novr. 1767

Bought of George Rotheram Goldsmith & Jeweller at the

Ship without Aldgate

To a Ink Stand w. a Drawer & Ink, wafer, Sand

water & pounce Glasses done in silver Tops & Fronts

A Silv. Bell & Silv. handle Wt. 13.. 12 Oz.

8 10

Recd. ye 4 Novr. 1767 the Contents in full for Mr. Geo. Rotheram

p Wm. Dunn

Mitchell left the rest to the Governor and Council's study of the plan, which needed only their approval to be put into effect at once. The new battery at Banks's would be finished that week. He would hand in a plan of it to the Governor and Council the following Monday, to be sent to the Company. Archibald Mitchell signed the letter at St Helena on 22 August 1768.

The Council examined the plan and told Captain Mitchell that it approved it. It directed him to begin the work as quickly as possible.

The Council needed an inkstand for the Council table. It agreed to buy one and paid £8 10s 0d, its cost in England according to the bill, which read as follows.

London, 4 November 1767

Bought of George Retherdon, goldsmith and jeweller, at the Ship without Aldgate

A fine inkstand with a drawer, and ink, wafer, sand, water and pounce glasses, with silver tops and fronts, a silver bell and a silver handle, weighing 13 oz 12 dwt, £8 10s 0d

The bill was receipted in full on 4 November 1767 on behalf of Mr George Retherdon by W Benn.

Interpretations

The Council approved Mitchell's plan for Lemon Valley on sight and ordered work to begin at once. With Banks's finished that week, the masons and labourers could move straight to the new site without standing idle. Mitchell had planned exactly this sequence in April: keep the men constantly employed by always having a second work ready.

The inkstand was a piece of official furniture of some value, made in silver for the Council's table. Each glass held one of the materials of eighteenth-century writing. Ink was for the quill, and wafers were small discs of dried paste used to seal letters. Sand and pounce were fine powders. Sand dried wet ink, and pounce was rubbed into paper so the ink would not spread. The water glass held water for moistening wafers or cleaning pens, and the silver bell summoned the clerk. It had evidently been bought in London by a private owner, probably an officer or passenger, and sold to the Council at cost. The Council added it to the new green cloth laid on the table in the spring.

Retherdon's shop at the sign of the Ship, just outside Aldgate in the City of London, stood in the district where many East India sailors and outfitters traded.

199

192

[Ends of some lines at the right-hand edge hidden in the binding.]

The 22 August

We this day Executed a Lease to Mr. Gabl. Alexr. Harper for a

piece of Land containing nineteen Acres & an half lying in the South Divis[...]

of this Island at 2/ p Acre

John Skottowe

Purling

At a Consultation held on Monday the 29th day of August 1768 at the Castle

Present John Skottowe Esq. Governor

Mr. Matthew Purling of Council

Capt. Thos. Kirkpatrick absent being sick

The last Consultation was read, approved, and signed, dated the 22 Aug. 17[...]

Monday the 22 Arrived the Greenwich's Boat at Banks's at one o'Clock in

the afternoon

Do. Do. Do. The Honble. Company's Ship Greenwich from Bomba[...]

Tuesday the 23d Died Margaret Corbett Widow

Wednesday the 24 Sailed the Dutch Ship Blyswick for Holland

The Ship Greenwich brought Us the following Supplys viz.

The Council executed a lease to Mr Gabriel Alexander Harper for a piece of land of 19½ acres in the South Division of the island, at 2s an acre.

Governor Skottowe and Purling signed the minutes.

Governor Skottowe held a consultation at the Castle on Monday 29 August 1768.

Present

John Skottowe, Governor

William Matthew Purling, of the Council

Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick was absent through sickness

The Council read, approved and signed the minutes of 22 August 1768.

At one o'clock in the afternoon on Monday 22 August, a boat from the Greenwich landed at Banks's. The Company's ship Greenwich arrived from Bombay the same day. Margaret Isbell, a widow, died on Tuesday 23 August. The Dutch ship Blyswick sailed for Holland on Wednesday 24 August.

The Greenwich brought the following supplies.

Interpretations

The lease to Gabriel Harper for 19½ acres matched exactly the land he had asked leave that same day to pass to John Scott. Harper evidently held the ground under an old or informal title. The Council first granted him a proper lease, so that he had a formal right he could then transfer. Only a holder with a valid lease could assign it, and the Council kept the record of every step. The rent of 2s an acre was well below the 5s charged in the East Division. Land in the South Division was rougher and further from Jamestown, and the Company set its rents accordingly.

The Greenwich came from Bombay in the southern winter, almost a month after the Admiral Pocock. Late ships from the East were not unusual. They carried cargoes loaded after the main fleet had sailed, and the island still had to supply and dispatch them.

Margaret Isbell was the first woman's death recorded in the consultations of 1768. The minutes noted deaths of soldiers, officers and slaves for the Company's accounts. A widow's death was entered probably because she held land or a lease from the Company, which would now pass to her heirs with the Council's leave.

200

193

1768

Invoice of Ship Greenwich

Rice Bealer Fine 45 Bags contg. 350 Surt. Mds. viz.

44 Bags a 6¾ Sr. Mds. is 297 Surt. Mds.

1 Do. contg. 3 Do.

300 Surt. Mds. a 22 Rs. p 18 Sr. Mds.

366 2 66

Batty 32 Bags 3 Parahs a 3.. 3.. 0 Mds. Reas. a 1 Rs. 3 p Ps. Morah

49 - 56

Charges Merchandize

Gunny Bags 152 Expended for Rice Bags a 5 Rs. p Co.

10 - -

Batty Bags 145 for Do. a 39 Rs. ea

33 3 -

Gunnys 2d Sort 32 Making Bags for Batty a 5 Rs. p Co.

8 - -

Twine & Sewing Bags 4 lb. a 4 Rs. p Md.

1 - -

Lascars 19 for Do. a 12 Pice ea

2 3 40

Hamalls carrying 45 Bags of Rice to the Pier head a

2 Pice ea

1 - 50

Do. Carrying 32 Bags of Batty from the Mandovee

to the Pier head a 4 Pice ea

1 2 40

Company's Boat 1 day carrying on board

2 2 -

66 3 30

Rs. 482 2 52

Errors Excepted

for D. Draper

Acct.

Ordered the following Advertizement to be published

viz.

The Greenwich's invoice listed the supplies she brought from Bombay, in Bombay money.

Fine beaten rice, 45 bags containing 300 [...]: 44 bags of 6¾ [...] each and 1 bag of 3 [...], 300 [...] at 22 rupees per [...], 366 rupees 2 quarters 66 reas

Batty, 32 bags, 3 morahs [...] at 15 rupees per morah, 49 rupees 0 quarters 56 reas

Charges on the goods

15[...] gunny pieces used for rice bags at 5 rupees per hundred, 13 rupees 0 quarters 0 reas

145 [...] for batty bags, 33 rupees 3 quarters 0 reas

32 gunny pieces for making bags for the batty at 5 rupees per hundred, 8 rupees 0 quarters 0 reas

Twine for sewing the bags at 4 rupees per maund, 1 rupee 0 quarters 0 reas

19 lascars for the same at 12 pice each, 2 rupees 3 quarters 40 reas

Porters carrying 45 bags of rice to the pierhead at 2 pice each, 1 rupee 0 quarters 50 reas

Porters carrying 32 bags of batty from the Mandavee to the pierhead at 4 pice each, 1 rupee 2 quarters 40 reas

The Company's boat for 1 day, carrying the goods on board, 2 rupees 2 quarters 0 reas

Total for charges, 66 rupees 3 quarters [...] reas

Total, 482 rupees 2 quarters 52 reas

D Draper signed the invoice as accountant, reserving the right to correct any errors.

The Council ordered the following notice to be published.

Interpretations

The Greenwich brought the same Bombay consignment as the Worcester in April: about 45 bags of beaten rice and 32 bags of batty. Her charges, however, came to more than 66 rupees, against under 20 rupees on the Worcester's invoice. Most of the difference lay in the bags. The Worcester's batty had travelled in 45 batty bags costing under 4 rupees. The Greenwich's needed 145 items costing nearly 34 rupees, besides fresh gunny cloth. Prices and packing at Bombay evidently changed between the two sailings, and the island bore the cost either way.

The Mandavee was the customs house at Bombay, where goods were weighed, taxed and stored before shipment. The word came from the Hindustani term for a customs post or market. Hamals, the porters of western India, carried each bag on their backs from the Mandavee to the pierhead. Lascars sewed and stowed the bags. The Company's own boat took the cargo out to the ship lying in Bombay harbour.

201

194

The 29 August

Island St. Helena 29th August 1768

This is to give Notice to all the Inhabitants upon the said Island

that they are hereby required to send into the Secretary's Office on, or before the

20 September next ensuing, an exact signed Account of their Familys, Lands,

and Cattle, and to attend at the Castle on Friday the 30th of the said Month

to pay their Rents, and Revenues due to the Honble Company for the Year

past

Notice is hereby further given that the Honorable Company's

Stores will be shut from the 12th of Sept. to the 10th of October next

Per Order of Council

(signed)

Mw. Bazett Secy.

Appointed Mr. Matthew Purling to inspect and take

the Remains of the Honble Company's Stores for the present Year as

Usual

The Governor this day received the following Letter from Captn.

Kirkpatrick viz.

To John Skottowe Esq. Governor

Sir

The inveteracy of my Disorder makes it Indispensible

The Council ordered the following notice to be published, dated at St Helena on 29 August 1768.

All inhabitants of the island were required to send to the secretary's office, on or before 20 September, an exact signed account of their families, lands and cattle. They were also to attend at the Castle on Friday 30 September to pay the rents and dues they owed the Company for the past year.

The Company's stores would be closed from 12 September to 10 October.

Matthew Bazett, secretary, signed the notice by order of the Council.

The Council appointed Purling to inspect the Company's stores and take the count of what remained in them for the present year, as usual.

The Governor received the following letter that day from Captain Kirkpatrick, addressed to Governor Skottowe.

Kirkpatrick wrote that the severity of his illness made it essential

Interpretations

The notice set in motion the island's annual reckoning. Each household had to declare its members, its land and its cattle. The returns gave the Council a census of the settler population and its livestock, which it sent to the Court each year. They also served as the basis for collecting the year's rents and dues, payable in person at the Castle on a single fixed day. In the last quarter of 1767 the rents had brought in close to £600. A household's declared land had to match the leases recorded in the Council's registers, and any difference would show at once.

The stores were closed for four weeks so that the year's count could be taken without goods moving in or out. Purling, as the Council's accountant, would check every item against the storekeeper's records. The count would show whether Powell's accounts of sales and issues through the year were true. The previous count, of 30 September 1767, had valued the stores at £11,565 2s 10d.

Kirkpatrick had been absent from every consultation since 1 August, owing to sickness. His letter now opened with the gravity of his illness. The Council's paymaster, censured on 19 July and repeatedly absent since, was writing directly to the Governor about his condition.

202

195

1768

necessary that (in this inclemency of Wether) I still keep House; Therefore beg

you'll excuse my Absence; and be pleased (as tis so near the time, for

Advance to the Captains &c.) to order about £750.. to be sent me by one of

the Clerks, together with a Receipt to be signed for the same

I have the Honour to be

Sir

Your most Obedt. humble Servant

(signed)

Thos. Kirkpatrick

29th August 1768

The Engineer this day laid before Us a Plan of Banks's

upper and lower Batterys the former being now completed we agreed to go

on Thursday next to take a Review of the same, and shall transmit the

said Plan to the Honble Court of Directors by the Ship Egmont

We this day Executed the Renewal of the two following Leases

viz.

One to Capt. H. J. Bazett for a piece of Ground lying in James's

Valley containing twenty feet in Width & forty feet in Depth, at 5/ p Ann.

And One to Mr. Jas. Goodwin for a piece of Land containing

five Acs. lying in the West Division of the said Island at 5/ p Acre

On the 3d instant James Black Gardiner was Dismissed the

Kirkpatrick explained that, in the present bad weather, he must keep to his house. He asked the Governor to excuse his absence. Since it was close to the time for the advance to the captains and others, he asked the Governor to order about £750 to be sent to him by one of the clerks, together with a receipt for him to sign. Thomas Kirkpatrick signed the letter on 29 August 1768.

The engineer laid before the Council a plan of the upper and lower batteries at Banks's, the upper one now being finished. The Council agreed to go the following Thursday to inspect it, and to send the plan to the Court of Directors by the Greenwich.

The Council executed renewals of the following two leases.

Captain H J Bazett, a piece of ground in James's Valley, 20 feet wide and 40 feet deep, at 5s a year

Mr John Goodwin, a piece of land of 5 acres in the West Division of the island, at 5s an acre

On 2 August 1768 James Black, the gardener, was dismissed from the Company's service

Interpretations

Kirkpatrick remained paymaster despite the censure of 19 July, and he asked for £750 to be sent to his house. The advance to the captains was the money issued before the quarter's end, so that companies could pay their men's subsistence. Kirkpatrick's illness kept him from the Castle. His request shows that the Company's cash continued to pass through his hands even while the Court was still to decide his fate. The Council had chosen to refer his punishment to London instead of removing him from office, and this was one result.

The upper battery at Banks's was finished on schedule, as Mitchell had promised in July. The Council would inspect it in person before sending the plan home. A plan signed off by the Governor and Council after a visit carried more weight with the Court than the engineer's drawing alone, and it gave the Directors proof that their money had produced a finished work.

Henry Bazett's plot in Jamestown was tiny, 20 feet by 40, a building plot rather than farmland. Its rent was 5s a year for the whole plot. John Goodwin's renewal of 27 June was now formally executed.

203

196

[Ends of some lines at the right-hand edge hidden in the binding.]

The 29 August

Honble. Company's service for the reasons assigned in Consultation of the

9 May last, as likewise for his continuing to neglect the Garden & his refractory

behaviour since we Agreed to send him to England upon the Ship

Greenwich as a Charter party Passenger

John Skottowe

Purling

At a Consultation held on Monday the 5th day of September 1768 at the Castle

Present John Skottowe Esq. Governor

Mr. Matthew Purling of Council

Capt. Thos. Kirkpatrick Absent

The last Consultation was read approved and signed dated the 29 August 1768

Wednesday the 31 Arrived the Egmonts Boat at Banks's a Quarter past Si[...]

o'Clock in the Evening

Thursday the 1st Arrived the Honble. Company's Ship Egmont from Madrass

last from Mauritius, & brought Us the following Supplies viz.

Invoice of Ship Egmont

No. 1 Long Cloth Superfine

One Bale Containing

No. 3 8 Ps. @ 12 Pags. p Ps.

96

4 8 Do. @ 10½ Do. Do.

84

5 12 Do. @ 8¾ Do. Do.

103 18

1 Baling & Cooge 1.8 Pa.

Packing

283 18 -

2 - -

285 18 [...]

Carrd. Over

285 18 [...]

The Council noted that James Black, the gardener, had been dismissed from the Company's service on 2 August 1768. The reasons were those recorded in the consultation of 9 May 1768, together with his continued neglect of the garden and his insolent behaviour since then. The Council agreed to send him to England in the Greenwich as a charter party passenger.

Governor Skottowe and Purling signed the minutes.

Governor Skottowe held a consultation at the Castle on Monday 5 September 1768.

Present

John Skottowe, Governor

William Matthew Purling, of the Council

Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick was absent

The Council read, approved and signed the minutes of 29 August 1768.

At a quarter past six in the evening on Wednesday 31 August, a boat from the Egmont landed at Banks's. The Company's ship Egmont arrived the next day, Thursday 1 September, from Madras, having called last at Mauritius. She brought the following supplies, listed in her invoice in Madras money.

Superfine longcloth, 1 bale, number 1, containing

Number 3, 8 pieces at 12 pagodas a piece, 96 pagodas 0 fanams 0 cash

Number 4, 8 pieces at 10½ pagodas a piece, 84 pagodas 0 fanams 0 cash

Number 5, 12 pieces at 8⅝ pagodas a piece, 103 pagodas 18 fanams 0 cash

Total for the longcloth, 283 pagodas 18 fanams 0 cash

1 bale with gunny for packing, 2 pagodas 0 fanams 0 cash

Carried forward, 285 pagodas 18 fanams 0 cash

Interpretations

The Council had decided on 9 May to dismiss Black and send him home, then waited three months to act. In the meantime he kept his post and drew his salary to the end of June. The record shows why the Council finally moved: he went on neglecting the garden and behaving insolently. A man under sentence of dismissal had nothing to gain by working well. Sending him as a charter party passenger meant the Company paid his passage under its contract with the ship's owners. It was cheaper than keeping a troublesome former servant on the island with no wage and no prospects.

The Egmont called at Mauritius before St Helena. The island was then the French Île de France, the main base of French power in the Indian Ocean. A Company ship stopping there in peacetime was unusual and probably reflected a need for water or repairs on the passage from Madras.

The superfine longcloth was priced at 8⅝ to 12 pagodas a piece, well above most of the grades the Council ordered from Madras on 25 May. That order could not yet have reached India. These finer pieces were evidently sent under Madras's standing instructions for the island, probably for the Castle and the officers.

204

197

The 5th September

Brought Over

285 18 -

No. 2 & 3 Long Cloth fine

Two Bales of 4 Corge @ 64 p Corge

256

Washing @ 1.31 p Corge

7 16

Packing @ 2.. p Bale

4

11 16

267 16 -

No. 4 Long Cloth midling

1 Bale of 1 Corge 10 Ps. @ 44.18 p Co.

66 27

Washing @ 1.17 p Corge

2 22 40

Baling

2 - -

4 22 40

71 13 40

Rice 22 Bags Double, by Weight

Gr. Dr. Ar.

32 3 2

Tare 1 lb. ea

- 3 4

Nett

31 3 26 is

154 Mds. @ 1 p Candy

29 1 32

Paddy 25 Bags by Weight

28 2 17

Tare 1 lb. ea

- 1 22

Nett

28 - 23

200 Mds. @ 12 p Pagoda

16 28 -

Batavia Arrack

2 Leagers of 300 Gall. @ 45 p Leagr.

90 -

Charges Merchandize

Gunny Bags 69 @ 3 p Co.

2 2 40

Twine 2

- 2 -

Weighing Cooly on 4½ @ 200 p Candy

- 3 40

To Plates & Nails

- 6 -

Boat hire 4 Trips @ 9 fa. p Trip

1 - -

Cooly Do. 3 Do. @ 1.20

- 3 60

Tarpaulins Do. Do. @ 4 each

- 12 -

Cooly Do. for Batavia Arr.

- 6 -

Do. on 27 Bags Paddy & Rice @ 40 Cash each Way

- 20 40

4 26 28

Pagodas 764 28 20

Errors Excepted

(signed) p Geo. Ballen

Acct.

The Egmont's invoice continued from a total of 285 pagodas 18 fanams.

Brought forward, 285 pagodas 18 fanams 0 cash

Fine longcloth, bales numbered 2 and 3, 2 bales containing 4 corge at 64 pagodas per corge, 256 pagodas 0 fanams 0 cash

Washing at 1 pagoda 31 fanams per corge, 7 pagodas 16 fanams 0 cash

Packing at 2 pagodas per bale, 4 pagodas 0 fanams 0 cash

Total for charges, 11 pagodas 16 fanams 0 cash

Total for fine longcloth, 267 pagodas 16 fanams 0 cash

Middling longcloth, bale number 4, 1 bale containing 1 corge 10 pieces at 44 pagodas 18 fanams per corge, 66 pagodas 27 fanams 0 cash

Washing at 1 pagoda 17 fanams per corge, 2 pagodas 22 fanams 40 cash

Packing, 2 pagodas 0 fanams 0 cash

Total for charges, 4 pagodas 22 fanams 40 cash

Total for middling longcloth, 71 pagodas 13 fanams 40 cash

Rice, 22 double bags, weighing [...] net, 29 pagodas 1 fanam 32 cash

Paddy, 25 bags, weighing [...] net, 16 pagodas 28 fanams 0 cash

Batavia arrack, 2 leaguers containing 300 gallons at 45 pagodas per leaguer, 90 pagodas 0 fanams 0 cash

Charges on the goods

69 gunny bags, 2 pagodas 2 fanams 40 cash

Twine, 0 pagodas 2 fanams 0 cash

Coolies for weighing, 0 pagodas 3 fanams 40 cash

Tin plates and nails, 0 pagodas 6 fanams 0 cash

Boat hire, 4 trips at 9 fanams a trip, 1 pagoda 0 fanams 0 cash

Coolies for the same, 0 pagodas 3 fanams 60 cash

Hire of tarpaulins for the same, 0 pagodas 12 fanams 0 cash

Coolies for the Batavia arrack, 0 pagodas 6 fanams 0 cash

Coolies for 27 bags of paddy and rice at 40 cash each, 0 pagodas 20 fanams 40 cash

Total for charges, 4 pagodas 26 fanams 28 cash

Total, 764 pagodas 28 fanams 20 cash

George Stratton signed the invoice as accountant, reserving the right to correct any errors.

Interpretations

The longcloth came in three grades. A corge was a score of 20 pieces. The fine grade cost 64 pagodas a corge, about 3 pagodas 7 fanams a piece. The middling grade cost about 44 pagodas a corge, roughly 2¼ pagodas a piece. These matched closely the cheaper grades the Council had ordered from Madras on 25 May, at 3½ and 2½ pagodas a piece. The superfine pieces at the head of the invoice served the officers and the Castle. Madras was supplying the island's full range of needs before its order had even arrived.

Washing was a charge peculiar to Indian cloth. Longcloth came from the weavers raw and stiff with starch. Before export it was washed and bleached by washermen along the river banks, to whiten it and soften the weave. The Company paid by the corge for this work, and the charge appeared on every invoice of finished cloth from the Coromandel coast.

The Madras arrack cost 45 pagodas a leaguer, only a little more than the Hector's 42 pagodas in February. Bengal arrack had risen to 220 rupees or more a leaguer through the same months. That was roughly 30 per cent dearer. The Madras market for Batavia arrack had stayed steadier than Calcutta's.

205

198

[Ends of some lines at the right-hand edge hidden in the binding.]

The 5th September

Mr. Matthew Purling Reports that he has been on board the

Ships Greenwich & Egmont to Muster their Company's and enquire for deserters

but found none their Muster Rolls are as follow viz.

Muster Roll of Ship Greenwich

Benjn. Hooke Commander

Michl. Gallister Chief Mate

Nathl. Hodges 2d Do.

Saml. Copley 3 Do.

Alvara Lofthouse 4 Do.

Alexr. Watson 5 Do.

Upinton Brace Surg.

Jno. Rundall Purser

Jno. Cooper Carpent.

Jno. Ogilvie Boatn.

Thos. Barrett Gunnr.

Will. Hewlett Caulkr.

Duncan Macalpine Carpr.

Robt. Gibson Sailmakr.

Robt. Humphreys Armour.

John Griffiths Capt. Cook

Jno. Strickland 2d Do.

Robt. White Cooper Do.

Jno. Mackay Gunnrs. Do.

Gottlieb Shirlock Boatns. Do.

Saml. Dixon Do. Do.

Willm. Knight Ships Stewd.

Hugh Macpherson Capt. Do.

Jno. Scruton Capt. Cook

Jno. Andrews Ships Do.

Thos. Avery Butcher

Wm. Blundell Midshn.

Henry Bray Do.

Justinian Nutt Do.

Adam Spencer Midshn.

Jno. Daffett Do. Coxswn.

Richd. Kirkball Quarr. Master

Richd. Hooker Do.

Wm. Croucher Do.

Thos. Grey Do.

Thos. Adduley Seamen

Wm. Tyson

Jno. Strickland

Purser Powers

Kenneth Mackenzie

Wm. Williams

Thos. Loyd

Thos. Giles

Willm. Whittington

Isaac North

Wm. Moody

Richd. White

Henry Butcher

Thos. Lane

Geo. Willers

Wm. Christie

Wm. Mackrell

Jno. Johnson

Robt. Calhoun

Mark Keeze

Jno. Decker

Thos. Lewis

Christr. Kitchen

Josh. Ashley Sea[...]

Thos. Kiball

Christr. Jones

Henry Yannan

Thos. Warden

James Hyde

John Smith

Robt. Mich. John

Peter Angus

Josh. Buckley

Jno. Roots

Jno. Waldron

Saml. Weed

Saml. Barnes

Willm. Beers

Jno. Hunter

Richd. Dickinson

Jno. Bailey

Philip Russell

Philip Marshall

Saml. Gorges

Willm. Simpson

Jno. Maccaffry

Thos. Knowles

Wm. Field

Danl. Dunn

Wm. Hyam

Wm. Johnson

Jno. Owings

Purling reported that he had boarded the Greenwich and the Egmont to muster their crews and search for deserters. He found none. Their muster rolls read as follows, beginning with the Greenwich.

Benjamin Hooke, Commander

Michael Ballister, Chief Mate

Nathaniel Hodges, Second Mate

James Caplay, Third Mate

Alexander Lofthouse, Fourth Mate

Alexander Watson, Fifth Mate

Upington Brace, Surgeon

John Rundall, Purser

John Cooper, Carpenter

John Ogilvie, Boatswain

Thomas Barrett, Gunner

William Newsted, Caulker

Duncan Macalpine, Carpenter's Mate

Robert Gibson, Sailmaker

Robert Humphreys, Armourer

John Griffith, Carpenter's First Mate

John Strickland, Carpenter's Second Mate

Robert White, Cooper

John Mackay, Gunner's Mate

Cuthbert Shilock, Boatswain's First Mate

James Dixon, Boatswain's Second Mate

William Tough, Ship's Steward

Hugh Macpherson, Captain's Steward

John Scruton, Captain's Cook

John Andrews, Ship's Cook

Thomas Avery, Butcher

William Blundell, Midshipman

Henry [...], Midshipman

Justinian Nott, Midshipman

Adam Spencer, Midshipman

John [...], Cooper's Mate

Richard Kisball, Quartermaster

Richard Hucker, Quartermaster

William Croucher, Quartermaster

Thomas Grey, Quartermaster

Thomas [...], Seaman

William Tyson, Seaman

John Strickland, Seaman

[...] Bowers, Seaman

Kenneth Mackenzie, Seaman

William Williams, Seaman

Thomas Loyd, Seaman

Thomas Giles, Seaman

William Whittingham, Seaman

Isaac North, Seaman

William Moody, Seaman

Richard White, Seaman

Henry Butcher, Seaman

Thomas Lunn, Seaman

George Willers, Seaman

William Christie, Seaman

William [...], Seaman

John Johnson, Seaman

Robert Calhoun, Seaman

Mark [...], Seaman

John Decker, Seaman

Thomas Lees, Seaman

Christopher Kitchen, Seaman

James Lesslie, Seaman

Thomas [...], Seaman

Christopher Jones, Seaman

Henry Gannon, Seaman

Thomas Warden, Seaman

James [...], Seaman

John Smith, Seaman

Robert [...], Seaman

Peter Angus, Seaman

Joseph Buckley, Seaman

John Roach, Seaman

John Waldron, Seaman

Samuel Weed, Seaman

Samuel Barnes, Seaman

William [...], Seaman

John Hunter, Seaman

Richard Dickinson, Seaman

John Bailey, Seaman

Philip Russell, Seaman

Philip Marshall, Seaman

James [...], Seaman

William [...], Seaman

John Maccaffry, Seaman

Thomas Knowles, Seaman

William Field, Seaman

David Dunn, Seaman

William Hyam, Seaman

William Johnson, Seaman

John [...], Seaman

Interpretations

The Greenwich had a crew of a typical Bombay ship: five mates, the usual warrant officers and tradesmen, four midshipmen and about 50 seamen. Her roll had few of the Portuguese or Asian names common in ships from Bengal and China. Bombay had its own supply of European seamen, drawn from the Company's marine and from men discharged from other ships in the harbour, so commanders there seldom needed to fill their crews with lascars.

Purling mustered the two ships together, as both were due to sail soon. The Greenwich would carry James Black home as a charter party passenger, together with Mitchell's plan of the finished battery at Banks's. The search for deserters mattered all the more because the garrison had lost so many men that year. Any soldier hoping to slip away would find his chance in the last ships of the season.

206

199

[Ends of some lines at the right-hand edge hidden in the binding.]

1768

Timothy Callahan Seam.

George Burlison

Mark Wood

Michl. St. Andrew

Thos. Rose

Geo. England 1st Mates Servt.

Henry Young 2d Do. Do.

John Atkinson Surg. Do.

James Pace Carpent. Do.

Jona. Weedon Gunners Do.

Richd. Crouch Boatns. Servt.

Robt. Stewart Seamen

Thos. Draper

Geo. Denton

Jno. Williams

Passengers

Mr. Wasley & Servant

Mr. Fairfax & Do.

Mr. Macpherson & Do.

Mr. Jno. Hodges

with 5 Invalids

(signed) Benjn. Hooke

Muster Roll of Ship Egmont

Chas. Mears Commandr.

Wm. Mears Chief Mate

Arthur Maxwell 2d Do.

Jno. Child Purvis 3d Do.

Thos. Brown 4 Do.

Wm. Smith 5 Do.

Andw. Carr

Jno. Crowther Surgeon

Adam Miller Purser

Richd. Hewitt Boatn.

Wm. Campbell Gunnr.

Wm. Murrell Carpent.

Sturges Sheeler Midshipm.

Jno. Wilson Do.

Jno. Harrison Do.

Jas. Grove Do.

Thos. Allen Do.

Jas. Anderson Qr. Master

Thos. Sealey Do.

Jno. Bellow Do.

Jno. Crawford Surg. Mate

Richd. Grier Boatns. Do.

Edwd. Kidd Do. 2 Do.

Jno. Tuff Carpt. Do.

Jno. Jones Caulker

Thos. Bates Do. Mate

Chas. Hutcher Cooper

Geo. Gibson Ships Stewd.

Dennis McDonald Do. Cook

Thos. Davis Butcher

Geo. Richard Capts. Stewd.

Saml. Jones Do. Cook

Jno. Davis Do. Servant

Jno. Caesar Do. Do.

Edw. Brumhall 1 Mates Ser[...]

Geo. Reed Surgeons Do.

Wm. Leveridge Boatns. Do.

Wm. Bates Gunnrs. Do.

Thos. Day Carpt. Do.

Jno. Edwards Armourr.

Jas. Lowe Seamen

Jno. Grieve Do.

Peter Duthie

Edw. Williams

Jno. Hollard

Jno. Carroll

Wm. Robinson

Jno. Doney

Jeffrey Hogues

Nicho. Boring

Wm. Ackerman

The Greenwich's muster roll ended with the following men and her passengers.

Timothy Callahan, Seaman

George Burleson, Seaman

Mark Wood, Seaman

Michael St Andrew, Seaman

Thomas [...], Seaman

George England, First Mate's Servant

Henry Young, Second Mate's Servant

John Atherton, Surgeon's Servant

James Pain, Carpenter's Servant

Jonathan Weedon, Gunner's Servant

Richard Crouch, Boatswain's Servant

Robert [...], Seaman

Thomas Draper, Seaman

George Denton, Seaman

John Williams, Seaman

Passengers

Mr [...] and servant

Mr [...] and servant

Mr Macpherson and servant

Mr John Hodges

5 invalids

Captain Benjamin Hooke signed the roll.

The muster roll of the Egmont followed.

Charles Mears, Commander

William Mears, Chief Mate

Arthur Marsh, Second Mate

John Child Purvis, Third Mate

Thomas Bowen, Fourth Mate

William Smith, Fifth Mate

Andrew Carr, Sixth Mate

John Crowther, Surgeon

Adam Miller, Purser

Richard Hewitt, Boatswain

William Campbell, Gunner

William Murrell, Carpenter

[...] Sheeler, Midshipman

John Wilson, Midshipman

John Harrison, Midshipman

John Grove, Midshipman

Thomas Allen, Midshipman

James Anderson, Quartermaster

Thomas Sealey, Quartermaster

John [...], Quartermaster

John Crawford, Surgeon's Mate

Richard Grice, Boatswain's First Mate

Edward Kidd, Boatswain's Second Mate

John Tuff, Carpenter's Mate

John Jones, Caulker

Thomas Bates, Caulker's Mate

Charles [...], Cooper

George Gibson, Ship's Steward

Dennis McDonald, Ship's Cook

Thomas Davis, Butcher

George Richard, Captain's Steward

Samuel Jones, Captain's Cook

John Davis, Captain's Servant

John Caesar, Captain's Servant

Edward Brumhall, First Mate's Servant

George Reid, Surgeon's Servant

William Leveridge, Boatswain's Servant

William Bates, Gunner's Servant

Thomas Day, Carpenter's Servant

John Edwards, Armourer

John Lowe, Seaman

John Grieve, Seaman

Peter Duthie, Seaman

Edward Williams, Seaman

John Mallard, Seaman

John Carroll, Seaman

William Robinson, Seaman

John [...], Seaman

Jeffrey Hughes, Seaman

William [...], Seaman

William Ackerman, Seaman

Interpretations

The Greenwich carried five invalids home from Bombay. These were soldiers of the Company's Bombay army discharged as unfit for further service. The Company was bound to bring them home at its own cost, and they travelled under the ship's charter party, as James Black would. Each homeward ship that season brought a few such men, worn out by fever, wounds or the climate of India.

Captain Charles Mears had William Mears as his chief mate, very probably his brother or son. It was the same family pattern seen in the Triton under the Elphinstones and in the Admiral Pocock under the Riddells. John Caesar, one of the captain's two servants, bore a classical name commonly given to black servants. Like Caesar in the Vansittart in June, he was probably a servant or slave brought from India.

207

200

[Ends of some lines at the right-hand edge hidden in the binding.]

The 5 September

Willm. Wilson Seamen

Thos. Pierce

Richd. Roling

Adam Hall

Robt. Potter

Jno. Scott

Jno. Canty

Jno. Landy

Edw. Wells

Henry Duncan

Thos. Clarke

Humphy. Cox

Alexr. Manson

Thos. Barns

Jno. Howard

Henry Howard

Robt. Blackburn Seam.

Matt. Willson

Jos. Frazer

Willm. Jackson

Geo. Edwards

Edwd. Bunn

Robt. Backer

Jno. Anson

Wm. Parkinson

Thos. Brine

Mattw. Wild

Isaac Schomberg

Alexr. McLane

Saml. Kennedy

Thos. Nurdahler

Henry Birchall

Jos. Sharpe Seamen

Dungl. McDugal

Wm. Tomlinson

Clements Wiggenbotham

Jno. Hopkins

Jno. Berry

Alexr. Shaw

Richd. Evans

Jno. Field

Jas. Watts

Jas. Bennett

Geo. Hancock

Thos. Harris

Laurl. Johnston

Paul Jones

Thirty six Invalids

Passengers

Mrs. Taylor

Mastr. Henry Taylor

Mast. Jas. Taylor

Miss Debrecour

Miss Debrecour

Mr. Spratt

Mr. Devereux

Mr. Tidman

Mr. Drought

Mast. Jno. Bellis

Mast. Peter Moore

Thos. Hixon

Jose

Silvia

Flora

Mrs. Taylors Servts.

Miss Debrecours Do.

Phill Mr. Devereux Do.

(signed) Chas. Mears

Lieut. Henry De Laval dying Intestate we Ordered the followi[...]

Advertizement to be Published viz.

The Egmont's muster roll ended with the following men and her passengers.

William Wilson, Seaman

Thomas Pierce, Seaman

[...] Rolling, Seaman

Adam Hall, Seaman

Robert Potter, Seaman

John Scott, Seaman

John Canty, Seaman

John Landy, Seaman

Edward Wills, Seaman

Henry Duncan, Seaman

Thomas Clarke, Seaman

Humphrey Cox, Seaman

Alexander [...], Seaman

Thomas [...], Seaman

John Howard, Seaman

Henry Howard, Seaman

Robert Blackburn, Seaman

Matthew Willson, Seaman

John Frazer, Seaman

William Jackson, Seaman

George Edwards, Seaman

Edward Burn, Seaman

Robert [...], Seaman

John Anson, Seaman

William Parkinson, Seaman

Thomas [...], Seaman

Matthew [...], Seaman

Isaac Schomberg, Seaman

Alexander McLane, Seaman

James Kennedy, Seaman

Thomas [...], Seaman

Henry Birchall, Seaman

John [...], Seaman

Duncan [...], Seaman

William Tomlinson, Seaman

Clements Higginbotham, Seaman

John Hopkins, Seaman

John Berry, Seaman

Alexander Shaw, Seaman

Richard Evans, Seaman

John Field, Seaman

John Watts, Seaman

John Bennett, Seaman

George Hancock, Seaman

Thomas Harris, Seaman

Lawrence Johnston, Seaman

Paul Jones, Seaman

34 invalids

Passengers

Mrs Taylor

Master Henry Taylor

Master John Taylor

Miss [...]

Miss [...]

Mr Devereux

Mr [...]

Mr Drought

Master John [...]

Master Peter Moore

Thomas [...]

Jose, Silvia and Flora, Mrs Taylor's servants

Miss [...]'s servant

Phill, Mr Devereux's servant

Captain Charles Mears signed the roll.

Lieutenant Henry De Laune had died without making a will, so the Council ordered the following notice to be published.

Interpretations

The Egmont carried 34 invalids from Madras, far more than the five in the Greenwich. The Madras army had been fighting almost continuously since 1767 in the war against Haidar Ali of Mysore, and wounded and broken-down soldiers were being shipped home in numbers. A Company ship sent from Madras that season would naturally carry a large draft of them.

The servants were recorded by first names only: Jose, Silvia, Flora and Phill. They were very probably slaves or bonded servants bought in India, attending a returning family. Mrs Taylor travelled with her two sons and three servants, evidently a household coming home from Madras, perhaps a widow or the wife of an official who had stayed behind.

Lieutenant De Laune left no will. As with a will, the Council acted as the island's probate court. It would advertise for anyone with claims on his estate or debts owed to it, then gather and sell his goods and hold the balance for his heirs.

208

201

1768

St. Helena 6th September 1768

Notice is hereby given to all Persons upon the said Island that

on Monday the 12 instant will be exposed at Publick Auction (for ready Money

only) the Effects of the late Lieut. Henry De Laval the Sale to begin at

ten o'Clock in the Morning at the House of Mr. Richd. Bagley in this Valley

p Order of Council

(signed)

Mattw. Bazett Secy.

The Storekeeper this day delivered the following Account of Stores

short received from Ships Greenwich & Egmont viz.

Account of Stores short recd. from the following Ships viz.

Ship Greenwich viz.

Cwt. qrs. lb.

1.. 2.. 21 Rice short Weight Occasd. by Wastage the Packages being in good order

50.. 2 Paddy recd.

Ship Egmont viz.

Cwt.

- 2.. 18 Rice short Weight

6.. - 23 Paddy Do. Occasd. by the Bags being in bad Order

2 Leaguers Arr. viz.

Gall.

No. 1 Gage 145 Wants to fill 12 Gall.

No. 2 Do. 140 Do. 9

285 21

21

Gall. 264 Recd.

(signed)

p James Powell Storekeeper

The Council ordered the following notice to be published, dated at St Helena on 6 September 1768.

The effects of the late Lieutenant Henry De Laune would be sold at public auction, for ready money only, on Monday 12 September. The sale would begin at ten o'clock in the morning at the house of Mr Richard Bagley in Jamestown valley.

Matthew Bazett, secretary, signed the notice by order of the Council.

James Powell, the storekeeper, gave the Council an account of the stores from the Greenwich and the Egmont that came ashore short of their invoices. He signed it on 5 September 1768.

From the Greenwich, the rice was short through wastage, the packages being in good order.

Rice, short in weight by 1 cwt 2 qr 21 lb

Paddy received, 50 cwt 0 qr 2 lb

From the Egmont, the paddy was short because the bags were in bad order.

Rice, short in weight by 0 cwt 2 qr 18 lb

Paddy, short in weight by 6 cwt 0 qr 23 lb

Arrack, cask number 1, 1 leaguer gauged at 145 gallons, lacking 12 gallons to fill it

Arrack, cask number 2, 1 leaguer gauged at 140 gallons, lacking 9 gallons to fill it

Arrack, total gauged 285 gallons, total lacking 21 gallons

Arrack received, 264 gallons

Interpretations

The Council sold De Laune's belongings at auction because he had died without a will. Selling for ready money only turned his clothes, furniture and other goods into coin quickly. Debts owed by the dead man could then be settled and the balance held for his heirs in England. An auction in the valley gave every islander a chance to bid, which meant the goods fetched a fair price. The same method was used for estates of soldiers, settlers and passengers who died on the island.

Powell distinguished carefully between the two ships' losses. The Greenwich's shortfall was normal wastage in sound bags, nobody's fault. The Egmont's paddy, more than 6 cwt short, was lost because its bags were in bad order. The Madras invoice had charged for 69 gunny bags, and the loss pointed to poor packing or rough handling on the long voyage by way of Mauritius. By naming the cause, Powell gave the Council grounds to claim the loss from the ship's owners or from Madras.

209

202

[End of one line at the right-hand edge partly hidden in the binding.]

The 5 September

John Hill and Matthew Dunhill who had been Soldiers at

Madrass and came here upon the Ship Egmont applying to Us to Enter in the

Garrison they appearing to be good Men we enlisted them to serve the Honble.

Company as Soldiers for five Years, and gave them ten pounds Bounty Money [...]

buy them Cloaths &c.

We this day Granted the following Sets of Bills of Exchange drawn

upon the Honble. the Court of Directors viz.

One Set to Mr. James Powell for £350.. payable to Captn. John

Williams (or Order)

One Set to Mr. Matthew Bazett for £300.. payable to Capt.

Thos. Riddell (or Order)

One Set to Capt. John Howard for £215.. 10.. payable to Mrs.

Mary Hull (or Order)

One Set to Mr. Robert Barclay for £30.. payable to Mr.

Robt. Dallas (or Order)

And One Set to Mr. Willm. Wrangham for £120.. payable to John

Purling Esq. (or order) all drawn at ninety days sight

Bought of Captn. Charles Mears on Account of the Honble.

Company 1260 lb. Sail Rope at 2/ p Piece Amounting to £126.

John Skottowe

Purling

John Hill and Matthew Dunhill had served as soldiers at Madras and came to the island in the Egmont. They asked to join the garrison. They seemed good men, so the Council enlisted them to serve the Company as soldiers for five years and gave each a bounty of £10 to buy clothes and other necessaries.

The Council granted the following sets of bills of exchange on the Court of Directors, all payable 90 days after presentation.

1 set to Mr James Powell for £350 0s 0d, payable to Captain John Williams or his order

1 set to Mr Matthew Bazett for £600 0s 0d, payable to Captain Thomas Riddell or his order

1 set to Captain John Howard for £215 10s 0d, payable to Mrs Mary Hull or her order

1 set to Mr Robert [...] for £30 0s 0d, payable to Mr Robert Dallas or his order

1 set to Mr William Wrangham for £120 0s 0d, payable to John Purling or his order

The Council bought 1,260 pieces of salt beef from Captain Charles Mears on the Company's account, at 2s a piece, amounting to £126 0s 0d.

Governor Skottowe and Purling signed the minutes.

Interpretations

Hill and Dunhill received £10 each, the bounty the Council paid to experienced soldiers it wished to keep, not the £3 it gave to seamen leaving passing ships. They had evidently been discharged from the Madras army, perhaps among the invalids, and recovered on the voyage. Trained men who already knew drill and arms were worth a full bounty. They joined a garrison that had lost two sergeants, a gunner and several privates since the spring.

Powell's bill was again payable to Captain John Williams of the Hector, as his bill of £200 had been in February. The repeated link points to a standing business arrangement between the storekeeper and the captain. Williams was probably investing Powell's money in trade or acting as his agent in London. Matthew Bazett, the secretary, sent £600 to Captain Riddell of the Admiral Pocock, which had sailed in August. That was the largest single remittance by a Company officer that season. Officers used the commanders of homeward ships as trusted agents and bankers in England.

The Council had told Bengal to stop sending salt meat, but it still needed meat for the garrison and slaves. The 1,260 pieces of European beef from the Egmont, at the fixed price of 2s a piece, replaced the Bengal supply with better-cured meat bought from a ship that had more than she needed.

210

203

The 12 September

At a Consultation held on Monday the 12th day of Septr. 1768 at the Castle

Present John Skottowe Esq. Governor

Mr. Matthew Purling of Council

Capt. Thos. Kirkpatrick Absent

The last Consultation was read, approved & signed dated the 5th Septr. 1768

Yesterday Sailed the Honble. Company's Ships Egmont

and Greenwich for England

Mr. Matthew Bazett & Miss Sarah Fenge this

day presented the following Petitions viz.

To the Worshipful John Skottowe Esq. Governor

&c. Council of St. Helena

The humble Petition of Mattw. Bazett

Sheweth

That your Petitioner hath a piece of Land at Woody Ridge,

that lies in the middle of the Honble. Company's Waste Land, but from the

length and badness of the Fences and the want of Water for his Cattle he has

never been able to make the least Use of it, Your Petitioner (notwithstanding

the greatest part of the said Waste Land is very barren & Steep) should be

extremely glad of Renting the same, for the Conveniency's beforementioned

he therefore Requests your Worship & Council will be pleased to grant him a

Lease for it

And your Petitioner will ever Pray

(signed)

Mattw. Bazett

12th Sepr. 1768

Governor John Skottowe held a consultation at the Castle on Monday 12 September 1768.

Present

John Skottowe, Governor

William Matthew Purling, of the Council

Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick was absent

The Council read, approved and signed the minutes of 5 September 1768. The Company's ships Egmont and Greenwich sailed for England the previous day, 11 September.

Mr Matthew Bazett and Miss Sarah Fuge each presented a petition that day.

Matthew Bazett's petition, dated 12 September 1768, was addressed to Governor Skottowe and the Council. He held a piece of land at Woody Ridge that lay in the middle of the Company's waste land. Because the fences around it were so long and in such poor repair, and because there was no water for his cattle, he had never been able to make the least use of it. Most of the waste land was very barren and steep, but Bazett would be very glad to rent it, since it would make his own land usable as described. He therefore asked the Governor and Council to grant him a lease of it.

Interpretations

Bazett's problem was common on St Helena. His land was surrounded by Company waste, with no water source and a long boundary to fence. Without water his cattle could not graze there, and without a sound fence the settlers' goats would strip whatever he planted. Leasing the waste around it would bring a spring or stream within his bounds and let him fence a larger, more compact holding at less cost per acre. The barren ground itself had little value. Its worth lay in making his own land workable.

The request recalls the dispute over the Sandy Bay common in March. Margaret Alcock's petition for waste land there was refused because neighbours used it for grazing and access. Woody Ridge was different. Bazett described the waste as steep and barren, and no other settler's interest appeared to be at stake. The Council would still need to have the land inspected, as it did with every new grant, before deciding.

The Egmont and the Greenwich left together on 11 September, the last Company ships of the season. They carried James Black home and the Council's report on Banks's battery, and a large draft of invalid soldiers from Madras and Bombay.

211

204

[Ends of two lines at the right-hand edge partly hidden in the binding.]

The 12 September

To the Worshipful John Skottowe Esq. Governor &c.

Council of St. Helena

The humble Petition of Sarah Fenge

Sheweth

That there is small piece of the Honble. Company's Waste Land

in Sandy Bay adjoining to your Petitioner, which she is desirous of hiring, humbly requests that your

Worship & Council will be pleased to grant her a Lease for the same

And your Petitioner will ever pray

12th Septr. 1768

Ordered the said Lands to be Viewed

Thomas Watts Matross this day Petitioned for his discharge

from the Garrison having served the Honorable Company his Contracted tim[...]

Granted

The Gunners and Stewards Accounts for the Month of Augus[...]

last were this day brought in, which were examined, and approved & are as

follow viz.

Sarah Fuge presented a petition to Governor Skottowe and the Council, dated 12 September 1768. A small piece of the Company's waste land at Sandy Bay lay next to her own, and she wished to rent it. She asked the Governor and Council to grant her a lease of it.

The Council ordered the land to be inspected.

Thomas Watts, a matross, petitioned for his discharge from the garrison, having served the Company for the full term of his engagement. The Council granted his request.

The gunner's and steward's accounts for August were presented, examined and approved. They read as follows.

Interpretations

The Council ordered Sarah Fuge's land to be inspected before granting it, and the location explains the caution. The waste was at Sandy Bay, the district where the Council had refused Margaret Alcock's petition for adjoining waste in March. Samuel Alexander and the inspection by Kirkpatrick had shown then that the settlers there depended on the small common for grazing and access. The Council had referred the whole question of the South Division's commons to the Court. It could not grant another piece of Sandy Bay waste without first checking that the same objections did not apply.

The minutes recorded no order for an inspection on Matthew Bazett's petition for the waste at Woody Ridge, entered just before. As secretary to the Council, he may have been expected to wait for its decision without a formal order. Alternatively, the Council may have judged his steep, barren ground, with no neighbours' use at stake, to need less inquiry.

Thomas Watts was the matross of that name in the Artillery Company. His discharge was another loss to the gunners in a year when the artillery had already lost a sergeant, a bombardier, a gunner and several matrosses.

212

205

1768

Artillery Stores Expended in August 1768

Guns fired, Shot Do., 4 Pr, 3 Pr, 2 Pr, 1 Pr, Powder Expend. lb, Powder Expend. oz

1st Powder to Shoot Goats at different times: Guns fired 0, Shot Do. 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expend. lb 13, Powder Expend. oz 4

3d Do. for the Funeral of Jno. Newton Soldr.: Guns fired 0, Shot Do. 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expend. lb 2, Powder Expend. oz 4

Do. for the Lascars at Sandy Bay at diff. times: Guns fired 0, Shot Do. 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expend. lb 12, Powder Expend. oz 0

Do. To the Men in the Boats at Do.: Guns fired 0, Shot Do. 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expend. lb 18, Powder Expend. oz 0

9th Do. for the funeral of Lieut. Henry De Laval: Guns fired 0, Shot Do. 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expend. lb 4, Powder Expend. oz 8

10 Do. to Prepare the Cartridges at the main Guard: Guns fired 0, Shot Do. 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expend. lb 0, Powder Expend. oz 13

13 An Alarm: Guns fired 6, Shot Do. 0, 4 Pr 2, 3 Pr 2, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 2, Powder Expend. lb 12, Powder Expend. oz 0

Arrived a Dutch Ship: Guns fired 9, Shot Do. 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 9, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expend. lb 6, Powder Expend. oz 12

14 Guns fired to Salute Mr. Corneille going on board: Guns fired 17, Shot Do. 0, 4 Pr 3, 3 Pr 1, 2 Pr 13, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expend. lb 16, Powder Expend. oz 14

Departed the Pocock: Guns fired 9, Shot Do. 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 9, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expend. lb 6, Powder Expend. oz 12

22 An Alarm: Guns fired 6, Shot Do. 0, 4 Pr 2, 3 Pr 2, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 2, Powder Expend. lb 12, Powder Expend. oz 0

Arrived the Greenwich: Guns fired 10, Shot Do. 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 10, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expend. lb 7, Powder Expend. oz 8

24 Departed a Dutch Ship: Guns fired 11, Shot Do. 0, 4 Pr 3, 3 Pr 1, 2 Pr 7, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expend. lb 12, Powder Expend. oz 12

Priming for all the above Salutes: Guns fired 0, Shot Do. 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expend. lb 11, Powder Expend. oz 0

Powder for the Works at Purlings Battery: Guns fired 0, Shot Do. 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expend. lb 12, Powder Expend. oz 0

Do. for the Do. at Mundens Point: Guns fired 0, Shot Do. 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expend. lb 100, Powder Expend. oz 0

31 An Alarm: Guns fired 6, Shot Do. 0, 4 Pr 2, 3 Pr 2, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 2, Powder Expend. lb 12, Powder Expend. oz 0

Powder for Signals at diff. times: Guns fired 0, Shot Do. 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expend. lb 1, Powder Expend. oz 0

Total: Guns fired 74, Shot Do. 0, 4 Pr 12, 3 Pr 8, 2 Pr 48, 1 Pr 6, Powder Expend. lb 251, Powder Expend. oz 7

Tallow for different Uses at different times

43 lb.

Lead Ball to shoot Goats at Do.

10 4

Paper for Different uses

7 Quire

Bitts Expend. at the main Fort

Prs. 2

2

Handspikes Do. at different places

13

Tompions Do. at Purlings Battery

18

2

9th Recd. one Barl. of Powder from Ship Admil. Pocock

(signed) Ar. Mitchell

The gunner's return of artillery stores used in August 1768 recorded the guns fired, the shot fired, the 4-pounders, 3-pounders, 2-pounders and 1-pounders used, and the powder spent in pounds and ounces.

1 August, powder for shooting goats at different times: powder 13 lb 4 oz

3 August, powder for the funeral of Newton, soldier: powder 2 lb 4 oz

Powder for the [...] at Sandy Bay at different times: powder 12 lb 0 oz

Powder for the men in the boats at Sandy Bay: powder 18 lb 0 oz

9 August, powder for the funeral of Lieutenant Henry De Laune: powder 4 lb 8 oz

10 August, powder to repair the cartridges at the main guard: powder 0 lb 13 oz

13 August, an alarm: guns fired 6, shot 0, 4-pounders 2, 3-pounders 2, 2-pounders 0, 1-pounders 2; powder 12 lb 0 oz

13 August, arrival of a Dutch ship: guns fired 9, shot 0, 4-pounders 0, 3-pounders 0, 2-pounders 9, 1-pounders 0; powder 6 lb 12 oz

14 August, guns fired in salute to Mr Corneille going on board: guns fired 17, shot 0, 4-pounders 3, 3-pounders 1, 2-pounders 13, 1-pounders 0; powder 16 lb 14 oz

14 August, departure of the Admiral Pocock: guns fired 9, shot 0, 4-pounders 0, 3-pounders 0, 2-pounders 9, 1-pounders 0; powder 6 lb 12 oz

22 August, an alarm: guns fired 6, shot 0, 4-pounders 2, 3-pounders 2, 2-pounders 0, 1-pounders 2; powder 12 lb 0 oz

22 August, arrival of the Greenwich: guns fired 10, shot 0, 4-pounders 0, 3-pounders 0, 2-pounders 10, 1-pounders 0; powder 7 lb 8 oz

24 August, departure of a Dutch ship: guns fired 11, shot 0, 4-pounders 3, 3-pounders 1, 2-pounders 7, 1-pounders 0; powder 12 lb 12 oz

Priming for all the above salutes: powder 11 lb 0 oz

Powder for the works at Purling's battery: powder 12 lb 0 oz

Powder for the works at Munden's Point: powder 100 lb 0 oz

31 August, an alarm: guns fired 6, shot 0, 4-pounders 2, 3-pounders 2, 2-pounders 0, 1-pounders 2; powder 12 lb 0 oz

Powder for signals at different times: powder 1 lb 0 oz

Total: guns fired 74, shot 0, 4-pounders 12, 3-pounders 8, 2-pounders 48, 1-pounders 6; powder 251 lb 7 oz

The gunner also accounted for other stores used during August.

Tallow for different uses at different times, 43 lb

Lead balls for shooting goats at different times, 10 lb 4 oz

Paper for different uses, 7 quires

[...] used at the main fort, 2

Handspikes used at different places, 13

Tompions for 18-pounders at Purling's battery, 2

Received 9 August, 1 barrel of powder from the Admiral Pocock

Archibald Mitchell signed the return.

Interpretations

The island fired a salute of 17 guns for Corneille as he went aboard on 14 August 1768, the day the Admiral Pocock sailed. That confirms he left in her, carrying his case to the Court in person. He had resigned his office three weeks earlier, yet the garrison still gave him a salute fitting a Lieutenant Governor, more than the nine guns given to a Company ship. The honour paid in public matched the Council's finding that he left with his name fully cleared.

The return mentioned Purling's battery for the first time, where 18-pounders were being fitted with tompions and powder was being used for the works. It was evidently a new or rebuilt battery named after the councillor, following the custom of naming works after the island's officers, as Banks's and Munden's had been named after earlier men. Blasting at Munden's Point took 100 lb of powder, less than in July as the work there moved from cutting rock to building.

Both funerals of the month were marked with volleys: Newton, the private who died on 3 August, and Lieutenant De Laune, who died on 8 August. An officer's funeral used twice the powder of a private's.

213

206

[End of one line at the right-hand edge partly hidden in the binding.]

The 12 September

Sundry's Expended at the Honble. Compys. Table in August 1768

To 2 Bottles Port Wine

" 3

18 Do. Lisbon

1 7

10 Do. Mountain

" 15

12 Do. Beer

" 2 6

24 Gall. Arr.

6 " -

211 lb. Beef

4 8 4

250 lb. Mutton

5 4 2

2 Lambs

1 " -

2 Kids

" 10 -

3 Turkeys

" 15 -

6 Ducks

" 9 -

12 Fowls

" 18 -

100 lb. Candy

2 1 8

300 lb. Flour

2 16 3

£ 26 9 11

We this day executed a Lease to Mr. John Alexander for forty Acres

of Land lying in the West Division at 2/6 p Ac. for fourteen Years of the

remaining Seven Years at 5/ p Ac. and likewise renewed a Lease to the Executo[...]

to the last Will and Testament of Thos. Colgrave decd. for two pieces of Land

lying in the East Division of the said Island containing fourteen Ac. at

5/ p Ac.

John Skottowe

Purling

The steward's account listed the sundries used at the Company's table in August 1768.

2 bottles of port wine, £0 3s 0d

18 bottles of Lisbon wine, £1 7s 0d

10 bottles of Mountain wine, £0 15s 0d

12 bottles of beer, £0 2s 6d

24 gallons of arrack, £6 0s 0d

212 lb of beef, £4 8s 4d

250 lb of mutton, £5 4s 2d

2 lambs, £1 0s 0d

2 kids, £0 10s 0d

3 turkeys, £0 15s 0d

6 ducks, £0 9s 0d

12 fowls, £0 18s 0d

100 lb of sugar candy, £2 1s 8d

300 lb of flour, £2 16s 3d

Total, £26 9s 11d

The Council executed a lease to Mr John Alexander for 40 acres of land in the West Division. The rent was 2s 6d an acre for 14 years and 5s an acre for the remaining seven years. It also renewed a lease to the executors of the will of Thomas Cadgrove, deceased, for two pieces of land totalling 14 acres in the East Division, at 5s an acre.

Governor Skottowe and Purling signed the minutes.

Interpretations

Arrack at the Company's table fell to 24 gallons in August, the first month all year below the usual 30. The change came in the same weeks as the Council's new rules on drink and the departure of Corneille, whose household had shared in the hospitality of the Castle. It may also reflect the quiet winter, with only the Admiral Pocock and the Greenwich calling and few guests to entertain.

John Alexander's lease ran for 21 years on a rising rent. For the first 14 years he would pay only 2s 6d an acre, half the usual rate, and the full 5s for the last seven. The low early rent encouraged him to spend his own money and labour clearing, fencing and planting rough ground, which the Company would gain from later. Forty acres was a large holding by St Helena standards. A long lease on easy terms was the Council's way of bringing new land into cultivation without granting it outright.

The Cadgrove lease renewed the holding George Alexander had applied for on 4 July 1768 on behalf of Thomas Cadgrove's orphans. The petition was granted then, and the lease was now formally executed.

214

207

The 19 September

At a Consultation held on Monday the 19th day of Septr. 1768 at the Castle

Present John Skottowe Esq. Govern.

Mr. Mattw. Purling of Council

Capt. Thos. Kirkpatrick Absent

The last Consultation was read, approved and signed dated the 12th Sept. 1768

Friday the 16 Died James Long Centinel

Mr. John Desfountain Senr. this day presented the

following Petition viz.

To the Worshipfull John Skottowe Esq. Govern. &c.

Council of the Island St. Helena

The humble Petition of Jno. Desfountain

Sheweth

That there is a piece of the Honble. Company's Waste Land

lying on a Hill facing Woody Ridge adjoining to your Petitioners own

Land which he is desirous of hiring humbly requests that your Worship &

Council will be pleased to grant him a Lease for the same

And your Petitioner will ever pray

(signed)

John Desfountain

19th Septr. 1768

As the abovementioned piece of Land is the same as Mr.

Bazett Petitioned for last Monday we Agreed to view it

Governor John Skottowe held a consultation at the Castle on Monday 19 September 1768.

Present

John Skottowe, Governor

William Matthew Purling, of the Council

Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick was absent

The Council read, approved and signed the minutes of 12 September 1768. James Long, a private, died on Friday 16 September.

Mr John Desfountain senior presented a petition to Governor Skottowe and the Council, dated 19 September 1768. A piece of the Company's waste land lay on a hill facing Woody Ridge, next to his own land, and he wished to rent it. He asked the Governor and Council to grant him a lease of it. John Desfountain signed the petition.

The land was the same piece that Mr Bazett had petitioned for the previous Monday, so the Council agreed to inspect it.

Interpretations

Two settlers now claimed the same piece of waste at Woody Ridge. Matthew Bazett had asked for it on 12 September, saying it would make his own enclosed land usable by giving it water and a manageable fence. A week later John Desfountain, whose land also adjoined it, asked for the same ground. The Council had made no order for an inspection on Bazett's petition alone. A rival claim made one necessary. As with Margaret Alcock and John Scott at Sandy Bay in February, the Council would have to weigh which neighbour had the better claim, or whether the land should stay as waste.

Desfountain was the witness whose evidence in July had exposed Kirkpatrick's attempt to draft his testimony. He was now competing for land with the secretary of the Council, Matthew Bazett, a member of the island's most powerful family. An inspection on the ground gave the Council a neutral basis for its decision, which it would need if it was to be seen to judge fairly between the two.

James Long was a private of the Third Company. His death was the fourth in the garrison since early August, in the cold, wet weeks at the end of the southern winter.

215

208

The 19 September

As Blacks frequently Abscond from their Owners for a long time

and support themselves by thieving and doing a great deal of mischief to the

Inhabitants we therefore in order to prevent this Evil, Ordered the following

Advertisement to be published viz.

Island St. Helena 19th September 1768

Whereas Toney a Man slave belonging to Mr. Isaac Dowlon

has Absconded from his Master for some Months past and living by Robbery &

Plunder, In order therefore to put a stop to this publick mischief. This is to

give Notice to all Persons upon the said Island that whoever will secure the said

Black and bring him to the Jail shall receive a Reward of £3.. One third

part to be paid by the Honble. Company, one by the Parish & the other third

by the Owner of the said Slave

And when ever any Slave or Slaves shall in future Absent

themselves from his or their Owner for a longer time than fourteen days the reward

of £3.. for each Slave shall be paid to the Person or Persons who shall

apprehend & secure them as aforesaid

p Order of Council

(signed)

Mw. Bazett Secy.

Counted and Examined the Honble. Compys. Cash for the

Month of August last, which is as follows viz.

Slaves often ran away from their owners for long periods and lived by stealing, doing great harm to the inhabitants. To stop this, the Council ordered the following notice to be published, dated at St Helena on 19 September 1768.

Tony, a slave belonging to Mr Jonas Doveton, had run away from his master some months earlier and was living by robbery and plunder. To end this public nuisance, anyone on the island who caught him and brought him to the gaol would receive a reward of £5. The Company, the parish and the slave's owner would each pay one third.

In future, whenever any slave stayed away from an owner for more than 14 days, a reward of £5 for each slave would be paid to whoever caught and secured that slave in the same way.

Matthew Bazett, secretary, signed the notice by order of the Council.

The Council then counted and examined the Company's cash for August 1768.

Interpretations

A runaway slave on St Helena could not leave the island, but the steep, wooded interior offered places to hide for months. Such men survived by raiding gardens, stock and storehouses. The Council could have left the matter to Doveton to deal with privately. Instead it treated Tony's escape as a public problem and divided the reward three ways. The Company paid because thieving affected its plantations and stores. The parish paid because the settlers as a whole suffered. The owner paid because he recovered his property.

The second part of the notice turned a single case into a standing rule. Any slave missing for more than 14 days now carried a £5 reward. That was a large sum, more than a private soldier earned in a quarter, and it gave soldiers, settlers and free blacks every reason to hunt down runaways. The same year had already seen the attempted escape by boat of four Madagascar men in April. Patna's flight in a King's ship had also been revealed in May. The reward completed a set of controls that included the pass system for slaves carrying goods, introduced in February. The Council was steadily tightening its hold over the island's slave population.

216

209

Cash Dr.

1768 Augt. 1st To Balance Remaining£ 7778 " 9

To Exchange for a Set of Bills drawn upon the Honorable

Court of Directors payable to Mattw. Brightwell

189 1 7

8th To Do. for five Sets Do. drawn as above payable as follows viz.

One Set to Capt. Rd. Dowlon

£ 437 14 -

One Do. to Jno. Purling Esq.

450 " -

One Do. to Danl. Corneille Esq.

400 " -

One Do. to Mr. Hugh Jones

368 12 6

One Do. to Sir Jno. Riddell & Thomas

Stratfield Esq.

280 " -

1936 6 6

12th To Ship Adml. Pocock

10 16 2

15th To Exchange for a Set of Bills drawn upon the

Honble. Court of Directors payable to Messrs. Muir, Son

& Atkinson

500 " -

£ 10464 5 -

Per Contra Cr.

1768 Augt. 31st By Balance remaining viz.

In Specie£ 9924 10 -

In Cash Notes

539 15 -

£ 10464 5 -

John Skottowe

Purling

The Council's cash account for August 1768 read as follows.

Cash, debit

1 August 1768, balance remaining, £7,778 0s 9d

Received in exchange for 1 set of bills on the Court of Directors payable to Matthias Brightwell, £189 1s 7d

8 August 1768, received in exchange for 5 sets of bills on the Court of Directors

1 set payable to Captain Richard Doveton, £487 14s 0d

1 set payable to John Purling, £450 0s 0d

1 set payable to Daniel Corneille, £400 0s 0d

1 set payable to Mr Hugh Jones, £368 12s 6d

1 set payable to Sir John Riddell and Thomas Stratfield, £280 0s 0d

Total for the 5 sets of bills, £1,986 6s 6d

12 August 1768, received from the ship Admiral Pocock, £10 16s 2d

15 August 1768, received in exchange for 1 set of bills on the Court of Directors payable to Messrs Mure, Son and Atkinson, £500 0s 0d

Total, £10,464 5s 0d

Cash, credit

31 August 1768, balance remaining in coin, £9,924 10s 0d

31 August 1768, balance remaining in cash notes, £539 15s 0d

Total, £10,464 5s 0d

Governor Skottowe and Purling signed the account.

Interpretations

The Admiral Pocock's week in the road brought the treasury more coin than any month since May. Seven sets of bills were drawn in August, worth almost £2,700 in all. The departing Corneille, the councillors, a merchant, the ship's commander and a passenger family all turned their coin into paper on London before she sailed. The treasury's coin rose from £7,238 to £9,924 in a single month, with nothing paid out.

The timing was fortunate for the Council. The next quarter's pay, more than £3,000 for the garrison and civil officers, would fall due at the end of September. No more Company ships were expected until the spring, and the Egmont and the Greenwich had already left. The late ships of the season had filled the treasury with enough coin to carry the island through the end of the southern winter and the following quarter.

Hugh Jones paid in £368 12s 6d on 8 August, the same day he was fined £10 for selling arrack by retail. A man able to remit such a sum was clearly a trader of substance. To him the fine was a trivial cost of doing business, while Thomas Yates, fined for the same offence, could pay only £5 of the £20 he owed.

217

210

The 26 September

At a Consultation held on Monday the 26th day of September 1768 at the Castle

Present John Skottowe Esq. Governor

Mr. Matthew Purling

Capt. Thos. Kirkpatrick of Council

The last Consultation was read, approved and signed dated the 19 Septem. 1768

Tuesday the 20th Died Henry Beale Inhabitant

Mr. Purling reports that he has viewed the Land Petitioned for

by Miss Sarah Fenge and thinks that letting the same will not be prejudicial

either to the Company or the Neighbourhood, but as the said Land is barren in

part and very indifferent on the whole he judges it worth not more than one

Shilling p Acre

Agreed to Rent the said Land at 1/ p Acre

Ordered the following Advertizement to be published viz.

Island St. Helena 26th Sepr. 1768

This is to give Notice to all the Inhabitants of the said Island that

if any of them have demands upon the Estate of the late Lieut. Henry

Delaval that they are hereby required to send in their respective Accounts to

Capt. Jno. Howard on or before the 1st day of October next and all Persons

Indebted to the said Lieut. Delaval's Estate are required to pay the same to

Capt. Howard at the time beforementioned

p Order of Council

(signed)

M. Bazett Secy.

Governor John Skottowe held a consultation at the Castle on Monday 26 September 1768.

Present

John Skottowe, Governor

William Matthew Purling

Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick, of the Council

The Council read, approved and signed the minutes of 19 September 1768. Henry Beale, an inhabitant, died on Tuesday 20 September.

Purling reported that he had inspected the land Sarah Fuge had petitioned for. He thought leasing it would harm neither the Company nor the neighbourhood. The land was partly barren and very poor overall, however, so he judged it worth no more than 1s an acre.

The Council agreed to let the land at 1s an acre.

The Council ordered the following notice to be published, dated at St Helena on 26 September 1768.

Any inhabitant with claims on the estate of the late Lieutenant Henry De Laune was to send an account of them to Captain John Howard on or before 1 October. Anyone who owed money to the estate was to pay it to Captain Howard by the same date.

Matthew Bazett, secretary, signed the notice by order of the Council.

Interpretations

Sarah Fuge's land lay at Sandy Bay, where the Council had refused Margaret Alcock in March because the neighbours depended on the common. This time the inspection found no such objection. Purling judged that a lease would hurt neither the Company nor the neighbourhood, so the Council granted it. The petitions were treated alike: each was tested on the ground, and the answer turned on whether others' use of the land would suffer. The rent of 1s an acre, a fifth of the East Division rate, reflected Purling's view of poor, partly barren ground. The Council set rents by the land's real value, not by a single scale.

Captain John Howard commanded the Fourth Company, in which De Laune had been the only lieutenant. He took charge of his dead officer's estate as administrator, collecting debts owed to it and paying its creditors from the money raised at the auction on 12 September. The short deadline let the account be closed and the balance sent to De Laune's heirs in England in the next ships.

Kirkpatrick returned to the Board for the first time since July. The quarter's pay was due within days, and as paymaster he could not stay away.

218

211

1768

Thomas Palmer and George Fennes two Men left here

from the Ship Greenwich, applying to be Enlisted in the Garrison, We

Entertained them to serve the Honble. Company as Soldiers for five Years, &

gave Palmer five Pounds and Fennes two pounds ten Shillings, to buy

them Cloaths &ca.

John Skottowe

Purling

Thos. Kirkpatrick

At a Consultation held on Friday the 30th day of September 1768 at the Castle

Present John Skottowe Esq. Govern.

Mr. Mattw. Purling

Capt. Thos. Kirkpatrick of Council

The last Consultation was read approved and signed dated the 26 Sept. 1768

Pursuant to an Order in Consultation of the 29th of August last

the Planters this day attended to pay their Rents & Revenues due to the

Honble. Company for the Year past which amounts to £599.. 16.. 11½

the Rent Roll is as follows viz.

Ground Rent, Free Land, Lease Land, £, s, d

Samuel Alexander: Ground Rent 0, Free Land 34, Lease Land 8½, £ 11, s 1, d 6

Jno. Alexander 15½ Ac. @ 1/ & 40 @ 2/6 p Ac.: Ground Rent 0, Free Land 7¼, Lease Land 110¾, £ 23, s 3, d 6

George Alexander: Ground Rent 0, Free Land 28, Lease Land 58, £ 15, s 18, d 0

Margaret Alcock 14 @ 20/ p Ann. 8¼ @ 1/ p Ac.: Ground Rent 3/6, Free Land 30, Lease Land 33½, £ 11, s 3, d 9

Carrd. over: Ground Rent 0, Free Land 165¾, Lease Land 233¾, £ 61, s 6, d 9

The Council enlisted Thomas Palmer and George Townes, two men who had stayed behind from the Greenwich, at their request to serve the Company as soldiers for five years. It gave Palmer £5 and Townes £3 10s 0d to buy clothes and other necessaries.

Governor Skottowe, Purling and Kirkpatrick signed the minutes.

Governor Skottowe held a consultation at the Castle on Friday 30 September 1768.

Present

John Skottowe, Governor

William Matthew Purling

Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick, of the Council

The Council read, approved and signed the minutes of 26 September 1768.

Under the order made at the consultation of 29 August, the planters attended that day to pay the rents and dues owed to the Company for the past year. These came to £599 16s 11½d. The rent roll recorded the ground rent, the acres of freehold land and of leasehold land held by each planter, and the sum paid, as follows.

Samuel Alexander: ground rent 0, freehold land 34 acres, leasehold land 3½ acres, £11 1s 6d

John Alexander, 15½ acres at 1s and 40 acres at 2s 6d: ground rent 0, freehold land [...] acres, leasehold land [...] acres, £23 3s 6d

George Alexander: ground rent 0, freehold land 28 acres, leasehold land 58 acres, £15 18s 0d

Margaret Alcock, 11¼ acres at 20s a year and 8¼ acres at 1s an acre: ground rent 2s 6d, freehold land 30 acres, leasehold land [...] acres, £11 3s 9d

Carried forward: freehold land [...] acres, leasehold land [...] acres, £61 6s 9d

Interpretations

The two men from the Greenwich received different bounties, £5 and £3 10s 0d. The Council evidently judged their worth separately, perhaps by their age, fitness or past service, rather than paying a flat rate to every man who stayed behind from a ship.

The year's rents came to almost £600, close to the £593 9s 4d recorded for the previous year. The rent roll distinguished freehold land, which planters held outright on payment of a small fixed charge, from leasehold land rented from the Company for a term of years. The planters' own signed returns of their families, lands and cattle, due by 20 September, provided the figures, which the Council checked against its registers before collecting the money.

Margaret Alcock held a sizeable estate in her own right: 30 acres freehold, besides leased land and a ground rent. This was the same woman whose petition for the Sandy Bay common the Council had refused in March, and her holding there explains why she sought to extend it. Samuel Alexander, who led the opposition to her claim, appears on the same page of the roll. The neighbours who had disputed the common paid their rents side by side on the same day.

219

212

The 30 September

Ground Rent, Free Land, Lease Land, £, s, d

Brought over: Ground Rent 0, Free Land 165¾, Lease Land 233¾, £ 61, s 6, d 9

Onesiphs. Beales Orps.: Ground Rent 10/6, Free Land 10, Lease Land 13½, £ 4, s 8, d 0

Richard Beale Senr. 5 Ac. @ 4/ p Ac.: Ground Rent 5/, Free Land 41¼, Lease Land 38½, £ 11, s 13, d 8½

John Bagley: Ground Rent 0, Free Land 0, Lease Land 36, £ 9, s 0, d 0

Richard Bagley 12 Ac. @ 5/ p Ac. 3 Ac. @ 1/6 p Ac. 4¼ Ac. @ 1/ p Ac. 12¾ @ 5/ p Ac.: Ground Rent 19/2, Free Land 126, Lease Land 182½, £ 49, s 12, d 11

Orlando Bagley Senr. 4 @ 1/6 p Ac. 21 Ac. @ 2/6 p Ac. 16¾ @ 4/ p Ac.: Ground Rent 0, Free Land 72½, Lease Land 112, £ 27, s 10, d 3

Matthew Bazett 15 Ac. @ 1/ p Ac.: Ground Rent 19/, Free Land 142, Lease Land 68, £ 31, s 12, d 0

Henry Bazett 8 Ac. @ 4/ p Ac. 4½ @ 2/6 p Ac. 5 Ac. @ 1/6 p Ac.: Ground Rent 35/, Free Land 65, Lease Land 49½, £ 15, s 10, d 9

Orlando Bagley Junr. 17 Ac. @ 1/6 p Ac.: Ground Rent 0, Free Land 0, Lease Land 63, £ 12, s 8, d 6

William Burnham's Orps.: Ground Rent 10/, Free Land 14½, Lease Land 7½, £ 3, s 2, d 0

Thomas Burnham: Ground Rent 0, Free Land 14½, Lease Land 7½, £ 2, s 12, d 0

William Bede: Ground Rent 0, Free Land 38¾, Lease Land 17¼, £ 6, s 5, d 0

Robert Ballard: Ground Rent 13/, Free Land 15½, Lease Land 0, £ 1, s 8, d 6

George Bird: Ground Rent 15/, Free Land 0, Lease Land 0, £ 0, s 15, d 0

James Colgrave: Ground Rent 0, Free Land 3, Lease Land 57½, £ 14, s 10, d 6

Ruth Colgrave: Ground Rent 0, Free Land 10½, Lease Land 35¼, £ 8, s 19, d 0

Joseph Chamberlain: Ground Rent 15/, Free Land 0, Lease Land 0, £ 0, s 15, d 0

John Dowlons Orps.: Ground Rent 0, Free Land 86½, Lease Land 8, £ 6, s 6, d 6

Jonathan Dowlon: Ground Rent 17/4, Free Land 128¼, Lease Land 4, £ 8, s 6, d 1

Isaac Dowlon: Ground Rent 0, Free Land 77¼, Lease Land 9½, £ 6, s 5, d 3

John Desfountain Senr. 3 Ac. @ 4/ p Ac. 7¼ Ac. @ 2/6 p Ac.: Ground Rent 0, Free Land 98¼, Lease Land 58¼, £ 18, s 9, d 10½

John Desfountain Junr.: Ground Rent 0, Free Land 10, Lease Land 41½, £ 10, s 18, d 9

Elizabeth Desfountain: Ground Rent 0, Free Land 10, Lease Land 29¼, £ 7, s 16, d 3

Samuel Desfountain: Ground Rent 5/, Free Land 0, Lease Land 0, £ 0, s 5, d 0

Henry Easthorpe: Ground Rent 0, Free Land 14, Lease Land 28, £ 7, s 14, d 0

James Easthorpe: Ground Rent 0, Free Land 11, Lease Land 8, £ 2, s 11, d 0

Sarah Fenge: Ground Rent 0, Free Land 0, Lease Land 4, £ 1, s 0, d 0

Michael Frost: Ground Rent 15/, Free Land 0, Lease Land 0, £ 0, s 15, d 0

Richard Goodwin: Ground Rent 0, Free Land 49, Lease Land 27, £ 9, s 4, d 0

Carrd. Over: Ground Rent 0, Free Land 1204, Lease Land 1143½, £ 337, s 1, d 7

The rent roll continued from the totals carried forward.

Brought forward: freehold land 165¾ acres, leasehold land 233¾ acres, £61 6s 9d

Orphans of Onesiphorus Beale: ground rent 10s 6d, freehold land 10 acres, leasehold land 13½ acres, £4 8s 0d

Richard Beale senior, 5 acres at 4s an acre: ground rent 5s, freehold land 41¼ acres, leasehold land 38½ acres, £11 13s 8½d

John Bagley: ground rent 0, freehold land 0 acres, leasehold land 36 acres, £9 0s 0d

Richard Bagley, 12 acres at 1s, 3 acres at 1s 6d, 4¼ acres at 1s and 12½ acres at 3s an acre: ground rent 19s 2d, freehold land 126½ acres, leasehold land 182½ acres, £49 12s 11d

Orlando Bagley senior, 4 acres at 1s 6d, 21 acres at 2s 6d and 16¼ acres at 4s an acre: ground rent 0, freehold land 7¾ acres, leasehold land 112 acres, £27 10s 3d

Matthew Bazett, 15 acres at 1s an acre: ground rent 19s, freehold land 142 acres, leasehold land 68 acres, £21 12s 0d

Henry Bazett, 8 acres at 4s, 4½ acres at 2s 6d and 5 acres at 1s 6d an acre: ground rent 35s, freehold land 65 acres, leasehold land 49½ acres, £15 10s 9d

Orlando Bagley junior, 17 acres at 1s 6d an acre: ground rent 0, freehold land 0 acres, leasehold land 63 acres, £12 8s 6d

Orphans of William Burnham: ground rent 10s, freehold land 14½ acres, leasehold land 7½ acres, £3 2s 0d

Thomas Burnham: ground rent 0, freehold land 14½ acres, leasehold land 7½ acres, £2 12s 0d

William Bede: ground rent 0, freehold land 38¾ acres, leasehold land 17¼ acres, £6 5s 0d

Robert Ballard: ground rent 13s, freehold land 15½ acres, leasehold land 0 acres, £1 8s 6d

George Bird: ground rent 15s, freehold land 0 acres, leasehold land 0 acres, £0 15s 0d

James Colgrave: ground rent 0, freehold land 3 acres, leasehold land 57½ acres, £14 10s 6d

Ruth Colgrave: ground rent 0, freehold land 10½ acres, leasehold land 33¾ acres, £8 19s 0d

Joseph Chamberlain: ground rent 15s, freehold land 0 acres, leasehold land 0 acres, £0 15s 0d

Orphans of John Doveton: ground rent 0, freehold land 86½ acres, leasehold land 8 acres, £6 6s 6d

Jonathan Doveton: ground rent 17s 6d, freehold land 128½ acres, leasehold land 4 acres, £8 6s 1d

Isaac Doveton: ground rent 0, freehold land 77½ acres, leasehold land 9½ acres, £6 5s 3d

John Desfountain senior, 3 acres at 4s and 7¼ acres at 2s 6d an acre: ground rent 0, freehold land 98½ acres, leasehold land 58¼ acres, £18 9s 10½d

John Desfountain junior: ground rent 0, freehold land 10 acres, leasehold land 41½ acres, £10 18s 9d

Elizabeth Desfountain: ground rent 0, freehold land 10 acres, leasehold land 29¼ acres, £7 16s 3d

Samuel Desfountain: ground rent 5s, freehold land 0 acres, leasehold land 0 acres, £0 5s 0d

Henry Easthope: ground rent 0, freehold land 14 acres, leasehold land 28 acres, £7 14s 0d

James Easthope: ground rent 0, freehold land 11 acres, leasehold land 8 acres, £2 11s 0d

Sarah Fuge: ground rent 0, freehold land 0 acres, leasehold land 4 acres, £1 0s 0d

Michael Frost: ground rent 15s, freehold land 0 acres, leasehold land 0 acres, £0 15s 0d

Richard Goodwin: ground rent 0, freehold land 49 acres, leasehold land 27 acres, £9 4s 0d

Carried forward: freehold land 1,204½ acres, leasehold land 1,143½ acres, £339 1s 7d

Interpretations

The roll shows how land on St Helena was spread among a few settler families. The Bagleys, Bazetts, Dovetons and Desfountains each held several holdings across branches of the family. Richard Bagley alone held more than 300 acres and paid nearly £50, the largest sum on the page. Matthew Bazett, the secretary, held 142 acres freehold and 68 leasehold. His petition of 12 September for the waste at Woody Ridge was meant to extend an estate already among the island's biggest.

Freehold land paid a small fixed quit-rent and leasehold land a higher rent per acre, at rates varying with quality and district, from 1s to 4s an acre. The details given against several names show holdings let at different rates in the same estate. Each plot's rent had been fixed when it was granted, according to the inspector's view of its worth, as with Sarah Fuge's poor ground at 1s an acre.

Ground rent was paid by people with small town plots in Jamestown rather than farmland. Officers such as Michael Frost and Samuel Desfountain, both lieutenants, appear only with ground rents, for their houses in the valley. Several holdings were entered for orphans, managed for minors by executors, as with the Harper and Cadgrove children. Elizabeth Desfountain, Ruth Colgrave, Sarah Fuge and Margaret Alcock show again that women held land in their own right on the island.

220

213

1768

Ground Rent, Free Land, Lease Land, £, s, d

Brought over: Ground Rent 0, Free Land 1204, Lease Land 1143½, £ 331, s 1, d 7

John Goodwin: Ground Rent 10/6, Free Land 69½, Lease Land 28, £ 10, s 18, d 0

Elizabeth Greentree 33½ Ac. @ 4/ p Ac.: Ground Rent 5/, Free Land 55, Lease Land 60, £ 16, s 6, d 6

James Greentree: Ground Rent 29/3, Free Land 69½, Lease Land 55, £ 18, s 4, d 9

Onesips. Gurlings Orps. 9 Ac. @ 1/6 p Ac.: Ground Rent 0, Free Land 23, Lease Land 9, £ 1, s 16, d 6

Thomas Harpers Orps.: Ground Rent 0, Free Land 19¼, Lease Land 46½, £ 12, s 13, d 6

George Hayes: Ground Rent 0, Free Land 30, Lease Land 4, £ 2, s 10, d 0

Margaret Harper: Ground Rent 0, Free Land 10, Lease Land 26, £ 7, s 0, d 0

Thomas Harper: Ground Rent 10/, Free Land 0, Lease Land 0, £ 0, s 10, d 0

William Hayes: Ground Rent 10/, Free Land 0, Lease Land 0, £ 0, s 10, d 0

Henry Harper: Ground Rent 12/, Free Land 0, Lease Land 0, £ 0, s 12, d 0

Gabriel Harper 6 Ac. @ 1/ Ac. 4¾ Ac. @ 2/ p Ac. for 3 Months: Ground Rent 0, Free Land 40, Lease Land 10¾, £ 2, s 9, d 7

John Jacks: Ground Rent 16, Free Land 0, Lease Land 0, £ 0, s 16, d 0

Elisha Isaack: Ground Rent 0, Free Land 25, Lease Land 5, £ 2, s 10, d 0

Gabriel Isaacke: Ground Rent 0, Free Land 0, Lease Land 8, £ 2, s 0, d 0

Thomas Kirkpatrick: Ground Rent 39/, Free Land 0, Lease Land 14, £ 5, s 9, d 0

Isaacke Knipe: Ground Rent 0, Free Land 30, Lease Land 23½, £ 7, s 7, d 6

William Kennedys Orps.: Ground Rent 17/, Free Land 0, Lease Land 0, £ 0, s 17, d 0

Thomas Leech: Ground Rent 12/, Free Land 0, Lease Land 0, £ 0, s 12, d 0

Elizabeth Lamb: Ground Rent 0, Free Land 0, Lease Land 10, £ 2, s 10, d 0

Benjamin Mason 3 Ac. @ 1/6 p Ac.: Ground Rent 15/8, Free Land 42, Lease Land 84¼, £ 18, s 10, d 5

Roderick Merchant: Ground Rent 2/6, Free Land 0, Lease Land 0, £ 0, s 2, d 6

Matthew Purling 12¼ Ac. @ 1/ p Ac.: Ground Rent 28/2, Free Land 205, Lease Land 108¼, £ 36, s 6, d 8

James Powell: Ground Rent 3/, Free Land 0, Lease Land 0, £ 0, s 3, d 0

John Price: Ground Rent 35/, Free Land 0, Lease Land 0, £ 1, s 15, d 0

John Pritchard: Ground Rent 10/, Free Land 0, Lease Land 0, £ 0, s 10, d 0

James Pritchard: Ground Rent 7/, Free Land 0, Lease Land 0, £ 0, s 7, d 0

John Robinson 28½ Ac. @ 1/6: Ground Rent 8/, Free Land 41¼, Lease Land 41½, £ 7, s 17, d 0

Solomon St. Maurice: Ground Rent 45/, Free Land 0, Lease Land 0, £ 2, s 5, d 0

William Seale 5½ Ac. @ 1/6 p Ac.: Ground Rent 0, Free Land 7, Lease Land 36, £ 8, s 7, d 9

Benjn. Seale 4 Ac. @ 4/ p Ac.: Ground Rent 0, Free Land 0, Lease Land 14¼, £ 2, s 15, d 3

John Seale's Orps.: Ground Rent 0, Free Land 10, Lease Land 7½, £ 2, s 7, d 6

Carrd. Over: Ground Rent 0, Free Land 1879, Lease Land 1735½, £ 508, s 1, d 0

The rent roll continued from the totals carried forward.

Brought forward: freehold land 1,204 acres, leasehold land 1,143½ acres, £331 1s 7d

John Goodwin: ground rent 10s 6d, freehold land 6½ acres, leasehold land 28 acres, £10 18s 0d

Elizabeth Greentree, 33½ acres at 4s an acre: ground rent 5s, freehold land 55 acres, leasehold land 60 acres, £16 6s 6d

James Greentree: ground rent 29s 3d, freehold land 69½ acres, leasehold land 55 acres, £18 4s 9d

Orphans of Onesiphorus Gurling, 9 acres at 1s 6d an acre: ground rent 0, freehold land 23 acres, leasehold land 9 acres, £1 16s 6d

Orphans of Thomas Harper: ground rent 0, freehold land 19¼ acres, leasehold land 46½ acres, £12 13s 6d

George Hayes: ground rent 0, freehold land 30 acres, leasehold land 4 acres, £2 10s 0d

Margaret Harper: ground rent 0, freehold land 10 acres, leasehold land 26 acres, £7 0s 0d

Thomas Harper: ground rent 10s, freehold land 0 acres, leasehold land 0 acres, £0 10s 0d

William Hayes: ground rent 10s, freehold land 0 acres, leasehold land 0 acres, £0 10s 0d

Henry Harper: ground rent 12s, freehold land 0 acres, leasehold land 0 acres, £0 12s 0d

Gabriel Harper, 6 acres at 1s and 4½ acres at 2s an acre for 3 months: ground rent 0, freehold land 40 acres, leasehold land 10¾ acres, £2 9s 7d

John Jacks: ground rent 16s, freehold land 0 acres, leasehold land 0 acres, £0 16s 0d

Elisha Isaacke: ground rent 0, freehold land 25 acres, leasehold land 5 acres, £2 10s 0d

Gabriel Isaacke: ground rent 0, freehold land 0 acres, leasehold land 8 acres, £2 0s 0d

Thomas Kirkpatrick: ground rent 39s, freehold land 0 acres, leasehold land 14 acres, £5 9s 0d

Isaacke Knipe: ground rent 0, freehold land 30 acres, leasehold land 23½ acres, £7 7s 6d

Orphans of William Kennedy: ground rent 17s, freehold land 0 acres, leasehold land 0 acres, £0 17s 0d

Thomas Leech: ground rent 12s, freehold land 0 acres, leasehold land 0 acres, £0 12s 0d

Elizabeth Lamb: ground rent 0, freehold land 0 acres, leasehold land 10 acres, £2 10s 0d

Benjamin Mason, 5 acres at 1s 6d an acre: ground rent 15s 8d, freehold land 42 acres, leasehold land 84¼ acres, £18 10s 5d

Roderick Merchant: ground rent 2s 6d, freehold land 0 acres, leasehold land 0 acres, £0 2s 6d

Matthew Purling, 12¼ acres at 4s an acre: ground rent 28s 2d, freehold land 205 acres, leasehold land 108¾ acres, £36 6s 8d

James Powell: ground rent 3s, freehold land 0 acres, leasehold land 0 acres, £0 3s 0d

John Price: ground rent 35s, freehold land 0 acres, leasehold land 0 acres, £1 15s 0d

John Pritchard: ground rent 10s, freehold land 0 acres, leasehold land 0 acres, £0 10s 0d

James Pritchard: ground rent 7s, freehold land 0 acres, leasehold land 0 acres, £0 7s 0d

John Robinson, 28½ acres at 1s 6d an acre: ground rent 8s, freehold land 41¼ acres, leasehold land 41½ acres, £7 17s 0d

Solomon St Maurice: ground rent 45s, freehold land 0 acres, leasehold land 0 acres, £2 5s 0d

William Seale, 5½ acres at 1s 6d an acre: ground rent 0, freehold land 7 acres, leasehold land 36 acres, £8 7s 9d

Benjamin Seale, 4 acres at 4s an acre: ground rent 0, freehold land 0 acres, leasehold land 14¼ acres, £2 15s 3d

Orphans of John Seale: ground rent 0, freehold land 10 acres, leasehold land 7½ acres, £2 7s 6d

Carried forward: freehold land 1,879 acres, leasehold land 1,735¾ acres, £508 1s 0d

Interpretations

Purling held the largest estate on this page and one of the largest on the island: 205 acres freehold and nearly 109 leasehold, for a rent of more than £36. A councillor's landholding was a source of wealth as well as a stake in the island. It helps explain the large sums Purling sent home by bills during the year, £250 in May and £450 in August.

Kirkpatrick appears with only 14 acres of leasehold and a ground rent for his house in town. Unlike Purling and the Bazetts, the paymaster was not a planter of any size. He depended on his pay as captain, councillor and paymaster, which may have made the prospect of losing those posts after the July censure all the more serious for him.

The entry for Gabriel Harper records 4½ acres at 2s an acre for only three months. Rent was charged from the date a lease began, so new holdings paid only for part of the year. Harper had taken over St Maurice's land on 4 July and the Powell's Valley lease in August. The roll followed every change in landholding through the year to the exact quarter. The orphans of William Kennedy paid a ground rent for a house in Jamestown, the punch house whose licence, held by Kennedy's widow, had been withdrawn in July.

By the foot of this page the roll had accounted for £508 1s 0d of the year's £599 16s 11½d, with the remaining holdings still to be entered. The freehold and leasehold land counted so far came to more than 3,600 acres, most of the island's cultivated ground.

221

214

The 30 September

Ground Rent, Free Land, Lease Land, £, s, d

Brought over: Ground Rent 0, Free Land 1879, Lease Land 1735½, £ 508, s 1, d 0

Martha Scott: Ground Rent 12/5, Free Land 0, Lease Land 0, £ 0, s 12, d 5

Nathan Sample: Ground Rent 0, Free Land 25, Lease Land 8½, £ 3, s 7, d 6

John Scott 19½ Ac. @ 2/ p Ac. for 1 Month: Ground Rent 0, Free Land 0, Lease Land 19½, £ 0, s 3, d 3

John Shirtley: Ground Rent 13/, Free Land 0, Lease Land 0, £ 0, s 13, d 0

Jeremiah Smith: Ground Rent 15/, Free Land 0, Lease Land 0, £ 0, s 15, d 0

James Torbetts Orps.: Ground Rent 12/, Free Land 0, Lease Land 0, £ 0, s 12, d 0

John Twaits Orps.: Ground Rent 0, Free Land 9, Lease Land 32½, £ 9, s 1, d 6

John Worrall: Ground Rent 0, Free Land 31, Lease Land 33, £ 9, s 16, d 0

John Worralls Orps.: Ground Rent 0, Free Land 0, Lease Land 42½, £ 10, s 12, d 6

William Wrangham 3 Ac. @ 1/ p Ac.: Ground Rent 26/6, Free Land 144, Lease Land 86, £ 29, s 10, d 0

Jane Willson: Ground Rent 2/6, Free Land 0, Lease Land 0, £ 0, s 2, d 6

Simon Whaley 6¼ Ac. @ 6d.: Ground Rent 0, Free Land 16, Lease Land 42½, £ 10, s 0, d 4½

James Whaley: Ground Rent 0, Free Land 14½, Lease Land 11¼, £ 2, s 17, d 11

William Young: Ground Rent 5/, Free Land 79½, Lease Land 25, £ 10, s 9, d 6

Stephen Young: Ground Rent 0, Free Land 20, Lease Land 8½, £ 3, s 2, d 6

Total: Ground Rent 0, Free Land 2205, Lease Land 2046[¾], £ 599, s 16, d 11½

John Skottowe

Purling

Thos. Kirkpatrick

The rent roll ended with the following holdings.

Brought forward: freehold land 1,879 acres, leasehold land 1,735¾ acres, £508 1s 0d

Martha Scott: ground rent 12s 5d, freehold land 0 acres, leasehold land 0 acres, £0 12s 5d

Nathan Semple: ground rent 0, freehold land 25 acres, leasehold land 8½ acres, £3 7s 6d

John Scott, 19½ acres at 2s an acre for 1 month: ground rent 0, freehold land 0 acres, leasehold land 19½ acres, £0 3s 3d

John Shirley: ground rent 13s, freehold land 0 acres, leasehold land 0 acres, £0 13s 0d

Jeremiah Smith: ground rent 15s, freehold land 0 acres, leasehold land 0 acres, £0 15s 0d

Orphans of James Torbett: ground rent 12s, freehold land 0 acres, leasehold land 0 acres, £0 12s 0d

Orphans of John Swaits: ground rent 0, freehold land 9 acres, leasehold land 32½ acres, £9 1s 6d

John Worrall: ground rent 0, freehold land 31 acres, leasehold land 33 acres, £9 16s 0d

Orphans of John Worrall: ground rent 0, freehold land 0 acres, leasehold land 42½ acres, £10 12s 6d

William Wrangham, 3 acres at 1s 6d an acre: ground rent 26s 6d, freehold land 144 acres, leasehold land 86 acres, £29 10s 0d

Jane Willson: ground rent 2s 6d, freehold land 0 acres, leasehold land 0 acres, £0 2s 6d

Simon Whaley, 6¼ acres at 6d an acre: ground rent 0, freehold land 16 acres, leasehold land 42½ acres, £10 0s 4½d

James Whaley: ground rent 0, freehold land 17½ acres, leasehold land 11¼ acres, £2 17s 11d

William Young: ground rent 5s, freehold land 79½ acres, leasehold land 25 acres, £10 9s 6d

Stephen Young: ground rent 0, freehold land 20 acres, leasehold land 8½ acres, £3 2s 6d

Total: freehold land 2,205 acres, leasehold land 2,004¾ acres, £599 16s 11½d

Governor Skottowe, Purling and Kirkpatrick signed the roll.

Interpretations

John Scott paid rent for only one month on his 19½ acres in Powell's Valley. He had taken over the lease from Gabriel Harper with the Council's leave on 22 August 1768. Six months after the Council refused him the Green Saddle waste in February, he appeared on the rent roll for the first time as a landholder in his own right, as he had wished.

The finished roll covered about 4,200 acres in all, almost evenly divided between freehold and leasehold land. The year's rents came to £599 16s 11½d. It was a modest income beside the cost of the garrison, about £12,000 a year. The rents existed less to support the island than to record and keep control of who held its land, since every grant, transfer and renewal passed through the Council and appeared in this roll.

William Wrangham, sheriff and factor, held 230 acres and paid nearly £30, one of the largest estates on the island. With Purling, the Bazetts and the Bagleys, he belonged to the small group of Company servants and established families who held most of the island's land. Simon Whaley's rent of only £10 0s 4½d for over 58 acres reflects the poor ground of the East Division and the 6d rate on part of it. That was about the time his larger farm was being sold at auction with the Council's leave in April.

222

215

The 3 October

At a Consultation held on Monday the 3d day of October 1768 at the Castle

Present John Skottowe Esq. Governor

Mr. Matthew Purling

Capt. Thomas Kirkpatrick of Council

The last Consultation was read, approved, & signed dated the 30 Sept. 1768

Captn. John Howard this Day brought in the Account Sales

and Account Current of Lieut. Henry Delaval's Estate, the Balance

amounting to £52.. 13.. 5½ We have received into the Honble. Company's

Cash and ordered it to be wrote off to Account Current London

Account Sale of the Effects of the late Lieut. De Laval Sold

at Auction September the 12. 1768

Lotts 1 A parcel of Odd China Ware

" 6 -

2 1 Mahogany Lance & Canes & 1 Mace for Billiards

" 6 -

3 1 Backgammon Table

" 13 -

4 1 Bedstead

1 13 -

5 1 Bed 1 Bolster, 1 Pillow 1 Blanket

3 14 -

6 1 Set of Gauze Curtains

" 8 -

7 1 Small Liquor Case wt. 6 Bottles

1 3 6

8 2 Old Looking Glasses

" 2 6

9 1 Set of Canisters

" 4 6

10 1 Pr. of Pinchbeck Shoe & Knee Buckles

" 15 6

11 1 Set of Copper Do.

" 3 -

12 1 Pair of Silv. Shoe Buckles

" 14 6

13 1 Brist. Stone Stock Buckle set in Silver

" 9 6

14 1 Breach Do.

" 10 -

15 1 Pr. Brist. Stone Knee Buckles

" 4 6

16 12 Brist. Stone Waist. Buttons

1 1 6

Carrd. over£ 12 9 -

Governor John Skottowe held a consultation at the Castle on Monday 3 October 1768.

Present

John Skottowe, Governor

William Matthew Purling

Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick, of the Council

The Council read, approved and signed the minutes of 30 September 1768.

Captain John Howard brought in the account of sales and the account current of the estate of Lieutenant Henry De Laune. The balance came to £52 13s 5½d. The Council received it into the Company's treasury and ordered it to be credited to the London account current.

The account of sales of the effects of the late Lieutenant De Laune, sold at auction on 12 September 1768, read as follows.

Lot 1, a parcel of old china ware, £0 6s 0d

Lot 2, 1 set of mahogany cues and 1 mace for billiards, £0 6s 0d

Lot 3, 1 backgammon table, £0 13s 0d

Lot 4, 1 bedstead, £1 13s 0d

Lot 5, 1 bed, 1 bolster, 1 pillow and 1 blanket, £3 14s 0d

Lot 6, 1 set of gauze curtains, £0 8s 0d

Lot 7, 1 small liquor case with 6 bottles, £1 0s 6d

Lot 8, 2 old looking glasses, £0 2s 6d

Lot 9, 1 set of canisters, £0 4s 6d

Lot 10, 1 pair of pinchbeck shoe and knee buckles, £0 15s 6d

Lot 11, 1 set of copper canisters, £0 3s 0d

Lot 12, 1 pair of silver shoe buckles, £0 14s 6d

Lot 13, 1 paste stock buckle set in silver, £0 9s 6d

Lot 14, 1 paste brooch, £0 10s 0d

Lot 15, 1 pair of paste knee buckles, £0 4s 6d

Lot 16, 12 paste waistcoat buttons, £1 1s 6d

Carried forward, £12 9s 0d

Interpretations

The balance of De Laune's estate went into the Company's treasury and was credited to the London account. That way his heirs could claim it in England from the Company itself, instead of the coin being shipped home. The method was the same one the island used for its own officers' savings, through bills on the Court. The estate was now settled within three weeks of the sale.

The lots give a picture of an officer's life on the island. Billiard cues and a mace show that he played billiards, probably at a table in the Castle or a public house, since a lieutenant on £27 a quarter would hardly have owned one. The mace was a stick with a flat head used to push the ball, the older form of cue. A backgammon table and a liquor case speak of evenings spent at cards, dice and punch in a garrison with little else to do.

The jewellery was the costume of an officer and gentleman: paste stones set in silver, imitating diamonds at a fraction of the cost, for his stock, knee and shoe buckles and waistcoat buttons. Pinchbeck was a cheap alloy of copper and zinc that looked like gold. Such items mark the effort of a junior officer to dress as befitted his rank on a small salary.

223

216

The 3 October

Brought Over£ 12 9 -

Lotts 17 16 Brist. Stone Waist. Buttons

" 10 -

18 1 Pr. Sleeve Buttons Do.

" 3 6

19 3 Doz. & 8 Regiment. Coat Buttons

" 11 -

20 24 Do. Do. Waist. Do.

" 5 -

21 1 Small Spying Glass

" 7 -

22 1 Silv. Watch

1 15 6

23 3 Silk Hair Bags

" 4 -

24 1 Small Chamr. Pot

" 14 -

25 1 Silv. Mountd. Sword & Belt

3 4 -

26 1 Brass Do. Do.

1 " -

27 1 Do. Do. Tinder Box

" 5 6

28 1 Do. Do. Pistol

" 5 6

29 6 Large framed Prints

" 17 6

30 1 Silv. Mount. Hanger

" 11 -

31 3 Small fram. Prints

" 3 3

32 1 Wooden Clock

" 4 6

33 10 Volumes of Rapins Hist. of England

" 12 3

34 9 Do. Beaumont & Fletchers Plays

" 11 3

35 2 Do. Burnets Theory of the Earth

" 5 -

36 6 Do. Swifts Works

" 7 -

37 Butlers Hudibrass

" 2 6

38 Boyers Dictionary

" 4 -

39 1 Bible, Sincere's Asse & Collect. of Proverbs

1 1 -

40 Ansons Voyage, Miltons Paradise & Shaftsbury's Workings

" 4 -

41 A parcel of French & Latin Books

" 5 -

42 A parl. of Old Books

" 7 -

43 1 Regimtl. Coat

4 7 -

44 1 Frock

1 7 -

45 1 Do. Silv. Holes

" 5 6

46 2 Old Frocks

" 7 -

47 1 Blue Cloth Coat Gold Laced

" 7 6

48 1 Do. Waistcoat Do.

1 12 -

49 1 Scarlet Do. Laced

" 12 6

50 1 White Satt. Waist.

1 7 -

" 7 -

Carrd. over£ 33 14 9

The account of sales of Lieutenant De Laune's effects continued from a total of £12 9s 0d.

Brought forward, £12 9s 0d

Lot 17, 16 paste waistcoat buttons, £0 10s 0d

Lot 18, 1 pair of paste sleeve buttons, £0 3s 6d

Lot 19, 3 dozen and 8 regimental coat buttons, £0 11s 0d

Lot 20, 2½ dozen regimental waistcoat buttons, £0 5s 0d

Lot 21, 1 small spyglass, £0 7s 0d

Lot 22, 1 silver watch, £1 15s 6d

Lot 23, 3 silk hair bags, £0 4s 0d

Lot 24, 1 small chamber pot, £0 14s 0d

Lot 25, 1 silver-mounted sword and belt, £3 4s 0d

Lot 26, 1 brass-mounted sword and belt, £1 0s 0d

Lot 27, 1 brass-mounted powder box, £0 5s 6d

Lot 28, 1 brass-mounted pistol, £0 5s 6d

Lot 29, 6 large framed prints, £0 17s 6d

Lot 30, 1 silver-mounted hanger, £0 11s 0d

Lot 31, 3 small framed prints, £0 3s 3d

Lot 32, 1 wooden clock, £0 4s 6d

Lot 33, 10 volumes of Rapin's History of England, £0 12s 3d

Lot 34, 9 volumes of Beaumont and Fletcher's Plays, £0 11s 3d

Lot 35, 2 volumes of Burnet's Theory of the Earth, £0 5s 0d

Lot 36, 6 volumes of Swift's Works, £0 7s 0d

Lot 37, Butler's Hudibras, £0 2s 6d

Lot 38, Boyer's Dictionary, £0 4s 0d

Lot 39, 1 Bible, Locke's Essay and a collection of proverbs, £1 1s 0d

Lot 40, Anson's Voyage, Milton's Paradise Lost and Shaftesbury's Works, £0 4s 0d

Lot 41, a parcel of French and Latin books, £0 5s 0d

Lot 42, a parcel of old books, £[...]

Lot 43, 1 regimental coat, £[...]

Lot 44, 1 frock coat, £1 7s 0d

Lot 45, 1 frock coat with silver buttonholes, £0 5s 6d

Lot 46, 2 old frock coats, £0 7s 0d

Lot 47, 1 blue cloth coat laced with gold, £0 7s 6d

Lot 48, 1 blue cloth waistcoat laced with gold, £1 12s 0d

Lot 49, 1 scarlet waistcoat, laced, £0 12s 6d

Lot 50, 1 white cotton waistcoat, £[...]

Carried forward, £33 14s 9d

Interpretations

De Laune's books show a well-read officer. Rapin's History of England was the standard history of the period, written by a French Protestant in exile. Burnet's Theory of the Earth was a speculative account of the creation and the Flood. Butler's Hudibras was a comic poem mocking the Puritans, and Shaftesbury's Works covered moral philosophy. Anson's Voyage told of Commodore Anson's voyage round the world in the 1740s, a book that would have interested an officer on a mid-ocean island. With Swift, Milton, Beaumont and Fletcher's plays, Locke's Essay Concerning Human Understanding, French and Latin books and Boyer's French dictionary, the collection matched the reading of an educated English gentleman. It offered an alternative, in private, to the library the Company had just sent out for its senior servants.

The clothes and arms were those of an infantry officer. A regimental coat and buttons formed his uniform. A frock coat was a plainer coat worn off duty. A hanger was a short sword carried on duty, while the silver-mounted sword was for full dress. The silk hair bags held the queue of hair tied at the back of the head, part of a gentleman's dress at the time. A spyglass, a pistol and a powder box completed the kit of a man who stood watch over the island's coasts.

The silver watch and silver-mounted sword fetched the best prices. Most of the goods went cheaply, as they were second-hand and sold for ready money on a small island where few bidders could afford luxuries.

224

217

1768

Brought over£ 33 14 9

Lotts 51 2 Stocking Waistcoats

" 5 6

52 2 Pr. Black Satt. Breeches

1 1 6

53 2 Do. Stocking Do.

" 16 -

54 1 Old Scarlet Coat & 3 Pr. old Breeches

" 13 6

55 1 New Gold Lacd. Hatt

2 " -

56 1 Worn Do.

1 1 -

57 1 Plain Do.

" 3 3

58 2 Old Do.

" 2 3

59 1 Gold Lace for a Hatt

" 10 6

60 1 Pr. Brist. Stone Knee Buckles

" 5 6

61 1 Gorgett

" 15 -

62 Shirts Cut out not made

" 18 -

63 6 Ruffled Shirts

2 2 -

64 6 Do.

1 17 -

65 4 Ruffd. & 2 Plain

2 " -

66 6 Plain Do.

1 4 -

67 6 Do. Do.

1 2 6

68 11 White Stocks

" 6 -

69 12 Do. Do.

" 7 6

70 8 Do. Do.

" 4 6

71 6 Pr. White Stockings

" 19 -

72 6 Pr. Do.

" 19 -

73 6 Pr. Do.

1 3 -

74 6 Pr. Do.

" 19 -

75 9 Pr. Do.

" 13 6

76 2 Pr. Silk & 2 Pr. White Worst. Stockings

" 17 -

77 6 White Waistcoats

" 15 -

78 5 Do.

" 11 -

79 8 Old Handks.

" 4 -

80 13 Do. Do.

" 4 -

81 11 Pr. Drawers

" 15 -

82 1 Pr. Sheets

" 12 -

83 1 Do. Do. & 1 Old one

" 5 6

84 3 Pillow Cases

" 3 -

Carrd. over£ 60 18 3

The account of sales of Lieutenant De Laune's effects continued from a total of £33 14s 9d.

Brought forward, £33 14s 9d

Lot 51, 2 knitted waistcoats, £0 5s 6d

Lot 52, 2 pairs of black satin breeches, £1 1s 6d

Lot 53, 2 pairs of knitted breeches, £0 16s 0d

Lot 54, 1 old scarlet coat and 3 pairs of old breeches, £0 13s 6d

Lot 55, 1 new gold-laced hat, £2 0s 0d

Lot 56, 1 worn gold-laced hat, £1 1s 0d

Lot 57, 1 plain hat, £0 3s 3d

Lot 58, 2 old hats, £0 2s 3d

Lot 59, 1 gold lace for a hat, £0 10s 6d

Lot 60, 1 pair of paste knee buckles, £0 5s 6d

Lot 61, 1 gorget, £0 15s 0d

Lot 62, shirts cut out but not made up, £0 18s 0d

Lot 63, 6 ruffled shirts, £2 2s 0d

Lot 64, 6 ruffled shirts, £1 17s 0d

Lot 65, 4 ruffled shirts and 2 plain shirts, £2 0s 0d

Lot 66, 6 plain shirts, £1 4s 0d

Lot 67, 6 plain shirts, £1 2s 6d

Lot 68, 11 white stocks, £0 6s 0d

Lot 69, 12 white stocks, £0 7s 6d

Lot 70, 8 white stocks, £0 4s 6d

Lot 71, 6 pairs of white stockings, £0 19s 0d

Lot 72, 6 pairs of white stockings, £0 19s 0d

Lot 73, 6 pairs of white stockings, £1 3s 0d

Lot 74, 6 pairs of white stockings, £0 19s 0d

Lot 75, 9 pairs of white stockings, £0 13s 6d

Lot 76, 2 pairs of silk stockings and 2 pairs of white worsted stockings, £0 17s 0d

Lot 77, 6 white waistcoats, £0 15s 0d

Lot 78, 5 white waistcoats, £0 11s 0d

Lot 79, 8 old handkerchiefs, £0 4s 0d

Lot 80, 13 old handkerchiefs, £0 4s 0d

Lot 81, 11 pairs of drawers, £0 15s 0d

Lot 82, 1 pair of sheets, £0 12s 0d

Lot 83, 1 pair of sheets and 1 old sheet, £0 5s 6d

Lot 84, 3 pillowcases, £0 3s 0d

Carried forward, £60 10s 3d

Interpretations

The gorget was the mark of an officer on duty. It was a crescent-shaped plate of gilt or silver metal, worn at the throat on a ribbon, the last surviving piece of the old suit of armour. Every commissioned officer of foot wore one when on guard or parade, so that his rank could be seen at a glance. With the gold-laced hats and regimental coat, it completed De Laune's uniform.

His linen shows how a gentleman kept up appearances far from home. He owned more than 30 shirts, most with ruffles at the wrist and breast, about 30 white stocks and some 35 pairs of stockings. Linen was washed often and wore out quickly in the island's climate, and a gentleman's shirts and stocks had to be spotless. The shirts cut out but not made up were cloth already shaped by a tailor or seamstress, waiting to be sewn, which suggests De Laune died with his wardrobe still being added to.

The total had now reached £60 10s 3d, with the household goods, papers and remaining lots still to come. Clothing and linen fetched most of the money. On an island where every garment had to come from England or India, second-hand clothes kept a real value that buyers were glad to pay.

225

218

The 3 October

Brought over£ 60 10 3

Lotts 85 3 Pr. Gaters

" 12 -

86 3 Small Remnants of White Cloth

" 8 -

87 2 Pr. Window Curtains

" 6 -

88 2 Chints Palamps.

" 7 6

89 2 Cloaths Bags

" 3 -

90 2 Pr. New & 1 Pr. old Pumps

" 10 6

91 1 Leaden Pot wt. Sugar

" 3 -

92 Some Old Lace &ca.

" 16 -

93 1 Glass Lant. & 1 Dark one

" 5 6

94 1 Red Chest

1 12 -

95 1 Blue Do.

" 10 -

96 3 Knives & 1 Pr. Riding Gloves

" 9 -

97 A parcel of Old things in a Drawer

" 7 6

98 1 Jar & Cloaths Brush

" 4 -

99 1 Sett of Shelves, 8 Quart Bott. & 1 Old Chair

" 12 -

100 1 Pocket Book

" 4 -

101 18 Silv. Waist. Buttons

" 2 3

102 8 Towels

" 3 9

103 8 Neckcloths

" 14 3

104 1 Bureau

" 6 -

105 5½ Yds. Scarlet Broad Cloth & 8 Yds. of Shalloon

9 " -

106 3 Yds. Buckram 5 Skains of Silk & 5 Skains of Mohr. & 1½ lb. Thread

6 " -

Cash

" 8 -

£ 84 14 6

The account of sales of Lieutenant De Laune's effects ended with the following lots.

Brought forward, £60 10s 3d

Lot 85, 3 pairs of gaiters, £0 12s 0d

Lot 86, 3 small remnants of white cloth, £0 8s 0d

Lot 87, 2 pairs of window curtains, £0 6s 0d

Lot 88, 2 chintz palampores, £0 7s 6d

Lot 89, 2 clothes bags, £0 8s 0d

Lot 90, 2 pairs of new pumps and 1 pair of old pumps, £0 10s 6d

Lot 91, 1 London loaf of sugar, £0 3s 0d

Lot 92, some old lace and other items, £0 16s 0d

Lot 93, 1 glass lantern and 1 dark lantern, £0 5s 6d

Lot 94, 1 red chest, £1 12s 0d

Lot 95, 1 blue chest, £0 10s 0d

Lot 96, 3 knives and 1 pair of riding gloves, £0 9s 0d

Lot 97, a parcel of old things in a drawer, £0 7s 6d

Lot 98, 1 jar and a clothes brush, £0 4s 0d

Lot 99, 1 set of shelves, 8 quart bottles and 1 old chair, £0 12s 0d

Lot 100, 1 pocket book, £0 4s 0d

Lot 101, 18 silver waistcoat buttons, £0 2s 3d

Lot 102, 8 towels, £0 3s 9d

Lot 103, 8 neckcloths, £0 14s 3d

Lot 104, 1 bureau, £0 6s 0d

Lot 105, 5½ yards of scarlet broadcloth and 8 yards of shalloon, £9 0s 0d

Lot 106, 2 [...] of buckram, 5 skeins of silk, 5 skeins of mohair and 1¼ lb of thread, £6 0s 0d

Cash, £0 8s 0d

Total, £84 14s 6d

Interpretations

The scarlet broadcloth and shalloon fetched £9, the highest price of the sale. With the buckram, silk, mohair and thread in the next lot, they made up the materials for a new regimental coat, bought but not yet made. Like the shirts cut out but never sewn, they show De Laune was having a new uniform made when he died. Scarlet broadcloth was costly and hard to get on the island, so another officer would gladly pay well for enough to make a coat of his own.

Palampores were large cotton hangings or bedcovers painted or printed with flowering trees, made on the Coromandel coast for export to Europe. A dark lantern had a shutter that could cover its light, used by a sentry or an officer making rounds at night. The London loaf of sugar was refined sugar moulded into a cone in England, far finer than the brown Bengal and China sugar sold in the island's warehouse.

The whole sale raised £84 14s 6d. After his debts on the island were paid, the balance of £52 13s 5½d went into the Company's treasury on 3 October for his heirs. A lieutenant's entire possessions, from sword and books to his last neckcloth, came to less than a year's pay.

226

219

The Estate of Lieut. Henry Delaval Decd. Dr.

To Account of Jno. Bazett for funeral Charges£ 12 16 4½

To Do. of Jno. Price for Sextons Fees, Selling Goods at Auction and

Collecting the Money

2 19 6

To Mr. Solomon Jacob for Diet &ca.

5 14 2½

To a Debt of Wm. Whitchurch

5 15 5

To Do. to Jno. Price

1 16 6

To Do. to Jno. Bazett

1 5 2

To Do. to Mrs. Martha Bazett

1 1 -

To Do. to Mr. Willm. Seale

" 12 6

To Do. to Lieut. Leech

" 10 -

To Do. to Lieut. St. Maurice

1 4 -

To Do. to Captn. Howard

6 " -

To Do. to Richd. Bickerstaff

1 2 6

To Do. to Jno. Shirtley

1 7 -

To Do. to Henry Hopwell

" 13 3

To Willson for Shaving & 1 Wash Ball

" 7 6

To Jno. Terry for Writing at the Auction & makg. out the Bills

" 9 -

To Washing the Bed & Blanket which he Died upon

" 2 6

43 16 5

To Balance paid into the Honble. Company's Cash & Wrote off to

Account Current London

52 13 3½

£ 96 9 8½

Per Contra Cr.

By Acct. of the Auction£ 84 14 6

By his Salary to the time of his

death

11 15 2½

£ 96 9 8½

Errors Excepted

(signed) Jno. Howard

The account current of the estate of the late Lieutenant Henry De Laune read as follows.

Estate of Lieutenant Henry De Laune, debit

John Bazett's account for funeral charges, £12 16s 4½d

John Price's account for sexton's fees, selling the goods at auction and collecting the money, £2 19s 6d

Mr Solomon Jacobs, for a debt and other items, £5 14s 2½d

A debt to John Whitchurch, £5 15s 5d

A debt to John Price, £1 16s 6d

A debt to John Bazett, £1 5s 2d

A debt to Mrs Martha Bazett, £1 1s 0d

A debt to Mr William Seale, £0 12s 6d

A debt to Lieutenant Leech, £0 10s 0d

A debt to Lieutenant St Maurice, £1 4s 0d

A debt to Captain Howard, £6 0s 0d

A debt to Richard Bickerstaff, £1 2s 6d

A debt to John Shirley, £1 7s 0d

A debt to Henry Howell, £0 13s 3d

Willson, for shaving and 1 wash ball, £0 7s 6d

John Perry, for writing at the auction and making out the bills, £0 9s 0d

Washing the bed and blanket on which he died, £0 2s 6d

Total of charges and debts, £43 16s 5d

Balance paid into the Company's treasury and credited to the London account current, £52 13s 3½d

Total, £96 9s 8½d

Estate of Lieutenant Henry De Laune, credit

Proceeds of the auction, £84 14s 6d

His salary to the day of his death, £11 15s 2½d

Total, £96 9s 8½d

Captain John Howard signed the account, reserving the right to correct any errors.

Interpretations

The account shows how a dead officer's affairs were wound up on the island. His pay to the day of his death, £11 15s 2½d, was added to the auction proceeds. His funeral, the costs of the sale and his debts were paid from the total before anything went to his heirs. The funeral was the largest single charge, almost £13, paid to John Bazett, the superintendent of slaves, who probably supplied the coffin, bearers and burial. An officer's funeral was a public occasion, with a volley fired by the garrison, and its cost reflected his rank.

De Laune's debts spread across the island's small society. He owed money to brother officers, to sergeants such as John Whitchurch of the artillery and Henry Howell, to John Price the publican, to a Bazett woman and to Bickerstaff, a corporal of his own company. Small debts to tradesmen and comrades were normal for an officer living on £27 a quarter. Fellow soldiers often lent to one another between pay days, and the estate settled every one before the balance passed on.

The charge for washing the bed and blanket he died on is a reminder that the sick were nursed and died at home. The bedding was then cleaned so that it could be sold at the auction with the rest of his goods. De Laune's estate was relatively solvent. More than half its value survived the charges and reached his heirs through the Company in London.

227

220

[End of one line at the right-hand edge partly hidden in the binding.]

The 3 October

We this day received the following Letter from the Engineer viz.

To the Worshipfull the Govern. &c. & Council of the Island

St. Helena

Gentlemen

In my Letter of July 4th I acquainted you that the employm[...]

of the Honble. Company's Workmen during the then ensuing Quarter would

consist in compleating what remained to be done to the new Battery at Banks's:

In collecting Materials for Munden's Point Battery, in the Construction of which

the Stonelayers were to be employed as soon as Banks's was compleated; And in

making Preparations for carrying into Execution the Alterations & enlargements

since approved of for the Defences of Lemon Valley

Agreable to these my intentions, you have been already informed

that the New Battery at Banks's, since named Purling's Battery, has been

finally compleated, and I have been made happy by your entire approbation of

the Manner in which this Work has been executed: Since then the Honble. Company's

Stonelayers and the greatest part of the Workmen have been employed in the

Construction of the Battery at Munden's Point, where the Materials prepared are

now all wrought up, and so great a progress made in carrying up the Revetment,

that it may now be said to above half accomplished. - Besides this Preparations

have been made for carrying into Execution the proposed Alterations in the

Defences of Lemon Valley, by pulling down part of the Old Work, by

preparing the Foundation and by Collecting Materials for their Construction,

which is now ready to commence, and in which the Honble. Company's

Stonelayers and the greatest of the Workmen will be principally if not solely

employed during the ensuing Quarter: In the Meantime a sufficient quantity

of Materials will be prepared for compleating the Battery at Mundens Point

I have the honour to be

Gentlemen

Your most Obedient & most humble Servant

(signed) Ar. Mitchell

St. Helena

3d Octr. 1768

The Council received the following letter that day from the engineer, addressed to the Governor and Council.

In his letter of 4 July 1768, Mitchell had told the Council how the Company's workmen would be employed during the following quarter. They would finish the remaining work on the new battery at Banks's. They would gather materials for the battery at Munden's Point, where the stone layers were to be put to work as soon as Banks's was finished. They would also make preparations for carrying out the approved alterations and enlargements to the defences of Lemon Valley.

He had kept to that plan. As the Council already knew, the new battery at Banks's, since named Purling's Battery, had been fully completed, and he had been gratified by the Council's full approval of the way it had been built. Since then the Company's stone layers and most of the workmen had been employed on the battery at Munden's Point. All the materials prepared there had now been worked up, and such progress had been made in raising the revetment that it could be said to be more than half finished. Preparations had also been made for the proposed alterations to the defences of Lemon Valley. Part of the old work had been pulled down, the foundations prepared and materials gathered for the new building. That work was now ready to begin, and the Company's stone layers and most of the workmen would be chiefly, if not wholly, employed on it during the coming quarter. In the meantime a sufficient stock of materials would be prepared to complete the battery at Munden's Point.

Archibald Mitchell signed the letter at St Helena on 3 October 1768.

Interpretations

The new battery at Banks's was named Purling's Battery after the councillor, which explains the entry in the gunner's return for August, where tompions were issued for its 18-pounders. Naming a work after a sitting councillor was a mark of honour. It came in the same weeks that Purling, with the Governor, had sat in judgement in the Corneille affair and condemned Kirkpatrick. The older batteries on the island already bore the names of past officials, such as Banks's and Munden's, so the new work joined a long tradition.

Mitchell's report shows his method of keeping the workforce fully employed. As soon as one battery was done, the masons moved to the next, while labourers prepared materials and foundations at a third. With Purling's Battery finished, Munden's Point more than half built and Lemon Valley ready to begin, he was on course to complete the main works by mid-1769, as promised in his letter of 8 August. The revetment was the stone facing of the rampart, the part that took longest to build and needed the most skill.

228

221

1768

Upon reading and considering the above Letter we told Capt.

Mitchell that we Acquiesced in opinion with him that the method he proposes of

carrying on the Works for the ensuing Quarter are very proper

Mr. Benjamin Seale this day presented the

following Petition viz.

To the Worshipful John Skottowe Esq. Governor &c.

Council of St. Helena

The humble Petition of Benjn. Seale

Sheweth

That there is a small piece of the Honble. Company's Waste Land

adjoining your Petitioners Land known by the name of Hyphams, which he

is desirous of hiring for the Conveniency of Fencing humbly requests your

Worship & Council will be pleased to grant him a Lease for the same at a Low

Rent, as the said piece of Land is extremely Steep & Rocky

And your Petitioner will ever pray

(signed)

Benjn. Seale

3d October 1768

Ordered the said Land to be Viewed

Complaint having been made to the Governor that Peter Marot

the Carpenters Mate when at Work at the Plantation House had Stolen a

After reading the letter, the Council told Captain Mitchell that it agreed with him: the way he proposed to carry on the works during the coming quarter was entirely proper.

Mr Benjamin Seale presented a petition to Governor Skottowe and the Council, dated 3 October 1768. A small piece of the Company's waste land lay next to his own land, known as Hyams. He wished to rent it so that he could fence his ground more easily. The land was very steep and rocky, so he asked the Governor and Council to grant him a lease of it at a low rent. Benjamin Seale signed the petition.

The Council ordered the land to be inspected.

A complaint had been made to the Governor that Peter Mariot, the carpenter's mate, had taken a door while working at Plantation House.

Interpretations

Benjamin Seale had become tenant of Hyams in May 1768, when Mary Swaits sold him her lease of four acres there with the Council's leave. Like Matthew Bazett at Woody Ridge, he now sought the adjoining waste to make his holding easier to fence. On St Helena the boundary of a holding often ran along broken ground, and a straight fence across waste land cost far less than one that followed every turn of the slope. Seale stressed that the land was steep and rocky to justify a low rent. The Council ordered the usual inspection, as it had for every grant of waste that year.

Peter Mariot had joined the civil list as carpenter's mate during the last quarter, one of the skilled hands added for the building programme. A complaint that he had taken a door from Plantation House, the Governor's country residence, came straight to the Governor. The Company had dismissed its gardener in August for taking produce from the same estate.

229

222

The 3 October

Door Lock from thence and brought it down to the Valley, and put it on his own

Door; he was this day examined before Us, when it plainly appeared he had Stolen

the Lock and had nothing to say in his defence but that he intended returning it

again. As the said Merot is a very worthless troublesome fellow, and

strongly suspected of being concerned in retailing Liquors, We for the above

reasons agreed to Send him off the Island the first opportunity and shall

appoint James Hogg Soldier who has worked some time in the Carpenters

Shop Carpenters Mate in Merots room he being a sober good Man and

understands his business very well

John Skottowe

Purling

Thos. Kirkpatrick

At a Consultation held on Monday the 10th Day of October 1768 at the Castle

Present John Skottowe Esq. Governor

Mr. Matthew Purling

Captn. Thomas Kirkpatrick of Council

The last Consultation was read, approved, and signed dated the 3 October 1768

The Plantation Account for the . . . . Quarter, and the

Gunners and Stewards Accounts for the Month of September last, were this day

brought in, which were examined, and approved, and are as follow viz.

The complaint against Peter Mariot was that he had taken a door lock from Plantation House, carried it down to the valley and fitted it to his own door. He was examined before the Council that day. It was clear that he had stolen the lock, and he had nothing to say in his defence except that he had meant to return it. Mariot was a very worthless and troublesome fellow, and he was strongly suspected of selling spirits illegally. For these reasons the Council agreed to send him off the island at the first opportunity. It would appoint James Hogg, a soldier who had worked for some time in the carpenters' shop, as carpenter's mate in his place, since Hogg was a sober, good man who understood his trade very well.

Governor Skottowe, Purling and Kirkpatrick signed the minutes.

Governor Skottowe held a consultation at the Castle on Monday 10 October 1768.

Present

John Skottowe, Governor

William Matthew Purling

Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick, of the Council

The Council read, approved and signed the minutes of 3 October 1768.

The plantation account for the quarter and the gunner's and steward's accounts for September were presented, examined and approved. They read as follows.

Interpretations

The theft was small, a single lock, but the Council's response was severe. Sending a man off the island was its heaviest penalty short of a court's sentence, the same one it had imposed on James Black. The record gives the reason. The lock alone would not have justified it, but Mariot was already suspected of selling spirits illegally, the trade the Council had moved hard against since July. A carpenter's mate working at the Governor's country house was in a position of trust. A man who took the Company's fittings and was believed to be running an illicit drinking trade was not someone the Council wanted on a small island.

The Council filled the place at once from within the garrison. James Hogg, a private of the Second Company, had worked in the carpenters' shop and could take the post without delay. Soldiers with trades were a reserve of skilled labour the Council drew on throughout the year, as it had done when it set men to masonry, smith's work and carpentry on the batteries at 1s 6d a day.

230

223

Account of the Honorable Company's Stock of Neat Cattle &c. from the 1st of July to the 30th of September 1768

Neat Cattle Bulls, Neat Cattle Cows, Neat Cattle Calves, Neat Cattle Yearlings, Neat Cattle Heifers, Neat Cattle Steers, Neat Cattle Oxen, Neat Cattle Total, Sheep Ewes, Sheep Weathers, Sheep Lambs, Sheep Rams, Sheep Total, Goats Ewes, Goats Weathers, Goats Kids, Goats Rams, Goats Total, Hogs Sows, Hogs Shoats, Hogs Pigs, Hogs Boars, Hogs Total, Horses Horses, Horses Mares, Horses Total, Asses Asses, Asses Total, Poultry Fowls, Poultry Ducks, Poultry Turkeys, Poultry Geese

Remaining 1st July: Neat Cattle Bulls 5, Neat Cattle Cows 96, Neat Cattle Calves 103, Neat Cattle Yearlings 29, Neat Cattle Heifers 34, Neat Cattle Steers 74, Neat Cattle Oxen 18, Neat Cattle Total 359, Sheep Ewes 376, Sheep Weathers 177, Sheep Lambs 131, Sheep Rams 14, Sheep Total 698, Goats Ewes 169, Goats Weathers 48, Goats Kids 89, Goats Rams 9, Goats Total 315, Hogs Sows 2, Hogs Shoats 4, Hogs Pigs 5, Hogs Boars 1, Hogs Total 12, Horses Horses 4, Horses Mares 6, Horses Total 10, Asses Asses 1, Asses Total 1, Poultry Fowls 62, Poultry Ducks 18, Poultry Turkeys 12, Poultry Geese 7

Encreased: Neat Cattle Bulls 0, Neat Cattle Cows 0, Neat Cattle Calves 31, Neat Cattle Yearlings 0, Neat Cattle Heifers 0, Neat Cattle Steers 0, Neat Cattle Oxen 0, Neat Cattle Total 31, Sheep Ewes 0, Sheep Weathers 0, Sheep Lambs 65, Sheep Rams 0, Sheep Total 65, Goats Ewes 0, Goats Weathers 0, Goats Kids 22, Goats Rams 0, Goats Total 22, Hogs Sows 0, Hogs Shoats 0, Hogs Pigs 6, Hogs Boars 0, Hogs Total 6, Horses Horses 0, Horses Mares 0, Horses Total 0, Asses Asses 0, Asses Total 0, Poultry Fowls 69, Poultry Ducks 12, Poultry Turkeys 14, Poultry Geese 0

Bought: Neat Cattle Bulls 0, Neat Cattle Cows 0, Neat Cattle Calves 0, Neat Cattle Yearlings 0, Neat Cattle Heifers 0, Neat Cattle Steers 0, Neat Cattle Oxen 0, Neat Cattle Total 0, Sheep Ewes 0, Sheep Weathers 0, Sheep Lambs 0, Sheep Rams 0, Sheep Total 0, Goats Ewes 0, Goats Weathers 0, Goats Kids 0, Goats Rams 0, Goats Total 0, Hogs Sows 0, Hogs Shoats 0, Hogs Pigs 0, Hogs Boars 0, Hogs Total 0, Horses Horses 0, Horses Mares 0, Horses Total 0, Asses Asses 0, Asses Total 0, Poultry Fowls 58, Poultry Ducks 0, Poultry Turkeys 31, Poultry Geese 0

Total: Neat Cattle Bulls 5, Neat Cattle Cows 96, Neat Cattle Calves 134, Neat Cattle Yearlings 29, Neat Cattle Heifers 34, Neat Cattle Steers 74, Neat Cattle Oxen 18, Neat Cattle Total 390, Sheep Ewes 376, Sheep Weathers 177, Sheep Lambs 196, Sheep Rams 14, Sheep Total 763, Goats Ewes 169, Goats Weathers 48, Goats Kids 111, Goats Rams 9, Goats Total 337, Hogs Sows 2, Hogs Shoats 4, Hogs Pigs 11, Hogs Boars 1, Hogs Total 18, Horses Horses 4, Horses Mares 6, Horses Total 10, Asses Asses 1, Asses Total 1, Poultry Fowls 189, Poultry Ducks 30, Poultry Turkeys 57, Poultry Geese 7

Killed: Neat Cattle Bulls 0, Neat Cattle Cows 0, Neat Cattle Calves 0, Neat Cattle Yearlings 0, Neat Cattle Heifers 2, Neat Cattle Steers 2, Neat Cattle Oxen 0, Neat Cattle Total 4, Sheep Ewes 33, Sheep Weathers 19, Sheep Lambs 6, Sheep Rams 4, Sheep Total 62, Goats Ewes 5, Goats Weathers 25, Goats Kids 9, Goats Rams 1, Goats Total 40, Hogs Sows 0, Hogs Shoats 0, Hogs Pigs 0, Hogs Boars 0, Hogs Total 0, Horses Horses 0, Horses Mares 0, Horses Total 0, Asses Asses 0, Asses Total 0, Poultry Fowls 42, Poultry Ducks 6, Poultry Turkeys 4, Poultry Geese 0

Dead: Neat Cattle Bulls 0, Neat Cattle Cows 0, Neat Cattle Calves 4, Neat Cattle Yearlings 0, Neat Cattle Heifers 0, Neat Cattle Steers 7, Neat Cattle Oxen 0, Neat Cattle Total 11, Sheep Ewes 19, Sheep Weathers 12, Sheep Lambs 36, Sheep Rams 0, Sheep Total 67, Goats Ewes 7, Goats Weathers 3, Goats Kids 5, Goats Rams 0, Goats Total 15, Hogs Sows 0, Hogs Shoats 0, Hogs Pigs 2, Hogs Boars 0, Hogs Total 2, Horses Horses 0, Horses Mares 0, Horses Total 0, Asses Asses 0, Asses Total 0, Poultry Fowls 12, Poultry Ducks 0, Poultry Turkeys 15, Poultry Geese 0

Remaining the 30th Sept.: Neat Cattle Bulls 5, Neat Cattle Cows 96, Neat Cattle Calves 130, Neat Cattle Yearlings 29, Neat Cattle Heifers 32, Neat Cattle Steers 65, Neat Cattle Oxen 18, Neat Cattle Total 375, Sheep Ewes 324, Sheep Weathers 146, Sheep Lambs 154, Sheep Rams 10, Sheep Total 634, Goats Ewes 157, Goats Weathers 20, Goats Kids 97, Goats Rams 8, Goats Total 282, Hogs Sows 2, Hogs Shoats 4, Hogs Pigs 9, Hogs Boars 1, Hogs Total 16, Horses Horses 4, Horses Mares 6, Horses Total 10, Asses Asses 1, Asses Total 1, Poultry Fowls 135, Poultry Ducks 24, Poultry Turkeys 38, Poultry Geese 7

Changd. the Specie: Neat Cattle Bulls 6, Neat Cattle Cows 120, Neat Cattle Calves 92, Neat Cattle Yearlings 42, Neat Cattle Heifers 26, Neat Cattle Steers 71, Neat Cattle Oxen 18, Neat Cattle Total 375, Sheep Ewes 368, Sheep Weathers 167, Sheep Lambs 87, Sheep Rams 12, Sheep Total 634, Goats Ewes 164, Goats Weathers 67, Goats Kids 41, Goats Rams 10, Goats Total 282, Hogs Sows 2, Hogs Shoats 7, Hogs Pigs 6, Hogs Boars 1, Hogs Total 16, Horses Horses 4, Horses Mares 6, Horses Total 10, Asses Asses 1, Asses Total 1, Poultry Fowls 135, Poultry Ducks 24, Poultry Turkeys 38, Poultry Geese 7

Decd. Slaves

1 Man named George Ceasar

1 Do. Martin Monkey

Yams Expended for the Slaves

71.515

Bad Yam Do. for the Stock

9.150

Total

80.665

(signed) John Worrall Overseer

The Company's livestock account for the quarter from 1 July to 30 September 1768 read as follows.

Cattle

Remaining 1 July: bulls 5, cows 96, calves 103, yearlings 29, heifers 34, steers 74, oxen 18, total 359

Increase: bulls 0, cows 0, calves 31, yearlings 0, heifers 0, steers 0, oxen 0, total 31

Bought: 0

Total: bulls 5, cows 96, calves 134, yearlings 29, heifers 34, steers 74, oxen 18, total 390

Killed: bulls 0, cows 0, calves 0, yearlings 0, heifers 2, steers 2, oxen 0, total 4

Died: bulls 0, cows 0, calves 4, yearlings 0, heifers 0, steers 7, oxen 0, total 11

Remaining 30 September: bulls 5, cows 96, calves 130, yearlings 29, heifers 32, steers 65, oxen 18, total 375

Regraded by age: bulls 6, cows 120, calves 92, yearlings 42, heifers 26, steers 71, oxen 18, total 375

Sheep

Remaining 1 July: ewes 376, wethers 177, lambs 131, rams 14, total 698

Increase: ewes 0, wethers 0, lambs 65, rams 0, total 65

Total: ewes 376, wethers 177, lambs 196, rams 14, total 763

Killed: ewes 33, wethers 19, lambs 6, rams 4, total 62

Died: ewes 19, wethers 12, lambs 36, rams 0, total 67

Remaining 30 September: ewes 324, wethers 146, lambs 154, rams 10, total 634

Regraded by age: ewes 368, wethers 167, lambs 87, rams 12, total 634

Goats

Remaining 1 July: ewes 169, wethers 48, kids 89, rams 9, total 315

Increase: ewes 0, wethers 0, kids 22, rams 0, total 22

Total: ewes 169, wethers 48, kids 111, rams 9, total 337

Killed: ewes 5, wethers 25, kids 9, rams 1, total 40

Died: ewes 7, wethers 3, kids 5, rams 0, total 15

Remaining 30 September: ewes 157, wethers 20, kids 97, rams 8, total 282

Regraded by age: ewes 164, wethers 67, kids 41, rams 10, total 282

Hogs

Remaining 1 July: sows 2, young hogs 4, pigs 5, boars 1, total 12

Increase: sows 0, young hogs 0, pigs 6, boars 0, total 6

Total: sows 2, young hogs 4, pigs 11, boars 1, total 18

Killed: 0

Died: sows 0, young hogs 0, pigs 2, boars 0, total 2

Remaining 30 September: sows 2, young hogs 4, pigs 9, boars 1, total 16

Regraded by age: sows 2, young hogs 7, pigs 6, boars 1, total 16

Horses

Remaining 1 July: horses 4, mares 6, total 10

Remaining 30 September: horses 4, mares 6, total 10

Asses

Remaining 1 July: male asses 1, total 1

Remaining 30 September: male asses 1, total 1

Poultry

Remaining 1 July: fowls 62, ducks 18, turkeys 12, geese 7

Increase: fowls 69, ducks 12, turkeys 14, geese 0

Bought: fowls 58, ducks 0, turkeys 31, geese 0

Total: fowls 189, ducks 30, turkeys 57, geese 7

Killed: fowls 42, ducks 6, turkeys 4, geese 0

Died: fowls 12, ducks 0, turkeys 15, geese 0

Remaining 30 September: fowls 135, ducks 24, turkeys 38, geese 7

Two of the Company's slaves died during the quarter.

1 man died, named George Caesar

1 man died, named Martin Monkey

During the quarter 71,515 lb of yams were issued to the slaves and 9,150 lb of bad yams to the stock, a total of 80,665 lb.

John Worrall, the overseer, signed the account.

Interpretations

John Worrall, the overseer, signed the account in place of Corneille, who had always signed it as Lieutenant Governor. Corneille had resigned on 21 July and left the island in August. Management of the Company's plantation and stock now fell to the overseer, until the Court sent out a new Lieutenant Governor.

The account gives the clearest proof yet on the yams question raised in July. In the quarter after Corneille's departure, the Company's stock received 9,150 lb of bad yams, about 700 lb a week, entered openly as refuse. In June, Worrall swore that Corneille's hogs received 425 lb a week of waste yams. The plantation had a surplus of unfit yams far greater than the Lieutenant Governor's hogs ever consumed, as Corneille had argued in his defence.

The winter was hard on the sheep. Thirty-six lambs and 19 ewes died, and the flock fell from 698 to 634. Cold rain in the uplands killed young animals born in the southern winter. The cattle did better, growing to 375 with 31 calves born, a sign that the herd built up from Cape stock earlier in the year was now breeding well. The 58 fowls and 31 turkeys bought restocked the poultry yard for the Castle's table before the next shipping season.

231

224

[Right-hand edge of the artillery table partly hidden in the binding.]

The 10 October

Artillery Stores Expended in Sept. 1768

Guns fired, 32 Pr, 24 Pr, 18 Pr, 12 Pr, 9 Pr, 4 Pr, 3 Pr, 2 Pr, 1 Pr, Powder Expd. lb, Powder Expd. oz

1st An Alarm: Guns fired 6, 32 Pr 0, 24 Pr 0, 18 Pr 0, 12 Pr 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 2, 3 Pr 2, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 2, Powder Expd. lb 12, Powder Expd. oz 0

Arrived the Egmont: Guns fired 9, 32 Pr 0, 24 Pr 0, 18 Pr 0, 12 Pr 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 9, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expd. lb 6, Powder Expd. oz 12

Guns scaled at Purlings Battery: Guns fired 39, 32 Pr 6, 24 Pr 0, 18 Pr 15, 12 Pr 0, 9 Pr 18, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expd. lb 169, Powder Expd. oz 8

Do. Do. at Ruperts: Guns fired 22, 32 Pr 5, 24 Pr 1, 18 Pr 0, 12 Pr 4, 9 Pr 12, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expd. lb 115, Powder Expd. oz 0

11th Departed the Egmont & Greenwich: Guns fired 13, 32 Pr 0, 24 Pr 0, 18 Pr 0, 12 Pr 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 13, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expd. lb 9, Powder Expd. oz 12

Powder for Sundry Services: Guns fired 0, 32 Pr 0, 24 Pr 0, 18 Pr 0, 12 Pr 0, 9 Pr 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expd. lb 285, Powder Expd. oz 1

Total: Guns fired 89, 32 Pr 11, 24 Pr 1, 18 Pr 15, 12 Pr 4, 9 Pr 30, 4 Pr 2, 3 Pr 2, 2 Pr 22, 1 Pr 2, Powder Expd. lb 598, Powder Expd. oz 1

Tallow for Boats &c.

37 lb.

Lead Balls to Shoot Goats &c.

3 15

4 lb. Rammer Heads Expd.

1

Paper for different uses

5

Handspikes for Do.

4

Bitts for Do.

2

White Rope at Mundens Point

16 Fathm.

(signed) Ar. Mitchell

Sundry's Expd. at the Honble. Company's Table in Septemr. 1768

To 18 Bottles Port Wine

1 7 -

19 Do. of Lisbon

1 8 6

8 Do. of Mountain

" 13 6

12 Do. of Beer

" 2 6

30 Gall. Arr.

7 10 -

191 lb. Beef

3 12 -

248 lb. Mutton

5 3 4

8 Lambs

1 10 -

4 Turkeys

1 " -

4 Ducks

" 6 -

12 Fowls

" 18 -

Carrd. over£ 23 10 10

The gunner's return of artillery stores used in September 1768 recorded the guns fired, the 32-pounders, 24-pounders, 18-pounders, 12-pounders, 9-pounders, 4-pounders, 3-pounders, 2-pounders and 1-pounders used, and the powder spent in pounds and ounces.

1 September, an alarm: guns fired 6; 32-pounders 0, 24-pounders 0, 18-pounders 0, 12-pounders 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 2, 3-pounders 2, 2-pounders 0, 1-pounders 2; powder 12 lb 0 oz

1 September, arrival of the Egmont: guns fired 9; 32-pounders 0, 24-pounders 0, 18-pounders 0, 12-pounders 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 0, 3-pounders 0, 2-pounders 9, 1-pounders 0; powder 6 lb 12 oz

Guns scaled at Purling's Battery: guns fired 39; 32-pounders 6, 24-pounders 0, 18-pounders 15, 12-pounders 0, 9-pounders 18, 4-pounders 0, 3-pounders 0, 2-pounders 0, 1-pounders 0; powder 169 lb 8 oz

Guns scaled at Rupert's: guns fired 22; 32-pounders 5, 24-pounders 1, 18-pounders 0, 12-pounders 4, 9-pounders 12, 4-pounders 0, 3-pounders 0, 2-pounders 0, 1-pounders 0; powder 115 lb 0 oz

11 September, departure of the Egmont and the Greenwich: guns fired 13; 32-pounders 0, 24-pounders 0, 18-pounders 0, 12-pounders 0, 9-pounders 0, 4-pounders 0, 3-pounders 0, 2-pounders 13, 1-pounders 0; powder 9 lb 12 oz

Powder used on sundry services, 285 lb 1 oz

Total: guns fired 89; 32-pounders 11, 24-pounders 1, 18-pounders 15, 12-pounders 4, 9-pounders 30, 4-pounders 2, 3-pounders 2, 2-pounders 22, 1-pounders 2; powder 598 lb 1 oz

The gunner also accounted for other stores used during September.

Tallow for the boats and other uses, 37 lb

Lead balls for shooting goats and other uses, 3 lb 15 oz

Rammer heads for 4-pounders, 1

Paper for different uses, 5 quires

Handspikes for different uses, 4

Billhooks for different uses, 2

White rope at Munden's Point, 16 fathoms

Archibald Mitchell signed the return.

The steward's account listed the sundries used at the Company's table in September 1768.

18 bottles of port wine, £1 7s 0d

19 bottles of Lisbon wine, £1 8s 6d

8 bottles of Mountain wine, £0 13s 6d

12 bottles of beer, £0 2s 6d

30 gallons of arrack, £7 10s 0d

[...] lb of beef, £3 12s 0d

248 lb of mutton, £5 8s 4d

3 lambs, £1 10s 0d

4 turkeys, £1 0s 0d

4 ducks, £0 6s 0d

12 fowls, £0 18s 0d

Carried forward, £23 10s 10d

Interpretations

The heavy guns at Purling's Battery and Rupert's were scaled during the month, using nearly 300 lb of powder. Scaling meant firing a small charge through a gun to burn out rust and dirt from the bore, the usual way of cleaning heavy iron guns before they were put into service. All 39 guns at the newly finished Purling's Battery were scaled, among them six 32-pounders and fifteen 18-pounders. The new battery was being made ready for action. Rupert's, beside Jamestown, was prepared at the same time.

The return gives the size of the island's heavy artillery for the first time. Guns of 32, 24, 18, 12 and 9 pounds were mounted on the new and rebuilt batteries. The light 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-pounders fired alarms and salutes. The heavy guns were for battle, able to strike a ship's hull at long range. Purling's Battery alone mounted 39 guns, a powerful work commanding the approach to James Bay from the windward side.

Port wine at the Castle rose sharply, to 18 bottles from 2 in August. The Egmont and the Greenwich lay in the road for most of the month's first half, and their officers and passengers were entertained before sailing.

232

225

1768

Brought over£ 23 10 10

30 lb. Butter

1 10 -

90 lb. Candy

1 18 6

300 lb. Flour

1 11 3

£ 28 10 7

Mr. Purling reports that he has viewed the Land

Petitioned for by Mr. Benjamin Seale and thinks that letting the same will

not be prejudicial either to the Company or the Neighborhood, but as the

said Land is both barren and Rocky he is of opinion that a Rent of a

Shilling p Ac. fully sufficient for it

For the Reasons Mr. Purling Assigns we Agreed to Rent the

said Land at 1/ p Ac.

John Skottowe

Purling

Thos. Kirkpatrick

The steward's account for September 1768 ended with the following items.

Brought forward, £23 10s 10d

30 lb of butter, £1 10s 0d

90 lb of sugar candy, £1 18s 6d

300 lb of flour, £1 11s 3d

Total, £28 10s 7d

Purling reported that he had inspected the land Benjamin Seale had petitioned for. He thought leasing it would harm neither the Company nor the neighbourhood. The land was both barren and rocky, however, so he judged a rent of 1s an acre quite enough for it.

For the reasons Purling gave, the Council agreed to let the land at 1s an acre.

Governor Skottowe, Purling and Kirkpatrick signed the minutes.

Interpretations

The Company's table cost £28 10s 7d in September, more than in July or August. The Egmont and the Greenwich had lain in the road until 11 September, and their officers and passengers were entertained at the Castle. Port wine and lambs, absent or scarce in the quiet winter months, were bought again for the visitors.

Benjamin Seale's grant followed the same course as Sarah Fuge's in September. Purling inspected the land, found no harm to the Company or the neighbours, and set a low rent of 1s an acre because the ground was barren. With Corneille gone and Kirkpatrick often absent, Purling now did most of the Council's inspection work. Seale had asked for a low rent, and the Council gave him the lowest rate on the island, the same paid for poor land at Sandy Bay. Rents on St Helena were set by the quality of each piece of ground. Steep, rocky waste added to a holding mainly to straighten a fence line was worth little in itself.

233

226

The 17 October

At a Consultation held on Monday the 17th Day of October 1768 at the Castle

Present John Skottowe Esq. Govern.

Mr. Matthew Purling

Capt. Thomas Kirkpatrick of Council

The last Consultation was read, approved, and signed dated the 10 Sept. 1768

The Paymaster brought in his Accounts & the

Storekeeper his Collections for the Quarter commencing the 1st July & ending the 30 September last, which

were examined and approved and are as follow viz.

List of the Honorable Company's Officers and Servants upon

the Island of St. Helena with their several Salarys Diet Money &c. for

the Quarter commencing the 1st day of July and ending the 30th day of September

1768

John Skottowe Esq. Governor Salary£ 125 " "

Do. Allowance for Servants as Usual

31 14 9

156 14 9

Daniel Corneille Esq. Lieut. Govr. 21 days

20 2 8

Mr. Purling of Council Salary

15 " "

Do. Allowance

17 10 -

Do. Diet Money

15 " "

Do. Gratuity

15 " "

62 10 -

Capt. Thomas Kirkpatrick of Council Saly.

7 10 -

Do. House Rent

2 10 -

10 " "

Carrd. Over£ 249 7 5

Governor John Skottowe held a consultation at the Castle on Monday 17 October 1768.

Present

John Skottowe, Governor

William Matthew Purling

Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick, of the Council

The Council read, approved and signed the minutes of 10 October 1768.

The paymaster and the storekeeper brought in their accounts for the quarter ending 30 September 1768. The Council examined and approved them, and they read as follows.

The list of the Company's officers and employees on St Helena gave their salaries, table allowances and other payments for the quarter from 1 July to 30 September 1768.

John Skottowe, Governor, salary, £125 0s 0d

John Skottowe, allowance for servants as usual, £31 14s 9d

Total for John Skottowe, £156 14s 9d

Daniel Corneille, Lieutenant Governor, for 21 days, £20 2s 8d

William Matthew Purling, of the Council, salary, £15 0s 0d

William Matthew Purling, as accountant, £17 10s 0d

William Matthew Purling, table allowance, £15 0s 0d

William Matthew Purling, gratuity, £15 0s 0d

Total for William Matthew Purling, £62 10s 0d

Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick, of the Council, salary, £7 10s 0d

Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick, house rent, £2 10s 0d

Total for Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick, £10 0s 0d

Carried forward, £249 7s 5d

Interpretations

Corneille was paid for 21 days only, from 1 July to the day of his resignation on 21 July 1768. He had told the Council he would draw no salary from that day, and the paymaster kept to it to the day. His pay of £20 2s 8d, at the Lieutenant Governor's rate of £87 10s 0d a quarter in salary and table allowance, was the last the Company paid him.

Kirkpatrick still drew his full salary and house rent as a councillor despite the censure of 19 July and his long absences through illness. The Council had left any penalty to the Court, and until London decided, his pay continued unchanged. As paymaster he was also responsible for drawing up the very list on which his own salary appeared.

234

227

[Right-hand money column partly cut off at the edge of the image.]

1768

Brought over£ 249 7 [...]

Archibald Mitchell Engineer Saly.

50 " "

Do. Diet Money

25 " "

Do. House Rent

2 10 -

77 10 [...]

William Beancroft Chapln. Saly.

40 " "

Do. Diet Money

15 " "

55 " [...]

Matthew Bazett Secy. Saly.

17 10 -

Do. Diet Money

15 " "

Do. House Rent

2 10 -

35 " [...]

James Powell Storekeepr. Saly.

17 10 -

Do. Diet Money

15 " "

Do. House Rent

2 10 -

35 " [...]

William Wrangham Factor Saly.

7 10 -

Do. Diet Money

10 " "

Do. House Rent

2 10 -

Do. Assistant to the Govern.

10 " "

30 [...]

Jonathan Dowlon Factor Saly.

7 10 -

Do. Diet Money

10 " "

Do. Assist. Storekeeper

5 " "

22 10 [...]

Bartholomew Wright Factor Saly.

7 10 -

Do. Diet Money

10 " "

Do. House Rent

2 10 -

20 " [...]

John Goodwin Writer Saly.

5 " "

Do. Diet Money

10 " "

15 " [...]

George Bazett Writer Saly. 68 Days

11 1 8¾

Do. Company's Steward 24 Do.

1 19 11

13 " [...]

Carrd. over£ 552 8 [...]

The list of the Company's officers and employees continued from a total of £249 7s 5d.

Brought forward, £249 7s 5d

Archibald Mitchell, engineer, salary, £50 0s 0d

Archibald Mitchell, table allowance, £25 0s 0d

Archibald Mitchell, house rent, £2 10s 0d

Total for Archibald Mitchell, £77 10s 0d

William Bearcroft, chaplain, salary, £40 0s 0d

William Bearcroft, table allowance, £15 0s 0d

Total for William Bearcroft, £55 0s 0d

Matthew Bazett, secretary, salary, £17 10s 0d

Matthew Bazett, table allowance, £15 0s 0d

Matthew Bazett, house rent, £2 10s 0d

Total for Matthew Bazett, £35 0s 0d

James Powell, storekeeper, salary, £17 10s 0d

James Powell, table allowance, £15 0s 0d

James Powell, house rent, £2 10s 0d

Total for James Powell, £35 0s 0d

William Wrangham, factor, salary, £7 10s 0d

William Wrangham, table allowance, £10 0s 0d

William Wrangham, house rent, £2 10s 0d

William Wrangham, as assistant to the Governor, £10 0s 0d

Total for William Wrangham, £30 0s 0d

Jonathan Doveton, factor, salary, £7 10s 0d

Jonathan Doveton, table allowance, £10 0s 0d

Jonathan Doveton, as assistant storekeeper, £5 0s 0d

Total for Jonathan Doveton, £22 10s 0d

Bartholomew Wright, factor, salary, £7 10s 0d

Bartholomew Wright, table allowance, £10 0s 0d

Bartholomew Wright, house rent, £2 10s 0d

Total for Bartholomew Wright, £20 0s 0d

John Goodwin, writer, salary, £5 0s 0d

John Goodwin, table allowance, £10 0s 0d

Total for John Goodwin, £15 0s 0d

George Bazett, as writer for 68 days, £11 1s 8¾d

George Bazett, as the Company's steward for 24 days, £1 19s 11¼d

Total for George Bazett, £13 [...]

Carried forward, £552 8s 3½d

Interpretations

George Bazett's pay was split at the date of his promotion. He served as steward for the first 24 days of the quarter and as writer for the remaining 68, from 25 July 1768, when the Council appointed him. As a writer he drew salary and table allowance at the rate of about £60 a year, against £30 as steward. The minutes had recorded the Council's reasoning: it could not raise a steward's pay, but it could fill a vacant writer's post with a deserving man.

Every other salary on the page was unchanged from the previous quarter. Mitchell, Bearcroft, the Bazetts, Powell, Wrangham, Doveton, Wright and Goodwin were all paid at the rates the Court had set. Only death, resignation or promotion altered the list from quarter to quarter. This quarter brought one of each: De Laune's death, Corneille's resignation and George Bazett's promotion.

235

228

[Foot of the right-hand money column partly cut off at the edge of the image.]

The 17 October

Brought over£ 552 8 3¾

Robert Barclay Surgeons Saly.

9 15 -

Do. Diet Money

10 " "

Do. House Rent

2 10 -

22 5 -

John Pritchard Surgn. Mate Saly.

6 5 -

Do. Diet Money

10 " "

Do. House Rent

2 10 -

18 15 -

Richard Beale Judge Advocate Saly.

12 10 -

Do. School Master

7 10 -

20 " "

Phillip Mahoney Clerk of the Peace

22 10 -

Thomas Bazett Superintd.

13 15 -

Samuel Alexander

Overseers

7 10 -

John Worrall

15 " "

John Bazett Superintd. of the Compys. Blacks

10 " "

Thomas Payne Overseer of the Compys. Watermen

6 16 10½

William Holbrook Master Mason

30 " "

John Preston Masons Mate

20 " "

John Robinson Carpenter

25 " "

Peter Merot Do. Mate

12 10 -

John Drawwater Cooper

8 15 -

John Roberts Armourer

15 " "

James Black Gardiner 59 Days

6 9 3½

Solomon St. Maurice Master at Arms

6 5 -

Robert Leech Compys. Steward 68 days

5 10 10½

Thomas Yates Clerk of the Church

5 " "

John Joyce Clerk & Instrument Cleaner

1 5 -

Robert Allen Groom

2 " "

John Cogswell Patroon

7 10 -

John Price Marshall & Goaler

7 10 -

To the Drum Major for Instructg. the Young Drumrs.

1 " "

John Lemmon an Invalid 92 days at 9d.

3 9 -

232 14 [...]

Carrd. over£ 846 2 [...]

The list of officers and employees continued from a total of £552 8s 3½d.

Brought forward, £552 8s 3½d

Robert Pinday, surgeon, salary, £9 15s 0d

Robert Pinday, diet money, £10 0s 0d

Robert Pinday, house rent, £2 10s 0d

Total for Robert Pinday, £22 5s 0d

John Pritchard, surgeon's mate, salary, £6 5s 0d

John Pritchard, diet money, £10 0s 0d

John Pritchard, house rent, £2 10s 0d

Total for John Pritchard, £18 15s 0d

Richard Beale, judge advocate, salary, £12 10s 0d

Richard Beale, as schoolmaster, £7 10s 0d

Total for Richard Beale, £20 0s 0d

Phillip Mahoney, clerk of the peace, £22 10s 0d

Thomas Bazett, superintendent, £13 15s 0d

Samuel Alexander, overseer, £7 10s 0d

John Worrall, overseer, £15 0s 0d

John Bazett, superintendent of the Company's slaves, £10 0s 0d

Thomas Boyce, overseer of the Company's workmen, £6 16s 10½d

William Holbrook, master mason, £30 0s 0d

John Preston, mason's mate, £20 0s 0d

John Robinson, carpenter, £25 0s 0d

Peter Mariot, carpenter's mate, £12 10s 0d

John Drawwater, cooper, £8 15s 0d

John Robins, armourer, £15 0s 0d

James Black, gardener, for 59 days, £6 9s 3½d

Solomon S[...], master at arms, £6 5s 0d

Robert Leech, the Company's steward, for 68 days, £5 10s 10½d

Thomas Yates, clerk of the church, £5 0s 0d

John Joyce, clock and instrument cleaner, £1 5s 0d

Robert Allen, groom, £2 0s 0d

John Corfield, patroon, £7 10s 0d

John Price, marshal and gaoler, £7 10s 0d

The drum major, for teaching the young drummers, £1 0s 0d

John Lawrence, invalid, for 92 days at 9d a day, £3 9s 0d

Total for the page, £232 14s [...]

Carried forward, £846 2s [...]

Interpretations

The partial payments to James Black and Robert Leech showed how changes in staff were costed to the day. Black was paid for only 59 days, up to the date of his dismissal and passage home in Greenwich. Leech drew the steward's pay for 68 days from 25 July 1768, when he took over the post from George Bazett. The steward's rate came to about £30 a year, half of what Bazett gained by his promotion to writer.

Peter Mariot was paid for the whole quarter as carpenter's mate, even though the Council had ordered him off the island for stealing a lock. His wages probably ran until he could be shipped out. James Hogg, his named successor, did not yet appear on the list.

A patroon was the master of the Company's boats, in charge of the boat crews that carried men and goods between the ships in the road and the landing place. The post was essential on an island with no harbour quay, where every cask and passenger came ashore by boat.

John Lawrence's entry showed how the Company provided for men no longer fit to work. Instead of a salary he received a daily subsistence of 9d. It was paid for each day of the quarter, giving him a modest but regular income without discharging him.

Several posts were held in combination. Richard Beale was both judge advocate and schoolmaster, and the surgeons drew diet money where the senior servants drew a table allowance. The layered pay showed a small establishment in which one man often covered several offices. Each office was paid for separately.

236

229

1768

Brought over£ 846 2 4

First Company

Thomas Kirkpatrick Captn. Saly.

45 12 6

Solomon St. Maurice Lieut. Saly.

18 5 -

Do. Diet Money

6 16 10½

Do. House Rent

2 10 -

27 11 10½

Samuel Desfountain Lieut. Saly.

18 5 -

Do. Diet Money

6 16 10½

Do. House Rent

2 10 -

27 11 10½

Solomon Jacob Adjut. Saly.

29 13 1½

Serjeants

Thomas Payne

7 13 4

William Bannister Disd. 8th August

3 5 -

Henry Howell

7 13 4

William Rowlands

7 13 4

John Allman 53 days

4 8 4

Do. Corpl. 39 Do.

2 5 6

32 18 10

Corporals

Thomas Townsend

5 7 4

George Rose

5 7 4

George Seale

5 7 4

Thomas Mears 53 Days

3 1 10

Do. Corpl. 39 Do.

1 12 6

20 16 4

Drummers

John Martin

5 7 4

Richard Pleffert

5 7 4

Joseph Peerham

5 7 4

16 2 -

Carrd. over£ 1046 8 10½

The pay list continued from £846 2s 4d with the officers and men of the First Company.

Brought forward, £846 2s 4d

First Company

Thomas Kirkpatrick, captain, salary, £45 12s 6d

Solomon St Maurice, lieutenant, salary, £18 5s 0d

Solomon St Maurice, diet money, £6 16s 10½d

Solomon St Maurice, house rent, £2 10s 0d

Total for Solomon St Maurice, £27 11s 10½d

Samuel Desfountain, lieutenant, salary, £18 5s 0d

Samuel Desfountain, diet money, £6 16s 10½d

Samuel Desfountain, house rent, £2 10s 0d

Total for Samuel Desfountain, £27 11s 10½d

Solomon Jacobs, adjutant, salary, £29 13s 1½d

Sergeants

Thomas Payne, sergeant, £7 13s 4d

William Bannister, sergeant, died 8 August, £3 5s 0d

Henry Howell, sergeant, £7 13s 4d

William Rowlands, sergeant, £7 13s 4d

John Allman, sergeant, for 53 days, £4 8s 4d

John Allman, as corporal for 39 days, £2 5s 6d

Total for the sergeants, £32 18s 10d

Corporals

Thomas Townsend, corporal, £5 7s 4d

George Roe, corporal, £5 7s 4d

George Peak, corporal, £5 7s 4d

Thomas Mears, corporal, for 53 days, £3 1s 10d

Thomas Mears, at his former rank for 39 days, £1 12s 6d

Total for the corporals, £20 16s 4d

Drummers

John Martin, drummer, £5 7s 4d

Richard Stafford, drummer, £5 7s 4d

Joseph Peckham, drummer, £5 7s 4d

Total for the drummers, £16 2s 0d

Carried forward, £1,046 8s 10½d

Interpretations

William Bannister's death on 8 August 1768 set off a chain of promotions that the split payments recorded to the day. John Allman moved up from corporal to sergeant for the remaining 53 days of the quarter. Thomas Mears filled Allman's place as corporal. Each man's pay was divided at the date of his step up, with no back-dating and no rounding to the month.

The figures showed fixed daily rates beneath the quarterly sums. A sergeant earned 20d a day and a corporal 14d. Mears's earlier 39 days came to 10d a day, the rate of a private soldier. Pay was reckoned per day and then multiplied out, so a change of rank or a death could be costed exactly.

Captain Kirkpatrick drew his full captain's salary even though the Council had censured him on 19 July 1768 for his false charges against Corneille. The censure was a reprimand recorded in the minutes, not a suspension. His military pay and command of the First Company were left untouched.

Samuel Desfountain appeared here as a lieutenant of the First Company, serving directly under Kirkpatrick. He was the officer whose pencilled paper had helped expose Kirkpatrick's charges against Corneille in July 1768. The two men therefore went on serving side by side in the same company after the affair.

The adjutant ran the garrison's daily administration: drill, duty rosters, orders and returns. His salary, larger than a lieutenant's but without diet money or house rent, showed that the post was treated as a separate staff appointment rather than a company rank.

237

230

The 17 October

Brought Over£ 1046 8 10½

Centinels

James Greentree Cadet 39 Days @ 20d. p day

3 5 -

James Avery

3 16 8

James Armstrong

3 16 8

John Buchanan

3 16 8

Thomas Blake Transf. 2 Augt.

1 6 8

John Bell

3 16 8

Moses Boffey

3 16 8

John Barns

3 16 8

Timothy Bryan

3 16 8

Emanuel Bunner

3 16 8

William Benson

3 16 8

Benjamin Barclay

3 16 8

Samuel Bingrove Transf. 9th Aug.

1 12 6

Richard Brown

3 16 8

Thomas Brewick

3 16 8

William Bunn

3 16 8

John Blaven

3 16 8

Edward Caker

3 16 8

William Clifford

3 16 8

Patrick Conner

3 16 8

Andrew Conner

3 16 8

John Charlton

3 16 8

William Coppin

3 16 8

John Davis

3 16 8

John Dove

3 16 8

James Drake

3 16 8

Thomas Durham

3 16 8

James Dunn

3 16 8

George Dyce

3 16 8

Adam Evans

3 16 8

Cent. Carrd. over£ 106 7 2

Carrd. over£ 1049 13 10½

The First Company's pay list continued from £1,046 8s 10½d with its private soldiers.

Brought forward, £1,046 8s 10½d

Private soldiers

James Greentree, cadet, for 39 days at 20d a day, £3 5s 0d

James Avery, private, £3 16s 8d

James Armstrong, private, £3 16s 8d

John Brockhurst, private, £3 16s 8d

Thomas Blake, private, transferred 2 August, £1 6s 8d

John Brill, private, £3 16s 8d

Moses Biffen, private, £3 16s 8d

John Barnes, private, £3 16s 8d

Timothy Bryan, private, £3 16s 8d

Emmanuel Bunner, private, £3 16s 8d

William Benson, private, £3 16s 8d

Benjamin Barclay, private, £3 16s 8d

Samuel Bingrave, private, transferred 9 August, £1 12s 6d

Richard Brown, private, £3 16s 8d

Thomas Brewick, private, £3 16s 8d

William Bunn, private, £3 16s 8d

John Bacon, private, £3 16s 8d

Edward Cocker, private, £3 16s 8d

William Clissold, private, £3 16s 8d

Patrick Conner, private, £3 16s 8d

Andrew Conner, private, £3 16s 8d

John Charlton, private, £3 16s 8d

William Coppen, private, £3 16s 8d

John Davis, private, £3 16s 8d

John Dean, private, £3 16s 8d

James Drakes, private, £3 16s 8d

Thomas Durham, private, £3 16s 8d

James Dunn, private, £3 16s 8d

George Dyer, private, £3 16s 8d

Adam Evans, private, £3 16s 8d

Private soldiers carried forward, £106 7s 2d

Carried forward, £1,049 13s 10½d

Interpretations

James Greentree's entry tied the garrison's pay to Lieutenant De Laune's death on 8 August 1768. Greentree was paid as a cadet for exactly 39 days, up to that date, and then left the private soldiers' roll. His promotion to lieutenant in the Fourth Company filled the vacancy at once. A cadet was a young man of better standing serving in the ranks while he waited for a commission, and he drew 20d a day, the same as a sergeant.

The private soldiers, entered under the old term "sentinels", were paid 10d a day, which came to £3 16s 8d for the full 92-day quarter. Thomas Blake and Samuel Bingrave were each paid only to the date of their transfer, 2 August and 9 August. They probably moved to other companies, where the rest of their quarter's pay would be charged.

The clerk carried the privates' running total separately from the main sum. Only Greentree's £3 5s 0d entered the page total, while the full-rate privates were added into a subtotal that ran on to the next page. This allowed the cost of each company's private soldiers to be reckoned as a single block.

238

231

1768

Brought over£ 1049 13 10½

Centl. brought over£ 106 9 2

Henry Everton

3 16 8

Cornelius Fish

3 16 8

William French

3 16 8

William Foster

3 16 8

William Greenwood

3 16 8

John Granger

3 16 8

William Henderson

3 16 8

John Hourston

3 16 8

Edward Haddock

3 16 8

William Holmes

3 16 8

Owen Howard

3 16 8

Phillip Hayes

3 16 8

John Hammond

3 16 8

John Hill entd. 5th Sept.

1 1 8

Sutton Isaacke

3 16 8

William Jones

3 16 8

Duncan McLaren

3 16 8

William Mumford

3 16 8

John McAllister

3 16 8

William Mudge

3 16 8

James Miller

3 16 8

Mathew Oalmen

3 16 8

William Page

3 16 8

Thomas Roberts

3 16 8

William Robinson

3 16 8

Silvanus Rolf

3 16 8

Thomas Rogers

3 16 8

Anthony Reynolds

3 16 8

William Swaby

3 16 8

John Springthorpe

3 16 8

John Skeans

3 16 8

John Steward

3 16 8

Centl. Carrd. over£ 226 7 6

Carrd. over£ 1049 13 10½

The roll of the First Company's private soldiers continued from a running total of £106 9s 2d.

Brought forward, £1,049 13s 10½d

Private soldiers brought forward, £106 9s 2d

Henry Cowdrey, private, £3 16s 8d

Cornelius Fish, private, £3 16s 8d

William French, private, £3 16s 8d

William Fisher, private, £3 16s 8d

William Greenwood, private, £3 16s 8d

John Granger, private, £3 16s 8d

William Henderson, private, £3 16s 8d

John Houston, private, £3 16s 8d

Edward Haddock, private, £3 16s 8d

William Holmes, private, £3 16s 8d

Owen Howard, private, £3 16s 8d

Phillip Hayes, private, £3 16s 8d

John Hammond, private, £3 16s 8d

John Hill, private, enlisted 5 September, £1 1s 8d

Sutton Isaacs, private, £3 16s 8d

William Jones, private, £3 16s 8d

Duncan McLaren, private, £3 16s 8d

William Mumford, private, £3 16s 8d

John McAllister, private, £3 16s 8d

William Mudge, private, £3 16s 8d

James Miller, private, £3 16s 8d

Mathew Palmer, private, £3 16s 8d

William Page, private, £3 16s 8d

Thomas Roberts, private, £3 16s 8d

William Robinson, private, £3 16s 8d

Silvanus Rolfe, private, £3 16s 8d

Thomas Rosser, private, £3 16s 8d

Anthony Reynolds, private, £3 16s 8d

William Swaby, private, £3 16s 8d

John Springthorpe, private, £3 16s 8d

John Rains, private, £3 16s 8d

John Stewart, private, £3 16s 8d

Private soldiers carried forward, £226 7s 6d

Carried forward, £1,049 13s 10½d

Interpretations

John Hill's pay began on the day he joined the company, 5 September 1768. His £1 1s 8d covered exactly 26 days at the private's rate of 10d a day. Recruits were not paid for the whole quarter in which they enlisted. Their wages were counted from the day their names went on the roll, just as the pay of men who died or transferred stopped on the day they left it.

239

232

[Right-hand money column partly hidden in the binding and at the foot of the page.]

The 17 October

Brought over£ 1049 13 10[...]

Centl. brought over£ 226 7 6

Edward Silverton

3 16 8

William Smitt

3 16 8

Joseph Tracy

3 16 8

James Swanson

3 16 8

William Tapper

3 16 8

John Fanton entd. 9th Aug.

2 4 2

Joseph Valentine

3 16 8

John Wittingdale

3 16 8

Benjamin Wise

3 16 8

Thomas Windall

3 16 8

John Weston

3 16 8

George Wall

3 16 8

270 15 -

Second Company

Henry Bazett Captn. Salary

45 12 6

Michael Groot Lieut. Saly.

18 5 -

Do. Diet Money

6 16 10½

Do. House Rent

2 10 -

27 11 10[...]

John Ware Welch Lieut. Saly.

18 5 -

Do. Diet Money

6 16 10½

Do. House Rent

2 10 -

27 11 10[...]

Serjeants

John Bazett

7 13 4

Stephen Payor

7 13 4

John Fish

7 13 4

George Freeman Disch. 1st Aug.

2 13 4

John Sabourin 60 days

5 " -

Do. as Corpl. 32 Do.

1 17 4

32 10 8

Corporals

Robert Hopkinson

5 7 4

John Salsbury

5 7 4

Corpl. Carrd. over£ 10 14 8

Carrd. Over£ [...]

The First Company's private soldiers continued from a running total of £226 7s 6d, and the list then moved on to the Second Company.

Brought forward, £1,049 13s 10½d

Private soldiers brought forward, £226 7s 6d

Edward Stevenson, private, £3 16s 8d

William Small, private, £3 16s 8d

Joseph Storey, private, £3 16s 8d

James Swanson, private, £3 16s 8d

William Tipper, private, £3 16s 8d

John Tanker, private, enlisted 9 August, £2 4s 2d

Joseph Valentine, private, £3 16s 8d

John Whittingdale, private, £3 16s 8d

Benjamin Wise, private, £3 16s 8d

Thomas Windall, private, £3 16s 8d

John Weston, private, £3 16s 8d

George Wall, private, £3 16s 8d

Total for the First Company's private soldiers, £278 15s 0d

Second Company

Henry Bazett, captain, salary, £45 12s 6d

Michael Frost, lieutenant, salary, £18 5s 0d

Michael Frost, diet money, £6 16s 10½d

Michael Frost, house rent, £2 10s 0d

Total for Michael Frost, £27 11s 10½d

John Mare Welch, lieutenant, salary, £18 5s 0d

John Mare Welch, diet money, £6 16s 10½d

John Mare Welch, house rent, £2 10s 0d

Total for John Mare Welch, £27 11s 10½d

Sergeants

John Bazett, sergeant, £7 13s 4d

Stephen Rogers, sergeant, £7 13s 4d

John Fish, sergeant, £7 13s 4d

George Freeman, sergeant, discharged 1 August, £2 13s 4d

John Sabourin, sergeant, for 60 days, £5 0s 0d

John Sabourin, as corporal for 32 days, £1 17s 4d

Total for the sergeants, £32 10s 8d

Corporals

Robert Stephenson, corporal, £5 7s 4d

John Salisbury, corporal, £5 7s 4d

Corporals carried forward, £10 14s 8d

Carried forward, £1,[...]

Interpretations

George Freeman's discharge on 1 August 1768 opened a sergeant's place in the Second Company. John Sabourin was promoted into it at once. His pay was split at that date, 32 days as a corporal at 14d and 60 days as a sergeant at 20d. The Company filled vacancies from inside the company and costed each change to the day.

John Tanker joined the First Company's privates on 9 August 1768, the same day Samuel Bingrave transferred out. The matching dates suggest one man's departure made room for the other, keeping the company at full strength. The roll was kept at a fixed number of places, and a new man filled a vacancy rather than adding to the total.

240

233

1768

Brought over£ 1453 15 9¾

Corpls. brought over£ 10 14 8

Samuel Parker entd. Corpl. 5 July

5 2 8

William Merrick 60 days

3 10 -

Do. as Centl. 32 Do.

1 6 8

20 14 -

Drummers

John Brown

5 7 4

Patrick Edwington

5 7 4

10 14 8

Centinels

Robert Allum

3 16 8

Joseph Banks

3 16 8

Thomas Bewley

3 16 8

William Brooks

3 16 8

Jacob Brown

3 16 8

Robert Brown

3 16 8

Nicholas Bushell

3 16 8

Daniel Burge

3 16 8

James Byrne

3 16 8

Jonathan Burden 4 days

" 4 8

Do. Centl. 88 Do.

3 13 4

William Conquest

3 16 8

John Crawley

3 16 8

William Carfre

3 16 8

William Carter

3 16 8

John Cunningham

3 16 8

Robert Dickens

3 16 8

William Drummond

3 16 8

John Dayly

3 16 8

Mathew Dunhill Entd. 5th Sept.

" 19 2

Peter Ellis

3 16 8

John Forbes

3 16 8

William Fullwood

3 16 8

Centl. Carrd. over£ 81 10 9

Carrd. over£ 1485 4 5¾

The Second Company's corporals continued from a running total of £10 14s 8d, followed by its drummers and private soldiers.

Brought forward, £1,453 15s 9½d

Corporals brought forward, £10 14s 8d

Samuel Parker, corporal, joined 5 July, £5 2s 8d

William Merrick, corporal, for 60 days, £3 10s 0d

William Merrick, as private for 32 days, £1 6s 8d

Total for the corporals, £20 14s 0d

Drummers

John Brown, drummer, £5 7s 4d

Patrick Etherington, drummer, £5 7s 4d

Total for the drummers, £10 14s 8d

Private soldiers

Robert Allen, private, £3 16s 8d

Joseph Banks, private, £3 16s 8d

Malcolm Brooks, private, £3 16s 8d

William Brooks, private, £3 16s 8d

Jacob Brown, private, £3 16s 8d

Robert Bowey, private, £3 16s 8d

Nicholas Bustell, private, £3 16s 8d

Daniel Pye, private, £3 16s 8d

James Byron, private, £3 16s 8d

Jonathan Bartley, corporal, for 4 days, £0 4s 8d

Jonathan Bartley, as private for 88 days, £3 13s 4d

William Sargent, private, £3 16s 8d

John Crowley, private, £3 16s 8d

William Carter, private, £3 16s 8d

William Carder, private, £3 16s 8d

John Cunningham, private, £3 16s 8d

Robert Dickson, private, £3 16s 8d

William Devereux, private, £3 16s 8d

John Dayley, private, £3 16s 8d

Mathew Burchell, private, enlisted 8 September, £0 19s 2d

Peter Allam, private, £3 16s 8d

John Forbes, private, £3 16s 8d

William Fulford, private, £3 16s 8d

Private soldiers carried forward, £81 10s 9d

Carried forward, £1,485 4s 5½d

Interpretations

Jonathan Bartley held his corporal's rank for only the first 4 days of the quarter and served the remaining 88 days as a private. Samuel Parker joined as a corporal on 5 July 1768, the day after Bartley's pay at that rank ended. The two entries together showed Bartley reduced to the ranks and Parker put in his place. A demotion took effect on a set day, and the man's pay fell from 14d to 10d a day at once.

William Merrick's promotion completed the chain begun by George Freeman's discharge on 1 August 1768. John Sabourin moved up from corporal to sergeant at that date. Merrick, a private, then filled Sabourin's place as corporal for the remaining 60 days. One vacancy at the top of the company thus produced a step up at each rank below it.

241

234

[Foot of the page and the right-hand money column partly cut off at the edge of the image.]

The 17 October

Brought over£ 1485 4 5¾

Centl. brought over£ 81 10 6

John Goodsell

3 16 8

John Gray

3 16 8

Robert Green

3 16 8

James Gates

3 16 8

Charles Goulding

3 16 8

William Harris Senr.

3 16 8

William Harris Junr.

3 16 8

Abraham Harding

3 16 8

Samuel Hiles

3 16 8

John Holbrook

3 16 8

James Hudson

3 16 8

Thomas Haylis

3 16 8

James Hogg

3 16 8

John Ham

3 16 8

William Hunt

3 16 8

William Harper transfd. to the Artillery Compy.

" 1 8

Samuel Instone

3 16 8

William Johnson

3 16 8

John Jacks

3 16 8

Thomas James

3 16 8

John James

3 16 8

Francis Jackson

3 16 8

Samuel Kirkham

3 16 8

Henry Ketcham

3 16 8

John Kemp

3 16 8

Henry Miller

3 16 8

John Morris

3 16 8

John McCullen

3 16 8

William Mackbeth

3 16 8

Abraham Miller

3 16 8

Joseph McCartney

3 16 8

Thomas Mathews

3 16 8

Centl. Carrd. over£ 200 [...]

Carrd. over£ 1485 [...]

The Second Company's private soldiers continued from a running total of £81 10s 6d.

Brought forward, £1,485 4s 5½d

Private soldiers brought forward, £81 10s 6d

John Glossop, private, £3 16s 8d

John Gray, private, £3 16s 8d

Robert Green, private, £3 16s 8d

James Gates, private, £3 16s 8d

Charles Golding, private, £3 16s 8d

William Harris senior, private, £3 16s 8d

William Harris junior, private, £3 16s 8d

Abraham Harding, private, £3 16s 8d

Samuel Hiles, private, £3 16s 8d

John Holbrook, private, £3 16s 8d

James Hudson, private, £3 16s 8d

Thomas Hayter, private, £3 16s 8d

James Hogg, private, £3 16s 8d

John Hart, private, £3 16s 8d

William Hunt, private, £3 16s 8d

William Harper, private, transferred to the artillery company, £0 1s 8d

Samuel Jesson, private, £3 16s 8d

William Johnson, private, £3 16s 8d

John Jacks, private, £3 16s 8d

Thomas James, private, £3 16s 8d

John James, private, £3 16s 8d

Francis Jackson, private, £3 16s 8d

Samuel Kitteridge, private, £3 16s 8d

Henry Kirkham, private, £3 16s 8d

John King, private, £3 16s 8d

Henry Miller, private, £3 16s 8d

John Morris, private, £3 16s 8d

John McCallum, private, £3 16s 8d

William Macbeth, private, £3 16s 8d

Abraham Miller, private, £3 16s 8d

Joseph McCartney, private, £3 16s 8d

Thomas Mitchell, private, £3 16s 8d

Private soldiers carried forward, £200 [...]

Carried forward, £1,485 4s 5½d

Interpretations

James Hogg was still paid for the full quarter as a private, although the Council had named him to replace Peter Mariot as carpenter's mate. Mariot himself drew the carpenter's mate's pay for the whole quarter. Hogg's appointment therefore had not yet taken effect in the accounts. The Company's skilled workmen were often drawn from soldiers who had a trade, and such a man stayed on the military roll until the civilian post fell vacant.

William Harper drew only 1s 8d, two days' pay at the private's rate, before transferring to the artillery company. His remaining pay for the quarter would fall on that company's roll. The artillery was kept as a separate company with its own establishment, and men moved into it from the infantry companies as places opened.

242

235

1768

Brought over£ 1485 4 5¾

Centl. brought over£ 203 8 10

Thomas Morgan

3 16 8

James Mannington Transfd. to the 3d Compy. 5 July

" 3 4

Reeves Osborn

3 16 8

George Oliver

3 16 8

Thomas Newton decd. 3 Aug.

1 8 4

Samuel Perry

3 16 8

John Perry

3 16 8

Thomas Palmer entd. 26th Sept.

" 4 2

Thomas Richards

3 16 8

William Richardson

3 16 8

Jno. Christr. Rufe

3 16 8

Thomas Stower

3 16 8

Gregory Southernwood

3 16 8

Francis Seale

3 16 8

Frederick Shaffer

3 16 8

George Street

3 16 8

John Tucker

3 16 8

John Vaughan

3 16 8

John Whyatt

3 16 8

Joseph Whaley

3 16 8

270 8 -

Third Company

Richard Beale Capt. Saly.

45 12 6

Thomas Bazett Lieut. Saly.

18 5 -

Do. Diet Money

6 16 10½

Do. House Rent

2 10 -

27 11 10½

Thomas Lambert Lieut. Saly.

18 5 -

Do. Diet Money

6 16 10½

Do. House Rent

2 10 -

27 11 10½

Carrd. over£ 1856 8 8¾

The Second Company's private soldiers continued from a running total of £203 8s 10d, and the list then opened the Third Company.

Brought forward, £1,485 4s 5½d

Private soldiers brought forward, £203 8s 10d

Thomas Morgan, private, £3 16s 8d

James Mornington, private, transferred to the Third Company 5 July, £0 3s 4d

Reeves Osborn, private, £3 16s 8d

George Oliver, private, £3 16s 8d

Thomas Naylor, private, died 3 August, £1 8s 4d

Samuel Perry, private, £3 16s 8d

John Povey, private, £3 16s 8d

Thomas Palmer, private, enlisted 26 September, £0 4s 2d

Thomas Richards, private, £3 16s 8d

William Richardson, private, £3 16s 8d

John Christopher Shefe, private, £3 16s 8d

Thomas Seaver, private, £3 16s 8d

Gregory Southernwood, private, £3 16s 8d

Francis Seale, private, £3 16s 8d

Frederick Sheffer, private, £3 16s 8d

George Street, private, £3 16s 8d

John Tucker, private, £3 16s 8d

John Vaughan, private, £3 16s 8d

John Whyrell, private, £3 16s 8d

Joseph Whaley, private, £3 16s 8d

Total for the Second Company's private soldiers, £270 8s 0d

Third Company

Richard Beale, captain, salary, £45 12s 6d

Thomas Bazett, lieutenant, salary, £18 5s 0d

Thomas Bazett, diet money, £6 16s 10½d

Thomas Bazett, house rent, £2 10s 0d

Total for Thomas Bazett, £27 11s 10½d

Thomas Lambert, lieutenant, salary, £18 5s 0d

Thomas Lambert, diet money, £6 16s 10½d

Thomas Lambert, house rent, £2 10s 0d

Total for Thomas Lambert, £27 11s 10½d

Carried forward, £1,856 8s 8½d

Interpretations

Richard Beale commanded the Third Company while also serving as judge advocate and schoolmaster. His three posts together brought him £65 12s 6d for the quarter, more than any other officer on the island except the engineer. Captaincies of the garrison companies went to the leading civil servants. The same small group of men therefore held the island's military command, legal machinery and education.

Thomas Bazett served as a lieutenant in the Third Company and also drew £13 15s 0d as a superintendent. He was the officer Archibald Mitchell had recommended to succeed him as engineer. A lieutenant's pay was supplemented by civil duties, and an able officer was being prepared for a technical post through those duties.

243

236

The 17 October

Brought over£ 1856 8 8¾

Serjeants

William Roberts

7 13 4

William Clifton

7 13 4

Samuel Johnson

7 13 4

Thomas Pearcy

7 13 4

30 13 4

Corporals

John Hilliard

5 7 4

David Scott

5 7 4

John Ireland

5 7 4

Richard Ashford

5 7 4

21 9 4

Drummers

John Francis

5 7 4

George Varney

5 7 4

10 14 8

Centinels

James Anderson

3 16 8

Henry Brown

3 16 8

Jacob Bull

3 16 8

Mark Bolls

3 16 8

Fredk. Wm. Bird

3 16 8

John Bloxham

3 16 8

Willm. Caleb Baldwin

3 16 8

Abel Wagnell

3 16 8

John Cook

3 16 8

Robert Davis

3 16 8

Edward Dudley

3 16 8

James Donavan

3 16 8

Charles Edgels

3 16 8

William Edwards

3 16 8

William Foster

3 16 8

John Foxon

3 16 8

Centl. Carrd. over£ 61 6 8

Carrd. over£ 1919 6 -¾

The Third Company's list continued with its sergeants, corporals, drummers and private soldiers.

Brought forward, £1,856 8s 8½d

Sergeants

William Roberts, sergeant, £7 13s 4d

William Clifford, sergeant, £7 13s 4d

Samuel Johnson, sergeant, £7 13s 4d

Thomas Pearce, sergeant, £7 13s 4d

Total for the sergeants, £30 13s 4d

Corporals

John Hilliard, corporal, £5 7s 4d

David Reid, corporal, £5 7s 4d

John Shirland, corporal, £5 7s 4d

Richard Ashford, corporal, £5 7s 4d

Total for the corporals, £21 9s 4d

Drummers

John Swale, drummer, £5 7s 4d

George Varney, drummer, £5 7s 4d

Total for the drummers, £10 14s 8d

Private soldiers

James Anderson, private, £3 16s 8d

Henry Brown, private, £3 16s 8d

Jacob Bell, private, £3 16s 8d

Mark Wells, private, £3 16s 8d

Frederick William Beard, private, £3 16s 8d

John Blackhorn, private, £3 16s 8d

William Caleb Baldwin, private, £3 16s 8d

Abel Bagnall, private, £3 16s 8d

John Goff, private, £3 16s 8d

Robert Davis, private, £3 16s 8d

Edward Dudley, private, £3 16s 8d

James Dornahan, private, £3 16s 8d

Charles Edgels, private, £3 16s 8d

William Edwards, private, £3 16s 8d

William Foster, private, £3 16s 8d

John Ferson, private, £3 16s 8d

Private soldiers carried forward, £61 6s 8d

Carried forward, £1,919 6s [...]

Interpretations

The Third Company's sergeants, corporals and drummers all served the full quarter without a death, discharge or promotion. The First and Second Companies had each seen a chain of changes. Here every man drew his whole 92 days' pay. The contrast showed that the movements recorded on the earlier pages came from individual vacancies, not from any general reorganisation of the garrison.

244

237

1768

Brought over£ 1919 6 -¾

Centl. brought over£ 61 6 8

William Ford

3 16 8

Archibald Grayham

3 16 8

Richard Gregory

3 16 8

William Greenup

3 16 8

Felix Hyder

3 16 8

William Hill

3 16 8

William Hopkins

3 16 8

Thomas Hilbrook

3 16 8

Mannord Hayes

3 16 8

Joseph Holloway

3 16 8

Robert Hardie

3 16 8

Peter Higgins

3 16 8

William Hamilton

3 16 8

Josiah Johnson

3 16 8

Richard Johnson

3 16 8

Robert Johnston

3 16 8

William Johnson

3 16 8

James Kemp

3 16 8

John Long

3 16 8

Edward Lambert

3 16 8

Bryan Lynch

3 16 8

James Long Decd. 16 Sept.

3 5 -

Thomas Little

3 16 8

Charles Montague

3 16 8

Richard Moyse

3 16 8

Thomas Moris

3 16 8

John Miller

3 16 8

Abraham Major

3 16 8

James Moyse

3 16 8

Joseph Martin

3 16 8

Thomas Matthews

3 16 8

Centl. Carrd. over£ 179 11 8

Carrd. over£ 1919 6 -¾

The Third Company's private soldiers continued from a running total of £61 6s 8d.

Brought forward, £1,919 6s 0½d

Private soldiers brought forward, £61 6s 8d

William Ford, private, £3 16s 8d

Archibald Grayham, private, £3 16s 8d

Richard Gregory, private, £3 16s 8d

William Greenup, private, £3 16s 8d

Felix Hyler, private, £3 16s 8d

William Hill, private, £3 16s 8d

William Hopkins, private, £3 16s 8d

Thomas Hillock, private, £3 16s 8d

Maynard Hayes, private, £3 16s 8d

Joseph Holloway, private, £3 16s 8d

Robert Hardie, private, £3 16s 8d

Peter Higgins, private, £3 16s 8d

William Hamilton, private, £3 16s 8d

Josiah Johnson, private, £3 16s 8d

Richard Johnson, private, £3 16s 8d

Robert Johnston, private, £3 16s 8d

William Johnson, private, £3 16s 8d

James Kemp, private, £3 16s 8d

John Long, private, £3 16s 8d

Edward Lamburn, private, £3 16s 8d

Bryan Lynch, private, £3 16s 8d

James Long, private, died 16 September, £3 5s 0d

Thomas Little, private, £3 16s 8d

Charles Montague, private, £3 16s 8d

Richard Moyle, private, £3 16s 8d

Thomas Minns, private, £3 16s 8d

John Miller, private, £3 16s 8d

Abraham Major, private, £3 16s 8d

James Moyse, private, £3 16s 8d

Joseph Morton, private, £3 16s 8d

Thomas Matthews, private, £3 16s 8d

Private soldiers carried forward, £179 11s 8d

Carried forward, £1,919 6s 0½d

Interpretations

James Long's pay ran to the day of his death on 16 September 1768, which came to 78 days at the private's rate. The Company did not stop a dead soldier's wages at the last full month or pay out the whole quarter. The exact sum owed became part of his estate. Like Lieutenant De Laune's balance, it could then be settled with his creditors or passed to his heirs.

245

238

The 17 October

Brought over£ 1919 6 -¾

Centl. brought over£ 179 11 8

Daniel Masterson

3 16 8

William Metcalf

3 16 8

Charles Morris

3 16 8

James Mannington Entd. 5 July

3 13 4

Charles Newstead

3 16 8

Thomas Perry

3 16 8

Henry Pinston

3 16 8

David Patten

3 16 8

William Perkins

3 16 8

James Proctor

3 16 8

Samuel Parker transfd. to 2d Compy. 5 July

" 3 4

William Robinson

3 16 8

Robert Sack

3 16 8

Adam Scott

3 16 8

Arthur Skill

3 16 8

William Smith

3 16 8

John Thompson

3 16 8

Thomas Taylor

3 16 8

George Fennes entd. 26th Sept.

" 4 2

Richard Vincent

3 16 8

Thomas Ward

3 16 8

Holton Walker

3 16 8

George Washington

3 16 8

Thomas Wiffington

3 16 8

Samuel Word

3 16 8

James York

3 16 8

271 15 10

Fourth Company

John Howard Capt. Saly.

45 12 6

Henry De Laval Lieut. 8th Augt.

11 15 2½

James Greentree Lieut. 9th Do.

15 16 8

27 11 10½

Carrd. over£ 2264 6 3

The Third Company's private soldiers continued from a running total of £179 11s 8d, and the list then opened the Fourth Company.

Brought forward, £1,919 6s 0½d

Private soldiers brought forward, £179 11s 8d

Daniel Masterson, private, £3 16s 8d

William Medcalf, private, £3 16s 8d

Charles Morris, private, £3 16s 8d

James Mannington, private, joined 5 July, £3 13s 4d

Charles Newstead, private, £3 16s 8d

Thomas Penny, private, £3 16s 8d

Henry Puffin, private, £3 16s 8d

David Paton, private, £3 16s 8d

William Parkes, private, £3 16s 8d

James Proctor, private, £3 16s 8d

Samuel Parker, private, transferred to the Second Company 5 July, £0 3s 4d

William Robinson, private, £3 16s 8d

Robert Stack, private, £3 16s 8d

Adam Scott, private, £3 16s 8d

Arthur Shill, private, £3 16s 8d

William Smith, private, £3 16s 8d

John Thompson, private, £3 16s 8d

Thomas Taylor, private, £3 16s 8d

George Towns, private, enlisted 26 September, £0 4s 2d

Richard Vincent, private, £3 16s 8d

Thomas Ward, private, £3 16s 8d

Hatton Walker, private, £3 16s 8d

George Warrington, private, £3 16s 8d

Thomas Wellington, private, £3 16s 8d

Samuel Webb, private, £3 16s 8d

James York, private, £3 16s 8d

Total for the Third Company's private soldiers, £271 15s 10d

Fourth Company

John Howard, captain, salary, £45 12s 6d

Henry De Laune, lieutenant, died 8 August, £11 15s 2½d

James Greentree, lieutenant, from 9 August, £15 16s 8d

Total for the lieutenancy, £27 11s 10½d

Carried forward, £2,264 6s [...]

Interpretations

The Bartley and Parker exchange in the Second Company was a planned transfer between companies, not a fresh enlistment. Samuel Parker left the Third Company as a private on 5 July 1768 and joined the Second Company as a corporal on the same day. James Mannington moved the other way and joined the Third Company on 5 July. Parker's promotion was arranged by moving him into a company where a corporal's place had just opened, while Mannington kept the Third Company's private numbers level.

Henry De Laune's lieutenancy passed to James Greentree without a single day's gap. De Laune was paid to 8 August 1768, the day he died, and Greentree from 9 August. Their two sums together made up exactly one lieutenant's full quarterly pay of £27 11s 10½d. The Company paid one salary for the post, divided between the outgoing and incoming holder, and the promotion of a cadet cost it nothing extra.

246

239

1768

Brought Over£ 2264 6 3

Serjeants

John Fleming

7 13 4

John Moore

7 13 4

Joseph West

7 13 4

James Fox

7 13 4

30 13 4

Corporals

John Dale

5 7 4

Thomas Hilliard

5 7 4

Thomas Williams

5 7 4

John Ward

5 7 4

21 9 4

Drummers

George Hill

5 7 4

John Sampson

5 7 4

10 14 8

Centinels

John Allen

3 16 8

William Allen

3 16 8

Daniel Armon

3 16 8

George Bennett

3 16 8

Joseph Blackwell

3 16 8

John Beauchamp

3 16 8

John Bewler

3 16 8

William Blackman

3 16 8

James Bullett

3 16 8

William Blevin

3 16 8

Thomas Bailey

3 16 8

Richard Bickerstaff

3 16 8

Thomas Blake entd. 2 Aug.

2 10 -

William Corkney

3 16 8

Duncan Cameron

3 16 8

Centl. Carrd. over£ 56 3 4

Carrd. over£ 2327 3 7

The Fourth Company's list continued with its sergeants, corporals, drummers and private soldiers.

Brought forward, £2,264 6s 3d

Sergeants

John Fleming, sergeant, £7 13s 4d

John Moore, sergeant, £7 13s 4d

Joseph West, sergeant, £7 13s 4d

James Fox, sergeant, £7 13s 4d

Total for the sergeants, £30 13s 4d

Corporals

John Deale, corporal, £5 7s 4d

Thomas Hilliard, corporal, £5 7s 4d

Thomas Williams, corporal, £5 7s 4d

John Woods, corporal, £5 7s 4d

Total for the corporals, £21 9s 4d

Drummers

George Wells, drummer, £5 7s 4d

John Sampson, drummer, £5 7s 4d

Total for the drummers, £10 14s 8d

Private soldiers

John Allen, private, £3 16s 8d

William Allen, private, £3 16s 8d

Daniel Armin, private, £3 16s 8d

George Bennett, private, £3 16s 8d

Joseph Blackwell, private, £3 16s 8d

John Beauchamp, private, £3 16s 8d

John Bowler, private, £3 16s 8d

William Blackman, private, £3 16s 8d

James Bullett, private, £3 16s 8d

William Blavin, private, £3 16s 8d

Thomas Bayley, private, £3 16s 8d

Richard Bickerstaff, private, £3 16s 8d

Thomas Blake, private, joined 2 August, £2 10s 0d

William Cathery, private, £3 16s 8d

Herman Campion, private, £3 16s 8d

Private soldiers carried forward, £56 3s 4d

Carried forward, £2,327 3s 7d

Interpretations

Thomas Blake's two entries showed a single man's quarter split between two companies. He was paid by the First Company up to 2 August 1768 and by the Fourth Company from that date. The 32 days and 60 days together made up the full 92-day quarter. Each company's roll carried only the days a man actually served in it, so a transfer never produced a double payment or a gap.

247

240

The 17 October

Brought over£ 2327 3 7

Centl. brought over£ 56 3 4

James Cubbins

3 16 8

Richard Close

3 16 8

Josiah Cummings

3 16 8

John Gleanen

3 16 8

John Quston

3 16 8

Charles Field

3 16 8

Francis Flinn

3 16 8

Thomas Friendly

3 16 8

John Glenney transf. to Arty. Compy. 2 Aug.

1 6 8

George Green

3 16 8

John Gilmore

3 16 8

Edward German

3 16 8

Thomas Ferris

3 16 8

Henry Hevenburgh

3 16 8

Roger Haydon

3 16 8

James Harris

3 16 8

John Harper

3 16 8

Stephen John

3 16 8

Christian Johnson

3 16 8

Thomas Johnson

3 16 8

John Joyce

3 16 8

James Jordan

3 16 8

Richard Kimpton

3 16 8

Thomas Kyleck

3 16 8

Thomas Lyne

3 16 8

Charles Lewellin

3 16 8

Murdk. McLeod

3 16 8

John Mayer

3 16 8

Thomas McClearman

3 16 8

Robert Nay

3 16 8

John Newton

3 16 8

Centl. Carrd. over£ 172 10 -

Carrd. over£ 2327 3 7

The Fourth Company's private soldiers continued from a running total of £56 3s 4d.

Brought forward, £2,327 3s 7d

Private soldiers brought forward, £56 3s 4d

James Collister, private, £3 16s 8d

Richard Close, private, £3 16s 8d

Josiah Cummings, private, £3 16s 8d

John Cleman, private, £3 16s 8d

John Custon, private, £3 16s 8d

Charles Field, private, £3 16s 8d

Francis Flinn, private, £3 16s 8d

Thomas Friendly, private, £3 16s 8d

John Glenny, private, transferred to the artillery company 2 August, £1 6s 8d

George Gibson, private, £3 16s 8d

John Gilmore, private, £3 16s 8d

Edward German, private, £3 16s 8d

Thomas Jervis, private, £3 16s 8d

Henry Harbaugh, private, £3 16s 8d

Peter Hayden, private, £3 16s 8d

James Harris, private, £3 16s 8d

John Harper, private, £3 16s 8d

Stephen John, private, £3 16s 8d

Christian Johnson, private, £3 16s 8d

Thomas Johnson, private, £3 16s 8d

John Joyce, private, £3 16s 8d

James Jordan, private, £3 16s 8d

Richard Kempton, private, £3 16s 8d

Thomas Kinlock, private, £3 16s 8d

Thomas Lyne, private, £3 16s 8d

Charles Lewellen, private, £3 16s 8d

Murdoch McLeod, private, £3 16s 8d

John Mayor, private, £3 16s 8d

Thomas McDiarmon, private, £3 16s 8d

Robert May, private, £3 16s 8d

John Nelson, private, £3 16s 8d

Private soldiers carried forward, £172 10s 0d

Carried forward, £2,327 3s 7d

Interpretations

John Glenny left the Fourth Company for the artillery on 2 August 1768. On the same day Thomas Blake moved from the First Company into the Fourth. Blake's transfer therefore filled the place Glenny had left. The artillery took its recruits from the infantry, and the Council then rebalanced the companies by shifting men from one to another. Each company stayed at its fixed number of privates.

248

241

1768

Brought over£ 2327 3 7

Centl. brought over£ 172 10 -

James Nesbitt

3 16 8

John Oswald

3 16 8

John Pluck

3 16 8

Daniel Patrick

3 16 8

Stephen Papps

3 16 8

William Parker

3 16 8

Thomas Pritchard

3 16 8

John Pink

3 16 8

Benjamin Poole

3 16 8

James Richardson

3 16 8

Thomas Rutherford

3 16 8

John Shaw

3 16 8

William Scotman

3 16 8

John Slade

3 16 8

William Sedman

3 16 8

William Sharpe

3 16 8

John Sorry

3 16 8

John Tetchell

3 16 8

Jeremiah Worrall

3 16 8

William Waite

3 16 8

Thomas Watts

3 16 8

James Willson

3 16 8

James Walter

3 16 8

Samuel Willson

3 16 8

John Words

3 16 8

John White

3 16 8

272 3 4

Artillery Company

Archibald Mitchell Capt. Saly.

45 12 6

Nathan Campbell Lieut. Saly.

18 5 -

Do. Diet Money

6 16 10½

Do. House Rent

2 10 -

27 11 10½

Carrd. over£ 2672 11 3½

The Fourth Company's private soldiers continued from a running total of £172 10s 0d, and the list then opened the Artillery Company.

Brought forward, £2,327 3s 7d

Private soldiers brought forward, £172 10s 0d

James Newport, private, £3 16s 8d

John Oswald, private, £3 16s 8d

John Pluck, private, £3 16s 8d

Daniel Patrick, private, £3 16s 8d

Stephen Phipps, private, £3 16s 8d

William Parker, private, £3 16s 8d

Thomas Pritchard, private, £3 16s 8d

John Pink, private, £3 16s 8d

Benjamin Poole, private, £3 16s 8d

James Richardson, private, £3 16s 8d

Thomas Rutherford, private, £3 16s 8d

John Shaw, private, £3 16s 8d

William Seaman, private, £3 16s 8d

John Slade, private, £3 16s 8d

William Stedman, private, £3 16s 8d

William Sharpe, private, £3 16s 8d

John Terry, private, £3 16s 8d

John Tolledell, private, £3 16s 8d

Jeremiah Thorrell, private, £3 16s 8d

William Varley, private, £3 16s 8d

Thomas Watts, private, £3 16s 8d

James Wilson, private, £3 16s 8d

James Walker, private, £3 16s 8d

Samuel Wilson, private, £3 16s 8d

John Worth, private, £3 16s 8d

Peter White, private, £3 16s 8d

Total for the Fourth Company's private soldiers, £272 3s 4d

Artillery Company

Archibald Mitchell, captain, salary, £45 12s 6d

Nathan Sempill, lieutenant, salary, £18 5s 0d

Nathan Sempill, diet money, £6 16s 10½d

Nathan Sempill, house rent, £2 10s 0d

Total for Nathan Sempill, £27 11s 10½d

Carried forward, £2,672 11s 3½d

Interpretations

Archibald Mitchell commanded the Artillery Company as well as serving as engineer. His captain's salary of £45 12s 6d came on top of the £77 10s 0d he drew as engineer, making £123 2s 6d for the quarter. This was the largest income on the island's pay list. Placing the guns and the fortifications under one man made sense on St Helena, where the batteries Mitchell was building at Purling's Battery, Munden's Point and Lemon Valley were the artillery's own stations.

249

242

The 17 October

Brought over£ 2672 11 3½

Thomas Leech Lieut. Saly.

18 5 -

Do. Diet Money

6 16 10½

Do. House Rent

2 10 -

27 11 10½

Serjeants

John Whitehurst

9 4 -

Adam Watson

9 4 -

John Shirtley

9 4 -

Thomas Collins

9 4 -

36 16 -

Corporals

Nicholas Hodson

6 18 -

Robert Gibson

6 18 -

John Jack

6 18 -

John Turner

6 18 -

27 12 -

Bombardiers

James Pickett

6 18 -

David Dennis

6 18 -

Thomas Tyler

6 18 -

Samuel Smith

6 18 -

27 12 -

Gunners

John Smith

6 2 8

Thomas McFarling disd. 1 Augt.

2 2 8

Thomas Jones

6 2 8

William Stapleford

6 2 8

Sedgwick Netherol

6 2 8

John Dobson

6 2 8

Charles Abraham

6 2 8

John Corfoot

6 2 8

William Durham 60 days @ 1/4

4 " -

Do. Matross 32 Do. @ 1/

1 12 -

50 13 4

Carrd. over£ 2842 16 6

The list of the Artillery Company continued with its second lieutenant and its non-commissioned men and gunners.

Brought forward, £2,672 11s 3½d

Thomas Leech, lieutenant, salary, £18 5s 0d

Thomas Leech, diet money, £6 16s 10½d

Thomas Leech, house rent, £2 10s 0d

Total for Thomas Leech, £27 11s 10½d

Sergeants

John Whitchurch, sergeant, £9 4s 0d

Adam Watson, sergeant, £9 4s 0d

John Shirley, sergeant, £9 4s 0d

Thomas Collier, sergeant, £9 4s 0d

Total for the sergeants, £36 16s 0d

Corporals

Nicholas Hoskin, corporal, £6 18s 0d

Robert Gibson, corporal, £6 18s 0d

John Jack, corporal, £6 18s 0d

John Turner, corporal, £6 18s 0d

Total for the corporals, £27 12s 0d

Bombardiers

James Garfett, bombardier, £6 18s 0d

David Dennis, bombardier, £6 18s 0d

Thomas Tyler, bombardier, £6 18s 0d

Samuel Smith, bombardier, £6 18s 0d

Total for the bombardiers, £27 12s 0d

Gunners

John Smith, gunner, £6 2s 8d

Thomas McFarling, gunner, died 1 August, £2 2s 8d

Thomas Jones, gunner, £6 2s 8d

William Ashford, gunner, £6 2s 8d

Sedgwick Wetherall, gunner, £6 2s 8d

John Dobson, gunner, £6 2s 8d

Charles Abraham, gunner, £6 2s 8d

John Garfett, gunner, £6 2s 8d

William Durham, gunner, for 60 days at 16d a day, £4 0s 0d

William Durham, as matross for 32 days at 12d a day, £1 12s 0d

Total for the gunners, £50 13s 4d

Carried forward, £2,842 16s 6d

Interpretations

The artillery was paid at a markedly higher rate than the infantry at every level. An artillery sergeant drew 24d a day against 20d in the foot companies, and an artillery corporal 18d against 14d. A matross, the artillery's private soldier who helped the gunners load, aim and move the guns, earned 12d a day against the infantryman's 10d. The premium reflected the skill and training needed to serve heavy guns, and it explained why men transferred into the artillery from the infantry companies.

Thomas McFarling's death on 1 August 1768 set off the same kind of chain seen in the infantry. William Durham moved up from matross to gunner for the remaining 60 days of the quarter. John Glenny and William Harper both transferred into the artillery from the foot companies at about this time. Their arrival probably filled the matross place that Durham's promotion left open.

The bombardiers formed a separate rank, paid the same as the corporals. A bombardier was trained in charging and firing mortars and handling explosive shells, a more specialised task than ordinary gunnery. Their presence showed that the island's defences included high-angle weapons as well as cannon firing directly out to sea.

250

243

1768

Brought over£ 2842 16 6

Drummers

George Gerrard

5 7 4

Joseph Purdey

5 7 4

10 14 8

Matrosses

Benjamin Burton

4 12 -

William Brown

4 12 -

John Cope

4 12 -

John Criswell

4 12 -

Robert Cunningham

4 12 -

Phillip Conaway

4 12 -

Mathew Chelton

4 12 -

Daniel Fenn

4 12 -

Joseph Fellows Disd. 8 Augt.

1 19 -

Robert Fenwick

4 12 -

John Fox

4 12 -

Christr. Greenwald

4 12 -

Thomas Gerrard

4 12 -

Thomas Green

4 12 -

John Glenney entd. 2 Do.

3 " -

William Hodges

4 12 -

William Halbert

4 12 -

Benjamin Holmes

4 12 -

William Harper Entd. 13 Sept.

" 18 -

William Jenkins

4 12 -

William Luke

4 12 -

John Lewis

4 12 -

Daniel Maloney

4 12 -

George Marshall

4 12 -

Jonathan Mullett

4 12 -

John Moore

4 12 -

Patrick Mahoney

4 12 -

Matrosses Carrd. over£ 116 5 -

Carrd. over£ 2853 11 2

The Artillery Company's list continued with its drummers and its matrosses.

Brought forward, £2,842 16s 6d

Drummers

George Chamitt, drummer, £5 7s 4d

Joseph Purdey, drummer, £5 7s 4d

Total for the drummers, £10 14s 8d

Matrosses

Benjamin Burton, matross, £4 12s 0d

William Brown, matross, £4 12s 0d

John Cope, matross, £4 12s 0d

John Creswell, matross, £4 12s 0d

Robert Cunningham, matross, £4 12s 0d

Phillip Conaway, matross, £4 12s 0d

Mathew Charlton, matross, £4 12s 0d

Daniel Finn, matross, £4 12s 0d

Joseph Fellows, matross, discharged 8 August, £1 19s 0d

Robert Frankish, matross, £4 12s 0d

John Fox, matross, £4 12s 0d

Christopher Gronewald, matross, £4 12s 0d

Thomas Gorall, matross, £4 12s 0d

Thomas Green, matross, £4 12s 0d

John Glenny, matross, joined 2 August, £3 0s 0d

William Hodges, matross, £4 12s 0d

William Halsall, matross, £4 12s 0d

Benjamin Holmes, matross, £4 12s 0d

William Harper, matross, joined 13 September, £0 18s 0d

William Jenkins, matross, £4 12s 0d

William Luke, matross, £4 12s 0d

John Lewis, matross, £4 12s 0d

Daniel Maloney, matross, £4 12s 0d

George Marshall, matross, £4 12s 0d

Jonathan Mallett, matross, £4 12s 0d

John Moore, matross, £4 12s 0d

Patrick Mahoney, matross, £4 12s 0d

Matrosses carried forward, £116 5s 0d

Carried forward, £2,853 11s 2d

Interpretations

John Glenny's entry confirmed that he took the matross's place left open by William Durham's promotion. Durham became a gunner after 1 August 1768, when Thomas McFarling died, and Glenny joined the artillery on 2 August. His pay rose at once from the infantry's 10d a day to the matross's 12d. The vacancy was filled on the first possible day.

William Harper's two entries left a gap that neither roll covered. The Second Company paid him for only two days in early July, and the artillery paid him only from 13 September. For roughly 10 weeks between the two dates he drew no pay from either company. The record gave no reason, but a soldier was not paid while absent from duty, confined or otherwise struck off strength. Harper probably entered the matross place opened by Joseph Fellows's discharge on 8 August 1768.

251

244

The 17 October

Brought Over£ 2853 11 2

Matrosses brought Over£ 116 5 -

Thomas Nimble

4 12 -

Esau Nowland

4 12 -

Martin Newman

4 12 -

John Osborne

4 12 -

William Phillips

4 12 -

William Robinson

4 12 -

Samuel Bingrow entd. 9th Aug.

2 13 -

Godfrey Smith

4 12 -

William Stone

4 12 -

Andrew Tedrick

4 12 -

Thomas Watts disd. 12th Sept.

3 14 -

John Webley

4 12 -

Richard Wellman

4 12 -

Thomas Wyatt

4 12 -

Richard Waterhouse

4 12 -

John Willson

4 12 -

Thomas Yates

4 12 -

191 12 -

£ 3045 3 2

The Artillery Company's matrosses continued from a running total of £116 5s 0d, closing the quarter's pay list.

Brought forward, £2,853 11s 2d

Matrosses brought forward, £116 5s 0d

Thomas Nimble, matross, £4 12s 0d

Esau Nowland, matross, £4 12s 0d

Martin Newman, matross, £4 12s 0d

John Osborne, matross, £4 12s 0d

William Phillips, matross, £4 12s 0d

William Robinson, matross, £4 12s 0d

Samuel Bingrave, matross, joined 9 August, £2 13s 0d

Godfrey Smith, matross, £4 12s 0d

William Stone, matross, £4 12s 0d

Andrew Tedrick, matross, £4 12s 0d

Thomas Watts, matross, discharged 12 September, £3 14s 0d

John Webley, matross, £4 12s 0d

Richard Wellman, matross, £4 12s 0d

Thomas Wyatt, matross, £4 12s 0d

Richard Waterhouse, matross, £4 12s 0d

John Wilson, matross, £4 12s 0d

Thomas Yates, matross, £4 12s 0d

Total for the matrosses, £191 12s 0d

Total for the quarter, £3,045 3s 2d

Interpretations

The artillery's three recruits from the infantry each entered on the day after a matross place fell vacant. John Glenny joined on 2 August 1768, the day after Thomas McFarling's death set off William Durham's promotion. Samuel Bingrave left the First Company and joined the artillery on 9 August, the day after Joseph Fellows was discharged. William Harper arrived on 13 September, the day after Thomas Watts's discharge. The artillery was kept at a fixed strength, and the infantry companies served as its reserve of trained men.

The full quarter's pay for the island's civil and military establishment came to £3,045 3s 2d. Roughly £550 of this went to the civil servants, surgeons, craftsmen and other employees. The rest paid the officers and men of the four foot companies and the artillery. The garrison was by far the largest charge on the Company's St Helena accounts. The island existed chiefly as a fortified base for the East India ships, and its pay list reflected that purpose.

A Thomas Yates also appeared earlier in the list as clerk of the church, paid £5 0s 0d for the quarter. He was perhaps the same man as the matross, earning an extra wage on top of his military pay. Civil posts held by soldiers were common on an island with few free men to fill them.

252

245

Thomas Kirkpatrick Paymr. Dr.

1768 Sept. 30 To Cash Received£ 3978 6 4¼

Carrd. over£ 3978 6 4¼

Per Contra Cr.

1768 Aug. 4th By Cash paid Sundy. Garrison Men for 12 days

Work in the Stores

" 12 -

10th By Cash paid Wm. French for sowing Sacking for

Colts

1 " -

By Cash paid Hugh Jones for 2 Empty Leagrs.

by order of the Govern.

1 " -

6th By Cash paid Sundy. Garrison Men for 12¼ days

Work in the Stores

" 12 3

10th By Cash paid Do. Do. for 10 days Work Do.

" 10 -

12 By Cash paid Captn. Riddell of the Ship Adl. Pocock

as under p his Bill

1 Jo. Hawser half Worn wt. 3.2.0

@ 17/9 p Ct.

£ 3 2 1½

57½ lb. Wax Candles

@ 2/ p lb.

6 18 1½

37½ Gall. Sweet Oil

@ 6/3 p G.

11 15 11¼

2 Cable Junk

@ 17/9 p C.

1 15 6

9 lb. Turpentine

@ /5½ p lb.

2 3 7½

2 Fish Tackles Hooks, Strops Hooks

& Thimbles

" 15 -

26 10 1¾

Carrd. over£ 30 4 4¾

Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick's account as paymaster recorded the cash he received and the payments he made from it.

Received

30 September 1768, cash received, £3,978 6s 4¼d

Carried forward, £3,978 6s 4¼d

Paid

3 July 1768, to various garrison men for 12 days' work in the stores, £0 12s 0d

10 July 1768, to William French for sewing sacking for cots, £1 0s 0d

10 July 1768, to Hugh Jones for 2 empty leaguers, by the Governor's order, £1 0s 0d

6 August 1768, to various garrison men for 12¼ days' work in the stores, £0 12s 3d

10 August 1768, to the same men for 10 days' work in the stores, £0 10s 0d

12 August 1768, to Captain Riddell of the Admiral Pocock, for the goods on his bill:

1 half-worn 7½-inch hawser, 3 hundredweight 2 quarters at 17s 9d a hundredweight, £3 2s 1½d

57½ pounds of wax candles at 2s [...] a pound, £6 18s 11½d

37½ gallons of olive oil at 6s 3[...] a gallon, £11 15s 11¼d

2 hundredweight of old cable at 17s 9d a hundredweight, £1 15s 6d

93 pounds of turpentine at 5[...] a pound, £2 3s 7½d

2 fish tackle blocks, with strap hooks and thimbles, £0 15s 0d

Total for Captain Riddell's bill, £26 10s 1¾d

Carried forward, £30 4s 4¾d

Interpretations

Captain Riddell's bill showed the Company buying ship's stores directly from a commander in the road. The Admiral Pocock was the ship in which Daniel Corneille sailed on 14 August 1768, two days after this payment. A departing ship's surplus or worn gear was a ready source of supply for an island with no rope-walk, chandlery or oil press of its own. Half-worn hawser and old cable, sold by weight as "junk", were cut up for lashings, oakum and the many small uses ashore where new rope would have been wasted.

Several of the goods would be unfamiliar today. A leaguer was a very large cask, holding roughly 150 gallons, used for water and arrack on East India ships. Empty leaguers were valued on St Helena for storing water and provisions. Sweet oil was olive oil, used for lamps, cooking and medicine. Turpentine served for paints, varnish and the treatment of timber and rigging. A fish tackle was the purchase used to haul an anchor's flukes up to the ship's side, and its blocks with their hooks and metal thimbles would have served the island's cranes and landing gear.

The storehouse labour was paid by the day to men drawn from the garrison. Soldiers were set to work in the stores for a few days at a time and paid a small extra wage in cash. The arrangement spared the Company the cost of permanent labourers, using men it already fed and paid.

253

246

The 17 October

Thomas Kirkpatrick Paymr. Dr.

1768

Brought Over£ 3978 6 4¼

Carrd. over£ 3978 6 4¼

Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick's paymaster account carried its receipts forward unchanged, with no further sums received.

Received

Brought forward, £3,978 6s 4¼d

Carried forward, £3,978 6s 4¼d

Interpretations

Kirkpatrick received the whole of his funds for the quarter as one sum on 30 September 1768. He drew no cash in instalments as payments fell due. Throughout July, August and September he therefore paid the storehouse labourers, William French, Hugh Jones and Captain Riddell before the money was formally issued to him. Either he advanced these sums himself or the treasury allowed him to draw against an issue recorded only when the quarter closed. The single entry made the paymaster's account a record of what he had already spent rather than a running ledger of cash in hand.

254

247

1768

Per Contra Cr.

1768

Brought over£ 30 4 4¾

Aug. 16th By Cash paid by order of the Govern. for a Man coming from

Mundens Point with an Acct. of a Ship seen 7 leagues off

" 2 6

22 By Cash paid by order of the Govern. & Council for an Ink Stand

for the Consultn. Tables

8 10 -

10th By Cash paid John Fanton for enlistg. to serve the H. Company as

a Soldr. for five Years subject to the Articles of War his time to

commence this 10th day of Augt. 1768

3 - -

Sept. 5th By Cash paid John Hill for enlistg. to serve the H. Compy. as above

subject to the Articles of War his time to Commence this 5th day of Sept. 1768

10 - -

Aug. 29th By Cash paid Sundy. Garrison Men for 15 days Work in the Stores

getting the Charter party from the Ship Greenwich

" 15 -

By Cash paid Do. for 8¾ days Do. Do. from the Ship Egmont

" 8 9

Sept. 8th By Cash paid Matw. Dunhill for enlistg. to serve the H. Company

five Years as a Soldr. subj. to the Articles of War his Time to

Commence this 8th day of Sept. 1768

10 - -

10 By Cash paid Captn. Mears for 30 Pieces of Rope each contg. 42 fms.

@ 2/ p fm.

126 - -

17 By Cash pd. Do. for a Large Tea Table bought for the use of the Castle

4 3 -

By Cash pd. Capt. Hook for 9 Bushl. Coals for the Honble.

Compys. Use at 2/ p Bushl.

" 18 -

By Cash pd. Do. for the Passage of Jas. Black late Gardner

to England

5 - -

By Cash pd. Sundry Garrison Men emp. bringing provision

from the Egmont 4 days

" 4 -

By Cash pd. Do. emp. in the Stores taking an Inventory 3¾ days

" 3 9

By Cash pd. Thos. Watts Taylor by Order of the Govr. for Making

a Suit of Cloaths for the Porter of the Court

" 1 -

26th By Cash pd. Thomas Palmer for Enlisting to Serve the Honble.

Compy. five years as a Soldier Subject to the Articles of War

his time to Commence the 26 day of Sept. 1768

" 5 -

By Cash paid Geo. Fennes for Enlistg. to Serve as Above

2 10 -

Carried Over£ 211 4 4¾

Captain Kirkpatrick's payments as paymaster continued from a running total of £30 4s 4¾d.

Brought forward, £30 4s 4¾d

16 August 1768, by the Governor's order, to a man who came from Munden's Point to report a ship sighted 9 leagues out, £0 2s 6d

22 August 1768, by order of the Governor and Council, for a roasting jack for the Company's table, £8 10s 0d

10 August 1768, to John Tanker for enlisting as a soldier for five years under the Articles of War, his service to run from 10 August 1768, £5 0s 0d

5 September 1768, to John Hill for enlisting on the same terms, his service to run from 5 September 1768, £10 0s 0d

29 August 1768, to various garrison men for 13 days' work in the stores landing the [...] from the ship Greenwich, £0 15s 0d

29 August 1768, to the same men for 8¾ days' similar work on goods from the ship Egmont, £0 8s 9d

8 September 1768, to Mathew Burchell for enlisting as a soldier for five years under the Articles of War, his service to run from 8 September 1768, £10 0s 0d

10 September 1768, to Captain Mears for 30 tierces of beef at [...] each, £126 0s 0d

17 September 1768, to Captain Mears for a mahogany tea table bought for the Council's use, £4 5s 0d

17 September 1768, to Captain Hook for 9 bushels of oats for the Company's use at 2s a bushel, £0 18s 0d

17 September 1768, to Captain Hook for the passage of James Black, the former gardener, to England, £5 0s 0d

17 September 1768, to various garrison men for 4 days spent bringing provisions ashore from the Egmont, £0 4s 0d

17 September 1768, to the same men for 3¾ days in the stores taking the inventory, £0 3s 9d

17 September 1768, by the Governor's order, to Thomas Watts, tailor, for making a suit of clothes for the porter of the Castle, £1 0s 0d

26 September 1768, to Thomas Palmer for enlisting as a soldier for five years under the Articles of War, his service to run from 26 September 1768, £5 0s 0d

26 September 1768, to George Towns for enlisting on the same terms, £2 10s 0d

Carried forward, £211 4s 7¾d

Interpretations

The enlistment payments explained the new names on the pay roll. John Hill, Mathew Burchell, Thomas Palmer and George Towns each received a bounty on the day his service began. Those dates matched the dates from which the companies paid them. Every recruit signed for five years and placed himself under the Articles of War, the code of military law that governed discipline, desertion and punishment. The bounty bought the Company a man already on the island, probably a sailor or passenger from a visiting ship. This was far cheaper than recruiting in England and paying his passage out.

The bounties varied sharply, from £10 0s 0d for Hill and Burchell to £5 0s 0d for Tanker and Palmer and £2 10s 0d for Towns. The record gave no reason for the difference. The Company perhaps paid more for a man who was fit, experienced or in particular demand. Where a recruit was already partly bound, by debt or by an earlier engagement, it probably paid less.

The reward to the man from Munden's Point showed how the island's lookout system worked. A ship sighted 9 leagues out, roughly 27 miles, gave the Governor several hours' warning before it reached the road. The small payment encouraged soldiers at the outlying posts to bring such news quickly. Warning of an approaching ship mattered both for defence and for readying provisions and boats.

Thomas Watts, the tailor paid for the porter's suit, was probably the matross of that name discharged from the artillery on 12 September 1768. His discharge left him free to work at his trade. The Company then employed him as a civilian craftsman five days later.

A tierce was a cask holding about 300 pounds of salted meat. Salt beef bought from a ship's commander supplied the garrison when the island's own cattle could not meet demand. At £126 0s 0d, the 30 tierces made up by far the largest item on the page.

255

248

The 17 October

Thomas Kirkpatrick Paymr. Dr.

Brought over£ 3978 6 4¼

Carrd. over£ 3978 6 4¼

The receipts side of Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick's paymaster account again carried its total forward with no new entries.

Received

Brought forward, £3,978 6s 4¼d

Carried forward, £3,978 6s 4¼d

Interpretations

The paymaster's account was copied into the record of the consultation of 17 October 1768, alongside the quarter's pay list. Entering it there placed Kirkpatrick's handling of nearly £4,000 directly before the Council and, through the copy sent home, before the Court of Directors. Kirkpatrick had been censured for his conduct only three months earlier. Each payment he made on the Governor's order was set out against the funds issued to him, so that his use of the Company's money could be checked item by item.

256

249

1768

Per Contra Cr.

1768

Brought over£ 211 4 7¾

Sept. 26th By Cash paid for subsist. of Sundy. Dutch Men in this Quarter

1 12 -

By Cash paid Saml. Parker for 33 days Work as Gardiner from the 29th Augt.

to the 30th day of Sept. 1768 inclusive @ 1/ p day

1 13 -

By Cash paid Jno. Robins Armourer for 1½ lb. of Rivets 13d. for the use

" 16 3

By Cash paid Do. for 9 Flat Files @ 1/ for Do. of the Shop

" 9 -

By Cash paid Do. for 4 Bottles of Oil for Do.

" 18 -

By Cash paid Wm. Jenkins for 117 Batch of Bread Bakg. this Quar. @ 20d.

9 15 -

By Cash paid Wm. Holbrook for 78 days Work of a Labour. this Qr.

3 18 -

By Cash paid the Clerk of the Assz. & the Porter of the Court

" 12 6

By Cash paid Nevg. Pinkhallam for 13 lb. Salt Meat left in the

Stores he being indulged w. money to buy Fresh

1 6 -

By Cash paid his Usual Allowance from the H. Company

1 12 6

By Cash paid Do. for House Rent for Do.

1 " "

July 6 By Cash paid Capt. Bazett for 60 Loaf Sugr. @ 9d. p lb. for the use

of the Honble. Compys. Table

2 7 6

By Cash paid for the following Particulars bought by Order of the

Govr. for the use of the H. Compys. Table

30th 10 Turkeys Grown @ 5/ ea

£ 2 10 -

14 Half Do.

2 2 -

8 Capons half Do.

" 5 4

11 Fowls Grown @ 1/6

" 16 6

15 Do. half Do. @ 1/

" 15 -

16 Do. Middg. Sizd. @ /9

" 12 -

16 Chickens @ /4½ p Do.

" 6 -

7 Geese @ 5/

1 15 -

12 Muscovy Ducks @ 2/

1 4 -

7 Young Do. @ 1/2½

" 4 4

1 Cape Drake @ 1/6

1 6 -

2 Turkeys @ 5/ ea

" 10 -

9 Fowls Grown @ 1/6

" 13 6

10 Third size Chickens @ /6

" 5 -

4 Small Do. @ /4½

" 1 6

12 1 8

Carrd. over£ 249 6 -¾

Captain Kirkpatrick's payments as paymaster continued from a running total of £211 4s 7¾d.

Brought forward, £211 4s 7¾d

26 September 1768, for the subsistence of various discharged men during the quarter, £1 12s 0d

To Samuel Parker for 33 days' work as gardener from 29 August to 30 September 1768 inclusive, at 1s a day, £1 13s 0d

To John Robins, armourer, for 19½ pounds of rivets at 10d a pound for the workshop, £0 16s 3d

To John Robins for 9 flat files at 1s each for the workshop, £0 9s 0d

To John Robins for 4 bottles of oil for the workshop, £0 18s 0d

To William Jenkins for baking 117 batches of bread at 20d each, £9 15s 0d

To William Holbrook for 78 days' work by a labourer at 1s a day, £3 18s 0d

To the clerk, for the porter of the court's account, £0 12s 6d

To Henry Kirkham for 12 pieces of salt meat left in the stores, money being allowed him instead to buy fresh, £1 6s 0d

To Henry Kirkham for his diet allowance from the Company, £1 12s 6d

To Henry Kirkham for house rent, £1 0s 0d

6 July 1768, to Captain Bazett for 60 pounds of loaf sugar at 9½d a pound for the Company's table, £2 7s 6d

30 July 1768, for the following provisions bought by the Governor's order for the Company's table:

10 full-grown turkeys at 5s each, £2 10s 0d

14 half-grown turkeys at 3s each, £2 2s 0d

8 pigeons at 8d each, £0 5s 4d

11 full-grown geese at 1s 6d each, £0 16s 6d

15 half-grown geese at 1s each, £0 15s 0d

16 third-size geese at 9d each, £0 12s 0d

16 chickens, £0 6s 0d

7 geese at 5s each, £1 15s 0d

12 muscovy ducks at 2s each, £1 4s 0d

7 young muscovy ducks at 7½d each, £0 4s 4½d

1 English drake, £0 1s 6d

2 turkeys at 5s each, £0 10s 0d

9 full-grown fowls at 1s 6d each, £0 13s 6d

10 third-size chickens at 6d each, £0 5s 0d

4 small chickens at 4½d each, £0 1s 6d

Total for the poultry, £12 1s 8d

Carried forward, £249 6s 0¾d

Interpretations

The garden was kept going without a pause after James Black's dismissal. Samuel Parker was paid from 29 August 1768 at a labourer's rate of 1s a day. Black had drawn a salaried place on the civil list. Replacing him with a day-labourer cut the cost of the post and avoided appointing a new gardener before the Court's approval.

Henry Kirkham received money in place of the salt meat due to him from the stores. The Company bought back his unused ration and let him buy fresh food instead. Salt provisions were costly to replace on the island, and a returned ration could be issued to someone else. Fresh meat was also healthier for a man than months of salted beef.

The poultry bill showed how the Company's table was kept supplied. This was the common table at the Castle where the Governor, councillors and senior servants dined at the Company's expense. Those who did not eat there drew the table allowances recorded on the pay list. Birds were bought live from the island's farmers and graded by size and age, from full-grown down to "third size" and "small". The scale of the purchase, over 140 birds, reflected the number of officials and visiting commanders who ate there. Muscovy ducks were a large South American breed raised widely in the colonies. The single English drake was perhaps bought to improve the island's stock.

257

250

The 17 October

Thomas Kirkpatrick Paymr. Dr.

1768

Brought over£ 3978 6 4¼

Carrd. over£ 3978 6 4¼

The receipts side of Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick's paymaster account once more carried its total forward without any new entry.

Received

Brought forward, £3,978 6s 4¼d

Carried forward, £3,978 6s 4¼d

Interpretations

The receipts stayed fixed at £3,978 6s 4¼d while the payments grew from page to page. By the last recorded payments the paymaster had spent about £249 on contingent items, on top of the quarter's pay list of £3,045 3s 2d. The difference between the two sides would show how much of the issue remained in Kirkpatrick's hands at the close of the account. Any surplus had to be returned to the treasury or carried into the next quarter. This kept the paymaster personally answerable for every shilling not accounted for.

258

251

1768

Per Contra Cr.

1768

Brought over£ 249 6 -¾

By Cash paid Jno. Price Marsl. Goaler & Sexton as under p Bill

1 Skain of Silk

for the use of the Church Book

£ - - 7½

2 Yds. Ferriting

" 3 -

for the Buril. of Thos. Newton Soldr. died 3 Augt. 1768

" 2 6

for Do. James Long Do. 16 Sept. Do.

" 2 6

for Commitment & Banishing Mr.

Matt. Bazetts Servt.

" 5 -

For Do. Lieut. Desfountain, for Mr. Greentree

Cato Mr. Rd. Goodwins Robbin & Mr. John

Seals Quagy

" 6 -

for Do. Jno. Fish

" 5 -

for Do. Josh. Papps

" 5 -

1 9 7½

By Cash paid Adam Evans for the use of the H. Compys. for

mending a Bag to Carry the Clerk of the Peace Papers to Court

" 5 8

By Cash paid John Irvine for the following Articles bought for the

use of the H. Compys. Table as under p Bill

536 lb. Beef

@ 5d. p lb.

£ 11 3 4

4 Piggs

@ 5/

1 " -

20 Doz. Eggs

1 10 -

21 Fowls

1 11 6

Blue Smalts

" 14 -

15 18 10

By Cash paid Sundry Garrn. Men for coming express with

Alarms this Quart.

1 5 -

Sept. 30 By Cash paid for 6314½ days Labour. Work @ Mund. Point @ 1/ p day

315 14 6

By Do. 726½ Do. Stonelaur. Do. Do. @ 1/6 Do.

54 10 1½

By Do. 284 Masons Do. Do. @ 1/6 Do.

21 6 -

By Do. 174½ Smiths Do. Do. @ 1/6 Do.

13 1 9

By Do. 98 Lime burng. Do. @ 1/6 Do.

7 7 -

By Do. 88 Carpent. Do. @ 1/6 Do.

6 12 -

By Do. 69¼ Carpentr. L. J. Boats Do. @ 1/6 Do.

5 3 10½

Carrd. over£ 692 - 5¼

Captain Kirkpatrick's payments as paymaster continued from a running total of £249 6s 0¾d.

Brought forward, £249 6s 0¾d

To John Price, marshal, gaoler and sexton, for the items on his bill:

1 skein of silk for the church book, £0 0s 7½d

2 yards of ferreting for the church book, £0 3s 0d

For burying Thomas Naylor, soldier, who died 3 August 1768, £0 2s 6d

For burying James Long, soldier, who died 16 September 1768, £0 2s 6d

For committing and releasing Matthew Bazett's slave Cupid, £0 5s 0d

For committing and releasing Lieutenant Desfountain's slave Joe, Mrs Greentree's slave Cato, Robert Goodwin's slave Nobbin and John Seale's slave Caesar, £0 6s 0d

For committing and releasing Benjamin Fish, £0 5s 0d

For committing and releasing Joseph Gaffe, £0 5s 0d

Total for John Price's bill, £1 9s 7½d

To Adam Evans, for the Company's use, for mending a bag to carry the clerk of the peace's papers to court, £0 5s 8d

To John Irvin for the following goods bought for the Company's table, as on his bill:

536 pounds of beef at 5d a pound, £11 3s 4d

4 pigs at 5s each, £1 0s 0d

20 dozen eggs, £1 10s 0d

21 fowls, £1 11s 6d

Other small items, £0 14s 0d

Total for John Irvin's bill, £15 18s 10d

To various garrison men for carrying word of alarms during the quarter, £1 5s 0d

30 September 1768, for 6,314½ days of labourers' work at Munden's Point at 1s a day, £315 14s 6d

For 726¾ days of stonelayers' work there at 1s 6d a day, £54 10s 1½d

For 284 days of masons' work there at 1s 6d a day, £21 6s 0d

For 174½ days of smiths' work there at 1s 6d a day, £13 1s 9d

For 98 days of lime-burners' work there at 1s 6d a day, £7 7s 0d

For 88 days of carpenters' work there at 1s 6d a day, £6 12s 0d

For 69¼ days of [...] work there at 1s 6d a day, £5 3s 10½d

Carried forward, £692 0s 5¼d

Interpretations

The work at Munden's Point cost the Company more than £423 in wages for the quarter, far more than any other contingent charge. More than 6,000 of the days were paid at the plain labourer's rate of 1s. The skilled trades, from masons and smiths to lime-burners and carpenters, earned 1s 6d. These men were mostly soldiers paid extra for working on the fortifications. The Company used its garrison as the island's building workforce instead of hiring free labourers or bringing out artisans from England. The scale of the bill explained how the battery, already more than half built, was advancing so quickly.

John Price's bill showed the public gaol being used to discipline privately owned slaves. Cupid, Joe, Cato, Nobbin and Caesar belonged to Matthew Bazett, Lieutenant Desfountain, Mrs Greentree, Robert Goodwin and John Seale. Their owners sent them to the gaol for confinement or punishment, and the marshal charged a fee for each committal and release. The owners were among the island's officials and leading inhabitants. The Company's officer and its gaol thus served as an arm of private slave discipline, with the fees passing first through the paymaster's account.

The single gaoler also served as marshal and sexton. Price buried the dead soldiers Thomas Naylor and James Long, kept prisoners and supplied silk and ferreting, a narrow binding tape, for the church register. On a small island one man covered the court, the prison and the burial ground, and was paid for each task by piece.

The payment to soldiers for carrying alarms reflected the island's signal system. Lookouts at the outlying posts sent runners to the Castle when a ship appeared or an alarm gun fired. A small fee for each message encouraged them to bring news at speed.

259

252

[Right-hand edge of the page cut off in the image.]

The 17 October

Thomas Kirkpatrick Paymr. Dr.

1768

Brought over£ 3978 6 4¼

£ 3978 6 4¼

Island St[...]

Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick's paymaster account closed with its receipts totalled and posted to the island's general account.

Received

Brought forward, £3,978 6s 4¼d

Total received, £3,978 6s 4¼d

Posted to the Island account

Interpretations

The receipts side closed at exactly £3,978 6s 4¼d, the same sum as the single issue entered on 30 September 1768. The account was balanced by making the quarter's issue equal to what the paymaster had spent. Kirkpatrick therefore received no float to draw on. He paid the garrison, the workmen and the tradesmen through the quarter and was reimbursed in one sum when his vouchers were totalled. No surplus remained to be returned.

The note "Island" pointed the entry to the general account of the island in the Company's ledger. Every quarter's military and contingent spending was charged there. This allowed the Court of Directors to see the full yearly cost of maintaining St Helena, set against the rents, sales and other income the island raised.

260

253

1768

Per Contra Cr.

1768

Brought over£ 692 - 5¼

Sept. 30th By Cash paid 3158 days Labr. Work @ Banks's @ 1/ p day

157 18 3

By Do. 120 Do. Masons Do. @ 1/6 Do.

9 " "

By Do. 104½ Do. Stonelaur. Do. @ 1/6 Do.

7 16 9

By Do. 98 Do. Carpent. Do. @ 1/6 Do.

7 7 -

By Do. 42 Do. Overseers Do. @ 1/6 Do.

3 3 -

By Do. 14 Do. Painting Do. @ 1/6 Do.

1 1 -

By Do. 70½ Do. Smiths Do. @ 1/6 Do.

5 5 9

By Do. 22½ Do. Sailmakers Do. @ 1/6 Do.

1 13 9

By Do. 841 Labour. Work at Lemon Valley @ 1/ Do.

42 1 -

By Do. 12 Carpent. Do. @ 1/6 Do.

" 18 -

By Do. 18 Overseers Do. @ 1/6 Do.

1 7 -

By Do. 12 White Washing at Govr. House @ 1/6 Do.

" 18 -

By Do. 20 Labr. Repg. the Armour. Shop @ 1/ Do.

1 " "

By Do. 33¼ days Do. Ladder Hill Path @ 1/ Do.

1 13 3

£ 933 3 2¼

By the Amount of the Pay List

3045 3 2

£ 3978 6 4¼

Helena 30th Sepr. 1768

Errors Excepted

(signed) Thoms. Kirkpatrick

Paymastr.

Captain Kirkpatrick's payments as paymaster continued from a running total of £692 0s 5¼d and closed with the quarter's pay list.

Brought forward, £692 0s 5¼d

30 September 1768, for 3,158¼ days of labourers' work at Banks's at 1s a day, £157 18s 3d

For 120 days of masons' work there at 1s 6d a day, £9 0s 0d

For 104½ days of stonelayers' work there at 1s 6d a day, £7 16s 9d

For 98 days of carpenters' work there at 1s 6d a day, £7 7s 0d

For 42 days of overseers' work there at 1s 6d a day, £3 3s 0d

For 14 days of painting there at 1s 6d a day, £1 1s 0d

For 70½ days of smiths' work there at 1s 6d a day, £5 5s 9d

For 22½ days of sailmakers' work there at 1s 6d a day, £1 13s 9d

For 841 days of labourers' work at Lemon Valley at 1s a day, £42 1s 0d

For 12 days of carpenters' work at Lemon Valley at 1s 6d a day, £0 18s 0d

For 18 days of overseers' work at Lemon Valley at 1s 6d a day, £1 7s 0d

For 12 days of whitewashing at the Country House at 1s 6d a day, £0 18s 0d

For 20 days of labourers' work repairing the armourer's shop at 1s a day, £1 0s 0d

For 33¼ days of labourers' work on the Ladder Hill path at 1s a day, £1 13s 3d

Total for the contingent payments, £933 3s 2¼d

For the amount of the pay list, £3,045 3s 2d

Total paid, £3,978 6s 4¼d

Kirkpatrick signed the account as paymaster at St Helena on 30 September 1768, reserving the right to correct any errors. The copy was then checked against the original.

Interpretations

The account still recorded the battery under its old name of Banks's, although the Council had renamed it Purling's Battery when it was finished in August 1768. More than 3,000 labourers' days were charged there for the quarter. Sailmakers and painters worked alongside the masons and smiths, probably making canvas covers for the guns and painting the new carriages and woodwork. The final finishing of the battery thus fell within this quarter's spending.

The 841 labourers' days at Lemon Valley showed the next set of works already under way before the quarter closed. While Munden's Point was still being built and Banks's was being completed, Archibald Mitchell had begun to move men to the third site. The engineer evidently ran the projects in overlapping stages to keep his garrison labour fully employed. He did not wait for one battery to be finished before starting the next.

The phrase "errors excepted" was the standard reservation on a merchant's or officer's account. By signing with it, Kirkpatrick declared the figures correct to his knowledge while keeping the right to amend any mistake found later. It protected the paymaster from being held to a slip of the pen. It also left the Council and the Court free to challenge any item on audit.

261

254

The 17 October

Collection of Goods sold and delivered out of the Honble. Company's Ware

Houses from the 1st of July to the 30 September 1768 viz.

Sold to the Compys. Servants at 10 p Cent viz.

Sugar & Candy viz.

6352 lb. Sugar

99 18 6

2263 lb. Candy

51 17 2

151 15 8

Flour viz.

5202 lb. Flour

48 15 4

269 Cwt. 2 qrs. 2 lb. Do. Baked

251 11 -

300 6 4

Tea viz.

348 lb. Bohea

26 5 2

230 Congo

16 10 1

171 Singlo

12 2 3

54 17 6

Sope 781½ lb.

22 16 3

Flannel 46½

4 3 3

Salt 22 Bushels

4 2 11

Pepper 49 lb.

1 7 6

Candles 76 lb.

32 18 10

Cordage 165¾

16 4 6

Ticking 47¼ Yds.

8 1 5

Rice 1 Bushel

" 10 5

Starch 51¼

1 2 5

Buckram 15¾ Yds.

" 13 9

Shallows 34 Pr.

15 11 8

Coffee 30

1 7 6

Arrack 4 7/8 Gall.

1 3 1

Kersey 3 1/8 Yds.

2 6 6

Grindstones 1

" 3 1

Oars 1 Small

" 4 5

Sailors Cloaths, Mens Shirts &c.

" 11 10

Lead 12 lb. Shot

" 2 9

Carrd. over£ 620 11 7

The record of goods sold and issued from the Company's warehouses between 1 July and 30 September 1768 began with the sales to the Company's servants, charged at cost plus 10 per cent.

Sold to the Company's servants at 10 per cent above cost

Sugar and sugar candy

6,352 pounds of sugar, £99 18s 6d

2,263 pounds of sugar candy, £51 17s 2d

Total for sugar and sugar candy, £151 15s 8d

Flour

5,202 pounds of flour, £48 15s 4d

269 hundredweight 2 quarters 2 pounds of flour issued as baked bread, £251 11s 0d

Total for flour, £300 6s 4d

Tea

54 pounds of Bohea tea, £26 5s 2d

23 pounds of Congo tea, £16 10s 1d

17¼ pounds of Hyson tea, £12 2s 3d

Total for tea, £54 17s 6d

731¼ pounds of soap, £22 16s 3d

46½ yards of flannel, £4 3s 3d

22 bushels of salt, £4 2s 11d

49 pounds of pepper, £1 7s 6d

76½ [...] of candles, £32 18s 10d

165¼ [...] of cordage, £16 4s 6d

47¼ yards of ticking, £8 1s 5d

1 bushel of pease, £0 10s 5d

57¼ pounds of starch, £1 2s 5d

16¼ yards of buckram, £0 13s 9d

34 pieces of chelloes, £15 11s 8d

22 pounds of coffee, £1 7s 6d

4⅞ gallons of arrack, £1 3s 1d

3 [...] of jersey yarn, £2 6s 6d

1 grindstone, £0 3s 1d

1 small oar, £0 4s 5d

Sailors' clothing of various kinds, £0 11s 10d

12 pounds of lead shot, £0 2s 9d

Carried forward, £620 11s 7d

Interpretations

The Company's warehouses worked as the island's main shop. Goods shipped out from England and the East were sold to its own servants at cost plus 10 per cent. The mark-up was modest, covering freight, waste and handling, not a trading profit. It gave the officials, soldiers and their families access to sugar, tea, cloth and household goods. A small, remote island could not otherwise obtain such things at a reasonable price.

Several of the goods would be unfamiliar today. Bohea was the cheapest black tea, Congo a better black tea and Hyson a fine green tea, all shipped from Canton. Their prices rose in that order. Sugar candy was crystallised sugar, sold in lumps. Arrack was a strong spirit distilled in India and the East Indies from palm sap or rice. Chelloes were checked or striped cotton cloths woven in western India and sold by the piece. Ticking was a strong, close-woven cloth for mattress and pillow covers. Buckram was stiffened linen, used for lining and shaping clothes. Jersey was fine combed wool spun for knitting stockings and garments.

The largest single item was flour issued as baked bread, worth £251 11s 0d. The Company supplied its own flour to a baker and sold the finished loaves to its servants. William Jenkins was paid by the paymaster for baking 117 batches during the quarter. Bread was thus produced centrally under the Company's control, so that an island with little grain of its own could ration a scarce imported staple.

262

255

1768

Brought Over£ 620 11 7

Beef & Pork viz.

1882 lb. Beef

188 4 -

2435 Do. Pork

243 10 -

431 14 -

Rice & Paddy viz.

529 lb. Rice

1 19 -

2167 lb. Paddy

9 18 9

11 17 9

Long Ells viz.

81¾ Yds. Blue

7 6 6

6 1/8 Scarlet

" 16 7

8 3 1

Twine viz.

54 Sk. Twine

1 13 9

14¼ Coll. Wick

2 4 6

3 18 3

Canvas viz.

17¾ Yds. Eng. Canvas

3 12 2

22 Do. Oznabrigs

" 19 2

4 Yds. Ticklenburghs

" 4 -

4 15 4

Corks viz.

16 Gro. 9 Lge. Corks

2 3 11

2¼ Small Do.

" 1 7

2 5 6

Earthen Ware 2 Milk Pans

" 2 1

Leather viz.

93 lb. Sole

4 10 6

9 Calf Skins

4 9 10

9 " 4

Oil viz.

12½ Gall. Linsed.

2 13 7

6 Bott. Florence

1 " 1

4 Gall. Train

" 14 8

1½ Gall. Oil Turpentine

" 8 6

4 19 10

Carrd. Over£ 1097 7 9

The record of goods sold to the Company's servants continued from a running total of £620 11s 7d.

Brought forward, £620 11s 7d

Beef and pork

1,882 pieces of beef, £188 4s 0d

2,435 pieces of pork, £243 10s 0d

Total for beef and pork, £431 14s 0d

Rice and paddy

529 pounds of rice, £1 19s 0d

4,167 pounds of paddy, £9 18s 9d

Total for rice and paddy, £11 17s 9d

Long ells

81¾ yards of blue long ells, £7 6s 6d

6⅛ yards of scarlet long ells, £0 16s 7d

Total for long ells, £8 3s 1d

Twine

54 pounds of small twine, £1 13s 9d

14¼ pounds of cotton wick, £2 4s 6d

Total for twine, £3 18s 3d

Canvas

1 bolt and 7¾ yards of English canvas, £3 12s 2d

22 yards of osnaburgs, £0 19s 2d

4 yards of tecklenburgs, £0 4s 0d

Total for canvas, £4 15s 4d

Corks

16 gross 9 dozen corks, £2 3s 11d

2¼ gross of short corks, £0 1s 7d

Total for corks, £2 5s 6d

2 earthenware milk pans, £0 2s 1d

Leather

9 sides of sole leather, £4 10s 6d

9 calf skins, £4 9s 10d

Total for leather, £9 0s 4d

Oil

12½ gallons of linseed oil, £2 13s 7d

6 flasks of Florence oil, £1 3s 1d

4 gallons of train oil, £0 14s 8d

1½ gallons of oil of turpentine, £0 8s 6d

Total for oil, £4 19s 10d

Carried forward, £1,097 7s 9d

Interpretations

Salt beef and pork made up the largest sales of the quarter after flour, at £431 14s 0d. Both were sold by the piece at a flat 2s, not by weight. Salt meat was packed in casks in pieces of standard size, so each piece served as a ready ration unit. The garrison and the servants' households drew their meat this way when the island's own cattle could not supply fresh beef.

Several textiles and other goods needed explanation. Long ells were a light, coarse woollen cloth woven in Devon and Somerset, made in long lengths mainly for the East India trade. Osnaburgs were rough unbleached linen named after Osnabrück in Germany, much used for slaves' clothing, sacks and work clothes. Tecklenburgs were a similar German linen from the county of that name. Paddy was rice still in its husk, cheaper than cleaned rice and fed to slaves and livestock or husked at home.

The four oils each had a separate use. Florence oil was fine olive oil shipped from Tuscany in straw-covered flasks, used at table and in medicine. Train oil was rendered from whale blubber and burned in lamps. Linseed oil and oil of turpentine were the materials for paint, which matched the painting work charged at the batteries the same quarter.

263

256

The 17 October

Brought Over£ 1097 7 9

Cutlery Ware viz.

66 Pr. Leathr. Garters

2 1 3

14 fine Ivory Combs

1 14 1½

28 Buckling Do.

" 8 9

22 Horn Do.

" 4 1½

1 Ordy. Ivory Do.

" 1 10

1 Horse Do.

" " 3½

1 Cooks Knife

" 2 6½

2 Pudding Do.

" 2 2

14 Butch. Do.

" 5 10

1 Doz. Ivory Handd. Knives & Forks

1 14 11

4 Shoe Knives

" 1 6

12 Pr. Shoe Buckles

" 7 -

7 4 4

Books viz.

2 Primmers

" " 3½

4 Testaments

" 5 4

3 Bibles

" 12 2¼

6 Common Pray. Books

" 19 3½

3 Spelling Do.

" 4 6

2 1 9

Pewter viz.

4 Chamber Pots

" 13 8½

1 Water Plate

" 5 6½

1 Ewre

" 18 7

1 17 10

Pitch & Tar viz.

18 lb. Pitch

" 1 -½

1½ Gall. Tar

" 1 3½

24 Rozin

" 4 -

" 6 4

Shirts viz.

132 Centl. Shirts

33 " "

28½ Brown Holland

2 17 7

4½ Do. Irish Linen

7 11 3

43 8 10

Carrd. over£ 1152 6 10

The record of goods sold to the Company's servants continued from a running total of £1,097 7s 9d.

Brought forward, £1,097 7s 9d

Cutlery and small wares

66 pairs of leather garters, £2 1s 3d

14 fine ivory combs, £1 14s 1½d

28 buckle combs, £0 8s 9d

22 horn combs, £0 4s 1½d

1 ordinary ivory comb, £0 1s 10d

1 horse comb, £0 [...] 3½d

1 cook's knife, £0 2s 6½d

2 budding knives, £0 2s 2d

14 butcher's knives, £0 5s 10d

1 dozen ivory-handled knives and forks, £1 14s 11d

4 shoe knives, £0 1s 6d

12 pairs of shoe buckles, £0 7s 0d

Total for cutlery and small wares, £7 4s 4d

Books

2 primers, £0 0s 5½d

4 New Testaments, £0 5s 4d

3 Bibles, £0 12s 2¼d

6 Books of Common Prayer, £0 19s 3½d

3 spelling books, £0 4s 6d

Total for books, £2 1s 9d

Pewter

4 chamber pots, £0 13s 8½d

1 water plate, £0 5s 6½d

1 ewer, £0 18s 7d

Total for pewter, £1 17s 10d

Pitch and tar

18 pounds of pitch, £0 1s 0½d

1½ gallons of tar, £0 1s 3½d

24 pounds of rosin, £0 4s 0d

Total for pitch and tar, £0 6s 4d

Shirts and shirting

132 soldiers' shirts, £33 0s 0d

2 pieces of brown holland, £2 17s 7d

4½ pieces of Irish linen, £7 11s 3d

Total for shirts and shirting, £43 8s 10d

Carried forward, £1,152 6s 10d

Interpretations

The 132 soldiers' shirts, sold at 5s each, showed how the garrison was clothed. Soldiers bought their shirts and other necessaries from the Company's stores, and the cost was taken out of their pay. The Company thus recovered much of what it paid the garrison through its own warehouse. The men also received standard clothing at a controlled price.

The sale of primers, spelling books, Testaments and prayer books supplied the island's school and church. Richard Beale drew a schoolmaster's pay on the same quarter's list. The Company stocked the books children needed to learn to read, along with the Bibles and prayer books used in services. It sold them at cost plus the usual 10 per cent, so families paid for their children's schoolbooks while the Company met the teacher's salary.

A few of the items were specialised. Buckle combs were used to set the rolled side curls, known as buckles, of a wig or dressed hair. Budding knives were small blades for grafting fruit trees, a sign of the orchards kept on the island's farms. A pewter water plate had a hollow base filled with hot water to keep food warm at table. Brown holland was an unbleached linen first woven in the Netherlands, used for shirts, aprons and covers.

264

257

1768

Brought Over£ 1152 6 10

Hooks & Lines viz.

375 No. 1 Hooks

1 12 7

150 .. 6 Do.

" 12 [...]

400 .. 9 Do.

" 16 11½

325 .. 14 Do.

" 5 5½

2525 .. 16 Do.

" 14 8¾

300 .. 12 Do.

" 5 -

200 .. 11 Do.

" 4 1½

20 .. 8 Do.

" 1 7¼

15 Large Do.

" 3 3

80 No. 2 Lines

3 13 4

[...] .. 3 Do.

2 18 3½

[...] .. 4 Do.

1 7 3½

19 Hambro Do.

1 13 3

9 Log Do.

" 10 1

14 19 3

Nails viz.

[...] lb. 2d.

1 17 11½

8 .. 3

" 6 8

60 .. 4

2 " "

38 .. 6

1 3 9

[...] .. 10

1 " 3½

[...] .. 20

" 11 3

12 .. 40

" 5 -

10 Clinch

" 5 1½

3 Barrd.

" 3 -

1 Copper

" " 7½

[...] lb. Glazrs. Brads

" 4 1½

18 Pump Do.

" 1 3½

8 [...] 2

Candles viz.

[...] lb. Tallow

1 16 9

9½ lb. Wax Do.

1 10 9

3 7 6

Shalloon 76¾ Yds. Coloured

7 [...] 1

Carrd. over£ 1186 1[...] 10

The record of goods sold to the Company's servants continued from a running total of £1,152 6s 10d.

Brought forward, £1,152 6s 10d

Fish hooks and lines

575 number 1 hooks, £1 12s 7d

150 number 6 hooks, £0 12s 6d

400 number 9 hooks, £0 16s 11½d

525 number 14 hooks, £0 5s 5½d

2,525 number 16 hooks, £0 14s 8¾d

800 number 12 hooks, £0 5s 0d

200 number 11 hooks, £0 4s 1½d

20 number 8 hooks, £0 1s 7¼d

15 large hooks, £0 3s 3d

20 [...] of number 2 lines, £3 13s 4d

10 [...] of number 3 lines, £2 18s 3½d

5½ [...] of number 4 lines, £1 7s 3½d

19 Hamburg lines, £1 13s 3d

9 long lines, £0 10s 1d

Total for hooks and lines, £14 19s 3d

Nails

[...] of twopenny nails, £1 17s 11½d

8 [...] of threepenny nails, £0 6s 8d

60 [...] of fourpenny nails, £2 0s 0d

38 [...] of sixpenny nails, £1 0s 9d

29 [...] of tenpenny nails, £1 0s 3¾d

9 [...] of twentypenny nails, £0 11s 3d

12 [...] of fortypenny nails, £0 5s 0d

10 [...] of clout nails, £0 5s 1½d

8 [...] of board nails, £0 3s 0d

1 [...] of copper nails, £0 0s 7½d

[...] of glazier's brads, £0 4s 1½d

18 [...] of [...] nails, £0 3s 5½d

Total for nails, £8 6s 2d

[...]

[...], £1 16s 9d

9 [...], £1 10s 9d

Total, £3 7s 6d

7¾ yards of coloured shalloon, £1 10s 1d

Carried forward, £1,186 14s 10d

Interpretations

Fishing gear made up the largest group on the page, with more than 5,000 hooks sold in a single quarter. Fish caught from the rocks and from small boats offshore were a staple of the island diet. They made up for the shortage of fresh meat between the arrival of store ships. The Company supplied hooks of graded sizes and lines of several weights. This enabled servants and soldiers to feed their households from the sea and reduced the demand on its salt provisions. Hamburg lines were strong hemp fishing lines of a type exported from that port.

Nails were classed by the old "penny" system, from twopenny to fortypenny. The figure originally referred to the price per hundred and later served only to mark size, the higher the number the longer the nail. Clout nails had broad flat heads for fixing leather, canvas or sheet metal. Brads were small tapering nails with little or no head, used by glaziers to hold panes in their frames.

Shalloon was a light, closely woven worsted cloth, named after Châlons-sur-Marne in France. It was used chiefly for lining coats, including soldiers' uniform coats.

265

258

The 17 October

Brought over£ 1186 14 10

Tin Ware viz.

8 Half Gall. Sauce Pans

" 6 2

8 Quart Do.

" 4 2

6 Pudding Pans

" 3 3

4 Lamps

" " 9½

2 Quart Funnels

" 7 4

1 Watering Pot

" 3 3

4 lb. Solder

" 4 1

1 Single Sheet Tin

" " 4

1 17 6

Iron Ware viz.

54 Blank Keys

1 16 -

16 Scythe Stones

" 3 -

18 Files

" 7 10½

¾ lb. Binding Wire

" " 9

8 Pr. H.L. Hinges

" 17 -

11 Mouse Traps

" 6 10½

5 Hand Hatchets

" 9 7

18 Chest Locks

2 " 7½

11 Stock Do.

1 12 6½

10 Spring Rat Traps

" 16 8

6 Spades

1 4 3

2 Broad Hoes

" 4 10

6 Pad Locks

" 10 -

3 Splint. Do.

" 2 8½

7 Pr. Sheep Shears

" 10 6

7 Iron Jacks

" 2 6

3 Ray Stones

" " 8¼

1 Iron rimd. Lock

" 5 5

2 Small frying Pans

" 4 5

2 Axletrees & Winches for Grind Stones

" 7 4

6 Iron rim'd Locks w. Brass Knobs

2 " 4½

Iron Ware Carrd. over£ 14 3 9¼

Carrd. over£ 1188 12 4

The record of goods sold to the Company's servants continued from a running total of £1,186 14s 10d.

Brought forward, £1,186 14s 10d

Tinware

8 half-gallon saucepans, £0 6s 2d

8 quart saucepans, £0 4s 2d

6 pudding pans, £0 3s 3d

4 lamps, £0 0s 9½d

2 quart funnels, £0 7s 4d

1 watering pot, £0 3s 3d

4 coffee pots, £0 4s 1d

1 single sheet of tin, £0 0s 4d

Total for tinware, £1 17s 6d

Ironware

54 plank dogs, £1 16s 0d

16 scythe stones, £0 3s 0d

18 files, £0 7s 10½d

¾ [...] of iron binding wire, £0 0s 9d

8 pairs of H-L hinges, £0 17s 0d

11 mousetraps, £0 6s 10½d

5 hand hatchets, £0 9s 7d

12 chest locks, £2 0s 7½d

11 stock locks, £1 12s 6½d

10 spring rat traps, £0 16s 8d

6 adzes, £1 4s 3d

2 broad hoes, £0 4s 10d

6 padlocks, £0 10s 0d

5 [...] padlocks, £0 2s 8½d

7 pairs of sheep shears, £0 10s 6½d

9 iron jacks, £0 2s 6d

3 ragstones, £0 0s 8¼d

1 iron-rimmed lock, £0 5s 5d

2 small frying pans, £0 4s 5d

2 axles and winches for grindstones, £0 7s 4d

6 iron-rimmed locks with brass knobs, £2 0s 4½d

Ironware carried forward, £14 3s 9¼d

Carried forward, £1,188 12s 4d

Interpretations

The ironware showed the needs of an island of small farms as much as a garrison town. Scythe stones, broad hoes, sheep shears and grindstone fittings served the planters in the country. The 10 spring rat traps and 11 mousetraps answered a constant threat to stored grain and growing crops. Chest locks, stock locks and padlocks were bought in quantity, reflecting a community where stores, provisions and personal goods had to be secured in houses shared with slaves and lodgers.

Several of the tools need explaining. Plank dogs were iron staples with pointed ends, driven into timbers to hold planks together while they were fixed. Scythe stones and ragstones were whetstones for sharpening blades. H-L hinges were door hinges shaped like those two letters together, used for cupboards and room doors. A stock lock was a heavy lock set in a wooden case and fixed to the face of an outside door. The axles and winches were the iron spindle and crank on which a farm grindstone turned, matching the grindstone sold earlier in the quarter.

266

259

1768

Brought Over£ 1188 12 4

Iron Ware brought over£ 14 3 9¼

3 Claw Hammers

" 4 9½

1 Scythe

" 4 -

2 Wire Rat Traps

" 14 8

8 Iron Pots

2 " -

1 two foot Rule

" 1 1½

1 Plain. Door Lock w. Brass Knobs

" 8 3

1 Cupd. Lock

" 3 1½

6 Doz. Wood Screws

" 2 3

12 Round head Hooks

" " 10½

2 Sail Needles

" " 2

7 Pickaxes

1 5 4

5 Axe Helves

" 3 2½

1 Gimblet

" " 3½

2 Gard. Rakes

" 5 1½

6 Curry Combs & Brushes

" 12 -

1 Pruning Saw

" 1 8

1 Hand Do.

" 8 4¼

2 Brick Lay. Trowels

" 2 6

1 Lathg. Hammer

" 1 10

1 Carpent. Adds

" 3 4¼

5 Pr. Dove tail Hinges

" 1 10½

8 Pr. Bart. Do.

" 14 8

3 Gard. Hoes

" 3 -

3 Helves for Do.

" 2 6

6 Bolt Rope Needles

" " 9

2 Pr. Garden Shears

" 7 6

1 Chafing Dish

" 6 7½

23 16 3

Paint viz.

36 lb. Indico

3 8 3

3 lb. Blue Smalts

" 5 9½

Paint Carrd. over£ 3 14 -½

Carrd. over£ 1212 8 7

The record of goods sold to the Company's servants continued from a running total of £1,188 12s 4d.

Brought forward, £1,188 12s 4d

Ironware brought forward, £14 3s 9¼d

3 claw hammers, £0 4s 9½d

1 scythe, £0 4s 0d

2 wire rat traps, £0 14s 8d

8 iron shovels, £2 0s 0d

1 two-foot rule, £0 1s 1½d

1 parlour door lock with brass knobs, £0 8s 3d

1 cupboard lock, £0 3s 1½d

6 dozen wood screws, £0 2s 3d

½ [...] of round-headed tacks, £0 0s 10½d

2 sail needles, £0 0s 2d

7 pickaxes, £1 5s 4d

5 axe handles, £0 3s 2½d

1 gimlet, £0 0s 3¼d

2 garden rakes, £0 3s 1½d

6 curry combs and brushes, £0 12s 0d

1 pruning saw, £0 1s 8d

1 hand saw, £0 8s 4¼d

2 bricklayers' trowels, £0 2s 6d

1 lathing hammer, £0 1s 10d

1 carpenter's adze, £0 3s 4¼d

5 pairs of dovetail hinges, £0 1s 10½d

8 pairs of [...] hinges, £0 14s 8d

3 garden hoes, £0 3s 0d

3 handles for garden hoes, £0 2s 6d

6 bolt rope needles, £0 0s 9d

2 pairs of garden shears, £0 7s 6d

1 chafing dish, £0 6s 7½d

Total for ironware, £23 16s 3d

Paint

36 [...] of indigo, £3 8s 3d

5 [...] of blue smalt, £0 5s 9½d

Paint carried forward, £3 14s 0½d

Carried forward, £1,215 [...]

Interpretations

The garden tools on this page, among them rakes, hoes, shears and a pruning saw, reflected the island's role as a provisioning station. Inhabitants grew vegetables and fruit to sell to the East India ships calling in the road. The servants who bought them were tending kitchen gardens and orchards as well as carrying out their official duties.

Several items had specialised uses. Bolt rope needles were heavy sail needles for stitching the rope sewn round the edge of a sail. A lathing hammer had a small axe blade on one side for trimming the wooden laths that held plaster. A chafing dish was a small pan set over hot coals to keep food warm at table. Curry combs were metal combs for grooming horses, sold here with their brushes.

Smalt was powdered blue glass coloured with cobalt, used as a pigment in paint and to whiten linen in the wash. Indigo was the deep blue dye made from a tropical plant, shipped from India and the Americas. Both were blues for painting woodwork and for laundry.

267

260

The 17 October

Brought Over£ 1212 8 9

Paint brought Over£ 3 14 -½

11 lb. Blue Paint

1 7 -

1½ lb. Do. Black

" " 11¾

14 Pound. Blacking

" 8 2

31½ lb. Whiting

" 19 6

7½ lb. Span. Red dry

" " 5½

8¼ Do. Do. mixed

" 4 8

4 lb. Chalk

" " 2

6½ lb. Yellow Oaker Mixed

" 1 10¾

8 lb. Brimstone

" 1 10

5/8 Copperas

" " 9½

6 lb. Pearl Colour

" 2 9

9 lb. Black Lead

" 1 3

14 lb. Stone Colour

" 7 1½

1½ lb. Yellow Oaker dry

" " 5

83 lb. White Lead Do.

1 9 4¼

16 lb. Stone Oaker mixed

" 8 4

1¾ Verd.

" 7 6¾

3 lb. Red Lead

" " 9

1¼ lb. Olive Colour

" " 6

9 17 7

Turners Ware viz.

2 Scrubg. Brushes

" 4 6

11 Paint Do.

" 6 2¼

6 Plaist. Do.

" 7 6

3 Shoe Do.

" 2 8¼

5 Cloth Do.

" 6 3

4 Labour. Baskets

" 5 1

2 Punch Ladles

" 1 4½

1 Birch Broom

" " 5

1 14 -

Carrd. over£ 1224 - 4

The record of goods sold to the Company's servants continued from a running total of £1,212 8s 9d.

Brought forward, £1,212 8s 9d

Paint brought forward, £3 14s 0¾d

11 pounds of blue paint, £1 7s 0d

1½ pounds of black paint, £0 0s 11¾d

14 pans of blacking, £0 8s 2d

31½ pounds of whiting, £0 19s 6d

1½ pounds of Spanish red, dry, £0 0s 5½d

8¼ pounds of Spanish red, ground, £0 4s 8d

[...] pounds of chalk, £0 0s 2d

6½ pounds of yellow ochre, mixed, £0 1s 10¾d

8 pounds of brimstone, £0 1s 10d

5⅛ pounds of copperas, £0 0s 9¾d

[...] pounds of pearl colour, £0 2s 9d

9 pounds of black lead, £0 1s 3d

14 pounds of stone colour, £0 7s 1½d

1½ pounds of yellow ochre, dry, £0 0s 5d

83 pounds of white lead, dry, £1 9s 4¼d

16 pounds of stone ochre, mixed, £0 8s 4d

7¾ pounds of verdigris, £0 7s 6¾d

3 pounds of red lead, £0 0s 9d

¼ pound of olive colour, £0 0s 6d

Total for paint, £9 17s 7d

Turners' ware

2 scrubbing brushes, £0 4s 6d

11 paint brushes, £0 6s 2¾d

6 plasterers' brushes, £0 7s 6d

3 shoe brushes, £0 2s 8¼d

5 clothes brushes, £0 6s 3d

4 labourers' baskets, £0 5s 1d

2 punch ladles, £0 1s 4½d

1 birch broom, £0 0s 5d

Total for turners' ware, £1 14s 0d

Carried forward, £1,224 0s 4d

Interpretations

The range of colours sold shows the servants painting and maintaining their own houses in Jamestown and the country. Stone colour, stone ochre, pearl colour and olive were ready-mixed shades for walls, doors and shutters. White lead was the base of almost every paint of the period, ground in linseed oil, and red lead was used as a rust-proof primer on ironwork. Whiting and chalk went into whitewash and putty. These were the same materials the Company used on its batteries and buildings, sold on to the inhabitants at the usual mark-up.

Several pigments and chemicals were unfamiliar by modern standards. Spanish red was a red iron-oxide earth, the cheapest red paint. Verdigris was green copper acetate, used for green paint and as a fungicide on timber. Copperas, or green vitriol, was iron sulphate, used in ink, black dyes and tanning. Black lead was powdered graphite rubbed on to iron grates and stoves to polish them and keep off rust. Brimstone was sulphur, burned to fumigate rooms and used in medicine and gunpowder.

Turners' ware was the trade term for goods made by turners and brushmakers: brushes, ladles, baskets and brooms. The punch ladles were small wooden ladles for serving punch, which the island's licensed punch houses and private households drank in quantity.

268

261

1768

Brought Over£ 1224 - 4

Glass Ware viz.

102 Wine Glasses

2 8 10½

15 Tumblers

" 12 6

8 Beer Glasses

" 8 2

2 Quart Decanters

" 5 3

18 Sq. Glass 10 by 12

1 9 1½

111 Do. Do. 8 by 10

3 9 1½

19 Do. Do. 6 by 8

" 7 1½

8 Do. Do. 10 by 14

" 9 8

9 3 1

Thread viz.

13 lb. Whd. Brown

4 15 4

14 lb. Cold.

2 6 1

4 oz. Nuns No. 30

" 7 4

7½ Do. No. 36

" 9 2

7 Do. No. 38

" 6 5

2 Do. No. 26

" 2 5

8 6 9

Hats viz.

8 Mens fine Hats

7 14 8

12 Boys Do.

4 1 -

11 15 8

Broad Cloth viz.

9¼ Yds. Dark Brown

9 5 3

8½ Green

7 13 8

21½ Yds. Do. Blue

20 15 8

7 Do. Buff

6 6 7

7 1/8 Do. Scarlet

7 10 -

8¾ Do. Light Brown

8 8 5

10¾ Do. Black

10 11 -

70 10 7

Carrd. over£ 1323 16 5

The record of goods sold to the Company's servants continued from a running total of £1,224 0s 4d.

Brought forward, £1,224 0s 4d

Glassware

102 wine glasses, £2 8s 10½d

15 tumblers, £0 12s 6d

8 beer glasses, £0 8s 2d

2 quart decanters, £0 5s 3d

18 panes of window glass, 16 by 12 inches, £1 2s 1½d

111 panes of window glass, 8 by 10 inches, £3 9s 1½d

19 panes of window glass, 6 by 8 inches, £0 7s 1½d

8 panes of window glass, 10 by 14 inches, £0 9s 8d

Total for glassware, £9 3s 1d

Thread

13 pounds of whited brown thread, £4 15s 4d

1¼ pounds of coloured thread, £2 6s 1d

4 [...] of nuns' thread, number 30, £0 7s 4d

[...] of nuns' thread, number 36, £0 9s 2d

[...] of nuns' thread, number 38, £0 6s 5d

[...] of nuns' thread, number 26, £0 2s 5d

Total for thread, £8 6s 9d

Hats

8 men's fine hats, £7 14s 8d

12 boys' hats, £4 1s 0d

Total for hats, £11 15s 8d

Broadcloth

9¾ yards of dark brown broadcloth, £9 5s 3d

8½ yards of green broadcloth, £7 13s 8d

21½ yards of blue broadcloth, £20 15s 8d

7 yards of buff broadcloth, £6 6s 7d

7⅛ yards of scarlet broadcloth, £7 10s 0d

8¾ yards of light brown broadcloth, £8 8s 5d

10¾ yards of black broadcloth, £10 11s 2d

Total for broadcloth, £70 10s 7d

Carried forward, £1,323 16s 5d

Interpretations

Broadcloth was the costliest goods on the page, at roughly £1 a yard. Long ells sold earlier in the quarter cost less than 2s a yard. Broadcloth was a heavy, finely finished woollen cloth from the West of England, used for gentlemen's coats and officers' uniforms. The scarlet, blue and buff lengths were the colours of military coats and their facings. The officers were buying cloth from the Company's stores to have their uniforms made up on the island by tailors such as Thomas Watts.

The window glass was sold by the pane in four standard sizes, from 6 by 8 inches up to 16 by 12. Each size fitted a different grade of sash window. The sale of more than 150 panes in one quarter showed houses being built or repaired in Jamestown and the country. Glass came out from England by ship, and a broken pane could not be replaced until the next store ship arrived.

Nuns' thread was a fine white linen thread, first made in convents in Flanders and later in Scotland and Ireland. Its numbers marked its fineness, a higher number meaning a finer thread for delicate needlework and lace. Whited brown thread was a cheaper half-bleached linen thread for general sewing.

269

262

The 17 October

Brought Over£ 1323 16 5

Serge viz.

39½ Blue Duffle

13 13 2½

7½ Yds. Do. Brown Do.

2 11 10½

35¾ Do. Scarlt. Sagathy

5 17 8

11¾ Do. Blue Serge

3 " 2½

21 P. Prunella

5 4 5½

2¾ Yds. Scarlet Serge

1 2 2

31 9 7

Haberdashery viz.

69 Sk. Silk

2 " 3

40 Do. Mohr.

1 1 6

9 Cockades

" 3 4½

10 P. Tape

" 6 3

5½ Gross White Waist. Buttons

" 13 9

3 Do. Shirt Do.

" 7 6

5 Doz. Gilt Coat Do.

" 7 3½

13 Gro. Horn Moulds

1 11 11½

14½ Yds. White Buckram

" 17 6½

6½ Doz. Mohr. Coat Buttons

" 3 4½

10½ Do. Do. Breast Do.

" 3 11½

6½ Do. Silv. Wire Wt. Do.

" 17 -½

6½ Do. Do. Coat Do.

" 12 7¼

3 Do. Do. Breast Do.

" 3 -½

9 9 5

Braziers Ware viz.

2 five Quart Tea Kettles

1 17 -

9 three Do. Do.

6 2 3

1 Boiling Pot of 6 Gall.

1 18 11½

1 Pr. Candle Sticks

" 7 8

2 Pr. Snuffers

" 6 7½

1 Large Brass Cock

" 4 11½

1 Small Do.

" 3 9½

11 1 3

Carrd. over£ 1375 16 8

The record of goods sold to the Company's servants continued from a running total of £1,323 16s 5d.

Brought forward, £1,323 16s 5d

Serge and woollens

39½ yards of blue duffel, £13 13s 2¾d

7½ yards of brown duffel, £2 11s 10½d

35¾ yards of scarlet sagathy, £5 17s 8d

11¾ yards of blue serge, £3 0s 2¾d

2½ pieces of [...], £5 4s 5½d

2¾ yards of scarlet serge, £1 2s 2d

Total for serge and woollens, £31 9s 7d

Haberdashery

69 skeins of silk, £2 0s 3d

40 skeins of mohair, £1 1s 6d

9 cockades, £0 3s 4½d

10 pieces of tape, £0 6s 3d

5½ gross of white waistcoat buttons, £0 13s 9d

3 gross of shirt buttons, £0 7s 6d

5 dozen gilt coat buttons, £0 7s 3½d

13 gross of horn button moulds, £1 11s 11½d

14½ yards of white buckram, £0 17s 6½d

6½ dozen mohair coat buttons, £0 3s 4½d

10½ dozen mohair breast buttons, £0 3s 11½d

6½ dozen silver wire waistcoat buttons, £0 17s 0¾d

6½ dozen silver wire coat buttons, £0 12s 7¼d

3 dozen silver wire breast buttons, £0 3s 0½d

Total for haberdashery, £9 9s 5d

Braziers' ware

2 five-quart tea kettles, £1 17s 0d

9 three-quart tea kettles, £6 2s 3d

1 six-gallon boiling pot, £1 18s 11½d

1 pair of candlesticks, £0 7s 8d

2 pairs of snuffers, £0 6s 7½d

1 large brass tap, £0 4s 11½d

1 bib tap, £0 3s 9½d

Total for braziers' ware, £11 1s 3d

Carried forward, £1,375 16s 8d

Interpretations

The haberdashery showed that clothes were made up on the island, not imported ready-made. Servants bought cloth, thread, buckram and buttons separately and had coats and waistcoats sewn locally. Horn moulds were plain button blanks sold by the gross, to be covered with cloth or silk by the tailor to match the garment. The graded buttons, from plain shirt buttons through mohair to gilt and silver wire, allowed each man to dress according to his rank and means.

Duffel was a coarse, heavily napped woollen cloth named after Duffel near Antwerp, used for greatcoats and blankets. Sagathy was a light, cheap woollen twill, often worn by soldiers and servants. Cockades were rosettes of ribbon worn on the hat as a military or official badge. Their sale beside the scarlet cloth matched the officers' uniform purchases recorded on the previous page.

Braziers' ware was the trade term for goods of brass and copper. The 11 tea kettles sold in a quarter confirmed how widely tea drinking had spread among the island's households, matching the tea sold earlier. A bib tap was a tap with a downturned nozzle, fitted to a cask or cistern. Snuffers were scissor-like tools for trimming candle wicks to stop them smoking.

270

263

1768

Brought Over£ 1375 16 8

Shoes viz.

44 Pr. Mens fine Shoes

13 7 8

42 Do. Do. Do. Pumps

11 11 -

10 Do. Channel Do.

3 6 -

593 Do. Mens Ordy. Shoes

97 16 -

1 Do. Do. Midling Do.

" 5 -

57 Do. Womens Calimanco Do.

12 2 3

12 Do. Do. Spanish Do.

2 11 -

1 Do. Do. Calf Do.

" 2 9

5 Do. Girls Do. Do.

" 11 -

5 Do. Do. Calam. Do.

" 16 8

14 Do. Boys Do.

2 9 -

144 18 4

Long Cloth viz.

13½ Ps. C

20 " 6

12½ Do. C

45 3 2

9 Do. C

40 12 3

3 Do. W

10 11 3

½ Do. I

2 13 2

4 Do. L

21 11 4

6¾ Do. Y

7 3 5

1½ Do. [...]

3 16 -

1 Do. 2

3 19 7

¾ Do. K

2 " 11

1 Do. W3

5 7 10

1 Do. W7

1 1 3

164 - 8

Hosiers Ware viz.

14 Pr. Mens Worst. Stockings

2 16 -

134 Do. Do. Ordy. Thread Do.

20 18 9

2 Do. Boys Do.

" 4 3

1 Pr. Mens fine India Cott. Do.

" 9 3

4 Pr. Scarl. Breeches

3 " -

3 Do. Buff Do.

2 1 6

29 9 9

Carrd. Over£ 1714 5 5

The record of goods sold to the Company's servants continued from a running total of £1,375 16s 8d.

Brought forward, £1,375 16s 8d

Shoes

44 pairs of men's fine shoes, £13 7s 8d

42 pairs of men's fine pumps, £11 11s 0d

10 pairs of men's channel shoes, £3 6s 0d

592 pairs of men's ordinary shoes, £97 16s 0d

1 pair of men's [...] shoes, £0 5s 0d

57 pairs of women's calimanco shoes, £12 2s 3d

12 pairs of women's Spanish leather shoes, £2 11s 0d

1 pair of women's calf shoes, £0 2s 9d

5 pairs of girls' shoes, £0 11s 0d

5 pairs of girls' calimanco shoes, £0 16s 8d

14 pairs of boys' shoes, £2 9s 0d

Total for shoes, £144 18s 4d

Longcloth

13½ pieces marked C, £20 0s 6d

12¼ pieces marked E, £45 3s 2d

9 pieces marked G, £40 12s 3d

3 pieces marked H, £10 11s 3d

½ piece marked J, £2 13s 2d

4 pieces marked L, £21 11s 4d

6¾ pieces marked Y, £7 3s 5d

1½ pieces marked [...], £3 16s 0d

1 piece marked Z, £3 19s 7d

¾ piece marked K, £2 0s 11d

1 piece marked W3, £5 7s 10d

1 piece marked W7, £1 1s 3d

Total for longcloth, £164 0s 8d

Hosiery

14 pairs of men's worsted stockings, £2 16s 0d

134 pairs of men's ordinary thread stockings, £20 18s 9d

2 pairs of boys' stockings, £0 4s 3d

1 pair of men's fine jersey stockings, £0 9s 3d

4 pairs of scarlet breeches, £3 0s 0d

3 pairs of buff breeches, £2 1s 6d

Total for hosiery, £29 9s 9d

Carried forward, £1,714 5s 5d

Interpretations

The 592 pairs of ordinary men's shoes, together with 134 pairs of thread stockings, were the garrison's issue. With roughly 500 soldiers on the pay list, the quantity amounted to about one pair of shoes per man for the quarter. The island's steep, rocky paths wore out footwear quickly. As with the 132 soldiers' shirts sold earlier, the cost came back to the Company through deductions from the men's pay.

Longcloth was a plain cotton calico woven in southern India and shipped from Madras, sold in long pieces of roughly 36 to 40 yards. The letters C, E, G and so on were the merchants' assortment marks, stamped on each bale to show the grade and quality of the cloth. The price per piece varied widely between marks, from less than £1 10s 0d to more than £5. The servants could therefore choose cheaper grades for shirts and sheets and finer ones for better linen.

Calimanco was a glossy worsted woollen cloth, often patterned or striped, used for women's shoe uppers as well as dresses. Spanish leather was fine cordovan goatskin. Channel shoes had their soles stitched in a groove cut in the leather, so that the thread was protected from wear. Pumps were light, low-cut shoes with thin soles for indoor wear and dancing.

271

264

The 17 October

Brought over£ 1714 5 5

China Ware viz.

89 Cups

1 13 1½

15 Chamber Potts

1 13 1½

10 Sets Ordy. Dishes & Plates

12 13 4

72 Octagon Soup Plates

1 13 -

32 Do. Meat Do.

" 19 4

51 Bowls

2 6 9

5 Tea Potts

" 4 7

2 Enaml. Baking Dishes

" 5 10½

8 New Guglets & Basons

1 6 8

1 Old Do. & Do.

" 2 7

1 Milk Ewer

" 1 1½

1 Set Round Dishes & Plates

1 " 1

6 Round Soup Plates

" 3 4

2 Salled Dishes

" 1 8

2 Tureens & Dishes

" 13 3

24 18 1

Wine viz.

19 Gall. Mountain

6 " 4

189¼ Do. Lisbon

57 4 9

180½ Do. Mount.

57 3 2

120 8 3

Beer 2 Hogsheads

7 " -

£ 1866 11 9

The record of goods sold to the Company's servants continued from a running total of £1,714 5s 5d and closed with the quarter's total.

Brought forward, £1,714 5s 5d

China

89 [...], £1 13s 1½d

15 chamber pots, £1 13s 1½d

10 sets of octagonal dishes and plates, £12 13s 4d

72 octagonal soup plates, £1 13s 0d

32 octagonal meat plates, £0 19s 4d

51 bowls, £2 6s 9d

5 teapots, £0 4s 7d

2 enamelled baking dishes, £0 5s 10½d

8 new guglets and basins, £1 6s 8d

1 old guglet and basin, £0 2s 7d

1 milk jug, £0 1s 1½d

1 set of round dishes and plates, £1 0s 1d

6 round soup plates, £0 3s 4d

2 salad dishes, £0 1s 8d

2 tureens and dishes, £0 13s 3d

Total for china, £24 18s 1d

Wine

19 gallons of Madeira, £6 0s 4d

184¼ gallons of Lisbon, £57 4s 9d

180½ gallons of Mountain, £57 3s 2d

Total for wine, £120 8s 3d

2 hogsheads of beer, £7 0s 0d

Total sold to the Company's servants, £1,866 11s 9d

Interpretations

The servants bought £1,866 11s 9d of goods from the Company's warehouses during the quarter. The Company had paid out £3,045 3s 2d on the pay list in the same period. Some three-fifths of the wage bill therefore came straight back to the Company through its own stores. The warehouse was a key part of the island's economy as well as a convenience. It let the Company keep down the amount of coin it had to ship out and recycle the same money from quarter to quarter.

The china was Chinese export porcelain, brought from Canton in the Company's own ships and sold in sets and by the piece. Octagonal plates and dishes were a popular export shape of the period. Guglets were long-necked water bottles of Indian origin. Each was sold with a basin for washing, and water kept in them was cooled by evaporation through the porous clay.

The three wines reflected the island's place on the sea routes. Madeira came from the island of that name, where outward-bound East India ships called for it. Lisbon was a white Portuguese wine. Mountain was a sweet wine from the hills around Malaga in Spain. Lisbon and Mountain, at about 6s 3d a gallon, made up almost all the wine sold. Madeira was dearer, and on this page the servants bought very little of it.

272

265

1768

Sold to the Planters at 25 p Cent viz.

Flannel 3 Yds.

" 10 3

Shalloon 24½ Yds. Cold.

2 18 7

Serge viz.

3½ Yds. Blue Serge

1 10 5

4 P. Prunella

1 4 2

6½ Yds. Blue Duffle

2 11 1

7½ Do. Brown Do.

3 " 10

8 6 6

Shoes viz.

11 Pr. Womens Calimanco Shoes

2 12 8½

4 Do. Do. Spanish Do.

" 19 2

5 Do. Boys Do.

" 19 9

2 Do. Womens Calf Do.

" 6 3

3 Do. Girls Do. Do.

" 7 6

1 Do. Mens Channel Pumps

" 7 6

5 12 10

Hosiers Ware viz.

5 Pr. Mens Worst. Stockings

1 2 6

2 Do. Boys Do.

" 4 9

1 7 3

Long Cloth viz.

1 Ps. [...]

3 9 -

1 Do. 2

4 12 8

8 1 8

Broad Cloth viz.

7½ Yds. Dark Brown

8 " 9

6 Do. Blue

6 11 8

1 Do. Buff

1 " 6

5 Do. Black

5 11 6

21 4 5

Buckram 2 Yards

" 2 6

Carrd. over£ 48 1 [...]

The record then turned to goods sold to the planters, charged at cost plus 25 per cent.

Sold to the planters at 25 per cent above cost

5 yards of flannel, £0 10s 3d

[...] yards of coloured shalloon, £2 18s 7d

Serge and woollens

5¼ yards of blue serge, £1 10s 5d

1 piece of [...], £1 4s 2d

6¾ yards of blue duffel, £2 11s 1d

7½ yards of brown duffel, £3 0s 10d

Total for serge and woollens, £8 6s 6d

Shoes

11 pairs of women's calimanco shoes, £2 12s 8½d

4 pairs of women's Spanish leather shoes, £0 19s 2d

5 pairs of boys' shoes, £0 19s 9d

2 pairs of women's calf shoes, £0 6s 3d

3 pairs of girls' shoes, £0 7s 6d

1 pair of men's channel pumps, £0 7s 6d

Total for shoes, £5 12s 10d

Hosiery

5 pairs of men's worsted stockings, £1 2s 6d

2 pairs of boys' stockings, £0 4s 9d

Total for hosiery, £1 7s 3d

Longcloth

2 pieces marked G, £3 9s 0d

1 piece marked Z, £4 12s 8d

Total for longcloth, £8 1s 8d

Broadcloth

7½ yards of dark brown broadcloth, £8 0s 9d

6 yards of blue broadcloth, £6 11s 8d

1 yard of buff broadcloth, £1 0s 6d

5 yards of black broadcloth, £5 11s 6d

Total for broadcloth, £21 4s 5d

2 yards of buckram, £0 2s 6d

Carried forward, £48 [...]

Interpretations

The Company charged the planters a 25 per cent mark-up on the same goods it sold to its own servants at 10 per cent. A planter paid noticeably more for a yard of duffel or a pair of shoes than a clerk or soldier did. The two-tier price rewarded those in the Company's service and kept the warehouse's cheapest goods for the men it paid. The planters, who held land on lease from the Company, were treated as customers rather than dependants. The higher margin also helped cover the cost of supplying an island where the free settlers had no other ready source of imported goods.

273

266

The 17 October

Brought Over£ 48 1 1

Shirts 5 Yds. Brown Holland

" 11 5

Long Ells 21 Yds. Blue

2 2 10

Hats viz.

2 Mens fine Hats

2 4 -

3 Boys Do.

1 2 10

3 6 10

Thread viz.

3 lb. Col.

" 12 -

2 lb. Whd. Brown

" 16 8

1 8 8

Haberdashery viz.

8 Sk. Silk

" 6 -

9 Do. Mohr.

" 5 3

3 Yds. White Buckram

" 4 1

1 Gro. Horn Moulds

" 2 10

" 18 2

Sold at 40 p Cent viz.

Sugar 401 lb.

8 19 7

Candy 252 lb.

7 7 -

Flour 359 lb.

5 5 4

Sope 83 lb.

3 5 7

Salt 2¼ Bushels

" 10 11

Pepper 3 lb.

" 2 3

Candles 14 lb.

2 3 2

Paddy 2752 lb.

8 8 2

Canvas 89 Yds. Engl.

" 13 -

Pewter 2 Chamb. Pots

" 8 10

Books 6 Testament

" 1 9

Lead 6 lb. Shot

" 1 9

Oil Turpentine ½ Gall.

" 3 7

Corks 1 Gross Corks

" 3 6

Carrd. over£ 94 3 5

The planters' purchases at 25 per cent above cost continued from a running total of £48 1s 1d, and the record then opened a third group of sales at 40 per cent above cost.

Brought forward, £48 1s 1d

5 yards of brown holland for shirts, £0 11s 5d

21 yards of blue long ells, £2 2s 10d

Hats

2 men's fine hats, £2 4s 0d

3 boys' hats, £1 2s 10d

Total for hats, £3 6s 10d

Thread

3 [...] of coloured thread, £0 12s 0d

2 [...] of whited brown thread, £0 16s 8d

Total for thread, £1 8s 8d

Haberdashery

8 skeins of silk, £0 6s 0d

9 skeins of mohair, £0 5s 3d

3 yards of white buckram, £0 4s 1d

1 gross of horn button moulds, £0 2s 10d

Total for haberdashery, £0 18s 2d

Sold at 40 per cent above cost

401 pounds of sugar, £8 19s 7d

252 pounds of sugar candy, £7 7s 0d

3 hundredweight [...] of flour, £5 6s 4d

83 pounds of soap, £3 5s 1d

2¼ bushels of salt, £0 10s 11d

3 pounds of pepper, £0 2s 3d

14 [...] of candles, £2 3s 2d

2,752 pounds of paddy, £8 8s 2d

8 yards of English canvas, £0 13s 0d

2 pewter chamber pots, £0 8s 10d

1 New Testament, £0 1s 9d

6 pounds of lead shot, £0 1s 9d

½ gallon of oil of turpentine, £0 3s 7d

1 gross of corks, £0 3s 6d

Carried forward, £94 3s 5d

Interpretations

The warehouse ran three price levels for the same goods. Servants paid cost plus 10 per cent, planters cost plus 25 per cent and a third group of buyers cost plus 40 per cent. The difference showed plainly in the staples. A pound of sugar cost a servant about 3¾d but cost a buyer in the top band more than 5d. Paddy and sugar candy followed the same pattern. The record did not name who paid the highest rate. The steep mark-up on basic provisions such as flour, salt and rice suggests buyers with no claim on the Company's favour, perhaps free black inhabitants, ships' people or visitors buying from the stores.

274

267

1768

Brought Over£ 94 3 5

Tea viz.

31 lb. Bohea

1 16 2

179 lb. Congo

14 3 5

33 Singlo

2 12 3

18 11 10

Cordage 78¾ lb.

18 9 4

Twine viz.

3 Sk. Twine

" 4 2

1 Coll. Wick

" 4 -

" 8 2

Hooks & Lines viz.

7 Doz. No. 2 Lines

1 13 3

4½ Do. .. 3 Do.

1 5 6

5 Do. .. 4 Do.

1 11 8

3 Hambro Do.

" 6 3

2 Log Do.

" 2 10

350 No. 1 Hooks

1 5 1

100 .. 6 Do.

" 11 1

50 .. 11 Do.

" 1 1½

25 .. 12 Do.

" " 6½

225 .. 14 Do.

" 3 -

325 .. 16 Do.

" 2 5

2 Large Do.

" " 9

7 3 6

Paint viz.

47 Pound. Blacking

1 15 3

6 lb. Red Lead

" 1 9

3 lb. Indico

" 7 1½

2 lb. Whiting

" " 1½

9 lb. White Lead dry

" 4 9½

2 9 3

China Ware viz.

1 Chamber Pot

" 2 10

3 Cups

" 1 5

" 4 3

Carrd. over£ 141 9 9

The sales at 40 per cent above cost continued from a running total of £94 3s 5d.

Brought forward, £94 3s 5d

Tea

3 pounds of Bohea tea, £1 16s 2d

17[...] pounds of Congo tea, £14 3s 5d

3 pounds of Hyson tea, £2 12s 3d

Total for tea, £18 11s 10d

78¾ [...] of cordage, £18 9s 4d

Twine

3 pounds of small twine, £0 4s 2d

1 pound of cotton wick, £0 4s 0d

Total for twine, £0 8s 2d

Fish hooks and lines

7 [...] of number 2 lines, £1 13s 3d

4½ [...] of number 3 lines, £1 5s 6d

5 [...] of number 4 lines, £1 11s 8d

3 Hamburg lines, £0 6s 3d

2 long lines, £0 2s 10d

350 number 1 hooks, £1 5s 1d

100 number 6 hooks, £0 11s 1d

50 number 11 hooks, £0 1s 1½d

25 number 12 hooks, £0 0s 6½d

225 number 14 hooks, £0 3s 0d

325 number 16 hooks, £0 2s 5d

2 large hooks, £0 0s 9d

Total for hooks and lines, £7 3s 6d

Paint

4[...] of blacking, £1 15s 3d

6 pounds of red lead, £0 1s 9d

3 pounds of indigo, £0 7s 2½d

2 pounds of whiting, £0 0s 1½d

9 pounds of white lead, dry, £0 4s 9½d

Total for paint, £2 9s 3d

China

1 chamber pot, £0 2s 10d

3 [...], £0 1s 5d

Total for china, £0 4s 3d

Carried forward, £141 9s 9d

Interpretations

Tea was the dearest everyday item in the warehouse. At the highest mark-up, Bohea cost about 12s a pound and Congo nearly 18s, several days' wages for a soldier or labourer. Even so, the buyers in this band spent more on tea than on any other single group of goods except cordage. The tea habit had spread well beyond the officials' tables on the island.

The buyers at 40 per cent took a large share of fishing gear, including more than 1,000 hooks and several sets of lines. Their purchases matched those of people who fed themselves partly from the sea. This fits the suggestion that the band included the island's poorer free inhabitants, who had neither Company rations nor large farms to fall back on.

275

268

The 17 October

Brought Over£ 141 9 9

Braziers Ware viz.

1 Pr. Candlesticks

" 9 9

1 Do. Snuffers

" 4 3

1 Three Quart Tea Kettle

" 17 4

1 11 4

Cutlery Ware viz.

4 Buckling Combs

" 1 9

2 Horn Do.

" " 6

1 fine Ivory Do.

" 3 4

" 5 7

Nails viz.

2 lb. 2d.

" 2 5

10 .. 4

" 8 6½

22 .. 6

" 17 10½

15 .. 10

" 5 1½

8 .. 20

" 4 4

16 Flooring Brads

" 9 4

8 Cooper's Rivets

" 5 7½

2 13 3

Iron Ware viz.

1 Broad Hoe

" 3 1

3 Spring Rat Traps

" 6 6

3 Mouse Do.

" 2 5¼

2 Pr. H.L. Hinges

" 5 6

2 Large Frying Pans

" 11 9¼

1 Joint. Rub Stone

" 2 11

1 Scythe Do.

" " 3

9 Round head Hooks

" 1 1½

1 13 7

Turners Ware viz.

1 Black. Brush

" 1 2½

5 Paint Do.

" 3 9

2 Shoe Do.

" 2 3½

1 Labour. Basket

" 1 8

" 8 11

Carrd. Over£ 148 1 5

The sales at 40 per cent above cost continued from a running total of £141 9s 9d.

Brought forward, £141 9s 9d

Braziers' ware

1 pair of candlesticks, £0 9s 9d

1 pair of snuffers, £0 4s 3d

1 three-quart tea kettle, £0 17s 4d

Total for braziers' ware, £1 11s 4d

Cutlery and small wares

4 buckle combs, £0 1s 9d

2 horn combs, £0 0s 6d

1 fine ivory comb, £0 3s 4d

Total for cutlery and small wares, £0 5s 7d

Nails

2 pounds of twopenny nails, £0 2s 5d

10 pounds of fourpenny nails, £0 8s 6½d

22 pounds of sixpenny nails, £0 17s 10½d

15 pounds of tenpenny nails, £0 5s 1½d

8 pounds of twentypenny nails, £0 4s 4d

16 pounds of flooring brads, £0 9s 4d

8 pounds of coopers' rivets, £0 5s 7½d

Total for nails, £2 13s 3d

Ironware

1 broad hoe, £0 3s 1d

3 spring rat traps, £0 6s 6d

3 mousetraps, £0 2s 5¼d

2 pairs of H-L hinges, £0 5s 6d

2 large frying pans, £0 11s 9¼d

1 joiner's rubstone, £0 2s 11d

1 scythe stone, £0 0s 3d

1½ [...] of round-headed tacks, £0 1s 1½d

Total for ironware, £1 13s 7d

Turners' ware

1 blacking brush, £0 1s 2½d

5 paint brushes, £0 3s 9d

2 shoe brushes, £0 2s 3½d

1 labourer's basket, £0 1s 8d

Total for turners' ware, £0 8s 11d

Carried forward, £148 1s 5d

Interpretations

The buyers paying 40 per cent included people building and furnishing houses, not only the poor. They took nearly 70 pounds of nails across five sizes, along with flooring brads, hinges, paint and brushes. They also bought candlesticks, a tea kettle and an ivory comb. Taken with the tea and sugar on earlier pages, the purchases suggest households of modest but settled means. Such buyers fell outside both the Company's service and the planters' leaseholds, perhaps free tradesmen, ships' officers or recent arrivals.

Coopers' rivets were short soft-iron rivets used to join the ends of the iron hoops that bound casks. Their sale points to cask-making or repair outside the Company's own cooperage. Barrels were in constant demand on the island for water, salt meat and the produce sold to visiting ships.

276

269

1768

Brought Over£ 148 1 5

Leather viz.

3¾ lb. Soles

" 6 8

2 Calf Skins

1 9 -

1 15 8

Tin Ware viz.

2 Lamps

" 2 1

1 Pudding Pan

" 1 9

" 3 10

Glass Ware viz.

21 Sq. Glass 8 by 10

" 17 -¾

8 Do. Do. 10 by 16

" 13 10

1 Do. Do. 11 by 17½

" 1 11¼

1 12 10

£ 151 13 9

Sold to the Honble. Company's Ships from the 1st of July to the 30th Sept.

1768 viz.

Glass Ware viz.

2 Sq. Glass 8 by 10

" 1 8

4 Do. Do. 11 by 12

" 6 2

9 Do. Do. 11 by 19

" 18 9

3¼ Do. Do. 11 by 15

2 11 -

3 17 7

Nails viz.

18 lb. 4d.

27 .. 6

65 .. 20

30 .. 10

7 Scupper

6 Carpt. Rivets

1 lb. Glazing Brads

5 9 4

Carrd. over£ 9 6 11

The sales at 40 per cent above cost closed with leather, tinware and glass, and the record then opened the sales made to the Company's ships during the quarter.

Brought forward, £148 1s 5d

Leather

3¾ [...] of sole leather, £0 6s 8d

2 calf skins, £1 9s 0d

Total for leather, £1 15s 8d

Tinware

2 lamps, £0 2s 1d

1 pudding pan, £0 1s 9d

Total for tinware, £0 3s 10d

Glassware

21 panes of window glass, 8 by 10 inches, £0 17s 0¾d

8 panes of window glass, 10 by 16 inches, £0 13s 10d

1 pane of window glass, 11 by 17½ inches, £0 1s 11¼d

Total for glassware, £1 12s 10d

Total sold at 40 per cent above cost, £151 13s 9d

Sold to the Company's ships, 1 July to 30 September 1768

Glassware

2 panes of window glass, 8 by 10 inches, £0 1s 8d

4 panes of window glass, 11 by 12 inches, £0 6s 2d

9 panes of window glass, 11 by 19 inches, £0 18s 9d

34 panes of window glass, 11 by 15 inches, £2 11s 0d

Total for glassware, £3 17s 7d

Nails

18 pounds of fourpenny nails, 27 pounds of sixpenny nails, 65 pounds of twentypenny nails, 30 pounds of tenpenny nails, 7 pounds of copper nails, 6 pounds of coopers' rivets and 1 pound of glazing brads, together £5 9s 4d

Carried forward, £9 6s 11d

Interpretations

The warehouse also served as a repair depot for the Company's own East India ships calling in the road. A ship that had lost cabin windows or stern lights in heavy weather could replace the glass at St Helena, as the large panes sold here suggest. Nails, copper nails and glazing brads supplied the carpenters making good the damage before the ship sailed on. Sales to the Company's ships were in effect a transfer between two branches of the same business. They were recorded separately so the island's stores could be credited for what the shipping consumed.

The buyers at 40 per cent spent only £151 13s 9d over the quarter. The servants had spent £1,866 11s 9d at the 10 per cent rate. Almost all the warehouse's trade therefore went to the Company's own people, and the highest price band was a minor source of income. The premium rate probably served more to discourage outside buyers from drawing on scarce stores than to raise money.

277

270

The 17 October

Brought Over£ 9 6 11

Iron Ware viz.

10 Sail Needles

" 1 1

1 Iron rim'd Lock w. Brass Knobs

" 9 3

4 Files

" 3 -

1 Small Frying Pan

" 3 -

" 16 4

Twine 84 Sk.

3 13 6

Salt 7 Bushels

1 18 6

Cordage 214 lb.

53 14 6

Paint 6 Pound. Blacking

" 4 6

Tin Ware 2 Pudg. Pans

" 3 7

Canvas viz.

11 Ps. Eng. Canvas

33 " 11

101 Yds. Ticklenb.

7 7 4

40 8 3

Beef & Pork viz.

2 Punchs. Beef

32 11 -

2 Hhds. Pork

29 8 4

61 19 4

£ 172 5 5

Charges General Dr. for the following Stores Issued from

the 1st July to the 30 Sept. 1768 viz.

Arrack 120½ Gall. Sundy. Dutch Ships & Men

Emp. in the Stores

16 2 -

Candles viz.

350 lb. Castle

19 lb. Governr. Chapl. Deck Shop & Baker House

48 12 1

Sope 100 lb. for Linen

3 6 8

Starch 14 lb. Do.

" 8 2

Carrd. over£ 68 8 11

The sales to the Company's ships continued from a running total of £9 6s 11d, and the record then began the issues charged to the Company's general expenses.

Brought forward, £9 6s 11d

Ironware

10 sail needles, £0 1s 1d

1 iron-rimmed lock with brass knobs, £0 9s 3d

4 files, £0 3s 0d

1 small frying pan, £0 3s 0d

Total for ironware, £0 16s 4d

84 pounds of twine, £3 13s 6d

7 bushels of salt, £1 18s 6d

2,149 pounds of cordage, £53 14s 6d

6 pans of blacking, £0 4s 6d

2 tin pudding pans, £0 3s 7d

Canvas

11 bolts of English canvas, £33 0s 11d

101 yards of tecklenburgs, £7 7s 4d

Total for canvas, £40 8s 3d

Beef and pork

2 puncheons of beef, £32 11s 0d

2 hogsheads of pork, £29 8s 4d

Total for beef and pork, £61 19s 4d

Total sold to the Company's ships, £172 5s 5d

Charged to general expenses: stores issued from 1 July to 30 September 1768

80½ gallons of arrack, issued to the doctor's shop and to the men working in the stores, £16 2s 0d

Candles

250 pounds for the Castle

19 [...] for the guard rooms, the chapel, the doctor's shop and the [...] house

Total for candles, £48 12s 1d

100 pounds of soap for washing linen, £3 6s 8d

14 pounds of starch for linen, £0 8s 2d

Carried forward, £68 8s 11d

Interpretations

The Company's ships drew rope, canvas and salt provisions from the island in bulk. Over 2,000 pounds of cordage and 11 bolts of canvas went to replace rigging and sails worn on the passage. The beef and pork, in puncheons and hogsheads of about 70 and 63 gallons, restocked their provisions for the voyage home. The cordage was charged at a flat 6d a pound, apparently close to cost. The Company did not mark up goods passing from one of its departments to another.

"Charges General" was the account to which the island's own consumption of stores was debited. Candles lit the Castle, the guard rooms, the chapel and the hospital through the long nights. Soap and starch kept the Company's table linen. Arrack went to the doctor's shop as the spirit base for tinctures and remedies. It was also given as a dram to the men working in the stores, a customary allowance for heavy labour. Recording these issues at cost showed the Court how much of its imported stock was consumed by the island's administration, as distinct from the sales that brought money back.

278

271

1768

Brought Over£ 68 8 11

Coals viz.

190 Bushl. Armour. Shop

10 5 10

Sugar & Candy viz.

74 lb. Candy

Groom Gard. & Doctor's Shop

1 13 11

18 lb. Sugar

" 2 6

1 16 5

Tea viz.

6 lb. Congo

Do. Do.

" 7 6

1 Bohea

" " 10

" 8 4

Cordage 67 lb. for a Bell Rope

1 2 4

Glass Ware viz.

3 Candleshades

Castle

1 2 4

4 Quart Decanters

" 10 -

6 Tumblers

" 4 6

6 Beer Glasses

" 6 -

48 Wine Do.

1 " 10

2 Sq. Glass 8 by 10 Armour. Shop

" 1 2

3 4 10

Twine 10 Sk. Store use & Castle

" 5 -

Paint viz.

12 lb. Indico for Linen

1 1 -

60 lb. White Lead dry

to Paint Gun Carriages

" 18 9

7 lb. Whitg.

" " 2

1 lb. Blue Black

" " 7

1 lb. Copperas

" " 11½

1 lb. Red Lead

" " 2¼

2 lb. Chalk Carpt. use

Do. Do.

" " 6

2½ Black Lead

" 3 4½

2 lb. Umber

" " 6½

2 6 1

Carrd. over£ 87 17 9

The issues charged to the Company's general expenses continued from a running total of £68 8s 11d.

Brought forward, £68 8s 11d

190 bushels of coal for the armourer's shop, £10 5s 10d

Sugar and sugar candy, for the [...] and the doctor's shop

74 pounds of sugar candy, £1 13s 11d

18 pounds of sugar, £0 2s 6d

Total for sugar and sugar candy, £1 16s 5d

Tea, for the same

6 [...] of Congo tea, £0 7s 6d

1 [...] of Bohea tea, £0 0s 10d

Total for tea, £0 8s 4d

67 pounds of cordage for a bell rope, £1 2s 4d

Glassware for the Castle

[...] candle shades, £1 2s 4d

4 quart decanters, £0 10s 0d

6 tumblers, £0 4s 6d

6 beer glasses, £0 6s 0d

48 wine glasses, £1 0s 10d

2 panes of window glass, 8 by 10 inches, for the armourer's shop, £0 1s 2d

Total for glassware, £3 4s 10d

10 [...] of twine for the Castle, £0 5s 0d

Paint

12 pounds of indigo for blueing linen, £1 1s 0d

60 pounds of white lead, dry, for painting the gun carriages, £0 18s 9d

7 pounds of whiting for the gun carriages, £0 0s 2d

[...] of blue black for the gun carriages, £0 0s 7d

[...] of copperas for the gun carriages, £0 0s 11½d

[...] of red lead for the gun carriages, £0 0s 2¼d

2 pounds of chalk for the cooper, £0 0s 6d

2½ pounds of black lead for the cooper, £0 3s 4½d

2 pounds of umber for the cooper, £0 0s 6¼d

Total for paint, £2 6s 1d

Carried forward, £87 17s 9d

Interpretations

The 190 bushels of coal for the armourer's shop had to be imported, since St Helena had no coal of its own. Its scarce timber was already under heavy strain. Coal shipped out from England kept the forge working on gun locks, tools and the ironwork for the new batteries. At more than £10 for the quarter it was one of the largest single charges on the account.

The paint issued for the gun carriages tied the stores to the work on the fortifications. The wooden carriages on which the cannon were mounted rotted quickly in the damp air of the batteries. White lead, red lead and blue black protected them and gave a uniform finish. The sailmakers and painters charged at Banks's the same quarter were probably engaged on the same task.

Indigo was issued to blue the Company's linen in the wash, giving it a whiter appearance. The glassware for the Castle restocked the common table where the Governor and senior servants dined: decanters, tumblers, beer glasses and 48 wine glasses. Candle shades were glass chimneys set over candles to stop the flame guttering in the wind, needed in rooms open to the sea breeze.

279

272

The 17 October

Brought over£ 87 17 9

Iron Ware viz.

13 Stock Locks

Armour. Shop & Barracks

1 15 5½

1 Pad Do.

" 1 6

1½ lb. Iron binding Wire

" 1 1½

4 Coopr. Punches

for the use of the Coopr. Shop

" 3 11

2 Do. Cold Chizels

" 2 -

3 Hand Saws

" 16 6

1 Cask Borer

" 1 8

1 Long Tap Do.

" 1 2

1 Bung Do.

" 5 6

5 Coopr. Vices

" 2 9¾

1 Do. Axes

" 4 6

1 Do. Adz

" 3 -

1 Rounding Adz

" 3 1

1 Coopers Howell

" 2 1

1 Drawing Knife

" 1 8

1 Hollowing Do.

" 2 2

1 Round Shave w. a Handle

" 1 1

1 Inside Spoke Shave

" 2 -

1 Coopr. Head Joint.

" 11 6½

1 Hollowing Shave

" 2 2

1 Coopr. Brass Driver

" 4 1½

1 Do. Round Shave

" 1 11½

2 Scyth. Stones for the Groom

" " 4

4 Wood Axes

Castl. Lt. Govr. House & Baker House

" 11 4

4 Ash Helves

" 2 4

1 lb. Spelter

Armour. Shop

" " 6

1 lb. Case Hardening

" " 11¼

1 Bench Vice

" 8 5

52 Files

1 2 9

4 Bast. Rubbers

" 17 8

2 Sheets Sand Paper

" " 1½

Iron Ware Carrd. over£ 8 15 5¼

Carrd. over£ 87 17 9

The issues charged to the Company's general expenses continued from a running total of £87 17s 9d.

Brought forward, £87 17s 9d

Ironware

For the armourer's shop and the barracks:

13 stock locks, £1 15s 5½d

1 padlock, £0 1s 6d

1 pound of iron binding wire, £0 1s 1½d

For the cooper's shop:

4 coopers' punches, £0 3s 11d

2 coopers' cold chisels, £0 2s 0d

3 hand saws, £0 16s 6d

1 cock borer, £0 1s 8d

1 large taper borer, £0 1s 2d

1 bung borer, £0 5s 6d

5 coopers' vices, £0 2s 9¾d

1 cooper's axe, £0 4s 6d

1 cooper's adze, £0 3s 0d

1 rounding adze, £0 3s 1d

1 cooper's howel, £0 2s 1d

1 drawing knife, £0 1s 8d

1 hollowing knife, £0 2s 2d

1 round shave with a handle, £0 1s 1d

1 inside spokeshave, £0 2s 0d

1 cooper's head jointer, £0 11s 6½d

1 hollowing shave, £0 2s 2d

1 cooper's [...] driver, £0 4s 1½d

1 cooper's round shave, £0 1s 11½d

For the groom:

2 scythe stones, £0 0s 4d

For the Castle, the steward's house and the bake house:

4 wood axes, £0 11s 4d

4 ash handles, £0 2s 4d

For the armourer's shop:

1¼ pounds of spelter, £0 0s 6d

½ pound of case-hardening compound, £0 0s 11¼d

1 bench vice, £0 8s 5d

52 files, £1 2s 9d

4 rasps and rubbers, £0 17s 8d

2 sheets of sandpaper, £0 0s 1½d

Ironware carried forward, £8 15s 5¼d

Carried forward, £87 17s 9d

Interpretations

The cooper's shop received almost a full set of tools in a single quarter. Casks were vital on St Helena, where every ship in the road had to be watered and every barrel of salt meat, flour and arrack had to be stored. The tools covered each stage of the work. Borers cut the tap and bung holes, and the howel and hollowing shaves dressed the inside of the staves. The head jointer was a long plane for truing the boards of the cask head. Re-equipping the shop so thoroughly suggests its old tools were worn out or its work had grown with the demand from the shipping.

Spelter was zinc, used with copper to make brazing solder for joining iron and brass in the armourer's shop. Case-hardening compound was a mixture of charcoal, bone or horn dust packed round iron and heated, giving the surface a hard steel skin. The armourer used it to harden gun locks, springs and tools against wear.

280

273

1768

Brought Over£ 87 17 9

Iron Ware brought over£ 8 15 5¼

3 Taper Augers

Carpent. Shop

" 11 10½

17 Gimblets

" 6 4½

1 Carpent. Broad Ax

" 4 8½

2 Joint. Rub Stones

" 4 2

1 Tenon Saw

" 7 4

1 Two feet Rule

" 1 -

4 Adzes

" 12 -

1 Scythe for the Groom

" 5 8

1 Iron rim'd Lock w. B. Knobs Library

" 6 1½

2 Spring Rat Traps

Castle

" 3 -

2 Mouse Do.

" 1 1½

4 Hand Hatch. Carpent. Shop & Store

" 6 10

1 Brick Wire Sieve for the Bakes

" 4 5½

33 Truss Hoops

Coopr. Shop

2 18 6

1 lb. Twined Tacks

" 1 1

15 9 8

Oil viz.

1 Bott. Florence Armr. Shop

" 3 6

2 Gall. Oil Turpent.

for Paintg. Gun Carriages

" 10 6

7¼ Do. Lins.

1 9 -

1½ Do. Drying

" 9 5

2 12 5

Nails viz.

14 lb. 4d.

12 .. 6 for mendg. Wheel Barrows

13 Coopr. Rivetts Coopr. Shop

" 8 5½

" 6 9

" 5 11½

1 1 2

Canvas viz.

11 Yds. Oznabrigs

for makg. Cogh Bags & Carpent. Aprons

" 8 5¾

3 Do. Eng. Canvas

" 3 4½

1½ Do. Ticklenburghs

" 1 4¾

" 13 3

Carrd. over£ 107 14 3

The issues charged to the Company's general expenses continued from a running total of £87 17s 9d.

Brought forward, £87 17s 9d

Ironware brought forward, £8 15s 5¼d

For the carpenter's shop:

3 taper augers, £0 11s 10½d

17 gimlets, £0 6s 4½d

1 carpenter's broad axe, £0 4s 8½d

2 joiners' rubstones, £0 4s 2d

1 tenon saw, £0 7s 4d

1 two-foot rule, £0 1s 0d

4 adzes, £0 12s 0d

1 scythe for the groom, £0 5s 8d

1 iron-rimmed lock with brass knobs for the library, £0 6s 1½d

For the Castle:

2 spring rat traps, £0 3s 0d

2 mousetraps, £0 1s 1½d

4 hand hatchets for the carpenter's shop and the [...], £0 6s 10d

1 brass wire sieve for the bake house, £0 4s 5½d

For the cooper's shop:

33 truss hoops, £2 18s 6d

½ [...] of [...] tacks, £0 1s 1d

Total for ironware, £15 9s 8d

Oil

1 flask of Florence oil for the armourer's shop, £0 3s 6d

For painting the gun carriages:

2 gallons of oil of turpentine, £0 10s 6d

7¼ gallons of linseed oil, £1 9s 0d

1½ gallons of [...] oil, £0 9s 5d

Total for oil, £2 12s 5d

Nails

For mending the wheelbarrows:

14 pounds of fourpenny nails, £0 8s 5½d

12 pounds of sixpenny nails, £0 6s 9d

13 pounds of coopers' rivets for the cooper's shop, £0 5s 11½d

Total for nails, £1 1s 2d

Canvas, for making coal bags and carpenters' aprons

11 yards of osnaburgs, £0 8s 5¾d

3 yards of English canvas, £0 3s 4½d

1½ yards of tecklenburgs, £0 1s 4¾d

Total for canvas, £0 13s 3d

Carried forward, £107 14s 3d

Interpretations

Truss hoops were heavy iron hoops used by the cooper as forms, not as fittings. They were driven down over the staves to draw them together while the cask was fired and shaped. Permanent hoops were then fitted in their place. The 33 issued here completed the cooper's re-equipment begun with the tools on the previous page.

The lock for the library showed that the Castle kept a collection of books important enough to be secured. A garrison library on a remote island was a valued resource for the officers and officials. It supplied reading and works of reference during long periods without news or new arrivals from England.

281

274

The 17 October

Brought over£ 107 14 3

Braziers Ware viz.

2 Three Quart Tea Kettles Castle

1 4 8

1 Boilg. Pot of 8 Gall. Coopr. Shop for boilg. Size & Glue

2 2 5

4 lb. Brass Wire for the Armour.

" 12 -

3 19 1

Deals viz.

3 Wainst. Boards for the Library

" 19 9

4 Elm Do. to make Wheel Barrows

" 14 3

1 Baulk for Crane Bars & Scaff. Poles

" 8 10

1¾ Pr. Riga Timber for Shelves in the Library

4 11 8

2½ Do. Elm Plank for making W. Barrows

4 5 5

10 19 11

Hooks & Lines viz.

4 Doz. & No. 2 Lines

1 Do. .. 3 Do.

1½ Do. .. 4 Do.

2 Log Do.

20 No. 12 Hooks

25 No. 8 Do.

150 No. 16 Do.

100 No. 1 Do.

50 No. 11 Do.

3 Large Do.

for the fishermen

" 16 -½

" 4 -

" 6 -

" 2 7

" " 1½

1 " 3½

" " 9

" 3 1

" " 9½

" " 8

1 17 11

Hats 1 Mans fine

" 17 7

Serge 9½ Yds. Blue for the Covers of the Coffee

1 18 2

Buckram 1 Yard Do.

" 1 -

Long Cloth viz.

1¼ for Do.

Rubbers for

Shalloon 4½ Yds. Do.

2 6 5

Lead 2 lb. Shot & Castle

" 9 3

" 4 [...]

Carrd. over£ 130 7 [...]

The issues charged to the Company's general expenses continued from a running total of £107 14s 3d.

Brought forward, £107 14s 3d

Braziers' ware

2 three-quart tea kettles for the Castle, £1 4s 8d

1 eight-gallon boiling pot for the cooper's shop, for boiling size and glue, £2 2s 5d

4 pounds of brass wire for the armourer, £0 12s 0d

Total for braziers' ware, £3 19s 1d

Timber

3 wainscot boards for the library, £0 19s 9d

4 elm boards to make wheelbarrows, £0 14s 3d

1 baulk for [...] doors, £0 8s 10d

1¾ [...] of Riga timber for shelves in the library, £4 11s 8d

2½ [...] of elm plank for making wheelbarrows, £4 5s 5d

Total for timber, £10 9s 11d

Fish hooks and lines for the fishermen

4 [...] of number 2 lines, £0 16s 10d

1 [...] of number 3 lines, £0 4s 0d

1½ [...] of number 4 lines, £0 6s 0d

2 long lines, £0 2s 7d

20 number 12 hooks, £0 0s 4½d

75 number 8 hooks, £0 1s 5½d

150 number 16 hooks, £0 0s 9d

100 number 1 hooks, £0 5s 1d

50 number 11 hooks, £0 0s 9d

3 large hooks, £0 0s 8d

Total for hooks and lines, £1 17s 11d

1 man's fine hat, £0 17s 7d

For the coat of the porter of the court:

9½ yards of blue serge, £1 18s 2d

1 yard of buckram, £0 1s 0d

1¼ pieces of longcloth for rubbing cloths, £2 6s 5d

4½ yards of shalloon, £0 9s 3d

2 pounds of lead shot, £0 4s 2d

Carried forward, £130 7s 9d

Interpretations

The porter of the court was dressed from the Company's own stores. Serge, buckram and shalloon were issued for his coat, and Thomas Watts, the tailor, was paid £1 0s 0d on 17 September 1768 to make up the suit. Livery for public servants marked their office. The porter who attended the court and kept its doors was given a uniform suited to his place.

The hooks and lines issued to the fishermen showed that the Company kept its own fishing crew. Their catch supplied the Castle and the garrison with fresh food. Issuing the gear free and charging it to general expenses treated fishing as part of the island's provisioning, alongside the bakery and the Company's table.

Riga timber was Baltic pine or fir shipped from the port of Riga, prized for its straight grain and strength. Wainscot was quarter-sawn oak from the Baltic, used for panelling and fine joinery. Both had to be imported because the island's own trees were too few and too small for building. Using them for shelving underlined the value the Company placed on its library.

282

275

1768

Brought Over£ 130 7 9

Haberdashery viz.

6 Sk. Silk

for the Cryer of the Court

" 3 -

4 Do. Mohr.

" 1 8

3 Doz. Gilt Coat Buttons

" 5 4½

2½ Do. Do. Breast Do.

" 2 1½

" 12 2

Pewter viz.

1 Quart Tankd.

Store use

" 2 4

1 Half Gall. Pott

" 3 8

1 Ewer Do.

" 16 11

1 4 11

Pork 2 lb. for Cleaning Small Arms

" 5 11

Turners Ware viz.

2 Birch Brooms Castle

" " 8½

1 Hair Sieve Doctr. Shop

" 12 7½

1 Labour. Basket Store use

" 1 2

1 Basket Castle

" 2 6

" 17 -

Corks 12 Gro.

1 9 -

Tin Ware viz.

3 Half Gall. Saucepans

Castle

" 2 3¾

3 Quart Do.

" 1 4½

2 Gall. Funnels

Store use

" 4 4

1 Watering Pot

" 3 4

9 Ground Tin Armour. Shop

" " 11¼

" 11 9

Pitch & Tar viz.

3 lb. Pitch

Castle

" " 5½

3¼ Rozin

" " 7½

" 1 1

Iron 63 lb. Armour.

" 13 1

£ 136 2 8

The issues charged to the Company's general expenses continued from a running total of £130 7s 9d and closed with the account's total.

Brought forward, £130 7s 9d

Haberdashery, for the coat of the crier of the court

6 skeins of silk, £0 3s 0d

4 skeins of mohair, £0 1s 8d

3 dozen gilt coat buttons, £0 5s 4½d

2½ dozen gilt breast buttons, £0 2s 1½d

Total for haberdashery, £0 12s 2d

Pewter, for use in the stores

1 quart tankard, £0 2s 4d

1 half-gallon pot, £0 5s 8d

1 ewer, £0 16s 11d

Total for pewter, £1 4s 11d

2 [...] for cleaning small arms, £0 5s 11d

Turners' ware

2 birch brooms for the Castle, £0 0s 8½d

1 hair sieve for the doctor's shop, £0 12s 7½d

1 labourer's basket for use in the stores, £0 1s 2d

1 flasket for the Castle, £0 2s 6d

Total for turners' ware, £0 17s 0d

12 gross of corks, £1 9s 0d

Tinware

3 half-gallon saucepans for the Castle, £0 2s 3¾d

3 quart saucepans for the Castle, £0 1s 4½d

2 gallon funnels for use in the stores, £0 4s 4d

1 watering pot for use in the stores, £0 3s 4d

1 [...] for the armourer's shop, £0 0s 11¼d

Total for tinware, £0 11s 9d

Pitch and tar, for the Castle

3½ pounds of pitch, £0 0s 5½d

3½ pounds of rosin, £0 0s 7½d

Total for pitch and tar, £0 1s 1d

6 [...] of iron for the armourer, £0 13s 1d

Total charged to general expenses, £136 2s 8d

Interpretations

The gilt buttons, silk and mohair completed the coat begun with the serge, buckram and shalloon on the previous page. The coat belonged to the crier of the court, the officer who called the court to order, summoned parties and witnesses and read out proclamations. Gilt buttons set his coat apart from ordinary dress. The Company bore the whole cost, from the cloth to the tailor's fee paid to Thomas Watts, because the crier's appearance reflected on the dignity of its court.

A flasket was a long, shallow basket with handles at each end, used for carrying washed linen. The hair sieve for the doctor's shop was a fine sieve of woven horsehair. The doctor used it to sift powdered drugs and to strain infusions when preparing medicines.

The general expenses for the quarter totalled £136 2s 8d. This was the cost of the stores the Company consumed itself, chiefly in the Castle, the armourer's and cooper's shops, the carpenter's shop and the hospital. Against the £1,866 11s 9d sold to the servants, it showed how small the administration's own use of imported goods was compared with the trade the warehouse carried on.

283

276

The 17 October

Repairs Dr. for the following Stores Issued from the 1st July

to the 30 Sept. 1768 viz.

Nails viz.

8 lb. 6d.

" 4 6½

7 .. 10

" 3 2½

" 7 9

Paint viz.

20 lb. Whiting

" " 5

1 Pound. Blacking

" " 6

" " 11

Tin Ware 1 double Sheet Tin

" " 8

Glass Ware 2 Sq. 8 by 10

" 1 2

Iron Ware viz.

1 Pr. H.L. Hinges

" 1 11

1 Cupd. Lock

" 2 10

" 4 9

Pitch 20 lb. for two of ye Compys. Houses

" 1 8

Deals viz.

1½ Ps. Oak Plank for Repairg. Door Case Stores

2 5 5

3 Do. Elm Do. Repg. Powder Room Ship & Castle

4 15 4

8 Double Deals Do. Lime House & Prison

1 7 4

8 8 1

£ 9 5 -

Diet Expences Dr. for the following Stores Issued from the 1st

July to the 30 Sept. 1768 viz.

Oil 12 Bott. Florence

2 2 -

Flour 1323 lb.

12 10 4

Rice 583 lb.

1 18 11

Arrack 42 Gall.

5 12 -

Salt 2½ Bushel

" 8 7

Pepper 1 lb.

" " 9

Coffee 30 lb.

2 1 8

Pease 1 Bushel

" 9 5

Carrd. over£ 25 7 11

The record next set out the stores issued for repairs, followed by those issued for diet expenses, both for the period from 1 July to 30 September 1768.

Charged to repairs

Nails

8 pounds of sixpenny nails, £0 4s 6½d

7 pounds of tenpenny nails, £0 3s 2½d

Total for nails, £0 7s 9d

Paint

20 pounds of whiting, £0 0s 5d

1 pan of blacking, £0 0s 6d

Total for paint, £0 0s 11d

1 double sheet of tin, £0 0s 8d

2 panes of window glass, 8 by 10 inches, £0 1s 2d

Ironware

1 pair of H-L hinges, £0 1s 11d

1 cupboard lock, £0 2s 10d

Total for ironware, £0 4s 9d

20 pounds of pitch for two of the Company's houses, £0 1s 8d

Timber

1½ [...] of oak plank for repairing door cases at the stores, £2 5s 5d

3 [...] of elm plank for repairs at the [...], the armourer's shop and the Castle, £4 15s 4d

8 Dutch deals for repairs at the lime house and the prison, £1 7s 4d

Total for timber, £8 8s 1d

Total charged to repairs, £9 5s 0d

Charged to diet expenses

12 flasks of Florence oil, £2 2s 0d

13 hundredweight 3 quarters 3 pounds of flour, £12 10s 4d

583 pounds of rice, £1 18s 11d

42 gallons of arrack, £5 12s 0d

2½ bushels of salt, £0 8s 7d

10 pounds of pepper, £0 5s 0d

30 pounds of coffee, £2 1s 8d

1 bushel of pease, £0 9s 5d

Carried forward, £25 7s 11d

Interpretations

The stores were divided among separate accounts according to their purpose. Repairs to buildings, general running costs and the Company's table were each charged to their own heading. This let the Council and the Court see what each part of the establishment cost. The repairs for the quarter came to only £9 5s 0d, most of it imported timber. Dutch deals were sawn softwood boards shipped from the Netherlands and the Baltic.

"Diet expenses" was the account for the Company's table at the Castle. The flour, rice, oil, coffee and pease issued here supplemented the poultry, beef and eggs the paymaster bought fresh on the island. The 42 gallons of arrack in a single quarter were mostly used for punch. Punch, mixed from arrack, sugar, lime or lemon and water, was the standard drink at the Governor's table and at the entertainment of visiting commanders.

284

277

The 17 October

Repairs Dr. for the following Stores Issued from the 1st July

to the 30 Sept. 1768 viz.

Nails viz.

8 lb. 6d.

" 4 6½

7 .. 10

" 3 2½

" 7 9

Paint viz.

20 lb. Whiting

" " 5

1 Pound. Blacking

" " 6

" " 11

Tin Ware 1 double Sheet Tin

" " 8

Glass Ware 2 Sq. 8 by 10

" 1 2

Iron Ware viz.

1 Pr. H.L. Hinges

" 1 11

1 Cupd. Lock

" 2 10

" 4 9

Pitch 20 lb. for two of ye Compys. Houses

" 1 8

Deals viz.

1½ Ps. Oak Plank for Repairg. Door Case Stores

2 5 5

3 Do. Elm Do. Repg. Powder Room Ship & Castle

4 15 4

8 Double Deals Do. Lime House & Prison

1 7 4

8 8 1

£ 9 5 -

Diet Expences Dr. for the following Stores Issued from the 1st

July to the 30 Sept. 1768 viz.

Oil 12 Bott. Florence

2 2 -

Flour 1323 lb.

12 10 4

Rice 583 lb.

1 18 11

Arrack 42 Gall.

5 12 -

Salt 2½ Bushel

" 8 7

Pepper 1 lb.

" " 5

Coffee 50 lb.

2 1 8

Pease 1 Bushel

" 9 5

Carrd. over£ 25 7 11

The record next set out the stores issued for repairs, followed by those issued for diet expenses, both for the period from 1 July to 30 September 1768.

Charged to repairs

Nails

8 pounds of sixpenny nails, £0 4s 6½d

7 pounds of tenpenny nails, £0 3s 2½d

Total for nails, £0 7s 9d

Paint

20 pounds of whiting, £0 0s 5d

1 pan of blacking, £0 0s 6d

Total for paint, £0 0s 11d

1 double sheet of tin, £0 0s 8d

2 panes of window glass, 8 by 10 inches, £0 1s 2d

Ironware

1 pair of H-L hinges, £0 1s 11d

1 cupboard lock, £0 2s 10d

Total for ironware, £0 4s 9d

20 pounds of pitch for two of the Company's houses, £0 1s 8d

Timber

1½ [...] of oak plank for repairing door cases at the stores, £2 5s 5d

3 [...] of elm plank for repairs at the [...], the armourer's shop and the Castle, £4 15s 4d

8 Dutch deals for repairs at the lime house and the prison, £1 7s 4d

Total for timber, £8 8s 1d

Total charged to repairs, £9 5s 0d

Charged to diet expenses

12 flasks of Florence oil, £2 2s 0d

13 hundredweight 3 quarters 3 pounds of flour, £12 10s 4d

583 pounds of rice, £1 18s 11d

42 gallons of arrack, £5 12s 0d

2½ bushels of salt, £0 8s 7d

10 pounds of pepper, £0 5s 0d

30 pounds of coffee, £2 1s 8d

1 bushel of pease, £0 9s 5d

Carried forward, £25 7s 11d

Interpretations

The stores were divided among separate accounts according to their purpose. Repairs to buildings, general running costs and the Company's table were each charged to their own heading. This let the Council and the Court see what each part of the establishment cost. The repairs for the quarter came to only £9 5s 0d, most of it imported timber. Dutch deals were sawn softwood boards shipped from the Netherlands and the Baltic.

"Diet expenses" was the account for the Company's table at the Castle. The flour, rice, oil, coffee and pease issued here supplemented the poultry, beef and eggs the paymaster bought fresh on the island. The 42 gallons of arrack in a single quarter were mostly used for punch. Punch, mixed from arrack, sugar, lime or lemon and water, was the standard drink at the Governor's table and at the entertainment of visiting commanders.

285

278

The 17 October

Brought Over£ 69 8 5

Iron Ware viz.

34 Small frying Pans

Sevl. out Guards

3 8 9

11 Wood Axes

1 11 2

8 Ash Helves

" 4 8

26 Hand Hatchets Do.

2 4 5

1 Cupd. Lock main Guard

" 2 10

1 lb. Tinn'd Tacks for Drums

" 1 2

7 13 -

Broad Cloth viz.

12¼ Yds. Scarlet

for Cloathg. the Officers

14 7 2

19¾ Yds. Blue

18 2 1

32 9 3

Haberdashery viz.

80 Sk. Silk

for the Officers Cloathing

2 3 4

80 Do. Mohr.

1 16 8

68 7/12 Doz. Gilt Coat Buttons

4 11 7

40 Do. Do. Breast Do.

1 6 8

13½ Gro. Narrow Worst. Lace

for Hats & Waistcoats

7 16 11

¾ Do. Broad Do.

" 11 9

18 6 11

Thread viz.

6 lb. Colourd

for the Officers Cloathg.

" 19 -

4 lb. Whd. Brown

1 6 8

2 5 8

Hats viz.

16 Officers Gold Lace for the Officers

32 8 6

3 Centl. for three Recruits

" 8 6

32 17 -

Long Cloth 1¾ Ps. for Officers

Cloathing

4 18 3

Carrd. over£ 227 18 6

The issues for the garrison continued from a running total of £69 8s 5d.

Brought forward, £69 8s 5d

Ironware

For the various outguards:

34 small frying pans, £3 8s 9d

11 wood axes, £1 11s 2d

8 ash handles, £0 4s 8d

26 hand hatchets, £2 4s 5d

1 cupboard lock for the main guard, £0 2s 10d

½ pound of tinned tacks for the drums, £0 1s 2d

Total for ironware, £7 13s 0d

Broadcloth, for clothing the officers

9¼ yards of scarlet broadcloth, £14 7s 2d

19¾ yards of blue broadcloth, £18 2s 1d

Total for broadcloth, £32 9s 3d

Haberdashery

For the officers' clothing:

80 skeins of silk, £2 3s 4d

80 skeins of mohair, £1 16s 8d

68½ dozen gilt coat buttons, £4 11s 7d

40 dozen gilt breast buttons, £1 6s 8d

For the hats and the oboe players:

13½ gross of narrow worsted lace, £7 16s 11d

¾ gross of broad worsted lace, £0 11s 9d

Total for haberdashery, £18 6s 11d

Thread, for the officers' clothing

6 [...] of coloured thread, £0 19s 0d

4 [...] of whited brown thread, £1 6s 8d

Total for thread, £2 5s 8d

Hats

16 gold-laced hats for the officers, £32 8s 6d

3 soldiers' hats for three recruits, £0 8s 6d

Total for hats, £32 17s 0d

1¾ pieces of longcloth for the officers' clothing, £4 18s 3d

Carried forward, £167 18s 6d

Interpretations

The Company clothed its military officers at its own expense, unlike the servants and soldiers who bought their clothing from the stores. Scarlet and blue broadcloth, gilt buttons and gold-laced hats made up the officers' uniform. The 16 gold-laced hats alone cost more than £32. Supplying the cloth, trimmings and hats centrally ensured a uniform appearance and spared officers on modest pay the cost of an expensive dress.

The worsted lace was issued for the hats and for the oboe players, the musicians of the garrison band. Their coats were trimmed with lace to mark them out on parade. A band of oboes, with the drums, played for ceremonies, salutes and the changing of the guard. The tinned tacks for the drums held their heads and ornamental studs in place.

The outguards were the small detachments posted at the batteries, lookouts and passes away from Jamestown. Each was supplied with frying pans, axes and hatchets so the men could cut firewood and cook for themselves at their isolated posts. This reflected the spread of the garrison across the island's outlying defences.

286

279

1768

Brought over£ 227 18 6

Sailors Cloaths viz.

2 Watch Coats for the main Guard

1 13 -

3 Centl. Do. & Breeches for 3 Recruits

4 7 9

6 " 9

Shirts viz.

3 Centl. Shirts

for 3 Recruits

" 13 7½

3 Rollers

" 2 ½

" 15 8

Paint viz.

14 lb. Whiting

for Cleang. Accoutr.

" " 3½

28 lb. Yell. Oaker dry

" 4 7½

" 4 11

Oil viz.

52½ Gall. Linsd.

8 13 9

15 7/8 Do.

3 3 6

11 17 3

£ 246 17 1

Blacks Dr. for the following Stores Issued from the 1st of July to the

30 Sept. 1768 viz.

Beef & Pork viz.

294 lb. Engl. Beef

51 2 10

226 Do. Do. Pork

33 13 3

417¼ Beng. Beef

75¼ Do. Pork

195 17 -

280 13 1

Rice 82.. 1.. 2 Cwt. qrs. lb.

30 10 2

Arrack 284¼ Gall.

37 18 -

Sugar 240 lb.

3 " "

Shallows 13 Pr.

5 8 4

Tea 165 lb. Bohea

4 7 6

Pepper 3 lb.

" 1 6

Carrd. over£ 361 18 7

The issues for the garrison continued from a running total of £227 18s 6d, and the record then opened the account of stores issued for the Company's slaves.

Brought forward, £227 18s 6d

Sailors' clothing

2 watch coats for the main guard, £1 13s 0d

3 soldiers' coats and breeches for three recruits, £4 7s 9d

Total for clothing, £6 0s 9d

Shirts, for three recruits

3 soldiers' shirts, £0 15s 7½d

3 rollers, £0 0s 0½d

Total for shirts, £0 15s 8d

Paint, for cleaning the soldiers' equipment

14 pounds of whiting, £0 0s 3½d

28 pounds of yellow ochre, dry, £0 4s 7½d

Total for paint, £0 4s 11d

Oil

52⅛ gallons of train oil, £8 13s 9d

15⅛ gallons of linseed oil, £3 3s 6d

Total for oil, £11 17s 3d

Total for the garrison, £246 17s 1d

Charged to the Company's slaves: stores issued from 1 July to 30 September 1768

Beef and pork

294 pieces of English beef, £51 2s 10d

226 pieces of English pork, £33 13s 3d

417¼ [...] of Bengal beef and 75¼ [...] of Bengal pork, together £195 17s 0d

Total for beef and pork, £280 13s 1d

82 hundredweight 1 quarter 2 pounds of rice, £30 10s 2d

284¼ gallons of arrack, £37 18s 0d

240 pounds of sugar, £3 0s 0d

13 pieces of chelloes, £5 8s 4d

10 pounds of Bohea tea, £4 7s 6d

3 pounds of pepper, £0 1s 6d

Carried forward, £361 18s 7d

Interpretations

The account headed "Blacks" recorded the cost of feeding and clothing the slaves the Company owned and worked on the island. Its scale showed how heavily the Company relied on slave labour for its plantations, stores and public works. In one quarter the slaves were issued more than 8,000 pounds of rice, large quantities of salt meat and over 280 gallons of arrack. Their food and cloth were drawn from the same imported stores that supplied the garrison and the servants.

The slaves were fed mainly on Bengal salt beef and pork, cheaper provisions shipped from India, with only a smaller share of English meat. Rice was their staple grain. The daily ration of arrack was a customary allowance for heavy outdoor labour. Chelloes, the coarse Indian checked cotton, supplied their clothing. Recording these issues at cost let the Company reckon the upkeep of its slaves against the value of the work they performed.

The two watch coats were heavy greatcoats kept at the main guard for sentries on night duty, passed from man to man as the watches changed. The whiting and yellow ochre were used to clean and colour the soldiers' leather belts and pouches. The large issue of train oil fuelled the lamps of the guard rooms and outposts through the night.

287

280

The 17 October

Brought over£ 361 18 7

Long Cloth viz.

13¼ Pieces

3/6 Do.

1 Do.

20 17 7

Salt ¼ Bushel

" " 11

Shoes viz.

91 Pr. Men Ordy.

21 11 5

31 Do. Womens Calf

4 7 6

3 Do. Boys Shoes

" 10 -

8 Do. Mens fine Shoes

2 6 -

4 Do. Do. Do. Pumps

1 1 -

29 15 11

Serge viz.

5½ Yds. Scarl. Sagathy

1 " 4

2½ Do. Blue Duffill

" 15 3

9 Yds. Green Sagathy

1 5 10

1 Ps. Prunella

1 18 8

5 " 1

Blankets 7

1 19 4

Sope 4 lb.

" 2 2

Paint 1 Pound. Blacking

" " 6

Braziers Ware 3 Brass Locks

" 10 3

Nails 1 lb. 6d.

" " 7

Tin Ware 1 Single Sheet Tin

" " 8

Hooks & Lines viz.

275 No. 1 Hooks

" 14 -

75 No. 9 Do.

" 7 7½

275 No. 14 Do.

" 2 6½

275 No. 16 Do.

" 1 5

17½ Doz. No. 2 Lines

2 19 7

16 Do. No. 3 Do.

3 4 -

10 Do. No. 4 Do.

2 5 -

9 14 2

Carrd. over£ 430 - 9

The stores issued for the Company's slaves continued from a running total of £361 18s 7d.

Brought forward, £361 18s 7d

15¼ pieces, [...] and 1 piece of longcloth, together £20 17s 7d

¼ bushel of salt, £0 0s 11d

Shoes

91 pairs of men's ordinary shoes, £21 11s 5d

31 pairs of women's calf shoes, £4 7s 6d

3 pairs of boys' shoes, £0 10s 0d

8 pairs of men's fine shoes, £2 6s 0d

4 pairs of men's fine pumps, £1 1s 0d

Total for shoes, £29 15s 11d

Serge and woollens

5½ yards of scarlet sagathy, £1 0s 4d

2½ yards of blue duffel, £0 15s 3d

9 yards of green sagathy, £1 5s 10d

1 piece of [...], £1 18s 8d

Total for serge and woollens, £5 0s 1d

7 blankets, £1 19s 4d

[...] pounds of soap, £1 2s 2d

1 pan of blacking, £0 0s 6d

3 brass [...], £0 10s 3d

1 pound of sixpenny nails, £0 0s 7d

1 single sheet of tin, £0 0s 8d

Fish hooks and lines

275 number 1 hooks, £0 14s 0d

275 number 9 hooks, £0 7s 7½d

275 number 14 hooks, £0 2s 6½d

275 number 16 hooks, £0 1s 5d

17½ [...] of number 2 lines, £2 19s 7d

16 [...] of number 3 lines, £3 4s 0d

10 [...] of number 4 lines, £2 5s 0d

Total for hooks and lines, £9 14s 2d

Carried forward, £400 0s 9d

Interpretations

The Company's slaves were issued more than 1,000 fish hooks and over 40 sets of lines in a single quarter. Fishing was evidently part of how they were fed. Some slaves probably worked as the Company's fishermen, while others were expected to catch fish to supplement their rations of rice and salt meat. Supplying the gear cost far less than issuing more meat. It also turned the sea around the island into a source of food for the Company's labour force.

The issue of shoes to slaves, including 31 pairs for women, is notable. In many slave societies field labourers went barefoot. On St Helena the steep, stony ground, the Company's need to keep its labourers fit for work and the relatively small number of slaves it owned probably all encouraged the practice. The handful of fine shoes and pumps, with the scarlet and green cloth, was perhaps issued to slaves working as servants in the Castle or as attendants to officials, where appearance mattered.

288

281

1768

Brought over£ 430 - 9

Canvas 1¼ Yds. Oznab.

Cast. Servants

" " 9

Thread 1 lb. Colourd

" 4 9

Haberdashery 6 Sk. Mohr.

" 2 9

Buckram 3 Yds.

" 5 -

Shalloon 1 Yd. Colourd

" 1 10

Cutlery Ware 3 Horn Combs

" " 6

Hosiers Ware viz.

20 Pr. Ordy. Thread Stockings

Castle Servants

2 18 4

2 Pr. Boys Do.

" 4 10

3 3 2

Sailors Cloaths viz.

6 Dutch Caps

" 9 9

6 Jackets

15 Pr. Breeches

3 6 -

3 Shirts

" 8 1

4 3 10

£ 438 3 1

Mallay Dr. for the following Stores Issued from the 1st of July

to the 30th of Sept. 1768 viz.

Sugar 44 lb.

" 11 -

Rice 128 lb.

" 8 -

Arrack 8½ Gall.

1 2 8

Sope 6 lb.

" 3 3

Flour 24 lb.

" 4 6

Candles 10 lb.

1 1 8

Oil 1 Bott. Florence

" 3 6

Salt ¼ Bushel

" " 11

Beef 48 lb.

" 13 11

Pepper 2 lb.

" 1 -

Shalloon 3 Yds. Col.

" 10 2

Carrd. over£ 5 - 7

The stores issued for the Company's slaves continued from a running total of £430 0s 9d, and the record then opened a separate account headed "Mallay".

Brought forward, £430 0s 9d

For the Castle servants:

1¼ yards of osnaburgs, £0 0s 9d

[...] of coloured thread, £0 4s 9d

6 skeins of mohair, £0 2s 9d

3 yards of buckram, £0 5s 0d

1 yard of coloured shalloon, £0 1s 10d

3 horn combs, £0 0s 6d

Hosiery

20 pairs of ordinary thread stockings for the Castle servants, £2 18s 4d

2 pairs of boys' stockings for the Castle servants, £0 4s 10d

Total for hosiery, £3 3s 2d

Sailors' clothing

6 Dutch caps, £0 9s 9d

6 jackets and 15 pairs of breeches, together £3 6s 0d

3 shirts, £0 8s 1d

Total for sailors' clothing, £4 3s 10d

Total charged to the Company's slaves, £438 3s 1d

Charged to Mallay: stores issued from 1 July to 30 September 1768

44 pounds of sugar, £0 11s 0d

128 pounds of rice, £0 8s 0d

8½ gallons of arrack, £1 2s 8d

6 pounds of soap, £0 3s 3d

24 pounds of flour, £0 4s 6d

10 pounds of candles, £1 1s 8d

1 flask of Florence oil, £0 3s 6d

¼ bushel of salt, £0 0s 11d

4 pieces of beef, £0 13s 11d

2 pounds of pepper, £0 1s 0d

3 yards of coloured shalloon, £0 10s 2d

Carried forward, £5 0s 7d

Interpretations

The items issued to the Castle servants confirmed that some of the Company's slaves worked in the Governor's household. They received stockings, combs, shalloon and buckram for better clothing than the field labourers were given. Slaves waiting at the Company's table and attending its officials were dressed to suit the setting. The cost was charged to the same account as the rations of the slaves who worked in the fields and on the fortifications.

The sailors' clothing, with Dutch caps, jackets, breeches and shirts, was probably for the slaves who manned the Company's boats. The patroon commanded the boats that carried men and goods between the ships in the road and the shore. Their crews were dressed in seamen's working clothes.

The account headed "Mallay" stood apart from both the garrison and the slaves. Its issues of sugar, rice, arrack, soap, candles, beef and cloth matched the rations of a single household rather than a body of men. The record did not explain who or what Mallay was. The separate heading suggests a person or small group maintained at the Company's expense under a distinct arrangement.

289

282

The 17 October

Brought Over£ 5 - 7

Tea viz.

3 lb. Bohea

" 2 6

1 lb. Congo

" 1 3

" 3 9

Broad Cloth 4½ Yds. Blue

4 2 6

Haberdashery viz.

4 Sk. Silk

" 2 2

4 Do. Mohr.

" 1 10

" 4 -

Long Cloth viz.

1 Ps.

½ Do.

5 18 10

Hosiers Ware 2 Pr. Eng. Coll. Hose

" 13 6

Blankets 1

" 5 8

Shoes 1 Pr. Mens fine

" 5 6

Thread viz.

1 lb. Whd. Brown

" 6 8

1 lb. Col.

" 3 2

" 9 10

China Ware viz.

6 Octn. Meat Plates

2 Do. Do. Dishes

" 8 7

2 Bowls

" 2 -

6 Cups

" 2 -

" 12 7

£ 17 16 9

The stores charged to Mallay continued from a running total of £5 0s 7d and closed with the account's total.

Brought forward, £5 0s 7d

Tea

3 [...] of Bohea tea, £0 2s 6d

[...] of Congo tea, £0 1s 3d

Total for tea, £0 3s 9d

4½ yards of blue broadcloth, £4 2s 6d

Haberdashery

4 skeins of silk, £0 2s 2d

4 skeins of mohair, £0 1s 10d

Total for haberdashery, £0 4s 0d

1 piece and ½ piece of longcloth, together £5 18s 10d

2 pairs of English cotton stockings, £0 13s 6d

1 blanket, £0 5s 8d

1 pair of men's fine shoes, £0 5s 6d

Thread

[...] of whited brown thread, £0 6s 8d

[...] of coloured thread, £0 3s 2d

Total for thread, £0 9s 10d

China

6 octagonal meat plates and 2 octagonal dishes, together £0 8s 7d

2 bowls, £0 2s 0d

6 [...], £0 2s 0d

Total for china, £0 12s 7d

Total charged to Mallay, £17 16s 9d

Interpretations

The second half of the Mallay account showed that its holder lived as a person of some standing, not as a labourer. Blue broadcloth, silk thread, fine shoes, cotton stockings, tea and a set of china plates and dishes were the goods of a modest gentleman's household. Together with the rations on the previous page they cost the Company £17 16s 9d for the quarter. The Company kept Mallay in food, clothing and household goods while charging him nothing. This points to someone held or maintained on the island at its expense, perhaps a political exile or state prisoner sent from the East, whose upkeep the Company had agreed to bear.

290

283

1768

Plantation Dr. for the following Stores Issued from the

1st July to 30th Septemb. 1768 viz.

Rice & Paddy viz.

433 lb. Rice

Poultry Horses & Overseers

1 11 6

4246 lb. Paddy

9 3 4

10 14 10

Iron Ware viz.

38 Rolled Iron Wood Cart

" 13 5½

12 Ash Helves

for Sandy Bay Plantation

" 7 -

1 Wood Ax

" 2 10

1 Iron Shovel

" 4 6½

1 Spring Rat Trap

" 1 6

2 Pick Axes

" 6 8

1 Gard. Rake fort Garden

" 2 3¾

1 Scyth.

for Plantat. House

" 5 8½

1 Do. Stone Garden

" 1 10½

1 Pad Lock Horse Point Gate

" 1 6

1 Mouse Trap Plant. House

" " 6½

2 7 11

Beef & Pork viz.

18 lb. Beef

for the Compys. Steward

" 6 11

4 Do. Pork

" 11 11

" 18 10

Lines 14 No. 4 Plant. House Gard.

" 5 3

Earthen Ware 12 Milk Pans Dery

" 15 3

Paint viz.

3 lb. White Lead dry

to Paint Gates at Plant. Ho.

" 1 6¾

2 lb. Whiting

" " 1½

1½ Copperas

" " 3½

¼ Blue Black

" " 1¼

" 2 3

Tin Ware 3 Watering Pots

" 9 -

Carrd. over£ 15 13 6

The record next set out the stores issued to the Company's plantation between 1 July and 30 September 1768.

Charged to the plantation

Rice and paddy, for the poultry house and the overseers

433 pounds of rice, £1 11s 6d

4,246 pounds of paddy, £9 3s 4d

Total for rice and paddy, £10 14s 10d

Ironware

For the Sandy Bay plantation:

38 [...] of rolled iron for the wood cart, £0 13s 5½d

12 ash handles, £0 7s 0d

1 wood axe, £0 2s 10d

1 iron shovel, £0 4s 6½d

1 spring rat trap, £0 1s 6d

2 [...] hoes, £0 6s 8d

1 garden rake for the garden, £0 2s 3¾d

1 scythe for Plantation House, £0 5s 8¼d

16 scythe stones for the garden, £0 1s 10½d

1 padlock for the horse pound gate, £0 1s 6d

1 mousetrap for Plantation House, £0 0s 6¼d

Total for ironware, £2 7s 11d

Beef and pork, for the Company's steward

[...] pieces of beef, £0 6s 11d

4 pieces of pork, £0 11s 11d

Total for beef and pork, £0 18s 10d

1¼ [...] of number 4 lines for the Plantation House garden, £0 5s 3d

12 earthenware milk pans for the dairy, £0 15s 3d

Paint, for painting the gates at Plantation House

5 pounds of white lead, dry, £0 1s 6¾d

[...] of whiting, £0 0s 1d

[...] of copperas, £0 0s 3½d

¼ [...] of blue black, £0 0s 1¼d

Total for paint, £0 2s 3d

3 tin watering pots, £0 9s 0d

Carried forward, £15 13s 6d

Interpretations

The plantation account covered the Company's own farms, chiefly the estate at Plantation House, the Governor's country residence, and the plantation at Sandy Bay. The Company ran these as working farms to supply its table and stores with fresh produce. The issues showed a dairy, a poultry house, kitchen gardens and a stable yard. Most of the paddy, more than 4,000 pounds, was probably fed to the poultry rather than eaten by the overseers. Unhusked rice was the cheapest grain the stores held.

The 12 milk pans for the dairy matched the 2 bought earlier in the year, recorded in the minutes before the paymaster's account. A dairy at Plantation House meant fresh milk and butter for the Governor's household. Such goods were scarce on an island where most food came out of casks.

291

284

The 17 October

Brought over£ 15 13 6

Oil viz.

½ Gall. Lins.

to paint Gates

" 2 -

1/8 Oil of Turpentine

" " 8

" 2 8

Cutlery Ware viz.

6 Shoe Knives for cutting Rushes

" 2 -

2 Case Fleams for Bleeding Cattle

" 5 6

" 7 6

Turners Ware 2 Ox Bows for Oxen

" 2 9

Deals viz.

1½ Ps. Riga Timber

for makg. & repairg. Gates in ye Pastures & Carts

3 5 6

3½ Do. Oak Plank

4 18 -

1 Do. Ash Do.

2 3 10

10 7 4

£ 26 13 9

Hospital Dr. for the following Stores Issued from the 1st of July to

the 30 Sept. 1768 viz.

Sugar 327 lb.

4 1 9

Flour 327 lb.

3 1 4

Rice 327 lb.

1 2 3

Tea 20 lb. Bohea

" 16 8

Salt 1 1/8 Bush.

" 4 9

Canvas 2 Yds. Oznab.

" 1 7

China Ware 12 Cups

" 4 -

Glass Ware 6 Sq. Glass 6 by 8

" 2 -

Kersey 2½ Yds.

" 3 6

Tin Ware 4 Lamps

" 2 11

Oil viz.

5 Gall. Lins.

1 " "

10¾ Do. Oil Drought

3 7 8

4 7 8

Twine 1½ lb. Cott. Wick

" 1 5

£ 14 9 10

The stores issued to the Company's plantation continued from a running total of £15 13s 6d, and the record then set out the stores issued to the hospital.

Brought forward, £15 13s 6d

Oil, for painting the gates

½ gallon of linseed oil, £0 2s 0d

½ [...] of oil of turpentine, £0 0s 8d

Total for oil, £0 2s 8d

Cutlery and small wares

6 shoe knives for cutting rushes, £0 2s 0d

2 cased fleams for bleeding cattle, £0 5s 6d

Total for cutlery and small wares, £0 7s 6d

2 pairs of ox bows, £0 2s 9d

Timber, for making and repairing the pasture gates and the carts

1½ [...] of Riga timber, £3 5s 6d

3½ [...] of oak plank, £4 18s 0d

1 [...] of ash plank, £2 3s 10d

Total for timber, £10 7s 4d

Total charged to the plantation, £26 13s 9d

Charged to the hospital: stores issued from 1 July to 30 September 1768

[...] of sugar, £4 1s 9d

3 hundredweight 27 pounds of flour, £3 1s 4d

3 [...] of rice, £1 2s 3d

2 [...] of Bohea tea, £0 16s 8d

1⅜ bushels of salt, £0 4s 9d

2 yards of osnaburgs, £0 1s 7d

12 [...] of china, £0 4s 0d

6 panes of window glass, 6 by 8 inches, £0 2s 0d

2½ [...] of jersey yarn, £0 3s 6d

4 tin lamps, £0 2s 11d

5 gallons of linseed oil and 10¾ [...] of [...] oil, together £4 7s 8d

1½ pounds of cotton wick, £0 1s 5d

Total charged to the hospital, £14 9s 10d

Interpretations

The plantation's stores showed working cattle as well as dairy cows. Ox bows were the curved wooden collars fitted under the necks of draught oxen and fixed to the yoke. Oxen drew the carts and ploughs on the island's steep ground, where horses were fewer and less sure-footed. The fleams were small lancets kept in a case, used by a farrier or cowman to bleed cattle. Bleeding was the standard treatment for many animal ailments in the period.

The hospital's stores were mostly food for the sick, not medicines. Sugar, flour, rice and tea made a lighter diet than the salt meat and biscuit the soldiers ate in health. The doctor's drugs were supplied separately through the doctor's shop. Patients were fed from the Company's stores at cost, so the account showed the true charge of keeping the garrison's sick.

292

285

1768

Boats Dr. for the following Stores Issued from the 1st of July to the 30th of

Sept. 1768 viz.

Canvas 88 Yards Eng. Long Boats

4 15 -

Tin Ware viz.

6 Single Sheets of Tin

2 Double Do.

Do.

" 5 4

Cordage 33 Cwt. 2 qrs. 1 lb. Do.

66 5 8

Iron Ware viz.

1 Hand Hatchet

Do.

" 1 8½

3 Large Frying Pans

" 12 7½

2 Augers

" 4 1

6 Bastard Rubbers

1 1 7

24 Files

" 10 6

2 10 6

Oars viz.

10 Large

2 15 -

6 Small

1 4 3

3 19 3

Pitch & Tar viz.

1 Barrl. Pitch

Do.

1 13 -

1 Do. & 1 Gall. Tar

1 13 -

18 lb. Rozin

" 2 8

73 lb. Turpentine

1 13 5

5 2 1

Anchors 4 Grapnails

9 11 3

Leather 7 lb. Sole

" 6 5

Arrack 7¼ Gall.

" 19 4

Lines 1 Deep Sea

" 4 8

Iron 331 lb.

2 3 4

Paint 24 lb.

" 11 -

Twine 20 Sk.

" 10 -

Carrd. over£ 97 3 10

The record next set out the stores issued for the Company's boats between 1 July and 30 September 1768.

Charged to the boats

88 yards of English canvas for the longboats, £4 15s 0d

6 single sheets and 2 double sheets of tin for the longboats, together £0 5s 4d

55 hundredweight 2 quarters 1 pound of cordage for the longboats, £66 5s 8d

Ironware, for the longboats

1 hand hatchet, £0 1s 8½d

3 large frying pans, £0 12s 7½d

2 augers, £0 4s 1d

6 bastard rubbers, £1 1s 7d

24 files, £0 10s 6d

Total for ironware, £2 10s 6d

Oars

10 large oars, £2 15s 0d

6 small oars, £1 4s 3d

Total for oars, £3 19s 3d

Pitch and tar, for the longboats

1 barrel of pitch, £1 13s 0d

1 barrel of tar, £1 13s 0d

18 pounds of rosin, £0 2s 8d

73 [...] of turpentine, £1 13s 5d

Total for pitch and tar, £5 2s 1d

4 grapnels, £9 11s 3d

7 [...] of sole leather, £0 6s 5d

7¼ gallons of arrack, £0 19s 4d

1 deep-sea line, £0 4s 8d

33 [...] of iron, £2 3s 4d

24 [...] of paint, £0 11s 0d

26 pounds of twine, £0 10s 0d

Carried forward, £97 3s 10d

Interpretations

The boats were the most expensive service on the island after the garrison's pay and the fortifications. With no harbour or quay, every cask, passenger and letter passed between the ships in the road and the landing at Jamestown in the Company's longboats. The 55 hundredweight of cordage, worth more than £66, supplied cables, mooring lines and the tackle used to sling heavy goods in and out of the boats. Constant work in the Atlantic swell wore the rope out quickly.

Grapnels were small anchors with four or five curved arms, used to hold boats off the landing or to recover objects from the seabed. Bastard rubbers were coarse-cut files for shaping wood and metal. Sole leather served for chafing gear, protecting oars and ropes where they rubbed against the gunwales. The arrack was the customary allowance to boat crews for their heavy work at the oars.

293

286

The 17 October

Brought over£ 97 3 10

Nails viz.

8 lb. 3d.

12 .. 2

15 .. 6

10 .. 40

10 .. 4

65 .. 10

Boats in General

" 6 -

" 10 3

2 2 2¼

1 3 9

" 6 -½

1 9 9½

4 18 -

Oil viz.

3 Gall. Linsd.

" 12 -

½ Do. Oil of Turpent.

" 2 7

" 14 7

Deals viz.

1 Baulk

" 8 10

6 Elm Boards

1 1 6

3¼ Ps. Riga Timber

1 19 4

2½ Do. Oak Plank

3 2 6

3 Do. Ash Do.

6 11 6

4 Do. Elm Do.

6 2 5

7 Doub. Deals

1 3 11

½ Wainst. Board

" 3 2

20 13 2

£ 123 9 7

Banks's Fortification Dr. for the following Stores

Issued from the 1st of July to the 30 Sept. 1768 viz.

Paint viz.

1 Pound. Blacking

" " 6½

1 lb. Blue Black

" " 7

6 lb. Span. Red mixd.

" 3 6

1 lb. Red Lead

" " 2¾

8 lb. White Lead dry

" 2 6

Carrd. over£ " 7 4

The stores issued for the Company's boats continued from a running total of £97 3s 10d, and the record then opened the account for the fortification at Banks's.

Brought forward, £97 3s 10d

Nails, for the boats in general

8 pounds of threepenny nails, £0 6s 0d

12 pounds of twopenny nails, £0 10s 3d

15 pounds of sixpenny nails, £2 2s 2¼d

10 pounds of fortypenny nails, £1 3s 9d

10 pounds of fourpenny nails, £0 6s 0¼d

65 pounds of tenpenny nails, £1 9s 9½d

Total for nails, £4 18s 0d

Oil

3 gallons of linseed oil, £0 12s 0d

½ gallon of oil of turpentine, £0 2s 7d

Total for oil, £0 14s 7d

Timber

1 baulk, £0 8s 10d

6 elm boards, £1 1s 6d

3¼ [...] of Riga timber, £1 19s 4d

2½ [...] of oak plank, £3 2s 6d

3 [...] of ash plank, £6 11s 6d

4 [...] of elm plank, £6 2s 5d

7 Dutch deals, £1 3s 11d

½ wainscot board, £0 3s 2d

Total for timber, £20 13s 2d

Total charged to the boats, £123 9s 7d

Charged to the fortification at Banks's: stores issued from 1 July to 30 September 1768

Paint

1 pan of blacking, £0 0s 6¼d

[...] of blue black, £0 0s 7d

6 pounds of Venetian red, mixed, £0 3s 6d

[...] of red lead, £0 0s 2¾d

8 pounds of white lead, dry, £0 2s 6d

Total for paint, £0 7s 4d

Carried forward, £0 7s 4d

Interpretations

The boats cost the Company £123 9s 7d in stores for the quarter, on top of the boatmen's wages. The large issue of timber showed that boats were built and repaired on the island, not merely maintained. Ash was the standard wood for oars, thwarts and the bent frames of a boat. Elm, which resists rot when kept wet, was used for planking below the waterline. Oak and Riga fir supplied keels, stems and heavier members. The Company's carpenters thus kept the longboats working without waiting for replacements from England.

Venetian red was a red iron-oxide pigment, originally from Italy, used for priming and for durable outdoor paint. With the white lead and red lead, it probably went on the gun carriages, doors and ironwork of the battery at Banks's. The Council had renamed the battery Purling's Battery when it was finished in August 1768, but the storekeeper still kept its account under the old name.

294

287

1768

Brought Over£ " 7 4

Leather 34 lb. Sole

1 11 2

Nails viz.

2 lb. 2d.

" 1 8½

4 .. 6

" 2 3

6 .. 10

" 2 9

2 .. 40

" " 9½

" 7 6

Iron Ware viz.

10 Iron Shovels

2 5 2½

3 Hand Hatchets

" 5 1½

20 Ash Helves

" 11 8

1 Large frying Pan

" 4 2½

36 Sail Needles

" 2 3

4 two feet Rules

" 4 -

1 Pick Ax

" 3 4

1 Wood Do.

" 2 10

3 Setting Hammers

1 " 3

2 Stock Locks

" 3 9

2 Spades

" 7 6

1 Pr. Garnet Hinges

" 7 2

6 Bricklay. Trowels

" 6 9

2 Brass Wire Sieves

" 8 11½

6 15 -

Turners Ware viz.

7 Plaistr. Brushes

" 7 7

1 Wood Bowl

" 1 1

3 Paint Brushes

" 1 6

" 10 2

Iron 68 lb.

" 12 9

Tin Ware 1 Watering Pot

" 3 -

Twine 20 Sk.

" 10 -

Candles 3 lb.

" 6 6

Cordage 124

2 1 4

Carrd. over£ 13 4 9

The stores issued for the fortification at Banks's continued from a running total of £0 7s 4d.

Brought forward, £0 7s 4d

34 pounds of sole leather, £1 11s 2d

Nails

2 pounds of twopenny nails, £0 1s 8½d

4 pounds of sixpenny nails, £0 2s 3d

6 pounds of tenpenny nails, £0 2s 9d

2 pounds of fortypenny nails, £0 0s 9½d

Total for nails, £0 7s 6d

Ironware

10 iron shovels, £2 5s 2½d

3 hand hatchets, £0 5s 1½d

20 ash handles, £0 11s 8d

1 large frying pan, £0 4s 2½d

36 sail needles, £0 2s 3d

4 two-foot rules, £0 4s 0d

1 pickaxe, £0 3s 4d

1 wood axe, £0 2s 10d

3 setting hammers, £1 0s 3d

2 stock locks, £0 5s 9d

2 spades, £0 7s 6d

1 pair of garnet hinges, £0 7s 2d

6 bricklayers' trowels, £0 6s 9d

2 brass wire sieves, £0 8s 11½d

Total for ironware, £6 15s 0d

Turners' ware

7 plasterers' brushes, £0 7s 7d

1 wooden bowl, £0 1s 1d

3 paint brushes, £0 1s 6d

Total for turners' ware, £0 10s 2d

68 pounds of iron, £0 12s 9d

1 tin watering pot, £0 3s 0d

20 pounds of twine, £0 10s 0d

3 [...] of candles, £0 6s 6d

124 pounds of cordage, £2 1s 4d

Carried forward, £13 4s 9d

Interpretations

The stores for Banks's matched the trades charged in the paymaster's account for the same quarter. Shovels, spades and pickaxes served the labourers, and trowels, setting hammers and plasterers' brushes the masons and stonelayers. The 36 sail needles and 20 pounds of twine went to the sailmakers, who were paid for 22½ days' work at the battery. They were probably sewing canvas covers to protect the guns and their carriages from rain and salt spray.

The brass wire sieves were used to screen sand and slaked lime for mortar, removing lumps and stones before mixing. A setting hammer was a mason's heavy hammer for bedding stones firmly into their mortar. Garnet hinges were T-shaped strap hinges for doors and shutters, here probably fitted to the battery's magazine or guardhouse. The sole leather was perhaps cut into washers and packing for the gun tackle, or into protective strips where ropes ran over stone.

295

288

The 17 October

Brought Over£ 13 4 9

Oars 3 Long

" 16 6

Glass Ware 4 Sq. Glass 8 by 10

" 2 3

Tar 3 Gall.

" 2 3

Oil viz.

3 Gall. Linsd.

" 12 -

3½ Do. Oil of Turpent.

" 16 8

1 8 8

Deals viz.

2 Coffers

" 6 3

1 Baulk

" 8 10

" 15 1

Coals 24 Chald.

48 16 7

£ 64 16 1

Lemon Valley Fortifications Dr. for the following

Stores Issued from the 1st of July to the 30 Sept. 1768 viz.

Iron Ware viz.

7 Ash Helves

" 4 1

4 Pickaxes

" 13 4

1 Hand Hatchet

" 1 8½

8 Iron Shovels

1 16 2½

2 15 4

Cordage 51 lb.

" 12 3

Cart Wheels 7 Wheel Barr.

6 19 6

Nails viz.

10 lb. 40d.

" 3 9½

10 Spikes

" 3 1½

" 6 11

Deals viz.

1 Ps. Riga Timber

2 8 5

5½ Do. Oak Plank

6 17 6

9 5 11

£ 19 19 11

The stores issued for the fortification at Banks's continued from a running total of £13 4s 9d and closed with the account's total, and the record then opened the account for the fortifications in Lemon Valley.

Brought forward, £13 4s 9d

3 long oars, £0 16s 6d

4 panes of window glass, 8 by 10 inches, £0 2s 3d

3 gallons of tar, £0 2s 3d

Oil

3 gallons of linseed oil, £0 12s 0d

3½ gallons of oil of turpentine, £0 16s 8d

Total for oil, £1 8s 8d

Timber

2 [...], £0 6s 3d

1 baulk, £0 8s 10d

Total for timber, £0 15s 1d

24 chaldrons of coal, £48 16s 7d

Total charged to the fortification at Banks's, £64 16s 1d

Charged to the fortifications in Lemon Valley: stores issued from 1 July to 30 September 1768

Ironware

7 ash handles, £0 4s 1d

4 pickaxes, £0 13s 4d

1 hand hatchet, £0 1s 8½d

8 iron shovels, £1 16s 2½d

Total for ironware, £2 15s 4d

51 pounds of cordage, £0 12s 3d

Cart wheels and wheelbarrows, £6 19s 6d

Nails

10 pounds of fortypenny nails, £0 3s 9½d

10 spikes, £0 3s 1½d

Total for nails, £0 6s 11d

Timber

1 [...] of Riga timber, £2 8s 5d

5½ [...] of oak plank, £6 17s 6d

Total for timber, £9 5s 11d

Total charged to the fortifications in Lemon Valley, £19 19s 11d

Interpretations

The 24 chaldrons of coal made up three-quarters of the stores charged to Banks's for the quarter. A chaldron was a large measure of coal, about 36 bushels. The coal was fuel for the lime kilns, where the lime-burners paid at the battery burned limestone or shells into quicklime for mortar. With little wood to spare on the island, imported coal was the only practical fuel for lime-burning on this scale. It made mortar one of the most expensive materials in the Company's building works.

The Lemon Valley account showed the works there only just beginning. The stores were almost all for moving earth and stone: pickaxes, shovels, wheelbarrows and cart wheels, with timber for scaffolding, shuttering and sheds. No paint, glass or finishing materials appeared yet. The 841 labourers' days paid at Lemon Valley in the same quarter matched this picture of a site being cleared and its foundations dug.

296

289

1768

Mundens Point Fortification Dr. for the following

Stores Issued from the 1st of July to the 30 Sept. 1768 viz.

Blocks viz.

6 Doubl. Blocks

3 18 6

6 Dead Eyes

" 15 3

8 Single Blocks w. Brass Sheaves

1 10 4

6 4 1

Cordage 9 Cwt. qrs. 24½ lb.

17 4 2

Iron Ware viz.

10 Iron Shovels

2 5 2½

53 Ash Helves

1 10 11

1 Hand Hatchet

" 1 8½

24 Masons Tools

2 " "

10 Do. Stone Mallets

" 16 8

1 Axletree & Winch for Grind Stones

" 3 4

5 Pad Locks

" 7 6

265 lb. Plate Iron

5 15 11

2 Melting Ladles

" 7 11

6 Pickaxes

1 " "

2 Stone Saws

" 10 3½

1 Plaist. Trowel

" 1 8½

1 Wood Ax

" 2 10

15 4 -

Iron & Steel viz.

608 lb. Iron

5 14 -

19 lb. German Steel

" 10 8

54 lb. Blist. Do.

" 16 8

7 1 4

Lines 24 No. 4

" 9 -

Arr. 2 Gall.

" 5 4

Pastel 3 lb.

" 2 4

Candles 5 lb.

" 10 10

Braziers Ware 1 Large Brass Cock

" 4 6

Carrd. over£ 47 5 7

The record next set out the stores issued for the fortification at Munden's Point between 1 July and 30 September 1768.

Charged to the fortification at Munden's Point

Blocks

6 double blocks, £3 18s 6d

6 deadeyes, £0 15s 3d

8 single blocks with brass sheaves, £1 10s 4d

Total for blocks, £6 4s 1d

9 hundredweight 24½ pounds of cordage, £17 4s 2d

Ironware

10 iron shovels, £2 5s 2½d

53 ash handles, £1 10s 11d

1 hand hatchet, £0 1s 8½d

24 masons' tools, £2 0s 0d

10 masons' stone mallets, £0 16s 8d

1 axle and winch for a grindstone, £0 3s 4d

5 padlocks, £0 7s 6d

265 pounds of flat iron, £5 15s 11d

2 melting ladles, £0 7s 11d

6 pickaxes, £1 0s 0d

2 [...] saws, £0 10s 3½d

1 plasterer's trowel, £0 1s 8½d

1 wood axe, £0 2s 10d

Total for ironware, £15 4s 0d

Iron and steel

6 hundredweight 8 pounds of iron, £5 14s 0d

19 pounds of German steel, £0 10s 8d

[...] of blistered steel, £0 16s 8d

Total for iron and steel, £7 1s 4d

2 [...] of number 4 lines, £0 9s 0d

2 gallons of arrack, £0 5s 4d

3 baskets, £0 2s 4d

5 pounds of candles, £0 10s 10d

1 large brass tap, £0 4s 6d

Carried forward, £47 5s 7d

Interpretations

The blocks, deadeyes and nine hundredweight of cordage showed how the battery at Munden's Point was being built. The site stood on a steep headland above the sea, and stone, timber and guns had to be hoisted into place with tackle. Double and single blocks with brass sheaves made up the pulleys of the hoisting gear. Deadeyes were round wooden blocks pierced with three holes, used to tension the standing ropes that steadied sheerlegs and cranes. The arrangement was the same rigging a ship's crew used, adapted to heavy work on a cliff.

The melting ladles were for pouring molten lead. Masons set iron cramps, bolts and gun-ring fixings into holes cut in the stone and ran lead around them to hold them fast. German steel was a cheap steel made directly from iron ore in the forges of Styria and the Rhineland. Blistered steel was made in England by baking bar iron in charcoal, leaving a blistered surface. Both were forged by the armourer into the cutting edges of masons' chisels and picks, which the hard island rock blunted quickly.

297

290

The 17 October

Brought Over£ 47 5 7

Nails viz.

7 lb. 4d.

" 4 3

6 .. 6

" 3 4

" 7 7

Tin Ware 1 Large Tin Kettle w. a Cover

" 3 4

Thread 3 lb. Col.

" 9 6

Grindstones 1

" 2 9

Turners Ware 6 Labour. Baskets

" 6 10

Deals viz.

21 Coffr.

3 5 8

2 Baulks

" 17 8

4 3 4

Coals 24 Chald. 13 Bushl.

49 14 9

£ 102 13 8

Fortifications Dr. for the following Stores Issued from the 1st of

July to the 30 Sept. 1768 viz.

Paint viz.

13 lb. White Lead dry

to paint Gun Carriages & Iron Work for the Guard

" 4 1

12 Pound. Blacking

" 6 3

3 lb. Umber

" " 9

2 Stone Oaker mixd.

" " 11

3 lb. Verd.

" 11 9

1 3 9

Oil viz.

2 7/8 Gall. Lins.

Do.

" 11 6

3/4 Oil of Turpentine

" 3 11

" 15 5

Carrd. over£ 1 19 2

The stores issued for the fortification at Munden's Point continued from a running total of £47 5s 7d and closed with the account's total, and the record then opened the general account for the fortifications.

Brought forward, £47 5s 7d

Nails

7 pounds of fourpenny nails, £0 4s 3d

6 pounds of sixpenny nails, £0 3s 4d

Total for nails, £0 7s 7d

1 large tin kettle with a cover, £0 3s 4d

3 [...] of coloured thread, £0 9s 6d

1 grindstone, £0 2s 9d

6 labourers' baskets, £0 6s 10d

Timber

21 [...], £3 5s 8d

2 baulks, £0 17s 8d

Total for timber, £4 3s 4d

24 chaldrons 13 bushels of coal, £49 14s 9d

Total charged to the fortification at Munden's Point, £102 13s 8d

Charged to the fortifications in general: stores issued from 1 July to 30 September 1768

Paint, for painting the gun carriages and the ironwork for the guard

13 pounds of white lead, dry, £0 4s 1d

12 pans of blacking, £0 6s 3d

3 pounds of umber, £0 0s 9d

2 pounds of stone ochre, mixed, £0 0s 11d

3 pounds of verdigris, £0 11s 9d

Total for paint, £1 3s 9d

Oil, for the same

2⅛ gallons of linseed oil, £0 11s 6d

¾ gallon of oil of turpentine, £0 3s 11d

Total for oil, £0 15s 5d

Carried forward, £1 19s 2d

Interpretations

Munden's Point used almost exactly the same quantity of coal as Banks's in the quarter, about 24 chaldrons each. Both batteries were burning their own lime on site, rather than drawing on a central kiln. Lime-burning on site saved carrying heavy quicklime over the island's steep paths. The cost, however, was a large import of coal to each work. At Munden's Point the coal alone came to almost half the stores charged for the quarter.

The general fortifications account covered the upkeep of the island's existing defences, as distinct from the new works under construction. Its paint and oil went on the gun carriages and ironwork at the established batteries and guard posts. Verdigris gave a green finish and resisted rot in damp timber. The carriages were repainted in rotation to keep them sound in the moist sea air.

298

291

1768

Brought Over£ 1 19 2

Twine 2¼ Skeins

to make Cartridges

" 2 6

Thread 2 lb. Col. Do.

" 6 4

Candles 3 lb. for the Magazines

" 6 6

Arrack 1/8 Gall. for Hoistg. Colours

" 1 8

Deals viz.

5½ Ps. Riga Timber

13 6 1

6½ Do. Oak Plank

8 2 6

3½ Do. Ash Do.

7 13 5

9 Doub. Deals

1 10 9

15 Single Do.

1 13 1

32 5 10

£ 35 2 -

Errors Excepted

(signed)

James Powell Storekpr.

St. Helena

30th Sept. 1768

The general account for the fortifications continued from a running total of £1 19s 2d and closed the storekeeper's account for the quarter.

Brought forward, £1 19s 2d

For making cartridges:

2¼ pounds of [...] twine, £0 2s 6d

[...] of coloured thread, £0 6s 4d

3 pounds of candles for the magazines, £0 6s 6d

⅛ gallon of arrack for [...] the colours, £0 1s 8d

Timber

5½ [...] of Riga timber, £13 6s 1d

6½ [...] of oak plank, £8 2s 6d

5½ [...] of ash plank, £7 13s 5d

9 Dutch deals, £1 10s 9d

15 single deals, £1 13s 1d

Total for timber, £32 5s 10d

Total charged to the fortifications in general, £35 2s 0d

James Powell signed the account as storekeeper at St Helena on 30 September 1768, reserving the right to correct any errors.

Interpretations

The twine and thread were used to make up cartridges for the guns. Each charge of powder was sewn into a bag of cloth or paper and tied at the neck, so it could be rammed into the barrel in one piece. Cartridges were made in advance and stored in the magazines. A battery could then fire quickly without loose powder being handled near the guns.

Candles were issued for the magazines only in small quantities and under strict rules. A naked flame among stored powder was the greatest danger in any fort. Magazine candles were burned inside closed lanterns, often behind glass set in the wall, so that the men inside never came near an open flame.

Powell closed his account with the same reservation Kirkpatrick had used on the paymaster's account: errors excepted. Between them, the two officers' accounts set out every shilling paid and every item issued in the quarter. Each was charged to its own department, from the garrison and the slaves to the boats and the fortifications. The Court of Directors could therefore trace where its money and goods had gone on the island.

299

292

The 17 October

Inventory of Stores Remaining in the Honble. Company's Ware

Houses Sept. 30. 1768 viz.

Anchors viz.

5 Anchors£ 66 19 7

6 Iron Hoops

1 12 8

4 Anc. Stocks 16 feet long

25 4 10

18 Fore Nails

" 3 6

1 Anch. on the West Rocks

13 7 11

1 Do. 11.. 33.. 6

56 6 7

1 Do. 34.. 2.. 10

59 7 3

223 2 4

Bunting viz.

4 Ps. 36 Yds. Red

19¼ Do. damagd.

8 1 4

9¾ Do. White Do.

" 5 6

1 Ps. 32½ Blue

15¼ Yds. Do. Damag.

2 6 8

10 13 6

Broad Cloth viz.

122½ Yds. Scarlet

107 7 11

32¼ Do. Blue

3½ Do. Do. Damag.

39 18 3

31 Do. Light Brown

3½ Do. Do. damagd.

30 3 9

13¼ Do. Black

11 16 4

23½ Do. Green

19 1 9

26 Do. Buff

21 6 10

6½ Do. Dark Brown

5 16 6

4½ Do. French Grey damag.

4 " 8

249 12 -

Buckram 2 Ps. 11 Yds.

2 19 -

Carrd. over£ 486 6 [...]

An inventory followed of the stores remaining in the Company's warehouses on 30 September 1768.

Anchors

5 anchors, £66 19s 7d

6 iron hoops, £1 12s 8d

4 anchor stocks, 16 feet long, £25 4s 10d

18 treenails, £0 3s 6d

1 anchor lying on the [...] rocks, £13 7s 11d

1 anchor weighing [...] hundredweight 3 quarters 6 pounds, £56 6s 7d

1 anchor weighing 34 hundredweight 2 quarters 10 pounds, £59 7s 3d

Total for anchors, £223 2s 4d

Bunting

4 pieces of 36 yards of red bunting and 19¾ yards of damaged red bunting, together £8 1s 4d

9¾ yards of white bunting, £0 5s 6d

1 piece of 32½ yards of blue bunting and 15¼ yards of damaged blue bunting, together £2 6s 8d

Total for bunting, £10 13s 6d

Broadcloth

122½ yards of scarlet broadcloth, £117 7s 11d

32¼ yards of blue broadcloth and 3½ yards of damaged blue broadcloth, together £39 18s 3d

31 yards of light brown broadcloth and 3½ yards of damaged light brown broadcloth, together £30 3s 9d

13¼ yards of black broadcloth, £11 16s 4d

23¾ yards of green broadcloth, £19 1s 9d

26 yards of buff broadcloth, £21 6s 10d

6¾ yards of dark brown broadcloth, £5 16s 6d

4½ yards of damaged French grey broadcloth, £4 0s 8d

Total for broadcloth, £249 12s 0d

2 pieces and 11 yards of buckram, £2 19s 0d

Carried forward, £486 6s [...]

Interpretations

The anchors were the most valuable items in the store. They were kept so that any ship that lost an anchor in the road could be supplied before sailing on. St Helena's anchorage was open to the sea, and anchors were often lost when cables parted or had to be cut in a sudden swell. A replacement from the island's store could save a ship. The anchor recorded as lying on the rocks was probably one recovered from the shore or a wreck and still awaiting removal.

The large stock of scarlet broadcloth, more than 120 yards worth over £117, was held for the officers' uniforms. Only a fraction was issued in any single quarter, but the next supply from England might be a year away. The Company therefore kept enough cloth on hand to clothe its officers for several seasons. The storekeeper listed damaged lengths separately so their lower value would not be mistaken for sound stock.

Bunting was a light woollen cloth used for flags and signals. Red, white and blue bunting supplied the Company's colours, the ensigns flown at the Castle and batteries, and the signal flags used to speak with ships in the road.

300

293

1768

Brought Over£ 486 6 10

Braziers Ware viz.

8 Skimmrs.

@ 2/5¾

" 19 10½

1 Do.

@ 2/8

" 2 8

2 Do.

@ 14/4

1 8 8

1 Warming Pan

" 11 5

10 Hash Pans wt. Covers

13 10 10

1 Do. without Do.

" 14 10

5 Large Cocks

" 17 10½

3 Rolling Do.

" 18 1

4 Pr. Brass Cand. Sticks

1 16 -

3 Flat Do.

" 10 3

8 Pr. Steel Snuffers

1 4 -

1 Sauce Pan

" 13 1

2¼ Brass Wire

" 6 9

4 Brass Rollers for the Crane

4 10 7

2½ Brass for Soldering

" 10 7½

6 Copper Plates

" 8 6½

1 Copper Bar three feet long

" 9 5

1 Brass Do. 3 Do. Do.

" 9 -

9 Tea Kettles of 5 Quarts

7 10 9½

1 Do. of 3 Do.

" 12 4

38 5 7

Books viz.

7 Bibles

1 5 10

2 Testaments

" 2 5

11 Primmers

" 2 9

15 Spellg. Books

" 12 6

12 Horn Do.

" 1 3

1 Common Prayer Do.

" 2 11

2 7 8

Carrd. over£ 527 - 1

The inventory of stores remaining in the warehouses continued from a running total of £486 6s 10d.

Brought forward, £486 6s 10d

Braziers' ware

8 skimmers at 2s 5¾d each, £0 19s 10½d

1 skimmer at 2s 8d, £0 2s 8d

2 skimmers at 14s 4d each, £1 8s 8d

1 warming pan, £0 11s 5d

10 stewpans with covers, £13 10s 10d

1 stewpan without a cover, £0 14s 10d

5 large taps, £0 17s 1½d

3 bib taps, £0 18s 1d

4 pairs of brass candlesticks, £1 16s 0d

3 flat candlesticks, £0 10s 3d

8 pairs of steel snuffers, £1 4s 0d

1 saucepan, £0 13s 1d

2¼ [...] of brass wire, £0 6s 9d

4 brass rollers for the crane, £4 10s 7d

2½ [...] of brass for soldering, £0 10s 7½d

6 copper plates, £0 8s 6½d

1 copper bar, 3 feet long, £0 9s 5d

1 brass bar, 3 feet long, £0 9s 0d

9 five-quart tea kettles, £7 10s 9½d

1 three-quart tea kettle, £0 12s 4d

Total for braziers' ware, £38 5s 7d

Books

7 Bibles, £1 5s 10d

2 New Testaments, £0 2s 5d

11 primers, £0 2s 9d

15 spelling books, £0 12s 6d

12 hornbooks, £0 1s 3d

1 Book of Common Prayer, £0 2s 11d

Total for books, £2 7s 8d

Carried forward, £527 0s 1d

Interpretations

The four brass rollers for the crane were spares for the crane at the landing place, where goods from the ships were hoisted out of the boats. The rollers carried the crane's moving parts and wore quickly under constant heavy loads. Keeping replacements in store meant a breakdown would not halt the unloading of the next ship in the road.

Hornbooks were a child's first reading lesson. A sheet printed with the alphabet and the Lord's Prayer was mounted on a small wooden board and covered with a thin, transparent layer of horn to protect it. With the primers and spelling books, they made up the stock for the island's school. They were the beginners' end of the reading materials sold to the servants earlier in the quarter.

301

294

The 17 October

Brought Over£ 527 - 1

Beef & Pork viz.

[...] lb. Beef

3357 2 2

306 Hhds. Pork

3291 9 9

42 Casks Bengal Provisions

1 Do. Do. Do. damaged

963 15 7

30 Tierc. Beef

126 " "

7740 7 6

Blocks viz.

2 Iron bound Cat

" 12 10

2 Do. Snatch

1 7 6

4 Do. Dead Eyes

2 13 1

1 Doubl. Long Tackle

" 4 9

21 Doub. Blocks w. Brass Sheaves

4 Singles Do. Do.

4 14 10

9 13 -

Copper Money 53.. 960 Juck half Pence

112 8 4

Coals 5 Chaldrs.

9 15 -

Canvas viz.

24 Ps. 15½ Yds. Eng. Canvas

65 6 9

1 Do. 70 Do. Oznab.

7 5 10

107¾ Yds. Do. Ticklenb.

4 15 6

77 9 1

Cordage viz.

1 Cable of 17 Inc. Wt. 72.. 1.. 17

2 Do. of 9 Do. 19.. 3.. 10

3 Coils of 5 Do. 21.. -.. 20

9 Do. of 4 Do. 44.. -.. 15

7 Do. 3½ Do. 28.. 3.. 11

15 Do. 3¼ Do. 61.. -.. 2

3 Do. 3 Do. 9.. 2.. 8

6 Do. 2 Do. 9.. 1.. 12

9 Do. 1½ Inc. Netting 5.. 3.. 20

8 Do. 9 Do. Do. 4.. 2.. 6

276.. 3.. 9

485 13 7

Carrd. Over£ 8962 6 7

The inventory of stores remaining in the warehouses continued from a running total of £527 0s 1d.

Brought forward, £527 0s 1d

Beef and pork

[...] of beef, £3,357 2s 2d

306 [...] of pork, £3,291 9s 9d

42 casks of Bengal provisions and 1 cask of damaged Bengal provisions, together £965 15s 7d

30 tierces of beef, £126 0s 0d

Total for beef and pork, £7,740 7s 6d

Blocks

2 iron-bound cat blocks, £0 12s 10d

2 iron-bound snatch blocks, £1 7s 6d

4 iron-bound deadeyes, £2 13s 1d

1 double long tackle block, £0 4s 9d

21 double blocks with brass sheaves and 4 single blocks with brass sheaves, together £4 14s 10d

Total for blocks, £9 13s 0d

53,960 copper halfpence, £112 8s 4d

5 chaldrons of coal, £9 15s 0d

Canvas

34 bolts and 15½ yards of English canvas, £63 6s 9d

1 [...] of 70 yards of osnaburgs, £7 5s 10d

107¾ yards of tecklenburgs, £4 15s 6d

Total for canvas, £77 9s 1d

Cordage

1 cable of 17 inches, 72 hundredweight 1 quarter 17 pounds

2 cables of 9 inches, 19 hundredweight 3 quarters 10 pounds

3 coils of 5 inches, 21 hundredweight 0 quarters 20 pounds

9 coils of 4 inches, 44 hundredweight 0 quarters 15 pounds

7 coils of 3½ inches, 28 hundredweight 3 quarters 11 pounds

15 coils of 3¼ inches, 61 hundredweight 0 quarters 2 pounds

3 coils of 3 inches, 9 hundredweight 2 quarters 8 pounds

6 coils of 2 inches, 9 hundredweight 1 quarter 12 pounds

9 coils of 12-thread ratline, 5 hundredweight 3 quarters 20 pounds

8 coils of 9-thread ratline, 4 hundredweight 2 quarters 6 pounds

Total weight of cordage, 276 hundredweight 3 quarters 9 pounds

Total value of cordage, £485 13s 7d

Carried forward, £8,962 6s 7d

Interpretations

Salt beef and pork worth more than £7,700 made up by far the largest part of the stock. This reserve fed the garrison, the Company's slaves and the servants' households. It supplied the Company's ships calling for provisions and served as the island's defence against famine or siege. The 30 tierces of beef bought from Captain Mears on 10 September 1768 for £126 0s 0d still stood unopened in the warehouse at the same price. The Bengal provisions were the cheaper Indian salt meat issued mainly to the slaves.

The 53,960 copper halfpence, worth £112 8s 4d, were held as small change. Coin of every kind was scarce on an island that produced nothing it could export for cash. The Company shipped out copper so that wages, petty purchases and the warehouse's own sales could be paid in exact sums. The cash notes recorded in the treasury served for larger amounts.

The cordage ran from a single 17-inch cable down to light ratline. A cable's size was measured round its circumference, and a 17-inch cable weighing more than 72 hundredweight was large enough to hold an East Indiaman at anchor. Ratline was thin tarred line, knotted across a ship's shrouds to form the rungs the sailors climbed. The whole stock existed chiefly to refit ships in the road. Cat and snatch blocks were the heavy pulleys used for hoisting an anchor and for leading a rope round an awkward angle.

302

295

1768

Brought Over£ 8962 6 7

Cart Wheels viz.

5 Pr. Cart Wheels

21 2 8

1 Spare Sides for Wheel Barrows

" 8 4

21 11 -

Cutlery Ware viz.

6 Horse Combs

" 1 6

349 Buckling Do.

5 " 7

180 Horn Combs

1 12 8

6 Ivory Do.

" 13 3

4 Shoe Knives

" 1 4

2 Butch. Do.

" " 9

3 Doz. Ivory Handd. Knives & Forks

4 9 3

1 Do. Desert Do. & Do.

1 4 3

7 Case Fleams

" 19 3

14 Chopping Knives

" 17 10

8 Cullet Do.

" 6 8

10 Stone Do.

" 14 7

6 Pudding Do.

" 5 9

11 Pruning Do.

" 11 1½

6 Doz. Stag Horn Handd. Knives & Forks

2 19 5

80 Do. Pr. Shoe Buckles

25 1 8

6 Do. 4 Pr. Knee Do.

1 2 2

213 Pr. Leat. Garters

5 19 10

1 Cooks Knife

" 2 3½

52 4 5

Camblet viz.

3½ Yds. Scarlet

" 13 -

24 Do. Brown

" 7 8

1 " 8

Corks viz.

10 Gro. 7 Doz. Corks

1 10 8

11 Small Do.

" 7 11

1 18 7

Carrd. over£ 9039 1 3

The inventory of stores remaining in the warehouses continued from a running total of £8,962 6s 7d.

Brought forward, £8,962 6s 7d

Cart wheels

5 pairs of cart wheels, £21 2s 8d

1 spare [...] for wheelbarrows, £0 8s 4d

Total for cart wheels, £21 11s 0d

Cutlery and small wares

6 horse combs, £0 1s 6d

349 buckle combs, £5 0s 7d

180 horn combs, £1 12s 8d

6 ivory combs, £0 13s 3d

4 shoe knives, £0 1s 4d

2 butcher's knives, £0 0s 9d

3 dozen ivory-handled knives and forks, £4 9s 3d

1 dozen ivory-handled dessert knives and forks, £1 4s 3d

7 cased fleams, £0 19s 3d

14 clasp knives, £0 17s 10d

8 palette knives, £0 6s 8d

10 penknives, £0 14s 7d

6 budding knives, £0 5s 9d

11 pruning knives, £0 11s 1½d

6 dozen stag-horn-handled knives and forks, £2 19s 5d

80 dozen pairs of shoe buckles, £25 1s 8d

6 dozen and 4 pairs of knee buckles, £1 2s 2d

213 pairs of leather garters, £5 19s 10d

1 cook's knife, £0 2s 3½d

Total for cutlery and small wares, £52 4s 5d

Camlet

3½ yards of scarlet camlet, £0 13s 0d

2½ yards of brown camlet, £0 7s 8d

Total for camlet, £1 0s 8d

Corks

10 gross 7 dozen corks, £1 10s 8d

11 [...] of short corks, £0 7s 11d

Total for corks, £1 18s 7d

Carried forward, £9,039 1s 3d

Interpretations

The warehouse held 80 dozen pairs of shoe buckles, nearly 1,000 pairs, worth more than £25. Only 12 pairs had been sold to the servants during the whole quarter. At that rate the stock would have lasted for many years. The same was true of the 349 buckle combs. The Court of Directors sent out goods in bulk shipments, often without regard to the island's real demand. Small fashion items could therefore sit in store long after they had any prospect of sale, tying up money the Company might have spent better elsewhere.

Camlet was a light cloth woven from wool or goat's hair, sometimes mixed with silk, and was used for cloaks, petticoats and linings. Palette knives were thin flexible blades for mixing paint. Knee buckles fastened breeches below the knee. The stag-horn-handled knives and forks were the everyday tableware of the period, cheaper than ivory.

303

296

The 17 October

Brought over£ 9039 1 3

Deals viz.

20 Wainst. Boards

6 11 8

6 Elm Do.

1 1 6

5¾ Riga Timber

15 1 5

11 Baulks

4 17 2

5 Coffers

" 15 8

16½ Ps. Oak Plank

24 19 2

9 Do. Elm Do.

15 1 6

7 Do. Ash Do.

8 13 10

575 Do. Timber for the Church in James Valley

161 10 2

238 18 1

Earthen Ware viz.

21 Milk Pans

1 8 -

3 Glass Stool Do.

2 Do. Do. Damag.

1 3 4

2 11 4

Flour 406 Casks wt. 1228

1234 1 -

Flannel 66¼ Yds.

5 8 1

Glass Ware viz.

68 Wine Glasses

1 11 6

21 Beer Do.

1 " 8½

13 Tumblers

" 10 9

12 Water Glasses

" 5 10

14 Decanters

1 16 -

1 Urinal

" 1 -

2 Pr. Salts

" 15 1½

6 Cand. Shades

2 " -

3 Four Hour Glasses

" 10 -

1 Two Do. Do.

" 3 4

6 Half Do. Do.

" 2 9

15 Sq. Glass 6 by 8

" 5 -

45 Sq. Do. 10 by 12

2 11 2

Glass Ware Carrd. over£ 11 13 1

Carrd. over£ 10559 19 9

The inventory of stores remaining in the warehouses continued from a running total of £9,039 1s 3d.

Brought forward, £9,039 1s 3d

Timber

20 wainscot boards, £6 11s 8d

6 elm boards, £1 1s 6d

5¾ [...] of Riga timber, £15 1s 5d

11 baulks, £4 17s 2d

5 [...], £0 15s 8d

16½ [...] of oak plank, £24 19s 2d

9 [...] of elm plank, £15 7s 6d

7 [...] of ash plank, £8 13s 10d

575 [...] of timber for the church in Jamestown, £161 10s 2d

Total for timber, £238 18s 1d

Earthenware

21 milk pans, £1 8s 0d

3 close-stool pans and 2 damaged close-stool pans, together £1 3s 4d

Total for earthenware, £2 11s 4d

406 casks of flour, or 1,228 hundredweight, £1,234 1s 0d

66½ yards of flannel, £5 8s 1d

Glassware

68 wine glasses, £1 11s 6d

21 beer glasses, £1 0s 8½d

13 tumblers, £0 10s 9d

12 water glasses, £0 5s 10d

14 decanters, £1 16s 0d

1 cruet, £0 1s 0d

2 pairs of salt cellars, £0 15s 1½d

6 candle shades, £2 0s 0d

3 four-hour glasses, £0 10s 0d

1 three-hour glass, £0 3s 4d

6 half-hour glasses, £0 2s 9d

15 panes of window glass, 6 by 8 inches, £0 5s 0d

45 panes of window glass, 10 by 12 inches, £2 11s 2d

Glassware carried forward, £11 13s 1d

Carried forward, £10,559 19s 9d

Interpretations

The timber set aside for the church in Jamestown, valued at £161 10s 2d, was the largest single stock of wood in the warehouse. It was held for a particular building, not issued piecemeal for repairs. The quantity and value suggest a major rebuilding or enlargement of the church was planned or under way. The Company bore the cost of the island's church, as it did of the chaplain's salary and the books for the school.

The 406 casks of flour, worth more than £1,200, were the island's grain reserve. Little wheat was grown on St Helena, so bread for the garrison, the slaves and the households depended on flour shipped from England or the Cape. A stock of more than 1,200 hundredweight could feed the island for many months if the store ships were delayed.

The sand glasses timed the watches of the garrison. A four-hour glass measured a full watch, and half-hour glasses marked the intervals at which sentries were relieved or the bell was struck. Close-stool pans were the earthenware vessels fitted inside a close stool, the enclosed chamber pot of the period. They were probably held for the hospital.

304

297

1768

Brought over£ 10559 19 9

Glass Ware brought Over£ 11 13 1

10 Sq. Glass 11 by 12¾

" 10 10

17 Sq. Do. 11 by 16

1 3 9

83 Sq. Do. 11 by 16

5 1 -

12 Sq. Do. 10 by 14

" 13 -

17 Sq. Do. 11 by 17

1 2 8

12 Sq. Do. 11 by 17¾

" 16 -

12 Sq. Do. 11 by 18½

" 16 -

21 Sq. Do. 11¼ by 18

1 8 -

30 Sq. Do. 10½ by 17¾

2 " "

40 Sq. Do. 11½ by 19

2 16 8

28 Sq. Do. 11½ by 19

1 19 8

30 " 7

Grind Stones 2

" 5 6

Hatts viz.

15 Mens Hatts

13 3 9

2 Boys Do.

" 12 2

28 Centl. Do.

3 18 9

17 14 8

Haberdashery viz.

8¾ lb. Silk

15 13 6½

8¾ lb. Mohr.

13 13 5½

15 Gro. Mohr. Coat Buttons

6 " "

7 Gro. 7 Doz. Do. Breast Do.

1 8 4

13 Gro. 7¾ Doz. Silv. Wire Coat Do.

18 3 6¼

1 Gro. 4½ Doz. Do. Breast Do.

1 7 5¼

3 Gro. Silv. Plated Coat Do.

" 6 8

3¼ Doz. Do. Breast Do.

" 2 4¾

30½ Doz. Gilt Coat Do.

1 6 3¼

31¾ Do. Do. Breast Do.

" 19 -

3 Gro. Gilt Metal Coat Do.

" 1 -

1 Gro. 7½ Horn Moulds

1 18 1

Haberd. Carrd. over£ 61 18 7½

Carrd. Over£ 10608 - 6

The inventory of stores remaining in the warehouses continued from a running total of £10,559 19s 9d.

Brought forward, £10,559 19s 9d

Glassware brought forward, £11 13s 1d

10 panes of window glass, 11 by 12¼ inches, £0 10s 10d

15 panes of window glass, 11 by 16 inches, £1 3s 9d

85 panes of window glass, 10 by 16 inches, £5 1s 0d

12 panes of window glass, 10 by 14 inches, £0 13s 0d

17 panes of window glass, 11 by 17 inches, £1 2s 8d

12 panes of window glass, 11 by 17¾ inches, £0 16s 0d

12 panes of window glass, 11 by 18½ inches, £0 16s 0d

21 panes of window glass, 11½ by 18 inches, £1 8s 0d

30 panes of window glass, 10½ by 17¾ inches, £2 0s 0d

40 panes of window glass, 11½ by 19 inches, £2 16s 8d

28 panes of window glass, 11 by 19 inches, £1 19s 8d

Total for glassware, £30 0s 7d

2 grindstones, £0 5s 6d

Hats

15 men's hats, £13 3s 9d

2 boys' hats, £0 12s 2d

28 soldiers' hats, £3 18s 9d

Total for hats, £17 14s 8d

Haberdashery

8¾ [...] of silk, £15 13s 6½d

8¾ [...] of mohair, £13 13s 5½d

15 gross of mohair coat buttons, £6 0s 0d

7 gross of mohair breast buttons, £1 8s 4d

[...] of silver wire coat buttons, £18 5s 6¾d

[...] of silver wire breast buttons, £1 7s 5¾d

[...] of silver-plated coat buttons, £0 6s 8d

[...] of silver-plated breast buttons, £0 2s 4¾d

30½ [...] of gilt coat buttons, £1 6s 3¾d

[...] of gilt breast buttons, £0 19s 0d

3 [...] of gilt metal coat buttons, £0 1s 0d

[...] of horn button moulds, £1 18s 1d

Haberdashery carried forward, £61 18s 7½d

Carried forward, £10,608 0s 6d

Interpretations

The warehouse stocked window glass in more than a dozen different sizes, from small panes of 6 by 8 inches to large ones of 11½ by 19. Each size fitted a particular pattern of sash, so a broken pane could be replaced only with glass cut to the same dimensions. Glass could not be cut down safely on the island in quantity. The storekeeper therefore held a range of ready-sized panes for the Castle, the Company's houses and the servants' homes.

The large stock of buttons in mohair, silver wire, silver plate, gilt and gilt metal showed how closely dress marked rank on the island. Officers, senior servants and junior clerks each wore the grade of button suited to their station. The silver wire coat buttons alone were valued at more than £18. The Company supplied the whole range from its own stores so that each man could be fitted out according to his place.

305

298

The 17 October

Brought Over£ 10608 - 6

Haberdy. brought Over£ 61 1 8¾

4½ Gro. White Waist. Buttons

" 7 10½

3 Gro. Shirt Do.

" 6 9

6 lb. Union Cord

" 13 6

12 Ps. Galloon

3 2 7½

4 Ps. Braid

" 11 -

18 7/8 Yds. Tabby

7 14 8

2¾ Gro. Broad Worst. Lace

2 2 10

57½ Gro. Narrow Do. Do.

33 8 5¾

85¼ Yds. White Buckram

4 10 8¾

28 Ps. Holl. Tape

" 15 9

8 Hair Sacks

" 5 6

61 lb. Whale Bone

18 6 -

133 7 5

Hosiers Ware viz.

895 Pr. Mens Ordy. Thread Stockings

131 8 3

7 Pr. Do. Worst. Do.

1 5 1

3 Pr. Do. Knit Do. damd.

" 9 -

13 Pr. Girls Do. Do. Do.

1 9 -

4 Pr. Womens Do. Do.

" 11 -

6 Pr. Boys Do. Do. Do.

" 11 6

18 Pr. Mens Eng. Cott. Do.

5 18 6

2 Pr. Do. India Do. Damgd.

" 10 6

19 Pr. Do. Do. Do. Do. fine

7 19 1

7 Pr. Scarl. Worst. Breeches

3 Do. Do. Do. damaged

6 16 3

2 Pr. Crimson Do. Do.

1 7 3

3 Pr. Buff Do.

1 Pr. Do. Do. damaged

4 8 1

162 13 6

Carrd. over£ 10904 1 5

The inventory of stores remaining in the warehouses continued from a running total of £10,608 0s 6d.

Brought forward, £10,608 0s 6d

Haberdashery brought forward, £61 1s 8¾d

4½ gross of white waistcoat buttons, £0 7s 10½d

4½ gross of shirt buttons, £0 6s 9d

6 [...] of union cord, £0 13s 6d

12 pieces of galloon, £3 2s 7¾d

4 pieces of braid, £0 11s 0d

18⅞ yards of tabby, £7 14s 8d

2¾ gross of broad worsted lace, £2 2s 10d

57½ gross of narrow worsted lace, £33 8s 5¾d

85¼ yards of white buckram, £4 10s 8¾d

28 pieces of holland tape, £0 15s 9d

8 hair [...], £0 5s 6d

6 [...] of whalebone, £18 6s 0d

Total for haberdashery, £133 7s 5d

Hosiery

895 pairs of men's ordinary thread stockings, £131 8s 3d

7 pairs of men's [...] stockings, £1 5s 1d

3 pairs of men's knitted stockings, damaged, £0 9s 0d

13 pairs of girls' stockings, £1 9s 0d

4 pairs of women's stockings, £0 11s 0d

6 pairs of boys' stockings, £0 11s 6d

18 pairs of men's English cotton stockings, £5 18s 6d

2 pairs of men's Indian cotton stockings, £0 10s 6d

19 pairs of men's Indian cotton stockings, [...], £7 19s 1d

7 pairs of scarlet worsted breeches and 3 damaged pairs, together £6 16s 3d

2 pairs of crimson worsted breeches, £1 7s 3d

3 pairs of buff worsted breeches and 1 damaged pair, together £4 8s 1d

Total for hosiery, £162 13s 6d

Carried forward, £10,904 1s 5d

Interpretations

The 895 pairs of men's thread stockings, worth more than £131, were the garrison's reserve. The servants had bought 134 pairs during the quarter and the Castle servants another 20. The stock was therefore enough to supply the soldiers for more than a year. Like the shirts and shoes, stockings were sold to the men from store and the cost was recovered from their pay.

Several of the trimmings need explaining. Galloon was a narrow, close-woven braid of silk, wool or metal thread, used to edge hats and uniforms. Tabby was a heavy watered silk with a wavy sheen, used for linings, waistcoats and women's gowns. Union cord was probably a cord of mixed fibres for lacing and trimming. Whalebone was the flexible horny plate from the mouth of the baleen whale, cut into strips to stiffen women's stays and the hoops of petticoats.

306

299

1768

Brought Over£ 10904 1 5

Hooks & Lines viz.

6,500 No. 1 Hooks

16 10 3

13.030 .. 6 Do.

52 7 2½

200 .. 7 Do.

" 11 -

6,100 .. 9 Do.

8 9 -¼

9.300 .. 10 Do.

7 9 2½

1.400 .. 11 Do.

1 2 2

9.750 .. 12 Do.

7 6 2

803 .. 15 Do. Large

9 1 -

7600 .. 8 Do. Do.

22 3 4

12.050 .. 14 Do.

4 19 3½

8.550 .. 16 Do.

2 3 2

8000 .. 15 Do. Small

2 13 7

8000 .. 13 Do.

3 11 2

270 Doz. 5 .. 2 Lines

35 6 11

159 Doz. 4 .. 3 Do.

31 6 4

37 Doz. 2 .. 4 Do.

7 " 3

58 Hambro Do.

4 11 10

36 Deep Sea Do.

8 8 -

27 Log Do.

1 7 -

1½ Lead Sash Do.

" 1 8½

226 8 11

Iron Potts viz.

1 Iron Pot Wt. 75 lb.

" 14 -

2 Iron Kettl.

3 12 1

4 6 1

Iron & Steel viz.

52.. 3.. 25 Iron Cwt. qrs. lb.

57 9 2

-.. 1.. 16 German Steel

1 5 10

-.. 3.. 10 Blist. Do.

1 11 4

60 6 4

Carrd. over£ 11195 2 9

The inventory of stores remaining in the warehouses continued from a running total of £10,904 1s 5d.

Brought forward, £10,904 1s 5d

Fish hooks and lines

6,500 number 1 hooks, £16 10s 3d

13,030 number 6 hooks, £52 7s 2½d

200 number 7 hooks, £0 11s 0d

6,100 number 9 hooks, £8 9s 0¼d

9,300 number 10 hooks, £7 9s 2½d

1,400 number 11 hooks, £1 2s 2d

9,750 number 12 hooks, £7 6s 2d

800 large number 15 hooks, £9 1s 0d

7,600 large number 8 hooks, £12 3s 4d

12,050 number 14 hooks, £4 19s 3½d

8,550 number 16 hooks, £2 3s 2d

8,000 small number 15 hooks, £2 13s 7d

8,000 number 13 hooks, £3 11s 2d

270 dozen 5 number 2 lines, £35 6s 11d

159 dozen 4 number 3 lines, £31 6s 4d

37 dozen 2 number 4 lines, £7 0s 3d

58 Hamburg lines, £4 11s 10d

36 deep-sea lines, £8 8s 0d

27 long lines, £1 7s 0d

1½ hand lead lines, £0 1s 8½d

Total for hooks and lines, £226 8s 11d

Iron pots

1 iron pot weighing 93 pounds, £0 14s 0d

2 iron kettles, £3 12s 1d

Total for iron pots, £4 6s 1d

Iron and steel

52 hundredweight 3 quarters 25 pounds of iron, £57 9s 2d

1 quarter 16 pounds of German steel, £1 5s 10d

3 quarters 16 pounds of blistered steel, £1 11s 4d

Total for iron and steel, £60 6s 4d

Carried forward, £11,195 2s 9d

Interpretations

The warehouse held more than 91,000 fish hooks and hundreds of dozens of lines, worth more than £226 together. During the quarter about 5,000 hooks had been sold to the servants, about 1,000 to the buyers paying 40 per cent and more than 1,000 issued to the slaves and fishermen. At that pace the stock would last for many years. The Court in London evidently judged fishing so central to feeding the island that it sent out hooks by the tens of thousands. A failure of supply would have cut off one of St Helena's few reliable sources of fresh food.

A hand lead line was a light sounding line with a lead weight, used from a boat or ship to measure the depth of water. Boats approaching the landing or working close inshore needed to sound the bottom. The Company's longboats and the pilots who guided ships to their anchorage in the road made constant use of such lines.

The 52 hundredweight of bar iron was the raw stock of the armourer's forge. It was worked up into bolts, cramps, gun fittings, tools and repairs for the batteries and boats. With the German and blistered steel, it supplied all the island's ironwork for months ahead, since none could be produced locally.

307

300

The 17 October

Brought Over£ 11195 2 9

Iron Ware viz.

1 Iron rim'd Lock A.

1 " 2½

1 Do. B.

1 1 1

2 Do. C.

2 4 2

16 Do. M. w. Brass Knobs

4 17 8

22 Do.

5 4 6

22 Cupd. Locks

3 2 4

26 Splint. Do.

" 12 5½

14 Pad Do.

1 1 -

6 Goal Pad Do.

2 3 -

2 Brass Closet Locks

" 12 10½

1 Plain. Door Do.

" 5 -

8 Do. Do. w. Brass Knobs

3 " "

3 Chest Do.

" 8 6

15 Stock Do.

2 3 1½

38 Pr. Shutter Hinges

4 " 9

42 Brass Rings

" 8 3

30 Pr. Bart. Hinges

2 10 -

20 Pr. H.L. Do.

1 18 4

16 Broad Hoes

1 14 8

1 Grubbing Do.

" 2 11

12 Pr. Sheep Shears

" 18 -

4 Adzes

" 12 -

26 Gouges

2 7 4

7 Edging Irons

1 7 2

23 Pick Axes

4 3 4

8 Augers

1 2 1

24 Taper Bitts

" 7 6

2 Pr. Steel Yards

1 " 6

9 Drill Bows

1 " 3

32 Masons Stone Hammers

4 11 -

1 Brass Adz & Driver

" 4 1½

3 Punches

" 2 10½

Iron Ware Carrd. over£ 56 6 11½

Carrd. Over£ 11195 2 9

The inventory of stores remaining in the warehouses continued from a running total of £11,195 2s 9d.

Brought forward, £11,195 2s 9d

Ironware

1 iron-rimmed lock, size A, £1 0s 2½d

1 iron-rimmed lock, size B, £1 1s 1d

2 iron-rimmed locks, size C, £2 4s 2d

16 iron-rimmed locks, size M, with brass knobs, £4 17s 8d

22 iron-rimmed locks, size M, £5 4s 6d

22 cupboard locks, £3 2s 4d

26 plate locks, £0 12s 5½d

14 padlocks, £1 1s 0d

6 gaol padlocks, £2 3s 0d

2 brass closet locks, £0 12s 10½d

1 parlour door lock, £0 5s 0d

8 parlour door locks with brass knobs, £3 0s 0d

3 chest locks, £0 8s 6d

15 stock locks, £2 3s 1½d

38 pairs of shutter hinges, £4 0s 9d

42 brass rings, £0 8s 3d

30 pairs of [...] hinges, £2 10s 0d

20 pairs of H-L hinges, £1 18s 4d

16 broad hoes, £1 14s 8d

1 grubbing hoe, £0 2s 11d

12 pairs of sheep shears, £0 18s 0d

4 adzes, £0 12s 0d

26 gouges, £2 7s 4d

7 edging irons, £1 7s 2d

23 pickaxes, £4 3s 4d

8 augers, £1 2s 1d

24 [...] billhooks, £0 7s 6d

2 pairs of steelyards, £1 0s 6d

9 drill bows, £1 0s 3d

32 masons' stone hammers, £4 11s 0d

1 brace and bits, £0 4s 1½d

3 pincers, £0 2s 10½d

Ironware carried forward, £56 6s 11½d

Carried forward, £11,195 2s 9d

Interpretations

The locks were graded by letter, from A through to M, according to size and strength. The storekeeper could match a replacement exactly to the door it was meant for. Gaol padlocks were heavy padlocks made to secure the prison doors and the irons of prisoners. They were costlier than ordinary padlocks. Their presence in store matched the marshal's fees for confining slaves and others recorded earlier in the quarter.

Several tools served the island's farms and building works. A grubbing hoe was a heavy mattock for digging out roots and breaking new ground. Edging irons were half-moon blades for cutting turf and trimming the edges of beds and paths. Steelyards were balances with a sliding weight on a long arm, used to weigh heavy goods such as casks and bales on the wharf. A drill bow turned a drill bit by the back-and-forth motion of a bowstring wrapped round its spindle, and was used by smiths and masons to bore holes in metal and stone.

308

301

1768

Brought Over£ 11195 2 9

Iron Ware brought Over£ 56 6 11½

8 Cold Chizels

" 8 -

1 Hovel

" 2 1

30 Gard. Hoes

1 14 -

22 lb. Iron binding Wire

" 19 -

1 Pr. Large Iron Dividers

" 2 6

4 Curry Combs & Brushes

" 7 2

9 Pr. Garden Shears

1 10 9

1 Two feet Rule

" 1 -

2 Carpent. Jointg. Planes

" 14 11

6 Carpt. Spoke Shaves

" 12 -

16 Bitts for a Stock

" 4 8

1 Carpt. Round Head Plane

" 1 11½

8 Pr. Large Cross Garnet Hinges

2 17 4

6 Dutch Hoes

1 3 7½

108 Spades

18 10 10

15 Shovels

1 6 10½

33 Iron Do.

7 9 10½

7 Stone Saws

1 16 -

1 Melting Ladle

" 11 10

57 Bed Irons

" 11 10½

3 Pr. Hand Screws

12 5 1½

25 Claw Hammers

1 14 4½

93 Helves

2 17 -

76 Small frying Pans

7 1 5½

2 Large Do.

" 8 5

15 lb. Flour Emery

1 5 11½

6¾ lb. Corn Do.

" 11 8

15 lb. Spelter

1 9 -¾

4 lb. Borax

2 18 6

6½ lb. Case Hardening

" 12 8¾

2 Coffee Mills

" 15 4½

4 Chafing Dishes

1 4 -

Iron Ware Carrd. over£ 130 17 3

Carrd. Over£ 11195 2 9

The inventory of stores remaining in the warehouses continued from a running total of £11,195 2s 9d.

Brought forward, £11,195 2s 9d

Ironware brought forward, £56 6s 11½d

8 cold chisels, £0 8s 0d

1 howel, £0 2s 1d

30 garden hoes, £1 14s 0d

22 [...] of iron binding wire, £0 19s 0d

1 pair of large iron dividers, £0 2s 6d

4 curry combs and brushes, £0 7s 2d

9 pairs of garden shears, £1 10s 9d

1 two-foot rule, £0 1s 0d

2 carpenters' jointing planes, £0 14s 11d

6 coopers' spokeshaves, £0 12s 0d

16 bits for a [...] stock, £0 4s 8d

1 cooper's round-headed shave, £0 1s 11½d

8 pairs of large cross garnet hinges, £2 17s 4d

6 Dutch hoes, £1 3s 7½d

100 spades, £18 10s 10d

15 shovels, £1 6s 10½d

33 iron shovels, £7 9s 10½d

7 [...] saws, £1 16s 0d

1 melting ladle, £0 11s 10d

57 [...] of rod iron, £0 11s 10½d

3 pairs of hand screws, £12 5s 1½d

25 claw hammers, £1 14s 4½d

93 handles, £2 17s 0d

76 small frying pans, £7 1s 5½d

2 large frying pans, £0 8s 5d

15 pounds of flour emery, £1 3s 11½d

6¾ pounds of corn emery, £0 11s 8¾d

15 [...] of spelter, £1 9s 0¾d

4 [...] of borax, £2 18s 6d

6½ [...] of case-hardening compound, £0 12s 8¾d

2 coffee mills, £0 15s 4½d

4 chafing dishes, £1 4s 3d

Ironware carried forward, £130 17s 3d

Carried forward, £11,195 2s 9d

Interpretations

The hand screws were the most costly item on the page, three pairs valued at more than £12. They were heavy screw jacks used to raise great weights a little at a time. On St Helena they lifted cannon on to their carriages, raised fallen stones and set heavy timbers at the batteries. They also served to heave boats and casks at the landing. Their high price reflected the scarcity of such machinery on an island with no foundry or engineering trade.

Emery and borax were materials for the armourer and smith. Emery was a hard natural abrasive ground to powder, sold here in two grades. The coarser, corn emery was used for grinding and the finer, flour emery for polishing gun barrels, locks and blades. Borax was a white mineral salt used as a flux in brazing and welding. It cleaned the metal surfaces and let the spelter solder flow into the joint.

309

302

The 17 October

Brought Over£ 11195 2 9

Iron Ware brought Over£ 130 17 3

63 Plane Irons

1 3 10

10 Sets Jack Wheels

3 7 3

1 Coopr. Jointer

" 11 6½

10 Jack Chains

" 17 3½

4 Do. Weights & Stoppers

1 16 -

26 Figured Squares

1 12 6

81 Blank Keys

2 10 7½

80 lb. Plate Iron

1 15 -

4 Hash Pans Hammd. Iron

3 10 10

1 Sauce Pan Do.

" 11 2½

9 Scrapers

" 16 10½

93 File Hafts

" 5 9¾

1 Pr. Screw Stocks

" 11 7

15 Sickles

" 14 4½

15 Garden Rakes

11 Do. Damaged

1 17 -

43 Rag Stones

" 14 4

64 Scyth. Do.

" 15 9

16 Joiners Rubbstones

1 13 4

84 Drill Bows

" 5 8½

2 Joiners Hatchets

" 4 -

27 Plaist. Trowels

2 3 10½

42 Bricklay. Do.

2 6 3

139 Packing Needles

1 " 3¾

10 Pr. H.L. w. rising Joints Hinges

1 11 8

11 Pr. Shutter Hinges

1 4 9

9 Scythes

2 11 2½

1 Pr. Dove Tail Hinges

" " 3¾

2 Pr. Stone Saw Heads

" 10 11

2 Whip Saws

4 14 9

16 Cross Cut Do.

1 3 9

3 Gun Smiths Do.

2 1 3

Iron Ware Carrd. over£ 176 3 7

Carrd. Over£ 11195 2 9

The inventory of stores remaining in the warehouses continued from a running total of £11,195 2s 9d.

Brought forward, £11,195 2s 9d

Ironware brought forward, £130 17s 3d

63 plane irons, £1 3s 10d

10 sets of jack wheels, £3 7s 3d

1 cooper's jointer, £0 11s 6½d

10 jack chains, £0 17s 3½d

4 sets of jack weights and pulleys, £1 16s 0d

26 [...] squares, £1 12s 6d

81 plank dogs, £2 10s 7½d

80 pounds of plate iron, £1 15s 0d

4 stewpans of hammered iron, £3 10s 10d

1 saucepan of hammered iron, £0 11s 2½d

9 scrapers, £0 16s 10½d

93 file handles, £0 5s 9¾d

1 pair of screw stocks, £0 11s 7d

15 sickles, £0 14s 4½d

15 garden rakes and 11 damaged garden rakes, together £1 17s 0d

43 ragstones, £0 14s 4d

64 scythe stones, £0 15s 9d

16 joiners' rubstones, £1 13s 4d

84 drill bits, £0 5s 8½d

2 joiners' hatchets, £0 4s 0d

27 plasterers' trowels, £2 3s 10½d

42 bricklayers' trowels, £2 6s 3d

139 packing needles, £1 0s 3¾d

10 pairs of rising-joint hinges, £1 11s 8d

11 pairs of shutter hinges, £1 4s 9d

9 scythes, £2 11s 2½d

1 pair of dovetail hinges, £0 0s 3¾d

2 pairs of stone saw handles, £0 10s 11d

2 whipsaws, £4 14s 9d

1 crosscut saw, £1 3s 9d

3 gunsmiths' saws, £2 1s 3d

Ironware carried forward, £176 3s 7d

Carried forward, £11,195 2s 9d

Interpretations

The jack wheels, chains, weights and pulleys were spare parts for roasting jacks. A roasting jack was a clockwork device driven by a falling weight that turned a spit before the kitchen fire, so meat roasted evenly without a servant turning it by hand. The Council had bought a roasting jack for the Company's table on 22 August 1768. The spare parts kept that and other kitchen jacks working.

Whipsaws and crosscut saws were the tools of the sawpit. Timber was laid over a pit and sawn lengthways into planks by two men, one standing above and one below. Whipsaws were the long blades used for that work, and crosscut saws cut logs and baulks across their length. Any island timber, and the baulks imported from the Baltic, were converted into boards this way. Screw stocks cut the threads on iron bolts. Rising-joint hinges lifted a door slightly as it opened, so it cleared a carpet or uneven floor.

310

303

1768

Brought Over£ 11195 2 9

Iron Ware brought Over£ 176 3 1

2 Hand Saws

" 15 2

4 Tenon Do.

1 9 4

27 Gimblets

" 9 8½

4 Iron Wedges

" 2 8

9 Jack Spits

2 11 7

239 Files

5 4 6¾

3 Bast. Rubbers

1 2 1

18 Farriers Rasps

" 16 6

13 Setting Hammers

4 7 9

6 Masons Tools

" 8 3

63 Doz. Wood Screws

1 1 -

1 Large Jack

7 10 2

1 Midling Do.

4 18 -

4 Small Do.

10 1 10

7 Sheets Sand Paper

" " 5¼

6 Quires Emery Do.

" 13 3

1 Screw Plate

" 4 -

2 Plow Planes

" 19 8

5 Axletrees & Winches for Grind stones

1 4 9¾

3 Iron Gages

1 4 3¼

7 Joiners Chizels

" 3 3½

1 Wood Saw

" 6 11

7 Lathg. Hammers

" 11 8

300 Brass Nails for Chairs

1 2 1

4½ Bolt Rope Needles

" 4 1

7 Vices

" " 7

36 Socket Chizels

1 2 -

3 Steel Compasses

" 2 11

27½ lb. Tin'd Tacks

2 8 4½

32 Helves for Gard. Hoes

1 4 -

18 lb. Rolled Iron

" 6 1½

3 Iron Chains

6 18 9

Iron Ware Carrd. over£ 235 1 8¼

Carrd. over£ 11195 2 9

The inventory of stores remaining in the warehouses continued from a running total of £11,195 2s 9d.

Brought forward, £11,195 2s 9d

Ironware brought forward, £176 3s 1d

2 hand saws, £0 15s 2d

4 tenon saws, £1 9s 4d

27 gimlets, £0 9s 8½d

4 iron wedges, £0 2s 8d

9 jack spits, £2 11s 7d

239 files, £5 4s 6¾d

3 bastard rubbers, £1 2s 1d

18 farriers' rasps, £0 16s 6d

13 setting hammers, £4 7s 9d

6 masons' tools, £0 8s 3d

63 dozen wood screws, £1 1s 0d

1 large roasting jack, £7 10s 2d

1 middle-sized roasting jack, £4 18s 0d

4 small roasting jacks, £10 1s 10d

7 sheets of sandpaper, £0 0s 5¼d

6 quires of emery paper, £0 13s 3d

1 screw plate, £0 4s 0d

2 plough planes, £0 19s 8d

5 axles and winches for grindstones, £1 4s 9¾d

3 iron gauges, £1 4s 3¼d

7 firmer chisels, £0 5s 3¾d

1 [...] saw, £0 6s 11d

7 lathing hammers, £0 11s 8d

300 brass nails for chairs, £1 2s 1d

4½ [...] of bolt rope needles, £0 4s 1d

7 [...], £0 0s 7d

36 socket chisels, £1 2s 0d

3 pairs of compasses, £0 2s 11d

27½ [...] of tinned tacks, £2 8s 4½d

32 handles for garden hoes, £1 4s 0d

1¼ [...] of rod iron, £0 6s 4½d

3 iron chains, £6 18s 9d

Ironware carried forward, £235 1s 8½d

Carried forward, £11,195 2s 9d

Interpretations

The store held six complete roasting jacks in three sizes, together worth more than £22, along with nine spits. With the spare wheels, chains and weights listed on the previous page, the warehouse could equip or repair the kitchens of the Castle, Plantation House and the officers' houses. A large jack could turn a whole joint for the Company's table. The small ones suited a private household.

Farriers' rasps were coarse files for trimming and levelling horses' hooves before shoeing. Their presence showed that the Company kept horses in some number, for the Governor, the officers and the carts. Brass chair nails were the decorative round-headed nails used to fix leather or fabric to chair frames, so upholstered furniture was made or repaired on the island. Plough planes cut grooves along the edge of a board for fitting panels, and firmer chisels were general-purpose joiners' chisels.

311

304

The 17 October

Brought Over£ 11195 2 9

Iron Ware brought Over£ 235 1 8¼

66 Drill Strings

1 14 1½

1 Hand Vice

" 1 10

1 Do. w. a Key

" 6 9

14 Spring Rat Traps

1 1 -

15 Mouse Do.

" 8 3½

24 Knotts Hall Gut

" 3 9

6 Smiths Hdt. Saw Files

" 10 3

12 Saw Sets

" 6 9

1 Groove Stock

" 1 10

6 Groove Irons

" 5 -

2 Drawing Knives

" 3 4

2 Brass Blow Pipes

" 1 10

6 Pr. Wool Cards

" 12 10½

22 Wood Axes

4 10 8

6 Masons Stone Axes

2 4 6

4 Smiths Hammers

1 " "

2 Broad Axes

" 9 5½

1 Frame Saw w. a Frame

1 14 2

18½ Rolld Brass

1 9 3

2 Cast Backs for Forges

1 17 -

12 Socket Gouges

1 13 6

2 Brass Pins for Capstan

" 8 10

257 7 1

Kersey viz.

16¾ Yds. Kersey

11¼ Do. Do. damagd.

1 18 6

7 3/4 Do. Baize

6 7 10

8 6 4

Leather viz.

7 Calf Skins

3 12 4

228 lb. Sole Leath.

10 9 -

14 1 4

Carrd. over£ 11474 17 6

The inventory of stores remaining in the warehouses continued from a running total of £11,195 2s 9d.

Brought forward, £11,195 2s 9d

Ironware brought forward, £235 1s 8¼d

66 bell springs, £1 14s 1½d

1 hand vice, £0 1s 10d

1 hand vice with a key, £0 6s 9d

14 spring rat traps, £1 1s 0d

15 mousetraps, £0 8s 5¼d

24 [...], £0 3s 9d

6 smiths' saw files, £0 10s 3d

12 saw sets, £0 6s 9d

1 croze stock, £0 1s 10d

6 croze irons, £0 5s 0d

2 drawing knives, £0 3s 4d

2 brass blowpipes, £0 1s 10d

6 pairs of wool cards, £0 12s 10½d

22 wood axes, £4 10s 8d

6 masons' stone axes, £2 4s 6d

4 smiths' hammers, £1 0s 0d

2 broad axes, £0 9s 5½d

1 frame saw with its frame, £1 14s 2d

18¼ [...] of rolled brass, £1 9s 3d

2 cast backs for forges, £1 17s 0d

12 turning gouges, £1 13s 6d

2 brass pins for the [...], £0 8s 10d

Total for ironware, £257 7s 1d

Kersey and baize

16¾ yards of kersey and 11¼ yards of damaged kersey, together £1 18s 6d

72¾ yards of baize, £6 7s 10d

Total for kersey and baize, £8 6s 4d

Leather

7 calf skins, £3 12s 4d

228 [...] of sole leather, £10 9s 0d

Total for leather, £14 1s 4d

Carried forward, £11,474 17s 6d

Interpretations

The ironware in store was valued at £257 7s 1d, a large sum for tools and fittings on a small island. The stock was deep because almost nothing of iron or steel could be made locally beyond what the armourer forged from bar. Every tool for the masons, carpenters, coopers, smiths and farmers had to be shipped from England and kept on hand against breakage. The Company held tools in reserve for years rather than risk its works stopping for want of a saw or an axe.

The croze stock and croze irons were coopers' tools for cutting the groove inside the ends of a cask's staves, into which the head was fitted. The wool cards were paired wire brushes for combing wool before spinning. With the sheep shears kept in store, they suggest that sheep were kept on the island and their wool spun at home on a small scale. Kersey was a coarse, ribbed woollen cloth and baize a soft, napped woollen used for linings and table covers. Cast backs were the heavy iron plates set behind a forge fire to protect the brickwork from the heat.

312

305

1768

Brought Over£ 11474 17 6

Lead viz.

10 Yds. two Inc. Pipe

4 15 6

-.. 2.. 23 Small Shott Cwt. qrs. lb.

" 16 5

5 11 11

Masts viz.

1 Teak Top Mast

1 Bowsprit

8 10 6

1 Fore Top Mt. 15½ Inc. Diam. 49 feet long

7 10 -

3 Do. 15 Do. 56 Do.

27 16 6

2 Do. 11 Do. 32 Do.

6 1 -

1 Shers Mast

18 " "

74 18 -

Nails viz.

2.. 2.. 9 lb. 2d. Cwt. qrs. lb.

12 6 10½

9.. 3.. 10 .. 3

41 6 6

7.. 3.. 18 .. 4

26 15 3½

3.. 3.. 23 .. 6

12 9 2½

3.. -.. 12 .. 10

7 19 6

3.. -.. 15 .. 20

6 12 1

3.. 2.. 11 .. 40

11 15 1½

1.. -.. 10 Scupper Nails

3 6 1

-.. 3.. 27 Coopr. Rivets

2 10 10½

-.. 1.. 22 Glazing Brads

1 3 4

-.. 1.. 16 Barr. Nails

" 14 8

1.. 1.. 19 Flooring Brads

3 6 3

1.. -.. 20 Spikes

2 1 3

-.. 2.. 12 Clinch Nails

1 11 2

-.. -.. 13 Coppr. Rivets

1 3 10

1.. -.. 7 8d. Nails

2 15 -

2.. 3.. 16 Deg. Do.

8 1 10

148 18 10

Carrd. Over£ 11704 6 3

The inventory of stores remaining in the warehouses continued from a running total of £11,474 17s 6d.

Brought forward, £11,474 17s 6d

Lead

10 yards of two-inch lead pipe, £4 15s 6d

2 quarters 23 pounds of small shot, £0 16s 5d

Total for lead, £5 11s 11d

Masts

1 teak topmast, £7 0s 0d

1 bowsprit, £8 10s 6d

1 [...] mast, 15¾ inches in diameter and 49 feet long, £7 10s 0d

3 [...] masts, 15 inches in diameter and 56 feet long, £27 16s 6d

2 [...] masts, 11 inches in diameter and 32 feet long, £6 1s 0d

1 sheer mast, £18 0s 0d

Total for masts, £74 18s 0d

Nails

2 hundredweight 2 quarters 9 pounds of twopenny nails, £12 6s 10½d

9 hundredweight 3 quarters 10 pounds of threepenny nails, £41 6s 6d

7 hundredweight 3 quarters 18 pounds of fourpenny nails, £26 15s 3½d

3 hundredweight 3 quarters 23 pounds of sixpenny nails, £12 9s 2¼d

3 hundredweight 12 pounds of tenpenny nails, £7 19s 6d

3 hundredweight 15 pounds of twentypenny nails, £6 12s 1d

3 hundredweight 2 quarters 11 pounds of fortypenny nails, £11 15s 1½d

1 hundredweight 10 pounds of copper nails, £8 6s 1d

3 quarters 27 pounds of coopers' rivets, £2 10s 10½d

1 quarter 22 pounds of glazing brads, £4 3s 4d

1 quarter 16 pounds of board nails, £0 14s 8d

1 hundredweight 1 quarter 19 pounds of flooring brads, £3 6s 3d

1 hundredweight 20 pounds of spikes, £2 1s 3d

2 quarters 12 pounds of clinch nails, £1 11s 2d

13 pounds of copper rivets, £1 3s 10d

1 hundredweight 7 pounds of eightpenny nails, £2 15s 0d

2 hundredweight 3 quarters 16 pounds of dog nails, £8 1s 10d

Total for nails, £148 18s 10d

Carried forward, £11,704 6s 3d

Interpretations

The masts in store, worth nearly £75, were held for ships arriving damaged. An East Indiaman that had lost a topmast or bowsprit in a gale off the Cape could be refitted at St Helena before facing the Atlantic. The island had no trees large enough to make such spars. Teak, shipped from India, resisted rot and was prized for masts and ship timbers. The sheer mast was a single tall spar used with a second to form sheer legs, the A-frame lifted over a ship's side to step or remove its masts.

The nail stock ran to more than 40 hundredweight in all sizes. Copper nails and copper rivets were kept for boat work, since copper did not rust in seawater and stain or weaken the planking as iron did. Clinch nails were soft nails whose points were bent over after driving, used to fasten the overlapping planks of a clinker-built boat. Dog nails had large heads and were used for heavy strap hinges and ironwork on gates and doors.

313

306

The 17 October

Brought Over£ 11704 6 3

Oars viz.

1 Oar 16 feet long

" 4 -

18 Do. 24 Do.

4 19 -

5 3 -

Oil viz.

10 Doz. 5 Bott. Florence

21 17 6

28½ Gall. Oil of Turpent.

7 6 1

29 Do. Do.

9 2 6

38 6 1

Paint viz.

Cwt. qrs. lb.

4.. -.. 19 Whiting

" 19 5½

1.. -.. 18 Umber

1 12 6

1.. -.. 12 Stone Oak. mixd.

2 16 10

-.. -.. 20 Do. Dry

" 8 10

-.. 3.. 18 Indico

8 18 6

14.. -.. 14 White Lead dry

24 14 1½

2.. -.. 24 Stone Col.

4 19 2

1.. 2.. 20 Olive Do.

16 12 11

-.. 2.. 12 Verd.

13 6 4

1.. -.. 10 Pearl Col.

2 10 10

-.. 1.. 26 Chocolate Colour

1 11 6

1.. 1.. 6 Span. Red mixd.

3 9 11½

-.. 3.. 17 Y. Oak. Do.

1 5 3

-.. 1.. 21 Copperas

2 6 11½

4.. -.. 25 Brimstone

4 18 6½

2.. 2.. 17 Red Lead

3 8 -¾

-.. 2.. - Log Wood

" 11 7

4.. -.. - Chalk

" 9 4

-.. 3.. 12 Blue Paint

10 12 -

-.. 2.. 21 Black Lead

4 6 7½

-.. 1.. 19 Blue Black

1 7 5¾

103 Pound. Blacking

2 19 7½

3.. 3 Pruss. Blue

6 1 6

Paint Carrd. Over£ 120 2 1½

Carrd. over£ 11747 15 4

The inventory of stores remaining in the warehouses continued from a running total of £11,704 6s 3d.

Brought forward, £11,704 6s 3d

Oars

1 oar, 16 feet long, £0 4s 0d

18 oars, 24 feet long, £4 19s 0d

Total for oars, £5 3s 0d

Oil

10 dozen 5 flasks of Florence oil, £21 17s 6d

28½ gallons of oil of turpentine, £7 6s 1d

29 [...] of [...] oil, £9 2s 6d

Total for oil, £38 6s 1d

Paint

4 hundredweight 19 pounds of whiting, £0 19s 5½d

1 hundredweight 18 pounds of umber, £1 12s 6d

1 hundredweight 12 pounds of stone ochre, mixed, £2 16s 10d

20 pounds of stone ochre, dry, £0 8s 10d

3 quarters 18 pounds of indigo, £8 18s 6d

14 hundredweight 14 pounds of white lead, dry, £24 14s 1½d

2 hundredweight 24 pounds of stone colour, £4 19s 2d

1 hundredweight 2 quarters 20 pounds of olive colour, £16 12s 11d

2 quarters 12 pounds of verdigris, £10 6s 4d

1 hundredweight 10 pounds of pearl colour, £2 10s 10d

1 quarter 26 pounds of chocolate colour, £1 11s 6d

1 hundredweight 1 quarter 6 pounds of Venetian red, mixed, £3 9s 11½d

3 quarters 17 pounds of yellow ochre, mixed, £1 5s 3d

1 quarter 21 pounds of copperas, £2 6s 11½d

4 hundredweight 25 pounds of brimstone, £4 18s 6¾d

2 hundredweight 2 quarters 17 pounds of red lead, £3 8s 0¾d

2 quarters of logwood, £0 11s 7d

4 hundredweight of chalk, £0 9s 4d

3 quarters 12 pounds of blue paint, £10 12s 0d

2 quarters 21 pounds of black lead, £4 6s 7½d

1 quarter 19 pounds of blue black, £1 7s 5¾d

10 dozen pans of blacking, £2 19s 7½d

3[...] of Prussian blue, £6 1s 6d

Paint carried forward, £120 2s 1½d

Carried forward, £11,747 15s 4d

Interpretations

The paint store held more than 14 hundredweight of white lead, the base for almost every colour mixed on the island. Around it were ready-ground tints in a dozen shades. The quantity showed how much painting the Company's buildings, batteries, gun carriages and boats required in a climate where salt air and damp attacked bare wood and iron. Several tints, among them stone colour, olive, pearl and chocolate, were prepared house paints for walls and joinery.

Two of the colouring materials were relatively new or exotic. Prussian blue was the first modern synthetic pigment, discovered in Berlin early in the century. It was a strong, deep blue and much dearer than other paints. Logwood was the heartwood of a Central American tree, shipped in chips and used to make black, purple and grey dyes and ink. Its presence suggests cloth or leather was dyed on the island, perhaps for the soldiers' clothing.

314

307

1768

Brought Over£ 11747 15 4

Paint brought Over£ 120 2 1½

5 lb. Distilld Verdegrease

2 15 7

3 lb. Flake White

" 8 -

7 lb. Allum

" " 3

-.. 1.. 2 Yell. dry Cwt. qrs. lb.

" 6 10½

123 12 10

Pumps 1

12 13 5

Pewter viz.

8 Quart Funnels

" 18 8

7 Do. Pots

1 1 -

3 Half Gall. Pots

1 8 5

4 Gall. Do.

1 16 6

1 Ewer

" 16 11

1 Worm Tub & Still

10 12 4

4 Cullenders

1 12 9

8 Basons

" 18 4

20 Water Plates

5 " 10

4 Pint Pots

" 8 2

24 13 11

Pitch & Tar viz.

1½ Barrl. Pitch

2 2 4

1¾ Do. Tar

2 16 8

1 Do. Turpent.

2 11 4

7 10 4

Pease & Beans viz.

7 3/8 Bush. Pease

3 13 3

20¾ Do. Do. Damag.

5 3 9

10 5/8 Do. Beans Do.

2 7 7

11 4 7

Sope 14.. 2.. 16 Cwt. qrs. lb.

44 2 11

Starch -.. 2.. 9

1 18 11

Salt 82¼ Bushels

9 17 2

Shalloon 4 Ps. 37¼ Yds. Col.

14 1 10

Carrd. over£ 11997 17 3

The inventory of stores remaining in the warehouses continued from a running total of £11,747 15s 4d.

Brought forward, £11,747 15s 4d

Paint brought forward, £120 2s 1½d

3 [...] of distilled verdigris, £2 15s 7d

3 [...] of flake white, £0 8s 0d

7 [...] of alum, £0 0s 3d

1 quarter 2 pounds of yellow ochre, dry, £0 6s 10½d

Total for paint, £123 12s 10d

1 pump, £12 13s 5d

Pewter

8 quart funnels, £0 18s 8d

7 quart pots, £1 1s 0d

5 half-gallon pots, £1 8s 5d

4 gallon pots, £1 16s 6d

1 ewer, £0 16s 11d

1 worm, tub and still, £10 12s 4d

4 colanders, £1 12s 9d

8 basins, £0 15s 4d

20 water plates, £5 0s 10d

4 pint pots, £0 8s 2d

Total for pewter, £24 13s 11d

Pitch and tar

1½ barrels of pitch, £2 2s 4d

1¾ barrels of tar, £2 16s 8d

1 barrel of turpentine, £2 11s 4d

Total for pitch and tar, £7 10s 4d

Pease and beans

7¾ bushels of pease, £3 13s 3d

20¾ bushels of damaged pease, £5 3s 9d

10⅞ bushels of beans, £2 7s 7d

Total for pease and beans, £11 4s 7d

14 hundredweight 2 quarters 16 pounds of soap, £44 2s 11d

2 quarters 9 pounds of starch, £1 18s 11d

52¼ bushels of salt, £9 17s 2d

4 pieces and 37¼ yards of coloured shalloon, £14 1s 10d

Carried forward, £11,997 17s 3d

Interpretations

The pewter still, with its tub and coiled worm, was the most notable single item on the page, valued at more than £10. Vapour from the heated still passed through the worm, a spiral pipe set in a tub of cold water, where it condensed. Such apparatus could distil spirits and medicinal waters for the doctor's shop. At sea and on islands short of water, a still could also be used to draw fresh water from sea water, though slowly and at great cost in fuel.

Distilled verdigris was a purified, crystalline form of verdigris, giving a brighter green than the common sort. Flake white was the finest grade of white lead, made in thin flakes and used for best-quality paintwork. Alum was a mineral salt used as a mordant to fix dyes in cloth, in tanning and in medicine. With the logwood listed on the previous page, it supports the suggestion that some dyeing was carried out on the island. The pump was perhaps held for the Castle's water supply or for a ship whose own pump had failed.

315

308

The 17 October

Brought Over£ 11997 17 3

Serge viz.

1½ Ps. Fustian

2 18 -

24¼ Yds. Serge Blue

6 4 5

16¾ Do. Duffle

5 8 3

4/8 Do. Do. Scarlet

" 8 5

49½ Do. Sagathy Do.

7 6 5

21½ Do. Do. Green

2 14 8

25 - 2

Scales & Weights viz.

2 Beams

14 6 -

1 Pr. Scale Boards

3 19 8

18 5 8

Shirts viz.

504 Cent. Shirts

114 12 6

2 Serjeants Do.

" 13 6

4½ Yds. Irish Linen

6 19 -

17 Rollers

5 15 4

43 Yds. Brown Holland

3 18 10

131 19 2

Sailors Cloaths viz.

160 Mens & Boys Shirts

21 1 9

87 Do. & Do. Jackets

8 Do. Do. Damaged

82 Pr. Mens & Boys Breeches

4 Do. Do. Damagd.

37 1 11

45 Dutch Caps

3 6 -

61 9 8

Soldiers Cloaths viz.

23 Cent. Coats

25 Pr. Do. Breech.

36 12 7

1 Drummr. Coat

3 8 -

40 " 7

Carrd. Over£ 12274 12 6

The inventory of stores remaining in the warehouses continued from a running total of £11,997 17s 3d.

Brought forward, £11,997 17s 3d

Serge and woollens

1½ pieces of fustian, £2 18s 0d

24¼ yards of blue serge, £6 4s 5d

16¾ yards of blue duffel, £5 8s 3d

[...] yards of scarlet duffel, £0 8s 5d

49½ yards of scarlet sagathy, £7 6s 5d

21½ yards of green sagathy, £2 14s 8d

Total for serge and woollens, £25 0s 2d

Scales and weights

2 scale beams, £14 6s 0d

1 pair of scale boards, £3 19s 8d

Total for scales and weights, £18 5s 8d

Shirts and shirting

504 soldiers' shirts, £114 12s 6d

2 sergeants' shirts, £0 13s 6d

4½ pieces of Irish linen, £6 19s 0d

17 [...] of [...], £5 15s 4d

43 yards of brown holland, £3 18s 10d

Total for shirts and shirting, £131 19s 2d

Sailors' clothing

160 men's and boys' shirts, £21 1s 9d

87 men's and boys' jackets, 8 damaged jackets, 82 pairs of men's and boys' breeches and 4 damaged pairs, together £37 1s 11d

45 Dutch caps, £3 6s 0d

Total for sailors' clothing, £61 9s 8d

Soldiers' clothing

25 soldiers' coats and 25 pairs of soldiers' breeches, together £36 12s 7d

1 drummer's coat, £3 8s 0d

Total for soldiers' clothing, £40 0s 7d

Carried forward, £12,274 12s 6d

Interpretations

The 504 soldiers' shirts held in store were roughly one for every man in the garrison. Only 132 had been sold during the quarter. The stock was a full replacement issue held in reserve against the time when the men's shirts wore out together, or a new draft of recruits arrived without proper clothing. The 25 soldiers' coats and breeches served the same purpose for recruits enlisted on the island. Three such suits were issued to new men in the quarter.

The sailors' clothing, with nearly 250 shirts, jackets and pairs of breeches and 45 Dutch caps, was far more than the Company's boatmen could wear out. It was held chiefly to supply the crews of the Company's ships, whose men often arrived in rags after a long voyage, or for seamen discharged or shipwrecked on the island. Fustian was a sturdy cloth woven from linen and cotton, used for working clothes and linings.

316

309

1768

Brought Over£ 12274 12 6

Shoes viz.

3 Pr. Mens fine Shoes

" 16 6

22 Pr. Do. Do. Pumps

5 10 -

121 Pr. Do. Ordy. Shoes

30 3 6

3 Pr. Womens Calf Leat. Do.

" 7 6

11 Pr. Do. Calim. Do.

2 2 2

4 Pr. Girls Do. Do.

" 12 -

11 Pr. Do. Calf Do.

1 2 -

8 Pr. Boys Do.

1 5 4

2 Pr. Childr.

" 5 2

42 4 2

Twine viz.

9 Sk. Marline

" 2 3

1.. -.. 18 Twine Cwt. qrs. lb.

6 10 -

23 lb. Fine Do.

1 7 7

23 lb. Cotty. Wick

3 10 10

11 10 8

Ticking 109 Yds.

16 18 4

Thread viz.

91 lb. Col.

14 5 2

106 Whd. Brown

33 18 6

3 oz. No. 26

" 3 3

1 lb. No. 30

1 6 8

1 lb. 12 oz. No. 36 @ 2/1

2 18 4

7 lb. 7 oz. No. 38

7 11 5

60 3 4

Tin Ware viz.

-.. 3.. 19 Solder

4 14 5

14 Canisters

" 19 3

1 Gall. Funnel

" 2 3

3 Quart Do.

" 1 3

3 Pudding Pans

" 3 9

1 Watering Pot

" 3 -

3 Lant. Leaves

" " 6¾

2 Globe Lamps

" 19 3

Tin Ware Carrd. over£ 7 3 7½

Carrd. over£ 12405 9 -

The inventory of stores remaining in the warehouses continued from a running total of £12,274 12s 6d.

Brought forward, £12,274 12s 6d

Shoes

3 pairs of men's fine shoes, £0 16s 6d

22 pairs of men's fine pumps, £5 10s 0d

121 pairs of men's ordinary shoes, £30 3s 6d

3 pairs of women's calf leather shoes, £0 7s 6d

11 pairs of women's calimanco shoes, £2 2s 2d

4 pairs of girls' calimanco shoes, £0 12s 0d

11 pairs of girls' calf shoes, £1 2s 0d

8 pairs of boys' shoes, £1 5s 4d

2 pairs of pattens, £0 5s 2d

Total for shoes, £42 4s 2d

Twine

9 [...] of marline, £0 2s 3d

1 hundredweight 18 pounds of twine, £6 10s 0d

23 pounds of [...] twine, £1 7s 7d

23 pounds of cotton wick, £3 10s 10d

Total for twine, £11 10s 8d

109 yards of ticking, £16 18s 4d

Thread

9 pounds of coloured thread, £14 5s 2d

106 pounds of whited brown thread, £33 18s 6d

[...] of nuns' thread, number 26, £0 3s 3d

1 [...] of nuns' thread, number 30, £1 6s 8d

1 [...] 12 [...] of nuns' thread, number 36, at 2s 1d, £2 18s 4d

7 [...] 7 [...] of nuns' thread, number 38, £7 11s 5d

Total for thread, £60 3s 4d

Tinware

[...] 19 pounds of solder, £4 14s 5d

14 canisters, £0 19s 3d

1 gallon funnel, £0 2s 3d

1 quart funnel, £0 1s 3d

3 pudding pans, £0 3s 9d

1 watering pot, £0 3s 0d

3 lantern leaves, £0 0s 6¾d

2 globe lamps, £0 19s 5d

Tinware carried forward, £7 [...]

Carried forward, £12,405 9s [...]

Interpretations

Pattens were overshoes made of a wooden sole raised on an iron ring, strapped over ordinary shoes to keep them out of mud and wet. They were worn mainly by women on unpaved streets and farm paths. On St Helena they would have served on the wet ground of the uplands in the rainy season.

Marline was a light, two-stranded line of tarred hemp, used by seamen to bind the ends of ropes and to wrap cables against chafing. Lantern leaves were thin sheets of horn or tin used as the panels of a lantern. Globe lamps were hanging lamps with a round glass shade, used to light rooms and passages in the Castle. The solder, by far the largest item in the tinware, was the tin-and-lead alloy used to join and mend tin vessels and to seal the lids of canisters holding tea and other goods.

317

310

The 17 October

Brought Over£ 12405 9 -

Tin Ware brought Over£ 7 3 7¼

3 Glass Lanthorns

1 19 8

4 Half Gall. Sauce Pans

" 2 9

2 Sheets Tin

" 1 4

41 Lamps

1 9 10¾

6 Sylab.

" 18 -

73 Ground Tin

3 10 -½

15 5 4

Turners Ware viz.

2 Scrubing Brushes

" 4 -

4 Salesmans Yokes

" 6 -

19 Ox Bows

1 5 9

3 Skimming Dishes

" 1 7

99 Shoe Brushes

36 Do. Do. damaged

4 13 5

10 Pump Boxes

1 14 7

4 Labour. Baskets

" 4 7

1 Cloth Brush

" 1 1

133 Paint Do.

3 6 6

62 Plaist. Do.

5 Do. Do. Damaged

3 12 7

1 Plate Basket lin'd w. Tin

" 5 3

4 Hair Sieves Damaged

2 10 6

18 6 -

India Goods viz.

Challow 114¼ Pr.

47 12 1

Arrack 1545 Gall. 3/6½

260 14 4

Coffee 23 lb.

" 19 2

Pepper 139 lb.

3 9 6

Tea viz.

Cwt. qrs. lb.

11.. -.. - Bohea

45 16 8

3.. 1.. 26 Congo

24 7 6

3.. 1.. 20 Singlo

24 " -

94 4 2

Carrd. Over£ 12845 19 7

The inventory of stores remaining in the warehouses continued from a running total of £12,405 9s 0d.

Brought forward, £12,405 9s 0d

Tinware brought forward, £7 3s 7¼d

3 glass lanterns, £1 19s 8d

4 half-gallon saucepans, £0 2s 9d

2 sheets of tin, £0 1s 4d

41 lamps, £1 9s 10¾d

6 [...], £0 18s 0d

7 [...] of grain tin, £3 10s 0½d

Total for tinware, £15 5s 4d

Turners' ware

2 scrubbing brushes, £0 4s 0d

4 [...] yokes, £0 6s 0d

19 ox bows, £1 5s 9d

3 skimming dishes, £0 1s 7d

79 shoe brushes and 36 damaged shoe brushes, together £4 13s 5d

10 pump boxes, £1 14s 7d

4 labourers' baskets, £0 4s 7d

1 clothes brush, £0 1s 1d

133 paint brushes, £3 6s 6d

62 plasterers' brushes and 5 damaged plasterers' brushes, together £3 12s 7d

1 [...] basket lined with tin, £0 5s 5d

4 damaged hair sieves, £2 10s 6d

Total for turners' ware, £18 6s 0d

India goods

114¼ pieces of chelloes, £47 12s 1d

1,545 gallons of arrack at 3s 4½d a gallon, £260 14s 4d

23 pounds of coffee, £0 19s 2d

139 pounds of pepper, £3 9s 6d

Tea

1 hundredweight 1 quarter of Bohea tea, £45 16s 8d

[...] of Congo tea, £24 7s 6d

[...] of Hyson tea, £24 0s 0d

Total for India goods, £94 4s 2d

Carried forward, £12,545 19s 7d

Interpretations

The 1,545 gallons of arrack, worth more than £260, were the largest stock of any single India good. It supplied the spirit ration of the Company's slaves, the boat crews and the labourers in the stores. It was also the base of punch at the Company's table and was sold to the inhabitants. Arrack came cheaply from Batavia and the Indian coast in the Company's returning ships, and the island drank it in place of the costlier brandy and rum.

Grain tin was pure tin cast in small bars or granules, used by the armourer and tinsmith for soldering and tinning copper vessels to stop them poisoning their contents. Pump boxes were the valved pistons of a ship's or well pump, which wore out and had to be replaced. The yokes were shaped wooden shoulder pieces for carrying a pair of buckets or pails. They were probably used to bring water up from the springs to houses and gardens.

318

311

1768

Brought Over£ 12845 19 7

China Ware viz.

3 Round Meat Dishes

24 Do. Do. Plates

" 17 10

28 Soup Dishes

8 5 8

28 Round Soup Plates

1 16 7

56 Enaml. Do. Do.

1 15 -

13 Tureens

11 Do. dishes

3 12 -

51 Octn. Meat Do.

154 Do. Do. Plates

10 16 -

370 Do. Soup Do.

9 8 3

6 Basons

13 Guglets

1 13 3

8 Tea Pots

" 6 8

4 Sauce Boats

" 1 8

40 Strip Snuff.

" 13 4

7 Chamb. Pots

" 14 -

36 Bowls

1 10 -

4 Milk Ewers

" 4 -

41 14 3

Candles 20.. 3.. 19 Cwt. qrs. lb.

253 16 6

Long Cloth viz.

35 Ps. I

171 10 -

35 Ps. D

141 17 6

4½ Ps. 2

16 6 3

8 Ps. C

26 4 8

½ Ps. No. 5

1 " 7

½ Ps. H

1 4 9

12 Ps. A

41 14 -

26 Ps. No. 1

23 7 -

80 Ps. W. 6

107 6 8

¾ Ps. X

1 " 8

539 12 1

Carrd. Over£ 13681 2 5

The inventory of stores remaining in the warehouses continued from a running total of £12,845 19s 7d.

Brought forward, £12,845 19s 7d

China

3 round meat dishes and 24 round meat plates, together £0 17s 10d

28 soup dishes, £8 5s 8d

28 round soup plates, £1 16s 7d

56 enamelled round soup plates, £1 15s 0d

13 tureens and 11 tureen dishes, together £3 12s 0d

51 octagonal meat dishes and 154 octagonal meat plates, together £10 16s 0d

370 octagonal soup plates, £9 8s 3d

6 basins and 13 guglets, together £1 13s 3d

8 teapots, £0 6s 8d

4 sauce boats, £0 1s 8d

40 [...], £0 13s 4d

7 chamber pots, £0 14s 0d

36 bowls, £1 10s 0d

4 milk jugs, £0 4s 0d

Total for china, £41 14s 3d

20 hundredweight 3 quarters 19 pounds of candles, £253 16s 6d

Longcloth

135 pieces marked I, £171 10s 0d

35 pieces marked D, £44 17s 6d

41½ pieces marked Z, £16 6s 3d

8 pieces marked C, £26 4s 8d

½ piece marked [...] 5, £1 0s 7d

½ piece marked H, £1 4s 9d

12 pieces marked A, £41 14s 0d

26 pieces marked [...] 1, £23 7s 0d

80 pieces marked W6, £107 6s 8d

¾ piece marked Y, £1 0s 8d

Total for longcloth, £539 12s 1d

Carried forward, £13,681 2s 5d

Interpretations

The stock of candles, more than 20 hundredweight worth over £250, was the island's reserve of light. Candles lit the Castle, the guard rooms, the hospital, the magazines and every household after dark. They could not be made locally in quantity for lack of tallow and wax. A shortage would have left the garrison and the town in darkness through the long nights of the southern winter.

The longcloth held in store was worth more than £539, much more than the cloth sold in a quarter. It came in many grades, each marked with its letter, so the storekeeper could supply anything from coarse cloth for slaves' clothing and sacking to fine calico for the officers' shirts and the Castle's table linen. Longcloth was the cheapest and most versatile textile the Company could bring from India. That made it the staple fabric of the island.

319

312

[Right-hand money column partly cut off at the edge of the image.]

The 17 October

Brought Over£ 13681 2 [...]

Sugar & Candy viz.

Cwt. qrs. lb.

316.. -.. 11 Sugar

442 10 9

114.. -.. 25 Candy

1.. 3.. 6 Do. damaged

284 5 3

726 16 -

Rice & Paddy viz.

Cwt. qrs. lb.

537.. -.. - Rice

199 2 9

194.. 1.. - Paddy

46 18 10

246 1 7

European and India Goods

Amounts to£ 14654 - [...]

Errors Excepted

(signed)

Mattw. Purling

St. Helena

30 Sept. 1768

Counted and Examined the Honorable Company's Cash

for the Month of September last, which is as follows viz.

The inventory of stores remaining in the warehouses continued from a running total of £13,681 2s 5d and closed with the total value of the stock.

Brought forward, £13,681 2s 5d

Sugar and sugar candy

316 hundredweight 11 pounds of sugar, £442 10s 9d

114 hundredweight 25 pounds of sugar candy and 1 hundredweight 3 quarters 6 pounds of damaged sugar candy, together £284 5s 3d

Total for sugar and sugar candy, £726 16s 0d

Rice and paddy

537 hundredweight of rice, £199 2s 9d

194 hundredweight 1 quarter of paddy, £46 18s 10d

Total for rice and paddy, £246 1s 7d

Total value of European and India goods in store, £14,654 0s 0d

Purling signed the inventory at St Helena on 30 September 1768, reserving the right to correct any errors.

The Council then counted and examined the Company's cash for the month of September.

Interpretations

The stores remaining in the warehouses were valued at £14,654 0s 0d. Goods sold, issued and charged during the quarter came to only a few thousand pounds. The island therefore held several years' supply of most imported goods. The Company kept St Helena heavily stocked because a ship from England might take many months to arrive, and a convoy could be lost or diverted in wartime. Running short of flour, salt meat or cordage could have left the garrison unfed and passing ships unrepaired. Holding a large reserve tied up capital, but it protected both the island and the shipping it served.

The inventory was signed by Purling, the accountant, not by James Powell, the storekeeper who had signed the account of sales and issues. Having a second officer take stock of the warehouses provided an independent check on the storekeeper. Any gap between what Powell's accounts showed and what Purling counted on the shelves would come to light. The cash in the treasury was then counted in the same way by the Council itself.

320

313

Cash Dr.

1768 Sept. 1st To Balance remaining£ 10464 5 "

5th To Exchange for five Sets of Bills drawn upon the Honble. Court of

Directors payable as follows viz.

One Set to Mrs. Mary Hall

215 10 -

One Do. to Mr. Robert Dallas

30 " -

One Do. to Capt. Thos. Riddell

300 " -

One Do. to Capt. Jno. Williams

350 " -

One Do. to Jno. Purling Esq.

120 " -

1015 10 -

8 To Ship Greenwich

109 7 8

11 To Ship Egmont

68 11 7

30 To Rents

599 16 11½

To Jams. Powell recd. of him for Stores Sold in the Quarter ending

this Day

2018 5 6

To Licences for Publick Houses

11 " "

To Plantation for Provision Sold

30 15 1

To Mundens Battery for Lime Sold

1 11 3

To Tiles Sold

" 5 6

Fines recd. of Hugh Jones & Thos. Yates

12 10 -

£ 14331 18 6½

Per Contra Cr.

1768 Sept. 30 By Sundry Accounts Advanced

the Paymaster to pay Salarys &c.

in the Quart. ending this day£ 3978 6 4

By Balance remaining viz.

In Specie

9813 17 2½

In Cash Notes

539 15 -

£ 14331 18 6½

The Council's account of the Company's cash for September 1768 set out the money received and paid.

Received

1 September 1768, balance remaining, £10,464 5s 0d

5 September 1768, received in exchange for five sets of bills drawn on the Court of Directors, payable as follows:

One set to Mrs Mary Hall, £215 10s 0d

One set to Mr Robert Dallas, £30 0s 0d

One set to Captain Thomas Riddell, £300 0s 0d

One set to Captain John Williams, £350 0s 0d

One set to John Purling, £120 0s 0d

Total for the bills, £1,015 10s 0d

8 September 1768, received from the ship Greenwich, £109 7s 8d

11 September 1768, received from the ship Egmont, £68 11s 7d

30 September 1768, rents, £599 16s 11½d

Received from James Powell for stores sold in the quarter ending 30 September, £2,018 5s 6d

Licences for public houses, £11 0s 0d

From the plantation for provisions sold, £30 15s 1d

From Munden's Battery for lime sold, £1 11s 3d

Tiles sold, £0 5s 6d

Fines received from Hugh Jones and Thomas Yates, £12 10s 0d

Total received, £14,331 18s 6½d

Paid

30 September 1768, advanced to the paymaster to pay salaries and other charges in the quarter ending that day, £3,978 6s 4¼d

Balance remaining in coin, £9,813 17s 2¼d

Balance remaining in cash notes, £539 15s 0d

Total, £14,331 18s 6½d

Interpretations

The bills of exchange showed how the island raised cash. A ship's commander or traveller paid coin into the treasury at St Helena. In return the Council gave a bill drawn on the Court of Directors, which the holder or their agent cashed at East India House in London. Captain Riddell, who had sold the Company his stores from the Admiral Pocock in August, and Captain Williams together supplied £650 this way. The island gained coin without any being shipped out. The commanders gained a safe means of sending their profits home without carrying specie on the voyage.

The rents of £599 16s 11½d matched the rent roll of 30 September 1768 exactly. The £2,018 5s 6d paid in by James Powell was the cash from the quarter's warehouse sales. The payment to the paymaster was the £3,978 6s 4¼d entered in Kirkpatrick's account, confirming that the paymaster's single receipt was drawn from the treasury at the quarter's close. The fines from Hugh Jones and Thomas Yates were probably imposed by the court. The licences for public houses came from the five punch houses allowed to trade from 4 July 1768.

The balance carried forward was £9,813 17s 2¼d in coin and £539 15s 0d in cash notes. At the end of August the coin had stood at £9,924 10s 0d, with the same £539 15s 0d in notes. The quarter's large wage bill had thus been met almost entirely from the warehouse sales, rents, ship payments and bills of exchange. The reserve of coin fell by only about £110 over the month.

321

314

The 17 October

Messrs. Gabriel Harper and John Worrall this day

presented the following Petitions viz.

To the Worshipful John Skottowe Esq. Governor

&c. Council of St. Helena

The humble Petition of Gabl. Alexr. Harper

Sheweth

That there is a Piece of the Honble. Company's Waste

Land lying in the West Division of the said Island adjoining your

Petitioners Land which he is desirous of hiring, humbly requests your

Worship & Council will be pleased to grant him a Lease for the

same

And your Petitioner will ever pray

(signed)

Gab. Alexr. Harper

17th Oct. 1768

Ordered the said Land to be Viewed

To the Worshipful John Skottowe Esq. Governor

&c. Council of St. Helena

The humble Petition of John Worrall Execut. to the last Will

& Testament of James Torbett Decd.

Sheweth

That your Petitioner has a Lease belonging to the

Gabriel Alexander Harper and John Worrall each presented a petition to the Council on 17 October 1768.

Harper addressed his petition to Governor John Skottowe and the Council. He explained that a piece of the Company's waste land lay in the West Division, next to land he already held. He wished to take it and asked the Governor and Council to grant him a lease for it. He signed the petition on 17 October 1768. The Council ordered the land to be inspected before deciding.

Worrall also petitioned the Governor and Council, acting as executor under the will of the late James Jobbett. He set out that he held a lease belonging to the estate.

Interpretations

The Council did not grant Harper's lease on the strength of his petition alone. It first ordered the land to be viewed. Inspection let the Council establish the boundaries and quality of the waste land and fix a fair rent. It could also confirm that the ground was truly unused and not claimed by a neighbour or needed for the Company's own plantations, pastures or water. Waste land adjoining an existing holding was the usual way a planter enlarged his farm. The Company kept control of every addition by insisting on a survey before any lease was drawn.

John Worrall appeared on the quarter's pay list as an overseer of the Company's slaves, paid £15 0s 0d. As executor he was responsible for settling Jobbett's affairs, including any lease the dead man had held from the Company. A lease could not simply pass to an heir or be sold without the Council's consent. An executor therefore had to petition before the land could be transferred, surrendered or kept in the estate.

322

315

1768

said Decd. for a piece of Ground lying in James's Valley expired, humbly

requests your Worship & Council will be pleased to grant him a Renewal

of the same

And your Petitioner will ever pray

17th October 1768 (signed)

Jno. Worrall

Granted

It having been represented to Us that many Idle young Persons

and inferior Company's Servants keep Horses upon the Commons to the

prejudice of the Publick and contrary to the Rules and Regulations

made the 12 December 1757. We agreed to publish the following

Advertizement viz.

Island St. Helena 17th October 1768

Whereas many People make a common practice of keeping

Horses that are not Intitled to that Indulgence agreable to the Regulation

made the 12 December 1757 which directs that no Person is to keep a Horse

that do not possess ten Acres of Land, and that no Horses or Mares be

permitted at any Season of the Year under any pretence whatsoever to Graze

on the Honorable Company's Waste Land

This is therefore Strictly to forbid any Person keeping Horses or

Mares except such as are Intitled to so doing by the aforesaid Regulation

under any pretence whatsoever after the 17 of Novemr. next upon penalty of

paying ten pounds half of which Money to be given to the Informer & the

John Worrall's petition continued with the details of the lease. The lease, which had belonged to the late James Jobbett, covered a piece of ground in James's Valley and had now expired. Worrall asked the Governor and Council to renew it. He signed the petition on 17 October 1768. The Council granted the renewal.

The Council was told that many idle young people and junior Company servants were keeping horses on the commons. This harmed the public and broke the rules made on 12 December 1757. The Council agreed to publish a notice, dated at St Helena on 17 October 1768.

The notice stated that many people had made a habit of keeping horses without being entitled to do so. Under the regulation of 12 December 1757, no one holding less than ten acres of land could keep a horse. No horse or mare could graze on the Company's waste land at any season, whatever the excuse. The notice therefore strictly forbade anyone to keep horses or mares after 17 November 1768 unless the regulation entitled them to. Anyone breaking the order would pay a fine of £10, half of which would go to the informer.

Interpretations

The ten-acre rule tied the right to keep a horse to the holding of land. Only a planter with enough ground to feed his own animals could keep one. Horses turned loose on the commons and the Company's waste land ate grazing the Company wanted for its own cattle. They also stripped ground the Council meant to let out on lease. The complaint named idle young men and junior servants as the offenders. Keeping a horse was a mark of standing, and the Council meant to stop those without land from claiming it at the Company's expense.

The penalty depended on informers for its force. Half of each £10 fine went to whoever reported the offender. The Council used this common device of the period to enforce the order without paying watchmen to patrol the commons. The one-month delay to 17 November 1768 gave owners time to sell their horses or find lawful grazing before the penalty applied.

323

316

The 17 October

remainder to be paid into the Honble. Company's Cash, And the Owners of

all Horses that are hereafter found Grazing upon the Honble. Company's

Waste Land will be fined in the Sum of twenty shillings for every Trespass

which Money will be paid to the Person that Informs upon their duly

proving the same

And Whereas the aforesaid Regulation Prohibited all

Persons keeping Sheep upon the Commons that do not possess Land, This

is therefore Strictly to forbid any Person or Persons keeping Sheep that are not

intitled thereto according to the aforesaid Regulation upon Penalty of paying

five Shillings for each Sheep to be paid to the Informer as aforesaid

And this is further to give Notice that the Grazing upon

every part of the Honble. Company's Waste Land is prohibited from the 1st of

February in every Year until Notice is given by the Church Wardens to the

Governor & Council that the said Waste Lands are in a Condition for

Cattle to Graze upon

Per Order of Council

(signed)

Mattw. Bazett Secy.

John Skottowe

Purling

Thos. Kirkpatrick

The notice on horses and grazing went on to say that the other half of each £10 fine would be paid into the Company's treasury. Owners whose horses were found grazing on the Company's waste land would also be fined 20s for every trespass. That money would go to the informer once the offence was proved.

The regulation of 12 December 1757 also barred people who held no land from keeping sheep on the commons. The notice therefore strictly forbade anyone not entitled under that regulation from keeping sheep. Offenders would pay 5s for each sheep, again to the informer.

The notice further declared that all grazing on the Company's waste land was banned from 1 February each year. The ban would last until the churchwardens told the Governor and Council that the land was fit for cattle to graze again.

Matthew Bazett, the secretary, signed the notice by order of the Council. Governor Skottowe, Purling and Thomas Kirkpatrick signed the minutes.

Interpretations

The yearly ban on grazing from 1 February gave the waste land time to recover. Animals were kept off the commons from late summer into autumn. The Council did not fix a date for reopening the land. Instead it left the decision to the churchwardens, who would report when the grass had grown back. Using parish officers in this way gave the church a practical part in managing the island's land. The churchwardens were local men who knew the state of the ground and could judge it better than a fixed calendar date.

The notice set out a graded scale of penalties aimed at different offences. A £10 fine fell on anyone keeping a horse without the right to do so. A 20s fine applied to each trespass by a horse on the waste land, and 5s to each sheep kept unlawfully. Every fine was enforced by informers. The rules were designed to keep the commons for landholders and to protect the waste land the Company hoped to lease.

The minutes were signed by only three members of the Council: the Governor, Purling and Kirkpatrick. Daniel Corneille had resigned as Lieutenant Governor on 21 July 1768 and sailed in the Admiral Pocock on 14 August 1768. Kirkpatrick had returned to the Board on 26 September 1768 after his illness. The Council had sat as a body of three since Corneille's departure, and Kirkpatrick's return was needed to make up its number.

324

317

The 24 October

At a Consultation held on Monday the 24th day of October 1768 at the Castle

Present John Skottowe Esq. Governor

Mr. Matthew Purling

Capt. Thomas Kirkpatrick of Council

The last Consultation was read, approved, & signed dated the 17th October 1768

Saturday the 22d Stephen John Centinel was drowned at Banks's by Accident

The Storekeeper this day brought in his Account of Waste

upon Store Goods for the Year ending the 30th September last, he declaring

the same to be real and unavoidable, we ordered it to be Entered which is as

follows viz.

Profit and Loss Dr. To 19.. 5 lost by

Leakage, Wastage, Short Weight and Measure by drawing by the Gallon &c. by

Weighing by the Pound &c. in the Year ending 30 Sept. 1768 viz.

Leather 20½ lb. Sole

" 18 6½

Oil viz.

11¾ Gall. Linsed

" 2 7

1½ Do. Train

" 4 2

3 Do. Oil of Turpent.

" 15 4½

1 2 1½

Paint viz.

¾ lb. Umber

" " 2¼

9½ lb. Span. Red mixd.

" 4 3

1½ Stone Oaker Do.

" " 8¼

7 lb. Pearl Colour

" 2 11

9½ Y. Oaker mixd.

" 2 3¼

Paint Carrd. over£ " 10 4¼

Carrd. Over£ 2 - 8[...]

The Council met at the Castle on Monday 24 October 1768. Governor John Skottowe presided, with Matthew Purling and Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick present. The minutes of the meeting of 17 October 1768 were read, approved and signed.

On Saturday 22 October 1768 Stephen John, a private soldier, drowned by accident at Banks's.

The storekeeper presented his account of waste on the stores for the year ending 30 September 1768. He declared that the losses were genuine and could not have been avoided. The Council ordered the account to be entered in the record.

Charged to profit and loss: goods lost through leakage, wastage and short weight and measure, from drawing off by the gallon and weighing out by the pound, in the year ending 30 September 1768

20½ pounds of sole leather, £0 18s 6½d

Oil

1¾ gallons of linseed oil, £0 2s 7d

1¼ gallons of train oil, £0 4s 2d

3 gallons of oil of turpentine, £0 15s 4½d

Total for oil, £1 2s 1½d

Paint

¾ [...] of umber, £0 0s 2¼d

9½ pounds of Venetian red, mixed, £0 4s 3d

1½ [...] of stone ochre, mixed, £0 0s 8¼d

7 pounds of pearl colour, £0 2s 11d

9½ [...] of yellow ochre, mixed, £0 2s 3¾d

Paint carried forward, £0 10s 4¼d

Carried forward, £2 [...]

Interpretations

Goods bought in bulk and sold by the gallon or the pound always lost some quantity in handling. Oil leaked through the staves of its casks, paint dried out or stuck to the measures, and leather shrank as it dried. The storekeeper was answerable for every item entered in his charge. He therefore had to declare that the losses were real and unavoidable before the Council would write them off to profit and loss. Without that declaration he could have been made to pay for the shortfall himself.

Stephen John was a private in the Fourth Company, listed among the men on the quarter's pay roll. His death at Banks's probably happened while he was working on the battery or bathing or fishing from the rocks there. Under the practice seen with James Long and Thomas Naylor, his pay would have been reckoned to the day of his death.

325

318

The 24 October

Brought Over£ 2 - 8

Paint brought Over£ " 10 4¼

18¼ Span. Red dry

" 4 6¾

29 Chalk

" " 7¼

19 Pound. Blacking

" 9 10¼

2½ Blue Paint

" 5 6¼

11 Stone Colour

" 4 4¼

1 15 3½

Pease 1¼ Bushel

" 11 9

Starch 6 lb.

" 2 4½

Sope 2.. 3.. 5½ Cwt. qrs. lb.

8 9 7

Turners Ware 1 Watter Crock

" 1 1

Cordage 4.. -.. 24¾ Cwt. qrs. lb.

7 17 7

Glass Ware viz.

10 Wine Glasses

" 4 3½

2 Quart Decanters

" 5 -

6 Sq. Glass 10 by 12

" 6 7½

9 Do. Do. 10½ by 13¾

" 12 -

1 7 11

Arrack 97 Gall.

10 6 8

Pepper 6½ lb.

" 3 3

Candles 1.. 1.. 19½ Cwt. qrs. lb.

17 5 7

Sugar & Candy viz.

Cwt. qrs. lb.

6.. -.. 7 Sugar

8 9 10

2.. 3.. 7 Candy

7 6 6¾

15 16 4

Rice & Paddy viz.

Cwt. qrs. lb.

2.. 3.. 12 Rice

" 10 -

9.. 2.. 21 Paddy

2 12 7

3 2 7

Carrd. Over£ 69 - 8

The storekeeper's account of waste on the stores continued from a running total of £2 0s 8¼d.

Brought forward, £2 0s 8¼d

Paint brought forward, £0 10s 4¼d

18¼ pounds of Venetian red, dry, £0 4s 6¾d

29 pounds of chalk, £0 0s 7¼d

19 pans of blacking, £0 9s 10¼d

2½ pounds of blue paint, £0 5s 6¼d

11 pounds of stone colour, £0 4s 4¼d

Total for paint, £1 15s 3¼d

1¼ bushels of pease, £0 11s 9d

[...] pounds of starch, £0 2s 4½d

2 hundredweight 3 quarters 5½ pounds of soap, £8 9s 7d

1 [...] brush, £0 1s 1d

4 hundredweight 24¾ pounds of cordage, £7 17s 7d

Glassware

10 wine glasses, £0 4s 3½d

2 quart decanters, £0 5s 0d

6 panes of window glass, 10 by 12 inches, £0 6s 7½d

9 panes of window glass, 10½ by 13¾ inches, £0 12s 0d

Total for glassware, £1 7s 11d

97 gallons of arrack, £10 6s 8d

6½ pounds of pepper, £0 3s 3d

1 hundredweight 1 quarter 19½ pounds of candles, £17 5s 7d

Sugar and sugar candy

6 hundredweight 7 pounds of sugar, £8 9s 10d

2 hundredweight 3 quarters 7 pounds of sugar candy, £7 6s 6¾d

Total for sugar and sugar candy, £15 16s 4d

Rice and paddy

2 hundredweight 3 quarters 12 pounds of rice, £0 10s 0d

9 hundredweight 2 quarters 21 pounds of paddy, £2 12s 7d

Total for rice and paddy, £3 2s 7d

Carried forward, £69 0s 8d

Interpretations

The losses showed which goods suffered most in store on the island. Arrack lost 97 gallons in the year, through leakage from casks and evaporation as it was drawn off by the gallon. Candles, sugar and soap lost several hundredweight each. Damp softened and melted them, and insects and rats ate into sugar and tallow in the warehouses. Paddy and rice shrank as they dried out and were picked over by vermin. The breakage of glass was a matter of handling.

Set against a stock valued at £14,654 0s 0d, losses of about £69 by this stage of the account were modest. The Council accepted the storekeeper's declaration that the waste was genuine. The figures suggest the warehouses were reasonably well kept. The losses were what could be expected from goods sold out in small measures over a whole year.

326

319

1768

Brought Over£ 69 - 8

China Ware viz.

2 Soup Dishes

" 11 10

13 Octagon Meat Plates

" 6 6

1 Sauce Boat

" " 5

" 18 9

£ 69 19 5

Excepted

(signed)

James Powell Storekeepr.

St. Helena

30 Sept. 1768

Messrs. John Desfountain, Willm. Henry and Simon

Whaley this day Petitioned for the same Piece of Land that Mr. Harper petitioned

for last Monday

To the Worshipful John Skottowe Esq. Governor &c.

Council of St. Helena

The humble Petition of John Desfountain Execut. to the last Will

& Testament of Onesi. Gurlings Orps.

Sheweth

That there is a small piece of the Honble. Company's Waste Land

adjoining to the Lands of Onesi. Gurlings Orps. near their House lying in

the West Division of the said Island which they are desirous of hiring humbly

The storekeeper's account of waste on the stores closed with losses of china.

Brought forward, £69 0s 8d

China

2 soup dishes, £0 11s 10d

13 octagonal meat plates, £0 6s 6d

1 sauce boat, £0 0s 5d

Total for china, £0 18s 9d

Total charged to profit and loss, £69 19s 5d

James Powell signed the account as storekeeper at St Helena on 30 September 1768, reserving the right to correct any errors.

John Desfountain, William Henry and Ann Whaley each petitioned the Council the same day for the piece of land that Harper had asked for the previous Monday.

Desfountain addressed his petition to Governor John Skottowe and the Council as executor under the will of the late Ones[...] Gurling. He explained that a small piece of the Company's waste land lay next to Gurling's lands, near the house, in the West Division. The estate wished to take it and asked for a lease.

Interpretations

The Council's order of 17 October 1768 to inspect the land before granting Harper's lease left the ground open to rival claims. Within a week three more people had asked for the same piece. The decision to survey first gave time for neighbours with a stronger interest to come forward. The Council could then weigh which holding the land best fitted, rather than granting it to whoever asked first. Each claimant held land next to the plot, and each could argue it was a natural extension of their own farm.

Desfountain's petition was made for an estate, not for himself, as Worrall's had been for Jobbett's. An executor could take up a new lease on behalf of the heirs to enlarge the property before it passed to them. The Desfountain family was established on the island. Lieutenant Samuel Desfountain served in the First Company and had played his part in exposing Kirkpatrick's charges against Corneille in July 1768.

327

320

The 24 October

requests that your Worship and Council will be pleased to Grant them a

Lease for the same

And your Petitioner will ever pray

(signed)

John Desfountain Exect.

24th Oct. 1768

To the Worshipful John Skottowe Esq. Governour of

the Island St. Helena &c. in Council

The humble Petition of Wm. Young

Sheweth

That your Petitioner being informed that a piece of Waste

Land belonging to the Honble. Company has been on Monday last, petitioned

for by Mr. Gab. Alexan. Harper takes the liberty of representing to your

Worship and the other Gentlemen of Council the Detriment and Inconveniency

that must result to him should such Petition be Granted

That the Situation of your present Petitioner's Land is such that

it embraces the other on two Sides, and that, as in one part it lies perfectly

under it, the best Fences will be in a manner useless, rendered so, by the

natural Descent or fall, and your Petitioner consequently exposed to the perpetual

incursions of his Neighbours Cattle. That as an Alienation of that piece of waste

Land will not only detriment your Petitioner by the Impracticability of keeping

up Fences, but will render Access to his own Land inconvenient, he hopes

therefore your Worship will not condescend to the Injury which the letting of the said

Piece of Land to any other than your Petitioner, must Unavoidably expose him to

That your Petitioner expects that, from his double Vicinity to the

said Piece of Land and from other Circumstances, he has, of all others, a

Preferable right thereto, which he humbly submits to your Candor and

Desfountain asked the Governor and Council to grant the estate a lease of the waste land. He signed the petition as executor on 24 October 1768.

William Young also petitioned Governor Skottowe and the Council. He had learned that Gabriel Alexander Harper had asked for a piece of the Company's waste land the previous Monday. Young wished to explain the harm and inconvenience he would suffer if Harper's request were granted.

His own land enclosed the waste ground on two sides. In one place his land lay directly below it. Because of the natural fall of the ground, even the best fences there would be almost useless. He would be exposed to constant trespass by a neighbour's cattle coming down the slope. Granting the land to anyone else would therefore harm him, since he could not keep up proper fences and would find it awkward to reach his own ground. Young hoped the Governor would not allow a lease to another person that would inevitably cause him such damage.

Young argued that his land bordered the plot on two sides. Given that and other circumstances, he believed he had a better claim to it than anyone else. He left the matter to the Council's judgement.

Interpretations

Young's petition rested on the lie of the land rather than on any prior grant or payment. His holding wrapped round the waste ground on two sides, and part of it sat below the plot on a slope. If a neighbour farmed the ground above and grazed cattle there, the beasts would drift downhill into Young's fields, and no fence could hold them on so steep a fall. On an island of sharp ridges and valleys, the shape of the ground decided whether a boundary could be defended. Young's case was that the land had value to him as protection, not just as pasture.

His objection showed why the Council had chosen to inspect the land before granting Harper's lease on 17 October 1768. A grant made on the first petition could have damaged an established tenant. A view of the ground would show whose fences, access and slopes were affected. With four claimants now before it, the Council had to decide which allocation best suited the existing holdings.

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1768

Judgement, hoping You'll please to take his Case into Consideration, and

deem him a fit Tenant for the above mentioned Premisses; and he will, as

in duty bound, ever pray &c.

To the Worshipful John Skottowe Esq. Governor &c. Council

of St. Helena

The humble Petition of Simon Whaley

Sheweth

That there is a small piece of the Honble. Company's Waste

Land lying in the West Division of the said Island adjoining to your Petitioners

Land called the Water Fall Plain, which your Petitioner requests you'll be

pleased to grant him a Lease for

And your Petitioner will ever pray

(signed)

Simon Whaley

24th Oct. 1768

Ordered the said piece of Land to be Viewed

Messrs. James Greentree and Orlando Bagley Jun. likewise

presented the following Petitions viz.

Young ended by asking the Council to consider his case and to judge him a fit tenant for the land.

Simon Whaley also petitioned Governor Skottowe and the Council. He explained that a small piece of the Company's waste land lay in the West Division next to his own land, known as the Water Fall Plain. He asked for a lease of it. He signed the petition on 24 October 1768. The Council ordered the land to be inspected.

James Greentree and Orlando Bagley junior also presented petitions.

Interpretations

The Council treated all the claims on the West Division waste land in the same way. It ordered Whaley's piece to be inspected, just as it had Harper's on 17 October 1768, rather than deciding between the petitioners on paper. The claimants each held land on a different side of the ground. A single inspection could fix where the waste lay in relation to Harper's, Young's, Gurling's and Whaley's holdings and how it might be divided. The Council could then let a part to more than one neighbour if that served the island better than granting the whole to one man.

Young's closing appeal to be judged "a fit tenant" pointed to the qualities the Council looked for in a leaseholder. These were the ability to fence and work the land, to pay the rent, and to live peaceably with neighbours. A lease of Company land was a privilege granted at the Council's discretion, not a right owed to the first or nearest applicant.

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322

The 24 October

To the Worshipful Jno. Skottowe Esq. Govr. &c.

Council of St. Helena

The humble Petition of James Greentree

Sheweth

That there is a piece of the Honble. Company's Waste Land

called Thompson's Hill which adjoins to your Petitioner's Land, he

therefore requests that your Worship and Council will be pleased to grant

him a Lease for the same

And your Petitioner will ever pray

(signed)

James Greentree

24th Oct. 1768

To the Worshipful John Skottowe Esq. Govr. &c.

Council of St. Helena

The humble Petition of Orl. Bagley

Sheweth

That there is a piece of the Honble. Compys. Waste Land

lying in Dog Wood Gully Valley adjoining to your Petitioners Land,

which he is desirous of hiring, humbly requests your Worship & Council

will be pleased to grant him a Lease for the same

And your Petitioner will ever pray

(signed)

Orl. Bagley Junr.

24th Oct. 1768

Ordered the said Lands to be Viewed

John Skottowe

Purling

Thos. Kirkpatrick

James Greentree petitioned Governor Skottowe and the Council for a piece of the Company's waste land called Thompson's Hill, which bordered his own land. He asked for a lease of it and signed the petition on 24 October 1768.

Orlando Bagley junior also petitioned the Governor and Council. A piece of the Company's waste land lay in Dogwood Valley next to his own land, and he wished to take it. He asked for a lease and signed the petition on 24 October 1768.

The Council ordered both pieces of land to be inspected. Governor Skottowe, Purling and Kirkpatrick signed the minutes.

Interpretations

Within a single week the Council received petitions for waste land from Harper, Desfountain, Young, Whaley, Greentree and Bagley. The rush followed the notice of 17 October 1768, which allowed only those holding at least ten acres to keep a horse. It also banned all horses and sheep from the Company's waste land. A planter just short of ten acres, or one who had grazed his animals on the commons, now had good reason to enlarge his holding by lease. The Council's own regulation had probably driven up demand for the waste land it was trying to protect.

James Greentree had been promoted from cadet to lieutenant in the Fourth Company on 9 August 1768, after Henry De Laune's death. Within three months he was seeking to add Thompson's Hill to land he already held. Officers on St Helena commonly held farms alongside their commissions. Their military pay was modest, and land offered both income and standing on an island where most wealth came from leases of the Company's ground.

330

323

The 31 October

At a Consultation held on Monday the 31st day of Oct. 1768 at the Castle

Present John Skottowe Esq. Governor

Mr. Matthew Purling

Capt. Thomas Kirkpatrick of Council

The last Consultation was read, approved, and signed dated the 24 Oct. 1768

Messrs. Thomas Harper and William Seale Senr. this day

presented the following Petitions viz.

To the Worshipful John Skottowe Esq. Govern. &c.

Council of the Island St. Helena

The humble Petition of Thos. Harper

Sheweth

That your Petitioner hath a Lease for a piece of Ground which

his House stands upon in this Valley expired, humbly requests that your

Worship & Council will be pleased to grant him a Renewal of the same

And your Petitioner will ever pray

(signed)

Thos. Harper

31st Oct. 1768

Granted

To the Worshipful John Skottowe Esq. Governor &c.

Council of the Island St. Helena

The humble Petition of Willm. Seale Senr.

Sheweth

That there is a piece of the Honble. Company's Waste Land lying

The Council met at the Castle on Monday 31 October 1768. Governor John Skottowe presided, with Matthew Purling and Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick present. The minutes of the meeting of 24 October 1768 were read, approved and signed.

Thomas Harper and William Seale senior each presented a petition.

Harper petitioned the Governor and Council about a piece of ground in the valley on which his house stood. His lease of it had expired, and he asked for it to be renewed. He signed the petition on 31 October 1768. The Council granted the renewal.

Seale also petitioned the Governor and Council. He explained that a piece of the Company's waste land lay

Interpretations

The Council renewed Harper's lease at once, without the inspection it had ordered for every new claim on waste land over the previous fortnight. A renewal concerned ground already surveyed, fenced and occupied, with its boundaries recorded in the original lease. A new grant of waste land touched the interests of neighbours and the Company's own reserves. The two kinds of petition were handled differently. Settled tenants were confirmed quickly, while fresh enclosures were held back until the ground had been viewed.

Harper's house stood on the land in question. Refusing renewal would have meant turning a family out of its home. In practice the Council almost always renewed leases to tenants who had built on and improved their ground. Security of tenure encouraged them to invest in houses and fences on Company land, and the improvements in turn raised the value of the Company's estate.

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324

The 31 October

in Dog Wood Valley adjoining to your Petitioners Land which said Land

would be very convenient to your Petitioner with respect to shortening his Fence,

he therefore requests your Worship & Council will be pleased to grant him a

Lease for the same, but as the said Piece of Land is very indifferent hopes he

shall have it at a low Rent

And your Petitioner will ever pray

(signed)

Willm. Seale

31st Oct. 1768

Ordered the said Land to be Viewed

Mr. Matthew Purling reports that the

Honorable Company's General Books of Accounts are Balanced to the

30 September last. We Ordered them to be Copied as fast as possible

John Skottowe

Purling

Thos. Kirkpatrick

Seale's petition concerned a piece of the Company's waste land in Dogwood Valley, next to his own land. Taking it would suit him well, since it would shorten the line of fence he had to keep up. He asked the Governor and Council to grant him a lease. Because the ground was very poor, he hoped he might have it at a low rent. He signed the petition on 31 October 1768. The Council ordered the land to be inspected.

Purling reported that the Company's general account books had been balanced to 30 September 1768. The Council ordered them to be copied as quickly as possible. Governor Skottowe, Purling and Kirkpatrick signed the minutes.

Interpretations

Seale's reasons showed what made waste land worth leasing even when the soil was poor. Taking in the strip would straighten his boundary and cut the length of fence he had to build and repair. On an island where timber for posts and rails had to be imported, that was a real saving. His request for a low rent recognised that the land had little value for crops or grazing. The Council's inspection would allow it to judge the quality of the ground and fix the rent accordingly.

Orlando Bagley junior had also asked for waste land in Dogwood Valley on 24 October 1768. The two petitions may have concerned neighbouring or overlapping ground. Inspecting the valley would let the Council decide between them as it had with the land Harper sought.

The general books of account, balanced to the end of the quarter, were the main record the Court of Directors used to check the island's finances. The Council ordered them copied quickly so the duplicate could go home in the first ship to sail. The original stayed on St Helena, while the copy carried the island's accounts to London.

332

325

The 7 November

At a Consultation held on Monday the 7th day of November 1768 at the Castle

Present John Skottowe Esq. Governor

Mr. Matthew Purling

Capt. Thomas Kirkpatrick of Council

The last Consultation was read, approved, and signed dated the 31st Oct. 1768

Mr. Purling Reports that he has viewed the Land Petitioned

for by Mr. Gabriel Harper, and Opposed in subsequent Petitions by Messrs. William

Young, John Desfountain in behalf of Ones. Gurlings Orphans and Simon Whaley as

Neighbours adjoining and having a greater Vicinity with the said Land. It appears

to him that letting that Land will not be prejudicial to the Company. That it

also appears to him that the last Petitioners Willm. Young, John Desfountain for

Gurlings Orps. and Simon Whaley have a better right to a Lease of the said Land

than the first Petitioner Gabriel Harper for the following reasons

That Mr. Willm. Young Joins to that Land in a long Fence up the Hill,

and also a considerable way down the Gut. That the Lands of Ones. Gurlings

Orps. joins also that in a long Fence at the Bottom of the Gut, and from the

situation it will be very difficult to make a Fence Sufficient to prevent Cattle Grazing

on the side of the Hill from trespassing on the Lands they now possess, was that

Land Occupied by any other person but themselves, consequently detrimental to

those two Neighbours

In the lower part of the said Land there is a small Gore or Slip

contiguous to Mr. Simon Whaley's Land which he Petitioned for, and which

Mr. Purling thinks may be Granted to the said Whaley without hurt to any of

the Neighbours

That as the first Petitioner Mr. Gabl. Harper joins a long way on the

Summit of the Hill to the Land in question and having no Party Fence at

present between him and the said Land, Mr. Purling thinks that for the

conveniency of Fencing Harper may be allowed without Injury to any of the

partys concerned to have a Grant of the Flat on the Top of the Hill from the end

of his Inner Fence to Simon Whaley's Ditch, and run his Fence to the

The Council met at the Castle on Monday 7 November 1768. Governor John Skottowe presided, with Matthew Purling and Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick present. The minutes of the meeting of 31 October 1768 were read, approved and signed.

Purling reported on his inspection of the land Gabriel Harper had asked for. Later petitions had opposed Harper's claim. They came from William Young, from John Desfountain on behalf of the orphans of Ones[...] Gurling, and from Simon Whaley, all of whom held land next to the plot and lay closer to it. Purling found that letting the land would not harm the Company. He also judged that Young, Desfountain for the Gurling orphans and Whaley had a better claim to a lease than Harper, for several reasons.

Young's land met the plot along a long fence running up the hill and some distance down the gut. The Gurling land also met it with a long fence at the bottom of the gut. Because of the lie of the ground, it would be very hard to build a fence strong enough to stop cattle grazing on the hillside from straying on to their land. If anyone else held the plot, the two neighbours would suffer for it.

At the lower end of the plot lay a small grove or strip next to Whaley's land, which he had asked for. Purling thought it could be granted to Whaley without harming any neighbour.

Harper's land ran for a long way along the top of the hill beside the plot, with no boundary fence between them. For ease of fencing, Purling thought Harper could be granted the flat ground on the hilltop, without harm to anyone. The grant would run from the end of Harper's own fence to Simon Whaley's ditch, and Harper would carry his fence along to it.

Interpretations

Purling's report set aside the obvious course of granting the land to Harper, who had asked first. Instead it divided the ground among the neighbours according to how each holding met it. The deciding factor was fencing on steep ground. Young and the Gurling estate lay below and beside the slope, where cattle from above could not be kept out. They received the hillside to protect their own fields. Whaley took the small strip at the bottom next to his land. Harper, whose ground ran along the ridge, was given the flat top, where a fence could easily be carried along to Whaley's ditch. Each part went to the neighbour who could enclose it and whose land would suffer most if someone else held it.

The inspection was carried out by a member of the Council in person. Purling walked the ground himself instead of sending a surveyor, so his report carried the Council's authority and could be acted on at once. A gut, in St Helena usage, was a steep ravine cut by a stream, and many of the island's boundaries followed these natural lines.

The Gurling claim was pressed on behalf of orphans. Desfountain, as executor, was protecting the value of land held for children who could not act for themselves. The Council's readiness to favour the estate showed its concern that the heirs should not lose by having their fences outflanked while their affairs were in an executor's hands.

333

326

The 7 November

declivity of the Hill Facing Gurlings Land just sufficient to make a

Bank Fence between him and Gurlings Orps.

Respecting the Rent to be paid to the Company for the said Land he

gives it as his opinion. That Mr. Willm. Young who is adjacent to the upper

part thereof which is well Grassed at present, and improveable by Grubing

out the Furze now growing thereon that he do pay the full Rent of five

shillings p Acre, That Onesips. Gurlings Orps. who well join to Mr. Young,

do in consideration that part of the said Land adjoining to them is but

indifferent pay only two shillings p Acre, and that Mr. Simon Whaley and

Mr. Gabriel Harper for the same reason pay the like Rent of two shillings

p Acre

Upon which we Agreed to Rent the said piece of Land

Agreable to the above Report

Further Complaint being made by the Engineer against Peter

Merot the Carpenters Mate for his neglect of business in the Shop, We agreed

to dismiss him the Company's Service from this day, and have appointed

James Hogg Soldier agreable to a former resolution Carpenters Mate in his

stead at the Usual Salary he having engaged to serve in that employ for

the term of five Years

John Skottowe

Purling

Thos. Kirkpatrick

Harper was to carry his fence down to the slope of the hill facing the Gurling land, just far enough to make a bank fence between his ground and that of the Gurling orphans.

Purling also gave his opinion on the rent the Company should charge. William Young held the land next to the upper part of the plot. That ground was already well grassed and could be improved by grubbing out the furze growing there, so Young should pay the full rent of 5s an acre. The orphans of Onesiphorus Gurling held land beside Young's. The part of the plot next to them was poor, and they should pay only 2s an acre. For the same reason Simon Whaley and Gabriel Harper should also pay 2s an acre. The Council agreed to let the land on the terms Purling had set out.

The engineer made a further complaint against Peter Mariot, the carpenter's mate, for neglecting his work in the shop. The Council dismissed Mariot from the Company's service from that day. Under an earlier decision, it appointed James Hogg, a soldier, as carpenter's mate in his place at the usual salary. Hogg undertook to serve in that post for five years. Governor Skottowe, Purling and Kirkpatrick signed the minutes.

Interpretations

The rents were set by the quality of each portion, not at one rate for the whole plot. Young's upper ground was already grassed and could be cleared of furze for good pasture, so it bore the full 5s an acre. The poorer slopes and strips granted to the Gurling orphans, Whaley and Harper were let at 2s. The graded rent reflected what each tenant would actually gain. It also brought into use ground that would have yielded nothing as waste. Furze was a spiny shrub that spread over neglected pasture on the island and had to be grubbed out by the roots before grass could take hold.

Mariot's dismissal ended a delay that had run through the quarter. The Council had earlier resolved to send him off the island for stealing a lock and had named James Hogg to succeed him. Yet Mariot drew the carpenter's mate's pay for the full quarter, and Hogg stayed on the soldiers' roll. The engineer's fresh complaint of neglect gave the Council a firm ground to act. Hogg's five-year engagement matched the term for which soldiers enlisted. The Company thus secured a trained man for as long as it would have held him in the ranks.

334

327

The 14 November

At a Consultation held on Monday the 14th day of Novem. 1768 at the Castle

Present John Skottowe Esq. Governor

Mr. Matthew Purling

Capt. Thomas Kirkpatrick of Council

The last Consultation was read, approved and signed dated the 7 Novem. 1768

Wednesday the 9 Died Charles Newstead Soldier

The Gunners and Stewards Accounts for the Month of October

last were this day brought in which were examined and approved and are as

follow viz.

Artillery Stores expended in October 1768

Guns fired, 4 Pr, 3 Pr, 2 Pr, Powder Expend. lb, Powder Expend. oz

25th Guns fired to Celebrate his Majest. Access. to the Throne: Guns fired 21, 4 Pr 4, 3 Pr 1, 2 Pr 16, Powder Expend. lb 21, Powder Expend. oz 8

Powder expended in Sundry Services: Guns fired 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 0, Powder Expend. lb 426, Powder Expend. oz 15

Total: Guns fired 21, 4 Pr 4, 3 Pr 1, 2 Pr 16, Powder Expend. lb 448, Powder Expend. oz 7

Handspikes for Sundry Services

31

Tallow for Do.

21 lb.

Lead Ball to shoot Goats

2 lb.

White Rope

16 Fathm.

Rammer & Sponge Staves for Lemon Valley

6

Sponge Heads for Do. Do.

6

Tompions for Do.

6

Paper

5½ Qrs.

(signed)

Ar. Mitchell

The Council met at the Castle on Monday 14 November 1768. Governor John Skottowe presided, with Matthew Purling and Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick present. The minutes of the meeting of 7 November 1768 were read, approved and signed.

Charles Newstead, a soldier, died on Wednesday 9 November 1768.

The gunner's and steward's accounts for October were presented. The Council examined and approved them, and they were entered as follows.

Artillery stores used in October 1768

25 October, salute to mark the anniversary of His Majesty's accession: 21 guns fired, comprising 4 [...]-pounders, 1 [...]-pounder and 16 [...]-pounders, with 21 pounds 8 ounces of powder

Powder used in various services, 426 pounds 15 ounces

Total: 21 guns fired, with 448 pounds 7 ounces of powder

31 handspikes for various services

21 pounds of tallow for various services

2 pounds of lead ball for shooting goats

16 fathoms of white rope

6 rammers and sponge staves for Lemon Valley

6 sponge heads for Lemon Valley

6 tompions for Lemon Valley

5½ quires of paper

Archibald Mitchell signed the account.

Interpretations

The 21-gun salute on 25 October marked the anniversary of King George III's accession to the throne. Royal anniversaries were kept with the same ceremony on St Helena as at any garrison in England. The salute reminded the inhabitants and any ships in the road that the island was held for the Crown as well as for the Company. Powder used on ceremonial occasions was entered separately, so the Court could see what had gone on display as against service and practice.

The lead ball for shooting goats pointed to the wild goats that ran across the island. They browsed the young trees and stripped the vegetation from the hillsides. The Company paid for powder and shot to have them killed. Wild goats damaged the pasture and timber the Council was trying to protect through its rules on grazing.

The rammers, sponge staves, sponge heads and tompions were for the new guns at Lemon Valley, showing that the battery there was being fitted out. A rammer drove the charge and shot home. A sponge on a long staff was dipped in water and used to clean the barrel and put out sparks between rounds. Tompions were wooden plugs fitted into the muzzles to keep out rain and salt spray. Charles Newstead had been a private in the Third Company and appeared on the quarter's pay roll.

335

328

The 14 November

Sundry's Expended at the Honble. Company's Table in October 1768

12 Bottles Port Wine

" 18 -

18 Do. Lisbon

1 7 -

12 Do. Mountain

" 18 -

28 Gall. Arr.

7 " -

182 lb. Beef

3 7 6

200 lb. Mutton

4 3 4

4 Lambs

2 " -

12 Fowls

" 18 -

3 Turkeys

" 15 -

30 lb. Butter

1 10 -

100 lb. Candy

2 2 8

350 lb. Flour

3 5 7½

12 Bottles Beer

" 2 6

£ 28 7 7½

We this day sent for Robinson the Master Carpenter to

attend Council and informed him that as there would be constant employment

in that Shop about the Company's business for some Years, the said

Shop would therefore require his whole Attention to that branch of

business only and that it is expected he would daily attend and

superintend the Work in that Shop

Lieutenant Thomas Leech of the Artillery Company

having been suspended for six Months by a General Court Martial held on

the 7 and 8 instant for neglect of Duty, We appointed Serjeant John Shirtley

to do the duty and receive the pay of Lieutenant in the said Company during

the said Leechs suspension, he being recommended by Capt. Mitchell

Sundries used at the Company's table in October 1768

12 bottles of port wine, £0 18s 0d

18 bottles of Lisbon wine, £1 7s 0d

12 bottles of Mountain wine, £0 18s 0d

28 gallons of [...], £7 0s 0d

162 pounds of beef, £3 7s 6d

200 pounds of mutton, £4 3s 4d

4 lambs, £2 0s 0d

12 fowls, £0 18s 0d

3 turkeys, £0 15s 0d

30 pounds of butter, £1 10s 0d

100 pounds of sugar candy, £2 2s 8d

350 pounds of flour, £3 5s 7½d

12 bottles of beer, £0 2s 6d

Total, £28 7s 7½d

The Council summoned John Robinson, the master carpenter, to attend. It told him that the Company's work would keep his shop fully employed for several years. The shop would therefore need his whole attention, and he was to give himself to that work alone. He was expected to attend every day and supervise the work in the shop himself.

A general court martial held on 7 and 8 November 1768 suspended Lieutenant Thomas Leech of the Artillery Company for six months for neglect of duty. The Council appointed Sergeant John Shirley to perform Leech's duties and draw a lieutenant's pay during the suspension. Captain Mitchell had recommended Shirley.

Interpretations

The Council's instruction to Robinson implied that the master carpenter had been taking private work alongside his Company duties. Craftsmen in the Company's pay often did so on a small island where skilled men were few. With Lemon Valley, Munden's Point and the boats all needing carpentry for years to come, the Council could not afford to share him. It chose to tell him plainly to give the Company his whole time, rather than dismiss or replace him. A trained master carpenter could not easily be found on St Helena.

Leech's suspension did not leave the Artillery Company short of an officer. Sergeant John Shirley was raised to act as lieutenant and drew the higher pay for the six months. The Company paid one salary for the post, as it had done when Greentree followed De Laune. A capable non-commissioned officer gained both experience and reward. The court martial had judged Leech's neglect serious enough to remove him from duty, but not to dismiss him.

The table account showed that fresh meat for the Castle came from the island's own farms. Mutton, lambs and butter were all local produce. They pointed to the sheep and dairy cattle kept on the planters' land and at Plantation House. The Council's regulations on grazing and sheep were meant to protect that farming.

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1768

well qualified to do that Duty

Lieutenant Nathan Campell this day presented the

following Memorial viz.

To the Worshipfull Jno. Skottowe Esq. Governor

&ca. and Council of the Island

St. Helena

The Memorial of Nathan Campell Lieutenant in the

Artillery Company humbly

Sheweth

That your Memorialist is under the disagreable Necessity of

representing to your Honours, that by Reason of his great Age (being now in his

Sixty Second Year) and other Infirmities, he finds himself unable any longer to

undergo the Fatigue to which he is liable in the Execution of his Duty as

Lieutenant of Artillery, which he has hitherto endeavoured to discharge with

Fidelity and Diligence, for the truth of which he flatters himself he may

appeal to your Honours, as well as to his present Captain.

That having served the Honble. Company for the space of Thirty

seven Years, and finding himself now worn out in the Service, and unfit for

further Duty, He therefore hopes your Honours will be pleased to take his Case

into Consideration, and permit him to retire, for the remaining Part of his Life,

with such an Allowance for his Maintenance and support, as your Honours

shall judge proper

And your Memorialist as in Duty bound, shall ever

pray &c. &c.

(signed)

Nathan Campell

Island St. Helena 14th November 1768

Captain Mitchell had also judged Shirley well able to carry out the duty.

Lieutenant Nathan Campell presented a memorial to Governor Skottowe and the Council. Campell, a lieutenant in the Artillery Company, regretted that he had to report his condition. He was in his 62nd year, and his age and other infirmities left him unable to bear the strain of his duties as a lieutenant of artillery any longer. He believed he had carried out those duties faithfully and carefully until then. He was content to appeal to the Council and to his present captain to confirm it.

Campell had served the Company for 37 years. He now found himself worn out in its service and unfit for further duty. He asked the Council to consider his case and to allow him to retire for the rest of his life, with whatever allowance for his keep and support it thought proper. He signed the memorial at St Helena on 14 November 1768.

Interpretations

The Company had no fixed pension for its officers on the island. A man worn out after a lifetime's service could only ask the Council for an allowance at its discretion. Campell made his case through his 37 years of service and the support he expected from his captain, not on any right to a pension. The sum he received, if any, would depend on the Council's view of his record and on what the Court of Directors would sanction. John Lawrence, the invalid soldier kept on 9d a day, showed how the Company had provided for men in the ranks in the same position.

Campell's request came on the same day the Council dealt with Leech's suspension. If his retirement were granted, the Artillery Company would lose both its lieutenants at once, one for six months and one permanently. That would leave Captain Mitchell with only an acting officer raised from the sergeants. Mitchell was also stretched as engineer, with three batteries under construction. The Council's answer to Campell had to take account of how thinly officered the artillery had become.

337

330

The 14 November

Upon considering the above Memorial of Lieut. Campell

we think on Account of his long and diligent Service in this Garrison, as well as

on Account of his Age and Infirmitys that he is justly entitled to a pension and

we agreed to recommend him to the Company in Order to obtain it, and for

the present have allowed him to retire upon Half Pay, and have appointed

Corporal Robert Gibson strongly recommended by his Captain to do his duty

as Lieutenant to the Artillery Company upon the other half Pay untill the

Honble. Company's pleasure is known

Mr. Purling Reports that he has viewed the Land Petitioned

for by Mr. Orlando Bagley, the letting of which appears to him will not be

prejudicial either to the Honble. Company or the Neighbourhood, and in

consideration that part of the said Land is both barren and Rocky he

thinks that a Rent of two shillings p Acre will be equal to the Value of the

said Land

He further Reports that he has viewed the Land Petitioned for

by Mr. William Seale and finds that part of it has been planted with Grass

at the expence of the Publick, letting therefore any part of those Lands he

apprehends is contrary to the meaning and intent of such improvement

and will tend greatly to discourage the same which certainly should be

avoided, as the Utility of planting Grass on the barren Commons is very

obvious from the benefit which already Accrued to the Inhabitants in

general by that improvement: however as part of the Land Mr. Seale

requested a Lease for has not been planted by the Publick, Mr. Purling

thinks that that part may be Granted him without detriment to the

Company or the Neighbourhood; And as part of the said Land is very

indifferent, and will be attended with a great deal of Expence in

Fencing it, he is of opinion from these considerations that a Rent of

two Shillings p Acre will be sufficient to be paid for the said Land

November 14th 1768

Margin Notes:

[...] 21 [...]

The Council considered Lieutenant Sempill's memorial. It judged that his long and careful service in the garrison, together with his age and infirmity, gave him a fair claim to a pension. The Council agreed to recommend him to the Company so that he might obtain one. In the meantime it allowed him to retire on half pay. It appointed Corporal Robert Gibson, whom his captain strongly recommended, to perform Sempill's duty as lieutenant of the Artillery Company on the other half of the pay until the Company's wishes were known.

Purling reported on his inspection of the land Orlando Bagley had asked for. Letting it would harm neither the Company nor the neighbouring tenants. Part of the ground was barren and stony, so he thought a rent of 2s an acre matched its value.

Purling also reported on the land William Seale had asked for. Part of it had been sown with grass at public expense. Letting any of that ground would defeat the purpose of the improvement and would strongly discourage such work in future, which ought to be avoided. The benefit already gained by the inhabitants showed plainly how useful it was to sow grass on the barren commons. Part of the land Seale wanted, however, had not been sown by the public. Purling thought that part could be granted to him without harm to the Company or the neighbourhood. Because it was poor ground and would cost a great deal to fence, he judged a rent of 2s an acre sufficient. The report was dated 14 November 1768.

Interpretations

The Council did not grant Sempill a pension itself, although it agreed he deserved one. A permanent pension was a charge on the Company that only the Court of Directors could approve. The Council therefore recommended him to London and gave him half pay as a stopgap. The other half went to Corporal Robert Gibson for acting as lieutenant. The arrangement cost the Company nothing extra while it awaited the Court's answer. Sempill had an income at once, and the post was still filled.

Within a single meeting both of the Artillery Company's lieutenants were replaced by men from the ranks. Sergeant John Shirley stood in for the suspended Leech and Corporal Robert Gibson for the retiring Sempill. Both men had appeared on the quarter's pay list among the artillery's non-commissioned officers. Mitchell's recommendation carried the decision in each case. The Company relied on experienced gunners rather than waiting for officers to arrive from England.

Purling's report on Seale's petition set aside the easy course of letting the whole plot. Part of the commons had been sown with grass at public cost to improve grazing for all the inhabitants. Letting that ground to one man would have turned a shared investment into a private benefit and discouraged any future scheme of the kind. The Council therefore granted Seale only the unimproved portion. The sown commons were kept for public use.

338

331

1768

We Agreed to Let the two Parcels of Land on the terms

abovementioned, and came to a Resolution not to Grant Leases for any

part of the barren Commons that have been improved by the publick

on any pretence whatsoever

John Skottowe

Purling

Thos. Kirkpatrick

At a Consultation held on Monday the 21st day of November 1768 at the Castle

Present John Skottowe Esq. Governor

Mr. Matthew Purling

Capt. Thomas Kirkpatrick of Council

The last Consultation was read, approved, and signed dated the 14 November 1768

Counted and examined the Honble. Company's Cash for the

Month of October last, which is as follows viz.

The Council agreed to let both pieces of land on the terms Purling had proposed. It also resolved never to grant leases for any part of the barren commons that had been improved at public expense, whatever reason might be given. Governor John Skottowe, Purling and Kirkpatrick signed the minutes.

The Council met at the Castle on Monday 21 November 1768. Governor Skottowe presided, with Matthew Purling and Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick present. The minutes of the meeting of 14 November 1768 were read, approved and signed.

The Council then counted and examined the Company's cash for the month of October.

Interpretations

The resolution went beyond the single case of Seale's petition and became a standing rule. Purling had shown that letting sown commons would undo a public improvement. The Council chose to bind itself for the future rather than judge each later request on its own merits. A fixed rule spared it the pressure of petitioners who would argue that their own plot was a special case. It also assured the inhabitants that land improved for everyone's grazing would stay common. The rule also protected the Company's investment, since grass sown at public cost could only pay for itself if the commons stayed open to all.

339

332

Cash Dr.

1768 Oct. 1st To Balance remaining£ 10353 12 2½

£ 10353 12 2½

Per Contra Cr.

1768 Oct. 31st By Balance remaing. viz.

In Specie

9813 17 2½

In Cash Notes

539 15 -

10353 12 2½

£ 10353 12 2½

The Company's cash account for October 1768 showed no money received or paid during the month.

Received

1 October 1768, balance remaining, £10,353 12s 2½d

Total, £10,353 12s 2½d

Paid

31 October 1768, balance remaining in coin, £9,813 17s 2½d

31 October 1768, balance remaining in cash notes, £539 15s 0d

Total, £10,353 12s 2½d

Interpretations

The treasury stood untouched through October. The balance at the end of the month was exactly the same as at the beginning. The Company's day-to-day spending did not pass through the treasury month by month. Wages, workmen and contingent bills were paid by the paymaster and settled in one advance when his quarterly account was closed. Receipts came in mainly at the quarter's end as well: rents, warehouse takings and licences. In a month with no bills of exchange drawn and no payments from ships in the road, the cash therefore lay idle in the chest. The Council's monthly count served simply to confirm that nothing had gone missing.

340

333

1768

It appearing upon taking the Inventory of Stores in Sept. last that

the following Goods were Damaged, We Ordered an Advertizement to be Published

for the said Damaged Goods to be exposed to publick Auction on Monday next

for ready Money

Damaged Goods remaining in the Stores 30th Sept. 1768

Broad Cloth viz.

3½ Yds. Blue

3½ Do. Light Brown

4½ Do. French Grey

Bunting viz.

19¼ Yds. Red

15¼ Do. Blue

Pork 1 Tierce Bengall

Earthen Ware 2 Close Stool Pans

Hosiers Ware viz.

3 Pr. Mens Knit Stockings

13 Pr. Girls Do.

4 Pr. Womens Do.

6 Pr. Boys Do.

3 Pr. Scarlet Breeches

2 Pr. Crimson Do.

1 Pr. Buff Do.

Iron Ware 1 Gard. Rake

Kersey 11¼ Yds.

Pease & Beans viz.

20¾ Bush. Pease

10 5/8 Do. Beans

Sailors Cloaths viz.

8 Mens Jackets

4 Pr. Do. Breeches

The September inventory had shown that some of the stores were damaged. The Council ordered a notice to be published announcing that the damaged goods would be sold at public auction the following Monday, for cash.

Damaged goods remaining in the stores on 30 September 1768

Broadcloth

3½ yards of blue broadcloth

3½ yards of light brown broadcloth

4½ yards of French grey broadcloth

Bunting

19¾ yards of red bunting

15¼ yards of blue bunting

1 hogshead of Bengal pork

2 earthenware close-stool pans

Hosiery

3 pairs of men's knitted stockings

13 pairs of girls' stockings

4 pairs of women's stockings

6 pairs of boys' stockings

3 pairs of scarlet breeches

2 pairs of crimson breeches

1 pair of buff breeches

11 garden rakes

11¼ yards of kersey

Pease and beans

20¾ bushels of pease

10⅞ bushels of beans

Sailors' clothing

8 men's jackets

4 pairs of men's breeches

Interpretations

The Council chose to sell the damaged goods at auction instead of keeping them in store or issuing them to the garrison and slaves at their book value. Damaged cloth, spoiled pease and moth-eaten stockings would only deteriorate further on the shelves. Charging them out at full price would have overstated the value of the issues. An open auction let the market set what the goods were worth and turned them into cash before they lost all value. It also cleared them from the inventory.

The condition that bidders pay in ready money mattered on an island where credit among the inhabitants was common and debts were slow to collect. Selling for cash ensured the Company received the proceeds at once. It would not have to pursue small debts for a few yards of cloth or a bushel of pease. The auction proceeds would then appear in the treasury's receipts alongside the other quarterly takings.

341

334

The 21 November

Turners Ware viz.

36 Shoe Brushes

5 Plaist. Do.

4 Hair Sieves

Candy 1.. 3.. 6 Cwt. qrs. lb.

Mr. William Seale Senr. this day presented the following

Petition viz.

To the Worshipful John Skottowe Esq. Governor &ca.

Council of St. Helena

The humble Petition of William Seale Senr.

Sheweth

That as your Worship and Council do not think proper to Lease

your Petitioner the whole of that piece of Land he lately Petitioned for, as part

of it had been planted with Grass by the Publick, he therefore requests your

Worship & Council will be pleased to let him exchange a piece of his for the

beforementioned Land of the Honble. Company's which will be of no difference

to the Publick, and of great conveniency to your Petitioner with respect to his

Fence

And your Petitioner will ever pray

(signed)

Willm. Seale

21st November 1768

In consideration of what the above Petitioner sets forth

We agreed to the exchange as it will be of great conveniency to him

Turners' ware

36 shoe brushes

5 plasterers' brushes

4 hair sieves

1 hundredweight 3 quarters 6 pounds of sugar candy

William Seale senior presented a further petition to Governor John Skottowe and the Council. The Council had decided not to let him the whole piece of land he had recently asked for, because part of it had been sown with grass at public expense. He therefore asked to be allowed to exchange a piece of his own land for the Company's ground in question. The exchange would make no difference to the public but would greatly help him with his fence. He signed the petition on 21 November 1768.

The Council considered Seale's reasons and agreed to the exchange, since it would be a great convenience to him.

Interpretations

Seale's proposal let the Council help him without breaking the resolution it had passed only a week earlier, on 14 November 1768. The Council had sworn never to lease any part of the commons improved at public cost. A straight exchange of land did not lease that ground away. Seale gave up a piece of his own holding of equal use to the public and received in return the piece that straightened his fence. The total area open to common grazing was unchanged, and its value to the inhabitants was kept. The Council could therefore accept an exchange where it had refused a lease.

The damaged goods listed for auction included sugar candy and the hair sieves. The sieves had already been shown as damaged in the inventory. The candy had been entered among the waste charged to profit and loss. The auction gave the Company a last return on stock it had already written down.

342

335

1768

on Account of Fencing the said Land, and that piece he throws out of

equal service to the Publick in Commonage

Mr. Purling Reports that he has viewed the piece of Land

Petitioned for by Mr. James Greentree and that the letting of it will be of no

prejudice to the Honble. Company or Neighbourhood, and as part of it is

both barren and Rocky he thinks 2/6 p Ac. a Rent sufficient for the

said Land

Agreed to Let the said Land on the above Terms

John Skottowe

Purling

Thos. Kirkpatrick

The exchange was granted because it would help Seale fence his land. The piece he gave up in return would serve the public equally well as common grazing.

Purling reported on his inspection of the land James Greentree had asked for at Thompson's Hill. Letting it would harm neither the Company nor the neighbouring tenants. Part of the ground was barren and rocky, so he thought a rent of 2s 6d an acre would be enough. The Council agreed to let the land on those terms. Governor John Skottowe, Purling and Kirkpatrick signed the minutes.

Interpretations

Over these weeks the Council built up a scale of rents for waste land according to its quality. Young's grassy upper ground was let at 5s an acre. The barren and stony plots granted to the Gurling orphans, Whaley, Harper, Bagley and Seale were let at 2s. Greentree's land at Thompson's Hill fell between the two at 2s 6d, being partly rocky but not wholly barren. Purling's inspections allowed each rent to match the land's real worth. A flat charge would have overburdened the poorest ground and undervalued the best.

The condition attached to Seale's exchange showed the Council holding to its rule of 14 November 1768. The land Seale surrendered had to be of equal use to the public as common grazing. The commons were thus kept whole in value, even though their boundary had moved.

343

336

The 28 November

At a Consultation held on Monday the 28th day of November 1768 at the

Castle

Present John Skottowe Esq. Govern.

Mr. Mattw. Purling

Capt. Thos. Kirkpatrick of Coun.

The last Consultation was read approved & signed dated the 21st November 1768

Lieut. Solomon St. Maurice this day presented the following

Petition viz.

To the Worshipful John Skottowe Esq. Governor &ca.

Council of St. Helena

The humble Petition of Sol. St. Maurice

Sheweth

That there is a small piece of the Honble. Company's Waste

Ground lying in this Valley adjoining to a House of your Petitioners which

would be very convenient to him, humbly requests that your Worship and

Council will be pleased to grant him a Lease for the same

And your Petitioner will ever pray

(signed)

Sol. St. Maurice

28th November 1768

Ordered the said Ground to be Viewed

The Council met at the Castle on Monday 28 November 1768. Governor John Skottowe presided, with Matthew Purling and Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick present. The minutes of the meeting of 21 November 1768 were read, approved and signed.

Lieutenant Solomon St Maurice presented a petition to the Governor and Council. A small piece of the Company's waste ground lay in the valley next to a house of his. Taking it would suit him well, and he asked for a lease. He signed the petition on 28 November 1768. The Council ordered the ground to be inspected.

Interpretations

St Maurice was a lieutenant in the First Company and drew a lieutenant's salary, diet money and house rent on the quarter's pay list. Like Greentree before him, he was seeking to add Company land to property he already held. The Council made no exception for an officer. It sent his request for inspection exactly as it had for the planters. Every petitioner, whatever his rank, passed through the same survey before the ground could be let.

The petition placed the land "in the valley", meaning Jamestown valley, where the town stood. Waste ground there lay close to houses and to the town's water and paths. An inspection mattered all the more for a plot that might affect the public way or a neighbour's door.

344

337

1768

As we find that the Rats and Mice increase considerably upon the

Island (notwithstanding all endeavours to keep them under by Traps &c.) and

do an infinite deal of mischief to the Honble. Company's Stores and Grains as

likewise to the Houses and Gardens of the Inhabitants in General, and being in

hopes that the small reward of an half Penny for killing a Rat & a farthing for

a Mouse will be a means of destroying a great number of them we Ordered the

following Advertisement to be published viz.

Island St. Helena 28th November 1768

As Rats and Mice considerably increase and do great Mischief to

the Honble. Company and Inhabitants in General

This is to give Notice that whatever Inhabitant Soldier or Black

that shall kill either Rat or Mouse in this Valley and carry the same to the

Constable shall receive the reward of an half Penny for each Rat & a farthing for

a Mouse to be paid them by the Constable aforesaid, who is required daily in

presence of the Marshal to see that the Heads of the said Rats & Mice are cut off

in Order to prevent impositions and afterwards buried, burnt or thrown into the

Sea. The like reward will be given for Rats and Mice destroyed by any Person

either White or Black in the Country, and it is required that the Masters or

Mistresses of such Slaves that cannot Conveniently bring or send them to the

Constable shall take an Account of what they so destroy and send the said

Account to the Constable Weekly and the said Masters or Mistresses are desired

to see that they are effectually destroyed as beforementioned to prevent the

imposition of their being twice paid for

The Company is to pay one half of the said reward and the

The Council found that rats and mice were multiplying fast on the island, despite every effort to keep them down with traps and other means. They did great damage to the Company's stores and gardens and to the houses and gardens of the inhabitants. The Council hoped that a small reward of a halfpenny for each rat and a farthing for each mouse killed would lead to large numbers being destroyed. It ordered a notice to be published, dated at St Helena on 28 November 1768.

The notice stated that rats and mice were increasing fast and causing great harm to the Company and the inhabitants alike. Any inhabitant, soldier or black person who killed a rat or mouse in Jamestown valley and took it to the constable would be paid a halfpenny for each rat and a farthing for each mouse. The constable would pay the reward. In the marshal's presence he was to see the heads cut off, to prevent anyone claiming twice. The bodies were then to be buried, burned or thrown into the sea.

The same reward would be paid for rats and mice killed in the country by anyone, white or black. Owners of slaves who could not easily bring or send the dead animals to the constable were to keep a count of what their slaves killed and send it to him each week. Owners were asked to make sure the animals were properly destroyed in the manner described, so that none was paid for twice.

The Company would pay half of the reward, and the

Interpretations

The Council chose a bounty over the default course of simply buying more traps. Traps had already been tried and, as the minute admitted, had failed to check the rats' increase. The quarter's warehouse records showed spring rat traps and mousetraps bought by servants, planters and the Company itself. By paying a small sum for every animal killed, the Council turned the whole population, free and slave, into rat-catchers at very little cost. The halfpenny and farthing rewards were low enough that the scheme would not become expensive however many were brought in.

The rules for cutting off heads before the marshal and disposing of the bodies were designed to stop fraud. Without them the same carcass could have been presented again and again, or brought in from a neighbour's kill. The weekly count required from slave owners in the country placed the duty of honesty on the masters. A slave who killed rats on a remote farm could not walk to the constable each time. The owner was trusted to record the numbers and answer for them.

The Company agreed to pay only half the reward. The rats damaged the inhabitants' houses and gardens as well as the Company's stores, so the cost was to be shared. The other half would presumably be met by the inhabitants, perhaps through a charge on the island's households.

345

338

The 28 November

Inhabitants the other

Per Order of Council

(signed)

Mattw. Bazett Secy.

John Skottowe

Purling

Thos. Kirkpatrick

At a Consultation held on Monday the 5th day of December 1768 at the Castle

Present John Skottowe Esq. Governor

Mr. Matthew Purling

Capt. Thomas Kirkpatrick of Council

The last Consultation was read, approved and signed dated the 28 Novemr. 1768

Lieut. Samuel Desfountain and Lieut. Thomas Leech

this day presented the following Petitions viz.

To the Worshipful John Skottowe Esq. Gover. &ca. Council

of St. Helena

The humble Petition of Saml. Desfountain

Sheweth

That your Petitioner hath a Lease expired for a piece of

Ground in this Valley, humbly request your Worship & Council will be

pleased to grant him a Renewal of the same

And your Petitioner will ever pray

(signed)

Saml. Desfountain

5th Decemr. 1768

Granted

The inhabitants were to pay the other half of the reward. Matthew Bazett, the secretary, signed the notice by order of the Council. Governor John Skottowe, Purling and Kirkpatrick signed the minutes.

The Council met at the Castle on Monday 5 December 1768. Governor Skottowe presided, with Matthew Purling and Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick present. The minutes of the meeting of 28 November 1768 were read, approved and signed.

Lieutenant Samuel Desfountain and Lieutenant Thomas Leech each presented a petition.

Desfountain petitioned the Governor and Council about a piece of ground in Jamestown valley. His lease of it had expired, and he asked for it to be renewed. He signed the petition on 5 December 1768. The Council granted the renewal.

Interpretations

The division of the rat bounty between the Company and the inhabitants confirmed that the Council treated vermin as a shared public problem. The Company's stores and gardens suffered, but so did every household's food and crops. Requiring the inhabitants to fund half made those who gained from the destruction of rats bear part of its cost. It also kept the Company's own outlay to half of what a fully paid scheme would have cost.

Leech was still under the six months' suspension imposed by the court martial of 7 and 8 November 1768 when he came before the Council with a petition. A suspended officer kept his place on the island and his civil rights as a tenant or inhabitant. Only his military duties and pay were taken from him for the term of the sentence.

346

339

1768

To the Worshipful John Skottowe Esq. Governor

and Council of the Island St. Helena

The Petition of Lieut. Thomas Leech

Humbly Sheweth

That as the Lease of the piece of Land

which your Petitioner holds in Right of his Mother the late Eleanor Leech,

being expired the first of this instant, Humbly begs Leave to Renew the same

And your Petitioner as in duty Bound shall for your Worships

Ever pray

5th Decemr. 1768

Granted

The piece of Ground that Lieut. St. Maurice Petitioned for on

Monday last having been viewed and found of no prejudice to the Honble. Company

or Neighbourhood, We agreed to Grant him a Lease for the same at 5/ p Ann.

In Order that all Orphans when they come of Age may have the

clearest and fullest Accounts of all such Effects that are left them by their Decd.

Parents or Friends, we thought proper to publish the following Advertizement viz.

Island St. Helena 5th December 1768

This is to give Notice to all Executors who have within this

twelvemonth past or may hereafter make sale of any Orphans Effects they

Lieutenant Thomas Leech also petitioned Governor John Skottowe and the Council. He held a piece of land by right of his late mother, Eleanor Leech. The lease had expired on 1 December, and he asked permission to renew it. He signed the petition on 5 December 1768. The Council granted the renewal.

The ground Lieutenant St Maurice had asked for the previous Monday had been inspected. It was found that letting it would harm neither the Company nor the neighbours. The Council agreed to grant him a lease at a rent of 5s a year.

The Council wished to ensure that every orphan, on coming of age, would receive the clearest and fullest account of the property left by dead parents or friends. It therefore decided to publish a notice, dated at St Helena on 5 December 1768. The notice was addressed to all executors who had sold any orphan's property within the past twelve months, or who might do so in future.

Interpretations

The notice on orphans' property followed directly from the cases before the Council in the previous weeks. Executors such as John Worrall for Jobbett's estate and John Desfountain for the Gurling orphans managed land, leases and goods on behalf of heirs too young to act. An executor who sold an orphan's effects held the proceeds in trust. Without a public demand for accounts, the money could be misused or lost before the child came of age. By calling executors to account for every sale, the Council used its authority to protect those least able to protect themselves.

Leech's renewal was granted although he was under suspension from his military duties. His lease came to him through his mother. A court martial's sentence touched only his place in the Artillery Company. His rights as a tenant and heir were a separate matter, and the Council treated them as such.

St Maurice's ground was let at a fixed 5s a year, not at a rate per acre. The plot lay beside a house in the valley and was evidently too small to measure in acres. A flat annual rent suited a town garden or yard better than the acreage rents set for the larger country plots.

347

340

The 5 December

have had or may have under their charge, that they are Required to render

a true Account properly attested to the Secretary's Office as soon as possible

after such Sales are made in order that the said Orphans or any other Person

or Persons it may concern may have recourse to the said Office for any

information they require relative to the said Sales

Per Order of Council

(signed)

Mattw. Bazett Secy.

We this day executed the Renewal of two Leases. One to

Mr. Thomas Harper for a piece of Ground containing forty feet in Depth &

sixty feet in Front at 10/ p Annum

And one to Mr. John Worrall Executor to the last Will and

Testament of James Torbett Decd. for a piece of Ground containing twenty one

feet in front eighty feet in Depth & fifty feet in back at 12/ p Ann., both

lying in this Valley

John Skottowe

Purling

Thos. Kirkpatrick

The notice required executors who had held, or would hold, orphans' property to send a true account of every sale, properly witnessed, to the Secretary's Office as soon as possible afterwards. The orphans, or anyone else concerned, could then consult the office for any information they needed about the sales. Matthew Bazett, the secretary, signed the notice by order of the Council.

The Council completed the renewal of two leases that day. The first was to Thomas Harper, for a piece of ground 40 feet deep with a 60-foot frontage, at a rent of 10s a year. The second was to John Worrall, executor under the will of the late James Jobbett, for a piece of ground with a 21-foot frontage, 80 feet deep and 50 feet wide at the back, at a rent of 12s a year. Both plots lay in Jamestown valley. Governor John Skottowe, Purling and Kirkpatrick signed the minutes.

Interpretations

The Council made the Secretary's Office a public register for orphans' affairs. An executor's account kept only in his own papers could be lost, altered or withheld when the heir came of age. Lodging a witnessed copy with the secretary placed it beyond the executor's control. An orphan, a guardian or a creditor could later check what had been sold and for how much. The arrangement cost the Company nothing and relied on a record it already kept. It turned the secretary's routine of filing documents into a safeguard for those too young to look after their own interests.

The two renewed leases were town plots, measured in feet rather than acres. Their rents were fixed sums of 10s and 12s a year. Worrall's plot narrowed from 50 feet at the back to 21 feet at the front, a shape typical of the crowded ground of Jamestown, squeezed between the steep valley sides. The difference in rent probably reflected position as much as size, since frontage on the town's street carried value for houses and trade.

348

341

The 12 December

At a Consultation held on Monday the 12th day of December 1768 at the Castle

Present John Skottowe Esq. Governor

Mr. Matthew Purling

Capt. Thomas Kirkpatrick of Council

The last Consultation was read, approved and signed dated the 5 Decem. 1768

The Gunners and Stewards Accounts for the Month of November

last were this day brought in which were examined and approved and are as follow

viz.

Artillery Stores Expended in November 1768

Powder expended in sundry services

135 lb. 3 oz.

Sponge Staves for the Rakers & Combe Forks

10

Tallow for the Long Boats &c.

14 lb.

Copper Cloads for the Carriages at Mitchells Line

8

Lead Ball to shoot Goats

7 lb. 7 oz.

Handspikes for the Long Boats

1

Do. expend. at Mitchells Line

1

Do. Do. at Lemon Valley Fortificat.

4

Cartridge Paper for the use of the Office

12 Qrs.

(signed) Ar. Mitchell

Sundrys Expended at the Honble. Company's Table in November 1768

6 Bottles Port Wine

" 9 -

12 Do. Lisbon

" 18 -

6 Do. Mountain

" 9 -

12 Do. Beer

" 2 6

24 Gall. Arr.

6 " -

Carrd. Over£ 7 18 6

The Council met at the Castle on Monday 12 December 1768. Governor John Skottowe presided, with Matthew Purling and Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick present. The minutes of the meeting of 5 December 1768 were read, approved and signed.

The gunner's and steward's accounts for November were presented. The Council examined and approved them, and they were entered as follows.

Artillery stores used in November 1768

Powder used in various services, 135 pounds 3 ounces

Sponge staves for the [...], 10

Tallow for the longboats, 14 pounds

[...] cleats for the gun carriages at Mitchell's Line, 8

Lead ball for shooting goats, 7 pounds 7 ounces

Handspikes for the longboats, 1

Handspikes used at Mitchell's Line, 1

Handspikes used at the Lemon Valley fortification, 4

Cartridge paper for the office, 12 quires

Archibald Mitchell signed the account.

Sundries used at the Company's table in November 1768

6 bottles of port wine, £0 9s 0d

12 bottles of Lisbon wine, £0 18s 0d

6 bottles of Mountain wine, £0 9s 0d

12 bottles of beer, £0 2s 6d

24 gallons of [...], £6 0s 0d

Carried forward, £7 18s 6d

Interpretations

Mitchell's Line was a defensive work named after the engineer himself, just as the battery at Banks's had been renamed Purling's Battery after the councillor. Naming the island's fortifications after its officials honoured them in a lasting way and marked the works as their achievement. Gun carriages were already mounted at Mitchell's Line, so it was an established position, distinct from the new batteries still under construction.

The lead ball issued for shooting goats rose from 2 pounds in October to more than 7 pounds in November. The campaign against the wild goats was evidently being stepped up. It ran alongside the bounty on rats and mice published on 28 November 1768 and the rules on grazing of 17 October 1768. Over these weeks the Council was moving on several fronts to protect the island's pasture, crops and stores from animals that damaged them.

The Company's table used noticeably less wine and drink in November than in October. In the absence of ships in the road during the month, there were fewer visiting commanders to entertain at the Castle.

349

342

The 12 December

Brought Over£ 7 18 6

172 lb. Beef

3 12 10

200 Mutton

4 3 4

4 Lambs

2 " -

12 Fowls

" 18 -

1 Turkey

" 5 -

30 lb. Butter

1 10 -

100 lb. Candy

2 1 8

400 lb. Flour

3 15 -

£ 26 4 4

Lieut. John Shirtley and Mr. John Robinson this day

presented the following Petitions viz.

To the Worshipful John Skottowe Esq. Governor

&ca. Council of St. Helena

The humble Petition of Jno. Shirtley

Sheweth

That your Petitioner hath a Lease expired for a piece of Ground

lying in James's Valley, humbly begs leave that your Worship & Council will

be pleased to Grant him a Renewal of the same

And your Petitioner will ever pray

(signed)

John Shirtley

12th December 1768

Granted

The account of sundries used at the Company's table in November continued from a running total of £7 18s 6d.

Brought forward, £7 18s 6d

175 pounds of beef, £3 12s 10d

200 pounds of mutton, £4 3s 4d

4 lambs, £2 0s 0d

12 fowls, £0 18s 0d

1 turkey, £0 5s 0d

30 pounds of butter, £1 10s 0d

100 pounds of sugar candy, £2 1s 8d

400 pounds of flour, £3 15s 0d

Total, £26 4s 4d

Lieutenant John Shirley and John Robinson each presented a petition.

Shirley petitioned Governor John Skottowe and the Council about a piece of ground in James's Valley. His lease of it had expired, and he asked for it to be renewed. He signed the petition on 12 December 1768. The Council granted the renewal.

Interpretations

The minutes now called Shirley "Lieutenant", only a month after the Council appointed him on 14 November 1768 to act in that rank during Leech's suspension. He had been listed among the artillery sergeants on the September pay roll. The title gave him the standing of an officer in all his dealings with the Council, not merely on parade. An acting commission on St Helena carried the full rank and its respect for as long as it lasted, as well as the pay.

The Company's table cost £26 4s 4d in November, against £28 7s 7½d in October. The fresh meat, fowls, butter and flour were bought in almost the same quantities each month. The saving came mainly from the smaller amount of wine and drink served.

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To the Worshipful John Skottowe Esq. Governor &ca.

Council of St. Helena

The humble Petition of Jno. Robinson

Sheweth

That there is a small piece of the Honble. Company's Waste

Land adjoining to your Petitioners Land lying in the East Division of the

Island; your Petitioner therefore requests your Worship & Council will be pleased to

grant him a Lease for the same

And your Petitioner will ever pray

(signed)

Jno. Robinson

Ordered the said Land to be Viewed

Serjeant Thomas Payne this day presented the following viz.

To the Worshipful the Governor and Council on the

Island St. Helena December the 12th 1768

I Thomas Payne Serjeant Overseer and Clerk of the Honorable Companies Works

on the said Island am in duty bound to Inform them the Honorable Company by

acquainting you the Worshipful the Governor and Council of the following particulars

As the Expences of Repairs has been Charged to the Castle and Plant. House more

than ought to have been done if the following Informations can be proved I

presume to lay before you the said Informations as I received them. There was

John Robinson petitioned Governor John Skottowe and the Council. A small piece of the Company's waste land lay next to his own land in the East Division of the island, and he asked for a lease of it. The Council ordered the land to be inspected.

Sergeant Thomas Payne presented a written statement to the Governor and Council, dated 12 December 1768. Payne served as sergeant, overseer and clerk of the Company's works. He held it his duty to inform the Governor and Council, on the Company's behalf, of certain matters. More had been charged to repairs at the Castle and Plantation House than should have been, if the information he had received could be proved. He felt obliged to set that information before the Council exactly as it had reached him.

Interpretations

Payne brought his report as the clerk of the works, the man who kept the daily record of labour and materials used on the Company's buildings. That position let him see where charges did not match the work actually done. He framed his statement carefully. He claimed only to pass on information he had received, and he made the charge conditional on proof. This protected him if the allegations failed, at a time when the Council had only recently censured Kirkpatrick for bringing false charges against Corneille.

A sergeant reporting irregularities in the accounts was taking a real risk. The repairs at the Castle and Plantation House were overseen by men senior to him, and an accusation of overcharging touched their honesty and the Council's own supervision. By addressing the Governor and Council directly, Payne placed the matter on the record. It could then not be quietly set aside.

Robinson's petition for waste land in the East Division followed the Council's instruction of 14 November 1768 that he give his whole attention to the Company's carpentry shop. Holding a farm alongside his post was common among the island's craftsmen. The land would still need inspection before any lease was granted.

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344

The 12 December

a great quantity of Stone and Dirt Collected to build a Hospital for the Honorable

Companies Slaves and great part of the said Stone and Dirt is now missing from the

Places where Lodged in and about the Black Square, Thomas Yates who was then

an Assistant Overseer in Collecting the said Stone and Dirt has informed me Payne

that he Yates saw part of the aforesaid Dirt made into Mortar and Carried to build a

Billiard House. Jno. Granger who was at that time Emp. for the Honorable

Company and Worked in the Carpenters Shop has informed me Payne that he

Granger did himself work up part of the Honble. Compys. Timber and has known

Isaac Day and Jos. Chamberlain as also the Black Carpenters to be employed in

fitting up Timber for the Billiard House for a considerable time, and that he

Granger made sundry Door and Window Frames for the said Billiard House

whilest he Granger was paid out of the Honorable Compys. Cash for his

daily Work, John Dobson Informed me Payne that he Dobson had an order

from Capt. Mitchell to make use of four Bars of Iron the Property of the Honorable

Company and that Capt. Mitchell ordered him Dobson to carry or get carryed on

the Iron Work for the said Billiard House what ever stood therein Besides

William Brown Matross in the Artillery Company has informed me Payne that

he Brown has known 100 Bushels of Lime burnt from English Stone and 100

Bushels of this Island Lime to be used at the Billiard House, as also several

Beasts Hides and Hair which I Payne got Tanned by Capt. Mitchells Orders to make

Size and Glue and the Hair for Mortar for the Castle and Plant. House. He

Brown further informed me Payne that there was used some Grounds of Beer

which Wm. Holbrook Master Mason had in his Care to make Tarrass Mortar

for the Plant. House or Castle. If these Informations are true the Honorable

Company has been greatly injured and that justice to them the Honorable may be

done I most humbly lay before your Worship and Council the aforesaid and

leave it to your Candid consideration. I further most Humbly beg that the following

Informers may be Called viz. Thomas Yates

John Granger

William Brown

John Dobson

William Holbrooke

Thomas Powers

Thomas Jones

Joseph Chamberlain

and John Robinson Master Carpr.

(signed)

Thomas Payne Clerk of the Works

Sergeant Payne's statement continued with the details of what he had been told. A large quantity of stone and earth had been gathered to build a hospital for the Company's slaves. Much of it was now missing from where it had been stored in and around the Black Square.

Thomas Yates had been assistant overseer when the stone and earth were collected. He told Payne that part of the earth had been made into mortar and taken to build a billiard house.

John Grainger had been in the Company's pay at the time, working in the carpenters' shop. He told Payne that he had himself worked up part of the Company's timber. He had seen Isaac Day, Joseph Chamberlain and the slave carpenters employed for a long time preparing timber for the billiard house. Grainger had also made several door and window frames for it while drawing day wages from the Company's cash.

John Dobson told Payne that Captain Mitchell had ordered him to use four bars of the Company's iron. Mitchell had also ordered Dobson to make, or have made, whatever further ironwork the billiard house needed.

William Brown, a matross in the Artillery Company, told Payne that he knew of 140 bushels of lime burned from English stone and 100 bushels of island lime being used at the billiard house. Payne had collected a number of animal hides and some hair and had them prepared to make size and glue, with the hair intended for the mortar at the Castle and Plantation House. These too had been used there. Brown further said that beer grounds kept by William Holbrook, the master mason, for making mortar for Plantation House or the Castle had been used at the billiard house.

If the information was true, the Company had suffered serious loss. Payne laid it before the Governor and Council so that justice might be done to the Company and left the matter to their consideration. He asked that the following informants be called: Thomas Yates, John Grainger, William Brown, John Dobson, William Holbrook, Thomas Powers, Thomas Jones, Joseph Chamberlain and John Robinson, the master carpenter. Payne signed the statement as clerk of the works.

Interpretations

Payne's charge was that Company materials and labour had been diverted to build a private billiard house, while the cost was entered as repairs to the Castle and Plantation House. The stone and earth had been gathered for a hospital for the Company's slaves. The timber, iron, lime, hair and glue were Company stores. The carpenters, including slaves owned by the Company, were on the Company's daily pay. Hiding the diversion under the heading of repairs to two official buildings would have passed unnoticed in the accounts. Only the clerk of the works, who saw where materials actually went, was placed to notice it.

The most serious part of the allegation named Captain Mitchell. He was the engineer, captain of the Artillery Company and the officer responsible for all the island's building works. Dobson's evidence placed the order for Company iron directly in Mitchell's hands. If proved, the charge would implicate the most senior technical officer on St Helena, not a junior clerk. It also cast new light on the Council's instruction of 14 November 1768 that Robinson, the master carpenter, give the Company's shop his whole attention. Robinson now appeared among the witnesses.

Hair, size, glue and beer grounds were all ingredients of good lime mortar and plaster in the period. Hair bound the plaster and stopped it cracking. Size and glue strengthened finishing coats. Fermented liquids such as beer grounds were thought to improve the setting of mortar. Their diversion showed a building finished to a high standard, beyond the plain work of a soldier's or labourer's dwelling.

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1768

Upon which we sent for Capt. Mitchell and read to him the

above Paper, who said that he was Conscious of his own innocence and desired that

all the Persons mentioned in Paynes Paper might be examined and the Affair

strictly Scrutinized into

As Captn. Bazett was jointly concerned with Capt. Mitchell

in Building the Billiard House and consequently a proprietor we likewise sent

for him to be present at the examinations of the several Evidences produced by Payne

in support of his Charge and then proceeded to take the following Depositions viz.

John Robinson Master Carpenter being duly Sworn and asked

whether he informed Serjeant Payne that any of the Company's Timber was used at

the Billiard House without being paid for and whether any of the Company's

Artificers where employed at that Work. Deposeth that he never informed Payne of any

such thing and that he never knew any of the Carpenters employed by the Company to

Work at the Billiard House except the Black Boys and his own apprentice

sometimes at their leisure Hours, and that he knew Granger had made a Door and

Window Case which he Granger had told this Deponent that Capt. Mitchell had paid

him for. This Deponent further declares that if any pieces of Wood was borrowed of

the Company that they were regularly returned to them particularly 8 Scaffolding

Sticks that were got to build the Blacks Hospital but not being at that time wanted

where afterwards replaced and are now in the Roof of the Carpenters Shop

The Governor observes that Capt. Mitchell had applyed to him for the Loan

of the aforesaid Sticks and they not being then wanted and expecting to come by the

lent them to Capt. Mitchell which were duly returned again to the Company

John Grainger having heard what Payne had set forth in his

information relative to him and being duly Sworn Deposeth that he had made

The Council sent for Captain Mitchell and read Payne's paper to him. Mitchell said he knew himself to be innocent. He asked that everyone named in Payne's paper be examined and that the whole affair be strictly investigated.

Captain Bazett had joined Mitchell in building the billiard house and was therefore a part-owner. The Council sent for him as well, so that he could be present while the witnesses Payne had named were heard. It then took the following sworn statements.

John Robinson, the master carpenter, was sworn and asked whether he had told Payne that Company timber had been used at the billiard house without payment, or that any of the Company's workmen had been employed there. Robinson stated that he had never told Payne anything of the kind. He knew of none of the Company's carpenters working at the billiard house except the slave boys and his own apprentice, who sometimes worked there in their spare hours. He knew that Grainger had made a door case and a window case, and Grainger had told him Captain Mitchell had paid him for them. Robinson added that any wood borrowed from the Company had been properly returned. This applied in particular to eight [...] timbers obtained for building the slaves' hospital. They were not needed at the time and were lent out, but were later replaced and now formed part of the roof of the carpenters' shop.

The Governor stated that Mitchell had asked him for the loan of those timbers. They were not then needed and were spoiling where they lay, so he had lent them to Mitchell, and they had since been properly returned to the Company.

John Grainger had heard what Payne said about him. He was sworn and stated that he had made three

Interpretations

The Council did not simply accept or dismiss Payne's charge. It chose to hear sworn evidence from each named witness in the presence of the two officers accused. Mitchell's own request for a full investigation made that course natural. Bringing in Captain Bazett as part-owner ensured that both men who stood to lose by the charge could hear and answer the evidence. Formal depositions under oath turned hearsay passed to Payne into testimony that could be weighed and, if false, punished.

The first two witnesses shifted the case at once. Robinson flatly denied telling Payne anything. He accounted for the timber as borrowed and returned, and for the frames as paid for by Mitchell himself. The Governor then confirmed that he had personally lent the timbers to Mitchell because they were spoiling. The loan had been authorised from the top, so it was not a theft. The Governor's own statement left Payne's case harder to sustain. It also showed how informally Company stores could pass to officers for private use, so long as they were later made good.

The billiard house was a private building put up by two senior officers, Mitchell and Bazett, for their own recreation and perhaps for the island's gentlemen. Billiards was a fashionable game among officers and gentry of the period. A billiard room was a mark of polite society even on a remote island garrison.

353

346

The 12 December

three Door Cases out of the Company's Timber

John Robinson being asked what Door Cases those were

says they were made for the Blacks Hospital that two of them were now in being in

the Blacks House and one was lent to Capt. Mitchell for which he had received

a Double Deal long since to make a Door Case to repay the Company

Grainger being further asked whether he had Voluntarily

given that information to Payne or whether Payne had asked him any Questions

about it declares that on Friday last Payne sent for him into his Room and

asked him what Work he had done when in the Shop and whether he had ever

done any work at the Billiard House

Payne then asked Grainger whether he did not know that

Chamberlain had made a Door for the Billiard House replyed that he had

seen Chamberlain help to make a Door in the Shop for that Building

John Robinson says that Chamberlain who was then

Carpenters Mate was allowed at that time to do any Work at his leisure Hours

and did make the aforesaid Door partly in the Shop and partly at his own

House

Joseph Chamberlain late Carpenters Mate being

duly sworn and asked whether he was employed in making any Door Cases for

the Billiard House, declares that he had made all the Door & Window Cases

for that Building at his own House and in his own time and used often to

Work until late at Night, but remembers that he partly fitted up a Door in

the Shop which he did when the Work there was not urgent and was allowed to do

any odd jobbs at those times as his Salary was so very small, being asked if

he knew whether any of the Company's Timber had been used at that

Grainger stated that he had made three door cases from the Company's timber.

John Robinson was asked what door cases those were. He said they had been made for the slaves' hospital. Two of them were now in place in the slaves' house. The third had been lent to Captain Mitchell, who had long since given a double deal board to make a new door case and so repay the Company.

Grainger was then asked whether he had given his information to Payne of his own accord, or whether Payne had questioned him. He stated that on the previous Friday Payne had called him into his room. Payne had asked him what work he had done in the shop and whether he had ever worked at the billiard house.

Payne then asked Grainger whether he did not know that Chamberlain had made a door for the billiard house. Grainger replied that he had seen Chamberlain helping to make a door in the shop for that building.

John Robinson said that Chamberlain, who was then carpenter's mate, had been allowed to do any work he liked in his spare hours. He had made the door partly in the shop and partly at his own house.

Joseph Chamberlain, formerly carpenter's mate, was sworn and asked whether he had been employed to make door cases for the billiard house. He stated that he had made all the door and window cases for that building at his own house, in his own time, often working late into the night. He did remember partly fitting up a door in the shop. He had done this when there was no pressing work there, since he was allowed to do odd jobs at such times because his salary was so small. Chamberlain was then asked whether he knew if any Company timber had been used in the building.

Interpretations

Grainger's answer weakened Payne's case on a point of method. Payne had presented his witnesses as men who had come forward with information. Grainger now said that Payne had summoned him and questioned him about his work and the billiard house. The evidence had been drawn out by the accuser, not volunteered. This made it look less like spontaneous complaint and more like a case Payne had set out to build.

The testimony of Robinson and Chamberlain brought to light a long-standing custom of the Company's workshops. Craftsmen on small salaries were allowed to take private work in their spare hours, and even to use the shop when the Company's work was slack. The Company tolerated the practice in place of higher wages. It also blurred the line between private jobs done in the shop and Company materials and time used without leave. The Council's instruction to Robinson on 14 November 1768 to give the shop his whole attention suggests it had already begun to see the risks of that arrangement.

The door case lent to Mitchell and repaid with a double deal board showed the same informal system at work. Officers borrowed Company materials for private use and made them good later. So long as the stock was replaced, the loan was treated as legitimate. Payne's charge depended on showing that such materials had been taken and never repaid.

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1768

Building declares that there was not any

John Dobson being Sworn & hearing read what Payne

declared he told him, That he did not tell him what Payne has represented but

acknowledges he told him he had done some Work for the Billiard House. That

Mr. Robinson had told him to make four Bars about fourteen Inches long for a

Cellar Window the value of which was about 3/ which were made of the Company's Iron

and replaced the same out of his own Iron which Bars he made at the Billiard

House and is Confident that not any of the Company's Iron were used for that

Building and further says that he had received of Capt. Mitchell and Bazett,

for Iron Work done for that House £5.. 1.. 3 he being asked by Capt. Mitchell

whether he had ever given him Orders to use four Bars of the Company's Iron for

any Work done at the Billiard House or had ordered him to supply the Work to any

of the Company's declares that he never had received any Orders from Capt. Mitchell

about it

Thomas Yates having heard what Payne had said relative to

what he had told him being duly Sworn Deposeth that he was Overseer about this

time three Years when Stones and Dirt for Mortar were collected for a Black

Hospital that some time after he saw some of those Stones removed from the

Place they were gathered and carried to the Billiard House that Goody who was

employed by Capt. Mitchell and Bazett to oversee that Work told him that he

had Capt. Mitchells Orders to take them, he believes he told Payne this

circumstance about two Years past

Captn. Mitchell asked Yates whether he knew if those Stones were not

replaced, says he does not know whether they were or not

Captn. Bazett says that he received an Account from Goody of

several barrows of Stones and Dirt which were borrowed, and were afterwards

replaced, and he paid the Workmen for Collecting them who were employed under

Goody

Chamberlain stated that no Company timber had been used.

John Dobson was sworn and read what Payne claimed he had said. He denied telling Payne what Payne had reported. He admitted telling Payne that he had done some work for the billiard house. Robinson had asked him to make four bars, about 14 inches long, for a cellar window, worth about 3s. They were made from Company iron, but Dobson had replaced it from his own iron. He had made the bars at the [...] house and was sure that none of the Company's iron had been used in the building. He had received £5 1s 3d from Captains Mitchell and Bazett for the ironwork he did there. Captain Mitchell asked Dobson whether he had ever ordered him to use four bars of the Company's iron, or to have the work done by any of the Company's men. Dobson stated that he had never received any orders from Mitchell about it.

Thomas Yates had heard what Payne said about him. He was sworn and stated that about three years earlier he had been overseer when stones and earth for mortar were collected for a hospital for slaves. Some time afterwards he saw some of the stones taken from where they had been gathered and carried to the billiard house. Goudy, whom Mitchell and Bazett employed to oversee that work, told him he had Mitchell's orders to take them. Yates believed he had told Payne this about two years before.

Mitchell asked Yates whether he knew if the stones had been replaced. Yates said he did not know either way.

Captain Bazett said he had received an account from Goudy of several barrows of stones and earth that had been borrowed and later replaced. He had paid the workmen employed under Goudy for collecting them.

Interpretations

Dobson's evidence removed the most damaging part of Payne's charge. Payne had claimed that Mitchell personally ordered Company iron to be used. Dobson now swore that the order for the window bars came from Robinson, not Mitchell. The iron had been replaced from his own stock, and Mitchell and Bazett had paid him over £5 for the ironwork. The payment showed the two officers meeting the building's costs from their own pockets, which ran against the picture of a house built at the Company's expense.

Yates's testimony carried the case back some three years, to about 1765. His information had reached Payne roughly two years before Payne raised it. Yates could say only that stones were moved on Goudy's report of Mitchell's orders. He could not say whether they had been replaced. Bazett then supplied the answer: the stones and earth had been borrowed, replaced and paid for. The allegations were old, second-hand and, on the officers' account, already settled. The delay in raising them would naturally lead the Council to ask why Payne had chosen this moment to bring them forward.

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1768

Building declares that there was not any

John Dobson being Sworn & hearing read what Payne

declared he told him, That he did not tell him what Payne has represented but

acknowledges he told him he had done some Work for the Billiard House. That

Mr. Robinson had told him to make four Bars about fourteen Inches long for a

Cellar Window the value of which was about 3/ which were made of the Company's Iron

and replaced the same out of his own Iron which Bars he made at the Billiard

House and is Confident that not any of the Company's Iron were used for that

Building and further says that he had received of Capt. Mitchell and Bazett,

for Iron Work done for that House £5.. 1.. 3 he being asked by Capt. Mitchell

whether he had ever given him Orders to use four Bars of the Company's Iron for

any Work done at the Billiard House or had ordered him to supply the Work to any

of the Company's declares that he never had received any Orders from Capt. Mitchell

about it

Thomas Yates having heard what Payne had said relative to

what he had told him being duly Sworn Deposeth that he was Overseer about this

time three Years when Stones and Dirt for Mortar were collected for a Black

Hospital that some time after he saw some of those Stones removed from the

Place they were gathered and carried to the Billiard House that Goody who was

employed by Capt. Mitchell and Bazett to oversee that Work told him that he

had Capt. Mitchells Orders to take them, he believes he told Payne this

circumstance about two Years past

Captn. Mitchell asked Yates whether he knew if those Stones were not

replaced, says he does not know whether they were or not

Captn. Bazett says that he received an Account from Goody of

several barrows of Stones and Dirt which were borrowed, and were afterwards

replaced, and he paid the Workmen for Collecting them who were employed under

Goody

Chamberlain stated that no Company timber had been used.

John Dobson was sworn and read what Payne claimed he had said. He denied telling Payne what Payne had reported. He admitted telling Payne that he had done some work for the billiard house. Robinson had asked him to make four bars, about 14 inches long, for a cellar window, worth about 3s. They were made from Company iron, but Dobson had replaced it from his own iron. He had made the bars at the [...] house and was sure that none of the Company's iron had been used in the building. He had received £5 1s 3d from Captains Mitchell and Bazett for the ironwork he did there. Captain Mitchell asked Dobson whether he had ever ordered him to use four bars of the Company's iron, or to have the work done by any of the Company's men. Dobson stated that he had never received any orders from Mitchell about it.

Thomas Yates had heard what Payne said about him. He was sworn and stated that about three years earlier he had been overseer when stones and earth for mortar were collected for a hospital for slaves. Some time afterwards he saw some of the stones taken from where they had been gathered and carried to the billiard house. Goudy, whom Mitchell and Bazett employed to oversee that work, told him he had Mitchell's orders to take them. Yates believed he had told Payne this about two years before.

Mitchell asked Yates whether he knew if the stones had been replaced. Yates said he did not know either way.

Captain Bazett said he had received an account from Goudy of several barrows of stones and earth that had been borrowed and later replaced. He had paid the workmen employed under Goudy for collecting them.

Interpretations

Dobson's evidence removed the most damaging part of Payne's charge. Payne had claimed that Mitchell personally ordered Company iron to be used. Dobson now swore that the order for the window bars came from Robinson, not Mitchell. The iron had been replaced from his own stock, and Mitchell and Bazett had paid him over £5 for the ironwork. The payment showed the two officers meeting the building's costs from their own pockets, which ran against the picture of a house built at the Company's expense.

Yates's testimony carried the case back some three years, to about 1765. His information had reached Payne roughly two years before Payne raised it. Yates could say only that stones were moved on Goudy's report of Mitchell's orders. He could not say whether they had been replaced. Bazett then supplied the answer: the stones and earth had been borrowed, replaced and paid for. The allegations were old, second-hand and, on the officers' account, already settled. The delay in raising them would naturally lead the Council to ask why Payne had chosen this moment to bring them forward.

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1768

Thomas Jones being duly Sworn and asked what he knows

relative to the Lime expended about the Billiard House declares, that he was employed

with William Brown, White washing the House neither did he know where the Lime came

from or whether it was paid for. Other than that

William Holbrook Master Mason being Sworn Deposeth

that he never made use of any Grounds of Beer for the Billiard House but produced

the following Paper viz.

July 24th 1768

Thomas Stowers came and said, Master I have something to

reveal, which I will do, and declares, that he was part of digging the Stones on the Hill

and afterwards was employed, by Capt. Mitchell, to wheel the Stones brought, for

the use, of the Hospital for Blacks, and dirt likewise, into the Yard of the

Billiard Room

Thomas Stowers being Sworn denies that he worked Holbrook that

he was employed by Capt. Mitchell to wheel Stones or Dirt brought for the use of the

Blacks Hospital into the Billiard House but acknowledges that he had taken a

barrow or two of Corner Stones

Thomas Payne desired that Holbrook might be asked whether

he did not hear Dobson say that Capt. Mitchell ordered him to take four Bars of the

Company's Iron & to prefer the Work of the Billiard House to all other. Replies

that he heard Dobson say that he had made use of four bars of the Comp. Iron but

denies that he heard him say he had Capt. Mitchells Orders for it, or any thing about

preferring that Work to any other, being further asked if he was near enough to have

heard Dobson say so replies that he was

Thomas Jones was sworn and asked what he knew about the lime used at the billiard house, beyond what had already been said. He stated that he had worked with William Brown whitewashing the house. He did not know where the lime came from or whether it had been paid for.

William Holbrook, the master mason, was sworn and stated that he had never used any beer grounds for the billiard house. He then produced a written note, dated 24 July 1768. It recorded that Thomas Powers had come to him and said he had something to reveal and would do so. Powers had declared that he helped dig stones at the hill. Afterwards Captain Mitchell employed him to wheel the stones gathered for the slaves' hospital, and the earth as well, into the yard of the billiard room.

Thomas Powers was sworn. He denied telling Holbrook that Mitchell had employed him to wheel the stones or earth gathered for the slaves' hospital into the billiard house. He admitted that he had taken a barrow or two of cornerstones.

Thomas Payne asked that Holbrook be questioned on a further point. Had he not heard Dobson say that Mitchell ordered him to take four bars of the Company's iron and to complete the ironwork for the billiard house? Holbrook replied that he had heard Dobson say he had used four bars of the Company's iron. He denied hearing Dobson say that he had Mitchell's orders for it, or anything about completing the work. Asked further whether he had been near enough to hear Dobson say so, Holbrook replied that he had been.

Interpretations

Holbrook's written note of 24 July 1768 was the one piece of documentary evidence offered in support of Payne's case. The master mason had taken the trouble to write down Powers's statement at the time. Holbrook treated it as a matter that might later need proof. Yet Powers now denied the substance of what the note recorded, admitting only to a barrow or two of cornerstones. A written record made months earlier was set directly against the witness's sworn word. The Council would have to judge which to believe.

Payne's own question to Holbrook backfired on him. He hoped Holbrook would confirm that Dobson had spoken of Mitchell's orders. Holbrook instead confirmed only what Dobson had already admitted: four bars of Company iron had been used. He denied any mention of Mitchell. By establishing that he had stood near enough to hear, Holbrook strengthened his own denial. If he had been in earshot and heard nothing of Mitchell, Payne's version lost further ground.

Each witness so far had either denied telling Payne what he reported, or reduced the alleged wrong to a small loan later made good. The charge against Mitchell rested more and more on hearsay that the men themselves would not repeat under oath.

357

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The 12 December

Thomas Townsend being Sworn deposeth that he heard Dobson

say that he had worked up four Bars of Real Iron for the use of the Billiard House;

that when he carried his Bill to Capt. Mitchell amounting to £8.. he cut him off

three pounds but denies that he heard Dobson say he had Capt. Mitchells Orders

for using that Iron or that he told him to go on with the Work of the Billiard

Room in preference to any other

On duly weighing and considering the examinations of the

several Persons mentioned in that Paper which Serjeant Payne laid this day

before Us, We are of opinion that he has not proved any part of his allegations, nor

that the Company hath in any respect been injured and that therefore the whole of

his malevolent and audacious accusations is altogether unjust and without

foundation dictated only by a malicious and licentious spirit and as such

proceedings must be extremely disgusting to Gentlemen of Character in the Company's

Service We think it highly incumbent on Us to discourage such unjust Attempts as

well as to prevent the innocent suffering by the insiduous practice of a base

designing Man we resolved immediately to dismiss the said Serjeant Payne from

the Company's Service and to send him to England by the first opportunity

John Skottowe

Purling

Thos. Kirkpatrick

Thomas Townsend was sworn and stated that he had heard Dobson say he had worked up four bars of rod iron for the billiard house. When Dobson took his bill, for £8, to Captain Mitchell, Mitchell had cut £3 from it. Townsend denied hearing Dobson say that he had Mitchell's orders to use the iron, or that Mitchell had told him to put the billiard room's work ahead of any other.

The Council weighed the evidence of everyone named in the paper Sergeant Payne had laid before it that day. It concluded that Payne had proved no part of his allegations and that the Company had suffered no loss of any kind. It judged the whole of his spiteful and impudent accusations to be entirely unjust and without foundation. They had been prompted only by malice and a reckless spirit. Such conduct must be deeply offensive to gentlemen of good character in the Company's service. The Council considered it its clear duty to discourage such unjust attacks and to protect the innocent from the scheming of a base and designing man. It therefore resolved to dismiss Sergeant Payne from the Company's service at once and to send him to England by the first opportunity. Governor John Skottowe, Purling and Kirkpatrick signed the minutes.

Interpretations

The Council could have reprimanded Payne or simply dismissed his charges as unproved. Instead it chose the harshest course open to it: dismissal from the Company's service and removal from the island. Its stated reason was deterrence. It wished to discourage any future attack on "gentlemen of character" and to protect the innocent from false accusers. The severity came from the rank of those accused. Payne had charged the engineer and a captain, and by implication the Governor, who had himself lent the timber. The Council treated an unproved accusation by a sergeant against senior officers as a threat to the authority of the whole establishment.

The contrast with the case of Captain Kirkpatrick is striking. On 19 July 1768 the Council found that Kirkpatrick had brought false charges against Lieutenant Governor Corneille, and he was only censured. Kirkpatrick kept his captaincy, his seat on the Council and his pay. Now he sat in judgment on a sergeant whose charges had likewise failed, and joined in sending the man out of the island. A false accusation by a councillor against a superior was met with a reprimand. One by a sergeant against officers ended in ruin. The difference lay in rank, not in the offence.

The evidence did not wholly clear the builders of the billiard house. Several witnesses admitted that Company iron, stone, timber and a door case had been used and later replaced. Holbrook's note of 24 July 1768 recorded a statement that Powers afterwards withdrew. Townsend's evidence that Mitchell had cut Dobson's bill from £8 to £5 confirmed that the officers paid for the work themselves. The Council chose to treat borrowing and repayment as no injury to the Company. It placed the whole weight of blame on the man who had raised the matter.

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351

The 19 December

At a Consultation held on Monday the 19th Day of December 1768 at the Castle

Present John Skottowe Esq. Governor

Mr. Matthew Purling

Capt. Thomas Kirkpatrick of Council

The last Consultation was read approved and signed dated the 12 Decem. 1768

Tuesday the 13th Died George Young Inhabitant

Ordered the following Advertizement to be published viz.

Island St. Helena 19th December 1768

This is to give Notice to all the Planters upon the said Island that

they are hereby required to send into the Secretary's Office on, or before the 28 instant an

exact signed Account of their number of Cattle each of them have for Slaughter for the year

1769 which they will be expected punctually to supply, unless an Accident should happen

to any of them, in that case, they are to send a return in writing within three days after

such Accident to the Secretary's Office aforesaid in neglect of which no excuse will be

admitted, but in failure thereof the owner obliged to furnish another Beast

Notice is hereby further given, that they are likewise to transmit an

Account on, or before, the time abovementioned, of their Number of Horses & to

distinguish them by their several Denominations also of their respective Stocks of

Sheep & Goats and what Sheep they intend for Sale

Per Order of Council

(signed)

Mattw. Bazett Secy.

The Council met at the Castle on Monday 19 December 1768. Governor John Skottowe presided, with Matthew Purling and Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick present. The minutes of the meeting of 12 December 1768 were read, approved and signed.

George Young, an inhabitant, died on Tuesday 13 December 1768.

The Council ordered a notice to be published, dated at St Helena on 19 December 1768. It required every planter on the island to send to the Secretary's Office, by 28 December, an exact and signed account of the cattle each held for slaughter in 1769. Each planter would be expected to supply those cattle without fail. If any of the beasts met with an accident, the owner was to send a written report to the Secretary's Office within three days. If he failed to do so, no excuse would be accepted and he would have to supply another beast in its place.

The notice further required the planters to send in, by the same date, an account of the horses they kept, listed by type. They were also to report their stocks of sheep and goats and how many sheep they meant to offer for sale.

Matthew Bazett, the secretary, signed the notice by order of the Council.

Interpretations

The cattle return set up a system of planned supply for the coming year. Each planter's declared number of beasts for slaughter became a commitment to deliver them to the Company, which needed fresh beef for the garrison, the Castle table and the ships in the road. The rule on accidents closed an obvious loophole. A planter could not later claim a beast had died or fallen from a cliff unless he had reported it within three days. Otherwise he had to replace it from his own herd. The burden of proof lay on the planter, and the Company's meat supply was protected against excuses.

The demand for a count of horses by type followed directly from the regulation of 17 October 1768, which allowed only holders of at least ten acres to keep a horse. A full register of horses and their owners would let the Council check who was entitled to keep them and identify those keeping animals unlawfully. The count of sheep and goats, and of the sheep intended for sale, would show how much mutton the island could supply. Mutton was already a regular part of the Castle's table.

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The 19 December

Captn. Mitchell this day presented the following Letter viz.

To the Worshipfull Jno. Skottowe Esq. Governor

&ca. & Council of the Island St. Helena

Gentlemen

As you have already thought proper to express your

Resentment at the very extraordinary Accusation preferred against me last Council

day by Serjt. Payne, by his immediate Dismission from the service, and by an Order

for his being sent to Europe by the first opportunity, without waiting for any Reply

or Vindication on my Part, I shall not therefore take up much more of your time by

entering into any minute Discussion of the several Accusations he has so

industriously collected against me, from the Information of Persons, all of

whom I have at different times been Obliged to take Cognizance of and some to

dismiss from their Employments, for bad Behaviour, & who were therefore sufficiently

disposed to furnish their Contingent towards this Accusation: Such a Discussion is

the less necessary, not only because the principal Allegations contained in it were

plainly refuted by the very Evidence he brought to support them, but as I had

occasion once before to vindicate my Character from the same infamous Accusation,

given in to my Honble. Masters by Mr. Bland

I shall therefore confine this Address to a bare Recapitulation

of the principal charges contained in Serjt. Payne's Paper, with a few Remarks

on each of them, in Order to evince to my Honble. Masters the Extreme

Falsehood and Malignity of this daring Attack upon my Character, and not

by way of Justification to you Gentlemen, who have already sufficiently

expressed your opinion of my Innocence and your Resentment at the

Persecution I have met with, owing perhaps in Part to a too rigid Discharge

of my Duty, as well as to other causes, which I shall find myself more at

liberty to explain to my Honble. Masters, on some future Occasion, than I

do at present

Captain Mitchell presented a letter to Governor John Skottowe and the Council.

Mitchell wrote that the Council had already shown its anger at the extraordinary charge Sergeant Payne brought against him at the last meeting. It had dismissed Payne at once and ordered him sent to Europe by the first opportunity, without waiting for any reply or defence from Mitchell. He would therefore not take up much of the Council's time with a detailed discussion of the many accusations Payne had so busily gathered against him. Payne had drawn them from men whom Mitchell had at various times been obliged to discipline, and some of whom he had dismissed from their posts for bad conduct. Such men were naturally ready to contribute their share to a charge against him.

A full discussion was less needed, Mitchell argued, for two reasons. The main allegations had been plainly disproved by the very evidence Payne produced to support them. And Mitchell had once before had to clear his name of the same disgraceful charge, which a Mr Bland had laid before the Court of Directors.

He would therefore limit his letter to a brief summary of the main charges in Payne's paper, with a few remarks on each. His purpose was to show the Court of Directors how false and malicious this bold attack on his character had been. He did not write to justify himself to the Council, which had already declared its belief in his innocence and its anger at the provocation he had suffered. That provocation, he suggested, arose partly from his own strictness in carrying out his duty. It also had other causes, which he would feel freer to explain to the Court on some future occasion than he did at present.

Interpretations

Mitchell's letter was written for London more than for the Council. The Council had already cleared him and punished his accuser. But the minutes, Payne's paper and the depositions would all go home to the Court of Directors. A charge of using Company materials for a private billiard house would sit in the record there whatever the island's verdict. Mitchell's account of the charges, entered beside them, was meant to shape how the Directors read the case.

The letter revealed that the same accusation had been made before, by a Mr Bland, and sent directly to the Court. A charge that recurred from two different sources was harder to dismiss as the work of one disappointed man. Mitchell's answer was to attack the witnesses' motives. They were men he had disciplined or dismissed, with reason to bear him a grudge. He also hinted at "other causes" he preferred not to name, suggesting that someone else stood behind Payne.

Mitchell himself noted that the Council had punished Payne without waiting for any reply from him. The speed of the decision served Mitchell well. But the Council had passed sentence before the accused officer had spoken in his own defence, and the haste might later look like partiality to readers in London.

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1768

The Intention of Serjt. Payne's Accusation was to make it appear, or

rather to insinuate, that in the Construction of a Billiard Room, built about three

Years ago, at the joint expence of Capt. Bazett and myself, we made use of the

Honble. Company's Materials, particularly Lime, Iron Timber and Stones, &

sometimes of their Workmen, without leave, and without either paying or

Accounting for the same

As Capt. Bazett was at the trouble of superintending this Building,

& kept a regular Account of the Disbursements on Account of it, which he has now in his

possession, & in which the Expence of the Lime, Timber, Iron Work and Stones are

particularly ascertained, a bare inspection of this Account will be a sufficient Refutation

to this Worshipfull Board, of the infamous Insinuations contained in Serjt. Payne's

Paper, I shall therefore only mention, for the information of my Honble. Masters,

that it appears there was used in the Roof of the Billiard Room (the Walls being

built wholly with Dirt Mortar) the Quantity of Ninety Three Bushels of Lime,

which I had leave from the Governor at different times to purchase from the

Company, & which was paid for regularly every Quarter, collected by Serjeant Payne

himself, & Accounted for by me to Capt. Kirkpatrick the Paymaster, at the end

of every Quarter

With Regard to the Timber, Captn. Bazett purchased from the

Ships what he imagined would be sufficient for the Building, but there being a small

Deficiency towards compleating it, I had the Governor's Leave for taking out of the

Honble. Company's Stores a piece of Riga Timber & some Deals, which were duly

charged & paid for to the Storekeeper, as will appear by his Books, & which was

a favour never refused to any Company's Servant, when there was more Timber in

Store than was wanting for the service of the Current Year, which was the Case

at that time. I ought likewise to mention that some Door Frames & Window

Sashes, which were made about that time, for the Purpose of a Black Hospital,

which was afterwards laid aside, were lent by the Governor, on condition of being

replaced of the same Goodness, which has been long since done, & they now lie

unemployed in the Carpenters Shop

As to the Iron Work, which was but trifling, it was done (as all the

Iron Work of the Island is & must be) in the Armourers Shop, it was done at their

Leisure hours, & there was more than a sufficient Quantity of Old Iron given

Mitchell's letter went on to set out the charges. Payne's accusation was meant to show, or at least to suggest, that in building a billiard room some three years earlier, at the joint expense of Captain Bazett and Mitchell, the two officers had used the Company's materials without permission. These were chiefly lime, iron, timber and stone. They were also said to have used the Company's workmen at times, without paying for any of it or accounting for it.

Captain Bazett had taken charge of the building and kept a proper account of all the money spent. He still held that account, which set out exactly what had been spent on lime, timber, ironwork and stone. A simple look at it would be enough to show the Council that the shameful suggestions in Payne's paper were false. For the information of the Court of Directors, Mitchell would mention only a few points. The walls of the billiard room were built entirely with earth mortar. Lime was used only for the roof, and the quantity was 23 bushels. The Governor had given him leave at various times to buy it from the Company. It had been paid for regularly every quarter. The money had been collected by Sergeant Payne himself and accounted for by Mitchell to Captain Kirkpatrick, the paymaster, at the end of each quarter.

As for the timber, Captain Bazett had bought from the ships what he thought would be enough for the building. A small amount had been lacking to finish it. With the Governor's leave, he had taken a piece of Riga timber and some deals from the Company's stores. These were properly charged and paid to the storekeeper, as the books would show. Such a favour was never refused to any Company servant when the store held more timber than was needed for the year, as it did at that time. Mitchell also mentioned some door frames and window sashes made around then for a hospital for slaves, a plan later set aside. The Governor had lent them on condition that they be replaced with others of the same quality. That had been done long ago, and the replacements now lay unused in the carpenters' shop.

The ironwork had been trifling. Like all ironwork on the island, it had to be done in the armourer's shop. It was done in spare hours, and more than enough old iron was given in return.

Interpretations

Mitchell's most telling point was that Payne himself had collected the payments for the lime each quarter. If the lime was paid for through the hands of the accuser, Payne could hardly claim ignorance that it had been bought. His charge that the officers used the Company's lime without paying looked either careless or dishonest. Mitchell also tied the payments to Kirkpatrick's quarterly accounts. Any lime used for the building could therefore be traced in the paymaster's books, which the Council could check for itself.

The letter described a regular practice of officers buying surplus materials from the Company's stores with the Governor's leave. Timber, lime and deals were sold to servants when the warehouse held more than the year's needs required. In Mitchell's account, what Payne called theft was a recognised favour, granted openly, charged in the books and paid for. The dispute turned on whether the store records bore that out. The Council's acceptance of Mitchell's version suggests it believed they did.

All ironwork had to be done in the armourer's shop because the island had no other forge capable of it. Any private ironwork therefore passed through a Company workshop by necessity. Mitchell's point was that such work was done in spare hours and paid for with old iron of greater value. This was the same custom of private work in the Company's shops that Robinson and Chamberlain had described.

361

354

The 19 December

him by Capt. Bazett to compleat what little was wanted. The abominable

Falsehood of my having given an Order for four Bars of the Honble. Company's

Iron & directed the Work for the Billiard Room to take the lead of every other,

appears plainly from the Deposition of the then Armourer himself, from whom

I had no Reason to expect Favour, as he was turn'd out of his Employment by

the Governor & Council, at my Instance, for incapacity & neglect of duty.

The four Bars of Iron mentioned in Payne's Accusation, called by the

Armourer Real Bars, were no other than four Pieces of the Old Iron Rails

taken down from before the Castle, & were made Use of by the Armourer

of his own Accord, & not by any desire of mine

With regard to the Stones mentioned by Payne, I remember a few

were borrowed from those collected for the Black Hospital, in Order to finish

the Billiard Room, as they were not wanted by the Company. I do not

at this distance of time recollect the Particular Orders I gave about their being

measured out and repaid; probably Payne himself, being the Overseer, was the

Person employed for this purpose. Capt. Bazett however, who had more

immediately the Direction of the Building, recollects having a written Account

given him of the number of Wheel-barrow Loads borrowed, which were

afterwards repaid. The whole Value of them could not exceed Forty shillings,

Is it at all probable either Capt. Bazett or myself would, in so pitifull a Matter,

put it in the power of any one to accuse us of embezzling the Honble. Company's

Property

I have now gone through the whole of the Accusation, & shall only add

that there appears somewhat of a Hardship, that the Author of so daring and

scandalous a Paper, who has likewise, I am informed, made his Boast among

his acquaintances, of the Insult he intended me, should escape so easily as he

has done, by being only discharged the service; which was probably what he

wanted, being in desperate circumstances, & his Character utterly lost in this

Island; I do not say this for my own sake, but for the sake of Example,

it being, I apprehend, of the most dangerous tendency, that the Characters

of Gentlemen in the service should be permitted to be attacked & traduced,

with a Degree of Impunity, by Persons of Characters notoriously infamous

& base, as is the present Accuser, for the truth of which I request the

Governor and Council will be pleased to give their Testimony, in the

The old iron had been given to the armourer by Captain Bazett to finish what little was still needed. Payne had made the outrageous false claim that Mitchell ordered four bars of the Company's iron to be used and told the armourer to put the billiard room's work ahead of everything else. The deposition of the armourer at that time plainly disproved it. That man had no reason to favour Mitchell, since the Governor and Council had dismissed him from his post at Mitchell's request for incompetence and neglect of duty. The four bars mentioned in Payne's charge were simply four pieces of the old iron railings taken down from in front of the Castle. The armourer had used them on his own initiative, not at Mitchell's wish.

As for the stones Payne mentioned, Mitchell remembered that a few had been borrowed from those gathered for the slaves' hospital to finish the billiard room, since the Company did not need them. After so long a time he could not recall the exact orders he gave for measuring them out and replacing them. Payne himself, as overseer, was probably the man employed to do it. Captain Bazett, who had more direct charge of the building, remembered receiving a written account of the number of wheelbarrow loads borrowed, which had later been replaced. The whole value could not have been more than 40s. It was hardly likely that either Bazett or Mitchell would give anyone the chance to accuse them of embezzling the Company's property over so trivial a matter.

Mitchell had now dealt with the whole of the accusation. He added only that it seemed somewhat unjust for the author of so bold and scandalous a paper to escape as lightly as he had, with mere dismissal from the service. He had been told that Payne had boasted among his friends of the insult he meant to offer Mitchell. Dismissal was probably what Payne wanted, since his circumstances were desperate and his reputation on the island entirely lost. Mitchell said this not for his own sake but for the sake of example. He thought it most dangerous that the characters of gentlemen in the service could be attacked and slandered without punishment by men of openly disgraceful and low character, such as the present accuser. He asked the Governor and Council to bear witness to the truth of this in the most

Interpretations

Mitchell turned the armourer's evidence to his own advantage. The man who had made the window bars was the same armourer the Council had dismissed at Mitchell's request. He was the witness least likely to protect Mitchell. Yet under oath he had denied receiving any order from him. Mitchell presented that as the strongest proof of his innocence. Testimony from a hostile witness carried more weight with readers in London than any favourable account from a friend.

Mitchell judged the Council's sentence too lenient, even though it had just dismissed and banished his accuser. He argued that Payne, with his debts and his reputation ruined, may have wanted to leave the island all along. Being sent home at the Company's expense would then be a release rather than a punishment. Mitchell wanted a sentence severe enough to deter any future attack on officers. His appeal for "example" echoed the Council's own language on 12 December 1768 and pressed it further.

The whole quarrel, Mitchell insisted, concerned stones worth no more than 40s, borrowed and repaid. By stating so small a figure he made the charge of embezzlement look absurd. He also suggested that no officer of standing would risk his reputation for so trivial a sum.

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1768

most publick Manner

I have the Honor to be

Gentlemen

Your most Obedt. and most humble Servant

(signed)

Ar. Mitchell

Island St. Helena

19 December 1768

Mr. Willm. Beale this day presented the following Petition

viz.

To the Worshipful John Skottowe Esq. Governor &ca.

Council of St. Helena

The humble Petition of Willm. Beale

Sheweth

That there is a piece of the Honble. Company's Waste Land

situate in the East Division of this Island adjoining to the Land of Samuel

Sharpe's Orphans, which piece of Land would be very convenient to the said

Orphans with regard to shortening their Fence; Your Petitioner therefore

requests your Worship & Council will be pleased to grant them a Lease for

the same

And your Petitioner will ever pray

(signed)

Willm. Beale

19th Decr. 1768

Ordered the said Land to be Viewed

Mitchell asked the Governor and Council to give that testimony in the most public way. He signed the letter at St Helena on 19 December 1768.

William Beale presented a petition to Governor John Skottowe and the Council. A piece of the Company's waste land lay in the East Division next to the land of the orphans of Samuel Thorpe. It would suit the orphans well, since it would shorten their fences. Beale therefore asked the Governor and Council to grant them a lease of it. He signed the petition on 19 December 1768. The Council ordered the land to be inspected.

Interpretations

Mitchell asked for a public testimony, not merely an entry in the minutes. A declaration made openly by the Governor and Council would restore his standing on the island, where Payne's charge had evidently been talked about. It would also give him a document he could send to the Court of Directors to answer both Payne and the earlier accusation by Bland. An officer's reputation was his main asset in the Company's service. Mitchell meant to have his clearing made as conspicuous as the charge had been.

Beale's petition was made on behalf of orphans, as Desfountain's had been for the Gurling children. Beale was probably acting as their guardian or executor, though the record did not say so. His request to shorten the orphans' fences repeated the argument other planters had used that autumn. Adding a strip of waste land could straighten an awkward boundary and save the cost of a longer fence. The Council again ordered an inspection before deciding, as it had with every new claim on waste land since 17 October 1768.

363

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The 19 December

The Governor and Mr. Purling having viewed the Land Petitioned

for by Messrs. Matthew Bazett and John Desfountain in September last finds

that letting the same will be of no inconveniency either to the Honble. Company

or Neighbourhood and by dividing the said Land both their conveniency's may

be answered Mr. Bazett for fencing and Mr. Desfountain for Water, & as

the said Land is barren and very indifferent we think it not worth above

1/6 p Acre

We this day Executed a Lease to Lieut. Sol. St. Maurice

for a piece of Ground in James's Valley containing 60 feet in Width and 16

feet in Depth at 5/ p Ann.

And likewise renewed a Lease to Lieut. Saml. Desfountain

for a piece of Ground in James's Valley containing in depth on the South 40

feet and on the North 38 feet & in breadth on the East 9 feet & on the

West 11 feet at 5/ p Ann.

Counted and examined the Honble. Company's Cash for

the Month of November last, which is as follows viz.

The Governor and Purling had inspected the land that Matthew Bazett and John Desfountain had asked for in September. They found that letting it would cause no inconvenience to the Company or the neighbours. By dividing the land, both men's needs could be met: Bazett's for fencing and Desfountain's for water. Because the ground was barren and very poor, they judged it worth no more than 1s 6d an acre.

The Council that day completed a lease to Lieutenant Solomon St Maurice for a piece of ground in James's Valley, 60 feet wide and 16 feet deep, at a rent of 5s a year. It also renewed a lease to Lieutenant Samuel Desfountain for a piece of ground in James's Valley. The plot measured 40 feet deep on the south side and 8 feet on the north, and 9 feet wide on the east and 11 feet on the west. The rent was 3s a year.

The Council then counted and examined the Company's cash for the month of November.

Interpretations

The Governor and Purling resolved the two claims by dividing the land according to what each man needed from it. Bazett wanted part of it to complete his fencing. Desfountain wanted access to water. On St Helena, where streams ran in deep guts and many farms lacked a reliable supply, a share of ground reaching a spring or watercourse could matter more than its acreage. Splitting the plot gave each claimant the part that served his purpose, rather than granting the whole to one and leaving the other without.

The rent of 1s 6d an acre was the lowest the Council had set that autumn, below the 2s charged for the barren slopes granted in November. The scale now ran from 5s for good grassland down to 1s 6d for the poorest ground. The Governor took part in this inspection himself, alongside Purling. That reflected the standing of the two petitioners, the secretary and an executor of an established family.

Desfountain's renewed plot, with its four uneven sides, showed how irregular town ground in James's Valley had become. Plots were fitted between earlier holdings, the street and the valley walls, and each boundary was recorded separately in the lease.

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357

Cash Dr.

1768 Novem. 1st To Balance remaining£ 10353 12 2½

£ 10353 12 2½

Per Contra Cr.

1768 Novr. 30th By Balance remaining viz.

In Specie£ 9813 17 2½

In Cash Notes

539 15 -

10353 12 2½

£ 10353 12 2½

John Skottowe

Purling

Thos. Kirkpatrick

The Company's cash account for November 1768 again showed no money received or paid during the month.

Received

1 November 1768, balance remaining, £10,353 12s 2½d

Total, £10,353 12s 2½d

Paid

30 November 1768, balance remaining in coin, £9,813 17s 2½d

30 November 1768, balance remaining in cash notes, £539 15s 0d

Total, £10,353 12s 2½d

Governor John Skottowe, Purling and Kirkpatrick signed the minutes.

Interpretations

For a second month running the treasury stood exactly as it had at the close of September. On 21 November 1768 the Council had ordered the damaged stores to be sold at public auction for ready money the following Monday. No proceeds appeared in November's cash. The money from that sale, like the warehouse's ordinary takings, was evidently held by the storekeeper and paid into the treasury only when his quarterly account was closed. The treasury's monthly count showed only the large movements: the paymaster's quarterly advance, rents, bills of exchange and payments from ships. Small daily receipts passed through the hands of the officers who collected them.

365

358

The 2 January

At a Consultation held on Monday the 2d day of January 1769 at the Castle

Present John Skottowe Esq. Govern.

Mr. Matthew Purling of Council

Capt. Thos. Kirkpatrick Absent being Sick

The last Consultation was read, approved, and signed dated the 19 Decemr.

1768

Wednesday the 21st Decemr. Died Danl. Fenn Matross

Wednesday the 28 Do. Do. James Harris Centinel

Friday the 30 Do. Do. Isaac Burden Do.

Saturday the 31st Do. Do. Charles Montague Do.

We this day received the following Letter from the Engineer

viz.

To the Worshipfull the Governor &ca. and Council

of the Island St. Helena

Gentlemen

In the Letter I had last the Honour of writing into the

Board, relative to the Progress then made in the Fortifications, and the

future employment of the Honble. Companys Workmen, of Date the 4 of

October last, I acquainted you, that, having compleated the new Battery at

Banks's, having also wrought up all the Materials that had been collected

towards the Construction of the very important Work at Mundens Point, and

Preparations being likewise made for carrying into Execution the Defences of

Lemon Valley, agreable to the Plan which had before been shewn, and

approved of by You, I was then about to commence the Construction of the

last-mentioned Work, in carrying on which, and in amassing a second

Collection of Materials, towards the farther Progress of Mundens Point Battery,

The Council met at the Castle on Monday 2 January 1769. Governor John Skottowe presided, with Matthew Purling present. Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick was absent through illness. The minutes of the meeting of 19 December 1768 were read, approved and signed.

Four deaths were recorded. Daniel Finn, a matross, died on Wednesday 21 December 1768. James Harris, a private, died on Wednesday 28 December. Isaac Burden, a private, died on Friday 30 December, and Charles Montague, a private, on Saturday 31 December.

The Council received a letter from the engineer, addressed to the Governor and Council. Mitchell recalled his earlier letter of 4 October 1768 about the progress of the fortifications and the future employment of the Company's workmen. In it he had reported that the new battery at Banks's was complete. All the materials gathered for the very important work at Munden's Point had been used up. Preparations had also been made to build the defences of Lemon Valley, following the plan already shown to the Council and approved. He had then been about to begin work at Lemon Valley, while also gathering a second stock of materials to carry the battery at Munden's Point further forward.

Interpretations

Four soldiers died within eleven days at the turn of the year. Daniel Finn appeared on the September roll among the Artillery Company's matrosses. James Harris and Charles Montague were privates in the Second and Third Companies. Combined with Kirkpatrick's renewed absence through illness, the cluster of deaths suggests sickness was spreading through the garrison. The record did not name a cause. The Council noted the deaths in order without comment, as it did every month.

Mitchell opened his letter by restating his October report before turning to fresh business. Setting out what had already been finished and approved established the starting point for whatever he now wished to propose. It also reminded the Council, a fortnight after Payne's charges, that the engineer's works were proceeding to an agreed plan.

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1769

the Employment of the Workmen, at the Fortifications, would principally

consist, during the three Months then ensuing, which are now expired.

I have now Gentlemen, to inform You, that in Conformity with the above

Disposition of the Workmen, the greatest part of them have been employed, during

the last three Months, in carrying on the Defences of Lemon Valley, which are

now so far advanced, as to give me a prospect of compleating the whole of that Line,

with its Ditch and Glacis, during the Course of the present Month, with Exception

to the Platforms for the Guns, the laying of which it is necessary to defer for some

time, in order to give the new formed Rampart of that Work time to settle.

Besides this, great Labour has been bestowed, during the whole of last

Quarter, in blowing away, and reducing to a Level, an immense Quantity of

Rock, in order to form the Platform of the Battery at Munden's Point, which

likewise answered the purpose of procuring Stones for its Construction; of which, as

well as of all the other Materials for building, so large a Quantity has been

collected, as will enable me to compleat the whole of this principal Work, without

Interruption, as soon as Lemon Valley shall be finally accomplished.

As the Completion of Munden's Point Battery, is the Period fixed

for my Departure from this Settlement, being the only Work of Consequence

remaining to compleat the Defences of this Island, I shall therefore lose no

time in forwarding this principal Work; and hope to have a very considerable

Progress made in its Construction, against the Expiration of the present

Quarter.

The confined Situation not permitting the whole Number of Workmen at

present employed on the Fortifications, to be employed in this Work solely, it rests

therefore with this Board to determine, as soon as Lemon Valley Defences shall

be compleated, whether it will be most eligible, and most for the Interest of our

Honble. Masters, to dismiss part of the Military now employed on the

Fortifications, & employ the remaining Part solely at Munden's Point, which

will be attended by an immediate Diminution of Expence. Or to continue

the whole Number now employed, by carrying on the other Work

remaining, namely the rebuilding the two Demi-Bastions in James's

Valley, in Conjunction with that of Munden's Point, whereby the

Completion of what remains to be done to the Defences of the Island,

Mitchell had explained in October that, during the following three months, the workmen would mainly be employed on those tasks. That period had now ended.

He reported that, as planned, most of the workmen had spent the last three months on the defences of Lemon Valley. The work was now so far advanced that he expected to finish the whole line, with its ditch and glacis, during the present month. The only exception was the platforms for the guns. These would have to wait for some time, so that the newly built rampart could settle.

Besides this, a great deal of labour had gone into blasting away and levelling a huge mass of rock throughout the last quarter, to form the platform of the battery at Munden's Point. The work had also supplied stone for building the battery. A large stock of that stone, and of all the other building materials, had been gathered. It would allow him to complete the whole of this main work without a break as soon as Lemon Valley was finished.

The completion of the battery at Munden's Point had been fixed as the time of Mitchell's departure from the island. It was the only work of importance still needed to complete the island's defences. He would therefore lose no time in pressing it forward and hoped to make very considerable progress by the end of the present quarter.

The site at Munden's Point was too cramped for all the workmen now on the fortifications to work there at once. Once the Lemon Valley defences were finished, it would be for the Council to choose between two courses. It could discharge part of the soldiers now employed on the fortifications and keep the rest working only at Munden's Point, which would bring an immediate saving. Or it could keep the whole number employed by going on with the other work still to be done, the rebuilding of the two demi-bastions in James's Valley, alongside Munden's Point. That way the remaining work on the island's defences would

Interpretations

Mitchell laid a clear choice before the Council instead of deciding it himself. Discharging part of the soldiers from the works would cut costs at once, since every man on the fortifications drew extra daily pay on top of his military wage. Keeping them all at work on the demi-bastions in James's Valley as well as Munden's Point would cost more each quarter but finish the island's defences sooner. The engineer's role was to set out the options and their consequences. Weighing economy against speed was a matter of policy for the Council and, through it, for the Court of Directors.

The letter showed the order in which the works were being carried through. A newly built rampart of earth and rubble had to settle before heavy guns could be mounted on it, or the platforms would crack and tilt under the weight and recoil. The glacis was the gentle slope of earth outside the ditch, cleared so that attackers approaching the line would be exposed to fire. At Munden's Point the blasting served two purposes. It levelled the cliff-top for the gun platform and quarried the stone to build it.

Mitchell's departure had been tied to the completion of Munden's Point, which he expected around the middle of 1769. With the engineer's stay limited, the Council had reason to finish as much of the defences as possible before he left. That argued for keeping the full workforce, whatever the extra cost.

367

360

The 2 January

will be the sooner accomplished

I have the Honour to be

Gentlemen

Your most Obedient & most humble Servant

(signed)

Ar. Mitchell

Island St. Helena

2 January 1769

We are well convinced that the Works the last Quarter have

been prosecuted with all the diligence and application possible & likewise

are of opinion that as soon as Lemon Valley is Compleated it will be most

conducive to the Honorable Company's Interest to set about the two Demi

Bastions in James's Valley and to employ such Men thereon as the Engineer

thinks that he has no occasion for at Mundens Point, and gave him

directions to prosecute those two Works together accordingly

We this day appointed Mr. George Bazett Writer Clerk of

the Works at 1/6 p day the allowance Thomas Payne late Clerk had for

that employment

Whereas some of the Inhabitants have had a Claim on

the Honble. Company a long time past for Lime on Account of Labour

sent to burn Lime for which they were to have according to Agreement

one Bushel of Lime for each Days Labour, and the Engineer informing

Us that there is a sufficient quantity now burnt over and above what will be

The work, Mitchell concluded, would be finished all the sooner. He signed the letter at St Helena on 2 January 1769.

The Council was fully satisfied that the works had been carried on during the last quarter with every possible diligence and effort. It judged that, once Lemon Valley was finished, the Company's interests would be best served by starting on the two demi-bastions in James's Valley. Any men the engineer did not need at Munden's Point would be put to work on them. The Council instructed Mitchell to carry on the two works together.

The Council appointed George Bazett, a writer, as clerk of the works at 1s 6d a day. This was the same allowance Thomas Payne had received in that post.

Some of the inhabitants had long held a claim on the Company for lime, owed for labour they had sent to burn it. Under the agreement, they were to receive one bushel of lime for each day's labour. The engineer reported that enough lime had been burned beyond what would be needed at once

Interpretations

The Council chose the faster and costlier of the two courses Mitchell had offered. It kept the whole workforce employed by starting the demi-bastions in James's Valley alongside Munden's Point, rather than discharging part of the soldiers to save money. Its stated reason was the Company's interest. With Mitchell's departure fixed for the completion of Munden's Point, finishing both works while the engineer remained made sense. The Council's warm opening praise of his diligence, less than a month after Payne's accusations, also served as a public mark of its confidence in him.

The clerkship Payne had lost went at once to George Bazett, at the same rate of pay. George Bazett had been made a writer on 25 July 1768 and belonged to the same family as Matthew Bazett, the secretary, and Captain Henry Bazett, who had built the billiard house with Mitchell. The post that had given Payne his view of the works' materials and accounts thus passed to a member of the family whose captain had been named in the case. The Council saw nothing improper in the appointment.

The inhabitants' claim for lime showed the Company paying for labour in kind. Planters had sent men, probably their slaves, to burn lime at the Company's kilns, and were owed a bushel of lime for each day's work rather than wages. Payment in lime suited both sides. The Company saved coin, and the planters received a building material they could not easily make for themselves.

368

361

1769

immediately required for the Fortifications, We Ordered the following Advertizement to be

published viz.

Island St. Helena 2d January 1769

This is to give Notice to all the Inhabitants of the said Island

that have any Claims on the Honble. Company for Lime, that they are hereby

required to send an Authentick Account of the same on or before Monday next

to the Secretary's Office

Per Order of Council

(signed)

Matthew Bazett Secy.

John Skottowe

Purling

At a Consultation held on Monday the 9th day of January 1769 at the Castle

Present John Skottowe Esq. Governor

Mr. Matthew Purling

Capt. Thomas Kirkpatrick of Council

The last Consultation was read, approved, and signed dated the 2 Jany. 1769

The Plantation Account for the Quarter and the Gunners

and Stewards Accounts for the Month of December last, were this day brought

in which were examined and approved and are as follow viz.

The engineer reported that more lime had been burned than the fortifications needed at once. The Council therefore ordered a notice to be published, dated at St Helena on 2 January 1769. It required every inhabitant with a claim on the Company for lime to send an authenticated account of it to the Secretary's Office by the following Monday. Matthew Bazett, the secretary, signed the notice by order of the Council. Governor John Skottowe and Purling signed the minutes.

The Council met at the Castle on Monday 9 January 1769. Governor Skottowe presided, with Matthew Purling and Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick present. The minutes of the meeting of 2 January 1769 were read, approved and signed.

The plantation account for the quarter, together with the gunner's and steward's accounts for December, was presented. The Council examined and approved them, and they were entered as follows.

Interpretations

The Council paid off the lime debt only once the engineer confirmed a surplus beyond the needs of the fortifications. Settling the inhabitants' claims earlier would have drawn on lime the works still required. Waiting until the kilns had produced more than the batteries could use let the Company meet its obligation without slowing the building. The short deadline of one week and the demand for authenticated accounts would then fix the total owed. Only claims properly supported could be paid from the surplus.

Kirkpatrick had returned to the Board after his absence through illness on 2 January 1769. The Council was back at its full strength of three. It needed all three members to approve the quarter's accounts and carry on business with authority.

369

362

The 9 January

Account of the Honorable Company's Stock of Neat Cattle &ca. from the 1st of October to the 31st December 1768

Neat Cattle Bulls, Neat Cattle Cows, Neat Cattle Calves, Neat Cattle Yearlings, Neat Cattle Heifers, Neat Cattle Steers, Neat Cattle Oxen, Neat Cattle Total, Sheep Ewes, Sheep Weathers, Sheep Lambs, Sheep Rams, Sheep Total, Goats Ewes, Goats Weathers, Goats Kids, Goats Rams, Goats Total, Hogs Sows, Hogs Shoats, Hogs Pigs, Hogs Boars, Hogs Total, Horses Horses, Horses Mares, Horses Total, Asses Asses, Asses Total, Poultry Fowls, Poultry Ducks, Poultry Turkeys, Poultry Geese

Remg. 1st Octr.: Neat Cattle Bulls 6, Neat Cattle Cows 120, Neat Cattle Calves 92, Neat Cattle Yearlings 42, Neat Cattle Heifers 26, Neat Cattle Steers 71, Neat Cattle Oxen 18, Neat Cattle Total 375, Sheep Ewes 368, Sheep Weathers 167, Sheep Lambs 87, Sheep Rams 12, Sheep Total 634, Goats Ewes 164, Goats Weathers 67, Goats Kids 41, Goats Rams 10, Goats Total 282, Hogs Sows 2, Hogs Shoats 7, Hogs Pigs 6, Hogs Boars 1, Hogs Total 16, Horses Horses 4, Horses Mares 6, Horses Total 10, Asses Asses 1, Asses Total 1, Poultry Fowls 135, Poultry Ducks 24, Poultry Turkeys 38, Poultry Geese 7

Encreas.: Neat Cattle Bulls 0, Neat Cattle Cows 0, Neat Cattle Calves 19, Neat Cattle Yearlings 0, Neat Cattle Heifers 0, Neat Cattle Steers 0, Neat Cattle Oxen 0, Neat Cattle Total 19, Sheep Ewes 0, Sheep Weathers 0, Sheep Lambs 58, Sheep Rams 0, Sheep Total 58, Goats Ewes 0, Goats Weathers 0, Goats Kids 54, Goats Rams 0, Goats Total 54, Hogs Sows 0, Hogs Shoats 0, Hogs Pigs 0, Hogs Boars 0, Hogs Total 0, Horses Horses 1, Horses Mares 0, Horses Total 1, Asses Asses 0, Asses Total 0, Poultry Fowls 62, Poultry Ducks 20, Poultry Turkeys 35, Poultry Geese 0

Total: Neat Cattle Bulls 6, Neat Cattle Cows 120, Neat Cattle Calves 111, Neat Cattle Yearlings 42, Neat Cattle Heifers 26, Neat Cattle Steers 71, Neat Cattle Oxen 18, Neat Cattle Total 394, Sheep Ewes 368, Sheep Weathers 167, Sheep Lambs 145, Sheep Rams 12, Sheep Total 692, Goats Ewes 164, Goats Weathers 67, Goats Kids 95, Goats Rams 10, Goats Total 336, Hogs Sows 2, Hogs Shoats 7, Hogs Pigs 6, Hogs Boars 1, Hogs Total 16, Horses Horses 5, Horses Mares 6, Horses Total 11, Asses Asses 1, Asses Total 1, Poultry Fowls 197, Poultry Ducks 44, Poultry Turkeys 73, Poultry Geese 7

Kil. for the Table: Neat Cattle Bulls 0, Neat Cattle Cows 0, Neat Cattle Calves 1, Neat Cattle Yearlings 0, Neat Cattle Heifers 0, Neat Cattle Steers 0, Neat Cattle Oxen 0, Neat Cattle Total 1, Sheep Ewes 2, Sheep Weathers 31, Sheep Lambs 14, Sheep Rams 0, Sheep Total 47, Goats Ewes 0, Goats Weathers 0, Goats Kids 6, Goats Rams 0, Goats Total 6, Hogs Sows 0, Hogs Shoats 0, Hogs Pigs 0, Hogs Boars 0, Hogs Total 0, Horses Horses 0, Horses Mares 0, Horses Total 0, Asses Asses 0, Asses Total 0, Poultry Fowls 72, Poultry Ducks 0, Poultry Turkeys 14, Poultry Geese 0

Kil. for the Markt. & Table: Neat Cattle Bulls 0, Neat Cattle Cows 0, Neat Cattle Calves 0, Neat Cattle Yearlings 0, Neat Cattle Heifers 2, Neat Cattle Steers 0, Neat Cattle Oxen 0, Neat Cattle Total 2, Sheep Ewes 0, Sheep Weathers 0, Sheep Lambs 0, Sheep Rams 0, Sheep Total 0, Goats Ewes 0, Goats Weathers 0, Goats Kids 0, Goats Rams 0, Goats Total 0, Hogs Sows 0, Hogs Shoats 0, Hogs Pigs 0, Hogs Boars 0, Hogs Total 0, Horses Horses 0, Horses Mares 0, Horses Total 0, Asses Asses 0, Asses Total 0, Poultry Fowls 0, Poultry Ducks 0, Poultry Turkeys 0, Poultry Geese 0

Kill. for the Markt. & Hospital: Neat Cattle Bulls 0, Neat Cattle Cows 0, Neat Cattle Calves 0, Neat Cattle Yearlings 0, Neat Cattle Heifers 0, Neat Cattle Steers 0, Neat Cattle Oxen 0, Neat Cattle Total 0, Sheep Ewes 28, Sheep Weathers 0, Sheep Lambs 0, Sheep Rams 0, Sheep Total 28, Goats Ewes 2, Goats Weathers 4, Goats Kids 0, Goats Rams 0, Goats Total 6, Hogs Sows 0, Hogs Shoats 0, Hogs Pigs 0, Hogs Boars 0, Hogs Total 0, Horses Horses 0, Horses Mares 0, Horses Total 0, Asses Asses 0, Asses Total 0, Poultry Fowls 0, Poultry Ducks 0, Poultry Turkeys 0, Poultry Geese 0

Do. for the Slaves: Neat Cattle Bulls 0, Neat Cattle Cows 1, Neat Cattle Calves 0, Neat Cattle Yearlings 0, Neat Cattle Heifers 0, Neat Cattle Steers 0, Neat Cattle Oxen 1, Neat Cattle Total 2, Sheep Ewes 0, Sheep Weathers 0, Sheep Lambs 0, Sheep Rams 0, Sheep Total 0, Goats Ewes 2, Goats Weathers 13, Goats Kids 0, Goats Rams 0, Goats Total 15, Hogs Sows 0, Hogs Shoats 0, Hogs Pigs 0, Hogs Boars 0, Hogs Total 0, Horses Horses 0, Horses Mares 0, Horses Total 0, Asses Asses 0, Asses Total 0, Poultry Fowls 0, Poultry Ducks 0, Poultry Turkeys 0, Poultry Geese 0

Goats Shot: Neat Cattle Bulls 0, Neat Cattle Cows 0, Neat Cattle Calves 0, Neat Cattle Yearlings 0, Neat Cattle Heifers 0, Neat Cattle Steers 0, Neat Cattle Oxen 0, Neat Cattle Total 0, Sheep Ewes 0, Sheep Weathers 0, Sheep Lambs 0, Sheep Rams 0, Sheep Total 0, Goats Ewes 5, Goats Weathers 0, Goats Kids 1, Goats Rams 0, Goats Total 6, Hogs Sows 0, Hogs Shoats 0, Hogs Pigs 0, Hogs Boars 0, Hogs Total 0, Horses Horses 0, Horses Mares 0, Horses Total 0, Asses Asses 0, Asses Total 0, Poultry Fowls 0, Poultry Ducks 0, Poultry Turkeys 0, Poultry Geese 0

Dead: Neat Cattle Bulls 0, Neat Cattle Cows 1, Neat Cattle Calves 1, Neat Cattle Yearlings 3, Neat Cattle Heifers 0, Neat Cattle Steers 1, Neat Cattle Oxen 0, Neat Cattle Total 6, Sheep Ewes 4, Sheep Weathers 2, Sheep Lambs 0, Sheep Rams 0, Sheep Total 6, Goats Ewes 3, Goats Weathers 0, Goats Kids 4, Goats Rams 0, Goats Total 7, Hogs Sows 0, Hogs Shoats 4, Hogs Pigs 3, Hogs Boars 0, Hogs Total 7, Horses Horses 0, Horses Mares 0, Horses Total 0, Asses Asses 0, Asses Total 0, Poultry Fowls 13, Poultry Ducks 7, Poultry Turkeys 9, Poultry Geese 0

Remg. 31 Decr.: Neat Cattle Bulls 6, Neat Cattle Cows 118, Neat Cattle Calves 109, Neat Cattle Yearlings 39, Neat Cattle Heifers 24, Neat Cattle Steers 70, Neat Cattle Oxen 17, Neat Cattle Total 383, Sheep Ewes 334, Sheep Weathers 134, Sheep Lambs 131, Sheep Rams 12, Sheep Total 611, Goats Ewes 152, Goats Weathers 50, Goats Kids 84, Goats Rams 10, Goats Total 296, Hogs Sows 2, Hogs Shoats 3, Hogs Pigs 3, Hogs Boars 1, Hogs Total 9, Horses Horses 5, Horses Mares 6, Horses Total 11, Asses Asses 1, Asses Total 1, Poultry Fowls 112, Poultry Ducks 37, Poultry Turkeys 50, Poultry Geese 7

Slaves Born 1 Boy named Pepper

Yams exp. for the Slaves

43.305

Bad Do. Do. for the Stock

5.100

48.405

(signed)

Jno. Worrall Overseer

Account of the Company's stock of cattle and other animals from 1 October to 31 December 1768

Remaining on 1 October 1768

Cattle: 6 bulls, 120 cows, 92 calves, 42 yearlings, 26 heifers, 71 steers, 18 oxen, total 375

Sheep: 368 ewes, 167 wethers, 87 lambs, 12 rams, total 634

Goats: 164 nannies, 67 wethers, 41 kids, 10 billies, total 282

Pigs: 2 sows, 7 shoats, 6 piglets, 1 boar, total 16

Horses: 4 horses, 6 mares, total 10

Asses: 1 jack, total 1

Poultry: 135 fowls, 24 ducks, 38 turkeys, 7 geese

Increase during the quarter

Cattle: 19 calves, total 19

Sheep: 58 lambs, total 58

Goats: 54 kids, total 54

Horses: 1 horse, total 1

Poultry: 62 fowls, 20 ducks, 35 turkeys, 0 geese

Total

Cattle: 6 bulls, 120 cows, 111 calves, 42 yearlings, 26 heifers, 71 steers, 18 oxen, total 394

Sheep: 368 ewes, 167 wethers, 145 lambs, 12 rams, total 692

Goats: 164 nannies, 67 wethers, 95 kids, 10 billies, total 336

Pigs: 2 sows, 7 shoats, 6 piglets, 1 boar, total 16

Horses: 5 horses, 6 mares, total 11

Asses: 1 jack, total 1

Poultry: 197 fowls, 44 ducks, 73 turkeys, 7 geese

Killed for the Company's table

Cattle: 1 calf, total 1

Sheep: 2 ewes, 31 wethers, 14 lambs, total 47

Goats: 6 kids, total 6

Poultry: 72 fowls, 14 turkeys

Killed for the market and the table

Cattle: 2 heifers, total 2

Killed for the market and the hospital

Sheep: 28 ewes, total 28

Goats: 2 nannies, 4 wethers, total 6

Killed for the slaves

Cattle: 1 cow, 1 ox, total 2

Goats: 2 nannies, 13 wethers, total 15

Goats shot

Goats: 5 nannies, 1 kid, total 6

Died

Cattle: 1 cow, 1 calf, 3 yearlings, 1 steer, total 6

Sheep: 4 ewes, 2 wethers, total 6

Goats: 3 nannies, 4 kids, total 7

Pigs: 4 shoats, 3 piglets, total 7

Poultry: 13 fowls, 7 ducks, 9 turkeys

Remaining on 31 December 1768

Cattle: 6 bulls, 118 cows, 109 calves, 39 yearlings, 24 heifers, 70 steers, 17 oxen, total 383

Sheep: 334 ewes, 134 wethers, 131 lambs, 12 rams, total 611

Goats: 152 nannies, 50 wethers, 84 kids, 10 billies, total 296

Pigs: 2 sows, 3 shoats, 3 piglets, 1 boar, total 9

Horses: 5 horses, 6 mares, total 11

Asses: 1 jack, total 1

Poultry: 112 fowls, 37 ducks, 50 turkeys, 7 geese

Slaves born: 1 boy, named Jupiter

Yams used for the slaves, 43,305 [...]

Yams used for the stock, 5,100 [...]

Total yams used, 48,405 [...]

John Worrall, the overseer, signed the account.

Interpretations

The birth of a slave child was entered at the foot of the livestock account, beneath the cattle, sheep and poultry. The Company treated its slaves as property to be counted alongside its herds. A child born to one of its slave women was recorded as an increase of stock, in the same ledger and by the same overseer who counted the calves and lambs.

The account showed how unequally the Company's meat was shared out. In the quarter, 47 sheep, 6 kids, 72 fowls and 14 turkeys were killed for the Castle table. Only two cattle and 15 goats were killed for the slaves. The slaves' staple was yams, more than 43,000 units of which were issued in three months, with salt Bengal meat from the stores. Fresh mutton and poultry went almost entirely to the officials' table, the market and the hospital.

The flocks and herds were large for so small an island, with nearly 400 cattle, over 600 sheep and almost 300 goats. Losses from death were modest, but the overall numbers of sheep and goats fell during the quarter because slaughter outpaced the lambing and kidding. The goats shot were wild animals running loose on the Company's land. Their number was recorded separately from those deliberately killed for food.

370

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1769

Artillery Stores expended in December 1768

Powder expended in Sundry Services

231 lb. 3 oz.

Tallow for the Long Boats

11 lb.

Do. for the Castle

6 lb.

Do. for the Stores at Mundens Point

3 lb.

Do. for Gun Carriages at the Main Fort

8 lb.

Bulls & Barrels for Mitchel's Line

3 lb.

Linstocks without Cocks

3

Lead Ball to shoot Goats

2 lb. 2 oz.

Handspikes for the Fortification at Lemon Valley

4

Do. expended in the Line

2

Sconces Do. Do.

1

Copper Cloads for Gun Carriages

36

Cartridge Paper for the Rocks

22 Qrs.

Guns expended from the Curtaine 2 lbs.

16

Carriages for Do.

16

Bolts for Do.

16

Levers for Do.

32

(signed)

Ar. Mitchell

Sundry's Expended at the Honble. Compys. Table in December 1768

2 Bottles Port Wine

" 3 -

12 Do. Lisbon

" [...]

6 Do. Mountain

" 9 -

12 Do. Beer

" 2 6

24 Gall. Arr.

6 " -

148 lb. Beef

3 1 8

208 Mutton

4 6 8

3 Lambs

1 10 -

3 Turkeys

" 15 -

Carrd. Over£ 17 5 10

Artillery stores used in December 1768

Powder used in various services, 231 pounds 2 ounces

Tallow for the longboats, 11 pounds

Tallow for the carts, 6 pounds

Tallow for the sheers at Munden's Point, 3 pounds

Tallow for the gun carriages at the [...] work, 8 pounds

[...] at Mitchell's Line, 5 pounds

Linstocks without cocks, 3

Lead ball for shooting goats, 2 pounds 2 ounces

Handspikes for the fortification at Lemon Valley, 4

Handspikes used on the Line, 2

Sponges used on the Line, 1

Copper cleats for gun carriages, 36

Cartridge paper for the [...], 22 quires

Guns [...] from the curtain, 2 [...], 16

Carriages for the same guns, 16

Bolts for the same guns, 16

Levers for the same guns, 32

Archibald Mitchell signed the account.

Sundries used at the Company's table in December 1768

2 bottles of port wine, £0 3s 0d

12 bottles of Lisbon wine, £0 18s 0d

6 bottles of Mountain wine, £0 9s 0d

12 bottles of beer, £0 2s 6d

24 gallons of [...], £6 0s 0d

148 pounds of beef, £3 1s 8d

208 pounds of mutton, £4 6s 8d

3 lambs, £1 10s 0d

3 turkeys, £0 15s 0d

Carried forward, £17 5s 10d

Interpretations

The 16 guns taken from the curtain, together with 16 carriages, 16 sets of bolts and 32 levers, marked a major shift of artillery during December. The curtain was the straight stretch of wall between two bastions. The Council had agreed on 2 January 1769 to rebuild the two demi-bastions in James's Valley. Moving the guns off that line was the first step, clearing the wall for rebuilding and allowing the pieces to be remounted elsewhere. Each gun needed its own carriage, its bolts and a pair of levers to work it into position.

A linstock was a forked staff holding a lighted slow match, used to fire a cannon from a safe distance. Those listed "without cocks" lacked the clamp that held the match in place. The tallow issued for the sheers at Munden's Point greased the hoisting gear used to raise stone and guns on the cliff there. The copper cleats were fittings on the gun carriages to which the tackle was made fast. Copper did not rust in the salt air.

The mutton for the Company's table in December, 208 pounds, matched the sheep recorded as killed for the table in the plantation account for the quarter. Most of the Castle's fresh meat came from the Company's own flocks and herds.

371

364

The 9 January

Brought Over£ 17 5 10

12 Fowls

" 18 -

31 lb. Butter

1 11 -

100 Candy

2 1 8

300 Flour

2 16 3

£ 24 12 11

Mr. Purling Reports that he has viewed the two pieces

of Land Petitioned for by John Robinson and William Beale, and

thinks that letting the said Land will not be prejudicial either to the

Honble. Company or the Neighbourhood, That as both the said parcels

of Land are not only very Steep, but in part Rocky and barren; He

is of opinion that a Rent of One Shilling and Sixpence p Acre adequate

to the Value thereof

That there is a small Slip of Land containing about

half an Acre part of the Land petitioned for by William Beale adjoining

to the Land of Mr. John Desfountain, who upon my viewing the above

Land requested I would represent to the Governor and Council that it would

be very convenient to him, if they would be pleased to allow him to take in the

said small piece of Land merely for the Advantage of Fencing, on which

Account Mr. Purling thinks Mr. Desfountain has a better plea thereto

than the Petitioner William Beale

Jany. the 9th 1769

Upon which we Agreed to let the said Lands at 1/6 p

Acre, & likewise to grant Mr. John Desfountain a Lease for the small

Slip of Land Mr. Purling mentions upon the same terms

Mr. James Whaley this day presented the following

Petition viz.

The account of sundries used at the Company's table in December continued from a running total of £17 5s 10d.

Brought forward, £17 5s 10d

12 fowls, £0 18s 0d

31 pounds of butter, £1 11s 0d

100 pounds of sugar candy, £2 1s 8d

300 pounds of flour, £2 16s 3d

Total, £24 12s 11d

Purling reported that he had inspected the two pieces of land John Robinson and William Beale had asked for. Letting them would harm neither the Company nor the neighbours. Both plots were very steep, and parts of them were rocky and barren, so he judged a rent of 1s 6d an acre to be a fair value.

A small strip of about half an acre, part of the land Beale had asked for, adjoined John Desfountain's land. While Purling was inspecting the ground, Desfountain asked him to tell the Governor and Council that the strip would be very useful to him. He wanted to take it in purely for the sake of his fencing. For that reason Purling thought Desfountain had a better claim to it than Beale. The report was dated 9 January 1769.

The Council agreed to let both pieces of land at 1s 6d an acre. It also granted John Desfountain a lease of the small strip on the same terms.

James Whaley presented a petition.

Interpretations

The Council did not simply grant Beale everything he had asked for. It took half an acre out of the land Beale had requested for the Thorpe orphans and gave it to Desfountain, who had not petitioned but had spoken to Purling on the ground. The reason was fencing, the test the Council had applied to every waste-land claim that autumn. The strip mattered more for closing Desfountain's boundary than for adding to the orphans' holding. A neighbour's informal request made during an inspection was enough to change how the land was divided, which showed how much weight the Council gave to the councillor's own view of the ground.

The rent of 1s 6d an acre matched the lowest rate the Council had set, on 19 December 1768 for the poor ground divided between Matthew Bazett and Desfountain. Steep, rocky slopes in the East Division were valued in the same way as the barren plots in the West. Purling's inspections were turning the island's waste land into a graded rent roll, with each plot priced by its quality.

372

365

1769

To the Worshipful John Skottowe Esq. Governor

and Council &ca.

The humble Petition of James Whaley

Sheweth

That your Worships Petitioner having a House and eleven

Acres of Leasehold Land of his property, and is willing to dispose of the

same unto Mr. William Hayes Senr. Innholder would be glad if your

Worship and the rest of the Gentlemen of the Council will grant him the

Liberty of disposing of the same unto the above William Hayes. And your

Petitioner as in duty bound shall ever Pray

(signed)

James Whaley

Granted

Mr. Simon Whaley this day presented the following

Petition viz.

To the Worshipful John Skottowe Esq. Governor &c.

Council of St. Helena

The humble Petition of Simon Whaley

Sheweth

That there is a piece of the Honble. Company's Waste Land

adjoining your Petitioners Land lying in the West Division of this Island,

which he is desirous of hiring humbly request that your Worship and Council

James Whaley petitioned Governor John Skottowe and the Council. He owned a house and 11 acres of leasehold land and wished to sell them to William Hayes senior, an innkeeper. He asked the Governor and Council for permission to make the sale. The Council granted it.

Simon Whaley also presented a petition to the Governor and Council. A piece of the Company's waste land lay next to his own land in the West Division of the island. He wished to take it and asked the Governor and Council to

Interpretations

Whaley could not sell his house and land without the Council's leave, even though he called them his property. The land was held on lease from the Company, and a leaseholder had no right to pass it to a buyer of his own choosing. Requiring consent let the Council approve each new tenant and keep the rent roll accurate. It could also block a sale to anyone it judged unfit to hold Company land.

The buyer, William Hayes, was one of the five men allowed to keep a punch house when the Council cut their number on 4 July 1768. An innkeeper with a licensed house in Jamestown was now buying a country holding of 11 acres. The size mattered. Under the rule of 17 October 1768, only a holder of at least ten acres could keep a horse, so the purchase gave Hayes that right as well as a farm.

373

366

The 9 January

will be pleased to grant him a Lease for the same

And your Petitioner will ever pray

(signed)

Simon Whaley

9th Jany. 1769

Ordered the said Land to be Viewed

Agreable to the Advertizement published on Monday last

the following Persons brought in their Accounts of Lime due to them from

the Honble. Company viz.

The Honble. Compy. to Elizth. Purling Dr.

Sent to the Lime Kiln in Sandy Bay

by Two in the Year 1742

60 days Labour. Work, for which she

was to have 30 Bushels of Lime

Bushels

30

Recd. at times in part

5

due

25 Bushels

Do. Eliz. Purling

The Honble. Compy. to James Greentree

To 24 Bushels of Lime in Consideration of 24 days Work of my Blacks

of which I received 6 Bushels remaining

18 Bushels

(signed)

James Greentree

The Honorable Company

To the Estate of John Bazett Decd. Dr.

To 60 days Labourers Work in the Year 1742 at the Lime Kiln

at Sandy Bay for which the Company were to give a Bushel

of Lime for each days Work

60 Bushels

Recd. to the best of my knowledge since

8 Do.

due Bushels

52

(signed)

Mattw. Bazett

Simon Whaley asked the Governor and Council to grant him a lease of the land. He signed the petition on 9 January 1769. The Council ordered the land to be inspected.

In answer to the notice published the previous Monday, the following people submitted their accounts of lime owed to them by the Company.

Owed by the Company to Elizabeth Purling

Labourers sent by her to the lime kiln at Sandy Bay in 1742, 30 days' work, for which she was to receive 30 bushels of lime

Received at various times in part payment, 5 bushels

Due, 25 bushels

The account was signed on her behalf by Purling.

Owed by the Company to James Greentree

24 bushels of lime for 24 days' work by his slaves

Received, 6 bushels

Due, 18 bushels

Greentree signed the account.

Owed by the Company to the estate of the late John Bazett

60 days of labourers' work at the lime kiln at Sandy Bay in 1742, for which the Company was to give 1 bushel of lime for each day's work, 60 bushels

Received since, as far as known, 8 bushels

Due, 52 bushels

Matthew Bazett signed the account.

Interpretations

The claims went back to 1742, more than 26 years earlier. The Company had then hired the planters' slaves and labourers to burn lime at Sandy Bay, promising a bushel of lime for each day's work. It had paid only a fraction since. The debt had passed down to widows and heirs, as with John Bazett's estate. The Council honoured it now only because Mitchell's kilns had produced a surplus beyond the needs of the fortifications. Payment in kind had let the Company put off settling for a generation, until it had lime to spare.

Two of the three claimants were close to the Council itself. Elizabeth Purling's account was signed for her by Purling. The Bazett claim was put in by Matthew Bazett, the secretary who had issued the notice. The families that ran the island's government were also among its oldest creditors. They stood first in line when the Company finally had the means to pay.

374

367

1769

The Honorable Company

To the Estate of the late Francis Wrangham Senr. Decd. Dr.

To 90 Days Work at the Lime Kiln in the Year 1742

which was to be paid in Lime at 1 Bushl. each day

90 Bushl. Lime

Errors Excepted

(signed)

p William Wrangham

Honble. Compy. to the Estate of John Desfountain Dr.

1744 To 9 Bushels Lime, besides some that Lieut. Barton took Account of

As we find the above returns do not Exceed a quantity of Lime, but what can be well spared, We agreed to pay the several

Claimants their demands

We this day Executed the Renewal of two Leases. One to Lieut.

Thomas Leech for a piece of Ground containing sixty feet in Front and & sixty

feet in Depth at 12/ p Ann.

And one to Lieut. John Shirtley for a piece of Ground

containing forty three feet in Front and sixty feet in Depth at 10/ p Ann.

both lying in James's Valley

John Skottowe

Purling

Thos. Kirkpatrick

Owed by the Company to the estate of the late Francis Wrangham senior

90 days' work at the lime kiln in 1742, to be paid in lime at 1 bushel for each day, 90 bushels

William Wrangham signed the account, reserving the right to correct any errors.

Owed by the Company to the estate of John Desfountain

1744, 9 bushels of lime, besides some that Lieutenant Barton took account of

The Council found that the lime claimed in these accounts did not exceed the quantity that could be spared. It agreed to pay each claimant what was owed.

The Council that day completed the renewal of two leases. The first was to Lieutenant Thomas Leech, for a piece of ground with a 60-foot frontage and 60 feet deep, at a rent of 12s a year. The second was to Lieutenant John Shirley, for a piece of ground with a 43-foot frontage and 60 feet deep, at a rent of 10s a year. Both plots lay in James's Valley. Governor John Skottowe, Purling and Kirkpatrick signed the minutes.

Interpretations

The Council paid the claims in full without testing each one against the Company's own records. The accounts rested on work done in 1742 and 1744, and several claimants admitted they could not say exactly what had been received since. Desfountain's estate even referred to lime that a Lieutenant Barton had taken account of, which no one present could verify. The Council's only test was whether the total could be spared from the surplus. A debt so old could hardly be checked, and the families concerned were among the island's most established. Settling generously ended a long-standing grievance at little real cost, since the lime was already burned and not needed for the works.

William Wrangham, who signed for his father's estate, was the factor and assistant to the Governor on the September pay list. The largest single claim, 90 bushels, came from his family. As with the Purling and Bazett accounts, the claims that the Council accepted were mainly those of families holding posts in the island's government.

375

368

The 16 January

At a Consultation held on Monday the 16th day of January 1769 at the

Castle

Present John Skottowe Esq. Governor

Mr. Matthew Purling

Capt. Thomas Kirkpatrick of Council

The last Consultation was read, approved & signed dated the 9 Jany. 1769

The Storekeeper this day brought in his Collections & the

Paymaster his Accounts for the Quarter commencing the 1st of October and ending

the 31st Day of December 1768 which were examined, & approved & are as

follows viz.

Collection of Goods Sold and delivered out of the Honble.

Company's Ware Houses from 1st Oct. to 31st Decemr. 1768

Sold to the Company's Servants at 10 p Cent viz.

Sugar & Candy viz.

6406 lb. Sugar

93 8 5

976 lb. Candy

24 8 -

117 16 5

Flour viz.

2616 lb. Flour

24 9 4

414.. 3.. 8 Do. Baked Cwt. qrs. lb.

387 3 4

411 12 8

Tea viz.

188 lb. Bohea

7 16 8

151 lb. Singlo

10 11 9

225 Congo

15 9 4

33 17 9

Salt 18 7/8 Bushels

3 4 11

Sope 288½ lb.

8 9 6

Carrd. Over£ 575 1 3

The storekeeper presented his collections and the paymaster his accounts for the quarter from 1 October to 31 December 1768. The Council examined and approved them, and they were entered as follows.

The Council met at the Castle on Monday 16 January 1769. Governor John Skottowe presided, with Matthew Purling and Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick present. The minutes of the meeting of 9 January 1769 were read, approved and signed.

Goods sold and delivered from the Company's warehouses, 1 October to 31 December 1768

Sold to the Company's servants at 10 per cent above cost

Sugar and sugar candy

6,406 pounds of sugar, £93 8s 5d

976 pounds of sugar candy, £24 8s 0d

Total for sugar and sugar candy, £117 16s 5d

Flour

2,616 pounds of flour, £24 9s 4d

414 hundredweight 3 quarters 8 pounds of flour issued as baked bread, £387 3s 4d

Total for flour, £411 12s 8d

Tea

18 pounds of Bohea tea, £7 16s 8d

15¼ pounds of Hyson tea, £10 11s 9d

22½ pounds of Congo tea, £15 9s 4d

Total for tea, £33 17s 9d

18⅞ bushels of salt, £3 4s 11d

288½ pounds of soap, £8 9s 6d

Carried forward, £575 1s 3d

Interpretations

The bread sold to the servants rose sharply against the previous quarter. Between July and September 1768 the bakery used 269 hundredweight of flour, worth £251 11s 0d. Between October and December it used almost 415 hundredweight, worth £387 3s 4d. The increase came while the garrison was heavily engaged on the works at Lemon Valley and Munden's Point. The men labouring on the fortifications drew more bread from the Company's bakery, and the Company recovered the cost through the extra daily pay it gave them for that work.

Other comforts moved the other way. Sugar candy fell from 2,263 pounds in the previous quarter to 976, and tea from £54 17s 6d to £33 17s 9d. Sugar itself was almost unchanged. The servants evidently spent the same on necessities but less on candy and tea in the last months of the year. No store ship had arrived to refresh the warehouse's stock of those goods since the Greenwich and the Egmont called in August and September.

376

369

1769

Brought Over£ 575 1 3

Leather viz.

153½ lb. Sole

7 13 7½

1 Calf Skin

" 11 6½

8 5 2

Candles 46 lb.

5 11 2

Twine viz.

41 Sk. Twine

1 5 7½

1¼ lb. Cotton Wick

" 3 10½

1 9 6

Starch 4½ lb.

" 3 -

Hats viz.

2 Mens Hats

1 18 8

1 Boys Do.

" 6 9

2 5 5

Shalloon 45 Yds. Col.

4 11 10

Challow 9 Pr.

4 2 6

Rice & Paddy viz.

1040 lb. Rice

3 7 4

632 lb. Paddy

1 10 1

5 7 5

Arrack 48½ Gall.

12 1 3

Buckram 18½ Yds.

" 17 2

Cordage 98½ lb.

1 16 9

Oil viz.

1/8 Gall. Oil of Turpen.

" 6 6½

10 Bott. Florence

1 18 6½

2 5 1

Pepper 2 lb.

" 1 1

Earthen Ware 3 Milk Pans

" 4 6

Flannel 4½ Yds.

" 8 2

Canvas viz.

32½ Yds. Eng. Canvas

1 15 -

21½ Do. Ticklenb.

1 1 11

13½ Do. Oznabrigs

" 11 9

3 8 8

Lead 1½ lb. Shot

" " 11

Carrd. Over£ 628 - 10

The record of goods sold to the Company's servants continued from a running total of £575 1s 3d.

Brought forward, £575 1s 3d

Leather

153½ pounds of sole leather, £7 13s 9½d

1 calf skin, £0 11s 4½d

Total for leather, £8 5s 2d

46 pounds of candles, £5 11s 2d

Twine

41¼ pounds of twine, £1 5s 7½d

1¼ pounds of cotton wick, £0 3s 10½d

Total for twine, £1 9s 6d

4½ pounds of starch, £0 3s 0d

Hats

2 men's hats, £1 18s 8d

1 boy's hat, £0 6s 9d

Total for hats, £2 5s 5d

45 yards of coloured shalloon, £4 11s 10d

9 pieces of chelloes, £4 2s 6d

Rice and paddy

1,040 pounds of rice, £3 7s 4d

632 pounds of paddy, £1 10s 1d

Total for rice and paddy, £5 7s 5d

48¼ gallons of arrack, £12 1s 3d

18¼ yards of buckram, £0 17s 2d

98½ pounds of cordage, £1 16s 9d

Oil

1⅛ gallons of oil of turpentine, £0 6s 6½d

10 flasks of Florence oil, £1 18s 6½d

Total for oil, £2 5s 1d

2 pounds of pepper, £0 1s 1d

3 earthenware milk pans, £0 4s 6d

4¼ yards of flannel, £0 8s 2d

Canvas

32¼ yards of English canvas, £1 15s 0d

21½ yards of tecklenburgs, £1 1s 11d

13½ yards of osnaburgs, £0 11s 9d

Total for canvas, £3 8s 8d

1¼ [...] of short corks, £0 0s 11d

Carried forward, £628 0s 10d

Interpretations

Arrack sold to the servants rose tenfold against the previous quarter, from under 5 gallons between July and September to more than 48 gallons between October and December. The quarter took in the Christmas season, when punch was drunk freely in island households. The stock in the warehouse was also ample, with over 1,500 gallons recorded in the September inventory. The punch houses cut to five on 4 July 1768 had reduced the places where spirits could be bought by the glass. Servants may have turned instead to buying arrack from the Company's stores to mix punch at home.

377

370

The 16 January

Brought Over£ 628 - 10

Beef & Pork viz.

2592 lb. Beef

259 4 -

3125 Do. Pork

312 10 -

571 14 -

Kersey 16½ Yds.

1 5 4

Thread viz.

7½ lb. Whd. Brown

2 16 3

10½ lb. Col.

1 15 10

3 oz. No. 38

" 4 4

4 oz. 36

" 4 7

2 oz. 30

" 3 8

5 4 8

Shoes viz.

11 Pr. Mens Pumps

3 " 6

2 Pr. Do. fine Shoes

" 12 3

2 Pr. Womens Calimc.

" 8 6

4 Pr. Girls Do.

" 13 2

2 Pr. Womens Calf Leat. Do.

" 5 6

4 Pr. Boys Do.

" 14 -

5 13 11

Haberdashery viz.

33 Sk. Silk

" 19 3

9 Do. Mohr.

" 4 6

½ Gro. White Waist. Buttons

" 1 3

1 ½ Gro. Shirt Do.

" 4 1½

7 Doz. Gilt Coat Do.

" 10 6

14½ Doz. Gilt Br. Do.

" 8 11

5½ Yds. White Buckram

" 6 7½

18 Ps. Tape

" 11 3

2 Doz. Mohr. Ct. Buttons

" 1 6

4½ Doz. Do. Br. Do.

" 1 10

¼ Gro. Horn Moulds

" " 7

3 10 7

Carrd. Over£ 1215 9 4

The record of goods sold to the Company's servants continued from a running total of £628 0s 10d.

Brought forward, £628 0s 10d

Beef and pork

2,592 pieces of beef, £259 4s 0d

3,125 pieces of pork, £312 10s 0d

Total for beef and pork, £571 14s 0d

16½ yards of kersey, £1 5s 4d

Thread

7½ pounds of whited brown thread, £2 16s 3d

[...] of coloured thread, £1 15s 10d

2 ounces of nuns' thread, number 38, £0 4s 4d

[...] ounces of nuns' thread, number 36, £0 4s 7d

2 ounces of nuns' thread, number 30, £0 3s 8d

Total for thread, £5 4s 8d

Shoes

11 pairs of men's pumps, £3 0s 6d

2 pairs of men's fine shoes, £0 12s 3d

2 pairs of women's calimanco shoes, £0 8s 6d

4 pairs of girls' calimanco shoes, £0 13s 2d

2 pairs of women's calf leather shoes, £0 5s 6d

4 pairs of boys' shoes, £0 14s 0d

Total for shoes, £5 13s 11d

Haberdashery

33 skeins of silk, £0 19s 8d

9 skeins of mohair, £0 4s 6d

½ gross of white waistcoat buttons, £0 1s 3d

1½ gross of shirt buttons, £0 4s 1½d

7 dozen gilt coat buttons, £0 10s 6d

14½ dozen gilt breast buttons, £0 8s 11d

5½ yards of white buckram, £0 6s 7½d

18 pieces of tape, £0 11s 3d

2 dozen mohair coat buttons, £0 1s 6d

4½ dozen mohair breast buttons, £0 1s 10d

¼ gross of horn button moulds, £0 0s 7d

Total for haberdashery, £3 10s 7d

Carried forward, £1,215 9s 4d

Interpretations

Sales of salt meat to the servants rose markedly over the previous quarter. Between July and September they bought 1,882 pieces of beef and 2,435 of pork, worth £431 14s 0d. Between October and December the figures were 2,592 and 3,125, worth £571 14s 0d. The plantation account for the same three months showed only a handful of the Company's cattle killed for anyone outside the Castle table. With the garrison hard at work on Lemon Valley and Munden's Point, the men and their households depended more heavily on salt provisions from the warehouse. The rise matched the increase in baked bread recorded on the first page of this account.

378

371

1769

Brought Over£ 1215 9 4

Paint viz.

33 lb. Whiting

" 2 -½

3 lb. Indico

" 5 9

5 lb. White Lead dry

" 1 9

17 lb. Stone Colour

" 7 5½

3 Verdg.

" 15 -

8 Pound. Blacking

" 4 6

8 lb. Chalk

" 1 11

3 lb. Span. Red mixd.

" 1 10

1 18 3

Iron Ware viz.

4 Iron rim'd Locks

1 1 -

3 Stock Do.

" 9 6

2 Chest Do.

" 3 3

3 Pad Do.

" 5 -

3 Splint. Do.

" 1 7½

1 Pr. Sheep Shears

" 1 8

1 Cupd. Lock

" 3 1½

15 Blank Keys

" 10 4

3 Small Frying Pans

" 11 3

1 lb. Iron'd Wire

" 1 3

1 Iron Shovel

" 1 11¾

2 Spades

" 8 3

2 Chafing Dishes

" 13 2

2 Curry Combs & Brushes

" 4 -

2 Claw Hammers

" 3 -½

2 Files

" 1 1½

7 Doz. Brass Chair Nails

" 1 -

1 Rag Stone

" " 1½

1 Scyth. Do.

" " 2½

3 Pr. H.L. Hinges

" 6 4½

2 Plaist. Trowels

" 3 1

13 Plate Iron

" 6 2¼

6 " 3

Carrd. Over£ 1223 7 10

The record of goods sold to the Company's servants continued from a running total of £1,215 9s 4d.

Brought forward, £1,215 9s 4d

Paint

33 pounds of whiting, £0 2s 0¾d

3 pounds of indigo, £0 5s 9d

5 pounds of white lead, dry, £0 1s 9d

17 pounds of stone colour, £0 7s 5½d

3 pounds of verdigris, £0 10s 0d

8 pans of blacking, £0 4s 6d

8 pounds of chalk, £0 1s 11d

3 pounds of Venetian red, mixed, £0 1s 10d

Total for paint, £1 18s 3d

Ironware

4 iron-rimmed locks, £1 1s 0d

3 stock locks, £0 9s 6d

2 chest locks, £0 8s 3d

3 padlocks, £0 5s 0d

3 plate locks, £0 1s 7½d

1 pair of sheep shears, £0 1s 8d

1 cupboard lock, £0 3s 1½d

15 plank dogs, £0 10s 4d

5 small frying pans, £0 11s 3d

¼ pound of round-headed tacks, £0 1s 3d

1 iron shovel, £0 4s 11¼d

2 spades, £0 8s 3d

2 chafing dishes, £0 13s 2d

2 curry combs and brushes, £0 4s 0d

2 claw hammers, £0 3s 4d

2 files, £0 1s 1d

9 dozen brass chair nails, £0 1s 0d

1 bag needle, £0 0s 1½d

1 sail needle, £0 0s 2½d

3 pairs of H-L hinges, £0 6s 4½d

2 plasterers' trowels, £0 3s 7d

13 pounds of plate iron, £0 6s 2¾d

Total for ironware, £6 0s 3d

Carried forward, £1,223 7s 10d

379

372

The 16 January

Brought Over£ 1223 7 10

Broad Cloth viz.

2½ Yds. Scarlet

2 7 5

1¾ Do. Green

1 11 8

9¼ Do. Blue

9 3 3

1 1/8 Do. Buff

1 " 4

14 2 10

Long Cloth viz.

19½ Ps. No. 6

28 16 1

10 Ps. I

10 15 -

3 Ps. D

13 19 -

2 Ps. C

7 4 4

2 Ps. A

7 13 -

68 7 5

Cutlery Ware viz.

11 Buckl. Combs

" 3 8

9 Horn Do.

" 2 -¼

4 Fine Ivory Do.

" 9 5

1 Case Fleams

" 3 -¼

1 Pr. Shoe Buckles

" " 7

" 18 9

Serge viz.

5½ Yds. Brown Duffle

2 1 11

12¾ Do. Blue Serge

3 7 2

16 Do. Scarl. Sagathy

2 12 -

8 1 1

Shirts viz.

18 Yds. Brown Holland

1 16 5

12 Cent. Shirts

3 " -

4 16 5

Hosiers Ware viz.

4 Pr. Mens fine India Cott. Stockings

1 17 -

3 Pr. Do. Worst. Do.

" 12 -

12 Pr. Do. Ordy. Thread Do.

1 18 9

4 7 9

Carrd. Over£ 1324 2 1

The record of goods sold to the Company's servants continued from a running total of £1,223 7s 10d.

Brought forward, £1,223 7s 10d

Broadcloth

2½ yards of scarlet broadcloth, £2 7s 5d

1¾ yards of green broadcloth, £1 11s 8d

9¾ yards of blue broadcloth, £9 3s 3d

1⅛ yards of buff broadcloth, £1 0s 4d

Total for broadcloth, £14 2s 10d

Longcloth

19½ pieces marked W6, £28 16s 1d

10 pieces marked I, £10 15s 0d

3 pieces marked G, £13 19s 0d

2 pieces marked C, £7 4s 4d

2 pieces marked A, £7 13s 0d

Total for longcloth, £68 7s 5d

Cutlery and small wares

11 buckle combs, £0 3s 8d

9 horn combs, £0 2s 0¼d

4 fine ivory combs, £0 9s 5d

1 cased fleam, £0 3s 0¼d

1 pair of shoe buckles, £0 0s 7d

Total for cutlery and small wares, £0 18s 9d

Serge and woollens

5½ yards of brown duffel, £2 1s 11d

12¾ yards of blue serge, £3 7s 2d

16 yards of scarlet sagathy, £2 12s 0d

Total for serge and woollens, £8 1s 1d

Shirts and shirting

18 yards of brown holland, £1 16s 5d

12 soldiers' shirts, £3 0s 0d

Total for shirts and shirting, £4 16s 5d

Hosiery

4 pairs of men's fine Indian cotton stockings, £1 17s 0d

3 pairs of women's stockings, £0 12s 0d

12 pairs of men's ordinary thread stockings, £1 18s 9d

Total for hosiery, £4 7s 9d

Carried forward, £1,324 2s 1d

Interpretations

The servants bought only 12 soldiers' shirts and 12 pairs of thread stockings this quarter, against 132 shirts and 134 pairs of stockings between July and September. No ordinary men's shoes appeared at all, where 592 pairs had been sold in the previous quarter. The garrison had evidently drawn its yearly clothing in the third quarter of 1768. Purchases in the last three months were only the odd replacement. The pattern fits a single annual issue of necessaries to the soldiers, charged against their pay, and not a steady quarterly supply.

380

373

1769

Brought Over£ 1324 2 1

Turners Ware viz.

10 Paint Brushes

" 5 1½

2 Plaist. Do.

" 2 4½

3 Shoe Do.

" 2 6

" 10 6

Glass Ware viz.

1 Tumbler

" " 10½

1 Quart Decanter

" 2 10¾

9 Wine Glasses

" 4 4

1 Sq. Glass 11½ by 18½

" 1 3½

2 Sq. Do. 11 by 18

" 2 11

6 Sq. Do. 10 by 14

" 7 3

3 Sq. Do. 6 by 8

" 1 1½

1 Sq. Do. 11 by 16

" 1 6½

1 2 4

Tin Ware viz.

2 Half Gall. Saucepans

" 1 6

1 Pudding Pan

" 1 5

" 2 11

Nails viz.

2 lb. 2d.

" 1 10½

12 .. 3

" 10 -

13 .. 4

" 8 8

3 .. 10

" 1 6

17 .. 6

" 10 7½

2 .. 20

" " 10½

9 Coppr. Rivets

" 2 -½

1 15 7

Hooks & Lines viz.

8 Doz. No. 2 Lines

1 10 8

5½ Do. 3 Do.

1 5 4½

1 Do. 4 Do.

" 4 11½

5 Hambro Do.

" 8 9

175 No. 1 Hooks

" 9 11

335 .. 9 Do.

" 10 -½

Hooks & Lines Carrd. Over£ 4 9 9

Carrd. Over£ 1327 13 5

The record of goods sold to the Company's servants continued from a running total of £1,324 2s 1d.

Brought forward, £1,324 2s 1d

Turners' ware

10 paint brushes, £0 5s 1½d

2 plasterers' brushes, £0 2s 5½d

3 shoe brushes, £0 2s 6d

Total for turners' ware, £0 10s 6d

Glassware

1 tumbler, £0 0s 10½d

1 quart decanter, £0 2s 10¾d

9 wine glasses, £0 4s 4d

1 pane of window glass, 11½ by 18½ inches, £0 1s 3½d

2 panes of window glass, 11 by 18 inches, £0 2s 11d

6 panes of window glass, 10 by 14 inches, £0 7s 3d

3 panes of window glass, 6 by 8 inches, £0 1s 1½d

1 pane of window glass, 11 by 16 inches, £0 1s 6¼d

Total for glassware, £1 2s 4d

Tinware

2 half-gallon saucepans, £0 1s 6d

1 pudding pan, £0 1s 5d

Total for tinware, £0 2s 11d

Nails

2 pounds of twopenny nails, £0 1s 10½d

12 pounds of threepenny nails, £0 10s 0d

13 pounds of fourpenny nails, £0 8s 8d

3 pounds of tenpenny nails, £0 1s 6d

17 pounds of sixpenny nails, £0 10s 7½d

2 pounds of twentypenny nails, £0 0s 10½d

9 pounds of coopers' rivets, £0 2s 0½d

Total for nails, £1 15s 7d

Fish hooks and lines

8 dozen number 2 lines, £1 10s 8d

5¾ dozen number 3 lines, £1 5s 4½d

1 dozen number 4 lines, £0 4s 11½d

5 Hamburg lines, £0 8s 9d

175 number 1 hooks, £0 9s 11d

235 number 9 hooks, £0 10s 0½d

Hooks and lines carried forward, £4 9s 9½d

Carried forward, £1,337 13s 5d

381

374

The 16 January

Brought Over£ 1327 13 5

Hooks & Lines brought Over£ 4 9 9

150 No. 11 Hooks

" 2 7½

275 .. 12 Do.

" 4 7

35 .. 14 Do.

" " 3

875 .. 16 Do.

" 5 1½

5 2 4

China Ware viz.

9 Snakes

" 3 4½

6 Bowls

" 5 6

5 Chamb. Pots

" 10 11

1 Milk Ewer

" 1 1½

3 Round Meat Dishes

24 Do. Do. Plates

" 19 7

2 Sets Octg. Dishes & Plates

2 12 10

12 Soup Plates

" 6 9

1 Tureen & Dish

" 6 7

5 6 8

Books 2 Spells.

" 1 10

Pewter viz.

1 Quart Tankd.

" 2 7

1 Cullend.

" 9 -

" 11 7

£ 1338 15 10

Sold to the Planters at 25 p Cent viz.

Challow 1 Pr.

" 10 5

Shalloon 4½ Yds.

" 10 4

Flannel 1½ Do.

" 3 1

Thread viz.

3 lb. Col.

" 11 9

1 Whd. Brown

" 8 6

1 " 3

Carrd. Over£ 2 4 1

The record of goods sold to the Company's servants continued from a running total of £1,327 13s 5d and closed with the total for the quarter, and the record then opened the sales to the planters.

Brought forward, £1,327 13s 5d

Hooks and lines brought forward, £4 9s 9d

150 number 11 hooks, £0 2s 7½d

275 number 12 hooks, £0 4s 7d

25 number 14 hooks, £0 0s 3d

875 number 16 hooks, £0 5s 1½d

Total for hooks and lines, £5 2s 4d

China

9 saucers, £0 3s 4½d

6 bowls, £0 5s 6d

5 chamber pots, £0 10s 11d

1 milk jug, £0 1s 1½d

3 round meat dishes and 24 round meat plates, together £0 19s 7d

2 sets of octagonal dishes and plates, £2 12s 10d

12 soup plates, £0 6s 9d

1 tureen and dish, £0 6s 7d

Total for china, £5 6s 8d

2 spelling books, £0 1s 10d

Pewter

1 quart funnel, £0 2s 7d

1 colander, £0 9s 0d

Total for pewter, £0 11s 7d

Total sold to the Company's servants, £1,338 15s 10d

Sold to the planters at 25 per cent above cost

1 piece of chelloes, £0 10s 5d

4½ yards of shalloon, £0 10s 4d

1½ yards of flannel, £0 3s 1d

Thread

3 [...] of coloured thread, £0 11s 9d

1 [...] of whited brown thread, £0 8s 6d

Total for thread, £1 0s 3d

Carried forward, £2 4s 1d

Interpretations

The servants spent £1,338 15s 10d at the warehouse in the last quarter of 1768, against £1,866 11s 9d between July and September. Spending on bread and salt meat had risen. The fall came almost entirely from clothing. The previous quarter had included the garrison's yearly issue of shoes, shirts and stockings, which alone came to well over £150, and longcloth and broadcloth sales were also far lower. With the wage bill roughly unchanged, less of the soldiers' pay returned to the Company through the stores this quarter.

382

375

1769

Brought Over£ 2 4 1

Long Cloth viz.

4 Ps. No. 6

6 14 2

4 Ps. I

4 17 6

1 Ps. A

4 6 10

1 Ps. D

5 5 8

21 4 2

Shoes viz.

2 Pr. Womens Calf

" 9 7

1 Pr. Girls Calf

" 2 6

" 12 1

Shirts 2 Yds. Brown Holland

" 4 7

Serge viz.

8 Yds. Blue Serge

2 7 8

2½ Do. Scarl. Sagathy

" 9 3

2 16 11

Broad Cloth viz.

1¼ Yds. Blue

1 7 5

3 Do. Light Brown

3 2 6

4 9 11

Hosiers Ware 1 Pr. Mens Worst. Stockings

" 4 6

Sold at 40 p Cent viz.

Sugar & Candy viz.

316 lb. Sugar

6 11 8

68 Candy

2 2 6

8 14 2

Flour 353 lb.

4 15 3

Tea viz.

21 lb. Bohea

1 2 9

58 Congo

5 1 6

27 Singlo

2 7 3

8 11 6

Cordage 4 Cwt. 2 qrs. 4 lb.

1 1 4

Sope 10 lb.

" 7 11

Salt 1½ Bushel

" 6 9

Twine 1 Sk.

" " 9

Carrd. Over£ 55 13 11

The planters' purchases at 25 per cent above cost continued from a running total of £2 4s 1d, and the record then turned to the sales at 40 per cent above cost.

Brought forward, £2 4s 1d

Longcloth

4 pieces marked W6, £6 14s 2d

4 pieces marked I, £4 17s 6d

1 piece marked A, £4 6s 10d

1 piece marked G, £5 5s 8d

Total for longcloth, £21 4s 2d

Shoes

2 pairs of women's calf shoes, £0 9s 7d

1 pair of girls' calf shoes, £0 2s 6d

Total for shoes, £0 12s 1d

2 yards of brown holland for shirts, £0 4s 7d

Serge and woollens

8 yards of blue serge, £2 7s 8d

2½ yards of scarlet sagathy, £0 9s 3d

Total for serge and woollens, £2 16s 11d

Broadcloth

1¼ yards of blue broadcloth, £1 7s 5d

3 yards of light brown broadcloth, £3 2s 6d

Total for broadcloth, £4 9s 11d

1 pair of men's worsted stockings, £0 4s 6d

Sold at 40 per cent above cost

Sugar and sugar candy

316 pounds of sugar, £6 11s 8d

68 pounds of sugar candy, £2 2s 6d

Total for sugar and sugar candy, £8 14s 2d

353 pounds of flour, £4 15s 3d

Tea

2¼ pounds of Bohea tea, £1 2s 9d

5⅝ pounds of Congo tea, £5 1s 6d

2¾ pounds of Hyson tea, £2 7s 3d

Total for tea, £8 11s 6d

42¾ pounds of cordage, £1 1s 4d

10 pounds of soap, £0 7s 11d

1½ bushels of salt, £0 6s 9d

1 pound of twine, £0 0s 9d

Carried forward, £55 13s 11d

383

376

The 16 January

Brought Over£ 55 13 11

Candles 4 lb.

" 12 4

Pepper 1

" " 9

Paint viz.

12 lb. Whit.

" 1 -

4 lb. Stone Col.

" " 10

4 Span. Red mixd.

" " 9½

2 Pound. Blackg.

" 1 6½

" 4 2

Iron Ware viz.

2 Iron rim'd Locks w. Brass Knobs

" 17 -

1 Splint. Do.

" " 8

3 Pr. H.L. Hinges

" 8 -

1 Scythe Stone

" " 3

1 Small Frying Pan

" 2 10

150 Brass Chair Nails

" 2 1

1 10 10

Nails viz.

6 lb. 3d.

" 6 6

22 .. 4

" 18 9½

24 .. 6

" 19 6

33 .. 10

1 " 7½

14 .. 20

" 7 10

½ Glazg. Brads

" 1 2

3 14 5

Glass Ware viz.

1 Tumbler

" 1 1½

6 Wine Glasses

" 3 8½

5 Sq. Glass 10 by 12

" 8 3

" 13 1

China Ware viz.

1 Set Octg. Dishes & Plates

1 13 9

1 Chamb. Pot

" 2 10

1 16 7

Carrd. Over£ 64 6 1

The sales at 40 per cent above cost continued from a running total of £55 13s 11d.

Brought forward, £55 13s 11d

4 pounds of candles, £0 12s 4d

1 pound of pepper, £0 0s 9d

Paint

12 pounds of whiting, £0 1s 0d

1 pound of chocolate colour, £0 0s 10d

1 pound of Venetian red, mixed, £0 0s 9½d

2 pans of blacking, £0 1s 6½d

Total for paint, £0 4s 2d

Ironware

2 iron-rimmed locks with brass knobs, £0 17s 0d

1 plate lock, £0 0s 8d

3 pairs of H-L hinges, £0 8s 0d

1 scythe stone, £0 0s 3d

1 small frying pan, £0 2s 10d

150 brass chair nails, £0 2s 1d

Total for ironware, £1 10s 10d

Nails

6 pounds of threepenny nails, £0 6s 6d

22 pounds of fourpenny nails, £0 18s 9½d

24 pounds of sixpenny nails, £0 19s 6d

33 pounds of tenpenny nails, £1 0s 7½d

14 pounds of twentypenny nails, £0 7s 10d

½ pound of glazing brads, £0 1s 2d

Total for nails, £3 14s 5d

Glassware

1 tumbler, £0 1s 1½d

6 wine glasses, £0 3s 8½d

5 panes of window glass, 10 by 12 inches, £0 8s 3d

Total for glassware, £0 13s 1d

China

1 set of octagonal dishes and plates, £1 13s 9d

1 chamber pot, £0 2s 10d

Total for china, £1 16s 7d

Carried forward, £64 6s 1d

384

377

1769

Brought Over£ 64 6 1

Hooks & Lines viz.

150 No. 1 Hooks

" 10 9

25 .. 9 Do.

" 1 -

125 .. 11 Do.

" 2 9¾

25 .. 12 Do.

" " 6½

100 .. 14 Do.

" 1 4

100 .. 15 Do.

" 1 -¾

450 .. 16 Do.

" 3 4½

18 .. 2 Lines

" 7 4½

18 .. 3 Do.

" 8 6½

2 Hambro

" 4 6

2 1 3

Cutlery Ware 2 Buckg. Combs

" " 10

Braziers Ware 1 Three Quart Tea Kettle

" 17 4

Turners Ware viz.

1 Paint Brush

" " 9

1 Plaist. Do.

" 1 7

" 2 4

£ 67 7 10

Damaged Goods Sold at Auction viz.

Bunting viz.

9¾ Yds. White

" 1 6

19¼ Do. Red

" 3 4

15¼ Do. Blue

" 2 1

" 6 11

Broad Cloth viz.

3½ Yds. Blue

2 6 -

3½ Do. Light Brown

2 12 -

4½ Do. French Grey

3 10 -

8 8 -

Pork 1 Hhd. Bengal

1 6 -

Earthen Ware 2 Close Stool Pans

" 2 -

Carrd. Over£ 10 2 11

The sales at 40 per cent above cost continued from a running total of £64 6s 1d and closed with their total, and the record then listed the damaged goods sold at auction.

Brought forward, £64 6s 1d

Fish hooks and lines

150 number 1 hooks, £0 10s 9d

25 number 9 hooks, £0 1s 0d

125 number 11 hooks, £0 2s 9¾d

25 number 12 hooks, £0 0s 6½d

100 number 14 hooks, £0 1s 4d

100 number 15 hooks, £0 1s 0¾d

450 number 16 hooks, £0 3s 4½d

18 number 2 lines, £0 7s 4½d

18 number 3 lines, £0 8s 6½d

2 Hamburg lines, £0 4s 6d

Total for hooks and lines, £2 1s 3d

2 buckle combs, £0 0s 10d

1 three-quart tea kettle, £0 17s 4d

Turners' ware

1 paint brush, £0 0s 9d

1 plasterer's brush, £0 1s 7d

Total for turners' ware, £0 2s 4d

Total sold at 40 per cent above cost, £67 7s 10d

Damaged goods sold at auction

Bunting

9¾ yards of white bunting, £0 1s 6d

19¾ yards of red bunting, £0 3s 4d

15¼ yards of blue bunting, £0 2s 1d

Total for bunting, £0 6s 11d

Broadcloth

3½ yards of blue broadcloth, £2 6s 0d

3½ yards of light brown broadcloth, £2 12s 0d

4½ yards of French grey broadcloth, £3 10s 0d

Total for broadcloth, £8 8s 0d

1 hogshead of Bengal pork, £1 6s 0d

2 earthenware close-stool pans, £0 2s 0d

Carried forward, £10 2s 11d

Interpretations

The auction showed how much value the damaged stock had kept. The broadcloth sold well, the French grey fetching £3 10s 0d against the £4 0s 8d at which the September inventory had valued it. Cloth spoiled at the edges or faded in part could still be cut into coats. The bunting fetched only a few pence a yard, since cloth too weak for flags had little other use. Selling for ready money, as the Council had ordered on 21 November 1768, turned most of the written-down stock back into cash.

385

378

The 16 January

Brought Over£ 10 2 11

Hosiers Ware viz.

3 Pr. Mens Knit Stockings

" 1 3

13 Pr. Girls Do.

" 3 -

4 Pr. Womens Do.

" 2 9

6 Pr. Boys Do.

" 6 -

2 Pr. Crimson Breeches

" 9 -

3 Do. Scarlt. Do.

1 10 -

4 Do. Buff Do.

1 9 -

4 1 -

Pease & Beans viz.

20¾ Bushl. Pease

1 10 -

10 5/8 Do. Beans

1 2 -

2 12 -

Iron Ware 1 Gard. Rake

" 1 4

Kersey 11¼ Yds.

" 12 -

Candy 1.. 3.. 6 Cwt. qrs. lb.

2 10 -

Sailors Cloaths viz.

8 Mens Jackets

4 Pr. Mens Breeches

1 16 -

Turners viz.

36 Shoe Brushes

" 3 3

5 Plaist.

" 1 6

4 Hair Sieves

" 5 1

" 9 10

£ 22 5 1

Charges General Dr. for the following Stores Issued from

the 1st of October to the 31st Decr. 1768 viz.

Arrack 135¾ Gall. for Sundry Men

Emp. in ye Stores & Doct. Shop

24 " 9

Coals 155 Bushels for ye Armour. Shop

8 7 11

Carrd. Over£ 32 8 8

The list of damaged goods sold at auction continued from a running total of £10 2s 11d and closed with its total, and the record then opened the issues charged to the Company's general expenses for the quarter.

Brought forward, £10 2s 11d

Hosiery

3 pairs of men's knitted stockings, £0 1s 3d

13 pairs of girls' stockings, £0 3s 0d

4 pairs of women's stockings, £0 2s 9d

6 pairs of boys' stockings, £0 6s 0d

2 pairs of crimson breeches, £0 9s 0d

3 pairs of scarlet breeches, £1 10s 0d

1 pair of buff breeches, £1 9s 0d

Total for hosiery, £4 1s 0d

Pease and beans

20¾ bushels of pease, £1 10s 0d

10⅞ bushels of beans, £1 2s 0d

Total for pease and beans, £2 12s 0d

11 garden rakes, £0 1s 4d

11¼ yards of kersey, £0 12s 0d

1 hundredweight 3 quarters 6 pounds of sugar candy, £2 10s 0d

8 men's jackets and 4 pairs of men's breeches, together £1 16s 0d

Turners' ware

36 shoe brushes, £0 3s 3d

5 plasterers' brushes, £0 1s 6d

4 hair sieves, £0 5s 1d

Total for turners' ware, £0 9s 10d

Total for damaged goods sold at auction, £22 5s 1d

Charged to general expenses: stores issued from 1 October to 31 December 1768

135¾ gallons of arrack, issued to various men working in the stores and to the doctor's shop, £24 0s 9d

155 bushels of coal for the armourer's shop, £8 7s 11d

Carried forward, £32 8s 8d

Interpretations

The auction of damaged goods raised £22 5s 1d in all. The Company had already written much of this stock down, and the sugar candy had partly been charged to profit and loss in October. Every shilling raised was therefore a gain against goods that would otherwise have rotted or been thrown away. The breeches, cloth and pease found buyers readily, while worn brushes and torn bunting fetched almost nothing.

The arrack charged to general expenses rose from 80½ gallons in the previous quarter to 135¾. Much of it went as the customary dram to men labouring in the stores. The quarter's heavy issues of salt meat, bread and building materials for the works at Lemon Valley and Munden's Point meant more hauling of casks and bales. The doctor's shop also drew its share for medicines in a quarter when sickness was evident in the garrison, with four soldiers dying in the last eleven days of December.

386

379

1769

Brought Over£ 32 8 8

Iron & Steel viz.

1104 lb. Iron

for the Armour. Shop

11 10 -

72 lb. Blist. Steel

2 3 1

44 Germ. Do.

" 14 8

14 7 9

Nails viz.

6 lb. 4d.

for the Coopers Use

" 3 7½

21 Coopr. Rivets

" 9 7½

" 13 3

Twine 4 Sk. Store use & Castle

" 2 -

Iron Ware viz.

1 Screw Plate

for the Armour. Use

" 4 -

1 Hand Vice

" 1 10

4 Files

" 1 11

1 Hdt. Saw Do.

" 1 8½

2 lb. Flour Emery

" 3 6

7 Sheets Sand Paper

" " 5¼

15 Do. Emery Do.

" 1 7

2 Chafing Dishes Castle

" 12 -

3 Small frying Pans Armour. Shop & Castle

" 6 -½

7 Bags Horse Carpent. use

" 2 4

4 Doz. Wood Screws Castle

" 1 4

1 lb. Borax Armour. use

" 3 8

1 Stock Lock Do.

" 2 10½

57 lb. Rod Iron Do.

" 11 10½

5 Blank Keys for the Secrs. Office &

" 3 1½

Armour. Shop & Stores

" 4 1½

3 Claw Hammrs. Carpnt. use

" 3 6

4 lb. Iron binding Wire Armour. Do.

" " 7

1 Pr. Steel Compasses Carpnt. Do.

" 2 9¼

1 Auger Do. Do.

" 2 7½

1 Joining Gauge Do. Do.

" 4 6½

1 Iron Stand Armour. Do.

" " 11

1 Farriers Rasp Do. Do.

" 1 1½

2 Mouse Traps Store Do.

" 10 -¾

2 Smiths Hammrs. Armour. Do.

4 8 8

Carrd. Over£ 52 - 4

The issues charged to the Company's general expenses continued from a running total of £32 8s 8d.

Brought forward, £32 8s 8d

Iron and steel, for the armourer's shop

11 hundredweight of iron, £11 10s 0d

72 pounds of blistered steel, £2 3s 1d

44 pounds of German steel, £0 14s 8d

Total for iron and steel, £14 7s 9d

Nails, for the coopers' use

6 pounds of fourpenny nails, £0 3s 7½d

21 pounds of coopers' rivets, £0 9s 7½d

Total for nails, £0 13s 3d

4 pounds of twine for the stores and the Castle, £0 2s 0d

Ironware

1 screw plate for the armourer's use, £0 4s 0d

1 hand vice for the armourer's use, £0 1s 10d

4 files for the armourer's use, £0 1s 11d

1 saw file for the armourer's use, £0 1s 8½d

2 pounds of flour emery for the armourer's use, £0 3s 6d

7 sheets of sandpaper for the armourer's use, £0 0s 5¾d

1⅝ pounds of corn emery for the armourer's use, £0 1s 7d

2 chafing dishes for the Castle, £0 12s 0d

3 small frying pans for the armourer's shop and the Castle, £0 6s 0¾d

7 ragstones for the carpenters' use, £0 2s 4d

4 dozen wood screws for the Castle, £0 1s 4d

1½ pounds of borax for the armourer's use, £0 3s 8d

1 stock lock for the armourer's use, £0 2s 10½d

57 pounds of rod iron for the armourer's use, £0 11s 10½d

3 blank keys for the Secretary's Office, £0 3s 1½d

[...] for the armourer's shop and the stores, £0 4s 1½d

3 claw hammers for the carpenters' use, £0 3s 6d

¼ pound of iron binding wire for the armourer's use, £0 0s 7d

1 pair of compasses for the carpenters' use, £0 2s 9¼d

1 auger for the carpenters' use, £0 2s 7½d

1 turning gouge for the carpenters' use, £0 4s 6½d

1 [...] for the armourer's use, £0 0s 11d

1 farrier's rasp for the armourer's use, £0 1s 1½d

2 [...] for the stores, £0 10s 0½d

2 smiths' hammers for the armourer's use, £0 [...]

Total for ironware, £4 8s 8d

Carried forward, £52 0s 4d

Interpretations

The armourer's shop drew 11 hundredweight of bar iron and well over 100 pounds of steel in a single quarter, far more than in the previous three months. The forge was supplying the ironwork for three sets of fortifications at once: the new line at Lemon Valley, the battery at Munden's Point and the guns moved off the curtain in James's Valley. Gun carriages needed bolts, cramps and fittings, and the masons' picks and chisels had to be constantly re-steeled against the island's hard rock. The issue of steel, emery and borax shows the armourer making and hardening tools as much as repairing them.

387

380

The 16 January

Brought Over£ 52 " 4

Long Cloth viz.

4 Ps. No. 7

for Curtains Stuffing

3 18 -

2 Ps. 6 & Side Boards Castle

2 13 8

6 11 8

Tin Ware viz.

13 lb. Solder

for tinng. Castl. Furniture

" 10 9

½ Salam.

" 1 6

" 12 3

Braziers Ware viz.

2 Flat Cand. Sticks

" 6 10

2 Pr. Steel Snuffers

" 6 -

1 Sauce Pan

" 13 9

1 Hash Do. w. Cover

1 7 1

2 13 8

Pork 4 lb. for Clean. Small Arms

" 10 9

Hooks & Lines viz.

100 No. 1 Hooks

for the Govern. Fisher.

" 5 1

50 .. 12 Do.

" " 9

50 .. 14 Do.

" " 3½

18 .. 2 Lines

" 6 10½

2 Hambro Do.

Do.

" 4 9

3 Log Do.

" 3 -

1 " 11

Oil viz.

1 Bott. Flor. for Clean. Arms

" 3 6

1½ Gall. Drought for the Castle & Do.

" 8 11

" 12 5

Candles 291 lb. for the Govern. & Coun. Mr.

Beancroft, Doct. Shop & Baker Ho.

31 10 6

Haberdashery viz.

2 Ps. Tape

for ye Castle

" 1 1

1 Skain Silk

" " 6

" 1 7

Deals viz.

1 Coff. to make a Ladder

" 3 2

2 Baulks for ye Saw Pit

" 17 8

1 " 10

Carrd. Over£ 96 17 11

The issues charged to the Company's general expenses continued from a running total of £52 0s 4d.

Brought forward, £52 0s 4d

Longcloth, for stuffing curtains and for the sideboards at the Castle

4 pieces marked I, £3 18s 0d

2 pieces marked W6, £2 13s 8d

Total for longcloth, £6 11s 8d

Tinware, for tinning pots and fittings

13 pounds of solder, £0 10s 9d

½ pound of sal ammoniac, £0 1s 6d

Total for tinware, £0 12s 3d

Braziers' ware, for the Castle

2 flat candlesticks, £0 6s 10d

2 pairs of steel snuffers, £0 6s 0d

1 saucepan, £0 13s 9d

1 stewpan with a cover, £1 7s 1d

Total for braziers' ware, £2 13s 8d

4 pieces of pork for cleaning small arms, £0 10s 9d

Fish hooks and lines, for the Governor's fisherman

100 number 1 hooks, £0 5s 1d

50 number 12 hooks, £0 0s 9d

50 number 14 hooks, £0 0s 3½d

18 number 2 lines, £0 6s 10½d

2 Hamburg lines, £0 4s 9d

3 long lines, £0 3s 0d

Total for hooks and lines, £1 0s 11d

Oil

1 flask of Florence oil for cleaning arms, £0 3s 6d

1¼ gallons bought for the Castle, £0 8s 11d

Total for oil, £0 12s 5d

[...] of candles for the Governor and Council, Mr Bearcroft, the doctor's shop and the bake house, £31 10s 6d

Haberdashery, for the Castle

2 pieces of tape, £0 1s 1d

1 skein of silk, £0 0s 6d

Total for haberdashery, £0 1s 7d

Timber

1 [...] to make a ladder, £0 3s 2d

2 baulks for the sawpit, £0 17s 8d

Total for timber, £1 0s 10d

Carried forward, £96 17s 11d

Interpretations

The candles issued to the Governor and Council, the chaplain William Bearcroft, the doctor's shop and the bake house cost £31 10s 6d for the quarter. That was the largest single charge on the page, larger than the rest combined. Free light was one of the perquisites of senior office on the island, alongside table allowances and house rent. Candles were costly imports, so the allowance added real value to the pay of the Governor, councillors and chaplain. The quarter covered the southern spring, when the nights were shortening. The amount suggests the allowance was a fixed ration rather than one adjusted to the season.

Pork fat and Florence oil were issued to clean and grease the garrison's muskets against rust in the damp, salty air. Sal ammoniac, a salt of ammonia, was used as a flux in tinning copper pots and kitchen vessels. The tin coating stopped the copper poisoning food.

388

381

1769

Brought Over£ 96 17 11

China Ware viz.

2 Sets Octn. Dishes & Plates

Castle

2 8 8

8 Bowls

" 6 8

2 Tureens & Dishes

" 12 -

24 Octn. Soup Plates

" 12 3

5 Guglets & Basons

" 18 4

4 17 11

Sugar & Candy

23 lb. Sugar

for the Groom, Gardent. & Doctrs. Shop

" 5 9

80 Candy

1 15 -

2 " 9

Paint viz.

18 lb. Whitg. for the Castle

" " 5

32 Chalk for Carpent. & Coopr. use

" " 8

4 Indico for Linen

" 7 -

" 8 1

Turners Ware 1 Salesmans Yoke for the

Bakers use

" 1 6

Tea 9 lb. Bohea for ye Groom, Gard. and

Smiths

" 6 9

Broad Cloth 1 Yd. Green for the

Cloak of the Crier

" 18 6

Cordage 38 lb. for a Crane Rope

" 12 8

Sope 100 lb. for Linen

2 14 2

Starch 17 lb. Do.

" 10 3

Corks 6 Gro. for the Castle

" 18 -

Challow 1 Pr. Do.

" 8 4

Thread 1 lb. Whd. Brown Do.

" 6 10

Canvas 1 Yd. Oznab. Do.

" " 10

Glass Ware 2 Quart Decant. Do.

" 5 2

£ 111 5 8

The issues charged to the Company's general expenses continued from a running total of £96 17s 11d and closed with the account's total.

Brought forward, £96 17s 11d

China, for the Castle

2 sets of octagonal dishes and plates, £2 8s 8d

8 bowls, £0 6s 8d

2 tureens and dishes, £0 12s 0d

24 octagonal soup plates, £0 12s 3d

5 guglets and basins, £0 18s 4d

Total for china, £4 17s 11d

Sugar and sugar candy, for the groom, the gardener and the doctor's shop

23 pounds of sugar, £0 5s 9d

80 pounds of sugar candy, £1 15s 0d

Total for sugar and sugar candy, £2 0s 9d

Paint

18 pounds of whiting for the Castle, £0 0s 5d

32 pounds of chalk for the carpenters' and coopers' use, £0 0s 8d

4 pounds of indigo for blueing linen, £0 7s 0d

Total for paint, £0 8s 1d

1 carrying yoke for the bake house, £0 1s 6d

9 [...] of Bohea tea for the groom, the gardener and [...], £0 6s 9d

1 yard of green broadcloth for the clerk of the peace, £0 18s 6d

38 pounds of cordage for a crane rope, £0 12s 8d

100 pounds of soap for washing linen, £2 14s 2d

17 pounds of starch for linen, £0 10s 3d

6 gross of corks for the Castle, £0 18s 0d

1 piece of chelloes for the Castle, £0 8s 4d

1 pound of whited brown thread for the Castle, £0 6s 10d

1 yard of osnaburgs for the Castle, £0 0s 10d

2 quart decanters for the Castle, £0 5s 2d

Total charged to general expenses, £111 5s 8d

Interpretations

The general expenses for the last quarter of 1768 came to £111 5s 8d, below the £136 2s 8d of the previous quarter. Most of the charge went on the Castle's household: candles, china, linen, soap and kitchen ware for the table where the Governor and senior servants dined. A smaller share went to the workshops and the doctor's shop. The figures show how much of the island's imported stock the Company consumed in simply running its own establishment.

The groom and the gardener received sugar and tea at the Company's expense, a small allowance on top of their wages. The yard of green broadcloth for the clerk of the peace matched the cloth and trimmings issued earlier for the coats of the porter and crier of the court. Phillip Mahoney held that post on the September pay list. The Company dressed the officers of its court at its own cost, each in a coat that marked his office.

389

382

The 16 January

Repairs Dr. for the following Stores Issued from the 1st of

October to the 31 December 1768 viz.

Paint viz.

21 lb. Whiting

to Repair the Plant. House

" " 9½

12 lb. Span. Red mixd.

" 6 9

2 lb. Red Lead

" " 5½

6 Pound. Blacking

" 3 1½

½ lb. White Lead dry

" " 1½

" 10 6

Oil viz.

1/8 Gall. Drought

Do.

" 5 6

¾ Do. Oil of Turpent.

" 4 -

" 9 6

Candles 2 lb. Do.

" 4 4

Turners Ware viz.

4 Plaist. Brushes

Do.

" 4 4

2 Paint Do.

" 1 -

" 5 4

Glass Ware viz.

8 Sq. Glass 10 by 16

Do.

" 10 6

12 Sq. Do. 6 by 8

" 4 -

6 Sq. Do. 10 by 12

" 6 10

1 1 4

Nails viz.

3 lb. 3d.

33 .. 6

19 .. 10

10 .. 20

12 .. 40

1 lb. Glazg. Brads

Do.

" 2 3

" 18 6½

" 8 8½

" 3 11½

" 4 6¼

" " 10

20 Dog Nails for repg. Wheel Barrows

" 10 -

2 8 10

Carrd. Over£ 5 8 10

The record then set out the stores issued for repairs between 1 October and 31 December 1768.

Charged to repairs

Paint, for repairing Plantation House

21 pounds of whiting, £0 0s 9½d

12 pounds of Venetian red, mixed, £0 6s 9d

2 pounds of red lead, £0 0s 5½d

6 pans of blacking, £0 3s 1½d

½ pound of white lead, dry, £0 0s 1½d

Total for paint, £0 19s 6d

Oil, for the same

1⅛ gallons of linseed oil, £0 5s 6d

¾ gallon of oil of turpentine, £0 4s 0d

Total for oil, £0 9s 6d

2 pounds of candles for the same, £0 4s 4d

Turners' ware, for the same

4 plasterers' brushes, £0 4s 4d

2 paint brushes, £0 1s 0d

Total for turners' ware, £0 5s 4d

Glassware, for the same

8 panes of window glass, 10 by 16 inches, £0 10s 6d

12 panes of window glass, 6 by 8 inches, £0 4s 0d

6 panes of window glass, 10 by 12 inches, £0 6s 10d

Total for glassware, £1 1s 4d

Nails, for the same

3 pounds of threepenny nails, £0 2s 3d

33 pounds of sixpenny nails, £0 18s 6½d

19 pounds of tenpenny nails, £0 8s 8½d

10 pounds of twentypenny nails, £0 3s 11½d

12 pounds of fortypenny nails, £0 4s 6¼d

1 pound of glazing brads, £0 0s 10d

20 dog nails for repairing wheelbarrows, £0 10s 0d

Total for nails, £2 8s 10d

Carried forward, £5 8s 10d

Interpretations

The repairs account for the quarter was taken up almost entirely with work on Plantation House. Every item was entered against the building it served. This was the same heading under which Sergeant Payne had claimed, on 12 December 1768, that charges for the Castle and Plantation House were inflated to hide the billiard house. Listing each pane, nail and brush by its destination gave the Council and the Court a way to test such a charge against the record. The detail did not prove the materials were used as stated, but it showed what the storekeeper had issued and for what purpose.

390

383

[Right-hand money column partly hidden in the binding.]

1769

Brought Over£ 5 8 10

Iron Ware viz.

3 Stock Locks

for repg. Plant. House

" 6 1½

1 Pr. Cross Garnt. Hinges

" 7 2

2 Pr. H.L. Hinges

" 3 10

2 Doz. Wood Screws

" " 8

2 Cupd. Locks

" 5 8½

1 3 9

Canvas 3 Yds. Eng. Canvas Do.

" 3 6

Deals 2 Elm Boards for Repg. Wheel

Barrows

" 7 2

£ 7 3 3

Diet Expences Dr. for the following Stores Issued from the

1st of October to the 31st December 1768 viz.

Flour 15.. 3.. 5 Cwt. qrs. lb.

16 11 8

Arr. 76 Gall.

13 9 2

Beef & Pork viz.

38 Pr. Beef

6 10 11

85 Pr. Pork

11 10 1

18 7 -

Sugar and Candy viz.

50 Sugar

" 12 6

797 lb. Candy

17 8 8

18 1 2

Pepper 16 lb.

" 8 -

Salt 1 Bush.

" 4 10

Pease 1¼ Do.

" 11 9

Oil 12 Bott. Flor.

2 2 -

Tea 4 lb. Singlo

" 5 -

Rice 485 lb.

1 15 3

£ [...]1 15 10

The repairs account continued from a running total of £5 8s 10d and closed with its total, and the record then set out the stores issued for diet expenses between 1 October and 31 December 1768.

Brought forward, £5 8s 10d

Ironware, for repairing Plantation House

3 stock locks, £0 6s 1½d

1 pair of cross garnet hinges, £0 7s 2d

2 pairs of H-L hinges, £0 3s 10d

2 dozen wood screws, £0 0s 8d

2 cupboard locks, £0 5s 8½d

Total for ironware, £1 3s 9d

3 yards of English canvas for the same, £0 3s 6d

2 elm boards for repairing wheelbarrows, £0 7s 2d

Total charged to repairs, £7 3s 3d

Charged to diet expenses

15 hundredweight 3 quarters 5 pounds of flour, £16 11s 8d

76 gallons of arrack, £13 9s 2d

Beef and pork

38 pieces of beef, £6 10s 11d

85 pieces of pork, £11 10s 1d

Total for beef and pork, £18 1s 0d

Sugar and sugar candy

50 pounds of sugar, £0 12s 6d

797 pounds of sugar candy, £17 8s 8d

Total for sugar and sugar candy, £18 1s 2d

16 pounds of pepper, £0 8s 0d

1⅜ bushels of salt, £0 4s 10d

1¼ bushels of pease, £0 11s 9d

12 flasks of Florence oil, £2 2s 0d

4 ounces of Hyson tea, £0 5s 0d

485 pounds of rice, £1 15s 3d

Total charged to diet expenses, £71 15s 10d

Interpretations

The Company's table drew far more arrack and sugar candy in the last quarter of 1768 than in the previous three months. Arrack rose from 42 gallons to 76, and nearly 800 pounds of sugar candy were issued where none had been charged to the table before. Both were the makings of punch. The quarter spanned the King's accession day on 25 October and the Christmas season, when the Governor entertained the officers and inhabitants at the Castle. The rise reflects that round of hospitality. It also shows why the punch bowl was so central to official life on the island.

391

384

The 16 January

Garrison Dr. for the following Stores Issued from the 1st of October

to the 31st Decemr. 1768 viz.

Lines viz.

1 Hambro Line for Drum Cords

" 1 7

42 No. 2 Lines for Whips

" 12 -

" 13 7

Beef & Pork viz.

6 Pr. Pork

for an Invalid

" 16 1

3 Do. Beef

" 10 9

1 6 10

Candles 75 lb. for the Main Guard

8 2 6

Arr. 17 Gall.

3 - 2

Tea 36 lb. Bohea for the sevl. Guards

1 7 -

Shirts 1 Cent. for a Recruit

" 4 7

Iron Ware ¼ lb. Tin Tacks for Drums

" " 7

Nails 6 lb. 6d. for Coffins

" 3 5

Paint viz.

24 lb. Whiting

to clean Accts.

" 1 -

14 lb. Yell. dry

" 3 3

" 4 3

Oil 5/8 Gall. for Banks's Guard

" 2 4

£ 15 5 3

Blacks Dr. for the following Stores Issued from the 1st of October

to the 31st December 1768 viz.

Beef & Pork viz.

57 lb. Pork

7 13 2

13 Do. Beef

2 6 10

1912 lb. Beng. Beef

318 15 8

328 15 8

Rice 21438 lb.

79 11 8

Arr. 454¾ Gall.

77 5 1

Carrd. Over£ 485 12 5

The record then set out the stores issued for the garrison and for the Company's slaves between 1 October and 31 December 1768.

Charged to the garrison

Lines

1 Hamburg line for drum cords, £0 1s 7d

42 number 2 lines for whips, £0 12s 0d

Total for lines, £0 13s 7d

Beef and pork, for an invalid

6 pieces of pork, £0 16s 1d

3 pieces of beef, £0 10s 9d

Total for beef and pork, £1 6s 10d

75 pounds of candles for the main guard, £8 2s 6d

17 gallons of arrack, £3 0s 2d

3 pounds 6 ounces of Bohea tea for the various guards, £1 7s 0d

1 soldier's shirt for a recruit, £0 4s 7d

¼ pound of tinned tacks for the drums, £0 0s 7d

6 pounds of sixpenny nails for coffins, £0 3s 5d

Paint, for cleaning the soldiers' equipment

24 pounds of whiting, £0 1s 0d

14 pounds of yellow ochre, dry, £0 3s 3d

Total for paint, £0 4s 3d

⅝ gallon of oil for the guard at Banks's, £0 2s 4d

Total charged to the garrison, £15 5s 3d

Charged to the Company's slaves

Beef and pork

57 pieces of pork, £7 13s 2d

18 pieces of beef, £2 6s 10d

1,912 [...] of Bengal beef, £318 15s 8d

Total for beef and pork, £328 15s 8d

214 hundredweight 3 quarters 8 pounds of rice, £79 11s 8d

454¾ gallons of arrack, £77 5s 1d

Carried forward, £485 12s 5d

Interpretations

The nails issued for coffins tie the garrison's stores to the deaths of December 1768. Daniel Finn, James Harris, Isaac Burden and Charles Montague died within eleven days at the end of the year. The Company provided the coffins for its soldiers as part of their burial, with the sexton's fee paid separately.

The rations issued to the Company's slaves rose steeply over the previous quarter. Rice went from 82 hundredweight to more than 214, arrack from 284 gallons to over 450, and Bengal beef from £195 to nearly £320. Yams were still the slaves' staple, with more than 43,000 issued in the same three months. The extra rice, meat and spirits went chiefly to the slaves labouring on the fortifications at Lemon Valley and Munden's Point. Heavy work at the batteries required heavier rations, and the arrack was the customary allowance for hard outdoor labour. The cost of keeping the Company's slaves rose with the pace of Mitchell's works.

The garrison's guards were issued Bohea tea and candles at the Company's expense. Tea for men on night guard was a small comfort of the service. The 75 pounds of candles for the main guard lit the guardroom through the hours of darkness.

392

385

1769

Brought Over£ 485 12 5

Tea 115 lb. Bohea

4 5 6

Sugar 282 lb.

3 10 6

Flour 12 lb. for the Ary. Blacks

" 1 10

Long Cloth viz.

4 Ps. No. 6

5 7 10

1/6 Ps. 7

" 3 3

5 11 1

Thread viz.

2 lb. Whd. Brown

Castl. Servants

" 13 7

4 lb. Col.

" 12 6

1 6 1

Salt ½ Bushel for ye Ary. Blacks

" 1 8

Pepper 3 lb.

" 2 6

Shoes 55 Pr. Mens Ordy.

13 15 -

Canvas 15 Yds. Oznab. for Aprons for the

Black Artificers

" 17 6

Iron Ware viz.

2 Small Fryg. Pans

" 4 -

2 Stock Locks Blacks Square

" 5 9

" 9 9

Challow 3 Pr. for the Govr. Servants

1 5 -

Shirts 13 Pr. Irish Linen Castl. Do.

" 9 11

£ 517 8 9

Malays Dr. for the following Stores Issued from the 1st of Oct. to the

31 Decemb. 1768 viz.

Rice 184 lb.

" 7 3

Sugar 56 lb.

" 14 -

Arr. 7 Gall.

1 4 9

Sope 8 lb.

" 4 4

Tea 4 lb. Bohea

" 3 -

Oil 1 Bott. Florence

" 3 6

Shoes 1 Pr. Mens fine Pumps

" 5 6

Carrd. Over£ 3 2 4

The stores issued for the Company's slaves continued from a running total of £485 12s 5d and closed with the account's total, and the record then opened the account for Mallay for the same quarter.

Brought forward, £485 12s 5d

11½ pounds of Bohea tea, £4 5s 6d

282 pounds of sugar, £3 10s 6d

12 pounds of flour for the aged slaves, £0 1s 10d

Longcloth

4 pieces marked W6, £5 7s 10d

½ piece marked I, £0 3s 3d

Total for longcloth, £5 11s 1d

Thread, for the Castle servants

2 pounds of whited brown thread, £0 13s 7d

¼ pound of coloured thread, £0 12s 6d

Total for thread, £1 6s 1d

½ bushel of salt for the aged slaves, £0 1s 8d

3 pounds of pepper, £0 2s 6d

55 pairs of men's ordinary shoes, £13 15s 0d

15 yards of osnaburgs for aprons for the slave craftsmen, £0 17s 6d

Ironware

2 small frying pans, £0 4s 0d

2 stock locks for the Blacks' Square, £0 5s 9d

Total for ironware, £0 9s 9d

3 pieces of chelloes for the Governor's servants, £1 3s 0d

13 yards of Irish linen for shirts for the Castle servants, £0 9s 11d

Total charged to the Company's slaves, £517 8s 9d

Charged to Mallay: stores issued from 1 October to 31 December 1768

124 pounds of rice, £0 7s 3d

56 pounds of sugar, £0 14s 0d

7 gallons of arrack, £1 4s 9d

8 pounds of soap, £0 4s 4d

4 [...] of Bohea tea, £0 3s 0d

1 flask of Florence oil, £0 3s 6d

1 pair of men's fine pumps, £0 5s 6d

Carried forward, £3 2s 4d

Interpretations

The slaves' account distinguished between groups within the Company's labour force. The aged slaves, no longer fit for heavy work, received small issues of flour and salt. The Company kept its old slaves rather than turning them out, though their rations were meagre. The slave craftsmen were given osnaburg aprons for their trades, marking them out from the field and labouring gangs. The Castle servants and the Governor's servants received linen, thread and chelloes for better clothing. The 55 pairs of shoes went chiefly to the men working on the fortifications, where the stony ground wore out bare feet.

The Blacks' Square was the enclosed compound where the Company's slaves were lodged. It was also the place where the stones for the slaves' hospital had been stored, according to Sergeant Payne's statement of 12 December 1768. The two stock locks issued for it suggest the compound was locked, whether to secure its stores or to confine its people at night.

The total charge for the slaves in the quarter came to £517 8s 9d, against £438 3s 1d in the previous quarter. Most of the rise came from the heavier rations of rice, meat and arrack for the slaves labouring on Mitchell's works.

393

386

The 16 January

Brought Over£ 3 2 4

Pepper 2 lb.

" 1 -

Salt ¼ Bushl.

" " 10

Beef 4 Pr.

" 14 5

Flour 24 lb.

" 4 6

Candles 8 lb.

" 17 6

Tea 1 Singlo

" 1 3

£ 5 1 10

Plantation Dr. for the following Stores Issued from the

1st of Oct. to the 31st Decemr. 1768 viz.

Rice & Paddy viz.

911 Rice for the Steward Overs. & Poultry

2 18 4

3369 Paddy for Poult. & Horses

11 15 10

14 14 2

Beef & Pork viz.

14 Pr. Beef

for the Steward & Sheep Shearers

2 10 5

7 Do. Pork

" 18 10

3 9 3

Iron Ware viz.

5 Gar. Hoes

for Plant. House Gardn.

" 5 8¾

3 Spades

" 13 9

4 Gar. Rakes

" 9 3

4 Pr. Do. Shears

" 13 8

1 Iron rim'd Lock for Plt. Ho.

" 4 9

8 Pr. Sheep Shears for Shearg. Sheep

" 9 -

2 Rag Stones Do.

" " 8

12 Spring Rat Traps Plant. House

" 18 -

12 Mouse Do. Do.

" 6 9

30 Scyth. Stones Do.

" 5 7½

4 Scythes Do.

1 2 9¾

1 Pad Lock for Horse Point

" 1 6

5 16 6

Carrd. Over£ 23 19 11

The stores charged to Mallay continued from a running total of £3 2s 4d and closed with the account's total, and the record then opened the plantation account for the quarter.

Brought forward, £3 2s 4d

2 pounds of pepper, £0 1s 0d

¼ bushel of salt, £0 0s 10d

4 pieces of beef, £0 14s 5d

24 pounds of flour, £0 4s 6d

8 pounds of candles, £0 17s 6d

1 [...] of Hyson tea, £0 1s 3d

Total charged to Mallay, £5 1s 10d

Charged to the plantation: stores issued from 1 October to 31 December 1768

Rice and paddy

9 [...] of rice for the steward, the overseer and the poultry, £2 18s 4d

5,369 pounds of paddy for the poultry and horses, £11 15s 10d

Total for rice and paddy, £14 14s 2d

Beef and pork, for the steward and the sheep shearers

14 pieces of beef, £2 10s 5d

7 pieces of pork, £0 18s 10d

Total for beef and pork, £3 9s 3d

Ironware

5 garden hoes for the Plantation House garden, £0 5s 8¾d

5 spades for the same, £0 18s 9d

4 garden rakes for the same, £0 9s 3d

4 pairs of garden shears for the same, £0 13s 8d

1 iron-rimmed lock for Plantation House, £0 4s 9d

8 pairs of sheep shears for shearing the sheep, £0 9s 0d

2 ragstones for the same, £0 0s 8d

12 spring rat traps for Plantation House, £0 18s 0d

12 mousetraps for the same, £0 6s 9d

30 scythe stones for the same, £0 5s 7½d

4 scythes for the same, £1 2s 9¾d

1 padlock for the horse pound, £0 1s 6d

Total for ironware, £5 16s 6d

Carried forward, £23 19s 11d

Interpretations

The sheep shears, ragstones and meat for the shearers marked the annual shearing of the Company's flock. On St Helena this fell between October and December, the southern spring and early summer, when the weather warmed and the sheep no longer needed their fleeces. The flock numbered more than 600 at the start of the quarter. Shearing them required extra hands, who were fed salt meat from the stores for the work. The wool was presumably spun on the island, which would explain the wool cards held in the warehouse.

The 12 spring rat traps and 12 mousetraps issued for Plantation House came in the same quarter as the bounty on rats and mice published on 28 November 1768. The Company used both methods at once on its own estate: traps at Plantation House and a reward for every animal brought to the constable. The scythes and scythe stones were for mowing hay. Grass was cut in the warm months to feed the horses and cattle through the dry season.

394

387

1769

Brought Over£ 23 19 11

Cordage 106½ lb. for Thatchg. in Long Wood

& Taught Horses

1 15 6

Arrack 10 Gall. for Hay Makers Thatchers

& Sheep Shearers

1 15 5

Sugar 12 lb. Do.

" 3 -

Turners Ware viz.

1 Skimming Dish for ye Dairy

" " 4

12 Ox Bows for Oxen

" 16 3

" 16 7

Long Cloth viz.

½ Ps. No. 7

for ye Dairy

" 9 9

½ Do. X

" 2 4

" 12 1

Lines 12 No. 4 Gar. use

" 4 6

Cutlery Ware 8 Pruning Knives Plant.

House Garden

" 8 4

£ 29 15 4

Hospital Dr. for the following Stores Issued from the 1st of Oct.

to the 31st December 1768 viz.

Sugar 320 lb.

4 " -

Flour 320 lb.

3 " -

Rice 320 lb.

1 2 3

Salt 2 Bushels

" 6 5

Tea 33 lb. Bohea

1 4 9

Oil 14½ Gall. Drought

4 9 8

Iron Ware viz.

1 Wood Ax

" 2 10

1 Ash Helve

" " 7

4 Blank Keys

" 2 6

" 5 11

£ 14 9 -

The plantation account continued from a running total of £23 19s 11d and closed with its total, and the record then set out the stores issued to the hospital for the quarter.

Brought forward, £23 19s 11d

106½ pounds of cordage for thatching in place of wood and for tethering the horses, £1 15s 6d

10 gallons of arrack for the haymakers, thatchers and sheep shearers, £1 15s 5d

12 pounds of sugar for the same, £0 3s 0d

Turners' ware

1 skimming dish for the dairy, £0 0s 4d

1 pair of ox bows for the oxen, £0 16s 3d

Total for turners' ware, £0 16s 7d

Longcloth, for the dairy

½ piece marked [...], £0 9s 9d

½ piece marked Z, £0 2s 4d

Total for longcloth, £0 12s 1d

12 number 4 lines for the garden, £0 4s 6d

8 pruning knives for the Plantation House garden, £0 8s 4d

Total charged to the plantation, £29 15s 4d

Charged to the hospital: stores issued from 1 October to 31 December 1768

320 pounds of sugar, £4 0s 0d

320 pounds of flour, £3 0s 0d

320 pounds of rice, £1 2s 3d

2 bushels of salt, £0 6s 5d

[...] of Bohea tea, £1 4s 9d

14¼ gallons of linseed oil, £4 9s 8d

Ironware

1 wood axe, £0 2s 10d

1 ash handle, £0 0s 7d

4 blank keys, £0 2s 6d

Total for ironware, £0 5s 11d

Total charged to the hospital, £14 9s 0d

Interpretations

The plantation used rope in place of wood for thatching. Thatched roofs were normally tied down to a frame of wooden laths and battens. On St Helena timber was scarce and costly, while cordage was held in large quantity for the shipping. Binding the thatch with rope saved the Company's imported timber for the batteries and boats. The thatchers, haymakers and shearers all worked at the plantation in the same season and shared a ration of arrack and sugar for their labour.

The hospital's stores were the same as in the previous quarter, and almost to the shilling the same cost. Sugar, flour, rice and tea made up the diet of the sick, with oil for the lamps that burned through the night. The steady charge suggests a fixed allowance for the hospital, unaffected by the deaths in the garrison during December.

395

388

The 16 January

Boats Dr. for the following Stores Issued from the 1st of

October to the 31st Decem. 1768 viz.

Cordage 1283 lb.

21 7 8

Canvas 1 Ps. Eng.

2 5 6

Twine 18 Skeins

" 9 -

Turners Ware 1 Scrubg. Brush

" 2 -

Oars viz.

1 Large

" 5 6

1 Small

" 4 -

" 9 6

Oil viz.

6 Gall. Lind.

1 17 9

¼ Oil of Turpen.

" 1 4

1 19 1

Pitch & Tar viz.

1½ Barrl. Pitch

2 2 4

3½ Gall. Tar

1 14 3

49 lb. Turp.

1 2 5

4 19 -

Nails viz.

6 lb. 2d.

" 5 1½

11 .. 3

" 8 3

18 .. 6

" 10 1½

89 .. 10

2 " 9½

12 .. 40

" 4 6

10 Spikes

" 3 1½

3 11 11

Iron Ware viz.

10 Bolt Rope Needles

" 1 -½

2 Packing Do.

" " 3½

1 Pad Lock

" 1 6

" 2 10

Deals viz.

1 Elm Board

" 3 7

3½ Ps. Wainst. Do.

1 1 -

1 4 7

Carrd. Over£ 36 11 1

The record then set out the stores issued for the Company's boats between 1 October and 31 December 1768.

Charged to the boats

1,283 pounds of cordage, £21 7s 8d

1 bolt of English canvas, £2 5s 6d

18 pounds of twine, £0 9s 0d

1 scrubbing brush, £0 2s 0d

Oars

1 large oar, £0 5s 6d

1 small oar, £0 4s 0d

Total for oars, £0 9s 6d

Oil

6 gallons of linseed oil, £1 17s 9d

¼ gallon of oil of turpentine, £0 1s 4d

Total for oil, £1 19s 1d

Pitch and tar

1½ barrels of pitch, £2 2s 4d

[...] of tar, £1 14s 3d

49 pounds of turpentine, £1 2s 5d

Total for pitch and tar, £4 19s 0d

Nails

6 pounds of twopenny nails, £0 5s 1½d

11 pounds of threepenny nails, £0 8s 3d

18 pounds of sixpenny nails, £0 10s 1½d

89 pounds of tenpenny nails, £2 0s 9½d

12 pounds of fortypenny nails, £0 4s 6d

10 spikes, £0 3s 1½d

Total for nails, £3 11s 11d

Ironware

10 bolt rope needles, £0 1s 0½d

2 packing needles, £0 0s 3½d

1 padlock, £0 1s 6d

Total for ironware, £0 2s 10d

Timber

1 elm board, £0 3s 7d

3½ wainscot boards, £1 1s 0d

Total for timber, £1 4s 7d

Carried forward, £36 11s 1d

Interpretations

The boats drew far fewer stores in the last quarter of 1768 than in the previous one. Cordage fell from 55 hundredweight to under 12, and timber from more than £20 to little over £1. Between July and September the longboats had been heavily repaired, perhaps rebuilt, and their rigging renewed. This quarter's issues were for routine upkeep: caulking with pitch and tar, painting with linseed oil and replacing a couple of oars. Fewer ships called in the road during the period, so the boats did less heavy work carrying cargo ashore.

396

389

1769

Brought Over£ 36 11 1

Leather 3½ lb. Sole

" 3 3

Paint 1 Pound. Blacking

" " 6

Braziers Ware 1 Bottling Cock

" 3 5

Arr. 9¾ Gall. for Men Employed

Haulg. up & Launchg. the Ld. Boats

1 14 6

Iron Pots 1 Wt. 75 lb.

" 14 -

£ 39 6 9

Lemon Valley Dr. for the following Stores Issued from the 1st of

Oct. to the 31st Decemr. 1768 viz.

Iron Ware viz.

2 Wood Axes

" 5 8

7 Ash Helves

" 4 1

1 Large Frying Pan

" 4 2½

6 Iron Shovels

1 7 3

3 Pick Axes

" 10 -

6 Bricklay. Trowels

" 6 9½

2 18 -

Tin Ware viz.

1 Watg. Pot

" 3 -

1 Lamp

" " 9

" 3 9

Cordage 118 lb.

1 19 4

Deals viz.

1 Baulk

" 8 10

4 Coffers

" 12 8

1 1 6

Nails viz.

9 lb. 3d.

" 9 -

7 .. 3

" 4 10

8 .. 4

" 14 7½

26 .. 6

" 7 4

16 .. 10

" 3 11½

12 .. 20

" 6 -

16 .. 40

" 3 2

12 Spikes

2 " 8

Carrd. Over£ 8 3 3

The stores issued for the boats continued from a running total of £36 11s 1d and closed with the account's total, and the record then opened the account for the fortifications in Lemon Valley.

Brought forward, £36 11s 1d

3½ pounds of sole leather, £0 3s 3d

1 pan of blacking, £0 0s 6d

1 bib tap, £0 3s 5d

9¾ gallons of arrack for the men employed hauling up and launching the boats, £1 14s 6d

1 iron pot weighing 75 pounds, £0 14s 0d

Total charged to the boats, £39 6s 9d

Charged to the fortifications in Lemon Valley: stores issued from 1 October to 31 December 1768

Ironware

2 wood axes, £0 5s 8d

7 ash handles, £0 4s 1d

1 large frying pan, £0 4s 2½d

6 iron shovels, £1 7s 3d

3 pickaxes, £0 10s 0d

6 bricklayers' trowels, £0 6s 9½d

Total for ironware, £2 18s 0d

Tinware

1 watering pot, £0 3s 0d

1 lamp, £0 0s 9d

Total for tinware, £0 3s 9d

118 pounds of cordage, £1 19s 4d

Timber

1 baulk, £0 8s 10d

4 [...], £0 12s 8d

Total for timber, £1 1s 6d

Nails

1 pound of threepenny nails, £0 0s 9d

8 pounds of fourpenny nails, £0 4s 10d

26 pounds of sixpenny nails, £0 14s 7½d

16 pounds of tenpenny nails, £0 7s 4d

10 pounds of twentypenny nails, £0 3s 11½d

16 pounds of fortypenny nails, £0 6s 0d

12 spikes, £0 3s 2d

Total for nails, £2 0s 8d

Carried forward, £8 3s 3d

Interpretations

The boats were hauled up the beach and launched again by hand, and the men who did it received a ration of arrack for the work. With no harbour or slipway at Jamestown, the longboats could not lie safely afloat when heavy swells rolled into the road. They were dragged clear of the surf and run back into the water when a ship needed unloading. The work was heavy and frequent, and the spirit ration was the usual reward for labour of that kind.

The stores for Lemon Valley showed the work moving from digging towards building. Bricklayers' trowels, timber and nails of every size now joined the shovels and pickaxes of the previous quarter. Mitchell reported on 2 January 1769 that the line, its ditch and glacis would be finished during that month, leaving only the gun platforms until the rampart had settled.

397

390

The 16 January

Brought Over£ 8 3 3

Lines 16 No. 4

" 6 -

Iron 217 lb.

2 5 2

Candles 8 lb.

" 17 4

Glass Ware 2 Sq. 11½ by 18

" 1 4

Cutlery Ware 1 Shoe Knife

" " 4

£ 11 13 5

Fortifications Dr. for the following Stores Issued from the

1st of Oct. to the 31st Decem. 1768 viz.

Blocks 2 Snatch for Sandy Bay

1 7 6

Cordage 70¼ lb. for hoistg. & Lowerg. the Cartl.

& Do.

12 4 8

Thread 3 lb. Col. for mendg. Bags & Artillery use

" 15 7

Twine 3 lb. Fine

" 2 6

Iron Ware viz.

1 Pr. Cross Garnt. Hing. for Banks's

" 7 2

3½ Iron binding Wire for Sandy Bay

" 4 10

1 Clock Lock for ye Guard Shed

" 2 10

" 14 10

Nails viz.

6 lb. 6d.

10 .. 3

22 .. 20

1 .. 40

for Banks's and Fastening Stores on the Curtain

" 3 4½

" 7 6½

" 8 8½

" " 4½

1 " -

Paint viz.

1 lb. Whitg.

for Sandy Bay

" " ½

12 White Lead dry

" " 1½

" " 2

Candles ½ lb. for Waxg. Thread to mend

Linen Bags

" 1 1

Oil viz.

5/8 Gall. Drought

for Sandy Bay

" 2 4

1 Bott. Florence

" 3 6

" 5 10

Carrd. Over£ 16 12 2

The stores for Lemon Valley continued from a running total of £8 3s 3d and closed with the account's total, and the record then opened the general account for the fortifications.

Brought forward, £8 3s 3d

16 [...] of number 4 lines, £0 6s 0d

217 pounds of iron, £2 5s 2d

8 pounds of candles, £0 17s 4d

2 panes of window glass, 11½ by 18 inches, £0 1s 4d

1 shoe knife, £0 0s 4d

Total charged to the fortifications in Lemon Valley, £11 13s 5d

Charged to the fortifications in general: stores issued from 1 October to 31 December 1768

2 snatch blocks for Sandy Bay, £1 7s 6d

7 hundredweight 1 quarter of cordage for hoisting and lowering the guns on the curtain, £12 4s 8d

3 pounds of coloured thread for mending bags and for the artillery's use, £0 15s 7d

3 pounds of twine, £0 2s 6d

Ironware

1 pair of cross garnet hinges for Banks's, £0 7s 2d

3½ pounds of iron binding wire for Sandy Bay, £0 4s 10d

1 stock lock for the gunner's stores, £0 2s 10d

Total for ironware, £0 14s 10d

Nails, for Banks's and for fastening the sheers on the curtain

6 pounds of sixpenny nails, £0 3s 4½d

10 pounds of threepenny nails, £0 7s 6½d

22 pounds of twentypenny nails, £0 8s 8½d

1 pound of fortypenny nails, £0 0s 4½d

Total for nails, £1 0s 0d

Paint, for Sandy Bay

[...] of whiting, £0 0s 0½d

[...] of white lead, dry, £0 0s 1½d

Total for paint, £0 0s 2d

½ pound of candles for waxing thread to mend sandbags, £0 1s 1d

Oil, for Sandy Bay

⅝ gallon of linseed oil, £0 2s 4d

1 flask of Florence oil, £0 3s 6d

Total for oil, £0 5s 10d

Carried forward, £16 12s 2d

Interpretations

The cordage and the nails for fastening sheers on the curtain matched the gunner's December account, which recorded 16 guns taken down from the curtain with their carriages, bolts and levers. Lowering heavy iron guns from a high wall needed sheers, tall paired spars lashed at the top, with blocks and strong rope rigged from them. More than 7 hundredweight of cordage was used in the operation. The guns came down to clear the way for rebuilding the two demi-bastions in James's Valley, which the Council had approved on 2 January 1769.

The thread waxed with candle grease was used to mend sandbags. Sandbags were stacked on the batteries to protect the gunners and to repair breaches quickly. Waxing the thread made it stronger and kept out the damp. The issues to Sandy Bay, on the island's south coast, showed that the Company kept up its older defences there while the new works went forward elsewhere.

398

391

1769

Brought Over£ 16 12 2

Lines 7 No. 4 for Banks's

" 2 8

Arrack 4½ for Men emp. Getg. Guns on

the Curtain

" 15 11

£ 17 10 9

Mundens Point Dr. for the following Stores Issued from

the 1st of Oct. to the 31st December 1768 viz.

Iron Ware viz.

73 Ash Helves

2 2 -½

7 Iron bindg. Wire

" 6 1½

4 Stone Saws

1 " 7

1 Two feet Rule

" 1 -

1 Stock Lock

" 2 10½

1 Gimblet

" " 2½

3 13 -

Oars 17 Large

4 13 6

Nails viz.

9 lb. 4d.

" 5 5½

13 .. 6

" 7 3¾

" 12 9

Cordage 54 lb.

9 1 -

Deals 1 Coffer

" 3 2

Leather 10½ lb. Sole

" 9 7

Oil ½ Gall. Lind.

" 3 2

Lines 1 No. 4

" " 4

Candles ½ lb.

" 1 1

£ 18 17 7

Errors Excepted

(signed)

p James Powell Storekeepr.

St. Helena

31st December 1768

The general account for the fortifications continued from a running total of £16 12s 2d and closed with its total, and the record then set out the stores issued for Munden's Point for the quarter.

Brought forward, £16 12s 2d

7 number 4 lines for Banks's, £0 2s 8d

4½ gallons of arrack for the men lowering the guns on the curtain, £0 15s 11d

Total charged to the fortifications in general, £17 10s 9d

Charged to Munden's Point: stores issued from 1 October to 31 December 1768

Ironware

73 ash handles, £2 2s 0½d

7 pounds of iron binding wire, £0 6s 1½d

4 stone saws, £1 0s 7d

1 two-foot rule, £0 1s 0d

1 stock lock, £0 2s 10½d

1 gimlet, £0 0s 2½d

Total for ironware, £3 13s 0d

17 large oars, £4 13s 6d

Nails

9 pounds of fourpenny nails, £0 5s 5¼d

13 pounds of sixpenny nails, £0 7s 3¾d

Total for nails, £0 12s 9d

543 pounds of cordage, £9 1s 0d

1 [...], £0 3s 2d

10½ pounds of sole leather, £0 9s 7d

½ gallon of linseed oil, £0 3s 2d

1 number 4 line, £0 0s 4d

½ pound of candles, £0 1s 1d

Total charged to Munden's Point, £18 17s 7d

James Powell signed the account as storekeeper at St Helena on 31 December 1768, reserving the right to correct any errors.

Interpretations

The 17 large oars charged to Munden's Point suggest that much of the material for the battery went there by sea. The Point lay on a steep headland north of Jamestown, awkward to reach with carts over the island's paths. Boats loaded at the landing could carry stone, lime and timber round the coast and land them beneath the work, where the cordage, blocks and sheers already issued would hoist them up the cliff. The stone saws cut the blocks quarried from the rock blasted away to form the battery's platform.

The arrack issued to the men lowering the guns from the curtain completed the record of that operation, which also appeared in the gunner's December account. As with the boatmen, heavy and dangerous hauling earned a spirit ration.

399

392

The 16 January

List of the Honorable Company's Officers and Servants upon the

Island St. Helena with their several Salarys Diet Money &c. for

the Quarter Commencing from the 1st of Octob. and ending the 31st day of

December 1768

John Skottowe Esq. Governor Saly.£ 125 - -

Do. Allowance for Servants as usual

31 14 9

156 14 9

Matthew Purling of Council Saly.

15 - -

Do. Allowc.

17 10 -

Do. Diet Money

15 - -

Do. Gratuity

15 - -

62 10 -

Capt. Thomas Kirkpatrick of Counl. Saly.

7 10 -

Do. House Rent

2 10 -

10 - -

Archibald Mitchell Engineer Saly.

50 - -

Do. Diet Money

25 - -

Do. House Rent

2 10 -

77 10 -

William Beancroft Chapl. Saly.

40 - -

Do. Diet Money

15 - -

55 - -

Matthew Bazett Secrety. Saly.

17 10 -

Do. Diet Money

15 - -

Do. House Rent

2 10 -

35 - -

James Powell Storekpr. Saly.

17 10 -

Do. Diet Money

15 - -

Do. House Rent

2 10 -

35 - -

William Wrangham Fact. Saly.

7 10 -

Do. Diet Money

10 - -

Do. House Rent

2 10 -

Do. Assist. to the Govr.

10 - -

30 - -

Jonathan Dowlon Fact. Saly.

7 10 -

Do. Diet Money

10 - -

Do. Assist. Storekpr.

5 - -

22 10 -

Bartholomew Wright Fact. Saly.

7 10 -

Do. Diet Money

10 - -

Do. House Rent

2 10 -

20 - -

John Goodwin Writer Saly.

5 - -

Do. Diet Money

10 - -

15 - -

Carrd. Over£ 519 4 9

The list of the Company's officers and employees on St Helena, with their salaries, table allowances and other pay for the quarter from 1 October to 31 December 1768, was entered as follows.

Governor John Skottowe, salary, £125 0s 0d

Governor John Skottowe, usual allowance for servants, £31 14s 9d

Total for Governor Skottowe, £156 14s 9d

Matthew Purling, councillor, salary, £15 0s 0d

Matthew Purling, as accountant, £17 10s 0d

Matthew Purling, table allowance, £15 0s 0d

Matthew Purling, gratuity, £15 0s 0d

Total for Matthew Purling, £62 10s 0d

Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick, councillor, salary, £7 10s 0d

Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick, house rent, £2 10s 0d

Total for Captain Kirkpatrick, £10 0s 0d

Archibald Mitchell, engineer, salary, £50 0s 0d

Archibald Mitchell, table allowance, £25 0s 0d

Archibald Mitchell, house rent, £2 10s 0d

Total for Archibald Mitchell, £77 10s 0d

William Bearcroft, chaplain, salary, £40 0s 0d

William Bearcroft, table allowance, £15 0s 0d

Total for William Bearcroft, £55 0s 0d

Matthew Bazett, secretary, salary, £17 10s 0d

Matthew Bazett, table allowance, £15 0s 0d

Matthew Bazett, house rent, £2 10s 0d

Total for Matthew Bazett, £35 0s 0d

James Powell, storekeeper, salary, £17 10s 0d

James Powell, table allowance, £15 0s 0d

James Powell, house rent, £2 10s 0d

Total for James Powell, £35 0s 0d

William Wrangham, factor, salary, £7 10s 0d

William Wrangham, table allowance, £10 0s 0d

William Wrangham, house rent, £2 10s 0d

William Wrangham, as assistant to the Governor, £10 0s 0d

Total for William Wrangham, £30 0s 0d

Jonathan Doveton, factor, salary, £7 10s 0d

Jonathan Doveton, table allowance, £10 0s 0d

Jonathan Doveton, as assistant storekeeper, £5 0s 0d

Total for Jonathan Doveton, £22 10s 0d

Bartholomew Wright, factor, salary, £7 10s 0d

Bartholomew Wright, table allowance, £10 0s 0d

Bartholomew Wright, house rent, £2 10s 0d

Total for Bartholomew Wright, £20 0s 0d

John Goodwin, writer, salary, £5 0s 0d

John Goodwin, table allowance, £10 0s 0d

Total for John Goodwin, £15 0s 0d

Carried forward, £519 4s 9d

Interpretations

The Governor, Purling and Kirkpatrick together drew £229 4s 9d this quarter. In the previous quarter the entries above Mitchell had come to £249 7s 5d. The difference of about £20 was Daniel Corneille's pay as Lieutenant Governor, which ceased with his resignation on 21 July 1768. No successor had been appointed. The Council ran with three members, and the Company saved the post's salary until the Court of Directors filled it.

Purling drew far more than his fellow councillor. Besides his council salary and table allowance, he was paid as accountant and received a gratuity of £15 0s 0d for the quarter. Kirkpatrick drew only £7 10s 0d as councillor and his house rent, since his main income came from his captaincy of the First Company. The gratuity rewarded Purling for the extra work that fell on him after Corneille's departure, including the inspections of waste land and the stocktaking of the warehouses.

The Governor's allowance for servants was a fixed sum paid on top of his salary to maintain his household staff. Together with his share of the Company's table and the candles issued to him, it made the governorship by far the best-paid post on the island.

400

393

1769

Brought Over£ 519 4 9

George Bazett Writer Saly.

5 - -

Do. Diet Money

10 - -

15 - -

Robert Barclay Surgeons Saly.

9 15 -

Do. Diet Money

10 - -

Do. House Rent

2 10 -

22 5 -

John Pritchard Surgeons Mate Saly.

6 5 -

Do. Diet Money

10 - -

Do. House Rent

2 10 -

18 15 -

Richard Beale Judge Advocate Saly.

12 10 -

Do. School Master

7 10 -

20 - -

Phillip Mahoney Clerk of the Peace

22 10 -

Thomas Bazett Superintd.

13 15 -

John Bazett Do. of the Compys. Blacks

10 - -

Samuel Alexander

Overseers

7 10 -

John Worrall

15 - -

William Holbrook Mast. Mason

30 - -

John Preston Masons Mate

20 - -

John Robinson Carpentr.

25 - -

Peter Merot Do. Mate 38 days @ £12.. 10 p Yr.

5 4 1½

James Hogg Do. Do. 54 Do. @ £12.. 10 p Yr.

7 5 10½

John Drawwater Cooper

8 15 -

John Robins Armour.

15 - -

Sol. St. Maurice Mast. at Arms

6 5 -

Thomas Payne Overseer of ye Compys. Watermen 72 days @ 1/6 p day

5 9 6

Robert Leech Compys. Steward

7 10 -

Thomas Yates Clerk of the Church

5 - -

John Joyce Clerk & Instrmt. Cleaner

1 5 -

Robert Allen Groom

2 - -

John Cogswell Patroon of the L.J. Boats

7 10 -

John Price Marshall & Goaler

7 10 -

To the Drum Major for instructg. the Young Drumrs.

1 - -

John Lemon an Invalid 92 days

3 9 -

226 16 6

Carrd. Over£ 822 1 3

The list of officers and employees continued from a running total of £519 4s 9d.

Brought forward, £519 4s 9d

George Bazett, writer, salary, £5 0s 0d

George Bazett, table allowance, £10 0s 0d

Total for George Bazett, £15 0s 0d

Robert Barclay, surgeon, salary, £9 15s 0d

Robert Barclay, diet money, £10 0s 0d

Robert Barclay, house rent, £2 10s 0d

Total for Robert Barclay, £22 5s 0d

John Pritchard, surgeon's mate, salary, £6 5s 0d

John Pritchard, diet money, £10 0s 0d

John Pritchard, house rent, £2 10s 0d

Total for John Pritchard, £18 15s 0d

Richard Beale, judge advocate, salary, £12 10s 0d

Richard Beale, as schoolmaster, £7 10s 0d

Total for Richard Beale, £20 0s 0d

Phillip Mahoney, clerk of the peace, £22 10s 0d

Thomas Bazett, superintendent, £13 15s 0d

John Bazett, superintendent of the Company's slaves, £10 0s 0d

Samuel Alexander, overseer, £7 10s 0d

John Worrall, overseer, £15 0s 0d

William Holbrook, master mason, £30 0s 0d

John Preston, mason's mate, £20 0s 0d

John Robinson, carpenter, £25 0s 0d

Peter Mariot, carpenter's mate, for 38 days at £12 10s 0d a quarter, £5 4s 1½d

James Hogg, carpenter's mate, for 53 days at £12 10s 0d a quarter, £7 5s 10½d

John Drawwater, cooper, £8 15s 0d

John Robins, armourer, £15 0s 0d

Solomon St Maurice, master at arms, £6 5s 0d

Thomas Payne, overseer of the Company's works, for 73 days at 1s 6d a day, £5 9s 6d

Robert Leech, the Company's steward, £7 10s 0d

Thomas Yates, clerk of the church, £5 0s 0d

John Joyce, clock and instrument cleaner, £1 5s 0d

Robert Allen, groom, £2 0s 0d

John Corfield, patroon of the Company's boats, £7 10s 0d

John Price, marshal and gaoler, £7 10s 0d

The drum major, for teaching the young drummers, £1 0s 0d

John Lawrence, invalid, for 92 days, £3 9s 0d

Total for the page, £226 16s 6d

Carried forward, £822 1s 3d

Interpretations

The quarter's pay recorded the outcome of two of the Council's decisions to the day. Peter Mariot was paid for 38 days, from 1 October to 7 November 1768, the day the Council dismissed him for neglecting his work in the carpenters' shop. James Hogg took over the post from the next day. Thomas Payne was paid as overseer of the works for 73 days, up to 12 December 1768, the day the Council dismissed him for his charges against Mitchell and Bazett. His allowance as clerk of the works passed to George Bazett at the same daily rate.

The surgeon was now Robert Barclay. The salary, diet money and house rent were the same as in the previous quarter. The post had changed hands at the same rate of pay, and the record gave no explanation.

Solomon St Maurice appeared here as master at arms, the officer responsible for drill and the discipline of the guard. He was also a lieutenant of the First Company. As with Beale, Thomas Bazett and others, a single officer held a military rank and a separate paid post, each drawing its own allowance.

401

394

The 16 January

Brought Over£ 822 1 3

First Company

Thomas Kirkpatrick Capt. Saly.

45 12 6

Solomon St. Maurice Lieut. Saly.

18 5 -

Do. Diet Money

6 16 10½

Do. House Rent

2 10 -

27 11 10½

Samuel Desfountain Lieut. Saly.

18 5 -

Do. Diet Money

6 16 10½

Do. House Rent

2 10 -

27 11 10½

Solomon Jacob Adjt. Saly.

29 13 1½

Serjeants

Thomas Payne disch. 12th Decem.

6 1 8

Henry Howell

7 13 4

William Rowlands

7 13 4

John Allum

7 13 4

Thomas Townsend 19 Days

1 11 8

Do. Corpl. 73 Do.

4 5 2

34 18 6

Corporals

George Rose

5 7 4

George Seale

5 7 4

Thomas Mears

5 7 4

William Smitt 19 Days

1 2 2

Do. Centl. 73 Do.

3 " 10

20 5 -

Drummers

John Martin

5 7 4

Richard Pleffert

5 7 4

Joseph Peerham

5 7 4

16 2 -

Centinels

James Avery

3 16 8

James Armstrong

3 16 8

Centl. Carrd. Over£ 7 13 4

Carrd. Over£ 1023 16 1½

The pay list continued from £822 1s 3d with the officers and men of the First Company.

Brought forward, £822 1s 3d

First Company

Thomas Kirkpatrick, captain, salary, £45 12s 6d

Solomon St Maurice, lieutenant, salary, £18 5s 0d

Solomon St Maurice, diet money, £6 16s 10½d

Solomon St Maurice, house rent, £2 10s 0d

Total for Solomon St Maurice, £27 11s 10½d

Samuel Desfountain, lieutenant, salary, £18 5s 0d

Samuel Desfountain, diet money, £6 16s 10½d

Samuel Desfountain, house rent, £2 10s 0d

Total for Samuel Desfountain, £27 11s 10½d

Solomon Jacobs, adjutant, salary, £29 13s 1½d

Sergeants

Thomas Payne, sergeant, discharged 12 December, £6 1s 8d

Henry Howell, sergeant, £7 13s 4d

William Rowlands, sergeant, £7 13s 4d

John Allman, sergeant, £7 13s 4d

Thomas Townsend, sergeant, for 19 days, £1 11s 8d

Thomas Townsend, as corporal for 73 days, £4 5s 2d

Total for the sergeants, £34 18s 6d

Corporals

George Roe, corporal, £5 7s 4d

George Seale, corporal, £5 7s 4d

Thomas Mears, corporal, £5 7s 4d

William Small, corporal, for 19 days, £1 2s 2d

William Small, as private for 73 days, £3 0s 10d

Total for the corporals, £20 5s 0d

Drummers

John Martin, drummer, £5 7s 4d

Richard Stafford, drummer, £5 7s 4d

Joseph Peckham, drummer, £5 7s 4d

Total for the drummers, £16 2s 0d

Private soldiers

James Avery, private, £3 16s 8d

James Armstrong, private, £3 16s 8d

Private soldiers carried forward, £7 13s 4d

Carried forward, £1,023 16s 1½d

Interpretations

Payne's dismissal on 12 December 1768 cost him his sergeant's place in the First Company as well as his post as overseer of the works. His pay as sergeant stopped on the same day. Thomas Townsend was promoted from corporal to fill the vacancy from 13 December, and William Small moved up from private to take Townsend's place as corporal. The chain of promotion followed the same pattern as Bannister's death in August.

Townsend was one of the witnesses heard on 12 December. His evidence that he never heard Dobson speak of Mitchell's orders helped clear Mitchell and Bazett and sink Payne's case. He received Payne's sergeancy the next day. The record does not say whether his testimony played any part in his promotion. He was the obvious candidate as senior corporal in the same company. Still, the man whose evidence told against the accuser stepped into the accuser's rank at once.

402

395

1769

Brought Over£ 1023 16 1½

Centinels brought Over£ 7 13 4

John Buchanan

3 16 8

Moses Boffey

3 16 8

John Bell

3 16 8

John Barns

3 16 8

Timothy Bryan

3 16 8

Emanuel Bunner

3 16 8

William Benson

3 16 8

Benjamin Barclay

3 16 8

Richard Brown

3 16 8

Thomas Berwick

3 16 8

William Bunn

3 16 8

John Blavin

3 16 8

Edward Caker

3 16 8

William Clifford

3 16 8

Patrick Conner

3 16 8

Andrew Conner

3 16 8

John Charlton

3 16 8

William Coppin

3 16 8

John Davis

3 16 8

John Dove

3 16 8

James Drake

3 16 8

Thomas Durham transf. 9th Novemr.

1 12 6

James Dunn

3 16 8

George Dyce

3 16 8

Adam Evans

3 16 8

Henry Everton

3 16 8

Cornelius Fish

3 16 8

William French

3 16 8

William Foster

3 16 8

William Greenwood

3 16 8

John Granger

3 16 8

William Henderson

3 16 8

John Hourston

3 16 8

Edward Haddock

3 16 8

William Holmes

Centl. Carrd. Over£ 139 12 6

Carrd. Over£ 1023 16 1½

The First Company's private soldiers continued from a running total of £7 13s 4d.

Brought forward, £1,023 16s 1½d

Private soldiers brought forward, £7 13s 4d

John Brockhurst, private, £3 16s 8d

Moses Biffen, private, £3 16s 8d

John Brill, private, £3 16s 8d

John Barnes, private, £3 16s 8d

Timothy Bryan, private, £3 16s 8d

Emmanuel Bunner, private, £3 16s 8d

William Benson, private, £3 16s 8d

Benjamin Barclay, private, £3 16s 8d

Richard Brown, private, £3 16s 8d

Thomas Brewick, private, £3 16s 8d

William Bunn, private, £3 16s 8d

John Bacon, private, £3 16s 8d

Edward Cocker, private, £3 16s 8d

William Clissold, private, £3 16s 8d

Patrick Conner, private, £3 16s 8d

Andrew Conner, private, £3 16s 8d

John Charlton, private, £3 16s 8d

William Coppen, private, £3 16s 8d

John Davis, private, £3 16s 8d

John Dean, private, £3 16s 8d

James Drakes, private, £3 16s 8d

Thomas Durham, private, transferred 9 November, £1 12s 6d

James Dunn, private, £3 16s 8d

George Dyer, private, £3 16s 8d

Adam Evans, private, £3 16s 8d

Henry Cowdrey, private, £3 16s 8d

Cornelius Fish, private, £3 16s 8d

William French, private, £3 16s 8d

William Fisher, private, £3 16s 8d

William Greenwood, private, £3 16s 8d

John Grainger, private, £3 16s 8d

William Henderson, private, £3 16s 8d

John Houston, private, £3 16s 8d

Edward Haddock, private, £3 16s 8d

William Holmes, private, £3 16s 8d

Private soldiers carried forward, £139 12s 6d

Carried forward, £1,023 16s 1½d

Interpretations

John Grainger, who gave evidence in the inquiry of 12 December 1768, drew a private's pay in the First Company for the full quarter. He had told the Council he worked in the carpenters' shop and was in the Company's pay at the time the billiard house was built. Like James Hogg, he was a soldier with a trade, put to work in the Company's shops while remaining on the military roll. Such men could be called as witnesses on the Company's works because they had laboured on them in person.

403

396

The 16 January

Brought Over£ 1023 16 1½

Centl. brought Over£ 139 12 6

Owen Howard transf. 22 Decemr.

3 8 4

Phillip Hayes

3 16 8

John Hammond

3 16 8

John Hill

3 16 8

Sutton Isaac

3 16 8

William Jones

3 16 8

Duncan McLaren

3 16 8

William Mumford

3 16 8

John McAllister

3 16 8

James Miller

3 16 8

William Mudge

3 16 8

Mathew Oalmen

3 16 8

William Page

3 16 8

Thomas Roberts

3 16 8

William Robinson

3 16 8

Silvanus Rolf

3 16 8

Thomas Rogers

3 16 8

Anthony Reynolds

3 16 8

William Swaby

3 16 8

John Springthorpe

3 16 8

John Skeans

3 16 8

John Steward

3 16 8

Edward Silverton

3 16 8

James Swanson

3 16 8

Joseph Tracy

3 16 8

William Tapper

3 16 8

John Fanton

3 16 8

Joseph Valentine

3 16 8

John Whittingdale

3 16 8

Benjamin Wise

3 16 8

Thomas Windall

3 16 8

John Weston

3 16 8

George Wall

3 16 8

265 14 2

Carrd. Over£ 1289 10 3½

The First Company's private soldiers continued from a running total of £139 12s 6d and closed with their total.

Brought forward, £1,023 16s 1½d

Private soldiers brought forward, £139 12s 6d

Owen Howard, private, transferred 22 December, £3 8s 4d

Phillip Hayes, private, £3 16s 8d

John Hammond, private, £3 16s 8d

John Hill, private, £3 16s 8d

Sutton Isaacs, private, £3 16s 8d

William Jones, private, £3 16s 8d

Duncan McLaren, private, £3 16s 8d

William Mumford, private, £3 16s 8d

John McAllister, private, £3 16s 8d

James Miller, private, £3 16s 8d

William Mudge, private, £3 16s 8d

Mathew Palmer, private, £3 16s 8d

William Page, private, £3 16s 8d

Thomas Roberts, private, £3 16s 8d

William Robinson, private, £3 16s 8d

Silvanus Rolfe, private, £3 16s 8d

Thomas Rosser, private, £3 16s 8d

Anthony Reynolds, private, £3 16s 8d

William Swaby, private, £3 16s 8d

John Springthorpe, private, £3 16s 8d

John Rains, private, £3 16s 8d

John Stewart, private, £3 16s 8d

Edward Stevenson, private, £3 16s 8d

James Swanson, private, £3 16s 8d

Joseph Storey, private, £3 16s 8d

William Tipper, private, £3 16s 8d

John Tanker, private, £3 16s 8d

Joseph Valentine, private, £3 16s 8d

John Whittingdale, private, £3 16s 8d

Benjamin Wise, private, £3 16s 8d

Thomas Windall, private, £3 16s 8d

John Weston, private, £3 16s 8d

George Wall, private, £3 16s 8d

Total for the First Company's private soldiers, £265 14s 2d

Carried forward, £1,289 10s 3½d

Interpretations

The First Company's private soldiers cost £265 14s 2d this quarter, against £278 15s 0d between July and September. The fall came from the men who left the roll: Thomas Durham transferred on 9 November, Owen Howard on 22 December and William Small promoted to corporal. The recruits John Hill and John Tanker, who joined part-way through the previous quarter, now drew full pay. No new man had been enlisted to fill the gaps. The company was left a few men short at the year's end, while the works at Lemon Valley and Munden's Point drew heavily on the garrison's labour.

404

397

1769

Brought Over£ 1289 10 3½

Second Company

Henry Bazett Capt. Saly.

45 12 6

Michael Groot Lieut. Saly.

18 5 -

Do. Diet Money

6 16 10½

Do. House Rent

2 10 -

27 11 10½

John Ware Welch Lieut. Saly.

18 5 -

Do. Diet Money

6 16 10½

Do. House Rent

2 10 -

27 11 10½

Serjeants

John Bazett

7 13 4

Stephen Payor

7 13 4

Robert Hopkinson 87 days

7 5 -

Do. Corpl. 5 Do.

" 5 10

John Salsbury 40 Do.

3 6 8

Do. Corpl. 52 Do.

3 - 8

29 4 10

Corporals

Samuel Parker

5 7 4

William Merrick

5 7 4

Francis Seale

3 1 6

Do. Centl.

" 4 2

Joseph Whaley

2 6 8

Do. Centl.

2 3 4

20 10 4

Drummers

John Brown

5 7 4

Patrick Edwington

5 7 4

10 14 8

Centinels

Robert Allum

3 16 8

Joseph Banks

3 16 8

William Birch

3 16 8

William Brooks

3 16 8

Jacob Brown

3 16 8

Robert Brown

3 16 8

Centl. Carrd. Over£ 23 - -

Carrd. Over£ 1450 16 4½

The pay list continued from £1,289 10s 3½d with the officers and men of the Second Company.

Brought forward, £1,289 10s 3½d

Second Company

Henry Bazett, captain, salary, £45 12s 6d

Michael Frost, lieutenant, salary, £18 5s 0d

Michael Frost, diet money, £6 16s 10½d

Michael Frost, house rent, £2 10s 0d

Total for Michael Frost, £27 11s 10½d

John Mare Welch, lieutenant, salary, £18 5s 0d

John Mare Welch, diet money, £6 16s 10½d

John Mare Welch, house rent, £2 10s 0d

Total for John Mare Welch, £27 11s 10½d

Sergeants

John Bazett, sergeant, £7 13s 4d

Stephen Rogers, sergeant, £7 13s 4d

Robert Stephenson, sergeant, for 87 days, £7 5s 0d

Robert Stephenson, as corporal for 5 days, £0 5s 10d

John Salisbury, sergeant, for 40 days, £3 6s 8d

John Salisbury, as corporal for 52 days, £3 0s 8d

Total for the sergeants, £29 4s 10d

Corporals

Samuel Parker, corporal, £5 7s 4d

William Merrick, corporal, £5 7s 4d

Francis Seale, corporal, for 87 days, £5 1s 6d

Francis Seale, as private for 5 days, £0 4s 2d

Joseph Whaley, corporal, for 40 days, £2 6s 8d

Joseph Whaley, as private for 52 days, £2 3s 4d

Total for the corporals, £20 10s 4d

Drummers

John Brown, drummer, £5 7s 4d

Patrick Etherington, drummer, £5 7s 4d

Total for the drummers, £10 14s 8d

Private soldiers

Robert Allen, private, £3 16s 8d

Joseph Banks, private, £3 16s 8d

William Birch, private, £3 16s 8d

William Brooks, private, £3 16s 8d

Jacob Brown, private, £3 16s 8d

Robert Bowey, private, £3 16s 8d

Private soldiers carried forward, £23 0s 0d

Carried forward, £1,450 16s 4½d

Interpretations

Two sergeants' places in the Second Company fell vacant during the quarter. John Fish and John Sabourin, who served as sergeants in September, no longer appeared on the roll. The vacancies were filled from below, as before. Robert Stephenson was promoted from corporal on 6 October and John Salisbury on 22 November. Francis Seale and Joseph Whaley moved up from the ranks to take their places as corporals on the same days. Each man's pay was divided at the date of his step up, so the Company paid exactly for the rank he held each day.

405

398

The 16 January

Brought Over£ 1450 16 4½

Centl. brought Over£ 23 - -

Nicholas Bushel

3 16 8

Daniel Burge

3 16 8

James Byrne

3 16 8

Jonathan Burden

3 16 8

William Conquest

3 16 8

John Crawley

3 16 8

William Carfree

3 16 8

William Carter

3 16 8

John Cunningham

3 16 8

Robert Dickens

3 16 8

William Drummond

3 16 8

John Dayley

3 16 8

Mathew Dunhill transf. 15th Novemr.

1 17 6

Peter Ellam

3 16 8

John Forbes

3 16 8

William Fullwood

3 16 8

John Fish 87 days

3 12 6

Do. Serjt. 5 Do.

" 8 4

John Goldsole

3 16 8

John Gray

3 16 8

Robert Green

3 16 8

James Gates

3 16 8

Charles Goulding

3 16 8

William Harris Senr.

3 16 8

William Harris Junr.

3 16 8

Abraham Harding

3 16 8

Samuel Hiles

3 16 8

John Holbrook

3 16 8

Thomas Haylis

3 16 8

James Hudson

3 16 8

James Hogg

3 16 8

John Ham

3 16 8

William Hunt

3 16 8

Samuel Instone

3 16 8

William Johnson

3 16 8

Centl. Carrd. Over£ 151 11 8

Carrd. Over£ 1450 16 4½

The Second Company's private soldiers continued from a running total of £23 0s 0d.

Brought forward, £1,450 16s 4½d

Private soldiers brought forward, £23 0s 0d

Nicholas Bustell, private, £3 16s 8d

Daniel Pye, private, £3 16s 8d

James Byron, private, £3 16s 8d

Jonathan Bartley, private, £3 16s 8d

William Conquest, private, £3 16s 8d

John Crowley, private, £3 16s 8d

William Carter, private, £3 16s 8d

William Carder, private, £3 16s 8d

John Cunningham, private, £3 16s 8d

Robert Dickson, private, £3 16s 8d

William Devereux, private, £3 16s 8d

John Dayley, private, £3 16s 8d

Mathew Burchell, private, transferred 15 November, £1 17s 6d

Peter Allam, private, £3 16s 8d

John Forbes, private, £3 16s 8d

William Fulford, private, £3 16s 8d

John Fish, private, for 87 days, £3 12s 6d

John Fish, as sergeant for 5 days, £0 8s 4d

John Glossop, private, £3 16s 8d

John Gray, private, £3 16s 8d

Robert Green, private, £3 16s 8d

James Gates, private, £3 16s 8d

Charles Golding, private, £3 16s 8d

William Harris senior, private, £3 16s 8d

William Harris junior, private, £3 16s 8d

Abraham Harding, private, £3 16s 8d

Samuel Hiles, private, £3 16s 8d

John Holbrook, private, £3 16s 8d

Thomas Hayter, private, £3 16s 8d

James Hudson, private, £3 16s 8d

James Hogg, private, £3 16s 8d

John Hart, private, £3 16s 8d

William Hunt, private, £3 16s 8d

Samuel Jesson, private, £3 16s 8d

William Johnson, private, £3 16s 8d

Private soldiers carried forward, £151 11s 8d

Carried forward, £1,450 16s 4½d

Interpretations

John Fish served as sergeant for only the first 5 days of the quarter and was then paid as a private for the remaining 87. He had been reduced to the ranks on 6 October 1768. On the same day Robert Stephenson was promoted to sergeant and Francis Seale to corporal. The record gave no reason for the demotion. Reduction to the ranks was the usual punishment for a non-commissioned officer found drunk on duty or guilty of some breach of discipline, and Fish's pay fell from 20d to 10d a day at once.

James Hogg drew a private's pay for the whole quarter, even though he had been carpenter's mate since 8 November 1768 at £12 10s 0d a quarter. He kept his place and pay as a soldier alongside the civil post. A soldier with a trade lost nothing by taking up skilled work for the Company, which made such men willing to serve in its shops.

406

399

1769

Brought Over£ 1450 16 4½

Centl. brought Over£ 151 11 8

John Jacks

3 16 8

Thomas James

3 16 8

John James

3 16 8

Francis Jackson

3 16 8

Samuel Kirkham

3 16 8

Henry Ketcham

3 16 8

John Kemp

3 16 8

Henry Miller

3 16 8

John Morris

3 16 8

John McCullen

3 16 8

William Mackbeth

3 16 8

Abraham Miller

3 16 8

Joseph McCartney

3 16 8

Thomas Mathews

3 16 8

Thomas Morgan

3 16 8

Reeves Osborn

3 16 8

George Oliver

3 16 8

Samuel Perry

3 16 8

John Perry

3 16 8

Thomas Palmer

3 16 8

Thomas Richards

3 16 8

William Richardson

3 16 8

Jno. Christr. Rufe

3 16 8

Thomas Stowers

3 16 8

Gregory Southernwood

3 16 8

Frederick Shaffer

3 16 8

George Street

3 16 8

John Sabourin 40 days

1 13 4

Do. Serjt. 52 Do.

4 6 8

John Tucker

3 16 8

John Vaughan

3 16 8

John Whyatt

3 16 3

272 11 8

Carrd. Over£ 1723 8 -½

The Second Company's private soldiers continued from a running total of £151 11s 8d and closed with their total.

Brought forward, £1,450 16s 4½d

Private soldiers brought forward, £151 11s 8d

John Jacks, private, £3 16s 8d

Thomas James, private, £3 16s 8d

John James, private, £3 16s 8d

Francis Jackson, private, £3 16s 8d

Samuel Kitteridge, private, £3 16s 8d

Henry Kirkham, private, £3 16s 8d

John King, private, £3 16s 8d

Henry Miller, private, £3 16s 8d

John Morris, private, £3 16s 8d

John McCallum, private, £3 16s 8d

William Macbeth, private, £3 16s 8d

Abraham Miller, private, £3 16s 8d

Joseph McCartney, private, £3 16s 8d

Thomas Mitchell, private, £3 16s 8d

Thomas Morgan, private, £3 16s 8d

Reeves Osborn, private, £3 16s 8d

George Oliver, private, £3 16s 8d

Samuel Perry, private, £3 16s 8d

John Povey, private, £3 16s 8d

Thomas Palmer, private, £3 16s 8d

Thomas Richards, private, £3 16s 8d

William Richardson, private, £3 16s 8d

John Christopher Shefe, private, £3 16s 8d

Thomas Seaver, private, £3 16s 8d

Gregory Southernwood, private, £3 16s 8d

Frederick Sheffer, private, £3 16s 8d

George Street, private, £3 16s 8d

John Sabourin, private, for 40 days, £1 13s 4d

John Sabourin, as sergeant for 52 days, £4 6s 8d

John Tucker, private, £3 16s 8d

John Vaughan, private, £3 16s 8d

John Whyrell, private, £3 16s 8d

Total for the Second Company's private soldiers, £272 11s 8d

Carried forward, £1,723 8s 0½d

Interpretations

John Sabourin, promoted to sergeant on George Freeman's discharge in August 1768, held the rank only until 21 November. He served the last 40 days of the quarter as a private. His fall opened the place John Salisbury filled from 22 November, with Joseph Whaley rising to corporal behind him. Both of the Second Company's sergeants' vacancies this quarter thus came from demotions, not deaths or discharges. Fish was broken on 6 October and Sabourin seven weeks later. The record gave no reasons, but two reductions in one company within a quarter point to a firm hand on discipline under Captain Henry Bazett.

407

400

The 16 January

Brought Over£ 1723 8 -½

Third Company

Richard Beale Capt. Saly.

45 12 6

Thomas Bazett Lieut. Saly.

18 5 -

Do. Diet Money

6 16 10½

Do. House Rent

2 10 -

27 11 10½

Thomas Lambert Lieut. Saly.

18 5 -

Do. Diet Money

6 16 10½

Do. House Rent

2 10 -

27 11 10½

Serjeants

William Roberts

7 13 4

William Clifton

7 13 4

Samuel Johnson

7 13 4

Thomas Pearce

7 13 4

30 13 4

Corporals

John Hilliard

5 7 4

David Scott

5 7 4

Richard Ashford

5 7 4

Thomas Taylor 91 Days

5 6 2

Do. Corpl. 1 Do.

" " 10

21 9 -

Drummers

John Francis

5 7 4

George Varney

5 7 4

10 14 8

Centinels

James Anderson

3 16 8

Henry Brown

3 16 8

Jacob Bull

3 16 8

Mark Bolls

3 16 8

Fredk. Wm. Bird

3 16 8

John Bloxham

3 16 8

William Caleb Baldwin

3 16 8

Abel Wagnel

3 16 8

John Cook

3 16 8

Robert Davis

3 16 8

Centl. Carrd. Over£ 38 6 8

Carrd. Over£ 1887 1 3½

The pay list continued from £1,723 8s 0½d with the officers and men of the Third Company.

Brought forward, £1,723 8s 0½d

Third Company

Richard Beale, captain, salary, £45 12s 6d

Thomas Bazett, lieutenant, salary, £18 5s 0d

Thomas Bazett, diet money, £6 16s 10½d

Thomas Bazett, house rent, £2 10s 0d

Total for Thomas Bazett, £27 11s 10½d

Thomas Lambert, lieutenant, salary, £18 5s 0d

Thomas Lambert, diet money, £6 16s 10½d

Thomas Lambert, house rent, £2 10s 0d

Total for Thomas Lambert, £27 11s 10½d

Sergeants

William Roberts, sergeant, £7 13s 4d

William Clifford, sergeant, £7 13s 4d

Samuel Johnson, sergeant, £7 13s 4d

Thomas Pearce, sergeant, £7 13s 4d

Total for the sergeants, £30 13s 4d

Corporals

John Hilliard, corporal, £5 7s 4d

David Reid, corporal, £5 7s 4d

Richard Ashford, corporal, £5 7s 4d

Thomas Taylor, corporal, for 91 days, £5 6s 2d

Thomas Taylor, as private for 1 day, £0 0s 10d

Total for the corporals, £21 9s 0d

Drummers

John Swale, drummer, £5 7s 4d

George Varney, drummer, £5 7s 4d

Total for the drummers, £10 14s 8d

Private soldiers

James Anderson, private, £3 16s 8d

Henry Brown, private, £3 16s 8d

Jacob Bell, private, £3 16s 8d

Mark Wells, private, £3 16s 8d

Frederick William Beard, private, £3 16s 8d

John Blackhorn, private, £3 16s 8d

William Caleb Baldwin, private, £3 16s 8d

Abel Bagnall, private, £3 16s 8d

John Goff, private, £3 16s 8d

Robert Davis, private, £3 16s 8d

Private soldiers carried forward, £38 6s 8d

Carried forward, £1,887 1s 3½d

Interpretations

The Third Company had served the whole of the previous quarter without a single change among its non-commissioned officers. This quarter one corporal's place changed hands on the first day. John Shirland, a corporal in September, no longer appeared. Thomas Taylor, previously a private in the same company, was paid as private for 1 October only and as corporal from the 2nd. The vacancy must have opened at the very end of September or on the first day of the new quarter. The Company filled it within a day, keeping the company's establishment of four corporals complete.

408

401

1769

Brought Over£ 1887 1 3½

Centl. brought Over£ 38 6 8

Edward Dudley

3 16 8

James Donavan

3 16 8

William Edwards

3 16 8

Charles Edgels

3 16 8

William Foster

3 16 8

John Foxon

3 16 8

William Ford

3 16 8

Archibald Grayham

3 16 8

Richard Gregory

3 16 8

William Greenup

3 16 8

Felix Hyder

3 16 8

William Hill

3 16 8

William Hopkins

3 16 8

Thomas Hilbrook

3 16 8

Mannord Hayes

3 16 8

Joseph Holloway

3 16 8

Robert Hardie

3 16 8

Peter Higgins

3 16 8

William Hamilton

3 16 8

Josiah Johnson

3 16 8

Richard Johnson

3 16 8

Robert Johnston

3 16 8

William Johnson

3 16 8

James Kemp

3 16 8

John Long

3 16 8

Edward Lambert

3 16 8

Bryan Lynch

3 16 8

Thomas Little

3 16 8

Charles Montague

3 16 8

Richard Moyse

3 16 8

Joseph Martin

3 16 8

Thomas Morris

3 16 8

John Miller

3 16 8

Abraham Major

3 16 8

James Moyse

Centl. Carrd. Over£ 172 10 -

Carrd. Over£ 1887 1 3½

The Third Company's private soldiers continued from a running total of £38 6s 8d.

Brought forward, £1,887 1s 3½d

Private soldiers brought forward, £38 6s 8d

Edward Dudley, private, £3 16s 8d

James Dornahan, private, £3 16s 8d

William Edwards, private, £3 16s 8d

Charles Edgels, private, £3 16s 8d

William Foster, private, £3 16s 8d

John Ferson, private, £3 16s 8d

William Ford, private, £3 16s 8d

Archibald Grayham, private, £3 16s 8d

Richard Gregory, private, £3 16s 8d

William Greenup, private, £3 16s 8d

Felix Hyler, private, £3 16s 8d

William Hill, private, £3 16s 8d

William Hopkins, private, £3 16s 8d

Thomas Hillock, private, £3 16s 8d

Maynard Hayes, private, £3 16s 8d

Joseph Holloway, private, £3 16s 8d

Robert Hardie, private, £3 16s 8d

Peter Higgins, private, £3 16s 8d

William Hamilton, private, £3 16s 8d

Josiah Johnson, private, £3 16s 8d

Richard Johnson, private, £3 16s 8d

Robert Johnston, private, £3 16s 8d

William Johnson, private, £3 16s 8d

James Kemp, private, £3 16s 8d

John Long, private, £3 16s 8d

Edward Lamburn, private, £3 16s 8d

Bryan Lynch, private, £3 16s 8d

Thomas Little, private, £3 16s 8d

Charles Montague, private, £3 16s 8d

Richard Moyle, private, £3 16s 8d

Joseph Morton, private, £3 16s 8d

Thomas Minns, private, £3 16s 8d

John Miller, private, £3 16s 8d

Abraham Major, private, £3 16s 8d

James Moyse, private, £3 16s 8d

Private soldiers carried forward, £172 10s 0d

Carried forward, £1,887 1s 3½d

Interpretations

Charles Montague drew a full quarter's pay although he died on Saturday 31 December 1768. His death fell on the last day of the quarter, so the rule of paying a soldier to the day of his death gave him the whole 92 days. The sum became part of his estate, like the wages of James Long and Thomas Naylor before him.

409

402

The 16 January

Brought Over£ 1887 1 3½

Centl. brought Over£ 172 10 -

Thomas Mathews

3 16 8

William Medcalf

3 16 8

Charles Morriss

3 16 8

James Mannington

3 16 8

Charles Newstead Decd. 8th Novemr.

1 12 6

Thomas Perry

3 16 8

Henry Pinchin

3 16 8

David Patten

3 16 8

William Perkins

3 16 8

James Proctor

3 16 8

William Robinson

3 16 8

Robert Sack

3 16 8

Arthur Skill

3 16 8

Adam Scott

3 16 8

William Smith

3 16 8

John Sherland 91 days

3 15 10

Do. Corpl. 1 Do.

" 1 2

John Thompson

3 16 8

George Fennes

3 16 8

Richard Vincent

3 16 8

Thomas Ward

3 16 8

George Washington

3 16 8

Thomas Wiffington

3 16 8

Samuel Word

3 16 8

James York

3 16 8

Daniel Masterson

3 16 8

Holton Walker

3 16 8

269 19 6

Fourth Company

John Howard Capt. Saly.

45 12 6

James Greentree Lieut. Saly.

18 5 -

Do. Diet Money

6 16 10½

Do. House Rent

2 10 -

27 11 10½

Carrd. Over£ 2230 5 2-

The Third Company's private soldiers continued from a running total of £172 10s 0d and closed with their total, and the list then opened the Fourth Company.

Brought forward, £1,887 1s 3½d

Private soldiers brought forward, £172 10s 0d

Thomas Matthews, private, £3 16s 8d

William Medcalf, private, £3 16s 8d

Charles Morris, private, £3 16s 8d

James Mannington, private, £3 16s 8d

Charles Newstead, private, died 8 November, £1 12s 6d

Thomas Penny, private, £3 16s 8d

Henry Puffin, private, £3 16s 8d

David Paton, private, £3 16s 8d

William Parkes, private, £3 16s 8d

James Proctor, private, £3 16s 8d

William Robinson, private, £3 16s 8d

Robert Stack, private, £3 16s 8d

Arthur Shill, private, £3 16s 8d

Adam Scott, private, £3 16s 8d

William Smith, private, £3 16s 8d

John Shirland, private, for 91 days, £3 15s 10d

John Shirland, as corporal for 1 day, £0 1s 2d

John Thompson, private, £3 16s 8d

George Towns, private, £3 16s 8d

Richard Vincent, private, £3 16s 8d

Thomas Ward, private, £3 16s 8d

George Warrington, private, £3 16s 8d

Thomas Wellington, private, £3 16s 8d

Samuel Webb, private, £3 16s 8d

James York, private, £3 16s 8d

Daniel Masterson, private, £3 16s 8d

Hatton Walker, private, £3 16s 8d

Total for the Third Company's private soldiers, £269 19s 6d

Fourth Company

John Howard, captain, salary, £45 12s 6d

James Greentree, lieutenant, salary, £18 5s 0d

James Greentree, diet money, £6 16s 10½d

James Greentree, house rent, £2 10s 0d

Total for James Greentree, £27 11s 10½d

Carried forward, £2,230 5s 2d

Interpretations

John Shirland had not left the Third Company. He was reduced from corporal to private after the first day of the quarter and served the remaining 91 days in the ranks. Thomas Taylor took his place as corporal from 2 October. Three non-commissioned officers were broken within the quarter: Fish and Sabourin in the Second Company, and Shirland in the Third. Each demotion came early in the posting or in a sudden step. Together they suggest a period of stricter discipline in the garrison during the final months of 1768, while the men were heavily employed on the works.

Greentree now appeared alone as lieutenant of the Fourth Company, drawing a full quarter's pay. In the previous quarter the post had been divided between him and Henry De Laune, who died on 8 August 1768. His first full quarter at the rank brought him the salary, diet money and house rent of a lieutenant, the same as the other officers of that grade.

410

403

1769

Brought Over£ 2230 5 2

Serjeants

John Fleming

7 13 4

John Moore

7 13 4

Joseph West

7 13 4

John Dale 47 days

3 18 4

Do. Corpl. 45 Do.

2 12 6

29 10 10

Corporals

Thomas Hilliard

5 7 4

Thomas Williams

5 7 4

John Terry 68 days

3 19 4

Do. Centl. 24 Do.

1 " "

Thomas Blake 47 Do.

2 14 10

Do. Centl. 45 Do.

1 17 6

20 6 4

Drummers

George Hill

5 7 4

John Sampson

5 7 4

10 14 8

Centinels

John Allen

3 16 8

William Allen

3 16 8

Daniel Armon

3 16 8

George Bennett

3 16 8

Joseph Blackwell

3 16 8

John Beauchamp

3 16 8

John Bewler

3 16 8

William Blackman

3 16 8

James Bullett

3 16 8

William Blevin

3 16 8

Thomas Bailey

3 16 8

Richard Bickerstaff

3 16 8

William Corkney

3 16 8

Duncan Cameron

3 16 8

James Cubbins

3 16 8

Richard Close

Centl. Carrd. Over£ 61 6 8

Carrd. Over£ 2290 17 -

The Fourth Company's list continued with its sergeants, corporals, drummers and private soldiers.

Brought forward, £2,230 5s 2d

Sergeants

John Fleming, sergeant, £7 13s 4d

John Moore, sergeant, £7 13s 4d

Joseph West, sergeant, £7 13s 4d

John Deale, sergeant, for 47 days, £3 18s 4d

John Deale, as corporal for 45 days, £2 12s 6d

Total for the sergeants, £29 10s 10d

Corporals

Thomas Hilliard, corporal, £5 7s 4d

Thomas Williams, corporal, £5 7s 4d

John Terry, corporal, for 68 days, £3 19s 4d

John Terry, as private for 24 days, £1 0s 0d

Thomas Blake, corporal, for 47 days, £2 14s 10d

Thomas Blake, as private for 45 days, £1 17s 6d

Total for the corporals, £20 6s 4d

Drummers

George Wells, drummer, £5 7s 4d

John Sampson, drummer, £5 7s 4d

Total for the drummers, £10 14s 8d

Private soldiers

John Allen, private, £3 16s 8d

William Allen, private, £3 16s 8d

Daniel Armin, private, £3 16s 8d

George Bennett, private, £3 16s 8d

Joseph Blackwell, private, £3 16s 8d

John Beauchamp, private, £3 16s 8d

John Bowler, private, £3 16s 8d

William Blackman, private, £3 16s 8d

James Bullett, private, £3 16s 8d

William Blavin, private, £3 16s 8d

Thomas Bayley, private, £3 16s 8d

Richard Bickerstaff, private, £3 16s 8d

William Cathery, private, £3 16s 8d

Herman Campion, private, £3 16s 8d

James Collister, private, £3 16s 8d

Richard Close, private, £3 16s 8d

Private soldiers carried forward, £61 6s 8d

Carried forward, £2,290 17s 0d

Interpretations

The Fourth Company lost a sergeant and a corporal during the quarter. James Fox and John Woods, both on the September roll, no longer appeared. John Deale moved up from corporal to sergeant on 15 November. John Terry rose from private to corporal on 25 October and Thomas Blake on 15 November. Blake had transferred into the company from the First on 2 August 1768. Within four months of the move he held a corporal's rank, showing that a transfer between companies could open a quicker path to promotion.

411

404

[Ends of some lines at the left-hand edge partly hidden in the binding.]

The 16 January

Brought Over£ 2290 17 -

Centl. brought Over£ 61 6 8

Josiah Cummings

3 16 8

John Clennon

3 16 8

John Custon

3 16 8

Charles Field

3 16 8

Francis Flinn

3 16 8

Thomas Ferris

3 16 8

Henry Friendly

3 16 8

George Green

3 16 8

John Gilmore

3 16 8

Edward German

3 16 8

Henry Hevenburgh

3 16 8

James Harris Decd. 28 Decr.

3 14 2

Roger Haydon

3 16 8

John Harper

3 16 8

Stephen John Decd. 21st Oct.

" 17 6

Christr. Johnson

3 16 8

Thomas Johnson

3 16 8

John Joyce

3 16 8

[...]ames Jordan

3 16 8

Richard Kimpton

3 16 8

Thomas Kyleck

3 16 8

Thomas Lyne

3 16 8

Charles Lewellen

3 16 8

Murdk. McLeod

3 16 8

John Mayer

3 16 8

Thomas McClearman

3 16 8

Robert Nay

3 16 8

John Newton

3 16 8

James Nesbitt

3 16 8

John Oswald

3 16 8

John Pluck

3 16 8

Daniel Patrick

3 16 8

Stephen Papps

3 16 8

William Parker

3 16 8

Centl. Carrd. Over£ 188 11 8

Carrd. Over£ 2290 17 -

Margin Notes:

[...]

The Fourth Company's private soldiers continued from a running total of £61 6s 8d.

Brought forward, £2,290 17s 0d

Private soldiers brought forward, £61 6s 8d

Josiah Cummings, private, £3 16s 8d

John Cleman, private, £3 16s 8d

John Custon, private, £3 16s 8d

Charles Field, private, £3 16s 8d

Francis Flinn, private, £3 16s 8d

Thomas Fines, private, £3 16s 8d

Henry Friendly, private, £3 16s 8d

George Gibson, private, £3 16s 8d

John Gilmore, private, £3 16s 8d

Edward German, private, £3 16s 8d

Henry Harbaugh, private, £3 16s 8d

James Harris, private, died 28 December, £3 14s 2d

Peter Hayden, private, £3 16s 8d

John Harper, private, £3 16s 8d

Stephen John, private, died 21 October, £0 17s 6d

Christian Johnson, private, £3 16s 8d

Thomas Johnson, private, £3 16s 8d

John Joyce, private, £3 16s 8d

James Jordan, private, £3 16s 8d

Richard Kempton, private, £3 16s 8d

Thomas Kinlock, private, £3 16s 8d

Thomas Lyne, private, £3 16s 8d

Charles Lewellen, private, £3 16s 8d

Murdoch McLeod, private, £3 16s 8d

John Mayor, private, £3 16s 8d

Thomas McDiarmon, private, £3 16s 8d

Robert May, private, £3 16s 8d

John Nelson, private, £3 16s 8d

James Newport, private, £3 16s 8d

John Oswald, private, £3 16s 8d

John Pluck, private, £3 16s 8d

Daniel Patrick, private, £3 16s 8d

Stephen Phipps, private, £3 16s 8d

William Parker, private, £3 16s 8d

Private soldiers carried forward, £188 11s 8d

Carried forward, £2,290 17s 0d

Interpretations

Two of the deaths recorded in the Council's minutes fell in this company. Stephen John, who drowned by accident at Banks's, was paid for 21 days of the quarter. James Harris, one of the four men who died at the turn of the year, was paid to 28 December. Both sums were reckoned to the day and became part of their estates.

John Joyce drew a full private's pay here and also appeared on the civil list as cleaner of clocks and instruments at £1 5s 0d a quarter. Like Thomas Yates the matross and church clerk, he held a small civil post on top of his soldier's pay.

412

405

1769

Brought Over£ 2290 17 -

Centl. brought Over£ 188 11 8

Thomas Pritchard

3 16 8

John Pink

3 16 8

Benjamin Poole

3 16 8

James Richardson

3 16 8

Thomas Rutherford

3 16 8

John Shaw

3 16 8

William Scotman

3 16 8

John Slade

3 16 8

William Sedman

3 16 8

William Sharpe

3 16 8

James Sep 47 Days

1 19 2

Do. Serjt. 45 Do.

3 15 -

John Tetchell

3 16 8

Jeremh. Worrall

3 16 8

William Waite

3 16 8

Thomas Watts

3 16 8

James Willson

3 16 8

John Word

3 16 8

John White

3 16 8

John Words 68 days

2 16 8

Do. Corpl. 24 Do.

1 8 -

James Walter

3 16 8

Samuel Willson

3 16 8

271 7 2

Artillery Company

Archibald Mitchell Capt. Saly.

45 12 6

Nathan Campell Lieut. 45 Days

13 12 2

Do. Half Pay 46½ Do.

6 19 10¼

Robert Gibson Do. 46½ Do.

6 19 10¼

27 11 10½

Do. Corpl. 45 days

3 7 6

Thomas Leech Lieut. 39 days

11 15 10½

John Shirtley Do. 52½ Do.

15 16 -

27 11 10½

Do. Serjt. 39 days

3 18 -

Carrd. Over£ 2670 5 11

The Fourth Company's private soldiers continued from a running total of £188 11s 8d and closed with their total, and the list then opened the Artillery Company.

Brought forward, £2,290 17s 0d

Private soldiers brought forward, £188 11s 8d

Thomas Pritchard, private, £3 16s 8d

John Pink, private, £3 16s 8d

Benjamin Poole, private, £3 16s 8d

James Richardson, private, £3 16s 8d

Thomas Rutherford, private, £3 16s 8d

John Shaw, private, £3 16s 8d

William Seaman, private, £3 16s 8d

John Slade, private, £3 16s 8d

William Stedman, private, £3 16s 8d

William Sharpe, private, £3 16s 8d

James Fox, private, for 47 days, £1 19s 2d

James Fox, as sergeant for 45 days, £3 15s 0d

John Tolledell, private, £3 16s 8d

Jeremiah Thorrell, private, £3 16s 8d

William Varley, private, £3 16s 8d

Thomas Watts, private, £3 16s 8d

James Wilson, private, £3 16s 8d

John Worth, private, £3 16s 8d

Peter White, private, £3 16s 8d

John Woods, private, for 68 days, £2 16s 8d

John Woods, as corporal for 24 days, £1 8s 0d

James Walker, private, £3 16s 8d

Samuel Wilson, private, £3 16s 8d

Total for the Fourth Company's private soldiers, £271 7s 2d

Artillery Company

Archibald Mitchell, captain, salary, £45 12s 6d

Nathan Sempill, lieutenant, for 45 days, £13 12s 2d

Nathan Sempill, half pay for 46½ days, £6 19s 10¼d

Robert Gibson, acting lieutenant on half pay for 46½ days, £6 19s 10¼d

Total for the lieutenancy, £27 11s 10½d

Robert Gibson, as corporal for 45 days, £3 7s 6d

Thomas Leech, lieutenant, for 39 days, £11 15s 10½d

John Shirley, acting lieutenant, for 53½ days, £15 16s 0d

Total for the lieutenancy, £27 11s 10½d

John Shirley, as sergeant for 39 days, £3 18s 0d

Carried forward, £2,670 5s 11d

Interpretations

James Fox and John Woods had not left the Fourth Company. Both were broken to the ranks. Woods lost his corporal's stripes on 25 October and Fox his sergeant's rank on 15 November, and John Terry, Thomas Blake and John Deale were promoted into the places. Across the four foot companies five non-commissioned officers were reduced to private in a single quarter: Fish, Sabourin, Shirland, Woods and Fox. Only Bannister's death had opened a sergeant's place in the previous quarter. The wave of demotions coincided with the heavy labour on the fortifications in the last months of 1768, when sergeants and corporals oversaw gangs of soldiers at the works.

The artillery's lieutenancies were divided exactly as the Council had ordered on 14 November 1768. Sempill drew full pay to his retirement and then half pay. Robert Gibson received the other half as acting lieutenant, together with his corporal's pay up to his appointment. Leech was paid to the start of his suspension on 8 November. John Shirley drew the rest of the lieutenant's pay from the following day, with his sergeant's pay for the days before. In each case the Company paid one salary for each post and split it between the holders by the day.

413

406

The 16 January

Brought Over£ 2670 5 11

Serjeants

John Whitehurst

9 4 -

Adam Watson

9 4 -

Thomas Collins

9 4 -

Nicholas Hodson 53 days

5 6 -

Do. Corpl. 39 Do.

2 18 6

35 16 6

Corporals

John Turner

6 18 -

John Jack

6 18 -

James Pickett 53 days

3 19 6

Do. Bombr. 39 Do.

2 18 6

David Dennis 47 Do.

3 10 6

Do. Bombr. 45 Do.

3 7 6

27 12 -

Bombardiers

Thomas Tyler

6 18 -

Samuel Smith

6 18 -

Thomas Jones 53 days

3 19 6

Do. Gunner 39 Do.

2 12 -

William Stapleford 47 Do.

3 10 6

Do. Gunr. 45 Do.

3 - -

26 18 -

Gunners

John Smith

6 2 8

Sedgwick Netherol

6 2 8

John Dobson

6 2 8

Charles Abraham

6 2 8

John Corfoot

6 2 8

Benjamin Holmes 87 days

5 16 -

Do. Matross 5 Do.

" 5 -

John Osborne 53 Do.

3 10 8

Do. Matross 39 Do.

1 19 -

Thomas Yates 47 Do.

3 2 8

Do. Matross 45 Do.

2 5 -

47 11 8

Carrd. Over£ 2808 4 1

The Artillery Company's list continued with its sergeants, corporals, bombardiers and gunners.

Brought forward, £2,670 5s 11d

Sergeants

John Whitchurch, sergeant, £9 4s 0d

Adam Watson, sergeant, £9 4s 0d

Thomas Collier, sergeant, £9 4s 0d

Nicholas Hoskin, sergeant, for 53 days, £5 6s 0d

Nicholas Hoskin, as corporal for 39 days, £2 18s 6d

Total for the sergeants, £35 16s 6d

Corporals

John Turner, corporal, £6 18s 0d

John Jack, corporal, £6 18s 0d

James Garfett, corporal, for 53 days, £3 19s 6d

James Garfett, as bombardier for 39 days, £2 18s 6d

David Dennis, corporal, for 47 days, £3 10s 6d

David Dennis, as bombardier for 45 days, £3 7s 6d

Total for the corporals, £27 12s 0d

Bombardiers

Thomas Tyler, bombardier, £6 18s 0d

Samuel Smith, bombardier, £6 18s 0d

Thomas Jones, bombardier, for 53 days, £3 19s 6d

Thomas Jones, as gunner for 39 days, £2 12s 0d

William Hopkinson, bombardier, for 47 days, £3 10s 6d

William Hopkinson, as gunner for 45 days, £3 0s 0d

Total for the bombardiers, £26 18s 0d

Gunners

John Smith, gunner, £6 2s 8d

Sedgwick Wetherall, gunner, £6 2s 8d

John Dobson, gunner, £6 2s 8d

Charles Abraham, gunner, £6 2s 8d

John Garfett, gunner, £6 2s 8d

Benjamin Holmes, gunner, for 87 days, £5 16s 0d

Benjamin Holmes, as matross for 5 days, £0 5s 0d

John Osborne, gunner, for 53 days, £3 10s 8d

John Osborne, as matross for 39 days, £1 19s 0d

Thomas Yates, gunner, for 47 days, £3 2s 8d

Thomas Yates, as matross for 45 days, £2 5s 0d

Total for the gunners, £41 11s 8d

Carried forward, £2,808 4s 1d

Interpretations

The two acting lieutenancies in the artillery each set off a chain of promotion reaching down to the matrosses. When Sergeant John Shirley stepped up on 9 November 1768, Nicholas Hoskin rose from corporal to sergeant, James Garfett from bombardier to corporal, Thomas Jones from gunner to bombardier, and John Osborne from matross to gunner. When Corporal Robert Gibson was raised on 15 November, David Dennis, William Hopkinson and Thomas Yates each moved up a step in the same way. A single vacancy at the top of the company thus rewarded four men below it. The Company kept every rank filled while its officers changed.

Thomas Yates, the matross who also served as clerk of the church, was among those promoted to gunner. He was also the former assistant overseer who gave evidence at the inquiry of 12 December 1768. John Dobson, the gunner here, was the man who had made the window bars for the billiard house and told the inquiry he had replaced the Company's iron from his own stock.

414

407

1769

Brought Over£ 2808 4 1

Drummers

George Gerrard

5 7 4

Joseph Purdey

5 7 4

10 14 8

Matrosses

Benjamin Burton

4 12 -

William Brown

4 12 -

John Cope

4 12 -

John Criswell

4 12 -

Robert Cunningham

4 12 -

Phillip Conaway

4 12 -

Mathew Chelton

4 12 -

William Durham 87 Days

4 7 -

Do. Gunner 5 Do.

" 6 8

Thomas Durham Entd. 9th Novemr.

2 13 -

Mathew Dunhill Do. 15th Do.

2 7 -

Daniel Fenn Decd. 21 Decr.

4 2 -

Robert Fenwick

4 12 -

John Fox

4 12 -

Christr. Greenwald

4 12 -

Thomas Gerrard

4 12 -

Thomas Green

4 12 -

John Glenney

4 12 -

William Hodges

4 12 -

William Halbert

4 12 -

William Harper

4 12 -

Owen Howard Entd. 22 Decemr.

" 10 -

William Jenkins

4 12 -

John Lewis

4 12 -

William Luke

4 12 -

Daniel Maloney

4 12 -

George Marshall

4 12 -

Jonathan Mullet

4 12 -

Patrick Mahoney

4 12 -

Thomas Nimble

Matrosses Carrd. Over£ 124 13 8

Carrd. Over£ 2818 18 9

The Artillery Company's list continued with its drummers and matrosses.

Brought forward, £2,808 4s 1d

Drummers

George Chamitt, drummer, £5 7s 4d

Joseph Purdey, drummer, £5 7s 4d

Total for the drummers, £10 14s 8d

Matrosses

Benjamin Burton, matross, £4 12s 0d

William Brown, matross, £4 12s 0d

John Cope, matross, £4 12s 0d

John Creswell, matross, £4 12s 0d

Robert Cunningham, matross, £4 12s 0d

Phillip Conaway, matross, £4 12s 0d

Mathew Charlton, matross, £4 12s 0d

William Durham, matross, for 87 days, £4 7s 0d

William Durham, as gunner for 5 days, £0 6s 8d

Thomas Durham, matross, joined 9 November, £2 13s 0d

Mathew Burchell, matross, joined 15 November, £2 7s 0d

Daniel Finn, matross, died 21 December, £4 2s 0d

Robert Frankish, matross, £4 12s 0d

John Fox, matross, £4 12s 0d

Christopher Gronewald, matross, £4 12s 0d

Thomas Gorall, matross, £4 12s 0d

Thomas Green, matross, £4 12s 0d

John Glenny, matross, £4 12s 0d

William Hodges, matross, £4 12s 0d

William Halsall, matross, £4 12s 0d

William Harper, matross, £4 12s 0d

Owen Howard, matross, joined 22 December, £0 10s 0d

William Jenkins, matross, £4 12s 0d

John Lewis, matross, £4 12s 0d

William Luke, matross, £4 12s 0d

Daniel Maloney, matross, £4 12s 0d

George Marshall, matross, £4 12s 0d

Jonathan Mallett, matross, £4 12s 0d

Patrick Mahoney, matross, £4 12s 0d

Thomas Nimble, matross, £4 12s 0d

Matrosses carried forward, £124 13s 8d

Carried forward, £2,818 18s 9d

Interpretations

The artillery again drew its recruits from the foot companies, each on the day a place fell vacant. Thomas Durham left the First Company and joined the matrosses on 9 November 1768, the day John Osborne was promoted to gunner. Mathew Burchell left the Second Company on 15 November, when Thomas Yates moved up. Owen Howard transferred from the First Company on 22 December, the day after Daniel Finn died. The infantry continued to serve as the artillery's reserve, and no matross's place stood empty for more than a day.

William Durham, promoted from matross to gunner after McFarling's death in August, held the higher rank only until 5 October. He served the rest of the quarter as a matross again, and Benjamin Holmes took his place as gunner. Durham's reduction made a sixth demotion in the garrison within the quarter. The higher pay and standing of a gunner could be lost as quickly as it was won.

415

408

The 16 January

Brought Over£ 2818 18 9

Matrosses brought Over£ 124 13 8

John Moore

4 12 -

Esau Nowland

4 12 -

Martin Newman

4 12 -

William Phillips

4 12 -

William Robinson

4 12 -

Samuel Bingrow

4 12 -

Godfrey Smith

4 12 -

William Stone

4 12 -

Andrew Tedrick

4 12 -

John Webley

4 12 -

Richard Welman

4 12 -

Thomas Wyatt

4 12 -

Richard Waterhouse

4 12 -

John Willson

4 12 -

189 1 8

£ 3008 " 5

Margin Notes:

[...]

The Artillery Company's matrosses continued from a running total of £124 13s 8d, closing the quarter's pay list.

Brought forward, £2,818 18s 9d

Matrosses brought forward, £124 13s 8d

John Moore, matross, £4 12s 0d

Esau Nowland, matross, £4 12s 0d

Martin Newman, matross, £4 12s 0d

William Phillips, matross, £4 12s 0d

William Robinson, matross, £4 12s 0d

Samuel Bingrave, matross, £4 12s 0d

Godfrey Smith, matross, £4 12s 0d

William Stone, matross, £4 12s 0d

Andrew Tedrick, matross, £4 12s 0d

John Webley, matross, £4 12s 0d

Richard Wellman, matross, £4 12s 0d

Thomas Wyatt, matross, £4 12s 0d

Richard Waterhouse, matross, £4 12s 0d

John Wilson, matross, £4 12s 0d

Total for the matrosses, £189 1s 8d

Total for the quarter, £3,008 0s 5d

Interpretations

The pay list for the last quarter of 1768 came to £3,008 0s 5d, against £3,045 3s 2d for the quarter before. The saving of about £37 came almost entirely from the posts left unfilled or paid at reduced rates. No Lieutenant Governor had been appointed since Corneille's departure, and the extra days he had drawn in July no longer appeared. Lieutenant Sempill was on half pay, with the other half going to an acting officer. Several soldiers had died and not yet been replaced. The Company's habit of dividing each salary by the day meant that every vacancy, demotion or death reduced the bill at once, without any decision by the Council to cut costs.

416

409

Thomas Kirkpatrick Dr.

1768 31 Decr. To Cash recd.£ 3723 10 5½

Carrd. Over£ 3723 10 5½

Per Contra Cr.

1768 Oct. 17th By Cash paid by Order of the Council

One third Reward for apprehendg.

a Run away Black of Mr.

Isaack Dowlons

£ 1 13 4

24th By Cash paid Mr. Powell Coroner for an

Inquest held on the Body of Stephn. John

Soldr.

1 5 -

Decr. 31st By Cash paid Mr. John Desfountain for

20 Plasters

1 " -

By Cash paid Willm. Jenkins for 117 Batch

of Bread Baked this Quart. @ 20d. p Bh.

9 15 -

By Cash paid Josh. Chamberlain for

destroying Rats & Mice this Quart.

6 18 2

By Cash paid Saml. Parker for 92 days

Work as Gard. this Quart. @ 1/ p day

4 12 -

By Cash paid Nevg. Pinkhallam for 13 lb.

Salt Meat left in the Stores this Quart.

he being indulgd. wth. the Money to buy fresh

1 6 -

Carrd. Over£ 26 9 6

Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick's account as paymaster for the quarter recorded the cash he received and the payments he made from it.

Received

31 December 1768, cash received, £3,723 10s 5½d

Carried forward, £3,723 10s 5½d

Paid

17 October 1768, by order of the Council, one-third of the reward for catching a runaway slave belonging to Mr Doveton, £1 13s 4d

24 October 1768, to Mr Bovell, coroner, for an inquest held on the body of Stephen John, soldier, £1 5s 0d

31 December 1768, to John Desfountain for 20 plasters, £1 0s 0d

To William Jenkins for baking 117 batches of bread this quarter at 20d each, £9 15s 0d

To Joseph Chamberlain for destroying rats and mice this quarter, £6 18s 2d

To Samuel Parker for 92 days' work as gardener this quarter at 1s a day, £4 12s 0d

To Henry Kirkham for 13 pieces of salt meat left in the stores this quarter, the money being allowed him instead to buy fresh, £1 6s 0d

Carried forward, £26 9s 6d

Interpretations

The Company paid one-third of the reward for recapturing a runaway slave belonging to Mr Doveton, a private owner. The remaining two-thirds presumably fell on the owner. By sharing the cost, the Company made the return of escaped slaves a public concern, not a private matter between owner and catcher. The arrangement encouraged inhabitants and soldiers to hunt down runaways. It also showed the Council using public money to uphold slave ownership across the whole island.

Joseph Chamberlain received £6 18s 2d for destroying rats and mice, the first payment under the bounty published on 28 November 1768. At a halfpenny a rat, the sum represented well over 3,000 animals in a little over a month, or a mixture of rats and many more mice at a farthing each. The figure showed both the scale of the infestation and the response the reward drew. Chamberlain, the former carpenter's mate who gave evidence at the inquiry of 12 December 1768, may have collected the rewards for others and been paid in a single sum.

A coroner's inquest was held on the body of Stephen John, who drowned at Banks's on 22 October 1768. Every sudden or accidental death required an inquest to establish the cause. The Company paid the coroner's fee, as it paid for the coffins of its soldiers.

417

410

The 16 January

Thomas Kirkpatrick Dr.

To Cash brought Over£ 3723 10 5½

Carrd. Over£ 3723 10 5½

The receipts side of Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick's paymaster account carried its total forward with no further entries.

Received

Brought forward, £3,723 10s 5½d

Carried forward, £3,723 10s 5½d

Interpretations

The paymaster's issue for the last quarter of 1768 was £3,723 10s 5½d, against £3,978 6s 4¼d for the quarter before. The pay list accounted for only £37 of the difference. The contingent payments, mainly the daily wages of soldiers and slaves working on the fortifications, would therefore come to about £715, compared with £933 in the previous quarter. The completion of the battery at Banks's in August 1768 had released labour that had cost the Company more than £180 in the third quarter. Lemon Valley and Munden's Point absorbed much of it, but not all.

418

411

1769

Per Contra Cr.

Decr. 31st Brought Over£ 26 9 6

By Cash paid Nevg. Pinkhallam his Quart. Allowance from the

Honble. Company

1 12 6

By Cash paid Do. for House Rent Do.

1 " -

By Cash paid the Clerk of Assizes & the Crier of the Court

" 12 6

By Cash paid Doct. Barclay for Sund. necessarys found the

Sick Men in the Hospl. from May the 7 to this day

17 11 8

By Cash paid Do. for getting the sick Men fresh Provisions

8 - -

By Cash paid Elisha Isaack for 9 Loads of Binders for the use

of the Compys. Houses in L. J. Wood

1 2 6

By Cash paid Jno. Robinson as under p Bill

21 Rafters for the use of the Plant. House

£ 1 1 -

53 Do. for the Compys. Houses in L. J. Wood

2 13 -

9 Loads of Laths for Do.

1 2 6

6 Do. of Binders for Do.

" 15 -

5 11 6

By Cash paid Wm. Holbrook for 72 days Work for his Apprent.

this Quart. @ 1/ p day

3 12 -

By Cash paid Capt. Bazett for 1 Jar of Oil 30 gall. @ 6/3½ p Gall.

9 8 9½

By Cash paid John Irvine for the following Articles Bought

for the use of the Honble. Compys. Table as under p Bill

3 Spice @ 13/6 p lb.

£ 2 " 8

524 Beef @ 5d. p lb.

10 18 4

5 Pigs @ 5/ ea.

1 5 -

6 Geese @ 5/ ea.

1 10 -

20 Doz. Eggs @ 1/6 p Doz.

1 10 -

Pickles

" 18 -

1 Pr. Shears for the Hospl. Taylor

" 5 -

18 7 -

By Cash paid John Price Sexton as under p Bill

For the Burial of Stephn. John decd. 22 Oct. 1768

£ - 2 6

Do. Do. Chas. Newstead Do. 8 Nov.

2 6

Do. Do. Danl. Fenn Do. 21 Decr.

2 6

Do. Do. James Harris Do. 28 Do.

2 6

Do. Isac. Burden Do. 31 Do.

2 6

Do. Do. Chas. Montague Do. 31 Do.

" 15 -

Carrd. Over£ 94 2 11

Captain Kirkpatrick's payments as paymaster continued from a running total of £26 9s 6d.

Brought forward, £26 9s 6d

31 December 1768, to Henry Kirkham for his quarterly allowance from the Company, £1 12s 6d

To Henry Kirkham for house rent, £1 0s 0d

To the clerk of arraigns and the crier of the court, £0 12s 6d

To Dr Barclay for various necessaries supplied to the sick men in the hospital, £17 11s 8d

To Dr Barclay for getting the sick men fresh provisions, £8 0s 0d

To Elisha Jeakes for 9 loads of binders for the Company's houses in James's Valley, £1 2s 6d

To John Robinson, as on his bill, for:

21 rafters for Plantation House, £1 1s 0d

53 rafters for the Company's houses in James's Valley, £2 13s 0d

9 loads of laths for the same, £1 2s 6d

6 loads of binders for the same, £0 15s 0d

Total for John Robinson's bill, £5 11s 6d

To William Holbrook for 72 days' work by his apprentice this quarter at 1s a day, £3 12s 0d

To Captain Bazett for 1 jar of oil, 30 gallons at 6s 3¾d a gallon, £9 8s 9½d

To John Irvin, as on his bill, for goods bought for the Company's table:

3 pounds of spice at 13s 6⅔d a pound, £2 0s 8d

524 pounds of beef at 5d a pound, £10 18s 4d

5 pigs at 5s each, £1 5s 0d

6 geese at 5s each, £1 10s 0d

20 dozen eggs at 1s 6d a dozen, £1 10s 0d

Pickles, £0 18s 0d

1 pair of shears for the Company's tailor, £0 5s 0d

Total for John Irvin's bill, £18 7s 0d

To John Price, sexton, as on his bill, for burials:

Stephen John, soldier, 22 October 1768, £0 2s 6d

Charles Newstead, soldier, 9 November 1768, £0 2s 6d

Daniel Finn, soldier, 21 December 1768, £0 2s 6d

James Harris, soldier, 28 December 1768, £0 2s 6d

Isaac Burden, soldier, 30 December 1768, £0 2s 6d

Charles Montague, soldier, 31 December 1768, £0 2s 6d

Total for John Price's bill, £0 15s 0d

Carried forward, £94 2s 11d

Interpretations

The surgeon's bills pointed to serious sickness in the garrison during the quarter. Dr Barclay was paid more than £25 for necessaries and fresh provisions for the men in hospital, a large sum against the hospital's fixed stores of about £14 a quarter. The sexton buried six soldiers, four of them in the last eleven days of December. The Company bought fresh meat and other comforts for the sick in place of the salt rations issued in health, since salt provisions were thought to worsen fevers and scurvy.

Binders, laths and rafters were the materials of thatched roofs. Laths were nailed across the rafters and the thatch was tied down with binders, flexible rods of cut brushwood. The Company's houses in James's Valley were still roofed with thatch, like the outbuildings at Plantation House. Robinson, the master carpenter, supplied the timber himself and was paid on his bill. The Council had told him on 14 November 1768 to give the Company's work his whole attention, but he evidently continued to sell it materials as a private supplier.

419

412

The 16 January

Thomas Kirkpatrick Dr.

To Cash brought Over£ 3723 10 5½

£ 3723 10 5½

Island St.

Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick's paymaster account for the quarter closed with its receipts totalled and posted to the island's general account.

Received

Brought forward, £3,723 10s 5½d

Total received, £3,723 10s 5½d

Posted to the Island account

420

413

1769

Per Contra Cr.

1768 Decr. 31st Brought Over£ 94 2 11

By Cash paid Mr. Powell Coroner for an Inquest held on the

Body of Serjt. Smith Man Comn.

1 5 -

By Cash paid for 2299 days Labour. Work @ Mund. Pt. @ 1/ p day

114 19 -

By Cash paid for 781 days Stone Hewers Work @ Do. @ 1/6 p Do.

58 12 3

By Cash paid for 328½ Do. Masons Do. @ Do. @ 1/6 p Do.

24 12 4½

By Cash paid for 120 Do. Smiths Do. @ Do. @ 1/6 p Do.

9 - -

By Cash paid for 91 Do. Limeburn. Do. @ Do. @ 1/6 p Do.

6 16 6

By Cash for 74¾ Do. Carpent. Do. at Do. @ 1/6 p Do.

5 12 1½

By Cash paid for 41 Do. Overseers Do. at Do. @ 1/6 p Do.

3 1 6

By Cash paid for 81 Do. Do. at Do. @ 1/ p Do.

4 1 -

By Cash paid for 6899 Do. Labour. at Lemon Valley @ 1/ Do.

344 19 -

By Cash paid for 109 Do. Masons at Do. @ 1/6 Do.

8 3 6

By Cash paid for 126½ Do. Carpent. at Do. @ 1/6 Do.

9 9 9

By Cash paid for 123¾ Do. Overseers at Do. @ 1/6 Do.

9 5 7½

By Cash paid for 244¼ Do. Do. @ Do. @ 1/ Do.

12 4 3

By Cash paid for 3½ Do. Painters Do. @ 1/6 Do.

" 5 3

By Cash paid for 120 Do. Smiths Work @ Do. @ 1/6 Do.

9 - -

£ 715 10 -½

By the Amount of the Pay List

3008 " 5

£ 3723 10 5½

Helena 30th Decr. 1768

Errors Excepted

(signed)

Thos. Kirkpatrick Paymastr.

Counted and Examined the Honble. Company's Cash

for the Month of December last, which is as follows viz.

Captain Kirkpatrick's payments as paymaster continued from a running total of £94 2s 11d and closed with the quarter's pay list.

Brought forward, £94 2s 11d

31 December 1768, to Mr Bovell, coroner, for an inquest held on the body of Josiah Smith, [...], £1 5s 0d

For 2,299 days of labourers' work at Munden's Point at 1s a day, £114 19s 0d

For 781 days of stone blowers' work there at 1s 6d a day, £58 12s 3d

For 328¼ days of masons' work there at 1s 6d a day, £24 12s 4½d

For 120 days of smiths' work there at 1s 6d a day, £9 0s 0d

For 91 days of lime-burners' work there at 1s 6d a day, £6 16s 6d

For 74¾ days of cooks' work there at 1s 6d a day, £5 12s 1½d

For 41 days of overseers' work there at 1s 6d a day, £3 1s 6d

For 81 days of overseers' work there at 1s a day, £4 1s 0d

For 6,899 days of labourers' work at Lemon Valley at 1s a day, £344 19s 0d

For 109 days of masons' work there at 1s 6d a day, £8 3s 6d

For 126½ days of carpenters' work there at 1s 6d a day, £9 9s 9d

For 123¾ days of overseers' work there at 1s 6d a day, £9 5s 7½d

For 244¼ days of overseers' work there at 1s a day, £12 4s 3d

For 3½ days of painters' work there at 1s 6d a day, £0 5s 3d

For 120 days of smiths' work there at 1s 6d a day, £9 0s 0d

Total for the contingent payments, £715 10s 0½d

For the amount of the pay list, £3,008 0s 5d

Total paid, £3,723 10s 5½d

Kirkpatrick signed the account as paymaster at St Helena on 30 December 1768, reserving the right to correct any errors.

The Council then counted and examined the Company's cash for the month of December.

Interpretations

The weight of the works shifted decisively during the quarter. Lemon Valley took 6,899 labourers' days, against only 841 in the previous three months. Munden's Point fell from more than 6,300 to under 2,300. This matched Mitchell's report of 2 January 1769 that most of the workmen had been at Lemon Valley, where the line, ditch and glacis were nearly finished. At Munden's Point the labour was now more specialised. The 781 days of stone blowers' work recorded the blasting of rock that Mitchell described, levelling the cliff for the gun platform and quarrying stone for the battery in a single operation.

Cooks were paid at Munden's Point for nearly 75 days. The battery lay far enough from Jamestown that the working parties were fed on site, not sent back to their quarters for meals. Cooking for the gangs at the works saved the time lost in walking to and from the town over steep paths.

The Company paid for a second inquest during the quarter, on Josiah Smith. Unlike Stephen John, he did not appear on the garrison's roll, and the record did not say how he died. The coroner's fee fell on the Company whenever a sudden death occurred on the island, whoever the dead man was.

421

414

Cash Dr.

1768 Decr. 1st To Balance remaining£ 10353 12 2½

To Henry De Laval Decd. Recd. the Amount

of his Effects as p Consn. the 3 of Oct. last

52 13 3½

To James Powell recd. of him for Stores Sold

in the Quart. endg. this day

1428 8 9

To Licences for publick Houses

11 " "

To Plantn. for Provisn. Sold

36 8 3

To Mundens Battery recd. for Lime Sold

1 1 10½

£ 11883 4 4½

Per Contra Cr.

1768 Decr. 31st By Sundry Accounts Advanced the

Paymaster to pay Saly. &c.

the Quart. ending this day£ 3723 10 5½

By Balance remg. viz.

In Specie

7619 18 11

In Cash Notes

539 15 -

8159 13 11

£ 11883 4 4½

Margin Notes:

16 January

The Company's cash account for December 1768 recorded the money received and paid at the close of the quarter.

Received

1 December 1768, balance remaining, £10,353 12s 2½d

From the estate of the late Henry De Laune, the value of his effects, as recorded in the consultation of 3 October 1768, £52 13s 3½d

From James Powell for stores sold in the quarter ending 31 December, £1,428 8s 9d

Licences for public houses, £11 0s 0d

From the plantation for provisions sold, £36 8s 3d

From Munden's Battery for lime sold, £1 1s 10½d

Total received, £11,883 4s 4½d

Paid

31 December 1768, advanced to the paymaster to pay salaries and other charges in the quarter ending that day, £3,723 10s 5½d

Balance remaining in coin, £7,619 18s 11d

Balance remaining in cash notes, £539 15s 0d

Total balance, £8,159 13s 11d

Total, £11,883 4s 4½d

Interpretations

The treasury's reserve of coin fell by about £2,194 over the quarter, from £9,813 17s 2½d to £7,619 18s 11d. In the previous quarter, rents, bills of exchange and payments from the Greenwich and the Egmont had almost covered the paymaster's advance. This time no rents, no ships and no bills appeared. The warehouse takings of £1,428 8s 9d were also well below the £2,018 5s 6d paid in at the end of September, since the garrison's yearly clothing had been bought in the third quarter. The Company met most of the quarter's wages from its reserve. At that rate the coin on the island would last little more than a year without fresh specie from England or bills drawn on visiting ships.

The £52 13s 3½d from Lieutenant De Laune's estate was the balance left after his effects were sold at auction for £84 14s 6d and his debts settled. The sum came into the treasury once his affairs were closed. The Company would then account for it to his heirs through its books in London.

422

415

1769

Mrs. Mary Burnham and John Preston this

day presented the following Petitions viz.

Island St. Helena

January 16th 1769

To the Worshipful John Skottowe Governor and

Councils Esqrs.

The humble Petition of Mary Burnham Widow

Sheweth

That your Petitioner being desirous of disposing, of such part

of a building in James's Valley situate near the Billiard Room and late in

the possession of James Goody, but now in the full property of her the said

Mary Burnham, do most humbly beg your Worships liberty, that she may

dispose of it according to the tenour hereabove, and your Petitioner shall as in

duty bound ever pray

Granted

To the Worshipful John Skottowe Esquire Govr. and

Council of the Island St. Helena

The humble Petition of Jno. Preston Mason on the said Island

Sheweth

That your humble Petitioner having a Family and House

Rent being very dear most humbly begs your Worship and Council to give

Mary Burnham and John Preston each presented a petition on 16 January 1769.

Mary Burnham, a widow, petitioned Governor John Skottowe and the Council. She wished to sell part of a building in James's Valley near the billiard room. It had previously been occupied by James Goafty but was now wholly her property. She asked permission to sell it under the terms of the lease. The Council granted her request.

John Preston, a mason on the island, also petitioned the Governor and Council. He had a family to support, and house rent was very expensive. He therefore asked the Governor and Council to grant him

Interpretations

Mary Burnham's building stood near the billiard room, now familiar enough to serve as a landmark in describing property in Jamestown. Mitchell and Bazett's building had been the subject of the inquiry only a month earlier. Its use as a point of reference in a routine petition showed it was an established feature of the town.

A widow could hold and sell property on St Helena, but only with the Council's consent, as any leaseholder could. The phrase "according to the tenure" reminded the Council that the building stood on Company ground. Any buyer would take it subject to the same lease and rent. Selling was often the only way for a widow without income from a trade to raise money.

John Preston, the mason's mate, drew £20 0s 0d a quarter, one of the higher wages among the Company's craftsmen. His complaint that house rent was very dear showed the pressure on housing in Jamestown, where the narrow valley left little ground to build on. Even a well-paid tradesman with a family found rent a heavy burden.

423

416

The 16 January

him a Lease for a small spot of Ground at the upper end of Lieut. St.

Maurices Buildings close to the Hill, sixty feet in length & sixty in

breadth to build a House upon at his leisure Hours as his Circumstances

will admit and your Petitioner shall as in duty bound for ever pray

Ordered the said Ground to be Viewed

John Skottowe

Purling

Thos. Kirkpatrick

At a Consultation held on Monday the 23d day of January 1769 at the Castle

Present John Skottowe Esq. Governor

Mr. Matthew Purling

Capt. Thomas Kirkpatrick of Council

The last Consultation was read, approved and signed dated the 16 Jany. 1769

Thursday the 19 Died Henry Brown Centinel

Saturday the 21 Arrived his Majesty's Ship Swallow from the Cape

Captn. Kirkpatrick Reports that he has viewed the piece of

Ground Petitioned for last Monday by John Preston, finds it not

inconvenient to the Honble. Company or Neighbourhood, we therefore agreed

to Grant him a Lease for the same at the Rent of 15/ p Ann.

John Skottowe

Purling

Thos. Kirkpatrick

John Preston asked for a lease of a small plot of ground at the upper end of Lieutenant St Maurice's buildings, close to the hill, 60 feet long and 60 feet wide. He meant to build a house on it in his spare hours, as far as his means allowed. The Council ordered the ground to be inspected. Governor John Skottowe, Purling and Kirkpatrick signed the minutes.

The Council met at the Castle on Monday 23 January 1769. Governor Skottowe presided, with Matthew Purling and Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick present. The minutes of the meeting of 16 January 1769 were read, approved and signed.

Henry Brown, a private, died on Thursday 19 January 1769. His Majesty's ship Swallow arrived from the Cape on Saturday 21 January.

Kirkpatrick reported that he had inspected the ground John Preston asked for the previous Monday. Letting it would cause no inconvenience to the Company or the neighbours. The Council agreed to grant Preston a lease of it at a rent of 15s a year. Governor Skottowe, Purling and Kirkpatrick signed the minutes.

Interpretations

Preston's petition offered the Council a practical answer to the high rents in Jamestown. Rather than asking for higher wages or a house from the Company, the mason proposed to build his own home in his spare time on a plot let to him at a modest rent. The Council granted it within a week. A craftsman housing himself cost the Company nothing and added a house to the town. The terms "as his circumstances will admit" recognised that the work would go slowly, paid for out of his own wages.

The inspection of Preston's ground was carried out by Kirkpatrick, not Purling, who had viewed every plot of waste land that autumn. Kirkpatrick had been ill at the start of January. His return to the Board allowed the work of inspection to be shared again among the councillors.

The Swallow was the first ship recorded in the road since the Greenwich and the Egmont in August and September 1768. As a King's ship rather than an East Indiaman, she brought no Company stores. Her arrival nevertheless gave the island its first chance in months to send letters home and to draw bills of exchange for fresh coin.

424

417

The 30 January

At a Consultation held on Monday the 30th day of January 1769 at the Castle

Present John Skottowe Esq. Governor

Mr. Matthew Purling

Capt. Thos. Kirkpatrick of Council

The last Consultation was read approved and signed dated the 23 January 1769

Monday the 23 Died Jane Wife of William Holbroke Master Mason

Yesterday passed by a Ship at a great distance

We this day Executed a Lease to John Preston Mason's Mate, for a

piece of ground lying in James's Valley, containing sixty feet in Front and

sixty feet in depth at 15/ p Ann.

One of the Honorable Company's Yawls was drove from her

Moorings by a high Surf on Saturday night last & lost

Mr. Isaac Dowlon this day presented the following Petition viz.

To the Worshipful John Skottowe Esq. Governor &c. Council of St. Helena

The humble Petition of Isaac Dowlon

Sheweth

That there is a small Gore of the Honorable Company's Waste Land

adjoining to your Petitioners Land on Marches Ridge which said piece of Land

would be very convenient to your Petitioner on Account of Fencing he therefore requests

your Worship & Council will be pleased to grant him a Lease for the same

And your Petitioner will ever pray

(signed)

Isaac Dowlon

30th Jany. 1769

Ordered the said Land to be Viewed

The piece of Land Petitioned for by Simon Whaley on the 9th instant

The Council met at the Castle on Monday 30 January 1769. Governor John Skottowe presided, with Matthew Purling and Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick present. The minutes of the meeting of 23 January 1769 were read, approved and signed.

Jane, the wife of William Holbrook, the master mason, died on Monday 23 January 1769. On 29 January a ship passed the island far out to sea.

The Council that day completed a lease to John Preston, the mason's mate, for a plot of ground in James's Valley with a 60-foot frontage and 60 feet deep, at a rent of 15s a year.

On the night of Saturday 28 January a heavy surf tore one of the Company's yawls from its moorings, and the boat was lost.

Isaac Doveton presented a petition to the Governor and Council, dated 30 January 1769. A small piece of the Company's waste land lay next to his own land on Merches Ridge. It would be very convenient to him for fencing, and he asked for a lease of it. The Council ordered the land to be inspected.

The piece of land Simon Whaley had asked for on 9 January 1769 had

Interpretations

The loss of the yawl showed the danger of the open anchorage at Jamestown. Heavy swells known as rollers could sweep into the road without warning, even in fine weather, driving boats from their moorings and wrecking them on the rocks. This was why the Company's boatmen hauled the longboats up the beach and were paid arrack for the labour. A yawl left at its moorings overnight was exposed to exactly the kind of sea that took it. Replacing it would draw again on the timber, cordage and labour recorded in the boats' account.

The ship that passed far out to sea did not call at the island. The lookouts at the outlying posts reported every sail sighted, whether or not it came in. A ship passing without stopping meant no letters, no stores and no bills of exchange. With the reserve of coin falling, as the December cash account showed, every vessel that sailed past was a lost chance to replenish the treasury.

425

418

The 30 January

having been Viewed and found to Lie too near the Plantation House and therefore inconvenient

we for this reason told him his Petition could not be granted

John Skottowe

Purling

Thos. Kirkpatrick

At a Consultation held on Monday the 6th day of February 1769 at the Castle

Present John Skottowe Esq. Governor

Mr. Matthew Purling

Capt. Thomas Kirkpatrick of Council

The last Consultation was read, approved, and signed dated the 30th January 1769

The Engineer this day presented the following Letter

together with a Plan of the Works in James's Valley and the Alterations

proposed

To the Worshipfull the Governor &ca. Council of the

Island St. Helena

Gentlemen

Being now in readiness to enter upon the Alterations

proposed for the Interior Line of James's Valley in Conjunction with the more

The ground Simon Whaley had asked for had been inspected and found to lie too close to Plantation House. Letting it would therefore be inconvenient, and the Council told him that his petition could not be granted. Governor John Skottowe, Purling and Kirkpatrick signed the minutes.

The Council met at the Castle on Monday 6 February 1769. Governor Skottowe presided, with Matthew Purling and Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick present. The minutes of the meeting of 30 January 1769 were read, approved and signed.

The engineer presented a letter, together with a plan of the works in James's Valley and the changes he proposed. He addressed it to the Governor and Council. Mitchell wrote that he was now ready to begin the alterations proposed for the inner line of James's Valley, alongside the more important

Interpretations

Whaley's petition was the first request for waste land that the Council refused outright since the run of applications began in October 1768. Every earlier claim had been granted in whole or in part after inspection, often on generous terms. The reason here was the land's position, not its quality or a rival claim. Ground close to Plantation House was kept for the Company's own estate, the Governor's country residence with its gardens, dairy and pastures. Letting it to a private tenant would have placed a neighbour's fences and livestock against the Company's own land. The Council protected its estate even at the cost of disappointing a planter who had been granted land only two months earlier.

426

419

1769

important Work carrying on at Mundens Point, in Obedience to your late Orders

on that subject, I therefore lay before you prior to its commencement, a Plan of

the present Defences of this Valley, in which I have exhibited the Interior Line

both in its present Form, and in the manner in which it will appear, when the

intended improvements are carried into Execution; that the Board by

comparing these, may be able to form a Judgement of the Advantages to be

obtained, by the proposed Alterations

Its principal Defect at present consists in the

Weakness of its Flanks which (not to mention the Absurdity of their Form, which

is self evident on inspecting the Plan) being constructed entirely with Dirt Mortar,

without any Lime are capable of very little Defence & would easily be laid in

Ruins

As these Flanks are essential to the Defence of this

Valley, and moreover are, or rather ought to be, the principal strength and

Defence of the Interior Line; I therefore intend to rebuild the two Demi Bastions

at the Extremity of this Line, in the substantial manner exhibited in the Plan

which I apprehend their Importance renders Absolutely necessary. The

Alterations in their Form will Appear, by the Plan, so evident an Improvement

as to require no Illustration

The other Improvements consist in rebuilding the whole

of the Parapet of this Line, which is at present in a ruinous condition; and in

laying a Sett of Platforms for its Guns, which have hitherto been altogether

wanting

I hope these will have the Honour of your Approbation

I am

Gentlemen

your most Obedient and very humble Servant

(signed)

Ar. Mitchell

6th February 1769

The more important work, Mitchell continued, was the battery being built at Munden's Point, as the Council had recently ordered. Before beginning, he laid before the Council a plan of the present defences of the valley. It showed the inner line both in its current form and as it would look once the intended improvements were carried out. By comparing the two, the Council could judge the advantages the alterations would bring.

The chief weakness of the present line lay in its flanks. Mitchell would not dwell on their absurd shape, which the plan made plain. They were built entirely of earth mortar without any lime, could offer very little defence and would easily be knocked down. Yet these flanks were essential to the defence of the valley and ought to be the main strength of the inner line. He therefore intended to rebuild the two demi-bastions at either end of the line in the solid manner shown on the plan, which he considered absolutely necessary. The changes to their shape would appear from the plan as so obvious an improvement that they needed no explanation.

The other improvements were to rebuild the whole parapet of the line, which was in a ruinous state, and to lay a set of platforms for the guns, which had until then been entirely lacking. Mitchell hoped the Council would approve. He signed the letter on 6 February 1769.

Interpretations

Mitchell's case against the old line rested on what it was made of. Walls of earth mortar without lime might stand up to the weather for a time, but they would crumble under cannon fire. A ship's broadside could bring down the flanks that were meant to sweep the face of the line with crossfire. The rebuilt demi-bastions would be laid in lime mortar, using the surplus lime the Council had begun paying out to the planters only weeks earlier. The new parapet and gun platforms would give the inner line its first proper firing positions.

The guns taken down from the curtain in December 1768 had been removed to clear the way for this work. Without platforms, cannon had stood on bare earth or loose timber. Their recoil drove them backwards and out of line, and every shot had to be re-aimed. Proper platforms of stone or planking held each gun steady and let a crew fire quickly and accurately.

Mitchell presented the plan before starting work, although the Council had already approved the rebuilding on 2 January 1769. Showing the old and new lines side by side gave the Council a record of what it had authorised. It also gave the engineer a document he could send home to justify the cost to the Court of Directors.

427

420

The 6 February

As the Alterations now proposed by the Engineer, appear evident to Us to be

well calculated to strengthen the defences of this Valley, we gave him

Orders to carry the same into Execution with all expedition

Messrs. Richard Bagley and William Hayes Junr. this day

presented the following Petitions viz.

To the Worshipful John Skottowe Esq. Governor &ca.

Council of St. Helena

The Humble Petition of Richard Bagley

Sheweth

That your Petitioner hath a Lease expired for a piece of

Land containing Thirty Acres lying in Swanly Valley humbly request that

your Worship and Council will be pleased to grant him a renewal of the same

And your Petitioner will ever pray

(signed)

Richd. Bagley

6th February 1769

To the Worshipful John Skottowe Esq. Governor &c.

Council of St. Helena

The Humble Petition of William Hayes Junr.

Sheweth

That there is about one Acre of the Honble. Company's

Waste Land, Adjoining to your Petitioners which said piece of Land would be

extremely convenient to him on Account of Fencing, humbly request your Worship

and Council will be pleased to grant him a Lease for the same

The Council judged that the engineer's proposed alterations were well designed to strengthen the defences of the valley. It ordered him to carry them out with all possible speed.

Richard Bagley and William Hayes junior each presented a petition.

Bagley petitioned Governor John Skottowe and the Council about 30 acres of land in Swanly Valley. His lease of it had expired, and he asked for it to be renewed. He signed the petition on 6 February 1769.

Hayes also petitioned the Governor and Council. About one acre of the Company's waste land lay next to his own land. It would be extremely useful to him for fencing, and he asked for a lease of it.

Interpretations

The Council approved Mitchell's plan for the inner line on the day he presented it, without asking for estimates or delaying for further discussion. Only eight weeks earlier it had cleared him of Payne's charges and praised the diligence of his works. Its swift agreement now showed the trust it placed in the engineer's judgement. The order to proceed "with all possible speed" reflected the time limit on Mitchell's stay. He was to leave the island when Munden's Point was finished, and the Council wanted the inner line rebuilt under his direction before then.

William Hayes junior was probably the son of William Hayes senior, the innkeeper whose purchase of James Whaley's 11 acres the Council had approved on 9 January 1769. His request for an acre to complete his fencing followed the pattern set by the planters that autumn. A small strip of waste land could close an awkward boundary and save the cost of a longer fence.

428

421

1769

And your Petitioner will ever pray

(signed)

Willm. Hayes

6th February 1769

Ordered the said Land to be Viewed

John Skottowe

Purling

Thos. Kirkpatrick

At a Consultation held on Monday the 13th day of Febry. 1769 at the Castle

Present John Skottowe Esq. Govern.

Mr. Matthew Purling

Capt. Thomas Kirkpatrick of Coun.

The last Consultation was read, approved, and signed dated the 6th Feby. 1769

Tuesday the 7 Died Mr. Sol. Jacob Adjutant

Do. Do. Arrived the Valentine's Boat at Banks's half an Hour past

twelve o'Clock at Noon

Wednesday the 8 Arrived the Honble. Company's Ship Valentine from Bengal

last from the Cape

Yesterday was Drowned by Accident at Mundens Point Richd. Gregory Centinel

The Ship Valentine brought Us the following Supplies viz.

Hayes signed the petition on 6 February 1769. The Council ordered the land to be inspected. Governor John Skottowe, Purling and Kirkpatrick signed the minutes.

The Council met at the Castle on Monday 13 February 1769. Governor Skottowe presided, with Matthew Purling and Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick present. The minutes of the meeting of 6 February 1769 were read, approved and signed.

Solomon Jacobs, the adjutant, died on Tuesday 7 February 1769. On the same day, at half past twelve, a boat from the Valentine landed at Banks's. The Company's ship Valentine arrived the next day, Wednesday 8 February, from Bengal by way of the Cape. On 12 February Richard Gregory, a private, drowned by accident at Munden's Point.

The Valentine brought the following supplies.

Interpretations

The Valentine sent a boat ahead to land at Banks's a day before she came into the road. A ship approaching St Helena had to make itself known before entering the anchorage, since the batteries were ordered to fire on any vessel that could not be identified. By sending a boat to the nearest battery, the commander confirmed his ship as a Company vessel and gave the Governor notice of her arrival. The landing at Banks's, on the coast beyond Jamestown, reflected the battery's role as a forward post guarding the approach to the road.

Richard Gregory, a private in the Third Company, was the second soldier to drown at the new works in four months. Stephen John had drowned at Banks's on 22 October 1768. Munden's Point stood on a cliff above the sea, and much of its material arrived by boat and was hoisted up the rock. Men working at the water's edge or in the boats were constantly exposed to the swell that had taken the Company's yawl only two weeks earlier.

The death of Solomon Jacobs left the garrison without its adjutant, the staff officer responsible for drill, duty rosters and returns. He had drawn a separate salary of £29 13s 1½d a quarter. His duties would have to be covered at once while the Council chose a successor.

429

422

The 13 February

Invoice of Ship Valentine

Rice fine

No. 1 a 60 60 Bags wt. 120 Bmds. @ 17.. 8 Srs. p Rs.

296 2 -

Sugar fine

No. 1 a 10 10 Bags wt. 20 Bmds. @ 8.. 4 p Md.

165 - -

Wax Candles

No. 1 @ 4 4 Chests wt. 8 Bmds. @ 76 p Md.

608 - -

Paddy

No. 1 a 15 15 Bags wt. 22.. 20 Bmds.

20 - -

Batavia Arr.

No. 1.. 2 2 Leag. @ 150 ea.

324 - -

1413 2 -

Charges Merchandize

135 Gunny Bags @ 14 p %

22 6 9

2 Srs. Twine @ 4.. 8 p Md.

" 5 6

4 Chests & Package

16 12 3

Colour

" 2 9

130 Reed Matts

12 15 3

Dusts

1 5 3

Peons

2 2 6

Coolies

57 7 -

Weighmen

" 9 -

Porters

1 " -

Moolias

12 15 6

129 2 9

Current Rupees

1542 4 9

Errors Excepted

(signed)

p Charles Moyer

Buxey

The Valentine's invoice listed the goods she carried for the island.

Invoice of the ship Valentine

Fine rice, marked 1 to 60, 60 bags weighing 120 maunds at 2 rupees 7 annas 8 pies a maund, 296 rupees 2 annas 0 pies

Fine sugar, marked 1 to 10, 10 bags weighing 20 maunds at 8 rupees 4 annas 0 pies a maund, 165 rupees 0 annas 0 pies

Wax candles, marked 1 to 4, 4 chests weighing 8 maunds at 76 rupees a maund, 608 rupees 0 annas 0 pies

Paddy, marked 1 to 15, 15 bags weighing 22 maunds 20 seers, 20 rupees 0 annas 0 pies

Batavia arrack, marked 1 to 2, 2 leaguers, 324 rupees 0 annas 0 pies

Total for the goods, 1,413 rupees 2 annas 0 pies

Charges on the goods

135 gunny bags at 14 rupees a hundred, 22 rupees 6 annas 9 pies

Twine at 4 rupees 8 annas a maund, 0 rupees 5 annas 6 pies

4 chests for packing, 16 rupees 12 annas 3 pies

Paint for marking, 0 rupees 2 annas 9 pies

150 mats, 12 rupees 15 annas 3 pies

Coolies, 1 rupee 5 annas 3 pies

Peons, 2 rupees 2 annas 6 pies

Boat hire, 57 rupees 7 annas 0 pies

Weighmen, 0 rupees 9 annas 0 pies

Porters, 1 rupee 1 anna 0 pies

Leather workers, 12 rupees 15 annas 6 pies

Total for the charges, 129 rupees 2 annas 9 pies

Total in current rupees, 1,542 rupees 4 annas 9 pies

Charles Meyer, paymaster, signed the invoice, reserving the right to correct any errors.

Interpretations

The Valentine had been loaded in Bengal with provisions for St Helena, chiefly rice and paddy. The Company's slaves had drawn more than 214 hundredweight of rice in the last quarter of 1768 alone, against 82 in the quarter before. The island could not grow enough grain to feed its labour force, so a supply ship from Bengal was essential. Bengal rice was cheap, and the Company shipped it in bulk on vessels returning home by the Cape route, which called at St Helena on the way.

The invoice was reckoned in current rupees, a money of account used in Bengal for bookkeeping rather than a coin in circulation. Each rupee divided into 16 annas, and each anna into 12 pies. The maund was the standard Indian weight, about 75 pounds in Bengal, and was divided into 40 seers. The fine sugar and wax candles were dearer goods. Wax candles burned cleaner and longer than tallow and were reserved for the Castle and the officials' houses. Batavia arrack was distilled in Java from rice and palm sap and was considered the best of the arracks.

The charges added about 9 per cent to the cost of the goods. Gunny bags were coarse sacks woven from jute, used for rice and paddy. Peons were messengers and watchmen hired at the warehouse. Coolies and porters carried the goods, and weighmen checked the quantities. Boat hire was the largest charge, since everything had to be ferried down the river to the ship. The leather workers were probably hired to sew hides over the chests or bales, protecting them from damp on the long voyage.

430

423

1769

Mr. Matthew Purling Reports that he has been

on board the Ship Valentine to Muster her Company and enquire for Deserters but

found none her Muster Roll are as follows viz.

Muster Roll of Ship Valentine

Chas. Purvis Commr.

Robt. Fox Chief Mate

John White 2d Do.

Matt. Ward 3d Do.

Thos. Hawks 4th Do.

Hugh Harris 5 Do.

Geo. Blackford Purser

Andw. Whyte Surg.

Jno. Domford Boatsn.

Jno. Stirling Gunner

Chs. Mitchell Carpr.

Phil. Bentham Caulkr.

Matt. Emerson Sailmakr.

Jas. Taylor Capt. [...]

Jno. Bell Capt. Stewd.

Danl. Pern Do. Cook

Jas. Lane Ships Do.

Danl. Lawrence Butch.

Chs. Sackenold Midshipn. & Coxs.

Arthr. Stoker Midshipn.

Thos. Lloyd Do.

Jno. Sharp Do.

Luke Davis Boats. Mate

Jas. Atkins Gunrs. Do.

Henry Hutchble Carpt. Do.

William Cole Caulk. Do.

Edwd. Bernard Coop. Do.

Willm. Calloway Surg. Mate

David Widney

Jno. Davidson 2d Mate

Saml. McNear Do.

Willm. Wheke Seaman

Nathl. Forbes

J. C. Bean

Alr. Park

Thos. Leighton

Jno. Chapman

James Aisp

Jno. Nation

Nicho. Crook

Jno. Anderson

Willm. Bond

Jno. Simpson

Robt. Jeffreys

Thos. Jenkins

Jno. Dunn

Lewis Davis

Jams. Benfield

Henry Hunn

Willm. Cooper

Robt. Carroll

Franc. Milbourn

Edwd. Day

Robt. Sheakle

Willm. Frazer

Michl. Haley

Robt. Stirling

Alr. Glass

Jams. Brown Seamn.

Jno. Palmer

Jean Newton

Willm. Usher

Luke Atherton

Richd. Brown

Saml. Stuart

Jno. Adwell

Richd. Cope

Willm. Gofeth

Jno. Robbyn Capt. Servt.

Henry Sedgwick Do.

Jno. Fergus Surg. Do.

Geo. Calwell 2d Mates Do.

Robt. McIntyre 1st Do. Do.

Thos. Walter Gunners Do.

Henry Brooker Seam.

Willm. Barrow

John Ballard

Thos. Coggan

Willm. Barker

Jno. Dyke

Jno. Hare

Jno. Johnson

Robt. Bell

Jos. Spedwell

Fran. Monkton

Thos. Dykwell

Danl. Fielding

Purling reported that he had gone on board the Valentine to muster her crew and search for deserters, but found none. Her muster roll was entered as follows.

Muster roll of the ship Valentine

Charles Purvis, commander

Robert Kerr, chief mate

John White, second mate

Matthew Wood, third mate

Thomas Newte, fourth mate

Hugh Harris, fifth mate

George Blackford, purser

Andrew Wright, surgeon

John Dornford, boatswain

John Stirling, gunner

Charles Mitchell, carpenter

Philip Bartham, caulker

Michael Emerson, sailmaker

John Taylor, cooper

John Bell, captain's steward

David Price, captain's cook

John Lane, ship's cook

Daniel Lawrence, butcher

Charles [...], midshipman and coxswain

Arthur Stokes, midshipman

Thomas Lloyd, midshipman

John Sharp, midshipman

Luke Davis, quartermaster

Joseph Atkins, gunner's mate

Henry Hutchable, carpenter's mate

William Colebeck, caulker's mate

Edward Barnard, cooper's mate

William Salloway, sailmaker's mate

David Widney

John Davidson, boatswain's mate

James McNeur, boatswain's mate

William White, seaman

Nathaniel Forbes, seaman

J. G. Brown, seaman

Alexander Park, seaman

Thomas Leighton, seaman

John Chapman, seaman

James [...], seaman

John Nation, seaman

Nicholas Crook, seaman

John Anderson, seaman

William Read, seaman

John Simpson, seaman

Robert Jeffreys, seaman

Thomas Jenkins, seaman

John Dunn, seaman

Lewis Davis, seaman

James Benfield, seaman

Henry Owen, seaman

William Cooper, seaman

Robert Carroll, seaman

Francis Melbourne, seaman

Edward Day, seaman

Robert [...], seaman

William Frazier, seaman

Nicholas Haley, seaman

Robert [...], seaman

Abel Glass, seaman

James Brown senior, seaman

John Palmer, seaman

James Newton, seaman

William Usher, seaman

Luke Atherton, seaman

Richard Brown, seaman

Samuel Stewart, seaman

John Adwell, seaman

Richard [...], seaman

William Griffith, seaman

John Ashley, captain's servant

Henry Sedgwick, captain's servant

John Fergus, surgeon's servant

Joseph Calwell, second mate's servant

Patrick McIntyre, first mate's servant

Thomas Walter, gunner's servant

Henry Booker, seaman

William Brown, seaman

John Ballard, seaman

Thomas Coggan, seaman

William Barker, seaman

John Dyke, seaman

John Hare, seaman

John Johnson, seaman

Robert Bell, seaman

Joseph Spedwell, seaman

Francis Monkton, seaman

Thomas Dukwell, seaman

Daniel Fielding, seaman

Interpretations

Purling did not muster the ship to check her crew for the owners. He went to look for deserters from the garrison. A soldier who wanted to escape the island had one real chance, which was to hide on board a homeward-bound ship and sail before he was missed. Every ship in the road was therefore searched. Her company was called over against the roll, so that any man who did not belong to it would be found. The Valentine was the first Company ship to call in five months, at a time of heavy labour on the works, frequent demotions and sickness in the garrison. A soldier would never have a better chance to stow away, so the search was all the more necessary.

The roll also served as a check on the ship's own crew. A sailor could desert on the island just as a soldier could leave it. Recording each man by name and rank allowed the commander and the Council to account for every seaman when the ship sailed. They could also deal with any man who tried to stay behind or to sign on as a soldier.

431

424

1769

Jno. Bellings Seamn.

Julio Augusta

Peter Comeo

Jos. Domingo

Jerome Cornill Seamn.

Adrian Johannes

Jno. Hein. Hagelstein

Henr. Johnson

Pieter Loffman Seamn.

Rinard Bye

Adam Tod

Jno. Johnson

Passengers

Mr. Bolts

Mrs. Bolts

Mr. Pindersley

Mr. Owen

Mr. Shaw

Mr. Pritchard

two Black maid Servants

One Black Boy

(signed)

Chas. Purvis

The Gunners & Stewards Accounts for the Month of January last

were this day brought in, which were examined and approved and are as follows

viz.

Artillery Stores Expended in Jany. 1769

Guns fired, 6 Pr, 4 Pr, 3 Pr, 2 Pr, 1 Pr, Powder Expend. lb, Powder Expend. oz

21st An Alarm: Guns fired 6, 6 Pr 0, 4 Pr 2, 3 Pr 2, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 2, Powder Expend. lb 12, Powder Expend. oz 0

Arrd. his Majesty's Ship Swallow: Guns fired 15, 6 Pr 14, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 1, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expend. lb 15, Powder Expend. oz 0

Do. Fired for Capt. [...] coming on Shore: Guns fired 15, 6 Pr 14, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 1, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expend. lb 15, Powder Expend. oz 0

25 Do. for Do. going on Board: Guns fired 15, 6 Pr 14, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 1, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expend. lb 22, Powder Expend. oz 8

Do. Depart. his Majesty's Ship Swallow: Guns fired 15, 6 Pr 14, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 1, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expend. lb 22, Powder Expend. oz 8

29 An Alarm for a Ship that went by: Guns fired 6, 6 Pr 0, 4 Pr 2, 3 Pr 2, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 2, Powder Expend. lb 12, Powder Expend. oz 0

Powder for Sundry Services: Guns fired 0, 6 Pr 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expend. lb 143, Powder Expend. oz 5

Total: Guns fired 72, 6 Pr 56, 4 Pr 4, 3 Pr 4, 2 Pr 4, 1 Pr 4, Powder Expend. lb 242, Powder Expend. oz 5

Lead Ball to Shoot Goats

2 lb. 12 oz.

Paper for the Works to make Cartridges

7 Qrs. 6

Copper Rivets for the Cooper

173

Tallow for ye Cooper

5 lb.

Handspikes at the Alarm House

1

Worms for 4 lb. at Prosperous Bay

1

(signed)

Ar. Mitchell

The Valentine's muster roll continued with the last of her crew and her passengers.

John Billings, seaman

Julio Augusta, seaman

Peter Cornies, seaman

John Domingo, seaman

Jerome Cornillet, seaman

Adrian Johannes, seaman

John Hein Hagelstein, seaman

Henry Johnson, seaman

Pieter Lofsman, seaman

Reinard Bye, seaman

Adam Pick, seaman

John Johnson, seaman

Passengers

Mr Bolts

Mrs Bolts

Mr Pindersley

Mrs Owen

Mr Shee

Mr Pritchard

Two black maidservants

One black boy

Charles Purvis signed the roll.

The gunner's and steward's accounts for January were presented. The Council examined and approved them, and they were entered as follows.

Artillery stores used in January 1769

21 January, an alarm: 6 guns fired, comprising 2 [...]-pounders, 2 [...]-pounders and 2 [...]-pounders, with 12 pounds 0 ounces of powder

Arrival of His Majesty's ship Swallow: 15 guns fired, comprising 14 [...]-pounders and 1 [...]-pounder, with 15 pounds 0 ounces of powder

Salute for the captain coming ashore: 15 guns fired, comprising 14 [...]-pounders and 1 [...]-pounder, with 15 pounds 0 ounces of powder

25 January, salute for the captain going aboard: 15 guns fired, comprising 14 [...]-pounders and 1 [...]-pounder, with 22 pounds 8 ounces of powder

Departure of His Majesty's ship Swallow: 15 guns fired, comprising 14 [...]-pounders and 1 [...]-pounder, with 22 pounds 8 ounces of powder

29 January, an alarm for a ship that passed the island: 6 guns fired, comprising 2 [...]-pounders, 2 [...]-pounders and 2 [...]-pounders, with 12 pounds 0 ounces of powder

Powder used in various services, 143 pounds 5 ounces

Total: 72 guns fired, with 242 pounds 5 ounces of powder

Lead ball for shooting goats, 2 pounds 12 ounces

Copper for making 6 [...], 7 pounds 6 ounces

Copper rivets for the cooper, 173

Tallow for the carts, 5 pounds

Handspikes used at the alarm house, 1

[...] for the 4-pounder at Prosperous Bay, 1

Archibald Mitchell signed the account.

Interpretations

The Swallow was saluted four times during her short stay: on arrival, when her captain came ashore, when he returned aboard and when she sailed. Each salute took 15 guns. The Company gave a King's ship the same ceremony it would have given a senior commander of its own. The salutes used 75 pounds of powder in four days. An island defended by the Company still owed formal respect to the Crown's navy, and the record entered every gun of that respect against the stores.

Both alarms in January were fired for ships. The first, on 21 January, announced the Swallow as she approached. The second, on 29 January, marked the ship that passed far out to sea without calling. A ship sighted from the lookouts set off a signal of six guns. The guns warned the garrison to stand to arms until the vessel could be identified. They were fired whether the ship turned out to be friend, foe or a stranger sailing by.

The Valentine carried several passengers with their own servants, including two black maidservants and a black boy. They were probably slaves or bonded servants travelling with their owners from Bengal. St Helena's Council kept a close watch on any slave landed on the island, since slaves could not be brought ashore or sold there without permission. Listing them on the roll ensured that every person who came in on the ship left on her again.

432

425

1769

Sundry's Expended at the Honble. Company's Table in Jany. 1769

6 Bott. Port Wine

" 9 -

14 Do. Lisbon

1 1 -

8 Do. Mountain

" 12 -

24 Do. Beer

" 5 -

24 Gall. Arr.

6 " -

225 lb. Beef

4 13 9

306 lb. Mutton

6 10 -

1 Lamb

" 10 -

2 Turkeys

" 10 -

6 Fowls

" 9 -

6 Ducks

" 9 -

37 lb. Butter

1 11 -

100 lb. Candy

2 1 8

300 Flour

2 16 3

£ 27 17 8

The Storekeeper this day delivered the following Account of Stores

short recd. from Ship Valentine viz.

Account of Stores short received from Ship Valentine viz.

Cwt. qrs. lb.

2.. -.. 16 Rice

-.. 3.. 7 Paddy

1.. 2.. 10 Sugar

-.. -.. 2 Candles

Short weight Occasiond. by drying &

Package

Gall.

1 Leagr. Arr. Gage 141 wants to fill 8 Gall.

1 Do. Do. 145 Do. 8 Do.

286

16

16

Recd. 270 Gall.

(signed)

p James Powell Storekpr.

St. Helena

13 Feby. 1769

Sundries used at the Company's table in January 1769

6 bottles of port wine, £0 9s 0d

14 bottles of Lisbon wine, £1 1s 0d

8 bottles of Mountain wine, £0 12s 0d

24 bottles of beer, £0 5s 0d

24 gallons of arrack, £6 0s 0d

225 pounds of beef, £4 13s 9d

306 pounds of mutton, £6 10s 0d

1 lamb, £0 10s 0d

2 turkeys, £0 10s 0d

6 fowls, £0 9s 0d

6 ducks, £0 9s 0d

31 pounds of butter, £1 11s 0d

100 pounds of sugar candy, £2 1s 8d

300 pounds of flour, £2 16s 3d

Total, £27 17s 8d

The storekeeper delivered an account of the stores that had arrived short from the Valentine.

Account of stores received short from the ship Valentine

Rice, 2 hundredweight 0 quarters 16 pounds short

Paddy, 0 hundredweight 3 quarters 7 pounds short

Sugar, 1 hundredweight 2 quarters 10 pounds short

Candles, 0 hundredweight 0 quarters 2 pounds short

Cause of the short weight: drying out and wastage in the packages

1 leaguer of arrack, gauged at 141 gallons, short of full by 8 gallons

1 leaguer of arrack, gauged at 145 gallons, short of full by 8 gallons

Total gauged, 286 gallons

Total short, 16 gallons

Received, 270 gallons

James Powell signed the account as storekeeper at St Helena on 13 February 1769.

Interpretations

The storekeeper weighed and gauged the Valentine's cargo before taking it into the warehouse. He did not accept the quantities on the Bengal invoice. Rice and paddy lost weight as they dried on the long voyage, and sugar drained away through the sacking. The two leaguers of arrack had been invoiced at 150 gallons each but held only 270 gallons between them on arrival. Recording the shortfall protected Powell, who was answerable for every pound and gallon entered in his charge. It also gave the Council a figure to set against the invoice when the ship's account was settled.

The Company's table drew more fresh meat in January than in any recent month: 306 pounds of mutton and 225 pounds of beef. The captain of the Swallow came ashore during her stay and was entertained at the Castle. The rise in meat and wine at the table matched the salutes fired for his landing and departure.

433

426

The 13 February

Captain Purvis brought from the Cape on Account of the Honble.

Company forty five Sheep, which we paid him for as p Bill, also for three

Casks of Tar and one of Pitch purchased for him on the Company's Account

The Honble. Company Dr.

To Captain Purvis

To 45 Sheep with Expence of Boat Hire Corn Hay &c. Lyme

at 15/

£ 33 15 -

To 3 Casks of Tar

at 35/

5 5 -

To 1 Cask of Pitch

at 35/

1 15 -

£ 40 15 -

E. E. Contents Received

(signed)

C. Purvis

We this day Granted the two following Sets of Bills of

Exchange drawn upon the Honble. the Court of Directors viz.

One Set to Capt. Archd. Mitchell for £800.. payable to

Alexr. Hume Esq. (or Order)

And one Set to Mr. Willm. Wrangham for £87.. 15.. 3

payable to Hutcheson Mure Esq. (or Order) both drawn at ninety Days

sight

John Skottowe

Purling

Thos. Kirkpatrick

Captain Purvis had brought 45 sheep from the Cape for the Company. The Council paid him for them on his bill. It also paid him for three casks of tar and one of pitch, which he had bought on the Company's account.

Owed by the Company to Captain Purvis

45 sheep, with the cost of boat hire, corn, hay and labour, at 15s each, £33 15s 0d

3 casks of tar at 35s each, £5 5s 0d

1 cask of pitch at 35s, £1 15s 0d

Total, £40 15s 0d

Purvis signed the bill, acknowledging that he had received the money and reserving the right to correct any errors.

The Council that day granted two sets of bills of exchange drawn on the Court of Directors. One set went to Captain Archibald Mitchell for £800 0s 0d, payable to Alexander Hume or his order. The other went to William Wrangham for £87 15s 3d, payable to Hutcheson Mure or his order. Both bills were payable 90 days after sight. Governor John Skottowe, Purling and Kirkpatrick signed the minutes.

Interpretations

The 45 sheep from the Cape were bought to strengthen the Company's flock, not for slaughter on arrival. The plantation account for the last quarter of 1768 showed the flock falling, from 634 to 611 sheep, because more were killed than were born. Fresh stock from the Cape, where the Dutch ran large flocks, replenished the numbers and brought in new blood. At 15s a head, including the cost of feeding the animals at sea and landing them, the sheep were dear. A healthy flock, though, gave the island mutton for years.

Mitchell's bill for £800 0s 0d was by far the largest the Council had drawn in many months. It was payable in London to Alexander Hume. Mitchell was evidently sending home a large part of his savings ahead of his departure, which was tied to the completion of Munden's Point. He paid the money into the treasury in coin and received a bill that Hume could cash at East India House.

The bills relieved the island's shortage of coin. The December cash account had shown the reserve falling by more than £2,000 in a quarter with no ships calling. Mitchell's £800 and Wrangham's £87 15s 3d replaced part of that loss at once, without any specie having to come out from England. The Company would meet the bills in London 90 days after they were presented.

434

427

The 20 February

At a Consultation held on Monday the 20th day of Febry. 1769 at the Castle

Present John Skottowe Esq. Governor

Mr. Matthew Purling

Capt. Thomas Kirkpatrick of Coun.

The last Consultation was read, approved, and signed dated the 13 Feby. 1769

Tuesday the 14 Sailed the Honble. Company's Ship Valentine for England

This day passed by six Dutch Ships

Messrs. Richd. Bagley, John Goodwin & Willm. Hayes

this day presented the following Petitions viz.

To the Worshipful John Skottowe Esq. Gover. &c. Council

of St. Helena

The humble Petition of Richd. Bagley

Sheweth

That your Petitioner hath a Lease for four Acs. & a

Quarter of Land lying in the West Division of this Island known by the

name of Moncks Valley, that as the said piece of Land lies at a distance

from your Petitioners other Lands and in the middle of the Common

there, is on that Account very inconvenient, Requests your Worship &

Council will be pleased to exchange the said Land for the same quantity

of the Honble. Company's Waste Land adjoining to your Petitioners on

Thompson's Wood

And your Petitioner will ever pray

(signed)

Richd. Bagley

20th Feby. 1769

Ordered the said Land to be Viewed

The Council met at the Castle on Monday 20 February 1769. Governor John Skottowe presided, with Matthew Purling and Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick present. The minutes of the meeting of 13 February 1769 were read, approved and signed.

The Company's ship Valentine sailed for England on Tuesday 14 February 1769. Six Dutch ships passed the island on 20 February.

Richard Bagley, John Goodwin and William Hayes each presented a petition.

Bagley petitioned Governor Skottowe and the Council about the lease he held of four and a quarter acres in the West Division, known as Monkey's Ridge. The land lay some distance from his other holdings, in the middle of the commons, which made it very awkward to manage. He asked the Governor and Council to exchange it for the same area of the Company's waste land next to his own land at Thompson's Wood. He signed the petition on 20 February 1769. The Council ordered the land to be inspected.

Interpretations

Bagley asked for an exchange rather than an extra grant, so the Company would gain back as much land as it gave. His plot at Monkey's Ridge stood isolated in the commons, and fencing and guarding a holding surrounded by common grazing was costly. Livestock pressed on it from every side. Swapping it for ground beside his main farm would let him enclose a single block. The Council had approved a similar exchange for William Seale on 21 November 1768, on condition that the public lost nothing. Bagley's offer of an equal acreage met the same test. The Monkey's Ridge plot, returned to the commons, would also remove a private enclosure from the middle of public grazing.

The six Dutch ships passing the island were probably an outward or homeward fleet of the Dutch East India Company. The Dutch revictualled at the Cape and seldom needed to call at St Helena. Their passing was still reported, since every sail sighted from the lookouts had to be identified, and the British island would have watched a large foreign fleet closely.

435

428

The 20 February

To the Worshipful John Skottowe Esq. Governor &ca.

Council of St. Helena

The humble Petition of John Goodwin

Sheweth

That your Petitioner hath a Lease expired for five Acres &

a Quarter of Land lying in the West Division of the said Island, humbly

requests that your Worship and Council will be pleased to grant him a

Renewal of the same

And your Petitioner will ever pray

(signed)

Jno. Goodwin

20th Feby. 1769

Granted

To the Worshipfull John Skottowe Esq. Governor and

Council of the Island St. Helena

The Petition of William Hayes

Humbly Sheweth

That your Petitioner having purchased the Estate lately in the

possession of James Whaley is desirous of Renting part of that piece of Land

lately rented by Mr. Mattw. Bazett Secretary lying in Fishers Valley,

and to change an Acre and half and Seven parts of an Acre of Free Land

lying in Gillies Ground for as much of the abovementioned Land, your

Petitioner humbly hopes this will meet with your Worships approbation &

shall as in duty bound for your Worships

Ever Pray

20th Feby. 1769

Ordered the said Land to be Viewed

Counted and examined the Honble. Compys. Cash for the Month

of Jany. last which is as follows viz.

John Goodwin petitioned Governor John Skottowe and the Council about five and a quarter acres in the West Division. His lease of the land had expired, and he asked for it to be renewed. He signed the petition on 20 February 1769. The Council granted the renewal.

William Hayes also petitioned the Governor and Council. He had recently bought the estate formerly held by James Whaley. He now wished to rent part of the land in Fisher's Valley that Matthew Bazett, the secretary, had lately rented. In return he offered to give up an acre and a half, and some further parts of an acre, of his own land in [...] Ground, in exchange for the same amount of the land in Fisher's Valley. He hoped the Governor and Council would approve and signed the petition on 20 February 1769. The Council ordered the land to be inspected.

The Council then counted and examined the Company's cash for the month of January.

Interpretations

Hayes moved quickly to rearrange the holding he had bought. The Council approved his purchase of James Whaley's house and 11 acres only on 9 January 1769, and within six weeks he was asking to swap part of it for ground in Fisher's Valley. Like Bagley on the same day, he offered an exchange of equal area, which met the test the Council had applied to William Seale in November 1768. A new owner could reshape a farm to suit his own use, as long as the Company's estate and the public commons lost nothing in the process.

The land Hayes wanted had lately been rented by Matthew Bazett. The secretary had evidently given up part of his holding in Fisher's Valley, leaving it free to let again. On an island where most good ground was already leased, land coming back to the Company was quickly sought by neighbours.

436

429

Cash Dr.

1769 Jany. 1st To Balance remaining£ 8159 13 11

£ 8159 13 11

Per Contra Cr.

1769 Jany. 31st By Balance remaining viz.

In Specie

7619 18 11

In Cash Notes

539 15 -

£ 8159 13 11

The Company's cash account for January 1769 showed no money received or paid during the month.

Received

1 January 1769, balance remaining, £8,159 13s 11d

Total, £8,159 13s 11d

Paid

31 January 1769, balance remaining in coin, £7,619 18s 11d

31 January 1769, balance remaining in cash notes, £539 15s 0d

Total, £8,159 13s 11d

Interpretations

The treasury stood unchanged through January, as it had in October and November 1768. The Swallow called during the month, but as a King's ship she drew no bills on the Company and paid nothing into its chest. The bills of exchange granted to Mitchell and Wrangham on 13 February 1769 fell in the following month. The coin they brought in would therefore appear only in February's account. In the meantime the reserve rested at the low point reached after the December quarter's wages had been paid out.

437

430

The 20 February

Mr. Purling Reports that he has viewed the two pieces of

Land petitioned for by Mr. Isaac Dowlon and Mr. Willm. Hayes, and

thinks that letting the same will not be prejudicial either to the Company or

to the Neighbourhood

Agreed to let the said pieces of Land at the Usual price

of 5/ p Ac.

We this day Executed the Renewal of a Lease to Mr.

Richard Bagley for a piece of Land containing thirty Acres lying in

Swanly Valley at 5/ p Acre

John Skottowe

Purling

Thos. Kirkpatrick

Purling reported that he had inspected the two pieces of land Isaac Doveton and William Hayes had asked for. He found that letting them would harm neither the Company nor the neighbours. The Council agreed to let both pieces at the usual rent of 5s an acre.

The Council that day completed the renewal of a lease to Richard Bagley for 30 acres in Swanly Valley, at 5s an acre. Governor John Skottowe, Purling and Kirkpatrick signed the minutes.

Interpretations

The Council called 5s an acre the "usual" rent for waste land, the full rate for ground of ordinary quality. Purling's report said nothing about the soil of Doveton's and Hayes's plots. Without a note of rocky or barren ground, the Council charged the standard figure. The reduced rents of 1s 6d to 2s 6d set during the autumn were exceptions, granted only where an inspection found the land poor. The default stayed at 5s, and a petitioner had to show cause for anything lower.

Bagley's 30 acres in Swanly Valley were renewed at the same rate. Old leases and new grants of average land paid alike, so the rent roll kept a consistent value for each acre of the Company's ground.

438

431

The 27 February

At a Consultation held on Monday the 27th day of Febry. 1769 at the Castle

Present John Skottowe Esq. Governor

Mr. Matthew Purling

Capt. Thomas Kirkpatrick of Council

The last Consultation was read approved and signed dated the 20 Feby. 1769

Tuesday the 21 Arrived the Bute's Boat at Banks's half an Hour past

three o'Clock in the Afternoon

Do. Do. Do. The Honble. Company's Ship Bute from Bombay

There being no Coffee in the Honble. Company's Stores, we

sent Capt. Maitland the following Order viz.

To the Honble. Patrick Maitland Commander of

Ship Bute

Sir

You are hereby Ordered to send on Shore three half

Bales of the Honorable Company's Coffee for the use of this Island

We are

Sir

Your humble Servants

(signed)

John Skottowe

Mattw. Purling

Thoms. Kirkpatrick

St. Helena

27th Feby. 1769

The Council met at the Castle on Monday 27 February 1769. Governor John Skottowe presided, with Matthew Purling and Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick present. The minutes of the meeting of 20 February 1769 were read, approved and signed.

At half past three in the afternoon of Tuesday 21 February a boat from the Bute landed at Banks's. The Company's ship Bute arrived from Bombay on the same day.

The Company's stores held no coffee, so the Council sent an order to Captain the Honourable Patrick Maitland, commander of the Bute. It instructed him to send ashore three half-bales of the Company's coffee for the island's use. Governor Skottowe, Matthew Purling and Thomas Kirkpatrick signed the order at St Helena on 27 February 1769.

Interpretations

The Council did not buy coffee from a private trader or ask Maitland for a sale. It ordered him to land part of the Company's own cargo. The coffee in the Bute's hold already belonged to the Company, bought at Mocha or Bombay for sale in London. Taking three half-bales at St Helena simply moved the goods from one department of the Company to another, without new money changing hands. The island was a station of the same company that owned the ship. Its Council could draw on any Company cargo passing through to supply a shortage, as long as the quantity was recorded and charged.

The warehouse had held 23 pounds of coffee in September 1768. The Company's table and the servants had since drawn it down to nothing. Coffee came to St Helena only on ships returning from the Red Sea and western India. The arrival of the Bute from Bombay was the first chance in months to restock.

439

432

The 27th February

Mr. Purling reports that he has viewed the piece of Land

Mr. Richard Bagley requested to have in Exchange for a piece he Rents of the Honble.

Company called Bedleys, the exchange he thinks may be admitted of, as the two pieces

appear to him to be equally good, and transferring the Land now Occupied by Mr.

Bagley from private Property will be an Advantage to the Public as it is a Small

piece and situated in the middle of a large Common consequently injurious to the

grazing Cattle on that Commonage

He has also viewed the Land that William Hayes requested to

exchange with the Company for a piece contiguous to his Land and is of Opinion that

exchanging the same will be of Advantage to the Company as the Land he gives up is

well wooded and Adjoins to the Long Wood, and from its vicinity thereto is extremely

inconvenient to be possessed by any private person. That in Lieu of this small piece

of Free Land containing One Acre and two thirds he thinks Hayes may be allotted

an equality Adjoining to his Land and what may be over and above which he has

Petitioned for may be Leased to him on the Usual terms, it appearing that the same

may be Let without prejudice either to the Company or the Neighbourhood

February 27th 1769

Upon which we Consented to the Exchanges Requested by

Mr. Richd. Bagley and Willm. Hayes Agreeable to the above Report

& whatever Land may be over the quantity of Acres so exchanged we

agreed to Rent at the usual rate of 5/ p Acre

John Skottowe

Purling

Purling reported that he had inspected the land Richard Bagley wanted in exchange for the piece he rented from the Company, known as Bagley's. He thought the exchange could be allowed, since the two pieces seemed equally good. Taking the land Bagley now held out of private hands would also benefit the public. It was a small plot in the middle of a large common, and so it hindered the cattle grazing there.

Purling had also inspected the land William Hayes wished to exchange with the Company for a piece next to his own. He judged the exchange would be to the Company's advantage. The land Hayes was giving up was well wooded and adjoined the Long Wood. Being so close to it, the plot was very unsuitable to be held by any private person. In return for this small piece of wooded land, about one and two-thirds acres, Purling thought Hayes could be granted an equal area next to his own land. Any further land he had asked for beyond that could be let to him on the usual terms, since letting it would harm neither the Company nor the neighbours. The report was dated 27 February 1769.

The Council agreed to both exchanges as Purling proposed. Any land granted beyond the acreage exchanged would be let at the usual rent of 5s an acre. Governor John Skottowe and Purling signed the minutes.

Interpretations

Each exchange served a public purpose as well as the petitioner's convenience. Bagley's isolated plot stood in the middle of a large common, and its fences cut into grazing that all the inhabitants used. Returning it to the commons removed the obstruction. Hayes's land was more valuable to the Company still. It was wooded and lay beside the Long Wood, the largest surviving stand of trees on the island. Timber was so scarce on St Helena that the Company imported planks from the Baltic and rope to tie down thatch. Woodland next to the Long Wood was better kept in the Company's hands, where it could be protected, than left to a private owner who might clear it for pasture or fuel.

Purling's report also set a rule for exchanges that turned out uneven. Hayes would receive an equal area to what he surrendered, and anything more would be let at the full rent. The arrangement stopped a petitioner from using an exchange to gain extra ground free of rent.

440

433

The 6 March

At a Consultation held on Monday the 6th day of March 1769 at the Castle

Present John Skottowe Esq. Governor

Mr. Matthew Purling

Capt. Thomas Kirkpatrick of Council

The last Consultation was read, approved, and signed dated the 27 Feby. 1769

Tuesday the 28 Febry. Died Daniel Maloney Matross

Thursday the 2 Passed by a Ship at a great distance

Yesterday Arrived the Royal Captain's Boat at Banks's at six o'Clock in

the Evening

This day Do. The Honble. Company's Ship Royal Captain from

Bombay brought Us the following Supplies viz.

Invoice of Ship Royal Captain

Rice Bealer fine 45 Bags of 300 Sr. Mds. viz.

44 Bags ea. 6¾ Sr. Mds. is 297 Mds.

1 .. 3 Do.

45 300 Sr. Mds. @ 22 Rupees p 18 Sr. Mds.

366 2 66

Batty 32 Bags ea. 3 Parahs 3.. 2 ea. 20 Rs. p Md.

76 3 20

Charges on Merchandize

Hamallage

55 " 3

Lascars

1 3 20

Boat Hire

5 " 90

62 3 10

Rupees 506 - 96

Errors Excepted

(signed)

p Jams. Byby

Accompt.

The Council met at the Castle on Monday 6 March 1769. Governor John Skottowe presided, with Matthew Purling and Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick present. The minutes of the meeting of 27 February 1769 were read, approved and signed.

Daniel Maloney, a matross, died on Tuesday 28 February 1769. On Thursday 2 March a ship passed the island far out to sea. On 5 March, at six in the evening, a boat from the Royal Captain landed at Banks's. The Company's ship Royal Captain arrived from Bombay on 6 March and brought the following supplies.

Invoice of the ship Royal Captain

Fine rice, 44 bags at 6¾ Surat maunds each, 297 maunds

Fine rice, 1 bag of 3 Surat maunds, 3 maunds

Total fine rice, 45 bags weighing 300 Surat maunds at 22 rupees per [...], 366 rupees 2 quarters 66 reas

Batty, 32 bags weighing 3 candies 2 maunds 20 pounds at [...], 76 rupees 3 quarters 20 reas

Charges on the goods

Porterage, 55 rupees 3 quarters 0 reas

Lascars, 1 rupee 3 quarters 20 reas

Boat hire, 5 rupees 0 quarters 90 reas

Total for the charges, 62 rupees 3 quarters 10 reas

Total, 506 rupees 0 quarters 96 reas

James Ryley, accountant, signed the invoice, reserving the right to correct any errors.

Interpretations

The Royal Captain, like the Valentine, brought rice for the island, this time from the western side of India. The Bombay invoice used that presidency's own money and measures. The rupee divided into 4 quarters and each quarter into 100 reas. Rice was weighed in Surat maunds, which were lighter than the Bengal maund, and in candies of 20 maunds. Batty was the western Indian name for paddy, rice still in its husk. It was cheaper than cleaned rice and was fed to the Company's slaves and poultry.

Two rice ships within a month showed how much the island now relied on India for its staple grain. The Company's slaves had consumed more than 214 hundredweight of rice in the last quarter of 1768 alone. Rice from Bengal and Bombay arrived in the holds of East Indiamen calling on the homeward voyage, so the island's food supply depended on the timing and number of ships passing the Cape.

Porterage was the largest charge, the cost of carrying the bags from the warehouses in Bombay to the waterside. Lascars were Indian seamen, hired here to load the boats that ferried the cargo out to the ship.

441

434

The 6 March

We this day received the following Letter from the Engineer as

likewise a Plan of Lemon Valley Fortification

To the Worshipfull John Skottowe Esq. Governor

&ca. and Council of the Island St. Helena

Gentlemen

The Defences of Lemon Valley being now

compleated, all but the laying of the Platforms, for which we must wait

untill the Arrival of the Storeships, I therefore deliver in a Plan of that

Work, in order to be transmitted to my Honble. Masters, & shall be happy

to find, that the Manner in which those Defences have been executed, receives

the Honor of your Approbation

I am

With the greatest respect

Gentlemen

Your most Obedt. & very humble Servant

(signed)

Ar. Mitchell

St. Helena

6th March 1769

Agreed to visit the same Tomorrow and to transmit the said

Plan together with our sentiments thereupon to the Honble. the Court of

Directors

John Skottowe

Purling

The Council received a letter from the engineer, together with a plan of the fortifications in Lemon Valley.

Mitchell wrote to Governor John Skottowe and the Council that the defences of Lemon Valley were now finished. Only the gun platforms remained, and these had to wait for the store ships to arrive. He therefore delivered a plan of the work to be sent home to the Court of Directors. He hoped the Council would approve of the way the defences had been built. He signed the letter at St Helena on 6 March 1769.

The Council agreed to inspect the works the next day. It would then send the plan to the Court of Directors with its own opinion of them. Governor Skottowe and Purling signed the minutes.

Interpretations

Mitchell had reported on 2 January 1769 that the platforms at Lemon Valley would wait until the new rampart had settled. He now gave a further reason: the store ships had not yet come. Gun platforms were laid with heavy planking, usually oak or Baltic timber, bolted down on sleepers. The September inventory had held only modest stocks of such timber. Much of it had since gone into the boats, the carts and the works at Banks's and Munden's Point. The platforms could not be built until fresh timber arrived from England.

The Council chose to inspect the finished works in person before reporting to London, rather than simply forwarding the engineer's plan. The Court of Directors had paid for the works with thousands of pounds in labour and stores. A first-hand opinion from the Governor and Council would carry more weight than Mitchell's account alone. It would also show the Directors that the island's government had checked the engineer's work, only three months after Payne's charges had questioned his use of the Company's materials.

442

435

The 13 March

At a Consultation held on Monday the 13th day of March 1769 at the Castle

Present John Skottowe Esq. Governor

Mr. Matthew Purling

Capt. Thomas Kirkpatrick of Council

The last Consultation was read, approved, and signed dated the 6 March 1769

Thursday the 9 Arrived the Kent's Boat at Banks's at half an Hour past

six o'Clock in the Morning

Do. Do. Do. The Honble. Company's Ship Kent from Bengal

last from the Cape

Friday the 10 Do. The Verelst Boat at Banks's at nine o'Clock in the

Morning

Do. Do. Do. The Honble. Company's Ship Verelst from Bengal

last from the Cape

Saturday the 11 Died Thomas Collier Serjeant

The Kent and Verelst brought us the following Supply viz.

Invoice of Ship Kent

Fine Rice

60 Bags Wgt. F. M. 120 at Rs. 2.. 6 p M.

307 12 9

Fine Sugar

10 Bags Wgt. 20 7.. 12 Rs.

155 - -

Paddy

15 Bags 22.. 20 1.. 39 p Rs.

23 1 -

Wax Candles

4 Chests 8 @ 76 p M.

608 - -

Batavia Arrack

2 Leagrs. at 130 each

283 12 9

1377 10 6

Carrd. Over

1377 10 6

The Council met at the Castle on Monday 13 March 1769. Governor John Skottowe presided, with Matthew Purling and Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick present. The minutes of the meeting of 6 March 1769 were read, approved and signed.

At half past six in the morning of Thursday 9 March a boat from the Kent landed at Banks's. The Company's ship Kent arrived the same day from Bengal, by way of the Cape. At nine in the morning of Friday 10 March a boat from the Verelst landed at Banks's. The Company's ship Verelst arrived the same day, also from Bengal by way of the Cape. Thomas Collier, a sergeant, died on Saturday 11 March.

The Kent and the Verelst brought the following supplies.

Invoice of the ship Kent

Fine rice, 60 bags weighing 120 maunds at [...] a maund, 307 rupees 12 annas 9 pies

Fine sugar, 10 bags weighing 20 maunds at 7 rupees 12 annas a maund, 155 rupees 0 annas 0 pies

Paddy, 15 bags weighing 22 maunds 20 seers at [...], 23 rupees 1 anna 0 pies

Wax candles, 4 chests weighing 8 maunds at 76 rupees a maund, 608 rupees 0 annas 0 pies

Batavia arrack, 2 leaguers of 150 gallons each, 283 rupees 12 annas 9 pies

Total, 1,377 rupees 10 annas 6 pies

Carried forward, 1,377 rupees 10 annas 6 pies

Interpretations

The Kent's cargo matched the Valentine's almost exactly: 60 bags of rice, 10 of sugar, 15 of paddy, four chests of wax candles and two leaguers of Batavia arrack. The Bengal council evidently packed a standard assortment for St Helena and loaded one on each homeward ship. Spreading the island's supplies across several vessels guarded against the loss of any single ship. It also meant a steady flow of rice through the season instead of one large delivery that might spoil in the warehouse.

Three Company ships from India called within a week: the Royal Captain, the Kent and the Verelst. The homeward fleet left India at the turn of the year to round the Cape in the southern summer. It reached St Helena from February to April. After the long quiet of the last months of 1768, the season now brought ships, stores and the chance to draw bills of exchange in quick succession.

Thomas Collier was one of the artillery's four sergeants. His death opened a vacancy at the top of the company's non-commissioned ranks. It would set off another chain of promotion like those recorded on the last pay list.

443

436

The 13 March

Brought over

1374 10 6

Charges Merchandize

160 Gunnys

24 3 -

2 Srs. Twine

" 4 -

4 Mangoe Chests

18 4 -

60 Reed Matts

5 2 9

Dust

1 " -

Moolias

11 3 -

Boathire

4 5 3

Peons

2 5 3

Packages

1 1 -

Weighmen

" 9 -

Sleepers

99 4 6

163 11 9

Curr. Rupees

1543 6 3

Errors Excepted

(signed)

p M. Harwood

Subaco.

Invoice of Ship Verelst

Rice fine

60 Bags Wgt. F. M. 120 at Rs. 2.. 6 p M.

307 12 9

Fine Sugar

10 Bags Wgt. 20 at 7.. 12 Do.

155 - -

Paddy

15 Bags Wgt. 22.. 20 1.. 39 p Rs.

23 1 -

Wax Candles

4 Chests Wgt. 8 @ 76 p M.

608 - -

Batavia Arr.

2 Leagrs. at 130 each

280 12 9

1374 10 6

Carrd. Over

1374 10 6

The Kent's invoice continued with the charges on the goods.

Brought forward, 1,374 rupees 10 annas 6 pies

Charges on the goods

160 gunny bags, 24 rupees 3 annas 0 pies

Twine, 0 rupees 4 annas 0 pies

4 [...] chests, 18 rupees 4 annas 0 pies

60 [...] mats, 5 rupees 2 annas 9 pies

Paint, 1 rupee 0 annas 0 pies

Coolies, 11 rupees 2 annas 0 pies

Boatmen, 4 rupees 5 annas 3 pies

Peons, 2 rupees 5 annas 3 pies

Packing, 1 rupee 1 anna 0 pies

Weighmen, 0 rupees 9 annas 0 pies

Sloop hire, 99 rupees 4 annas 6 pies

Total for the charges, 168 rupees 11 annas 9 pies

Total in current rupees, 1,543 rupees 6 annas 3 pies

M. Harwood, sub-accountant, signed the invoice, reserving the right to correct any errors.

Invoice of the ship Verelst

Fine rice, 60 bags weighing 120 maunds at 2 rupees 9 annas a maund, 307 rupees 12 annas 9 pies

Fine sugar, 10 bags weighing 20 maunds at 7 rupees 12 annas a maund, 155 rupees 0 annas 0 pies

Paddy, 15 bags weighing 22 maunds 20 seers at [...], 23 rupees 1 anna 0 pies

Wax candles, 4 chests weighing 8 maunds at 76 rupees a maund, 608 rupees 0 annas 0 pies

Batavia arrack, 2 leaguers of 150 gallons each, 280 rupees 12 annas 9 pies

Total, 1,374 rupees 10 annas 6 pies

Carried forward, 1,374 rupees 10 annas 6 pies

Interpretations

Sloop hire was by far the largest charge on the Kent's goods, nearly 100 rupees out of 168. The great East Indiamen could not come up the Hooghly to Calcutta and lay downriver at Diamond Harbour or Kedgeree. Cargo had to be carried from the Company's warehouses to the ships in hired sloops over many miles of river. The Valentine's invoice showed a smaller sum for boat hire. Freight costs depended on how far down the river each ship was lying when she loaded.

The Verelst's invoice was identical to the Kent's in every quantity and price. Both ships carried the same standard assortment for the island. The Bengal council prepared the St Helena consignments as a fixed allotment and divided them evenly among the ships of the season.

444

437

1769

Brought Over

1374 10 6

Charges Merchandize

160 Gunny Bags

24 3 -

3 Srs. Twine

" 7 -

4 Mangoe Chests

18 4 -

60 Reed Matts

5 2 9

Dust

1 " -

Boathire

4 5 3

Moolias

11 3 -

Peons

2 5 3

Weighmen

" 9 -

Packages

1 1 -

Sleepers

99 4 6

163 11 9

Curr. Rupees

1543 6 3

E. Excepted

(signed)

p M. Harwood

Subaco.

Mr. Matthew Purling Reports that he has been on

board the Ships Bute & Royal Captain to Muster their Company's and

enquire for deserters but found none their Muster Rolls are as follow viz.

Muster Roll of Ship Bute

Patk. Maitland Commr.

Willm. Lindsay Chief Mate

Richd. Brady 2d Do.

J. Watt. 3d Do.

James Pewell 4th Do.

Jams. Ferguson 5th Do.

Thomas Robins

Willm. Henderson

Robt. Sinclair Surgeon

Chas. Rich Gunner

Samuel Bullen Carpent.

Richd. Davies Caulkr.

Jams. Halesam Coxswain

Chas. Henderson Midshn.

Jas. Chalmers Do.

Thoms. Willingsby Do.

Jno. Simpson Do.

Jno. Bonnington 2d Mast.

Thos. Spurges Sail Makr.

Henry Lund Coopr.

Thos. Walker Armour.

Robt. Smith Ships Stewd.

Wm. Bristand Cook

Wm. Crawford Gunrs. Mate

Wm. Ash Bo. 1st Do.

Thos. Jones Bo. 2 Do.

Thos. Edwards Carpt. 1 Do.

The Verelst's invoice continued with the charges on the goods.

Brought forward, 1,374 rupees 10 annas 6 pies

Charges on the goods

160 gunny bags, 24 rupees 3 annas 0 pies

Twine, 0 rupees 7 annas 0 pies

4 [...] chests, 18 rupees 4 annas 0 pies

60 [...] mats, 5 rupees 2 annas 9 pies

Paint, 1 rupee 0 annas 0 pies

Boatmen, 4 rupees 5 annas 3 pies

Coolies, 11 rupees 8 annas 0 pies

Peons, 2 rupees 5 annas 3 pies

Weighmen, 0 rupees 9 annas 0 pies

Packing, 1 rupee 1 anna 0 pies

Sloop hire, 99 rupees 14 annas 6 pies

Total for the charges, 168 rupees 11 annas 9 pies

Total in current rupees, 1,543 rupees 6 annas 3 pies

M. Harwood, sub-accountant, signed the invoice, reserving the right to correct any errors.

Matthew Purling reported that he had gone on board the Bute and the Royal Captain to muster their crews and search for deserters, but found none. Their muster rolls were entered as follows.

Muster roll of the ship Bute

Patrick Maitland, commander

William Lindsay, chief mate

Richard Brady, second mate

Francis Watts, third mate

James Powell, fourth mate

James Ferguson, fifth mate

Thomas [...]

William Robertson

Robert Sinclair, surgeon

Charles Rose, gunner

Samuel Fuller, carpenter

Richard Davies, caulker

James Watson, coxswain

Charles Henderson, midshipman

J. Chalmers, midshipman

Samuel Willoughby, midshipman

John Simpson, midshipman

John Warrington, quartermaster

Thomas Sturges, sailmaker

Henry Quint, cooper

John Walker, armourer

Robert Smith, ship's steward

William Bisland, cook

William Crawford, gunner's mate

W. [...], boatswain's first mate

Thomas Grove, boatswain's second mate

Thomas Edwards, carpenter's first mate

Interpretations

Purling mustered the Bute and the Royal Captain as he had the Valentine. Each ship in the road was searched before she sailed. The homeward season was the time of greatest risk. Several East Indiamen lay at anchor together, their crews were busy loading water and stores, and boats came and went all day between the ships and the landing. A soldier could slip aboard among the casks and work parties. Every roll was called over man by man, so that no one stowed away while the island was distracted by the arrival of the fleet.

The Bute carried officers of every grade found on a large East Indiaman: five mates, a surgeon, gunner, carpenter, caulker and sailmaker, and a cooper and armourer to maintain her casks and arms. A crew of this size, with its standing officers and their mates, could sail and fight the ship for the 18-month round voyage to India. The roll also allowed the Council to check that none of these skilled men stayed behind on the island, where a carpenter or cooper would have been welcome in the Company's shops.

445

438

The 13 March

Richard Stubbs Carpt. 2d Mate

Henry Jones Cooper Do.

Geo. Smith Caulk. Do.

Jos. Warren Butcher

Peter Bond Bout.

Ogilvie Geddes Capt. Serv.

Roger Hughes Seamen

Hilliard Shaw

Michl. Grew

Thos. Kent

Willm. Gibson

Josh. Hunter

Thos. Burns

David Johnston

Joseph Sutton

David Murray

Benjn. Webb

Jno. Steel

Bartho. Pohman

Josh. Riley

Jno. Coble

John Ward

Hestan Haggmen

Willm. Bell

John Hutwood Seamen

Geo. Dudley

Wm. Townsend

Jno. Edwards

Jno. Martin

Jno. Taylor

Alex. Smith

Jno. Wilson

Jno. Ballentyne

Jno. Ketcham

Jno. Chambers

Jno. Burns

Gray McCallum

Thomas Capt. Capt. Taylor

Vaughan Williams Do. Do.

Jno. Hill Seamen

Jno. Geddes

James Reid

Willm. Mills

Antl. Costa

Jno. Hooper

Jams. Gray

Robt. Every

Jno. Simmons Seamn.

Willm. Nash

Fran. Harrison

Wm. Farry

Abraham Lee

Thos. Hamilton

Thos. Griffiths

Patk. Corbett

Thos. Forbes

Jno. Brunner

Wm. Baldwin

Laurence Cassidee

Willm. Scott Capt. Servt.

Dav. Alston Do.

Jno. Millar Chief Mates Do.

Nathl. Butler Surg. Do.

Jno. Arch. Steward Do.

Thos. Ware Carpt. Do.

Jno. Bute Capt. Cook

Jno. Hatton Seamen

Cato Second Mates Servt.

Macha Gunners Do.

Jno. Reid Seamen

Passengers

Mr. Graves let Super Cargoe

Major Grant & Lady

Capt. Scott & Lady

Capt. Barr

Miss Price

Mr. Egerton

Rachel Nice

Kenneth Bayne

Saml. Jones

(signed)

Pat. Maitland

The Bute's muster roll continued with the rest of her crew and her passengers.

Richard Stubbs, carpenter's second mate

Henry Jones, cooper's mate

George Smith, caulker's mate

Joseph Warren, butcher

Peter Bond, baker

Ogilvie Geddes, captain's steward

Roger Hughes, seaman

William Shaw, seaman

Michael Green, seaman

Thomas Hurd, seaman

William Gibson, seaman

Joseph Hunter, seaman

Thomas Burns, seaman

David Johnston, seaman

James Sutton, seaman

David Murray, seaman

Benjamin Dodd, seaman

Joseph Reid, seaman

Bartholomew Pittman, seaman

Joseph Paley, seaman

John Cable, seaman

John Ford, seaman

Gustavus Hagquist, seaman

William Neal, seaman

John Hatwood, seaman

George Dudley, seaman

William Townsend, seaman

John Edwards, seaman

John Martin, seaman

John Taylor, seaman

Alexander Smith, seaman

John Wilson, seaman

John Ballantyne, seaman

John Ketcham, seaman

John Chambers, seaman

John Burns, seaman

Gray McCallum, seaman

Thomas [...], captain's tailor

Vaughan Williams, surgeon's assistant

John Hill, seaman

John Geddes, seaman

James Reid, seaman

William Miller, seaman

Antonio Costa, seaman

John Hooper, seaman

James Gray, seaman

Robert Avery, seaman

John Simmons, seaman

William Nash, seaman

Francis Harrison, seaman

William Darcy, seaman

Abraham Lee, seaman

Thomas Hamilton, seaman

Thomas Griffiths, seaman

Patrick Corbett, seaman

Thomas Forbes, seaman

John Brunner, seaman

William Baldwin, seaman

Lawrence Cassidy, seaman

William Shortt, captain's servant

David Alston, captain's servant

John Millar, chief mate's servant

Nathaniel Butler, surgeon's servant

John Arkell, boatswain's servant

Thomas Nairn, carpenter's servant

John Bate, captain's cook

John Hutton, seaman

Cato, second mate's servant

Mocha, gunner's servant

John Reid, seaman

Passengers

Mr [...], supercargo

Major Gowan and his wife

Captain Scott and his wife

Captain Burr

Miss Brice

Mr Ogilvie

Richard New

Kenneth Bayne

[...]

Patrick Maitland signed the roll.

Interpretations

Two of the servants, Cato and Mocha, were entered by a single name, unlike every other man on the roll. Names of that kind were commonly given to slaves, and "Mocha" suggests a man brought from the Red Sea port of that name. The second mate and the gunner probably owned them outright. Ships' officers often kept a slave or bonded servant on the India voyage. Listing them on the roll was as important to the Council as listing the seamen. A slave landed on St Helena without leave, or left behind when the ship sailed, could not be sold or kept without the Council's permission.

The passengers showed the Bute carrying people of standing home from Bombay. A supercargo managed a ship's trading cargo on behalf of the owners, and army officers travelled with their wives. Such passengers were usually entertained at the Castle while their ship lay in the road, one reason the Company's table drew so heavily on meat and wine whenever the homeward fleet arrived.

446

439

1769

Muster Roll of Ship Royal Captain

Natl. Tanner Commr.

Edw. Bevan Chief Mate

Jams. Quick 2d Do.

Josh. Hy. Haddleston 3d Do.

Saml. Williamson 4th Do.

Ar. Geary Surgeon

Robt. Pudsey Purser

Jno. Abb. Blanchford 5 Mate

Saml. Carnell 6 Do.

Josh. Webb Boat.

John Ayr Carpenter

Jno. Willy Gunner

Matt. Coyle Mids. & Cox.

Richd. Nowe Mids.

Saml. Watson Do.

Robt. Madden Do.

Bentley Young Do.

Danl. Baker 2d Mas.

Jams. Forsyth Do.

Jno. Aylsbury Surg. Mate

Edw. Speed Boat. Do.

Thos. Dick Carp. Do.

Jno. Anderson Gunr. Do.

Edw. Scott Caulker

Mark Pring Do. Mate

Thos. Bass Cooper

Wm. Pilbury Do. Mate

Geo. Cook Ships Steward

Lawr. Hayes Capt. Do.

Alex. Walker Do. Cook

Jno. Anderson Ships Do.

Jno. Howard Sail maker

Jno. Merkle Armour.

W. Birch Butcher

Lew. Nichols Bout.

Mos. Meredith Taylor

Thos. Moody Seamen

Jams. Kibra

Jno. Watson

Jno. McCarty

Jno. Neveld

Jno. Pulson

Jams. Boulton

Danl. Powell

Wm. Jones

Thos. Marshall

Jams. Bowen

Josh. Augustine

Geo. Brown

Josh. Shaw

Wm. Buchanan

Edw. Pottinger

Robt. Thompson

Michl. Hallow

Jno. Davidson

Jno. Nichols

Thos. Ferguson

Peter Roberson

Danl. Hobbs

Geo. Wilson

John Mills

Wm. Ward

Thos. Cornelius

Richd. Masters

Dav. Bell

Phil. Powell

Robt. Orr Seamen

Jno. Rutherford

Jas. Todd

Saml. Dutch

Jams. Bollard

Jno. Telford

Richd. Austin

Jas. Gibbons

Geof. Jackson

Jno. Lamb

Jno. Canty

Phill. Brown

Geo. Dean

Matt. Thompson Capt. Servt.

Thos. Laytor Do.

Christ. Harris 2 Mates Do.

Jno. Saunders Surg. Do.

Isaac Hall Boat. Do.

Jno. Auna Carpt. Do.

Wm. Maden Gun. Do.

Jno. Smith Seam.

Passengers

Dob. Lieut.

Wm. Webb Soldier

Thos. Hayley Do.

Chas. Webb Do.

Saml. Taylor Do.

Jno. Ashfp Do.

Jno. Eden Do.

(signed)

Nat. Tanner

Muster roll of the ship Royal Captain

Nathaniel Tanner, commander

Edward Berrow, chief mate

James Quick, second mate

John Haddleton, third mate

James Williamson, fourth mate

Alexander Geary, surgeon

Robert Pulley, purser

John [...], fifth mate

James Carnell, sixth mate

John Webb, boatswain

John Ayer, carpenter

John Willy, gunner

Matthew [...], midshipman and coxswain

Richard Rowe, midshipman

James Watson, midshipman

Robert Madden, midshipman

Bradley Young, midshipman

Robert Baxter, quartermaster

James Forsyth, quartermaster

John Aylesbury, surgeon's mate

Edward Speed, boatswain's mate

Thomas Duck, carpenter's mate

John Anderson, gunner's mate

Edward [...]

Mark Ring, mate

Thomas Bass, cooper

William Pilbury, cooper's mate

George Cook, ship's steward

Lawrence Hayes, captain's steward

Robert Walker, captain's cook

John Anderson, ship's cook

John Howard, sailmaker

John Mackle, armourer

William Birch, butcher

Lewis Nichols, baker

Moses Meredith, tailor

Thomas Moody, seaman

James Kilner, seaman

John Mattson, seaman

John McCatty, seaman

John Nixon, seaman

John Palmer, seaman

James Boulton, seaman

David Powell, seaman

William Jones, seaman

Thomas Marshall, seaman

James Bowen, seaman

John Augustine, seaman

George Brown, seaman

Joseph Shaw, seaman

William Buchanan, seaman

Edward Pottinger, seaman

Robert Thompson, seaman

Michael Fallows, seaman

John Davidson, seaman

John Nichols, seaman

Thomas Ferguson, seaman

Peter Peterson, seaman

Daniel Hobbs, seaman

George Wilson, seaman

John Mills, seaman

William Ward, seaman

Thomas Saunders, seaman

Jacob [...], seaman

David Bell, seaman

Philip Powell, seaman

Robert Orr, seaman

John Rutherford, seaman

James Todd, seaman

Samuel Dutch, seaman

James Bellard, seaman

John Telford, seaman

Richard Austin, seaman

Joseph Gibbons, seaman

Joseph Jackson, seaman

John Lamb, seaman

John Canty, seaman

Philip Brown, seaman

George Dean, seaman

Matthew Thompson, captain's servant

Thomas Taylor, captain's servant

Christopher Morris, second mate's servant

John Saunders, surgeon's servant

Isaac Hall, boatswain's servant

John Owen, carpenter's servant

William Madden, gunner's servant

John Smith, seaman

Passengers

Robert [...]

William [...], soldier

Thomas Hayley, soldier

Charles [...], soldier

Samuel Taylor, soldier

John Ashby, soldier

John Oden, soldier

Nathaniel Tanner signed the roll.

Interpretations

The Royal Captain carried six soldiers as passengers from Bombay. They were probably men of the Company's Bombay forces whose service had ended, or invalids sent home. Their presence made the muster all the more necessary. Soldiers on board a ship in the road could easily mix with the St Helena garrison ashore. A deserter from the island might have tried to pass himself off as one of them when the ship sailed. Listing each passenger by name fixed the number who had arrived, so that the same number, and no more, left with the ship.

447

440

The 13 March

The Expence of Artillery Stores and Stewards Accounts for the

Month of February last, were this day laid before Us which have been

examined approved of and are as follow viz.

Artillery Stores Expend. in Feby. 1769

Guns fired, 6 Pr, 4 Pr, 3 Pr, 2 Pr, 1 Pr, Powder Expend. lb, Powder Expend. oz

7th An Alarm: Guns fired 6, 6 Pr 0, 4 Pr 2, 3 Pr 2, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 2, Powder Expend. lb 12, Powder Expend. oz 0

8 Do. At Turks Cap for ye Valentine: Guns fired 2, 6 Pr 2, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expend. lb 6, Powder Expend. oz 0

Do. At Prosperous Bay: Guns fired 6, 6 Pr 0, 4 Pr 2, 3 Pr 2, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 2, Powder Expend. lb 12, Powder Expend. oz 0

Arrived the Valentine: Guns fired 9, 6 Pr 9, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expend. lb 13, Powder Expend. oz 8

14 Departed Do.: Guns fired 9, 6 Pr 9, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expend. lb 13, Powder Expend. oz 8

20 An Alarm for six Ships that went by: Guns fired 15, 6 Pr 0, 4 Pr 6, 3 Pr 6, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 3, Powder Expend. lb 22, Powder Expend. oz 8

21 An Alarm: Guns fired 6, 6 Pr 0, 4 Pr 2, 3 Pr 2, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 2, Powder Expend. lb 12, Powder Expend. oz 0

Do. Arrived the Bute: Guns fired 9, 6 Pr 9, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expend. lb 13, Powder Expend. oz 8

22 Fired to salute Major Grant coming on Shore: Guns fired 11, 6 Pr 11, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expend. lb 16, Powder Expend. oz 8

Powder for Sundry Services: Guns fired 0, 6 Pr 0, 4 Pr 0, 3 Pr 0, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 0, Powder Expend. lb 141, Powder Expend. oz 10

Total: Guns fired 73, 6 Pr 40, 4 Pr 12, 3 Pr 12, 2 Pr 0, 1 Pr 9, Powder Expend. lb 263, Powder Expend. oz 2

Paper for ye Office

1 Quire

Lead Ball to Shoot Goats

3 lb. 7 oz.

Handspikes

8

Match

2 lb.

Tallow for the Works

6 lb.

(signed)

Ar. Mitchell

Sundry's Expend. at the Honble. Company's Table in February 1769

6 Bottles Port Wine

" 9 -

24 Do. Lisbon

1 16 -

12 Do. Mountain

" 18 -

24 Do. Beer

" 5 -

30 Gall. Arrack

7 10 -

Carrd. Over£ 10 18 -

The gunner's and steward's accounts for February were laid before the Council. It examined and approved them, and they were entered as follows.

Artillery stores used in February 1769

7 February, an alarm: 6 guns fired, comprising 2 [...]-pounders, 2 [...]-pounders and 2 [...]-pounders, with 12 pounds of powder

8 February, an alarm at Turk's Cap for the Valentine: 2 [...]-pounders fired, with 6 pounds of powder

8 February, an alarm at Prosperous Bay for the Valentine: 6 guns fired, comprising 2 [...]-pounders, 2 [...]-pounders and 2 [...]-pounders, with 12 pounds of powder

8 February, arrival of the Valentine: 9 [...]-pounders fired, with 13 pounds 8 ounces of powder

14 February, departure of the Valentine: 9 [...]-pounders fired, with 13 pounds 8 ounces of powder

20 February, an alarm for six ships that passed the island: 15 guns fired, comprising 6 [...]-pounders, 6 [...]-pounders and 3 [...]-pounders, with 22 pounds 8 ounces of powder

21 February, an alarm: 6 guns fired, comprising 2 [...]-pounders, 2 [...]-pounders and 2 [...]-pounders, with 12 pounds of powder

21 February, arrival of the Bute: 9 [...]-pounders fired, with 13 pounds 8 ounces of powder

22 February, salute for Major Gowan coming ashore: 11 [...]-pounders fired, with 16 pounds 8 ounces of powder

Powder used in various services, 141 pounds 10 ounces

Total: 73 guns fired, with 26[...] pounds 2 ounces of powder

Paper for the office, 1 ream

Lead ball for shooting goats, 3 pounds 7 ounces

Handspikes, 8

Slow match, 2 [...]

Tallow for the works, 6 pounds

Archibald Mitchell signed the account.

Sundries used at the Company's table in February 1769

6 bottles of port wine, £0 9s 0d

24 bottles of Lisbon wine, £1 16s 0d

12 bottles of Mountain wine, £0 18s 0d

24 bottles of beer, £0 5s 0d

30 gallons of arrack, £7 10s 0d

Carried forward, £10 18s 0d

Interpretations

The account shows the island's warning system at work as the Valentine approached. Lookouts first sighted her off Turk's Cap and Prosperous Bay on the windward coast, and each post fired its alarm guns. The signal passed round the island to the Castle long before the ship could round into the road. Only once she was identified and anchored did the batteries fire the welcoming salute. The same pattern followed for the Bute, while the six Dutch ships that passed on 20 February drew a heavier alarm of 15 guns, since a foreign squadron had to be treated as a possible threat until it was gone.

Major Gowan, a passenger in the Bute, was saluted with 11 guns when he came ashore on 22 February. The number of guns in a salute was fixed by the rank of the person honoured. A major of the Company's army received fewer than the 15 guns fired for the captain of a King's ship in January. Each salute was a public statement of where the visitor stood in the order of precedence.

448

441

1769

Brought Over£ 10 18 -

312 lb. Beef

6 10 -

324 Mutton

6 15 -

1 Lamb

" 10 -

2 Kids

" 10 -

4 Turkeys

1 " -

12 Fowls

" 18 -

12 Ducks

" 18 -

30 lb. Butter

1 10 -

100 Candy

2 1 4

300 Flour

2 16 3

£ 34 6 7

The Storekeeper this day delivered the following Account of

Stores short recd. from Ship Royal Captain viz.

Accot. of Stores short recd. from Ship Royal Captain viz.

Cwt. qrs. lb.

4.. 3.. 15 Rice short Weight Occasd. by Wastage

49.. 2.. 6 Paddy received

E. Excepted

(signed)

p Js. Powell Storekpr.

St. Helena

13th March 1769

John Skottowe

Purling

The account of sundries used at the Company's table in February continued from a running total of £10 18s 0d.

Brought forward, £10 18s 0d

312 pounds of beef, £6 10s 0d

324 pounds of mutton, £6 15s 0d

1 lamb, £0 10s 0d

2 kids, £0 10s 0d

4 turkeys, £1 0s 0d

12 fowls, £0 18s 0d

12 ducks, £0 18s 0d

30 pounds of butter, £1 10s 0d

100 pounds of sugar candy, £2 1s 4d

300 pounds of flour, £2 16s 3d

Total, £34 6s 7d

The storekeeper delivered an account of the stores received short from the Royal Captain.

Account of stores received short from the ship Royal Captain

Rice, 4 hundredweight 3 quarters 15 pounds short, caused by wastage

Paddy received, 49 hundredweight 2 quarters 6 pounds

James Powell signed the account as storekeeper at St Helena on 13 March 1769, reserving the right to correct any errors. Governor John Skottowe and Purling signed the minutes.

Interpretations

The Company's table cost £34 6s 7d in February, the highest monthly figure in the record so far. The month brought the Valentine, the Bute and their passengers into the road, among them Major Gowan, his wife and other officers' families from Bombay. They were entertained at the Castle while their ships watered and took on stores. The beef, mutton, poultry and arrack rose accordingly. Feeding the Company's visitors was part of the island's role as a port of call, and its cost fell on the table account.

The Royal Captain's rice had lost nearly 5 hundredweight in the voyage from Bombay, a heavier shortfall than the Valentine's. The longer passage round the Cape from western India gave the grain more time to dry out and the bags more chance to burst or be pilfered. The storekeeper again recorded the loss before taking the cargo into his charge.

449

442

The 17 March

At a Consultation held on Friday the 17th day of March 1769 at the Castle

Present John Skottowe Esq. Governor

Mr. Matthew Purling

Capt. Thos. Kirkpatrick of Council

The last Consultation was read, approved & signed dated the 13 March 1769

Monday the 13 Sailed the Honble. Company's Ships Royal Captain & Bute for

England

Mr. Matthew Purling Reports that he has been

on board the Ships Verelst & Kent to Muster their Company's and enquire for

Deserters but found none their Muster Rolls are as follow viz.

Muster Roll of Ship Verelst

Thos. Baddison Commr.

Edw. Ellison Chief Mate

Dav. Baldock 2d Do.

Mathias Walker 4 Do.

Fran. Stewart Purser

Mr. Cunningham Surg.

Michl. Foster Gunner

Josh. Willock Boat.

Willm. Thomson Ships Stewd.

Geo. Hodges Cooper

Geo. Cooley Sail maker

Jos. Bates Armour.

Jams. Hopson Bout.

Jno. Reynolds Butcher

Jno. Phillips Gunrs. Mate

Jas. Tollet Boats. Do.

Thos. Milles Carpt. 1 Do.

Alex. Smith Do. 2 Do.

Wm. Ford Caulk. Mate

Jams. Seddon Capt. Do.

Chrisr. Maclaren Midsh.

Thos. Manley Wilkes Midsn.

Jno. Lewis Do.

Thos. Maille Do.

Jno. Henry 2d Master

Jno. Hare Do. Do.

Robt. Monroe Do.

Richd. Nicoler Seamen

Robt. Dixon

Henry Shearman

Jno. Leddon

Richd. Boyce

Jno. Webb

Jno. Jacobs

Jno. Reid

Wm. Watson

Jno. Herring

Jno. Chapman

Thos. Moss

Fran. Yollis

Josh. Hyleh

Fran. Wynner

Mark Benson Seamen

Geo. Lowey

Richd. Smith

Jno. Tilley

Chas. Collins

Jno. Campbell

Geo. Balfour

Peter Grant

Alex. Graves

Danl. Lawrence

Willm. Nelson

Wm. Jobes

Thos. Howell

Jno. Herbert

Jno. Strong

Geo. Buck

Robt. Briggs

Jno. White

Jno. Ery

Danl. Hutchins

Jno. Bonner

The Council met at the Castle on Friday 17 March 1769. Governor John Skottowe presided, with Matthew Purling and Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick present. The minutes of the meeting of 13 March 1769 were read, approved and signed.

The Company's ships Royal Captain and Bute sailed for England on Monday 13 March.

Purling reported that he had gone on board the Verelst and the Kent to muster their crews and search for deserters, but found none. Their muster rolls were entered as follows.

Muster roll of the ship Verelst

Thomas Baddison, commander

Edward Elliston, chief mate

David Baldock, third mate

Mathias Mullen, fourth mate

Francis Stewart, purser

Mr Cunningham, surgeon

Michael Foster, gunner

Joseph Willock, boatswain

William Thomson, ship's steward

George Forbes, cooper

George Cooley, sailmaker

Joseph Bates, armourer

James Hooper, baker

John Reynolds, butcher

John Shelton, gunner's mate

Joseph Talbot, boatswain's mate

Thomas Mellon, carpenter's first mate

Alexander Smith, carpenter's second mate

William Ford, caulker's mate

James Addison, captain's steward

Christopher Mousdale, midshipman

Thomas [...], midshipman

John Lewis, midshipman

Thomas Maille, midshipman

John Henry, quartermaster

Joseph Hoar, quartermaster

Robert Monroe, quartermaster

Richard Weeder, seaman

Robert Iles, seaman

Henry Shearman, seaman

John Leddon, seaman

Richard Boyce, seaman

John Webb, seaman

John Jacobs, seaman

John Reid, seaman

William Watson, seaman

John Henning, seaman

John Chapman, seaman

Thomas Moss, seaman

Francis Gollin, seaman

Joseph Hatch, seaman

Francis Wynne, seaman

Mark Benson, seaman

George Lowry, seaman

Richard Smith, seaman

John Tilley, seaman

Edward Collins, seaman

John Campbell, seaman

George Balfour, seaman

Peter Grant, seaman

Alexander Graves, seaman

David Lawrence, seaman

William Nelson, seaman

William Jobes, seaman

Thomas Howell, seaman

John Herbert, seaman

John Strong, seaman

George Buck, seaman

Robert Briggs, seaman

John White, seaman

John Coy, seaman

David Hotchkiss, seaman

John Bonner, seaman

Interpretations

The Council met on a Friday instead of its usual Monday. With the Verelst and the Kent still in the road and preparing to sail, it could not wait for the next regular meeting. Their muster rolls had to be recorded, their deserter search confirmed and any bills of exchange or letters for England settled before they weighed anchor. The ships' departure, not the Council's calendar, set the pace of business during the homeward season.

The Royal Captain and the Bute had stayed only a week and three weeks respectively. A homeward East Indiaman called at St Helena to take on water, fresh food and any repairs she needed, then sailed as soon as she could. Every week in harbour added to the costs of the voyage and delayed the sale of her cargo in London.

450

443

1769

Richd. Farrow Seamen

Jams. O'Harra

Geo. Simmonds Ships Cook

Peter Lindesay Captns. Do.

Jno. Theodor Capt. Serv.

Thos. Hyle Do.

Jno. Webster Boats. Do.

Jams. Mingay Gunrs. Do.

Jams. Millar Carpt. Do.

Andw. Martin Seamen

Wm. Julius Chief Mates Serv.

Wm. Hornby Seamen

Martin Blinque

Pet. Cezar 2 Mates Serv.

Josh. France Seamen

Cornng. Hickson

Josh. Marshall

De Goy

Josh. Richards

Michl. Bright

Jan Gerhadt

Jno. Johnson Seamen

Wm. Hanton

Jno. Witterden

Felip Bennud

Wm. Lamb

Peter Fernandez

Jno. Crew

Charles McCarion

Pet. Pierre

Pet. Anderson

Passengers

Mr. Thos. Lewis

Mr. Geo. Hunt

Mr. Thos. Hewit

Mr. Grant

Mrs. Lewis

Miss Vernon

(signed)

Thos. Baddison

Muster Roll of Ship Kent

Jno. Mills Commander

Jno. Hewett Chief Mate

Danl. Thompson 2 Do.

Edw. Jones 3 Do.

Henry Dennes 4 Do.

Phillip Burquine 5 Do.

Jno. Gordon Purser

Josh. Toesworth Surgeon

Wm. Brown Gunner

Jno. Wheatly Ships Stew.

Thos. Sampley Midsh. & Cox.

Chas. Gordon Midsh.

Thos. Oldman Do.

Chris. Hay Do.

Wm. Wellesley Midsh.

Mathew Singleton Do.

Josh. Richard 2d Mast.

Jas. Conway Do.

Robt. Bernard Do.

Oliver Hartin Do.

Wm. Walbrick Do.

Edw. Stinson Do.

Benj. Steele Boat. Mate

Bartl. Sergier Capt. Stew.

Wm. Hilson Do. Cook

Wm. Smith Carpt. Mate

Pet. Anderson Do. Do.

Saml. Turner Carp.

Jno. Joyce Caulkr.

Richd. Stevenson Ships Cook

Wm. Chapman Sail Maker

Geo. Simpson Gunrs. Mate

Abm. Dickson Caulk. Do.

Saml. Hoblone Armour.

Pat. Collins Bout.

Geo. Walker Coop. Mate

Wm. Ford Taylor

Christ. Simpson Capt. Servt.

Jno. Townsend Do. Do.

Jno. Findley 1 Mates Serv.

Robt. Hayes 2 Do. Do.

Jno. Hay Surg. Do.

The Verelst's muster roll continued with the rest of her crew and her passengers, and the roll of the Kent followed.

Richard Farrow, seaman

James O'Hara, seaman

George Simmonds, ship's cook

Peter Lindesay, captain's cook

John Theobald, captain's servant

Thomas Ryle, captain's servant

John Webster, boatswain's servant

James Mingey, gunner's servant

James Miller, carpenter's servant

Andrew Martin, seaman

William Julius, chief mate's servant

William Hornby, seaman

Martin Olinsque, seaman

Peter Cesar, second mate's servant

John Francis, seaman

Cunningham Hutson, seaman

Joseph Marshall, seaman

De Goy, seaman

Joseph Prichard, seaman

Michael Bright, seaman

Jan Gehadt, seaman

John Johnson, seaman

William Hanton, seaman

John Bittordon, seaman

Philip Bennett, seaman

William Lamb, seaman

Peter Fernandes, seaman

John Crew, seaman

Charles McCarron, seaman

Peter Pierre, seaman

Peter Anderson, seaman

Passengers

Mr Thomas Lewis

Mr George Hindt

Mr Thomas Hewitt

Mr Grant

Mrs Lewis

Miss [...]

Thomas Baddison signed the roll.

Muster roll of the ship Kent

John Mills, commander

John Hewett, chief mate

David Thompson, second mate

Edward Jones, third mate

Henry Dennis, fourth mate

Phillip Burgoine, fifth mate

John Gordon, purser

John Farnworth, surgeon

William Brown, gunner

John Wheatley, ship's steward

Thomas Sampson, midshipman and coxswain

Charles Gordon, midshipman

Thomas Oldman, midshipman

Christopher May, midshipman

William Wellesley, midshipman

Matthew Appleton, midshipman

Joseph Pritchard, quartermaster

Joseph Comey, quartermaster

Robert Barnard, quartermaster

Oliver Harlow, quartermaster

William Walbrook, quartermaster

Andrew Stevenson, quartermaster

Benjamin Steele, boatswain's mate

Samuel [...], captain's steward

William Jephson, captain's cook

William Smith, carpenter's mate

Peter Anderson, carpenter's mate

Samuel Turner, cooper

Joseph Joyce, caulker

Richard Stoneham, ship's cook

William Chapman, sailmaker's mate

George Simpson, gunner's mate

Abraham Dobson, caulker's mate

Samuel Robinson, armourer

Patrick Collins, butcher

George Walker, cooper's mate

William Ford, tailor

Christopher Simpson, captain's servant

John Townsend, captain's servant

John Findley, fourth mate's servant

Robert Hodges, second mate's servant

John Hay, surgeon's servant

Interpretations

The Verelst's crew included a number of seamen with Portuguese, Dutch and French names, among them Peter Fernandes, Jan Gehadt, Peter Pierre and Martin Olinsque. East Indiamen lost men to disease and desertion in India and filled the gaps with whatever sailors could be found in the ports of the East. By the homeward voyage a ship's company might be far more mixed than the crew that left England. The servant Peter Cesar, entered by a classical name like Cato on the Bute, was probably a slave or bonded servant belonging to the second mate.

451

444

The 17 March

Chas. Johnson 3 Mates Servt.

Wm. Craig Pursers Do.

Chas. Page Capt. Boy

Michl. Lockington Bk. Boy

Jas. Holgate Boat. Do.

Jas. Dennell Gunr. Do.

Josh. Cornish Carpent. Do.

Anty. Dear Seamen

Jno. Baptiste

Wm. Findley

Chas. Biddies

Wm. Hoy

Jno. Gibson

Patk. Conner

Robt. Mullen

Alexr. Anderson

Geo. Hays

Thos. Blair

Saml. Ross Seamen

Benj. Walgrave

Robt. Munro

Phill. Wade

Wm. Sinclair

Jno. Clark

Jas. Spencer

Jno. Lilley

Chas. Dunmore

Christ. Johnson

Jas. Brown

Jas. Moorhead

Geo. Yarrick

Geo. Barrborough

Jno. Wray

Chris. Bond

Geo. Harvey

Thos. Emerson Seamen

Wm. Prothero

Edw. Douglas

Thos. Bulford

Jno. Jones

Richd. Hamilton

Wm. Hamilton

Phillip Ward

Jas. Johnson

Jos. McHensey

Wm. Crook

Jno. Grayham

Jno. Miller

Erick Broughton

Rob. Lavender

Bandillo a Black

Chas. Gray Seamen

Thos. Paul Surg. Mate

Passengers

Mr. Jas. Learm

Mr. Jno. Davison

Mast. Wm. Shearin

(signed)

J. Milles

The Storekeeper this day delivered the following

Account of Stores short received from Ships Verelst & Kent viz.

The Kent's muster roll continued with the rest of her crew and her passengers.

Charles Johnson, third mate's servant

William Craig, purser's servant

Charles Page, captain's boy

Michael Nackington, boatswain's boy

Joseph Holgate, boatswain's servant

James Dennell, gunner's servant

Joseph Cornish, carpenter's servant

Anthony Dear, seaman

John Baptista, seaman

William Findley, seaman

Charles Beddoes, seaman

William Hay, seaman

John Gibson, seaman

Patrick Conner, seaman

Robert Mullen, seaman

Alexander Anderson, seaman

George Mays, seaman

Thomas Blair, seaman

Samuel Ross, seaman

Benjamin Walgrave, seaman

Robert Munro, seaman

Philip Wardle, seaman

William Sinclair, seaman

John Clark, seaman

Joseph Spencer, seaman

John Tilley, seaman

Charles Dunmore, seaman

Christopher Johnson, seaman

Joseph Brown, seaman

James Moorhead, seaman

George Garrick, seaman

George Scarborough, seaman

John Wray, seaman

Christopher Bond, seaman

George Harvey, seaman

Thomas Emerson, seaman

William Prothero, seaman

Edward Douglas, seaman

Thomas Bulford, seaman

John Jones, seaman

Richard Hamilton, seaman

William Hamilton, seaman

Phillip Ward, seaman

John Johnson, seaman

John McHenry, seaman

William Crook, seaman

John Grayham, seaman

John Miller, seaman

Christopher Broughton, seaman

Robert Lavender, seaman

Bandillo, a black man

Charles Gray, seaman

Thomas Pearl, surgeon's mate

Passengers

Mr James Lamy

Mr John Davison

Master William Shewin

J. Mills signed the roll.

The storekeeper delivered an account of the stores received short from the Verelst and the Kent.

Interpretations

One man on the Kent's roll was entered only as "Bandillo, a black", with no rank or duty set against his name. Every other member of the crew was listed by trade or as a seaman. The entry suggests Bandillo was a slave or a free black man shipped in India. The clerk described him by his colour, not his work. The Council's interest in recording such men was the same as for Cato, Mocha and Peter Cesar. Black men arriving on a ship were watched closely so that none was landed and left on the island without leave.

452

445

1769

Account of Stores short received from the following Ships

viz.

Ship Verelst viz.

Cwt. qrs. lb.

3.. 3.. - Rice

-.. -.. 9 Paddy

1.. 1.. 12 Sugar

-.. -.. 5 Candles

Short Weight Occasioned by Wastage

Ship Kent viz.

Cwt. qrs. lb.

5.. 3.. 1 Rice

-.. 1.. 25 Paddy

-.. 3.. 18 Sugar

-.. -.. 2 Candles

Do. Do.

(signed)

p Jams. Powell Storekpr.

St. Helena

16th March 1769

We received from the Ships Kent & Verelst Eighty Cape Sheep

as p the following Bills viz.

The Honble. Compy. Dr.

To Capt. John Milles

To 60 Cape Sheep @ 15/

£ 45 - -

(signed)

Jno. Milles

16th March 1769

The account of stores received short from the two ships was entered as follows.

Account of stores received short from the ship Verelst

Rice, 3 hundredweight 3 quarters 0 pounds

Paddy, 0 hundredweight 0 quarters 9 pounds

Sugar, 1 hundredweight 1 quarter 12 pounds

Candles, 0 hundredweight 0 quarters 5 pounds

Cause of the short weight: wastage

Account of stores received short from the ship Kent

Rice, 5 hundredweight 3 quarters 1 pound

Paddy, 0 hundredweight 1 quarter 25 pounds

Sugar, 0 hundredweight 3 quarters 18 pounds

Candles, 0 hundredweight 0 quarters 2 pounds

Cause of the short weight: wastage

James Powell signed the account as storekeeper at St Helena on 16 March 1769.

The Council received 80 sheep from the Cape from the Kent and the Verelst, paid for on the following bills.

Owed by the Company to Captain John Mills

60 Cape sheep at 15s each, £45 0s 0d

John Mills signed the bill on 16 March 1769.

Interpretations

Every ship of the season brought sheep from the Cape. The Valentine had landed 45 in February, and the Kent and the Verelst now brought 80 more between them. All were bought at the same price of 15s a head. The Company had evidently asked its commanders to call at the Cape and take sheep on board for St Helena, paying a fixed rate on delivery. More than 120 animals arriving in a single season would rebuild the flock that had shrunk during 1768. The rule of 17 October 1768 had kept sheep off the commons to protect the grazing those animals now needed.

The rice shortages on the Kent and the Verelst, though both ships loaded the same consignment in Bengal, differed by nearly 2 hundredweight. Wastage depended on how each ship stowed her cargo and how damp her hold became on the voyage.

453

446

The 17 March

Honble. Company Dr.

To Captn. Baddison

For 20 Cape Sheep Corn &c.

15/

£ 15 - -

St. Helena 16th March 1769

(signed)

Thos. Baddison

John Skottowe

Purling

At a Consultation held on Monday the 20th day of March 1769 at the Castle

Present John Skottowe Esq. Governor

Mr. Mattw. Purling

Capt. Thomas Kirkpatrick of Council

The last Consultation was read, approved and signed dated the 17th March 1769

Friday the 17 Sailed the Honble. Company's Ships Verelst and Kent for England

Saturday passed by seven Dutch Ships

Yesterday Arrived the Grosvenors Boat at Banks's at three Quarters of an Hour

past nine o'Clock in the morning

Do. Do. The Honble. Company's Ship Grosvenor from China

This day Do. The Duke of Gloucester's Boat at Banks's at one o'Clock

in the Morning

Do. Do. The Honble. Company's Ship Duke of Gloucester from China

The Grosvenor and Duke of Gloucester brought us the following

Supply viz.

Owed by the Company to Captain Baddison

20 Cape sheep, with their corn and other costs, at 15s each, £15 0s 0d

Thomas Baddison signed the bill at St Helena on 16 March 1769. Governor John Skottowe and Purling signed the minutes.

The Council met at the Castle on Monday 20 March 1769. Governor Skottowe presided, with Matthew Purling and Captain Thomas Kirkpatrick present. The minutes of the meeting of 17 March 1769 were read, approved and signed.

The Company's ships Verelst and Kent sailed for England on Friday 17 March. On Saturday 18 March seven Dutch ships passed the island. At a quarter to ten in the morning of 19 March a boat from the Grosvenor landed at Banks's, and the Company's ship Grosvenor arrived the same day from China. At one in the morning of 20 March a boat from the Duke of Gloucester landed at Banks's, and the Company's ship Duke of Gloucester arrived the same day, also from China.

The Grosvenor and the Duke of Gloucester brought the following supplies.

Interpretations

The Duke of Gloucester's boat landed at Banks's at one in the morning. The batteries kept watch through the night, and a ship approaching in darkness had to identify herself before she came within range of the guns. Sending a boat ashore at that hour, rather than waiting for daylight, let the commander anchor in the road without being fired upon. It also gave the Governor notice of a second China ship arriving within a day of the first.

The China ships formed a separate stream of traffic from the India fleet. They left Canton with the winter monsoon and reached St Helena in March and April, laden with tea, silk and porcelain for London. They brought the island its supplies of tea and china, and their passengers included the Company's Canton supercargoes returning home with large private fortunes. That made them a likely source of bills of exchange to replenish the treasury.

454

447

1769

Invoice of Ship Grosvenor

No. 1/4 4 Chests of Superfine Sugar Candy

No. 1.. 27.. 294

2.. 27.. 294

3.. 28.. 292

4.. 25.. 290

107 1170

107

1063 Pls. or Pec. 7.. 97½ @ T. 9.. 500 p Pecul

75 7 1 5

No. 5/14 10 Chests of Sugar Candy

No. 5.. 23.. 292

6.. 25.. 291

7.. 29.. 292

8.. 29.. 291

9.. 28.. 293

10.. 26.. 293

11.. 29.. 294

12.. 29.. 292

13.. 26.. 291

14.. 27.. 293

276 2922

Tare 276

2646 Pls. or Pec. 19.. 84 @ T. 7.. 500

148 8 " "

Taels 224 5 1 5

Canton 1st Decr. 1769

Errors Excepted

(signed)

Henry Revell

Henry Browne

Josh. De Lisme

John Searle

Francis Wood Junr.

Benj. John

Thos. Thomas

Wm. Vrons

Jno. Walton

Thos. Bevan

W. Hanson

Invoice of the ship Grosvenor

Superfine sugar candy, chests numbered 1 to 4

Chest 1, tare 27 pounds, gross 294 pounds

Chest 2, tare 27 pounds, gross 294 pounds

Chest 3, tare 28 pounds, gross 292 pounds

Chest 4, tare 25 pounds, gross 290 pounds

Total tare 107 pounds, total gross 1,170 pounds

Net weight 1,063 pounds, or 7.976 piculs, at 9.500 taels a picul, 75 taels 7 mace 1 candareen 5 cash

Sugar candy, chests numbered 5 to 14

Chest 5, tare 23 pounds, gross 292 pounds

Chest 6, tare 25 pounds, gross 291 pounds

Chest 7, tare 29 pounds, gross 292 pounds

Chest 8, tare 29 pounds, gross 291 pounds

Chest 9, tare 28 pounds, gross 293 pounds

Chest 10, tare 26 pounds, gross 293 pounds

Chest 11, tare 29 pounds, gross 294 pounds

Chest 12, tare 29 pounds, gross 292 pounds

Chest 13, tare 26 pounds, gross 291 pounds

Chest 14, tare 27 pounds, gross 293 pounds

Total tare 276 pounds, total gross 2,922 pounds

Net weight 2,646 pounds, or 19.84 piculs, at 7.500 taels a picul, 148 taels 8 mace 0 candareens 0 cash

Total, 224 taels 5 mace 1 candareen 5 cash

The invoice was signed at Canton on 13 December 1768 by Thomas Thomas, William Prows, John Walton, Thomas Bevan, R. Harrison, Henry Revell, Henry Browne, Joseph de Lafons, John Searle, Francis Wood junior and Benjamin John, reserving the right to correct any errors.

Interpretations

The Grosvenor brought the island's supply of sugar candy from Canton, where it was made in quantity and sold cheaply. The warehouse had held only a modest stock by late 1768, and the Company's table, the hospital and the servants all drew on it heavily. Candy came in two grades. The superfine, at 9.5 taels a picul, was bought for the Castle, while the ordinary grade at 7.5 taels went to the servants and the stores.

The invoice was reckoned in Chinese weights and money. A picul was about 133⅓ pounds, the standard weight of the Canton trade. The tael was a weight of silver, divided into 10 mace, each mace into 10 candareens and each candareen into 10 cash. Each chest was weighed gross and its empty weight, the tare, deducted to give the net weight on which the price was charged.

The invoice bore the signatures of the Company's council of supercargoes at Canton, who managed the China trade each season. Their joint signature made the invoice an official act of the factory, binding on the Company's accounts at home. The year written on the invoice was 1769, but the goods were shipped in the 1768 season.

455

448

The 20 March

Invoice of Ship Duke of Gloucester

No. 1 Dishes to Table Setts B & W 1 Size

10

Do. 2 Do.

10

Do. 3 Do.

10

Do. 4 Do.

10

Do. 5 Do.

10

Tureen dishes Do.

5

Tureens Do.

4

Tops Do.

4

2 Plates to Table Setts

200

Soup Plates Do.

96

3 Baking Dishes

13

Salled Do.

13

Tureens to Table Setts

1

Tops

1

Chamber Pots

13

Tea Pots

6

Soup Plates to Table Setts

24

4 Bowls 1 Size 3 Quarts

10

Do. 4 Do. 3 Pints

16

Guglets & Basons

15

5 Breakfasts

150

Breakfast Cups & Saucers Pr.

100

Tea Cups & Saucers Do.

50

6 Bowls 2 Size 2 Quarts

16

Do. 3 Do. 1 Do.

30

No. 1/6 6 Boxes of China Ware Blue & White

Invoice of the ship Duke of Gloucester

Box 1

Blue and white dishes for table sets, first size, 10

Blue and white dishes for table sets, second size, 10

Blue and white dishes for table sets, third size, 10

Blue and white dishes for table sets, fourth size, 10

Blue and white dishes for table sets, fifth size, 10

Blue and white tureen dishes, 5

Blue and white tureens, 4

Blue and white tureen covers, 4

Box 2

Plates for table sets, 200

Soup plates for table sets, 96

Box 3

Baking dishes, 13

Salad dishes, 13

Tureens for table sets, 1

Tureen covers, 1

Chamber pots, 13

Teapots, 6

Soup plates for table sets, 24

Box 4

Bowls, first size, 3 quarts, 10

Bowls, fourth size, 3 pints, 16

Guglets and basins, 15

Box 5

Cups and saucers, 150 pairs, comprising:

Breakfast cups and saucers, 100 pairs

Teacups and saucers, 50 pairs

Box 6

Bowls, second size, 2 quarts, 16

Bowls, third size, 1 quart, 30

Boxes 1 to 6: 6 boxes of blue and white china

Interpretations

The Duke of Gloucester brought a complete restock of blue and white porcelain for the island. Dishes came in five graded sizes, so that a full table service could be assembled from them. Plates, soup plates, tureens and covers were packed to match. The China ships alone supplied such ware, which was cheap in Canton and costly to replace once broken on St Helena. Breakage was constant in the Castle's kitchens and at the officials' tables. The September inventory had held several hundred octagonal plates and soup plates, but the servants and the Company's own table had drawn heavily on them since.

Most of the order was tableware for formal dining: dishes for a laid table, tureens for soup and baking dishes for the oven. The bowls came in four sizes, from 3 quarts down to 1 quart. The largest were punch bowls, central to the hospitality of the Castle and to every household's entertaining. The breakfast and tea cups showed the place tea drinking had taken in the island's daily life.

456

449

1769

Table Setts D. P. S.P. 5.. 20.. 12

10 Setts @ 3.. 9 T.

39 - -

Tureens

5 @ 8

4 - -

Baking Dishes 3 in a Sett

6 Setts @ 5

3 - -

Salled Dishes

13 @ 8

1 4 4

Chamr. Pots

13 @ 2.. 6

3 3 8

Tea Pots

6 @ 1

" 6 -

Bird Snakes

150 @ 4

6 - -

Breakfast Cups & Saucr.

100 Pr. @ 7.. 5

7 5 -

Tea Cups & Saucers large

50 Do. @ 4.. 3

2 1 5

Bowls 1 Size 3 Qrts.

10 @ 2.. 5

2 5 -

Do. 2 Do. 2 Do.

16 @ 2

3 2 -

Do. 3 Do. 1 Do.

30 @ 1.. 5

4 5 -

Do. 4 Do. 3 Pints

16 @ 1.. 2

1 9 2

Guglets & Basons

15 @ 3

4 5 -

T. 83 6 9

Deduct for breakage 2 p Ct.

1 6 7 4

82 - 1 6

No. 2/4 4 Chests of Hyson Skin

No. 1.. 12.. 170

2.. 4.. 173

343

Tare @ 18 72

271½ or Pec. 2.. 03 @ Ts. 25 p Pecl.

50 7 5

No. 3/5 5 Chests of Congo

No. 1.. 4.. 194

3.. 4.. 193

5.. 96

483

Tare @ 22 110

373 or Pecl. 2.. 79 @ Ts. 25 Do.

69 7 5

Carrd. Over Taels 202 5 1 6

The Duke of Gloucester's invoice continued with the prices of the china and the chests of tea.

Table sets, each of 5 dishes, 20 plates and 12 soup plates, 10 sets at 3 taels 9 mace a set, 39 taels 0 mace 0 candareens 0 cash

Tureens, 5 at 8 mace each, 4 taels 0 mace 0 candareens 0 cash

Baking dishes, 3 to a set, 6 sets at 5 mace a set, 3 taels 0 mace 0 candareens 0 cash

Salad dishes, 13 at 8 candareens each, 1 tael 0 mace 4 candareens 0 cash

Chamber pots, 13 at 2 mace 6 candareens each, 3 taels 3 mace 8 candareens 0 cash

Teapots, 6 at 1 mace each, 0 taels 6 mace 0 candareens 0 cash

Pint basins, 150 at 4 candareens each, 6 taels 0 mace 0 candareens 0 cash

Breakfast cups and saucers, 100 pairs at 7 candareens 5 cash a pair, 7 taels 5 mace 0 candareens 0 cash

Large teacups and saucers, 50 pairs at 4 candareens 3 cash a pair, 2 taels 1 mace 5 candareens 0 cash

Bowls, first size, 3 quarts, 10 at 2 mace 5 candareens each, 2 taels 5 mace 0 candareens 0 cash

Bowls, second size, 2 quarts, 16 at 2 mace each, 3 taels 2 mace 0 candareens 0 cash

Bowls, third size, 1 quart, 30 at 1 mace 5 candareens each, 4 taels 5 mace 0 candareens 0 cash

Bowls, fourth size, 3 pints, 16 at 1 mace 2 candareens each, 1 tael 9 mace 2 candareens 0 cash

Guglets and basins, 15 at 3 mace each, 4 taels 5 mace 0 candareens 0 cash

Total for the china, 83 taels 6 mace 9 candareens 0 cash

Less 2 per cent for breakage, 1 tael 6 mace 7 candareens 4 cash

Net total for the china, 82 taels 0 mace 1 candareen 6 cash

Hyson tea, chests numbered 1 to 4

Chests 1 and 2, gross 170 pounds

Chests 3 and 4, gross 173 pounds

Total gross 343 pounds, less tare at 18 pounds a chest, 72 pounds

Net weight 271 pounds, or 2.03 piculs, at 25 taels a picul, 50 taels 7 mace 5 candareens 0 cash

Congo tea, chests numbered 1 to 5

Chests 1 and 2, gross 194 pounds

Chests 3 and 4, gross 193 pounds

Chest 5, gross 96 pounds

Total gross 483 pounds, less tare at 22 pounds a chest, 110 pounds

Net weight 373 pounds, or 2.79 piculs, at 25 taels a picul, 69 taels 7 mace 5 candareens 0 cash

Carried forward, 202 taels 5 mace 1 candareen 6 cash

Interpretations

The Canton supercargoes took 2 per cent off the price of the china as an allowance for breakage. Porcelain packed in chests often arrived cracked or chipped after a voyage of several months. Instead of claiming for each broken piece on arrival, the Company accepted a fixed deduction at the point of purchase. The arrangement was standard in the China trade and avoided endless disputes over damage between Canton, the ship and the warehouse at St Helena.

China was strikingly cheap in Canton. A full table set of 37 pieces cost under 4 taels, roughly £1 6s 0d in sterling. Tea was far dearer by weight. Hyson and Congo each cost 25 taels a picul. The island paid for most of its tea and china through the Company, at prices far below what the same goods fetched in London.

457

450

The 20 March

Brought Over Taels 202 5 1 6

No. 6 6 Chests of Bohea

No. 1.. 33.. 131

2.. 43.. 133

3.. 40.. 137

4.. 40.. 138

5.. 40.. 196

6.. 37.. 187

233 1122

233

884½ or Pecl. 6.. 63 @ Ts. 12.. 8

84 8 6 4

Taels 287 3 8 0

Canton 13th Decr. 1768

Errors Excepted

(signed)

Henry Revell

Hillary Torriano

Josh. De Lisme

Jno. Searle

Francis Wood Junr.

Benj. Elton

Thos. Thomas

Willm. Bean

Jno. Walton

Thos. Bevan

W. Hanson

Mr. Nathan Campell this day presented the

following Petition viz.

To the Worshipful John Skottowe Esq. Governor &c.

Council of St. Helena

The humble Petition of Nathan Campell

Sheweth

That there is a Slip of the Honble. Company's Waste

Land lying in the East Division of this Island adjoining to your Petitioners

Land, which would be very Convenient to your Petitioner on Account of Fencing

The Duke of Gloucester's invoice concluded with the chests of Bohea tea.

Brought forward, 202 taels 5 mace 1 candareen 6 cash

Bohea tea, chests numbered 1 to 6

Chest 1, tare 33 pounds, gross 181 pounds

Chest 2, tare 43 pounds, gross 183 pounds

Chest 3, tare 40 pounds, gross 187 pounds

Chest 4, tare 40 pounds, gross 188 pounds

Chest 5, tare 40 pounds, gross 196 pounds

Chest 6, tare 37 pounds, gross 187 pounds

Total tare 233 pounds, total gross 1,122 pounds

Net weight 889 pounds, or 6.63 piculs, at 12.8 taels a picul, 84 taels 8 mace 6 candareens 4 cash

Total, 287 taels 3 mace 8 candareens 0 cash

The invoice was signed at Canton on 13 December 1768 by Thomas Thomas, William Prows, John Walton, Thomas Bevan, R. Harrison, Henry Revell, Hillary Torriano, Joseph de Lafons, John Searle, Francis Wood junior and Benjamin Torin, reserving the right to correct any errors.

Nathan Sempill presented a petition to Governor John Skottowe and the Council. A strip of the Company's waste land lay in the East Division next to his own land. It would be very convenient to him for fencing.

Interpretations

Bohea was the cheapest of the three teas at 12.8 taels a picul, half the price of Hyson or Congo. It was the everyday tea of the island, sold mainly to the servants and issued to the guards, the groom and the Company's slaves. The tare on its chests was much heavier than on the finer teas, often 40 pounds a chest. Bohea was packed loose in large wooden chests lined with lead, while the finer teas travelled in smaller, lighter boxes.

Nathan Sempill, the Artillery Company's lieutenant, had retired on half pay on 14 November 1768 because of his age and infirmity. Four months later he was asking for more land to round off his holding in the East Division. Retirement from the garrison left him free to manage his farm. On an island where a pension depended on the Court's approval, land offered him a more secure income for his remaining years.

458

451

1769

humbly requests that your Worship and Council will be pleased to grant

him a Lease for the same

And your Petitioner will ever pray

(signed)

Nat. Campell

20th March 1769

Ordered the said Land to be Viewed

Ordered the following Advertizement to be published viz.

Island St. Helena 20th March 1769

This is to give Notice to all the Inhabitants upon the said

Island that they are hereby required to meet in Vestry at the Chappel in this

Valley on Monday next, to chuse Parish Officers for the ensuing Year, they

are likewise to return three of the principal Inhabitants, that one may be

Elected to serve the Office of Sheriff, and to chuse a proper person for a

Constable

Per Order of Council

(signed)

Mattw. Bazett Secy.

Counted and Examined the Honble. Company's Cash for

the Month of February last, which is as follows viz.

Nathan Sempill asked the Governor and Council to grant him a lease of the strip of waste land. He signed the petition on 20 March 1769. The Council ordered the land to be inspected.

The Council ordered a notice to be published, dated at St Helena on 20 March 1769. It required all the island's inhabitants to meet in vestry at the chapel in the valley the following Monday to choose the parish officers for the coming year. They were also to nominate three of the leading inhabitants, one of whom would be chosen to serve as sheriff, and to choose a suitable person to act as constable. Matthew Bazett, the secretary, signed the notice by order of the Council.

The Council then counted and examined the Company's cash for the month of February.

Interpretations

The vestry meeting gave the inhabitants a small share in governing the island. As in an English parish, they gathered at the church once a year to elect churchwardens and other parish officers. These were the men who, under the notice of 17 October 1768, would decide when the commons were fit for grazing again. For the post of sheriff, however, the inhabitants only put forward three names. The Council made the final choice from among them. The arrangement let the planters propose their own leading men while keeping the appointment of the island's chief law officer in the Company's hands.

The constable chosen at the vestry would have a heavier task than usual in the coming year. Under the bounty of 28 November 1768, he was the officer who received the dead rats and mice, paid the rewards and saw the heads cut off before the marshal. A parish office that had once meant keeping the peace now carried a share in the Council's campaign against vermin.

459

452

Cash Dr.

1769 Feby. 1st To Balance remaining£ 8159 13 11

13 To Exchange for two Sets of Bills drawn upon the

Honble. the Court of Directors payable as follows

One Set to Alexr. Hume Esq.

£ 800 - -

One Do. to Hutchn. Mure Esq.

87 15 3

887 15 3

To Ship Valentine

9 8 3

£ 9056 17 5

Per Contra Cr.

1769 Feby. 28th By Balance remaining viz.

In Specie£ 8517 2 5

In Cash Notes

539 15 -

£ 9056 17 5

Margin Notes:

20th March

The Company's cash account for February 1769 recorded the following.

Received

1 February 1769, balance remaining, £8,159 13s 11d

13 February 1769, received in exchange for two sets of bills drawn on the Court of Directors, payable as follows:

One set to Alexander Hume, £800 0s 0d

One set to Hutcheson Mure, £87 15s 3d

Total for the bills, £887 15s 3d

From the ship Valentine, £9 8s 3d

Total received, £9,056 17s 5d

Paid

28 February 1769, balance remaining in coin, £8,517 2s 5d

28 February 1769, balance remaining in cash notes, £539 15s 0d

Total, £9,056 17s 5d

Interpretations

The bills of exchange granted to Mitchell and Wrangham on 13 February 1769 raised the treasury's coin from £7,619 18s 11d to £8,517 2s 5d. They restored almost half of what the December quarter's wages had drawn out of the chest. Mitchell's £800 alone was the largest sum paid into the treasury that winter. The engineer's private savings, converted into a bill payable in London, kept the island supplied with the coin it needed to pay the garrison.

The small payment of £9 8s 3d from the Valentine was probably for water, fresh provisions or stores supplied to the ship while she lay in the road. Each homeward Indiaman paid the island for what it took on board. The cash from these sales helped offset the cost of the goods the ships delivered.

460

453

1769

We this day Executed the four following Leases viz.

One to Mr. William Young for a piece of Land containing

four Acres, at 5/ p Acre

One to Mr. Robt. Gurling for a piece of Land containing

fifteen Acres & an half at 2/ p Acre

One to Mr. Simon Whaley for a piece of Land containing

two Acres and a Quarter at 2/ p Acre

And one to Mr. Gabl. Alexr. Harper for a piece of Land

containing three Quarters of an Acre at 2/ p Acre, all lying in the East

Division of the said Island

John Skottowe

Purling

The Council that day completed four leases.

William Young, 4 acres at 5s an acre

Robert Gurling, 15½ acres at 2s an acre

Simon Whaley, 2¼ acres at 2s an acre

Gabriel Alexander Harper, ¾ acre at 2s an acre

All four plots lay in the East Division of the island.

Governor John Skottowe and Purling signed the minutes.

Interpretations

These four leases completed the division of the waste land that Harper had first asked for on 17 October 1768. The inspection Purling reported on 7 November 1768 had set the terms. Young received the grassy upper ground at the full rent of 5s an acre. The Gurling orphans, Whaley and Harper received the poorer slopes and strips at 2s. More than five months passed between the first petition and the sealing of the leases. Rival claims, inspection, division and the drawing up of each lease all took time. The Council moved carefully because a grant of Company land, once sealed, bound it for the full term of the lease.

The orphans' lease was made out in the name of Robert Gurling, not of their executor John Desfountain. Robert was probably the eldest of the orphans and had come of age. The land passed directly to the heir instead of being held in trust, a sign that the Gurling estate was now being settled.

461

454

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Book cover

468

461

EAP 1364 St Helena

Document Name and Date

St Helena Records 1768-1769

Dimensions (height x width x depth) (cm)

48.5cm x 32.5cm x 6cm

No. written pages:

453

No. blank pages:

7

Spine and cover

Good condition

Boring insect damage on spine

Inside pages

Good condition

No numbering on pages

Additional comments

Very tightly bound making

some of the left side pages

writing go into the gutter

Time taken to photograph (hours)

3 hours