090 Transcription - Letters to England 1772-1779.docx

St Helena Letters to England 1772-1779

Introduction: This is the 12th volume in the series St Helena Letters to England. It includes outgoing official correspondence from the Governor and Council of St Helena to the East India Company in London reporting on the administration of the island, including matters such as government decisions, defence, military preparedness, trade and shipping, supply shortages, personnel issues, and judicial proceedings. They often included explanations of difficulties faced by the island and defences against criticisms from London of past actions or policies. The letters were usually copied or abstracted into the island records.

Source: Images of the original records can be viewed on the British Library’s website: https://eap.bl.uk/archive-file/EAP1364-1-2-12.

Text Transcription This transcription was produced by AI from handwritten document images held on the British Library's website, at about thirty pages per hour. Given the limitations described below, the text should be regarded as unreliable and used only as a search-and-find shortcut: once a relevant section has been located, it must always be checked against the source image via the hyperlinked Film Numbers listed in the main transcription table below.

Three specific problems affected the work. First, AI tends to prioritise meaning and readability at the expense of fidelity to the original, with a strong disposition to normalise spellings, expand abbreviations, and adjust grammar. It is particularly weak with unfamiliar surnames, and scrawled signatures often resist accurate transcription entirely. Transcriptions by eye of documents spanning four centuries have also shown that a single surname could be written in a wide variety of ways: the Crowie family name appears under six different spellings, and the Isaacs family name under sixteen. Searches for surnames are therefore hindered both by genuine variations in the originals and by mistranscriptions introduced by AI, and for this reason are best run phonetically. Second, the AI struggled with the late secretary hand, the script commonly used from the sixteenth to the eighteenth centuries, in which the letter S appears in a form closely resembling a trailing L. Third, occasional passages in these volumes are written in a hand so obscure or poorly formed as to be difficult to read even by eye, sometimes compounded by heavy ink bleed-through from the reverse side or by the loss of sections of pages.

To mitigate these difficulties, a strict protocol was applied to each image, requiring the AI to rely solely on clearly visible ink strokes and to flag any uncertain reading, thereby reducing the risk of inferred or invented text. Two conventions are used. [...] marks text that could not be read with confidence; this may represent a single unreadable word, a full sentence, or occasionally an entire paragraph. Square brackets around letters or words indicate a conjectural reading supplied by the transcriber: brackets around a whole word, for example [Bazett], mean the entire word was unclear and a probable reading has been supplied, while brackets around individual letters within an otherwise readable word, for example B[a]z[e]tt, mean only those specific letters were unclear in the source and the unbracketed letters were legibly present.

Referencing Text Locations: A dual numbering system has been adopted, combining the British Library film number with the manuscript’s original page number. These are presented in the format: British Library Film No. / Document Page No.

Pagination: Pagination: The pagination is unconventional, appearing sequentially only at the bottom left of each verso (left-hand) page, while the recto (right-hand) pages are left unmarked. In other words, each side of the page have the same number. This numbering system has therefore been ignored.

The records begin on film No. 6, and this has been assumed to be page 1. It is then further assumed that the page numbers continue sequentially through to the end of the volume.

Dates: The earliest date recorded in this volume is a letter sent on 11 June 1772, and the latest is a letter sent on 23 October 1779. All these letters were sent to England during the administration of John Skottowe (1764-1782).

AI Generated Summary

Introduction

From 11 June 1772 to 23 October 1779 the Governor and Council of St Helena wrote general letters to the Court of Directors of the East India Company by the homeward ships from China, Bengal, Madras, Bombay and Bencoolen, each packet carrying consultations, cash and ship accounts, garrison returns and duplicates of earlier papers. Governor John Skottowe and Lieutenant Governor Daniel Corneille served throughout; Matthew Purling and Matthew Bazett completed the Council until William Wrangham replaced Purling in June 1774, and Major Henry Bazett joined on 12 June 1776. Britain was at peace until the war with the American colonies, begun in 1775, brought convoys and scarce recruits, and France's entry in 1778 brought French warships to the Cape. The letters are the Council's own account to its employers. [Film No. 6–8, 124, 222, 306–361]

Governance and Administration

Every letter, consultation and account went home at least twice in different ships, with commanders' receipts for earlier packets, as in the packet by the Grenville of 11 June 1772; a letter of 16 June 1772 merely reported the Grosvenor and the Duke of Richmond. The Earl of Sandwich brought the Court's letter of 25 March 1772 on 2 July 1772 and left for Bencoolen on 2 August once her 10 working days expired. On 22 October 1772 the consultation of 19 October was too long to copy before the Colebrooke sailed. No Company ship called between her departure on 23 October 1772 and the Nottingham's arrival on 26 January 1773, which took four months of cash accounts and the general books balanced to 30 September 1772. The Lapwing, arriving on 15 February 1773, left so soon that she carried only a duplicate, and the Royal Captain brought the Court's next packet on 11 April 1773. [Film No. 7, 9, 15, 25, 35, 37, 39–40, 51, 55]

The Court's letter of 25 March 1772 settled a quarrel over authority between the Governor and Lieutenant Governor in Skottowe's favour. In a joint letter of 15 July 1772 Skottowe thanked the Court and warned that he would not let Corneille assume authority in the garrison beyond his place as second in command, while Corneille apologised for an error of judgement rather than disrespect. [Film No. 15–16]

John Pritchard, surgeon's mate, died on 10 July 1772 and was succeeded by James Farrell of the Talbot, who had covered his duties. Robert Barclay resigned as surgeon on 13 July 1772 and Thomas Stroud replaced him. James Pavell, storekeeper, died on 29 August 1772; Jonathan Doveton succeeded him, with the writer George Bazett as assistant. William Roberts, town adjutant, received a lieutenant's allowances from the last quarter of 1772. Robert Leech, whose £30 0s 0d a year as steward was the lowest salary on the island, was recommended for a rise on 29 July 1772, made a writer on 1 October 1772 with John Young as steward, and drew £10 0s 0d a quarter in diet money by 31 March 1773. [Film No. 17–18, 23–24, 29, 31]

A letter of 9 May 1773 answered the Court's censure of Leech's appointment, although it had accepted Farrell's as a necessity. The Council conceded that no appointment was valid until the Court approved it, blamed only its wording and, Mr Wright having become secretary and George Bazett having died, named John Doveton, son of a widow with a large family, and Nathaniel Kennedy, son of a captain who died in the garrison and probably of the pensioner Elizabeth Kennedy (£7 10s 0d a quarter), acting writers pending the Court. Leech's sureties were Captain John Howard and Jonathan Doveton. The Court confirmed Doveton and Kennedy by 14 May 1774, their sureties being Matthew and Henry Bazett and Daniel Corneille and Lieutenant Charles Ross Stewart. Under the Court's standing orders writers became factors after five years: James Desfountain and William Webber Doveton on 19 June 1774, Robert Leech after 30 September 1777 and Doveton and Kennedy on 10 May 1778, confirmed by October 1779. Samuel Mason arrived in the Princess Royal in October 1779 as the most junior writer. [Film No. 56–57, 108, 113–114, 126, 281–282, 312, 349, 353–354]

On 9 May 1773 the Council denied encouraging servants to seek higher pay but defended a rise for the steward of the stores, still on £30 0s 0d a year. A separate letter of 10 May 1773 corrected the omission of leave given to two captains to call at Ascension, a deviation affecting insurance and the charter party. Matthew Purling gave notice on 28 June 1773 that he would retire, and Matthew Bazett did not sign the letter of 19 April 1774. Lists of families, rents and slaves taken each 30 September and the general books balanced to that date went home annually, while quarterly accounts reached the Council only on such dates as 19 July 1773, 17 January 1774 and 18 April 1774, delaying cash accounts. [Film No. 37, 58, 62, 74, 88, 90, 92, 101, 103, 142, 148, 283–284]

The Council's reply of 14 May 1774 answered the Court's letters by the York and the Eagle in 32 paragraphs and promised obedience to the Secret Committee or any three of its members. Purling thanked the Court for allowing him to remit his savings through the treasury; Matthew Bazett and Wrangham, the paymaster, gave security in England, and Wrangham was to take Purling's seat with a larger share in the arrack concern, the profits of the Company's arrack sales divided among senior servants in shares the Court fixed. Purling sailed with his family in the Stormont in June 1774 and Wrangham first signed on 13 June 1774. Corneille, holding no share and paying for his household's arrack, was allowed a leaguer (about 150 gallons) a year in November 1774, provisionally, undertaking to pay if the Court refused. [Film No. 106–108, 113, 121, 124, 140–141]

Relations with commanders of hired ships, who answered to the Court and their owners, were often strained. Captain Paul of the Harcourt lost two cables entering the roads at night, received the island's last serviceable cable, never came ashore and accused the storekeeper Jonathan Doveton of imposing on the Company; letters of 8 July and 15 August 1774 called his manner ungentlemanly and the charge unjust and an insult to the Council. A consultation of 22 August 1774 recorded the very unbecoming conduct of Captain Young of the Vansittart. In April 1779 Governor Skottowe complained of Thomas Robertson, acting third officer of the Valentine, whose letter insulted the Governor and the government; the Council refused to enter it in the consultation book and sent it to the Court as a separate paper. [Film No. 130, 133, 136, 341, 345]

Despatches went by any carrier available: the Danish Kingdom's Wish on 13 June 1774, the Dutch Den Temple on 24 August 1774, reporting only that no Company ship had called, and King's ships of Sir Robert Harland's squadron from 2 December 1774 to 18 February 1775. On 27 March 1775 the Council admitted that a duplicate meant for the squadron had gone unsigned, blaming forgetful clerks and the Admiral's haste to embark. On 12 June 1776 it held its full despatches for the frigate Arethusa rather than a Danish merchantman. From June 1776 the Governor and Lieutenant Governor also wrote separately to the Secret Committee, handing copies to different commanders. In 1777 the letter of 10 May went by the Triton with copies by the Shrewsbury and Royal Henry, and the Danish Ganges took that of 14 May because she would sail up the Channel. A Dutch fleet passing without anchoring took a bare note on 21 March 1778, the Swedish Stockholm Slott and Sophia Magdalena letters of 11 and 12 April 1778, and foreign ships others on 9 June 1778 and 7 March, 7 April, 4 May and 4 September 1779. [Film No. 124, 135, 143–145, 150, 152, 222, 224, 258–260, 272, 287–289, 310, 312, 334, 336, 346]

The Council split in April 1776: Matthew Bazett and Wrangham dissented from an unnamed measure of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, and both sides entered minutes in eight consultations from 29 April to 12 June 1776. In September 1776 the Council heard Bazett's complaint against Lieutenant Statham through seven consultations but left the decision to the Court. The letter of 12 June 1776 answered several rebukes: the Court disliked unconfirmed news from Bombay passed on from a Dutch captain on 10 September 1775, and regretted that Lieutenant Robert Gillson's dismissal had denied him its favour, so the Council undertook to suspend civil servants only pending the Court's decision. Corneille thanked the Court for his majority and Stroud for a higher salary, and the covenants of a writer for Bengal, George Fleta in the letter and George Fletcher in the packet list, were returned because he had sailed. [Film No. 216–218, 222, 224, 237–238, 241]

On 1 July 1776 the Council reported that every servant received a house allowance of £10 0s 0d a year whatever his rank and the captains none, argued that seniors should receive allowances in proportion if juniors had houses, had the houses revalued because their book cost omitted the work of salaried artificers and Company slaves, and supported Captain John Howard's request to live in one. By 20 July 1777 the Court had ruled that each councillor should have a Company house and the four others go to gentlemen it named. In about April 1777 the Council promised indents under proper heads, timber dimensions and a yearly ordnance return, but explained that the storekeeper held and issued all artificers' materials; a bale of broadcloth invoiced at £17 1s 3d arrived damaged and fetched £8 17s 9d at auction. Philip Mahony undertook in 1777 to serve while his health allowed and resigned as Clerk of the Peace in November 1778 on a life allowance granted on 3 February 1777, John Doveton acting in his place. [Film No. 225, 229, 251, 254, 262, 328]

The Court's letters of 4 December 1777 and 23 January 1778 attacked costs of £30,283 0s 0d in 1775 to 1776. In about May 1778 the Council cited higher salaries and bounties since 1756 to 1757, new fortifications, the church, houses, spoiled salt provisions and the Chubb's Spring waterworks. Military costs had risen by £1,684 0s 0d, recruiting at the higher bounty costing £1,145 0s 0d in 1776 against £294 0s 0d in 1775; despite 22 fewer men, companies had been raised to 100 privates, sergeants and corporals added and 20 matrosses taken into the artillery. Boat costs had risen with the fortification work under Engineer Mitchell, and Skottowe explained the cost of his table in a consultation. Net cost for 1777 fell to £22,256 0s 0d, more than £8,000 0s 0d lower, because finished buildings were entered as Company property. [Film No. 291–292, 298]

The same letter of about May 1778 recorded the Court's reforms. The post of Superintendent of the Blacks, created in July 1765, was abolished, and the overseers' £90 0s 0d a year was divided between an overseer at Sandy Bay (£25 0s 0d), a manager of the pastures, Long Wood and plantations (£45 0s 0d) and an overseer in the Valley (£20 0s 0d). Wrangham was to share supervision of the plantations with the Lieutenant Governor. The Court disallowed an allowance to John Doveton for laths, bought when the stores held no deal boards to roof the new warehouses; he repaid £103 0s 0d and sought time over £55 0s 0d, which the Court cancelled by October 1779 as a claim against Jonathan Doveton for casks sold from the stores. A heading for labour charges was opened, and a notice let every inhabitant except officers and soldiers keep a shop without licence, spirits excepted. The Council denied informants' reports that cables lay coiled on the guns and salt meat in the sun: new cables were in a cellar between the drawbridge and the sea gate, two old ones damaged since 1775 lay under a shed on the Line until struck off on 30 September 1777 for wadding and light rope, and casks stood in the shade of trees on the Line while coopers tightened and rebrined them. [Film No. 293–299, 349]

With nearly all officials sick from an epidemic cold that killed many inhabitants, the Council admitted on 22 May 1778 that one ship's account had been charged with 50 yards of cinabry cloth worth £4 3s 4d, the short deliveries of five ships had been omitted, and a bill of £406 0s 0d issued on 13 April 1778 to James Winston, chief mate of the Earl of Mansfield, had been left out until August. In October 1779 the Council sent a dispute between Richard Goodwin and Matthew Bazett over Captain Richard Beale's estate to the Company's lawyers, and gave the storekeeper Jonathan Doveton leave on 4 October 1779 to go home for a nervous complaint, asking that he be allowed to return. [Film No. 309, 312, 349, 353]

Military Affairs and Defence

On 22 June 1772 the Council asked for 120 recruits, and on 29 July 1772 sent an additional indent for soldiers' clothing. The French Le Sage arrived from Mauritius on 21 June 1772 under the Baron de Clugny with a company of the Royal-Comtois regiment; its officers came into town while soldiers and crew stayed aboard except for watering parties. The Royal Captain and Alfred brought 77 recruits by 9 May 1773, and the Council asked for 50 more on 7 August 1773. Of 40 sent in the York, 36 arrived in 1774, and on 28 May 1774 it asked for 40. On 12 June 1776 it reported more than 40 men gone despite a re-enlistment bounty raised to £15 0s 0d and asked for 80, lads of 16 or 17 suiting the island. The Alfred brought 53 young recruits in 1777, among them John Brown, in fact John Tabb, discharged as an invalid on 9 June 1775 and re-enlisted in England. The Council asked for 60 on 26 September 1777; the Earl of Mansfield brought 35 in 1778, and it asked for 50. On 23 June 1779 the garrison stood 56 men short and it asked for 80; of 50 sent in the Princess Royal 44 arrived and six died after landing, so in October 1779 it asked for 20 more, the King having ordered a naval force and a regiment of regulars to the East Indies. [Film No. 10, 23, 56, 81, 110, 118, 217, 221, 252, 273, 291, 340, 349, 351, 354]

Unfit recruits were returned at the Company's cost. On 11 June 1772 the Council sent back Joseph Sullivan, insane, William Brotherton, lamed in England, and Thomas Hunt, with a fractured spine, all from the Lord Camden, and William Heyton, rheumatic, sent the year before; three of four invalids discharged on 22 October 1772 had enlisted only on 2 July. [Film No. 6, 34]

The Military Fund, founded in 1770 on Lord Clive's legacy, pensioned soldiers disabled in Company service on the Council's certificate. Of 13 invalids sent in the Duke of Richmond on 24 June 1772 it recommended John Stewart for age and service, William Harris for a fistula and Bryan Lynch for a fall on the works. On 15 July 1772 it defended refusing William England, who had served 16 months, mostly in hospital with rheumatism; the only man hurt by the fall of a ledge at Munden's Point was Oliver, already certified, another being killed. Francis Wainwright, lamed in the thigh, was certified on 15 July 1772, Lieutenant Thomas Lambert, deaf after 12 years, on 29 July after swearing he was worth under £1,000 0s 0d (his claim to pay beyond that date was referred to the Court), James Graham, injured in the magazine, on 1 October (Richard Penny not) and George Bennett on 22 October 1772. In 1774 it recommended Sergeant John Alman, who had lost the use of his right arm in 11 years 11 months, John Gray after ten years, and Captain Richard Beale for 22 years' service and insanity. Sergeant David Scott was recommended in January 1774. [Film No. 12, 15, 19, 23, 32, 34, 90, 115, 121, 139]

Invalids sailed at £5 0s 0d a head, signing undertakings to claim no wages. In July 1772 Captain Hambly refused £5 0s 0d for Wainwright because his charter party fixed £6 0s 0d, and the Council referred the difference. James Waller, a discharged corporal who missed the Lapwing, signed when he sailed in the London in March 1773; fit men such as Sedgwick Witherall, John Hilliard and Joseph Dailey worked their passage in the Nottingham on 1 February 1773. The letter of 15 February 1773 called the five invalids in the Lapwing four. From May 1774 the undertaking, binding against captain and owners, was required even in Company ships, Abraham Miller signing first. [Film No. 6, 12, 19, 21, 37–38, 40, 44, 110–112]

Discharged men left in a steady stream: three invalids in the Pigot in May 1773 for £15 0s 0d, five in the Norfolk including Patrick Eddrington, five in the Marquis of Rockingham in July 1773, three of whom had missed the Royal Henry, five in the Mercury in January 1774 and nine in the Duke of Portland in April 1774. At least 22 joined the crews of ships sailing on 12 June 1776, among them Frederick Gallien, the garrison's baker, and the invalid Henry Sunderland sailed in March 1776. Corporal John Wright was discharged in July 1774 as at times insane and Richard Vincent in November 1774 for bad character. The Council could find no soldier named Bryon Smith in 1774, supposing he had served under another name. [Film No. 59, 67, 78–79, 89, 104–105, 111, 129, 140, 207, 217, 221]

In 1777 commanders resisted. Captain Roys refused four discharged men on 12 May 1777 despite the charter party. On 20 July 1777 the Council sent 16 invalids for £80 0s 0d and recommended six to the Military Fund, among them Joseph Way, a recruit for Fort Marlborough who had deserted from the Bridgewater. As the convoy sailed, Captains Court and Mitchell put invalids ashore while keeping the money, and Captain Johnson of the Granby returned £10 0s 0d and refused his men, pleading 109 men aboard and food for three months, though he had bought and returned four casks of salt meat. Captains Savage, Riddale, Ba[...] and Money said they could not take passage money at St Helena, so payment was left to the Court and owners. On 26 September 1777 Captain Waghorn of the Earl of Ashburnham took seven rejected invalids and a discharged man, each signing away wages. Names vary, a Joseph Martin and a John Fellows appearing for John Martin and Joseph Fellows. [Film No. 262, 267–269, 272–275]

The Court then accused the Council of neglecting invalids who had applied in London without papers. In about May 1778 it cited the Court's orders of 23 November 1770 and 25 March 1772, noted that some claimants had never served, and offered to recommend every invalid unless his disability preceded enlistment, recommending Baptista Tibbet but not William Long. Eight discharged men joined the King's ship Warwick in 1778. On 23 June 1779 many invalids were kept on the island because the homeward ships lacked food; 29 sailed in the Glatton, Hillsborough and Shrewsbury in October 1779, all recommended to the fund. Captain John Howard, recommended to the Court in July 1777 after long service and ill health, was allowed to stay until 1 January 1780 to settle his company's accounts before retiring on the fund. [Film No. 265, 300, 305, 308, 318, 323, 340–341, 349, 355]

Captain James Tippet, engineer and artillery captain, defended his temper on 15 July 1772 after 17 years' service, saying the armourer John Robins had insulted him and raised a hammer over his head, and that he had complained against soldiers at courts martial only twice. On 2 April 1773 Lieutenant Richard Powell, accused of beating the matross Patrick Eddrington, was suspended for six months, while Lieutenant Gurling received a fortnight. Robert Gillson, second lieutenant of artillery, asked on 21 June 1773 whether artillery lieutenants could fill infantry vacancies by seniority; the Council decided on 14 June 1773 that vacancies went by seniority of commission. Gillson resigned and sailed in the Hector in August 1773, and the Council asked for an experienced artillery officer. Powell resigned under suspension on 27 August 1773 and sailed in the Devonshire. The Council recommended Watkin Greentree, son of the planter James Greentree, and Sergeant Major James Elgin, sent out as a sergeant in 1770, for commissions; both were commissioned by May 1774. Captain Richard Beale of the Third Company, ill in mind and body, was considered on 5 and 12 July 1773. Lieutenant Richard Mason was tried by general court martial in October 1773. [Film No. 16–17, 48, 72, 76, 80, 83–84, 86, 109, 118]

The Court confirmed Lieutenant Solomon St Maurice as captain of Beale's company in 1774, and Charles Ross Stewart became first lieutenant by seniority. A general court martial of 5 May 1774 dismissed Lieutenant Thomas Leech of the artillery, and the Council proposed promoting Second Lieutenant Shirley. On 10 June 1774 Lieutenant Lauchlan Leslie wrote a very extraordinary letter of resignation while on guard at Banks's, accepted unanimously, and Captain Paul carried him home in July only on the Council's order. Gillson, whose £40 0s 0d advance was stopped from his salary in May 1774, was back in service by January 1775. Lieutenant James Greentree complained against Tippet on 17 October 1774, and a general court martial of 12 January 1775 heard Gillson's charge that Tippet had abused and struck him on duty at the Reverend Mr Carr's house; it suspended Tippet for a month, found Gillson the first aggressor and arrested him, and the Council dismissed Gillson on 13 January 1775 while recording it as his first fault. [Film No. 108–109, 111, 117–121, 126–127, 129, 140, 146–148]

The Court confirmed Lieutenants Richard Knipe and Arthur Upton and the cadet John Leech by 12 June 1776. Sergeant John Potts was made second lieutenant of artillery, and Henry Bazett's promotion to major left two infantry captains, so Lieutenant Thomas Bazett did a captain's duty and the Council asked for captain lieutenants in the field officers' companies. Lieutenant John Shirley died and Potts resigned on 16 December 1776, and on 23 December the Council nominated John Leech and David Hay, surgeon's mate, as second lieutenants of artillery. Thomas Greentree and Bysshe Beale became cadets on 6 January 1777. William Adlam declined an infantry commission, Elgin was suspended for gross misconduct on 9 January 1777 and sailed home in July, and the Council asked that Potts, sailing in the Syren, not be reinstated. [Film No. 217–219, 243–244, 268]

A pensioner, Lieutenant Robert Bate, complained against Tippet on 6 December 1776 over his conduct as president of a court martial. Courts martial on 5 February, 29 and 30 April and 5 to 7 May 1777 tried 11 artillery non-commissioned officers for mutiny, found that Tippet knew of their intentions and failed to act, and dismissed him; he sailed with his family in the Royal Henry, and a paper from five convicted men arrived unanswered on 10 May 1777. With Lieutenant Mallory resigning on 20 July 1777, only Leech and Hay remained in the artillery. The Council urged separate posts of engineer and captain of artillery, judged an engineer unnecessary and put Major Bazett in charge of artillery stores. Lieutenant John Bazett died on 18 July 1777, and Sergeant Francis Seale, recommended for the vacancy, was commissioned by 1778; Greentree and Beale were recommended for infantry vacancies. On 26 September 1777 Skottowe reported that the artillery now behaved well and blamed its earlier misconduct on its late captain. Tippet's attorneys were to pay a sum named by the Court in 1778. [Film No. 243, 254–255, 258–259, 262–263, 268–269, 278, 300]

The Court appointed William R[...] engineer and captain of artillery in 1778, and Captain Pierie was newly arrived by May 1778. Ordered to give up one of his posts, Hay chose assistant surgeon but was kept in the artillery until August 1778, when Lieutenant Hotson, arrived in the Queen, was posted to it and Hay gave up his commission. Leech feared artillery service would block his promotion, and the Council proposed ranking him and Hotson with the infantry by date of commission. By October 1779 the Court had appointed Ulysses Brown and William Seale lieutenants and Mr Ellis second lieutenant of artillery, and Leech was content to stay. Lieutenant Arthur Upton resigned on 21 May 1779. [Film No. 291, 299, 302, 314–315, 342, 349, 351]

Colonel Campbell, a passenger in the Triton, viewed the works from Purling's Battery to James's Valley in 1773 and reported on 7 August 1773. He found Banks's sufficient but advised a sheltered, loopholed guardroom commanding the lower battery; at Rupert's he would close the open west angle of the bastion with a walled bank and a stockade across the ditch; in James's Valley he would cut back the ravelin damaged by surf, both changes the Council had proposed. He preferred six-pounders with grapeshot in the valleys and 18 or 24-pounders on leeward hilltop platforms to masonry batteries, though he found the valley amply supplied with artillery, and the Council requested brass guns in an additional indent. In May 1774 the Court ordered twice-weekly drill, a monthly field day and gun practice at a target with infantrymen joining the gunners, and a range at Rupert's was complete by 11 February 1775. [Film No. 79, 81–83, 109, 147]

Arms came out under a royal order permitting the Company to export them, with certificates sent for those landed from the Lord Holland and Duke of Grafton on 1 July and 22 August 1776. On 22 August 1776 Tippet was completing 11 field carriages from teak, so four spares were needed instead of 16, and in September 1776 the Council returned 400 unserviceable firelocks and 22 blunderbusses in the Mercury. Practice at Munden's Battery found two mortar beds rotten, and on 26 September 1777 the Council asked for oak beds for 13-inch mortars, elm not lasting. Its promise of August 1776 to make gun carriages failed when the craftsman Laws would not re-engage, and in about May 1778 Pierie judged mortar beds impossible to make locally, so six field carriages were requested. Soldiers employed as labourers were cut to 20 in 1778, though Governor Hutchinson had used 20 or more. [Film No. 216, 226, 232, 235–237, 277, 296, 301–302]

On 25 June 1778 a strange ship hovered for four days off Prosperous Bay; a longboat decked to warn Company ships could not be used for want of a quadrant, so the Council bought one, agreed to replace guns removed from Prosperous Bay and a nearby valley and to build a road for field guns to the heights. On 5 October 1778 Pierie proposed a platform on Buttermilk Point for a howitzer and two guns and a stronger portcullis in James Valley, estimated on 12 October at £250 0s 0d, which the Council would not spend without leave under the Court's rule against building without permission. By 23 June 1779 works at Prosperous Bay and Powell's Valley were finished and Buttermilk Point and a road to Banks's Battery under way, while Pierie reported too little gunpowder and a need for brass and iron guns; the Court approved his proposals by October 1779. [Film No. 316, 324–325, 339–340, 350–351]

Naval intelligence passed through the island throughout. French troopships from Mauritius lay in False Bay by August 1772 and Table Bay on 6 September 1772, and on 23 December 1772 two of five homeward French ships at the Cape carried soldiers. On 30 March 1773 the Shrewsbury reported Harland's squadron at Bombay with Sir John Clerke in the Prudent and Captain Cranston in the Intrepid. On 1 February 1773 the Council reported two ships from England at the Cape bound on discovery, almost certainly Cook's Resolution and Adventure. In 1773 commanders reported a French 64-gun ship and frigate at the Cape bound on discovery, probably Kerguelen-Trémarec's Roland and Oiseau, a French ship of the line at Mauritius in May and two in False Bay in June. In March 1774 the King's ships Salisbury and Sea Horse, of Commodore Sir Edward Hughes's squadron, with Horatio Nelson aged 15 in the Sea Horse, were at the Cape, and in April 1774 the Adventure was there homeward bound. Harland's ships and three French ships lay in Table Bay in November 1774 and two French frigates at the Cape in December. On 12 September 1776 Captain Forbes reported 30 or 40 outward French ships at the Cape, some with troops for Mauritius. In April 1777 His Majesty's ships Ripon and Cormorant and a Spanish ship from Manila were at the Cape, and a Resolution seen in False Bay on 26 April 1777 cannot have been Cook's, which had left in November 1776. A French frigate from Mauritius sailed from the Cape in November 1777. [Film No. 29, 34, 37, 42, 48, 73–74, 76, 78, 100, 103, 139, 144, 236, 257, 260, 281]

News of the French war in India arrived on 10 January 1779, when the sloop Cormorant reported the surrender of Pondicherry, Karikal and Chandernagore, a force sent against Mahé and the Resolution fitted out at Madras for the squadron. Colonel Hocquart, former commander of French troops in Bengal, passed in the Eagle in February 1779 as a prisoner on parole. On 27 June 1779 the express snow Betsy from Bombay reported Mahé taken on 20 March and an expedition against Poona failed. The Danish King of Denmark reported in March 1779 that two French warships from Mauritius, of 64 and 36 guns, had taken the Osterley off the Cape on 22 February, eight days after she lost the Grosvenor in a gale, and heavy gunfire was heard at sea on 4 March 1779. On 4 May 1779 the Swedish Finland reported a French 74 at the Cape ahead of six ships of the line bound east, and by 20 August 1779 seven King's ships and eight Company ships lay at the Cape, three French vessels having just left. By October 1779 the Court had ordered ships from Madras carrying French soldiers to be redirected to France. [Film No. 330–332, 335, 337–338, 346–347, 351]

Settlement and Public Works

Building depended on imported timber; on 29 July 1772 the Council asked for deals, having bought all it could from the Earl of Sandwich. By 1 February 1773 the officers' barracks were finished, eight subalterns losing house rent of £10 0s 0d a year, and the landing place was complete, the workmen moving to a new church. An unusual flood damaged the works at Sandy Bay in June 1774, the engineer reporting on 27 June, and in August 1774 the Council asked for four longboat cables of 5 inches, without which boats could not lie at Sandy Bay to load lime. The master mason Edward Daniels, the best-paid tradesman at £30 0s 0d a quarter and elected constable in April 1773, left with his family in the Resolution in September 1774 at £15 0s 0d, the church being unfinished. By 11 February 1775 a guardhouse and court martial room under one roof were finished, and three houses for servants and a dry-stores warehouse, resolved on 30 May 1774, were to follow. In June 1774 the Council refused Balambangan's request for artisans, every craftsman on the island having been sent from England and fully employed. [Film No. 24, 35, 37, 120, 127, 129, 132, 136, 147]

The Chubb's Spring waterworks, begun by subscription in July 1775, were approved by the Court by 12 June 1776, which sent the plumbers Charles Bradford and Thomas Pinkston, allowed £56 0s 0d a year each for diet and lodging. A case of pipe fell into the sea when its end gave way in the slings landing from the Duke of Grafton, and 190 yards of faulty pipe were recast on the island. By 9 December 1776 the water had reached within 308 yards of the crane on a run of 2,790 yards. The works were almost finished by 10 May 1777, when the plumber John Pinkston, very ill, sailed in the Lord Holland at £15 0s 0d with the cooper Joseph Griffiths, in Company service since at least 1772; the plumber John Bradford followed in the Lord Camden in July 1777, the two names perhaps errors for Thomas Pinkston and Charles Bradford. The account of the cost of bringing water from Chubb's Spring to the Crane went home on 26 September 1777. The plumbers trained black workmen in their trade. [Film No. 216, 226, 233–234, 240, 252, 256–257, 265, 268, 273, 280]

From 1778 the Court forbade building without its express permission. In October 1778 Pierie reported the houses of the engineer, chaplain and surgeon old and decayed; the gaol was so insecure that prisoners had broken out through its walls, and the quarterly court met in a rented house its owner could reclaim, so the Council sought leave to rebuild the gaol and build two rooms for the court. In October 1779 it promised a plan for the gaol and ordered repairs to the chaplain's house. Lombardy poplars sent in the Princess Royal all died on the voyage. [Film No. 323, 327, 350]

Land and Agriculture

On 13 June 1772 the Council reported poor rains from December to March, short grass and thin cattle; on 22 October 1772 the mid-year rains had failed and the yams were very poor; by 1 February 1773 the drought, in its third year, had brought the island to its worst state, with heavy livestock losses and large rice purchases expected. Rains came early in 1773 and were favourable by 15 March, followed by a violent epidemic cold among white and black inhabitants that spared the garrison and killed few. On 29 May and 6 June 1773 the Council reported one of the finest years for rain in many years, the plantations recovered and few cattle dying, and very good weather through the middle of the year and into January 1774. [Film No. 8, 34, 37, 40, 42, 69–70, 86, 90]

On 20 June 1774 the Council reported that favourable weather since the drought of 1769 to 1772 had left the island flourishing, with more cattle than ships would take because commanders stocked up at the Cape. It asked that only five or six early ships call at the Cape, each bringing wheat and 50 sheep for the hospital, that commanders' Cape seeds be capped at £5 0s 0d, and that no more cattle be sent, English stock having so improved the herd that young English bulls had been sold to planters since 1773. By 11 February 1775 the cattle return allowed beef in the market twice a week instead of three times a fortnight. On 12 September 1776 pastures and plantations were in good condition, and on 7 March 1778 the island was thriving but short of cattle fit to slaughter. [Film No. 125–126, 148, 236, 285]

Wrangham and Major Henry Bazett surveyed the plantations under the Court's letter of 23 January 1778; their report of 29 June 1778 found the yam crop 200,000 smaller than when Governor Hutchinson left, Perkins's and Bamboo Gut turned to pasture after their soil was exhausted and Sandy Bay and Maldivia producing more, and the Council adopted their proposals. On 13 July 1778 Corneille reported 75 sheep lost from the Company's flock through the carelessness of the former overseer John Worrall, whom the Court made pay half their value, £18 15s 0d, by October 1779. On 23 June 1779 the Council reported that the rains of December to March had failed, many cattle and sheep had died and, with 386 cattle fit for slaughter, the ships would get little meat. By 23 October 1779 the inhabitants' herds had fallen by 809 head and the Company's by 91 since 30 September 1778; the landholders petitioned on 11 October 1779, and little fresh beef was expected for two or three years. [Film No. 311, 314, 339, 349, 352–353]

On 20 July 1777 the Council warned that the Long Wood, fuel for James's Valley, the outlying forts and country inhabitants, was disappearing because cattle, sheep and goats ate every sapling and was expected to last 12 or 15 years. It proposed a fence for no more than £3,000 0s 0d, predicting thinning within 10 or 12 years and timber for ships within 20, and a three-quarter-inch pipe from the spring at the Hutts for no more than £518 19s 0d, laid by the trained black workmen, so that cattle need not descend a steep slope to drink. In about May 1778 the Court ordered a survey and costing of the fence, trees in the Horse Pasture and furze on suitable commons but rejected the pipe; the Council repeated that grass far from water was wasted, cattle died on the slope in wet weather or could not climb back in heat, the plumbers had measured the cost and the slight fall needed only soldered joints. An epidemic cold delayed a survey of the plantations. In August 1778 Wrangham's survey found a boundary of nearly 3½ miles needing a wall at least 5 feet high of stone obtainable only by blasting at one place; he offered to build it by contract for £5,000 0s 0d, and the Council left the offer to the Court. In October 1779 the Court compared the cost with stone walls in northern England, the Council replied that labour and quarrying were dearer on the island, and Pierie was ordered to survey the whole wood. [Film No. 263–265, 272, 294–295, 302, 313–314, 350]

Supply and Provisioning

The Council sent indents of stores and medicines for 1773 on 22 June 1772, listing separately stores from the Lord Camden, which arrived after 30 April, the end of the accounting year, and Stroud added a medicine indent on 1 September 1772. On 1 October 1772 it complained that commanders had kept back arrack consigned by the presidencies, and by 9 May 1773 the Court had ordered commanders to supply their own arrack. Rhubarb sent to the island in error in the Alfred went on to Bencoolen in 1773, and the Council altered its China indent that year but not in 1774. The store ships' late arrival delayed the general indent in 1773; balusters for the communion table were cancelled in 1774. In June 1776 the Mercury went to the Cape to buy supplies. [Film No. 10–11, 29, 31, 56–57, 59, 110, 222]

The drought drove Cape purchases from homeward commanders between 1 February and 24 April 1773: Captain Meakes 40 sheep at 12s 0d each (£24 0s 0d), Captain Johnston 100 sheep and 138 bushels of wheat for £84 0s 0d with only 91 sheep landed, Captain Savage 30 sheep and 10 puncheons of wheat for 291 rix-dollars 5 schellings 2 stivers (£58 6s 8d at 4s 0d the rix-dollar), Captain Carr 60 sheep and 50 sacks of wheat for £92 8s 0d, Captain Larkins 50 sheep for £48 15s 0d, and Captain Fortescue 59 of 60 sheep. Captain Richardson of the Pigot landed 200 sheep under a contract made on his outward voyage, many dying between 18 April and 3 May 1773; the Council gave certificates and left payment to the Court. Cattle came in the Royal Captain, but only two of four survived in the Alfred. From May 1773 to April 1774 sheep were bought from almost every homeward ship at 15s 0d a head, including Captain Tod's 80 for £60 0s 0d and Captain Mitchell's 120 with 54 bushels of wheat for £108 16s 0d. Captain Prince of the Latham landed 69 of 90 in February 1774 but charged for all, receiving £53 8s 0d in cash and £50 0s 0d in certificates, and Captain Snow lost 10 of 50 in March 1774. [Film No. 38, 42, 46, 51–52, 54, 56, 60, 64, 66, 68, 92, 95, 97, 101]

Purchases continued, usually paid by certificates on the Court: Captain Cotton's wheat and seeds for £26 6s 8d in May 1774, Captain Young's 714 pieces of salt meat at 2s 0d (£71 8s 0d) in August 1774, Captain Gowland's wheat, flour, wax candles, seeds and 25 sheep for £322 19s 10d in November 1774 and Captain Hoare's 80 sheep and over 6 tons of flour for £267 12s 0d on 29 March 1775. In 1776 Captain Baird sold goods for £76 0s 0d in March, Captain Kent for £126 0s 4d and Captain Barwell for £28 0s 0d, and in January 1777 Captain Smith of the Granville sold rice for £37 16s 5d. Captain Timbrell brought arrack on commission and drew £1,235 0s 0d in December 1776. Captain Money brought 40 sheep for £35 0s 0d in July 1777, Captain Williams 40 for £37 10s 0d in November 1777, Captain Applegath 25 for £23 5s 0d and Captain Mears seeds and peas for £9 10s 0d in March 1778, and Captain Baird 50 sheep and seeds for £45 9s 0d on 23 June 1779. Captain Hayter's request for flour was referred to the Court on 16 May 1774. [Film No. 115, 118, 132, 141, 154, 209–211, 224–225, 239, 242, 268, 281, 284, 339]

On 9 May 1773 the Court ordered the storekeeper to compare Irish with English salt provisions, short-weight pork and beef having been made good for three quarters. On 27 October 1773 he found the Irish beef and pork very indifferent; the garrison complained bitterly, each man received an extra pound and the Council asked for no more Irish meat unless improved. Not one cask of flour in 20 was fit, and similar flour had come for two or three years. The storekeeper's next report was entered on 3 September 1774. On 20 July 1777 the Council reported at least 34 casks of the 1775 supply condemned, more auctioned at a heavy loss, and 31 casks landed in 1777 apparently useless, noting that soldiers paid for their own rations and supplies came once a year. Ships' meat was bought instead, including 480 pieces from Captain Scott for £53 0s 0d in July 1773 and 317 pieces of pork with pease for £41 1s 6d in March 1774. In August 1778 only 256 half-puncheons of Irish pork arrived, matching the invoice. [Film No. 56, 74, 86–87, 98–99, 137, 265–266, 311]

On 15 August 1774 the Council warned that the rice in store would feed the Company's slaves for only 12 weeks and asked the presidencies to send more in each ship. Commanders repeatedly landed less paddy than consigned: Captain Bromfield of the Salisbury was 14 bags short without a bill of lading on 8 March 1776, the third case in a fortnight, and Captain Preston of the Hillsborough kept back 11 bags in June 1776. Bombay never received the Court's order of 1775 to send more rice and only Fort William increased its supply, as reported in about April 1777. On 26 September 1777 Captain Waghorn kept aboard 37 bags of rice and a leaguer of arrack sent by Bengal, claiming them spoiled. In March 1778 Bengal reported that the Europa had room for only 5 tons of island stores, and in 1778 the Court asked for an account of rice, paddy and grain issued over two years. Captain Sutton kept aboard 5 tons 3 cwt 2 qr of Bengal rice and some paddy in August 1778, Captains Prince and Fraser withheld China sugar candy and sugar in May 1779, and in October 1779 the Council asked Bengal for more rice and paddy and the Court to stop commanders withholding stores. [Film No. 133–134, 207, 222, 253, 273, 285, 295, 319, 342, 352–353]

Other supplies went astray or ran short. Flour was 126 casks short of the indent in June 1776. The Bridgewater's invoice of 1777 charged 48 pieces of fustian at £2 6s 2d when 10 came, overcharging £87 14s 4d, and the Alfred delivered six lanterns more than invoiced. The crane timber and drawbridge shafts were worn out by about April 1777. In 1777 the island's coin, mostly silver rupees, needed a larger iron chest, and the Council admitted ordering three in July 1777 when two were already ordered. The 600 pieces of nankeen ordered from China for the garrison proved short and 150 more were requested in 1778. On 22 May 1778 Captain Cotton of the Hawke had failed to land 200 pieces of Surat chelloes. In August 1778 the Sea Horse brought nine pipes of Madeira against three invoiced and the Duke of Portland three more; the six invoiced pipes, charged at £48 12s 0d, would have cost officials £63 3s 7d each with the Court's 30 per cent mark-up, and the Court ordered the wine auctioned by October 1779. The Council supplied the Eagle with 2 chaldrons of coal worth £4 6s 0d in June 1779 and sent a sample of fish hooks with its indents for 1780. [Film No. 222, 254, 262, 273, 290, 295–296, 309, 315, 340, 350, 354]

Food ran short in 1779. Flour was low in May 1779, and the loss of the London, which was to bring early supplies, forced the Council to feed the garrison on yams from the Company's plantations and buy what it could from inhabitants for the ships, several of which it supplied with salt meat, flour, tea and sugar. The Earl Talbot arrived on 20 July 1779 with flour and salt provisions. By October 1779 the inhabitants' crops had fed the garrison and fleet for nearly three months, and the Council relieved them from the Company's stores. [Film No. 337, 340, 342, 347, 349, 352]

Trade, Shipping and News

In August 1772 Captain Allen reported that the Colebrooke would follow from Bengal and Captain Taylor that the Godfrey would leave Bombay in April; both sailed from St Helena in October 1772. On 26 January 1773 the Nottingham reported the Duke of Albany lost entering the Bengal river with one man. Captain Webb of the London reported a typhoon off Macao on 17 July 1772 that forced him to cut away masts and jettison guns and sank the Dutch Rynsburg and many junks. Captain Richardson of the Pigot, writing at sea on 20 February 1773, had left Manna on 25 December 1772 after nine months on the Sumatran coast with 768 tons of pepper (302 white) and 3 tons of arrack, having lost 46 men; he reached the island on 18 April 1773 and stayed until 10 May to stop leaks. In August 1772 the Council persuaded Captain Hunt of the Rochford, by an order of 22 August, to restore his dismissed chief mate John Stevenson, though it had no jurisdiction over discipline aboard. [Film No. 6, 25, 27, 36, 42, 49, 54]

Foreign East Indiamen were recorded by size: the Danish Kingdom's Wish (600 tons, 18 guns, 75 men) from Bengal on 16 June 1772, returning on 11 June 1774; the Dutch Pleyenburg (800 tons) from Batavia on 30 July 1772; the Danish Fredensborg (800 tons) on 11 March 1773 and King of Denmark (1,200 tons) on 20 March 1773 from China; the Spanish frigate La Venus (550 tons, 32 guns) from Manila on 11 May 1773; the French Three Cousins from Mauritius and Dutch De Mer Caur from Batavia on 23 May 1773; the Danish Carolina Mathilda from Tranquebar on 29 June 1773; the Dutch Pedderhoek on 11 August 1773; and the Swedish Finland (1,300 tons) on 10 March 1774. In 1774 came the Danish Queen Sophia Magdalena (1,300 tons) on 5 May, the French La Catherine under Captain Duclos-Guyot, perhaps Bougainville's navigator, the Duc de Praslin and Aiguillon, and the Dutch Den Temple with pepper on 15 August; the Court's new orders of 1774 restricted help to Spanish ships, which the Council had supplied with water and fresh food while the two crowns were at peace. The French Sainte Anne from Mauritius carried an English clergyman and another Englishman home in February 1775, and the La Reine came from Pondicherry with bale goods on 14 March 1775. [Film No. 9–10, 25, 41, 46, 64, 67, 73, 83, 96, 111–112, 117, 124, 135, 150–151]

Foreign callers from 1776 included the Swedish Terra Nova on 8 April 1776, the Danish Fredensborg Slot on 10 April 1776, and the French Ajax under Captain Crozet, probably Julien Crozet of Marion du Fresne's voyage, in May 1776. In 1777 came the Danish Ganges from Tranquebar on 9 May, the French Comte de Gelonnaire and Sulage, a polacca and a whaler from Gibraltar on 16 May and the Dutch Holland on 10 June. The Swedish Stockholm Slott and Sophia Magdalena, each 1,250 tons, called with tea and porcelain for Gothenburg in April 1778, and the Danish Tranquebar carried bale goods, saltpetre and pepper to Copenhagen in May 1778. [Film No. 212, 215, 260–261, 288, 303]

Rival trade at Canton was counted each year: 3 French, 2 Danish, 2 Swedish, 4 Dutch and 4 English country ships in the 1772 season; 10 Company ships, the Devonshire grab, 7 country, 6 French, 4 Dutch, 2 Danish and 1 Swedish in 1773; 17 English country ships, 2 Danish, 2 Swedish, 4 Dutch and 8 French in 1774; 18 country ships against 8 Company ships in 1776; and 7 Company ships with 3 French, 2 Swedish, 1 Danish, 4 Dutch and 10 country ships in 1778. The Royal Captain was to call at Balambangan, founded in 1773, and in February 1774 the supercargo John Bradby Blake was reported dead and the Royal Charlotte not coming home. [Film No. 41–42, 93–94, 151, 248, 334]

The Court's tea orders of 6 January 1773 required a register of all goods landed and reshipped, kept by Hugh Jones from May 1773; returns covered periods such as 10 January to 13 August 1774, 21 August 1776 to 26 April 1777 and 6 May 1777 to 7 March 1778. The Court's letter of 5 February 1777, received by the Bridgewater on 19 June 1777, ordered the Council to detect tea passed from China ships to other vessels in the anchorage, and in about May 1778 the Council warned China commanders that the Court knew they carried more tea than their registers showed and forbade transfers. A Court order allowing commanders and officers to trade freely was published on 10 March 1777. [Film No. 58–59, 135, 249, 259, 261, 287, 291]

Store ships were dispatched when their 10 working days expired: the Royal Captain for Canton on 30 April 1773, the York for Fort Marlborough on 18 May 1774, the Lord Holland in May 1776, the Alfred on 3 April 1777, the Bridgewater on 8 July 1777 and the Queen in June 1778. The Earl of Mansfield's time ran out on 22 March 1778, but surf delayed her unloading until she sailed for Canton on 14 April 1778. The Alfred returned from Fort Marlborough in November 1774 after some 18 months. A Court order received in March 1777 told store ships to carry St Helena stone as ballast for the basin at Rat Island off Bencoolen; the Council lent Captain Williamson a longboat and soldiers and fixed the price at 5s 3d a ton. [Film No. 59, 117, 138, 212, 250–252, 265, 288, 290, 312]

Ships were lost through 1773 and 1779. The Lord Mansfield was lost leaving the Bengal river with all saved, reported on 3 January 1774. The Syren snow brought news by 6 June 1774 that the Royal Captain had been lost on her way to Balambangan, and Captain Borrow reported a Spanish claim to that island expected; Sulu raiders sacked it in 1775. In March 1775 Captain Gammage reported his ship condemned in Bengal, where the Governor General and Council would hire a transport. The Marquis of Rockingham was wrecked off the Seven Pagodas on 26 May 1777, and by May 1778 the Valentine had grounded near Madras and cut away her masts. The Colebrooke was wrecked entering False Bay in September 1778 with 15 men lost, and the Northington, leaving Bengal in May 1778, turned back with a sick crew and reached the island only in March 1779. China ships arriving in October 1779 had left Whampoa on 7 March and sighted no ship, and ships from Madras were driven back to Madagascar by gales, leaving only on 14 August 1779. [Film No. 89, 120, 152, 281, 303, 331, 334–335, 354]

The frigate Arethusa escorted six Company ships on 12 June 1776, the first convoy recorded. The Thetis arrived from England by way of Ascension on 15 June 1776; on 28 June a Dutch ship saluted without anchoring and reported the Dolphin, which arrived on 5 July 1776 and received stores worth £25 12s 5d charged to the Navy Board. An American fishing vessel called on 22 May 1776 and two American brigantines on 29 July 1776, although the Council had assured the Court a year before that no American ship had called; on 22 August 1776 it asked how to treat them. Eight Company ships left under the Triton on 11 May 1777, the Thetis escorted nine on 20 July 1777, the Warwick 10 on 23 May 1778, eight sailed with four London whalers on 24 June 1779, and the Warwick took nine on 23 October 1779. In April and May 1779 the whalers came up from the south seeking convoy, the first to do so; the Council refused them beef, allowed water and a few sheep and asked the Court's orders. In 1778 the Council heard that the previous year's ships had all reached England. [Film No. 213–214, 222, 224, 227, 229–232, 258, 260, 269, 290, 310, 338, 345, 358]

Commanders brought news of India and China. The Mercury packet, arriving on 3 January 1774, reported that Company troops under General Smith had taken the capital of the Raja of Tanjore in September 1773 after he broke his engagements to the Nawab of the Carnatic. In August 1776 Captain Snow reported peace between Bombay and the Marathas, probably the Treaty of Purandar. On 27 January 1777 the Council reported that on 24 August 1776 a majority of the Madras council, backed by Colonel Stuart and the garrison, had arrested Lord Pigot, and by March 1777 Sir Robert Fletcher, one of the conspirators, had died at Mauritius. In March 1777 Captain Ekman reported Edward Phipps, late President at Canton, dead. [Film No. 89–90, 232, 245, 247–248]

Slavery and Coerced Labour

On 19 July 1772 the Council reported clothing for the Company's slaves so small that garments had to be bought on the island, hundreds of small sizes piling up while men's sizes ran out. Arrack was issued as a ration to slaves and labourers on the public works. Hugh Jones was superintendent of the slaves in 1773. On 9 May 1773 the Council disputed Captain Richardson's charge of £14 0s 10d for a slave man consigned from Bencoolen, who had worked as a hand for the 11-month voyage of a ship short of 46 men and whose passage Bencoolen had already paid, and referred it to the Court and owners. A consultation of 3 January 1774 referred Tippet's application for the use of a Company slave to the Court. A letter of 2 December 1774 reported the Company's ship Huntingdon, returning from Delagoa Bay with slaves, probably for St Helena, wrecked on Johanna in the Comoros, the captain and crew saved and the slaves not mentioned. [Film No. 20–21, 31, 59–60, 90, 143]

On 1 July 1776 the storekeeper Doveton and the secretary Wright asked for a Company slave as a household servant, referred to the Court. In July 1777 the Council offered the black workmen trained by the plumbers to lay the Long Wood pipe. Bombay Harry, a Company slave and the Governor's fisherman, escaped with the fleet of 20 July 1777, and Captain Court carried off Highgate, a free black man, without leave. In about May 1778 the Council undertook to use slaves rather than soldiers on public works, sent a list of the Company's slaves and their tasks, and denied any private use except officials' customary use of Company slaves. Lists of slaves and their work were taken on 13 May and 17 July 1778, the second after their employment changed, and in October 1779 with ages. Surat chelloes clothed them and yams were their staple, issued to the garrison in 1779. [Film No. 226, 265, 275, 296, 308–309, 312, 322, 340, 360]

Judiciary, Crime and Punishment

General quarterly sessions sat on 29 April, 8 July and 7 October 1772; 7 January, 21 April, 14 July and 6 October 1773; 12 January, 13 April, 13 July and 5 October 1774; 11 January 1775; 17 April, 19 July and 9 October 1776; 15 January, 9 April, 16 July and 8 October 1777; and 14 January 1778, their proceedings going home with separate letters on legal matters. On 15 July 1772 the Council admitted that Andrew Tetherich, with Stephen Swenson as accessory, had been sentenced to death for burglary of the Company's warehouses unlawfully, since the Company's solicitor pointed out that English law confined burglary to a dwelling house and the indictment had not shown the warehouses part of the Governor's residence; the Council pleaded a lack of professional knowledge. [Film No. 7, 17–18, 20, 36, 39, 63, 78, 88, 94, 105, 135, 142, 150, 206, 219, 236, 253, 259, 271, 283, 286]

Courts martial removed offenders by passage home. Joseph Valentine, who left his sentry post and entered the Castle to steal, was shipped off in the Lapwing on 15 February 1773, and Hugh Hay, convicted of attempted sodomy, in the Hector in August 1773 for £5 0s 0d. Records of courts martial for 9 March 1772 to 1 March 1773, 15 March 1773 to 28 February 1774 (with that of 16 June 1773), 7 March 1774 to 2 March 1775 and 26 May 1776 to 3 March 1777 went home. [Film No. 40, 44, 48, 81, 98, 153, 259]

Seamen's crimes ashore came before the island's court. Christopher Nugent of the Duke of Portland killed his shipmate John Reid with one blow in a brawl in April 1774; an inquest found manslaughter, he was tried on 13 July 1774 and sailed as a hand in the Vansittart in August. John Jenkins of the Harcourt broke into the house of the publican William Hayes and wounded him with a blade, as reported on 8 July 1774, and was shipped in the Alfred in November 1774 with Abraham Coleman, a discharged Bengal soldier who had deserted from the Resolution, at £5 0s 0d each. By 28 November 1774 Captain Beale's trustees, Matthew Bazett and Isaac Doveton, had sworn to handing his estate to Richard Bagley and Benjamin Mason, who valued it on oath at £1,309 5s 0d. [Film No. 104, 130, 132, 139–140, 142]

William Jenkins, deep in debt, slipped away with the fleet of 20 July 1777, leaving his wife and family in hardship. On 6 November 1777 four privates given fishing leave deserted in a fishing boat, and on 16 May 1778 Corporal Thomas Fuller and three soldiers escaped in Captain Harper's cutter, one having fishing leave; the Council judged both groups lost at sea. Private William Kelly vanished from the guard at Munden's Point on 24 December 1778, probably aboard the Bridgewater, whose boat collected Corporal Thomas Mantle from the rocks below the battery in daylight on 26 December; sworn statements were entered on 4 January 1779. In October 1779 nine more soldiers had deserted, believed hidden in ships, and the Council asked the Court to forbid commanders to conceal deserters. The seamen Thomas Roach and William Crowther, deserters from the Bridgewater, were fed for 16 days at 6d a day (16s 0d) and sent home in the Cormorant in February 1779, and William Mardoum, a recruit who had hidden on the island in 1776 rather than go to Fort Marlborough, was sent there in the Alfred; Fort Marlborough refused to pay his passage, so Captain Williamson was referred to the Court with a certificate. [Film No. 268, 275, 282, 305, 319, 331–332, 357]

Finance and Currency

Bills of exchange on the Court at 90 days' sight carried money home. Skottowe remitted £600 0s 0d to Captain Nicholas Skottowe on 13 June 1772; Purling paid Captain Hindman £100 0s 0d on 27 June 1772, and on 18 July 1772 Purling drew £800 0s 0d and Jonathan Doveton £408 14s 0d, both payable to Captain Alexander Jameson. Captain Johnston paid in £1,150 0s 0d on 22 March 1773 and Captain Richardson received £3,000 0s 0d on 8 May 1773. On 1 September 1772 the Council received £332 15s 2d from the effects of George Sampson, fourth mate of the British King, who died intestate, crediting it to London for his heirs. In 1773 Thomas Stroud paid in £46 0s 0d, Captain Henry Bazett paid £175 6s 9d to the former surgeon Robert Barclay, Dutch captains paid in £400 0s 0d in May and £800 0s 0d in August, and Purling drew £1,290 0s 0d payable to Richardson on 2 August. In 1774 Bazett remitted £50 0s 0d and £100 0s 0d to Miss Mary Bazett, the chaplain Bearcroft £300 0s 0d and James Farrell £350 0s 0d, after Jonathan Doveton's £285 12s 0d in October 1773. [Film No. 7–8, 14, 21, 29, 46, 61, 64, 68–69, 80, 84, 87, 89, 92, 97, 103]

In 1774 the Court ordered the Council to draw no more bills than the island's expenses required. Purling, on £200 0s 0d a year, drew £4,150 0s 0d payable to John Purling on 6 June 1774, and his attorneys sent £544 5s 3d, £378 8s 10d, £148 6s 7d, £1,123 18s 10d and £812 1s 7d by 27 January 1775 and £817 12s 9d in 1776. Skottowe sent £1,100 0s 0d to Captain Nicholas Skottowe of the Bridgewater, who carried the bill home. Smaller bills included £60 0s 0d for John Bland's orphans, £66 0s 0d from the Reverend Robert Carr to Captain Robert Carr, £70 0s 0d from Mary Beale and £200 0s 0d from Tippet to Edward Tippet in 1774. Captains Henry Bazett and John Howard paid Bearcroft £160 9s 0d in April 1774, £284 4s 7d on 11 February 1775 and £105 0s 0d in 1776. [Film No. 101, 111, 121–122, 129, 133, 136, 139, 145, 147–148, 220–221]

Bills drawn by about 12 June 1776 included £2,000 0s 0d to Captain Patrick Lawson, £550 0s 0d from Corneille to John Caillaud and £770 13s 0d from Major Henry Bazett; Matthew Bazett and Wrangham remitted £500 0s 0d and £100 0s 0d to Purling, and Captain Gabriel Harper drew £203 17s 4d on the estate of the late Captain Hogg. On 1 July 1776 the Council accepted only £1,000 0s 0d of £1,400 0s 0d offered by Captain Samuel Bull because the treasury was too full. Skottowe remitted £400 0s 0d in July 1776 and £600 0s 0d in about May 1777 to Captain Nicholas Skottowe, and Matthew and Henry Bazett paid Purling £493 3s 4d and £623 12s 6d. In 1777 bills went to Captain Mitford's attorneys (£1,000 0s 0d) and Tippet (£500 0s 0d) in May, Captain William Parker (£1,555 0s 0d), Captain Gabriel Steward (£1,500 0s 0d) and Lieutenant Elgin (£200 0s 0d) in July, and Captain Samuel Bull (£2,000 0s 0d) in November. Captain William Fraser, outward bound for Canton, paid in £400 0s 0d on 11 April 1778, and the widow Ann Congreve remitted £129 11s 4d in May 1778. [Film No. 220–221, 226–227, 255–256, 266–267, 281, 289, 304]

In August 1778 the Council reported cash paid in for bills far exceeding the island's needs, asked whether commanders could claim bills as of right under the charter party and offered coin to Fort Marlborough; the Court ordered £20,000 0s 0d sent, and on 19 October 1779 the Council shipped £16,000 0s 0d in silver in the Princess Royal, promising £4,000 0s 0d by the next ship. Skottowe remitted £500 0s 0d in August 1778 and £700 0s 0d on 21 May 1779; the Bazetts sent £1,060 0s 0d and £1,000 0s 0d to Purling and Gabriel Harper in May 1779; Wrangham drew £886 2s 6d in August 1778; Tippet's attorneys remitted £925 9s 0d in August 1778; and Captain Peter Douglas of the Queen sent £2,000 0s 0d on 22 October 1779. Captain John Stone, a passenger who died at David Kay's house on 6 September 1778, left £915 6s 9¾d, held apart for his creditors in England, and Kay shipped his belongings home by October 1779. The administrators of Lieutenant John Bazett, who died intestate, had deposited £700 0s 0d of John Pritchard's estate in July 1777, for which bills were issued on 22 October 1779 on oath that it belonged to Pritchard's heirs. [Film No. 315–316, 318–319, 324, 342, 351, 355–357]

Religion, Education and Social Welfare

The chaplain William Bearcroft gave notice on 13 July 1772, agreed on 7 June 1773 to stay at the Council's request, and sailed with his family in the Worcester on 29 March 1774. Robert Carr succeeded him in April 1774 on the usual salary. A new church was begun by 1 February 1773; in August 1774 the Council asked for 100 Books of Common Prayer for the garrison, and on 12 June 1776 it explained that no organ had been sent because the Court would allow only £30 0s 0d a year for an organist, so Captain Gabriel Harper's offer of one lapsed. Registers of births, christenings, marriages and burials went home regularly. [Film No. 18, 31, 33, 37, 71, 99, 106, 110, 132, 218, 220]

On 26 September 1777 the Council reported the death of the schoolmaster John Congreve, who could barely write or spell, and asked for a qualified teacher and more than the Company's £30 0s 0d a year, poor families being unable to pay fees. His widow and three children, living on charity, sailed in the Resolution under Captain Poynting in 1778, the fare left to the Court and owners. [Film No. 277–278, 301]

Elizabeth Powell's petition went to the Court on 23 August 1772. John Sage, a destitute seaman left sick by the Devonshire, was treated and clothed for £7 1s 9d in October 1773, the Council noting his father's means and his brother's haberdasher's shop in Cheapside so the Court could recover the cost. Officers' widows received the Military Fund allowance: Elizabeth Caldwell from June 1776, Eleanor Shirley by a consultation of 3 February 1777, after the affidavit of the widow Shirley, and Mary Bazett, widow of Lieutenant John Bazett, in 1777. Mary Hunt of Bengal left £1,000 0s 0d to the island's poor, paid to James Hutchinson as attorney for Sir Charles Raymond; in 1777 the Council proposed that the Court collect it in London, and in August 1778, on instructions from Raymond and Edward Lord Chick, it drew the sum from the treasury and distributed it among poor widows and orphans. [Film No. 33, 86, 219, 246, 259, 276, 300–301, 308, 313]

James Farrell resigned as surgeon's mate in January 1774 and sailed in March, and the Council, unable to find a successor, asked the Court to send one in August 1774. The Eagle packet arrived in April 1774 after five months with her crew very sick and was sent on to Fort St George; her surgeon John Roberts sailed home in August 1774. In April 1774 a surgeon's mate was transferred between ships only with both commanders' consent. An epidemic cold struck most inhabitants in 1778, and in August 1778 the surgeon, recorded as Mr Strond, asked for an electrical machine to treat illnesses in the garrison. Patrick Newman, a seaman of the Earl Talbot left sick in hospital in 1779, cost £9 6s 0d, recoverable from the owners. [Film No. 96–97, 104, 106, 132–133, 302, 317, 345]

Personalities

Noquedah Pocolam, a free Malay boat master whom the Court allowed to go home, refused a passage to Bencoolen in July 1772 without first seeing England; as Roquedah Pookollam, described as a prisoner, he sailed under the Court's letter of 8 January 1772 in the Queen in June 1778, Captain Douglas receiving £20 0s 0d and promising him a cabin at his own table. Sir John Strachan, Baronet, was saluted with 13 guns on landing and embarking on 24 October 1772. Passengers included Josias Du Pré of Madras and John Cartier of Bengal in May 1773, Sir Robert Fletcher in July 1773, a Mr Imhoff and a Mr Grand, perhaps Christoph von Imhoff and George Francis Grand, in the Marquis of Rockingham in July 1773, the Armenian Mr Chettiman in March 1774, Sir Robert Barker, former commander-in-chief in Bengal, in May 1774, Lady Fletcher in May 1777, Major Rennell, probably James Rennell, in September and November 1777, Lady Clavering in March 1778 and the Spaniard Don Diego de Sotano in May 1778. Philip Mahony, his pension paid to 30 May 1779, and Lieutenant Upton sailed home in the whaler London in 1779. [Film No. 20, 35, 62, 67, 76, 79, 99, 118, 256, 277, 282, 285, 304, 312–313, 342]

Conclusion

Between June 1772 and October 1779 the Council governed a garrison island dependent on passing ships for men, food, coin and news, through drought from 1769 to 1772, recovery from 1773 and renewed drought in 1779, and through peace, the American war and the French war. [Film No. 6–361]

Film No	Page No.	OCR Transcription	Modern Interpretation and analysis
1		EAP 1364 St Helena Document Name and Date St Helena Records 1772 - 1773 Dimensions (height x width x depth) (cm) (H) 47.5cm (W) 31.5cm (D) 7cm No. written pages: 483 No. blank pages: 1 Spine and cover Good Condition. Minor Insect boring Inside pages Good Condition. Foxing present. Pages are not numbered Additional comments Time taken to photograph (hours) 5 hours
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6	1	To the Honoble. & Honorable Sirs Our last Letter waited on you by the Ship York under date of the 7th May 1772. On the 5th inst. Arrived the Grenville from China (last from the Cape) and the day following the Queen and Salisbury also from China. Captn. Abercromby informs Us Your Ships Anson, Triton, Greenwich & Fox had Arrived at, and Sailed from the Cape, And that he left the Duke of Albany in Bay False when he Sailed from that Place. We have granted a Set of Bills to Daniel Corneille Esqr. for £ 77 . 17 payable to Messrs. Stainforth Leborne & Stainforth drawn at ninety days sight and dated this day. The only Passenger on board the Salisbury is Mr. Stone. We have given Captn. Abercromby an Order to receive on board his Ship the following Invalid Soldiers received from England by the Lord Camden, Joseph Sulivan having the Phrensy, Wm. Brotherton Lame by a fall in England and Thomas Hunt having a Fracture of the Vertebra. We also gave Captn. Abercromby an Order to receive on board the Grenville William Heyton another Invalid Soldier received last Year from England having the Rheumatism. Such Recruits are attended with great Expence in sending them out, and when they Arrive here cannot be of any Service to the Garrison, which lays Us under the necessity of putting you to a further Charge in sending them Back again, And have for that purpose have paid Captain Abercromby £ 20 - for their Passage, his receipt together with the Surgeons Certificate go herewith, Also an Instrument in writing that they will not demand any Wages for their Passage home. We have permitted Captn. Abercromby to touch at Ascension to get Turtle for the refreshment of his Ships Company agreeable to his request. We are Honoble. Sirs Your most Obt. & humble Servants (signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Parling M. Bazett St. Helena 11th June 1772.	1: The Council had last written to the Court by the York on [...] May 1772. 2: The Grenville arrived from China by way of the Cape on 5 June, and the Queen and the Salisbury, also from China, the next day. Captain Abercromby reported that the Anson, Triton, Greenwich and Fox had reached the Cape and sailed again. He had left the Duke of Albany in False Bay when he sailed from there. 3: The Council granted Daniel Corneille a set of bills for £77 17s 0d, payable to Messrs Stainforth, Lybourne and Stainforth at 90 days' sight and dated that day. 4: The only passenger aboard the Salisbury was Mrs Stone. 5: The Council ordered Captain Abercromby to take aboard three invalid soldiers who had come out from England in the Lord Camden. Joseph Sullivan was insane, William Brotherton had been lamed by a fall in England, and Thomas Hunt had a fractured spine. It also ordered him to take aboard the Grenville William Heyton, another invalid sent out the year before, who suffered from rheumatism. Recruits of this kind cost the Company heavily to send out and were of no use to the garrison when they arrived. The Council was therefore obliged to put the Court to the further expense of sending them back. It had paid Captain Abercromby £20 0s 0d for their passage and enclosed his receipt and the surgeon's certificate. It also enclosed a written undertaking by the men that they would claim no wages for the voyage home. 6: At Captain Abercromby's request, the Council allowed him to call at Ascension to take on turtle for the refreshment of his crew. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Purling and Matthew Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 11 June 1772. Interpretations The Council's complaint was aimed at the recruiting in England, not at the men themselves. Recruiters were paid by the head and had every reason to pass men who were mad, lame or crippled. The Company then paid twice: once to ship them out, and again to send them home when the island found them useless. The Council could have kept the men on the strength in some light duty, but chose to return them and make the cost visible to the Court. The undertaking that they would claim no wages for the passage was its safeguard. Otherwise a discharged soldier could argue that he remained in the Company's pay until he landed in England. A commander needed the Council's leave to call at Ascension because any deviation from the set route affected the ship's insurance and the terms of her charter party. Green turtle came ashore on Ascension to breed between December and May. Ships took them aboard alive as fresh meat against scurvy on the last leg of the voyage home.
7	2	List of the Honorable Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Grenville dated the 11th June 1772 No. 1 Governor & Councils General Letter Dated the 11th June 1772 2 Duplicate Do. & Do. Do. the 7th May Do. 3 Do. Do. & Do. Do. the 21 Do. Do. relg. to Law matters 4 Consultations from the 25 May to the 11th June Do. 5 Duplicate Do. from the 18 to the 21 Do. Do. 6 First Receipt from the Packet p Ship York 7 Second Do. for Do. p Ship Horsendon 8 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship York 9 Effective State of the Garrison 10 Cash Account from the 22 to the 21st May 1772 11 Do. Do. from the 1 to the 11 June Do. 12 Duplicate Do. from the 16th to the 21 May Do. 13 Ship Grenville's Accts. 14 Duplicate Ship York's Do. 15 Do. Proceedings of the last Quarterly Sessions held on the 29th Apl. 1772 16 Abstract of the Cargoes of Ships Grenville Queen & Salisbury 17 Time of the Arrival of Ships Boats at Banks's 18 Captn. Abercromby's First Receipt for £ 20 - 19 Instrument in writing from four Invalid Soldiers 20 Surgeons Certificate of Do. Do. To the Honble. & Honorable Sirs On the 11th inst. we addressed you by the Ship Grenville that Sailed from hence this day We have granted a Set of Bills to John Skottowe Esqr. for £ 600 - payable to Captn. Nicholas Skottowe, or Order	The Council sent the following documents to the Court in its packet by the Grenville, dated 11 June 1772. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 11 June 1772 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 2 May 1772 3: Duplicate of the general letter of 21 May 1772, relating to a legal matter 4: Consultations from 25 May to 11 June 1772 5: Duplicate consultations from 18 to 21 May 1772 6: First receipt for the packet sent by the York 7: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Horsendon 8: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the York 9: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 10: Cash account from 22 April to 21 May 1772 11: Cash account from 1 to 11 June 1772 12: Duplicate cash account from 16 to 21 May 1772 13: Account of the ship Grenville 14: Duplicate account of the ship York 15: Proceedings of the last quarterly sessions, held on 29 April 1772 16: Abstract of the cargoes of the Grenville, the Queen and the Salisbury 17: Times of arrival of ships' boats at Banks's 18: Captain Abercromby's first receipt for £20 0s 0d 19: Written undertaking by four invalid soldiers 20: Surgeon's certificate for the same four soldiers The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: It had written to the Court on 11 June by the Grenville, which sailed from the island that day. 2: It had granted John Skottowe a set of bills for £600 0s 0d, payable to Captain Nicholas Skottowe or his order. Interpretations The packet list shows how the Council guarded its correspondence against loss at sea. Every important letter, consultation and account went home at least twice, by different ships. The receipts from the commanders of the York and the Horsendon were sent back so that the Court could confirm that each earlier packet had been handed over. The Court then knew exactly what to expect and could ask for any copy that failed to arrive. The Governor remitted £600 0s 0d to Captain Nicholas Skottowe, probably a kinsman acting as his agent in England. The sum was a year's salary as Governor. It was presumably drawn from his savings on the island and sent home through the Company's bills, as other officers sent theirs.
8	3	drawn at ninety days sight and dated this day 3. We are sorry to inform you we have had but an indifferent Summer Season, however since that Period we have had some Rain which has been of great Service to the Plantations tho' not to the Country in general, the Herbage being short, consequently the Cattle but Lean. 4. Captns. Stainforth and Bromfield requesting Liberty to call at Ascension to get Turtle for the refreshment of their Ships Company's, We have permitted them to touch there for that Purpose. 5. This Letter waits on you by the Ship Queen Copy of which we transmit p the Salisbury. We are Honorable Sirs Your most Obedt. & humble Servants (signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Parling M. Bazett St. Helena 13th June 1772 List of the Honoble. Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Queen dated the 13th June 1772 1 Governor and Councils General Letter dated the 13th June 1772 2 Duplicate Do. and Do. dated the 11th Do. Do. 3 Consultation of the 13th Do. Do. 4 Duplicate Do. from the 25th May to the 11th Do. Do. 5 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Grenville 6 Second Do. for Do. p Ship York 7 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Grenville 8 Effective State of the Garrison 9 Cash Account from the 12 to the 13th June 1772	Bills were drawn at 90 days' sight and dated that day. 3: The Council regretted to report a poor summer season. Some rain had fallen since, which had greatly helped the plantations but not the island as a whole. Grass was short, and the cattle were consequently thin. 4: Captains Stainforth and Bromfield had asked leave to call at Ascension for turtle to refresh their crews. The Council allowed them to do so. 5: This letter was going by the Queen, and a copy by the Salisbury. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Purling and Matthew Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 13 June 1772. The Council sent the following documents to the Court in its packet by the Queen, dated 13 June 1772. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 13 June 1772 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 11 June 1772 3: Consultation of 13 June 1772 4: Duplicate consultations from 25 May to 11 June 1772 5: First receipt for the packet sent by the Grenville 6: Second receipt for the packet sent by the York 7: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Grenville 8: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 9: Cash account from 12 to 13 June 1772 Interpretations The Council's report on the season mattered to the Court because the island's beef depended on its own grass. St Helena's summer ran from December to March, and dry months then meant thin pasture through the following winter. Lean cattle gave less meat and fetched less from the ships, and the garrison drew more heavily on imported salt beef and pork as a result. A poor summer was thus an early warning of higher costs to come. It also explains the Council's later care to limit planters' sales of bulls and to count the island's herds before each year's demands were set.
9	4	10 Duplicate Cash Account from the 22 to the 31 May 1772 11 Do. Do. from the 1 to the 11 June Do. 12 Ship Queen's Account 13 Ship Salisbury's Do. 14 Duplicate Ship Grenville's Do. 15 Captn. Abercromby's Receipt for £ 20 - 16 Duplicate Surgeons Certificate of four Invalid Soldiers To the Honoble. & Honoble. Sirs We Addressed your Honors the 13th instant by the Ship Queen that Sailed this day in Company with the Salisbury. And We now take the opportunity by the same Ships to inform you the Grosvenor and Duke of Richmond are just arrived from China but the Officers that came on shore in the Boats we can learn no news. We are Honorable Sirs Your most Obedt. & humble Servants (signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Parling M. Bazett St. Helena 16th June 1772 To the Honble. & Honoble. Sirs 1. By the Ship Queen that Sailed from hence in Company with the Salisbury, we wrote last to you under date of the 16th inst. The same day Arrived a Dane Ship from Bengal called the Kingdom	10: Duplicate cash account from 22 to 31 May 1772 11: Duplicate cash account from 1 to 11 June 1772 12: Account of the ship Queen 13: Account of the ship Salisbury 14: Duplicate account of the ship Grenville 15: Captain Abercromby's receipt for £20 0s 0d 16: Duplicate surgeon's certificate for four invalid soldiers The Council wrote a short further letter to the Court. It had written on 13 June by the Queen, which sailed that day in company with the Salisbury. By the same ships it reported that the Grosvenor and the Duke of Richmond had just arrived from China. The officers who had come ashore in the ships' boats brought no news. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Purling and Matthew Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 16 June 1772. The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone on 16 June by the Queen, which sailed in company with the Salisbury. The same day a Danish ship arrived from Bengal. Interpretations The Council wrote even to say that it had nothing to report. A second letter in the same ships told the Court which vessels had reached the island since the first was sealed. The Court used these notices to follow the safe progress of its homeward fleet. The news that the Grosvenor and the Duke of Richmond had arrived would reach London weeks before the ships themselves, and would let the Company's agents and the ships' owners plan for their cargoes.
10	5	Kingdoms Wish Captn. Hardson burthen 600 Tons carry's 18 Guns and 75 Men loaden with Bengal Goods bound to Copenhagen, And the 19th your Ship Talbot from China, Sir Charles Hudson informs Us he spoke with the Lord North as was coming round the Cape of good hope going into Bay False, all well. 2. By this opportunity we transmit you our Indents for what Stores we shall want the ensuing Year together with the List of remains &c. The Ship Lord Camden Arriving after the Period fixed for taking the List of remains, her Stores could not be inserted in the General List, they are therefore Entered separately. 3. We request your Honors will be pleased to send next Year 120 recruits to compleat the Establishment of the respective Company's of this Garrison. 4. Yesterday Arrived a French Ship from Mauritius called the Le Sage, Captn. Baron De Clugny, with a Company of a Regiment of Royal De Comtois, which she is carrying to France. As Amity at present subsists between the two Nations We have permitted the Captn. and Officers to come into the Town but have Ordered the Soldiers and Ships Company to be kept on board, except such of the Latter that may be wanted for watering and other Business of the Ship. 5. Mr. Walton is the only Passenger on board the Talbot. 6. Captn. Saunders requesting Leave to call at Ascension to get Turtle for the further refreshment of his Ships Company We have permitted him to touch there for that purpose. We are Honoble. Sirs Your most Obt. & humble Servants (signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Parling M. Bazett St. Helena 22 June 1772	The Danish ship was the Kingdom's Wish, under Captain Handson. She was of 600 tons, carried 18 guns and a crew of 75, and was bound for Copenhagen with a cargo of Bengal goods. The Company's ship Talbot arrived from China on 19 June. Sir Charles Hudson reported that he had spoken the Lord North as she was rounding the Cape of Good Hope into False Bay, and that all was well aboard her. 2: The Council enclosed its indents for the stores it would need in the coming year, with the list of stores remaining. The Lord Camden had arrived after the date fixed for drawing up the list of remains, so her stores could not be included in the general list and were entered separately. 3: The Council asked the Court to send 120 recruits the following year to bring the companies of the garrison up to their established strength. 4: A French ship from Mauritius, Le Sage, under Captain the Baron de Clugny, had arrived on 21 June. She was carrying a company of the Royal-Comtois regiment home to France. Since the two nations were at peace, the Council allowed the captain and his officers to come into the town. It ordered the soldiers and the ship's crew to be kept aboard, apart from any seamen needed for watering and the other business of the ship. 5: Mr Walton was the only passenger aboard the Talbot. 6: Captain Saunders had asked leave to call at Ascension for turtle to refresh his crew further, and the Council allowed him to do so. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Purling and Matthew Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 22 June 1772. Interpretations The Council passed over the ordinary hospitality shown to a friendly nation's ship, which would have let her people come ashore freely. It received the French officers as gentlemen but kept the soldiers and crew aboard. The reason lay in what the ship carried: a full company of regular French infantry. Britain and France had been at war only ten years before, and the island's garrison was then well below strength, as the Council's request for 120 recruits in the same letter made plain. Allowing an armed company to walk freely through Jamestown would have shown a former enemy the town's defences and might have tempted a surprise. Keeping them aboard cost nothing and broke no rule of courtesy. The Kingdom's Wish was the third Danish East Indiaman whose size, guns and crew the Council recorded in this period. The Danish trade from Bengal and Canton was a direct rival to the Company's own.
11	6	List of the Honoble. Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Grosvenor dated the 22 June 1772 viz. No. 1 Governor & Councils General Letter dated the 22 June 1772 2 Duplicate Do. & Do. dated the 13th Do. Do. 3 Do. Do. & Do. dated the 16 Do. Do. 4 Consultations from the 13th to the 22 Do. Do. 5 Duplicate Do. of the 13 Do. Do. 6 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Queen 7 Do. Do. for a small Paper Packet p Ship Salisbury 8 Second Do. for the Packet p Ship Grenville 9 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Queen 10 Effective State of the Garrison 11 Cash Account from the 14 to the 22 June 1772 12 Duplicate Do. from the 12 to the 13 Do. Do. 13 Ship Grosvenors Account 14 Duplicate Ship Queen's Do. 15 Do. Ship Salisbury's Do. 16 Indent of Stores wanted for the Service of the Year 1773 17 Do. of Medicines Do. Do. Do. 18 List of Stores remaining in the Honble. Compys. Ware Houses 30th Apl. 1772 19 Do. of Garrison Stores Do. Do. Do. Do. 20 Do. of Artillery Stores Do. from 1 Oct. 1771 to the 30th Do. Do. 21 Time of Ships Boats Arrival at Banks's 22 Abstract of the Cargoes of Ships Grosvenor Duke of Richmond & Talbot To the Honoble. & Honoble. Sirs 1. We wrote last to you the 22 instant by the Ship Grosvenor that Sailed from hence Yesterday 2. We have given Captn. Hindman an Order to receive on	The Council sent the following documents to the Court in its packet by the Grosvenor, dated 22 June 1772. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 22 June 1772 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 16 June 1772 3: Duplicate of the general letter of 13 June 1772 4: Consultations from 15 to 22 June 1772 5: Duplicate consultation of 13 June 1772 6: First receipt for the packet sent by the Queen 7: First receipt for a small paper packet sent by the Salisbury 8: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Grenville 9: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Queen 10: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 11: Cash account from 14 to 22 June 1772 12: Duplicate cash account from 12 to 13 June 1772 13: Account of the ship Grosvenor 14: Duplicate account of the ship Queen 15: Duplicate account of the ship Salisbury 16: Indent of stores wanted for the year 1773 17: Indent of medicines wanted for the year 1773 18: List of stores remaining in the Company's warehouses on 30 April 1772 19: List of garrison stores remaining on 30 April 1772 20: List of artillery stores from 1 October 1771 to 30 April 1772 21: Times of arrival of ships' boats at Banks's 22: Abstract of the cargoes of the Grosvenor, the Duke of Richmond and the Talbot The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone on 22 June by the Grosvenor, which had sailed the previous day. 2: The Council had given Captain Hindman an order to take on board certain persons or goods, which the letter went on to specify. Interpretations The indents of stores and medicines for 1773 were the island's annual order to the Company. They had to reach London by the autumn for the goods to be bought, packed and loaded in the outward ships of the following season, which would arrive at St Helena about a year after the order was sent. The lists of stores remaining on 30 April, the end of the island's accounting year, gave the Court the evidence to test each indent against what was already in the warehouses.
12	7	on board his Ship John Conhier, Bryan Lynch, Carolus Siebert Richard Parker, John Stewart, William Morgan, Samuel Redding Michael Perkins, Robert Eliot, Robert Boyce, John Saunders William Harris, and James Sheppard, thirteen Invalid Soldiers. John Stewart, William Harris & Bryan Lynch we recommend as proper objects to be put on the Military Fund, Stewart from his Age and long Services, Harris from a Fistula of a long Standing and Lynch from a fall when at the Company's Works. We have given them Certificates Authenticated in the Manner you have been pleased to direct, and have paid Captain Hindman £ 65 for the Passage of the Thirteen Invalids, they have signed an Instrument that they will not demand any Wages for their Voyage, which goes in the Packet, together with Captain Hindmans Receipt and Stewarts, Harris's and Lynch's Certificates. 3. Agreeable to Captain Hindmans request we have permitted him to touch at Ascension to get Turtle for the Refreshment of his Ships Compy. We are Honoble. Sirs Your most Obedient & humble Servants (signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Parling M. Bazett St. Helena 24th June 1772	The Council's order directed Captain Hindman to take aboard his ship 13 invalid soldiers: John Conker, Bryan Lynch, Carolus Seibert, Richard Parker, John Stewart, William Morgan, Samuel Redding, Michael Perkins, Robert Eliot, Robert Boyce, John Saunders, William Harris and James Sheppard. The Council recommended three of them as suitable to be placed on the Military Fund. John Stewart qualified through his age and long service, William Harris through a fistula of long standing, and Bryan Lynch through a fall while working on the Company's works. It gave these three certificates authenticated in the form the Court had directed. It paid Captain Hindman £65 0s 0d for the passage of all 13 invalids. The men had signed an undertaking that they would claim no wages for the voyage. The undertaking went in the packet with Captain Hindman's receipt and the certificates for Stewart, Harris and Lynch. 3: At Captain Hindman's request, the Council allowed him to call at Ascension for turtle to refresh his crew. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Purling and Matthew Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 24 June 1772. Interpretations The Military Fund was the pension fund for the Company's disabled soldiers, set up in 1770 with money left by Lord Clive. It paid a pension to men worn out or injured in the Company's service. A certificate from the Governor and Council, in the form the Court required, was the only way a soldier from St Helena could claim it. The Council did not recommend all 13 men. It chose the three whose disability came from long service or from injury on the Company's own work, and left the others, whose infirmities perhaps predated their enlistment, to make their own way home. Lynch's fall while working on the fortifications made his claim especially strong, since the injury had been suffered in the Company's labour rather than in his own time.
13	8	List of the Honoble. Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Duke of Richmond dated the 24th June 1772 No. 1 Governor and Councils General Letter dated the 24th June 1772 2 Duplicate Do. and Do. dated the 22 Do. Do. 3 Duplicate Consultations from 13 to the 22 Do. Do. 4 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Grosvenor 5 Second Do. for Do. p Ship Queen 6 Do. Do. for a Small Paper Do. p Ship Salisbury 7 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Grosvenor 8 Effective State of the Garrison 9 Cash Account from the 23 to the 24th June 1772 10 Duplicate Do. from the 14 to the 22 Do. Do. 11 Ship Duke of Richmond's Account 12 Duplicate Ships Grosvenors Do. 13 Do. Indent of Stores wanted for the Service of the Year 1773 14 Do. Do. of Medicines Do. 15 List of Stores remaining in the Honble. Compys. Ware Houses 30th Apl. 1772 16 Do. Do. of Garrison Stores Do. Do. 17 Captn. Hindman's First Receipt for £ 65 - 18 Surgeons Certificate of 13 Invalid Soldiers 19 Instrument in writing from Do. 20 Governor & Councils Certificate of John Stewart, William Harris and Bryan Lynch Invalids, recommended to be put upon the Military Fund. To the Honoble. & Honorable Sirs 1. We addressed you last on the 24th instant by the Ship Duke of Richmond that sailed from hence the day following 2. We have granted the following Bills of Exchange	The Council sent the following documents to the Court in its packet by the Duke of Richmond, dated 24 June 1772. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 24 June 1772 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 22 June 1772 3: Duplicate consultations from 15 to 22 June 1772 4: First receipt for the packet sent by the Grosvenor 5: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Queen 6: Second receipt for a small paper packet sent by the Salisbury 7: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Grosvenor 8: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 9: Cash account from 23 to 24 June 1772 10: Duplicate cash account from 14 to 22 June 1772 11: Account of the ship Duke of Richmond 12: Duplicate account of the ship Grosvenor 13: Duplicate indent of stores wanted for the year 1773 14: Duplicate indent of medicines wanted for the year 1773 15: Duplicate list of stores remaining in the Company's warehouses on 30 April 1772 16: Duplicate list of garrison stores remaining on 30 April 1772 17: Captain Hindman's first receipt for £65 0s 0d 18: Surgeon's certificate for 13 invalid soldiers 19: Written undertaking by the same 13 soldiers 20: The Governor and Council's certificates for John Stewart, William Harris and Bryan Lynch, invalids recommended for the Military Fund The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone on 24 June by the Duke of Richmond, which sailed the following day. 2: The Council had granted the following bills of exchange.
14	9	One Set to Mr. Matthew Parling for £ 100 payable to Captn. Thos. Hindman, And One set to Mr. Willm. Wrangham for £ 152 . 16 . 3 payable to Mr. Pitt Collet, both drawn at ninety days sight and dated this day. We are Honorable Sirs Your most Obedt. & humble Servts. (signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Parling M. Bazett St. Helena 27th June 1772 List of the Honble. Compys. Packet from St. Helena p Ship Talbot dated the 27th June 1772 No. 1 Governor and Councils Genl. Letter dated the 27th June 1772 2 Duplicate Do. & Do. dated the 24 Do. Do. 3 Consultation of the 27th Do. Do. 4 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Duke of Richmond 5 Second Do. for Do. p Ship Grosvenor 6 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Duke of Richmond 7 Effective State of the Garrison 8 Cash Account from the 25 to the 27th June 1772 9 Duplicate Do. from the 23 to the 24 Do. Do. 10 Ship Talbots Account 11 Duplicate Ship Duke of Richmond's Account 12 Captn. Hindman's Second Receipt for £ 65. 13 Duplicate Surgeons Certificate of 13 Invalid Soldrs. 14 Do. List of Artillery Stores remaining the 30th Apl. 1772	The Council granted one set of bills to Matthew Purling for £100 0s 0d, payable to Captain Thomas Hindman, and one set to William Wrangham for £152 16s 3d, payable to Pitt Collet. Both were drawn at 90 days' sight and dated that day. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Purling and Matthew Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 27 June 1772. The Council sent the following documents to the Court in its packet by the Talbot, dated 27 June 1772. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 27 June 1772 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 24 June 1772 3: Consultation of 27 June 1772 4: First receipt for the packet sent by the Duke of Richmond 5: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Grosvenor 6: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Duke of Richmond 7: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 8: Cash account from 25 to 27 June 1772 9: Duplicate cash account from 23 to 24 June 1772 10: Account of the ship Talbot 11: Duplicate account of the ship Duke of Richmond 12: Captain Hindman's second receipt for £65 0s 0d 13: Duplicate surgeon's certificate for 13 invalid soldiers 14: Duplicate list of artillery stores remaining on 30 April 1772 Interpretations Matthew Purling, a member of Council, made his bill payable to Captain Thomas Hindman, who had just sailed in the Duke of Richmond. Purling was evidently settling a private debt to the commander, perhaps for goods Hindman had sold him from his private trade. A bill on the Company in London was the easiest way to pay a commander who could not take the island's scarce coin and would anyway be home before the bill fell due.
15	10	To the Honoble. & Honoble. Sirs 1. Our last Letter waited on you by the Talbot that Sailed from hence the 28th June 1772. 2. On the 11 instant Arrived the Lord Holland from Madrass and the day after the Lord North also from Madrass (last from the Cape) We are informed that the Deptford had sailed from Madrass a fortnight before the Lord Holland, And the Hector had been at the Cape and Sailed from thence before the Lord North. 3. The 2d of this Month Arrived your Ship Earl of Sandwich by which opportunity we received your Letter of the 25th March last. The ten working days allowed for unloading this Ship being expired, We gave Captn. Deane Sailing Orders to proceed on his Voyage to Bencoolen. 4. William England whom you mentioned in the 4 & 5 Para. of your last General Letter, was not recommended to be put on the Military Fund as he did not appear to Us to be a proper Object for that Charity, having only been in the Garrison sixteen Months and most part of that time in the Hospital occasioned by Rheumatick Pains, and reported by the Surgeon incurable. As to what he has alledged in regard to the Accident by which he has informed you he was Invalided; is intirely an imposition on his part, as there was no other of your Soldiers suffered from the fall of the Ledge at Munden's Point, but Oliver whom we therefore thought a proper object for that Bounty, and another man who was killed upon the Spot by the said Accident. And We apprehend since we received your Orders respecting the Establishment of the Military Fund We have always given such Invalids as we thought real Objects of that Charity the proper Documents agreable to your instructions, which are very different from the Discharges given by the Governor to Invalids not intitled to that Fund. 6. The Governor begs leave to return his thanks to the Honoble.	1: The Council's last letter had gone by the Talbot, which sailed from the island on 28 June 1772. 2: The Lord Holland arrived from Madras on 11 July, and the Lord North, also from Madras by way of the Cape, the next day. The Council learned that the Deptford had sailed from Madras a fortnight before the Lord Holland. The Hector had been at the Cape and left before the Lord North. 3: The Company's ship Earl of Sandwich had arrived on 2 July and brought the Court's letter of 25 March. The ten working days allowed for unloading her had run out, and the Council gave Captain Deane sailing orders to continue his voyage to Bencoolen. 4: The Court had mentioned William England in the fourth and fifth paragraphs of its last general letter. The Council had not recommended him for the Military Fund, since it did not consider him a proper object of that charity. He had served in the garrison for only 16 months and spent most of that time in the hospital with rheumatic pains, which the surgeon reported as incurable. His claim that he had been invalided by an accident was wholly false. Only one of the Company's soldiers, Oliver, had been injured by the fall of the ledge at Munden's Point, and the Council had judged him a proper object of the bounty. Another man had been killed outright by the same fall. Ever since the Court's orders on the Military Fund had arrived, the Council had given the proper documents, as instructed, to every invalid it judged a genuine object of the charity. Those documents were quite different from the ordinary discharges the Governor gave to invalids who were not entitled to the fund. 5: The Governor asked leave to return his thanks to the Court. Interpretations William England had evidently reached London and applied to the Military Fund on his own account, claiming an injury in the Company's service that the Council had refused to certify. The Court asked why he had not been recommended. The Council's answer defended its role as gatekeeper of the fund. A pension was meant for men disabled in the Company's work, and England's rheumatism had come on in barely a year and a half of service, much of it spent in bed. The Council could check his story against its own records: the collapse at Munden's Point was a known event, and only two men had been caught in it. Its point about the two kinds of paper mattered as much. An ordinary discharge proved only that a man had left the service. Only the Council's special certificate opened the fund, and without it any discharged soldier could try his luck in London with an invented account of his injury. Munden's Point was a fortified headland on the eastern side of James Bay, guarding the approach to the roads. Its batteries were cut into the cliff, and the fall of a rock ledge there shows the danger of the work on the island's fortifications.
16	11	Honoble. the Court of Directors for their Candid decision in the affair between Mr. Corneille and him, as well as for the Polite manner in which they have approved of his conduct in that transaction; And assures them, that if he finds it necessary to exert his Authority, to prevent its being encroached on by the Lieut. Governor, he shall govern himself with the like moderation he did in the late transaction, but at the same time he shall give Mr. Corneille to understand, that he will not suffer him to assume any authority in this Garrison unbecoming his Station as second in Command that he has no right to. And as he regulates his future Conduct, he shall at all times meet with a suitable return from the Governor. 6. Mr. Corneille begs leave in answer to the 7th Paragraph of General Letter per Earl of Sandwich to assure the Honorable the Court of Directors, that it has given him much concern that any part of his Conduct should have drawn upon him their disapprobation, or displeasure, as he can assure their Honors, and also the Governor, that his conduct in that affair proceeded entirely from an Error in judgment, and not from any motive of disrespect to Mr. Skottowe, or wish to take upon himself any authority unbecoming his Station; He therefore conscious of not having acted from the above motives, readily takes this Publick manner of apologizing to the Governor for his mistaken Conduct in that affair, and hopes that they Honorable the Court of Directors will be assured that his Chief Study is to deserve their approbation and flatters himself that this undesigned error in him will not leave any unfavourable impression on his Honorable Employers. 7. Captain Tippet requested Liberty to have the following Paragraph inserted in this Letter in answer to what relates to him in the 7th Paragh. of your general Letter by Earl of Sandwich. "Captain Tippet prompted by a just sense of Duty and respect is in gratitude held to return the Honoble. the Court of Directors his most sincere thanks for the impartial attention paid, to the case referred to in the 7th Paragraph of the General Letter, yet would not be	The Governor thanked the Court of Directors for its fair decision in the dispute between Daniel Corneille and himself, and for the courteous way in which it had approved his conduct. He assured the Court that, if he ever found it necessary to use his authority to stop the Lieutenant Governor encroaching on it, he would act with the same restraint he had shown in that affair. At the same time he would make it clear to Corneille that he would not allow him to assume any authority in the garrison that did not belong to his position as second in command. As long as Corneille governed his future conduct accordingly, the Governor would always treat him with suitable regard. 6: Corneille answered the seventh paragraph of the Court's general letter by the Earl of Sandwich. He assured the Court that he was much concerned to have drawn its disapproval or displeasure by any part of his conduct. He assured the Court, and the Governor, that his conduct in that affair had come entirely from an error of judgement. It had not come from any disrespect towards Governor Skottowe, or from any wish to take on authority unsuited to his position. Conscious that he had not acted from such motives, he readily took this public way of apologising to the Governor for his mistaken conduct. He hoped the Court would be assured that his chief aim was to deserve its approval, and that this unintended error would leave no unfavourable impression on his employers. 7: Captain Tippet asked leave to insert a paragraph in the letter answering what the seventh paragraph of the Court's general letter by the Earl of Sandwich had said about him. Out of a sense of duty and respect, and in gratitude, he returned his most sincere thanks to the Court for the impartial attention it had given to the case. He went on to add a further point. Interpretations The Council's general letter was a joint document, signed by every member, yet here the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor and Captain Tippet each used it to answer the Court on his own behalf. A quarrel over authority between Governor Skottowe and Daniel Corneille had evidently been referred to London, and the Court had ruled for the Governor. The ordinary course would have been for Corneille to write privately to the Court. He chose instead to apologise to the Governor in the Council's own letter, over his own signature and in front of his colleagues. A public apology entered in the official record closed the matter on the island as well as in London. It also allowed the Governor's warning to stand beside it, so that the Court could see both men's positions settled. The dispute turned on the line between the Governor's command of the garrison and the Lieutenant Governor's role as captain of the First Company and second in command. On a small island with no higher authority nearer than London, the Court's ruling was the only way such a question could be decided.
17	12	be thought to Arrogate any thing to myself on this your Candid determination. If I have ever deviated from a due serenity of mind during a long course of seventeen Years Servitude, it has been when presumptive insolence, has not only insulted my Public Character as a Gentleman and an Officer, but shewn a total disrespect to the Service in general, this naturally leads me to the complaint of John Robins Armour, referred to in the said Paragraph, Gentlemen, his insolence was not only daringly provoking in words, of which he well understood the Vulgar use, but his menaces likewise were very Extravagant, it is true he did not strike me with his Hammer, but raised it above his head, in the most outbraving manner, Insinuating by signs his inward intentions. I far very far from being Impetuous of Temper, or Retentive of Injuries, I can truly assert that I never appeared but twice against Soldiers in all my Life at Court-Martials, suffer me to add, that I make no doubt of demeaning myself with all that moderation and evenness of Temper, that may be found necessary in every department wherein I may have the Honor to be Employed. Mr. William Roberts the Town Adjutant whom you have been pleased to make allowances adequate to those of a Lieut. has been made acquainted therewith, for which he begs leave to return your Honors his humble thanks. 9. We are very sorry that the judgement of death pronounced against Andrew Tetherich as principal, and Stephen Swenson as accessary has not been agreable to Law, and in consequence of your Solicitors opinion on that head we have had recourse to the Indict ment on which the said principal and Accessary were brought to their Trial, and find that your Ware houses were not made a part of the dwelling House appropriated for the Governors Habitation as we now apprehend ought to have been particularly Specified in the said Indictment to have made Tetherich forcible entry Burglary. this gives Us much concern, and the more so, as we must	Tippet would not wish to be thought to claim any credit from the Court's fair judgement. If he had ever lost his composure in 17 years of service, it was only when presumptuous insolence had insulted his public character as a gentleman and an officer and shown disrespect to the service as a whole. This brought him to the complaint against John Robins, the armourer, referred to in the same paragraph. Robins had not only provoked him boldly with words, whose coarse meaning he well understood, but had also made extravagant threats. It was true that Robins did not strike him with his hammer. He had, however, raised it above his head in the most outrageous manner and made plain by signs what he meant to do. Tippet was far from hot-tempered or inclined to hold a grudge. He could truly say that he had appeared only twice in his whole life as a complainant against soldiers at courts martial. He was confident that he would conduct himself with all the moderation and evenness of temper needed in any post in which he might be employed. William Roberts, the town adjutant, had been told that the Court had granted him allowances equal to those of a lieutenant, and he asked leave to return his humble thanks. 9: The Council was very sorry that the sentence of death passed on Andrew Tetherich as principal and Stephen Swenson as accessory had not been in accordance with the law. Following the opinion of the Company's solicitor, it had gone back to the indictment on which the two men were tried. It found that the Company's warehouses were not part of the dwelling house set aside as the Governor's residence. That fact, the Council now understood, should have been stated in the indictment for Tetherich's forced entry to count as burglary. This caused the Council much concern, all the more because of a further matter. Interpretations The Council had sentenced two men to death for breaking into the Company's warehouses, treating the offence as burglary, which was then a capital crime. English law defined burglary narrowly as breaking into a dwelling house by night. The warehouses stood apart from the Governor's residence. Unless the indictment had shown them to be part of the dwelling, the break-in was a lesser offence that could not carry the death penalty. The Company's solicitor in London caught the error, and the Council accepted it without argument. On a remote island without trained lawyers, the Council acted as judge and jury under English law, and its sentences could be reviewed only by sending the papers home. The case shows both the reach and the limits of that arrangement: a mistake in a single line of the indictment decided whether two men lived or died. The Court's grant to William Roberts explains a change already visible in the pay lists. From the last quarter of 1772 his pay as town adjutant was set out in salary, diet money and house rent, on the same scale as a lieutenant's.
18	13	must acknowledge how inadequate we are to the nice distinctions and seeming to Us Contradiction of such acts as are made for the Offences. we therefore in Similar cases act according to the best of our judgements and if we err it can only be from a want of a proper Knowledge of a profession, which you must be very Sensible often puzels even those Gentlemen whose line of Education from an early time of Life has been the Study of the Law. 10. Mr. John Pritchard the Surgeon was lying Sick for a considerable time and not being able to attend his Business in that department, We on the application of Mr. James Farrell Surgeons Mate of the Talbot appointed him to do the duty and attend the Hospital, during the Sickness of Mr. Pritchard and as he acted in that employ with Sobriety and diligence we thought it reasonable to make him a allowance for his trouble and attendance and on the death of Mr. Prichard which happened the 10 instant we appointed Mr. Farrel Surgeons Mate in his Stead, he being First Examined and approved of by the Surgeon of the Island to be a very fit Person for that Station, and otherways well recommend as to his Character, which appointment we hope will meet with your approbation. 11. Your Honors will please to observe by a Letter to the Governor Entered in Consultation of the 13 inst. that the Revd. Mr. William Bearcroft desires to Quit the Honble. Company's Service after the Arrival of the next Years Store Ships: We are therefore [...] request that you will send Us a Chaplain to succeed him. 12. Mr. Bradley wishing to have a little time to settle his affairs before his departure resigned your Service on the 13th inst. And Mr. Stroud agreable to your Orders was appointed Surgeon of the Island. 13. As the last Quarters Accounts will not be laid before Us until the 20 instant we cannot transmit any Cash Account than the duplicate of Our last. 14. The Passengers on board the Lord North are, Captain Alcock	The Council had to admit how ill-equipped it was to deal with the fine distinctions, and the apparent contradictions, of the laws governing such offences. In similar cases it acted to the best of its judgement. If it erred, the cause could only be a lack of professional knowledge. The Court would well understand that these questions often puzzled even gentlemen whose education from an early age had been the study of the law. 10: John Pritchard, the surgeon's mate, had been ill for a long time and unable to carry out his duties. At the request of James Farrell, surgeon's mate of the Talbot, the Council appointed Farrell to do Pritchard's duty and attend the hospital during his illness. Farrell had worked with sobriety and diligence, and the Council thought it fair to make him an allowance for his trouble and attendance. On Pritchard's death on 10 July, the Council appointed Farrell surgeon's mate in his place. The island's surgeon had first examined him and found him well fitted for the post, and he was otherwise well recommended in character. The Council hoped the Court would approve the appointment. 11: A letter to the Governor, entered in the consultation of 13 July, showed that the chaplain, William Bearcroft, wished to leave the Company's service after the arrival of the next year's store ships. The Council therefore asked the Court to send out a chaplain to succeed him. 12: Robert Barclay, wishing for a little time to settle his affairs before leaving, had resigned the Company's service on 13 July. In accordance with the Court's orders, Mr Stroud was appointed surgeon of the island. 13: The last quarter's accounts would not be laid before the Council until 20 July, so it could send no cash account other than a duplicate of its last one. 14: The passengers aboard the Lord North were the following. Interpretations The Council's admission that it was out of its depth in law was unusual in a letter meant to show the Court a well-run settlement. It had passed a sentence of death that the Company's solicitor found unlawful, and it chose to explain rather than defend itself. The Governor and Council had no trained lawyer among them, yet they presided over trials under English criminal law. By pleading lack of legal training, the Council implicitly asked the Court for clearer guidance, or a qualified officer, in future capital cases. Paragraph 11 records the very request that Bearcroft later complained had gone unanswered. On 3 May 1773, nearly ten months after this letter, the Council had to tell him that the Court had sent no reply and no successor.
19	14	Alcock, Burgall & Marchand Mrs. Alcock & Mrs. Burgall and Messrs. Cox, Campble, Darrel, Towns, Ellis, Coxbourn, Arnold Newart & Viole, and on board the Lord Holland Esqr. Floyer & Alexander, Messrs. Alexander, Grant and Milner and Mrs. Floyer 15. We have given Captn. Hambly an Order to receive on board his Ship Francis Wainwright an Invalid Soldier, whom We recommend as a proper Object to be put upon the Military Fund, on Account of his being Lame in the thigh which happened in the Company's Service. We have given him the proper Certificates, which goes inclosed. Captn. Hambly refusing to receive the five pounds for Wainwrights Passage here, we request your Honors will settle the same in England. 16. Captn. Burgal applied to Us to pay £ 170 pounds into the Honble. Company's Cash, which Sum we have received and given him Bills drawn upon the Honoble. the Court of Directors payable to himself, & dated this day. We are Honoble. Sirs Your Most Obt. & humble Servants (signed) Jno. Skottowe Danl. Corneille Parling M. Bazett St. Helena 15th July 1772 List of the Honoble. Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Lord North dated the 16th July 1772 viz. No. 1 Governor and Councils General Letter dated the 15th July 1772 2 Do. and Do. Do. dated the 15 Do. Do. relatg. to Law 3 Duplicate Do. and Do. Do. dated the 27 June Do. Matters 4 Consultations from the 29th June to the 15th July Do.	The passengers aboard the Lord North were Captains Alcock, Burgall and Marchand, Mrs Alcock and Mrs Burgall, and Messrs Cow, Campble, Darrel, Towns, Ellis, Cockbourn, Arnold, Stewart and Viole. Aboard the Lord Holland were Mr Floyer and Mr Alexander, Messrs Alexander, Grant and Milner, and Mrs Floyer. 15: The Council ordered Captain Hambly to take aboard his ship Francis Wainwright, an invalid soldier. It recommended him as a proper object for the Military Fund, since he had been lamed in the thigh in the Company's service. It had given him the proper certificates, which were enclosed. Captain Hambly declined to accept £5 0s 0d on the island for Wainwright's passage, so the Council asked the Court to settle it in England. 16: Captain Burgall had asked to pay £170 0s 0d into the Company's treasury. The Council received the money and gave him bills on the Court of Directors, payable to himself and dated that day. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Purling and Matthew Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 15 July 1772. The Council's packet by the Lord North, dated 16 July 1772, began with the following documents. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 15 July 1772 2: Duplicate of the general letter of [...] July 1772, relating to a legal matter 3: Duplicate of the general letter of 27 June 1772 4: Consultations from 29 June to 15 July 1772 Interpretations Francis Wainwright was the private of the Third Company whose pay stopped on 15 July 1772, the day of this letter. His injury in the Company's service was exactly the kind of case the Council had in mind when it refused William England. It recommended Wainwright for the Military Fund in the same letter in which it defended that refusal, which gave the Court a clear example of the line it drew. Captain Hambly's preference to be paid in London rather than on the island was a common choice among commanders. A credit at home was safer than coin, and the Council's treasury was spared the outlay.
20	15	5 Duplicate Consultation of 27th June 1772 6 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Talbot 7 Second Do. for Do. p Ship Duke of Richmond 8 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Talbot 9 Effective State of the Garrison 10 Duplicate Cash Acct. from the 26 to 27th June 1772 11 Ship Lord Norths Account 12 Duplicate Ship Talbot Do. 13 Surgeons Certificate of One Invalid Sold. 14 Abstract of the Cargoes of Ships Lord North & Lord Holland 15 Time of the Arrival of Ships Boats at Banks's 16 Proceedings of a General Quarterly Sessions held on the 8th July 1772 17 Governor & Councils Certificate of Francis Wainwright Invalid recommended to be put upon the Military Fund 18 Governors Letter to the Secret Committee To the Honoble. & Honoble. Sirs 1. We wrote last to you by the Ship Lord North under date of the 16th instant 2. In consequence of your permission to Nocqueda Pocolum to return to his Native Country: We on dispatching the Earl of Sandwich sent for him and desired to know whether he would take his Passage upon that Ship: he told Us that he did not choose to return thither without first going to England. 3. The Cloaths sent for your Slaves this Year being so very small lays Us under the necessity of Purchasing some here; We therefore request that your Honors will be pleased to direct that those indented for may be of a larger size than they commonly are. And as the remains of Mens Cloathing will answer of the next Year desire	5: Duplicate consultation of 27 June 1772 6: First receipt for the packet sent by the Talbot 7: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Duke of Richmond 8: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Talbot 9: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 10: Duplicate cash account from 23 to 24 June 1772 11: Account of the ship Lord North 12: Duplicate account of the ship Talbot 13: Surgeon's certificate for one invalid soldier 14: Abstract of the cargoes of the Lord North and the Lord Holland 15: Times of arrival of ships' boats at Banks's 16: Proceedings of a general quarterly sessions held on 8 July 1772 17: The Governor and Council's certificate for Francis Wainwright, an invalid recommended for the Military Fund 18: The Governor's letter to the Secret Committee The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the Lord North on 16 July. 2: The Court had given Noquedah Pocolam permission to return to his own country. When the Council was dispatching the Earl of Sandwich to Bencoolen, it sent for him and asked whether he would take passage in her. He replied that he did not wish to go home without first going to England. 3: The clothes sent out for the Company's slaves that year were so very small that the Council had been obliged to buy some on the island. It asked the Court to order that the clothing indented for should be made larger than usual. Since the men's clothing still in stock would serve for the coming year, the Council made a further request. Interpretations Noquedah Pocolam was the Malay boat master whose household and boat crew appeared in the stores under the heading "Mallay". The Court's permission for him to go home shows that he was not a slave but a free man in the Company's service, who could not leave without its leave. The Council offered him the obvious route, a passage in the Earl of Sandwich to Bencoolen in Sumatra, close to his own country. He declined and asked to see England first. The Company had brought him to the island for his skill with boats, and he evidently meant to have something for his years of service before going home. The complaint about undersized clothing explains a feature of the warehouse inventory of 30 September 1772. Boys' jackets, shirts and breeches stood in the hundreds while men's slops ran low. The slop clothing was cut to English seamen's sizes, and too small to fit grown men among the slaves. The men's sizes were used up, and the small ones accumulated unused, until the Council had to buy clothing locally and asked the Court for larger garments.
21	16	desire you will not send Us out any of that size. 4. In the 15 Paragh. of Our last Letter we requested your Honors settling with Captain Hambly for the Passage of Francis Wainwright; And we omitted at the same time assigning his reasons for refusing accepting the Money, as he shewed Us that his instructions from his owners obliged him to demand £ 6 - in lieu of £ 5, according to agreement of Charter Party. 5. We have granted the following Bills of Exchange viz. One set to John Skottowe Esqr. for £ 39 . 2 payable to Captn. Digby Dent, One set to Danl. Corneille Esqr. for £ 150 - payable to John Caillaud, One set to Mr. Mattw. Parling for £ 800 - payable to Captain Alexander Jameson, One Set to Mr. Matthew Bazett for £ 40 - payable to Miss Mary Bazett, One set to Mr. Jonathan Doveton for £ 408 . 14 payable to Captn. Alexr. Jameson, One set to Charles Floyer Esqr. for £ 800 payable to himself And One set to Captain Fasham Nairne for £ 300, payable to himself, all drawn at ninety days sight and dated the 18th instant. 6. In consequence of Captn. Nairne's request We have permitted him to touch at Ascension to get Turtles for the refreshment of his Ships Company. We are Honoble. Sirs Your most Obt. & humble Servants (signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Parling M. Bazett St. Helena 19th July 1772	The Council asked the Court not to send any clothing of that small size again. 4: In paragraph 15 of its last letter the Council had asked the Court to settle with Captain Hambly for Francis Wainwright's passage. It had left out his reasons for refusing the money. He had shown the Council that his owners' instructions required him to charge £6 0s 0d instead of £5 0s 0d, under the agreement in the charter party. 5: The Council had granted the following sets of bills of exchange, all drawn at 90 days' sight and dated 18 July. John Skottowe, £39 2s 0d, payable to Captain Digby Dent Daniel Corneille, £150 0s 0d, payable to John Caillaud Matthew Purling, £800 0s 0d, payable to Captain Alexander Jameson Matthew Bazett, £40 0s 0d, payable to Miss Mary Bazett Jonathan Doveton, £408 14s 0d, payable to Captain Alexander Jameson Charles Floyer, £800 0s 0d, payable to himself Captain Fasham Nairne, £300 0s 0d, payable to himself 6: At Captain Nairne's request, the Council allowed him to call at Ascension for turtle to refresh his crew. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Purling and Matthew Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 19 July 1772. Interpretations Captain Hambly had not refused payment out of preference for a credit in London, as the earlier letter implied. He refused because the Council offered £5 0s 0d and his owners' charter party fixed the rate for an invalid's passage at £6 0s 0d. A commander could not accept less than his owners had contracted for without answering to them. The Council, bound by its own standing rate, could not pay more, so it passed the difference to the Court to settle. Matthew Purling and Jonathan Doveton both made large bills payable to Captain Alexander Jameson. Purling's was for £800 0s 0d, eight times his yearly salary. Payments on this scale to a single commander point to private trade on the island, probably goods Jameson had sold to the two men, with the bills settling the debt in London.
22	17	List of the Honoble. Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Lord Holland dated the 19th July 1772 No. 1 Governor and Councils General Letter dated the 19th July 1772 2 Duplicate Do. and Do. Do. dated the 15th Do. Do. 3 Do. Do. and Do. Do. dated the 15 Do. Do. relatg. to Law Matters 4 Consultation of the 18 Do. Do. 5 Duplicate Do. from the 29th June to the 15th Do. Do. 6 First Receipt for Packet p Ship Lord North 7 Second Do. for Do. p Ship Talbot 8 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Lord North 9 Effective State of the Garrison 10 Ship Lord Holland Account 11 Duplicate Ship Lord North's Do. 12 Duplicate Proceedings of a General Quarterly Sessions held on the 8th July 1772 13 Muster Rolls of the Garrison To the Honoble. & Honoble. Sirs 1. By the Ship Lord Holland that sailed from hence the 19 inst. we addressed you last. 2. On the 26th of this Month Arrived your Ship Ankerwyke from China. Captn. Barwell acquaints Us he spoke with the Deptford the 19 of June as she was going into Bay False all well and that he saw a Ship under English colours the 2 July as he was coming round the Cape of good hope. 3. We have granted the following Bills of Exchange.	The Council sent the following documents to the Court in its packet by the Lord Holland, dated 19 July 1772. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 19 July 1772 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 15 July 1772 3: Duplicate of the general letter of 16 July 1772, relating to legal matters 4: Consultation of 18 July 1772 5: Duplicate consultations from 29 June to 15 July 1772 6: First receipt for the packet sent by the Lord North 7: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Talbot 8: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Lord North 9: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 10: Account of the ship Lord Holland 11: Duplicate account of the ship Lord North 12: Duplicate proceedings of a general quarterly sessions held on 8 July 1772 13: Muster rolls of the garrison The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the Lord Holland, which sailed on 19 July. 2: The Company's ship Ankerwyke arrived from China on 20 July. Captain Barwell reported that he had spoken the Deptford on 19 June as she was entering False Bay, with all well aboard. On 2 July, while rounding the Cape of Good Hope, he had seen a ship under English colours. 3: The Council had granted the following bills of exchange.
23	18	One set to Lieut. Thomas Bazett for £ 25 - payable to Mr. Nicholas Pearce, And One set to Mr. Robert Barclay for £ 480 - payable to Mr. Ninian Ballentine both drawn at ninety days sight and dated the 27 instant. 4. Lieut. Thomas Lambert having Petitioned Us in Consultation of the 18th May last to be recommended to be put upon the Military Fund, and we having Considered the Merits of his request are of opinion that from his Age and deafness, and [...] twelve Years faithful and diligent Service as an Officer and a Gentleman and now rendered incapable of further Service from the above causes, and having sworn before Us that he is not worth £ 1000 - consequently destitute of a maintainance have agreed to recommend him as a proper object to be put upon the Military Fund, And have given him the proper Certificates accordingly. And permitted Captn. Barwell to take him on board, and also Mr. Barclay late Surgeon of this Garrison. Lieut. Lambert applied to Us for his pay for the remaining part of this Quarter he having been paid to the 29th of this Month, pleaded his want of Money, And as we have no precedent of the kind, beg leave to refer his application to your Honors Consideration. 5. Inclosed we transmit you an Additional Indent of Soldiers Cloaths, wanted to compleat the Garrison next Year, which we request you will be pleased to comply with. 6. We have given Captain Barwell an Order to receive on board his Ship to compleat her Company Thomas Wells & Andrew Thomas Seaman, the former Left here out of the Duke of Richmond & the latter out of the Lord North Also Wm. Merrick a discharged Serjeant. 7. Robert Leech the Company's Steward and assistant in the Stores, having but a very small Salary of only £ 30 - p	The Council had granted one set of bills to Lieutenant Thomas Bazett for £25 0s 0d, payable to Nicholas Pearce, and one set to Robert Barclay for £480 0s 0d, payable to Ninian Ballentine. Both were drawn at 90 days' sight and dated 27 July. 4: In the consultation of 18 May, Lieutenant Thomas Lambert had petitioned to be recommended for the Military Fund. The Council had weighed his request. He had given 12 years of faithful and diligent service as an officer and a gentleman. His age and deafness now made him unfit for further service. He had sworn before the Council that he was not worth £1,000 0s 0d and so had no means of support. The Council agreed to recommend him as a proper object of the fund and gave him the proper certificates. It allowed Captain Barwell to take him aboard, together with Robert Barclay, the late surgeon of the garrison. Lambert had asked for his pay for the rest of the quarter, though he had been paid to 29 July, pleading his want of money. The Council knew of no precedent for this and referred his request to the Court. 5: The Council enclosed an additional indent for soldiers' clothing needed to complete the garrison the following year, and asked the Court to supply it. 6: The Council had ordered Captain Barwell to take aboard two seamen to complete his crew: Thomas Wells, left behind by the Duke of Richmond, and Andrew Thomas, left behind by the Lord North. He was also to take William Merrick, a discharged sergeant. 7: Robert Leech, the Company's steward and assistant in the stores, had only a very small salary of £30 0s 0d. Interpretations The Military Fund applied a means test to officers. Lambert had to swear that he was worth less than £1,000 0s 0d before the Council could recommend him. A pension was meant for those who would otherwise be destitute, not as a reward for service to every officer who retired. His request for pay beyond 29 July was a different matter. The obvious course for a sympathetic Council would have been to grant a needy old officer the rest of his quarter's pay. It declined because no precedent existed. Paying a man for days after he left the service would invite every departing soldier to ask the same, so the Council left the decision to the Court. This explains why Lambert's pay in the list for the quarter ending 30 September 1772 stops exactly on 29 July.
24	19	p Year which is less than any other in the Service, And we think inadequate to the trouble and Constant attendance he is Obliged to go through with, and having always Executed the same with care and diligence, and much to our Satisfaction We beg leave to recommend him to your favour for an Augmentation of his Salary. 8. We request your Honors will be pleased to comply with Our indent for Deals and other Timber. The distress we are under for these Articles has obliged Us to purchase all we possibly could out of the Earl of Sandwich to Enable Us to carry on the Works now in Hand. We are Honoble. Sirs Your most Obt. & humble Servants (signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Parling M. Bazett St. Helena 29th July 1772 List of the Honoble. Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Ankerwyke dated the 29th July 1772 No. 1 Governor and Councils General Letter dated the 29th July 1772 2 Duplicate Do. and Do. Do. dated the 19 Do. Do. 3 Consultations from 20th to the 27 July Do. 4 Duplicate Do. of the 18th Do. Do. 5 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Lord Holland 6 Second Do. for Do. p Ship Lord North 7 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Lord Holland 8 Effective State of the Garrison 9 Ship Ankerwyke's Account	The Council described Leech's salary of £30 0s 0d a year as lower than any other in the Company's service on the island. It thought the sum inadequate for the trouble and constant attendance his duties required. He had always carried them out with care and diligence, much to the Council's satisfaction. The Council therefore recommended him to the Court for an increase in salary. 8: The Council asked the Court to supply its indent for deals and other timber. Its shortage of these materials had forced it to buy all it possibly could from the Earl of Sandwich, so that the works in hand could go on. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Purling and Matthew Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 29 July 1772. The Council's packet by the Ankerwyke, dated 29 July 1772, began with the following documents. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 29 July 1772 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 19 July 1772 3: Consultations from 20 to 27 July 1772 4: Duplicate consultation of 18 July 1772 5: First receipt for the packet sent by the Lord Holland 6: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Lord North 7: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Lord Holland 8: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 9: Account of the ship Ankerwyke Interpretations Leech's £30 0s 0d a year matches the £7 10s 0d a quarter he drew as steward in the pay lists, with £3 0s 0d more for running the bakehouse. The Council's recommendation appears to have borne fruit. By the quarter ending 31 March 1773, after the Court confirmed his appointment, Leech was paid as a writer with £10 0s 0d a quarter in diet money on top of his salary. That more than doubled his income. A steward handled the Company's provisions and cash every day, and an underpaid man in such a post was a standing temptation to fraud. Raising his pay protected the Company as well as rewarding him.
25	20	10 Duplicate Ship Lord Holland's Account 11 Cash Account from the 26 to the 30th June 1772 12 Do. from the 1 to the 27 July Do. 13 Governor and Councils Certificate of Lieut. Thomas Lambert recommended to be put upon the Military Fund 14 Additional Indent for Soldiers Cloaths 15 Abstract of the Cargo of Ship Ankerwyke 16 Time of the Arrival of the Ankerwykes Boat at Banks's To the Honoble. & Honorable Sirs 1. Our last address went by the Ankerwyke, that left this Place the 29th of last Month. 2. On the 30th of July last Arrived a Dutch Ship from Batavia called the Pleyenburg Captn. Bush burthen 800 Tons carry's 30 Guns and 130 Men loaden with Coffee & Pepper bound to Amsterdam. The same day Arrived the Hampshire from Bombay, the 31 the Rochford & the 7th instant the Clive both from Bengal. Captn. Allen informs Us he left that Place the 13th April and that the Colebrooke was to Sail in about eight or Ten days after. Captn. Taylor tells Us that he sailed from Bombay the 22d of March last, and that the Godfrey was to be dispatched in April. 3. The 2d Instant your Ship Earl of Sandwich proceeded on her Voyage to Bencoolen. 4. Mr. William Wrangham applied to Us to pay £ 56 . 8 . 9 into your Cash which Sum we have received and given him Bills drawn on your Honors at ninety days sight dated	10: Duplicate account of the ship Lord Holland 11: Cash account from 26 to 30 June 1772 12: Cash account from 1 to 27 July 1772 13: The Governor and Council's certificate for Lieutenant Thomas Lambert, recommended for the Military Fund 14: Additional indent for soldiers' clothing 15: Abstract of the cargo of the Ankerwyke 16: Time of arrival of the Ankerwyke's boat at Banks's The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the Ankerwyke, which left the island on 29 July. 2: A Dutch ship from Batavia, the Pleyenburg, under Captain Bush, arrived on 30 July. She was of 800 tons, carried 30 guns and a crew of 130, and was bound for Amsterdam with coffee and pepper. The Hampshire arrived from Bombay the same day, the Rochford from Bengal on 31 July and the Clive from Bengal on 7 August. Captain Allen reported that he had left Bengal on 15 April and that the Colebrooke was due to sail eight or ten days after him. Captain Taylor said he had sailed from Bombay on 22 March and that the Godfrey was to be dispatched in April. 3: The Company's ship Earl of Sandwich continued her voyage to Bencoolen on 2 August. 4: William Wrangham asked to pay £56 8s 9d into the Company's treasury. The Council received the money and gave him bills on the Court at 90 days' sight. Interpretations The news gathered from each arriving commander gave the Court an early schedule of its homeward fleet. Captain Allen's report that the Colebrooke would sail from Bengal a little after him, and Captain Taylor's that the Godfrey would follow from Bombay, proved accurate. Both ships later reached St Helena in the season recorded in the consultations: the Godfrey sailed for England on 7 October 1772 and the Colebrooke on 23 October. Such reports let the Company's agents in London plan sales and insurance months before the ships came home.
26	21	dated this day. 5. The Passengers on board the Hampshire are Messrs. Hensley, Gambier, Whims & Wall. 6. Captn. Tayler requesting leave to touch at Ascension to get Turtle, we permitted him to call there for that purpose. We are Honoble. Sirs Your most Obedt. & humble Servants (signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Parling M. Bazett St. Helena 10th August 1772 List of the Honoble. Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Hampshire dated 10th August 1772 No. 1 Governor & Councils General Letter dated the 10th August 1772 2 Duplicate Do. & Do. dated the 29 July Do. 3 Consultations from the 3 to the 10th August Do. 4 Duplicate Do. from the 20 to the 27th July Do. 5 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Ankerwyke 6 Second Do. for Do. p Ship Lord Holland 7 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Ankerwyke 8 Effective State of the Garrison 9 Ship Hampshires Account 10 Do. Earl of Sandwich's Do. 11 Duplicate Ship Ankerwyke's Do. 12 Cash Account from the 30th to the 31st July 1772 13 Do. from the 1 to the 10th Aug. Do.	The bills were dated that day. 5: The passengers aboard the Hampshire were Messrs Hensley, Gambier, Whems and Walls. 6: Captain Taylor asked leave to call at Ascension for turtle, and the Council allowed him to do so. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Purling and Matthew Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 10 August 1772. The Council sent the following documents to the Court in its packet by the Hampshire, dated 10 August 1772. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 10 August 1772 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 29 July 1772 3: Consultations from 3 to 10 August 1772 4: Duplicate consultations from 20 to 27 July 1772 5: First receipt for the packet sent by the Ankerwyke 6: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Lord Holland 7: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Ankerwyke 8: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 9: Account of the ship Hampshire 10: Account of the ship Earl of Sandwich 11: Duplicate account of the ship Ankerwyke 12: Cash account from 30 to 31 July 1772 13: Cash account from 1 to 10 August 1772
27	22	Duplicate Cash Account from the 26th to the 30th June 1772 15. Do. Do. from the 1 to the 29 July Do. 16. Time of the Arrival of Ships Boats at Banks's 17. Abstract of the Rockfords & Clives Cargoes. Captn. Taylor has no Bill of Lading of the Ship Hampshire To the Honoble. & Honoble. Sirs 1. We Addressed you last on the 10 inst. by the Ship Hampshire that Sailed from hence the day following. 2. Your Honors will please to observe by our Consultations of the 13, 17, & 22 inst. that Several Letters laid before Us by Mr. Jno. Stevenson Chief Mate of the Ship Rockford against Captain Hunt setting forth the ill treatment he had met with during the Voyage from his Commander by dismission and Close confinement to his Cabin. We thereupon sent for the Party's concerned and recommended to them that the affair should subside until their Arrival in England, and requested that Captn. Hunt would reinstate Mr. Stevenson as Chief Mate to which he agreed, and sent him an Order to that purpose Copy of which is Entered in Consultation of the 22 instant. 3. The Passengers on board the Rockford are Captn. Ramsey and Messrs. Preston, Jefferson and Cowel and Majors Watson, Sears & Morgan and Messrs. Wilkins & Lyon on board the Clive. We are Honorable Sirs Your most Obedt. & humble Servants (signed) Parling M. Bazett John Skottowe Danl. Corneille St. Helena 23 Aug. 1772	14: Duplicate cash account from 26 to 30 June 1772 15: Duplicate cash account from 1 to 29 July 1772 16: Times of arrival of ships' boats at Banks's 17: Abstract of the cargoes of the Rochford and the Clive. Captain Taylor had no bill of lading for the Hampshire. The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone on 10 August by the Hampshire, which sailed the following day. 2: The Council's consultations of 13, 17 and 22 August would show the Court that John Stevenson, chief mate of the Rochford, had laid several letters before it against Captain Hunt. He complained of the ill treatment he had suffered from his commander on the voyage, by dismissal from his post and close confinement to his cabin. The Council sent for both men and urged that the quarrel be set aside until they reached England. It asked Captain Hunt to restore Stevenson as chief mate. Hunt agreed, and the Council sent him an order to that effect, a copy of which was entered in the consultation of 22 August. 3: The passengers aboard the Rochford were Captain Ramsay and Messrs Preston, Jefferson and Covel. Aboard the Clive were Majors Watson, Sears and Morgan and Messrs Wilkins and Lyon. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Purling and Matthew Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 23 August 1772. Interpretations The Council had no authority to judge a dispute between a commander and his mate aboard a ship hired by the Company. Discipline at sea belonged to the commander, and the owners and the Court would decide the merits in London. The Council could have refused to intervene at all. Instead it sent for both men and persuaded Hunt to reinstate Stevenson for the rest of the voyage, while leaving the substance of the quarrel to be settled at home. A chief mate confined to his cabin left the ship short of her most experienced officer for the dangerous passage ahead. Restoring him served the safety of the Rochford and her cargo without the Council claiming a jurisdiction it did not have.
28	23	List of the Honoble. Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Rockford dated the 23 August 1772 viz. No. 1 Governor & Councils Genl. Letter dated the 23 Aug. 1772 2 Duplicate Do. & Do. Do. dated the 10 Do. Do. 3 Consultations from the 13 to the 22 Do. Do. 4 Duplicate Do. from the 3 to the 10 Do. Do. 5 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Hampshire 6 Second Do. for Do. p Ship Ankerwyke 7 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Hampshire 8 Effective State of the Garrison 9 Ship Rockford's Account 10 Duplicate Ship Hampshire's Do. 11 Do. Ship Earl of Sandwich's Do. 12 Cash Account from the 11 to the 23 August 1772 13 Duplicate Do. from the 30 to the 31 July Do. 14 Do. Do. from the 1 to the 10 August Do. To the Honorable & Honorable Sirs 1. Our last Address waited on you by the Ship Rockford under date of the 23 August 1772. 2. On the 25 of last Month Arrived your Ship Deptford from Madrass (last from the Cape) Captn. Tryon acquaints Us that he left Madrass the 22d of March last, put into Bay False for Refreshment, at which Place the Nassau had been and Sailed twelve days before he Arrived, And also that the Prince of Wales was there	The Council sent the following documents to the Court in its packet by the Rochford, dated 23 August 1772. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 23 August 1772 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 10 August 1772 3: Consultations from 13 to 22 August 1772 4: Duplicate consultations from 3 to 10 August 1772 5: First receipt for the packet sent by the Hampshire 6: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Ankerwyke 7: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Hampshire 8: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 9: Account of the ship Rochford 10: Duplicate account of the ship Hampshire 11: Duplicate account of the ship Earl of Sandwich 12: Cash account from 11 to 23 August 1772 13: Duplicate cash account from 30 to 31 July 1772 14: Duplicate cash account from 1 to 10 August 1772 The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the Rochford, dated 23 August 1772. 2: The Company's ship Deptford arrived from Madras by way of the Cape on 25 August. Captain Tryon reported that he had left Madras on 22 March and put into False Bay for refreshment. The Nassau had called there and sailed twelve days before he arrived. The Prince of Wales was also there.
29	24	there and proceeded on her Voyage the 22 July last, he further informs Us that there was a French Frigate in Bay False when he was there with Troops from the Mauritious on board, carrying to France. 3. Mr. Geo. Sampson late 4th Mate of the Ship British King dying intestate, We received into your Cash £ 332 . 15 . 2 the produce of his Effects, after paying his Debts, and Ordered it to be wrote off to Account Current London. 4. Mr. Stroud Surgeon of the Island having Examined the Medecines remaining found that several necessary Medicines have been left out in the Indent of this Year, as also some Utensils for the Shop. In consequence of which he requested that an Additional Indent might be transmitted herewith which we desire your Honors will Order to be sent with the former Indent. 5. Mr. James Powell Storekeeper dying on the 29th of last Month. We appointed Mr. Jonathan Doveton who had been a long time Assistant in that department Storekeeper, And Mr. Geo. Bazett Writer Assistant Storekeeper, both which we think well qualified for the Conducting of that Business, and hope the same will meet with your approbation. 6. The Passengers on board the Deptford are Mr. Butler & Messrs. Strachan & Murdoch. 7. Captn. Tryon and Allen requesting Liberty to touch at Ascension to get Turtles for their Ships Company's, We have permitted them to call there for that purpose. 8. This Letter waits on you by the Ship Deptford Copy of which we transmit by the Clive. We are Honorable Sirs Your most Obt. & humble Servants (signed) Parling M. Bazett Jno. Skottowe Danl. Corneille St. Helena 1 Sept. 1772	The Prince of Wales had continued her voyage on 22 July. Captain Tryon further reported that a French frigate lay in False Bay while he was there, carrying troops from Mauritius home to France. 3: George Sampson, late fourth mate of the ship British King, had died without making a will. After his debts were paid, the Council received £332 15s 2d, the proceeds of his effects, into the Company's treasury and ordered the sum written off to the London account current. 4: Mr Stroud, the island's surgeon, had examined the remaining medicines and found that several necessary ones, and some equipment for the dispensary, had been left out of that year's indent. At his request the Council enclosed an additional indent and asked the Court to send it with the earlier one. 5: James Pavell, the storekeeper, had died on 29 August. The Council appointed Jonathan Doveton, who had long served as assistant in that department, as storekeeper, and George Bazett, a writer, as assistant storekeeper. It thought both men well qualified for the work and hoped the Court would approve. 6: The passengers aboard the Deptford were Mr Butler and Messrs Strachan and Murdoch. 7: Captains Tryon and Allen asked leave to call at Ascension for turtle for their crews, and the Council allowed them to do so. 8: This letter was going by the Deptford, and a copy by the Clive. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Purling and Matthew Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 1 September 1772. Interpretations A seaman who died intestate at St Helena left no executor on the island, and his heirs were in England. The Council sold his effects, paid his local debts and sent the balance home through the Company's books instead of keeping cash on the island or shipping goods. Writing the £332 15s 2d off to the London account current meant the Court received the money as a credit in London and could pay it to Sampson's family there. It was a substantial sum for a fourth mate, and almost certainly came from his private trade, which officers of Indiamen were allowed to carry. The appointments in paragraph 5 match the pay lists exactly. Doveton was paid as storekeeper from 29 August 1772, and George Bazett as assistant storekeeper from 30 August.
30	25	List of the Honoble. Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Deptford dated the 1 Sept. 1772 No. 1 Governor & Councils Genl. Letter dated 1 Sept. 1772 2 Duplicate Do. & Do. dated 23 Aug. Do. 3 Consultations from the 24th to the 31 Do. Do. 4 Duplicate Do. from the 13 to the 22 Do. Do. 5 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Rockford 6 Second Do. for Do. p Ship Hampshire 7 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Rockford 8 List of Officers & Servants taken the 1 Sept. 1772 9 Effective State of the Garrison 10 Cash Account from 24 to the 31 August 1772 11 Duplicate Do. from 11 to the 23 Do. Do. 12 Ship Deptfords Account 13 Ship Clive's Do. 14 Duplicate Do. Rockfords Do. 15 Additional Indent of Medicines 16 Time of the Arrival of the Deptfords Boat Banks's 17 Abstract of the Cargo of Do. To the Honoble. & Honoble. Sirs 1. Our last Letter waited on you by the Ship Deptford that Sailed from hence in Company with the Clive. 2. On the 20th of last Month Arrived your Ship Godfrey from Bombay which Place Captain Reed informed Us he left the	The Council sent the following documents to the Court in its packet by the Deptford, dated 1 September 1772. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 1 September 1772 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 23 August 1772 3: Consultations from 24 to 31 August 1772 4: Duplicate consultations from 13 to 22 August 1772 5: First receipt for the packet sent by the Rochford 6: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Hampshire 7: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Rochford 8: List of officers and servants, taken on 1 September 1772 9: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 10: Cash account from 24 to 31 August 1772 11: Duplicate cash account from 11 to 23 August 1772 12: Account of the ship Deptford 13: Account of the ship Clive 14: Duplicate account of the ship Rochford 15: Additional indent of medicines 16: Time of arrival of the Deptford's boat at Banks's 17: Abstract of the cargo of the Deptford The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the Deptford, which sailed in company with the Clive. 2: The Company's ship Godfrey arrived from Bombay on 20 September. Captain Reed reported that he had left that port on a date the letter went on to give.
31	26	the 1 of May 1772 put into Madagascar the 17th of July for refreshment and that your Ship Duke of Grafton was there, all well. 3. We are under the necessity to acquaint your Honors that several Commanders of your Ships of this Season has kept on board great Part of the Arrack Consigned to Us from the presidency's in India, which distresses Us for that Article, We therefore request that you will be pleased to give them Orders to supply themselves fully in India and not stop the Supply of this Island. 4. Mrs. Elizabeth Powell on the 28th of last Month presented a Letter to the Board Enclosing a Petition to your Honors, which we beg leave to refer you to. 5. As there is now a Vacancy of a Writer by the Death of Mr. Powell Storekeeper and the promotion of Mr. Jon. Doveton to that department. Mr. Robert Leech who we recommended to your Honors in Our Letter under date of the 29th July for an Augmentation of Salary and as the said Robt. Leech being a very deserving Young Man and of an Established good Character and well qualified for that Station and being willing to reward Merit we have appointed him a writer to fill up the Vacancy, And John Young a discreet young Man Writes a good hand, Understands accounts and we think will answer as Steward in the Stores. We have accordingly appointed him as such, And hope your Honors will approve of the said appointments. Our former recommenda tion of R. Leech's Salary Whilst the Company's Steward We hope you will still take into your Consideration as the Salary of Steward is by no means adequate to the trouble and constant attendance required in that Employ.	Captain Reed had left Bombay on 7 May 1772 and put into Madagascar on 17 July for refreshment. The Company's ship Duke of Grafton was there, with all well aboard. 3: The Council had to inform the Court that several commanders that season had kept on board a large part of the arrack consigned to the island by the Indian presidencies. This had left the island short of the spirit. The Council asked the Court to order commanders to supply themselves fully in India and not to cut off the island's supply. 4: Elizabeth Powell had presented a letter to the Council on 23 August, enclosing a petition to the Court, which the Council forwarded for the Court's attention. 5: The death of James Pavell, the storekeeper, and the promotion of Jonathan Doveton in that department had left a writer's place vacant. In its letter of 29 July the Council had recommended Robert Leech to the Court for an increase in salary. Leech was a very deserving young man of established good character and well qualified for the post. Wishing to reward merit, the Council appointed him a writer to fill the vacancy. It appointed John Young, a discreet young man who wrote a good hand and understood accounts, as steward in the stores, and thought he would serve well. The Council hoped the Court would approve both appointments. It asked the Court still to consider its earlier recommendation on Leech's salary as steward, since that salary was by no means adequate to the trouble and constant attendance the post required. Interpretations Commanders kept the arrack aboard because the spirit was valuable on the voyage, whether issued to their crews in place of costlier liquor or sold privately in England. The arrack was consigned to St Helena by the presidencies, and holding it back was in effect taking the island's stores for the ship's own use. The Council could not compel a commander to land what his bills of lading showed. It could only report the practice and ask the Court to order commanders to lay in their own supply in India. The shortage mattered because arrack was issued as a ration to slaves and labourers on the public works and served as a reward for heavy work. Paragraph 5 explains the change in Leech's pay seen in the lists for the last quarter of 1772. He moved from steward to writer, and John Young took over as steward and keeper of the bakehouse.
32	27	We have given Captain Reed an Order to receive on board his Ship James Grayham and Richard Penny two Invalid Soldiers. Grayham we recommend as a proper object to be put upon the Military Fund, on Account of a defect in his Eyes, which came from a violent Bruise when he was working in the Magazine. We have given him the Proper Certificates in the manner you have been pleased to direct, and have paid Captn. Reed £ 10 - for the Passage of the two Invalids. They have signed an Instrument in writing, that they will not demand any Wages for their Voyage, which goes inclosed, together with Captain Reeds receipt and Grayhams Certificate. 7. The Passengers on board the Godfrey are Captain Henderson and Lieut. Leason. 8. As the last Quarters accounts will not be laid before Us until the 19th instant we cannot transmit you any other Cash Account than the Duplicate of Our last. We are Honorable Sirs Your most Obt. and humble Servants (signed) Jno. Skottowe Danl. Corneille Parling M. Bazett St. Helena 1 October 1772	6: The Council ordered Captain Reed to take aboard his ship two invalid soldiers, James Graham and Richard Penny. It recommended Graham for the Military Fund because of damage to his eyes caused by a violent bruise he received while working in the magazine. It gave him the proper certificates in the form the Court had directed, and paid Captain Reed £10 0s 0d for the passage of both men. They had signed a written undertaking to claim no wages for the voyage, which was enclosed with Captain Reed's receipt and Graham's certificate. 7: The passengers aboard the Godfrey were Captain Henderson and Lieutenant Leason. 8: The last quarter's accounts would not be laid before the Council until 19 October, so it could send no cash account other than a duplicate of its last one. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Purling and Matthew Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 1 October 1772. Interpretations This letter accounts for two entries already seen in the pay lists. James Graham, a gunner, was discharged on 30 September 1772, and Richard Penny, a private, on 1 October. The paymaster's account for the quarter records the £10 0s 0d paid to Captain Reed for their passage. The Council again recommended only the man whose injury came from the Company's own work. Graham's eyes were damaged in the magazine, while Penny received a passage home but no certificate for the fund.
33	28	List of the Honorable Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Godfrey dated the 1 Oct. 1772 No. 1 Govr. and Councils General Letter dated the 1 Oct. 1772 2 Duplicate Do. & Do. dated the 1 Sept. Do. 3 Consultations from the 7th to the 30 Do. Do. 4 Duplicate Do. from the 24 to the 31 August Do. 5 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Deptford 6 Do. Do. for a small Paper Do. p Ship Clive 7 Second Do. for the Packet p Ship Rockford 8 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Deptford 9 Effective State of the Garrison 10 Ship Godfrey's Account 11 Duplicate Ships Deptfords Do. 12 Do. Ship Clives Do. 13 Abstract of the Cargo of Ship Godfrey 14 Time of the Arrival of the Godfrey's Boat at Banks's 15 List of Births, Christnings, Marriages and Burials 16 Surgeons Certificate for 2 Invalid Soldiers 17 Govr. and Councils Do. of James Grayham Invalid recommended to be put upon the Military Fund 18 Instrument in writing from 2 Invalid Soldiers 19 Duplicate Cash Account from the 24th to the 31 Aug. 1772 20 Captn. Reeds Receipt for £ 10 - To the Honoble. & Honorable Sirs 1. By the Ship Godfrey we wrote last to you under date of the 1 October 1772. 2. On the 12th instant arrived your Ship Colebrooke from	The Council sent the following documents to the Court in its packet by the Godfrey, dated 1 October 1772. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 1 October 1772 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 1 September 1772 3: Consultations from 7 to 30 September 1772 4: Duplicate consultations from 24 to 31 August 1772 5: First receipt for the packet sent by the Deptford 6: First receipt for a small paper packet sent by the Clive 7: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Rochford 8: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Deptford 9: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 10: Account of the ship Godfrey 11: Duplicate account of the ship Deptford 12: Duplicate account of the ship Clive 13: Abstract of the cargo of the Godfrey 14: Time of arrival of the Godfrey's boat at Banks's 15: List of births, christenings, marriages and burials 16: Surgeon's certificate for two invalid soldiers 17: The Governor and Council's certificate for James Graham, an invalid recommended for the Military Fund 18: Written undertaking by two invalid soldiers 19: Duplicate cash account from 24 to 31 August 1772 20: Captain Reed's receipt for £10 0s 0d The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the Godfrey, dated 1 October 1772. 2: The Company's ship Colebrooke arrived on 12 October from a port the letter went on to name.
34	29	from Bengal (last from the Cape) Captain Morris acquaints Us that he left Fort William the 7 of May last, spoke with the Devonshire off the Cape of Good Hope all well; put into Table Bay the 6th of September, and that there were five Dutch Ships there, and a French Frigate from the Mauritious with Troops on Board carrying to France. 3. We have granted the following Bills of Exchange One set to Captain Henry Bazett for £ 50 - payable to Miss Mary Bazett, and one set to Captain Arthur Morris for £ 200 - payable to himself, both drawn at ninety days sight and dated the 19th instant. 4. We have given Captn. Morris an Order to receive on board the Colebrooke George Bennett, John Gray, Thos. Brown, and William Houton four Invalid Soldiers. Bennett we recommend as a proper object to be put upon the Military Fund on Account of his long Service Age and infirmitys. We have given him the proper Certificates for the same, and have paid Captain Morris £ 20 - for the Passage of the Invalids: they have signed an Instrument in writing that they will not demand any Wages for their Voyage which we transmit Enclosed together with Captn. Morris's Receipt and Bennetts Certificates. 5. We are concerned to acquaint your Honors the Winter season has totally failed and thereby the Herbage at present upon the Island is very short, that the Cattle as yet keep up, tho' in general poor, and cannot but be very apprehensive that we shall feel the bad Effects again by the repeated continuance of such dry Seasons, the Yams Plantations likewise are in very bad condition from the above causes.	The Colebrooke had come from Bengal by way of the Cape. Captain Morris reported that he left Fort William on 7 May. He spoke the Devonshire off the Cape of Good Hope, with all well aboard, and put into Table Bay on 6 September. Five Dutch ships lay there, together with a French frigate carrying troops from Mauritius home to France. 3: The Council had granted the following bills of exchange, both drawn at 90 days' sight and dated 19 October: one set to Captain Henry Bazett for £50 0s 0d, payable to Miss Mary Bazett, and one set to Captain Arthur Morris for £200 0s 0d, payable to himself. 4: The Council ordered Captain Morris to take aboard the Colebrooke four invalid soldiers: George Bennett, John Gray, Thomas Brown and William Houston. It recommended Bennett for the Military Fund on account of his long service, his age and his infirmities, and gave him the proper certificates. It paid Captain Morris £20 0s 0d for the passage of the four invalids. They had signed a written undertaking to claim no wages for the voyage, which was enclosed with Captain Morris's receipt and Bennett's certificate. 5: The Council regretted to report that the winter rains had failed completely. Grass on the island was now very short. The cattle were holding up so far, though generally poor. The Council feared the island would feel the harm of such repeated dry seasons once again. The yam plantations were also in very poor condition for the same reason. Interpretations The letter shows that the four men discharged on 22 October 1772 were not all of one kind. Three of them, Gray, Brown and Houston, had joined only on 2 July, so they were probably found unfit soon after landing. George Bennett, by contrast, was an old soldier worn out by long service. The Council recommended only him for the Military Fund, in keeping with its rule of certifying only those whose disability came from years in the Company's work. The failure of the winter rains followed a poor summer reported in June 1772, so the island had now lost two seasons running. This was a serious warning. Short pasture meant thin cattle and less beef for the garrison and the ships. Failed yams meant more imported rice for the slaves, and the Council's steady purchases of grain and sheep from the homeward ships in the following months were partly a response to this run of drought.
35	30	The Passengers on board the Colebrooke are Sir John Strachan Baronet, Captains Roope and Hook and Messrs. Fitzgerald, Haddock, Swail, Foster and Plaistow. 7. We cannot transmit you by this conveyance the Consultation of the 19 instant, as the last Quarters Accounts and other Papers are inserted therein and too long to be Copied before the dispatch of this Ship. We are Honorable Sirs Your most Obedt. & humble Servants (signed) Jno. Skottowe Danl. Corneille Parling M. Bazett St. Helena 22 October 1772 List of the Honorable Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Colebrooke dated the 22d October 1772 No. 1 Governor and Councils Genl. Letter dated the 22d October 1772 2 Do. Do. Do. Do. dated the 22 Do. Do. relating to Law matters 3 Duplicate Do. and Do. Do. dated the 1 Do. Do. 4 Consultations from the 5th to the 12th Do. Do. 5 Duplicate Do. from the 7th to the 30th Do. Do. 6 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Godfrey 7 Second Do. for Do. p Ship Deptford 8 Do. Do. for a small Paper Do. p Ship Clive 9 List of Family's taken the 30 Septr. 1772 10 Do. of Rents Do. 30 Do. Do. 11 Do. of the Honoble. Compys. Slaves Do. 30th Do. Do. 12 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Godfrey 13 Muster Rolls of the Garrison	6: The passengers aboard the Colebrooke were Sir John Strachan, Baronet, Captains Cope and Hook, and Messrs Fitzgerald, Haddock, Scott, Tasker and Plaistow. 7: The Council could not send the consultation of 19 October by this ship. The last quarter's accounts and other papers were entered in it, and they were too long to copy before the ship sailed. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Purling and Matthew Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 22 October 1772. The Council's packet by the Colebrooke, dated 22 October 1772, began with the following documents. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 22 October 1772 2: The Governor and Council's general letter of 22 October 1772, relating to legal matters 3: Duplicate of the general letter of 1 October 1772 4: Consultations from 5 to 12 October 1772 5: Duplicate consultations from 7 to 30 September 1772 6: First receipt for the packet sent by the Godfrey 7: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Deptford 8: Second receipt for a small paper packet sent by the Clive 9: List of families, taken on 30 September 1772 10: Rent roll, taken on 30 September 1772 11: List of the Company's slaves, taken on 30 September 1772 12: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Godfrey 13: Muster rolls of the garrison Interpretations Sir John Strachan, Baronet, was the passenger saluted with 13 guns when he came ashore and again when he went aboard on 24 October 1772. The artillery account for that month records both salutes. The Council's inability to copy the long consultation of 19 October in time shows how heavily its small staff of writers was stretched. Every document had to be copied by hand at least twice, and a ship would not wait for the clerks.
36	31	14 Effective State of the Garrison 15 Cash Account for the Month of Sept. 1772 16 Do. Do. for the 1 to the 22 October Do. 17 Ship Colebrooke's Acct. 18 Duplicate Do. Godfrey's Do. 19 Duplicate Surgeons Certificate of an Invalid Sold. 20 Time of the Arrival of the Colebrookes Boat at Banks's 21 Surgeons Certificate of 4 Invalid Sold. 22 Governor and Councils Certificate of George Bennett Invalid recommended to be put upon the Military Fund 23 Instrument in writing from 4 Invalid Soldiers 24 Captn. Morris's first Receipt for £ 20 25 Captn. Reeds Second Do. for £ 10 - 26 Proceedgs. of a General Quarterly Sessions held on the 7 Oct. 1772 Captn. Morris has no Bill of Lading of the Ship Colebrooke To the Honorable the Court of Directors, of the United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies, Honorable Sirs 1. Our last Address went by the Ship Colebrooke under date of the 22nd October 1772. 2. On the 26th of last Month arrived your Ship Nottingham from Madrass (last from the Cape) Captain Meakes informs us he left Bengal the 13th of September 1772 and your Ships Greenwich and Triton there that your Ship Duke of Albany was unfortunately lost going into Bengal River, but all the Ships Company was saved except one Man that	14: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 15: Cash account for September 1772 16: Cash account from 1 to 22 October 1772 17: Account of the ship Colebrooke 18: Duplicate account of the ship Godfrey 19: Duplicate surgeon's certificate for an invalid soldier 20: Time of arrival of the Colebrooke's boat at Banks's 21: Surgeon's certificate for four invalid soldiers 22: The Governor and Council's certificate for George Bennett, an invalid recommended for the Military Fund 23: Written undertaking by four invalid soldiers 24: Captain Morris's first receipt for £20 0s 0d 25: Captain Reed's second receipt for £10 0s 0d 26: Proceedings of a general quarterly sessions held on 7 October 1772 Captain Morris had no bill of lading for the Colebrooke. The Council wrote to the Court of Directors of the United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies. 1: Its last letter had gone by the Colebrooke, dated 22 October 1772. 2: The Company's ship Nottingham arrived on 26 January from Madras by way of the Cape. Captain Meakes reported that he had left Bengal on 13 September 1772 and that the Greenwich and the Triton were there. The Company's ship Duke of Albany had been lost going into the Bengal river, though all her crew were saved except one man. Interpretations The Duke of Albany had been reported lying in False Bay in June 1772, when Captain Abercromby sailed from the Cape. Her loss in the Hooghly showed how dangerous the approach to Calcutta was for large ships. The river's shifting sandbanks wrecked many East Indiamen within sight of their destination. For the Court, news carried by way of St Helena was often the first word of such a loss, months before any letter from Bengal could reach London.
37	32	that he sailed from Madrass the 17th October last, put into the Cape of good hope the 23 December, and that there were five French Ships there homeward bound two of which had troops on board from the Mauritius carrying to France. Captain Meakes also informs us that he heard at the Cape that a Month before his arrival, two Ships had been there from England which they supposed were going to the Southward upon discoveries. 3. By this conveyance we send your Honors General Books of Accounts Balanced to the 30 September 1772. 4. We have granted the following Bills of Exchange viz. One set to Matthew Parling Esqr. for £ 600 payable to John Parling Esqr. and One Set to Mr. James Williamson for £ 400 payable to Mr. James Farquharson, both drawn at ninety days sight and dated this day. 5. We have the Pleasure to acquaint your Honors that the Officers Barracks are now entirely compleated by which means £ 80 p Annum will be saved, as we have deducted the £ 10 p Year house Rent from 8 of the Subaltern Officers who are to Inhabit the Apartments there. The landing Place is also finished, and the Workmen are now Employed in Erecting the New Church. 6. We are sorry to acquaint your Honors, that since Our last Advice we have had no rain that has been of the least service to the Island which is now in as bad a Situation as we ever knew it and are very apprehensive that it may be still worse, as a continuance of the droughts that we have hitherto Experienced for three Years past must inevitably again Occasion a great Mortality in the Stocks of the Island, likewise the Plantations has suffered from the same cause, which will oblige Us to buy up all the Rice we can meet with during the Course of the Year. 7. We have given Captain Meakes an Order to receive on board the Nottingham towards compleating her Company, Sedwick Wheatherhal a discharged Serjeant John Hilliard and Joseph Dailey	Captain Meakes added that he had sailed from Madras on 7 October and put into the Cape of Good Hope on 23 December. Five homeward-bound French ships lay there, two of them carrying troops from Mauritius to France. He had also heard at the Cape that, a month before he arrived, two ships from England had called there. They were thought to be bound to the eastward on a voyage of discovery. 3: The Council sent by this ship the Company's general books of account, balanced to 30 September 1772. 4: The Council had granted the following bills of exchange, both drawn at 90 days' sight and dated that day: one set to Matthew Purling for £600 0s 0d, payable to John Purling, and one set to James Williamson for £400 0s 0d, payable to James Farquharson. 5: The Council was pleased to report that the officers' barracks were now entirely finished. This would save £80 0s 0d a year, since it had stopped the £10 0s 0d yearly house rent paid to eight subaltern officers who were to live in the new quarters. The landing place was also finished, and the workmen were now employed in building the new church. 6: The Council regretted to report that no useful rain had fallen since its last letter. The island was in as bad a state as it had ever known it, and the Council feared it might get worse. A continuation of the drought it had suffered for the past three years would again cause great losses among the island's livestock. The plantations had suffered from the same cause, which would oblige the Council to buy all the rice it could find in the course of the year. 7: The Council ordered Captain Meakes to take aboard the Nottingham, to help complete her crew, Sedgwick Witherall, a discharged sergeant, John Hilliard and Joseph Dailey. Interpretations The two ships reported at the Cape, bound east on a voyage of discovery, were almost certainly Captain James Cook's Resolution and Adventure. They called at Cape Town in November 1772 before sailing south in search of the great southern continent. News of the expedition reached St Helena only as hearsay passed from ship to ship. The saving on house rent confirms what the pay lists show. Officers who moved into the new barracks lost their allowance of £2 10s 0d a quarter, while those still housed in the town kept it. The building of the barracks was justified to the Court partly by this recurring saving. The drought now in its third year explains the Council's heavy purchases of rice, wheat and Cape sheep from the homeward ships in the months that followed. Sedgwick Witherall's discharge on 1 February 1773 appears in the artillery pay list. He left the garrison as a seaman in the very ship whose departure the batteries saluted that day.
38	33	Dailey discharged Private Men and John Davis Seaman left here sick out of the Ship Godfrey. 8. The Passengers on board the Nottingham are John Andrews Esqr. Colonel Hart and Messieurs Marriet Bartlet Blaker Shank Finch Mc. Clue & Robison. 9. Captn. Meakes hath delivered to Us 40 Cape Sheep on Account of the Honble. Company and Charges 12 Shillings each amounting to £ 24 for which Sum we have given him Certificates upon your Honors. 10. We have permitted Captn. Meakes to call at Ascension agreable to his request to get Turtle for the refreshment of his Ships Company. We are Honorable Sirs Your most Obedt. & humble Servants (Signed) Jno. Skottowe Danl. Corneille Parling M. Bazett St. Helena 1 Feby. 1773 List of the Honorable Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Nottingham dated the 1 February 1773 No. 1 Governor and Councils Genl. Letter dated the 1 February 1773 2 Do. and Do. Do. dated the 1 Do. 1773 relating to Law Matters 3 Duplicate Do. and Do. dated the 22 Octr. 1772 4 Do. Do. and Do. dated the 22 Do. relating to Law Matters	Hilliard and Dailey were discharged privates. The Council also ordered Captain Meakes to take John Davis, a seaman left sick on the island by the Godfrey. 8: The passengers aboard the Nottingham were John Andrews, Colonel Hart, and Messrs Mariot, Bartlet, Blaker, Shank, Finch, McClure and Robison. 9: Captain Meakes had delivered 40 Cape sheep on the Company's account at 12s each, amounting to £24 0s 0d. The Council had given him certificates on the Court for that sum. 10: At Captain Meakes's request, the Council allowed him to call at Ascension for turtle to refresh his crew. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Purling and Matthew Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 1 February 1773. The Council's packet by the Nottingham, dated 1 February 1773, began with the following documents. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 1 February 1773 2: The Governor and Council's general letter of 1 February 1773, relating to legal matters 3: Duplicate of the general letter of 22 October 1772 4: Duplicate of the general letter of 22 October 1772, relating to legal matters Interpretations Discharged soldiers going home often worked their passage as seamen rather than travelling as invalids at the Company's charge. Witherall, Hilliard and Dailey had all served out their terms and were fit men. Placing them in the Nottingham's crew filled gaps left by the seamen she had lost on the voyage, and cost the Company nothing for their passage. Commanders welcomed such men, since hands were always short on the homeward run. The passengers listed here match the Nottingham's own muster roll entered in the consultations, where the names appear as Colonel Hart, Lieutenants Bartlet, Blacker and others. The Council evidently copied the list into its letter in haste, which explains the small differences in spelling.
39	34	5 Consultation from 19th Octr. 1772 to the 1st Feby. 1773 6 Duplicate Do. from the 5th to the 12th Octr. 1772 7 First Receipts for the Packet p Ship Colebrook 8 Second Do. for Do. p Ship Godfrey 9 Duplicate List of Familys taken the 30th September 1772 10 Do. Do. of Rents Do. 30 Sept. Do. 11 Do. Do. of the Honble. Companys Slaves 30 Do. Do. 12 Do. for the Packet p Ship Colebrooke 13 Muster Rolls of the Garrison 14 Effective State of Do. 15 Cash Account from 23 to the 31st Octr. 1772 16 Do. Do. for the Month of November Do. 17 Do. Do. for the Month of December Do. 18 Do. Do. for the Month of Jany. 1773 19 Do. Do. of the 1st February Do. 20 Duplicate Do. Do. for the Month of September 1772 21 Do. Do. Do. from the first to the 22nd Octr. Do. 22 Ship Nottinghams Account 23 Duplicate Ship Colebrook Do. 24 Captn. Morris's Second Receipt for 20 pounds 25 Time of the Arrival of the Ship Nottinghams Boat at Banks's 26 Abstract of Cargo of Ship Nottingham 27 Proceedings of a Genl. Quarter Sessn. held on the Jany. 7 1773 28 Duplicate Do. of Do. held on the 7 Octr. 1772 29 General Books of Accounts 30 Duplicate Surgeons Certificate of an Invalid Soldier	The packet by the Nottingham continued with the following documents. 5: Consultations from 19 October 1772 to 1 February 1773 6: Duplicate consultations from 5 to 12 October 1772 7: First receipt for the packet sent by the Colebrooke 8: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Godfrey 9: Duplicate list of families, taken on 30 September 1772 10: Duplicate rent roll, taken on 30 September 1772 11: Duplicate list of the Company's slaves, taken on 30 September 1772 12: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Colebrooke 13: Muster rolls of the garrison 14: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 15: Cash account from 23 to 31 October 1772 16: Cash account for November 1772 17: Cash account for December 1772 18: Cash account for January 1773 19: Cash account for 1 February 1773 20: Duplicate cash account for September 1772 21: Duplicate cash account from 1 to 22 October 1772 22: Account of the ship Nottingham 23: Duplicate account of the ship Colebrooke 24: Captain Morris's second receipt for £20 0s 0d 25: Time of arrival of the Nottingham's boat at Banks's 26: Abstract of the cargo of the Nottingham 27: Proceedings of a general quarterly sessions held on 7 January 1773 28: Duplicate proceedings of a general quarterly sessions held on 7 October 1772 29: General books of account 30: Duplicate surgeon's certificate for an invalid soldier Interpretations This packet was the first to leave the island for more than three months. No Company ship had called between the Colebrooke's departure on 23 October 1772 and the Nottingham's arrival on 26 January 1773. The cash accounts for four months and the consultations from mid-October onwards had to wait for her, which shows how completely the island's contact with London depended on the seasonal movement of the fleet.
40	35	To the Honorable &c. Honorable Sirs 1. Our last advices waited on you by the Nottingham under date of the 1 Instant. 2. This day Arrived the Lapwing from Bengal (last from the Cape) Captain Gardener acquaints Us that there were no English Ships there but that he heard from the Dutch that the Pigot was daily Expected that he left Fort William the 14 November last and your Ships Prince of Wales, Nassau and Duke of Grafton were arrived he likewise informs us that it was Expected the Greenwich would be dispached in about a Month after the Lapwing Sailed. 3. We have given Captn. Gardener orders to receive on board the Lapwing Joseph Vallentine Soldier, he having been tryed at a General Court Martial for leaving his Post when Sentry getting into the Castle with an ill design but was discovered before he could get at any thing of Consequence, and he being a Man of a very bad Character We determined to send him off the Island. We also gave Captn. Gardner an Order to receive on board the Lapwing Phillip Cook Thos. Nash James Mc. Caffery John Clarke and Thomas Batchelor four Invalid Soldiers the Surgeons Certificate respecting the beforementioned Invalids goes inclosed. 4. In our last letter we informed you of the bad Condition of the Island from the want of Rain and as the Drought still continues we are much Alarmed at the consequence that must enevitably ensue. 5. The Lapwing Sailing so soon after her arrival we cannot transmit Your Honors any other Papers than the Duplicate of Our last Letter. 6. Agreeable to Captn. Gardener's request we have permitted him	1: The Council's last letter had gone by the Nottingham, dated 1 February. 2: The Lapwing arrived from Bengal by way of the Cape on 15 February. Captain Gardener reported that no English ships were at the Cape, but he had heard from the Dutch that the Pigot was expected daily. He had left Fort William on 14 November, by which time the Prince of Wales, the Nassau and the Duke of Grafton had arrived there. He also reported that the Greenwich was expected to be dispatched about a month after the Lapwing sailed. 3: The Council ordered Captain Gardener to take aboard the Lapwing Joseph Valentine, a soldier. A general court martial had tried him for leaving his post as sentry and getting into the Castle with criminal intent. He had been discovered before he could take anything of value. He was a man of bad character, and the Council decided to send him off the island. It also ordered Captain Gardener to take aboard four invalid soldiers, Philip Cooke, Thomas Nash, James McCaffrey, John Clark and Thomas Batchelor. The surgeon's certificate for these invalids was enclosed. 4: The Council's last letter had described the bad state of the island for want of rain. The drought still continued, and the Council was much alarmed at the consequences that must follow. 5: The Lapwing was sailing so soon after her arrival that the Council could send no papers except a duplicate of its last letter. 6: At Captain Gardener's request, the Council allowed him to call at Ascension. Interpretations The pay lists recorded Joseph Valentine's discharge on 15 February 1773 without a reason. This letter supplies it. A sentry who left his post and broke into the Castle by night could have faced flogging or worse under the Articles of War. The Council chose instead to remove him from the island altogether. Its reason is stated plainly: he was a man of bad character. Keeping him in the garrison, even after punishment, would have left a known thief among the guards of the Company's stores and treasury. Banishment in a departing ship cost nothing and ended the danger for good. The other men put aboard were the soldiers struck off the pay lists on 15 February. The letter names five invalids though it calls them four. James McCaffrey is the private entered in the Third Company's pay list as James McCarty.
41	36	him to touch at Ascension to get Turtle for the refreshment of the Snow Lapwings Company. We are Honorable Sirs Your most Obedt. & humble Servants (signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Parling M. Bazett St. Helena 15 February 1773 To the Honorable &c. Honorable Sirs 1. By the Snow Lapwing that left this place the 16 of last Month we addressed you last. 2. On the 11th instant arrived your Ships Gatton Havannah and London from China and the same day a Dane Ship also from China called the Fredensbourg Captain Holm burthen 800 Tons carry's 26 Guns and 160 Men loaden with Tea, China Ware and Silk bound to Copenhagen, the 13th the Osterly and Yesterday the Granby both from China (last from the Cape) Captn. Johnston acquaints Us that he left your Ship Greenwich there, By the List transmitted Us by the Supra Cargoes at Canton we have the pleasure of informing you that all your Ships of last Year were Arrived safe at that Port, and we find by the same List that the Ships of other Nations at that Port consisted of three French Ships two Dane two	The Council allowed Captain Gardener to call at Ascension for turtle to refresh the snow's crew. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Purling and Matthew Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 15 February 1773. The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the snow Lapwing, which left the island on 16 February. 2: The Company's ships Gatton, Havannah and London arrived from China on 11 March. The same day a Danish ship from China arrived, the Fredensborg, under Captain Holm. She was of 800 tons, carried 26 guns and a crew of 160, and was bound for Copenhagen with tea, chinaware and silk. The Osterley arrived on 13 March and the Granby on 14 March, both from China by way of the Cape. Captain Johnston reported that he had left the Greenwich at the Cape. The list sent by the supercargoes at Canton gave the Council the pleasure of reporting that all the Company's ships of the previous year had reached that port safely. The same list showed that the ships of other nations at Canton were three French, two Danish and two more, which the letter went on to name. Interpretations The supercargoes' list of ships at Canton was valuable intelligence for the Court. It confirmed the safe arrival of the whole of the previous year's China fleet, and it showed the strength of the rival European companies in the tea trade. The Council passed the figures on at once, since they reached St Helena months before the supercargoes' own letters could arrive in London by the slower ships.
42	37	two Swedes, four Dutch and four English Country Ships. Captn. Webb informs us that on the 17 of July last he met with a Violent Taffoon off Macao obliging him to cut away his Masts and throw some of his Guns overboard and providentially escaped but a Dutch Ship called the Rynsbourg was enevitably lost in the said Taffoon together with many of the China Junks. 3. We received a Letter by the Dane Ship from Captn. Richardson dated Ship Pigot Feby. 20th 1773 Latitude 35 South Longitude 4 East of Cape Lagullus requesting we would inform your Honors by the first Opportunity of his leaving Manna the 25th December last after being detained on the coast nine Months his Cargoe consists of 708 Tons of Pepper 302 Tons of which is White and 3 Tons of Plantation Arrack he further informs Us that he intends putting into the Cape to recruit his People, as his Ships Company was very Sickly and Weak having lost 46 Men during his Voyage. 4. We have the pleasure to inform you that the Season has set in this Year early, and very favourable hitherto and hope that a continuance of the same a Month longer will recover the Island much from its former bad Situation that the worst Consequences attending these Rains after the long Drought we experienced has been a most violent epidemical Cold that has run thro' the Island Whites and Blacks (excepting the Garrison) however we have the Satisfaction to inform you it has not proved fatal but to very few and hope that the Violence of this disorder is now subsided as most People are upon recovery. 5. Captain Fortescue purchased at the Cape 60 Sheep and some Garden Seeds on your Account fifty nine of the Sheep he landed here he informs Us he has drawn on your Honors for the Amount. 6. The Passengers on board the Osterly are Lieut. Tolson and Mrs. Tipple. 7. Captn. Money and Fortescue applied to Us for Liberty to touch	The other ships at Canton were two Swedish, four Dutch and four English country ships. Captain Webb reported that on 17 July of the previous year he had met a violent typhoon off Macao. It forced him to cut away his masts and throw some of his guns overboard, and he only narrowly escaped. A Dutch ship called the Rynsburg was lost in the same typhoon, together with many Chinese junks. 3: The Council had received by the Danish ship a letter from Captain Richardson, written aboard the Pigot on 20 February 1773 in latitude 35° south, 4° east of Cape Agulhas. He asked the Council to inform the Court at the first opportunity that he had left Manna on 25 December, after being held on the coast for nine months. His cargo was 768 tons of pepper, of which 302 tons were white, and 3 tons of plantation arrack. He meant to put into the Cape to restore his crew, who were very sickly and weak, having lost 46 men on the voyage. 4: The Council was pleased to report that the rainy season had set in early that year and had so far been very favourable. It hoped another month of the same would go far to restore the island from its earlier bad state. The worst effect of the rains after the long drought had been a very violent epidemic cold, which had spread through the island among white people and black alike, except the garrison. It had proved fatal to very few, and the Council hoped its force was now spent, as most people were recovering. 5: Captain Fortescue had bought 60 sheep and some garden seeds at the Cape on the Company's account. He landed 59 of the sheep on the island and informed the Council that he had drawn on the Court for the amount. 6: The passengers aboard the Osterley were Lieutenant Tolson and Mrs Tipple. 7: Captains Money and Fortescue asked leave to call at Ascension. Interpretations Captain Richardson's letter explains the poor state of the Pigot when she reached St Helena on 18 April 1773. Nine months on the Sumatran coast loading pepper had cost him 46 men, nearly half a full crew, to fever and dysentery. The Bencoolen trade was notorious for this, and the pepper coast was among the deadliest stations in the Company's service. It also casts light on the dispute over his sheep. A commander who had lost so many men and was nursing a sick crew home would have had little care to spare for livestock in the hold, which may account for the poor condition in which they were landed. The epidemic cold that followed the return of the rain spared the garrison, perhaps because the soldiers lived together on a regular ration and were better sheltered than the planters and slaves scattered across the wet uplands. Plantation arrack was spirit distilled on the estates of the Sumatran coast, a cheaper grade than Batavia arrack.
43	38	touch at Ascension to get Turtle for the refreshment of their Ships Company We have permitted them to call there for that purpose. 8. This Letter waits on you by the Ship Osterly Copy of which we transmit p the Gatton. We are Honorable Sirs Your most Obedt. & humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Parling M. Bazett St. Helena 15th March 1773 List of the Packet p Ship Osterly dated the 15th March 1773 No. 1 Governor and Council General Letter dated the 15th March 1773 2 Duplicate Do. and Do. dated the 1 Feby. Do. relating to Law Matters 3 Duplicate Do. and Do. dated the 15 Feby. 1773 4 Consultation from 8th Feby. to 15th March Do. 5 Duplicate Do. from 19th Octr. 1772 to the 1st February Do. 6 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Nottingham 7 First Do. for a Small Paper Packet p Snow Lapwing 8 Second Do. for the Packet p Ship Colebrook 9 Effective State of the Garrison 10 Cash Account from the 2 to the 28th Feby. 1773 11 Do. Do. from the 1 to the 15th March Do. 12 Duplicate Do. from the 23 to the 31 Octr. 1772	The Council allowed Captains Money and Fortescue to call at Ascension for turtle to refresh their crews. 8: This letter was going by the Osterley, and a copy by the Gatton. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Purling and Matthew Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 15 March 1773. The Council's packet by the Osterley, dated 15 March 1773, began with the following documents. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 15 March 1773 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 1 February 1773, relating to legal matters 3: Duplicate of the general letter of 15 February 1773 4: Consultations from 8 February to 15 March 1773 5: Duplicate consultations from 19 October 1772 to 1 February 1773 6: First receipt for the packet sent by the Nottingham 7: First receipt for a small paper packet sent by the snow Lapwing 8: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Colebrooke 9: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 10: Cash account from 2 to 28 February 1773 11: Cash account from 1 to 15 March 1773 12: Duplicate cash account from 23 to 31 October 1772
44	39	13 Duplicate of Cash Account for the Month of Novr. 1773 14 Do. Do. Do. for the Month of Decemr. Do. 15 Do. Do. Do. for the Month of Janry. 1773 16 Do. Do. Do. of the 1 February Do. 17 Ship Gattons Account 18 Ship Osterly's Do. 19 Duplicate Ship Nottinghams Do. 20 Do. Snow Lapwings Do. 21 Time of the Arrival of Ships Boats at Banks's 22 Abstract of the Cargoes of Ships Gatton Havannah London Osterly and Granby 23 Duplicate Proceedgs. of a Genl. Quarterly Sessions held on the 13 Janry. 1773 24 Do. Surgeons Certificate of five Invalid Soldiers 25 Court Martial from 9th March 1772 to 1st March 1773 26 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Nottingham To the Honorable &c. Honorable Sirs 1. We wrote to you last on the 15th instant by the Ship Osterly Copy of which we transmitt p the Gatton. 2. We have granted a Set of Bills of Exchange for Captn. Tippet for £ 100 payable to Mr. John Hobson (or Order) drawn at ninety Days sight and dated this day. 3. We have given Captn. Webb a permit to receive on board the London James Walter a discharged Corporal of Artillary he has Signed an Instrument in Wrighting that he will not demand any Wages for his passage home which goes enclosed.	13: Duplicate cash account for November 1772 14: Duplicate cash account for December 1772 15: Duplicate cash account for January 1773 16: Duplicate cash account for 1 February 1773 17: Account of the ship Gatton 18: Account of the ship Osterley 19: Duplicate account of the ship Nottingham 20: Duplicate account of the snow Lapwing 21: Times of arrival of ships' boats at Banks's 22: Abstract of the cargoes of the Gatton, the Havannah, the London, the Osterley and the Granby 23: Duplicate proceedings of a general quarterly sessions held on 7 January 1773 24: Duplicate surgeon's certificate for five invalid soldiers 25: Courts martial from 9 March 1772 to 1 March 1773 26: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Nottingham The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone on 15 March by the Osterley, with a copy by the Gatton. 2: The Council had granted Captain Tippet a set of bills for £100 0s 0d, payable to John Hobson or his order, drawn at 90 days' sight and dated that day, 18 March 1773. 3: The Council had given Captain Webb a permit to take aboard the London James Waller, a discharged corporal of artillery. Waller had signed a written undertaking to claim no wages for his passage home, which was enclosed. Interpretations The five invalids certified on 15 February 1773 were the men sent home in the Lapwing. This confirms that the letter of that date, which called them four, had miscounted. James Waller had been discharged on 15 February, the same day, but evidently missed the Lapwing and waited a month for a passage in the London. A discharged man still had to sign away any claim to wages for the voyage, even though he was travelling as a free passenger rather than an invalid. Without that undertaking he could argue in London that he had remained on the Company's books until he landed.
45	40	4. The only Passenger on board the Havannah is Mr. John Corsar. 5. Captn. Webb and White requesting leave to touch at Ascension to get Turtle. We have permitted them to call there for that purpose. 6. This Letter waits on you by the Ship London which Sails from hence in company with the Havannah, Copy of which we transmit you by that Ship. We are Honorable Sirs Your most Obedt. & humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Parling M. Bazett St. Helena 18th March 1773 List of the Packet p Ship London dated 18th March 1773 No. 1 Governor and Councils General Letter dated the 18 March 1773 2 Duplicate Do. and Do. dated the 16th Do. Do. 3 Consultation of the 18th Do. Do. 4 Duplicate Do. from the 8th Feby. to the 16th Do. Do. 5 First Receipt for the Packet Ship Osterly 6 First Do. for a small Paper Packet p Ship Gatton 7 Second Do. for a small Paper Do. p Ship Nottingham 8 Second Do. for a small Paper Do. p Snow Lapwing 9 Effective State of the Garrison 10 Cash Account from the 16th to the 18th March 1773 11 Duplicate Do. from the 2 to the 28th February Do. 12 Do. Do. from the 1 to the 15th March Do.	4: The only passenger aboard the Havannah was John Corser. 5: Captains Webb and White asked leave to call at Ascension for turtle, and the Council allowed them to do so. 6: This letter was going by the London, which was sailing in company with the Havannah, and a copy by the Havannah. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Purling and Matthew Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 18 March 1773. The Council's packet by the London, dated 18 March 1773, began with the following documents. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 18 March 1773 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 15 March 1773 3: Consultation of 18 March 1773 4: Duplicate consultations from 8 February to 15 March 1773 5: First receipt for the packet sent by the Osterley 6: First receipt for a small paper packet sent by the Gatton 7: Second receipt for a small paper packet sent by the Nottingham 8: Second receipt for a small paper packet sent by the snow Lapwing 9: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 10: Cash account from 16 to 18 March 1773 11: Duplicate cash account from 2 to 28 February 1773 12: Duplicate cash account from 1 to 15 March 1773
46	41	13 Ship London's Account 14 Ship Havannah's Do. 15 Duplicate Ship Gattons Do. 16 Do. Ship Osterlys Do. 17 Do. List of the Packet p Ship Osterly 18 Instrument in writing of Jas. Walter a discharged Corporal To the Honorable &c. Honorable Sirs 1. We Addressed you last by the Ship London that Sailed from hence the 18th instant in company with the Havannah. 2. On the 20th of this Month Arrived a Dane Ship from China called the King of Denmark Captn. Shifter burthen 1200 Tons, carry's 32 Guns and 160 Men laden with Tea China Ware and Silk bound to Copenhagen. 3. Captain Johnston purchased at the Cape 100 Sheep 138 Bushels of Wheat and some Garden Seeds, 91 of the Sheep he landed here the other 9 Dying on the Passage his Bill with Charges &c. amounting to £ 84 Copy of which is entered on our Consultations of the 22 instant. And he choosing Certificates upon you for the Amount rather than to receive the Money here, we have given him the usual Certificates accordingly. 4. We have Granted a Set of Bills of Exchange to Captn. Johnston for 1150 pounds payable to himself (or Order) at ninety days sight and dated the 22 instant. 5. Agreable to Captn. Johnston's request we have permitted him to touch	13: Account of the ship London 14: Account of the ship Havannah 15: Duplicate account of the ship Gatton 16: Duplicate account of the ship Osterley 17: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Osterley 18: Written undertaking by James Waller, a discharged corporal The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the London, which sailed on 18 March in company with the Havannah. 2: A Danish ship from China, the King of Denmark, under Captain Schifter, arrived on 20 March. She was of 1,200 tons, carried 32 guns and a crew of 160, and was bound for Copenhagen with tea, chinaware and silk. 3: Captain Johnston had bought 100 sheep, 138 bushels of wheat and some garden seeds at the Cape. He landed 91 of the sheep on the island, the other nine having died on the passage. His bill, with charges, came to £84 0s 0d, and a copy was entered in the consultation of 22 March. He chose to take certificates on the Court for the amount rather than be paid on the island, and the Council gave him the usual certificates. 4: The Council had granted Captain Johnston a set of bills for £1,150 0s 0d, payable to himself or his order, drawn at 90 days' sight and dated 22 March. 5: At Captain Johnston's request, the Council allowed him to call at Ascension. Interpretations The letter adds a detail the consultation left out. Johnston's bill was for 100 sheep, but only 91 reached the island alive. The Council still paid the full £84 0s 0d, because the sheep were bought on the Company's account at the Cape and the risk of the passage fell on the Company, not the commander. That made his effective price for each sheep landed a little over 18s, higher than any other commander charged that season. The contrast with Captain Richardson's case is instructive. Johnston's losses were open and honestly declared, while the Council believed Richardson had landed sheep already failing and passed them off as sound.
47	42	touch at Ascension to get Turtle for the further refreshment of his Ships Company. We are Honorable Sirs Your most Obedt. & humble Servants (Singned) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Parling M. Bazett St. Helena 23 March 1773 List of the Packet p Ship Granby dated the 23d March 1773 No. 1 Governor and Councils General Letter dated the 23 March 1773 2 Duplicate Do. and Do. dated the 18th Do. Do. 3 Consultation of the 22 Do. Do. 4 Duplicate Do. of the 18th Do. Do. 5 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship London 6 First Do. for a small Paper Packet p Ship Havannah 7 Second Do. for the Packet p Ship Osterly 8 Second Do. for a small Paper Do. p Ship Gatton 9 Effective State of the Garrison 10 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship London 11 Cash Account from the 19th to the 23d March 1773 12 Duplicate Do. from the 16 to the 18th Do. Do. 13 Ship Granby's Account 14 Duplicate Ship Londons Do. 15 Duplicate Ship Havannahs Do.	The Council allowed Captain Johnston to call at Ascension for turtle to refresh his crew further. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Purling and Matthew Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 23 March 1773. The Council sent the following documents to the Court in its packet by the Granby, dated 23 March 1773. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 23 March 1773 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 18 March 1773 3: Consultation of 22 March 1773 4: Duplicate consultation of 18 March 1773 5: First receipt for the packet sent by the London 6: First receipt for a small paper packet sent by the Havannah 7: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Osterley 8: Second receipt for a small paper packet sent by the Gatton 9: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 10: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the London 11: Cash account from 19 to 23 March 1773 12: Duplicate cash account from 16 to 18 March 1773 13: Account of the ship Granby 14: Duplicate account of the ship London 15: Duplicate account of the ship Havannah
48	43	To the Honorable &c. Honorable Sirs 1. Our last Letter waited on you under date of the 23 March by the Ship Granby. 2. On the 30 of last Month Arrived the Shrewsbury from Bombay Captain Jones informs us he left that Place the 11th Janry. and your Ships Devonshire and Speaker there and that the Royal Charlotte had left Bombay to go down the Coast, he also acquaints Us that the Duke of Cumberland sailed from thence for Europe about the 26th of November 1772 and supposes she has put into the Cape, he further acquaints Us that Sir Robert Harland was arrived at Bombay with a Squadron under his Command. Also Sir John Clarke in the Prudent and Capt. Cranston in the Intrepid were Arrived there from England. 3. In Our Consultation of the 2 instant we have Entered the Proceedings against Lieut. Richard Powel on a Complaint made to the Governor by Patrick Eddrington Matross, and are sorry that we are under a necessity of informing you that this young mans conduct has been hitherto highly irregular, that we were in hopes that our Lenity in reprimanding him for the same might have had the desired Effect without proceeding to greater Extremity's But being disappointed in our Expectation, and his Complaint having been Clearly proved against him after the many others we have overlooked we thought it necessary to suspend him for the term of six Months in hopes that the same may bring him to a proper sence of reflection and hereafter be a means of his regulating his conduct becoming the Character of an Officer and a Gentleman which if he again transgresses are determined to show him no further favour. 4. This day Arrived the Greenwich from Bengal (last from the Cape) Captn. Carr acquaints Us he left Fort William the 20th December	1: The Council's last letter had gone by the Granby, dated 23 March. 2: The Shrewsbury arrived from Bombay on 30 March. Captain Jones reported that he had left Bombay on 11 January. The Company's ships Devonshire and Speaker were there, and the Royal Charlotte had left Bombay to sail down the coast. The Duke of Cumberland had sailed for Europe about 26 November 1772, and he supposed she had put into the Cape. He added that Sir Robert Harland had arrived at Bombay with a squadron under his command. Sir John Clerke in the Prudent and Captain Cranston in the Intrepid had also arrived there from England. 3: The Council's consultation of 2 April recorded the proceedings against Lieutenant Richard Powell on a complaint made to the Governor by Patrick Eddrington, a matross. The Council regretted having to report that the young man's conduct had long been highly irregular. It had hoped that leniency in reprimanding him would have the desired effect without harsher measures. That hope had been disappointed. This complaint was clearly proved against him, after the many others the Council had overlooked. It therefore thought it necessary to suspend him for six months, in the hope that this would bring him to see his faults and lead him to conduct himself as befitted an officer and a gentleman. If he offended again, the Council was determined to show him no further favour. 4: The Greenwich arrived from Bengal by way of the Cape on 7 April. Captain Carr reported that he had left Fort William on 20 December. Interpretations The letter shows why Powell's sentence was so much heavier than the fortnight given to Lieutenant Gurling. The Council revealed to the Court that it had already passed over many complaints against Powell, reprimanding him rather than punishing him. The beating of Eddrington was not a single lapse but the last of a series. Six months without rank or pay was meant as a final warning, and the Council told the Court in advance that a further offence would end his career. Reporting the matter to London also protected the Council. If Powell appealed to the Court against his suspension, the Court already had the Council's account of his record. Sir Robert Harland's squadron was the Royal Navy force sent to the East Indies in 1771. Its arrival marked a growing Crown presence in India alongside the Company's own forces.
49	44	December and your Ships Duke of Grafton Prince of Wales, Triton Nassau and Marquess of Rockingham there, that the Triton and Nassau were to Sail in about ten days after him for Madrass that he left at the Cape the Pigot and Duke of Cumberland home ward bound and the Worcester and Mercury Packet outward bound. and that he saw two outward bound Ships going into Table Bay as he came out but did not know what Ships they were as he had not an opportunity of speaking with them. 5. We received by the Greenwich a Letter from Captn. Richardson acquainting Us of his arrival at the Cape in a very Sickly condition and a Letter enclosed directed to Peter Mitchell Esqr. Secretary which we forward by this Conveyance. 6. The Passengers on board the Shrewsbury are Messrs. Twist Richards and Johnson on board the Greenwich Captn. Mackenzey and his Wife and Mrs. Scott. 7. As the last Quarters Accounts will not be laid before Us untill the 19th instant we cannot transmit you any Cash Account later than the Duplicate of our last. We are Honorable Sirs Your most Obedt. and humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Parling M. Bazett St. Helena 7 April 1773	Captain Carr reported that the Company's ships Duke of Grafton, Prince of Wales, Triton, Nassau and Marquess of Rockingham were at Fort William when he left. The Triton and the Nassau were to sail for Madras about ten days after him. At the Cape he had left the Pigot and the Duke of Cumberland, both homeward bound, and the Worcester and the Mercury packet, both outward bound. As he came out he saw two outward-bound ships entering Table Bay, but he had no chance to speak them and did not know who they were. 5: The Council received by the Greenwich a letter from Captain Richardson, reporting his arrival at the Cape with his ship in a very sickly state. It enclosed a letter addressed to Peter Michell, the Company's secretary, which the Council forwarded by this ship. 6: The passengers aboard the Shrewsbury were Messrs Twist, Richards and Johnson. Aboard the Greenwich were Captain Mackenzie and his wife, and Mrs Scott. 7: The last quarter's accounts would not be laid before the Council until 19 April, so it could send no cash account later than a duplicate of its last. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Purling and Matthew Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 7 April 1773.
50	45	List of the Honorable Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Shrewsbury dated the 7th April 1773 No. 1 Governor and Councils General Letter dated the 7th April 1773 2 Duplicate Do. and Do. dated the 24th March Do. 3 Consultations from the 26th March to the 5th April Do. 4 Duplicate Do. of the 22 Do. Do. 5 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Granby 6 Second Receipt for Do. p Ship London 7 Do. Do. for a small Paper Packet p Ship Havannah 8 Effective State of the Garrison 9 Muster Rolls of Do. 10 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Granby 11 Time of the Arrival of the Shrewsbury's Boat at Banks's 12 Duplicate Cash Account from the 19th to the 23 March 1773 13 Ship Shrewsbury's Account 14 Duplicate Ship Granbys Do. 15 Abstract of the Cargo of Ship Shrewsbury 16 A Letter from Captn. Richardson directed to Peter Mitchel Esqr. Secretary To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. By the Ship Shrewsbury we wrote last to You under date of the 7th instant. 2. On the 9th of this Month Arrived your Ship Duke of Cumberland from Bombay (last from the Cape) which Place Capt. Savage acquaints Us he left the 14 March last and that the Latham from England Arrived there the same day	The Council sent the following documents to the Court in its packet by the Shrewsbury, dated 7 April 1773. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 7 April 1773 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 24 March 1773 3: Consultations from 26 March to 5 April 1773 4: Duplicate consultation of 22 March 1773 5: First receipt for the packet sent by the Granby 6: Second receipt for the packet sent by the London 7: Second receipt for a small paper packet sent by the Havannah 8: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 9: Muster rolls of the garrison 10: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Granby 11: Time of arrival of the Shrewsbury's boat at Banks's 12: Duplicate cash account from 19 to 23 March 1773 13: Account of the ship Shrewsbury 14: Duplicate account of the ship Granby 15: Abstract of the cargo of the Shrewsbury 16: A letter from Captain Richardson addressed to Peter Michell, the Company's secretary The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the Shrewsbury, dated 7 April. 2: The Company's ship Duke of Cumberland arrived from Bombay by way of the Cape on 9 April. Captain Savage reported that he had left the Cape on 14 March, and that the Latham had arrived there from England the same day.
51	46	day all well. 3. The 11th instant Arrived your Ship Royal Captain which Ship brought Us a Packet from your Honors which we opened and read your Instructions to Us and will take an opportunity as early as possible to Answer your General Letter. 4. Captain Savage brought from the Cape on Account of the Honorable Company 30 Sheep and 10 Puncheons of Wheat amounting to £ 58 . 6 . 8. And he choosing to receive Certificates rather than Money we have given him the Usual ones. 5. The Passengers on board the Duke of Cumberland are Mrs. Hornby Mrs. Hunter Mrs. Johnson and Miss Wardman. 6. Captain Savage requesting leave to touch at Ascension to get Turtle for the refreshment of his Ships Company We have permitted him to call there for that Purpose. We are Honorable Sirs Your most Obedt. and humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Parling M. Bazett St. Helena 12th April 1773	All was well aboard the Latham. 3: The Company's ship Royal Captain arrived on 11 April with a packet from the Court. The Council opened it and read the Court's instructions, and would answer the general letter as early as possible. 4: Captain Savage had brought from the Cape, on the Company's account, 30 sheep and 10 puncheons of wheat, amounting to £58 6s 8d. He chose to take certificates rather than money, and the Council gave him the usual certificates. 5: The passengers aboard the Duke of Cumberland were Mrs Hornby, Mrs Hunter, Mrs Johnson and Miss Wardman. 6: Captain Savage asked leave to call at Ascension for turtle to refresh his crew, and the Council allowed him to do so. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Purling and Matthew Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 12 April 1773. Interpretations The sum of £58 6s 8d confirms the conversion in Captain Savage's bill entered in the consultation of 12 April. His charges of 291 rix-dollars, 5 schellings and 2 stivers, reckoned at 4s to the rix-dollar, came to this amount in sterling. Mrs Hornby was probably a member of the family of William Hornby, President of Bombay, to whom the Council had written on 23 April for chelloes and rice. Her passage home in a Bombay ship fits that connection.
52	47	List of the Honorable Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Duke of Cumberland dated the 12th April 1773 No. 1 Governor and Councils General Letter dated the 12th April 1773 2 Duplicate Do. and Do. dated the 7 April Do. 3 Consultation of the 12th Do. Do. 4 Duplicate from the 29 March to the 5th Do. Do. 5 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Shrewsbury 6 Second Do. for Do. p Ship Granby 7 Effective State of the Garrison 8 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Shrewsbury 9 Time of the Arrival of Ships Boats at Banks's 10 Ship Duke of Cumberlands Account 11 Duplicate Ship Shrewsbury's Do. 12 Abstract of the Cargoes of Ship Greenwich & Duke of Cumberland To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. On the 12th instant we addressed you last by the Ship Duke of Cumberland. 2. Captain Robert Carr brought from the Cape on the Company's Account 60 Sheep 50 Sacks of Wheat and some Garden Seeds Charges &c. amounting to £ 42 . 8 and he requesting to have Certificates for the amount thereof we have granted him the Usual Ones accordingly. 3. We have granted the following Bills of Exchange viz. One set to Captn. Henry Bazett for £ 50 payable to Miss Mary	The Council sent the following documents to the Court in its packet by the Duke of Cumberland, dated 12 April 1773. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 12 April 1773 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 7 April 1773 3: Consultation of 12 April 1773 4: Duplicate consultations from 29 March to 5 April 1773 5: First receipt for the packet sent by the Shrewsbury 6: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Granby 7: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 8: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Shrewsbury 9: Times of arrival of ships' boats at Banks's 10: Account of the ship Duke of Cumberland 11: Duplicate account of the ship Shrewsbury 12: Abstract of the cargoes of the Greenwich and the Duke of Cumberland The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the Duke of Cumberland, dated 12 April. 2: Captain Robert Carr had brought from the Cape, on the Company's account, 60 sheep, 50 sacks of wheat and some garden seeds, with charges amounting to £92 8s 0d. At his request the Council gave him the usual certificates for the amount. 3: The Council had granted the following bills of exchange: one set to Captain Henry Bazett for £50 0s 0d, payable to Miss Mary Bazett.
53	48	Mary Bazett And One Set to Captn. Robert Carr for £ 300 payable to himself both drawn at 90 days sight dated this day. 4. Agreeable to Captn. Carrs request we have given him a permission to touch at the Island of Ascension to get Turtle for the refreshment of his Ships Company. We are Honorable Sirs Your most Obedt. and humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Parling M. Bazett St. Helena 17th April 1773 List of the Honorable Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Greenwich dated the 17th April 1773 No. 1 Governor and Councils General Letter dated the 17th Apl. 1773 2 Duplicate Do. and Do. Do. the 12th Do. Do. 3 Consultation of the 17th Do. Do. 4 Duplicate Do. of the 12th Do. Do. 5 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Duke of Cumberland 6 Second Do. for Do. p Ship Shrewsbury 7 Effective State of the Garrison 8 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Duke of Cumberland 9 Ship Greenwich's Account 10 Duplicate Ship Duke of Cumberlands Account	The Council had also granted one set of bills to Captain Robert Carr for £300 0s 0d, payable to himself. Both sets were drawn at 90 days' sight and dated that day. 4: At Captain Carr's request, the Council gave him permission to call at Ascension for turtle to refresh his crew. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Purling and Matthew Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 17 April 1773. The Council's packet by the Greenwich, dated 17 April 1773, began with the following documents. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 17 April 1773 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 12 April 1773 3: Consultation of 17 April 1773 4: Duplicate consultation of 12 April 1773 5: First receipt for the packet sent by the Duke of Cumberland 6: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Shrewsbury 7: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 8: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Duke of Cumberland 9: Account of the ship Greenwich 10: Duplicate account of the ship Duke of Cumberland
54	49	11 Governors Letter to the Secret Committee To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. We addressed you last the 17th instant by the Ship Greenwich. 2. On the 18th of this Month Arrived the Pigot from Bencoolen (last from the Cape) Captain Richardson acquaints Us that the Ponsborne and Kent were at the Cape when he left it. the 20 Arrived the Lioness from China (last from the Cape) Captn. Larkins informs Us that he left Canton the 15th Janry. in Company with the Fox and Earl of Lincoln, And that the Prime was in Bay False and the Princess Royal in Table Bay when he left the Cape of Good hope. 3. The Pigot Arriving the day after the closeing of the Packet p Greenwich we are sorry we omitted addressing you a Letter informing you of the same. 4. Captain Richardson requested We would inform you that he is under the necessity of staying here longer than the Usual time in order to Stop some Leaks in his Ship, and give his People a further refreshment. 5. Captain Larkins brought from the Cape on the Company's Account fifty Sheep and some Garden Seeds amount ing to £ 48 . 15 and he requesting to have Certificates for the same, We have granted him the Usual Ones accordingly. 6. Agreable to Captn. Larkins request We have permitted him to call at the Island of Ascension to get Turtle for the further Refreshment of his Ships Company. We are Honble. Sirs Yr. most Obdt. & humble Servts. (Signed) J. Skottowe D. Corneille Matt. Parling Matt. Bazett St. Helena 24th Apl. 1773	11: The Governor's letter to the Secret Committee The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the Greenwich, dated 17 April. 2: The Pigot arrived from Bencoolen by way of the Cape on 18 April. Captain Richardson reported that the Ponsborne and the Kent were at the Cape when he left. The Lioness arrived from China by way of the Cape on 20 April. Captain Larkins reported that he had left Canton on 13 January in company with the Fox and the Earl of Lincoln. When he left the Cape of Good Hope, the [...] lay in False Bay and the Princess Royal in Table Bay. 3: The Pigot had arrived the day after the packet for the Greenwich was closed. The Council regretted that it had not written a separate letter reporting her arrival. 4: Captain Richardson asked the Council to inform the Court that he had to stay longer than usual to stop some leaks in his ship and give his crew further rest. 5: Captain Larkins had brought from the Cape, on the Company's account, 50 sheep and some garden seeds, amounting to £48 15s 0d. At his request the Council gave him the usual certificates. 6: At Captain Larkins's request, the Council allowed him to call at Ascension for turtle to refresh his crew further. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Purling and Matthew Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 24 April 1773. Interpretations Captain Richardson's request explains why the Pigot stayed at St Helena from 18 April to 10 May, more than three weeks, while most ships were dispatched within days. A commander needed the Council's sanction to extend his stay, since every day in the roads cost the owners and delayed the cargo. Leaks and a crew wasted by the pepper coast were reasons the Court would accept. Reporting them in advance protected Richardson from any later charge that he had lingered without cause. It also matches his complaint, made weeks earlier at sea, that he had lost 46 men.
55	50	List of the Honorable Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Lioness dated 24th April No. 1 Governor and Councils General Letter dated the 24th Apl. 1773 2 Duplicate Do. Do. dated the 17th Do. Do. 3 Consultations from the 19 to the 23 Do. Do. 4 Duplicate Do. of the 17th Do. Do. 5 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Greenwich 6 Second Do. for Do. p Ship Duke of Cumberland 7 Effective State of the Garrison 8 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Greenwich 9 Cash Account from the 24th to the 31st of March 1773 10 Do. Do. from the 1 to the 24 of April Do. 11 Ship Lioness's Account 12 Duplicate Ship Greenwich's Do. 13 Abstract of the Cargoes p Ship Pigot and Lioness 14 Time of the Lioness Boat at Banks's To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. Our last advices waited on you by the Ship Lioness under date of the 24th of April 1773. 2. It gives Us great Satisfaction to find all your Ships of last Season arrived safe we hope the like success will attend those of this Year. 3. The Ships you have been pleased to take into your Service for carrying on your commerce the present Year, we sincerely wish my return to you in safety and with the desired success.	The Council sent the following documents to the Court in its packet by the Lioness, dated 24 April 1773. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 24 April 1773 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 17 April 1773 3: Consultations from 19 to 23 April 1773 4: Duplicate consultation of 17 April 1773 5: First receipt for the packet sent by the Greenwich 6: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Duke of Cumberland 7: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 8: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Greenwich 9: Cash account from 24 to 31 March 1773 10: Cash account from 1 to 24 April 1773 11: Account of the ship Lioness 12: Duplicate account of the ship Greenwich 13: Abstract of the cargoes of the Pigot and the Lioness 14: Time of arrival of the Lioness's boat at Banks's The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the Lioness, dated 24 April 1773. 2: The Council was greatly pleased to learn that all the Company's ships of the previous season had arrived safely, and hoped the same success would attend those of the present year. 3: The Council sincerely wished that the ships the Court had taken into its service for that year's trade would return safely and with the hoped-for success. Interpretations This letter marks a change from the routine notices of arrivals and departures. It was the Council's reply to the Court's general letter brought out in the Royal Captain on 11 April 1773, which the Council had promised to answer as soon as it could. Such replies took up the Court's instructions paragraph by paragraph. The opening courtesies about the safety of the shipping answered the Court's own report of the previous season.
56	51	4. You will please to observe by our Consultation of the 23 Apl. that we dispatched the Royal Captain upon the Expiration of the ten Working days. And you may depend upon our doing the same by the Alfred. 5. All orders received from the Gentlemen of the Secret Committee or any three of them shall be duly Obeyed and complied with. 6. We wish Prosperity to your Affairs in China under the Management of the Gentlemen you have been pleased to Constitute your Council there. 7. By Our Letter to the Gentlemen At Canton entered in Consultation of the 23 Apl. last we found it necessary to make some Alteration in our China Indent agreable to your Permission for so doing. 8. The supplies you have been pleased to send Us this Year we flatter ourselves will answer all demands. 9. We shall direct the Storekeeper to make a report to Us of the Quality of the Irish Provision received this Year and will inform you Whether it is in goodness equal with the English as you have been pleased to direct. 10. We have received by the Royal Captain the Cattle you were pleased to put on Board that Ship. But only two from the Alfred the other two dying on the Passage. 11. By the Ships Royal Captain and Alfred we have received 77 Recruits they appear in General to be good Men and will Compleat our Establishment. 12. Your observation on our appointment of Mr. Farrel as Surgeons Mate of this Island was an act of necessity and we are certain that we have never taken upon us to make such appointment but under the like Predicament and at the same time must take this opportunity to acquaint you that we are very sorry that you have thought it necessary to Censure our Conduct in the appointment of Robert Leech to fill up the Vacant Writers place	4: The Council's consultation of 23 April would show the Court that it had dispatched the Royal Captain as soon as her ten working days expired. The Court could rely on it to do the same with the Alfred. 5: Every order received from the Secret Committee, or from any three of its members, would be duly obeyed and carried out. 6: The Council wished prosperity to the Company's affairs in China under the gentlemen the Court had appointed as its council there. 7: In its letter to the supercargoes at Canton, entered in the consultation of 23 April, the Council had found it necessary to make some changes to its China indent, as the Court had permitted. 8: The Council trusted that the supplies the Court had sent that year would meet all its needs. 9: The Council would direct the storekeeper to report on the quality of the Irish provisions received that year. It would inform the Court whether they were as good as the English, as the Court had instructed. 10: The Council had received the cattle the Court had put aboard the Royal Captain. Only two had arrived from the Alfred, the other two having died on the passage. 11: The Royal Captain and the Alfred had brought 77 recruits. They appeared in general to be good men and would complete the garrison's establishment. 12: The Court had remarked that the Council's appointment of James Farrell as surgeon's mate of the island was an act of necessity. The Council was sure it had never made such an appointment except under the same pressure. It took this opportunity, however, to say that it was very sorry the Court had thought it necessary to censure its conduct in appointing Robert Leech to fill the vacant writer's place. Interpretations The Court's test of Irish against English provisions bears directly on the short-weight meat recorded in the garrison accounts. For three quarters running the Company had made up hundreds of pieces of pork, and lately beef too, that fell short of their stated weight. Cheaper salt meat from Ireland was evidently under suspicion, and the Court wanted the island's evidence before deciding where to buy. The arrival of 77 recruits fulfilled the Council's request of June 1772 for 120 men to complete the garrison, at least in large part. It also accounts for the surgeon of the Royal Captain being paid for 38 of them, with the Alfred bringing the rest. The Court's censure over Leech shows that it accepted appointments made out of real necessity, as with a surgeon's mate when one had died, but resented the Council filling an ordinary writer's place on its own choice. Writers were the starting rank of the Company's civil service, and the Court guarded its right to name them in London.
57	52	(as we apprehend that the Error in us if any could only be in the Wording of the same, mentioning appointment instead of Recommendation (as the same hitherto practiced in like cases and never before met with your Disapprobation) which latter we shall henceforward be always careful to specify at the same time for Our own justification must declare that we are well convinced that no appointment of Our making can be valid until it has received your approbation, Yet the necessity of the Service must often oblige us upon Deaths or other accidents so far to fill up the Vacancy pro tempore as to appoint some Person to act in said department as otherwise the Business of the respective Offices cannot be carried on with any degree of propriety That at present we are under the greatest difficulty of carrying on the Business in the departments of the Secretarys Office and Stores, owing to the Promotion of Mr. Wright to the Secretaryship, and the Death of Mr. George Bazett Assistant Storekeeper, therefore have been under the necessity of looking out for two deserving and Capable young Men to act as Writers with the usual Salary, until your pleasure is known: the two Young Gentlemen we find well Qualified to Act are Messrs. John Doveton and Nathaniel Kennedy the former Son of the Widow Doveton, with a large Family and the latter Son of the Widow Kennedy whose Husband was long in your Service and died a Captain in this Garrison. 13. Mr. Robert Leech has Executed his Covenants they are returned inclosed and has Named Captn. Jno. Howard and Mr. Jonathan Doveton two very responsible Persons to be his Securitys. 14. The directions you have given the Commanders for supplying themselves with arrack will no Doubt prevent their making use of any consigned to this Island. should it not we Will acquaint you therewith.	The Council believed that its error, if any, lay only in the wording of its letter. It had described the appointment rather than putting it forward as a recommendation, as it had always done before in such cases without the Court's disapproval. In future it would always take care to state this. To justify itself, the Council declared that it fully accepted that no appointment it made could be valid until the Court approved it. Yet the needs of the service often obliged it, on a death or other mishap, to fill a vacancy for the time being by naming someone to act in the post. Otherwise the business of the various offices could not be carried on with any regularity. At present the Council was in the greatest difficulty in running the secretary's office and the stores, because of Mr Wright's promotion to secretary and the death of George Bazett, the assistant storekeeper. It had therefore had to find two deserving and capable young men to act as writers on the usual salary until the Court's wishes were known. The two it found well qualified were John Doveton and Nathaniel Kennedy. Doveton was the son of the widow Doveton, who had a large family. Kennedy was the son of the widow Kennedy, whose husband had served the Company for many years and died a captain in the garrison. 13: Robert Leech had executed his covenants, which were returned with this letter. He had named Captain John Howard and Jonathan Doveton, two very responsible men, as his sureties. 14: The directions the Court had given commanders to supply themselves with arrack would no doubt stop them using any consigned to the island. If they did not, the Council would inform the Court. Interpretations The Council passed over the easy course of simply apologising for appointing Leech. It defended the principle instead. It conceded that only the Court could make an appointment final, but argued that it had to fill posts at once when a death left an office empty. The secretary's office and the stores could not stand idle for the year it took to send to London and receive an answer. It then put the point into practice in the same letter, naming Doveton and Kennedy as acting writers. This time it was careful to word their appointment as provisional, pending the Court's pleasure, exactly as it had promised. Nathaniel Kennedy's mother was evidently Elizabeth Kennedy, who drew a pension of £7 10s 0d a quarter on every pay list. Giving the son of a dead captain a writer's place helped support his widowed mother, and was a common way of providing for the families of men who had died in the Company's service. Leech's covenants were the formal contract every Company servant signed, binding him to faithful service on pain of forfeiting a sum guaranteed by his sureties.
58	53	15. We have to assure you that we never gave encouragement to any of your Servants of this Settlement to make their applica tion thro’ the Board for an Augmentation of Salary neither are we conscious of having done so, but in the few cases wherein it appeared to Us that the Salary was very inadequate to the Bu siness of their Office. And in the Instance which you particula rise relative to the Steward of the Stores we beg leave to observe that the increase of your Garrison, together with the great increase of your Shipping of late Years has Augmented the Business of that department considerably as well as the Business of all other Offices, for which he only receives the small Pay of thirty Pounds a Year, this we were convinced was very inadequate to the Business he had to go thro’ with consequently appeared to Us sufficient grounds for Our recommendation to you for an Augmentation of Salary. 16. Your Orders Signified to Us in the 18th Paragraph of your General Letter of the 6th of January 1773 p Ship Royal Captain relative to Tea we published in order that the Captains and Officers of your Ships and Servants on the Island should be duly acquainted with your pleasure therein, and further have in Obedience to your Commands directed a Register to be kept of all Goods and Merchandize landed at, or reshipped from this Island; but as the same will require a constant attendance and attention of one person and not having any in the Civil Branch but what are continually employed in the departments they appointed to we apprehend it is impossible to conduct this Business without appointing some person whose chief Time must be appropriated for that purpose therefore in consequence of your Orders to have a Register kept in the manner you have prescribed we consider Our Selves under a positive injunction to carry the same into execution find that we are under an absolute necessity of making an allowance to some person for the same adequate to	15: The Council assured the Court that it had never encouraged any of the Company's servants on the island to apply through it for higher salaries. It knew of no case where it had done so, except the few in which a salary had seemed very inadequate to the work of the office. In the case the Court had singled out, the steward of the stores, the Council pointed out that the growth of the garrison and the great increase in shipping in recent years had added considerably to the work of that department, as of every other office. For all this the steward received only £30 0s 0d a year. The Council was convinced this was far too little for the work he had to do, and that seemed sufficient ground for recommending an increase. 16: The Council had published the Court's orders on tea, set out in paragraph 18 of the general letter of 6 January 1773 brought by the Royal Captain. It did so to make sure that the commanders and officers of the Company's ships, and its servants on the island, knew the Court's wishes. In obedience to the Court's commands, it had also directed that a register be kept of all goods and merchandise landed on or reshipped from the island. That task would need the constant attendance and attention of one person. Every man in the civil service was already fully occupied in his own department, so the Council thought it impossible to carry out the work without appointing someone to give his chief time to it. Since the Court's orders that a register be kept in the prescribed form bound the Council to put them into effect, it found itself under absolute necessity to make an adequate allowance to some person for the work. Interpretations The register master's post, given to Hugh Jones on 10 May 1773, was created on the Court's own orders, issued alongside new rules on tea. The Company held the monopoly of tea imports into Britain, and officers of homeward ships could carry only a limited private allowance. St Helena lay on the route of every China ship, so tea landed there and reshipped later could slip around the Company's rules and the English customs. A register of everything landed and reshipped closed that gap. The Council's plea for an allowance for the post shows the familiar difficulty: the Court ordered new duties without providing anyone to carry them out.
59	54	[Dark ink stains obscure text in the first line and near the foot of the page.] to the great and unavoidable trouble that this new [...] department must Occasion, and untill your pleasure is known we have agreed to give Hugh Jones who is superintendant of the Blacks £ 40 a Year in addition to his present pay for his attendance at the Water side, and trouble of keeping the said Register. the necessity of this Measure we apprehend will meet with your approbation as it is in strict Compliance with your Orders which we assure you we never shall deviate from and have reason to flatter Ourselves that none of your other Servants will act contrary thereto now your pleasure is made known unto them thereon. 17. We shall agreeable to your Directions forward the Rhubarb to Bencoolen, which came thro' mistake by the Alfred. 18. On the 30th of last Month your Ship Royal Captain Proceeded on her Voyage to Canton. 19. On the 1st Instant Arrived the Alfred from England by which conveyance we received a Packet from your Honors The 2 the Earl of Lincoln from China (last from the Cape) the 3 the Lord Camden from China The 6th the Fox also from China (last from the Cape) and this day the Norfolk & Nassau from Madrass (last from the Cape) and [...] and Earl of Ashburnham both from China last from the Cape. Captain Reddall informs Us that he spoke with the Lord Man[...]ld off the Cape of good hope all well. 20. We have given Captain Richardson an Order to Receive on board the Pigot William Wright Robert Godsehere and Hugh Brown three Invalid Soldiers and have paid him £ 15 for their Passage Captain Richardsons Receipt together with the Surgeons Certificate goes Enclosed.	The work of the new department would cause great and unavoidable trouble. Until the Court's wishes were known, the Council had agreed to give Hugh Jones, the superintendent of the slaves, £40 0s 0d a year on top of his present pay for attending at the waterside and keeping the register. The Council trusted the Court would approve, since the measure strictly carried out the Court's own orders. It assured the Court that it would never depart from those orders, and believed that none of the Company's other servants would act against them now that the Court's wishes had been made known. 17: As the Court had directed, the Council would forward to Bencoolen the rhubarb that had come by mistake in the Alfred. 18: The Company's ship Royal Captain had continued her voyage to Canton on 30 April. 19: The Alfred arrived from England on 1 May, bringing a packet from the Court. The Earl of Lincoln arrived from China by way of the Cape on 2 May, the Lord Camden from China on 3 May, and the Fox, also from China by way of the Cape, on 6 May. On 9 May the Norfolk and the Nassau arrived from Madras by way of the Cape, together with the Anson and the Earl of Ashburnham, both from China by way of the Cape. Captain Reddall reported that he had spoken the Lord Mansfield off the Cape of Good Hope, with all well aboard. 20: The Council ordered Captain Richardson to take aboard the Pigot three invalid soldiers, William Wright, Robert Godshere and Hugh Brown. It paid him £15 0s 0d for their passage. Captain Richardson's receipt and the surgeon's certificate were enclosed. Interpretations The Council gave the register master's work to Hugh Jones rather than to a new man brought out from England. Jones was already on the island and on the Company's pay, and as superintendent of the slaves he was used to overseeing labour at the landing place, where every cargo came ashore. An extra £40 0s 0d a year was far cheaper than a separate officer with salary, diet money and house rent. The Council framed the payment as provisional, pending the Court's approval, exactly as it had promised to do in its defence over Leech. The letter to Fort Marlborough of 14 May said the rhubarb was sent there under the Company's directions. This paragraph shows it had come to St Helena by mistake in the first place, and the Court's direction was simply to send it on to its proper destination.
60	55	[A dark ink stain obscures text in paragraph 23.] 21. Captain Tod brought from the Cape on the Company’s Account eighty Sheep amounting to sixty pounds for the Amount of which we have given him the Usual Certificates. Captn. Mitchel also brought from the Cape 120 Sheep 54 Bushels of Wheat and some Garden Seeds amounting to £ 108 . 16 we have likewise granted him the Usual Certificates. 22. We had contracted with Captain Richardson outward bound for 200 Sheep on the Honorable Company’s account to be brought us in good Condition the said number was landed but from the Lieut. Governors report as Entered in Consultation of the 13th instant of the loss of so great a number from the 18th of April to the 3 May convinces Us of the bad condition they were in when landed, but as Captn. Richardson insisted that he had Landed the Number contracted for and that he had a right to be paid for the Whole we have given him Certificates for the above number and refer the payment of the same to your Honors he has also made a Charge of £ 14 . 0 for the Passage of a man Slave Consigned to us from the Presidency of Bencoolen without mentioning their paying him for the Slaves Passage as the same appears to us an unprecedented Charge and the said Slave having been a useful Working hand on Board during the Passage we are of opinion that he ought to have given him Wages to Counter Ballance said charge but as he declines so doing have refered said Bill to your Honors to settle the same with the Owners of Ship Pigot. 23. The Passengers on board the Pigot are Messieurs Stevenson Harriot and Lennox a[...] board the Fox Messieurs Byrne and Desaguilier. 24. We have Granted the following Bills of Exchange viz. One Set to Captn. Alexander Tod for £ 600 payable to himself One Set to Mr. B. Wright for £ 200 payable to Mr. Jeremiah Smith One Set Mr. Willm. Wrangham for £ 100 payable	21: Captain Tod had brought from the Cape, on the Company's account, 80 sheep amounting to £60 0s 0d, and the Council gave him the usual certificates for the sum. Captain Mitchell had also brought from the Cape 120 sheep, 54 bushels of wheat and some garden seeds, amounting to £108 16s 0d, and the Council likewise gave him the usual certificates. 22: The Council had contracted with Captain Richardson, on his outward voyage, for 200 sheep to be delivered on the Company's account in good condition. That number was landed. The Lieutenant Governor's report, entered in the consultation of 3 May, showed that a great many had died between 18 April and 3 May, which convinced the Council that they were in bad condition when landed. Captain Richardson insisted that he had landed the number contracted for and had a right to be paid for all of them. The Council therefore gave him certificates for the full number and referred the payment to the Court. He had also charged £14 0s 10d for the passage of a slave man consigned to the island by the presidency of Bencoolen, without mentioning that Bencoolen had paid him for it. The Council thought this an unprecedented charge. The slave had also been a useful working hand aboard during the voyage, so the Council considered that Richardson ought to have paid him wages to set against the charge. Richardson declined to do so, and the Council referred the bill to the Court to settle with the owners of the Pigot. 23: The passengers aboard the Pigot were Messrs Stevenson, Harriot and Lennox. Aboard the Fox were Messrs Byrne and Desaguliers. 24: The Council had granted the following bills of exchange: one set to Captain Alexander Tod for £600 0s 0d, payable to himself; one set to Britannicus Wright for £200 0s 0d, payable to Jeremiah Smith; and one set to William Wrangham for £100 0s 0d, payable to Captain Alexander Tod. Interpretations The letter reveals a second reason the Council refused to pay for the slave's passage. Beyond the silence of Bencoolen on the charge, the man had worked as a hand throughout the eleven-month voyage. A ship short of 46 men gained a real benefit from his labour. The Council reasoned that the owners could not both charge for carrying him as cargo and take his work as a seaman for nothing. Its argument rested on fairness to the Company rather than on any right of the slave himself, but it set the value of his labour against the cost of his keep. The Court was left to decide between the two claims with the owners. The sheep contract was made on Richardson's outward voyage, a year or more earlier, which shows how long in advance the Council arranged its supplies of livestock with commanders bound for the East.
61	56	payable to Captn. Alexander Tod And One Set to Captn. George Richardson for £ 3000 payable to himself all drawn at ninety days sight and dated the 8th Instant. 25. This Letter waits on you by the Ship Pigot Copy of which we transmit you by the Fox. We are Honble. Sirs Your most obedient and humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Matt. Parling Matt. Bazett St. Helena 9 May 1773 List of the Honorable Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Pigot dated the 9th of May 1773 No. 1 Governor and Councils Genl. Letter dated the 9th of May 1773 2 Duplicate Do. and Do. Do. Do. the 24 April Do. 3 Consultations from the 26th of April to the 8th of May Do. 4 Duplicate Do. from the 19th to the 23 of April Do. 5 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Lioness 6 Second Do. for Do. p Ship Greenwich 7 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Lioness 8 Effective State of the Garrison 9 Cash Account from the 25 to the 30 April 1773 10 Do. Do. from the 1 to the 11th May Do. 11 Duplicate Do. from the 24th to the 31 March Do. 12 Do. Do. from the 1 to the 24th April Do. 13 Ship Pigots Account 14 Ship Fox's Do. 15 Ship Earl of Lincolns Do.	The Council had also granted one set of bills to Captain George Richardson for £3,000 0s 0d, payable to himself. All the bills were drawn at 90 days' sight and dated 8 May. 25: This letter was going by the Pigot, and a copy by the Fox. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Purling and Matthew Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 9 May 1773. The Council's packet by the Pigot, dated 9 May 1773, began with the following documents. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 9 May 1773 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 24 April 1773 3: Consultations from 26 April to 8 May 1773 4: Duplicate consultations from 19 to 23 April 1773 5: First receipt for the packet sent by the Lioness 6: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Greenwich 7: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Lioness 8: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 9: Cash account from 25 April to 3 May 1773 10: Cash account from 4 to 11 May 1773 11: Duplicate cash account from 24 to 31 March 1773 12: Duplicate cash account from 1 to 24 April 1773 13: Account of the ship Pigot 14: Account of the ship Fox 15: Account of the ship Earl of Lincoln
62	57	16. Duplicate Ship Lioness’s Account 17 Abstract of the Cargoes of Ship Fox Earl of Lincoln and Lord Camden 18 Time of the Arrival of Ships Boats at Banks’s 19 Covenants of Mr. Robt. Leech 20 Surgeons Certificate of three Invalid Soldiers 21 Captain Richardson’s first Receipt for £ 15 22 Governors Letter to the Secret Committee To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. We wrote you Yesterday by the Ship Pigot Copy of which we transmit by the Fox. 2. Captains Richardson and Tod requesting Liberty to touch at the Island of Ascension to get Turtle for the refreshment of their Ships Company; we permitted them so to do which we omitted mentioning in Our last Letter. 3. The Passengers on board the Nassau are Josias Du Pree Esqr. and Lady Mrs. Morse and Daughter and Lieut. Kennedy. 4. We have granted the following Bills of Exchange viz. One Set to Lieut. James Greentree for £ 36 . 14 - payable to Captn. David Mitchel One Set to Captn. John Reddall for £ 500 . 8 . 11 payable to himself both drawn at ninety days Sight and Dated this day. 5. We have given Captn. John Reddall Liberty to call at Ascension to get Turtle for the refreshment of his Ships Company Agreeable to his request. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. & humble Servants (Signed) Matt. Parling Matt. Bazett Jno. Skottowe Danl. Corneille St. Helena 10 May 1773	16: Duplicate account of the ship Lioness 17: Abstract of the cargoes of the Fox, the Earl of Lincoln and the Lord Camden 18: Times of arrival of ships' boats at Banks's 19: Covenants of Robert Leech 20: Surgeon's certificate for three invalid soldiers 21: Captain Richardson's first receipt for £15 0s 0d 22: The Governor's letter to the Secret Committee The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: It had written on 9 May by the Pigot, with a copy by the Fox. 2: Captains Richardson and Tod had asked leave to call at Ascension for turtle to refresh their crews. The Council had allowed them to do so but had omitted to mention it in its last letter. 3: The passengers aboard the Nassau were Josias Du Pré and his lady, Mrs Moss and her daughter, and Lieutenant Kennedy. 4: The Council had granted the following bills of exchange, both drawn at 90 days' sight and dated that day: one set to Lieutenant James Greentree for £36 14s 0d, payable to Captain David Mitchell, and one set to Captain John Reddall for £500 8s 11d, payable to himself. 5: At Captain Reddall's request, the Council allowed him to call at Ascension for turtle to refresh his crew. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Purling and Matthew Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 10 May 1773. Interpretations The Council wrote a separate letter the very next day merely to correct an omission: it had forgotten to report that two commanders had leave to call at Ascension. Such leave mattered to the Court because a call at Ascension was a deviation from the ship's appointed route. If a ship was lost or damaged there, the owners and insurers would ask whether the call had been authorised. The Council's record of every permission protected both the commanders and itself. Lieutenant Kennedy was perhaps a kinsman of Nathaniel Kennedy, the young writer whom the Council placed in the secretary's office on the same day.
63	58	List of the Honble. Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Lord Camden dated the 10th May 1773 No. 1 Governor and Councils Generall Letter dated the 10th May 1773 2 Do. and Do. dated the 10th of May relating to Law Matters 3 Duplicate Do. and Do. dated 9th of May 1773 4 Duplicate Consultation from 26 April to the 8th Do. Do. 5 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Pigot 6 Do. Do. for a small Paper Do. p Ship Fox 7 Second Do. for the Packet p Ship Lioness 8 Effective State of the Garrison 9 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Pigot 10 Cash Account of the 10th of May 1773 11 Duplicate Do. from the 26th to the 30th March Do. 12 Do. Do. from the 1 to the 9th May Do. 13 Ship Lord Camdens Account 14 Duplicate Ship Pigots Do. 15 Do. Ship Fox's Do. 16 Do. Ship Earl of Lincolns Do. 17 Do. Ship Royal Captains Do. 18 Do. Surgeons Certificate of three Invalid Soldiers 19 Captn. Richardsons second Receipt for £ 15 20 Proceedings of a generall Quarterly Sessions held on the 21 April 1773. To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. By the Ship Lord Camden that Sailed from	The Council sent the following documents to the Court in its packet by the Lord Camden, dated 10 May 1773. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 10 May 1773 2: The Governor and Council's general letter of 10 May 1773, relating to legal matters 3: Duplicate of the general letter of 9 May 1773 4: Duplicate consultations from 26 April to 8 May 1773 5: First receipt for the packet sent by the Pigot 6: First receipt for a small paper packet sent by the Fox 7: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Lioness 8: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 9: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Pigot 10: Cash account for 10 May 1773 11: Duplicate cash account from 26 to 30 March 1773 12: Duplicate cash account from 1 to 9 May 1773 13: Account of the ship Lord Camden 14: Duplicate account of the ship Pigot 15: Duplicate account of the ship Fox 16: Duplicate account of the ship Earl of Lincoln 17: Duplicate account of the ship Royal Captain 18: Duplicate surgeon's certificate for three invalid soldiers 19: Captain Richardson's second receipt for £15 0s 0d 20: Proceedings of a general quarterly sessions held on 21 April 1773 The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the Lord Camden, which sailed from the island on a date the letter went on to give.
64	59	from hence the 10th instant we addressed you last. 2. On the 11th of this Month Arrived a Spanish Frigate from Manilla called the Venus Captain Langaza burthen 550 Tons carry's 32 Guns and 230 Men bound to Spain. 3. The Passengers on board the Norfolk are Mr. and Mrs. Scott. 4. Captn. John Lennox and Richard Pierce applied to Us for leave to touch at Ascension to get Turtle for the further Refreshment of their Ships Company's We have permitted them to call there for that Purpose. 5. Mr. Thomas Stroud applied to Us to pay £ 46 - into the Honorable Company's Cash which Sum we received and have given him Bills of Exchange drawn on your Honors payable to Captn. John Reddall at 90 Days sight dated the 14th instant. 6. Captn. John Lennox brought from the Cape on Account of the Honorable Company fifty Sheep amounting to £ 37 . 10 We also purchased of Captn. Lennox for the use of the Company a Cutter with Oars &c. for £ 18 and he choosing to receive Certificates rather than Money for the whole amount we have given him them accordingly. Captn. Richard Pierce also brought from the Cape on the Company's Account thirty Sheep for which we have paid him £ 22 . 10. 7. This Letter waits on you by the Ship Anson Copy of which we transmit p Earl of Ashburnham. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. and humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Matt. Parling Matt. Bazett St. Helena 15 May 1773	The Lord Camden had sailed on 10 May. 2: A Spanish frigate from Manila, the La Venus, under Captain Langaza, arrived on 11 May. She was of 550 tons, carried 32 guns and a crew of 230, and was bound for Spain. 3: The passengers aboard the Norfolk were Mr and Mrs Scott. 4: Captains John Lennox and Richard Pierce asked leave to call at Ascension for turtle to refresh their crews further, and the Council allowed them to do so. 5: Thomas Stroud asked to pay £46 0s 0d into the Company's treasury. The Council received the money and gave him bills of exchange on the Court, payable to Captain John Reddall at 90 days' sight and dated 14 May. 6: Captain John Lennox had brought from the Cape, on the Company's account, 50 sheep amounting to £37 10s 0d. The Council also bought from him, for the Company's use, a cutter with oars and fittings for £18 0s 0d. He chose to take certificates rather than money for the whole sum, and the Council gave them to him. Captain Richard Pierce had also brought from the Cape, on the Company's account, 30 sheep, for which the Council paid him £22 10s 0d. 7: This letter was going by the Anson, and a copy by the Earl of Ashburnham. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Purling and Matthew Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 15 May 1773. Interpretations Thomas Stroud, who paid £46 0s 0d into the treasury, was the island's surgeon, appointed in July 1772. His bill was made payable to Captain Reddall of the Lord Camden, which had already sailed. Like Matthew Purling's bill to Captain Hindman the year before, it probably settled a private purchase from a commander, perhaps of medicines or goods from his private trade. The surgeon had already been reimbursed by the Company for medicines bought from ships in the January quarter, and private dealings of this kind were part of how the island's officers supplied themselves between the Company's own consignments.
65	60	List of the Honble. Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Anson dated the 15th May 1773 No. 1 Governor and Councils General Letter dated 15th May 1773 2 Duplicate Do. and Do. dated 10th Do. Do. 3 Do. Do. and Do. dated 10th Do. Do. relating to Law matters 4 Consultation from the 10th to the 14 May 1773 5 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Lord Camden 6 Second Do. for Do. p Ship Pigot 7 Do. Do. for a small paper Do. p Ship Fox 8 Effective State of the Garrison 9 List of Officers and Servants taken the 15th May 1773 10 Do. of Births Christnings Marriages and Burials 11 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Lord Camden 12 Cash Account from the 11th to the 15 May 1773 13 Duplicate Do. of the 10 May Do. 14 Ship Earl of Ashburnham's Account 15 Duplicate Ship Lord Camden Do. 16 Duplicate Proceedings of a General Quarterly Sessions held on the 21 April 1773 17 Abstract of the Cargoes of Ships Anson, Earl of Ashburnham Nassau and Norfolk 18 Ship Ansons Account To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. Our last advices went by the Ship Anson under date of the 15th instant Copy of which we transmitted p the Earl of Ashburnham.	The Council sent the following documents to the Court in its packet by the Anson, dated 15 May 1773. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 15 May 1773 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 10 May 1773 3: Duplicate of the general letter of 10 May 1773, relating to legal matters 4: Consultations from 10 to 14 May 1773 5: First receipt for the packet sent by the Lord Camden 6: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Pigot 7: Second receipt for a small paper packet sent by the Fox 8: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 9: List of officers and servants, taken on 15 May 1773 10: List of births, christenings, marriages and burials 11: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Lord Camden 12: Cash account from 11 to 15 May 1773 13: Duplicate cash account for 10 May 1773 14: Account of the ship Earl of Ashburnham 15: Duplicate account of the ship Lord Camden 16: Duplicate proceedings of a general quarterly sessions held on 21 April 1773 17: Abstract of the cargoes of the Anson, the Earl of Ashburnham, the Nassau and the Norfolk 18: Account of the ship Anson The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the Anson, dated 15 May, with a copy by the Earl of Ashburnham.
66	61	2. Captain Arthur Gore brought from the Cape on Your Account 25 Sheep amounting to £ 18 . 15 for which we have given him the Usual Certificates agreable to his request. 3. Captn. Gore requesting liberty to call at Ascension for the refreshment of his Ships Company. We have permitted him to touch there for that purpose. We are Honorable Sirs Your most Obedient and humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Parling M. Bazett St. Helena 17th May 1773 List of the Honble. Company’s Packet from St. Helena p Ship Nassau dated the 17 May 1773 No. 1 Governor and Councils General Letter dated the 17 May 1773 2 Duplicate Do. and Do. dated the 15th Do. Do. 3 Duplicate Do. from the 10th to the 14th Do. Do. 4 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Anson 5 Do. Do. for a small Paper Do. p Ship Earl of Ashburnham 6 Second Do. for the Packet p Ship Lord Camden 7 Effective State of the Garrison 8 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Anson 9 Cash account from the 16th to the 17th May 1773 10 Duplicate Do. from the 11th to the 15th Do. Do. 11 Ship Nassau’s Account 12 Duplicate Ship Earl of Ashburnham	2: Captain Arthur Gore had brought from the Cape, on the Company's account, 25 sheep amounting to £18 15s 0d. At his request the Council gave him the usual certificates. 3: Captain Gore asked leave to call at Ascension to refresh his crew, and the Council allowed him to do so. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Purling and Matthew Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 17 May 1773. The Council sent the following documents to the Court in its packet by the Nassau, dated 17 May 1773. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 17 May 1773 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 15 May 1773 3: Duplicate consultations from 10 to 14 May 1773 4: First receipt for the packet sent by the Anson 5: First receipt for a small paper packet sent by the Earl of Ashburnham 6: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Lord Camden 7: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 8: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Anson 9: Cash account from 16 to 17 May 1773 10: Duplicate cash account from 11 to 15 May 1773 11: Account of the ship Nassau 12: Duplicate account of the ship Earl of Ashburnham
67	62	13 Ship Ansons Account To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. We addressed you the 17 instant by the Ship Nassau that left this place the day after. 2. We have given Captain Buggin permission to receive on board the Norfolk Philip Conoway Henry Friendly, William Phillips, Patrick Edrington and William French five discharged Men. 3. On the 23 of this Month arrived a French Ship from Mauritius called the Three Cousins Captain Peter Sabatary burthen about 450 Tons, carrys 24 Guns and 96 Men loaden with Coffee bound to Port L'Orient the same day a Dutch Ship Arrived from Batavia called the De Mer Caur, Captn. Christian Andrew Speer burthen 800 Tons carry's 30 Guns and 98 Men loaden with Coffee and Pepper bound to Rotterdam. 4. The 23 instant arrived your Ship Duke of Grafton and the Day after the Prince of Wales both from Bengal (last from the Cape) We are informed that the Huntingdon had been at the Cape and Sailed a day or two before the Arrival of the above Ships and that the Duke of Kingston and Houghton where in Bay False. 5. The Passengers on board the Duke of Grafton are Mr. Mills Major Degloss and Messrs. Magee Johnston Simpson Baynes Rider and Harrison and on board the Prince of Wales John Cartier Esqr. and Lady, Mr. and Mrs. Harris and Mr. Harriott.	13: Account of the ship Anson The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: It had written on 17 May by the Nassau, which left the island the following day. 2: The Council had given Captain Buggin permission to take aboard the Norfolk five discharged men: Philip Conway, Henry Friendly, William Phillips, Patrick Eddrington and William French. 3: A French ship from Mauritius, the Three Cousins, under Captain Peter Sabatary, arrived on 23 May. She was of about 450 tons, carried 24 guns and a crew of 96, and was bound for Lorient with coffee. The same day a Dutch ship from Batavia arrived, the De Mer Caur, under Captain Christian Andrew Spier. She was of 500 tons, carried 30 guns and a crew of 98, and was bound for Rotterdam with coffee and pepper. 4: The Company's ship Duke of Grafton arrived on 23 May, and the Prince of Wales the next day, both from Bengal by way of the Cape. The Council learned that the Huntingdon had called at the Cape and sailed a day or two before those ships arrived, and that the Duke of Kingston and the Houghton were in False Bay. 5: The passengers aboard the Duke of Grafton were Mrs Mills, Major Deglass and Messrs Magee, Johnston, Simpson, Baynes, Rider and Harrison. Aboard the Prince of Wales were John Cartier and his lady, Mr and Mrs Harris and Mr Harriott. Interpretations Patrick Eddrington was the matross whose complaint against Lieutenant Powell the Council had upheld on 2 April 1773. Within two months he had his discharge and a passage home. Philip Conway had been a bombardier of the artillery and William Phillips a matross. Several of these men appear to have completed their terms in the same season, and the Council placed them aboard a homeward ship as they fell due. John Cartier had been Governor of Bengal until he handed over to Warren Hastings in April 1772. Like Josias Du Pré of Madras a few weeks earlier, he passed through St Helena on his way home, so that the departing heads of two presidencies called at the island within the same season.
68	63	6. We have granted the following Bills of Exchange viz. One Set to Captn. Henry Bazett for £ 175 . 6 . 9 payable to Mr. Robert Barclay dated the 21 instant And One Set to Captn. John Lauder for £ 300 payable to himself dated the 24 instant both drawn at 90 days sight. 7. We have permitted Captn. James Buggin to touch at the Island of Ascension to get Turtle agreeable to his request. 8. Captn. Samuel Bull brought from the Cape on your Account 20 Sheep 4 Sacks of Wheat and some Garden Seeds for which we have paid him £ 18 . 2 . 6. 9. This Letter waits on you by the Norfolk Copy of which we transmit by the Duke of Grafton. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. and humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Parling M. Bazett St. Helena 24th May 1773 List of the Honorable Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Norfolk dated the 24th May 1773 No. 1 Govr. and Councils General Letter dated the 24th May 1773 2 Duplicate Do. and Do. dated the 17th Do. Do. 3 Consultations from the 17 to the 21 May 4 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Nassau 5 Second Do. for Do. p Ship Anson	6: The Council had granted the following bills of exchange, both drawn at 90 days' sight: one set to Captain Henry Bazett for £175 6s 9d, payable to Robert Barclay and dated 21 May, and one set to Captain John Lauder for £[...], payable to himself and dated 24 May. 7: At Captain James Buggin's request, the Council allowed him to call at Ascension for turtle. 8: Captain Samuel Bull had brought from the Cape, on the Company's account, 20 sheep, 4 sacks of wheat and some garden seeds, for which the Council paid him £18 2s 6d. 9: This letter was going by the Norfolk, and a copy by the Duke of Grafton. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Purling and Matthew Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 24 May 1773. The Council's packet by the Norfolk, dated 24 May 1773, began with the following documents. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 24 May 1773 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 17 May 1773 3: Consultations from 17 to 21 May 1773 4: First receipt for the packet sent by the Nassau 5: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Anson Interpretations Robert Barclay, the payee of Captain Henry Bazett's bill, was the island's former surgeon. He had resigned in July 1772 and sailed home in the Ankerwyke. A bill of £175 6s 9d drawn by Bazett in his favour almost a year later was probably the settlement of a debt or a purchase from Barclay's estate on the island, paid to him in London. Bills on the Company let island residents settle with people who had already left, without anyone having to carry coin across the ocean.
69	64	6 Second Receipt for a small Paper Packet p Ship Earl of Ashburnham 7 Effective State of the Garrison 8 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Nassau 9 Cash Account from the 18 to the 24 May 1773 10 Duplicate Do. from the 16 to the 17th Do. Do. 11 Ship Norfolks Account 12 Ship Alfreds Do. 13 Ship Duke of Graftons Do. 14 List of five Discharged Soldiers 15 Time of the Arrival of Ships Boats at Banks's 16 Abstract of the Cargoes of Ships Duke of Grafton and Prince of Wales 17 Duplicate Ship Nassau's Account To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. We wrote last by the Ship Norfolk Copy of which we transmitted by the Duke of Grafton. 2. Captain Christian Andrew Speer of the Dutch Ship De Mer Caur applied to Us to pay four hundred Pounds into the Honorable Company's Cash which Sum we have received and given him Bills of Exchange drawn on your Honors, payable to himself at ninety days Sight dated the 29 of last Month. 3. We have the pleasure to inform you that the Summer Rains began early this Year and have	6: Second receipt for a small paper packet sent by the Earl of Ashburnham 7: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 8: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Nassau 9: Cash account from 18 to 24 May 1773 10: Duplicate cash account from 16 to 17 May 1773 11: Account of the ship Norfolk 12: Account of the ship Alfred 13: Account of the ship Duke of Grafton 14: List of five discharged soldiers 15: Times of arrival of ships' boats at Banks's 16: Abstract of the cargoes of the Duke of Grafton and the Prince of Wales 17: Duplicate account of the ship Nassau The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the Norfolk, with a copy by the Duke of Grafton. 2: Captain Christian Andrew Spier of the Dutch ship De Mer Caur asked to pay £400 0s 0d into the Company's treasury. The Council received the money and gave him bills of exchange on the Court, payable to himself at 90 days' sight and dated 29 May. 3: The Council was pleased to report that the rains had begun early that year and had continued, as the letter went on to describe. Interpretations The Council sold bills on the Company to the master of a foreign ship as readily as to its own officers. A Dutch captain bound for Rotterdam gained a safe means of remitting £400 0s 0d to London, which he could not easily do through his own company's channels. The island gained hard coin at a time when its treasury was being drawn down every quarter. The Council evidently judged the cash worth more than any objection to serving a rival nation's trade, and the Court lost nothing, since it would pay out only the sum already received.
70	65	have continued until now, so that we have had one of the finest Summer Seasons that we have experienced for many Years past by which your Plantations as well as the Island in general is recovered much, and we have likewise the pleasure to mention that very few Cattle have Died since the begining of the Season. 4. Captain Jonathan Court requesting liberty to call at the Island of Ascension to get Turtle We have permitted him to touch there for that purpose. We are Honorable Sirs Your most Obedient and humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Parling M. Bazett St. Helena 6th June 1773 List of the Honorable Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Prince of Wales dated the 6 of June 1773 No. 1 Govr. and Councils Genl. Letter dated the 6th June 1773 2 Duplicate Do. and Do. dated the 24th May Do. 3 Consultations from the 24th May to the 4th of June Do. 4 Duplicate Do. from the 17th Do. to the 21 May 5 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Norfolk 6 First Do. for a small Paper Do. p Ship Duke of Grafton 7 Second Do. for Do. p Ship Nassau	The rains had continued until then, making it one of the finest seasons the island had known for many years. The Company's plantations and the island as a whole had recovered a great deal. The Council was also pleased to report that very few cattle had died since the season began. 4: Captain Jonathan Court asked leave to call at Ascension for turtle, and the Council allowed him to do so. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Purling and Matthew Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 6 June 1773. The Council's packet by the Prince of Wales, dated 6 June 1773, began with the following documents. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 6 June 1773 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 24 May 1773 3: Consultations from 24 May to 4 June 1773 4: Duplicate consultations from 17 to 21 May 1773 5: First receipt for the packet sent by the Norfolk 6: First receipt for a small paper packet sent by the Duke of Grafton 7: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Nassau Interpretations The report closed the run of drought that the Council had described to the Court since June 1772: a poor summer, failed winter rains in October, and in February 1773 the worst state of the island it had ever known. Rain from March onwards had turned the year round. The Council's purchases of Cape sheep and wheat from every homeward ship that season had been made against a feared famine of meat and grain. By June the pasture had recovered and the cattle were surviving, so the island could look to its own herds again rather than the passing fleet.
71	66	8 Effective State of the Garrison 9 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Norfolk 10 Cash Account from the 25 to the 31 May 1773 11 Do. Do. from the 1 to the 6 June Do. 12 Duplicate Do. from the 18 to the 24 May Do. 13 Ship Prince of Wales's Account 14 Duplicate Ship Norfolk's Do. 15 Do. Ship Duke of Graftons Do. 16 Do. Ship Alfreds Do. To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. By the Ship Prince of Wales that Sailed from hence the 7th instant we wrote last to you. 2. On the 16 of this Month Arrived your Ship Royal Henry from China Captain Roys informs Us that he left that Place the 18 of February last, and that he spoke with the Houghton off the Cape, all well. 3. The Reverend Mr. William Bearcroft waited on the board the 7th instant and acquainted Us with his Compliance to Our request respecting his stay as Chaplain of this Island agreeable to Our desire by a Letter to him under date of the 3d May last as Entered in Consultation of the 7 of this Month to which we refer your Honors. 4. We beg leave to refer your Honors to Our Consultation of the 14 June respecting an Application made to the Governor by Robt. Gibson a	8: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 9: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Norfolk 10: Cash account from 25 to 31 May 1773 11: Cash account from 1 to 6 June 1773 12: Duplicate cash account from 18 to 24 May 1773 13: Account of the ship Prince of Wales 14: Duplicate account of the ship Norfolk 15: Duplicate account of the ship Duke of Grafton 16: Duplicate account of the ship Alfred The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the Prince of Wales, which sailed from the island on 7 June. 2: The Company's ship Royal Henry arrived from China on 16 June. Captain Roys reported that he had left Canton on 18 February and had spoken the Houghton off the Cape, with all well aboard. 3: The chaplain, William Bearcroft, attended the Council on 7 June. He told it that he would comply with its request to stay on as chaplain of the island, made in its letter to him of [...] May and entered in the consultation of 7 June, to which the Council referred the Court. 4: The Council referred the Court to its consultation of 14 June concerning an application made to the Governor by Robert Gillson. Interpretations Bearcroft accepted the Council's request to remain, despite his earlier anxiety to sail home with his child before the season ended. His decision meant he would miss the last ships of the year and stay at least until the next homeward fleet. It spared the island from being left without a clergyman, the outcome the Council had feared when it pressed him on 10 May. The Council reported his compliance to the Court promptly. It strengthened its own case for a successor, since a chaplain kept on against his wishes could not be expected to stay indefinitely.
72	67	a Second Lieut. in the Artillery Company concerning the future promotion of the Second Lieutenants of Artillery in case of a Vacancy in the Marching Compys. whether they will not be entitled to the same according to the seniority of the dates of their Commissions also his Petition Entered in this days Consultation for leave to proceed to England with Our opinion on the former and answer to the latter. 5. We have given Captn. Rous a permit to receive on board the Royal Henry Robt. Nichols Wm. Blevin and Jno. Blevin three discharged Soldiers. 6. Captain Sherley is the only Passenger on board the Royal Henry. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Parling M. Bazett St. Helena 21 June 1773 List of the Honble. Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Royal Henry dated the 21 June 1773 No. 1 Govr. and Councils Genl. Letter dated the 21 June 1773 2 Duplicate Do. and Do. dated the 6th Do. Do. 3 Consultation from the 7th to the 21 Do. Do. 4 Duplicate Do. from the 24 May to the 4th Do. Do. 5 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Prince of Wales 6 Second Do. for Do. p Ship Norfolk	Robert Gillson was a second lieutenant in the Artillery Company. He had asked about the future promotion of second lieutenants of artillery when vacancies arose in the marching companies, and whether they would be entitled to them according to the seniority of their commissions. His petition for leave to go to England was entered in that day's consultation. The Council sent its opinion on the first matter and its answer to the second. 5: The Council had given Captain Roys a permit to take aboard the Royal Henry three discharged soldiers, Robert Nichols, William Blevin and John Blevin. 6: Captain Sherley was the only passenger aboard the Royal Henry. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Purling and Matthew Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 21 June 1773. The Council's packet by the Royal Henry, dated 21 June 1773, began with the following documents. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 21 June 1773 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 6 June 1773 3: Consultations from 7 to 21 June 1773 4: Duplicate consultations from 24 May to 4 June 1773 5: First receipt for the packet sent by the Prince of Wales 6: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Norfolk Interpretations Gillson's question went to the heart of an officer's prospects on a small garrison. The artillery had only a handful of officers, and promotion within it was slow. If artillery lieutenants could step into vacancies in the four infantry companies by the date of their commissions, their chances of becoming captain improved greatly. Infantry officers would naturally resist this, since every artillery officer promoted across would be one fewer place for them. The Council could only give its opinion, because the ranking of commissions across the two branches was a matter for the Court. Gillson's petition to go home in the same letter suggests that he saw little future for himself on the island if the answer went against him. He was perhaps the officer entered in the pay lists as Robert Gillam, lieutenant of artillery.
73	68	7 Second Receipt for a small Paper Packet p Ship Duke of Grafton 8 Effective State of the Garrison 9 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Norfolk 10 Cash Account from the 7th to the 21 of June 1773 11 Duplicate Do. from the 25th to the 31st May Do. 12 Do. Do. from the 1 to the 6 June Do. 13 Ship Royal Henry's Account 14 Duplicate Ship Prince of Wales's Account 15 Time of the Arrival of Ship Royal Henry's Boat at Banks's 16 Abstract of the Cargoe of Ship Royal Henry 17 Duplicate List of Marriages Christenings & Burials To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. Our last Address went by the Ship Royal Henry that left this Place the 22 of last Month. 2. On the 28th of June Arrived your Ship Speaker from Bombay (last from the Cape) The day after a Dane Ship from Tranquebar called the Carolina Mathilda Captain Bagge burthen five hundred Tons, carry's sixteen Guns and seventy five Men, loaden with Bengal Goods bound to Copenhagen. Captain Scott acquaints Us he left Bombay the 11 of February last, put into the Cape the 18th May, and that the British King Arrived there two days before he sailed from thence. Captain Scott also informs Us that there were two French Men of War One of sixty four Guns and the other a Frigate when	7: Second receipt for a small paper packet sent by the Duke of Grafton 8: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 9: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Norfolk 10: Cash account from 7 to 21 June 1773 11: Duplicate cash account from 25 to 31 May 1773 12: Duplicate cash account from 1 to 6 June 1773 13: Account of the ship Royal Henry 14: Duplicate account of the ship Prince of Wales 15: Time of arrival of the Royal Henry's boat at Banks's 16: Abstract of the cargo of the Royal Henry 17: Duplicate list of marriages, christenings and burials The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the Royal Henry, which left the island on 22 June. 2: The Company's ship Speaker arrived from Bombay by way of the Cape on 28 June. The next day a Danish ship from Tranquebar arrived, the Carolina Mathilda, under Captain Bagge. She was of 500 tons, carried 16 guns and a crew of 75, and was bound for Copenhagen with Bengal goods. Captain Scott reported that he had left Bombay on 11 February and put into the Cape on 18 May. The British King had arrived there two days before he sailed. Captain Scott also reported that two French men-of-war lay at the Cape, one of 64 guns and the other a frigate, in circumstances the letter went on to describe. Interpretations Tranquebar was the Danish Company's settlement on the Coromandel coast, its main base in India. A ship from there loaded with Bengal goods shows the Danes buying in Bengal and shipping through their own port, a trade that competed directly with the English Company's. The report of a French 64-gun ship of the line at the Cape mattered more. A frigate carrying troops home from Mauritius was routine, as earlier letters had shown. A ship of the line was a fighting vessel, and its presence on the route of every homeward Indiaman was intelligence the Court would want at once, even with the two nations at peace.
74	69	when he was there And reported that they were a going upon discoverys. 3. By this opportunity we transmit you the List of remains together with Our Indents of Stores wanted for the Service of the Year 1774. 4. Mr. Parling gave Us notice on the 28th of last Month that he intends retiring from your Honors Service and proceed to England on one of the Ships that shall arrive here next Year the Letter he addressed to the Board on this Occasion is entered in Our Consultation of that day to which we beg leave to refer you. 5. The Passengers on board the Speaker are Captn. Elphinston, the Reverend John Howell Messrs. Eaton, Bell, Allen, Farmer, Forbes, Carter, Mr. Petrie, and Mr. Stackhouse. 6. As the last Quarters Accounts will not be laid before Us until the 19th instant we cannot transmit you any other Cash Account than the Duplicate of Our last. 7. Agreeable to Captn. Scotts request We have permitted him to touch at the Island of Ascension to get Turtle for the refreshment of his Ships Company. 8. We have permitted Captn. Scott to receive on board his Ship John Jones a discharged Soldier. 9. Bought of Captn. Robert Scott on your Account four hundred and eighty Pieces of Salt Meat three Baskets of Garden Seeds and three hundred and one quarter of Flour amounting to £ 53 - as p Bill entered in Consultation of the 3d instant, he choosing to have Certificates for the same rather than Money we have Granted him the Usual ones accordingly. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedient and humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Parling Bazett St. Helena 3d July 1773	The French warships were reported to be going on a voyage of discovery. 3: By this ship the Council sent the list of stores remaining, together with its indents for the stores needed in 1774. 4: Matthew Purling had given the Council notice on 28 June that he meant to retire from the Company's service and sail for England in one of the ships arriving the following year. His letter to the Council on the matter was entered in the consultation of that day, to which the Council referred the Court. 5: The passengers aboard the Speaker were Captain Elphinston, the Reverend John Howell, Messrs Eaton, Bell, Allen, Farmer, Forbes and Carter, Mrs Petrie and Mrs Stackhouse. 6: The last quarter's accounts would not be laid before the Council until 19 July, so it could send no cash account other than a duplicate of its last. 7: At Captain Scott's request, the Council allowed him to call at Ascension for turtle to refresh his crew. 8: The Council allowed Captain Scott to take aboard his ship John Jones, a discharged soldier. 9: The Council bought from Captain Robert Scott, on the Company's account, 480 pieces of salt meat, 3 baskets of garden seeds and 3 cwt 1 qr of flour, amounting to £53 0s 0d, as shown in his bill entered in the consultation of 3 July. He chose to take certificates for the sum rather than money, and the Council gave him the usual certificates. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Purling and Matthew Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 3 July 1773. Interpretations The two French warships bound on discovery were almost certainly the Roland, of 64 guns, and the frigate Oiseau, under Yves de Kerguelen-Trémarec. They called at the Cape in 1773 on his second voyage to the southern Indian Ocean, where he had sighted the islands later named after him. As with the report of Cook's ships the year before, the Council passed on news of a rival nation's exploring expedition as soon as it reached the island. Matthew Purling's notice of retirement, given a full year ahead, followed the same pattern as the chaplain's. A senior servant on St Helena had to wait for the next season's ships and for the Court to know of his going, so that it could appoint a successor to the Council in good time.
75	70	List of the Honble. Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Speaker dated the 3 July 1773 No. 1 Governor and Councils General Letter dated the 3 July 1773 2 Duplicate Do. and Do. dated the 21 June Do. 3 Consultations from the 28th June to the 3 July Do. 4 Duplicate Do. from the 7 to the 21 June Do. 5 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Royal Henry 6 Second Do. for Do. p Ship Prince of Wales 7 Effective State of the Garrison 8 Muster Rolls of Do. 9 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Royal Henry 10 Do. Cash Account from the 7 to the 21 June 1773 11 Ship Speakers Account 12 Duplicate Ship Royal Henry's Do. 13 Time of the Arrival of the Speakers Boat at Banks's 14 Abstract of the Cargoe of Ship Speaker 15 Indent of Stores wanted for the Service of the year 1774 16 Do. of Medicines Do. Do. Do. 17 List of Stores remaining in the Honble. Compys. Ware Houses the 15 May 1773 18 Do. of Garrison Stores Do. Do. Do. 19 Do. of Artillery Stores Do. from the 1 Octr. to the 31 March Do. To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. Our last Advice went by the Ship Speaker under date of the 3 Instant. 2. On the 17 of this Month Arrived your Ship	The Council sent the following documents to the Court in its packet by the Speaker, dated 3 July 1773. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 3 July 1773 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 21 June 1773 3: Consultations from 28 June to 3 July 1773 4: Duplicate consultations from 7 to 21 June 1773 5: First receipt for the packet sent by the Royal Henry 6: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Prince of Wales 7: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 8: Muster rolls of the garrison 9: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Royal Henry 10: Duplicate cash account from 7 to 21 June 1773 11: Account of the ship Speaker 12: Duplicate account of the ship Royal Henry 13: Time of arrival of the Speaker's boat at Banks's 14: Abstract of the cargo of the Speaker 15: Indent of stores wanted for the year 1774 16: Indent of medicines wanted for the year 1774 17: List of stores remaining in the Company's warehouses on 15 May 1773 18: List of garrison stores remaining on 15 May 1773 19: List of artillery stores from 1 October 1772 to 31 March 1773 The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the Speaker, dated 3 July. 2: The Company's ship [...] arrived on 17 July, as the letter went on to describe.
76	71	Marquis of Rockingham from Bengal (last from Mauritius) Captain Hamilton Acquaints Us he left Fort William the 11 of March last but having met with contrary Winds he was obledged to put into Mauritius Where he Arrived the 16th May and sailed from thence 23d of the same Month, Captn. Hamilton also tells Us that there were at Mauritius a French Ship of the Line, a Frigate and several Merchant Ships, And that he spoke with the Alfred off the Cape all well. 3. We have granted the following Bills of Exchange viz. Two Sets to Danl. Corneille Esqr. One for £ 200 payable to John Caillaud Esqr. One for £ 8 . 8 payable Messrs. Stainforth and Leborne. Two Sets to Mattw. Parling Esqr. One for £ 229 payable to Captain John Reddall, and one for 50 payable to Mr. Robt. Wigram, One set to Mr. Wm. Wrangham for £ 50 payable to Mr. Wm. Barkley. And one Set to Mr. Rd. Goodwin for £ 50, payable to Mr. Wm. Lee, One Set to Mr. Jona. Doveton for 200 payable to Captn. Richd. Doveton, And one Set to Captn. Henry Bazett for £ 37 . 16 payable to Mr. Rd. Bodman, All drawn at Ninety days sight and dated this day. 4. Captn. Richd. Beale having been for a long time in a very bad state of health, of Mind and Body we were under the necessity to take the same into Consideration, And our proceedings thereon are entered in Consultation of the 5 and 12 of this Month to which we beg leave to refer you. 5. The Passengers on board the Marquis of Rockingham are Mr. Sanderson and Mr. Wedderburn Colonel Morgan, Messrs. Imhoff, Grand, Haffey, Head & Cockrell.	The ship was the Marquis of Rockingham, from Bengal by way of Mauritius. Captain Hamilton reported that he had left Fort William on 11 March. Contrary winds forced him to put into Mauritius, where he arrived on 16 May and sailed again on 23 May. A French ship of the line, a frigate and several merchant ships lay at Mauritius. He had spoken the Alfred off the Cape, with all well aboard. 3: The Council had granted the following bills of exchange, all drawn at 90 days' sight and dated that day. Daniel Corneille, £200 0s 0d, payable to John Caillaud Daniel Corneille, £[...] 8s 6d, payable to Messrs Stainforth and Gibberne Matthew Purling, £229 0s 0d, payable to Captain John Reddall Matthew Purling, £50 0s 0d, payable to Robert Wigram William Wrangham, £50 0s 0d, payable to William Barkley Richard Goodwin, £50 0s 0d, payable to William Lee Jonathan Doveton, £200 0s 0d, payable to Captain Richard Doveton Captain Henry Bazett, £37 16s 0d, payable to Richard Bodman 4: Captain Richard Beale had long been in a very poor state of health, in mind and body. The Council had been obliged to consider his case, and its proceedings were entered in the consultations of 5 and 12 July, to which it referred the Court. 5: The passengers aboard the Marquis of Rockingham were Mr Sanderson and Mr Wedderburn, Colonel Morgan, and Messrs Imhoff, Grand, Haffey, Heed and Cockrell. Interpretations Captain Richard Beale commanded the Third Company and drew £59 6s 3d a quarter on every pay list. A captain unfit in mind as well as body could neither be left in command nor simply dismissed. His commission came from the Court, and only the Court could remove him. The Council could relieve him of duty and report the matter, which is evidently what its proceedings of July recorded. Martha Beale, the widow whose will was proved in February 1773, had a son named Richard, and the captain was probably of the same leading island family. Mr Imhoff was perhaps Christoph von Imhoff, the German portrait painter whose wife Marian later married Warren Hastings. Mr Grand was perhaps George Francis Grand, whose wife Catherine afterwards became Talleyrand's wife. Both men were leaving Bengal about this time.
77	72	6. As the last Quarters Accounts and several other Papers, are inserted in this days Consultation renders it too long to be Copy'd to go by this Conveyance. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. humble Servants (signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Parling M. Bazett St. Helena 19 July 1773 List of the Honble. Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Marquis of Rockingham dated the 19 July 1773. No. 1 Governor & Councils General Letter dated the 19th July 1773 2 Duplicate Do. and Do. dated the 3d Do. Do. 3 Consultations from the 5 to the 12 Do. Do. 4 Duplicate Do. from the 28th June to the 3d Do. Do. 5 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Speaker 6 Second Do. for Do. p Ship Royal Henry 7 Effective State of the Garrison 8 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Speaker 9 Cash Account from the 22d to the 30th June 1773 10 Do. Do. from the 1 to the 19 July Do. 11 Ship Marquis of Rockinghams Account 12 Duplicate Ship Speakers Do.	6: The last quarter's accounts and several other papers were entered in that day's consultation, which made it too long to copy in time to go by this ship. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Purling and Matthew Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 19 July 1773. The Council's packet by the Marquis of Rockingham, dated 19 July 1773, began with the following documents. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 19 July 1773 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 3 July 1773 3: Consultations from 5 to 12 July 1773 4: Duplicate consultations from 28 June to 3 July 1773 5: First receipt for the packet sent by the Speaker 6: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Royal Henry 7: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 8: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Speaker 9: Cash account from 22 to 30 June 1773 10: Cash account from 1 to 19 July 1773 11: Account of the ship Marquis of Rockingham 12: Duplicate account of the ship Speaker
78	73	13 Duplicate Indent of Stores Wanted for the service of the Year 1774 14 Do. Do. of Medicines Do. Do. Do. 15 Do. List of Stores remaining in the Honble. Company's Ware houses the 15 May 1773 16 Do. of Garrison Stores Do. Do. Do. 17 Do. of Artillery Do. Do. from 1 Octr. 1772 to the 31 May 1773 18 Abstract of the Cargoe of Ship Marquis of Rockingham 19 Governors Letter to the Court of Directors 20 Proceedings of General Quarterly Sessions held on the 14 July 1773 21 Governors and Councils General Letter dated the 19 July Do. relating to Law Matters. To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. By the Ship Marquis of Rockingham that left this Place the 20 of this Month we Wrote last to you. 2. On the 28th instant Arrived your Ships Hector and Triton, the former from Bengal and the latter from Madrass last from the Cape Captn. Elphinstone informs Us he left Fort St. George the 17th of March last spoke with the Houghton off the South End of Madagascar, Put into Bay False the 26 June and that there were two French Ships of the Line and four Dutch Ships there. 3. After Dispatching the Ship Marquis of Rockingham We gave Captn. Hamilton permission to receive on board that Ship John Blevin Robt. Nichols Willm. Blevin	13: Duplicate indent of stores wanted for the year 1774 14: Duplicate indent of medicines wanted for the year 1774 15: Duplicate list of stores remaining in the Company's warehouses on 15 May 1773 16: Duplicate list of garrison stores remaining on 15 May 1773 17: Duplicate list of artillery stores from 1 October 1772 to 31 May 1773 18: Abstract of the cargo of the Marquis of Rockingham 19: The Governor's letter to the Court of Directors 20: Proceedings of a general quarterly sessions held on 14 July 1773 21: The Governor and Council's general letter of 19 July 1773, relating to legal matters The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the Marquis of Rockingham, which left the island on 20 July. 2: The Company's ships Hector and Triton arrived on 28 July, the first from Bengal and the second from Madras, both by way of the Cape. Captain Elphinstone reported that he had left Fort St George on 17 March. He had spoken the Houghton off the southern end of Madagascar and put into False Bay on 16 June. Two French ships of the line and four Dutch ships were there. 3: After dispatching the Marquis of Rockingham, the Council had given Captain Hamilton permission to take aboard John Blevin, Robert Nichols and William Blevin. Interpretations Robert Nichols and William and John Blevin were the three discharged soldiers whom the Council had allowed to sail in the Royal Henry on 21 June 1773. A month later they were still on the island and went instead in the Marquis of Rockingham. A permit gave a discharged man leave to sail, but the commander still had to find room for him, and a ship might leave before he could be got aboard. Men waiting for a passage remained a charge on the island until one was found. The reports of French ships of the line at both Mauritius and the Cape, carried by successive commanders that summer, show a strong French naval presence on the route to India. The Council passed each report to the Court as it came in.
79	74	Blevin Willm. Morgan and Jno. Newton five discharged Soldiers. 4. We requested Colonel Campbell to go with Us to View the Fortifications from Parlings Battery to James's Valley his Observations and Remarks to Us thereon We shall transmit by the first Conveyance. 5. The Passengers on Board the Triton are Mr. Wynch, Colonel Campbell, Sir Robt. Fletcher and Messrs. Campbell, Duffin, Bailey, Callender, Clerke, Smith, Hook, Schaak, Roberts, and Crawford and on board the Hector Captns. Davidson and Sampson and Mr. Ryder. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedient humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Parling M. Bazett St. Helena 31 July 1773 List of the Honble. Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Triton dated the 31 July 1773 No. 1 Govr. & Councils Genl. Letter dated the 31 July 1773 2 Duplicate Do. and Do. dated the 19th Do. Do. 3 Do. Do. & Do. dated the 19 Do. Do. relatg. to Law matters 4 Consultations from the 19th to the 31 July 1773 5 Duplicate Do. from the 5 to the 12 Do. Do.	Captain Hamilton was also to take William Morgan and John Newton, making five discharged soldiers in all. 4: The Council had asked Colonel Campbell to accompany it in viewing the fortifications from Purling's Battery to James's Valley. It would send his observations and remarks to the Court by the first opportunity. 5: The passengers aboard the Triton were Mrs Wynch, Colonel Campbell, Sir Robert Fletcher, and Messrs Campbell, Duffin, Bailey, Callender, Clerke, Smith, Hook, Schaak, Roberts and Crawford. Aboard the Hector were Captains Davidson and Sampson and Mrs Ryder. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Purling and Matthew Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 31 July 1773. The Council's packet by the Triton, dated 31 July 1773, began with the following documents. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 31 July 1773 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 19 July 1773 3: Duplicate of the general letter of 19 July 1773, relating to legal matters 4: Consultations from 19 to 31 July 1773 5: Duplicate consultations from 5 to 12 July 1773 Interpretations The Council passed over the usual course of relying on its own engineer, Captain Tippet, to judge the island's defences. It took the chance of a passing senior officer to have the works examined by an outside eye. Colonel Campbell was probably an experienced engineer or artillery officer of the Company's forces in India, returning home. A professional opinion from a man with no stake in the island's works carried weight with the Court, which paid for every battery and wall. Sir Robert Fletcher, aboard the same ship, was a well-known Company officer from Madras, later commander-in-chief there. The Triton thus carried an unusually senior military party through St Helena.
80	75	6 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Margs. of Rockingham 7 Second Do. for Do. p Ship Speaker 8 Effective State of the Garrison 9 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Margs. of Rockingham 10 Cash Account from 20 to the 31 July 1773 11 Duplicate Do. from 1 to the 19th Do. Do. 12 Do. Do. from 22 to the 30th June Do. 13 Ship Tritons Account 14 Duplicate Ship Margs. of Rockinghams Account 15 Time of the Arrival of Ships Boats at Banks's 16 Abstract of the Cargoe of Ships Triton & Hector 17 Duplicate Proceedgs. of a Genl. Quarterly Sessions held on 14 July 1773 To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. We addressed you last by the Ship Triton that left this place the 1 inst. 2. We have granted the following Bills of Exchange Viz. One Set to Matthew Parling Esqr. for £ 1290 payable to Captn. Geo. Richardson and three Sets to Mr. Willm. Wrangham One for £ 221 . 8 . 7 payable to Captain Richard Pearce One for £ 104 . 11 . 9 payable to Captn. Alexr. Tod And One for £ 363 - payable to Mr. James Williamson all drawn at ninety days sight and dated the 2d instant. 3. We have given Captn. Williams a permission to receive on board his Ship Lieut. Robt. Gibson, likewise gave him an Order to receive on board the Hector Saml. Gill Seaman left here out of the Ship Triton, and Hugh Hay Soldier, the former to Compleat his Ships Company, the latter having been	6: First receipt for the packet sent by the Marquis of Rockingham 7: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Speaker 8: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 9: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Marquis of Rockingham 10: Cash account from 20 to 31 July 1773 11: Duplicate cash account from 1 to 19 July 1773 12: Duplicate cash account from 22 to 30 June 1773 13: Account of the ship Triton 14: Duplicate account of the ship Marquis of Rockingham 15: Times of arrival of ships' boats at Banks's 16: Abstract of the cargoes of the Triton and the Hector 17: Duplicate proceedings of a general quarterly sessions held on 14 July 1773 The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the Triton, which left the island on 1 August. 2: The Council had granted the following bills of exchange, all drawn at 90 days' sight and dated 2 August. Matthew Purling, £1,290 0s 0d, payable to Captain George Richardson William Wrangham, £221 8s 7d, payable to Captain Richard Pearce William Wrangham, £104 11s 9d, payable to Captain Alexander Tod William Wrangham, £363 0s 0d, payable to James Williamson 3: The Council had given Captain Williams permission to take aboard his ship Lieutenant Robert Gillson. It had also ordered him to take aboard the Hector Samuel Gill, a seaman left behind by the Triton, to complete his crew, and Hugh Hay, a soldier, who had been, as the letter went on to explain. Interpretations Lieutenant Robert Gillson had asked on 21 June 1773 about promotion for artillery officers and petitioned to go to England. His passage in the Hector shows that the Council granted his leave. The Court would answer his question on seniority in London, where he could press his own case. The bills drawn by Purling and Wrangham were all made payable to commanders and officers of ships that had called earlier in the season: Richardson of the Pigot, Pearce of the Earl of Ashburnham, Tod of the Earl of Lincoln and Williamson, first mate of the Nottingham. Purling's bill of £1,290 0s 0d was more than twelve years of his salary as a councillor. Such sums can only have come from private trade with the passing ships, settled in London once the season's dealings were complete.
81	76	been tried by a Genl. Court Marshal and found Guilty of an Attempt to comit that most detestable Crime of Sodomy. We for this reason Judge him an improper Person to remain longer upon this Island And have paid Captn. Williams £ 5 for his Passage his receipt for the same goes inclosed. 4. We request your Honors will be pleased to send next Year 50 Recruits to Compleat the Establishment of this Garrison. 5. In our [...] letter under date of 31 July we mentioned our request to Lieut. Col. Campbell to View [...] the Fortifications of the Leeward part of this Island, and in Compliance with the same he accompany'd Us to Banks's & Ruperts the former he considers as sufficiently Fortified, but recommends the taking away the old Guard room as over hanging the Battery, building said Guard room in a more retired Situation with loop holes for small Arms to Command the lower Battery in case of a landing. Ruperts he considers also sufficiently strong, excepting the West Angle of the Bastion at present entirely open the alteration he proposes there is what we have already mentioned the Scarping away of part of a Bank adjoining to said Bastion, and facing the same with a Wall, also to run a Stockade across this part of the Ditch to defend the above Wall by small Arms. The Fortifications of this Valley he also considers as sufficiently defended, but on account of the damage occasioned by the Surge on the exterior Angle of the Ravelin of the line recommended the cutting the same off in manner as before inserted in our former observations at large on the said Works in the Works of this Valley. The above are his Observations but at same time that he considers them as sufficiently Strong, as well as more than sufficiently furnished with Artillery. Yet strongly recommends a more capital mode	Hugh Hay had been tried by a general court martial and found guilty of an attempt to commit sodomy. For that reason the Council judged him unfit to remain any longer on the island. It paid Captain Williams £5 0s 0d for his passage, and his receipt was enclosed. 4: The Council asked the Court to send 50 recruits the following year to complete the establishment of the garrison. 5: In its letter of 31 July the Council had mentioned its request to Lieutenant Colonel Campbell to view the fortifications on the leeward side of the island. He had gone with the Council to Banks's and Rupert's. He considered Banks's sufficiently fortified. He recommended, however, removing the old guardroom that overhung the battery and building a new one in a more sheltered position, with loopholes for small arms to command the lower battery in case of a landing. He thought Rupert's also strong enough, except for the west angle of the bastion, which was at present wide open. The change he proposed there was one the Council had already put forward: cutting away part of a bank next to the bastion and facing it with a wall, then running a stockade across that part of the ditch so the wall could be defended with small arms. He considered the fortifications of James's Valley sufficiently defended as well. Because the surf had damaged the outer angle of the ravelin in the line, he recommended cutting it back in the way the Council had already proposed in its earlier observations on the works in the valley. He judged the valley's works strong enough and more than amply supplied with artillery. He nonetheless strongly recommended a more substantial measure, which the letter went on to describe. Interpretations Hugh Hay had been convicted by court martial, and the Council could have left his punishment there and kept him in the ranks. It chose instead to send him off the island at the Company's expense, as it had done with Joseph Valentine for theft in February. A small, closed garrison had little means of separating an offender from the men he served among. Removing him cost £5 0s 0d and ended the matter for good. Colonel Campbell's report gave the Council outside support for works it had already planned. His advice to cut back the damaged ravelin in James's Valley and to close the open angle at Rupert's matched proposals the Council had sent home earlier. An independent officer's agreement made it far more likely that the Court would pay for them. His view that the valley was already more than amply supplied with artillery also served the Council: it argued against the expense of further guns while supporting the cheaper repairs it wanted.
82	77	mode of Defence in case of an Attack than what possibly could arise from our Batterys owing to their present Construction of Stone Masonry and that is Six Pounders disposed at proper Elevation to defend the Valleys with Grape Shott, and a few 18 or 24 Pounders placed on Lyon Platforms on the Tops of the Lower Hills to fire on the Shipping in case of their passing the Batterys. We therefore fully convinced of that Gentlemens Abilitys & knowledge in his Professions mean with your Honors aprobation to carry the same into execution particularly as the alteration to the Works are but triffling as to the expence that will arise thereby, and further request you will comply with the additional Indent now sent home as the Brass Guns therein mentioned are in Consequence of Lieut. Colonel Campbells observations on the attack and defence of this Island. 6. Agreeable to Captn. Williams request We have given him a Permission to touch at the Island of Ascension to get Turtle for the refreshment of his Ships Company. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Parling M. Bazett St. Helena 7 Augt. 1773	Colonel Campbell believed a better means of defence against an attack could be had than the island's batteries, built as they were of stone masonry. He proposed six-pounders firing grapeshot, placed at a suitable height to defend the valleys, and a few 18 or 24-pounders mounted on platforms on the tops of the leeward hills to fire on ships that got past the batteries. The Council was fully convinced of his ability and knowledge in his profession. It hoped the Court would approve carrying out his proposals, especially since the changes to the works would cost very little. It further asked the Court to supply the additional indent now sent home, since the brass guns listed in it were requested because of Colonel Campbell's observations on the attack and defence of the island. 6: At Captain Williams's request, the Council gave him permission to call at Ascension for turtle to refresh his crew. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Purling and Matthew Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 7 August 1773. Interpretations Campbell's point was that stone batteries were dangerous to their own gunners. A cannon ball striking masonry threw out splinters of stone that killed as surely as shot, and fixed batteries at the waterline could be silenced by a ship's broadside. Light guns with grapeshot on the heights could sweep any landing party in the narrow valleys. Heavy guns on the hilltops could fire down on ships beyond the reach of their return fire. The proposal shifted the island's defence from the shoreline to the high ground above it. The Council used Campbell's authority to support a request for new brass guns. Brass was costlier than iron but lighter and safer, less likely to burst, and so well suited to guns that had to be hauled up to hilltop platforms. Presenting the order as the advice of an experienced outside officer, rather than its own wish, made it more likely to be granted.
83	78	List of the Honble. Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Hector dated the 7 Augt. 1773 No. 1 Govr. & Councils Genl. Letter dated the 7 August 1773 2 Duplicate Do. & Do. dated 31 July Do. 3 Consultations from the 2 to 7 August Do. 4 Duplicate Do. from the 19 to the 31 July Do. 5 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Triton 6 Second Do. for the Do. p Ship Margs. Rockingham 7 Effective State of the Garrison 8 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Triton 9 Cash Account from the 1 to the 7 August 1773 10 Duplicate Do. from the 20 to the 31 July Do. 11 Ship Hector's Account 12 Duplicate Ship Triton's Do. 13 Captain Williams's first Receipt for £ 5 - 14 Additional Indent for the Year 1774 To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. Our last Advice went by the Ship Hector that sailed from hence the 8 inst. 2. The 11th of this Month Arrived a Dutch Ship from Batavia called the Pedderhoek Captn. Wunder burthen about 500 Tons carry's 22 Guns, and 86 Men loaden with Coffee, Sugar, & Pepper bound to Amsterdam the 17 Arrived your Ship Devonshire from Bombay which Place Captn. Morgan informs Us he left the 25th Apl. last and Tellichery the 19th May on which day the Royal Charlotte proceeded on her Voyage to China. 3. By the Resignation of Lieut. Robt. Gibson there	The Council sent the following documents to the Court in its packet by the Hector, dated 7 August 1773. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 7 August 1773 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 31 July 1773 3: Consultations from 2 to 7 August 1773 4: Duplicate consultations from 19 to 31 July 1773 5: First receipt for the packet sent by the Triton 6: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Marquis of Rockingham 7: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 8: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Triton 9: Cash account from 1 to 7 August 1773 10: Duplicate cash account from 20 to 31 July 1773 11: Account of the ship Hector 12: Duplicate account of the ship Triton 13: Captain Williams's first receipt for £5 0s 0d 14: Additional indent for the year 1774 The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the Hector, which sailed from the island on 8 August. 2: A Dutch ship from Batavia, the Pedderhoek, under Captain Wunder, arrived on 11 August. She was of about 500 tons, carried 22 guns and a crew of 86, and was bound for Amsterdam with coffee, sugar and pepper. The Company's ship Devonshire arrived from Bombay on 17 August. Captain Morgan reported that he had left Bombay on 25 April and Tellicherry on 19 May, the day the Royal Charlotte continued her voyage to China. 3: The resignation of Lieutenant Gillson had left a vacancy, as the letter went on to explain. Interpretations Lieutenant Gillson had not merely taken leave to visit England. He had resigned his commission, which left an officer's place in the artillery to be filled. His departure followed his unanswered question about whether artillery lieutenants could rise into the infantry companies, and suggests he judged his prospects on the island too poor to stay. Tellicherry was the Company's pepper settlement on the Malabar coast, where Bombay ships often called to load before sailing on.
84	79	there becomes a Vacancy in the Artillery Compy. which we request you will be pleased to fill by sendg. out an experienced Artilly. Officer. 4. On the 21 inst. Captn. Michael Hendrick Wunder of the Dutch Ship Pedderhoek applied to Us to pay £ 800 - into your Cash which Sum we have receivd. and given him Bills of exchange drawn upon the Honble. the Court of Directors payable to himself at ninety days sight. 5. You will please to observe by our Consultation of the 27th inst. That Lieut. Richd. Powell has resigned your Service, and have only to add, on this precipitate Step, that his resignation was during his suspension; he takes his Passage upon the Ship Devonshire. 6. The Passengers on Board the Devonshire are Messrs. Mc. Kenzie, Nicholson, Black, Sage, Vanbutler, Muller and Fraser. 7. We beg leave to refer you to Our Consultation of the 27th inst. respectg. a recommendation of Watkin Greentree for the Vacancy occasion'd by the resignation of Lieut. Powell and as there will probably be another Vacancy when your determination is known respecting Captn. Richd. Beale; Jas. Elgin whom you sent out a Serjeant three years ago hasg. behaved himself extreamly well, so as to be made a Sergt. Major, and being a very Diligent useful Man in this Garrison and having a very good Character from his Captn. and Officers, and We being Willing to Encourage Merit beg leave to recommend him to your favour for a Commission. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Parling M. Bazett St. Helena 29th August 1773	The vacancy left by Lieutenant Gillson was in the artillery, and the Council asked the Court to fill it by sending out an experienced artillery officer. 4: Captain Michael Hendrick Wunder of the Dutch ship Pedderhoek asked on 21 August to pay £800 0s 0d into the Company's treasury. The Council received the money and gave him bills of exchange on the Court of Directors, payable to himself at 90 days' sight. 5: The Council's consultation of 27 August would show the Court that Lieutenant Richard Powell had resigned the Company's service. The Council added only that he had taken this hasty step while under suspension. He was sailing home in the Devonshire. 6: The passengers aboard the Devonshire were Messrs McKenzie, Nicholson, Black, Sage, Van Lutter, Muller and Laird. 7: The Council referred the Court to its consultation of 27 August recommending Watkin Greentree for the vacancy left by Lieutenant Powell's resignation. Another vacancy would probably arise once the Court decided the case of Captain Richard Beale. James Elgin, whom the Court had sent out as a sergeant three years earlier, had behaved so well that he was made sergeant major. He was a very diligent and useful man in the garrison and bore a very good character from his captain and officers. Wishing to encourage merit, the Council recommended him to the Court's favour for a commission. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Purling and Matthew Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 29 August 1773. Interpretations Powell resigned less than five months into his six-month suspension, and the Council called it a hasty step. He had drawn no pay since April and faced the Council's warning that any further offence would end his career. Resigning let him leave the island in the Devonshire rather than wait out the sentence and return to duty under scrutiny. The Council told the Court plainly that he had gone while under suspension, so that he could not present his departure in London as a voluntary retirement in good standing. The Council's two recommendations show both routes into a commission. Watkin Greentree was the son of James Greentree, a leading planter whose will had just been proved, and his candidacy rested on family standing on the island. James Elgin had risen from the ranks on merit alone. Commissions for sergeants were rare in the period, and the Council's plea for him was an unusual recognition of service over birth.
85	80	List of the Honble. Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Devonshire dated the 29 Augt. 1773 No. 1 Govr. & Councils Genl. Letter dated the 29 Augt. 1773 2 Duplicate Do. and Do. dated the 7th Do. Do. 3 Consultations from the 9th to the 27 Do. Do. 4 Duplicate Do. from the 2 to the 7th Do. Do. 5 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Hector 6 Second Do. for Do. p Ship Triton 7 Effective State of the Garrison 8 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Hector 9 Cash Account from the 8th to the 29th Augt. 1773 10 Duplicate Do. from the 1 to the 7th Do. Do. 11 Ship Devonshire's Account 12 Duplicate Ship Hectors Do. 13 Captn. Williams Second Receipt for £ 5 - 14 Duplicate Additional Indent for the Year 1774 15 Register of Goods and Merchandize Imported and Exported in and from the Island St. Helena since the 3 May 1773. 16 Abstract of the Cargoe of Ship Devonshire 17 Time of the Arrival of Ship Devonshire's Boat at Banks's. To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. We wrote you last by the Ship Devonshire that left this Island the 30th Augt. 1773. 2. On the 13 instant Arrived the Earl of Sandwich from Bencoolen (last from the Cape) Captn. Deane Acquaints Us Your Ships Princess Royal and Prime	The Council sent the following documents to the Court in its packet by the Devonshire, dated 29 August 1773. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 29 August 1773 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 7 August 1773 3: Consultations from 9 to 27 August 1773 4: Duplicate consultations from 2 to 7 August 1773 5: First receipt for the packet sent by the Hector 6: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Triton 7: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 8: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Hector 9: Cash account from 8 to 29 August 1773 10: Duplicate cash account from 1 to 7 August 1773 11: Account of the ship Devonshire 12: Duplicate account of the ship Hector 13: Captain Williams's second receipt for £5 0s 0d 14: Duplicate additional indent for the year 1774 15: Register of goods and merchandise imported into and exported from St Helena since 3 May 1773 16: Abstract of the cargo of the Devonshire 17: Time of arrival of the Devonshire's boat at Banks's The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the Devonshire, which left the island on 30 August 1773. 2: The Earl of Sandwich arrived from Bencoolen by way of the Cape on [...] September. Captain Deane reported that the Company's ships Princess Royal and [...], as the letter went on to describe. Interpretations The register of goods imported and exported since 3 May 1773 was the first return of the new office given to Hugh Jones on 10 May. It went home within four months, so that the Court could see at once that its orders on the landing and reshipping of goods were being carried out. Its starting date, a week before Jones's appointment, suggests the Council began recording cargoes as soon as the Court's orders arrived in the Alfred on 1 May.
86	81	Prime were at that Place when he left it and that they were to proceed on their Voyage soon after him, he also informs Us that the Vansittart was in at Table Bay when he Sailed from the Cape of Good hope. 3. In our Consultation of the 15 inst. We have entered the Proceedings of a General Courts Martial, held for the Tryal of Lieut. Richd. Mason with our Observations thereon, to which We beg leave to refer You. 4. We have given Captn. Deane an Order to receive on board the Earl of Sandwich Jno. Smith an Invalid Soldier & have paid him five Pounds for his Passage. Captn. Deane's receipt together with the Surgeons Certificate Goes Enclosed. We have also Ordered Captn. Deane to receive on board his Ship Jno. Sage and Jno. Doleman left here sick out of the Ship Devonshire and Matthew Charlton a Discharg. Soldr. towards Compleating the Earl of Sandwich's Company. John Sage represents to Us that his Father is in good Circumstances and that his Elder Brother keeps a Haberdashers Shop in Cheapside And being very ill in Health and destitute of all necessarys, we in common humanity Ordered him to the Hospital under the care of the Surgeon and supplyed him with three Shirts three Pr. Stockings and one Pr. Shoes out of your Stores the amount of said Article together with his Expence in the Hospital comes to £ 7 . 1 . 9, which we have thus stated to you in Order that you may recover the same from his Friends. 5. We have the pleasure to inform you that we have had a very good Winter season, and that the Island has recovered much from its former bad Condition. 6. Agreable to your Orders of reporting to you the Condition of the Irish Provisions receivd. this Year We defered doing the same as the Storekeeper could not form a just report as the Casks in Genl. wanted to be filled with fresh Brine Altho' all necessary precaution has been taken by him, he now reports to Us that he has Examined it and find the Beef and Pork very indifferent, and that the	The Company's ships Princess Royal and [...] were at Bencoolen when Captain Deane left, and were to sail soon after him. He also reported that the Vansittart lay in Table Bay when he sailed from the Cape of Good Hope. 3: In a consultation earlier that month the Council had entered the proceedings of a general court martial held to try Lieutenant Richard Mason, with its own observations on them, to which it referred the Court. 4: The Council ordered Captain Deane to take aboard the Earl of Sandwich John Smith, an invalid soldier, and paid him £5 0s 0d for the passage. Captain Deane's receipt and the surgeon's certificate were enclosed. It also ordered him to take aboard, to help complete his crew, John Sage and John Doleman, left sick on the island by the Devonshire, and Matthew Charlton, a discharged soldier. John Sage said that his father was well off and that his elder brother kept a haberdasher's shop in Cheapside. He was very ill and destitute of everything he needed. Out of common humanity the Council sent him to the hospital under the surgeon's care and supplied him from the stores with three shirts, three pairs of stockings and a pair of shoes. These, with his hospital costs, came to £7 1s 9d. The Council stated the sum so that the Court could recover it from his family. 5: The Council was pleased to report a very good winter season, from which the island had recovered a great deal from its earlier poor state. 6: As the Court had ordered, the Council reported on the condition of the Irish provisions received that year. It had delayed its report because the storekeeper could not judge them fairly while the casks needed filling with fresh brine. All necessary care had been taken, and he now reported that he had examined them and found the beef and pork very indifferent, and that, as the letter went on to explain. Interpretations The Council could have left John Sage to fend for himself. He was not a Company servant but a sick seaman abandoned by his ship. It cared for him out of what it called common humanity, yet noted his family's circumstances so that the Court could claim the cost back from them. Charity and economy were held together: the island bore the immediate expense, and London was told exactly whom to bill. The storekeeper's report on the Irish provisions confirmed what the garrison accounts had shown for a year. Casks had arrived short of brine, which spoiled the meat and caused the short weight the Company had made good quarter after quarter. Finding the meat "very indifferent" gave the Court the evidence it had asked for when deciding whether Irish salt beef and pork were fit to buy in place of English.
87	82	the Garrison Complain of it much for which reason We are apprehensive that we shall not be able to get rid of it while it is Sound. And in Order to make up to the Men for the Badness of the Quality have Ordered them an Additional pound, We therefore request that you will not send Us any more Irish Provisions Unless it is better than what we have hitherto received We are sorry further to inform you that we Labour under great inconveniencys from the Badness of Flour sent Us out this Year that we dont find above one Cask in twenty that is fit to use, but from necessity, the Flour we have received for these two, or three Years past, has been in the same Condition, Yet did not Complain as we flattered ourselves that the succeeding Years we might have better, but are now under the necessity of requestg. that you will be pleased to remedy so great an inconveniancy as the want of good Bread must be to a Settlement circumstanced like this. 7. Mr. Jonathan Doveton applied to Us to pay £ 285 . 12 - into the Honorable Company's Cash which Sum We have received and given him Bills of Exchange drawn on your Honors, payable to Captn. John Johnstone at ninety days sight dated the 25 instant. 8. The Passengers on board the Earl of Sandwich are Mrs. Deane and Mr. Forrest. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Parling M. Bazett St. Helena 27 October 1773	The garrison complained bitterly of the meat. The Council feared it would be unable to dispose of it while it remained sound, and to make up to the men for its poor quality it had ordered them an extra pound. It therefore asked the Court to send no more Irish provisions unless they were better than those received so far. The Council also had to report great difficulty caused by the bad flour sent out that year. Not one cask in twenty was fit to use. The flour received over the past two or three years had been in the same state, but the Council had not complained, hoping later years would bring better. It now had to ask the Court to remedy so serious a hardship as the want of good bread in a settlement placed as St Helena was. 7: Jonathan Doveton asked to pay £285 12s 0d into the Company's treasury. The Council received the money and gave him bills of exchange on the Court, payable to Captain John Johnston at 90 days' sight and dated 25 October. 8: The passengers aboard the Earl of Sandwich were Mrs Deane and Mr Forrest. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Purling and Matthew Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 27 October 1773. Interpretations The Council passed over the course of simply issuing the poor meat at the usual ration and letting the soldiers bear the loss. It gave each man an extra pound instead. The soldiers paid for their meat out of their wages, and a garrison fed on bad salt beef at full price would have had real grievance. The extra allowance cost the Company more, but it kept the men content on an island where a discontented garrison was the gravest danger the Council faced. The complaint about flour shows how much the island had silently endured. Bread was baked for the whole garrison from imported flour, and if only one cask in twenty was usable, the rest was either thrown away or baked into poor bread. The Council admitted it had stayed quiet for two or three years in the hope that things would improve. Raising the matter now, alongside the Irish meat, put the full case against the Company's suppliers before the Court at once. It came in a year when the drought had already strained the island's own food.
88	83	List of the Honble. Company's Packett from St. Helena p Ship Earl of Sandwich dated the 27th October 1773 No. 1 Govr. & Councils Genl. Letter dated the 27 Oct. 1773 2 Do. & Do. dated the 27 Do. Do. relatg. to Law matters 3 Duplicate Do. & Do. dated the 29 Augt. 1773 4 Consultations from the 30 August to the 25 October Do. 5 Duplicate Do. from the 9 to the 27 August Do. 6 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Devonshire 7 Second Do. for Do. p Ship Hector 8 Effective State of the Garrison 9 Muster Rolls of Do. 10 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Devonshire 11 Cash Account for the Month of September 1773 12 Do. Do. from the 1 to the 27 October Do. 13 Duplicate Do. from the 8 to the 29 August Do. 14 Ship Earl of Sandwich's Account 15 Duplicate Ship Devonshire's Do. 16 Duplicate Register of Goods & Merchandize Imported & Exported in and from the Isl. St. Helena since the 3 May 1773 17 Proceedings of a Genl. Quarterly Session held on the 6 Oct. Do. 18 List of Familys taken the 30 Septr. 1773 19 Do. of Rents Do. 30 Do. Do. 20 Do. of Slaves Do. 30 Do. Do. 21 Time of the Arrival of Ship Earl of Sandwich's Boat at Banks's 22 Abstract of the Cargoe of Ship Earl of Sandwich 23 Surgeons Certificate for an invalid Soldier 24 Captn. Deane's first Receipt for £ 5 - 25 List of Marriages Births, Christgs. & Burials	The Council sent the following documents to the Court in its packet by the Earl of Sandwich, dated 27 October 1773. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 27 October 1773 2: The Governor and Council's general letter of 27 October 1773, relating to legal matters 3: Duplicate of the general letter of 29 August 1773 4: Consultations from 30 August to 25 October 1773 5: Duplicate consultations from 9 to 27 August 1773 6: First receipt for the packet sent by the Devonshire 7: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Hector 8: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 9: Muster rolls of the garrison 10: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Devonshire 11: Cash account for September 1773 12: Cash account from 1 to 27 October 1773 13: Duplicate cash account from 8 to 29 August 1773 14: Account of the ship Earl of Sandwich 15: Duplicate account of the ship Devonshire 16: Duplicate register of goods and merchandise imported into and exported from St Helena since 3 May 1773 17: Proceedings of a general quarterly sessions held on 6 October 1773 18: List of families, taken on 30 September 1773 19: Rent roll, taken on 30 September 1773 20: List of slaves, taken on 30 September 1773 21: Time of arrival of the Earl of Sandwich's boat at Banks's 22: Abstract of the cargo of the Earl of Sandwich 23: Surgeon's certificate for an invalid soldier 24: Captain Deane's first receipt for £5 0s 0d 25: List of marriages, births, christenings and burials Interpretations The Earl of Sandwich's packet covered almost two months of consultations, from 30 August to 25 October 1773. That long gap reflects the quiet season after the last homeward ships left in August. The packet also dates the arrival of the Earl of Sandwich and the court martial of Lieutenant Mason to October rather than September, since the letter that reported them was written on 27 October. The annual returns of families, rents and slaves taken on 30 September went home in the same ship, as the corresponding returns of 1772 had gone in the Colebrooke.
89	84	To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. By the Ship Earl of Sandwich that left this Place the 28 October 1773 we addressed you last. 2. On the 3 instant Arrived the Mercury Packet from Madrass (last from the Cape) the Captn. acquaints Us he left Bengall the 21 Octr. 1773 And your Ships Harcourt, Egmount, Latham, Northington, Bridgewater British King, Houghton, and Huntingdon there, that the Latham was to Sail in a few days after him, and that the Lord Mansfield was unfortunately lost going out of Bengall River but all the Ships Company was saved, We are also inform'd that the King of Tanjore refused to fulfill his Engagement to the Nabob of the Carnatic upon which he made Application to the President and Council of Madrass for Assistance In consequence of which Your Troops under the Command of Genl. Smith have taken his Capital from him We are further [...] that your Affairs in Bengal is in a very flourishing Condition, but have not learnt any particulars. 3. We have granted the following Sets of Bills of Exchange viz. One Set to Matthew Parling Esqr. for £ 1200 - payable to John Parling Esqr. And One Set to Captn. Henry Bazett for £ 50 - payable to Miss Mary Bazett both drawn at ninety days sight dated this day. 4. We have given Captn. Sharpe an Order to receive on board the Mercury Davd. Scott Serjt. John Smith Corpl. Henry Sawen, John Jones & John Forbes, five Invalid Soldrs. Sergt. Scott we recommend as a proper Object	The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the Earl of Sandwich, which left the island on 28 October 1773. 2: The Mercury packet arrived from Madras by way of the Cape on the 3rd of the month. Her captain reported that he had left Bengal on 21 October 1773. The Company's ships Harcourt, Egmont, Latham, Northington, Bridgewater, British King, Houghton and Huntingdon were there, and the Latham was to sail a few days after him. The Lord Mansfield had unfortunately been lost going out of the Bengal river, though all her crew were saved. The Council also learned that the Raja of Tanjore had refused to keep his engagements to the Nawab of the Carnatic. The Nawab had asked the President and Council of Madras for help, and the Company's troops under General Smith had taken the Raja's capital from him. The Council further heard that the Company's affairs in Bengal were in a very flourishing state, but had learned no details. 3: The Council had granted the following bills of exchange, both drawn at 90 days' sight and dated that day: one set to Matthew Purling for £1,200 0s 0d, payable to John Purling, and one set to Captain Henry Bazett for £50 0s 0d, payable to Miss Mary Bazett. 4: The Council ordered Captain Sharpe to take aboard the Mercury five invalid soldiers: Sergeant David Scott, Corporal John Smart, Henry Sawers, John Jones and John Forbes. It recommended Sergeant Scott as a proper object, as the letter went on to explain. Interpretations The taking of Tanjore in September 1773 was among the more controversial acts of the Madras government. The Company's army deposed a ruler at the request of the Nawab of the Carnatic, its ally and debtor, whose creditors among the Company's own servants stood to gain from his enlarged revenues. The Council at St Helena reported it simply as news, but the affair later drew sharp criticism in London and led to the recall of the Madras government. The Lord Mansfield was the second Indiaman reported lost in the Hooghly within two years, after the Duke of Albany. Both losses show the danger of that river even for ships leaving port fully crewed.
90	85	to be put upon the Military Fund, On Account of his Age, long Service, and infirmity's, the Surgeons Certificate goes in the Packet, as well as proper Documents to Intitle Davd. Scott to the Military Fund. 5. We beg leave to refer your Honors to Our Consultations of the 3d instant respecting an Application from Captain Tippet to the Board for the use of one of your Slaves. 6. In Our last Letter We had the pleasure to inform you that we had a very good Winter Season, and have now a Continuance of as fine Weather as we could wish for at this Season of the Year. 7. As the last Quarters Accounts will not be laid before Us untill the 17 instant we cannot transmit Your Honors a Cash Account to a later date than the 30th Novr. 1773. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Parling M. Bazett St. Helena 10 Janry. 1774	The Council recommended Sergeant Scott for the Military Fund on account of his age, long service and infirmities. The surgeon's certificate went in the packet, together with the proper documents entitling David Scott to the fund. 5: The Council referred the Court to its consultation of 3 January concerning an application from Captain Tippet for the use of one of the Company's slaves. 6: In its last letter the Council had been pleased to report a very good winter season. The weather now continued as fine as could be wished for that time of year. 7: The last quarter's accounts would not be laid before the Council until 17 January, so it could send no cash account later than 30 November 1773. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Purling and Matthew Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 10 January 1774. Interpretations The date of this letter places the arrival of the Mercury packet on 3 January 1774. The bills to Purling and Bazett were dated 10 January. A packet was a small, fast vessel that carried despatches rather than cargo. It brought the news from India far sooner than the Indiamen of the season, which explains why the Council could report the fall of Tanjore, taken only in September 1773, so quickly. Captain Tippet's request for one of the Company's slaves was referred to the Court rather than settled on the island. The slaves were Company property, worked on the public works and the plantations. Lending one to a single officer for his own use, however senior, was a private benefit drawn from public stock. The Council's record of the matter recalls the earlier dispute over Tippet's alterations to his house, and suggests it now preferred to let London decide any question of the engineer's private use of public resources.
91	86	List of the Honorable Company's Packet from St. Helena p Mercury Snow dated the 10 Janry. 1774 No. 1 Governor & Councils Genl. Letter dated the 10 Janry. 1774 2 Duplicate Do. & Do. dated the 27 Octr. 1773 3 Do. Do. & Do. dated the 27 Do. Do. relatg. to Law Matters 4 Consultations from the 1 November 1773 to the 10 Janry. 1774 5 Duplicate Do. from the 30 Augt. to the 25 October 1773 6 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Earl of Sandwich 7 Second Do. for Do. p Ship Devonshire 8 Effective State of the Garrison 9 Muster Rolls of Do. 10 Duplicate List of the Packt. p Ship Earl of Sandwich 11 Cash Account for the Month of November 1773 12 Duplicate Do. for the Month of September Do. 13 Do. Do. from the 1 to the 27 Octr. Do. 14 Duplicate Ship Earl of Sandwich's Account 15 Do. Proceedings of a Genl. Quarterly Sessions held on the 6 Octr. 1773 16 Do. of Familys taken 30 September Do. 17 Do. of Rents Do. 30 Do. Do. 18 Do. of Slaves Do. 30 Do. Do. 19 Do. Surgeons Certificate of an Invalid Soldier 20 Captn. Deanes Second Receipt for £ 5 - 21 Duplicate List of Marrs. Christs. & Burials 22 Surgeons Certificate of four Invalid Soldiers 23 Govr. & Councils Do. of David Scott an Invalid recommended to be put upon the Military Fund 24 Ship Mercury's Account	The Council sent the following documents to the Court in its packet by the Mercury packet, dated 10 January 1774. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 10 January 1774 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 27 October 1773 3: Duplicate of the general letter of 27 October 1773, relating to legal matters 4: Consultations from 1 November 1773 to 10 January 1774 5: Duplicate consultations from 30 August to 25 October 1773 6: First receipt for the packet sent by the Earl of Sandwich 7: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Devonshire 8: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 9: Muster rolls of the garrison 10: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Earl of Sandwich 11: Cash account for November 1773 12: Duplicate cash account for September 1773 13: Duplicate cash account from 1 to 27 October 1773 14: Duplicate account of the ship Earl of Sandwich 15: Duplicate proceedings of a general quarterly sessions held on 6 October 1773 16: Duplicate list of families, taken on 30 September 1773 17: Duplicate rent roll, taken on 30 September 1773 18: Duplicate list of slaves, taken on 30 September 1773 19: Duplicate surgeon's certificate for an invalid soldier 20: Captain Deane's second receipt for £5 0s 0d 21: Duplicate list of marriages, christenings and burials 22: Surgeon's certificate for four invalid soldiers 23: The Governor and Council's certificate for David Scott, an invalid recommended for the Military Fund 24: Account of the ship Mercury Interpretations The surgeon's certificate covered four invalids, though five men were put aboard the Mercury. Sergeant David Scott had his own certificate for the Military Fund, which probably accounts for the difference, the general certificate covering the other four.
92	87	To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. We wrote to you last the 10 Janry. 1774 by the Mercury Packet. 2. On the 19 instant Arrived the Latham from Bengal (last from the Cape) Captn. Prince informs Us he heard the Hawke was to be dispatched from Bombay the latter end of Novr. or the Begining of Decemr. 1773. 3. Captain Prince purchased at the Cape on the Company's Account ninety Sheep of which he landed sixty nine alledg. twenty one died on the passage but has charged the whole ninety in his Bill, also 83 Bushels Wheat and fifteen Baskets of Garden Seeds amounting in the whole to £ 103 . 8 - of which we have paid him fifty three pounds eight Shillings, and have given him Certificates for the remaining fifty Pounds. 4. By this Conveyance we transmit your Honors General Books of Account Balanced to the 30 September 1773. 5. Mr. Willm. Bearcroft applied to Us to pay £ 300 - into the Honorable Company's Cash which Sum we have received & given him Bills of Exchange drawn on your Honors payable to Captn. Jno. Mitford at ninety Days Sight. 6. The Passengers on Board the Latham are Mr. and Mrs. Lushington and Messrs. Scott, Ransom, Hornby, Asman, Farrington, Gladwin, Pearce & Captn. Frazer. 7. Agreable to Captn. Princes request to call at the Island of Ascension to get Turtle for the further refreshment of his Ships Compy. We have permitted him to touch there for that Purpose.	The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the Mercury packet on 10 January 1774. 2: The Latham arrived from Bengal by way of the Cape on the 19th of the month. Captain Prince reported that he had heard the Hawke was to be dispatched from Bombay at the end of November or the beginning of December 1773. 3: Captain Prince had bought 90 sheep at the Cape on the Company's account. He landed 69, saying that 21 had died on the passage, but charged for all 90 in his bill. He also supplied 83 bushels of wheat and 15 baskets of garden seeds, amounting in all to £103 8s 0d. The Council paid him £53 8s 0d and gave him certificates for the remaining £50 0s 0d. 4: By this ship the Council sent the Company's general books of account, balanced to 30 September 1773. 5: William Bearcroft asked to pay £300 0s 0d into the Company's treasury. The Council received the money and gave him bills of exchange on the Court, payable to Captain John Mitford at 90 days' sight. 6: The passengers aboard the Latham were Mr and Mrs Lushington and Messrs Scott, Ramsay, Hornby, Asman, Farrington, Gladwin and Francis, with Captain Frazer. 7: At Captain Prince's request, the Council allowed him to call at Ascension for turtle to refresh his crew further. Interpretations The Council's wording, that 21 sheep had "allegedly" died on the passage, shows its doubt about Captain Prince's account. It paid the bill nonetheless, since stock bought on the Company's account at the Cape travelled at the Company's risk, as with Captain Johnston's sheep the year before. It recorded its suspicion so that the Court could question the charge in London. Splitting the payment between cash on the island and a certificate for £50 0s 0d was unusual. Perhaps it was meant to keep the disputed part of the sum open for the Court to review. William Bearcroft, the chaplain who had agreed to stay on at the Council's request, remitted £300 0s 0d to London. The sum was far beyond his annual salary of £160 0s 0d and suggests savings built up over his years on the island, sent home in readiness for his own eventual departure.
93	88	7. At four o'Clock this Day Arrived the Duke of Kingston's Boat which Ship Sailed from China the 23 Novr. and put into the Cape the 8 instant. as the Ship is not yet arrived and We are obliged to dispatch the Latham before Sunset. We can learn no particulars about the dispatch of your homeward Bound Ships: from the Officer of the Boat we are inform'd that Mr. Blake Supra Cargoe is Dead and that the Royal Charlotte does not come home this Season. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Parling M. Bazett St. Helena 28 Febry. 1774 List of the Honble. Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Latham Dated the 28 February 1774 No. 1 Govr. & Councils Genl. Letter dated the 28 Feby. 1774 2 Do. & Do. Do. the 28 Do. relating to Law Matters 3 Duplicate Do. & Do. dated the 10 Janry. 1774 4 Consultations from the 17 Janry. to the 28 Feby. Do. 5 Duplicate Do. from the 1 Novr. 1773 to the 10 Janry. Do. 6 First Receipt for the Packet p Mercury Snow 7 Second Do. for Do. p Ship Earl of Sandwich	7: At four o'clock that day the Duke of Kingston's boat arrived. The ship had sailed from China on 23 November and put into the Cape on 8 February. She had not yet reached the roads, and the Council had to dispatch the Latham before sunset, so it could learn nothing about the sailing of the homeward ships. The officer of the boat reported that Mr Blake, the supercargo, was dead, and that the Royal Charlotte would not come home that season. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Purling and Matthew Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 28 February 1774. The Council's packet by the Latham, dated 28 February 1774, began with the following documents. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 28 February 1774 2: The Governor and Council's general letter of 28 February 1774, relating to legal matters 3: Duplicate of the general letter of 10 January 1774 4: Consultations from 17 January to 28 February 1774 5: Duplicate consultations from 1 November 1773 to 10 January 1774 6: First receipt for the packet sent by the Mercury snow 7: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Earl of Sandwich Interpretations The date of this letter places the Latham's arrival on 19 February 1774. The Council added the news brought by the Duke of Kingston's boat to a letter already written, rather than hold the Latham in the roads. Her commander had to sail before dark, and a few hours' news was not worth delaying a homeward ship. Mr Blake was John Bradby Blake, one of the supercargoes whose signatures appeared on the Canton invoices for the island's sugar, tea and china in 1773. He was also a keen naturalist who sent Chinese plants and seeds home to England. His death removed a familiar name from the Council's dealings with Canton.
94	89	No. 8 Effective State of the Garrison 9 Duplicate List of the Packet p Mercury Snow 10 Cash Account for the Month of December 1773 11 Do. Do. for the Month of Janry. 1774 12 Do. Do. for the Month of Febry. Do. 13 Duplicate Do. for the Month of November 1773 14 Ship Lathams Account 15 Duplicate Mercury Snow's Account 16 Do. Surgeons Certificate of 4 Invalid Soldiers 17 Proceedings of a Genl. Quarterly Sessions held on the 12 January 1774 18 General Books of Accounts 19 Time of the Arrival of Ships Boats at Banks's 20 Abstract of the Cargoe of Ship Latham To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. We addressed you the 28th Feby. last by the Ship Latham. On the same day Arrived your Ship Duke of Kingston from China (last from the Cape) We are inform'd that there were at Wampoa this Year ten of your Ships viz. Duke of Kingston, Royal Charlotte, Princess Royal, Royal Captain, Valentine, Worcester Prime, Kent, Ponsborne, Lord Stormont and Devonshire Grab, seven Country, six French, four Dutch, two Danes & one Swede. We are likewise acquainted that the Princess Royal would be dispatched the latter end of November 1773 & that the Royal Captain is to call at Balambangan in her way to this Island.	8: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 9: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Mercury snow 10: Cash account for December 1773 11: Cash account for January 1774 12: Cash account for February 1774 13: Duplicate cash account for November 1773 14: Account of the ship Latham 15: Duplicate account of the Mercury snow 16: Duplicate surgeon's certificate for four invalid soldiers 17: Proceedings of a general quarterly sessions held on 12 January 1774 18: General books of account 19: Times of arrival of ships' boats at Banks's 20: Abstract of the cargo of the Latham The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the Latham on 28 February. The Company's ship Duke of Kingston arrived from China by way of the Cape the same day. The Council learned that ten of the Company's ships had lain at Whampoa that year: the Duke of Kingston, Royal Charlotte, Princess Royal, Royal Captain, Valentine, Worcester, Prime, Kent, Ponsborne and Stormont. Also there were the Devonshire grab, seven country ships, six French, four Dutch, two Danish and one Swedish. The Council was also told that the Princess Royal would be dispatched at the end of November 1773, and that the Royal Captain was to call at Balambangan on her way to the island. Interpretations Whampoa was the anchorage downriver from Canton where all foreign ships lay while their cargoes were bought and loaded, since none were allowed up to the city itself. The count of ships there showed the Court the full scale of the season's tea trade. Twenty foreign Company and country ships lay alongside the English, a sign of how crowded the Canton market had become. Balambangan was a small island off the northern tip of Borneo where the Company had founded a trading settlement in 1773. It was meant to draw the trade of the eastern islands and China away from the Dutch and Spanish. Sending the Royal Captain to call there on her way home shows the new post being supplied by the China ships. It was abandoned after a raid in 1775.
95	90	2. Captn. Snow bought at the Cape on your Account fifty Sheep ten of which died on the Passage but has Charged the whole fifty, and five Baskets Garden Seeds. We also have purchased of Captn. Snow one thousand pounds of Rice his Bill amounting to £ 52 . 10 - he choosing Certificates for the same rather than Money we have granted him the Usual ones Accordingly. 3. The Passengers on the Duke of Kingston are Messrs. Baddish & Turner. 4. Agreeable to Captn. Snow's request we have permitted him to touch at the Island of Ascension to get Turtle for the refreshment of Ships Company. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Parling M. Bazett St. Helena 7 March 1774 List of the Honble. Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Duke of Kingston Dated the 7 March 1774 No. 1 Govr. & Councils Genl. Letter dated the 7 March 1774 2 Duplicate Do. & Do. dated the 28th Feby. Do. 3 Do. Do. & Do. dated the 28 Do. Do. relatg. to Law Matters 4 Consultation of the 7 March 1774	2: Captain Snow had bought 50 sheep at the Cape on the Company's account. Ten died on the passage, but he charged for all 50, together with five baskets of garden seeds. The Council also bought 1,000 lb of rice from him. His bill came to £52 10s 0d. He chose to take certificates rather than money, and the Council gave him the usual certificates. 3: The passengers aboard the Duke of Kingston were Messrs Baddeley and Turner. 4: At Captain Snow's request, the Council allowed him to call at Ascension for turtle to refresh his crew. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Purling and Matthew Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 7 March 1774. The Council's packet by the Duke of Kingston, dated 7 March 1774, began with the following documents. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 7 March 1774 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 28 February 1774 3: Duplicate of the general letter of 28 February 1774, relating to legal matters 4: Consultation of 7 March 1774 Interpretations The Council again reported that a commander had charged for sheep that died before reaching the island. Captain Prince of the Latham had done the same a fortnight earlier, losing 21 of 90. The Council paid both bills, since stock bought at the Cape on the Company's account was carried at the Company's risk. By stating the losses each time, it built up evidence for the Court. Losses of a fifth or more on a passage of two or three weeks suggested that commanders were buying poor animals cheaply at the Cape and loading them carelessly, knowing the Company would pay regardless.
96	91	No. 5 Duplicate Consultan. from the 17 Janry. to the 28 Feby. 1774 6 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Latham 7 Second Do. for Do. p Mercury Snow 8 Effective State of the Garrison 9 Cash Account from the first to the 7 March 1774 10 Duplicate Do. for the Month of December 1773 11 Do. Do. for the Month of Janry. 1774 12 Do. Do. for the Month of Feby. Do. 13 Ship Duke of Kingstons Account 14 Duplicate Ship Latham Do. 15 Do. Proceedings of a Genl. Quarterly Sessions held on the 12 Janry. 1774 16 Abstract of the Cargoe of Ship Duke of Kingston 17 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Latham To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. Our last Letter waited on you by the Ship Duke of Kingston under date of the 7 instant. 2. On the 10 of this Month Arriv'd a Swede Ship from China called the Finland Captn. Selle burthn. one thousand three hundred Tons, carry's twenty six Guns, and one hundred and forty Men, loaden with Tea & China Ware bound to Gottenburgh; the 12 inst. your Ship Princess Royal from China last from the Cape. 3. Mr. Farrell for the reason he assigned in Consultation of the 24 Janry. last has resigned your Service and takes his Passage for England upon the Princess Royal. during his short stay in your Service he has delivered the	5: Duplicate consultations from 17 January to 28 February 1774 6: First receipt for the packet sent by the Latham 7: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Mercury snow 8: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 9: Cash account from 1 to 7 March 1774 10: Duplicate cash account for December 1773 11: Duplicate cash account for January 1774 12: Duplicate cash account for February 1774 13: Account of the ship Duke of Kingston 14: Duplicate account of the ship Latham 15: Duplicate proceedings of a general quarterly sessions held on 12 January 1774 16: Abstract of the cargo of the Duke of Kingston 17: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Latham The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the Duke of Kingston, dated 7 March. 2: A Swedish ship from China, the Finland, under Captain Selle, arrived on 10 March. She was of 1,300 tons, carried 26 guns and a crew of 140, and was bound for Gothenburg with tea and chinaware. The Company's ship Princess Royal arrived from China by way of the Cape on 12 March. 3: For the reason he had given in the consultation of 24 January, James Farrell had resigned the Company's service and was sailing for England in the Princess Royal. During his short time in the Company's service he had, as the letter went on to say. Interpretations James Farrell had been made surgeon's mate in July 1772, after nursing John Pritchard through his last illness, and the Court had confirmed his appointment in April 1773. His resignation after less than two years shows how hard it was to keep a trained medical man on the island. A surgeon's mate earned little more than a junior writer, and a capable man could do far better as a ship's surgeon or in private practice at home. The Council would again have to fill the post from whatever passing ship could spare a surgeon. The Swedish Finland, at 1,300 tons, was larger still than the Danish King of Denmark of the year before. The Scandinavian companies built very large ships for the Canton tea trade, and much of the tea they carried was smuggled into Britain.
97	92	diligently discharged his Duty. 4. Captn. Kerr bought at the Cape on your Account 29 Sheep amounting to £ 21 . 15 - he requesting to have Certificates for the same We have granted him the usual ones accordingly. 5. Mr. Jas. Farrell applied to Us to pay £ 350 - into your Cash which Sum we have received & given him Bills of Exchange drawn on your Honors payable to himself at ninety days Sight, dated the 14 instant. 6. The Passengers on board the Princess Royal are Captn. Underwood, and Mr. Turner. 7. Captn. Kerr requested we would give him leave to call at the Island of Ascension to get Turtle for the further refreshment of his Ships Compy. We have permitted to touch there for that purpose. We are Honorable Sirs Your most Obedt. and humble Servants (Signed) Jno. Skottowe Danl. Corneille Parling M. Bazett St. Helena 16 March 1774	Farrell had carried out his duties diligently. 4: Captain Kerr had bought 29 sheep at the Cape on the Company's account, amounting to £21 15s 0d. At his request the Council gave him the usual certificates. 5: James Farrell asked to pay £350 0s 0d into the Company's treasury. The Council received the money and gave him bills of exchange on the Court, payable to himself at 90 days' sight and dated 14 March. 6: The passengers aboard the Princess Royal were Captain Underwood and Mr Turner. 7: Captain Kerr asked leave to call at Ascension for turtle to refresh his crew further, and the Council allowed him to do so. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Purling and Matthew Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 16 March 1774. Interpretations Farrell remitted £350 0s 0d on leaving, a large sum for a surgeon's mate whose pay came to about £105 a year with allowances. He had probably added to his salary by private practice among the inhabitants and by treating the crews of passing ships. The Council's note that he had served diligently gave him a good character to take home to the Court, which mattered for any future post in the Company's service.
98	93	List of the Honble. Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Princess Royal dated the 16 March 1774 No. 1 Govr. & Councils Genl. Letter dated the 16 March 1774 2 Duplicate Do. & Do. dated the 7 Do. Do. 3 Consultation of the 14 March Do. 4 Duplicate Do. of the 7 Do. Do. 5 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Dk. of Kingston 6 Second Do. for Do. p Ship Latham 7 Effective State of the Garrison 8 Duplt. List of the Packet p Ship Duke of Kingston 9 Cash Acct. from the 8 to the 16 March 1774 10 Duplt. Do. from the 1 to the 7 Do. Do. 11 Ship Princess Royal's Account 12 Duplt. Ship Duke of Kingstons Do. 13 Abstract of the Cargoe of Princess Royal 14 Time of the Arrival of Ships Boats at Banks's 15 Courts Martial from the 15 March 1773 to the 28 Feby. 1774 16 Genl. Do. Do. of the 16 June Do. To the Honorable &c. Honorable Sirs 1. Our last address went by the Ship Princess Royal that left this Place the 17 instant. 2. On the 19 of this Month arrived the Worcester from China. 3. Bought of Captn. John Cook on your Account 317 Pieces of Pork & 37½ Bushels of Pease amounting to	The Council sent the following documents to the Court in its packet by the Princess Royal, dated 16 March 1774. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 16 March 1774 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 7 March 1774 3: Consultation of 14 March 1774 4: Duplicate consultation of 7 March 1774 5: First receipt for the packet sent by the Duke of Kingston 6: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Latham 7: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 8: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Duke of Kingston 9: Cash account from 8 to 16 March 1774 10: Duplicate cash account from 1 to 7 March 1774 11: Account of the ship Princess Royal 12: Duplicate account of the ship Duke of Kingston 13: Abstract of the cargo of the Princess Royal 14: Times of arrival of ships' boats at Banks's 15: Courts martial from 15 March 1773 to 28 February 1774 16: General court martial of 16 June 1773 The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the Princess Royal, which left the island on 17 March. 2: The Worcester arrived from China on 19 March. 3: The Council bought from Captain John Cook, on the Company's account, 317 pieces of pork and 37½ bushels of pease, amounting to a sum the letter went on to give. Interpretations The general court martial of 16 June 1773, sent home as a separate document, was perhaps the trial of Hugh Hay, whom the Council reported in August as convicted and sent off the island. A capital or grave charge was recorded at length and sent separately so that the Court could review it in full. The purchase of salt pork from a China ship reflects the Council's continuing dissatisfaction with the Irish provisions sent from home. Meat bought from a commander's sea stores could be inspected before it was paid for.
99	94	to £ 41 . 1 . 6 as p Bill Entered in Consultation of this day he choosing to have Certificates for the same rather than Money We have Granted him the Usual ones. 4. Mr. Chettman an Armenian Gentlemen is the Only Passenger on board the Worcester. 5. The Reverend Mr. Willm. Bearcroft proceeds to England upon the Ship Worcester, We have given Captn. Cook a permit to receive him & his Family on board, likewise Willm. Sharpe a discharged Sergeant. We are Honorable Sirs Your most Obedt. and humble Servants (Signed) Jno. Skottowe Danl. Corneille Matt. Parling Matt. Bazett St. Helena 28 March 1774 List of the Honorable Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Worcester dated the the 28th March 1774 No. 1 Govr. & Councils Genl. Letter dated the 28th March 1774 2 Duplicate Do. & Do. dated the 16 Do. Do. 3 Consultations from the 21 to the 28 Do. Do. 4 Duplicate Do. of the 14 March Do.	The pork and pease amounted to £41 1s 6d, as shown in Captain Cook's bill entered in the consultation of that day. He chose to take certificates rather than money, and the Council gave him the usual certificates. 4: Mr Chettiman, an Armenian gentleman, was the only passenger aboard the Worcester. 5: The Reverend William Bearcroft was sailing for England in the Worcester. The Council gave Captain Cook a permit to take him and his family aboard, and William Sharpe, a discharged sergeant. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Purling and Matthew Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 28 March 1774. The Council's packet by the Worcester, dated 28 March 1774, began with the following documents. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 28 March 1774 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 16 March 1774 3: Consultations from 21 to 28 March 1774 4: Duplicate consultation of 14 March 1774 Interpretations William Bearcroft finally left the island in March 1774, almost two years after he first gave notice in July 1772. He had stayed through a whole further season at the Council's request. The letter does not say whether a successor had arrived, but his departure with his family at the height of the homeward season suggests he would wait no longer. His remittance of £300 0s 0d in February had prepared the way. Armenian merchants were well established in the trade of Bengal, Madras and Canton, and moved freely between the European settlements. A wealthy Armenian travelling to England as the sole passenger in a China ship was not unusual. Many of them had dealings in London through the Company's own trade.
100	95	5 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Princess Royal 6 Second Do. for Do. p Ship Dk. of Kingston 7 Effective State of the Garrison 8 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Princess Royal 9 Cash Account from the 17 to the 28 March 1774 10 Duplt. Do. from the 8 to the 16 Do. Do. 11 Ship Worcester Account 12 Duplt. Ship Princess Royals Account 13 Abstract of the Cargoe of Ship Worcester 14 Time of the Arrival of Ship Worcester's Boat at Banks's To the Honorable &c. Honorable Sirs We wrote you Yesterday by the Ship Worcester, and we now take the opportunity by the same Ship to acquaint you this day Arrived the Houghton which Ship left the Pilot of Bengall River the 8 of Janry. last put into the Cape the 6 instant & Sailed from thence the 13 & left her Majesty's Ship Salisbury, and Sea Horse there. We are Honorable Sirs Your most Obedt. and humble Servants (Signed) Jno. Skottowe Danl. Corneille Matt. Parling Matt. Bazett St. Helena 29 March 1774	5: First receipt for the packet sent by the Princess Royal 6: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Duke of Kingston 7: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 8: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Princess Royal 9: Cash account from 17 to 28 March 1774 10: Duplicate cash account from 8 to 16 March 1774 11: Account of the ship Worcester 12: Duplicate account of the ship Princess Royal 13: Abstract of the cargo of the Worcester 14: Time of arrival of the Worcester's boat at Banks's The Council wrote a short further letter to the Court. It had written by the Worcester the day before, and took the chance of the same ship to report that the Houghton had arrived that day. She had left the pilot at the mouth of the Bengal river on 3 January, put into the Cape on 6 March and sailed again on 13 March. When she left, His Majesty's ships Salisbury and Sea Horse lay at the Cape. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Purling and Matthew Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 29 March 1774. Interpretations The Salisbury and Sea Horse were Royal Navy ships of the squadron sent to the East Indies under Commodore Sir Edward Hughes, which reached India later in 1774. Among the midshipmen of the Sea Horse on that voyage was the young Horatio Nelson, then 15. The Council's brief note simply recorded two King's ships at the Cape, the latest sign of the growing Crown naval presence on the route to India.
101	96	To the Honorable &c. Honorable Sirs 1. Our last Advice went by the Ship Worcester that left this place the 29 of March 1774. 2. Captains Henry Bazett and John Howard applied to Us to pay £ 160 . 9 - into your Cash which we have received and given them Bills of Exchange drawn on your Honors payable to the Reverend Mr. William Bearcroft at ninety days sight dated this day. 3. As the last Quarters Accounts will not be laid before Us until the 18 instant we cannot transmit you any other Cash Account than the Duplicate of Our last. 4. We have given Captn. Smith an order to receive on board the Houghton to Compleat that Ships Company Jona. Mallet a discharged Soldier and have permitted him to take on board the Ship Francis Harvey George Short Frances Vennable and Philip Gleeson four discharged Soldiers. 5. Captn. Smith purchased at the Cape on Your Account thirty Sheep 33 . 1 Bushs. Wheat & some Garden Seeds We have also bought of Captn. Smith sixteen Bushels Pease his Bill for the whole amounts to £ 53 . 8 - he requesting to have Certificates for the same We have granted him the Usual ones accordingly. 6. The Passengers on board the Houghton are Mr. Forbes & Mr. Hay, Captn. Duff & Messrs. Henderson Anderson and Roberts. We are Honoble. Sirs Your most Obedt. and humble Servants (Signed) Matt. Parling Matt. Bazett John Skottowe Danl. Corneille St. Helena 1 April 1774	The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the Worcester, which left the island on 29 March 1774. 2: Captains Henry Bazett and John Howard asked to pay £160 9s 0d into the Company's treasury. The Council received the money and gave them bills of exchange on the Court, payable to the Reverend William Bearcroft at 90 days' sight and dated that day. 3: The last quarter's accounts would not be laid before the Council until 18 April, so it could send no cash account other than a duplicate of its last. 4: The Council ordered Captain Smith to take aboard the Houghton, to complete her crew, Jonathan Mallet, a discharged soldier. It also allowed him to take aboard four other discharged soldiers: Francis Moring, George Short, Francis Venables and Philip Gleeson. 5: Captain Smith had bought at the Cape, on the Company's account, 30 sheep, [...] of wheat and some garden seeds. The Council also bought 16 bushels of pease from him. His bill for the whole came to £53 8s 0d. At his request the Council gave him the usual certificates. 6: The passengers aboard the Houghton were Mrs Forbes and Mrs Hay, Captain Duff, and Messrs Henderson, Anderson and Roberts. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Purling and Matthew Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 1 April 1774. Interpretations The two captains' bill was made payable to the departed chaplain. Bazett and Howard evidently owed Bearcroft money, perhaps for goods or furniture he sold them before leaving, and settled it through the Company so that he would receive it in London. It was a common way for those leaving the island to wind up their affairs. Captain John Howard was also one of the sureties for Robert Leech's covenants. His dealings with Bearcroft show again how the few leading men of the island were bound to one another by debts, bonds and guarantees.
102	97	List of the Honorable Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Houghton dated the 1 Apl. 1774 No. 1 Govr. & Councils Genl. Letter dated the 1 Apl. 1774 2 Duplt. Do. & Do. dated the 28 March Do. 3 Do. Do. & Do. dated the 29 Do. Do. 4 Consultations of the 1 Apl. Do. 5 Duplicate Do. from the 21 to the 28 Do. Do. 6 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Worcester 7 Second Do. for a small paper Do. p Do. 8 Second Do. for the Packet p Ship Princess Royal 9 Effective State of Garrison 10 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Worcester 11 Duplt. Cash Account from the 17 to the 28 March Do. 12 Ship Houghtons Account 13 Duplt. Ship Worcester Do. 14 Abstract of the Cargoe of Ship Houghton 15 Time of the Arrival of Ship Houghtons Boat at Banks's To the Honble. Honble. Sirs 1. We addressed you last by the Ship Houghton that left this Place the 2 Instant. 2. On the 7 of this Month arrived the Duke of Portland from Bencoolen and the 15 the York and the 16 the Eagle Packet both from England by which conveyances we received Packets from the Honble. the Court of Directors. 3. As the French Ship Dauphin is the first that Sails from hence we take the opportunity by	The Council sent the following documents to the Court in its packet by the Houghton, dated 1 April 1774. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 1 April 1774 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 28 March 1774 3: Duplicate of the general letter of 29 March 1774 4: Consultation of 1 April 1774 5: Duplicate consultations from 21 to 28 March 1774 6: First receipt for the packet sent by the Worcester 7: Second receipt for a small paper packet sent by the Worcester 8: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Princess Royal 9: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 10: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Worcester 11: Duplicate cash account from 17 to 28 March 1774 12: Account of the ship Houghton 13: Duplicate account of the ship Worcester 14: Abstract of the cargo of the Houghton 15: Time of arrival of the Houghton's boat at Banks's The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the Houghton, which left the island on 2 April. 2: The Duke of Portland arrived from Bencoolen on 7 April. The York arrived from England on 15 April and the Eagle packet, also from England, on 16 April. Both brought packets from the Court of Directors. 3: The French ship Dauphin was the first vessel to sail from the island, and the Council took the opportunity, as the letter went on to explain, to write by her. Interpretations The Council chose to send its letter by a French ship rather than wait for the next English one. Having just received packets from the Court by the York and the Eagle, it was anxious to acknowledge them by the first ship leaving. A foreign vessel bound for Europe could carry a letter to be forwarded overland to London, often faster than an Indiaman waiting in the roads. The duplicates sent later by English ships guarded against the risk of entrusting despatches to a foreign captain.
103	98	by her of informing you of the Arrival of the above Ships We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. and humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Mattw. Parling [...] St. Helena 19 April 1774 To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. We wrote you last by the French Ship Dauphin that sailed from hence the 19 Instant wherein We informed you of the Arrival of the York Store Ship and Eagle Packet the former on the 15 & the latter on the 16 Instant. 2. This day arrived your Ship Valentine from China (last from the Cape) Captn. Agnew acquaints Us that your Ship Ceres was there when he left it & his Majesty's Ship Adventurer homeward bound. 3. Captain Henry Bazett applied to Us to pay £ 100 into the Honble. Company's Cash which Sum We have received and given him Bills of Exchange drawn on your Honors payable to Miss Mary Bazett at Ninety days sight.	The Council wrote by the French ship to report the arrival of the ships just named. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille and Matthew Purling signed the letter at St Helena on 19 April 1774. The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the French ship Dauphin, which sailed on 19 April. In it the Council had reported the arrival of the store ship York on 15 April and of the Eagle packet on 18 April. 2: The Company's ship Valentine arrived that day from China by way of the Cape. Captain [...] reported that the Company's ship [...] was at the Cape when he left, together with His Majesty's ship Adventure, homeward bound. 3: Captain Henry Bazett asked to pay £100 0s 0d into the Company's treasury. The Council received the money and gave him bills of exchange on the Court, payable to Miss Mary Bazett at 90 days' sight. Interpretations His Majesty's ship Adventure was almost certainly the consort of Captain Cook's Resolution on his second voyage of discovery. Under Tobias Furneaux she had parted from Cook in the southern ocean and was sailing home by way of the Cape, which she left in April 1774. Two years earlier the Council had passed on hearsay from Captain Meakes that two English ships bound on discovery had called at the Cape. Now it reported one of them homeward bound. Matthew Bazett did not sign the letter by the Dauphin, perhaps through illness. Captain Henry Bazett's continuing remittances to Miss Mary Bazett show a family on the island regularly supporting a kinswoman in England.
104	99	4. We have given Captain Sutton an Order to receive on board the Duke Portland towards compleating that Ships Company, Willm. Holmes Sergeant and John Morrell Private and have also permitted him to receive on board his Ship, Geo. Smith Sergt. William Pink and Thos. Barnes Corporals Willm. Crabb and Willm. Rankin Gunners, James Goudy and Frances Venable Private and carry them to England. 5. The Passengers on board the Duke of Portland are Mr. and Mrs. Ferey, Mr. and Mrs. Porcell & Mr. Salmon. 6. We have permitted Captn. Sutton to touch at the Island of Ascension to get Turtle for the further refreshment of his Ships Company agreeable to his requests. 7. Christn. Nengert & Jno. Reed Two Seaman belonging to the Ship Duke of Portland having a quarrell on shore which led to a Battle and Christn. Nengert having given Jno. Reed an unlucky Blow with his fist, which proved mortal, An Inquest being held on his Body they brought in their Verdict Man Slaughter and the Coroner committed the sd. Nengert to take his trial at the next quarterly Session. 8. Captn. Willson having represented to the board that his Surgeon Mr. John Roberts is extremely Ill and incapable of proceeding on the Voyage, requested liberty to entertain the Surgeons Mate of the Duke of Portland in the sd. Roberts stead Captn. Sutton being willing to spare him We consented thereto. 9. Captn. Ogilvie having signified to Us that he should be ready to proceed on his Voyage to morrow We shall then give him his Sailing Orders & a duplicate of this Letter to you. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. & humble Servts. (Signed) Parling M. Bazett John Skottowe Danl. Corneille St. Helena 23 April 1774	4: The Council ordered Captain Sutton to take aboard the Duke of Portland, to help complete her crew, Sergeant William Holmes and Private John Morrell. It also allowed him to take aboard Sergeant George Smith, Sergeant William Pink, Corporal Thomas Barnes, Corporal William Crabb, Gunner William Rankin, and Privates James Goudy and Francis Venables, and carry them to England. 5: The passengers aboard the Duke of Portland were Mr and Mrs Ferey, Mr and Mrs Purcell, and Mrs Salmon. 6: At Captain Sutton's request, the Council allowed him to call at Ascension for turtle to refresh his crew further. 7: Christopher Nugent and John Reid, two seamen of the Duke of Portland, quarrelled ashore and came to blows. Nugent struck Reid an unlucky blow with his fist, which proved fatal. An inquest was held on the body and returned a verdict of manslaughter. The coroner committed Nugent for trial at the next quarterly sessions. 8: Captain Willson reported to the Council that his surgeon, John Roberts, was extremely ill and unable to continue the voyage. He asked leave to take on the surgeon's mate of the Duke of Portland in Roberts's place. Captain Sutton was willing to spare him, and the Council agreed. 9: Captain Ogilvie had told the Council that he would be ready to continue his voyage the next day. The Council would then give him his sailing orders and a duplicate of this letter for the Court. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Purling and Matthew Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 23 April 1774. Interpretations The death of John Reid shows that seamen ashore from the ships fell under the island's civil law, not only their captain's discipline. A coroner's inquest found manslaughter rather than murder, since the blow was struck in a fight without intent to kill. Nugent was held for the quarterly sessions instead of being sent on with his ship. His trial would take place on St Helena, and the Duke of Portland would sail without him. The Council moved a surgeon's mate from one ship to another only with both commanders' agreement. A ship could not sail for England without a medical man aboard, and the Council would not strip one ship to serve another without her captain's consent.
105	100	List of the Honble. Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Duke of Portland dated the 25 April 1774 1 Govr. and Councils General Letter dated the 25 April 1774 2 Do. and Do. Do. dated Do. Do. relating to Law Matters 3 Duplicate Do. and Do. dated 1 April 1774 4 Do. Do. and Do. dated 19 Do. Do. 5 Consultations from the 4 to the 25 Do. Do. 6 Duplicate Do. of the 1 April Do. 7 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Houghton 8 First Do. for a Small paper Packet p French Ship Dauphin 9 Second Do. for the Packet p Ship Worcester 10 Effective State of the Garrison 11 Muster Rolls of Do. 12 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Houghton 13 Cash Account from the 29 to the 31 March 1774 14 Do. Do. from the 1 to the 25th April Do. 15 Ship Duke of Portlands Account 16 Duplicate Ship Houghtons Do. 17 Abstract of the Cargoe of Ship Duke of Portland 18 Time of the Arrival of Ships Boats at Banks's 19 Proceedgs. of a General Quarterly Sessions held on the 13 April 1774 20 Governors Letter to the secret Committee 21 Second Receipt for a Small Paper Packet p Ship Worcester 22 List of nine Discharged Soldiers	The Council sent the following documents to the Court in its packet by the Duke of Portland, dated 25 April 1774. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 25 April 1774 2: The Governor and Council's general letter of 25 April 1774, relating to legal matters 3: Duplicate of the general letter of 1 April 1774 4: Duplicate of the general letter of 19 April 1774 5: Consultations from 4 to 25 April 1774 6: Duplicate consultation of 1 April 1774 7: First receipt for the packet sent by the Houghton 8: First receipt for a small paper packet sent by the French ship Dauphin 9: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Worcester 10: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 11: Muster rolls of the garrison 12: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Houghton 13: Cash account from 29 to 31 March 1774 14: Cash account from 1 to 25 April 1774 15: Account of the ship Duke of Portland 16: Duplicate account of the ship Houghton 17: Abstract of the cargo of the Duke of Portland 18: Times of arrival of ships' boats at Banks's 19: Proceedings of a general quarterly sessions held on 13 April 1774 20: The Governor's letter to the Secret Committee 21: Second receipt for a small paper packet sent by the Worcester 22: List of nine discharged soldiers Interpretations The quarterly sessions of 13 April 1774 sat before the fatal quarrel between the two seamen of the Duke of Portland. Christopher Nugent would therefore wait in custody on the island until the July sessions, while his ship sailed home without him. The list of nine discharged soldiers matches the men the Council placed aboard the Duke of Portland, two to work their passage as seamen and seven to travel home as discharged men.
106	101	To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. Our last address waited on You by the Ship Duke of Portland that Sailed from hence the 25th April 1774 in Company with the Valentine. 2. It Gives Us great pleasure to hear that all your Ships of last Season Arrived safe the like Success we hope will attend those of this Year. 3. You will please to observe by Our Consultation of the 3 instant that We dispatched your Ship Eagle, which was as soon as her People could be refreshed after a Passage of five Months, the Captain and others arriving in a very bad state of health and at the same time gave Captain Willson positive Orders to make the best of his way to Fort St. George agreable to the Instructions he had received from your Honors. 4. The Orders from the Gentlemen of the Secret Committee or any three of them shall be duly Observed and Complied with. 5. Mr. Roberts Carr whom you were pleased to appoint as Chaplain to succeed Mr. Bearcroft shall be paid the Usual Salary and Allowance. 6. Agreable to your Orders in the 18th Paragraph of your General Letter dated the 6 Janry. 1773, we transmitted you a faithful Register of	The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the Duke of Portland, which sailed on 28 April 1774 in company with the Valentine. 2: The Council was greatly pleased to learn that all the Company's ships of the previous season had arrived safely, and hoped the same success would attend those of the present year. 3: The Council's consultation of 3 May would show the Court that it had dispatched the Eagle as soon as her crew could be rested after a passage of five months, on which the captain and others had arrived in very poor health. It had given Captain Willson firm orders to make the best of his way to Fort St George, as the Court had instructed him. 4: Every order received from the Secret Committee, or from any three of its members, would be duly obeyed and carried out. 5: Robert Carr, whom the Court had appointed chaplain in succession to Mr Bearcroft, would be paid the usual salary and allowances. 6: As the Court had ordered in paragraph 18 of its general letter of 6 January 1773, the Council sent a faithful register, as the letter went on to describe. Interpretations This letter shows that Captain Willson, whose sick surgeon was replaced from the Duke of Portland, commanded the Eagle packet. A five-month passage from England was long for a fast packet, and her crew had evidently suffered badly from scurvy or fever. The Council held her only long enough to restore her men before sending her on to Madras with the Court's despatches. Robert Carr arrived as chaplain in the ships of April 1774, only weeks after Bearcroft had sailed home in the Worcester. Bearcroft's long wait had nearly bridged the gap. The island was without a clergyman for barely a month.
107	102	of all Goods and Merchandize Landed or re-Shipped from the Island since that Period which went by the Ship Devonshire the 29th Augt. last and a Duplicate thereof by the next Conveyance and the same method we shall pursue in future. 7. Mr. Parling returns your Honors his most humble thanks for the Candid approbation and favourable notice you have been pleased repeatedly to take of his Services, assures you that during his long continuence in the Companys Service he has made it his constant Study to promote as far as in him lay the Interest of his Employers, he gratefully acknowledges himself obliged to the Honble. the Court of Directors for the last singular Mark of their favour in permitting his money to be received into the Company's Cash for Bills, a convenience he could not have obtained in this confined place from any other Channel of remittance. 8. Mr. Bazett begs leave to return Your Honors his most sincere Acknowledgments for the favours you have been pleased to Confer on him flatters himself he shall by a faithful and diligent discharge of his duty always continue to Merit the same, he begs leave to inform you that he has wrote to his Friends in England to give the Security your Honors are pleased to direct. 9. Mr. Wrangham desires to return his most grateful acknowledgments for the Honor you have done him in Ordering him a Seat at the Board of Council upon the Resignation of Mr. Parling also for the favour you have shewn	The register covered all goods and merchandise landed on or reshipped from the island since that date. It had gone by the Devonshire on 29 August 1773, with a duplicate by the next ship, and the Council would follow the same method in future. 7: Matthew Purling returned his humble thanks for the generous approval and favourable notice the Court had repeatedly taken of his services. He assured the Court that throughout his long service he had made it his constant aim to promote his employers' interest as far as lay in his power. He was gratefully obliged to the Court for its latest mark of favour in allowing his money to be received into the Company's treasury for bills. That was a convenience he could not have had from any other means of remittance in so confined a place. 8: Matthew Bazett returned his sincere thanks for the favour the Court had shown him, and hoped that by faithful and diligent service he would continue to deserve it. He had written to his friends in England to give the security the Court required. 9: William Wrangham returned his grateful thanks for the honour the Court had done him in ordering him a seat on the Council on Mr Purling's resignation, and for the favour the Court had shown, as the letter went on to say. Interpretations Purling's thanks for being allowed to remit his money through the Company's treasury show that this was a privilege, not a right. Throughout 1772 and 1773 he had sent home bills of £600, £800, £1,200 and £1,290 0s 0d. The Court evidently watched such large remittances from its own servants, which could signal private trade on a scale it disliked. Permission for a retiring councillor to send home his savings by bill was a mark of trust at the close of his career. William Wrangham, the paymaster, was to take Purling's seat on the Council. Promotion from the island's own officers was the usual course, and it kept the Council in the hands of men who knew the settlement well.
108	103	him in giving him a farther Share in the Arrack Concern and hopes by a rectitude of Conduct in the deligent discharge of his duty to merit your Honors future approbation and Indulgence He likewise begs leave to inform your Honors that he has wrote to two of his Friends in England to give the Security you require. 10. Mr. Wrangham will be admitted to a Seat at the Board on the resignation of Mr. Parling, agreable to your directions. 11. When Mr. Parling resigns his share of the Profits arising from the Sale of Arrack We shall dispose thereof in the manner you are pleased to direct. 12. We are glad you have been pleased to Confirm the appointment of Messrs. John Doveton and Nathl. Kennedy. You may be assured that we would not have Entertained these two Gentlemen had we not found it absolutely necessary for carrying on your Business, they beg leave to return your Honors their most sincere thanks for their appointment And have executed their Covenants which are returned in this Packet Mr. John Doveton has got Mr. Mattw. Bazett and Captn. Henry Bazett to be his security's and Mr. Nathl. Kennedy, Danl. Corneille Esqr. and Lieut. Chas. Ross Stewart to be his, which they request Your Honors will be pleased to Accept of. 13. Captain Richard Beale still continues in the unhappy Situation we represented him to you last Year We communicated the 14 Paragraph of your General Letter of the 19th Novr. last	Wrangham thanked the Court for giving him a larger share in the arrack concern. He hoped that by upright conduct and diligent service he would deserve its further approval and indulgence. He had also written to two of his friends in England to give the security the Court required. 10: In accordance with the Court's directions, Wrangham would take his seat on the Council when Mr Purling resigned. 11: When Mr Purling gave up his share of the profits from the sale of arrack, the Council would dispose of it in the way the Court had directed. 12: The Council was glad that the Court had confirmed the appointments of John Doveton and Nathaniel Kennedy. It assured the Court that it would not have taken on the two young men had it not found it absolutely necessary for carrying on the Company's business. They returned their sincere thanks for their appointment and had executed their covenants, which were returned in this packet. John Doveton had named Matthew Bazett and Captain Henry Bazett as his sureties, and Nathaniel Kennedy had named Daniel Corneille and Lieutenant Charles Ross Stewart. They asked the Court to accept them. 13: Captain Richard Beale remained in the unhappy state the Council had described to the Court the previous year. The Council had communicated to him paragraph 14 of the Court's general letter of 19 November, as the letter went on to explain. Interpretations The "arrack concern" reveals how the Council's members were partly paid. The profits from the Company's sale of arrack on the island were shared out among the senior servants as a perquisite, in proportions the Court fixed. A seat on the Council brought a larger share. When Purling retired, his portion did not simply lapse but was redistributed at the Court's direction. This explains why the Council watched so closely over the arrack consigned to the island, and complained so sharply when commanders kept it aboard their ships. The Court's confirmation of Doveton and Kennedy settled the dispute of the year before over appointments made without its leave. The Council's careful wording, presenting them as acting writers until the Court approved, had won the point.
109	104	last to his Friends who are still of opinion that his going to England is the only chance of his recovery and mean to send him by the first Convenient opportunity at which time We will transmit you the proper testimonials to Intitle him to the Military Fund. 14. Captain Solomon St. Maurice and Lieuts. Jas. Elgin and Watkin Greentree return Your Honors their sincere thanks for the favours you have been pleased to confer on them. 15. We have Ordered the Officers Non Commissioned Officers and Private Men of the Marching and Artillery Company to be under Arms twice a Week to Exercise in Order to Compleat them for a Field day once a Month and shall notice the same upon Consultan. agreable to your Directions, and as soon as the Artillery Company are perfect in their Exercise and the Cold Season Comes on, We then purpose practising them at the Great Gun and firing at a Target with a certain number of Men from the Marching Company's to join with them in the sd. Practice. 16. We have made the Surgeon acquainted with your directions respecting discharged Invalid Soldiers which he assured Us shall be strictly complied with. 17. The Supplys you have been pleased to send Us p York we hope will fully Answer the demands of the Island for the ensuing Year. 18. You will please to Observe by Our Consultation of the 28 Apl. that we dispatched the York upon the expiration of the ten working days.	The Council had communicated the Court's letter to Captain Beale's friends. They still believed that going to England was his only chance of recovery and meant to send him by the first convenient opportunity. The Council would then send the Court the proper testimonials to entitle him to the Military Fund. 14: Captain Solomon St Maurice, Lieutenant James Elgin and Lieutenant Watkin Greentree returned their sincere thanks for the favours the Court had conferred on them. 15: The Council had ordered the officers, non-commissioned officers and private men of the marching companies and the artillery company to parade under arms twice a week for exercise, to fit them for a field day once a month. It would record these in its consultations, as the Court had directed. As soon as the artillery company was proficient in its exercise and the cold season came on, the Council meant to train the gunners at the great guns, firing at a target, with a number of men from the marching companies joining them in the practice. 16: The Council had informed the surgeon of the Court's directions about discharged invalid soldiers, and he had assured it that they would be strictly followed. 17: The Council hoped the supplies the Court had sent by the York would fully meet the island's needs for the coming year. 18: The Council's consultation of 28 April would show the Court that it had dispatched the York as soon as her ten working days expired. Interpretations The Court had granted both of the Council's recommendations of August 1773. James Elgin, the sergeant major who had risen from the ranks, now held a lieutenant's commission, and so did Watkin Greentree, son of the planter James Greentree. Solomon St Maurice was promoted captain, almost certainly to the company Captain Beale could no longer command. The Court evidently accepted the Council's argument that merit as well as family standing deserved reward. The new orders for regular drill and target practice with the great guns show the Court pressing for a garrison fit to fight rather than merely to stand guard. Colonel Campbell's report of 1773 on the island's defences, which the Council had forwarded, had perhaps prompted the instruction. Mixing infantrymen into the gun crews meant that a sudden attack would not find the batteries short of men trained to serve them.
110	105	19. We wish prosperity to your affairs in China under the management of the Gentlemen you have been pleased to Constitute your Council there And have made no alteration in Our China indent this Year. 20. We have given Orders to the Store Keeper to make a Report to Us of the different Qualitys of the English and Irish Provision received this Year and shall transmit you the same as soon as we receive it from him the like practice we observed last Year but was not able to inform you of the Condition thereof until the latter end of the Season. 21. We are sensible that Our General Indent, together with the Storekeepers Receipts Issues, and remains, went late home last Year, but it was owing to the late Arrival of your Store Ships which must always Occasion the same inconveniency. We have given Orders to the Storekeeper to be as expeditious as possible in getting those Papers ready to go by the first Conveyance & the Balustrades for the Communion Table mentioned in Our Addition Indent last Year not being received We have managed so as to do without them therefore request you will not send any next Season. 22. We have received thirty six Recruits out of the forty you were pleased to put on board the York which will nearly Compleat the Establishment of this Garrison. 23. Your Honors may depend that we shall take particular care for the future to get Instruments in writing from the Invalid Soldiers that we may have Occasion to put on board your own Ships	19: The Council wished prosperity to the Company's affairs in China under the gentlemen the Court had appointed as its council there. It had made no change to its China indent that year. 20: The Council had ordered the storekeeper to report on the different qualities of the English and Irish provisions received that year, and would send the report as soon as it had it. It had done the same the previous year but could not report on their condition until late in the season. 21: The Council knew that its general indent, with the storekeeper's receipts, issues and remains, had reached London late the previous year. This had been caused by the late arrival of the store ships, which would always produce the same difficulty. It had ordered the storekeeper to get these papers ready as quickly as possible for the first ship. The balusters for the communion table, listed in its additional indent of the previous year, had not arrived. The Council had managed without them and asked the Court not to send any the following season. 22: The Council had received 36 recruits out of the 40 the Court had put aboard the York. They would almost complete the garrison's establishment. 23: The Council assured the Court that in future it would take particular care to obtain a written undertaking from every invalid soldier it put aboard the Company's own ships. Interpretations The balusters for the communion table were for the new church in James's Valley, on which the workmen had laboured since early 1773. They were evidently ordered for the rail enclosing the altar. The Council improvised a substitute rather than wait another year, and cancelled the order so as not to receive goods it no longer needed. Four of the 40 recruits sent in the York did not reach the island, which was a modest loss for a five-month voyage. The Court's insistence on written undertakings from invalids sent home in the Company's own ships closed a gap. The Council had obtained them for passengers in hired ships, but a soldier sent home in a Company vessel might otherwise claim wages for the voyage.
111	106	Ships the same way as we have always pursued when We have put them on board Charter Party Ships. 24. Agreable to your directions in the 19 Paragraph of your General Letter of the 10 Decemr. last we will be very careful that we do not draw more Bills of Exchange upon your Honors, than will be necessary to defray the Current expences of the Island. 25. The Soldier you mention in the 16 Paragraph of your Letter p York under the name of Bryan Smith, We have made all the inquiry respecting the sd. Person and cannot find that there ever have been any such a Man of that Christian Name upon the Island apprehend that he has gone under some other name as they often do. 26. We shall Stop out of Lieut. Gibson's growing Salary the Sum of £ 46 - you were pleased to advance him and shall take care that the Conditions of the Bonds are Complied with. 27. We beg leave to refer Your Honors to Our Consultation of the 9 instant respecting the Statement of Mr. Powells Circumstances and our determination thereupon. 28. The few Spanish Ships that have touched here We have hitherto supplied with water and a few necessary's of Fresh Provisions &c. as we had no Orders to the Contrary and the two Crowns being in Amity with each other But always took care to advise your Honors thereof and for the future shall punctually comply with	The Council had always obtained such undertakings when it put invalids aboard chartered ships. 24: As the Court had directed in paragraph 19 of its general letter of 10 December, the Council would take great care to draw no more bills of exchange on the Court than were needed to meet the island's running expenses. 25: The Court had mentioned in paragraph 16 of its letter by the York a soldier under the name of Bryon Smith. The Council had made every enquiry about him and could find that no man of that Christian name had ever been on the island. It supposed he had served under some other name, as such men often did. 26: The Council would stop the £40 0s 0d the Court had advanced to Lieutenant Gillson out of his accruing salary, and would see that the conditions of his bonds were met. 27: The Council referred the Court to its consultation of 9 May on the statement of Mr Powell's circumstances and its decision on it. 28: The Council had so far supplied the few Spanish ships that called at the island with water and a few necessary fresh provisions. It had had no orders to the contrary, and the two crowns were at peace. It had always taken care to report these calls to the Court, and in future would strictly comply with the Court's orders, as the letter went on to say. Interpretations The Court's order to draw no more bills than the island's expenses required reversed the Council's practice of the past two years. The Council had sold bills freely to its own members, officers and even foreign captains, bringing coin into the treasury in exchange for payment in London. The Court saw that this let its servants remit large private fortunes through the Company's credit. By limiting bills to what the island needed, it curbed the use of its treasury as a private bank for the settlement. The Court's new orders on Spanish ships closed an open door. The Council had treated the Manila frigate of May 1773 like any friendly vessel. The Court evidently wanted Spanish ships kept at a distance, perhaps fearing that Spain's new route from Manila by the Cape might make St Helena a regular port of call for a rival power.
112	107	with your Orders on that Subject. 29. On the 5 instant Arrived a Dane Ship from China called the Queen Sophia Magdalina, Captn. Salve Hanson burthen 1300 Tons carry's twenty six Guns and 150 Men Loaden with Tea and China Ware bound to Copenhagen, the 6 your Ship Kent and the 7 the Prime both from China, the 12th the Northington from Madrass and the same day the Egmont from Bengall (both from the Cape) [...] Captn. Truby informs Us he left Fort St. George the 7 Feb. last and your Ships Bridgewater and Harcourt there, the former was to be dispatched in a few days after him, and the latter about the Middle of March We are also told that the Hawke, & True Briton was at the Cape when the Northington and Egmont left it. Yesterday arrived a French Ship from China called the La Catterine Captn. Duclos Guyot Burthen 300 Tons carrys eight Guns and fifty Men Loaden with Tea and China Ware bound to Port L'Orient. 30. Mr. Hume is the only Passenger on Board the Prime, and on Board the Kent Mr. Ducan Colonel Campbel, Captn. Dunbar, Edwd. Cotsford Esqr. Mr. and Mrs. West Mr. Hay & Major Fletcher on board the Northington, and on the Egmont Colonel Chapman Mr. Playdell, Mr. Rooke and Captns. Rooke and Roberts. 31. We have given Captn. Thomson a permit to receive on board the Kent Abraham Miller a discharged Soldier he has signed an Instrument in Writing not to demand any Wages from the Captn. or Owners of the said Ship. 32. This Letter waits on you by the	29: A Danish ship from China, the Queen Sophia Magdalena, under Captain Salve Hanson, arrived on 5 May. She was of 1,300 tons, carried 26 guns and a crew of 150, and was bound for Copenhagen with tea and chinaware. The Company's ship Kent arrived on 6 May and the Prime on 7 May, both from China. On 12 May the Northington arrived from Madras and the Egmont from Bengal, both by way of the Cape. Captain [...] reported that he had left Fort St George on 7 February, where the Company's ships Bridgewater and Harcourt lay. The first was to be dispatched a few days after him and the second about the middle of March. The Council also learned that the Hawke and the True Briton were at the Cape when the Northington and the Egmont left. A French ship from China, La Catherine, under Captain Duclos-Guyot, arrived the previous day. She was of 300 tons, carried 8 guns and a crew of 50, and was bound for Lorient with tea and chinaware. 30: Mr Hume was the only passenger aboard the Prime. Aboard the Kent were Mr Duncan, Colonel Campbell, Captain Dunbar and Edward Cotsford. Aboard the Northington were Mr and Mrs West, Mr May and Major Fletcher. Aboard the Egmont were Colonel Chapman, Mr Playdell, Mr Rooke, Captain Rooke and Mr Roberts. 31: The Council had given Captain Thomson a permit to take aboard the Kent Abraham Miller, a discharged soldier. He had signed a written undertaking to claim no wages from the captain or owners of the ship. 32: This letter was going by a ship the letter went on to name. Interpretations Mr Hume was probably Alexander Hume, one of the supercargoes whose signature appeared on the Canton invoices for the island's sugar and tea. He was returning home after the season's trade. Captain Duclos-Guyot was perhaps Nicolas-Pierre Duclos-Guyot, the French navigator who had sailed round the world with Bougainville a few years earlier and afterwards commanded merchant ships to the East. Abraham Miller's undertaking bound him not to claim wages from the captain or owners, not merely the Company. This was the form the Council had just promised the Court it would use for men sent home in the Company's own ships, and it shows the new rule being applied at once.
113	108	the Prime Copy of which We transmit p Kent. We are Honble. Sirs Your most obedient humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Parling M. Bazett St. Helena 14 May 1774 List of the Honble. Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Kent dated the 14 May 1774 No. 1 Govr. and Councils Genl. Letter dated the 14 May 1774 2 Duplt. Do. & Do. dated the 25 Apl. Do. 3 Do. Do. & Do. dated the Do. Do. Do. relatg. to Law Matters 4 Consultations from the 28 Apl. to the 14 May 1774 5 Duplicate Do. from the 4 to the 25 April Do. 6 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Dk. of Portland 7 First Do. for a Small Paper Do. p Ship Valentine 8 Second Do. for the Packet p Ship Houghton	The letter was going by the Prime, and a copy by the Kent. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Purling and Matthew Bazett signed it at St Helena on 14 May 1774. The Council's packet by the Kent, dated 14 May 1774, began with the following documents. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 14 May 1774 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 25 April 1774 3: Duplicate of the general letter of 25 April 1774, relating to legal matters 4: Consultations from 28 April to 14 May 1774 5: Duplicate consultations from 4 to 25 April 1774 6: First receipt for the packet sent by the Duke of Portland 7: First receipt for a small paper packet sent by the Valentine 8: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Houghton Interpretations This letter of 14 May 1774 was the Council's full reply to the Court's general letters brought out in the York and the Eagle. It ran to 32 paragraphs and answered the Court point by point on appointments, remittances, drill, provisions, the arrack shares, Spanish ships and the island's accounts. Such replies were the Council's main means of defending its conduct, and the Court read them against its own instructions of the previous year.
114	109	9 Second Receipt for the Small Paper Packet p French Ship Dauphin 10 Effective State of the Garrison 11 Duplt. List of the Packet p Ship Dk. of Portland 12 Cash Account from the 26 to the 30 Apl. 1774 13 Do. Do. from the 1 to the 14 May Do. 14 Duplt. Do. from the 29 to the 31 March Do. 15 Do. Do. from the 1 to the 25 April Do. 16 Ship Valentine's Account 17 Ship Eagles Do. 18 Ship Kents Do. 19 Ship Primes Do. 20 Duplicate Ship Duke of Portland's Account 21 Do. Proceedings of a Genl. Quartly. Sessions held on the 13 Apl. 1774 22 Time of the Arrival of Ships Boats at Banks's 23 Abstract of the Cargoes of Ships Kent Prime and Northington 24 List of Officers and Servants taken the 14 May 1774 25 Do. of Christenings Marriages and Burials 26 Instrument of writing from Abram. Miller a Discharged Soldier 27 Covenants of John Doveton Writer 28 Do. of Nathanl. Kennedy Do. To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. We addressed you last the 14 instant by the Ship Prime, Copy of which we transmitted p Kent. 2. We gave Captn. Mears an order to receive on board the Egmont John Jacobs a discharged	9: Second receipt for the small paper packet sent by the French ship Dauphin 10: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 11: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Duke of Portland 12: Cash account from 26 to 30 April 1774 13: Cash account from 1 to 14 May 1774 14: Duplicate cash account from 29 to 31 March 1774 15: Duplicate cash account from 1 to 25 April 1774 16: Account of the ship Valentine 17: Account of the ship Eagle 18: Account of the ship Kent 19: Account of the ship Prime 20: Duplicate account of the ship Duke of Portland 21: Duplicate proceedings of a general quarterly sessions held on 13 April 1774 22: Times of arrival of ships' boats at Banks's 23: Abstract of the cargoes of the Kent, the Prime and the Northington 24: List of officers and servants, taken on 14 May 1774 25: List of christenings, marriages and burials 26: Written undertaking by Abraham Miller, a discharged soldier 27: Covenants of John Doveton, writer 28: Covenants of Nathaniel Kennedy, writer The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone on 14 May by the Prime, with a copy by the Kent. 2: The Council had given Captain Mears an order to take aboard the Egmont John Jacobs, a discharged soldier, as the letter went on to explain.
115	110	discharged Soldier towards Compleating that Ships Company, Also John Alman an Invalid Serjeant whom We look upon as a proper Object to be recommended to be put upon the Military Fund on Account of his long Service of eleven Years and eleven Months during which time he lost the Use of his right Arm, We have given him the proper Certificates to entitle him to the same and have paid Captn. Mears five Pounds for his passage. Serjt. Alman has signed an Instrument not to demand any Wages from the Captn. or Owners of the Ship which goes inclosed together with Captn. Mears receipt for the five Pounds. 3. We received a Letter from Captn. George Hayter requesting a Supply of Flour which we have Entered upon Consultation of this day with Our remarks thereupon to which We refer your Honors. 4. Agreable to the request of Captn. Mears and Sealy for leave to touch at the Island of Ascension to get Turtle for the further refreshment of their Ships Company We have permitted them to call there for that purpose. 5. This Letter waits on you by the Egmont Copy of which goes by the Northington. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. and humble Servants (Signed) Matt. Parling Mattw. Bazett John Skottowe Danl. Corneille St. Helena 16 May 1774	John Jacobs was to help complete the Egmont's crew. Captain Mears was also to take John Alman, an invalid sergeant. The Council considered Alman a proper object to recommend for the Military Fund, on account of his long service of eleven years and eleven months, during which he had lost the use of his right arm. It gave him the proper certificates to entitle him to the fund and paid Captain Mears £5 0s 0d for his passage. Sergeant Alman had signed a written undertaking to claim no wages from the captain or owners of the ship. It was enclosed with Captain Mears's receipt for the £5 0s 0d. 3: The Council had received a letter from Captain George Hayter asking for a supply of flour. It was entered in that day's consultation with the Council's remarks on it, to which the Council referred the Court. 4: Captains Mears and Sealy asked leave to call at Ascension for turtle to refresh their crews further, and the Council allowed them to do so. 5: This letter was going by the Egmont, and a copy by the Northington. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Purling and Matthew Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 16 May 1774. Interpretations John Alman was the sergeant of the First Company who re-enlisted for three years on 1 September 1772 and received a bounty of £10 0s 0d. His service of nearly twelve years and the loss of his right arm made him exactly the kind of man the Military Fund was meant for. The Council certified him without hesitation, in contrast to the young recruits with old complaints whom it had refused. Captain Hayter's request for flour was referred to the Court with the Council's remarks rather than simply granted. The island had just complained to the Court that barely one cask of flour in twenty was fit to use. Supplying a passing ship from such scarce stores was a question the Council preferred the Court to see.
116	111	List of the Honble. Company's Packet p Ship Egmont dated the 16 May 1774 No. 1 Govr. & Councils Genl. Letter dated the 16 May 1774 2 Duplt. Do. & Do. dated the 14 Do. Do. 3 Consultations of the 16 May 1774 4 Duplicate Do. from the 28 Apl. to the 14 Do. Do. 5 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Prime 6 First Do. for a Small Paper Packet p Ship Kent 7 Second Do. for the Packet p Ship Dk. of Portland 8 Second Do. for a small Paper Packet p Ship Prime 9 Effective State of the Garrison 10 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Prime 11 Cash Account from the 15 to the 16 May 1774 12 Duplt. Do. from the 1 to the 14 Do. Do. 13 Duplt. Do. from the 26 to the 30 Apl. Do. 14 Ship Egmont's Account 15 Ship Northington's Do. 16 Duplicate Ship Valentine's Do. 17 Do. Ship Eagles Do. 18 Do. Ship Kents Do. 19 Do. Ship Primes Do. 20 Abstract of the Cargoe of Ship Egmont 21 Duplicate List of Marriages Christs. & Burials 22 Govr. & Councils Certificate of John Allman an Invalid Recomd. to be put upon the Military Fund 23 Captn. Mears first receipt for £ 5 - 24 Instrument in Writing from John Allman a discharged Serjeant	The Council sent the following documents to the Court in its packet by the Egmont, dated 16 May 1774. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 16 May 1774 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 14 May 1774 3: Consultation of 16 May 1774 4: Duplicate consultations from 28 April to 14 May 1774 5: First receipt for the packet sent by the Prime 6: First receipt for a small paper packet sent by the Kent 7: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Duke of Portland 8: Second receipt for a small paper packet sent by the Prime 9: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 10: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Prime 11: Cash account from 15 to 16 May 1774 12: Duplicate cash account from 1 to 14 May 1774 13: Duplicate cash account from 26 to 30 April 1774 14: Account of the ship Egmont 15: Account of the ship Northington 16: Duplicate account of the ship Valentine 17: Duplicate account of the ship Eagle 18: Duplicate account of the ship Kent 19: Duplicate account of the ship Prime 20: Abstract of the cargo of the Egmont 21: Duplicate list of marriages, christenings and burials 22: The Governor and Council's certificate for John Alman, an invalid recommended for the Military Fund 23: Captain Mears's first receipt for £5 0s 0d 24: Written undertaking by John Alman, a discharged sergeant
117	112	To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. Our last advice went by the Ship Egmont a Copy of which we transmitted p Northington. 2. On the 18 of this Month arrived a French Ship from China (last from Mauritious) called the Duc de Praslin Captain De Clouard burthen 600 Tons carrys 22 Guns and 100 Men loaden with Tea and China Ware bound to Port L'Orient the 20 Arrived the Stormont from China the 21 the Bridgewater from Madrass & the 22d the Hawke from Bombay, the Stormont & Hawke last from the Cape Captain Skottowe informs Us he spoke with the Dalton the 1 May off the Cape all well, We are also informed that his Majesty's Sloop Hawke & Your Ships Sea Horse & Ponsborne at the Cape when the above Ships left it. 3. By this Conveyance we transmit you the List of remains, together with Our Indents of Stores wanted for the Service of the Year 1775. 4. On the 18 instant your Ship York proceeded on her Voyage to Fort Marlbro'. 5. As you have been pleased to Confirm Our appointment of Lieut. Solmn. St. Maurice to be Captain Commanding the Company lately held by Captn. Beale & that the said promotion makes a Vacancy of a 1st Lieutenancy We have appointed Chas. Ross Stewart the Eldest 2 Lieutenant of the Marching Company's 1 Lieut. in his	The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the Egmont, with a copy by the Northington. 2: A French ship from China by way of Mauritius, the Duc de Praslin, under Captain de Clouard, arrived on 18 May. She was of 600 tons, carried 22 guns and a crew of 100, and was bound for Lorient with tea and chinaware. The Stormont arrived from China on 20 May, the Bridgewater from Madras on 21 May and the Hawke from Bombay on 22 May, the Stormont and the Hawke both by way of the Cape. Captain Skottowe reported that he had spoken the Dutton off the Cape on 1 May, with all well aboard. The Council also learned that His Majesty's sloop [...], the Sea Horse and the Company's ship Ponsborne were at the Cape when these ships left. 3: By this ship the Council sent the list of stores remaining, together with its indents for the stores needed in 1775. 4: The York had continued her voyage to Fort Marlborough on 18 May. 5: The Court had confirmed the Council's appointment of Lieutenant Solomon St Maurice as captain commanding the company lately held by Captain Beale. That promotion left a first lieutenancy vacant. The Council had appointed Charles Ross Stewart, the senior second lieutenant of the marching companies, as first lieutenant in his place, as the letter went on to explain. Interpretations Captain Skottowe of the Stormont was very probably Nicholas Skottowe, the Governor's kinsman, to whom the Governor had remitted £600 0s 0d in 1772. A brother or cousin commanding an Indiaman would have been a natural agent in England for the Governor's affairs. The Court's confirmation of St Maurice's promotion settled the fate of Captain Richard Beale, whose company passed to another officer once his friends had resolved to send him home. Each promotion moved the officer below up a step. Charles Ross Stewart, who had served as lieutenant and adjutant through 1772 and 1773, now became a first lieutenant on the strength of his seniority.
118	113	his Room until your Pleasure is known agreeable to Our Determination mentioned in Consultation of the 14 June 1773. 6. We request you will be pleased to send Us next Year forty Recruits to Compleat the Establishment of this Garrison. 7. Captain Cotton brought from the Cape on your Account 56 . 3 . 8 Wheat and some Garden Seeds for which we have paid him £ 26 . 6 . 8 as p Bill entered in Consultation of this day. 8. The Passengers on board the Hawke are Mrs. Pemble, Colonel Brewer, and Messrs. Bachentout and Smith and on Board the Bridgewater, Sir Robt. Barker, Captains Burrington Cockrell & Messrs. Darry, Peares, Hayslips, Dawnes, & Sandes. We are Honble. Sirs Your most obedient and humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Parling Matt. Bazett St. Helena 26 May 1774	Stewart would hold the first lieutenancy until the Court's wishes were known, in keeping with the decision recorded in the consultation of 14 June 1773. 6: The Council asked the Court to send 40 recruits the following year to complete the garrison's establishment. 7: Captain Cotton had brought from the Cape, on the Company's account, 56 cwt 3 qr 8 lb of wheat and some garden seeds. The Council paid him £26 6s 8d, as shown in his bill entered in that day's consultation. 8: The passengers aboard the Hawke were Mrs Pemble, Colonel Brewer, and Messrs Bachentout and Smith. Aboard the Bridgewater were Sir Robert Barker, Captains Burrington and Cockrell, and Messrs Darry, Peares, Hayslep, Dawnes and Sandes. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Purling and Matthew Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 28 May 1774. Interpretations The consultation of 14 June 1773 had answered Lieutenant Gillson's question on promotion. The Council evidently decided then that vacancies would go by seniority of commission, and it now applied that rule in naming Stewart. Its appointment was again made provisionally, pending the Court's approval, as it had promised since the dispute over Robert Leech. Sir Robert Barker had been commander-in-chief of the Company's army in Bengal until 1773. Like Cartier and Du Pré before him, he passed through St Helena on his way home, a reminder that the island saw in turn almost every senior figure returning from the Company's service in India.
119	114	List of the Honorable Company's from St. Helena p Ship Hawke dated the 28 May 1774 No. 1 Govr. and Councils Genl. Letter dated the 28 May 1774 2 Dupt. Do. & Do. dated the 16 Do. Do. 3 Consultations from the 23 to the 28 Do. Do. 4 Duplicate Do. of the 16 Do. Do. 5 First receipt for the Packet p Ship Egmont 6 First Do. for a small Paper Packet p Ship Northington 7 Second Do. for the Packet p Ship Prime 8 Do. Do. for a small Paper Packet p Ship Kent 9 Effective State of the Garrison 10 Dupt. List of the Packet p Ship Egmont 11 Cash Account from the 17 to the 28 May 1774 12 Duplicate Do. from the 15 to the 16 Do. Do. 13 Ship Hawke's Account 14 Dupt. Ship Egmonts Do. 15 Do. Ship Northingtons Do. 16 Time of the arrival of Ships Boats at Banks's 17 Abstract of the Cargoes of Ships Stormont Bridgewater & Hawke 18 Captn. Meares's Second receipt for £ 5 - 19 Indent of Stores wanting for the Service of the Year 1775 20 List of Stores remaing. in the Honble. Company's Ware Houses the 30 Apl. 1774 21 Do. of Garrison Stores in Do. Do. 22 Do. of Artillery Do. in Do. Do. 23 Genl. Court Martial of the 5 May 1774 24 Ship York's Account	The Council sent the following documents to the Court in its packet by the Hawke, dated 28 May 1774. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 28 May 1774 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 16 May 1774 3: Consultations from 23 to 28 May 1774 4: Duplicate consultation of 16 May 1774 5: First receipt for the packet sent by the Egmont 6: First receipt for a small paper packet sent by the Northington 7: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Prime 8: Second receipt for a small paper packet sent by the Kent 9: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 10: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Egmont 11: Cash account from 17 to 28 May 1774 12: Duplicate cash account from 15 to 16 May 1774 13: Account of the ship Hawke 14: Duplicate account of the ship Egmont 15: Duplicate account of the ship Northington 16: Times of arrival of ships' boats at Banks's 17: Abstract of the cargoes of the Stormont, the Bridgewater and the Hawke 18: Captain Mears's second receipt for £5 0s 0d 19: Indent of stores wanted for the year 1775 20: List of stores remaining in the Company's warehouses on 30 April 1774 21: List of garrison stores remaining on 30 April 1774 22: List of artillery stores remaining on 30 April 1774 23: General court martial of 5 May 1774 24: Account of the ship York
120	115	To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. We wrote you last by the Ship Hawke that left this place the 29 May 1774. 2. On the 7 instant Arrived the Syren Snow from Balambangan Commanded by Captain Berrow late of the Royal Captain which Ship we are sorry to inform You was unfortunately Lost in her Passage to that Place, by the said Syren We received a Letter from the Chief & Council there wherein they inform Us of their request to your Honors of a useful supply of Artificers to be sent from this Island We are somewhat surprized at their pitching upon this place for such Assistance, and can only suppose that they are Ignorant that whatever of those People we have here are sent Us Out by the Company from England and absolutely necessary to our wants therefore cannot be spared by Us. We cannot mention any particulars from that new Settlement further than what those Gentlemen have thought proper to communicate to Us in the said Letter Yet have been informed by Captn. Berrow that before his leaving Balambangan that it was expected the Spaniards would pay them a Visit in order to lay Claim to the Island as the property of the King of Spain Claimed as one of the Philipin Islands. 3. The General Court Martial held on Lieut. Leech and sent home by the Hawke and the said Court Martial dismissing him the Honble.	The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the Hawke, which left the island on 29 May 1774. 2: The Syren snow arrived from Balambangan on the 7th of the month, commanded by Captain Borrow, lately of the Royal Captain. The Council regretted to report that the Royal Captain had been lost on her passage to Balambangan. By the Syren the Council received a letter from the Chief and Council there. They said they had asked the Court for a good supply of artisans to be sent from St Helena. The Council was somewhat surprised that Balambangan looked to the island for such help. It could only suppose that the gentlemen there did not know that every artisan on St Helena had been sent out by the Company from England and was essential to the island's own work, so none could be spared. The Council could give no news of the new settlement beyond what those gentlemen had chosen to tell it in their letter. Captain Borrow had told it, however, that before he left Balambangan a Spanish visit was expected, to claim the island for the King of Spain as one of the Philippine Islands. 3: A general court martial had been held on Lieutenant Leech, and its proceedings were sent home by the Hawke. The court martial had dismissed him from the Company's service, as the letter went on to explain. Interpretations The Council turned down the obvious course of helping a sister settlement of the Company with tradesmen. Its reason is stated: St Helena had no local craftsmen of its own. Every mason, carpenter and smith had been shipped out from England at the Company's cost and was fully employed on the new church, the fortifications and the Company's houses. Lending them to Balambangan would have stopped those works and left the island waiting a year or more for replacements. The Council told the Court plainly that Balambangan's request had been made without knowing how the island was supplied, so that the Court would not expect St Helena to send help. The Royal Captain had sailed from St Helena for Canton on 30 April 1773, and had been ordered to call at Balambangan on her way. Her captain and at least some of her crew survived the wreck to reach St Helena in the Syren. The report of a Spanish claim proved prophetic in a different way. The settlement was not taken by Spain but was sacked by local Sulu raiders in 1775, and the Company abandoned it. Lieutenant Thomas Leech of the artillery was the officer tried by the general court martial of 5 May 1774, whose proceedings were listed in the packet by the Hawke. His dismissal was the third serious case among the garrison's officers in two years, after the suspensions of Lieutenants Gurling and Powell.
121	116	Honorable Company's Service which We have approved of untill Your pleasure is known have to request in case You confirm the same to send us out an experienced Second Lieut. of Artillery, and with Your approbation on the said Vacancy propose Second Lieut. Shirley to be as first Lieut. in the Artillery Company. 4. Mr. Parling and Family take their Passage for England upon the Stormont. 5. We have given Captain Rogers an Order to receive on board his Ship John Gray an Invalid Soldier whom We recommend as a proper Object to be put upon the Military Fund on Account of his Service of ten Years, Age and Infirmity; and having behaved himself during that time as a good Soldier We have given him the proper Documents to entitle him to the same and have paid Captn. Rogers £ 5 - for his Passage he Gray has signed an Instrument in writing not to demand any Wages from the Captn. or Owners of the Ship Stormont which We transmit Enclosed together with Captn. Rogers Receipt & Gray's Certificate. 6. We have granted the following Bills of Exchange. One Set to John Skottowe Esqr. for £ 1100 - payable to Captn. Nichs. Skottowe One Set to Mattw. Parling Esqr. for £ 4130 - payable to John Parling Esqr. and one Set to Mr. Matthew Bazett for £ 50 - payable to Captn. Willm. Larkins all drawn at ninety days Sight and dated this day. 7. Agreable to Captn. Rogers request We have permitted him to touch at the Island of Ascension to get Turtle for the further refreshment of his Ships Company.	The court martial had dismissed Lieutenant Leech from the Company's service, and the Council had approved the sentence until the Court's wishes were known. If the Court confirmed it, the Council asked it to send out an experienced second lieutenant of artillery. With the Court's approval, it proposed to fill the vacancy by promoting Second Lieutenant Shirley to first lieutenant in the Artillery Company. 4: Matthew Purling and his family were sailing for England in the Stormont. 5: The Council ordered Captain Rogers to take aboard his ship John Gray, an invalid soldier. It recommended him for the Military Fund on account of his ten years' service, his age and his infirmities, and because he had behaved as a good soldier throughout that time. It gave him the proper documents to entitle him to the fund and paid Captain Rogers £5 0s 0d for his passage. Gray had signed a written undertaking to claim no wages from the captain or owners of the Stormont. It was enclosed with Captain Rogers's receipt and Gray's certificate. 6: The Council had granted the following bills of exchange, all drawn at 90 days' sight and dated that day. John Skottowe, £1,100 0s 0d, payable to Captain Nicholas Skottowe Matthew Purling, £4,150 0s 0d, payable to John Purling Matthew Bazett, £50 0s 0d, payable to Captain William Larkins 7: At Captain Rogers's request, the Council allowed him to call at Ascension for turtle to refresh his crew further. Interpretations Matthew Purling's final remittance of £4,150 0s 0d, sent to his kinsman John Purling as he sailed for England, was by far the largest bill recorded in these letters. Added to the sums he had sent home since 1772, it shows a councillor on £200 a year in salary leaving the island with a fortune many times his official earnings. The arrack profits and private trade with the passing ships account for much of it. This was the kind of private wealth the Court had in mind when it ordered the Council to draw no more bills than the island's expenses required, though it had expressly permitted Purling's remittance as a mark of favour on his retirement. Governor Skottowe's bill for £1,100 0s 0d went to Captain Nicholas Skottowe, the kinsman who had received his earlier remittance of £600 0s 0d in 1772. The captain of the Stormont was not Nicholas Skottowe, as earlier supposed, but Captain Rogers.
122	117	8. We have given Captn. Rogers a permit to receive on board his Ship Jeremiah Smith and carry him to England and have also permitted Captn. Nich. Skottowe to receive on board the Bridgewater Robt. Hirons a discharged Soldier and John Cannon Seaman left here out of the Ship York. 9. This Letter waits on You by the Ship Bridgewater Copy's of which we transmit by the Stormont and Syren Snow. We are Honble. Sirs Your most obedient & humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Parling M. Bazett St. Helena 6 June 1774 List of the Honble. Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Bridgewater dated the 6 June 1774 No. 1 Govr. & Councils Genl. Letter dated the 6 June 1774 2 Dupt. Do. & Do. dated the 28 May Do. 3 Consultations from the 30 May to the 6 June Do.	8: The Council had given Captain Rogers a permit to take aboard his ship Jeremiah Smith and carry him to England. It had also allowed Captain Nicholas Skottowe to take aboard the Bridgewater Robert Herons, a discharged soldier, and John Cannon, a seaman left behind by the York. 9: This letter was going by the Bridgewater, with copies by the Stormont and the Syren snow. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Purling and Matthew Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 6 June 1774. The Council's packet by the Bridgewater, dated 6 June 1774, began with the following documents. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 6 June 1774 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 28 May 1774 3: Consultations from 30 May to 6 June 1774 Interpretations Captain Nicholas Skottowe commanded the Bridgewater, not the Stormont. He was the payee of the Governor's bills of £600 0s 0d in 1772 and £1,100 0s 0d in this letter, and was evidently a close kinsman. The Governor's remittance went home in the hands of the very man to whom it was payable, sailing in his own ship. Commanders of Indiamen often acted as agents for relatives in the Company's service abroad, managing their money and affairs in London.
123	118	4 Duplicate Consultn. from 23 to the 28 May 1774 5 First receipt for the Packet p Ship Hawke 6 Second Do. for the Do. p Ship Egmont 7 Do. Do. for a small paper Packet p Ship Northington 8 Effective State of the Garrison 9 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Hawke 10 Cash Account from the 29 to the 31 May 1774 11 Do. Do. from the 1 to the 6 June Do. 12 Duplicate Do. from the 17 to the 28 May Do. 13 Ship Bridgewaters Account 14 Ship Stormonts Do. 15 Duplicate Ship Hawke's Do. 16 Do. Ship Yorks Do. 17 Indent of Medicines wanting for the service of the Year 1775 18 Duplicate Indent of Stores Do. for the Do. Do. 19 Do. List of Stores remaining in Honble. Company's Ware Houses the 30 April 1774 20 Do. of Garrison Stores Do. in Do. Do. Do. 21 Do. of Artillery Stores Do. in Do. Do. Do. 22 Govr. and Councils Certificate of John Gray an Invalid Soldier recommended to be put upon the Military Fund 23 Instrument in Writing from John Gray an Invalid Soldier 24 Captain Rogers's first receipt for £ 5 - 25 Snow Syren's Account	4: Duplicate consultations from 23 to 28 May 1774 5: First receipt for the packet sent by the Hawke 6: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Egmont 7: Second receipt for a small paper packet sent by the Northington 8: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 9: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Hawke 10: Cash account from 29 to 31 May 1774 11: Cash account from 1 to 6 June 1774 12: Duplicate cash account from 17 to 28 May 1774 13: Account of the ship Bridgewater 14: Account of the ship Stormont 15: Duplicate account of the ship Hawke 16: Duplicate account of the ship York 17: Indent of medicines wanted for the year 1775 18: Duplicate indent of stores wanted for the year 1775 19: Duplicate list of stores remaining in the Company's warehouses on 30 April 1774 20: Duplicate list of garrison stores remaining on 30 April 1774 21: Duplicate list of artillery stores remaining on 30 April 1774 22: The Governor and Council's certificate for John Gray, an invalid soldier recommended for the Military Fund 23: Written undertaking by John Gray, an invalid soldier 24: Captain Rogers's first receipt for £5 0s 0d 25: Account of the Syren snow
124	119	To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. We take this opportunity of addressing you by a Danish Ship that arrived here the 11 instant called the Kingdoms Wish commanded by Captain Heuttle burthen four hundred Tons carry's twenty six Guns and seventy Men loaden with Bengal Goods, bound to Copenhagen, Yesterday the Ponsborne from China (last from the Cape) and a French Ship from Bengal called the Laguillon Captain Dufay burthen six hundred Tons carry's twenty five Guns and one hundred and ten Men loaden with Bengal Goods, bound to Port L'Orient. Captain Hough acquaints Us he saw a Ship under English Colours at three Miles distance going into Bay False as he came out. 2. Our last address waited on you by the Bridgewater, Copy's of which we transmitted p Stormont, and Syren Snow under date of 6 instant. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. and humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Matt. Bazett Wm. Wrangham St. Helena 13 June 1774	The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: It took the chance of writing by a Danish ship, the Kingdom's Wish, under Captain Heulle, which had arrived on 11 June. She was of 400 tons, carried 26 guns and a crew of 70, and was bound for Copenhagen with Bengal goods. The Ponsborne had arrived from China by way of the Cape the day before this letter, together with a French ship from Bengal, the Aiguillon, under Captain Dufay. She was of 600 tons, carried 25 guns and a crew of 110, and was bound for Lorient with Bengal goods. Captain Hough reported that, as he came out of False Bay, he had seen a ship under English colours about three miles off, going into the bay. 2: The Council's last letter had gone by the Bridgewater, with copies by the Stormont and the Syren snow, dated 6 June. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Bazett and William Wrangham signed the letter at St Helena on 13 June 1774. Interpretations This was the first letter signed by William Wrangham as a member of Council. Matthew Purling had sailed for England in the Stormont, and Wrangham took his seat at once, as the Court had directed. The Council again chose a foreign ship to carry a short letter because she was the first to sail. The Kingdom's Wish had called at the island two years earlier, in June 1772, on the same Bengal run, and her return shows the Danish trade settling into a regular pattern of calls at St Helena.
125	120	To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. Our last Letter waited on You by the Dane Ship under date of the 13 instant. 2. We take this opportunity of laying before You the Present State of this Island in order to submit the same to Your Honors future Consideration thereof. It is true that the Inhabitants for some Years back have suffered much in their property from the successive dry Seasons commencing from the latter end of the Year 1769 and continuing to the Year 1772 but from that period untill the present time have been blessed with very favorable Weather which has again restored the Island to a very flourishing Condition and a greater plenty than We have hitherto known for some Years past as we have now more Cattle to dispose of than the Ships of this Season will take off on account of the many that have so fully refreshed themselves at the Cape, this leads Us to represent to Your Consideration that now You have thought proper to reduce the number of your Shipping, We apprehend that this Island can in future very well supply their Wants and the more so if You think proper to Order only five or six of the early Ships to touch at the Cape and bring down Wheat, & fifty Sheep each for the supply of Your Hospital which is a Continual drain upon Your Stock this We have inlarged the more upon as Your Honors must be very Sensible that the only living the Generality of the Inhabitants depend upon is the Sale of the Stock and Provisions that they raise upon their Plantations, and should they be deprived of that means	The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the Danish ship, dated 13 June. 2: The Council took this opportunity to set out the present state of the island for the Court's future consideration. For some years the inhabitants had suffered heavy losses in their property from a run of dry seasons, beginning at the end of 1769 and continuing until 1772. Since then, however, the island had been blessed with very favourable weather. This had restored it to a very flourishing condition and a greater plenty than it had known for some years. There were now more cattle to dispose of than the ships of that season would take, because so many of them had stocked up fully at the Cape. The Council therefore put it to the Court that, since it had reduced the number of its ships, the island could well supply their needs in future. That would be all the more so if the Court ordered only five or six of the early ships to call at the Cape, each bringing wheat and 50 sheep for the hospital, which drew constantly on the Company's stock. The Council pressed the point because the Court must be well aware that most of the inhabitants depended for their living on selling the stock and provisions they raised on their plantations. If they were deprived of that means, as the letter went on to explain. Interpretations The Council was arguing against a practice it had itself encouraged during the drought. In 1773 and early 1774 it had bought sheep and wheat from almost every homeward commander who called at the Cape, because the island could not feed itself. Once the rains returned, those same purchases threatened the planters' livelihood. Commanders who stocked up cheaply at the Cape bought nothing at St Helena, and the inhabitants were left with cattle no one would take. The Council therefore asked the Court to limit calls at the Cape to a few early ships, so that the later fleet would have to buy its fresh meat on the island. The request also served the Company. Planters who could sell their stock paid their rents and debts, while impoverished ones became a charge on it. The Council's case rested as much on the island's revenue and stability as on the inhabitants' welfare.
126	121	means from the small number of Ships and the major part of refreshing at the Cape is a Consideration We think worthy of Your Notice. We have further to represent that the quantity of Garden Seed brought from the Cape this Year, has exceeded much Our wants of such an Article and We think has been a very great expence. We therefore apprehend that no more than five pounds Sterling for Seeds purchased by Such of Your Commanders will at all times be sufficient for our supply as many of them this Year have exceeded much that Sum. We have the pleasure of further informing You that the measure You have pursued for some Years past of sending Us Young Black Cattle has been of infinite advantage to the improvement of Your Stock and as last Year We began to Sell the Young English Bulls apprehend that the same advantage will arise to Individuals from that measure, and as We have a large Number of that Breed We are of opinion that there is no necessity of putting Your Honors to any further expence on that Account. 3. Messrs. Jas. Desfountain and Wm. W. Doveton representing to Us that their Covenanted time of five Years as Writers, expired Yesterday, requesting to be put upon the Establishment of Factor We accordingly appointed them as such, agreeable to Your Honors Standing Orders. 4. We have given Captn. Hough an Order to receive on board his Ship to Compleat his Company Alexander Henderson a Discharged Soldier and have also put on board the Ponsborne William Smith Seaman left here Out of the Ship Hawke & have paid Captn. Hough £ 5 - for his Passage which Sum will be repaid your Honors by the Owners of that Ship. 5. On the 18 of this Month Lieut. Leslie when Officer upon Duty at Banks's Leeward wrote the Governor a Letter resigning the Company's Service which Letter the Govr. this day laid before the board We in consequence of	The few ships calling at the island, and the many that refreshed at the Cape instead, were a matter the Council thought worth the Court's notice. It further pointed out that the garden seeds brought from the Cape that year had far exceeded the island's needs and had cost a great deal. It therefore judged that £5 0s 0d for seeds bought by each commander would always be enough, since many that year had greatly exceeded that sum. The Council was also pleased to report that the Court's practice over some years of sending out young black cattle had greatly improved the Company's stock. The previous year the Council had begun selling young English bulls, and expected the inhabitants to gain the same benefit. Since it now had a large number of that breed, it saw no need for the Court to go to any further expense on that account. 3: James Desfountain and William Webber Doveton reported that their covenanted term of five years as writers had expired the day before. They asked to be placed on the establishment as factors. The Council appointed them accordingly, under the Court's standing orders. 4: The Council ordered Captain Hough to take aboard his ship Alexander Henderson, a discharged soldier, to help complete his crew. It also put aboard the Ponsborne William Smith, a seaman left behind by the Hawke, and paid Captain Hough £5 0s 0d for his passage. The owners of the Hawke would repay that sum to the Court. 5: On the 10th of the month Lieutenant Leslie, then the officer on duty at Banks's guard, wrote the Governor a letter resigning the Company's service. The Governor laid it before the Council that day, and in consequence, as the letter went on to explain. Interpretations The promotion of Desfountain and Doveton to factor followed the Company's fixed ladder for its civil servants: five years as writer, then factor, then junior and senior merchant. The step was automatic under the Court's standing orders, and the Council acted without needing fresh approval. Each rise brought higher pay and better standing for later appointments. The young black cattle were evidently English stock sent out to improve the island's breed. The Council's report that the herd was now well bred and that English bulls were being sold to the planters shows the Company's efforts at livestock improvement bearing fruit. It also cut a recurring expense once the island could breed its own good stock. Lauchlan Leslie was the lieutenant who had testified in Patrick Eddrington's complaint against Lieutenant Powell in April 1773. Writing his resignation while actually on guard duty at Banks's was an unusual step. It evidently drew the Council's attention, as the next part of the letter would show.
127	122	of the said very extraordinary Letter Unanimously agreed to accept of his Resignation of Your Service for reasons more fully specified in Our Consultation of this day to which We beg leave to refer You. 6. Mr. Crichton is the only Passenger on board the Ponsborne. 7. We have permitted Captn. Hough to touch at the Island of Ascension to get Turtle agreeable to his request. 8. We are sorry to acquaint You that there has been Considerable Damage done to the Fortification at Sandy Bay, by means of an uncommon Flood and have given the Engineer Orders to inspect the same and make his report on Monday next. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. and humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Matt. Bazett Willm. Wrangham St. Helena 20 June 1774	Because of Leslie's very extraordinary letter, the Council unanimously agreed to accept his resignation from the Company's service. Its reasons were set out more fully in that day's consultation, to which it referred the Court. 6: Mr Crichton was the only passenger aboard the Ponsborne. 7: At Captain Hough's request, the Council allowed him to call at Ascension for turtle. 8: The Council regretted to report that an unusual flood had done considerable damage to the fortifications at Sandy Bay. It had ordered the engineer to inspect them and report on the following Monday. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Bazett and William Wrangham signed the letter at St Helena on 20 June 1774. Interpretations The Council described Leslie's letter as "very extraordinary" and accepted his resignation unanimously. It could instead have treated the letter as a hasty outburst and invited him to withdraw it, as an officer writing on guard duty might well have been allowed to do. That it took him at his word suggests the letter's tone, not merely its request, gave offence. An officer who resigned in a manner disrespectful to the Governor could not easily be kept in a garrison so small, especially after the cases of Gurling, Powell and Leech had already strained discipline among the officers. The flood at Sandy Bay shows the other face of the wet years that had ended the drought. Heavy rain poured down the steep valleys to the sea, and the works at Sandy Bay, built at the mouth of a ravine, took the full force of it.
128	123	List of the Honorable Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Ponsborne dated the 20 June 1774 No. 1 Govr. & Councils Genl. Letter dated the 20 June 1774 2 Dupt. Do. & Do. Do. dated the 6 Do. Do. 3 Dupt. Do. & Do. Do. dated the 13 Do. Do. 4 Consultations from the 8 to the 20 Do. Do. 5 Duplicate Do. from the 30 May to the 6 Do. Do. 6 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Bridgewater 7 First Do. for a small Paper Packet p Ship Stormont 8 First Do. for a Do. Do. p Syren Snow 9 First Do. for a Do. Do. p Dane Ship Kingdoms Wish 10 Second Do. for the Packet p Ship Hawke 11 Captn. Rogers Second Receipt for £ 5 - 12 Effective State of the Garrison 13 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Bridgewater 14 Cash Account from the 7 to the 20 June 1774 15 Dupt. Do. from the 29 to the 31 May Do. 16 Do. Do. from the 1 to the 6 June Do. 17 Ship Ponsbornes Account 18 Dupt. Ship Bridgewaters Account 19 Do. Ship Stormonts Do. 20 Do. Snow Syrens Do. 21 Abstract of the Cargoe of Ship Ponsborne 22 Time of the Arrival of Ship Ponsborne's Boat at Banks's 23 Captn. Houghs first Receipt for £ 5 -	The Council sent the following documents to the Court in its packet by the Ponsborne, dated 20 June 1774. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 20 June 1774 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 6 June 1774 3: Duplicate of the general letter of 13 June 1774 4: Consultations from 8 to 20 June 1774 5: Duplicate consultations from 30 May to 6 June 1774 6: First receipt for the packet sent by the Bridgewater 7: First receipt for a small paper packet sent by the Stormont 8: First receipt for a small paper packet sent by the Syren snow 9: First receipt for a small paper packet sent by the Danish ship Kingdom's Wish 10: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Hawke 11: Captain Rogers's second receipt for £5 0s 0d 12: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 13: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Bridgewater 14: Cash account from 7 to 20 June 1774 15: Duplicate cash account from 29 to 31 May 1774 16: Duplicate cash account from 1 to 6 June 1774 17: Account of the ship Ponsborne 18: Duplicate account of the ship Bridgewater 19: Duplicate account of the ship Stormont 20: Duplicate account of the Syren snow 21: Abstract of the cargo of the Ponsborne 22: Time of arrival of the Ponsborne's boat at Banks's 23: Captain Hough's first receipt for £5 0s 0d
129	124	To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. By the Ship Ponsborne that left this place the 23 of last Month we addressed You. 2. On the 29 June last Arrived the Harcourt from Madrass. we are informed that She spoke with the Thames off the Cape of Good Hope all well. 3. Agreable to Our Orders to the Engineer to inspect and report to Us the Damage done the Fortification at Sandy Bay, by the last great Flood He on the 27 of last Month laid the same before Us which is entered in Consultation of that Day, together with Our directions Relative thereto, to which we refer Your Honors. 4. We have Granted the following Bills of Exchange viz. One Set to Danl. Corneille Esqr. for £ 27 . 11 - payable to Messrs. Stainforth, Leborne, and Stainforth. One Set to the Attorneys of Mattw. Parling Esqr. for £ 544 . 5 . 3 payable to himself. One Set to Mr. John Congreve for £ 24 . 13 payable to Mr. John Marsh. And One Set to the Revd. Mr. Roberts Carr for £ 66 - payable to Captn. Robt. Carr all drawn at ninety days sight and dated the 6 instant. 5. We have given Captn. Paul an Order to receive on board the Harcourt Lt. Lach. Leslie as a Charter party Passenger he representing to Us that Captn. Paul refused him a Passage without an Order from Us We have also put on board the Harcourt Stephen Vanderhost Private & Corpl. John Wright of the Artillery to compleat that Ships Company, the latter We have discharged before his Contracted time is Expired on Account of his Insanity at times.	The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the Ponsborne, which left the island on 23 June. 2: The Harcourt arrived from Madras on 29 June. The Council learned that she had spoken the Thames off the Cape of Good Hope, with all well aboard. 3: As the Council had ordered, the engineer inspected the damage done to the fortifications at Sandy Bay by the recent great flood. He laid his report before the Council on 27 June. It was entered in the consultation of that day, together with the Council's directions on it, to which it referred the Court. 4: The Council had granted the following bills of exchange, all drawn at 90 days' sight and dated 8 July. Daniel Corneille, £27 4s 0d, payable to Messrs Stainforth, Gibberne and Stainforth The attorneys of Matthew Purling, £544 5s 3d, payable to himself John Congreve, £24 13s 0d, payable to John Mash The Reverend Robert Carr, £66 0s 0d, payable to Captain Robert Carr 5: The Council ordered Captain Paul to take aboard the Harcourt Lieutenant Lauchlan Leslie as a passenger under the charter party. Leslie had told the Council that Captain Paul refused him a passage without an order from it. The Council also put aboard the Harcourt, to help complete her crew, Stephen Vanderhorst, a private, and Corporal John Wright of the artillery. It had discharged Wright before his contracted term expired because he was at times insane. Interpretations Leslie needed the Council's order to obtain a passage because a commander was bound by his charter party to carry only those the Company directed. A former officer who had resigned in disgrace had no claim of his own on the ship. By ordering his passage, the Council ensured that he left the island promptly rather than remaining as a discontented private man in a small community. Matthew Purling's attorneys remitted a further £544 5s 3d to him in England. A retiring servant left agents on the island to collect debts owed to him, sell his remaining property and send home the proceeds. The Reverend Robert Carr's bill was payable to Captain Robert Carr, the commander of the Greenwich who had called in April 1773. They were probably kinsmen.
130	125	6. The Passengers on board the Harcourt are Colonel Vaughan, Major Elif. & Mitchels & Mrs. Mitchell Messrs. Light, Farnham, Graham, Sabbenan, Hartwell, Atwood, Ozard, and Captn. Gaudard. 7. As the last Quarters Accounts will not be laid before Us until the 18 instant We cannot send you a Cash account to a later date than the Duplicate of Our last. 8. Captn. Paul having lost two Cables coming into the Road in the Night applied to Us for one which we accordingly spared him: We mention this to Your Honors as it was the only Serviceable one we had left that you may supply us with another if You think Proper. 9. We beg leave to refer You to Our Consultation of the 4 instant in regard to the several Letters We receiv'd from Captn. Paul together with Our Answers thereto and are of opinion that all the Trouble he has given Us has intirely been on account of his very injudicious Conduct in coming into the Road, and has further transacted all the Business of the Ship by Letter having never thought proper once to come on Shore. And upon the whole think he has behaved himself in a very ungenteel manner to Us. 10. John Jenkins a Sailor belonging to the Ship Harcourt being detected in breaking open the House of Wm. Hayes Publican also having Cut the sd. Hayes in a Terrible manner, We have detained him to take his Tryal at the Quarterly Sessions. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. & humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille M. Bazett Willm. Wrangham St. Helena 9 July 1774	6: The passengers aboard the Harcourt were Colonel Vaughan, Major Clef, Mr and Mrs Mitchell, and Messrs Lyford, Jarnham, Graham, Sabbeman, Hartwell, Atwood and Ozard, with Captain Gaudard. 7: The last quarter's accounts would not be laid before the Council until 18 July, so it could send no cash account later than a duplicate of its last. 8: Captain Paul had lost two cables coming into the roads at night and asked the Council for one, which it spared him. The Council mentioned this because it was the only serviceable cable it had left, so that the Court could send another if it thought fit. 9: The Council referred the Court to its consultation of 4 July concerning several letters it had received from Captain Paul, with its answers. It believed that all the trouble he had given it arose entirely from his very ill-judged conduct in coming into the roads. He had also conducted all the ship's business by letter, never once thinking fit to come ashore. On the whole the Council considered that he had behaved towards it in a very ungentlemanly manner. 10: John Jenkins, a sailor of the Harcourt, was caught breaking into the house of William Hayes, a publican, and had also wounded Hayes terribly with a blade. The Council had held him for trial at the quarterly sessions. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Bazett and William Wrangham signed the letter at St Helena on 8 July 1774. Interpretations Captain Paul's conduct broke the usual courtesies between a commander and the Governor. Commanders were expected to come ashore, wait on the Governor and settle the ship's business in person. Paul stayed aboard and dealt with the Council only in writing, after losing two cables by entering the roads at night, a risk most commanders avoided on that open anchorage. The Council still gave him its last serviceable cable, since a ship without cables could neither ride safely nor sail. It then reported his manner to the Court, the only body that could censure a commander of a hired ship. The arrest of John Jenkins was the second time that year that a seaman from a homeward ship was held on the island for a crime committed ashore. As with Christopher Nugent in April, the island's court, not the ship's captain, claimed jurisdiction over offences against its inhabitants.
131	126	List of the Honble. Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Harcourt dated the 9 July 1774 No. 1 Govr. & Councils Genl. Letter dated the 9 July 1774 2 Dupt. Do. & Do. Do. dated the 20 June Do. 3 Consultations from the 27 June to the 8 July Do. 4 Dupt. Do. from the 8 to the 20 June Do. 5 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Ponsborne 6 Second Do. for the Do. p Ship Bridgewater 7 Second Do. for a small paper Packet p Ship Stormont 8 Second Do. for a Do. Do. p Syren Snow 9 Second Do. for a Do. Do. p Dane Ship Kingdoms Wish 10 Effective State of the Garrison 11 Muster Rolls of Do. 12 Dupt. List of the Packet p Ship Ponsborne 13 Dupt. Cash Account from the 7 to the 20 June 1774 14 Ship Harcourts Account 15 Duplicate Ship Ponsbornes Do. 16 Abstract of the Cargoe of Ship Harcourt 17 Time of the Arrival of Ship Harcourts Boat at Banks's 18 Captn. Houghs Second Receipt for £ 5 - To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. We wrote you last by the Ship Harcourt that left this Place the 9 July 1774.	The Council sent the following documents to the Court in its packet by the Harcourt, dated 9 July 1774. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 9 July 1774 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 20 June 1774 3: Consultations from 27 June to 8 July 1774 4: Duplicate consultations from 8 to 20 June 1774 5: First receipt for the packet sent by the Ponsborne 6: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Bridgewater 7: Second receipt for a small paper packet sent by the Stormont 8: Second receipt for a small paper packet sent by the Syren snow 9: Second receipt for a small paper packet sent by the Danish ship Kingdom's Wish 10: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 11: Muster rolls of the garrison 12: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Ponsborne 13: Duplicate cash account from 7 to 20 June 1774 14: Account of the ship Harcourt 15: Duplicate account of the ship Ponsborne 16: Abstract of the cargo of the Harcourt 17: Time of arrival of the Harcourt's boat at Banks's 18: Captain Hough's second receipt for £5 0s 0d The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the Harcourt, which left the island on 9 July 1774.
132	127	2. On the 2 instant Arrived your Ship Vansittart from Bombay, which Place Captn. Young acquaints Us he left the 16 April last. & Your Ship Bessborough there, he Also informs Us that he spoke with the British King off the Coast of Malabar and saw the Royal Charlotte going up the Coast to Bombay. 3. We request you will be pleased to send by the next Years Store Ships one hundred Ordinary Common Prayer Books, to be kept in the Church for the use of the Garrison a Cask of Groats for the Sick in the Hospital, and four Cables of five Inch for the Long Boats, which are much wanted as the said Boats cannot lay at Sandy Bay to take of Lime for the use of the Works without them and which was omitted being inserted in the General Indent. 4. Bought of Captain Young on Account of the Honble. Company seven hundred and fourteen pieces of Salt Meat at two Shillings p Ps. amounting to £ 71 . 8 - he choosing to have Certificates for the same rather than Money we have Granted him the Usual ones accordingly. 5. We have given Captain Young an Order to receive on board the Vansittart Mr. John Roberts late Surgn. of the Eagle Packet. Also Christn. Nengert to compleat his Ships Compy. who was detained here out of the Duke of Portland to take his Tryal at the last Quarterly Sessions for the Murder of John Reed. And John Murray Seaman left here out of the Ship Harcourt and have paid Captn. Young £ 5 - for his passage his Receipt for the same goes enclosed, which Sum is to be repaid to You by the Owners of that Ship. 6. We have granted the following Bills of Exchange viz. Three Sets to Mr. William Wrangham One	2: The Company's ship Vansittart arrived from Bombay on [...] July. Captain Young reported that he had left Bombay on 16 April, when the Company's ship Bessborough lay there. He had also spoken the British King off the Malabar coast and seen the Royal Charlotte going up the coast to Bombay. 3: The Council asked the Court to send by the next year's store ships 100 ordinary Books of Common Prayer, to be kept in the church for the garrison's use, a cask of groats for the sick in the hospital, and four cables of five inches for the longboats. The cables were badly needed, because without them the boats could not lie at Sandy Bay to take off lime for the works. They had been left out of the general indent. 4: The Council bought from Captain Young, on the Company's account, 714 pieces of salt meat at 2s each, amounting to £71 8s 0d. He chose to take certificates rather than money, and the Council gave him the usual certificates. 5: The Council ordered Captain Young to take aboard the Vansittart John Roberts, lately surgeon of the Eagle packet. It also ordered him to take, to help complete his crew, Christopher Nugent, who had been held on the island from the Duke of Portland to stand trial at the last quarterly sessions for the murder of John Reid, and John Murray, a seaman left behind by the Harcourt. It paid Captain Young £5 0s 0d for Murray's passage, which the owners of the Harcourt were to repay to the Court. His receipt was enclosed. 6: The Council had granted the following bills of exchange, including three sets to William Wrangham, as the letter went on to list. Interpretations Christopher Nugent had been tried at the quarterly sessions of July 1774 and was now free to sail as a seaman. The inquest had found manslaughter, and he was evidently either acquitted or given a light sentence that had already run. Putting him aboard a homeward ship removed him from the island, served a ship short of hands and spared the Company his keep. John Roberts was the surgeon of the Eagle packet who had been too ill to continue his voyage in April. He had recovered enough by July to sail home as a passenger. The request for groats, hulled and crushed oats boiled into gruel, shows the hospital still feeding its patients on the light diet thought proper for the sick.
133	128	One for £ 200 - payable to Captn. Richd. Pearce. One for £ 30 - payable to Mr. Robert Wigram, and one for £ 52 . 10 . 4 payable to Mr. William Barkley. One Set to Mr. John Whitchurch on Account of John Blands Orphans for £ 60 - payable to Mr. Roger Green. One Set to Mr. Jona. Doveton for £ 85 . 12 - payable to Mr. Geo. Bitheson One Set to Mr. Thos. Stroud for £ 80 - payable to Mr. Evan Evans, and One Set to the Attorneys of Mr. Matthew Parling for £ 378 . 8 . 10 payable to himself all drawn at ninety days sight and dated this day. 7. Having mentioned to you in a former Letter upon the resignation of Mr. Jas. Farrell Surgns. Mate that We should endeavour to Entertain a Person out of the Shipping of this Year qualified to stay in his stead and not being able to get one we request you'll be pleased to send Us Out a Surgeons Mate by the Next Store Ship as the Island will be greatly distress'd in case of an Accident happening to the Surgeon. 8. In our last Letter we were under a necessity of mentioning to you the Conduct of Captn. Paul during his stay here who when his Ship was under sail [...] Us another Letter as a very Illiberal Charge against Mr. Doveton the Storekeeper which is entered in Consultation of 11 July together with Mr. Doveton's Answer thereto which We make no doubt will appear to you in the same Light as it has to Us as a very unjust and ungenteel Charge against the said Gentleman as well as a reflection upon Us in supposing we would have suffered him to be so grossly imposed upon. 9. We beg leave to submit to Your consideration the want of Rice experienced almost every Year having now no more in Store than will last the Consumption of Your Slaves for twelve Weeks on the Reduction of your Shipping	The bills of exchange, all drawn at 90 days' sight and dated that day, were the following. William Wrangham, £200 0s 0d, payable to Captain Richard Pearce William Wrangham, £30 0s 0d, payable to Robert Wigram William Wrangham, £52 10s 4d, payable to William Barkley John Whitchurch, on account of John Bland's orphans, £60 0s 0d, payable to Roger Green Jonathan Doveton, £85 12s 0d, payable to George Bilherdon Thomas Stroud, £80 0s 0d, payable to Evan Evans The attorneys of Matthew Purling, £378 8s 10d, payable to himself 7: In an earlier letter, when James Farrell resigned as surgeon's mate, the Council had said it would try to engage a qualified man from that year's shipping to take his place. It had not been able to find one, and asked the Court to send out a surgeon's mate by the next store ship, since the island would be in great difficulty if anything happened to the surgeon. 8: In its last letter the Council had been obliged to report Captain Paul's conduct while his ship lay at the island. While his ship was here, Paul had also made a very ill-natured charge in another letter against Mr Doveton, the storekeeper. It was entered in the consultation of 4 July with Mr Doveton's answer. The Council had no doubt that the Court would see it as the Council did: as a very unjust and ungentlemanly charge against Doveton, and also a reflection on the Council, in supposing that it would have allowed him to impose on it so grossly. 9: The Council asked the Court to consider the shortage of rice it suffered almost every year. It now had no more in store than would feed the Company's slaves for twelve weeks, and with the reduction in the Company's shipping, as the letter went on to explain. Interpretations The bill drawn on account of John Bland's orphans shows the Council's treasury serving as a channel for trusts on the island. Money held for orphaned children was sent to a guardian or agent in England, presumably for their maintenance or education there. The Council defended its storekeeper against Captain Paul with unusual warmth. It could have simply forwarded Paul's charge and Doveton's answer for the Court to judge. It chose instead to declare the charge unjust and to treat it as an insult to the Council itself. Doveton handled every cargo landed from the ships and every bill for stores. A commander's accusation of fraud, if left unanswered, would have cast doubt on all the island's accounts. Standing behind him protected the credibility of the Council's own books.
134	129	Shipping must still lessen the Quantity received in former Years. We hope therefore that You will fall upon such methods by sending orders to the different Presidency's to increase the Quantity for the time to come that we may not be liable to the want of such an essential Necessary of Life in future. 10. The Passengers on Board the Vansittart are Mr. Burrell Mr. Maxwell, and Count Du Pratt. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedient and humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille M. Bazett Wm. Wrangham St. Helena 15 August 1774 List of the Honble. Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Vansittart dated the 15 August 1774 No. 1 Govr. & Councils Genl. Letter dated the 15 August 1774 2 Do. & Do. Do. Do. dated 15 Do. Do. relating to Law Matters 3 Duplt. Do. & Do. Do. Do. dated the 9 July 1774 4 Consultations from the 11 July to the 15 August Do. 5 Duplicate Do. from 27 June to the 8 July Do. 6 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Harcourt	The reduction in shipping would further cut the quantity of rice received in earlier years. The Council therefore hoped the Court would order the presidencies to increase their supply in future, so that the island would not again run short of so essential a necessity of life. 10: The passengers aboard the Vansittart were Mr Purcell, Mr Waxwell and Count Du Pratt. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Bazett and William Wrangham signed the letter at St Helena on 15 August 1774. The Council's packet by the Vansittart, dated 15 August 1774, began with the following documents. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 15 August 1774 2: The Governor and Council's general letter of 15 August 1774, relating to legal matters 3: Duplicate of the general letter of 9 July 1774 4: Consultations from 11 July to 15 August 1774 5: Duplicate consultations from 27 June to 8 July 1774 6: First receipt for the packet sent by the Harcourt Interpretations The rice shortage was the other side of the Court's decision to send fewer ships. Every Indiaman from Bengal, Madras or Bombay brought a few tons of rice and paddy consigned to the island, and fewer ships meant less rice. The island's own yams could feed the slaves in good seasons, but a store of only twelve weeks' rice left no margin against another drought. The Council asked that each ship carry more, rather than that more ships come, accepting the Court's economy while protecting the island's food supply.
135	130	7 Second Receipt for the Packet p Ship p Ship Ponsborne 8 Effective State of the Garrison 9 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Harcourt 10 Cash Acct. from the 21 to the 30 June 1774 11 Do. Do. for the Month of July Do. 12 Do. Do. from the 1 to the 15 August Do. 13 Ship Vansittarts Account 14 Duplicate Ship Harcourts Do. 15 Proceedings of a Genl. Quarterly Sessions held on the 13 July 1774 16 Register of Goods & Merchandize Imported and Exported in & from the Island St. Helena from the 10 Janry. to the 13 Augt. 1774 17 Abstract of the Cargoe of Ship Vansittart 18 Time of the Arrival of Ship Vansittarts Boat at Banks's 19 Captn. Youngs first Receipt for £ 5 - To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs We take this opportunity of addressing you by a Dutch Ship that arrived here the 15 instant from Batavia called the Den Temple Captn. Hoelker burthen 500 Tons carrys 24 Guns and 100 Men Loaden with Pepper bound to Amsterdam, and to inform You that the Vansittart Captn. Young left this place the 17 instant, and no other of your Ships Arrived here since her Departure. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. & humble Servts. (Signed) M. Bazett Wm. Wrangham John Skottowe Danl. Corneille St. Helena 24 Aug. 1774	7: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Ponsborne 8: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 9: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Harcourt 10: Cash account from 21 to 30 June 1774 11: Cash account for July 1774 12: Cash account from 1 to 15 August 1774 13: Account of the ship Vansittart 14: Duplicate account of the ship Harcourt 15: Proceedings of a general quarterly sessions held on 13 July 1774 16: Register of goods and merchandise imported into and exported from St Helena from 10 January to 13 August 1774 17: Abstract of the cargo of the Vansittart 18: Time of arrival of the Vansittart's boat at Banks's 19: Captain Young's first receipt for £5 0s 0d The Council wrote again to the Court. It took the chance of writing by a Dutch ship from Batavia, the Den Temple, under Captain Hoelbier, which had arrived on 15 August. She was of 500 tons, carried 24 guns and a crew of 100, and was bound for Amsterdam with pepper. The Council reported that Captain Young had sailed in the Vansittart on 17 August, and that no other Company ship had arrived since her departure. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Bazett and William Wrangham signed the letter at St Helena on 24 August 1774. Interpretations The quarterly sessions of 13 July 1774 were the court that tried Christopher Nugent for the death of John Reid and John Jenkins for the assault on William Hayes. Their proceedings went home in this packet for the Court's review. The Council wrote even when it had nothing to report but the absence of ships. A short note by a foreign vessel told the Court that its last letter had gone safely and that no further despatches were waiting, so a gap in the correspondence would not cause alarm in London.
136	131	To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. Our last Letter went by the Dutch Ship Den Temple under date of the 24 August. 2. On the 27 of last Month arrived the Resolution from Bengal (last from Mauritious) which place Captn. Poynting put into on account of his Ships being Leaky. 3. The Attorneys of Mr. Matt. Parling applied to Pay £ 148 . 6 . 7 into the Honble. Company's Cash which Sum we have received and given Bills of Exchange payable to himself drawn at ninety days Sight & dated the 3 instant. 4. We beg leave to refer your Honors to our Consultation of the 22 August last respecting the very unbecoming & irregular conduct of Captn. Young which we submit to your consideration hoping you will take such notice thereof as to your Judgement will seem most proper. 5. We have given Captn. Poynting an order to receive on board the Resolution Edward Daniel late Mason & his Family & have paid him fifteen Pounds for their Passage his Receipt for the same goes Enclosed. We have also permitted Captn. Poynting to receive on board his Ship John Jones late Servant to the Revd. Mr. Carr. 6. The Passengers on board the Resolution are John Reed Esqr. Captn. Harper & Messrs. Brazier, Heckett, Kelley, & Bishop.	The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the Dutch ship Den Temple, dated 24 August. 2: The Resolution arrived from Bengal by way of Mauritius on 27 August. Captain Poynting had put into Mauritius because his ship was leaking. 3: The attorneys of Matthew Purling asked to pay £148 6s 7d into the Company's treasury. The Council received the money and gave them bills of exchange payable to Purling, drawn at 90 days' sight and dated 3 September. 4: The Council referred the Court to its consultation of 22 August concerning the very unbecoming and irregular conduct of Captain Young. It submitted the matter for the Court's consideration, hoping the Court would take such notice of it as it judged proper. 5: The Council ordered Captain Poynting to take aboard the Resolution Edward Daniels, the late mason, and his family. It paid him £15 0s 0d for their passage, and his receipt was enclosed. It also allowed Captain Poynting to take aboard John Jones, lately servant to the Reverend Mr Carr. 6: The passengers aboard the Resolution were John Reed, Captain Harper, and Messrs Brazier, Hackett, Kelley and Bishop. Interpretations Edward Daniels had been the Company's master mason for years, the best-paid tradesman on the island at £30 0s 0d a quarter, and in April 1773 the inhabitants had elected him constable. His departure with his family at the Company's charge marked the end of his engagement. It came just as the new church, on which his masons had worked since 1773, was still unfinished, and the Council would need the Court to send a replacement. Captain Young of the Vansittart was the second commander that season whose conduct the Council reported to the Court, after Captain Paul of the Harcourt. Commanders of hired ships answered to the Court and their owners, not to the island's Council. Reporting them was the Council's only means of redress when a commander treated its authority with disrespect.
137	132	7. Agreable to your Orders we directed the Storekeeper to Report to Us as early as possible the difference of the Goodness between the Irish & English Provisions which Report we have entered in Our Consultation of Yesterday. And trust that we are in sufficient time for you to make such alterations in this Article as seems best to your Judgements. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. & humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille M. Bazett Wm. Wrangham St. Helena 4 Sepr. 1774 List of the Honble. Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Resolution dated the 4 Sepr. 1774 No. 1 Govr. & Councils Genl. Letter dated the 4 Sept. 1774 2 Duplicate Do. & Do. Do. dated the 15 August Do. 3 Do. Do. & Do. Do. dated the 15 Do. Do. relating to Law Matters 4 Do. Do. & Do. Do. dated 24 August 1774 5 Consultations from the 22 of Aug. to the 4 Sept. Do. 6 Duplicate Do. from the 11 July to the 15 August Do.	7: As the Court had ordered, the Council directed the storekeeper to report as early as possible on the difference in quality between the Irish and English provisions. His report was entered in the previous day's consultation. The Council trusted it had reached the Court in time for it to make whatever changes in this article it judged best. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Bazett and William Wrangham signed the letter at St Helena on 4 September 1774. The Council's packet by the Resolution, dated 4 September 1774, began with the following documents. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 4 September 1774 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 15 August 1774 3: Duplicate of the general letter of 15 August 1774, relating to legal matters 4: Duplicate of the general letter of 24 August 1774 5: Consultations from 22 August to 4 September 1774 6: Duplicate consultations from 11 July to 15 August 1774 Interpretations The Council had delayed its report on the Irish provisions the year before until late in the season and had been reproached for it. This time it had the storekeeper's report made early and sent it in time for the Court to adjust its contracts before buying the next year's salt meat. The island had already found the Irish beef and pork "very indifferent" in 1773. A second report allowed the Court to judge whether the cheaper Irish supply was worth the losses the garrison bore in short weight and spoiled meat.
138	133	7 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Vansittart 8 First Do. for a small paper Do. p Dutch Ship Den Temple 9 Second Do. for the Packet p Ship Harcourt 10 Effective State of the Garrison 11 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Vansittart 12 Cash Account from the 16 to the 31 August 1774 13 Do. Do. from the 1 to the 4 September Do. 14 Duplicate Do. from the 21 to the 30 June Do. 15 Do. Do. for the Month of July Do. 16 Do. Do. from the 1 to the 15 August Do. 17 Ship Resolutions Account 18 Duplt. Ship Vansittarts Do. 19 Duplicate Proceedings of a Genl. Quarterly Sessions held on the 13 July 1774 20 Duplicate Registr. of Goods & Merchandize Imported & exported in & from the Island St. Helena from 10 Janry. to 13 Augt. 1774 21 Time of the Arrival of Ship Resolutions Boat at Banks's 22 Abstract of the Cargoe of Ship Resolution 23 Captn. Poyntings first Receipt for £ 15 - 24 Captn. Youngs second Do. for £ 5 - To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. We take this opportunity of Addressing you by the Alfred which Ship Arrived here the 12 instant from Fort Marlbro (last from the Cape) Captn. Gowland informs Us that his Majesty's Ships Northumberland Intrepid, and Warwick under the Command of Admiral Sir	7: First receipt for the packet sent by the Vansittart 8: First receipt for a small paper packet sent by the Dutch ship Den Temple 9: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Harcourt 10: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 11: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Vansittart 12: Cash account from 16 to 31 August 1774 13: Cash account from 1 to 4 September 1774 14: Duplicate cash account from 21 to 30 June 1774 15: Duplicate cash account for July 1774 16: Duplicate cash account from 1 to 15 August 1774 17: Account of the ship Resolution 18: Duplicate account of the ship Vansittart 19: Duplicate proceedings of a general quarterly sessions held on 13 July 1774 20: Duplicate register of goods and merchandise imported into and exported from St Helena from 10 January to 13 August 1774 21: Time of arrival of the Resolution's boat at Banks's 22: Abstract of the cargo of the Resolution 23: Captain Poynting's first receipt for £15 0s 0d 24: Captain Young's second receipt for £5 0s 0d The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: It took the chance of writing by the Alfred, which had arrived from Fort Marlborough by way of the Cape on the 12th of the month. Captain Gowland reported that His Majesty's ships Northumberland, Intrepid and Warwick, under the command of Admiral [...], as the letter went on to say. Interpretations The Alfred was the Company's ship the Council had sent on to Fort Marlborough in May 1773, carrying the misdirected rhubarb and four bales of blue cloth for Manna. Her return by way of St Helena completed a round voyage of some eighteen months.
139	134	Sir Robert Harland, and three French Ships were in at Table Bay when he left it. 2. Matthew Bazett Esqr. and Mr. Isaac Doveton appointed by Us as Trustees to Richard Beale late a Captain in this Service in his present State of Insanity, have upon Oath before Us declared that to the best of their Knowledge they have given up to Richard Bagley and Benjamin Mason all the real and Personal Estate of the said Richard Beale which the said Richard Bagley and Benjamin Mason have likewise Sworn before the Governor and Council to have appraized to the best of their knowledge his Effects according to that Appraizement amounts to no more than £ 1309 . 5 - We have been the more particular in this case, he being incapable of acting for himself and agreable to your consent and his Family's desire of his Change of Climate hoping therefrom his recovery, do recommend him as a proper Object to be put upon the Military Fund from his long Service of twenty two Years and his present unhappy State of Insanity and have given Captn. Gowland a permit to receive him and his necessarys on board his Ship. 3. We have Granted the following Bills of Exchange viz. One Set to the Attorneys of Mattw. Parling Esqr. for £ 1123 . 18 . 10 payable to himself. One Set to Captn. James Tippet for £ 200 - payable to Mr. Edward Tippet and One Set to Mrs. Mary Beale for £ 70 - payable to the Reverend Mr. William Lee all drawn at ninety days Sight and dated this Day.	Captain Gowland reported that His Majesty's ships Northumberland, Intrepid and Warwick, under Admiral Sir Robert Harland, and three French ships lay in Table Bay when he left. 2: Matthew Bazett and Isaac Doveton had been appointed by the Council as trustees for Richard Beale, late a captain in the Company's service, in his present state of insanity. They declared on oath before the Council that, to the best of their knowledge, they had handed over to Richard Bagley and Benjamin Mason all of Beale's real and personal estate. Bagley and Mason had likewise sworn before the Governor and Council that they had valued his effects to the best of their knowledge, and that by their valuation the estate came to no more than £1,309 5s 0d. The Council had been all the more careful in this case because Beale could not act for himself. With the Court's consent, and at his family's wish, he was to try a change of climate in the hope of recovery. The Council recommended him as a proper object for the Military Fund on account of his long service of 22 years and his present unhappy state of insanity, and gave Captain Gowland a permit to take him and his necessaries aboard. 3: The Council had granted the following bills of exchange, all drawn at 90 days' sight and dated that day. The attorneys of Matthew Purling, £1,123 18s 10d, payable to Purling himself Captain James Tippet, £200 0s 0d, payable to Edward Tippet Mary Beale, £70 0s 0d, payable to the Reverend William Lee Interpretations The Council's handling of Captain Beale's affairs shows how the island protected a man who could not manage his own. It could simply have let his family take charge of his property. Instead it appointed trustees, had his estate formally handed over and valued on oath, and recorded the result. A captain's estate of £1,309 5s 0d was a substantial fortune, and the sworn valuation guarded it against any later claim that his family or trustees had taken advantage of his illness. Bagley and Mason, who received the estate, had earlier been among the lenders on Lieutenant Powell's registered mortgage. They were evidently trusted men of business on the island. The Military Fund's means test, which had required Lieutenant Lambert to swear he was worth less than £1,000 0s 0d, did not stop the Council from recommending Beale. His 22 years of service and his incurable condition were perhaps judged to outweigh his modest estate.
140	135	4. We beg leave to refer you to Our Consultation of the 17 October last respecting a Complaint prefered by Lieut. James Greentree against Captn. James Tippet and Our Sentiments thereon. 5. We have given Captain Gowland an Order to receive on board his Ship Thos. Hughes Sergeant, Thos. Matthews, Richard Vincent, & Robert Richmond Grosvenor Private to Compleat his Ships Company. Also John Jenkins, and Abraham Coleman in consideration of Our having paid him £ 5 - each for their Passage the former We detained out of the Harcourt to take his Tryal at the Quarter Sessions, and the latter a discharged Soldier from Bengal who deserted from the Ship Resolution which Sum of £ 5 - We suppose will be repaid you by the Owners of the Ship, Captn. Gowlands Receipt for the passage of the above two Men goes Enclosed. We have further to observe that We discharged Vincent before the expiration of his Contracted time he being a Man of so bad a Character that We think him not fit to be kept in this Garrison. 6. We beg leave in consequence of a representation from the Lieut. Governor of his being the only Senior Servant that is at the Expence of Arrack for the Consumption of his Family without any profits arising from the Sale of the said Commodity and requesting that We would Recommend it to your Honors to allow him one Leager Annually from your Stores, have, as We think his Request Reasonable consented to grant him the said quantity until your Honors pleasure is known as he has agreed should it not meet with your approbation, to pay for the same.	4: The Council referred the Court to its consultation of 17 October concerning a complaint made by Lieutenant James Greentree against Captain James Tippet, and its view of the matter. 5: The Council ordered Captain Gowland to take aboard his ship, to help complete his crew, Sergeant Thomas Hughes and Privates Thomas Matthews, Richard Vincent and Robert Richmond Grosvenor. It also ordered him to take John Jenkins and Abraham Coleman, for whose passage it paid him £5 0s 0d each. Jenkins had been held from the Harcourt to stand trial at the quarterly sessions. Coleman was a discharged soldier from Bengal who had deserted from the Resolution. The Council supposed the owners of those ships would repay the £5 0s 0d to the Court. Captain Gowland's receipt for the passage of the two men was enclosed. The Council added that it had discharged Vincent before his contracted term expired, because he was so bad a character that it thought him unfit to be kept in the garrison. 6: The Lieutenant Governor had pointed out that he was the only senior servant who bore the cost of the arrack his household consumed, without any share of the profits from selling that commodity. He asked the Council to recommend that the Court allow him one leaguer a year from the Company's stores. The Council thought the request reasonable and had agreed to grant him that quantity until the Court's wishes were known. Corneille had undertaken to pay for it if the Court did not approve. Interpretations Daniel Corneille's complaint shows how the arrack concern was shared. The Governor and the members of Council each drew a portion of the profits from the Company's arrack sales, and Wrangham had just received a larger share on joining the Council. The Lieutenant Governor, though second in command, had none, and so paid for the spirit his own table used. The Council granted him a leaguer, about 150 gallons a year, but only provisionally and with his promise to pay if the Court refused. It avoided creating a new perquisite on its own authority, as it had learned to do with appointments. Richard Vincent was the third soldier in two years whom the Council removed from the island early because of his character, after Joseph Valentine and Hugh Hay. Discharging such men cost little. In a closed garrison, it was the surest protection against further trouble.
141	136	7. Captain Gowland brought on Account of the Honble. Company 35 Bushls. 8 Wheat 63 Cs. 2 . 10 Flour 9 Cs. 2 . 18 Wax Candles nine Baskets Garden Seeds and twenty five Cape Sheep, amounting to £ 322 . 19 . 10 he choosing to have Certificates for the same rather than Money We have given him the usual ones accordingly. We are Honorable Sirs Your most Obedient and humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille M. Bazett Wm. Wrangham St. Helena 28 Novr. 1774 List of the Honorable Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Alfred dated the 28 November 1774 No. 1 Govr. & Councils Genl. Letter dated the 28 November 1774 2 Do. & Do. Do. dated 28 Do. Do. relatg. to Law Matters 3 Duplicate Do. & Do. dated the 4 September Do. 4 Consultations from the 5 Sept. to the 28 Novr. Do. 5 Duplicate Do. from the 22 Aug. to the 3 Septemr. Do. 6 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Resolution	7: Captain Gowland had brought, on the Company's account, 35 cwt 1 qr 8 lb of wheat, 63 cwt 2 qr 18 lb of flour, 9 cwt 2 qr 18 lb of wax candles, nine baskets of garden seeds and 25 Cape sheep, amounting to £322 19s 10d. He chose to take certificates rather than money, and the Council gave him the usual certificates. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Bazett and William Wrangham signed the letter at St Helena on 28 November 1774. The Council's packet by the Alfred, dated 28 November 1774, began with the following documents. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 28 November 1774 2: The Governor and Council's general letter of 28 November 1774, relating to legal matters 3: Duplicate of the general letter of 4 September 1774 4: Consultations from 5 September to 28 November 1774 5: Duplicate consultations from 22 August to 3 September 1774 6: First receipt for the packet sent by the Resolution Interpretations The date of this letter places the Alfred's arrival on 12 November 1774 and the consultation on Greentree's complaint on 17 October. Her purchase was the largest single supply the Council had bought from a commander in these letters. The flour was perhaps meant to make up for the bad flour that had plagued the island for three years, and the wax candles replaced the usual supply from Bengal, now that fewer ships came from there.
142	137	7 Second Receipt for the Packet p Ship Vansittart 8 Second Do. for a small paper Do. p Dutch Ship Den Temple 9 Effective State of the Garrison 10 Muster Rolls of Do. 11 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Resolution 12 Cash Account from the 5 to the 30 Septemr. 1774 13 Do. Do. for the Month of October Do. 14 Do. Do. from the 1 to the 28 November Do. 15 Duplicate Do. from the 16 to the 31 August Do. 16 Do. Do. from the 1 to the 4 September Do. 17 Ship Alfreds Account 18 Duplicate Ship Resolution's Account 19 List of Familys taken the 30 September 1774 20 Do. of Rents taken the 30 Do. Do. 21 Do. of Slaves Do. 30 Do. Do. 22 Do. of Births Christgs. Marriages & Burials from the 1 March to the 31 Augt. 1774 23 Time of the Arrival of Ship Alfred's Boat at Banks's 24 Abstract of the Cargoe of Ship Alfred 25 Govern. & Councils Certificate of Captn. Richd. Beale Recomended to be put upon ye. Mility. Fund 26 Captn. Poyntings Second Receipt for £ 15 - 27 Proceedgs. of the Genl. Quartly. Sessions held on the 5 Oct. 1774 28 Captn. Gowlands First Receipt for £ 10 -	7: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Vansittart 8: Second receipt for a small paper packet sent by the Dutch ship Den Temple 9: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 10: Muster rolls of the garrison 11: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Resolution 12: Cash account from 5 to 30 September 1774 13: Cash account for October 1774 14: Cash account from 1 to 28 November 1774 15: Duplicate cash account from 16 to 31 August 1774 16: Duplicate cash account from 1 to 4 September 1774 17: Account of the ship Alfred 18: Duplicate account of the ship Resolution 19: List of families, taken on 30 September 1774 20: Rent roll, taken on 30 September 1774 21: List of slaves, taken on 30 September 1774 22: List of births, christenings, marriages and burials from 1 March to 31 August 1774 23: Time of arrival of the Alfred's boat at Banks's 24: Abstract of the cargo of the Alfred 25: The Governor and Council's certificate for Captain Richard Beale, recommended for the Military Fund 26: Captain Poynting's second receipt for £15 0s 0d 27: Proceedings of a general quarterly sessions held on 5 October 1774 28: Captain Gowland's first receipt for £10 0s 0d
143	138	To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs We take this opportunity of addressing You by his Majesty's Ship Warwick Commanded by Captain Lloyd that Arrived here on the 1 Instant and as he purposes Sailing this Evening or tomorrow Morning early We embrace this Occasion of transmitting to you a Duplicate of Our last Letter p Alfred and at the same time to acquaint You that Captn. Lloyd has informed Us that by Accounts received by a French Ship from Bombay that Your Ship Huntingdon Commanded by Captn. Pigou returning from Delagoa with a Cargoe of Slaves fell in with the Island of Johanna in Calm Weather and strong Currents was drove upon the Rocks and Bulged before they could get a Cable and Anchor to her Assistance, That by this Accident the Ship was lost but the Captn. and Crew all saved and were arrived at Bombay in a Country Ship before the Vessel that brought the intelligence at the Cape had left it. We are Honble. Sirs Your most obedient and humble Servants (Signed) Matt. Bazett Wm. Wrangham John Skottowe Danl. Corneille St. Helena 2nd December 1774	The Council wrote again to the Court. It took the chance of writing by His Majesty's ship Warwick, under Captain Lloyd, which had arrived on 1 December. She was to sail that evening or early the next morning, so the Council sent by her a duplicate of its last letter by the Alfred. Captain Lloyd had told the Council of news received by a French ship from Bombay. The Company's ship Huntingdon, under Captain Pigou, had been returning from Delagoa with a cargo of slaves when she fell in with the island of Johanna in calm weather and strong currents. She was driven onto the rocks and holed before a cable and anchor could be got out to save her. The ship was lost, but the captain and crew were all saved. They had reached Bombay in a country ship before the vessel that brought the news to the Cape had left it. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Bazett and William Wrangham signed the letter at St Helena on 2 December 1774. Interpretations The Huntingdon was carrying slaves bought at Delagoa Bay, on the coast of Mozambique, almost certainly for St Helena. The island had long drawn slaves from Madagascar and the Mozambique coast, and the man described as a "Coffree" sent from Bencoolen in 1773 came from the same trade. The letter reports the safe rescue of the captain and crew but says nothing of the slaves aboard. Whether they survived the wreck at Johanna, in the Comoro Islands, is not recorded. The Warwick was one of Admiral Harland's squadron, last reported lying in Table Bay. A King's ship calling briefly at the island was a convenient and fast carrier for the Council's letters, and it seized the chance even for a duplicate.
144	139	To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs We beg leave to inform You that on the 30 of last Month Arrived his Majesty's Ship Intrepid Commanded by Captain James Cranston who acquaints Us that there were two French Outward bound Frigates at the Cape when he left it. Inclosed we transmit You a Duplicate of Our last Address p his Majesty's Ship Warwick. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. and humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille M. Bazett Willm. Wrangham St. Helena 30 December 1774	The Council informed the Court that His Majesty's ship Intrepid, under Captain James Cranston, had arrived on 30 November. Captain Cranston reported that two outward-bound French frigates lay at the Cape when he left. The Council enclosed a duplicate of its last letter by His Majesty's ship Warwick. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Bazett and William Wrangham signed the letter at St Helena on 30 December 1774. Interpretations Captain James Cranston had brought the Intrepid out to Bombay with Sir Robert Harland's squadron in 1772, as the Council had reported in April 1773. Her call on the way home, like the Warwick's, marked the squadron's return from its Indian station. A steady report of French frigates at the Cape ran through these letters, and the Council passed each one on, aware that the island stood on the route any French force bound for India would take.
145	140	[Dark ink stains obscure part of the last line of the postscript.] To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs We have the pleasure to inform You of the Arrival of his Majesty's Sloop Hawke from the Cape. Captain Appleby acquaints Us that the remainder of his Majesty's Squadron designed for Europe were arrived there when he left it and that the Admiral intended Sailing from thence the begining of next Month. The Attorneys of Mr. Matthew Parling applied to Us to pay £ 812 . 6 . 7 into Your Cash which Sum We have received & given them Bills drawn on Your Honors payable to himself or Order at ninety Days Sight. We transmit You herewith a Duplicate of Our Last by his Majesty's Ship Intrepid. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. and humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Matt. Bazett Wm. Wrangham St. Helena 27 January 1775 P.S. Since signing above Letter Captn. Appleby Informed Us that the Earl of Ashburnham & Anson Arrived at Madrass the 20 of Novemr. and intended Sailing for Bengal in about five or six days after [...]	The Council was pleased to report the arrival of His Majesty's sloop Hawke from the Cape. Captain Appleby reported that the rest of His Majesty's squadron bound for Europe had reached the Cape when he left, and that the Admiral meant to sail from there at the beginning of the following month. The attorneys of Matthew Purling asked to pay £812 1s 7d into the Company's treasury. The Council received the money and gave them bills on the Court, payable to Purling or his order at 90 days' sight. It enclosed a duplicate of its last letter by His Majesty's ship Intrepid. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Bazett and William Wrangham signed the letter at St Helena on 27 January 1775. In a postscript the Council added that, after the letter was signed, Captain Appleby had told it that the Earl of Ashburnham and the Anson had reached Madras on 20 November and meant to sail for Bengal five or six days later. Interpretations Purling's attorneys were still sending home the proceeds of his estate eight months after he left. Since June 1774 their remittances had come to £544 5s 3d, £378 8s 10d, £148 6s 7d, £1,123 18s 10d and now £812 1s 7d. That was more than £3,000 on top of the £4,150 0s 0d he sent as he sailed. The money probably came from debts owed to him and from the sale of his land, stock and slaves. Together these sums point to a fortune of well over £7,000 built up during his years on the Council, far more than his salary could account for.
146	141	To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. We addressed you last by his Majesty's Sloop Hawke under date of the 27 of Janry. 1775. 2. On the 28 of last Month Arrived the Europa from Bombay which place Captain Pelly acquaints us he left the 16 Novemr. last and your Ships Thames & Northumberland there the former was soon to go down the Coast to take in her Cargoe for Europe and the Latter was ready to sail for Bengall, he also left at Bombay the Stafford lately from England. Captn. Pelly likewise informs us that the British King sailed for Bengall in June last and the Royal Charlotte soon after for China. 3. By this Conveyance We transmit Your the Proceedings of a General Court Martial held the 12 of January on Captn. James Tippet on a Complaint prefered against him by second Lieut. Robt. Gibson of Captn. Tippets using him in a very gross Manner by Words, and further striking him several Blows when on Duty at the Reverend Mr. Carrs the Court in Consequence of the Evidence that appeared for and against, have suspended Captn. James Tippet Your Honors Service for the space of one Month which Sentance we have confirmed and it further appearing to the said General Court Martial in the course of the Tryal that the said Lieut. Robt. Gibson was unquestionably the first aggressor that the whole of his conduct in that affair was unlike an Officer or a Man of Spirit, ordered him under an Arrest.	The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by His Majesty's sloop Hawke, dated 27 January 1775. 2: The Europa arrived from Bombay on the 28th of the previous month. Captain Pelly reported that he had left Bombay on 6 November, when the Company's ships Thames and Northumberland lay there. The first was soon to go down the coast to load her cargo for Europe, and the second was ready to sail for Bengal. He had also left at Bombay the Stafford, lately from England. Captain Pelly further reported that the British King had sailed for Bengal in June and the Royal Charlotte soon afterwards for China. 3: By this ship the Council sent the proceedings of a general court martial held on 12 January to try Captain James Tippet. Lieutenant Robert Gillson had complained that Tippet abused him very grossly in words and also struck him several blows while Gillson was on duty at the house of the Reverend Mr Carr. On the evidence for and against, the court suspended Captain Tippet from the Company's service for one month, and the Council confirmed the sentence. It also appeared to the court in the course of the trial that Gillson had undeniably been the first aggressor. Since his whole conduct in the affair had been neither that of an officer nor of a man of spirit, the court ordered him under arrest. Interpretations Lieutenant Gillson had resigned in 1773 and sailed for England in the Hector. He was evidently back on the island and in the Company's service again by January 1775, perhaps sent out by the Court in answer to the Council's request for an experienced artillery officer. The court martial punished both men rather than finding simply for one of them. Tippet was suspended for striking a fellow officer on duty, which the rules of discipline could not excuse. Gillson, however, had provoked the quarrel and then complained instead of answering the insult as an officer was expected to. In the code of the period, an officer who was insulted was expected to demand satisfaction himself, not seek redress through a court. Tippet's month of suspension was a light penalty for the island's engineer and senior artillery officer. It recalled the Council's earlier leniency over his house repairs, which it had allowed because his skills were indispensable.
147	142	We having considered Maturely the Conduct of the Court Martial in Ordering Lieut. Gibson under an Arrest, and being unanimously of opinion that they were right in so doing, as his Conduct throughout the whole affair was Derogatory to the Character of an Officer and a Gentleman have dismissed the said Lieut. Robert Gibson Your Service Untill Your Honors Pleasure is known. On Our Determination being made known to Lieut. Robert Gibson in Publick Orders of the 17 of last Month, the Monday following we Received a Petition from him, and in Compassion to the said Petitioner agreed to enter the same in Consultation of same Day, and tho' We considered Our Dismission of him as no more than addequate to his Offence, Yet we have to observe that it is the first Error in his Conduct since in Your Honors Service, as before that period he always behaved himself as a Good and diligent Officer. 4. We have the pleasure of informing You that the New Guard House, and Court Martial Room under one Roof is Finished and that We propose going on with three New Houses that are much wanted for the use of the Company's Servants, as well the Ware House for Dry Stores Agreable to Our resolution mentioned in Consultation of the 30 May 1774 have further to acquaint You that the Range at Ruperts for the practice of the Artillery is Compleated and that the Artillery and Marching Company's will be Ordered to practice as soon as the Weather will permit. 5. Captains Henry Bazett & John Howard applied to pay £ 284 . 4 . 7 into Your Cash which Sum We have received and given them Bills of exchange payable to the Revd. Mr. Willm. Bearcroft at ninety Days Sight	The Council had considered the court martial's decision to place Lieutenant Gillson under arrest with great care. It was unanimously of the opinion that the court had been right, since his conduct throughout the affair had been unworthy of an officer and a gentleman. It therefore dismissed Lieutenant Robert Gillson from the Company's service until the Court's wishes were known. The decision was made known to him in public orders on the 13th of the previous month. On the following Monday the Council received a petition from him, and out of compassion agreed to enter it in that day's consultation. The Council considered his dismissal no more than his offence deserved. It had to add, however, that this was the first fault in his conduct since he entered the Company's service, and that until then he had always behaved as a good and diligent officer. 4: The Council was pleased to report that the new guardhouse and the court martial room, under one roof, were finished. It proposed to go on with three new houses badly needed for the Company's servants, and with the warehouse for dry stores, as resolved in its consultation of 30 May 1774. It further reported that the range at Rupert's for artillery practice was complete, and that the artillery and marching companies would be ordered to practise there as soon as the weather allowed. 5: Captains Henry Bazett and John Howard asked to pay £284 4s 7d into the Company's treasury. The Council received the money and gave them bills of exchange payable to the Reverend William Bearcroft at 90 days' sight. Interpretations The Council punished Gillson far more heavily than Tippet, though Tippet struck the blows. Tippet received a month's suspension. Gillson, the man assaulted, lost his commission. The Council could have let the court's arrest stand as punishment enough. It went further because the offence it saw in Gillson was not violence but want of honour: he had provoked a quarrel and then sheltered behind a complaint instead of standing up for himself. In a garrison where officers were expected to settle insults personally, such conduct was thought to undermine an officer's authority over his men. Yet the Council also recorded his good service in fairness to him, so that the Court could weigh it when reviewing his case. The artillery range at Rupert's carried out the Court's order of 1774 for regular target practice with the great guns. Captain Henry Bazett and Captain John Howard's second payment to Bearcroft, after one of £160 9s 0d in April 1774, suggests they had bought his house or property on his departure and were paying for it by instalments.
148	143	sight dated this Day. 6. From the small Number of Ships expected this Season, and a good return of Cattle for Slaughter for the Present Year We have the satisfaction to inform You that We shall have it in Our Power to give the Shipping an ample Supply and furnish the Market with twice a Week in lieu of three a fort-night and from the very favourable appearance of the Weather We flatter ourselves we shall have an early Season which will restore the Island to a better State than what we have some Years back experienced. 7. We have given Captn. Pelly a Permit to receive on board the Europa John Thompson a Discharged Soldier he having Signed an Instrument in writing not to Demand any Wages from the Owners or Captn. of the said Ship. 8. By this Conveyance we transmit Your Honors General Books of Accounts Balanced to the 30 September 1774. 9. We beg leave to refer You to a Minute of the Lieut. Governors as Entered in Consultation of the 16 Janry. last together with our Determination thereupon. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. and humble Servants (Signed) Jno. Skottowe Danl. Corneille M. Bazett Willm. Wrangham St. Helena 11 Feby. 1775	The bills were dated 11 February 1775. 6: Few ships were expected that season, and the island had a good return of cattle for slaughter for the current year. The Council was therefore pleased to report that it could give the shipping an ample supply and stock the market with beef twice a week, in place of three times a fortnight. The very favourable look of the weather also led it to hope for an early season, which would restore the island to a better state than it had known for some years. 7: The Council had given Captain Pelly a permit to take aboard the Europa John Thompson, a discharged soldier. Thompson had signed a written undertaking to claim no wages from the owners or captain of the ship. 8: By this ship the Council sent the Company's general books of account, balanced to 30 September 1774. 9: The Council referred the Court to a minute by the Lieutenant Governor, entered in the consultation of 16 January, together with its decision on it. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Bazett and William Wrangham signed the letter at St Helena on 11 February 1775. Interpretations The letter's date places the Europa's arrival on 28 January 1775 and the public order dismissing Gillson on 13 January, the day after his court martial. The Council's report on the beef supply completed the recovery it had first described in June 1774. During the drought the island had depended on Cape sheep bought from the ships. Now, with fewer ships calling and the herds restored, it had more beef than it needed. Opening the market twice a week instead of three times a fortnight let the planters sell their surplus cattle to the inhabitants and garrison. It went some way to make up for the trade lost when the ships stopped calling in large numbers.
149	144	List of the Honorable Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Europa Dated the 11 February 1775 No. 1 Govr. and Councils Genl. Letter dated the 11 Feby. 1775 2 Do. and Do. Do. dated the 11 Do. relat. to Law matters 3 Duplicate Do. and Do. Do. dated 28 Novem. 1774 Do. Do. 4 Do. Do. and Do. Do. dated the 27 Janry. 1775 5 Consultations from the 5 Decem. 1774 to the 11 Feby. 1775 6 Duplicate Do. from the 5 Sept. to the 28 Novr. 1774 7 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Alfred 8 Second Do. for the Do. p Ship Resolution 9 Captn. Gowlands second receipt for £ 10 - 10 Effective State of the Garrison 11 Muster Rolls of Do. 12 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Alfred 13 Cash Account from the 29 to the 30 Novr. 1774 14 Do. Do. for the Month December Do. 15 Do. Do. for the Do. Janry. 1775 16 Do. Do. from the 1 to the 11 Feby. Do. 17 Duplicate Do. from the 5 to the 30 Septem. 1774 18 Do. Do. for the Month Octobr. Do. 19 Do. Do. from the 1 to the 28 Novr. Do. 20 Ship Europa's Account 21 Duplicate Ship Alfreds Do. 22 Do. List of Familys taken 30 Sept. 1774 23 Do. Do. of Rents taken 30 Do. Do. 24 Do. Do. of Slaves taken 30 Do. Do. 25 Do. Do. of Births Christgs. Marriages & Burials from the 1 March to 31 August 1774 26 Genl. Books of Accounts	The Council sent the following documents to the Court in its packet by the Europa, dated 11 February 1775. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 11 February 1775 2: The Governor and Council's general letter of 11 February 1775, relating to legal matters 3: Duplicate of the general letter of 28 November 1774, relating to legal matters 4: Duplicate of the general letter of 27 January 1775 5: Consultations from 5 December 1774 to 11 February 1775 6: Duplicate consultations from 5 September to 28 November 1774 7: First receipt for the packet sent by the Alfred 8: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Resolution 9: Captain Gowland's second receipt for £10 0s 0d 10: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 11: Muster rolls of the garrison 12: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Alfred 13: Cash account from 29 to 30 November 1774 14: Cash account for December 1774 15: Cash account for January 1775 16: Cash account from 1 to 11 February 1775 17: Duplicate cash account from 5 to 30 September 1774 18: Duplicate cash account for October 1774 19: Duplicate cash account from 1 to 28 November 1774 20: Account of the ship Europa 21: Duplicate account of the ship Alfred 22: Duplicate list of families, taken on 30 September 1774 23: Duplicate rent roll, taken on 30 September 1774 24: Duplicate list of slaves, taken on 30 September 1774 25: Duplicate list of births, christenings, marriages and burials from 1 March to 31 August 1774 26: General books of account
150	145	No. 27 Genl. Courts Martial of the 12 Janry. 1775 28 Time of the Arrival of Ship Europa's Boat at Banks's 29 Abstract of the Cargoe of Ship Europa 30 Proceedings of a Genl. Quartly. Sessions held on the 11 Janry. 1775 31 Duplt. Do. of a Do. Do. held on the 5 Octob. 1774 32 Instrument in writing of John Thompson a Discharged Soldier To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. We take this opportunity of addressing You by his Majesty's Squadron consisting of the Northumberland, Orford, Buckingham, and Prudent under the Command of Rear Admiral Sir Robert Harland which Arrived here the 13 Instant and to inform You that the Europa Captn. Pelly left this place the 11 instant Duplicate of which Letter we now transmit You. 2. Yesterday arrived a French Ship from the Mauritius called the St. Anne Captn. Astruc Burthen 300 Tons carrys 22 Guns and 90 Men loaden with Coffee bound to Port L'Orient and likewise to inform You that the Revd. Mr. Yates and Mr. Eller are Passengers on board the said Ship. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. and humble Servants (Signed) M. Bazett Wm. Wrangham Jno. Skottowe Danl. Corneille St. Helena 18 Feby. 1775	27: General court martial of 12 January 1775 28: Time of arrival of the Europa's boat at Banks's 29: Abstract of the cargo of the Europa 30: Proceedings of a general quarterly sessions held on 11 January 1775 31: Duplicate proceedings of a general quarterly sessions held on 5 October 1774 32: Written undertaking by John Thompson, a discharged soldier The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: It took the opportunity of writing by His Majesty's squadron, made up of the Northumberland, Oxford, Buckingham and Prudent under Rear Admiral Sir Robert Harland, which had arrived on 13 February. The Council reported that Captain Pelly had sailed in the Europa on 11 February, and enclosed a duplicate of its letter by her. 2: A French ship from Mauritius, the Sainte Anne, under Captain Astruc, had arrived the day before this letter. She was of 300 tons, carried 22 guns and a crew of 90, and was bound for Lorient with coffee. The Reverend Mr Yates and Mr Collier were passengers aboard her. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Bazett and William Wrangham signed the letter at St Helena on 18 February 1775. Interpretations Sir Robert Harland's squadron had served in the East Indies since 1771 and was now going home, its ships calling at St Helena in turn over the previous weeks. A naval squadron offered the Council a fast and secure carrier for its despatches, far safer than a lone merchantman. Two English passengers, one a clergyman, travelling home in a French ship from Mauritius shows how freely people moved between the rival nations' vessels in peacetime when no English ship was at hand.
151	146	To the Honorable &c. Honble. Sirs 1. Our last advice waited on you by his Majesty's Squdron under the Command of Rear Admiral Sir Robt. Harland dated the 18 last Month. 2. On the 16 Inst. Arrived a French Ship from Pondicherry called the La Brune Captn. Muller burthen 350 Tons carrys 12 Guns and 55 Men loaden with Bale Goods bound to Port L'Orient the 20 Arrived the Bessborough from China & the British King from Bengal last from the Cape. Captn. Bebbell acquaints Us that he left Canton the 29 Novr. last with the Ceres which Ships he parted Company with the Day after in the Streights of Sunda, he likewise tells Us that there were at Wampoa this Season 17 English Country Ships 2 Danes 2 Swedes 4 Dutch and 8 French We are also informed that the True Briton was to be Dispatched about the middle of December and the Royal Charlotte towards the latter end of that Month and that the Morse was not Arrived at China when the Bessborough left that place Captn. Hoare acquaints Us that he left Bengal the 19 Decemr. last and your Ships Speke, Dutton, Sea Horse, Bute & Pacific there the three former were to sail for Madrass in three Weeks after he left Fort William that he put into the Cape the 27 February Sailed from thence the	The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by His Majesty's squadron under Rear Admiral Sir Robert Harland, dated 18 February. 2: A French ship from Pondicherry, the La Reine, under Captain Muller, arrived on the 14th of the month. She was of 350 tons, carried 12 guns and a crew of 55, and was bound for Lorient with bale goods. The Bessborough arrived from China on the 20th, and the British King from Bengal by way of the Cape. Captain Bibbett reported that he had left Canton on 29 November with the Coventry, from which he parted company the next day in the Straits of Sunda. He also said that 17 English country ships, two Danish, two Swedish, four Dutch and eight French had lain at Whampoa that season. The Council further learned that the True Briton was to be dispatched about the middle of December and the Royal Charlotte towards the end of that month, and that the Morse had not reached China when the Bessborough left. Captain Hoare reported that he had left Bengal on 19 December, when the Company's ships Speke, Dutton, Sea Horse, Bute and Pacific lay there. The first three were to sail for Madras three weeks after he left Fort William. He had put into the Cape on 27 February and sailed from there on a date the letter went on to give. Interpretations Bale goods were Indian cotton cloths, chintzes and muslins packed in bales, the staple of the French and English trade from the Coromandel coast. Pondicherry was the French Company's chief settlement in India, restored to France after the Seven Years' War. The count of 17 English country ships at Whampoa, against 10 Company ships the year before, shows how fast the private trade between India and China was growing. Country ships belonged to merchants in India, often the Company's own servants trading privately. They carried Indian cotton and opium to Canton, and their silver paid for much of the Company's tea.
152	147	the 9 March and left Your Ships Thames there, We are likewise acquainted by Captn. Gammage who is Passenger upon the British King that his Ship was Condemned upon a survey at Bengal and are further informed that the Govr. General & Council intended to take up one of the Transports and freight home in her stead. 3. We transmit you herewith the Duplicate Letter mentioned in Our last which was not signed thro' forgetfulness of the Gentlemen in the Secretarys Office and the Admiral Dining in the country that Day and being in a very great hurry to get on Board as soon as he came to the Valley was the Reason of its not being sent by that opportunity. 4. The Passengers on Board the Bessborough are Messrs. Chambers, Lloyd, and Ashton and on Board the British King Colonel Grant Captn. Gammage Lieuts. Lewis Grant, Lewis Grant and Sinclair & Messrs. Gosling, Grant, Raymond, Walker and Lowndes. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. and humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Matt. Bazett Willm. Wrangham St. Helena 27 March 1775	Captain Hoare had sailed from the Cape on 9 March and left the Company's ship Thames there. The Council also learned from Captain Gammage, a passenger in the British King, that his own ship had been condemned on survey in Bengal. It was told further that the Governor General and Council there meant to take up one of the transports in her place and send her home. 3: The Council enclosed the duplicate letter mentioned in its last. It had not been signed, through the forgetfulness of the gentlemen in the secretary's office, and because the Admiral was in the country that day and in a great hurry to get aboard when he came into the valley. That was why it had not gone by that opportunity. 4: The passengers aboard the Bessborough were Messrs Chambers, Lloyd and Ashton. Aboard the British King were Colonel Grant, Captain Gammage, Lieutenants Lewis Grant, Lewis Grant and Sinclair, and Messrs Gosling, Grant, Raymond, Walker and Lowndes. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Bazett and William Wrangham signed the letter at St Helena on 27 March 1775. Interpretations The Council admitted to the Court that a duplicate had gone unsigned and been left behind when Sir Robert Harland sailed. The slip was minor, but an unsigned copy had no authority, and the Court relied on duplicates whenever an original was lost at sea. Explaining the failure, and blaming the clerks and the Admiral's haste, showed the Court that the island's correspondence was still being checked. The Governor General was Warren Hastings, under the new constitution created by the Regulating Act of 1773, which placed Madras and Bombay under the authority of Bengal. A captain whose ship had been condemned as unseaworthy travelled home as a passenger, leaving the Bengal government to find a vessel to carry the cargo she would have brought.
153	148	List of the Honble. Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Bessborough dated the 27 March 1775 No. 1 Govr. & Councils Genl. Letter dated the 27 March 1775 2 Duplt. Do. & Do. Do. dated 11 Feby. Do. 3 Do. Do. & Do. Do. dated 18 Do. Do. 4 Do. Do. & Do. Do. dated 11 Do. Do. relatg. to Law Matters 5 Consultations from the 13 Feby. to the 27 March 1775 6 Duplicate Do. from the 5 Decr. 1774 to the 11 Feby. Do. 7 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Europa 8 Second Do. for Do. p Ship Alfred 9 Effective State of the Garrison 10 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Europa 11 Cash Account from the 12 to the 28 Feby. 1775 12 Do. from the 1 to the 27 March Do. 13 Duplicate Do. from the 29 to the 30 Novr. 1774 14 Do. Do. for the Month December Do. 15 Do. Do. for the Do. January 1775 16 Do. Do. from the 1 to the 11 Feby. Do. 17 Ship Bessborough's Account 18 Duplicate Ship Europa's Do. 19 Time of the Arrival of Ships Boats at Banks's 20 Abstract of the Cargoes of Ships Bessborough & British King 21 Duplicate Proceedings of a Genl. Quarterly Sessions held on the 11 January 1775 22 Courts Martial from the 7 March 1774 to the 13 March 1775	The Council sent the following documents to the Court in its packet by the Bessborough, dated 27 March 1775. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 27 March 1775 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 11 February 1775 3: Duplicate of the general letter of 18 February 1775 4: Duplicate of the general letter of 11 February 1775, relating to legal matters 5: Consultations from 13 February to 27 March 1775 6: Duplicate consultations from 5 December 1774 to 11 February 1775 7: First receipt for the packet sent by the Europa 8: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Alfred 9: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 10: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Europa 11: Cash account from 12 to 28 February 1775 12: Cash account from 1 to 27 March 1775 13: Duplicate cash account from 29 to 30 November 1774 14: Duplicate cash account for December 1774 15: Duplicate cash account for January 1775 16: Duplicate cash account from 1 to 11 February 1775 17: Account of the ship Bessborough 18: Duplicate account of the ship Europa 19: Times of arrival of ships' boats at Banks's 20: Abstract of the cargoes of the Bessborough and the British King 21: Duplicate proceedings of a general quarterly sessions held on 11 January 1775 22: Courts martial from 7 March 1774 to 2 March 1775
154	149	To the Honorable &c. Honble. Sirs 1. We wrote You last by the Ship Bessborough that left this Place the 27 Instant. 2. Captain Hoare purchased at the Cape on Your Account 80 Sheep 123 Cs. 1 . 9 of Flour and 2 Baskets of Garden Seeds Duties &c. amounting in the whole to £ 267 . 12 he choosing to receive Certificates rather than Money We have granted him the usual ones Accordingly. 3. We have given Captain Hoare Liberty to touch at the Island of Ascension to get Turtle for the further refreshment of his Ships Company agreable to his request. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obt. and humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Mattw. Bazett Willm. Wrangham St. Helena 29 March 1775	The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the Bessborough, which left the island on 27 March. 2: Captain Hoare had bought at the Cape, on the Company's account, 80 sheep, 123 cwt 1 qr 9 lb of flour and two baskets of garden seeds. With duties and charges, the whole came to £267 12s 0d. He chose to take certificates rather than money, and the Council gave him the usual certificates. 3: At Captain Hoare's request, the Council allowed him to call at Ascension for turtle to refresh his crew further. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Bazett and William Wrangham signed the letter at St Helena on 29 March 1775. Interpretations The Council had asked the Court in June 1774 to limit purchases at the Cape so that the homeward ships would buy the island's own cattle. It nonetheless went on accepting Cape stock bought on the Company's account by commanders such as Captain Hoare. The flour was the more needed item. The island's own flour had been bad for three years, and over 6 tons of fresh flour from the Cape gave the garrison's bakehouse a sound supply that it could not have had otherwise.
155	150	List of the Honble. Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship British King dated the 29 March 1775 No. 1 Govr. & Councils Genl. Letter dated the 29 March 1775 2 Duplicate Do. & Do. Do. dated the 27 Do. Do. 3 Consultations of the 29 March Do. 4 Duplicate Do. from the 13 Feby. to the 27 March Do. 5 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Bessborough 6 Second Do. for the Do. p Ship Europa 7 Effective State of the Garrison 8 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Bessborough 9 Cash Account from the 28 to the 29 March 1775 10 Duplicate Do. from the 12 to the 28 Feby. Do. 11 Do. Do. from the 1 to the 27 March Do. 12 Ship British Kings Account 13 Duplicate Ship Bessboroughs Do. 14 List of Servants taken the 29 March 1775 To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. We Addressed You yesterday by the Ship British King, And We now have the pleasure of informing You of the safe Arrival of the Osterly from England by which Ship We received a Letter from Your Honors which We opened and read, and shall take particular care that all Orders therein mentioned shall be punctually Complied with.	The Council sent the following documents to the Court in its packet by the British King, dated 29 March 1775. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 29 March 1775 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 27 March 1775 3: Consultation of 29 March 1775 4: Duplicate consultations from 13 February to 27 March 1775 5: First receipt for the packet sent by the Bessborough 6: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Europa 7: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 8: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Bessborough 9: Cash account from 28 to 29 March 1775 10: Duplicate cash account from 12 to 28 February 1775 11: Duplicate cash account from 1 to 27 March 1775 12: Account of the ship British King 13: Duplicate account of the ship Bessborough 14: List of servants, taken on 29 March 1775 The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: It had written the day before by the British King. It now had the pleasure of reporting the safe arrival of the Osterley from England, which brought a letter from the Court. The Council had opened and read it, and would take particular care that every order in it was strictly carried out, as the letter went on to say.
156	151	2. As the Ship British King is now dispatched We have only time to inform You, In regard to the 16 Paragraph of Your General Letter not allowing any of Your Ships to touch at the Island Ascension, that We have wrote to Captn. Hoare and countermanded the Liberty We had before given him, by positively Ordering him not to touch at that Island. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obt. and humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Mattw. Bazett Willm. Wrangham St. Helena 30 March 1775 To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs We addressed You the 29 & 30th of March by the British King, since which Arrived a Boat from the Thames, Captn. Clarke informs Us he left Bombay the 6 Decr. and the Coast the 6th January last, He also acquaints Us he sailed from the Cape the 17th Instant and left your Ship Ceres there. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obt. and humble Servts. (Signed) Mattw. Bazett Wm. Wrangham John Skottowe Danl. Corneille St. Helena 31 March 1775	2: The British King was now being dispatched, so the Council had time only to report one matter. Paragraph 16 of the Court's general letter forbade any of the Company's ships to call at Ascension. The Council had therefore written to Captain Hoare cancelling the leave it had given him, and positively ordering him not to call at that island. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Bazett and William Wrangham signed the letter at St Helena on 30 March 1775. The Council wrote again to the Court. It had written on 29 and 30 March by the British King. Since then a boat had arrived from the Thames. Captain Clarke reported that he had left Bombay on 6 December and the coast on 6 January. He had sailed from the Cape on 17 March, leaving the Company's ship Coventry there. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Bazett and William Wrangham signed the letter at St Helena on 31 March 1775. Interpretations The Court's ban on calls at Ascension ended a practice the Council had granted almost as routine for years, giving leave to nearly every homeward commander. The Court evidently judged that the stop for turtle delayed its ships, raised insurance risks and gave crews and officers a chance to land private trade or goods outside any customs control. The Council acted on the order within a day of receiving it, recalling the leave it had already given Captain Hoare by letter sent after his ship. Its promptness showed the Court that its instructions, once received, would be obeyed without question.
157	152	To the Honorable &c. Honble. Sirs 1. Our last Letters waited on you by the Ship British King under date of the 29, 30 and 31 March. 2. On the 1 Instant Arrived a Swede Ship from China called the Prince Augustus Captn. Moine The same day arrived another Swede Ship from China called the Queen Sophia Magdalena Captn. Ekebury each of the above Ships of the Burthen of 1000 Tons, carrys 18 Guns and 150 Men loaden with Tea and China Ware bound to Gottenburg. The 2 your Ship True Briton from China Captn. Bradley informs Us he saw his Majesty's Ship Resolution returning from her Voyage of Discoveries going into the Cape, all well. The 3 a Dane Ship called the King of Denmark Captn. Shiffer burthen 1000 Tons carrys 28 Guns and 160 Men, And the 4 another Dane Ship called the Crown Prince Captn. Beut burthen 700 Tons carrys 26 Guns and 130 Men both Ships from China loaden with Tea and China Ware bound to Copenhagen. 3. Captn. Clarke brought from the Cape on Your Account 33 Cs. 1 . 11 lb Flour and 12 Sheep Duties &c. amounting to £ 49 . 7 - he Choosing Certificates for the same rather than Money We have granted him the Usual Ones. 4. As the last Quarters Accounts will not be laid before Us until the 17 Instant, We cannot transmit your Honors any other Cash Account than the Duplicate of Our last.	The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letters had gone by the British King, dated 29, 30 and 31 March. 2: A Swedish ship from China, the Prince Augustus, under Captain [...], arrived on 1 April. The same day another Swedish ship from China arrived, the Queen Sophia Magdalena, under Captain Ekeberg. Each was of 1,000 tons, carried 18 guns and a crew of 150, and was bound for Gothenburg with tea and chinaware. The Company's ship True Briton arrived from China on 2 April. Captain Bradley reported that he had seen His Majesty's ship Resolution, returning from her voyage of discovery, going into the Cape with all well aboard. On 3 April a Danish ship, the King of Denmark, under Captain Schifter, arrived. She was of 1,000 tons and carried 28 guns and a crew of 160. On 4 April another Danish ship, the Crown Prince, under Captain Hiort, arrived, of 700 tons with 26 guns and a crew of 130. Both were from China and bound for Copenhagen with tea and chinaware. 3: Captain Clarke had bought at the Cape, on the Company's account, 33 cwt [...] of flour and 12 sheep, with duties and charges amounting to £49 7s 0d. He chose to take certificates rather than money, and the Council gave him the usual certificates. 4: The last quarter's accounts would not be laid before the Council until 17 April, so it could send no cash account other than a duplicate of its last. Interpretations His Majesty's ship Resolution was Captain James Cook's ship, returning from his second voyage, on which he had crossed the Antarctic Circle and shown that no great southern continent lay in habitable latitudes. She reached the Cape in March 1775 and called at St Helena in May. The Council had followed the expedition at a distance from the start: rumour of two discovery ships at the Cape in 1772, the Adventure homeward bound in 1774, and now the Resolution herself. Four Scandinavian Indiamen of 700 to 1,000 tons arrived in four days, two Swedish and two Danish. The King of Denmark under Captain Schifter had called before, in March 1773. Their size and number show how large the northern companies' share of the Canton tea trade had grown, much of it destined to be smuggled into Britain.
158	153	5. The Passengers on Board the Thames are Mrs. Abington and Mrs. Roche, Captns. Linstine & Roche Lieuts. Mason and Gordon. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. and humble Servts. (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Mattw. Bazett Willm. Wrangham St. Helena 6 April 1775 List of the Honorable Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Thames dated the 6 April 1775 No. 1 Governor & Councils Genl. Letter dated the 6 April 1775 2 Duplicate Do. & Do. dated the 29 March Do. 3 Do. Do. & Do. dated the 30 Do. Do. 4 Do. Do. & Do. dated the 31 Do. Do. 5 Consultations from the 30 March to the 6 April Do. 6 Duplicate Do. of the 29 March Do. 7 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship British King 8 First Do. for a small Paper Do. p Do. Do. 9 First Do. for a Do. Do. p Do. Do. 10 Second Do. for the Packet p Ship Bessborough 11 Effective State of the Garrison	5: The passengers aboard the Thames were Mrs Ubington and Mrs Roche, Captains Linstine and Roch, and Lieutenants Mason and Gordon. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Bazett and William Wrangham signed the letter at St Helena on 6 April 1775. The Council's packet by the Thames, dated 6 April 1775, began with the following documents. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 6 April 1775 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 29 March 1775 3: Duplicate of the general letter of 30 March 1775 4: Duplicate of the general letter of 31 March 1775 5: Consultations from 30 March to 6 April 1775 6: Duplicate consultation of 29 March 1775 7: First receipt for the packet sent by the British King 8: First receipt for a small paper packet sent by the British King 9: First receipt for a small paper packet sent by the British King 10: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Bessborough 11: Return of the effective strength of the garrison
159	154	No. 12 Muster Rolls of the Garrison 13 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship British King 14 Duplicate Cash Account from the 28 to the 29 March 1775 15 Ship Thames's Account 16 Duplicate Ship British King's Account 17 Abstract of the Cargoes of Ships Thames & True Briton 18 Time of the Arrival of Ships Boats at Banks's 19 List of Births Christgs. Marriages & Burials 20 Governors Letter to the Secret Committee To the Honorable &c. Honble. Sirs 1. By the Ship Thames that left this place the 6 Instant we addressed you last. 2. On the 10 of this Month Arrived Your Ship Ceres from China (last from the Cape). 3. Captain Newte purchased at the Cape on Your Account sixty Sheep amounting to £ 45 - he Choosing to receive Certificates for the same rather than Money We have Granted him the Usual Ones accordingly. 4. The Ten Working Days allowed by Charter Party for unloading the Ship Osterley being	12: Muster rolls of the garrison 13: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the British King 14: Duplicate cash account from 28 to 29 March 1775 15: Account of the ship Thames 16: Duplicate account of the ship British King 17: Abstract of the cargoes of the Thames and the True Briton 18: Times of arrival of ships' boats at Banks's 19: List of births, christenings, marriages and burials 20: The Governor's letter to the Secret Committee The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the Thames, which left the island on 6 April. 2: The Company's ship Coventry arrived from China by way of the Cape on 10 April. 3: Captain Nutt had bought at the Cape, on the Company's account, 60 sheep amounting to £45 0s 0d. He chose to take certificates rather than money, and the Council gave him the usual certificates. 4: The ten working days allowed by her charter party for unloading the Osterley had now run out, as the letter went on to explain. Interpretations The Coventry was the ship Captain Bibbett had left Canton with in November 1774, losing sight of her in the Straits of Sunda. She reached St Helena almost three weeks after the Bessborough. Captain Nutt's 60 sheep cost exactly 15s a head, the standard price the Council had paid most commanders since 1773.
160	155	expired on the 11 instant We Yesterday Gave Captn. [...] his Dispatches and the Ceres being to be dispatched to day and the True Briton tomorrow has occasioned so much business that We have not had time to transcribe all the papers to go by this Conveyance have therefore only enclosed a Duplicate of Our Letter p Thames and will transmit Your Honors the other Papers by to morrows opportunity. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedient and humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Mattw. Bazett Willm. Wrangham St. Helena 13 April 1775 To the Honorable &c. Honble. Sirs 1. By the Ship Ceres that left this place Yesterday We addressed You last. 2. The Ships you have thought proper to Entertain in Your Service for carrying on your Commerce for the present Year we sincerely wish may return to you in safety. 3. You will please to observe by Our Letter	The Osterley's ten working days had expired on 11 April, and the Council gave Captain [...] his dispatches the day before this letter. The Coventry was to be dispatched that day and the True Briton the next. This had made so much work that the Council had not had time to copy all the papers to go by this ship. It therefore enclosed only a duplicate of its letter by the Thames, and would send the other papers by the next day's ship. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Bazett and William Wrangham signed the letter at St Helena on 13 April 1775. The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the Coventry, which left the island the day before. 2: The Council sincerely hoped that the ships the Court had taken into its service for its trade that year would return safely. 3: The Court would see from the Council's letter, as the letter went on to explain. Interpretations Three ships to be dispatched in three days overwhelmed the island's few writers. Each packet needed letters, consultations and accounts copied by hand, in duplicate, for every ship. The Council chose to send the bare minimum by the Coventry rather than hold her. A homeward ship kept waiting cost her owners money and risked the Court's displeasure, while a few days' delay in papers did little harm. This new letter, beginning with courtesies about the year's shipping, was the Council's formal reply to the Court's general letter brought by the Osterley.
161	156	Letter of Yesterday that We have dispatched the Ship Osterley within the term limitted and shall pay the same attention with respect to the Hampshire when she arrives. 4. All Orders received from the Gentlemen who compose the Secret Committee or any three of them shall be duly observed and complyed with. 5. We sincerely wish success to your affairs in China under the management of the Gentlemen you have been pleased to appoint your Council there. And have to acquaint You that We have wrote to them to supply Us Annually on your Account with 600 pieces of Nankeen for Our Military this Article being often difficult to procure here but at an advanced price have therefore fallen upon this Method as infinitely Cheaper for the Non Commissioned Officers and Private Men as they will pay for the same at ten p Cent upon the Invoiced price. 6. The supplys we received p Osterly with what we shall receive by the Hampshire we hope will fully answer the Demands of the Island for the ensuing Year. 7. Agreable to your Directions in the 8 Paragraph of your General Letter p Osterly we have given the Storekeeper particular Orders that the Tiles and Slates and such kind of Articles We shall receive in future be counted and that he Certifie on the Backs of the Bills of Lading the exact number received broke and short delivered to avoid in future any inconveniencie to your Honors on settling those Accounts with the Owners.	The Council's letter of the day before would show the Court that it had dispatched the Osterley within the time allowed. It would pay the same attention to the Hampshire when she arrived. 4: Every order received from the gentlemen of the Secret Committee, or from any three of them, would be duly obeyed and carried out. 5: The Council sincerely wished success to the Company's affairs in China under the gentlemen the Court had appointed as its council there. It reported that it had written to them asking for 600 pieces of nankeen a year on the Company's account for the garrison. The cloth was often hard to get on the island except at a high price. The Council had adopted this method because it was far cheaper for the non-commissioned officers and private men, who would pay for it at 10% on the invoice price. 6: The Council hoped that the supplies received by the Osterley, with those to come by the Hampshire, would fully meet the island's needs for the coming year. 7: As the Court had directed in paragraph 8 of its general letter by the Osterley, the Council had given the storekeeper particular orders that tiles, slates and similar goods received in future should be counted. He was to certify on the back of the bills of lading the exact number received, broken and short delivered. This would spare the Court any difficulty in future when settling these accounts with the owners. Interpretations Nankeen was a durable yellowish cotton cloth woven around Nanjing, cheap and well suited to warm weather. Soldiers bought it for breeches and waistcoats in place of the heavier woollen cloth issued from England. The Council arranged a direct supply from Canton at the Company's usual 10% advance so the men would not have to buy it from commanders' private stock at inflated prices. The order was a small act of care for the garrison's purses. The Court's order to count tiles and slates followed the loss of 15,000 broken tiles from the Royal Captain in 1773. Unless the storekeeper certified what arrived broken or short on the bill of lading itself, the Company could not claim against the ship's owners for the loss.
162	157	8. Agreable to your Orders we shall pay Mrs. Powell the £ 25 - p Annum for which she begs leave to return your Honors her sincere thanks. 9. We shall in future as you direct permit the Commanders of your Ships to provide Accommodations for their Sick at private Quarters should they think proper; But if they make Application to have their Sick Seaman put into the Hospital we shall Order them Accommodations there accordingly. 10. We are thankful that your Honors have taken under Consideration Our representation to you the last Season respecting the many of your Ships refreshing at the Cape to the Disadvantage of the Inhabitants of this Island likewise for the necessary Orders You have been pleased to give on that Head to the several Presidencies and the Supra Cargoes in China and as We have had a most favourable Season this Year have the satisfaction of informing the flourishing situation of the Island that there is plenty of Provision for your returning Shipping except Poultry the deficiency of that arising from the Scarcity of Grain which We have mentioned in Our last Years Correspondence requesting of You to give Orders to the Several Presidencies to increase our supply of this Article. 11. According to your Directions We have given and shall continue to give Orders to the Commanders of your Ships not to touch at the Island of Ascension on any Account whatsoever. 12. We have given Captn. Fortescue Orders to call at the Cape to purchase the Quantity of Wheat and Flour You direct for the use of the presidency of Fort	8: As the Court had ordered, the Council would pay Mrs Powell £25 0s 0d a year, for which she returned her sincere thanks to the Court. 9: As the Court had directed, the Council would in future allow the commanders of the Company's ships to lodge their sick in private quarters if they thought fit. If they asked to have their sick seamen put into the hospital, the Council would order them to be accommodated there accordingly. 10: The Council was grateful that the Court had considered its representation of the previous season about the many ships refreshing at the Cape, to the disadvantage of the island's inhabitants. It also thanked the Court for the orders it had given on that matter to the presidencies and the supercargoes in China. The season had been most favourable that year, and the Council was pleased to report that the island was flourishing, with plenty of provisions for the returning ships except poultry. That shortage arose from the scarcity of grain, which the Council had mentioned in the previous year's correspondence when it asked the Court to order the presidencies to increase its supply of that article. 11: As the Court had directed, the Council had ordered, and would continue to order, the commanders of the Company's ships not to call at Ascension on any account whatever. 12: The Council had given Captain Fortescue orders to call at the Cape and buy the quantity of wheat and flour the Court had directed for the use of the presidency of [...], as the letter went on to explain. Interpretations Mrs Powell was almost certainly Elizabeth Powell, who had petitioned the Court through the Council in August 1772. Her husband appears to have been Lieutenant Richard Powell, who resigned in disgrace in 1773 and sailed home. A yearly allowance of £25 0s 0d from the Court suggests it took pity on a wife left on the island with little support after his departure. The Court had granted the Council's request of June 1774 to curb the ships' refreshing at the Cape, sending orders to the presidencies and Canton. Within a year the island had more provisions than the returning fleet needed. The one shortfall, poultry, followed from the grain shortage, since fowls and turkeys were fed on imported rice and paddy. The island's own recovery was thus still tied to the supply of eastern grain.
163	158	Fort Marlbro and the Island of Balambangan and proper Instructions (which are entered in Consultation of the 12 instant) to pass his Bills upon Your Honors on the most favourable terms he can obtain. 13. In answer to the 19 Paragraph of your Genl. Letter with regard to the Landing 20 Chests of Tea from the Earl of Lincoln We beg leave to inform You that the above Ship arrived here on the 2nd Day of May 1773 and that Your Orders respecting the prohibition of Teas being bought and sold here by way of Merchandize were published on the 3 of the same Month as appears upon Consultation of that Day to which we beg leave to refer you; the cause of this delay was owing to our being at a loss to find a Person properly qualified to act as Register Master drawing up instructions for his Guidance, in erecting a small Room for his carrying on his Business which in time of Shipping requires attendance from Morning to Night in the intermediate time the above Tea was Landed which was the reason of its not being Registered and was part of the 70 Chests contracted for by Messrs. Parling Bazett and Wrangham who applied to the Governor and Lieut. Governor for their Opinion whether the receiving the same and disposing of it again as it was in Consequence of Contracts made Prior to the Receipt of your Orders could be looked upon as a Breach thereof. the above applications and answers thereto are entered in Consultations of the 14 and 21 June 1773 to which We likewise beg leave to refer your Honors. We are at a loss how to account for there being only an inconsiderable quantity of Tea entered in the Copy of the Register transmitted to You, as the remaining part of the above 70 Chests were received from the Earl of Ashburnham and	The wheat and flour Captain Fortescue was to buy were for Fort Marlborough and the island of Balambangan. The Council had given him proper instructions, entered in the consultation of 12 April, to draw his bills on the Court on the most favourable terms he could obtain. 13: In answer to paragraph 19 of the Court's general letter, about 20 chests of tea landed from the Earl of Lincoln, the Council explained the following. The ship arrived on 2 May 1773, and the Court's orders forbidding tea to be bought and sold on the island as merchandise were published on 3 May, as the consultation of that day showed. The delay arose because the Council was at a loss to find a properly qualified person to act as register master. It also had to draw up instructions for his guidance and build a small room for his work, which in the shipping season kept him busy from morning to night. In the meantime the tea had been landed, which was why it was not registered. It was part of 70 chests contracted for by Messrs Purling, Bazett and Wrangham. These three had asked the Governor and Lieutenant Governor whether receiving the tea and disposing of it again, under contracts made before the Court's orders arrived, could be regarded as a breach of them. Their applications and the answers were entered in the consultations of 14 and 21 June 1773. The Council was at a loss to explain why so small a quantity of tea appeared in the copy of the register sent to the Court, since the rest of the 70 chests had been received from the Earl of Ashburnham and, as the letter went on to explain. Interpretations The Court had caught three members of the Council in a private tea dealing. Purling, Bazett and Wrangham had contracted for 70 chests from the homeward China ships, tea that the Court's new orders forbade to be sold on the island as merchandise. The Court evidently compared the register Hugh Jones kept with the ships' own records and found most of the tea missing. The Council's defence rested on timing: the contracts predated the orders, and the first 20 chests landed before the register existed. The case shows exactly why the Court had created the register master's post. Tea landed at St Helena and later reshipped could reach England outside the Company's monopoly. The Company's own councillors were among those trading in it, which made an independent record of every cargo all the more necessary.
164	159	[...] Shipped on Board the Earl of Sandwich together with 2 [...] Chests [...] and Lord Campden, which we find upon examination are duly entered in the Register Masters Book from which the Copys transmitted to You were taken. On further examination of the Register we find indeed a very inconsiderable quantity of Tea entered besides the above and this you may be assured arises from a due attention to your Orders & no conniveance on our part as we are well convinced that none of Your Servants have dealt in that Article since Your prohibition therefore You can only find entered a few Boxes bought on Shore by the Commanders and Officers for their own use or for the Familys that they live with, and this we hope will fully satisfy You on that Head. You observe in the 20 Paragraph that not a single Gallon of Arrack is entered in the Register. Your Observation no Doubt is just and it is our Duty to explain why. As you have long ince authorized a Custom Master to take an Account of all Spirituous Liquors Landed on this Island and receive a Duty thereupon which account is Quarterly laid before Us specifying the number of Gallons and entered in Your Cash Account we thought it no ways requisite to enter the same in the Register Masters Books but for the future to make that appear clear to Your Honors have Ordered the Register Master to enter the Landing of all Spirituous Liquors as well as all other Articles in his Book for your observation. 14. We hope we have now fully explained ourselves to your Honors satisfaction in answer to the 19 and 20 Paragraphs which We flatter ourselves will clear up all suspicions in Your Minds of any of Your Servants dealing in Teas contrary to Your Orders. Yet We must beg leave to observe in answer to the latter part of 19 Paragraph that We feel ourselves hurt at the suspicions You entertain of Us in permitting [...]	The rest of the 70 chests had come from the Earl of Ashburnham and the Lord Camden and was reshipped aboard the Earl of Sandwich, together with [...]. On examining the register master's book, from which the copies sent to the Court were made, the Council found all of it duly entered. A further check of the register showed only a very small quantity of other tea recorded. The Court could therefore be assured that the Council had paid due attention to its orders and allowed no evasion of them. The Council was well convinced that none of the Company's servants had dealt in tea since the Court's prohibition. The Court would find entered only a few boxes bought ashore by commanders and officers for their own use, or for the families they lodged with. The Council hoped this would fully satisfy the Court on that point. The Court had remarked in paragraph 20 that not a single gallon of arrack was entered in the register. The observation was no doubt fair, and the Council owed an explanation. The Court had long ago authorised a customs master to record all spirits landed on the island and collect a duty on them. His account was laid before the Council every quarter, showing the number of gallons, and entered in the Company's cash account. The Council had therefore thought it unnecessary to enter spirits in the register master's books as well. To make the matter clear in future, it had ordered the register master to record all spirits landed, along with all other goods, in his book for the Court's inspection. 14: The Council hoped it had now explained itself to the Court's satisfaction in answer to paragraphs 19 and 20, and trusted this would remove from the Court's mind any suspicion that its servants had dealt in tea against its orders. It must nevertheless observe, regarding the latter part of paragraph 19, that it felt hurt by the suspicion the Court entertained of it in permitting, as the letter went on to say. Interpretations The Council's defence turned on a distinction it drew for the Court. The 70 chests had been reshipped from the island in another Company ship, not sold on it, and so did not breach the order against trading tea as merchandise at St Helena. Every chest was recorded in the register, and the Council pointed to the book itself as proof. Its claim to be "hurt" by the Court's suspicion was a measured protest. The councillors who had contracted for the tea were among those signing the letter, and they were defending their own conduct as well as the island's records. The arrack omission had a simple cause. Spirits were already recorded by the customs collector, John Goodwin, for the duty of 3d a gallon. Entering them twice seemed needless to the Council. The Court evidently wanted one complete register of everything landed, so that no cargo could pass through the island unrecorded in any book it could check.
165	160	Fishing Vessels from America touching here and Loading with Teas and other Goods and no notice taken of the same in Consultations this indeed would be a Conduct in Us deserving of Your highest Displeasure, and impeach our Characters as being Guilty of a Breach of Trust to our Employers and can further assure You that from whomsoever you have received that Inteligence we can aver upon Our Honors, that it is entirely without foundation, and that no Vessel or Vessels from America have touched here, to further convince Your Honors that We are incapable of conniving at any imposition of that Nature have to refer to our Consultations for the entry of the Portuguese Slave Vessels which are but two that have touched here during twelve Years and duly entered upon the Face of our Consultations. 15. Captn. Danl. Clarke of the Ship Thames after being under weigh sent on shore by the True Britons Boat Willm. Butt as a Deserter from Bombay who was brought before Us and examined declares that he never had been in the Company's Service And as Captn. Clarke did not deliver him up to Mr. Wrangham on his Mustering the Ship We apprehend that he is not a Deserter. We have given Captn. Broadley an Order to receive him on board the True Briton to Compleat her Company together with Joseph Lawrence a Deserter from the Thames. 16. Captn. Broadley has delivered to Us one Box of Soap weight 1 Cs. 1 . 9 which he informs Us was put on board his Ship for the use of the Recruits he carried to India. 17. We have granted the following Sets of Bills of Exchange viz. One to Captn. Henry Bazett for £ 150 - payable to Mattw. Parling Esqr. and one Set to Mr. Thomas Stroud	The Court had suspected the Council of allowing fishing vessels from America to call at the island and load wine and other goods without any record in the consultations. Such conduct would indeed have deserved the Court's highest displeasure and called the Council's character into question as a breach of trust towards its employers. The Council assured the Court, on its honour, that whoever had given that information, it was entirely without foundation. No vessel from America had called at the island. To further convince the Court that the Council was incapable of winking at any fraud of that kind, it pointed to its consultations for the entry of the Portuguese slave ships. Only two such ships had called in twelve years, and both were duly recorded there. 15: After the Thames was under way, Captain Daniel Clarke sent ashore in the True Briton's boat William Butt, as a deserter from Bombay. Butt was brought before the Council and examined, and declared that he had never been in the Company's service. Since Captain Clarke had not handed him over to Mr Wrangham at the muster of the ship, the Council judged that he was not a deserter. It ordered Captain Bradley to take him aboard the True Briton to help complete her crew, together with Joseph Lawrence, a deserter from the Thames. 16: Captain Bradley delivered to the Council a box of soap weighing 1 cwt 2 qr 9 lb, which he said had been put aboard his ship for the use of the recruits he carried to India. 17: The Council had granted the following bills of exchange: one set to Captain Henry Bazett for £150 0s 0d, payable to Matthew Purling, and one set to Thomas Stroud, as the letter went on to give. Interpretations The Court's suspicion about American fishing vessels was serious. Under the Navigation Acts, colonial ships could not trade directly with the Company's possessions. In 1775, as relations with the American colonies were breaking down, any such trade would have been doubly unwelcome. The Council answered by pointing to its consultations, which recorded even the rare Portuguese ships that called to buy or sell slaves. The record itself was its evidence: a council that entered two Portuguese slavers in twelve years would hardly have hidden a stream of American vessels. The case of William Butt shows the Council refusing to take a commander's word against a seaman. Captain Clarke had not produced Butt as a deserter at the muster, when such men were supposed to be declared. Sending him ashore only after sailing looked like an attempt to rid the ship of an unwanted man. The Council examined him itself and placed him in another ship's crew rather than treat him as a deserter.
166	161	Stroud for £ 45 - payable to Mr. Matthew Humphrys both drawn at ninety Days sight and dated the 13 instant. 18. We have given Captn. Broadley an Order to receive on Board his Ship Willm. Scottman, Willm. Wait and John Barber three Invalid Soldiers who we recommend as proper Objects to be put upon the Military Fund, Scottman on Account of his Age of 56 Years and his sight being much depraved Wait from his sight being much depraved and Age of 68 Years and Barber from an accident having lost the use of his Right Hand in Your Service as more fully expressed in the proper Certificates we have given them to entitle them to the said Fund We have paid Captn. Broadley £ 15 - for their Passage they have all signed an Instrument in writing not to demand any wages from the Captn. or Owners of the Ship True Briton which goes inclosed together with Captn. Broadley's Receipt. We are Honorable Sirs Your most Obedient and humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Mattw. Bazett Willm. Wrangham St. Helena 14 April 1775	Thomas Stroud's bill was for £45 0s 0d, payable to Matthew Humphreys. Both bills were drawn at 90 days' sight and dated 13 April. 18: The Council ordered Captain Bradley to take aboard his ship three invalid soldiers, William Scottman, William Wait and John Barber. It recommended them as proper objects for the Military Fund: Scottman for his age of 56 and his badly impaired sight, Wait for his badly impaired sight and his age of 68, and Barber for having lost the use of his right hand by an accident in the Company's service. The details were set out more fully in the certificates the Council gave them to entitle them to the fund. It paid Captain Bradley £15 0s 0d for their passage. All three had signed a written undertaking to claim no wages from the captain or owners of the True Briton, which was enclosed with Captain Bradley's receipt. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Bazett and William Wrangham signed the letter at St Helena on 14 April 1775. Interpretations William Wait had re-enlisted for five years in April 1773, at the age of about 66, and received a bounty of £10 0s 0d. That a man in his late sixties could still be taken on shows how hard the Company found it to keep the garrison up to strength. Old soldiers who knew the island were worth keeping as long as they could stand a watch. By 1775 his failing sight had ended his usefulness. He was sent home with a pension recommendation after a long life in the Company's service.
167	162	List of the Honble. Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship True Briton dated the 14 Apl. 1775 No. 1 Govr. & Councils Genl. Letter dated the 14 April 1775 2 Duplt. Do. & Do. Do. dated the 13 Do. Do. 3 Consultations from the 10 to the 12 Do. Do. 4 Duplicate Do. from the 30 March to the 6 Do. Do. 5 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Thames 6 First Do. for a small Paper Do. p Ship Ceres 7 Second Do. for the Packet p Ship British King 8 Second Do. for a small Paper Do. p Do. 9 Second Do. for a Do. p Do. 10 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Thames 11 Effective State of the Garrison 12 Ship Ceres's Account 13 Ship True Britons Do. 14 Dupt. Ship Thames Do. 15 Duplicate List of Births Christgs. Marriages & Burials 16 Time of the Arrival of Ship Ceres's Boat at Banks's 17 Captn. Broadley first Receipt for £ 15 - 18 Govr. Letter to the Secret Committee 19 Instrument in Writing from three Invalid Soldiers 20 Govr. & Councils Certificates of three Invalid Soldiers recommended to be put upon the Military Fund	The Council sent the following documents to the Court in its packet by the True Briton, dated 14 April 1775. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 14 April 1775 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 13 April 1775 3: Consultations from 10 to 12 April 1775 4: Duplicate consultations from 30 March to 6 April 1775 5: First receipt for the packet sent by the Thames 6: First receipt for a small paper packet sent by the Coventry 7: Second receipt for the packet sent by the British King 8: Second receipt for a small paper packet sent by the British King 9: Second receipt for a small paper packet sent by the British King 10: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Thames 11: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 12: Account of the ship Coventry 13: Account of the ship True Briton 14: Duplicate account of the ship Thames 15: Duplicate list of births, christenings, marriages and burials 16: Time of arrival of the Coventry's boat at Banks's 17: Captain Bradley's first receipt for £15 0s 0d 18: The Governor's letter to the Secret Committee 19: Written undertaking by three invalid soldiers 20: The Governor and Council's certificates for three invalid soldiers recommended for the Military Fund
168	163	To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. Our last advice waited on you by the True Briton which Ship sailed from hence the 16 Apl. 1775. 2. On the 14 of last Month Arrived a French Ship from China called the La Superbe Captn. De Vigny burthen 1400 Tons carrys 20 Guns and 212 Men laden with Tea and China ware bound to France, the 26 your Ship Royal Charlotte from China (last from the Cape) the 27 the Speke from Madrass and the 28 another French Ship from China called the La America Captn. L'Forde Chantelou burthen 500 carrys 10 Guns and 74 Men laden with Tea bound to Port L'Orient Captn. Clements acquaints Us he left Canton the 12 Janry. last put into the Cape the 5 April and Sailed from thence the 19 and left Your Ship Lord North there all well, Captn. Rashwood informs Us he Sailed from Madrass the 27 Janry. last and left the Sea Horse there which Ship was expected to sail about three Weeks after him for Europe. 3. We have given Captn. Clements a permit to receive on board the Royal Charlotte Thos. Mears Sergeant and Emanuel Bonner Private. 4. Captn. Bazett who takes his Passage on Board the Royal Charlotte in Consequence of his Letter addressed to Us the 1 Instant we must beg leave to offer to Your Consideration on that Head, that altho' it was out of our power to give him leave of absence. Yet when we Considered the very strong motives that has induced him thereto	The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the True Briton, which sailed from the island on 16 April 1775. 2: A French ship from China, La Superbe, under Captain de Vigny, arrived on 16 April. She was of 400 tons, carried 20 guns and a crew of 212, and was bound for France with tea and chinaware. The Company's ship Royal Charlotte arrived from China by way of the Cape on 26 April, and the Speke from Madras on 27 April. On 28 April another French ship from China arrived, L'Amérique, under Captain de Forde Chantelou. She was of 500 tons, carried 10 guns and a crew of 74, and was bound for Lorient with tea. Captain Clements reported that he had left Canton on 12 January, put into the Cape on 5 March and sailed from there on the 19th, leaving the Company's ship Lord North there with all well aboard. Captain [...] reported that he had sailed from Madras on 27 January, leaving the Sea Horse there, which was expected to sail for Europe about three weeks after him. 3: The Council had given Captain Clements a permit to take aboard the Royal Charlotte Sergeant Thomas Mears and Private Emanuel Bonner. 4: Captain Bazett was sailing home in the Royal Charlotte as a result of his letter to the Council of 1 May. The Council asked leave to put to the Court that, although it had no power to give him leave of absence, it had considered the very strong reasons that had led him to it, as the letter went on to explain. Interpretations The Council had no authority to grant leave to a captain of the garrison, which only the Court could give. Captain Henry Bazett commanded the Second Company and belonged to one of the island's leading families. The Council evidently let him go and then wrote to plead his case. The usual course would have been to refuse or to refer the request to London and keep him at his post, but that would have meant waiting more than a year for an answer. The Council chose instead to let him sail and explain his reasons afterwards, accepting the risk of the Court's displeasure for an officer it trusted.
169	164	thereto the care of an only Daughter and Child we could not but tacitly approve of the necessity he has been under of resigning Your Service to accomplish the same as we are further assured that no other motive than the ties of a Parent for a Child could have induced him to a Step so much against his own Interest we therefore flatter ourselves that Your Honors will Consider the thing in the same Light that it has appeared to Us and as his Capacity as an Officer and his Conduct in every other calling in Life has ever been much to our satisfaction We therefore request that You will permit him to return to his Rank in Your Service on this Island as it is with reluctance that we find the necessity of his Familys Affairs obliges him to leave Your Service. We hope only for a Short time. 5. We have granted the following Sets of Bills of Exchange viz. One Set to Captn. Francis Fortescue for £ 1000 - payable to John Knottsford Esqr. dated the 24 Apl. last. One to Daniel Corneille Esqr. for £ 76 . 10 - payable to Captn. John Broadley dated the 1 Instant. And one Set to Thomas Meares for £ 100 payable to himself or his Attorney all Drawn at ninety Days Sight. 6. On the 28 of last Month Your Ship Osterly proceeded on her Voyage. 7. The Passengers on board the Royal Charlotte are Messrs. Cook and Mason, and on board the Speke Jno. Smith & Athew Cuthbert Esqrs. Mr. Wood, Mr. Hobbins, Mr. Cuthbert and Messrs. De Paulo and Crawley. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. and humble Servants (Signed) Matt. Bazett Willm. Wrangham John Skottowe Danl. Corneille St. Helena 7 May 1775	Bazett's reason was the care of an only daughter and child. The Council could not help tacitly approving the necessity that had led him to give up the Company's service to see to it. It was further assured that nothing but a parent's ties to a child could have brought him to a step so much against his own interest. The Council hoped the Court would view the matter in the same light. His ability as an officer, and his conduct in every other part of life, had always been much to its satisfaction. It therefore asked the Court to allow him to return to his rank in the Company's service on the island. It was with reluctance that the Council saw his family's affairs oblige him to leave, and it hoped this would be only for a short time. 5: The Council had granted the following bills of exchange, all drawn at 90 days' sight. Captain Francis Fortescue, £1,000 0s 0d, payable to John Knottsford, dated 24 April Daniel Corneille, £74 10s 0d, payable to Captain John Bradley, dated 7 May Thomas Mears, £100 0s 0d, payable to himself or his attorney 6: The Osterley had continued her voyage on 2[...] April. 7: The passengers aboard the Royal Charlotte were Messrs Cook and Mason. Aboard the Speke were John Smith and Arthur Cuthbert, Mr Wood, Mr Hollins, Mr Cuthbert, and Messrs De Paiba and Crawley. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Bazett and William Wrangham signed the letter at St Helena on 7 May 1775. Interpretations The Council described its approval of Bazett's departure as "tacit": it had not formally granted leave, which it had no power to do, but it had not stopped him either. By resigning outright rather than seeking leave, Bazett gave up his captaincy, and his return depended wholly on the Court's goodwill. The Council's warm testimonial was meant to secure that goodwill. It also suited the island's interest, since a capable officer from a settled island family was harder to replace than one sent out from England. Thomas Mears, a sergeant discharged in the same ship, remitted £100 0s 0d to himself. Such savings were large for a man who had drawn 1s 8d a day, and were probably built up over many years of service and small trade on the side.
170	165	List of the Honorable Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Royal Charlotte dated the 7 May 1775 No. 1 Govr. and Councils Genl. Letter dated the 7 May 1775 2 Do. & Do. Do. dated the Do. relating to Law Matters 3 Duplicate Do. & Do. Do. dated the 14 April 1775 4 Consultations from 17 April to the 7 May Do. 5 Dupltc. Do. from 10 to the 12 April Do. 6 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship True Briton 7 Second Do. for the Do. p Ship Thames 8 Second Do. for a small paper Packet p Ship Ceres 9 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship True Briton 10 Effective State of the Garrison 11 Cash Account from the 30 to the 31 March 1775 12 Do. for the Month of April Do. 13 Do. from the 1 to the 7 May Do. 14 Ship Royal Charlotte's Account 15 Dupltc. Ship Ceres's Do. 16 Do. Ship True Britons Do. 17 Ship Osterlys Account 18 Time of the Arrival of Ships Boats at Banks's 19 Abstract of the Cargoes of Ships Royal Charlotte and Speke 20 Captn. Broadleys Second Receipt for £ 15 - 21 Proceedings of a Genl. Quartly. Sessions held on the 26 Apl. 1775	The Council sent the following documents to the Court in its packet by the Royal Charlotte, dated 7 May 1775. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 7 May 1775 2: The Governor and Council's general letter of 7 May 1775, relating to legal matters 3: Duplicate of the general letter of 14 April 1775 4: Consultations from 17 April to 7 May 1775 5: Duplicate consultations from 10 to 12 April 1775 6: First receipt for the packet sent by the True Briton 7: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Thames 8: Second receipt for a small paper packet sent by the Coventry 9: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the True Briton 10: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 11: Cash account from 30 to 31 March 1775 12: Cash account for April 1775 13: Cash account from 1 to 7 May 1775 14: Account of the ship Royal Charlotte 15: Duplicate account of the ship Coventry 16: Duplicate account of the ship True Briton 17: Account of the ship Osterley 18: Times of arrival of ships' boats at Banks's 19: Abstract of the cargoes of the Royal Charlotte and the Speke 20: Captain Bradley's second receipt for £15 0s 0d 21: Proceedings of a general quarterly sessions held on 26 April 1775
171	166	To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. We wrote you on the 7 instant by the Ship Royal Charlotte that sailed from hence the Day after. 2. Captn. Jackson having lost an Anchor and Cable in endeavouring to get into the Cape applied to Us to be supply'd with those Articles which We have accordingly spared him We mention this to your Honors as we have not another Cable fit for service remaining We therefore request You will send Us one the next Year. 3. We have given Captn. Jackson an Order to receive on Board his Ship Thos. Perrie a Discharged Soldier to Compleat her Company also Saml. Hiscox and Willm. Brooks two other discharged Soldiers and have paid him £ 10 - for their Passage his receipt for the same goes enclosed they have signed an Instrument in writing [...] not to demand any Wages from the Captn. or Owners of the Ship Speke, We have not recommended these two Men to be put upon the Military Fund as they do not appear to be proper Objects. 4. We have granted the following Sets of Bills of Exchange viz. One to Mr. William Wrangham for £ 100 - payable to Mr. Jno. Wilkinson, and one to Thos. Cole for £ 50 - payable to Mr. Jas. Baldwin both dated the 8 instant and drawn at ninety Days Sight. 5. We permitted Captn. Clements after the Close of the Packet of the 7 instant to [...] receive on board ye. Royal Charlotte Thos. Taylor Sergt. Jas. Beard and	The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: It had written on 7 May by the Royal Charlotte, which sailed the next day. 2: Captain Jackson had lost an anchor and cable while trying to get into the Cape, and asked the Council to supply him with replacements. The Council spared them to him. It mentioned this because it had no other serviceable cable left, and asked the Court to send it one the following year. 3: The Council ordered Captain Jackson to take aboard his ship Thomas Ferrer, a discharged soldier, to help complete her crew, together with Samuel Gibson and William Brooks, two other discharged soldiers. It paid him £10 0s 0d for their passage, and his receipt was enclosed. They had signed a written undertaking to claim no wages from the captain or owners of the Speke. The Council had not recommended Gibson and Brooks for the Military Fund, since they did not appear to be proper objects of it. 4: The Council had granted the following bills of exchange, both dated 8 May and drawn at 90 days' sight: one set to William Wrangham for £60 0s 0d, payable to John Wilkinson, and one set to Thomas Cole for £50 0s 0d, payable to James Baldwin. 5: After the packet of 7 May was closed, the Council allowed Captain Clements to take aboard the Royal Charlotte Sergeant Thomas Taylor, James Beard and, as the letter went on to list. Interpretations This was the second time in a year that the Council gave away its last serviceable cable, after supplying Captain Paul of the Harcourt in July 1774. An Indiaman without anchor and cable could not ride safely in the open roads or anchor again before England, so the Council could hardly refuse. Each gift, however, left the island's own boats and moorings exposed. Its repeated requests for new cables show how thin the island's naval stores had become with fewer ships calling to sell them.
172	167	and Thomas Ellicott Private and have given Captain Jackson a permit to receive on Board the Speke Robert Frost another discharged Soldier. We are Honorable Sirs Your most Obedient and humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Mattw. Bazett Willm. Wrangham St. Helena 10 May 1775 List of the Honorable Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Speke dated the 10 May 1775 No. 1 Govr. & Councils Genl. Letter dated the 10 May 1775 2 Duplicate Do. & Do. Do. dated the 7 Do. Do. 3 Do. Do. & Do. Do. dated the 7 Do. Do. relating to Law Matters 4 Consultations of the 8 May 1775 5 Duplicate Do. from the 17 April to the 6 May 1775 6 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Royal Charlotte 7 Captn. Jacksons first Receipt for £ 10 - 8 Second Receipt for the Packet p Ship True Briton	The men allowed aboard the Royal Charlotte also included Private Thomas Ellicott. The Council had further given Captain Jackson a permit to take aboard the Speke Robert Frost, another discharged soldier. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Bazett and William Wrangham signed the letter at St Helena on 10 May 1775. The Council's packet by the Speke, dated 10 May 1775, began with the following documents. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 10 May 1775 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 7 May 1775 3: Duplicate of the general letter of 7 May 1775, relating to legal matters 4: Consultation of 8 May 1775 5: Duplicate consultations from 17 April to 6 May 1775 6: First receipt for the packet sent by the Royal Charlotte 7: Captain Jackson's first receipt for £10 0s 0d 8: Second receipt for the packet sent by the True Briton
173	168	9 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Royal Charlotte 10 Effective State of the Garrison 11 Cash Account from the 8 to the 10 May 1775 12 Duplicate Do. from the 30 to the 31 March Do. 13 Do. Do. for the Month of April Do. 14 Do. Do. from the 1 to the 7 May Do. 15 Ship Speke's Account 16 Duplicate Ship Royal Charlotte's Account 17 Do. Ship Osterly's Do. 18 Do. Proceedings of a Genl. Quart. Session held on the 26 April 1775 19 Instrument in writing from two Invalid Soldiers To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. Our last advice went by the Ship Speke that left this Place the 11 Instant. 2. On the 15 of this Month Arrived his Majesty's Ship Resolution from her Voyage of Discoveries. And Your Ship Dutton from Bengal both from the Cape. Captn. Rice informs Us that he left Fort William the 10 Janry. last that the Bute & Pacifick were then under dispatch. That he put into the Cape the 11 April, Sailed from thence the 27 and left Your Ships Colebrook and Salisbury there, all well. 3. Mr. Brittanicus Alexr. Wright applied to Us to pay £ 70 . 10 - into Your Cash which Sum We have received and given him Bills of Exchange drawn upon the Honble. the Court of Directors payable to Mr. Thos. Ward at ninety days Sight dated the 21 instant.	9: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Royal Charlotte 10: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 11: Cash account from 8 to 10 May 1775 12: Duplicate cash account from 30 to 31 March 1775 13: Duplicate cash account for April 1775 14: Duplicate cash account from 1 to 7 May 1775 15: Account of the ship Speke 16: Duplicate account of the ship Royal Charlotte 17: Duplicate account of the ship Osterley 18: Duplicate proceedings of a general quarterly sessions held on 26 April 1775 19: Written undertaking by two invalid soldiers The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the Speke, which left the island on 11 May. 2: His Majesty's ship Resolution arrived on 15 May from her voyage of discovery, together with the Company's ship Dutton from Bengal, both by way of the Cape. Captain Rice reported that he had left Fort William on the 10th of a month the letter did not clearly give, when the Bute and the Pacific were being dispatched. He had put into the Cape on 11 April and sailed from there on the 27th, leaving the Company's ships Colebrooke and Salisbury there with all well aboard. 3: Britannicus Wright asked to pay £70 10s 0d into the Company's treasury. The Council received the money and gave him bills of exchange on the Court of Directors, payable to Thomas Ward at 90 days' sight and dated 21 May. Interpretations The Resolution reached St Helena on 15 May 1775 under Captain James Cook, at the end of his second voyage round the world. Over three years she had crossed the Antarctic Circle three times and shown that no great habitable southern continent existed. The Council recorded her arrival in a single line beside a Company ship from Bengal, but it closed a story it had followed in fragments since 1772. In that year rumours reached the island of two discovery ships at the Cape. The Adventure passed homeward in 1774, and the Resolution was sighted at the Cape in March 1775. Cook stayed some days at the island and was entertained by Governor Skottowe, whose father had been an early patron of Cook in Yorkshire.
174	169	4. The Passengers on board the Dutton are John Graham Esqr. & Lady James Laurell Esqr. Colnl. Mc. Lane the Honble. Frederick Stewart Mr. & Mrs. Johnson and Messrs. Ruttlige, Russell and Middleton. 5. Captn. Rice acquaints Us that the Secretary of Fort William Neglected giving him a Copy of his Bill of Lading which is the reason that we cannot transmitted you an abstract of the Duttons Cargo. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. and humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Matt. Bazett Willm. Wrangham St. Helena 21 May 1775 List of the Honorable Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Dutton dated the 21 May 1775 No. 1 Govr. & Councils Genl. Letter dated 21 May 1775 2 Dupt. Do. & Do. Do. dated 10 Do. Do. 3 Consultations from the 15 to the 21 Do. Do. 4 Duplicate Do. of the 8 May 1775 5 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Speke 6 Second Do. for the Do. p Ship Royal Charlotte	4: The passengers aboard the Dutton were John Graham and his lady, James Lawrell, Colonel McLane, the Honourable Frederick Stewart, Mr and Mrs Johnson, and Messrs Ruttlige, Russell and Middleton. 5: Captain Rice reported that the secretary at Fort William had neglected to give him a copy of his bill of lading. That was why the Council could not send the Court an abstract of the Dutton's cargo. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Bazett and William Wrangham signed the letter at St Helena on 21 May 1775. The Council's packet by the Dutton, dated 21 May 1775, began with the following documents. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 21 May 1775 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 10 May 1775 3: Consultations from 15 to 21 May 1775 4: Duplicate consultation of 8 May 1775 5: First receipt for the packet sent by the Speke 6: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Royal Charlotte Interpretations The abstract of each ship's cargo let the Court know in advance what was coming home, so that sales could be planned and any shortfall on arrival traced. It was made from the bill of lading signed at the port of loading. Without that copy the Council could not compile the abstract, and it said so to make clear that the gap in the packet was the fault of the Bengal secretariat, not of the island.
175	170	7 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Speke 8 Effective State of the Garrison 9 Cash Account from the 11 to the 21 May 1775 10 Duplicate Do. from the 8 to the 10 Do. Do. 11 Ship Duttons Account 12 Duplicate Ship Spekes Do. 13 Time of the Arrival of Ship Duttons Boat at Banks's 14 Captn. Jacksons Second Receipt for £ 10 - To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs We addressed you last the 21 instant by the Ship Dutton and We now take the opportunity of writing you by a Dane Ship called the Ganges, Captn. Bagge that Arrived here the 28 of last Month from Tranquebar informing you of the Arrival of your Ship Sea Horse the 31 May 1775 from Madrass (last from the Cape) which Ship will be dispatched in a few Days. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. and humble Servants (Signed) Jno. Skottowe Danl. Corneille Matt. Bazett Willm. Wrangham St. Helena 4 June 1775	7: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Speke 8: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 9: Cash account from 11 to 21 May 1775 10: Duplicate cash account from 6 to 10 May 1775 11: Account of the ship Dutton 12: Duplicate account of the ship Speke 13: Time of arrival of the Dutton's boat at Banks's 14: Captain Jackson's second receipt for £10 0s 0d The Council wrote again to the Court. Its last letter had gone by the Dutton on 21 May. It now took the chance of writing by a Danish ship, the Ganges, under Captain Bagge, which had arrived from Tranquebar on 28 May. The Council reported that the Company's ship Sea Horse had arrived from Madras by way of the Cape on 31 May 1775 and would be dispatched within a few days. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Bazett and William Wrangham signed the letter at St Helena on 4 June 1775. Interpretations Captain Bagge had called at the island before, in June 1773, commanding the Danish ship Carolina Mathilda on the same run from Tranquebar. The Council's habit of sending short notices by any ship leaving first, whatever her flag, meant the Court learned of each Company arrival weeks before the ship herself could carry the news home.
176	171	To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. By the Dane Ship called the Ganges we wrote you last under date of the 4 instant. 2. We have granted the following Sets of Bills of Exchange viz. One Set to John Skottowe Esqr. Govr. for £ 650 - payable to Captn. Nichs. Skottowe, One to Mr. Willm. Wrangham for £ 550 - payable to Messrs. Boggs & Pollard, One to Mr. Richard Goodwin for £ 100 - payable to Mrs. Judeth Tibbett. And One to the Attorneys of Matthew Parling Esqr. for £ 932 . 2 . 3 payable to himself. All drawn at ninety Days Sight & dated this Day. 3. Captn. David Arthur purchased at the Cape on Your Honors Account 40 Sheep and 15 Sacks of Wheat Charges &c. amounting to £ 46 . 5 - We have also bought of Captn. Arthur 636 pieces Salt Pork & 12 Cs. 12 lb Cordage amounting to £ 81 . 12 - The Bill for the above Articles is entered in Consultation of this Day. Captn. Arthur Choosing Certificates for them rather than Money we have accordingly Granted him the usual Ones. 4. The Passengers on board the Sea Horse are Mrs. Arthur Mr. Rider Mr. & Mrs. Stacey Willm. Cummings Esqr. Captn. Edward Pascal & Messrs. Teo, Miller Worksfield and Grant. 5. We have Given Captn. Arthur an Order to receive on board the Sea Horse David Evans a discharged Soldier to Compleat that Ships Company Also Jno. Tabb an	The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the Danish ship Ganges, dated 4 June. 2: The Council had granted the following bills of exchange, all drawn at 90 days' sight and dated that day. Governor John Skottowe, £650 0s 0d, payable to Captain Nicholas Skottowe William Wrangham, £550 0s 0d, payable to Messrs Briggs and Pollard Richard Goodwin, £100 0s 0d, payable to Mrs Judith Tibbett The attorneys of Matthew Purling, £932 2s 3d, payable to Purling himself 3: Captain David Arthur had bought at the Cape, on the Company's account, 40 sheep and 15 sacks of wheat, with charges amounting to £46 5s 0d. The Council also bought from him 636 pieces of salt pork and 12 cwt [...] of cordage, amounting to £81 12s 0d. His bill for these articles was entered in that day's consultation. He chose to take certificates rather than money, and the Council gave him the usual certificates. 4: The passengers aboard the Sea Horse were Mrs Arthur, Mrs Ryder, Mr and Mrs Stacey, William Cummings, Captain Edward Pascal, and Messrs Fox, Miller, Worksfield and Grant. 5: The Council ordered Captain Arthur to take aboard the Sea Horse David Evans, a discharged soldier, to help complete her crew. It also ordered him to take John Tabb and, as the letter went on to name. Interpretations The Court had ordered in 1774 that the Council draw no more bills than the island's expenses required. Large private remittances nonetheless continued. In a single day the Governor sent home £650 0s 0d, Wrangham £550 0s 0d and Purling's attorneys £932 2s 3d. The Court's restriction evidently allowed servants to remit their own savings, while forbidding the treasury from becoming a general bank for strangers. Purling's estate had by now returned well over £8,000 to him in England since his departure. The cordage bought from Captain Arthur probably answered the shortage of cables the Council had twice reported, after giving its last serviceable cable to passing ships.
177	172	an Invalid Soldier In consideration of Our having paid him £ 5 - for his Passage Captn. Arthurs Receipt goes inclosed together with the Surgeons Certificate and Tabbs instrument in Writing not to demand any Wages from the Captn. or Owners of said Ship. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedient and humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Matt. Bazett Willm. Wrangham St. Helena 8 June 1775 List of the Honorable Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Sea Horse dated the 8 June 1775 No. 1 Govr. & Councils Genl. Letter dated the 8 June 1775 2 Duplicate Do. & Do. dated the 21 May Do. 3 Do. Do. & Do. dated the 4 June Do. 4 Consultations from the 22 May to the 8 Do. Do. 5 Duplicate Do. from the 15 to the 21 May Do. 6 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Dutton 7 Do. Do. for a small Paper Do. p Dane Ship Ganges 8 Second Do. for the Packet p Ship Speke	John Tabb was an invalid soldier, and the Council paid Captain Arthur £5 0s 0d for his passage. Captain Arthur's receipt was enclosed with the surgeon's certificate and Tabb's written undertaking to claim no wages from the captain or owners of the ship. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Bazett and William Wrangham signed the letter at St Helena on 8 June 1775. The Council's packet by the Sea Horse, dated 8 June 1775, began with the following documents. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 8 June 1775 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 21 May 1775 3: Duplicate of the general letter of 4 June 1775 4: Consultations from 22 May to 8 June 1775 5: Duplicate consultations from 15 to 21 May 1775 6: First receipt for the packet sent by the Dutton 7: First receipt for a small paper packet sent by the Danish ship Ganges 8: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Speke
178	173	9 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Dutton 10 Effective State of the Garrison 11 Cash Account from the 22 to the 31 May 1775 12 Do. Do. from the 1 to the 8 June Do. 13 Duplicate Do. from the 11 to the 21 May Do. 14 Ship Sea Horses Account 15 Duplicate Ship Duttons Do. 16 Time of the arrival of Ship Sea Horses Boat at Banks's 17 Abstract of the Cargoe of Ship Sea Horse 18 Surgeons Certificate of an Invalid Soldier 19 Instrument in writing from Jno. Tabb an Invalid Soldier 20 Captn. Arthurs first Receipt for £ 5 - To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. We advised you last by the Ship Sea Horse that left this place the 9 June 1775. 2. On the 11 of last Month Arrived your Ship Hampshire from England by which conveyance We received your Honors Letter dated the 24 Feby. 1775. 3. Mr. Hay whom you have appointed Surgeons Mate of this Island shall be paid the Salary and Allowances, He also shall have full Liberty to Practice in his Profession agreable to your Orders, which We think will be of public Utility, And can only account for the Surgeons having had the whole practice from Custom. 4. Mr. John Molloy whom you have appointed second Lieut. of Artillery is put to that Company agreable to your Directions.	9: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Dutton 10: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 11: Cash account from 22 to 31 May 1775 12: Cash account from 1 to 8 June 1775 13: Duplicate cash account from 11 to 21 May 1775 14: Account of the ship Sea Horse 15: Duplicate account of the ship Dutton 16: Time of arrival of the Sea Horse's boat at Banks's 17: Abstract of the cargo of the Sea Horse 18: Surgeon's certificate for an invalid soldier 19: Written undertaking by John Tabb, an invalid soldier 20: Captain Arthur's first receipt for £5 0s 0d The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the Sea Horse, which left the island on 9 June 1775. 2: The Company's ship Hampshire arrived from England on the 11th of the previous month, bringing the Court's letter of 24 February 1775. 3: Mr Ray, whom the Court had appointed surgeon's mate of the island, would be paid the usual salary and allowances. As the Court had ordered, he would also have full liberty to practise his profession privately, which the Council thought would be of public benefit. It could only explain the surgeon's having had the whole of the practice until then by custom. 4: Mr John Mallory, whom the Court had appointed second lieutenant of artillery, had been posted to that company as the Court directed. Interpretations The Court's order that the new surgeon's mate might practise privately broke the surgeon's long monopoly of paid medical work on the island. Until then the inhabitants could consult only Thomas Stroud, who drew private fees on top of his Company salary. A second practitioner gave the planters and townspeople a choice and some competition on price. It also offered a better income to a surgeon's mate, a post the Council had struggled to keep filled since James Farrell resigned in 1774, partly because the pay alone was too low to hold a capable man.
179	174	5. We are much obliged to you for the Carolina Rice you were pleased to consign Us by the Ship Hampshire likewise for your attention to our Request for increasing the Quantitys of Rice and Paddy from the several Presidency's by your Returning Ships as a measure that will prove of fullest Utility and highly advantageous to this Island. 6. Mr. Corneille returns your Honors his acknowledgments for the indulgence you have been pleased to grant him of a Leager of Arrack as a yearly allowance. 7. Mary Payne the Wife of Thomas Payne, you mention in the 7 Paragraph of your last General Letter takes her passage upon the Ship Pacifick with her two Children. We have agreable to your Directions paid fifteen pounds for their passage Captn. Williamsons receipt for the same goes inclosed. 8. Mr. Richard Knipe whom We recommended to you last Year for a Commission, and having Served since that time as a Cadet, and behaved to Our satisfaction, and there being three Vacancy's of second Lieutenants in the Marching Companys, and one in the Artillery We have Ordered the said Richard Knipe to do the Duty of a Second Lieutenant, and in Consequence of the Permission you have given Us to confer our favour on Mr. Arthur Upton as we shall think him deserving of. We have accordingly Ordered him also to do the Duty of a second Lieut. as mentioned in Consultation of the 13 June last. Which appointments We hope you will Confirm next Year, there will then remain two Vacancy's of second Lieut. one in the Infantry and the other in the Artillery, should you not think proper to restore Mr. Robt. Gillson. The former Cadet being now provided for We have appointed John Leech a Cadet, as a	5: The Council was much obliged to the Court for the Carolina rice it had consigned by the Hampshire. It was likewise grateful for the Court's attention to its request to increase the rice and paddy sent from the presidencies in the returning ships. That measure would prove of the greatest use and highly advantageous to the island. 6: Mr Corneille thanked the Court for the indulgence of a leaguer of arrack as a yearly allowance. 7: Mary Payne, the wife of Thomas Payne, whom the Court had mentioned in paragraph [...] of its last general letter, was sailing in the Pacific with her two children. As the Court had directed, the Council paid £15 0s 0d for their passage, and Captain Williamson's receipt was enclosed. 8: Mr Richard Knipe, whom the Council had recommended for a commission the previous year, had served since then as a cadet and behaved to its satisfaction. There were three vacancies for second lieutenant in the marching companies and one in the artillery, so the Council had ordered Knipe to do the duty of a second lieutenant. Under the Court's permission to favour Mr Arthur Upton as it thought he deserved, it had also ordered him to do duty as a second lieutenant, as recorded in the consultation of 13 June. The Council hoped the Court would confirm both appointments the following year. Two vacancies for second lieutenant would then remain, one in the infantry and one in the artillery, unless the Court thought fit to restore Mr Robert Gillson. The former cadet being now provided for, the Council had appointed John Leech as a cadet, as the letter went on to explain. Interpretations Rice from the Carolinas was a new source for the island. Until then all its rice had come from India, carried by the homeward ships. Shipping it out from England with the stores gave the island a supply independent of the Indian presidencies and of the number of ships calling, which the Court had cut. It answered the Council's warning of August 1774 that only twelve weeks' rice remained for the slaves. The appointments show a new route to a commission. Young men of the island served first as cadets, unpaid or on small pay, and were then given a second lieutenant's duty when a vacancy fell, subject to the Court's confirmation. Arthur Upton was perhaps the private of the First Company of that name in the pay lists of 1772 and 1773, raised by merit. The Council's mention of Robert Gillson shows it left open his return, despite having dismissed him for want of spirit in January.
180	175	a measure We think for the good of the service to have one Young Man in that Establishment, and the said John Leech being a young Person of very good Character, and well recommended. 9. We transmit you herewith Certificates of Flour agreeable to your Directions a Duplicate of which We shall send by the next opportunity, and shall constantly pursue the same measure until you signify to Us that it is not necessary. 10. Agreable to your Orders respecting the Salting of your provisions, sent this Year, We gave the Store Keeper Orders to inspect the same and make a report to Us accordingly and he having laid the said Report before Us together with the Ships Names, and the Number's of the Casks the Provisions are Salted in. We have entered the same upon Consultation of this day to which we refer your honours. You will please to observe by Our Indent herewith sent you, that We have made a greater Demand for Provision than usual, apprehending from our own examination of several Casks, as well as the Store Keepers Report that great part of that received this Year especially the Beef will, inevitably spoil before it possibly can be Expended, We further beg leave to observe to your Honours the ill consequences that may arise from the badness of provisions, as all your Military, and Slaves, together with the poorer sort of Inhabitants are fed with that Article from Your Stores. A paper containing the Numbers of the several Casks is sent separately in the Packet. 11. On the 23 of last Month Arrived your Ships Bute and Pacifick from Bengal which place they left the 6 March. The 23 a French Ship from China called the Pondichery Captn. La Mothe, burthen 1000 Tons carrys 20 Guns & 160 Men Laden with Tea and China Ware bound to Port L'Orient.	The Council judged it good for the service to have one young man on that footing, and John Leech was a young man of very good character and well recommended. 9: As the Court had directed, the Council enclosed certificates for the flour. It would send a duplicate by the next opportunity and would keep to the same practice until the Court told it this was no longer necessary. 10: As the Court had ordered regarding the salting of the provisions sent that year, the Council directed the storekeeper to inspect them and report. He laid his report before the Council with the ships' names and the numbers of the casks in which the provisions were salted, and it was entered in that day's consultation. The Court would see from the indent now sent that the Council had asked for more provisions than usual. Its own examination of several casks, and the storekeeper's report, led it to fear that much of what had arrived that year, especially the beef, would inevitably spoil before it could be used. The Council also pointed out the harm that could follow from bad provisions, since the whole garrison and the slaves, together with the poorer inhabitants, were fed from the Company's stores. A paper listing the numbers of the casks was sent separately in the packet. 11: The Company's ships Bute and Pacific arrived from Bengal on 23 [...], having left that port on 6 March. On the 23rd a French ship from China, the Pondichéry, under Captain La Motte, also arrived. She was of 1,000 tons, carried 20 guns and a crew of 160, and was bound for Lorient with tea and chinaware. Interpretations The Court now asked for each cask's number and the ship it came in, so that bad meat could be traced back to the contractor who salted it. The Council's report of spoiling beef was the third year running it had complained of the salt provisions. It doubled its order because it expected to throw much of the meat away. That was costly, but the alternative was worse: the garrison, the slaves and the poorer inhabitants all ate from the Company's stores, and a failure of the meat supply would fall on the whole island at once.
181	176	12. The Passengers on board the Bute are the Honble. Chas. Stuart, Messrs. Dixon Skinner Douglas Mr. Donald Burnet & Watson And on board the Pacifick Colonel Champion & Messrs. Graham Inglis & Russel. 13. We have granted the following Bills of Exchange viz. Four Sets to Captain Thomas Kimbrell. One for £ 650 - payable to Andrew Moffat Esqr. One for £ 100 payable to Mr. Peter Cargell. One for £ 200 - payable to Mr. James Farquharson, And one for £ 50 - payable to Mr. David Jason dated the 3 instant. One Set to Jno. Skottowe Esqr. Govr. for £ 473 . 10 . 4 payable to Mr. Robert Barclay. One to Danl. Corneille Esqr. for £ 34 . 6 - payable to Messrs. Stainforth Leborne & Stainforth. One to Mr. Mattw. Bazett for £ 500 . 7 . 6 payable to Matt. Parling Esqr. One to Mr. William Wrangham for £ 505 . 15 - payable to Matthew Parling Esqr. and one Set to Mr. Jonan. Doveton for £ 185 . 5 payable to Captain Richard Doveton all Drawn at ninety Days Sight and dated this Day. 14. As the Quarters Accounts will not be laid before Us until the 17 instant we cannot transmit a Cash Account to a later date than the Duplicate of Our last. 15. We received this Season twenty two Recruits and as We at present want fifty six to compleat the Establishment of this Garrison request you'll send Us at least 80 by the next Years Store Ships, which Number will not be too many making allowance for Discharges Deaths and other Casualtys. 16. We transmit you by this opportunity the List of Remains together with Our Indents of Stores wanted for the Service of the Year 1776.	12: The passengers aboard the Bute were the Honourable Charles Stewart, Messrs Dixon, Skinner and Douglas, and Messrs Donald, Burn and Watson. Aboard the Pacific were Colonel Champion and Messrs Graham, Inglis and Russell. 13: The Council had granted the following bills of exchange, all drawn at 90 days' sight and dated 3 July. Captain Thomas Timbrell, £650 0s 0d, payable to Andrew Moffat Captain Thomas Timbrell, £100 0s 0d, payable to Peter Cargill Captain Thomas Timbrell, £200 0s 0d, payable to James Farquharson Captain Thomas Timbrell, £50 0s 0d, payable to David Jesson Governor John Skottowe, £473 10s 4d, payable to Robert Barclay Daniel Corneille, £34 6s 0d, payable to Messrs Stainforth, Gibberne and Stainforth Matthew Bazett, £500 7s 6d, payable to Matthew Purling William Wrangham, £505 15s 0d, payable to Matthew Purling Jonathan Doveton, £185 5s 0d, payable to Captain Richard Doveton 14: The last quarter's accounts would not be laid before the Council until the 17th of the month, so it could send no cash account later than a duplicate of its last. 15: The Council had received 22 recruits that season. It still needed 58 to complete the garrison's establishment, and asked the Court to send at least 80 by the next year's store ships. That number would not be too many once allowance was made for discharges, deaths and other casualties. 16: By this ship the Council sent the list of stores remaining, together with its indents for the stores needed in 1776. Interpretations Matthew Bazett and William Wrangham each paid more than £500 0s 0d to Matthew Purling, the retired councillor. They were probably settling for property, slaves or a share in some concern that Purling had sold them before he left. Combined with his attorneys' remittances, the island's leading men were steadily buying out the departed councillor's interests. The garrison was far below strength. Only 22 recruits arrived against a need of 58. With men dying, being discharged and sent home as invalids every season, the Council asked for 80 to make up the shortfall. Colonel Champion, a passenger in the Pacific, was Alexander Champion, who had commanded the Company's army in Bengal in the Rohilla War of 1774.
182	177	17. We have given Captain Bendy an Order to receive on board the Bute towards Compleating her Company, John Daniels and James Procter two discharged Soldiers. 18. It having been a matter of serious consideration by many People upon this Island for many Years past the great Utility of having the Water Conveyed from Chubbs Spring by Leaden Pipes as the Water in General used by the poorer sort of People in this Valley is observed at times to prove very detrimental to their Constitutions by occasioning Fluxes and other lingering Disorders, but more especially to your Military as often represented to Us by the Surgeons who imputes the Death of many to that cause to your great detriment, and as the having the Water in the above manner will be productive of very good consequence particularly that of the Ships being supplyed with this very necessary Article of Life in the purest way, without being retarded by the Rains often Fouling it in such a manner as to occasion delays of several Days to the great prejudice of such Ships. In consequence of the above considerations common humanity has determined Us to set on Foot a Subscription of the Inhabitants of this Island and Gentlemen on their return from India for bringing this usefull undertaking to bear, and have the pleasure to acquaint you that we have so far Succeeded as to have now in Hand for the above purpose to the amount of £ 722 . 3 - which according to the best estimate we can make will nearly half finish this Work which will prove of the greatest publick Utility and humbly hope your Honors will give your Assistance in bringing it to perfection, upon an exact Survey of the distance of the Spring from the Crane we have found it to be 2790 Yards but conclude on account of waste in soldering and joining the Pipes there must be an additional quantity required of which those conversant in those Works will be better able	17: The Council ordered Captain Bendy to take aboard the Bute, to help complete her crew, John Daniels and James Procter, two discharged soldiers. 18: For many years a great many people on the island had seriously considered how useful it would be to bring water from Chubb's Spring to the town in lead pipes. The water generally used by the poorer people in the valley was found at times to be very harmful to their health, causing fluxes and other lingering disorders. It was more harmful still to the garrison, as the surgeons had often reported, attributing many deaths to that cause, to the Company's great loss. Piping the water would also bring other good results, above all supplying the ships with this essential necessity in its purest form. They would no longer be held up by rains, which often fouled the water so badly as to delay ships several days, to their great harm. Moved by these considerations and by common humanity, the Council had set on foot a subscription among the island's inhabitants and the gentlemen returning from India to carry out this useful undertaking. It was pleased to report that it had so far raised £722 3s 0d. By its best estimate that would nearly pay for half the work, which would prove of the greatest public use, and it humbly hoped the Court would help bring it to completion. An exact survey had found the distance from the spring to the crane to be 2,790 yards. Allowing for waste in soldering and joining, an additional quantity of pipe would be needed, as the letter went on to explain. Interpretations The Council did not wait for the Court to fund the waterworks. It raised half the cost by public subscription, from the island's own people and from wealthy passengers in the homeward ships, and only then asked the Court for the rest. Presenting the Court with a scheme already half paid for made a grant far easier to win than a bare request for money would have been. The reasoning was medical as well as commercial. The town's people drew water from the Run, which collected the filth of Jamestown on its way to the sea, and surgeons blamed it for the dysentery that killed soldiers every season. A piped supply from a clean spring in the hills would improve the garrison's health. At the crane it would also give ships pure water at once, with no delay after heavy rain. Lead pipes were the standard material of the period, and nobody then knew that lead itself could poison those who drank from them.
183	178	able to inform you of and hope your Honors will be pleased to send us the above Pipes of two inches Diameter by your Store Ships of the next Season as likewise a Sufficient quantity of Solder and a person properly qualified for executing the same also six proper Cocks and several Blocks of Stone to make four or five Reservoirs for the Relief of the Pipes as the hight of the Spring above the Level of the Valley will Require that necessary precaution, we beg leave to conclude with repeating our Request that you will give us your kind Assistance in bringing this very useful and necessary Work to perfection. 19. Application having been made to Us by several of your Servants for Houses the Allowance of ten pounds p Annum being no ways adequate to the advantage of having a House of the Company's. We took the same into consideration and when apartments were formerly Ordered in the Lieut. Governors House your Senior Servants then declined to occupy them on account of the inconvenience of them But as that mode is now altered we apprehend that if there is any Indulgence it ought to be given to the Principal Servants. We therefore came to a Determination until your pleasure is known That all the Gentlemen of Council should be allotted one of your Houses also the Chaplain, Engineer, Surgeon Adjutant and as many of the Principal Servants as can be accommodated and their Choice according to Seniority. We request that you will be pleased to take the above into consideration and Establish a Standing Rule for Us to go by with respect to the disposal of your Houses as the footing it is now upon causes great murmuring among your Servants in general. We further beg leave to offer to your Notice That those Gentlemen who are not accommodated with Houses are obliged to pay a much greater Sum for those they now [...] than the £ 10 - you have been pleased to allow them Annually for that purpose, and that the Gentlemen in Council have no more allowance than a Young Man just entered into the Service.	The Council would inform the Court of the extra quantity of pipe once it was known. It hoped the Court would send by the next season's store ships the pipes of two inches' diameter, a sufficient quantity of solder and a person properly qualified to lay them. It also asked for six proper cocks and several blocks of stone to make four or five reservoirs to relieve the pressure in the pipes, a necessary precaution given the height of the spring above the level of the valley. The Council closed by repeating its request for the Court's kind help in completing this very useful and necessary work. 19: Several of the Company's servants had applied to the Council for houses, since the allowance of £10 0s 0d a year was in no way equal to the advantage of having one of the Company's houses. The Council considered the request. When apartments had once been ordered in the Lieutenant Governor's house, the Company's senior servants had declined to live in them because they were inconvenient. Since that arrangement had now changed, the Council judged that any such indulgence ought to go to the principal servants. Until the Court's wishes were known, it therefore resolved that every member of Council should be allotted one of the Company's houses, together with the chaplain, the engineer, the surgeon and the adjutant, and as many other principal servants as could be accommodated, with choice in order of seniority. The Council asked the Court to consider this and lay down a standing rule for the disposal of its houses, since the present arrangement caused great discontent among the servants generally. It further pointed out that those not given houses had to pay far more for lodgings than the £10 0s 0d a year the Court allowed them for that purpose, and that members of Council received no more allowance than a young man just entering the service, as the letter went on to say. Interpretations The reservoirs the Council asked for were what engineers called break-pressure tanks. Chubb's Spring lay high in the hills above Jamestown, and water falling nearly a mile through a narrow lead pipe would build up enough pressure to burst it. Small tanks at intervals let the water settle and start again at low pressure. The request shows that someone on the island, probably Captain Tippet, understood the hydraulics of the scheme. The dispute over houses arose from a fixed allowance of £10 0s 0d a year, the same for a councillor as for a new writer, while rents in Jamestown had risen with the growth of the garrison and the town. A Company house was therefore worth far more than the cash allowance. The Council's rule gave houses by rank and seniority, which favoured its own members and the senior officers, and it asked the Court to fix the rule so that it would not appear to be serving itself.
184	179	20. Captn. Gabl. Harper a Native of this Island returning from India has made a generous offer of a present of an Organ for the use of the New Church we therefore have agreed to mention the same to your Honors and to request that you will be pleased to appoint an Organist for the same who may likewise be of further use in the Island by teaching the young People Musick which is an Accomplishment that in a place so barren of amusement as this may be of great advantage by preventing in some measure a dissipation of their time and engaging in more advantageous pursuits. we flatter ourselves that the above Reasons will appear Sufficient to your Honors for our making this Request which we should not have thought of but on Account of the above generous offer of an Organ being given. 21. You will please to observe by Our Consultation of the 24 of last Month that we dispatched the Hampshire upon the Expiration of the ten working days she proceeded on her Voyage this Evening. 22. This Letter goes by the Bute Copy of which we transmit p Pacifick. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedient and humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Matt. Bazett Willm. Wrangham St. Helena 8 July 1775	20: Captain Gabriel Harper, a native of the island returning from India, had generously offered to present an organ for the use of the new church. The Council had agreed to mention this to the Court and to ask it to appoint an organist. The organist could also be of further use on the island by teaching the young people music. That accomplishment would be of great advantage in a place so barren of amusement, by preventing in some measure the waste of their time and engaging them in more profitable pursuits. The Council hoped these reasons would seem sufficient to the Court. It would not have thought of making the request but for the generous offer of an organ. 21: The Court would see from the Council's consultation of 24 June that it had dispatched the Hampshire as soon as her ten working days expired. She continued her voyage that evening. 22: This letter was going by the Bute, with a copy by the Pacific. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Bazett and William Wrangham signed the letter at St Helena on 8 July 1775. Interpretations The Council could have accepted the organ and left the island to find someone to play it. Instead it asked the Court for a salaried organist, and justified the cost by the benefit to the island's young people. Its argument was frank about the island's narrow life: a small, remote community with few diversions, where idle youth, it implied, fell into drink and disorder. Music teaching was offered as a cure, so that the Company paid for a cultural post under the heading of moral improvement. Captain Gabriel Harper had travelled home in the Resolution in 1774. A native of St Helena who had made his fortune in India and gave back to his birthplace shows the island producing men who rose in the Company's service far beyond its shores.
185	180	List of the Honble. Compys. Packet from St. Helena p Ship Bute dated the 8 July 1775 No. 1 Govr. & Councn. Genl. Letter dated the 8 July 1775 2 Duplt. Do. & Do. Do. dated the 8 June Do. 3 Consultations from the 12 June to the 8 July Do. 4 Duplicate Do. from the 22 May to 8 June Do. 5 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Sea Horse 6 Captn. Williamsons first Receipt for £ 15 - 7 Captn. Arthurs Second Do. for £ 5 - 8 Second Receipt for the Packet p Ship Dutton 9 Do. Do. for a small paper Do. p Dane Ship Ganges 10 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Sea Horse 11 Effective State of the Garrison 12 Govr. Letter to the Secret Committee 13 Dupt. Cash Acct. from the 22 to the 31 May 1775 14 Do. Do. from the 1 to the 8 June Do. 15 Ship Butes Account 16 Ship Pacificks Do. 17 Ship Hampshires Do. 18 Duplicate Ship Sea Horses Account 19 Indent of Stores wantg. for the Service of the Year 1776 20 Do. of Medicines wantg. for Do. Do. 21 List of Stores remaing. in the Honble. Compys. Ware House the 20 Apl. Do. 22 Do. of Garrison Stores remaing. in Do. Do. 20 Do. Do. 23 Do. of Artillery Do. Do. in Do. Do. 20 Do. Do. 24 Time of the Arrival of Ships Boats at Banks's 25 Abstract of the Cargoes of Ships Bute and Pacifick 26 A Paper Containg. the Numbers of several Casks of Provisions recd. this Year p Osterly & Hampshire 27 Certificates of Flour	The Council sent the following documents to the Court in its packet by the Bute, dated 8 July 1775. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 8 July 1775 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 8 June 1775 3: Consultations from 12 June to 8 July 1775 4: Duplicate consultations from 22 May to 8 June 1775 5: First receipt for the packet sent by the Sea Horse 6: Captain Williamson's first receipt for £15 0s 0d 7: Captain Arthur's second receipt for £5 0s 0d 8: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Dutton 9: Second receipt for a small paper packet sent by the Danish ship Ganges 10: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Sea Horse 11: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 12: The Governor's letter to the Secret Committee 13: Duplicate cash account from 22 to 31 May 1775 14: Duplicate cash account from 1 to 8 June 1775 15: Account of the ship Bute 16: Account of the ship Pacific 17: Account of the ship Hampshire 18: Duplicate account of the ship Sea Horse 19: Indent of stores wanted for the year 1776 20: Indent of medicines wanted for the year 1776 21: List of stores remaining in the Company's warehouses on 20 April 1775 22: List of garrison stores remaining on 20 April 1775 23: List of artillery stores remaining on 20 April 1775 24: Times of arrival of ships' boats at Banks's 25: Abstract of the cargoes of the Bute and the Pacific 26: A paper giving the numbers of several casks of provisions received that year by the Osterley and the Hampshire 27: Certificates of flour
186	181	To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. Our last address waited on you by the Ship Bute under date of the 8 instant Copy of which We transmitted p Pacifick. 2. On the 11 of this Month Arrived your Ship York from Fort Marlbro which place Captn. Hayter informs Us he left the 19 April last. 3. We have granted the following Sets of Bills of Exchange viz. One to the Attorneys of Matt. Parling Esqr. for £ 40 - 11 payable to himself. One to Captn. George Hayter for £ 450 - payable to himself One Set to Mr. William Wrangham for £ 423 . 15 - payable to Captn. Thos. Riddell One to the Revd. Mr. Robertes Carr for £ 100 payable to Captn. Robert Carr, One to Mr. Thos. Cole for £ 40 payable to Mr. James Baldwin all drawn at 90 days sight & dated this day. 4. We beg leave to refer you to Mrs. Elizabeth Caldwells Petition Widow to the late Lieut. Caldwell as Entered in Consultation of this Day, as we are well satisfied that what she represents is a true State of her Situation and Circumstances and are of opinion that from the Regulations of the Military Fund she is entitled to the Enjoyment thereof We therefore beg leave to know whether We can pay her the said Widows Pension here or wether it is absolutely necessary for her to repair to England for the Enjoyment of the same as the removal of herself and two Children from hence would be attended with a great inconvenience and expence in her Indigent Circumstances We must further observe that this Poor Woman has always conducted herself with great Prudence & propriety. 5. We this Day Received a Letter from Mr. Thos. Stroud as Entered in Consultation and have to observe thereon that what he sets forth of his emoluments being lessened by the Surgeons Mate being allowed to practice though	The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the Bute, dated 8 July, with a copy by the Pacific. 2: The Company's ship [...] arrived from Fort Marlborough on 11 July. Captain Hayter reported that he had left that port on 19 April. 3: The Council had granted the following bills of exchange, all drawn at 90 days' sight and dated that day. The attorneys of Matthew Purling, £40 [...], payable to Purling himself Captain George Hayter, £450 0s 0d, payable to himself William Wrangham, £423 15s 0d, payable to Captain Thomas Riddell The Reverend Robert Carr, £100 0s 0d, payable to Captain Robert Carr Thomas Cole, £40 0s 0d, payable to James Baldwin 4: The Council referred the Court to the petition of Elizabeth Caldwell, widow of the late Lieutenant Caldwell, entered in that day's consultation. It was well satisfied that her account of her situation and circumstances was true, and believed that under the regulations of the Military Fund she was entitled to a pension from it. It therefore asked whether it could pay her the widow's pension on the island, or whether she must go to England to receive it. Moving herself and her two children would cause her great difficulty and expense in her poor circumstances. The Council added that the poor woman had always conducted herself with great prudence and propriety. 5: The Council had that day received a letter from Thomas Stroud, entered in the consultation. He complained that his income had been reduced by the surgeon's mate being allowed to practise, though, as the letter went on to say. Interpretations Lieutenant William Caldwell of the First Company had drawn his pay through 1772 and 1773, so his death must have come since. The Military Fund paid pensions to the widows of officers who died in service, but its regulations had been framed in London for families who could present themselves there. The Council's question exposed the gap. A widow on a remote island with two children could not afford the voyage home merely to collect a pension, and the Council asked the Court to let it pay her locally. Thomas Stroud's complaint followed directly from the Court's order of the year before allowing the new surgeon's mate, Mr Ray, to take private patients. Stroud had held the island's medical practice to himself for years. He now found his fees shared, which was exactly the competition the Council had welcomed as being of public benefit.
187	182	To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. Our last address waited on you by the Ship Bute under date of the 8 instant Copy of which We transmitted p Pacifick. 2. On the 11 of this Month Arrived your Ship York from Fort Marlbro which place Captn. Hayter informs Us he left the 19 April last. 3. We have granted the following Sets of Bills of Exchange viz. One to the Attorneys of Matt. Parling Esqr. for £ 40 - 11 payable to himself. One to Captn. George Hayter for £ 450 - payable to himself One Set to Mr. William Wrangham for £ 423 . 15 - payable to Captn. Thos. Riddell One to the Revd. Mr. Robertes Carr for £ 100 payable to Captn. Robert Carr, One to Mr. Thos. Cole for £ 40 payable to Mr. James Baldwin all drawn at 90 days sight & dated this day. 4. We beg leave to refer you to Mrs. Elizabeth Caldwells Petition Widow to the late Lieut. Caldwell as Entered in Consultation of this Day, as we are well satisfied that what she represents is a true State of her Situation and Circumstances and are of opinion that from the Regulations of the Military Fund she is entitled to the Enjoyment thereof We therefore beg leave to know whether We can pay her the said Widows Pension here or wether it is absolutely necessary for her to repair to England for the Enjoyment of the same as the removal of herself and two Children from hence would be attended with a great inconvenience and expence in her Indigent Circumstances We must further observe that this Poor Woman has always conducted herself with great Prudence & propriety. 5. We this Day Received a Letter from Mr. Thos. Stroud as Entered in Consultation and have to observe thereon that what he sets forth of his emoluments being lessened by the Surgeons Mate being allowed to practice though	The Council considered a proper regulation certainly just, and so submitted Stroud's representation to the Court. 6: The passengers aboard the York were Mr Johnson and Mr Champion. 7: The Council asked the Court to supply its indent for cables, since the two remaining were damaged and unfit for service. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Bazett and William Wrangham signed the letter at St Helena on 22 July 1775. The Council's packet by the York, dated 22 July 1775, began with the following documents. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 22 July 1775 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 8 July 1775 3: Consultations from 10 to 22 July 1775 4: Duplicate consultations from 12 June to 8 July 1775 5: First receipt for the packet sent by the Bute 6: First receipt for a small paper packet sent by the Pacific 7: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Sea Horse 8: Captain Williamson's second receipt for £15 0s 0d 9: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 10: Muster rolls of the garrison Interpretations The packet list shows that the ship arriving from Fort Marlborough on 11 July 1775 was the York, which the Council had sent on to Sumatra in May 1774. Captain George Hayter, who had asked the island for flour on his outward voyage, was now her commander on the way home. The Council did not take sides between Stroud and the Court's order. It judged that some rule dividing the practice between surgeon and surgeon's mate would be fair, and left the Court to make it. The plea for cables repeated a warning the Council had made several times in a year: after giving its spare cables to Captains Paul and Jackson, it had only two left, and both were unfit.
188	183	To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. Our last address waited on you by the Ship Bute under date of the 8 instant Copy of which We transmitted p Pacifick. 2. On the 11 of this Month Arrived your Ship York from Fort Marlbro which place Captn. Hayter informs Us he left the 19 April last. 3. We have granted the following Sets of Bills of Exchange viz. One to the Attorneys of Matt. Parling Esqr. for £ 40 - 11 payable to himself. One to Captn. George Hayter for £ 450 - payable to himself One Set to Mr. William Wrangham for £ 423 . 15 - payable to Captn. Thos. Riddell One to the Revd. Mr. Robertes Carr for £ 100 payable to Captn. Robert Carr, One to Mr. Thos. Cole for £ 40 payable to Mr. James Baldwin all drawn at 90 days sight & dated this day. 4. We beg leave to refer you to Mrs. Elizabeth Caldwells Petition Widow to the late Lieut. Caldwell as Entered in Consultation of this Day, as we are well satisfied that what she represents is a true State of her Situation and Circumstances and are of opinion that from the Regulations of the Military Fund she is entitled to the Enjoyment thereof We therefore beg leave to know whether We can pay her the said Widows Pension here or wether it is absolutely necessary for her to repair to England for the Enjoyment of the same as the removal of herself and two Children from hence would be attended with a great inconvenience and expence in her Indigent Circumstances We must further observe that this Poor Woman has always conducted herself with great Prudence & propriety. 5. We this Day Received a Letter from Mr. Thos. Stroud as Entered in Consultation and have to observe thereon that what he sets forth of his emoluments being lessened by the Surgeons Mate being allowed to practice though	11: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Bute 12: Cash account from 9 to 30 June 1775 13: Cash account from 1 to 22 July 1775 14: Account of the ship York 15: Duplicate account of the ship Bute 16: Duplicate account of the ship Pacific 17: Duplicate account of the ship Hampshire 18: Duplicate indent of stores wanted for the year 1776 19: Duplicate indent of medicines wanted for the year 1776 20: Duplicate list of stores remaining in the Company's warehouses on 20 April 1775 21: Duplicate list of garrison stores remaining on 20 April 1775 22: Duplicate list of artillery stores remaining on 20 April 1775 23: Time of arrival of the York's boat at Banks's 24: Abstract of the cargo of the York 25: A paper giving the numbers of several casks of provisions received that year by the Osterley and the Hampshire 26: Duplicate certificates of flour The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the York, which left the island on 23 July. 2: A Dutch ship from Batavia, the Nieuwerkerk, under Captain Hendrick Mulder, arrived on 7 August. She was of 600 tons, carried 26 guns and a crew of 83, and was bound for Amsterdam with pepper. Her captain reported that the Marathas had blockaded the harbour of Bombay and had taken one of His Majesty's ships of 20 guns coming out of Bombay, killing her captain. The Council thought this news worth mentioning, and was waiting impatiently for the arrival of some English ships to learn whether it had any foundation, as the letter went on to say. Interpretations The Dutch captain's report reflected the outbreak of the First Anglo-Maratha War in 1775, when the Bombay government backed a claimant to the Maratha leadership. The details were garbled, as news passed by rival ships often was. No King's ship of 20 guns appears to have been taken off Bombay, and the Maratha fleet never closed the port. The Council rightly treated the story as rumour, passing it on with a warning that it waited for English ships to confirm or deny it.
189	184	for the same. 3. Captn. Hendrich Mulder of the aforesaid Ship applied to Us to pay £ 500 - into your Cash on Account of Arrack and necessarys he brought for the Island which Sum we have received & given him Bills of Exchange drawn on Your Honors payable to himself (or Order) at ninety Days sight. We are Honorable Sirs Your most Obedient & humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Daniel Corneille Matthew Bazett Willm. Wrangham St. Helena 18 Sept. 1775 To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. We addressed you last by a Dutch Ship called the Minerva under date of the 18 Sept. 1775. 2. On the 9 of this Month arrived your Ship Anson from Bengal (last from the Cape) Captn. Tryon acquaints Us he left Fort William the 20 April last And Your Ship Northumberland there which was to sail for Madrass the begining of May, arrived at the Cape the 24 August, sailed from thence the 13 September and left the Gatton & Granville there	The Council's letter continued: it awaited English ships to learn the truth of the report. 3: Captain Hendrick Mulder of the same ship asked to pay £500 0s 0d into the Company's treasury, on account of arrack and other necessaries he had brought for the island. The Council received the money and gave him bills of exchange on the Court, payable to himself or his order at 90 days' sight. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Bazett and William Wrangham signed the letter at St Helena on 10 September 1775. The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the Dutch ship Nieuwerkerk, dated 10 September 1775. 2: The Company's ship Anson arrived from Bengal by way of the Cape on the 9th of the month. Captain Tryon reported that he had left Fort William on 20 April, when the Company's ship Northumberland lay there, due to sail for Madras at the beginning of May. He had reached the Cape on 24 August and sailed from there on 13 September, leaving the Gatton and the Granville there. Interpretations The Dutch captain had evidently sold arrack and stores to the island, and the £500 0s 0d he paid in was the proceeds, which he remitted home through the Company's bills. The Council's purchase from a foreign ship shows how far it now depended on any vessel that called. With fewer Company ships coming from India, the arrack issued to the slaves and labourers had to be found wherever it could be bought.
190	185	for the same. 3. Captn. Hendrich Mulder of the aforesaid Ship applied to Us to pay £ 500 - into your Cash on Account of Arrack and necessarys he brought for the Island which Sum we have received & given him Bills of Exchange drawn on Your Honors payable to himself (or Order) at ninety Days sight. We are Honorable Sirs Your most Obedient & humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Daniel Corneille Matthew Bazett Willm. Wrangham St. Helena 18 Sept. 1775 To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. We addressed you last by a Dutch Ship called the Minerva under date of the 18 Sept. 1775. 2. On the 9 of this Month arrived your Ship Anson from Bengal (last from the Cape) Captn. Tryon acquaints Us he left Fort William the 20 April last And Your Ship Northumberland there which was to sail for Madrass the begining of May, arrived at the Cape the 24 August, sailed from thence the 13 September and left the Gatton & Granville there ;	The Gatton and the Granville were to continue their voyage about a week after Captain Tryon. 3: The Council had granted the following bills of exchange, all drawn at 90 days' sight and dated that day. Matthew Bazett, £422 3s 5d, payable to James Farquharson William Wrangham, £505 15s 0d, payable to Matthew Purling William Wrangham, £746 7s 7d, payable to Captain Gabriel [...] Captain James Tippet, £129 0s 0d, payable to [...] Tippet Jonathan Doveton, £233 10s 0d, payable to Richard [...] Thomas Stroud, £133 0s 0d, payable to Charles Thomas Coggin The Reverend Robert Carr, £83 0s 0d, payable to Captain Robert Carr or order 4: The Lieutenant Governor's fishermen needed a boat, and the Council bought one from Captain Tryon for £7 0s 0d. It also bought 498 pieces of salt meat at 2s a piece, as shown in the bill entered in that day's consultation, making £56 16s 0d in all. He chose to take certificates rather than money, and the Council gave him the usual certificates. 5: The demand for fishing tackle had proved greater than the Council expected. It asked the Court to add to the indent already sent 100 dozen number 2 lines and 100 dozen number 3 lines. It also asked the Court to supply the full indent for oars, since none were left in store because none had been sent that year. 6: In a letter to the Governor, Captain Fortescue reported that he had reached False Bay on 10 May. He had had immense trouble getting the wheat and flour and could not obtain the quantity his instructions required at any price. What he had bought cost at least 100% more than it would have done had he gone at the proper season of the year, as the letter went on to explain. Interpretations Captain Fortescue had been sent to the Cape in April to buy wheat and flour for Fort Marlborough and Balambangan. Arriving in May, near the start of the southern winter, he found the Cape's harvest long sold and paid double. The Court's planning in London could not match the seasons at the far end of the world, and the Council reported the result so the cost would not be laid at Fortescue's door. The sudden demand for fishing lines, 200 dozen beyond the usual indent, shows the inhabitants turning more to the sea for food. Fewer ships meant less salt meat and rice reaching the island, and fishing made up part of the gap.
191	186	into Table Bay, that his detention there would not have been above ten days, were he might have got any quantity at full eight Dollers in thirty Bushels cheaper Besides the Carriage which is twelve Spanish Dollers for every Thirty Bushels at False Bay. 7. We beg leave to refer your Honors to a Letter received from the Reverend Mr. Robertes Carr entered in Consultation of the 16 instant and join our request with his that you'll be pleased to send us out the [...] Monthly review and Annual Register together [...] new Publications your Honors may think proper. 8. On the 16 instant we received [...] the Storekeeper and his Assistants relative to the [...] Provisions which is entered in Consultation of [...] which we likewise refer you and are sorry we have not had an opportunity of transmitting the said State to you sooner as there has been no conveyance since the sailing of the York. 9. The Passengers on board the Anson are Captns. Patton and Brook, with their Wives Mrs. & Miss Tryon Mr. Mapletoft, Mr. Wattell, Mr. Gary and Mr. [...] and Messrs. Lowder, Goodwin and Patton. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedient and humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Matt. Bazett Willm. Wrangham St. Helena 26 October 1775	Had Captain Fortescue gone at the proper season, he would have put into Table Bay and stayed no more than ten days there. He could then have bought any quantity he wanted for a full eight dollars less in every 30 bushels. He would also have saved the cost of carriage at False Bay, which was twelve Spanish dollars for every 30 bushels. 7: The Council referred the Court to a letter from the Reverend Robert Carr, entered in the consultation of 16 October. It joined in his request that the Court send out the Monthly Review and the Annual Register, together with such new publications as it thought proper. 8: On 16 October the Council received a report from the storekeeper and his assistants on the state of the [...] provisions, entered in that consultation, to which it referred the Court. It regretted not having sent the report sooner, but no ship had left since the York sailed. 9: The passengers aboard the Anson were Captains Patton and Brook with their wives, Mrs and Miss Tryon, Mr Mapletoft, Mr Wattell, Mr Gary, Mr [...], and Messrs Lowder, Goodwin and Pattison. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Bazett and William Wrangham signed the letter at St Helena on 26 October 1775. Interpretations The letter's date places the Anson's arrival on 9 October 1775. No ship had sailed for Europe for three months since the York left on 23 July, which is why the provisions report waited so long. The chaplain's request for the Monthly Review and the Annual Register shows the island's educated residents hungry for news of books and public affairs. The first was the leading literary review of the day, and the second a yearly digest of politics, history and letters. On an island where months could pass without a ship, such periodicals were the main link to the world of English ideas.
192	187	List of the Honble. Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Anson dated the 20 October 1775 No. 1 Governor & Councils Genl. Letter dated the 20 October 1775 2 Do. & Do. Do. dated the 20 Do. relatg. to law matters 3 Duplicate Do. & Do. Do. dated 22 July 1775 4 Do. Do. & Do. Do. dated 18 September Do. 5 Consultations from the 24 July to the 20 October Do. 6 Duplicate Do. from the 10 to the 22 July Do. 7 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship York 8 First Do. a small Paper Do. p Dutch Ship Minerva 9 Second Do. for the Packet p Ship Bute 10 Do. Do. for a small Paper Do. p Ship Pacifick 11 Effective State of the Garrison 12 Muster Rolls of Do. 13 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship York 14 Cash Account from the 23 to the 31 July 1775 15 Do. Do. for the Month of August Do. 16 Do. Do. for the Month of September Do. 17 Do. Do. from the 1 to the 20 October Do. 18 Duplicate Do. from the 9 to the 30 June Do. 19 Do. Do. from the 1 to the 22 July Do. 20 Ship Ansons Account 21 Duplicate Ship Yorks Do. 22 List of Familys taken the 30 September 1775 23 Do. of Rents taken the 30 Do. Do. 24 Do. of Slaves taken the 30 Do. Do. 25 Do. of Births, Christgs. Marriages & Burials from the 1 March to 31 August 1775 26 Proceedgs. of a Genl. Quartly. Sessions held on the 12 July Do. 27 Do. of a Do. Do. held on the 4 October Do.	The Council sent the following documents to the Court in its packet by the Anson, dated 26 October 1775. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 26 October 1775 2: The Governor and Council's general letter of 26 October 1775, relating to legal matters 3: Duplicate of the general letter of 22 July 1775 4: Duplicate of the general letter of 10 September 1775 5: Consultations from 24 July to 26 October 1775 6: Duplicate consultations from 10 to 22 July 1775 7: First receipt for the packet sent by the York 8: First receipt for a small paper packet sent by the Dutch ship Nieuwerkerk 9: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Bute 10: Second receipt for a small paper packet sent by the Pacific 11: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 12: Muster rolls of the garrison 13: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the York 14: Cash account from 23 to 31 July 1775 15: Cash account for August 1775 16: Cash account for September 1775 17: Cash account from 1 to 26 October 1775 18: Duplicate cash account from 9 to 30 June 1775 19: Duplicate cash account from 1 to 22 July 1775 20: Account of the ship Anson 21: Duplicate account of the ship York 22: List of families, taken on 30 September 1775 23: Rent roll, taken on 30 September 1775 24: List of slaves, taken on 30 September 1775 25: List of births, christenings, marriages and burials from 1 March to 31 August 1775 26: Proceedings of a general quarterly sessions held on 12 July 1775 27: Proceedings of a general quarterly sessions held on 4 October 1775
193	188	28 Register of Goods & Merchandize import. & export. in & from the Island St. Helena from the 3 Septemr. to the 20 October 1775 29 Time of the Arrival of Ship Ansons Boat at Banks's 30 Abstract of the Cargoe of Ship Anson 31 A State of the Salt Provision as received this Year from England p Ships Osterly & Hampshire To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. Our last advice waited on you by the Ship Anson that left this Place the 21 Octr. 1775. 2. On the 29 of last Month Arrived your Ship Eagle Packet from Bencoolen which Place Captn. Lisforth informs Us he left the 27 August last and that the Osterly had Arrived there on the 16 of the same Month. He further informs Us that he was at the town of Borneo on the Island of that Name, that he there heard of Ballambangan being taken by a Free Booter from the Island of Soolo, and that Mr. Herbert with the rest of the Companys servants had Fled to Borneo proper, and was on his leaving that Place, settled on a little Island at the Mouth of that River called La Boan given to them by the Sultan of that District that he was dispatched by Mr. Herbert to Madrass, but being obliged to put into Bencoolen having Sprung one of his Masts, was dispatched from that Presidency express to Your Honors with accounts of the above unfortunate affair. 3. The six Pipes of Madeira Wine received from	28: Register of goods and merchandise imported into and exported from St Helena from 3 September to 26 October 1775 29: Time of arrival of the Anson's boat at Banks's 30: Abstract of the cargo of the Anson 31: A statement of the salt provisions received that year from England by the Osterley and the Hampshire The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the Anson, which left the island on 26 October 1775. 2: The Company's Eagle packet arrived from Bencoolen on the 29th of the previous month. Captain Lisforth reported that he had left Bencoolen on 27 August, and that the Osterley had reached that port on the 4th of the same month. He further reported that he had been at the town of Borneo, on the island of that name. There he heard that Balambangan had been taken by a force of rovers from the island of Sulu. Mr Herbert and the rest of the Company's servants had fled to Borneo proper, and when he left had settled on a small island at the mouth of that river called La Boan, given to them by the Sultan of that district. Mr Herbert had dispatched the Eagle to Madras, but she had to put into Bencoolen after springing one of her masts. That presidency then sent her express to the Court with news of this unfortunate affair. 3: The six pipes of Madeira wine received, as the letter went on to explain. Interpretations The report confirmed the fate the Council had half foreseen in June 1774, when Captain Borrow warned that Spain might claim Balambangan. The blow came instead from Sulu raiders, who sacked the settlement in March 1775. John Herbert, its chief, retreated with the survivors to Labuan, an island off the north-west coast of Borneo offered by the Sultan of Brunei. The Company's attempt to build a trading post on the edge of the Philippines, meant to draw the trade of the eastern islands and China, lasted barely two years. The Eagle was the same packet that had called at St Helena in April 1774 with her crew sick after a five-month passage. Now she carried the news of the settlement's fall, sent home express because it touched on the Company's whole strategy in the eastern seas.
194	189	from Bengal p Ship Anson we beg leave to observe to your Honors comes Invoiced at 400 Rupees p Pipe Exclusive of Charges Merchandize which with thirty p Cent amounts to £ 63 . 3 . 6 p Pipe not including the waste of 13 Gallons, Two Pipes being taken for the Company's Table, and the Storekeeper representing that the four remaining Pipes he could not dispose of at so extravagant a price, and further from the badness of the Casks he was apprehensive of loosing the Wine was it to remain in the Cellars, We therefore judged it for your advantage to Order the Storekeeper to distribute the same amongst your Servants at Invoiced Price. 4. Since the Close of the Packet p Ship Anson we were informed that there were two French Ships at the Cape with 500 Troops on Board going to the Mauritius. 5. We have put on board the Eagle David Patten an Invalid Soldier who we recommend as a proper Object to be put upon the Military Fund, he having a Rupture Occasioned by a hurt when at the Compys. Works. 6. Captn. Lisforth informs us that whilst he was at Bencoolen a Snow arrived from Madrass the middle of August called the Endeavour Commander Captn. Rithcourt who informed him that the Marattas had blockaded up Bombay Harbour, agreable to the information given Us by the Dutch Captn. of the Minerva. 7. As the Ship Eagle was not consigned to Us We desired Captn. Lisforth to let Us see his dispatches from the Presidency and Council of Fort Marlbro We have in consequence thereof given him Instructions to proceed on his Voyage with all expedition agreable to the Orders he had receivd. from that Presidency having fully supplyed him with his demand of Stores & Fresh Provisions. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. & humble Servts. (Signed) Matt. Bazett Willm. Wrangham John Skottowe Danl. Corneille St. Helena 2 Novr. 1775	The six pipes of Madeira received from Bengal by the Anson were invoiced at 400 rupees a pipe, excluding charges on the merchandise. With 30% added, each pipe came to £63 3s 6d, not counting a waste of [...]3 gallons. Two pipes were taken for the Company's table. The storekeeper reported that he could not sell the other four at so extravagant a price. The casks were also so bad that he feared the wine would be lost if it stayed in the cellars. The Council therefore judged it best for the Company to have the storekeeper share the wine among the Company's servants at the invoice price. 4: After the Anson's packet was closed, the Council learned that two French ships lay at the Cape with 500 troops aboard, bound for Mauritius. 5: The Council put aboard the Eagle David Patton, an invalid soldier. It recommended him for the Military Fund, since he had a rupture caused by an injury while working on the Company's works. 6: Captain Lisforth reported that while he was at Bencoolen a snow, the Endeavour, under Captain Fithcourt, arrived from Madras in the middle of August. Captain Fithcourt told him that the Marathas had blockaded Bombay harbour, which agreed with the report the Council had received from the Dutch captain of the Nieuwerkerk. 7: The Eagle was not consigned to the Council, so it asked Captain Lisforth to show it his despatches from the President and Council of Fort Marlborough. It then instructed him to continue his voyage with all speed, as that presidency had ordered, after supplying him fully with the stores and fresh provisions he needed. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Bazett and William Wrangham signed the letter at St Helena on 2 November 1775. Interpretations Wine bought in Bengal for the island had passed through the hands of Company merchants who added their profit, and then the island's own 30% advance. At over £63 a pipe it cost far more than Madeira loaded at Funchal by the outward ships. The Council chose not to force it on the market or let it spoil. Spreading it among the servants at cost recovered the outlay without loss, though it meant the Company's own men bore the high price. The Eagle was not under the Council's orders, so it could not simply direct her. By asking to see her despatches and then confirming the Bencoolen instructions, the Council made sure that a packet carrying urgent news of Balambangan's fall was not delayed at the island.
195	190	List of the Honble. Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Eagle dated the 2 November 1775 No. 1 Governor & Councils Genl. Letter dated the 2 November 1775 2 Duplicate Do. & Do. dated the 20 October Do. 3 Do. Do. & Do. dated the 21 Do. relating to Law matters 4 Consultations from 23 to the 30 Octr. 1775 5 Duplicate Do. from 24 July to the 21 Do. Do. 6 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Anson 7 Second Do. for Do. p Ship York 8 Do. Do. for Do. p Dutch Ship Minerva 9 Effective State of the Garrison 10 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Anson 11 Cash Account from the 21 to the 31 Octr. 1775 12 Duplicate Do. from the 23 to the 31 July Do. 13 Do. Do. for the Month of August Do. 14 Do. Do. for the Month of September Do. 15 Do. Do. from the 1 to the 20 October Do. 16 Ship Eagles Account 17 Duplicate Ship Ansons Account 18 List of Officers & Servants taken the 2 November 1775 19 Duplicate Do. of Familys taken the 30 September Do. 20 Do. Do. of Rents taken the 30 Do. Do. 21 Do. Do. of Slaves taken the 30 Do. Do. 22 Do. Do. of Births Christgs. Marriages & Burials from 1 March to the 31 August 1775 23 Do. Proceedings of a General Quarterly Sessions held on the 12 July 1775 24 Do. Do. of a Do. held on the 4 October 1775 25 Do. Register of Goods & Merchandize, Imported & exported to and from the Island of St. Helena from the 3 September to the 20 October 1775	The Council sent the following documents to the Court in its packet by the Eagle packet, dated 2 November 1775. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 2 November 1775 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 20 October 1775 3: Duplicate of the general letter of 20 October 1775, relating to legal matters 4: Consultations from 23 to 30 October 1775 5: Duplicate consultations from 24 July to 20 October 1775 6: First receipt for the packet sent by the Anson 7: Second receipt for the packet sent by the York 8: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Dutch ship Nieuwerkerk 9: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 10: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Anson 11: Cash account from 21 to 31 October 1775 12: Duplicate cash account from 23 to 31 July 1775 13: Duplicate cash account for August 1775 14: Duplicate cash account for September 1775 15: Duplicate cash account from 1 to 20 October 1775 16: Account of the Eagle packet 17: Duplicate account of the ship Anson 18: List of officers and servants, taken on 2 November 1775 19: Duplicate list of families, taken on 30 September 1775 20: Duplicate rent roll, taken on 30 September 1775 21: Duplicate list of slaves, taken on 30 September 1775 22: Duplicate list of births, christenings, marriages and burials from 1 March to 31 August 1775 23: Duplicate proceedings of a general quarterly sessions held on 12 July 1775 24: Duplicate proceedings of a general quarterly sessions held on 4 October 1775 25: Duplicate register of goods and merchandise imported into and exported from St Helena from 3 September to 20 October 1775
196	191	26 Duplicate State of Salt Provisions as received from England p Osterly & Hampshire 27 Governor & Councils Certificate of David Patten an Invalid Soldier recommended to be put upon the Military Fund To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. We wrote you last by the Ship Eagle under date of the 2 November 1775. 2. On the 1 instant Arrived your Ship Northumberland from Bengal (last from the Cape) Captn. Rice acquaints us he left Fort William the 6 August last put into the Mauritius the 18 Octob. & left there several French Vessels and one Portuguese Ship, he also informs Us that he left the Cape 16 Novem. & 6 French Vessels there, several of which had Troops on Board carrying to the Mauritius. We are also informed by Mr. Petrie a Passenger on this Ship that he received a Letter before he left Madrass informing him of the Sailing of Your Ship Calcutta from Bombay the Latter end of June last. As she has not touched here we imagine she has passed the Island. 3. The last Quarters Account will not be laid before Us until the 15 instant We therefore cannot transmit Your Honors a Cash Account to a later date than the 30 November 1775. 4. By this Conveyance we transmit your Honors the General Books of Accounts Balanced to the 30 September last.	26: Duplicate statement of the salt provisions received from England by the Osterley and the Hampshire 27: The Governor and Council's certificate for David Patton, an invalid soldier recommended for the Military Fund The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the Eagle, dated 2 November 1775. 2: The Company's ship Northumberland arrived from Bengal by way of the Cape on the 7th of the month. Captain Rice reported that he had left Fort William on 6 August and put into Mauritius on 10 October, where several French vessels and one Portuguese ship lay. He had left the Cape on 16 November, where six French vessels lay, several of them carrying troops to Mauritius. The Council also learned from Mr Petrie, a passenger in the ship, that before leaving Madras he had received a letter reporting that the Company's ship Calcutta had sailed from Bombay at the end of June. Since she had not called at the island, the Council supposed she had passed it. 3: The last quarter's accounts would not be laid before the Council until the 15th of the month, so it could send no cash account later than 30 November 1775. 4: By this ship the Council sent the Company's general books of account, balanced to 30 September. Interpretations The steady flow of French troopships to Mauritius filled the Council's reports through 1775. Two ships with 500 troops lay at the Cape in October, and now six more, several carrying soldiers. France was strengthening its Indian Ocean base as Britain's quarrel with the American colonies deepened. To an island garrison below strength and asking for 80 recruits, a growing French force within a few weeks' sail of the route to India was cause for concern, and the Council reported each sighting.
197	192	5. Your Ship Eagle having left a small Anchor here which We have taken up and brought it on Your Genl. Books of Accounts. 6. We have the pleasure to inform you that We have had a Favourable Winter Season and that the Stock of the Island is in very Good condition. 7. Captn. Rice purchased at the Cape on Your Account 45 Sheep & 27 Bushls. 1 . 16 Wheat. We have also purchased of him on the Companys Account 52 Cs. 2 . 9 . 14 Rice amounting in the whole to £ 78 . 7 - he choosing Certificates for the same rather than Money We have Granted him the usual Ones. 8. We have Given Captn. Rice an Order to receive on board his Ship towards Compleating her Company John Ledham a Discharged Soldier. 9. The Passengers on board the Northumbd. are Lieut. Colonel Cooly & Blathwate, Captn. Adair & Messrs. Bidin, Ellicott, Creswick, Wigan, Harding and Petrie. 10. We have granted the following Sets of Bills of Exchange viz. One to Captn. James Rice for £ 1000 - payable to himself and one to the Reverend Mr. Robertes Carr for £ 500 - payable to Fredk. Hindly Esqr. or Order both drawn at 90 Days sight and dated this Day. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. & humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Matt. Bazett Willm. Wrangham St. Helena 8 Janry. 1776	5: The Eagle had left a small anchor at the island, which the Council took up and brought into the Company's general books of account. 6: The Council was pleased to report a favourable winter season, and the island's livestock was in very good condition. 7: Captain Rice had bought at the Cape, on the Company's account, 45 sheep and 27 cwt 1 qr 14 lb of wheat. The Council also bought from him, on the Company's account, 52 cwt [...] of rice. The whole came to £78 7s 0d. He chose to take certificates rather than money, and the Council gave him the usual certificates. 8: The Council ordered Captain Rice to take aboard his ship John Ludham, a discharged soldier, to help complete her crew. 9: The passengers aboard the Northumberland were Lieutenant Colonels Cooly and Blathwayte, Captain Adair, and Messrs Pedder, Ellicott, Creswick, Wigan, Harding and Petrie. 10: The Council had granted the following bills of exchange, both drawn at 90 days' sight and dated that day: one set to Captain James Rice for £1,000 0s 0d, payable to himself, and one set to the Reverend Robert Carr for £500 0s 0d, payable to Frederick Hindley or his order. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Bazett and William Wrangham signed the letter at St Helena on 8 January 1776. Interpretations The letter's date places the Northumberland's arrival on 7 January 1776, more than two months after the Eagle sailed, a gap of quiet season with no ships. The Reverend Robert Carr's bill of £500 0s 0d was a large sum for a chaplain who had arrived only in April 1774. His salary was £160 a year, so the remittance points to private means or to fees and dealings on the island beyond his stipend.
198	193	List of the Honble. Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Northumberland dated the 8 January 1776 No. 1 Govr. & Councils Genl. Letter dated the 8 Janry. 1776 2 Duplicate Do. & Do. dated the 2 Novr. Do. 3 Consultations from the 6 November 1775 to the 8 Janry. 1776 4 Duplicate Do. from the 23 to the 30 October 1775 5 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Eagle 6 Second Do. for the Do. p Ship Anson 7 Effective State of the Garrison 8 Muster Rolls of Do. 9 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Eagle 10 Cash Account for the Month of November 1775 11 Duplicate Do. from the 21 to the 31 October Do. 12 Ship Northumberlands Account 13 Duplicate Ship Eagles Do. 14 Genl. Books of Accounts 15 Time of the Arrival of Ship Northumbd. Boat at Banks's 16 Abstract of the Cargoe of Ship Northumberland To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. We addressed you by the Ship Northumbd. which left this place the 9 of last Month. 2. On the 8 instant Arrived your Ship Nottingham from Madrass (last from the Cape) Captain Stokes informs Us he left Fort St. George the 17 October last put into the Cape the 3 January, sailed from thence the 24 of said Month & left there Your Ship Colebrooke with General	The Council sent the following documents to the Court in its packet by the Northumberland, dated 8 January 1776. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 8 January 1776 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 2 November 1775 3: Consultations from 6 November 1775 to 8 January 1776 4: Duplicate consultations from 23 to 30 October 1775 5: First receipt for the packet sent by the Eagle 6: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Anson 7: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 8: Muster rolls of the garrison 9: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Eagle 10: Cash account for November 1775 11: Duplicate cash account from 21 to 31 October 1775 12: Account of the ship Northumberland 13: Duplicate account of the Eagle packet 14: General books of account 15: Time of arrival of the Northumberland's boat at Banks's 16: Abstract of the cargo of the Northumberland The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the Northumberland, which left the island on 9 January. 2: The Company's ship Nottingham arrived from Madras by way of the Cape on the 8th of the month. Captain Stokes reported that he had left Fort St George on 17 October, put into the Cape on 3 January and sailed from there on the 24th, leaving the Company's ship Colebrooke there with General [...], as the letter went on to say.
199	194	General Joseph Smith on board two Danes eighteen Dutch and two French. Captn. Stokes also tells Us that by some of the Gentlemen of the Company's Snow that arrived at the Cape from Bombay he was informed that your Ship Calcutta was seen off the Island Ceylon in the Month of November last. 3. Daniel Corneille Esqr. this Day applied to pay £ 700 - into your Cash which Sum We have received and Given him Bills drawn upon the Honble. the Court of Directors payable to John Calliaud Esqr. (or Order) at ninety Days sight. 4. The Passengers on Board the Nottingham are Lieut. Col. Thornton Captain De la Dosse and Wedderburne and Messrs. Harden, Bouton Lowe, Buxton and Fleetwood. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. and humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Matt. Bazett Willm. Wrangham St. Helena 12 February 1776 Margin Notes: 12 Feby. 1776	General Joseph Smith was aboard the Colebrooke. Two Danish, eighteen Dutch and two French ships also lay at the Cape. Captain Stokes further reported that some of the Company's gentlemen who had arrived at the Cape from Bombay told him the Company's ship Calcutta had been seen off Ceylon in November. 3: Daniel Corneille asked that day to pay £700 0s 0d into the Company's treasury. The Council received the money and gave him bills on the Court of Directors, payable to John Caillaud or his order at 90 days' sight. 4: The passengers aboard the Nottingham were Lieutenant Colonel Thornton, Captains De la Dosse and Wedderburne, and Messrs Harden, Bourton, Lowe, Buxton and Fleetwood. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Bazett and William Wrangham signed the letter at St Helena on 12 February 1776. Interpretations The news of the Calcutta corrected the Council's earlier guess that she had passed the island unseen. Reported off Ceylon in November, five months after leaving Bombay, she was far behind her expected time. That suggests contrary winds or damage, and the Council passed on what it knew so the Court could follow her. General Joseph Smith was the commander who had taken Tanjore for the Company in 1773, the action the Council had reported in January 1774. He was now going home. Daniel Corneille's bills to John Caillaud continued a pattern seen since 1772, when he first remitted £150 0s 0d to him. Caillaud, a former Company general in India, was evidently Corneille's agent or banker in England.
200	195	List of the Honorable Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Nottingham dated the 12 February 1776 No. 1 Govr. & Councils Genl. Letter dated the 12 Feby. 1776 2 Do. & Do. Do. dated the 12 Do. relating to Law Matters 3 Duplicate Do. & Do. Do. dated the 8 Janry. 1776 4 Consultations from the 15 Janry. to the 12 Feby. Do. 5 Duplicate Do. from the 6 November 1775 to 8 Janry. 1776 6 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Northumberland 7 Second Do. for Do. p Ship Eagle 8 Effective State of the Garrison 9 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Northumbd. 10 Cash Account for the Month December 1775 11 Do. Do. for the Month of Janry. 1776 12 Do. from the 1 to the 12 Feby. 1776 13 Duplicate Do. for the Month of November 1775 14 Ship Nottinghams Account 15 Duplicate Ship Northumberlands Account 16 Time of the Arrival of Ship Nottinghams Boat at Banks's 17 Abstract of the Cargoe of Ship Do. 18 Proceedings of a Genl. Quartly. Sessions held on the 12 Janry. 1776 To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. By the Ship Nottingham that left this place the 13 instant we addressed you last.	The Council sent the following documents to the Court in its packet by the Nottingham, dated 12 February 1776. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 12 February 1776 2: The Governor and Council's general letter of 12 February 1776, relating to legal matters 3: Duplicate of the general letter of 8 January 1776 4: Consultations from 15 January to 12 February 1776 5: Duplicate consultations from 6 November 1775 to 8 January 1776 6: First receipt for the packet sent by the Northumberland 7: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Eagle 8: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 9: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Northumberland 10: Cash account for December 1775 11: Cash account for January 1776 12: Cash account from 1 to 12 February 1776 13: Duplicate cash account for November 1775 14: Account of the ship Nottingham 15: Duplicate account of the ship Northumberland 16: Time of arrival of the Nottingham's boat at Banks's 17: Abstract of the cargo of the Nottingham 18: Proceedings of a general quarterly sessions held on 12 January 1776 The Council wrote again to the Court. Its last letter had gone by the Nottingham, which left the island on 13 February, as the letter went on to say.
201	196	2. On the 15 of this Month Arrived your Ship Lord North from China, The 20 the Colebrooke from Madrass and the 22 the Calcutta from Bombay the two latter last from the Cape We are informed that your Ship Stafford has lost her Passage to China and that there were at Wampoa this Season five of your Ships viz. Morse, Lord North Grosvenor Queen and Rochford eight English Country Ships, four French, five Dutch two Danes and two Swedes, that the Lord North left Canton the 1 December, that the Morse would Sail in a few Days after her and that the last Ships of the Season would be dispatched for England by the beginning of January. Captain Morris acquaints Us he left Madrass the 16 October last put into the Cape the 12 January and sailed from thence the 7 February. Captain Thomson informs Us he sailed from Bombay the 19 Septr. and left the Talbot there. Arrived at the Cape the 24 January, which place he left the 9 February and your Ship Salisbury there. 3. We beg leave to refer you to our Consultation of the 15 January last wherein is entered a Petition from Mr. Phillip Mahony Clerk of the peace, And on the Monday following a Certificate from the Surgeons of the state of his case which we are well assured is faithfully represented to Us by them as from our own knowledge he has been at times very severely Attacked with the Complaints mentioned in the said Certificate That as he has been a long time in your service and has had a great share of Merit from his constant application in his Employ, though not	2: The Company's ship Lord North arrived from China on the 15th of the month, the Colebrooke from Madras on the 20th and the Calcutta from Bombay on the 22nd, the last two by way of the Cape. The Council learned that the Company's ship Stafford had lost her passage to China. Five Company ships had lain at Whampoa that season, the Morse, Lord North, Grosvenor, Queen and Rochford, together with eight English country ships, four French, five Dutch, two Danish and two Swedish. The Lord North had left Canton on 7 December, the Morse was to sail a few days after her, and the last ships of the season would be dispatched for England by the beginning of January. Captain Morris reported that he had left Madras on 16 October, put into the Cape on 12 January and sailed from there on 7 February. Captain Thomson reported that he had sailed from Bombay on 19 September, leaving the Talbot there, reached the Cape on 24 January and left it on 9 February, leaving the Company's ship Salisbury there. 3: The Council referred the Court to its consultation of 15 January, in which a petition from Philip Mahony, clerk of the peace, was entered. On the following Monday a certificate from the surgeons on the state of his health was also entered. The Council was well assured that the surgeons had described his case faithfully, since it knew from its own knowledge that he had at times been very severely afflicted by the complaints the certificate described. He had served the Company for a long time and had a great deal of merit from his constant attention to his work, though, as the letter went on to say. Interpretations A ship that "lost her passage" had missed the monsoon season for crossing the China Sea and had to wait months for the winds to change. The Stafford had left Bombay too late. Such delays tied up a ship and her cargo for most of a year and were a costly hazard of the eastern trade. Only five Company ships at Whampoa against ten two years before reflects the Court's decision to cut its shipping, which the Council had felt in fewer calls and less rice. The Calcutta, sighted off Ceylon in November, had at last reached the island, more than seven months after leaving Bombay. Philip Mahony had served as clerk of the peace for many years and witnessed several of the island's wills. His petition evidently sought leave or a pension on grounds of ill health, and the Council's testimony was meant to support it.
202	197	not bred to the Law as well as the Diligent discharge thereof, and being now stricken in Years and finding the aforesaid infirmity increasing fast upon him and not having had it in his power from his Situation to make any provision for his future support. We therefore think him an Object worthy of your compassion, and have recommended it to him to remain upon the Island until your pleasure respecting him is known by the Arrival of your next years advices as we are certain of his inability to support himself in England without you will be pleased favourably to do something for him as his Conduct during his stay here merits this our recommendation of him to Your Honors. 4. A few Days before the Sailing of the Nottingham there were three Men belonging to her drowned, One of them named John Dagwell the Corpse not being taken up until the said Ship had sailed he was Buried at your Expence amounting to two pounds sixteen shillings and six pence, this We mention to you in order that you may receive the same from the Owners of said Ship. 5. We have given Captain Hambly an Order to receive on board the Lord North Ralph Clevering a discharged Soldier towards compleating his Ships Company. 6. The Passengers on board the Lord North are John Hunter Esqr. and Messrs. Baines and Ghoshall, On board the Colebrooke General Joseph Smith Colonel Bonjour, and Messrs. Parkinson, Scott, Beaver Redfern, Moore Parkinson and Redhead and on board	Mahony had not been trained in the law, yet he had carried out his duties diligently. He was now advanced in years, his illness was growing fast upon him, and his position had never allowed him to make any provision for his future support. The Council therefore thought him deserving of the Court's compassion. It had advised him to remain on the island until the Court's wishes about him were known from its next year's letters. The Council was certain that he could not support himself in England unless the Court was pleased to do something for him, and his conduct during his time on the island deserved its recommendation. 4: A few days before the Nottingham sailed, three of her men were drowned. One of them, John Dagwell, the cooper, was not recovered until after the ship had sailed. He was buried at the Company's expense, at a cost of £2 16s 6d. The Council mentioned this so that the Court could recover the sum from the ship's owners. 5: The Council ordered Captain Hambly to take aboard the Lord North, to help complete his crew, Ralph Clevering, a discharged soldier. 6: The passengers aboard the Lord North were John Hunter and Messrs Baines and Foxhall. Aboard the Colebrooke were General Joseph Smith, Colonel Bonjour and Messrs Parkinson, Scott, Bevan, Redfern, Moore, Parkinson and Redhead, and aboard, as the letter went on to list. Interpretations The Council passed over the easy course of letting Mahony go home with a recommendation and leaving him to fend for himself. It advised him to stay on the island until the Court answered, because he had nothing to live on in England. On St Helena he still had his post and its small income. Sending him home before the Court had agreed to support him would have left an old, sick man without means. The Council used its recommendation as a plea for a pension, since no fund like the Military Fund existed for civil servants. The burial of the drowned cooper shows the Council again recovering costs from ships' owners. A seaman's death ashore or in the roads was the owners' responsibility, and even a small sum was charged back to them through the Court.
203	198	board the Calcutta Mrs. Brewer, Mrs. Williamson and Mrs. Farrell and Messrs. Nisbett, Wrench, Clancy, Skinner Haffey and Bread. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. and humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Matt. Bazett Willm. Wrangham St. Helena 23 February 1776 List of the Honble. Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Lord North dated the 23 Feby. 1776 No. 1 Governor & Councils Genl. Letter dated the 23 Feby. 1776 2 Duplicate Do. & Do. Do. dated the 12 Do. Do. 3 Do. Do. & Do. Do. dated the 12 Do. relatg. to law matters 4 Consultations from the 19 to the 23 Feby. 1776 5 Duplicate Do. from the 15 Janry. to the 12 Do. Do. 6 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Nottingham 7 Second Do. Do. p Ship Northumberland 8 Effective State of the Garrison 9 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Nottingham 10 Cash Account from the 13 to the 23 Feby. 1776 11 Duplicate Do. for the Month of December Do.	The passengers aboard the Calcutta were Mrs Brewer, Mrs Williamson and Mrs Farrell, and Messrs Nisbett, Wrench, Clancy, Skinner, Haffey and Broad. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Bazett and William Wrangham signed the letter at St Helena on 23 February 1776. The Council's packet by the Lord North, dated 23 February 1776, began with the following documents. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 23 February 1776 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 12 February 1776 3: Duplicate of the general letter of 12 February 1776, relating to legal matters 4: Consultations from 19 to 23 February 1776 5: Duplicate consultations from 15 January to 12 February 1776 6: First receipt for the packet sent by the Nottingham 7: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Northumberland 8: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 9: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Nottingham 10: Cash account from 13 to 23 February 1776 11: Duplicate cash account for December 1775
204	199	12 Duplicate Cash Account for the Month of Janry. 1776 13 Do. Do. from the 1 to the 12 Feby. Do. 14 Ship Lord North Account 15 Duplicate Ship Nottinghams Do. 16 Time of the Arrival of Ships Boats at Banks's 17 Abstract of the Cargoes of Ships Lord North Colebrooke & Calcutta 18 Duplicate Proceedings of a Genl. Quarterly Sessions held on the 12 Janry. 1776 To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. We addressed you last by the Ship Lord North that left this place the 23 instant. 2. On the 25 of this Month Arrived the Salisbury from Bengal (last from the Cape) Captn. Bromfield acquaints Us that he left Fort William the 6 December last and Your Ships Ankerwyke, Hillsborough & Godfrey there, He also informs Us that the Grenville had Arrived at Madrass with Lord Pigot on board. 3. In obedience to your Commands by your Letter dated the 6 Janry. 1773 we are under the necessity of informing you of the Detention of nineteen Bags of Paddy by Captn. Morris and seven Bags by Captn. Thomson notwithstanding those Gentlemen were at the Cape where they might have supplied themselves fully with Grain for their homeward bound Passage without distressing this Island of such a necessary Article the Captns. being asked how the deficiency of Paddy arose Captn. Thomson says that the length of his Passage to the Cape was the occasion of it and that he brought from	12: Duplicate cash account for January 1776 13: Duplicate cash account from 1 to 12 February 1776 14: Account of the ship Lord North 15: Duplicate account of the ship Nottingham 16: Times of arrival of ships' boats at Banks's 17: Abstract of the cargoes of the Lord North, the Colebrooke and the Calcutta 18: Duplicate proceedings of a general quarterly sessions held on 12 January 1776 The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the Lord North, which left the island on 23 February. 2: The Salisbury arrived from Bengal by way of the Cape on the 25th of the month. Captain Bromfield reported that he had left Fort William on 6 December, when the Company's ships Ankerwyke, Hillsborough and Godfrey lay there. He also reported that the Grenville had reached Madras with Lord Pigot aboard. 3: In obedience to the Court's commands in its letter of 6 January 1773, the Council had to report that Captain Morris had kept back 19 bags of paddy and Captain Thomson seven bags. Both had been at the Cape, where they could have supplied themselves fully with grain for the homeward passage without depriving the island of so necessary an article. When asked about the shortfall in the paddy, Captain Thomson said that his long passage to the Cape had caused it and that he had bought, as the letter went on to explain. Interpretations The Court had ordered in 1773 that commanders must not keep back stores consigned to the island, after the Council complained of arrack withheld by several captains. The same abuse now appeared with paddy, which fed the island's poultry and livestock and was already scarce. A commander short of feed for his own animals on a long passage found it easier to keep the island's paddy than to buy at the Cape. The Council reported both men by name, as the Court had required. Lord Pigot was returning to Madras as governor, the post he had held during the siege of 1758–59. His second term ended in 1776 with his arrest and imprisonment by members of his own council, and he died in confinement the following year.
205	200	from thence on Account of the Company a supply of Flour. Captn. Morris says that his Ship being very full of Rats supposes that his was eat by them. 4. We purchased of Captn. Thomson on Account of the Honble. Company 54 Cs. 5 Flour, 22 Sheep 5 Baskets Garden Seeds one Sheer Mast & a Top Mast Charges &c. amounting to £ 136 . 12 - And of Captn. Morris a Sheer Mast for £ 20 - They choosing Certificates for the same rather than Money We have Granted them the usual ones accordingly. 5. We have given Captn. Morris an Order to receive on board his Ship towards compleating her Company John Anderson & William Hunt two Discharged Matrosses. 6. The Passengers on board the Salisbury are Captn. King, Mr. & Mrs. Battie Mr. & Mrs. Morris and Messrs. Murry, Harrington, Baker, Rattray and Harding. 7. This Letter waits on you by the Ship Colebrooke Copy of which we transmit p Calcutta. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. & humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Matt. Bazett Willm. Wrangham St. Helena 27 Feby. 1776	Captain Thomson said he had bought a supply of flour at the Cape on the Company's account. Captain Morris said his ship was so full of rats that he supposed they had eaten his paddy. 4: The Council bought from Captain Thomson, on the Company's account, 54 cwt [...] of flour, 22 sheep, 5 baskets of garden seeds, a sheer mast and a topmast, with charges amounting to £136 12s 0d. It also bought from Captain Morris a sheer mast for £20 0s 0d. Both chose to take certificates rather than money, and the Council gave them the usual certificates. 5: The Council ordered Captain Morris to take aboard his ship John Anderson and William Hurst, two discharged matrosses, to help complete her crew. 6: The passengers aboard the Salisbury were Captain King, Mr and Mrs Battie, Mr and Mrs Morris, and Messrs Berry, Harrington, Baker, Rattary and Harding. 7: This letter was going by the Colebrooke, with a copy by the Calcutta. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Bazett and William Wrangham signed the letter at St Helena on 27 February 1776. Interpretations The Council recorded both captains' excuses without comment and left the Court to judge them. Captain Morris's claim that rats had eaten the paddy was not absurd, since ships were infested and grain in bags was easy prey. It was also impossible to disprove. The Council simply bought from both men what they had to sell and sent the evidence home. The sheer masts and topmast were for the island's buildings, not its boats. As in 1772 and 1773, ships' spars remained the only long timbers to be had for roof beams and hoisting gear.
206	201	List of the Honble. Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Colebrooke dated the 27 Feby. 1776 No. 1 Govr. & Councils Genl. Letter dated the 27 Feby. 1776 2 Duplicate Do. & Do. Do. dated the 23 Do. Do. 3 Consultations of the 26 Feby. 1776 4 Duplicate Do. from the 19 to the 23 February 1776 5 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Lord North 6 Second Do. for the Do. p Ship Nottingham 7 Effective State of the Garrison 8 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Lord North 9 Cash Account from the 24 to the 27 Feby. 1776 10 Duplicate Do. from the 13 to the 23 Do. Do. 11 Ship Colebrookes Account 12 Ship Calcuttas Do. 13 Duplicate Ship Lord Norths Do. 14 Time of the Arrival of Ship Salisburys Boat at Banks's To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. Our last advices waited on you by the Ship Colebrooke Copy of which we transmitted p Calcutta. 2. We have given Captn. Bromfield, an Order to receive on board his Ship Henry Sowlander an Invalid Soldier & have paid him £ 5 - for his passage Sowlander has signed an Instrument in Writing not to demand any wages from the Captn. or Owners of the Salisbury, which goes inclosed.	The Council sent the following documents to the Court in its packet by the Colebrooke, dated 27 February 1776. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 27 February 1776 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 23 February 1776 3: Consultation of 26 February 1776 4: Duplicate consultations from 19 to 23 February 1776 5: First receipt for the packet sent by the Lord North 6: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Nottingham 7: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 8: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Lord North 9: Cash account from 24 to 27 February 1776 10: Duplicate cash account from 13 to 23 February 1776 11: Account of the ship Colebrooke 12: Account of the ship Calcutta 13: Duplicate account of the ship Lord North 14: Time of arrival of the Salisbury's boat at Banks's The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the Colebrooke, with a copy by the Calcutta. 2: The Council ordered Captain Bromfield to take aboard his ship Henry Sunderland, an invalid soldier, and paid him £5 0s 0d for his passage. Sunderland had signed a written undertaking to claim no wages from the captain or owners of the Salisbury, which was enclosed, as the letter went on to say.
207	202	inclosed together with the Surgeons Certificate and Captn. Bromfields Receipt. 3. Captain Bromfield acquaints Us that he has no Bill of Lading of the Ship Salisbury. 4. We beg leave to observe to your Honors that Captain Bromfield has short delivered 14 Bags of Paddy in the consignment of that Article to this Island. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. and humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Matt. Bazett Willm. Wrangham St. Helena 8 March 1776 List of the Honorable Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Salisbury dated the 8 March 1776 No. 1 Govr. and Councils General Letter dated the 8 March 1776 2 Duplicate Do. and Do. Do. dated the 27 Feby. Do. 3 Consultations from the 4 to 8 March Do. 4 Duplicate Do. of the 26 Feby. Do. 5 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Colebrooke 6 Do. Do. for a small paper Do. p Ship Calcutta 7 Captn. Bromfields first receipt for £ 5 -	Sunderland's undertaking was enclosed with the surgeon's certificate and Captain Bromfield's receipt. 3: Captain Bromfield reported that he had no bill of lading for the Salisbury. 4: The Council pointed out to the Court that Captain Bromfield had delivered 14 bags of paddy short of the quantity consigned to the island. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Bazett and William Wrangham signed the letter at St Helena on 8 March 1776. The Council's packet by the Salisbury, dated 8 March 1776, began with the following documents. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 8 March 1776 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 27 February 1776 3: Consultations from 4 to 8 March 1776 4: Duplicate consultation of 26 February 1776 5: First receipt for the packet sent by the Colebrooke 6: First receipt for a small paper packet sent by the Calcutta 7: Captain Bromfield's first receipt for £5 0s 0d Interpretations Captain Bromfield was the third commander in a fortnight to deliver less paddy than was consigned to the island, after Captains Morris and Thomson. Three cases in one season suggest the practice was common, not an accident of rats or long passages. The Council reported each one as the Court had ordered. Without a bill of lading for the Salisbury, however, it had no document against which to check her cargo, which made the shortfall harder to prove.
208	203	8 Second Receipt for the Packet p Ship Lord North 9 Effective State of the Garrison 10 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Colebrooke 11 Cash Account from the 28 to the 29 Feby. 1776 12 Do. from the 1 to the 8 March Do. 13 Duplicate Do. from the 24 to the 27 Feby. Do. 14 Ship Salisburys Account 15 Duplicate Ship Colebrookes Do. 16 Do. Ship Calcutta's Do. 17 List of Births, Christenings, Marriages & Burials from the 1 Sept. 1775 to the 29 Feby. 1776 18 List of Servants taken the 8 March 1776 19 Register of Goods & Merchandize Imported & Exported in and from the Island St. Helena from the 20 Oct. 1775 to the 8 March 1776 20 Surgeons Certificate of Henry Sowlander an Invalid Soldier 21 Instrument in writing from Do. Do. an Do. To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. Our last Letter waited on you by the Ship Salisbury that left this Place the 13 instant. 2. On the 12 of this Month arrived your Ship Rochford from China, which place Captn. Baird informs Us he left the 10 Decr. last and your Ships Queen & Grosvenor there, which were to sail sometime in January and that the Morse sailed ten Days before him for Europe. The 19 a French Ship from China called the Modeste Captn.	8: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Lord North 9: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 10: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Colebrooke 11: Cash account from 28 to 29 February 1776 12: Cash account from 1 to 8 March 1776 13: Duplicate cash account from 24 to 27 February 1776 14: Account of the ship Salisbury 15: Duplicate account of the ship Colebrooke 16: Duplicate account of the ship Calcutta 17: List of births, christenings, marriages and burials from 1 September 1775 to 29 February 1776 18: List of servants, taken on 8 March 1776 19: Register of goods and merchandise imported into and exported from St Helena from 20 October 1775 to 8 March 1776 20: Surgeon's certificate for Henry Sunderland, an invalid soldier 21: Written undertaking by Henry Sunderland, an invalid soldier The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the Salisbury, which left the island on 10 March. 2: The Company's ship Rochford arrived from China on the 12th of the month. Captain Baird reported that he had left Canton on 10 December, leaving the Company's ships Queen and Grosvenor there, which were to sail some time in January. The Morse had sailed for Europe ten days before him. On the 19th a French ship from China arrived, the Modeste, as the letter went on to describe.
209	204	Captain De Mont burthen 900 Tons carrys 26 Guns and 180 Men loaden with Tea and China ware bound to Port L'Orient. 3. We have bought of Captain John Baird on your Honors Account 610 Pieces Salt Meat @ two shillings p piece Spars & Planks £ 15 - the whole Bill amounting to £ 76 - We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. and humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Mattw. Bazett Willm. Wrangham St. Helena 22 March 1776 List of the Honorable Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Rochford dated the 22 March 1776 No. 1 Govr. & Councils Genl. Letter dated the 22 March 1776 2 Duplicate Do. & Do. Do. dated the 8 Do. Do. 3 Consultations from the 11 to the 22 March Do. 4 Duplicate Do. from the 4 to the 8 Do. Do. 5 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Salisbury 6 Second Do. for the Do. p Ship Colebrooke 7 Do. Do. for a small paper Do. p Ship Calcutta 8 Captn. Bromfields second Receipt for £ 5 -	The Modeste, under Captain De Mont, was of 900 tons, carried 26 guns and a crew of 180, and was bound for Lorient with tea and chinaware. 3: The Council bought from Captain John Baird, on the Company's account, 610 pieces of salt meat at 2s a piece, together with spars and planks for £15 0s 0d, making his whole bill £76 0s 0d. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Bazett and William Wrangham signed the letter at St Helena on 22 March 1776. The Council's packet by the Rochford, dated 22 March 1776, began with the following documents. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 22 March 1776 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 8 March 1776 3: Consultations from 11 to 22 March 1776 4: Duplicate consultations from 4 to 8 March 1776 5: First receipt for the packet sent by the Salisbury 6: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Colebrooke 7: Second receipt for a small paper packet sent by the Calcutta 8: Captain Bromfield's second receipt for £5 0s 0d Interpretations The Council again bought salt meat from a homeward commander's surplus stores, as it had done with Captains Young, Arthur and Tryon. With its own Irish provisions spoiling and its requests for more meat unmet, buying from the ships at 2s a piece gave the island sound meat it could inspect before paying for it.
210	205	9 Effective State of the Garrison 10 Cash Account from the 9 to the 22 March 1776 11 Duplicate Do. from the 28 to the 29 February Do. 12 Do. Do. from the 1 to the 8 March Do. 13 Ship Rochfords Account 14 Duplicate Ship Salisbury's Account 15 Do. List of Births Christenings Marriages & Burials from the 1 Septem. 1775 to the 29 Feby. 1776 16 Do. Register of Goods and Merchandize Imported & exported in & from the Island St. Helena from the 20 Octr. 1775 to the 8 March 1776 17 Do. Surgeons Certificate of Henry Sowlander an Invalid Soldier 18 Abstract of the Cargoe of Ship Rochford 19 Time of the Arrival of Ship Rochfords Boat at Banks's 20 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Salisbury To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. By the Ship Rochford that left this place the 23 of this Month we addressed you. 2. On the 25 instant Arrived the Morse from China (last from the Cape) which place Captn. Hunt acquaints Us he put into the 24 Feby. last and found there your Packet Syren & the Prince Henry, that the former sailed from thence the 3 of this Month and the latter the 8, the Day he Did. 3. Captain Hunt Purchased at the Cape on your Honors Account 100 Sheep five of which Died	9: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 10: Cash account from 9 to 22 March 1776 11: Duplicate cash account from 28 to 29 February 1776 12: Duplicate cash account from 1 to 8 March 1776 13: Account of the ship Rochford 14: Duplicate account of the ship Salisbury 15: Duplicate list of births, christenings, marriages and burials from 1 September 1775 to 29 February 1776 16: Duplicate register of goods and merchandise imported into and exported from St Helena from 20 October 1775 to 8 March 1776 17: Duplicate surgeon's certificate for Henry Sunderland, an invalid soldier 18: Abstract of the cargo of the Rochford 19: Time of arrival of the Rochford's boat at Banks's 20: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Salisbury The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the Rochford, which left the island on the 23rd of the month. 2: The Morse arrived from China by way of the Cape on the 25th. Captain Kent reported that he had put into the Cape on 24 February and found there the Company's Syren packet and the Prince Henry. The Syren sailed on 3 March and the Prince Henry on 6 March, the day he left. 3: Captain Kent had bought at the Cape, on the Company's account, 100 sheep, five of which died, as the letter went on to say.
211	206	Died in the Passage 62 Bushls. 2 . 0 Wheat and two baskets Garden Seeds amounting to £ 126 . 0 . 4 as p Bill entered in Consultation of this Day for the Payment whereof We have given him Certificates. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. and humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Matt. Bazett Willm. Wrangham St. Helena 28 March 1776 List of the Honble. Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Morse dated the 28 March 1776 No. 1 Govr. and Councils Genl. Letter dated the 28 March 1776 2 Duplicate Do. & Do. Do. dated the 22 Do. Do. 3 Consultations from the 25 to the 28 March 1776 4 Duplicate Do. from the 11 to the 22 Do. Do. 5 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Rochford 6 Second Do. for the Do. p Ship Salisbury 7 Effective State of the Garrison 8 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Rochford 9 Cash Account from 23 to the 28 March 1776 10 Duplicate Do. from the 9 to the 22 Do. Do. 11 Ship Morse Account	Five of Captain Kent's sheep died on the passage. He also bought 62 cwt 2 qr 0 lb of wheat and two baskets of garden seeds, amounting in all to £126 0s 4d, as shown in his bill entered in that day's consultation. The Council gave him certificates for the payment. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Bazett and William Wrangham signed the letter at St Helena on 28 March 1776. The Council's packet by the Morse, dated 28 March 1776, began with the following documents. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 28 March 1776 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 22 March 1776 3: Consultations from 25 to 28 March 1776 4: Duplicate consultations from 11 to 22 March 1776 5: First receipt for the packet sent by the Rochford 6: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Salisbury 7: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 8: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Rochford 9: Cash account from 23 to 28 March 1776 10: Duplicate cash account from 9 to 22 March 1776 11: Account of the ship Morse
212	207	12 Duplicate Ship Rochfords Account 13 Abstract of the Cargoe of Ship Morse 14 Time of the Arrival of Ship Morse's Boat at Banks's To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs We take the earliest opportunity by the Sailing of a Swede and Dane Ships to inform you of the arrival of the Ship Lord Holland, On the 17 instant by which conveyance we received a Packet from your Honors under date of the 13 december 1775. On the 11 of this Month Arrived a Swede Ship from China called the Terra Nova Captn. Chapman, burthen 1300 Tons carrys 32 Guns and 160 Men loaden with Tea and China Ware bound to Gottenburg And the 18 a Dane Ship from China called the Fredenburg Slott, Captn. Heilbie burthen 1100 Tons carrys 26 Guns and 160 Men loaden with Tea and China Ware bound to Copenhagen, the Dane Captn. acquaints Us he left China the 20 December last and your Ships Grosvenor and Queen there, the former to Sail in January, and the latter in February. This Letter waits on you by the Swede Ship Copy of which we transmit by the Dane. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. & humble Servts. (Signed) Matt. Bazett Wm. Wrangham John Skottowe Danl. Corneille St. Helena 25 April 1776	12: Duplicate account of the ship Rochford 13: Abstract of the cargo of the Morse 14: Time of arrival of the Morse's boat at Banks's The Council wrote again to the Court. It took the earliest opportunity, by the sailing of a Swedish and a Danish ship, to report the arrival of the Lord Holland on 17 April, by which it received a packet from the Court dated 13 December 1775. A Swedish ship from China, the Terra Nova, under Captain Chapman, had arrived on 8 April. She was of 1,300 tons, carried 32 guns and a crew of 160, and was bound for Gothenburg with tea and chinaware. On 10 April a Danish ship from China arrived, the Fredensborg Slot, under Captain Heilbie. She was of 1,100 tons, carried 26 guns and a crew of 160, and was bound for Copenhagen with tea and chinaware. The Danish captain reported that he had left China on 20 December, leaving the Company's ships Grosvenor and Queen there. The first was to sail in January and the second in February. This letter was going by the Swedish ship, with a copy by the Danish ship. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Bazett and William Wrangham signed the letter at St Helena on 25 April 1776. Interpretations The Fredensborg Slot was very probably the Fredensborg that had called in March 1773 under Captain Holm, now under a new commander. The Council again entrusted its notice to foreign ships because they were the first to sail. A Company packet had just arrived from London, and the Court would want to know at once that its despatches had reached the island safely.
213	208	To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs We take this opportunity of acquainting you by a Dane Ship called the Tranquebar Captain Berg that We shall have the pleasure of writing you in a few Days by his Majesty's Ship Arethusa. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. & humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Mattw. Bazett Willm. Wrangham St. Helena 4 June 1776 To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. We addressed you by a Swede Ship called the Terra Nova under date of the 25 April last Copy of which we transmitted by a Dane Ship the Fredenburg Slott. We also wrote you by a Dane called the Tranquebar that left this place the 4 instant. 2. The following Ships have arrived here from the East Indies &c. since Our advices p	The Council wrote briefly to the Court by a Danish ship, the Tranquebar, under Captain Berg, to say that it would write more fully within a few days by His Majesty's ship Arethusa. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Bazett and William Wrangham signed the letter at St Helena on 4 June 1776. The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: It had written by a Swedish ship, the Terra Nova, on 25 April, with a copy by a Danish ship, the Fredensborg Slot. It had also written by a Danish ship, the Tranquebar, which left the island on 4 June. 2: The following ships had arrived from the East Indies since the Council's last letter, as it went on to list. Interpretations A King's ship was the most secure carrier for the Council's fuller report, safer than a merchantman and less exposed to capture. War with the American colonies had broken out in 1775, and American privateers were beginning to prey on British shipping in the Atlantic. The Council sent only a short note by the Danish ship and held its main despatches for the frigate Arethusa. That was a sensible precaution as the seas grew more dangerous.
214	209	p Morse viz. The Lord Holland 17 April from England Grosvenor 11 China Osterley 12 Fort Marlbro Godfrey 16 Bengal Ankerwyke 18 Madrass Queen 21 China last from Cape Hillsborough 25 Madrass His Majesty's Ship Arethusa 25 England Duke of Grafton 4 June Do. 3. On the 12 of last Month Arrived a French Ship from China called St. Dauphin Captn. Dordalieu burthen 1000 Tons carrys 20 Guns and 150 Men loaden with China Ware. The 16 of the same Month arrived another French Ship from Bengal called the L'Chamont Captn. L Chas. Pean burthen 450 Tons carrys 2 Guns and 60 Men Loaden with Bengal Goods both bound to Port L'Orient. 4. The 22 of the same Month Arrived an American Fishing Vessel Our proceedings with Respect to her are entered in Consultation of that Day to which We beg leave to refer you. 5. The 24 of May last, arrived a French Snow from Bourbon called the St. Rence, Captn. De la Fountaenare burthen 150 Tons carrys 2 Guns and 16 Men loaden with Coffee bound to Port L'Orient, The same Day arrived a Dutch Ship from Batavia called the Hyster Spyke Captn. Jochem Eklep burthen 1000 Tons carrys 30 Guns and 104 Men loaden with Sugar Coffee and Pepper bound to Amsterdam, The Day following a French Ship from Pondichery called the Ajax Captain	The ships that had arrived since the Council's letter by the Morse were the following. Lord Holland, 17 April, from England Grosvenor, 16 May, from China Osterley, 12 May, from Fort Marlborough Godfrey, 16 May, from Bengal Ankerwyke, 13 May, from Madras Queen, 21 May, from China by way of the Cape Hillsborough, 25 May, from Madras His Majesty's ship Arethusa, 25 May, from England Duke of Grafton, 4 June, from England 3: A French ship from China, the Dauphin, under Captain Dordalieu, arrived on 12 May. She was of 1,000 tons, carried 20 guns and a crew of 150, and was laden with chinaware. On 16 May another French ship arrived from Bengal, the Saint Chamond, under Captain [...] Pean. She was of 450 tons, carried 2 guns and a crew of 60, and was laden with Bengal goods. Both were bound for Lorient. 4: An American fishing vessel arrived on 22 May. The Council's proceedings concerning her were entered in that day's consultation, to which it referred the Court. 5: On 24 May a French snow from Bourbon arrived, the Saint René, under Captain de la Fontaine. She was of 150 tons, carried 2 guns and a crew of 16, and was bound for Lorient with coffee. The same day a Dutch ship from Batavia arrived, the [...], under Captain Jochem Eklof. She was of 1,000 tons, carried 30 guns and a crew of 104, and was bound for Amsterdam with sugar, coffee and pepper. The next day a French ship from Pondicherry arrived, the Ajax, as the letter went on to describe. Interpretations An American vessel arriving in May 1776 put the Council in a new position. A year earlier it had assured the Court on its honour that no American ship had ever called. Now war had broken out between Britain and the colonies, and a ship from America was no longer merely an unlawful trader but potentially an enemy. The Council referred the Court to its full proceedings rather than summarising them, which suggests it detained or examined the vessel with care and wanted every step on record.
215	210	Captain Crozett burthen 700 Tons carrys 2 Guns and 120 Men loaden with Bale Goods bound to Port L'Orient, The same Day Arrived a Dane Ship from Tranquebar, called the Tranquebar Captn. Berg burthen 150 Tons carrys 2 Guns and 16 Men Loaden with Bengal Goods bound to Copenhagen. 6. The 1 instant arrived a French Ship from Pondichery called the La Quillon Captain Delandemiff, burthen 500 Tons carrys 14 Guns and 100 Men Loaden with Bale Goods bound to Port L'Orient. 7. It gives Us great pleasure to hear that all the Ships of last Season Arrived safe, the like Success We hope will attend those of this Year. 8. Your Honors will please to observe by our Consultation of the 30 April last that we dispatched the Lord Holland upon the expiration of the ten working Days she proceeded on her Voyage to Fort Marlbro the 13 of last Month, And hope that she will be in time to save her passage to China. 9. The Orders received from any three of the Gentlemen of the secret Committee will be paid proper attention to. 10. By our Letter of the 30 April last to the Gentlemen at Canton we found it necessary to make some alteration in our China Indent agreable to your permission for so doing to which We refer your Honors. 11. The supplys we have received this Season by the Ships Lord Holland and Duke of Grafton all but the Article of Flour which is 126 Casks short of the Indent we hope will fully answer the Demands of the Island the ensuing Year. 12. Your Honors may be assured that we will furnish you in Triplicate with the Certificates you	The Ajax, under Captain Crozet, was of 700 tons, carried 2 guns and a crew of 120, and was bound for Lorient with bale goods. The same day a Danish ship arrived from Tranquebar, the Tranquebar, under Captain Berg. She was of 150 tons, carried 2 guns and a crew of 16, and was bound for Copenhagen with Bengal goods. 6: A French ship from Pondicherry, the Aiguillon, under Captain Delandemeff, arrived on 1 June. She was of 500 tons, carried 14 guns and a crew of 100, and was bound for Lorient with bale goods. 7: The Council was greatly pleased to learn that all the ships of the previous season had arrived safely, and hoped the same success would attend those of the present year. 8: The Court would see from the Council's consultation of 30 April that it had dispatched the Lord Holland as soon as her ten working days expired. She had continued her voyage to Fort Marlborough on the 1st of the previous month, and the Council hoped she would be in time to save her passage to China. 9: Orders received from any three of the gentlemen of the Secret Committee would receive proper attention. 10: In its letter of 30 April to the gentlemen at Canton, the Council had found it necessary to make some changes to its China indent, as the Court had permitted. It referred the Court to that letter. 11: The Council hoped that the supplies received that season by the Lord Holland and the Duke of Grafton would fully meet the island's needs for the coming year, except for flour, which was 126 casks short of the indent. 12: The Court could be assured that the Council would supply it in triplicate with the certificates, as the letter went on to say. Interpretations Captain Crozet of the Ajax was probably Julien Crozet, the French navigator who had sailed with Marion du Fresne to New Zealand in 1772 and brought the expedition home after Marion was killed there. He was now commanding a merchant ship in the Indian trade. A ship that missed the season for crossing to China lost a whole year, as the Stafford had done. The Council hurried the Lord Holland on to Sumatra so that she would reach the China Sea before the winds turned against her. A shortfall of 126 casks of flour was serious after years of bad and insufficient supplies, and the island would again depend on what it could buy from passing ships.
216	211	you require in the 3 Paragraph of your General Letter p Lord Holland, respecting his Majesty's Order granting you Liberty to export Gun Powder, Ordnance, Small Arms and other Warlike Stores to them, which will be transmitted the first opportunity after they are delivered from Ship Duke of Grafton. 13. Mr. George [...] whom you appointed a Writer on the Bengal Establishment having passed upon the Ship Morse, we return the Covenants which came in the Packet p Lord Holland agreable to your Directions. 14. It gives Us great pleasure to find that the scheme proposed for conveying the Water from Chubs Spring to the Crane meets with your entire approbation being fully convinced of the Utility thereof. Charles Bradford and Thomas Pinkston the two Plumbers you were pleased to engage to carry the above work into execution shall be paid their Salarys agreable to the Tenor of their Bonds and have in consequence to the further latitude you have given Us made them an Allowance of £ 36 - each p Annum for their Diet lodging &c. and have likewise granted them a reasonable supply of sundry necessarys out of your Stores for their support, as soon as the above work is compleated we will acquaint you with the whole expence thereof as you required. 15. We are extremely concerned to find that your Honors were displeased at the intelligence we communicated to you by a Dutch Ship the 18 Sept. last respecting the reports we received from the Captn. of the said Ship of the situation of the affairs of your Presidency of Bombay, which came from him [...] [...] manner he being entirely unacquainted with	The certificates were those the Court required in the third paragraph of its general letter by the Lord Holland, concerning His Majesty's order allowing the Company to export gunpowder, ordnance, small arms and other warlike stores. The Council would send them at the first opportunity after the stores were delivered from the Duke of Grafton. 13: Mr George Fleta, whom the Court had appointed a writer on the Bengal establishment, had sailed in the Morse. As the Court directed, the Council returned the covenants that came for him in the packet by the Lord Holland. 14: The Council was greatly pleased that the scheme for bringing water from Chubb's Spring to the crane had met with the Court's approval, since it was fully convinced of its usefulness. Charles Bradford and Thomas Pinkston, the two plumbers the Court had engaged to carry out the work, would be paid their salaries according to the terms of their bonds. In view of the further latitude the Court had given, the Council had also allowed each of them £56 0s 0d a year for diet, lodging and the like, and had granted them a reasonable supply of various necessaries from the stores for their support. As soon as the work was finished, the Council would report its whole cost, as the Court required. 15: The Council was extremely concerned to find that the Court had been displeased by the news it had sent by a Dutch ship on 10 September about the reports it had received from her captain on the state of affairs at the Bombay presidency. That news had come from him in a manner, as the letter went on to explain. Interpretations The Court had accepted the Council's water scheme and sent out two plumbers to lay the lead pipes, as the Council had asked in July 1775. The subscription raised on the island had won its point, and the Court paid for the skilled men and materials the island could not supply. The Court's displeasure at the Bombay report shows the danger of passing on rumour. The Dutch captain's story of a Maratha blockade and a captured King's ship had spread in England as news from an official source, perhaps alarming investors or the government. The Council had passed the report on in good faith and with a warning that it waited for English confirmation. It now had to explain itself for reporting unconfirmed news on the word of a foreign captain.
217	212	with the time those events which he related to Us was said to have happened put it out of our power of being more particular on that occasion, as we wish and mean to be on all intelligence so very essentially to your service, and shall be careful in future to give you the fullest information of what comes to our knowledge respecting your affairs in India. 16. We are very sorry that your Honors could not send us the Number of Recruits we indented for last Year as upwards of forty Men of your Garrison have been lately discharged, notwithstanding we used Our utmost endeavours to persuade them to Reinlist, as well as raising the Bounty to £ 15 - agreable to your Orders you may be assured that we shall use every method to procure as many good men, from the homeward bound Ships as shall come to our knowledge, we have further to observe that Lads of about sixteen or seventeen Years of Age answer very well for this Place. And have to Request that you will be pleased to send eighty Recruits the next Year as that number will hardly Compleat the Establishment of this Island. 17. By the Ship Duke of Grafton that Arrived here the 4 instant we received your Letter to Us under Date of the 5 March 1776. 18. Mr. Corneille is acknowledging of the Honor done him by their Honors for his appointment to a Majority and returns them his thanks for the same. 19. Lieuts. Richard Knipe, Arthur Upton and John Leech Cadet have been acquainted with your confirmation of their appointments for which they return your Honors their sincere thanks. when Mr. Adlam Arrives here from India we will appoint him	The captain had been entirely unacquainted with the time when the events he described were said to have happened, which made it impossible for the Council to be more precise. It wished and meant to report all intelligence that so closely concerned the Company's service, and would take care in future to give the Court the fullest information it received about the Company's affairs in India. 16: The Council was very sorry that the Court could not send the number of recruits it had asked for the previous year. More than 40 men of the garrison had lately been discharged, despite its utmost efforts to persuade them to re-enlist and its raising of the bounty to £15 0s 0d, as the Court had ordered. The Court could be assured that it would use every means to obtain as many good men as it could find from the homeward ships. It also observed that lads of about sixteen or seventeen years of age suited the island very well. It asked the Court to send 80 recruits the following year, since that number would barely complete the island's establishment. 17: By the Duke of Grafton, which arrived on 4 June, the Council received the Court's letter of 5 March 1776. 18: Mr Corneille acknowledged the honour the Court had done him in appointing him to a majority, and thanked it. 19: Lieutenants Richard Knipe and Arthur Upton and John Leech, cadet, had been informed that the Court had confirmed their appointments, for which they thanked it. When Mr Adlam arrived from India, the Council would appoint him, as the letter went on to say. Interpretations More than 40 men discharged in a season, despite a bounty raised to £15 0s 0d, left the garrison in serious difficulty. The Court had evidently increased the bounty from £10 0s 0d to try to keep its soldiers, but men whose terms had run out still chose to leave. The outbreak of war in America meant that the government needed every recruit it could raise at home, and the Company could send few men out. The Council's suggestion that boys of sixteen or seventeen would serve well reflected the island's need. A young recruit could be trained on the spot and might serve for many years, while older men brought out were soon worn down and sent home as invalids.
218	213	him a second Lieut. of Infantry, and John Potts Sergeant having behaved to our satisfaction we have appointed him a Second Lieut. of Artillery agreable to your permission for so doing. 20. As you did not think proper to allow more than £ 30 - p Annum for an Organist, that Sum being inadequate to the support of such a Person no Organ was sent out. 21. Mr. Thomas Stroud Surgeon, shall be paid the additional Salary you have been pleased to Direct for which favour he Returns your Honors his sincere acknowledgements. 22. From the Hurry of Business occasioned by the dispatch of these Ships we have not time to transmit you the proper description and account with respect to the Honble. Company's Houses but will take the first opportunity of giving you such information of the same as you Require. 23. We are concerned that Our dismission of Lieut. Robert Gillson deprived him of that favor which he might have received from your Honors upon Our Recommendation, And shall be careful in future only to suspend such of your Servants who misbehave until your pleasure is known thereon, unless in the Military Line where they may be cashiered by a General Court Martial. 24. In Consequence of Captn. Bazetts promotion there remains only two Captns. of Infantry to do duty as such, We therefore have thought it necessary, for the good of the Service, to order Mr. Thomas Bazett who is the Eldest Lieut. to do Captns. Duty and Request, as it will be no expence to the Honble. Company, you will be pleased to grant him a Commission as Captn. Lieutenant for that purpose. We further beg leave to observe, that We are of opinion	Mr Adlam would be appointed a second lieutenant of infantry. John Potts, a sergeant, had behaved to the Council's satisfaction, and it had appointed him a second lieutenant of artillery under the Court's permission to do so. 20: Since the Court had not thought fit to allow more than £30 0s 0d a year for an organist, and that sum was too small to support such a person, no organ had been sent out. 21: Thomas Stroud, the surgeon, would be paid the additional salary the Court had directed, for which he returned his sincere thanks. 22: The rush of business caused by dispatching these ships left the Council no time to send the proper description and account of the Company's houses. It would give the Court the information it required at the first opportunity. 23: The Council regretted that its dismissal of Lieutenant Robert Gillson had deprived him of the favour he might have received from the Court on its recommendation. In future it would take care only to suspend servants who misbehaved until the Court's wishes were known, except in the military, where they might be cashiered by a general court martial. 24: Captain Bazett's promotion left only two captains of infantry to do duty as such. The Council had therefore thought it necessary, for the good of the service, to order Mr Thomas Bazett, the eldest lieutenant, to do a captain's duty. Since it would cost the Company nothing, it asked the Court to grant him a commission as captain lieutenant for that purpose. It further observed that it was of the opinion, as the letter went on to say. Interpretations The Court had evidently been ready to restore Gillson, or at least to consider his case favourably, but the Council's outright dismissal had closed the door. Only the Court could make or unmake a Company servant. By dismissing Gillson instead of suspending him, the Council had gone beyond its authority and pre-empted the Court's judgement. Its promise to suspend in future accepted the rebuke and restored the rule it had set itself over appointments: the island acted provisionally, and London decided. John Potts had risen from private to corporal in January 1773, then to sergeant, and now to a commission in the artillery. His was the second such rise from the ranks, after James Elgin's. It shows the Council and Court ready to reward merit in a garrison short of officers.
219	214	opinion the present number of Officers is not equal to the Military Establishment of this Garrison, therefore Recommend to your Consideration the appointment of Captn. Lieutenants to both the Field Officers Company's independent of the present Establishment, of three Subaltern Officers to each Company. This will make an addition of no more than two Subalterns, which We think this Garrison absolutely Requires. 25. Captn. James Barwell on the 20 May last presented a Letter to the Board representing the Leaky Condition of his Ship &c. which We have entered in Consultation of that Day with Our answer thereto for your observance. 26. We transmit you in the Packet the affidavit of the Widow Elizabeth Caldwell together with a Certificate of her Marriage as you direct. And as she is in Distressed Circumstances will in the mean time make her the allowance of a Lieuts. Widow agreable to your Orders. And shall be particular in sending such accounts in a separate Paper. And in all similar cases, we shall be attentive to observe your late Resolutions thereon. 27. Captain John Grant is the only Passenger upon the Grosvenor On board the Godfrey are Mr. Peacock, Mr. Arding, Mr. & Mrs. Castleman On board the Queen, Colonel Bellingham and Wife, and Messrs. Wade and Athey on board the Osterly Richd. Wyatt Esqr. and Lady. On the Ankerwyke Alexander Wynch Esqr. Messrs. Graham, Stewart, Thompson & Lloyd. And on board the Hillsborough, George Vansittart Esqr. and Lady, Lionel Darell Esqr. and Lady, Alexr. Boswell Esqr. Captn. Campbell and Lieut. Reid. 28. Captn. Lizars informs Us he left Bencoolen	The Council believed that the present number of officers was not equal to the military establishment of the garrison. It therefore recommended that the Court appoint captain lieutenants to both the field officers' companies, in addition to the present establishment of three subaltern officers in each company. This would add no more than two subalterns, which the Council thought the garrison absolutely required. 25: On 20 May Captain James Barwell presented a letter to the Council describing the leaky condition of his ship, among other matters. The Council entered it in that day's consultation with its answer, for the Court's attention. 26: The Council enclosed in the packet the affidavit of the widow Elizabeth Caldwell, with a certificate of her marriage, as the Court had directed. Since she was in distressed circumstances, the Council would meanwhile pay her the allowance of a lieutenant's widow, as the Court had ordered. It would take particular care to send such accounts on a separate paper, and in all similar cases would follow the Court's recent resolutions. 27: Captain John Grant was the only passenger aboard the Grosvenor. Aboard the Godfrey were Mr Peacock, Mr Arding and Mr and Mrs Cuthbertson. Aboard the Queen were Colonel Billingham and his wife, and Messrs Wade and Abbey. Aboard the Osterley were Richard Wyatt and his lady. Aboard the Ankerwyke were Alexander Wynch and Messrs Graham, Stewart, Thompson and Lloyd. Aboard the Hillsborough were George Vansittart and his lady, Lionel Darell and his lady, Alexander Boswell, Captain Campbell and Lieutenant Reid. 28: Captain Rogers reported that he had left Bencoolen, as the letter went on to say. Interpretations The Court had answered the Council's question of July 1775 about Elizabeth Caldwell. She could be paid a lieutenant's widow's allowance on the island, without going to England, provided her claim was proved by sworn affidavit and a marriage certificate. Those documents let the Court check the entitlement from London. Richard Wyatt, a passenger in the Osterley, was the President of Fort Marlborough to whom the Council had written in May 1773. Alexander Wynch had been Governor of Madras before Lord Pigot's return. George Vansittart was a senior Bengal servant and brother of a former Governor of Bengal. Their passage through St Helena in a single season shows how the island saw the Company's leading men pass by on their way home from the East.
220	215	Bencoolen the 16 February last and your Ship Hampshire at that place Captn. Stainforth acquaints Us he met with your Ship Granby to the Eastward of the Cape of Good hope which place he put into the 3 May and found your Ship Nassau there. Captn. Barwell tells Us he left Madrass the 15 February last, that the Gatton was at Anjengo, that the Stafford was at Malacca, that the Talbot was sailed from Fort St. George for Bengal and that the Granville sailed for Bombay about a Week before he left Madrass. 29. We have Granted the following Sets of Bills of Exchange viz. One to Captn. John Howard for £ 105 - payable to the Reverend Mr. William Bearcroft dated the 29 April 1776 One to Captain Patrick Lawson for £ 2000 - payable to himself, One to Mr. Frederick Schalarman for £ 300 - payable to Mr. Noah Le Bras, One to Mr. John Douglas for £ 50 - payable to Mr. Chas. St. Barbe dated the 8 May last. One to Mr. Robt. Leech for £ 200 - payable to Mr. Robt. Scott dated the 20 of last Month, One to Lieut. John Bazett for £ 50 - payable to Mr. Christr. Ritchard dated the 27 May 1776. One to Captn. Gabriel Harper on Account of Captn. Hogg deceased for £ 203 . 17 . 4 payable to Mr. John Waugh, One to Daniel Corneille Esqr. for £ 550 - payable to John Calliand Esqr. Two Sets to Mr. Willm. Wrangham One for £ 100 - payable to Matthew Parling Esqr. the other for £ 150 - payable to Captn. Richard Pearce, Two Sets to Mr. Mattw. Bazett one for £ 50 - payable to William Larkins Esqr. and the other for £ 500 - payable to Matthew Parling Esqr. One to Mr. Jonathan Doveton for £ 530 - payable to Captain Richard Doveton. One to Captn. George Stainforth for £ 465 . 2 - payable to himself. One to the Attorneys of Mattw. Parling Esqr. for £ 817 . 12 . 9 payable to himself. One to Captn. John Howard for £ 50 - payable to the Revd. Mr. William Lee, dated the 3 instant. One to Major Henry Bazett	The captain reported that he had left Bencoolen on 10 February, when the Company's ship Hampshire lay there. Captain Stainforth reported that he had met the Company's ship Granby to the east of the Cape of Good Hope. He had put into the Cape on 3 May and found the Company's ship Nassau there. Captain Barwell reported that he had left Madras on 15 February. The Gatton was then at Anjengo and the Stafford at Malacca. The Talbot had sailed from Fort St George for Bengal, and the Granville had sailed for Bombay about a week before he left Madras. 29: The Council had granted the following bills of exchange. Captain John Howard, £105 0s 0d, payable to the Reverend William Bearcroft, dated 29 April 1776 Captain Patrick Lawson, £2,000 0s 0d, payable to himself Frederick [...], £300 0s 0d, payable to Noah Le Cras John Douglas, £50 0s 0d, payable to Charles St Barbe, dated 8 May Robert Leech, £200 0s 0d, payable to Robert Scott, dated 26 May Lieutenant John Bazett, £50 0s 0d, payable to Christopher Ritchard, dated 27 May 1776 Captain Gabriel Harper, on account of Captain Hogg, deceased, £203 17s 4d, payable to John Waugh Daniel Corneille, £550 0s 0d, payable to John Caillaud William Wrangham, £100 0s 0d, payable to Matthew Purling William Wrangham, £150 0s 0d, payable to Captain Richard Pearce Matthew Bazett, £50 0s 0d, payable to William Larkins Matthew Bazett, £500 0s 0d, payable to Matthew Purling Jonathan Doveton, £530 0s 0d, payable to Captain Richard Doveton Captain George Stainforth, £465 2s 0d, payable to himself The attorneys of Matthew Purling, £817 12s 9d, payable to Purling himself Captain John Howard, £50 0s 0d, payable to the Reverend William Lee, dated 3 June The list continued with a set to Major Henry [...], as the letter went on to give. Interpretations The flood of bills in a single season shows the island's leading men sending home large sums despite the Court's order to draw only what the island's expenses needed. Matthew Bazett and William Wrangham were still paying hundreds of pounds to Matthew Purling, nearly two years after his departure. Captain Gabriel Harper, who had offered the church an organ, was evidently settling the estate of a dead captain named Hogg on the island. The bill to the Reverend William Bearcroft was another instalment in Captain Howard's long payment for the former chaplain's property.
221	216	Bazett for £ 770 . 13 . 8 payable to John Clements Esqr. One to Mrs. Mary Beale for £ 150 - payable to the Reverend Mr. William Lee, And two Sets to Mr. Thomas Cole One for £ 70 - payable to Mr. James Baldwin, and the other for £ 99 . 10 - payable to Mr. Thomas Mares, and One to Lieut. Thomas Statham for £ 50 - payable to Mr. Richd. Holmes dated the 10 instant, and all Drawn at ninety Days sight. 30. By this Conveyance we transmit your Honors the Indent of Stores wanted for the use of this Island next Year, together with the List of Remains. 31. We have given Captain Rogers an Order to receive on board the Osterly to compleat that Ships Company, Jno. Watterfield, Willm. Smith, Charles Grierson, Thos. Russell, Michael Scully, Thos. Wallington Thos. Sabrey, John Attwood, Fredk. Gallise, Abraham Renew, Willm. Sommerville and John Collins twelve Discharged Soldiers, likewise Ordered him to Receive on board the Osterly Willm. Webb and Edward Jermain two Invalid Soldiers, We have paid him £ 10 - for their passage, his Receipt for which goes in the Packet together with the Surgeons Certificate. We have also put on board the Grosvenor Joseph Batterham, John Thompson and Thomas Beale three other discharged Soldiers to compleat that Ships Company, And given Captn. Preston an Order to receive on board the Hillsborough Chas. Brewer, Daniel Duce, and Timothy Atherton three Discharged Men to compleat that Ships Company, and have also permitted him to take on board his Ship William Paddon a Discharged Soldier Captain Saunders has Our permission to receive on board the Grosvenor, George Richardson a Discharged Corporal, And Captn. Stainforth Frans. Mears another Discharged	The remaining bills, all drawn at 90 days' sight, were these. Major Henry Bazett, £770 13s 0d, payable to John Clements Mary Beale, £150 0s 0d, payable to the Reverend William Lee Thomas Cole, £70 0s 0d, payable to James Baldwin Thomas Cole, £99 10s 0d, payable to Thomas Mares Lieutenant Thomas Statham, £50 0s 0d, payable to Richard Holmes, dated 10 June 30: By this ship the Council sent the indent of stores needed for the island the following year, together with the list of stores remaining. 31: The Council ordered Captain Rogers to take aboard the Osterley, to help complete her crew, twelve discharged soldiers: John Waterfield, William Smith, Charles Grierson, Richard Russell, Michael Scully, Thomas Wallington, Thomas Sabey, John Atwood, Frederick Gallien, Abraham Renew, William Sommerville and John Collins. It also ordered him to take aboard the Osterley William Webb and Edward Jermain, two invalid soldiers, and paid him £10 0s 0d for their passage. His receipt went in the packet with the surgeon's certificate. The Council also put aboard the Grosvenor Joseph Batterham, John Thompson and Thomas Beale, three other discharged soldiers, to complete her crew. It ordered Captain Preston to take aboard the Hillsborough Charles Brewer, Daniel Duce and Timothy Atherton, three discharged men, to complete her crew, and allowed him to take William Paddon, a discharged soldier. Captain Saunders had the Council's permission to take aboard the Grosvenor George Richardson, a discharged corporal, and Captain Stainforth to take Francis Mears, another discharged man, as the letter went on to say. Interpretations Major Henry Bazett's bill confirms his promotion: he had left the island in 1775 as a captain to look after his daughter, and the Court had evidently restored him and raised him to major on the Council's recommendation. The great number of discharged soldiers sent home in one season, at least 22 men in these ships alone, matches the Council's report that more than 40 had left the garrison despite the higher bounty. Frederick Gallien, who had baked the garrison's bread for years, was among them. Placing the men in ships' crews saved the Company their passage money and filled the ships' gaps, but it emptied the garrison at the very time war made recruits hardest to find.
222	217	Discharged Soldier. 32. Bought of Captn. James Barwell on Account of the Honble. Company seven Tierces of Salt Beef containing 280 Pieces amounting to £ 28 - he chusing to receive Certificates for the same, We have granted him the usual ones accordingly. 33. We are under the Necessity of informing you that Captain Preston has detained eleven Bags of the Paddy Consigned to this place from Bengal. 34. Messrs. Bazett and Wrangham having Dissented from the Opinions of the Govr. and Lieut. Governor in a measure adopted by them, the respective Minutes thereon are Entered in Consultations of the 29 and 30 of April last the 13, 20 and 27 May 3, 10 and 12 instant to which We beg leave to refer your Honors. 35. This Letter waits on you by his Majesty's Ship Arethusa which has under her Convoy your Ships Grosvenor, Godfrey, Queen Ankerwyke Osterly and Hillsborough. As time will not permit Us to send a Letter by each Ship we have put a Duplicate of this on board the Grosvenor and a Triplicate on the Godfrey. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. and humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Matthew Bazett William Wrangham Henry Bazett St. Helena 12 June 1776	Francis Mears was a discharged soldier. 32: The Council bought from Captain James Barwell, on the Company's account, seven tierces of salt beef containing 280 pieces, amounting to £28 0s 0d. He chose to take certificates, and the Council gave him the usual certificates. 33: The Council had to report that Captain Preston had kept back eleven bags of the paddy consigned to the island from Bengal. 34: Messrs Bazett and Wrangham had dissented from the opinion of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor on a measure the two had adopted. The minutes of each side were entered in the consultations of 29 and 30 April and of 13, 20 and 27 May, 3, 10 and 12 June, to which the Council referred the Court. 35: This letter was going by His Majesty's ship Arethusa, which had under her convoy the Company's ships Grosvenor, Godfrey, Queen, Ankerwyke, Osterley and Hillsborough. Time did not allow a letter by each ship, so the Council put a duplicate aboard the Grosvenor and a triplicate aboard the Godfrey. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Bazett, William Wrangham and Henry Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 12 June 1776. Interpretations For the first time in these letters, six Company ships sailed home together under the escort of a King's frigate. War with the American colonies had brought American privateers into the Atlantic, and the Admiralty began to convoy the valuable East India ships on the last leg of their voyage. St Helena became the gathering point where homeward ships waited for their escort. The Council itself was split. Matthew Bazett and William Wrangham formally dissented from a measure taken by the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, and the quarrel ran through eight consultations over six weeks. Both sides recorded their reasons so that the Court could judge between them. Henry Bazett, back on the island as a major, now signed with the Council, which suggests the Court had given him a seat. The letter does not say what the dispute concerned.
223	218	List of the Honorable Company's Packet p his Majesty's Ship Arethusa dated the 12 June 1776 No. 1 Governor and Councils General Letter dated the 12 June 1776 2 Do. and Do. Do. dated 12 Do. relating to Law matters 3 Duplicate Do. and Do. Do. dated the 28 March 1776 4 Do. Do. and Do. Do. dated the 4 June Do. 5 Consultations from the 1 April to the 12 Do. Do. 6 Duplicate Do. from the 25 to the 28 March Do. 7 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Morse 8 First Do. for a small paper Do. p Swede Ship Terra Nova 9 First Do. for a Do. Do. p Dane Ship Fredenburg Slott 10 First Do. for a Do. Do. p Dane Ship Tranquebar 11 Second Do. for the Packet p Ship Rochford 12 Effective State of the Garrison 13 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Morse 14 Cash Account from the 29 to the 31 March 1776 15 Do. Do. for the Month of April Do. 16 Do. Do. for the Do. of May Do. 17 Do. Do. from the 1 to the 12 June Do. 18 Duplicate Do. from the 23 to the 28 March Do. 19 Ship Grosvenors Account 20 Ship Lord Hollands Do. 21 Ship Osterlys Do. 22 Ship Godfreys Do. 23 Ship Ankerwykes Do. 24 Ship Queens Do. 25 Ship Hillsboroughs Do. 26 Duplicate Ship Morses Account 27 Abstract of the Cargoes of Ships Grosvenor, Osterley, Godfrey Ankerwyke Queen and Hillsborough	The Council sent the following documents to the Court in its packet by His Majesty's ship Arethusa, dated 12 June 1776. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 12 June 1776 2: The Governor and Council's general letter of 12 June 1776, relating to legal matters 3: Duplicate of the general letter of 28 March 1776 4: Duplicate of the general letter of 4 June 1776 5: Consultations from 1 April to 12 June 1776 6: Duplicate consultations from 25 to 28 March 1776 7: First receipt for the packet sent by the Morse 8: First receipt for a small paper packet sent by the Swedish ship Terra Nova 9: First receipt for a small paper packet sent by the Danish ship Fredensborg Slot 10: First receipt for a small paper packet sent by the Danish ship Tranquebar 11: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Rochford 12: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 13: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Morse 14: Cash account from 29 to 31 March 1776 15: Cash account for April 1776 16: Cash account for May 1776 17: Cash account from 1 to 12 June 1776 18: Duplicate cash account from 23 to 28 March 1776 19: Account of the ship Grosvenor 20: Account of the ship Lord Holland 21: Account of the ship Osterley 22: Account of the ship Godfrey 23: Account of the ship Ankerwyke 24: Account of the ship Queen 25: Account of the ship Hillsborough 26: Duplicate account of the ship Morse 27: Abstract of the cargoes of the Grosvenor, the Osterley, the Godfrey, the Ankerwyke, the Queen and the Hillsborough
224	219	28 Time of the Arrival of Ships Boats at Banks's 29 Indent of Stores wanting for the Service of the Year 1777 30 Do. of Medicines Do. for Do. Do. Do. 31 List of Stores remaining in the Honble. Company's Ware Houses the 8 May 1776 32 Do. of Garrison Stores Do. Do. Do. 33 Do. of Artillery Do. Do. Do. Do. 34 Proceedings of a General Quartly. Sessions held on the 17 Apl. 1776 35 Courts Martial from the 26 March 1776 to the 13 May 1776 36 Mr. George Hatchers Covenants Returned 37 Affidavit of the Widow Caldwell & Certificate of her Marriage 38 Captn. Rogers first Receipt for £ 10 - 39 Instrument in Writing from two Invalid Soldiers 40 Surgeons Certificate of Do. Do. 41 List of Discharged Soldiers 42 Governor & Lieut. Governors Letters to the Secret Committee To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. We wrote you last by his Majesty's Ship Arethusa which sailed from hence the 12 instant with your Ships Grosvenor, Godfrey, Queen, Ankerwyke Hillsborough and Osterley under her Convoy and we now do ourselves the pleasure of addressing you by his Majesty's Ship Thetis which arrived here the 15 Ultimo from England last from Ascension. 2. On the 14 of last Month Arrived your Ship Mercury from England which Ship was dispatched the 24 of the same Month for the Cape of Good hope, We thereby took the opportunity of sending for sundry Articles	28: Times of arrival of ships' boats at Banks's 29: Indent of stores wanted for the year 1777 30: Indent of medicines wanted for the year 1777 31: List of stores remaining in the Company's warehouses on 8 May 1776 32: List of garrison stores remaining on 8 May 1776 33: List of artillery stores remaining on 8 May 1776 34: Proceedings of a general quarterly sessions held on 17 April 1776 35: Courts martial from 20 March to 13 May 1776 36: Mr George Fletcher's covenants, returned 37: Affidavit of the widow Caldwell and certificate of her marriage 38: Captain Rogers's first receipt for £10 0s 0d 39: Written undertaking by two invalid soldiers 40: Surgeon's certificate for two invalid soldiers 41: List of discharged soldiers 42: The Governor's and Lieutenant Governor's letters to the Secret Committee The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by His Majesty's ship Arethusa, which sailed on 12 June with the Company's ships Grosvenor, Godfrey, Queen, Ankerwyke, Hillsborough and Osterley under her convoy. The Council now had the pleasure of writing by His Majesty's ship Thetis, which had arrived on the 15th of the previous month from England by way of Ascension. 2: The Company's ship Mercury arrived from England on the 14th of the previous month and was dispatched on the 24th of the same month for the Cape of Good Hope. The Council took the opportunity of sending for various articles, as the letter went on to explain. Interpretations The Governor and Lieutenant Governor each wrote separately to the Secret Committee, which fits the open split recorded in the consultations. When the Council divided, its members could appeal privately to the committee that handled the Company's most sensitive affairs. The Mercury was sent to the Cape to buy supplies, probably the flour that was 126 casks short of the year's indent.
225	220	Articles on your Honors Account for the use of this Island as particularised in Consultation of that Day to which we refer you. 3. Enclosed in this Packet we transmit according to your directions an Exact account and Description of your Houses, and beg leave to observe that as the fixed allowance of House Rent to each of your Servants of whatever Rank (except the Captains who have had no emolument of that kind) is only £ 10 - p Annum, if the Junior Servants are allowed the Houses, they will have greatly the advantage in this Respect, therefore hope your Honors will think it equitable, in that case, to make such allowances to your Senior Servants according to their Rank and standing as shall be proportionate to the above advantage of their Juniors, our Reason for now directing a valuation to be made of the said Houses is on account that your Artificers and others at fixed Salary's as likewise the Labour of your Slaves is not brought to account in the expence they stand on your Books, therefore the Original not a just Value. 4. Your Honors will observe by our Consultation of the 24 of last Month, we have entered a Letter presented to the board by Captn. John Howard wherein he desires to have one of the Honble. Company's Houses to live in he being an old Servant and he and no other Captn. having an Emolument of that kind we think it reasonable and beg leave to Recommend that, that Rank in this Respect be put upon the same footing with the other Servants. 5. As a Case of the Leaden Pipes intended for the conveyance of water from the Chubs Spring to the	The Mercury was to buy various articles at the Cape on the Company's account for the use of the island, as listed in that day's consultation, to which the Council referred the Court. 3: As the Court had directed, the Council enclosed in the packet an exact account and description of the Company's houses. It pointed out that the fixed allowance for house rent to every servant, whatever his rank, was only £10 0s 0d a year. The captains had received no allowance of that kind at all. If junior servants were given houses, they would gain a great advantage. The Council therefore hoped the Court would think it fair, in that case, to give the senior servants allowances according to their rank and standing, in proportion to the advantage their juniors gained. It had ordered a valuation of the houses because their cost on the Company's books left out the work of the artificers and others on fixed salaries and the labour of the Company's slaves. The original figure was therefore not a true value. 4: The Court would see from the consultation of the 24th of the previous month that the Council had entered a letter from Captain John Howard asking to live in one of the Company's houses. He was an old servant, and neither he nor any other captain had received an allowance of that kind. The Council thought the request reasonable and recommended that captains be put on the same footing as the other servants in this respect. 5: Concerning a case of the lead pipes meant to carry water from Chubb's Spring to the crane, the letter went on to explain. Interpretations The Council asked for a new valuation of the Company's houses because the figures in the books were far below what the houses were really worth. The masons, carpenters and smiths who built them drew fixed salaries charged to other heads, and the slaves who carried stone and lime were not paid wages at all. A house built largely with that labour therefore appeared in the accounts at little more than the cost of its imported timber, nails and glass. The Court could not judge the value of what it was giving away until the true cost of the labour was counted. That valuation was needed before it could settle the question the Council had raised in July 1775: who should be given the houses, and what cash allowance the others should receive in their place.
226	221	the Crane was lost in getting it from Ship Duke of Grafton and it being Requisite to have a reserve in case of an accident we request you will send Us by the next years Store Ships 100 Yards of two inch and 300 of one Inch the latter being to convey the water from the General Pipe to sundry Places where it may be found necessary. 6. Agreable to your Orders we transmit in this Packet our first Certificate of sundry Ordnance and other warlike Stores that have been landed here by the Ships Lord Holland and Duke of Grafton. We also send you herewith a Second Affidavit of the Widow Caldwell and Certificate of her Marriage. 7. On the 1 instant we received a Letter from Messrs. Doveton Storekeeper and Wright Secretary requesting the Indulgence of the use of one of your Slaves as a Servant, which Letter is entered in Consultation of that Day to which we refer you. 8. Mr. John Leech having behaved himself very well in his Station of Cadet in your Service We beg leave to Recommend him to your favour to fill the first second Lieuts. Commission that may be vacant in this Garrison. 9. We have Granted the following Sets of Bills of exchange viz. One Set to John Skottowe Esqr. Governor for £ 400 - payable to Captn. Nicholas Skottowe and One Set to Captain Samuel Bull for £ 1000 - payable to Messrs. Drown and Lucas both drawn at ninety Days sight and dated this Day. 10. Your Honors will please to observe by our Consultation of the 10 of last Month that we dispatched the Ship Duke of Grafton on the Expiration of the ten working Days, she will proceed on her Voyage in a few Days.	A case of the lead pipes for the water scheme had been lost while it was being landed from the Duke of Grafton. A reserve was needed against accidents, so the Council asked the Court to send by the next year's store ships 100 yards of two-inch pipe and 300 yards of one-inch pipe. The smaller pipe would carry the water from the main pipe to the various places where it might be needed. 6: As the Court had ordered, the Council sent in this packet its first certificate for the various ordnance and other warlike stores landed on the island by the Lord Holland and the Duke of Grafton. It also sent a second affidavit of the widow Caldwell and a second certificate of her marriage. 7: On 1 July the Council received a letter from Mr Doveton, the storekeeper, and Mr Wright, the secretary, asking for the use of one of the Company's slaves as a servant. The letter was entered in that day's consultation, to which the Council referred the Court. 8: Mr John Leech had behaved very well as a cadet in the Company's service. The Council recommended him to the Court's favour for the first second lieutenant's commission that might fall vacant in the garrison. 9: The Council had granted the following bills of exchange, both drawn at 90 days' sight and dated that day: one set to Governor John Skottowe for £400 0s 0d, payable to Captain Nicholas Skottowe, and one set to Captain Samuel Bull for £1,000 0s 0d, payable to Messrs Innes and Lucas. 10: The Court would see from the consultation of the 10th of the previous month that the Council had dispatched the Duke of Grafton as soon as her ten working days expired. She would continue her voyage within a few days. Interpretations Doveton and Wright's request repeated the one Captain Tippet had made in January 1774, which the Council had then referred to the Court. The Company's slaves were public property, worked on the plantations and public works. Lending one to an officer as a household servant was a private benefit drawn from the Company's stock. Two senior servants asking for the same privilege suggests that the officers saw it as a fair perquisite of their rank. The Council again referred the question to London rather than decide it. The certificates for ordnance and warlike stores answered the Court's request under His Majesty's order allowing the Company to export arms. With war against the American colonies under way, the government controlled the shipment of military stores closely. Each consignment had to be shown to have reached its proper destination.
227	222	11. In consequence of an application from Captain Samuel Bull of paying £ 1400 - into Your Cash, We came to a resolution to receive only £ 1000 - thereof the present State of the Treasury being so very high as not to admit of a larger Sum and would have wished not to have taken even that but as it has been customary to receive money from the Captains of Store Ships as an Indulgence they have hitherto been allowed, we thought we could not well refuse him that favour. 12. As the Quarters Accounts will not be laid before Us until the 15 instant we cannot transmit you a Cash Account of a later date than the Duplicate of our last. 13. The 25 of last Month a Dutch Ship Arrived off the Fort Bay which Ship did not anchor but saluted and sent an Officer on shore to the Governor who acquainted him His Majesty's Ship Dolphin Commanded by Captain Pigott was at the Cape homeward bound. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. and humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Matt. Bazett Willm. Wrangham Henry Bazett St. Helena 1 July 1776	11: Captain Samuel Bull had asked to pay £1,400 0s 0d into the Company's treasury. The Council resolved to accept only £1,000 0s 0d of it, since the treasury was already so full that it could not take a larger sum. It would have preferred not to take even that much. Receiving money from the commanders of the Company's ships was, however, an indulgence they had always been allowed, and the Council felt it could not well refuse him. 12: The last quarter's accounts would not be laid before the Council until the 15th of the month, so it could send no cash account later than a duplicate of its last. 13: On the 28th of the previous month a Dutch ship arrived off the fort in James Bay. She did not anchor, but saluted and sent an officer ashore to the Governor. He reported that His Majesty's ship Dolphin, commanded by Captain Pigott, lay at the Cape homeward bound. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Bazett, William Wrangham and Henry Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 1 July 1776. Interpretations The Council turned away part of a commander's money for the first time in these letters. Two years earlier the island's treasury had been draining fast, and the Council had welcomed every payment from commanders and foreign captains in exchange for bills. Now the position had reversed. Fewer ships meant less was spent on supplies, while officers and inhabitants kept paying cash in to remit their savings home. The treasury held more coin than the island needed. Each bill it issued became a debt the Company had to pay in London, so the Council took only what custom made it hard to refuse.
228	223	List of the Honorable Company's Packet from St. Helena p his Majesty's Ship Thetis dated the 1 July 1776 No. 1 Governor & Councils Genl. Letter dated the 1 July 1776 2 Duplicate Do. & Do. Do. dated the 12 June Do. 3 Do. Do. & Do. Do. dated the 12 Do. Do. Relating to Law matters 4 Consultations from the 17 June to the 1 July 1776 5 Duplicate Do. Do. the 1 April to the 12 June Do. 6 First Receipt for the Packet p his Majesty's Ship Arethusa 7 Do. for a small paper Do. p Ship Grosvenor 8 Do. for a Do. p Ship Godfrey 9 Second Do. for the Packet p Ship Morse 10 Do. Do. for a small paper Packet p Swede Ship Terra Nova 11 Do. Do. for a Do. Do. p Dane Ship Fredenburg Slott 12 Do. Do. for a Do. Do. p Dane Ship Tranquebar 13 Effective State of the Garrison 14 Duplicate List of the Packet p his Majesty's Ship Arethusa 15 Do. Cash Account from the 29 to the 31 March 1776 16 Do. Do. for the Month April Do. 17 Do. Do. for the Do. May Do. 18 Do. Do. from the 1 to the 12 June Do. 19 Ship Mercury's Account 20 Duplicate Ship Grosvenors Account 21 Do. Ship Lord Hollands Do. 22 Do. Ship Osterleys Do. 23 Do. Ship Godfreys Do. 24 Do. Ship Ankerwykes Do. 25 Do. Ship Queens Do. 26 Do. Ship Hillsboroughs Do. 27 Duplicate Indent of Stores wantg. for the service of the year 1777 28 Do. Do. of Medicines Do. Do. Do.	The Council sent the following documents to the Court in its packet by His Majesty's ship Thetis, dated 1 July 1776. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 1 July 1776 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 12 June 1776 3: Duplicate of the general letter of 12 June 1776, relating to legal matters 4: Consultations from 17 June to 1 July 1776 5: Duplicate consultations from 1 April to 12 June 1776 6: First receipt for the packet sent by His Majesty's ship Arethusa 7: First receipt for a small paper packet sent by the Grosvenor 8: First receipt for a small paper packet sent by the Godfrey 9: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Morse 10: Second receipt for a small paper packet sent by the Swedish ship Terra Nova 11: Second receipt for a small paper packet sent by the Danish ship Fredensborg Slot 12: Second receipt for a small paper packet sent by the Danish ship Tranquebar 13: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 14: Duplicate list of the packet sent by His Majesty's ship Arethusa 15: Duplicate cash account from 29 to 31 March 1776 16: Duplicate cash account for April 1776 17: Duplicate cash account for May 1776 18: Duplicate cash account from 1 to 12 June 1776 19: Account of the ship Mercury 20: Duplicate account of the ship Grosvenor 21: Duplicate account of the ship Lord Holland 22: Duplicate account of the ship Osterley 23: Duplicate account of the ship Godfrey 24: Duplicate account of the ship Ankerwyke 25: Duplicate account of the ship Queen 26: Duplicate account of the ship Hillsborough 27: Duplicate indent of stores wanted for the year 1777 28: Duplicate indent of medicines wanted for the year 1777
229	224	No. 29 Duplicate List of Stores Remaining in the Honble. Company's Ware Houses the 8 May 1776 30 Do. Do. of Garrison Stores Remaing. Do. Do. Do. 31 Do. Do. of Artillery Stores Do. Do. Do. Do. 32 Second Affidavit of the Widow Caldwell & Certificate of her Marriage 33 Captn. Rogers Second Receipt for £ 10 - 34 Duplicate Surgeons Certificate of two Invalid Soldiers 35 Governor & Councils First Certificate of Sundry Ordnance & other Warlike Stores Landed from Ships Lord Holland & Duke of Grafton 36 Duplicate Proceedings of a Genl. Quarterly Sessions held on the 17 April 1776 37 An Account and Description of the Honble. Company's Houses 38 Govr. & Lt. Governors Letters to the Secret Committee To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. We take this opportunity of addressing you by his Majesty's Ship Dolphin Commanded by Captn. Pigot that Arrived here yesterday from Bombay (last from the Cape) and as he intends sailing to Day we have only time to transmit you a Duplicate of Our last Letter p his Majesty's Ship Thetis. Captn. Pigot acquaints Us he left Bombay the 23 of March last that he heard your Ship Talbot was to sail from Bengal for Europe about the latter end of that Month. That he was informed by Mr. Hornby if the Grenville arrived in time	29: Duplicate list of stores remaining in the Company's warehouses on 8 May 1776 30: Duplicate list of garrison stores remaining on 8 May 1776 31: Duplicate list of artillery stores remaining on 8 May 1776 32: Second affidavit of the widow Caldwell and certificate of her marriage 33: Captain Rogers's second receipt for £10 0s 0d 34: Duplicate surgeon's certificate for two invalid soldiers 35: The Governor and Council's first certificate for various ordnance and other warlike stores landed from the Lord Holland and the Duke of Grafton 36: Duplicate proceedings of a general quarterly sessions held on 17 April 1776 37: An account and description of the Company's houses 38: The Governor's and Lieutenant Governor's letters to the Secret Committee The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: It took the opportunity of writing by His Majesty's ship Dolphin, under Captain Pigott, which had arrived the day before from Bombay by way of the Cape. Since he meant to sail that day, the Council had time only to send a duplicate of its last letter by His Majesty's ship Thetis. Captain Pigott reported that he had left Bombay on 23 March. He had heard that the Company's ship Talbot was to sail from Bengal for Europe about the end of that month. He had also been told by Mr Hornby that if the Granville arrived in time, as the letter went on to say. Interpretations The Dolphin was the ship whose presence at the Cape the Dutch officer had reported on 28 June. A King's ship stayed only a day, so the Council could send no more than a copy of its previous letter and the latest news from Bombay. Mr Hornby was William Hornby, President of Bombay, to whom the Council had written in 1773. Reports passed by word of mouth from a governor to a naval captain and then to the island were often the quickest news the Court received of its ships in the East.
230	225	time he should despatch her for Europe the beginning of May as her Cargo was ready & on his Arrival at Cochin he was told she had past that Port for Bombay. He likewise tells us that he Sailed from Bay False the 21 of last Month where he left your Ship Prince of Wales. 2. On the 4 instant your Ship Duke of Grafton proceeded on her Voyage to Fort Marlbro. 3. Enclosed we transmit you an account of Sundry Articles supplied his Majesty's Ship Dolphin from your Stores, amounting to £ 25 . 12 . 5 together with Captn. Pigots first Receipt for the same which Sum will be paid your Honors by the Principal Officers and Commissioners of his Majesty's Navy. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. and humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Matt. Bazett Willm. Wrangham Henry Bazett St. Helena 6 July 1776 To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. We addressed you by his Majesty's Ship Dolphin under date of the 6 July last.	If the Granville arrived in time, Mr Hornby would dispatch her for Europe at the beginning of May, since her cargo was ready. On reaching Cochin, Captain Pigott was told that she had passed that port on her way to Bombay. He also reported that he had sailed from False Bay on the 21st of the previous month, leaving the Company's ship Prince of Wales there. 2: The Company's ship Duke of Grafton continued her voyage to Fort Marlborough on the 4th of the month. 3: The Council enclosed an account of various articles supplied to His Majesty's ship Dolphin from the Company's stores, amounting to £25 12s 5d, together with Captain Pigott's first receipt for the same. The principal officers and commissioners of His Majesty's Navy would repay the sum to the Court. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Bazett, William Wrangham and Henry Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 6 July 1776. The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by His Majesty's ship Dolphin, dated 6 July, as the letter went on to say. Interpretations Stores supplied to a King's ship were not sold to her captain but charged to the Navy Board, which repaid the Company in London. The Council sent Captain Pigott's receipt so the Court could make its claim. Such supplies grew more frequent as the war drew more naval ships onto the route to India.
231	226	2. On the 29 of the same Month, Arrived two American Brigantine Fishing Vessels last from Portsmo. the particulars respecting them we have entered upon Consultation for your information. 3. The 31 of last Month Arrived a Dutch Ship from Batavia called the Kortelder Captn. Albert Kibbert burthen 500 Tons carrys 20 Guns and 85 Men loaden with Coffee, Pepper and Salt Petre bound to Amsterdam by which Ship we transmit you this Letter. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedient and humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Matt. Bazett Willm. Wrangham Henry Bazett St. Helena 7 August 1776 To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. By a Dutch Ship that sailed from hence the 7 instant we addressed you. 2. On the 13 of this Month arrived your Ship Talbot from Bengal (last from the Cape) Captn. Snow	2: On 29 July two American brigantine fishing vessels arrived, last from Portmo[...]. The Council had entered the particulars about them in the consultation for the Court's information. 3: A Dutch ship from Batavia, the Hontelder, under Captain Albert Kikkert, arrived on 31 July. She was of 500 tons, carried 20 guns and a crew of 85, and was bound for Amsterdam with coffee, pepper and saltpetre. The Council sent this letter by her. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Bazett, William Wrangham and Henry Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 7 August 1776. The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by a Dutch ship that sailed on 7 August. 2: The Company's ship Talbot arrived from Bengal by way of the Cape on the 13th of the month. Captain Snow, as the letter went on to say. Interpretations Two more American fishing vessels arrived in July 1776, the month the colonies declared their independence. The Council again recorded their particulars in full for the Court, as it had done with the vessel of May. American whalers and fishing ships ranged deep into the South Atlantic, and St Helena lay near their grounds. In wartime each arrival raised the question of whether the island should receive, detain or seize them. The Council evidently preferred to set the facts before the Court rather than act on its own judgement.
232	227	Snow acquaints Us he left Calcutta the 9 April last put into Bay False the 16 July and left your Ship Mercury Packet there, Captn. Snow further informs Us that by advices received from Bombay before his departure from Calcutta that an advantageous peace was settled between the Presidency of that Settlement and the Marattas, and that the latter had Ceded very Considerable acquisitions in favour of the Honble. Company, and that when he left Bengal all the Country Powers were in perfect Tranquility. 3. Your Honors will please to observe by our Consultation of the 19 instant that We gave Captn. Tippet directions to Compleat the eleven Carriages for Field Pieces with the Teak Timber he offered to the Company for that purpose, we therefore shall not want so many as the sixteen already indented for, but request you will only send four Field Carriages as spare ones in case of accidents. We also refer you to Captn. Tippets Letter Entered in said Consultation. 4. There having been lately three American Fishing Vessels the particulars respecting them are entered in Consultation of the 22 May and 29 July last And as it is likely from the good they have had they may frequently put into this Road in the course of their Voyage for Water and other refreshments Request your Honors will be pleased to give Us your instructions how we are to Conduct ourselves towards them. 5. The Governor General and superior Council of the East Indies having represented to Us that they were under the necessity to deprive Captn. Snow of fifteen Casks of Salt Provision containing about 600 pieces, and desiring We would return him that quantity on his arrival, should his Necessitys require it and Captn. Snow having applied to Us for the same we have supplied him with it accordingly which We ordered to be wrote off to Account Current London.	Captain Snow reported that he had left Calcutta on 9 April and put into False Bay on 16 July, leaving the Company's Mercury packet there. He further reported that, by advices received from Bombay before he left Calcutta, an advantageous peace had been settled between that presidency and the Marathas. The Marathas had ceded very considerable territory to the Company, and when he left Bengal all the country powers were at peace. 3: The Court would see from the consultation of the 19th of the month that the Council had directed Captain Tippet to complete the eleven carriages for field pieces using the teak timber he had offered the Company for that purpose. The Council would therefore not need as many as the sixteen already indented for, and asked the Court to send only four field carriages as spares in case of accidents. It also referred the Court to Captain Tippet's letter entered in that consultation. 4: Three American fishing vessels had lately called at the island, and the particulars about them were entered in the consultations of 22 May and 29 July. Since they would probably call often in the course of their voyages for water and other refreshment, the Council asked the Court for instructions on how to conduct itself towards them. 5: The Governor General and Supreme Council in Bengal had informed the Council that they were obliged to take from Captain Snow fifteen casks of salt provisions, containing about 600 pieces, and asked the Council to replace that quantity on his arrival if he needed it. Captain Snow had applied for them, and the Council had supplied him and ordered the cost written off to the London account current. Interpretations The peace with the Marathas was the Treaty of Purandar, signed in March 1776, by which the Marathas ceded Salsette and other territory near Bombay. It also explains the rumours of a blockade that had so displeased the Court. The war had been real, but the Dutch captain's report of a captured King's ship had not. The Council's request for instructions on American vessels shows how uncertain its position had become. The fishing ships were British subjects in the eyes of the law, yet their colonies were in open rebellion. Refusing them water was harsh, and receiving them might aid an enemy. The Council could not settle a question of war policy on its own, so it asked London for a rule.
233	228	6. We have Granted the following Sets of Bills of Exchange viz. One Set to Daniel Corneille Esqr. for £ 20 . 7 payable to Messrs. Stainforth Leborne and Company, One to the Attorneys of Mr. Robert Barclay for £ 110 . 8 - payable to himself, One to Matt. Bazett Esqr. for £ 94 . 10 payable to Mr. John Wilkinson One Set to William Wrangham Esqr. for £ 100 - payable to Captn. Richard Pearce. One to Major Henry Bazett for £ 150 - payable to Matthew Parling Esqr. One to Captn. James Tippet for £ 400 - payable to Mr. Thomas Ward, and One Set to the Reverend Mr. Robertes Carr for £ 100 - payable to Frederick Hindly Esqr. all drawn at ninety Days sight dated this Day. 7. Captn. Raymond Snow brought from the Cape on your Honors account 25 Sheep @ 18/ each and four Baskets Garden Seeds @ £ 2 - each amounting in the whole to £ 27 . 18 he chusing to have Certificates for the same rather than Money we have granted him the usual ones. 8. We have given Captn. Raymond Snow an Order to receive on board the Talbot William Fullwood a discharged Soldier to Compleat that Ships Company likewise permitted him to take on board his Ship Joseph Decary a Boy who deserted from the Ship Duke of Grafton. 9. In our Letter of the 1 July last we requested you would be pleased to send Us 100 Yards of two Inch Lead Pipe and 300 of one Inch in which the Plumbers have informed Us that the latter need be only 3/4 of an Inch. We likewise by this Packet transmit you an additional Indent given to Us by the said Plumbers who require those Articles for the Compleating the	6: The Council had granted the following bills of exchange, all drawn at 90 days' sight and dated that day. Daniel Corneille, £20 [...], payable to Messrs Stainforth, Gibberne and Company The attorneys of Robert Barclay, £110 0s 0d, payable to Barclay himself Matthew Bazett, £94 [...] 10d, payable to John Wilkinson William Wrangham, £100 0s 0d, payable to Captain Richard Pearce Major Henry Bazett, £150 0s 0d, payable to Matthew Purling Captain James Tippet, £400 0s 0d, payable to Thomas Ward The Reverend Robert Carr, £100 0s 0d, payable to Frederick Hindley 7: Captain Raymond Snow had brought from the Cape, on the Company's account, 25 sheep at 15s each and four baskets of garden seeds at £2 [...] each, amounting in all to £27 1[...]. He chose to take certificates rather than money, and the Council gave him the usual certificates. 8: The Council ordered Captain Raymond Snow to take aboard the Talbot William Fullwood, a discharged soldier, to help complete her crew. It also allowed him to take aboard Joseph Pearcy, a boy who had deserted from the Duke of Grafton. 9: In its letter of 1 July the Council had asked the Court to send 100 yards of two-inch lead pipe and 300 yards of one-inch pipe. The plumbers had since told it that the smaller pipe need be only three-quarters of an inch. By this packet the Council also sent an additional indent given to it by the plumbers, who needed those articles to complete the work, as the letter went on to say.
234	229	the Chubs Spring works. They also acquaint Us that they can cast the Bad Pipe over again here, And as you will observe by their Letter entered in Consultation of the 29 July that they have Condemned 190 Yards of the said Pipe we gave given them directions to new Cast the same as it will save your Honors the Expence of sending that quantity of Pipe next year. You will likewise please to observe their proposal for one of them returning to England in Order to inspect the Pipe indented for, is not now necessary, as they assure Us that what they have Condemned, they can cast over again for that work, and we are further in hopes that the Quantity of two Inch Pipe and three quarters of an Inch now indented for, will be sent to Us of a better Quality than the last. 10. The Passengers on board the Talbot are Captain and Mrs. Conway and Mr. Hettle. We are Honble. Sirs Your most obedient & humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Daniel Corneille Matt. Bazett Willm. Wrangham Henry Bazett St. Helena 22 August 1776	The plumbers needed these articles to complete the Chubb's Spring works. They also told the Council that they could recast the bad pipe on the island. Their letter, entered in the consultation of 29 July, showed that they had condemned 190 yards of the pipe, and the Council had directed them to recast it, which would save the Company the cost of sending that quantity the following year. The Court would also see their proposal that one of them should return to England to inspect the pipe indented for. That was no longer necessary, since they assured the Council that they could recast whatever they had condemned for the work. The Council further hoped that the two-inch and three-quarter-inch pipe now indented for would be of better quality than the last. 10: The passengers aboard the Talbot were Captain Caen, Mr Conway and Mr Hettle. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Bazett, William Wrangham and Henry Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 22 August 1776. Interpretations The plumbers had condemned 190 yards of the pipe sent from England as faulty, nearly a fifth of the length needed to reach the crane. Shipping new pipe would have meant another year's delay and further expense. The Council chose to have the plumbers melt down the bad pipe and recast it on the island, which kept the work moving at little cost. It also rejected their suggestion that one of them return home to inspect the next consignment. That would have taken a skilled man off the island for two years, when his recasting skills made the trip unnecessary.
235	230	List of the Honorable Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Talbot dated the 22 August 1776 No. 1 Govr. & Councils Genl. Letter dated the 22 August 1776 2 Do. & Do. Do. dated the 22 Do. relating to Law matters 3 Duplicate Do. & Do. Do. dated the 6 July 1776 4 Do. Do. & Do. Do. dated the 7 August Do. 5 Consultations from the 2 July to the 22 August Do. 6 Duplicate Do. from the 17 June to the 1 July Do. 7 First Receipt for the Packet p his Majesty's Ship Thetis 8 First Do. for a small paper Do. p Dutch Ship Kortelder 9 Second Do. for the Packet p his Majesty's Ship Arethusa 10 Do. Do. for a small paper Do. p Ship Grosvenor 11 Do. Do. for a Do. Do. p Ship Godfrey 12 Effective State of the Garrison 13 Muster Rolls of Do. 14 Duplicate List of the Packet p his Majesty's Ship Thetis 15 Cash Account from the 13 to the 30 June 1776 16 Do. Do. for the Month of July Do. 17 Do. from the 1 to the 22 August Do. 18 Ship Talbots Account 19 Ship Duke of Graftons Do. 20 Duplicate Ship Mercury's Do. 21 Govr. & Councils second Certificate of sundry Ordnance & other Warlike Stores Landed from Ships Lord Holland & Duke of Grafton 22 Duplicate Account & Description of the Honble. Compys. Houses 23 List of Servants taken the 22 August 1776 24 Register of Goods & Merchandize Imported & Exported in & from the Island of St. Helena from the 7 March to the 21 August 1776	The Council sent the following documents to the Court in its packet by the Talbot, dated 22 August 1776. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 22 August 1776 2: The Governor and Council's general letter of 22 August 1776, relating to legal matters 3: Duplicate of the general letter of 6 July 1776 4: Duplicate of the general letter of 7 August 1776 5: Consultations from 2 July to 22 August 1776 6: Duplicate consultations from 17 June to 1 July 1776 7: First receipt for the packet sent by His Majesty's ship Thetis 8: First receipt for a small paper packet sent by the Dutch ship Hontelder 9: Second receipt for the packet sent by His Majesty's ship Arethusa 10: Second receipt for a small paper packet sent by the Grosvenor 11: Second receipt for a small paper packet sent by the Godfrey 12: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 13: Muster rolls of the garrison 14: Duplicate list of the packet sent by His Majesty's ship Thetis 15: Cash account from 13 to 30 June 1776 16: Cash account for July 1776 17: Cash account from 1 to 22 August 1776 18: Account of the ship Talbot 19: Account of the ship Duke of Grafton 20: Duplicate account of the ship Mercury 21: The Governor and Council's second certificate for various ordnance and other warlike stores landed from the Lord Holland and the Duke of Grafton 22: Duplicate account and description of the Company's houses 23: List of servants, taken on 22 August 1776 24: Register of goods and merchandise imported into and exported from St Helena from 7 March to 22 August 1776
236	231	25 Proceedings of a Genl. Quarterly Sessions held on the 17 July 1776 26 Time of the Arrival of Ship Talbots Boat at Banks's 27 Abstract of the Cargoe of Ship Talbot 28 Duplicate Account of Sundry Articles supplied his Majesty's Ship Dolphin & Captn. Pigots Second Receipt for the same 29 Governor & Lieut. Governors Letter to the Secret Committee 30 Plumbers additional Indent To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. Our last Address waited on you by the Ship Talbot under date of the 22 August 1776. 2. We have the pleasure to acquaint you that We have had a favourable Season & that your Honors Pastures & Plantations are at present in good condition and the Island in General the same. 3. By the Ship Mercury we take the opportunity of sending to England 400 Firelock Barrels Locks and Bayonets and twenty two Blunderbusses which were Reported to Us on the 2 instant by the Master of Arms as unfit for service Captn. Foles first Receipt for the same goes enclosed. 4. We have granted the two following Sets of Bills of Exchange viz. One to Mr. Brittanicus Alexr. Wright for £ 20 - payable to Mr. William Thornthwaite (or Order) dated the 9 instant & One to Captn. George Foles for £ 300 - payable to himself (or Order) dated this Day, & both drawn at ninety Days sight.	25: Proceedings of a general quarterly sessions held on 19 July 1776 26: Time of arrival of the Talbot's boat at Banks's 27: Abstract of the cargo of the Talbot 28: Duplicate account of various articles supplied to His Majesty's ship Dolphin, with Captain Pigott's second receipt for the same 29: The Governor's and Lieutenant Governor's letters to the Secret Committee 30: The plumbers' additional indent The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the Talbot, dated 22 August 1776. 2: The Council was pleased to report a favourable season. The Company's pastures and plantations were in good condition, and so was the island in general. 3: The Council took the opportunity of the Mercury to send to England 400 firelock barrels, locks and bayonets and 22 blunderbusses, which the master of arms had reported on the 2nd of the month as unfit for service. Captain [...]'s first receipt for them was enclosed. 4: The Council had granted the following bills of exchange, both drawn at 90 days' sight: one set to Britannicus Wright for £20 0s 0d, payable to William Thornthwaite or his order, dated the 9th of the month, and one set to Captain George Forbes for £300 0s 0d, payable to himself or his order, dated that day. Interpretations Sending 400 unserviceable firelocks back to England rather than repairing or scrapping them on the island made sense. The barrels and locks could be refurbished at the Tower or by the Company's own armourers at home, where the skills and tools existed. The island's single armourer could not have restored so many. The return also cleared the magazine of useless arms while war made sound weapons more valuable.
237	232	5. Captn. Forbes acquaints Us he heard at the Cape that, there had been there this Season thirty or forty French Ships Outward Bound some of them had Troops on Board carrying to the Mauritius, and that your Ship Duke of Grafton had arrived at Bay False the 5 of last Month all well. 6. We beg leave to refer you to our Consultations of the 19, 22 & 26 August 2, 9, 10 and 12 September with respect to a Complaint laid by Mr. Bazett against Lieut. Statham and the several Minutes Answers and Proceedings with our opinions thereupon having judged it most expedient to leave the whole to your Honors Consideration and Determination. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. and humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Matt. Bazett Willm. Wrangham Henry Bazett St. Helena 12 Sept. 1776	5: Captain Forbes reported that he had heard at the Cape that 30 or 40 outward-bound French ships had called there that season, some of them carrying troops to Mauritius. He also reported that the Company's ship Duke of Grafton had reached False Bay on 5 August with all well aboard. 6: The Council referred the Court to its consultations of 19, 22 and 26 August and 2, 9, 10 and 12 September concerning a complaint by Mr Bazett against Lieutenant Statham, together with the minutes, answers and proceedings on it and the Council's opinions. It had judged it best to leave the whole matter to the Court's consideration and decision. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Bazett, William Wrangham and Henry Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 12 September 1776. Interpretations Thirty or forty French ships in a single season, many with troops for Mauritius, marked a large build-up of French strength on the route to India. The Council had reported smaller numbers through 1775. France was preparing for the war with Britain that it entered in 1778 in support of the American colonies. The Council did not judge the complaint against Lieutenant Statham itself, though it had heard the case through seven consultations. A member of Council, Bazett, was the complainant, and the Council was already divided. Ruling on a quarrel involving one of its own number would have looked partial, so it sent the whole record to the Court and declined to decide.
238	233	List of the Honble. Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Mercury dated the 12 September 1776 No. 1 Governor & Councils Genl. Letter dated the 12 September 1776 2 Duplicate Do. & Do. Do. dated the 22 August Do. 3 Do. Do. & Do. Do. dated the 22 Do. relating to Law matters 4 Consultations from the 26 of August to the 12 September 1776 5 Duplicate Do. from the 2 July to the 22 August Do. 6 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Talbot 7 Captn. Forbes first Receipt for five Cases and three Chests small Arms 8 Second Receipt for the Packet p his Majesty's Ship Thetis 9 Do. Do. for a small paper Do. p Dutch Ship Kortelder 10 Effective State of the Garrison 11 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Talbot 12 Cash Account from the 23 to the 31 August 1776 13 Do. Do. from 1 to the 12 September Do. 14 Duplicate Do. from the 13 to the 30 June Do. 15 Do. Do. for the Month of July Do. 16 Do. Do. from the 1 to the 22 August Do. 17 Ship Mercury's Account 18 Duplicate Ship Talbots Do. 19 Do. Ship Duke of Graftons Do. 20 Duplicate Register of Goods & Merchandize Imported & exported in & from the Island St. Helena from 7 March to 21 August 1776 21 Do. Proceedings of a Genl. Quartly. Sessions held on the 17 July 1776 22 Certificate of Flour 23 Duplicate Additional Plumbers Indent 24 List of Births Christgs. Marriages & Burials 25 Account of Cash paid Elizabeth Caldwell Widow & Pensioner upon the Military Fund 26 Govr. & Lieut. Governors Letter to the Secret Committee	The Council sent the following documents to the Court in its packet by the Mercury, dated 12 September 1776. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 12 September 1776 2: Duplicate of the general letter of 22 August 1776 3: Duplicate of the general letter of 22 August 1776, relating to legal matters 4: Consultations from 26 August to 12 September 1776 5: Duplicate consultations from 2 July to 22 August 1776 6: First receipt for the packet sent by the Talbot 7: Captain Forbes's first receipt for five cases and three chests of small arms 8: Second receipt for the packet sent by His Majesty's ship Thetis 9: Second receipt for a small paper packet sent by the Dutch ship Hontelder 10: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 11: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Talbot 12: Cash account from 23 to 31 August 1776 13: Cash account from 1 to 12 September 1776 14: Duplicate cash account from 13 to 30 June 1776 15: Duplicate cash account for July 1776 16: Duplicate cash account from 1 to 22 August 1776 17: Account of the ship Mercury 18: Duplicate account of the ship Talbot 19: Duplicate account of the ship Duke of Grafton 20: Duplicate register of goods and merchandise imported into and exported from St Helena from 7 March to 22 August 1776 21: Duplicate proceedings of a general quarterly sessions held on 19 July 1776 22: Certificate of flour 23: Duplicate of the plumbers' additional indent 24: List of births, christenings, marriages and burials 25: Account of cash paid to Elizabeth Caldwell, widow, as a pensioner on the Military Fund 26: The Governor's and Lieutenant Governor's letters to the Secret Committee
239	234	To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. Our last Address waited on you by the Ship Mercury that sailed from hence the 13 September 1776. 2. On the 24 of November last Arrived your Ship Hampshire from Bencoolen (last from the Cape) Captn. Timbrell acquaints Us that he left Fort Marlbro the 26 July And your Ship Lord Holland there and that she was to sail for China about the middle of August. He likewise informs Us that His Majesty's Ship Resolution and three French Ships (one of them bound to the Mauritius and the other two to France) were in at Table Bay when he sailed from the Cape of Good Hope and that the Resolution was a waiting there for the Endeavour. We are likewise told by Messrs. De Ville and Bate that they left Pondichery the 30 June in a French Ship called the Ceres Captn. Gerrard bound for Europe which Ship was drove from her Anchors by a Gale of Wind and lost in Table Bay and that a very small part of the Cargoe was saved. Mr. Bate also tells Us that by advices overland from Bombay to Pondichery he heard the Grenville was to be dispatched from Bombay to Madrass the beginning of July last. 3. We have granted the following Sets of Bills of Exchange viz. One to Captn. Thomas Timbrell for £ 1235 - payable to Andrew Moffatt Esqr. which Money was paid him here for Arrack he brought for the Island upon Commission, One to Mr. Willm. Wrangham for £ 227 . 14 - payable to John Clements Esqr. And one to Mr. David Hay for £ 90 - payable to Mr. John Johnston, all drawn a	The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the Mercury, which sailed on 13 September 1776. 2: The Company's ship Hampshire arrived from Bencoolen by way of the Cape on 24 November. Captain Timbrell reported that he had left Fort Marlborough on 26 July, leaving the Company's ship Lord Holland there, which was to sail for China about the middle of August. He also reported that His Majesty's ship Resolution and three French ships were in Table Bay when he sailed from the Cape. One of the French ships was bound for Mauritius and the other two for France. The Resolution was waiting there for the Endeavour. The Council was also told by Messrs De Villa and Bate that they had left Pondicherry on 30 June in a French ship, the Gores, under Captain Gerrard, bound for Europe. A gale drove her from her anchors and wrecked her in Table Bay, and very little of her cargo was saved. Mr Bate further reported that, by advices sent overland from Bombay to Pondicherry, he had heard the Grenville was to be dispatched from Bombay for Madras at the beginning of July. 3: The Council had granted the following bills of exchange, all drawn at 90 days' sight. Captain Thomas Timbrell, £1,235 0s 0d, payable to Andrew Moffat, for money paid him on the island for arrack he brought for the island on commission William Wrangham, £227 14s 0d, payable to John Clements David Hay, £70 0s 0d, payable to John Johnson Interpretations The Resolution waiting at the Cape was Captain Cook's ship at the start of his third and last voyage, in search of a northern passage between the Pacific and Atlantic. She lay in Table Bay from October to November 1776 awaiting her consort, the Discovery. The manuscript names that consort as the Endeavour, perhaps because the news reached the island by word of mouth and Cook's famous first ship was the name people knew. The Council had followed Cook's ships at a distance for five years, and here recorded the start of the voyage on which he would be killed in Hawaii in 1779. Captain Timbrell had brought arrack for the island on commission, buying it in the East on the Company's behalf and taking a percentage. With fewer ships coming from India, the Council relied on such arrangements to keep the island supplied with the spirit issued to slaves and labourers.
240	235	ninety Days sight and dated this Day. 4. Captn. Thomas Timbrell brought from the Cape forty Sheep on account of the Honble. Company charges &c. amounting to £ 34 . 16 - he requesting Certificates for the same we have granted him the Usual ones. 5. It is with pleasure We inform you that Chubs Spring water is brought within 308 Yards of the Crane and that We are in hopes the said work will be compleated by the Arrival of the next Years Store Ships except a few Articles that have been Indented for which we expect to receive by the first opportunity. 6. We have given Captn. Timbrell a permit to receive on Board his Ship John Robinson a discharged Corporal & his Family. We have also given Captn. Timbrell an Order to receive on Board the Hampshire John Lane Matross towards compleating that Ships Company. 7. The Passengers on board the Hampshire are Messrs. Palmer, Forrest, Walton De Ville and Bate. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. & humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Mattw. Bazett Willm. Wrangham Henry Bazett St. Helena 9 December 1776	The bills were dated 9 December 1776. 4: Captain Thomas Timbrell had brought from the Cape, on the Company's account, 40 sheep with charges amounting to £34 16s 0d. At his request the Council gave him the usual certificates. 5: The Council was pleased to report that the water from Chubb's Spring had been brought to within 308 yards of the crane. It hoped the work would be completed by the time the next year's store ships arrived, apart from a few articles already indented for, which it expected to receive at the first opportunity. 6: The Council had given Captain Timbrell a permit to take aboard his ship John Robinson, a discharged corporal, and his family. It also ordered him to take aboard the Hampshire John Law, a matross, to help complete her crew. 7: The passengers aboard the Hampshire were Messrs Palmer, Forrest, Walton, De Villa and Bate. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Bazett, William Wrangham and Henry Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 9 December 1776. Interpretations The water scheme had come almost the whole way in under a year. The survey of July 1775 measured 2,790 yards from Chubb's Spring to the crane. Little more than a tenth now remained, despite the condemned pipe and the lost case. The plumbers' skill in recasting faulty pipe on the island had kept the work going without waiting a year for replacements from England. Clean water at the landing would cut the delays to shipping after rain and, the Council hoped, the dysentery that the surgeons blamed on the town's foul supply.
241	236	List of the Honble. Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Hampshire dated the 9 December 1776 No. 1 Governor & Councils General Letter dated the 9 December 1776 2 Do. & Do. Do. dated the Do. Do. relating to Law matters 3 Duplicate Do. & Do. Do. dated the 12 September 1776 4 Consultations from the 16 September to the 9 December Do. 5 Duplicate Do. from the 26 August to the 12 September Do. 6 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Mercury 7 Captn. Forbes's second Receipt for 5 Cases & 3 Chests small Arms 8 Effective State of the Garrison 9 Muster Rolls of Do. 10 Cash Account from the 13 to the 30 Sept. 1776 11 Do. Do. for the Month of October Do. 12 Do. Do. for the Month of November Do. 13 Do. Do. from the 1 to the 9 December Do. 14 Duplicate Do. from the 23 to the 31 August Do. 15 Do. Do. from the 1 to the 12 September Do. 16 Ship Hampshires Account 17 Duplicate Ship Mercury's Do. 18 Proceedings of a General Quarterly Sessions held on 9 October 1776 19 Duplicate Certificate of Flour 20 Account of Cash paid Elizabeth Caldwell Widow and Pensioner upon the Military Fund 21 Duplicate Account Do. Do. Do. 22 List of Familys taken the 30 September 1776 23 Do. of Rents Do. the 30 Do. Do. 24 Do. of Slaves Do. the 30 Do. Do. 25 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Mercury	The Council sent the following documents to the Court in its packet by the Hampshire, dated 9 December 1776. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 9 December 1776 2: The Governor and Council's general letter of 9 December 1776, relating to legal matters 3: Duplicate of the general letter of 12 September 1776 4: Consultations from 16 September to 9 December 1776 5: Duplicate consultations from 26 August to 12 September 1776 6: First receipt for the packet sent by the Mercury 7: Captain Forbes's second receipt for five cases and three chests of small arms 8: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 9: Muster rolls of the garrison 10: Cash account from 13 to 30 September 1776 11: Cash account for October 1776 12: Cash account for November 1776 13: Cash account from 1 to 9 December 1776 14: Duplicate cash account from 23 to 31 August 1776 15: Duplicate cash account from 1 to 12 September 1776 16: Account of the ship Hampshire 17: Duplicate account of the ship Mercury 18: Proceedings of a general quarterly sessions held on 9 October 1776 19: Duplicate certificate of flour 20: Account of cash paid to Elizabeth Caldwell, widow, as a pensioner on the Military Fund 21: Duplicate of the same account 22: List of families, taken on 30 September 1776 23: Rent roll, taken on 30 September 1776 24: List of slaves, taken on 30 September 1776 25: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Mercury
242	237	26 Duplicate List of Births Christgs. Marriages & Burials 27 Time of the Arrival of Ship Hampshires Boat at Banks's 28 Abstract of the Cargoe of Ship Hampshire 29 Govr. & Lt. Governors Letter to the Secret Committee To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. By the Ship Hampshire that sailed from hence the 9 of last Month, we had the pleasure of addressing you. 2. On the 10 instant arrived the Snow Syren from Bengal and the Day following your Ship Grenville from Madrass (last from the Cape) Captn. Smith informs Us that he left the Pilot 7 October last & that your Ships Nassau Prince of Wales, Shrewsbury, Lioness, London Duke of Cumberland and Triton had arrived at Fort William. The Nassau he tells Us was to be dispatched for Europe about the 20 November. Captn. Abercromby acquaints Us he left Fort St. George the 20 September 1776 and the Hector there, which Ship was to sail in a few Days for Bombay. He likewise tells Us that he was informed at the Cape by the Captain of a French Ship who had just arrived from the Mauritius that he met with the Greenwich off that Port endeavouring to put in & that Sir Robert Fletcher was a Passenger on board the said Ship. 3. Bought of Captn. Smith on your Honors Account 72 Cs. 2 . 16 of Rice amounting to £ 37 . 16 . 5 as p Bill entered in Consultation of this Day he choosing Certificates for the same rather than Money We have granted him the usual ones.	26: Duplicate list of births, christenings, marriages and burials 27: Time of arrival of the Hampshire's boat at Banks's 28: Abstract of the cargo of the Hampshire 29: The Governor's and Lieutenant Governor's letters to the Secret Committee The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the Hampshire, which sailed on 9 December 1776. 2: The Syren snow arrived from Bengal on 10 January 1777, and the next day the Company's ship Granville arrived from Madras by way of the Cape. Captain Smith reported that he had left the pilot on 1 October and that the Company's ships Nassau, Prince of Wales, Shrewsbury, Lioness, London, Duke of Cumberland and Triton had reached Fort William. The Nassau, he said, was to be dispatched for Europe about 20 November. Captain Abercromby reported that he had left Fort St George on 20 September 1776, leaving the Hector there, which was to sail within a few days for Bombay. He also said he had been told at the Cape by the captain of a French ship just arrived from Mauritius that he had met the Greenwich off that port trying to put in, with Sir Robert Fletcher aboard as a passenger. 3: The Council bought from Captain Smith, on the Company's account, 72 cwt 2 qr 16 lb of rice, amounting to £37 16s 5d, as shown in his bill entered in that day's consultation. He chose to take certificates rather than money, and the Council gave him the usual certificates. Interpretations Sir Robert Fletcher had passed through St Helena homeward bound in July 1773. He was now returning to India as commander-in-chief at Madras, where he died in 1776. A Company ship trying to put into the French port of Mauritius was unusual, and probably meant she was damaged or in distress, since English ships normally avoided the French islands. The rice bought from Captain Smith helped meet the shortage the Council had pressed on the Court for two years.
243	238	4. By this opportunity We transmit your Honors General Books of accounts Balanced to the 30 September last. 5. By the Death of Lieut. John Shirley and the Resignation of Lieut. John Potts on the 16 December last, there only remained the Captn. and one Subaltern Officer to do the Duty of the Artillery Company. And as we think it absolutely necessary the said Company should constantly be kept Compleat with Officers have nominated Messrs. John Leech Cadet and David Hay Surgeons Mate Second Lieutenants in that Company, until your Honors pleasure is known (as will appear by Our Consultation of the 23 December 1776 to which we beg leave to refer you) and as they are discreet, sober young men, and of Abilitys, We hope the above appointment will meet with your approbation & Confirmation. 6. In Consultation of the 6 instant is entered the Petitions of Messrs. Thomas Greentree and Bresphorus Beale requesting to be Entertained as Cadets in this Garrison, that being fully of Opinion the training of Young Men in the Military in that Station would be for the good of the Service. We have Complied with their Request, And beg leave to recommend the said two Young Gentlemen to your Honors favor, to fill the first Second Lieuts. Commission that may be Vacant. 7. You will please to observe by Our Consultation of the 16 December last, We have entered a Complaint made to the Governor on the 6 of the same Month by Lieut. Robert Bate a Pensioner going to England upon the Ship Hampshire against Captn. James Tippet then President of a General Court Martial as likewise what Captn. Tippet has offered in his answer thereto.	4: By this opportunity the Council sent the Company's general books of account, balanced to 30 September 1776. 5: The death of Lieutenant John Shirley and the resignation of Lieutenant John Potts on 16 December left only the captain and one subaltern to do the duty of the Artillery Company. The Council judged it absolutely necessary to keep that company fully supplied with officers. It had therefore nominated John Leech, a cadet, and David Hay, surgeon's mate, as second lieutenants in that company until the Court's wishes were known, as recorded in the consultation of 23 December 1776. They were discreet, sober and able young men, and the Council hoped the Court would approve and confirm their appointments. 6: The consultation of 6 January contained the petitions of Thomas Greentree and Bysshe Beale asking to be taken on as cadets in the garrison. The Council was fully of the opinion that training young men for the military in that station would benefit the service, so it granted their request. It recommended the two young gentlemen to the Court's favour for the first second lieutenant's commissions that might fall vacant. 7: The Court would see from the consultation of 16 December that the Council had entered a complaint made to the Governor on the 6th of that month by Lieutenant Robert Bate, a pensioner going to England in the Hampshire, against Captain James Tippet, who had been president of a general court martial. It had also entered Captain Tippet's answer to it. Interpretations John Potts had been raised from sergeant to an artillery commission only in June 1776, and resigned within six months. Losing two of the artillery's three officers in a single month left the company that served the island's guns almost without leaders, so the Council filled the gaps at once. Appointing the surgeon's mate, David Hay, as an artillery officer shows how thin the island's pool of educated young men was. Hay was a medical man, but no one better was to hand. Thomas Greentree and Bysshe Beale came from two of the island's leading families. The cadet scheme gave such sons a recognised path to a commission. It suited the Council, which could train officers on the spot instead of waiting for men from England.
244	239	8. Lieut. William Adlam the Gentleman who you have been pleased to Order a Second Lieutenants Commission in the Infantry of this Garrison, by your Letter of the 5 March 1776 arriving here upon the Ship Grenville and being informed of the same, addressed the board in consequence thereof, declining his acceptance of the same at present, for the reasons therein assigned which is entered in Consultation of the 20 instant together with a Letter We directed the Secretary to write him in answer thereto, to which we beg leave to refer your Honors. 9. We have to inform you that We have been under the necessity of suspending Lieut. James Elgin the Honble. Company's Service for his extraordinary ill behaviour which will fully appear by Our Consultation of the 9 instant, which suspension We hope you will confirm, as we think him very unworthy your service. 10. Lieut. John Potts who resigned your Service on the 16 of last Month takes his Passage to England upon the Syren Snow, And as the Tenor of his Conduct since his promotion appears fully upon Consultation of that Day, We flatter ourselves your Honors will not reinstate him on this Establishment. 11. We have given Captn. Smith an Order to receive on board the Syren Snow Joseph Martin Private. 12. Captn. Abercromby applying to Us for an Anchor and Cable we have supplied him therewith therefore request your Honors will replace them the first opportunity. 13. The Passengers on board the Grenville are Captns. Wood & Ling and Messrs. Jotting, Randall, Ware Adlam & Hetherington, Mrs. Wood, Mrs. Dowson and Miss Kirkpatrick.	8: Mr William Adlam was the gentleman to whom the Court, by its letter of 5 March 1776, had ordered a second lieutenant's commission in the garrison's infantry. He arrived in the Granville and, on being told of it, wrote to the Council declining the commission for the present, for the reasons he gave. His letter was entered in the consultation of the 20th of the month, together with the reply the Council directed the secretary to write him, to which it referred the Court. 9: The Council had been obliged to suspend Lieutenant James Elgin from the Company's service for his extraordinary misconduct, as the consultation of the 9th of the month would fully show. It hoped the Court would confirm the suspension, since it thought him very unworthy of the Company's service. 10: Lieutenant John Potts, who had resigned the Company's service on 16 December, was sailing for England in the Syren snow. The tenor of his conduct since his promotion appeared fully in that day's consultation, and the Council trusted the Court would not reinstate him on the island's establishment. 11: The Council ordered Captain Smith to take aboard the Syren snow Joseph Martin, a private. 12: Captain Abercromby had asked the Council for an anchor and cable, and it had supplied him. It therefore asked the Court to replace them at the first opportunity. 13: The passengers aboard the Granville were Captains Wood and Ling, Messrs Jottling, Randall, Weare, Adlam and Hetherington, Mrs Wood and Mrs Dawson, and Miss Kirkpatrick. Interpretations The Council's two great promotions from the ranks both ended badly. James Elgin had risen from sergeant to sergeant major and then, on the Council's warm recommendation in 1773, to a commission. He was now suspended as "very unworthy" of the service. John Potts, raised from sergeant in 1776, had resigned within months, and the Council asked the Court not to take him back. The Council had pressed for both men to be rewarded for merit. Their failures, coming together, may have weakened its case for promoting soldiers, and it now looked instead to cadets from the island's leading families to fill its officer ranks.
245	240	14. We are informed by the Gentlemen Passengers on board the Grenville that on the 24 of Augt. last a most extraordinary Revolution took place at Madrass, Messrs. Stratton & Brooke Sir Robert Fletcher & Messrs. Floyer, Palmer, Jordan and Mackey assisted by Colonel Stuart in conjunction with the Military of the Garrison took upon them to seize upon the Rt. Honble. Lord Pigot, have put him under an Arrest likewise suspended Messrs. Russell Dalrymple and Stone your Service, and Declared Mr. Stratton President and Governor this Account is further confirmed to Us, as the address from that Presidency was only signed by the above named Gentlemen. 15. This Letter waits on you by the Ship Grenville, Copy of which we have transmitted p Syren Snow. We are Honorable Sirs Your most Obedient and humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Mattw. Bazett Willm. Wrangham Henry Bazett St. Helena 27 January 1777	14: The passengers aboard the Granville told the Council that a most extraordinary revolution had taken place at Madras on 24 August. Messrs Stratton and Brooke, Sir Robert Fletcher, and Messrs Floyer, Palmer, Jordan and Mackay, assisted by Colonel Stuart and the military of the garrison, had seized Lord Pigot and put him under arrest. They had also suspended Messrs Russell, Dalrymple and Stone from the Company's service and declared Mr Stratton President and Governor. This account was further confirmed to the Council because the address from that presidency was signed only by the gentlemen named. 15: This letter was going by the Granville, with a copy by the Syren snow. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Bazett, William Wrangham and Henry Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 27 January 1777. Interpretations The news reported the coup against Lord Pigot, the Governor of Madras, whose return to India the Council had recorded in February 1776. A majority of his own council, backed by the garrison commander Colonel James Stuart, arrested him in August 1776 after a quarrel over the restoration of the Raja of Tanjore. The affair grew out of the conquest of Tanjore in 1773, which the Council had reported as plain news at the time. Pigot's opponents included men tied to the Nawab of the Carnatic's debts. Pigot died in confinement in May 1777. The Court later condemned his arrest and recalled the councillors responsible. The Council judged the report credible because the official address from Madras bore only the signatures of the men who had seized power. Pigot's supporters were absent from it. The island had no stake in the quarrel, but it passed on the news promptly, since it touched the Company's authority over one of its three presidencies.
246	241	List of the Honble. Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Grenville dated the 27 January 1777 No. 1 Governor & Councils Genl. Letter dated 27 January 1777 2 Do. & Do. Do. dated Do. relatg. to Law matters 3 Duplicate Do. & Do. Do. dated 9 December 1776 4 Do. Do. & Do. Do. dated Do. relatg. to Law matters 5 Consultations from the 16 December to the 27 January 1777 6 Duplicate Do. from the 16 Septemr. to the 9 December Do. 7 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Hampshire 8 Second Do. for the Do. p Ship Mercury 9 Effective State of the Garrison 10 Muster Rolls of Do. 11 Cash Account from the 10 to the 31 December 1776 12 Do. from the 1 to the 27 Janry. 1777 13 Duplicate Do. from the 13 to the 30 September 1776 14 Do. Do. for the Month of October Do. 15 Do. Do. for the Month of November Do. 16 Do. Do. from the 1 to the 9 December Do. 17 Ship Grenville's Account 18 Snow Syrens Do. 19 Duplicate Ship Hampshires Account 20 Proceedings of a Genl. Quarterly Sessions held on the 15 Janry. 1777 21 Duplicate Do. of a Do. Do. held on the 9 Oct. 1776 22 Do. Account of Cash paid Eliza. Caldwell Widow & Pensioner upon the Military Fund 23 Do. List of Familys taken the 30 September 1776 24 Do. Do. of Rents taken Do. Do. 25 Do. Do. of Slaves taken Do. Do. 26 Do. List of the Packet p Ship Hampshire 27 Time of the Arrival of the Grenvilles Boat at Banks's 28 Abstract of the Cargo of Ship Grenville 29 Govr. & Lt. Govrs. Letters to the Secret Committee 30 General Books of Accounts 31 General Court Martial	The Council sent the following documents to the Court in its packet by the Granville, dated 27 January 1777. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 27 January 1777 2: The Governor and Council's general letter of 27 January 1777, relating to legal matters 3: Duplicate of the general letter of 9 December 1776 4: Duplicate of the general letter of 9 December 1776, relating to legal matters 5: Consultations from 16 December 1776 to 27 January 1777 6: Duplicate consultations from 16 September to 9 December 1776 7: First receipt for the packet sent by the Hampshire 8: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Mercury 9: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 10: Muster rolls of the garrison 11: Cash account from 10 to 31 December 1776 12: Cash account from 1 to 27 January 1777 13: Duplicate cash account from 13 to 30 September 1776 14: Duplicate cash account for October 1776 15: Duplicate cash account for November 1776 16: Duplicate cash account from 1 to 9 December 1776 17: Account of the ship Granville 18: Account of the Syren snow 19: Duplicate account of the ship Hampshire 20: Proceedings of a general quarterly sessions held on 15 January 1777 21: Duplicate proceedings of a general quarterly sessions held on 9 October 1776 22: Duplicate account of cash paid to Elizabeth Caldwell, widow, as a pensioner on the Military Fund 23: Duplicate list of families, taken on 30 September 1776 24: Duplicate rent roll, taken on 30 September 1776 25: Duplicate list of slaves, taken on 30 September 1776 26: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Hampshire 27: Time of arrival of the Granville's boat at Banks's 28: Abstract of the cargo of the Granville 29: The Governor's and Lieutenant Governor's letters to the Secret Committee 30: General books of account 31: General court martial
247	242	To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs We take this conveyance by the Sailing of a Swede Ship called the Adolph Frederic of informing you of the Arrival of the Ship Alfred from England on the 9 instant, by which opportunity we received your Packet under date of the 20 November 1776. On the 6 of last Month arrived a French Ship from Mauritius called the Charigny Captain Lomain burthen 500 Tons carrys 12 Guns and 60 Men loaden with Bengal Goods. And the 26 of the same Month Arrived another French Ship from Mauritius called the St. Genie Captn. Geoffrot burthen 400 Tons carrys 14 Guns and 30 Men loaden with Coffee, both bound to Port L'Orient. The Captn. of the French Ship Genie acquaints Us that Sir Robert Fletcher died at Mauritius. The above Swede Ship arrived here the 9 instant from China, Commanded by Captn. Ekman burthen 1300 Tons carrys 16 Guns and 140 Men loaden with Tea & China Ware bound to Gottenburg. And on the Day following your Ships Grenville and Nassau, the former from Madrass and the latter from Bengal (both last from the Cape) Captn. Ekman of the Swede Ship informs Us that the Ship Earl of Sandwich has lost her passage to China and that she wintered at Hagnam. That there were at Wampoa this Season eight of your Ships viz. Stafford Royal Henry Gatton	The Council took the chance of a Swedish ship, the Adolph Frederick, to report that the Alfred had arrived from England on the 9th of the month, bringing the Court's packet dated 20 November 1776. A French ship from Mauritius, the Charigny, under Captain Roman, had arrived on the 6th of the previous month. She was of 500 tons, carried 12 guns and a crew of 60, and was laden with Bengal goods. On the 25th of that month another French ship arrived from Mauritius, the Saint Genis, under Captain Geoffret. She was of 400 tons, carried 14 guns and a crew of 38, and was laden with coffee. Both were bound for Lorient. The captain of the Saint Genis reported that Sir Robert Fletcher had died at Mauritius. The Swedish ship had arrived on the 9th of the month from China, under Captain Ekman. She was of 1,300 tons, carried 26 guns and a crew of 140, and was bound for Gothenburg with tea and chinaware. The next day the Company's ships Grenville and Nassau arrived, the first from Madras and the second from Bengal, both by way of the Cape. Captain Ekman reported that the Earl of Sandwich had lost her passage to China and wintered at Hainan. Eight of the Company's ships had lain at Whampoa that season, among them the Stafford, the Royal Henry and the Gatton, as the letter went on to list. Interpretations Sir Robert Fletcher was the passenger in the Greenwich reported trying to put into Mauritius. He had joined the coup against Lord Pigot at Madras in August 1776 and was evidently sailing home when he died at the French island. His death removed one of the men the Court would have called to account for Pigot's arrest. The Earl of Sandwich wintering at Hainan, an island off the south China coast, shows the cost of missing the monsoon. Unable to reach Canton against the winds, she had to wait months at anchor, losing a whole season's trade.
248	243	Gatton Lord Holland, Lord Camden, Norfolk, Granby and Fox five French Ships four Dutch three Danes two Swedes and eighteen English Country Ships. that the Stafford met with a Gale of Wind off Malacca which carried overboard her Main Mast. He likewise acquaints Us that Edward Phipps Esqr. the late President of your Council at Canton is dead. Captn. Carr informs Us that he put into the Cape of Good Hope the 17 January from Bencoolen. that being sickly was obliged to stay there until the 26 February following. Captn. Gore acquaints Us that he left Fort William the 7 December last and the Shrewsbury and Lynn at Ingellee. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. & humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Mattw. Bazett Willm. Wrangham Henry Bazett St. Helena 13 March 1777 To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs We addressed you last by a Swede Ship called the Adolph Frederic that left this place the 14 of March. And we now take the opportunity of another Swede that arrived here the 3 instant from China called the Finland Captn. Sellee, burthen 1300 Tons	The eight Company ships at Whampoa were the Stafford, Royal Henry, Gatton, Lord Holland, Lord Camden, Norfolk, Granby and Fox. Also there were five French ships, four Dutch, three Danish, two Swedish and eighteen English country ships. The Stafford had met a gale off Malacca that carried away her mainmast. Captain Ekman also reported that Edward Phipps, the late President of the Company's council at Canton, was dead. Captain Carr reported that he had put into the Cape of Good Hope on 17 January from Bencoolen, and that his crew was so sickly that he had to stay there until 26 February. Captain Gore reported that he had left Fort William on [...] December, leaving the Shrewsbury and the Triton at Ingellee. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Bazett, William Wrangham and Henry Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 13 March 1777. The Council wrote again to the Court. Its last letter had gone by a Swedish ship, the Adolph Frederick, which left the island on 14 March. It now took the opportunity of another Swedish ship, the Finland, under Captain Selle, which had arrived from China on the 3rd of the month. She was of 1,300 tons, as the letter went on to describe. Interpretations The letter's date places the Alfred's arrival on 9 March 1777 and the two French ships in February. Edward Phipps had signed the Canton invoices for the island's sugar and tea in 1773, so the island lost another familiar name among the supercargoes after John Bradby Blake. Eighteen English country ships at Whampoa, against eight Company ships, shows the private trade between India and China now far outnumbering the Company's own shipping there. Ingellee, or Hijli, was the anchorage at the mouth of the Hooghly where large ships lay to load. The Finland under Captain Selle had called before, in March 1774.
249	244	Tons, carrys 30 Guns and 150 Men loaden with China Goods bound to Gottenburg, of informing you of the Arrival of your Ships Shrewsbury and Latham, on the 26 of last Month the former from Bengal and the latter from Bombay (both last from the Cape) Captn. Jones acquaints Us he left Ingellee the 27 Decr. and that the Lioness sailed for Madrass two Days before he further says the Triton would be dispatched for Europe in about twenty Days after him, Captn. Prince informs Us that he left Bombay the 27 Decr. and that the Hector and Marquis of Rockingham there the former of which was to sail for Madrass in about six Weeks. Captn. Selle of the Swede Ship acquaints Us that the Lord Holland left Canton two Days before he did which Ship he passed at North Island and that the Royal Henry and Norfolk was to sail in a day or two after him. The ten working Days allowed by Charter party for unloading the Ship Alfred expiring on the 22 of last Month we gave Captn. Williamson Sailing Orders in Writing to make the best of his way to Fort Marlbro, he accordingly proceeded on his Voyage the 3 instant. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. & humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Mattw. Bazett Willm. Wrangham Henry Bazett St. Helena 7 April 1777	The Finland carried 30 guns and a crew of 150, and was bound for Gothenburg with China goods. The Council wrote by her to report the arrival on 26 March of the Company's ships Shrewsbury from Bengal and Latham from Bombay, both by way of the Cape. Captain Jones reported that he had left Ingellee on 27 December, and that the Lioness had sailed for Madras two days before him. He added that the Triton would be dispatched for Europe about twenty days after him. Captain Prince reported that he had left Bombay on 27 December, leaving the Hector and the Marquis of Rockingham there; the Hector was to sail for Madras in about six weeks. Captain Selle of the Swedish ship reported that the Lord Holland had left Canton two days before him and that he had passed her at North Island. The Royal Henry and the Norfolk were to sail a day or two after him. The ten working days allowed by her charter party for unloading the Alfred expired on 23 March. The Council gave Captain Williamson written sailing orders to make the best of his way to Fort Marlborough, and he continued his voyage on 3 April. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Bazett, William Wrangham and Henry Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 7 April 1777. Interpretations The Council again dispatched a chartered ship the moment her ten working days ran out. By now the practice had become so settled that the Council reported it in a single line. Each day beyond the allowance would have cost the Company demurrage under the charter party. The Court had shown repeatedly that it expected its outward ships to be sent on to the East without delay.
250	245	To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. By a Swede Ship called the Adolph Frederick We had the Honor of addressing you under date of the 13 March last. We likewise wrote you by another Swede called the Finland that left this place the 7 April Duplicates of which we transmit you herewith. 2. It is with great pleasure we find that all your Ships of last Season Arrived safe, the like success we hope will attend those of this Year. 3. All due obedience shall be paid to the Orders received from the Secret Committee or any three of those Gentlemen. 4. We sincerely wish success to your affairs in China under the management of the Gentlemen you have been pleased to appoint your Council there, finding it necessary to add one Chest of Souchon Tea & 50 Peculs of Sugar to Our China Indent, We have agreable to your permission requested the President & other Supra Cargoes to do so, by Our letter to them of the 22 March last as p Consultation of that Day. 5. Soon after the Arrival of Ship Alfred from England, We sent for Captn. Williamson and acquainted him with your Directions (as mentioned in the 9 Paragraph of your last Genl. Letter) respecting the Commanders of the Store Ships taking a large quantity of Stone Ballast from this place for the use of the Bason at Rat Island upon the Island of Sumatra who promised to comply therewith. But as he did not know what Tonnage he might take in at Bencoolen, he could not ascertain the quantity he should deliver there. To effect the above [...]	The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: It had written by a Swedish ship, the Adolph Frederick, on 13 March, and by another Swedish ship, the Finland, which left the island on 7 April. It enclosed duplicates of both letters. 2: The Council was greatly pleased to find that all the Company's ships of the previous season had arrived safely, and hoped the same success would attend those of the present year. 3: All due obedience would be paid to orders received from the Secret Committee or from any three of its members. 4: The Council sincerely wished success to the Company's affairs in China under the gentlemen the Court had appointed as its council there. It had found it necessary to add one chest of souchong tea and 50 [...] of sugar to its China indent. As the Court had permitted, it had asked the President and supercargoes for these in its letter of 22 March, entered in that day's consultation. 5: Soon after the Alfred arrived from England, the Council sent for Captain Williamson and told him of the Court's directions in paragraph 9 of its last general letter. These required the commanders of the store ships to take on a large quantity of stone ballast at the island for the use of the basin at Rat Island, on Sumatra. He promised to comply. Since he did not know what cargo he might take on at Bencoolen, however, he could not say how much stone he could deliver there. To carry out these directions, as the letter went on to explain. Interpretations The basin at Rat Island was a sheltered harbour the Company was building off Bencoolen, where the open roadstead gave ships no protection. Sumatra's coast near Bencoolen lacked good building stone, while St Helena was made of volcanic rock. A store ship leaving the island empty after unloading needed ballast anyway, so the Court ordered that ballast to be stone useful at its destination. It was a neat economy: the ships carried the stone at no extra cost. The difficulty Captain Williamson raised was real. A ship took on cargo at Bencoolen, and every ton of stone ballast she still carried there displaced pepper she could load. He could not promise a quantity until he knew what freight awaited him.
251	246	Service, Captn. Williamson had a long Boat and Men from this Garrison with every other assistance we could give him, so that the Ship was not detained on that Account, and we have further to inform you that We agreed with Captn. Williamson to deliver what he could conveniently of the said Ballast at your Presidency of Fort Marlbro @ 5/3 p Ton the price it cost him here in collecting & getting it on Board. 6. In conformity to your Orders we will take care in future that the several Indents shall be placed under their respective heads, and shall particularly describe the Dimensions of Timber and Boards we may hereafter Indent for. 7. We beg leave to observe in answer to the 11 Paragraph of your Genl. Letter p Alfred, We apprehend you are not apprised that the Materials Indented for, for the use of the several Artificers are not placed under theirs but the Storekeepers charge, and only delivered them in small quantities as occasion requires and of course the remains of those Articles are included in the Storekeepers Genl. List, with which they are much blended; for these Reasons the List is not made out as usual, but should they not prove satisfactory to your Honors, we will take care to have them made out separately agreable to your Orders. 8. Agreable to your Honors Directions We will transmit you by the first opportunity a General Return of Ordnance and Ordnance Stores &c. describing them in the manner you have been pleased to Order, and will be particularly careful in sending them in Duplicate Yearly. 9. The twenty five Yards of Lead Pipes which	To carry out these directions, the Council lent Captain Williamson a longboat and men from the garrison, with every other help it could give, so that the ship was not delayed on that account. It had also agreed with him that he would deliver as much of the ballast as he conveniently could at Fort Marlborough at 5s 3d a ton, the price it had cost him on the island to collect it and get it aboard. 6: As the Court had ordered, the Council would take care in future to place the various indents under their proper heads, and would describe in detail the dimensions of any timber and boards it might indent for. 7: In answer to paragraph 11 of the Court's general letter by the Alfred, the Council observed that the Court did not seem to realise that the materials indented for the use of the various artificers were not placed in their charge. They were in the storekeeper's charge, and he issued them only in small quantities as occasion required. The remainders of those articles were therefore included in the storekeeper's general list, where they were mixed in with everything else. For these reasons the list had not been made out as the Court expected. If this did not satisfy the Court, the Council would have the lists made out separately, as it ordered. 8: As the Court had directed, the Council would send by the first opportunity a general return of ordnance and ordnance stores, described in the manner the Court had ordered. It would take particular care to send them in duplicate every year. 9: The twenty-five yards of lead pipe, as the letter went on to explain. Interpretations The Court had asked for separate lists of what each artificer held. The Council explained that no such holdings existed. The storekeeper kept every material and issued small amounts to the masons, carpenters and smiths as each job needed them. This was the safer system, since tradesmen holding their own stocks could waste or sell them. The Council defended its practice but offered to change the form of the lists if the Court insisted, accepting London's right to dictate how accounts were kept.
252	247	which were lost in getting on shore from the Ship Duke of Grafton, We are informed by the Storekeeper was by the end of the Case giving way whilst in the Slings lowering them out of the Ship into the Boat by which accident they fell into the Sea. 10. We have received by the Ship Alfred the 53 Recruits agreable to your List who tho' Young hope in a short time will be fit for Service, also one John Brown who was sent on board by Order not inserted in the above List, and have to inform you that Man was discharged the Garrison 9 June 1775 as an Invalid by the name of John Tabb, who we shall be under the necessity of returning, as he is unfit for Garrison Duty with several other Invalids we mean to send to England by the first convenient opportunity. And as soon as we have received the Recruits by the Bridgewater shall be able to judge how many we may want the next Season to Compleat the establishment of this Garrison. 11. Henry Batchelor Serjeant was discharged the Garrison conformable to the 16 Paragraph of your Genl. Letter p Alfred. 12. Your Honors may depend that We will furnish you with the Certificates required in the 8 and 18 Paragraphs of your General Letter under date of the 28 November 1776 as soon as possible after the Arrival of the Bridgewater. 13. In Obedience to your Commands in the 23 Paragraph of your General Letter p Alfred That the Commanders and Officers should have free liberty to trade with whom they please, We published an Advertisement to that Effect, which is Entered upon Consultations of the 16 March 1777.	The storekeeper reported that the 25 yards of lead pipe lost while being landed from the Duke of Grafton fell into the sea because the end of the case gave way while it hung in the slings being lowered from the ship into the boat. 10: The Council had received the 53 recruits by the Alfred named in the Court's list. They were young, and it hoped they would soon be fit for service. It had also received one John Brown, who had been sent aboard by order though he was not named in the list. That man had been discharged from the garrison on 9 June 1775 as an invalid under the name of John Tabb. The Council would have to send him back, since he was unfit for garrison duty, along with several other invalids it meant to send to England at the first convenient opportunity. As soon as it had received the recruits by the Bridgewater, it would be able to judge how many it would need the next season to complete the garrison's establishment. 11: Henry Batchelor, a sergeant, had been discharged from the garrison in accordance with paragraph 16 of the Court's general letter by the Alfred. 12: The Court could rely on the Council to send the certificates required in paragraphs 8 and 11 of its general letter of 28 November 1776 as soon as possible after the Bridgewater arrived. 13: In obedience to paragraph 23 of the Court's general letter by the Alfred, which allowed commanders and officers to trade freely with whomever they pleased, the Council published a notice to that effect, entered in the consultation of 10 March 1777. Interpretations John Tabb had been sent home in June 1775 as an invalid, with a surgeon's certificate and the Company paying his passage. Within two years he re-enlisted in England under a false name and came out again as a recruit. The fraud shows how recruiting worked in wartime: a recruiting party paid by the head had every reason not to look too closely at a man's past. The island bore the cost twice, once to send him home and again to receive a man it could not use. The Court's order allowing commanders and officers to trade freely reversed its earlier restrictions. Faced with fewer ships and a war that made the trade riskier, the Company evidently chose to give its officers more scope for private gain.
253	248	14. We beg leave to refer your Honors to Our Consultation 3 Feby. last wherein is entered a Petition from Mrs. Eleanor Shirley Widow of the late Lieut. John Shirley deceased, That as we are well satisfyed, what she has represented in said Petition to be a true state of her distressed situation and circumstances, and she being from the Regulations of the Military Fund Intitled to the Enjoyment thereof We have made her the allowance of a Lieuts. Widow, agreable to your Orders. And have enclosed the Affidavit of the sd. Eleanor Shirley and Certificate of her Marriage in the Manner you direct. 15. The President and Council of Bombay acquainted Us, in consequence of Our address to them of the 12 April 1775, that they have not as yet received your Honors Orders for encreasing the quantity of Rice and Paddy usually sent to this Island, We therefore beg leave to request you will be pleased to send them directions relative thereto, as those Articles are much wanted for the consumption of this place every Year We have further to inform you that since you were pleased to acquaint Us you would give the several Presidency's Orders to supply Us with a larger Quantity of those Articles, We never have received any increase of Grain but from Fort William. 16. By this opportunity we transmit you Our Indent of Stores wanted for the use of this Island next Year together with the List of Remains &c. 17. Enclosed We transmit your Honors Sketches of the Dimentions of Timber for a New Crane, and two Shafts for the Drawbridge, which we request you will	14: The Council referred the Court to its consultation of 3 February, which contained a petition from Eleanor Shirley, widow of the late Lieutenant John Shirley. The Council was well satisfied that her account of her distressed situation and circumstances was true. Since she was entitled to the Military Fund under its regulations, the Council had granted her the allowance of a lieutenant's widow, as the Court had ordered. It enclosed her affidavit and a certificate of her marriage in the form the Court required. 15: The President and Council of Bombay had told the Council, in answer to its letter of 12 April 1775, that they had not yet received the Court's orders to increase the rice and paddy usually sent to the island. The Council therefore asked the Court to send them directions on the matter, since these articles were much needed for the island's consumption every year. It added that, although the Court had said it would order the presidencies to send larger quantities, the island had received an increase in grain only from Fort William. 16: By this opportunity the Council sent its indent of stores wanted for the island the following year, together with the list of stores remaining. 17: The Council enclosed sketches giving the dimensions of timber for a new crane and two shafts for the drawbridge, which it asked the Court to send, as the letter went on to say. Interpretations The Court had promised in 1775 to order all three presidencies to send more rice and paddy. Two years later only Bengal had complied, and Bombay said it had never received the order. The Court's instructions to its distant settlements went by the same slow ships as everything else, and a single lost or delayed letter could leave a promise unfulfilled for years. The Council's report gave the Court the evidence that its order had gone astray, so that it could be sent again.
254	249	will be pleased to send Us by the next Years Store Ships the present ones being entirely worn out, and cannot possibly last longer than this Season. 18. Nineteen and a half Yards of the light blue Broad Cloth amounting as p Invoice to £ 7 . 1 . 3 received by the Alfred being damaged which were off that Ships Bill of Lading. We Ordered it to be sold by publick Auction which Yielded £ 8 . 17 . 9. This being a particular circumstance, and the Storekeeper received in good Condition, We thought proper to mention it to your Honors, that you may recover the value of the said Cloth. 19. Captns. Robert Carr, John Prince, and Benjamin Jones brought from the Cape on your Honors account Sundry Articles amounting in the whole to £ 183 . 10 as p Bills entered in Consultation of the 8 instant for the Payment of Captn. Carr and Princes We have given Certificates, and have paid Captain Jones the amount of his in Cash here. 20. Captain Carr has Our permission to receive on Board his Ship Mr. Stephenson Mrs. Rutherford and a Servant Maid with their necessarys &c. 21. It appearing by a General Court Martial held on the 29 Day of April for the trial of eleven Non Commissioned Officers that Captn. Tippet had not acted as an Officer should have done in suppressing their Mutinous intentions, when it had come to his knowledge; We thought it proper to Order a General Court Martial to enquire into his Conduct, As Mutiny, or the very Idea of Mutiny on this Island may be attended with the worst Effects, in consequence of which the said Court Martial have found him Guilty of the charge and dismissed him the Honble. Company's	The Council asked the Court to send the crane timber and drawbridge shafts by the next year's store ship, since the present ones were entirely worn out and could hardly last beyond that season. 18: Nineteen and a half yards of light blue broadcloth, received by the Alfred, were found damaged, though the ship's bill of lading recorded them as shipped sound. The invoice value was £17 1s 3d. The Council ordered the cloth sold by public auction, and it fetched £8 17s 9d. Since this was an unusual case and the storekeeper had received the bale in good condition, the Council thought it right to mention it so the Court could recover the value of the cloth. 19: Captains Robert Carr, John Prince and Benjamin Jones had brought from the Cape, on the Company's account, various articles amounting in all to £183 10s 0d, as shown in their bills entered in the consultation of the 8th of the month. The Council gave certificates to Captains Carr and Prince for payment, and paid Captain Jones his amount in cash on the island. 20: Captain Carr had the Council's permission to take aboard his ship Mr Stephenson, Mrs Rutherford and a maidservant, with their baggage. 21: A general court martial held on 29 April to try eleven non-commissioned officers showed that Captain Tippet had not acted as an officer should in suppressing their mutinous intentions after they came to his knowledge. The Council therefore thought it proper to order a general court martial to inquire into his conduct, since mutiny, or even the idea of mutiny, could have the worst consequences on the island. The court martial found him guilty of the charge and dismissed him from the Company's service, as the letter went on to say. Interpretations Eleven non-commissioned officers tried together for mutiny shows serious unrest in the garrison in the spring of 1777. The court found that Captain Tippet, the island's engineer and senior artillery officer, had known of their intentions and failed to act. On an island where the garrison was the only force and no help could come for months, the Council treated even a plan to mutiny as a grave danger. Tippet had been shielded several times before, over his house and his quarrel with Gillson, because his skills were hard to replace. Failure to stop a mutiny was a different matter, since it threatened the Company's hold on the island itself. Dismissal ended a career of more than twenty years in the Company's service.
255	250	Company's Services, and here we beg leave to inform you from experience, that the two Commissions of Captn. of Artillery and Engineer being joind, has been attended with many inconveniences, and as Captn. Thomas Bazett has been Superintendant of the Works under the Engineer upwards of nine Years, and acquitted himself well in that Employment we are convinced he has acquired a knowledge sufficient to finish what little now Remains of the Works to be compleated here, but should your Honors think proper to continue the Appointment of an Engineer, we are fully of opinion that it should be unconnected with that of the Captn. of Artillery, the defence of the Island depending much upon an experienced Officer at the head of that department which affords full Employment for any one who Commands that Company. 22. We transmit you by this opportunity the two General Courts Martial held on the 29 April and 5 instant to which we beg leave to refer you, particularly the latter, on Account of the very extraordinary protests and Objections made by the Prisoner Captn. James Tippet who takes his Passage with his Family for England on Board the Ship Royal Henry. 23. We have granted the following Sets of Bills of Exchange viz. One to John Skottowe Esqr. Governor for £ 600 - payable to Captn. Nichs. Skottowe, One to Captn. Gabriel Harper for £ 100 - payable to Mrs. Esther Glover, One to Mattw. Bazett Esqr. for £ 493 . 3 . 4 payable to Matthew Parling Esqr. One to Major Henry Bazett for £ 523 . 12 . 6 payable to Matthew Parling Esqr. One to Mr. John Goodwin for £ 100 payable to Captn. Francis Mc. Kenzy. One to the Reverend Mr. Robertes Carr for £ 300 - payable to Captn. Robert Carr. One to Mr. David Hay for £ 35 - payable to James Moffatt Esqr. One	The Council told the Court that experience had shown many disadvantages in joining the two commissions of captain of artillery and engineer in one man. Captain Thomas Bazett had been superintendent of the works under the engineer for more than nine years and had done the work well. The Council was convinced he had learned enough to finish what little remained of the works on the island. If the Court thought fit to keep an engineer, the Council was fully of the opinion that the post should be separate from that of captain of artillery. The island's defence depended greatly on an experienced officer at the head of the artillery, and that command alone gave full employment to any man who held it. 22: By this opportunity the Council sent the two general courts martial held on 29 April and on the 5th of the month. It referred the Court particularly to the second, because of the very extraordinary protests and objections made by the prisoner, Captain James Tippet, who was sailing with his family for England in the Royal Henry. 23: The Council had granted the following bills of exchange. Governor John Skottowe, £600 0s 0d, payable to Captain Nicholas Skottowe Captain Gabriel Harper, £100 0s 0d, payable to Mrs Esther Glover Matthew Bazett, £493 3s 4d, payable to Matthew Purling Major Henry Bazett, £623 12s 6d, payable to Matthew Purling John Goodwin, £100 0s 0d, payable to Captain Francis McKenzie The Reverend Robert Carr, £300 0s 0d, payable to Captain Robert Carr David Hay, £35 0s 0d, payable to James Moffat Interpretations Tippet's dismissal gave the Council the chance to separate the two posts he had held together since 1772. As engineer he directed the island's works, and as captain of artillery he commanded the guns. The Council judged that the artillery had suffered from divided attention, and with French strength building in the Indian Ocean the guns mattered more than ever. Thomas Bazett, who had worked under Tippet for nine years, could finish the remaining works. That allowed the Court to send out a dedicated artillery officer without the cost of a second engineer. The Bazett family continued to pay large sums to Matthew Purling, nearly £1,120 in this round alone, three years after he left. They had evidently bought his property on the island and were paying it off by instalments.
256	251	One to Mr. Jonathan Doveton for £ 170 - payable to Mr. George Atherton, One to Mr. Thos. Bolston for £ 160 - payable to himself. One to Mr. Charles Bradford for £ 125 - payable to Mrs. Elizabeth Bradford One to Mr. Thomas Stroud for £ 250 - payable to Mr. Nicholas Gearing, One to Captn. James Tippet for £ 500 - payable to Thomas Woodley Esqr. And one Set to the Attorneys of Captn. John Mitford for £ 1000 - payable to himself, all Drawn at ninety Days sight and dated the 8 instant. 24. We have given Captn. Rous an Order to receive on Board the Royal Henry, Thos. Mc. Dearman Willm. Parkinson, Henry Batchelor and Chas. Lewellin, four Discharged Soldiers to compleat his Ships Company, likewise put on board the Lioness Thos. Gary and George Gillworth two Seamen left here out of the Grenville, to compleat that Ships Company. And have permitted Captn. Carr to take on board the Greenwich, Samuel Raddish and Charles Field two discharged Soldiers and Captn. Elphinston James Miller another Seaman left here out of the Snow Syren. 25. The Passengers on Board the Triton are Lady Fletcher Mrs. Thackery Major Mc. Kenzie Messrs. Bensley Thackery Ramsey Pattison Captn. Watson and Lieut. Watson. On the Latham Mrs. Matcham Mrs. Fletcher Mrs. Kietor Mrs. Lee Mrs. Fenwick Mrs. Goodwin Major Wood and Captn. Mc. Kenzy. On Board the Greenwich Captn. Matthews Lieuts. Ball and Wynch and Mr. Gunter. On the Shrewsbury Messrs. Wright, Wyss, Mc. Durmot, Jones, Downman & Macaro, On the Nassau Col. Galiez and Lady Edwd. Stephenson Esqr. Mr. Thomas and Lieut. Sandes. On the Lioness Captns. Maskerile & Godfrey Messrs.	The remaining bills, all drawn at 90 days' sight and dated the 8th of the month, were these. Jonathan Doveton, £170 0s 0d, payable to George Atherton Thomas Pinkston, £160 0s 0d, payable to himself Charles Bradford, £125 0s 0d, payable to Elizabeth Bradford Thomas Stroud, £250 0s 0d, payable to Nicholas Gearing Captain James Tippet, £500 0s 0d, payable to Thomas Woodley The attorneys of Captain John Mitford, £1,000 0s 0d, payable to Mitford himself 24: The Council ordered Captain Roys to take aboard the Royal Henry four discharged soldiers, Thomas McDiarman, William Parkinson, Henry Batchelor and Charles Lewellen, to complete his crew. It also put aboard the Lioness Thomas Gary and George Gillworth, two seamen left behind by the Grenville, to complete her crew. It allowed Captain Carr to take aboard the Greenwich Samuel Raddish and Charles Field, two discharged soldiers, and Captain Elphinstone to take James Miller, another seaman left behind by the Syren snow. 25: The passengers aboard the Triton were Lady Fletcher, Mrs Thackery, Major McKenzie, Messrs Bensley, Thackery, Ramsey and Pattison, Captain Watson and Lieutenant Watson. Aboard the Latham were Mrs Matcham, Mrs Fletcher, Mrs Kitson, Mrs Lee, Mrs Fenwick, Mrs Goodwin, Major Wood and Captain McKenny. Aboard the Greenwich were Captain Matthews, Lieutenant Ball, and Messrs Wynch and Gunter. Aboard the Shrewsbury were Messrs Wright, Wyss, McDermott, Jones, Downman and Macaron. Aboard the Nassau were Colonel Galiez and his lady, Edward Stephenson, Mr Thomas and Lieutenant Sandys. Aboard the Lioness were Captains Baskerville and Godfrey, and Messrs, as the letter went on to list. Interpretations Lady Fletcher, aboard the Triton, was the widow of Sir Robert Fletcher, who had died at Mauritius a few months earlier after joining the coup against Lord Pigot. The plumbers Thomas Pinkston and Charles Bradford remitted their savings home, Bradford to a woman who was probably his wife in England. Their wages and the island's allowances evidently left them money to spare as the water scheme neared completion.
257	252	Mr. Shewen Baily Lieut. Brunker and Henry, Ensign Agnew Mrs. Manory Mrs. Roberts and Miss Bailey, and On Board the Royal Henry Mr. Barnet. 26. On the 16 of last Month arrived the Ship Royal Henry from China, The 20 the Triton from Bengal and the 2 instant the Lioness from Madrass the two latter last from the Cape. Captn. Rous acquaints Us that he left Wampoa the 9 January and that the Gatton and Stafford were to sail in about three Weeks after him; Captn. Elphinston informs Us that he sailed from Fort William the 22 January and put into the Cape the 23 March last. Captn. Larkins tells Us that he left Fort St. George the 8 Feby. put into Table Bay the 9 Apl. on which Day His Majesty's Ships Rippon and Cormorant and your Ship Princess Royal sailed from thence. Yesterday arrived the Lord Holland from China last from the Cape at which place Captn. Lawson informs Us he left the Ship Egmont, she was to proceed on her Voyage the 18 April. He also acquaints Us that there was a Spanish Ship from Manilla bound to Cadiz arrived at the Cape the Day before he left it. 27. The Chubs Spring water Works being now almost finished and one Plumber being sufficient to compleat what little remains undone, We have permitted Captn. Lawson to receive on Board the Lord Holland John Pinkston Plumber, who is in a very indifferent State of health, and requested leave to go to England on that Account, And have paid Captn. Lawson £ 15 - for his Passage thither. We have also permitted Captn. Lawson to receive on board his Ship Joseph Griffiths Cooper.	The remaining passengers aboard the Lioness were Mr Thomas Baily, Lieutenant Brunker, Ensign Henry Agnew, Mrs Manery, Mrs Abbott and Miss Bailey. Mr Barnet was aboard the Royal Henry. 26: The Company's ship Royal Henry arrived from China on the 16th of the previous month, the Triton from Bengal on the 20th, and the Lioness from Madras on the 2nd of the month, the last two by way of the Cape. Captain Roys reported that he had left Whampoa on 9 January and that the Gatton and the Stafford were to sail about three weeks after him. Captain Elphinstone reported that he had sailed from Fort William on 22 January and put into the Cape on 23 March. Captain Larkins reported that he had left Fort St George on 8 February and put into Table Bay on 9 April, the day His Majesty's ships Ripon and Cormorant and the Company's ship Princess Royal sailed from there. The Lord Holland had arrived from China by way of the Cape the day before this letter. Captain Lawson reported that he had left the Company's ship Egmont at the Cape, due to continue her voyage on 10 April. He also reported that a Spanish ship from Manila bound for Cadiz had arrived at the Cape the day before he left. 27: The Chubb's Spring waterworks were now almost finished, and one plumber was enough to complete what little remained. The Council therefore allowed Captain Lawson to take aboard the Lord Holland John Pinkston, a plumber, who was in very poor health and had asked leave to go to England on that account. It paid Captain Lawson £15 0s 0d for his passage. It also allowed Captain Lawson to take aboard his ship Joseph Griffiths, a cooper. Interpretations The waterworks reached completion within two years of the subscription in July 1775. The plumber who left had remitted £160 0s 0d a few days earlier and now went home sick. Joseph Griffiths had served as the Company's cooper since at least 1772. His departure removed another of the skilled tradesmen sent out from England, whom the island could not easily replace.
258	253	28. This Letter waits on your Honors by the Triton that sails in Company with the Shrewsbury, Royal Henry Nassau, Greenwich, Latham Lioness and Lord Holland We have transmitted a Duplicate of this by the Shrewsbury and a Triplicate by the Royal Henry. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedient and humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Matt. Bazett Willm. Wrangham Henry Bazett St. Helena 16 May 1777 P.S. Since closing the foregoing Letter We had a Paper laid before Us by five of the eleven Non Commissioned Officers of Artillery who were lately tried by a Genl. Court Martial the said paper is inserted on our Consultation of this day to which We beg leave to refer your Honors. List of the Honorable Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Triton dated the 16 May 1777 1 Govr. & Councils Genl. Letter dated the 16 May 1777 2 Do. & Do. Do. dated the 16 Do. relatg. to Law Matters 3 Duplicate Do. & Do. Do. Do. 27 Janry. 1777 4 Do. Do. & Do. Do. Do. 13 March Do. 5 Do. Do. & Do. Do. Do. 7 April Do. 6 Consultations from the 3 Feby. to the 9 May Do. 7 Duplicate Do. from the 16 Decr. 1776 to the 27 Janry. Do. 8 Effective State of the Garrison 9 Muster Rolls of Do. 10 Cash Account from the 28 to the 31 Janry. 1777 11 Do. Do. for the Month of February Do. 12 Do. Do. for the Month of March Do. 13 Do. Do. for the Month of April Do. 14 Do. Do. from the 1 to the 16 May Do.	28: This letter was going by the Triton, which was sailing in company with the Shrewsbury, Royal Henry, Nassau, Greenwich, Latham, Lioness and Lord Holland. The Council sent a duplicate by the Shrewsbury and a triplicate by the Royal Henry. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Bazett, William Wrangham and Henry Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 10 May 1777. In a postscript the Council added that, after closing the letter, it had received a paper from five of the eleven non-commissioned officers of artillery who had lately been tried by a general court martial. The original was entered in that day's consultation, to which the Council referred the Court. The Council's packet by the Triton, dated 10 May 1777, began with the following documents. 1: The Governor and Council's general letter of 10 May 1777 2: The Governor and Council's general letter of 10 May 1777, relating to legal matters 3: Duplicate of the general letter of 27 January 1777 4: Duplicate of the general letter of 13 March 1777 5: Duplicate of the general letter of 7 April 1777 6: Consultations from 3 February to 9 May 1777 7: Duplicate consultations from 16 December 1776 to 27 January 1777 8: Return of the effective strength of the garrison 9: Muster rolls of the garrison 10: Cash account from 28 to 31 January 1777 11: Cash account for February 1777 12: Cash account for March 1777 13: Cash account for April 1777 14: Cash account from 1 to 10 May 1777 Interpretations Eight Company ships sailing together marked the wartime practice of gathering the homeward fleet at St Helena and sending it on as one body for mutual protection against American privateers. The Council spread its despatches across three of them, so that the loss of one ship would not lose its letters. The paper from five of the convicted artillery non-commissioned officers arrived too late to answer and was simply forwarded. It was probably a protest or petition against their sentences, like Tippet's own "extraordinary protests". The Council left the Court to weigh it.
259	254	15 Duplicate Cash Account from the 10 to the 31 December 1776 16 Do. Do. from the 1 to the 27 Janry. Do. 17 Ship Nassaus Account 18 Ship Greenwiches Do. 19 Ship Lathams Do. 20 Ship Shrewsburys Do. 21 Ship Royal Henrys Do. 22 Ship Tritons Do. 23 Ship Lioness Do. 24 Ship Lord Hollands Do. 25 Duplicate Ship Grenvilles Do. 26 Do. Snow Syren Do. 27 Proceedings of a Genl. Quarterly Sessions held on 9 Apl. 1777 28 Duplicate Do. of Do. held on 15 Janry. Do. 29 Time of the Arrival of Ships Nassau, Greenwich, Latham, Shrewsbury Royal Henry, Triton Lioness & Lord Holland 30 Abstract of the Cargoes of the above Ships 31 Register of Goods & Merchandize Import. in & from this Island from the 21 August 1776 to the 26 Apl. 1777 32 List of Births Christgs. Marriages & Burials from the 1 Sept. 76 to the 29 Feby. 1777 33 Courts Martial from the 26 May 76 to the 3 March 1777 34 Affidavit of the Widow Shirley & Certificate of her Marriage 35 Indent of Stores wanted for the Service of the Year 1778 36 Do. of Medicines Do. for Do. Do. 37 List of Stores remaining in the Honble. Compys. Ware Houses the 30 Apl. 1777 38 Do. of Garrison Do. Do. Do. 39 Sketches of the Dimensions of Timber 40 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Grenville 41 First Do. for a small paper Do. p Swede Ship Adolph Frederic 42 Do. Do. for a Do. Do. p Swede Do. Finland 43 Do. Do. for the Packet p Ship Snow Syren 44 Second Do. for Do. p Ship Hampshire 45 Ship Alfreds Account 46 Duplt. Govr. & Councils Genl. Letter dated 27 Janry. 1777 relatg. to Law matters 47 Genl. Courts Martial held on the 5 Feby. the 29 & 30 Apl. and 5, 6 and 7 May 1777 48 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Grenville Three Letters to the Honble. Secret Committee given to Captns. Elphinston, Jones & Rous by the Governor and Lieut. Governor	15: Duplicate cash account from 10 to 31 December 1776 16: Duplicate cash account from 1 to 27 January 1777 17: Account of the ship Nassau 18: Account of the ship Greenwich 19: Account of the ship Latham 20: Account of the ship Shrewsbury 21: Account of the ship Royal Henry 22: Account of the ship Triton 23: Account of the ship Lioness 24: Account of the ship Lord Holland 25: Duplicate account of the ship Grenville 26: Duplicate account of the Syren snow 27: Proceedings of a general quarterly sessions held on 9 April 1777 28: Duplicate proceedings of a general quarterly sessions held on 15 January 1777 29: Times of arrival of the boats of the Nassau, Greenwich, Latham, Shrewsbury, Royal Henry, Triton, Lioness and Lord Holland at Banks's 30: Abstract of the cargoes of the above ships 31: Register of goods and merchandise imported into and exported from St Helena from 21 August 1776 to 26 April 1777 32: List of births, christenings, marriages and burials from 1 September 1776 to 28 February 1777 33: Courts martial from 26 May 1776 to 3 March 1777 34: Affidavit of the widow Shirley and certificate of her marriage 35: Indent of stores wanted for the year 1778 36: Indent of medicines wanted for the year 1778 37: List of stores remaining in the Company's warehouses on 30 April 1777 38: List of garrison stores remaining on 30 April 1777 39: Sketches of the dimensions of timber 40: First receipt for the packet sent by the Grenville 41: First receipt for a small paper packet sent by the Swedish ship Adolph Frederick 42: First receipt for a small paper packet sent by the Swedish ship Finland 43: First receipt for the packet sent by the Syren snow 44: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Hampshire 45: Account of the ship Alfred 46: Duplicate of the general letter of 27 January 1777, relating to legal matters 47: General courts martial held on 5 February, 29 and 30 April, and 5, 6 and 7 May 1777 48: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Grenville Three letters to the Secret Committee from the Governor and Lieutenant Governor were given to Captains Elphinstone, Jones and Roys. Interpretations The courts martial of April and May 1777 ran over five days. They covered both the trial of the eleven artillery non-commissioned officers for mutiny and the inquiry that led to Captain Tippet's dismissal. Their length and their place in the packet show the gravity with which the Council treated the affair. The Governor and Lieutenant Governor again wrote separately to the Secret Committee, handing their letters directly to three commanders, which suggests the division within the Council persisted.
260	255	To the Honorable &c. Honorable Sirs 1. We addressed you last by the Ship Triton which Sailed from hence the 16 instant, with the Nassau Greenwich, Shrewsbury, Latham, Lioness, Royal Henry and Lord Holland under her Convoy. 2. On the 9 of this Month arrived a Dane Ship from Tranquebar called the Ganges Captn. Young burthen 300 Tons carrys 18 Guns and 60 Men loaden with Bengal Goods, bound to Copenhagen. And the 11 a French Ship from the Mauritius, called La Comte St. Gelonaire, Captn. Guerard, burthen 500 Tons, carrys 2 Guns and 60 Men, loaden with Coffee and Bengal Goods bound to Port L'Orient. 3. Yesterday Arrived your Ship Gatton from China (last from the Cape) Captain Money informs Us that he left Canton the 28 January, and that the Stafford was to sail from thence the Day after him, he likewise acquaints Us that the Resolution was in at False Bay the 26 April the Day he sailed from the Cape of Good Hope. 4. As Captn. Young informs Us that he purposes going up the British Channel we take the opportunity of conveying this Letter to You. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. & humble Servants (Signed) Matt. Bazett Willm. Wrangham Henry Bazett John Skottowe Danl. Corneille St. Helena 24 May 1777	The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone by the Triton, which sailed on the 11th of the month with the Nassau, Greenwich, Shrewsbury, Latham, Lioness, Royal Henry and Lord Holland under her convoy. 2: A Danish ship from Tranquebar, the Ganges, under Captain Young, arrived on the 9th of the month. She was of 300 tons, carried 18 guns and a crew of 60, and was bound for Copenhagen with Bengal goods. On the 11th a French ship from Mauritius arrived, the Comte de Gelonnaire, under Captain Guerard. She was of 500 tons, carried 2 guns and a crew of 60, and was bound for Lorient with coffee and Bengal goods. 3: The Company's ship Gatton had arrived from China by way of the Cape the day before this letter. Captain Money reported that he had left Canton on 28 January and that the Stafford was to sail from there the day after him. He also reported that the Resolution was in False Bay on 26 April, the day he sailed from the Cape of Good Hope. 4: Captain Young had told the Council that he meant to sail up the English Channel, so it took the opportunity of sending this letter by him. Governor Skottowe, Daniel Corneille, Matthew Bazett, William Wrangham and Henry Bazett signed the letter at St Helena on 14 May 1777. Interpretations The Resolution in False Bay in April 1777 cannot have been Captain Cook's ship, which had left the Cape for the Pacific in November 1776. She was probably the Company's ship of that name, which had called at St Helena from Bengal in 1774. The Danish captain's route up the Channel made his ship a good carrier for the Council's letter, since a neutral vessel was safe from American privateers and would pass close to the English coast, where a letter could be landed.
261	256	To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. We addressed you [...] last under date of the 24 May by a Dane Ship called the Ganges since which the undermentioned Ships have arrived at this Island. Solage a French Ship the 15 May 1777 from Bengal The Deliverance a Polacca 16 Do. Do. Gibraltar Whale Fishing Vessel Lord Camden 24 Do. Do. China Stafford 29 Do. Do. Do. Prince of Wales 3 June Do. Madrass Granby 6 Do. Do. China London 9 Do. Do. Bengal last from the Cape Holland Dutch Ship 10 Do. Do. Batavia Norfolk 11 Do. Do. China last from the Cape Thetis his Majesty's Ship 19 Do. Do. England Bridgewater 19 Do. Do. Duke of Cumberland 25 Do. Do. Bengal Fox 4 July Do. China 2. By the Ship Bridgewater we received Your Honors Letter dated the 5 February last together with a Copy of that p Alfred likewise a Letter directed to the Governor and Lieutenant Governor. 3. We will agreable to your Directions exert ourselves in discovering any Merchandize in Tea from your China Ships to others from India, and if any such Practices should come to Our Knowledge will not fail to acquaint you therewith. 4. We are sorry the several Articles brought from	The Council wrote again to the Court. 1: Its last letter had gone on 14 May by a Danish ship, the Ganges. Since then the following ships had arrived at the island. The French ship Sulage, 15 May 1777, from Bengal The Deliverance, a polacca, and a whale-fishing vessel, 16 May, from Gibraltar Lord Camden, 24 May, from China Stafford, 29 May, from China Prince of Wales, 3 June, from Madras Granby, 6 June, from China London, 9 June, from Bengal by way of the Cape The Dutch ship Holland, 10 June, from Batavia Norfolk, 11 June, from China by way of the Cape His Majesty's ship Thetis, 19 June, from England Bridgewater, 19 June, from England Duke of Cumberland, 25 June, from Bengal Fox, 1 July, from China 2: By the Bridgewater the Council received the Court's letter of 5 February, with a copy of the one sent by the Alfred, and a letter addressed to the Governor and Lieutenant Governor. 3: As the Court had directed, the Council would do its utmost to discover any merchandise or tea passed from the Company's China ships to other ships from India. If any such practices came to its knowledge, it would not fail to report them. 4: The Council was sorry that the various articles brought, as the letter went on to explain. Interpretations A polacca was a Mediterranean merchant vessel with pole masts, common in the trade of Gibraltar and southern Europe. Its arrival with a whaler shows the wider Atlantic traffic that now touched the island as the war shifted shipping routes. The Court's new order concerned tea passed from Company China ships to country ships or other vessels from India at St Helena. Such transfers could carry tea outside the Company's monopoly into private hands. The register master's book had been the Council's tool against this kind of evasion since 1773.
262	257	from the Cape by Captn. Forbes were not mentioned upon Consultation before the Mercury left this Island, And that your Honors should be put to any inconvenience by such omission. A List of the said Articles are entered upon Consultation of the 7 October last to which we beg leave to refer you. 5. Agreable to the 5 Paragraph of your last General Letter The Members of Council each were accommodated with one of your Houses, and the four remaining allotted to the Gentlemen you have been pleased to mention which We mean shall be a standard in future. 6. We have acquainted Mr. Philip Mahoney with your favor towards him, In consequence of which he addressed a Letter to the Board signifying his intentions of continuing in the Honble. Company's service as long as his Health would permit him which is entered upon Consultation of the 25 June for your Observance. 7. We beg leave to refer your Honors to Consultation of the 12 May last respecting Captn. Rous having refused to receive, agreable to Charter Party terms, four able Men discharged this Garrison to Compleat his Ships Company, And have to observe that we think his conduct thereupon very improper and request your Instructions how we are to act on similar cases in future. 8. Being in want of another Iron Chest to put the Honble. Company's Cash in the Present one being too small as the Species of the Island consist mostly in Silver Rupees, We request you will send Us One of a Large size by the next Years Store Ships. 9. In the 21 Paragraph of our Letter under date of the 16 May, We fully mentioned to you Our Sentiments respecting the necessity of the Engineer and Artillery Captain being distinct Commands should your Honors	The Council regretted that the articles Captain Forbes brought from the Cape had not been recorded in the consultations before the Mercury left the island, and that the Court should have been put to any inconvenience by the omission. A list of them was entered in the consultation of 7 October, to which it referred the Court. 5: As the Court had directed in paragraph 5 of its last general letter, each member of Council had been given one of the Company's houses. The four remaining houses had been allotted to the gentlemen the Court had named. The Council meant this to be the standard in future. 6: The Council had told Mr Philip Mahony of the Court's favour towards him. He then wrote to the Council saying he meant to remain in the Company's service as long as his health allowed. His letter was entered in the consultation of 25 June for the Court's attention. 7: The Council referred the Court to its consultation of 12 May about Captain Roys, who had refused to take aboard four men discharged from the garrison to complete his ship's crew, as the charter party required. The Council thought his conduct very improper and asked for the Court's instructions on how to act in similar cases in future. 8: The Council needed another iron chest for the Company's cash, since the present one was too small now that the island's coin consisted mostly of silver rupees. It asked the Court to send a large one by the next year's store ship. 9: In paragraph 21 of its letter of 10 May, the Council had set out in full its view that the posts of engineer and captain of artillery should be separate commands. Should the Court, as the letter went on to say. Interpretations The Court had settled the long dispute over the Company's houses that the Council raised in July 1775. Members of Council received houses first, and the rest went to the officers the Court named, a fixed rule replacing the old complaints of unfairness. The island's coin now consisted mostly of silver rupees, which shows how far its money supply had come to depend on the eastern trade. Rupees brought by ships from India filled the treasury in place of English coin or Spanish dollars. They were bulkier for their value than gold, which explains the need for a larger chest. The Council's earlier refusal of part of Captain Bull's payment had shown the treasury already overflowing.
263	258	Honors think proper to send a Gentleman in the former Capacity which in Our Opinion is at present unnecessary and will be saving the expence of that department, We must again request, as the defence of this Island depends much upon the Abilitys of an experienced Artillery Officer You will please to appoint a Captain of Artillery and a Lieutenant to fill the Vacancy's occasioned in that Company by the dismission of Captain Tippet and the Resignation of Lieutenant Molloy. And as the above Company now rests with only two Young Lieutenants, Leech, and Hay, and that the detail of all the Artillery Stores &c. renders it absolutely necessary to have an experienced Officer to take charge of the same, as well as the Command of that Company, We have requested Major Bazett to take that charge upon him until your Honors fill up the above appointments and submit it to your consideration what recompence we are to make that Gentleman for his extraordinary Duty. Lieutenant Leech whom you have appointed to a Marching Company we have continued in the Artillery from the want of Officers to that Company as above mentioned and as there are now two vacancy's of second Lieutenants in the Marching Company's We beg leave to recommend Thomas Greentree and Bresphorus Beale the two Young Gentleman Cadets to fill those Commissions. 10. The Long Wood which has hitherto yielded a constant Supply of Fewel for this Valley, as well as several of the out Forts, and Inhabitants in the Country, being in a state of decay and going off very fast from the great consumption of that Article, and there being no Succession as all the Young Trees are immediately upon their sprouting out of the Ground destroyed	Should the Court think fit to send out an engineer, the Council considered one unnecessary at present, and doing without would save the cost of that department. It asked again, since the island's defence depended so much on the ability of an experienced artillery officer, that the Court appoint a captain of artillery and a lieutenant. These would fill the vacancies left in that company by the dismissal of Captain Tippet and the resignation of Lieutenant Mallory. The company now had only two young lieutenants, Leech and Hay. The detail of all the artillery stores made it essential to have an experienced officer in charge of them as well as of the company. The Council had therefore asked Major Bazett to take that charge until the Court filled the appointments, and asked the Court to say what reward it should give him for this extra duty. The Court had appointed Lieutenant Leech to a marching company, but the Council had kept him in the artillery for want of officers there, as already mentioned. There were now two vacancies for second lieutenant in the marching companies, and the Council recommended Thomas Greentree and Bysshe Beale, the two young cadets, to fill them. 10: The Long Wood had until then given a constant supply of fuel to James's Valley, to several of the outlying forts and to inhabitants in the country. It was now decaying and disappearing very fast because of the great consumption of wood. No young trees were growing up to replace the old, since all the saplings were destroyed as soon as they sprouted from the ground, as the letter went on to explain. Interpretations The Council's warning about the Long Wood is one of the earliest recorded alarms over the destruction of St Helena's native forest. The wood on the eastern plateau had supplied fuel for the town, the garrison and the lime kilns for decades. Mature trees were felled faster than they could grow, and the feral goats that roamed the island ate every seedling. The forest could not renew itself. The Council had paid soldiers to shoot goats since at least 1772, but the reports show the effort was far too small. Within a generation most of the Long Wood had gone, and the island came to depend on imported coal and on new plantings of foreign trees.
264	259	destroyed by the black Cattle, Sheep and Goats, which it is impossible to prevent in its present State without a Fence round it, We think it our indispensible duty, to acquaint you with the great detriment the loss of this useful Commodity will be to Your Honors in particular and the Inhabitants in General, as the produce of the whole Island in this Article, is inconsiderable when compared with Long Wood alone, which it is imagined by all will not last above twelve or fifteen Years, and when that is gone will put the Inhabitants who have possessions in the Country upon securing their property of Fewel which will be barely sufficient for their own Consumption and reduce the rest of the Inhabitants who have no Land to the greatest distress. We do therefore for the reasons abovementioned earnestly Recommend to Your Honors the necessity of putting an impregnable Fence about this place which We judge may be compleated at an expence not exceeding three thousand pounds, and will when finished be attended with the greatest Utility, not only to the Island in general but to the Honble. Company in particular, as at the expiration of ten or twelve Years the succession will be so great, that instead of prohibiting the taking Wood from thence (which in less than that space of time without this precaution must be nearly consumed) there will be a necessity of thinning it, to give the remaining Trees sufficient room in their growth, even Your Honors Ships by the above undertaking in the space of twenty Years may depend upon this Place for that useful Article. 11. We further recommend to your Honors the necessity of conveying Water into the Long Wood from an adjacent Spring and as three Quarter of an Inch	The young trees were destroyed by the cattle, sheep and goats, and in the wood's present state this could not be prevented without a fence around it. The Council considered it an essential duty to tell the Court how damaging the loss of this useful resource would be, to the Company in particular and to the inhabitants in general. Everything the rest of the island produced in this line was small compared with the Long Wood alone. Everyone supposed the wood would not last more than twelve or fifteen years. Once it was gone, the inhabitants who owned land in the country would have to guard their own supplies of fuel, which would barely meet their own needs. The rest of the inhabitants, who had no land, would be reduced to the greatest distress. For these reasons the Council earnestly recommended to the Court a secure fence around the place. It judged this could be completed for no more than £3,000 0s 0d, and once finished it would be of the greatest use, both to the island and to the Company. Within ten or twelve years the young growth would be so great that, instead of forbidding wood to be taken from it, the Council would have to thin it to give the remaining trees room to grow. Without the fence the wood would be nearly consumed in less time than that. With it, the Company's ships could rely on the wood for that useful article within twenty years. 11: The Council further recommended to the Court the need to bring water into the Long Wood from a nearby spring, and a three-quarter-inch pipe, as the letter went on to say. Interpretations The Council's proposal was a remarkable piece of forest conservation for its time. It identified the cause of the wood's decline exactly: livestock eating every seedling, while people felled the mature trees for fuel. It proposed the remedy that worked, fencing out the animals so the forest could regrow. It also reckoned the forest's yield over decades, foreseeing a time when thinning would be needed rather than protection. The difficulty was cost. At up to £3,000 0s 0d, the fence would cost more than the island's whole yearly pay list for a quarter, and the Court was cutting expenses. Without the fence, the Long Wood shrank as the Council predicted. Much of St Helena's native woodland was lost over the following decades.
265	260	Inch Pipe will be sufficient for that purpose the expence will be but small not exceeding by the best calculation the Sum of £ 518 . 19 - for the Pipe and Solder and the black People who have been lately instructed by the Plumbers are sufficiently qualifyed to carry this Work into execution which will be attended with great advantages, as the Cattle will not then be under the necessity of descending the Hills and going a great distance to drink, by which they often in Slippery weather meet with fatal accidents. 12. Your Honors will please to observe by Our Consultation of the 7 of this Month, that We dispatched the Ship Bridgewater upon the expiration of the ten Working Days, she proceeded on her Voyage the 13 instant. 13. We beg leave to recommend to your particular attention a Letter and Petition from Captain John Howard, which appears on our Consultation of the 14 instant wherein he sets forth his long Services and Infirmities And have to assure you that this Gentleman has ever Given Us the highest Satisfaction in every branch of his Duty and now labors under the infirmities he has set forth in his said Petition. We therefore in justice to so valuable a Servant cannot do less, than recommend him in the strongest manner as worthy your favor. 14. We judge it highly necessary again to represent to your Honors, the very bad state in which the Salt Provisions from England has been received both in 1775 and the present Year, there being no less than 34 Casks of the former condemned and thrown away besides a considerable loss upon a Quantity more sold at Public Auction on Account of its very indifferent quality; and 31 Casks in Consultation of the 14 instant in so bad a condition, upon its first Landing, that he is apprehensive of its being totally Unserviceable; a repetition of this evil may prove	The pipe would be large enough for the purpose. By the best estimate, the cost of the pipe and solder would be small and would not exceed £518 19s 0d. The black workmen, recently trained by the plumbers, were skilled enough to carry out the work themselves. The scheme would bring great benefits. The cattle would no longer have to go down the hills and travel a long way to drink. In wet weather they often slipped on these journeys and suffered fatal accidents. 12: The Council pointed the Court to its consultation of the 6th of the month. There it recorded that the Bridgewater was sent off once her ten working days had run out. She sailed on the 8th. 13: The Council asked the Court to give special attention to a letter and petition from Captain John Howard, entered in the consultation of the 6th. In it he described his long service and his poor health. The Council told the Court that Howard had always given complete satisfaction in every part of his duty. He was now suffering from the illnesses he described. In fairness to so valuable an officer, the Council felt bound to recommend him to the Court's favour as strongly as it could. 14: The Council thought it essential to complain once more about the very poor state of the salt provisions arriving from England, both in 1775 and in the current year. Of the 1775 supply, at least 34 casks were condemned and thrown away. A further quantity was sold at public auction at a heavy loss because its quality was so poor. The consultation of the 6th recorded that 31 more casks were in such bad condition when first landed that the officer reporting on them feared they would prove completely useless. If this happened again, the consequences could be serious. Interpretations The Council planned to lay the Long Wood pipe with the black workmen whom the Company's plumbers had recently trained. The obvious course was to leave the work to the European artificers. The letter pointed to the newly gained skills of the black workmen to support its low estimate of £518 19s 0d. Training Company slaves in a trade turned a fixed labour force into skilled workers at no extra wage. This was how the island kept down the cost of public works when every expense had to be justified to the Court. The complaint about salt provisions went to the heart of the island's food supply. The garrison and the Company's people lived largely on salt beef and pork shipped from England under contract. When casks were condemned, the Company lost the cost of the meat and the freight. The island also lost food it could not easily replace. Selling spoiled meat at auction recovered a little money, but it meant the poorest inhabitants were offered bad food. By setting out the casks condemned in 1775 and those landed in 1777, the Council gave the Court the evidence it needed to press the London contractors and the ships' commanders over how the casks were packed and stowed. Howard's petition was a request for the Court's favour, probably a pension or other reward, and only the Court could grant it. The Council could only add its testimony to his. It vouched for his conduct in every part of his duty and for the reality of his illness. Under the Company's system, an officer's chance of provision in old age depended largely on that kind of endorsement from the local government.
266	261	prove of the utmost detrimental to your Honors Service here not only as a heavy additional expence to your Island but on Account of your Military who pay for their Provision and expect it good, and when it proves otherwise occasions great Murmurings and discontent amongst them and also on account of the risque of the place being distressed and for want of that most necessary Article of Life which as Our supplies are only annual and our Receipts in case of one failure, and that remaining on hand bad, may very probably be the case. 15. As the last Quarters Accounts will not be laid before Us until the 21 instant, We cannot transmit Your Honors a Cash Account to a later date than 31 May last. 16. We have granted the following Sets of Bills of Exchange viz. One to the Attorney of Captn. Patrick Lawson for £ 1000 - payable to himself dated the 12 May last, One to Captn. William Parker for £ 1555 - payable to Clem. Foster Esqr. dated the 7 instant, Two to Daniel Corneille Esqr. One for £ 220 - payable to John Callaud Esqr. And the other for £ 28 . 11 payable to Messrs. Stainforth Leborne and Company One to Matthew Bazett Esqr. for £ 600 - payable to Matthew Parling Esqr. Three to Willm. Wrangham Esqr. One for £ 300 - payable to Captn. Richard Pearce, One for One hundred and twenty five pounds payable to Matthew Parling Esqr. And one for £ 419 . 19 . 2 payable to Captain James Barwell; One Set to Major Henry Bazett for £ 100 - payable to Matthew Parling Esqr. One to the Attorneys of Matthew Parling Esqr. for £ 800 . 14 . 9 payable to himself. Two Sets to Mr. Britannicus Alexander Wright, One for £ 180 - payable to Messrs. Dales and Collet, and the other for £ 30 - payable to Mr. John Fleetwood, One to Mr. Jonathan Doveton for £ 625 - payable to Captn. Richard Doveton One	Repeated failures of this kind would do the Company's service on the island serious harm. They added heavily to the island's costs. The soldiers also paid for their own provisions and expected them to be sound, so bad meat caused grumbling and resentment in the garrison. Beyond that, the island ran the risk of real hardship from a shortage of this most basic food. Supplies came only once a year, so if the stock in hand turned out to be spoiled, a shortage was very probable. 15: The accounts for the last quarter would not reach the Council until the 21st of the month. For that reason, the cash account sent to the Court ran only to 31 May 1777. 16: The Council issued the following sets of bills of exchange: One to the attorney of Captain Patrick Lawson for £1,000 0s 0d, payable to Lawson himself, dated 12 May 1777 One to Captain William Parker for £1,555 0s 0d, payable to [...] Foster, dated the 7th of the month Two to Daniel Corneille, the first for £220 0s 0d, payable to John Calland The second to Daniel Corneille for £28 11s 0d, payable to Staniforth, [...] and Company One to Matthew Bazett for £400 0s 0d, payable to Matthew Purling Three to William Wrangham, the first for £300 0s 0d, payable to Captain Richard Pearce The second to William Wrangham for £125 0s 0d, payable to Matthew Purling The third to William Wrangham for £419 19s 2d, payable to Captain James Barwell One set to Major Henry Bazett for £100 0s 0d, payable to Matthew Purling One to the attorneys of Matthew Purling for £800 14s 9d, payable to Purling himself Two sets to Britannicus Alexander Wright, the first for £180 0s 0d, payable to Dales and Collet The second to Britannicus Alexander Wright for £30 0s 0d, payable to John Fleetwood One to Jonathan Doveton for £695 0s 0d, payable to Captain Richard Doveton The list of bills continued beyond these entries. Interpretations Bills of exchange drawn on the Court were the main route by which money left St Helena for England. A resident paid cash, mostly silver rupees, into the island treasury. In return the Council gave that person a bill, which the Court in London paid to a named person in England. The treasury gained coin to meet its local costs. The holder moved savings or trading profits home without shipping specie across the ocean at wartime risk. Every member of the Council drew bills for himself in this list, Major Bazett included. This shows that the councillors were traders and remitters of private wealth as well as Company officials. Several ships' commanders appeared as payees, and so did Matthew Purling, who received payment three times. They were probably the London agents through whom island money reached English accounts. The Council's reminder that the soldiers paid for their own provisions explained why bad salt meat was a disciplinary matter as well as a financial one. Rations were charged against the soldiers' pay. A man who paid for meat that had to be thrown away, or who was issued meat condemned as barely fit, had a real grievance against the Company. Coming in the same year as the artillery mutiny, the Council's warning about grumbling and resentment in the garrison carried extra weight.
267	262	One to Captain Gabriel Harper for £ 1500 - payable to Robert Gregory Esqr. One to Captain Thomas Bazett for £ 136 - payable to Thomas Wood Esqr. One to Lieut. James Elgin for £ 200 - payable to himself. And One to Mr. John Doveton for £ 35 . 11 . 6 payable to Mr. John Barfoot all drawn at ninety Days sight and dated the 14 instant. 17. We have given Captn. Webb, Savage and Sell, Orders to receive on board their respective Ships the following Discharged Soldiers towards compleating their Company's viz. on board the London Thomas Mc. Dearman, Lewis Paccon William Pollinge, and William Warren, on the Duke of Cumberland John Clark, John Latham and Charles Frazier. And on Board the Stafford Henry Williams Private. We have likewise permitted Captain Buggin to take on board the Norfolk Charles Lewellin and John Ollston two other discharged Soldiers, and Captain Reddall to receive on board the Lord Camden John Desborough Serjeant. 18. We have also put on board the Fox Duncan Mc. Laren, George Bransher and Alexander Scott, on the Prince of Wales, William Edwards, James Snell and Joseph Fellows, on the Granby Christian Johnson and John Martin, on the Lord Camden Robert Banff and Thomas Blake, on the Norfolk, Thomas Derry and Prince Orange, On the Gatton Richard Pilgrinton and John Tabb, And on board the Duke of Cumberland John Jones and Joseph Way fourteen Invalids Thomas Blake, Joseph Fellows, Duncan Mc. Laren Christian Johnson, John Martin and Thomas Derry Private We recommend as proper objects to be put upon the Military Fund, they having received their different disorders and Infirmities in this Garrison as will appear by the	The Council issued four more bills of exchange, which completed the list. One to Captain Gabriel Steward for £1,500 0s 0d, payable to Robert Gregory One to Captain Thomas Bazett for £136 0s 0d, payable to Thomas Wood One to Lieutenant James Elgin for £200 0s 0d, payable to Elgin himself One to John Doveton for £35 11s 6d, payable to John Burfoot All the bills were payable 90 days after sight and dated the [...] of the month. 17: The Council told Captains Webb, Savage and Bell to take discharged soldiers on board their ships to help make up their crews. The men were placed as follows. On the London: Thomas McDiarman, Lewis Raccoon, William Pollinge and William Warren. On the Duke of Cumberland: John Clark, John Latham and Charles Frazier. On the Stafford: Private Henry Williams. The Council also allowed Captain Ba[...] to take two more discharged soldiers, Charles Lewellin and John Cotton, on board the Norfolk. Captain [...] Dale received Sergeant John Desborough on board the Lord Camden. 18: The Council also sent home 16 invalids on the following ships. On the Fox: Duncan McLaren, George Bradshaw and Alexander Scott. On the Prince of Wales: William Edwards, James Snell and Joseph Fellows. On the Granby: Christian Johnson and John Martin. On the Lord Camden: Robert Barff and Thomas Blake. On the Norfolk: Thomas Dove and Prince Orange. On the Gatton: Richard Hodgkinson and John Tebb. On the Duke of Cumberland: John Jones and Joseph Way. Six of these men were Thomas Blake, Joseph Fellows, Duncan McLaren, Christian Johnson, John Martin and Private Thomas Dove. The Council recommended them for pensions from the Military Fund, because each had caught his illness or suffered his disability while serving in the garrison. The records would show this. Interpretations The Council handled the two groups of departing soldiers differently. The fit men whose service had ended were not given passage as passengers. Instead they were sent to the commanders as recruits to fill the gaps in their crews. Wartime pressing and desertion left Company ships short of hands, so trained men leaving the garrison were too useful to carry home idle. The invalids could do no work, so they were simply shared out two or three to a ship. This spread the burden among the commanders, and no single captain had to take a large group of men who could not earn their passage. The Military Fund, set up with Lord Clive's legacy, paid pensions to Company soldiers broken by service. Only some of the invalids were recommended to it. The test was whether the disability came from service in the garrison, and the Council said its records would show this for each of the six men. The Council could recommend men to the fund, but only the Court could admit them. A soldier sent home without that endorsement had little hope of support once he landed in England.
268	263	the Surgeons Certificate herewith transmitted We have paid the Captns. £ 80 - for the Passage of the above Invalids their several Receipts for the same goes enclosed Joseph Way abovementioned was a Recruit p Bridgewater for Fort Marlborough who deserted from that Ship and being reported by the Surgeon unfit for Service We have returned him as an Invalid. 19. By this Conveyance we transmit Your Honors a General Return of Ordnance and Ordnance Stores on this Island Also Certificates of Military Stores, Provision and Flour, received this Season from England p Ships Alfred and Bridgewater. 20. The Chubs Spring Water Works being Compleated John Bradford Plumber takes his Passage for England upon the Ship Lord Camden, We have paid Captn. Reddall £ 15 - for the same, But as the Accounts will not be laid before Us until next quarter We cannot ascertain the exact expence of the said Work until another opportunity. 21. Captain Money purchased at the Cape on Account of the Honorable Company forty Sheep and four Baskets Garden Seeds amounting in the whole to £ 35 - he choosing Certificates for the same rather than Money We have granted him the usual ones. 22. We have permitted Captn. Reddall to receive on board his Ship Lieut. James Elgin who was suspended your Service on 9 January last, likewise Lieut. James Molloy and Family he having Resigned your Service this Day. 23. Since writing the 9 Paragraph of this Letter, We have to inform You Lieut. John Bazett died on the 18 instant to which vacancy We beg leave to recommend Francis	The surgeon's certificate went to the Court with this letter. The Council paid the commanders £80 0s 0d for carrying the invalids, and their receipts were enclosed. Joseph Way, named among them, had come out on the Bridgewater as a recruit bound for Fort Marlborough. He deserted from that ship, and the surgeon then reported him unfit for service. The Council therefore sent him home as an invalid. 19: This ship carried a general return of the guns and ordnance stores on the island. It also carried certificates for the military stores, provisions and flour received from England during the season on the Alfred and the Bridgewater. 20: The waterworks at Chubb's Spring were finished, so John Bradford, the plumber, was going home to England on the Lord Camden. The Council paid Captain Riddale £15 0s 0d for his passage. The accounts for the work would not come before the Council until the next quarter. Until then, the full cost of the scheme could not be reported, and it would follow by a later ship. 21: At the Cape, Captain Money bought 40 sheep and four baskets of garden seeds for the Company, at a total cost of £35 0s 0d. He asked to be paid in certificates rather than cash, and the Council gave him the usual ones. 22: The Council allowed Captain Riddale to take Lieutenant James Elgin on board. Elgin had been suspended from the Company's service on 9 January 1777. Lieutenant James Mallory and his family were also to sail with Riddale, since Mallory resigned from the service on the day of writing. 23: After the ninth paragraph of the letter was written, Lieutenant John Bazett died on the 18th of the month. The Council wished to recommend Francis to fill the vacancy, as the letter went on to say. Interpretations Joseph Way's case shows the Council choosing the cheapest of several possible courses. As a deserter he could have been held for punishment, kept in the island garrison or sent on to Fort Marlborough, the Company's settlement at Bencoolen in Sumatra, where he had been enlisted to serve. The surgeon's report that he was unfit ruled out all three. A man who could not serve at Bencoolen or on St Helena was only a cost, so the Council sent him home with the invalids. The surgeon's certificate protected the Council against any charge that it had let a deserter go. Captain Money's choice of certificates over cash reflected the trading position of the Company's commanders. A certificate was paid by the Court in London, much like a bill of exchange. To a commander bound for England, payment there was worth more than island coin, which he had little use for and would otherwise have to carry home himself. The Council saved its scarce cash, and Money had his money waiting in London. Both sides gained, which is why the letter called the certificates the usual ones. Sending Bradford home as soon as the Chubb's Spring works were finished shows that the plumbers were engaged only for a fixed task. The Council kept the benefit of their stay in another way. The earlier paragraph on the Long Wood pipe relied on black workmen the plumbers had trained, and those skills stayed on the island after the plumbers left.
269	264	Francis Seale Serjeant who has behaved himself much to Our Satisfaction and very deserving your favor. 24. Captn. Court informs Us he has no Bill of Lading of the Ship Prince of Wales. 25. We are informed by Captns. Buggin & Webb, that your Ships Europa, Houghton, Egmont, Valentine and Princess Royal had put into the Cape of good Hope outward bound. 26. The Passengers on board the London are Mr. & Mrs. Sage, Captain Stone and Lieut. Longmajour, On the Gatton Captain Dixon, On the Prince of Wales Lieut. Bailey, On the Norfolk Mr. Montigney, On on board the Duke of Cumberland Mr. Goodwin and Major Thomson. 27. This Letter waits on You by his Majesty's Ship Thetis which takes from this place under her Convoy your Honors Ships Prince of Wales, Granby, Gatton Lord Camden Stafford, London, Norfolk, Duke of Cumberland and Fox Copy's whereof are transmitted by the Prince of Wales and Granby. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedient & humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Matt. Bazett Wm. Wrangham Henry Bazett St. Helena 20 July 1777 P.S. Just upon the close of this Packet Captains Court and Mitchell who had our positive Orders to receive the Invalids mentioned in the foregoing part of this Letter on board their Ships sent them on shore, likewise Captn. Johnson by Letter to Us positively refuses taking them as Charter party Passengers and has likewise sent them on shore, and as the fleet is now unmoored and Captn. Graham already taken leave, We have not time to explain ourselves to your Honors on this head, but will inform You of the particulars thereof by the next opportunity.	Francis Seale was a sergeant whose conduct had pleased the Council greatly. It considered him well worthy of the Court's favour. 24: Captain Court reported that he held no bill of lading for the Prince of Wales. 25: Captains Ba[...] and Webb brought word that five of the Company's outward-bound ships had called at the Cape of Good Hope. Europa Houghton Egmont Valentine Princess Royal 26: The passengers on the homeward ships were as follows. On the London: Mr and Mrs Sage, Captain Stone and Lieutenant Longmajor. On the Gatton: Captain Dixon. On the Prince of Wales: Lieutenant Bailey. On the Norfolk: Mr Montigney. On the Duke of Cumberland: Mr Goodwin and Major Thomson. 27: The letter went to the Court by the King's ship Thetis, which was escorting nine of the Company's ships home from the island. Prince of Wales Granby Gatton Lord Camden Stafford London Norfolk Duke of Cumberland Fox Copies of the letter went by the Prince of Wales and the Granby. The Council signed it at St Helena on 20 July 1777. John Skottowe Daniel Corneille Matthew Bazett William Wrangham Henry Bazett A postscript followed Governor Skottowe's signature and those of the Council. As the packet was being closed, Captains Court and Mitchell put ashore the invalids named earlier in the letter. They did this even though the Council had firmly ordered them to take the men on board. Captain Johnson also wrote to the Council refusing outright to carry the invalids as passengers under the charter party, and he too sent them ashore. By then the fleet had cast off its moorings and Captain Graham had already taken his leave. The Council therefore had no time to give the Court a full account of the affair. It promised to report the details by the next ship. Interpretations The postscript shows that the Council's authority over the Company's commanders had clear limits. The Council had placed the invalids and discharged men on board by order. Three commanders simply sent them back ashore. Johnson justified himself by appeal to the charter party, the contract under which the Company hired each ship from its owners. He was arguing that the contract did not bind him to carry invalids at the stated rate. The Council could not settle the matter on the spot because the departure of the convoy controlled the timing. Once the Thetis had cast off and Captain Graham had taken his leave, no ship could wait for a dispute to be resolved. The only course left was to report the commanders to the Court, which alone could discipline them or fine their owners. The men the Council had just recommended to the Military Fund were therefore left on the island, still drawing on its stores. The convoy itself reflected the war with the American colonies. The Company's ships from India and China were not sent home singly but gathered at St Helena and escorted by a naval vessel. This let the island time its packet to the convoy's departure. It also meant that every dispute, passage and remittance had to be settled before the escort sailed, as the hurried postscript shows. The news from Captains Ba[...] and Webb about the five outward-bound ships at the Cape was useful intelligence. Ships returning from the east often passed the Cape, and the reports they carried let both the island and the Court follow the outward fleet's progress in wartime.
270	265	List of the Honorable Company's Packet from St. Helena p his Majesty's Ship Thetis dated the 20 July 1777 No. 1 Governor & Councils Genl. Letter dated the 20 July 1777 2 Do. & Do. Do. dated Do. relating to Law matters 3 Duplicate Do. & Do. Do. dated 16 May 1777 relating to Do. 4 Do. Do. & Do. Do. dated 14 Do. Do. 5 Consultations from the 12 May to the 16 July 1777 6 Duplicate Do. from the 3 Feby. to the 9 May Do. 7 Effective State of the Garrison 8 Muster Rolls of Do. 9 Cash Account from the 11 to the 31 May 1777 10 Duplicate Do. from the 28 to the 31 Janry. Do. 11 Do. Do. for the Month of February Do. 12 Do. Do. for the Month of March Do. 13 Do. Do. for the Month of April Do. 14 Do. Do. from the 1 to the 10 May Do. 15 Ship Gattons Account 16 Ship Lord Camdens Do. 17 Ship Staffords Do. 18 Ship Prince of Wales Do. 19 Ship Granbys Do. 20 Ship Londons Do. 21 Ship Norfolks Do. 22 Ship Bridgewaters Do. 23 Ship Duke of Cumberlands Do. 24 Ship Fox's Do. 25 Duplicate Ship Nassau's Account 26 Do. Ship Greenwiches Do. 27 Do. Ship Lathams Do. 28 Do. Ship Shrewsburys Do.	The Company's packet sent from St Helena by the King's ship Thetis on 20 July 1777 contained the following papers. 1: General letter from the Governor and Council, dated 20 July 1777 2: Further general letter from the Governor and Council, dated 20 July 1777, on legal matters 3: Duplicate of the general letter from the Governor and Council, dated 10 May 1777, on legal matters 4: Duplicate of the general letter from the Governor and Council, dated 14 May 1777 5: Consultations from 12 May to 16 July 1777 6: Duplicate consultations from 3 February to 9 May 1777 7: Effective state of the garrison 8: Muster rolls of the garrison 9: Cash account from 11 May to 31 May 1777 10: Duplicate cash account from 22 January to 31 January 1777 11: Duplicate cash account for February 1777 12: Duplicate cash account for March 1777 13: Duplicate cash account for April 1777 14: Duplicate cash account from 1 May to 10 May 1777 15: Account of the ship Gatton. 16: Account of the ship Lord Camden. 17: Account of the ship Stafford. 18: Account of the ship Prince of Wales. 19: Account of the ship Granby. 20: Account of the ship London. 21: Account of the ship Norfolk. 22: Account of the ship Bridgewater. 23: Account of the ship Duke of Cumberland. 24: Account of the ship Fox. 25: Duplicate account of the ship Nassau. 26: Duplicate account of the ship Greenwich. 27: Duplicate account of the ship Latham. 28: Duplicate account of the ship Shrewsbury.
271	266	29 Duplicate Ship Royal Henry's Account 30 Do. Ship Tritons Do. 31 Do. Ship Lioness Do. 32 Do. Ship Lord Hollands Do. 33 Do. Ship Alfred Do. 34 Proceedings of a Genl. Quarterly Sessions held on the 16 July 1777 35 Duplicate Do. of Do. Do. held on the 9 Apl. 1777 36 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Triton 37 Do. Do. for a small paper Do. p Ship Shrewsbury 38 Do. Do. for a Do. Do. p Ship Royal Henry 39 Do. Do. for a Do. Do. p Dane Ship Ganges 40 Second Do. for a Do. Do. p Swede Ship Finland 41 Do. Do. for the Packet p Ship Grenville 42 Do. Do. for a small paper Do. p Swede Ship Adolph Frederic 43 Do. Do. for a Do. Do. p Syren Snow 44 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Triton 45 Genl. Return of Ordnance & Ordnance Stores &c. 46 Govr. & Councils First Certificate of Sundry Ordnance & Warlike Stores Landed from Ships Alfred & Bridgewater 47 Do. & Do. First Certificate of Provisions Landed from Ships Alfred and Bridgewater 48 Do. & Do. First Certificate of Flour landed from the above Ships 49 Duplicate Register of Goods & Merchandize Imported and Exported in & from the Island St. Helena from 21 August 1776 to 26 Apl. 1777 50 Do. List of Births Christenings & Marriages & Burials 51 Do. Affidavit of the Widow Shirley & Certificate of her Marriage 52 Do. Indent of Stores wanted for the Service of the Year 1778	The list of the packet sent by the Thetis continued with the following papers. 29: Duplicate account of the ship Royal Henry. 30: Duplicate account of the ship Triton. 31: Duplicate account of the ship Lioness. 32: Duplicate account of the ship Lord Holland. 33: Duplicate account of the ship Alfred. 34: Proceedings of the general quarterly court held on 16 July 1777 35: Duplicate proceedings of the general quarterly court held on 9 April 1777 36: First receipt for the packet sent by the ship Triton. 37: First receipt for a small packet of papers sent by the ship Shrewsbury. 38: First receipt for a small packet of papers sent by the ship Royal Henry. 39: First receipt for a small packet of papers sent by the Danish ship Ganges. 40: Second receipt for a small packet of papers sent by the Swedish ship Finland. 41: Second receipt for the packet sent by the ship Grenville. 42: Second receipt for a small packet of papers sent by the Swedish ship Adolph Frederic. 43: Second receipt for a small packet of papers sent by the snow Syren. 44: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the ship Triton. 45: General return of guns, ordnance stores and related items 46: First certificate from the Governor and Council for various guns and military stores landed from the ships Alfred and Bridgewater. 47: First certificate from the Governor and Council for provisions landed from the ships Alfred and Bridgewater. 48: First certificate from the Governor and Council for flour landed from the Alfred and the Bridgewater. 49: Duplicate register of goods brought into and shipped out of St Helena from 25 August 1776 to 26 April 1777 50: Duplicate register of births, christenings, marriages and burials 51: Duplicate sworn statement of the widow Start of crossed out section Shirley End of crossed out section with a certificate of her marriage. 52: Duplicate indent of stores needed for the year 1778 Interpretations A snow was a two-masted merchant vessel rigged much like a brig. It carried an extra light mast just behind the mainmast to hold its large fore-and-aft sail. Snows were small, handy ships, often used for short trading voyages and as tenders. Several receipts on the list were for packets carried by Danish and Swedish ships. These countries were neutral in Britain's war with the American colonies. Their ships called at St Helena on their way home from the east and were glad to carry small packets of papers. This gave the Council extra chances to send news and accounts to the Court between Company sailings. The receipts, divided into first and second copies sent by different ships, let the Court check which papers had arrived and which were lost on the way.
272	267	53 Duplicate Indent of Medicines wanting for the Service of the Year 1778 54 Do. List of Stores remaining in the Honble. Company's Ware Houses the 30 September 1776 55 Do. of Garrison Do. remaing. Do. 30 Do. Do. 56 Time of the Arrival of Ships Boats at Banks's 57 Abstract of the Cargoes of Ships Gatton Lord Camden Stafford Granby London Norfolk & Fox 58 List of Servants taken the 19 July 1777 59 Surgeons Certificate of 16 Invalid Soldiers 60 Governor & Councils Certificates of Duncan Mc. Laren Christn. Johnson, John Martin, Thomas Derry Thomas Blake and John Fellows Invalid Soldiers recommended to be put upon the Military Fund 61 Instrument in Writing from 16 Invalid Soldiers 62 Captn. Mitchells First Receipt for £ 15 - 63 Captn. Courts Do. Do. for 15 - 64 Captn. Reddalls Do. Do. for 10 - 65 Captn. Moneys Do. Do. for 10 - 66 List of other Discharged Soldiers 67 Estimate of the Materials required & their Cost for conveying Water from the Spring at the Hutts to Long Wood The Governor & Lieut. Govr. Letters to the Secret Committee in Triplicate p his Majesty's Ship Thetis & the Honble. Company's Ships Prince of Wales & Granby To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. By his Majesty's Ship Thetis that sailed from hence the 20 July last with your Honors Ships Prince of	The list of the packet sent by the Thetis ended with the following papers. 53: Duplicate indent of medicines needed for the year 1778 54: Duplicate list of stores left in the Company's warehouses on 30 September 1776 55: Duplicate list of garrison stores left on 30 September 1776 56: Times at which ships' boats arrived at Banks's 57: Summary of the cargoes of the ships Gatton, Lord Camden, Stafford, Granby, London, Norfolk and Fox. 58: List of servants taken on 19 July 1777 59: Surgeon's certificate for the sick and invalid soldiers 60: Certificates from the Governor and Council for Duncan McLaren, Christian Johnson, John Martin, Thomas Dove, Thomas Blake and John Fellows, invalid soldiers recommended for pensions from the Military Fund 61: Written statement signed by 16 invalid soldiers 62: Captain Mitchell's first receipt for £15 0s 0d 63: Captain Court's first receipt for £15 0s 0d 64: Captain Riddale's first receipt for £10 0s 0d 65: Captain Money's first receipt for £10 0s 0d 66: List of the discharged soldiers 67: Estimate of the materials and their cost for bringing water from the spring at the Hutts to the Long Wood Letters from the Governor and the Lieutenant Governor to the Secret Committee went in three copies. One went by the Thetis, and the others by the Company's ships Prince of Wales and Granby. A new general letter to the Court followed. 1: The Council's previous letter went by the King's ship Thetis, which sailed from the island on 20 July 1777 with the Company's homeward ships, the Prince of Wales among them. Interpretations The Governor and the Lieutenant Governor wrote separately to the Secret Committee, outside the general letter signed by the whole Council. The Secret Committee was the small group of directors who handled the Company's confidential business, above all matters of war and defence. With the American war under way, the island's state of defence was a matter for that channel rather than for papers circulating among all the directors. Sending three copies by three different ships showed how much weight the Governor placed on those letters reaching London. Banks's was a fortified post on the north-east coast, the first point that ships approaching the anchorage passed. The record of when ships' boats arrived there was part of the island's defence routine. Every boat had to be challenged and checked before any landing was allowed, and the record let the Court see that the routine was being kept. The estimate for bringing water from the spring at the Hutts to the Long Wood was the costing behind the earlier paragraph proposing the scheme, which put the pipe and solder at £518 19s 0d. Sending the full estimate let the Court judge the proposal on its figures rather than on the Council's word alone.
273	268	of Wales, Granby, Gatton, Lord Camden, Stafford, London Norfolk, Duke of Cumberland and Fox under her Convoy We had the Honor of addressing You. 2. On the 3 of last Month Arrived the Ship Earl of Ashburnham from Bengal. 3. In the Invoice p Ship Bridgewater there is a mistake in the Article of Fustain, having charged forty eight pieces instead of ten @ £ 2 . 6 . 2 which makes an overcharge of £ 87 . 14 . 4. We also received p Ship Alfred, six Glass Lanthorns more than was Invoiced which we mention for your information, and have rectified the said Accounts. 4. We request Your Honors will be pleased to send Us sixty Recruits the ensuing Year, for the service of this Garrison. 5. By this Packet we transmit you an account of the Expence of bringing Water from Chubs Spring to the Crane, to which We beg leave to refer your Honors. 6. We have to inform you that Captain Waghorn has detained 37 bags of Rice, and the Leager of Arrack consigned to Us for the use of this place from the Presidency of Bengal, the former he alledges was damaged, and eat by the Rats, and the latter in so bad condition that it was not fit to be sent on shore. 7. Having put on board the Duke of Cumberland John Jones and Joseph Way, on the Lord Camden, Robert Banff and Thomas Blake, on the Norfolk Thomas Derry and Prince Orange, And on board the Gatton Richard Pilgrinton and John Tabb eight Invalid Soldiers, on the usual terms of £ 5 - for the Passage of each. Captains Savage, Reddall, Buggin and	The Thetis had carried the Company's ships Prince of Wales, Granby, Gatton, Lord Camden, Stafford, London, Norfolk, Duke of Cumberland and Fox under her escort. 2: The Earl of Ashburnham arrived from Bengal on the 3rd of the previous month. 3: The invoice for the Bridgewater contained an error in the entry for fustian. It charged for 48 pieces when only ten were sent, at £2 6s 2d a piece, which overcharged the island by £87 14s 4d. The Alfred also delivered six more glass lanterns than her invoice showed. The Council reported both errors to the Court and corrected the accounts. 4: The Council asked the Court to send 60 recruits for the garrison in the coming year. 5: This packet included an account of the cost of bringing water from Chubb's Spring to the Crane. The Council referred the Court to it for the details. 6: Captain Waghorn kept on board his ship 37 bags of rice and a leaguer of arrack that the Bengal government had sent for the island's use. He claimed the rice was damaged and eaten by rats. The arrack, he said, was in such poor condition that it was unfit to land. 7: Eight invalid soldiers were placed on board the homeward ships on the usual terms of £5 0s 0d a man for the passage. On the Duke of Cumberland: John Jones and Joseph Way. On the Lord Camden: Robert Barff and Thomas Blake. On the Norfolk: Thomas Dove and Prince Orange. On the Gatton: Richard Hodgkinson and John Tubb. These arrangements concerned Captains Savage, Riddale, Ba[...] and a fourth commander, as the letter went on to explain. Interpretations The leaguer of arrack was a large cask holding about 150 gallons, a measure used in the Dutch and Indian trades. Arrack was a strong spirit distilled in Bengal and the East Indies from rice or palm sap. At St Helena it was issued to the garrison and sold to the inhabitants, and it was cheaper than spirits from Europe. Fustian was a hard-wearing cotton or cotton-and-linen cloth, often with a raised nap like a coarse velvet. It was widely used for working clothes and for soldiers' and servants' clothing. The eight invalids named here were among the men whom Captains Court, Mitchell and Johnson had put ashore as the convoy sailed on 20 July 1777. Johnson had then refused to carry such men as passengers under the charter party. Here the Council spelled out the terms on which the other commanders had taken their men: £5 0s 0d a head, described as the usual rate. This matched the £80 0s 0d paid for 16 invalids. Stressing that the terms were usual strengthened the Council's case that the commanders who refused were breaking settled practice rather than resisting a new demand. Waghorn's decision to keep the rice and arrack on board shifted the loss away from the island. If spoiled stores had been landed, they would have been charged to St Helena's accounts and condemned there. By holding them on board, Waghorn left the question of who should bear the loss to be settled between the Bengal government, his owners and the Court. Without the rice, the island also lost part of its supply of a staple used to feed the Company's slaves and its poorer people.
274	269	and Money, addressed the Board in consequence thereof representing the receiving of that Sum for Passengers from this to England, was repugnant to their Instructions, therefore requested the payment might be deferred until their Arrival in England, to be settled between your Honors and their respective Owners; which we have complied with. Captains Reddall and Money has received the Sum of £ 5 - only for those put on board their Ships, and have acknowledged the same as part payment. We are further to observe, that Captain Johnson sent on shore, Christian Johnson, and Joseph Martin two other Invalid Soldiers sent on board his Ship, and returned the £ 10 - he had received for their passage, positively refusing obedience to Our Order, alledging he had 109 Men on board the Granby, and but three Months provision, after having purchased four Casks of Salt Meat out of your Stores which was received on board, and afterward returned by him. We are likewise to acquaint you that Captns. Court and Mitchell sent on shore, James Snell, Joseph Fellows, William Edwards, Duncan Mc. Laren, George Breacher, and Alexander Scott six more Invalid Soldiers the three former were Ordered on board the Prince of Wales, and the three latter on the Fox, without returning the £ 5 - they had received for each of the said Mens Passage to England, their receipts for the same were transmitted in the Packet p His Majesty's Ship Thetis, The several Letters from the Commanders beforementioned were entered upon Consultation of the 21 July last, whereby your Honors will please to observe that Captns. Money Reddall and Mitchell acquaint Us that they are to be accountable to their Owners £ 9 - and Captn. Savage £ 6 - for the Passage of all	Captains Savage, Riddale, Ba[...] and Money wrote to the Council about these payments. They argued that their instructions did not allow them to accept passage money at St Helena for people carried to England. They asked that payment be held over until they reached England, so that the Court could settle it with the owners of each ship. The Council agreed. Captains Riddale and Money had each taken only £5 0s 0d for the men on their ships, and they signed for it as a part payment. The Council also reported that Captain Johnson had put two more invalid soldiers ashore, Christian Johnson and Joseph Martin, after they were sent on board his ship. He gave back the £10 0s 0d he had been paid for their passage and flatly refused to obey the Council's order. His reason was that he had 109 men on board the Granby and food for only three months. He had earlier bought four casks of salt meat from the Company's stores and taken them on board, but then sent them back. Captains Court and Mitchell put ashore six more invalid soldiers: James Snell, Joseph Fellows, William Edwards, Duncan McLaren, George Bradshaw and Alexander Scott. The first three had been ordered on board the Prince of Wales and the other three on board the Fox. Neither captain returned the £5 0s 0d a man he had received for these passages. Their receipts for the money had already gone to the Court in the packet carried by the King's ship Thetis. All the commanders' letters were entered in the consultation of 21 July 1777, and the Court could read them there. Captains Money, Riddale and Mitchell told the Council that they would each have to account to their owners for £9 0s 0d. Captain Savage would have to account for £6 0s 0d for the passage of the men on his ship, as the letter went on to explain. Interpretations The commanders' objection rested on who owned the passage money. Under the charter party, money earned by a ship belonged to her owners, and a commander who took cash at St Helena would have to account for it to them. The commanders therefore did not want to take a fixed £5 0s 0d a head from the island when their owners might claim a higher rate. The Council could have insisted on its own rate and on payment there and then. It chose to defer the matter to London, where the Court and the owners could settle the rate between them. This kept the invalids on board without a quarrel at the moment of sailing, and it left a dispute over money between the Company and its shipowners to be settled where it belonged. Johnson's refusal relied on a different argument, the safety of his own ship. With 109 men on board and food for three months, he claimed he could feed no more mouths on a wartime passage of uncertain length. His handling of the salt meat weakened that claim. He bought four casks from the Company's stores and then sent them back, which removed the very supplies that would have answered his objection. The Council set out this sequence in full, probably so that the Court would see the plea of short provisions as a pretext. Court and Mitchell behaved worse than Johnson. They put the men ashore but kept the passage money. Their receipts were already in London, so the Court held written proof that they had been paid for a service they never performed.
275	270	Passengers from this to England, and as we have had altercations with the Commanders of Ships with regard to the sending to England discharged Invalids and Soldiers We request you will please to give Us directions how we are to act in similar cases in future. We have likewise to inform you that Captain Court has taken from this place a Free Black Man named Highgate without permission, and that one of your Honors Men Slaves named Bombay Harry who was the Governors Fisherman deserted by the Fleet that sailed from hence the 20 of July last, on what Ship we cannot tell. 8. We are also to acquaint you that William Jenkin Inhabitant secretly and without leave quitted the Island upon one of the Ships of that Fleet, being much in debt to several Persons, and has left his Wife and Family in very great distress. We are the more particular in mentioning the above circumstances, as such practices are contrary to your Orders and very detrimental to the Island. 9. Captain Waghorn has an Order from Us to receive on Board his Ship Christian Johnson, James Snell, Joseph Fellows, William Edwards, Duncan Mc. Laren, George Breacher and Alexander Scott seven of the Invalids beforementioned likewise John Mc. Allister a discharged Soldier, the payment for their passages, at Captain Waghorns request, We have left to be settled with your Honors in England, they have all signed an Instrument in Writing not to demand any wages from the Captn. or Owners of the Ship Earl of Ashburnham, Johnson Mc. Laren, and Fellows, We recommended to your Honors by	The commanders would have to account to their owners for the money received for carrying these passengers to England. The Council had argued with several commanders over sending discharged soldiers and invalids home. It therefore asked the Court for instructions on how to handle such cases in future. The Council also reported that Captain Court had taken away a free black man named Highgate without permission. In addition, a Company slave named Bombay Harry, who worked as the Governor's fisherman, escaped with the fleet that sailed on 20 July 1777. The Council could not find out which ship had carried him. 8: William Jenkins, an inhabitant of the island, also left secretly and without leave on one of the ships of that fleet. He owed large sums to several people and left his wife and family in severe hardship. The Council raised these cases in detail because such departures broke the Court's orders and did the island real harm. 9: The Council ordered Captain Waghorn to take on board his ship seven of the invalids named earlier, together with a discharged soldier, John McAlister. Christian Johnson James Snell Joseph Fellows William Edwards Duncan McLaren George Bradshaw Alexander Scott John McAlister At Waghorn's request, the Council left the payment for their passages to be settled with the Court in England. Every one of the men signed a written undertaking that he would claim no wages from the captain or the owners of the Earl of Ashburnham. The Council had already recommended Johnson, McLaren and Fellows to the Court, as the letter went on to say. Interpretations The written undertaking settled a problem that lay behind the quarrel with the commanders. A man who worked his passage could later claim seaman's wages from the ship's owners. Invalids and discharged soldiers might be put to work on the voyage. By signing away any claim before they boarded, the men removed that risk for Waghorn and his owners. This was probably why Waghorn agreed to take them when Court, Mitchell and Johnson would not. The written statement from 16 invalid soldiers sent in the packet of 20 July 1777 was probably the same kind of undertaking. The Council was building a standard practice that it hoped the Court would confirm. The departures of Highgate, Bombay Harry and Jenkins all show the island's system of controlling who left. No one could leave St Helena without the Governor's permission. The rule had several purposes. It stopped debtors escaping their creditors, as Jenkins did. It stopped deserters and runaway slaves getting away, as Bombay Harry did. It also kept the island's small free population from drifting away. Highgate was free, yet he still needed permission to go, and the Council held Court to blame for taking him. A commander's ship was the only way off the island, so the commanders were the weak point in the system. Their open defiance over the invalids made the Council the more anxious to report every breach.
276	271	by the 18 Paragraph of Our General Letter p his Majesty's Ship Thetis as proper Objects to be put upon the Military Fund, on Account of their service, Age and infirmitys, and transmitted the proper Documents to entitle them thereto by that conveyance. 10. Your Honors will please to observe in Consultation of Yesterday, We have entered a Petition from Mrs. Mary Bazett Widow of John Bazett deceased late a Lieutenant in this Garrison being well assured what she sets forth in said Petition is a true state of her distressed Circumstances tho' she being from the Regulations of the Military Fund entitled to the enjoyment thereof We have put her upon that establishment, an Affidavit and Certificate of her Marriage goes enclosed herewith. 11. The Church Wardens of this Parish having applied to Us respecting a Legacy of £ 1000 - bequeathed to the poor of this Island by the last Will and Testament of Mrs. Mary Hunt deceased (late of Bengal) and We being informed that the said Sum has been paid into the hands of Mr. James Hutchinson Attorney acting for and in behalf of Sir Charles Raymond Barronet one of the Executors to the said Will, We request Your advice how the said Money may be recovered in Order to be appropriated according to the Will of the Testatrix, and further beg leave to offer that if it would be agreable to Your Honors to receive the said Sum in England, the same may be advanced from Your Treasury here.	The Council had already recommended Johnson, McLaren and Fellows to the Court in paragraph 18 of its general letter sent by the King's ship Thetis. It considered them fit for pensions from the Military Fund because of their service, their age and their poor health. The papers needed to support their claims went by the same ship. 10: The consultation held the day before recorded a petition from Mary Bazett, widow of Lieutenant John Bazett of the garrison. The Council was satisfied that her petition gave a true account of her hardship. The rules of the Military Fund entitled her to its support, so the Council placed her on its list of pensioners. A sworn statement and a certificate of her marriage were enclosed with the letter. 11: The churchwardens of the island's parish had approached the Council about a legacy of £1,000 0s 0d. Mary Hunt, late of Bengal, had left this sum in her will to the poor of St Helena. The Council understood that the money had been paid to James Hutchinson. He was acting as attorney for Sir Charles Raymond, baronet, one of the executors of the will. The Council asked the Court how the money could be recovered so that it could be used as Mary Hunt intended. It also offered a simpler course. If the Court would collect the sum in England, the island treasury could pay out the same amount locally. Interpretations The Council treated the widow's claim differently from the soldiers' claims. For the invalid soldiers it could only recommend them and send their papers, leaving the decision to the Court. For Mary Bazett it placed her on the Military Fund at once on its own authority. The difference lay in the fund's regulations, which the Council cited. An officer's widow in proven need had a defined right under the rules, and the Council needed only to confirm the facts. A soldier's claim depended on judgements about service and disability that the Court kept for itself. Lieutenant John Bazett had died on 18 July 1777, so the Council acted within weeks. The offer to pay the legacy out of the island treasury used the same mechanism as the bills of exchange, run in reverse. With bills, the treasury took cash on the island and the Court paid out in London. Here the Court would collect £1,000 0s 0d in London and the treasury would release the same sum on the island. The parish poor would be paid without coin crossing the ocean in wartime. The churchwardens would not have to pursue an executor's attorney in England from 5,000 miles away. The Company could also collect the debt with its own lawyers and influence in London, where the parish had none.
277	272	12. Having ordered the Artillery to be practiced from Munden's Battery and a few Shells fired from the Mortars there. Major Bazett reports that on firing the said Mortars finds two of the Beds quite decayed and unserviceable. We request you will be pleased to send Us two Beds for Thirteen Inch Mortars, to replace the same, And as we find from experience those made of Elm are of no duration desire your Honors will please to Order them to be made of Oak. 13. The Passengers on board the Earl of Ashburnham are Colonel and Mrs. Cummings, Major and Mrs. Rennell, Captain and Mrs. Delafield. 14. We have granted the following Bills of Exchange viz. One to the Attorney of Captain James Williamson for £ 1000 - payable to James Farquharson Esqr. One to William Wrangham Esqr. for £ 27 . 10 - payable to Captain Arthur Morris, One to Mr. Thomas Stroud for £ 250 - payable to Captain John Reddall And One Set to the Reverend Mr. Robertes Carr for £ 40 - payable to the Reverend Mr. Colston Carr. All drawn at ninety days sight and dated the 13 instant. 15. The Death of the late Schoolmaster occasioning a Vacancy in that department, We request your Honors will be pleased to appoint a person properly qualified to teach the Youth of this Island Grammatically, and are sorry to observe, that the late Mr. Congreve by no means answered that desirable end as he was incapable almost of writing or spelling common English. We likewise recommend to your Honors to take into your kind consideration the inability of the poorer part of the Inhabitants of this Island paying a proper consideration for teaching their	12: The Council had ordered the artillery to hold firing practice at Munden's Battery and to fire a few shells from the mortars there. Major Bazett reported that the firing showed two of the mortar beds to be rotten and useless. The Council asked the Court to send two beds for 13-inch mortars to replace them. Experience showed that beds made of elm did not last, so it asked that the new ones be made of oak. 13: The passengers on the Earl of Ashburnham were Colonel and Mrs Cummings, Major and Mrs Rennell and Captain and Mrs Delafield. 14: The Council issued the following bills of exchange. One to the attorney of Captain James Williamson for £1,000 0s 0d, payable to James Farquharson One to William Wrangham for £27 10s 0d, payable to Captain Arthur Morrice One to Thomas Gre[...] for £250 0s 0d, payable to Captain John Riddale One set to the Reverend Robert Carr for £40 0s 0d, payable to the Reverend [...] Carr All were payable 90 days after sight and dated the [...] of the month. 15: The schoolmaster had died, leaving his post empty. The Council asked the Court to appoint someone properly qualified to teach the island's young people correct English. It regretted that the late Mr Congreve had fallen far short of this, since he could barely write or spell ordinary English himself. The Council also asked the Court to consider that the poorer inhabitants could not afford proper fees for teaching their children, as the letter went on to explain. Interpretations A mortar bed was the heavy timber base on which a mortar sat when it fired. It took the full shock of the recoil, which in a 13-inch mortar, one of the heaviest pieces in use, was enormous. Beds were usually sent out ready made from England, and elm was the usual timber for them because it resisted splitting. The Council asked for oak instead because of what it had seen at Munden's Battery. On the island the elm beds rotted, probably from damp and from lying unused for long periods between firings. The Council's request rested on what had actually happened to its own beds rather than on standard practice in England. The practice firing was itself a test of the island's defences in wartime, and the rotten beds were the kind of fault it was meant to reveal. The schoolmaster was a Company appointment, paid at least partly by the Court, and the Council judged him on a plain test of competence. Congreve's failure showed the risk of filling such posts with whoever happened to be on the island. By asking the Court to choose and send out a qualified man, the Council took the appointment out of local hands. Its point about fees went further. It suggested that schooling for the poorer families depended on the Court paying for it, since many parents could not.
278	273	their Children sufficient to induce a Person of Education to leave his Native Country for that purpose, and your present allowance being only £ 30 - p Annum, hope your Honors will be pleased to make such an addition thereto as an encouragement to an able Person to come here, as to you shall seem reasonable. 16. As the Governor has often had occasion to be much dissatisfied with the behaviour of the Artillery Company under the Command of their late Captain, he cannot but in justice to them now beg leave to observe to your Honors, that they have since conducted themselves as becoming good Soldiers which convinces him that their former irregularity's must be imputed to the want of a proper attention and Command in their late Captain. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. and humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Mattw. Bazett Willm. Wrangham Henry Bazett St. Helena 26 September 1777	The fees that the poorer families could pay were too small to persuade an educated man to leave his own country for the post. The schoolmaster's allowance from the Company was only £30 0s 0d a year. The Council hoped the Court would add to it whatever it thought reasonable, so that a capable man would be encouraged to come to the island. 16: Governor Skottowe had often been displeased with the conduct of the artillery company while it served under its late captain. In fairness to the men, the Governor now wished to tell the Court that they had since behaved as good soldiers should. Their improvement convinced him that their earlier misconduct came from their late captain's failure to supervise and command them properly. The Council signed the letter at St Helena on 26 September 1777. John Skottowe Daniel Corneille Matthew Bazett William Wrangham Henry Bazett Interpretations The Governor's statement about the artillery settled where blame for the year's trouble would lie. The company's misconduct had ended in the mutiny of its non-commissioned officers in April and May 1777 and in Captain Tippet's dismissal by court martial. The Governor could have left the Court to judge the men by that record. Instead he used their good conduct since Tippet's removal as evidence that the fault had been the captain's all along. This protected the company's standing with the Court, which mattered at a time when the artillery had only two officers left and the island needed its gunners in wartime. It also supported the Council's handling of the affair, since removing the captain had evidently been the right cure. The figure of £30 0s 0d a year showed why the post attracted men like Congreve. That sum was less than many of the island's artisans earned. Without fees from the poorer families to add to it, no educated man in England would take the long voyage to accept it. The Council's request tied the quality of the island's schooling directly to the Court's willingness to pay.
279	274	List of the Honorable Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Earl of Ashburnham dated the 26 September 1777 No. 1 Governor & Councils Genl. Letter dated the 26 September 1777 2 Duplicate Do. & Do. Do. dated 20 July Do. 3 Do. Do. & Do. Do. dated 20 Do. Do. relating to Law matters 4 Consultations from the 21 July to the 19 September 1777 5 Duplicate Do. from the 12 May to the 16 July Do. 6 Effective State of the Garrison 7 Cash Account for the Month of June 1777 8 Do. Do. for the Month of July Do. 9 Do. Do. for the Do. August Do. 10 Do. Do. from the 1 to the 26 Sept. Do. 11 Duplicate Do. from the 11 to the 31 May Do. 12 Ship Earl of Ashburnhams Account 13 Duplicate Ship Gattons Do. 14 Do. Do. Lord Camdens Do. 15 Do. Do. Staffords Do. 16 Do. Do. Prince of Wales Do. 17 Do. Do. Granby Do. 18 Do. Do. Londons Do. 19 Do. Do. Norfolks Do. 20 Do. Do. Bridgewaters Do. 21 Do. Do. Duke of Cumberlands Do. 22 Do. Do. Fox's Do. 23 Duplicate Proceedings of a Genl. Quartly. Sessions held on the 16 July 1777 24 First Receipt for the Packet p his Majesty's Ship Thetis 25 Do. for a small Paper Do. p Ship Prince of Wales 26 Do. for a Do. Do. p Ship Granby	The Company's packet sent from St Helena by the Earl of Ashburnham on 26 September 1777 contained the following papers. 1: General letter from the Governor and Council, dated 26 September 1777 2: Duplicate of the general letter from the Governor and Council, dated 20 July 1777 3: Duplicate of the general letter from the Governor and Council, dated 20 July 1777, on legal matters 4: Consultations from 21 July to 19 September 1777 5: Duplicate consultations from 12 May to 16 July 1777 6: Effective state of the garrison 7: Cash account for June 1777 8: Cash account for July 1777 9: Cash account for August 1777 10: Cash account from 1 September to 20 September 1777 11: Duplicate cash account from 11 May to 31 May 1777 12: Account of the ship Earl of Ashburnham. 13: Duplicate account of the ship Gatton. 14: Duplicate account of the ship Lord Camden. 15: Duplicate account of the ship Stafford. 16: Duplicate account of the ship Prince of Wales. 17: Duplicate account of the ship Granby. 18: Duplicate account of the ship London. 19: Duplicate account of the ship Norfolk. 20: Duplicate account of the ship Bridgewater. 21: Duplicate account of the ship Duke of Cumberland. 22: Duplicate account of the ship Fox. 23: Duplicate proceedings of the general quarterly court held on 16 July 1777 24: First receipt for the packet sent by the King's ship Thetis. 25: First receipt for a small packet of papers sent by the ship Prince of Wales. 26: First receipt for a small packet of papers sent by the ship Granby.
280	275	No. 27 Second Receipt for the Packet p Ship Triton 28 Do. Do. for a small paper Do. p Ship Shrewsbury 29 Do. Do. for a Do. Do. p Ship Royal Henry 30 Do. Do. for a Do. Do. p Dane Ship Ganges 31 Duplicate List of the Packet p his Majesty's Ship Thetis 32 Do. Genl. Return of Ordnance & Ordnance Stores 33 Do. Govr. & Councils Certificate of Sundry Ordnance & War like Stores Landed from Ships Alfred & Bridgewater 34 Do. Do. & Do. Certificate of Provisions Landed from Do. & Do. 35 Do. Do. & Do. Do. of Flour Do. Do. & Do. 36 Affidavit of the Widow Bazett & Certificate of her Marriage 37 Time of the Arrival of Ship Earl of Ashburnhams Boat at Banks's 38 Abstract of the Cargoe of Ship Earl of Ashburnham 39 Duplicate Surgeons Certificate of six Invalid Soldiers 40 Instrument in Writing from eight Discharged Do. 41 Captn. Mitchels Second Receipt for £ 15 - 42 Captn. Courts Do. Do. for £ 15 - 43 Captn. Reddalls Do. Do. for £ 10 - 44 Captn. Moneys Do. Do. for £ 10 - 45 Duplicate Estimate of the Materials required & their Cost for conveying water from the Spring at the Hutts to Long Wood 46 An Account of the whole Expence of bringing water from Chubs Spring to the Crane To the Honorable &c. Honorable Sirs 1. We had the Honor of addressing you on the 26 September last by the Ship Earl of Ashburnham. 2. On the 24 October Arrived your Ship Hector from	The list of the packet sent by the Earl of Ashburnham ended with the following papers. 27: Second receipt for the packet sent by the ship Triton. 28: Second receipt for a small packet of papers sent by the ship Shrewsbury. 29: Second receipt for a small packet of papers sent by the ship Royal Henry. 30: Second receipt for a small packet of papers sent by the Danish ship Ganges. 31: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the King's ship Thetis. 32: Duplicate general return of guns and ordnance stores 33: Duplicate certificate from the Governor and Council for various guns and military stores landed from the ships Alfred and Bridgewater. 34: Duplicate certificate from the Governor and Council for provisions landed from the Alfred and the Bridgewater. 35: Duplicate certificate from the Governor and Council for flour landed from the Alfred and the Bridgewater. 36: Sworn statement of the widow Bazett with a certificate of her marriage 37: Times at which the boat of the Earl of Ashburnham arrived at Banks's. 38: Summary of the cargo of the Earl of Ashburnham. 39: Duplicate surgeon's certificate for six invalid soldiers 40: Written statement signed by eight discharged soldiers 41: Captain Mitchell's second receipt for £15 0s 0d 42: Captain Court's second receipt for £15 0s 0d 43: Captain Riddale's second receipt for £10 0s 0d 44: Captain Money's second receipt for £10 0s 0d 45: Duplicate estimate of the materials and their cost for bringing water from the spring at the Hutts to the Long Wood 46: Account of the full cost of bringing water from Chubb's Spring to the Crane A new general letter to the Court followed. 1: The Council's previous letter went to the Court by the Earl of Ashburnham on 26 September 1777. 2: A Company ship, the [...], arrived at the island on 24 October 1777.
281	276	from Madrass, and the 17 instant the Duke of Grafton from Bencoolen both last from the Cape. Captn. Williams informs Us he left Fort St. George the 4 July, and your Honors Ships Royal Charlotte, Princess Royal, Prime, True Briton Worcester, Resolution and Valentine at that place, and that the Egmont had sailed from thence for Bengal. he likewise acquaints Us, that the Ship Marquis of Rockingham was unfortunately lost the 26 May last off the seven Pagodas near Madrass. Captn. Bull tells Us that he sailed from Fort Marlbro the 31 July. That the Alfred Arrived there the 18 of the same Month and had proceeded on her Voyage to China, he also informs Us he left the Cape of good Hope the 3 instant in Company with a French Frigate which came from the Mauritius and was bound to Port L'Orient. 3. Mr. Robert Leech representing to Us that his covenanted time of five Years as a Writer expired on the 30 September last, and requesting to be put upon the Establishment of Factor We accordingly appointed him as such agreable to Your Honors standing Orders. 4. We have given Captn. Bull an Order to receive on board the Duke of Grafton, William Harrison and John Phillips two discharged Soldiers towards compleating that Ships Company. 5. Captain Williams brought from the Cape on Your Honors Account forty Sheep and some Garden Seed amounting to £ 37 . 10 - for the payment whereof we have granted him Certificates. 6. We have Granted the following Sets of Bills of Exchange viz. One Set to Captn. Samuel Bull for £ 2000 - payable to himself, and One to Mr. William	The ship had come from Madras. The Duke of Grafton arrived from Bencoolen on the 17th of the month. Both ships had called at the Cape on the way. Captain Williams reported that he left Fort St George on 4 July 1777. Seven of the Company's ships were lying there when he sailed. Royal Charlotte Princess Royal Pon[...] True Briton Worcester Resolution Valentine He added that the Egmont had left Madras for Bengal. He also brought news that the Marquis of Rockingham was wrecked off the Seven Pagodas on 26 May 1777. Captain Bull reported that he sailed from Fort Marlborough on 31 July 1777. The Alfred had reached that port on 18 July and gone on to China. Bull left the Cape of Good Hope on the 3rd of the month together with a French frigate. She had come from Mauritius and was heading for Port L'Orient. 3: Robert Leech told the Council that his contracted five-year term as a writer had ended on 30 September 1777. He asked to be raised to the rank of factor. The Council appointed him, in line with the Court's standing orders. 4: The Council ordered Captain Bull to take two discharged soldiers, William Harrison and John Phillips, on board the Duke of Grafton to help make up her crew. 5: Captain Williams brought 40 sheep and some garden seed from the Cape for the Company, at a cost of £37 10s 0d. The Council paid him in certificates. 6: The Council issued the following sets of bills of exchange. The first went to Captain Samuel Bull for £2,000 0s 0d, payable to Bull himself. The second went to William, as the letter went on to say. Interpretations Leech's promotion shows how the Company's civil service worked. A young man joined as a writer, a clerk, under a contract, or covenant, for a fixed term. When that term ended he moved up to factor, then to junior and senior merchant, with pay and privileges rising at each step. Promotion came by length of service under the Court's standing orders rather than by the Council's choice. This is why Leech only had to show that his five years were complete. The Council had no discretion to refuse him once the term was served. The shipping news was intelligence the Court valued in wartime. Each commander arriving at St Helena reported which Company ships he had seen and where. Pieced together, these reports let the Court follow its fleet across the Indian Ocean long before letters arrived from Madras or Bengal. The Seven Pagodas were a group of ancient temples on the Coromandel coast south of Madras, used by ships as a landmark. The loss of the Marquis of Rockingham there reached London first through this island report. The French frigate sailing in company with Bull from the Cape was also worth noting, since the movements of French warships between Mauritius and France bore on the safety of the Company's ships at a time of rising tension with France. Captain Williams was paid for the sheep and seed in certificates, just as Captain Money had been in July 1777. The practice was becoming routine. Commanders bought fresh stock and seed at the Cape for the island, and the Court repaid them in London.
282	277	William Wrangham for £ 218 . 19 - payable to Gabl. Stewart Esqr. (or Order) both drawn at ninety days sight, and dated the 24 instant. 7. On the 6 instant Peter Morphet, Peter Chapman, Thomas Emit and Willm. Pent, Private, having obtained leave to go a fishing took that opportunity of deserting in a small fishing Yaul, and in all probability must have perished. 8. The Passengers on Board the Hector are Mr. & Mrs. Wynch Mr. & Mrs. Savage, Captn. Farmer Messieurs Sulivan, Faulkner, Fairfull, and Lieut. Pocock also Major Rennell and Family who take their Passage from hence. And on board the Duke of Grafton Major Johnson Messrs. Grapaud, Browne, Fawy Colburne, and Quinn. 9. This Letter waits on Your Honors by the Ship Hector, a Copy of which we transmit p Duke of Grafton. We are Honorable Sirs Your most Obedt. & humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Matt. Bazett Willm. Wrangham Henry Bazett St. Helena 28 November 1777	William Wrangham received the second set of bills, for £218 19s 0d, payable to Gabriel Steward or to his order. Both sets were payable 90 days after sight and dated 24 November 1777. 7: On 6 November 1777, four privates were given leave to go fishing: Peter Morphet, Peter Chapman, Thomas Emit and William Pert. They used the chance to desert in a small fishing boat. In all probability they died at sea. 8: The passengers on the homeward ships were as follows. On the Hector: Mr and Mrs Wynch, Mr and Mrs Savage, Captain Farmer, Mr Sulivan, Mr Faulkner, Mr Fairfull and Lieutenant Pocock. Major Rennell and his family also joined the Hector at St Helena. On the Duke of Grafton: Major [...], Mr Trapaud, Mr Browne, Mr Ivory, Mr Colburne and Mr Quinn. 9: The letter went to the Court by the Hector, with a copy by the Duke of Grafton. The Council signed it at St Helena on 28 November 1777. John Skottowe Daniel Corneille Matthew Bazett William Wrangham Henry Bazett Interpretations The desertion shows the one gap in the island's control over who left. Every passage on a ship needed the Governor's permission, and commanders could be held to account for anyone they carried away. A fishing boat was outside that system. Soldiers were allowed to fish to add to their rations, and the island depended on its fishermen for food. The four privates turned that ordinary freedom into an escape. The Council's judgement that they had probably died reflected the island's isolation. The nearest land lay well over 1,000 miles away, far beyond the reach of an open boat, unless a passing ship happened to pick them up. The case followed the escape of the slave Bombay Harry and the debtor Jenkins with the July fleet. It showed that the garrison's discontent did not end with the artillery mutiny.
283	278	List of the Honorable Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Hector dated the 28 November 1777 No. 1 Governor and Councils General Letter dated the 28 Novr. 1777 2 Do. & Do. Do. dated 28 Do. relating to Law matters 3 Duplicate Do. & Do. Do. dated 26 Sept. 1777 4 Consultations from the 22 September to the 24 November Do. 5 Duplicate Do. from the 21 July to the 19 September Do. 6 Effective State of the Garrison 7 Muster Rolls of Do. 8 Cash Account from the 26 to the 30 September 1777 9 Do. for the Month of October Do. 10 Do. from the 1 to the 28 November Do. 11 Duplicate Do. for the Month of June Do. 12 Do. Do. for the Month of July Do. 13 Do. Do. for the Month of August Do. 14 Do. Do. from the 1 to the 26 September Do. 15 Ship Hectors Account 16 Ship Duke of Graftons Do. 17 Duplicate Ship Earl of Ashburnham's Account 18 Proceedings of a Genl. Quarterly Sessions held on the 8 Octr. 1777 19 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Earl of Ashburnham 20 Second Do. Do. p his Majesty's Ship Thetis 21 Do. Do. for a small paper Do. p Ship Prince of Wales 22 Do. Do. for a Do. Do. p Ship Granby 23 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Earl of Ashburnham 24 Second Affidavit of the Widow Bazett & Certificate of her Marriage 25 Time of the Arrival of Ships Boats at Banks's 26 Abstract of the Cargoes of Ships Hector & Duke of Grafton 27 List of Familys taken the 30 Sept. 1777 28 Do. of Rents taken 29 Do. Do.	The Company's packet sent from St Helena by the Hector on 28 November 1777 contained the following papers. 1: General letter from the Governor and Council, dated 28 November 1777 2: Further general letter from the Governor and Council, dated 28 November 1777, on legal matters 3: Duplicate of the general letter from the Governor and Council, dated 26 September 1777 4: Consultations from 22 September to 24 November 1777 5: Duplicate consultations from 21 July to 19 September 1777 6: Effective state of the garrison 7: Muster rolls of the garrison 8: Cash account from 21 September to 30 September 1777 9: Cash account for October 1777 10: Cash account from 1 November to 28 November 1777 11: Duplicate cash account for June 1777 12: Duplicate cash account for July 1777 13: Duplicate cash account for August 1777 14: Duplicate cash account from 1 September to 20 September 1777 15: Account of the ship Hector. 16: Account of the ship Duke of Grafton. 17: Duplicate account of the ship Earl of Ashburnham. 18: Proceedings of the general quarterly court held on 8 October 1777 19: First receipt for the packet sent by the ship Earl of Ashburnham. 20: Second receipt for the packet sent by the King's ship Thetis. 21: Second receipt for a small packet of papers sent by the ship Prince of Wales. 22: Second receipt for a small packet of papers sent by the ship Granby. 23: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the ship Earl of Ashburnham. 24: Second copy of the sworn statement of the widow Bazett with a certificate of her marriage 25: Times at which ships' boats arrived at Banks's 26: Summary of the cargoes of the ships Hector and Duke of Grafton. 27: List of families taken on 30 September 1777 28: List of rents taken on 29 September 1777
284	279	No. 29 List of Slaves taken the 30 September 1777 30 Do. of Servants Do. 28 November Do. 31 Duplicate Account of the whole expence of bringing Water from Chubs Spring to the Crane To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. Our last Address went by the Ship Hector, under date of 28 November 1777, Copy of which we transmitted p Ship Duke of Grafton. 2. On the 20 of last Month Arrived his Majesty's Ship Salisbury, and your Honors Ship Egmont from Madrass, also the Europa from Bengal (all last from the Cape) Captn. Applegath informs Us he left Fort William the 29 November last and the Valentine Houghton, Ceres, Duke of Kingston & Sea Horse there, the Valentine he tells Us was then ready to sail for Madrass. 3. Captain Mears brought from the Cape on your Honors Account four Baskets Garden Seed We have also purchased of him 16 Bushels Pease, for which Articles we have paid him £ 9 . 10 - Captn. Applegath likewise brought from the Cape 25 Sheep, & three Baskets of Garden Seed amounting to £ 23 . 5 - he choosing Certificates for the same rather than Money We have granted him the usual ones. 4. By this Conveyance We transmit Your Honors General Books of Accounts Balanced to the 30 September 1777.	The list of the packet sent by the Hector ended with three more papers. 29: List of slaves taken on 30 September 1777 30: List of servants taken on 28 November 1777 31: Duplicate account of the full cost of bringing water from Chubb's Spring to the Crane A new general letter to the Court followed. 1: The Council's previous letter, dated 28 November 1777, went to the Court by the Hector. A copy followed by the Duke of Grafton. 2: On the 20th of the previous month the King's ship Salisbury arrived, together with the Company's ship Egmont from Madras and the Europa from Bengal. All three had called last at the Cape. Captain Applegath of the Europa reported that he left Fort William on 29 November 1777. Five Company ships were then lying there. Valentine Houghton Ceres Duke of Kingston Sea Horse The Valentine, he said, was ready to sail for Madras. 3: Captain Mears brought four baskets of garden seed from the Cape for the Company. The Council also bought 16 bushels of peas from him, paying £9 10s 0d for both items. Captain Applegath likewise brought 25 sheep and three baskets of garden seed from the Cape, costing £23 5s 0d. He asked to be paid in certificates rather than cash, and the Council gave him the usual ones. 4: This ship carried the Company's general account books for the island, balanced to 30 September 1777. Interpretations The lists of families, slaves, servants and rents sent home with the Hector were the Court's means of watching the island's population and income from London. The rent roll showed what the tenants of Company land owed. The lists of families and servants showed who lived on the island and in whose households. The slave list mattered most, since the Company regulated who could own slaves and how many, and it owned many itself. Taken every year at fixed dates, these returns let the Court set the island's numbers against its supplies of food and its revenue, and check how the Council was governing.
285	280	5. In a Letter received from the Governor General, and Supreme Council of Bengal, We are informed that the Ship Europa was so full when she left Bengal, they could not admit more Stores for this Island than five Tons, by which means we are greatly disappointed in the supply of Grain You have been pleased to Order by each Ship. 6. We have granted the two following Sets of Bills of Exchange viz. One to Matthew Bazett Esqr. for £ 500 - And the other to Major Henry Bazett for £ 100 - both payable to Matthew Parling Esqr. and dated this day. 7. The Passengers on Board the Egmont are Mr. & Mrs. Russel, Mr. & Mrs. Stone, Mr. Brooke Lady Hope, Mr. Charles Durour, The Reverend Mr. Smith & Ensign Gabriel Doveton. And on the Europa Lady Clavering & Family Mr. Ash, Captn. Humphreys & Messrs. Brummage and Ratcliffe. 8. It is with pleasure We inform You that there has been a very good season, and the Island at present in a flourishing Condition, altho' our Returns of Cattle for Slaughter this Year is rather short. 9. This Letter waits on You by His Majesty's Ship Salisbury, Copy's of which are transmitted by Your Ships Egmont & Europa. We are Honble. Sirs Your Most Obedt. & humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Mattw. Bazett Willm. Wrangham Henry Bazett St. Helena 7 March 1778	5: A letter from the Governor General and Supreme Council of Bengal told the Council that the Europa had been so full when she left Bengal that only five tons of stores for St Helena could be loaded. As a result, the island received far less of the grain the Court had ordered to be sent by every ship. 6: The Council issued two sets of bills of exchange, both dated 7 March 1778 and payable to Matthew Purling. One to Matthew Bazett for £500 0s 0d One to Major Henry Bazett for £100 0s 0d 7: The passengers on the homeward ships were as follows. On the Egmont: Mr and Mrs Russel, Mr and Mrs Stone, Mr Brooke, Lady Hope, Charles Durieux, the Reverend Mr Smith and Ensign Gabriel Doveton. On the Europa: Lady Clavering and her family, Mrs Ash, Captain Humphreys, Mr Birmingham and Mr Ratcliffe. 8: The Council was glad to report that the season had been very good and that the island was thriving. The only shortfall was in the number of cattle available for slaughter this year. 9: The letter went to the Court by the King's ship Salisbury, with copies by the Egmont and the Europa. The Council signed it at St Helena on 7 March 1778. John Skottowe Daniel Corneille Matthew Bazett William Wrangham Henry Bazett Interpretations The shortfall in grain from Bengal showed a weakness in the island's supply arrangements. The Court ordered each ship from Bengal to carry rice and grain for St Helena, but loading was in the hands of the Bengal government and the commanders. When a ship was full of the Company's goods and its officers' private trade, the island's stores were the easiest cargo to leave behind. The Council could only report the failure to the Court. Bengal rice was a main food for the island's slaves and poorer inhabitants, so a light shipment pressed hard on those who could least afford to buy other food. The good season was the island's late summer, after the harvest of its gardens and crops. The cattle shortage mattered more than the Council's brief remark suggested. Beef supplied the garrison and, above all, the Company's ships calling for fresh food. The count of cattle fit for slaughter therefore limited what the island could offer the fleets, however well its crops had done.
286	281	List of the Honorable Company's Packet from St. Helena p his Majesty's Ship Salisbury dated the 7 March 1778 No. 1 Governor and Councils General Letter dated the 7 March 1778 2 Do. & Do. Do. dated the Do. relating to Law Matters 3 Duplicate Do. & Do. Do. dated the 29 November 1777 4 Do. Do. & Do. Do. dated the 28 Do. Do. relating to Law matters 5 Consultations from the 1 Decr. to the 7 March 1778 6 Duplicate Do. from the 22 Septem. to the 24 Novem. 1777 7 Effective State of the Garrison 8 Muster Rolls of Do. 9 Cash Account from the 29 to the 30 November 1777 10 Do. Do. for the Month of December Do. 11 Do. Do. for the Month of January 1778 12 Do. Do. for the Month of February Do. 13 Do. Do. from the 1 to the 7 March Do. 14 Duplicate Do. from the 26 to the 30 September 1777 15 Do. Do. for the Month of October Do. 16 Do. Do. from the 1 to the 28 November Do. 17 Ship Egmonts Account 18 Ship Europa's Do. 19 Duplicate Ship Hectors Account 20 Do. Ship Duke of Graftons Do. 21 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Hector 22 Do. Do. for a small paper Do. p Ship Duke of Grafton 23 Second Do. for the Packet p Ship Earl of Ashburnham 24 Proceedings of a Genl. Quartly. Sessions held on the 14 Janry. 1778 25 Duplicate Do. of a Do. held on the 8 October 1777 26 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Hector 27 Do. List of Familys taken the 30 Sept. 1777	The Company's packet sent from St Helena by the King's ship Salisbury on 7 March 1778 contained the following papers. 1: General letter from the Governor and Council, dated 7 March 1778 2: Further general letter from the Governor and Council, dated 7 March 1778, on legal matters 3: Duplicate of the general letter from the Governor and Council, dated 28 November 1777 4: Duplicate of the general letter from the Governor and Council, dated 28 November 1777, on legal matters 5: Consultations from 1 December 1777 to 7 March 1778 6: Duplicate consultations from 22 September to 24 November 1777 7: Effective state of the garrison 8: Muster rolls of the garrison 9: Cash account from 29 November to 30 November 1777 10: Cash account for December 1777 11: Cash account for January 1778 12: Cash account for February 1778 13: Cash account from 1 March to 7 March 1778 14: Duplicate cash account from 21 September to 30 September 1777 15: Duplicate cash account for October 1777 16: Duplicate cash account from 1 November to 28 November 1777 17: Account of the ship Egmont. 18: Account of the ship Europa. 19: Duplicate account of the ship Hector. 20: Duplicate account of the ship Duke of Grafton. 21: First receipt for the packet sent by the ship Hector. 22: First receipt for a small packet of papers sent by the ship Duke of Grafton. 23: Second receipt for the packet sent by the ship Earl of Ashburnham. 24: Proceedings of the general quarterly court held on 14 January 1778 25: Duplicate proceedings of the general quarterly court held on 8 October 1777 26: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the ship Hector. 27: Duplicate list of families taken on 30 September 1777
287	282	28 Duplicate List of Rents taken the 29 September 1777 29 Do. Do. of Slaves Do. 30 Do. Do. 30 Time of the Arrival of Ships Boats at Banks's 31 Abstract of the Cargoes of Ships Egmont & Europa 32 List of Births Christenings Marriages & Burials 33 Register of Goods and Merchandize Import. & Exported in and from the Island St. Helena from the 6 May 1777 to the 7 March 1778 34 General Books of Accounts 35 Account of Cash paid the Widows, Pensioners upon the Military Fund To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. A Dutch Ship called the Mercury now passing the Island in Company with five others from Batavia last from the Cape & bound to Amsterdam, having sent a Boat on Shore We take the opportunity of informing you of the Arrival of your Ship Earl of Sandwich on the 16 instant from China, And the day following the Earl of Mansfield from England by which conveyance we received a Packet from Your Honors dated the 4 December 1778. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. & humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Mattw. Bazett Wm. Wrangham Henry Bazett St. Helena 21 March 1778	The list of the packet sent by the Salisbury ended with the following papers. 28: Duplicate list of rents taken on 29 September 1777 29: Duplicate list of slaves taken on 30 September 1777 30: Times at which ships' boats arrived at Banks's 31: Summary of the cargoes of the ships Egmont and Europa. 32: Register of births, christenings, marriages and burials 33: Register of goods brought into and shipped out of St Helena from 6 May 1777 to 7 March 1778 34: General account books 35: Account of cash paid to the widows receiving pensions from the Military Fund A short letter to the Court followed. 1: A Dutch ship, the Mercury, was sailing past the island in company with five others bound from Batavia to Amsterdam by way of the Cape. She sent a boat ashore, and the Council used the chance to send news to the Court. The Earl of Sandwich had arrived from China on the 16th of the month. The Earl of Mansfield arrived from England the next day, bringing a packet from the Court dated 4 December 1777. The Council signed the letter at St Helena on 21 March 1778. John Skottowe Daniel Corneille Matthew Bazett William Wrangham Henry Bazett Interpretations The Council did not wait for the next Company ship to report these arrivals. It handed a brief letter to a Dutch fleet that was not even stopping at the island and had only sent a boat ashore. A Dutch fleet bound straight for Amsterdam could probably reach Europe sooner than any British ship then at the island. In wartime the Court wanted to know as early as possible that the Earl of Sandwich was safely through from China and that its own packet had arrived. The letter was kept to bare facts. A note carried by a foreign ship might be opened or lost, so it held nothing the Council would mind a stranger reading.
288	283	To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs By a Dutch Ship that passed this Island the 21 of last Month in Company with five others We addressed you to acquaint you of the Arrival of your Ship Earl of Mansfield and We now take the opportunity by a Swede Ship called the Stockholm Slott Captn. Peterson of acknowledging the Receipt of your Letter under date of the 23 January 1778 by his Majesty's Ship Warwick, which arrived here the 7 of this Month. The abovementioned Swede Ship arrived at this Place the 6 instant, And on the 8 another Swede Ship called the Sophia Magdalena Captain Ekeburg, both from China, each burthen one thousand two hundred and fifty Tons carrys twenty four Guns and one hundred and fifty Men, loaden with Tea and China Ware bound to Gottenburg. The time limitted by Charter Party for unloading the Ship Earl of Mansfield expiring on the 22 of last Month, We gave Captain Fraser Sailing Orders to make the best of his way to Canton in China, according to the Instructions he has recd. from Your Honors. He will proceed on her Voyage in a few days. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. and humble Servants (Signed) J. Skottowe D. Corneille M. Bazett W. Wrangham Henry Bazett St. Helena 11 April 1778	The Council last wrote to the Court on 21 March 1778, by a Dutch ship that passed the island with five others, to report the arrival of the Earl of Mansfield. A Swedish ship, the Stockholm Slott under Captain Peterson, now gave it a chance to write again. The Council acknowledged the Court's letter of 23 January 1778, which arrived on 1 April 1778 in the King's ship Warwick. The Stockholm Slott reached the island earlier in April. A second Swedish ship, the Sophia Magdalena under Captain Ekeberg, arrived two days later. Both came from China and were bound for Gothenburg with cargoes of tea and porcelain. Each ship measured 1,250 tons and carried 24 guns and 150 men. The time allowed under the charter party for unloading the Earl of Mansfield ran out on 22 March 1778. The Council then gave Captain Fraser orders to sail as quickly as he could to Canton, following the instructions he had received from the Court. He was expected to leave within a few days. The Council signed the letter at St Helena on 11 April 1778. John Skottowe Daniel Corneille Matthew Bazett William Wrangham Henry Bazett Interpretations The details the Council gave about the two Swedish ships were commercial intelligence. Sweden's East India Company was one of the British Company's rivals in the China tea trade. Much of the tea it landed at Gothenburg was smuggled into Britain, undercutting the Company's own sales. By recording each ship's size, guns, crew and cargo, the Council let the Court measure the scale of the rival trade that season. It was also using one of these rival ships to carry its letter home, since in wartime neutral shipping was a faster and safer post than waiting for a British ship. The Earl of Mansfield came out from England and was going on to China after unloading the island's stores. Her stay at St Helena was limited by the charter party, which allowed a fixed number of working days for discharging cargo before the owners could charge the Company for further delay. The Council's orders to Fraser followed as soon as that time ran out on 22 March 1778.
289	284	To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs We wrote you Yesterday by a Swede Ship called the Stockholm Slott, Copy of which we transmit you herewith by another Swede the Sophia Magdalena. Captn. William Fraser applied to pay £ 400 - into your Cash, which Sum we have received and given him Bills of Exchange drawn upon your Honors, payable to himself (or Order) at ninety days sight, dated the 11 instant. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. & humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Mattw. Bazett Willm. Wrangham Henry Bazett St. Helena 12 April 1778	The Council wrote to the Court on 11 April 1778 by the Swedish ship Stockholm Slott. A copy of that letter went with this one by another Swedish ship, the Sophia Magdalena. Captain William Fraser asked to pay £400 0s 0d into the Company's treasury on the island. The Council accepted the money and gave him bills of exchange drawn on the Court for the same amount. The bills were payable to Fraser or to his order 90 days after sight and were dated 11 April 1778. The Council signed the letter at St Helena on 12 April 1778. John Skottowe Daniel Corneille Matthew Bazett William Wrangham Henry Bazett Interpretations Fraser's remittance ran against the usual pattern. Most bills went to people heading home or to island residents sending savings to England. Fraser was outward bound, on his way from England to Canton. The £400 0s 0d was probably the proceeds of private goods he had brought out and sold at St Helena. A commander was allowed to carry a share of cargo on his own account, and the island was a ready market for European goods. By turning the island's cash into a bill on London, Fraser made his profit safe before sailing on to China. He avoided carrying the coin through the rest of a wartime voyage. The treasury gained cash it needed to meet its costs on the island.
290	285	To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. Our last Address waited on you by a Swede Ship called the Queen Sophia Magdalena, under date of the 12 April 1778, and by this Dispatch we proceed to answer Your General Letters dated the 4 December 1777 and 23 January 1778. 2. It gives Us pleasure to find that all the Ships of last Season Arrived safe the like success we wish may attend those of this Year. 3. Due obedience shall be paid to all Orders and Directions received from the Gentlemen of the Secret Committee, or any three or more of them. 4. Your Ship Earl of Mansfield proceeded on her Voyage to Canton on the 14 April last which was as soon as she could well get from hence, having been retarded several Days in the delivery of the Cargoe consigned to this Settlement by the high Surf as Your Honors will please to observe by Captain Frasers Letters to the Board and Our Answers thereto entered upon Consultation of the 30 March and 13 April. 5. We wish prosperity to Your Affairs in China under the management of the Gentlemen You have been pleased to Constitute Your Council there. The 600 pieces of Nankeen Indented for the use of this Garrison not being quite sufficient We have requested those Gentlemen would consign Us 150 pieces more by the returning Ships of next Season. 6. We have received the Acts of Parliament and Your standing Orders relative to Tea and	1: The Council's last letter, dated 12 April 1778, went to the Court by the Swedish ship Sophia Magdalena. This letter answered the Court's general letters of 4 December 1777 and 23 January 1778. 2: The Council was glad to learn that all the ships of the previous season had reached England safely. It hoped this year's ships would be as fortunate. 3: The Council promised to carry out every order and instruction from the Secret Committee, or from any three or more of its members. 4: The Earl of Mansfield left for Canton on 14 April 1778, as soon as she reasonably could. Heavy surf had held up the landing of the island's cargo for several days. Captain Fraser's letters to the Council and its replies, entered in the consultations of 30 March and 13 April 1778, gave the details. 5: The Council wished the Court success in China under the new council it had appointed there. The 600 pieces of nankeen ordered for the garrison were not quite enough. The Council had therefore asked the Company's officers in China to send 150 more pieces by the homeward ships of the next season. 6: The Council received the Acts of Parliament and the Court's standing orders on tea, as the letter went on to explain. Interpretations Nankeen was a hard-wearing cotton cloth made around Nanking in China. It had a natural yellowish-buff colour that came from the cotton itself rather than from dye. It was cheap, strong and cool to wear, and it was used for working clothes and for soldiers' summer uniforms. Ordering it straight from the Company's officers at Canton, to be dropped off by the homeward China ships, was cheaper than buying cloth from England. It also suited the island's climate. Because the garrison's needs had been underestimated, the Council had to wait a full season for the extra 150 pieces. The Council's account of the surf answered a question the Court would otherwise have asked. The charter party time for unloading the Earl of Mansfield ran out on 22 March 1778, yet she did not sail until 14 April. Each day of delay beyond the agreed time could be charged to the Company by her owners. By pointing to the surf and to the correspondence entered in the consultations, the Council showed that the delay came from the sea at the landing place and not from any fault of its own. The promise to obey the Secret Committee, or any three or more of its members, reflected how that committee worked. It was a small group of directors acting in confidence, mostly on matters of war, and three of them could issue binding orders. The Council's undertaking accepted that such orders carried the Court's full authority even without a meeting of all the directors.
291	286	and the illicit Trade, and have in consequence thereof inserted a Paragraph in Our Letter to the Captains of Your China Ships apprizing them of the information You have received of their bringing here a greater quantity of Tea than is Registered and distributing the same to other Ships in this Road which practice We have in Your Name positively forbid, and shall continue to use Our utmost endeavours to prevent it. 7. Mr. Willm. Rocier whom you have been pleased to appoint Engineer and Captn. of Artillery on this Island shall be paid the Sallary &c. his Predecessor enjoyed agreable to Your Orders. 8. We received by the Earl of Mansfield 35 Recruits, and request You will be pleased to send Us 50 the next Season, to supply the Vacancy's which may happen by Deaths and Discharges in the course of the Year. 9. With regard to Your Observations in your last General Letter of the gradual increase of the Civil and Military Charges, amounting in the Year 1775/6 to the Sum of £ 30,283 - We beg leave to point out to You the additional increase of those Expences by the advance of the respective Sallarys and Bounty for Relisting since the Year 1756/7 As well as the many other very heavy Charges occurring since that period, such as the Erecting new Fortification repairing old Ones, and building the Church, Houses &c. and particularly with regard to the Expence of the Year 1775/6 the great loss sustained by Salt Provision, and the Chub Spring Water Works, which comes principally in the Charges of that Year, and swells it to the abovementioned Sum.	The Acts and standing orders also dealt with smuggling. In response, the Council added a paragraph to its letter to the commanders of the Company's China ships. It told them that the Court knew they were bringing more tea to the island than their registers showed and passing it to other ships in the anchorage. The Council forbade the practice outright in the Court's name and promised to go on doing all it could to stop it. 7: The Court had appointed William R[...] as engineer and captain of artillery on the island. The Council would pay him the same salary and allowances as his predecessor, as the Court had ordered. 8: The Earl of Mansfield brought 35 recruits. The Council asked the Court to send 50 more next season to fill the places that deaths and discharges would leave during the year. 9: In its last general letter the Court remarked on the steady growth in the island's civil and military costs, which reached £30,283 0s 0d in 1775 to 1776. The Council replied that salaries and the bounty paid to recruits had risen since 1756 to 1757. Many other heavy costs had also arisen since then, among them new fortifications, repairs to old ones and the building of the church and houses. The figure for 1775 to 1776 was swollen above all by two items. One was the heavy loss on spoiled salt provisions. The other was the Chubb's Spring waterworks, most of whose cost fell in that year. Interpretations The smuggling the Court described used the anchorage at St Helena as a place to move goods between ships. A China ship's tea was supposed to be recorded in its register so that the Company could control sales in England and the Crown could collect duty. Tea carried above the registered amount was private goods, outside both controls. Moving it at sea to another ship in the anchorage, often one not bound for a British port, broke the link between cargo and register. The island was the one regular meeting place on the homeward route, which made it the natural place for such transfers. The Council could forbid the practice, but its power over the commanders was limited, as the quarrel over the invalids in July 1777 had already shown. The Council's defence of its costs relied on choosing its own comparison. The Court measured the rising cost against earlier years. The Council answered by going back to 1756 to 1757 and listing the permanent increases since then in pay, bounties and building works. It then set apart the losses on salt provisions and the waterworks as one-off costs that had happened to fall in the same year. Both of those items had already been reported to the Court in the letter of 20 July 1777. The argument was that the figure of £30,283 0s 0d reflected a single bad year rather than a steady drift, and that much of it came from the Court's own suppliers in England.
292	287	10. In answer to the 7 Paragraph respecting the increased Sum of £ 1684 - in Military expences between the Years 1775 and 1776, We have to observe that in the latter there was the Sum of £ 1145 - paid for Relisting of Men with the increased Bounty You were pleased to Order, when in the former there was only the Sum of £ 294 - paid on that Account and altho' the number of Men in Garrison were twenty two less, We beg leave to observe, that since the Year 1775 the Company's have been compleated to 100 Private Men each, Since that Period it has been thought necessary also to increase the number of Serjeants and Corporals to each Company. There has been also twenty Matrosses added to the Artillery to put it upon the same footing of the other Company's whose difference of Pay with the additional Non Commissioned Officers, nearly Accounts for the comparative difference of those two Years. 11. We beg leave to refer your Honors to Our Consultation of the 4 of this Month wherein the Governor assigns his reasons for the increase of Diet Expences. 12. With respect to the comparative expence of Boats from the Year 1756 to 1765 with those of the subsequent Years to 1775 You will please to observe We then set about Erecting and repairing the several Fortifications under the Direction of Engineer Mitchell We therefore were necessitated to purchase Boats for the conveyance of Lime, and other Materials to the different Batterys, which has swelled that Account beyond what it will be in future, unless we receive Your Orders for carrying on new Works.	10: The seventh paragraph of the Court's letter queried a rise of £1,684 0s 0d in military costs between 1775 and 1776. The Council explained that £1,145 0s 0d was spent in 1776 on enlisting men at the higher bounty the Court had ordered. Only £294 0s 0d had been spent for that purpose in 1775. The garrison held 22 fewer men in 1776, but the companies had since 1775 been brought up to 100 privates each. The Council had also found it necessary to add sergeants and corporals to each company. In addition, 20 matrosses joined the artillery to bring it up to the same strength as the other companies. The extra pay for these men and for the new non-commissioned officers accounted for almost all the difference between the two years. 11: The Council referred the Court to a consultation held earlier in the month. In it Governor Skottowe set out his reasons for the rise in the cost of the official table. 12: The Court had compared the cost of boats in the years 1756 to 1765 with the years that followed, up to 1775. The Council pointed out that in the later period it had begun building and repairing the island's fortifications under the direction of Engineer Mitchell. It had needed to buy boats to carry lime and other materials to the various batteries. This had raised the cost of boats above its normal level. It would fall again unless the Court ordered new works. Interpretations A matross was a private soldier of the artillery who assisted the gunners. Matrosses loaded, aimed and moved the guns, hauled ammunition and did the heavy labour of the batteries. The Council's figures showed why a smaller garrison could still cost more. With 22 fewer men in total, it had more non-commissioned officers and a larger artillery company. Sergeants, corporals and gunners were paid more than ordinary privates, so the shift from rank and file to skilled and supervising men pushed the pay bill up. The higher bounty, ordered by the Court itself, did the rest. The boat costs reflected the island's geography. Most of the batteries stood at the foot of steep valleys or on headlands where carts could not reach. The cheapest way to move heavy loads of lime, stone and timber was by sea along the coast. The Council's point was that these boats were bought for a specific building programme, and that their cost would end with it. By linking any future spending to the Court's own orders for new works, it placed the decision on further building, and so on its cost, with the Court.
293	288	13. Conformable to your Commands, the Office of Superintendant of the Blacks was immediately abolished, at the same time must beg leave to inform you that the reasons for the necessity of that appointment are entered upon Consultation of the 1 July 1765, and as you never have forbid the same until now, We naturally supposed it met with your approbation. The Sum of £ 90 - p Annum exclusive of the above Office of Superintendant (for the Department of Overseers for many Years past) We have judged it necessary to devide into three Salary's allowing £ 25 to that of Sandy Bay £ 45 to the management of all your Pastures, Long Wood and other Plantations, and the remaining £ 20 for an Overseer in the Valley to attend the whole Minutiae of that department. 14. With respect to the 10, 11, 12, and 13 Paragraphs of your General Letter, We beg leave to refer you to the Lieut. Governors Minute thereupon, Entered in Consultation of the 4 Instant, which We apprehend will prove fully satisfactory to your Honors. 15. Mr. Wrangham in Obedience to your Orders respecting his joint Superintendancy with the Lieut. Governor of the Plantations begs leave to assure you, that he will use his best endeavours to serve the Honble. Company in that department. 16. In obedience to Your Orders contained in the 15 Paragraph of your Letter dated 23 January last Mr. Doveton refunded the Sum of £ 103, to Your Cash and at the same time requested We would not insist upon immediate payment of £ 55 which he received the last Year, and which We had demanded on the same	13: The Council abolished the post of Superintendent of the Blacks at once, as the Court had ordered. It wished the Court to know, however, that its reasons for creating the post were recorded in a consultation of July 1765. The Court had never objected to the post until now, so the Council had naturally assumed it approved. Separately from that post, the overseers' department had cost £90 0s 0d a year for many years. The Council now decided to split this sum into three salaries. Overseer at Sandy Bay, £25 0s 0d a year Manager of all the Company's pastures, the Long Wood and other plantations, £45 0s 0d a year Overseer in the Valley, responsible for the detailed running of the department, £20 0s 0d a year 14: On the Court's 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th paragraphs, the Council referred the Court to the Lieutenant Governor's minute in the consultation of the 4th of the month. It expected this to answer the Court's concerns fully. 15: The Court had ordered William Wrangham to share the supervision of the plantations with the Lieutenant Governor. Wrangham assured the Court that he would do his best to serve the Company in that role. 16: The Court's letter of 23 January 1778 ordered John Doveton to repay certain sums. In its 15th paragraph, Doveton paid back £103 0s 0d into the treasury. He asked the Council not to require him to repay at once a further £55 0s 0d that he had received the year before and that the Council had demanded on the same grounds, as the letter went on to explain. Interpretations The Council's defence of the Superintendent of the Blacks rested on a rule of distant government. Every consultation went to London, so the Court could read the reasons for a new post and object if it chose. When it said nothing for years, the Council treated that silence as approval. Abolishing the post was unavoidable once the Court spoke. Pointing to the 1765 consultation and the Court's long silence protected the Council from any suggestion that it had created a costly post without authority. The reorganisation of the overseers kept to the existing budget. Rather than ask for more money after losing the superintendent, the Council divided the £90 0s 0d already spent into three posts. Each served a different part of the Company's land: Sandy Bay in the south, the pastures and the Long Wood on the uplands, and the Valley around the town. The largest share went to the manager of the pastures and the Long Wood. This matched the Council's concern for the wood and its grazing, shown in its proposals of 1777 for fencing it and bringing water into it. The Doveton repayments show the Court's power over the Company's money. Payments made on the island could be disallowed in London months or years later, and the person who received them then had to pay them back. Doveton repaid £103 0s 0d at once but asked for time with the £55 0s 0d. This suggests that the clawback could fall hard on officials who had long since spent money paid to them in good faith.
294	289	same Account Assigning his Reasons by Letter entered in Consultation of the 20 April last to which We beg leave to refer you and hope you will take the same into consideration and make him such allowance as may appear to You reasonable. We have further to add when we agreed to purchase the Casks there was not at that time any Deals in the Honble. Company's Stores, and there being a great Demand for Materials to cover the new Ware Houses, and Laths for the Back Buildings of the new Houses, was our reason for making an allowance for the same, which mistake arose from Our considering the same as a perquisite of Office. 17. Agreable to Your Orders we shall direct an Accurate Survey to be taken of the Long Wood and an Estimate of the expence of Fencing the same by the most experienced Judges, but as this will require some time in performing we cannot transmit it until a future opportunity. 18. We shall observe Your Directions with regard to the Planting of Wood in the Fence that also those respecting the planting of Furze upon such of the Commons as we judge it will grow on. 19. We are sorry you disapprove of Our proposal for carrying Water into the Long Wood, as it was a measure We recommended thro' a conviction of the great Utility it would have proved both to the Honble. Company and to the Commons adjoining, as a great part of the Herbage produced therein is lost by its great distance from that absolute necessary Article of Life. The Cattle being obliged to descend a Steep Hill which in Rainy weather from the Slipperiness of the Ground	Doveton set out his reasons for this request in a letter entered in the consultation of 20 April 1778. The Council referred the Court to that letter and hoped it would grant him whatever allowance seemed fair. The Council added an explanation of how the payment arose. When it agreed to buy the laths, the Company's stores held no deal boards at all. Materials were badly needed to roof the new warehouses, and laths were needed for the back buildings of the new houses. That was why the Council made Doveton an allowance for them. Its error was to treat the payment as a customary benefit of his office. 17: As the Court ordered, the Council would arrange for experienced men to make an accurate survey of the Long Wood and to estimate the cost of fencing it. The work would take some time, so the results would follow by a later ship. 18: The Council would follow the Court's instructions on planting trees in the Horse Pasture. It would also follow the orders for planting furze on those parts of the common land where it judged the plant would grow. 19: The Council regretted that the Court had rejected its proposal to bring water into the Long Wood. It had recommended the scheme in the firm belief that it would greatly benefit both the Company and the neighbouring common land. Much of the grass on the commons went to waste because it lay so far from water, which the animals could not do without. To drink, the cattle had to go down a steep hill, and in rainy weather the ground became slippery, as the letter went on to explain. Interpretations The Court's replies on the Long Wood split the Council's proposals of July 1777. It accepted the idea of a fence enough to order a proper survey and costing, and it gave orders for planting trees and furze. It rejected the water pipe, even though that scheme was estimated at only £518 19s 0d. The Court was willing to pay for measures that would protect and renew the island's fuel, but not for a scheme whose main benefit was better grazing. The Council's reply pressed the grazing argument again. It stressed the wasted grass and the cattle lost on the slope, the same losses it had described in 1777. Furze, or gorse, was a tough, spiny shrub that grew quickly on poor, exposed ground. In Britain it was widely planted on commons as fuel for ovens and fires and as hedging. Ordering it for St Helena's commons was a cheap way to provide fuel and shelter on bare land. It would also take pressure off the Long Wood, whose survival the Council had linked to the island's fuel supply. Doveton's case turned on what counted as a perquisite of office. Company officials were often allowed customary extra benefits on top of their salaries, such as a share of fees or the right to supply certain goods. The Council had treated Doveton's allowance for the laths in that light. The Court disallowed it and demanded repayment. The Council admitted its mistake but put the need for the laths on record: with no deal boards in store and new warehouses and houses waiting to be roofed, buying laths had been necessary. This let it argue that Doveton should not bear the full cost of the Council's own misjudgement.
295	290	Ground and in the hot Season preventing their return to their Grazing has occasioned the Death of a great number of your Cattle. With respect to the Cost attending this Work We consulted the Plumbers upon that head, who were here at the time the Ground having been measured for that purpose, and took the Calculation of the Expence of the Pipe &c. from them, and with regard to the Executive part We beg leave to assure Your Honors that your Slaves who were instructed in that business are fully capable of finishing the same, there being nothing more required than the soldering the Pipes together, the Angle of Depression from the receiving the Water into the Pipe to the Delivery of the same being very inconsiderable requiring no Reliefs, also there being no necessity of confining the Water in the Pipes, which may be kept constantly discharging. 20. We have Ordered a Separate Head to be opened for Charges Labour and Allowance agreable to the 20 Paragraph of your last Letter. 21. In compliance to your 21 Paragraph of said Letter We directed the Storekeeper to render Us an Account of the Issues of Rice Paddy and other Grain from your Stores, for the last two Years which is entered on our Consultation of the 13 instant for your information. 22. We are concerned for the mistake of writing for three Iron Cash Chests in the course of the last Season it not being recollected through the hurry of business on the Dispatch of the Fleet of the 20 July that there were two Indented for p Triton and	The steep, slippery slope was dangerous for the cattle in wet weather. In summer the heat kept them from climbing back to their grazing after drinking. Between them, these conditions had killed a large number of the Company's cattle. On the cost of the scheme, the Council explained that it had consulted the plumbers while they were still on the island. The ground had been measured, and the plumbers worked out the cost of the pipe and fittings. On the work itself, the Council assured the Court that the Company's slaves who had been trained by the plumbers could carry it out in full. The job required nothing more than soldering the lengths of pipe together. The fall from the point where the water entered the pipe to the point where it came out was very slight, so no pressure-relief points were needed. Nor was there any need to hold the water back in the pipes, since it could be left to run continuously. 20: As the Court instructed in the 20th paragraph of its last letter, the Council ordered a separate heading to be opened in the accounts for labour charges and allowances. 21: Following the 21st paragraph of the same letter, the Council told the storekeeper to draw up an account of the rice, paddy and other grain issued from the Company's stores over the past two years. The account was entered in the consultation of the 8th of the month for the Court's information. 22: The Council regretted its error in ordering three iron cash chests during the previous season. In the rush to send off the fleet on 20 July 1777, it had forgotten that two chests had already been ordered by the Triton, as the letter went on to say. Interpretations The Council's defence of the water scheme answered the two doubts the Court had probably raised, cost and skill. On cost, it showed that the figure of £518 19s 0d came from the plumbers themselves, based on measurements of the actual ground. On skill, it explained why the work did not need the plumbers. A pipe laid on a steep fall builds up pressure and needs relief points and stronger joints, which call for expert work. Here the fall was slight and the water could run freely without being held back, so the pipe would never be under pressure. Soldering ordinary joints was all that remained, and the Company's slaves had already learned to do it. The Council was showing that the scheme the Court had rejected was both cheap and within the island's own means. Paddy was rice still in its husk, as it came from the threshing floor. It kept longer than husked rice and could be husked on the island as needed. The Court's request for an account of grain issued over two years was probably meant to test whether the island's consumption matched what it was asking Bengal to send. The Bengal government had already sent less grain than ordered by the Europa.
296	291	and flatter ourselves Your Honors will be pleased to excuse that error. 23. Our request for an Anchor to replace that lent to Ship Grenville was in obedience to Your Orders mentioned in the 24 Paragraph of your General Letter dated 19 December 1766. 24. On the receipt of your last Genl. Letter We dismissed all the Soldiers employed as labourers at the Works except twenty which We retained to compleat the Repairs of the Ware Houses &c. that were then on Hand, and shall in future endeavour to carry on your Works as much as possible with your Slaves observing at same time that during Mr. Hutchinsons Government there were twenty or upwards of the Garrison constantly employed for the necessary repairs of the Works &c. however for the future we will not employ more of the Garrison than the necessity of your Service shall require unless you direct any new Buildings to be carryed into Execution, which then must unavoidably encrease the number of Labourers. And We herewith transmit you a List of your Slaves with their occupations, by which your Honors will observe your Slaves are not employed by any other Persons but those in your Service who through Custom has long had that indulgence. 25. The two Cables your Honors mention to stand damaged on your General Books since the 30 September 1771 having been some time in the Island by lying and not having so proper a place to keep them in as could be wished, were a little damaged And as it was imagined by the Board	The Council hoped the Court would forgive the mistake over the cash chests. 23: The Council's request for an anchor to replace the one lent to the Grenville followed an instruction in the Court's general letter of 19 December 1766. 24: As soon as the Court's last general letter arrived, the Council stood down all the soldiers working as labourers on the public works except 20. These men were kept on to finish the repairs to the warehouses and other buildings already under way. In future the Council would carry out the Company's works with its slaves as far as it could. It pointed out, however, that while Mr Hutchinson was governor, 20 or more soldiers were always employed on necessary repairs. From now on it would use no more soldiers than the Company's needs required. If the Court ordered any new buildings, though, more labourers would inevitably be needed. With this letter the Council sent a list of the Company's slaves and their work. The list would show the Court that no one outside the Company's service used its slaves. The only exception was the Company's own officials, who had long been allowed this privilege by custom. 25: The Court had noted two cables entered as damaged in the general account books since 30 September 1775. These cables had lain on the island for some time without proper storage, and they had become [...] damaged. The Council had believed, as the letter went on to explain, that the damage could be accounted for in a certain way. Interpretations The Court's order to stop using soldiers as labourers and to rely on slaves was a matter of cost and discipline. A soldier put to work on buildings was paid extra working money on top of his wage. He was also taken away from his military duties at a time of war. The Company's slaves were already fed and clothed at its expense, so their labour cost nothing extra. The Council obeyed but defended its practice by pointing to Governor Hutchinson's time, when 20 or more soldiers were always at work. It also gave the Court a choice. Any new building the Court ordered would need soldiers again, since the slaves alone could not do it. The list of slaves and their jobs answered a further suspicion: that Company slaves were being lent out to private people. The Council denied any such use outside the service. It admitted only the long-standing custom by which officials had Company slaves working for them. That was a quiet admission that officials received free labour from Company property as a benefit of office. It was the same kind of perquisite the Council had defended in Doveton's case over the laths.
297	292	Board that they were not so much injured but that they might be demanded by some of the Captains. But after finding they were refused, We Ordered them to be discharged from the Books the 31 September 1777 when they were wrote off to Fortification, being cut up into Junk for Wads, and made into small Cordage for the Boats, Scaffolding &c. there not being any of that Sort in the Stores for the aforesaid use it was an omission in the Storekeeper not to have constantly mentioned them damaged on his List of Remains from the Year 1771, as they have ever since that period stood, both on Your General Books and the Storekeepers Accounts Damaged. 26. It gives Us much uneasiness on being accused of want of necessary care and attention to your Stores, We do assure Your Honors that the information given you of the Cables being coiled on the Guns or Platforms is without foundation on the contrary the two Cables received by the Lord Holland and Duke of Grafton were immediately stowed in a New Cellar which was principally erected for that purpose between the Draw bridge & Sea Gate, and the two old ones which had been some Years upon the Island, and were entered damaged in 1771, has ever been Coiled upon Timber under a Shed upon the Line, which must be acknowledged was not so proper a place as could be wished, but as there was no room in Your Store Houses at that time for their reception, there was no alternative. And with respect to the Salt Provisions lying in the Sun is equally misrepresented, as the moment they are received they are rolled upon the Line under	The Council had believed the cables were not so badly damaged that the ships' commanders would refuse them, and it hoped some of them would ask for the cables. When the commanders refused them, the Council ordered the cables struck off the books on 30 September 1777. They were written off to the fortifications. There they were cut up into old rope for gun wadding and made into light rope for the boats and scaffolding, since the stores held nothing of that kind for those uses. The storekeeper was at fault for not listing the cables as damaged in his return of remaining stores every year from 1775. Since that year they had always been recorded as damaged in both the Company's general books and the storekeeper's accounts. 26: The Council was greatly troubled to be accused of neglecting the Company's stores. It assured the Court that the report it had received about cables being left coiled on the guns or platforms was untrue. The two cables that came out on the Lord Holland and the Duke of Grafton had been stored at once in a new cellar between the drawbridge and the sea gate. That cellar had been built mainly for this purpose. The two old cables, which had been on the island for some years and were recorded as damaged in 1775, had always lain coiled on timber under a shed on the Line. The Council admitted that this was not as good a place as it would have liked. There was no room for them in the storehouses at the time, so there was no other choice. The report that salt provisions were left lying in the sun was just as false. As soon as the casks arrived they were rolled onto the Line, as the letter went on to explain. Interpretations The Court's complaints about the cables and the salt provisions came from someone other than the Council. The letter speaks of information given to the Court, and the Council denied it point by point. The Court regularly heard from commanders, passengers and junior officials who wrote home privately, and it used their reports to question the Council's own accounts. This gave the directors a check on a government 5,000 miles away. It also exposed the Council to complaints it could only answer months later and in writing. Here the Council replied with exact places and dates: the new cellar, the shed on the Line, the cables recorded as damaged since 1775. It hoped to show that the report was careless rather than its own management. The Line was the long sea wall and battery that closed the mouth of James Valley in front of Jamestown, between the landing place and the town. It was the main open space at the waterfront, so stores landed from the ships were first moved there. The use of the old cables also shows how little was wasted on the island. Rope too poor for a ship was cut into short lengths and picked apart to make wadding, the packing rammed down a gun barrel to hold the powder and shot. The rest was twisted into small rope for boats and scaffolding.
298	293	under the Shade of the Trees, where they remain no longer than to examine the Provision the Casks properly drove and tightened by the Coopers, and those filled with Brine which may want it for the preservation of the said Provision. 27. We are sorry that the Advices and Accounts you have received from Us of late have not afforded sufficient lights to form so full and precise a judgement how the encreased expences of your Island have arisen for ten Years past, as the nature of the case required, but hope the Answers we have given in the several preceding Paragraphs will prove satisfactory to your Honors, and in a great measure account for the same. You will observe that the Neat expence for the Year 1777 amounted to only £ 22,256 - being upwards of £ 8000 less than the foregoing Year which is accounted for by the bringing several Buildings upon the Books, most of which were not finished until that period and had appeared as Expences in the preceeding Years during the time of their Erecting, but as no material Works are carrying on at present the Expence of the Island will of course be lessened. 28. We informed Lieut. Stewart Garrison Adjutant with the purport of Your Directions respecting him in consequence thereof he addressed the Board, which is entered on Consultation of the 4 Instant together with the Governors Minute in Answer to his Appeal. 29. On the Arrival of your Orders We published an Advertisement giving free permission to	The casks were placed in the shade of the trees on the Line. They stayed there only long enough for the provisions to be inspected. The coopers drove the hoops home to tighten each cask and topped up with brine any cask that needed it to keep the meat sound. 27: The Council regretted that its recent letters and accounts had not given the Court enough information to judge fully why the island's costs had risen over the past ten years. It hoped the answers in the preceding paragraphs would satisfy the Court and largely explain the increase. The net cost of the island for 1777 was only £22,256 0s 0d. This was more than £8,000 0s 0d less than the year before. The fall came from entering several buildings in the books as Company property. Most of them were finished only in 1777, and their building costs had appeared as expenses in the earlier years. No major works were now under way, so the island's costs would naturally fall further. 28: The Council told Lieutenant Stewart, the garrison adjutant, what the Court had ordered concerning him. In response he wrote to the Council. His letter was entered in the consultation of the 4th of the month, together with Governor Skottowe's minute answering his appeal. 29: When the Court's orders arrived, the Council published a notice giving free permission, as the letter went on to explain. Interpretations The Council's explanation of the fall in costs relied on a change in how the accounts were kept. While a building was going up, every payment for labour and materials was counted as an expense of the year. Once it was finished, its value was entered in the books as Company property. This turned past spending into an asset and reduced the net cost shown for the year. The figure for 1777, £22,256 0s 0d, compared with £30,283 0s 0d for 1775 to 1776. The Council could therefore show the Court a much lower net cost without any real saving in that year. Its honest admission that the fall came from the bookkeeping, together with the promise that costs would fall further now that the building programme had ended, was its answer to the Court's complaints.
299	294	to all the Inhabitants (Military Officers and Soldiers excepted) to keep Shops for retailing all kinds of Goods (except Spirituous Liquors) without having a Licence for so doing. 30. Mr. Francis Seale has been appointed a 2 Lieut. in your Garrison agreable to your Orders and begs leave to return you his sincere thanks for this mark of your favor towards him, and in respect to Lieut. Leech We have to observe that your first appointment of him to a Commission was to one of the Marching Company's, in the Room of Mr. Adlam but the necessity of the Service requiring it We appointed him a temporary Officer to the Artillery and beg leave to refer you to his Letter entered on Consultation of the 4 May setting forth the bar he apprehends it may be to his future promotion, by his continuing in that Line. 31. Having made known your Orders to Lieut. Hay respecting his giving up one of the employs he now holds, he chuses to continue that of Surgeons Assistant, but as his immediate remove would leave but one Subaltern Officer to the Artillery and it being impossible to carry on the Duty of that Company under that predicament, We deem it absolutely necessary to continue him sometime longer in that Company, until we take that Department into future consideration. 32. We beg leave to refer your Honors to Our Consultation of the 4 instant on which is entered a Letter from Captn. Howard in Answer to the 33 Paragraph of your General Letter which respects him.	The notice allowed every inhabitant, apart from military officers and soldiers, to keep a shop and sell any kind of goods without a licence. Spirits were the only goods left out of the new freedom. 30: Francis Seale was appointed a second lieutenant in the garrison, as the Court had ordered. He asked the Council to pass on his sincere thanks to the Court for this favour. As for Lieutenant Leech, the Court had first commissioned him to one of the infantry companies in place of Mr Adlam. The needs of the service had led the Council to make him a temporary officer of the artillery instead. Leech had written to the Council, in a letter entered in a consultation of May 1778, to say he feared that staying in the artillery would hold back his future promotion. 31: The Council passed on to Lieutenant Hay the Court's order that he give up one of the two posts he held. He chose to keep the post of assistant surgeon. If he left the artillery at once, however, the company would be left with only one junior officer, and it could not do its duty in that state. The Council therefore judged it essential to keep Hay with the artillery for some time longer, until it could review that department. 32: The Council referred the Court to the consultation of the 4th of the month. It recorded a letter from Captain Howard replying to the 33rd paragraph of the Court's general letter about him. Interpretations Hay's case shows the Council openly delaying one of the Court's orders. The Court wanted him to give up one of his two posts, and he chose to remain a surgeon's assistant. The obvious course was to release him from the artillery at once. The Council refused because the artillery was already short of officers. Since the mutiny and Captain Tippet's dismissal in 1777, its only lieutenants had been Leech and Hay. Removing Hay would leave Leech alone, and the company could not carry out its duties with one officer. The Council presented the delay as temporary, pending a review. Leech's own fear that the artillery would block his promotion made the shortage harder still to solve. The Court's order on shops removed a licensing system that had given the Council control over who could trade on the island. Opening retail to all inhabitants was meant to bring in competition and lower prices for the garrison and the ships. Two limits remained. Spirits stayed under licence, because drink was the main source of disorder in the garrison and a valuable source of licence fees. Officers and soldiers were barred from trading at all, so that men under military discipline could not compete with civilians or sell to their own men. Seale's commission followed the Council's recommendation of 20 July 1777. The Council then put forward Sergeant Seale to fill the vacancy left by the death of Lieutenant John Bazett. Raising a sergeant to a commission was unusual, and it shows how scarce suitable officers were on the island in wartime.
300	295	33. We shall duly comply with your Orders relative to those Ships which may want able bodied Men to Compleat their respective Company's. 34. When Captain Tippets Attorneys apply to pay into your Cash the Sum you mention We shall receive the same accordingly. 35. We are not Conscious of having neglected your Orders and directions respecting Invalids as those we have thought proper Objects to be put upon the Military Fund have always been furnished with Documents to entitle them thereto Copy's of which with the Surgeons Certificates We have never failed transmitting in our general Packet but must beg leave to observe there has been several discharged this Garrison unfit for Duty, which We by no means thought proper Objects to recommend to that Fund, consistant with your former Orders under date 23 November 1770, and 25 March 1772. Therefore the applications that you have had by returned Invalids from hence, must be such as did not appear to Us entitled to the said Fund, some of them having never rendered the Company any Service but if your Honors think We have been too cautious in this respect We shall in future recommend all such discharged as Invalids except those who have brought their infirmity's with them into the Service which shall particularly be specifyed in the Discharges of all Invalids in future. 36. When we receive instructions from the Executors of Mrs. Mary Hunt respecting the Legacy given	33: The Council would carry out the Court's orders about supplying able-bodied men to ships that needed them to make up their crews. 34: When Captain Tippet's attorneys came forward to pay the sum the Court mentioned into the treasury, the Council would accept it. 35: The Council denied that it had neglected the Court's orders on invalids. Every man it considered fit for a pension from the Military Fund had been given the papers needed to support his claim. Copies of those papers, with the surgeons' certificates, had always gone home in the general packet. The Council pointed out, however, that several men discharged from the garrison as unfit for duty had not seemed to it suitable for the fund. In refusing them, it had followed the Court's own orders of 23 November 1770 and 25 March 1772. The invalids who had applied to the Court directly after returning from the island must have been men of that kind. Some of them had never done the Company any service at all. If the Court thought the Council had been too strict, it would in future recommend every man discharged as an invalid. The only exceptions would be men whose illness or disability had begun before they joined. That fact would be stated on the discharge papers of every invalid from then on. 36: The Council was waiting for instructions from the executors of Mary Hunt about the legacy she left, as the letter went on to explain. Interpretations The dispute over invalids exposed a gap in the Military Fund's procedure. The Council acted as gatekeeper on the island, recommending only men it judged entitled under the Court's orders of 1770 and 1772. Men it refused could still go home and apply to the Court in person, and some evidently did. The Court then received claims from men with no papers from the island and suspected the Council of neglect. The Council defended its strictness by pointing to men who had never served the Company at all. It then offered to reverse its practice. Instead of recommending only proven cases, it would recommend every invalid unless his disability was shown to have begun before he enlisted. This placed the burden of proof differently. It also meant the Court would bear the cost if the more generous rule let in doubtful claims, which was the Council's answer to the criticism. The payment expected from Tippet's attorneys suggests that the captain dismissed by court martial in 1777 left a debt to the Company. His attorneys in England would settle it, and the Council would simply receive the money when they came forward.
301	296	given to the Widows and Orphans of this Island We shall readily Accept the Charge, and comply with their Directions thereupon. 37. Mrs. Congreve Widow of the late Mr. John Congreve Schoolmaster being left with three small Children, and totally destitute (subsisting on the benevolent subscription of the Inhabitants and Strangers who have touched at this Island, since the Death of her Husband, and Captn. Poyntings kind disposition yielding to Our solicitation of giving her, and her young Family a Passage to England, desiring only that his Owners may be paid for them as Charter Party Passengers. We have in compassion to her distressed situation, assuring ourselves that you will think it right, giving a permit to Captain Poynting to receive her and three Children on Board his Ship, and leave the Charter Party agreement to be settled between Your Honors and the Owners of Ship Resolution. 38. Herewith we transmit Your Honors our Indents of Stores wanted for the Service of the Year 1779, together with the List of Remains. 39. It is true that in Our Letter dated 22 August 1776 and Consultation of 19 of same Month we informed you of Our making Gun Carriages here as we had then an Artificer upon the Island (by Name Laws) belonging to the Military, who on the expiration of his contracted time applied for his Discharge, and we could by no persuasion engage him to Relist by which means we are now left in a situation not to be able to fulfill that engagement agreable to Our then	The Council would gladly take charge of Mary Hunt's legacy for the widows and orphans of the island and follow the executors' instructions. 37: Mrs Congreve, widow of John Congreve, the late schoolmaster, had been left destitute with three small children. Since her husband's death she had lived on money collected for her by the inhabitants and by visitors from passing ships. At the Council's request, Captain Poynting kindly agreed to carry her and her children to England. He asked only that his owners be paid for them at the charter party rate for passengers. Out of pity for her plight, the Council gave Poynting a permit to take her and the three children on board. It trusted the Court would approve. The charter party payment was left to be settled between the Court and the owners of the Resolution. 38: With this letter the Council sent its orders for stores needed in 1779, together with a list of stores in hand. 39: The Council admitted that in its letter of 22 August 1776 and its consultation of 19 August 1776 it had told the Court it was making gun carriages on the island. At that time the garrison included a skilled military craftsman named Laws. When his contracted term ended he asked for his discharge, and no amount of persuasion would make him sign on again. The Council was therefore no longer able to make the carriages as it had promised, as the letter went on to explain. Interpretations The arrangement for Mrs Congreve used the same method the Council had agreed with the commanders over the invalids in July 1777. Payment for her passage was left to be settled in London between the Court and the ship's owners at the charter party rate. This avoided any cash changing hands on the island and gave Captain Poynting no grounds to refuse. The Council granted the permit before the Court could approve it. It relied on the Court accepting a modest cost to remove a destitute family that would otherwise have lived on charity on the island indefinitely. The Council had criticised Congreve sharply as a schoolmaster in September 1777. Its care for his widow shows that this judgement did not extend to his family. The loss of Laws shows how far the island depended on single skilled men. Making gun carriages needed a trained wheelwright or carriage maker. The garrison had one, a soldier on a fixed-term engagement, and the Council had built its plans around his skill. When his term ended, the Company had no power to keep him, and nothing it offered would persuade him to stay. With no replacement on the island, a promise made to the Court in 1776 had to be withdrawn, and the carriages would again have to come from England.
302	297	then expectation. We have however consulted Captn. Pierie upon that Subject, and refer You to his Letter entered upon Consultation of the 13 instant thereupon, by which you will find that he is of opinion that the Mortar Beds cannot be made here, therefore request your complying with Our Indent for that Article, as to the future probability of making Gun Carriages, Captn. Pierie requests a longer time to consider of the Materials and Artificers we have, as his late Arrival upon this Island, cannot as yet allow him to be a Competent judge of the Abilitys of those employed under him and must request (for the present) you will send Us the six Field Carriages he has thought proper to Indent for. 40. We are sorry We cannot by this conveyance transmit you a Survey of the Plantations agreable to your Directions, the Gentlemen appointed for that purpose being ill with an epidemical Cold which run through the Island and has severely infected the Inhabitants in General so that it has been with difficulty We were able to bring up the business for this Dispatch. 41. On the 16 of last Month Arrived Your Ships Ceres, Prime, Resolution, and Alfred, the former from Bengal, and the three latter from China (all last from the Cape) The 9 instant the Houghton from Madrass, the 18 the Hawke from Bombay, and the 19 the Princess Royal, Worcester and True Briton from China (all last from the Cape) likewise on the 15 of this Month a	The Council could no longer make the carriages it had led the Court to expect. It had, however, asked Captain Pierie for his view. His letter, entered in the consultation of the 8th of the month, gave his opinion that mortar beds could not be made on the island. The Council therefore asked the Court to fill its order for them from England. On whether gun carriages could be made locally in future, Pierie asked for more time to assess the materials and craftsmen available. He had arrived on the island only recently and could not yet judge the skill of the men working under him. For the present, the Council asked the Court to send the six field carriages that Pierie had ordered. 40: The Council regretted that it could not send the survey of the plantations by this ship, as the Court had instructed. The men appointed to carry it out had fallen ill with an epidemic cold that had spread through the island and struck most of the inhabitants badly. The Council had found it hard even to prepare the business for this dispatch. 41: On the 16th of the previous month, four Company ships arrived at the island. All had called last at the Cape. Ceres, from Bengal. Pon[...], from China. Resolution, from China. Alfred, from China. More ships followed during the current month, all of them also last from the Cape. Houghton, from Madras, on the 7th. Hawke, from Bombay, on the 18th. Princess Royal, Worcester and True Briton, from China, on the 19th. On the 15th of the month a further arrival took place, as the letter went on to explain. Interpretations The Court had evidently hoped the island could make its own gun carriages and mortar beds rather than have them shipped from England. The Council had encouraged that hope in August 1776, while it had the craftsman Laws. With Laws gone, the Council could have tried to carry on with the men it had. Instead it referred the question to Captain Pierie, the newly arrived engineer and artillery commander, and accepted his verdict that mortar beds could not be made locally. The Council had asked in September 1777 for two oak beds for 13-inch mortars to replace the rotten elm ones at Munden's Battery. By resting on Pierie's professional opinion, it returned the matter to the Court's indent. On gun carriages it allowed him time to form a view, but asked for six field carriages in the meantime so that the island would not be left without them while he decided. The epidemic cold that delayed the survey of the plantations probably came ashore from one of the ships. A small island community that had little contact with outside infections had little resistance to them. Each fleet could bring an illness that spread quickly through the population, as this one did through the officials who were meant to carry out the survey.
303	298	a Dane Ship from Tranquebar, called the Tranquebar Captain Jeanes burthen 300 Tons carrys 10 Guns and 40 Men loaden with Bale Goods, Salt Petre & Pepper bound to Copenhagen. Captn. Newte informs Us that he sailed from Bengal the 23 January last and Arrived at the Cape 23 March. Captn. Poynting acquaints Us that he left Canton the 16 Janry. together with the Prime and Alfred that they Arrived at the Cape the 23 March and sailed from thence the 3 of last Month in Company with the Ceres. We are informed by Captn. Smith that he sailed from Madrass the 6 February, and left the Valentine there, which Ship he informs Us had met with a very unfortunate accident by getting on shore on Pulicat Reef about nine Leagues from Madrass, which obliged her to cut away her Masts, but that when he left the Coast she was ready to sail for Bombay to refit. Captn. Kerr informs Us that he sailed from China the 3 Febry. last in Company with the Worcester and True Briton that Your Ships Royal Charlotte and Stormont it was supposed would sail from thence in about a fortnight after him that they arrived at the Cape the 24 April and sailed from thence the 3 of this Month. Captn. Cotton acquaints Us that he sailed from Bombay the 29 January last and left your Ship Rochford at that place and the York at Anjengo, that he Arrived at False Bay the 22 April and Sailed from thence the 3 May. he further informs Us that he spoke the Osterly and Grosvenor off the Cape all well, and that the Hillsborough was at False Bay when he was there which Ship departed from thence the 29 April last.	The arrival on the 15th was a Danish ship, the Tranquebar, under Captain Jeanes, from the Danish settlement of that name in India. She measured 300 tons, carried ten guns and 40 men, and was bound for Copenhagen. Her cargo was bale goods, saltpetre and pepper. The commanders of the newly arrived ships brought the following news. Captain Nash reported that he left Bengal on 23 January 1778 and reached the Cape on 23 March 1778. Captain Poynting said he left Canton on the 10th of January together with the Pon[...] and the Alfred. The three ships reached the Cape on 23 March 1778 and sailed again on 3 April 1778, in company with the Ceres. Captain Smith said he sailed from Madras on 6 February 1778. He left the Valentine there after a serious accident. She had run aground on the [...] reef, about nine leagues from Madras, and had to cut away her masts. When Smith left the coast she was ready to sail to Bombay for repairs. Captain Kerr reported that he sailed from China on 3 February 1778 together with the Worcester and the True Briton. The Royal Charlotte and the Stormont were expected to leave China about a fortnight later. Kerr's three ships reached the Cape on 24 April 1778 and left on 3 May 1778. Captain Cotton said he sailed from Bombay on 29 January 1778. He left the Rochford at Bombay and the York at Anjengo. He reached False Bay on 22 April 1778 and sailed again on 3 May 1778. Off the Cape he spoke with the Osterley and the Grosvenor, both well. The Hillsborough was in False Bay while he was there and left on 29 April 1778. Interpretations The Tranquebar's cargo shows why neutral ships mattered so much in wartime. Bale goods were cotton cloths from India packed in bales, the staple of the European trade with the subcontinent. Saltpetre, refined in Bengal and southern India, was the main ingredient of gunpowder. Pepper came mainly from the Malabar coast. Denmark was neutral, so a Danish ship could carry saltpetre to Europe without risk of capture by either side. That made the trade in this war material through Copenhagen especially valuable. Tranquebar was Denmark's small trading settlement on the Coromandel coast, the base of its East India trade. The commanders' reports put together a picture of the whole eastern fleet. They covered ships at Madras, Bombay, Anjengo and Canton, ships lost or damaged, and ships passing the Cape. False Bay was the anchorage on the eastern side of the Cape peninsula. Ships used it in the southern winter, when storms from the north-west made Table Bay dangerous, and the arrivals there in late April marked the change of season. The Valentine's grounding near Madras was the kind of news the Court would otherwise not hear for months. Losing her masts put her out of the season's homeward sailings and sent her to Bombay, the Company's main repair yard in India.
304	299	42. The Passengers on board the Earl of Sandwich are Senior Don Diego De Saltano and Mr. Bromfield on the Ceres Thos. Lane Esqr. Mr. Robt. Pott and Messrs. Mountford. On the Prime Captn. Hamilton and Mackay and Doctor Walker. On the Alfred Mr. and Mrs. Perry and Miss Bourbank. On the Houghton The Honble. Edwd. Monckton and Lady Jno. Whitehill Esqr. Captains Waldegrave Kent, Wilkinson and Hewett and Mr. Jno. Oxbridge. On the Hawke Mr. Bysham and Mrs. Coggan Messrs. Banks, Gordy, Watt Santrosse Reed Lamont, Threlkeld and Captain Brickell. And on Board the Worcester Major and Mrs. Cook and Doctor Smith. 43. We have granted the following Sets of Bills of Exchange viz. One to Mr. Matthew Bazett for £ 50 - payable to Willm. Larkins Esqr. Two to Mr. Willm. Wrangham One for £ 100 - payable to Captn. Richd. Pearce And the other for £ 66 . 19 . 2 payable to Captn. James Barwell, One to Major Henry Bazett for £ 300 - payable to Matthew Parling Esqr. One to Captn. Gabriel Harper for £ 1000 - payable to himself. One to Mr. Thomas Long for £ 100 - payable to himself. One to Mrs. Ann Congreve for £ 129 . 11 . 4 payable to herself. One to Mr. David Hay for £ 40 - payable to Mr. Morris Jones dated the 18 of this Month. And one Set to Captn. James Williamson for £ 1000 - payable to himself (or Order) dated this Day. 44. We have given Captain Deane an Order to receive on board the Earl of Sandwich Michael Mc. Namara, James Campbell, and Samuel Wilson three able bodied discharged Soldiers to Compleat that	42: The passengers on the homeward ships were as follows. On the Earl of Sandwich: Señor Don Diego de Sotano and Mr Bromfield. On the Ceres: Thomas Lane, Robert Pott and Mrs Mountford. On the Pon[...]: Captain Hamilton, Captain Mackay and Doctor Walker. On the Alfred: Mr and Mrs Perry and Miss Bombank. On the Houghton: the Honourable Edward Monckton and Lady Monckton, John Hudson, Captain Waldegrave, Captain Kent, Captain Wilkinson, Captain Hewitt and John Partridge. On the Hawke: Mr Bysham, Mrs Coggan, Mr Banks, Mr Gondy, Mr Watts, Mr Santhorp, Mr Reed, Mr Lamont, Mr Threlkeld and Captain Brickell. On the Worcester: Major and Mrs Cook and Doctor Smith. 43: The Council issued the following sets of bills of exchange. One to Matthew Bazett for £500 0s 0d, payable to William Larkins Two to William Wrangham, the first for £100 0s 0d, payable to Captain Richard Pearce The second to William Wrangham for £66 19s 2d, payable to Captain James Barwell One to Major Henry Bazett for £300 0s 0d, payable to Matthew Purling One to Captain Gabriel Harper for £1,000 0s 0d, payable to Harper himself One to Thomas Long for £300 0s 0d, payable to Long himself One to Ann Congreve for £129 11s 4d, payable to Congreve herself One to David Kay for £40 0s 0d, payable to Morris Jones All these bills were dated the 18th of the month. A further set went to Captain James Williamson for £1,000 0s 0d, payable to Williamson or to his order and dated the day of writing. 44: The Council ordered Captain Deane to take three able-bodied discharged soldiers on board the Earl of Sandwich: Michael McNamara, James Campbell and Samuel Wilton. They were to help make up the ship's crew, as the letter went on to say. Interpretations The bill for £129 11s 4d issued to Ann Congreve stands out against the Council's description of her as destitute and living on charity. The sum was probably the money collected for her by the inhabitants and passing visitors, together with whatever she raised by selling her household goods before leaving. Turning it into a bill on London meant she did not have to carry coin on the voyage, where it could be lost or stolen. It also meant the money would be waiting for her when she landed in England. Even a small private sum was handled through the same system the island's officials used for their much larger remittances. The large number of passengers on the Hawke from Bombay and the Houghton from Madras reflected the season's traffic home from India. Most were Company servants, officers or their families returning to England, among them army captains travelling as passengers. The presence of a Spanish gentleman on the Earl of Sandwich was more unusual. Spain was not yet at war with Britain, and Company ships from China sometimes carried Spaniards from Manila, which traded with Canton.
305	300	that Ships Company. Also Baptista Tibbet and William Long Invalids, the former recommended as a proper Object for the Military Fund on account of his infirmitys, as specifyed in his Document, the latter, not, for reasons assigned in his Discharge, also Jno. Goringe, Joseph Blackwell, Willm. Twaby, Jno. Clemants and Edwd. Abridge five discharged Soldiers, the payment of whose passages We have left to be settled between your Honors and the Owners of the Ship Earl of Sandwich. We have also put on board the Houghton Benjamin Gerrard Richd. Jackson, Jno. Browne, Willm. Wilders, Joseph Gross and Peter Shore, six able Bodied discharged Soldiers towards compleating that Ships Company, We are further to inform you that John Richards Willm. Grayswick, Jacob Davis, Jno. Lemon, Richard Aikens, James Maloney, William Jones and Stephen Lissett eight other discharged Soldiers have entered themselves on Board His Majesty's Ship Warwick. 45. On Saturday Night last the 16 instant Thomas Fuller Corporal, John Mew, William Williams and John Cherns all of the first Company, the two last having leave to go a fishing, took a Cutter the property of Captain Harper, and deserted the Island and We judge they must have all perished. 46. Mrs. Bazett and Daughter with Captn. and Mrs. Harper take their passage for England upon the Ship Prime, and Mr. Long upon the Resolution. 47. This Letter waits on your Honors by	The three discharged soldiers were to help make up the crew of the Earl of Sandwich. Two invalids also went on board her, Baptista Tibbet and William Long. The Council recommended Tibbet for a pension from the Military Fund because of the disabilities described in his papers. It did not recommend Long, for reasons stated in his discharge. Five more discharged soldiers joined the same ship: John Goringe, Joseph Blackwell, William Swaby, John Clemants and Edward Bridge. Payment for their passages was left to be settled between the Court and the owners of the Earl of Sandwich. The Council also placed six able-bodied discharged soldiers on the Houghton to help make up her crew. Benjamin Gerrard Richard Jackson John Browne William Wilder Joseph Gross Peter Shores The Council further reported that eight other discharged soldiers had signed on with the King's ship Warwick. John Richards William Graywich Jacob Davis John Lemon Richard Aitken James Maloney William Jones Stephen Liseth 45: On the night of Saturday 16 May 1778, four soldiers of the first company deserted the island: Corporal Thomas Fuller, John Mew, William Williams and John Chern. The last of them had been given leave to go fishing. The four men took a cutter belonging to Captain Harper and put to sea. The Council judged that they must all have died. 46: Mrs Bazett and her daughter were sailing to England on the Pon[...] together with Captain and Mrs Harper. Thomas Long was taking passage on the Resolution. 47: The letter went to the Court by a ship named further on. Interpretations This was the second desertion by small boat in six months. On 6 November 1777 four privates who had leave to fish slipped away in a fishing boat, and the Council reported then that they had probably died. The same loophole was used again. One man's fishing leave gave the group access to the shore, and this time they took a cutter, a larger and more seaworthy boat than a fishing craft. It belonged to Captain Harper, who was himself about to leave the island. The repetition shows how little the Council had done to close the gap after the first escape. It also suggests that discontent in the garrison was strong enough for men to risk an open-boat voyage they were unlikely to survive. The eight discharged soldiers who joined the Warwick show the Royal Navy recruiting directly on the island in wartime. Trained men leaving the Company's service were valuable to a King's ship short of hands. Joining the navy gave them passage, pay and food at once, without waiting for the Council to place them on a Company ship. For the Council it meant eight fewer men whose passages had to be arranged with reluctant commanders.
306	301	his Majesty's Ship Warwick, Copy's of which are transmitted p Ships Hawke and Houghton. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedient and humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Mattw. Bazett Wm. Wrangham Henry Bazett St. Helena 20 May 1778 List of the Honble. Company's Packet from St. Helena p his Majesty's Ship Warwick dated the 20 May 1778 No. 1 Govr. and Councils Genl. Letter dated 20 May 1778 2 Do. & Do. Do. dated 20 Do. Do. relating to Law matters 3 Duplicate Do. & Do. Do. dated 7 March 1778 4 Do. Do. & Do. Do. dated 7 Do. Do. relating to Law matters 5 Do. Do. & Do. Do. dated 21 Do. 1778 6 Do. Do. & Do. Do. dated 11 April Do. 7 Do. Do. & Do. Do. dated 12 Do. Do. 8 Consultations from the 9 March to the 20 May 1778 9 Duplicate Do. from the 1 December 1777 to the 7 March Do. 10 Effective State of the Garrison	The letter went to the Court by the King's ship Warwick. Copies followed by the Hawke and the Houghton. The Council signed it at St Helena on 20 May 1778. John Skottowe Daniel Corneille Matthew Bazett William Wrangham Henry Bazett The Company's packet sent from St Helena by the Warwick on 20 May 1778 contained the following papers. 1: General letter from the Governor and Council, dated 20 May 1778 2: Further general letter from the Governor and Council, dated 20 May 1778, on legal matters 3: Duplicate of the general letter from the Governor and Council, dated 7 March 1778 4: Duplicate of the general letter from the Governor and Council, dated 7 March 1778, on legal matters 5: Duplicate of the general letter from the Governor and Council, dated 21 March 1778 6: Duplicate of the general letter from the Governor and Council, dated 11 April 1778 7: Duplicate of the general letter from the Governor and Council, dated 12 April 1778 8: Consultations from 9 March to 20 May 1778 9: Duplicate consultations from 1 December 1777 to 7 March 1778 10: Effective state of the garrison
307	302	11 Muster Rolls of the Garrison 12 Cash Account from the 8 to the 31 March 1778 13 Do. Do. for the Month of April Do. 14 Do. Do. from the 1 to the 20 May Do. 15 Duplicate Do. from the 29 to the 30 November 1777 16 Do. Do. for the Month of December Do. 17 Do. Do. for the Month of January Do. 1778 18 Do. Do. for the Month of February Do. 19 Do. Do. from the 1 to the 7 March Do. 20 Ship Earl of Mansfields Account 21 Ship Earl of Sandwichs Do. 22 Ship Alfreds Do. 23 Ship Primes Do. 24 Ship Ceres Do. 25 Ship Houghtons Do. 26 Ship Resolutions Do. 27 Ship Hawkes Do. 28 Ship Princess Royals Do. 29 Ship Worcesters Do. 30 Ship True Britons Do. 31 Duplicate Ship Egmonts Do. 32 Do. Ship Europas Do. 33 First Receipt for the Packet p his Majesty's Ship Salisbury 34 Do. Do. for a small paper Do. p Ship Egmont 35 Do. Do. for a Do. Do. p Ship Europa 36 Do. Do. for a Do. Do. p Swede Ship Stockholm Slott 37 Do. Do. for a Do. Do. p Do. Sophia Magdalena 38 Second Do. for the Packet p Ship Hector 39 Do. Do. for a small paper Packet p Ship Duke of Grafton 40 Proceedings of a Genl. Quarter Sessions held on 29 April 1778 41 Duplicate Do. of a Do. held on 14 Janry. Do.	The list of the packet sent by the Warwick continued with the following papers. 11: Muster rolls of the garrison 12: Cash account from 8 March to 31 March 1778 13: Cash account for April 1778 14: Cash account from 1 May to 20 May 1778 15: Duplicate cash account from 29 November to 30 November 1777 16: Duplicate cash account for December 1777 17: Duplicate cash account for January 1778 18: Duplicate cash account for February 1778 19: Duplicate cash account from 1 March to 7 March 1778 20: Account of the ship Earl of Mansfield. 21: Account of the ship Earl of Sandwich. 22: Account of the ship Alfred. 23: Account of the ship Pon[...]. 24: Account of the ship Ceres. 25: Account of the ship Houghton. 26: Account of the ship Resolution. 27: Account of the ship Hawke. 28: Account of the ship Princess Royal. 29: Account of the ship Worcester. 30: Account of the ship True Briton. 31: Duplicate account of the ship Egmont. 32: Duplicate account of the ship Europa. 33: First receipt for the packet sent by the King's ship Salisbury. 34: First receipt for a small packet of papers sent by the ship Egmont. 35: First receipt for a small packet of papers sent by the ship Europa. 36: First receipt for a small packet of papers sent by the Swedish ship Stockholm Slott. 37: First receipt for a small packet of papers sent by the Swedish ship Sophia Magdalena. 38: Second receipt for the packet sent by the ship Hector. 39: Second receipt for a small packet of papers sent by the ship Duke of Grafton. 40: Proceedings of the general quarterly court held on 29 April 1778 41: Duplicate proceedings of the general quarterly court held on 14 January 1778
308	303	42 List of Servants taken the 20 May 1778 43 Duplicate List of the Packet p his Majesty's Ship Salisbury 44 Do. Do. of Births Christenings Marriages & Burials 45 Duplicate Register of Goods and Merchandize Imported & Exported in and from the Island St. Helena from the 6 May 1777 to the 7 March 1778 46 Duplicate Account of Cash paid the Widows, Pensioners upon the Military Fund 47 Time of the Arrival of Ships Boats at Banks's 48 Abstract of the Cargoes of Ships Earl of Sandwich Resolution Ceres, Alfred, Prime, Houghton, True Briton, Worcester, Princess Royal and Hawke 49 Indent of Stores wanted for the Service of the Year 1779 50 Do. of Medicines for Do. of the Do. 51 List of Stores remaining in the Honble. Compys. Ware Houses 30 Apl. 1778 52 Do. of Garrison Stores Do. in the Do. Do. 30 Do. Do. 53 Do. of Artillery Stores Do. in the Do. Do. 30 Do. Do. 54 General Courts Martial held on the 7 July 1777 55 Courts Martials from the 10 March 1777 to the 11 1778 56 List of the Honble. Company's Slaves with their several occupations taken the 13 May 1778 57 Surgeons Certificate of William Long an Invalid Soldier 58 Governor & Councils Certificate of Baptista Tibbett an Invalid Soldier recommended to be put upon the Military Fund To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs Upon the Dispatch of the Fleet on the 20 instant thro' the hurry of business & your Servants [...]	The list of the packet sent by the Warwick ended with the following papers. 42: List of servants taken on 20 May 1778 43: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the King's ship Salisbury. 44: Duplicate register of births, christenings, marriages and burials 45: Duplicate register of goods brought into and shipped out of St Helena from 6 May 1777 to 7 March 1778 46: Duplicate account of cash paid to the widows receiving pensions from the Military Fund 47: Times at which ships' boats arrived at Banks's 48: Summary of the cargoes of the ships Earl of Sandwich, Resolution, Ceres, Alfred, Pon[...], Houghton, True Briton, Worcester, Princess Royal and Hawke. 49: Indent of stores needed for the year 1779 50: Indent of medicines needed for the year 1779 51: List of stores left in the Company's warehouses on 30 April 1778 52: List of garrison stores left on 30 April 1778 53: List of artillery stores left on 30 April 1778 54: Proceedings of the general court martial held on 7 July 1777 55: Proceedings of courts martial from 10 March 1777 to the 11th of an unnamed month in 1778 56: List of the Company's slaves and their work, taken on 13 May 1778 57: Surgeon's certificate for William Long, invalid soldier 58: Certificate from the Governor and Council for Baptista Tibbet, invalid soldier, recommended for a pension from the Military Fund A further letter to the Court followed. The fleet sailed on 20 May 1778, and in the rush of business before its departure the Council and its officials had overlooked something, as the letter went on to explain.
309	304	in general being all sick, the Account of Ship Prime was charged by mistake with fifty Yards Cinabags amounting to £ 4 . 3 . 4, by which means our last Cash Account of the 20 of this Month has Credit for that Sum too much. We have also to inform your Honors that from the cause abovementioned the Short Delivery's of five Ships was omitted being entered upon Consultation, And we have further to acquaint you that Captn. Cotton has not delivered the two hundred pieces of Surat Chelloes Consigned to Us, which will much distress the Island for want of that useful Article; and has in a great measure been the cause of the said Mistake of Short delivery's, however hope you will be favorably pleased to excuse these omissions, and have enclosed for the present the Short Delivery's of Ships Houghton, Hawke, Worcester Princess Royal, and True Briton. This Letter waits on your Honors by the Ship Hawke. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. & humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Mattw. Bazett Willm. Wrangham Henry Bazett St. Helena 22 May 1778	The rush of business before the fleet sailed came at a time when the Council's officials were nearly all ill. As a result, the account of the Pon[...] was wrongly charged with 50 yards of cinabry cloth, valued at £4 3s 4d. The Council's last cash account, dated 20 May 1778, therefore credited that sum once too often. For the same reason, the short deliveries of five ships had not been entered in the consultations. The Council also reported that Captain Cotton had not delivered 200 pieces of Surat chelloes sent to the island. Their loss would cause real hardship, since the island depended on this useful cloth. The missing chelloes were also largely to blame for the error over the short deliveries. The Council hoped the Court would forgive these oversights. For the present, it enclosed the short deliveries of five ships. Houghton Hawke Worcester Princess Royal True Briton The letter went to the Court by the Hawke. The Council signed it at St Helena on 22 May 1778. John Skottowe Daniel Corneille Matthew Bazett William Wrangham Henry Bazett Interpretations Chelloes were cheap cotton cloths, usually checked or striped in blue and white, woven in western India and shipped from Surat. The Company used them widely to clothe slaves and labourers, and on St Helena they were probably the main cloth issued to the Company's slaves. The island depended on deliveries from passing ships, so 200 pieces left on board the Hawke could not be replaced until the next Bombay ship arrived, perhaps a year later. That is why the Council described their loss as real hardship. Cinabry is less clear. Its listing by the yard alongside the chelloes suggests another cotton cloth from India, but the manuscript gives no further detail. A short delivery was a shortfall between the goods listed on a ship's bill of lading and what was actually landed. Recording these shortfalls in the consultations was how the Company fixed responsibility. The commander was answerable for goods signed for and not delivered, and the record allowed the Court to recover their value from him or his owners. Leaving five ships' shortfalls out of the record would have weakened the Company's claim. This is why the Council wrote again within two days of the fleet's departure to send the details by the Hawke. Captain Cotton commanded that ship, so the Court would receive the complaint about the chelloes by the very ship that had failed to land them.
310	305	To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs We addressed you on the 20 of last Month by his Majesty's Ship Warwick, which left this place the 23 with your Ships Earl of Sandwich, Hawke Houghton Princess Royal, Prime, Alfred, Worcester, Ceres Resolution and True Briton under her Convoy. We likewise wrote you by the beforementioned Ship Hawke under date of the 22 May 1778. On the 29 last Month Arrived the Ship Queen from England by which conveyance we received a Packet from your Honors dated the 20 February 1778. she will proceed on her Voyage to Fort Marlbro in a few Days. Also Arrived on the 7 instant a Dane from China (last from Mauritius) called the Prince Frederick Captn. Shifter burthen 1200 Tons, carrys 28 Guns and 160 Men loaden with Tea and China Ware bound to Copenhagen. Captn. Shifter informs Us he met with your Ship Latham about sixty six Leagues to the Eastward of the Cape of Good Hope all well. This Letter waits on you by the abovementioned Dane Ship. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedient and humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Mattw. Bazett Willm. Wrangham Henry Bazett St. Helena 9 June 1778	The Council last wrote to the Court on 20 May 1778 by the King's ship Warwick. She left the island on 23 May 1778, escorting ten of the Company's ships. Earl of Sandwich Hawke Houghton Princess Royal Pon[...] Alfred Worcester Ceres Resolution True Briton The Council also wrote by the Hawke in a letter dated 22 May 1778. The ship Queen arrived from England on 29 May 1778, bringing a packet from the Court dated 20 February 1778. She was expected to sail on to Fort Marlborough within a few days. On 7 June 1778 a Danish ship from China, the Prince Frederick, under Captain Schiffer, arrived at the island after calling last at Mauritius. She measured 1,200 tons, carried 28 guns and 160 men, and was bound for Copenhagen with tea and porcelain. Schiffer reported that he had met the Company's ship Latham about 66 leagues east of the Cape of Good Hope, with all well on board. The letter went to the Court by the Prince Frederick. The Council signed it at St Helena on 9 June 1778. John Skottowe Daniel Corneille Matthew Bazett William Wrangham Henry Bazett
311	306	To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. By a Dane Ship called the Prince Frederic, We addressed you last under date of the 9 June 1778. 2. By a Memorandum at the foot of the Invoice p Ship Queen we observed that it was supposed 258 half Puncheons of Irish Pork were shipped instead of 256 advice thereof being desired we take this opportunity of informing your Honors there was only the quantity received being 256 half Puncheons (agreable to the Invoice as you will please to observe by the Certificate herewith transmitted, together with those for Flour Military Stores &c. Landd. here from the Store Ships of this Season. 3. Your Honors will please to observe by Consultation of the 13 July last that Mr. Corneille informed the Board of a deficiency in the Honble. Company's Stock of Sheep to the number of 75 owing to the inattention of Mr. John Worrall late Overseer, who being Ordered to attend Council to account how the deficiency arose acknowledged that he had not Counted them so regularly as he should have done, Yet supposed many must have died and others destroyed by Dogs &c. But being Conscious of a very great Neglect was willing to pay for said deficiency if we thought proper, at same time begged we would take his Circumstances into Consideration, which are but indifferent. That as the said Worrall bears the Character of an Honest Man, and being of Opinion that the deficiency might have arisen from the causes he has above related. We therefore beg leave to refer his paying for said deficiency to your Consideration.	1: The Council's last letter to the Court, dated 9 June 1778, went by the Danish ship Prince Frederick. 2: A note at the foot of the invoice for the Queen suggested that 258 half-puncheons of Irish pork had been shipped instead of the 256 listed. The Court had asked to be told the facts. The Council reported that only 256 half-puncheons arrived, exactly as the invoice stated. The enclosed certificate confirmed this. Certificates for the flour, military stores and other goods landed from the season's store ships were also enclosed. 3: The consultation of 13 July 1778 recorded that Daniel Corneille had reported a shortfall of 75 sheep in the Company's flock. He blamed the carelessness of John Worrall, the former overseer. Worrall was summoned before the Council to explain the loss. He admitted that he had not counted the sheep as regularly as he should have. He believed, however, that many had died and that dogs and other causes had killed the rest. Aware that he had been seriously negligent, he offered to pay for the missing sheep if the Council required it. He also asked the Council to bear in mind that he was poor. Worrall was known as an honest man, and the Council accepted that the loss could have arisen as he described. It therefore left it to the Court to decide whether he should pay. Interpretations The Council could have settled Worrall's case itself. He had admitted negligence and offered to pay, and the Council had the power to charge the loss against him. Instead it passed the decision to the Court. Worrall was poor and had a good name, and the Council believed the sheep had probably died or been killed rather than stolen or sold. Charging him the full value of 75 sheep would have ruined him. Excusing him without the Court's consent would have exposed the Council to the charge of waiving a Company debt on its own authority, at a time when the Court was already questioning its spending and recovering disallowed payments from officials such as Doveton. Referring the case to London protected the Council and gave Worrall the best chance of leniency. A half-puncheon was a cask holding roughly 40 gallons, about half the size of a full puncheon. Salt pork from Ireland, packed at Cork and other southern ports, was a main part of the provisions the Company shipped to the island for the garrison. The Council's check against the invoice mattered because of the losses on spoiled salt provisions it had reported in July 1777. Every cask was counted on landing and certified, so that any shortfall could be charged to the ship rather than to the island's stores.
312	307	4. Having made some alteration in the Occupation of Your Slaves since We last transmitted you a List of them, We herewith Enclose a very exact one, as they are now Employed. 5. On the 13 April last we granted a Set of Bills of Exchange to Mr. James Urmston Chief Mate of the Ship Earl of Mansfield for the Sum of £ 400 - payable to Mr. George Lawrence (or Order) at Ninety days sight, which Bills were Entered upon Consultation of that day, but omitted being mentioned in our General Letter of the 20 May 1778 owing to the hurry of business we were then engaged in, and your Servants in general being very ill of a Violent Cold that prevailed at the time through the Island, and proved fatal to many of the Inhabitants. 6. Messrs. John Doveton and Nathaniel Kennedy representing to Us that their Covenanted time of five Years as Writers expired on the 10 May last, and requesting to be put upon the Establishment of Factors We accordingly appointed them as such, agreable to Your standing Orders. 7. Your Ship Queen was dispatched the 11 June last upon the expiration of the ten Working days she proceeded on her Voyage to Fort Marlbro the 22 of the same Month. 8. Noquedah Pocolum the Mallay Prisoner being desirous of returning to his Native Country upon the Ship Queen, and having Petitioned Us for permission, We in consequence of the 14 Paragraph of your General Letter dated the 8 January 1772 granted him his request, and acquainted the President & Council of Fort Marlbro thereof. We have also paid Captn.	4: The work of the Company's slaves had changed in some respects since the Council last sent a list of them. It therefore enclosed a new and exact list showing how each was now employed. 5: On 13 April 1778 the Council issued a set of bills of exchange to James Winston, chief mate of the Earl of Mansfield. The bills were for £406 0s 0d, payable to George Lawrence or to his order 90 days after sight. They were entered in the consultation of that day. They were left out of the general letter of 20 May 1778 because of the rush of business and because nearly all the Company's officials were then very ill. A severe cold had spread through the island at the time and killed many of the inhabitants. 6: John Doveton and Nathaniel Kennedy told the Council that their five-year contracts as writers had ended on 10 May 1778. They asked to be raised to the rank of factor. The Council appointed them, in line with the Court's standing orders. 7: The Queen was sent off on 11 June 1778, once her ten working days had run out. She sailed for Fort Marlborough on 22 June 1778. 8: Roquedah Pookollam, the Malay prisoner, wished to return to his own country on the Queen, and he petitioned the Council for leave to go. Acting on the 14th paragraph of the Court's general letter of 8 January 1772, the Council granted his request. It informed the President and Council of Fort Marlborough of his return. The Council also paid the captain, as the letter went on to explain. Interpretations The Malay prisoner shows St Helena's use as a place of confinement for men the Company wanted removed from its eastern settlements. A prisoner sent from Bencoolen to an island thousands of miles from home and from any ship he could not be watched on posed no threat to Company rule in Sumatra. His release depended on the Court's instruction of 1772, which evidently allowed him to go home once he asked. The Council did not decide the matter on its own judgement. It acted on standing authority and warned Fort Marlborough before he arrived, so that the government there could prepare for the return of a man it had once sent away. The cold that the Council first described as an epidemic had in fact killed many inhabitants. For a small, isolated population with little resistance to infections brought by ships, such an outbreak could be as deadly as a far more serious disease would be elsewhere. It disrupted the Company's business as well. Accounts went unchecked, the plantation survey was delayed and entries were left out of the letters, which the Council now had to put right one by one.
313	308	Captn. Douglas £ 20 - for his Passage he promising to supply him with a Cabbin and fresh Provision from his Table. And as we apprehend that should he not find his expectations Answer, he may in all probability return in which case We Request Your instructions how We are to act respecting him. 9. Having received Instructions from Sir Charles Raymond Bart. & Edwd. Lord Chick Esqr. relative to a Legacy of a £ 1000 - Given by the late Mrs. Mary Hunt to the poor Widows and Orphans residing upon this Island. We agreable thereto, and according to your Instructions readily undertook the management of the same, have for that purpose drawn from your Cash the said Sum of £ 1000 - and distributed it amongst such proper Objects as we thought most deserving and agreable to the intention of the Testatrix. 10. In the 17 Paragraph of Our Letter under date of the 20 May We informed you that We should direct an accurate survey to be taken of the proposed fence for inclosing Long Wood, since which Mr. Wrangham has measured the said Ground, where he judged the Fence might be carried on with most ease and least expence, the Plot of which We now transmit, and beg leave to observe that, from the best information find We were much mistaken with respect to the Sum we judged last Year it might Cost. As the Boundary's of the said Fence is near three Miles and a half, and the Stones to build the greatest part thereof only to be got by blowing in one particular Spot which must be Carted round the Whole, to compleat a fence of at least, five feet in height, being fully convinced a Bank thrown up will not answer the desired	Captain Douglas of the Queen was paid £20 0s 0d for the prisoner's passage. In return he promised to give him a cabin and fresh food from the captain's own table. The Council suspected that if the man found things at home were not as he hoped, he would probably come back. It asked the Court for instructions on how to deal with him if he did. 9: The Council received instructions from Sir Charles Raymond, baronet, and Edward Lord Chick about the legacy of £1,000 0s 0d left by the late Mary Hunt to the poor widows and orphans of the island. Following those instructions and the Court's own orders, the Council gladly took charge of the bequest. It drew the full £1,000 0s 0d from the treasury and shared it among the people it judged most deserving and most in keeping with Mary Hunt's wishes. 10: In paragraph 17 of its letter of 20 May 1778, the Council promised an accurate survey of the proposed fence around the Long Wood. William Wrangham had since measured the ground along the line where he judged the fence could be built most easily and cheaply. The Council sent the Court his plan. It admitted that, on the best advice now available, its estimate of the cost given the year before had been far too low. The boundary ran for nearly three and a half miles. Most of the stone for the wall could be obtained only by blasting at one particular place, and it would then have to be carted all the way round the line. The fence had to be at least five feet high. The Council was fully convinced that an earth bank would not serve the purpose, as the letter went on to explain. Interpretations The Council's survey undid its own case of July 1777. It had then promised the Court a fence for no more than £3,000 0s 0d. Wrangham's measurements showed a boundary of three and a half miles and a wall that could only be built of stone blasted at a single quarry and hauled round the whole circuit. An earth bank would have been far cheaper, and it was the obvious alternative. The Council ruled it out because a bank would not stop the animals that were destroying the wood. Goats in particular could scramble over a sloping bank where they could not climb a five-foot wall. By admitting its mistake openly and sending the plan, the Council left the Court to decide whether the wood was worth the real cost. The terms arranged for the Malay prisoner show that he was treated as a man of rank rather than an ordinary convict. A cabin and a place at the captain's table were what a gentleman passenger would expect. That suggests he had been sent to St Helena as a political prisoner, removed from Sumatra for reasons of state rather than for a common crime. The Council's expectation that he might return reflected how uncertain his welcome at home was after years away. The legacy was settled on the terms the Council had proposed in September 1777. The treasury paid out the £1,000 0s 0d on the island, and the Court would recover the sum from the executors in London. The Council then distributed the money at its own discretion. It acted in effect as trustee for the island's poor in place of the parish churchwardens who had first raised the matter.
314	309	end. We cannot with precision ascertain the amount of such an undertaking, but as Mr. Wrangham has made some proposals to Execute the same by Contract for Five Thousand Pounds, which from the best Collected Opinions We judged, it may Cost about that Sum. We therefore submit the same to your Honors Consideration, and agreable to Mr. Wranghams request have entered his Letter, and proposals on our Consultation of 17 Instant, to which We beg leave to refer you. 11. Agreable to the 13 Paragraph of your General Letter of 23 January last, We appointed Mr. Willm. Wrangham and Major Henry Bazett to take a Survey of your Plantations, their Report as entered on Consultation of the 29 June, to which We beg leave to refer you and have adopted their proposals for increasing the same, which from a Comparative View of their produces when Mr. Hutchinson quitted his Government with the present time, there appears a Deficiency of 200,000 Yams, which is principally owing to Peskins and Bamboo Gut Plantations thrown up for Pasture Ground being worn out for the produce of Yams but the Sandy Bay & Maldavia Grounds have rather increased since that period. 12. On the Arrival of Lieut. Hobson p Ship Queen We appointed him to do duty in the Artillery, and agreable to the 31 Para. of Our General Letter dated 20 May informing You of Mr. Hays chusing to Continue Surgeons Assistant, rather than hold a Commission, We sent for, and acquainted him he was then to Resign his Military Employ. We now want three Subaltern Officers to compleat Our	No one could say exactly what such a project would cost. William Wrangham had, however, offered to build the fence under contract for £5,000 0s 0d, a figure he based on the best opinions he could gather. The Council put his offer to the Court for decision. At Wrangham's request, his letter and proposals were entered in a consultation held earlier in the month, and the Council referred the Court to them. 11: As the Court instructed in the 13th paragraph of its letter of 23 January 1778, the Council appointed William Wrangham and Major Henry Bazett to survey the Company's plantations. Their report was entered in the consultation of 29 June 1778. The Council adopted their proposals for increasing the plantations' output. Comparing the present crop with the crop when Mr Hutchinson left the governorship showed a fall of 200,000 yams. The main cause was that the Perkins's and Bamboo Gut plantations had been turned over to pasture once their soil was too exhausted to grow yams. The grounds at Sandy Bay and Maldivia had, if anything, produced more since then. 12: When Lieutenant Hotson arrived on the Queen, the Council posted him to the artillery. The Council's letter of 20 May 1778 had reported in its 31st paragraph that Hay had chosen to remain assistant surgeon rather than keep his commission. With Hotson now in place, the Council sent for Hay and told him he must give up his military post. The garrison still needed three junior officers to bring it up to strength, as the letter went on to explain. Interpretations Wrangham's offer to build the fence placed a member of Council on both sides of a bargain. He had surveyed the ground, estimated the cost and now proposed to do the work himself for £5,000 0s 0d. The Council did not accept or reject the offer. It entered his proposals in the consultations at his own request and left the decision to the Court. Recording the offer openly protected both Wrangham and his colleagues against any charge that a councillor had arranged a Company contract for his own profit. The Court could judge the price against Wrangham's own survey, which had already shown the Council's earlier figure of £3,000 0s 0d to be far too low. The plantation survey measured the island's food supply in yams, the staple food grown to feed the Company's slaves. A fall of 200,000 yams since Hutchinson's time was a serious loss for an island that already depended on shipped rice, and Bengal had sent less than ordered by the Europa. The survey traced the fall to exhausted soil. Old plantations had been worked until they would no longer bear yams and then given up to grazing. The newer grounds at Sandy Bay and Maldivia had only partly made up the difference. Hay's removal shows the Council finally carrying out the Court's order once it could. In May 1778 it had kept him in the artillery because his departure would have left only one junior officer. Hotson's arrival removed that obstacle, and Hay was released within weeks.
315	310	Our Establishment, and if your Honors think proper to send Us any Lieutenants from England Request they may be qualifyed to hold Commissions in the Artillery, as Lieut. Leech and Hobsons appointment to that Company, was through necessity and under a promise of being removed, unless you think proper to give them promotion from the dates of their Commissions with the Officers in the Infantry Corps. 13. We beg leave to inform you that We have received from Fort William p Ship Sea Horse nine Pipes of Madeira Wine, but only three of them inserted on the said Ships Invoice also three by Ship Duke of Portland, and must observe, the six Pipes that are Invoiced amount to the extravagant Price of £ 48 . 12 - each exclusive of Charges Merchandize therefore apprehend, from every report of the Price of Madeira, this must be a mistake, and that the Invoice Charge was intended for the twelve Pipes. And as you have Ordered your Servants here should pay 30 p Cent on this Article it makes it amount to the exorbitant Price of £ 63 . 3 . 7 p Pipe which is much beyond what they can afford to give, it must therefore remain in your Stores until we receive Your Directions, at what price the said Wine is to be Charged. 14. Having Yearly applications made to Us from the Captns. of the Store Ships to receive Money into your Cash here, for Bills upon you which they Claim as a privilege by Charter Party. We request you will please to give Us your directions whether we are under the necessity of receiving what	The Council asked that any lieutenants the Court sent from England be fit to serve in the artillery. Leech and Hotson had been posted to that company only because there was no one else, and on the promise that they would be moved. The alternative was for the Court to rank them for promotion from the dates of their commissions, alongside the officers of the infantry. 13: The Council reported that the Sea Horse had brought nine pipes of Madeira wine from Fort William, although her invoice listed only three. The Duke of Portland brought three more. The six pipes that appeared on the invoices were charged at the extravagant price of £48 12s 0d each, before shipping and handling charges. Everything the Council knew about the price of Madeira suggested this was an error, and that the invoice sum was meant to cover all twelve pipes. The Court had ordered its officials on the island to pay a 30 per cent mark-up on this item. At the invoice price, that made the wine cost £63 3s 7d a pipe, far more than they could afford. The wine would therefore stay in the Company's stores until the Court said at what price it should be charged. 14: Every year the commanders of the store ships asked to pay money into the island treasury in return for bills drawn on the Court. They claimed this as a right under the charter party. The Council asked the Court to say whether it was obliged to accept their money, as the letter went on to explain. Interpretations The Madeira came to St Helena by an indirect route. Ships bound for India often called at Madeira on the way out and took on wine. The voyage through the tropics was believed to improve it, and Bengal became a market and store for it. Wine reaching the island from Fort William had made that long round trip. A pipe was a large cask holding about 110 gallons. The Court allowed its officials on the island to buy such wine from the stores at cost plus 30 per cent. The Council could have issued it at the invoice price and the mark-up as the rules required. It refused, because the invoice was probably wrong and the officials would have paid far too much. It held the wine in store and asked the Court to fix a fair price. This protected the officials from overpaying, and the Company from selling wine at a price that might later be shown to rest on a clerical error. The commanders' claim to remit money through the treasury mattered because bills of exchange were the main way of moving private money home. If the charter party gave the store-ship commanders a right to bills, the Council could not refuse them, whatever the treasury's needs. Bills drawn without limit committed the Court to paying sums in London that the Council had not chosen to raise. By asking for a ruling, the Council sought to know whether it could control the amount of its own remittances. The Council's remark about Leech and Hotson concerned their careers. Officers in the artillery and the infantry rose by seniority within their own branch. Leech had already warned in 1778 that staying in the artillery would block his promotion. The Council's proposal to rank him and Hotson with the infantry from the dates of their commissions would let them serve where they were needed without losing their place in the queue.
316	311	what Money they may offer in future, as from that circumstance together with what Cash we have received by your Orders and indulgence to your Servants here has swelled your Cash to a greater amount than is necessary for the Annual disbursements of this Island therefore submit to your Honors Consideration should you have occasion to supply your Settlement of Fort Marlbro with Treasure, whether you would approve of Our Sending such a Sum from hence as you may think expedient. 15. On the 25 June there was a Signal made for a Ship to Windward, which plyed for four Days nearly in the same situation off Prosperous Bay from which We apprehended she was a Cruizer therefore came to a resolution to have one of the Long Boats Decked in order to Cruize, and give Intelligence to any of our Ships which might be running Down for the Island, but was disappointed in Our Project from the want of a Quadrant, and as five of Our Ships have since Arrived without meeting an Enemy judge, if she was a Cruizer she did not stay long on her Station, and as the Boat is already fitted for Sea, We purpose keeping her, in case of a future emergency, and have purchased a Quadrant on your Account. 16. It appearing to Us that Prosperous Bay and Turks Cap Valley had formerly some Guns for their Defence which has been since removed, We therefore on viewing the same agreed to replace them, and make a Road for transporting the Field Carriages to the Heights which we think absolutely necessary, and from the Engineers Report will not be attended with much expence.	Paragraph 14 continued with the Council's reason for asking. The commanders' payments, together with the cash it had received under the Court's orders and from officials allowed to remit money, had swelled the treasury far beyond what the island needed for its yearly spending. The Council therefore put a suggestion to the Court. If Fort Marlborough needed coin, the Council could send whatever sum the Court thought fit from St Helena. 15: On 25 June 1778 the lookouts signalled a ship to windward. For four days she sailed back and forth in almost the same position off Prosperous Bay, and the Council feared she was an enemy raider. It decided to have one of the longboats fitted with a deck so that she could patrol offshore and warn any of the Company's ships heading for the island. The plan failed because there was no quadrant on the island to navigate with. Five Company ships had since arrived without seeing an enemy. If the stranger was a raider, she had evidently not stayed long. The boat was already fitted for sea, so the Council meant to keep her ready for any future emergency. It had also bought a quadrant at the Company's expense. 16: The Council noted that Prosperous Bay and [...] Valley had once had guns to defend them, but these had since been taken away. After inspecting both places, the Council agreed to replace the guns. It would also build a road to move field guns up to the heights above them. The Council considered this essential, and the engineer reported that it would not cost much. Interpretations The Council's offer to send coin to Fort Marlborough turned the island's usual money problem on its head. St Helena normally struggled to keep enough cash, which was why bills of exchange were so useful. Now the treasury held more than it needed, because commanders, officials and others had paid in money for bills on London. The obvious course was to refuse further deposits, and the Council asked whether it could. It also proposed a second option, to put the surplus to work. Fort Marlborough was a Company settlement that had to be supplied with coin from elsewhere. Sending St Helena's surplus there would save the Court the cost and risk of shipping treasure all the way from England in wartime. The episode of the strange ship showed how exposed the island was. Prosperous Bay lay on the windward east coast, far from Jamestown, and was one of the few places where troops could land. A raider waiting off that coast could intercept Company ships as they approached. The Council had no warship to send out, so it improvised by putting a deck on a longboat to carry warnings. The plan then failed for want of a quadrant, the instrument needed to fix a ship's position by the sun. Without one, a boat sent out of sight of land could not be sure of finding the island again. Buying a quadrant and keeping the boat ready, and putting guns back at Prosperous Bay, were the Council's responses to a threat that had shown up the gaps in its defences.
317	312	17. William Markdown a Recruit destined for Fort Marlbro by the Ship Duke of Grafton, in the Year 1776 having secreted himself upon this place on the Sailing of that Ship we took the opportunity of sending him thither p Alfred the following Season, and referred Captn. Williamson to the President and Council of that Settlement for the payment of his Passage, he accordingly applied to them for the same which they refused: Upon his return to this Island he addressed the Board to know how his Owners were to be indemnified for the Passage of the aforesaid Man, but as we could not charge this Settlement with it we gave him a Certificate of his having carried the said Soldier to the aforesaid Presidency and referred him to your Honors for the payment thereof. 18. On the 24 of last Month Arrived your Honors Ships Sea Horse from Bengal, and Duke of Kingston from Madrass (both last from the Cape) The 25 the Stormont from China, the 2 instant the Duke of Portland from Bengal, And the 18 the Royal Charlotte from China (last from the Cape) Captn. Arthur informs Us he sailed from Fort William the 7 March 1778 & Captn. Sutton the 22 April following, where he acquaints Us he left the Northington and Resolution, but was not certain when they were to sail. Captn. Mason tells Us he left Fort St. George the 17 March last, and the Lord North there. Captns. Arthur, and Mason also inform Us that the Ships Nassau, Southampton and Mount Stuart were at the Cape when they Arrived there and had sailed from thence before they left it. Captn. Cotton acquaints Us he Arrived at the Cape of Good Hope the 6 July last & that he left the Ship Queen there the 28 of last Month.	17: William Mardoum, a recruit bound for Fort Marlborough on the Duke of Grafton in 1776, hid himself on St Helena when that ship sailed. The Council took the chance to send him on by the Alfred the following season. It told Captain Williamson to claim payment for the passage from the President and Council of Fort Marlborough. Williamson applied to them, but they refused. When he returned to St Helena he asked the Council how his owners were to be paid for carrying the man. The Council could not charge the cost to the island's accounts. It therefore gave Williamson a certificate that he had delivered the soldier to Fort Marlborough and referred him to the Court for payment. 18: On the 24th of the previous month the Company's ships Sea Horse from Bengal and Duke of Kingston from Madras arrived. Both had called last at the Cape. Three more ships followed. Stormont, from China, on the 25th of the previous month. Duke of Portland, from Bengal, on the 2nd of the current month. Royal Charlotte, from China, after a last call at the Cape, on the 18th of the current month. Captain Arthur reported that he sailed from Fort William on 7 March 1778. Captain Sutton followed in April. Sutton said he left the Northington and the Resolution at Fort William, but did not know when they would sail. Captain Mace said he left Fort St George on 17 March 1778, with the Lord North still lying there. Arthur and Mace both reported that the Nassau, the Southampton and the Mount Stuart were at the Cape when they arrived and had sailed before they left. Captain Cotton reported that he reached the Cape of Good Hope on 6 July 1778. He left the Queen there on the 28th of the previous month. Interpretations Mardoum's case shows how the Company's settlements each guarded their own accounts. The recruit had been enlisted for Fort Marlborough, so the cost of getting him there belonged to that settlement. Fort Marlborough nevertheless refused to pay when Williamson delivered him, probably because the passage arose from his desertion at St Helena rather than from his original shipment. The obvious course for St Helena was to pay the captain itself to settle the matter. The Council refused, since paying would have charged the island with a cost it did not owe and that the Court might later disallow. Instead it gave Williamson a certificate proving the service and sent the claim to London. This was the same method the Council had used for the invalids' passages in July 1777: a disputed cost between the Company and a ship's owners was settled by the Court, which alone had authority over every settlement's accounts.
318	313	19. We have given Captn. Sutton Orders to receive on Board the Duke of Portland to Compleat that Ships Company William Mc. Beth, Hand Peters James Sabrey and Peter Roberts four discharged Soldiers. 20. The Passengers on Board the Duke of Kingston are, Henry Goodwin Esqr. Charles Floyer Esqr. and Family Mr. Hessman & Family, Colonel Ross and Family, Mr. Shaw and Family & Messrs. Aubrey & Rowley, On the Duke of Portland Mrs. Crisp Captn. Johnson, and Messrs. Farrer, Cooper, & Williams On the Stormont Mr. Charles Gordon, and on the Sea Horse Chas. B. Rous Esqr. Captns. Bevan Gowan, Stone and Mc. Clintock Mrs. Stewart & Miss Macarty. 21. We have granted the following Sets of Bills of Exchange viz. One to Mr. Clement Fall for £ 300 - payable to George Lempriere Esqr. One to Mr. Patrick Bowie for £ 50 - payable to Mr. James Hadley and one to Mr. Richard Farrington for £ 200 - payable to Mr. William Farrington (or Order) dated the 19 June last. One Set to John Skottowe Esqr. Governor for £ 500 - payable to Captn. Nichs. Skottowe, Three Sets to Major Daniel Corneille, One for £ 60 . 3 payable to Captn. John Broadley, One for £ 29 . 15 - payable to Messrs. Stainforth Leborne and Stainforth, And One for £ 48 - payable to John Callaud Esqr. One to Mr. Mattw. Bazett for £ 350 - payable to Matthew Parling Esqr. Three to Mr. William Wrangham, One for £ 200 - payable to Captn. Richard Pearce, One for £ 140 - payable to Matthew Parling Esqr. And the other for £ 586 . 2 . 6 payable to Richard Beecher & Robt. Brooke Esqrs. One to Major Henry Bazett £ 300 - payable to Matthew Parling Esqr. One to Mr. Jonathan Doveton for £ 1000 - payable to Mr. George Atherton, One to Mr. John Goodwin for	19: The Council ordered Captain Sutton to take four discharged soldiers on board the Duke of Portland to help make up her crew. William McBeth Hand Peters James Sabrey Peter Roberts 20: The passengers on the homeward ships were as follows. On the Duke of Kingston: Henry Goodwin, Charles Floyer and his family, Mr Hessman and his family, Colonel Ross and his family, Mr Shaw and his family, Mr Aubrey and Mr Rowley. On the Duke of Portland: Mrs Crisp, Captain Johnson, Mr Farrer, Mr Cowper and Mr Williams. On the Stormont: Charles Gordon. On the Sea Horse: Charles B. Rous, Captain Bevan, Captain Gowan, Captain Stone, Captain McClintock, Mr Stewart and Miss Macartney. 21: The Council issued the following sets of bills of exchange. One to Clement Fall for £300 0s 0d, payable to George Lempriere One to Patrick Bowie for £50 0s 0d, payable to James Hardie One to Richard Harrington for £200 0s 0d, payable to William Harrington or to his order, dated 19 June 1778 One set to Governor John Skottowe for £500 0s 0d, payable to Captain Nathaniel Skottowe Three sets to Major Daniel Corneille, the first for £60 3s 0d, payable to Captain John Bradley The second to Major Daniel Corneille for £29 15s 0d, payable to Staniforth, Giberne and Staniforth The third to Major Daniel Corneille for £48 0s 0d, payable to John Calland One to Matthew Bazett for £350 0s 0d, payable to Matthew Purling Three to William Wrangham, the first for £200 0s 0d, payable to Captain Richard Pearce The second to William Wrangham for £140 0s 0d, payable to Matthew Purling The third to William Wrangham for £886 2s 6d, payable to Richard Becher and Robert Brooke One to Major Henry Bazett for £300 0s 0d, payable to Matthew Purling One to Jonathan Doveton for £1,000 0s 0d, payable to George Ritherdon A further set went to John Goodwin, as the letter went on to say. Interpretations These bills were the deposits that had swollen the treasury. Earlier in the same letter the Council told the Court that the island's cash had grown well beyond its needs and offered to send the surplus to Fort Marlborough. Every bill in this list began as coin paid into the treasury on the island, and every member of the Council appeared among the senders. The Governor himself remitted £500 0s 0d to Captain Nathaniel Skottowe, probably a relative acting for him in England. Wrangham sent more than £1,200 0s 0d across three bills. The same names and London agents recur from the July 1777 list, Purling and Calland among them. Taken together, the two lists show the councillors regularly converting their island earnings and trading profits into money in England. The surplus the Council offered to put to the Company's use was built largely from its own members' private remittances.
319	314	for £ 70 - payable to Mr. Thomas Wakefield, One to Mr. Thomas Stroud for £ 80 - payable to Captn. John Reddall, One to the Attorneys of Captn. James Tippet for £ 925 . 9 - payable to Thomas Wood Esqr. One to the Attorneys of Matthew Parling Esqr. for £ 1412 . 18 - payable to himself And One Set to Mr. William Webber Doveton for £ 90 - payable to Mrs. Mary Slade (or Order) dated the 17 instant, and all drawn at Ninety days sight. 22. Mr. Stroud Surgeon of the Island having represented to Us the want of an Electrical Machine, which will be of infinite use in several Medical Cases, that arise in this Garrison We request you will please to send Us one the next Year. 23. We have to acquaint your Honors that Captn. Sutton has detained 13 Cs. 3 . 3 Rice and 15 Cs. 8 Paddy Consigned to Us, for the use of this Island from the Presidency of Bengal. 24. This Letter waits on you by the Ship Stormont which sails from hence in Company with the Duke of Portland, Sea Horse, Duke of Kingston and Royal Charlotte. Copies of which are transmitted by the abovementioned Ships Duke of Portland and Sea Horse. We are Honorable Sirs Your most Obedient and humble Servants (Signed) Jno. Skottowe Danl. Corneille Mattw. Bazett Wm. Wrangham Henry Bazett St. Helena 20 August 1778	A further bill went to John Goodwin, and the list ended with five more. One to John Goodwin for £70 0s 0d, payable to Thomas Wakefield One to Thomas Strond for £80 0s 0d, payable to Captain John Riddale One to the attorneys of Captain James Tippet for £925 9s 0d, payable to Thomas Wood One to the attorneys of Matthew Purling for £1,412 18s 0d, payable to Purling himself One set to William Webber Doveton for £90 0s 0d, payable to Mary Slade or to her order These last bills were dated 17 August 1778. All the bills were payable 90 days after sight. 22: Mr Strond, the island's surgeon, reported that he needed an electrical machine. He said it would be extremely useful in treating several kinds of illness that occurred in the garrison. The Council asked the Court to send one the following year. 23: Captain Sutton had kept on board his ship rice and paddy that the Bengal government had sent for the island's use. The rice amounted to 5 tons 3 hundredweight 2 quarters, and the paddy to 15 [...] 8 [...]. 24: The letter went to the Court by the Stormont, which was sailing together with four other Company ships. Duke of Portland Sea Horse Duke of Kingston Royal Charlotte Copies went by the Duke of Portland and the Sea Horse. The Council signed the letter at St Helena on 20 August 1778. John Skottowe Daniel Corneille Matthew Bazett William Wrangham Henry Bazett Interpretations The electrical machine was a device that produced static electricity by turning a glass globe or cylinder against a rubbing pad. The charge was stored in a Leyden jar and given to the patient as a series of mild shocks. In the 1770s electrical treatment was fashionable in British hospitals and among army and navy surgeons. It was used above all for paralysis, rheumatism and nervous complaints. Strond's request shows the island's surgeon keeping up with medical practice in England and expecting the Court to pay for it. Sutton's keeping back the Bengal rice repeated what Captain Waghorn did in July 1777. Each time, a commander kept on board food sent for the island, and the Council could only report it. The supply from Bengal was already falling short, after the Europa carried only five tons in 1778 and the plantations produced 200,000 fewer yams. Every cargo held back left the island more dependent on its own failing crops. The bill for £925 9s 0d drawn by Captain Tippet's attorneys moved the dismissed officer's money from St Helena to England. Earlier in the year the Court had expected those same attorneys to pay a debt into the treasury. The two transactions together suggest that his affairs on the island were being wound up, with his remaining money sent home once the Company's claim on him had been met.
320	315	List of the Honble. Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Stormont dated the 20 August 1778 No. 1 Govr. and Councils General Letter dated 20 August 1778 2 Do. & Do. Do. dated 20 Do. Do. relating to Law matters 3 Duplicate Do. & Do. Do. dated 20 May 1778 4 Do. Do. & Do. Do. dated 20 Do. Do. relating to Law matters 5 Do. Do. & Do. Do. dated 22 May 1778 6 Do. Do. & Do. Do. dated 9 June Do. 7 Consultations from the 25 May to the 20 August 1778 8 Duplicate Do. from the 9 March to the 20 May Do. 9 Effective State of the Garrison 10 Muster Rolls of Do. 11 Cash Account from the 21 to 31 May 1778 12 Do. Do. for the Month of June Do. 13 Do. Do. for the Month of July Do. 14 Do. Do. from the 1 to the 20 August Do. 15 Duplicate Do. from the 8 to the 31 March 1778 16 Do. Do. for the Month of Apl. Do. 17 Do. Do. from the 1 to the 20 May Do. 18 Ship Duke of Kingstons Account 19 Do. Sea Horses Do. 20 Do. Stormonts Do. 21 Do. Duke of Portlands Do. 22 Do. Queens Do. 23 Do. Royal Charlottes Do. 24 Duplicate Ship Earl of Mansfields Account 25 Do. Ship Earl of Sandwichs Do. 26 Do. Ship Alfreds Do. 27 Do. Ship Primes Do.	The Company's packet sent from St Helena by the Stormont on 20 August 1778 contained the following papers. 1: General letter from the Governor and Council, dated 20 August 1778 2: Further general letter from the Governor and Council, dated 20 August 1778, on legal matters 3: Duplicate of the general letter from the Governor and Council, dated 20 May 1778 4: Duplicate of the general letter from the Governor and Council, dated 20 May 1778, on legal matters 5: Duplicate of the general letter from the Governor and Council, dated 22 May 1778 6: Duplicate of the general letter from the Governor and Council, dated 9 June 1778 7: Consultations from 25 May to 20 August 1778 8: Duplicate consultations from 9 March to 20 May 1778 9: Effective state of the garrison 10: Muster rolls of the garrison 11: Cash account from 21 May to 31 May 1778 12: Cash account for June 1778 13: Cash account for July 1778 14: Cash account from 1 August to 20 August 1778 15: Duplicate cash account from 8 March to 31 March 1778 16: Duplicate cash account for April 1778 17: Duplicate cash account from 1 May to 20 May 1778 18: Account of the ship Duke of Kingston. 19: Account of the ship Sea Horse. 20: Account of the ship Stormont. 21: Account of the ship Duke of Portland. 22: Account of the ship Queen. 23: Account of the ship Royal Charlotte. 24: Duplicate account of the ship Earl of Mansfield. 25: Duplicate account of the ship Earl of Sandwich. 26: Duplicate account of the ship Alfred. 27: Duplicate account of the ship Pon[...].
321	316	28 Duplicate Ship Ceres's Account 29 Do. Ship Houghtons Do. 30 Do. Ship Resolutions Do. 31 Do. Ship Hawkes Do. 32 Do. Ship Princess Royals Do. 33 Do. Ship Worcesters Do. 34 Do. Ship True Britons Do. 35 First Receipt for the Packet p his Majesty's Ship Warwick 36 Do. Do. for a small paper Do. p Ship Hawke 37 Do. Do. for a Do. Do. p Ship Do. 38 Do. Do. for a Do. Do. p Ship Houghton 39 Do. Do. for a Do. Do. p Dane Ship Prince Frederic 40 Second Do. for the Packet p his Majesty's Ship Salisbury 41 Do. Do. for a small Paper Do. p Ship Egmont 42 Do. Do. for a Do. p Ship Europa 43 Do. Do. for a Do. p Swede Ship Stockholm Slott 44 Do. Do. for a Do. p Do. Sophia Magdelina 45 Proceedings of a Genl. Quartly. Sessions held on the 8 July 78 46 Duplicate of a Do. Do. held on the 29 Apl. 78 47 Do. List of the Packet p his Majesty's Ship Warwick 48 Do. Indent of Stores wanted for the Service of the Year 79 49 Do. Do. Medicines wanted for Do. Do. Do. 50 Do. List of Stores remaining in the Honble. Compy. Ware Houses the 30 Apl. 78 51 Do. of Garrison Stores remaining in Do. Do. 30 Apl. 78 52 Do. of Artillery Do. Do. Do. Do. 30 Do. Do. 53 Do. Surgeons Certificate of William Long an Invalid Soldr. 54 Govr. & Councils first Certificate of Sundry Warlike Stores and other Articles Landed from Ships Earl of Mansfield & Queen 55 Do. & Do. first Certificate of Provision Landed from Ships Earl of Mansfield & Queen	The list of the packet sent by the Stormont continued with the following papers. 28: Duplicate account of the ship Ceres. 29: Duplicate account of the ship Houghton. 30: Duplicate account of the ship Resolution. 31: Duplicate account of the ship Hawke. 32: Duplicate account of the ship Princess Royal. 33: Duplicate account of the ship Worcester. 34: Duplicate account of the ship True Briton. 35: First receipt for the packet sent by the King's ship Warwick. 36: First receipt for a small packet of papers sent by the ship Hawke. 37: First receipt for a second small packet of papers sent by the ship Hawke. 38: First receipt for a small packet of papers sent by the ship Houghton. 39: First receipt for a small packet of papers sent by the Danish ship Prince Frederick. 40: Second receipt for the packet sent by the King's ship Salisbury. 41: Second receipt for a small packet of papers sent by the ship Egmont. 42: Second receipt for a small packet of papers sent by the ship Europa. 43: Second receipt for a small packet of papers sent by the Swedish ship Stockholm Slott. 44: Second receipt for a small packet of papers sent by the Swedish ship Sophia Magdalena. 45: Proceedings of the general quarterly court held on 8 July 1778 46: Duplicate proceedings of the general quarterly court held on 29 April 1778 47: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the King's ship Warwick. 48: Duplicate indent of stores needed for the year 1779 49: Duplicate indent of medicines needed for the year 1779 50: Duplicate list of stores left in the Company's warehouses on 30 April 1778 51: Duplicate list of garrison stores left on 30 April 1778 52: Duplicate list of artillery stores left on 30 April 1778 53: Duplicate surgeon's certificate for William Long, invalid soldier 54: First certificate from the Governor and Council for various military stores and other items landed from the ships Earl of Mansfield and Queen. 55: First certificate from the Governor and Council for provisions landed from the Earl of Mansfield and the Queen.
322	317	56 Govr. & Councils First Certificate of Flour Landed from Ships Earl of Mansfield & Queen 57 List of the Honble. Company's Slaves taken 17 July 1778 58 Time of the Arrival of Ships Boats at Banks's 59 Abstract of the Cargoes of Ships Duke of Kingston Sea Horse Stormont Duke of Portland & Royal Charlotte 60 Plot of Long Wood 61 Noquedah Pocolums Petition Govr. & Lieut. Govr. Letters to the Secret Committee p Ships Stormont Duke of Portland & Sea Horse Memorandum A Packet to Sir Charles Raymond Bart. and Edward Lord Chick Esqr. To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. We addressed you under date of the 21 August last by the Ship Stormont which Sailed from hence in Company with the Duke of Portland, Sea Horse, Duke of Kingston and Royal Charlotte Copies of which were transmitted by the Ships Duke of Portland and Sea Horse. 2. On the 25 of August last Arrived your Ship York from Bombay and the 20 September his Majesty's Ship Belliqueux from England. Captn. Blanshard acquaints Us he left Bombay the 29 April 1778 and the Valentine there which Ship being refitted was to sail for Madrass in about a Month after to take in her Cargoe for Europe. 3. We have given Captn. Blanshard an Order	The list of the packet sent by the Stormont ended with the following papers. 56: First certificate from the Governor and Council for flour landed from the Earl of Mansfield and the Queen. 57: List of the Company's slaves taken on 17 July 1778 58: Times at which ships' boats arrived at Banks's 59: Summary of the cargoes of the ships Duke of Kingston, Sea Horse, Stormont, Duke of Portland and Royal Charlotte. 60: Plan of the Long Wood 61: Petition of Roquedah Pookollam Letters from the Governor and the Lieutenant Governor to the Secret Committee went by the Stormont, the Duke of Portland and the Sea Horse. A note added that a packet was also sent to Sir Charles Raymond, baronet, and Edward Lord Chick. A new general letter to the Court followed. 1: The Council's previous letter, dated 20 August 1778, went by the Stormont. She sailed with four other Company ships. Duke of Portland Sea Horse Duke of Kingston Royal Charlotte Copies went by the Duke of Portland and the Sea Horse. 2: The Company's ship York arrived from Bombay on 25 August 1778, and the King's ship Belleisle arrived from England on 20 September 1778. Captain Blanshard of the York reported that he left Bombay on 29 April 1778. The Valentine was then lying there under repair. Once refitted, she was due to sail for Madras about a month later to load her cargo for Europe. 3: The Council gave Captain Blanshard an order, as the letter went on to explain.
323	318	to receive on board the York towards compleating that Ships Company James Roberts a discharged Serjeant. 4. Captain Pierie shortly after his Arrival at this Island represented to Us that the House allotted the Engineer was old and very small, as also the bad condition of the other two adjoining, belonging to the Chaplain and Surgeon. We directed him to lay before Us a Plan and Estimate for improving the said Premisses which Plans we now transmit for your direction together with his Letter on said subject as entered on Consultation of the 19 of last Month. 5. Your Honors having thought proper to Order that no buildings should be Erected without your special Licence, We beg leave to inform you that there is now an absolute necessity for a new Gaol the present one being old and totally insecure, several Prisoners having lately broke through the Walls of the same, therefore Request you will permit Us to pull down the Old and erect a new one the next Year. And as we have for some time past been under the necessity of hiring a House for holding Quarterly Sessions, which we can place no dependance upon longer than the Will of the present owner, submit to Your consideration whether it would not be to your Advantage to Build a Couple of Rooms for that purpose. 6. We have granted the following Bills of Exchange viz. One to Mr. David Hay for £ 20 - payable to Mr. John Johnston dated the 19 Sept. 1778. One to Mr. Wm. Wrangham for £ 100 - payable to Captn. Richard Pierce One to Lieut. Arthur Upton for £ 24 payable to Mrs. Ann Congreve. And one Set to Mr. James Desfountain for £ 50 - payable to Mr. Morris Jones dated this Day and all drawn at	The order was to take James Roberts, a discharged sergeant, on board the York to help make up her crew. 4: Soon after reaching the island, Captain Pierie reported that the house given to the engineer was old and very small. The two houses beside it, belonging to the chaplain and the surgeon, were also in poor condition. The Council told him to prepare a plan and an estimate for improving all three. It sent his plans to the Court for a decision, together with his letter on the subject, which was entered in the consultation of the 19th of the previous month. 5: The Court had ordered that no building should go up without its express permission. The Council reported that a new gaol was now essential. The existing one was old and entirely insecure, and several prisoners had recently broken out through its walls. The Council asked leave to pull it down and build a new one the following year. It also raised a second need. For some time it had been forced to rent a house to hold the quarterly court, and it could use the house only for as long as the owner allowed. The Council asked whether it would not be cheaper for the Company to build two rooms for the purpose. 6: The Council issued the following bills of exchange. One to David Kay for £20 0s 0d, payable to John Johnston, dated 19 September 1778 One to William Wrangham for £100 0s 0d, payable to Captain Richard Pierce One to Lieutenant Arthur Upton for £24 0s 0d, payable to Ann Congreve One set to James Desfountain for £50 0s 0d, payable to Morris Jones, dated the day of writing All the bills were payable after the usual period, as the letter went on to say. Interpretations The Court's rule that nothing could be built without its express permission followed from the dispute over the island's rising costs. The Council had explained the high figure for 1775 to 1776 partly by its building programme. The Court's answer was to take the decision to build out of the Council's hands. The effect shows clearly here. A gaol whose walls prisoners had already broken through could not be replaced without a request sent 5,000 miles and an answer that would take most of a year to return. The Council asked to start the work the following year, which was the earliest the Court's permission could arrive. The rented courtroom reveals a gap in the island's civil government. The quarterly court tried offences and settled disputes among the inhabitants, yet it had no building of its own. It met in a private house that the owner could take back at any time. The Council argued that two rooms built for the court would cost the Company less than paying rent indefinitely. It also made the point that the Company's justice should not depend on a private owner's goodwill.
324	319	at ninety days sight. 7. Captn. John Stone, late a Passenger upon the Ship Sea Horse, being left here sick at the House of Mr. David Hay, dying on the 6 of last Month We appointed the said Mr. Hay and the Secretary to Examine and settle his Accounts which being compleated they laid an Account Current of his Estate before Us on the 28 of the same Month which is Entered upon Consultation of that day, and there being a Balance of £ 916 . 6 . 9½ We have deposited it in your Treasury, but as the present State of your Honors Cash is high, and part of the above money being directed to private Persons in England We have not carried it to your Cash Account nor wrote it off to Account Current London as usual, but wait your Directions relative thereto, which we beg you will give Us the next Year. 8. As the last Quarters Accounts will not be laid before Us until the 19 instant we cannot transmit you a Cash Account to a later date than the 31 of August last. 9. We beg leave to refer you to Captn. Pieries Letter of the 5 October as Entered on Consultation of that date respecting what he recommends in erecting a Platform for a Howitzer and two Guns on Buttermilk Point, and strengthening the Portcullis of James's Valley at present in a very defenceless situation together with our Answer to his Letter, coinciding with him in opinion of the necessity for said Works, at the same time requiring a Section and Estimate of the expence of what he proposes doing towards strengthening the Port Cullis, which if not attended with any great expence, we may then consider whether the same can be carried into immediate execution before we receive	All the bills were payable 90 days after sight. 7: Captain John Stone, a passenger on the Sea Horse, was left on the island ill at the house of David Kay. He died on 6 September 1778. The Council appointed Kay and the Secretary to examine and settle his affairs. On 28 September 1778 they presented a statement of his estate, which was entered in the consultation of that day. It showed a balance of £915 6s 9¾d, and the Council placed the money in the treasury. The treasury already held a large sum, however, and part of Stone's money was owed to private persons in England. The Council therefore did not add it to the cash account or transfer it to the London account in the usual way. It asked the Court for instructions on how to deal with the money, to arrive the following year. 8: The accounts for the last quarter would not reach the Council until the 19th of the month. For that reason the cash account sent with this letter ran only to 31 August 1778. 9: The Council referred the Court to Captain Pierie's letter of 5 October 1778, entered in the consultation of that day. Pierie recommended building a platform on Buttermilk Point for a howitzer and two guns. He also recommended strengthening the portcullis in James Valley, which he found almost defenceless. The Council's reply was entered with his letter. It agreed that both works were needed and asked him for a cross-section drawing and an estimate of the cost of strengthening the portcullis. If the cost proved modest, the Council would consider starting the work at once rather than waiting for the Court's permission, as the letter went on to explain. Interpretations The Council's handling of Stone's estate departed from its usual practice for a stated reason. Normally money paid into the treasury was added to the island's cash and transferred to the London account, so that the Court could pay it out in England. The Council chose instead to hold the £915 6s 9¾d as a separate deposit. Earlier in the year it had told the Court that the treasury held far more coin than the island needed. Adding Stone's money to the cash would have swollen that surplus further, and passing it to London would have committed the Court to payments to Stone's creditors in England without instructions. Keeping it apart left the Court free to decide how the estate should be paid out. The proposal for the portcullis tested the Court's new rule that nothing could be built without its permission. A portcullis was a heavy grating that could be lowered to close a gateway, here in the line of fortifications across the mouth of James Valley. A howitzer was a short gun that fired explosive shells on a high arc, suited to a platform on a point overlooking the anchorage. In wartime, with an enemy ship possibly seen off Prosperous Bay in June, the Council was not prepared to leave the island's main gateway defenceless while it waited the best part of a year for an answer. By asking Pierie first for a cost, it kept the option of acting at once only if the expense was small enough to justify without the Court's leave.
325	320	receive your instructions thereon; but as Captn. Pierie has been for some Days indisposed which has prevented his laying before Us the said Section of that Work, and in his Letter of this Days Date has Estimated the said alteration to cost £ 250 - a Sum beyond what we think ourselves at liberty to lay out without your Directions. We take this opportunity of requesting your leave to Execute some Works for the Defence of that part of the Valley, as well as placing a Howitzer and two Guns on Butter Milk Point, as from the circumstance abovementioned it has been out of our power to be more full on that head. If we do not receive your directions by next Store Ships it will be a means of postponing so necessary a Work for a twelve month longer, which at this critical juncture of Public affairs may be of the utmost Consequence to the safety of this Island. 10. This Letter waits on your Honors by his Majesty's Ship Belliqueux Copy of which is transmitted p Ship York. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. and humble Servants (Signed) Jno. Skottowe Danl. Corneille Mattw. Bazett Wm. Wrangham Henry Bazett St. Helena 12 October 1778	Captain Pierie had been unwell for several days, however, and had not yet produced the cross-section of the work. In a letter dated 12 October 1778 he estimated the cost of strengthening the portcullis at £250 0s 0d. The Council judged this more than it could properly spend without the Court's instructions. It therefore asked the Court for leave to carry out works to defend that part of James Valley and to place a howitzer and two guns on Buttermilk Point. Pierie's illness had prevented the Council from giving fuller details. Unless the Court's answer came by the next store ships, the work would be delayed for another year. At so critical a time in public affairs, that delay might seriously endanger the island. 10: The letter went to the Court by the King's ship Belleisle, with a copy by the York. The Council signed it at St Helena on 12 October 1778. John Skottowe Daniel Corneille Matthew Bazett William Wrangham Henry Bazett Interpretations The Council had kept open the option of starting the portcullis work at once if the cost was small. Pierie's figure of £250 0s 0d settled the question. The Court's rule against building without permission had been laid down because of the island's rising costs, and the Council would not defy it for a sum of that size, even in wartime. It chose to wait, and set out plainly what waiting would cost. The store ships came once a year, so a request that missed them meant a full year's delay. By describing the situation as a critical time for public affairs and warning of danger to the island, the Council put the risk on record. If the defences proved inadequate before permission arrived, the delay would be seen to come from the Court's rule rather than from the Council's neglect.
326	321	List of the Honble. Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Belliqueux dated the 12 October 1778 No. 1 Governor and Councils Genl. Letter dated 12 Octr. 1778 2 Do. & Do. Do. dated Do. relatg. to Law matters 3 Duplicate Do. & Do. Do. dated 20 August 1778 4 Do. Do. & Do. Do. dated Do. relating to Law matters 5 Consultations from the 24 August to the 12 October 1778 6 Duplicate Do. from the 25 May to the 20 August Do. 7 Effective State of the Garrison 8 Cash Account from the 21 to the 31 August 1778 9 Duplicate Do. from 21 to the 31 May Do. 10 Do. Do. for the Month of June Do. 11 Do. Do. for the Month of July Do. 12 Do. Do. from the 1 to the 20 August Do. 13 Ship Yorks Account 14 Duplicate Ship Duke of Kingstons Account 15 Do. Ship Sea Horses Do. 16 Do. Ship Stormonts Do. 17 Do. Ship Duke of Portlands Do. 18 Do. Ship Queens Do. 19 Do. Ship Royal Charlottes Do. 20 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Stormont 21 First Do. for a small paper Do. p Ship Duke of Portland 22 First Do. for a Do. Do. p Ship Sea Horse 23 Second Do. for the Packet p his Majesty's Ship Warwick 24 Do. Do. for a small paper Packet p Ship Hawke 25 Do. Do. for a Do. Do. p Ship Do. 26 Do. Do. for a Do. Do. p Dane Ship Prince Frederick 27 Do. Do. for a Do. Do. p Ship Houghton 28 Proceedgs. of a Genl. Quarterly Sessions held on the 7 October 1778	The Company's packet sent from St Helena by the King's ship Belleisle on 12 October 1778 contained the following papers. 1: General letter from the Governor and Council, dated 12 October 1778 2: Further general letter from the Governor and Council, dated 12 October 1778, on legal matters 3: Duplicate of the general letter from the Governor and Council, dated 20 August 1778 4: Duplicate of the general letter from the Governor and Council, dated 20 August 1778, on legal matters 5: Consultations from 24 August to 12 October 1778 6: Duplicate consultations from 25 May to 20 August 1778 7: Effective state of the garrison 8: Cash account from 21 August to 31 August 1778 9: Duplicate cash account from 21 May to 31 May 1778 10: Duplicate cash account for June 1778 11: Duplicate cash account for July 1778 12: Duplicate cash account from 1 August to 20 August 1778 13: Account of the ship York. 14: Duplicate account of the ship Duke of Kingston. 15: Duplicate account of the ship Sea Horse. 16: Duplicate account of the ship Stormont. 17: Duplicate account of the ship Duke of Portland. 18: Duplicate account of the ship Queen. 19: Duplicate account of the ship Royal Charlotte. 20: First receipt for the packet sent by the ship Stormont. 21: First receipt for a small packet of papers sent by the ship Duke of Portland. 22: First receipt for a small packet of papers sent by the ship Sea Horse. 23: Second receipt for the packet sent by the King's ship Warwick. 24: Second receipt for a small packet of papers sent by the ship Hawke. 25: Second receipt for a second small packet of papers sent by the ship Hawke. 26: Second receipt for a small packet of papers sent by the Danish ship Prince Frederick. 27: Second receipt for a small packet of papers sent by the ship Houghton. 28: Proceedings of the general quarterly court held on 7 October 1778
327	322	No. 29 Duplicate Proceedings of a Genl. Quarterly Sessions held on the 8 July 1778 30 Do. List of the Packet p Ship Stormont 31 Governor and Councils Second Certificate of Sundry Warlike Stores & other Articles Landed from Ships Earl of Mansfield & Queen 32 Do. & Do. of Provision Landed from Do. & Do. 33 Do. & Do. of Flour Landed from Do. & Do. 34 Duplicate List of the Honorable Company's Slaves taken 17 July 78 35 Time of the Arrival of Ship Yorks Boat at Banks's 36 Abstract of the Cargoe of Ship York 37 List of Servants taken the 1 October 1778 38 Do. of Births Christenings Marriages & Burials 39 Do. of Familys taken 30 Sept. 1778 40 Do. of Rents taken 30 Do. Do. 41 Muster Rolls of the Garrison 42 Plan for the rebuilding four of the Honble. Company's Houses Governor & Lieut. Govr. Letters to the Secret Committee p his Majesty's Ship Belliqueux Copy of which goes p Ship York Memorandum A Packet to Sir Charles Raymond Bart. & Edwd. Lord Chick Esqr. To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. His Majesty's Ship Belliqueux carried our last Address to you dated the 12 October 1778 Copy whereof We transmitted by the York.	The list of the packet sent by the Belleisle ended with the following papers. 29: Duplicate proceedings of the general quarterly court held on 8 July 1778 30: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the ship Stormont. 31: Second certificate from the Governor and Council for various military stores and other items landed from the ships Earl of Mansfield and Queen. 32: Second certificate from the Governor and Council for provisions landed from the Earl of Mansfield and the Queen. 33: Second certificate from the Governor and Council for flour landed from the Earl of Mansfield and the Queen. 34: Duplicate list of the Company's slaves taken on 17 July 1778 35: Times at which the boat of the ship York arrived at Banks's. 36: Summary of the cargo of the ship York. 37: List of servants taken on 1 October 1778 38: Register of births, christenings, marriages and burials 39: List of families taken on 30 September 1778 40: List of rents taken on 30 September 1778 41: Muster rolls of the garrison 42: Plan for rebuilding four of the Company's houses Letters from the Governor and the Lieutenant Governor to the Secret Committee went by the King's ship Belleisle, with a copy by the York. A note added that a packet was also sent to Sir Charles Raymond, baronet, and Edward Lord Chick. A new general letter to the Court followed. 1: The Council's previous letter, dated 12 October 1778, went to the Court by the King's ship Belleisle. A copy followed by the York.
328	323	2. On the 23 of last Month Arrived your Ship Bridgewater from Bencoolen which place Captain Parker informs Us he left the 3 September 1778. That the Lord North had been there and proceeded on her Voyage to China the 20 June last. 3. In Our Consultation of the 16 November we have entered a Letter to the Board from Mr. Philip Mahony requesting leave to resign his Employ as Clerk of the Peace on the Gratuity you have been pleased to allow him for Life by the 6 Paragraph of your General Letter dated the 5 Febury. 1777 which resignation we have accordingly accepted of, and in consequence thereof appointed Mr. Jno. Doveton Factor to act in that Department until your Honors pleasure is known. We beg leave to assure you that from his application and ability, together with having assisted Mr. Mahony for some time past in that Office, much to Our satisfaction, he is sufficiently qualifyed to fill that Vacancy, hope this Recommendation will meet with your approbation and Appointment. 4. We have granted the following Sets of Bills of Exchange viz. One to the Attorney of Captn. Willm. Fraser for £ 1000 - payable to James Farquharson Esqr. One to Lieut. Robt. Gurling for £ 20 - payable to Captn. Jno. Atkinson Blanshard. One to Mr. Robt. Leech for £ 120 - payable to Captn. Jno. Atkinson Blanshard. One to Mr. Nathl. Kennedy for £ 100 - payable to Mr. Willm. Farrington. One to the Reverend Mr. Robertes Carr for £ 40 - payable to the Reverend Mr. Colston Carr and one Set to Captn. Willm. Parker for £ 500 - payable to Clem. Foster Esqr. (or Order) All Drawn at ninety Days sight and dated the 25 instant. 5. The Passengers on Board the Bridgewater are	2: The Company's ship Bridgewater arrived from Bencoolen on 23 November 1778. Captain Parker reported that he left that port on 3 September 1778. The Lord North had called there and sailed on for China on 20 June 1778. 3: The consultation of 16 November 1778 recorded a letter from Philip Mahony. He asked to resign as Clerk of the Peace and to retire on the allowance for life granted him in the sixth paragraph of the Court's general letter of 3 February 1777. The Council accepted his resignation. It appointed John Doveton, a factor, to act in the post until the Court's wishes were known. Doveton had worked hard and capably as Mahony's assistant for some time, to the Council's full satisfaction. The Council considered him well fitted for the post and hoped the Court would approve his recommendation and confirm his appointment. 4: The Council issued the following sets of bills of exchange. One to the attorney of Captain William Fraser for £1,000 0s 0d, payable to James Farquharson One to Lieutenant Robert Gourling for £20 0s 0d, payable to Captain John Atkinson Blanshard One to Robert Leech for £120 0s 0d, payable to Captain John Atkinson Blanshard One to Nathaniel Kennedy for £60 0s 0d, payable to William Farrington One to the Reverend Robert Carr for £40 0s 0d, payable to the Reverend [...] Carr One set to Captain William Parker for £500 0s 0d, payable to Elias Foster or to his order All were payable 90 days after sight and dated the 25th of the month. 5: The passengers on the Bridgewater were listed next, as the letter went on to explain. Interpretations Mahony's retirement shows how the Company eased out long-serving officials. The Court had granted him an allowance for life in 1777, in effect a pension conditional on his giving up the post. He used it nearly two years later. The Council filled the vacancy only on an acting basis. It could appoint someone to keep the work going, but a permanent appointment belonged to the Court. By naming Doveton, who had already been doing much of the work as Mahony's assistant, the Council made sure the office ran without a break. Its recommendation put a candidate before the Court whom it would be awkward to pass over.
329	324	are Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds and Messieurs Holloway and Rogers the two former of which remain here. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. and humble Servants (Signed) Jno. Skottowe Danl. Corneille Matt. Bazett W. Wrangham Henry Bazett St. Helena 24 December 1778 List of the Honble. Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Bridgewater dated the 24 December 1778 No. 1 Govr. & Councils Genl. Letter dated the 24 December 1778 2 Duplicate Do. & Do. Do. dated 12 October Do. 3 Do. Do. & Do. Do. dated the 12 Do. Do. relating to Law matters 4 Consultations from the 19 Octobr. to the 21 Decr. 1778 5 Duplicate Do. from the 24 August to the 12 October Do. 6 Effective State of the Garrison 7 Cash Account for the Month of September 1778 8 Do. for the Do. October Do. 9 Do. for the Do. November Do. 10 Do. from the 1 to the 24 Decemr. Do. 11 Duplicate Do. from the 21 to the 31 August Do. 12 Ship Bridgewaters Account 13 Duplicate Ship Yorks Do. 14 Do. Proceedings of a Genl. Quartly. Sessions held on 7 October 1778 15 First Receipt for the Packet p his Majesty's Ship Belliqueux 16 First Do. for a small paper Do. p Ship York	5: The Bridgewater carried four passengers: Mr and Mrs Reynolds, Mr Holloway and Mr Rogers. Mr and Mrs Reynolds, however, remained on the island. The Council signed the letter at St Helena on 24 December 1778. John Skottowe Daniel Corneille Matthew Bazett William Wrangham Henry Bazett The Company's packet sent from St Helena by the Bridgewater on 24 December 1778 contained the following papers. 1: General letter from the Governor and Council, dated 24 December 1778 2: Duplicate of the general letter from the Governor and Council, dated 12 October 1778 3: Duplicate of the general letter from the Governor and Council, dated 12 October 1778, on legal matters 4: Consultations from 13 October to 21 December 1778 5: Duplicate consultations from 24 August to 12 October 1778 6: Effective state of the garrison 7: Cash account for September 1778 8: Cash account for October 1778 9: Cash account for November 1778 10: Cash account from 1 December to 24 December 1778 11: Duplicate cash account from 21 August to 31 August 1778 12: Account of the ship Bridgewater. 13: Duplicate account of the ship York. 14: Duplicate proceedings of the general quarterly court held on 7 October 1778 15: First receipt for the packet sent by the King's ship Belleisle. 16: First receipt for a small packet of papers sent by the ship York.
330	325	17 Second Receipt for the Packet p Ship Stormont 18 Do. Do. for a small paper Do. p Ship Duke of Portland 19 Do. Do. for a Do. Do. p Ship Sea Horse 20 Duplicate List of Births Christgs. Marriages & Burials 21 Do. List of Familys taken the 30 Sept. 1778 22 Do. List of Rents taken 30 Do. Do. 23 Time of the Arrival of Ship Bridgewaters Boat at Banks's 24 Abstract of the Cargoe of Ship Bridgewater 25 Duplicate List of the Packet p his Majesty's Ship Belliqueux To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs We wrote you under date of the 24 of last Month by your Ship Bridgewater which sailed from hence the 26 of the same Month. On the 10 instant Arrived his Majesty's Sloop Cormorant Captn. Bob from Madrass who brought the agreeable News of the Surrender of Pondicherry Karical and Chandernagore, and that an expedition was sent to invest Mahé, on which fortunate success we beg leave to congratulate your Honors. Captn. Bob informs Us your Ships Godfrey Mount Stewart, Grosvenor Osterly Lord Holland Hillsborough Latham, Royal George Gatton Nassau Shrewsbury and Southampton were Arrived, and several of them had sailed for their Destined Ports before he left Fort St. George. He also tells Us, Your Honors Ships Valentine Rochford, and Eagle Packet had sailed from that place for Europe about a fortnight before he did, and that the Resolution was detained and refitted to join the Squadron on	The list of the packet sent by the Bridgewater ended with the following papers. 17: Second receipt for the packet sent by the ship Stormont. 18: Second receipt for a small packet of papers sent by the ship Duke of Portland. 19: Second receipt for a small packet of papers sent by the ship Sea Horse. 20: Duplicate register of births, christenings, marriages and burials 21: Duplicate list of families taken on 30 September 1778 22: Duplicate list of rents taken on 30 September 1778 23: Times at which the boat of the ship Bridgewater arrived at Banks's. 24: Summary of the cargo of the ship Bridgewater. 25: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the King's ship Belleisle. A new general letter to the Court followed. The Council's previous letter, dated 24 December 1778, went by the Bridgewater, which sailed later that month. On 10 January 1779 the King's sloop Cormorant, under Captain Pool, arrived from Madras. She brought the welcome news that the French settlements of Pondicherry, Karikal and Chandernagore had surrendered, and that a force had been sent to lay siege to Mahé. The Council congratulated the Court on this success. Captain Pool reported that twelve Company ships had reached India, and that several had already sailed on to their destinations before he left Fort St George. Godfrey Mount Stuart Grosvenor Osterley Lord Holland Hillsborough Latham Royal George Gatton Nassau Shrewsbury Southampton He added that the Valentine, the Rochford and the Eagle packet had left Madras for Europe about a fortnight before him. The Resolution had been held back and fitted out to join the naval squadron, as the letter went on to explain. Interpretations The news from Madras showed that the war had widened. The surrender of Pondicherry, Karikal and Chandernagore, France's main trading settlements in India, meant that Britain and France were now at war. The Company had moved at once to seize them. Mahé on the Malabar coast was the last French post left to take. For St Helena the change was serious. The island now faced the French fleet at Mauritius, on the route between India and the Cape, as well as American privateers. The Council's alarm over a strange ship off Prosperous Bay in June 1778 and its warning in October 1778 about a critical time in public affairs now had a clear cause. The Resolution's detention to join the squadron shows the Company's merchant ships being drawn into the war. Company ships were large, well-armed vessels, and in an emergency the authorities in India could hold one back, add guns and men, and use it alongside the King's ships. This disrupted the Company's trade and the island's supplies. A ship kept in India for war service would not call at St Helena with its expected stores and cargo that season.
331	326	on the Expedition to Pondicherry. As the Sloop Cormorant makes so short a stay here We have not time to transmit Your Honors any other Papers than the Duplicate of the Letter p Ship Bridgewater. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. and humble Servants (Signed) Jno. Skottowe Danl. Corneille Mattw. Bazett Wm. Wrangham Henry Bazett St. Helena 12 January 1779 To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. Our last Address went by His Majesty's Sloop Cormorant under date of the 12 January 1779 Copy of which we transmit you herewith. 2. On the 25 of last Month Arrived your Honors Packet Eagle from Madrass, Captn. Maxwell informs Us he parted Company with the Valentine & Rochford about the 12 Novemr. 1778. And that your Ship Northington was dispatched from Bengal for Europe in the Month of May last, and has not been since heard of. 3. Thomas Roach and William Panther two Deserters from Ship Bridgewater have been subsisted at your Expence sixteen Days at sixpence p Day each amounting to sixteen Shillings, who we have sent to England upon His Majesty's Ship Cormorant the Captn. having consented to take them.	The Resolution had been fitted out to join the squadron on the expedition against Pondicherry. The Cormorant was staying only briefly at the island. The Council therefore had no time to send any papers except a duplicate of the letter sent by the Bridgewater. The Council signed the letter at St Helena on 12 January 1779. John Skottowe Daniel Corneille Matthew Bazett William Wrangham Henry Bazett A new general letter to the Court followed. 1: The Council's previous letter, dated 12 January 1779, went by the King's sloop Cormorant. A copy was enclosed. 2: The Company's packet ship Eagle arrived from Madras on 25 January 1779. Captain Maxwell reported that he lost sight of the Valentine and the Rochford around 12 November 1778. He also reported that the Northington had left Bengal for Europe in May 1778 and had not been heard of since. 3: Two deserters from the Bridgewater, Thomas Roach and William Crowther, had been fed at the Company's expense for 16 days. The cost was £0 0s 6d a day for each man, a total of £0 16s 0d. The Council sent both men to England on the Cormorant, whose captain agreed to take them. Interpretations The deserters were seamen who had left the Bridgewater, and the island had no use for them. Keeping them meant feeding them from the Company's stores, and they could not be allowed to settle. Sending them on a Company ship would have meant arguing with another commander over their passage, as the Council had done with the invalids in 1777. A King's ship offered a simpler answer. The navy was always short of men in wartime, and the Cormorant's captain would gain two seamen at no cost. For the Council, putting them aboard a warship ended the expense and removed two troublemakers from the island at once. The silence about the Northington was ominous. A ship that left Bengal in May 1778 should have reached St Helena or the Cape within a few months. By early 1779 she was long overdue, and with France now in the war she might have been captured, wrecked or lost at sea. The Council could only report that nothing had been heard. Each arriving commander's news was the Court's only way of learning the fate of its ships.
332	327	4. We beg leave to inform you that on the 24 December last William Kelly Private being missed from Mundens Point Guard. We imagine he must have deserted upon the Ship Bridgewater, as he has not been since heard of. And that on the 26 of the same Month a few hours before the above Ship sailed a Boat was sent from her, on the Noon Day to the Rocks under Mundens Point Battery, and took off Thomas Mintle Corporal of the said Guard. As this appears to be a very extraordinary proceeding and could not possibly be carried into execution without the connivance of some of the Officers of the said Ship We thought proper to take upon Oath the Examinations of some of the Men of the said Guard respecting this desertion, which Depositions are entered upon Consultation of the 4 January last, to which for the particulars We refer your Honors. 5. Colonel Hocquart late Commandant of the French Troops at Bengal is a Passenger on Board the Eagle Packet upon his Parole of Honor. 6. By this Conveyance we transmit your Honors General Books of Accounts Balanced to the 30 Sept. last. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. & humble Servants (Signed) Jno. Skottowe Danl. Corneille Mattw. Bazett Wm. Wrangham Henry Bazett St. Helena 7 February 1779	4: The Council reported that Private William Kelly went missing from the guard at Munden's Point on 24 December 1778. Since nothing had been heard of him, the Council believed he had deserted on the Bridgewater. On 26 December 1778, a few hours before she sailed, the same ship sent a boat in broad daylight to the rocks below Munden's Point Battery. The boat picked up Corporal Thomas Mantle of the same guard. The Council considered this an extraordinary act that could not have happened without the help of some of the ship's officers. It therefore took sworn statements from several men of the guard about the desertion. These were entered in the consultation of the 4th of January 1779, and the Council referred the Court to them for the details. 5: Colonel Hocquart, formerly commander of the French troops in Bengal, was travelling as a passenger on the Eagle packet on his word of honour as a prisoner of war. 6: This ship also carried the Company's general account books for the island, balanced to 30 September 1778. The Council signed the letter at St Helena on 7 February 1779. John Skottowe Daniel Corneille Matthew Bazett William Wrangham Henry Bazett Interpretations The Bridgewater affair showed the island's soldiers and the Company's ships working against the Council together. Ships were short of hands, and a trained man was worth taking whatever his status. Soldiers wanting to leave the garrison had only one way off the island. A boat sent openly at midday to collect a corporal from under a battery could only have been sent on the order of the ship's officers. The Council had no power to punish them, since they were beyond its reach once the ship sailed. What it could do was gather sworn evidence and send it to the Court, which could act against the officers and the ship's owners in London. The sworn statements turned an embarrassing loss into a formal charge. Colonel Hocquart's passage showed how captured officers were treated. Having surrendered with the French forces in Bengal, he was allowed to travel to Europe on parole. That meant he gave his personal word that he would not try to escape or take up arms until he was formally exchanged. Officers of rank were trusted on such promises rather than held under guard. A senior French officer passing through St Helena on a Company packet was a reminder that the war with France was now being fought, and won, in India.
333	328	List of the Honble. Company's Packet from St. Helena p Eagle dated the 7 February 1779 No. 1 Governor & Councils Genl. Letter dated the 7 Feby. 1779 2 Do. & Do. Do. dated 7 Do. Do. relating to Law matters 3 Duplicate Do. & Do. Do. dated the 12 January 1779 4 Consultations from the 4 January to the 7 Feby. 1779 5 Duplicate Do. from the 19 Oct. to the 21 Decemb. 1778 6 Effective State of the Garrison 7 Muster Rolls of Do. 8 Cash Account from the 25 to the 31 Decr. 1778 9 Do. for the Month of Janry. 1779 10 Duplicate Do. for the Do. of Sept. 1778 11 Do. Do. for the Do. of October Do. 12 Do. Do. for the Do. of November Do. 13 Do. Do. from the 1 to 24 December Do. 14 Duplicate List of the Packet p Ship Bridgewater 15 Ship Eagles Account 16 Duplicate Ship Bridgewaters Do. 17 Proceedings of a Genl. Quarter Sessions held on the 13 Janry. 1779 18 Account of Cash paid the Widows Pensioners upon the Military Fund 19 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Bridgewater 20 Second Do. for the Do. p His Majesty's Ship Belliqueux 21 Second Do. for a small paper Do. p Ship York 22 General Books of Accounts Governor and Lieut. Governors Letter to the Honble. Secret Committee	The Company's packet sent from St Helena by the Eagle on 7 February 1779 contained the following papers. 1: General letter from the Governor and Council, dated 7 February 1779 2: Further general letter from the Governor and Council, dated 7 February 1779, on legal matters 3: Duplicate of the general letter from the Governor and Council, dated 12 January 1779 4: Consultations from 1 January to 7 February 1779 5: Duplicate consultations from 13 October to 21 December 1778 6: Effective state of the garrison 7: Muster rolls of the garrison 8: Cash account from 25 December to 31 December 1778 9: Cash account for January 1779 10: Duplicate cash account for September 1778 11: Duplicate cash account for October 1778 12: Duplicate cash account for November 1778 13: Duplicate cash account from 1 December to 24 December 1778 14: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the ship Bridgewater. 15: Account of the ship Eagle. 16: Duplicate account of the ship Bridgewater. 17: Proceedings of the general quarterly court held on 13 January 1779 18: Account of cash paid to the widows receiving pensions from the Military Fund 19: First receipt for the packet sent by the ship Bridgewater. 20: Second receipt for the packet sent by the King's ship Belleisle. 21: Second receipt for a small packet of papers sent by the ship York. 22: General account books A letter from the Governor and the Lieutenant Governor to the Secret Committee went with the packet.
334	329	To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs Our last address waited on you by the Eagle Packet, which Sailed from hence the 9 February last. On the 8 of last Month, Arrived your Honors Ship Valentine and the 10 the Rochford which Ships Sailed in Company from Madrass the 23 October last. Captain Baird acquaints Us that he put into the Cape the 19 January where he was informed that the Ships under the Convoy of the Asia Man of War had been there in the Month of September last, and proceeded on their way to India, except the Colebrooke which Ship was unfortunately lost together with fifteen Men going into False Bay. Captain Baird further tells Us that a few days before he left Madrass he received a Letter informing him that the Northington had put back to Bengal in a very distressed and sickly condition after leaving it three Months. This Letter waits on your Honors by a Dane Snow, which arrived here the 3 instant from Tranquebar (last from the Cape) called the Francesco Captain Beyne, Burthen 450 Tons Carrys 10 Guns and 30 Men, loaden with Salt Petre and Piece Goods bound to Copenhagen. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. and humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille Wm. Wrangham Henry Bazett St. Helena 7 March 1779	The Council's previous letter went by the Eagle packet, which sailed on 9 February 1779. The Valentine arrived on 8 February 1779 and the Rochford on 10 February 1779. The two ships had left Madras together on 23 October 1778. Captain Baird reported that he called at the Cape on 19 January 1779. There he learned that the ships sailing under escort of the warship Asia had called in September 1778 and gone on to India. The exception was the Colebrooke, which was wrecked entering False Bay with the loss of 15 men. Baird also said that a few days before he left Madras he received a letter about the Northington. She had turned back to Bengal three months after sailing, in great distress and with many of her crew sick. The letter went to the Court by a Danish snow, the Francesco, under Captain Beyne. She arrived on 3 March 1779 from Tranquebar after a last call at the Cape and was bound for Copenhagen. She measured 450 tons, carried ten guns and 30 men, and was loaded with saltpetre and cotton cloth. The Council signed the letter at St Helena on 7 March 1779. John Skottowe Daniel Corneille William Wrangham Henry Bazett Interpretations The news of the Northington settled the question raised in the previous letter, when the Council reported that she had left Bengal in May 1778 and not been heard of since. She had not been lost or captured. After three months at sea she had been forced back to Bengal with a sick crew. A voyage that long without fresh food usually meant scurvy, which could leave a ship too short of fit men to work her sails. Her return meant that her cargo would reach England a full season late. The loss of the Colebrooke entering False Bay was a reminder that the passage round the Cape remained dangerous even for ships that escaped the enemy.
335	330	To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs By a Danish Snow that sailed from hence the 7 Ultimo we wrote you last. On the 8 of last Month Arrived the Ship Grosvenor from Bengal, Captain Coxon acquaints Us he was dispatched from thence in Company with the Northington and Osterley the 13 December 1778 the former of which Sailed the preceding night and the latter he parted with the 14 January last in a Gale of Wind. He also acquaints Us that your Honors Ships Gatton, Calcutta, Godfrey, Mount Stewart and Shrewsbury were at Bengal when he left it, the three latter of which were to sail in a short time after him. We have the pleasure to acquaint you that the Northington Captain Durand, Arrived here the 21 of last Month but, by intelligence from an Officer of a Boat just arrived from a Danish Ship from China now in the Offing passing by called the King of Denmark Captn. With, burthen 1200 Tons carrys 26 Guns and 120 Men loaden with Tea and China Ware, bound to Copenhagen which came last from the Cape, we are sorry to acquaint you that we have the unfortunate Account of your Ship Osterly being taken the 22 Febry. by two French Cruizers of 64 and the other 36 Guns off of the Cape which came from the Mauritius and are to continue there until the latter end of April, the Officer of the Boat further acquaints Us that by Account from the Hills at the Cape there was heard a firing of many Guns at Sea on the 4 March last from which it was concluded that there must have been another Engagement	The Council's previous letter, dated 7 March 1779, went by a Danish snow. The Grosvenor arrived from Bengal on 8 March 1779. Captain Coxon reported that he left Bengal on 15 December 1778 together with the Northington and the Osterley. The Northington had sailed the night before the others. Coxon lost touch with the Osterley in a gale on 14 February 1779. He added that five Company ships were at Bengal when he left, and that the last three of them were due to sail shortly after him. Gatton Calcutta Godfrey Mount Stewart Shrewsbury The Council was glad to report that the Northington, under Captain Durand, reached the island in March 1779. It then had to pass on bad news. A boat had just come ashore from a Danish ship sailing past the island, the King of Denmark under Captain With, bound from China to Copenhagen after a last call at the Cape. She measured 1,200 tons, carried 26 guns and 120 men, and was loaded with tea and porcelain. Her officer reported that the Osterley had been captured off the Cape on 22 February 1779. Her captors were two French warships, one of 64 guns and the other of 36, which had come from Mauritius and were to cruise off the Cape until late April. The officer also said that lookouts in the hills at the Cape had heard heavy gunfire at sea on 4 March 1779. From this they concluded that another battle had taken place, as the letter went on to explain. Interpretations The capture of the Osterley showed the danger the Council had feared since France entered the war. Every homeward ship from India and China passed close to the Cape. Two French warships from Mauritius, one a ship of the line, could wait there and take Company ships one by one as they arrived. Ships sailing alone or separated by bad weather were the most exposed, and the Osterley had lost touch with the Grosvenor in a gale only eight days before she was taken. The gunfire heard on 4 March suggested that another ship had met the same fate. The Danish ship that brought the news could pass the French without fear, since Denmark was neutral. The Council's warning to the Court came, once again, by way of a foreign ship.
336	331	Engagement, he likewise informs Us that they Sailed from China the 3 January and left your Ships Lord Mansfield Lord North Hillsborough, Latham, Royal George, Lord Holland and Gatton there, and that there were also at China this Season three French, two Swedes, one Dane, four Dutch and ten Country Ships. On the 20 of last Month Arrived your Ship Mercury Captn. Forbes from England, and proceeded on her Voyage the 29. This Letter waits on your Honors by the abovementioned Dane Ship. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedient & humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Willm. Wrangham Henry Bazett St. Helena 7 April 1779 To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs We wrote you by a Danish Snow under date of the 7 March and again by a Dane Ship called the King of Denmark the 7 April, wherein we informed you of the Arrival of your Ships Valentine Rochford Grosvenor and Northington. And now take the opportunity of addressing you by a Swede Ship called the Finland from China (last from the Cape) which passing by sent a Boat on Shore for Letters. By the Officer we are	The officer of the King of Denmark also reported that his ship left China on 3 January 1779. Seven Company ships were still lying there. Earl of Mansfield Lord North Hillsborough Latham Royal George Lord Holland Gatton He added that 20 other ships had traded at China that season: three French, two Swedish, one Danish, four Dutch and ten country ships. The Company's ship Mercury, under Captain Forbes, arrived from England on 20 March 1779 and sailed on with her voyage on 29 March 1779. The letter went to the Court by the King of Denmark. The Council signed it at St Helena on 7 April 1779. John Skottowe William Wrangham Henry Bazett A further letter to the Court followed. The Council had written to the Court on 7 March 1779 by a Danish snow and again on 7 April 1779 by the Danish ship King of Denmark. Those letters reported the arrival of the Valentine, the Rochford, the Grosvenor and the Northington. The Council now took the chance to write by a Swedish ship, the Finland, sailing from China after a last call at the Cape. She was passing the island and sent a boat ashore for letters. Her officer brought news, as the letter went on to explain. Interpretations The count of ships at Canton gave the Court a picture of its competition in the China trade. Country ships were privately owned vessels, usually belonging to British merchants in India, that traded between Indian ports and China under the Company's licence. Their ten ships carried mainly Indian cotton and opium to Canton and helped pay for the Company's tea. The French, Swedish, Danish and Dutch ships were the rival European companies buying tea at the same market. The Council had already sent details of the Swedish ships in April 1778. The new figures let the Court judge how the war had affected its rivals. The three French ships at Canton were now enemy vessels whose homeward passage the Royal Navy could try to intercept, just as the French were taking British ships off the Cape.
337	332	are informed that they Sailed from Wampoa the 14 January last And left all your Ships there, which were to sail in two Divisions. The first consisting of the Lord Mansfield, Lord North, Lord Holland and Latham which were at the second Bar and were to sail in about a Week after them. The second the Gatton, Royal George, and Hillsborough to leave China about the middle of February. He also confirms the disagreable News of the Ship Osterleys being taken off the Cape of Good Hope, and further acquaints Us that they left at the Cape a French Ship of War of seventy four Guns, which Arrived there the 12 April from Europe very sickly, and it was reported by the Dutch that the said French Ship was part of a Fleet of six Sail of the Line bound to the East Indies, and had been dispatched with the Sick of that Fleet in order to refresh them there. We are extremely anxious for the Arrival of our Store Ships, as we shall soon be in great want of Flour and many other Necessary's. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. and humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Daniel Corneille Mattw. Bazett Willm. Wrangham Henry Bazett St. Helena 4 May 1779	The officer of the Finland reported that his ship left Whampoa on 14 January 1779. All the Company's ships were still there. They were to sail home in two groups. The first group lay at the second bar and was due to sail about a week after the Finland. Earl of Mansfield Lord North Lord Holland Latham The second group was due to leave China around the middle of February. Gatton Royal George Hillsborough The officer confirmed the bad news that the Osterley had been captured off the Cape of Good Hope. He added that a French warship of 74 guns was lying at the Cape when the Finland left. She had arrived from Europe on 12 April 1779 with many of her crew sick. The Dutch at the Cape reported that she belonged to a French fleet of six ships of the line bound for the East Indies. She had been sent ahead with the fleet's sick so that they could recover ashore. The Council was extremely anxious for the store ships to arrive. The island would soon run seriously short of flour and many other necessities. The Council signed the letter at St Helena on 4 May 1779. John Skottowe Daniel Corneille Matthew Bazett William Wrangham Henry Bazett Interpretations The news from the Cape was the most serious the Council had yet sent. A French fleet of six ships of the line bound for the East Indies was far stronger than the two cruisers that had taken the Osterley. It could threaten Company shipping and settlements across the Indian Ocean. A 74-gun ship lying at the Cape with her sick crew also showed that the Dutch, who were neutral, were letting French warships use their port as a base. The Cape sat on the route of every homeward ship, so a French squadron supplied and rested there could wait for the Company's ships as they passed. Whampoa was the anchorage downriver from Canton where all European ships lay while they loaded tea. The bars were shallow stretches of the river that the heavy ships had to cross on their way out to sea. Splitting the Company's ships into two groups reflected the timing of their cargoes, but it also meant that each group would pass the dangerous waters off the Cape in smaller numbers. The Council's anxiety about the store ships showed how the war threatened the island directly. St Helena depended on yearly supplies of flour and other necessities from England. The same French ships that took Company vessels off the Cape could intercept the store ships. If they failed to arrive, the island would have no other source, since its own crops were already falling short.
338	333	To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs 1. We addressed you on the 7 March 7 April and 4 May by Foreign Conveyances, Duplicates of which are transmitted herewith. 2. On the 6 of last Month Arrived the Hind Cutter from England. The 10 instant the Latham Lord North and Earl of Mansfield. And the Day following the Lord Holland all from China, Captn. Prince acquaints Us they left Wampoa the 2 February and the Gatton, Hillsborough and Royal George there, which Ships were to be dispatched about a Month after them. He also informs Us he spoke with a Dutch Ship to the Windward of this Island which was from the Cape homeward bound. That the Captn. told him, a French Ship of seventy four Guns outward bound sailed from thence a few days before he did And that your Honors Packet Mercury had been there and was gone upon a Cruize. 3. Your Honors will please to observe by our Consultations of the 16 and 30 April and 7 instant. That four Fishing Vessels fitted out from London have Arrived here from the Southward, under the sanction of claiming the protection of a Convoy from this Place. Unless it is the first instance of such Vessels putting in here, on that Account, And as it is probable they may continue this Practice, request your Honors will favor Us with instructions respecting them. We have refused giving them any Supply of Beef and have only allowed them to Water and we sold them a few Sheep. 4. Agreable to the Resolution we gave your Honors	1: The Council had written to the Court on 7 March, 7 April and 4 May 1779, each time by a foreign ship. Duplicates of those letters were enclosed. 2: The Hind cutter arrived from England on 6 April 1779. On 10 May 1779 three ships arrived from China: the Latham, the Lord North and the Earl of Mansfield. The Lord Holland followed from China the next day. Captain Prince reported that they left Whampoa on 2 February 1779. The Gatton, the Hillsborough and the Royal George were still there, due to sail about a month later. He also said that he had spoken with a Dutch ship to windward of the island, homeward bound from the Cape. Her captain told him that a French 74-gun ship, outward bound, had left the Cape a few days before him. He also said that the Company's packet Mercury had called at the Cape and had gone out to patrol. 3: The consultations of 16 April, 30 April and 7 May 1779 recorded the arrival of four fishing vessels fitted out in London. They had come up from the south, claiming the right to the protection of a convoy from the island. No such vessels had ever put in at St Helena for this reason before. Since they would probably make a habit of it, the Council asked the Court for instructions on how to treat them. In the meantime it refused to sell them any beef. It allowed them only to take on water and a few sheep. 4: The Council had passed a resolution concerning the Court, as the letter went on to explain. Interpretations The four fishing vessels were probably whalers from the southern whale fishery, which sailed from London to hunt whales in the South Atlantic. In wartime they were easy prey for French and American raiders, and a Company convoy from St Helena offered the safest passage home. The Council saw that if it welcomed them, others would follow and the island would become a regular port of call for private ships with no claim on the Company's supplies. It could have treated them as British ships in need and supplied them freely. Instead it drew a firm line on beef, the scarcest item on the island, where the cattle available for slaughter were already short in 1778. Water and a few sheep cost the island little. Beef had to be kept for the garrison and the Company's own ships. By asking the Court for a ruling, the Council avoided setting a precedent on its own authority. The report that the Company's packet Mercury had gone out on patrol from the Cape shows the Company using its own fast vessels for war service. A packet could not fight a 74-gun ship, but it could watch for the enemy and warn approaching Company ships.
339	334	Honors notice of in our Letter dated the 20 August last relative to Prosperous Bay and Powells Valley's We have the pleasure now to inform you, those Works are Compleated with as small an expence as possible, An Abstract of which we will transmit you by a future opportunity. The intended Works at Butter Milk Point and Road uniting that to the Post of Bankses Battery are carrying on with the greatest expedition, And assure Your Honors we shall pay the strictest attention to economy, avoiding every unnecessary expence in the prosecution of the same. 5. Captain Baird purchased at the Cape on the Honble. Company's Account fifty Sheep and five Baskets of Garden Seeds, for which we have paid him the Sum of £ 45 . 9 as p Bill entered on Consultation of the 13 May 1779. 6. After the close of the Eagle Packets Account Captain Maxwell was supplied from Your Stores with two Chaldron of Coals amounting to £ 4 . 6, which was not inserted therein, but is included in the Duplicate of that Vessels Account. 7. It is with much concern that we inform your Honors our Summer Rains have entirely failed insomuch that great number of the Black Cattle Sheep &c. have Died from the want of Food, and are very apprehensive many more will be lost from the same cause. Notwithstanding we had a large Return of 386 Cattle for Slaughter this Year, fear we shall be able to allow the latter Ships but a very scanty refreshment. And are fully convinced that the Return of Cattle the next Season will be very small and inadequate to the Supply of the Shipping. We are extremely sorry for the unfortunate loss of the Ship London, as the early	Paragraph 4 concerned the works at Prosperous Bay and Powell's Valley that the Council had described in its letter of 20 August 1778. The Council was pleased to report that both were finished, at the lowest possible cost. A summary of the expense would follow by a later ship. The planned works at Buttermilk Point, with a road linking it to the post at Banks's Battery, were going ahead as fast as possible. The Council assured the Court that it would watch every expense closely and avoid any unnecessary cost. 5: Captain Baird bought 50 sheep and five baskets of garden seeds at the Cape for the Company. The Council paid him £45 9s 0d, as shown in his bill entered in the consultation of 13 May 1779. 6: After the Eagle packet's account was closed, Captain Maxwell was supplied from the Company's stores with two chaldrons of coal worth £4 6s 0d. The charge was missing from the original account but included in the duplicate. 7: The Council reported with great concern that the summer rains had failed completely. As a result, large numbers of cattle, sheep and other livestock had died for lack of grazing, and the Council feared many more would be lost. The year's count of cattle fit for slaughter had been high, at 386 head. Even so, the Council expected to be able to give the later ships only a very meagre supply of fresh meat. It was certain that the count for the following season would be very small and would fall far short of the ships' needs. The Council also deeply regretted the loss of the London, as the letter went on to explain. Interpretations The failure of the summer rains struck at the island's most important service to the Company. St Helena's rain fell mainly in the southern summer, from about December to March, and it fed the grass on which the cattle lived. Without it the pastures dried up and the animals starved. The island's value to the Company lay in supplying fresh beef to ships that had been months at sea. A shortage meant crews sailing on with little fresh food in wartime, when convoys and delays already lengthened voyages. It also explains why the Council had refused beef to the four fishing vessels earlier in the letter. Even the high count of 386 cattle would not stretch to every ship, and the Council warned the Court early so that it could expect a lean season to come. A chaldron was a measure of coal used in the London trade, equal to about one and a third tons. Coal was shipped to the island from England, since there was none on St Helena and the island's wood was scarce and protected. Supplying a packet's galley or forge from the Company's stores was one more call on a commodity the island could not produce itself.
340	335	early Supplies we should have had by that Conveyance would prevent the difficulty we have experienced in supporting the Garrison and Shipping, particularly in the Article of Bread kind, insomuch that we have been under the necessity of furnishing the Garrison with Yams from your Plantations, and Shipping with what could possibly be procured from the Inhabitants, which Supply cannot subsist much longer, therefore are extremely anxious for the Arrival of the Earl Talbot. 8. By this Conveyance we transmit the List of Remains to the 30 April and our Indents of Stores for the ensuing Year, by which you will perceive we have increased the Articles of Flour and Pease, hope Your Honors will be pleased to comply with the same. 9. The Engineer representing to Us (as p Letter entered on Consultation of the 7 instant) the quantity of Powder remaining is inadequate to the Artillery and use of the Island. Also the necessity of having a further Supply of Brass and Iron Artillery, as mentioned in said Letter and our Indent, request you will please to comply therewith, as many of the Ordnance on the Island are deemed unserviceable, and will be returned to England by a future opportunity. 10. We request you'll please to send Us the next Season eighty Recruits, the present Effective State wanting fifty six to compleat it, besides the great number of Invalids which we should have sent home by this opportunity, but from the scarcity of Provisions on board the Fleet must defer until a future period. 11. Having disposed of the nine Inch Cable we had in Store, to the Ship Valentine, request you will Order another to be sent Us the next Year to replace it.	The London had been expected to bring early supplies that would have spared the Council its recent difficulties in feeding the garrison and the ships. The shortage was worst in flour and other bread grains. The Council had been forced to issue yams from the Company's plantations to the garrison. It had supplied the ships with whatever it could buy from the inhabitants, and that source would not last much longer. The Council was therefore extremely anxious for the Earl Talbot to arrive. 8: This ship carried the list of stores in hand on 30 April 1779 and the orders for stores needed in the coming year. The Court would see that the Council had increased its orders for flour and peas, and it hoped the Court would fill them. 9: The engineer reported in a letter, entered in the consultation of 7 May 1779, that the island's stock of gunpowder was too small for the artillery and the island's other needs. He also stressed the need for more brass and iron guns, as set out in his letter and in the Council's order. The Council asked the Court to supply them. Many of the guns on the island had been judged unfit for service and would be sent back to England by a later ship. 10: The Council asked the Court to send 80 recruits the following season. The garrison was 56 men below its proper strength. A large number of invalids would also have been sent home by this fleet, but the ships were so short of provisions that they had to wait for a later opportunity. 11: The Council had given the nine-inch cable in its stores to the Valentine. It asked the Court to send another the following year to replace it. Interpretations Issuing yams to the garrison marked how far the food shortage had gone. Soldiers were normally fed on bread made from flour shipped from England, while yams were the food grown for the Company's slaves. Substituting one for the other was a sign that the flour had run out. The loss of the London, which was to have brought the early supplies, left the island waiting on the Earl Talbot, at a time when the drought had already killed many of its cattle. The larger orders for flour and peas showed the Council trying to build a reserve against another such year. The decision to keep the invalids on the island reversed the Council's usual practice. Normally it sent them home as soon as possible, so that men who could not serve would stop drawing on the island's stores. This time the homeward fleet was itself short of food, and adding invalids to its crews would have endangered the ships. The Council chose to bear the cost of feeding the sick men on the island. That was a heavy burden in a famine year, but the alternative was worse. The request for powder and guns, made in a year when French warships were cruising off the Cape, showed how thin the island's defences had become. Many of its guns were unfit to fire, and it lacked the powder to work the rest. The garrison was also 56 men short. In each respect the island was weaker at the moment the threat from France had become real.
341	336	12. The Passengers on board the Valentine are Mr. Bromley, Messrs. Benfield Wilton and Stewart, On the Rochford Lieut. Chake Messrs. Elliott and Lindegreen, On the Grosvenor Mr. Heggons, Mr. Baston Messrs. Thompson and Desmoulliers. On the Northington Mr. Guerard. On the Latham Messrs. Popham, Harley Mr. Frazier and Family. On the Earl of Mansfield Lieut. Fowke. And on board the Lord North Messrs. Grant and Wynch. 13. Captain Durand has our permission to take on board the Northington the following Discharged Soldiers viz. Richd. Nicholls, John Revelle, Peter Hanlin James Oliphant, John Towers, John Hoffstadt, Robt. Tippier and William Robinson. And have likewise permitted Captain Coxon to receive on board the Grosvenor Simon Karnan, and William Hindon two other Discharged Soldiers, and have permitted Richard Page a Discharged Sergeant to take his Passage on board the Earl of Mansfield. 14. We beg leave to refer Your Honors to our Consultation of the 3 last Month for the particulars of a Complaint laid before the Board by the Governor against Mr. Thomas Robertson Acting Third Officer of the Ship Valentine, Also to a very extraordinary Letter from said Mr. Robertson, fraught with malevolent and illiberal Reflections on the Governor and Government of this Island, which we judged inadmissible upon the face of our Consultation, but have for Your observation transmitted the same a Number in the Packet, with our Remarks thereon, which very unbecoming Conduct in that Gentleman we flatter ourselves Your Honors will take into Consideration. 15. We have Granted the following Sets of Bills	12: The passengers on the homeward ships were as follows. On the Valentine: Mr Bromley, Mr Benfield, Mr Wilton and Mr Stewart. On the Rochford: Lieutenant Chake, Mr Elliott and Mr Lindegreen. On the Grosvenor: Mr Higgins, Mr Baston, Mr Thompson and Mr Desmeullier. On the Northington: Mr Guerard. On the Latham: Mr Popham, Mr Harley, and Mr Frazier and his family. On the Earl of Mansfield: Lieutenant Fowke. On the Lord North: Mr Grant and Mr Wynch. 13: The Council gave Captain Durand permission to take eight discharged soldiers on board the Northington. Richard Nicholls John Revell Peter Hanlin James Oliphant John Towers John Hoffstadt Roderick Tippeer William Robinson It also allowed Captain Coxon to take two more discharged soldiers, Simon Kiernan and William Hinden, on board the Grosvenor. Richard Page, a discharged sergeant, was permitted to sail on the Earl of Mansfield. 14: The Council referred the Court to its consultation of 3 April 1779 for details of a complaint that Governor Skottowe had made against Thomas Robertson, acting third officer of the Valentine. It also drew attention to an extraordinary letter from Robertson, full of spiteful and insulting remarks about the Governor and the island's government. The Council judged the letter unfit to be entered in the consultation book. It sent the letter to the Court instead as a separate paper in the packet, with its own comments. The Council trusted that the Court would take note of Robertson's improper conduct. 15: The Council issued the following sets of bills of exchange, as the letter went on to list. Interpretations The Council's handling of Robertson's letter shows how carefully it guarded the official record. The consultation book was the formal account of the island's government, sent home and kept by the Court. Entering an abusive letter in it would have placed the insults on the permanent record alongside the Council's own business. Leaving it out entirely would have denied the Court the evidence of Robertson's conduct. The Council chose a middle course. It kept the letter out of the book but sent it as a numbered paper in the packet, with its own remarks attached. The Court could judge the matter without the Council's record being stained by it. The quarrel with a junior ship's officer also reflected the Council's weakness in dealing with the Company's ships. As with the commanders who refused the invalids in 1777 and the Bridgewater's officers who took off deserters in 1778, the Council had no power to punish a ship's officer itself. Its only remedy was to report him to the Court, which could act against him when his ship reached England.
342	337	Bills of Exchange viz. One Set to John Skottowe Esqr. Governor for seven hundred pounds payable to Captn. Nicholas Skottowe One to Danl. Corneille Esqr. for three hundred pounds payable to John Caillaud Esqr. One to Mr. Matthew Bazett for one thousand and sixty pounds payable to Matthew Parling and Gabriel Harper Esqrs. One to Major Henry Bazett for one thousand pounds payable to Matthew Parling and Gabriel Harper Esqrs. One to Captain Willm. Fraser for two hundred pounds payable to himself. One to Lieut. Arthur Upton for one hundred pounds payable to himself. And one Set to Mr. Philip Mahoney for eighty pounds payable to himself (or Order) all drawn at ninety days sight and dated the 21 instant. 16. Mr. Philip Mahony late Clerk of the Peace acquaints Us he intends taking his Passage for England upon the Fishing Vessel London, he has been paid his Pension up to the 30 of this Month. Lieut. Arthur Upton on the 21 instant Petitioned to Resign your Service, which resignation we accepted of. He and his Family likewise take their Passages for England upon the abovementioned Vessel. 17. We have to acquaint Your Honors that Captain Prince has detained one Box of Candy, and Captain Fraser one of Sugar of the Stores Consigned to Us from China. As you will please to observe p Short Delivery's entered in Consultation of the 21 instant. 18. Several Ships of this Fleet being in want of Provisions to enable them to proceed on their Voyage to England, we have been under the necessity of supplying them with Salt Meat, Flour, Tea and Sugar from Your Stores, as will appear by their respective Accts. the three latter Articles we could very ill spare.	The bills were as follows. One set to Governor Skottowe for £700 0s 0d, payable to Captain Nicholas Skottowe One to Daniel Corneille for £300 0s 0d, payable to John Calland One to Matthew Bazett for £1,060 0s 0d, payable to Matthew Purling and Gabriel Harper One to Major Henry Bazett for £1,000 0s 0d, payable to Matthew Purling and Gabriel Harper One to Captain William Fraser for £200 0s 0d, payable to Fraser himself One to Lieutenant Arthur Upton for £100 0s 0d, payable to Upton himself One set to Philip Mahony for £80 0s 0d, payable to Mahony or to his order All were payable 90 days after sight and dated 21 May 1779. 16: Philip Mahony, the former Clerk of the Peace, told the Council that he planned to sail for England on the fishing vessel London. His pension had been paid up to 30 May 1779. On 21 May 1779 Lieutenant Arthur Upton asked to resign from the Company's service, and the Council accepted his resignation. He and his family were also to travel to England on the same vessel. 17: The Council reported that Captain Prince had kept back one box of sugar candy, and Captain Fraser one box of sugar, from the stores sent to the island from China. The details were recorded among the short deliveries entered in the consultation of 21 May 1779. 18: Several ships of the fleet lacked the provisions they needed to reach England. The Council had been obliged to supply them from the Company's stores with salt meat, flour, tea and sugar, as their accounts would show. The island could badly afford to part with the flour, tea and sugar. Interpretations Supplying the fleet showed the Council choosing between two bad outcomes. The island was already short of flour and had been feeding its own garrison on yams. The obvious course was to keep what little remained. But a fleet that could not reach England was a far greater loss to the Company than a hungry island, since the ships carried the year's cargoes from India and China. The Council gave the ships what they needed and recorded each issue in their accounts, so the cost could be charged to the owners. It noted that it could ill spare the goods, which put on record that the island's own shortage had been made worse by this decision. The fishing vessel London was one of the London whalers that had arrived seeking convoy. The Council had refused them beef and allowed them only water and a few sheep. Now the same vessels were carrying passengers home. Mahony and Upton, with Upton's family, chose a whaler waiting for convoy rather than a Company ship. This was probably because the Company ships were crowded with passengers and short of food, while the whaler had room and would sail under the protection of the convoy. Sugar candy was refined sugar crystallised into large clear lumps, a product of China and Bengal. It was valued as a luxury and used in medicine. The Company shipped it to the island along with ordinary sugar, and the missing box was one more short delivery for the Court to charge against a commander.
343	338	19. This Letter waits on you by the Ship Latham Copies of which are transmitted by the Lord North and Valentine. We are Honorable Sirs Your most Obedt. & humble Servts. (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille M. Bazett Willm. Wrangham Henry Bazett St. Helena 23 June 1779 List of the Honorable Company's Packet from St. Helena p Ship Latham dated the 23 June 1779 viz. No. 1 Governor & Councils Genl. Letter dated the 23 June 1779 2 Do. & Do. Do. dated 23 Do. Do. relating to Law matters 3 Duplicate Do. & Do. dated the 7 Feby. Do. 4 Do. Do. & Do. Do. 7 Do. Do. relating to Law matters 5 Do. Do. & Do. dated the 7 March Do. 6 Do. Do. & Do. Do. the 7 April Do. 7 Do. Do. & Do. Do. the 4 May Do. 8 Consultations from the 8 Feby. to the 21 June Do. 9 Duplicate Do. from the 4 Janry. to the 7 Feby. Do. 10 Cash Account for the Month of February Do. 11 Do. Do. for the Do. of March Do. 12 Do. Do. for the Do. of April Do.	19: The letter went to the Court by the Latham, with copies by the Lord North and the Valentine. The Council signed it at St Helena on 23 June 1779. John Skottowe Daniel Corneille Matthew Bazett William Wrangham Henry Bazett The Company's packet sent from St Helena by the Latham on 23 June 1779 contained the following papers. 1: General letter from the Governor and Council, dated 23 June 1779 2: Further general letter from the Governor and Council, dated 23 June 1779, on legal matters 3: Duplicate of the general letter from the Governor and Council, dated 7 February 1779 4: Duplicate of the general letter from the Governor and Council, dated 7 February 1779, on legal matters 5: Duplicate of the general letter from the Governor and Council, dated 7 March 1779 6: Duplicate of the general letter from the Governor and Council, dated 7 April 1779 7: Duplicate of the general letter from the Governor and Council, dated 4 May 1779 8: Consultations from 8 February to 21 June 1779 9: Duplicate consultations from 4 January to 7 February 1779 10: Cash account for February 1779 11: Cash account for March 1779 12: Cash account for April 1779
344	339	13 Cash Account for the Month of May 1779 14 Do. from the 1 to the 23 June Do. 15 Duplicate Do. from the 25 to the 31 December 1778 16 Do. Do. for the Month of January 1779 17 Mercury Packets Account 18 Ship Valentines Do. 19 Ship Rochfords Do. 20 Do. Grosvenors Do. 21 Do. Northingtons Do. 22 Do. Lathams Do. 23 Do. Lord Norths Do. 24 Do. Earl Mansfields Do. 25 Do. Lord Hollands Do. 26 Duplicate Eagle Packets Do. 27 Do. List of the Packet p Eagle 28 Proceedings of a Genl. Quarter Sessions held on the 14 April 1779 29 Duplicate Do. of a Do. Do. Do. on the 13 Janry. Do. 30 Do. Acct. of Cash paid the Widows, Pensioners upon the Military Fund 31 First Receipt for the Packet p Eagle 32 Do. Do. for a small Paper Packet p Dane Snow Francesco 33 Do. Do. for a Do. Do. p Dane Ship K. of Denmark 34 Do. Do. for a Do. Do. p Swede Ship Finland 35 Second Do. for the Packet p Ship Bridgewater 36 Register of Goods & Merchandize 37 List of Births Christenings Marriages & Burials 38 List of Servants taken the 23 June 1779 39 Indent of Stores wanted for the Service of the Year 1780 40 Do. of Medicines wanted for the Do. of Do. Do. 41 List of Stores remaing. in the Honble. Company's Ware Houses the 30 April 1779 42 Do. of Garrison Stores remaing. in Do. the 30 April 1779	The list of the packet sent by the Latham continued with the following papers. 13: Cash account for May 1779 14: Cash account from 1 June to 23 June 1779 15: Duplicate cash account from 25 December to 31 December 1778 16: Duplicate cash account for January 1779 17: Account of the packet ship Mercury. 18: Account of the ship Valentine. 19: Account of the ship Rochford. 20: Account of the ship Grosvenor. 21: Account of the ship Northington. 22: Account of the ship Latham. 23: Account of the ship Lord North. 24: Account of the ship Earl of Mansfield. 25: Account of the ship Lord Holland. 26: Duplicate account of the packet ship Eagle. 27: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the Eagle. 28: Proceedings of the general quarterly court held on 14 April 1779 29: Duplicate proceedings of the general quarterly court held on 13 January 1779 30: Duplicate account of cash paid to the widows receiving pensions from the Military Fund 31: First receipt for the packet sent by the Eagle. 32: First receipt for a small packet of papers sent by the Danish snow Francesco. 33: First receipt for a small packet of papers sent by the Danish ship King of Denmark. 34: First receipt for a small packet of papers sent by the Swedish ship Finland. 35: Second receipt for the packet sent by the ship Bridgewater. 36: Register of goods brought into and shipped out of the island 37: Register of births, christenings, marriages and burials 38: List of servants taken on 23 June 1779 39: Indent of stores needed for the year 1780 40: Indent of medicines needed for the year 1780 41: List of stores left in the Company's warehouses on 30 April 1779 42: List of garrison stores left on 30 April 1779
345	340	43 General Return of Ordnance and Ordnance Stores &c. 44 Time of the Arrival of Ships Boats at Banks's 45 Abstract of the Cargoes of Ships Valentine Rochford Grosvenor Northington Latham, Lord North Earl Mansfield Lord Holland 46 Genl. Courts Martial 47 Garrison Courts Martial from the 18 May 1778 to 26 April 1779 48 Mr. Thomas Robertsons Letter to the Governor and Council with their Remarks thereupon 49 Effective State of the Garrison 50 Muster Rolls of Do. 51 Pattern of Fish Hooks requested to be sent for the Service of the Year 1780 Governor & Lieut. Governors Letters to the Honble. the Secret Committee p Ships Latham Lord North & Valentine To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs We wrote you last on the 23 instant by the Ship Latham, Copys thereof were transmitted by the Lord North and Valentine, which Ships sailed from hence the 24 of this Month in Company with the Grosvenor, Earl of Mansfield, Lord Holland, Rochford and Northington, and the Whale Fishing Vessels, London, Dragon, Neptune and Beaver. Yesterday arrived a Snow from Bombay called the Betsy Captain Hardie, who informs Us he left that place the 29 March and Tellicherry the 6 April last. That your Honors Ships Royal Admiral and Morse	The list of the packet sent by the Latham ended with the following papers. 43: General return of guns, ordnance stores and related items 44: Times at which ships' boats arrived at Banks's 45: Summary of the cargoes of the ships Valentine, Rochford, Grosvenor, Northington, Latham, Lord North, Earl of Mansfield and Lord Holland. 46: Proceedings of general courts martial 47: Proceedings of garrison courts martial from 18 May 1778 to 26 April 1779 48: Letter from Thomas Robertson to the Governor and Council, with the Council's remarks on it 49: Effective state of the garrison 50: Muster rolls of the garrison 51: Sample of the fish hooks to be sent for the year 1780 Letters from the Governor and the Lieutenant Governor to the Secret Committee went by the Latham, the Lord North and the Valentine. A new general letter to the Court followed. The Council's previous letter, dated 23 June 1779, went by the Latham, with copies by the Lord North and the Valentine. Those ships sailed on 24 June 1779 together with five other Company ships and four whaling vessels. Grosvenor Earl of Mansfield Lord Holland Rochford Northington London, whaler Dragon, whaler Neptune, whaler Beaver, whaler The day before this letter was written, a snow called the Betsy, under Captain Hardie, arrived from Bombay. Hardie reported that he left Bombay on 29 March 1779 and Tellicherry on 6 April 1779. He also brought news of the Company's ship Royal Admiral and another vessel, as the letter went on to explain. Interpretations The four fishing vessels whose arrival the Council reported in May and June 1779 were whalers, and in the end they sailed home with the Company's fleet. The Council had asked the Court how to treat such vessels and had refused them beef. In practice it let them join the departing ships, which gave them the protection they had come for without any formal grant of convoy. Their departure removed the question for that season, but the Council still needed the Court's ruling in case others followed. The sample of fish hooks sent home with the packet shows how much the island depended on fishing. With cattle dying in the drought and flour running short, fish was one of the few foods the island could produce for itself. Hooks of the right size and pattern had to come from England, so the Council sent a sample to make sure the next supply would suit the local fishery.
346	341	Morse were Arrived at Bombay under Convoy of the Asia. And that the Stafford was safe Arrived at Madrass. The Royal Admiral was to be Dispatched for Europe the latter end of April, and the Morse in May following. And that the Royal Henry Sailed for Bengal the 9 February. We have the pleasure likewise to inform you, that he acquaints Us, the French Settlement of Mahé Surrendered to Your Honors Arms on the 20 March last. Captain Hardie further informs Us that an expedition had been sent against Poonah which has proved unsuccessful. We are Honorable Sirs Your most Obedt. & humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille M. Bazett Willm. Wrangham Henry Bazett St. Helena 27 June 1779 Exd. To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs On the 27 June last, we addressed you by the Betsy Snow, which was dispatched from Bombay the 29 March 1779 Express to Your Honors. And we now take the opportunity of writing you by a Dane Ship from Tranquebar called the Ganges Captn. Young, who passing by sent on Shore for Letters. We have the pleasure to inform you of the safe Arrival of His Majesty's Ship Warwick on the 26 July	The Royal Admiral and the Morse had reached Bombay under escort of the warship Asia, and the Stafford had arrived safely at Madras. The Royal Admiral was due to sail for Europe at the end of April and the Morse in May. The Royal Henry had left for Bengal on 9 February 1779. Captain Hardie also brought the welcome news that the French settlement of Mahé surrendered to the Company's forces on 20 March 1779. He added that an expedition sent against Poona had failed. The Council signed the letter at St Helena on 27 June 1779. John Skottowe Daniel Corneille Matthew Bazett William Wrangham Henry Bazett A further letter to the Court followed. The Council's previous letter, dated 27 June 1779, went by the Betsy snow. She had been sent from Bombay on 29 March 1779 as an express to carry urgent news to the Court. The Council now took the chance to write by a Danish ship from Tranquebar, the Ganges, under Captain Young, which sent a boat ashore for letters as she passed. The Council was pleased to report that the King's ship Warwick had arrived safely on 26 July 1779, as the letter went on to explain. Interpretations The fall of Mahé completed the Company's seizure of France's settlements in India. In January 1779 the Council had reported the surrender of Pondicherry, Karikal and Chandernagore and the dispatch of a force against Mahé. With Mahé taken, France held no trading post on the Indian mainland. The failed expedition against Poona was a very different matter. Poona was the seat of the Maratha government, the strongest Indian power in western India, and the Bombay government's attempt to impose its own candidate there had ended in defeat. The two reports together showed the Company winning its war with France in India while suffering a serious setback against an Indian power. The Betsy was an express, a small fast vessel sent on purpose to carry urgent letters to London without waiting for the season's ships. The Bombay government had news it wanted the Court to have quickly. The Council took the chance to send its own brief report by the same vessel, which was likely to reach England well ahead of the slower Company ships.
347	342	July last, and your Ship Earl Talbot on the 30 of same Month the latter of which proceeded on her Voyage to India the 14 August. On the 20 of last Month Arrived the Royal Admiral from Bombay & the 3 instant the Gatton from Madrass (last from the Cape) Captain Chisholm informs Us that His Majesty's Ships Superbe, Eagle, Worcester Belleisle, Burford, Exeter and Nymph, together with your Honors Ships Earl of Oxford, Halsewell, Atlas, Resolution Fox, Granby, Norfolk and Duke of Grafton were at the Cape of Good Hope when he left it, which was on the 20 of last Month. And that the Genl. Barker, Worcester and Ganges had parted from the Fleet, and was supposed to have proceeded on their Voyage to India. We are also told that three French Ships one of 40 Guns and two Transports sailed from the Cape a few days before the Arrival of the English Fleet. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. & humble Servts. (Signed) Jno. Skottowe Danl. Corneille M. Bazett Henry Bazett St. Helena 4 Sept. 1779	The Warwick arrived on 26 July 1779 and the Company's ship Earl Talbot on 20 July 1779. The Earl Talbot sailed on for India on 14 August 1779. The Royal Admiral arrived from Bombay on 20 August 1779, and the Gatton from Madras on 3 September 1779, after a last call at the Cape. Captain Chisholm of the Gatton reported that a large British force was at the Cape of Good Hope when he left on 20 August 1779. It included seven of the King's ships. Superbe Eagle Worcester Belleisle Burford Exeter Nymph Eight Company ships were with them. Earl of Oxford Halsewell Atlas Resolution Fox Granby Norfolk Duke of Grafton The General Barker, the Worcester and the Ganges had become separated from the fleet and were thought to have gone on to India. The Council also heard that three French vessels, a 40-gun warship and two transports, had left the Cape a few days before the British fleet arrived. The Council signed the letter at St Helena on 4 September 1779. John Skottowe Daniel Corneille Matthew Bazett Henry Bazett Interpretations The arrival of the Earl Talbot in July 1779 ended the anxiety the Council had expressed in May and June. She was the ship the island had been waiting for to relieve its shortage of flour and other necessities after the loss of the London and the failure of the summer rains. Her stay was short, and she went on to India within a month. The fleet at the Cape marked a turn in the naval war. Earlier in 1779 the French had used the Dutch port almost at will, taking the Osterley and sending a 74-gun ship there with their sick. Now a British squadron of seven warships lay in the same harbour with eight Company ships under its protection, and the French had left just before it arrived. Dutch neutrality allowed both navies to use the Cape for supplies and repairs, so the port changed hands in effect with whichever fleet was present. For St Helena, a strong British squadron on the route to India made the passage of the Company's ships much safer and reduced the danger to the island itself.
348	343	To the Honble. &c. Honble. Sirs Par. 1. Our last address to you went by a Dane Ship called the Ganges under date of the 4 September 1779 by which conveyance we had the satisfaction of informing your Honors of the safe Arrival of his Majesty's Ship Warwick and your Ship Earl of Talbot from England the Royal Admiral from Bombay and Gatton from Madrass the latter last from the Cape. 2. On the 21 last Month Arrived your Ship Queen from Bencoolen, The 24 the Glatton, Royal George & Hillsborough from China. The 13 Instant the Princess Royal from England And the 8 the Godfrey, Shrewsbury and Mount Stuart from Madrass (last from Madagascar). 3. By the Ships Earl of Talbot and Princess Royal We received your several Letters to Us together with the other Papers mentioned in the List of both Packets. The Govr. and Lt. Govr. likewise received Letters from the Honble. Secret Committee by his Majesty's Ship Warwick and also by the above Conveyances. 4. We are glad to find that all your returning Ships of last Season which sailed from hence Arrived safe. 5. The Ships you have been pleased to take into your Service for carrying on your Trade this Season We sincerely hope may be successful. 6. All Orders received from the Gentlemen of the Secret Committee respecting the safety of your Shipping shall be strictly obeyed and Complied with. 7. We wish success to your Affairs in China under the management of the Gentlemen you have been pleased to appoint for carrying on the same. 8. Mr. Saml. Mason (who Arrived here upon the Ship Princess Royal) is agreable to your directions appointed youngest Writer [...]	1: The Council's previous letter, dated 4 September 1779, went by the Danish ship Ganges. It reported the safe arrival of the King's ship Warwick and the Company's ship Earl Talbot from England, the Royal Admiral from Bombay and the Gatton from Madras by way of the Cape. 2: More ships had arrived since then. Queen, from Bencoolen, on the 21st of the previous month. Gatton, Royal George and Hillsborough, from China, on the 24th of the previous month. Princess Royal, from England, on the 3rd of the current month. Godfrey, Shrewsbury and Mount Stuart, from Madras, after a last call at Madagascar, on the 8th of the current month. 3: The Earl Talbot and the Princess Royal brought the Court's letters to the Council and the other papers named in the lists of both packets. The Governor and the Lieutenant Governor also received letters from the Secret Committee by the King's ship Warwick and by the same two ships. 4: The Council was glad to learn that all the ships that sailed home from the island the previous season had arrived safely. 5: The Council sincerely hoped that the ships the Court had hired for its trade that season would have a successful voyage. 6: The Council promised to obey every order from the Secret Committee concerning the safety of the Company's ships to the letter. 7: The Council wished the Court success in China under the officers it had appointed to manage its business there. 8: Samuel Mason arrived on the Princess Royal. As the Court directed, the Council appointed him the most junior writer on the island's staff, as the letter went on to explain.
349	344	9. Our thanks are due to your Honors for ordering the Ship Earl of Talbot to this Island with a most seasonable supply of Flour and Salt Provisions to replace those which were unfortunately lost with the Ship London. 10. The additional Naval Force and the Regiment of Regular Troops which his Majesty has been pleased to Order to the East Indies for the protection of your Honors Commerce and Settlements We hope will be successful and answer the intended purpose. 11. Mr. Jonathan Doveton returns your Honors thanks for remitting the demand on him for the sum of £ 55 - on account of Casks sold from your Stores and We assure that you shall not in future be put to any Expence as all the Casks are reserved for your use. 12. Lieut. Leech has been made acquainted with your intentions respecting him with which he assures your Honors he rests perfectly satisfied until you shall think proper to remove him from the Artillery. 13. Captain John Howard being also acquainted with your Indulgence towards him he on the 11 last Month Addressed a Letter to the Board returning your Honors his most grateful acknowledgements for this mark of your favour at same time requested permission to continue in his Station until the 1 of Janry. next to settle his Companys Accounts of Arrears &c. which We have consented to, and shall upon his resignation transmit the proper Certificates to Entitle him to the Military Fund. 14. Conformable to your Directions Mr. John Worrall has paid the Sum of £ 18 . 15 into your Cash being half the Value of Sheep deficient in your Stock. 15. Messieurs John Doveton and Nathl. Kennedy beg leave to return your Honors thanks for the Confirmation of their appointment as Factors.	9: The Council thanked the Court for sending the Earl Talbot to the island with a timely supply of flour and salt provisions. They replaced the stores lost with the London. 10: The King had ordered an additional naval force and a regiment of regular troops to the East Indies to protect the Company's trade and settlements. The Council hoped they would succeed in that purpose. 11: Jonathan Doveton thanked the Court for cancelling its claim on him for £55 0s 0d for casks sold from the Company's stores. The Council assured the Court that it would not be put to any such expense in future, since all casks were now kept for the Company's own use. 12: Lieutenant Leech had been told of the Court's plans for him. He assured the Court that he was fully content to stay where he was until it saw fit to move him out of the artillery. 13: Captain John Howard had been told of the Court's kindness towards him. On the 11th of the previous month he wrote to the Council to express his deep gratitude. He also asked to stay in his post until 1 January 1780, so that he could settle his company's accounts for arrears of pay and other matters. The Council agreed. When he resigned, it would send the certificates needed to qualify him for a pension from the Military Fund. 14: As the Court directed, John Worrall paid £18 15s 0d into the treasury. This was half the value of the sheep missing from the Company's flock. 15: John Doveton and Nathaniel Kennedy thanked the Court for confirming their appointments as factors. Interpretations Several cases the Council had referred to London now came back decided, and in each the Court chose a middle course or a lenient one. Worrall had admitted negligence over the 75 missing sheep, and the Council left it to the Court whether he should pay. The Court made him pay half their value, enough to mark the fault without ruining a poor man of good character. Doveton's claim of £55 0s 0d was cancelled outright. Howard, whom the Council recommended for the Court's favour in July 1777, was granted the provision he sought. The Council's practice of putting such cases to the Court with a recommendation rather than deciding them itself appears to have served the people concerned well. Howard's request to stay until 1 January 1780 shows the responsibilities of a company commander. A captain kept his company's pay accounts and was personally answerable for any arrears or debts owed to or by his men. Leaving before they were settled would have left his successor with a muddle and his own name open to claims. The Council granted him the time and promised the certificates for the Military Fund once he resigned, so that his pension would follow without delay.
350	345	16. Should Noquedah Pocolum return to the Island he shall be treated in the manner you direct. 17. The Madeira Wine in Store shall be sold by Publick Auction agreable to your directions. 18. The late Arrival of the Princess Royal prevents Us at present Answering the several Paragraphs respecting Long Wood. As the accurate Statement you have been pleased to give Us relative to Works of that nature in the Northern Counties in England differs so much as We apprehend from the many disadvantages We must Labor under here, both in price of Labour difficulties in Quarrying and other Circumstances as will be by a future opportunity mentioned, that We wish before We enter upon the said Work to weigh maturely every consideration as you have been pleased to state it with a Relative Comparison of the possibility of Complying therewith at this place, that no blame or censure hereafter may fall upon Us as We are only actuated therein for your Interest and the Publick Good, in the mean while shall direct Captain Pierie to take an accurate plan of Measurement and survey of the whole Long Wood specifying the Extent of the tract meant to be Enclosed. 19. The Lombardy Poplar Trees, you were pleased to send by the Ship Princess Royal are unfortunately all dead. You may be assured that whenever We receive any of those plants we shall endeavour to propagate them in the manner you prescribe. 20. By the next opportunity We shall transmit you a Plan and Estimate of the proposed new Gaol and agreable to your Orders of 59 Paragraph of your Genl. Letter shall order Repairs to be made to the Chaplains and other of your Houses as you have been pleased to direct. 21. We are pleased your Honors approve of Captain Pieries proposal for Erecting a Platform for a Howitzer and two Guns on Butter Milk point and for strengthening the Port	16: If Roquedah Pookollam came back to the island, the Council would treat him as the Court had instructed. 17: As the Court directed, the Madeira wine held in the stores would be sold at public auction. 18: The Princess Royal had arrived too recently for the Council to answer the Court's paragraphs on the Long Wood. The Court had sent a careful account of the cost of similar works in the northern counties of England. The Council believed that conditions on St Helena were so different that the comparison did not hold. Labour cost more, quarrying was harder and other difficulties would arise, which it promised to describe by a later ship. Before starting the work, it wanted to weigh each point the Court had raised against what could actually be done on the island. Its aim was to avoid any later blame, since its only motive was the Company's interest and the public good. In the meantime it would direct Captain Pierie to make an accurate measured survey of the whole Long Wood, showing the extent of the land to be enclosed. 19: The Lombardy poplars the Court sent by the Princess Royal had all died on the voyage. The Council promised that whenever it received more of these plants, it would try to propagate them in the way the Court described. 20: The Council would send a plan and estimate for the proposed new gaol by the next ship. Following the 59th paragraph of the Court's general letter, it would order repairs to the chaplain's house and the Company's other houses, as the Court had directed. 21: The Council was pleased that the Court approved Captain Pierie's proposals for a platform on Buttermilk Point to carry a howitzer and two guns, and for strengthening the portcullis, as the letter went on to explain. Interpretations The Court's answer on the Long Wood fence measured the Council's figures against the cost of stone walling in the north of England. In counties such as Cumberland and Westmorland, long dry-stone walls were built cheaply by skilled local wallers with stone gathered from the fields. The Court evidently thought the island's estimate too high and wanted the work done on similar terms. The Council could have started at once on the Court's figures. Instead it held back. Wrangham's survey in 1778 had shown that the stone had to be blasted at a single place and carted around a boundary of three and a half miles. Labour on the island was dear and skilled wallers did not exist. Starting on an English costing that could not be met would leave the Council to blame for any overrun. By setting out the differences in advance, it placed the decision back on the Court with the real conditions in view. The Lombardy poplar was a fast-growing tree with a tall, narrow shape, introduced into England in the mid-18th century and grown easily from cuttings. The Court probably chose it as a quick source of timber and shelter for the island's bare ground, alongside the furze it had ordered for the commons. Live plants rarely survived a voyage of several months, and the loss of the whole consignment showed the difficulty of supplying the island with anything that had to arrive alive.
351	346	Port Cullis in James Valley. And beg leave to assure you that We shall pay all due attention in the prosecution of these Works and flatter Ourselves the same will be Compleated to your satisfaction. 22. Your Honors may rely upon Our utmost attention in keeping the Military and Militia properly disciplined, and that We shall be Constantly on our Guard to repel any attempt that may be made against the Island by an Enemy. 23. Mr. David Hay having produced to Us a power of Attorney from Mr. Isaac Buchanan relative to the Effects of Captain John Stone, We have accordingly delivered the same to him, And he informs Us that he Shipped them on board His Majesty's Ship Warwick. 24. The Non Commissioned Officers of the Artillery mentioned in the 26 Paragraph of your General Letter p Princess Royal shall meet with every Encouragement they merit, several of whom have been already promoted. 25. Messrs. Ulysses Brown and William Seale whom you have been pleased to appoint Lieutenants of Artillery on this Island shall be paid the usual Salary's annexed to their Station. When Mr. Ellis whom Mr. Mitchell your Secretary informs Us you have been pleased to Appoint a second Lieutenant in this Garrison arrives he shall be acquainted with your Orders and Rank accordingly. And agreable to your Orders have Returned Mr. Thomas Brathwaites Bond. 26. Your Orders respecting such Officers as become Pensioners upon the Military Fund was made known in Publick Orders to the Garrison. 27. Should any Ships or Vessels Arrive here from the Presidency of Fort St. George with French Officers and Soldiers on board Consigned directly to France, We shall allow such Ships or Vessels Destination Conformable to your positive Commands thereupon as p Separate Letter by the Princess Royal. 28. In the 7 Paragraph of our Genl. Letter to you dated 23 June last We informed your Honors that our Summer Rains had	The Council assured the Court that it would give the works at Buttermilk Point and the portcullis in James Valley its full attention. It hoped they would be finished to the Court's satisfaction. 22: The Court could rely on the Council to keep the soldiers and the militia well drilled and disciplined. It would remain constantly on guard to repel any attack an enemy might make on the island. 23: David Kay produced a power of attorney from Mr Buchanan concerning the belongings of the late Captain John Stone. The Council handed the belongings over to Kay, and he reported that he had shipped them on the King's ship Warwick. 24: The non-commissioned officers of the artillery named in the 26th paragraph of the Court's general letter by the Princess Royal would receive every encouragement they deserved. Several had already been promoted. 25: Ulysses Brown and William Seale, whom the Court had appointed lieutenants of artillery on the island, would be paid the usual salaries for their rank. Mr Mitchell, the Court's Secretary, had told the Council that the Court had also appointed Mr Ellis a second lieutenant in the garrison. When Ellis arrived, he would be told of the Court's orders and given his rank. As the Court instructed, the Council had returned Thomas Crosthwaite's bond. 26: The Court's orders on officers who became pensioners of the Military Fund had been announced to the garrison in general orders. 27: Ships might arrive from Madras carrying French officers and soldiers to be sent straight to France. If so, the Council would change their destination, as the Court firmly ordered in a separate letter by the Princess Royal. 28: In the seventh paragraph of its letter of 23 June 1779, the Council had told the Court that the summer rains had failed, as the letter went on to explain. Interpretations The order to redirect ships carrying French prisoners turned St Helena into a checkpoint on the route home from India. When Pondicherry and the other French settlements surrendered, the terms often allowed the French garrisons to be shipped back to France. The Court evidently feared that soldiers returned straight to France would simply be sent out again to fight. It ordered the island to change the destination of any such ship, probably to a British port, so that the men could be held until exchanged. Every homeward ship from Madras called at the island, so the Council could enforce the order without needing a warship at sea. The appointment of Brown and Seale as lieutenants of artillery finally answered the Council's repeated requests. Since 1777 the company had been run by a shortage of officers, with Leech and Hotson filling posts they did not want and Hay held back against his wishes. The Court's promise to reward the artillery's non-commissioned officers, several of whom were promoted at once, also suggests that the company's good conduct after the mutiny of 1777 had been noted in London.
352	347	had totally failed and a great number of Black Cattle and Sheep died for the want of Food, and We are now sorry to inform you that the Calamity continues to the present period, and by a return lately made to Us We find a decrease in the Inhabitants Stock of Black of 809 since the 30 September 1778 exclusive of 91 of the Honble. Company's In consequence thereof the Inhabitants have not been able to supply near the number returned for Slaughter so that the latter Ships have had but a very scanty Supply. We are further concerned to add that We are certain We shall have a very short return of Cattle the next Year, consequently your Ships of the ensuing Season can be furnished with but very little fresh Beef here, for two or three Years to come, as it will take that time to recover the respective Stocks of Black Cattle, Sheep &c. provided the Season should prove favourable. We have further to observe that the Plantations have also suffered the same cause added to which the necessity We were under of calling forward their assistance towards supplying the Ships of the last dispatch as well as the whole of your Garrison for near three Months after Exhausting the Major part of your Plantation for that purpose. We therefore consider ourselves as under an indispensable necessity of relieving the Inhabitants as much as your Stores will admit, for the aid which they cheerfully lent Us when We were totally divested of all other resources. We beg leave further to offer to your consideration that amidst our many distresses of this Year that of the great demands of supply's of Provisions by your returning Ships has not been one of the least, and greatly curtailed those meant for the Consumption of this Island as you will please to observe by an account Entered on Consultation of the 22 Instant. 29. We have to acquaint you that the several Captains of this Fleet has detained a great part of the Supply's Consigned to Us from India, as will appear by the short delivery's entered upon Consultations of 27 and 30 September and 22 Instant, to which we	The summer rains had failed completely, and large numbers of cattle and sheep had died for lack of grazing. The Council now had to report that the disaster was still going on. A recent count showed that the inhabitants' herds of cattle had fallen by 809 head since 30 September 1778. The Company's own herd had lost a further 91. The inhabitants could therefore supply nowhere near the number of cattle listed for slaughter, and the later ships received only a very meagre supply of meat. The Council was certain that next year's count would be very low. The Company's ships of the coming season, and probably for two or three years after, would get very little fresh beef at the island. It would take that long for the herds of cattle and sheep to recover, even if the weather was kind. The plantations had suffered from the drought as well. On top of that, the Council had been forced to call on them to supply the last fleet and to feed the whole garrison for nearly three months, after it had used up most of the Company's own plantation crops. The inhabitants had willingly helped the Company when it had nothing else to fall back on. The Council therefore felt bound to relieve them from the Company's stores as far as it could. It also asked the Court to note that, among the many hardships of the year, one of the worst had been the heavy demand for provisions from the homeward ships. Supplying them had cut deeply into the food meant for the island itself, as an account entered in the consultation of 22 October 1779 showed. 29: The Council reported that several captains of the fleet had kept back a large part of the supplies sent to the island from India. The details appeared in the short deliveries entered in the consultations of 27 and 30 September and 22 October 1779, as the letter went on to explain. Interpretations The Council's decision to relieve the inhabitants from the Company's stores reversed the usual flow of supply. Normally the inhabitants sold cattle and produce to the Company, which used them to supply the ships and the garrison. In the drought the Company's own plantations ran out, and the inhabitants' crops kept the garrison and the fleet fed. The obvious course afterwards was to keep the stores for the Company's own needs, since the next fleet would expect supplies too. Instead the Council chose to repay the inhabitants from those stores. It described their help as given freely when the Company had no other resource. Treating that help as a debt to be honoured kept their goodwill for the next crisis on an island where the Company could not force its settlers to grow food or rear cattle. The figures show the scale of the disaster. A loss of 900 cattle in a year struck at the island's main purpose of supplying beef to the Company's ships, and the Council warned that it would take two or three years to recover. In the same year the commanders kept back supplies sent from India, as Waghorn and Sutton had done before. The island was losing food at both ends: its own herds were dying, and the stores meant to replace them were being held on board the ships.
353	348	We beg leave to refer you, this great detention of such necessary Stores must appear to your Honors as having still further added to Our distress and We earnestly entreat you if possible to fall upon means to prevent in future this inconveniency so often Complained. 30. We beg leave to inform your Honors that We have particularly requested of the Governor General and Supreme Council of Bengal to increase our Indent of Rice and Paddy as much as they conveniently can, as we are in continual want of those Articles, hope you will approve of the same. 31. In Consultation of the 11 of October, We have entered a Petition from the Landholders of the Island setting forth the great distress and losses they have met with from the severe Drought, praying that We would represent their distressed situation to your Honors. We therefore being well convinced that what they have set forth is a true representation of their sufferings, beg leave strongly to Recommend their distressed Circumstances to your humane feelings and Consideration. 32. Your Honors will please to observe by Our Consultation of the 18 Instant a Petition entered from Mr. Richard Goodwin, and an answer thereto by Mr. Matthew Bazett respecting the Estate of the late Captain Richard Beale, and request you will lay the same before your Council and favour Us with opinion thereon. 33. On the 4 Instant We received a Letter from Mr. Jonathan Doveton Storekeeper, setting forth his bad state of health, having for a long time past laboured under a nervous Complaint in his Head, And on that account requested permission to proceed to England to make trial of the Change of Air for a Season. That as We are well convinced from Our own knowledge and the Surgeons Certificate (Entered upon Consultation of that day) he is under an absolute necessity of taking this step for the reestablishment of his health, We have granted him his	The Council referred the Court to those entries. It pointed out that holding back such essential supplies had made the island's distress even worse. It earnestly asked the Court to find some way, if it could, to stop a practice that had so often been complained of. 30: The Council had specially asked the Governor General and Supreme Council of Bengal to increase its order for rice and paddy as far as they reasonably could, since the island was constantly short of both. It hoped the Court would approve. 31: The consultation of 11 October 1779 recorded a petition from the island's landholders. It described the severe hardship and losses the drought had caused them and asked the Council to put their plight before the Court. The Council was fully satisfied that the petition gave a true account of their suffering. It strongly commended their situation to the Court's compassion and consideration. 32: The consultation of 18 October 1779 recorded a petition from Richard Goodwin and a reply to it from Matthew Bazett, concerning the estate of the late Captain Richard Beale. The Council asked the Court to put the matter before the Company's lawyers and to send their opinion. 33: On 4 October 1779 the Council received a letter from Jonathan Doveton, the storekeeper. He described his poor health, explaining that he had long suffered from a nervous complaint affecting his head. He asked leave to go to England for a season to see whether a change of air would help. The Council knew his condition at first hand, and the surgeon's certificate entered in the consultation of that day confirmed that the journey was essential for his recovery. The Council therefore granted his request, as the letter went on to explain. Interpretations The dispute over Captain Beale's estate placed a member of the Council on one side of a legal quarrel. Goodwin's petition was answered by Matthew Bazett, who sat at the Council table. The Council could have settled the matter in the island's court, but any ruling it made would have looked like a judgement in favour of one of its own members. It chose instead to send both papers to the Company's lawyers in London. This removed the decision from the island and protected the Council against any charge of partiality. The landholders' petition asked for nothing specific in the Council's account, but its purpose was clear. Landholders paid rent to the Company and depended on selling cattle and crops to the ships. With 809 of their cattle dead and their crops consumed by the garrison and the fleet, they faced ruin. The Council endorsed their petition and appealed to the Court's compassion. That was the most it could do, since only the Court could remit rents or grant any other relief at the Company's expense.
354	349	his request, And hope you will be pleased to permit him to return to his Station again he being a very diligent and faithful Servant to the Honble. Company. He takes his Passage to England upon the Ship Glatton. 34. Patrick Newman a Seaman who was left here Sick in the Hospital out of the Ship Earl of Talbot has been subsisted at your Expence to the amount of £ 9 . 6 - which We mention that you may settle the same with the Owners of that Ship. 35. We have received 44 Recruits of the 50 you were pleased to send by the Princess Royal, the other six died on their Passage from England, those received were in a very Sickly condition so that We have lost six more since the Arrival of the Ship these losses adding to 29 Invalids We are under the necessity of sending home by this Fleet obliges us to request that you will add 20 more Recruits to the number We indented for in June last. 36. Captns. Dempster Farrell and Collet acquaints Us they left Wampoa the 7 March last and that they came thro' the Straights of Banca and saw no Ships on their Passage. Captns. Bond, Coggan and Stewart informs Us they sailed from Madrass the 27 March last that having met with very heavy Gales of Wind and high Seas to the Eastward of the Cape they were obliged to bear away for Madagascar from whence they sailed the 18 August last. 37. The Passengers on board the Ship Royal Admiral are Major Rotherham and Mr. Love, On the Gatton Major Burgall and Lady, Mr. Drake and Mr. Brydon, on the Royal George Mr. Wilson, on the Mount Stuart Mr. and Mrs. Golding Mr. Fatman, Mr. Hodges and Messrs. Smithby Captn. Ashe Harris and Mr. Dundass, On the Hillsborough Mr.	The Council hoped the Court would allow Doveton to return to his post afterwards, since he had been a very hard-working and loyal servant of the Company. He was sailing to England on the Glatton. 34: Patrick Newman, a seaman from the Earl Talbot, had been left sick in the hospital on the island. His keep had cost the Company £9 6s 0d. The Council reported the sum so that the Court could recover it from the ship's owners. 35: Of the 50 recruits the Court sent on the Princess Royal, 44 arrived. The other six died on the voyage from England. Those who landed were in very poor health, and six more had died since. These losses, together with the 29 invalids the Council had to send home with this fleet, obliged it to ask the Court for 20 more recruits on top of those ordered in June 1779. 36: Captains Dowton, Fowle and Collet reported that they left Whampoa on 7 March 1779. They came out through the Strait of Bali and saw no other ships on the way. Captains Ford, Coggan and Stewart said they sailed from Madras on 27 March 1779. East of the Cape they met very heavy gales and high seas and were forced to turn back to Madagascar, which they left on 14 August 1779. 37: The passengers on the homeward ships were as follows. On the Royal Admiral: Major Rotheram and Mr Love. On the Gatton: Major Burgall and his lady, Mr Drake and Mr Bigton. On the Royal George: Mr Wilson. On the Mount Stuart: Mr and Mrs Golding, Mr Fatman, Mr Hodges, Miss Southby, Captain Ashe, Mr Harris and Mr Dundas. The list continued with the passengers on the Hillsborough. Interpretations The recruits' figures show how costly it was to keep the garrison up to strength. Of 50 men sent, twelve were dead within weeks of reaching the island, six at sea and six after landing. At the same time 29 invalids had to be sent home. The garrison was losing men faster than the Court could replace them, and the Council's request for 20 more on top of the existing order reflected that. Recruits were often taken from the poorest classes in England and arrived weakened by months at sea, which left them easy victims of disease. The China ships' route through the Strait of Bali was a departure from the usual passage. Homeward ships from China normally left the South China Sea through the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra. With French warships active in the Indian Ocean, the commanders probably chose the eastern route through the Bali Strait to avoid any enemy waiting at the Sunda passage. Their report that they saw no ships suggests the precaution worked. The Madras ships' turn back to Madagascar shows the other danger of the route home, with storms off the Cape forcing a long delay.
355	350	Mr. Orok, On the Queen Lieut. Colonel Kirkpatrick, Messrs. Llewellin, Marsden Sage and Johnson, on the Shrewsbury Mr. Brown, Major Matthews and Mrs. Bateman and Mc. Cloud, And on Board the Godfrey Mr. Pattle and Family, Colonel Horn and Family and Mrs. Woldsebum. 38. We have put on Board the Glatton Thos. Snarden Wm. Holloway, John Reed, Jos. Bowman, John Ferguson, Willm. Brown, Richd. Snooke, James Anderson, John Love and William Robinson, On board the Hillsborough Jos. Branson Willm. Allen, Saml. Packer, Jos. Welbore, Wm. Kirby, James Bytham, Thomas Reeves Willm. Mudge, John Bassett and John Waller And on Board the Shrewsbury, Anthy. Reynolds Benj. Welch, Benj. Wise, John Bates, Robt. Hardee, Henry Herenburg, Nichs. Dycher, John Saxe and Robt. Bond twenty nine Invalid Soldiers all of whom We recommend as proper Objects to be put upon the Military Fund their disorders and infirmity's appear by their Certificates herewith transmitted, And have left the payment for their Passage to England to be settled by your Honors and Owners of the respective Ships, they have all signed an Instrument in Writing not to demand any Wages from the Captain or Owners of the Ships for their Passage thither. 39. Your Honors will please to observe by our Consultation of the 19 instant we dispatched the Princess Royal upon the expiration of the ten Working Days. By which Conveyance we consigned to the Presidency of Fort Marlbro the sum of £ 16000 - which was all the Silver we could then spare leaving a sufficiency for the Current Expences of the Island but shall by the next opportunity forward the remaining £ 4000 - to make up the Sum you have been pleased to Order to be sent thither.	The passengers on the Hillsborough included Mr Orrok. The lists for the remaining ships were as follows. On the Queen: Lieutenant Colonel Kirkpatrick, Mr Lewellin, Mr Marsden, Mr Sage and Mr Johnson. On the Shrewsbury: Mr Brown, Major Matthews, Mrs Bateman and Mr Cloud. On the Godfrey: Mr Pattle and his family, Colonel Hunn and his family, and Mrs Wol[...]. 38: The Council placed 29 invalid soldiers on three of the homeward ships. On the Glatton: Thomas Snarden William Holloway John Reed Joseph Bowman John Ferguson William Brown Richard Snocke James Anderson John Love William Robinson On the Hillsborough: Joseph Branson William Allen Samuel Packer Joseph Welbone William Kirby James Bytham Thomas Reeves William Mudge John Bassett John Waller On the Shrewsbury: Anthony Reynolds Benjamin Welch Benjamin Wise John Bates Robert Hardee Henry Herenburg Nicholas Dycher John Sax Robert Bond The Council recommended every one of them for a pension from the Military Fund. Their illnesses and disabilities were described in the certificates sent with this letter. Payment for their passages was left to be settled between the Court and the owners of each ship. All the men had signed a written undertaking not to claim wages from the captains or owners for the voyage. 39: The consultation of 19 October 1779 recorded that the Council sent off the Princess Royal once her ten working days had run out. By her it shipped £16,000 0s 0d to the government of Fort Marlborough. That was all the silver the island could spare while keeping enough for its own day-to-day costs. The Council would send the remaining £4,000 0s 0d by the next ship to make up the full sum the Court had ordered. Interpretations The silver sent to Fort Marlborough was the Court's answer to the Council's offer of 1778. The Council had then reported that the treasury held far more coin than the island needed, swollen by money paid in for bills of exchange, and offered to send the surplus to Fort Marlborough. The Court accepted and ordered £20,000 0s 0d to be sent. Shipping it from St Helena saved the Company the cost and wartime risk of sending treasure all the way from England. The Council sent only £16,000 0s 0d at once because it would not strip the treasury of the cash it needed to pay the garrison and buy food in a year of drought. The recommendation of all 29 invalids for the Military Fund applied the new rule the Council had offered the Court. In 1778 it had defended its strictness in recommending only proven cases. It then offered to recommend every invalid unless his disability had begun before he enlisted. This time no man was left out. The written undertaking against claiming wages, first used in July 1777, had also become standard practice. With that undertaking signed and payment left to be settled in London, the commanders took the men without the disputes of earlier years.
356	351	40. You have been pleased to give Us directions to receive into your Treasury the Sum of £ 200 - for Bills upon you, if duly Tendered by the Trustees of the Estate of the late John Pritchard decd. The late Lieut. John Bazett was Administrator thereto, who dying Intestate, his Administrators requested to deposite for the better security the Sum of £ 700 - in your Treasury on that Account which we permitted and gave a promise to grant Bills on you when the State of your Cash would admit, therefore as the same has been laying in your Cash Chest since July 1777 and we having consigned Money agreable to Your Orders to Fort Marlbro, have now made good our promise to them and Granted Bills for the whole Sum payable to Messrs. John Story and Christr. Pritchard at 90 Days Sight dated the 22 instant. Affidavit being first made that the same is the property of the Heirs of the late John Pritchard decd. 41. We have Granted the following Sets of Bills of Exchange viz. One to Mr. James Laird for £ 150 payable to Robt. Wigram Esqr. dated the 13 Sept. last. Two Sets to Major Danl. Corneille, One for £ 32 . 8 payable to Messrs. Stainforth Leborne and Stainforth. The other for £ 127 . 11 payable to James Mear to Hith. Robt. Mitford and Jonn. Michie Esqrs. One to John Skottowe Esqr. for £ 265 - payable to Mr. Michael Lascelles. Three to Mr. William Wrangham, One for £ 197 . 15 . 3 payable to John Clements Esqr. One for £ 425 . 4 - payable to Mr. John Treatbirk, And the other for £ 200 payable to Thos. Burston Esqr. One to Mr. James Desfountain for £ 50 payable to Mr. Morris Jones. One to Mr. John Goodwin for £ 100 payable to Mr. Robt. Digley. One to Mr. Robt. Leech for £ 130 - payable to Mr. William Mason, One to the Attorney of Captn. Jas. Tippet for £ 214 . 4 . 6 payable	40: The Court had instructed the Council to accept £200 0s 0d into the treasury in exchange for bills on London, if the trustees of the estate of the late John Pritchard offered it in proper form. The late Lieutenant John Bazett had been administrator of that estate. He died without a will, and his own administrators asked to place £700 0s 0d belonging to the Pritchard estate in the treasury for safe keeping. The Council allowed this and promised to issue bills on the Court for the money when the state of the treasury allowed. The money had lain in the treasury's cash chest since July 1777. Now that the Council had sent coin to Fort Marlborough as ordered, it kept its promise. It issued bills for the whole sum, payable to John Story and Christopher Pritchard 90 days after sight and dated 22 October 1779. Before doing so it required a sworn statement that the money belonged to the heirs of John Pritchard. 41: The Council issued the following sets of bills of exchange. One to James Laird for £150 0s 0d, payable to Robert Wigram, dated 18 September 1779 Two sets to Major Daniel Corneille, the first for £32 8s 0d, payable to Staniforth, Giberne and Staniforth The second to Major Daniel Corneille for £127 10s 0d, payable to James Mear, Robert Mitford and John Michie One to Governor John Skottowe for £265 0s 0d, payable to Michael Lascelles Three to William Wrangham, the first for £197 15s 3d, payable to John Clements The second to William Wrangham for £425 4s 0d, payable to John Treadbeck The third to William Wrangham for £200 0s 0d, payable to Thomas Burston One to James Desfountain for £50 0s 0d, payable to Morris Jones One to John Goodwin for £100 0s 0d, payable to Robert Digley One to Robert Leech for £130 0s 0d, payable to William Mason One to the attorney of Captain James Tippet for £204 4s 6d The payee of the last bill was named further on in the letter. Interpretations The Pritchard money shows the treasury acting as a safe deposit as well as a bank. When Lieutenant Bazett died without a will, the money he held for the Pritchard estate was at risk of being mixed up with his own. His administrators put it in the treasury to keep it apart and safe. The Council took the money but would not issue bills for it at once, because in 1777 the treasury needed every coin it held. That changed only after the surplus had built up and the shipment to Fort Marlborough had been made. Even then the Council demanded a sworn statement that the money belonged to Pritchard's heirs before releasing it. The Court would be paying the bills in London, and the Council had to make sure the right people received the money.
357	352	payable to Thos. Wood Esqr. One to Mr. Nathaniel Kennedy for £ [...] payable to Mr. Geo. Macaulay. One to the Reverend Mr. Robertes Carr for £ 259 . 7 . 6 payable to Fredk. Hindley Esqr. One to Mr. Wm. Dun for £ 800 payable to Messrs. [...] and Company, One to the Attorneys of Captn. Thos. Henderson for £ 300 payable to Mrs. Catharine Henderson, One to Mr. David Hay £ [...] payable to Mr. Wm. [...], One to Mr. Jona. Doveton for £ [...] payable to himself, One to Mr. Wm. Doveton for £ 50 payable to Mr. Charles [...], One to Mr. Thos. Cole for £ 100 payable to Mr. Chas. Bradford, One to Captn. Robert [...] for £ 1200 payable to Andrew Moffatt Esqr. One to Mr. George Simpson for £ 500 payable to Mrs. Elizth. Simpson, One to Captn. Peter Douglas for £ 2000 payable to himself. And one Set to Captn. John Howard for £ 500 payable to Mattw. Parling Esqr. (or Order) all drawn at 90 Days sight and Dated the 22 instant. 42. We are concerned to inform you that nine Men have absented themselves from the Garrison many of them for a considerable time past and notwithstanding the strict and repeated searches that have been made, and the Official Letters We have Wrote the Captains of the respective Ships, yet cannot hear or find any of them altho' We are convinced they must be concealed on board some of the Ships now in the Road therefore must request your Honors will enforce the strictest Orders to the Captains and Officers respecting the Concealment of such Deserters. 43. This Letter waits on your Honors by His Majesty's	The bill for Captain Tippet's attorney was payable to Thomas Wood. The list continued. One to Nathaniel Kennedy for £50 0s 0d, payable to George Macaulay One to the Reverend Robert Carr for £259 7s 6d, payable to John Bradley One to William Dun for £800 0s 0d, payable to Abel and Company One to the attorneys of Captain Thomas Henderson for £300 0s 0d, payable to Catherine Henderson One to David Kay for £[...], payable to William Melliss One to Jonathan Doveton for £1,000 0s 0d, payable to Doveton himself One to William Doveton for £[...], payable to Charles Gregory One to Thomas Cole for £100 0s 0d, payable to Charles Bradford One to Captain Robert [...] for £1,200 0s 0d, payable to Andrew Moffatt One to George Simpson for £500 0s 0d, payable to Elizabeth Simpson One to Captain Peter Douglas for £2,000 0s 0d, payable to Douglas himself One set to Captain John Howard for £500 0s 0d, payable to Matthew Purling or to his order All these bills were payable 90 days after sight and dated 22 October 1779. 42: The Council regretted to report that nine soldiers had deserted from the garrison, many of them some time ago. Despite strict and repeated searches, and formal letters to the captains of the ships concerned, none of the men could be found or traced. The Council was convinced they were hidden on board some of the ships then in the anchorage. It asked the Court to give the captains and officers the strictest orders against hiding deserters. 43: The letter went to the Court by a ship named further on. Interpretations The nine missing soldiers were the latest in a run of desertions that the Council could not stop. Men had escaped in fishing boats in 1777 and 1778, and in December 1778 the Bridgewater's boat had collected a corporal from under a battery in daylight. Here the Council searched and wrote to the captains, and got nowhere. Ships in the anchorage were outside its reach. It could not search them by force, and the officers had every reason to keep quiet about extra hands in wartime. The only remedy was for the Court to order its commanders, under threat of penalties, not to hide deserters. The Council could only ask for those orders. The size of some of the bills shows who profited most from passing through the island. Captain Peter Douglas, who commanded the Queen, remitted £2,000 0s 0d, and another ship's captain £1,200 0s 0d. These were far larger than the sums sent by most island officials. Commanders made money from the private trade they were allowed to carry, and St Helena was one place they could sell goods and turn the proceeds into bills on London. The same men whose ships were suspected of hiding deserters were among the island treasury's largest customers.
358	353	Majesty's Ship Warwick, Copy's of which are transmitted by the Glatton and Godfrey that Sailed from hence in Company with the Royal Admiral, Royal George Gatton Hillsborough, Mount Stuart Shrewsbury and Queen. We are Honble. Sirs Your most Obedt. and most humble Servants (Signed) John Skottowe Danl. Corneille M. Bazett Wm. Wrangham Henry Bazett St. Helena 23 Oct. 1779 List of the Honble. Company's Packet from St. Helena p his Majesty's Ship Warwick dated the 23 October 1779 viz. No. 1 Govr. and Councils General Letter dated the 23 October 1779 2 Do. & Do. Do. Do. the Do. relatg. to Law matters 3 Duplicate Do. & Do. Do. Do. the 23 June Do. 4 Do. Do. & Do. Do. Do. the 27 Do. Do. 5 Do. Do. & Do. Do. Do. the 4 Sept. 1779 6 Consultations from the 28 June to the 23 October Do. 7 Duplicate Do. from the 8 Feby. to the 21 June Do. 8 Cash Acct. from the 24 to the 30 June Do. 9 Do. for the Month of July Do.	The letter went to the Court by the King's ship Warwick. Copies went by the Glatton and the Godfrey, which sailed with seven other Company ships. Royal Admiral Royal George Gatton Hillsborough Mount Stuart Shrewsbury Queen The Council signed the letter at St Helena on 23 October 1779. John Skottowe Daniel Corneille Matthew Bazett William Wrangham Henry Bazett The Company's packet sent from St Helena by the Warwick on 23 October 1779 contained the following papers. 1: General letter from the Governor and Council, dated 23 October 1779 2: Further general letter from the Governor and Council, dated 23 October 1779, on legal matters 3: Duplicate of the general letter from the Governor and Council, dated 23 June 1779 4: Duplicate of the general letter from the Governor and Council, dated 27 June 1779 5: Duplicate of the general letter from the Governor and Council, dated 4 September 1779 6: Consultations from 28 June to 23 October 1779 7: Duplicate consultations from 8 February to 21 June 1779 8: Cash account from 24 June to 30 June 1779 9: Cash account for July 1779
359	354	10 Cash Account for the Month of August 1779 11 Do. for the Do. of September Do. 12 Do. from the 1 to the 23 October Do. 13 Duplicate Do. for the Month of February Do. 14 Do. Do. for the Month of March Do. 15 Do. Do. for the Do. of April Do. 16 Do. Do. for the Do. of May Do. 17 Do. Do. from the 1 to the 23 June Do. 18 Ship Earl Talbots Account 19 Do. Royal Admirals Do. 20 Do. Gattons Do. 21 Do. Queens Do. 22 Do. Glattons Do. 23 Do. Hillsboroughs Do. 24 Do. Royal Georges Do. 25 Do. Godfreys Do. 26 Do. Shrewsburys Do. 27 Do. Mount Stewarts Do. 28 Snow Betsys Do. 29 Duplicate Mercury Packets Do. 30 Do. Ship Valentines Do. 31 Do. Ship Rochfords Do. 32 Do. Ship Grosvenors Do. 33 Do. Ship Northingtons Do. 34 Do. Ship Lathams Do. 35 Do. Ship Lord Norths Do. 36 Do. Ship Earl Mansfield Do. 37 Do. Ship Lord Hollands Do. 38 Do. List of the Packet p Ship Latham 39 Proceedings of a Genl. Quarter Sessions held on the 14 July 1779 40 Do. of Do. Do. held on the 6 Oct. Do. 41 Duplicate Do. of a Do. Do. held on the 14 Apl. Do. 42 First Receipt for the Packet p Ship Latham	The list of the packet sent by the Warwick continued with the following papers. 10: Cash account for August 1779 11: Cash account for September 1779 12: Cash account from 1 October to 23 October 1779 13: Duplicate cash account for February 1779 14: Duplicate cash account for March 1779 15: Duplicate cash account for April 1779 16: Duplicate cash account for May 1779 17: Duplicate cash account from 1 June to 23 June 1779 18: Account of the ship Earl Talbot. 19: Account of the ship Royal Admiral. 20: Account of the ship Gatton. 21: Account of the ship Queen. 22: Account of the ship Glatton. 23: Account of the ship Hillsborough. 24: Account of the ship Royal George. 25: Account of the ship Godfrey. 26: Account of the ship Shrewsbury. 27: Account of the ship Mount Stuart. 28: Account of the snow Betsy. 29: Duplicate account of the packet ship Mercury. 30: Duplicate account of the ship Valentine. 31: Duplicate account of the ship Rochford. 32: Duplicate account of the ship Grosvenor. 33: Duplicate account of the ship Northington. 34: Duplicate account of the ship Latham. 35: Duplicate account of the ship Lord North. 36: Duplicate account of the ship Earl of Mansfield. 37: Duplicate account of the ship Lord Holland. 38: Duplicate list of the packet sent by the ship Latham. 39: Proceedings of the general quarterly court held on 14 July 1779 40: Proceedings of the general quarterly court held on 6 October 1779 41: Duplicate proceedings of the general quarterly court held on 14 April 1779 42: First receipt for the packet sent by the ship Latham.
360	355	43 First Receipt for a small paper Packet p Ship Lord North 44 Do. Do. for a Do. Do. p Ship Valentine 45 Do. Do. for a Do. Do. p Snow Betsy 46 Do. Do. for a Do. Do. p Dane Ship Ganges 47 Second Do. for the Packet p Eagle 48 Do. Do. for a small paper Packet p Dane Snow Francesco 49 Do. Do. for a Do. Do. p Dane Ship King of Denmark 50 Do. Do. for a Do. Do. p Swede Ship Finland 51 Effective State of the Garrison 52 Muster Rolls of Do. 53 Duplicate Register of Goods and Merchandize 54 Do. List of Births Christgs. Marriages & Burials 55 Do. Indent of Stores wanted for the Service of the Year 1780 56 Do. Do. of Medicines Do. for the Do. of the Do. 57 Do. List of Stores remaining in the Honble. Compys. Ware Houses 30 April 1779 58 Do. Do. of Garrison Stores remaing. in Do. 30 Apl. 1779 59 Do. General Return of Ordnance & Ordnance Stores &c. 60 Governor & Councils Certificate of 29 Invalid Soldiers recommended to be put upon the Military Fund 61 Time of the Arrival of Ships Boats at Banks's 62 Abstract of the Cargoes of Ships Royal Admiral, Glatton Queen, Gatton, Hillsborough Royal George Godfrey Shrewsbury and Mount Stuart 63 List of Familys taken the 30 September 1779 64 Do. of Rents Do. 30 Do. Do. 65 Do. of the Honble. Company's Slaves with their Age & Occupations 66 Mr. Brathwaites Bond for £ 30 - returned 67 General Courts Martial held 27 Sept. 1779 68 A Packet from the President & Council of Bombay to the Honble. Secret Committee of the United East India Company 69 Instrument in Writing from 29 Invalid Soldiers recommended to be put upon the Military Fund	The list of the packet sent by the Warwick continued with the following papers. 43: First receipt for a small packet of papers sent by the ship Lord North. 44: First receipt for a small packet of papers sent by the ship Valentine. 45: First receipt for a small packet of papers sent by the snow Betsy. 46: First receipt for a small packet of papers sent by the Danish ship Ganges. 47: Second receipt for the packet sent by the Eagle. 48: Second receipt for a small packet of papers sent by the Danish snow Francesco. 49: Second receipt for a small packet of papers sent by the Danish ship King of Denmark. 50: Second receipt for a small packet of papers sent by the Swedish ship Finland. 51: Effective state of the garrison 52: Muster rolls of the garrison 53: Duplicate register of goods brought into and shipped out of the island 54: Duplicate register of births, christenings, marriages and burials 55: Duplicate indent of stores needed for the year 1780 56: Duplicate indent of medicines needed for the year 1780 57: Duplicate list of stores left in the Company's warehouses on 30 April 1779 58: Duplicate list of garrison stores left on 30 April 1779 59: Duplicate general return of guns, ordnance stores and related items 60: Certificate from the Governor and Council for 29 invalid soldiers recommended for pensions from the Military Fund 61: Times at which ships' boats arrived at Banks's 62: Summary of the cargoes of the ships Royal Admiral, Glatton, Queen, Gatton, Hillsborough, Royal George, Godfrey, Shrewsbury and Mount Stuart. 63: List of families taken on 30 September 1779 64: List of rents taken on 30 September 1779 65: List of the Company's slaves, with their ages and work 66: Thomas Crosthwaite's bond for £30 0s 0d, returned 67: Proceedings of the general court martial held on 27 September 1779 68: Packet from the President and Council of Bombay to the Secret Committee of the United East India Company 69: Written undertaking signed by the 29 invalid soldiers recommended for pensions from the Military Fund
361	356	Governor and Lieut. Governors Letters to the Honble. Secret Committee p his Majesty's Ship Warwick and the Honble. Company's Ships Glatton and Godfrey (Signed) B. Wright Secry.	Letters from the Governor and the Lieutenant Governor to the Secret Committee went by the King's ship Warwick and by the Company's ships Glatton and Godfrey. B. Wright, the Secretary, signed the list.
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366	361	EAP 1364 St Helena Document Name and Date St Helena Letters to England 1772-1779 Dimensions (height x width x depth) (cm) 39cm x 27cm x 5cm No. written pages: 356 No. blank pages: 2 Spine and cover Good Condition Inside pages Foxing present throughout volume Pages numbered in pencil on left side pages Additional comments Time taken to photograph (hours) 3 hours